The Department of State Health Services on April 2 ordered four clinics in San Antonio to stop providing unlicensed abortion services . . .
-- From "Group of lawmakers want investigation of clinics" by Jackie Stone, Associated Press Writer 4/14/09
Some conservative members of the Texas House said Tuesday that a controversy over Planned Parenthood clinics in San Antonio should be investigated more and may lead them to seek a cut in state funding for the low-income health care provider.
The conservative coalition and the Texas Alliance for Life said Planned Parenthood endangered the lives of women by performing illegal, unregulated abortions.
State law prevents the state from giving any money to abortion providers. The roughly $10 million Planned Parenthood gets from the state each year can only be used by clinics that do not provide any abortion services.
Rep. Jodie Laubenberg, R-Rockwall, on Tuesday said Planned Parenthood should be held more accountable and be further investigated.
"By receiving this money, Planned Parenthood makes itself accountable to the taxpayers and must answer to the taxpayers when it breaks their trust," she said.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
White House Equates Homophobia in Military to Racism
"Changing the U.S. military's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy for gay troops . . . Defense Secretary Robert Gates . . . noted it took five years for the U.S. military to racially integrate during the Truman administration."
UPDATE 5/11/09: White House conferencing with Pentagon about change
-- From "Defense secretary cautious on lifting 'don't ask, don't tell' policy on gays in military" Lara Jakes, Associated Press 4/16/09
Speaking at the Army War College, Gates said he and President Barack Obama were discussing the policy and whether to change it. Gates said he was not yet taking a position about whether gay troops should be open about their sexuality, which could lead to their discharge under the current rules.
"If we do it, it's imperative that we do it right and very carefully," Gates told reporters later on a military jet to Newport, R.I., where he was to speak Friday at the Navy's war college.
Obama committed during the 2008 presidential campaign to moving to end the Clinton administration-era policy that was enacted as a compromise between openly gay people serving in the armed forces and those opposed to gays in uniform.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE 5/11/09: White House conferencing with Pentagon about change
-- From "Defense secretary cautious on lifting 'don't ask, don't tell' policy on gays in military" Lara Jakes, Associated Press 4/16/09
Speaking at the Army War College, Gates said he and President Barack Obama were discussing the policy and whether to change it. Gates said he was not yet taking a position about whether gay troops should be open about their sexuality, which could lead to their discharge under the current rules.
"If we do it, it's imperative that we do it right and very carefully," Gates told reporters later on a military jet to Newport, R.I., where he was to speak Friday at the Navy's war college.
Obama committed during the 2008 presidential campaign to moving to end the Clinton administration-era policy that was enacted as a compromise between openly gay people serving in the armed forces and those opposed to gays in uniform.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Homosexuality 'Third Rail' for Retail
When the new owner of a previously "gay bar" announces to Peoria that the clientele has changed, his business is virtually shut down.
-- From "Peoria gays react to unwelcome sign" By Erika Slife, Chicago Tribune Reporter 4/17/09
In bright yellow capital letters, the sign on the karaoke bar in downtown Peoria was clear: "WE ARE NOT A GAY BAR!!"
The local gay community got the message. And it apparently was just the rallying cry it needed.
In a flurry of forwarded Facebook, MySpace and text messages, a coalition quickly mobilized and dozens of gay rights supporters lined up last weekend outside The Elbo Room to express their outrage. The sign, they said, might as well have read, "Gays are not welcome here."
For decades, the bar on Main Street had been called the Quench Room and was known as a gay bar, longtime residents said. In the 1990s, ownership changed hands and it became a karaoke bar, said Peoria Councilwoman Barbara Van Auken, whose district includes the bar.
Van Auken warned [the owner] . . . the city has already notified him the sign violated state law.
"You can't give notice to the effect that certain protected groups are not welcome," she said.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Peoria gays react to unwelcome sign" By Erika Slife, Chicago Tribune Reporter 4/17/09
In bright yellow capital letters, the sign on the karaoke bar in downtown Peoria was clear: "WE ARE NOT A GAY BAR!!"
The local gay community got the message. And it apparently was just the rallying cry it needed.
In a flurry of forwarded Facebook, MySpace and text messages, a coalition quickly mobilized and dozens of gay rights supporters lined up last weekend outside The Elbo Room to express their outrage. The sign, they said, might as well have read, "Gays are not welcome here."
For decades, the bar on Main Street had been called the Quench Room and was known as a gay bar, longtime residents said. In the 1990s, ownership changed hands and it became a karaoke bar, said Peoria Councilwoman Barbara Van Auken, whose district includes the bar.
Van Auken warned [the owner] . . . the city has already notified him the sign violated state law.
"You can't give notice to the effect that certain protected groups are not welcome," she said.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Parents: Protect Kids from Homosexual Indoctrination
A national coalition of pro-family groups are urging parents to keep their students home from school during the annual "Day of Silence" . . .
UPDATE 4/22/09: Christians suffer wrath of the tolerant
-- From "Students Encouraged to Skip School on 'Day of Silence'" by Lawrence Jones, Christianity Today 4/14/09
Over 20 Christian-based conservative groups have called for the massive walkout from middle and high schools participating the April 17 event, arguing that the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)'s sponsored event politicizes the classroom to support the belief that homosexuality is moral.
The groups have encouraged parents and teens who are not willing to risk teacher retribution or missing school to send a letter to schools officials expressing their objections to Day of Silence.
The coalition has also called attention to a resolution sitting before Congress that would urge the federal government and public schools to officially recognize and celebrate Day of Silence. The legislation also requests that "the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the National Day of Silence with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities."
The band of pro-family groups, meanwhile, says that by opposing the event they are in no way endorsing the bullying and harassment of [homosexuals or anyone else]
Meanwhile, several other Christian-based conservative groups are promoting the Day of Truth on April 20, the following Monday, as a direct response to Day of Silence. According to Day of Truth's Web site, it was established to "counter the promotion of the homosexual agenda and express an opposing viewpoint from a Christian perspective."
