SCOTUS Knocks Down LGBT Tyranny & Student Freebies

The Supreme Court is on a roll this week!  First, they knocked down Affirmative Action which is on its face racist and discriminatory, and now has affirmed the first amendment matters. The Court in a 6-3 decision ruled in favor of Lorie Smith, a Christian web designer who refused to create a website promoting so-called "same-sex marriage." She was of course sued on the pretense of discrimination. 

In the past, Christians became the target of gay couples who were seeking to make an example out of them when the odds were in their favor. Back then, more liberals controlled the court and legislated from the bench. They often decided in favor of the LGBTQIA community setting aside the text of the Constitution, particularly the First Amendment, in favor of inferences that made no legislative or rational sense when compared to the Constitution. 

Well, things are different now. The Court decided to protect the First Amendment rights of Christians and overall conscience rights. Immediately the left cried out "Second-class citizenship!" In other words, they feel the LGBTQIA community will not be seen as second-class citizens. Justice Sotomayor wrote in a dissent,

"Today, the Court, for the first time in its history, grants a business open to the public a constitutional right to refuse to serve members of a protected class. Specifically, the Court holds that the First Amendment exempts a website design company from a state law that prohibits the company from denying wedding websites to same-sex couples if the company chooses to sell those websites to the public. The Court also holds that the company has a right to post a notice that says, “‘no [wedding websites] will be sold if they will be used for gay marriages.’”

There is speculation that Sotomayor herself may be a lesbian due to her passionate responses whenever the other justices decide against the LGBTQIA community. What she and other leftists fail to realize is that one party cannot force another party to go against their beliefs whether religious or not. No one is being denied service. Cakes, pizzas, and websites can be made for the LGBTQIA community, but not ones with content that goes against the provider of the service. This should be common sense to anyone who has reasoning skills. For example, one cannot ask a Jewish caterer to create Nazi theme meals or a Muslim-run business to create something that contains pork. Not only is it disrespectful, but an affront to the person's conscience rights.

The Supreme Court also gave a huge blow to President Biden's Student Loan Forgiveness program which sort to erase all or most of the debt students have accrued during their studies in college. The plan was welcomed by many students who feel that student loans are like owing money to a Mafia loan shark. However, many others protested the idea believing it to be fiscally irresponsible and teaching students in college to be irresponsible. The reason they go to college is to earn a degree so as to get a better-paying job to pay for living expenses including debts and mortgages. Paying off their student debt with taxpayer money sends the message that they do not have to pay back debts. It creates an atmosphere of irresponsibility. Students can study on loans and then not pay them back while relying on the government to use taxpayer dollars to pay back loans. The idea sends the wrong message.  

What is next? Will people who owe rent or mortgages demand the government uses taxpayer dollars to bail them out?  Some may bring up the 2008 bailing of banks, but that situation was different. Banks are important in a capitalist society. They need to be up and running, not failing and collapsing. The bail money they were given was not free money either. They had to pay it back to the taxpayers. Paying student loans is way different. No one is paying taxpayers back if this plan took hold in the united states. This decision was also a great one.  President Biden is now assuring students in debt of a "plan b" approach in order to circumvent the Supreme Court's ruling. 

Are we starting to see the Supreme Court actually upholding the Constitution? It sure looks like it.  It looks like the majority of the justices are interpreting the Constitution as it is and not inferring on it what it does not state. We saw this with the Dobbs decision last year which knocked down Roe vs Wade. Roe vs Wade was decided on the premise that women had equality and the right to privacy. How does this even add up to abortion?  Where does abortion even fit in this?  It made no sense and had to be overturned.  Similarly, cases like Obergefell were decided on claims that equality exists and enumerated rights are granted, therefore same-sex couples can marry.  The Constitution does not even mention marriage or abortion!  

Hopefully, the Supreme Court of the United States continues on this path and will eventually overturn Obergefell restoring marriage as only being between one man and one woman.  Today's ruling ended "Pride Month" on a sour note for the LGBTQIA community.  

You can read the Court's opinions here:

21-476 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis (06/30/2023) (supremecourt.gov)

22-535 Department of Education v. Brown (06/30/2023) (supremecourt.gov)

22-506 Biden v. Nebraska (06/30/2023) (supremecourt.gov)

What do you think?  Post your comment below. Remember to follow the rules so your comment can be posted. 

Source:

Gay couple cited by Christian web designer who won Supreme Court case may not exist (yahoo.com)

Supreme Court Just Marked ‘Gays and Lesbians For Second-Class Status’ Declared Sotomayor In Scathing Dissent: ‘Profoundly Wrong’ (msn.com)

BREAKING: Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Web Designer Who Refuses to Promote Gay Weddings (mediaite.com)

Supreme Court injustice: ‘legal innocence’ is not enough (msn.com)

'Embarrassing': Sotomayor slams SCOTUS decision that marks 'gays and lesbians for second-class status' (msn.com)

'Nuclear hypocrisy': Legal experts stunned by SCOTUS' 'weird' ruling in LGBTQ rights case (msn.com)

A Huge Win for the First Amendment (msn.com)

'Loaded gun': Expert suggests LGBTQ ruling paves way to return to 'Whites-only' luncheonettes (msn.com)

Biden unveils new student loan forgiveness plan after Supreme Court defeat (usatoday.com)

June 30, 2023 SCOTUS blocks Biden's student loan plan and limits LGBTQ protections (cnn.com)

What Will Happen to Your Student Loans Now - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Roberts scolds liberal justices for demonizing rulings they don't like: 'Disturbing feature' of dissents (msn.com)

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/30/opinion/affirmative-action-supreme-court-repeal.html

SCOTUS Affirms that 'Affirmative Action' is Unconstitutional

The Supreme Court of the United States of America strikes again. This time it hit against an issue that has racial ramifications. Affirmative Action has been around since the 1990s during the Bill Clinton presidency. 

