THE RETURN FROM CALVARY. GOOD FRIDAY

Hits: 65

2014418wallach 021

WPCNR NEWS & COMMENT. By John F. Bailey. MARCH 29, 2024  Republished 9:30 A.M. E.D.T. from WPCNR of the Distant Past.:

It is late afternoon now in  the  Jerusalem of 33 A.D. Jesus of Nazereth has died on the cross in between two thieves. The three crosses can be seen on the distant hill.

He died 1,191 years ago on that cross today. There was no CNN, No Fox News, showing live coverage, no internet, no newspapers,radio or television. No Twitter or Facebook. No Instagram,Skype, or Google.

Nevertheless the message of the man who died on Calvary (The Place of the Skull) spread around the world without mass communication.

His followers, twelve of them were so devoted to His message of love and code of behavior they became the first pacifist activists who spread a message the man they called their Lord had preached to them.

He was Jesus of Nazareth.  He had no last name.

Today He is now known all over the world for the message he delivered.

Whether you believe He is the Son of God, or not, He ranks as one of the foremost influences on mankind. More than Plato, more than Socrates, more than any leader or politician, or entertainer whoever lived.

His selfless acts of embracing lepers, the poor, those who sinned were unique.

Such compassion for the downtrodden was unheard of during the time He lived.

It was a time of slavery. No human rights. No care for the sick. When cities were razed and populations slaughtered or enslaved much like the genocides of today.

Jesus of Nazareth introduced a new philosophy that spread throughout the world after His death by crucifixion on this day (maybe, we do not know the exact date), because the community leaders of his own people thought him —

a threat to their power. And that fear that this simple man was a threat should be a lesson to us all.

If you live by His philosophy of forgiveness you are a person at peace with yourself.

If you accept those who are different from you without  fear or prejudice, you are a force for spreading His message of peace towards others and good will.

If you help the poor and the sick because you sympathize with them, you are following His way.

If you stand up for truth, point out what is wrong as He did with the Pharisees. You are doing his will. (But they will kill you.)

If you go about doing good for the sake of doing good, you are following His virtue of selflessness.

Jesus of Nazareth’s message whether divine or a code of how we conduct our lives resonated with millions and it spread.

There is no denying He is one of the great philosophers of the human experience, kin to Socrates, the other giant of antiquity thought.

The above print of “The Return from Calvary” painted by Herbert Schmalz shows the last hours of Jesus of Nazareth’s crucifixation around 33 A.D. on Calvary Hill, “the place of the Skull” outside of Jerusalem late in the day He was crucified.

The description on the print describes the somber scene:

The darkness which was on the earth (during His suffering) is clearing away.

One long, dark cloud is hanging over the city like a pall.

The Virgin Mother, weighted down by fatigue and grief, knowing not wither she goes, is being led up some steps, toward “his own” home, by St. John and Mary Magdalene.

In the distance on the top of Cavalry, you can make out the three crosses.

The grief so eloquently captured by this print depicts the very personal loss all of us endure when someone we love passes away, realizing our loss because of all they did for us.

Jesus of Nazareth was a human being who affects us to this day.

One of the great gifts of this man, Jesus of Nazareth, is the celebration of humanity and capacity to care and feel for others that aids persons whether they believe He was the Son of God or not. Or that you will have eternal life if you believe in him.

His philosophies of care, courage, compassion and benevolent action serve their practitioners well because they leave a great personal satisfaction in the heart, the mind, and the spirit.

You do not have to second guess yourself, when you do what is right, humane, merciful, and serves the less fortunate without superiority with nothing to gain for yourself. And if you do not do what is right, if you weaken, you always regret it and remember when you failed to do right. I do remember those times when I personally failed to do right.

The peace of mind of action is the least of the  great gift of Jesus of Nazareth whose death on the cross is marked this day.

If you act as Jesus did, you will be remembered by all you meet fondly and lovingly, and be comforted that you will live in memories of those you have  touched with your love and kindness and caring  for eternity to the end of the age.

His simple teachings have great power. Use them. Implement them.

They give meaning to our mystery of life.

They give meaning and purpose to anyone’s life.

