GORDON COPELAND – Middle Ground Can Be Reached On Abortion
Dominion Post 22 May 2017Family First Comment: “It troubles me deeply when I hear that a young women’s baby has been aborted without her being given detailed information about the procedure, its consequences and the alternatives. That needs to change.”Yep.Abortion: The Middle Ground Back in the 1970’s, following the opening of an abortion clinic in Auckland in defiance of its illegality; abortion became a political and a divisive issue.At the same time, a new organisation know as Sisters Overseas Service, assisted women seeking abortions with passage to Australia, where abortion had become legal in Victoria and NSW. This affected me directly when a young woman on my staff took leave to go to Sydney for an abortion. She was terrified that her father would kill her if he discovered that she was pregnant outside of wedlock. She was inconsolable and my heart went out to her.In late 1977 the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act was passed by Parliament in an acrimonious conscience vote.Like everyone else I had to decide which side of the fence I was on. After much thought and prayer I came to the firm conviction that the ending of an innocent life by abortion is wrong. That puts me in the pro-life camp.However if you were to ask me what I think about a woman who has decided to abort her baby, I would tell you that I have compassion for her. I wonder whether anyone cares for her or whether she is doing this because she feels she has no other option. Where is the father? Although the pregnancy results from the action of the two, not infrequently, it all becomes her fault and she is told to “get rid of it”. It is sometimes said that “she went and got herself pregnant”. Talk about sexist!Against that background it troubles me deeply when I hear that a young women’s baby has been aborted without her being given detailed information about the procedure, its consequences and the alternatives. That needs to change.Some 28 years ago in 1988, the Cartwright Inquiry introduced the requirement that the Informed Consent of a patient must be freely obtained prior to any and all surgery, but abortion is the one exception since it is not included in the 1977 Act, because at that time no one had heard of it! However it is inexcusable that in the 28 years since the Cartwright Inquiry Parliament has never bothered to update the Act to include informed consent. That could so easily have done so by a simple amendment.Such amendments have been made to abortion laws in Germany, France, Belgium, Uruguay and no less than 38 States in the USA. We should follow suit.A yet more serious issue is coercion. There are now thousands of post-abortion women in New Zealand many of whom seek counselling. I am advised by the women who provide that counselling, that many of those women were coerced into aborting their babies. The stories are varied. The pressure to abort can come from the father of the baby (including husbands), family members, and peers or even work mates.This also needs to come to an end as has happened in the jurisdictions mentioned above, where the woman’s own doctor is now required to verify that she has made the decision to abort of her own free will.A poll taken by Curia Market Research in March 2011 recorded 64% support for the question: “Would you support a law change that would require a woman considering an abortion to first see a doctor, who is not an abortion provider, to be informed of the medical risks and alternatives to abortion?” With that level of support Parliament should make the necessary law changes. It is the humane thing to do, since it places the woman with child at the centre of the process, recognises her autonomy, and ensures that whatever choice she makes is both informed and free of coercion.It cuts across the pro-life and pro-choice dichotomy to the middle ground of compassion and love. Let’s ensure that this happens after this year’s elections; the 40th anniversary of the present Act.Keep up with family issues in NZ. Receive our weekly emails direct to your Inbox.
