lifesitenews--2020-06-16--Planned Parenthood endorses Biden against Trump in ‘life and death election’

UNITED STATES , June 16 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Planned Parenthood ’ s advocacy arm has officially endorsed Joe Biden for president , with the world ’ s largest abortion provider dubbing the November presidential election against President Donald Trump a “ life and death election.
” In a statement released yesterday , Planned Parenthood Action Fund touted the former vice president ’ s support for expanding access to contraception , increasing legal protections for access to abortion , promoting “ comprehensive sex education , ” and reversing the Trump administration ’ s rule prohibiting Title X taxpayer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refer for abortions .
Prior to the announcement being made , Alexis McGill Johnson , acting president of Planned Parenthood , told NPR that November ’ s presidential contest “ is literally a life and death election.
” “ We felt like we can ’ t endure another four years of Trump ; we have to do everything we can to get him out of office , ” Johnson said .
Biden appeared in a video released with the announcement in which he promised to promote Planned Parenthood ’ s abortion agenda .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reverse the global gag rule and the domestic gag rule , restoring the Title X program , ” Biden says .
“ We will protect women ’ s constitutional right to choose .
I ’ m proud to stand with you in this fight.
” Biden , who says he is a Catholic , has made taxpayer-funded abortion on demand and enshrining into law the many demands of the LGBT lobby a key part of his 2020 presidential platform .
He has said that if he wins election , he will direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its power ” to block state laws that place any restriction on abortion , including parental notification requirements , ultrasound laws , and waiting periods .
After the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis , when restrictions were placed on various medical services , Biden said abortion is an “ essential health care service ” and that it is necessary “ to ensure that women have access to all health services during this crisis.
” Earlier this year , Biden said on social media that “ transgender equality is the civil rights issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden officiated for two men attempting to marry each other .
The Obama-Biden administration notably tried to force the Little Sisters of the Poor to participate in the provision of abortion-inducing drugs and contraception and threatened schools with the loss of federal funding if they wouldn ’ t let boys in girls ’ bathrooms and vice versa , among other things .
By contrast , Trump is considered by many veteran pro-life activists to be the most pro-life president in history .
As president , Trump has reinstated and expanded the ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
PETITION : Demand Planned Parenthood return $ 80M improperly taken from coronavirus emergency fund !
Sign the petition here .
The president has also forcefully denounced abortion , calling attention to Democrats ’ opposition to anti-infanticide legislation and calling on Congress to send him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
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 announced that the U.S. is cutting ties with the pro-abortion World Health Organization ( WHO ) due to its handling of the coronavirus crisis .
This year , Trump declared January 22 , the anniversary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposing abortion on demand across the country , to be “ National Sanctity of Human Life Day.
” A few days later , he became the first U.S. president to attend the annual March for Life in Washington D.C .
In a proclamation issued prior to the march , Trump declared that “ every person — the born and unborn , the poor , the downcast , the disabled , the infirm , and the elderly — has inherent value ” and said the U.S. “ proudly and strongly reaffirms our commitment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every stage , from conception to natural death.
” Jeanne Mancini , president of the March For Life Educationa and Defense Fund , said it is offensive to hear to hear the U.S. ’ s largest abortion corporation describe the 2020 presidential election as “ life and death ” election .
“ It is offensive to hear our nation ’ s largest abortion provider , Planned Parenthood , an organization that claims the lives of 345,672 American babies annually ( a third of all of the abortions in this country each year ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life and death ’ election , ” Mancini said .
“ Those who really care about protecting life realize that the election of Planned Parenthood–endorsed candidate , Joe Biden , will result in a major increase of tax dollars going to the billion-dollar organization , including direct payment for abortions , among other deadly consequences .
”

Biden, who says he is a Catholic, has made taxpayer-funded abortion on demand a key part of his 2020 presidential platform.
UNITED STATES, June 16, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Planned Parenthood’s advocacy arm has officially endorsed Joe Biden for president, with the world’s largest abortion provider dubbing the November presidential election against President Donald Trump a “life and death election.”
In a statement released yesterday, Planned Parenthood Action Fund touted the former vice president’s support for expanding access to contraception, increasing legal protections for access to abortion, promoting “comprehensive sex education,” and reversing the Trump administration’s rule prohibiting Title X taxpayer funds from being given to organizations that refer for abortions.
Prior to the announcement being made, Alexis McGill Johnson, acting president of Planned Parenthood, told NPR that November’s presidential contest “is literally a life and death election.”
“We felt like we can’t endure another four years of Trump; we have to do everything we can to get him out of office,” Johnson said.
Biden appeared in a video released with the announcement in which he promised to promote Planned Parenthood’s abortion agenda.
“Together, we’re going to reverse the global gag rule and the domestic gag rule, restoring the Title X program,” Biden says.
“We will protect women’s constitutional right to choose. I’m proud to stand with you in this fight.”
Biden, who says he is a Catholic, has made taxpayer-funded abortion on demand and enshrining into law the many demands of the LGBT lobby a key part of his 2020 presidential platform.
He has said that if he wins election, he will direct the Justice Department to “do everything in its power” to block state laws that place any restriction on abortion, including parental notification requirements, ultrasound laws, and waiting periods.
After the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis, when restrictions were placed on various medical services, Biden said abortion is an “essential health care service” and that it is necessary “to ensure that women have access to all health services during this crisis.”
Earlier this year, Biden said on social media that “transgender equality is the civil rights issue of our time.”
As vice president, Biden officiated for two men attempting to marry each other.
The Obama-Biden administration notably tried to force the Little Sisters of the Poor to participate in the provision of abortion-inducing drugs and contraception and threatened schools with the loss of federal funding if they wouldn’t let boys in girls’ bathrooms and vice versa, among other things.
By contrast, Trump is considered by many veteran pro-life activists to be the most pro-life president in history.
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.
PETITION: Demand Planned Parenthood return $80M improperly taken from coronavirus emergency fund! Sign the petition here.
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 announced that the U.S. is cutting ties with the pro-abortion World Health Organization (WHO) due to its handling of the coronavirus crisis.
This year, Trump declared January 22, the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision imposing abortion on demand across the country, to be “National Sanctity of Human Life Day.” A few days later, he became the first U.S. president to attend the annual March for Life in Washington D.C.
In a proclamation issued prior to the march, Trump declared that “every person — the born and unborn, the poor, the downcast, the disabled, the infirm, and the elderly — has inherent value” and said the U.S. “proudly and strongly reaffirms our commitment to protect the precious gift of life at every stage, from conception to natural death.”
Jeanne Mancini, president of the March For Life Educationa and Defense Fund, said it is offensive to hear to hear the U.S.’s largest abortion corporation describe the 2020 presidential election as “life and death” election.
“It is offensive to hear our nation’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, an organization that claims the lives of 345,672 American babies annually (a third of all of the abortions in this country each year), call the 2020 cycle a ‘life and death’ election,” Mancini said.
“Those who really care about protecting life realize that the election of Planned Parenthood–endorsed candidate, Joe Biden, will result in a major increase of tax dollars going to the billion-dollar organization, including direct payment for abortions, among other deadly consequences.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-16--Why and how Catholics should kneel when entering a church

