Barbara Kay: Mothers who abandon or kill their infants have a friend in the courts

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/04/02/barbara-kay-mothers-who-abandon-or-kill-infants-have-a-friend-in-the-courts/

Outrage over picture of Chinese forced abortion at nine months

The forced abortion was carried out by Chinese family planning authorities in the town of Moshan, because the parents already had one child. Prison Planet reported the parents were hunted down and the mother injected with poison to induce an abortion. The report said after "the baby was 'pulled out inhumanly like a piece of meat,' it was still alive and began to cry before doctors slung the defenseless child into a bucket and left it to die."

According to a commentator on Beijing Shot monetary rewards are offered to women who agree to abort their children in order for family planning authorities to meet their targets. If the birth quota is exceeded then the whole village faces a penalty.

The general impression is that China's one child policy has relaxed somewhat in recent years, but the reality is that cruel pressure is still applied in many areas of the country. It appears that China's one child policy still operates under the draconian sanctions described by Stephen W. Mosher in "A Mother's Ordeal", first published in the U.S. in 1993. The book documents the harrowing ordeal of women subjected to forced abortions and the methods employed to prevent the babies being born alive and then discarded in waste receptacles.

To avoid the unpleasantness of listening to a baby's death cries this could cause for the doctors involved, injections were given to cause the fetus to be stillborn, or the baby's skull would be crushed with forceps during delivery. Another method used was to inject formaldehyde into the baby's brain as it entered the birth canal to ensure a dead birth.

International Affairs Review reported the one child policy has now resulted in a demographic imbalance whereby China has a lower ratio of workers to retirees. There is also a severe gender imbalance as many female babies were the victims of infanticide in the quest for the only child to be male.

The report of the nine-month-old baby thrown in a bucket to die has been used by some of press to draw attention to the dangers of implementing a policy to control population growth in the West, which some advocates of population control have suggested as strategic policy for the future.

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/322260

"...And these children that you spit on as they try to change their worlds are immune to your consultations. They're quite aware of what they're going through..." -David Bowie, Changes

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live... Deuteronomy 30:19

180

Beneath The Bed Covers

Everyday, I create slits
And shed blood, sweat and tears as I restrain hits
It's not like I want the sorrow
But it's how my life is, a horror

I have my goals, but I don't know if I will be able to meet them
Each day, I hide underneath my bed sheets, close my eyes and talk to mum
Telling her that papa is making me cry
Although she might not hear, I still try

I become who I really am under my blanket
I wonder if anyone will remember me when I am in a casket
I dream of a new life better than this
That is the dream that I will miss.
--Sharon Tan

When: September 27

Where: Air Canada Centre

Who: 18,000 youth, educators and friends

Why: To inspire and celebrate the youth movement for global change

Join the movement: 'Like' We Day on Facebook. 1 like = $1.www.facebook.com/weday

Youth leading global change is the movement of our time.

We Day is the manifestation of this movement.

On Tuesday, September 27th, myself and others from my school attended WE DAY at the Air Canada Centre. It was an amazing experience and I was able to hear some amazing speakers, tell us stories about their experiences and what inspired them. There are other WE DAY events in other parts of Canada, so if you have the opportunity, I highly recommend you attend! 

Above: The speakers and other guest stars that we saw were Craig and Marc Kielburger, who founded Free The Children in 1995, which is the organization that runs WE DAY and many other amazing events! Also, Nelly Furtado, who generously donated $1, 000, 000 to Free The Children, and touched everyones heart with her story, especially when Susan came on stage to thank Nelly.

Above: Spencer West, who is in the simplest of terms, inspirational and fantastic, and wish him luck in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in June 2012; which is his biggest challenge yet!  

"As a kid, every time I went out, whether to the grocery story or a restaurant, people would point and whisper, "Where's that guy's body? Where's his legs? He looks crazy!

Nobody even asked me my name first. People were seeing my disability, instead of me. So I changed my story a bit. When asked, "Where are your legs?" I would say, "I left them in my other pants" or "I was swimming in the ocean and this shark swam up and BIT THEM RIGHT OFF!" If I could get them to laugh, people were forced to see me as a person.

But humour didn't always help me get noticed. Especially in high school when all of the guys started to play sports. I knew I couldn't play football or basketball, so I did what most guys do when they can't play these sports, I became a cheerleader! As a cheerleader I was known for my cartwheels, but they were not much help after high school. Or so I thought.

