lifesitenews--2020-03-10--Climate alarmists can’t get an accurate measurement of Earth’s temperature

March 10 , 2020 ( American Thinker ) — Is Planet Earth warming , cooling , or staying the same ?
I often challenge advocates for climate alarmism : what is the temperature of the planet today ?
Or we can use any specific day in recent years for which data are available .
We can not know the temperature of the planet thousands or millions of years ago if we can not even measure it today .
Yes , the question is one single temperature of the entire planet .
Not the temperature in Nome , Alaska or Dallas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or in your home town .
One single temperature reading for the entire globe .
To put it that way immediately sounds strange .
But if we do n't have a single temperature reading for the entire planet for today , how can we say if the planet is getting warmer or cooler or not changing at all ?
We can not talk about the temperature in , say , Geneva or London or New York City only .
The question is whether the entire planet is getting warmer , not isolated cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statistics .
Some avoided it in school .
But most of us are vaguely familiar with the random sampling process used in public opinion surveys .
We see opinion polls in the news all the time .
If we want to know how the USA 's estimated 153 million registered voters are going to vote on Election Day , but we do n't want to actually ask all 153 million of them , we have to follow ( not violate ) strict statistical methodologies for taking samples that are smaller than the entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So if we ask 1,000 people — the same 1,000 people every year — whom they are planning to vote for , the results will be meaningless hogwash .
To be statistically valid , the sample must be random .
Each time .
Not a random sample one time that is repeated year after year .
Each sample subset must be truly , honestly random .
No games .
No phony adjustments .
Every time .
( It might be interesting to follow a subset over time to investigate why people decide whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be used to predict the entire population . )
We also know that when people actually vote , the survey predictions are almost always wrong .
For one thing , when we survey people , we are not measuring how they are going to vote .
We are sampling what they are telling us , which is not the same thing .
The Earth is 196.9 million square miles of surface area .
It is a sphere 24,901 miles in circumference .
The vast majority of the Earth is ocean , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the Pacific and Southern Atlantic and the Arctic Sea .
The Earth is just unimaginably , stupendously big .
Most of planet Earth never sees any human presence , much less a weather station .
Another fatal flaw in climate alarmism is the failure to understand that air moves .
Air is made of gases , which by definition are not fixed in place or shape , but flow freely .
Alarmists try to evoke the image of carbon dioxide as like a blanket .
But carbon dioxide is not nailed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When warmed , all gases move upward towards outer space .
Convection transports heat from the surface up to the thin air , where jet airplanes cruise .
Heat is radiated from there out into space .
Air masses travel horizontally across the Earth .
Remember the polar vortex ?
Extremely cold air sitting over the Arctic Circle is sometimes dislodged by air currents and moved south into Canada or even the northern United States .
The weather gets extremely cold .
But the Earth did not change .
Very cold air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Earth is still the same temperature .
The Arctic got warmer , while North America got colder .
The air moved .
But overall , the Earth did not change .
Probably all of us have experienced , as this author has watched , the temperature drop 10 to 20 degrees within hours as a strong cold front moves in .
Even in the Bahamas , I have watched the temperature drop from the 90s to the 70s in only three or four hours .
For some reason , cold fronts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abrupt than a return to warmer weather .
Because the air is in constant motion , even a truly random sample of Earth 's 196.9 million square miles of surface area would have to be taken on the same day at the same time of day .
Note that even in one location , the swing from daytime temperatures to overnight temperatures can be a 20- to 40-degree swing on the same day .
So why ca n't we just measure certain cities and average their changes ?
Because we are measuring weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entire Earth we are just measuring air masses moving around , changing temperatures .
We are told scientists have adjusted for these concerns ( in some mysterious magic way ) .
But actual rocket scientists accidentally crashed a lander into the planet Mars due to a mathematics mistake .
So forgive us if we would just like to look over their math .
The reader can find attempts to measure the Earth 's one single temperature .
For example , Carbon Brief 's `` Explainer : How do scientists measure global temperature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand is quicker than the eye .
One with a science education , not indoctrinated , will blow a gasket at the house of cards .
To measure the Earth 's surface area of 196.9 million square miles , there are about 10,000 weather stations on the planet , plus about 2,000 ships , airplanes , and ocean buoys .
Remember : Those stations were designed to measure local weather , not the planet .
The alarmists explain : `` The temperature at each land and ocean station is compared daily to what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , typically the long-term average over a 30-year period . ''
But there is no normal .
Local anomalies are driven by weather patterns , such as El Niño and the Polar Vortex .
Many weather stations are at airports for good reason .
But aviation has changed over time from occasional propeller planes to jet airplanes every few minutes .
The expansion of cities causes the heat island effect to artificially raise temperatures at airports no longer out in the countryside .
So `` [ d ] aily anomalies are averaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are , in turn , used to work out temperature anomalies from season-to-season and year-to-year . ''
This is nonsense .
Then : `` After working out the annual temperature anomalies for each land or ocean station , the next job for scientists is to divide the earth up into grid boxes . ''
NASA , they say , divides the world up into boxes of 2 degrees longitude by 2 degrees latitude .
That is a gigantic area — over 19,000 square miles — with enormous temperature variations within that box .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 5 degrees or over 119,000 square miles each .
There is vastly different weather occurring within each 119,000-square-mile box .
Again , there are only 12,000 weather stations , including part-time ones on mobile craft for the entire planet , unevenly focused too much on the `` First World . ''
From the time the thermometer was invented with a scientifically valid scale comparable from one thermometer to another around 1850 , other than use as a novelty or hobbyist 's toy , and meticulous records started ( every day , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were concentrated in Northwestern Europe and the Northeastern United States .
Gradually , decade by decade , driven largely by the rise of air strips in World War I , the locations , geographic diversity , quantity , and quality of weather stations changed over time .
So even the temperature records we have are not comparable across decades .
In short , you can claim to be able to measure the world 's temperature .
But if you want to really do it — good luck .
This article originally appeared at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here with the author 's permission .