June 16 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — On last Thursday ’ s feast of Corpus Christi , I wrote about the urgency of keeping churches open and how good it is for the faithful to make regular visits to the Blessed Sacrament .
Historically and currently , there are two basic forms of Eucharistic adoration in the Catholic Church .
First , there is what might be called simple adoration , which is when the faithful adore the Lord really , truly , substantially present in the Most Holy Sacrament , in the ciborium reserved in the tabernacle .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be assured , the doors of the tabernacle may be left open , or the ciborium removed and placed on a corporal on the altar .
In this scenario , the ciborium itself should be covered with a veil .
( Sometimes people refer to this as simple exposition . )
Second , there is solemn adoration or ( solemn ) exposition of the Blessed Sacrament , when a large host is placed within a glass “ lunette ” and this , in turn , is fitted into a monstrance , usually made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six candles are placed around the monstrance and kept burning for the duration of exposition .
Such exposition can be done at any time when the faithful will be guaranteed to be present ( the monstrance may never be left unattended ) , but it is especially fitting to do so on the Feast of Corpus Christi , during the octave of Corpus Christi , and on other great feasts of the Church ’ s liturgical year .
Whenever we enter into the nave of a Catholic church , we should immediately genuflect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tabernacle is often on or behind the main altar , so that our genuflection becomes a simultaneous reverencing of the Lord ’ s Real Presence and an acknowledgment of the altar , the greatest ( mere ) symbol of Christ in the Church .
If the tabernacle happens to be located somewhere else than the main altar , however , we should not genuflect towards the altar but rather toward the tabernacle .
Traditionally , the genuflection toward the tabernacle should be on to the right knee .
For simple exposition , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on one knee like this .
During liturgies , ministers also go down on the right knee whenever they genuflect , even towards a presiding prelate .
Some people follow the custom of using the left knee when kneeling before a bishop or a cardinal to kiss his ring , or before a priest to receive a blessing ; this is neither to be enjoined nor scorned .
What is important is to understand the difference in symbolism : we kneel before the Blessed Sacrament in adoration or latria directed to God , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Apostles to give honor ( but not adoration ) to one who represents Christ to us .
At solemn exposition , however , a special custom of veneration has obtained for a long time .
The believer is to fall upon both of his knees and make a profound bow toward the floor , even to the point of touching the floor with his head .
In the desacralizing tendencies of the 1970s , an attempt was made to do away with this special form of genuflection .
It seems that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God .
The words of the Lord must have vanished from their minds : “ For he that shall be ashamed of me and of my words , of him the Son of man shall be ashamed , when he shall come in his majesty , and that of his Father , and of the holy angels ” ( Lk .
9:26 ) .
Thus , in the 1973 document Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass , we read : “ A single genuflection is made in the presence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the tabernacle or exposed for public adoration [ Coram sanctissimi Sacramento , sive in tabernaculo asservato sive publicae adorationi exposito , unico genu flectitur ] ” ( n. 84 ) .
PETITION : Ask Archbishop Gregory to apologize to President Trump and the Knights of Columbus !
Sign the petition here .
Fr .
Edward McNamara , a conservative-leaning liturgist at Regina Apostolorum and a long-time ZENIT correspondent , attempts to defend this modern reductionism : Since a genuflection is , per se , an act of adoration , the general liturgical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mode of adoring Christ reserved in the tabernacle or exposed upon the altar .
The simple single genuflection on one knee may be used in all cases .
However , some bishops ’ conferences have voted to retain the use of the double genuflection for the Blessed Sacrament exposed , and it would be required in these countries .
In this case , those who make the double genuflection kneel briefly on both knees and reverently incline the head with hands joined .
Needless to say , the simple genuflection should never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right knee .
The right knee should touch the place where the right foot stood while head and back remain straight .
The gesture of adoration should be performed with due pause .
When I was young a wise priest taught me to recite the invocation “ My Jesus , I adore you in the sacrament of your love ” so as to gauge a reasonable time to remain knee to floor .
One could stay longer perhaps , but it is a fairly safe rule of thumb .
With all due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sounds like trying to make lemonade out of especially sour lemons , without sugar .
The custom of a double genuflection before the monstrance arose for good reason .
Solemn exposition allows us the privilege of a certain physical nearness to the Lord who is truly present beneath the veil of the lowly appearance of bread .
The nearness is less than that of Holy Communion , but it prompts us to make acts of faith , trust , and adoration that prepare us better to receive Jesus in Communion .
Put it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so does your capacity to receive all that He will give .
The difference between the Eucharist in the tabernacle and the Eucharist in the monstrance does not have to do with the personal presence of the Lord , for He is fully present whether the Sacrament is exposed to our gaze or hidden .
The difference is one of mode or manner : out of sight , safeguarded , reserved , versus placed under our gaze , available to our senses , honored publicly with the guaranteed presence of someone praying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Lord is the hidden God among us in the visible sign of life-giving Bread .
It is this obvious and significant difference in mode that justifies and calls for the double genuflection .
Think of the difference between the pope in his private rooms and the pope in a general audience , or the difference between how we think of a church across town compared with how we act as we pass a church or go within it .
The way in which a reality is present to us , the proximity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not just the reality that is present ; both demand their due .
The attitude we should have before the Holy Eucharist — the attitude so well captured in the double genuflection with one ’ s head placed against the earth in homage — is described with incomparable vividness by Mother Mectilde of the Blessed Sacrament ( 1614–1698 ) :

June 16, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — On last Thursday’s feast of Corpus Christi, I wrote about the urgency of keeping churches open and how good it is for the faithful to make regular visits to the Blessed Sacrament.
Historically and currently, there are two basic forms of Eucharistic adoration in the Catholic Church.
First, there is what might be called simple adoration, which is when the faithful adore the Lord really, truly, substantially present in the Most Holy Sacrament, in the ciborium reserved in the tabernacle. If the presence of the faithful can be assured, the doors of the tabernacle may be left open, or the ciborium removed and placed on a corporal on the altar. In this scenario, the ciborium itself should be covered with a veil. (Sometimes people refer to this as simple exposition.)
Second, there is solemn adoration or (solemn) exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, when a large host is placed within a glass “lunette” and this, in turn, is fitted into a monstrance, usually made of gold or silver. At least six candles are placed around the monstrance and kept burning for the duration of exposition. Such exposition can be done at any time when the faithful will be guaranteed to be present (the monstrance may never be left unattended), but it is especially fitting to do so on the Feast of Corpus Christi, during the octave of Corpus Christi, and on other great feasts of the Church’s liturgical year.
Whenever we enter into the nave of a Catholic church, we should immediately genuflect toward the Blessed Sacrament. Happily, the tabernacle is often on or behind the main altar, so that our genuflection becomes a simultaneous reverencing of the Lord’s Real Presence and an acknowledgment of the altar, the greatest (mere) symbol of Christ in the Church. If the tabernacle happens to be located somewhere else than the main altar, however, we should not genuflect towards the altar but rather toward the tabernacle.
(In the local parish church where I went to Mass growing up, a renovation in the 1970s had destroyed the integrity of the building by tearing out the high altar, rebuilding the nave “in the round,” and putting the tabernacle off to the side, in the midst of a bunch of padded chairs for overflow seating. I never got to experience the original form of the church — although I saw it once in a heartbreaking black and white photograph, and I remember my parents saying that they couldn’t understand why it had been done. Thinking back on my childhood, I cringe to think of how many irreverences were committed for the simple reason that the tabernacle was absolutely in the wrong place and was basically ignored by all. In a “sign of the times,” this church has recently been renovated yet again and restored to a more Catholic layout. A history like this inevitably prompts the question: Why did so much money have to be wasted to wreck a lovely Gothic church, and then more money spent to restore it to something that didn’t even equal its former glory?)
Traditionally, the genuflection toward the tabernacle should be on to the right knee. For simple exposition, too, it is sufficient to genuflect on one knee like this. During liturgies, ministers also go down on the right knee whenever they genuflect, even towards a presiding prelate. Some people follow the custom of using the left knee when kneeling before a bishop or a cardinal to kiss his ring, or before a priest to receive a blessing; this is neither to be enjoined nor scorned. What is important is to understand the difference in symbolism: we kneel before the Blessed Sacrament in adoration or latria directed to God, whereas we kneel before a successor of the Apostles to give honor (but not adoration) to one who represents Christ to us.
At solemn exposition, however, a special custom of veneration has obtained for a long time. The believer is to fall upon both of his knees and make a profound bow toward the floor, even to the point of touching the floor with his head.
In the desacralizing tendencies of the 1970s, an attempt was made to do away with this special form of genuflection. It seems that people were strangely embarrassed about humbling themselves before God. The words of the Lord must have vanished from their minds: “For he that shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him the Son of man shall be ashamed, when he shall come in his majesty, and that of his Father, and of the holy angels” (Lk. 9:26). Thus, in the 1973 document Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass, we read: “A single genuflection is made in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, whether reserved in the tabernacle or exposed for public adoration [Coram sanctissimi Sacramento, sive in tabernaculo asservato sive publicae adorationi exposito, unico genu flectitur]” (n. 84).
PETITION: Ask Archbishop Gregory to apologize to President Trump and the Knights of Columbus! Sign the petition here.
Fr. Edward McNamara, a conservative-leaning liturgist at Regina Apostolorum and a long-time ZENIT correspondent, attempts to defend this modern reductionism:
Since a genuflection is, per se, an act of adoration, the general liturgical norms no longer make any distinction between the mode of adoring Christ reserved in the tabernacle or exposed upon the altar. The simple single genuflection on one knee may be used in all cases. However, some bishops’ conferences have voted to retain the use of the double genuflection for the Blessed Sacrament exposed, and it would be required in these countries. In this case, those who make the double genuflection kneel briefly on both knees and reverently incline the head with hands joined. Needless to say, the simple genuflection should never be reduced to a sudden spasm in the right knee. The right knee should touch the place where the right foot stood while head and back remain straight. The gesture of adoration should be performed with due pause. When I was young a wise priest taught me to recite the invocation “My Jesus, I adore you in the sacrament of your love” so as to gauge a reasonable time to remain knee to floor. One could stay longer perhaps, but it is a fairly safe rule of thumb.
With all due respect for Fr. McNamara, this sounds like trying to make lemonade out of especially sour lemons, without sugar.
The custom of a double genuflection before the monstrance arose for good reason. Solemn exposition allows us the privilege of a certain physical nearness to the Lord who is truly present beneath the veil of the lowly appearance of bread. The nearness is less than that of Holy Communion, but it prompts us to make acts of faith, trust, and adoration that prepare us better to receive Jesus in Communion. Put it this way: as your heart expands, so does your capacity to receive all that He will give.
The difference between the Eucharist in the tabernacle and the Eucharist in the monstrance does not have to do with the personal presence of the Lord, for He is fully present whether the Sacrament is exposed to our gaze or hidden. The difference is one of mode or manner: out of sight, safeguarded, reserved, versus placed under our gaze, available to our senses, honored publicly with the guaranteed presence of someone praying. When exposed in the monstrance, the Lord is the hidden God among us in the visible sign of life-giving Bread.
It is this obvious and significant difference in mode that justifies and calls for the double genuflection. Think of the difference between the pope in his private rooms and the pope in a general audience, or the difference between how we think of a church across town compared with how we act as we pass a church or go within it. The way in which a reality is present to us, the proximity of the sign itself, also matters, not just the reality that is present; both demand their due.
The attitude we should have before the Holy Eucharist — the attitude so well captured in the double genuflection with one’s head placed against the earth in homage — is described with incomparable vividness by Mother Mectilde of the Blessed Sacrament (1614–1698):
When we are before the Most Holy Sacrament, we must not be content merely to adore Him with lip-service; we need to lower ourselves into a profound emptying out of self, and recognize that we are nothing, that we are less than nothing and, in this disposition, offer to the spotless Lamb who immolates Himself for the salvation of the world not only a sacrifice of adoration and of thanksgiving, but again a sacrifice of submission, of abandonment, and of consecration. Let us adhere to His divine will, detach ourselves from creatures, and renounce all human consolation, so as to life in Jesus only, and only for Jesus. (Mystery of Incomprehensible Love, p. 21)
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.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-15--Advice from Bishop Schneider on how to make the most of these difficult times