This act was set up to supposedly give a fair chance to African Americans and other minorities. Colleges and other institutions would use race and background stories to admit students. The act did not come as a solution for everyone. In fact, standards were lowered for minorities to the point that it made it look like they were inferior to non-Hispanic Caucasians.   

In a 6–3 decision, the Supreme Court struck down Affirmative Action after a group of Asian students sued claiming they were discriminated against in favor of African Americans and other minorities. As you can imagine, liberals and others are livid over this decision and are calling the Supreme Court backward and corrupt. Many Democrats took to social media to voice their anger. Many Democrat-orientated African Americans began to cry racism. They feel targeted by "White Conservatives" or the "Right-Wing."

This decision is a great one and finally puts an end to freebies and inequality. As the Court stated, Affirmative Action violated the 14th Amendment. We cannot have schools and other institutions use race as a factor for admittance. It is unfair. To have Non-Hispanic Caucasians study, work hard, and then not got chosen to a school because a minority applies at the same time and is looked upon with pity is completely unfair. This degrades African Americans and other minorities into a subclass of people who are intellectually inferior and cannot do the same course work or pass the same tests with high scores as their White counterparts.  It is complete rubbish. 

Affirmative Action is another form of slavery. It presents African Americans, Latinos, and others as weak and unable to compete academically against Non-Hispanic Caucasians.  SCOTUS made the correct decision.  If you work hard and study hard, you should be recognized for that, not your skin color, gender, religion, or racial features.

You can read the Court's opinion here:

20-1199 Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College (06/29/2023) (supremecourt.gov)

What do you think? Post below on Disqus. Remember to follow the rules so your comment can be posted. 

Source:

June 29, 2023 Supreme Court affirmative action decision (cnn.com)

Supreme Court: Affirmative Action OK for Military And Legacies (theintercept.com)

Affirmative action exposes Supreme Court justices' raw nerves (axios.com)

Affirmative action: Who benefits the most? The answer may surprise you (usatoday.com)

The affirmative action ruling has already upended college applications - The Washington Post

Why the Champions of Affirmative Action Had to Leave Asian Americans Behind | The New Yorker

Read the Supreme Court Decision - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Supreme Court deals a blow to Gen Z's culture of entitlement (msn.com)

Gorsuch Tears Into Sotomayor’s Dissent In Religious Freedom Case: ‘Reimagines The Facts’ And ‘Opens Fire On Its Own Position’ (msn.com)

 

Daniel Penny Arraigned & Jordan Williams' Charges Dropped

Today was a day that will hopefully educate people who do not understand what self-defense means in the legal context. 

However, we still see nonsensical rants and tweets being posted online mainly by Caucasian conservatives who think that people can attack each other or kill each other and then claim self-defense.  This is not how American society operates. We cannot kill someone who taps us on the shoulder or shouts in our ears and then call it self-defense. 

Daniel Penny, a former Marine was arraigned this morning and entered a "Not Guilty" plea. His charges remain of Manslaughter in the second degree and negligent homicide.  He remains out on a $100,000 bond. A few hours later in a case similar to Penny's, Jordan Williams was exonerated from all charges. Williams was clear of all charges after he killed a man who entered a subway car he and his girlfriend were in and began to physically attack riders, including Williams' girlfriend. Williams jumped to defend her and others and during the struggle pulled out a knife stabbing the assailant who later died. Williams was arrested and charged with manslaughter in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon. These are the charges which were dropped. 

You can read more about these cases in these previous posts and see the sources for each story:

https://www.sacerdotus.com/2023/06/daniel-penny-jordan-williams-self.html

https://www.sacerdotus.com/2023/05/marine-daniel-penny-kills-homeless.html

Let us focus on the differences between these cases and why one person was cleared and the other was not.  Both Penny and Williams were charged with manslaughter in the second degree. This is what the law says in New York State:

Section 125.15 - Manslaughter in the second degree

A person is guilty of manslaughter in the second degree when:

1. He recklessly causes the death of another person; or

2. [Repealed]

3. He intentionally causes or aids another person to commit suicide.

Manslaughter in the second degree is a class C felony.

N.Y. Penal Law § 125.15

Amended by New York Laws 2019, ch. 1,Sec. 8, eff. 1/22/2019.

Notice the word "recklessly." This is the keyword that differentiates between the Penny case and Williams' case.  In the Penny case, the deceased Jordan Neely, a homeless black male with mental illness enters the subway car where Daniel Penny, a former Marine is present. According to the videos and eyewitnesses that the grand jury processed, Neely enters in an agitated state and slams his jacket on the ground. He shouts and screams crying out for food and water and claims he is not afraid to die. The scene is obviously disturbing and puts everyone at ease. However, Penny comes from behind and grabs Neely by the neck in a chokehold bringing him to the ground on the subway car.  This chokehold is placed on Neely for an extended period of time which leads to the death of Neely. 

