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waterday · 2 months

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Thematic Report to the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly “Water and food nexus: a human rights approach to water management in food systems”.

The Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, Pedro Arrojo Agudo, is inviting inputs from States and other stakeholders to inform his thematic report on “Water and food nexus: a human rights approach to water management in food systems”. The report will be presented at the United Nations General Assembly's 79th session in October 2024.

The Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation understands that the dominant systems of large-scale food production and comercialication are harming the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation worldwide. For the Special Rapporteur, under the argument of producing more and more food for a growing world population, the right to food is often used as an argument to justify unsustainable water management, overusing water sources and affecting aquatic systems, resulting in contamination or scarcity of water needed for human use. As reflected in Special Rapporteur´s report A/HRC/54/32 of 2023, guaranteeing the human right to water for the most impoverished requires restoring the good state of the aquatic ecosystems on which they depend for their water supply. In addition, over-exploitation and pollution of aquatic ecosystems often undermine small-scale food production for self-consumption in impoverished rural communities.

In this connection, the Special Rapporteur would like to call member states, non-state actors, civil society, academia, indigenous peoples, individuals, and other relevant stakeholders to send their contributions and experiences related to the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems and freshwater sources and the systems used to produced food. The Special Rapporteur would appreciate receiving inputs on the interlinkages between both rights and the positive and negative experiences on sustainable (or unsustainable) use of water sources by food systems, including court rulings at global, regional, national, and local levels.

The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank States, indigenous peoples, civil society organisations, academic institutions, businesses, international organisations, individuals, and other stakeholders for their continued engagement with this mandate.

Key information sought: To facilitate the reception of inputs, the Special Rapporteur prepared a list of key information which he considers essential for the report. The list could be answered entirely or partially according to the expertise and experience of those actors willing to contribute to the Report. List of topics: English | Français | Español

How inputs will be used

All submissions will be published on the website of the mandate. Non-state actors could request the confidentiality of the submission.

Next Steps

Please send your contributions via email, indicating “Input Water and Food Nexus” in the email subject line. Your contribution should be sent by no later than 15 March 2024

Email address: [email protected] AND to [email protected]. Email subject line: Input water and food nexus Word limit: 2500 words File formats: Word, PDF Accepted languages: English, Spanish, French

#Special Rapporteur on the rights to water and sanitation #sdg6 #water resources #water governance #human rights approach #call for imputs #safe drinking water #OHCHR #Water and Food Nexus #UNGA79 #water management #water goals #member states #non-state actors #civil society #academia #indigenous peoples #individuals #stakeholders

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deltadarlingf1 · 6 months

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Alright! We need a Classic F1 counterpart to the Boy Band prompt, so let's do:

Classic F1 Drivers as a Motown Group

Quick disclaimer: 1. We're doing this irrespective of age and 2. This one is more of a narrative for funsies. We love a writing challenge.

Bonus points for name suggestions for the group.

1. The Label Owner

Between balancing several acts, managing stakeholders, and cutting deals, this man's job is essentially herding feral cats all day- but he's definitely the man to do it. He's known for being blunt and, at times, cutthroat, but never unfair. He knows talent when he sees it and has been known to give the underdog a chance.

2. The Group Manager

If the label owner is herding feral cats, our manager is wrangling rabid dogs. Between getting our lead talent out of hot water, negotiating pay, and booking venues, this man is TIRED. But he loves it- after all, it wasn't long ago that he was the one on stage.

3. The Scorned Talent

This man was undoubtedly talented- he had the voice, the had the moves, but his prickly off-stage demeanor and inability to keep things fresh ultimately lead to his fall from grace. After one-too-many times being called a "one-trick-pony" in the press, followed by a nasty physical altercation with the manager, the label made the call to let him go and replace him with a younger lead singer. He would spend the rest of his career as a washed-up has-been telling anyone who'd listen what a "fraud" his replacement was.

3. The Band Leader

When the manager is out, he's our guy making sure rehearsal runs smoothly, setting up for the show, and dragging the singer's ass out of bed when he "oversleeps" (is hungover). While he loves the band and plays a mean sax on stage, he spends the majority of his time learning the business: As life on the road wears on him, he prepares to transition into being a label executive so he can spend more time at home with his wife and son.

4. The Backup Singers

These three lovable idiots are the glue holding it all together. When things get tense between our pianist and vocalist, they're the ones cracking jokes and keeping it light. They also keep butts in seats with their playful on-stage antics and smooth moves.

5. The Pianist

Fans of our group will spend a lifetime arguing who really made the music what it was: the pianist or the singer? Our pianist has been heralded as a "musician's musician" with an ear like no other: He knows what the melody needs, how the rhythm should feel, how to make the listeners dance one minute and cry the next. Unfortunately, between his constant inputs and the label pulling him in to help other acts, he and the singer are at odds constantly. The number of fights those two had and threats to leave if the other stayed cannot be counted. Still, his legend lives on and many acts that followed reference him as inspiration.