To help keep this and other programs on the air , please donate here .
Watch Mother Miriam 's Live @ @ @ @ @ In today ’ s episode , Mother reads advice from Bishop Athanasius Schneider on how @ @ @ @ @ their faith during this difficult time .
View Bishop Schneider ’ s full talk , @ @ @ @ @ Forum talks here .
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST @ @ @ @ @

To help keep this and other programs on the air, please donate here.
Watch Mother Miriam's Live show re-aired on 6.15.2020. In today’s episode, Mother reads advice from Bishop Athanasius Schneider on how Catholic families can grow in their faith during this difficult time.
View Bishop Schneider’s full talk, head to the Rome Life Forum talks here.
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page.
Subscribe to Mother Miriam Live here.


lifesitenews--2020-06-17--Bans on help for gender-confused kids are an ‘assault on parental rights’: retired judge

ONTARIO , June 16 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A retired Canadian judge has blasted legislation in his country that would outlaw parents from seeking to help their son or daughter overcome gender confusion , calling it the most “ aggressive assault on parental rights ” ever attempted by a federal government .
The critique came from Judge Brian Giesbrecht in a June 8 Epoch Times opinion piece titled “ The Problem with Canada ’ s Proposed Ban on Conversion Therapy.
” In his opinion piece , Giesbrecht wrote about his concerns regarding Bill C8 and S-202 , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ conversion therapy.
” “ It is truly frightening that if this legislation is passed , any counselling that is not deemed to be ‘ affirming ’ will become illegal , ” wrote Giesbrecht .
“ In other words , a professional who might be able to help a child come to terms with his or her biological sex by means of counselling would become a criminal under this legislation .
This is profoundly wrong.
” Giesbrecht wrote that there is a “ universal agreement ” that parents who have a gender-dysphoric child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but added that the government has chosen to go against parental choice by “ making it illegal for parents to seek certain types of counselling for their child.
” “ But that is exactly what the government has chosen to do .
This legislation is probably the most aggressive assault on parental rights that a federal government has ever attempted .
If it passes , it risks destroying the bond between parent and child when a parent ’ s philosophy or religion conflicts with that of the state , ” wrote Giesbrecht .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 1991 until he retired from the bench in 2007 .
He is now a senior fellow with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy , which bills itself as an independent public policy think-tank .
In his critique of Bills C8 and S-202 , Giesbrecht said the proposed Canadian legislation is a response to a United Nations “ campaign for comprehensive sexuality education for children.
” According to the U.N. website , comprehensive sexuality education “ empowers young people to know and demand their rights .
The importance of sexuality education has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote that while “ no reasonable person ” would disagree with the notion that “ as part of their education , ” kids should receive sexual information , “ extreme activists ” have influenced leaders with radical ideology .
“ Extreme activists have convinced some particularly ‘ progressive ’ leaders that they must go much further than providing education .
‘ Sexuality education ’ in some places now includes an extreme agenda that emphasizes the early sexualization of children , ” wrote Giesbrecht .
Giesbrecht stated that one of the issues with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming up with the laws and providing advice to the policymakers is that they are “ the very people who are often involved in the gender-change system.
” “ They are committed people and believe they are doing the right thing , but there are at least an equal number of experts — pediatricians , psychologists , endocrinologists — who believe that intensive , professional counselling is the best answer for deeply troubled gender dysphoric children .
Those experts do not have the government ’ s ear , ” wrote Giesbrecht .
Tabled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 , Bill C-8 will make it an offense under the Criminal Code to 1 ) cause a minor to undergo conversion therapy , 2 ) remove a minor from Canada to undergo conversion therapy , 3 ) cause a person to undergo conversion therapy against his will , 4 ) profit from conversion therapy , and 5 ) advertise conversion therapy .
Bill C-8 defines “ conversion therapy ” as : “ a practice , treatment or service designed to change a person ’ s sexual orientation to heterosexual or gender identity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduce non-heterosexual attraction or sexual behaviour.
” The bill adds , “ For greater certainty , this definition does not include a practice , treatment or service that relates ( a ) to a person ’ s gender transition ; or ( b ) to a person ’ s exploration of their identity or to its development.
” Bill C8 could punish someone for up to five years for causing a minor to undergo “ conversion therapy , ” either in or outside Canada , or forcing an adult to do so .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ therapy ” is punishable by up to two years in jail .
Bill S-202 , now before the Senate , would criminalize so-called conversion therapy , which it defines as follows : Giesbrecht concluded his opinion piece by saying Bills C8 and S-202 would punish a parent or counselor should he want to help a child overcome gender confusion , even if the child changes his mind , yet would not punish a counselor “ advocating a change in gender.
” “ Conversely , any counsellor advocating a change in gender is specifically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The proposed legislation is not neutral on this point — it clearly favours transition over watchful waiting .
Encouraging a child to transition is legal , discouraging a child from transitioning is illegal .
This is such an astonishing proposal , ” wrote Giesbrecht .
“ I will back up on that sentence and repeat it : A person advocating that the child change gender is exempted by the legislation , but a person suggesting that the child stick to their birth gender would be guilty of a serious criminal offence .
Similarly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or anyone else consulted by a parent would be committing a jailable criminal offence if they gave their honest advice about transition that a government official did not approve of .
If this all sounds quite crazy , that ’ s because it is.
” Giesbrecht ’ s column touched on data from the United Kingdom that show that over the last decade , there has been an increase of around 4,000 percent in young girls who express the desire to become “ a boy.
” “ This new trend has even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dysphoria ( ROGD ) .
There is no consensus about why ROGD is happening , but it is becoming clear that social media plays a significant role , ” wrote Giesbrecht .
Giesbrecht also wrote that there are many , “ including political leaders and professionals who should know better , ” who are pretending they “ know far more ” about transgender issues than they do in reality .
He wrote that he finds it “ questionable ” whether or not anyone is truly an “ expert ” with regard to ROGD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are experts whose opinions “ vary so widely — particularly regarding surgery on children.
” Giesbrecht wrote that one of the most “ most difficult challenges today ” is when parents discover that one of their children might show a tendency to identify with “ a sex other than one ’ s birth sex.
” Giesbrecht added that although little is known as to why this may be the case , he adds that “ we do know ” that the majority of these type of case will “ resolve [ themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” adding that in most cases , the “ child will eventually become comfortable with his or her birth gender.
” Politicians , family groups , authors speak out against Bill C8 and S-202 and “ trans activism ” Many in the pro-life and pro-family movement in Canada , such as Campaign Life Coalition , have sounded the alarm that Bill C8 and others like it will prohibit Christians from counseling anyone who wants to overcome same-sex attraction or who struggles with their gender dysphoria .
They have also warned that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gender-confused child conform to his sex .
“ Bill C-8 represents an unprecedented assault by the Trudeau Liberals on our civil rights , personal freedoms , and religious liberties in this country , ” stated David Cooke , campaigns manager for Campaign Life Coalition , in a blog post .
Conservative Party of Canada ( CPC ) leadership candidate and member of Parliament ( M.P . )
Derek Sloan said in early June that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is legislating “ child abuse ” with Bill C-8 .
Last week , Sloan again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ban help for gender-confused kids with Bill C8 .
This promoted CPC leadership candidate Peter MacKay to call it “ child abuse ” for parents to seek help for their children who suffer from gender dysphoria , in a June 3 tweet directed toward Sloan .
Sloan told LifeSiteNews last week that genital-mutilating surgery on minors is “ abusive.
” “ I believe that sex-change operations [ sic ] on minors are abusive .
Minors are not old enough to drink , smoke , gamble , or vote , and they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about surgeries that will permanently change their growth and development , ” Sloan told LifeSiteNews .
Giesbrecht ’ s opinion piece was tweeted out by former Conservative M.P .
Brad Trost .
Last week , J.K. Rowling , author of the bestselling Harry Potter book series , published a lengthy essay on her website about why she opposes the transgender agenda and refuses to “ bow down ” to it despite public pressure to surrender .

