This Week: Ethics in the News

Highlights from some of the week's top ethics news stories.



World Politics
This week there were a few positive measures that may reduce hostility between Israel and Iran. The first, a social media campaign started by an Israeli graphic designer and his wife called "Israel Loves Iran," has gained a considerable amount of momentum among Israelis and Iranians alike. Secondly, a UN-backed nuclear weapons conference that will bring Israel and Iran together for negotiations is proposed to take place in Helsinki in December. However, tensions between the two countries remain high with the ever-present threat of war.  
read more about social media campaign......ABC News - 'Israel Loves Iran' Campaign Gains Force
read more about conference.......The Guardian - Nuclear Weapons Conference Could Bring Israel and Iran Together

Investigations in Florida
The national spotlight continues to be on the Trayvon Martin case as it has been since late February. Martin was shot and killed by neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman. No arrest has been made. George Zimmerman and the Sanford Police Department have been accused of racial profiling. In the past few days 911 tapes and a video of Zimmerman at the police department have surfaced. Zimmerman remains free as the Seminole County State Attorney's Office and the U.S. Justice Department examine the case.  
read the original story......Huffington Post - Trayvon Martin, FLA Teen, Killed by Neighborhood Watch
read more from a Florida news source and watch the video......Central Florida News - Does New Video Hurt Zimmerman's Story?
listen to the 911 tapes....Washington Post - 911 Tapes Released in Florida Shooting
Dr. Edward Queen on CNN Belief Blog:  My Ethics: 'Stand your ground' laws are invitation to kill

Health
Governor Gary Herbert slashed a bill that would have banned sex education in Utah public schools last week. This week, he signed a bill that would require women to go through a three day waiting period before getting an abortion. Utah now has the longest waiting period of any state in the country and is setting a precedent in family planning options for women. As it stands, 26 states enforce a waiting period of usually 24 hours preceding an abortion procedure. 
read more......Bloomberg News - Utah Governor Signs 72-hour Abortion Waiting Period
read a perspective from Utah.....The Salt Lake Tribune - Utah Moves to Triple Abortion Waiting Period

Hate Crime Verdict
Dharun Ravi, a 20-year-old former Rutgers University student, has been found guilty of violation of privacy and anti-gay intimidation and faces up to ten years in prison or deportation to his native India. Ravi used a spy-cam and social media to expose his roommate, Tyler Clementi, making out with another man. Immediately after these incidents Clementi jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge. The case brings up new questions about social media, internet privacy, and hate crimes.  
read more......CNN - Ex-Rutgers Student Denies Intimidating Roommate
read an opinion that opposes the verdict......New Jersey Star-Ledger - Dharun Ravi Wrongly Blamed
watch the interview with Ravi.....20/20 ABC - Rutgers Webcam Spying Scandal

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation