Down Syndrome Screening Isn’t About Public Health, It’s About Eliminating a Group of People

/0 Comments/in , /by

Upon delivering my first child 11 years ago, I heard the words “Down syndrome,” and my world collapsed. Visions of children sitting passively in a corner watching life go by, not participating, kept me awake those first nights as a mom.

It didn’t take me long, though, to figure out that my ideas were based on negative, outdated information that had nothing to do with the reality of life with Down syndrome today. My daughter April is an active, outgoing girl. She’s my nature child, wildly passionate about anything with four legs. Although April uses few words, she’s a master communicator. Through her, I’ve learned that Down syndrome is not the scary, terrible condition it’s made out to be.

But while governments (rightly) ban gender selection, selective abortion continues to be encouraged for children with Down syndrome. In the United States and abroad, screenings are a routine part of health-care programs, and the result is the near-elimination of these children.

When pregnant with my daughter Hazel, tests showed she, too, would be born with Down syndrome. I was shocked when an acquaintance asked me why I did not choose abortion — as if she were a mistake that could be easily erased. Although my personal prejudices have radically changed since the birth of my first daughter with Down syndrome, I realized that negative attitudes about the condition remain deeply rooted. To many, my children and their cohort are examples of avoidable human suffering, as well as a financial burden. Knowing that individuals look at my daughters this way hurts, but seeing governments and medical professionals worldwide reinforce these prejudices by promoting selection is horrendous.

Denmark was the first European country to introduce routine screening for Down syndrome in 2006 as a public health-care program. France, Switzerland and other European countries soon followed. The unspoken but obvious message is that Down syndrome is something so unworthy that we would not want to wish it for our children or society. With the level of screening among pregnant Danish women as high as 90 percent, the Copenhagen Post reported in 2011 that Denmark “could be a country without a single citizen with Down syndrome in the not too distant future.” (Read more from “Down Syndrome Screening Isn’t About Public Health, It’s About Eliminating a Group of People” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Public School LGBT Programs Don’t Just Trample Parental Rights, They Also Put Kids at Risk

/1 Comment/in , /by

Through his executive appointments, President Obama has helped expose American schoolchildren to activism that places them at risk.

On May 19, 2009, a few short months after his inauguration, Obama gave the green light to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to appoint Kevin Jennings to a top position to influence school policy: the post of Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, also known as the “safe schools czar.” Jennings, a powerful LGBT rights activist who is himself a gay man, was the founder of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). GLSEN is one of the largest LGBT activist organizations in the nation and is devoted to promoting homosexuality in K-12 schools. Jennings served as “safe schools czar” from 2009-2011.

[Listen to the author’s compelling discussion of his own experiences here:]

Given his connection with the organization, we should not be shocked to discover that GLSEN received a grant from the Centers for Disease Control in 2011 for $1.425 million over five years to promote the LGBT agenda in public schools at taxpayers’ expense. Through these publicly funded in-school programs, kids are being bombarded with the message that same-sex attraction and gender-identity confusion are innate and therefore not changeable.

Those who design these programs probably believe that they are offering hope to children who may feel different, flawed, or unlovable. They believe that if they affirm children’s LGBT identities as something positive, something that makes up the core of who they are, the children will fare better.

This is not the case. No matter what well-intentioned teachers and administrators believe, these programs ultimately entail an agenda that hurts kids. The messages these programs send do nothing to combat the tragically high suicide rates among the LGBT community. Data indicate that kids are actually put at risk when schools encourage them to identify themselves as gay or transgender at an early age. For each year children delay labeling themselves as LGBT, their suicide risk is reduced by 20 percent. (Read more from “Public School LGBT Programs Don’t Just Trample Parental Rights, They Also Put Kids at Risk” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Brothers Mow Lawn for Neighbor After Learning She Could Face Jail Time for Uncut Grass

/2 Comments/in , /by

A group of young brothers in Texas stepped up to help an elderly neighbor after they discovered that she was facing jail time for the grass in her yard being too high.

The Reynolds brothers, from Riesel, Texas, reportedly saw a piece on the news about 75-year-old Gerry Suttle, who was facing jail time for the grass in her lawn being too high. The brothers soon realized that Suttle was unable to mow the lawn herself and, although they didn’t know the woman personally, decided to reach out and help.

