wnd--2020-04-01--Renegade surfers! California closes Pacific Ocean

Shutdown orders coming from states like California to fight the `` invisible enemy , '' the coronavirus , are breathtaking in their breadth .
And , they have been implemented with reckless disregard for individual liberty and constitutional rights .
Consider a few examples : California Gov .
Gavin Newsom 's shutdown order mandates all Californians to `` stay home or at their place of residence except as needed to maintain continuity of operations of the federal critical infrastructure sectors '' as identified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security .
No other exceptions to the stay at home order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contradicted by the state 's own covid19.ca.gov website , which states , `` Everyone is required to stay home except to get food , care for a relative or friend , get necessary health care , or go to an essential job . ''
One would think that a governor putting such extraordinary measures in place , and expecting all Californians to follow them or be subjected to fines and/or imprisonment , would be more careful in drafting such an executive order .
Constitutional rights may only be curtailed where there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law or order is narrowly tailored to achieve that interest .
It hardly seems that Newsom was mindful of this test in crafting an order denying essential liberties , i.e .
freedom of movement , association , assembly , protection of property , etc .
The state 's website also says that it is OK to go outside and exercise .
Certainly , many medical professionals have expressed the importance of exercise and fresh air to stay healthy and keep immune systems strong .
The website notes that , `` To help reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at some parks , including closing vehicular access and parking lots to reduce density of visitors . ''
It then points you to a website to check the status of the state park in your area .
Sounds reasonable , but when you go to the State Park website , it states , `` ALL 280 State Parks Temporarily Closed '' !
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Oh well , there are always mountain trails , bike paths and the beaches to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Nope , closed by county orders .
OK , how about city tennis courts and golf courses ?
Also closed .
The reason : People can not be trusted to keep six feet of separation from each other .
Surfers were given citations by law enforcement over the weekend upon returning to land .
Yes , that 's correct , California has closed the Pacific Ocean .
Rather than trusting people to keep social distancing , and having lifeguards and park rangers monitor it , officials have determined that people can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed .
So much for `` narrowly tailored . ''
Finally , California has allowed county sheriffs to order gun stores to close because they are not deemed essential .
So , the L.A. County sheriff ordered gun stores to close , apparently believing that the risk that the virus could be spread at a gun store trumps the Second Amendment right of people to own a gun .
One would think narrowly tailored would mean limiting the gun store to a certain number of customers at a time , requiring appointments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line .
But , again , officials determined that people can not be trusted to adhere to such rules , requiring government to step in and simply close the stores .
With gun store closings , California officials may have finally gone too far .
On Friday the Firearms Policy Coalition , among others , sued California and the the L.A. County sheriff for violating citizens ' Second Amendment right to bear arms .
The director of legal policy for the Coalition said on my Hidden Truth Show podcast this week that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not `` narrowly tailored '' to address the concern regarding the spread of coronavirus .
`` They have completely taken away the right to anyone who does not have a gun during a time when people are most uncertain and there is actual fear of looting , '' he told me .
`` It is uncertain times and this is the time when people need an effective measure of defense . ''
After the case was filed , Homeland Security added gun stores to the list of essential businesses .
Thus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had no choice but to rescind his order !
We all support our mayors , sheriffs and governors working to fight this virus with all available means .
But we must adhere to the state and U.S. constitutions .
They stand guard over individual liberties , especially in times of crisis .
Our history is littered with examples of government violating liberties in response to a crisis due to panic .
The internment of the Japanese during World War II serves as just one instructive example .
Let us assure that we adhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we look back years from now we can proudly say we did all we could to fight the virus , and we did so with the utmost respect for its protection of individual liberties .

Shutdown orders coming from states like California to fight the "invisible enemy," the coronavirus, are breathtaking in their breadth. And, they have been implemented with reckless disregard for individual liberty and constitutional rights. Consider a few examples:
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's shutdown order mandates all Californians to "stay home or at their place of residence except as needed to maintain continuity of operations of the federal critical infrastructure sectors" as identified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. No other exceptions to the stay at home order are provided. Yet the order is contradicted by the state's own covid19.ca.gov website, which states, "Everyone is required to stay home except to get food, care for a relative or friend, get necessary health care, or go to an essential job." One would think that a governor putting such extraordinary measures in place, and expecting all Californians to follow them or be subjected to fines and/or imprisonment, would be more careful in drafting such an executive order.
Constitutional rights may only be curtailed where there is a "compelling governmental interest" and the law or order is narrowly tailored to achieve that interest. It hardly seems that Newsom was mindful of this test in crafting an order denying essential liberties, i.e. freedom of movement, association, assembly, protection of property, etc.
The state's website also says that it is OK to go outside and exercise. Certainly, many medical professionals have expressed the importance of exercise and fresh air to stay healthy and keep immune systems strong. The website notes that, "To help reduce crowds, State Parks is modifying operations at some parks, including closing vehicular access and parking lots to reduce density of visitors." It then points you to a website to check the status of the state park in your area. Sounds reasonable, but when you go to the State Park website, it states, "ALL 280 State Parks Temporarily Closed"!
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Oh well, there are always mountain trails, bike paths and the beaches to use for exercise and fresh air, right? Nope, closed by county orders. OK, how about city tennis courts and golf courses? Also closed. The reason: People cannot be trusted to keep six feet of separation from each other. Surfers were given citations by law enforcement over the weekend upon returning to land. Yes, that's correct, California has closed the Pacific Ocean. Rather than trusting people to keep social distancing, and having lifeguards and park rangers monitor it, officials have determined that people cannot be trusted and simply ordered it all closed. So much for "narrowly tailored."
Finally, California has allowed county sheriffs to order gun stores to close because they are not deemed essential. So, the L.A. County sheriff ordered gun stores to close, apparently believing that the risk that the virus could be spread at a gun store trumps the Second Amendment right of people to own a gun. One would think narrowly tailored would mean limiting the gun store to a certain number of customers at a time, requiring appointments, or mandating distance between persons standing in line. But, again, officials determined that people cannot be trusted to adhere to such rules, requiring government to step in and simply close the stores.
With gun store closings, California officials may have finally gone too far. On Friday the Firearms Policy Coalition, among others, sued California and the the L.A. County sheriff for violating citizens' Second Amendment right to bear arms. The director of legal policy for the Coalition said on my Hidden Truth Show podcast this week that the closing down of gun stores most certainly is not "narrowly tailored" to address the concern regarding the spread of coronavirus.
"They have completely taken away the right to anyone who does not have a gun during a time when people are most uncertain and there is actual fear of looting," he told me. "It is uncertain times and this is the time when people need an effective measure of defense."
After the case was filed, Homeland Security added gun stores to the list of essential businesses. Thus, per Newsom's order, the sheriff had no choice but to rescind his order!
We all support our mayors, sheriffs and governors working to fight this virus with all available means. But we must adhere to the state and U.S. constitutions. They stand guard over individual liberties, especially in times of crisis. Our history is littered with examples of government violating liberties in response to a crisis due to panic. The internment of the Japanese during World War II serves as just one instructive example.
Let us assure that we adhere to the Constitution now so that when we look back years from now we can proudly say we did all we could to fight the virus, and we did so with the utmost respect for its protection of individual liberties.


