by Arsenio WallThe decision to undergo “gender transition” can be a life-altering choice. In the past, “gender transition” surgeries were done on adults, after a multi-disciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, and social workers had evaluated the individual for several years. However, some clinics now allow children to make the decision to undergo “gender transition” without necessarily first properly assessing their psychological maturity and comorbidities. This raises questions about whether this decision should be taken away from parents and left in the hands of children. In this article, we will explore the ethical implications of allowing children to make such a life-altering decision without thorough assessment. We will discuss potential risks associated with “gender transition” surgery for children and explore the views of leading scientists and doctors on the subject. Finally, we will explore ways in which people can act and demand a thorough evaluation and debate on the human rights implications of this issue.It was reported that the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo in the city of São Paulo in Brazil is treating 280 of young people for gender dysphoria<a href="#_ftn1">[1]</a>. Among them,&nbsp;100 are children from 4 to 12 years old; while 180 are adolescents from 13 to 17 years old that are undergoing treatments whose stages involve blocking puberty, cross-hormone treatment and, in some cases, even sexual reassignment surgery<a href="#_ftn2">[2]</a>. Such practices are in line with a current prevailing ideological inclination, following a controversial international trend. But, before jumping into this band wagon, there was a time in such medical facilities, that “gender transition” surgery was done on adults, after following them for 4 years or more, with a multidisciplinary team including doctors, psychologists, social workers. There were home visits, and the family was involved in the process whenever possible. Have values and professionalism gone so far out of whack that they are now doing sex “transition” even on 4 years-old children and teenagers? If they are naïve and immature enough to answer for crimes, why are they mature enough to decide what sex they want to have in a definitive way to the point of undergoing a “transition” procedure?Wouldn't it be crucial by those involved in this service, paid by people’s taxes, to consider that there are papers such as the one by Cecilia Dhejne<a href="#_ftn3">[3]</a> from the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Psychiatry, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden that states that: “people with transsexualism, after sex reassignment, have considerably higher risks of mortality, suicidal behavior and psychiatric morbidity than the general population. These facts suggest&nbsp;[at least] that sex reassignment, while alleviating gender dysphoria, may not be sufficient as a treatment for transsexualism, and should inspire better psychiatric and somatic care after sex reassignment for this group of patients.”In essence, that paper raises important questions about the ethical implications of performing “gender transition” surgeries on children and teenagers. The author expresses concern about the potential risks associated with such surgeries. The authors concluded that these facts suggest that sex reassignment, while alleviating gender dysphoria, may not be sufficient as a treatment for transsexuals, and should at least lead to better psychiatric and somatic care after sex reassignment for this group of patients. Nevertheless, this study looked at adult subjects that still showed severe outcomes and the author's argument is supported by good research and is presented in a thoughtful and reasoned manner. &nbsp;Moreover, a great part of the literature, mainly indifferent to the issue of premature decision while looking at younger subjects, add to the importance of children and adolescents being offered mental health care, by comparing the mental health of transgender adolescents who had received gender-affirming medical care to those who had not. Mitigation literature of this kind, for example, Olson and Durwood (2020)<a href="#_ftn4">[4]</a> and Olson et al. (2016)<a href="#_ftn5">[5]</a> studies claim that adolescents who received gender-affirming care had significantly lower rates of psychiatric morbidity than those who had not.What about serious preliminary evaluation and regard for the importance of children’s limitations in being left with the responsibility of such a highly likely age-inadequate decision? There is a great deal of