Anthony Obi Ogbo
The Dr. Stella Immanuel Lunacy—Get this Brute Out the White Coat
Her diabolical demeanor over systematic knowledge, observable facts, and actions of fundamental laws are proof of professional incompetence.
Earlier this month, the Texas Medical Board took what it called “corrective action” against a notorious Houston physician, Dr. Stella Immanuel, who had stubbornly prescribed hydroxychloroquine to treat patients’ COVID-19 infection without adequately explaining the health consequences.
Immanuel, tagged the “demon sperm” doctor for ascribing gynecological issues to people “having sex in their dreams with demons and witches”, gained national attention in 2020 for pushing hydroxychloroquine as a “cure” for COVID-19. In numerous studies, however, COVID-19 patients experienced no meaningful benefit from this medication, with some studies indicating a greater risk of heart rhythm problems.
The medical board’s decision come across as a mild slap on the wrist, however, based on Immanuel’s destructive anti-COVID crusading and the amount of risk she currently poses to society. The board ordered Immanuel to submit proof of informed consent—permission given by a patient who understands the possible health outcomes—for all off-label treatments she provides. Furthermore, she must adopt policies that require all consent documents to be reviewed and signed by the patient for off-label treatment. She must also pay $500 to the medical board, which seems inconsequential.
In July 2020, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube removed a video that went viral featuring a group of doctors making reckless and dubious claims about the coronavirus. The individuals in the video presented themselves as a group wearing white laboratory coats and referred to themselves as “America’s Frontline Doctors”, and claimed to have staged a press conference in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, where they denounced the deadly impact of COVID-19. The video became a cornerstone of Donald Trump’s anti-COVID-19 campaign. He shared multiple versions of the video with his 84 million Twitter followers and publicized its content in his campaign speeches.
America’s Frontline Doctors is a notorious right-wing political organization affiliated with Tea Party Patriots co-founder, Jenny Beth Martin. From masks to lockdowns and vaccination, this group is opposed to measures intended to control the COVID-19 pandemic.
It appears, however, that Immanuel is the most notorious among these white-coated touts. She has taken her vicious crusade far beyond the front steps of the US Supreme Court and pushed it to a deadly level of falsehoods. She has created anti-science campaign literature and platforms that push inconceivable conspiracy theories that are antagonistic toward the discipline of medicine.
Roughly in July 2020, when Immanuel was on the rampage with her anti-COVID gospel, the US had recorded 1.87 million new casesf COVID-19, with total infections numbering 4.5 million, representing a 69% increase since the pandemic. During the same period, Texas recorded its third-largest increase of approximately 260,000. At the time of writing, the US has recorded 46,697,360 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 755,950 deaths due to the virus.
Nonetheless, a defiant Immanuel created controversial viral videos that claimed an anti-malarial drug, hydroxychloroquine, as a cure for COVID-19, even when such claims were widely disputed by most medical experts, the World Health Organization, and the US Food and Drug Administration. The most dangerous aspect of these false claims is that they went viral worldwide after President Trump and one of his sons shared Immanuel’s conspiracy videos. She created videos consistently and used several social media accounts and platforms to disseminate them. Some of these videos were cited and taken down by YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook for violating their misinformation policies; this did not, however, stop Immanuel. She forcefully criticized Facebook and Twitter after the social media platforms removed one of her controversial videos touting hydroxychloroquine, and declared on Twitter that “Jesus Christ would destroy Facebook’s servers if her videos weren’t restored to the platform.” In a recorded voice message, she stated, “Hello Facebook, put back my profile page and videos…or your computers [will] start crashing [until] you do,” in an overnight post. “You are not bigger than God. I promise you. If my page is not [put back up] Facebook will be down in Jesus [‘] name.” These comments were made by a supposed medical doctor, a pediatrician overseeing patients who were primarily children.
Immanuel insistently denounced the use of face masks, claiming that they were not necessary to stop the transmission of the highly contagious COVID-19. It is also surprising that Immanuel, who is both a pediatrician and a religious minister, had been allowed to get away with making bizarre claims about core medical matters. She has often claimed that gynecological problems like cysts and endometriosis are caused by people having sex in their dreams with “demons and witches”. She alleged that “alien DNA” was currently being used in medical treatments, and that scientists were creating a vaccine to prevent people from being religious. She also said that “the government” was run in part not by humans but by “reptilians” and other aliens.
