wnd--2020-12-12--Brownback: Other countries following U.S. in fight for religious freedom

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]
It was already a deeply moving tour through the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum when it became personal for one visitor .
Senior State Department officials were wending their way through the sobering exhibits accompanied by recent survivors of religious persecution at an event kicking off the 2019 Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom , a Washington gathering of high-level delegations from 106 countries around the globe .
When the group reached the display of a train car Nazis used to deport Jews to concentration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nu , a Rohingya Muslim and Burmese human rights activist , stopped short .
TRENDING : 'The big one ' lands at the Supreme Court “ This reminds me of Burma today , ” she told her American guide , Knox Thames , who was an adviser for religious minorities at the State Department .
Wai Wai Nu was imprisoned for seven years because of her father ’ s political activism , an act of repression years before the brutal crackdown by Burma ’ s army against her fellow Rohingya , which began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24,000 dead .
Nearly 1 million Rohingya have since fled into Bangladesh while some 600,000 who remain in Burma have been transported to camps and villages , cut off from access to adequate food , water , health care and education .
“ It was just chilling to tour this museum , a memorial to what we thought and hoped was about atrocities that would never happen again , but to know it ’ s all happening again , ” Thames told RealClearPolitics .
Wai Wai Nu was in Washington that day for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held .
Hosted by the State Department , the summit also coincided with a Pew Research Center study that found religious persecution and restrictions on the rise worldwide .
It was the second ministerial of its kind in as many years and an outward sign of the high priority President Trump placed on fighting religious persecution overseas , as was his decision to tap Sam Brownback , a former Kansas senator and governor , as his ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom .
Now a new administration is taking shape , and religious-freedom advocates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s administration will maintain the delicate institutional framework built during Brownback ’ s tenure .
Without a firm commitment from the president-elect , they fear it could all evaporate .
It was Thames , a former top State Department adviser on religious freedom issues during the Obama and Trump administrations , who came up with the idea to organize an international summit on religious freedom in Washington .
Brownback wholeheartedly embraced the suggestion and went to work obtaining the resources to make it happen .
When Mike Pompeo , Brownback ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state in 2018 , Brownback found an eager and willing partner .
The two also worked to create the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance , a new global organization of senior government officials from 31 countries .
Throughout his Cabinet secretary tenure , Pompeo regularly named and shamed bad actors based on the State Department ’ s annual religious freedom report , which ranked countries in different tiers depending on how well they do or do not protect religious freedom .
Pompeo has condemned China ’ s persecution and forced labor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two dozen times in the last year , and over the summer the U.S. sanctioned multiple Chinese officials over the Uighurs ’ mistreatment , though critics point out that he has been far less vocal about abuses in Saudi Arabia and North Korea .
In early June , Trump demonstrated another level of commitment – the president issued an executive order declaring religious freedom a “ moral and national security imperative.
” The policy change required the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development to develop a plan to prioritize international religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It also provided $ 50 million to carry out the mission , a relatively small but unprecedented sum that encouraged activists and advocacy groups .
At a mid-November press conference , Brownback was asked whether he was concerned that the incoming administration could diminish or dismantle the global movement he helped build over the last three years .
He responded that he ’ s “ optimistic ” about Biden ’ s willingness to continue the work he began because religious freedom is a core American principle that has bipartisan buy-in from top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second ministerial underscored this .
It featured a bipartisan discussion between Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former GOP Rep. Frank Wolf , two longtime champions of religious freedom abroad .
Brownback also stressed that he worked to build lasting overseas partnerships that will continue regardless of who is president of the United States , noting that Poland took the reins from the U.S. and held the third international ministerial this year , albeit virtually because of COVID concerns .
Next year , Brazil plans to host the summit .
“ You ’ re seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States has launched , ” Brownback said .
“ I think without the U.S. leaning in and pushing it , this would not have gotten launched .
But now that it ’ s launched and you have a regular ministerial , and you have an alliance that ’ s stood up on the topic , and you have 30 religious freedom roundtables – grassroots activists around the world -- this movement ’ s launched , and it ’ s not going to stop with the change of an administration.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be strongly supportive of this as well , ” Brownback added .
“ Joe Biden was when he was a senator .
I would think he would continue to do it as president , if that ’ s the final court ruling [ on the election results ] .
” A spokesman for the Biden transition team did not respond to a request for comment about the president-elect ’ s commitment to religious freedom and continuing the international summits and partnerships the Trump administration created .
Those who share Brownback ’ s optimism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the president-elect ’ s deep Catholic faith , which he characterized frequently during the 2020 campaign as a guiding light through his many personal challenges .
Biden ’ s campaign actively courted religious voters , highlighting different religious services and prayers throughout the Democratic convention as a way to chip away at Trump ’ s strong support from evangelical Protestants and other , more traditional , members of the faith community .
His campaign also produced a plan to safeguard domestic faith-based communities , including increased security grants to places of worship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ President-elect Biden is himself a person of very sincere and deep faith , so I don ’ t think he is going to need anybody to explain to him that this is a central and fundamental human right , ” Katrina Lantos Swett , president of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice , said in an interview .
“ You can put me in the camp of those who are optimistic that the Biden administration will have a strong international religious freedom policy .
I actually think it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one.
” The Obama administration , she added , began elevating the issue by appointing David Saperstein to the position .
The first Jew in that role , Rabbi Saperstein is widely respected among Republicans and Democrats alike .
Saperstein ’ s name has surfaced as a possible replacement for Brownback .
Other names that have been mentioned include Gayle Manchin , a member of the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom ( USCIRF ) and wife of Sen. Joe Manchin ; Zeenat Rahman , a director of the Inclusive America Project at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department political appointee during the Obama administration ; and Democratic Reps. Anna Eshoo of California and Jim McGovern of Massachusetts , two leading House voices on the issue , both of whom would have to resign from Congress to take the post .
One of the most intriguing possibilities is Katrina Swett herself .
She has a history with Biden , deep experience in the field , and a noble pedigree on the issue of religious freedom .
A former chairwoman of the USCIRF , an independent bipartisan commission created by Congress , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Rep. Tom Lantos , the only Holocaust survivor to serve in Congress , who represented his California district from 1981 until his death in 2008 .
Rep. Lantos chaired the House Foreign Affairs Committee and previously created the Congressional Human Rights Caucus .
He was close friends and colleagues with Joe Biden , who received the Lantos Foundation ’ s first legacy award in 2018 .
Nancy Pelosi , then House minority leader , introduced Biden at the ceremony .
Upon receiving the award , he told the crowd : “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rationalize … or excuse away , or turn a blind eye to any act that violates the humanity of any man woman , or child on this earth .
Remember Tom .
Remember his example.
” Global Religious Freedom Network Takes On a Life of Its Own Greg Mitchell has served as a co-chair of Washington ’ s influential International Religious Freedom Roundtable , along with Chris Seiple of the Institute for Global Engagement , for nearly a decade .
The group , an open forum for promoting religious freedom initiatives worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 75 at the beginning of the Trump administration .
After Brownback expressed an interest in attending the group ’ s meetings when he became ambassador-at-large in early 2018 , the size of the group mushroomed to nearly 150 participants and began meeting every Tuesday in committee rooms on Capitol Hill .
Roundtable participants include representatives of nearly every major faith and belief community , from mainline Protestant Methodists and Catholics to Muslims , Jews , Hindus , Buddhists , Seventh-day Adventists , along with atheists and humanists , Mitchell says .
Since going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekly confab has attracted some 900 participants from more than 60 countries who have attended at least one meeting over the past few months .
With Brownback ’ s support , Mitchell is helping create similar religious freedom roundtables in countries around the world .
In contrast to Trump ’ s America First foreign policy , on this topic Trump appointees have not only embraced international bodies , they have worked to create a new one in the form of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance .
Over the last decade , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Obama administration during Hillary Clinton ’ s and John Kerry ’ s tenures as secretary of state , and more recently with Pompeo and Brownback .
“ So we ’ ll invite the Biden administration to just pick up and keep going with us , ” Mitchell told RCP .
“ Because of the increasingly global nature of this entire network … I ’ m confident they will continue to embrace these roundtables , participate in the alliance .
It ’ s not just U.S. government-led or driven ; you have other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside groups are equally upbeat about the Biden transition .
“ Over the past four years , Democrats and Republicans have regularly joined forces to advance religious freedom in numerous countries where individuals are killed , injured , imprisoned , held in detention camps , or stripped of their fundamental rights simply because of their religion or beliefs , ” said Kelsey Zorzi , director of advocacy for global religious freedom with ADF International , a faith-based nonprofit that focuses on legal advocacy .
“ These joint efforts have demonstrated that the promotion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy issue that transcends party lines , and we hope and expect that will continue over the next four years.
” Melissa Rogers , a visiting professor at Wake Forest University School of Divinity who served as the executive director of Obama ’ s White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships , is calling on the Biden administration to continue the ministerials “ with the secretary of state ’ s ongoing involvement.
” Rogers , along with Washington Post columnist E.J .
Dionne , last month penned a report for the Brookings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious freedom but also calling for some shifts in focus that alarmed some activists .
Their report , titled “ A Time to Heal , a Time to Build , ” argued that “ the metrics for evaluation should focus on whether vulnerable people ’ s lives are being improved , not on whether the amount of government funding that flows to faith-based organizations increases.
” While the point sounds enlightened , some feared that it was language designed to give cover to those who would roll back years-long efforts by Vice President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through bureaucratic roadblocks at the State Department and USAID .
Those efforts allowed the U.S. government to provide grants and funds directly to Catholic groups and other religious organizations that were early and consistent leaders in rebuilding Christian and Yazidi communities in Iraq ravaged by ISIS .
While most activists RCP interviewed praised several aspects of the report , many longtime international religious freedom proponents said they remain pessimistic about the prospects for advancing the cause during a Biden administration .
They worry that widespread religious persecution in places like Iraq , Burma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aside in favor of more predictable secular Democratic Party priorities , especially climate change .
Biden has already tapped Kerry as his climate change czar and pledged to rejoin the Paris climate accord after the Trump administration withdrew from it .
“ I am deeply concerned that religious freedom is going to be pushed aside by those on the left who believe that religion is the problem , ” said Nina Shea , a former USCIRF commissioner who serves as the director of the Center for Religious Freedom at the Hudson Institute , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That is a phenomenon we are already seeing , especially in Europe and in the [ United Nations ] , promoted by government experts , that religion is a source of persecution.
” While Shea gives high marks to Rabbi Saperstein ’ s tenure during the Obama administration , she noted that President Obama left the ambassador-at-large position open without naming a replacement for several long stretches of time , and she hopes Biden will not do likewise .
She also worries that Biden ’ s top State Department appointees could shift to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a basic human right and could blame religions that want to limit abortion as responsible for violating that new right .
“ I ’ m concerned that climate change will dominate the diplomatic narrative ; religious freedom , a signature issue of the Trump administration , will be just dropped , ” she said .
“ And I ’ m concerned that religious believers will be blamed for human rights violations , and that they will be demonized.
” Shea and others who share her views say there is just cause for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of senators tried to pass changes to USCIRF ’ s mandate that would widen its responsibility to monitor and report on the “ abuse of religion to justify human rights violations.
” Commissioner Kristina Arriaga resigned in protest over the direction of the negotiations , and USCIRF Chairman Tony Perkins said the shift would require the watchdog organization to “ begin policing religion in many ways.
” “ That would dilute our effectiveness and focus , ” Perkins argued .
The senators eventually backed away from those changes .
Iran Policy Could Also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Biden ’ s approach to religious freedom stem from basic foreign-policy differences in Iran and other hot spots .
With Pompeo leading the charge , the Trump administration pulled out of the nuclear deal that Obama , and officials from five other countries , negotiated with Tehran .
The deal delivered $ 1.7 billion in cash to the regime while also easing economic sanctions in return for Iran agreeing to limit its nuclear program through 2025 .
Some advocates of persecuted Christians and Yazidis , both religious minority groups that were victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infusion of funds empowered Iranian militias to swoop in and colonize areas in northern Iraq .
Pence made it his personal mission to bolster the rebuilding of these beleaguered Christian and Yazidi communities , but the proliferation of Iranian militia in the area has recently undercut some of the progress .
In an op-ed written for CNN in September , Biden said he plans to rejoin the Iranian nuclear deal “ if Iran returns to strict compliance.
” The pledge has Shea and other advocates for Iraqi Christians and Yazidis bracing for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the same time , many observers are encouraged by Biden ’ s stated intention to overturn Trump ’ s ban on allowing refugees to come to the United States from Arab countries .
Stephen Rasche , the vice chancellor of the Catholic University in Erbil and the executive director of the Institute for Ancient and Threatened Christianity , is among them .
“ Thousands of Christian refugee families from Iraq and Syria have remained trapped in Turkey and Jordan , many of their situations dating back to the Obama administration , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to exist almost completely off the radar screen of the U.S. and the U.N. in a precarious state without any assistance or path to permanent resettlement abroad .
Hopefully in a pro-immigration administration their plight can finally get a fair hearing and equal priority in attention.
” It remains to be seen if Biden will follow through , Rasche said .
“ Under the new administration , will pressure on Iran be lessened in a way that allows them to resume or increase their destabilizing behavior in Iraq , much of which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Iraqi Christians and Yazidis to return and stabilize their ancestral towns in the north ?
” he asks .
“ This issue is being watched very closely and with great concern by the religious minorities in Iraq.
” Biden ’ s selection of Antony Blinken , a chief architect of the Iran deal , as secretary of state could spell new trouble for persecuted religious minorities in Iraq , some critics fear .
Blinken , a big defender of global alliances who has led the attack on Trump ’ s “ America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several years , served as both deputy national security adviser and deputy secretary of state in the Obama administration .
Blinken attempted to allay those concerns last month when he delivered some remarks following Biden ’ s nomination of him .
Blinken recalled a gripping story about his late stepfather spending four years in concentration camps in Poland during the Holocaust until he managed to escape into the Bavarian Forest and was rescued by an African American GI .
“ He fell to his knees and said the only three words he knew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him : God bless America .
The GI lifted him into the tank , into America , into freedom .
That ’ s who we are , ” Blinken said .
Thames , the diplomat who led the tour of the Holocaust museum last year , worked with Blinken during the Obama administration when he keynoted a State Department event in July 2016 about the ISIS persecution of Christians and Yazidis in Iraq and Syria .
He also supported and participated in a special side event at the U.N. General Assembly that year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cultural heritage of religious minorities victimized by ISIS .
“ [ Blinken ] attended and encouraged [ then- ] Vice President Joe Biden to speak , ” Thames said .
“ He was a proponent of using the term genocide in the debate about what ISIS had done against Christians and others .
So when I heard his name , I thought , that ’ s good .
We ’ ll have a friend on human rights issues.
” “ How outspoken will he be on specific countries ?
That ’ s hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very strong on China and Iran but hasn ’ t said much of anything on religious persecution in North Korea and Saudi Arabia .
So there ’ s always going to be a tension in diplomacy between security and human rights – it ’ s a hard business .
But certainly from what I ’ ve experienced when Blinken was deputy secretary , he will be personally interested in issues of religious freedom and fighting religious persecution.
” [ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics .
@

