lifesitenews--2020-01-30--You can thank the Chinese Communist Party for the coronavirus epidemic

January 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Meeting with the head of the World Health Organization Tuesday , President Xi Jinping did his best to pretend that the deadly coronavirus epidemic now raging in China was under control .
“ I have been in command ” of the situation from the beginning , he said .
His government would “ release information on the virus in a timely manner , ” because “ The epidemic is a demon , and we can not let this demon hide.
” Listening to Xi , you don ’ t know whether to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Communist Party officials have been playing “ hide the demon ” for two months now .
For weeks after the first coronavirus cases were reported , they pretended that it didn ’ t exist .
Then we were told that the coronavirus originated in an open-air market , where animals were being slaughtered for sale to customers who like their wild game fresh .
Perhaps .
But there have also been suggestions that the virus may have escaped from a People ’ s Liberation Army Biowarfare unit located just a few miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Either way , the first wave of cases in December was hushed up .
Even when the number of people who had come down with the coronavirus became too large to hide by early January , officials continually minimized the seriousness of the disease to their own people—and to the world .
In the meantime , because they were not given timely information about the seriousness of the problem , the people of Wuhan went on contracting and spreading the virus among themselves for weeks .
Then , just as the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chinese New Year began .
Every year , the largest migration on the planet takes place in China .
By long tradition , hundreds of millions of people go home for the lunar new year celebrations .
In the days leading up to the holiday , no fewer than five million residents of Wuhan got in cars , buses , trains , and planes and went home for the holidays .
The effect of this diaspora was to carry the coronavirus to every corner of China , and to many surrounding countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nightmare .
Only after the first cases of coronavirus were being reported in a dozen other Chinese cities did deceitful Communist officials finally impose a quarantine on Wuhan ’ s 11 million people .
They have since expanded it to some 17 other cities in Hubei province with a total population of 40-plus million .
It is the largest quarantine in human history—but it is still too little and too late .
This is the real scandal .
Even today , as the epidemic has spread throughout China , the Chinese authorities are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the number of deaths , and maybe even about the origins of the deadly virus .
The claim that there have been to date only 170 deaths and 7,700 infections is laughable given the other reports that are coming out of the country .
Take the January 28 directive issued by China ’ s Ministry of Public Security , which ordered all police departments throughout the country to make “ wartime preparations.
” The police are to help “ control the disease ” by enforcing quarantine orders and helping to speed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time “ maintaining social stability ” by “ severely ” punishing any public or online reporting about the spread of the epidemic .
Does that sound like China is on the verge of declaring a national emergency to you ?
It does to me .
Despite the police clampdown on social media reports on the epidemic , a few hints of how bad things really are have managed to leak out from behind the Great Firewall .
Consider this stunner from the Wuhan authorities .
“ The [ Wuhan ] city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have dispatched vehicles , staff , and protective gear to each funeral house [ in Wuhan ] .
” The post went on to offer “ free cremation for the corpses of coronavirus victims ” who died on January 26 or later .
The reason the city was deploying these new resources , it said , was “ To improve the capacity of transporting and dealing with corpses ” ( ! )
.
I don ’ t know about you , but this doesn ’ t sound to me like something they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 170 or so was anywhere close to accurate .
The post obviously didn ’ t please the censors either , because an hour later the above sentences were deleted from the text .
As far as Xi himself , until now he has maintained a sphinxlike silence on the epidemic that has the province of Hubei in a death grip , even as lower-level officials like Wuhan mayor Zhou Xianwang have had to fall on their swords .
Two days ago Chinese premier Li Keqiang finally visited the city , but Xi still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other world leader who did not personally visit the scene of such an unfolding disaster would be crucified in his national media .
Xi has little to worry about on that front , however , since his state-controlled media exists not to report the news , but to make him and the Party look good .
Of course , with long lines of the sick lining up outside hospitals , that ’ s getting increasingly hard to do .
General Secretary Xi Jinping may speak of the “ demon , ” but in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ demon ” is hiding in plain sight .
It is the Chinese Communist Party itself , and the culture of corruption and deceit that it has fostered .
One final comment : The Chinese Party-State probably spends a trillion dollars a year monitoring and surveilling , policing and re-educating its population .
The cost of incarcerating over a million Uyghurs in concentration camps alone must run into the tens of billions .
The cost of persecuting tens of millions of Catholics and other Christians probably runs billions more .
If they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend on their police state into public health , and actually “ released information in a timely manner , ” as Xi promised , they would have been able to stop this epidemic in its tracks .
But that ’ s not the way that Leftists roll , is it ?
Fortunately , those of us in the West live in democracies , with an open and free press , and health officials who put people , rather than politics , first .
The few cases of the disease we now have will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ demon ” will pass us by .
Steven W. Mosher is the president of the Population Research Institute and the author of Bully of Asia : Why China ’ s Dream is the New Threat to World Order .
A former National Science Foundation fellow , he studied human biology at Stanford University under famed geneticist Luigi Cavalli-Sforza .
He holds advanced degrees in Biological Oceanography , East Asian Studies , and Cultural Anthropology .
One of America 's leading China watchers , he was selected in 1979 by the National Science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientist to do field research in China .

By quarantining and testing suspected carriers of the virus, the U.S and other countries are successfully containing the spread of the virus. These are precautions that the Chinese authorities should have taken two long months ago—and didn’t. Now the disease has reached all of China.
PRAYER PLEDGE: VP Pence is right. We need prayer to fight coronavirus, not political antics! Sign the petition here.
January 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Meeting with the head of the World Health Organization Tuesday, President Xi Jinping did his best to pretend that the deadly coronavirus epidemic now raging in China was under control. “I have been in command” of the situation from the beginning, he said. His government would “release information on the virus in a timely manner,” because “The epidemic is a demon, and we cannot let this demon hide.”
Listening to Xi, you don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
The truth is that Communist Party officials have been playing “hide the demon” for two months now. For weeks after the first coronavirus cases were reported, they pretended that it didn’t exist.
Then we were told that the coronavirus originated in an open-air market, where animals were being slaughtered for sale to customers who like their wild game fresh. Perhaps. But there have also been suggestions that the virus may have escaped from a People’s Liberation Army Biowarfare unit located just a few miles away from the epicenter of the epidemic.
Either way, the first wave of cases in December was hushed up.
Even when the number of people who had come down with the coronavirus became too large to hide by early January, officials continually minimized the seriousness of the disease to their own people—and to the world.
In the meantime, because they were not given timely information about the seriousness of the problem, the people of Wuhan went on contracting and spreading the virus among themselves for weeks. Then, just as the virus was reaching epidemic proportions in Wuhan, the Chinese New Year began.
Every year, the largest migration on the planet takes place in China. By long tradition, hundreds of millions of people go home for the lunar new year celebrations.
In the days leading up to the holiday, no fewer than five million residents of Wuhan got in cars, buses, trains, and planes and went home for the holidays. The effect of this diaspora was to carry the coronavirus to every corner of China, and to many surrounding countries as well. It is an epidemiological nightmare.
Only after the first cases of coronavirus were being reported in a dozen other Chinese cities did deceitful Communist officials finally impose a quarantine on Wuhan’s 11 million people. They have since expanded it to some 17 other cities in Hubei province with a total population of 40-plus million. It is the largest quarantine in human history—but it is still too little and too late. This is the real scandal.
Even today, as the epidemic has spread throughout China, the Chinese authorities are still lying—about the number of infections, about the number of deaths, and maybe even about the origins of the deadly virus. The claim that there have been to date only 170 deaths and 7,700 infections is laughable given the other reports that are coming out of the country.
Take the January 28 directive issued by China’s Ministry of Public Security, which ordered all police departments throughout the country to make “wartime preparations.” The police are to help “control the disease” by enforcing quarantine orders and helping to speed the distribution of medical supplies, while at the same time “maintaining social stability” by “severely” punishing any public or online reporting about the spread of the epidemic.
Does that sound like China is on the verge of declaring a national emergency to you? It does to me.
Despite the police clampdown on social media reports on the epidemic, a few hints of how bad things really are have managed to leak out from behind the Great Firewall. Consider this stunner from the Wuhan authorities.
“The [Wuhan] city government and Hubei Provincial Civil Affairs Ministry have dispatched vehicles, staff, and protective gear to each funeral house [in Wuhan].” The post went on to offer “free cremation for the corpses of coronavirus victims” who died on January 26 or later.
The reason the city was deploying these new resources, it said, was “To improve the capacity of transporting and dealing with corpses” (!).
I don’t know about you, but this doesn’t sound to me like something they would do if the official death toll of 170 or so was anywhere close to accurate. The post obviously didn’t please the censors either, because an hour later the above sentences were deleted from the text.
As far as Xi himself, until now he has maintained a sphinxlike silence on the epidemic that has the province of Hubei in a death grip, even as lower-level officials like Wuhan mayor Zhou Xianwang have had to fall on their swords. Two days ago Chinese premier Li Keqiang finally visited the city, but Xi still hasn’t gone himself.
Any other world leader who did not personally visit the scene of such an unfolding disaster would be crucified in his national media. Xi has little to worry about on that front, however, since his state-controlled media exists not to report the news, but to make him and the Party look good.
Of course, with long lines of the sick lining up outside hospitals, that’s getting increasingly hard to do.
General Secretary Xi Jinping may speak of the “demon,” but in the view of many in China, the “demon” is hiding in plain sight. It is the Chinese Communist Party itself, and the culture of corruption and deceit that it has fostered.
One final comment: The Chinese Party-State probably spends a trillion dollars a year monitoring and surveilling, policing and re-educating its population. The cost of incarcerating over a million Uyghurs in concentration camps alone must run into the tens of billions. The cost of persecuting tens of millions of Catholics and other Christians probably runs billions more.
If they put a fraction of the money they spend on their police state into public health, and actually “released information in a timely manner,” as Xi promised, they would have been able to stop this epidemic in its tracks.
But that’s not the way that Leftists roll, is it?
Fortunately, those of us in the West live in democracies, with an open and free press, and health officials who put people, rather than politics, first. The few cases of the disease we now have will be effectively contained and Xi’s “demon” will pass us by.
But pity the poor Chinese.
Steven W. Mosher is the president of the Population Research Institute and the author of Bully of Asia: Why China’s Dream is the New Threat to World Order. A former National Science Foundation fellow, he studied human biology at Stanford University under famed geneticist Luigi Cavalli-Sforza. He holds advanced degrees in Biological Oceanography, East Asian Studies, and Cultural Anthropology. One of America's leading China watchers, he was selected in 1979 by the National Science Foundation to be the first American social scientist to do field research in China.
Follow Steven Steven Mosher is an internationally recognised authority on China and population issues as well as an acclaimed author and speaker and founder and head of the Population Research Institute. He was the first American social scientist to visit mainland China in 1979 where he witnessed women being forced to have abortion under the new “one-child-policy” which he then exposed to the world. Mr. Mosher was a pro-choice atheist at the time, but witnessing these traumatic abortions led him to reconsider his convictions and to eventually become a practicing, pro-life Roman Catholic. Mosher has appeared numerous times before the US Congress as an expert in world population, China and human Rights abuses. He has also made TV appearances on Good Morning America, 60 Minutes, The Today Show, 20/20, FOX and CNN news, as well as being a regular guest on talk radio shows across the nation. He is the author of the best-selling A Mother’s Ordeal: One woman’s Fight Against China’s One-Child-Policy. His latest book is Bully of Asia, exposing the threat of China to the entire world at this time. Articles by Steve have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Reader’s Digest, The New Republic, The Washington Post, National Review, Reason, The Asian Wall Street Journal, Freedom Review, Linacre Quarterly, Catholic World Report, Human Life Review, First Things, and numerous other publications. Steven Mosher lives in Virginia with his wife, Vera, and their nine children.
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lifesitenews--2020-01-30--BREAKING: Cross-dressing LGBT activist to appear on ‘Sesame Street’