'If this all sounds quite crazy, that’s because it is.'
ONTARIO, June 16, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A retired Canadian judge has blasted legislation in his country that would outlaw parents from seeking to help their son or daughter overcome gender confusion, calling it the most “aggressive assault on parental rights” ever attempted by a federal government.
The critique came from Judge Brian Giesbrecht in a June 8 Epoch Times opinion piece titled “The Problem with Canada’s Proposed Ban on Conversion Therapy.”
In his opinion piece, Giesbrecht wrote about his concerns regarding Bill C8 and S-202, which, if passed, will criminalize so-called “conversion therapy.”
“It is truly frightening that if this legislation is passed, any counselling that is not deemed to be ‘affirming’ will become illegal,” wrote Giesbrecht.
“In other words, a professional who might be able to help a child come to terms with his or her biological sex by means of counselling would become a criminal under this legislation. This is profoundly wrong.”
Giesbrecht wrote that there is a “universal agreement” that parents who have a gender-dysphoric child struggle with “immensely difficult challenges” but added that the government has chosen to go against parental choice by “making it illegal for parents to seek certain types of counselling for their child.”
“But that is exactly what the government has chosen to do. This legislation is probably the most aggressive assault on parental rights that a federal government has ever attempted. If it passes, it risks destroying the bond between parent and child when a parent’s philosophy or religion conflicts with that of the state,” wrote Giesbrecht.
Giesbrecht served as a judge in Manitoba from 1991 until he retired from the bench in 2007. He is now a senior fellow with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, which bills itself as an independent public policy think-tank.
In his critique of Bills C8 and S-202, Giesbrecht said the proposed Canadian legislation is a response to a United Nations “campaign for comprehensive sexuality education for children.”
According to the U.N. website, comprehensive sexuality education “empowers young people to know and demand their rights. The importance of sexuality education has been recognized by numerous international agreements.”
Giesbrecht wrote that while “no reasonable person” would disagree with the notion that “as part of their education,” kids should receive sexual information, “extreme activists” have influenced leaders with radical ideology.
“Extreme activists have convinced some particularly ‘progressive’ leaders that they must go much further than providing education. ‘Sexuality education’ in some places now includes an extreme agenda that emphasizes the early sexualization of children,” wrote Giesbrecht.
Giesbrecht stated that one of the issues with the “experts” who are tasked with coming up with the laws and providing advice to the policymakers is that they are “the very people who are often involved in the gender-change system.”
“They are committed people and believe they are doing the right thing, but there are at least an equal number of experts — pediatricians, psychologists, endocrinologists — who believe that intensive, professional counselling is the best answer for deeply troubled gender dysphoric children. Those experts do not have the government’s ear,” wrote Giesbrecht.
Tabled by justice minister David Lametti on March 9, Bill C-8 will make it an offense under the Criminal Code to 1) cause a minor to undergo conversion therapy, 2) remove a minor from Canada to undergo conversion therapy, 3) cause a person to undergo conversion therapy against his will, 4) profit from conversion therapy, and 5) advertise conversion therapy.
Bill C-8 defines “conversion therapy” as: “a practice, treatment or service designed to change a person’s sexual orientation to heterosexual or gender identity to cisgender, or to repress or reduce non-heterosexual attraction or sexual behaviour.”
The bill adds, “For greater certainty, this definition does not include a practice, treatment or service that relates (a) to a person’s gender transition; or (b) to a person’s exploration of their identity or to its development.”
Bill C8 could punish someone for up to five years for causing a minor to undergo “conversion therapy,” either in or outside Canada, or forcing an adult to do so. Benefiting financially on advertising from “conversion therapy” is punishable by up to two years in jail.
Bill S-202, now before the Senate, would criminalize so-called conversion therapy, which it defines as follows:
any practice, treatment or service designed to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity or to eliminate or reduce sexual attraction or sexual behaviour between persons of the same sex. For greater certainty, this definition does not include a surgical sex change or any related service.
An “astonishing proposal”
Giesbrecht concluded his opinion piece by saying Bills C8 and S-202 would punish a parent or counselor should he want to help a child overcome gender confusion, even if the child changes his mind, yet would not punish a counselor “advocating a change in gender.”
“Conversely, any counsellor advocating a change in gender is specifically given the OK by the legislation. The proposed legislation is not neutral on this point — it clearly favours transition over watchful waiting. Encouraging a child to transition is legal, discouraging a child from transitioning is illegal. This is such an astonishing proposal,” wrote Giesbrecht.
“I will back up on that sentence and repeat it: A person advocating that the child change gender is exempted by the legislation, but a person suggesting that the child stick to their birth gender would be guilty of a serious criminal offence. Similarly, a religious adviser, medical doctor, or anyone else consulted by a parent would be committing a jailable criminal offence if they gave their honest advice about transition that a government official did not approve of. If this all sounds quite crazy, that’s because it is.”
Giesbrecht’s column touched on data from the United Kingdom that show that over the last decade, there has been an increase of around 4,000 percent in young girls who express the desire to become “a boy.”
“This new trend has even been given a name: Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD). There is no consensus about why ROGD is happening, but it is becoming clear that social media plays a significant role,” wrote Giesbrecht.
Giesbrecht also wrote that there are many, “including political leaders and professionals who should know better,” who are pretending they “know far more” about transgender issues than they do in reality.
He wrote that he finds it “questionable” whether or not anyone is truly an “expert” with regard to ROGD, as there are many who say they are experts whose opinions “vary so widely — particularly regarding surgery on children.”
Giesbrecht wrote that one of the most “most difficult challenges today” is when parents discover that one of their children might show a tendency to identify with “a sex other than one’s birth sex.”
Giesbrecht added that although little is known as to why this may be the case, he adds that “we do know” that the majority of these type of case will “resolve [themselves], given time and sensitive handling,” adding that in most cases, the “child will eventually become comfortable with his or her birth gender.”
Politicians, family groups, authors speak out against Bill C8 and S-202 and “trans activism”
Many in the pro-life and pro-family movement in Canada, such as Campaign Life Coalition, have sounded the alarm that Bill C8 and others like it will prohibit Christians from counseling anyone who wants to overcome same-sex attraction or who struggles with their gender dysphoria.
They have also warned that the bills will prohibit parents from helping a gender-confused child conform to his sex.
“Bill C-8 represents an unprecedented assault by the Trudeau Liberals on our civil rights, personal freedoms, and religious liberties in this country,” stated David Cooke, campaigns manager for Campaign Life Coalition, in a blog post.
Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) leadership candidate and member of Parliament (M.P.) Derek Sloan said in early June that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is legislating “child abuse” with Bill C-8.
Last week, Sloan again accused Trudeau of child abuse for pushing to ban help for gender-confused kids with Bill C8.
This promoted CPC leadership candidate Peter MacKay to call it “child abuse” for parents to seek help for their children who suffer from gender dysphoria, in a June 3 tweet directed toward Sloan.
Sloan told LifeSiteNews last week that genital-mutilating surgery on minors is “abusive.”
“I believe that sex-change operations [sic] on minors are abusive. Minors are not old enough to drink, smoke, gamble, or vote, and they are not old enough to make life-altering decisions about surgeries that will permanently change their growth and development,” Sloan told LifeSiteNews.
Giesbrecht’s opinion piece was tweeted out by former Conservative M.P. Brad Trost.
Last week, J.K. Rowling, author of the bestselling Harry Potter book series, published a lengthy essay on her website about why she opposes the transgender agenda and refuses to “bow down” to it despite public pressure to surrender.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-17--Google threatened to attack conservative sites’ revenue stream over comments section

