lifesitenews--2020-01-31--Mass media turning Trump into ‘folk devil’ to set off moral panic

January 30 , 2020 ( American Thinker ) — In early October , Chuck Todd stared stone-faced into MSNBC 's living rooms and intoned gravely , `` I do n't say this lightly , but let 's be frank — a national nightmare is upon us .
The basic rules of our democracy are under attack from the president [ . ]
... [ T ] hat all but ensures his impeachment in the House of Representatives .
...
This moment should arguably be a national emergency .
The Founding Fathers would have considered it a national emergency — if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interfere in the next election .
It 's tough to say lightly , but this is the moment we 're at . ''
Said lightly or not , coming a week after House speaker Nancy Pelosi 's announcement of an impeachment inquiry , Charles David `` Chuck '' Todd — the 12th incarnation of Meet the Press moderators and NBC News 's political director , responsible for all aspects of NBC 's political coverage — was initiating a `` moral panic . ''
Using his platform as the voice of `` the longest-running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arguably mass media 's highest-profile soldier in the Trump resistance , Todd 's intention was deliberate and unmistakable : to instill public fear .
It had moral panic written all over it — perfect for an impeachment .
While the term `` moral panic '' is not new — with earlier incarnations by Marshall McLuhan ( 1964 ) and Britain 's Jock Young ( 1971 ) — its most detailed and popular application as a sociological concept was developed by South African criminologist Stanley Cohen in his 1972 treatise Folk Devils and Moral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of moral panics .
First , something or someone — Cohen 's `` folk devil '' — `` emerges to become defined as a threat to societal values and interests . ''
Second , its `` deviant '' character and nature are `` presented in a stylized and stereotypical fashion by the mass media . ''
Third , reacting to the media 's portrayal , public alarm is aroused , and moral barricades are erected by editors , politicians , and other `` right-thinking people . ''
Fourth , `` socially accredited experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the final stage , `` more serious and long-lasting repercussions ... might produce such changes as those in legal and social policy or even in the way the society conceives itself . ''
Laying the key elements and key players in the impeachment of President Donald J. Trump onto Stanley Cohen 's five-stage template , it is Moral Panic Theory 101 .
Most crucial to Todd 's ( or any ) moral panic is the powerful role of the mass media , which in this case not only has defined , reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posed by the president , but also branded him as `` deviant '' — someone who menaces our culture , our principles , and our way of life .
Perhaps this is what Chuck Todd had in mind the day before his `` a national nightmare is upon us '' declaration , when he offered his assessment of the president 's damaged soul : `` [ h ] e 's a cornered animal , but he 's a very effective , vicious one if he needs to be . ''
Todd 's cohort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` right , and a cornered animal is a dangerous animal . ''
Following moral panic theory , in one calculated statement , Todd delivered two important characterizations of the president 's nature .
He reinforced Trump 's danger and `` deviancy '' by framing him as a trapped , feral beast capable of untold savagery and vilified him as an immoral , irrational creature with no ethical compass — while at the same time validating his own nobility and that of the mass media .
Witness Rep. Jamie Raskin ( D–Md @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moral baton with CBS 's Major Garrett : `` One of the critical components of this story is the absolute moral degeneration of the Republican Party .
They 're behaving like members of a religious cult . ''
As the impeachment 's moral panic has accelerated , it has triggered a phenomenon Professor Cohen termed the `` deviance amplification spiral , '' in which news coverage is intentionally repeated , repackaged , and over-sensationalized to cast the folk devil ( Trump ) 's behavior as part of a greater pattern of deviant activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the story disproportionately .
Consider the House and Senate hearings and their reportage — where pre-packaged anti-Trump tropes have been rebroadcast in bovine assent on virtually all major media outlets throughout the entire impeachment process .
Again , adhering to moral panic principles , this greater emphasis reinforces public fear and creates a sense of pressure and urgency — that the `` Trump crisis '' is out of control , getting worse , and only the tip of the iceberg — not only fueling escalation of the impeachment frenzy , but also validating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This brings us to Cohen 's last stage and the `` more serious and long-lasting repercussions '' of the impeachment panic .
With no articulation ( or even an accusation ) of a statutory `` crime '' or any tangible evidence of an actual risk or danger to the republic , Todd and his mass media comrades have successfully fulfilled their assigned roles in the indictment of President Trump as an abuser of power and obstructer of Congress — not to mention a destroyer of the constitution and an existential threat to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defenders of the moral high ground , they have purposely advanced a moral panic in the form of a publicly staged morality play — a primal test between good and evil — exhorting half of America to revile and to remove President Trump as an imminent peril to the 2020 election and to democracy as we know it .
But to the other half of America , once again , President Trump is forcing Democrats and the mass media to reveal themselves as desperate for power and purveyors of a terrifying future where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and due process , and where moral bitterness twists people with artificial values and a dangerous sense of presumed dignity .
Russell Paul La Valle is a New York–based political commentator whose work has appeared in many major newspapers , magazines , and online opinion websites .
He is also a former contributing editor to the philosophical think-tank the Atlas Society , and his commentaries can be found at https : //russellpaullavalle.com/other-writing .
Published with permission from the American Thinker .

January 30, 2020 (American Thinker) — In early October, Chuck Todd stared stone-faced into MSNBC's living rooms and intoned gravely, “I don't say this lightly, but let's be frank — a national nightmare is upon us. The basic rules of our democracy are under attack from the president[.] … [T]hat all but ensures his impeachment in the House of Representatives. … This moment should arguably be a national emergency. The Founding Fathers would have considered it a national emergency — if the president publicly lobbied multiple governments to interfere in the next election. It's tough to say lightly, but this is the moment we're at.”
Said lightly or not, coming a week after House speaker Nancy Pelosi's announcement of an impeachment inquiry, Charles David “Chuck” Todd — the 12th incarnation of Meet the Press moderators and NBC News's political director, responsible for all aspects of NBC's political coverage — was initiating a “moral panic.”
Using his platform as the voice of “the longest-running program on network television,” and arguably mass media's highest-profile soldier in the Trump resistance, Todd's intention was deliberate and unmistakable: to instill public fear.
It had moral panic written all over it — perfect for an impeachment.
While the term “moral panic” is not new — with earlier incarnations by Marshall McLuhan (1964) and Britain's Jock Young (1971) — its most detailed and popular application as a sociological concept was developed by South African criminologist Stanley Cohen in his 1972 treatise Folk Devils and Moral Panics, which outlined the five stages of moral panics.
First, something or someone — Cohen's “folk devil” — “emerges to become defined as a threat to societal values and interests.” Second, its “deviant” character and nature are “presented in a stylized and stereotypical fashion by the mass media.” Third, reacting to the media's portrayal, public alarm is aroused, and moral barricades are erected by editors, politicians, and other “right-thinking people.” Fourth, “socially accredited experts pronounce their diagnoses and solutions.” In the final stage, “more serious and long-lasting repercussions … might produce such changes as those in legal and social policy or even in the way the society conceives itself.”
Laying the key elements and key players in the impeachment of President Donald J. Trump onto Stanley Cohen's five-stage template, it is Moral Panic Theory 101.
Most crucial to Todd's (or any) moral panic is the powerful role of the mass media, which in this case not only has defined, reported, and managed the “threat” posed by the president, but also branded him as “deviant” — someone who menaces our culture, our principles, and our way of life.
Perhaps this is what Chuck Todd had in mind the day before his “a national nightmare is upon us” declaration, when he offered his assessment of the president's damaged soul: “[h]e's a cornered animal, but he's a very effective, vicious one if he needs to be.” Todd's cohort, MSNBC analyst Howard Fineman, concurred: “right, and a cornered animal is a dangerous animal.”
Following moral panic theory, in one calculated statement, Todd delivered two important characterizations of the president's nature. He reinforced Trump's danger and “deviancy” by framing him as a trapped, feral beast capable of untold savagery and vilified him as an immoral, irrational creature with no ethical compass — while at the same time validating his own nobility and that of the mass media.
Witness Rep. Jamie Raskin (D–Md.), picking up Todd's moral baton with CBS's Major Garrett: “One of the critical components of this story is the absolute moral degeneration of the Republican Party. They're behaving like members of a religious cult.”
As the impeachment's moral panic has accelerated, it has triggered a phenomenon Professor Cohen termed the “deviance amplification spiral,” in which news coverage is intentionally repeated, repackaged, and over-sensationalized to cast the folk devil (Trump)'s behavior as part of a greater pattern of deviant activity — essentially feeding and “spiraling” the story disproportionately.
Consider the House and Senate hearings and their reportage — where pre-packaged anti-Trump tropes have been rebroadcast in bovine assent on virtually all major media outlets throughout the entire impeachment process. Again, adhering to moral panic principles, this greater emphasis reinforces public fear and creates a sense of pressure and urgency — that the “Trump crisis” is out of control, getting worse, and only the tip of the iceberg — not only fueling escalation of the impeachment frenzy, but also validating demands for immediate constitutional intervention and remedy.
This brings us to Cohen's last stage and the “more serious and long-lasting repercussions” of the impeachment panic. With no articulation (or even an accusation) of a statutory “crime” or any tangible evidence of an actual risk or danger to the republic, Todd and his mass media comrades have successfully fulfilled their assigned roles in the indictment of President Trump as an abuser of power and obstructer of Congress — not to mention a destroyer of the constitution and an existential threat to societal order. As supposed protectors and defenders of the moral high ground, they have purposely advanced a moral panic in the form of a publicly staged morality play — a primal test between good and evil — exhorting half of America to revile and to remove President Trump as an imminent peril to the 2020 election and to democracy as we know it.
But to the other half of America, once again, President Trump is forcing Democrats and the mass media to reveal themselves as desperate for power and purveyors of a terrifying future where hysteria and accusation “trump” evidence and due process, and where moral bitterness twists people with artificial values and a dangerous sense of presumed dignity.
Our national moral panic continues…
Russell Paul La Valle is a New York–based political commentator whose work has appeared in many major newspapers, magazines, and online opinion websites. He is also a former contributing editor to the philosophical think-tank the Atlas Society, and his commentaries can be found at https://russellpaullavalle.com/other-writing.
Published with permission from the American Thinker.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-01-31--Don’t trust national general election polls predicting huge 2020 Dem victories