6. The Lead Singer

Where our scorned talent missed the mark? This. Kid. HAD it. The moves, the voice, the winning smile, the stage presence- he had it all. Ladies bought the vinyls because they wanted him. Men bought them because they wanted to BE him. He kept every single show packed and never once put on a boring performance.

He wasn't without controversy though: He was a bit of a loose cannon, known to party a bit too hard after shows, drink too much, and get caught up with notable women who may or may not have been married. If he was at constant odds with the pianist over control of the music, then he was certainly always playing jumprope with their manager's last damn nerve. Several times our manager begged the label executives to get rid of the kid or keep him in line, but with our singer churning out hit after hit, there was nothing for it. There was no end in sight for our singer's stardom.

Until the end came. When he didn't make it to rehearsals, the band joked that maybe he'd run finally run off with some new blonde for good. When the news that night rolled footage of what was left of the plane he'd boarded, silence befell them all. It was all the nation could talk about for days- he left a hole in the music scene that no one could ever hope to fill.

BONUS: The Critic

A constant thorn in the side for our group. This man seemed to know EVERYTHING about what went on behind the scenes with the act. Scathing reports and salacious details of our singer's late-night antics poured from his pen, baffling the man. Multiple times our singer called out the critic by name in interviews, calling him a hack and a liar. It wouldn't be until years later that our label owner finally confessed to serving up secrets to the critic because, well, all press is good press.

Still, no one could write the soul of our singer better than the critic, and when the tragedy came it was the critic that wrote a memorial that could move even the surliest of men to tears. In every documentary and exposé of our group that followed, the critic and his ongoing battle with the singer were always mentioned- the two's stories forever intertwined in legend.

#i am so sorry and or you're welcome #just for fun #f1blr #classic f1 #nigel mansell #alain prost #ayrton senna #didier pironi #riccardo patrese #elio de angelis #keke rosberg #gille Villeneuve #there were so many drivers I could have subbed in or out for this #please excuse the typos #nelson piquet jumpscare #f1

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olowan-waphiya · 1 year

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Fake Indian art still a major problem despite federal responsibilities

Criminal pleas surface amid vague ‘Indigenous’ claims Tuesday, March 14, 2023 By Acee Agoyo, Indianz.Com

Efforts to strengthen the Indian Arts and Crafts Act are gaining new steam as government authorities try to enforce a law aimed at addressing fraud and exploitation of Native cultures and ways of life. On Monday, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs unveiled a discussion draft bill called the Amendments to Respect Traditional Indigenous Skill and Talent Act of 2023. Also known as the ARTIST Act [PDF], the proposed legislation seeks to protect the arts, crafts, goods and other creative works that American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian people have produced since time immemorial.

“The ARTIST Act would update the Indian Arts and Crafts Act to support creative economies and strengthen enforcement of current law and protections against counterfeit competition for Native artists and their works,” the committee said in a news release on behalf of Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), the chair of the legislative panel. “This discussion draft reflects direct stakeholder input as well as years of committee oversight and broad commitment to the protection of Native cultural patrimony and revitalization of Indigenous languages,” the release continued.

As enacted in 1990, the Indian Arts and Crafts Act makes it a crime to market, sell or promote an item as “Indian” unless it was created by a citizen of a state or federally recognized tribe or by an artisan certified by a tribe. The law was written to prevent the historical and ongoing misrepresentation of Native arts by non-Native entities. Yet Native artists and their advocates have long complained about the lack of enforcement as fakes and frauds have continued to flood the market and undermine an important source of income in Native communities across the United States.

It’s an issue that Secretary Deb Haaland, who is the first Native person to lead the Department of the Interior, has recognized as a major problem. “Native art is a critical part in telling the story of this country and can only be told by Native artists,” Haaland said in a video message after making history as the first Native person in a presidential cabinet. “Buying authentic pottery, jewelry, mixed-media creations, paintings and other art from Native American artists helps support tribal economies.” “Unfortunately forgery and copies hinder the positive economic opportunities available to Native artists and their families,” said Haaland, who is a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna.

youtube

The law was updated in 2000 and in 2010 to strengthen enforcement. But as fraudulent works continue to be sold in some of the largest art markets in the U.S., the ARTIST Act builds on prior efforts by broadly expanding the ways in which federal officers can investigate suspected violations. Federal officers, for instance, would be authorized to make arrests, engage in searches and even conduct seizures for suspected violations of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.

They would also be able to inspect shipments coming into the U.S. to ensure compliance with the law, according to provisions of the draft. And for the first time, Native Hawaiians would gain protections for their creative works. The ARTIST Act modifies existing definitions in federal law to ensure that the original inhabitants of Hawaii aren’t left out of enforcement efforts that are available to American Indian and Alaska Native artisans.

To help pay for these enforcement measures, the ARTIST Act authorizes ways in which people suspected of violating the law can have their property forfeited and be required to shoulder the costs of investigations through fines and penalties. A new Indian Arts and Crafts Forfeiture Fund would be established to assist the work of the Department of the Interior.

