Senate Democrats went nuclear Monday morning in an effort to prevent Republicans from enacting a permanent extension of President Donald Trump’s 2017 tax cuts. Senate Democrats moved to overrule the presiding chair’s ruling that Senate Republicans can use a contentious accounting tactic to score a permanent tax cut extension as deficit-neutral and thus not add […]

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it is charging hundreds of individuals in the largest national healthcare fraud case in history during a press conference on Monday. The DOJ criminally charged 324 individuals, including 96 healthcare professionals, for their alleged activity in $14.6 billion in Medicare and Medicaid fraud as a part of its […]

Column Babylon 5 Rewatch Babylon 5 Rewatch: “Interludes and Examinations” Sheridan’s first victory against the Shadows comes at a price… By Keith R.A. DeCandido | Published on June 30, 2025 Credit: Warner Bros. Television Comment 0 Share New Share Credit: Warner Bros. Television “Interludes and Examinations”Written by J. Michael StraczynskiDirected by Jesus TreviñoSeason 3, Episode 15Production episode 315Original air date: May 6, 1996 It was the dawn of the third age… We get voiceover narration from Ivanova bringing us up to speed: the Shadows are now fighting overtly, attacking worlds on the rim; they’ve hired more security, but without Earth’s resources, it’s harder to vet them (to prove that point, we see one security guard sneaking Morden onto the station in exchange for gemstones; said guard winds up dead shortly thereafter); the senior staff is handling things well, at least (to prove her wrong, we see Franklin taking stims); there’s been no sign of Kosh (which worries Ivanova greatly); and Mollari is still Mollari. We see Mollari being fitted for a new suit and informing Vir that he wants to rent the largest suite on the station: Adira is returning! Mollari is happy for the first time in forever because the woman he loves is coming back to him as promised. Sheridan meets with representatives of the Brakiri—who have been badly damaged by the Shadows—and the Gaim—who haven’t. Sheridan can’t promise protection from Earth, as B5 has broken away. The Gaim refuse to provide assistance to the Brakiri because the Shadows have ignored them until now and they have no wish to draw attention to themselves. However, the Gaim might change their mind if they know that the Army of Light has a chance against the Shadows. Later, Sheridan is brooding in the war room, telling Delenn that they need some kind of serious victory against the Shadows to prove that there’s at least a chance of victory. Without that, everyone’s going to be like the Brakiri (victims) or the Gaim (staying the hell out of it until the Shadows inevitably target them). Delenn says that in that case, they need a victory, and she’s sure he’ll think of something. After she leaves him to it, Sheridan grumbles that everyone’s starting to sound like Kosh, which then prompts an idea… Credit: Warner Bros. Television There’s chaos in medlab, as Franklin and Dr. Lillian Hobbs disagree on a diagnosis. Franklin gives the wrong instructions to the medtechs working on an alien, nearly killing the patient, then snaps at Garibaldi, who brings in one of his people to be worked on. Franklin explodes in near-hysterical anger. Morden confronts Mollari regarding the fact that Refa isn’t returning his calls. Mollari accepts credit for convincing Refa to do so. Morden reminds the ambassador that they carved up the galaxy together, but Mollari doesn’t see that it’s any of Morden’s concern how the Centauri handle their portion, and Mollari would prefer not to overtax their military on multi-front wars. Morden’s counter that they need those multi-front wars fall on uninterested ears, as do Morden’s threats, as Mollari doesn’t see that there’s anything Morden can threaten him with at this point. After the ambassador leaves in a huff, Morden tells the Shadows that they shouldn’t kill him yet, they can still use him. Garibaldi confronts Franklin in his quarters, expressing concern that he’s overextended himself and that maybe he’s back on stims. Franklin tells him to fuck off, and Garibaldi reminds him that he went to him as a friend first. Garibaldi’s next stop is the Zocalo to talk to Hobbs. He wants access to the regular blood tests that all medical personnel undergo regularly due to constant exposure to alien biologies. Hobbs refuses on privacy grounds. Garibaldi points out that he can do it through channels as security chief, but that brings a lot more people in on it, and he wants to spare Franklin that. Hobbs does at least tell him where in the system the blood tests can be found. Unbeknownst to either, Franklin sees the two of them talking. Vir is going over all the stuff that’s to go in Adira’s suite. After taking his leave, he bumps into Morden. After Vir tells him to screw off and die, Morden goes back to the merchant and pretends to be a friend of Vir’s in order to find out what Vir and the merchant were talking about. Garibaldi goes to medlab and starts the process of retrieving Franklin’s blood samples, but then decides against it at the last minute. Franklin walks in, surprised that