US voters oppose move to allow open gays in US armed forces- latest poll results

(Social Justice South Africa)

Article by Marc Aupiais

For our source quotes, analysis, and additional information, please see:

SACNS Quote Analysis:

US voters oppose open gays in US armed forces- latest poll THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2010

Contrary to polls, by homosexual special interests supporting organisations, a conservative group, opposing homosexual special interests in this case has conducted a poll- this time focused on persons who plan to vote in the upcoming elections (presumably those to replace representatives later in this year)- the results were the opposite of prior polls which did not focus on professed planned voters. Respondents, the conservative pollsters claimed- opposed prioritizing lifting the American ban on homosexuals in the military.

A network of major opponents to a homosexual special interests effort by US President Barack Obama, and Michael D. Palm Center, to legalize service by homosexuals in the US military has conducted a poll of 1000 respondents who claimed they planned to vote in November elections: which could see an end to Democrat majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The Military Culture Coalition, said that: potential voters nearly unanimously felt that overturning the 1992 law, should not be a focus for the American Congress. Over 50% thought US President Barack Obama was putting political games ahead of principle.

On 9th July 2010, Reuters reported on objections, that those in a group most forcefully pushing the repeal have had, to surveying troops, as to whether they would react negatively, to open homosexuals in the military, calling any survey biased. Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military is the name the Michael D. Palm Center, once went by: this group is the one which opposes surveys of troops, and is often quoted by secular services.

Section 654, Title 10, is the law in question for repeal. A 2006 poll by those promoting the repeal, found similar results to the current one, with 69% neutral or opposed to homosexuals openly serving in the US military.

Contrary to media reports- "Don't ask don't tell" does not ban open homosexuals, but rather all homosexuals from military service in the United States. However, the system "don't ask don't tell" removed mandatory questions on soldiers' sexual attractions from questionnaires they were compelled to fill out. Whether the system is actually enforced by the Obama administration has come into question, after it emerged that the alleged wikileaks leak- who revealed thousands of US military secrets about war efforts in active war zones- had for a long time served as an open homosexual, and homosexual special interests activist in the US military.

For more information on the history of the debate involving the law which "Don't Ask Don't Tell" relates to, please view our archive article:

Bias in Reuters? :Pentagon says troop survey not biased against gays | Reuters SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2010







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Bias in Reuters? :Pentagon says troop survey not biased against gays | Reuters

(Social Justice South Africa)

Analytical Article by Marc Aupiais

Article summary: looks into either an error or a misrepresentation by a Reuters article, as well as into the arguments surrounding a US policy and the law that policy stifles.

Pentagon says troop survey not biased against gays | Reuters

So goes a headline in a Reuters (British; Independent; Secular) piece on the controversial repeal of the policy of don't ask don't tell, or so they inaccurately claim to start. Don't ask don't tell won't be repealed: all it entailed was taking questions on a trooper's sexuality from questionnaires, without lifting the ban on homosexuals in the military: creating the de facto position, that homosexuals who wanted to serve would keep quiet and other troops would not ask if they were that. Pretty much the same as if our army were to get rid of the question of how old a trooper was.

The more concerning issue lies here, to quote their article:

"The Palm Center, a research institute of the University of California, Santa Barbara, was one of the groups critical of the overall polling approach by the Pentagon.

"Why would you ask those questions unless you thought there was something potentially wrong with (that group)?" asked Palm Center Director Aaron Belkin. "You would never have a survey asking: Would you share a shower with a Catholic soldier?""

09 / 07 | July / 2010

It makes it seem as though the man and centre quoted have no specific agenda, not so if one researches his history and the centre's history (interestingly they call it the Palm Center, and not the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military [CSSMM] by which it was often referred to as in the past, before it decided on a name change it seems),

"WASHINGTON, D.C., June 20, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A pro-homosexual group known as Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military (CSSMM), a think tank at the University of California, Santa Barbara, claims to have unearthed a current Pentagon document that lists homosexuality as a psychological disorder."

LifesiteNews (Catholic; Independent; Canadian; Read in and trusted in the Vatican) 20 / 06 | June / 2006

The Palm Center is more than simply an activist group, even liberal media such as CNN see it as much more:

"The Palm Center, which circulated the statement calling for the repeal of the "don't ask-don't tell" policy, is looking to President-elect Barack Obama to address the controversial issue of gays in the"

CNN (Activist; Left leaning; American; Independent; Secular) 17 / 12 | November / 2008

In other words, the very group with instituted the call for a change of policy is being quoted like an independent objective source which disagrees.

NRO National Review Online's conservative think tank further notes how the Palm Center has been an active proponent of doing away with the law, without military input why they would possibly oppose any survey:

"Someone needs to break this news to the Michael D. Palm Center, an activist group based at the University of California–Santa Barbara that used to call itself the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military. On Monday the Palm Center issued a pretentious and legally absurd report claiming that President Obama can indeed snap his fingers with an executive order suspending enforcement of the 1993 law stating that homosexuals are not eligible to serve in the military. That law, Section 654, Title 10, differs from Bill Clinton’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” administrative policy because it states that homosexuals are not eligible to serve in uniform.