research that suggests that children and adolescents may not be mature enough to make such a decision. For example, a study by O'Connor et al. (2019)<a href="#_ftn6">[6]</a> looked at the psychological adjustment of transgender/gender diverse children and adolescents and found that, while they had generally good psychological adjustment overall, they also had lower levels of psychological functioning compared to their cisgender peers. &nbsp;This suggests that more research needs to be done to assess the psychological maturity of transgender/gender diverse children and adolescents before allowing them to make such a life-altering decision.Moreover, there are several scientists and doctors conducting vocal and well-informed criticism on taking away from parents the decision making on these issues. Prominent figures include Dr. Kenneth Zucker, a psychologist and gender specialist based in Canada, and Dr. Paul McHugh, a former psychiatrist-in-chief at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Both have expressed concerns about allowing children to make such a decision without first assessing their psychological maturity. Moreover, Dr. Zucker has argued that gender dysphoria is a “developmental issue” that requires a “developmentally informed approach” and has expressed concern that a “one-size-fits-all” approach to “gender transition” may not be appropriate for all children. He has made his views public in numerous articles, including this one from the National Post<a href="#_ftn7">[7]</a>. Likewise, Dr. McHugh has expressed similar concerns, arguing that sex reassignment surgery should be avoided in adolescents until they are mature enough to make such a decision. He has made his views public in numerous articles, including in the Wall Street Journal<a href="#_ftn8">[8]</a>.Crucially, the issue of allowing children making such a life-altering decision, without first assessing their psychological maturity, could also be understood as a human rights violation. According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child<a href="#_ftn9">[9]</a>, children have the right to adequate medical care, as well as the right to be heard and to have their opinions considered in all matters affecting them. Allowing children to decide about “gender transition” without first assessing their psychological maturity could be seen as a violation of these rights, as the child may not have the necessary emotional and intellectual maturity to make an informed decision about such a life-altering procedure.I would argue that the current situation violates the four principles of Beauchamp and Childress, which guide medical ethics - autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence and justice<a href="#_ftn10">[10]</a> –. When we consider a child on its first teething being subjected to procedures that will alter his hormonal homeostasis, surgery that will cause irreversible alterations of his sexual organs and his body, at an age when he may not be completely aware of future implications and consequences, it is difficult not to raise an ethical objection. This is aggravated by the fact that some clinics may only discuss the potential benefits of gender affirming surgery, without taking potential risks into consideration. This should be taken as a violation of the patient's right to informed consent. The patient should be aware of all potential risks and benefits before deciding regarding gender affirming surgery and should be adequately informed about the potential risks of undergoing the procedure. In addition, it is important for clinics to assess the psychological maturity of the patient before allowing them to make such a decision, as children and adolescents may not be mature enough to make such a life-altering decision.In the United States, “gender affirming surgery” is allowed to be decided by children in several states, including California, Oregon, New Jersey, and Washington<a href="#_ftn11">[11]</a>. Institutions such as the Gender Health Center in Sacramento, California<a href="#_ftn12">[12]</a>, and the Gender Clinic at Seattle Children's Hospital in Washington<a href="#_ftn13">[13]</a>. &nbsp;In the United Kingdom, gender affirming surgery is allowed to be decided by children in several countries, including England<a href="#_ftn14">[14]</a>, Scotland, and Wales. Institutions such as the Tavistock (see below) and Portman NHS Foundation Trust in London, England, and the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) in Leeds<a href="#_ftn15">[15]</a>, England offer gender affirming surgery for children, so far.On the other hand, there are