Garibaldi chickened out. However, Franklin did his own blood test, to prove Garibaldi wrong. Except he didn’t—the levels of stims in his blood is way too high, past the addictive stage. Garibaldi leaves it to Franklin to decide what to do next. Credit: Warner Bros. Television Sheridan asks Kosh for help. If the Vorlons can just make one big strike against the Shadows, show that there’s a chance, it’ll help. Kosh refuses, as the Vorlons are too few in number, at which point Sheridan loses it. Kosh has been great at manipulating things and staying behind the scenes, but now the Shadows are destroying entire worlds, plus Sheridan’s own government is out to kill him. He’s got nothing to lose, and no way to fight this war without Kosh’s more overt help. Kosh gets sufficiently angry, calling Sheridan “impudent,” and telekinetically knocking him around. But eventually he accedes, with the caution that he will not be with Sheridan when he goes to Z’ha’dum. Sheridan already has been told that if he goes to Z’ha’dum, he’ll die, and if that’s the price he has to pay, so be it. Another Shadow attack in Brakiri space is thwarted by a Vorlon fleet that wipes them out. Mollari and Vir wait for Adira to disembark, but the final passenger comes out saying there’s no one behind him. (That same passenger meets with Morden and is given a bag of gems.) Then Hobbs wheels out a corpse, which turns out to be Adira. There’s no sign of trauma on the body, and Mollari—remembering his poisoning of Refa—tells her to search for poison in the autopsy. Ivanova informs Sheridan that the various worlds in the League of Non-Aligned Worlds are backing him now. Sheridan wants to thank Kosh in person, but it’s two a.m., and he gets some sleep, planning to thank Kosh in the morning. Morden breaks into Kosh’s quarters and watches as the Shadows tear Kosh apart. Meantime, Sheridan has a very vivid dream of his father, but it soon becomes obvious that this is Kosh communicating with him. He apologizes for getting angry, but he knew what the inevitable result of this attack would be, and he didn’t want to face it. He agrees that it’s time for Sheridan to fight the war his way. Kosh/David’s final words to him: “As long as you’re here, I’ll always be here.” Thus Kosh ends his life the way he lived it: cryptically. Credit: Warner Bros. Television Garibaldi reports that Kosh’s quarters look like it’s been through a war. But there’s no sign of a body, just a very badly damaged encounter suit. Delenn says there won’t be a body. The Vorlons do not wish to reveal Kosh’s death publicly; they will send another ambassador, who will pretend to be Kosh. Delenn requests that Kosh’s encounter suit and belongings be placed on his ship, which is alive and bonded to Kosh, so it too must die. It flies into the sun. Franklin resigns his position as chief of staff of medlab. He needs to get his shit together. Sheridan is stunned, but accepts the resignation. Mollari meets with Morden. He wishes to renew his association with Morden. The rest of the galaxy can burn for all he cares. But he wants his revenge on Refa for killing the only thing he loved. Morden says he is the ambassador’s humble servant. Get the hell out of our galaxy! Sheridan confronts Kosh once and for all, speaking one of his iconic lines (quoted at the top of the review segment). Ivanova is God. Ivanova provides exposition, and probably saves Sheridan’s life by telling him to wait until morning to talk to Kosh, since if he’d gone before going to bed, he probably would’ve been there when Morden and the Shadows showed up and been collateral damage. The household god of frustration. Garibaldi does everything he can to get Franklin to confront his stim addiction without actually doing any paperwork on it. Luckily, Franklin realizes that he’s an addict before Garibaldi gets to the point where he has to make it an official report. If you value your lives, be somewhere else. Delenn plays the role of helpmeet to Sheridan, encouraging him and supporting him while he tries to figure out how the hell to fight this war… In the glorious days of the Centauri Republic… Mollari’s threat to Refa apparently worked. Luckily for Morden, he had a way to get Mollari back into the Shadows’ thrall…. Credit: Warner Bros. Television The Shadowy Vorlons. We get our first Vorlon-Shadow confrontation, as the Vorlons make short work of the Shadows invading Brakiri space. Looking ahead. Kosh says that he won’t be with Sheridan when he goes to Z’ha’dum. This will turn out to not entirely be the case… No sex, please, we’re EarthForce. It’s obvious that Mollari plans a great deal of debauchery with Adira, as most of what he requests for her suite consists of booze and lingerie. Welcome aboard. Jennifer Balgobin debuts the recurring role of Hobbs; she’ll be back in “Walkabout.” Rance Howard officially becomes recurring, returning as the image of David Sheridan from “Severed Dreams” (though, truly, he’s playing Kosh cosplaying as Sheridan’s Dad); he’ll return as the real David in “Rising Star.” Meanwhile, we have other recurring regulars Ed Wasser as Morden, back from “Ceremonies of Light and Dark,” to return in “Z’ha’dum”; and Ardwight Chamberlain as the voice of Kosh, back from “Dust to Dust.” He’ll return as the voice of another Vorlon, Ulkesh, in the very next episode, “War Without End, Part I,” and return as Kosh in “Walkabout.” Trivial matters. Kosh is killed in this episode, though “Walkabout” will establish that he’s only mostly dead, not all dead. Franklin resigns his position, and will remain a civilian doctor until he’s reinstated in “Shadow Dancing.” Mollari blackmailed Refa via poison to cut off communication with Morden and the Shadows in “Ceremonies of Light and Dark,” as we see in flashbacks to that episode. The Gaim, whose encounter suit design is similar to the helmet worn by Dream of the Endless in The Sandman comic book, are named after that comic’s writer, Neil Gaiman. Gaiman will later write an episode of the show in season five, “Day of the Dead.” (One suspects that J. Michael Straczynski regrets that particular bit of nomenclature these days…) While Adria plays a large role in the episode, Fabiana Udenio only appears in flashbacks to “Born to the Purple.” The actor will return in the aforementioned “Day of the Dead.” The echoes of all of our conversations. “I’m sorry, I can’t talk—I have things to do.” “Well, apparently so. Anything I can do to help?” “Short of dying? No, I can’t think of a thing.” —Vir and Morden bantering. Credit: Warner Bros. Television The name of the place is Babylon 5. “Unless your people get off their encounter-suited butts and do something, I’ve got nothing to lose!” Something that bothered me about this episode when I first watched it in 1996 and which bothered me even more in 2025: why does Mollari go to Morden in the end? Yes, Refa is definitely a suspect in Adira’s murder, but he’s hardly the only one. What about Morden himself? Mollari knows as well as anyone how devious Morden is and how powerful the Shadows are and how much Morden wants Mollari back in his thrall. Yes, Refa has a powerful motive and the means, but so does Morden. The fact that Mollari never even suspects Morden of committing this crime doesn’t make any kind of sense, and it makes even less sense because the viewer is shown quite clearly that Morden is the one who had Adira killed. It’d be different if Morden did something—anything—to more aggressively frame Refa. The use of poison by itself isn’t enough. And it’s too bad, because in the grand scheme of things, this is an important moment for Mollari. He’s lost the only thing that brings him joy, which makes him far more dangerous. And I love the way Morden is written in his interactions with Mollari, in particular how he addresses him. When he confronts him in the corridor about Refa’s sudden silence, he calls him “Mollari” with the same dismissive tone that G’Kar uses. When Morden “learns” of Adira’s death, he refers to him as “Londo,” acting the sympathetic friend. And once Mollari reengages in his deal with the devil, Morden respectfully refers to him as “Ambassador,” pretending to be his humble servant when he is, in fact, neither. It’s also an important moment for Franklin and for Sheridan. The former finally confronts his addiction, which he’ll continue to deal with going forward. And Sheridan finally gets to put his coalition together, using the Vorlons to carry a big stick. For all that the yell-at-the-person-until-they-beat-you-up-and-then-do-what-you-wanted-in-the-first-place scene is a tired cliché, it’s sold by Bruce Boxleitner’s desperation and Ardwight Chamberlain’s ability to put a great deal of feeling into just a few words. (Just saying, “Impudent,” at Sheridan is pretty devastating.) Franklin’s storyline is less compelling, partly because Franklin himself is just not a very good or nice character, and partly, with all due respect to the memory of Richard Biggs (who was an absolute sweetheart in real life), because the character isn’t very well acted. His breakdown in medlab is incredibly mannered and not very convincing, ditto his screaming at Garibaldi in his quarters. To his credit, he does sell the character’s quiet self-revelation to Garibaldi and his resignation speech to Sheridan. Next week: “War Without End, Part I.”[end-mark] The post <i>Babylon 5</i> Rewatch: “Interludes and Examinations” appeared first on Reactor.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Richard Cooke, the former chair of the UK’s West Midlands Police Federation, is preparing a legal challenge after being removed from office over comments he made defending his police force. Backed by the Free Speech Union, Cooke argues that his removal was an attack on his right to represent the views of officers. The dispute began when Cooke responded on X to a Channel 4 News report that described racism and misogyny as widespread within West Midlands Police. Cooke wrote: “I don’t recognize these attitudes. They do not represent us – we are an anti-racist organization.” In a separate post, he said: “Nonsense – and so was the report but these reporters rarely bother checking their sources.” Following these posts, the Police Federation of England and Wales suspended Cooke. The Federation barred him from seeking re-election for three years. According to the Federation, his comments risked alienating members who had experienced discrimination. A spokesperson said: “Richard Cooke was removed from his role as Chair of the West Midlands Federation branch following an extensive process, which included an appeal. He was investigated following complaints from members about comments on social media which were judged by a panel of his peers to have been in breach of the Federation’s standards.” The complaints came from two officers who appeared in the Channel 4 show. Cooke’s appeal was rejected after a hearing that he was not permitted to attend. His exclusion from the ballot led to a change in the Federation’s leadership. Cooke had been elected chair three times since 2018. He describes his removal as a political decision intended to silence him. Speaking to the Telegraph, he said: “I have been removed from office for speaking out in defense of my members and for reflecting their views, which is what I was elected to do. The media report wrongly suggested that racism and misogyny were widespread in West Midlands Police. I challenged that because I do not recognise that and it is unfair to the vast majority of my colleagues. I did not suggest that racism and misogyny do not exist within the force but to shut me down for stating my views is deeply sinister. This is a witch hunt.” Cooke now seeks to take legal action and is working alongside Rick Prior, the former chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation, who also faced disciplinary action under similar circumstances. The Free Speech Union commented: “Twenty-five years ago, a Police Federation Chair would have been suspended for disparaging his fellow officers. Today, you get suspended for defending them.” The Federation maintains that its procedures were followed in line with statutory rules. Cooke remains a serving officer with West Midlands Police. The case is likely to test how far elected representatives of public bodies can go in expressing their views without facing disciplinary consequences. If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. The post Silenced for Defending Colleagues: The Police Free Speech Fight Heating Up in the UK appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. A German woman is at the center of the latest controversy over the country’s tightening grip on online speech, as prosecutors seek to fine her €1,800 ($2,110) for reacting with emojis to a social media post. The case highlights how even the most minimal forms of digital expression are now being scrutinized under Germany’s expansive interpretation of criminal law. The 64-year-old from Lohfelden, Hesse, found herself under investigation after responding with three thumbs-up emojis beneath a post on X. The original post reported on a 15-year-old Swedish girl who had killed the migrant man who raped her, and included the comment, “Does he now have 77 virgins?” According to the Kassel public prosecutor’s office, the woman’s emoji reaction amounted to endorsing the killing and expressing satisfaction that it had targeted a migrant. Months after her October 26 interaction, she received a formal penalty notice, ordering her to pay 60 daily rates of €30 each. The fine, totaling €1,800, was confirmed by the prosecution when contacted by Apollo News. The penalty order, parts of which the woman has shared publicly, alleges: “You agreed with this post as a user (…) by clicking ‘thumbs up’ three times. You were aware that in this way you publicly approved of an intentional killing by way of unauthorized vigilantism, and you were particularly pleased that this vigilantism was perpetrated against a migrant.” Authorities also claim she adopted the “77 virgins” remark to ridicule the dead rapist. This interpretation of her emoji use, entirely shaped by the prosecutor’s reading of intent, reflects a growing trend of criminalizing expressions of opinion online. The woman retains the right to appeal, and if she does, the case will proceed to a full trial. Germany’s crackdown on digital speech has seen several such incidents in recent years. Authorities have increasingly targeted individuals for online posts deemed offensive, including under Section 188 of the Criminal Code, which prohibits insults against politicians. One notable case involved a police search of a retiree’s home after he shared a meme labeling Economy Minister Robert Habeck a “Schwachkopf.” What began as an online reaction to a controversial news item has now escalated into a legal battle, illustrating the extent to which German authorities are willing to police speech; even down to the level of emojis. If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. The post Thumbs Up Lands Woman in Hot Water as Germany Cracks Down on Emoji Speech appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