Even Pennsylvania Democrat Joe Sestak, co-sponsor of a House bill (H.R. 1283) to repeal the 1993 law, recently told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow that President Obama should not try to get around Congress on a matter such as this. “We are a nation of laws,” said Sestak, “and in the last administration we saw executive actions that seemed to bend if not break those laws.”

The Palm Center’s desperation strategy seemed to be reflected during last Sunday’s ABC News program “This Week.” Host George Stephanopoulos aggressively questioned Pres. Barack Obama’s national security adviser, James Jones, on the issue of homosexuals in the military. Acknowledging congressional and military resistance to Obama’s position on the issue, Stephanopoulos suggested that the president should try to circumvent the law by suspending enforcement.

The question reflected the Palm Center’s latest polemic, which encourages the president to stop enforcing the law, rendering it essentially meaningless. Using contrived arguments, the Palm Center gay-studies scholars unconvincingly tried to justify unilateral non-enforcement of the law. The document advocates an interpretation based on the rarely used authority that underlies presidential “stop-loss” orders that sometimes are issued to keep troops in the field during a military or national emergency."

National Review Online (American; Independent; Secular; Conservative)analytical editorial on 14 / 05 | May / 2009

The current poll seems to be addressing concerning results in the past which say that there may be a mass exodus of American troops if homosexual troops are allowed to serve de jure in the US military:

"The 2008 Military Times Poll asked a new question that produced jaw-dropping results: “If the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy is overturned and gays are allowed to serve openly, how would you respond?” The article emphasized that 71% of respondents said they would continue to serve. But almost 10% said “I would not re-enlist or extend my service,” and 14% said “I would consider not re-enlisting or extending my service.” Only 6% expressed “No Opinion.” Before voting to repeal the law, Section 654, Title 10, members of Congress, and President-elect Barack Obama, ought to do the math.

[...]

The December 2006 news release announcing the often-quoted Zogby Poll on this subject, which was paid for by the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military (now called the Michael D. Palm Center), blatantly spun the story by omitting mention of responses to the key question asked — Should homosexuals serve openly in the military? The 26% of Zogby respondents who favored repeal of the law could not compete with the combined 69% of people who said that they were opposed or neutral on that question. This was hardly a mandate for radical cultural change in the military."

National Review Online (American; Independent; Secular; Conservative)analytical editorial on 02 / 01 | January / 2009

Christian Science Monitor, an American secular service which supports lifting of the ban says:

"“Is that where we as a country want to be? I think not,” says Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, which is lobbying for a repeal to the "don't ask, don't tell" (DADT) ban.

More than 25 countries specifically allow gays and lesbians to serve in the military, including all original NATO signatories except the US and Turkey.

Some 16 countries – including Pakistan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen – bar open homosexuals from serving in the military. Across Africa, 37 countries declare homosexuality outright illegal – inside the military or out. Last week, two civilian men in Malawi were convicted and sentenced to serve 14 years in prison for homosexuality.

[...]

Already, US service members serve alongside gays and lesbians. The Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, has estimated that some 66,000 gay and lesbian troops serve (pdf download) in the US forces today. And Britain, a key ally in Iraq and Afghanistan, has allowed homosexuals to openly serve in its military for a decade.

Canada and Australia lifted their bans in 1992, followed by Israel in 1993, and South Africa in 1998. The lift on bans did not result in a mass “coming out,” the Palm Center found, nor were there instances of increased harassment of or by gay people.

When Britain looked to repeal its ban, its military initially considered DADT. But they found it was a “disaster,” which “hadn’t worked,” was “unworkable” and was “hypocritical,” according to the Palm Center’s report, "Gays in Foreign Militaries 2010: A Global Primer."

Instead, the British military based its regulations on the Australian model, which simply ban public displays of affection, harassment and inappropriate relationships – regardless of whether the couple was gay or straight. In 2002, the British Ministry of Defense reconfirmed that “there has been no discernible impact on operational effectiveness” as a result of ending the gay ban and that “no further review of the Armed Forces policy on homosexuality” was necessary.


[...]

Concern that the repeal of DADT will reduce the number of volunteers is unfounded, according to Dr. Nathaniel Frank, primary author of the Palm Center Report. In Britain and Canada, roughly two-thirds of the military said it would refuse to serve with open gays, but in reality no more than three people in each country actually resigned, according to the report. [Although it is not resignations which are referred to in American polls but people who refuse to re-enlist]"

28 / 05 | May / 2010

Of course in the cases noted, the countries involved are ones where homosexuals enjoy special political or legal protections, as compared to the vastly polarised United States, and what seemed to be cited as working was a more general ban on relationships in the military, and troops it seems were still too scared to "come out" the Palm Center, once again cited as pushing for the reform, claims. If there is real tolerance in the military structures of these countries, and homosexuals are not intimidated into silence, why would they not "come out", many of the inside concerns related more to unit cohesion in combat than to people resigning. The concern is over lives possibly lost, due to the position homosexuals in a military face. I might note, South Africa is not, and since Apartheid, has not been an ally of America, South Africa is a member of the non-aligned movement and is much more closely linked to China and Cuba, than it is to America. In fact, it is one of the few countries which periodically stands up to America, and 4 of 5 South Africans oppose all homosexual acts, meaning that even if gays were to serve in an organization as dangerous as the underpaid under resourced SANDF, they would be very unlikely to "come out", for fear of reprisals. Once again a fact checking error. Though yes, homosexuals, and HIV/AIDS sufferers are both allowed in the SANDF.

