wnd--2020-08-25--A demagogue named Barack Obama: His DNC speech

On the day Barack Obama was inaugurated in January 2009 , I announced on my national radio show that , `` While I did not vote for Barack Obama , he is my president , and I wish him well . ''
I added that I was delighted a black man had been elected president of the United States , that perhaps this would not only help black-white relations get even better than they were but also help put to rest the notion of a racist America .
As it turned out , neither hope was achieved .
In fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , race relations deteriorated during his presidency .
Obama turned out to be Black Lives Matter Light .
As Politico wrote in 2014 , Al Sharpton , perhaps the most consistent race-baiter of the last half-century , `` became Obama 's go-to man on race . ''
According to The Washington Post , Sharpton visited the Obama White House 72 times .
Obama is idolized by liberals and leftists because he was an activist liberal whose goal , in his own words , right before he was first elected , was `` fundamentally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' And because they love his cool , even-tempered , regal style .
That style masks a demagoguery that far surpasses our current president .
It was on display last week when he spoke at the Democratic National Convention .
Obama : `` I did hope , for the sake of our country , that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously ; that he might come to feel the weight of the office and discover some reverence for the democracy that had been placed in his care .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has n't grown into the job because he ca n't . ''
TRENDING : Cher 's attempt to volunteer at post office ends in complete failure These ad hominem attacks by a previous president on his successor are unique in my lifetime .
Perhaps they are unique in modern American history .
George W. Bush , for example , never said a critical word of Barack Obama , despite the latter 's frequent attacks on Bush 's presidency .
Obama : `` And the consequences of that failure are severe .
170,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
America ranks tenth in deaths per million .
Are the greater proportion of deaths per million in countries such as Belgium , Spain , the U.K. , Italy and Sweden the result of corrupt and/or inept leaders ?
Was President Donald Trump responsible , for example , for the decision made by New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo to order nursing homes to accept COVID-19 cases , causing the virus to sweep through the elderly in those facilities , resulting in at least 6,000 deaths ( and likely many more that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ count ) ?
Regarding `` millions of jobs gone , '' they are gone overwhelmingly because of the lockdowns ordered by state governors and mayors , not the virus .
Lockdowns , we were told , would last two weeks to `` flatten the curve , '' but they continue six months later in many Democratically controlled cities and states .
Obama : `` And our democratic institutions threatened like never before . ''
Obama offers not one example of this or of his many other attacks on Trump .
There is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men .
During his presidency , I analyzed about 20 of his speeches .
They and his off-the-cuff comments were always characterized by straw-men arguments .
Even The New York Times , in 2009 , when it still published occasional articles that deviated from the left , featured an article by Helene Cooper ( who is black ) , its then-White House correspondent , titled `` Some Obama Enemies Are Made Totally of Straw . ''
In it , Cooper cited example after example of statements ostensibly made by others , but actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then proceeded to shoot down .
This characterized his approach to discourse throughout his presidency and continued with last week 's speech at the DNC .
Obama : `` Joe and Kamala will restore our standing in the world – and as we 've learned from this pandemic , that matters . ''
Obama , like all on the left , equate America 's `` standing in the world '' with its president 's standing with the left .
Non-leftists do not .
Last year , when the courageous Hong Kong demonstrators waved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the flag of the United States of America .
Apparently , America 's standing with them is pretty high .
Obama : `` ( Joe and Kamala ) believe that in a democracy , the right to vote is sacred . ''
Another straw man .
Who does n't believe `` the right to vote is sacred '' – those who insist on people having an ID when they vote , as voters do in virtually every other country ?
Or is it those who do n't believe in sending tens of millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to receive an absentee ballot ?
Obama : `` I understand why a new immigrant might look around this country and wonder whether there 's still a place for him here . ''
Really ?
What new legal immigrant thinks that way ?
Or is Obama dishonestly conflating legal with illegal immigrants ?
The answer is , of course , he is ( though even illegal immigrants apparently believe there 's a place for them here ; is n't that , after all , why they come ? )
.
Obama : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tear our democracy down if that 's what it takes to win . ''
How has this administration shown that ?
Why did n't Obama provide a single example to sustain this extraordinary charge ?
Anyway , it seems to many Americans that those who lie to the country for two years about Russian collusion with the Trump campaign , impeach a president solely for political reasons , dedicate all news reporting to the removal of a president , smear and lie about a decent man nominated for the Supreme Court , corrupt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political ends , and politicize the CIA and FBI are the ones who `` will tear our democracy down if that 's what it takes to win . ''
Obama 's speech offered very little of substance about the man it was directed against , but it said much about the man who delivered it .

