Page 1418 – Family Council

Study Finds Vegetative Patient “Not Just Aware, but Paying Attention”

Nov 14, 2013JerryBioethics, Life, Medical EthicsBioethics, Euthanasia, Life, Medical Ethics, Pro-life, Sanctity of Human Life

A recent study published in the journal Neuroimage: Clinical has found some patients in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) are aware of the world around them — and some are “not just aware, but paying attention.”

Scientists at the Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit and the University of Cambridge published their research last month. In the study, researchers examined 21 PVS patients, asking the patients to listen and mentally respond to a series of words. Scientists used electroencephalography to measure electrical activity in the brain, and compared brain activity in the patients with brain activity in healthy volunteers who were asked the same questions.

Researchers at Cambridge write,

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After Years of “Happy Holidays,” Gap Wishes a “Merry Christmas”

Nov 14, 2013Jerry1 CommentChristmasChristmas, War on Christmas

Last week Gap, Inc. — the umbrella company for Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and other retailers — sent a letter to the American Family Association announcing its stores would offer patrons Christmas wishes and decidedly Christmas-themed events this December.

This comes after years of nonspecific “Happy Holidays” and strong refusals to use the word “Christmas” in Gap’s advertising and seasonal events.

Gap’s letter to AFA says in part,

“Starting today, every Gap Outlet window will have signs that say ‘Merry Christmas,’ along with Christmas trees and wreaths throughout their stores…Following Thanksgiving, Gap will be putting up a door decal that includes ‘Merry Christmas’ in every store…We will also be incorporating ‘Merry Christmas’ into all of our store hour decals, which can be seen in the windows and at the register.”

It’s odd that any store would offer Christmas shoppers the opportunity to buy Christmas gifts or Christmas decorations, but refuse to say the word ‘Christmas‘ for fear someone might be offended — but that’s exactly what many retailers are doing. Thankfully, Gap is reversing course at its stores, and we look forward to others following Gap’s example.

CA Group Collects Signatures to Repeal ‘Bathroom’ Law

Nov 13, 2013JerryCurrent Events, ENDACurrent Events, ENDA, Homosexuality

California recently passed a law permitting K-12 students who self-identify as “transgender” to pick which bathroom they use at school and which sports team they try out for; this means a biological boy who considers himself a girl could use the women’s restroom and try out for sports like girls’ basketball.

Needless to say, the law is extremely controversial. It violates the privacy of students, but a California group has been gathering petition signatures to repeal the law.

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