The draft discussion bill also requires visible and permanent labeling of items that come into the U.S. from Canada or Mexico. Anything that could “possibly be mistaken for, arts and crafts made by Native Americans” must be “indelibly marked with the country of origin,” according to provisions of the the ARTIST Act.

Finally, the ARTIST Act would require trainings of federal law enforcement officers, not only on the Indian Arts and Crafts Act but on the recently-enacted Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act, also known as the STOP Act. The latter law makes it a crime to export tribal cultural property, another issue that has threatened Native cultures and ways of life. “For too long, the export and sale of sacred and culturally significant items from Native peoples in Hawaiʻi, Alaska, and across Indian Country has deprived these communities of their own history and heritage,” Schatz said after the measure was passed and signed into law during the prior session of Congress. “Our bill will help stop the black market trafficking of these items and bring them home.”

Just this month alone, federal authorities announced the resolution of three cases in which the Indian Arts and Crafts Act was violated. In all three instances, non-Natives created and sold fraudulent art by misrepresenting, falsifying and lying about their non-existent tribal backgrounds. In Washington, 52-year-old Lewis Anthony Rath and 67-year-old Jerry Chris Van Dyke, also known as Jerry Witten, pleaded guilty on March 1 to breaking the law.

Both men admitted that they sold fake “Indian” goods in the historic Pike Place Market in Seattle, one of the most heavily trafficked tourist areas in the city. “When non-Native artists falsely claim Indian heritage, they can take sales away from true Indian artists working to support themselves with skills and techniques handed down for generations,” Nick Brown, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington, said in a news release. “Stores and galleries need to partner with artists to ensure those artisans and craftsmen advertised as Indian Artists truly have tribal status,” Brown added, offering advice to businesses to ensure they comply with the law.

Rath falsely claimed to belong to the San Carlos Apache Tribe — while producing items that mimicked the Pacific Northwest tribal cultures that are hundreds of miles from his supposed Native homeland in Arizona. According to federal authorities, the goods were sold at the Raven’s Nest Treasure and the Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, both of which represented to customers that Rath was Native. And when agents from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is part of the Department of the Interior, searched Rath’s home and studio, they found feathers from protected birds — including ones from golden eagles. He pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of these items in addition to violating the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.

Meanwhile, Van Dyke falsely claimed to be from the Nez Perce Tribe and was selling goods that he claimed were of Alaska Native origin — again far away from his supposed tribal background in Idaho. According to federal authorities, he produced the items using materials that were supplied to him by the non-Native owner of a gallery in Pike Place.

“Van Dyke had worked with the gallery for more than ten years, with the gallery owner providing him with woolly mammoth ivory, antlers, animal bones and fossilized walrus ivory to make the pendants that it sold,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington said in the March 1 news release. A day later in Texas, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District announced the sentencing of Kevin Charles Kowalis, 60, for violating the law. According to federal authorities, he falsely marketed and sold jewelry online that he claimed were of “Zuni” and “Navajo” origin even though he does not belong to either tribal nation.

“Fraud can come in many forms but always carries the intent to deceive a victim,” U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas said in a news release. “Offenders like this defendant victimize both our cherished Native American community and consumers who believe they’re collecting authentic pieces of Native American culture. We will not stand idle while someone takes advantage of our citizens and our federal resources.” Kowalis will serve five years probation for his crime and was ordered to forfeit his inventory, pay a special assessment and pay restitution to a victimized artist from the Pueblo of Zuni.

The total amount appears to be relatively low — less than $1,500, according to court records. No fines were ordered due to his “inability to pay,” the criminal judgment reads. “This sentencing is important in the fight to end this type of fraud,” said Assistant Director Edward J. Grace of the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement. “Our dedicated team of special agents works on behalf of the Department of the Interior and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board to protect American Indian and Alaska Native artists and the consumers who purchase authentic Native American art and craftwork.”

Over in Washington, Rath and Van Dyke are due to be sentenced on May 17. As part of a plea agreement, federal prosecutors said they won’t seek prison time for Van Dyke. Rath did not obtain any promises regarding sentencing in his plea agreement. A federal judge, though, will make the final determination on punishments for both individuals.

“The Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB) is very pleased that Jerry Chris Van Dyke and Anthony Rath have been brought to justice for their roles in selling fake Indian artwork in violation of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act,” said Director Meridith Stanton, the leader of the IACB, which is part of the Department of the Interior. “Cases like these are critical to preserving the integrity and viability of authentic Native American art and craftwork in general, as well as preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Nez Perce Tribe and the San Carlos Apache Tribe and the economic livelihoods of their artists and craftspeople,” said Stanton.

The IACB helps look into potential violations of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, offering examples of possible wrongdoing. But the board’s website notes that items that are marketed or portrayed as “Native American style” or “Native American inspired” can be sold without violating the law — so long as there is “qualified labeling” available to the consumer.