What will it take to realize that this woman is mentally unstable and should not be allowed to practice medicine? What other evidence will be required to prove that her relentless anti-science, anti-medicine, and anti-COVID promotions exaggerated the surmounting skepticism that hampers America’s path to recovery from the pandemic? Indeed, Stella Immanuel violated the State’s administrative code concerning misleading and deceptive advertising. For example, she “disseminates false, deceptive, or misleading” materials; her claims are false, harmfully deceptive, and cannot be substantiated, and she consistently and falsely promoted hydroxychloroquine as a permanent cure for COVID-19.
The Texas Medical Board must review its decision about this “doctor” and remove her from healthcare before she causes more harm. Her diabolical demeanor about systematic knowledge, observable facts, and the actions of fundamental laws are proof of her professional incompetence. Scrutiny of Stella Immanuel should not be limited to the wrongful prescription/treatment of COVID-19 patients with hydroxychloroquine, but must also entail a thorough investigation of her efforts in spearheading a deceptive anti-COVID-19 campaign in the current pandemic context. The destructive impact of her anti-mask and anti-vaccine campaigns must be considered when deciding disciplinary measures against her.
♦ Anthony Ogbo, PhD, Adjunct Professor at the Texas Southern University is the author of the Influence of Leadership (2015) and the Maxims of Political Leadership (2019). Contact: anthony@guardiannews.us
“Initially brought in to facilitate a solution, Miles is now seen as the problem“ —Anthony Ogbo
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Since assuming the role of Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District in June of 2023, Mike Miles has consistently been making headlines, albeit for all the wrong reasons. Despite his responsibilities in organizing, leading, directing, policy-making, and execution, Miles has failed to pass every test required to excel in his position. Month after month, he finds himself under fire, with the latest allegations accusing him of misusing Texas public school funding. An investigation by Spectrum News revealed that Miles allegedly funneled public school funds from the state to a Colorado Charter School. This scandal comes at a time when the district is facing a projected $450 million budget shortfall, leading to proposed position cuts, including teacher layoffs and benefit reductions.
In response to the accusations, Superintendent Miles defended his actions, claiming that such financial arrangements are common between charter schools and their management organizations. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has initiated a review of the matter. Meanwhile, State Democrat Ana Hernandez has called for Miles to be removed from his position and for a thorough investigation to be conducted.
The challenges facing Miles go beyond the current scandal, as he struggles to lead the largest school district in Texas and the eighth-largest in the United States. Teachers are feeling distressed and uncertain about their roles, parents are worried about their children’s future, and students are losing interest in their education. The situation at HISD is dire, and it is clear that a change in leadership may be necessary to restore trust and stability within the district.
Just last week, displeasure among parents worsened as some pushed back against layoffs while others protested recent budget cuts. Despite the opposition, Superintendent Miles remained steadfast in his proposal to lay off employees, although he did not disclose the exact number of individuals who would be affected. The board had previously approved a comprehensive list of positions, spanning nearly 20 pages, that were at risk of layoffs, including teachers, principals, and custodians. HISD leaders emphasized that the teacher cuts were based on performance rather than budget constraints.
Miles acknowledged that he was unable to provide specific figures regarding the number of teachers or principals facing job loss, but assured that this information would be available in the coming weeks. Several teachers reportedly received notices to attend a Zoom call to discuss their future employment with the district, although the purpose of this call was not clear.
The contentious relationship between Miles and the HISD community seemingly began when he assumed his position. In July 2023, just a month after taking office, Miles disclosed during a virtual forum that the district’s central office was reducing its staffing levels by over 2,300 positions. This reduction included the elimination of 1,675 vacant positions and the layoff of 672 employees. Miles attributed this decision to the central office’s excessive growth over the past decade, despite a significant decrease in student enrollment by 27,000 students.
In August 2023, The Houston Federation of Teachers filed a lawsuit against Miles and the board, accusing them of violating Texas Education Code requirements in the development of teacher evaluations. The teacher’s union alleged that Miles had created an illegal evaluation system without input from teachers and other stakeholders. The lawsuit was later dropped after the board of managers decided to use the state’s appraisal system for teachers instead of Miles’ system.
One of the key issues with Miles is his failure to thoroughly analyze the HISD operational environment before proposing his solutions. This lack of understanding often results in his recommendations being disconnected from the reality of the situation. Without a comprehensive assessment of the unique challenges and intricacies within the district, his strategies failed to effectively address the underlying issues and even led to unintended consequences. Indeed, Miles did not take the time to gain a deep understanding of the complexities of HISD before implementing his changes.
