I hope that You get well, Randy.
From Portugal,
TJ Curioso
TJ Curioso
JoinedPosts by TJ Curioso
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A Note from Randy/Dogpatch (Freeminds)
by Lady Lee inthis past week randy was hospitalized.
he is now home recovering and has asked me to let you know that he will need a couple of days to recuperate.
in the mean time: if you have sent him emails or want to send him an email, it might take a couple of days for him to respond.. feel free to leave messages here for him.
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I was just interviewed by CNN Money
by Confession init's for their annual feature, "surprising six figure jobs.
" had the interview been longer, i'd have loved to mention the need to carve out a career, despite my religion and parents' lack of support for an education.. cnn money - "surprising six figure jobs".
here's my website, if you'd like to listen to my voice demos and read my blog.
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TJ Curioso
Great voice...
from Portugal
TJ Curioso
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Apostasy Trial - Part 6 It's finally all online...
by RayPublisher inthe entire saga, all 3 hours are now online.
this last one took hours and hours to edit and i am so glad it is done.
(although i still have the behind the scenes footage to put up on how i did the hidden camera lol!
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TJ Curioso
Great series of videos Eric. Thank You so much!
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The Disfellowshipping Arrangement, New Book, Hope It Helps
by graysome67 inhello, i renounced my belief/faith in the watchtower society a few years ago, though i am still a bible believer.
since departing from them, i have studied the bible aptly to try to understand it's true teachings.
i decided to start publishing essays in the hope that my research may help enlighten other disillusioned jw's by seeing alternative viewpoints, or at least pointing them in a direction that would help unlock their minds when studying the bible.
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TJ Curioso
Ordered! Thanks for the information and the work envolved.
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Campaigners make call for changes in the laws
by TJ Curioso inthursday, 27 september 2012. .
special report: child abuse and the churches.
exclusive by charles thomson.
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TJ Curioso
Campaigners make call for changes in the laws
Thursday, 27 September 2012
Special report: Child abuse and the churches
EXCLUSIVE by Charles Thomson
CAMPAIGNERS have claimed the case of Barry Snow highlights the need for new laws on how religious groups handle child abuse allegations.
Snow, 51, of St Lawrence Gardens, in Leigh, was reported to the Jehovah’s Witness church in the late 1970s and admitted to repeatedly molesting a girl under the age of 10.Mr Snow committed the offences in his late teens.
But instead of notifying police, the church imposed its own sanctions, allowing him to escape justice in the courts. He then went on to abuse a second girl in the early 1980s.
Judge Jonathan Black criticised the church’s handling of the allegations, but campaigners pointed out that there are currently no UK laws requiring churches to report child abuse to police.The Jehovah’s Witness church has a Child Safeguarding Policy in place, but the campaigners say it is not strong enough.
The policy states that confessions to elders are private, and that the organisation will only insist on contacting police when they believe a child remains in danger. It reads: “Conversations with congregation elders relating to spiritual counselling or assistance are confidential and will therefore not be shared with third parties other than other elders and the branch office, as the case may require…
“A report to police or other appropriate authorities will be made immediately by the congregation elders if it is determined that a child is still at risk.”Peter Saunders of the National Association of People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) called the policy a ‘disgrace’. He said: “That isn’t good enough. The church obviously thought Mr Snow posed no further risk. You can’t just accept an abuser’s word that it won’t happen again. You can’t take that risk with children’s lives. People who abuse children very rarely stop unless they are stopped. When questioned, they’re not going to say ‘Yes, more kids are in danger’.”
Other groups representing abuse victims dismissed the lack of legal obligation, saying churches still had a moral obligation to alert the authorities.
Homayra Sellier, president and founder of Innocence In Danger – a French child abuse charity currently setting up a UK branch – condemned the church’s actions. She said: “When churches fail to report abuse to police, they become accomplices in crimes against our children and our future, betraying the church they serve.”Expert child abuse lawyer Peter Garsden is helping Innocence In Danger in a legal bid to criminalise the failure to report child molestation.
He said: “We are hoping to make it broader than just the church, so anyone in a position of authority can be prosecuted if they wilfully withhold information on the abuse of children.”The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) echoed calls for the withholding of child abuse allegations to be criminalised.
Spokesman Peter Saunders said: “It should be a legal obligation, but there is certainly a moral obligation. These organisations are operating their own justice system – crimes are being reported to them and they are issuing their own sanctions instead of letting the justice system handle it. That is not appropriate. They cannot be above the law.”The Churches Child Protection Advisory Service, which provides advice to all religious groups, said church elders should have reported Snow’s abuse to police despite the lack of legal obligation.