MOUNTAIN VIEW , California , June 17 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Google has threatened to refuse access to its advertising platform to conservative news website The Federalist over unspecified claims that the website was violating Google ’ s policies on content related to race .
In response , The Federalist said it had “ temporarily ” removed its comments section .
Another conservative website , ZeroHedge , was demonetized entirely .
Conservatives , including Fox News host Tucker Carlson and Texas senator Ted Cruz , have reacted to Google ’ s decision with accusations of censorship .
NBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google has banned two far-right websites from its advertising platform after research revealed the tech giant was profiting from articles pushing unsubstantiated claims about the Black Lives Matter protests.
” The television network , one of the so-called Big Three , revealed that it was in fact its very own NBC News Verification Unit that brought the alleged violations of Google ’ s policies to the tech giant ’ s attention .
The NBC News Verification Unit , in turn , based its accusations on “ research conducted by the Center for Countering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combats online hate and misinformation .
They found that 10 U.S.-based websites have published what they say are racist articles about the protests , and projected that the websites would make millions of dollars through Google Ads.
” A spokesperson for Google told NBC News that whenever “ a page or site violates our policies , we take action .
In this case , we ’ ve removed both sites ’ ability to monetize with Google.
” “ We have strict publisher policies that govern the content ads can run on and explicitly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intolerance , violence or discrimination based on race from monetizing , ” the spokesperson explained .
Google subsequently clarified on Twitter that “ The Federalist was never demonetized .
We worked with them to address issues on their site related to the comments section.
” “ Our policies do not allow ads to run against dangerous or derogatory content , which includes comments on sites , and we offer guidance and best practices to publishers on how to comply , ” Google wrote .
“ As the comment section has now been removed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no action will be taken.
” NBC News , meanwhile , has substantially revised its original article , without indicating which changes have been made .
Instead of characterizing both The Federalist and ZeroHedge as “ two far-right websites , ” only the latter is still slapped with that label .
On Tuesday evening , popular Fox News host Tucker Carlson , slammed Google for its power over media outlets and its attempted censorship of the two conservative websites .
“ Most media companies are dependent on Google , ” Carlson pointed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all online advertising , so if you ’ re in the news business , you obey Google .
When Google tells you to do something , you do it .
You have no choice.
” “ They can bankrupt you in a minute and they will , ” he continued .
“ In all of human history , no single entity has ever had more control over information than Google does right now , so if you ’ re worried about the concentration of power in the hands of a few unaccountable actors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , nobody has more unchecked power than Google does.
” As Carlson explained , “ Google says it now holds conservative websites responsible for the comments of their readers .
And yet , irony of ironies , thanks to a special carve-out Google has received from the United States Congress ( something called Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act , remember that ) , Google itself is not responsible for content on its platform because the Congress says it doesn ’ t have to be.
” Brendan Carr , a commissioner of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , took to Twitter to argue for Section 230 reform , calling out Google ’ s “ hypocrisy.
” “ Big Tech has long argued that it needs Section 230 ’ s unique set of liability protections because websites simply couldn ’ t operate if they were held liable for comments or user-generated posts , ” he wrote , adding , “ Not so , according to Google ’ s own ad policy !
” “ Google is now holding The Federalist responsible for comments and user-generated posts , and Google will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Carr pointed out .
“ Google has no problem treating The Federalist as the publisher of comments and user-generated posts on that website for purposes of Google ’ s own ad policy.
” Carr framed NBC News ’ s involvement in getting Google to censor The Federalist and ZeroHedge as “ an example of established media gatekeepers attempting to regain control of the political narrative - not through persuasion but coercion.
” “ A legacy media outlet lobbied Big Tech to punish a new media competitor , ” he summarized .
Senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sent a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai earlier today , accusing Google of “ abusing its monopoly power in an effort to censor political speech with which it disagrees.
” Cruz emphasized Google ’ s anti-conservative bias .
“ Numerous ‘ progressive ’ media outlets allow comments [ . ]
...
I don ’ t know what the objectionable comments were that individual users might have posted on The Federalist , but any objective review would no doubt demonstrate at least as many profane , racist , or indefensible user comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violate Google ’ s alleged standards.
” Republican Representative Jim Jordan from Ohio said , “ Americans are sick of this .
I mean , this is a direct attack on speech .
I think Americans are tired of the press going after certain people , if you don ’ t have the right position or say the right thing.
” “ Americans are so sick of this baloney .
This may be a turning point today , ” he speculated on Fox News .
“ What Google did to The Federalist , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , because people are so tired.
” “ It always seems like it ’ s the conservatives who are getting censored , ” according to Jordan .
“ I mean , in fact , in this situation here you had some liberal news organization going after a conservative news organization .
You never see it the other way around , and you certainly never see Twitter or Google , you never see them going after the liberal news organization .
So , that is what drives Americans nuts .
It has to @ @ @

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California, June 17, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Google has threatened to refuse access to its advertising platform to conservative news website The Federalist over unspecified claims that the website was violating Google’s policies on content related to race. In response, The Federalist said it had “temporarily” removed its comments section.
Another conservative website, ZeroHedge, was demonetized entirely.
Conservatives, including Fox News host Tucker Carlson and Texas senator Ted Cruz, have reacted to Google’s decision with accusations of censorship.
NBC News first reported on Tuesday that “Google has banned two far-right websites from its advertising platform after research revealed the tech giant was profiting from articles pushing unsubstantiated claims about the Black Lives Matter protests.”
The television network, one of the so-called Big Three, revealed that it was in fact its very own NBC News Verification Unit that brought the alleged violations of Google’s policies to the tech giant’s attention.
The NBC News Verification Unit, in turn, based its accusations on “research conducted by the Center for Countering Digital Hate, a British nonprofit that combats online hate and misinformation. They found that 10 U.S.-based websites have published what they say are racist articles about the protests, and projected that the websites would make millions of dollars through Google Ads.”
A spokesperson for Google told NBC News that whenever “a page or site violates our policies, we take action. In this case, we’ve removed both sites’ ability to monetize with Google.”
“We have strict publisher policies that govern the content ads can run on and explicitly prohibit derogatory content that promotes hatred, intolerance, violence or discrimination based on race from monetizing,” the spokesperson explained.
Google subsequently clarified on Twitter that “The Federalist was never demonetized. We worked with them to address issues on their site related to the comments section.”
“Our policies do not allow ads to run against dangerous or derogatory content, which includes comments on sites, and we offer guidance and best practices to publishers on how to comply,” Google wrote. “As the comment section has now been removed, we consider this matter resolved and no action will be taken.”
NBC News, meanwhile, has substantially revised its original article, without indicating which changes have been made.
Instead of characterizing both The Federalist and ZeroHedge as “two far-right websites,” only the latter is still slapped with that label.
On Tuesday evening, popular Fox News host Tucker Carlson, slammed Google for its power over media outlets and its attempted censorship of the two conservative websites.
“Most media companies are dependent on Google,” Carlson pointed out. “Google controls 70 percent of all online advertising, so if you’re in the news business, you obey Google. When Google tells you to do something, you do it. You have no choice.”
“They can bankrupt you in a minute and they will,” he continued. “In all of human history, no single entity has ever had more control over information than Google does right now, so if you’re worried about the concentration of power in the hands of a few unaccountable actors, and you very much should be, nobody has more unchecked power than Google does.”
As Carlson explained, “Google says it now holds conservative websites responsible for the comments of their readers. And yet, irony of ironies, thanks to a special carve-out Google has received from the United States Congress (something called Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, remember that), Google itself is not responsible for content on its platform because the Congress says it doesn’t have to be.”
Brendan Carr, a commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), took to Twitter to argue for Section 230 reform, calling out Google’s “hypocrisy.”
“Big Tech has long argued that it needs Section 230’s unique set of liability protections because websites simply couldn’t operate if they were held liable for comments or user-generated posts,” he wrote, adding, “Not so, according to Google’s own ad policy!”
“Google is now holding The Federalist responsible for comments and user-generated posts, and Google will be demonetizing the website as a result,” Carr pointed out. “Google has no problem treating The Federalist as the publisher of comments and user-generated posts on that website for purposes of Google’s own ad policy.”
Carr framed NBC News’s involvement in getting Google to censor The Federalist and ZeroHedge as “an example of established media gatekeepers attempting to regain control of the political narrative – not through persuasion but coercion.”
“A legacy media outlet lobbied Big Tech to punish a new media competitor,” he summarized.
Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, sent a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai earlier today, accusing Google of “abusing its monopoly power in an effort to censor political speech with which it disagrees.”
Cruz emphasized Google’s anti-conservative bias. “Numerous ‘progressive’ media outlets allow comments[.] … I don’t know what the objectionable comments were that individual users might have posted on The Federalist, but any objective review would no doubt demonstrate at least as many profane, racist, or indefensible user comments on these other sites that would equally violate Google’s alleged standards.”
Republican Representative Jim Jordan from Ohio said, “Americans are sick of this. I mean, this is a direct attack on speech. I think Americans are tired of the press going after certain people, if you don’t have the right position or say the right thing.”
“Americans are so sick of this baloney. This may be a turning point today,” he speculated on Fox News. “What Google did to The Federalist, I think this is a turning point today, because people are so tired.”
“It always seems like it’s the conservatives who are getting censored,” according to Jordan. “I mean, in fact, in this situation here you had some liberal news organization going after a conservative news organization. You never see it the other way around, and you certainly never see Twitter or Google, you never see them going after the liberal news organization. So, that is what drives Americans nuts. It has to end.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-17--Petitioners demand Canadian mayor’s resignation after he objected to flying LGBT ‘Pride’ flag