January 30 , 2020 ( American Thinker ) — According to Real Clear Politics , in spite of the economy and everything else going well in the United States of America , almost every current national poll has President Trump trailing a hypothetical Democrat opponent .
Whether Biden ; Sanders ; Warren ; or even Buttigieg , Bloomberg , or Klobuchar , President Trump trails them all in nearly every poll .
As of this writing , the latest general election national poll by CNN , IBD/TIPP , Emerson , Fox News , Quinnipiac , and SurveyUSA has President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 32 different matchups from the six polling agencies previously mentioned , President Trump leads in only two scenarios .
The latest IBD/TIPP national poll has Trump beating Warren 47 % to 46 % , and the latest Emerson poll has Trump beating Buttigieg 51 % to 49 % .
According to these polls , even Democrats who have since dropped out of the race were beating President Trump .
The latest SurveyUSA national poll ( at the end of November , 2019 ) had Kamala Harris beating the current president of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the point Harris dropped out of the race , the Real Clear Politics average had her at plus six over President Trump .
Out of 42 polls reported by Real Clear Politics — from June of 2018 until November of 2019 — Trump topped Harris only six times .
Again , remember that this is a candidate who could n't outlast even Julián Castro and Marianne Williamson .
The lesson here is the 2016 presidential election .
At this point in the 2016 presidential election , up until Election Day on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led Donald Trump in the vast majority of polls taken .
By my count ( using a spreadsheet ) , as reported by Real Clear Politics ( RCP ) , there were 221 polls taken in 2016 that polled Clinton vs. Trump for U.S. president .
Donald Trump led in only 26 polls .
Twenty-six out of 221 .
That 's over 88 % of the polls that showed Clinton beating Trump .
Often , the race between Clinton and Trump was shown as a complete blowout in favor of Hillary .
From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there were a dozen polls that showed Hillary up by double digits .
A March 2016 Bloomberg poll had Hillary up by 18 points !
Similarly , at this point in 2016 , until Bernie Sanders dropped out of the race , virtually every poll had him leading Donald Trump .
From January of 2016 until June of 2016 , when Bernie dropped out , RCP reported 28 polls on Sanders vs. Trump .
Of those 28 polls , Trump polled ahead of Bernie only once .
At the time the polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race ) , the RCP average had Sanders topping Trump by over 10 points !
Again , the race between Trump and Bernie was often shown to be a huge blowout in favor of Bernie .
Of those 28 RCP polls , 22 of them had Bernie on top by double digits .
Twelve polls had Bernie up by 15 points or more .
The same Bloomberg poll that had Hillary topping Trump by 18 points showed Bernie beating Trump by 24 points !
When it comes to polling , Rush Limbaugh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he noted near election time in 2016 : Do n't forget , there is an undeniable truth in politics , and it is this : Polling data is used to shape public opinion .
Polling data ... [ w ] hether it 's presidential races or anything else , if it 's a poll , it is being used to make news .
Polling has become the mechanism by which the media can write their own stories , can set their own agenda , and make it look like they 've got nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have these reputations of independent , nonpartisan , bipartisan , uninterested in the outcome [ . ]
... And I want ... to remind you again that all of these polls are being used to suppress support for Trump .
They are being used to encourage people to abandon Trump .
They 're being used to encourage Trump to abandon his campaign .
Their purpose is to dispirit and depress everyone and convince as many people as possible that it 's over , that Trump is a buffoon and has no chance whatsoever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of time , they might as well concede now and you might as well concede now .
That 's the purpose of it .
I 've long realized well — as no doubt now do many other Americans — that national polling and the results of the Electoral College are two different things .
However , it is interesting to note that , along with all of the other polling nonsense in 2016 , about two weeks out from the election , a Reuters/Ipsos `` states poll '' showed that `` the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 326 votes for Clinton to 212 for Trump . ''
This `` commanding lead '' gave Hillary a `` better than 95 percent chance of winning . ''
It was a 99 % chance of Hillary winning if one wanted to believe Princeton scientists ( who used state polls to arrive at their number ) .
As we all now know , the `` commanding lead '' for Hillary turned into a 306 to 232 ( 304 to 227 due to `` faithless electors '' ) electoral victory for Donald Trump .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 95 % hopes quickly set in for Democrats , as did the move to undo the results of the 2016 election .
I would trust only the polls that are two weeks or less out from the election .
As Rush put it , `` [ t ] hose are the ones you really look at , because they are the polls their reputations will be staked to , and every polling unit at the end of a campaign wants to be trusted and reliable , they want to be shown to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can trust the polling agencies , one certainly can not trust the media who report on them .
After Trump 's 2016 victory , one would think that the polling organizations and the media would 've learned their lesson .
Yet , less than a year after the 2016 election , an analysis by The Daily Caller News Foundation Investigative Group revealed that pollsters were back `` churning out biased and misleading poll numbers . ''
`` I do know inherently there is a Democratic bias in the polls .
And most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayur , an independent pollster who is president of TechnoMetrica , which leads the polling operations at Investor 's Business Daily [ . ]
... Democratic pollster Patrick Caddell agreed with Mayur , saying `` there was a couple of days of shock .
And then they moved on because what they could not do is to get to the bottom of their own polling bias . ''
...
When polling the public , most mainstream firms `` overloaded for Democrats , underloaded for Republicans and conservatives , '' said Francis Coombs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zogby , another independent pollster , also told TheDCNF he sees significant Democratic polling bias .
`` I am a liberal Democrat , but I always felt that other polls oversampled Democrats and undersampled Republicans , '' he said .
`` Democratic '' bias in the polls coupled with an overwhelming liberal bias in the media means that one should certainly pay little to no attention to most every poll between now and mid-October , and absolutely no attention to mainstream media reports on polling , from now until the end of time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Intersection of Politics , Science , Faith , and Reason .
www.trevorgrantthomas.com Trevor is the author of the The Miracle and Magnificence of America .
[ email protected ] Published with permission from the American Thinker .

