wnd--2020-11-17--Schools should teach this about race, racism and slavery

Regarding race and much else , America 's students are not taught history .
In fact , they are not taught ; they are indoctrinated .
With anti-Americanism .
The purpose of all teaching about race in American schools is to engender contempt for America .
They are , therefore , `` taught '' the lies of The New York Times ' `` 1619 Project '' – that the United States was founded to preserve and protect slavery – and of such works as Robin DiAngelo 's `` White Fragility . ''
So , then , what should American schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of course , teach students about slavery and racism .
But , if truth and moral clarity are to matter , students must also learn that slavery was universal .
They would therefore learn about Muslim-Arab slavery , slavery among Africans , slavery among Native Americans and Native South Americans , and slavery in Asia and India .
TRENDING : President Trump drops In on 'Million MAGA March ' in drive-by cameo They would learn that it was the West , beginning with England and America , that abolished slavery .
And they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious Christians , animated by the Bible and Judeo-Christian values .
They would learn that , unlike the slaves under Arab-Muslim rule , most black slaves in America were allowed to have children and form families .
They would read Herbert Gutman 's `` The Black Family in Slavery and Freedom , 1750-1925 , '' about which The New York Times wrote when it was published in 1976 : `` Gutman has performed an immense service in burying the idea that slavery destroyed the black family . ''
For the record , Gutman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences .
They would learn that the tens of millions of African slaves under Islamic-Arab rule were not allowed to form families ( most males were castrated ) .
They would learn that while about 340,000 African slaves were transported to America , 12 million were transported to Brazil .
They would learn that far more blacks – about 3 million from Africa and the Caribbean – have come to America willingly than came as slaves .
They would read a 2005 article from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Africans Enter U.S. Than in Days of Slavery , '' in which they would also learn how much less racist America is than any other country : `` Agba Mangalabou , who arrived from Togo in 2002 , recalls his surprise when he moved here from Europe .
'In Germany , everyone knew I was African , ' he said .
'Here , nobody knows if I 'm African or American . '
'' They would learn about white slavery , too , from one of the greatest economists of the last half-century @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` More whites were brought as slaves to North Africa than blacks brought as slaves to the United States or to the 13 colonies from which it was formed .
White slaves were still being bought and sold in the Ottoman Empire , decades after blacks were freed in the United States . ''
None of that would be taught to diminish the evil of the transatlantic black slave trade , let alone to justify it .
America 's schoolchildren should , of course , be taught about the horrors of the slave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families , of the rapes , the beatings and the lynchings .
But nothing in history is understandable without perspective .
As regards the Arab-Muslim slave trade , students should read Ghanaian professor and minister John Azumah 's book `` The Legacy of Arab-Islam in Africa , '' in which he said : '' While two out of every three slaves shipped across the Atlantic were men , the proportions were reversed in the Islamic slave trade .
Two women for every man were enslaved by the Muslims .
`` While the mortality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Atlantic was as high as 10 % , the percentage of the slaves dying in transit in the trans-Saharan and East African slave market was a staggering 80 to 90 % .
`` While almost all the slaves shipped across the Atlantic were for agricultural work , most of the slaves destined for the Muslim Middle East were for sexual exploitation as concubines in harems and for military service .
`` While many children were born to the slaves in the Americas , the millions of their descendants are citizens in Brazil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few descendants of the slaves who ended up in the Middle East survived .
`` While most slaves who went to the Americas could marry and have families , most of the male slaves destined for the Middle East were castrated , and most of the children born to the women were killed at birth . ''
They would read some of the left 's favorite `` America-is-racist '' books , such as the national bestseller `` White Fragility . ''
But , unlike any school in America that assigns that book , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's review of it .
In The Atlantic , John McWhorter , a Columbia University professor of linguistics , wrote that `` White Fragility '' `` is actually a racist tract .
... the book diminishes Black people in the name of dignifying us .
... White guilt and politesse have apparently distracted many readers from the book 's numerous obvious flaws .
For one , DiAngelo 's book is replete with claims that are either plain wrong or bizarrely disconnected from reality . ''
They would read and listen to a variety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just those who detest America .
Here is a partial list , in alphabetical order , including one of their books : Larry Elder , `` What 's Race Got to Do With It ? ''
Deroy Murdock , any of his many columns That these brilliant thinkers are unfamiliar to most Americans is proof of the bias and superficiality that pervades American academic and intellectual life .
If they read these books and are taught the truths about race outlined in this article , it is perfectly acceptable for them to read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In fact , it would be advisable .

Regarding race and much else, America's students are not taught history. In fact, they are not taught; they are indoctrinated. With anti-Americanism.
The purpose of all teaching about race in American schools is to engender contempt for America. They are, therefore, "taught" the lies of The New York Times' "1619 Project" – that the United States was founded to preserve and protect slavery – and of such works as Robin DiAngelo's "White Fragility."
So, then, what should American schools teach about race?
They should, of course, teach students about slavery and racism.
But, if truth and moral clarity are to matter, students must also learn that slavery was universal. They would therefore learn about Muslim-Arab slavery, slavery among Africans, slavery among Native Americans and Native South Americans, and slavery in Asia and India.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
They would learn that it was the West, beginning with England and America, that abolished slavery. And they would learn that the abolitionists were overwhelmingly religious Christians, animated by the Bible and Judeo-Christian values.
They would learn that, unlike the slaves under Arab-Muslim rule, most black slaves in America were allowed to have children and form families. They would read Herbert Gutman's "The Black Family in Slavery and Freedom, 1750-1925," about which The New York Times wrote when it was published in 1976: "Gutman has performed an immense service in burying the idea that slavery destroyed the black family." For the record, Gutman was a professor of the left and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
They would learn that the tens of millions of African slaves under Islamic-Arab rule were not allowed to form families (most males were castrated). They would learn that while about 340,000 African slaves were transported to America, 12 million were transported to Brazil. They would learn that far more blacks – about 3 million from Africa and the Caribbean – have come to America willingly than came as slaves. They would read a 2005 article from The New York Times called "More Africans Enter U.S. Than in Days of Slavery," in which they would also learn how much less racist America is than any other country: "Agba Mangalabou, who arrived from Togo in 2002, recalls his surprise when he moved here from Europe. 'In Germany, everyone knew I was African,' he said. 'Here, nobody knows if I'm African or American.'"
They would learn about white slavery, too, from one of the greatest economists of the last half-century, Thomas Sowell, who wrote: "More whites were brought as slaves to North Africa than blacks brought as slaves to the United States or to the 13 colonies from which it was formed. White slaves were still being bought and sold in the Ottoman Empire, decades after blacks were freed in the United States."
None of that would be taught to diminish the evil of the transatlantic black slave trade, let alone to justify it. America's schoolchildren should, of course, be taught about the horrors of the slave auctions, of the separation of many families, of the rapes, the beatings and the lynchings. But nothing in history is understandable without perspective.
As regards the Arab-Muslim slave trade, students should read Ghanaian professor and minister John Azumah's book "The Legacy of Arab-Islam in Africa," in which he said:
"While two out of every three slaves shipped across the Atlantic were men, the proportions were reversed in the Islamic slave trade. Two women for every man were enslaved by the Muslims.
"While the mortality rate of the slaves being transported across the Atlantic was as high as 10%, the percentage of the slaves dying in transit in the trans-Saharan and East African slave market was a staggering 80 to 90%.
"While almost all the slaves shipped across the Atlantic were for agricultural work, most of the slaves destined for the Muslim Middle East were for sexual exploitation as concubines in harems and for military service.
"While many children were born to the slaves in the Americas, the millions of their descendants are citizens in Brazil and the United States today, very few descendants of the slaves who ended up in the Middle East survived.
"While most slaves who went to the Americas could marry and have families, most of the male slaves destined for the Middle East were castrated, and most of the children born to the women were killed at birth."
They would read some of the left's favorite "America-is-racist" books, such as the national bestseller "White Fragility." But, unlike any school in America that assigns that book, they would also assign a black professor's review of it. In The Atlantic, John McWhorter, a Columbia University professor of linguistics, wrote that "White Fragility" "is actually a racist tract. ... the book diminishes Black people in the name of dignifying us. ... White guilt and politesse have apparently distracted many readers from the book's numerous obvious flaws. For one, DiAngelo's book is replete with claims that are either plain wrong or bizarrely disconnected from reality."
They would read and listen to a variety of black thinkers and authors, not just those who detest America. Here is a partial list, in alphabetical order, including one of their books:
Larry Elder, "What's Race Got to Do With It?"
Ward Connerly, "Creating Equal"
John McWhorter, "Losing the Race"
Deroy Murdock, any of his many columns
Candace Owens, "Blackout"
Jesse Lee Peterson, "The Antidote"
Jason Riley, "Please Stop Helping Us"
Thomas Sowell, "Intellectuals and Race"
Shelby Steele, "White Guilt"
Carol Swain, "Abduction"
Clarence Thomas, "My Grandfather's Son"
Walter Williams, "Race and Economics"
That these brilliant thinkers are unfamiliar to most Americans is proof of the bias and superficiality that pervades American academic and intellectual life.
If they read these books and are taught the truths about race outlined in this article, it is perfectly acceptable for them to read black and white leftists on race. In fact, it would be advisable.


wnd--2020-11-17--Mike Tyson explains his mindset for biting off Holyfield's ear

( FOX NEWS ) -- Hall of Fame boxer Mike Tyson opened up to legendary sportscaster Jim Gray about biting @ @ @ @ @ 's ear during their infamous 1997 bout -- and said he 'd do it again @ @ @ @ @ , Tyson squared off against Holyfield in their second boxing match for the WBA Heavyweight @ @ @ @ @ his teeth into Holyfield ’ s ear , referee Mills Lane disqualified him .
Following @ @ @ @ @ Tyson , as well as promoter Don King , in the heat of the moment @ @ @ @ @ them why it happened .