When they heard about a "grandma" cat at the shelter, they jumped into action, giving her what she'd always wanted. Grandma BettyThrifted Kittens Animal RescueAbout two months ago, a frail senior cat covered in matted fur was found as a stray and brought to the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission.She was in poor shape, weighing a mere 3.2 pounds and severely dehydrated. Even though she could barely hold her head up, her spirit was unbreakable. The staff worried she might not make it, but she was determined to live."She surprised everyone when she started to get better," Thrifted Kittens Animal Rescue shared. Thrifted Kittens Animal RescueWhile she stayed at the shelter, she devoured every morsel put in front of her, and to everyone's delight, she gained half a pound in just five days. "She even started soliciting attention from the staff."Estimated to be 15-17 years old, the cat showed she still had plenty of life left in her. Thrifted Kittens Animal RescueWhen Thrifted Kittens Animal Rescue was asked to help the cat live out her best golden years, the team didn't hesitate to say yes. They welcomed her in and lovingly named her Betty after Betty White. "We just took in our oldest cat to date."They arranged a thorough check-up for Betty along with a well-deserved spa day to help her feel her best. Thrifted Kittens Animal RescueIt was astonishing that Betty had been living with a thick layer of matted fur that reached all the way down to her skin. A dedicated volunteer spent over an hour carefully shaving away years of tangles and grime, leaving her feeling fresh and free."Grandma Betty got a new hairdo. Though she wasn't a huge fan of the trim, we can tell that she feels so much better and is even starting to groom herself." Thrifted Kittens Animal RescueBetty impressed everyone with her resilience and infectious spirit. With her hearty appetite, she continued gaining weight and strength, channeling all that new energy into showering her people with affection."She is the biggest love we've ever met. All she wants is to snuggle 24/7." Thrifted Kittens Animal RescueWithin four weeks, she reached the five-pound mark, a huge milestone that everyone at the rescue celebrated. "This may not sound like a lot, but she arrived at Animal Control weighing in at a whopping 3.2 pounds."Despite her dental troubles, Betty tackled every meal like she was on a mission. "We found out that she loves what we're calling 'porridge,' blended kitten wet food and formula. She laps it up like no one's business." Thrifted Kittens Animal RescueFinally, Betty was strong and healthy enough to receive the long-overdue dental care. "We are so proud of this girl for working so hard to get better. Despite her age, she still jumps on counters, loves to snuggle, and is the purriest girl you'll meet."Like a seasoned warrior, Betty powered through her dental procedure with grace and strength. Thrifted Kittens Animal RescueNow that she can eat without discomfort, she's scarfing down her meals and packing on weight. Nearly two months after her rescue, Betty has finally found what she's been waiting for."We couldn't be more excited to share that Betty is officially in a foster-to-adopt home." Happy and lovedThrifted Kittens Animal RescueHer new mom, Kat, has set up a comfortable space with everything Betty wants—cat trees, cozy blankets, cat stairs, and an assortment of toys. She will be joined by Kevin, another senior cat who can't wait to be her best friend.Share this story with your friends. More on Thrifted Kittens Animal Rescue on Instagram and Facebook.Related story: Cat Leads Kind Person to a Tub of Kittens She's Looked After, She's So Happy to Finally Have Help

Boom: DoJ Formally Finds Harvard Violated Civil-Rights Laws

As a vote on rescissions (clawing back already approved funding) in the Senate looms that may decide the fate of federal funding for PBS and NPR, the public-media lobby has depended heavily on pushing Alaska as their first talking point. So of course, PBS's Firing Line invited a timely guest onto Friday’s show: liberal Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, a self-described “unabashed supporter of public broadcasting in my state” and author of a new autobiography Far From Home: An Alaskan Senator Faces the Extreme Climate of Washington, D.C.  PBS host Margaret Hoover commiserated with Murkowski about the need for continued funding of PBS (on PBS!) especially for Alaska, which has received more than its share of attention in the media debate over PBS as a vast, rural, rugged state in particular need of emergency warnings that apparently only public broadcasting can provide. Hoover: As a Republican on PBS to a Republican senator who supports PBS, I want to ask you about this rescission package that has been sent up to the Hill. This, of course, is a bill that would, if passed, take back over $9 billion, about one billion approximately, which has been allocated, already allocated to public broadcasting. I find that when I talk to people about PBS, many don't realize that of those federal dollars, about 70% go to local stations, including rural stations like in your state, to pay for emergency broadcasting and childhood education. Especially important in a state like Alaska where 60% of three- and four-year-olds don't go to preschool, and that early childhood education comes from public broadcasting. Do you find that other Republicans are sympathetic to this message or even understand it? How insulting. The first thing Republicans understand is that Hoover's husband John Avlon just ran (and lost) as a Democrat candidate for Congress in New York. Hoover is pretending that PBS isn't funding vicious anti-Republican news and documentaries. No, it's all Sesame Street and emergency alerts -- that's the propaganda push.  