institutions and federal governments which condemn these policies of passing along to children the burden life-altering decision. In the United States, the Trump administration expressed opposition to the practice, with the Department of Health and Human Services having issued a proposed rule that would bar doctors from performing gender-affirming surgery on minors. However, this position was understood by some as a denial of life-saving protections against discrimination<a href="#_ftn16">[16]</a>, not as a way to prevent violence against the vulnerable.In the United Kingdom, a recent survey<a href="#_ftn17">[17]</a> showed that 78% of the respondents oppose gender reassignment surgery and 68% opposed young people hormone treatment for under-16s. Likewise, the government has expressed greater care when allowing children to make such a decision without first assessing their psychological maturity and has called for more research in this area. &nbsp;The changes in tack include the shutting down NHS specialist youth gender-identity clinic in England, the GIDS at the Tavistock foundation trust in London, which will be replaced by eight regional centers where gender services will mental-health services will be integrated<a href="#_ftn18">[18]</a>, not only because GIDS had long waiting lists, but also due to concerns the affirmation of gender identity was hasty and several other considerations were ignored, including comorbidities, such as eating disorders, autism, depression, etc.To show how the issue is controversial, several professional bodies, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, allegedly won’t even allow a debate and “prefer a dubious Transgender Science” when “hormones and surgery are being rejected by other countries”<a href="#_ftn19">[19]</a> and the Royal College of Psychiatrists<a href="#_ftn20">[20]</a>, based on published material states that: “psychiatric disorders (particularly anxiety, depression and acts of self-harm) in treatment-seeking transgender people are much more common than in cisgender people” and raised concerns allowing children to make such a decision without first assessing their psychological maturity, by affirming: “While gender-affirming medical interventions improve wellbeing and mental health in transgender and gender diverse adults, more evidence is needed on management of gender-diverse children, particularly those who are pre-pubertal”. They acknowledged and wisely took in consideration the publication by Dhejne et al., 2016 to reach this sane position.People could organize an objection to this policy by contacting their local, state, and federal elected representatives and appointed officials and express their concerns about allowing children to make such a life-altering decision without first assessing their psychological maturity. They should also reach out to organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)<a href="#_ftn21">[21]</a> and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC)<a href="#_ftn22">[22]</a> and ask for their support in raising awareness about this issue and demanding a thorough evaluation and debate on the human rights implications of allowing children to make such an untimely decision. In addition, people should contact organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics<a href="#_ftn23">[23]</a> and the Royal College of Psychiatrists<a href="#_ftn24">[24]</a> and ask them to provide their best expert opinions on the issue and to advocate for more research in this area.People in Brazil could organize an objection to this policy by contacting their local, state, and federal elected officials and expressing their concerns about allowing children to make such a life-altering decision without first assessing their psychological maturity. They should also reach out to organizations such as the Brazilian Association of Transvestites and Transsexuals (ABGLT)<a href="#_ftn25">[25]</a> and the&nbsp;Association of Transvestites and Transsexuals<a href="#_ftn26">[26]</a> to consider their position and see if they are interested in providing support in raising awareness about this issue and demanding a thorough evaluation and debate on the human rights implications of allowing children to make such a considerable decision. In addition, people could contact organizations such as the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics<a href="#_ftn27">[27]</a> and the Brazilian Association of Psychoanalysis (ABP)<a href="#_ftn28">[28]</a> and ask them to provide their expert opinions on the issue and to advocate for more research in this area. Finally, people should use social media to share their views and engage in conversations around this relevant and pressing issue.