Harambe Shot Dead: World Goes Bananas

Social media has been up in an uproar after a gorilla named Harambe was shot dead in order to rescue a four year old boy. During the weekend, a small boy of four years of age visiting the zoo of Cincinnati slipped through a barrier and fell into a pit where gorillas in captivity reside in. Everyone present immediately panicked. Zoo officials managed to get two female gorillas to get away from the boy after they issued commands; however, a 17 year old male gorilla named Harambe ignored commands and approached the four year old boy.

Hirambe towered over the boy at one point and then proceeded to drag the boy through the water to another location a few feet away. From there, Hirambe seemed to observe the crying child and even stood him up at one point holding him by his pants. Shortly after this, zoo officials shot Hirambe killing him and then rescued the young boy. The boy was sent to the hospital with scrapes and a concusion.  He was released a few days later.  However, animals activists and others are calling for the parents of the child to be arrested. Some have even resorted to death threats against the mother and four year old child. Others have even resorted to racists remarks because the boy is African American; insinuating that the boy was the same color as the gorilla and therefore, the gorilla would not have harmed him.

Over 100,000 have signed an online petition demanding an investigation and the prosecution of the parents of the young boy. The zoo is also under fire for killing the silverback gorilla which is an endangered species. Those upset with the killing are upset because they feel that the killing of the gorilla was unnecessary. They ask why a tranquilizer was not used. Zoo officials responded that a tranquilizer would take about ten minutes to kick in and the dart would have angered Hirambe causing him to possibily harm or kill the boy. Gorillas are very strong animals. They can easily deadlift about 2,000 lbs without effort. A gorilla can easily tear a grown man over 6 feet tall piece by piece or easily crush him. Had Hirambe been tranquilized, he could have torn the boy apart or with one pound of his hand would have left the boy crushed into a pulp. Experts all agree that killing the gorilla was the only option.



This story is sad, not only for the boy and his family but also for Harambe. Harambe did not ask to be held in a zoo. He did not ask to be 'entertainment' for human beings who are 'cousins' of his species. Gorillas and humans share 98% DNA.  It is extraordinary to even contemplate this. We are so different yet so similar, genetically and physically speaking. However, human life has more value than a gorilla because they are rational beings with souls. This does not mean gorillas do not have value. We must ensure that these creatures survive on Earth. Again, they are our 'cousins' in nature.

What troubles me is the response from some animal activists who seem to have preferred that the boy perish instead of the gorilla. This is sad indeed and shows the warped views circulating around in society. These views mainly come from philosopher Peter Singer who advocates for 'animal equality.' He believes that humans and non-human animals are the same. These ideas are presented as rational but when one analyzes them carefully, they can be nonsensical.  Yes, humans are animals too, but humans are different. Humans have the capacity to save other species, gorillas do not. This puts the human in a higher category than other non-human animals.

I am sad that Harambe is dead. In fact, from the video I saw, it seems as if Harambe was actually protecting the boy. Nevertheless, Harambe was a savage animal. This is evidence in how he dragged the boy causing the boy to bash his head several times on concrete. Harambe could not distinguish between being gentle or rough. He did not have that capacity. If gorillas had this capacity, they could easily organize and attack human beings like in the "Planet of the Apes" movie. I think an investigation should be made at the zoo to figure out why the gorilla's sanctuary was not secure. As to whether the parents had blame, only cameras at the zoo (if any) can prove this.  Accidents do happen. Kids to wander off even with the most vigilant of parents.  Instead of a criminal charge, I think a fine is more appropriate to help cover the costs related to Harambe's death.








Source:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/nation-now/2016/05/31/zoo-incident-parent-shaming/85211702/?hootPostID=16e678e6ed72fa615d829d4ffb87b40d

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/the-only-thing-more-upsetting-than-harambe-the-gorillas-death-was-the-reality-of-his-life-a7057981.html

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/05/31/police-investigating-boys-parents-in-case-of-harambe-the-gorilla/

http://time.com/4352001/cincinnati-zoo-gorilla-killed-harambe-boy-toddler/?xid=time_socialflow_twitter

http://abc7ny.com/news/zookeeper-who-raised-harambe-mourns-his-death/1364288/

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/05/harambe-gorillas-behaviors-zoos-animals/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=link_tw20160531news-gorillaupdate&utm_campaign=Content&sf27584024=1

http://www.vox.com/2016/5/31/11818858/harambe-gorilla-michelle-gregg-mob-justice

http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/31/us/gorilla-shot-harambe/

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ohio-gorilla-idUSKCN0YM1XH

HIV Removed from Animal Genes

HIV is a virus that has plagued many in the LGBT community as well as in drug users who share needles. It is not a pretty virus, no virus is. This virus robs a person's of his/her immune system allowing all kinds of infections and other viruses and bacteria to invade with ease. For decades, the HIV virus has outsmarted the brightest of minds in medicine. Well the tables seem to be turning, so to speak.

