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Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.
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CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.
China & Russia Collusion
WASHINGTON (AP) — China has surged sales to Russia of machine tools, microelectronics and other technology that Moscow in turn is using to produce missiles, tanks, aircraft and other weaponry for use in its war against Ukraine, according to a U.S. assessment.
Two senior Biden administration officials, who discussed the sensitive findings Friday on the condition of anonymity, said that in 2023 about 90% of Russia’s microelectronics came from China, which Russia has used to make missiles, tanks and aircraft. Nearly 70% of Russia’s approximately $900 million in machine tool imports in the last quarter of 2023 came from China.
Chinese and Russian entities have also been working to jointly produce unmanned aerial vehicles inside Russia, and Chinese companies are likely providing Russia with nitrocellulose used in the manufacture of ammunition, the officials said. China-based companies Wuhan Global Sensor Technology Co., Wuhan Tongsheng Technology Co. Ltd. and Hikvision are providing optical components for use in Russian tanks and armored vehicles.
The officials said Russia has received military optics for use in tanks and armored vehicles manufactured by Chinese firms iRay Technology and North China Research Institute of Electro-Optics, and China has been providing Russia with UAV engines and turbojet engines for cruise missiles
Russia’s semiconductor imports from China jumped from $200 million in 2021 to over $500 million in 2022, according to Russian customs data analyzed by the Free Russia Foundation, a group that advocates for civil society development.
Beijing is also working with Russia to improve its satellite and other space-based capabilities for use in Ukraine, a development the officials say could in the longer term increase the threat Russia poses across Europe. The officials, citing downgraded intelligence findings, said the U.S. has also determined that China is providing imagery to Russia for its war on Ukraine.
The officials discussed the findings as Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to China this month for talks. Blinken is scheduled to travel next week to the Group of 7 foreign ministers meeting in Capri, Italy, where he’s expected to raise concerns about China’s growing indirect support for Russia as Moscow revamps its military and looks to consolidate recent gains in Ukraine.
President Joe Biden has previously raised his concerns directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping about Beijing indirectly supporting Russia’s war effort.
While China has not provided direct lethal military support for Russia, it has backed it diplomatically in blaming the West for provoking Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to launch the war and refrained from calling it an invasion in deference to the Kremlin.
China has repeatedly said it isn’t providing Russia with arms or military assistance, although it has maintained robust economic connections with Moscow, alongside India and other countries, amid sanctions from Washington and its allies.
apnews.com
Two senior Biden administration officials, who discussed the sensitive findings Friday on the condition of anonymity, said that in 2023 about 90% of Russia’s microelectronics came from China, which Russia has used to make missiles, tanks and aircraft. Nearly 70% of Russia’s approximately $900 million in machine tool imports in the last quarter of 2023 came from China.
Chinese and Russian entities have also been working to jointly produce unmanned aerial vehicles inside Russia, and Chinese companies are likely providing Russia with nitrocellulose used in the manufacture of ammunition, the officials said. China-based companies Wuhan Global Sensor Technology Co., Wuhan Tongsheng Technology Co. Ltd. and Hikvision are providing optical components for use in Russian tanks and armored vehicles.
The officials said Russia has received military optics for use in tanks and armored vehicles manufactured by Chinese firms iRay Technology and North China Research Institute of Electro-Optics, and China has been providing Russia with UAV engines and turbojet engines for cruise missiles
Russia’s semiconductor imports from China jumped from $200 million in 2021 to over $500 million in 2022, according to Russian customs data analyzed by the Free Russia Foundation, a group that advocates for civil society development.
Beijing is also working with Russia to improve its satellite and other space-based capabilities for use in Ukraine, a development the officials say could in the longer term increase the threat Russia poses across Europe. The officials, citing downgraded intelligence findings, said the U.S. has also determined that China is providing imagery to Russia for its war on Ukraine.
The officials discussed the findings as Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to China this month for talks. Blinken is scheduled to travel next week to the Group of 7 foreign ministers meeting in Capri, Italy, where he’s expected to raise concerns about China’s growing indirect support for Russia as Moscow revamps its military and looks to consolidate recent gains in Ukraine.
President Joe Biden has previously raised his concerns directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping about Beijing indirectly supporting Russia’s war effort.
While China has not provided direct lethal military support for Russia, it has backed it diplomatically in blaming the West for provoking Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to launch the war and refrained from calling it an invasion in deference to the Kremlin.
China has repeatedly said it isn’t providing Russia with arms or military assistance, although it has maintained robust economic connections with Moscow, alongside India and other countries, amid sanctions from Washington and its allies.
US intelligence finding shows China surging equipment sales to Russia to help war effort in Ukraine
China has surged sales to Russia of machine tools, microelectronics and other technology Moscow uses to produce missiles, tanks, aircraft and other weaponry.
apnews.com
NPR Whistleblower Explains How NPR Became Propaganda
- By Ana the Ist
I’ve Been at NPR for 25 Years. Here’s How We Lost America’s Trust.