For 2,000 years they have made a violent world a better place.

He died today on the cross.

Posted in Uncategorized

MARCH 29–THE RETURN FROM CALVARY — GOOD FRIDAY

Hits: 66

THE RETURN FROM CALVARY — GOOD FRIDAY

Posted on  by 

Hits: 914

2014418wallach 021

WPCNR NEWS & COMMENT. By John F. Bailey. MARCH 29, 2024  Republished 9:30 A.M. E.D.T. from WPCNR of the Distant Past.:

It is late afternoon now in  the  Jerusalem of 33 A.D. Jesus of Nazereth has died on the cross in between two thieves. The three crosses can be seen on the distant hill.

He died 1,991 years ago on that cross today.

There was no CNN, No Fox News, showing live coverage, no internet, no newspapers,radio or television. No Twitter or Facebook. No Instagram,Skype, or Google. NO “x”.

Nevertheless the message of the man who died on Calvary (The Place of the Skull) spread around the world without mass communication.

His followers, twelve of them were so devoted to His message of love and code of behavior they became the first pacifist activists who spread a message the man they called their Lord had preached to them.

He was Jesus of Nazareth.  He had no last name.

Today He is now known all over the world for the message he delivered.

Whether you believe He is the Son of God, or not, He ranks as one of the foremost influences on mankind. More than Plato, more than Socrates, more than any leader or politician, or entertainer whoever lived.

His selfless acts of embracing lepers, the poor, those who sinned were unique.

Such compassion for the downtrodden was unheard of during the time He lived.

It was a time of slavery. No human rights. No care for the sick. When cities were razed and populations slaughtered or enslaved much like the genocides of today.

Jesus of Nazareth introduced a new philosophy that spread throughout the world after His death by crucifixion on this day (maybe, we do not know the exact date), because the community leaders of his own people thought Him —

a threat to their power. Fear that this simple man was a threat should be a lesson to us all.

If you live by His philosophy of forgiveness you are a person at peace with yourself.

If you accept those who are different from you without  fear or prejudice, you are a force for spreading His message of peace towards others and good will.

If you help the poor and the sick because you sympathize with them, you are following His way.

If you stand up for truth, point out what is wrong as He did with the Pharisees. You are doing his will. But they who disagree with you will kill you. Wreck your reputation, Do anything to discredit you.

If you go about doing good for the sake of doing good, you are following His virtue of selflessness.

Jesus of Nazareth’s message whether divine or not or just a code of how we conduct our lives resonated with millions and it spread.

There is no denying He is one of the great philosophers of the human experience, kin to Socrates, the other giant of antiquity thought.

The above print of “The Return from Calvary” painted by Herbert Schmalz shows the last hours of Jesus of Nazareth’s crucifixion around 33 A.D. on Calvary Hill, “the place of the Skull” outside of Jerusalem late in the day. He was crucified.

The description on the print describes the somber scene:

The darkness which was on the earth (during His suffering) is clearing away.

One long, dark cloud is hanging over the city like a pall.

The Virgin Mother, weighted down by fatigue and grief, knowing not wither she goes, is being led up some steps, toward “his own” home, by St. John and Mary Magdalene.

In the distance on the top of Cavalry, you can make out the three crosses.

The grief so eloquently captured by this print depicts the very personal loss all of us endure when someone we love passes away, realizing our loss because of all they did for us.

Jesus of Nazareth was a human being who affects us to this day.

One of the great gifts of this man, Jesus of Nazareth, is the celebration of humanity and capacity to care and feel for others that aids persons whether they believe He was the Son of God or not. Or that you will have eternal life if you believe in him.

His philosophies of care, courage, compassion and benevolent action serve their practitioners  well because they leave a great personal satisfaction in the heart, the mind, and the spirit.

You do not have to second guess yourself, when you do what is right, humane, merciful, and serves the less fortunate without superiority with nothing to gain for yourself. And if you do not do what is right, if you weaken, you always regret it and remember when you failed to do right. Your sins of not doing right linger in your memory like a cancer of the spirit.

The peace of mind of action is the least of the  great gift of Jesus of Nazareth whose death on the cross is marked this day.