On the day Barack Obama was inaugurated in January 2009, I announced on my national radio show that, "While I did not vote for Barack Obama, he is my president, and I wish him well." I added that I was delighted a black man had been elected president of the United States, that perhaps this would not only help black-white relations get even better than they were but also help put to rest the notion of a racist America.
As it turned out, neither hope was achieved. In fact, in large measure due to Obama, race relations deteriorated during his presidency. Obama turned out to be Black Lives Matter Light. As Politico wrote in 2014, Al Sharpton, perhaps the most consistent race-baiter of the last half-century, "became Obama's go-to man on race." According to The Washington Post, Sharpton visited the Obama White House 72 times.
Obama is idolized by liberals and leftists because he was an activist liberal whose goal, in his own words, right before he was first elected, was "fundamentally transforming the United States of America." And because they love his cool, even-tempered, regal style.
That style masks a demagoguery that far surpasses our current president. It was on display last week when he spoke at the Democratic National Convention.
Obama: "I did hope, for the sake of our country, that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously; that he might come to feel the weight of the office and discover some reverence for the democracy that had been placed in his care. But he never did. … Donald Trump hasn't grown into the job because he can't."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
These ad hominem attacks by a previous president on his successor are unique in my lifetime. Perhaps they are unique in modern American history. George W. Bush, for example, never said a critical word of Barack Obama, despite the latter's frequent attacks on Bush's presidency.
Obama: "And the consequences of that failure are severe. 170,000 Americans dead. Millions of jobs gone."
America ranks tenth in deaths per million. Are the greater proportion of deaths per million in countries such as Belgium, Spain, the U.K., Italy and Sweden the result of corrupt and/or inept leaders? Was President Donald Trump responsible, for example, for the decision made by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to order nursing homes to accept COVID-19 cases, causing the virus to sweep through the elderly in those facilities, resulting in at least 6,000 deaths (and likely many more that New York is hiding from the official count)?
Regarding "millions of jobs gone," they are gone overwhelmingly because of the lockdowns ordered by state governors and mayors, not the virus. Lockdowns, we were told, would last two weeks to "flatten the curve," but they continue six months later in many Democratically controlled cities and states.
Obama: "And our democratic institutions threatened like never before."
Obama offers not one example of this or of his many other attacks on Trump. There is a reason. Obama has always attacked straw men. During his presidency, I analyzed about 20 of his speeches. They and his off-the-cuff comments were always characterized by straw-men arguments.
Even The New York Times, in 2009, when it still published occasional articles that deviated from the left, featured an article by Helene Cooper (who is black), its then-White House correspondent, titled "Some Obama Enemies Are Made Totally of Straw." In it, Cooper cited example after example of statements ostensibly made by others, but actually made up by Obama – which he then proceeded to shoot down. This characterized his approach to discourse throughout his presidency and continued with last week's speech at the DNC.
Obama: "Joe and Kamala will restore our standing in the world – and as we've learned from this pandemic, that matters."
Obama, like all on the left, equate America's "standing in the world" with its president's standing with the left. Non-leftists do not. Last year, when the courageous Hong Kong demonstrators waved a flag representing liberty, they waved the flag of the United States of America. Apparently, America's standing with them is pretty high.
Obama: "(Joe and Kamala) believe that in a democracy, the right to vote is sacred."
Another straw man. Who doesn't believe "the right to vote is sacred" – those who insist on people having an ID when they vote, as voters do in virtually every other country? Or is it those who don't believe in sending tens of millions of ballots to people who never signed up to receive an absentee ballot?
Obama: "I understand why a new immigrant might look around this country and wonder whether there's still a place for him here."
Really? What new legal immigrant thinks that way? Or is Obama dishonestly conflating legal with illegal immigrants? The answer is, of course, he is (though even illegal immigrants apparently believe there's a place for them here; isn't that, after all, why they come?).
Obama: "This administration has shown it will tear our democracy down if that's what it takes to win."
How has this administration shown that? Why didn't Obama provide a single example to sustain this extraordinary charge? Anyway, it seems to many Americans that those who lie to the country for two years about Russian collusion with the Trump campaign, impeach a president solely for political reasons, dedicate all news reporting to the removal of a president, smear and lie about a decent man nominated for the Supreme Court, corrupt the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act system for political ends, and politicize the CIA and FBI are the ones who "will tear our democracy down if that's what it takes to win."
Obama's speech offered very little of substance about the man it was directed against, but it said much about the man who delivered it.