Share HealthLifestyle Gay marriage ‘improves health’ by: – December 16, 2011 Share Sharing is caring! Tweet
Share 18 Views no discussions Gay men appeared less likely to experience stressLegalising same-sex marriage may create a healthier environment for gay men, say US researchers.The number of visits by gay men to health clinics dropped significantly after same-sex unions were allowed in the state Massachusetts.This was regardless of whether the men were in a stable relationship, reported the American Journal of Public Health.A UK HIV charity said there was a clear link between happiness and health.Research has already suggested that gay men are more likely to suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts than heterosexual men, and that social exclusion may be partly responsible.‘Lasting repercussions’Same-sex marriages are legal in six US states, with Massachusetts the first to allow them in 2003.Researchers from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health surveyed the demand for medical and mental health care from 1,211 gay men registered with a particular health clinic in the 12 months prior to the change, and the 12 months afterwards.They found a 13% drop in healthcare visits after the law was enacted.There was a reduction in blood pressure problems, depression and “adjustment disorders”, which the authors claimed could be the result of reduced stress.Lesbian women were not included in the study as there were insufficient numbers to give a statistically meaningful result.Dr Mark Hatzenbuehler, who led the study, said: “Our results suggest that removing these barriers improves the health of gay and bisexual men“Marriage equality may produce broad public health benefits by reducing the occurrence of stress-related health conditions.”A spokesman for the Terrence Higgins Trust, a UK-based sexual health and HIV charity, said: “There is a known link between health and happiness. “It’s no surprise that people who are treated as second class citizens tend to have low self esteem, which in turn makes them more likely to take risks. “Whether this is drugs, alcohol abuse, or unsafe sex, treating gay men unequally has lasting repercussions for their health.”BBC News
Batesville, In. — The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced a series of bridge painting projects along I-74 in Franklin and Dearborn Counties.Valparaiso-based Civil Coatings and Construction Inc. will complete the following work:Enochsburg Road over I-74—located 4.4 miles west of State Road 229 in Franklin County. Painting operations are scheduled to begin September 6, weather permitting.Peters Road over I-74—located 3.27 miles east of U.S. 52 in Dearborn County. Painting operations are tentatively scheduled to begin October 1.I-74 eastbound and westbound bridges over Stout Road—located two miles east of U.S. 52 in Dearborn County. Painting operations are tentatively scheduled to begin October 26. Each bridge will close to traffic—one at a time—for approximately two weeks. A signed detour will be in place to route motorists around the closuresThe completion date for the $844,144 contract is June 30, 2018.
September 15, 2018 Police Blotter091518 Decatur County Jail Report091518 Decatur County Law Report091518 Decatur County EMS Report091518 Decatur County Fire Report091518 Batesville Police Blotter
Promoted Content7 Actors Who Had Ridiculous Reasons For Quitting A Role9 Most Epic Movie Robots We’ve Ever SeenA Hurricane Can Be As Powerful As 10 Atomic Bombs6 Secret Origin Stories Of Modern Foods10 Hyper-Realistic 3D Street Art By OdeithYou’ve Only Seen Such Colorful Hairdos In A Handful Of AnimeThe Highest Paid Football Players In The World6 Interesting Ways To Make Money With A DroneWhy Go Veg? 7 Reasons To Do ThisBirds Enjoy Living In A Gallery Space Created For Them10 Risky Jobs Some Women DoThe Models Of Paintings Whom The Artists Were Madly In Love With Super Falcons defender Osinachi Ohale is excited after completing a switch to Italian club AS Roma from Spanish Iberdrola outfit Real Madrid. The 28-year-old Ohale penned a year deal with AS Roma with an option of another year at the end of the 2020-2021 football season. Loading… Read Also: Turkish club Besiktas agree N905m fee for Nigerian striker “I chose Roma because of so many things; so many amazing things about the club, about this city and this country that interested me. I’m excited to join the AS ROMA in Italy, looking forward to an incredible opportunity,” Ohale told the club’s official website. FacebookTwitterWhatsAppEmail分享 Ohale is now the third summer signing for Roma as they prepare for the 2020-2021 campaign after signing Italian goalkeeper, Rachel Baldi, and Spanish striker Paloma Lazaro. Interestingly, Osinachi, who has featured at three FIFA World Cups with the Super Falcons becomes the third Nigerian international to make the switch to Italy.