COVID-19 in light of 1999 and 999

SILICON VALLEY , Calif. – We are currently living through the first global pandemic of the internet age .
Stats.com offers a glimpse .
These are heady times for sure , but we can find solace in the fact that mankind has been here before .
Justinian .
The Black Death .
Nostradamus .
Atilla the Hun .
Genghis Khan .
The post-World War I Spanish Flu .
The list could stretch on for many pages .
For example , the 1666 Great Plague of London saw 100,000 perish – about one-fourth of London 's population .
The world has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in juxtaposition , has 138,183 residents in 2020 .
The global population has doubled from 3.5 billion in 1970 to over 7 billion today .
Is our current neo-liberal expansion of the consumer economy based on unlimited growth a sustainable path ?
The coronavirus pandemic gives us pause to reevaluate our personal , national and global direction .
Those old enough to remember better times might well cite the year 1999 ( or perhaps 1945 ) as our national apex .
It was called `` The Summer of Corporate Love . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lone hegemon .
The stock market was the Alpha and the Omega .
The internet had been birthed with a flourish .
Russia was down for the count .
China had yet to rise .
We were told it was `` The End of History . ''
Now consider Dec. 31 , A.D. 999 .
Devout pilgrims feared the world would end at the first millennium .
When Pope Sylvester II presided over Midnight Mass , as the bells chimed , the faithful hid on their hands and knees , fearing the wrath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they stood up to find scores of dead bodies all around them , fellow worshipers who had died of fright .
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In 2020 , we can not afford to misread the lessons of history offered by both 1999 and 999 .
In 1999 , the United States was not as invincible as it appeared to the rest of the world .
And in 999 , the world was far stronger than the pilgrims in St. Peter 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decade of 990-999 , the world was gripped in a mania of religiosity .
The book , `` The Story of Human Life and Doomsday '' by Frederick Martin , explains how people climbed to the tops of mountains to get an eyewitness view of Jesus ' return .
People fasted .
They gave away food .
They prayed like never before .
They discarded possessions .
Pope Sylvester II did not have `` How to survive St. Peter 's Square on 12.31.999 '' available for purchase on Amazon .
In reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – in Brazil – was almost half a millennium in the future .
Those of us who live in 2020 are far luckier than any other generation in human history .
Amazon.com is still delivering .
In fact , this writer recently ordered 50 disposable surgical masks for $ 49.99 .
Amazon is already featuring the Coronavirus Prevention Handbook .
And there 's another book on how to make $ 10,000 per month working at home during the lockdown .
Nor has much changed in terms of online banking .
In fact , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internet .
Consider TheMoneyPig , which enables you to shop for various quotes on insurance , credit cards , mobile phones and other matters relating to postmodern life .
The National Review published a story entitled , `` The Internet and Social Media in the Age of Coronavirus . ''
`` The requirements of self-quarantine and social distancing mean we 're all interacting with each other electronically – e-mail , texting , Facebook , Twitter , and other social-media networks .
But at least we 're still interacting .
If the coronavirus had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we would be all stuck talking on landlines to each other – and medical and pharmaceutical technology would n't be what it is today . ''
Indeed , the internet offers us solace during these troubling times .
Can you imagine what life would be like without it ?
Consider the Carrington Event of 1859 , during which a Coronal Mass Ejection ( CME ) hit the Earth , setting telegraph offices on fire and otherwise taking down the internet of that era .
They were on the cusp of difficult times .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and then Reconstruction .
In order to heal the rift between North and South , the Atlantic and the Pacific needed to be connected .
Before the Panama Canal , there was the massive undertaking of the Transcontinental Railroad ( 1863–1869 ) .
Men blasted their way through the Sierra Nevada , sleeping in icy caves in an effort to create an engineering miracle that , in a simpler way , rivals the Great Pyramid .
Former Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was president between 1869 and 1877 .
He was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much .
On June 26 , 1869 , Grant hosted the first Major League Baseball game .
It was the Cincinnati Reds facing the Washington Nationals at the White House , then known as the `` President 's Mansion . ''
Grant had refused to campaign on white supremacist ideals when that seemed to be the surest way to victory .
Even today , the U.S. 50-dollar bill bears his image .
U.S. Grant did not panic when the nation was literally bleeding and dying .
One recalls the saying , `` If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others are losing theirs … '' Yes , much has changed because of the coronavirus .
There is no Major League spring training .
No NHL .
No NBA .
No NCAA March Madness .
If you had set up an altar of materialism , the shelves in the store are empty .
Saudi Aramco 's IPO has all but failed .
NOPEC has emerged on the national security energy agenda .
The oil price is bottoming .
Shale is under attack .
Furthermore , social media has given way to social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The entire nation is being homeschooled .
The stock market is in flux .
Debt is exploding .
Paper fiat money is being printed and sent out via electrons on a computer screen , like hotcakes .
We have all witnessed the collapse of the American unipolar moment since 1999 .
The decline has been both breathtaking and astonishing .
Debt .
Homeless .
Borders .
Opium-based drugs .
Suicides .
Drought .
Pollution .
The rise of AI .
Outsourcing of our jobs and supply chains .
Yet , echoing Ulysses S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen as a chance to keep our cool , face down daunting challenges and tackle the future .
Space travel , mining the moon or Helium-3 , microbes that can eat oil spills , and perhaps one day eat the plastic choking the world 's oceans , are not only possible , but probable .
One of Saturn 's moons has all of the fresh water Earth will ever need .
The future is waiting for us to embrace it .
But A.D. 2020 is not A.D. 999 .
And at the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all we need to know .

SILICON VALLEY, Calif. – We are currently living through the first global pandemic of the internet age. Stats.com offers a glimpse.
These are heady times for sure, but we can find solace in the fact that mankind has been here before. Justinian. The Black Death. Nostradamus. Atilla the Hun. Genghis Khan. The post-World War I Spanish Flu. The list could stretch on for many pages.
For example, the 1666 Great Plague of London saw 100,000 perish – about one-fourth of London's population. The world has changed since 1666. Waco, Texas, in juxtaposition, has 138,183 residents in 2020. The global population has doubled from 3.5 billion in 1970 to over 7 billion today. Is our current neo-liberal expansion of the consumer economy based on unlimited growth a sustainable path? The coronavirus pandemic gives us pause to reevaluate our personal, national and global direction.
Those old enough to remember better times might well cite the year 1999 (or perhaps 1945) as our national apex. It was called "The Summer of Corporate Love." The United States was the world's lone hegemon. The stock market was the Alpha and the Omega. The internet had been birthed with a flourish. Russia was down for the count. China had yet to rise. We were told it was "The End of History."
Now consider Dec. 31, A.D. 999. Devout pilgrims feared the world would end at the first millennium. When Pope Sylvester II presided over Midnight Mass, as the bells chimed, the faithful hid on their hands and knees, fearing the wrath of the Almighty. After a spell, they stood up to find scores of dead bodies all around them, fellow worshipers who had died of fright.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
In 2020, we cannot afford to misread the lessons of history offered by both 1999 and 999. In 1999, the United States was not as invincible as it appeared to the rest of the world. And in 999, the world was far stronger than the pilgrims in St. Peter's Square could have ever imagined.
From the decade of 990-999, the world was gripped in a mania of religiosity. The book, "The Story of Human Life and Doomsday" by Frederick Martin, explains how people climbed to the tops of mountains to get an eyewitness view of Jesus' return. People fasted. They gave away food. They prayed like never before. They discarded possessions. Pope Sylvester II did not have "How to survive St. Peter's Square on 12.31.999" available for purchase on Amazon. In reality, the discovery of the real Amazon – in Brazil – was almost half a millennium in the future.
Those of us who live in 2020 are far luckier than any other generation in human history. Amazon.com is still delivering. In fact, this writer recently ordered 50 disposable surgical masks for $49.99. Amazon is already featuring the Coronavirus Prevention Handbook. And there's another book on how to make $10,000 per month working at home during the lockdown. Nor has much changed in terms of online banking. In fact, our lives were already dominated by the internet. Consider TheMoneyPig, which enables you to shop for various quotes on insurance, credit cards, mobile phones and other matters relating to postmodern life.
The National Review published a story entitled, "The Internet and Social Media in the Age of Coronavirus."
The article reads, in part:
"The requirements of self-quarantine and social distancing mean we're all interacting with each other electronically – e-mail, texting, Facebook, Twitter, and other social-media networks. But at least we're still interacting. If the coronavirus had popped up in the early 1990s, we would be all stuck talking on landlines to each other – and medical and pharmaceutical technology wouldn't be what it is today."
Indeed, the internet offers us solace during these troubling times. Can you imagine what life would be like without it? Consider the Carrington Event of 1859, during which a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) hit the Earth, setting telegraph offices on fire and otherwise taking down the internet of that era. They were on the cusp of difficult times. There was the Civil War (1861–1865) and then Reconstruction.
In order to heal the rift between North and South, the Atlantic and the Pacific needed to be connected. Before the Panama Canal, there was the massive undertaking of the Transcontinental Railroad (1863–1869). Men blasted their way through the Sierra Nevada, sleeping in icy caves in an effort to create an engineering miracle that, in a simpler way, rivals the Great Pyramid.
Former Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was president between 1869 and 1877. He was a devout Christian who many say drank too much. On June 26, 1869, Grant hosted the first Major League Baseball game. It was the Cincinnati Reds facing the Washington Nationals at the White House, then known as the "President's Mansion." Grant had refused to campaign on white supremacist ideals when that seemed to be the surest way to victory. Even today, the U.S. 50-dollar bill bears his image.
U.S. Grant did not panic when the nation was literally bleeding and dying. One recalls the saying, "If you can keep your head when all others are losing theirs …"
Yes, much has changed because of the coronavirus. There is no Major League spring training. No NHL. No NBA. No NCAA March Madness. If you had set up an altar of materialism, the shelves in the store are empty. Saudi Aramco's IPO has all but failed. NOPEC has emerged on the national security energy agenda. The oil price is bottoming. Shale is under attack.
Furthermore, social media has given way to social distancing. Stanford University is shut down. The entire nation is being homeschooled. The stock market is in flux. Debt is exploding. Paper fiat money is being printed and sent out via electrons on a computer screen, like hotcakes.
We have all witnessed the collapse of the American unipolar moment since 1999. The decline has been both breathtaking and astonishing. Debt. Homeless. Borders. Opium-based drugs. Suicides. Drought. Pollution. The rise of AI. Outsourcing of our jobs and supply chains.
Yet, echoing Ulysses S. Grant, the year 2020 can be seen as a chance to keep our cool, face down daunting challenges and tackle the future. Space travel, mining the moon for Helium-3, microbes that can eat oil spills, and perhaps one day eat the plastic choking the world's oceans, are not only possible, but probable. One of Saturn's moons has all of the fresh water Earth will ever need. The future is waiting for us to embrace it.
Rest assured, A.D. 2020 is not A.D. 999. And at the end of the day, that may be all we need to know.