January 30, 2020 (American Thinker) — According to Real Clear Politics, in spite of the economy and everything else going well in the United States of America, almost every current national poll has President Trump trailing a hypothetical Democrat opponent. Whether Biden; Sanders; Warren; or even Buttigieg, Bloomberg, or Klobuchar, President Trump trails them all in nearly every poll. As of this writing, the latest general election national poll by CNN, IBD/TIPP, Emerson, Fox News, Quinnipiac, and SurveyUSA has President Trump behind almost every possible Democrat candidate.
In 32 different matchups from the six polling agencies previously mentioned, President Trump leads in only two scenarios. The latest IBD/TIPP national poll has Trump beating Warren 47% to 46%, and the latest Emerson poll has Trump beating Buttigieg 51% to 49%. According to these polls, even Democrats who have since dropped out of the race were beating President Trump.
The latest SurveyUSA national poll (at the end of November, 2019) had Kamala Harris beating the current president of the United States 47% to 42%. At the point Harris dropped out of the race, the Real Clear Politics average had her at plus six over President Trump. Out of 42 polls reported by Real Clear Politics — from June of 2018 until November of 2019 — Trump topped Harris only six times. Again, remember that this is a candidate who couldn't outlast even Julián Castro and Marianne Williamson.
The lesson here is the 2016 presidential election. At this point in the 2016 presidential election, up until Election Day on November 8, 2016, Hillary Clinton led Donald Trump in the vast majority of polls taken. By my count (using a spreadsheet), as reported by Real Clear Politics (RCP), there were 221 polls taken in 2016 that polled Clinton vs. Trump for U.S. president. Donald Trump led in only 26 polls. Twenty-six out of 221. That's over 88% of the polls that showed Clinton beating Trump.
Often, the race between Clinton and Trump was shown as a complete blowout in favor of Hillary. From January of 2016 through April of 2016, there were a dozen polls that showed Hillary up by double digits. A March 2016 Bloomberg poll had Hillary up by 18 points!
Similarly, at this point in 2016, until Bernie Sanders dropped out of the race, virtually every poll had him leading Donald Trump. From January of 2016 until June of 2016, when Bernie dropped out, RCP reported 28 polls on Sanders vs. Trump. Of those 28 polls, Trump polled ahead of Bernie only once. At the time the polling ended (when Bernie dropped out of the race), the RCP average had Sanders topping Trump by over 10 points!
Again, the race between Trump and Bernie was often shown to be a huge blowout in favor of Bernie. Of those 28 RCP polls, 22 of them had Bernie on top by double digits. Twelve polls had Bernie up by 15 points or more. The same Bloomberg poll that had Hillary topping Trump by 18 points showed Bernie beating Trump by 24 points!
When it comes to polling, Rush Limbaugh was and is exactly right. As he noted near election time in 2016:
Don't forget, there is an undeniable truth in politics, and it is this: Polling data is used to shape public opinion. Polling data … [w]hether it's presidential races or anything else, if it's a poll, it is being used to make news. Polling has become the mechanism by which the media can write their own stories, can set their own agenda, and make it look like they've got nothing to do with it. The polls have these reputations of independent, nonpartisan, bipartisan, uninterested in the outcome[.] … And I want … to remind you again that all of these polls are being used to suppress support for Trump. They are being used to encourage people to abandon Trump. They're being used to encourage Trump to abandon his campaign. Their purpose is to dispirit and depress everyone and convince as many people as possible that it's over, that Trump is a buffoon and has no chance whatsoever, all of it's a waste of time, they might as well concede now and you might as well concede now. That's the purpose of it.
I've long realized well — as no doubt now do many other Americans — that national polling and the results of the Electoral College are two different things. However, it is interesting to note that, along with all of the other polling nonsense in 2016, about two weeks out from the election, a Reuters/Ipsos “states poll” showed that “the most likely outcome” electorally speaking was “326 votes for Clinton to 212 for Trump.” This “commanding lead” gave Hillary a “better than 95 percent chance of winning.” It was a 99% chance of Hillary winning if one wanted to believe Princeton scientists (who used state polls to arrive at their number).
As we all now know, the “commanding lead” for Hillary turned into a 306 to 232 (304 to 227 due to “faithless electors”) electoral victory for Donald Trump. And the dismay at the loss of their 95% hopes quickly set in for Democrats, as did the move to undo the results of the 2016 election.
I would trust only the polls that are two weeks or less out from the election. As Rush put it, “[t]hose are the ones you really look at, because they are the polls their reputations will be staked to, and every polling unit at the end of a campaign wants to be trusted and reliable, they want to be shown to be right.” Whether or not one can trust the polling agencies, one certainly cannot trust the media who report on them.
After Trump's 2016 victory, one would think that the polling organizations and the media would've learned their lesson. Yet, less than a year after the 2016 election, an analysis by The Daily Caller News Foundation Investigative Group revealed that pollsters were back “churning out biased and misleading poll numbers.”
The Daily Caller reported:
“I do know inherently there is a Democratic bias in the polls. And most of them will deny it” says Raghavan Mayur, an independent pollster who is president of TechnoMetrica, which leads the polling operations at Investor's Business Daily[.] … Democratic pollster Patrick Caddell agreed with Mayur, saying “there was a couple of days of shock. And then they moved on because what they could not do is to get to the bottom of their own polling bias.” … When polling the public, most mainstream firms “overloaded for Democrats, underloaded for Republicans and conservatives,” said Francis Coombs, managing editor of Rasmussen Reports. John Zogby, another independent pollster, also told TheDCNF he sees significant Democratic polling bias. “I am a liberal Democrat, but I always felt that other polls oversampled Democrats and undersampled Republicans,” he said.
“Democratic” bias in the polls coupled with an overwhelming liberal bias in the media means that one should certainly pay little to no attention to most every poll between now and mid-October, and absolutely no attention to mainstream media reports on polling, from now until the end of time.
Trevor Grant Thomas: At the Intersection of Politics, Science, Faith, and Reason.
www.trevorgrantthomas.com
Trevor is the author of the The Miracle and Magnificence of America.
[email protected]
Published with permission from the American Thinker.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-01-30--Virginia legislature goes all-out for abortion, ERA, LGBT agenda

RICHMOND , Virginia , January 30 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – On the heels of passing sweeping legislation to repeal the state ’ s abortion restrictions , Virginia lawmakers are also pushing a wide slate of measures to advance the homosexual and transgender agendas in discrimination , education and more at the expense of religious liberty and conscience rights .
Earlier this week , the Virginia House and Senate both voted to pass the so-called Reproductive Health Protection Act , which would empower various non-physician health workers to commit first-trimester abortions , repeal the 24-hour waiting period for abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman seeking an abortion undergo counseling and be offered the chance to see an ultrasound of her baby .
Differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill need to be ironed out before the final version is sent to the governor ’ s desk , but Democrat Ralph Northam is expected to sign it into law .
On Thursday , Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring joined his counterparts in Illinois and Nevada in filing a federal lawsuit to demand ratification of the so-called Equal Rights Amendment ( ERA ) , CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , the ERA simply states that “ Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
” But conservatives argue that if implemented , this redundant language would be interpreted as codifying into law non-rights such as abortion and have broad ramifications on everything from the military draft and sex-segregated prisons to women-only restrooms and male-only clergy .
Left-wing lawmakers across the country have been working to revive the ERA , and the U.S. House Judiciary Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadline for ratification .
But the Trump Justice Department ’ s Office of Legal Counsel issued an opinion earlier this month declaring their efforts invalid , because the deadlines from its original introduction have long since expired .
In order to legitimately ratify the ERA , it advised , either supporters would have to pursue a new “ convention sought by two-thirds of the state legislatures , ” or Congress would have to “ propose that amendment once more ” and approve it with “ two-thirds of both Houses ” ( as outlined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , at which point states would have to take all-new ratification votes .
Additionally , the Family Foundation details an alarming list of pro-LGBT policies to advance through the state legislature just last week .
The measures include a repeal of the state ’ s unenforced , pre-Obergefell statute prohibiting same-sex “ marriage , ” a ban on counseling minors to help them overcome unwanted same-sex attraction , adding “ sexual orientation ” and “ gender identity ” to state nondiscrimination rules , the ability to easily change the sex listed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that health insurance cover sex-reassignment surgery , the creation of a new model curriculum on “ social justice , ” legislation mandating transgender access to opposite-sex facilities , recognition of “ preferred ” pronouns , gender-confused boys ’ participation in girls ’ sports , and more .
Several pro-life and pro-family bills were also defeated in the same time period , including a ban on abortion at 20 weeks , a bill to ensure that parents have to opt their child into sex education courses instead of having to opt them out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counselors to merely talk to minors about overcoming unwanted sexual attraction .
“ It ’ s clear by now that the radical Left is bent on ridding Virginia of any common sense laws that protect the sanctity of life , religious liberty and traditional family values , ” Family Foundation president Victoria Cobb lamented .
“ Everything imaginable – and beyond imaginable – is being thrown at us and foisted upon our Commonwealth.
” Virginia has gained national notoriety for its far-left turn after Democrats ’ November 2019 takeover of both chambers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year beforehand , Gov .
Northam had been a lightning rod for criticism for defending the prospect of letting a doctor and family decide to let die a fully-delivered newborn that was deemed to be “ nonviable ” or have “ severe deformities .
”

RICHMOND, Virginia, January 30, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – On the heels of passing sweeping legislation to repeal the state’s abortion restrictions, Virginia lawmakers are also pushing a wide slate of measures to advance the homosexual and transgender agendas in discrimination, education and more at the expense of religious liberty and conscience rights.
Earlier this week, the Virginia House and Senate both voted to pass the so-called Reproductive Health Protection Act, which would empower various non-physician health workers to commit first-trimester abortions, repeal the 24-hour waiting period for abortion, and eliminate the requirements that a woman seeking an abortion undergo counseling and be offered the chance to see an ultrasound of her baby.
Differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill need to be ironed out before the final version is sent to the governor’s desk, but Democrat Ralph Northam is expected to sign it into law.
On Thursday, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring joined his counterparts in Illinois and Nevada in filing a federal lawsuit to demand ratification of the so-called Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), CNN reported.
Originally proposed and defeated decades ago, the ERA simply states that “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” But conservatives argue that if implemented, this redundant language would be interpreted as codifying into law non-rights such as abortion and have broad ramifications on everything from the military draft and sex-segregated prisons to women-only restrooms and male-only clergy.
Left-wing lawmakers across the country have been working to revive the ERA, and the U.S. House Judiciary Committee voted in November to retroactively lift its deadline for ratification. But the Trump Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel issued an opinion earlier this month declaring their efforts invalid, because the deadlines from its original introduction have long since expired.
In order to legitimately ratify the ERA, it advised, either supporters would have to pursue a new “convention sought by two-thirds of the state legislatures,” or Congress would have to “propose that amendment once more” and approve it with “two-thirds of both Houses” (as outlined in Article V of the U.S. Constitution), at which point states would have to take all-new ratification votes.
Additionally, the Family Foundation details an alarming list of pro-LGBT policies to advance through the state legislature just last week. The measures include a repeal of the state’s unenforced, pre-Obergefell statute prohibiting same-sex “marriage,” a ban on counseling minors to help them overcome unwanted same-sex attraction, adding “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to state nondiscrimination rules, the ability to easily change the sex listed on their official birth certificate, a mandate that health insurance cover sex-reassignment surgery, the creation of a new model curriculum on “social justice,” legislation mandating transgender access to opposite-sex facilities, recognition of “preferred” pronouns, gender-confused boys’ participation in girls’ sports, and more.
Several pro-life and pro-family bills were also defeated in the same time period, including a ban on abortion at 20 weeks, a bill to ensure that parents have to opt their child into sex education courses instead of having to opt them out, and a bill protecting the right of counselors to merely talk to minors about overcoming unwanted sexual attraction.
“It’s clear by now that the radical Left is bent on ridding Virginia of any common sense laws that protect the sanctity of life, religious liberty and traditional family values,” Family Foundation president Victoria Cobb lamented. “Everything imaginable – and beyond imaginable – is being thrown at us and foisted upon our Commonwealth.”
Virginia has gained national notoriety for its far-left turn after Democrats’ November 2019 takeover of both chambers of the legislature. For almost a full year beforehand, Gov. Northam had been a lightning rod for criticism for defending the prospect of letting a doctor and family decide to let die a fully-delivered newborn that was deemed to be “nonviable” or have “severe deformities.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-02-01--Jury court acquits Belgium doctors of murdering mentally ill young woman who requested death