(FOX NEWS) -- Hall of Fame boxer Mike Tyson opened up to legendary sportscaster Jim Gray about biting off part of Evander Holyfield's ear during their infamous 1997 bout -- and said he'd do it again.
In June of 1997, Tyson squared off against Holyfield in their second boxing match for the WBA Heavyweight Championship. After Tyson sunk his teeth into Holyfield’s ear, referee Mills Lane disqualified him.
Following the fight, Gray interviewed Tyson, as well as promoter Don King, in the heat of the moment, and asked both of them why it happened.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-18--Pitt med students add vow against 'systemic racism' to Hippocratic Oath

( CAMPUS REFORM ) -- Students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine started a tradition of writing a @ @ @ @ @ recited alongside the traditional Hippocratic Oath .
The Hippocratic Oath is a vow to medical @ @ @ @ @ by ancient Greek physicians .
Today , it is still a tradition to say a @ @ @ @ @ at many medical school graduations as a standard of ethical conduct .
In the days @ @ @ @ @ coat ceremony , the class of 2024 presented its new oath to Pitt Medicine administrators @ @ @ @ @ to George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , and Ahmaud Arbery , as well as the @ @ @ @ @ racism , ” and LGBTQ+ identity .

(CAMPUS REFORM) -- Students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine started a tradition of writing a class oath, to be recited alongside the traditional Hippocratic Oath.
The Hippocratic Oath is a vow to medical best practices that was affirmed by ancient Greek physicians. Today, it is still a tradition to say a version of the Hippocratic Oath at many medical school graduations as a standard of ethical conduct.
In the days before its Aug. 16 white coat ceremony, the class of 2024 presented its new oath to Pitt Medicine administrators. The oath included references to George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, “systemic racism,” and LGBTQ+ identity.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-18--Student paper interprets Scott Atlas 'rise up' tweet against lockdown as inciting violence

( THE COLLEGE FIX ) -- How do you think it would have responded when Martin Luther King Jr. called @ @ @ @ @ up against the Jim Crow South ?
The Stanford Daily ran a thinly veiled hit @ @ @ @ @ the anti-lockdown representative on President Trump ’ s coronavirus task force and senior fellow at @ @ @ @ @ , in response to an Atlas tweet against new COVID-19 restrictions unilaterally imposed by Michigan @ @ @ @ @ “ The only way this stops is if people rise up .
You get what @ @ @ @ @ former Stanford Med chief of radiology ( above ) wrote , appending the hashtags # @ @ @ @ @ was referring to a report that Whitmer had imposed a three-week “ epidemic order ” @ @ @ @ @ restaurants , theaters , stadiums and non-professional organized sports .

(THE COLLEGE FIX) -- How do you think it would have responded when Martin Luther King Jr. called on black people to rise up against the Jim Crow South?
The Stanford Daily ran a thinly veiled hit piece on Scott Atlas, the anti-lockdown representative on President Trump’s coronavirus task force and senior fellow at Stanford’s Hoover Institution, in response to an Atlas tweet against new COVID-19 restrictions unilaterally imposed by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
“The only way this stops is if people rise up. You get what you accept,” the former Stanford Med chief of radiology (above) wrote, appending the hashtags #FreedomMatters #StepUp. Atlas was referring to a report that Whitmer had imposed a three-week “epidemic order” that shut down schools, restaurants, theaters, stadiums and non-professional organized sports.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-18--'MasterChef Junior' alum Ben Watkins dead at age 14

Ben Watkins , known for his appearance on the sixth season of `` MasterChef Junior , '' died Monday after a battle with a very rare form of cancer .
He was 14 .
The Watkins family has experienced much loss over the past few years .
Shortly after Ben became a fan favorite on MasterChef , his parents died in a murder-suicide .
Despite the havoc such a loss can wreak on any life , let alone that of a child , Ben focused on the positives .
`` I ’ m one of the lucky ones because I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncle who love me , '' he told his uncle , according to the Chicago Tribune .
TRENDING : Rioter who punched out Trump supporter in viral video is registered child sex offender The boy loved working at Big Ben 's Bodacious BBQ and Delicatessen in Gary , Indiana , and had dreams of opening his own place someday .
When he was just 13 , the brave young soul was diagnosed with angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma -- a condition so rare that only six people in the world have it .
The cancer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , shoulder and lung , according to The Times of Northwest Indiana .
He went through surgeries and treatment at Lurie Children 's Hospital of Chicago , but after 18 months of fighting , Ben died .
`` We were praying for a different outcome , '' Anthony Edwards , Ben 's legal guardian , told the Chicago Tribune .
`` But Ben ’ s lungs could no longer give him the air he needed to breathe .
It ’ s been devastating . ''
`` There ’ s no cause and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t come from his parents . ''
Ben 's grandmother and uncle shared a statement after his death , praising his good nature and innate strength .
`` Our Ben went home to be with his mother Monday afternoon after a year-and-a-half battle with cancer , '' they wrote .
`` After losing both of his parents in September 2017 , we have marveled about Ben 's strength , courage and love for life .
`` He never , ever complained .
Ben was and will always be the strongest person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's rare illness was shared with the world , he was so heartened by the outpouring of love he received from every corner of the world — especially here in his hometown of Gary , Indiana .
`` We can not thank this community enough for holding our family up in prayer and for all that you 've done .
Ben suffered more than his share in his 14 years on this earth , but we take solace in that his suffering is finally over and in that , in the end Ben @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Ben Watkins, known for his appearance on the sixth season of "MasterChef Junior," died Monday after a battle with a very rare form of cancer. He was 14.
The Watkins family has experienced much loss over the past few years. Shortly after Ben became a fan favorite on MasterChef, his parents died in a murder-suicide.
Despite the havoc such a loss can wreak on any life, let alone that of a child, Ben focused on the positives.
"I’m one of the lucky ones because I’ve got a grandma and an uncle who love me," he told his uncle, according to the Chicago Tribune.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The boy loved working at Big Ben's Bodacious BBQ and Delicatessen in Gary, Indiana, and had dreams of opening his own place someday.
When he was just 13, the brave young soul was diagnosed with angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma -- a condition so rare that only six people in the world have it.
The cancer manifested in aggressive tumors on his spine, shoulder and lung, according to The Times of Northwest Indiana. He went through surgeries and treatment at Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, but after 18 months of fighting, Ben died.
"We were praying for a different outcome," Anthony Edwards, Ben's legal guardian, told the Chicago Tribune. "But Ben’s lungs could no longer give him the air he needed to breathe. It’s been devastating."
"There’s no cause and it’s not hereditary, so it didn’t come from his parents."
Ben's grandmother and uncle shared a statement after his death, praising his good nature and innate strength.
"Our Ben went home to be with his mother Monday afternoon after a year-and-a-half battle with cancer," they wrote. "After losing both of his parents in September 2017, we have marveled about Ben's strength, courage and love for life.
"He never, ever complained. Ben was and will always be the strongest person we've known.
"When Ben's rare illness was shared with the world, he was so heartened by the outpouring of love he received from every corner of the world — especially here in his hometown of Gary, Indiana.
"We cannot thank this community enough for holding our family up in prayer and for all that you've done. Ben suffered more than his share in his 14 years on this earth, but we take solace in that his suffering is finally over and in that, in the end Ben knew he was loved by so many."
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-11-18--Poll: Faith freedoms are key to voters' choices