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]
By Susan Crabtree
Real Clear Politics
It was already a deeply moving tour through the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum when it became personal for one visitor. Senior State Department officials were wending their way through the sobering exhibits accompanied by recent survivors of religious persecution at an event kicking off the 2019 Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, a Washington gathering of high-level delegations from 106 countries around the globe.
When the group reached the display of a train car Nazis used to deport Jews to concentration camps eight decades ago, Wai Wai Nu, a Rohingya Muslim and Burmese human rights activist, stopped short.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
“This reminds me of Burma today,” she told her American guide, Knox Thames, who was an adviser for religious minorities at the State Department. Wai Wai Nu was imprisoned for seven years because of her father’s political activism, an act of repression years before the brutal crackdown by Burma’s army against her fellow Rohingya, which began in 2017 and has left an estimated 24,000 dead. Nearly 1 million Rohingya have since fled into Bangladesh while some 600,000 who remain in Burma have been transported to camps and villages, cut off from access to adequate food, water, health care and education.
“It was just chilling to tour this museum, a memorial to what we thought and hoped was about atrocities that would never happen again, but to know it’s all happening again,” Thames told RealClearPolitics.
Wai Wai Nu was in Washington that day for the largest international religious freedom gathering ever held. Hosted by the State Department, the summit also coincided with a Pew Research Center study that found religious persecution and restrictions on the rise worldwide. It was the second ministerial of its kind in as many years and an outward sign of the high priority President Trump placed on fighting religious persecution overseas, as was his decision to tap Sam Brownback, a former Kansas senator and governor, as his ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.
Now a new administration is taking shape, and religious-freedom advocates are nervously searching for signs that Joe Biden’s administration will maintain the delicate institutional framework built during Brownback’s tenure. Without a firm commitment from the president-elect, they fear it could all evaporate.
Is the U.S. still leading the fight for religious freedom? 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. 92% (24 Votes) 8% (2 Votes)
What’s at stake: Trump’s Institutional Strides
It was Thames, a former top State Department adviser on religious freedom issues during the Obama and Trump administrations, who came up with the idea to organize an international summit on religious freedom in Washington. Brownback wholeheartedly embraced the suggestion and went to work obtaining the resources to make it happen.
When Mike Pompeo, Brownback’s fellow Kansan, became secretary of state in 2018, Brownback found an eager and willing partner. The two also worked to create the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance, a new global organization of senior government officials from 31 countries.
Throughout his Cabinet secretary tenure, Pompeo regularly named and shamed bad actors based on the State Department’s annual religious freedom report, which ranked countries in different tiers depending on how well they do or do not protect religious freedom. Pompeo has condemned China’s persecution and forced labor of the largely Muslim Uighur population more than two dozen times in the last year, and over the summer the U.S. sanctioned multiple Chinese officials over the Uighurs’ mistreatment, though critics point out that he has been far less vocal about abuses in Saudi Arabia and North Korea.
In early June, Trump demonstrated another level of commitment – the president issued an executive order declaring religious freedom a “moral and national security imperative.” The policy change required the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development to develop a plan to prioritize international religious freedom in foreign policy and assistance decisions. It also provided $50 million to carry out the mission, a relatively small but unprecedented sum that encouraged activists and advocacy groups.
Brownback ‘Optimistic’ Biden Will Continue Bipartisan Work
At a mid-November press conference, Brownback was asked whether he was concerned that the incoming administration could diminish or dismantle the global movement he helped build over the last three years. He responded that he’s “optimistic” about Biden’s willingness to continue the work he began because religious freedom is a core American principle that has bipartisan buy-in from top congressional leaders and outside advocates.
The second ministerial underscored this. It featured a bipartisan discussion between Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former GOP Rep. Frank Wolf, two longtime champions of religious freedom abroad. Brownback also stressed that he worked to build lasting overseas partnerships that will continue regardless of who is president of the United States, noting that Poland took the reins from the U.S. and held the third international ministerial this year, albeit virtually because of COVID concerns. Next year, Brazil plans to host the summit.
“You’re seeing other countries pick up the cause that the United States has launched,” Brownback said. “I think without the U.S. leaning in and pushing it, this would not have gotten launched. But now that it’s launched and you have a regular ministerial, and you have an alliance that’s stood up on the topic, and you have 30 religious freedom roundtables – grassroots activists around the world -- this movement’s launched, and it’s not going to stop with the change of an administration.”
“I hope that the Biden administration would be strongly supportive of this as well,” Brownback added. “Joe Biden was when he was a senator. I would think he would continue to do it as president, if that’s the final court ruling [on the election results].”
A spokesman for the Biden transition team did not respond to a request for comment about the president-elect’s commitment to religious freedom and continuing the international summits and partnerships the Trump administration created.
Those who share Brownback’s optimism that Biden will champion the cause point to the president-elect’s deep Catholic faith, which he characterized frequently during the 2020 campaign as a guiding light through his many personal challenges. Biden’s campaign actively courted religious voters, highlighting different religious services and prayers throughout the Democratic convention as a way to chip away at Trump’s strong support from evangelical Protestants and other, more traditional, members of the faith community. His campaign also produced a plan to safeguard domestic faith-based communities, including increased security grants to places of worship and strengthening the prosecutions of hate crimes.
“President-elect Biden is himself a person of very sincere and deep faith, so I don’t think he is going to need anybody to explain to him that this is a central and fundamental human right,” Katrina Lantos Swett, president of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice, said in an interview. “You can put me in the camp of those who are optimistic that the Biden administration will have a strong international religious freedom policy. I actually think it’s going to be quite a robust one.”
The Obama administration, she added, began elevating the issue by appointing David Saperstein to the position. The first Jew in that role, Rabbi Saperstein is widely respected among Republicans and Democrats alike.
Saperstein’s name has surfaced as a possible replacement for Brownback. Other names that have been mentioned include Gayle Manchin, a member of the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and wife of Sen. Joe Manchin; Zeenat Rahman, a director of the Inclusive America Project at the Aspen Institute and a former State Department political appointee during the Obama administration; and Democratic Reps. Anna Eshoo of California and Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, two leading House voices on the issue, both of whom would have to resign from Congress to take the post.
One of the most intriguing possibilities is Katrina Swett herself. She has a history with Biden, deep experience in the field, and a noble pedigree on the issue of religious freedom. A former chairwoman of the USCIRF, an independent bipartisan commission created by Congress, she is the daughter of the late Democratic Rep. Tom Lantos, the only Holocaust survivor to serve in Congress, who represented his California district from 1981 until his death in 2008. Rep. Lantos chaired the House Foreign Affairs Committee and previously created the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. He was close friends and colleagues with Joe Biden, who received the Lantos Foundation’s first legacy award in 2018.
Nancy Pelosi, then House minority leader, introduced Biden at the ceremony. Upon receiving the award, he told the crowd: “We must be careful to avoid the temptation to rationalize … or excuse away, or turn a blind eye to any act that violates the humanity of any man woman, or child on this earth. Remember Tom. Remember his example.”
Global Religious Freedom Network Takes On a Life of Its Own
Greg Mitchell has served as a co-chair of Washington’s influential International Religious Freedom Roundtable, along with Chris Seiple of the Institute for Global Engagement, for nearly a decade. The group, an open forum for promoting religious freedom initiatives worldwide, grew from 15 participants to some 75 at the beginning of the Trump administration. After Brownback expressed an interest in attending the group’s meetings when he became ambassador-at-large in early 2018, the size of the group mushroomed to nearly 150 participants and began meeting every Tuesday in committee rooms on Capitol Hill. Roundtable participants include representatives of nearly every major faith and belief community, from mainline Protestant Methodists and Catholics to Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Seventh-day Adventists, along with atheists and humanists, Mitchell says.