Broward County Commissioners are meeting to draft a Phase I plan to get some businesses back open by Monday. Governor Desantis allowed the other counties to begin reopening last week. Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties have had the highest number of cases and deaths due to coronavirus in the state.Broward County leaders spent Monday afternoon discussing a possible plan to reopen the area by May 18th, coinciding with neighboring Miami-Dade County’s planned reopening.According to Broward County Mayor Dale Holness says, “The sentiment is that, whether or not Miami goes on the 18th, we will go on the 18th.” Holness said the specific rules for the different industries are still being ironed out and will be released soon. “We’re looking at beauty salons, hair salons, nail salons, restaurants opening on the 18th.” Businesses that don’t comply with the guidelines will be shutdown according to commissioners.Retail businesses will be allowed to open at 25 percent capacity. Officials also green-lighted a drive-in movie theater.Holness added, social distancing mask requirements will still be in place.Holness said many local mayors want to allow more than the 25 percent capacity designated by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.“A large number of them wanted 50 percent or more because the restaurants are telling us that they are not going to be able to be profitable at less than 50 percent,” said Holness.Though, he said the governor would have to agree to this change.Beaches in Broward are still off limits for now. Same with housing development gyms, which did not get 75 percent of the municipal mayors’ approval.Broward County is also launching an antibody testing program with Nova Southeastern University.There will be an 11 am virtual workshop on Tuesday to discuss Broward’s reopening.Palm Beach took the first steps to reopening yesterday.
In other NBA news:— The Los Angeles Lakers have signed guard Dion Waiters for their postseason push. Waiters is an eight-year NBA veteran who had been a free agent since Memphis waived him last month. He was waived three days after the Grizzlies acquired him from Miami in the three-team trade that landed Andre Iguodala with the Heat. Waiters played in just three games and served three suspensions this season for the Heat. But he is a talented veteran and an excellent 3-point shooter who could contribute to the Lakers as they move toward their first playoff run since 2013.NFL-NEWSCourt date for Jets’ Quinnen Williams after airport gun bustUNDATED (AP) — Authorities say New York Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams has been ticketed and given a court date after trying to board a plane a New York’s LaGuardia Airport while carrying a gun. March 6, 2020 Despite the spreading virus, Tokyo Olympic organizers finally held a test event Friday, after postponing several. A sport climbing event was allowed to go ahead, with a few restrictions: no fans and no top athletes. Instead they used amateurs to test the climbing facility.OHIO STATE-TEAM DOCTOROhio State settling some suits over doc abuse; cost unclearCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State has reached an unspecified settlement with nearly half of the roughly 350 men who say they were sexually abused decades ago by a team doctor who was jokingly known among some athletes by nicknames like “Dr. Jelly Paws.”The settlement announced Friday is the first for accusers of the late doctor, Richard Strauss, who they say groped and otherwise mistreated students for two decades while school officials who knew of concerns did little to stop him. Strauss died in 2005. More sporting events affected by spreading virusBALTIMORE (AP) — A Division III men’s basketball NCAA Tournament game at Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins University is believed to be the first U.S. sports event held without fans because of the new coronavirus.Yeshiva University tipped off against Worcester Polytechnic Institute Friday afternoon in an empty gym occupied only by players, employees and media members in the first-round game.Johns Hopkins said it was “prudent” to take this step after Maryland’s recently confirmed COVID-19 cases and CDC guidelines for large gatherings. The campus gym was heavily disinfected Thursday night and there were police officers outside and signs on doors reading, “No spectators.”Many sporting events in other countries have been canceled, postponed or held in empty stadiums because of the spreading virus. Among the latest to be called off are the World Cup skiing finals in Italy. Woods has played only two times this year, a tie for ninth at Torrey Pines and last place at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera, where he serves as tournament host. Woods shot 76-77 on the weekend at Riviera in the Pacific chill and said his back was a little stiff.NHL-OBIT-HENRI RICHARDHenri Richard, winner of 11 Cups with Canadiens, dies at 84MONTREAL (AP) — Former Montreal Canadiens star Henri Richard (ahn-REE’ ree-SHAHRD’) has died.The speedy center who won a record 11 Stanley Cups was 84. He had Alzheimer’s disease. The 22-year-old was