Advisor Andy Croall said: “If they knew a crime was committed, they should have reported it to the police – full stop. If there is a serious crime, we all have a duty as a community to report that to the police. The view that we take is that the police are involved. We do not do things in house. We are not investigators. We do not decide who is right or wrong or who is telling the truth. The way to protect children is to report it to the authorities.”
Colin Brown, an elder at the Rayleigh Jehovah’s Witness church where Snow is now a member, said the organisation would not comment on individual members. Asked whether, as an elder, he would report child abuse to police today, he replied: “We do not comment on hypothetical situations. We focus on reality. We hate child abuse and focus on it as a very serious accusation.”
Jehovah Witness legal spokesman Tony Brace said the organisation ‘abhorred’ child abuse. He claimed offenders or victims wanting to speak in ‘confidence’ to elders should have their wishes observed where possible, and if no children are at risk.
“We never advise people not to go to the police, but if they choose not to that is up to them,” he said. “Every case is different. The primary responsibility for children is with the parents and we respect that.”
What other religious groups say about child abuse:
The Board of Deputies of British Jews
“Every effort must be made to end the abuse, protect and comfort the victims and ensure that the alleged perpetrators are dealt with equitably, according to the law, but nevertheless properly, by reporting the matter to the correct authorities.”
Diocese of Chelmsford, Church of England
“We instruct our parishes to make a referral to Social Services as soon as they have any suspicions, but if there is any immediate danger to a child and Social Services cannot be contacted, to phone the police and then advise our child protection adviser within 24 hours.”
Catholic Church
“If the child(ren) are in need of medical attention or protection from harm, you must contact your local safeguarding officer/coordinator, or, if the child(ren) are in immediate danger, the emergency services.”
If you are a child and would like to speak to someone about your welfare, call ChildLine on 0800 1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk
If you have concerns about the welfare of a child, call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or visit www.nspcc.org.uk
If you are an adult who was abused as a child, call the NAPAC on 0800 085 3330 or visit www.napac.org.ukEmail: [email protected]
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Please Help! Wife want PROOF of Watchtower Deception
by Indian Larry inplease post any examples of clear cut watchtower deception.
my wife does not believe that the watchtower would purposely decieve her.
i need clearcut examples of deception of by the wtbts.
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TJ Curioso
This site has many articles about helping Jehovah's Witnesses to see the error:
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A JW called me a moron.
by shepherd inwell, i finally got a chance to discuss religion with a jw at the door.
i have been looking forward to it for a long time, now i know what questions to ask that will cause them to eat their reasoning book in panic.
but no, there was no long in depth bible discussion.
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TJ Curioso
Maybe he was just a not baptizer publisher…
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They will be DFing me soon for apostasy...
by RayPublisher inwell i figured i should give you all an update.
they will be dfing me soon for apostasy.
it is not a huge surprise and i am not afraid nor "shaking in my boots", however i will admit it is stressful right now.
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TJ Curioso
RayPublisher how they discover your atual position about Watchtower INC.?
Can You tell what happened?
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New technology to transform blood processing
by TJ Curioso ina pioneering surgical blood salvage technology developed at the university of strathclyde, glasgow, is set to transform the way major surgery is carried out by reducing blood loss in patients.. .
hemosep is set to revolutionise the health care sector after gaining the ce mark and receiving canadian national approval, following highly successful clinical trials in the world leading university of kirikkale university hospital in ankara, turkey.. the device is designed to recover blood spilled during open-heart and major trauma surgery and concentrate the blood cells for transfusion back to the patient.
this process, known as autotransfusion, reduces the volume of donor blood required and the problems associated with transfusion reaction.. .
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TJ Curioso
A pioneering surgical blood salvage technology developed at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, is set to transform the way major surgery is carried out by reducing blood loss in patients.
HemoSep is set to revolutionise the health care sector after gaining the CE mark and receiving Canadian national approval, following highly successful clinical trials in the world leading University of Kirikkale University Hospital in Ankara, Turkey.
The device is designed to recover blood spilled during open-heart and major trauma surgery and concentrate the blood cells for transfusion back to the patient. This process, known as autotransfusion, reduces the volume of donor blood required and the problems associated with transfusion reaction.