wnd--2020-04-01--'Christophobic bigots' outraged over Franklin Graham's tent hospital

An openly gay and anti-Christian New York state senator has condemned Franklin Graham and Samaritan 's Purse for wanting to treat coronavirus patients .
Samaritan 's Purse set up an emergency field tent hospital in Central Park at the request of city officials .
The respiratory unit , which will be supervised by Mount Sinai Hospital , can accommodate 68 patients .
`` It 's a shame that the federal government has left New York with no other choice but to accept charity from bigots , '' State Sen. Brad Hoylman said .
`` You know those medical tents being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being set up by notorious anti-gay bigot Franklin Graham .
Mr. Graham must promise to treat EVERY patient with dignity and respect . ''
NOTE : Social media is cracking down on conservative content .
Many of you have complained that you never see our content in your news feeds .
There 's only one way to fight back — and that 's by subscribing to my FREE weekly newsletter .
Click here .
Graham responded to the senator 's repulsive comments during an interview on `` The Todd Starnes Radio Show .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics .
TRENDING : Obama drops coronavirus bombshell : It 's all due to climate change !
`` This virus is a tsunami that is hitting our shores .
It 's killing Republicans .
It 's killing Democrats .
It 's killing independents , '' Graham said .
`` And we just need to say forget the politics right now .
Let 's work together to save lives . ''
It 's unthinkable that anyone , much less a state lawmaker , would bully a bunch of Christians who simply want to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We do n't discriminate against anybody , '' Graham said .
`` Our doors are open for all New Yorkers – regardless of their race , ethnicity or their sexual preference .
We treat everybody the same . ''
That being said , Graham said those involved do not compromise on their religious beliefs or values .
`` We are evangelical Christians , and we hire Christian men and women to work in our hospitals .
We are there in Jesus ' name .
That 's just who we are .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Mayor Bill de Blasio told the New York Post that he was troubled over the ministry 's commitment to traditional religious beliefs regarding marriage and sexuality .
`` We 're going to send people over from the Mayor 's Office to monitor '' the park facility , de Blasio added .
`` So I 'm very concerned to make sure this is done right .
But if it is done right , of course , we need all the help we can get . ''
Even some in the city 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christian ministry 's charity .
`` I do n't want to demonize people who are volunteering their time , but it is a concerning thing , '' Amy Martin , a Brooklyn resident and former nursing assistant , told Gothamist .
`` On the one hand , this is absolutely an all hands on deck situation , '' she continued .
`` On the other hand , as an LGBT New Yorker , I would be hesitant to make that my first choice of care .
I 'd much rather be seen anywhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bigots in New York City would rather let people suffer than accept charity from Christian doctors and nurses ?
How terribly sad , indeed .

An openly gay and anti-Christian New York state senator has condemned Franklin Graham and Samaritan's Purse for wanting to treat coronavirus patients.
Samaritan's Purse set up an emergency field tent hospital in Central Park at the request of city officials. The respiratory unit, which will be supervised by Mount Sinai Hospital, can accommodate 68 patients.
"It's a shame that the federal government has left New York with no other choice but to accept charity from bigots," State Sen. Brad Hoylman said. "You know those medical tents being constructed in Central Park? They're being set up by notorious anti-gay bigot Franklin Graham. Mr. Graham must promise to treat EVERY patient with dignity and respect."
NOTE: Social media is cracking down on conservative content. Many of you have complained that you never see our content in your news feeds. There's only one way to fight back — and that's by subscribing to my FREE weekly newsletter. Click here.
Graham responded to the senator's repulsive comments during an interview on "The Todd Starnes Radio Show." He urged Americans to set aside politics.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
"This virus is a tsunami that is hitting our shores. It's killing Republicans. It's killing Democrats. It's killing independents," Graham said. "And we just need to say forget the politics right now. Let's work together to save lives."
It's unthinkable that anyone, much less a state lawmaker, would bully a bunch of Christians who simply want to provide medical treatment to critically ill New Yorkers.
"We don't discriminate against anybody," Graham said. "Our doors are open for all New Yorkers – regardless of their race, ethnicity or their sexual preference. We treat everybody the same."
That being said, Graham said those involved do not compromise on their religious beliefs or values.
"We are evangelical Christians, and we hire Christian men and women to work in our hospitals. We are there in Jesus' name. That's just who we are. We don't compromise on this issue."
Amen.
Mayor Bill de Blasio told the New York Post that he was troubled over the ministry's commitment to traditional religious beliefs regarding marriage and sexuality.
"We're going to send people over from the Mayor's Office to monitor" the park facility, de Blasio added. "So I'm very concerned to make sure this is done right. But if it is done right, of course, we need all the help we can get."
Even some in the city's LGBT community thumbed their nose at the Christian ministry's charity.
"I don't want to demonize people who are volunteering their time, but it is a concerning thing," Amy Martin, a Brooklyn resident and former nursing assistant, told Gothamist.
"On the one hand, this is absolutely an all hands on deck situation," she continued. "On the other hand, as an LGBT New Yorker, I would be hesitant to make that my first choice of care. I'd much rather be seen anywhere else."
How sad that Christophobic bigots in New York City would rather let people suffer than accept charity from Christian doctors and nurses? How terribly sad, indeed.


wnd--2020-04-01--MSNBC calls for prayer on live TV (not April fools)

I know it sounds like an April Fools headline .
But it is not .
On March 30 , MSNBC host Craig Melvin asked Rev .
T. D. Jakes to pray for America in the midst of the coronavirus scare .
Melvin even bowed his head as Jakes prayed .
This is a sign of the times .
Americans are turning to God .
And note this : Jakes prayed in Christ 's name .
On live , national TV .
On MSNBC .
Did I say this was not April Fools ?
Melvin said , `` For folks who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yesterday , I 've never actually done this on the air .
Can you lead us in prayer for 30 seconds ? ''
These are unprecedented times , and even TV hosts are doing unprecedented things .
Jakes responded immediately with this prayer : `` Our Father and our God , we bow our heads to you in humility , understanding that we are not competent in and of ourselves to handle this kind of global calamity .
We look to You , Lord , to be the source , the strength , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need .
Strengthen our first responders , strengthen even our broadcast people , strengthen all of us whose lives have been devastated and disrupted , and give us the peace that passes all understanding .
In Christ 's name we pray , Amen . ''
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Yes , this happened live on MSNBC .
In keeping with this , the Drudge Report carried the headline , `` AMERICANS TURNING TO PRAYER , '' linked to a Pew Research article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest survey .
The survey indicated that `` the coronavirus outbreak is having profound impacts on the personal lives of Americans in a variety of ways .
Nearly 9-in-10 U.S. adults say their life has changed at least a little as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak , including 44 % who say their life has changed in a major way . ''
Not only so , but the virus `` also has impacted Americans ' religious behaviors .
More than half of all U.S. adults ( 55 % ) say they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus .
Large majorities of Americans who pray daily ( 86 % ) and of U.S. Christians ( 73 % ) have taken to prayer during the outbreak – but so have some who say they seldom or never pray and people who say they do not belong to any religion ( 15 % and 24 % , respectively ) . ''
Indeed , `` Religious 'nones ' – especially self-described atheists and agnostics – are less likely than those who identify with a religion to say they have prayed for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of those who describe their religion as 'nothing in particular ' say they have prayed about the virus . ''
People who rarely pray or who never pray are praying .
Some fear for their lives .
Others question the very meaning of life .
Still others recognize the need for divine intervention .
And still others are feeling lonely and isolated .
Pandemics and plagues tend to have that effect .
Suddenly , we realize how small we are and how fragile life is .
Suddenly , we think more deeply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are doing , and where are we going .
Losing loved ones can also have a profound effect on us .
Is that it ?
Is it all over ?
Will we never see each other again ?
Is there life after death ?
Is there any purpose or destiny or meaning to be found in our years here on the earth ?
That 's why , at a time like this , it is no surprise to see the Wall Street Journal – not Christianity Today or Charisma – running an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coronavirus Great Awakening ? ''
Indeed , the article by Robert Nicholson reminds us that , `` Sometimes the most important ingredient for spiritual renewal is a cataclysmic event . ''
He asks , `` Could a plague of biblical proportions be America 's best hope for religious revival ? ''
His answer : `` As the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II approaches , there is reason to think so . ''
Of course , skeptics and mockers would argue that , during times of crisis , people make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gods and idols they have made .
And to some extent , I agree .
Not every prayer is a real cry for help , and not every prayer is truly directed to God .
On the other hand , for many others , the reality is the exact opposite of what the skeptics and mockers envision .
People turn away from the fairy tales they have made up and from the idols they have created .
They realize that the things of this world can not satisfy the deepest longest of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the age .
They realize there must be more .
They realize they need help .
And they pray .
Let us all pray as well , to the one true God , the one who made us and who sustains us .
To the one who can stop this virus in its tracks .
To the one who will be with us in both life and death .
`` Father , hear the prayers of millions of Americans and send us the revival we so desperately need ! ''