“It’s a summer day, we don’t have season passes yet to Hawaiian Falls,” Blaine Reynolds said. “What else could we do but go out and help some people. We haven’t met her yet but she’s 75 years old and she needs some help mowing. That’s the least we could do.”

The Reynolds made their way to Suttle’s lot, mowers in tow, and began cutting the woman’s grass to help keep her out of jail. After a short time, others in the community joined in to help get the job done. In about two hours, her entire lot was cut.

“I cannot believe this,” an overwhelmed Suttle said after the amazing act of kindness. (Read more from “Brothers Mow Lawn for Neighbor After Learning She Could Face Jail Time for Uncut Grass” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Jurassic World Actor Chris Pratt Keeps Focus on God and Family as Hollywood Takes Notice

/2 Comments/in , /by

Actor Chris Pratt is best known for his role in blockbuster Hollywood films such as Jurassic World and Guardians of the Galaxy. However, it may surprise some people that he is a family-oriented Christian.

According to Melody Chiu of People, 35-year-old Pratt credits his wife of six years, Anna Faris, and 2-year-old son, Jack, for keeping him grounded as his acting profile in Hollywood rises to new highs. Despite the odds that face many marriages between Hollywood actors, both Pratt and Faris find time to keep their relationship strong.

“I have the support of a strong partner who’s been through this and understands it and whom I can share these experiences with,” Pratt said. “And we have a family that we’re starting that’s the focus of my attention” . . .

The star of the critically-acclaimed TV show Parks and Recreation elaborated on his version of family values.

“A lot of times, people focus so much on their kids, and then when their kids leave the nest, they look at their spouse or partner like they’re a stranger,” Pratt said. “It’s just as important, if not more important, to focus on your relationship with your partner because your children are going to leave one day [and] you have to maintain a relationship that’s going to outlast your child’s needs for you.” (Read more from “Jurassic World Actor Chris Pratt Keeps Focus on God and Family as Hollywood Takes Notice” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Is the Common Core Killing Kindergarten?

/4 Comments/in , /by

Last spring, Susan Sluyter quit teaching kindergarten in the Cambridge Public Schools. She’d spent nearly two decades in the classroom, and her departure wasn’t a happy one. In a resignation letter, Sluyter railed against a “disturbing era of testing and data” that had trickled down from the upper grades and was now assaulting kindergartners with a barrage of new academic demands that “smack of 1st or 2nd grade.” The school district did not respond to a request for comment.

But Sluyter’s complaints touched a national nerve. Her letter went viral, prompting scores of sympathetic comments by other frustrated teachers and parents. Sluyter’s letter was fresh evidence for groups of early-childhood educators who oppose the kindergarten expectations for math and English Language Arts, or ELA, set by the new Common Core, the academic benchmarks for K-12 that most states have adopted to replace the historic patchwork of standards.

The thrust of the opposition is that many of the standards are too high and not developmentally appropriate for kindergartners. Opponents say teaching some academic skills too early can be counterproductive. They cite research suggesting that reading and math advantages in kindergarten are fleeting. Furthermore, they say, the pressure to meet academic standards will lead to lecture and work sheet style teaching, foster rote memorization, and snuff out the inquiry and play-based instruction that can instill a love of learning.

The impetus for developing the Common Core standards for kindergarten through 12th grade was the worry that American education was losing its edge in a globalized economy fueled by innovation . . .

The Common Core’s defenders say critics are misreading the kindergarten standards, which are meant to be goals, not dictates. What’s more, standards alone don’t tell teachers how to teach. What standards actually do, backers contend, is level the playing field and help keep students from falling behind early, which they say is the real and lasting danger for our youngest learners. (Read more from “Is the Common Core Killing Kindergarten?” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Bristol Palin Slams Miley Cyrus’ Mockery of Christian Conservatives

/10 Comments/in , /by

By Leah Marieann Klett. Bristol Palin, the daughter of former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, has offered up some harsh words for popstar Miley Cyrus after she mocked Christian conservatives for believing in Old Testament “fairy tales” and said those who oppose gay marriage “shouldn’t be allowed to make laws.”