PETITION : Parents demand 'Sesame Street ' remove show with drag queen '' Sign the petition here .
January 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Bert and Ernie may not be a same-sex couple , but the long-running children ’ s franchise Sesame Street is about to get an infusion of LGBT “ vibes ” with an upcoming guest appearance by actor and LGBT activist Billy Porter .
Porter , best known as Pray Tell in the FX ’ s LGBT ballroom drama Pose and for wearing extravagant dresses , will appear during the 51st season of the beloved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sesame Street ’ s official Facebook page .
“ Billy Porter bringing those fierce vibes to Sesame Street , ” the post declares , accompanied by photos of Porter on the classic set , wearing a tuxedo gown .
Comments on the post were largely positive , though some readers expressed concern .
“ That is pushing [ too ] much at little children , it makes no sense , kids have [ too ] much on their little plates as it is , ” one said .
“ Why add more ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And diversity should be taught at a child appropriate level .
A man in a dress is not child appropriate , in fact , it can be confusing , ” another argued .
“ While striving to teach to ‘ be yourself ’ you 're teaching boys who are masculine that it 's not ok for them to be masculine.
” “ As though our children are not confused enough .
What is your agenda ?
” another asked .
“ Unbelievable .
So disappointing.
” This isn ’ t the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2017 , it tweeted a “ rainbow ” of multicolored Muppets for Pride Month with the declaration , “ Sesame Street is proud to support families of all shapes , sizes , and colors.
” Later that year , its song “ Anyone Can Play ” purported to smash gender norms for children ’ s toys and costumes , including the lyrics “ some boys like to play dolls ” while the male character Grover is seen in a purple dress .
Last year , Porter prefaced President Donald Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his own “ LGBT State of the Union , ” during which he claimed “ our rights are under threat and the sanctity of identities is in peril .
”

The LGBT activist's 'fierce vibes' are coming to the beloved children's show, according to Sesame Street's official Facebook page.
PETITION: Parents demand 'Sesame Street' remove show with drag queen” Sign the petition here.
January 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Bert and Ernie may not be a same-sex couple, but the long-running children’s franchise Sesame Street is about to get an infusion of LGBT “vibes” with an upcoming guest appearance by actor and LGBT activist Billy Porter.
Porter, best known as Pray Tell in the FX’s LGBT ballroom drama Pose and for wearing extravagant dresses, will appear during the 51st season of the beloved children’s show, according to Sesame Street’s official Facebook page.
“Billy Porter bringing those fierce vibes to Sesame Street,” the post declares, accompanied by photos of Porter on the classic set, wearing a tuxedo gown.
Comments on the post were largely positive, though some readers expressed concern.
“That is pushing [too] much at little children, it makes no sense, kids have [too] much on their little plates as it is,” one said. “Why add more?”
“Sesame Street is for children. And diversity should be taught at a child appropriate level. A man in a dress is not child appropriate, in fact, it can be confusing,” another argued. “While striving to teach to ‘be yourself’ you're teaching boys who are masculine that it's not ok for them to be masculine.”
“As though our children are not confused enough. What is your agenda?” another asked. “Unbelievable. So disappointing.”
Sesame Street is proud to support families of all shapes, sizes, and colors. ❤ pic.twitter.com/H3uzD5XwUu — Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) June 23, 2017
This isn’t the first time Sesame Street has promoted LGBT themes. In 2017, it tweeted a “rainbow” of multicolored Muppets for Pride Month with the declaration, “Sesame Street is proud to support families of all shapes, sizes, and colors.” Later that year, its song “Anyone Can Play” purported to smash gender norms for children’s toys and costumes, including the lyrics “some boys like to play dolls” while the male character Grover is seen in a purple dress.
Last year, Porter prefaced President Donald Trump’s annual State of the Union Address with his own “LGBT State of the Union,” during which he claimed “our rights are under threat and the sanctity of identities is in peril.”
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lifesitenews--2020-01-30--How Christians should talk to their kids about fornication, abortion, homosexuality

January 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — In my last article , I spoke of ways in which we can talk to children about the goodness , fittingness , and beauty of human sexuality as God created it , and I suggested three themes under which one might approach the subject .
Our Lord Jesus Christ says : “ God alone is good.
” Every creature can fail , and this includes every human being and every member of the Church , from the least to the greatest .
God does transform us by His grace , but He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , much less to be perfect .
We have to be willing to work with His grace .
St. Dionysius says : “ Good happens in one way , evil in all manner of ways.
” It ’ s hard to get things right but easy to get them wrong .
So we should somehow convey to children and young adults , when talking about evils , that in this vale of tears we will always be running up against greater or lesser evils , but that we can still know the good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it — and help others toward it as well .
Talking about good things , even when they are delicate , is relatively easy .
The worst job a parent has , in my opinion , is talking about evil — especially the sexual disorders and deviations that constantly show up in the news .
Sometimes a man and a woman get together — but they ’ re not married , and they ’ re not husband and wife .
But they act like they ’ re married , and God gives them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t supposed to be acting like that at that time .
God is asking them to take responsibility for the baby and to make big sacrifices for it .
Sigh .
Complicated and not even coherent .
Sin is a mess and makes a mess .
Or how about this ?
There are people who are so confused and hurt that they don ’ t actually want to be mommies and daddies , so they do stuff to prevent God from giving them a baby .
It ’ s like keeping the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a needy person can ’ t get in .
This makes them lonely and miserable , and it ’ s very wrong of them to do it .
It deteriorates from here .
Some people , sadly , are not able to have children in the natural way God intended , but instead of accepting this cross or adopting children who need a home , they forcibly make a child inside a glass test tube using material taken from the mother and father .
I remember dreading the first time the subject of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was unaware of it .
It ’ s just so unspeakably evil .
What do you say ?
There are mommies who want their babies to be killed , or who are pressured into it by bullies .
They get someone to go into their womb and chop up the baby and suck it out with a kind of vacuum cleaner .
Or they take a pill that poisons the baby .
And there are so-called doctors who kill thousands of babies as their regular day job .
One of them died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ babies collected in his backyard .
No !
One can not say such a thing .
Somehow , one has to find a way to explain it , since it will unavoidably come up .
Or how about homosexuality ?
There are some men who are so confused that they like other men , and there are women who like other women — I mean , not just as friends , but in the way mommies and daddies like each other .
It only gets worse with transvestites , “ sex change ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sperm , and someone ’ s womb in order to “ have ” “ their own ” child ...
Such things are repugnant even to think about , let alone verbalize .
Truly , in this realm of sexuality , the catastrophe of the Fall shows itself most outrageously , with as many heads as the Hydra .
People often say : “ Truth is stranger than fiction.
” Today , rather , we might say : “ Perversion is stranger than truth.
” Children will have an instinctive revulsion at perversions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jaded enough to be unmoved .
As a result , your kids are likely to be very judgmental about these evils — and that is a good thing .
God demands of us judgment between good and evil , and we must be very clear that good is good , and evil is evil ; woe to those who call good evil and evil good , says the prophet Isaiah ( 5:20 ) .
But we can also teach compassion for the sinner by saying : People who do these things are terribly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with no guidance and bad examples , and are causing themselves and others a lot of suffering .
What they are doing is evil , but they are still God ’ s creatures and they can turn away from their sins to God again .
As I wrote in a different context : We should always encourage praying for the conversion of any sinner we are talking about , or praying for the end of a certain evil — even pausing the conversation at that very moment to pray an Our Father or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This makes it clear that , just as we learned what was right and wrong from God ( either by natural law or divine law ) , so we are entrusting the problem to God and not acting on the basis of our own rightness or righteousness , or as if we could fix it ourselves .
As a general rule — if we are talking about homeschooled children — it is when the children themselves bring up a topic that they are ready to talk about it ; if they do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s okay to let sleeping dogs lie , up to a point .
There is no need to wake them up prematurely to the fact that the world is not only shattered by the Fall , but in an aggressive growth phase of certifiable madness .
On the other hand , children who are enrolled in schools , whether public or private , secular or religious — and it is becoming increasingly difficult to justify the morality of keeping them in any kind of school , given what is happening among peer groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , often enough , to the curricula they are made to study — will encounter these evils earlier , and usually long before it would be optimal for them to have to know about them .
Parents in that case will need to be much more vigilant and be prepared to discuss any sort of topic at any time .
I know of a family that followed the excellent practice of gathering their children every night around the living room to discuss what came up that day in school , especially things that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to them .
Since the kids had been well catechized by their parents and the household followed a “ low-tech ” approach , the kids were happy to sit down and talk about their day , not distracted by their phones , and had a pretty good sense of when they were being fed nonsense in the classroom .
As a result , the parents were able to identify and refute errors before they had a chance to sink in their roots .
Occasionally one hears about parents whose strategy is ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sexuality , sexual morals , and immoral behavior .
Perhaps they thought this was the more modest approach .
I can assure you that this approach is not modest , but devastating and destructive .
Children will learn about such things either from their parents , who are equipped by Almighty God with the graces to lead them aright , or from the surrounding culture — which generally means from those who have a vested interest in creating new slaves to vice .
Perhaps in a saner age , it would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not avoid taking a strong role in home education .