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE 4/22/09: Christians suffer wrath of the tolerant
-- From "Students Encouraged to Skip School on 'Day of Silence'" by Lawrence Jones, Christianity Today 4/14/09
Over 20 Christian-based conservative groups have called for the massive walkout from middle and high schools participating the April 17 event, arguing that the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)'s sponsored event politicizes the classroom to support the belief that homosexuality is moral.
The groups have encouraged parents and teens who are not willing to risk teacher retribution or missing school to send a letter to schools officials expressing their objections to Day of Silence.
The coalition has also called attention to a resolution sitting before Congress that would urge the federal government and public schools to officially recognize and celebrate Day of Silence. The legislation also requests that "the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the National Day of Silence with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities."
The band of pro-family groups, meanwhile, says that by opposing the event they are in no way endorsing the bullying and harassment of [homosexuals or anyone else]
Meanwhile, several other Christian-based conservative groups are promoting the Day of Truth on April 20, the following Monday, as a direct response to Day of Silence. According to Day of Truth's Web site, it was established to "counter the promotion of the homosexual agenda and express an opposing viewpoint from a Christian perspective."
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
White House Orders Jesus' Name Hidden in Obama's Presence
For the President's speech at Georgetown University Tuesday, the permanent lettering 'IHS' symbolizing Jesus, was blacked out from the ornate millwork that formed the backdrop to the podium.Photo courtesy CNSNews.com
UPDATE 4/16/09: When Laura Bush spoke in same spot, Jesus was NOT hidden
UPDATE 4/28/09: Congressman Says this Reveals Country’s Move toward Socialism, Secularism
-- From "Obama at Georgetown: The mystery of the missing sign" by Julia Duin, Washington Times 4/15/09
The gold-lettered monogram [IHS] appeared near a painting of three female figures -- symbolizing morality, faith and patriotism -- and decorative edging along the wall that spelled out the Jesuit motto "Ad majorem Dei gloriam"—"To the greater glory of God." Georgetown was founded by the Jesuits.
Julie Bataille from the university's press office [said] . . . that the White House had asked that all university signage and symbols behind the stage in Gaston Hall be covered.
"The White House wanted a simple backdrop of flags and pipe and drape for the speech, consistent with what they've done for other policy speeches," she wrote. "Frankly, the pipe and drape wasn't high enough by itself to fully cover the IHS and cross above the GU seal and it seemed most respectful to have them covered so as not to be seen out of context."
. . . the Free Republic blog had photos comparing "before" and "after" depictions of the unfortunate monogram, which the university covered with what looks like a black cloth.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
UK Atheist Wins Right to be "unbaptized"
An atheist has won the right to have his baptism removed from Church of England records after claiming he was too young to give his consent to the ceremony.
-- From "Atheist wins right to have baptism removed as he did not consent as a baby" by Chris Irvine, [London] Telegraph 4/9/09
John Hunt, a newly qualified nurse, was baptised at the age of five months at the parish church of St Jude with St Aidin in Thornton Heath, south London.
As a schoolboy he decided he did not believe in God and stopped going to Sunday school aged 11.
He was told that his baptism cannot be deleted because it is a matter of historical record.
He then secured a "de-baptism" certificate produced by the National Secular Society (NSS), rejecting "superstitions" or the idea of original sin.
This week the church backed down and said the entry would be "corrected".
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Atheist wins right to have baptism removed as he did not consent as a baby" by Chris Irvine, [London] Telegraph 4/9/09
John Hunt, a newly qualified nurse, was baptised at the age of five months at the parish church of St Jude with St Aidin in Thornton Heath, south London.
As a schoolboy he decided he did not believe in God and stopped going to Sunday school aged 11.
He was told that his baptism cannot be deleted because it is a matter of historical record.
He then secured a "de-baptism" certificate produced by the National Secular Society (NSS), rejecting "superstitions" or the idea of original sin.
This week the church backed down and said the entry would be "corrected".
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
IL Gay Agenda: Homosexual Unions Now, Same-sex 'Marriage' Next
Advocates for the gay and lesbian community in Illinois are rallying behind a civil unions bill . . . which would grant same-sex couples many of the same rights as married couples . . .
Illinois residents, click here to E-mail your legislator to vote NO on this homosexual bill
-- From "Illinois gays not betting on marriage" By Rex W. Huppke and Monique Garcia, Chicago Tribune 4/14/09
. . . the complex and unpredictable path that lies ahead for same-sex Illinois couples . . . is similar to that taken by activists in Vermont, where gay marriage was legalized last week by the state Legislature, years after Vermont had embraced civil unions. In essence, advocates' thinking goes like this: If a gay marriage law seems unlikely, a civil union bill can help to secure state rights for gays and lesbians while allowing the public and politicians to get more comfortable with the idea of same-sex couples.
"In Illinois, we're charting what we think is the right path now for our state," said Jim Madigan, executive director of the gay rights group Equality Illinois. "[Civil unions have] the advantage of really abating a lot of the harms suffered by couples who aren't married. And for those people for whom marriage remains a sticking point, it allows them to find a middle ground."
Because of the nature of the Illinois Constitution and the makeup of the state's Supreme Court, Equality Illinois has asked its members not to seek any kind of court action regarding same-sex marriage. Iowa followed a judicial path to gay marriage, but it's a state with a strong equal protection clause in its constitution and a Supreme Court known for being progressive with regard to civil rights issues.
Many gay rights advocates in the state believe [the] civil unions bill—which passed through committee and is awaiting a final vote before the full House—will pass.
Thus, advocates hope a civil unions bill here will lay the groundwork for a gay marriage bill.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Illinois residents, click here to E-mail your legislator to vote NO on this homosexual bill
-- From "Illinois gays not betting on marriage" By Rex W. Huppke and Monique Garcia, Chicago Tribune 4/14/09
. . . the complex and unpredictable path that lies ahead for same-sex Illinois couples . . . is similar to that taken by activists in Vermont, where gay marriage was legalized last week by the state Legislature, years after Vermont had embraced civil unions. In essence, advocates' thinking goes like this: If a gay marriage law seems unlikely, a civil union bill can help to secure state rights for gays and lesbians while allowing the public and politicians to get more comfortable with the idea of same-sex couples.