January 31 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – The first-ever trial for unlawful euthanasia to be held in Belgium since so-called “ mercy killing ” was legalized in the country concluded with the acquittal of the three accused doctors .
A 12-strong popular jury handed in the verdict of “ not guilty ” at 1 a.m. local time in Ghent on Friday for the three tried for the death by poisoning of Tine Nys , 38 , who received a fatal injection in April 2010 after complaining of “ incurable ” psychiatric problems while being otherwise in good health .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an affair that reached the courts because of complaints on the part of the euthanasia victim ’ s two younger sisters , who were shocked to see the nonchalance with which her request had been honored .
The appraisal of three doctors is necessary for euthanasia in Belgium for psychiatric reasons , which is why they were all considered as potentially co-responsible for possible neglect of the law .
Euthanasia is not a patient 's right in Belgium .
( Supposedly ) strict conditions must be met and the final decision lies with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lethal shot .
Once the patient is dead , the procedure is reported to a commission , which then assesses whether the killing went according to the law .
In Nys ’ case , a panel of the euthanasia commission , which includes euthanasia activist Wim Distelmans as co-president , issued a favorable decision .
However , the public prosecutor responsible for Sint-Niklaas , where Tine and her family lived , remained suspicious and decided to open an inquiry that culminated almost 10 years later with the Assizes held in Ghent over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman received all possible treatments and care for her psychiatric illness ?
Was the euthanasia performed precipitously ?
Why was it performed in a slipshod manner , with the executing doctor forgetting to bring tape to fix the intravenous needle , dropping the bag of drip onto her head and then asking her father to use his stethoscope to check whether her heart had actually stopped beating ?
Despite the fact that Tine ’ s family made clear that they were not in principle opposed to euthanasia , the trial was touted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ legal counsel as an attempt to discredit euthanasia itself and to frighten Belgian doctors out of performing legal “ mercy killings.
” Many Flemish media sources published articles saying that if the accused were found guilty , it would be more or less the end of euthanasia in Belgium .
This could have had an impact on the popular jury in a country where public opinion has been worked on for several decades in order to make euthanasia generally acceptable .
There is at present little resistance in Belgium to the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pain or distress at the end of their lives , and even euthanasia for psychiatric reasons seems to have become mainstream .
Distelmans , for one , commented on the acquittal , saying he did not think it was enough .
He believes the law needs to be changed so that precise sanctions can be fixed for the non-respect of its conditions , which can range from major requirements to “ the smallest detail ” without the doctor knowing what penalty he incurs .
Distelmans added that he hopes the law will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demented patients and those who are no longer able to express their will .
“ Some call that an extension of the law ; I call it an improvement because many people are asking for this , ” he told De Standaard .
The cases of the three doctors involved in the killing of Nys were treated differently by the Court of Assizes of Ghent .
In a short arrest , all were acquitted but on different grounds .
Lieve Thienpont was the psychiatrist who was consulted as to the advisability of Nys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young woman was suffering unbearably because of her psychological problems .
Her counsel , Evelien Delbeke , underscored that she could not be considered an accomplice to the act because giving an opinion on a euthanasia request can not be considered as a crime under penal law .
“ It is an opinion that is not binding , ” she insisted .
She also told the court that her client had not had a special relationship with Tine , whose formal euthanasia request was made only four months before being killed .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case that Thienpont pushed the woman toward euthanasia .
According to her two younger sisters , Tine had actually received no real psychiatric treatment for 15 years , marked by depression , heroin addiction , prostitution , and repeated suicide attempts .
Nys underwent psychoanalysis and cognitive behavioral therapy for “ borderline ” disorder for many years .
Just a few months before her death , she was diagnosed with autism , but Thienpont at that point stated that she did not think that specific therapy for Tine ’ s real condition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into account that the young woman had just had a breakup with her boyfriend and that she had periods of good spirits .
In particular , on the day of her death , she invited a male friend to come and have lunch and wine with her and they chatted pleasantly all afternoon before it was time to say goodbye because her family and the doctor were coming .
Thienpont was deemed not guilty of being complicit to the crime of poisoning because , according to the jury , “ she had committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points to the fact that under Belgian law there is no specific incrimination for giving inappropriate advice from a consulting position in the euthanasia case .
In written law systems such as in France or Belgium , penal sanctions are only possible when a positive law , restrictively interpreted , has been infringed .
The second doctor who was acquitted was Nys ’ family doctor , Frank De Geest , who wrote a note saying his patient suffered from a severe psychiatric disorder ( Asperger ’ s syndrome ) which was “ unbearable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developed , it became clear that he had not known that his note was used in order to allow the effective performing of the euthanasia , and both the woman 's family and the public prosecutor argued in favor of his acquittal .
It appeared that he thought he was writing to the euthanasia commission for a prior assessment of the case and he made it clear that while he supported his patient ’ s request did not agree with it .
He would have tried to prevent her from obtaining euthanasia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would not get a chance to speak to her before anything irreversible took place .
The use of his note , dated 27 April 2010 , at the request of the executing physician , appears to have been a fraudulent one , all the more shocking because Tine was euthanized that evening , and that it has not been proved that he was aware that that was going to happen .
The logic of these two acquittals would be to incriminate the executing doctor .
Thienpont was deemed not guilty because she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the poisoning that effectively took place through the administration of a lethal substance .
And De Geest was acquitted because of the faulty use of a short note that was used as a justification for the euthanasia itself .
The main accused , Dr. Joris Van Hove , was nevertheless judged not guilty .
According to the Belgian press , the jury stayed away for eight hours , no less , because of uncertainty regarding the executing doctor ’ s responsibility .
Even so , their verdict was cautious .
Having recalled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ check prior to the act that all the conditions of the law are fulfilled , the Court of Assizes ’ arrest decided that there was “ reasonable doubt ” regarding Van Hove ’ s compliance with these requirements .
“ The investigation carried out does not make it possible to establish with the certainty required by law whether Joris Van Hove has committed any infringements regarding these conditions or procedures prescribed by law , ” according to the Court .
It then recalls that in penal law , any doubt must benefit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very good news for the euthanasia lobby in Belgium , as it ensures that doctors may feel confident that even faulty euthanasia will not be sanctioned as long as they handle more or less according to legal conditions and can convince a jury that they did not openly go against the law .
Which is probably why the verdict was widely applauded by the mainstream press and deemed “ courageous ” by the accused ’ s lawyer , Walter Van Steenbrugge .
But for Tine ’ s family , many questions remain unanswered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask for the cassation of the arrest in Belgium 's highest judiciary court .
As for Van Hove , it was revealed during the course of the trial that he has an impressive judicial record .
He received a suspended sentence of two years ’ imprisonment and five years ’ suspension of his civic rights in 2017 for sexual assault with violence and threats on two young male patients .
In another incident , he was stunned and robbed by two male Bulgarian escorts after a sex party , leading to the judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appropriately exert his profession as a doctor .
He says the Belgian Royal Order of doctors has never contacted him about them , nor about the sloppy euthanasia that led a whole family to face the courts rather than remain silent .

