Concerning This, began on March 28th, 2008. Incentive for it's formation came from the Center for Disease Control after it announced the STD rate of teenage girls in the United States. Deeply concerned about many destructive patterns developing in our country, I began to share my thoughts, in hope that conditions may improve. Readers are invited to make comments. I thank the precious few who have taken time to share their thoughts.
This blog entry will list the discussions from March 28th of last year to the present, with a capsule summary of the concerns discussed.
TRAGIC STATISTICS! WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE!- March 28, 2008
One in four teen girls has at least one sexually transmitted disease. More than 45 million abortions have been performed in the U.S. since 1973, 81% to unmarried women. By 2005, 35% of babies born in the U.S. were born out of wedlock and 40% of children are being raised without a father in the home.
WHAT NEXT? PROCREATION OR PRODUCTION? - April 1, 2008
Advances in reproductive technologies challenge our sexual and family relationships, raising many ethical questions.
* How far should commerce and reproduction mix?
* Are the rights of children of the new biology being ignored?
* What is it doing to the way we think about ourselves, each other, and our children?
THE DECEITFUL WEB OF PORNOGRAPHY - April 4, 2008
Pornography and sexual temptation are ripping the soul out of our American culture. We rationalize our destructive behaviors by weaving a web of deception around us: "I can handle it." "I'm not hurting anyone." "It's just entertainment."
Pornography is BIG BUSINESS.
HOMOSEXUALITY? CAUTION IS WISDOM - April 8, 2008
The profound changes that would occur in social organization warrant caution and serious consideration, particularly in regard to social integration, social freedom, social reproduction, and social health.
THE CON IN CONDOM: SAFE SEX! - May 13, 2008
Typical condom use has a failure rate of 14%. Would you get into a car with that probability and feel safe? If 20 million people trusted condoms for safe sex, two million, eight hundred thousand people will be 'unpleasantly surprised'. They are being passed out to junior high students.
THE ENDANGERED BLACK FAMILY AND OUR ENDANGERED CULTURE. - May 27, 2008
In their book, Come On People: From Victims to Victors,Bill Cosby and Alvin Poussaint courageously document a social tragedy that has concerned social scientists for decades. In 1950, 5 out of 6 black children were born into a two-parent home. Now 70% are born outside of marriage.
Black male rappers have churned out a profane style with antisocial, angry, women-hating messages.
A FATHER'S DAY TRIBUTE - June 11, 2008
My Dad would have enjoyed blogging. He liked to write down his observations of nature and share them. Here are a few.
* If you see a bunch of leaves bouncing like they had cricket legs, look carefully and you'll see a fox sparrow in the middle "kicking it up" as fox sparrows do.
* A tree full of blackbirds sounds a lot like water dropping into a hundred buckets.
* Tonight it is raining...a frog...hopped into the kitchen. I picked him up and told Elizabeth if she would kiss him, he might turn into a Prince. But she would not. So we let him out.
THE HIGH COST OF MARRIAGE BREAKDOWN IN AMERICA. - June 17, 2008
Increases in divorce, single-parent families and children born out-of-wedlock are creating expensive personal and social tragedies as commitment to family is replaced by self-orientation. A study released in April of 2008 reported $112 billion annual taxpayer cost due to increased expenditures for anti-poverty, criminal justice and education programs from high rates of divorce and unmarried childbearing.
IT PAYS TO ENRICH YOUR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY! - June 24, 2008
Marriage enrichment, different from marriage counseling or therapy, is an educational learning process of making marriage better, happier, and more satisfying. Marriage enrichment activities develop skills in affirming each other, conflict resolution and caring communication. It is the best investment you can make for yourself, your future, your children, and your family!
HOW'S THE WEATHER INSIDE? A WORKSHOP FOR MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT. - July 11, 2008
Plan a workshop for marriage enrichment. There are many resources available for help. Every marriage has many storms to weather as life progresses and changes. Marriage enrichment activities develop skills in affirming each other, conflict resolution and communication. Conflict is something to be resolved, not avoided. It is an opportunity to recognize each other's needs and uniqueness. Creative communication is a chance to grow closer together.