"In Illinois, we're charting what we think is the right path now for our state," said Jim Madigan, executive director of the gay rights group Equality Illinois. "[Civil unions have] the advantage of really abating a lot of the harms suffered by couples who aren't married. And for those people for whom marriage remains a sticking point, it allows them to find a middle ground."
Because of the nature of the Illinois Constitution and the makeup of the state's Supreme Court, Equality Illinois has asked its members not to seek any kind of court action regarding same-sex marriage. Iowa followed a judicial path to gay marriage, but it's a state with a strong equal protection clause in its constitution and a Supreme Court known for being progressive with regard to civil rights issues.
Many gay rights advocates in the state believe [the] civil unions bill—which passed through committee and is awaiting a final vote before the full House—will pass.
Thus, advocates hope a civil unions bill here will lay the groundwork for a gay marriage bill.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
NY Gov. Pushes Same-sex 'Marriage' Legislation
Gov. Paterson has been pushing the Gay Agenda, and now says it's "the right ethical decision [and] will inevitably be the right political decision."
UPDATE 4/17/09: Gov. introduces the bill
-- From "NY Gov. Paterson to introduce gay marriage bill" by Michael Virtanen, Associated Press 4/14/09
New York Gov. David Paterson plans to introduce legislation this week to legalize same-sex marriage, reviving a bill that died in 2007 and still faces strong opposition despite a new Democratic majority in the state Senate.
In radio interviews last week Paterson said he believes it will eventually become law. But polls show legalizing gay marriage remains controversial in New York. And some gay marriage advocates are worried that bringing the issue up in New York before there's clear support to pass it could set back efforts to legalize it there, as well as in other states.
Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, a Manhattan Democrat, said he will attend Thursday's announcement and sponsor the governor's bill, which will be identical to the one backed by then Gov. Eliot Spitzer as a civil-rights measure when it passed the Assembly 85-61 two years ago. "I'm hoping to do better than that this time," O'Donnell said Tuesday.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE 4/17/09: Gov. introduces the bill
-- From "NY Gov. Paterson to introduce gay marriage bill" by Michael Virtanen, Associated Press 4/14/09
New York Gov. David Paterson plans to introduce legislation this week to legalize same-sex marriage, reviving a bill that died in 2007 and still faces strong opposition despite a new Democratic majority in the state Senate.
In radio interviews last week Paterson said he believes it will eventually become law. But polls show legalizing gay marriage remains controversial in New York. And some gay marriage advocates are worried that bringing the issue up in New York before there's clear support to pass it could set back efforts to legalize it there, as well as in other states.
Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, a Manhattan Democrat, said he will attend Thursday's announcement and sponsor the governor's bill, which will be identical to the one backed by then Gov. Eliot Spitzer as a civil-rights measure when it passed the Assembly 85-61 two years ago. "I'm hoping to do better than that this time," O'Donnell said Tuesday.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Vermont May Legalize Child Porn Among Children
The Vermont Legislature is considering a bill that would legalize so-called "sexting" between teenagers.
UPDATE 2/28/16: Sexting so Common, New Mexico Legalizes Self-produced Child Pornography
-- From "Vermont Considers Legalizing Teen 'Sexting'" Associated Press 4/13/09
Sexting refers to the exchange of explicit photos and videos via mobile phone. Under current laws, participants can be charged with child pornography, but lawmakers are considering a bill to legalize the consensual exchange of graphic images between two people 13 to 18 years old. Passing along such images to others would remain a crime.
Supporters told The Burlington Free Press they don't want to condone the behavior but they don't think teenagers should be prosecuted as sex offenders for consensual conduct.
The bill passed the state Senate earlier this month. The House Judiciary Committee will hear testimony on it this week.
UPDATE 2/28/16: Sexting so Common, New Mexico Legalizes Self-produced Child Pornography
-- From "Vermont Considers Legalizing Teen 'Sexting'" Associated Press 4/13/09
Sexting refers to the exchange of explicit photos and videos via mobile phone. Under current laws, participants can be charged with child pornography, but lawmakers are considering a bill to legalize the consensual exchange of graphic images between two people 13 to 18 years old. Passing along such images to others would remain a crime.
Supporters told The Burlington Free Press they don't want to condone the behavior but they don't think teenagers should be prosecuted as sex offenders for consensual conduct.
The bill passed the state Senate earlier this month. The House Judiciary Committee will hear testimony on it this week.
Obama Celebrates Homosexuals, Eggs as Easter
The first family has no church home to celebrate the resurrection of the (real) Messiah, so Obama sought out like-minded homosexual families for the traditional Easter Egg Roll at the White House.
-- From "Mpls. gay couple, sons included in Easter celebration at White House" by Jeff Strickler and Patrice Relerford, [Minneapolis] Star Tribune
A Minneapolis family is about to become a part of history. On Monday, Tim Meyer, Mark Funk and their three sons -- Rudy, Andres and Pablo -- will attend the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, the first year that gay families have been officially included.
The Obama administration called on the [Family Equality Council, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) family advocacy] group to encourage its supporters to apply for tickets to the event. The council estimates that at least 100 LGBT families will participate.
"President Obama specifically sought us out," Meyer said. "We got a call two Sundays ago that said they extended the tickets to 50 more people. We got five of the tickets.
"This is the first time the White House has specifically reached out to gay families. It's a big deal."
The Meyer-Funk family belongs to Mayflower Church in south Minneapolis.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Mpls. gay couple, sons included in Easter celebration at White House" by Jeff Strickler and Patrice Relerford, [Minneapolis] Star Tribune
A Minneapolis family is about to become a part of history. On Monday, Tim Meyer, Mark Funk and their three sons -- Rudy, Andres and Pablo -- will attend the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, the first year that gay families have been officially included.
The Obama administration called on the [Family Equality Council, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) family advocacy] group to encourage its supporters to apply for tickets to the event. The council estimates that at least 100 LGBT families will participate.