Since going virtual during the COVID pandemic, the weekly confab has attracted some 900 participants from more than 60 countries who have attended at least one meeting over the past few months. With Brownback’s support, Mitchell is helping create similar religious freedom roundtables in countries around the world. In contrast to Trump’s America First foreign policy, on this topic Trump appointees have not only embraced international bodies, they have worked to create a new one in the form of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance.
Over the last decade, Mitchell says the roundtable has worked with the Obama administration during Hillary Clinton’s and John Kerry’s tenures as secretary of state, and more recently with Pompeo and Brownback.
“So we’ll invite the Biden administration to just pick up and keep going with us,” Mitchell told RCP. “Because of the increasingly global nature of this entire network … I’m confident they will continue to embrace these roundtables, participate in the alliance. It’s not just U.S. government-led or driven; you have other countries that have opted in.”
Other outside groups are equally upbeat about the Biden transition.
“Over the past four years, Democrats and Republicans have regularly joined forces to advance religious freedom in numerous countries where individuals are killed, injured, imprisoned, held in detention camps, or stripped of their fundamental rights simply because of their religion or beliefs,” said Kelsey Zorzi, director of advocacy for global religious freedom with ADF International, a faith-based nonprofit that focuses on legal advocacy. “These joint efforts have demonstrated that the promotion of international religious freedom is one foreign policy issue that transcends party lines, and we hope and expect that will continue over the next four years.”
Melissa Rogers, a visiting professor at Wake Forest University School of Divinity who served as the executive director of Obama’s White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, is calling on the Biden administration to continue the ministerials “with the secretary of state’s ongoing involvement.” Rogers, along with Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne, last month penned a report for the Brookings Institute praising several Trump administration accomplishments on religious freedom but also calling for some shifts in focus that alarmed some activists.
Their report, titled “A Time to Heal, a Time to Build,” argued that “the metrics for evaluation should focus on whether vulnerable people’s lives are being improved, not on whether the amount of government funding that flows to faith-based organizations increases.” While the point sounds enlightened, some feared that it was language designed to give cover to those who would roll back years-long efforts by Vice President Mike Pence and political appointees to cut through bureaucratic roadblocks at the State Department and USAID. Those efforts allowed the U.S. government to provide grants and funds directly to Catholic groups and other religious organizations that were early and consistent leaders in rebuilding Christian and Yazidi communities in Iraq ravaged by ISIS.
Will Climate Change Supplant Religious Freedom?
While most activists RCP interviewed praised several aspects of the report, many longtime international religious freedom proponents said they remain pessimistic about the prospects for advancing the cause during a Biden administration. They worry that widespread religious persecution in places like Iraq, Burma, Nigeria and China will get shunted aside in favor of more predictable secular Democratic Party priorities, especially climate change. Biden has already tapped Kerry as his climate change czar and pledged to rejoin the Paris climate accord after the Trump administration withdrew from it.
“I am deeply concerned that religious freedom is going to be pushed aside by those on the left who believe that religion is the problem,” said Nina Shea, a former USCIRF commissioner who serves as the director of the Center for Religious Freedom at the Hudson Institute, a conservative foreign-policy think tank. “That is a phenomenon we are already seeing, especially in Europe and in the [United Nations], promoted by government experts, that religion is a source of persecution.”
While Shea gives high marks to Rabbi Saperstein’s tenure during the Obama administration, she noted that President Obama left the ambassador-at-large position open without naming a replacement for several long stretches of time, and she hopes Biden will not do likewise.
She also worries that Biden’s top State Department appointees could shift to a narrative that access to abortion is a basic human right and could blame religions that want to limit abortion as responsible for violating that new right.
“I’m concerned that climate change will dominate the diplomatic narrative; religious freedom, a signature issue of the Trump administration, will be just dropped,” she said. “And I’m concerned that religious believers will be blamed for human rights violations, and that they will be demonized.”
Shea and others who share her views say there is just cause for their concerns. Last fall a bipartisan group of senators tried to pass changes to USCIRF’s mandate that would widen its responsibility to monitor and report on the “abuse of religion to justify human rights violations.” Commissioner Kristina Arriaga resigned in protest over the direction of the negotiations, and USCIRF Chairman Tony Perkins said the shift would require the watchdog organization to “begin policing religion in many ways.”
“That would dilute our effectiveness and focus,” Perkins argued. The senators eventually backed away from those changes.
Iran Policy Could Also Undercut Rebuilding After ISIS Genocide
Some concerns about Biden’s approach to religious freedom stem from basic foreign-policy differences in Iran and other hot spots. With Pompeo leading the charge, the Trump administration pulled out of the nuclear deal that Obama, and officials from five other countries, negotiated with Tehran. The deal delivered $1.7 billion in cash to the regime while also easing economic sanctions in return for Iran agreeing to limit its nuclear program through 2025.
Some advocates of persecuted Christians and Yazidis, both religious minority groups that were victims of ISIS genocide, believe that the infusion of funds empowered Iranian militias to swoop in and colonize areas in northern Iraq. Pence made it his personal mission to bolster the rebuilding of these beleaguered Christian and Yazidi communities, but the proliferation of Iranian militia in the area has recently undercut some of the progress.
In an op-ed written for CNN in September, Biden said he plans to rejoin the Iranian nuclear deal “if Iran returns to strict compliance.” The pledge has Shea and other advocates for Iraqi Christians and Yazidis bracing for more Iranian militia security threats in the region.
At the same time, many observers are encouraged by Biden’s stated intention to overturn Trump’s ban on allowing refugees to come to the United States from Arab countries. Stephen Rasche, the vice chancellor of the Catholic University in Erbil and the executive director of the Institute for Ancient and Threatened Christianity, is among them.
“Thousands of Christian refugee families from Iraq and Syria have remained trapped in Turkey and Jordan, many of their situations dating back to the Obama administration,” Rasche told RCP. “They continue to exist almost completely off the radar screen of the U.S. and the U.N. in a precarious state without any assistance or path to permanent resettlement abroad. Hopefully in a pro-immigration administration their plight can finally get a fair hearing and equal priority in attention.”
It remains to be seen if Biden will follow through, Rasche said.
“Under the new administration, will pressure on Iran be lessened in a way that allows them to resume or increase their destabilizing behavior in Iraq, much of which has greatly harmed and prevented the ability of Iraqi Christians and Yazidis to return and stabilize their ancestral towns in the north?” he asks. “This issue is being watched very closely and with great concern by the religious minorities in Iraq.”
Blinken Is the Linchpin
Biden’s selection of Antony Blinken, a chief architect of the Iran deal, as secretary of state could spell new trouble for persecuted religious minorities in Iraq, some critics fear. Blinken, a big defender of global alliances who has led the attack on Trump’s “America First” foreign policy over the last several years, served as both deputy national security adviser and deputy secretary of state in the Obama administration.
Blinken attempted to allay those concerns last month when he delivered some remarks following Biden’s nomination of him. Blinken recalled a gripping story about his late stepfather spending four years in concentration camps in Poland during the Holocaust until he managed to escape into the Bavarian Forest and was rescued by an African American GI.
“He fell to his knees and said the only three words he knew in English that his mother had taught him: God bless America. The GI lifted him into the tank, into America, into freedom. That’s who we are,” Blinken said.
Thames, the diplomat who led the tour of the Holocaust museum last year, worked with Blinken during the Obama administration when he keynoted a State Department event in July 2016 about the ISIS persecution of Christians and Yazidis in Iraq and Syria. He also supported and participated in a special side event at the U.N. General Assembly that year focused on the need to protect the cultural heritage of religious minorities victimized by ISIS.
“[Blinken] attended and encouraged [then-]Vice President Joe Biden to speak,” Thames said. “He was a proponent of using the term genocide in the debate about what ISIS had done against Christians and others. So when I heard his name, I thought, that’s good. We’ll have a friend on human rights issues.”
“How outspoken will he be on specific countries? That’s hard to guess. Secretary Pompeo has been very strong on China and Iran but hasn’t said much of anything on religious persecution in North Korea and Saudi Arabia. So there’s always going to be a tension in diplomacy between security and human rights – it’s a hard business. But certainly from what I’ve experienced when Blinken was deputy secretary, he will be personally interested in issues of religious freedom and fighting religious persecution.”
Susan Crabtree is RealClearPolitics' White House/national political correspondent.
[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]