As the US's Catholic Bishop of the Armed Forces opposes the repeal of the ban, our service has determined to research into this issue. I personally am unsure of my own position on this issue, as is our service. However, what I personally do best, and what our service is known for is our fact checking ability, and I thought it important to note this bias, the quoting of a particular source as though a differing opinion, as yet not noting that it is in fact an activist organization, this is done both by Reuters, and by the Christian Science monitor, which take the views of the Palm center as though they were fact on face value. The British Army also has a policy of not shooting to kill where possible, simply because an organization says it has been successful with a strategy does not mean it has been. The questions the US military are asking are exactly the applicable ones. The note of "would you shower with a Catholic" equates sexual preference to religion. Interestingly the biggest opponents to homosexuals openly in the US military are in the Catholic church and hierarchy.

As I noted before, our service has no viewpoint on this matter. We do however affirm the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the norms of marriage set out in Canon law vis-a-vis the theological delict of the recognition of homosexual unions, and the theological delict of homosexual acts, and of endorsing these. I do however think it highly possible, that those who choose to discriminate against homosexuals on duty whether for fear of harassment by them, or due to a general dislike or other reasons, may well choose other methods of discouraging their service in the US military, or of practising their dislike, due to the very different nature of American society. If this law is repealed, it is also almost certain to be used to further the means of Islamist organizations which already have had great success in recruiting militia in their war against America and other western powers, notably due to the sexual mistreatment of prisoners. As this is happening, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), which I noted oppose the lifting of the law prior Don't Ask Don't Tell's policy, has banned all people who currently experience strong homosexual urges, from US seminaries, in accordance with Vatican norms on the matter. I think the reason Republicans and the US Catholic hierarchy so opposes the lifting of the ban, lies in the polarisation of America, a tug of war which is beyond reason, whether or not it would be reasonable in the specific US situation for homosexuals to serve in the military.

This move, as with the Obama administration's choice to change "Freedom of Religion" for less tolerant "Freedom of Worship", since an unstable man of what in America is the minority Islamic faith, shot up Fort Hood, as with many other moves the US has made while ignoring conscientious objectors and religious voices in recent times: will certainly be noted by America's enemies, allies and neutrals throughout the world. If bible verses on rifles and bullets were feared to cost American lives, then there may be a very real concern that these moves may even further fuel the fire of America's enemies.

It is however vital that the US military does not ask its questions vaguely. It also is a matter of concern that Reuters did not note exactly who they were quoting. Further, religion is very different than sexual preference, and even more different than acts of a sexual nature. While I strongly oppose America's wars in the Middle East and elsewhere, if it were my country, I would be asking about the mortality statistics and injury statistics in countries which lifted their bans, especially among those suspected by other soldiers of homosexuality, as well as whether Islamist extremists gained more recruits. The first right of any human being gay or straight is the right to life.








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Americas: Carribean: Cuba: Second priest in five months killed in communist Cuba

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa; c.f. Reuters (Secular; Independent; British) Monday 13 / 07 | July / 2009 [link] ; AP (Secular; Independent; American) Monday 13 / 07 | July / 2009 [Link] : Via Yahoo news; via AP Hosted ; Zenit News Service (Catholic; Independent; American) Monday 13 / 07 | July / 2009 [Link]: Spanish Language edition;  translation by Google of 13 / 07 | July / 2009 [Link] Zenit News Service Article ) c.f. French Translation: Amériques: Caraïbes: Cuba: Deuxième prêtre tués en cinq mois sous le régime communiste de Cuba

Article by Marc Aupiais

In a death, which is reported to not immediately seem connected to a similar incident within the last five months: a second (2nd) Roman Catholic Priest, has reportedly been murdered in Communist Cuba.

From first reports: it appears that Spanish Priest, Mariano Arroyo Merino, was reportedly found dead in one of the rooms of: the Nuestra Señora de Regla (Our Lady of Regla) parish, in Regla, by Havana Bay: in the Havana Archdiocese.

An automatic translation of Zenit's report on the issue, includes some details of the priest's life:

"Father Mariano Arroyo was born on February 20, 1935, in Cabezon de la Sal, Cantabria. He was ordained priest on April 17, 1960. Soon after, in 1962, left as a missionary in Santiago, Chile, where he remained until 1968. From 1969 to 1979 working again in Madrid, Spain, as a pastor and trainer of the seminar. In 1980 he returned to Chile, and served in several parishes in the Diocese of Copiapó."

