National Review Slams Ben Carson For Hawking Quack Cures For Everything

The right-wing National Review today slammed potential 2016 presidential candidate and Tea Party darling Ben Carson for hawking a line of so-called "glyconutrients" whose maker claims will cure cancer, heart disease, autism, and pretty much everything else.

In 2007, three years after Carson’s first dealings with Mannatech, Texas attorney general Greg Abbott sued the company and Caster, charging them with orchestrating an unlawful marketing scheme that exaggerated their products’ health benefits. The original petition in that case paints an ugly picture of Mannatech’s marketing practices. It charges that the company offered testimonials from individuals claiming that they’d used Mannatech products to overcome serious diseases and ailments, including autism, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and life-threatening heart conditions. Separately, the suit alleges that the company sold a CD entitled “Back from the Brink” that “provided example after example of how ‘glyconutrients’ (i.e., Mannatech’s products) cured, treated, or mitigated diseases including but not limited to toxic shock syndrome, heart failure, asthma, arthritis, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Attention Deficit Disorder, and lung inflammation.”

According to one investigative report, sales reps for Mannatech even claimed that their product could cure AIDS. Hit the link - it's quite the story and possibly spells the end of the Carson 2016 nonsense.

HomoQuotable - Greg Quinlan

"The [PFOX 'ex-gay'] billboard speaks to the scientific fact that to quote the American Psychiatric Association, 'there still remains no replicated scientific studies supporting any specific biological etiology for homosexuality.' There is zero evidence that a person is born a homosexual. In fact, Dr. Francis Collins of the human genome project with the National Institute of Health, who was appointed by President Clinton to do the project said homosexuality was 'not hard-wired.' The reason we see so much of a proliferation of homosexuality in our society now is because we live in a sex-saturated culture. The first century church thrived in a hyper-sexualized homosexual culture in an age of sexual anarchy. So can the 21st century church. We do not need to compromise our message in order to bring homosexuals into the church or accommodate them. The truth is the truth, and if we love someone, we will tell them the truth that homosexuality is destructive to someone. I know because I watched 100 of my friends die of AIDS." - Former PFOX president Greg Quinlan, in a World Net Daily piece that does not mention that the model on the billboard is not a twin and is in fact proudly and openly gay. Quinlan is currently head of the virulently anti-gay New Jersey Family Policy Council.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: PFOX former president Richard Cohen earns national ridicule after CNN broadcasts a demonstration of his "gay cure," which involved Cohen pounding a pillow with a tennis racket while screaming, "Why, Mommy, why?" PFOX files "ex-gay" discrimination complaint with state of Maryland. PFOX kicks Right Wing Watch reporter out of "Ex-Gay Awareness Dinner." PFOX announces "the end of homosexuality." PFOX head Greg Quinlan declares that President Obama and Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy are secretly gay. Quinlan says gay men are sexual cannibals. Quinlan says he's gay because he was molested. Quinlan defends the "ex-gay" therapy of Ladybird Bachmann. Quinlan claims gay activist Wayne Besen threatened to inject him with AIDS. Quinlan testifies against New Jersey marriage.  Quinlan attempts to distribute "ex-gay" flyers at public schools. Quinlan demands that FDA cease linking gay sites in harm reduction campaign. Quinlan files SCOTUS brief in support of DOMA.

IRELAND: US-Based Church To Hold HIV "Cure" Sessions Using Industrial Bleach

Via the Independent:

A controversial American Church which is coming to Ireland this weekend is promising a “miracle” cure for patients – but it is, in fact, industrial-strength bleach. The Genesis II Church will hold an event in Monkstown in Dublin over the weekend. On its website it is advertising the event as including access to its “miracle mineral solution” which, it claims, can “remove” a number of serious conditions including cancer, HIV and autism. However, the product – which is also known as MMS – has been banned in a number of countries including the US and the UK because tests by health and food watchdogs identified it as an “industrial-strength bleach”. Health watchdogs here, contacted by the Irish Examiner newspaper, have also issued warnings. It is understood that those planning to attend the seminar over the weekend will be asked to pay a €295 compulsory donation. The church has a number of Irish members.

From the church's "our beliefs" page:

Spirituality is beyond definition by governments. It is the stuff of natural law, which is shaped by immortal forces and not by humankind. Statutes, constitutions and judicial rulings are created by humankind based on their best, but limited, understanding of how things work. Natural law was here before we humans arrived and will be here long after we are gone. It cannot be governed by mortal minds. The Genesis II Church is unique, as it was formed for the purpose of serving mankind and not for the purpose of worship. Thus the religious beliefs of our members and of other churches are not our business.

NEW YORK: State Assembly Passes Ban On "Ex-Gay" Torture For Minors

Via the Wall Street Journal:

New York's Assembly has passed a ban against health professionals trying to change a child's sexual orientation through therapy. On Monday the Democratic-led Assembly passed the ban 86 to 28. It would prohibit licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, mental health practitioners and physicians from using conversion therapy on anyone under 18. Clergy would not be included. The American Psychological Association says there is no evidence so-called gay conversion therapy can change someone's sexual orientation. Bans against gay conversion therapy have already gone into law in New Jersey and California. A proposed ban was voted down in Illinois in April. Opponents of the ban say that it may infringe on a person's freedom of speech.

The Empire State Pride Agenda reacts.

“We’re thrilled by the rapid progress and bipartisan support this bill has earned during this session. We are hopeful that we can see this legislation signed into law this year. We call on the New York State Senate to follow the example of their Assembly colleagues, as well as leaders in New Jersey and California, the medical community, and public opinion, by passing this bill now so we can put it on Governor Cuomo’s desk for a signature.” said Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Nathan M. Schaefer. “This issue is non-partisan; we’re all in agreement that harming LGBT youth is unacceptable and we must put an end to this damaging and discredited practice. We cannot let another day go by where our youngest New Yorkers are vulnerable to this avoidable harm.”

The bill's sponsor in the state Senate is openly gay Sen. Brad Hoylman, who writes:

"Today's passage of A.6983-B in the New York State Assembly is a major step towards banning so-called conversion ’therapy‘ on LGBT youth by licensed mental health professionals. Being an LGBT young person isn't an illness that needs to be cured. Thanks to the leadership of Assembly Member Glick and Speaker Silver, we're one step closer to joining New Jersey and California in protecting our kids from being subject to this dangerous practice and their parents from being victims of a proven scam. Banning conversion therapy is a nonpartisan issue that should receive full consideration by my colleagues in the Senate."

The bill faces an uphill battle in the state Senate, where the slim Republican majority has often swatted down pro-LGBT measures with the aid of "Democrats" like Sen. Ruben Diaz. GENDA, the transgender rights bill, has been approved by the Assembly seven times but has never made it through the Senate.

Shannon Minter On "Ex-Gay" Ruling

"We are disappointed by the ruling but very pleased that the temporary delay in implementing this important law applies only to the three plaintiffs who brought this lawsuit. The judge stressed that he was willing to issue the ruling in part because it is temporary and applies only to three individuals. We are confident that as the case progresses, it will be clear to the court that this law is fundamentally no different than many other laws that regulate health care professionals to protect patients. That is especially important in this case because the harms to minors are so serious, including suicide and severe depression. Every leading medical and mental health organization in the country has rejected these practices and warned that they are not only completely ineffective, but dangerous. California did the right thing by enacting this law, and we are confident the courts will find that it is not only constitutional, but vitally necessary." - Shannon Minter, counsel for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, responding to yesterday's court ruling to temporarily block California's ban on "ex-gay" therapy.