You can claim to be able to measure the world's temperature. But if you want to really do it — good luck.
March 10, 2020 (American Thinker) — Is Planet Earth warming, cooling, or staying the same? I often challenge advocates for climate alarmism: what is the temperature of the planet today? Or we can use any specific day in recent years for which data are available. We cannot know the temperature of the planet thousands or millions of years ago if we cannot even measure it today.
Yes, the question is one single temperature of the entire planet. Not the temperature in Nome, Alaska or Dallas, Texas, or Sydney, Australia or in your home town. One single temperature reading for the entire globe. To put it that way immediately sounds strange.
But if we don't have a single temperature reading for the entire planet for today, how can we say if the planet is getting warmer or cooler or not changing at all? We cannot talk about the temperature in, say, Geneva or London or New York City only. The question is whether the entire planet is getting warmer, not isolated cities.
Some of us have forgotten basic statistics. Some avoided it in school. But most of us are vaguely familiar with the random sampling process used in public opinion surveys. We see opinion polls in the news all the time. If we want to know how the USA's estimated 153 million registered voters are going to vote on Election Day, but we don't want to actually ask all 153 million of them, we have to follow (not violate) strict statistical methodologies for taking samples that are smaller than the entire “universe” or total population.
So if we ask 1,000 people — the same 1,000 people every year — whom they are planning to vote for, the results will be meaningless hogwash. To be statistically valid, the sample must be random. Each time. Not a random sample one time that is repeated year after year. Each sample subset must be truly, honestly random. No games. No phony adjustments. Every time. (It might be interesting to follow a subset over time to investigate why people decide whom to vote for. But that cannot be used to predict the entire population.)
We also know that when people actually vote, the survey predictions are almost always wrong. For one thing, when we survey people, we are not measuring how they are going to vote. We are sampling what they are telling us, which is not the same thing.
The Earth is 196.9 million square miles of surface area. It is a sphere 24,901 miles in circumference. The vast majority of the Earth is ocean, and in particular vast, mostly untraveled waters like the Pacific and Southern Atlantic and the Arctic Sea. The Earth is just unimaginably, stupendously big. Most of planet Earth never sees any human presence, much less a weather station.
Another fatal flaw in climate alarmism is the failure to understand that air moves. Air is made of gases, which by definition are not fixed in place or shape, but flow freely. Alarmists try to evoke the image of carbon dioxide as like a blanket. But carbon dioxide is not nailed in place. It is free to move. When warmed, all gases move upward towards outer space. Convection transports heat from the surface up to the thin air, where jet airplanes cruise. Heat is radiated from there out into space.
Air masses travel horizontally across the Earth. Remember the polar vortex? Extremely cold air sitting over the Arctic Circle is sometimes dislodged by air currents and moved south into Canada or even the northern United States. The weather gets extremely cold.
But the Earth did not change. Very cold air simply moved from one place to another. The Earth is still the same temperature. The Arctic got warmer, while North America got colder. The air moved. But overall, the Earth did not change.
Probably all of us have experienced, as this author has watched, the temperature drop 10 to 20 degrees within hours as a strong cold front moves in. Even in the Bahamas, I have watched the temperature drop from the 90s to the 70s in only three or four hours. For some reason, cold fronts when arriving are typically more violent and abrupt than a return to warmer weather.
Because the air is in constant motion, even a truly random sample of Earth's 196.9 million square miles of surface area would have to be taken on the same day at the same time of day. Note that even in one location, the swing from daytime temperatures to overnight temperatures can be a 20- to 40-degree swing on the same day.
So why can't we just measure certain cities and average their changes? Because we are measuring weather, not climate. Unless we measure the entire Earth we are just measuring air masses moving around, changing temperatures.
We are told scientists have adjusted for these concerns (in some mysterious magic way). But actual rocket scientists accidentally crashed a lander into the planet Mars due to a mathematics mistake. So forgive us if we would just like to look over their math.
The reader can find attempts to measure the Earth's one single temperature. For example, Carbon Brief's “Explainer: How do scientists measure global temperature?” offers mental gymnastics. The hand is quicker than the eye. One with a science education, not indoctrinated, will blow a gasket at the house of cards.
To measure the Earth's surface area of 196.9 million square miles, there are about 10,000 weather stations on the planet, plus about 2,000 ships, airplanes, and ocean buoys. Remember: Those stations were designed to measure local weather, not the planet.
The alarmists explain: “The temperature at each land and ocean station is compared daily to what is 'normal' for that location and time, typically the long-term average over a 30-year period.” But there is no normal. Local anomalies are driven by weather patterns, such as El Niño and the Polar Vortex. Many weather stations are at airports for good reason. But aviation has changed over time from occasional propeller planes to jet airplanes every few minutes. The expansion of cities causes the heat island effect to artificially raise temperatures at airports no longer out in the countryside.
So “[d]aily anomalies are averaged together over a whole month. These are, in turn, used to work out temperature anomalies from season-to-season and year-to-year.” This is nonsense. Then: “After working out the annual temperature anomalies for each land or ocean station, the next job for scientists is to divide the earth up into grid boxes.”
NASA, they say, divides the world up into boxes of 2 degrees longitude by 2 degrees latitude. That is a gigantic area — over 19,000 square miles — with enormous temperature variations within that box. The other measurement schemes are 5 degrees by 5 degrees or over 119,000 square miles each. There is vastly different weather occurring within each 119,000-square-mile box. Again, there are only 12,000 weather stations, including part-time ones on mobile craft for the entire planet, unevenly focused too much on the “First World.”
From the time the thermometer was invented with a scientifically valid scale comparable from one thermometer to another around 1850, other than use as a novelty or hobbyist's toy, and meticulous records started (every day, the same time of day), measurements were concentrated in Northwestern Europe and the Northeastern United States. Gradually, decade by decade, driven largely by the rise of air strips in World War I, the locations, geographic diversity, quantity, and quality of weather stations changed over time. So even the temperature records we have are not comparable across decades.
In short, you can claim to be able to measure the world's temperature. But if you want to really do it — good luck.
This article originally appeared at the American Thinker. It is published here with the author's permission.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-10--Polish bishops call for more Masses in response to coronavirus: ‘Unimaginable’ to close

Polish bishops call for more Masses in response to coronavirus: ‘Unimaginable’ to close churches

POZNAN , Poland , March 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― Poland ’ s bishops have called for more Masses as a response to the coronavirus epidemic .
Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki , writing as the leader of the Polish bishops ’ conference , has released a statement asking that the extra Masses be made available so that the congregations will be smaller .
“ Acknowledging the recommendation of the Chief Sanitary Inspector that there not be large gatherings of people , I ’ m asking for the increase – insofar as this is possible – in the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that at any one time the number of faithful participating in the liturgies are according to the sanitary regulation , ” Gądecki wrote .
The Polish archbishop of Poznań declared that it was “ unimaginable ” for Polish Catholics not to pray in their churches .
“ In the current situation , I wish to remind you that just as hospitals treat diseases of the body , so the Church serves to , among other things , treat illness of the soul ; that is why it is unimaginable that we not pray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I remind you that , in the current situation , old people and the sick can stay at home and from there watch broadcasts of Holy Mass , ” he continued , offering a list of Masses broadcast on various Polish television stations .
“ I remind you that there is no rule that during Mass you have to give the sign of peace by shaking hands , ” Gądecki added .
“ Let us commend to God those who have died because of coronavirus .
Let us pray for health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctors , medical personnel and all the services who are working to stop the spread of this virus , ” he continued .
“ We pray for the end of the epidemic .
In accordance with the Tradition of the Church , I encourage you especially to pray the [ Trisagion ] prayer of supplication ‘ Holy God , Holy Mighty… ’ .
” The response of Polish Catholic newspaper Polonia Christiana to the news of Gądecki ’ s request was “ Thank God !
” Currently there are only 22 cases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy , where over 9,000 people have the virus , and hundreds have died .
In Italy , among other measures , people are being asked to stay one to two meters ( i.e roughly three to six-and-a-half feet ) away from each other .
Pope St. Gregory the Great ’ s response to the plague : a penitential procession Italian historian Roberto de Mattei has described how Pope St. Gregory the Great responded to a deadly plague during his pontificate .
After his election in the year 590 , Gregory led a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ While the multitude traversed the city , in sepulchral silence , the pestilence reached such a point of fury , that in the brief space of an hour , eighty people fell dead to the ground .
However , Gregory didn ’ t cease for a second in exhorting the people to continue praying and insisted that the picture of the Virgin painted by St. Luke and kept in Santa Maria Maggiore , be brought to the front of the procession , ” de Mattei recounted .
The plague of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After the procession , Gregory saw how angels settled themselves in a circle around Our Lady ’ s picture , and , raising his eyes , he “ saw at the top of the castle an angel , who , after drying his sword dripping with blood , put it back in its sheath , as a sign that the punishment was over.
” All public Masses in Italy suspended until April 3 The bishops of Italy have announced that they are suspending all public Masses until April 3 in accordance with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on March 8 , which called for the suspension of “ civil and religious ceremonies , including funeral ceremonies.
” On Sunday , Pope Francis did not pray the traditional Angelus prayer at one of the windows of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter ’ s Square , his usual practice , but instead prayed it from inside the library .
The short ceremony was live-streamed and could be seen on screens in St. Peter ’ s Square .
The Vatican had announced on Saturday that these measures were “ necessary in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 due to the crowds during the security checks in order to access the square , as was also requested by the Italian authorities.
” At the beginning of the Angelus , Pope Francis referred to himself as being “ caged ” in the library of the Apostolic Palace , adding , “ but I see you , I am close to you.
” Hundreds of faithful had gathered in St. Peter ’ s Square , even though the Angelus was only broadcast to a large screen in the square , without the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Pope mentioned that “ this way of praying the Angelus ” was done as a preventative measure , “ in order to avoid small crowds of people , which can favor the transmission of the virus.
” Communion on the tongue ‘ more hygienic ’ than by hand , some bishops try to ban it anyway Numerous bishops in France , the U.S. , England and Wales , Malta , Jerusalem , Singapore , and the Philippines have issued guidelines in favor of giving Communion in the hand but not on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latter .
This comes despite a July 24 , 2009 statement from the Vatican – issued during the swine flu epidemic – affirming that Catholics have the right to receive Communion on the tongue , and the fact that Communion in the hand is a dispensation and was never intended to be the norm around the world .
The Catholic Archdiocese of Portland , Oregon , led by Archbishop Alexander Sample , issued guidelines affirming the right of Catholics to receive the Eucharist on the tongue after some of his priests tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the world ’ s most outspoken defenders of Catholic orthodoxy and doctrine , also has defended the reception of Communion on the tongue despite coronavirus fears .
He also argued that “ Communion in the mouth is certainly less dangerous and more hygienic compared to Communion in the hand.
” “ From a hygienic point of view , the hand carries a huge amount of bacteria .
Many pathogens are transmitted through the hands .
Whether by shaking other people ’ s hands or frequently touching objects , such as door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public transport , germs can quickly pass from hand to hand ; and with these unhygienic hands and fingers people then touch often their nose and mouth .
Also , germs can sometimes survive on the surface of the touched objects for days .
According to a 2006 study , published in the journal ‘ BMC Infectious Diseases ’ , influenza viruses and similar viruses can persist on inanimate surfaces , such as e.g .
door handles or handrails and handles in transport and public buildings for a few days , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Communion in the mouth as “ unfounded compared to the great health risks of Communion in the hand in the time of a pandemic.
” Schneider said it ’ s as if some Church authorities are using the coronavirus as a “ pretext ” to trivialize reception of Communion .
Others have pointed out the irony in bishops rushing to restrict the reception of Holy Communion due to the possibility of physical sickness while having done nothing to restrict pro-abortion politicians and those living in adultery and other mortal sins from receiving Communion @