wnd--2020-12-12--Palestinians sue Britain for 1917 Balfour Declaration

British taxpayers have handed over some $ 632 million to various Palestinian causes in just the last five years , and in return Palestinian plaintiffs are suing what once was the British Empire for issuing the Balfour Declaration .
The 1917 document declared support for a `` national home for the Jewish people '' in an area that had been part of the Ottoman Empire .
The document named for then-U.K. Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour was the first public expression of support for a Jewish homeland by a major political power .
It called for safeguarding the civil and religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rights and status of Jewish communities .
TRENDING : 'The big one ' lands at the Supreme Court It became a central part of the British Mandate for Palestine , then Mandatory Palestine , which later was divided into what now is Israel and Jordan .
But a lawsuit in the Palestinian courts , according to Palestinian Media Watch , claims the declaration is `` the cause '' of Palestinian suffering .
The official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida reported the lawsuit , `` which has a political impact and a media aspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Britain for the consequences of the Balfour Promise , which gave Palestine as a national homeland to the Jews and enabled the Zionist gangs to occupy Palestine , and the consequences that stem from its behavior that contradicts international rules , morals , and law . ''
The report said witnesses and evidence were being lined up for the legal fight .
PMW said the attorney for the plaintiffs , Luay Abdo , `` explained that the goal of the suit is to persuade Britain to confess that the Balfour Declaration 'destroyed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and entity , whose place was taken by a racist colonialist entity . '
'' PMW previously has exposed attempts by the Palestinian Authority `` to rewrite history and say the Balfour Declaration is responsible for Israel 's establishment . ''
That , however , the report said , is far from reality .
The British made clear in the document that while they supported a homeland for the Jewish people , it was understood that `` nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status enjoyed by Jews in any other country . ''
And no Jewish state could be created without wide international consensus .
The first international approval came in 1920 at a conference in Italy in a statement : `` The Mandatory will be responsible for putting into effect the declaration originally made on the [ 2nd ] November , 1917 , by the British Government and adopted by the other Allied Powers , in favor of the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people . ''
The international plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nations in 1922 , and the next year a proposal was made to create a Jewish homeland west of the Jordan River and `` Trans-Jordan '' to the east .
It was n't until 1947 that the new United Nations adopted the `` Partition Plan '' that created the Jewish state .
The facts `` clearly shows that it was the international community that created modern-day Israel , and not the Balfour Declaration or Great Britain , '' PMW said .

British taxpayers have handed over some $632 million to various Palestinian causes in just the last five years, and in return Palestinian plaintiffs are suing what once was the British Empire for issuing the Balfour Declaration.
The 1917 document declared support for a "national home for the Jewish people" in an area that had been part of the Ottoman Empire.
The document named for then-U.K. Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour was the first public expression of support for a Jewish homeland by a major political power.
It called for safeguarding the civil and religious rights of Palestinian Arabs as well as the rights and status of Jewish communities.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
It became a central part of the British Mandate for Palestine, then Mandatory Palestine, which later was divided into what now is Israel and Jordan.
But a lawsuit in the Palestinian courts, according to Palestinian Media Watch, claims the declaration is "the cause" of Palestinian suffering.
The official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida reported the lawsuit, "which has a political impact and a media aspect, lays the responsibility on the government of Britain for the consequences of the Balfour Promise, which gave Palestine as a national homeland to the Jews and enabled the Zionist gangs to occupy Palestine, and the consequences that stem from its behavior that contradicts international rules, morals, and law."
The report said witnesses and evidence were being lined up for the legal fight.
Should Britain be sued for issuing the Balfour Declaration? 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. 7% (6 Votes) 93% (78 Votes)
PMW said the attorney for the plaintiffs, Luay Abdo, "explained that the goal of the suit is to persuade Britain to confess that the Balfour Declaration 'destroyed the life of an entire Palestinian people and entity, whose place was taken by a racist colonialist entity.'"
PMW previously has exposed attempts by the Palestinian Authority "to rewrite history and say the Balfour Declaration is responsible for Israel's establishment."
That, however, the report said, is far from reality.
The British made clear in the document that while they supported a homeland for the Jewish people, it was understood that "nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country."
And no Jewish state could be created without wide international consensus.
The first international approval came in 1920 at a conference in Italy in a statement: "The Mandatory will be responsible for putting into effect the declaration originally made on the [2nd] November, 1917, by the British Government and adopted by the other Allied Powers, in favor of the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people."
The international plan earned the support of the League of Nations in 1922, and the next year a proposal was made to create a Jewish homeland west of the Jordan River and "Trans-Jordan" to the east.
It wasn't until 1947 that the new United Nations adopted the "Partition Plan" that created the Jewish state.
The facts "clearly shows that it was the international community that created modern-day Israel, and not the Balfour Declaration or Great Britain," PMW said.


wnd--2020-12-12--Charley Pride, country music's first black star, dies at 86

( AP NEWS ) – Charley Pride , country music 's first Black star whose rich baritone on such hits @ @ @ @ @ Good Morning '' helped sell millions of records and made him the first Black member @ @ @ @ @ of Fame , has died .
He was 86 .
Pride died Saturday in Dallas @ @ @ @ @ according to Jeremy Westby of the public relations firm 2911 Media .
`` I 'm @ @ @ @ @ my dearest and oldest friends , Charley Pride , has passed away .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ he passed away from COVID-19 .
What a horrible , horrible virus .
Charley , @ @ @ @ @ , '' Dolly Parton tweeted .