“In her cover story for Paper magazine, Miley Cyrus spoke candidly about her sexuality, her hippie lifestyle, and her politics,” Palin, 24, wrote in a June 11 Patheos blog post titled “Miley Cyrus Claims She’s ‘Least Judgmental Person Ever,’ Calls Christians ‘Insane Motherf–kers.”

She continued, “While her nude photo shoot has attracted the attention of many, it is her hilarious tirade about tolerance that turned my head.”

In the June 9 interview, Cyrus, who was raised in a Christian home and baptized in a Southern Baptist church, referred to her parents as “conservative-ass mother–kers” and railed against those who oppose same-sex marriage, arguing that “those people [shouldn’t] get to make our laws.”

The “Wrecking Ball” singer, who called herself “the least judgemental person ever” in the interview, also slammed Christians who believe Noah’s Ark was a real vessel: “That’s f–king insane,” she told the magazine. “We’ve outgrown that fairy tale, like we’ve outgrown f–king Santa and the tooth fairy.” (Read more from “Bristol Palin Slams Miley Cyrus’ Mockery of Christian Conservatives” HERE)

__________________________________________________________________

Miley Cyrus Mocks Christians Who Believe in Old Testament ‘Fairy Tales’, Says Those Who Oppose Homosexuality ‘Shouldn’t Get to Make Laws’

By Leah Marieann Klett. Pop singer Miley Cyrus recently slammed Christian conservatives for believing in “fairy tales” like the story of Noah’s ark and argued that those who hold to a traditional definition of marriage should not be permitted to make laws within the United States.

In a recent interview with Paper magazine, Cyrus, who appears nude within the publication, refers to herself as the “least judgmental person ever.”

However, the magazine notes that while she was raised in a Christian home and was baptized in a Southern Baptist church, the “Wrecking Ball” singer “maintains a particular contempt for fundamentalist lawmakers who rally against this sort of progressive, potentially life-saving changes [for the LGBT] community.”

“Those people [shouldn’t] get to make our laws,” Cyrus said of Christians who hold to a traditional view of marriage. (Read more from this story HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Federal Court Ruling: Strict Abortion Law in Texas Is Constitutional; May Close All but Seven Clinics Statewide

/4 Comments/in , /by

A federal appeals court upheld strict abortion restrictions was passed by the state of Texas on Tuesday. That decision means that as few as seven abortion clinics could stay open in that state based on those regulations.

According to a report in the Associated Press, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals made a decision that would allow Texas to require abortion clinics to meet “hospital-level” operating standards. The restrictions were approved in 2013 by a Republican-dominated state government.

“Abortion practitioners should have no right to operate their businesses from sub-standard facilities and with doctors who lack admitting privileges at a hospital,” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, said.

However, pro-choice groups told the Associated Press that they will appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, which temporarily halted enforcement of the law last year. Nancy Northrop, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, expressed dismay with the lower court’s decision.

“Not since before Roe v. Wade has a law or court decision had the potential to devastate access to reproductive health care on such a sweeping scale,” Northrop said. “We now look to the Justices to stop the sham laws that are shutting clinics down and placing countless women at risk of serious harm.” (Read more from “Federal Court Ruling: Strict Abortion Law in Texas Is Constitutional” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

White House Refuses to Disclose Cost, Agenda for Yet Another European Trip for Michelle, her Mother and Daughters

/4 Comments/in , /by

The White House Friday rebuffed questions about the cost of Michelle Obama’s trip with her mother and daughters to Italy and England next week and also wouldn’t provide the agenda for Sasha and Malia or Obama’s mother, Marian Robinson . . .

According to the White House, the four are taking their summer vacation to England and Italy to address issues including kid health and education . . .

Costs of the first families 39 lavish vacations have come under fire and a reporter Friday asked about the money involved and the agenda of the first lady’s family. She hit a stone wall.