'Just as hospitals treat diseases of the body, so the Church serves to, among other things, treat illness of the soul; that is why it is unimaginable that we not pray in our churches,' said Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, leader of the Polish bishops' conference.
PRAYER PLEDGE: VP Pence is right. We need prayer to fight coronavirus, not political antics. Sign petition here.
POZNAN, Poland, March 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― Poland’s bishops have called for more Masses as a response to the coronavirus epidemic.
Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, writing as the leader of the Polish bishops’ conference, has released a statement asking that the extra Masses be made available so that the congregations will be smaller.
“Acknowledging the recommendation of the Chief Sanitary Inspector that there not be large gatherings of people, I’m asking for the increase – insofar as this is possible – in the number of Sunday Masses in the churches, so that at any one time the number of faithful participating in the liturgies are according to the sanitary regulation,”Gądecki wrote.
The Polish archbishop of Poznań declared that it was “unimaginable” for Polish Catholics not to pray in their churches.
“In the current situation, I wish to remind you that just as hospitals treat diseases of the body, so the Church serves to, among other things, treat illness of the soul; that is why it is unimaginable that we not pray in our churches,” he wrote.
“I remind you that, in the current situation, old people and the sick can stay at home and from there watch broadcasts of Holy Mass,” he continued, offering a list of Masses broadcast on various Polish television stations.
“I remind you that there is no rule that during Mass you have to give the sign of peace by shaking hands,” Gądecki added.
“Let us commend to God those who have died because of coronavirus. Let us pray for health for the sick as well as for doctors, medical personnel and all the services who are working to stop the spread of this virus,” he continued.
“We pray for the end of the epidemic. In accordance with the Tradition of the Church, I encourage you especially to pray the [Trisagion] prayer of supplication ‘Holy God, Holy Mighty…’.”
The response of Polish Catholic newspaper Polonia Christiana to the news of Gądecki’s request was “Thank God!”
Currently there are only 22 cases of coronavirus in Poland, a contrast to Italy, where over 9,000 people have the virus, and hundreds have died. In Italy, among other measures, people are being asked to stay one to two meters (i.e roughly three to six-and-a-half feet) away from each other.
Pope St. Gregory the Great’s response to the plague: a penitential procession
Italian historian Roberto de Mattei has described how Pope St. Gregory the Great responded to a deadly plague during his pontificate. After his election in the year 590, Gregory led a penitential procession of the faithful throughout Rome.
“While the multitude traversed the city, in sepulchral silence, the pestilence reached such a point of fury, that in the brief space of an hour, eighty people fell dead to the ground. However, Gregory didn’t cease for a second in exhorting the people to continue praying and insisted that the picture of the Virgin painted by St. Luke and kept in Santa Maria Maggiore, be brought to the front of the procession,” de Mattei recounted.
The plague of the 6th century was seen as a punishment. After the procession, Gregory saw how angels settled themselves in a circle around Our Lady’s picture, and, raising his eyes, he “saw at the top of the castle an angel, who, after drying his sword dripping with blood, put it back in its sheath, as a sign that the punishment was over.”
All public Masses in Italy suspended until April 3
The bishops of Italy have announced that they are suspending all public Masses until April 3 in accordance with a decree issued by the Italian government on March 8, which called for the suspension of “civil and religious ceremonies, including funeral ceremonies.”
On Sunday, Pope Francis did not pray the traditional Angelus prayer at one of the windows of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square, his usual practice, but instead prayed it from inside the library. The short ceremony was live-streamed and could be seen on screens in St. Peter’s Square. The Vatican had announced on Saturday that these measures were “necessary in order to avoid the risk of diffusion of COVID-19 due to the crowds during the security checks in order to access the square, as was also requested by the Italian authorities.”
At the beginning of the Angelus, Pope Francis referred to himself as being “caged” in the library of the Apostolic Palace, adding, “but I see you, I am close to you.” Hundreds of faithful had gathered in St. Peter’s Square, even though the Angelus was only broadcast to a large screen in the square, without the Holy Father’s physical presence.
The Pope mentioned that “this way of praying the Angelus” was done as a preventative measure, “in order to avoid small crowds of people, which can favor the transmission of the virus.”
Communion on the tongue ‘more hygienic’ than by hand, some bishops try to ban it anyway
Numerous bishops in France, the U.S., England and Wales, Malta, Jerusalem, Singapore, and the Philippines have issued guidelines in favor of giving Communion in the hand but not on the tongue, with some outright banning the latter. This comes despite a July 24, 2009 statement from the Vatican – issued during the swine flu epidemic – affirming that Catholics have the right to receive Communion on the tongue, and the fact that Communion in the hand is a dispensation and was never intended to be the norm around the world.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon, led by Archbishop Alexander Sample, issued guidelines affirming the right of Catholics to receive the Eucharist on the tongue after some of his priests tried to ban it.
Bishop Athanasius Schneider, one of the world’s most outspoken defenders of Catholic orthodoxy and doctrine, also has defended the reception of Communion on the tongue despite coronavirus fears.
He also argued that “Communion in the mouth is certainly less dangerous and more hygienic compared to Communion in the hand.”
“From a hygienic point of view, the hand carries a huge amount of bacteria. Many pathogens are transmitted through the hands. Whether by shaking other people’s hands or frequently touching objects, such as door handles or handrails and grab bars in public transport, germs can quickly pass from hand to hand; and with these unhygienic hands and fingers people then touch often their nose and mouth. Also, germs can sometimes survive on the surface of the touched objects for days. According to a 2006 study, published in the journal ‘BMC Infectious Diseases’, influenza viruses and similar viruses can persist on inanimate surfaces, such as e.g. door handles or handrails and handles in transport and public buildings for a few days,” he said.
He described any ban on Communion in the mouth as “unfounded compared to the great health risks of Communion in the hand in the time of a pandemic.”
Schneider said it’s as if some Church authorities are using the coronavirus as a “pretext” to trivialize reception of Communion.
Others have pointed out the irony in bishops rushing to restrict the reception of Holy Communion due to the possibility of physical sickness while having done nothing to restrict pro-abortion politicians and those living in adultery and other mortal sins from receiving Communion.
Claire Chretien contributed to this report.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-10--Jason Evert: How Catholics should handle the transgender issue