(AP NEWS) – Charley Pride, country music's first Black star whose rich baritone on such hits as "Kiss an Angel Good Morning" helped sell millions of records and made him the first Black member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, has died. He was 86.
Pride died Saturday in Dallas of complications from Covid-19, according to Jeremy Westby of the public relations firm 2911 Media.
"I'm so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. It's even worse to know that he passed away from COVID-19. What a horrible, horrible virus. Charley, we will always love you," Dolly Parton tweeted.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-12-12--Owner of salon burned down by BLM thugs: 'We need police'

( NEON NETTLE ) – The owner of a Minneapolis salon that was burned down during violent Black Lives Matter @ @ @ @ @ warned that her community is fearing for its safety after the Democrat city council slashed @ @ @ @ @ 's budget .
On Thursday , the Minneapolis City Council passed a budget that will @ @ @ @ @ $ 8 million .
Leftist council members plan to spend the taxpayer money on mental @ @ @ @ @ instead .
`` We need police .
... We need protection , ” Flora Westbrooks @ @ @ @ @ 's Hair Designs , told “ Fox & Friends . ''

(NEON NETTLE) – The owner of a Minneapolis salon that was burned down during violent Black Lives Matter riots over the Summer has warned that her community is fearing for its safety after the Democrat city council slashed millions from the police department's budget.
On Thursday, the Minneapolis City Council passed a budget that will cut its police funding by $8 million. Leftist council members plan to spend the taxpayer money on mental health and violence prevention programs instead.
"We need police. ... We need protection,” Flora Westbrooks, the owner of Flora's Hair Designs, told “Fox & Friends."
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-12-14--Baby born at 25 weeks and 1 pound celebrates graduation from medical treatment

Parents who have gone through the experience where their child was born prematurely can attest to the anxiety of what it means to hold on ; fearful of letting go of what has to be the most precious being in the world to them .
Most parents whose children are born too early still pray for the blessing of the baby 's survival because their role as a parent began long before the day of delivery .
For a parent to go through this once , where the life of their child hangs in the balance , is terrifying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twice .
A story from ABC News ' `` Good Morning America '' featured a family in Georgia who found themselves faced with this exact scenario .
TRENDING : Think the election is over ?
Think again !
`` Your greatest contribution to the world may not be something you do , but someone you raise , '' Smith wrote on her Facebook page .
`` 2020 year has been a tough year for so many people and our story is spreading positivity , hope , faith and showing what a healer God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never forget my promise that if he healed our baby I would make sure the world knows THIS WAS ALL GOD ’ s doing !
He turned our Test into a TESTIMONY and keeps allowing us to bless others through it !
I know my dad is dancing in heaven that his namesake Charlie has stolen everyone ’ s heart .
He stole mine from day one ! ''
She added .
Alena Smith and her husband Wendall recently celebrated their youngest son Charlie 's third birthday , exactly one day after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed after he was born prematurely , according to ABC 's `` Good Morning America . ''
Smith and her husband had endured a similar situation with Charlie 's older brother , Wendell III , when he was born at 31 weeks gestation and weighing three pounds .
However , Charlie was in a far more precarious position than his brother .
He weighed only one pound after being born at 25 weeks gestation , and doctors gave him a 50 percent chance of survival .
`` It was scary , '' Smith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ born .
`` Especially since he was much smaller than his brother . ''
While Smith had preeclampsia , it was not clear to medical professionals why both of Smith ’ s children were born prematurely .
Still , Charlie arriving six weeks earlier than his brother meant he had more obstacles to overcome , and his stay at the hospital lasted 328 days .
Since he was born prematurely , Charlie 's lungs were underdeveloped , and he had a tracheoscopy , which was later removed in 2019 .
Until his recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be `` medically fragile , '' requiring him to receive at-home care for his physical , occupational and speech therapy needs .
“ It was a bittersweet moment … I have to say goodbye to him , but it was also a good reason to say goodbye , ” Charlie 's nurse , Geunevah Lafontant from Optimum Pediatric Services , told ABC 's `` Good Morning America . ''
Smith also shared that her son Charlie is a `` fighter , '' and now , at three-years-old , Smith said Charlie 's favorite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrestle with his older brother .
Smith 's personal story inspired her to create Trust Your Strength , an organization that assists the families of premature babies by sending `` self-care packages '' to the mothers of children who may spend weeks or months in the NICU .
For many women , that little bit of hope can mean everything when they 're confronted with such a harrowing situation , and Smith 's organization offers encouragement to mothers like her whose babies came early but are no less worthy of a chance at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Western Journal .

Parents who have gone through the experience where their child was born prematurely can attest to the anxiety of what it means to hold on; fearful of letting go of what has to be the most precious being in the world to them.
Most parents whose children are born too early still pray for the blessing of the baby's survival because their role as a parent began long before the day of delivery.
For a parent to go through this once, where the life of their child hangs in the balance, is terrifying, but imagine having to go through it twice.
A story from ABC News' "Good Morning America" featured a family in Georgia who found themselves faced with this exact scenario.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
"Your greatest contribution to the world may not be something you do, but someone you raise," Smith wrote on her Facebook page.
"2020 year has been a tough year for so many people and our story is spreading positivity, hope, faith and showing what a healer God is!"
"I’ll never forget my promise that if he healed our baby I would make sure the world knows THIS WAS ALL GOD’s doing! He turned our Test into a TESTIMONY and keeps allowing us to bless others through it! I know my dad is dancing in heaven that his namesake Charlie has stolen everyone’s heart. He stole mine from day one!" She added.
Alena Smith and her husband Wendall recently celebrated their youngest son Charlie's third birthday, exactly one day after he graduated from the years of treatment he needed after he was born prematurely, according to ABC's "Good Morning America."
Smith and her husband had endured a similar situation with Charlie's older brother, Wendell III, when he was born at 31 weeks gestation and weighing three pounds.
However, Charlie was in a far more precarious position than his brother.
He weighed only one pound after being born at 25 weeks gestation, and doctors gave him a 50 percent chance of survival.
"It was scary," Smith said, regarding Charlie when he was born. "Especially since he was much smaller than his brother."
While Smith had preeclampsia, it was not clear to medical professionals why both of Smith’s children were born prematurely.
Still, Charlie arriving six weeks earlier than his brother meant he had more obstacles to overcome, and his stay at the hospital lasted 328 days.
Since he was born prematurely, Charlie's lungs were underdeveloped, and he had a tracheoscopy, which was later removed in 2019.
Until his recent treatment graduation, Charlie was considered to be "medically fragile," requiring him to receive at-home care for his physical, occupational and speech therapy needs.
“It was a bittersweet moment … I have to say goodbye to him, but it was also a good reason to say goodbye,” Charlie's nurse, Geunevah Lafontant from Optimum Pediatric Services, told ABC's "Good Morning America."
Smith also shared that her son Charlie is a "fighter," and now, at three-years-old, Smith said Charlie's favorite things to do are play baseball and wrestle with his older brother.
Smith's personal story inspired her to create Trust Your Strength, an organization that assists the families of premature babies by sending "self-care packages" to the mothers of children who may spend weeks or months in the NICU.
For many women, that little bit of hope can mean everything when they're confronted with such a harrowing situation, and Smith's organization offers encouragement to mothers like her whose babies came early but are no less worthy of a chance at life.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-12-14--'A Christmas Story' vs. 'Christmas Vacation': We finally know which film is more popular

( SHOWBIZ CHEAT SHEET ) -- There ’ s a major conflict over which is the best Christmas movie of @ @ @ @ @ s true that movie watchers have so many options to choose from — classic selections @ @ @ @ @ Wonderful Life to modern comedies such as Elf .
But even with the hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ pleasure , there are two that stand out above the rest .
A Christmas Story @ @ @ @ @ of the most popular films to watch each December .
It ’ s such a @ @ @ @ @ TNT both air it continuously for 24 hours straight beginning Christmas Eve .
But many @ @ @ @ @ by National Lampoon ’ s Christmas Vacation ( 1989 ) .
These dueling groups both @ @ @ @ @ best of the best .
So , which is superior : A Christmas Story or @ @ @ @ @ s an easy way to find out .