I know it sounds like an April Fools headline. But it is not. On March 30, MSNBC host Craig Melvin asked Rev. T. D. Jakes to pray for America in the midst of the coronavirus scare. Melvin even bowed his head as Jakes prayed. This is a sign of the times. Americans are turning to God.
And note this: Jakes prayed in Christ's name. On live, national TV. On MSNBC. Did I say this was not April Fools?
Melvin said, "For folks who aren't able to get to church yesterday, I've never actually done this on the air. Can you lead us in prayer for 30 seconds?"
These are unprecedented times, and even TV hosts are doing unprecedented things.
Jakes responded immediately with this prayer: "Our Father and our God, we bow our heads to you in humility, understanding that we are not competent in and of ourselves to handle this kind of global calamity. We look to You, Lord, to be the source, the strength, the help, the light that we need. Strengthen our first responders, strengthen even our broadcast people, strengthen all of us whose lives have been devastated and disrupted, and give us the peace that passes all understanding. In Christ's name we pray, Amen."
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Yes, this happened live on MSNBC.
In keeping with this, the Drudge Report carried the headline, "AMERICANS TURNING TO PRAYER," linked to a Pew Research article that shared the results of Pew's latest survey.
The survey indicated that "the coronavirus outbreak is having profound impacts on the personal lives of Americans in a variety of ways. Nearly 9-in-10 U.S. adults say their life has changed at least a little as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, including 44% who say their life has changed in a major way."
Not only so, but the virus "also has impacted Americans' religious behaviors. More than half of all U.S. adults (55%) say they have prayed for an end to the spread of coronavirus. Large majorities of Americans who pray daily (86%) and of U.S. Christians (73%) have taken to prayer during the outbreak – but so have some who say they seldom or never pray and people who say they do not belong to any religion (15% and 24%, respectively)."
Indeed, "Religious 'nones' – especially self-described atheists and agnostics – are less likely than those who identify with a religion to say they have prayed for an end to the outbreak, though 36% of those who describe their religion as 'nothing in particular' say they have prayed about the virus."
People who rarely pray or who never pray are praying. Some fear for their lives. Others question the very meaning of life. Still others recognize the need for divine intervention. And still others are feeling lonely and isolated. Pandemics and plagues tend to have that effect.
Suddenly, we realize how small we are and how fragile life is. Suddenly, we think more deeply about why we are here, what we are doing, and where are we going.
Losing loved ones can also have a profound effect on us. Is that it? Is it all over? Will we never see each other again? Is there life after death? Is there any purpose or destiny or meaning to be found in our years here on the earth?
That's why, at a time like this, it is no surprise to see the Wall Street Journal – not Christianity Today or Charisma – running an op-ed with the headline, "A Coronavirus Great Awakening?"
Indeed, the article by Robert Nicholson reminds us that, "Sometimes the most important ingredient for spiritual renewal is a cataclysmic event."
He asks, "Could a plague of biblical proportions be America's best hope for religious revival?"
His answer: "As the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II approaches, there is reason to think so."
Of course, skeptics and mockers would argue that, during times of crisis, people make up fairy tales and pray to the gods and idols they have made. And to some extent, I agree. Not every prayer is a real cry for help, and not every prayer is truly directed to God.
On the other hand, for many others, the reality is the exact opposite of what the skeptics and mockers envision. People turn away from the fairy tales they have made up and from the idols they have created. They realize that the things of this world cannot satisfy the deepest longest of their heart or answer the pressing questions of the age. They realize there must be more. They realize they need help. And they pray.
Let us all pray as well, to the one true God, the one who made us and who sustains us. To the one who can stop this virus in its tracks. To the one who will be with us in both life and death.
"Father, hear the prayers of millions of Americans and send us the revival we so desperately need!"


wnd--2020-04-01--The coronavirus: What would Joe Biden do?

Many Democrats and much of the media claim that President Donald Trump has mishandled and continues to mishandle the response to the coronavirus pandemic .
But a Johns Hopkins study found the United States is better prepared for a pandemic than any other country .
Released in October 2019 , the Global Health Security Index examined 195 countries on their preparedness and ability to handle an epidemic or pandemic .
It found : `` No country is fully prepared for epidemics or pandemics , and every country has important gaps to address . ''
No , Trump did not cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Prevention .
Among those pushing this untruth is former Vice President Joe Biden , who said , `` They 've cut the funding for the CDC . ''
Trump proposed a CDC cut , but Congress disagreed .
FactCheck.org wrote : `` It 's misleading at best to claim Trump 'slashed funding , ' when his proposals have n't taken effect .
For instance , Trump 's fiscal 2020 budget proposal would have reduced CDC funding by $ 750.6 million , compared with what was enacted for fiscal 2019 .
… But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a budget that increased CDC funding by $ 420 million . ''
Nor is it true that Trump `` fired '' the head of a pandemic response team the president allegedly dissolved .
Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg claimed : `` And one of the great problems today , you read about the virus , what 's really happening here is the president fired the pandemic specialist in this country two years ago .
So there 's nobody here to figure out what the hell we should be doing . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom Bloomberg referred , was the senior director of the National Security Council 's Office of Global Health Security and Biodefense .
About Ziemer , FactCheck.org said : `` Just because Ziemer 's position was discontinued does not mean everyone who was part of the team was fired or that all of the functions of the directorate ceased .
According to reporting by the Atlantic and the Washington Post , some team members were shifted to other groups , and others took over some of Ziemer 's duties .
An NSC spokesman at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed to global health , global health security and biodefense , and will continue to address these issues with the same resolve under the new structure . '
'' Ziemer is now senior deputy assistant administrator at the Bureau for Democracy , Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance at the U.S. Agency for International Development .
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Nor did Trump refer to the coronavirus as a `` hoax , '' as claimed by New York Times reporter David Leonhardt ; Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Sherrod Brown ; and Biden , among numerous Democrats and members of the media .
In an edited political ad , Biden made the assertion .
But The Washington Post Fact Checker gave the Trump-called-the-coronavirus-a-hoax story four Pinocchios , as bad as score as the Post gives : `` At the 10-second mark , the camera shows a tight shot of the president saying 'coronavirus ' and then cuts to a wide shot where he says , 'this is their new hoax . '
Both clips are from Trump 's Feb. 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but he never said 'coronavirus , this is their new hoax . '
Rather , Biden 's ad clipped a large part of Trump 's speech to make it seem as though he had . ''
What would Biden do that Trump is n't already doing ?
Biden recently tweeted : `` It 's hard to believe this has to be said , but if I 'm elected president , I will always lead the way with science .
I will listen to the experts and heed their advice .
I will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeing Donald Trump do every day . ''
To that end , Biden has been giving interviews and holding coronavirus briefings broadcast from his home studio in Wilmington , Delaware .
`` I was literally on the phone at least three to four hours a day with my team talking about the detail implementation .
How do we get the money ?
Where do we do ?
Who do we go to ?
Where do we – who do we ask for , etc.
? ''
About Trump 's plea that we remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden said : `` Look , none of us want to be cooped up in our homes just as the weather is turning nice .
… It 's unfair to all of us .
And it 's unnecessary for all of us .
But it 's necessary , in fact .
It 's necessary for all of us to have to deal with it . ''
About Trump 's plan , since abandoned , to restart the economy by Easter , Biden said , `` We have to take care of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse no matter what .
No matter what . ''
Trump is registering the best approval ratings of his presidency .
A recent Gallup poll showed Trump 's job approval ratings at 49 % .
At this time in his first term , Obama 's Gallup approval ratings were at 46 % .
For the Trump haters who hoped that Trump 's response to the pandemic would sink Trump 's reelection prospects , it 's not going according to plan .