In the case of Williams, a man, possibly like Neely, homeless and mentally ill enters the subway where Williams and his girlfriend are present. However, this man begins to berate and physically attack riders including Williams' girlfriend.  Therein lies the huge difference between Penny's case and Williams' case: physical attack. While Neely was making a scene yelling and slamming his jacket, the assailant in Williams' case was actually physically attacking people including Williams' girlfriend.  This is what prompted Williams to defend himself, his girlfriend, and other passengers by engaging the assailant to the point of using a knife and killing the assailant. However, Penny had no reason to grab a man who was simply disturbing the peace by the neck choke holding him to death. There is absolutely no justification for them. Surely a screaming person on a subway is something that can be scary, but it is not a reason to kill the screaming person. 

This is why the case of Penny continues while the case of Williams was dropped and he was clear of charges.  Now about the criminal possession charge, it is not clear why it was dropped but in New York, possessing a knife less than 3'' is legal. If the knife Williams used fits this description then this is probably why the criminal possession charge was dropped.  Penny did not use a weapon but did chokehold someone to death. These actions were "reckless" as the law states. This is because he knew what would happen when applying a chokehold on a person. A chokehold is something that is illegal for police officers to use. This is because it kills people. It cuts off blood and oxygen supply to the brain and other vital organs. As a Marine, Penny would know this. It is a move meant to kill, not to restrain. Therefore, he acted recklessly causing the death of Neely. 

Penny had a duty to retreat.  In New York State, citizens have a duty to retreat if there is an option to do so. The law is clear and makes an exception in the case of the assailant attacking you in your home and so on. Here is the law:

In New York state, Article 35 of the penal code states:

(c) The physical force involved is the product of a combat by agreement not specifically authorized by law.

2. A person may not use deadly physical force upon another person under circumstances specified in subdivision one unless:

(a) The actor reasonably believes that such other person is using or about to use deadly physical force. Even in such case, however, the actor may not use deadly physical force if he or she knows that with complete personal safety, to oneself and others he or she may avoid the necessity of so doing by retreating; except that the actor is under no duty to retreat if he or she is:

(i) in his or her dwelling and not the initial aggressor; or

(ii) a police officer or peace officer or a person assisting a police officer or a peace officer at the latter`s direction, acting pursuant to section 35.30; or

(b) He or she reasonably believes that such other person is committing

or attempting to commit a kidnapping, forcible rape, forcible criminal sexual act or robbery; or

(c) He or she reasonably believes that such other person is committing or attempting to commit a burglary, and the circumstances are such that the use of deadly physical force is authorized by subdivision three of section 35.20.

In light of this, Penny had to retreat while Neely was shouting. There was no reason for him to grab him or even confront him. He is not law enforcement or security personnel. People online can claim all they want that he is a hero and protected people, but he really was not. He was the violent aggressor in this case, not Jordan Neely. The facts, video evidence, and eyewitness accounts demonstrate this.  Some are claiming he is being persecuted because he is Caucasian and Williams was exonerated because he is Black and the Black Lives Matter movement created an atmosphere of sensitivity towards African Americans. This is very far from the truth! Both Williams and Penny faced the same laws and court system and were judged by their peers in a grand jury. The evidence and law spoke and they decided accordingly. 

Some argue that there was no way to retreat on a moving subway. While this claim may sound rational, it is not.  Subways have ways to evacuate from. The MTA has specific instructions on how to evacuate, and stop a moving train which was provided in this post: https://www.sacerdotus.com/2023/05/marine-daniel-penny-kills-homeless.html. There are brakes, removable windows, and end doors which one can use to move about train cars. Moreover, after the arrest of Penny, we learned that the train was entering a station when the incident occurred. They were not in a deep long tunnel moving. Moreover, in a statement recorded on video Penny admitted that other passengers retreated see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeRb1ITkqX4.  He says in the 2.22-24 mark "people were too afraid getting away from him" so he admits that people were getting away from Neely, yet he did not. He took it upon himself to grab Neely from behind and chokehold him. 

Screenshot of video statement showing transcript of Penny's words.

Penny may have thought he was doing the right thing, but it was not the legal thing. All he had to do was ignore Neely and leave just like the other riders did as he describes in the video. Had Neely attacked physically, then he could have used force to defend himself and others. But this did not happen.  He simply killed a man who was disturbing the peace in a non-physical way.  We cannot have vigilantism in NYC. Penny must face charges and must be penalized for his reckless behavior.  However, the blame is not his. NYC has failed to help people like Neely. Until NYC steps up and helps these people, we will continue to see these cases and worse ones.  

My advice to Penny and his lawyers is to use PTSD as a defense. He was a Marine and their training does affect the human brain and emotional maturity. The shouting and actions of Neely may have triggered Penny to become a "soldier" in battle, so to speak. This is why he reacted. There is no evidence that Penny woke up that day on a mission to kill a black man. None whatsoever. People making this about race are purely ridiculous and are race-baiting.  