Ontario , CANADA , June 17 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Petitioners are calling for the mayor of West Lincoln , Ontario , to resign after he said he was opposed to flying flags which represent “ identity politics ” when he was asked to fly the homosexual “ Pride ” flag over the local city hall .
Mayor Dave Bylsma said it was his preference that only the Canadian flag be flown over municipal buildings , saying that it “ includes everybody.
” Speaking to CKTB 's Matt Holmes last week , Bylsma said that he took ownership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not currently being flown over West Lincoln city hall .
The local mayor said that not actioning the request to fly the “ Pride ” flag had been an “ oversight ” amidst dealing with the coronavirus crisis , but that a special council meeting had been scheduled for this morning in order to discuss the request .
That meeting has now confirmed that the “ Pride ” flag will be flown over West Lincoln city hall .
Bylsma said that years ago , the municipality made the decision that they “ weren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and questioned the wisdom of flying a flag that represents “ identity politics ” over a municipal building .
Bylsma confirmed that the chair of Pride Niagara has been invited to make a presentation to the council meeting this morning .
Linking the issue with the demands of groups such as Black Lives Matter , Bylsma said identity politics “ hasn ’ t really been solving things.
” “ Identity politics has been running rampant for decades…it hasn ’ t really been solving things .
If you look at race relations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ all lives matter , ’ for many people kind of strikes at the core of identity politics , ” he said .
The mayor said that the West Lincoln municipality wanted to have a policy that “ didn ’ t single out any one category of people as a subset over the other ones ” and questioned “ what ’ s wrong with just the Canadian flag flying over the municipal office ?
Does identity politics even belong on a municipal flag pole ?
” A petition calling for Bylsma ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against LGBTQ , Indigenous , and Black communities ” during the interview and is calling on him both to apologize and to resign .
Chris Bittle , a Liberal MP for the St. Catharines district , called Bylsma a bigot on Twitter .
Bylsma also spoke of his Christian faith during the interview .
When questioned why the LGBT “ Pride ” flag hadn ’ t simply been flown without reference to a council meeting , Bylsma replied that “ democracy still is important.
” “ A fulsome discussion at our municipal council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for everyone , ” he said .

'Identity politics has been running rampant for decades…it hasn’t really been solving things,' said Mayor Dave Bylsma.
Ontario, CANADA, June 17, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Petitioners are calling for the mayor of West Lincoln, Ontario, to resign after he said he was opposed to flying flags which represent “identity politics” when he was asked to fly the homosexual “Pride” flag over the local city hall.
Mayor Dave Bylsma said it was his preference that only the Canadian flag be flown over municipal buildings, saying that it “includes everybody.”
Speaking to CKTB's Matt Holmes last week, Bylsma said that he took ownership for the rainbow “Pride” flag not currently being flown over West Lincoln city hall.
The local mayor said that not actioning the request to fly the “Pride” flag had been an “oversight” amidst dealing with the coronavirus crisis, but that a special council meeting had been scheduled for this morning in order to discuss the request. That meeting has now confirmed that the “Pride” flag will be flown over West Lincoln city hall.
Bylsma said that years ago, the municipality made the decision that they “weren’t going to make any proclamations” and questioned the wisdom of flying a flag that represents “identity politics” over a municipal building. Bylsma confirmed that the chair of Pride Niagara has been invited to make a presentation to the council meeting this morning.
Linking the issue with the demands of groups such as Black Lives Matter, Bylsma said identity politics “hasn’t really been solving things.”
“Identity politics has been running rampant for decades…it hasn’t really been solving things. If you look at race relations and Black Lives Matters and the response that ‘all lives matter,’ for many people kind of strikes at the core of identity politics,” he said.
The mayor said that the West Lincoln municipality wanted to have a policy that “didn’t single out any one category of people as a subset over the other ones” and questioned “what’s wrong with just the Canadian flag flying over the municipal office? Does identity politics even belong on a municipal flag pole?”
A petition calling for Bylsma’s resignation says that he “made comments against LGBTQ, Indigenous, and Black communities” during the interview and is calling on him both to apologize and to resign.
Chris Bittle, a Liberal MP for the St. Catharines district, called Bylsma a bigot on Twitter.
Mayor of West Lincoln wonders “what are they (LGBTQ2 community) still fighting for? The easy answer – bigots like you, Mr Mayor. https://t.co/4qWWrr3ZLy — Chris Bittle (@Chris_Bittle) June 11, 2020
Bylsma also spoke of his Christian faith during the interview.
When questioned why the LGBT “Pride” flag hadn’t simply been flown without reference to a council meeting, Bylsma replied that “democracy still is important.”
“A fulsome discussion at our municipal council chambers just makes it open and transparent for everyone,” he said.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-17--Vatican hospital performs potential life-saving surgery on baby in mother’s womb

ROME , Italy , June 17 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Doctors at the Vatican ’ s Bambino Gesù Children ’ s Hospital successfully performed a rare surgery on a 28-week-old unborn baby with a major congenital anomaly , thereby significantly increasing the child ’ s chance for survival .
The hospital released a stunning video showing glimpses of the procedure , which lasted about 45 minutes .
Italian news agency ANSA reported in late April that the baby was suffering from congenital diaphragmatic hernia .
According to Children ’ s Hospital of Philadelphia , this anomaly occurs “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separates the chest from the abdomen , fails to close during prenatal development .
This opening allows contents of the abdomen ( stomach , intestines and/or liver ) to migrate into the chest , impacting the growth and development of the lungs.
” As a consequence , the baby ’ s lungs “ will be smaller than expected ( pulmonary hypoplasia ) , and will have less developed blood vessels .
This causes high blood pressure in the lungs ( pulmonary hypertension ) .
” The surgery performed at the Vatican hospital is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Food and Drug Administration .
However , as part of a clinical trial , fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion ( FETO ) is performed by Children ’ s Hospital of Philadelphia , as well as a few other hospitals across the country .
During a FETO procedure , a balloon is placed “ in your unborn baby ’ s airway .
The balloon blocks the baby ’ s airway and remains in place for a few weeks .
Fluid builds and the lungs grow .
Bigger lungs may improve survival.
” In a separate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is removed so the baby ’ s lungs can mature .
Both procedures take place in the mother ’ s womb .
According to Bambino Gesù Children ’ s Hospital , an ultrasound revealed a significant increase in the baby ’ s lung volume 10 days after the surgery on April 17 .
A Children ’ s Hospital of Philadelphia video goes into more detail regarding the FETO procedure , as well as what parents of a child with congenital diaphragmatic hernia need to expect during pregnancy .
Dr. Lester A. Ruppersberger , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catholic Medical Association , told LifeSiteNews that the “ significance of the ability to perform life-saving , life-enhancing in-utero fetal/maternal surgeries is as important as life itself , ” adding that procedures like FETO are “ a stark reminder that life is meaningful and precious , from the moment it begins in the womb.
” He expressed hope that these procedures “ will help change minds and hearts of the opposition .
The more success medicine has in these procedures , the fewer abortions will be performed for life-threatening congenital anomalies , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terminate any pregnancy for any reason.
” Advancements in fetal surgery have led to lives of babies being saved that otherwise would have been aborted , often at the recommendation of doctors .
According to a 2019 article by the pro-life Charlotte Lozier Institute , the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology “ reported in 2012 that maternal-fetal medicine specialists are more likely than fetal-care pediatric specialists to support termination of babies with spina bifida , ” another congenital disorder .
“ Similarly , a more recent 2017 study found that maternal fetal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or pediatric surgeons to recommend termination of babies with spina bifida and less likely to recommend prenatal surgery compared to their colleagues , ” the Charlotte Lozier Institute continued .
“ And several parents have reported how they were pressured by physicians to terminate their child upon receiving a prenatal diagnosis of a severe congenital disorder.
” Ruppersberger said fetal therapy is “ one of the most promising fields of pediatric surgical medicine , and prenatal surgery is becoming an option for a growing number of babies with congenital anomalies and birth defects.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fetal surgeries currently being developed , helping , for instance , with “ bronchogenic cysts , congenital diaphragmatic hernia , congenital high airway obstruction , fetal lung lesions , hydrocephalus , lower urinary tract obstruction , spina bifida , meningomyelocele , amniotic bands and many others.
” There are also maternal pregnancy-related surgeries that are “ more focused toward correction of maternal pathologies that may compromise the life and health of the mother and/or successful outcomes of the pregnancy , ” Ruppersberger said .
Among those are “ uterine anomalies/growths , ovarian cysts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and any other non-reproductive organ pathologies such as appendicitis , gallbladder disease , bowel obstruction , trauma , etc.
” The Charlotte Lozier Institute , which is the research and education arm of pro-life organization Susan B. Anthony List , expressed hope that “ perceptions will change with further advancements in the field that minimize fetal and maternal risks , as well as wider education of physicians on the promising techniques available .
”