Talking about good things, even when they are delicate, is relatively easy. The worst job a parent has is talking about evil.
January 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — In my last article, I spoke of ways in which we can talk to children about the goodness, fittingness, and beauty of human sexuality as God created it, and I suggested three themes under which one might approach the subject.
Our Lord Jesus Christ says: “God alone is good.” Every creature can fail, and this includes every human being and every member of the Church, from the least to the greatest. God does transform us by His grace, but He does not force us to be good, much less to be perfect. We have to be willing to work with His grace. St. Dionysius says: “Good happens in one way, evil in all manner of ways.” It’s hard to get things right but easy to get them wrong. So we should somehow convey to children and young adults, when talking about evils, that in this vale of tears we will always be running up against greater or lesser evils, but that we can still know the good, love it, and work toward it — and help others toward it as well.
Talking about good things, even when they are delicate, is relatively easy. The worst job a parent has, in my opinion, is talking about evil — especially the sexual disorders and deviations that constantly show up in the news.
Sometimes a man and a woman get together — but they’re not married, and they’re not husband and wife. But they act like they’re married, and God gives them a baby, even though they weren’t supposed to be acting like that at that time. God is asking them to take responsibility for the baby and to make big sacrifices for it.
Sigh. Complicated and not even coherent. Sin is a mess and makes a mess. Or how about this?
There are people who are so confused and hurt that they don’t actually want to be mommies and daddies, so they do stuff to prevent God from giving them a baby. It’s like keeping the windows shut or the doors locked so a needy person can’t get in. This makes them lonely and miserable, and it’s very wrong of them to do it.
It deteriorates from here.
Some people, sadly, are not able to have children in the natural way God intended, but instead of accepting this cross or adopting children who need a home, they forcibly make a child inside a glass test tube using material taken from the mother and father.
I remember dreading the first time the subject of abortion would come up with a child who was unaware of it. It’s just so unspeakably evil. What do you say?
There are mommies who want their babies to be killed, or who are pressured into it by bullies. They get someone to go into their womb and chop up the baby and suck it out with a kind of vacuum cleaner. Or they take a pill that poisons the baby. And there are so-called doctors who kill thousands of babies as their regular day job. One such doctor died, and they found over 2,000 dead babies collected in his backyard.
No! One cannot say such a thing. Somehow, one has to find a way to explain it, since it will unavoidably come up. Or how about homosexuality?
There are some men who are so confused that they like other men, and there are women who like other women — I mean, not just as friends, but in the way mommies and daddies like each other.
It only gets worse with transvestites, “sex change” operations, homosexuals “renting” eggs, sperm, and someone’s womb in order to “have” “their own” child… Such things are repugnant even to think about, let alone verbalize. Truly, in this realm of sexuality, the catastrophe of the Fall shows itself most outrageously, with as many heads as the Hydra.
People often say: “Truth is stranger than fiction.” Today, rather, we might say: “Perversion is stranger than truth.” Children will have an instinctive revulsion at perversions; it is only adults who are jaded enough to be unmoved. As a result, your kids are likely to be very judgmental about these evils — and that is a good thing. God demands of us judgment between good and evil, and we must be very clear that good is good, and evil is evil; woe to those who call good evil and evil good, says the prophet Isaiah (5:20). But we can also teach compassion for the sinner by saying: People who do these things are terribly confused, usually very wounded people, with no guidance and bad examples, and are causing themselves and others a lot of suffering. What they are doing is evil, but they are still God’s creatures and they can turn away from their sins to God again.
As I wrote in a different context:
We should always encourage praying for the conversion of any sinner we are talking about, or praying for the end of a certain evil — even pausing the conversation at that very moment to pray an Our Father or a Hail Mary or some other prayer. This makes it clear that, just as we learned what was right and wrong from God (either by natural law or divine law), so we are entrusting the problem to God and not acting on the basis of our own rightness or righteousness, or as if we could fix it ourselves.
As a general rule — if we are talking about homeschooled children — it is when the children themselves bring up a topic that they are ready to talk about it; if they do not bring it up, it’s okay to let sleeping dogs lie, up to a point. There is no need to wake them up prematurely to the fact that the world is not only shattered by the Fall, but in an aggressive growth phase of certifiable madness.
On the other hand, children who are enrolled in schools, whether public or private, secular or religious — and it is becoming increasingly difficult to justify the morality of keeping them in any kind of school, given what is happening among peer groups with unlimited access to social media and, often enough, to the curricula they are made to study — will encounter these evils earlier, and usually long before it would be optimal for them to have to know about them. Parents in that case will need to be much more vigilant and be prepared to discuss any sort of topic at any time. I know of a family that followed the excellent practice of gathering their children every night around the living room to discuss what came up that day in school, especially things that bothered the kids or sounded “off” to them. Since the kids had been well catechized by their parents and the household followed a “low-tech” approach, the kids were happy to sit down and talk about their day, not distracted by their phones, and had a pretty good sense of when they were being fed nonsense in the classroom. As a result, the parents were able to identify and refute errors before they had a chance to sink in their roots.
Occasionally one hears about parents whose strategy is (or was) to avoid all discussion of sexuality, sexual morals, and immoral behavior. Perhaps they thought this was the more modest approach. I can assure you that this approach is not modest, but devastating and destructive. Children will learn about such things either from their parents, who are equipped by Almighty God with the graces to lead them aright, or from the surrounding culture — which generally means from those who have a vested interest in creating new slaves to vice. Perhaps in a saner age, it would be different, but today’s parents cannot avoid taking a strong role in home education.
Peter Kwasniewski, Thomistic theologian, liturgical scholar, and choral composer, is a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College in California (B.A. Liberal Arts) and The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC (M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy). He taught at the International Theological Institute in Austria and the Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Austria Program, then helped establish Wyoming Catholic College in 2006. There he taught theology, philosophy, music, and art history and directed the choirs until leaving in 2018 to devote himself full-time to writing and lecturing. Today he contributes regularly to many websites and publications, including New Liturgical Movement, OnePeterFive, LifeSiteNews, Rorate Caeli, The Remnant, and Catholic Family News, and has published thirteen books, including four on traditional Catholicism: Resurgent in the Midst of Crisis (Angelico, 2014, also available in Czech, Polish, German, Portuguese, Spanish, and Belarusian), Noble Beauty, Transcendent Holiness (Angelico, 2017), Tradition and Sanity (Angelico, 2018), and Reclaiming Our Roman Catholic Birthright: The Genius and Timeliness of the Traditional Latin Mass (Angelico, 2020). His work has been translated into at least eighteen languages. Kwasniewski is a scholar of The Aquinas Institute in Green Bay, which is publishing the Opera Omnia of the Angelic Doctor, a Fellow of the Albertus Magnus Center for Scholastic Studies, and a Senior Fellow of the St. Paul Center. He has published over a thousand articles on Thomistic thought, sacramental and liturgical theology, the history and aesthetics of music, and the social doctrine of the Church. For news, information, article links, sacred music, and the home of Os Justi Press, visit his personal website, www.peterkwasniewski.com.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-05--Trump affirms religious liberty in State of the Union: ‘We don’t punish prayer…tear down cross

Trump affirms religious liberty in State of the Union: ‘We don’t punish prayer…tear down crosses’

WASHINGTON , D.C. , February 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – President Donald Trump pledged his administration will continue to defend religious liberty Tuesday night , as part of “ reasserting the culture of American freedom ” in his annual State of the Union address .
“ With every action my administration is restoring the rule of law and reasserting the culture of American freedom , ” the president said , noting that he and the Republican Senate “ have confirmed a record number of 187 new federal judges to uphold our Constitution as written , ” with “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pipeline.
” “ My administration is also defending religious liberty , and that includes the constitutional right to pray in public schools , ” Trump continued .
“ In America , we don ’ t punish prayer .
We don ’ t tear down crosses .
We don ’ t ban symbols of faith .
We don ’ t muzzle preachers and pastors .
“ In America , we celebrate faith .
We cherish religion .
We lift our voices in prayer , and we raise our sights to the glory of God.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a highlight of Trump ’ s presidency , with most of his picks greatly pleasing pro-life and pro-family advocates .
Religious liberty has also been a priority of this administration , from lifting the Obama administration ’ s contraception mandate to establishing a White House office tasked with fielding the concerns of religious Americans and monitoring threats as they arise .
Last month , the administration released a guidance affirming students have the right to pray in public schools .
Earlier in his address , Trump called on Congress to ban late-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agree that every human life is a sacred gift from God .
”