wnd--2020-08-25--DNC vs. RNC: Hope over pessimism

DNC vs. RNC: Hope over pessimism

The November elections may come down to one main question : whose base is more motivated ?
The answer to that question may come down to another important question : whose base has more hope ?
The Bible teaches that , `` Hope deferred makes the heart sick , but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life . ''
( Proverbs 13:12 ) It also states that , `` The human spirit can endure a sick body , but who can bear a crushed spirit ? ''
( Proverbs 18:14 ) There is plenty of physical sickness in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
And there is plenty of heart sickness as well , with a plague of fear , hopeless , depression and suicide .
An Aug. 5 article on Roll Call stated , `` The nation 's suicide rate reached historic highs prior to the COVID-19 pandemic , with rates at the highest levels since World War II .
Economic and social pressures this year have heightened the risks , worrying experts , health officials and lawmakers . ''
Things were bad enough before the virus .
They have gotten much worse since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteer at post office ends in complete failure On Aug. 13 , Politico reported , `` One in four young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 say they 've considered suicide in the past month because of the pandemic , according to new CDC data that paints a bleak picture of the nation 's mental health during the crisis . ''
It is difficult to live without hope .
Difficult to live while believing that the world is crumbling around you .
Difficult to live without something positive to look forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with constant fears of an impending world apocalypse , if not from climate change then from some other crisis , be it an alien invasion or an asteroid collision .
And a slew of movies has underscored that fear .
( An April 1 , 2020 , article on Town & Country carried the headline , `` The Best Movies About the End of the World , to Watch at the End of the World .
It 's bleak out there .
So are these films . ''
) That is why Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope .
Tangible hope .
Hope they can sink their teeth into .
More bad news will only depress .
Surely , there is not much joy in the midst of the riots and violent protests .
Surely , there is not much joy in the midst of critical , hateful words .
Focusing only on what is wrong ( or , allegedly wrong ) will solve nothing .
Neither will it motivate in the long term .
There must be a clear vision of light at the end of the tunnel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sight .
That 's why , when you read the biblical prophets , they concluded their messages of severe judgment with promises of hope .
`` You have sinned , and God will judge you , but if you repent , He will restore ! ''
Even in the book of Revelation , where Jesus brought strong messages to five of seven churches in Asia Minor , He ended each message with a promise to the ones who overcame ( see Revelation 2-3 ) .
Yes , the situation is dire and calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope for a better future .
The Republican National Convention is just getting started , but we can expect a stark contrast with the Democratic National Convention .
The latter majored on what 's wrong with America , giving viewers little to cheer about , even after candidate Biden 's convention-ending speech , which struck a better tone .
That 's why a right-wing website spoke of `` Doomsday Democrats , '' offering , `` 10 Gloomy Moments from the Democratic National Convention . ''
The same website criticized former President Obama 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Barack Obama on Wednesday abandoned his signature message of hope and change in his Democrat convention speech , choosing instead to deliver a dark warning to Americans led by President Donald Trump . ''
Trump himself followed in this line of criticism , stating , `` Last week the Democrats held the darkest , angriest and gloomiest convention in American history .
They spent four straight days attacking America as racist and a horrible country that must be redeemed . ''
Although the Republican National Convention is just getting started , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one that instills hope and vision , one that makes Americans feel good about themselves .
This difference in tone could be the deciding factor in the November elections .
Hatred is a powerful , motivating force ( in the DNC 's case , hatred of Trump ) .
But hatred , without hope , will only motivate so far .
Which party and which leader will do the better job of instilling hope and giving vision ?
That could be the deciding factor a little over 70 days from now .