I was struggling to find my way when I was encouraged to go to Kenya with Me to We to build a school. Upon my arrival I was surrounded by swarms of school kids, who bombarded me with questions about my life. A little girl raised her hand and said, "I didn't know this sort of thing happened to white people, too."

Suddenly, I understood that instead of trying to be like everyone I was different for a reason. I was different because I needed to show others that it doesn't matter what your abilities are or where you come from in the world. If you work hard, never give up and laugh a lot, you can achieve anything. Now, as a motivational speaker for Me to We, I've spoken to audiences around the world about courage, shark attacks and making a difference. I've even showed off my cartwheels. Changing the world one cartwheel at a time!"

Other special guests who attended this incredible event were Joe Jonas, City and Colour, Rick Hansen, Nikki Yanofsky, Mary Robinson, Dalton McGuinty, Danny Glover, Dr. Patch Adams, Classified, Kardinal Offishall, Kenyan Boys Choir, Neverest, Shawn Desman, Munro Chambers, Alslinn Paul and more guests. 

Revealed: The real Lucy in the sky with diamonds

Last updated at 12:20 01 June 2007

Forty years after The Beatles' Sergeant Pepper LP was released, a housewife from Surbiton is claiming she inspired the track Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.

Lucy Vodden, 43, was at nursery school in Weybridge with John Lennon's son Julian, who one day took home a drawing of a girl surrounded by stars.

When John asked him to describe he said, "It's Lucy in the sky with diamonds,".

                   Lucy Vodden, 43, was at nursery school in Weybridge with Julian Lennon

                            The painting that inspired the song

Julian later confirmed this: "I don't know why I called it that or why it stood out from all my other drawings, but I obviously had an affection for Lucy at that age.

"I used to show dad everything I'd built or painted at school, and this one sparked off the idea for a song about Lucy in the sky with diamonds."

Beatles biographers and account by band members confirm that she is the most likely source of the song.

                                   A young Lucy O'Donnell

Mrs Vodden said: "I can imagine him saying, 'That's Lucy at school,' and his father asking questions like "What's that in the sky?'"

There has been much specualtion about the song, many believe that it is an ode to LSD.

"When I told a couple of friends that Lucy in the sky with diamonds was about me, they said, 'No, it can't be, it's to do with LSD.' I was too embarrased to tell them that I didn't know what LSD was."

Julian's mother Cynthia has said that she has kept the picture.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-459145/Revealed-The-real-Lucy-sky-diamonds.html

Hi, Mommy.
I'm your baby. You don't know me yet, I'm only a few weeks old. You're going to find out about me soon, though, I promise. Let me tell you some things about me. My name is John, and I've got beautiful brown eyes and black hair. Well, I don't have it yet, but I will when I'm born. I'm going to be your only child, and you'll call me your one and only. I'm going to grow up without a daddy mostly, but we have each other. We'll help each other, and love each other. I want to be a doctor when I grow up.

You found out about me today, Mommy! You were so excited, you couldn't wait to tell everyone. All you could do all day was smile, and life was perfect. You have a beautiful smile, Mommy. It will be the first face I will see in my life, and it will be the best thing I see in my life. I know it already. Today was the day you told Daddy. You were so excited to tell him about me! ...He wasn't happy, Mommy. He kind of got angry. I don't think that you noticed, but he did. He started to talk about something called wedlock, and money, and bills, and stuff I don't think I understand yet. You were still happy, though, so it was okay. Then he did something scary, Mommy. He hit you. I could feel you fall backward, and your hands flying up to protect me. I was okay... but I was very sad for you. You were crying then, Mommy. That's a sound I don't like. It doesn't make me feel good. It made me cry, too. He said sorry after, and he hugged you again. You forgave him, Mommy, but I'm not sure if I do. It wasn't right. You say he loves you... why would he hurt you? I don't like it, Mommy.
... ... Finally, you can see me! Your stomach is a little bit bigger, and you're so proud of me! You went out with your mommy to buy new clothes, and you were so so so happy. You sing to me, too. You have the most beautiful voice in the whole wide world. When you sing is when I'm happiest. And you talk to me, and I feel safe. So safe. You just wait and see, Mommy. When I am born I will be perfect just for you. I will make you proud, and I will love you with all of my heart.

I can move my hands and feet now, Mommy. I do it because you put your hands on your belly to feel me, and I giggle. You giggle, too. I love you, Mommy.

Daddy came to see you today, Mommy. I got really scared. He was acting funny and he wasn't talking right. He said he didn't want you. I don't know why, but that's what he said. And he hit you again. I got angry, Mommy. When I grow up I promise I won't let you get hurt! I promise to protect you. Daddy is bad. I don't care if you think that he is a good person, I think he's bad. But he hit you, and he said he didn't want us. He doesn't like me. Why doesn't he like me, Mommy?