(  translation by Google of 13 / 07 | July / 2009 [Link] Zenit News Service Article)

Arrayo, landed in Cuba, in the month of January (19th January), 1997, the same month as the Late Pope John Paul II visited the Caribbean Island in that year (AP (Secular; Independent; American) Monday 13 / 07 | July / 2009 [Link] : Via Yahoo news). In December 2004, Arrayo, was seemingly appointed rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Regla,  which is across from the Havana Bay. This is where he reportedly died (translation by Google of 13 / 07 | July / 2009 [Link] Zenit News Service Article).

As the February 14th death, of Rev. Eduardo de la Fuente Serrano, in a not very populous area west of Havana, is still under investigation, this second death has caught some attention. The Archdiocese of Havana, under Cardinal Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino, did not make any release about any suspicions involving who could have killed the priest. They did however comment on his life.

Madagascar : Mayor continues campagn: government's "riot police" kill protestors: aiming at violently removing their government

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. CNA (Catholic; Independent; American) 30 / Jan / 2009; Zenit News (French Edition: Catholic; Independent; American) 05 / Feb / 2009; Vatican radio: 15 / 06 / 2009; Agenzia Fides/ Fides Service (Catholic; Independent; Italian) 02 / 02 / 2009; 05 / 02 / 2009; Fides: info on Madagascar; 25 / 11 / 2004; Reuters (Secular; independent; British) 07 / 02 / 2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

A few days ago: Mayor: Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar's capital Antananarivo: was removed from his position, by Madagascar's president: after attempting to have the well known island's President: Marc Ravalomanana: removed. Rajoelina challenged his removal: was reinstated, and stepped down: his attempt to have the country's constitutional court remove their president: failed. Rajoelina supporters have consistently looted, and have held several violent protests. Up to 25 people died: at the hands of police: after his supporters were told to remove the country's president from the "Presidential" ("Ambohitsorohitra") Palace: causing police loyal to the President: to eventually open fire with live bullets. Original riot police fled in fear, but others resorted to live fire: preventing the removal of the president from his home. Rajoelina, had promised to give Ravalomanana's: "Ambohitsorohitra" presidential palace: to his new "Prime Minister": Roindefo Monja: who he has declared as such without an election, while the Madagascan president still has yet to be defeated.

Andry Rajoelina, has banked on poverty, and controversial foreign economic deals: and the manner in which the Madagascan economy has grown since Ravalomanana, its president: was elected: without much improvement in quality of life for many Madagascans. His means have largely been violent protests, as well as the airing of an interview with an ex-president/dictator of Madagascar: who is in exile, and the government also: has finally responded in a noticeably violent manner. The anti-government protestors: have attacked properties owned by they Island's president, and have shut down, apparently: all but Radio Don Bosco in Antananarivo: the Catholic Radio station, which has somehow survived: despite questioning the anti-governmental claims, of victory: as incorrect.

The protesters, however: accuse Madagascar's president of being a dictator, and at least 68 people have died, at the hands, apparently: of protesters, who broke into riots: deaths because of looting, and violence by protesters: has not been an unusual situation since their violent protests, often involving looting: began. They say that the Madagascan Government has prevented media initiatives: and objected after the sacked mayor: Andry Rajoelina's TV station: was shut down: having aired an interview: with exiled Marxist dictator: then president, then ex-president: "Didier Ratsiraka".

The UN has called on Madagascar's president to protect civilians, and Ban Ki-moom, UN Secretary General: had on Thursday: determined to send an envoy: "Haile Menkerios"; to assess how the UN (United nations): can encourage peace in the troubled nation.

Radio Don Bosco, and Fides News: both believe that the protests are losing power. Claims exist that tensions still are there: but people need to work.

While the sacked mayor: has proclaimed that he controls the Island: the government still: clearly controls the riot police. The Madagascan situation is rife with controversy and with complexity. Both sides have now resorted in some measure: to violence. Foreign nations: have expressed distress over the situation. There are hopes to cause dialogue between the sides. Madagascar's president was legitimately elected, and the Madagascan Parliament: largely consisting of his supporters: since his being elected: is the only body: which could impeach the president under the Madagascan constitution: it seems: from the ruling of their constitutional court.

It is thought that Madagascar's violent upstart, by a sacked mayor: may well have been overplayed: that there is not enough support to remove the country's president. An attempt to set up a second authority, apposing Madagascar's presidency, and government: has resulted in a power vacuum, according to the anti-government group: whose leader: has cited this as a reason to call himself leader of the country. He has said that a transitional government would contain representation from all the regions of the Island. The damage of his efforts: on the people of Madagascar: who are angry: already because of economic issues: and the effects of the global downturn: could well mean that this is a situation: that Madagascar could be better without.

Whether or not accusations about mismanagement of Madagascar are true: the Large Island nation: could soon need extensive international aid: with commerce, and communication centers having been attacked by the insurgency.