The November elections may come down to one main question: whose base is more motivated? The answer to that question may come down to another important question: whose base has more hope?
The Bible teaches that, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life." (Proverbs 13:12) It also states that, "The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?" (Proverbs 18:14)
There is plenty of physical sickness in our country today, led by the COVID-19 pandemic. And there is plenty of heart sickness as well, with a plague of fear, hopeless, depression and suicide.
An Aug. 5 article on Roll Call stated, "The nation's suicide rate reached historic highs prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, with rates at the highest levels since World War II. Economic and social pressures this year have heightened the risks, worrying experts, health officials and lawmakers."
Things were bad enough before the virus. They have gotten much worse since.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
On Aug. 13, Politico reported, "One in four young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 say they've considered suicide in the past month because of the pandemic, according to new CDC data that paints a bleak picture of the nation's mental health during the crisis."
It is difficult to live without hope. Difficult to live while believing that the world is crumbling around you. Difficult to live without something positive to look forward to.
Young people have been raised with constant fears of an impending world apocalypse, if not from climate change then from some other crisis, be it an alien invasion or an asteroid collision. And a slew of movies has underscored that fear. (An April 1, 2020, article on Town & Country carried the headline, "The Best Movies About the End of the World, to Watch at the End of the World. It's bleak out there. So are these films.")
That is why Americans today so desperately need hope. Real hope. Tangible hope. Hope they can sink their teeth into. More bad news will only depress.
Surely, there is not much joy in the midst of the riots and violent protests. Surely, there is not much joy in the midst of critical, hateful words.
Focusing only on what is wrong (or, allegedly wrong) will solve nothing. Neither will it motivate in the long term. There must be a clear vision of light at the end of the tunnel. There must be a positive breakthrough in sight.
That's why, when you read the biblical prophets, they concluded their messages of severe judgment with promises of hope. "You have sinned, and God will judge you, but if you repent, He will restore!"
Even in the book of Revelation, where Jesus brought strong messages to five of seven churches in Asia Minor, He ended each message with a promise to the ones who overcame (see Revelation 2-3). Yes, the situation is dire and calls for radical change. But there is hope for a better future.
The Republican National Convention is just getting started, but we can expect a stark contrast with the Democratic National Convention. The latter majored on what's wrong with America, giving viewers little to cheer about, even after candidate Biden's convention-ending speech, which struck a better tone.
That's why a right-wing website spoke of "Doomsday Democrats," offering, "10 Gloomy Moments from the Democratic National Convention."
The same website criticized former President Obama's convention speech, stating, "Former President Barack Obama on Wednesday abandoned his signature message of hope and change in his Democrat convention speech, choosing instead to deliver a dark warning to Americans led by President Donald Trump."
Trump himself followed in this line of criticism, stating, "Last week the Democrats held the darkest, angriest and gloomiest convention in American history. They spent four straight days attacking America as racist and a horrible country that must be redeemed."
Although the Republican National Convention is just getting started, you can expect a very different tone, one that instills hope and vision, one that makes Americans feel good about themselves. This difference in tone could be the deciding factor in the November elections.
Hatred is a powerful, motivating force (in the DNC's case, hatred of Trump). But hatred, without hope, will only motivate so far.
Which party and which leader will do the better job of instilling hope and giving vision? That could be the deciding factor a little over 70 days from now.


wnd--2020-08-25--Football legend Herschel Walker: Trump treats janitors, waiters, security guards same way he treats

Football legend Herschel Walker: Trump treats janitors, waiters, security guards same way he treats VIPs