If I were Penny, I would have told people to leave and speak to Neely by myself calming him down. I would have offered to get him food and drink like he wanted. There was no need to kill this man.  This was NOT self-defense and we must not sympathize with Penny just because he is only 24, was a Marine, or is Caucasian without a criminal record. These are irrelevant. Similarly, we must not attack Neely because of his criminal past, his mental illness or situation. In a court of law, one's life is not a trial, only the acts being charged in the case. This is not a black vs white event nor should it ever become this. 

What do you think? Post below on Disqus. Remember to follow the rules so your comment can be approved.  

'Pride' Night at Dodgers' Stadium an Epic Fail

It sure was a "proud" and "prideful" night at the La Dodgers' stadium, but not for the reason you may be thinking. It was supposed to be "Gay Pride" night at the stadium. Several gay entities were supposed to be awarded and honored. Among them were the "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence," a hate group that mocks Catholics and the Christian faith. At first, the Dodgers disinvited this group only to reinvite them again. 

This brought the ire of Catholics, Protestants, Conservatives, and even Jews and other groups who saw this as a slap to the face of religion. The Dodgers simply did not care about honoring this hate group that makes fun of nuns, women, and the Catholic faith. Many of us have gotten to know religious sisters in different ways and can attest to their hard work and faith. To honor a group of men who dress in drag that openly mock nun is just disgusting and disrespectful. Many Catholics pledged to gather peacefully and protest the Dodgers and the hate group. 

Among them would be Bishop Strickland of Texas who is an orthodox champion of the Catholic faith who is not afraid to face the wrath of the world for the sake of Christ. Sadly, he was the only Catholic bishop in participation. Nevertheless, tens of thousands came from across the United States to pray and peacefully protest. Bishop Strickland even brought a first-class relic of St. John Paul II. 

They gathered outside of the stadium praying and speaking out against the hate group being honored inside. Meanwhile, on the inside things were different. The hate group was surrounded by a large presence of police but with the stadium nearly empty. As the members of the hate group were announced, there was clear disapproval with jeers and booing. 

 It was a disastrous night for the LGBTQIA. Hopefully, the LA Dodgers and other teams in sports learned their lesson. America does not want this propaganda in our pastime. We have had enough and are pushing back. We cannot let a tyrannical minority impose on everyone else their delusions under the guise of "equal rights."

 

The Dodgers sold Christians out... for this? https://t.co/7s3ZVdnXzI

— Ben Domenech (@bdomenech) June 17, 2023

The world is over the woke agenda.

MASSIVE Christian groups have arrived outside Dodger stadium to PROTEST the ANTI CHRISTIAN GROUP that the Dodgers are honoring!!!

WE ARE WITH YOU!!! pic.twitter.com/qkSMdynEKQ

— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) June 16, 2023

Signs read "Satan Has No Rights" and "Stop the Blasphemy" as hundreds gather at Dodger Stadium to protest the team honoring the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence with a Community Service Award at Pride Night. https://t.co/7BCoBzdKld pic.twitter.com/byCqlLT2X2

— KTLA (@KTLA) June 16, 2023

A massive group of Catholics and Christians have arrived outside of Dodger Stadium to pray in protest of the Dodgers honoring the "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence."
pic.twitter.com/HYprx1N16l

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) June 16, 2023

Christians pray outside Dodgers Stadium to protest the team’s decision to honour the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. pic.twitter.com/sqeJKrvOmx

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) June 16, 2023

Prayerful Procession at Dodger Stadium pic.twitter.com/NF2WXSBxDA

— Grace Chong 🇺🇸 (@gc22gc) June 16, 2023

Dodger Stadium forced to shut gate A. Hundreds of people are protesting the game tonight for honoring an LGBTQ+ nun group. @knxnews pic.twitter.com/26Rr3oM6pd

— Nataly Tavidian (@NatalyTavidian) June 17, 2023

Jack Posobiec leads prayer in Latin outside of Dodger Stadium during protest against the Dodgers honoring anti-Catholic drag queen group @JackPosobiec pic.twitter.com/YQ49Xtb1zm

— Jayne Zirkle (@JayneZirkle) June 16, 2023

Catholic protesters march towards Dodgers Stadium where the Dodgers are honoring anti-Catholic drag queen group during tonight’s pregame ceremony pic.twitter.com/V8J8ucFPTC

— Jayne Zirkle (@JayneZirkle) June 17, 2023

🚨 Catholics and other Christians protest outside of Dodger Stadium in opposition to the team honoring the “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence”.

🎥: @sav_says_
pic.twitter.com/BgCzvOSrFH

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) June 16, 2023

At the March for Catholics, thousands of participants rally at one of the entrances to the @Dodgers' stadium. pic.twitter.com/d5g3ihGrOc

— LifeSiteNews (@LifeSite) June 17, 2023

LOS ANGELES- Thousands of Catholics are now marching toward the front of Dodger Stadium chanting “Save Our Children!”