Professor Terry Gourlay, who led the development of the technology at the University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, said: “This is a fantastic example of real collaboration between the University of Strathclyde and the medical device industry to take this device from concept to clinical delivery.
“The introduction of HemoSep to the medical device field will make a significant difference to people’s lives and greatly reduce the cost and risks associated with blood transfusions. The technology has distinct advantages over traditional techniques which are not only costly but technically challenging and involve the use of a complex centrifuge and pumping apparatus by specialist technicians.
“We expect further developments in the form of a derivative of this technology for use in children undergoing open-heart surgery where the challenges of blood conservation are even more critical.”
In the clinical trials, carried out in over 100 open-heart surgery operations, the use of the HemoSep device significantly reduced the need for blood transfusions together with preservation of normal clotting mechanisms and a reduction in the inflammatory reaction often encountered after such surgical procedures.
The device consists of a blood bag which employs a chemical sponge technology and a mechanical agitator to concentrate blood sucked from the surgical site or drained from the heart-lung machine after the surgery. The separated cells are then returned to the patient by intravenous transfusion.
Professor Serdar Gunaydin, Head of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Kirikkale where the trials were conducted, said: “The technology is a real step forward in the field of autotransfusion for cardiac surgery, being highly effective, easy to use and associated with a reduction in the need for donor transfusion and blood loss in these patients.
“In the climate of national blood product shortages and concern for disease transmission and immunosuppression, every effort should be made to optimise blood recovery and reduce allogeneic blood usage.
“The HemoSep technology has produced impressive results, it is the easiest method we have ever used. There is no interference with the ongoing operation and product is ready to use following a very short processing time. It quickly and safely recovers substantial proteins, clotting factors and cell concentrates for all types of cardiac procedures.
“We believe this new technology will be one of the essential components of the routine heart surgery in the near future. We even think this technique may be useful for blood preservation during transplantation, orthopedics and neurosurgery.”
Further clinical trials are planned, but the CE mark means that the device will now be sold to the healthcare sector. HemoSep has been licensed to Advancis Surgical Ltd. The company will market and sell the device in all European territories, other regions which recognise the CE mark and Canada.
Mr Stephen Cotton, Advancis Surgical Ltd director of research and development, said: “We are delighted to be able to make this announcement which comes after considerable shared effort to develop this exciting product. We hope that this success will be the first of many through our collaboration with the University of Strathclyde.”
Professors Gourlay and Gunaydin will present the results of the recent clinical trials at the European Society for Artificial Organs congress in Rostock, Germany in September to correspond with Advancis’ commercial launch of the device.?
21 August 2012
http://www.strath.ac.uk/press/newsreleases/headline_648390_en.html
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Article "Making the case for bloodless surgery"
by TJ Curioso inmaking the case for bloodless surgeryaugust 20, 2012 12:12 amby rob wennemer / pittsburgh post-gazette.
jehovah's witnesses base their refusal of blood transfusions on verses in several books of the bible.
because north sider charles taze russell's teachings were the basis for those beliefs, it seems appropriate that allegheny general hospital's center for bloodless medicine and surgery continues to realize the benefits of bloodless surgery -- for everyone.. "i would say that every week we are doing two or three jehovah's witness surgeries of some kind or another," said jan c. seski, the center's medical director and director of the hospital's division of gynecological oncology.. a recent study suggests the witnesses are on to something.
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TJ Curioso
Making the case for bloodless surgery
August 20, 2012 12:12 am By Rob Wennemer / Pittsburgh Post-GazetteJehovah's Witnesses base their refusal of blood transfusions on verses in several books of the Bible. Because North Sider Charles Taze Russell's teachings were the basis for those beliefs, it seems appropriate that Allegheny General Hospital's Center for Bloodless Medicine and Surgery continues to realize the benefits of bloodless surgery -- for everyone.
"I would say that every week we are doing two or three Jehovah's Witness surgeries of some kind or another," said Jan C. Seski, the center's medical director and director of the hospital's division of gynecological oncology.
A recent study suggests the Witnesses are on to something. In a study published last month in the Archives of Internal Medicine, doctors from the Cleveland Clinic reported that Witnesses who underwent bloodless cardiac surgery fared better than non-Witnesses in terms of infection and complication rates, length of hospital stays, and short- and long-term survival.
Although the study, which compared 322 patients of each group, focused only on cardiac surgery, many doctors report similar trends in orthopedic, gynecological and neurosurgery.