"President Obama specifically sought us out," Meyer said. "We got a call two Sundays ago that said they extended the tickets to 50 more people. We got five of the tickets.
"This is the first time the White House has specifically reached out to gay families. It's a big deal."
The Meyer-Funk family belongs to Mayflower Church in south Minneapolis.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Pope: Societies drifting into a "desert of godlessness"
The Pope prayed that Christians would respond to the problem by growing in faith
-- From "Pope's Good Friday message warns of drift into a 'desert of godlessness'" by Stephen Adams, [London] Telegraph 4/11/09
Speaking during the Way of the Cross procession at the Colosseum in Rome, Pope Benedict XVI said that "religious sentiments" were increasingly ranked among the "unwelcome leftovers of antiquity" and held up to scorn and ridicule.
He used this year's Good Friday meditations at the Stations of the Cross to compare attempts to purge religion from public life to the mockery Jesus Christ faced from the mob as he was led out to be crucified.
Speaking at the seventh Station of the Cross, where Jesus is made an "object of fun", he said: "We are shocked to see to what levels of brutality human beings can sink. Jesus is humiliated in new ways even today. When things that are most holy and profound in the faith are being trivialised, the sense of the sacred is allowed to erode.
"Everything in public life risks being desacralised: persons, places, pledges, prayers, practices, words, sacred writings, religious formulae, symbols, ceremonies.
"Our life together is being increasingly secularised. Religious life grows diffident. Thus we see the most momentous matters placed among trifles, and trivialities glorified.
"Values and norms that held societies together and drew people to higher ideals are laughed at and thrown overboard. Jesus continues to be ridiculed!"
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Pope's Good Friday message warns of drift into a 'desert of godlessness'" by Stephen Adams, [London] Telegraph 4/11/09
Speaking during the Way of the Cross procession at the Colosseum in Rome, Pope Benedict XVI said that "religious sentiments" were increasingly ranked among the "unwelcome leftovers of antiquity" and held up to scorn and ridicule.
He used this year's Good Friday meditations at the Stations of the Cross to compare attempts to purge religion from public life to the mockery Jesus Christ faced from the mob as he was led out to be crucified.
Speaking at the seventh Station of the Cross, where Jesus is made an "object of fun", he said: "We are shocked to see to what levels of brutality human beings can sink. Jesus is humiliated in new ways even today. When things that are most holy and profound in the faith are being trivialised, the sense of the sacred is allowed to erode.
"Everything in public life risks being desacralised: persons, places, pledges, prayers, practices, words, sacred writings, religious formulae, symbols, ceremonies.
"Our life together is being increasingly secularised. Religious life grows diffident. Thus we see the most momentous matters placed among trifles, and trivialities glorified.
"Values and norms that held societies together and drew people to higher ideals are laughed at and thrown overboard. Jesus continues to be ridiculed!"
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Students Say No to Liberal Indoctrination
Elected student leaders at American River College in Sacramento, Calif., have adopted a resolution that seeks to protect classmates from the "anti-religious and political indoctrination" of professors and others on campus.
-- From "Students fear 'anti-religious indoctrination'" by Bob Unruh © 2009 WorldNetDaily 4/10/09
"The purpose of the resolution is to go on record asking the administration to adopt the Student Bill of Rights as official campus policy," the 22-year-old councilman [George Popko] said.
The resolution models activist David Horowitz's "Student Bill of Rights," a bill which was introduced to the California senate as SB 5 in 2005.
Popko says he plans to present a Student Bill of Rights Resolution containing those provisions on May 3 before the General Assembly of the Student Senate of California Community Colleges, an organization representing 2.7 million college students.
[Last October,] the elected student leaders on the same campus endorsed Proposition 8, the ballot issue in California last through which voters embedded in their state constitution a definition of marriage limited to one man and one woman.
The elected leaders since then have "been embattled with the leftist faculty, student organizations and administration on our campus," they have reported.
When the conservative student leaders faced an unsuccessful recall because of their views, the Associated Press described them as "politicized Christian fundamentalists."
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Students fear 'anti-religious indoctrination'" by Bob Unruh © 2009 WorldNetDaily 4/10/09
"The purpose of the resolution is to go on record asking the administration to adopt the Student Bill of Rights as official campus policy," the 22-year-old councilman [George Popko] said.
The resolution models activist David Horowitz's "Student Bill of Rights," a bill which was introduced to the California senate as SB 5 in 2005.
Popko says he plans to present a Student Bill of Rights Resolution containing those provisions on May 3 before the General Assembly of the Student Senate of California Community Colleges, an organization representing 2.7 million college students.
[Last October,] the elected student leaders on the same campus endorsed Proposition 8, the ballot issue in California last through which voters embedded in their state constitution a definition of marriage limited to one man and one woman.
The elected leaders since then have "been embattled with the leftist faculty, student organizations and administration on our campus," they have reported.
When the conservative student leaders faced an unsuccessful recall because of their views, the Associated Press described them as "politicized Christian fundamentalists."
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
UK Catholic Adoption Agencies Dump Church - Gay Agenda Wins
Leading Roman Catholic adoption agencies have severed their links with the Church so that they can comply with the law and provide a service to gay couples.
-- From "Adoption chiefs sever links with the Church to ensure survival" by Rosemary Bennett, Social Affairs Correspondent, The Times
The Times has learnt that five big agencies, including the largest in the country, felt that they had no choice because the Church opposes gay adoptions. Some agencies are changing their constitutions, funding structures and even their names.
New laws in 2007 banned providers of goods and services from discriminating on the ground of sexuality, and adoption agencies were told that they would have to consider applications from gay couples. In response Catholic bishops warned that the agencies would have to close if an exemption was not granted.
The Government rejected appeals for an exemption but ministers gave the agencies a 20-month transition period, which has now ended.
Maxine Smeaton, head of fundraising at Cabrini, said that it had to be pragmatic. “It was important not to get sentimental and too caught up in the name. We are here to provide services for children,” she said. “If we stopped the adoption service no one else would be providing it in the South of England. We are here for the children and that is our primary concern.”