Catholic organizers shared they wanted to make a stand for Christ where everyone could see them: pic.twitter.com/WC7YL1O3n0

— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) June 17, 2023

LOS ANGELES- A huge group of Catholics and Christians have already arrived outside of Dodger Stadium to pray in protest of the Dodgers honoring the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

A drag group that has repeatedly mocked Christ and the Catholic faith: pic.twitter.com/oHPIeHoCI3

— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) June 16, 2023

“If you are anti-Catholic, you’re anti-religion, you’re anti-God, I got a problem with that”

A Jewish rabbi speaks in solidarity with the Catholics outside of Dodger Stadium. The crowd has exponentially grown in size and more people are still continuing to arrive: pic.twitter.com/6WiYRIWZvp

— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) June 16, 2023

DODGER STADIUM-The “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence” are recognized for Pride night to a mostly empty audience.

Two Dodgers fan nearby begin loudly booing after they’re announced: pic.twitter.com/OO6NT5RIc8

— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) June 17, 2023

BREAKING: Thousands of Catholics have shut down the main entrance to Dodger Stadium on Vin Scully avenue in protest of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence being honored tonight.

They are now lining the sidewalks and have taken over the entire block: pic.twitter.com/F5CSDvuap8

— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) June 17, 2023

What do you think? Post below on Disqus. Remember to follow the rules so your comment can be posted. 

Source:

Thousands protest Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence outside Dodger Stadium hours before start of Pride Night | Fox News

Thousands protest Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence outside Dodger Stadium hours before start of Pride Night (msn.com)

WATCH: Dodgers Honor Anti-Catholic Drag Queens in Front of a Near Empty Stadium (breitbart.com)

Dodger Stadium EMPTY for Gay Pride Ceremony - Todd Starnes

Thousands protest outside stadium as Dodgers honor troupe of drag-queen 'nuns' - Washington Times

 

Daniel Penny, Jordan Williams & the Self-Defense Dilemma

It happened again.  Another attack in the subway resulted in one dead and another arrested.  The case is similar to that of Daniel Penny who killed Jordan Neely, however, things are very much different.  Jordan Williams, only 20, was with his girlfriend on the J train. Devictor Ouedraogo, 36 who is an ex-con was also on the same train. 

He began to attack people on the train including the young couple. Quedraogo punched Williams' girlfriend and all hell broke loose. The two men got into a scuffle. At one point, they were holding each other's head in a lock until Williams pull out a knife and stabbed Quedrago. The latter later succumbed to his injuries.  Williams and his girlfriend stayed on the train and were met with police at the Chauncey Street station. He was arrested and charged with manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon. 

At his appearance in court today, the judge released Williams out without bail despite the Brooklyn District Attorney's office asking for a $100,000 bail. According to those present, the judge was very sympathetic to Williams telling him, "I have every reason to believe you will fight this case."  Perhaps the fact that the young man recently graduated from high school and was wearing his senior hoody sweatshirt may have had something to do with it, not to mention that the young man has no criminal record. Many witnesses spoke in defense of Williams saying he did the right thing. However, one disagreed stating "It's certainly something he didn't start or would have probably been involved in if it weren't for, you know, the guy who was killed being the aggressor," the witness said. "But you can't kill someone just because, you know, they started a fight with you." 

As expected, armchair political pundits on social media began making comparisons between the case of Penny and Neely with this new one. Some claim that it is not fair that Penny is being made out to be a murderer while the court seems more sympathetic to Williams. Others say that racism is at place. It ok over a week for Penny to be arrested and charged, but Williams was immediately arrested and charged. There does seem to be a discrepancy between the two cases. 

However, we must remember that one happened in Manhattan and the other in Brooklyn. Each county has its own District Attorney. That being stated, things will be done a bit differently. Nevertheless, the claim that Williams was immediately arrested while Penny was let go by the police is something we need to look into carefully.  In the case of Penny, he was the aggressor who came from behind and grabbed Neely as he was yelling for food and acting erratically.  Neely did not attack anyone physically. In the case of Williams, Quedraogo was attacking people physically, including Williams' girlfriend who was punched. So we see a big difference here.  

Moreover, Williams had a knife while Penny did not have a weapon.   In the case of Penny, he should have simply not gotten involved.  In fact, New Yorkers are known for ignoring things on the subway, including people who may be behaving erratically.  As for Williams, Quedraogo was the physical aggressor so the situation was different. Williams had no choice but to fight back. This man had just attacked people and punched his girlfriend.  However, he could have hit the assailant back or shoved him to the ground and fled with his girlfriend.  Stabbing the man with a knife could have been avoided. He could have used the knife to scare the assailant. The knife should only have been used if the assailant was attacking Williams to the point that Williams could not get a hit in or was incapacitated to the point that he could not retreat or fight back and stabbing him was the only option.  

Both cases have brought into the spotlight the crime problem in NYC's subway system and the fact that citizens have to fend for themselves. Citizens should not have to be put into this situation. They should be able to pay their fare and get on the subway to their destinations without issue. Moreover, it highlights the need to educate New Yorkers on how to defend themselves without catching a case. The duty to retreat clause is there, but more needs to be done to make it clear what force can be used and what constitutes self-defense in different situations. 

If not, we will continue to see these cases.  During an altercation, people are not thinking about the law or consequences. They are trying to survive.  Survival instincts kick in.  Everyone has the right to self-preservation, but the law must find a balance so that people can defend themselves and not be worried about breaking the law. There also has to be a balance that allows for people to fend off assailants without killing them and flexibility in regard to retreating.  The law cannot account for every situation, so this is why we have to reexamine these laws again and make them more flexible by clearly giving specific common situations and what to do in regard to self-defense and retreat.