The draft discussion of the ARTIST Act maintains the legality of these categories of “Native American-style jewelry” and “Native American-style arts and crafts” but requires that such items be “indelibly marked” or labeled in a “permanent” fashion, to ensure the consumer is aware that they are not produced by an American Indian, Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian artist.

And while the title of the ARTIST Act contains the word “Indigenous,” the proposed bill does not contain any definitions of a term that has become increasingly used by people who are creating, marketing and selling art that they claim is Native in origin.

An example just emerged in New York, where a self-described activist opened an exhibit in February that appropriates numerous elements of Native culture even after admitting to Indianz.Com that they do not belong to any tribal community. The exhibition, located at a small gallery in the Upper East Side of New York City, notably incorporates the red imagery that Native women developed and brought to prominence to raise awareness to their missing and murdered sisters and relatives. It also includes a visual representation of a Native quilted blanket — albeit with the word “PRETENDIAN” stitched into it.

The Soul of Nations Foundation has prominently marketed the installation as “Indigenous” in origin, a designation that has prompted some Native people to consider reporting it to the Indian Arts and Crafts Board for possible violations of the Indian Artist and Crafts Act. In fact, the non-profit’s executive director and founding member, Ernest Hill, contacted Indianz.Com numerous times in advance of the opening on February 24, soliciting news coverage for an individual who removed all references to their supposed tribal affiliation over a year ago.

Yet Hill, whose parents served as religious missionaries to the Navajo Nation and to other reservations, has since refused to answer questions about the exhibition — including inquiries about the artist’s supposed tribal background.

Materials that Soul of Nations produced for the installation claim it is directed to “Indian Country” but the organization has repeatedly refused to respond to inquiries about the use of the designation in connection with someone who admitted they lack ties to any tribal community. Hill and Soul of Nations also have refused to clarify the source of funding for the project.

In press materials, they proudly assert that the installation has received “support” from the Department of State. On social media, Hill and Soul of Nations gave a different story. In response to a prominent Native environmental leader who has repeatedly attempted to hold the self-described activist accountable for the false claims of tribal belonging, they claimed that “no outside funding was provided for this exhibition.”

When asked to explain the discrepancy between the press materials and the social media post regarding their claim of receiving federal support, Hill and the Soul of Nations refused to respond. The organization started blocking Native users on social media and began restricting interactions on one of its accounts after questions were raised about the installation. The Soul of Nations website, incidentally, includes a prominent reference to the “Senate Committee on Indian Affairs” on a page that has been used to solicit monetary donations. The Department of State is also listed in the same section of the site.

Since the opening of the installation last month, the self-described “Indigenous” individual has posted on social media about being on “Day 371” of a “cancel” and a ‘call out” that has purportedly kept them “jobless.” The number of days is counted from the February 25, 2022, story on Indianz.Com that reported on their their non-existent tribal affiliations. The next post on the private account was about the installation, which opened to the public a year following publication of the story. The user has since deleted hundreds of posts about their supposed tribal background from the account, whose name is a variation of an anti-LGBTQ slur.

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is accepting comments about the Amendments to Respect Traditional Indigenous Skill and Talent (ARTIST) Act of 2023 until April 14. Comments can be sent to [email protected].

#art #native american #indigenous #indigenous artists #native news #scams #frauds #us politics #us government #indian law #native art #indigenous art #native artists #current events #Youtube

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hero-israel · 3 months

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Hi, how are you? Wishing you the best.

I'm really interested to hear what you think about the Nexus definition of antisemitism. It sounds like it has some valid contributions in theory but unfortunately many of the people that I saw endorse it before 10/7 went mask off later on during the war (or on October 8). Specifically, the "double standard" bit which some people weaponize to hold Israel to a higher standard because, according to what it says it's not prima fascie of antisemitism as people can care more about Israel because of its special relationship with US (this might also be a strawman argument as I don't recall the IHRA say criticism of Israel as prima fascie either). Anyhow, I'm also wary because I often hear BDS supporters and Corbynites cite this definition in opposition to the 3Ds of antisemitism and IHRA, and I've seen the proponents of the definition itself go out of their way to contextualize people's anti-Israel remarks (like Ilhan Omar herself) saying things like "Hatred against Israel is different from Hatred against Jews" which I'm like uhm actually.

Sorry for rambling, would love to hear your thoughts! Take care :)

The IHRA definition is perfectly fine as-is.

The problem is that ANY definition of antisemitism as advanced by actual normative Jews - ANY definition which says "something goes too far" - will become "controversial," as the IHRA definition purportedly is. And so then you have a working group and a position paper and an interim committee and a comment period and a referendum needing a quorum and an advisory board doing the work of integrating the synthesis of input from all stakeholders and just every last bit of it should be waterboarded with sulfuric acid.