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Adoption chiefs sever links with the Church to ensure survival" by Rosemary Bennett, Social Affairs Correspondent, The Times
The Times has learnt that five big agencies, including the largest in the country, felt that they had no choice because the Church opposes gay adoptions. Some agencies are changing their constitutions, funding structures and even their names.
New laws in 2007 banned providers of goods and services from discriminating on the ground of sexuality, and adoption agencies were told that they would have to consider applications from gay couples. In response Catholic bishops warned that the agencies would have to close if an exemption was not granted.
The Government rejected appeals for an exemption but ministers gave the agencies a 20-month transition period, which has now ended.
Maxine Smeaton, head of fundraising at Cabrini, said that it had to be pragmatic. “It was important not to get sentimental and too caught up in the name. We are here to provide services for children,” she said. “If we stopped the adoption service no one else would be providing it in the South of England. We are here for the children and that is our primary concern.”
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
'Gay Rights' Winning, Loss of Religious Liberty Documented
Washington Post writer demonstrates it's a "zero sum" game: Winning homosexual 'rights' means Christians must lose freedom of religion
UPDATE 9/16/09: Chai R. Feldblum, Pres. Obama's EEOC appointee, says "gay rights" must prevail over religious liberty
UPDATE 7/26/13: Gay Agenda Ends Christian Liberty, Says Senator Ted Cruz
-- From "Faith Groups Increasingly Lose Gay Rights Fights" by Jacqueline L. Salmon, Washington Post Staff Writer 4/10/09
Faith organizations and individuals who view homosexuality as sinful and refuse to provide services to gay people are losing a growing number of legal battles that they say are costing them their religious freedom.
The lawsuits have resulted from states and communities that have banned discrimination based on sexual orientation. Those laws have created a clash between the right to be free from discrimination and the right to freedom of religion, religious groups said, with faith losing. They point to what they say are ominous recent examples . . . [Read the entire article for the impending loss of freedom in America.]
But gay groups and liberal legal scholars say they are prevailing because an individual's religious views about homosexuality cannot be used to violate gays' right to equal treatment under the law.
Twelve states now offer some form of same-sex marriage or same-sex partner recognition. Twenty states -- including Maryland -- and more than 180 cities and counties, including the District, ban discrimination against gays, according to the Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights group. Virginia bans it against state employees.
Battles are increasingly including private businesses.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
To read the myriad evidence of the above, click the labels below for Employment, Hate Crimes, ENDA, Freedom of Religion, Gay Agenda
AGENDA: Grinding America Down (full movie on YouTube):
AGENDA: Grinding America Down (Full Movie) FREE to watch for a limited time (click here)! from Copybook Heading Productions LLC on Vimeo.
UPDATE 9/16/09: Chai R. Feldblum, Pres. Obama's EEOC appointee, says "gay rights" must prevail over religious liberty
UPDATE 7/26/13: Gay Agenda Ends Christian Liberty, Says Senator Ted Cruz
-- From "Faith Groups Increasingly Lose Gay Rights Fights" by Jacqueline L. Salmon, Washington Post Staff Writer 4/10/09
Faith organizations and individuals who view homosexuality as sinful and refuse to provide services to gay people are losing a growing number of legal battles that they say are costing them their religious freedom.
The lawsuits have resulted from states and communities that have banned discrimination based on sexual orientation. Those laws have created a clash between the right to be free from discrimination and the right to freedom of religion, religious groups said, with faith losing. They point to what they say are ominous recent examples . . . [Read the entire article for the impending loss of freedom in America.]
But gay groups and liberal legal scholars say they are prevailing because an individual's religious views about homosexuality cannot be used to violate gays' right to equal treatment under the law.
Twelve states now offer some form of same-sex marriage or same-sex partner recognition. Twenty states -- including Maryland -- and more than 180 cities and counties, including the District, ban discrimination against gays, according to the Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights group. Virginia bans it against state employees.
Battles are increasingly including private businesses.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
To read the myriad evidence of the above, click the labels below for Employment, Hate Crimes, ENDA, Freedom of Religion, Gay Agenda
AGENDA: Grinding America Down (full movie on YouTube):
AGENDA: Grinding America Down (Full Movie) FREE to watch for a limited time (click here)! from Copybook Heading Productions LLC on Vimeo.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Lawsuit Against Top Military Chaplain for being Too Christian
Just another in a series of lawsuits and complaints by anti-Christian forces working to strip the military of evangelical Christian influence
-- From "Group suing military seeks top chaplain's ouster" by The Associated Press 4/10/09
A group with a federal lawsuit in Kansas alleging widespread religious discrimination within the military called April 8 for the Army to court-martial its chief of chaplains.
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation sought Maj. Gen. Douglas Carver’s ouster on the day Carver designated for prayer and fasting for chaplains. It also was the start of Passover, observed with a ritual meal, or Seder, by Jews.
Foundation President Mikey Weinstein said his Albuquerque, N.M.-based group has received numerous complaints about Carver’s proclamation in March calling for fasting and prayer on April 8.
The proclamation called for chaplains to act “in keeping with your religious traditions.” Carver later issued an addendum saying participation was voluntary and that he consulted with two senior Jewish chaplains.
The foundation and a former Fort Riley, Kan., soldier filed suit last year in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., against Defense Secretary Robert Gates, alleging a pervasive bias within the military toward evangelical Christianity. The lawsuit also alleges the military allows personnel to try to convert Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan to Christianity.
“It’s a fundamentalist Christian-Constitution fight,” Weinstein said in an interview. “This represents a perfect, quintessential example of the fact that our United States military has become infused, essentially, with the Christian mirror image of the type of Islam that is pushed by al-Qaida and the Taliban.”
“This is absolutely about proselytizing in Iraq and everywhere else,” Weinstein said. “We’re not at war with Islam? It sure looks like we are.”
To read the entire, above article, CLICK HERE.