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]
The tumultuous 2020 presidential campaign , more so than any other in recent decades , produced a tug-of-war over religious voters with intense interest in whether President-elect Joe Biden could coax them out of the Trump camp .
Exit polls showed evangelical Christians , a linchpin of Donald Trump ’ s 2016 victory , still overwhelmingly broke for him .
But self-identifying Catholics – those attending Mass regularly mixed in with those who don ’ t — split almost evenly between the two candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Biden , a life-long Catholic who speaks often about his faith , argue he won over religious voters by emphasizing character , moral decency and the need to restore the “ soul of America ” after Trump ’ s chaotic , combative leadership .
TRENDING : Rioter who punched out Trump supporter in viral video is registered child sex offender Team Trump has dismissed that attempt to lay claim to these voters .
The president and his backers point to a long list of actions he took to promote and protect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of choice free of government constraints , including leading the charge to strike down the Obamacare contraception mandate that many Catholic groups opposed .
Biden has said he would revive the legal battle with the Little Sisters of the Poor , the order of nuns that has fought the provision in court .
Against this backdrop , a new survey on religion and its role in American life offers a lesson for political candidates looking to improve their standing among voters who care about religious liberty .
In turns out , a political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a bedrock American ideal embedded in the First Amendment , is far more important to voters than their own faith when backing a candidate .
The Becket Fund , a Washington , D.C. , nonprofit public interest law firm that defends this right for people of all faiths , surveyed 1,000 Americans across the country over the last year .
The organization provided an early review of its Religious Freedom Index findings to RealClearPolitics and will release them publicly Tuesday afternoon .
One of the poll ’ s most surprising findings is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American voters and how it factors into their choice of candidates .
Respondents who were registered to vote were consistently more supportive of religious freedom than those not registered .
And when it comes to a candidate ’ s stance on the issue , 78 % of those polled said it was an important factor in their voting decisions .
In comparison , only 45 % said their own faith influenced their vote to a moderate degree or more .
“ The message for all elected officials is there ’ s a clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious freedom , ” Caleb Lyman , the Becket Fund ’ s director of research , told RCP .
“ It ’ s important to a big voting bloc.
” And the country ’ s lawmakers have far more work to do in convincing voters they are dedicated to protecting this constitutional right .
When asked which branch of government does the best job of safeguarding religious freedom , respondents were more likely to choose the courts than elected officials , including the president , Congress and state governments -- with Congress given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Religious Freedom Index , now in its second year , as an in-depth survey of Americans ’ opinions and perspectives on religion so it could detect subtle shifts over time .
The data files for the survey are hosted online by the Association for Religion Data Archives , which is commonly cited in media reports for offering free public access to statistics including church membership numbers from around the world .
The core of the findings are tracked by asking the same 21 questions in the same order each year -- though the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evaluate how the year ’ s turbulent events are impacting views on religion and the ability to practice it .
Some 62 % of respondents said faith or religion was helping them navigate the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic while more than three-quarters — 78 % — said religion is important to providing stability during times of social unrest .
One of the poll ’ s most surprising findings is that Gen Z respondents , who were born in the late 1990s to the early 2010s , were much more likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handling of COVID uncertainty and restrictions .
This and other surveys have found the young adult age group to be less religious , and they are some of the least at risk during the pandemic .
But these young adults are joining their grandparents -- those in the over-65 group -- in being more likely than the overall sampling of respondents to say faith and religion are important to dealing with the pandemic .
It generally comes as little surprise that Americans turn to religion in times of uncertainty , considering another more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those surveyed agreed with the statement that religion is a fundamental part of “ who I am ” and should be protected accordingly .
Those findings factor into the controversy , which has played out in the courts , over whether state and local governments are treating houses of worship fairly during the COVID lockdowns and restrictions .
The survey found that a majority of respondents said that houses of worship should be treated with at least the same priority as reopening businesses .
When comparing state and local rules governing outdoor religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twice as supportive of giving priority to the religious services , according to the index .
That ’ s not a sign , however , that Americans value their personal religious pursuits more than efforts to improve racial equality .
The index also found a leadership gap when it comes to the racial unrest that has swept the country this year as communities reacted to the killing of several black men and women by police .
More than four out of five respondents who said faith was important also believe religious organizations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocating for greater racial equality , but less than half think their faith community is doing a good job of responding to the issue .
“ It ’ s really important for religious communities to think about how they can fill that leadership gap , ” Lyman said .
“ There ’ s a clear desire for people of faith to have their religious communities involved in advocating for racial justice , but they don ’ t see that role being filled yet .
”

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]
By Susan Crabtree
Real Clear Politics
The tumultuous 2020 presidential campaign, more so than any other in recent decades, produced a tug-of-war over religious voters with intense interest in whether President-elect Joe Biden could coax them out of the Trump camp.
Exit polls showed evangelical Christians, a linchpin of Donald Trump’s 2016 victory, still overwhelmingly broke for him. But self-identifying Catholics – those attending Mass regularly mixed in with those who don’t — split almost evenly between the two candidates, according to AP Votecast.
Supporters of Biden, a life-long Catholic who speaks often about his faith, argue he won over religious voters by emphasizing character, moral decency and the need to restore the “soul of America” after Trump’s chaotic, combative leadership.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Team Trump has dismissed that attempt to lay claim to these voters. The president and his backers point to a long list of actions he took to promote and protect the right to exercise one’s religion of choice free of government constraints, including leading the charge to strike down the Obamacare contraception mandate that many Catholic groups opposed. Biden has said he would revive the legal battle with the Little Sisters of the Poor, the order of nuns that has fought the provision in court.
Against this backdrop, a new survey on religion and its role in American life offers a lesson for political candidates looking to improve their standing among voters who care about religious liberty. In turns out, a political candidate’s support for this freedom, a bedrock American ideal embedded in the First Amendment, is far more important to voters than their own faith when backing a candidate.
The Becket Fund, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit public interest law firm that defends this right for people of all faiths, surveyed 1,000 Americans across the country over the last year. The organization provided an early review of its Religious Freedom Index findings to RealClearPolitics and will release them publicly Tuesday afternoon.
One of the poll’s most surprising findings is just how important religious freedom is to American voters and how it factors into their choice of candidates. Respondents who were registered to vote were consistently more supportive of religious freedom than those not registered. And when it comes to a candidate’s stance on the issue, 78% of those polled said it was an important factor in their voting decisions. In comparison, only 45% said their own faith influenced their vote to a moderate degree or more.
“The message for all elected officials is there’s a clear desire there for more attention to defending religious freedom,” Caleb Lyman, the Becket Fund’s director of research, told RCP. “It’s important to a big voting bloc.”
And the country’s lawmakers have far more work to do in convincing voters they are dedicated to protecting this constitutional right. When asked which branch of government does the best job of safeguarding religious freedom, respondents were more likely to choose the courts than elected officials, including the president, Congress and state governments -- with Congress given the least credit.
Becket created the Religious Freedom Index, now in its second year, as an in-depth survey of Americans’ opinions and perspectives on religion so it could detect subtle shifts over time. The data files for the survey are hosted online by the Association for Religion Data Archives, which is commonly cited in media reports for offering free public access to statistics including church membership numbers from around the world.
The core of the findings are tracked by asking the same 21 questions in the same order each year -- though the group added new ones in 2020 to evaluate how the year’s turbulent events are impacting views on religion and the ability to practice it.
Some 62% of respondents said faith or religion was helping them navigate the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic while more than three-quarters — 78% — said religion is important to providing stability during times of social unrest. One of the poll’s most surprising findings is that Gen Z respondents, who were born in the late 1990s to the early 2010s, were much more likely to say faith had been important to their handling of COVID uncertainty and restrictions. This and other surveys have found the young adult age group to be less religious, and they are some of the least at risk during the pandemic. But these young adults are joining their grandparents -- those in the over-65 group -- in being more likely than the overall sampling of respondents to say faith and religion are important to dealing with the pandemic.
It generally comes as little surprise that Americans turn to religion in times of uncertainty, considering another more basic finding: Some 60% of those surveyed agreed with the statement that religion is a fundamental part of “who I am” and should be protected accordingly.
Those findings factor into the controversy, which has played out in the courts, over whether state and local governments are treating houses of worship fairly during the COVID lockdowns and restrictions. The survey found that a majority of respondents said that houses of worship should be treated with at least the same priority as reopening businesses.
When comparing state and local rules governing outdoor religious services and outdoor protests, respondents were twice as supportive of giving priority to the religious services, according to the index. That’s not a sign, however, that Americans value their personal religious pursuits more than efforts to improve racial equality. The index also found a leadership gap when it comes to the racial unrest that has swept the country this year as communities reacted to the killing of several black men and women by police. More than four out of five respondents who said faith was important also believe religious organizations and their leaders should play a role in advocating for greater racial equality, but less than half think their faith community is doing a good job of responding to the issue.
“It’s really important for religious communities to think about how they can fill that leadership gap,” Lyman said. “There’s a clear desire for people of faith to have their religious communities involved in advocating for racial justice, but they don’t see that role being filled yet.”


wnd--2020-11-18--Biden orchestrates 'ominous turn' against free speech

In the eyes of defenders of free speech , Joe Biden 's transition team has taken an `` ominous turn , '' writes George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley .
Biden , he noted , has selected Richard Stengel to take the `` team lead '' position on the U.S. Agency for Global Media , which includes Voice of America , the Middle East Broadcasting Networks and Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty .
Turley described Stengel as `` one of the most controversial figures calling for censorship and speech controls . ''
`` For a president-elect who just called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he picked a top aide who wants to silence many , '' the constitutional scholar wrote .
TRENDING : Rioter who punched out Trump supporter in viral video is registered child sex offender The New York Post reported Stengel wants to redefine freedom of speech and make `` hate speech '' a crime .
Stengel , an Obama administration alumnus , wrote last year in a Washington Post op-ed that U.S. freedom of speech was too unfettered and that changes must be considered .
`` All speech is not equal , '' Stengel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not drive out lies , we must add new guardrails .
I ’ m all for protecting ‘ thought that we hate , ’ but not speech that incites hate . ''
Stengel cited two types of speech he thinks must be limited : Quran burning and circulation of `` false narratives '' by Russia during the 2016 election .
`` Even the most sophisticated Arab diplomats that I dealt with did not understand why the First Amendment allows someone to burn a Quran , '' Stengel wrote .
`` Why , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect that ?
It 's a fair question .
Yes , the First Amendment protects the ‘ thought that we hate , ’ but it should not protect hateful speech that can cause violence by one group against another .
In an age when everyone has a megaphone , that seems like a design flaw . ''
Turley commented , `` Since it would be difficult to select a more anti-free speech figure to address government media policy , one has to assume that Biden will continue the onslaught against this core @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in January , Biden called for greater speech controls on the internet and denounced Twitter for allowing others to speak freely .
The Democrat , Turley wrote , insisted that tolerating such views in the name of free speech is same as `` propagating falsehoods they know to be false . ''
Biden called for companies to bar Trump views on such things as mail-in voting as an invitation for fraud .
In fact , Biden has been joined in such aggression against free speech by the likes of House Intelligence Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years to have secret evidence of Trump-Russia collusion only to be refuted by a special counsel probe .
Further , Turley wrote , this week House Speaker Nancy Pelosi denounced Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg for resisting speech monitoring and censorship as a matter of free speech .
Pelosi charged those who want to preserve a free speech zone are `` all about making money , '' ignoring free speech advocates who have no financial interest in the social media companies .
Turley noted academics have joined the campaign , with Harvard 's Jack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew Keane Woods insisting the internet needs `` Chinese style censorship . ''
`` Stengel however is one of the most unnerving and outspoken voices against free speech , '' Turley said .
`` So in a nation filled with gifted people to lead the effort on government media policy and positions , Biden selected a person who rejects the very essence of free speech .
Stengel promises the 'unity ' of a nation silenced by government speech codes and censorship .
If no one has a megaphone , free speech is no @ @ @ @ @