<hr><a href="#_ftnref1">[1]</a>&nbsp;https://g1.globo.com/google/amp/sp/sao-paulo/noticia/2023/01/29/280-criancas-e-adolescentes-trans-fazem-transicao-de-genero-no-hc-da-usp-veja-videos-com-o-que-eles-contam-sobre-esse-processo.ghtml<a href="#_ftnref2">[2]</a> https://revistaoeste.com/brasil/hospital-da-usp-tem-quase-300-menores-de-idade-fazendo-transicao-de-genero/<a href="#_ftnref3">[3]</a> Dhejne C, Lichtenstein P, Boman M, Johansson AL, Långström N, Landén M. Long-term follow-up of transsexual persons undergoing sex reassignment surgery: cohort study in Sweden. PLoS One. 2011 Feb 22;6(2):e16885. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0016885. PMID: 21364939; PMCID: PMC3043071.<a href="#_ftnref4">[4]</a>&nbsp;Olson, J. M., &amp; Durwood, L. (2020). Mental health of transgender adolescents: A systematic review of the literature. Pediatrics, 145(3), e20193090.<a href="#_ftnref5">[5]</a>&nbsp;Olson, K. R., Durwood, L., DeMeules, M., &amp; McLaughlin, K. A. (2016). Mental health of transgender children who are supported in their identities. Pediatrics, 137(3), e20153223.<a href="#_ftnref6">[6]</a>&nbsp;O'Connor, K. E., Murch, A., Iantaffi, A., &amp; Meyer, I. H. (2019). Psychological adjustment of transgender/gender diverse children and adolescents: A systematic review. Journal of Adolescent Health, 65(3), 339–353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.08.006<a href="#_ftnref7">[7]</a>&nbsp;https://nationalpost.com/opinion/kenneth-zucker-children-transitioning-is-not-a-simple-choice<a href="#_ftnref8">[8]</a> <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/sex-change-is-biologically-impossible-1462675763">https://www.wsj.com/articles/sex-change-is-biologically-impossible-1462675763</a><a href="#_ftnref9">[9]</a>&nbsp;https://www.unicef.org/crc/<a href="#_ftnref10">[10]</a> https://bmcmedethics.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6939-13-10<a href="#_ftnref11">[11]</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/gender-clinic/">https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/gender-clinic/</a><a href="#_ftnref12">[12]</a> <a href="https://genderhealthcenter.org/">https://genderhealthcenter.org/</a><a href="#_ftnref13">[13]</a> <a href="https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/gender-clinic/">https://www.seattlechildrens.org/clinics/gender-clinic/</a><a href="#_ftnref14">[14]</a> <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/treatment/">https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/treatment/</a><a href="#_ftnref15">[15]</a> <a href="https://www.gids.nhs.uk/">https://www.gids.nhs.uk/</a><a href="#_ftnref16">[16]</a> https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-responds-proposed-changes-health-care-rights-law<a href="#_ftnref17">[17]</a>&nbsp;https://yougov.co.uk/topics/society/articles-reports/2022/07/20/where-does-british-public-stand-transgender-rights<a href="#_ftnref18">[18]</a>&nbsp;https://www.economist.com/britain/2022/11/17/britain-changes-tack-in-its-treatment-of-trans-identifying-children?utm_medium=cpc.adword.pd&amp;utm_source=google&amp;ppccampaignID=18156330227&amp;ppcadID=&amp;utm_campaign=a.22brand_pmax&amp;utm_content=conversion.direct-response.anonymous&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0dXEhfPy_AIVbU9IAB3cCAxwEAAYASAAEgIgKvD_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds<a href="#_ftnref19">[19]</a> https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-american-academy-of-pediatrics-dubious-transgender-science-jack-turban-research-social-contagion-gender-dysphoria-puberty-blockers-uk-11660732791<a href="#_ftnref20">[20]</a> https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/pdf/PS02_18.pdf<a href="#_ftnref21">[21]</a> <a href="https://www.aclu.org/">https://www.aclu.org/</a><a href="#_ftnref22">[22]</a> <a href="https://www.hrc.org/">https://www.hrc.org/</a><a href="#_ftnref23">[23]</a> <a href="https://www.aap.org/">https://www.aap.org/</a><a href="#_ftnref24">[24]</a> <a href="https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/">https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/</a><a href="#_ftnref25">[25]</a> <a href="https://www.abglt.org.br/index.php">https://www.abglt.org.br/index.php</a><a href="#_ftnref26">[26]</a> <a href="https://antrabrasil.org">https://antrabrasil.org</a><a href="#_ftnref27">[27]</a> <a href="https://www.sbp.com.br/">https://www.sbp.com.br/</a><a href="#_ftnref28">[28]</a> <a href="http://www.abp.org.br/">http://www.abp.org.br/</a>