Jason Evert , an expert on the Church ’ s teaching on chastity and sexuality , joined The John-Henry Westen @ @ @ @ @ gender and to share what he thinks the LGBT movement has in store for the @ @ @

Jason Evert, an expert on the Church’s teaching on chastity and sexuality, joined The John-Henry Westen Show this week to discuss gender and to share what he thinks the LGBT movement has in store for the years ahead.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-10--Rome Life Forum 2020 cancelled due to coronavirus lockdown

ROME , Italy , March 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― The coronavirus epidemic in Italy and government measures to slow the contagion have led to a decision to cancel the 2020 Rome Life Forum in May and postpone the Roundtable to October , organizers have announced .
“ While we hope and pray that the virus threat will be overcome very soon , it is impossible to say anything certain at this stage , ” Maria Madise of Voice of the Family told LifeSiteNews .
“ And although the Forum and the [ Rome ] March for Life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not know how the situation will develop in Italy and in Europe.
” Madise reported that all public events in “ the whole of Italy ” are suspended until April 3 and may be suspended even longer .
Although believing Rome might be a safe travel destination in May , she said that the current circumstances mean “ it would be difficult to go ahead with an international event on the scale of the Forum.
” The International Director for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children , Madise revealed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Rome .
These include a youth program and pilgrimage , as well as the roundtable discussion of the Vatican ’ s Global Education pact .
“ In the meantime , let us remain united in prayer for Italy and for our beloved Church , while we are so clearly reminded of our complete dependence on God and His Divine Providence , ” she requested .
The Voice of the Family youth program offered 20 young people two days of intensive conferences in Rome last autumn .
Every participant was a devout Catholic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of life .
LifeSiteNews editor-in-chief and co-founder John-Henry Westen , Professor Roberto De Mattei of the Lepanto Institute , and Virginia Coda Nunziante of the Roman March for Life were among the speakers .
Daily Mass in the Extraordinary Form was offered , and the program ended with the Seven Churches Pilgrimage of St. Philip Neri .
Madise , who attended , recalled that the concluding prayer of the pilgrimage took place before the Salus Populi Romani ( “ Health of the People of Rome ” ) icon in the basilica of Santa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried by Pope Gregory the Great in 590 in a procession he led to beg for an end to one of the worst plague epidemics that had struck the city of Rome , ” she wrote .
“ Since the pestilence was overcome , with the help of St. Michael the Archangel , the icon is venerated as a protector of Rome , ” she continued .
“ However , Salus Populi Romani applies to the health of the universal Church : Mary holds in her arms the Savior , the salvation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes we are in a time of trial and chastisement in which we are required to give up things we enjoy .
For her this includes the fellowship orthodox Catholics enjoy in Rome during the Life Forum .
“ When we are so isolated anyway , it ’ s a true sacrifice to give up fellowship , ” she said .
Madise revealed that Voice of the Family will be releasing more detailed descriptions of its plans for October in “ the very near future .
”

'And although the Forum and the [Rome] March for Life are nine weeks away, we simply do not know how the situation will develop in Italy and in Europe,' organizer Maria Madise told LifeSiteNews.
PRAYER PLEDGE: VP Pence is right. We need prayer to fight coronavirus, not political antics. Sign petition here.
ROME, Italy, March 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― The coronavirus epidemic in Italy and government measures to slow the contagion have led to a decision to cancel the 2020 Rome Life Forum in May and postpone the Roundtable to October, organizers have announced.
“While we hope and pray that the virus threat will be overcome very soon, it is impossible to say anything certain at this stage,” Maria Madise of Voice of the Family told LifeSiteNews.
“And although the Forum and the [Rome] March for Life are nine weeks away, we simply do not know how the situation will develop in Italy and in Europe.”
Madise reported that all public events in “the whole of Italy” are suspended until April 3 and may be suspended even longer. Although believing Rome might be a safe travel destination in May, she said that the current circumstances mean “it would be difficult to go ahead with an international event on the scale of the Forum.”
The International Director for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, Madise revealed that several events are being planned for October in Rome. These include a youth program and pilgrimage, as well as the roundtable discussion of the Vatican’s Global Education pact.
“In the meantime, let us remain united in prayer for Italy and for our beloved Church, while we are so clearly reminded of our complete dependence on God and His Divine Providence,” she requested.
The Voice of the Family youth program offered 20 young people two days of intensive conferences in Rome last autumn. Every participant was a devout Catholic discerning a way to serve the culture of life. LifeSiteNews editor-in-chief and co-founder John-Henry Westen, Professor Roberto De Mattei of the Lepanto Institute, and Virginia Coda Nunziante of the Roman March for Life were among the speakers. Daily Mass in the Extraordinary Form was offered, and the program ended with the Seven Churches Pilgrimage of St. Philip Neri.
Madise, who attended, recalled that the concluding prayer of the pilgrimage took place before the Salus Populi Romani (“Health of the People of Rome”) icon in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
“The image was carried by Pope Gregory the Great in 590 in a procession he led to beg for an end to one of the worst plague epidemics that had struck the city of Rome,” she wrote.
“Since the pestilence was overcome, with the help of St. Michael the Archangel, the icon is venerated as a protector of Rome,” she continued.
“However, Salus Populi Romani applies to the health of the universal Church: Mary holds in her arms the Savior, the salvation of all.”
Madise told LifeSiteNews that she believes we are in a time of trial and chastisement in which we are required to give up things we enjoy. For her this includes the fellowship orthodox Catholics enjoy in Rome during the Life Forum.
“When we are so isolated anyway, it’s a true sacrifice to give up fellowship,” she said.
Madise revealed that Voice of the Family will be releasing more detailed descriptions of its plans for October in “the very near future.”
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lifesitenews--2020-03-10--Tucker Carlson blasts abortion ‘zealots’ for defending infanticide