TEXAS LEADS IN MARRIAGE STRENGTHENING PROGRAMS - July 28, 2008
On June 15th of 2007, the Governor of Texas signed into law 2 bills designed to support the development of healthy marriages and families: House Bill 2683 - Strengthening Families, and House Bill 2685 - Marriage Preparation Courses. By promoting these bills, Texas took the lead at the state level in promoting programs to give families tools to succeed in marriage and family relationship skills.
WHEN ORGANIZATIONS AND FAMILIES COLLIDE August 10, 2008
We are spending an increasing amount of time in organizations, away from our families. Our social education programs are failing to educate citizens in skills necessary for healthy family relationships. In their report, Marriage in America: A Report to the Nation, the Council on Families contend that making marriage stronger will require a shift in cultural values and public policy. They conclude that educational, religious, civic, business, political, and health organizations must all work together to regain the social value of marriage and family.
HOLY HUMANISM! IT'S POLITICALLY CORRECT! September 20, 2008
In 1933, contending that the universe is self-existing and that worship and prayer must be replaced by a sense of personal life and social well being, the Humanist Manifesto outlined the establishment of a new religion based on modern science.
In 1973, a second manifesto announced that ethics must be considered autonomous and situational, and that civil liberties must be extended to the right to die, euthanasia, suicide, birth control, abortion, divorce and the right to engage in varieties of sexual behaviors between consenting adults. These proposals are being taught in our universities and schools as what is now politically correct.
ECONOMIC SOCIALISM ENDANGERS OUR FREEDOMS! October 1, 2008
Our freedoms are at stake in the horrendous request that asks taxpayers to give the government SEVEN HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS of their hard earned money to bail out fiascos on wall street. Giving government bureaucrats at the treasury department centralized control over the money available for making business loans and more importantly, giving them the authority to decide the eligibility rules as to who will receive these loans moves us into the realm of economic socialism.
IT'S NOT OUR ECONOMY, S____, IT'S OUR CHARACTER! WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DREAM? October 13, 2008
What is needed at this junction in history are leaders who have the WISDOM, WILL, AND COURAGE to help us restore a greater loss than money. Who can lead us back to citizenship and social, personal, and moral responsibility so the foundation of our country can be protected and restored?
BE WARY OF SOCIALISM, VERY WARY! October 24, 2008
Socialism is a vast bureaucracy dictated by the few for the good of the few and the control of the many. In times of crises 'benevolent dictatorship' is often held out as the obvious solution. However, benevolent dictatorship is a contradiction in terms.
It is the faith of the free system of government that open and honest debate provides a foundation where the general population can choose the form of laws and regulations that will best serve the greatest good. The government is then held accountable to the people for its continuing existence.
THE NEW MORALITY THREATENS US ALL. November 30, 2008
In 1884, Freidrich Engels, co-author of the Communist Manifesto, outlined a new social organization. Women would be drawn into industry, men and women would be equal in rights and responsibilities, the means of production would pass into common property, the family would be abolished as the economic unit of society, housekeeping would become a social industry, and all children would be taken care of by the state whether they are born in wedlock or not.
From these changes will spring the new morality that Engels calls Sex Love.
This new society will give rise to more unrestrained sexual intercourse. Sex love replaces committed family love. When affection is "displaced by a new passionate love", separation becomes a blessing.
IMAGINE NO RELIGION. IMPOSSIBLE! December 26,2008
All persons and groups develop meaning systems that guide their decisions and behaviors which they then pursue with religious fervor. It is impossible to 'imagine no religion'.
When the Freedom From Religion Foundation asks us to imagine no religion they are in reality asking us to imagine no God, no higher power to which we are accountable. The attempt to remove the concept of God from our society raises deep and legitimate fears related to individual integrity, freedom and survival.