'In America, we celebrate faith. We cherish religion. We lift our voices in prayer, and we raise our sights to the glory of God.'
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 4, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – President Donald Trump pledged his administration will continue to defend religious liberty Tuesday night, as part of “reasserting the culture of American freedom” in his annual State of the Union address.
“With every action my administration is restoring the rule of law and reasserting the culture of American freedom,” the president said, noting that he and the Republican Senate “have confirmed a record number of 187 new federal judges to uphold our Constitution as written,” with “many” additional jurists “in the pipeline.”
“My administration is also defending religious liberty, and that includes the constitutional right to pray in public schools,” Trump continued. “In America, we don’t punish prayer. We don’t tear down crosses. We don’t ban symbols of faith. We don’t muzzle preachers and pastors. “In America, we celebrate faith. We cherish religion. We lift our voices in prayer, and we raise our sights to the glory of God.”
To conservatives, judicial nominees have been a highlight of Trump’s presidency, with most of his picks greatly pleasing pro-life and pro-family advocates. Religious liberty has also been a priority of this administration, from lifting the Obama administration’s contraception mandate to establishing a White House office tasked with fielding the concerns of religious Americans and monitoring threats as they arise.
Last month, the administration released a guidance affirming students have the right to pray in public schools.
Earlier in his address, Trump called on Congress to ban late-term abortions, declaring “we must all agree that every human life is a sacred gift from God.”
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lifesitenews--2020-02-05--Trump calls on Congress to ban late term abortion: ‘Every child is a miracle of life’

WASHINGTON , D.C. , February 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – President Donald Trump reiterated his call for a ban on late-term abortion during his annual State of the Union address Tuesday evening , while drawing the country ’ s attention to a living , smiling example of the children who could have been be legally killed had their mothers made a different “ choice.
” “ As we pray for all who are sick , we know that America is constantly achieving new medical breakthroughs .
In 2017 , doctors at St. Luke ’ s hospital in Kansas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ babies ever to survive , ” the president said , referencing two of his special guests in attendance .
“ Born at just 21 weeks and six days and weighing less than a pound , Ellie Schneider was a born fighter .
Through the skill of her doctors and the prayers of her parents , little Ellie kept on winning the battle of life .
Today Ellie is a strong , healthy two-year-old girl , sitting with her amazing mother Robin in the gallery .
Ellie and Robin , we are glad to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ellie reminds us that every child is a miracle of life , and thanks to modern medical wonders , 50 percent of very premature babies delivered at the hospital where Ellie was born now survive , ” Trump continued .
“ Our goal should be to ensure that every baby has the best chance to thrive and grow just like Ellie .
That is why I ’ m asking Congress to provide an additional $ 50 million to fund neonatal research for America ’ s youngest patients.
” “ That is why I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress here tonight to pass legislation finally banning the late-term abortion of babies , ” Trump declared .
“ Whether we are Republican , Democrat or independent , surely we must all agree that every human life is a sacred gift from God.
” The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act , which would ban abortions starting at 20 weeks , would require Republicans retaking the US House of Representatives in November , and Republicans to either win a 60-vote Senate majority or modify the current filibuster rules .
Trump ’ s remarks were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pro-life cause , and a reminder of how far the former celebrity businessman has come since his conversion from conventional New York liberal to Republican political candidate .
As president , Trump has reinstated and expanded the ban on foreign aid to abortion-involved groups ( including International Planned Parenthood Federation ) , banned groups that commit or refer abortions from Title X family planning funds , overturned Obama-era regulations that barred states from defunding Planned Parenthood , and issued rules protecting Americans from being forced to subsidize abortion in government-mandated health insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denounced abortion , calling attention to Democrats ’ opposition to anti-infanticide legislation and calling on Congress to send him a ban on late-term abortion to sign .
Most of his judicial nominees have pleased pro-lifers , as well .
In addition , the administration has consistently worked to defend life and oppose abortion at the United Nations , from resisting pro-abortion agenda items and resolution language to affirming that abortion isn ’ t a human right and promoting abstinence education .
Last month , Trump became the first sitting president to address the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of thousands of pro-lifers he was “ proud to stand with you ” to “ protect the right of every child , born and unborn , to fulfill their God-given potential.
” “ All of us here today understand an eternal truth : every child is a precious and sacred gift from God , ” Trump said .
“ Together we must cherish and defend the sanctity and dignity of human life .
When we hold a newborn in our arms , we know the boundless love a child brings to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Together we are the voice for the voiceless , ” he went on .
“ Democrats have embraced the most radical and extreme positions we ’ ve seen in decades ” on the issue , citing Congressional Democrats ’ support for late-term abortion and opposition to mandating medical care for newborns that survive abortions .
“ To all the women here today , your devotion uplifts our entire nation and we thank you for that , ” the president said .
`` To all of the moms here today , we celebrate you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Every person is worth protecting and we know that every human soul is divine and every human life born and unborn is made in the holy image of almighty God . ''

'Whether we are Republican, Democrat or independent, surely we must all agree that every human life is a sacred gift from God.'
PETITION: Thank President Trump for strengthening the ban on funding abortion overseas! Sign the petition here.
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 4, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – President Donald Trump reiterated his call for a ban on late-term abortion during his annual State of the Union address Tuesday evening, while drawing the country’s attention to a living, smiling example of the children who could have been be legally killed had their mothers made a different “choice.”
“As we pray for all who are sick, we know that America is constantly achieving new medical breakthroughs. In 2017, doctors at St. Luke’s hospital in Kansas City delivered one of the earliest premature babies ever to survive,” the president said, referencing two of his special guests in attendance.
“Born at just 21 weeks and six days and weighing less than a pound, Ellie Schneider was a born fighter. Through the skill of her doctors and the prayers of her parents, little Ellie kept on winning the battle of life. Today Ellie is a strong, healthy two-year-old girl, sitting with her amazing mother Robin in the gallery. Ellie and Robin, we are glad to have you with us tonight.”
“Ellie reminds us that every child is a miracle of life, and thanks to modern medical wonders, 50 percent of very premature babies delivered at the hospital where Ellie was born now survive,” Trump continued. “Our goal should be to ensure that every baby has the best chance to thrive and grow just like Ellie. That is why I’m asking Congress to provide an additional $50 million to fund neonatal research for America’s youngest patients.”
“That is why I’m also calling upon members of Congress here tonight to pass legislation finally banning the late-term abortion of babies,” Trump declared. “Whether we are Republican, Democrat or independent, surely we must all agree that every human life is a sacred gift from God.”
The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would ban abortions starting at 20 weeks, would require Republicans retaking the US House of Representatives in November, and Republicans to either win a 60-vote Senate majority or modify the current filibuster rules.
Trump’s remarks were the latest demonstration of his support for the pro-life cause, and a reminder of how far the former celebrity businessman has come since his conversion from conventional New York liberal to Republican political candidate.
As president, Trump has reinstated and expanded the ban on foreign aid to abortion-involved groups (including International Planned Parenthood Federation), banned groups that commit or refer abortions from Title X family planning funds, overturned Obama-era regulations that barred states from defunding Planned Parenthood, and issued rules protecting Americans from being forced to subsidize abortion in government-mandated health insurance plans.
The president has also forcefully denounced abortion, calling attention to Democrats’ opposition to anti-infanticide legislation and calling on Congress to send him a ban on late-term abortion to sign. Most of his judicial nominees have pleased pro-lifers, as well.
In addition, the administration has consistently worked to defend life and oppose abortion at the United Nations, from resisting pro-abortion agenda items and resolution language to affirming that abortion isn’t a human right and promoting abstinence education.
Last month, Trump became the first sitting president to address the March for Life in person, telling hundreds of thousands of pro-lifers he was “proud to stand with you” to “protect the right of every child, born and unborn, to fulfill their God-given potential.”
“All of us here today understand an eternal truth: every child is a precious and sacred gift from God,” Trump said. “Together we must cherish and defend the sanctity and dignity of human life. When we hold a newborn in our arms, we know the boundless love a child brings to a family,” he said.
“Together we are the voice for the voiceless,” he went on. “Democrats have embraced the most radical and extreme positions we’ve seen in decades” on the issue, citing Congressional Democrats’ support for late-term abortion and opposition to mandating medical care for newborns that survive abortions.
“To all the women here today, your devotion uplifts our entire nation and we thank you for that,” the president said. “To all of the moms here today, we celebrate you and we declare that mothers are heroes. Every person is worth protecting and we know that every human soul is divine and every human life born and unborn is made in the holy image of almighty God.”
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lifesitenews--2020-02-05--Chinese communists begin crackdown on Christian funerals

