In the last 20 years the population of Russia has FALLEN 3 percent.

The average number of children per family is currently 1.4, well below replacement rate.

The Russian government has enacted a scheme which pays mothers $10,000 approx for having more children – but with no effect.

It recently voted to ban abortions beyond 12 weeks into pregnancy – hoping to reverse the downhill trend.

But it hasn’t.

There are built-in loopholes.

For those in “economic hardship”, abortions will be allowed up to 22 weeks.

Some of the injustices of the past still persist. Consent of husband is not required.

For under-age girls, consent by parents is not required.

Doctors with conscientious objection to exterminating the unborn are not exempted.

The new legislation at least acknowledges that Russia is aborting itself out of existence — but the bullet hasn’t really been bitten.

They will need to pass further, more realistic, laws.

The other day, Stephen Conroy, Australia’s Communications Minister, got a few headlines for using offensive language on television.

18 months ago, he was in the headlines for a different reason – being named “Internet Villain of the Year” by Britain’s internet industry, when he announced the government’s intention to force Internet Service Providers to block websites carrying offensive material.

Mr Conroy, by his lapse the other day, let himself down a bit.

To quote Mexican bishop, Felipe Arizmendi, “If on television and the internet and so many media outlets there is pornography, it is very difficult to stay pure and chaste.”

Only belief in God offers sufficient motive to raise us above our worst instincts. It’s a matter of self-control.

If the government can reduce the availability of impure material on screen, it will assist us as individuals, and help make a better society.

Mr Abbott says he will bind all Coalition MPs to vote against legal recognition of “same-sex-marriage”:

“Every single member of the Coalition went to last election saying that marriage is between one man and one woman . . . every single member”.

He insists that “we can’t be a party that says one thing before an election and does differently after.”

He is right. We already have a party which does that. We don’t need another.

* * *

Some people might argue that all politicians of every party lie and break promises.

Well it isn’t one of the Laws of Thermodynamics.

Could things change?

Could Mr Abbott reach next election able to say truthfully that his party has remained true to its stated policies?

If so, he’ll have very big win.

* * *

In our culture it is well understood when lies are justified and when they are not.

Lying to the Gestapo about a Jewish friend hiding in your attic is NOT a serious sin. The Gestapo have no right to that information and are likely to use it for evil ends.

But to lie to the voting public . . . that is a serious sin.

Voters have the right to know the true intentions of political candidates. There’s no excuse for lying about a straightforward matter like marriage policy.

In this area, Mr Abbott has got it right.

The ALP has got it wrong.

Labor MPs will have a “conscience vote” re same-sex marriage.

Malcolm Turnbull wants a conscience vote for Liberal MPs as well.

But if MPs really used their conscience on this issue, wouldn’t the vote be 100 percent against and zero for?

A vote should be unnecessary.

* * *

Any party containing members willing to vote for such an extreme nonsense as same-sex marriage is a good party not to have running your country.

Perhaps better not to have any party running the country.

Ideally it doesn’t matter what party is the nominal government — so long as we don’t let them govern us.

In a decent country, the Church would be the de facto government.

* * *

If the government passes bad laws, the Church should explain why they are wrong — and the people should simply disobey.

Such a situation needs to happen.

But first the Church must pull up its socks.

If you are a Catholic who has quit over the child-abuse issue, or some other reason — please get back into gear.

The Church has a job to do.

You can help make it happen.

Pro-homosexual activis-journaliststs are now claiming that same sex marriage is ALREADY a human right.

Why?

Because the United Nations says so – in its 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

OK.

* * *

Let’s not forget that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) asserts that states which have signed (e.g. Australia) “recognize that every child has the inherent right to life. . . ”

And “shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child.”

It stipulates also that “the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth”.

* * *

So will Australia’s secular media now campaign to spread the word that abortion (killing the child before birth) is illegal – because the United Nations says so?

Perhaps not.

Perhaps we only quote the UN when what they say happens to suit current fashionable thought.

Fashion clothing company, Cotton On, is being sued by Australia’s competition watchdog, the ACCC.

Cotton On recalled a range of sleepwear in November 2010 after the ACCC discovered the products weren’t up to fire safety standards — despite carrying a “low fire danger” label.

Cotton On continued selling the pyjamas into 2011, according to an ACCC statement lodged in the Federal Court.

* * *

Last year, Cotton On was marketing hip flasks to under-drinking-age teens.

Making the makings of an alcohol binge into a fashion accessory . . . .

Suitable for concealing in one’s jacket pocket or inside one’s shirt . . . .

In fashion colours — hot pink snakeskin, blue or pink floral, graffiti and denim . . . .

Professor of Health Psychology, Dr John Toumbourou, condemned this venture, wanting the flasks withdrawn from sale, being “contrary to public health interests”.

Cotton On did eventually start labelling the flasks as not for sale to people under 18.

* * *

Cotton On seems willing to sell ANYTHING that will make a dollar.

No good waiting for their consciences to make them do the right thing.

It would be nice if the younger set decided to boycott Cotton On and put them out of business.