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Closing Arguments: Latino Women vs. White Males

May 29, 2009 11:13 PM

Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor continues to take heat over a 2001 speech where she  said,  "I would hope that a wise Latino woman, with the richness of her experiences would, more often than not, reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life."

For three days the White House defended the comment, insisting that it has been taken out of context. Today, that changed -- a bit.

President Obama said he believes the judge "would have restated it" if she had the chance.  

Though he went on to call the controversy "nonsense." 

So tonight, we ask you: Do you consider her comments racist?

Tell us what you think.

And you can follow "Nightline" anytime on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Nightline.

May 29, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (90)

Closing Arguments: Burris Caught on Tape

May 27, 2009 11:11 PM

Potentially incriminating wiretaps were released today that capture Senator Roland Burris expressing interest in the Illinois seat vacated by President Obama.

In the recording, Burris describes the possibility of raising money for former Governor Rod Blagojevich -- and is concerned some may think he's trying to buy the Senate seat.

"And, if I do that I guarantee you that that will get out and people will say, 'Oh, Burris is doing a fund-raiser,'" Burris said in the recorded conversation with Blagojevich's brother. "And then Rod and I both gonna catch hell."

The tape could be damaging. Burris -- now under investigation by the Senate ethics committee -- previously testified that he never discussed his interest with any Blagojevich associate.

So tonight, we ask you: Is this evidence of a so-called pay-to-play scheme? And if so, what action should be taken?

Tell us what you think.

And you can follow "Nightline" anytime on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Nightline. 

May 27, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (15)

NightTline Faceoff: Can Prayer Heal?

May 27, 2009 10:44 AM

Last year, an 11-year-old Wisconsin girl named Madeline Neumann died of untreated diabetes, while her parents relied on prayers and faith in God to heal her.  Doctors say her condition was treatable, but her parents are members of a church that relies on God and not medicine.  "Basically, you pray and do nothing but pray," Madeline's mother, Althea Wormgoor told a jury two weeks ago.  Wormgoor was  convicted of second-degree reckless homicide last week.

While many Americans depend on faith and spirituality to help cope with mental and physic al woes, some believe that this practice is futile.  On Today's NightTline Twittercast, two guests will face off on this controversial issue:  Can Faith Heal?

Dr. Dana King is a medical doctor, and professor at the Medical University  of South Carolina.  He will be arguing that prayer and spirituality are a welcome addition to the tools available to medical practitioners.  He'll join NightTline via Skype from the Medical University of South Carolina, in Charleston.   Dr. King uses research to point to a clear link between people's religious beliefs and practices and their health.

On the other side of the issue is Dr. Richard Sloan, PhD.  He has criticized purported links between religion, spirituality, and health that have appeared in popular and medical publications.   Dr. Sloan is the author of Blind Faith: The Unholy Alliance of Religion and Medicine.

Both Sloan and King will rely on a wide range of research to defend their various viewpoints. 

So what do you think? Is there room for faith in modern medicine, or should prayer and spirituality be left out altogether. Start Tweeting your thoughts now, and be sure to watch the Twittercast LIVE at 12:30pm E.D.T. on the Nightline page at ABCnews.com and on ABC News Now.

May 27, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (18)

Closing Argument: Gay Marriage and California

May 26, 2009 11:16 PM

In a 6-1 ruling today, the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8 -- a controversial gay marriage ban passed by voters in the fall. 

As for the 18,000 same-sex marriages that took place prior to the ban? They will be allowed to stand -- a fact that provided little consolation to the gay-rights community.

So tonight, we ask you: Should voters around the country get to decide if gay marriage is legal?

Tell us what you think.

And you can follow "Nightline" anytime on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Nightline.   

May 26, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (129)

Closing Arguments: North Korea's Nuclear Test

May 25, 2009 11:45 PM

As we reported earlier tonight, the nuclear test by North Korea has provoked stiff backlash -- both in the U.S. and among the U.N. countries.

President Obama spoke this evening with his South Korean counterpart and the two agreed on the recklessness of the North Korean nuclear test.  The President repeated America's commitment to protecting South Korea. And the U.N. Security council will now work on new, binding resolutions.

So tonight, we ask: Are resolutions and sanctions enough? Even if previous efforts have proven futile?  And if not, what is the appropriate action?

Tell us what you think.

And you can follow "Nightline" anytime on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Nightline.   

May 25, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (8)

Closing Arguments: Accused of Witchcraft - Responding in the Congo

May 21, 2009 6:32 PM

Dan Harris and our team in the Congo report tonight in stark detail the exorcism ceremonies performed by Christian pastors on children accused of being witches -- all in the name of Jesus.

It is a problem that the Congolese government has shown little interest in addressing appropriately. So tonight, we ask: If the U.S. is serious about protecting human rights around the world, do we have a responsibility to address these abuses in Central Africa? And if so, what action should be taken?

Tell us what you think.

And you can follow "Nightline" anytime on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Nightline.   
       

May 21, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (39)

Closing Argument: Internet's Impact on Love and Sex

May 19, 2009 11:10 PM

As you've seen tonight, the Internet is a powerful force for satisfying sexual desires -- often at the cost of a monogamous relationship.

But we also know that many go online in search of true love -- and often find it.

So tonight, we ask, quite simply: Has the Internet done more to improve courtship and intimacy or to tear it apart?

Tell us what you think.

And you can follow "Nightline" anytime on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Nightline.   

May 19, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (27)

Closing Argument: Obama and Middle East Peace

May 18, 2009 11:43 PM

President Barack Obama met today for two hours with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the peace process in the Middle East.

While praising one another, the two leaders have clear policy differences.

President Obama seeks a "two-state solution" that would create an autonomous state for Palestinians. Prime Minister Netanyahu does not.

So tonight, we ask you, can President Obama play a useful role in helping negotiate a peace in the Middle East?   

Tell us what you think.

And you can follow "Nightline" anytime on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Nightline.

May 18, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (16)

Closing Arguments: Protesting Obama at Notre Dame

May 15, 2009 11:26 PM

President Obama will deliver the commencement address at the University of Notre Dame Sunday, one of the nation's largest Catholic universities, where he will also receive an honorary degree.

This invitation to the pro-choice president has touched off a series of protests from anti-abortion activists, including one today that resulted in 21 arrests. More protests are expected Sunday.

So tonight, we ask you: Should Notre Dame have invited President Obama to speak? And is it appropriate for students to protest against a Presidential visit?

Tell us what you think.

And you can follow "Nightline" anytime on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Nightline.

May 15, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (56)

Closing Arguments: Time to Pay Pilots More?

May 14, 2009 11:10 PM

Testimony continued today about the Buffalo plane crash that killed 50 people in February.

Pilot training, fatigue and even salaries have been discussed as possible factors.

Co-pilot Rebecca Shaw, who had flown from her Washington state home to Newark before the fatal flight, earned just $24,000 -- a salary that would make living in the New York Metropolitan area difficult.

So tonight, we ask you: Would you be prepared to pay more for your ticket to ensure commercial pilots and co-pilots were better compensated?

Tell us what you think.

And you can follow "Nightline" anytime on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Nightline.

May 14, 2009 | Permalink | User Comments (61)