February 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — In certain parts of China , communist authorities have banned funerals for Christians .
A priest based in Zhejiang province , who is a member of the version of the Catholic Church approved by the Chinese government , said : “ The church on the ground is now oppressed no differently from the one underground.
” According to UCA News , the leading independent Catholic news outlet in Asia , the communist government is starting to enforce “ a set of regulations ” covering the way funerals are to be arranged .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ prayers outside a place dedicated to religious services .
As the local government in Zhejiang province argues , the new regulations have the goal of getting rid “ of bad funeral customs ” while establishing “ a scientific , civilized and economical way of funerals.
” Clergy are now no longer allowed to participate in funerals that take place at the homes of the faithful .
Also , “ no more than 10 family members of the deceased are allowed to read Scripture or sing hymns in a low voice.
” Zhejiang province @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Shanghai , the famous Asian city with a population of more than 24 million , is located northeast of Zhejiang .
A source had told UCA News , the regulations strictly ban “ religious activities outside religious places , so the priest will not be able to hold funeral prayers outside the church.
” Another Catholic confirmed that currently , “ priests are not attending religious funeral ceremonies.
” Further , UCA News was told by Father Guo of Henan parish , which belongs to the state-approved “ church ” in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to strictly follow ” the news regulations .
There would be penalties in case of violation , according to Guo , who added , “ The punishment could even be closing the church and canceling ” the certificate needed by the priest to exercise his ministry .
While communists are still able to have funerals , the same is no longer true for Catholics .
“ Why are we Catholics not allowed to hold a ceremony ?
This is exactly persecution , ” Guo stated .
The Chinese priest announced that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prohibit him from doing his work as a priest .
Not all priests have yet received the instructions and regulations from the government .
Fr .
Lee , who also belongs to the version of the Church approved by the government in China , said , “ I still hold sacraments at the homes of dead parishioners .
The day before yesterday , I sent a greeting to a church member from home to the cemetery .
No one blocked it.
” Lee stressed that baptisms and funerals are important not only as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community life .
“ As a priest , we need to accompany church members to make them feel like everyone is a family .
Particularly , baptisms and funerals are very important for families.
” Bitter Winter , a magazine on religious liberty and human rights in China , reported that similar policies have recently been adopted in other parts of the country .
The article states , “ A village official from the central province of Henan who requested anonymity told Bitter Winter that the local government convened a meeting , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistants that “ all religious funerals are restricted.
” The regulations published in Henan province , north of Hubei province , where the coronavirus broke out in Wuhan , declare that clergy should be stopped in time “ from using religion to intervene in citizens ’ weddings and funerals or other activities in their lives.
” A member of a Christian community in Wuhan , who died last October , had her family organize a Christian funeral .
Bitter Winter continues , “ While the family and friends were saying goodbye to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested her daughter , who was praying for her mother at the time .
As it turned out , somebody had reported the family to the authorities .
The daughter was only released after the deceased was buried without Christian rituals two days later.
” The Catholic Church in China is still being severely persecuted by the government .
Just last month , a Catholic bishop in China was evicted from his residence because he did not intend to join the state-approved church .
An uptick in the persecutions was noticed after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with China , which Vatican-observers speculated gave communist authorities power to select bishops .
Robert Royal , president of the Faith & Reason Institute , argued , also in early January , that the Vatican , “ by its accord with an evil government , has essentially told Chinese Catholics that they are wrong to remain independent of a regime they see quite clearly is murderous and hell-bent on forcing the Church to be re-defined along lines that will make it harmless to government interests.
” The editor in chief of The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ We ’ ve heard from Parolin that we must be patient and keep up hope , but the facts on the ground are beyond dispute : the Church has been had .
The belief that ‘ dialogue ’ — which like ‘ diplomacy ’ has become something of an idol in certain internationalist circles — is possible with certain forms of evil will someday be seen , as is clear already to many of us , as a foolish experiment that many Chinese — and not only Chinese Catholics — will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

The new regulations have the goal of getting rid 'of bad funeral customs' while establishing 'a scientific, civilized and economical way of funerals.'
PETITION: Support Cardinal Zen's plea to stop the “murder of the Church in China”” Sign the petition here.
February 4, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — In certain parts of China, communist authorities have banned funerals for Christians.
A priest based in Zhejiang province, who is a member of the version of the Catholic Church approved by the Chinese government, said: “The church on the ground is now oppressed no differently from the one underground.”
According to UCA News, the leading independent Catholic news outlet in Asia, the communist government is starting to enforce “a set of regulations” covering the way funerals are to be arranged. These regulations ban priests from attending funeral prayers outside a place dedicated to religious services.
As the local government in Zhejiang province argues, the new regulations have the goal of getting rid “of bad funeral customs” while establishing “a scientific, civilized and economical way of funerals.”
Clergy are now no longer allowed to participate in funerals that take place at the homes of the faithful. Also, “no more than 10 family members of the deceased are allowed to read Scripture or sing hymns in a low voice.”
Zhejiang province is an eastern coastal province in China. Shanghai, the famous Asian city with a population of more than 24 million, is located northeast of Zhejiang.
A source had told UCA News, the regulations strictly ban “religious activities outside religious places, so the priest will not be able to hold funeral prayers outside the church.” Another Catholic confirmed that currently, “priests are not attending religious funeral ceremonies.”
Further, UCA News was told by Father Guo of Henan parish, which belongs to the state-approved “church” in China, “that government officials have asked them to strictly follow” the news regulations. There would be penalties in case of violation, according to Guo, who added, “The punishment could even be closing the church and canceling” the certificate needed by the priest to exercise his ministry.
While communists are still able to have funerals, the same is no longer true for Catholics. “Why are we Catholics not allowed to hold a ceremony? This is exactly persecution,” Guo stated.
The Chinese priest announced that he would simply go underground should the government prohibit him from doing his work as a priest.
Not all priests have yet received the instructions and regulations from the government. Fr. Lee, who also belongs to the version of the Church approved by the government in China, said, “I still hold sacraments at the homes of dead parishioners. The day before yesterday, I sent a greeting to a church member from home to the cemetery. No one blocked it.”
Lee stressed that baptisms and funerals are important not only as Catholic rites, but also to foster community life. “As a priest, we need to accompany church members to make them feel like everyone is a family. Particularly, baptisms and funerals are very important for families.”
Bitter Winter, a magazine on religious liberty and human rights in China, reported that similar policies have recently been adopted in other parts of the country. The article states, “A village official from the central province of Henan who requested anonymity told Bitter Winter that the local government convened a meeting,” informing clergy, ministers, and their assistants that “all religious funerals are restricted.”
The regulations published in Henan province, north of Hubei province, where the coronavirus broke out in Wuhan, declare that clergy should be stopped in time “from using religion to intervene in citizens’ weddings and funerals or other activities in their lives.”
A member of a Christian community in Wuhan, who died last October, had her family organize a Christian funeral. Bitter Winter continues, “While the family and friends were saying goodbye to the deceased, the police stormed in and arrested her daughter, who was praying for her mother at the time. As it turned out, somebody had reported the family to the authorities. The daughter was only released after the deceased was buried without Christian rituals two days later.”
The Catholic Church in China is still being severely persecuted by the government. Just last month, a Catholic bishop in China was evicted from his residence because he did not intend to join the state-approved church.
An uptick in the persecutions was noticed after the Vatican signed in September 2018 a secret deal with China, which Vatican-observers speculated gave communist authorities power to select bishops.
As LifeSiteNews reported:
Overseen by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican-China agreement gives President Xi Jinping’s government a say in the appointment of bishops, among other concessions, and paves the way for unification of the state-sanctioned Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (CPCA), which the communist government created in the 1950s, and the secret underground Church, whose members remained united to the Holy See despite the risk of being killed, imprisoned, and otherwise persecuted for their faith.
Robert Royal, president of the Faith & Reason Institute, argued, also in early January, that the Vatican, “by its accord with an evil government, has essentially told Chinese Catholics that they are wrong to remain independent of a regime they see quite clearly is murderous and hell-bent on forcing the Church to be re-defined along lines that will make it harmless to government interests.”
The editor in chief of The Catholic Thing concluded his piece by saying, “We’ve heard from Parolin that we must be patient and keep up hope, but the facts on the ground are beyond dispute: the Church has been had. The belief that ‘dialogue’ — which like ‘diplomacy’ has become something of an idol in certain internationalist circles — is possible with certain forms of evil will someday be seen, as is clear already to many of us, as a foolish experiment that many Chinese — and not only Chinese Catholics — will pay for with their liberties and lives.”
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lifesitenews--2020-02-05--Starbucks promotes transgenderism with ad glamorizing girl using male name