January 31, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – The first-ever trial for unlawful euthanasia to be held in Belgium since so-called “mercy killing” was legalized in the country concluded with the acquittal of the three accused doctors.
A 12-strong popular jury handed in the verdict of “not guilty” at 1 a.m. local time in Ghent on Friday for the three tried for the death by poisoning of Tine Nys, 38, who received a fatal injection in April 2010 after complaining of “incurable” psychiatric problems while being otherwise in good health.
The three doctors played different roles in an affair that reached the courts because of complaints on the part of the euthanasia victim’s two younger sisters, who were shocked to see the nonchalance with which her request had been honored. The appraisal of three doctors is necessary for euthanasia in Belgium for psychiatric reasons, which is why they were all considered as potentially co-responsible for possible neglect of the law.
Euthanasia is not a patient's right in Belgium. (Supposedly) strict conditions must be met and the final decision lies with the physician who is asked to administer the lethal shot. Once the patient is dead, the procedure is reported to a commission, which then assesses whether the killing went according to the law. In Nys’ case, a panel of the euthanasia commission, which includes euthanasia activist Wim Distelmans as co-president, issued a favorable decision.
However, the public prosecutor responsible for Sint-Niklaas, where Tine and her family lived, remained suspicious and decided to open an inquiry that culminated almost 10 years later with the Assizes held in Ghent over the last week.
Had the young woman received all possible treatments and care for her psychiatric illness? Was the euthanasia performed precipitously? Why was it performed in a slipshod manner, with the executing doctor forgetting to bring tape to fix the intravenous needle, dropping the bag of drip onto her head and then asking her father to use his stethoscope to check whether her heart had actually stopped beating?
Despite the fact that Tine’s family made clear that they were not in principle opposed to euthanasia, the trial was touted in the media and by the three doctors’ legal counsel as an attempt to discredit euthanasia itself and to frighten Belgian doctors out of performing legal “mercy killings.” Many Flemish media sources published articles saying that if the accused were found guilty, it would be more or less the end of euthanasia in Belgium.
This could have had an impact on the popular jury in a country where public opinion has been worked on for several decades in order to make euthanasia generally acceptable. There is at present little resistance in Belgium to the “medical” killing of patients in severe pain or distress at the end of their lives, and even euthanasia for psychiatric reasons seems to have become mainstream.
Distelmans, for one, commented on the acquittal, saying he did not think it was enough. He believes the law needs to be changed so that precise sanctions can be fixed for the non-respect of its conditions, which can range from major requirements to “the smallest detail” without the doctor knowing what penalty he incurs.
Distelmans added that he hopes the law will be modified expressly to allow the euthanasia of demented patients and those who are no longer able to express their will. “Some call that an extension of the law; I call it an improvement because many people are asking for this,” he told De Standaard.
The cases of the three doctors involved in the killing of Nys were treated differently by the Court of Assizes of Ghent. In a short arrest, all were acquitted but on different grounds.
Lieve Thienpont was the psychiatrist who was consulted as to the advisability of Nys receiving euthanasia. She confirmed that the young woman was suffering unbearably because of her psychological problems.
Her counsel, Evelien Delbeke, underscored that she could not be considered an accomplice to the act because giving an opinion on a euthanasia request cannot be considered as a crime under penal law. “It is an opinion that is not binding,” she insisted. She also told the court that her client had not had a special relationship with Tine, whose formal euthanasia request was made only four months before being killed.
Both her family and the public prosecution made the case that Thienpont pushed the woman toward euthanasia. According to her two younger sisters, Tine had actually received no real psychiatric treatment for 15 years, marked by depression, heroin addiction, prostitution, and repeated suicide attempts.
Nys underwent psychoanalysis and cognitive behavioral therapy for “borderline” disorder for many years. Just a few months before her death, she was diagnosed with autism, but Thienpont at that point stated that she did not think that specific therapy for Tine’s real condition would help.
Nor was it taken into account that the young woman had just had a breakup with her boyfriend and that she had periods of good spirits. In particular, on the day of her death, she invited a male friend to come and have lunch and wine with her and they chatted pleasantly all afternoon before it was time to say goodbye because her family and the doctor were coming.
Thienpont was deemed not guilty of being complicit to the crime of poisoning because, according to the jury, “she had committed no fault or misconduct.”
The verdict points to the fact that under Belgian law there is no specific incrimination for giving inappropriate advice from a consulting position in the euthanasia case. In written law systems such as in France or Belgium, penal sanctions are only possible when a positive law, restrictively interpreted, has been infringed.
The second doctor who was acquitted was Nys’ family doctor, Frank De Geest, who wrote a note saying his patient suffered from a severe psychiatric disorder (Asperger’s syndrome) which was “unbearable” for her. As the affair developed, it became clear that he had not known that his note was used in order to allow the effective performing of the euthanasia, and both the woman's family and the public prosecutor argued in favor of his acquittal.
It appeared that he thought he was writing to the euthanasia commission for a prior assessment of the case and he made it clear that while he supported his patient’s request did not agree with it. He would have tried to prevent her from obtaining euthanasia, it appeared, and did not know he would not get a chance to speak to her before anything irreversible took place.
The use of his note, dated 27 April 2010, at the request of the executing physician, appears to have been a fraudulent one, all the more shocking because Tine was euthanized that evening, and that it has not been proved that he was aware that that was going to happen.
The logic of these two acquittals would be to incriminate the executing doctor. Thienpont was deemed not guilty because she could not be considered as an accomplice to the poisoning that effectively took place through the administration of a lethal substance. And De Geest was acquitted because of the faulty use of a short note that was used as a justification for the euthanasia itself.
The main accused, Dr. Joris Van Hove, was nevertheless judged not guilty. According to the Belgian press, the jury stayed away for eight hours, no less, because of uncertainty regarding the executing doctor’s responsibility. Even so, their verdict was cautious. Having recalled that the euthanasia law requires doctors to check prior to the act that all the conditions of the law are fulfilled, the Court of Assizes’ arrest decided that there was “reasonable doubt” regarding Van Hove’s compliance with these requirements.
“The investigation carried out does not make it possible to establish with the certainty required by law whether Joris Van Hove has committed any infringements regarding these conditions or procedures prescribed by law,” according to the Court. It then recalls that in penal law, any doubt must benefit the accused.
This verdict is in fact very good news for the euthanasia lobby in Belgium, as it ensures that doctors may feel confident that even faulty euthanasia will not be sanctioned as long as they handle more or less according to legal conditions and can convince a jury that they did not openly go against the law.
Which is probably why the verdict was widely applauded by the mainstream press and deemed “courageous” by the accused’s lawyer, Walter Van Steenbrugge.
But for Tine’s family, many questions remain unanswered. They now have the possibility to ask for the cassation of the arrest in Belgium's highest judiciary court.
As for Van Hove, it was revealed during the course of the trial that he has an impressive judicial record. He received a suspended sentence of two years’ imprisonment and five years’ suspension of his civic rights in 2017 for sexual assault with violence and threats on two young male patients. In another incident, he was stunned and robbed by two male Bulgarian escorts after a sex party, leading to the judge in the case asking whether he could appropriately exert his profession as a doctor.
Van Hove has vehemently denied the incidents.
He says the Belgian Royal Order of doctors has never contacted him about them, nor about the sloppy euthanasia that led a whole family to face the courts rather than remain silent.
Share


lifesitenews--2020-01-31--Transgenderism influences Hispanic boys to come out as ‘girls’ in female right-of-passage ritual

January 31 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Quinceañera , or the fiesta de quince años ( 15 years ) , is a popular celebration among Hispanics throughout the Americas , including the United States .
It ’ s a coming-of-age event , a grand fête , that marks a girl ’ s 15th birthday , a symbolic passage from life as a child into womanhood .
You could think of it as roughly equivalent to a Jewish boy ’ s bar mitzvah .
And indeed , it has religious overtones ; among Catholics , it often includes a special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ princess-for-a-day .
She ’ s clothed in an elegant dress with wide , flouncy skirt , her hair and makeup elaborately attended .
She ’ s accompanied by an honor court .
And she receives a ceremonial change of shoes , flats to high heels , from her mother .
That ’ s the traditional version , anyway .
Egalitarianism has prompted the rise of quince-for-boys ( much as Jewish girls can celebrate bar mitzvah ) .
I don ’ t know if the male variant of quinceañera has quite the symbolic punch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the birthday boy wears a sharp suit , he ’ s fussed over by family members , his buddies and relatives get to party , and his parents pick up the tab .
In our diverse time , when cultural appropriation has been raised to the level of high art ( and big business ) , quinceañera has been adopted by other ethnic and social groups to mark various passages and life statements .
It has even become a feature of the transgender scene — and as such , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual confusion .
Perusing YouTube , that unique cultural archive , you might stumble upon a collection of videos that document transgender quinceañera events .
If you ’ re able to handle the slightly creepy feeling that can come with watching these presentations , you ’ ll see that the elegant dresses are worn by boys , their faces made up , their hair elaborately coiffed .
The makeovers are done by a visual imaging firm called Fabricio Castro Fotografía , a Chile-based company that provides photography and video coverage of the celebrations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and femininity coaching from by a team of artists and technicians who work throughout Latin America , even coming to the United States on occasion .
So skillful are their transformations that , if you didn ’ t know better , you ’ d assume these boys are young women .
The artistry required to turn teenage boys into princesses — questionable as it may be — is undeniably impressive , ( and the production values evident in the videos first-rate ) .
But these online views are also noteworthy for what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fiesta participants .
The quinceañera boys themselves are quite visibly elated .
Presumably , they ’ ve been struggling with gender conflicts , and so this peak princess moment is the realization of their feminine dreams .
You can see they ’ re enchanted by the whole experience .
What ’ s most interesting , however , are the reactions of family members and guests .
Everyone seems to be having a wonderful time : the parents , grandparents and siblings , the aunts , uncles and cousins , the teenage friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pose for group photos , all sharing in the fun .
Now , these videos are produced for the family , so undoubtedly the shots are chosen with great care .
They aren ’ t going to show some grumpy old tío making a derogatory comment .
And of course , the idealized representation put forth — glowing teenage boys made up as pretty girls , receiving encouragement from smiling family and friends — serves to promote more such business for the producers .
Amid the good cheer , there are occasional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onboard with the gender fluidity that ’ s at the center of things .
Captioning on one particular video notes that the quinceañera boy ’ s father had refused to attend ; there was obviously a little drama to that back story .
In addition , Fabricio Castro Fotografía posts the following online notice : I guess the gender revolution hasn ’ t been fully accomplished quite yet .
One wonders if most of the quinceañera boys intended this big event to be the occasion of their coming out as transgender .
Consequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they were about to witness a startling personal revelation .
Nonetheless , these videos clearly show that most folks taking part are supportive , if a little bemused .
The overall atmosphere is festive , jovial , and celebratory .
Even if the actual number of transgender quinceañera parties is relatively small , they demonstrate that the transgender movement is an international phenomenon , not just a product of American sexual progressivism .
Regardless of where these fiestas are held — and despite the alleged hostility of those “ homophobic groups ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video show a measure of acceptance , or at least toleration .
Perhaps the variety of gender expression so much on display these days has reached a point where people figure : What the heck !
Go with the flow .
Have a good time .
And anyway , who wants to be the one to throw a wet blanket over the party ?
That could sour family relations , already made awkward by this delicate situation , for a long time .
Whatever the thinking , this cultural turn has to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even if there ’ s still some mopping up to be done after the revolution .
The biggest unanswered question in my mind is : Why would the parents do this ?
Why agree to such an open display of their internal family dynamics ?
( Not to mention an expensive one — you can bet the services of Fabricio Castro Fotografía cost a pretty peso .
And that ’ s on top of the dress , the party venue , and other related outlays .
¡Mucho dinero ! )
Are Mom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s cross-gender aspirations ?
No doubt the boy had been begging them for this dream day over and over during the months leading up to his 15th birthday .
And the stress of dealing with his gender turmoil has probably gone on even longer .
Have Mom and Dad simply been worn down by it all ?
I don ’ t question the unconditional love of parents for their child .
But if they think this will help the lad get girlish fantasies out of his system , they ’ re probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public affirmation in his “ feminine ” persona will more likely confirm him in his desire to be a girl .
These TG events speak to the complex nature of gender identity .
In a sense , female is nature ’ s default setting ( per those two X chromosomes ) .
It takes something additional to make a boy secure in his biological destiny and his social role as a male — something more than merely replacing one of those X ’ s with a Y .
Decades of feminist carping about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and a full-frontal assault on the traditional preserves of boyhood ( e.g.
, gender integration of school sports , destruction of the Boy Scouts , etc . )
have made it difficult for boys to find their way to confident maturity .
Add to that an intense focus on the special needs and concerns of girls and women , which has dominated society for the last half century , and it ’ s no mystery why boys who experience certain conflicts and preoccupations can become fixated on strong symbols of femininity like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our time , here as much as in Latin America .
Sadly , boys who ’ ve already committed themselves to the transgender idea just may have to follow their chosen path until they confront and resolve their conflicts , if indeed they ever do .
Pray they won ’ t destroy themselves along the way .
As far as most young males are concerned , however , is it possible to restore some sanity to the subject of gender ?
We ’ ve got a lot of lost ground to recover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get out ahead of our current confused sexual/cultural climate .
We can start by highlighting appropriate male role models and coming up with convincing ways of honoring authentic manhood , so that boys find it reasonable to conclude that being male is worthwhile — something which society hasn ’ t been telling them for a long time now .
In essence , we must reassure boys that they ’ re perfectly fine the way they were created by God : as boys .
Bill Kassel is a writer , media producer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He hosts “ Free Expression , ” a radio series and podcast produced by Good Shepherd Catholic Radio .
And his writings have appeared in numerous publications and online journals , as well as on his blog , “ The Guy in the Next Pew ” ( billkassel.com ) .