VAST CONCLUSIONS FROM HALF VAST DATA. January 11, 2009
The process of scientific investigation attempts to overcome personal bias and preference by a reliance on an objective analysis of facts systematically collected. Unfortunately, however, science can be and sometimes is misused for political agendas. The temptation may be to distort the results by using only a portion of the data that supports the agenda or to widely over generalize the results to imply 'all' when only 'some' is appropriate.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR'S STRENGTH TO LOVE. January 19, 2009
Dr. King, black ministers and leaders of the civil rights movement were insistent that the demonstrations for freedom would be controlled, orderly, dignified and non-violent. This powerful strength to love, in spite of past and present violence against them was a convincing factor that led to the passage of the civil rights acts of 1964 and 1965.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE DIVIDES THE NATION. February 4, 2009
Because abortion is intimately related to the value and meaning of human life and family, it became one of the most explosive, bitter, and divisive conflicts in America. State and federal laws were passed following Roe v. Wade limiting whether, when and under what circumstances a woman may obtain an abortion. The Freedom of Choice Act, introduced but not passed in 2007, would prohibit federal, state or local governmental entities from interfering with a woman's right to choose abortion. Senator Obama, now President, spoke to Planned Parenthood saying, "The first thing I'd do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act".
BIAS AND ERROR IN THE COSTLY DEATH PENALTY SYSTEM. February 14, 2009
There is much bias in the death penalty in America. Where a person commits a murder affects their chances of being put to death. The finality of the death penalty also raises concern about errors in sentencing. A study found that between 1989 and 2003, 340 prisoners convicted of murder and rape had been exonerated. DNA evidence and false witness identification were involved in many exonerations. The death penalty is an expensive cost to the taxpayer compared to a sentence of life without parole.
EUTHANASIA COMES TO THE UNITED STATES. February 24, 2009
On March 5th of 2009, the state of Michigan became the second state to enact into law the Death With Dignity Act. Opponents contend that Assisted Suicide is a more accurate name for the act. Depression is a primary factor linked to assisted suicides, and treatment for depression should be given before suicide is considered. Patients often seek death as a relief from relentless pain. Yet with good medical care, pain is almost always manageable.
SPEAK OUT TO PROTECT FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE. March 21, 2009
As budget and bailout concerns capture the news and the public attention, the Department of Health and Human Services(HHS) is quietly making plans to throw out the conscience rules that protect medical workers who refuse to perform medical procedures contrary to their moral convictions. President Obama, furthering his support for abortion rights, announced plans to roll back the conscience rules, stoking battles between abortion and right-to-life supporters. HHS is receiving comments from medical personnel and the public through April 9, 2009 in regard to this issue.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Speak Out To Protect Freedom of Conscience!
As budget and bailout concerns capture the news and the public attention, the Department of Health and Human Services is quietly making plans to throw out the conscience rules that protect medical workers who refuse to perform medical procedures contrary to their moral convictions. 1.
Following Roe v. Wade in 1973, state and federal conscience clauses were enacted to protect health care workers who didn't want to perform abortions. Subsequent protections developed to protect reluctant health care workers from participation in euthansia and assisted suicide.
THE PROVIDER REFUSAL RULE
In August of 2008, the Bush administration proposed legislation that was enacted into law on inauguration day of 2009. The Provider Refusal Rule strengthened protections for doctors, nurses and workers in health care settings who refuse to provide a medical service because of moral convictions.
This legislation also protects healthcare providers from being involved in additional procedures, like sex change operations and assisted suicide, as well as vaccinations and family planning, if they are morally opposed to the procedures.2.
Pharmacists would also be protected from refusing to prescribe medicine, including the morning-after pill, if they opposed the prescription on moral grounds.
This bill does not violate the ability of a person seeking services to receive them from another source, but protects the conscientious medical decisions of professionals who object to particular services.
THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO RESCIND THE 'CONSCIENCE RULE'.
At the end of February 2009, President Obama, furthering his support for abortion rights, announced plans to roll back the conscience rules, stoking battles between abortion and right-to-life supporters.
Dr. Suzanne T. Poppema, board chair of Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health, praised Obama "for placing good health care above ideological demands."