LONDON , February 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― Starbucks has thrown its support behind the transgender cause in the U.K. with a prize-winning advertisement and fundraising cookies .
Starbucks U.K. has released an advertisement showing a short-haired young woman telling a server at a coffee shop that her name is James after various vignettes in which she is addressed as “ Jemma.
” The sales pitch ends with Jemma striding past the Starbucks window with her coffee and the captions “ Every name ’ s a story ” and “ # whatsyourname.
” The latter is a reference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of transgender philosophy .
Commenting on its ad , the coffee giant said , “ At Starbucks , writing your name on a cup and calling it out is a symbol of our warm welcome .
It ’ s a small gesture , but it 's symbolic of what we believe in : recognition and acceptance , whoever you are , or want to be .
We welcome everyone.
” The advertisement won the “ Diversity in Advertising Award ” sponsored by Britain ’ s most popular television station , Channel 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a mermaid ’ s tail to raise £100,000 for a U.K. transgender advocacy group called “ Mermaids.
” Founded in Leeds in 1995 , Mermaids controversially advocates for minor children to be given easier access to puberty-blockers , cross-sex hormones , and such body-altering surgeries as mastectomies and castration .
In the U.K. , irreversible gender-related surgery is available only to those who are aged 18 and over .
CitizenGO campaign director for the U.K. and Ireland Caroline Farrow told LifeSiteNews that Starbucks ’ s endorsement of Mermaids was “ disappointing.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Starbucks endorse a lobby group which advocates for the medicalisation of healthy children , ” Farrow said via social media .
“ No responsible corporation ought to be endorsing what amounts to a wholesale experimentation on children and providing funds for this organisation to promote their harmful totalitarian and intolerant ideology within schools and other public institutions , ” she continued .
Farrow believes that the coffee chain has misunderstood the interests of its U.K. market .
“ Starbucks need to realise that ‘ woke culture ’ is falling very much out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timing of their promotion coincides with both a number of legal challenges involving their ideology and also comes on the same day as the NHS has announced a comprehensive review into the use of puberty blockers and hormones for children , ” she said .
Last month , Keira Bell , 23 , a “ detransitioning ” former patient of the NHS ’ s “ gender identity development service , ” joined psychiatric nurse Sue Evans and a gender-confused girl ’ s mother , known only as Mrs. A , in demanding a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies regarding the dosing of minors with puberty-blockers and cross-sex hormones .
On January 30 , the NHS said an independent group of experts and members of the public would examine the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation ’ s policies related to hormone treatments for children .
Farrow stated that the British public is already impatient with Starbucks ’ s corporate policies in Britain , and this will add to public dismay .
“ Starbucks has drawn much criticism in the UK for their policy of tax avoidance and the public will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corporate irresponsibility , ” she said .
The mother of five also believes that the fundraising biscuit fails to reflect the reality of what Starbucks is now supporting .
“ Rather than a fishtail , a far more accurate representation of Mermaids ideology would be a gingerbread cookie featuring a number of scars and wounds , '' Farrow said .
The founder of Mermaids , Susie Green , took her 15-year-old son to Thailand for radical genital surgery , which involved the creation of an artificial vagina .
On his sixteenth birthday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s youngest so-called “ male-to-female ” transsexual .
At the time , Thailand was still performing such surgeries on boys as young as 11 , but that nation has since passed a law forbidding castration of boys until they are 18 .
On its web page for the parents of gender-confused children , Mermaids suggests that lack of support for their desire to transition may cause them to self-harm .
“ Unfortunately , many of the teens we have interacted with over the last 25 years have struggled with depression , isolation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giving them the support they need is vital if they ’ re to achieve their potential , ” the page reads .
“ It ’ s important to note that , while most kids and young people we support identify as transgender , an increasing number of them are identifying as non-binary , which means they don ’ t identify exclusively as male or female , ” it continues .
“ Our approach is to help families face the challenges ahead , confident that they are understood , and never alone.
” But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 80 % of children who are unhappy with their sex are reconciled to it after puberty .
According to Transgender Trend , a Dutch study published as late as 2013 confirmed “ that gender dysphoria does not persist in most children past puberty.
” “ In this Dutch study they identified 127 children who were referred to the Gender Identity clinic in Amsterdam when they were under the age of 12 , ” the children ’ s advocates wrote .
“ They then looked to see if these children were still gender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at age 15 .
47 ( 37 % ) of these children had persisted .
However 80 ( 64 % ) of children had either desisted ( 52 ) or were no longer traceable ( 28 ) .
Since there is only one Gender Identity clinic for children in Holland it can be assumed that the latter no longer required support and so had also desisted.
” Starbucks also matches employee donations to abortion business Planned Parenthood and advocates for same-sex “ marriage ” and the LGBT cause in the United States .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ please contact : Kevin Johnson CEO , President and Chairman of the Board

In the ad, a short-haired young woman tells a server at a coffee shop that her name is James.
PETITION: Shocking teen-trans Sprite ad must be pulled immediately” Sign the petition here.
LONDON, February 4, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― Starbucks has thrown its support behind the transgender cause in the U.K. with a prize-winning advertisement and fundraising cookies.
Starbucks U.K. has released an advertisement showing a short-haired young woman telling a server at a coffee shop that her name is James after various vignettes in which she is addressed as “Jemma.” The sales pitch ends with Jemma striding past the Starbucks window with her coffee and the captions “Every name’s a story” and “#whatsyourname.” The latter is a reference to Starbucks’s Twitter campaign in support of transgender philosophy.
Commenting on its ad, the coffee giant said, “At Starbucks, writing your name on a cup and calling it out is a symbol of our warm welcome. It’s a small gesture, but it's symbolic of what we believe in: recognition and acceptance, whoever you are, or want to be. We welcome everyone.”
The advertisement won the “Diversity in Advertising Award” sponsored by Britain’s most popular television station, Channel 4.
Starbucks is also selling cookies shaped like a mermaid’s tail to raise £100,000 for a U.K. transgender advocacy group called “Mermaids.” Founded in Leeds in 1995, Mermaids controversially advocates for minor children to be given easier access to puberty-blockers, cross-sex hormones, and such body-altering surgeries as mastectomies and castration. In the U.K., irreversible gender-related surgery is available only to those who are aged 18 and over.
CitizenGO campaign director for the U.K. and Ireland Caroline Farrow told LifeSiteNews that Starbucks’s endorsement of Mermaids was “disappointing.”
“It is extremely disappointing to see Starbucks endorse a lobby group which advocates for the medicalisation of healthy children,” Farrow said via social media.
“No responsible corporation ought to be endorsing what amounts to a wholesale experimentation on children and providing funds for this organisation to promote their harmful totalitarian and intolerant ideology within schools and other public institutions,” she continued.
Farrow believes that the coffee chain has misunderstood the interests of its U.K. market.
“Starbucks need to realise that ‘woke culture’ is falling very much out of favour with the British public and the timing of their promotion coincides with both a number of legal challenges involving their ideology and also comes on the same day as the NHS has announced a comprehensive review into the use of puberty blockers and hormones for children,” she said.
Last month, Keira Bell, 23, a “detransitioning” former patient of the NHS’s “gender identity development service,” joined psychiatric nurse Sue Evans and a gender-confused girl’s mother, known only as Mrs. A, in demanding a judicial review of the NHS’s policies regarding the dosing of minors with puberty-blockers and cross-sex hormones.
On January 30, the NHS said an independent group of experts and members of the public would examine the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation’s policies related to hormone treatments for children.
Farrow stated that the British public is already impatient with Starbucks’s corporate policies in Britain, and this will add to public dismay.
“Starbucks has drawn much criticism in the UK for their policy of tax avoidance and the public will be dismayed to see this latest display of corporate irresponsibility,” she said.
The mother of five also believes that the fundraising biscuit fails to reflect the reality of what Starbucks is now supporting.
“Rather than a fishtail, a far more accurate representation of Mermaids ideology would be a gingerbread cookie featuring a number of scars and wounds,” Farrow said.
The founder of Mermaids, Susie Green, took her 15-year-old son to Thailand for radical genital surgery, which involved the creation of an artificial vagina. On his sixteenth birthday, Jack “Jackie” Green became Britain’s youngest so-called “male-to-female” transsexual. At the time, Thailand was still performing such surgeries on boys as young as 11, but that nation has since passed a law forbidding castration of boys until they are 18.
On its web page for the parents of gender-confused children, Mermaids suggests that lack of support for their desire to transition may cause them to self-harm. “Unfortunately, many of the teens we have interacted with over the last 25 years have struggled with depression, isolation and even self-harm and suicidal feelings. Giving them the support they need is vital if they’re to achieve their potential,” the page reads.
“It’s important to note that, while most kids and young people we support identify as transgender, an increasing number of them are identifying as non-binary, which means they don’t identify exclusively as male or female,” it continues.
“Our approach is to help families face the challenges ahead, confident that they are understood, and never alone.”
But Mermaids neglects to mention studies that show that 80% of children who are unhappy with their sex are reconciled to it after puberty. According to Transgender Trend, a Dutch study published as late as 2013 confirmed “that gender dysphoria does not persist in most children past puberty.”
“In this Dutch study they identified 127 children who were referred to the Gender Identity clinic in Amsterdam when they were under the age of 12,” the children’s advocates wrote.
“They then looked to see if these children were still gender dysphoric by the time they reached adolescence at age 15. 47 (37%) of these children had persisted. However 80 (64%) of children had either desisted (52) or were no longer traceable (28). Since there is only one Gender Identity clinic for children in Holland it can be assumed that the latter no longer required support and so had also desisted.”
Starbucks also matches employee donations to abortion business Planned Parenthood and advocates for same-sex “marriage” and the LGBT cause in the United States.
To respectfully make your opinion known, please contact:
Martin Brok, President
[email protected]
Starbucks Coffee Company (UK) Limited
Building 4, Chiswick Park,
566 Chiswick High Road
W4 5YE London
UK
Telephone: +442088345000
Kevin Johnson
CEO, President and Chairman of the Board
[email protected]
Starbucks
2401 Utah Avenue South,
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Customer Service telephone: 800-782-7282
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lifesitenews--2020-02-05--‘Independent review’ of cross-sex hormones for kids ordered in UK after lawsuit

LONDON , February 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Britain ’ s policies for giving gender-bending hormones to kids may get a makeover .
The National Health Service ( NHS ) has announced that an “ independent review ” of its “ gender identity development services for children ” will take place in 2020 .
Dr. Hilary Cass will head a group examining the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation ’ s policies related to hormone treatments for children .
These include both “ puberty suppressants ” and “ cross-sex hormones.
” According to the NHS , the National Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) will also take part by doing “ a thorough review of the latest clinical evidence to help inform the working group ’ s review.
” Cass told the U.K. ’ s Guardian that the group she is chairing will have both medical and non-medical experts .
It will have up to 20 members , including members of the public .
The NHS ’ s decision to review its gender treatment policies for children comes after a well publicized legal challenge from an ex-patient of the Gender Identity Development Service ( “ GIDS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Service , and a concerned parent .
Last month , Keira Bell , 23 , joined former Tavistock psychiatric nurse Sue Evans and a gender-confused girl ’ s mother , known only as Mrs. A , in bringing the action against the Tavistock and Portman NHS .
This foundation runs the United Kingdom ’ s only specialist program for children with gender dysphoria .
Bell and her fellow plaintiffs Susan Evans and Mrs. A have raised almost £63,000 ( 82,000 USD ) to fund a legal inquiry into the Tavistock Centre .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ suit on their webpage , hosted by fundraising site CrowdJustice.com .
“ I have become a claimant in this case because I do not believe that children and young people can consent to the use of powerful and experimental hormone drugs like I did , ” Bell said .
“ I believe that the current affirmative system put in place by the Tavistock is inadequate as it does not allow for exploration of these gender dysphoric feelings , nor does it seek to find the underlying causes of this condition , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not work for everyone and it certainly should not be offered to someone under the age of 18 when they are emotionally and mentally vulnerable.
” Bell added that treatment for gender dysphoria “ urgently ” needs to change so it doesn ’ t put youngsters like herself “ on a torturous and unnecessary path that is permanent and life-changing .
”