Uri Berliner, a veteran at the public radio institution, says the network lost its way when it started telling listeners how to think.
www.thefp.com
Great read...and likely a similar story as many "left-leaning" but otherwise formerly reputable news organizations.
I used to consider NPR a rather reliable source before they took a nosedive in the shallow end of the pool. Here's my favorite excerpts...
Is America, as progressive activists claim, beset by systemic racism in the 2020s—in law enforcement, education, housing, and elsewhere? We happen to have a very powerful tool for answering such questions: journalism. Journalism that lets evidence lead the way.
But the message from the top was very different. America’s infestation with systemic racism was declared loud and clear: it was a given. Our mission was to change it.
....
Race and identity became paramount in nearly every aspect of the workplace. Journalists were required to ask everyone we interviewed their race, gender, and ethnicity (among other questions), and had to enter it in a [COLOR=var(--color-accent)]centralized trackinghttps://www.poynter.org/reporting-e...s-npr-to-track-source-diversity-in-real-time/ system. We were given unconscious bias training sessions. A growing DEI staff offered regular meetings imploring us to “start talking about race.” Monthly dialogues were offered for “women of color” and “men of color.” Nonbinary people of color were included, too. [/COLOR]
Thoughts?
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Locked
Yet Again, At Planet Fitness...
- By Ana the Ist
- News & Current Events (Articles Required)
- 845 Replies
North Carolina man arrested after stripping in Planet Fitness women's locker room in front of minor: report
A man, who said he was transgendered, was arrested after he allegedly stripped naked in the women's locker room at a Planet Fitness gym in North Carolina and exposed himself to a minor.
Man uses liberals to sexually harass women...
No seriously, that thing that basically all conservatives said would happen when liberals passed laws to allow men into women's only spaces like restrooms and locker rooms and showers....keeps happening in these establishments that have allowed men into women's spaces.
"It’s a man, but he says he identifies as a woman, and he won’t leave the restroom," the 911 caller told an emergency dispatcher. "But he is just walking around showing us his — and he won’t leave."
I recall posters saying this wouldn't be a problem because "what kind of man is going to claim to be a woman just to use the women's restroom?" Fortunately, there's a picture of the deviant for those who posted such things in the past.
I know that some people here will doubt it....but I've even seen posters suggest this is the problem of the old lady who called 911 and the 17yo girl who felt "uncomfortable" with this man in the women's locker room. Before anyone suggests that this man isn't supposed to be in the women's locker room....note that he did say the magic words "I identify as a woman" so according to policy, both of Planet Fitness and this administration, he should be able to use the women's locker room.
Thoughts?
New Study Shows Puberty Blockers May Cause Permanent Harm
- By Ana the Ist
- News & Current Events (Articles Required)
- 63 Replies
Top experts call for sea change to treating transgender kids
'Studies have shown that there is no good evidence for the routine use of puberty blockers,' Oxford University endocrinologist Ashley Grossman said ahead of the release of long-awaited UK review.
Who would have thought that blocking the natural development of children would have significant lifelong consequences?
That study, and Professor Grossman's comments, bring into question the 'reversibility' of puberty blockers — a key claim of the trans campaigners who promote the drugs and say they 'pause' puberty and buy time for trans kids to make decisions about their gender.
I have to wonder if parents are ever told that these drugs are completely experimental and have never been used to treat "gender dysphoria"....and now they know, that long term use can sterilize children. Remarkable.
WPATH recommended this stuff...and that's why trans activists shouldn't be devising their own treatments.
Thoughts?
Edit-this study has yet to be peer reviewed.
When we should say "clearly this is true"
- By RandyPNW
- Christian Scriptures
- 4 Replies
A little study to help determine how we should take care in declaring, "clearly this is true." 
I found it interesting, having spent a little time studying philosophy, looking at what the Bible says is "certain." A lot of philosophy consists of trying to figure out what we can be certain of. Philosophy considers important things like sensory experience, or things in the world relative to our sensory organs, along with our subjective experience.
I found the following passage interesting, in this regard, because it talks about things man kind can universally find certain, even though there remain unbelievers. Strikingly, Paul finds no contradiction in a certainty in "seeing" the *invisible God!* In other words, subjective experience is virtually as certain as what our senses perceive!...
Rom 1.20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen/non-turbid [kathoratai], being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
So we can "clearly see" what is invisible about God! We should not be afraid to declare things of faith even though they are unseen.
We see this clarity also in the river of the water of life in the New Jerusalem...
Rev 22.1 Then the angel showed me the (pure/non-turbid) [katharos] river of the water of life, as clear/splendid (lampron) as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
The following passages indicate things are made clear as a logical deduction based on appearances (deelos). We should not be afraid of making *logical deductions.*
1 Cor 15.27 For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear (manifestly evident) [deelos] that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.
Gal 3.11 Clearly (logically) [deelos] no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”
2 Tim 3.9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear (apparent) [ekdeelos] to everyone.
Heb 7.14 For it is clear (obvious) [prodeelon] that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
Heb 7.15 And what we have said is even more clear (apparent) [katadeelon] if another priest like Melchizedek appears.