Many Democrats and much of the media claim that President Donald Trump has mishandled and continues to mishandle the response to the coronavirus pandemic.
But a Johns Hopkins study found the United States is better prepared for a pandemic than any other country. Released in October 2019, the Global Health Security Index examined 195 countries on their preparedness and ability to handle an epidemic or pandemic. It found: "No country is fully prepared for epidemics or pandemics, and every country has important gaps to address."
No, Trump did not cut funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among those pushing this untruth is former Vice President Joe Biden, who said, "They've cut the funding for the CDC." Trump proposed a CDC cut, but Congress disagreed. FactCheck.org wrote: "It's misleading at best to claim Trump 'slashed funding,' when his proposals haven't taken effect. For instance, Trump's fiscal 2020 budget proposal would have reduced CDC funding by $750.6 million, compared with what was enacted for fiscal 2019. … But Congress passed, and Trump signed, a budget that increased CDC funding by $420 million."
Nor is it true that Trump "fired" the head of a pandemic response team the president allegedly dissolved. Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg claimed: "And one of the great problems today, you read about the virus, what's really happening here is the president fired the pandemic specialist in this country two years ago. So there's nobody here to figure out what the hell we should be doing."
Rear Adm. R. Timothy Ziemer, to whom Bloomberg referred, was the senior director of the National Security Council's Office of Global Health Security and Biodefense. About Ziemer, FactCheck.org said: "Just because Ziemer's position was discontinued does not mean everyone who was part of the team was fired or that all of the functions of the directorate ceased. According to reporting by the Atlantic and the Washington Post, some team members were shifted to other groups, and others took over some of Ziemer's duties. An NSC spokesman at the time said that the administration 'remains committed to global health, global health security and biodefense, and will continue to address these issues with the same resolve under the new structure.'" Ziemer is now senior deputy assistant administrator at the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance at the U.S. Agency for International Development.
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Nor did Trump refer to the coronavirus as a "hoax," as claimed by New York Times reporter David Leonhardt; Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio; Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown; and Biden, among numerous Democrats and members of the media. In an edited political ad, Biden made the assertion.
But The Washington Post Fact Checker gave the Trump-called-the-coronavirus-a-hoax story four Pinocchios, as bad as score as the Post gives: "At the 10-second mark, the camera shows a tight shot of the president saying 'coronavirus' and then cuts to a wide shot where he says, 'this is their new hoax.' Both clips are from Trump's Feb. 28 campaign rally in North Charleston, S.C., but he never said 'coronavirus, this is their new hoax.' Rather, Biden's ad clipped a large part of Trump's speech to make it seem as though he had."
What would Biden do that Trump isn't already doing? Biden recently tweeted: "It's hard to believe this has to be said, but if I'm elected president, I will always lead the way with science. I will listen to the experts and heed their advice. I will do the opposite of what we're seeing Donald Trump do every day." To that end, Biden has been giving interviews and holding coronavirus briefings broadcast from his home studio in Wilmington, Delaware.
Some of Biden's insights:
"I was literally on the phone at least three to four hours a day with my team talking about the detail implementation. How do we get the money? Where do we do? Who do we go to? Where do we – who do we ask for, etc.?"
About Trump's plea that we remain in our homes to the extent practical, Biden said: "Look, none of us want to be cooped up in our homes just as the weather is turning nice. … It's unfair to all of us. And it's unnecessary for all of us. But it's necessary, in fact. It's necessary for all of us to have to deal with it."
About Trump's plan, since abandoned, to restart the economy by Easter, Biden said, "We have to take care of the cure. That will make the problem worse no matter what. No matter what."
Trump is registering the best approval ratings of his presidency. A recent Gallup poll showed Trump's job approval ratings at 49%. At this time in his first term, Obama's Gallup approval ratings were at 46%. For the Trump haters who hoped that Trump's response to the pandemic would sink Trump's reelection prospects, it's not going according to plan.


wnd--2020-04-02--Iranian Muslims may be creating COVID-19 'Super-Spreaders'

In countries around the world , public places such as schools , stores , theme parks and even houses of worship have shuttered their doors in an effort to promote social distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19 .
Yet there is one place that is still seeing its share of visitors despite these measures , and that is a pair of Islamic shrines located in Qom , Iran .
The city is considered holy to Shiite Muslims and draws pilgrims from around the globe .
Authorities in Iran closed the city shrines on March 16 , sparking protests by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shrines , including at the Fatima Masumeh Shrine in Qom , according to Time .
Despite the purported closures , Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad tweeted a video Monday allegedly showing tour buses and pilgrims on foot are still headed toward one of the city 's holy sites .
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`` You know how ?
By keeping open these religious shrines in Qom , epicentre of the virus in Iran .
These pilgrims will then travel to their own countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Iranians & world . ''
The subtitled footage appears to have been taken from a moving vehicle with a male voice describing the scene as he apparently passes a holy site only identified as being in the city of Qom .
He describes how `` busloads of pilgrims '' are pouring in , likely bringing Indian and Pakistani Muslims to the shrine .
`` Strangely , authorities keep denying this , '' he says , according to the subtitles .
At one point , the video 's narrator rolls down his window @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a motorcycle .
It appears from the subtitles that the motorcyclist , who is wearing a protective medical-style face mask , comments , `` You know , they say every place should close down and people should self-isolate .
Who are these people ? ''
The driver of the vehicle replies , `` We do n't know where they 're coming from .
They 're all in Qom , visiting the shrine . ''
He ends his remarks and the video by asking rhetorically , `` Is this how they want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like this ? ''
Iranian authorities were initially slow to respond to the coronavirus and even more reluctant to close the shrines as they covered up news of the pandemic in their country .
As a result , Iran now has a staggering number of coronavirus infections as 47,593 are sickened and 3,036 have died as of Wednesday , according to Johns Hopkins .
If the footage and the commentators ' statements are correct , visitors to the city are in serious danger of further spreading coronavirus and pose an urgent threat to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tragedy and uncertainty , it makes sense that the faithful would be drawn to holy sites to gather in prayer , but the unfortunate reality is that large gatherings spread sickness and death during the global coronavirus pandemic .
Holy sites for other religions are closed around the world , including the Vatican in Italy as well as the healing springs at Lourdes , France , both of which are important pilgrimage sites for the world 's 1.2 billion Catholics .
`` Pope Francis , giving an extraordinary # UrbiEtOrbi in a rainy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a powerful image , '' reads a Catholic Talk Show tweet showing the startling image of the pope addressing an empty plaza outside of St. Peter 's Basilica in the Vatican .
Closing holy sites in Iran is a sensitive issue , to be sure , but allowing pilgrims to defy the supposed closure is reckless in a country of over 81 million citizens that is already battling the virus .
The problem is compounded exponentially as the pilgrims visiting the holy sites today will become the `` patient zeros '' of tomorrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their families and home countries .
The greatest risk might come from those who return home feeling well and continue with business as usual , silently spreading the virus to family , friends , neighbors , shopkeepers and so on .
When millions are sacrificing so much everywhere else in the world , a situation such as this could negate the impact of others who are practicing social distancing .
These pilgrims can indeed become the `` super-spreaders '' that Alinejad warned about .
We are all in need of comfort , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admirable .
Spreading coronavirus , however , is not .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

In countries around the world, public places such as schools, stores, theme parks and even houses of worship have shuttered their doors in an effort to promote social distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Yet there is one place that is still seeing its share of visitors despite these measures, and that is a pair of Islamic shrines located in Qom, Iran. The city is considered holy to Shiite Muslims and draws pilgrims from around the globe.
Authorities in Iran closed the city shrines on March 16, sparking protests by Islamic faithful and some clerics at the shrines, including at the Fatima Masumeh Shrine in Qom, according to Time.
Despite the purported closures, Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad tweeted a video Monday allegedly showing tour buses and pilgrims on foot are still headed toward one of the city's holy sites.
"Iranian authorities are creating #CoronaVirus super-spreaders," Alinejad wrote.
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"You know how? By keeping open these religious shrines in Qom, epicentre of the virus in Iran. These pilgrims will then travel to their own countries. The regime is endangering the health of Iranians & world."
Iranian authorities are creating #CoronaVirus super-spreaders. You know how? By keeping open these religious shrines in Qom, epicentre of the virus in Iran. These pilgrims will then travel to their own countries. The regime is endangering the health of Iranians & world pic.twitter.com/UNtXXQbium — Masih Alinejad 🏳 (@AlinejadMasih) March 30, 2020
The subtitled footage appears to have been taken from a moving vehicle with a male voice describing the scene as he apparently passes a holy site only identified as being in the city of Qom.
He describes how "busloads of pilgrims" are pouring in, likely bringing Indian and Pakistani Muslims to the shrine. "Strangely, authorities keep denying this," he says, according to the subtitles.
At one point, the video's narrator rolls down his window as he pulls up to another man on a motorcycle.
It appears from the subtitles that the motorcyclist, who is wearing a protective medical-style face mask, comments, "You know, they say every place should close down and people should self-isolate. Who are these people?"
The driver of the vehicle replies, "We don't know where they're coming from. They're all in Qom, visiting the shrine."
He ends his remarks and the video by asking rhetorically, "Is this how they want to break the coronavirus pandemic? Really, like this?"
Iranian authorities were initially slow to respond to the coronavirus and even more reluctant to close the shrines as they covered up news of the pandemic in their country.
As a result, Iran now has a staggering number of coronavirus infections as 47,593 are sickened and 3,036 have died as of Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins.
If the footage and the commentators' statements are correct, visitors to the city are in serious danger of further spreading coronavirus and pose an urgent threat to public health.
During this time of tragedy and uncertainty, it makes sense that the faithful would be drawn to holy sites to gather in prayer, but the unfortunate reality is that large gatherings spread sickness and death during the global coronavirus pandemic.
Holy sites for other religions are closed around the world, including the Vatican in Italy as well as the healing springs at Lourdes, France, both of which are important pilgrimage sites for the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.
"Pope Francis, giving an extraordinary #UrbiEtOrbi in a rainy and empty St. Peter's Square is a powerful image," reads a Catholic Talk Show tweet showing the startling image of the pope addressing an empty plaza outside of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
Pope Francis, giving an extraordinary #UrbiEtOrbi in a rainy and empty St. Peter's Square is a powerful image. pic.twitter.com/zkTHRn2OKK — The Catholic Talk Show (@CatholicTalkSho) March 27, 2020
Closing holy sites in Iran is a sensitive issue, to be sure, but allowing pilgrims to defy the supposed closure is reckless in a country of over 81 million citizens that is already battling the virus.
The problem is compounded exponentially as the pilgrims visiting the holy sites today will become the "patient zeros" of tomorrow as they bring the virus back to their families and home countries.
The greatest risk might come from those who return home feeling well and continue with business as usual, silently spreading the virus to family, friends, neighbors, shopkeepers and so on.
When millions are sacrificing so much everywhere else in the world, a situation such as this could negate the impact of others who are practicing social distancing. These pilgrims can indeed become the "super-spreaders" that Alinejad warned about.
We are all in need of comfort, and turning to God in uncertain times is admirable. Spreading coronavirus, however, is not.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-04-02--Cops find pit bull behind wheel of crashed car after owner allegedly tried to teach dog to drive