Q — Hi. Thank you. I know a lot of times when the First Lady does these trips a lot of media outlets try to estimate the cost of the trip, and I know that the White House is usually reluctant to give a price. But a lot of times those estimates can be very high, and I think a lot of times they get that from just estimating the costs of staying in some of these places. Is there anything you can do to talk about cost and maybe whether or not those estimates are on base? I mean, is the First Lady and her mother and daughters, and everyone who goes along with her, are they paying the full price to stay at all of these hotels? Or is there anything you can give us on what a cost of a trip like this may be?

MS. TCHEN: Actually, Julie, I don’t have anything I can give you on that.

(Read more from “White House Refuses to Disclose Cost for Michelle’s Italy, London Trip” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Bobby Jindal to Attend Massive Prayer Rally for a ‘Nation in Crisis’ [+video]

/0 Comments/in , /by

A Christian group called American Renewal Project will host a major prayer meeting this Saturday at the North Charleston Coliseum to “pray and fast for America.” The six-hour event, which is being billed as “The Response SC,” will feature South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal as two of the day’s speakers.

A press release for the event states that the biblical response to a nation in crisis is “to gather in humility and repentance and ask God to intervene.” It describes the meeting as “a historic gathering of people from across the nation to pray and fast for America” that hopes to draw some 10,000 people to “worship God, seek repentance and pray for reconciliation, reformation and revival.”

The encounter, which will be live-streamed by Breitbart News, is being billed as an inter-faith meeting to pray “for those in need, for life, for strong families and just laws.”

Though some have suggested that Jindal will be using the occasion for “stumping,” organizers have insisted on the strictly spiritual nature of the meeting. Doug Stringer, a Houston minister who is helping to organize The Response SC, said the event will include music from three worship teams, but “no egos and no logos.”

Similarly, David Lane, president and founder of the American Renewal Project, said the meeting would focus on fasting and prayer to Jesus and would be non-commercial and non-political. (Read more from “Bobby Jindal to Attend Massive Prayer Rally for a ‘Nation in Crisis'” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

College Professors Instructed to Tell Students: ‘America Is Not the Land of Opportunity’

/5 Comments/in , /by

By Josh Hedtke. “America is the land of opportunity,” “There is only one race, the human race” and “I believe the most qualified person should get the job” are among a long list of alleged microaggressions faculty leaders of the University of California system have been instructed not to say.

These so-called microaggressions – considered examples of subconscious racism – were presented at faculty leader training sessions held throughout the 2014-15 school year at nine of the 10 UC campuses. The sessions, an initiative of UC President Janet Napolitano, aim to teach how to avoid offending students and peers, as well as how to hire a more diverse faculty.

At the gatherings, deans and department chairs across the UC system have been instructed to be careful using (read: instructed not to use) phrases such as “America is the land of opportunity” or even use forms that provide only “male” and “female” check boxes, among a long litany of supposed microaggressions listed in a document underlying the “Faculty Leadership Seminars.”

The document has drawn little scrutiny until now, when a professor in the UC system pointed it out to The College Fix. The professor chose not to attend the seminars, but myriad materials on the UC Office of the President (UCOP) website give indication as to what sort of lessons were taught there . . .

In another handout, “Tool for Identifying Implicit Bias,” faculty are advised when dealing with a student or researcher that they are particularly impressed with not to express approval with compliments like “It’s clear he’s a rockstar.” The handout also describes “raising the bar” as “elitist.” (Read more from “College Professors Instructed to Tell Students: ‘America Is Not the Land of Opportunity'” HERE)

_________________________________________________________________

Michelle Obama’s Speeches to Grads Major in Racial Resentment, Identity Politics

By Nicole Haas. Michelle Obama just can’t stop widening the wedge between a divided America, and has found a captive audience for the mission.

The first lady continues to treat 2015 graduates to commencement speeches featuring racial resentment and identity politics, this time depressing young grads near her home in Chicago’s South Side.

“Wherever you go next, wherever you go, you all encounter people who doubt your very existence—folks who believe that hardworking families with strong values don’t exist on the South Side of Chicago, or in Detroit, or in El Paso, or in Indian Country, or in Appalachia,” she told the crowd at King College Prep High School on Tuesday.

“They don’t believe you are real,” she added to drive the point home.

It’s hardly the kind of inspiration one would think to blow under the wings of fledglings getting ready to fly the coop. (Read more from this story HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.