In 1962, Dr. Denton Cooley pioneered bloodless open-heart surgery on Jehovah's Witness patients in Texas. Since then, the practice has evolved to the point that many surgeons, regardless of a patient's religious beliefs, try to minimize the loss of blood each and every time they stand over the operating table.
"We've taken what we have learned in the management of the Jehovah's Witnesses and are applying it to the general medical population as a whole," said Dr. Seski. "Blood in and of itself may be lifesaving. If you have a trauma patient that comes in after a motorcycle accident and they are bleeding to death, you need to use transfusions. But if you can avoid it, in some situations you will get a better outcome."
Dr. Seski is credited as being the first to bring the techniques to Pittsburgh in 1981 after completing his fellowship at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
In addition to their religious convictions, many Witnesses fear the possibility of contracting blood-borne illnesses such as hepatitis or HIV/AIDS through transfusions.
"[Donated] blood is dirty -- that is the best kept secret in the world. ... It can give you all of these different infections," said William McGill, 62, of Erie, who had successful bloodless large aortic aneurysm surgery at AGH. "Offending my God was first, but when I found out how dirty [donated] blood was, whether I was a Witness or not, I would not have accepted transfusions."
As tumors are removed in surgery, cancerous cells are released into the bloodstream, Dr. Seski said. Cancer patients' weakened immune systems can have trouble handling these cells along with "foreign" antibodies and other substances from a transfusion. Immunosuppressant qualities associated with donated blood are a big reason for the increased complications and infections experienced by patients who receive transfusions, according to Dr. Seski. Such complications can lead to longer hospitalizations as well.
There is not one specific methodology used when performing bloodless surgery. Hospitals take a "whole programmatic approach," said Dr. Seski, and they must adapt to the needs of the patient. Nonetheless, certain procedures are used to increase blood counts and to prevent blood loss before, during and after surgery.
Before surgery, doctors attempt to normalize the patient's blood count, as many are anemic. Patients who are anemic do not have enough healthy red blood cells, which are responsible for providing oxygen to body tissues.
Blood counts can be raised 1 gram per week by providing the patient with iron and synthetic growth hormones such as erythropoietin, which stimulate the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. The increased speed with which doctors can now boost blood counts to a safe level for surgery is especially significant, as patients with a malignancy are far better off when operated on sooner rather than later.
A hemodilution technique pioneered by Dr. Seski and others in 1977 at M.D. Anderson is one of a number of strategies used to save blood during surgery. Preferred by Jehovah's Witnesses, it is a closed loop system that separates a patient's blood into red blood cells and clear plasma. The machine returns the plasma and a saline solution to the patient's body during surgery in order to equalize blood volume. The red blood cells are kept in the machine, however, and returned to the body at the end of surgery.
Although Jehovah's Witnesses do not allow their blood to be removed and stored prior to a surgery, they allow this technique because their blood is never technically separated from the body.
The postoperative care of a patient is also very important, as blood can continue to be lost after a surgery is complete. Blood samples, for instance, can remove up to 1 pint per week. To minimize the loss, doctors now use pediatric tubes, drawing smaller amounts of blood while still gaining the necessary data from testing.
Smaller incisions have also reduced the amount of blood lost during surgery.
"We use a laparoscopic approach, and that allows us to really get folks up sooner out of bed because they are not having pain from a big incision," said Dr. James T. McCormick, who specializes in colorectal surgery at AGH. "If you keep the wound size small, then obviously there is less opportunity for there to be an infection."
In April, Dr. McCormick performed bloodless colorectal surgery on John Tomolonis, 74, of Ohio. With no complications or infections arising after the operation, he recovered and left the hospital after only four days.
"I was sent to AGH from my local hospital because ... they didn't feel that they had the right equipment to do that," said Mr. Tomolonis. "I have been feeling great since my surgery,"
Shortened stays such as these and a reduction in the number of transfusions make bloodless surgery an economically wise choice, too.
"If you reduce the transfusion rate by 5 or 10 percent, you could save a hospital like [AGH] $1 million to $2 million a year," said Dr. Seski.
His techniques are part of an ongoing educational process at AGH. "We have new physicians and personnel coming into the system and are working to properly educate them in the field of bloodless medicine and surgery," he said.
Rob Wennemer is a former intern at the Post-Gazette.
First Published August 20, 2012 12:00 am Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/health/making-the-case-for-bloodless-surgery-649699/#ixzz24AChMjiO