March 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Fox News host Tucker Carlson forcefully denounced the Democrat Party ’ s abortion extremism Friday during an interview with Live Action founder Lila Rose on the party ’ s defense of infanticide and pro-abortion activists ’ vocal celebration of abortion .
“ The current Democratic Party is not pro-choice in any sense .
They ’ re pro-abortion , ” Carlson said .
“ They ’ re zealots about it , ” chastising opposition to a Louisiana law requiring abortionists to make arrangements for admitting women to nearby hospitals in cases of life-threatening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the U.S. Supreme Court .
Last week , abortion defenders organized a rally outside the Supreme Court to protest the law , featuring strident defenses of abortion from politicians and celebrities such as actress Busy Phillips , who praised abortion for her own professional success and yelled , “ I will never stop talking about my abortion or my periods or my experiences in childbirth , my episiotomies , my yeast infections , or my ovulation that lines up w/ the moon ! ''
“ If abortion makes you happy , why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carlson asked .
Rose surmised that the display evidenced “ a whole lot of hurt ” surfacing in the form of “ rage and anger.
” “ They have to keep justifying it , ” Rose said .
“ This is a problem that continues and it leaves a lot of pain in its wake ( ... ) It ’ s the antithesis of women ’ s empowerment to say in order to have a nice car and nice house , I have to kill my child.
” Carlson also denounced Democrats ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ require abortionists to transfer infants who survive abortions to hospitals , where they would be given the same degree of care as any wanted newborn .
“ They can ’ t have that , ” he argued .
“ For the modern Democratic Party , every birth is a kind of tragedy .
It distracts mothers from their higher calling , which is serving investment banks .
Abortion , in contrast , is an unmitigated good in their view .
”

'For the modern Democratic Party, every birth is a kind of tragedy.'
March 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Fox News host Tucker Carlson forcefully denounced the Democrat Party’s abortion extremism Friday during an interview with Live Action founder Lila Rose on the party’s defense of infanticide and pro-abortion activists’ vocal celebration of abortion.
“The current Democratic Party is not pro-choice in any sense. They’re pro-abortion,” Carlson said. “They’re zealots about it,” chastising opposition to a Louisiana law requiring abortionists to make arrangements for admitting women to nearby hospitals in cases of life-threatening complications, which is currently being challenged before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Last week, abortion defenders organized a rally outside the Supreme Court to protest the law, featuring strident defenses of abortion from politicians and celebrities such as actress Busy Phillips, who praised abortion for her own professional success and yelled, “I will never stop talking about my abortion or my periods or my experiences in childbirth, my episiotomies, my yeast infections, or my ovulation that lines up w/ the moon!”
“If abortion makes you happy, why is she acting like that?” Carlson asked.
Rose surmised that the display evidenced “a whole lot of hurt” surfacing in the form of “rage and anger.”
“They have to keep justifying it,” Rose said. “This is a problem that continues and it leaves a lot of pain in its wake (…) It’s the antithesis of women’s empowerment to say in order to have a nice car and nice house, I have to kill my child.”
Carlson also denounced Democrats’ opposition to a bill that would would require abortionists to transfer infants who survive abortions to hospitals, where they would be given the same degree of care as any wanted newborn.
“They can’t have that,” he argued. “For the modern Democratic Party, every birth is a kind of tragedy. It distracts mothers from their higher calling, which is serving investment banks. Abortion, in contrast, is an unmitigated good in their view.”
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lifesitenews--2020-03-10--‘Shut it down!’: protesters rally against Pornhub in wake of illegal child rape vids

MONTREAL , Quebec , March 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Concerned citizens gathered on a blustery International Women ’ s Day to protest at the Montreal office of MindGeek , the parent company of Pornhub , for hosting videos of child sexual abuse .
“ Shut it down !
Shut it down !
” was the frequently chanted refrain as speakers denounced MindGeek in the wake of revelations that Pornhub , the world ’ s most popular pornography site , had hosted 58 videos of a 15-year-old sex trafficking victim being raped .
Some held signs with messages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this for your daughter , sister , mom , ” was the message on one sign .
“ Human slavery still exists , ” was the message on another .
“ Is your pleasure really a worthy $ $ for her freedom ?
” was the message on another .
Many carried signs with messages simply saying “ shut it down.
” Laila Mickelwait , of the California-based pornography abolition organization Exodus Cry , broke the story in February along with evidence that Pornhub subsequently admitted it had “ verified ” the girl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ID.
” News has now resurfaced that the girl , who was missing for more than a year before her mother identified her in online pornographic photographs , was forced to have an abortion by her male abductor .
LifeSiteNews has launched a petition calling for Pornhub to be shut down , and is questioning how many of the 98,000 “ amateur models ” the porn giant boasts as being featured on its website are actually women and minors – victims of sexual trafficking – who have been or are being raped on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is now close to 33,000 signatures .
News broke today that Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska called on the US Department of Justice to launch a formal investigation of PornHub and its parent company MindGeek over the hosting of the videos showing the minor human-trafficking victim being raped .
The Sunday protest , attended by about three dozen people , was intended to publicize that Pornhub is run by MindGeek , a publicity-shy corporation operating out of a nondescript office building , where it employs some 800 people and pulls in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The “ corroborated evidence that the company is aiding and profiting off of the sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and children ” has sparked public outrage , according to Traffickinghub , Mickelwait ’ s campaign to shut down Pornhub , which sponsored the demonstration .
“ Can you imagine being raped as a child , then your abuser posting your rape to Pornhub , adding to the trauma a multitude of suffering ?
” Maylissa Louby told the protestors , a diverse group that included self-described “ radical feminists ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an online platform fighting child pornography , “ more than 30 percent of victims are now being recognized in public , ” said Louby , an intervention counselor at La Sortie , a Montreal support center for victims of sexual exploitation .
“ Sex trafficking is so lucrative it has now become the second most criminal activity in the world , ” she told the crowd .
And just as women are lured into prostitution , so they are “ promised a good life through the porn industry just as a way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then they are left devastated , ” added Louby .
According to a Traffickinghub press release , “ PayPal recently pulled its services from the site amid evidence surfacing that over 118 instances of child sexual abuse were found on the site by the Internet Watch Foundation .
These instances are seen as just the tip of the iceberg.
” Quebec Independent Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne was mildly heckled when she told the rally she wanted Pornhub regulated to “ make sure it has the consent of all the participants ” in the millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acts uploaded to its site .
“ I do not advocate myself shutting it down , ” she said .
“ Shut it down !
” yelled someone in the crowd .
“ Shut it down !
Shut it down !
” people chanted after the senator finished her short address .
Georges Buscemi of Campagne-Quebec Vie , who attended the demonstration on behalf of LifeSiteNews , has been publicizing the little-known fact that MindGeek is the parent company of Pornhub .
His conversation with John-Henry Westen about his investigations into the history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be viewed here .
Pornhub has 42 billion visits annually , 115 million visits per day : and 39 billion searches performed by site users .
Sign the petition here asking authorities to shut down Pornhub .

