Should paedophilies be castrated?

Friend of the programme Nuala got in touch with this story.

Last week Poland’s lower house approved chemical castration in certain cases of pedophilia.

Today Russian lawmakers are considering it. Offenders would, in general, have the choice between chemical castration or a long prison sentence possibly life in prison.

On air: Is President Obama letting his supporters down?

The majority of Americans wanted him as President, and the majority of the world wanted him to win too. When I was in Washington for the Inauguration, people wore t-shirts reading ‘Our moment is now’. But is the President making the most of that moment? He always emphasised to his supporters that they had a part to play, but while the right in the States makes its opposition very well known, are his advocates backing him as effectively and passionately as they might? Put simply, reverse the question – are Pres Obama’s supporters letting him down?

I heard a fascinating contribution from John Simpson, the BBC’s World Affairs editor, on the Today programme on Saturday. See if you agree with his analysis…

On air: Does the Second World War still define how we live?

As Mark has already written about, the 70th anniversary has caused many of us to reflect on the war, and we’ll try and pull together your many discussions within the question above. Can you see the consequences of WW2 in your life? And in the position your country takes in the world today?

ON AIR: Should you be forced to vote?

The team is on it’s way to Dublin for tonight’s programme… 

TN2020 participant Gabriella Kessler from New York suggested we talk about compulsory voting today.

Talking Points 2nd September

Goodmorning it’s Karnie with you today..Thank you Nelson in Nigeria and Vanessa & Brett in the US for looking after the blog for us.

A UK academic says we are all inherently racist and that racial tolerance is merely skin deep. John Steiner says he will not tolerate Jamaican neighbours.

Talking Points for 27 August

Goodmorning, it’s Karnie with you today. Thank you to Will in Canada for looking after the blog overnight.
Russia’s recognised the independence of two breakaway republics inside Georgia. The backing’s being condemned by the US, Britain, France, Germany and other western countries.

On air: Is this the start of a new cold war?

Two words that haven’t been on the political stage for a number of years but slowly people are starting to utter them again, Cold war. The old east / west rivalries seem to be resurfacing.

President Bush and his aides have stepped up their rhetoric against Russia over its continued military presence in Georgia. The US President says Russia’s behaviour belongs in the cold war era.

Talking points 19 August.

Goodmorning it’s Karnie again…Thanks to Nelson in Nigeria, Steve in the US and Robert in the UK for looking after the blog over night.

We talked about President Musharraf of Pakistan accepting resignation yesterday instead of facing impeachment and we asked: Would the world be more dangerous without Musharraf? Ahmad on the whys blog would like to look at this topic again but he would like to focus on: A Democratic Pakistan. He says: “A Democratic Pakistan is the greatest benefit for the World.”

Talking points 18th August

Goodmorning it’s Karnie today…

Thanks to Andrew in Australia and Abdi in Kenya for looking after the blank page over the weekend. I must admit I haven’t yet had time to look at your suggestions but will do so shortly. In the meantime here’s a story worth discussing..it’s just come through:

Talking points 14 August

Hello, it’s Karnie on the early shift today..Thank you to Will in Canada and Laura in the US for looking after the blog overnight.

I understand from the rest of the team, you are quite keen to talk about: Are rape victims ever to blame? (I’ve been away for a bit, but have been filled in on what the rest of them have been working on for today). Helen wrote: Are women “inviting” rape by the way they dress or act? If a woman signals in some way that she’s available, does that mean she’s “asking for it”?