UPDATE June 28, 2023

Jordan Williams was just cleared of any wrongdoing. All charges were dropped against him!

What do you think? Comment below on Disqus.  Be sure to follow the rules so your comment goes through.  

Source:

https://nypost.com/2023/06/14/man-killed-on-nyc-train-punched-woman-before-fatal-stabbing-sources/

https://nypost.com/2023/06/13/36-year-old-man-fatally-knifed-at-brooklyn-subway-station/

https://nypost.com/2023/06/15/daniel-pennys-indictment-wont-change-the-roots-of-the-nyc-subway-crime-crisis/

https://abc7ny.com/brooklyn-subway-stabbing-jordan-williams-crime/13386860/

https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-subway-stabbing-bail-jordan-williams-20230615-2yskpwfoobhfxibefcwuwlxxjy-story.html

https://nypost.com/2023/06/14/man-killed-on-nyc-train-punched-woman-before-fatal-stabbing-sources/

https://www.yahoo.com/news/man-fatally-stabbed-during-argument-023600506.html

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-charged-fatal-stabbing-new-york-city-subway-rider-rcna89473

UPDATED Source June 28, 2023:

Grand jury dismisses all counts against Jordan Williams (fox5ny.com)

Charges dropped against Jordan Williams who fatally stabbed homeless man on subway - ABC7 New York (abc7ny.com)

Grand jury dismisses all counts against Jordan Williams (fox5ny.com)

Charges dismissed against man in fatal Brooklyn subway stabbing, DA says | PIX11

Brooklyn train-stabber Jordan Williams dodges manslaughter prosecution (nydailynews.com)

'For We Are Many' - Legion & LGBTQI Pronoun Fixation

Within the last decades, a lot has changed. Gay Pride has been spreading like a virus around the world, especially in the media. We see the "rainbow" colors all over the place. On websites, social media, and even at the White House, State government buildings, schools, and some churches. If anyone dares criticize or comment against this, they are canceled, ostracized, banned from social media platforms, and in some cases, even arrested.  We even have some Catholics in the clergy and laity defend this movement to the point of watering down the Church's teachings rooted in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.  It is just a bizarre time to live in.  The question is, what is behind all of this?  

People using the pronouns "they, them, their" seems analogous with "We are Legion (Mark 5:9)." It makes no sense to use these words to identify one individual.  Are we seeing demonic activity manifesting in social engineering?  A religious sister on Twitter was recently attacked by a Franciscan priest who teaches at St. Bonaventure University over comments making this connection with the pronoun use and Legion of the Gospels. This, again is so absurd. It feels like one is in the Twilight Zone program where reality seems to alter itself as one is living it.  

I am sure anyone who may be gay or an "LGBTQI ally" and is reading this will automatically label this post as "homophobic." This take is also absurd and a huge problem. Criticism is not hate. If something is immune from criticism, then it is a dictatorship that often pretends to have invincibility and later falls down hard. This post is not meant to be hateful, but to provide critical thinking to the phenomenon going on in regards to "pronouns."  As a Christian, I cannot help but see the correlation between Mark 5:9 and the insistence on using absurd pronouns in today's age. I am not stating that members of the gay community are demons or of the devil. What I am stating is that there may be a demonic influence behind it. Ephesians 6:12 reads, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."  In other words, we Christians are not at war with our fellow brothers and sisters who may not share our faith or may not share it completely. We are at war with the spiritual forces of evil and the powers of this dark world, as Ephesians describes them.  

Those who know a bit about exorcisms know that there are different ways in which the devil or demons attack humans. Most are familiar with demonic possession when a demon or group of demons take over a human body and mind causing it to behave strangely and manifest superhuman traits. Then there are the less familiar terms of demonic obsession and oppression.  Demonic obsession is when the devil or demons literally are obsessed with an individual. They harass the person and even inflict misfortunes on them. Finally, there is demonic oppression which has some commonality with obsession but focuses more on the spiritual well-being of the person. In demonic oppression, the individual becomes to get weighed down by demonic attacks which are sometimes subtle. When the individual falls into temptation and sin, the demon(s) jump on this moment and begin to make the individual's life difficult. The individual is tempted and harassed so greatly that he or she beings to suffer spiritually, psychologically, emotionally, and even physically.  This will eventually lead to doubting, indifference towards religious convictions, acedia, and other ills. It is like a deep spiritual depression where one becomes hopeless, feels alone, and starts doubting everyone including themselves just like in the case of psychological depression which may lead to suicide.  

Agnosticism and Atheism are forms of demonic oppression. Remember, if you reject God then you open yourself to His opponent de facto. One does not need to invite satan and his demons in via word, thought, or action. Just by rejecting God and/or sinning without care, one is inviting the enemy in. Similarly, if one is living in the sin of homosexuality without concern for it as if it were nothing serious, one is inviting in demonic forces that one truly cannot comprehend because they are in the spiritual realm. This is why we see a large amount of the LGBTQI population suffering from mental illnesses and even committing suicide. Some may blame religion or religious proselytism for this, but there is no correlation. People many times complain that the government is oppressing them, but we do not see a lot of suicides because of this. Similarly, there are other things that people feel weigh heavily on them, but we do not see high numbers of mental illness or suicide among these groups. Homosexuality is distinct in this regard.  