iStock-1446221594.jpg

Medical

Legal News

Leading scientists and doctors discuss potential risks

Brazilians ask: Should children be allowed to make life-changing 'gender transition' decisions?

<h2>Move over book burning, hello de-platforming?</h2>Closed out of your Facebook or Instagram account? Maybe your website suddenly disappeared, or your YouTube channel was demonetized or deleted? Perhaps you lost access to thousands of hours of posts and videos you produced, and your years of work were gone in an instant? That's de-platforming; the modern version of book burning, a “punishment” for going against the mainstream narrative. And, the censorship doesn't stop with social media, it includes PayPal accounts and more.<h3>Getting up again</h3>How do individuals who went afoul of the globalists, who didn't keep quiet and let others do their thinking for them, respond when they find themselves de-platformed by social media companies and other services? Here's what London Real's Brian Rose, Americas Frontline Doctor founder Dr. Simone Gold, and independent researcher James Roguski did to pick themselves up and continue their work despite the heavy-handed censorship they experienced.Brian RoseWhen London Real YouTuber Brian Rose publicly began trying to understand COVID-19 and its countermeasures, he soon found his entire life seemingly deleted from the internet by the social media giants.&nbsp;Not only did he lose all his years of work, amounting to thousands of videos which he had uploaded to the internet. He also lost access to his Paypal account, and more, because in his search for the truth about the pandemic; his counter-narrative interviews with David Icke were too dangerous for the globalists to allow. &nbsp;In his below documentary, Rose&nbsp;recounts his experiences and how he ultimately started a channel of his own. He explains that he was wholly unprepared for what happened on May 3, 2020, even though he knew that many would want to stop the interview (@about 3:36):<blockquote>Over the past few weeks, our entire world has been transformed. Everything we took for granted has now been taken away and our freedoms have been replaced with fear. All those rights we fought centuries for have been handed over without a second thought.&nbsp;We all process fear in different ways. I cope by immersing myself in my work and today my job is to ask questions. One million people will be watching and they all want answers.&nbsp;Countless others are trying to stop this from happening. At any moment they can walk through that door or lock this broadcast. I'm scared but I don't know what else to do. I prepared my whole life for a moment like This. But nothing would prepare me for what happened next. . .</blockquote>&nbsp;<div class="raw-html-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WATCH THE MOVIE THAT YouTube DOES NOT Want YOU TO SEE (and SHARE IT Far And Wide ) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LondonReal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LondonReal</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeWillNotBeSilenced?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeWillNotBeSilenced</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StopCensorship?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StopCensorship</a> <a href="https://t.co/txcVpjPDWz">https://t.co/txcVpjPDWz</a>— Brian Rose, Founder &amp; Host of London Real (@LondonRealTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/LondonRealTV/status/1796285778517221575?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>&nbsp;Dr. Simone GoldDr. Simone Gold, founder of <a href="https://www.aflds.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">America's Frontline Doctors</a>, was one of the first doctors to understand that how she was being told to treat COVID patients wasn't normal. Very alarmed at what was taking place she, along with other doctors, held the “<a href="https://www.whitecoatsummit.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">White Coat Summit</a>” on July 27, 2020, as well as a press conference on the Supreme Court steps. As she tweeted below, the press conference went viral, garnering millions of views before Big Tech and Big Media took the video down.She concluded by explaining their purpose and the result:<blockquote>Our fight was to show America the propaganda vs the truth, and then we were censored.</blockquote>&nbsp;<div class="raw-html-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Our press conference in front of the Supreme Court on July 27th, 2020 was a turning point in the fight against COVID Tyranny. After 20 million views in 8 hours, Big Tech colluded to wipe the video from online platforms. We knew in this moment that we would win the fight. <a href="https://t.co/9CP0Ogpnfp">pic.twitter.com/9CP0Ogpnfp</a>— Dr. Simone Gold (@drsimonegold) <a href="https://twitter.com/drsimonegold/status/1610416861723729921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Dr. Gold continues to <a href="https://aflds.org/about-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">advance</a> the mission of America's Frontline Doctors, to protect medical freedom and civil liberties.'James RoguskiIndependent researcher James Roguski who, <a href="http://jamesroguski.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">according</a> to his website, has been calling out lies and propaganda for decades, found years of work gone when the company that hosted most of his websites terminated his account for what they said were “terms of service” violations. It did not deter him from continuing his work, either.<blockquote>They deleted many of my websites, but they ignited my passion to burn even brighter. I now have most of my work on Substack.&nbsp;</blockquote>Roguski is interested in building a holistic alternative to the WHO and <a href="https://jamesroguski.substack.com/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">recruits</a> others to join him.<blockquote>The old system is crumbling, and I intend to help speed its demise, but we must build its replacement quickly.If you are fed up with the government, hospital, medical, pharmaceutical, media, industrial complex and would like to help , then feel free to contact me directly anytime.</blockquote>&nbsp;The information contained in this article is for educational and information purposes only and is not intended as health, medical, financial or legal advice. Always consult a physician, lawyer or other qualified professional regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition, health objectives, or legal issues.&nbsp;Related articles:<ul><li><a href="https://frontline.news/post/covid-sceptics-won-out-globalists-fear-an-increasingly-disbelieving-public" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">'COVID skeptics won out' — Globalists fear an increasingly disbelieving public</a></li><li><a href="https://frontline.news/post/colorado-governor-signs-off-on-bill-establishing-state-ministry-of-truth-students-atarget-of-new-law">Colorado governor signs off on bill establishing state 'ministry of truth'? Students a target of new law</a></li></ul>