American scientists have figured out how to remove HIV virus DNA from the genomes of animals. The experiment was a success and may lead to a cure if it can be successfully reproduced in human beings. Human beings are animals as well, so the success of this procedure is extremely probable.

Scientists at Temple University's Lewis Katz School of Medicine were able to remove the HIV-1 DNA from mice and rats.  Professor Kamel Khalil who was the leader of this study stated, “In a proof-of-concept study, we show that our gene editing technology can be effectively delivered to many organs of two small animal models and excise large fragments of viral DNA from the host cell genome.”

Hopefully one day this will work in human beings and put an end to HIV once and for all.





Source:


https://www.rt.com/usa/343841-hiv-cure-animals-dna/

http://geneticexperts.org/hiv-dna-removed-from-animals-using-crispr-cas9-for-the-first-time/

http://globalnews.ca/news/2715711/americans-scientists-successfully-cut-out-hiv-genes-from-infected-animals/

Neil Degrasse Tyson Science Gaffe

Neil DeGrasse Tyson often presents himself as the 'champion' for science. He was chosen to host 'Cosmos' a few years ago and has his podcast now on television. Moreover, he often attacks religious people by insinuating that they do not know science.  Well it seems that the tables are turned.  He tweeted this:

If there were ever a species for whom sex hurt, it surely went extinct long ago.

— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) March 11, 2016

Immediately, many came to correct him by reminding him that sex is not all that pleasant as some may present it.  Many animals have painful sexual encounters.  Things are not all love and romance in the animal kingdom.

• The antechinus for example have so much sexual relations that they bleed inside and go blind.
• Male cats have barbed penises that do not make a female cat's sexual experience very pleasant.
• The male praying mantis is eaten by the female one after mating. That is not pleasant or painless.
• The male duck's penis is also shaped differently than the female duck's vagina which makes penetration very uncomfortable.

Let us not for get humans!  Recently, Trump and Rubio have been arguing and making comments about male size. Well, men come in all shapes and sizes.. and I am not referring to their entire bodies.  The woman's uterus is about 7 inches long. Males, on the other hand, can have penises as long as 9 or 10 inches. The largest on record was 13.  This is only lenght!  Some males are as thick as a banana while others can be thicker than a soda can. While the vagina is an amazing organ and can stretch to release a baby, it is not always ready to accomodate any penis. Sex with a male who has over 8 inches or is thick can be extremely painful for the female if the male gets carried away. Let me not get into other ways people have sexual encounters, in particular, anal.  That is another disaster since the anus was not meant to have a penis inside it!

So Neil deGrasse Tyson needs to brush up on his science!



Source:

http://www.wired.com/2016/03/hey-neil-degrasse-tyson-animals-not-great-sex/?mbid=social_fb

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2016/03/11/neil-degrasse-tyson-is-super-wrong-about-how-sex-works/?tid=sm_fb

Church Hypocrisy?

Anti-Catholics often cite the bad behavior of Catholics in order to "prove" their case that the Catholic Church is a flawed institution that must be disposed of.  They will cite the burning at the stakes, inquisition, abuse of minors, cover ups and so on.  The Catholic Church to them is "morally bankrupt."

While the aforementioned are unfortunately a part of the history of Catholics, these acts were never sanctioned by the Church.  They are shortcomings from individuals who represented the Church.  Moreover, critics do not take into account the time and circumstance surrounding the bad events in the Church.  Those (heretics) who broke laws in their respective time received the punishment of that time.  We may see it now as cruel and unusual, but this is because we see things differently now in regards to justice and the treatment of prisoners.

The Past Haunts

In recent times, the sexual abuse of minors is what is focused upon when attacks against the Catholic Church are presented.  The moral authority of bishops and priests are questioned since they seemed to have allowed these abuses to go on and in some cases even tried to cover them up.   In the news recently, there was a report that files from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles show that retired Cardinal Roger Mahoney and Bishop Thomas Curry made attempts to conceal predator priests and obstruct justice.

The news has hit the Los Angeles Archdiocese so hard that Archbishop Gomez has prohibited Cardinal Mahoney from public duties within his Archdiocese and has accepted the resignation of Bishop Thomas Curry.  This basically means that Mahoney cannot present himself as an official of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.  He can still function as a priest in private.  I applaud Archbishop Gomez for doing this.  He has publicly reprimanded two of his brother bishops and has shown that their actions cannot be excused.  Cardinal Mahoney responded with a letter of his own excusing his "mistakes."

I hardly call transferring priests from parish to parish who were known to have psycho-sexual issues a "mistake."  Furthermore, the attempt to prevent these disturbed priests from facing justice is just appalling.  Clergy who are found guilty of abuse and those bishops and others who covered for them should be in prison.  They should not be given a platform from which to shout "mea culpa."  The sexual abuse of a minor - or anyone for that matter - is disgusting and victims may never recover from it.    