You didn't talk to me tonight, Mommy. Is everything okay?

It's been three days since you saw Daddy. You haven't talked to me or touched me or anything since that. Don't you still love me, Mommy? I still love you. I think you feel sad. The only time I feel you is when you sleep. You sleep funny, kind of curled up on your side. And you hug me with your arms, and I feel safe and warm again. Why don't you do that when you're awake, any more?

I'm 21 weeks old today, Mommy. Aren't you proud of me? We're going somewhere today, and it's somewhere new. I'm excited. It looks like a hospital, too. I want to be a doctor when I grow up, Mommy. Did I tell you that? I hope you're as excited as I am. I can't wait.

Mommy, I'm getting scared. Your heart is still beating, but I don't know what you are thinking. The doctor is talking to you. I think something's going to happen soon. I'm really, really, really scared, Mommy. Please tell me you love me. Then I will feel safe again. I love you!

Mommy, what are they doing to me!? It hurts! Please make them stop! It feels bad! Please, Mommy, please please help me! Make them stop!

Don't worry Mommy, I'm safe. I'm in heaven with the angels now. They told me what you did, and they said it's called an abortion.

Why, Mommy? Why did you do it? Don't you love me any more? Why did you get rid of me? I'm really, really, really sorry if I did something wrong, Mommy. I love you, Mommy! I love you with all of my heart. Why don't you love me? What did I do to deserve what they did to me? I want to live, Mommy! Please! It really, really hurts to see you not care about me, and not talk to me. Didn't I love you enough? Please say you'll keep me, Mommy! I want to live smile and watch the clouds and see your face and grow up and be a doctor. I don't want to be here, I want you to love me again! I'm really really really sorry if I did something wrong. I love you!

I love you, Mommy.

Every abortion is just…

One more heart that was stopped.

Two more eyes that will never see.

Two more hands that will never touch.

Two more legs that will never run.

One more mouth that will never speak.

We shall never forget
We shall keep this day,
We shall keep the events and the tears
In our minds, our memory and our hearts
and take them with us as we carry on.

Whether it caused the fatal end of one person, 

or three thousand people... 

The tragic events and actions that occurred that day, 

were both cowardly by the hijackers 

and heroic by all those who helped at the World Trade Centre.

Thank you God for giving us these people who were kind, 

noble and brave enough to face the dangers, 

and darkness of that day, which most of us will never forget.

♥♥♥

And Aubrey was her name,
A not so very ordinary girl or name.
But who's to blame?
For a love that wouldn't bloom
For the hearts that never played in tune.
Like a lovely melody that everyone can sing,
Take away the words that rhyme it doesn't mean a thing.

And Aubrey was her name.
We tripped the light and danced together to the moon,
But where was June.
No it never came around.
If it did it never made a sound,
Maybe I was absent or was listening to fast,
Catching all the words, but then the meaning going past,

But God I miss the girl,
And I'd go a thousand times around the world just to be
Closer to her than to me.

And Aubrey was her name,
I never knew her, but I loved her just the same,
I loved her name.
Wish that I had found the way
And the reasons that would make her stay.
I have learned to lead a life apart from all the rest.
If I can't have the one I want, I'll do without the best.

But how I miss the girl
And I'd go a million times around the world just to say
She had been mine for a day.

If someone calls themselves a child of God, 

yet still have the indecency to say something so hateful, 

they do not know the meaning of brother or sister.

We are all together, serving as God's children.

To go against any one of His children,

based on the colour of the skin God gave him, 

is to directly disrespect the work God has created.

To go against any one of His children, 

based on the colour of the skin God gave him, 

is to show your cowardice and the way you see society.

To go against any one of His children, 

based on the colour of the skin God gave him, 

is to confess that your morals are weak, and you are unable to stand.

Martin Luther King Jr., I and so many others...

We all have the same dream, and expect others to open their eyes, 

and succumb to the truth of the tragedy caused in the past, 

and the truth of the tragedy that still continues to this day...

This is the ending of a very beautiful movie, "La Vie est Belle."

This movie, despite its title, is tragic, but warms ones heart, 

because of the innocence and purity the characters in the movie reveal.

Only so many fathers would go to those lengths to savour the innocence in his son...

Only so many fathers would pretend war is just a game, where prizes and points are given...

Only so many fathers would smile and laugh, while they sacrifice their life for their family...