Football legend Herschel Walker spoke about his personal friendship with President Donald Trump , noting that it hurts his soul to hear the president 's detractors call him a `` racist . ''
Walker 's comments came during Night One of the Republican National Convention .
The former Heisman Trophy-winning running back , considered by some to be one of the greatest college football players of all time , said he has seen how Trump treats blue-collar workers like `` janitors , security guards and waiters . ''
“ I watched him treat the janitors , security guards and waiters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VIP , '' said Walker , who also played in the NFL for more than a decade .
`` He made them feel special because he knew they were , '' Walker added .
`` He understands that they are the people who make this country run .
They clean , they cook , they build , they drive , they deliver . ''
TRENDING : Cher 's attempt to volunteer at post office ends in complete failure Walker said it `` hurts my soul '' to see people name-call his longtime friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear the terrible names that people call Donald .
The worst one is 'racist , ' '' he said .
`` I take it as a personal insult that people would think I 'd have a 37-year friendship with a racist.
” '' I know what [ racism ] is .
And it is n't Donald Trump , '' Walker added .
Walker also said Trump has taught him about the importance of family .
`` I watched him in the board room .
He could be in the middle of a big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids was on the phone , he dropped everything to take the call .
He taught me that your family should be your top priority , '' he said .
Walker has previously spoken out against the Black Lives Matter movement , pointing out that it does not speak for him .
“ I was watching some kids , African-American and Caucasian kids , play the other day , and I started thinking about their future , ” he said in a Twitter video last month .
“ And then I listened to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the black people . ''
“ And I said , ‘ Wait a minute .
He don ’ t speak for me .
He don ’ t speak for a lot of other people that I know.
’ “ And I was watching all the people that are wanting to take over a city block -- and not just black , there was Caucasian , there was all types of race there -- and I said , ‘ Wait a minute .
They don ’ t speak for the people that I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he offered to buy anti-police activists plane tickets so they can leave the country .
“ I have an idea , ” he tweeted .
“ For all these people who don ’ t want any police , I ’ d love to meet with American Airlines , Delta , and Southwest and make a deal to fly them to countries that don ’ t have police .
I want them to be happy !
” Walker may have been a featured speaker at the GOP convention , but he also made headlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Wow Democratic Convention , you ’ re playing the race card way too much tonight !
” he tweeted .
“ You all have been in office for years and have done nothing for African Americans .
Every four years you do this for a vote .
And the violence and death in our communities , yet you say nothing ?
” This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Football legend Herschel Walker spoke about his personal friendship with President Donald Trump, noting that it hurts his soul to hear the president's detractors call him a "racist."
Walker's comments came during Night One of the Republican National Convention.
The former Heisman Trophy-winning running back, considered by some to be one of the greatest college football players of all time, said he has seen how Trump treats blue-collar workers like "janitors, security guards and waiters."
“I watched him treat the janitors, security guards and waiters the same way he would treat a VIP," said Walker, who also played in the NFL for more than a decade.
"He made them feel special because he knew they were," Walker added. "He understands that they are the people who make this country run. They clean, they cook, they build, they drive, they deliver."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Walker said it "hurts my soul" to see people name-call his longtime friend.
“It hurts my soul to hear the terrible names that people call Donald. The worst one is 'racist,'" he said.
"I take it as a personal insult that people would think I'd have a 37-year friendship with a racist.”
"I know what [racism] is. And it isn't Donald Trump," Walker added.
Walker also said Trump has taught him about the importance of family.
"I watched him in the board room. He could be in the middle of a big meeting, but if one of the kids was on the phone, he dropped everything to take the call. He taught me that your family should be your top priority," he said.
Walker has previously spoken out against the Black Lives Matter movement, pointing out that it does not speak for him.
“I was watching some kids, African-American and Caucasian kids, play the other day, and I started thinking about their future,” he said in a Twitter video last month. “And then I listened to a BLM protester who was speaking for the black people."
“And I said, ‘Wait a minute. He don’t speak for me. He don’t speak for a lot of other people that I know.’
“And I was watching all the people that are wanting to take over a city block -- and not just black, there was Caucasian, there was all types of race there -- and I said, ‘Wait a minute. They don’t speak for the people that I know.'”
And in June, he offered to buy anti-police activists plane tickets so they can leave the country.
“I have an idea,” he tweeted. “For all these people who don’t want any police, I’d love to meet with American Airlines, Delta, and Southwest and make a deal to fly them to countries that don’t have police. I want them to be happy!”
I have an idea... For all these people who don’t want any police, I’d love to meet with American Airlines, Delta, and Southwest and make a deal to fly them to countries that don’t have police. I want them to be happy! @CNN @FoxNews @DonaldJTrumpJr @POTUS @espn — Herschel Walker (@HerschelWalker) June 17, 2020
Walker may have been a featured speaker at the GOP convention, but he also made headlines last week during the Democratic National Convention.
“Wow Democratic Convention, you’re playing the race card way too much tonight!” he tweeted.
“You all have been in office for years and have done nothing for African Americans. Every four years you do this for a vote. And the violence and death in our communities, yet you say nothing?”
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-08-28--Times, Post fact-checkers protect Biden from pro-life nun

The Washington Post and New York Times have been busy `` fact-checking '' statements about Joe Biden 's record on abortion at the Republican National Convention , and last night the Post targeted a Catholic nun , Sister Deirdre Byrne .
Byrne said the Biden-Harris ticket supports `` the horrors of late-term abortion and infanticide , '' noted National Review columnist David Harsanyi .
The Post objected , insisting `` Biden does not support 'late-term abortion and infanticide . '
'' `` He supports abortion rights and says he would codify in statute the Supreme Court 's landmark ruling in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which generally limit abortions to the first 20 to 24 weeks of gestation , '' the paper said .
TRENDING : Trump tells felon ' I 'm not sure you know this , ' then signs his pardon during RNC broadcast But Harsanyi argued that none of the above conflicts with Byrne 's contention .
It 's clear , he said , that Biden `` supports the right of unlimited abortion , funded by the taxpayers , up until the moment of birth . ''
Harsanyi pointed out that the words `` generally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of heavy lifting . ''
The Post noted that only 1 % of abortions `` happen after the fetus reaches the point of viability . ''
But the paper avoided saying , argued Harsanyi , that more than 8,000 viable fetuses , and probably more than 10,000 very close to viability , are aborted every year .
`` The killing of thousands of tiny human beings — whether it is 'codified ' by law ; or whether it is allowed by emotional health exemptions ; or whether reporters find 'experts ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is properly described as infanticide , '' he argued .
Harsanyi reasoned it would be preposterous for a Post factchecker to dismiss gun deaths as `` generally '' unimportant because less than .01 percent of legal firearm owners commit murder .
Just as it would be absurd , he said , for a public official who advocates for zero limits on gun ownership to contend he was simply promising to `` codify '' the Second Amendment .
`` To do so would be to circumvent fundamental point of the debate — which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do , '' he said .
Whenever Democrats are asked what restrictions they believe should exist , they claim the decision regarding whether or not to dispense with a human life is between the woman and her physician .
Harsanyi also noted Biden recently dropped his 45-year of support for the Hyde amendment , which forbids state-funding of abortions .
Earlier this month , pro-life groups condemned Biden and Harris as `` the most pro-abortion ticket in history . ''
The Women Speak Out PAC , the campaign arm of the Susan B.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven battleground states blasting the candidates as `` pro-abortion fanatics . ''
`` Kamala Harris joins Joe Biden on the most pro-abortion ticket in history , '' said the political action committee in a statement .
`` Their agenda : a pro-abortion Supreme Court , abortion-on-demand up to birth , paid for by American taxpayers , and no protections for infants born alive after failed abortions . ''