This is why we must look into the obsession with absurd pronoun use. The demand to use strange pronouns causes confusion which is a sign of the devil who is a liar and caused confusion on day one with Adam and Eve. The demand to use strange pronouns means to convey plurality in order to represent one individual is a sign of "Legion" who was "many" in the one. It erases the sense one personhood and turns the individual into a plurality of expressions or manifestations.  To describe oneself as "they" or "them" or even "Us" or "zir" is to attempt to depart from the physical realm where our ontology only manifests in a singular and constant form. Only the spiritual realm is free of physicality and physics. Those who are not wise and who are blind to the spiritual world see this abuse of pronouns as nothing serious. It is just someone "living their truth" or "their expression." However, those of us who have the grace to see beyond the physical can see there is indeed something spiritual behind this and it is not good (2 Timothy 2:26, Ephesians 2:2).  

Again, this post is not meant to attack the LGBTQI people but to critically think about what is influencing it. We are all being attacked and influenced by the devil. The LGBTQI community cannot be singled out. However, they are the ones currently pushing their propaganda aggressively on all of us, so it begs the question of why and why this phenomenon is so powerful. Not even Nazism was able to convince so many of its ideology. The Catholic Church herself was once the superpower of the Western world and even she did not have such influence and control over the masses. So how can a minority of people with a simple "rainbow" flag have so much influence and power over the masses?  

Is it money? Is it a pity for those who have been targets of hate and abuse over the centuries?  Is it an attempt to be allied with this minority group?  In light of the many other groups who have more money and have had established power but were not able to reach the amount of control as the LGBTQI have, we can truly suspect that the power behind this agenda is demonic. Remember, Scripture and Jesus Himself have referred to satan as being the "ruler of this word" or "god of this age." (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Colossians 1:13).  That being stated, things in this world are influenced directly by the devil and demons.  We can assume that the influence, power, and extreme protection that homosexuality has gotten from the world is directly from satan himself because he is the ruler of this world and has great influence over it.  Many people do not even notice that the Pride flag has six colors, a number often attributed to the antichrist. We who studied physics know that the rainbow has seven colors, a number associated with God. 

This is why we must minister to homosexual persons with love, the hard truth and grace. There is no place for homophobia or hate in Christianity and evangelization. Some Protestant denominations force conversion therapy on their homosexual parishioners, however, we as Catholics must let God's grace do the conversion. We all need conversion, not just homosexuals. All of us sin, not just homosexuals. We are all targets of satan. This evil and proud creature hates us and is envious of us (Wisdom 2:24).  We must remember that this creature is the target, not homosexuals or one another. He is our enemy, not homosexuals or any other person who may not share our faith.   

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Can Catholics Celebrate 'Gay Pride?'

Recently, there have been articles and opinions circulated on social media by laity and even Jesuits and other clergy who claim that Catholics can celebrate "Gay Pride." What are we to make of this?

The quick and easy answer is NO!  No Catholic in good conscience can celebrate "Gay Pride." Despite the marches meant to convey a desire for equal rights and recognition, no Catholic can celebrate or participate in them.  This is not because gay people are pariahs or do not deserve rights, rather, it is because of what they are truly celebrating and representing, sin. Sodomy is one of the sins that cries out to heaven for vengeance (Genesis 18:20-21). The story of Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah pretty much describes a "Gay Pride" event.  We have the 2 angels who come to Lot's house and all the men in the towns come to see them. They lust after the angels who were in human male form and clearly attracted the men.  Some liberal scholars are quick to claim that this story is about inhospitality. 

In other words, Sodom and Gomorrah were annihilated because the people were inhospitable. While Ezekiel 16:49-50 does state the sins of Sodom and mentions that they did not help the poor and needy, it does say that they did detestable things before God's presence.  Jude 7 also mentions that the residents of the cities went after "strange flesh." Some translations describe it as sexual perversions that the Lord detests.  We can surmise that the main reason Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed was because of their homosexual activities. Leviticus 20:13 states: “If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must both be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense." So we see how God calls homosexual sexual activities "detestable." The word "detestable" is used in all the aforementioned verses so we can link them all to homosexual sexual acts, not inhospitality which is not described as "detestable."  "Strange flesh" means engaging in activities of the flesh (sex) that are unnatural or "strange."  In today's world, we can see this term applicable to transgender people and others who mutilate themselves for sexual purposes. 

That being stated, we can see that homosexuality is not something taken lightly. While homosexuality by itself as a same-sex attraction is not sinful, the mere presence of it is dangerous. Gay Pride events are often a display of sexual liberation rather than achievements by the gay community. We never heard about Alan Turing, Langston Hughes, or other homosexuals being honored or celebrated. We never hear about the LGBTQIA community being educated on their lives and achievements. Instead, we see displays of sexual activities. From sadism and bondage displays to nudity and males in thongs exhibiting muscular bodies, large buttocks, and even large genitals. These can be seen in online videos and in person during Pride. Other times, sexual acts are actually performed explicitly and implicitly. It is just a display of perversion and lust.  In light of this, no Catholic or religiously moral person can support these events in any form.  