In any school district, the primary stakeholders are the teachers, students, and parents. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that other stakeholders also play a vital role in the success of schools. These include administrators, support staff, community members, and local businesses. Each of these groups brings unique perspectives and resources to the table, all of which contribute to creating a positive learning environment for students. By fostering collaboration and valuing the input of all stakeholders, school districts can enhance their ability to meet the diverse needs of students and support them in achieving academic success. This approach stands in stark contrast to the leadership perspectives held by Miles, which do not prioritize such inclusive and cooperative practices.
Initially brought in to facilitate a solution, Miles is now seen as the problem. He was thought to be the key to resolving the issue at hand, given his expertise and experience, making him the obvious choice to lead the team. However, as time passed, it became evident that Miles was hindering progress rather than aiding it. His stubbornness, lack of communication, and unwillingness to consider alternative perspectives were causing tension within the group and impeding any real solutions from being reached. It was increasingly clear that Miles himself was the primary obstacle standing in the way of a resolution.
HISD would need to address this issue with TEA if they are ever going to move forward and achieve their goals. Removing Miles from his position would allow for a fresh start and a more collaborative approach to problem-solving, ultimately benefiting the students, teachers, and community as a whole. It is time for HISD to move forward without Miles at the helm.
♦Publisher of the Guardian News, Journalism and RTF Professor, Dr. Anthony Obi Ogbo, is on the Editorial Board of the West African Pilot News. He is the author of the Influence of Leadership (2015) and the Maxims of Political Leadership (2019). Contact: anthony@guardiannews.us
“In just two years, this court has rearranged America’s system and dragged it back to the 40s by systematically undoing major legislation..“ —Anthony Ogbo
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President Joe Biden has been very outspoken about his thoughts that the Supreme Court dominated by rightwing justices, cannot be relied upon to uphold the rule of law. In June 2022 for instance, after this Court overturned Roe v. Wade, he said, “Make no mistake: This decision is the culmination of a deliberate effort over decades to upset the balance of our law. It’s a realization of an extreme ideology and a tragic error by the Supreme Court, in my view.”
In a typical democratic process, the three arms of government play a crucial role in ensuring a balance of power and upholding the principles of justice, accountability, and transparency. These three branches – the executive, legislative, and judiciary – work together to ensure the smooth functioning of a democratic system.
However, the current political trends in the American system might suggest otherwise. SCOTUS, conservative to the bone marrow, appears to be the only overbearing arm in the system, indirectly changing the existing rules, and dictating or interpreting them to suit their radical interests.
The key recent rulings of this far-right Supreme Court have been trending. These rulings have a serious impact on various issues, ranging from civil rights to environmental regulations. Indeed, SCOTUS is overly focused on destructively conservative ideology and this has drastically affected the rights of marginalized communities, such as women, racial and ethnic minorities, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Recent rulings so far are posing serious consequences for the lives and well-being of millions of Americans and could undermine the progress that has been made toward a more equitable and just society.
In just two years, this court has rearranged America’s system and dragged it back to the 40s by systematically undoing major legislation. For instance, in June 2022, in a historic and far-reaching decision, this court officially reversed Roe v. Wade, declaring that the constitutional right to abortion, upheld for nearly a half-century, no longer exists.
Another surprising but historic decision came around June 2023 when this court effectively ended race-conscious admission programs at colleges and universities nationwide. In a decision divided along ideological lines, the six-justice conservative supermajority invalidated admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina. Now, most other colleges are following that precedent.
We can go all day recalling very daring policies bastardized by the conservative majority of this court. For instance, the striking down of President Biden’s groundbreaking plan to forgive some or all federal student loan debt for tens of millions of Americans; and a controversial ruling against the LGBTQ protections in favor of a Christian web designer in Colorado who refuses to create websites to celebrate same-sex weddings out of religious objections.
But their mission is not over. In just this week alone, this court agreed to hear an appeal brought by a man charged with offenses relating to the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol in a case that could have a major impact on the criminal prosecution of former President Donald Trump. That was not enough. It further handed the Texas Republicans a huge win when it ruled that the map in GOP-run Galveston County could be used, despite concerns that it was discriminatory against minority voters because it took away the only district dominated by Black and Latino voters.
The latest show of power by the Supreme Court has exposed the porosity of the democratic process. In addition, appointing politicians radicalized by dire social ideologies and party extremists to the Supreme Court raises questions about its objectivity and impartiality.
Here is a feasible remedy. While voters whine about immigration, abortion, gun control, etc., voters must take seriously the power of this court and its capacity to shape the future direction of the United States. Thus, curtailing their excesses requires a Democratic-led House and Senate to push through a more objective legislative agenda without objections. Giving the system another chance to induct more right extremists into this Court might be self-destructive.
