Social Issues

20100111-154727-pic-877372353_.jpg

In 1998, voters in the District approved the Medical Use of Marijuana Initiative. Last month, President Obama signed the D.C. appropriations bill that removed prohibitions. Advocates anticipate D.C. officials will follow the lead of states such as California and enact the 1998 measure into law. (The Washington Times)

GAY_002.JPG

Demonstrators for and against same-sex marriage protest during a rally in front of a federal courthouse in San Francisco, Monday, Jan. 11, 2010. The first federal trial to determine if the U.S. Constitution prohibits states from outlawing same-sex marriage gets under way in San Francisco on Monday, and the two gay couples on whose behalf the case was brought will be among the first witnesses. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

20091230-201029-pic-165102302.jpg

Nomvula Tshabalala (above), a hospital pharmacist, holds HIV medication while explaining proper dosage to a patient in Pretoria, South Africa, in 2009.

20091229-191059-pic-315269565.jpg

Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston, seen in September 2008, are in a heated custody battle for their 1-year-old son, Tripp. Miss Palin's request to keep the proceedings closed was denied. (AP Photo)

20091227-192603-pic-276489295.jpg

ASSOCIATED PRESS Sen. Mary L. Landrieu's $300 million in dollars matched by the government for Medicaid services for Louisiana is one of the sweetheart deals in the health care bill.

20091225-141556-pic-821183356.jpg

Gerry Kraus, a registered nurse, joins hundreds of physicians in protesting plans for government reform of the health care system at a 2009 rally on Capitol Hill. (Allison Shelley/The Washington Times)

20091215-194616-pic-282917610.jpg

The National Center for Health Statistics released an analysis this year showing the U.S. fertility rate fell to a record low of 62.0 births per 1,000 women of reproductive age in 2016, down from 62.5 in 2015. (Associated Press/File)

20091214-225258-pic-694847652.jpg

** FILE ** A police officer patrols a parking lot in Montgomery County. (Photo provided by the Montgomery County Police Department)

20091211-195516-pic-130075652.jpg

A Gallaudet University student looks on as his dogs greet a visitor to his apartment on West Virginia Avenue across the street from the university in the District. (The Washington Times) **FILE**

20091212-183442-pic-325572364.jpg

ASSOCIATED PRESS PUSHING PEACE: Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich, Ohio Democrat, joined peace activists in an antiwar rally near the White House.

AIDS_009.jpg

** FILE ** A World AIDS Day ribbon is seen on the North Portico of the White House in Washington on Monday, Nov. 30, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

20091112-202751-pic-318262023.jpg

Abby Johnson and Shawn Carney, the director of Coalition for Life in Bryan, Texas. credit Coalition for LIfe.

IMMIGRATION_01.JPG

** FILE ** Suspected immigration violators wait inside a holding cell before having their immigration status checked by the Harris County Sheriffs Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of the booking process Oct. 26, 2009 in Houston, TX. (Eric Kayne/Special to The Washington Times)

20091110-182707-pic-806315007.jpg

** FILE ** A Peace Corps volunteer works with local women in Liberia. About one-third of Peace Corps applicants are selected for service. (Peace Corps)

20091104-003912-pic-545475431.jpg

In this Nov. 4, 2009 photo, Joseph Skinner urges passing motorists to support Question 1 on the Maine ballot, which would repeal a lawmaker-passed law legalizing gay marriage. Gay marriage supporters Ann DiMella and Suzanne Blackburn post their own sign urging people to reject the referendum. (Associated Press/File)

20091029-204917-pic-151149611.jpg

** FILE ** Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) wields his old gavel as he talks about the issue of health care, during a press conference regarding H-232, the Affordable Health Care Act, on the west steps of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

20091019-185827-pic-338308677.jpg

President Obama's address to a crowd in Prague included his go-to phrase, "Let me be clear." Mr. Obama has relied on the four-word introduction to pitch everything from health care, climate change and auto bailouts to his reaction to the Nobel Peace Prize. (Associated Press)