Murkowski broke out their local needs: "Down in Bethel that broadcast out to 50 some odd, little river villages every morning at 8:40 during the spring, they give the ice breakup forecast so that people know where the ice may be breaking up and how it's going to push down the river and whether or not it's going to flood my community. These are things that, for Alaskans, are not nice-to-haves, but really vital to have." So nobody said the state of Alaska can't fund it. Why does the whole country need to fund it? Hoover held out hope that the 45-day deadline for President Trump's rescission request would elapse:  Hoover: The rescission package has a deadline in terms of when it has to be voted on. Murkowski: Right, right. Hoover: But there's a lot of other business before the Senate by then. Is it possible that the Senate will run out of time before it can consider it? Murkowski: Yes. Hoover: Is it likely? Murkowski: It is possible that we could run out of time. Hoover: Does that create some hope or some- - Murkowski: I think it- - Hoover: --some hope for those who support public media? Murkowski: I think it does, I think it does. And I am encouraging people to, again, weigh in, let us know. I'm coming at it from not only a supporter of public broadcasting, but from the more institutional perspective…. Hoover: Is this a place where Congress could really assert their authority, their constitutional authority against an encroaching power executive branch?  Murkowski: I think they should. And I think we have in the past.  Hoover of course has a clear personal interest when it comes to taxpayer support for funding PBS. Is this PBS’s idea of fair and balanced? When do the conservatives advocating for defunding get equal time? Let's guess never. They tout Hoover as hosting "a smart, civil, and engaging contest of ideas," but there can't be a contest when PBS has money on the line. 

If you love delicious treats like sausage balls, you will want to try this version too! ❤️WHY WE LOVE THIS RECIPE We love appetizers and snack ideas, and these definitely hit the spot. Made with pork sausage, which is one of our favorite foods, then you add in some hashbrowns, cream cheese, and a little...

A Catholic priest in England reportedly warned a Liberal Democrat member of parliament in his parish that he would be refused communion should he vote in favor of the United Kingdom's controversial assisted suicide bill.Despite this warning, Chris Coghlan voted in favor of the bill on June 20 and claimed he did so in accordance with his "conscience."While Coghlan underscored in a Saturday op-ed that his faith is irrelevant to his parliamentary responsibilities, Father Ian Vane of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Dorking, England, indicated that the liberal's political decisions were very much relevant to whether he could receive the Eucharist.'Intentional euthanasia, whatever its forms or motives, is murder.'After learning that he would be denied communion — evidently not in person, as the Observer indicated the lawmaker didn't even show up to the relevant masses — Coghlan had an ugly meltdown online, calling the priest's actions "outrageous"; accusing Fr. Vane of "completely inappropriate interference in democracy"; filing a complaint with Bishop Richard Moth, the bishop of Arundel and Brighton, who publicly campaigned against the bill; and suggesting lawmakers' faith should be publicly considered when they vote on matters of possible relevance."I was deeply disturbed to receive an email from my local priest four days before the vote on Kim Leadbeater's assisted dying bill saying if I voted in favour I would be 'an obstinate public sinner,'" Coghlan noted in his op-ed. "Worse, I would be complicit in a 'murderous act, which must always be forbidden and excluded.' Such a vote would, he wrote, be 'a clear contravention of the Church’s teaching, which would leave me in the position of not being able to give you holy communion, as to do so would cause scandal in the Church.'"Coghlan suggested that the priest was in the wrong and had wrongly characterized so-called "assisted dying" as a "murderous act."While the leftist lawmaker indicated his faith was "profoundly important" to him, he appears to have greatly misunderstood or altogether missed the church's unwavering moral stances on euthanasia and suicide.The Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly states that "intentional euthanasia, whatever its forms or motives, is murder. It is gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator."The Catechism also states that "suicide is seriously contrary to justice, hope, and charity" and is "forbidden by the fifth commandment."RELATED: Martyrs don’t bend the knee — even to the state Carl Court/Getty ImagesCanon 915 in the Code of Canon Law forbids the administration of communion to those who obstinately persevere "in manifest grave sin."One year prior to becoming pope in 2005, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger signed a memorandum on the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith clarifying that:Regarding the grave sin of abortion or