The Washington Post and New York Times have been busy "fact-checking" statements about Joe Biden's record on abortion at the Republican National Convention, and last night the Post targeted a Catholic nun, Sister Deirdre Byrne.
Byrne said the Biden-Harris ticket supports "the horrors of late-term abortion and infanticide," noted National Review columnist David Harsanyi.
The Post objected, insisting "Biden does not support 'late-term abortion and infanticide.'"
"He supports abortion rights and says he would codify in statute the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in Roe v. Wade and related precedents, which generally limit abortions to the first 20 to 24 weeks of gestation," the paper said.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
But Harsanyi argued that none of the above conflicts with Byrne's contention.
It's clear, he said, that Biden "supports the right of unlimited abortion, funded by the taxpayers, up until the moment of birth."
Harsanyi pointed out that the words "generally limit" are vague and do "a lot of heavy lifting."
The Post noted that only 1% of abortions "happen after the fetus reaches the point of viability."
But the paper avoided saying, argued Harsanyi, that more than 8,000 viable fetuses, and probably more than 10,000 very close to viability, are aborted every year.
"The killing of thousands of tiny human beings — whether it is 'codified' by law; or whether it is allowed by emotional health exemptions; or whether reporters find 'experts' to tell us it's okay — is properly described as infanticide," he argued.
Harsanyi reasoned it would be preposterous for a Post factchecker to dismiss gun deaths as "generally" unimportant because less than .01 percent of legal firearm owners commit murder.
Just as it would be absurd, he said, for a public official who advocates for zero limits on gun ownership to contend he was simply promising to "codify" the Second Amendment.
"To do so would be to circumvent fundamental point of the debate — which is exactly what pro-choice reporters are trying to do," he said.
Whenever Democrats are asked what restrictions they believe should exist, they claim the decision regarding whether or not to dispense with a human life is between the woman and her physician.
Harsanyi also noted Biden recently dropped his 45-year of support for the Hyde amendment, which forbids state-funding of abortions.
Earlier this month, pro-life groups condemned Biden and Harris as "the most pro-abortion ticket in history."
The Women Speak Out PAC, the campaign arm of the Susan B. Anthony List, released an ad in seven battleground states blasting the candidates as "pro-abortion fanatics."
"Kamala Harris joins Joe Biden on the most pro-abortion ticket in history," said the political action committee in a statement. "Their agenda: a pro-abortion Supreme Court, abortion-on-demand up to birth, paid for by American taxpayers, and no protections for infants born alive after failed abortions."


wnd--2020-08-28--CNN mocked for 'mostly peaceful' graphic in front of fire

CNN is being mocked across social media for an on-air graphic describing rioting in Kenosha , Wisconsin , as `` fiery but mostly peaceful '' with flames in the background .
National correspondent Omar Jimenez was live on the scene early Tuesday morning reporting the violent reaction to the police shooting of 29-year-old Jacob Blake , Fox News reported .
Jimenez stood in front of a raging fire while a chyron at the bottom of the screen declared `` FIERY BUT MOSTLY PEACEFUL PROTESTS AFTER POLICE SHOOTING . ''
TRENDING : Trump tells felon ' I 'm not sure you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pardon during RNC broadcast Caleb Hull , who posted the video on Twitter , wrote : `` You can not make this up … A CNN reporter is standing in front of a building engulfed in flames and CNN 's chyron reads : 'FIERY BUT MOSTLY PEACEFUL PROTESTS AFTER POLICE SHOOTING . '
'' Twitter user A.G. Hamilton wrote : `` Clowns .
Irresponsible clowns .
It 's not even funny .
Months of enabling violence and destruction by ignoring and downplaying it , thereby eliminating any pressure on politicians to take action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the National Republican Senatorial Committee , said , `` 'Fiery but mostly peaceful protest ' is so absurd that if it were satire you 'd think it was lazy and unimaginative . ''
Fox News reported New York Post reporter Jon Levine poked fun at CNN by juxtaposing the image with one from the Leslie Nielsen spoof `` The Naked Gun . ''
In the film , Nielsen 's character Detective Frank Drebin tries to disperse a crowd in front of an exploding building saying : `` Nothing to see here .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ site Twitchy noted the image was from the early hours of Tuesday morning , `` which means 'mostly peaceful ' was *after* two protesters were shot and killed and one wounded . ''
The blog said President Trump might have to count it as a contribution to his reelection , as it likely will be used in many campaign ads .
Daily Caller investigative editor Peter J. Hasson deadpanned : `` reporting to you live from Pearl Harbor , where America suffered a mostly peaceful surprise attack by the Japanese empire . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May reporting from in front of a burning building in Minneapolis .
`` I want to be clear on how I characterize this .
This is mostly a protest .
It is not generally speaking unruly but fires have been started , '' he said .