PETITION: Authorities must shut down Pornhub after showing videos of 15-year-old trafficking victim Sign the petition here.
MONTREAL, Quebec, March 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Concerned citizens gathered on a blustery International Women’s Day to protest at the Montreal office of MindGeek, the parent company of Pornhub, for hosting videos of child sexual abuse.
“Shut it down! Shut it down!” was the frequently chanted refrain as speakers denounced MindGeek in the wake of revelations that Pornhub, the world’s most popular pornography site, had hosted 58 videos of a 15-year-old sex trafficking victim being raped.
Some held signs with messages about Pornhub.
“Do you want this for your daughter, sister, mom,” was the message on one sign. “Human slavery still exists,” was the message on another.
“Is your pleasure really a worthy $$ for her freedom?” was the message on another.
Many carried signs with messages simply saying “shut it down.”
Laila Mickelwait, of the California-based pornography abolition organization Exodus Cry, broke the story in February along with evidence that Pornhub subsequently admitted it had “verified” the girl as a “model with valid 18+ ID.”
News has now resurfaced that the girl, who was missing for more than a year before her mother identified her in online pornographic photographs, was forced to have an abortion by her male abductor.
LifeSiteNews has launched a petition calling for Pornhub to be shut down, and is questioning how many of the 98,000 “amateur models” the porn giant boasts as being featured on its website are actually women and minors – victims of sexual trafficking – who have been or are being raped on camera. The petition has gone viral and is now close to 33,000 signatures. News broke today that Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska called on the US Department of Justice to launch a formal investigation of PornHub and its parent company MindGeek over the hosting of the videos showing the minor human-trafficking victim being raped.
The Sunday protest, attended by about three dozen people, was intended to publicize that Pornhub is run by MindGeek, a publicity-shy corporation operating out of a nondescript office building, where it employs some 800 people and pulls in annual revenues of $800 million.
The “corroborated evidence that the company is aiding and profiting off of the sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and children” has sparked public outrage, according to Traffickinghub, Mickelwait’s campaign to shut down Pornhub, which sponsored the demonstration.
“Can you imagine being raped as a child, then your abuser posting your rape to Pornhub, adding to the trauma a multitude of suffering?” Maylissa Louby told the protestors, a diverse group that included self-described “radical feminists” and rosary-carrying Catholics.
According to thorn.org, an online platform fighting child pornography, “more than 30 percent of victims are now being recognized in public,” said Louby, an intervention counselor at La Sortie, a Montreal support center for victims of sexual exploitation.
“Sex trafficking is so lucrative it has now become the second most criminal activity in the world,” she told the crowd.
And just as women are lured into prostitution, so they are “promised a good life through the porn industry just as a way to get them to do the act, then they are left devastated,” added Louby.
According to a Traffickinghub press release, “PayPal recently pulled its services from the site amid evidence surfacing that over 118 instances of child sexual abuse were found on the site by the Internet Watch Foundation. These instances are seen as just the tip of the iceberg.”
Quebec Independent Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne was mildly heckled when she told the rally she wanted Pornhub regulated to “make sure it has the consent of all the participants” in the millions of videos of often violent hardcore sex acts uploaded to its site.
“I do not advocate myself shutting it down,” she said.
“Shut it down!” yelled someone in the crowd.
“Shut it down! Shut it down!” people chanted after the senator finished her short address.
Georges Buscemi of Campagne-Quebec Vie, who attended the demonstration on behalf of LifeSiteNews, has been publicizing the little-known fact that MindGeek is the parent company of Pornhub.
His conversation with John-Henry Westen about his investigations into the history and people behind the shadowy company can be viewed here.
Pornhub has 42 billion visits annually, 115 million visits per day: and 39 billion searches performed by site users.
Sign the petition here asking authorities to shut down Pornhub.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-03-10--Trust God’s love always

Trust God’s love always

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 .

Watch Mother Miriam's Live show from 3.9.2020. Today, Mother encourages us to trust God's love through all trials, temptations, and tribulations. She also discusses spurning temptations, especially during this lenten season.
You can tune in daily at 10 am EST/7 am PST on our Facebook Page.
Subscribe to Mother Miriam Live here:


lifesitenews--2020-03-10--Scared to study Aquinas? New tool makes the Angelic Doctor accessible

March 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Study , we are told , is an essential feature of a dynamic Catholic life .
Along with prayer and sacrament , witness and service , the habit of inquiry is a must-have for those on the path to sanctity .
To love God more ardently , we set out to know him more searchingly .
Convinced of this proposal , many Catholics try to grow steadily in their knowledge of the faith .
Some begin with the one-year Bible project , which — though difficult — proves rewarding .
Others make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tradition with a survey of the Catechism , a FORMED.org course , or a Catholic reading group .
But , as we peruse the aisles of the last remaining Catholic bookstore in town and chat through our study plans with friends , we can ’ t help but be intrigued by a name that keeps cropping up .
It ’ s in everyone ’ s footnotes and on everyone ’ s Amazon Wish List : St. Thomas Aquinas .
Wherever we turn — Father ’ s preaching , the New Advent homepage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mention of Aquinas .
From popularizers and pundits alike we hear the words , “ Well , St. Thomas says ... ” It seems he must be the close companion of the studious Catholic .
With this in mind , we gin up the courage to take on the Summa Theologiae .
But we soon discover that there is much yet to learn .
If the sheer size of the book hadn ’ t dispirited us from the outset , it ’ s not too long before we are awash in a vocabulary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to our sensibilities .
“ Alas and alack , ” we say in exasperation , “ it seems I am not destined to be a dynamic Catholic.
” But recently , many Catholics have discovered that mastery of Aquinas is not so far off .
In fact , it is very near at hand .
Over 25,000 people ( students and schoolteachers alike ) in the past six months have begun to study Aquinas in earnest with Aquinas 101 .
Aquinas 101 is a series of YouTube videos produced by the Thomistic Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the thought of the Angelic Doctor .
Short lessons ( 5–10 minutes in length ) cover the basics of his philosophy and the main themes of his masterwork , the Summa Theologiae , covering topics ranging from the Trinity to predestination , all with an eye toward God .
Each lesson is delivered by a Dominican friar of the Province of St. Joseph serving at the Dominican House of Studies .
One viewer writes , “ I love these videos .
The friars are true companions and guides on the way to God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping us understand our purpose in God 's eyes .
May all of you be richly blessed.
” Another writes , “ Thank you for explaining very complex things in a comprehensible way.
” A third adds , “ My socks were blown off .
I have to watch this again !
” In an internet world brimming with chaotic content , Aquinas 101 aims to introduce the viewer carefully and clearly into the riches of the Faith with the help of one of its greatest teachers .
As the culture cares less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the last embers of hope smolders in the Christian intellectual tradition and in the studious Christians who serve as its torchbearers .
To be well equipped in a setting where objections to the Faith are crossed and confused , it is crucial to seek out the type of formation that can equip us for a rich contemplative life .
As yet another viewer writes , “ I did my catechism in the early 1970s when ... the old Baltimore Catechism had been put aside .
It was all pretty sketchy .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real basis in theology or philosophy and find it all hard to understand despite me trying to read more about my faith .
These videos are immeasurably helpful , and I hope you can do more of them.
” The plan is to do just that , as videos continue to appear every week .
So , for the dynamic Catholic seeking a way into a world that may seem intimidating from the threshold , take heart : the life of study awaits .
Aquinas is now clickable .
Fr .
Gregory Pine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director for campus outreach of the Thomistic Institute .
He is the co-author of Marian Consecration with Aquinas and a frequent contributor to the podcasts Godsplaining and Pints with Aquinas .

