Strengthening Moral Distinction

The authors in this symposium on Sparing Civilians gave me much to think about; their criticisms have helped me to strengthen the argument for moral distinction, and enhance the moral protection of civilians in war. In this response I address their objections thematically, focusing in turn on each chapter of the book.     

A Need Not Being Met: Providing Paid Family and Medical Leave for All Americans

Many parents in the United States face the quandary of whether to take time off from work to care for themselves, their children, or other family member, understanding that their jobs may not be there upon return and they will receive no income during their leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act has not lifted this burden; it only provides for unpaid leave. Four states and several cities have implemented paid family and medical leave statutes with both employees and employers benefiting. This Note proposes a uniform paid family and medical leave statute based on other countries’ statutes; proposed federal legislation; and statutes in New York, California, and San Francisco.     

What You Should Know About Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) for Environmental Claims

The rapid evolution of legal and regulatory developments related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has already resulted in some high-dollar legal settlements and is expected to generate numerous environmental claims. Currently, most major PFAS sites are associated with the primary chemical production of select PFAS and the application of fire-fighting foams at airfields, refineries, fire training facilities and bulk fuel-storage facilities. In addition, PFAS are also used in the manufacture of consumer products designed to resist heat, stains, grease, water and reduce friction. Manufacturing facilities that produce these products may discharge PFAS to wastewater treatment plants, which are not designed to remove PFAS, and thus become dischargers also. The ultra-low detection limits and regulatory thresholds for PFAS, combined with the manufacturing and use of numerous PFAS-containing products, suggests the number of sites that require PFAS cleanup will increase in the coming years and decades. Therefore, understanding current capabilities and limitations of sampling, remediation, and forensics is critical to assessing PFAS-related environmental claims.     

Practicing psychologists' interpretations of and compliance with child abuse reporting laws

Despite mandatory reporting laws, several studies have found that 30%–40% of professional psychologists have elected not to report suspected child abuse at some time. In this study, we surveyed 226 licensed psychologists from two states concerning factors related to reporting suspected abuse. Thirty-two percent of participants indicated having not reported suspected abuse. Comparisons between participants who have consistently and inconsistently reported indicated that psychologists who have consistently reported rated legal factors as more important than those who have inconsistently reported. Additionally, clinicians who have inconsistently reported were more likely to indicate evidence of abuse as being important in reporting, and less likely to report subjective suspicions of abuse. Results show that a number of factors influence reporting decisions. Implications for public policy and professional training are discussed.     

All Quiet on the Eastern Front? Media Images of the West and Russian Foreign Political Identity1

National and foreign political identities are discursively constructed, not least through the media. Starting from the contention that Europe serves as the main Other used to define the idea of Russia, this article uses media texts (online and press) to analyse how Russia is constructed as a foreign policy actor in relation to Europe and the ‘West’ more generally. In so doing, the article draws on three discourses around Russia’s foreign policy: ‘Russia as Europe’; ‘Russia as part of Greater Europe’; and ‘Russia as Alternative Europe’. The article suggests that discursive developments in the 2000s have paved the way for a return of Cold War discourses in characterising relations between Russia and the West.