It is not the first time: that Madagascar has had two rival governments: 2002 saw violence: due to doubt as to whether or not its current president, or the Marxist predecessor: was president. When the situation was cleared up: the current: embattled President of Madagascasr: was declared the winner. There was already the visibility of signs of the current struggle of personality: in July last year.

Venezuela; Chavez supporters attack Jews; Vatican Embassy: in further anti-religious possible voter intimidation

(Social Justice South Africa ; c.f. IOL (Independent; Secular; South African) 05 / 02 / 2009; Reuters (Secular; British; independent) 04 / Feb / 2009; Archive: 23 / Jan / 2009))

Article by Marc Aupiais

After an attack on an important Jewish Synagogue on Saturday, came an attack on a Catholic Diplomatic Embassy (Nuncio), on Wednesday: as forces accused of alleged links with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez: continue anti-religious campaigns.

While Reuters reports:

" Tear gas canisters were lobbed into the Vatican's diplomatic compound in Caracas on Wednesday, the head of the mission said, days after armed men vandalized a synagogue in the capital."

(Reuters (Secular; British; independent) 04 / Feb / 2009)

The head of the Catholic "Mission" (Nuncio), according to Reuters: is: "Giacinto Berloco".

IOL continues: focusing on the Synagogue, and ignoring the diplomatic attack:

"President Hugo Chavez on Wednesday condemned Saturday's attack on Caracas' main synagogue, which he said was being used by "the bourgeoisie" to fan unrest ahead of a crucial referendum next week on his bid for unlimited re-election.

"They accuse me of being anti-semitic. I don't hate Jews, and I call on all Venezuelan Jews not to let themselves be used," Chavez said during a military parade in Maracay, 80km southeast of Caracas."

(IOL (Independent; Secular; South African) 05 / 02 / 2009)

This comes some time after a Vatican Nuncio (Embassy to a political power), was tear bombed in January already, though by an alleged group: which claims they did not attack on Saturday, or Wednesday: and after Chavez kicked out the Israeli ambassador to Venezuela, over the Gaza Strip offenses in January.

The Venezuelan socialist, has also had confrontations with the country's Catholic bishops: who he alleged had a "plot" against him. The Bishops, fear for Venezuela's democracy, as the European Union's Parliament's Vice president fears for "Fundamental Liberties". Both the Jewish authorities, and the Catholic church: have been accused of plotting against the socialist: Chavez, who is attempting to change his country's constitution, to give him yet another term in office. A 2007 attempt failed: leading him to include longer terms in office for other leaders; to gain their support. Chavez supporters have been accused of attacking different obstacles to his sustained iron hand over Venezuela. His statements and actions against the Israeli government recently, are thought a possible cause for the outburst against minority Jews.

Of a previous January anti-religious attack: The Vice President of the EU (European Union's) Parliament: Mario Mauro (Archive: 23 / Jan / 2009) , who is also the representative on religious persecution in the: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, had condemned an attack on a Catholic Nuncio: which is the technical name for a Vatican Embassy, to a political power. The Nuncio, was in Venezuela, and government supporters, are: due to a past record, possibly: those responsible for both the January and February attacks.

Mario claimed then: that fundamental rights (He uses the word "Liberties" in the original quote): were consistently being scraped into non-existence and stolen from citizens: a statement in which he implicated the Venezuelan government(Archive: 23 / Jan / 2009).

Catholic bishops have lambasted the socialist, and others consider him a nuisance to world affairs. His attacks on the west, and attempts to derail capitalism and to attack capitalist systems, are well known.

Elias Farache, who is the current president of the Venezuelan "Jewish Association", is a voice which blames Chavez action over Israeli strikes in the Gaza strip recently: for the attacks.

Venezualan Foreign Minister, a certain Nicolas Maduro: claims that they will bring the culprits to justice; however: this seems doubtful, if those responsible are politically connected enough. He himself admits that the attack was professional. The group which claims to have attacked the Catholic Nuncio in January: "La Piedrita" ("The Pebble"), are still able to operate, able enough: to deny any recent activity.

Atheists don't get away with intrusive, unprovable bus ads in Genoa, Italy

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa; c.f. Reuters (Independent; British; Secular) 17 / 01 / 2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Atheist bus ads, denying the existence of God, without proving their unfounded views, which were set to hit the Italian city of Genoa, have been banned: the advertising company; due to a violation of advertising ethics: withdrew, and conservative politicians objected. Italy is largely Catholic.

In Washington DC, America; ads were allowed. In London, Britain, they were used, but these, those in Britain, are possibly to be challenged: as the atheists cannot prove their advert is accurate. In Barcelona, in secularist, socialist, anti-religious Spain: the adverts also appeared on buses.