January 31, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Quinceañera, or the fiesta de quince años (15 years), is a popular celebration among Hispanics throughout the Americas, including the United States. It’s a coming-of-age event, a grand fête, that marks a girl’s 15th birthday, a symbolic passage from life as a child into womanhood.
You could think of it as roughly equivalent to a Jewish boy’s bar mitzvah. And indeed, it has religious overtones; among Catholics, it often includes a special Mass.
The girl is treated as princess-for-a-day. She’s clothed in an elegant dress with wide, flouncy skirt, her hair and makeup elaborately attended. She’s accompanied by an honor court. And she receives a ceremonial change of shoes, flats to high heels, from her mother.
That’s the traditional version, anyway. Egalitarianism has prompted the rise of quince-for-boys (much as Jewish girls can celebrate bat mitzvah). I don’t know if the male variant of quinceañera has quite the symbolic punch of a girl’s celebration. But the birthday boy wears a sharp suit, he’s fussed over by family members, his buddies and relatives get to party, and his parents pick up the tab.
In our diverse time, when cultural appropriation has been raised to the level of high art (and big business), quinceañera has been adopted by other ethnic and social groups to mark various passages and life statements. It has even become a feature of the transgender scene — and as such, it’s another marker on our journey to total sexual confusion.
Perusing YouTube, that unique cultural archive, you might stumble upon a collection of videos that document transgender quinceañera events. If you’re able to handle the slightly creepy feeling that can come with watching these presentations, you’ll see that the elegant dresses are worn by boys, their faces made up, their hair elaborately coiffed.
The makeovers are done by a visual imaging firm called Fabricio Castro Fotografía, a Chile-based company that provides photography and video coverage of the celebrations. Services include makeup, hair styling, and femininity coaching from by a team of artists and technicians who work throughout Latin America, even coming to the United States on occasion.
So skillful are their transformations that, if you didn’t know better, you’d assume these boys are young women. The artistry required to turn teenage boys into princesses — questionable as it may be — is undeniably impressive, (and the production values evident in the videos first-rate). But these online views are also noteworthy for what they show about the attitudes and emotions of fiesta participants.
The quinceañera boys themselves are quite visibly elated. Presumably, they’ve been struggling with gender conflicts, and so this peak princess moment is the realization of their feminine dreams. You can see they’re enchanted by the whole experience.
What’s most interesting, however, are the reactions of family members and guests. Everyone seems to be having a wonderful time: the parents, grandparents and siblings, the aunts, uncles and cousins, the teenage friends. They dance with the boy princesses and pose for group photos, all sharing in the fun.
Now, these videos are produced for the family, so undoubtedly the shots are chosen with great care. They aren’t going to show some grumpy old tío making a derogatory comment. And of course, the idealized representation put forth — glowing teenage boys made up as pretty girls, receiving encouragement from smiling family and friends — serves to promote more such business for the producers.
Amid the good cheer, there are occasional hints that not everyone is 100 percent onboard with the gender fluidity that’s at the center of things. Captioning on one particular video notes that the quinceañera boy’s father had refused to attend; there was obviously a little drama to that back story.
In addition, Fabricio Castro Fotografía posts the following online notice:
“For security reasons, we only work for people that are recommended by other clients or that we know directly, because there are homophobic groups that, in addition to closing our channel, have tried to attack our integrity.”
I guess the gender revolution hasn’t been fully accomplished quite yet.
One wonders if most of the quinceañera boys intended this big event to be the occasion of their coming out as transgender. Consequently, some guests might have arrived unaware that they were about to witness a startling personal revelation. Nonetheless, these videos clearly show that most folks taking part are supportive, if a little bemused. The overall atmosphere is festive, jovial, and celebratory.
Even if the actual number of transgender quinceañera parties is relatively small, they demonstrate that the transgender movement is an international phenomenon, not just a product of American sexual progressivism. Regardless of where these fiestas are held — and despite the alleged hostility of those “homophobic groups” — the behavior and atmosphere captured on video show a measure of acceptance, or at least toleration.
Perhaps the variety of gender expression so much on display these days has reached a point where people figure: What the heck! Go with the flow. Have a good time. And anyway, who wants to be the one to throw a wet blanket over the party? That could sour family relations, already made awkward by this delicate situation, for a long time.
Whatever the thinking, this cultural turn has to be counted a victory for the gender revolutionaries, even if there’s still some mopping up to be done after the revolution.
The biggest unanswered question in my mind is: Why would the parents do this? Why agree to such an open display of their internal family dynamics? (Not to mention an expensive one — you can bet the services of Fabricio Castro Fotografía cost a pretty peso. And that’s on top of the dress, the party venue, and other related outlays. ¡Mucho dinero!)
Are Mom and Dad really happy about their son’s cross-gender aspirations?
No doubt the boy had been begging them for this dream day over and over during the months leading up to his 15th birthday. And the stress of dealing with his gender turmoil has probably gone on even longer.
Have Mom and Dad simply been worn down by it all?
I don’t question the unconditional love of parents for their child. But if they think this will help the lad get girlish fantasies out of his system, they’re probably mistaken. The emotional rush of receiving public affirmation in his “feminine” persona will more likely confirm him in his desire to be a girl.
These TG events speak to the complex nature of gender identity. In a sense, female is nature’s default setting (per those two X chromosomes). It takes something additional to make a boy secure in his biological destiny and his social role as a male — something more than merely replacing one of those X’s with a Y.
Decades of feminist carping about toxic masculinity, the devaluing of fathers, and a full-frontal assault on the traditional preserves of boyhood (e.g., gender integration of school sports, destruction of the Boy Scouts, etc.) have made it difficult for boys to find their way to confident maturity. Add to that an intense focus on the special needs and concerns of girls and women, which has dominated society for the last half century, and it’s no mystery why boys who experience certain conflicts and preoccupations can become fixated on strong symbols of femininity like quinceañera.
Those arresting videos are signs of our time, here as much as in Latin America.
Sadly, boys who’ve already committed themselves to the transgender idea just may have to follow their chosen path until they confront and resolve their conflicts, if indeed they ever do. Pray they won’t destroy themselves along the way.
As far as most young males are concerned, however, is it possible to restore some sanity to the subject of gender? We’ve got a lot of lost ground to recover. But to begin, we need to get out ahead of our current confused sexual/cultural climate. We can start by highlighting appropriate male role models and coming up with convincing ways of honoring authentic manhood, so that boys find it reasonable to conclude that being male is worthwhile — something which society hasn’t been telling them for a long time now.
In essence, we must reassure boys that they’re perfectly fine the way they were created by God: as boys.
Bill Kassel is a writer, media producer, and communications consultant based in Michigan. He hosts “Free Expression,” a radio series and podcast produced by Good Shepherd Catholic Radio. And his writings have appeared in numerous publications and online journals, as well as on his blog, “The Guy in the Next Pew” (billkassel.com).
Share


lifesitenews--2020-01-31--Drag queen hopes to meet Pope Francis in drag, challenge him to accept gay ‘marriage’