account suspended.jpg

Censorship

Globalism

How three individuals got up again after being de-platformed

Who's afraid of Big Bad Tech? 

A British vigilante group known as the “Blade Runners” is receiving widespread support from British taxpayers as it continues to destroy climate surveillance cameras across London.<h2>The ULEZ mandate</h2>By order of London Mayor Sadiq Khan, the city is peppered with ultra-low emission zones (ULEZs), areas accessible only to low-emission vehicles. Cars that do not meet the city’s environmental standards are charged £12.50 ($16) for entering the ULEZ. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras positioned around the zones read license plates and check them against the vehicles’ make and model in real time. If a vehicle does not meet the environmental threshold, a fine is levied against the car owner.&nbsp;The ULEZ climate mandate has drawn heavy&nbsp;<a href="https://frontline.news/post/london-hundreds-protest-against-climate-mandates">protests</a> from residents, including&nbsp;<a href="https://frontline.news/post/british-veteran-launches-hunger-strike-as-unrest-grows-over-climate-mandates">hunger strikes</a> and refusals to pay fines. Taxpayers have also taken to disabling the ANPR surveillance cameras which Transport for London (TfL), the city’s transportation department, said will be used both for climate and law enforcement.<h2>Taxpayers cheer the ‘Blade Runners’</h2>Since the climate restrictions were expanded last year, the Blade Runners have taken to disabling and destroying hundreds of cameras. Between April and September 2023, Metropolitan Police recorded 200 reports of cameras being stolen and 595 reports of cameras being vandalized.TfL began placing black boxes around ULEZ camera wirings to protect them from being cut, but taxpayers found other ways to disable the cameras — like removing them completely.<div class="raw-html-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"> MUST SEE: Blade Runners topple THREE ULEZ cameras in a coordinated strike… The people are fighting back! <a href="https://t.co/Yvr2Xr7Lun">pic.twitter.com/Yvr2Xr7Lun</a>— David Morgan #StayFree (@david_r_morgan) <a href="https://twitter.com/david_r_morgan/status/1802726912050995623?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 17, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In response, the city&nbsp;<a href="https://frontline.news/post/london-taxpayers-attack-surveillance-vans-in-continued-revolt">deployed</a> mobile surveillance vans mounted with ANPR cameras across London in the hopes of evading attacks, but Blade Runners soon began targeting those as well. Some surveillance vans have been spotted covered in graffiti with their tires slashed, while others have been completely covered in tarp.Last month, 21 cameras were destroyed in the hours after Sadiq Khan was re-elected mayor of London, the&nbsp;Daily Mail&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13538797/Moment-Blade-Runner-uses-power-tool-cut-ULEZ-camera-traffic-light-latest-attack-Sadiq-Khans-hated-scheme.html">reported</a>. Last weekend, Blade Runners used power tools to topple a ULEZ camera and traffic lights to the delight of some fellow taxpayers. In a video that was posted to social media, passing cars can be heard honking in support.The video received over 37,000 likes. Comments on the post were largely supportive, with users writing that, “When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty,” and “Fair play to them, it's a complete scam that does nothing.”Blade Runner Matt Hardy told the&nbsp;Daily Mail&nbsp;that the Blade Runners are “people pissed off about the tyranny reigning over us and getting out and doing things about it – real votes, real boys here.”<h2>‘These cameras are not about the climate. They are about control’</h2>British actor and influencer Laurence Fox said this week he was just given back his electronic devices by police after being arrested earlier this year for cheering on the Blade Runners:<blockquote>These cameras are not about the climate. They are about control. They are the primary infrastructure for all sorts of things that ideologues like the midget dictator [Sadiq Khan] would like to impose upon us.I can now finally say the word ‘Bladerunners’ again. One of the ridiculous restrictions on free speech imposed by the police.It’s a dreadful shame to see so many of these cameras dying suddenly. I’m not at all thrilled about it. Just because I am smiling like a Cheshire Cat, it doesn’t mean that I am over the moon that these scameras continue to topple in high winds.&nbsp;Vive la résistance!</blockquote><div class="raw-html-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">POLICE UPDATE Following 6 coppers bursting into my house earlier this year to arrest me for saying how pleased I was that the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ULEZ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ULEZ</a> scam was meeting such robust resistance, this morning the <a href="https://twitter.com/metpoliceuk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@metpoliceuk</a> were ordered by the magistrate to hand back all my devices, including my…— Laurence Fox (@LozzaFox) <a href="https://twitter.com/LozzaFox/status/1803030521095622912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div> &nbsp;