Nexus added more wiggle room to when "criticism" does or doesn't become antisemitism, but it was all in vain because the point of antisemitism is that nothing is antisemitism, it's all just "criticism" and Jews may never complain about it or codify methods to stop it. The more people insist they need to fine-tune and finagle the definitions, the less likely they would ever care about it. Remember when Trump was first elected, and there were all those posts about how the way to undermine a system without LOOKING LIKE you are undermining it is to seem like you're going along loyally with it but to raise all kinds of procedural points and keep repeating old debates so that nothing ends up being done? It's like that. And they would probably be comfortable telling you that defining antisemitism is fascism.

As for the "my taxes pay for this, of course I'm mad" concept, right from the outset we can note that this is ruled out for any non-Americans, so the Corbynites and French street pogromists have no such fig leaf. American taxes go all over the world, to people of all colors and backgrounds, and countries with all kinds of human rights nightmares in their closets (or, usually, on their front lawns in broad daylight). How long do you think it would take for an obsessively negative fixation on Egypt or Afghanistan among mixed company to be called Islamophobia? Our taxes have certainly gone to Palestine, funding "pay-for-slay" and UNRWA.

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californiastatelibrary · 4 months

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The State of California has released a draft of its historic Digital Equity Plan. The plan

will help the state fund programs in CA such as digital literacy training, digital

navigators and distribution of affordable devices!

#MakeYourVoiceHeard CA residents and digital equity partners, advocates

and stakeholders are encouraged to add their voices to the plan by providing feedback.

Follow the instructions to access the Digital Equity Plan and provide your input by

leaving a comment ➡️ https://broadbandforall.cdt.ca.gov/state-digital-equity-plan/ The

public comment period will close on January 25, 2024.

#california #equity

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rjzimmerman · 8 days

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Excerpt from this press release from the Department of the Interior:

The Department of the Interior today announced the expansion of four existing national wildlife refuges, which will allow for the voluntary conservation of up to 1.13 million acres of wildlife habitat in New Mexico, North Carolina and Texas.

Investing in and expanding the National Wildlife Refuge System, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, furthers the Biden-Harris administration’s work to support community-driven efforts to conserve and restore the nation’s lands and waters through the America the Beautiful initiative. Under Secretary Haaland’s leadership, the Department has also established four new Refuges that will help conserve important fish and wildlife habitat, support working lands, and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The new expansion areas include:

Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge (NC) may now conserve up to 287,000 acres of floodplain habitat along a 137-mile stretch of the Roanoke River from Weldon to the Albemarle Sound, to support rare and at-risk species like the Atlantic sturgeon, cerulean and Swainson's warbers, bald eagles and migratory waterfowl. The refuge was established in 1991 to protect the forests in the Roanoke River floodplain, considered to be the largest intact, and least disturbed, bottomland forest ecosystem remaining in the mid-Atlantic region.

Aransas and Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuges (TX) may now conserve up to 150,000 additional acres of habitat in the Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes ecoregion of Texas to support whooping crane, Eastern black rail, Attwater's prairie chicken, mottled duck and other wintering waterfowl. Established in 1937, Aransas NWR serves as a refuge and breeding ground and for migratory birds and other wildlife and is best known as the wintering home of the last wild flock of endangered whooping cranes. Establishing in 1983 and designated an Internationally Significant Shorebird Site by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, Big Boggy NWR is a stronghold for the threatened eastern black rail and provides seasonal and year-round habitat for large populations of waterfowl, wading birds, waterbirds, and shorebirds.

Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge (NM and TX) may now conserve up to 700,000 acres of habitat in the Southern High Plains along the Texas-New Mexico border to support sandhill crane, pronghorn and lesser prairie chicken, as well as a full suite of other wildlife that rely on the grasslands, playa wetlands and saline lake habitats of the Central Grasslands. Established in 1935, the refuge is the oldest national wildlife refuge in Texas and is best known for hosting one of the largest concentrations of lesser sandhill cranes in North America.

The four final Land Protection Plans for these expansions were developed through public processes and informed by input from local landowners, Tribal leaders, state wildlife agencies, and other stakeholders. The Plans outline land protection priorities for these refuges that will inform the Service’s interest in acquiring parcels from landowners who are willing to sell property (fee-title) or property rights (conservation easements or cooperative agreements) through purchase or donation.

#wildlife refuges

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religion-is-a-mental-illness · 15 days

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By: Christina Buttons

Published: Apr 11, 2024

[ Figure 3 from “Clinical guidelines for children and adolescents experiencing gender dysphoria or incongruence: a systematic review of guideline quality (part 1)” ]

A new systematic review of international clinical guidelines for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria has exposed deceptive practices by respected medical authorities who recommend medical transitions for minors. These guidelines are often cited as uncontroversial and scientifically robust. However, the review reveals that these organizations have misled the public by basing their recommendations on insufficient evidence and inaccurately labeling their approach as “evidence-based.” Furthermore, they have engaged in a corrupt practice known as “circular referencing.” Instead of conducting independent evaluations, they have relied on endorsements of sex-trait modification for minors from other medical bodies, artificially creating a consensus on the issue.