January 31 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Germany ’ s most famous drag queen hopes to meet Pope Francis in person , dressed in drag , and challenge the Pope to approve of homosexual “ marriage ” and to open up ministries for women .
Oliver Knöbel , a man who presents himself in Germany as drag queen “ Olivia Jones , ” said he is aspiring to attend a general audience with Pope Francis while dressed as a woman .
Knöbel said last November , on the occasion of his 50th birthday , that his goal is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a group audience with the “ Olivia Jones Family , ” a group of transvestites and comedians .
“ We would have much to talk about , ” the drag queen said .
“ I would like to hear from the Pope why marriage for all is still such a problem for the Catholic Church and why women are still playing a subordinate role .
I do not understand why the Church acts in such a backward way.
” Knöbel added that he is not religious and that he is not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , however , that he believes in a “ higher power.
” Speaking to German tabloid Die Bild in a recent interview , Knöbel 's manager explained that the drag queen ’ s wish to meet the Pope is “ serious.
” “ Several institutions and persons , ” Knöbel 's manager said , “ have already offered assistance with the organization.
” Such a meeting would be a “ sensation , ” he added .
Die Bild asked the Vatican in November whether Knöbel may attend a papal audience in drag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Archbishop Georg Gänswein stated in a Die Bild January 30 report that for such a “ possible encounter with the Pope at a general audience , ” a letter of recommendation from the local bishop is required , adding that “ a participation at a general audience as an artistic figure is not possible.
” Die Bild provided a photo of the letter written and signed by Archbishop Gänswein as Prefect of the Papal Household .
While not excluding the possibility of Knöbel 's participation in a general audience , the German prelate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attend such a general audience dressed up as drag queen .
According to the website of the German bishops , Katholisch.de , Archbishop Stephan Hesse would be the responsible local bishop who could write such a letter of recommendation for Mr. Knöbel .
Hesse , together with the Vice-President of the German Bishops ' Conference recently wrote a foreword to a book promoting the idea of blessing homosexual couples in the Catholic Church .
Archbishop Gänswein told Die Bild that “ homosexuality is against the laws of nature .
”

'We would have much to talk about,' the drag queen said.
January 31, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Germany’s most famous drag queen hopes to meet Pope Francis in person, dressed in drag, and challenge the Pope to approve of homosexual “marriage” and to open up ministries for women.
Oliver Knöbel, a man who presents himself in Germany as drag queen “Olivia Jones,” said he is aspiring to attend a general audience with Pope Francis while dressed as a woman.
Knöbel said last November, on the occasion of his 50th birthday, that his goal is to meet the Pope. He even hopes for a group audience with the “Olivia Jones Family,” a group of transvestites and comedians.
“We would have much to talk about,” the drag queen said. “I would like to hear from the Pope why marriage for all is still such a problem for the Catholic Church and why women are still playing a subordinate role. I do not understand why the Church acts in such a backward way.”
Knöbel added that he is not religious and that he is not a member of the Catholic Church. He said, however, that he believes in a “higher power.”
Speaking to German tabloid Die Bild in a recent interview, Knöbel's manager explained that the drag queen’s wish to meet the Pope is “serious.”
“Several institutions and persons,” Knöbel's manager said, “have already offered assistance with the organization.” Such a meeting would be a “sensation,” he added.
Die Bild asked the Vatican in November whether Knöbel may attend a papal audience in drag. Pope Benedict’s personal secretary Archbishop Georg Gänswein stated in a Die Bild January 30 report that for such a “possible encounter with the Pope at a general audience,” a letter of recommendation from the local bishop is required, adding that “a participation at a general audience as an artistic figure is not possible.” Die Bild provided a photo of the letter written and signed by Archbishop Gänswein as Prefect of the Papal Household.
While not excluding the possibility of Knöbel's participation in a general audience, the German prelate makes it clear that he could not attend such a general audience dressed up as drag queen.
According to the website of the German bishops, Katholisch.de, Archbishop Stephan Hesse would be the responsible local bishop who could write such a letter of recommendation for Mr. Knöbel. Hesse, together with the Vice-President of the German Bishops' Conference recently wrote a foreword to a book promoting the idea of blessing homosexual couples in the Catholic Church.
Archbishop Gänswein told Die Bild that “homosexuality is against the laws of nature.”
Share


lifesitenews--2020-01-31--When the Church of England apologizes for speaking against extra-marital sex

January 31 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – If you read the Bible cover to cover , you ’ ll see there is no ambiguity when it comes to extra-marital sex .
Simply stated , it is forbidden .
Sex before marriage is called fornication .
Sex outside of marriage is called adultery .
And marriage is defined as the lifelong union of a male and a female .
That ’ s how Genesis defines it and that ’ s how Jesus defines it .
Church standards through history would reaffirm all these points .
All sexual relations outside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeat , has always and only been the union of a man and a woman ) are considered immoral and sinful .
But in today ’ s morally confused society , right is now wrong and wrong is now right , to the point that the Church of England has apologized for reaffirming basic , biblical morality .
As reported by CNN , “ Top archbishops in the Church of England have apologized for guidance issued by the church last week that said only married heterosexuals should have sex – while same-sex or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abstinent.
” “ Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Archbishop of York John Sentamu said in a statement Thursday that they took responsibility for last week 's announcement , ‘ which we acknowledge has jeopardized trust.
’ “ ‘ We are very sorry and recognize the division and hurt this has caused , ’ Welby and Sentamu wrote.
” The pastoral guidance statement was issued “ in response to the extension of civil partnerships to heterosexual couples in the UK.
” “ The guidance , published January 22 , said ‘ for Christians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union between a man and a woman , contracted with the making of vows – remains the proper context for sexual activity.
’ ” From a biblical standpoint , what is controversial in this pastoral guidance statement ?
Is not marriage the lifelong union of a man and woman ?
Is not sex outside of this union , be it heterosexual or homosexual , strictly forbidden ?
The pastoral guidance statement was met with outrage and disappointment , to the point that the open letter written in response has received more than 3,500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inclusion ” website , this “ includes nearly 90 members of General Synod and a range of other senior church leaders .
This shows the strength of concern that exists across the Church of England that its mission is being significantly damaged and that their promise of a ‘ radical new Christian inclusion ’ must now be delivered.
” Yes , the open letter states , “ The Church of England has this week become a laughingstock to a nation that believes it is obsessed with sex .
More importantly this statement has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it has broken the trust of those it seeks to serve.
” “ We ask you to consider how we can , together , build a truly radically inclusive Christian Church.
” In other words , “ We ask you to consider rewriting the Bible .
We ask you to consider trashing the unanimous testimony of 2,000 years of Church history .
We ask you to lower your standards to those of a fallen world rather than calling on a fallen world to repent and conform to God ’ s Word .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to abandon the outdated , outmoded morals of the Scriptures .
And we ask you to do so in Jesus ’ name !
” In the words of Rector Marcus Green : Yes , people are people .
Everyone does matter .
No one is second rate .
And God is full of compassion and grace .
At the same time , morals are morals , marriage is marriage , sin is sin , and God ’ s ways are best .
He did not make males to have sex with males @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nor did He make sex something to be enjoyed with one or more people outside the sacred union of marriage .
The same God who sent Jesus to die for all of us sent an instruction manual on how we should live .
We can not have the one without the other .
Ironically , as noted above , the open letter claimed that , “ The Church of England has this week become a laughingstock to a nation that believes it is obsessed with sex.
” But is it not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is obsessed with sex ?
Put another way , if sex was not such a big issue , why get so upset with the church ’ s statement ?
Why not say , “ All clear !
If we ’ re a gay couple in a committed civil partnership , we ’ ll abstain from sex .
And if we ’ re unmarried heterosexuals , we ’ ll be sure to remain celibate.
” Not a chance .
That ’ s not how human beings are wired .
That ’ s because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask the human race throughout recorded history .
Just look at the plague of online porn .
Just look at the never-ending rapes and sex-related crimes .
Just look at marital infidelity .
That ’ s why , any time Paul listed the sins of the flesh , he always put sexual sin at the top of the list ( see , for example , 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ) .
He too understood that sex was a big deal .
He also understood that , with God ’ s grace and help , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of course , the real conflict within the Church of England now is not so much related to adultery and immorality in general .
Rather , it is related to homosexual practice .
And that ’ s why the pastoral guidance statement stirred up so much controversy .
It classified homosexual practice , even within a civil partnership , as forbidden .
To quote the statement directly ( which , to be sure , is way too accommodating to civil partnerships in general ) , “ It has always been the position of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a creation ordinance , a gift of God in creation and a means of his grace .
Marriage , defined as a faithful , committed , permanent and legally sanctioned relationship between a man and a woman making a public commitment to each other , is central to the stability and health of human society .
We believe that it continues to provide the best context for the raising of children , although it is not the only context that can be of benefit to children , especially where the alternative may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than apologizing for standing with God and His Word , Church leaders should have reaffirmed their position in the face of protest .
Unity without truth will not stand .
Neither will unity without morality .
Neither will unity without the blessing of God .
Church of England , which will it be ?