However, Toni Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, said "Protecting the right of all health-care professional's judgments based on moral convictions and ethical standards...is necessary to ensure that access to health care is not diminished, which will occur if health-care workers are forced out of their jobs because of their ethical stances. President Obama's intention to change the language of these protections would result in the government becoming the conscience and not the individual." 3.
COMMENTS ARE INVITED AND ENCOURAGED THROUGH APRIL 9, 2009.
Advocates on both sides, medical groups and the public are invited to contact the Department of Health and Human Services to make comments on this proposal through the first week of April to express their opinions about changes in the conscience clauses.
HISTORY OF MEDICAL CONSCIENCE
The Hippocratic Oath, which pertains to the ethical practice of medicine, has traditionally been taken by physicians and continues to be a sacred document among health care professionals.
"I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner I will not give a woman a pessary to produce abortion"... (from the Hippocratic Oath)
Hippocrates was a celebrated Greek physician in the 4th century BCE. Even then physicians were organized into a guild with regulations for training and a professional ideal of practice.
"CHURCH AMENDMENTS"
In the 1970's, conscience provisions contained in the Department of Health and Human Services directives collectively known as the 'Church Amendments' (42 U.S.C.&300a-7) were enacted in response to whether or not the receipt of federal funds required recipients to perform sterilizations or abortions.
Conscience provisions provide that:
* the receipt of government funds does not require that individuals or entities be involved in sterilization or abortion procedures if it would be contrary to religious beliefs or moral convictions.
* Entities receiving funds (grants, contracts, loans), including biomedical research entities, are prohibited from discriminating against any physician or health care personnel who refused to perform a lawful sterilization or abortion procedure based on religious beliefs.
* Entities receiving funds are prohibited from discriminating against any applicant for training or study because of the applicant's reluctance to participate in counseling or assistance in abortions or sterilizations based on the applicant's religious beliefs or moral convictions.
CONCERNS ABOUT GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF MEDICINE
When freedom of conscience is overruled by directives from govenment or a governing board, totalitarian regimes may command citizens to engage in atrocious behaviors in opposition to their own feelings of appropriate behavior.
THE NAZIFICATION OF MEDICINE
A tragic example was seen in Nazi Germany, where doctors were used to commit unspeakable horrors under the direction of the state.
Physicians were identified as 'servants of the state'. Personal responsibility for decisions was taken away from individual doctors and nurses. 4.
The overarching Nazi biomedical vision involved medicalized killing, killing in the name of healing for the good of the 'Volk'. Sterilization, mercy killing, euthanasia and destroying 'life unworthy of life' were seen as responsible medical practices.
In a period of 7 years, the Nazi holocaust eradicated an estimated 21 million people, many of whom were killed by medical doctors who had no voice or choice but to obey the directives of the state or lose their license. Those killed included the handicapped, children, aged, sick, ethnic groups, conscientious objectors, and any critics who opposed the Nazi agenda. 5.
MEDICAL KILLING IN AMERICA
Since the enactment of Roe v. Wade in 1973, over 49,500,000 legal abortions have been performed in the United States. Since the legalization of abortion, the pressures not to abort have been replaced by a multitude of social pressures encouraging abortion. Increasingly, accounts of research studies related to abortion and stress report that in many cases the choice to abort was not made by the woman but was forced upon her by husbands, parents, doctors, counselors, or friends. 6.
In 1994, Oregon voters approved a bill permitting terminally ill patients with less than six months to live to request and self-administer lethal doses of medicine. On March 5,2009, Washington State became the second state to approve this initiative, called the Death With Dignity Act.
Opponents of the bill contend that 'assisted suicide' is a more accurate description of this legislation. Kenneth Stevens, a Portland, Oregon radiation oncolgist said assisted suicide "is a reversal of the historic role of physicians as healers, as comforters, as counselors." 7.
FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE IS DEMOCRACY IN ACTION
The ability to act on personal and moral conscience is the foundation of our liberty and freedom. The right of individuals to speak up and act on the basis of their individual sense of moral rightness provides the checks and balances that protect us from the tyranny of totalitarian dictatorship.