Commissioned by NHS England and chaired by Dr. Hilary Cass, the University of York’s research team evaluated 23 international guidelines using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation tool to assess their quality. The study specifically examined how evidence informed recommendations, the development and agreement processes for these recommendations, the stakeholders involved, and how the guidelines referenced each other during their development.

Insufficient Evidence

The findings of the review were deeply concerning. It concluded that clinical guidelines globally used to treat gender-questioning children and adolescents were crafted in violation of international standards for guideline development. These guidelines recommended medical interventions for minors despite insufficient evidence, particularly regarding long-term treatment outcomes in adolescents. Additionally, they relied on other guidelines that recommended medical treatments as the basis for making similar recommendations.

Circular Referencing

The Endocrine Society (ES) and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) published initial guidelines recommending youth medical transition in 2009 and 2012, respectively. These guidelines became foundational for many subsequent guidelines, shaping their content and recommendations despite the lack of evidence and rigor. In the Cass Review, Dr. Hilary Cass highlighted the ways in which WPATH and ES were closely interlinked, noting their mutual co-sponsorship and input into each other’s drafts. This coordinated effort suggests that WPATH and ES were colluding to grant undue credibility to their guidelines.

The corruption persisted in the formulation of national and regional guidelines by prominent organizations such as the American Psychological Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. It also extended to international guidelines from countries like Australia, Spain, Italy, and regions including Asia and the Pacific. Rather than grounding their recommendations in robust evidence, these guidelines deferred to the endorsements from the initial guidelines of WPATH and ES.

Years later, when WPATH and ES updated their guidelines, they referenced the same national and regional guidelines that had initially drawn from their recommendations. This perpetuated a cycle in which each iteration reinforced the others, each time without sufficient evidence to support the recommendations. Dr. Cass highlighted the problematic nature of this circular referencing, stating, “The circularity of this approach may explain why there has been an apparent consensus on key areas of practice despite the evidence being poor.”

Part 1 of the systematic review includes Figure 3, pictured above, which illustrates the various ways in which guidelines reference or influence each other. It shows how guidelines draw on the initial Endocrine Society (2009) and WPATH (2012) guidelines, which have influenced nearly all the national and regional guidelines identified. Additionally, it demonstrates how these subsequent guidelines cite and rely on each other, and how the latest Endocrine Society (2017) and WPATH (2022) guidelines have cited and drawn on the national and regional guidelines.

The systematic review highlights an example of this circular referencing: WPATH Version 8, published in 2022, identifies numerous national and regional guidelines published as early as 2012 as potentially valuable resources. It cites guidelines from the APA (2015), Australia (2018), New Zealand (2018), and University California, San Francisco (2016) multiple times to support their recommendations. Importantly, all of these guidelines were themselves significantly influenced by WPATH Version 7 (2012).

Broader Context

In the research world, such circular referencing is sometimes referred to as a citation cartel. This occurs when a group of academic authors collude to excessively cite each other's publications to artificially inflate their citation counts. However, what has occurred here differs slightly; their aim wasn’t to boost citation counts, but rather to enhance their own credibility through mutual referencing in the eyes of the public and other medical professionals. Nonetheless, this practice is highly unethical. By engaging in circular referencing, these medical bodies have actively deceived healthcare professionals and the public, leading them to believe in the validity and reliability of recommendations founded on weak evidence.

Unfortunately, much of the transgender rights movement has advanced through an approach that heavily relies on appeals to authority. Organizations that once focused on Gay and Civil Rights, now pivoting to champion transgender rights, are deferred to as authoritative bodies by news outlets, schools, teachers' unions, and even the Biden administration, which seeks their guidance on transgender issues. Within academia, idea laundering has bestowed Queer Theory and Gender Theory, foundational to modern gender ideology, with the illusion of legitimacy.

Moreover, significant changes in federal regulations under Title IX, granting biological males (who identify as women) access to female-only spaces and sport categories, have occurred through a process known as institutional leapfrogging. In this process, judges and administrators take incremental steps, each citing the authority of the other, ultimately leading to the expansion of federal mandates.

Not Evidence-Based

WPATH, whose stated mission is to “promote evidence-based care,” and ES, who refers to their approach as “evidence-based transgender medicine,” along with any organization advocating for medical transition for minors, are misleading the public by portraying themselves as being “evidence-based.”

In an investigative report for the British Medical Journal (BMJ), Dr. Gordon Guyatt, a highly respected figure in the field of medical research methods and evidence evaluation, and who pioneered the evidence-based medicine (EBM) movement, stated that the current guidelines in the United States for managing gender dysphoria in adolescents should not be considered evidence-based. He emphasized that these guidelines fail to offer cautious and conditional recommendations appropriate for such low-quality evidence. Guyatt further underscored his concerns in a social media post, labeling these guidelines as "untrustworthy."