From "Top Army chaplain upsets Jews by calling for fasting during Passover" Associated Baptist Press 4/7/09 by Bob Allen
Maj. Gen. Douglas Carver, a Southern Baptist, issued a proclamation March 2 urging Army chaplains to pray and fast April 8 during a 120-day "stand down" period beginning Feb. 15 to focus on suicide-prevention awareness among soldiers.
"As spiritual leaders we are called to be a people of prayer," Carver explained in an Internet newsletter article. "One initiative that was proposed is that we employ the power of collective prayer more consistently in our efforts to combat suicide. I have issued a call to all members of our Corps to join with me on 8 April in leading the Army Family in a special day of prayer and fasting for the preservation, protection and peace of our Army.. I have directed our Center for Spiritual Leadership at the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School to provide resources to support you in your prayer effort."
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation said the directive, which includes a resolution-style "whereas" statement saying spiritual leaders "model faith and belief in the Hand of God to intervene in the course of history and individual lives," is "not an appropriately pluralistic description of the theological and spiritual diversity present within military chaplaincy."
The group, founded by Air Force Academy graduate Mikey Weinstein to advocate the separation of church and state in the military, also said the Army chief of chaplains is a bureaucratic job with no constitutional authority to dictate a specific religious practice like fasting or prayer.
To read the entire, above article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Group suing military seeks top chaplain's ouster" by The Associated Press 4/10/09
A group with a federal lawsuit in Kansas alleging widespread religious discrimination within the military called April 8 for the Army to court-martial its chief of chaplains.
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation sought Maj. Gen. Douglas Carver’s ouster on the day Carver designated for prayer and fasting for chaplains. It also was the start of Passover, observed with a ritual meal, or Seder, by Jews.
Foundation President Mikey Weinstein said his Albuquerque, N.M.-based group has received numerous complaints about Carver’s proclamation in March calling for fasting and prayer on April 8.
The proclamation called for chaplains to act “in keeping with your religious traditions.” Carver later issued an addendum saying participation was voluntary and that he consulted with two senior Jewish chaplains.
The foundation and a former Fort Riley, Kan., soldier filed suit last year in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., against Defense Secretary Robert Gates, alleging a pervasive bias within the military toward evangelical Christianity. The lawsuit also alleges the military allows personnel to try to convert Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan to Christianity.
“It’s a fundamentalist Christian-Constitution fight,” Weinstein said in an interview. “This represents a perfect, quintessential example of the fact that our United States military has become infused, essentially, with the Christian mirror image of the type of Islam that is pushed by al-Qaida and the Taliban.”
“This is absolutely about proselytizing in Iraq and everywhere else,” Weinstein said. “We’re not at war with Islam? It sure looks like we are.”
To read the entire, above article, CLICK HERE.
From "Top Army chaplain upsets Jews by calling for fasting during Passover" Associated Baptist Press 4/7/09 by Bob Allen
Maj. Gen. Douglas Carver, a Southern Baptist, issued a proclamation March 2 urging Army chaplains to pray and fast April 8 during a 120-day "stand down" period beginning Feb. 15 to focus on suicide-prevention awareness among soldiers.
"As spiritual leaders we are called to be a people of prayer," Carver explained in an Internet newsletter article. "One initiative that was proposed is that we employ the power of collective prayer more consistently in our efforts to combat suicide. I have issued a call to all members of our Corps to join with me on 8 April in leading the Army Family in a special day of prayer and fasting for the preservation, protection and peace of our Army.. I have directed our Center for Spiritual Leadership at the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School to provide resources to support you in your prayer effort."
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation said the directive, which includes a resolution-style "whereas" statement saying spiritual leaders "model faith and belief in the Hand of God to intervene in the course of history and individual lives," is "not an appropriately pluralistic description of the theological and spiritual diversity present within military chaplaincy."
The group, founded by Air Force Academy graduate Mikey Weinstein to advocate the separation of church and state in the military, also said the Army chief of chaplains is a bureaucratic job with no constitutional authority to dictate a specific religious practice like fasting or prayer.
To read the entire, above article, CLICK HERE.
China's One-child Policy Propagates Gendercide
New study in the British Journal of Medicine shows sex-selective abortions has left China with 32 million more males, an imbalance that is expected to continue to rise.
-- From "Selective abortions result in 32m excess males in China" Agence France-Presse 4/10/09
The study provided ammunition for those experts who predicted that China’s obsession with a male heir would sow bitter fruit, as men facing a life of bachelorhood would eventually have to fight for a bride. “Although some imaginative and extreme solutions have been suggested, nothing can be done now to prevent this imminent generation of excess men,” says the paper. In most countries, males slightly outnumber females, with an average of 103 to 107 male births for every 100 female births.
But in China and other Asian countries, the gender ratio has widened sharply as the traditional preference for boys was reinforced by the availability of cheap ultrasound diagnostics and abortion. This has enabled Chinese couples to use abortions to prevent a female birth, a practice that was officially condemned as well as being made illegal.
Amongst the Chinese aged below 20, the greatest gender imbalances existed amongst one-to-four-year-olds, where there were 124 male to 100 female births, with 126 to 100 in rural areas, they found.
When it came to second births, the sex ratio was even higher, with 143 male births to 100 female births. It peaked at a massive 192 boys to 100 girls in the Jiangsu province.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Selective abortions result in 32m excess males in China" Agence France-Presse 4/10/09
The study provided ammunition for those experts who predicted that China’s obsession with a male heir would sow bitter fruit, as men facing a life of bachelorhood would eventually have to fight for a bride. “Although some imaginative and extreme solutions have been suggested, nothing can be done now to prevent this imminent generation of excess men,” says the paper. In most countries, males slightly outnumber females, with an average of 103 to 107 male births for every 100 female births.
But in China and other Asian countries, the gender ratio has widened sharply as the traditional preference for boys was reinforced by the availability of cheap ultrasound diagnostics and abortion. This has enabled Chinese couples to use abortions to prevent a female birth, a practice that was officially condemned as well as being made illegal.