Vatican: Pope to get (Google powered) YouTube channel- Vatican official- AP - Reuters etc

(Media Study South Africa; c.f. Reuters (Secular; British; Independent) 17 / Jan / 2009; AP (Associated Press)(American; Independent; Secular) 17 / Jan / 2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Pope Benedict XVI's Vatican brought out Google search for their website, which was originally brought out under his predecessor, in 1995. Now, Google, and the Vatican are collaborating again. The Vatican is due to release a YouTube channel (YouTube is wholly owned by Google), a channel, which will show videos of papal speaches: as well as present to the world: the text versions of these. Henrique de Castro, managing Director (MD) of Media Solutions, for Google, as well as Vatican Representation, according to Reuters, will be at a presentation, next Friday, of this information. YouTube, is own by Google: who were involved in a push for keeping "Gay" "Marriage" legal in California, against proposition 8.

The Vatican, like many other Catholic organizations, including the Scripturelink initiatives, of which this is one: are increasingly using Google tools, for their effectiveness. Yahoo, meanwhile: appears to have improved: drastically, their search engine, since the last use, by Scripturelink, when it was found wholly inadequate. It now, has phenomenally improved its search technology. The initiate itself involves: Google, Vatican Television Center, and Vatican Radio.

Catholic Watchdog South Africa: US pro-abortion: "American Civil Liberties Union": sues federal government: for government funding apposing human traf

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa; c.f. Reuers (Secular; British Based; Independent; we don't endorse this article) 12 / 01 / 2009; c.f Creative Minority Report 17 / Jan / 2008; 17 / Jan / 2008; 06 / June / 2007; 07 / January / 2009; 13 / Jan / 2009; c.f. Archive: Philippines, Asia, Eurasia: Bishops draft own bill against contraception happy liberals! Recently after attempts to instill a 2 child limit on the nation 20 / 11 / 2008; Americas Abortion News- Insurance must pay up to help abortion, all restrictions to be lifted, state to fund genocide against unborn- This is the change Obama, who voted for allowing infanticide in failed abortions- Promised quite publicly 08 / NOV / 2008 ; BBC World News (Secular; British; Governmental) on what Genocide is 10 / Dec / 2001; UN on Genocide 12 / Jan / 1951)

Article By Marc Aupiais

Known for stances: that people having sex in public toilets: expect privacy, support for homosexuality, abortion, contraception, and polygamy: the ACLU ("American Civil Liberties Union"): has taken to attacking a US government contract, which employed the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops), to help protect the rights of those victim to human trafficking, via a court case against the US federal government. The employment, was allegedly, via US $ 6 000 000 (United States Dollars: Six Million), in grants: which where given between 2006, and 2008: towards the fighting of human trafficking, a field in which the church has been quite involved in: in fighting human trafficking that is.

The Pro-Abortion, ACLU: whose other cases involve, a push to redefine the word "couple", to refer to a group, instead of two: whose antics: have at times caught the ire of those really supporting human rights: claim that the fact that the Catholic Church, has stated that they won't fund abortions, and contraception for those involved in Human trafficking, is against the "rights" of those in human trafficking. Representation of the church: says that the Bishops Conference, is the best suited organization, in America, to deal with victims of human trafficking. It might also be noted, that abortion, defined as an intrinsic evil, in catholic dogma, and the ethics, of many: is a separate issue from Human Trafficking. Surely, supplying condoms to those escaping human trafficking: is not as effective, if effective at all, as getting them out of such: in fact, it seems to send the entirely wrong message, as with all condom campaigns: which are largely unsuccessful, as compared other programs: at curbing the spread of disease.

Recently, an American hospital, threw a woman's baby out, literally with the trash, by the time she'd returned, to claim it for a funeral: it was no longer available: having been dumped. The hospital is using as its defense that the child was allegedly "Stillborn"; the Mother contests that the baby was alive, they even brought a blanket for it. If the baby was stillborn, under the law of the State of New Jersey, the child is considered not a person, but an object: whereby the hospital would by law: get away with throwing the baby out (CMR 07 / January / 2009).

American President Elect, Barak Hussein Obama, known for his voting for euthanasia, in the case of failed abortions, plans to remove parental consent, and just about all restrictions on Abortion, in all American states, including forcing insurance companies to pay for abortive pills, and US taxpayers to foot abortion bills, this is part of a promise he made to American Abortionists, "Planned Parenthood", who were implicated, in a situation last year, where their international arm, along with the US Population Control department, and some UN representation: they attempted to enforce, via legislation: which could be defined as an article 2, section d, genocide (according to the UN definition of Genocide*), on the Philippines( c.f. Philippines, Asia, Eurasia: Bishops draft own bill against contraception happy liberals! Recently after attempts to instill a 2 child limit on the nation 20 / 11 / 2008) . Laws, looked into, and promoted by outgoing President Bush, which prevent doctors, from being forced to perform abortions, in the US, are some of the things, which US President Elect, Obama, will overturn, if his word is to be taken on the matter. The fact that many of Mr Obama's appointments to political office appear to be motivated, via their ideological beliefs: has concerned many people. Allot of his appointments, appear to be based on candidates pro-abortion stance: as he plans to front the biggest push for the abortion industry, ever to hit America. "Planned Parenthood", are among those who seem most overjoyed at the promises Obama gave them, "Planned Parenthood": who already teach sex education in schools, despite being the major American abortion firm, they are, are expected to get more legislative support: for their conquering of the Sex education system in America: despite statistics, showing that more students who are taught by their program: have teenage pregnancies, that those taught by other programs.