ulez sign camera.jpg

Pushback_Resistance

Climate Change

‘Pissed off about the tyranny reigning over us’

British taxpayers cheer vigilante group destroying climate cams

Fisker is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the electric vehicle (EV) company announced Tuesday.<h2>‘Like other companies in the electric vehicle industry’</h2>“Fisker has made incredible progress since our founding, bringing the Ocean SUV to market twice as fast as expected in the auto industry and making good on our promises to deliver the most sustainable vehicle in the world,” a spokesperson <a href="https://assets.ctfassets.net/cghen8gr8e1n/6W19OiEBJDVIFVEmo4feHA/df902c5cb2b067251a300efb0b35f611/Fisker-Filing-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">said</a>.The California-based company added it is not the only EV maker that has been struggling to stay in business.“We are proud of our achievements, and we have put thousands of Fisker Ocean SUVs in customers’ hands in both North American [sic] and Europe. But like other companies in the electric vehicle industry, we have faced various market and macroeconomic headwinds that have impacted our ability to operate efficiently. After evaluating all options for our business, we determined that proceeding with a sale of our assets under Chapter 11 is the most viable path forward for the company.”Fisker’s collapse is the latest indication that the EV industry is folding due to sinking demand. Other EV industry players are also cutting their losses as they jump ship.<h2>Hertz</h2>In March, Hertz CEO Stephen Scherr&nbsp;<a href="https://www.motorfinanceonline.com/news/hertz-ceo-resigns-amid-ev-investment-setback/#:~:text=Scherr's%20departure%20coincides%20with%20Hertz's,electric%20vehicle%20(EV)%20rentals">resigned</a> after his bet on EVs cost the car rental giant its biggest quarterly loss since 2020. Hertz had been praised by the Biden administration for its ambition to convert 25% of its fleet to EVs by the end of this year. In January, however, the company announced it would instead be selling its 20,000 EVs — including Teslas — at heavily discounted prices and replacing them with gas-powered cars.<h2>Mercedes-Benz</h2>Mercedes-Benz also recently had to give up its ambition to only sell electric cars by 2030. Instead, EVs are expected to make up only 50% of the German carmaker’s sales over the next decade.<h2>Apple</h2>In February, Apple abandoned its multi-billion dollar effort to create an electric car. Despite being a decade in the works and employing 2,000 people, Project Titan was axed due to falling consumer demand.<h2>Aston Martin</h2>A lack of consumer demand is also partly to blame for Aston Martin&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13138123/Aston-Martin-puts-brakes-new-electric-supercar-2026-bosses-say-drivers-want-engines-throaty-roar.html">placing</a> its battery-operated “supercar” on hold until 2026.“Demand, certainly at an Aston Martin price point, is not what we thought it was going to be two years ago,” said Aston Martin Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll.&nbsp;<h2>Ford</h2>In December, Ford slashed production of its flagship EV at its assembly plant in Dearborn, Michigan by half. The automaker cut the monthly production quote for the all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup truck from 3,200 units to 1,600 units per month.<h2>Biden administration continues to force EV production</h2>Nevertheless, the Biden administration in March issued new climate mandates aimed at forcing more EV production. The new rules from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contain tight emissions standards that will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/epa-electric-vehicles-emissions-limits-climate-biden-e6d581324af51294048df24269b5d20a">require</a> 56% of new vehicle sales to be fully electric by 2032, with an additional 13% required to be hybrids.