Similarly, the systematic review team arrived at the same conclusion:

Most clinical guidance lacks an evidence-based approach and provides limited information about how recommendations were developed. The WPATH and Endocrine Society international guidelines, which like other guidance lack developmental rigour and transparency have, until recently, dominated the development of other guidelines. Healthcare professionals should consider the lack of quality and independence of available guidance when utilising this for practice.

In the end, the team was only able to recommend two guidelines for practice: the Finnish guideline published in 2020, and the Swedish guideline published in 2022. Both guidelines conducted their own systematic evidence reviews, concluding that the risks of medical transition outweigh any purported benefits. As a result, they do not recommend medical transition treatments for minors but instead prioritize mental health support.

WPATH, ES, and any medical authority that misrepresents guidelines recommending medical transition for minors as “evidence-based” betray public trust and fail those seeking reliable guidance. Healthcare professionals and regulatory bodies must hold guideline developers accountable for these deceptive practices and ensure transparency in the basis of future recommendations.

The National Health Service England issued a statement in response to the Cass Report and new systematic reviews, asserting that their findings "will not only shape the future of healthcare in this country for children and young people experiencing gender distress but will also be of major international importance and significance."

Nobody who has been following the "gender medicine" space or read the interim Cass review would be surprised with the outcome. Or the denial of the activists. Including the ones masquerading as medical professionals.

What might be the most surprising outcome of the Cass review is the level of fraud and collusion by ideologues involved in the way pseudoscience and outright fantasy ("puberty blockers are fully reversible") has been framed as some unquestionable truth ("the science is settled").

It was always fraud. This was always an ideology.

#Christina Buttons #circular referencing #circular logic #citation cartel #academic fraud #fraud #appeal to authority #medical corruption #medical malpractice #medical scandal #academic corruption #gender affirming care #gender affirming healthcare #gender affirmation #queer theory #gender identity ideology #gender ideology #intersectional feminism #religion is a mental illness

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dazaiapologism · 2 months

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good to know everywhere you go companies are making effective use of their diverse workforces by asking them to do pro bono sensitivity consulting and then immediately throwing that advice out to do whatever they planned already. like I’d ask why bother getting “stakeholder input” when you know already that it won’t change the outcome but I know the answer already is to make yourself seem busy and capable of making “hard decisions”

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ramyavarshini · 2 months

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The Profound Benefits of Embracing Full Stack Development

Introduction: In the dynamic realm of software development, full stack developers have emerged as indispensable assets, equipped with the skills to navigate both front-end and back-end technologies seamlessly. This comprehensive exploration sheds light on the multifaceted advantages of embracing full stack development, unveiling the unique benefits and opportunities that accompany proficiency in both facets of the development stack.

Unlocking the Benefits of Full Stack Development:

Versatility and Adaptability: Full stack developers possess a diverse skill set, encompassing proficiency in both front-end and back-end technologies. This versatility enables them to fluidly transition between different aspects of development, adeptly adapting to project requirements and challenges.Mastery of client-side and server-side technologies empowers full stack developers to tackle a myriad of tasks, from crafting intuitive user interfaces to implementing complex business logic. This adaptability renders them invaluable assets to development teams, capable of contributing to various stages of the software development lifecycle with finesse.

Comprehensive Project Ownership: A defining advantage of full stack developers lies in their ability to assume end-to-end ownership of projects, from inception to deployment. With a comprehensive understanding of both front-end and back-end technologies, full stack developers can oversee all facets of development, ensuring seamless integration and coherence throughout the project lifecycle.This holistic perspective empowers full stack developers to make informed decisions at every juncture of development, from conceptualization and architecture to execution and optimization. By embracing responsibility for the entire project, full stack developers drive efficiency, consistency, and quality, culminating in successful project outcomes.

Expanded Employability and Career Prospects: Full stack developers are highly coveted by employers owing to their diverse skill set and capacity to work across multiple technologies. Proficiency in both front-end and back-end technologies opens the door to a plethora of career opportunities across various industries and sectors.Employers prize full stack developers for their adaptability, versatility, and ability to deliver end-to-end solutions that align with business objectives. Whether it entails developing web applications, mobile apps, or enterprise software, full stack developers are poised to excel in diverse roles and environments, making them sought-after candidates in the job market.

Efficient Collaboration and Communication: Full stack developers excel in cross-functional collaboration, proficiently communicating with designers, product managers, and fellow developers alike. Their grasp of both front-end and back-end technologies bridges the gap between different teams and departments, fostering smoother communication and collaboration.This collaborative prowess enables full stack developers to seamlessly integrate with cross-functional teams, ensuring that project requirements are comprehended, feedback is incorporated, and deliverables are met punctually and within budget constraints. By fostering a culture of collaboration and synergy, full stack developers contribute significantly to project success and organizational growth.

Agile Prototyping and Iteration: Full stack developers possess a knack for rapid prototyping and iteration, leveraging their comprehensive understanding of both front-end and back-end technologies. This proficiency enables them to swiftly prototype and iterate on features, accelerating development cycles and fostering innovation.By gathering feedback iteratively and swiftly incorporating user input and stakeholder feedback, full stack developers expedite the development process. This agile approach allows them to identify and address issues promptly, resulting in faster development cycles and heightened product quality.