LONDON, February 4, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Britain’s policies for giving gender-bending hormones to kids may get a makeover.
The National Health Service (NHS) has announced that an “independent review” of its “gender identity development services for children” will take place in 2020.
Dr. Hilary Cass will head a group examining the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation’s policies related to hormone treatments for children. These include both “puberty suppressants” and “cross-sex hormones.” According to the NHS, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) will also take part by doing “a thorough review of the latest clinical evidence to help inform the working group’s review.”
Cass told the U.K.’s Guardian that the group she is chairing will have both medical and non-medical experts. It will have up to 20 members, including members of the public.
The NHS’s decision to review its gender treatment policies for children comes after a well publicized legal challenge from an ex-patient of the Gender Identity Development Service (“GIDS”), a former employee of the Service, and a concerned parent.
Last month, Keira Bell, 23, joined former Tavistock psychiatric nurse Sue Evans and a gender-confused girl’s mother, known only as Mrs. A, in bringing the action against the Tavistock and Portman NHS. This foundation runs the United Kingdom’s only specialist program for children with gender dysphoria.
Bell and her fellow plaintiffs Susan Evans and Mrs. A have raised almost £63,000 (82,000 USD) to fund a legal inquiry into the Tavistock Centre. Bell outlined her reasons for joining the suit on their webpage, hosted by fundraising site CrowdJustice.com.
“I have become a claimant in this case because I do not believe that children and young people can consent to the use of powerful and experimental hormone drugs like I did,” Bell said.
“I believe that the current affirmative system put in place by the Tavistock is inadequate as it does not allow for exploration of these gender dysphoric feelings, nor does it seek to find the underlying causes of this condition,” she continued.
“Hormone-changing drugs and surgery does not work for everyone and it certainly should not be offered to someone under the age of 18 when they are emotionally and mentally vulnerable.”
Bell added that treatment for gender dysphoria “urgently” needs to change so it doesn’t put youngsters like herself “on a torturous and unnecessary path that is permanent and life-changing.”
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lifesitenews--2020-02-05--Priest: Kansas Supreme Court’s pro-abortion ruling is a mind-numbing contradiction

February 4 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — St. John Paul II wrote that when a state legalizes abortion , “ [ a ] t that point , everything is negotiable , everything is open to bargaining [ . ]
...
The State is no longer the ‘ common home ’ where all can live together on the basis of principles of fundamental equality , but is transformed into a tyrant State [ . ]
… [ W ] hat we have here is only the tragic caricature of legality [ . ]
… [ T ] he disintegration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ]
… This is the death of true freedom ” ( Evangelium Vitae 20 ) .
These words from the Pope of Life , written in 1995 , directly relate to a battle brewing in the Kansas Legislature today .
I stood by then-governor Sam Brownback in 2015 when he became the first governor to sign a law protecting children from dismemberment abortions .
Abortion advocates challenged it in court .
Then , in April 2019 , the Kansas Supreme Court decided that the state constitution guarantees women the fundamental right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to imagine a more fundamental and mind-numbing contradiction than what we see in that opinion .
The very assertion of the right to life implies the right to take life ?
As St. John Paul predicted , Kansas — at least according to its Supreme Court — has now embraced a “ tragic caricature of legality.
” Sure , a court can say abortion is a right , but it has no authority to make it a right .
The danger of this reading of the constitution is that it could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protects the unborn .
That would be a tragedy , because as of now , Kansas is one of the safest places for the unborn to complete their incredible journey , with laws protecting pain-capable babies from abortion and prohibiting partial-birth abortion ; informed consent laws that call for a mother to be told the medical risks of abortion and medically accurate facts about her baby ; a 24-hour waiting period before abortion ; an ultrasound law and a law to protect babies from sex-selection abortion ; a law requiring both parents to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion ; a ban on telemed abortions , in which an abortionist never physically examines the mother ; bans on Title X funding to abortion providers and taxpayer funding for abortion unless a mother ’ s life is endangered ; and a fetal homicide law that defines the unborn at any gestational age as a “ person ” and a “ human being ” ( except when the child is aborted ) .
All these laws could be wiped off the books if the Supreme Court ruling recognizing a fundamental right to abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand .
Thankfully , those who understand the nature of this battle are fighting back .
On Jan. 29 , the Republican-controlled Kansas Senate voted 28-12 in favor of advancing a constitutional amendment that would reverse the high court ’ s ruling by giving state lawmakers the power to regulate abortion .
As some news outlets noted in their reporting on the hours-long session that preceded the Senate vote , this amendment was advanced on the state ’ s 159th birthday .
Before their state turns 160 , Kansas residents could play a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will be going forward : one that protects the most vulnerable or , in the words of John Paul II , a tyrant state .
The next step for the amendment is a vote in the House , where it requires a two-thirds majority , or 84 votes .
As it happens , there are 84 Republicans in the House .
Observers note that not all of them can be counted on to vote correctly , but some Democrats might cross the aisle and vote for life .
If 84 members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters in Kansas will be asked to decide on the amendment during the primary elections in August .
Thankfully , the governor has no say in whether or not the amendment is added to the constitution .
But Gov .
Laura Kelly did have plenty to say about the possibility .
In an interview with the Associated Press , she said the state would be sent back to the “ Dark Ages.
” The proposed amendment , she said , attacks “ fundamental American freedoms that should never be subject to a vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are as a state and as a nation .
I fear for a future in which the Legislature chooses to stand between a woman and her doctor .
This would throw the state back into the Dark Ages.
” Would that Gov .
Kelly and John Paul II could sit down for a conversation !

The very assertion of the right to life implies the right to take life?
February 4, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — St. John Paul II wrote that when a state legalizes abortion, “[a]t that point, everything is negotiable, everything is open to bargaining[.] … The State is no longer the ‘common home’ where all can live together on the basis of principles of fundamental equality, but is transformed into a tyrant State[.] … [W]hat we have here is only the tragic caricature of legality[.] … [T]he disintegration of the State itself has already begun[.] … This is the death of true freedom” (Evangelium Vitae 20).
These words from the Pope of Life, written in 1995, directly relate to a battle brewing in the Kansas Legislature today.
I stood by then-governor Sam Brownback in 2015 when he became the first governor to sign a law protecting children from dismemberment abortions. Abortion advocates challenged it in court. Then, in April 2019, the Kansas Supreme Court decided that the state constitution guarantees women the fundamental right to have an abortion.
The opinion stated:
The court concluded Section 1 of the Kansas Constitution Bill of Rights, which states that “all men are possessed of equal and inalienable natural rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,’”protects a woman’s right to decide whether to continue a pregnancy.
It’s hard to imagine a more fundamental and mind-numbing contradiction than what we see in that opinion. The very assertion of the right to life implies the right to take life?
As St. John Paul predicted, Kansas — at least according to its Supreme Court — has now embraced a “tragic caricature of legality.” Sure, a court can say abortion is a right, but it has no authority to make it a right.
The danger of this reading of the constitution is that it could be used to negate every law that now protects the unborn. That would be a tragedy, because as of now, Kansas is one of the safest places for the unborn to complete their incredible journey, with laws protecting pain-capable babies from abortion and prohibiting partial-birth abortion; informed consent laws that call for a mother to be told the medical risks of abortion and medically accurate facts about her baby; a 24-hour waiting period before abortion; an ultrasound law and a law to protect babies from sex-selection abortion; a law requiring both parents to consent to a minor daughter’s abortion; a ban on telemed abortions, in which an abortionist never physically examines the mother; bans on Title X funding to abortion providers and taxpayer funding for abortion unless a mother’s life is endangered; and a fetal homicide law that defines the unborn at any gestational age as a “person” and a “human being” (except when the child is aborted).
All these laws could be wiped off the books if the Supreme Court ruling recognizing a fundamental right to abortion in the state constitution is allowed to stand.
Thankfully, those who understand the nature of this battle are fighting back.
On Jan. 29, the Republican-controlled Kansas Senate voted 28-12 in favor of advancing a constitutional amendment that would reverse the high court’s ruling by giving state lawmakers the power to regulate abortion.
As some news outlets noted in their reporting on the hours-long session that preceded the Senate vote, this amendment was advanced on the state’s 159th birthday.
Before their state turns 160, Kansas residents could play a role in deciding what kind of state it will be going forward: one that protects the most vulnerable or, in the words of John Paul II, a tyrant state.
The next step for the amendment is a vote in the House, where it requires a two-thirds majority, or 84 votes. As it happens, there are 84 Republicans in the House. Observers note that not all of them can be counted on to vote correctly, but some Democrats might cross the aisle and vote for life.
If 84 members of the House vote in the affirmative, voters in Kansas will be asked to decide on the amendment during the primary elections in August.
Thankfully, the governor has no say in whether or not the amendment is added to the constitution. But Gov. Laura Kelly did have plenty to say about the possibility.
In an interview with the Associated Press, she said the state would be sent back to the “Dark Ages.”
The proposed amendment, she said, attacks “fundamental American freedoms that should never be subject to a vote. They are foundational to who we are as a state and as a nation. I fear for a future in which the Legislature chooses to stand between a woman and her doctor. This would throw the state back into the Dark Ages.”
Would that Gov. Kelly and John Paul II could sit down for a conversation!
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lifesitenews--2020-02-05--Five Cardinals and two prominent bishops speak about the end times

The situation in the Church today is so severe that five Cardinals and two of the most prominent bishops in @ @ @ @ @ these as the end times .