CNN is being mocked across social media for an on-air graphic describing rioting in Kenosha, Wisconsin, as "fiery but mostly peaceful" with flames in the background.
National correspondent Omar Jimenez was live on the scene early Tuesday morning reporting the violent reaction to the police shooting of 29-year-old Jacob Blake, Fox News reported.
Jimenez stood in front of a raging fire while a chyron at the bottom of the screen declared "FIERY BUT MOSTLY PEACEFUL PROTESTS AFTER POLICE SHOOTING."
The image surfaced Wednesday night on Twitter.
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This is what a Biden Presidency will bring to your city. Hats off to CNN for having the stamina to continue to carry water for democrats. “Fiery but mostly peaceful protests” pic.twitter.com/hlnVX0dCZ9 — Senator Melissa Melendez (@senatormelendez) August 27, 2020
Caleb Hull, who posted the video on Twitter, wrote: "You cannot make this up … A CNN reporter is standing in front of a building engulfed in flames and CNN's chyron reads: 'FIERY BUT MOSTLY PEACEFUL PROTESTS AFTER POLICE SHOOTING.'"
Twitter user A.G. Hamilton wrote: "Clowns. Irresponsible clowns. It's not even funny. Months of enabling violence and destruction by ignoring and downplaying it, thereby eliminating any pressure on politicians to take action,"
Matt Whitlock, senior adviser to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said, "'Fiery but mostly peaceful protest' is so absurd that if it were satire you'd think it was lazy and unimaginative."
Fox News reported New York Post reporter Jon Levine poked fun at CNN by juxtaposing the image with one from the Leslie Nielsen spoof "The Naked Gun."
In the film, Nielsen's character Detective Frank Drebin tries to disperse a crowd in front of an exploding building saying: "Nothing to see here. Please disperse."
The Twitter news-aggregating site Twitchy noted the image was from the early hours of Tuesday morning, "which means 'mostly peaceful' was *after* two protesters were shot and killed and one wounded."
The blog said President Trump might have to count it as a contribution to his reelection, as it likely will be used in many campaign ads.
Daily Caller investigative editor Peter J. Hasson deadpanned: "reporting to you live from Pearl Harbor, where America suffered a mostly peaceful surprise attack by the Japanese empire."
Steve Guest recalled MSNBC's Ali Velshi in May reporting from in front of a burning building in Minneapolis.
"I want to be clear on how I characterize this. This is mostly a protest. It is not generally speaking unruly but fires have been started," he said.


wnd--2020-08-27--Sheriff recommends residents use guns to blow criminal rioters 'out of their house'

Polk County , Florida , Sheriff Grady Judd affirms he 's all for peaceful protests , and he has simple , straightforward advice for citizens when a demonstration turns violent and threatens their homes .
`` The people of Polk County like guns .
They have guns .
I encourage them to own guns , '' he said at a news conference on June 1 .
`` They 're going to be in their homes tonight , with guns loaded , and if you try to break into their homes to steal , to set fires , I 'm highly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their house with the guns . ''
TRENDING : Trump tells felon ' I 'm not sure you know this , ' then signs his pardon during RNC broadcast Protesters have a right to express themselves , he said , and they 're expected `` to do that in a peaceful manner . ''
For others , he wanted to make sure his message was clear .
`` Let there me no misunderstanding at all .
If you come here to riot , to loot , to injure people , we 're going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
The sheriff has a reputation for blunt speaking .
Among other things , he said at a previous news conference , `` there 's nothing that warms our heart more than filing additional criminal charges . ''
He said a `` hound dog in hunting season '' has nothing on his deputies for tracking criminals .
`` We will chase you to the ends of the earth , '' he said .
When the suspect is caught ?
`` We do the happy dance every time we arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He reacted to a woman shooting and killing a man who was trying to break into her home last Saturday .
`` She has the right to protect [ herself ] from home invaders , armed burglars .
He was armed with a tire iron and she stopped him , '' he said .
`` She stopped him permanently . ''