The Obama administration is concerned that the Bush regulations could put in jeopardy family planning services and counseling for vaccines. The administration will review comments from the public before making a final decision.
Responsible citizenship requires that we speak out to make our concerns heard.
REFERENCES
1. Lewey, Noam. N. February 27, 2009."Obama administration may rescind 'conscience rule'.Washington Bureau. Chicagotribune.com.March 21, 2009.
2.Berger, Matthew. March 3, 2009. "Obama Plans to Rescind Healthcare 'Conscience Clause'. http://www.crosswalk.com/news/commentary/11600261. 3/21/2009.
3. Young, Saundra. March, 19, 2009. "White House set to reverse health care conscience clause'". CNN.com. Campbell Brown: No Bias. No Bull.
4.Lifton, Robert Jay. 2000. The Nazi Doctors: Medical Killing and the Psychology of Genocide. Basic Books
5. Rummel, R. J. 1992. Democide: Nazi Genocide and Mass Murder. New Brunswick,NJ: Transaction Pub. http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/NAZIS.CHAP1.HTM.
6. Basu, Alaka Malwade(ed.) 2003. The Sociocultural and Political Aspects of Abortion:Global Perspective.Chapter 14.The Social Pressure to Abort. Praeger Pub.
7. Allen, Marshall. August, 2004. "Death Wishes". Christianity Today. Vol.48, No.8,page 24.
Following Roe v. Wade in 1973, state and federal conscience clauses were enacted to protect health care workers who didn't want to perform abortions. Subsequent protections developed to protect reluctant health care workers from participation in euthansia and assisted suicide.
THE PROVIDER REFUSAL RULE
In August of 2008, the Bush administration proposed legislation that was enacted into law on inauguration day of 2009. The Provider Refusal Rule strengthened protections for doctors, nurses and workers in health care settings who refuse to provide a medical service because of moral convictions.
This legislation also protects healthcare providers from being involved in additional procedures, like sex change operations and assisted suicide, as well as vaccinations and family planning, if they are morally opposed to the procedures.2.
Pharmacists would also be protected from refusing to prescribe medicine, including the morning-after pill, if they opposed the prescription on moral grounds.
This bill does not violate the ability of a person seeking services to receive them from another source, but protects the conscientious medical decisions of professionals who object to particular services.
THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO RESCIND THE 'CONSCIENCE RULE'.
At the end of February 2009, President Obama, furthering his support for abortion rights, announced plans to roll back the conscience rules, stoking battles between abortion and right-to-life supporters.
Dr. Suzanne T. Poppema, board chair of Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health, praised Obama "for placing good health care above ideological demands."
However, Toni Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, said "Protecting the right of all health-care professional's judgments based on moral convictions and ethical standards...is necessary to ensure that access to health care is not diminished, which will occur if health-care workers are forced out of their jobs because of their ethical stances. President Obama's intention to change the language of these protections would result in the government becoming the conscience and not the individual." 3.
COMMENTS ARE INVITED AND ENCOURAGED THROUGH APRIL 9, 2009.
Advocates on both sides, medical groups and the public are invited to contact the Department of Health and Human Services to make comments on this proposal through the first week of April to express their opinions about changes in the conscience clauses.
HISTORY OF MEDICAL CONSCIENCE
The Hippocratic Oath, which pertains to the ethical practice of medicine, has traditionally been taken by physicians and continues to be a sacred document among health care professionals.
"I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner I will not give a woman a pessary to produce abortion"... (from the Hippocratic Oath)
Hippocrates was a celebrated Greek physician in the 4th century BCE. Even then physicians were organized into a guild with regulations for training and a professional ideal of practice.
"CHURCH AMENDMENTS"
In the 1970's, conscience provisions contained in the Department of Health and Human Services directives collectively known as the 'Church Amendments' (42 U.S.C.&300a-7) were enacted in response to whether or not the receipt of federal funds required recipients to perform sterilizations or abortions.
Conscience provisions provide that:
* the receipt of government funds does not require that individuals or entities be involved in sterilization or abortion procedures if it would be contrary to religious beliefs or moral convictions.