If you act as Jesus did, you will be remembered by all you meet fondly and lovingly, and be comforted that you will live in memories of those you have  touched with your love and kindness and caring  for eternity to the end of the age.

His simple teachings have great power. Use them. Implement them.

They give meaning to our mystery of life.

They give meaning and purpose to anyone’s life.

For 2,000 years they have made a violent world a better place.

He died today on the cross.

Posted in Uncategorized

FLAWED STUDIES QUESTIONING SAFETY OF FIRST ABORTION PILL AT HEART OF SUPREME COURT ABORTION-BY-MAIL CASE RETRACTED–WHY?RETRACTED BY PUBLISHER OF

Hits: 83

View in browser

Si quiere leer la versión en español, pulse aquí.

Two retracted studies at the Supreme Court this week

Public health touches all aspects of our lives, not just during a pandemic. Thanks to your feedback, this newsletter will continue with Covid-19 updates and address other public health topics, too. To choose what topics land in your inbox, click HERE.

This week the Supreme Court heard a case about access to the first pill used in most medication abortions in the U.S.: mifepristone. Their decision should come down in June or July.

At the center of this case, the defendant argued that the FDA ignored safety concerns when it eased restrictions on the use of mifepristone. The defendants relied heavily on a few studies that claimed the abortion pill was unsafe.

However, in a stunning turn of events, the publisher of these scientific studies (SAGE) retracted them last month due to methodological and ethical concerns.

Why were these retracted? (What does that even mean?) And what are the implications? 

Retractions are very rare

A retraction is the removal of a published article from a scientific journal. This is a big deal as it doesn’t happen because of some small error. A retraction can be done by the authors (realization of a huge error) or by the publisher (over ethical concerns, fraud, plagiarism, etc.). 

It’s unusual for a scientific paper to be retracted (about 1 in 1000), but the rate is increasing. Misconduct accounts for the majority of retractions.

Number of retracted articles for specific causes by year of retraction. National Academies of Science Convening. Source here.

Behind the abortion study retractions

The two studies used in this week’s Supreme Court case were peer-reviewed and published in 2021. After publication, though, other scientists started voicing major concerns about the statistical methods (and thus questioning the conclusions).

One external group took a deep dive and published their concerns in a pre-print in another journal. They found:

  • The codes used to define “abortion-related” emergency room visits were inaccurate. For example, the study used medical codes for ectopic pregnancies that naturally occurred, not caused by abortions.
  • Findings were presented in a deceiving way, like using dual y-axes on one graph. The left panel on the figure below is what was published. It shows abortions are leading to a lot of emergency room visits. However, when the y-axis is displayed properly on the same scale, abortions lead to a very small number of ED visits. 

Figure Source: Upadhyay et al, 2024; Annotations by YLE

After these concerns were raised, SAGE asked for a review of the articles post-publication. They had two subject matter experts and one independent statistical reviewer take a look. Then SAGE retracted the paper based on three major factors:

  1. Methodological and statistical concerns. Specifically, “unjustified or incorrect factual assumptions,” “material errors,” and “misleading presentations” of data that “demonstrate a lack of scientific rigor and invalidate the authors’ conclusions in whole or in part.”
  2. Ethical considerations. The authors were members of three pro-life advocacy organizations, despite declaring no conflicts of interest in the study.
  3. More ethical considerations. The peer reviewer (who is supposed to be an unbiased third party) didn’t disclose their conflict of interest— that they know the authors personally.

SAGE did not publish the experts’ peer review, which is normal practice. However, given the stakes of this case, it could be coming.

Implications can be long-lasting

Clinical guidance and policy are (ideally) built on decades of research and consideration of the totality of evidence. In the case of mifepristone, more than 100 studies show it’s safe—in fact, safer than Tylenol—with only a few dissenting studies. Some dissenting studies have now been retracted due to methodological and ethical issues.

However, big mistakes can make it past the peer-review process, and, in some rare cases, “mistakes” are intentional and egregious. Even if studies are retracted, they can do a lot of harm (just look at the Wakefield study on autism and the MMR, for example).