Amongst the Chinese aged below 20, the greatest gender imbalances existed amongst one-to-four-year-olds, where there were 124 male to 100 female births, with 126 to 100 in rural areas, they found.
When it came to second births, the sex ratio was even higher, with 143 male births to 100 female births. It peaked at a massive 192 boys to 100 girls in the Jiangsu province.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Liberals: Culture War Pits Parental Rights vs. United Nations
Political analysts demonstrate their "ivory tower" perch, again -- out of touch with everyday Americans
-- From "Parental rights: The new wedge issue" by Andie Coller, Politico 4/8/09
If there were a recipe for creating a new conservative culture-wars issue, it might look something like this: Start with the United Nations, fold in the prospect of an expanded role for government in children’s lives, add some unfortunate court decisions, then toss in Barbara Boxer and Hillary Clinton.
[Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.)] last week introduced a bill in the House to amend the U.S. Constitution to permanently “enshrine” in American society an inviolable set of parents’ rights. The bill had 70 co-sponsors, all Republicans, including Minority Whip Eric Cantor and Minority Leader John A. Boehner.
The bill, said Hoekstra, is intended to stem the “slow erosion” of parents’ rights and to circumvent the effects of a United Nations treaty he believes “clearly undermines parental rights in the United States.”
While a treaty that seeks to protect children may sound innocuous, its opponents, such as Michael Farris, the Christian conservative founder of the Home School Legal Defense Association, see in it a dystopian future in which “Parents would no longer be able to administer reasonable spankings to their children”; “A child’s ‘right to be heard’ would allow him (or her) to seek governmental review of every parental decision with which the child disagreed”; and “Children would have the ability to choose their own religion while parents would only have the authority to give their children advice about religion,” as he puts it on his website parentalrights.org.
By its nature, the treaty combines two “third-rail” issues for conservatives — the implications of international treaties for U.S. sovereignty, and the role of the United Nations in U.S. affairs. “Opposing the U.N has been a rallying cry of the right for decades,” notes Julian Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University.
Conservatives, he notes, are “looking for issues. And if this looks like this is an issue they can hook onto . . .”
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Parental rights: The new wedge issue" by Andie Coller, Politico 4/8/09
If there were a recipe for creating a new conservative culture-wars issue, it might look something like this: Start with the United Nations, fold in the prospect of an expanded role for government in children’s lives, add some unfortunate court decisions, then toss in Barbara Boxer and Hillary Clinton.
[Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.)] last week introduced a bill in the House to amend the U.S. Constitution to permanently “enshrine” in American society an inviolable set of parents’ rights. The bill had 70 co-sponsors, all Republicans, including Minority Whip Eric Cantor and Minority Leader John A. Boehner.
The bill, said Hoekstra, is intended to stem the “slow erosion” of parents’ rights and to circumvent the effects of a United Nations treaty he believes “clearly undermines parental rights in the United States.”
While a treaty that seeks to protect children may sound innocuous, its opponents, such as Michael Farris, the Christian conservative founder of the Home School Legal Defense Association, see in it a dystopian future in which “Parents would no longer be able to administer reasonable spankings to their children”; “A child’s ‘right to be heard’ would allow him (or her) to seek governmental review of every parental decision with which the child disagreed”; and “Children would have the ability to choose their own religion while parents would only have the authority to give their children advice about religion,” as he puts it on his website parentalrights.org.
By its nature, the treaty combines two “third-rail” issues for conservatives — the implications of international treaties for U.S. sovereignty, and the role of the United Nations in U.S. affairs. “Opposing the U.N has been a rallying cry of the right for decades,” notes Julian Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University.
Conservatives, he notes, are “looking for issues. And if this looks like this is an issue they can hook onto . . .”
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
Obama's Health Care Plans Include Religious Discrimination
“If anyone should understand the ugliness of discrimination, it is our first African American president. . . My prayer is that he will wake up to what is really going on . . .”
-- From "'Right of conscience' move criticized" United Press International 4/8/09
The Bush administration rule, enacted the day before President Barack Obama took office, expanded the existing "right of conscience" law, under which doctors and other healthcare workers who didn't want to perform abortions could legally refuse to do so.
Under the new federal rule, any worker in a healthcare setting is free to refuse to provide services or information on topics ranging from contraception to vaccine counseling if they are morally opposed to the procedures, CNN reported Wednesday.
With a likely repeal of the rule by the Obama administration looming, Christian doctors argued Wednesday that rolling back the provision would be discriminatory, the broadcaster reported.
To read the entire, above article, CLICK HERE.
From "Health Care Professionals: First Black President Should End Religious Discrimination" by Penny Starr, Senior Staff Writer CNSNews.com 4/9/09
Health care professionals on Wednesay urged President Barack Obama not to rescind the "conscience clause" -- the Health and Human Services (HHS) regulation that bars federally funded groups from discriminating against medical workers who, for moral reasons, refuse to perform medical procedures such as abortion and prescribing the "morning-after" pill.
Doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals wearing white coats and green scrubs spoke at the National Press Club on Wednesday [including Dr. David Stevens, CEO of the Christian Medical Association].
The event came one day before the end of the 30-day public comment period on the HHS regulation.
What is happening, Stevens and other health care professionals said, is an ongoing campaign to discriminate against doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other medical workers who oppose performing procedures or filling prescriptions for religious reasons. They said some conscientious objectors are not being admitted to medical schools and are being passed over for promotions.
The results of a nationwide poll by The Polling Company/Woman Trend of 800 adults, 18 or older, and 2,865 members of faith-based health care professional organizations also was unveiled at the press conference.
The poll found that 87 percent of the adults said they think health care professionals should not be forced to participate in procedures and practices that they morally oppose – a number that represents people across the political spectrum.
The survey of health care professionals showed nearly three quarters, or 74 percent, believed that elimination of the conscience regulation would result in fewer doctors practicing medicine, and 66 percent said it would decrease access to medical treatment to patients in low-income areas. The survey also found that 58 percent of those surveyed predicted a reduction in hospitals providing services.