In the eyes of defenders of free speech, Joe Biden's transition team has taken an "ominous turn," writes George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley.
Biden, he noted, has selected Richard Stengel to take the "team lead" position on the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which includes Voice of America, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks and Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty.
Turley described Stengel as "one of the most controversial figures calling for censorship and speech controls."
"For a president-elect who just called for everyone to 'hear each other,' he picked a top aide who wants to silence many," the constitutional scholar wrote.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The New York Post reported Stengel wants to redefine freedom of speech and make "hate speech" a crime.
Stengel, an Obama administration alumnus, wrote last year in a Washington Post op-ed that U.S. freedom of speech was too unfettered and that changes must be considered.
"All speech is not equal," Stengel said. "And where truth cannot drive out lies, we must add new guardrails. I’m all for protecting ‘thought that we hate,’ but not speech that incites hate."
Stengel cited two types of speech he thinks must be limited: Quran burning and circulation of "false narratives" by Russia during the 2016 election.
"Even the most sophisticated Arab diplomats that I dealt with did not understand why the First Amendment allows someone to burn a Quran," Stengel wrote. "Why, they asked me, would you ever want to protect that?It's a fair question. Yes, the First Amendment protects the ‘thought that we hate,’ but it should not protect hateful speech that can cause violence by one group against another. In an age when everyone has a megaphone, that seems like a design flaw."
Turley commented, "Since it would be difficult to select a more anti-free speech figure to address government media policy, one has to assume that Biden will continue the onslaught against this core freedom as president. "
He pointed out that in January, Biden called for greater speech controls on the internet and denounced Twitter for allowing others to speak freely.
The Democrat, Turley wrote, insisted that tolerating such views in the name of free speech is same as "propagating falsehoods they know to be false."
Biden called for companies to bar Trump views on such things as mail-in voting as an invitation for fraud.
In fact, Biden has been joined in such aggression against free speech by the likes of House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, who claimed for years to have secret evidence of Trump-Russia collusion only to be refuted by a special counsel probe.
Further, Turley wrote, this week House Speaker Nancy Pelosi denounced Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg for resisting speech monitoring and censorship as a matter of free speech.
Pelosi charged those who want to preserve a free speech zone are "all about making money," ignoring free speech advocates who have no financial interest in the social media companies.
Turley noted academics have joined the campaign, with Harvard's Jack Goldsmith and University of Arizona law professor Andrew Keane Woods insisting the internet needs "Chinese style censorship."
"Stengel however is one of the most unnerving and outspoken voices against free speech," Turley said.
"So in a nation filled with gifted people to lead the effort on government media policy and positions, Biden selected a person who rejects the very essence of free speech. Stengel promises the 'unity' of a nation silenced by government speech codes and censorship. If no one has a megaphone, free speech is no longer a problem."


wnd--2020-11-18--2nd Georgia county uncovers thousands more votes, majority of which are for Trump

The Georgia secretary of state 's office reported Tuesday that a second county in as many days was discovered to have not counted all its votes on Election Day .
In both instances , the votes unearthed during the Peach State 's hand recount of the presidential race resulted in Democratic Joe Biden 's lead over President Donald Trump narrowing .
`` Gabriel Sterling with the GA Sec .
of State 's office says 2,755 votes discovered in Fayette County .
Unlike in Floyd County , these were scanned votes that were in the system .
1,577 for Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a net gain of over 400 for Trump , '' WXIA-TV reporter Hope Ford tweeted .
TRENDING : Rioter who punched out Trump supporter in viral video is registered child sex offender Georgia Republican Party chairman David Shafer wrote in response to the news : “ More uncounted votes discovered during the hand count in Fayette County , mostly for @ realDonaldTrump.
” On Monday , election officials discovered that 2,600 ballots in northwestern Floyd County were not counted on Election Day .
Republican Rep. Doug Collins , who is heading up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tweeted following Monday 's revelation , `` This is exactly why we requested a hand recount . ''
`` Without the recount , we never would have known about these ballots , '' he added .
Currently , just under 14,000 votes separate Trump and Biden in Georgia .
Politico reported “ unexplained ” computer glitches in the Dominion Voting Systems software on Election Day in the state occurred in Spalding and Morgan counties , which initially prevented voters from casting ballots .
Both counties went heavily for Trump .
Gabriel Sterling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Georgia secretary of state 's office , `` told reporters during a news conference on Nov. 3 that the problem in the two counties was probably a dataset that had been uploaded to the systems , but that the state didn ’ t know for certain , ” according to Politico .
Top election cyber experts told The Western Journal in April that voting software systems can be hacked and reprogrammed to skew vote tallies .
One thing all the electronic voting systems have in common is a removable drive or memory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the database when results from each voting machine are uploaded .
Harri Hursti -- one of the world ’ s foremost election security experts and star of the HBO documentary “ Kill Chain : the Cyber War on America ’ s Elections , ” -- explained that all these devices are programmed how to organize and communicate the data to a central database .
“ The memory cards actually have a programming side , ” he said .
“ Programming can have a lot of logic .
So the program can dynamically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and decide on the spot what is needed to be done in this precinct on this machine ” as part of changing the overall result .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

The Georgia secretary of state's office reported Tuesday that a second county in as many days was discovered to have not counted all its votes on Election Day.
In both instances, the votes unearthed during the Peach State's hand recount of the presidential race resulted in Democratic Joe Biden's lead over President Donald Trump narrowing.
"Gabriel Sterling with the GA Sec. of State's office says 2,755 votes discovered in Fayette County. Unlike in Floyd County, these were scanned votes that were in the system. 1,577 for Donald Trump 1,128 for Joe Biden. This makes a net gain of over 400 for Trump," WXIA-TV reporter Hope Ford tweeted.
Gabriel Sterling with the GA Sec. of State's office says 2,755 votes discovered in Fayette County. Unlike in Floyd County, these were scanned votes that were in the system. 1,577 for Donald Trump 1,128 for Joe Biden. This makes a net gain of over 400 for Trump. #11alive #gapol — Hope Ford (@hope_iam) November 17, 2020
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Georgia Republican Party chairman David Shafer wrote in response to the news: “More uncounted votes discovered during the hand count in Fayette County, mostly for @realDonaldTrump.”
More uncounted votes discovered during the hand count in Fayette County, mostly for @realDonaldTrump. Apparently a memory card was not uploaded. Unclear whether this is the same type of error discovered yesterday in Floyd County or a new one. — David Shafer (@DavidShafer) November 17, 2020
On Monday, election officials discovered that 2,600 ballots in northwestern Floyd County were not counted on Election Day.
The error netted Trump approximately 800 votes.
Republican Rep. Doug Collins, who is heading up the Trump campaign's recount effort in Georgia, tweeted following Monday's revelation, "This is exactly why we requested a hand recount."
"Without the recount, we never would have known about these ballots," he added.
This is exactly why we requested a hand recount. Without the recount, we never would have known about these ballots. Every Georgian — and every American — must have confidence that their vote is counted. https://t.co/XNV20weHX5 — Rep. Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) November 17, 2020
Currently, just under 14,000 votes separate Trump and Biden in Georgia.
Politico reported “unexplained” computer glitches in the Dominion Voting Systems software on Election Day in the state occurred in Spalding and Morgan counties, which initially prevented voters from casting ballots.
Both counties went heavily for Trump.
Gabriel Sterling, the voting system implementation manager in the Georgia secretary of state's office, "told reporters during a news conference on Nov. 3 that the problem in the two counties was probably a dataset that had been uploaded to the systems, but that the state didn’t know for certain,” according to Politico.
Top election cyber experts told The Western Journal in April that voting software systems can be hacked and reprogrammed to skew vote tallies.
One thing all the electronic voting systems have in common is a removable drive or memory device, which engages in two-way communication with the database when results from each voting machine are uploaded.
Harri Hursti -- one of the world’s foremost election security experts and star of the HBO documentary “Kill Chain: the Cyber War on America’s Elections,” -- explained that all these devices are programmed how to organize and communicate the data to a central database.
“The memory cards actually have a programming side,” he said. “Programming can have a lot of logic. So the program can dynamically look [at] what is happening and decide on the spot what is needed to be done in this precinct on this machine” as part of changing the overall result.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-11-18--Twitter CEO admits censoring Hunter Biden report was wrong