Police officers get to see humanity in its extreme forms .
They never know exactly what they 're going to find when they approach a vehicle they 've pulled over , and they 've probably heard every excuse in the book .
Drivers often make poor decisions , and one decision that has caused many problems is allowing a dog to have free run of the car .
Not only can this be dangerous for the human and anyone else around who might be hit by the distracted driver , it 's incredibly dangerous for the dog , too .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patrol posted a PSA about dogs and driving .
`` In case you were wondering , distracted driving is not only distraction by phone or device , '' it wrote on Facebook .
`` When your dog sits on your lap as you drive , blocking your view and causing you to impede traffic , you will most likely meet one of our Troopers . ''
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The picture used with the post showed a pup sitting in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state troopers know that about a month later they 'd pull over a car that had a dog perched on the driver 's seat .
It started with other drivers on the road noticing that one car was all over the road , reaching speeds of over 100 miles an hour and hitting two other vehicles .
`` He was driving very erratically , '' Trooper Heather Axtman of Washington State Patrol told CNN .
`` So erratically that multiple people called 911 . ''
As troopers started pursuing , the car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centennial Trail , a recreational path .
`` The fact that there was n't anybody on the trail is nothing shy of miraculous , '' Axtman said , according to CNN .
`` We are very thankful . ''
Eventually , thanks to some spike strips , the troopers were able to stop the vehicle and approach it -- only to find a female pit bull in the driver 's seat .
As if that was n't shocking enough , the owner -- who was sitting in the passenger 's seat and claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` trying to teach his dog how to drive . ''
`` I wish I could make this up , '' Axtman said .
`` I ’ ve been a trooper for almost 12 years and wow , I ’ ve never heard this excuse .
I ’ ve been in a lot of high-speed chases , I ’ ve stopped a lot of cars , and never have I gotten an excuse that they were teaching their dog how to drive . ''
Needless to say , it was the man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dog .
The unnamed 51-year-old was charged with hit-and-run , felony eluding , driving under the influence and reckless driving , according to KOMO-TV .
The dog was taken to the local shelter , and hopefully someone will give her a more suitable home where she 'll learn some more basic commands .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Police officers get to see humanity in its extreme forms. They never know exactly what they're going to find when they approach a vehicle they've pulled over, and they've probably heard every excuse in the book.
Drivers often make poor decisions, and one decision that has caused many problems is allowing a dog to have free run of the car.
Not only can this be dangerous for the human and anyone else around who might be hit by the distracted driver, it's incredibly dangerous for the dog, too.
On Feb. 29, the Washington State Patrol posted a PSA about dogs and driving.
"In case you were wondering, distracted driving is not only distraction by phone or device," it wrote on Facebook. "When your dog sits on your lap as you drive, blocking your view and causing you to impede traffic, you will most likely meet one of our Troopers."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The picture used with the post showed a pup sitting in the passenger's side seat. Little did the state troopers know that about a month later they'd pull over a car that had a dog perched on the driver's seat.
It started with other drivers on the road noticing that one car was all over the road, reaching speeds of over 100 miles an hour and hitting two other vehicles.
"He was driving very erratically," Trooper Heather Axtman of Washington State Patrol told CNN. "So erratically that multiple people called 911."
As troopers started pursuing, the car left Interstate 5 and tore off onto Centennial Trail, a recreational path.
"The fact that there wasn't anybody on the trail is nothing shy of miraculous," Axtman said, according to CNN. "We are very thankful."
Eventually, thanks to some spike strips, the troopers were able to stop the vehicle and approach it -- only to find a female pit bull in the driver's seat.
As if that wasn't shocking enough, the owner -- who was sitting in the passenger's seat and claimed he'd been steering -- said he was "trying to teach his dog how to drive."
"I wish I could make this up," Axtman said. "I’ve been a trooper for almost 12 years and wow, I’ve never heard this excuse. I’ve been in a lot of high-speed chases, I’ve stopped a lot of cars, and never have I gotten an excuse that they were teaching their dog how to drive."
Needless to say, it was the man who was in trouble, not the dog. The unnamed 51-year-old was charged with hit-and-run, felony eluding, driving under the influence and reckless driving, according to KOMO-TV.
The dog was taken to the local shelter, and hopefully someone will give her a more suitable home where she'll learn some more basic commands.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-04-02--Trump warns Iran is 'planning a sneak attack on U.S. troops,' issues threat

President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned of a potential Iranian attack on U.S. forces in Iraq .
According to an afternoon tweet from the president , intelligence suggests Iran and its terror affiliates have been `` planning a sneak attack '' on American assets in the region .
Warning against such an attack , however , Trump said there would be a `` very heavy price '' exacted on the nation should U.S. interests be targeted in the coming weeks .
`` Upon information and belief , '' he wrote on Twitter , `` Iran or its proxies are planning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assets in Iraq .
`` If this happens , Iran will pay a very heavy price , indeed ! ''
TRENDING : Obama drops coronavirus bombshell : It 's all due to climate change !
Far more aggressive with regard to Western influence in the Middle East at the outset of the new year , Iran has quieted substantially in recent weeks , reportedly grappling with the ballooning negative effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic .
Prior to the outbreak , however , heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran flared with military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading to an Iran-backed siege on the American embassy in Baghdad beginning Dec. 31 , 2019 , and carrying on into the new year .
U.S. armed forces ' termination of ranking Iranian general , and reported mastermind of the embassy siege , Qassem Soleimani in an airstrike ordered by Trump on Jan. 3 , in turn , resulted in substantial international backlash , as well as a series of Iranian military reactions .
According to the BBC , that reaction has included several Iran-backed missile strikes on coalition military bases in Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American casualties .
Though the threat of a potential Iranian , or Iran-backed , attack on U.S. assets warned of Wednesday by Trump remains unconfirmed , sources do indicate the struggling nation might be newly motivated to lash out .
Iran has grown increasingly hard-pressed in its coronavirus response , under the thumb of harsh U.S. sanctions imposed by the Trump administration as tensions flared between the two nations in recent years and months , The Washington Post reported .
According to Al-Jazeera , the Iranian foreign ministry also told local media Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American `` warmongering '' in light of reports the U.S. had deployed an increased number of Patriot air defense missile systems to Iraq last week .
The deployment , in direct opposition to a nonbinding January vote by the Iraqi parliament to expel U.S. troops from the nation , was a hostile American showing of force , the Iranian foreign ministry said -- one with the potential to trigger `` instability and disaster . ''
Pentagon spokesman Sean Robertson , however , said the deployment was simply carried out to provide U.S. and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rare , but no less dangerous , missile strike from Iran and its proxy forces .
`` The U.S. is moving defensive systems into Iraq to protect Iraqi , coalition , and U.S. service members from a variety of air threats seen at Iraqi bases that host coalition troops , '' Robertson said , according to Al-Jazeera .
`` It is important to note that repeated attacks on Iraqi bases , which violate Iraqi sovereignty , have killed and injured Iraqi , coalition , and U.S. service members , '' he continued .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Iraq continues , but for operational security reasons , we are not providing status updates as those systems come online . ''
The White House and Department of Defense did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned of a potential Iranian attack on U.S. forces in Iraq.
According to an afternoon tweet from the president, intelligence suggests Iran and its terror affiliates have been "planning a sneak attack" on American assets in the region.
Warning against such an attack, however, Trump said there would be a "very heavy price" exacted on the nation should U.S. interests be targeted in the coming weeks.
"Upon information and belief," he wrote on Twitter, "Iran or its proxies are planning a sneak attack on U.S. troops and/or assets in Iraq.
"If this happens, Iran will pay a very heavy price, indeed!"
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Upon information and belief, Iran or its proxies are planning a sneak attack on U.S. troops and/or assets in Iraq. If this happens, Iran will pay a very heavy price, indeed! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 1, 2020
Far more aggressive with regard to Western influence in the Middle East at the outset of the new year, Iran has quieted substantially in recent weeks, reportedly grappling with the ballooning negative effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to the outbreak, however, heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran flared with military posturing and sabotage events on both sides leading to an Iran-backed siege on the American embassy in Baghdad beginning Dec. 31, 2019, and carrying on into the new year.
U.S. armed forces' termination of ranking Iranian general, and reported mastermind of the embassy siege, Qassem Soleimani in an airstrike ordered by Trump on Jan. 3, in turn, resulted in substantial international backlash, as well as a series of Iranian military reactions.
According to the BBC, that reaction has included several Iran-backed missile strikes on coalition military bases in Iraq, none of which resulted in any American casualties.
Though the threat of a potential Iranian, or Iran-backed, attack on U.S. assets warned of Wednesday by Trump remains unconfirmed, sources do indicate the struggling nation might be newly motivated to lash out.
Iran has grown increasingly hard-pressed in its coronavirus response, under the thumb of harsh U.S. sanctions imposed by the Trump administration as tensions flared between the two nations in recent years and months, The Washington Post reported.
According to Al-Jazeera, the Iranian foreign ministry also told local media Wednesday that the nation was outraged over alleged American "warmongering" in light of reports the U.S. had deployed an increased number of Patriot air defense missile systems to Iraq last week.
The deployment, in direct opposition to a nonbinding January vote by the Iraqi parliament to expel U.S. troops from the nation, was a hostile American showing of force, the Iranian foreign ministry said -- one with the potential to trigger "instability and disaster."
Pentagon spokesman Sean Robertson, however, said the deployment was simply carried out to provide U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq safety from the rare, but no less dangerous, missile strike from Iran and its proxy forces.
"The U.S. is moving defensive systems into Iraq to protect Iraqi, coalition, and U.S. service members from a variety of air threats seen at Iraqi bases that host coalition troops," Robertson said, according to Al-Jazeera.
"It is important to note that repeated attacks on Iraqi bases, which violate Iraqi sovereignty, have killed and injured Iraqi, coalition, and U.S. service members," he continued. "The establishment of ground-based air defenses in Iraq continues, but for operational security reasons, we are not providing status updates as those systems come online."
The White House and Department of Defense did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-04-03--Feds issue large numbers of work visas as Americans lose jobs by millions