To read the entire, above article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "'Right of conscience' move criticized" United Press International 4/8/09
The Bush administration rule, enacted the day before President Barack Obama took office, expanded the existing "right of conscience" law, under which doctors and other healthcare workers who didn't want to perform abortions could legally refuse to do so.
Under the new federal rule, any worker in a healthcare setting is free to refuse to provide services or information on topics ranging from contraception to vaccine counseling if they are morally opposed to the procedures, CNN reported Wednesday.
With a likely repeal of the rule by the Obama administration looming, Christian doctors argued Wednesday that rolling back the provision would be discriminatory, the broadcaster reported.
To read the entire, above article, CLICK HERE.
From "Health Care Professionals: First Black President Should End Religious Discrimination" by Penny Starr, Senior Staff Writer CNSNews.com 4/9/09
Health care professionals on Wednesay urged President Barack Obama not to rescind the "conscience clause" -- the Health and Human Services (HHS) regulation that bars federally funded groups from discriminating against medical workers who, for moral reasons, refuse to perform medical procedures such as abortion and prescribing the "morning-after" pill.
Doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals wearing white coats and green scrubs spoke at the National Press Club on Wednesday [including Dr. David Stevens, CEO of the Christian Medical Association].
The event came one day before the end of the 30-day public comment period on the HHS regulation.
What is happening, Stevens and other health care professionals said, is an ongoing campaign to discriminate against doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other medical workers who oppose performing procedures or filling prescriptions for religious reasons. They said some conscientious objectors are not being admitted to medical schools and are being passed over for promotions.
The results of a nationwide poll by The Polling Company/Woman Trend of 800 adults, 18 or older, and 2,865 members of faith-based health care professional organizations also was unveiled at the press conference.
The poll found that 87 percent of the adults said they think health care professionals should not be forced to participate in procedures and practices that they morally oppose – a number that represents people across the political spectrum.
The survey of health care professionals showed nearly three quarters, or 74 percent, believed that elimination of the conscience regulation would result in fewer doctors practicing medicine, and 66 percent said it would decrease access to medical treatment to patients in low-income areas. The survey also found that 58 percent of those surveyed predicted a reduction in hospitals providing services.
To read the entire, above article, CLICK HERE.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Stem Cell Hopes: Oprah & Michael J. Fox Ambushed
Oprah guest Dr. Mehmet Oz says stem cell debate is over -- embryo wins (and lives)
-- From "Doc Shocks Oprah on Ethical Stem Cell Successes" by Bob Ellis, Dakota Voice 4/7/09
Why did he say this? Well, it’s because of the (a) tremendous problems that come with embryonic stem cell research, and the (b) tremendous successes already coming from adult stem cell research.
. . . adult stem cell therapy has already produced between 70 and 80 successful therapies for maladies including brain injury, stroke, retina regeneration, heart tissue regeneration, angina, diabetes, bone cancer, nerve regeneration, cerebral palsy, cartilage regeneration, Parkinsons, kidney damage, liver cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis, leukemia and more.
Also read Courageous Celebs Respond to Michael J. Fox Ad
-- From "Doc Shocks Oprah on Ethical Stem Cell Successes" by Bob Ellis, Dakota Voice 4/7/09
Why did he say this? Well, it’s because of the (a) tremendous problems that come with embryonic stem cell research, and the (b) tremendous successes already coming from adult stem cell research.
. . . adult stem cell therapy has already produced between 70 and 80 successful therapies for maladies including brain injury, stroke, retina regeneration, heart tissue regeneration, angina, diabetes, bone cancer, nerve regeneration, cerebral palsy, cartilage regeneration, Parkinsons, kidney damage, liver cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis, leukemia and more.
Also read Courageous Celebs Respond to Michael J. Fox Ad
Reproductive Science Yields Economic Stimulus
Egg donor agencies and sperm banks report compensating increasing numbers of unemployed donors trying make ends meet
-- From "Recession spurs egg and sperm donations" by Bella English, Boston Globe Staff 4/7/09
If a woman meets the agency's criteria, she earns $10,000 every time she donates. (Technically, the women are compensated for their time and inconvenience; it is illegal to sell one's eggs.)
Couples, and some single women, pay $20,000 to $30,000 for an egg donation, in vitro fertilization, and transfer to the recipient. Donors generally must be healthy nonsmokers between ages 21 and 32 with a good family health history, "reasonably educated and reasonably attractive. . ." Screening involves physical, psychological, and genetic testing. If accepted, the woman undergoes hormone injections, then a surgical procedure to remove her eggs. Fees paid to the donor generally range from $5,000 to $10,000. Recipients choose prescreened donors.
Sperm donations are also on the increase, although they pay much less - an average of $85 to $100 per donation. Such "banks" generally require that the donor be at least 5-foot-8, a college student or graduate between the ages of 18 and 38, and in good health.
California Cryobank, which has offices in Cambridge, recruits largely on college campuses and asks each donor for a year's commitment, with the average donor contributing 2-3 times a week.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
-- From "Recession spurs egg and sperm donations" by Bella English, Boston Globe Staff 4/7/09
If a woman meets the agency's criteria, she earns $10,000 every time she donates. (Technically, the women are compensated for their time and inconvenience; it is illegal to sell one's eggs.)
Couples, and some single women, pay $20,000 to $30,000 for an egg donation, in vitro fertilization, and transfer to the recipient. Donors generally must be healthy nonsmokers between ages 21 and 32 with a good family health history, "reasonably educated and reasonably attractive. . ." Screening involves physical, psychological, and genetic testing. If accepted, the woman undergoes hormone injections, then a surgical procedure to remove her eggs. Fees paid to the donor generally range from $5,000 to $10,000. Recipients choose prescreened donors.
Sperm donations are also on the increase, although they pay much less - an average of $85 to $100 per donation. Such "banks" generally require that the donor be at least 5-foot-8, a college student or graduate between the ages of 18 and 38, and in good health.
California Cryobank, which has offices in Cambridge, recruits largely on college campuses and asks each donor for a year's commitment, with the average donor contributing 2-3 times a week.
To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.
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