euthanasia, when a person’s formal cooperation becomes manifest (understood, in the case of a Catholic politician, as his consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws), his Pastor should meet with him, instructing him about the Church’s teaching, informing him that he is not to present himself for Holy Communion until he brings to an end the objective situation of sin, and warning him that he will otherwise be denied the Eucharist.In other words, Fr. Vane did exactly as expected by the church and echoed the Catholic Church's longstanding moral teaching when warning then admonishing Coghlan.In advance of the parliamentary vote on the legislation, Bishop Moth, the recipient of Coghlan's complaint, encouraged Catholics in his diocese to "pray earnestly that the dignity of human life is respected from the moment of conception to natural death" and to urge their members of parliament to vote against the bill."While the proposed legislation may offer assurances of safeguards, the evidence is clear that, in those countries such as Canada and Belgium (to take just two examples) where legislation approving 'assisted dying' is in place, it takes little time before the criteria for 'assisted dying' expand, often including those living with mental illness and others who do not have a terminal diagnosis," wrote Moth.Despite being framed as a "stringently limited, carefully monitored system of exceptions" around the time of its legalization in 2016, state-facilitated suicide is now a leading cause of death in Canada, accounting for 4.7% of all Canadian deaths last year.As Moth indicated, so-called medical assistance in dying in Canada is not just killing moribund people, but individuals who could otherwise live for years or decades, as well as victims whose primary symptom is suicidal ideation.After parliament voted 314 to 291 in favor of changing British law to legalize assisted suicide earlier this month, Catholic Archbishop John Sherrington, lead bishop for life issues for the Catholic Bishop's Conference, reiterated the church's opposition to the legalization of assisted suicide, noting, "We are shocked and disappointed that MPs have voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. This Bill is flawed in principle with several provisions that give us great cause for concern."Coghlan claimed that after the vote, his priest "publicly announced at mass that he was indeed denying me holy communion as I had breached canon law."'There is no in-between. Choose.'The leftist politician continued complaining on X, writing, "It is a matter of grave public interest the extent to which religious MPs came under pressure to represent their religion and not necessarily their constituents in the assisted dying vote.""This was utterly disrespectful to my family, my constituents including the congregation, and the democratic process. My private religion will continue to have zero direct relevance to my work as an MP representing all my constituents without fear or favour," added Coghlan.Blaze News reached out to Fr. Vane for comment but did not immediately receive a response.In addition to stressing that religion should effectively be neutralized in public so that Britain could "be a secular country" — par for the course in a nation where silent prayer can already result in a criminal record — Coghlan suggested that lawmakers' faith should be publicized and taken into account when relevant to parliamentary votes.RELATED: Delaware assisted-suicide law promotes 'death culture,' attacks life's sanctity and medical ethics Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images"Constituents’ [sic] absolutely should know if an MP is of faith on a conscience vote and is obliged by their faith to vote a certain way and/or is under pressure from religious authorities from their faith to do so. It is potentially a clear conflict of interest with putting their constituents first," wrote Coghlan.The Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton told the Observer in a statement, "Bishop Richard spoke to Mr. Coghlan earlier this week and has offered to meet him in person to discuss the issues and concerns raised."While the leftist lawmaker received an outpouring of support online from secularists, he was also met with biting criticism from orthodox Christians.Dr. Chad Pecknold, associated professor of systematic theology at the Catholic University of America, noted, "Mr. Coghlan, I've taught Christianity and Politics for many years. What you express is not a Catholic but a Liberal view that your faith should be something private. Western civilization was built upon the very public nature of Christianity. Your faith is either Liberal, and you have owned it, or your Faith is Catholic, and you have denied it. There is no in-between. Choose.""Good work by this priest," wrote Fr. Matthew Schneider, a priest with the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi. "If you are not a devout member of a Church, it should not matter if you receive Communion. If you are a devout member, your faith should penetrate your life enough to vote in accord with common good, & not for murdering the sick & disabled."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!