ordered to appear in court March 25, according to the office of Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.Williams, the Jets’ first-round draft pick last season, was arrested at LaGuardia on Thursday night on a charge of criminal possession of a weapon. The Port Authority Police Department, which patrols the airport, said Williams has a permit in his home state of Alabama for the Glock 19 pistol he was carrying onto the flight but does not have a gun permit in New York. They said the gun wasn’t loaded.In other NFL news:— Austin Ekeler’s breakout season with the Los Angeles Chargers has resulted in a contract extension. The running back has agreed to a four-year deal with the Chargers worth $24.5 million, including $15 million guaranteed. Ekeler was slated to become a restricted free agent when the new league year starts on March 18. Ekeler went undrafted before signing with the Chargers in 2017. He went from being a special teams standout to a backfield threat over his three seasons.PGA-BAY HILL-DAY WITHDRAWS — Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Domingo Leyba has been suspended 80 games for a violation of baseball’s performance-enhancing drug program. Major League Baseball says Leyba tested positive for Boldenone, an anabolic steroid. The 24-year-old from the Dominican Republic played 21 games with the Diamondbacks last season, hitting .280 with five RBIs. He’s considered one of Arizona’s top prospects and went into spring training trying to secure a big-league roster spot.— Milwaukee pitcher Freddy Peralta gets a signing bonus of $1,174,800 as part of his $15.5 million, five-year contract with the Brewers, a deal with two club options that could be worth $30 million over seven seasons. The deal for the 23-year-old right-hander covers two years of club salary control and his three years of arbitration eligibility. If he turns into a star, the Brewers will have him at far under market value. But for now, he has a contract guaranteeing nearly 30 times the $533,258 he earned last year.— Pitcher Collin McHugh says he regrets he didn’t do more to stop the Houston Astros from breaking sign stealing rules in 2017 and 2018. McHugh is worried about the impact of the Astros’ actions on young fans. The 32-year-old right-hander was 58-35 with the Astros from 2014-19. He said Astros pitchers were led to believe other teams were stealing the Astros’ signs. McHugh was 4-5 with a 4.70 ERA last season. He was placed on the injured list Aug. 31 due to right elbow soreness and will not be ready for opening day this year. He signed with the Boston Red Sox this week.— Amid widespread concern about the coronavirus, Chicago Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish decided to be extra careful after he developed a cough this week. The Japanese right-hander visited with at least two doctors and stayed away from the team for a day before throwing three innings in a simulated game. Darvish said he feels good now, but he’s still coughing a little bit. The 33-year-old Darvish is in the mix to start on opening day after he finished strong last year. He had a 2.76 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 81 2/3 innings over his last 13 starts.— Tim Tebow was reassigned to minor league camp by the New York Mets after going 1 for 8 in spring training with his first extra-base hit in four years. The 32-year-old outfielder and former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback homered against Detroit’s Alex Wilson on Feb. 25. He also had three walks. Tebow has a .147 average in four spring trainings with the Mets. He batted .163 in 77 games last season at Triple-A Syracuse in his second straight injury-shortened season. Ohio State wouldn’t disclose the dollar amount but said in a statement that a special overseer independent of the university will help allocate the funds to individual accusers based on their experiences and the harm done. Those payments will come from “existing institutional discretionary funding,” not tuition or taxpayer or donor money, according to the school. Jason Day out again with back injuryORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Jason Day can’t get away from back issues that have slowed him in recent years. He added to the episodes Friday when he withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational after five holes.Day’s manager said he felt stiffness in his lower back while on the putting green before his second round at Bay Hill, and it started causing problems on the golf course.He was 1 over through four holes, and 3 over for the tournament.It was the second year in a row that Day had to withdraw at Bay Hill because of a back injury. The Canadiens called the Hall of Famer “one of the organization’s greatest legends and ambassadors.” Richard was captain of the Canadiens from 1971 to his retirement in 1975. He succeeded the legendary Jean Beliveau, with whom he shares the record of playing 20 seasons for the NHL club. Commissioner Gary Bettman described Richard as ”one of the true giants of the game.”Richard played 1,256 regular-season games, another Canadiens record. He scored 358 goals and had 1,046 