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey admitted in a Senate hearing Tuesday that it was wrong for the social-media giant to censor the New York Post article presenting new evidence of influence peddling by the Bidens obtained from Hunter Biden 's abandoned laptop .
`` We made a quick interpretation using no other evidence that the materials in the article were obtained through hacking , and according to our policy , we blocked them from being spread , '' Dorsey said .
`` Upon further consideration , we admitted this action was wrong and corrected it within 24 hours . ''
Dorsey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poll commissioned by the Media Research Center found nearly one-third of voters who chose Joe Biden were not aware of the evidence linking the former vice president to corrupt financial dealings with China through his son .
Had they known , according to the survey , President Trump would have won at least 289 Electoral College votes .
TRENDING : Rioter who punched out Trump supporter in viral video is registered child sex offender At the hearing Tuesday , Republican lawmakers argued that the social-media companies should be stripped of their legal immunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Under the Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act , such platforms are not liable because they are not considered `` publishers , '' which are liable for what is posted .
The difference is that publications have editorial control over their content ; the web giants claim not to exercise control .
But Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , chairman of the Judiciary Committee , said it appears that the companies are editing content .
`` The editorial decision by the New York Post to run the story was overridden by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent its dissemination .
Now if that 's not making an editorial decision I do n't know what would be , '' Graham said .
And Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas , said there 's no question that the platforms should lose their legal protection .
During the exchange with Cruz , Dorsey claimed not to know `` for certain '' if voter fraud existed , insisting he is not an expert .
Why then , the senator wanted to know , is Twitter putting `` warnings '' on statements about voter fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has adopted the editorial position that `` voter fraud of any kind is exceedingly rare , '' and it is enforcing that message on the platform .
`` That 's taking a disputed policy position and you 're a publisher when you 're doing that .
You 're entitled to take a policy position , but you do n't get to pretend you 're not a publisher and get a special benefit under Section 230 as a result , '' the senator said .
The MRC survey found that 13 % voters of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Biden scandal would not have voted for the Democrat had they been made aware .
That amounted to 4.6 % of Biden 's total votes .
`` It is an indisputable fact that the media stole the election .
The American electorate was intentionally kept in the dark , '' said MRC President Brent Bozell .
`` During the height of the scandal surrounding Hunter Biden 's foreign dealings , the media and the big tech companies did everything in their power to cover it up .
Twitter and Facebook limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s reports , and the liberal media omitted it from their coverage or dismissed it as Russian disinformation . ''
He said the media and Silicon Valley `` were fully aware of this , so they actively tried to prevent it from reaching the American public . ''
`` The American people deserved to know the truth ; now it ’ s too late , '' he said .
An MRC analysis of the survey by McLaughlin & Associates concluded the 4.6 % shift in votes would have put Arizona , Georgia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump victory column .
Newsbusters , a division of MRC , said voters were asked : `` At the time you cast your vote for President , were you aware that evidence exists in emails , texts , eyewitness testimony and banking transactions that the FBI has been investigating since last year directly linking Joe Biden to a corrupt financial arrangement between a Chinese company with connections to the Chinese communist party and Hunter Biden ’ s business , which may have personally benefited Joe Biden financially ? '
'' The poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During the last presidential debate , Trump confronted Biden about the millions of dollars his son Hunter Biden got from business deals in Russia , China , Ukraine and other nations while his father was vice president .
The president noted new evidence from emails from an abandoned laptop now in the possession of the FBI and two former business partners indicating Joe Biden was the `` big guy '' who was to receive a cut of a deal with a firm linked to the Chinese Communist Party .
`` I think you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the president said .
`` Maybe you can do it now . ''
Biden claimed : `` I have not taken a penny from any foreign source in my life .
I have not taken a single penny from any country whatsoever ever . ''
Trump described the Biden family as a `` vacuum cleaner , '' sucking up money from nefarious overseas business deals .
Biden also insisted there was nothing wrong with his son getting paid a total of $ 3.1 million from the Ukrainian natural gas company Burisma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine policy .
At the time , however , State Department officials raised concern about an apparent conflict of interest because Burisma was under investigation for corruption .
Joe Biden later publicly boasted that he threatened to withhold American aid to Ukraine if the president did n't fire the country 's top prosecutor , who was investigating Burisma .
See video of Joe Biden recalling how he successfully pressured Ukrainian officials to fire the prosecutor who was targeting Burisma : Trump 's campaign pointed out the evidence that Hunter Biden 's firm got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baturina , the wife of the former mayor of Moscow ; that Hunter Biden also opened a joint bank account with a Chinese national linked to the communist government ; and while `` Joe Biden advocated for legislation favored by big banks that made it harder for struggling Americans to declare bankruptcy , Biden ’ s son Hunter was 'earning ' hundreds of thousands of dollars in 'consultant fees ' from one of those banks , MBNA . ''
The campaign released a long list of additional conflict-of-interest concerns involving Biden and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president , his son Hunter joined him on Air Force Two for a trip to China .
While in Beijing he arranged for his Chinese business partner to meet his father .
Ten days after the trip , Hunter ’ s firm received an approval from the Chinese government-owned Bank of China that paved the way for more than a billion dollars in business for Hunter ’ s firm , '' the report said .

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey admitted in a Senate hearing Tuesday that it was wrong for the social-media giant to censor the New York Post article presenting new evidence of influence peddling by the Bidens obtained from Hunter Biden's abandoned laptop.
"We made a quick interpretation using no other evidence that the materials in the article were obtained through hacking, and according to our policy, we blocked them from being spread," Dorsey said. "Upon further consideration, we admitted this action was wrong and corrected it within 24 hours."
Dorsey's admission is significant, because a poll commissioned by the Media Research Center found nearly one-third of voters who chose Joe Biden were not aware of the evidence linking the former vice president to corrupt financial dealings with China through his son.
Had they known, according to the survey, President Trump would have won at least 289 Electoral College votes.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
At the hearing Tuesday, Republican lawmakers argued that the social-media companies should be stripped of their legal immunity from what is posted on their platforms.
Under the Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, such platforms are not liable because they are not considered "publishers," which are liable for what is posted. The difference is that publications have editorial control over their content; the web giants claim not to exercise control.
But Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said it appears that the companies are editing content.
"The editorial decision by the New York Post to run the story was overridden by Twitter and Facebook in different fashions to prevent its dissemination. Now if that's not making an editorial decision I don't know what would be," Graham said.
And Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said there's no question that the platforms should lose their legal protection.
.@tedcruz to Twitter: "U put up a page that says, 'Voter fraud of any kind is exceedingly rare...' That's not linking to a broader conversation, that's taking a disputed policy position & you're a publisher when you're doing that... U don't get to pretend you're not a publisher." pic.twitter.com/4lHEnzk2Aw — Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) November 17, 2020
During the exchange with Cruz, Dorsey claimed not to know "for certain" if voter fraud existed, insisting he is not an expert.
Why then, the senator wanted to know, is Twitter putting "warnings" on statements about voter fraud.
Cruz pointed out that Twitter already has adopted the editorial position that "voter fraud of any kind is exceedingly rare," and it is enforcing that message on the platform.
"That's taking a disputed policy position and you're a publisher when you're doing that. You're entitled to take a policy position, but you don't get to pretend you're not a publisher and get a special benefit under Section 230 as a result," the senator said.
'Proof the media stole the election'
The MRC survey found that 13% voters of the voters who said they were unaware of the Biden scandal would not have voted for the Democrat had they been made aware. That amounted to 4.6% of Biden's total votes.
BREAKING: Proof the media stole the election. An MRC study finds that 4.6% of Joe Biden voters would NOT have voted for him had they known about the Biden family's corrupt business dealings. https://t.co/X8NCCHVKui — MediaResearchCenter (@theMRC) November 9, 2020
The media and Big Tech STOLE the election by covering up the Biden family corruption scandal! Now we know this information could have changed the election outcome. We must hold them accountable! https://t.co/j5F3jKm7mL — Brent Bozell (@BrentBozell) November 9, 2020
"It is an indisputable fact that the media stole the election. The American electorate was intentionally kept in the dark," said MRC President Brent Bozell. "During the height of the scandal surrounding Hunter Biden's foreign dealings, the media and the big tech companies did everything in their power to cover it up. Twitter and Facebook limited sharing of the New York Post’s reports, and the liberal media omitted it from their coverage or dismissed it as Russian disinformation."
He said the media and Silicon Valley "were fully aware of this, so they actively tried to prevent it from reaching the American public."
"The American people deserved to know the truth; now it’s too late," he said.
An MRC analysis of the survey by McLaughlin & Associates concluded the 4.6% shift in votes would have put Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin in the Trump victory column.
Newsbusters, a division of MRC, said voters were asked: "At the time you cast your vote for President, were you aware that evidence exists in emails, texts, eyewitness testimony and banking transactions that the FBI has been investigating since last year directly linking Joe Biden to a corrupt financial arrangement between a Chinese company with connections to the Chinese communist party and Hunter Biden’s business, which may have personally benefited Joe Biden financially?'"
The poll found 27% were not aware.
During the last presidential debate, Trump confronted Biden about the millions of dollars his son Hunter Biden got from business deals in Russia, China, Ukraine and other nations while his father was vice president. The president noted new evidence from emails from an abandoned laptop now in the possession of the FBI and two former business partners indicating Joe Biden was the "big guy" who was to receive a cut of a deal with a firm linked to the Chinese Communist Party.
"I think you owe an explanation to the American people," the president said. "Maybe you can do it now."
Biden claimed: "I have not taken a penny from any foreign source in my life. I have not taken a single penny from any country whatsoever ever."
Trump described the Biden family as a "vacuum cleaner," sucking up money from nefarious overseas business deals.
Biden also insisted there was nothing wrong with his son getting paid a total of $3.1 million from the Ukrainian natural gas company Burisma while the former vice president was overseeing Ukraine policy. At the time, however, State Department officials raised concern about an apparent conflict of interest because Burisma was under investigation for corruption. Joe Biden later publicly boasted that he threatened to withhold American aid to Ukraine if the president didn't fire the country's top prosecutor, who was investigating Burisma.
See video of Joe Biden recalling how he successfully pressured Ukrainian officials to fire the prosecutor who was targeting Burisma:
Trump's campaign pointed out the evidence that Hunter Biden's firm got $3.5 million from Russian billionaire Elena Baturina, the wife of the former mayor of Moscow; that Hunter Biden also opened a joint bank account with a Chinese national linked to the communist government; and while "Joe Biden advocated for legislation favored by big banks that made it harder for struggling Americans to declare bankruptcy, Biden’s son Hunter was 'earning' hundreds of thousands of dollars in 'consultant fees' from one of those banks, MBNA."
The campaign released a long list of additional conflict-of-interest concerns involving Biden and his family members.
"While Biden was vice president, his son Hunter joined him on Air Force Two for a trip to China. While in Beijing he arranged for his Chinese business partner to meet his father. Ten days after the trip, Hunter’s firm received an approval from the Chinese government-owned Bank of China that paved the way for more than a billion dollars in business for Hunter’s firm," the report said.