car market decline.jpg

US News

Biden administration continues to force EV production

Electric car company files bankruptcy as EV market folds

For the last two years, British authorities have been testing AI-powered emotion recognition cameras on travelers in train stations, according to recently disclosed documents.<h2>What can the cameras see?</h2>In each of eight train stations around the UK, five to seven cameras or sensors scan the passing crowds. Using AI software from Amazon, the cameras use object recognition algorithms to spot criminal activity, trespassing, weapons, wet floors, overcrowding, and overstuffed trash cans.&nbsp;They can also alert authorities when passengers engage in “unusual behavior,” such as shouting, running, smoking, or skateboarding.&nbsp;A combination of existing cameras and newly installed smart cameras are being used for the surveillance project. All are equipped with Amazon’s Rekognition surveillance system.<h2>Emotional recognition</h2>Through a combination of facial and behavioral analyses, the Rekognition software allows officials to also <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-ai-cameras-emotions-uk-train-passengers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">analyze visitors’ emotions</a>. Internal documents note that the cameras can detect whether a passenger is “happy, sad [or] angry.” They can also recognize passenger satisfaction, which “could be utilized to maximum advertising and retail revenue.”<h2>Anti-social behavior</h2>Authorities can also detect passengers who exhibit “anti-social behaviour,” which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/asb/asb/antisocial-behaviour/what-is-antisocial-behaviour/">according</a> to London’s Metropolitan Police Service means “behaviour by a person which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to persons not of the same household as the person.”<h2>Social distancing, face masks, and demographics</h2>Other&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24757655-usecases_dpas_review_managed_stations?responsive=1&amp;title=1">use cases</a> for the surveillance cameras include detecting whether passengers are keeping to social distancing rules and wearing face masks. The cameras can also scan for demographics by identifying people’s age profiles and “socio-economic classification,” which the documents note can create “revenue opportunities for better targeted advertising and product placement.”<h2>‘Quite a concerning step’</h2>The documents were obtained by Big Brother Watch, a civil rights and government watchdog group, in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. Network Rail, a body within the Department of Transportation which manages most of the country’s train network, has been overseeing the surveillance project.&nbsp;“The rollout and normalization of AI surveillance in these public spaces, without much consultation and conversation, is quite a concerning step,” Jake Hurfurt, head of research and investigations at Big Brother Watch,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/amazon-ai-cameras-emotions-uk-train-passengers/">told</a> Wired.As of now, the surveillance systems do not use facial recognition technology, which analyzes faces and matches them against facial images stored in certain databases.

Brazilians ask: Should children be allowed to make life-changing 'gender transition' decisions?

Leading scientists and doctors discuss potential risks

Related Articles

Europe may subject travelers to lie detector tests

FBI intimidated nurse who exposed hospital’s child mutilation practices, report reveals

Just 2 in 10 Biden supporters think marriage and kids are important for society. Why?

Couples sue Vermont for requiring gender ideology in foster care

Latest Articles

Who's afraid of Big Bad Tech?

British taxpayers cheer vigilante group destroying climate cams

Electric car company files bankruptcy as EV market folds

UK tests emotion recognition cameras in train stations