Morals are morals, marriage is marriage, sin is sin, and God’s ways are best. And with God’s grace and help, we can live above sexual sin.
January 31, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – If you read the Bible cover to cover, you’ll see there is no ambiguity when it comes to extra-marital sex. Simply stated, it is forbidden. Sex before marriage is called fornication. Sex outside of marriage is called adultery. And marriage is defined as the lifelong union of a male and a female. That’s how Genesis defines it and that’s how Jesus defines it.
Church standards through history would reaffirm all these points.
All sexual relations outside the confines of marriage (which, to repeat, has always and only been the union of a man and a woman) are considered immoral and sinful.
But in today’s morally confused society, right is now wrong and wrong is now right, to the point that the Church of England has apologized for reaffirming basic, biblical morality.
As reported by CNN, “Top archbishops in the Church of England have apologized for guidance issued by the church last week that said only married heterosexuals should have sex – while same-sex or heterosexual Christians in civil partnerships should remain abstinent.”
“Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Archbishop of York John Sentamu said in a statement Thursday that they took responsibility for last week's announcement, ‘which we acknowledge has jeopardized trust.’
“‘We are very sorry and recognize the division and hurt this has caused,’ Welby and Sentamu wrote.”
The pastoral guidance statement was issued “in response to the extension of civil partnerships to heterosexual couples in the UK.”
“The guidance, published January 22, said ‘for Christians, marriage – that is the lifelong union between a man and a woman, contracted with the making of vows – remains the proper context for sexual activity.’”
From a biblical standpoint, what is controversial in this pastoral guidance statement?
Is not marriage the lifelong union of a man and woman? Is not sex outside of this union, be it heterosexual or homosexual, strictly forbidden?
The pastoral guidance statement was met with outrage and disappointment, to the point that the open letter written in response has received more than 3,500 signatures. According to the “radical inclusion” website, this “includes nearly 90 members of General Synod and a range of other senior church leaders. This shows the strength of concern that exists across the Church of England that its mission is being significantly damaged and that their promise of a ‘radical new Christian inclusion’ must now be delivered.”
Yes, the open letter states, “The Church of England has this week become a laughingstock to a nation that believes it is obsessed with sex. More importantly this statement has significantly damaged the mission of the Church and it has broken the trust of those it seeks to serve.”
“We ask you to consider how we can, together, build a truly radically inclusive Christian Church.”
In other words, “We ask you to consider rewriting the Bible. We ask you to consider trashing the unanimous testimony of 2,000 years of Church history. We ask you to lower your standards to those of a fallen world rather than calling on a fallen world to repent and conform to God’s Word. We ask you to become moral relativists and to abandon the outdated, outmoded morals of the Scriptures. And we ask you to do so in Jesus’ name!”
In the words of Rector Marcus Green:
As an openly gay man serving as a vicar in the CofE [sic] I understand what it means when you hope for better and receive less. God loves people, it’s as simple as that. The church is a bit more broken, but we need to remember the simple message and do the obvious stuff. People are people. Everyone matters. No one is second rate. That’s what the Bible teaches, that’s Jesus for you. So I’m keen to support anything that calls us to live up to that standard.
Yes, people are people. Everyone does matter. No one is second rate. And God is full of compassion and grace.
At the same time, morals are morals, marriage is marriage, sin is sin, and God’s ways are best.
He did not make males to have sex with males or females to have sex with females. Nor did He make sex something to be enjoyed with one or more people outside the sacred union of marriage.
The same God who sent Jesus to die for all of us sent an instruction manual on how we should live. We cannot have the one without the other.
Ironically, as noted above, the open letter claimed that, “The Church of England has this week become a laughingstock to a nation that believes it is obsessed with sex.”
But is it not the nation, rather than the church, that is obsessed with sex? Put another way, if sex was not such a big issue, why get so upset with the church’s statement? Why not say, “All clear! If we’re a gay couple in a committed civil partnership, we’ll abstain from sex. And if we’re unmarried heterosexuals, we’ll be sure to remain celibate.”
Not a chance. That’s not how human beings are wired.
That’s because sex is a big issue. Just ask the human race throughout recorded history. Just look at the plague of online porn. Just look at the never-ending rapes and sex-related crimes. Just look at marital infidelity.
That’s why, any time Paul listed the sins of the flesh, he always put sexual sin at the top of the list (see, for example, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). He too understood that sex was a big deal. He also understood that, with God’s grace and help, we could live above sexual sin.
Of course, the real conflict within the Church of England now is not so much related to adultery and immorality in general. Rather, it is related to homosexual practice. And that’s why the pastoral guidance statement stirred up so much controversy. It classified homosexual practice, even within a civil partnership, as forbidden.
To quote the statement directly (which, to be sure, is way too accommodating to civil partnerships in general), “It has always been the position of the Church of England that marriage is a creation ordinance, a gift of God in creation and a means of his grace. Marriage, defined as a faithful, committed, permanent and legally sanctioned relationship between a man and a woman making a public commitment to each other, is central to the stability and health of human society. We believe that it continues to provide the best context for the raising of children, although it is not the only context that can be of benefit to children, especially where the alternative may be long periods in institutional care.”
Rather than apologizing for standing with God and His Word, Church leaders should have reaffirmed their position in the face of protest.
Unity without truth will not stand. Neither will unity without morality. Neither will unity without the blessing of God.
Church of England, which will it be?
Follow Michael Dr. Brown is the author of more than 35 books, including Our Hands Are Stained with Blood: The Tragic Story of the “Church” and the Jewish People, which has been translated into more than twelve languages, the highly acclaimed five-volume series, Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus, a commentary on Jeremiah (part of the revised edition of the Expositor’s Bible Commentary), and several books on revival and the Jesus revolution. His most recent book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test?
Share


lifesitenews--2020-01-31--Warren vows to have ‘trans child’ review Secretary of Education nominee as president

January 31 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Massachusetts Senator and Democrat presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren reiterated this week that she would only nominate someone to head the U.S. Department of Education if a gender-confused nine-year-old approves of him or her .
Speaking at a campaign stop in Cedar Rapids , Iowa , Warren laid out her criteria for selecting a Secretary of Education , starting with the requirement that her nominee have experience teaching in public schools .
Her second stipulation was much more unusual , however .
“ Because it came from a young trans person who asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it starts with a Secretary of Education , who has a lot to do with where we spend our money , with what gets advanced in our public schools , with what the standards are , and I said , I ’ m gon na have a Secretary of Education that this young trans person interviews on my behalf , ” Warren declared .
“ And only if this person believes that our Secretary of Education nominee is committed to creating a welcoming environment , a safe environment , and a full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person actually advance to be Secretary of Education.
” Warren was referencing an interaction during a Democrat primary forum that took place in October , during which she made that promise to Jacob Lemay , a girl who identifies as a boy .
Originally known as Mia , Lemay made headlines in 2015 when her parents announced they were raising her as a boy at the age of five ( they also announced they were raising their son Jack , then four , as “ Jackie , ” and claimed that the idea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Warren , who currently places third in the field according to RealClearPolitics ’ national average , has garnered a reputation during the campaign for a pattern of what her critics characterize as “ woke ” virtue signaling .
She displays her “ preferred pronouns ” on social media as a show of solidarity with transgender activists , has vowed to wear a Planned Parenthood scarf to her inauguration if elected , and calls for placing gender-confused male inmates in women ’ s prisons .
Earlier this week , Warren pledged that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cabinet would be “ filled by women and non-binary people .
”

January 31, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Massachusetts Senator and Democrat presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren reiterated this week that she would only nominate someone to head the U.S. Department of Education if a gender-confused nine-year-old approves of him or her.
Speaking at a campaign stop in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Warren laid out her criteria for selecting a Secretary of Education, starting with the requirement that her nominee have experience teaching in public schools. Her second stipulation was much more unusual, however.
Warren says that she will have a “young trans person” interview her future Secretary of Education and only hire this future secretary if the young trans person approves. This in reference to a question about sex education/LGBTQ history in public schools. pic.twitter.com/txyt6OI6FX — Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) January 30, 2020
“Because it came from a young trans person who asked about a welcoming community, and I said it starts with a Secretary of Education, who has a lot to do with where we spend our money, with what gets advanced in our public schools, with what the standards are, and I said, I’m gonna have a Secretary of Education that this young trans person interviews on my behalf,” Warren declared. “And only if this person believes that our Secretary of Education nominee is committed to creating a welcoming environment, a safe environment, and a full educational curriculum for everyone, will that person actually advance to be Secretary of Education.”
Warren was referencing an interaction during a Democrat primary forum that took place in October, during which she made that promise to Jacob Lemay, a girl who identifies as a boy.
CNN invites 9-year-old transgender boy to ask Sen. Warren a question pic.twitter.com/j0yuNG58qA — Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) October 11, 2019
Originally known as Mia, Lemay made headlines in 2015 when her parents announced they were raising her as a boy at the age of five (they also announced they were raising their son Jack, then four, as “Jackie,” and claimed that the idea to switch genders originated with both children).
Warren, who currently places third in the field according to RealClearPolitics’ national average, has garnered a reputation during the campaign for a pattern of what her critics characterize as “woke” virtue signaling. She displays her “preferred pronouns” on social media as a show of solidarity with transgender activists, has vowed to wear a Planned Parenthood scarf to her inauguration if elected, and calls for placing gender-confused male inmates in women’s prisons.
Earlier this week, Warren pledged that “at least” half of her Cabinet would be “filled by women and non-binary people.”
Share