*

"In the present Convention, genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:

(a) Killing members of the group;

(b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;

(c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;

(d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;

(e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group."

(UN on Genocide 12 / Jan / 1951)

c.f.
http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/p_genoci.htm

Kenya, drought a "National Emergency"- Kenyan government

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Reuters' Alertnet (Article by Reuters:Secular; Independent; Based in great Britain; Global)09 / Jan / 2009; CRS (Catholic; Independent: answer to USCCB though; Relief Organization; American Based)13 / 01 / 2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

The Kenyan Government, has declared a "National Emergency", after a drought "has" allegedly rendered +-10 000 000 (Ten Million) Kenyan Citizens "Food Insecure"; according to a Reuters article; via AlertNet: which quotes the Kenyan government. This situational report, by Reuters: is largely based on a release, by the office of Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki's office, even as Reuters, but not the Kenyan government: notes the role of violence in the situation. Kenya, has seen human rights violation related accusations, and electoral violence in recent times, and accusations: of death squads, and the resulting reduction in tourism, a recent drought has hit it hard.

Kenya, will now, among other measures: begin to import: 5 000 000 (Five Million) additional bags of maize due to a shortfall: largely blamed on 2007 election violence, which resulted in +-1 300 (One Thousand, and Three Hundred) deaths, and +-300 000 (Three Hundred Thousand) people being driven from their homes, due to violence.

Both the Kenyan government, and working independent of them, Catholic Relief Services, are attempting to minimize the damage done by an alleged Drought and Famine, which is affecting many citizens in Kenya. The role of election violence, and allegations of Government death squads, and political persecution in this, possibly, could have increased vulnerability to the situation. Most of the efforts, seem to focus on basics, such as food, water, and farming products. CRS, is helping supply food, according to their dispatch (CRS (Catholic; Independent: answer to USCCB though; Relief Organization; American Based)13 / 01 / 2009).

For those who want to help:

CRS, forwards one to a donation page: from the article they wrote on their efforts:
https://secure2.convio.net/crs/site/Donation2?1080.donation=form1&df_id=1080

It seems to be their general donations page, but I may be mistaken on this, but possibly, one can write in the "Special Request" section, where they want the money to go: I am unsure of this.

A good thing about, our source on this: US based CRS: is that CRS, has a good ratio: of direct funding towards communities, versus the cost of their work.

Kenya: more general Overview:

Kenya, was once one of Africa's so-called: shining stars, however, electoral violence, and purported human rights abuses, along with drought, and famine: have harshly affected, what once was a nation, seen, perhaps falsely as a hope for many.

In previous articles, we have covered, the political situation in Kenya, having stabilized somewhat at this stage. Recent events, however: show a government, made up largely of people, seemingly more interested in their own political success, than in the success of their country. The global economic downturn, will likely also affect such nations: but with such a makeshift government, the chances are, that problems in Kenya, won't be ultimately solved overnight. Efforts, at helping populations make it through such trying times: however, can make differences in lives, just as efforts in Zimbabwe, and the DRC (Congo), have paid off somewhat.

Corruption, and accountability in Africa

What Kenya, and much of Africa: truly need at this point, is accountability for actions, politically, and in business. That a situation, such as the one: over, or perhaps caused by alleged vote rigging, and alleged political human rights abuses: has occurred: has made Kenya less able to deal with life threatening situations.

82 Year old allegedly defrauds Catholics

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa; c.f. Reuters (Secular; Independent; British) 08 / 01 / 2009; 08 / 01 / 2009)

Article by Marc Aupiais

An 82 year old man allegedly advertised a non-existent investment scheme in Catholic papers throughout America. He was charged with mail fraud when his accounts were reviewed.

This is one of two such alledged schemes halted on Thursday: in the backwash after charges were brought against US billionaire: Bernard Madoff: who allegedly defrauded +- 50 million US Dollars.

Article

(Reuters is a secular; British; Independent news organization)

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressReleasesMolt/idUSTRE5076UI20090108

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE50787K20090108

Mexico, Latin America: Mexico's "Catholic" population: does it again: free murder, and a bit of heresy from priests

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa; c.f. Reuters (secular) 25/11/2008; Reuters (secular)23/11/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Heterodox versions of a "Catholicism" of sorts, reigns not only with Mexico's senate, which recently legalized euthanasia, in the Latin American nation, but also among people who should be Catholic. On the 23rd of November, Reuters reported on a Catholic priest, who blessed transvestites on the way to a festival where they dress as such and wonder around, an open sign of disobedience to the Vatican. It is a festival, the Catholic conquerors of Mexico banned early, which went underground. Mexico city is also one of the few cities in Latin America, where abortion is legal.