The situation in the Church today is so severe that five Cardinals and two of the most prominent bishops in the world have spoken about these as the end times.
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lifesitenews--2020-02-05--Racism and racy dancing: What NFL got wrong with Super Bowl halftime show

February 4 , 2020 ( Radiance Foundation ) — The NFL clearly has multiple personality disorder .
It just released its new Inspire Change “ social justice ” initiative , but those few million dollars would be better spent on Inspiring Common Sense .
While Olay featured fully clothed female astronauts who were reaching for the stars , the NFL paid Shakira and J-Lo to gyrate and simulate a striptease on the Halftime stage floor in a few strips of sparkly fabric .
While military men and women in uniform were praised and celebrated in the opening Super Bowl ceremony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when those four 100-year-old WWII vets were highlighted , especially the Tuskegee Airman — Charles McGee — who carried the commemorative coin to the ref ) , the NFL reinforced a false # BlackLivesMatter narrative with the distorted ad about the tragic death of musician Corey Jones at the hands of a cop .
While the NFL put on display talented ( and worshipped ) individuals who could only become super because they weren ’ t aborted , they denied the airing of an abortion-survivors ’ ad that showed how “ choice ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they flaunted fake feminism , homosexuality and racial division during the 4-hour event .
Granted , there were many amazing ads that had my packed home laughing and cheering .
But instead of simply being able to enjoy the game , I had to be the responsible one ( with so many young eyes watching ) since corporate America takes no responsibility .
Actually , I take that back .
Corporate America has taken on the responsibility to spread their own warped social gospel .
The NFL wants to look like a champion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be justice without truth .
The tragic killing of musician Corey Jones ( who simply needed help for his SUV that broke down on the side of the road ) deserved justice .
It doesn ’ t deserve a Super Bowl ad that , although laudable in some aspects , ultimately exploits his death in order to push the prevailing racialized mainstream media narrative .
The 1-minute NFL ad that aired during the Super Bowl fails to provide some crucial clarifying context .
So , I will .
The “ Inspire Change ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demanding , rightfully : “ Justice for Corey Jones .
We Want Answers !
!
!
” But the NFL never mentions justice was served and answers were provided ( although no legal remedy ever makes up for the loss of an innocent human life ) .
Nowhere is the viewer told that Nouman Raja , the plain clothes police officer who killed Corey Jones , was sentenced to 25 years in prison ( by an all-white jury , no less ) .
It doesn ’ t mention what the father of Corey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ This was about the truth .
And the truth caught up with him.
” The NFL ad reinforces , indirectly , the racial accusations of the # BlackLivesMatter movement , yet the imprisoned officer was of Pakistani descent .
The Inspire Change initiative doesn ’ t feature any ad of any white individual being unjustly killed by police , despite the fact that twice as many whites are killed by police as African-Americans .
And since the ad invokes the important relationship between police and community , why doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 38 officers killed in the line of duty in 2019 ?
Is the NFL truly trying to inspire change or inspire division ?
Corey Jones ’ horrific death deserves better than a distorted “ social justice ” ad from a multi-billion-dollar organization that has a history of selectively addressing injustice .
But today ’ s “ social justice ” isn ’ t interested in context and clarity but confusion .
And what was more confusing than the insanely mixed message of an NFL that poured money into an anti-sex-trafficking ad campaign in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resembled a strip club ?
Super Bowl LIV ’ s halftime show sadly proved this ( judging by all of the praise from mainstream media and from unexpected places/people online ) : cultural identification is apparently more important than character formation .
But Latino culture was not celebrated during the Pepsi Halftime Show ; it was exploited .
Sorry , J-Lo .
Flashing and grabbing your crotch isn ’ t empowerment , no matter the “ culture ” .
As a father of two girls and two boys , I want them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and worth should be used to evoke love not elicit lust .
( I understand this is my Christian worldview , and I can ’ t expect the world to share it ; but fellow Christians should . )
I love my two daughters too much to let them ever be objectified or think that being paid millions makes self-objectification ever okay .
They ’ re equal without projecting their sexuality .
Our culture simultaneously denounces sex trafficking ( which is rampant in Miami ) , while celebrating a pornographic show to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 in the nation for human trafficking , which led the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee to launch the “ Stop Sex Trafficking ” ad campaign throughout the city .
An undisclosed amount of funding came from the NFL .
But don ’ t worry , that message was clearly offset by the throngs of nearly naked women and mostly-to-fully-clothed men in the middle of the Super Bowl .
It ’ s just ( patriarchal ) entertainment , right ?
Funny how in this # MeToo era , entertainers seem to vie to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible — not on a director ’ s couch , but in front of over a hundred million sets of eyes .
J-Lo , Shakira , Pepsi and the NFL let down a generation of girls and boys who deserve so much better than the fake feminism on full display Sunday night .
Published with permission from the Radiance Foundation .

PETITION: Boycott and Contact Pepsi after raunchy Super Bowl halftime show” Sign the petition here.
February 4, 2020 (Radiance Foundation) — The NFL clearly has multiple personality disorder. It just released its new Inspire Change “social justice” initiative, but those few million dollars would be better spent on Inspiring Common Sense.
While Olay featured fully clothed female astronauts who were reaching for the stars, the NFL paid Shakira and J-Lo to gyrate and simulate a striptease on the Halftime stage floor in a few strips of sparkly fabric.
While military men and women in uniform were praised and celebrated in the opening Super Bowl ceremony (I tried not to lose it when those four 100-year-old WWII vets were highlighted, especially the Tuskegee Airman — Charles McGee — who carried the commemorative coin to the ref), the NFL reinforced a false #BlackLivesMatter narrative with the distorted ad about the tragic death of musician Corey Jones at the hands of a cop.
While the NFL put on display talented (and worshipped) individuals who could only become super because they weren’t aborted, they denied the airing of an abortion-survivors’ ad that showed how “choice” is never a super option.
Instead they flaunted fake feminism, homosexuality and racial division during the 4-hour event. Granted, there were many amazing ads that had my packed home laughing and cheering. But instead of simply being able to enjoy the game, I had to be the responsible one (with so many young eyes watching) since corporate America takes no responsibility. Actually, I take that back. Corporate America has taken on the responsibility to spread their own warped social gospel.
The NFL wants to look like a champion for justice. But there can never be justice without truth.
The tragic killing of musician Corey Jones (who simply needed help for his SUV that broke down on the side of the road) deserved justice. It doesn’t deserve a Super Bowl ad that, although laudable in some aspects, ultimately exploits his death in order to push the prevailing racialized mainstream media narrative. The 1-minute NFL ad that aired during the Super Bowl fails to provide some crucial clarifying context. So, I will.
The “Inspire Change” ad features an image of a placard demanding, rightfully: “Justice for Corey Jones. We Want Answers!!!” But the NFL never mentions justice was served and answers were provided (although no legal remedy ever makes up for the loss of an innocent human life). Nowhere is the viewer told that Nouman Raja, the plain clothes police officer who killed Corey Jones, was sentenced to 25 years in prison (by an all-white jury, no less). It doesn’t mention what the father of Corey Jones said about Raja’s conviction: “This was about the truth. And the truth caught up with him.”
The NFL ad reinforces, indirectly, the racial accusations of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, yet the imprisoned officer was of Pakistani descent. The Inspire Change initiative doesn’t feature any ad of any white individual being unjustly killed by police, despite the fact that twice as many whites are killed by police as African-Americans. And since the ad invokes the important relationship between police and community, why doesn’t the NFL also air an ad about the 38 officers killed in the line of duty in 2019?
Is the NFL truly trying to inspire change or inspire division? Corey Jones’ horrific death deserves better than a distorted “social justice” ad from a multi-billion-dollar organization that has a history of selectively addressing injustice.
But today’s “social justice” isn’t interested in context and clarity but confusion.
And what was more confusing than the insanely mixed message of an NFL that poured money into an anti-sex-trafficking ad campaign in Miami while hosting a halftime show that resembled a strip club?
Super Bowl LIV’s halftime show sadly proved this (judging by all of the praise from mainstream media and from unexpected places/people online): cultural identification is apparently more important than character formation. But Latino culture was not celebrated during the Pepsi Halftime Show; it was exploited. Sorry, J-Lo. Flashing and grabbing your crotch isn’t empowerment, no matter the “culture”.
As a father of two girls and two boys, I want them to understand that their God-given equality, dignity and worth should be used to evoke love not elicit lust. (I understand this is my Christian worldview, and I can’t expect the world to share it; but fellow Christians should.) I love my two daughters too much to let them ever be objectified or think that being paid millions makes self-objectification ever okay. They’re equal without projecting their sexuality.
Our culture simultaneously denounces sex trafficking (which is rampant in Miami), while celebrating a pornographic show to the world. Florida has been ranked #3 in the nation for human trafficking, which led the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee to launch the “Stop Sex Trafficking” ad campaign throughout the city. An undisclosed amount of funding came from the NFL. But don’t worry, that message was clearly offset by the throngs of nearly naked women and mostly-to-fully-clothed men in the middle of the Super Bowl. It’s just (patriarchal) entertainment, right?
Funny how in this #MeToo era, entertainers seem to vie to be as naked and as sexual as possible — not on a director’s couch, but in front of over a hundred million sets of eyes. J-Lo, Shakira, Pepsi and the NFL let down a generation of girls and boys who deserve so much better than the fake feminism on full display Sunday night.
Published with permission from the Radiance Foundation.
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