53 Countries Commit! Joanna Ewart-James, Freedom United (team@freedomunited.org)

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Dear David, We are thrilled that the Commonwealth Heads of Government have answered our call and committed to eradicating modern slavery and human trafficking! The Communiqué[1] issued by Heads of Government as the Summit concluded last week says: “Heads called for effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour in all its forms by 2025” mirroring our call set out in our petition. Share the news! We asked the Commonwealth to show leadership in the abolitionist movement knowing that 55% of those in slavery reside in countries belonging to the Commonwealth. When we began speaking out and asking for your support on the International Day of the Abolition of Slavery in 2016, calling for the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s support felt achievable but a challenge, considering the word ‘slavery’ had not been uttered publicly in a Commonwealth setting. There was undoubtedly apprehension about our proposition. But in showing that there is support around the world from citizens of many countries, and how great the need is to commit to action, we achieved what we set out. We needed your support to help make it happen! This is what we did: 65,351 Freedom United supporters signed our petition. This was referred to by our partner the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative in Commonwealth meetings and seminars to power their message. 6,325 messages were sent directly to the Secretary-General on Commonwealth Day in 2017 We received a statement of support for action to end modern slavery from the Commonwealth’s then Chair-in-Office, the Prime Minister of Malta Over 11,000 messages were sent to the Malaysian Prime Minister calling for his support We called on UK parliamentarians for their support ahead of the UK’s Prime Minister becoming the Chair-in-Office We asked you to help our partner the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative by submitting your designs for the cover of their report on modern slavery We delivered your petition to the Assistant Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat just before the Commonwealth Summit began. We are delighted by the commitment expressed in the Commonwealth Heads of Government statement. With their call to action the potential for creating a world in which slavery no longer thrives is enormous. The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative will not rest and will be watching closely to make sure that these words lead to action. In gratitude, Joanna, David and the teams at Freedom United and the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative

FEATURE ARTICLES. CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBAL WARMING- FIGHTING THE WRONG BATTLES. PT 3.

Alright, we have Defined the Subject Matter to be Debated, and we have TWO DISTINCT OPINIONS

THAT RUN CONTRARY TO EACH OTHER.  Since They both cannot be ACCURATE AND TRUE,
HOW DO WE SET UP THE DEBATE TO ARRIVE AT THE MOST LIKELY CONCLUSION?

2-  WHAT TYPE OF EVIDENCE WILL BE CONSIDERED RELEVANT, AND HOW WILL ITS ACCURACY AND INFLUENCE UPON THE SUBJECT MATTER BE MEASURED?

Remember, this is a DEBATE ABOUT SCIENCE, NOT POLITICS OR MORALITY. ACCEPTING ONE SIDE, OR THE OTHER SIDE AS TRUE, CANNOT BE JUDGED BY POLITICAL, SOCIAL, OR ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS.

If We Take the CLIMATE CHANGE/ GLOBAL WARMING DISCUSSION OR DEBATE AS AN EXAMPLE, WE HAVE THE FOLLOWING:

Whether or Not the EARTHS CLIMATE IS CHANGING, AND/OR GLOBAL WARMING IS FACTUAL, DOES NOT DEPEND UPON THE CURRENT COMMERCIAL RELATIONS AND TRADING PRACTICES BETWEEN COUNTRIES. POSSIBLE ECONOMIC UPHEAVAL WILL NOT ALTER PAST READINGS ON TEMPERATURE CHANGE, ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENA, OR WEATHER ANOMALIES.

Since We  Must Use LOGIC AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD TO REACH CONCLUSIONS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBAL WARMING, QUALITY EVIDENCE OR TESTIMONY MUST BE;

-  VERIFIABLE.

-  QUANTIFIABLE.

-  TESTABLE.

-  REPRODUCIBLE.

-  FALSIFIABLE. 

PROPER CONTROLS MUST HAVE ALSO BEEN USED TO ELIMINATE THE 

POSSIBILITY OF ALTERING OR TAINTING THE RESULTS.

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS ARE LEFT UNTIL AFTER THE

DEBATE OR DISCUSSION HAS BEEN SETTLED, AND A VALID CONSENSUS

AGREES WITH THE FINDINGS.

FEATURE ARTICLES. WHAT DOES THE U.S. CONSTITUTION ACTUALLY SAY ABOUT RELIGION? PT 2.

In part 1, I quoted Article six of the U.S. Constitution.  I pointed out that this section of the Constitution, along with the First Amendment, are the only two places that religion is referred to in the entire body of the document.   I will now quote from the Bill of Rights, the section that references religion.

First Amendment-  "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."

There you have it.  These two passages make it clear what role religion would play in the development of the new republic, and at no time do they contradict each other.

• Congress would not address the subject of religion in any way.
• There would be no religious test to hold public office.  One need only swear allegiance to the Constitution
• Since religious freedom is considered a right that every American has, it cannot be taken away.  In other words, creating and passing legislation that removes this right is not possible.

For those who claim that the founding fathers had an agenda that would establish Christianity as an essential part of our legal system, and that it is justified within the body of the Constitution, ignore certain details.  None of the following appears within the ratified document;

• God.
• Jesus.
• Christian or Christianity.
• Prayer.
• Bible. 

In fact, the only word that could possibly be a reference to a Supreme Being is the use of the term "Lord".  However, this word is used only once in the following fragment; "...in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty-seven...".  This was a common way that dates and times were presented in print, and was not considered to be an expression of faith.

It is amazing that many of todays Lawmakers wish to regulate public policy according to the faiths and beliefs of certain segments of American society.  This completely ignores the obvious intentions of the Framers of the Constitution.  Why would they make it the law of the land to require no religious test to hold public office, and then seek to Legislate by Doctrines found in certain faiths?

(See PT.3 in a future posting.)

Pick up the phone - it's Healthy Youth Call-In Day! PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts, Inc.

I’m asking for three minutes of your time today, SEARCHINGFORREASON.NET. I’m asking you to pick up the phone and call your state representative because tomorrow is the last day for us to push theHealthy Youth Act out of committee.   All day long, we’re mobilizing supporters like you to flood the Massachusetts House of Representatives with reasons why consent-focused, LGBTQ-inclusive sex ed is so important to young people across the state. Today is also the day that anti-LGBTQ, anti-women, and anti-science groups are bringing their supporters to the State House. Let’s make sure our voices for change drown out their demands to take us back in time. Here’s how you can get in touch with your representative: Step 1: Look up your state representative by punching in your address here. Step 2: Click on their profile and dial the phone number. Step 3: You’ll be connected with either a staffer or a voicemail. Share why the Healthy Youth Act is important to you and urge your representative to bring the Healthy Youth Act to the floor for a vote. If you’d like to read from a script, go here! When you’re done, forward this email to your friends, family, and colleagues. Then, share your activism on social media. Shout your support for theHealthy Youth Act from the rooftops. We have no time to waste. Let’s make some noise! Kim Kargman Organizing Manager Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts P.S. We need everyone to be talking about the Healthy Youth Act. Spread the word by inviting your friends to join the Healthy Youth Call-In Day on Facebook.