Amid record unemployment claims and predictions of a staggering 32 % unemployment rate , the federal government is issuing thousands of visas to guest workers .
Among them are 20,000 new H2B visas announced Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security for seasonal jobs in industries such as landscaping , food processing and resorts , noted Tucker Carlson on his Fox News show Wednesday night .
Another 15,000 new H2B visas will become available in May .
But these are `` bonus visas , '' Carlson explains , in addition to the 66,000 H2B visas the federal government must allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Ron Paul hits nail on the head in no-nonsense coronavirus interview A total of 35,000 visas were added at the discretion of DHS Secretary Chad Wolf .
`` That 's a total of 100,000 workers coming to this country to take jobs during the single biggest unemployment crisis in a century , '' he said .
`` It 's demented . ''
But it gets worse , Carlson said , with DHS on Wednesday notifying 85,000 winners of the H1B visa lottery .
The H1B visas allow companies to hire foreigners with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supply in the American workforce , he noted .
`` But it 's a fraud , '' he said , `` a well-documented fraud . ''
As a result , big tech companies such as Google , Apple and IBM profit from a cheaper worker force .
Carlson said the practice has always been `` disgusting , '' but now `` it 's a threat to our country . ''
`` And that 's no overstatement , '' he said .
`` In a year when tens of millions of Americans could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ importing more than 150,000 workers from abroad . ''
And that 's without counting thousands of H2A agricultural workers who will be coming as well .
Goldman Sachs estimates the employement rate could hit 15 % , the highest figure since the 1930s .
But economists at the St. Louis branch of the Federal Reserve fear it could be as high as 32 % , which would be 47 million people out of work .
Carlson argued that President Trump has the authority to stop the taking of American jobs by foreign workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ignore existing immigration law and create DACA ( Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ) , and he did , certainly the current president has the power to cut legal immigration in order to protect the nation .
He cited Section 1182F of Title VIII in the U.S. code , which says , `` Whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States , he may be proclamation and for such period as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entry of all aliens as immigrants or non-immigrants , or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem appropriate . ''
The Supreme Court affirmed the code in a case two years ago against Trump 's ban on entry from certain countries that foster terrorism .
`` But now we 're facing an immeasurably greater crisis than terrorism , '' Carlson argued .
`` We 're facing a global calamity that could wreck our economy , fracture our society ... erode our rights , shatter our institutions , transforming this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ex-superpower beholden to China . ''

Amid record unemployment claims and predictions of a staggering 32% unemployment rate, the federal government is issuing thousands of visas to guest workers.
Among them are 20,000 new H2B visas announced Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security for seasonal jobs in industries such as landscaping, food processing and resorts, noted Tucker Carlson on his Fox News show Wednesday night.
Another 15,000 new H2B visas will become available in May.
But these are "bonus visas," Carlson explains, in addition to the 66,000 H2B visas the federal government must allow each year by law.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
A total of 35,000 visas were added at the discretion of DHS Secretary Chad Wolf.
"That's a total of 100,000 workers coming to this country to take jobs during the single biggest unemployment crisis in a century," he said. "It's demented."
But it gets worse, Carlson said, with DHS on Wednesday notifying 85,000 winners of the H1B visa lottery.
The H1B visas allow companies to hire foreigners with skills that presumably are not in sufficient supply in the American workforce, he noted.
Should the U.S. revoke work visas until Americans achieve full employment once again? 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. 100% (200 Votes) 0% (1 Votes)
"But it's a fraud," he said, "a well-documented fraud."
As a result, big tech companies such as Google, Apple and IBM profit from a cheaper worker force.
Carlson said the practice has always been "disgusting," but now "it's a threat to our country."
"And that's no overstatement," he said. "In a year when tens of millions of Americans could be looking for work, our government is importing more than 150,000 workers from abroad."
And that's without counting thousands of H2A agricultural workers who will be coming as well.
Goldman Sachs estimates the employement rate could hit 15%, the highest figure since the 1930s. But economists at the St. Louis branch of the Federal Reserve fear it could be as high as 32%, which would be 47 million people out of work.
Carlson argued that President Trump has the authority to stop the taking of American jobs by foreign workers.
"If President Obama was able to ignore existing immigration law and create DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), and he did, certainly the current president has the power to cut legal immigration in order to protect the nation.
He cited Section 1182F of Title VIII in the U.S. code, which says, "Whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may be proclamation and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens as immigrants or non-immigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem appropriate."
The Supreme Court affirmed the code in a case two years ago against Trump's ban on entry from certain countries that foster terrorism.
"But now we're facing an immeasurably greater crisis than terrorism," Carlson argued. "We're facing a global calamity that could wreck our economy, fracture our society ... erode our rights, shatter our institutions, transforming this country into a poor country, has-been ex-superpower beholden to China."
See the segment:


wnd--2020-04-02--Senators demand secret footnotes in report on Obama spying be revealed

Two senators are urging the director of National Intelligence to work with the Justice Department to declassify the contents of four footnotes Michael Horowitz 's inspector general report on FISA abuse , contending it mischaracterized evidence about the government ’ s secret surveillance of the Trump campaign The information blacked out `` is significant not only because it contradicts key statements in a section of the report , but also because it provides insight essential for an accurate evaluation of the entire investigation . ''
Horowitz 's report found the Obama FBI and Justice Department made 17 `` significant errors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrants to spy on the Trump campaign .
But the report concluded the FBI 's surveillance of the Trump campaign was not motivated by political bias , even the warrants would not have been issued without the submission of the dubious , Democratic Party-funded Steele Dossier as evidence .
TRENDING : Dr. Ron Paul hits nail on the head in no-nonsense coronavirus interview Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley , R-Iowa , and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson , R-Wis. , addressed the request to acting ODNI Director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classified information in the footnotes `` provides insight essential for an accurate evaluation of the entire investigation and the public interest in the disclosure of the information outweighs the need to protect it . ''
The senators earlier had written Attorney General William Barr about the issue .
`` Since sending that letter , we have had very fruitful discussions with the Justice Department , '' they explained to Grenell .
`` We very much appreciate Attorney General Barr 's focus on transparency and his understanding that this important information ought to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several sections of the footnotes that certain members of the Intelligence Community are concerned about declassifying .
Accordingly , we are forward you our classified letter to Attorney General Barr , and we request that you ensure that all the footnotes are declassified to the fullest extent possible so that the American people have a full understanding of what transpired during the Crossfire Hurricane investigation . ''
The senators earlier told Barr that without that information , Americans `` will not have a full picture as to what happened . ''
U.S. Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the origins of the Crossfire Hurricane counter-intelligence probe of the Trump campaign .

