1. Adam Putnam claimed. Where does he states it in his essay? From your experience, do you agree with him? Do you agree that people discuss divorce “in an almost pious reverence saved only for life threatening illness”?

That Republicans "acted proactively" and "aggressively" in demanding Rep. Mark Foley's resignation. House Speaker Dennis Hastert's made some contradictory statements which Putnam was upset with, but he also agreed that the situation was wrong, he just disagreed with how it was handled. Perhaps he over-reacted, but Foley needed to leave office quickly.

2. On what grounds does Putnam’s base his claim? Find specific evidence Adam Putnam presents to support his claim. Do you find it convincing and supportive?

3. Putnam has several warrants, some of them stated explicitly and some implied. In paragraph 2 he states: “A loving parent will be a successful one even if he or she cannot afford to furnish his or her child with the best clothes or the most sophisticated gourmet delicacies.” Do you agree with his warrant? Are there any aspects of his warrant with you disagree? What backing does Putnam provide to support his warrant? Is it sufficient?

4. Notice the qualifier Putman uses in paragraph 3 when he says,” In all truthfulness, there have been some decidedly negative ramification stemming from our family separation” (emphasis added). What limitations does this qualifying statement put on his argument? Does this limitations weaken his argument at all?

5. Does Putman acknowledge and address anticipated rebuttals to his argument? Can you locate any in his essay? What rebuttals can you make in response to his argument?