Is Cyber Warfare to Blame for Twitter Meltdown?

August 6th, 2009 | by Ben Parr

Everybody’s still regrouping after today’s Denial of Service attacks against Twitter, Facebook (), LiveJournal, and other social media websites. Now, however, some further details about what happened and who might be behind it are coming to light.

According to Bill Woodcock of Packet Clearing House (a nonprofit organization tracking Internet traffic), the attack wasn’t a traditional DDoS attack using automated bots, but one conducted through a wave of spam email messages that hit Twitter (), LiveJournal, and other websites. On top of that, it looks like YouTube () was targeted.

These are interesting times eh?

Hiroshima, 64 years ago

Tomorrow, August 6th, marks 64 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan by the United States at the end of World War II. Targeted for military reasons and for its terrain (flat for easier assessment of the aftermath), Hiroshima was home to approximately 250,000 people at the time of the bombing.

The photo gallery is breath taking

Psychologists Consider Treatment of Homosexuality

by Kim Trobee, editor

Professional association's guidelines for homosexual patients dismiss research showing people can change.

New guidelines from the American Psychological Association (APA) attempt to outline therapy practices for counselors who have patients with same-sex attractions.

Dr. Joe Nicolosi, founder and director of the Thomas Aquinas Psychological Clinic, said the organization has overlooked years of clinical research that shows sexual orientation is changeable through therapy.

"The APA is really failing to not only represent science, which is its primary responsibility," he said, "but it's also failing to inform people."

The guidelines do allow for difference in religious beliefs, but Jeff Johnston, gender issues analyst for Focus on the Family, said they don't go far enough.  He said the APA is starting with the false assumption that homosexuality is normal and positive.

"There are a lot of people out there who haven't just changed their sexual identity or behavior, but their attractions have also changed," he explained.  "I'm one of those people."

The document also ignores many pathologies associated with homosexuality, which provide motivation for some to seek change.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Learn more about gender issues on the Issue Analysis homosexuality and gender page.

APA Releases Report on Sexuality Debate August 5, 2009 Orlando, FL- The American Psychological Association has released a new report today at its annual convention in Toronto acknowledging that an individual's faith is an important variable when it comes to dealing with conflicts between religious beliefs and same-sex attraction. Exodus International, the largest worldwide ministry to those in conflict with their sexuality and faith, says this report acknowledges religious diversity and hopes to see more efforts to ensure this in the future.  While Exodus does not fully agree with the APA's crticisms of clinical techniques such as reparative therapy and its view of sexual orientation change, the report does recognize that some choose to live their lives in congruence with religious values. The report also encourages therapists to avoid imposing a specific outcome on clients. The APA's report comes on the heels of a recent study conducted by the Barna Research Group that compared the religious views of heterosexuals and homosexuals. The study, showed that 60% of the adults surveyed who identified themselves as gay described their faith as "very important."  Alan Chambers, President of Exodus International, says that not only is faith is an essential part of life for many gay men and women, it is almost always the motivating factor behind their decision to leave it behind and that many in Exodus have experienced a shift in attractions along the way.  Chambers just released his second book, Leaving Homosexuality, which clarifies realistic expectations involved in this process. "The role of religion and the importance of faith cannot be understated when it comes to the ongoing dialogue over sexual and gender identity," said Chambers. "It is an essential element of many people's lives and creates great moral conflict and tension for those who struggle with unwanted same-sex attraction. We are grateful that the APA has acknowledged this and hope to see more done to ensure that religious diversity and personal autonomy are respected in the future." ### MORE information on Leaving Homosexuality VIEW the APA's report

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Hope and History

As a candidate Obama promised us a lot; as president he’s delivered very little -- and many gay people are getting impatient. Does the outcry unmask this president’s indifference, or reveal our own impotence as a movement?

By Michael Joseph Gross

From The Advocate  September 2009