2 Pet 1.14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear (made apparent) [edeelosen] to me.
The following passages indicate that things are clear as a demonstrative manifestation. We should try to make something obviously true, as well as logical.
2 Cor 11.6 I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear (manifestly evident) [phanero] to you in every way.
Col 4.4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly (self-evidently manifest) [phanero], as I should.
Phil 1.13 As a result, it has become clear (self-evidently manifest) [phaneros] throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
Another form of making clear is something previously documented. We should be ready to back things up with Scriptures.
Gal 3.1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed (previously documented) [proegraphe] as crucified.
Another form of making clear is something revealed. We should recognize that clarity requires divine revelation.
Phil 3.15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear (reveal) [apokalupsei] to you.
Another form of making clear is verbally asserting or declaring. We should recognize that words can have power to make clear.
1 Tim 4.1 The Spirit clearly says (in words) [retos] that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
Another form of making clear is explaining or interpreting. Making clear can be a studied exercise.
Heb 5.11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear (difficult to explain or interpret) [dysermeneutos} to you because you no longer try to understand.
Another form of making clear is to point out or visually show. Visuals are important to prove some things.
Heb 6.17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear (visually show/physically prove) [epideixai] to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.
Another form of making clear is via the symbolic use of a sea of glass with crystal transparency, as well as to the New Jerusalem, with a splendid/non-turbid river. The Bible uses symbols to show the importance of purity in clarifying things.
Rev 4.6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal [krystalio]. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.
Rev 21.11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal [krystallizonti].
Here, the crystal is connected to its splendid clarity.
Rev 22.1 Then the angel showed me the (pure/non-turbid) [katharos] river of the water of life, as clear/splendid (lampron) as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
If this helps nobody else, it helped me! I'm not well-acquainted with Greek, but even the novice can make certain deductions from the manifold internet resources!
I found it interesting, having spent a little time studying philosophy, looking at what the Bible says is "certain." A lot of philosophy consists of trying to figure out what we can be certain of. Philosophy considers important things like sensory experience, or things in the world relative to our sensory organs, along with our subjective experience.
I found the following passage interesting, in this regard, because it talks about things man kind can universally find certain, even though there remain unbelievers. Strikingly, Paul finds no contradiction in a certainty in "seeing" the *invisible God!* In other words, subjective experience is virtually as certain as what our senses perceive!...
Rom 1.20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen/non-turbid [kathoratai], being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
So we can "clearly see" what is invisible about God!
We should not be afraid to declare things of faith even though they are unseen. We see this clarity also in the river of the water of life in the New Jerusalem...
Rev 22.1 Then the angel showed me the (pure/non-turbid) [katharos] river of the water of life, as clear/splendid (lampron) as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
The following passages indicate things are made clear as a logical deduction based on appearances (deelos). We should not be afraid of making *logical deductions.*
1 Cor 15.27 For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear (manifestly evident) [deelos] that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.
Gal 3.11 Clearly (logically) [deelos] no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”
2 Tim 3.9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear (apparent) [ekdeelos] to everyone.
Heb 7.14 For it is clear (obvious) [prodeelon] that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
Heb 7.15 And what we have said is even more clear (apparent) [katadeelon] if another priest like Melchizedek appears.
2 Pet 1.14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear (made apparent) [edeelosen] to me.
The following passages indicate that things are clear as a demonstrative manifestation. We should try to make something obviously true, as well as logical.
2 Cor 11.6 I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear (manifestly evident) [phanero] to you in every way.
Col 4.4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly (self-evidently manifest) [phanero], as I should.
Phil 1.13 As a result, it has become clear (self-evidently manifest) [phaneros] throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
Another form of making clear is something previously documented. We should be ready to back things up with Scriptures.
Gal 3.1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed (previously documented) [proegraphe] as crucified.
Another form of making clear is something revealed. We should recognize that clarity requires divine revelation.
Phil 3.15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear (reveal) [apokalupsei] to you.
Another form of making clear is verbally asserting or declaring. We should recognize that words can have power to make clear.
1 Tim 4.1 The Spirit clearly says (in words) [retos] that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
Another form of making clear is explaining or interpreting. Making clear can be a studied exercise.
Heb 5.11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear (difficult to explain or interpret) [dysermeneutos} to you because you no longer try to understand.
Another form of making clear is to point out or visually show. Visuals are important to prove some things.
Heb 6.17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear (visually show/physically prove) [epideixai] to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath.
Another form of making clear is via the symbolic use of a sea of glass with crystal transparency, as well as to the New Jerusalem, with a splendid/non-turbid river. The Bible uses symbols to show the importance of purity in clarifying things.
Rev 4.6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal [krystalio]. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.
Rev 21.11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal [krystallizonti].
Here, the crystal is connected to its splendid clarity.
Rev 22.1 Then the angel showed me the (pure/non-turbid) [katharos] river of the water of life, as clear/splendid (lampron) as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
If this helps nobody else, it helped me!
I'm not well-acquainted with Greek, but even the novice can make certain deductions from the manifold internet resources!