points, third in team history behind Guy Lafleur and Beliveau. He added 129 points in 180 playoff games.Richard was better known as the younger brother of superstar Maurice “Rocket” Richard and was nicknamed the Pocket Rocket for his 5-foot-7, 160-pound frame.VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPORTS Associated Press Day finished fourth at Pebble Beach last month for his best finish in a year.PGA-PLAYERS-WOODSTiger still not ready, will miss The Players ChampionshipORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The strongest field of the year at The Players Championship will be without the biggest draw in golf. Tiger Woods isn’t playing.Woods will miss The Players Championship for the first time when not recovering from any of his nine surgeries. His agent, Mark Steinberg at Excel Sports Management, said in a text, “Back just not ready. Not long term concern.” NBA-NEWSNBA fines Cuban $500,000, sends teams memo on proper conductUNDATED (AP) — The NBA has fined Dallas owner Mark Cuban $500,000 for “public criticism and detrimental conduct” regarding officiating.The league also sent a memo to teams reminding them of rules that govern conduct of owners, coaches and other team personnel during games. The memo, obtained by The Associated Press, reminded clubs that other than coaches team personnel are not allowed on the court during games. Also forbidden is “profane or objectionable language” that might be heard by fans during the game.The memo about the rules of conduct for team personnel does not mention Cuban specifically, though he typically sits near the Mavericks’ bench during games. Share This StoryFacebookTwitteremailPrintLinkedinRedditMLB-NEWSYanks’ Judge has broken rib, no set time on return to lineupUNDATED (AP) — New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge has a broken rib and it’s not clear whether he will need surgery, leaving doubt when he’ll be back in the lineup. VIRUS OUTBREAK-OLYMPICSTokyo organizers scale back arrival ceremony for Olympic torchTOKYO (AP) — The head of the Tokyo Olympics on Friday said organizers are downsizing the arrival ceremony in Japan for the Olympic torch on March 20 because of the spreading coronavirus.Organizing committee President Yoshiro Mori also said that 140 children will not be sent to Greece to give the flame a send-off on March 19. The Olympic torch will be lighted on March 12 in a ceremony in Greece and then flown to Japan to arrive on March 20. It is to arrive in Miyagi in northern Japan at a Japan Air Self-Defense base.The International Olympic Committee and local organizers have repeated over and over that the Olympics will open as scheduled, and the Paralympics are set to begin on Aug. 25. Manager Aaron Boone made the announcement Friday. He said he thought the star right fielder hurt himself making a diving catch late last season.Judge will rest two weeks while recovering from the stress fracture to his first right rib. He hasn’t played in any spring training games while dealing with soreness in his right pectoral muscle and shoulder. Judge underwent around a dozen tests, including and MRI plus CT and bone scans, to determine the source of his pain. Removal of the bone is a possibility depending on the healing process.Since winning the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year award, Judge has been limited to 112 games in 2018 because of a broken right wrist and to 102 games last year due to a strained left oblique.In other MLB news:— Christian Yelich (YEH’-lihch) has finalized a $215 million, nine-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. His new deal added $187.25 million over seven seasons to the remaining $27.75 million Yelich was guaranteed as part of the $49.57 million, seven-year contract he signed in March 2015 with Miami. Yelich was dealt to the Brewers in January 2018, and he won the NL batting title and MVP award as the Brewers reached Game 7 of the NL Championship Series. He added another batting championship and finished second in the MVP vote last year, when his season was cut short by a broken kneecap. Update on the latest sports
With the Major League Baseball season in full swing, Syracuse’s own minor league team is starting up as well. The Syracuse Chiefs, better known as the Chiefs, are Syracuse’s Triple-A baseball team.The Chiefs are the Washington Nationals affiliate, and have produced stars such as Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, Roy Halladay and Vernon Wells. The team has also churned out past studs like Carlos Delgado and even two-sport NFL Hall of Fame defensive back Deion Sanders, who had a short stint with the team at the tail end of his career in 2001.During commencement weekend, the Chiefs have a four-game home stand with the Norfolk Tides, the Baltimore Orioles affiliate.The games will be played:Friday, 7 p.m.Promotions: Pregame autograph signing session, Parker Bradway concertThe Nashville, Tenn. recording artist will play in the Hank Sauer Room from 6-7:30 p.m. The concert, sponsored by B104.7, will benefit the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team. Tickets for the game and concert can be purchased for $20 