Two senators are urging the director of National Intelligence to work with the Justice Department to declassify the contents of four footnotes Michael Horowitz's inspector general report on FISA abuse, contending it mischaracterized evidence about the government’s secret surveillance of the Trump campaign
The information blacked out "is significant not only because it contradicts key statements in a section of the report, but also because it provides insight essential for an accurate evaluation of the entire investigation."
Horowitz's report found the Obama FBI and Justice Department made 17 "significant errors or omissions" in its applications for warrants to spy on the Trump campaign.
But the report concluded the FBI's surveillance of the Trump campaign was not motivated by political bias, even the warrants would not have been issued without the submission of the dubious, Democratic Party-funded Steele Dossier as evidence.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson, R-Wis., addressed the request to acting ODNI Director Richard Grenell.
The senators said the classified information in the footnotes "provides insight essential for an accurate evaluation of the entire investigation and the public interest in the disclosure of the information outweighs the need to protect it."
The senators earlier had written Attorney General William Barr about the issue.
"Since sending that letter, we have had very fruitful discussions with the Justice Department," they explained to Grenell. "We very much appreciate Attorney General Barr's focus on transparency and his understanding that this important information ought to be public.
"However, there are several sections of the footnotes that certain members of the Intelligence Community are concerned about declassifying. Accordingly, we are forward you our classified letter to Attorney General Barr, and we request that you ensure that all the footnotes are declassified to the fullest extent possible so that the American people have a full understanding of what transpired during the Crossfire Hurricane investigation."
The senators earlier told Barr that without that information, Americans "will not have a full picture as to what happened."
U.S. Attorney John Durham is conducting a criminal investigation of the origins of the Crossfire Hurricane counter-intelligence probe of the Trump campaign.


wnd--2020-04-02--An even bigger war: The one against expanding government

Our expanding battle against the COVID-19 coronavirus conceals a bigger war : the imperial assault by politicians to wrest power from the people and permanently expand the government .
A major weapon used against us in this war , as syndicated radio talk-show hosts Armstrong and Getty mentioned days ago , is what psychologists and brainwashers call an `` availability cascade , '' a self-reinforcing cycle of repeated claims designed to alter society 's collective beliefs by replacing skepticism with irrational certitude and emotional acquiescence .
This technique to control us by stampeding the `` herd '' mentality in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` availability '' ) has been used by ideologues to create conformity of thought on such issues as global warming and gun control .
One sign that propagandists are attacking your brain with an `` availability cascade '' is the pretense that their position is supported by `` the experts '' and/or by the overwhelming majority of your fellow citizens .
Their position is also depicted as a dire emergency – something that you should react to with fear , even panic .
An `` availability cascade '' aims to reshape your response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , understanding and debate , but by appealing to authority – those superior-to-you `` experts '' who know what you are too stupid to comprehend – which is how issues were decided in the Dark Ages , or to urgent emotions such as fear that become contagious in our species .
TRENDING : Dr. Ron Paul hits nail on the head in no-nonsense coronavirus interview The cascade of their partisan meme is usually intended to produce a follow-the-leader blind fear and submission similar to what Native Americans exploited to stampede entire herds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invoked or created emergencies to increase their power .
The early 20th century political philosopher Randolph Bourne said that `` war is the health of the state , '' meaning that government is never more powerful than when war allows it to rule by decree and martial law , silence its critics , and demand national unity and support .
`` The people never give up their liberties , but under some delusion , '' said British statesman Edmund Burke .
`` The whole aim of practical politics , '' wrote journalist H.L @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the populace alarmed and hence clamorous to be led to safety … by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins .
… '' '' You never want a serious crisis to go to waste , '' said Rahm Emanuel , the chief of staff for President Barack Obama , in 2008 .
`` Crisis provides the opportunity for us to do things that you could not do before . ''
Emanuel 's manipulative cynicism was inspired by the co-creator of `` availability cascade '' theory , Cass R. Sunstein , of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sunstein is also co-author of the book `` Nudge , '' which explains the latest methods of subtly manipulating others .
In 2008 , Sunstein assembled a team of behavioral scientists and neuro-economists to help elect Barack Obama by using such manipulation , as Craig R. Smith and I detailed in our 2013 book `` The Great Withdrawal . ''
Many who voted for Obama never knew that they were being brainwashed by scientific techniques that limited their choices to herd them , coerced them with what appeared to be peer pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advertising to alter a voter 's sense of truth and reality .
Such `` nudges , '' we wrote , could be used openly to `` help '' people make up their mind .
But they `` could also be used for what MIT radical intellectual Noam Chomsky calls 'the manufacture of consent , ' to manipulate people into assenting to whatever the State or ruling political party wishes .
A nudge is a kind of push , and this push could come to shove . ''
Sunstein later headed Obama 's Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infiltrating anti-Big Government groups with secret agents `` to persuade , debias , or silence '' them .
Yes , he said `` silence . ''
Sunstein is married to Irish-born radical activist Samantha Power , Obama 's United Nations ambassador .
In the election year 2016 , she filed more than 200 `` unmasking '' requests for Republicans whose telephone conversations were secretly recorded by U.S. intelligence agencies .
Power claimed not to have done this , but she showed little interest in identifying Obama comrades who she said misused her name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have valid reasons for martial law powers to fight the coronavirus , or to free jailed violent criminals , or to close gun stores and churches while keeping liquor and marijuana stores open as `` essential '' services , or for tripling government spending .
But power-grabbing government policies that could become permanent are not being rationally debated ; they are simply imposed by authority and justified by fear of a killer disease .
Will freedom and limited government ever return after this plague ?
Lowell Ponte is a former Reader 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared in the Wall Street Journal , the New York Times and other major publications .
His latest paper co-authored with Craig R. Smith , `` The Secret War , '' shows how to rethink several areas of investment to protect and grow your savings against little-known economic threats .
For a free , postpaid copy , call toll-free 800-630-1492 .

Our expanding battle against the COVID-19 coronavirus conceals a bigger war: the imperial assault by politicians to wrest power from the people and permanently expand the government.
A major weapon used against us in this war, as syndicated radio talk-show hosts Armstrong and Getty mentioned days ago, is what psychologists and brainwashers call an "availability cascade," a self-reinforcing cycle of repeated claims designed to alter society's collective beliefs by replacing skepticism with irrational certitude and emotional acquiescence.
This technique to control us by stampeding the "herd" mentality in our heads with endless repetition (i.e., "availability") has been used by ideologues to create conformity of thought on such issues as global warming and gun control.
One sign that propagandists are attacking your brain with an "availability cascade" is the pretense that their position is supported by "the experts" and/or by the overwhelming majority of your fellow citizens. Their position is also depicted as a dire emergency – something that you should react to with fear, even panic.
An "availability cascade" aims to reshape your response to an issue not by rational thought, understanding and debate, but by appealing to authority – those superior-to-you "experts" who know what you are too stupid to comprehend – which is how issues were decided in the Dark Ages, or to urgent emotions such as fear that become contagious in our species.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The cascade of their partisan meme is usually intended to produce a follow-the-leader blind fear and submission similar to what Native Americans exploited to stampede entire herds of bison off cliffs.
Politicians have long invoked or created emergencies to increase their power.
The early 20th century political philosopher Randolph Bourne said that "war is the health of the state," meaning that government is never more powerful than when war allows it to rule by decree and martial law, silence its critics, and demand national unity and support.
"The people never give up their liberties, but under some delusion," said British statesman Edmund Burke.
"The whole aim of practical politics," wrote journalist H.L. Mencken, "is to keep the populace alarmed and hence clamorous to be led to safety … by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins. …"
"You never want a serious crisis to go to waste," said Rahm Emanuel, the chief of staff for President Barack Obama, in 2008. "Crisis provides the opportunity for us to do things that you could not do before."
Emanuel's manipulative cynicism was inspired by the co-creator of "availability cascade" theory, Cass R. Sunstein, of the Harvard Law School and Harvard Kennedy School. Sunstein is also co-author of the book "Nudge," which explains the latest methods of subtly manipulating others.
In 2008, Sunstein assembled a team of behavioral scientists and neuro-economists to help elect Barack Obama by using such manipulation, as Craig R. Smith and I detailed in our 2013 book "The Great Withdrawal." Many who voted for Obama never knew that they were being brainwashed by scientific techniques that limited their choices to herd them, coerced them with what appeared to be peer pressure, and primed Obama's language and advertising to alter a voter's sense of truth and reality.
Such "nudges," we wrote, could be used openly to "help" people make up their mind. But they "could also be used for what MIT radical intellectual Noam Chomsky calls 'the manufacture of consent,' to manipulate people into assenting to whatever the State or ruling political party wishes. A nudge is a kind of push, and this push could come to shove."
Sunstein later headed Obama's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs and advocated infiltrating anti-Big Government groups with secret agents "to persuade, debias, or silence" them. Yes, he said "silence."
Sunstein is married to Irish-born radical activist Samantha Power, Obama's United Nations ambassador. In the election year 2016, she filed more than 200 "unmasking" requests for Republicans whose telephone conversations were secretly recorded by U.S. intelligence agencies. Power claimed not to have done this, but she showed little interest in identifying Obama comrades who she said misused her name to spy on political opponents.
Government may have valid reasons for martial law powers to fight the coronavirus, or to free jailed violent criminals, or to close gun stores and churches while keeping liquor and marijuana stores open as "essential" services, or for tripling government spending. But power-grabbing government policies that could become permanent are not being rationally debated; they are simply imposed by authority and justified by fear of a killer disease. Will freedom and limited government ever return after this plague?
Lowell Ponte is a former Reader's Digest Roving Editor. His articles have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and other major publications. His latest paper co-authored with Craig R. Smith, "The Secret War," shows how to rethink several areas of investment to protect and grow your savings against little-known economic threats. For a free, postpaid copy, call toll-free 800-630-1492.