♦Publisher of the Guardian News, Journalism and RTF Professor, Anthony Obi Ogbo, Ph.D. is on the Editorial Board of the West African Pilot News. He is the author of the Influence of Leadership (2015) and the Maxims of Political Leadership (2019). Contact: anthony@guardiannews.us
“He can equally argue that a presidential candidate in a forthcoming election must be exonerated from legal indictments to avoid “election interference” or “weaponization of the justice system” by the regime.“ —Anthony Ogbo
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In the realms of political governance, the power of setting precedence cannot be underestimated. When a precedent is created, it becomes a guiding principle or standard for future actions or decisions. It establishes a framework for how similar situations should be handled, and it holds individuals accountable for their actions. Whether in law, politics, or personal relationships, setting precedence can shape and influence future outcomes.
Since last year, the former president, Donald Trump has been at loggerheads with the law, playing hide-and-seek with the Justice Department over his surmounting legal predicament. The major contention was that a presidential candidate in a forthcoming election must be exonerated from legal indictments to avoid “election interference” or “weaponization of the justice system” by the regime.
Some media analysts and legal scholars with political interests have argued similarly, that the “candidate” Trump should be immune from charges over offenses he committed because he is a candidate.
A few days ago however, the Department of Justice filed new criminal charges against President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, accusing him of failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes while spending millions of dollars on a lavish lifestyle. He faces up to 17 years in prison if convicted. Hunter Biden’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, defended his client accusing U.S. Special Counsel David Weiss, who is leading the probe, of political bias.
Since this announcement, President Biden’s Republican critics and the right-wing media communities have been celebrating. They have a reason to. For instance, this derisive federal indictment has provided a boost to House Republicans for their impeachment inquiry against President Biden – yet there was no mention of Biden in the indictment. So far, their efforts to prove serious wrongdoing on Biden’s part have come up blank.
But there is another dimension to Hunter’s case. As we know, Trump accumulated his legal woes before he quickly declared to run for President on November 15, 2022. He made it clear that no verdict or sentence would halt his campaign and bragged that he would carry on running for president from behind bars if he had to. And that if elected, he would use the power of his office to either quash any ongoing prosecutions or pardon himself for any convictions.
He posted personally identifiable information about court officials, including a photo of a judge’s daughter; warned of “potential death and destruction” if he is charged; and vowed, “IF YOU GO AFTER ME, I’M COMING AFTER YOU.” Trump’s lawyers argue he is a political candidate exercising his First Amendment rights.
In Georgia, grand jurors’ names, addresses, and images were released online by Trump allies and a racist death threat against the judge presiding over the federal Jan. 6 case. The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law published a display of Trump’s troubling pattern of attacking judges and the courts for rulings he disagrees with. In addition, Rolling Stone (July 2022) reported how Trump told his team, he needed to be president again to save himself from criminal probes.
Trump has intentionally derailed proceedings by frivolously requesting delays and unwarranted extensions on pre-trial issues. These are just strategies to aimlessly continue dragging these cases with unjustified delays.
But his antics so far are paying off. Besides the delay tactics, Trump and his cronies believe that his cases would be strategically dragged to the extremely right-leaning Supreme Court, where the judges he appointed could be of great help.
There are also congressional efforts to save Trump from his dilemma. Recall that on March 30, a grand jury in Manhattan indicted him on 34 counts of falsification of business records. Shockingly, the response of congressional Republicans created an ugly pattern of defense for Trump. Before the indictment, Republican congressional committee chairs threatened to subpoena confidential records from the investigation and withhold federal funding in retaliation for any indictment.
These are all dangerous precedents that can stall the democratic process and destroy the scepter that guides the rule of law. In a democracy, setting a precedence may not be a written law, but remains a fundamental aspect of the legal system. In other words, when a court decides on a particular case; congress undertakes an unusual process, or the system condones a certain tradition, it becomes a binding precedent that must be followed in similar cases in the future. This ensures consistency and predictability in the system.
The danger of all these trends is that a line of legal patterns has already been created, and more are on the way. In the meantime, Hunter Biden could take advantage of these privileges by simply declaring to run for election as an independent. He could follow Trump’s playbook and equally enjoy the privileges already set in the political and legal system.
♦Publisher of the Guardian News, Journalism and RTF Professor, Anthony Obi Ogbo, Ph.D. is on the Editorial Board of the West African Pilot News. He is the author of the Influence of Leadership (2015) and the Maxims of Political Leadership (2019). Contact: anthony@guardiannews.us
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