wnd--2020-11-18--400 years after religious liberty came here, it's now at risk

Four hundred years ago this month , a weary band of Christians from England came ashore in New England after a grueling 66-day voyage aboard the Mayflower .
The Pilgrims came for one purpose , which they spelled out in writing : `` for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith . ''
It was all about religious freedom .
They wanted to worship Jesus in the purity of the Gospel .
One hundred fifty years after the Pilgrims came , the founders of this nation enshrined religious freedom in our national charter , the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written , there were some hesitations toward ratifying it .
Many of those who accepted it did so upon the assurance that religious freedom would be guaranteed .
Thus , the founders amended the Constitution with the Bill of Rights , the document 's first 10 amendments .
TRENDING : Rioter who punched out Trump supporter in viral video is registered child sex offender First and foremost among these was religious freedom .
The first two freedoms enshrined in the First Amendment deal with religious liberty .
In effect , these liberties were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national denomination , and people were free to practice their faith as they saw fit .
Implied in that is that the non-believer would be free to practice his lack of faith .
Jump forward to today , 400 years after the Pilgrims arrived , and in the land for which they sought refuge , religious freedom is at risk .
With tongue and cheek , one wag asked , `` Can we uninstall 2020 and install it again ?
This version has a virus . ''
That virus , the one that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many anti-Christians bigots have used to try to hamstring churches .
We have seen in the last several months an unprecedented assault on religious freedom .
Just consider a few examples : • Last week a judge in California ruled that strip clubs should be allowed to re-open , despite the pandemic , because the First Amendment is not nullified by a virus .
And yet at the very same time , officials in California insist churches must be closed or severely limited because of the pandemic .
• The Supreme Court ruled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( July 24 , 2020 ) out of Nevada that it was OK for the state to limit how many people could attend worship services , but the casinos were allowed to operate more freely .
In his dissent on this case , Justice Neil Gorsuch declared , `` … there is no world in which the Constitution permits Nevada to favor Caesars Palace over Calvary Chapel . ''
• Abortion clinics have been deemed `` essential services '' by a number of liberal governors , while churches are categorized as `` non-essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one of the most listened-to and respected Bible teachers in our time .
His church is in the greater Los Angeles area .
He is generally not one to speak out on political matters , but after months of the pandemic and the way many state officials impair churches because of it , MacArthur decided that enough is enough .
He reopened his church – despite threats from state and local officials .
Jenna Ellis , MacArthur 's attorney from the Thomas More Society , said `` Our position has been that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a virus with a 99.98 % survival rate , especially when state-preferred businesses are open and protests are held without restriction , is unconstitutional and harmful to the free exercise of religion . ''
Kelly Shackelford of First Liberty , which also fights for religious freedom , told D. James Kennedy Ministries : `` All people have to do is look at the 'experts ' saying , 'Well , you ca n't sing at church , but oh yeah , the [ BLM and Antifa ] protests , we 're OK with that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It would appear that Christophobic bigots are using the pandemic to curb religious freedom in a country that was born for religious freedom .
Author and speaker Bill Federer once told me in a TV interview : `` Tolerance was an American Christian contribution to the world .
Just as you drop a pebble in the pond , the ripples go out , there was tolerance first for Puritans and then Protestants , then Catholics , then liberal Christians , and then it went out completely to Jews .
Then in the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of any faith , monotheist or polytheist .
Finally , within the last generation , tolerance went out to the atheist , the secular humanist and the anti-religious .
And the last ones in the boat decided it was too crowded and decided to push the first ones out .
So now we have a unique situation in America , where everybody 's tolerated except the ones that came up with the idea .
And so when people say Christians are intolerant , we really need to correct them and say , 'No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with the idea of tolerance . '
'' The Pilgrims sacrificed everything they had to practice religious freedom .
It would be horrible to see the gift they bequeathed to the world uprooted in our time by secular fundamentalists .

Four hundred years ago this month, a weary band of Christians from England came ashore in New England after a grueling 66-day voyage aboard the Mayflower.
The Pilgrims came for one purpose, which they spelled out in writing: "for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith."
It was all about religious freedom. They wanted to worship Jesus in the purity of the Gospel.
One hundred fifty years after the Pilgrims came, the founders of this nation enshrined religious freedom in our national charter, the U.S. Constitution.
When the Constitution was first written, there were some hesitations toward ratifying it. Many of those who accepted it did so upon the assurance that religious freedom would be guaranteed. Thus, the founders amended the Constitution with the Bill of Rights, the document's first 10 amendments.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
First and foremost among these was religious freedom. The first two freedoms enshrined in the First Amendment deal with religious liberty. In effect, these liberties were understood to mean there would be no national denomination, and people were free to practice their faith as they saw fit. Implied in that is that the non-believer would be free to practice his lack of faith.
Jump forward to today, 400 years after the Pilgrims arrived, and in the land for which they sought refuge, religious freedom is at risk. With tongue and cheek, one wag asked, "Can we uninstall 2020 and install it again? This version has a virus."
That virus, the one that causes COVID-19, has been the excuse many anti-Christians bigots have used to try to hamstring churches. We have seen in the last several months an unprecedented assault on religious freedom.
Just consider a few examples:
Last week a judge in California ruled that strip clubs should be allowed to re-open, despite the pandemic, because the First Amendment is not nullified by a virus. And yet at the very same time, officials in California insist churches must be closed or severely limited because of the pandemic.
The Supreme Court ruled in the Calvary Chapel v. Sisolak case (July 24, 2020) out of Nevada that it was OK for the state to limit how many people could attend worship services, but the casinos were allowed to operate more freely. In his dissent on this case, Justice Neil Gorsuch declared, "… there is no world in which the Constitution permits Nevada to favor Caesars Palace over Calvary Chapel."
Abortion clinics have been deemed "essential services" by a number of liberal governors, while churches are categorized as "non-essential."
The Rev. John MacArthur is one of the most listened-to and respected Bible teachers in our time. His church is in the greater Los Angeles area. He is generally not one to speak out on political matters, but after months of the pandemic and the way many state officials impair churches because of it, MacArthur decided that enough is enough. He reopened his church – despite threats from state and local officials.
Jenna Ellis, MacArthur's attorney from the Thomas More Society, said "Our position has been that L.A. County shutting down churches indefinitely amid a virus with a 99.98% survival rate, especially when state-preferred businesses are open and protests are held without restriction, is unconstitutional and harmful to the free exercise of religion."
Kelly Shackelford of First Liberty, which also fights for religious freedom, told D. James Kennedy Ministries: "All people have to do is look at the 'experts' saying, 'Well, you can't sing at church, but oh yeah, the [BLM and Antifa] protests, we're OK with that because that's important.'"
It would appear that Christophobic bigots are using the pandemic to curb religious freedom in a country that was born for religious freedom.
Author and speaker Bill Federer once told me in a TV interview: "Tolerance was an American Christian contribution to the world. Just as you drop a pebble in the pond, the ripples go out, there was tolerance first for Puritans and then Protestants, then Catholics, then liberal Christians, and then it went out completely to Jews. Then in the early 1900s, tolerance went out to anybody of any faith, monotheist or polytheist. Finally, within the last generation, tolerance went out to the atheist, the secular humanist and the anti-religious. And the last ones in the boat decided it was too crowded and decided to push the first ones out. So now we have a unique situation in America, where everybody's tolerated except the ones that came up with the idea. And so when people say Christians are intolerant, we really need to correct them and say, 'No, we're the ones that came up with the idea of tolerance.'"
The Pilgrims sacrificed everything they had to practice religious freedom. It would be horrible to see the gift they bequeathed to the world uprooted in our time by secular fundamentalists.


wnd--2020-11-18--Is Trump lawyer Sidney Powell our own Joan of Arc?