* Entities receiving funds (grants, contracts, loans), including biomedical research entities, are prohibited from discriminating against any physician or health care personnel who refused to perform a lawful sterilization or abortion procedure based on religious beliefs.
* Entities receiving funds are prohibited from discriminating against any applicant for training or study because of the applicant's reluctance to participate in counseling or assistance in abortions or sterilizations based on the applicant's religious beliefs or moral convictions.
CONCERNS ABOUT GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF MEDICINE
When freedom of conscience is overruled by directives from govenment or a governing board, totalitarian regimes may command citizens to engage in atrocious behaviors in opposition to their own feelings of appropriate behavior.
THE NAZIFICATION OF MEDICINE
A tragic example was seen in Nazi Germany, where doctors were used to commit unspeakable horrors under the direction of the state.
Physicians were identified as 'servants of the state'. Personal responsibility for decisions was taken away from individual doctors and nurses. 4.
The overarching Nazi biomedical vision involved medicalized killing, killing in the name of healing for the good of the 'Volk'. Sterilization, mercy killing, euthanasia and destroying 'life unworthy of life' were seen as responsible medical practices.
In a period of 7 years, the Nazi holocaust eradicated an estimated 21 million people, many of whom were killed by medical doctors who had no voice or choice but to obey the directives of the state or lose their license. Those killed included the handicapped, children, aged, sick, ethnic groups, conscientious objectors, and any critics who opposed the Nazi agenda. 5.
MEDICAL KILLING IN AMERICA
Since the enactment of Roe v. Wade in 1973, over 49,500,000 legal abortions have been performed in the United States. Since the legalization of abortion, the pressures not to abort have been replaced by a multitude of social pressures encouraging abortion. Increasingly, accounts of research studies related to abortion and stress report that in many cases the choice to abort was not made by the woman but was forced upon her by husbands, parents, doctors, counselors, or friends. 6.
In 1994, Oregon voters approved a bill permitting terminally ill patients with less than six months to live to request and self-administer lethal doses of medicine. On March 5,2009, Washington State became the second state to approve this initiative, called the Death With Dignity Act.
Opponents of the bill contend that 'assisted suicide' is a more accurate description of this legislation. Kenneth Stevens, a Portland, Oregon radiation oncolgist said assisted suicide "is a reversal of the historic role of physicians as healers, as comforters, as counselors." 7.
FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE IS DEMOCRACY IN ACTION
The ability to act on personal and moral conscience is the foundation of our liberty and freedom. The right of individuals to speak up and act on the basis of their individual sense of moral rightness provides the checks and balances that protect us from the tyranny of totalitarian dictatorship.
The Obama administration is concerned that the Bush regulations could put in jeopardy family planning services and counseling for vaccines. The administration will review comments from the public before making a final decision.
Responsible citizenship requires that we speak out to make our concerns heard.
REFERENCES
1. Lewey, Noam. N. February 27, 2009."Obama administration may rescind 'conscience rule'.Washington Bureau. Chicagotribune.com.March 21, 2009.
2.Berger, Matthew. March 3, 2009. "Obama Plans to Rescind Healthcare 'Conscience Clause'. http://www.crosswalk.com/news/commentary/11600261. 3/21/2009.
3. Young, Saundra. March, 19, 2009. "White House set to reverse health care conscience clause'". CNN.com. Campbell Brown: No Bias. No Bull.
4.Lifton, Robert Jay. 2000. The Nazi Doctors: Medical Killing and the Psychology of Genocide. Basic Books
5. Rummel, R. J. 1992. Democide: Nazi Genocide and Mass Murder. New Brunswick,NJ: Transaction Pub. http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/NAZIS.CHAP1.HTM.
6. Basu, Alaka Malwade(ed.) 2003. The Sociocultural and Political Aspects of Abortion:Global Perspective.Chapter 14.The Social Pressure to Abort. Praeger Pub.
7. Allen, Marshall. August, 2004. "Death Wishes". Christianity Today. Vol.48, No.8,page 24.
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