March 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Study, we are told, is an essential feature of a dynamic Catholic life. Along with prayer and sacrament, witness and service, the habit of inquiry is a must-have for those on the path to sanctity. To love God more ardently, we set out to know him more searchingly.
Convinced of this proposal, many Catholics try to grow steadily in their knowledge of the faith. Some begin with the one-year Bible project, which — though difficult — proves rewarding. Others make attempts to study the Church’s tradition with a survey of the Catechism, a FORMED.org course, or a Catholic reading group. But, as we peruse the aisles of the last remaining Catholic bookstore in town and chat through our study plans with friends, we can’t help but be intrigued by a name that keeps cropping up. It’s in everyone’s footnotes and on everyone’s Amazon Wish List: St. Thomas Aquinas.
Wherever we turn — Father’s preaching, the New Advent homepage, and popular podcasts — there’s mention of Aquinas. From popularizers and pundits alike we hear the words, “Well, St. Thomas says…” It seems he must be the close companion of the studious Catholic. With this in mind, we gin up the courage to take on the Summa Theologiae. But we soon discover that there is much yet to learn. If the sheer size of the book hadn’t dispirited us from the outset, it’s not too long before we are awash in a vocabulary and a grammar that are entirely foreign to our sensibilities. “Alas and alack,” we say in exasperation, “it seems I am not destined to be a dynamic Catholic.”
But recently, many Catholics have discovered that mastery of Aquinas is not so far off. In fact, it is very near at hand. Over 25,000 people (students and schoolteachers alike) in the past six months have begun to study Aquinas in earnest with Aquinas 101. Aquinas 101 is a series of YouTube videos produced by the Thomistic Institute, which introduces the casual viewer to the thought of the Angelic Doctor. Short lessons (5–10 minutes in length) cover the basics of his philosophy and the main themes of his masterwork, the Summa Theologiae, covering topics ranging from the Trinity to predestination, all with an eye toward God. Each lesson is delivered by a Dominican friar of the Province of St. Joseph serving at the Dominican House of Studies.
One viewer writes, “I love these videos. The friars are true companions and guides on the way to God. Thanks for sharing your learning and helping us understand our purpose in God's eyes. May all of you be richly blessed.” Another writes, “Thank you for explaining very complex things in a comprehensible way.” A third adds, “My socks were blown off. I have to watch this again!”
In an internet world brimming with chaotic content, Aquinas 101 aims to introduce the viewer carefully and clearly into the riches of the Faith with the help of one of its greatest teachers. As the culture cares less and less for the truth, one of the last embers of hope smolders in the Christian intellectual tradition and in the studious Christians who serve as its torchbearers. To be well equipped in a setting where objections to the Faith are crossed and confused, it is crucial to seek out the type of formation that can equip us for a rich contemplative life. As yet another viewer writes, “I did my catechism in the early 1970s when … the old Baltimore Catechism had been put aside. It was all pretty sketchy. I am a scientist by training with no real basis in theology or philosophy and find it all hard to understand despite me trying to read more about my faith. These videos are immeasurably helpful, and I hope you can do more of them.” The plan is to do just that, as videos continue to appear every week.
So, for the dynamic Catholic seeking a way into a world that may seem intimidating from the threshold, take heart: the life of study awaits. Aquinas is now clickable.
Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P. serves as the assistant director for campus outreach of the Thomistic Institute. He is the co-author of Marian Consecration with Aquinas and a frequent contributor to the podcasts Godsplaining and Pints with Aquinas.
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lifesitenews--2020-03-10--BREAKING: US senator calls Justice Dept to investigate Pornhub in wake of child rape vids

PETITION : Authorities must shut down Pornhub after showing videos of 15-year-old trafficking victim !
Sign the petition here .
WASHINGTON , D.C. , March 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska called on the US Department of Justice Tuesday to launch a formal investigation of PornHub and its parent company MindGeek over the pornography giant ’ s hosting of illegal videos that show a minor human-trafficking victim being raped .
As LifeSiteNews has covered , controversy erupted for PornHub with the discovery of 58 videos of a 15-year-old girl being raped .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of human trafficking .
It has also been reported that she was forced to undergo an abortion by her captor .
“ I applaud the actions that the Department has already undertaken under your leadership on this issue , but Pornhub must not escape scrutiny , ” Sasse wrote to US Attorney General William Barr .
“ I therefore request that the Department open an investigation into Pornhub and its parent entity MindGeek Holding SARL for their involvement in this disturbing pipeline of exploiting children and other victims and survivors of sex trafficking.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost seven million videos were uploaded to PornHub in 2019 , a year during which “ every minute ” saw “ 80,032 visits , 77,861 searches , and 219,985 video views.
” Noting this latest story was not the first instance of a rape video being uploaded to PornHub , Sasse said the “ problem of Pornhub streaming content featuring women and children victims of sex trafficking reached the point in November that Paypal cut off services for Pornhub , refusing to facilitate this abuse any longer.
” “ Sen .
Ben Sasse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on DOJ to investigate Pornhub over its alleged complicity in sexual trafficking and abuse , ” American Principles Project executive director Terry Schilling responded to the news .
“ APP strongly commends the Senator for calling attention to this issue , and we urgently implore the Trump administration to take every step in its power to protect vulnerable women and children from this dangerous industry.
” International Women ’ s Day this weekend saw concerned protesters from across the political spectrum descend on MindGeek ’ s Montreal office , chanting “ Shut it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is currently circulating a petition calling on Barr and his Canadian counterpart , Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti , to not only investigate but shut down both PornHub and Mindgeek .
The petition currently has more than 36,000 signatures .
“ If Pornhub is allowed to get away with this now , then human traffickers will know that they can continue their evil deeds and no one will care , ” the petition warns .
“ Please SIGN and SHARE this petition , and join the chorus of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political spectrum , calling on the porn hosting monster to be investigated by U.S. and Canadian authorities , and to be shut down .
”

Republican Sen. Ben Sasse called on the DOJ to open an investigation into Pornhub for its 'involvement in this disturbing pipeline of exploiting children and other victims and survivors of sex trafficking'
PETITION: Authorities must shut down Pornhub after showing videos of 15-year-old trafficking victim! Sign the petition here.
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska called on the US Department of Justice Tuesday to launch a formal investigation of PornHub and its parent company MindGeek over the pornography giant’s hosting of illegal videos that show a minor human-trafficking victim being raped.
As LifeSiteNews has covered, controversy erupted for PornHub with the discovery of 58 videos of a 15-year-old girl being raped. The girl has been identified as a victim of human trafficking. It has also been reported that she was forced to undergo an abortion by her captor.
“I applaud the actions that the Department has already undertaken under your leadership on this issue, but Pornhub must not escape scrutiny,” Sasse wrote to US Attorney General William Barr. “I therefore request that the Department open an investigation into Pornhub and its parent entity MindGeek Holding SARL for their involvement in this disturbing pipeline of exploiting children and other victims and survivors of sex trafficking.”
Sasse’s letter notes that almost seven million videos were uploaded to PornHub in 2019, a year during which “every minute” saw “80,032 visits, 77,861 searches, and 219,985 video views.”
Noting this latest story was not the first instance of a rape video being uploaded to PornHub, Sasse said the “problem of Pornhub streaming content featuring women and children victims of sex trafficking reached the point in November that Paypal cut off services for Pornhub, refusing to facilitate this abuse any longer.”
“Sen. Ben Sasse has shown true leadership today in calling on DOJ to investigate Pornhub over its alleged complicity in sexual trafficking and abuse,” American Principles Project executive director Terry Schilling responded to the news. “APP strongly commends the Senator for calling attention to this issue, and we urgently implore the Trump administration to take every step in its power to protect vulnerable women and children from this dangerous industry.”
International Women’s Day this weekend saw concerned protesters from across the political spectrum descend on MindGeek’s Montreal office, chanting “Shut it down!” in unison.
LifeSiteNews is currently circulating a petition calling on Barr and his Canadian counterpart, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti, to not only investigate but shut down both PornHub and Mindgeek. The petition currently has more than 36,000 signatures.
“If Pornhub is allowed to get away with this now, then human traffickers will know that they can continue their evil deeds and no one will care,” the petition warns. “Please SIGN and SHARE this petition, and join the chorus of people, from all sides of the political spectrum, calling on the porn hosting monster to be investigated by U.S. and Canadian authorities, and to be shut down.”
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lifesitenews--2020-03-10--‘Grooming’: Washington passes far-left sex ed plan promoting promiscuity, LGBT, abortion