Bottom line

A lot of emotion and opinions surround abortion. But I hope we can all agree that we need a solid foundation of data to make smart policy decisions. This bedrock is highly dependent on ethical scientists and a strong review process.

It’s shocking that these studies reached the Supreme Court and were used as a source for decision-making.

Love, YLE and HM

Heidi Moseson, PhD, MPH is a reproductive epidemiologist and scientist at Ibis Reproductive Health. She studies abortion access in the U.S. with a particular focus on self-managed abortion with medications.

“Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE)” is written by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, M.P.H. Ph.D.—an epidemiologist, wife.. During the day, she is a senior scientific consultant to several organizations, including CDC. At night, she writes this newsletter. Her main goal is to “translate” the ever-evolving public health world so that people will be well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions. This newsletter is free, thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. To support this effort, subscribe below:

Subscribed
A guest post by
Heidi Moseson, PhD MPH

Heidi is an epidemiologist who studies medication abortion safety and effectiveness, access, and models of care.
Posted in Uncategorized

TONIGHT AT 8 ON “PEOPLE TO BE HEARD” FERTILITY EXPERT BINA BENISCH ON WAYS TO SOLVE FERTILITY PROBLEMS AND HOW TO SOLVE THEM. ON FIOS CH. 45, WP OPTIMUM CH 76 AND www.wpcommunity media.org

Hits: 0

JOHN BAILEY INTERVIEWS BINA BENISCH ON INFERTILITY TODAY AND WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE

 

THE STATE OF INFERTILITY TODAY WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE DROPPING BIRTH RATE

OPTIONS FOR WOMEN ATTEMPTING TO CONCEIVE 

WHAT IS INVOLVED.

A special rebroadcast on a contemporary national problem

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized

ABINANTI STRIKES BACK, CLAIMS SHIMSKY IS MISTAKEN ON EDGEMONT POSITION

Hits: 76
SHIMSKY BETRAYED HER
HOMETOWN OF GREENBURGH.
  
NOW SHE IS LYING ABOUT IT.
Greenburgh residents rightfully feel betrayed by Assembly member MaryJane Shimsky. Her most recent actions reflect her feeling of vulnerability but, regretfully, not her remorse.
On June 10, 2023, Ms. Shimsky voted for Assembly Bill A7761, which she sponsored, exempting the Edgemont section of Greenburgh from New York State laws which protect every other New York town.
In response to the anger directed at her by her constituents, this week Ms. Shimsky published a statement on her official Assembly webpage and issued a second statement to the press which falsely describe her record. Clearly panicking, she denies her support of Edgemont’s incorporation and falsely accuses community members of “lying” about her record.
In her statement she said that she “never supported an exemption for Edgemont from the new laws” and “never sponsored legislation to that effect.” That is blatantly false. Public NYS Assembly documents show that Ms. Shimsky voted for and sponsored Assembly Bill A.7761 which effectively excludes the village-incorporation efforts of Edgemont residents from tough new state requirements for the creation of a village.
This Shimsky-sponsored law paves the way for Edgemont’s third attempt at incorporation. It exempts Edgemont from mandated state commission review and, most importantly, final approval. It exempts Edgemont from the requirement that a proposed village have no serious detrimental impact on the fiscal condition, services, and taxation of residents in the rest of the town.
Ms. Shimsky’s direct actions have placed the entire Unincorporated Town of Greenburgh in great jeopardy. Her failure to take any action to support her constituents during their struggle against an Edgemont incorporation has generated justifiable anger. Now, as she faces a potential challenge in the June 2024 Democratic Party Primary, she is suddenly decrying the legislation she herself sponsored and is lying about her record.
Ms. Shimsky’s credibility is in serious question when she cannot own up to legislation she sponsored.
Posted in Uncategorized

PLANNING BOARD WITH LOTS OF CONCERNS TO DRAFT LETTER TO COMMON COUNCIL TO CONSIDER SPECIFIC AMBIGUITIES

Hits: 70

CONCERNS RAISED OVER AMBIGUITY, INTERPRETATION, ZONING CHANGES, NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION.