ROME, Italy, June 17, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Doctors at the Vatican’s Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital successfully performed a rare surgery on a 28-week-old unborn baby with a major congenital anomaly, thereby significantly increasing the child’s chance for survival.
The hospital released a stunning video showing glimpses of the procedure, which lasted about 45 minutes.
Italian news agency ANSA reported in late April that the baby was suffering from congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
According to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, this anomaly occurs “when the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen, fails to close during prenatal development. This opening allows contents of the abdomen (stomach, intestines and/or liver) to migrate into the chest, impacting the growth and development of the lungs.”
As a consequence, the baby’s lungs “will be smaller than expected (pulmonary hypoplasia), and will have less developed blood vessels. This causes high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension).”
The surgery performed at the Vatican hospital is not yet fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, as part of a clinical trial, fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion (FETO) is performed by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, as well as a few other hospitals across the country.
During a FETO procedure, a balloon is placed “in your unborn baby’s airway. The balloon blocks the baby’s airway and remains in place for a few weeks. Fluid builds and the lungs grow. Bigger lungs may improve survival.” In a separate procedure several weeks later, the balloon is removed so the baby’s lungs can mature.
Both procedures take place in the mother’s womb.
According to Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, an ultrasound revealed a significant increase in the baby’s lung volume 10 days after the surgery on April 17.
A Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia video goes into more detail regarding the FETO procedure, as well as what parents of a child with congenital diaphragmatic hernia need to expect during pregnancy.
Dr. Lester A. Ruppersberger, an OB/GYN and former president of the Catholic Medical Association, told LifeSiteNews that the “significance of the ability to perform life-saving, life-enhancing in-utero fetal/maternal surgeries is as important as life itself,” adding that procedures like FETO are “a stark reminder that life is meaningful and precious, from the moment it begins in the womb.”
He expressed hope that these procedures “will help change minds and hearts of the opposition. The more success medicine has in these procedures, the fewer abortions will be performed for life-threatening congenital anomalies, not that there is any justifiable reason to terminate any pregnancy for any reason.”
Advancements in fetal surgery have led to lives of babies being saved that otherwise would have been aborted, often at the recommendation of doctors.
According to a 2019 article by the pro-life Charlotte Lozier Institute, the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology “reported in 2012 that maternal-fetal medicine specialists are more likely than fetal-care pediatric specialists to support termination of babies with spina bifida,” another congenital disorder.
“Similarly, a more recent 2017 study found that maternal fetal medicine specialists are more likely than neonatologists or pediatric surgeons to recommend termination of babies with spina bifida and less likely to recommend prenatal surgery compared to their colleagues,” the Charlotte Lozier Institute continued.
“And several parents have reported how they were pressured by physicians to terminate their child upon receiving a prenatal diagnosis of a severe congenital disorder.”
Ruppersberger said fetal therapy is “one of the most promising fields of pediatric surgical medicine, and prenatal surgery is becoming an option for a growing number of babies with congenital anomalies and birth defects.”
He mentioned a wide variety of fetal surgeries currently being developed, helping, for instance, with “bronchogenic cysts, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, congenital high airway obstruction, fetal lung lesions, hydrocephalus, lower urinary tract obstruction, spina bifida, meningomyelocele, amniotic bands and many others.”
There are also maternal pregnancy-related surgeries that are “more focused toward correction of maternal pathologies that may compromise the life and health of the mother and/or successful outcomes of the pregnancy,” Ruppersberger said.
Among those are “uterine anomalies/growths, ovarian cysts, cervical incompetence, cervical/ovarian cancers, and any other non-reproductive organ pathologies such as appendicitis, gallbladder disease, bowel obstruction, trauma, etc.”
The Charlotte Lozier Institute, which is the research and education arm of pro-life organization Susan B. Anthony List, expressed hope that “perceptions will change with further advancements in the field that minimize fetal and maternal risks, as well as wider education of physicians on the promising techniques available.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-17--Dutch doctor admits to euthanizing dementia patient who didn’t want to die

June 17 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The Hague geriatric physician who faced and evaded murder charges for euthanizing an elderly dementia patient in 2016 has broken her silence on the case for the first time since it happened … and showed no signs of regret even while admitting that she killed the woman despite being told that she didn ’ t want to go through with it .
Marinou Arends was working at Mariahoeve care home in The Hague when she killed a 74-year-old woman who had consented to die in advanced care directives written when she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since deteriorated , and would not reiterate her consent when the time came .
“ Although the woman repeatedly said she wanted to die , when asked directly , she would then say ‘ not yet , ” Dutch News summarized .
“ A second specialist agreed she was ‘ suffering unbearably ’ in the home and in the end , Arends put a sleeping drug in her cup of coffee ; when the woman later appeared to sit up and draw back from the lethal infusion , her son-in-law pushed her down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged with illegally going through with a euthanization without ensuring consent , but was cleared last September , with the judge essentially concluding that following the patient ’ s earlier wishes trumped any obligation to heed her most recent ones .
“ It is good to get the confirmation : do it , just do it , ” Arends said this week in an interview with Dutch News .
“ But I couldn ’ t get this confirmation , and without it I had to take this step .
It was tremendously difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed I was working within the boundaries of the law.
” She admitted that the patient refused to consent to being euthanized no less than three times .
“ If you asked her , ‘ What would you think if I were to help you to die ?
’ ” Arends recalled , “ she looked bewildered and said : ‘ That ’ s going a bit far.
’ ” The ex-physician also defended placing a sedative in the patient ’ s coffee without her knowledge , claiming it was an “ accepted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” so long as the person with power of attorney ( her husband ) had consented .
In the end , she felt vindicated by the “ unanimous ” decision to clear her , defending her actions as a “ choice between an average residency of seven years , seven years of suffering , or – on the basis of the fundamental message in her living will – giving her the euthanasia she longed for.
” “ This involuntary euthanasia was motivated by bigotry against people with dementia , masked as compassion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow at the Discovery Institute ’ s Center on Human Exceptionalism who covers end-of-life issues .
“ What other conclusion can we reach ?
That she was no longer compos mentis , so her opinion about her own life was unimportant ?
” As for Arends ’ original exoneration , Smith explained that there was “ was never any chance the doctor would lose her license or do any jail time for the homicide , ” and that the purpose of the case was “ not to punish wrongdoing , but rather , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow going forward .
Indeed , this is why supposedly restrictive guidelines don ’ t restrict much of anything .
It ’ s all a big fat fraud .
”

June 17, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The Hague geriatric physician who faced and evaded murder charges for euthanizing an elderly dementia patient in 2016 has broken her silence on the case for the first time since it happened … and showed no signs of regret even while admitting that she killed the woman despite being told that she didn’t want to go through with it.
Marinou Arends was working at Mariahoeve care home in The Hague when she killed a 74-year-old woman who had consented to die in advanced care directives written when she was still of sound mind, but had since deteriorated, and would not reiterate her consent when the time came.
“Although the woman repeatedly said she wanted to die, when asked directly, she would then say ‘not yet,” Dutch News summarized. “A second specialist agreed she was ‘suffering unbearably’ in the home and in the end, Arends put a sleeping drug in her cup of coffee; when the woman later appeared to sit up and draw back from the lethal infusion, her son-in-law pushed her down in her bed again.”
Arends was charged with illegally going through with a euthanization without ensuring consent, but was cleared last September, with the judge essentially concluding that following the patient’s earlier wishes trumped any obligation to heed her most recent ones.
“It is good to get the confirmation: do it, just do it,” Arends said this week in an interview with Dutch News. “But I couldn’t get this confirmation, and without it I had to take this step. It was tremendously difficult, but for the best. I believed I was working within the boundaries of the law.”
She admitted that the patient refused to consent to being euthanized no less than three times. “If you asked her, ‘What would you think if I were to help you to die?’” Arends recalled, “she looked bewildered and said: ‘That’s going a bit far.’”
The ex-physician also defended placing a sedative in the patient’s coffee without her knowledge, claiming it was an “accepted practice” to prevent “panic,” so long as the person with power of attorney (her husband) had consented.
In the end, she felt vindicated by the “unanimous” decision to clear her, defending her actions as a “choice between an average residency of seven years, seven years of suffering, or – on the basis of the fundamental message in her living will – giving her the euthanasia she longed for.”
“This involuntary euthanasia was motivated by bigotry against people with dementia, masked as compassion,” lamented Wesley Smith, a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute’s Center on Human Exceptionalism who covers end-of-life issues. “What other conclusion can we reach? That she was no longer compos mentis, so her opinion about her own life was unimportant?”
As for Arends’ original exoneration, Smith explained that there was “was never any chance the doctor would lose her license or do any jail time for the homicide,” and that the purpose of the case was “not to punish wrongdoing, but rather, to set precedents for death doctors to follow going forward. Indeed, this is why supposedly restrictive guidelines don’t restrict much of anything. It’s all a big fat fraud.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-06-17--Restoring the beauty of the Eucharist during these trying times

Formerly Heart to Heart with Mother Miriam , Mother Miriam Live brings you inspiration and solutions for life ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Miriam is a Catholic nun on a mission to bring hope to a world that @ @ @ @ @ let her share that hope and joy with you !
To tune into Mother Miriam @ @ @ @ @ Facebook page here every Monday to Friday at 10am .