Fetus Not a Person

If that is not bad enough, a Catholic hospital in Colorado is being sued because its lawyers have used the defense that a fetus is not a person in order to protect the hospital from litigation.  The news has caused a tidal wave among Catholics and anti-Catholics.  I myself have been bombarded with Tweets and messages regarding the supposed hypocrisy of the Church in implementing this defense.  What these people do not understand is that the Catholic Church is not on trial here.  A Catholic hospital is on trial for malpractice and its lawyers chose to use this defense.  Lawyers have the reputation of being "certified liars."  This is because they use a play of words in order to present a good case that will go in their favor.

The local bishop is investigating the matter.  I believe the lawyers used this defense because it reflects the current understanding of the law.  It would not be fair to sue a hospital for malpractice if the laws state that the fetus is not a person and fetuses are killed at abortion clinics daily without concern or litigation.  Therefore, lawyers must use the laws in the books in order to make their case.

A case that comes to mind that reflects this is that of Mary Ellen Wilson's who was the first documented case of child abuse in the United States of America.   She was beaten, starved and chained in a dark room all alone and overall was treated inhumanely.  Neighbors were concerned over the welfare of young Mary Ellen, but to their dismay, the abuse was not illegal.  Under the law, children were not considered persons and were mere property.  They were no different than cattle or dogs and could be beaten and abused.  The police could not do anything because there were no laws protecting children.

Neighbors told Methodist missionary Etta Wheeler about the situation and she tried to help.  Wheeler did not give up despite the non-existence of child protection laws in New York.  She would eventually contact the ASPCA or American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals which was founded by Henry Bergh in order to protect horses.  At the time (1800's), New York used horses instead of cars.  The modern car was just being developed and horses were the only means to travel or transport goods.

Horses can be very stubborn creatures, so they were often beaten severely and treated badly.  The ASPCA would eventually get protection for them and other animals under the law.  This is why Wheeler sought the help of Bergh.  The ASPCA would help Mary Ellen Wilson and future children of child abuse by using the defense that children are part of the animal kingdom just like horses and they deserve protection under the law.  This is an example of how the current law and understanding of the law must be used in order to defend a client.


****UPDATE 2/5/2013****

The lawyers for the hospital have decided to recant the defense tactic of citing a law that does not include the unborn as human.  The change was made after Colorado bishops investigated and met with parties involved  http://www.lifenews.com/2013/02/04/catholic-hospital-reverses-wont-argue-unborn-baby-not-a-person/



No Help for Rape Victim

Lastly, a victim of rape in Germany claims that a Catholic hospital turned her away because of the advice the hospital would have given regarding keeping the pregnancy.  The Archdiocese of Cologne had this statement:

"We regret very much that the impression has been given to the public that rape victims are no longer able to be treated in Catholic hospitals. That is false,"

The Archdiocese confirmed that rape victims have always and will always get medical treatment and that no victim will be turned away.  They added that there was a misunderstanding among hospital officials which led to the refusal to treat the victim of rape.

The Catholic Church is made up of human beings.  The Church is perfect, but not perfect.  She is perfect in that she is the Bride of Christ and holds the deposit of Faith.  However, she is not perfect in that she is a collection of sinners who can do both good and bad in her name.  If all the Apostles except John ran off after Jesus' arrest, what makes you think the disciples of today won't abandon Jesus?  There will be clergy, religious and lay people who will abandon Jesus and do things their own way which will cause scandal and most likely harm themselves and others.  This should not be seen as a reflection of the whole Catholic Church, but a reflection on the reality that individuals in the Church can do stupid things that offends God and one another.  


Source:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-23/anger-as-us-records-show-catholic-sex-abuse-cover-up/4480824

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Sex-Abuse-Files-Catholic-Church-Los-Angeles-Mahony-Attorney-Shocked-188034191.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57565286/evidence-shows-bold-l.a-priest-abuse-cover-up/

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57565286/evidence-shows-bold-l.a-priest-abuse-cover-up/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/23/catholic-hospital-argues-_n_2534383.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

http://reason-being.com/index.php/2013/01/24/catholic-health-initiatives-fetus-hypocrisy/#.UQGG_OQtTXY.twitter

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/23/catholic-hospital-argues-_n_2534383.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

https://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/catholics-argue-that-fetuses-are-people-unless-it-costs-the-church-money/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/9811443/German-rape-victim-turned-away-by-Catholic-hospitals-over-pregnancy-fears.html

http://www.catholic.org/hf/faith/story.php?id=49547

http://www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=123889

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0203-lopez-mahony-20130203,0,612758.column

http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_22502929/cardinal-mahony-fires-back-at-gomez-defends-handling

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0201-mahony-curry-20130201,0,3889565.story

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-adv-church-curry-20130203,0,5584406.story

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2013/01/archbishop-takes-action-on-mahony-curry-over-abuse-scandal.html

http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=49546

http://documents.latimes.com/los-angeles-archdiocese-priest-abuse-files/

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/archbishop-gomez-praised-for-ideal-approach-to-la-removals/
http://cardinalrogermahonyblogsla.blogspot.com/

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-church-files-20130122,0,3114631.story