Holistic Problem-Solving Proficiency: Full stack developers boast holistic problem-solving skills, enabling them to tackle challenges across the user interface and server layers. With an in-depth comprehension of both front-end and back-end technologies, full stack developers approach problems from diverse angles, exploring a plethora of solutions and technologies to pinpoint the most effective remedy.This comprehensive problem-solving approach fosters creativity, innovation, and critical thinking, as full stack developers explore various methodologies and techniques to resolve intricate problems. By harnessing their diverse skill set and experience, full stack developers surmount obstacles and deliver innovative solutions that cater to user needs and business imperatives.

Continuous Learning and Professional Growth: Full stack development is an ever-evolving domain that encourages continuous learning and professional growth. With new technologies, frameworks, and best practices perpetually emerging, full stack developers have ample opportunities to augment their skill set and remain abreast of industry trends.Continuous learning is inherent to the full stack developer role, necessitating a commitment to staying abreast of the latest advancements in both front-end and back-end technologies. By investing in continuous learning and professional development, full stack developers remain competitive in the job market and position themselves for sustained success in their careers.

Conclusion: In summary, embracing full stack development bestows a myriad of advantages and opportunities, ranging from versatility and end-to-end project ownership to enhanced employability and continuous learning. By mastering both front-end and back-end technologies, full stack developers are primed to excel in diverse roles and environments, driving innovation and success in the ever-evolving sphere of software development. Whether you're an established developer or an aspiring professional, embracing full stack development opens doors to a world of possibilities and professional fulfillment.

#full stack course #full stack developer #full stack software developer #full stack training #full stack web development

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awisetoad · 3 months

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gentle reminder that you can just not like something because you don't like it.

there doesn't need to be some external reason for your dislike— a book you don't like doesn't have to be "bad writing". you can just not like it because you don't like it. a game you don't think is fun doesn't have to be be "unbalanced", "broken", "badly designed". you can just… not like it.

of course, those things CAN be true, but just because someone don't like something doesn't mean the work is bad or that it must be flawed in some way.

9/10 times, what makes people say those things is the desire for the answer to why. at best it's just seeking validation, worse is that it's a desire for a sense of superiority, and the absolute worst is just because it's cool to hate stuff now.

but what happens is that seeking these reasons put the onus on the creator for not pleasing them, specifically, when they might not have been the target audience at all or perhaps they're just judging the work compared to some hypothetical idealized imaginary version that only exists in their head and never has nor ever will exist, which is kind of unfair.

and then, so so so often people get fucking rude about it. because what happens is that instead of admitting they just didn't like it, which has the potential of opening THEMSELVES up to be vulnerable— to be judged on their taste in media or whatever it may be —they instead throw the "blame" onto the artists and creative professionals.

that's not to say media can't be bad or have flaws. it absolutely can. but I'd wager that more often than not, the thing that people "have a problem" with is not even actually the cause of the issue, and thus they end up throwing shade at entirely the wrong group of people.

laypeople have very little idea what goes on behind the scenes. most media is pretty complex. there's a lot of moving parts, a lot of input from many, many stakeholders. rarely is it just "the writing" or "the balance" that's wrong. these are handwave-y terms that are pretty much a massive red flag that indicates someone has very little idea of what goes into making something like a film, a show, a game, etc.

like, the core reasons for the issue have almost certainly been debated and talked to death about. someone brought up the issue, and for whatever reason a decision was made for it to be the way it is. maybe it was a budget issue. maybe it was a creative choice. who knows? who cares. but I wish people would stop and consider what those reasons might be before being outright fucking rude and saying no one knows how to do their jobs lmao.

people are so quick to jump on "wouldn't it be great if…" and "imagine if they'd done it this way?"

like, can we just—

imagine if it was like that and it fucking sucked?

I worked with a guy whose head was effectively in the clouds like this. he was a nightmare to work with, because for problems for which we only had a teeny budget to solve, he'd propose some ideal solution that was actually hugely lofty and would've taken quintuple the amount of developer hours to build. HE was bad at his job because he couldn't work in scope. and often scope is far less resources than we'd like, so the solutions weren't at all perfect or user friendly. you just have to do your best with what you have, and just because every little thing isn't 10/10 doesn't mean it's a failure or that it's bad. something can absolutely be just kind of fine, too? but anyway his attitude was exactly like all these people online who think they've come up with the "perfect" solution to make something better.

like, sure maybe? in a vacuum?

the funny part is that sometimes you even get to build that thing with the unlimited budget and resources, review it, only to realize holy hell it's actually terrible.

(see: new coke)

idk basically this is probably in the top 5 of why I almost don't ever engage with fans of anything online.

#loki #bg3 #thor ragnarok #the hobbit #rings of power

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