(SHOWBIZ CHEAT SHEET) -- There’s a major conflict over which is the best Christmas movie of them all. It’s true that movie watchers have so many options to choose from — classic selections like It’s a Wonderful Life to modern comedies such as Elf. But even with the hundreds of Christmas movies for your viewing pleasure, there are two that stand out above the rest.
A Christmas Story (1983) is one of the most popular films to watch each December. It’s such a beloved pick that TBS and TNT both air it continuously for 24 hours straight beginning Christmas Eve. But many holiday movie watchers are enamored by National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989). These dueling groups both think their pick is the best of the best.
So, which is superior: A Christmas Story or Christmas Vacation? There’s an easy way to find out.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-12-14--Rapper Cardi B faces backlash after asking fans if she should buy $88,000 purse

It 's fun to fight for the `` equity '' of socialism -- until you have to live out socialist principles in your own life .
Prominent rapper Cardi B learned that lesson on Sunday when she asked fans if she should purchase an $ 88,000 purse .
In the past , the wealthy rapper has supported left-wing policies like increased gun control .
At one point , she even endorsed socialist Bernie Sanders for president .
TRENDING : Think the election is over ?
Think again !
In the subsequent backlash to her tweet , numerous fans responded by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to those in need before purchasing a handbag for herself .
The rapper went on to defend herself by explaining how she has supported others financially during the pandemic .
`` If I want to splurge I can with out yall asking for hand outs like me and my husband don ’ t do so , '' she tweeted .
This is what left-wing celebrities and millionaires like Cardi B fail to understand : Rich people are always the bad guys .
Cardi B believes that she worked hard to earn what she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use her wealth however she sees fit .
Socialism teaches the exact opposite .
According to the tenets of socialism , Cardi B is now a member of a privileged class of elites .
If our economic system were truly fair , according to socialism , she would have the same amount of money as everyone else .
In reality , Cardi B 's music has a distinct style that resonates with a wide swath of hip-hop fans everywhere .
However , if she really wants to get on board with the socialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Cardi B is going to have to admit that she 's just as much of a privileged oppressor as all of the wealthy conservatives she hates so much .
Her wealth and success is merely an expression of that privilege , not of her talent , if the philosophy of Marxist socialism is to be believed .
Additionally , if Cardi B truly believed in socialism , she would also understand that her excess capital was n't earned but stolen .
As is usually the case with wealthy socialists , Cardi B @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The reason is simple : Most socialists do n't even understand the tenets of the Marxist socialism they espouse .
Nevertheless , Cardi B will continue on spouting out socialist talking points without ever realizing her own hypocrisy .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

It's fun to fight for the "equity" of socialism -- until you have to live out socialist principles in your own life.
Prominent rapper Cardi B learned that lesson on Sunday when she asked fans if she should purchase an $88,000 purse.
In the past, the wealthy rapper has supported left-wing policies like increased gun control. At one point, she even endorsed socialist Bernie Sanders for president.
Should I spend 88K for this damn purse ? Omggg it’s tempting 😩😩😩 — iamcardib (@iamcardib) December 6, 2020
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
In the subsequent backlash to her tweet, numerous fans responded by demanding the wealthy rapper give her money to those in need before purchasing a handbag for herself.
Donate the money to hungry people. Tweets like this are why we want to eat the rich. — The divorcee of Frankenstein 🦄🌈♥ (@Jordanaglama) December 6, 2020
it just speaks to your privilege that you could spend that much on a handbag. That's more than most people make in a year. — Todd Grooten (@toddgrooten) December 6, 2020
Wow this comment is so superficial, especially to post during a pandemic when so many people are suffering...lol I can’t believe she would tweet this now — Britty Faye (@its_britty_xo) December 6, 2020
The rapper went on to defend herself by explaining how she has supported others financially during the pandemic.
"If I want to splurge I can with out yall asking for hand outs like me and my husband don’t do so," she tweeted.
Also I got 7 uncles an 3 aunts on my daddy side,9 aunts and 3 uncles on my momma side a whole bunch of cousins I had to help cause of the pandemic ....If I want to splurge I can with out yall asking for hand outs like me and my husband don’t do so.Thank you. https://t.co/9LpZEMQXNv — iamcardib (@iamcardib) December 6, 2020
This is what left-wing celebrities and millionaires like Cardi B fail to understand: Rich people are always the bad guys.
Cardi B believes that she worked hard to earn what she has and has earned the right to use her wealth however she sees fit. Socialism teaches the exact opposite.
According to the tenets of socialism, Cardi B is now a member of a privileged class of elites.
If our economic system were truly fair, according to socialism, she would have the same amount of money as everyone else.
In reality, Cardi B's music has a distinct style that resonates with a wide swath of hip-hop fans everywhere.
However, if she really wants to get on board with the socialist agenda of some in the Democratic Party, Cardi B is going to have to admit that she's just as much of a privileged oppressor as all of the wealthy conservatives she hates so much.
Her wealth and success is merely an expression of that privilege, not of her talent, if the philosophy of Marxist socialism is to be believed.
Additionally, if Cardi B truly believed in socialism, she would also understand that her excess capital wasn't earned but stolen.
As is usually the case with wealthy socialists, Cardi B won't admit to any of this.
The reason is simple: Most socialists don't even understand the tenets of the Marxist socialism they espouse.
Nevertheless, Cardi B will continue on spouting out socialist talking points without ever realizing her own hypocrisy.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-12-14--Nigerian Christians face bloody holiday at hands of Muslim terrorists

( NEW YORK POST ) -- Their names haunt me : Patience , Revelation and Rejoice .
Patience was 13 @ @ @ @ @ Rejoice was 4 .
They are the names of three of the youngest victims of @ @ @ @ @ Africa .
They weren ’ t the only young victims slain in the same attack @ @ @ @ @ Gonan Rogo earlier this year .

(NEW YORK POST) -- Their names haunt me: Patience, Revelation and Rejoice.
Patience was 13. Revelation was 6. Rejoice was 4. They are the names of three of the youngest victims of a Christian massacre unfolding in Africa.
They weren’t the only young victims slain in the same attack in the Nigerian village of Gonan Rogo earlier this year.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-12-14--Kremlin-backed hackers breach U.S. Treasury and Commerce: Report

( WASHINGTON EXAMINER ) -- A `` sophisticated hacking group '' backed by the Russian government reportedly infiltrated the Department @ @ @ @ @ stole information related to internet and telecommunications policymaking as part of a broader campaign that @ @ @ @ @ and other government agencies .
The FBI is investigating the attacks and is looking into @ @ @ @ @ , also known as Cozy Bear , as a potential culprit , according to the @ @ @ @ @ hack was first reported by Reuters .
As a result of the hack , the @ @ @ @ @ meeting at the White House on Sunday .

(WASHINGTON EXAMINER) -- A "sophisticated hacking group" backed by the Russian government reportedly infiltrated the Department of Treasury's systems and stole information related to internet and telecommunications policymaking as part of a broader campaign that also hacked the Commerce Department and other government agencies.
The FBI is investigating the attacks and is looking into the Russian hacking group APT29, also known as Cozy Bear, as a potential culprit, according to the Washington Post. The foreign-backed hack was first reported by Reuters.
As a result of the hack, the National Security Council held a meeting at the White House on Sunday.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-12-13--Sidney Powell: Trump could trigger 2018 executive order

With time running out for President Trump , attorney Sidney Powell is raising the option for the commander in chief to invoke his 2018 executive order concerning foreign interference in U.S. elections .
The order , signed by Trump on Sept. 12 , 2018 , states `` not later than 45 days after the conclusion of a United States election , the Director of National Intelligence , in consultation with the heads of any other appropriate executive departments and agencies ( agencies ) , shall conduct an assessment of any information indicating that a foreign government , or any person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behalf of a foreign government , has acted with the intent or purpose of interfering in that election . ''
Powell told the Epoch Times the evidence of foreign interference is `` more than sufficient to trigger '' the order , providing the president `` all kinds of power ... to do everything from seize assets to freeze things , demand the impoundment of the [ voting ] machines . ''
TRENDING : Think the election is over ?
Think again !
`` Under the emergency powers , he could even appoint a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is exactly what needs to happen , '' Powell continued .
`` Every machine , every voting machine in the country should be impounded right now .
There 's frankly more than enough criminal probable cause to justify that , for anybody who 's willing to address the law and the facts purely on the basis of truth and not politics , or corporate greed , or global wealth . ''
The executive-order option as a Trump card was also highlighted Saturday in a video column by WND columnist Janet Porter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there have been numerous allegations of vote-switching by machines owned by Dominion Voting Systems .
Dominion has denied the claims , saying it 's impossible to swap votes as it also denied any ties to foreign governments .
Additionally , the company says it does n't permit its employees to conduct any vote tabulations .
It remains unclear if Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe will issue any report concerning alleged foreign interference .
But if Ratcliffe does issue one , Powell indicated : `` It 's going to blow the mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's willing to look at the truth and the facts .
Because there 's never – we 've never witnessed anything like this in the history of this country .
And it 's got to be stopped right now or there will never be a free and fair election . ''
According to the Epoch Times , the order also states that `` within 45 days of receiving the assessment and information , '' the heads of the Department of Justice and Homeland Security and `` any other appropriate agencies '' shall deliver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That includes `` the extent to which any foreign interference that targeted election infrastructure materially affected the security or integrity of that infrastructure , the tabulation of votes , or the timely transmission of election results ; and if any foreign interference involved activities targeting the infrastructure of , or pertaining to , a political organization , campaign , or candidate , the extent to which such activities materially affected the security or integrity of that infrastructure , including by unauthorized access to , disclosure or threatened disclosure of , or alteration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Learn astonishing Bible truth on a higher level than ever before with the Holy Spirit-filled books by Joe Kovacs