each or $15 for those who already have tickets to the game.AdvertisementThis is placeholder textSaturday, 2 p.m.Promotions: Pregame autograph signing session, Armed Forces CelebrationAt noon, military vehicles and equipment—including the M9 Reaper, a World War II Hummer, the Air Force rock climbing wall and a video gaming vehicle—will be on display in the stadium parking lot.Sunday, 2 p.m.Promotions: Pregame autograph signing session, Mother’s DayFree admission to all moms attending the game with family. The first 250 mothers will receive a Chiefs hat and flower and the mothers of the families that post the “most spirited Chiefs family” picture on Twitter and Instagram will be selected to throw out the first pitch. Use #chiefsmom when posting.Monday, noonPromotions: Pregame autograph signing session, the promotion formerly known as Church Bulletin NightPresent a program from your place of worship or a civic organization at the Chiefs ticket office and receive one complimentary general admission ticket.Individual tickets range from $8 to $20 with discounted admission available for youths, seniors and groups of 25-plus people. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 315-474-7833, email at tickets@syracusechiefs.com or at the Chiefs ticket office at Alliance Bank Stadium any time Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Syracuse has struggled thus far into the season. The Chiefs are last in their division with the majority of their struggles coming at home, where they are just 3-12. Twenty-four year-old prospect Jeff Kobernus is providing a solid bat, hitting more than .370 while stealing 13 bases.—compiled by contributing writer Eric Riter, esriter@syr.edu Comments Related Stories Syracuse Crunch headed to AHL Eastern Conference semifinal Published on May 9, 2013 at 12:22 am
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While the USC student body was gearing up for the end of finals and heading home for winter break, more than 100 student-athletes spent Dec. 5 at 186th Street Elementary School in Gardena completing beautification projects around the campus. The trip was part of USC Athletics’ fifth annual Community Bowl.This year the Trojans worked alongside the Wise Owls’ student body and mascot to make an impact on the campus and in the classroom.In addition to the work the athletes did to improve the campus, each athlete was paired with an elementary school student from the beginning of the day to work alongside and to mentor.The Trojan athletes were welcomed with a red carpet with students lined up on either side at the beginning of the day.The athletes and their buddies completed 30 tasks over the course of the day. These tasks included digging and planting new gardens on campus, painting 10 murals across the school and revamping the school’s athletic facilities.Nine women’s lacrosse players took part in the event, including junior attacker Michaela Michael who remembered what it was like to be an elementary school kid in the not-too-distant past during an interview with the athletics department.“When I was little, seeing college athletes, especially from a school like USC, was so exciting,” Michael said. “Just talking to the kids, they think of us as celebrities. Getting to spend time with them is so special.”In an interview with the USC athletics department, Principal Marcia Reed expressed her gratitude for the Trojans’ service.“My students were so excited just to be a part of something like this,” Reed said. “This is one of those experiences that they will remember for a lifetime.”In addition to the physical work that the athletes accomplished, they received the opportunity to speak with the students about the importance of education and staying in school. The athletes were able to work through a lesson plan with their students to teach them what college is like, what they have been learning and what their study habits are to promote higher education.“Today was one of those experiences where the Trojans made us feel like we can conquer the world,” Reed told the athletics department. “The Wise Owls are going to soar. We want to make the Trojans proud.”The Community Bowl is part of the Community Outreach Program, which is funded by The Otis Booth Community Outreach Endowment for USC Athletics. According to the athletics website, one of the main components of the Community Bowl is to “reinforce our athletes’ dedication to their community and its youngest members.”The project is also supplemented by volunteers from the Trojan Athletic Parents Association who travel with the athletes to take part in their day at a local school.
Elsewhere in the group, Scotland is in Warsaw to face Poland, While Gibraltar take on Georgia in Faro.Last night, Iceland caused the upset of qualifying so far, beating Holland 2-0 to go joint top of Group A.Wales top Group B this morning – they survived being reduced to ten men to beat Cyprus 2-1 in Cardiff. The Boys In Green go to Gelsenkirchen with maximum points from their first two games, while the Germans lost on Saturday to Poland. O’Neill says nothing will be gained by sitting back for 90 minutes. Kick-off tonight is at 7.45. 