All, I apologize for painting with too broad a brush regarding this thread.  My hackles were a little raised because many of the recent discussions I've read have involved appeals to Scripture and Natural Law almost interchangeably, especially on topics impinging on human sexuality. I should have shown better judgment than to assume this was the bias of either the author or the majority of readers.  I agree that as conservatives we should not cavalierly dispose of the wisdom of the ages; however, I do think that we can too easily fall into the same camp as a lot of the crunchier liberals who eschew modern life for its alleged impurity. 

Rachel, I think this quote gets to the heart of my disagreement with you on this issue.  Many men are aware enough of their wives discomfort/disinterest that having sex with them is not exactly fulfilling for them, either.  If it is a matter of getting the engine started so that both partners can fully enjoy the experience, without any guilt on the husband's part that he is coercing sex from a less-than-interested wife, so much the better.  The emotional aspect of sex is very important for many men, as it should be.  "Fake it till you make it" doesn't seem to be a good way to build trust and mutual respect.  What truly loving husband really wants to believe that his wife is only having sex with him to "humor" him?

Rachel, it seems to me that it is precisely because so many women find this area of their married live to be a challenge that a drug is a prudent solution. It may be that women are more comfortable now with talking about this issue than in the past, when many women were quietly resigned to a loss of libido, and the inevitable issues that arise because of it. Men, as a broad generalization, do have greater needs in this area than women. The difference between the sexes is a given for us conservatives. My contention is that women often endure sex to keep their marriages together based in the fear that their husbands will seek solace elsewhere. This is not a groundless concern, not should it be dismissed by telling men to have more self-control. It is not a character flaw for a man to have sexual urges, and if a wife can readily and willingly participate in this essential and life-affirming act, we should celebrate it. It may be unnatural for women to enjoy sex after a certain age or for othe reasons. Are we ok with telling men to endure sexless marriages? That seems perverse.

Joseph, what exactly would be wrong with a drug that makes sex more pleasurable for some women? Please try to answer without appeals to Scripture. As to natural law, perhaps the good Doc Jay will explain what the exact function of the clitoris is.

Great point, Frank. "It is incorrect to assume that because I felt the need to censure my fellow ricochetti, that I was also attempting to censor them."I just find the increasingly dour and anhedonic tone of this thread to be a real turn-off.

This and other posts recently on Ricochet have made me ponder exactly who my fellow Ricochetti are. I thought this was a "center-right" conversational site. It seems that many of us are content to quote Scripture as if it is dispositive on topics such as homosexuality and the nature of marital love. The "center" part of the conversation is getting lost on me. As a married career woman (no kids), I often wonder if there is a place for me here. Busy lives and healthy marriages do not always go together like a horse and carriage, and some of us would absolutely welcome a safe pharmaceutical solution to a perennial source of marital tension. It would indeed strengthen many marriages, because men and women are different, and have different ways of expressing and feeling intimacy.

Wish we could have been there! More Texas meet-ups, please!

We too got a Carpathian Mountain Otter for Christmas. The vet insisted on calling him a cocker spaniel. We compromised and named him Buckley. One guess as to his namesake, Ricochetti. P.S., I think our eponymous hero would have come down on the side of "who," for purely sentimental reasons.

I've attended the Charter School Symposium at Hillsdale, my alma mater, for the past two summers.  It is a wonderful experience, and just the antidote to the Eeyore-ism that seems to have taken hold in conservative circles  Just take a tour of the Hillsdale Academy, listen to the passion and experience that Headmaster Kenneth Calvert brings to his role, and then tell me all is lost.  I'm interested in beginning a Hillsdale Charter School here in Austin, Texas (the blue heart of the beast), and if you're in these parts and would like to join us, please send me a PM.

I'm a Latin teacher in a private classical school, but I am strongly convicted that classical education -- the education of many of our founders -- cannot be limited to the wealthy few.  Like Thomas Jefferson, I think that we have to educate and enculturate the broad electorate in order to ensure the survival of our republic.  As Mr. Jefferson famously put it, there is a difference between "education which democrats like" and "the education which will preserve democracy."

DutchTex,I think this would be a perfect question to pose Ricochet's own Rob Long. Based on the episodes I've seen of Law & Order (another great serial drama when recovering from a cold) I'd say that there is a general paranoia/time warp on the part of TV writers of the following; neo-nazis (they're everywhere!), televangelists (party like it's 1989), Mormons, ultra-Orthodox Jews, and of course, the Catholic Church. I love mysteries very much, but I prefer to be kept guessing. Most TV procedurals are completely predictable if you know the ideological matrix.PS - at the Dog & Duck right now, enjoying a cider.

I also am a huge fan of Audible.  I just finished the Steve Jobs biography as well, and am now listening to Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard.  I have been a member for over three years now, and I have been able to "read" many books that I wouldn't have picked up in a codex format.   Audible is a an enriching diversion while driving, doing routine chores, or working out.

You are right, Jimmy Carter. The outrage expressed over it  is out of all proportion to the phenomenon.

Ryan did win on substance. Could he have been more aggressive? Of course. But by letting Biden ramble, Ryan let America see what a truly unpleasant character his opponent is.

Not to be square or anything, but wasn't the point of the original article that smoking weed during one's teenage years was likely to do damage?  The developing brain is a very delicate thing and it is not surprising that habitual marijuana use would be harmful.  But most advocates of decriminalization that I know (and I count myself one of them) do NOT take the posture that minors should be allowed access to pot.   We restrict sales of alcohol to minors, and this seems most sensible.   The argument in favor of decriminalization or legalization (for me at least) centers on the idea that the rule of law is undermined by the prohibition of a widely used substance. 

Well, today was a fine start to the seminar, and not just because the weather is picture-perfect.  Dr. Terrence Moore kicked things off, in his customarily "understated" manner, by challenging us to beware of the many ways that progressive educational assumptions and ideology can sneak into classical schools.  Some of these include project-based and student-centered activities, a foolish reliance on technology as panacea, and the trendy new anti-bullying "cause" (or hoax, as Dr. Moore put it).  I really can't do his lecture justice.  Fortunately for all of us, it, along with all of the talks, will be posted as streaming videos on the Charter School section of the Hillsdale College website very soon.  If you can't wait, they've posted last year's talks, and I would recommend that you check them out.  It's quite bracing stuff, but it's also very sobering for those of us who take the future of our republic seriously.  I'll post on the other speakers later... it's time for the reception, and I don't want to miss out on the fine fellowship and refreshments.

Lucy - great question!  As a matter of fact, Hillsdale Academy's entire curriculum guide can be found on the website (all 150 pages, PDF) for FREE.  Here's a link.  It's the basis of what these charter schools are setting out to accomplish.  Lots of homeschooling-friendly folks around here, and as a formerly homeschooled student myself, I commend your efforts.  If you ever want to talk Latin/Greek curriculum offline, message me!