With time running out for President Trump, attorney Sidney Powell is raising the option for the commander in chief to invoke his 2018 executive order concerning foreign interference in U.S. elections.
The order, signed by Trump on Sept. 12, 2018, states "not later than 45 days after the conclusion of a United States election, the Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with the heads of any other appropriate executive departments and agencies (agencies), shall conduct an assessment of any information indicating that a foreign government, or any person acting as an agent of or on behalf of a foreign government, has acted with the intent or purpose of interfering in that election."
Powell told the Epoch Times the evidence of foreign interference is "more than sufficient to trigger" the order, providing the president "all kinds of power ... to do everything from seize assets to freeze things, demand the impoundment of the [voting] machines."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
"Under the emergency powers, he could even appoint a special prosecutor to look into this, which is exactly what needs to happen," Powell continued.
"Every machine, every voting machine in the country should be impounded right now. There's frankly more than enough criminal probable cause to justify that, for anybody who's willing to address the law and the facts purely on the basis of truth and not politics, or corporate greed, or global wealth."
The executive-order option as a Trump card was also highlighted Saturday in a video column by WND columnist Janet Porter. WATCH:
Should President Trump invoke his executive order concerning foreign election interference? 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. 99% (3349 Votes) 1% (42 Votes)
Since Election Day Nov. 3, there have been numerous allegations of vote-switching by machines owned by Dominion Voting Systems. Dominion has denied the claims, saying it's impossible to swap votes as it also denied any ties to foreign governments. Additionally, the company says it doesn't permit its employees to conduct any vote tabulations.
It remains unclear if Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe will issue any report concerning alleged foreign interference.
But if Ratcliffe does issue one, Powell indicated: "It's going to blow the mind of every citizen in the country who's willing to look at the truth and the facts. Because there's never – we've never witnessed anything like this in the history of this country. And it's got to be stopped right now or there will never be a free and fair election."
According to the Epoch Times, the order also states that "within 45 days of receiving the assessment and information," the heads of the Department of Justice and Homeland Security and "any other appropriate agencies" shall deliver a report evaluating the U.S. general election.
That includes "the extent to which any foreign interference that targeted election infrastructure materially affected the security or integrity of that infrastructure, the tabulation of votes, or the timely transmission of election results; and if any foreign interference involved activities targeting the infrastructure of, or pertaining to, a political organization, campaign, or candidate, the extent to which such activities materially affected the security or integrity of that infrastructure, including by unauthorized access to, disclosure or threatened disclosure of, or alteration or falsification of, information or data."
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wnd--2020-12-13--Sickening video shows Antifa allegedly stab 4 Trump supporters in Washington

A pro-Trump rally in Washington , D.C. , turned violent Saturday when four Trump supporters were stabbed .
Social media accounts of the incidents at the `` Stop the Steal '' march blamed members of antifa for the stabbings .
The four Trump backers were reported to be in critical condition , according to ABC .
Overall , nine were reported injured .
The march also resulted in 33 arrests , according to WUSA-TV .
Trump supporters gathered to denounce the results of the Nov. 3 election .
Although the results as they currently stand show that presumptive President-elect Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the Electoral College meets Monday , the Trump campaign has insisted that there has been voter fraud in states that include Arizona , Nevada , Georgia , Michigan and Wisconsin , as well as Pennsylvania .
TRENDING : Think the election is over ?
Think again !
Despite multiple anecdotal claims of voting irregularities , proof has yet to surface that there was a widespread effort to distort the voting process in such a way that would have impacted the final results of the presidential election .
Numerous affidavits testifying to various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in courts in several swing states .
These affidavits indicate that those who witnessed conduct believe that fraud took place but those allegations have yet to be proven through either the courts or law enforcement .
WARNING : The following video contains language and images that some viewers may find offensive : The videos indicate that police arrested the individual .
The rally included members of the Proud Boys and former national security adviser Michael Flynn .
`` The courts do not decide who the next president of the United States will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsweek .
`` We the people decide . ''
`` I will tell you one more time -- because I 've been asked -- on a scale of one to 10 , who will be the next president of the United States , and I say , 'Donald Trump : 10 . '
A 10 , '' he said .
Trump `` knows that the people that he can trust are people that he 's never met .
And that 's you , '' Flynn told his audience .
`` He trusts you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going on and you will not allow what 's going on to happen in our country . ''
The Electoral College is scheduled to meet on Monday to officially vote on the presidency .
However , that vote must still be certified by Congress before the process is complete .
“ Don ’ t get bent out of shape , ” Flynn said , according to The Washington Post .
“ There are still avenues … We ’ re fighting with faith , and we ’ re fighting with courage.
” Rally-goer Ruth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she will fight as long as the president does .
“ If President Trump accepts it and Vice President Pence accepts it , then we will accept it , ” she told The Washingtion Post .
“ But right now , this is a godly protest.
” This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

A pro-Trump rally in Washington, D.C., turned violent Saturday when four Trump supporters were stabbed.
Social media accounts of the incidents at the "Stop the Steal" march blamed members of antifa for the stabbings.
The four Trump backers were reported to be in critical condition, according to ABC.
Overall, nine were reported injured. The march also resulted in 33 arrests, according to WUSA-TV.
Trump supporters gathered to denounce the results of the Nov. 3 election. Although the results as they currently stand show that presumptive President-elect Joe Biden is likely to be named president when the Electoral College meets Monday, the Trump campaign has insisted that there has been voter fraud in states that include Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin, as well as Pennsylvania.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Despite multiple anecdotal claims of voting irregularities, proof has yet to surface that there was a widespread effort to distort the voting process in such a way that would have impacted the final results of the presidential election. Numerous affidavits testifying to various types of election fraud have been filed in courts in several swing states. These affidavits indicate that those who witnessed conduct believe that fraud took place but those allegations have yet to be proven through either the courts or law enforcement.
WARNING: The following video contains language and images that some viewers may find offensive:
Video from Saturday's march showed the incident.
Update: Four stabbed near 11th and F St., and officials say they suffered potentially life-threatening injuries. Still some blood on the sidewalk and discarded first aid supplies near the loading dock of Saks off 5th. #DCprotests pic.twitter.com/PBPb2J00bw — Marissa J. Lang (@Marissa_Jae) December 13, 2020
The videos indicate that police arrested the individual.
The rally included members of the Proud Boys and former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
"The courts do not decide who the next president of the United States will be," Flynn said, according to Newsweek. "We the people decide."
"I will tell you one more time -- because I've been asked -- on a scale of one to 10, who will be the next president of the United States, and I say, 'Donald Trump: 10.' A 10," he said.
Trump "knows that the people that he can trust are people that he's never met. And that's you," Flynn told his audience. "He trusts you because he knows you know what's going on and you will not allow what's going on to happen in our country."
The Electoral College is scheduled to meet on Monday to officially vote on the presidency. However, that vote must still be certified by Congress before the process is complete.
“Don’t get bent out of shape,” Flynn said, according to The Washington Post. “There are still avenues … We’re fighting with faith, and we’re fighting with courage.”
Rally-goer Ruth Hillary, 58, of California, said she will fight as long as the president does.
“If President Trump accepts it and Vice President Pence accepts it, then we will accept it,” she told The Washingtion Post. “But right now, this is a godly protest.”
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-12-13--IMF adopts 'green wokery' to give governments cover for radicalism