`` I never say anything I ca n't prove . ''
Sidney Powell was cool , calm , collected and fierce in her on-air interview with Fox Business ' Maria Bartiromo last Sunday where she laid out the case purporting massive voting fraud in this year 's presidential election .
Powell , a former federal prosecutor , has a storied career and is most prominently known for rallying conservatives across the nation as she came to Gen. Michael Flynn 's defense earlier this year .
Stepping in to replace what turned out to be a grossly incompetent , if not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , working deftly and diligently , completely turned the tables on the government prosecution exposing their legal malpractice and duplicitous actions in their case against the three-star general .
Now , Powell is on the forefront of the Trump campaign 's legal battle fighting for a free and fair election .
This is not the first time a patriotic woman rose up to fight against powerful forces to save her country and change the course of history .
France was in dire straits and its troops were demoralized and desolate when Joan of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , emerged on the scene in 1429 .
Inspired by visions of saints and angels , Joan took up the sword and the banner of France to fight the ostensibly invincible English forces , reclaiming French territories .
Joan led the French army to victory over the English at Orléans , which historians today recognize as `` a momentous victory … that repulsed an English attempt to conquer France during the Hundred Years ' War . ''
Joan 's courage , fortitude and resolve ultimately brought about victory for France and spawned a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its countrymen .
The United States and its freedom-loving patriots are now in a similar , dire situation , fighting for liberty in the midst of insurmountable odds – a pervasive deep state , insubordinate military officials , a corrupt FBI , blatant censorship by big tech and now what many , including Sidney Powell , believe to be a stolen election .
TRENDING : Rioter who punched out Trump supporter in viral video is registered child sex offender At the core of the corruption , Powell relayed on `` Lou Dobbs Tonight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting machines , which were created with the capability to alter votes either by switching them to another candidate or by deleting them entirely .
The creation of these systems was funded by Venezuela and Cuba , Powell explains , and these are the same voting systems used by Hugo Chavez to manipulate the results of his country 's elections .
With the assistance of a team of mathematicians , Sidney Powell states they have unearthed `` staggering '' statistical evidence of fraud .
Another prong to her legal argument is the financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchasing and incorporating the Dominion voting systems in their respective states .
The corruption and deceit may run so deep as to pervade the upper echelons of the CIA , most notably Director Gina Haspell , who , Powell charged on Bartiromo 's `` Sunday Morning Futures , '' should be removed from her post immediately .
`` I feel very optimistic that the truth will get out .
… I wo n't quit until it 's out .
Release the Kraken ! ''
These were Powell 's parting words as she finished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the `` Rush Limbaugh Show '' Monday .
Powell 's fierce determination , unwavering resolve and uncanny ability to achieve success against powerful , deep-seated , corrupt government forces sparks a glimmer of hope in the hearts of American patriots as she takes the reins in Trump 's fight against election fraud .
Sidney Powell 's battle for democratic freedom in the United States today mirrors the battle Joan of Arc fought on behalf of her country so many years ago .
If there 's any person who can prevail against these seemingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sidney Powell , and she has an army of truth-loving American patriots cheering her to victory .
Teresa Blazewicz studied philosophy and political science at Catholic University of America after which she worked as a paralegal for Westlaw and HMSHost .
In her spare time , she occupies herself by coaching gymnastics , making jewelry , and capturing timeless moments of natural beauty using her Canon EOS Rebel T5 .
You can follow her work on Instagram @ littleflowerphotos .

By Teresa Blazewicz
"I never say anything I can't prove." Sidney Powell was cool, calm, collected and fierce in her on-air interview with Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo last Sunday where she laid out the case purporting massive voting fraud in this year's presidential election. Powell, a former federal prosecutor, has a storied career and is most prominently known for rallying conservatives across the nation as she came to Gen. Michael Flynn's defense earlier this year. Stepping in to replace what turned out to be a grossly incompetent, if not willfully negligent, defense team, Powell, working deftly and diligently, completely turned the tables on the government prosecution exposing their legal malpractice and duplicitous actions in their case against the three-star general. Now, Powell is on the forefront of the Trump campaign's legal battle fighting for a free and fair election.
This is not the first time a patriotic woman rose up to fight against powerful forces to save her country and change the course of history. France was in dire straits and its troops were demoralized and desolate when Joan of Arc, a poor young peasant woman, emerged on the scene in 1429. Inspired by visions of saints and angels, Joan took up the sword and the banner of France to fight the ostensibly invincible English forces, reclaiming French territories. Joan led the French army to victory over the English at Orléans, which historians today recognize as "a momentous victory … that repulsed an English attempt to conquer France during the Hundred Years' War."
Joan's courage, fortitude and resolve ultimately brought about victory for France and spawned a renewed sense of patriotism and hope among its countrymen.
The United States and its freedom-loving patriots are now in a similar, dire situation, fighting for liberty in the midst of insurmountable odds – a pervasive deep state, insubordinate military officials, a corrupt FBI, blatant censorship by big tech and now what many, including Sidney Powell, believe to be a stolen election.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
At the core of the corruption, Powell relayed on "Lou Dobbs Tonight" Friday evening, are the Dominion voting machines, which were created with the capability to alter votes either by switching them to another candidate or by deleting them entirely. The creation of these systems was funded by Venezuela and Cuba, Powell explains, and these are the same voting systems used by Hugo Chavez to manipulate the results of his country's elections. With the assistance of a team of mathematicians, Sidney Powell states they have unearthed "staggering" statistical evidence of fraud.
Another prong to her legal argument is the financial benefit various government officials allegedly received after purchasing and incorporating the Dominion voting systems in their respective states. The corruption and deceit may run so deep as to pervade the upper echelons of the CIA, most notably Director Gina Haspell, who, Powell charged on Bartiromo's "Sunday Morning Futures," should be removed from her post immediately.
"I feel very optimistic that the truth will get out. … I won't quit until it's out. Release the Kraken!" These were Powell's parting words as she finished a radio interview with Mark Steyn on the "Rush Limbaugh Show" Monday.
Powell's fierce determination, unwavering resolve and uncanny ability to achieve success against powerful, deep-seated, corrupt government forces sparks a glimmer of hope in the hearts of American patriots as she takes the reins in Trump's fight against election fraud. Sidney Powell's battle for democratic freedom in the United States today mirrors the battle Joan of Arc fought on behalf of her country so many years ago. If there's any person who can prevail against these seemingly indomitable forces, it might just be Sidney Powell, and she has an army of truth-loving American patriots cheering her to victory.
Teresa Blazewicz studied philosophy and political science at Catholic University of America after which she worked as a paralegal for Westlaw and HMSHost. In her spare time, she occupies herself by coaching gymnastics, making jewelry, and capturing timeless moments of natural beauty using her Canon EOS Rebel T5. You can follow her work on Instagram @littleflowerphotos.


wnd--2020-11-18--Georgia Senate candidate: 'Nobody can serve God and the military'

With all eyes on Georgia as it prepares for a runoff election that likely will determine which party controls the Senate , the radical background of Democratic candidate Rafael Warnock has come under close scrutiny .
Already , the campaign of Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler has seized on Warnock 's condemnation of `` whiteness '' from the pulpit and his former church 's hosting of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro .
Now , video has surface of Warnock declaring in a 2011 sermon that Americans can not serve God while also serving in the U.S. military , the Washington Free Beacon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is home to the fifth largest active duty military population in the country .
TRENDING : Rioter who punched out Trump supporter in viral video is registered child sex offender '' America , nobody can serve God and the military , '' Warnock said in the sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta , where he serves as senior pastor .
`` You ca n't serve God and money .
You can not serve God and mammon at the same time .
`` America choose ye this day who you will serve .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Video previously surfaced of Warnock declaring `` America needs to repent for its worship of whiteness . ''
His mentorship under the late `` critical race theory '' theologian James Cone also has drawn attention .
Cone , who said that white Christians practice the `` theology of the Antichrist '' and described white people as `` satanic , '' influenced Barack Obama 's former pastor Jeremiah Wright .
Warnock was an associate pastor at a church in New York City when it hosted and enthusiastically celebrated Cuban dictator Fidel Castro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argued he was a junior member of the staff at the time and was not a decision-maker .
However , the church also hosted Castro in 1960 .
And Warnock has refused to say whether or not he attended the event .
The Miami Herald reported at the time that Castro `` blast [ ed ] the United States with the vigor that was missing from his speech to the United Nations earlier in the day and winding up the evening with a rousing rendition of the socialist hymn Internationale . ''
Head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ C-SPAN coverage of the event praising Castro , prompting chants from the audience of `` Fidel !
Fidel !
Fidel ! ''
The Free Beacon said Warnock 's campaign did not respond to a request for comment .

With all eyes on Georgia as it prepares for a runoff election that likely will determine which party controls the Senate, the radical background of Democratic candidate Rafael Warnock has come under close scrutiny.
Already, the campaign of Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler has seized on Warnock's condemnation of "whiteness" from the pulpit and his former church's hosting of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.
Now, video has surface of Warnock declaring in a 2011 sermon that Americans cannot serve God while also serving in the U.S. military, the Washington Free Beacon reported.
The Free Beacon noted Georgia is home to the fifth largest active duty military population in the country.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
"America, nobody can serve God and the military," Warnock said in the sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where he serves as senior pastor. "You can't serve God and money. You cannot serve God and mammon at the same time.
"America choose ye this day who you will serve. Choose ye this day!" he said.
Video previously surfaced of Warnock declaring "America needs to repent for its worship of whiteness." His mentorship under the late "critical race theory" theologian James Cone also has drawn attention. Cone, who said that white Christians practice the "theology of the Antichrist" and described white people as "satanic," influenced Barack Obama's former pastor Jeremiah Wright.
Warnock was an associate pastor at a church in New York City when it hosted and enthusiastically celebrated Cuban dictator Fidel Castro in 1995. Warnock's campaign has argued he was a junior member of the staff at the time and was not a decision-maker. However, the church also hosted Castro in 1960. And Warnock has refused to say whether or not he attended the event. The Miami Herald reported at the time that Castro "blast[ed] the United States with the vigor that was missing from his speech to the United Nations earlier in the day and winding up the evening with a rousing rendition of the socialist hymn Internationale."
Head pastor Calvin Butts can be seen in C-SPAN coverage of the event praising Castro, prompting chants from the audience of "Fidel! Fidel! Fidel!"
The Free Beacon said Warnock's campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
See Warnock's 2011 denunciation of military service:


wnd--2020-11-18--FAA grants permission for Boeing 737 Max jets to fly

( FOX BUSINESS ) -- The Federal Aviation Administration has rescinded its grounding order for Boeing 's 737 Max jet @ @ @ @ @ return to the skies after certain modifications are made .
The decision follows a 20-month @ @ @ @ @ and 2019 killed 346 passengers .
`` The path that led us to this point @ @ @ @ @ but we said from the start that we would take the time necessary to get @ @ @ @ @ Administrator Steve Dickson said Wednesday .
We were never driven by a timeline but rather @ @ @ @ @ safety process ... that only took 20 months to complete . ''