Warning : This article contains graphic and disturbing sexual content .
OLYMPIA , Washington , March 10 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The Washington state legislature gave final approval this weekend to a pro-abortion , pro-gender ideology sex education plan that will allow the sex act to be described to five-year-olds , seven-year-olds to be taught about sexual pleasure , and sixth graders to be directed to a website featuring a how-to on anal sex .
Critics warn will these materials will expose children to explicit material and far-left values .
The Washington Senate voted 27-21 Saturday to approve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seattle Times reports , sending it to Democrat Gov .
Jay Inslee ’ s desk for his signature .
The bill would require Washington public schools to adopt new “ comprehensive ” sex education materials over the next two years .
The bill “ does not mandate any one curriculum but rather establish [ es ] standards to which all curriculum must conform , ” Katy Faust , an children ’ s rights activist with Them Before Us , told LifeSiteNews .
Pro-family advocates have sounded the alarm by highlighting the graphic lessons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill ’ s standards .
A sex ed curriculum by the pro-abortion , pro-LGBT group Advocates for Youth meets the bill ’ s standards and is already used in some Washington schools .
Called 3R , it heavily promotes gender theory , promiscuity , condoms and contraception , and abortion , as well as what is listed at the beginning of this article .
The 3R curriculum also directs teachers to have 14-year-old students role-play negotiating for sex .
Teachers are warned that if two “ cisgender , heterosexual boys ” end up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this exercise , “ it is possible they will have a homophobic response.
” A 3R lesson plan called “ Creating Condom Confidence ” has ninth graders practice putting condoms on bananas or penis models .
Their homework assignment is to “ see what it ’ s actually like to try to get them yourselves.
” Students are told they have a “ right to access ” condoms “ at any age ” and that adults who make comments about them purchasing condoms can be reminded of that .
Supporters stressed that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lessons about “ affirmative consent ” to sex , which Democrat state Sen. Manka Dhingra will prevent “ future victimization ” and “ future violence ” against women and girls .
Opponents , meanwhile , questioned the age suitability of the lessons .
“ Who will decide what is age-appropriate , where there is clearly going to be differences in opinion ?
” asked Republican state Sen. Steve O ’ Ban .
“ Should that be a government-mandated decision from OSPI [ the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction ] or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of parents as reflected in their school boards and schools ?
We ’ ve always believed that the best government is the one that is local.
” “ To the age-appropriateness , I saw some of the same material that Senator O ’ Ban was speaking about , ” said Republican state Sen. Keith Wagoner , referencing lessons the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction had cleared for fifth-graders .
“ And I can tell you , if it was a photograph instead of a drawing it would be pornography.
” Faust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bill and identified numerous alarming passages , including references to “ devout Catholics ” and “ pretty conservative ” households supposedly leaving their kids ignorant about sex , highlighting “ bathing together ” and “ mutual masturbation ” as activities with “ no risk ” for sexually-transmitted diseases , and references to 12-year-olds using condoms .
Other messages contained in state-approved material , she says , include instructions on bondage and “ body fluid play , ” how males can allegedly have babies and why they should be allowed on girls ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortions , cross-sex hormones , and HPV vaccinations without parental involvement .
“ Some of the approved curriculum is so graphic legislators couldn ’ t quote it in proceedings without getting ‘ gaveled ’ or silenced , ” Faust said .
“ Capital television had to run a mature content warning when airing debate coverage , the equivalent of a rated R movie [ ... ] Of course it ’ s heavily lobbied by Planned Parenthood , who has a vested interest in prematurely sexualizing their prospective clients/cash cows .
This is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and grooming.
” She noted that Democrats also rejected amendments to the bill which would have cut material related to sexual roleplay , forbade the materials from being incorporated into classes other than sex-ed , given opt-outs to both parents and teachers , required schools to solicit parental feedback , clarified that minors are legally incapable of giving consent to sex , limited the performance of these lessons to mental-health professionals , required mentions of pornography to include discussion its risks and dark side , added material about the benefits of abstinence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat who has previously signed legislation forcing health insurers to cover abortion , is expected to sign the bill into law .

Pro-family advocates have sounded the alarm by highlighting the graphic lessons of sex ed curricula that meet the bill’s standards.
Warning: This article contains graphic and disturbing sexual content.
OLYMPIA, Washington, March 10, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The Washington state legislature gave final approval this weekend to a pro-abortion, pro-gender ideology sex education plan that will allow the sex act to be described to five-year-olds, seven-year-olds to be taught about sexual pleasure, and sixth graders to be directed to a website featuring a how-to on anal sex.
Critics warn will these materials will expose children to explicit material and far-left values.
The Washington Senate voted 27-21 Saturday to approve House changes to SB 5395, the Seattle Times reports, sending it to Democrat Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk for his signature. The bill would require Washington public schools to adopt new “comprehensive” sex education materials over the next two years. The bill “does not mandate any one curriculum but rather establish[es] standards to which all curriculum must conform,” Katy Faust, an children’s rights activist with Them Before Us, told LifeSiteNews.
Pro-family advocates have sounded the alarm by highlighting the graphic lessons of sex ed curricula that meet the bill’s standards. A sex ed curriculum by the pro-abortion, pro-LGBT group Advocates for Youth meets the bill’s standards and is already used in some Washington schools. Called 3R, it heavily promotes gender theory, promiscuity, condoms and contraception, and abortion, as well as what is listed at the beginning of this article.
The 3R curriculum also directs teachers to have 14-year-old students role-play negotiating for sex. Teachers are warned that if two “cisgender, heterosexual boys” end up randomly being assigned to each other for this exercise, “it is possible they will have a homophobic response.”
A 3R lesson plan called “Creating Condom Confidence” has ninth graders practice putting condoms on bananas or penis models. Their homework assignment is to “see what it’s actually like to try to get them yourselves.” Students are told they have a “right to access” condoms “at any age” and that adults who make comments about them purchasing condoms can be reminded of that.
‘Propaganda, ideology, and grooming’
Supporters stressed that a centerpiece of the new content will be lessons about “affirmative consent” to sex, which Democrat state Sen. Manka Dhingra will prevent “future victimization” and “future violence” against women and girls.
Opponents, meanwhile, questioned the age suitability of the lessons.
“Who will decide what is age-appropriate, where there is clearly going to be differences in opinion?” asked Republican state Sen. Steve O’Ban. “Should that be a government-mandated decision from OSPI [the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction] or should that be based upon the values of parents as reflected in their school boards and schools? We’ve always believed that the best government is the one that is local.”
“To the age-appropriateness, I saw some of the same material that Senator O’Ban was speaking about,” said Republican state Sen. Keith Wagoner, referencing lessons the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction had cleared for fifth-graders. “And I can tell you, if it was a photograph instead of a drawing it would be pornography.”
Faust reviewed the educational materials that comply with the bill and identified numerous alarming passages, including references to “devout Catholics” and “pretty conservative” households supposedly leaving their kids ignorant about sex, highlighting “bathing together” and “mutual masturbation” as activities with “no risk” for sexually-transmitted diseases, and references to 12-year-olds using condoms.
Other messages contained in state-approved material, she says, include instructions on bondage and “body fluid play,” how males can allegedly have babies and why they should be allowed on girls’ sports teams, and how to obtain abortions, cross-sex hormones, and HPV vaccinations without parental involvement.
“Some of the approved curriculum is so graphic legislators couldn’t quote it in proceedings without getting ‘gaveled’ or silenced,” Faust said. “Capital television had to run a mature content warning when airing debate coverage, the equivalent of a rated R movie […] Of course it’s heavily lobbied by Planned Parenthood, who has a vested interest in prematurely sexualizing their prospective clients/cash cows. This is not education. This is propaganda, ideology, and grooming.”
She noted that Democrats also rejected amendments to the bill which would have cut material related to sexual roleplay, forbade the materials from being incorporated into classes other than sex-ed, given opt-outs to both parents and teachers, required schools to solicit parental feedback, clarified that minors are legally incapable of giving consent to sex, limited the performance of these lessons to mental-health professionals, required mentions of pornography to include discussion its risks and dark side, added material about the benefits of abstinence, and more.
Inslee, a Democrat who has previously signed legislation forcing health insurers to cover abortion, is expected to sign the bill into law.
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