During the French Revolution, the terror government fostered among citizens who lived in fear of denunciation and arrest eventually led to its collapse in 1794 with the execution of Maximilien Robespierre and his colleagues.

Many I spoke with during the course of my research for a book on the history of the use of beagles in scientific research, especially within activist communities, predict an end to their use within one or two decades. Whether they are correct remains to be seen, but understanding our debt to beagles and their role in over a century of scientific discovery is as vital as ever.

It fails the test of horizontal equity, which requires that people whose circumstances are alike in relevant respects are treated the same. Picture two recent graduates, working similar jobs for the same pay. One worked her way through college to avoid getting into debt; the other borrowed to have an easier time. The plan gives the first nothing; it gives the second $20,000. Not only is that unjust, it also makes the more frugal student look a fool.

In 1957, the Yokohama “Battle of the Bulge” focused on bras as something that would help keep servicewomen looking good. Today, military leaders’ attention to servicewomen’s undergarments reflects a new focus on making sure all members of the nation’s defense team are ready. It’s a recognition that readiness can look different for men and women, even while acknowledging that gender should not be the main determinant of a service member’s role.