Damages Quotes
Ignorant political opposition to new scientific findings has been characteristic of some of the politicians in most governments in most eras.
Senator Trent Lott had been a strong supporter of making it harder for consumers to sue companies, and making it harder to win even if they sued. Lott and other conservatives thought up the name of “tort reform” for their effort. However when Hurricane Katrina struck, many people lost their homes and when they went to collect from their insurance companies, most would not pay on the grounds that insurance covered wind damage and not flood damage. So if the storm blew the roof and walls down and then the storm surge flooded, it was hard to prove that the initial damage was from the wind storm and not the subsequent flood. Lott lost his expensive home and he himself had trouble collecting, and all of a sudden lawsuits were not so frivolous any longer.
The choice of non-capitalization of the word “god” was Jefferson’s and is retained herein. This quotation is one of the most important in American history because it set the boundary for when it was proper for government to legislate personal behavior. For Jefferson, legislation was only justified if the behavior damged other people economically or physicly. Moral, religious, ethical or cultural affects were not sufficient to interfere with other people's freedom. The quotation was initially given to argue against a state etablished church and blasphemy laws and has been used in arguments even into the 21st century debate over gay marriage.
This is one of the earliest prohibitions on ‘double jeopardy’.
“Political correctness” is a loosely defined concept of not discussing political issues in terms that are derogatory and/or might be offensive to particular groups or nationalities. Many orthodox Muslims (and orthodox Christians) are of the opinion that their religion calls for the male being the dominant figure in the household and having the right and obligation to discipline the children and the wife or wives. To state that such a practice is sexist, barbaric, undemocratic, and damaging to family and society is an insult to some of these religious believers. The Egyptian law was passed to reflect God’s commandments and so to question it is to some, blasphemous and for other nations to criticize it is insulting to some ultra orthodox Muslims. However, in cases like these, Ms. Eltahawy argues for ignoring political correctness and most Americans would agree as would most of the modern and generally educated Muslims in Egypt.