Ephesians 5:11-14 

"Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: 'Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'”

The fact that is it called "Pride" is disturbing enough. As stated, it is a capital sin.  Pride is what caused the Seraphim Lucifer to fall from grace. Saint Augustine of Hippo said, "It was pride that changed angels into devils; humility makes men as angels." Sacred Scripture speaks very badly about pride and how it hurts man and offends God:

Proverbs 8:13

"To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech."

 

Proverbs 16:18

"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."

 

James 4:6

"But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'”

Now we can use the word "proud" and "pride" when it comes to showing joy in something that is good, such as pride in a child's success, pride in our own success, pride in the recovery of a patient, and so on. But when pride is centered on sin and arrogance in defiance of God, then this is the sin of pride. Gay Pride events exhibit this kind of pride. It is an open defiance against God and nature. It is like Lucifer telling God that he will not serve.  

As Catholics, we are supposed to evangelize. We are supposed to help others come to Christ, not endorse their sin.  The catechism describes homosexuality and what must be done with those who have this condition in this manner:

2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,141 tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."142 They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.

Note that we must respect them, have compassion for them and be sensitive to them. However, they are called to chastity, self-mastery and so on just like the rest of us.  As Christians, we must care for each other and be our brother's keepers, so to speak. We cannot just leave our brothers and sisters to wallow in sin and perdition. God will never endorse homosexuality. We see this in Scripture how homosexuality, in particular, homosexual acts as detestable and even deserving of death.  Along with Leviticus 20:13, there are other passages of Sacred Scripture that condemn homosexual acts and homosexuality. One clearly states that homosexuals will not inherit heaven.

Romans 1:26-27

"Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another."

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God."

Not inheriting the kingdom of heaven is a serious thing that we all should be concerned with. The whole purpose of creation, the whole purpose of Scripture, Tradition, Judaism, the Commandments, the Catholic Church, the Sacraments, Jesus' conception, birth, death, and resurrection is so that we can have a shot to be saved and be with Him in the kingdom of heaven. This is the goal. This is what it is all about. To celebrate something that deprives us of the kingdom of heaven is absurd. Therefore, Catholics can never celebrate Gay Pride. It goes against God and nature. It is a celebration of the sin that cries out to the heavens for vengeance and against the natural paradigm of complementarity that allows for the existence of life and the continuation of evolution. Our bodies were simply not made for homosexual activity. This is why we see the spread of HIV and other STDs in homosexuals at an alarming rate. 

Excuse me for the bluntness and vulgarity, but when you insert a penis into an anus, it tears the skin. There is blood. Blood is a conduit for the spread of viruses and diseases. When two women engage in frottage or rubbing each other's vaginas with one another, there is physical contact. STDs like herpes and other contagious viruses easily spread. Now this does not mean heterosexuals are immune. What it means is that homosexual activities make it easier for diseases to spread. We saw this after the Covid-19 Coronavirus lockdown where gay men were spreading Monkey Pox. Moreover, when people engage in fellatio or oral sex, all kinds of disgusting things are exchanged which will lead to disease and even cancer. Then there is the practice of anilingus or "rimming" as gays call it. This is when someone licks another person's buttocks and anus sometimes even sucking on it or inserting tongues into it. This is a revolting act that is clearly unhealthy and unhygienic. 

We all know what comes out of an anus. To place one's mouth there and tongue is just asking for trouble. Hepatitis, herpes, and other diseases can spread via this act due to the presence of fecal matter and other viruses and bacteria.  If this is not nature warning us to stop the nonsense, I do not know what is.  There are even homosexuals who love to be "squashed" by heavier men or women. They get sexual gratification upon feeling the massive weight of an obese person on their frame. Others enjoy getting "face sat."  They get sexual gratification from having someone place their buttocks on their face. The feel and smell turn them on sexually. Some like to have someone release flatulence on their face as well. I can go on and on about what I learned from abnormal psychology and LGBTQ studies courses, reading other materials, and gay friends. It is an interesting world, so to speak. Very strange indeed!      

This is what someone who attends "Gay Pride" celebrates. Would this be something Jesus would do? Most of us are familiar with the "WWYD" acronym that represents What Would Jesus Do?  Would Jesus attend Pride? The answer is no unless He was there to call the people there to "sin no more." Remember John 8:11?  We are called to tell manifest sinners to "Go and sin no more," not encourage their sin and bad behavior. We condemn them and ourselves in the process.  Any Catholic whether clergy or not who tells you that Gay Pride is okay is either extremely stupid or is using the guise of Catholicism to spread an agenda. He or she is a spy agent for satan, not a child of the light.  This goes the same for any Protestant, Jewish, or Muslim cleric or layperson. If they tell their congregations that celebrating Pride is okay, they too are agents of the enemy who wants our destruction.  

So unless you are going to Gay Pride to preach the Gospel, you are not supposed to be there celebrating and encouraging sin.  Gay Pride is out of the equation for Catholics.  If you celebrate Pride, attend the events, and wave and display the colorful flags, then you are part of the problem. You condemn yourself and your homosexual brothers and sisters in the process. You are an agent for the enemy who wishes the destruction of humanity due to his envy (Wisdom 2:24). 

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