WPCNR PLANNING BOARD BRIEFING. By John F. Bailey. March 26, 2024:

The White Plains Planning Board spoke out Tuesday evening on the status of numerous unclear statements (in their opinion) in the OneWhitePlains Draft Comprehensive Plan before it is submitted to the Common Council for review.

  • Their issues ranged from the administration ability to change zoning even if the new OneWhitePlains Comprehensive Plan (if adopted) conflicted with requested zoning changes
  • Whether affordable housing requirements should or should not be increased.
  • The  need for an independent architectural review of new project design of large projects such as The Galleria project.
  • Plan lack of clarity on how the plights of the city minority quality of life could be improved.
  • The need for feasibility studies  detail to make decisions on city-suggested initiatives.
  • Require city departments to handle environmental review of developer plans.

Most were issues raised arose from what several characterized as the vagueness of the plan.

Commissioner of Planning Christopher Gomez repeatedly answered and explained matters of concern, and admitted some matters written in the plan could have been clearer.

At  the close of the meeting, John Ioris, Chair of the Board, said he wanted all the concerns of the members to be conveyed to the Common Council.

He said their comments would be drafted into a letter that would be considered at the next meeting of the Planning Board, April 16.

The discussion of the OneWhitePlains Draft plan began approximately 730 PM and ended at 9 PM.

 

The meeting can be seen in its entirety on the City of White Plains website under “Common Council Meetings and agendas, and clicking on View Common Council meetings and clicking on Planning Board.

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized

MOVIES COMING BACK TO CITY CENTER IN NEXT 3 MONTHS

Hits: 74

 

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE EXAMINER By John F.Bailey. March 26, 2024:

In the city council work session Monday night KITE  management announced in response to Councilperson Jen Puja’s question that   Kite is in the final stages of  signing a contract WITH a major theater chain that would see movies rolling again in the City Center in the 2nd quarter.

All equipment, technical and projection equipment had been retained by Kite when National Amusements vacated.  Puja remarked last night was the first the Council had heard movies were coming back.

The theaters were closed when National Amusements declined to renew their lease

Since then Kite has been working to bring back the movies as a draw to City Center.

The surprise announcement  came about when Ms. Puja stated her concerns about the vacating of the Center by several tenants, and of course, the theaters.

Here is the interchange between Ms. Puja and Kite spokespeople.

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized

SHIMSKY ISSUES STATEMENT SAYING SHE OPPOSES EDGEMONT INCORPORATION AS A VILLAGE

Hits: 82
 

 

***STATEMENT***

Statement from Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky on Edgemont Incorporation

I oppose the incorporation of Edgemont as a new village.  I have spoken with many in the 92nd Assembly District about the issue and have found overwhelming consensus from them that this is a bad idea for our community.

 

While I look forward to seeing CGR’s complete assessment, the study itself was done on a very compressed time frame and with a number of costly items left unexplored.  Even so, none of the data they provided has changed my underlying concerns about what this would mean for Greenburgh overall.

The issue of Edgemont incorporation has been discussed for many years and predates my time in Albany.  When I arrived in the Assembly, I co-sponsored two pieces of legislation to modernize and strengthen New York’s village incorporation laws — legislation which passed during my first year in office.

But, unfortunately, I had also inherited a situation where Edgemont was now cut off from Greenburgh and the rest of the district, through a redistricting process approved by my predecessor.

This has set up a situation in which Edgemont is no longer represented in balance with the interests of the Town as a whole.

Former Assemblyman Abinanti failed to pass any legislation on village incorporation during his 12 years in office, and yet has chosen to misrepresent my record for his own political gain.

But, the fact remains that I never supported an exemption for Edgemont from the new laws, and I never sponsored legislation to that effect.  Rather, I have spoken out and voted against a carve-out for Edgemont, and I have worked to make Greenburgh’s voice heard in Albany.

Moving forward, I will continue to listen to the people of District 92 and provide my support for keeping unincorporated Greenburgh whole.
Posted in Uncategorized

MARCH 25–COVID, FLU, NOROVIRUS GETTING QUIETER ON THE EASTERN FRONT

Hits: 61

Posted in Uncategorized