(FOX BUSINESS) -- The Federal Aviation Administration has rescinded its grounding order for Boeing's 737 Max jet, allowing the aircraft to return to the skies after certain modifications are made.
The decision follows a 20-month review after crashes in 2018 and 2019 killed 346 passengers.
"The path that led us to this point was long and grueling, but we said from the start that we would take the time necessary to get this right," FAA Administrator Steve Dickson said Wednesday. We were never driven by a timeline but rather followed a methodical and deliberate safety process...that only took 20 months to complete."
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-18--Dem arrested for threatening to kill Republicans

( FOX NEWS ) -- A registered Democrat in Florida was arrested Saturday for allegedly threatening on social media to @ @ @ @ @ Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sens .
Marco Rubio and Rick Scott .
`` DeSantis , @ @ @ @ @ are looting my state .
Imma shot them , ” Karen Jones , 55 , @ @ @ @ @ week .
Palm Beach County sheriff deputies responded to Jones ' home in Lantana Saturday @ @ @ @ @ counts of written threats to kill or do bodily harm .

(FOX NEWS) -- A registered Democrat in Florida was arrested Saturday for allegedly threatening on social media to shoot Republican politicians Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott.
"DeSantis, Rick Scott and Marco Rubio are looting my state. Imma shot them,” Karen Jones, 55, allegedly wrote on Twitter last week.
Palm Beach County sheriff deputies responded to Jones' home in Lantana Saturday and arrested her on three counts of written threats to kill or do bodily harm.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-11-19--Major peer-reviewed study finds masks don't work

The first large , randomized controlled trial of its kind showed no statistically significant difference in COVID-19 cases between people who wore masks and those who did not .
The Danish study published this week in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that a `` recommendation to wear a surgical mask when outside the home among others did not reduce , at conventional levels of statistical significance , incident [ COVID-19 ] infection compared with no mask recommendation . ''
Among 6,000 participants in Denmark , half were told to wear masks and half were not .
The researchers found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wear masks contracted COVID-19 , while 53 in the control group got the disease .
The authors concluded the difference was not statistically significant .
Critics of the study argue the researchers did not investigate specifically whether masks prevented people infected with COVID-19 from infecting other people .
A Danish newspaper reported the mask study had been completed three months ago , but it was rejected by leading three medical journals because the results are controversial .
The Blaze noted that prior to changing its position on universal mask-wearing , the Centers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trials that showed `` no significant reduction in influenza transmission with the use of face masks . ''
In October , an analysis of a dozen graphs charting the number of COVID-19 cases in countries and U.S. states confirmed the conclusions of recent studies that mask mandates have no effect on the spread of the disease .
Meanwhile , Pennsylvania on Tuesday imposed new COVID-19 restrictions that will require wearing masks in homes if someone from outside a household is present , even if physical distance can be maintained .
`` Wearing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps we can take to stop the spread of COVID-19 , '' she said .
About 40 states have implemented mask requirements of some sort , according to a database maintained by the New York Times .
In Wisconsin , Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers announced Wednesday that he will sign an executive order extending the state ’ s mask mandate into 2021 .
Former Vice President Joe Biden is urging Americans to wear a mask , claiming it could save at least 100,000 lives until Inauguration Day , Jan. 20 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejected by the Lancet , the New England Journal of Medicine and the American Medical Association 's journal JAMA .
Former New York Times reporter Alex Berenson , who has reported extensively on the coronavirus , wrote in an Oct. 18 tweet that he had corresponded with the lead researcher in the Danish study , Thomas Lars Benfield .
He asked Benfield when the study would be published .
The researcher 's answer was : `` as soon as a journal is brave enough . ''
The editor in chief of Annals of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the Danish study did a good job of answering the specific question of whether or not face masks protect wearers from COVID-19 in areas with low infection rates and high levels of social distancing , Forbes reported .
`` It did not answer the question about whether widespread masking mitigates SARS-CoV-2 infection , '' she says , adding that while there were concerns over misinterpretation , the editors agreed publishing it was important because it was `` the only randomized control trial of masks for SARS-CoV-2 infection that has been done to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well-designed study . ''
Forbes reported that while the study found little evidence that masks protected the wearers from Covid-19 , it should not be used as evidence to not wear a mask , according the `` lead author '' of the study , Dr. Henning Bundgaard , professor of cardiology at Rigshospitalet in Denmark .
`` Even a small degree of protection is worth using the face masks , because you are protecting yourself against a potentially life-threatening disease , '' he said .
In a reponse to the study also published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , former director for the Centers for Disease Control , contended the authors used antibody tests to diagnose cases of COVID-19 , which could have led to a significant number of false positives .
He also argued the authors did not ensure that people who were told to wear masks wore them correctly or at all times .
Bundgaard replied , insisting the compliance rate was still `` considerably better '' in the study compared to regular society .
While agreeing it was possible that the antibody tests could have led to false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk is in both groups , and that would probably even it out . ''

The first large, randomized controlled trial of its kind showed no statistically significant difference in COVID-19 cases between people who wore masks and those who did not.
The Danish study published this week in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that a "recommendation to wear a surgical mask when outside the home among others did not reduce, at conventional levels of statistical significance, incident [COVID-19] infection compared with no mask recommendation."
Among 6,000 participants in Denmark, half were told to wear masks and half were not. The researchers found 42 of the participants who were told to wear masks contracted COVID-19, while 53 in the control group got the disease.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The authors concluded the difference was not statistically significant.
Critics of the study argue the researchers did not investigate specifically whether masks prevented people infected with COVID-19 from infecting other people.
A Danish newspaper reported the mask study had been completed three months ago, but it was rejected by leading three medical journals because the results are controversial.
The Blaze noted that prior to changing its position on universal mask-wearing, the Centers for Disease Control cited 10 randomized controlled trials that showed "no significant reduction in influenza transmission with the use of face masks."
Do you support a national mask mandate? Yes No Completing this poll entitles you to WND news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use You're logged in to Facebook. Click here to log out. 2% (8 Votes) 98% (387 Votes)
In October, an analysis of a dozen graphs charting the number of COVID-19 cases in countries and U.S. states confirmed the conclusions of recent studies that mask mandates have no effect on the spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania on Tuesday imposed new COVID-19 restrictions that will require wearing masks in homes if someone from outside a household is present, even if physical distance can be maintained.
"Wearing a mask is really one of the simplest steps we can take to stop the spread of COVID-19," she said.
About 40 states have implemented mask requirements of some sort, according to a database maintained by the New York Times.
In Wisconsin, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers announced Wednesday that he will sign an executive order extending the state’s mask mandate into 2021.
Former Vice President Joe Biden is urging Americans to wear a mask, claiming it could save at least 100,000 lives until Inauguration Day, Jan. 20.
Rejected by three journals
The Danish paper Berlingske reported the study was rejected by the Lancet, the New England Journal of Medicine and the American Medical Association's journal JAMA.
According to the Danish newspaper @berlingske tre scientific journals have refused to publish the results of the first major scientific investigation the effect of use of masks during the Covid-19 pandemic. Apparently because the results might not show what is politically correct pic.twitter.com/OJ6ZRq8idp — Lars Christensen (@MaMoMVPY) October 21, 2020
Former New York Times reporter Alex Berenson, who has reported extensively on the coronavirus, wrote in an Oct. 18 tweet that he had corresponded with the lead researcher in the Danish study, Thomas Lars Benfield.
He asked Benfield when the study would be published.
The researcher's answer was: "as soon as a journal is brave enough."
A lead investigator on the Danish mask study - the ONLY (as far as I know) randomized trial to see if masks protect from #COVID - was asked when it would be published. His answer: “as soon as a journal is brave enough.” If you think that means the study shows masks work... pic.twitter.com/tm5PFBa5TL — Alex Berenson (@AlexBerenson) October 18, 2020
The editor in chief of Annals of Internal Medicine, Dr. Christine Laine, said the Danish study did a good job of answering the specific question of whether or not face masks protect wearers from COVID-19 in areas with low infection rates and high levels of social distancing, Forbes reported.
"It did not answer the question about whether widespread masking mitigates SARS-CoV-2 infection," she says, adding that while there were concerns over misinterpretation, the editors agreed publishing it was important because it was "the only randomized control trial of masks for SARS-CoV-2 infection that has been done to date" and it was a "well-designed study."
Forbes reported that while the study found little evidence that masks protected the wearers from Covid-19, it should not be used as evidence to not wear a mask, according the "lead author" of the study, Dr. Henning Bundgaard, professor of cardiology at Rigshospitalet in Denmark.
"Even a small degree of protection is worth using the face masks, because you are protecting yourself against a potentially life-threatening disease," he said.
In a reponse to the study also published by the journal, Dr. Tom Frieden, former director for the Centers for Disease Control, contended the authors used antibody tests to diagnose cases of COVID-19, which could have led to a significant number of false positives.
He also argued the authors did not ensure that people who were told to wear masks wore them correctly or at all times.
Bundgaard replied, insisting the compliance rate was still "considerably better" in the study compared to regular society.
While agreeing it was possible that the antibody tests could have led to false positives, he reasoned that the "risk is in both groups, and that would probably even it out."