To help keep this and other programs on the air, please donate here.
Watch Mother Miriam's Live show re-aired on 6.17.2020. In today’s episode, Mother reads from Bishop Athanasius Schneider’s Rome Life Forum Talk on the Eucharist.
To view Bishop Schneider’s full talk, head to the Rome Life Forum talks here.
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page.
Subscribe to Mother Miriam Live here.


lifesitenews--2020-06-17--Chinese scientist expelled from Canadian bio lab shipped lethal viruses to Wuhan

WINNIPEG , MB , Canada , June 17 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― An award-winning Chinese scientist expelled from Canada ’ s most secure microbiology lab sent several vials containing dangerous viruses from the lab to China last year .
According to documents acquired by the state-funded Canadian Broadcasting Corporation ( CBC ) , Xiangguo Qiu sent 15 different strains of Ebola and Henipah viruses to Wuhan , China at the end of March 2019 .
Bound ultimately for the city ’ s now-infamous Institute of Virology , the package was shipped from Canada ’ s National Microbiology Lab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , via Toronto .
The dangerous cargo was carried overseas to the communist dictatorship on a commercial Air Canada flight .
Four months later , Qiu , her husband Keding Cheng , and their Chinese national students were expelled from the National Microbiology Lab .
Canada ’ s Public Health Authority has stated that the expulsion and the ongoing RCMP investigation into the Chinese scientists are not related to the shipment of the pathogens .
The CBC reported last August that the viruses “ may have been shipped to the Chinese Academy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the Canadian lab ’ s “ operating procedures , and without a document protecting Canada ’ s intellectual property rights.
” At the time , it was still unknown that Qiu was the scientist responsible for sending the dangerous material .
In a recent interview with the national broadcaster , Ottawa university professor Amir Attaran told the CBC that Qiu ’ s actions were “ suspicious , ” “ alarming , ” “ frightening , ” and “ perhaps life-threatening.
” “ She sent one of the deadliest viruses on Earth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genetic diversity and maximize what experimenters in China could do with it , to a laboratory in China that does dangerous Gain of Function experiments , ” Attaran said .
He explained that “ Gain of Function ” experiments attempt to make viruses more dangerous or even deadly and that they are not allowed in Canada and many other countries .
The Population Research Institute ’ s Steven Mosher , an expert on China ’ s communist regime , told LifeSiteNews that researchers at the Wuhan institute are working for the Chinese military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] were shipping dangerous pathogens to the Wuhan Institute of Virology [ WIV ] where they were being ‘ enhanced ’ with Gain of Function research as part of the PLAs bioweapons program , ” Mosher explained via email .
The Wuhan lab ’ s affiliation with the Chinese military was confirmed this January 26 when Chen Wei , the major general in China ’ s People ’ s Liberation Army who leads the Institute of Bioengineering at the Academy of Military Medical Sciences , was put in charge of it .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Professor Wu-Chun Cao , is the director of the State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity , also a part of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences .
He holds the rank of colonel in the People ’ s Liberation Army .
Qiu ’ s association with the Wuhan Institute of Virology was well-known to her colleagues in Canada , who discussed her with the CBC .
In October 2019 , the national broadcaster reported that the Chinese national had made five trips to Wuhan during the 2017-2018 period .
The CBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about Qiu ’ s trips to China — and what information and technology she was sharing with researchers there.
” One of the employees of the National Microbiology lab told the CBC , “ It ’ s not right that she ’ s a Canadian government employee providing details of top-secret work and know-how to set up a high-containment lab for a foreign nation.
” In 2018 , Qiu was honored with a Canadian Governor-General Innovation Award for her work creating an effective treatment , ZMapp , for people sick with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Innovation Awards , the first human trials for ZMapp led “ to the recovery of two medical missionaries and 25 first responders and residents during a 2014 Ebola outbreak in Liberia.
” “ My son was so excited , ” Qiu said for a promotional video about her award .
“ He said , ‘ Wow !
My mother has found a cure for Ebola !
’ ” This week LifeSiteNews published an extensive report by Matthew Hoffmann about the complicity of Dr. Anthony Fauci and other American health officials in the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Function ” research .
Hoffman named both the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Agency for International Development as patrons of the Wuhan Institute of Virology .
France has also contributed to the Chinese institution , as has the World Health Organization .
All the foreign support for the Wuhan laboratory has not ensured public safety .
The French organization charged with certifying the safety of the WIV facility completed in 2015 refused to do so .
Moreover , there is mounting evidence that the current COVID-19 pandemic has its origins in @ @ @

'She sent one of the deadliest viruses on Earth...to a laboratory in China.'
Matthew Cullinan Hoffman contributed to this report.
WINNIPEG, MB, Canada, June 17, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― An award-winning Chinese scientist expelled from Canada’s most secure microbiology lab sent several vials containing dangerous viruses from the lab to China last year.
According to documents acquired by the state-funded Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Xiangguo Qiu sent 15 different strains of Ebola and Henipah viruses to Wuhan, China at the end of March 2019. Bound ultimately for the city’s now-infamous Institute of Virology, the package was shipped from Canada’s National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Beijing, China, via Toronto. The dangerous cargo was carried overseas to the communist dictatorship on a commercial Air Canada flight.
Four months later, Qiu, her husband Keding Cheng, and their Chinese national students were expelled from the National Microbiology Lab.
Canada’s Public Health Authority has stated that the expulsion and the ongoing RCMP investigation into the Chinese scientists are not related to the shipment of the pathogens.
The CBC reported last August that the viruses “may have been shipped to the Chinese Academy of Sciences in a way that circumvented” the Canadian lab’s “operating procedures, and without a document protecting Canada’s intellectual property rights.” At the time, it was still unknown that Qiu was the scientist responsible for sending the dangerous material.
In a recent interview with the national broadcaster, Ottawa university professor Amir Attaran told the CBC that Qiu’s actions were “suspicious,” “alarming,” “frightening,” and “perhaps life-threatening.”
“She sent one of the deadliest viruses on Earth, multiple varieties of it to maximize the genetic diversity and maximize what experimenters in China could do with it, to a laboratory in China that does dangerous Gain of Function experiments,” Attaran said.
He explained that “Gain of Function” experiments attempt to make viruses more dangerous or even deadly and that they are not allowed in Canada and many other countries.
The Population Research Institute’s Steven Mosher, an expert on China’s communist regime, told LifeSiteNews that researchers at the Wuhan institute are working for the Chinese military.
“Chinese scientists [in Canada] were shipping dangerous pathogens to the Wuhan Institute of Virology [WIV] where they were being ‘enhanced’ with Gain of Function research as part of the PLAs bioweapons program,” Mosher explained via email.
The Wuhan lab’s affiliation with the Chinese military was confirmed this January 26 when Chen Wei, the major general in China’s People’s Liberation Army who leads the Institute of Bioengineering at the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, was put in charge of it. One of the members of the WIV board, Professor Wu-Chun Cao, is the director of the State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, also a part of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences. He holds the rank of colonel in the People’s Liberation Army.
Qiu’s association with the Wuhan Institute of Virology was well-known to her colleagues in Canada, who discussed her with the CBC. In October 2019, the national broadcaster reported that the Chinese national had made five trips to Wuhan during the 2017-2018 period. The CBC reported that “there have always been questions about Qiu’s trips to China — and what information and technology she was sharing with researchers there.”
One of the employees of the National Microbiology lab told the CBC, “It’s not right that she’s a Canadian government employee providing details of top-secret work and know-how to set up a high-containment lab for a foreign nation.”
In 2018, Qiu was honored with a Canadian Governor-General Innovation Award for her work creating an effective treatment, ZMapp, for people sick with the Ebola virus. According to the GG Innovation Awards, the first human trials for ZMapp led “to the recovery of two medical missionaries and 25 first responders and residents during a 2014 Ebola outbreak in Liberia.”
“My son was so excited,” Qiu said for a promotional video about her award. “He said, ‘Wow! My mother has found a cure for Ebola!’”
This week LifeSiteNews published an extensive report by Matthew Hoffmann about the complicity of Dr. Anthony Fauci and other American health officials in the Chinese laboratory’s dangerous “Gain of Function” research. Hoffman named both the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Agency for International Development as patrons of the Wuhan Institute of Virology. France has also contributed to the Chinese institution, as has the World Health Organization.
All the foreign support for the Wuhan laboratory has not ensured public safety. The French organization charged with certifying the safety of the WIV facility completed in 2015 refused to do so. Moreover, there is mounting evidence that the current COVID-19 pandemic has its origins in the Institute.
Share