All three of these situations, if Reuters is correct in their reporting of them: can easily fall under condemnation of dogma. Inculturation never extends to adopting parts of a culture which are contrary to Catholicism, and it is rituals like these: for which the ancient Israelis were to kill their fellows, showing in essence a clear, direct condemnation in the bible, and therefore in Catholic tradition: of such. In the modern time, what is needed is repentance and confession among those in Mexico, who have abandoned their heritage.

The Vatican said what?: What the Vatican did not say about the beetles recently

(Media Study South Africa)

Article by Marc Aupiais

It was quite revolting, having Five FM, a government station insult Catholicism as they did: they said that the Vatican was hypocritical, just as Atheists ("Secular society") invited onto 94.7 Highvelt Stereo had said when the "New 7 deadly sins" were "introduced". Both media houses not only disappoint, not only had let the Catholic faith be criticized on air, but also: were providing inaccurate views and news, unless I missed something.

No "new" "seven deadly sins" have ever been introduced, and the Vatican did not apologize to the Beetles, for claims by a member of the band: that they were more popular than Jesus.

It seems, much of the media in more secular countries, actually simply are shooting blindly into the darkness when dealing with Religion, at least the BBC has advisors competent on religious matters, as with any professional media house: which helps stop inaccurate out of context views.

 I had been shocked when ETV, via E News Channel, had gotten a femanist, non-Anglican theologian to cover the Anglican split threats, via their interview of her. She called the Traditionalist Anglicans, who appose gay and women "priests", an old boys club: perhaps Jesus' old boys: considering the direct command of the bible on the matter, simply put: news and media in South Africa, with exceptions such as News 24, and some print media: in general not only get their facts wrong on religious issues, show extreme bias in the matter, but further: insult people for what they have not done: in fact, it can simply be called unconstitutional.

ETV, who also are known for late night Porn, have also done similar things in Sydney World Youth Day, showing protests, but not the size of those who apposed the few protesters, who they somehow found somewhere. On the Anglican issue; the Anglican church has now destroyed their chances of reuniting even with the Orthodox churches, 75% of Christianity was alienated from them in one swoop, it was no old boys club which wanted to prevent the further separation of Christians based on ideological ideals foreign to the majority of Christian faith.

Both of the more recent stories, by Radio stations, are misinformation. Both have the same source, which they misquote, a newspaper based in the Country called the Vatican :"L'Osservatore Romano".

The Newspaper, for the "7 new deadly sins" was misquoted: in an interview, where they asked a cardinal what the 7 worst sins of today's world are. The same non-Papal newspaper, was quoted in an editorial, not by the pope, or Vatican: as saying that while it was condemned at the time: the Beetle's music really was what some would call "that good", and it was the boastings of an immature boy that were condemned. Simply put, the church has made no retractions on any "statement" about the Beetles.

Wow, two more Radio stations onto my: do not trust for any information on religion list. A radio station I advise for news: is Classic FM, I have never been too disappointed with their accuracy. Jacaranda 94.2, is also okay, even if it plays Afrikaans songs, and old music every now and again, though the scientologists may not like them very much, we aren't scientologists, but Catholics, and Christians, so I thought only to mention this. As for adequacy in reporting on US politics, there are very little if any, including the Southern Cross, who also are not able to do this adequately: who could possibly give an accurate view of American politics, of those based in South Africa: such things are left to Reuters, or the BBC, or Euronews, even with some bias in BBC, and Euronews, and others: still: almost no South African source gives what we consider an accurate "get the dirt" picture of US politics.

With the exception of the "Times" and "Sunday Times", who have quite the anti-catholic bias in some articles; on normal issues, many local newspapers, are naive at worst, it seems, but we have not reviewed them all. Another paper which may give wrong information from the Vatican is the Southern Cross, their quotation on Latin mass ideas some time ago: did not give all the needed details, and for the Latin mass, had a photo of a schismatic group's church next to it... the church does not permit attendance of these masses by SSPV, who they showed. Another incorrect fact by the "Southern Cross", was on the new psychological screening of priests, which they said aimed at getting rid of gay priests: i.e. sexually active priests, or priest who cannot control their urges. I myself have other sources on the screening, both secular and Catholic, and the "Southern Cross" was incorrect in their view of "discrimination".

And so to clarify: the seven deadly, or capital sins are : lust, envy, anger/wrath, gluttony, sloth/acaidia, pride, greed: the meanings being theological of course.

And secondly, the beetles, have not been apologized to for anything: if you say something irresponsible, and someone brings it up, why should they apologize.

Thirdly, the news and media needs to get advisors on Catholicism, who are knowledgeable in Canon law, and internal politics, like the BBC and others have: as it is dangerous to quote independent Catholic news as the Vatican, and worse to call Catholics hypocritical for following rules and regulations long set out, based on centuries, on millenia of running an organization.

Fourth: new regulations on priests are aimed at sex offenders, not men who feel attraction to other men, and suffer from the evolutionary disorder, we call homosexuality (not insinuating it is genetic, only that it is not a fittest survive condition;)!