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Energy . ]
With Britain , France , the European Union , and now America ( soon to be under Joe Biden ’ s leadership ) piling onto the net-zero bandwagon , you ’ d think that some objectivity about the economic costs and consequences about such absolutist carbon-emission policies would be in order .
Traditionally , the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) could be relied upon as a source of sound economic advice .
No longer .
Under its previous managing director , Christine Lagarde @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kristalina Georgieva , the IMF has traded economic integrity for green wokery – thus giving governments license to push radical green policies in the false belief that there are few or no downsides .
Covid-19 has put what might be called green millenarianism on steroids .
In July , Georgieva told an interviewer that the pandemic presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of a transformation necessary for human survival : “ you don ’ t like the pandemic , you ’ re not going to like the climate disaster.
” A characteristic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential damage of climate change while at the same time claiming that avoiding this damage will cost next to nothing .
Thus in its most recent World Economic Outlook , the IMF implies that potentially catastrophic climate change can be avoided with a green fiscal stimulus amounting to 1 percent of GDP and carbon taxes of between $ 10 to $ 40 a ton in 2030 .
TRENDING : Think the election is over ?
Think again !
The IMF ’ s analysis is riddled with errors and omissions .
It correctly notes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generating energy from fossil fuels .
As the American Enterprise Institute ’ s Mark Perry notes , in 2019 it took 5.2 workers in wind and an astonishing 45.8 in solar to produce the same amount of electricity as one worker in nuclear , natural gas , and coal generation .
That ’ s more jobs in wind and solar , yes , but poorly paid ones – a critical dimension of employment that the IMF entirely neglects .
The IMF also implies that renewable energy is less capital-intensive ( “ reallocation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ therefore be more positive ( less negative ) for employment than investment ” ) .
This shows how little the IMF understands about the energy sector .
Wind and solar are intermittent power sources , so keeping the grid stable and the lights on requires investment in parallel generating capacity .
This makes renewables extremely capital-inefficient .
Consider the U.K .
Without renewables , the U.K. would require 22 gigawatts ( GW ) of new capacity to replace old coal and nuclear .
With renewables , 50 GW is required – 28 GW @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than doubles the investment requirement .
Economic progress and rising living standards have come from capitalism ’ s ability to produce more from less , through constantly improving capital and labor productivity .
Widespread adoption of renewables throws this process into reverse .
It is the opposite of progress .
President-Elect Biden ’ s promised 10 million new clean energy jobs can be more than met , Perry calculates , by switching to 100 % solar energy – but as he points out , “ those energy jobs will come at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy costs for consumers and businesses , less dependable electric power , more blackouts , a reduction of jobs in energy-intensive sectors , reduced economic growth and an erosion of the nation ’ s prosperity.
” To derive its conclusion that net-zero would be the economic equivalent of a flea bite on global growth , the IMF uses general equilibrium modelling , which can be useful in understanding the effects of , say , a tax change , and mapping its effects throughout an economy .
But equilibrium , a concept borrowed from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a system returning to a stable growth path as external forces unwind – conditions that don ’ t pertain when economies undergo forcible structural transformation lasting decades , and of a severity not seen outside wartime or the centrally planned economies of the Soviet era .
The methodological assumptions of equilibrium are violated by the economic process that the method aims to model , thus rendering the IMF ’ s conclusions worthless .
The most misleading claim that the IMF has seeded into public discourse concerns fossil fuel subsidies .
“ Fossil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the IMF asserts , with global energy subsidies amounting to $ 4.7 trillion in 2015 , equivalent to 6.3 % of global GDP .
These aren ’ t your grandfather ’ s subsidies in the form of cash payments to oil producers , which is what the green lobby would like us to believe : end the subsidies , transfer the cash to clean tech , and all will be well .
In fact , the IMF acknowledges that producer subsidies are “ relatively small.
” Rather , the IMF ’ s elastic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per ton carbon tax , speculative estimates of deaths caused by local air pollution as well as deaths from road accidents , and the cost of traffic delays .
The epidemiology of PM2.5 – microscopic particles that make up an air pollution tranche – is highly uncertain , something that the IMF researchers acknowledge .
A British government report concedes that unlike with smoking and lung cancer , there is no actual group of individuals whose deaths are attributable to air pollution alone .
Indeed , a 2012 study analyzing data across 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concentrations had any causal impact on increasing mortality rates .
Also problematic is the value of a statistical life assumptions used by the IMF , which are several times the actual willingness of both individuals and countries to spend money on improving health .
For the U.S. , local air pollution makes up around one-half the IMF ’ s diesel “ subsidy , ” and traffic congestion around three-fourths of the gasoline “ subsidy.
” Improvements to engine technology mean that modern autos are astonishingly clean .
In urban centers with the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be cleaner than the intake air .
The IMF would have us believe that the tailpipe is the sole source of vehicular PM2.5 .
According to a recent study , non-exhaust emissions are now believed to constitute the majority of primary particulate matter from road transport .
Pollution from tire wear can be 1,000 times worse than what comes out of the tailpipe , and with their heavy batteries , electric vehicles will cause more air pollution from tire wear .
The same goes for road congestion .
Fossil fuels don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the IMF is against road transportation , it should say so .
As it is , the IMF ’ s treatment of fossil fuel subsidies is no more than a highly sophisticated hit job .
Every fairy tale needs a villain .
And living happily ever after only happens in fairy tales – or in net-zero reports .
Rupert Darwall is a senior fellow of the RealClear Foundation and author of THE CLIMATE NOOSE [ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Energy . ]

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Energy.]
By Rupert Darwall
Real Clear Energy
With Britain, France, the European Union, and now America (soon to be under Joe Biden’s leadership) piling onto the net-zero bandwagon, you’d think that some objectivity about the economic costs and consequences about such absolutist carbon-emission policies would be in order. Traditionally, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) could be relied upon as a source of sound economic advice. No longer. Under its previous managing director, Christine Lagarde, and now its current one, Kristalina Georgieva, the IMF has traded economic integrity for green wokery – thus giving governments license to push radical green policies in the false belief that there are few or no downsides.
Covid-19 has put what might be called green millenarianism on steroids. In July, Georgieva told an interviewer that the pandemic presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of a transformation necessary for human survival: “you don’t like the pandemic, you’re not going to like the climate disaster.” A characteristic of climate millenarianism is over-hyping of the potential damage of climate change while at the same time claiming that avoiding this damage will cost next to nothing. Thus in its most recent World Economic Outlook, the IMF implies that potentially catastrophic climate change can be avoided with a green fiscal stimulus amounting to 1 percent of GDP and carbon taxes of between $10 to $40 a ton in 2030.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The IMF’s analysis is riddled with errors and omissions. It correctly notes that renewable energy is more labor-intensive than generating energy from fossil fuels. As the American Enterprise Institute’s Mark Perry notes, in 2019 it took 5.2 workers in wind and an astonishing 45.8 in solar to produce the same amount of electricity as one worker in nuclear, natural gas, and coal generation. That’s more jobs in wind and solar, yes, but poorly paid ones – a critical dimension of employment that the IMF entirely neglects.
The IMF also implies that renewable energy is less capital-intensive (“reallocation of activity from high- to low-carbon sectors could therefore be more positive (less negative) for employment than investment”). This shows how little the IMF understands about the energy sector. Wind and solar are intermittent power sources, so keeping the grid stable and the lights on requires investment in parallel generating capacity. This makes renewables extremely capital-inefficient. Consider the U.K. Without renewables, the U.K. would require 22 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity to replace old coal and nuclear. With renewables, 50 GW is required – 28 GW more than without. Switching to renewables more than doubles the investment requirement.
Economic progress and rising living standards have come from capitalism’s ability to produce more from less, through constantly improving capital and labor productivity. Widespread adoption of renewables throws this process into reverse. It is the opposite of progress. President-Elect Biden’s promised 10 million new clean energy jobs can be more than met, Perry calculates, by switching to 100% solar energy – but as he points out, “those energy jobs will come at a high price in the form of higher energy costs for consumers and businesses, less dependable electric power, more blackouts, a reduction of jobs in energy-intensive sectors, reduced economic growth and an erosion of the nation’s prosperity.”
To derive its conclusion that net-zero would be the economic equivalent of a flea bite on global growth, the IMF uses general equilibrium modelling, which can be useful in understanding the effects of, say, a tax change, and mapping its effects throughout an economy. But equilibrium, a concept borrowed from Newtonian physics, implies regularity and stationarity, a system returning to a stable growth path as external forces unwind – conditions that don’t pertain when economies undergo forcible structural transformation lasting decades, and of a severity not seen outside wartime or the centrally planned economies of the Soviet era. The methodological assumptions of equilibrium are violated by the economic process that the method aims to model, thus rendering the IMF’s conclusions worthless.
The most misleading claim that the IMF has seeded into public discourse concerns fossil fuel subsidies. “Fossil fuels are now massively under-priced,” the IMF asserts, with global energy subsidies amounting to $4.7 trillion in 2015, equivalent to 6.3% of global GDP. These aren’t your grandfather’s subsidies in the form of cash payments to oil producers, which is what the green lobby would like us to believe: end the subsidies, transfer the cash to clean tech, and all will be well.
In fact, the IMF acknowledges that producer subsidies are “relatively small.” Rather, the IMF’s elastic definition of subsidy includes a $40 per ton carbon tax, speculative estimates of deaths caused by local air pollution as well as deaths from road accidents, and the cost of traffic delays. The epidemiology of PM2.5 – microscopic particles that make up an air pollution tranche – is highly uncertain, something that the IMF researchers acknowledge. A British government report concedes that unlike with smoking and lung cancer, there is no actual group of individuals whose deaths are attributable to air pollution alone. Indeed, a 2012 study analyzing data across 100 American cities found no evidence that PM2.5 concentrations had any causal impact on increasing mortality rates.
Also problematic is the value of a statistical life assumptions used by the IMF, which are several times the actual willingness of both individuals and countries to spend money on improving health. For the U.S., local air pollution makes up around one-half the IMF’s diesel “subsidy,” and traffic congestion around three-fourths of the gasoline “subsidy.”
Improvements to engine technology mean that modern autos are astonishingly clean. In urban centers with the most modern diesel vehicles, the exhaust can be cleaner than the intake air. The IMF would have us believe that the tailpipe is the sole source of vehicular PM2.5. According to a recent study, non-exhaust emissions are now believed to constitute the majority of primary particulate matter from road transport. Pollution from tire wear can be 1,000 times worse than what comes out of the tailpipe, and with their heavy batteries, electric vehicles will cause more air pollution from tire wear.
The same goes for road congestion. Fossil fuels don’t cause it; vehicles do. If the IMF is against road transportation, it should say so.
As it is, the IMF’s treatment of fossil fuel subsidies is no more than a highly sophisticated hit job. Every fairy tale needs a villain. And living happily ever after only happens in fairy tales – or in net-zero reports.
Rupert Darwall is a senior fellow of the RealClear Foundation and author of THE CLIMATE NOOSE
[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Energy.]