Polk County, Florida, Sheriff Grady Judd affirms he's all for peaceful protests, and he has simple, straightforward advice for citizens when a demonstration turns violent and threatens their homes.
"The people of Polk County like guns. They have guns. I encourage them to own guns," he said at a news conference on June 1. "They're going to be in their homes tonight, with guns loaded, and if you try to break into their homes to steal, to set fires, I'm highly recommending they blow you back out of their house with the guns."
The comments:
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The full video:
Protesters have a right to express themselves, he said, and they're expected "to do that in a peaceful manner."
For others, he wanted to make sure his message was clear.
"Let there me no misunderstanding at all. If you come here to riot, to loot, to injure people, we're going to lock you in the county jail," he said.
The sheriff has a reputation for blunt speaking.
Among other things, he said at a previous news conference, "there's nothing that warms our heart more than filing additional criminal charges."
He said a "hound dog in hunting season" has nothing on his deputies for tracking criminals.
"We will chase you to the ends of the earth," he said.
When the suspect is caught?
"We do the happy dance every time we arrest one of these," he said.
He reacted to a woman shooting and killing a man who was trying to break into her home last Saturday.
"She has the right to protect [herself] from home invaders, armed burglars. He was armed with a tire iron and she stopped him," he said. "She stopped him permanently."


wnd--2020-08-27--Civil rights hero: 'If you vote for Biden, you don't know history'

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]
Sixty years ago , on a seemingly average February day in Greensboro , N.C. , a young Clarence Henderson did something extraordinary .
He joined a group of black students who were staging a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth ’ s lunch counter , and refused to leave after being denied service .
The action emboldened other students to do the same and soon the movement was spreading to college towns across the South .
In recalling the experience Wednesday night , Henderson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know whether he was going to come out “ in a vertical or prone position , in handcuffs or on a stretcher — or even in a body bag.
” TRENDING : Trump tells felon ' I 'm not sure you know this , ' then signs his pardon during RNC broadcast “ We faced down the KKK .
We were cursed at and called all kinds of names .
They threatened to kill us , and some of us were arrested , ” he said , speaking against the backdrop of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sit-in participants .
Despite fearing for his life , Henderson said the experience was worth it .
“ In the end , segregation was abolished and our country moved a step closer to true equality for all.
” Up until that point in the remarks , it was impossible to tell the venue where this civil rights trailblazer was speaking .
He provided a clue only with his next words .
“ That ’ s what an actual peaceful protest can accomplish !
” he exclaimed , turning a corner to wholeheartedly endorse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Convention speech .
Henderson was just one of several men and women of color who have delivered gripping and deeply personal arguments for giving Donald Trump four more years in office and rejecting former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s record as the right person to close the country ’ s deep racial divide .
The country right now is reeling amid a reckoning on racial injustice .
Henderson made his statements as the nation is confronted with disturbing new images out of Kenosha , Wis. Jacob Blake , who is black , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times over the weekend at close range by a police officer .
Few details have been available to piece together the full backstory , and the aftermath has been all too familiar : Protesters have torched buildings , and on the second night of rioting two people were killed and a third was injured , allegedly at the hands of a white teen .
Henderson has lived through these violent racial clashes before , throughout the 1960s civil rights movement – and more recently in a new period of rioting in the streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women , which began during the Obama administration in Ferguson , Mo.
, and reignited earlier this summer .
The turmoil continues to shock the nation ’ s conscience this week amid the Republicans ’ nominating convention .
Unlike many of the speakers at the Democratic convention last week , Henderson doesn ’ t hold Trump responsible for the mayhem taking place across the country .
He also doesn ’ t endorse the boycotts rippling through the sports world .
Trump , he said , “ has done more for black Americans in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 50 .
Joe Biden had the audacity to say if you don ’ t vote for him ‘ you ain ’ t black.
’ Well to that I say , if you do vote for Biden , you don ’ t know history.
” It ’ s a stinging indictment of the Democratic nominee ’ s record , and it didn ’ t end there .
On a night the Trump campaign had said would reflect its law-and-order theme , Henderson praised Trump for signing major prison and criminal-sentence reform laws he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zone measure that incentivizes investment in poor areas , and permanent funding for historically black colleges and universities .
“ These achievements demonstrate that Donald Trump truly cares about black lives .
His policies show his heart , ” Henderson said .
If Henderson was the lone voice making this argument at the convention , viewers may have been stopped in their tracks for the moment , only to become overwhelmed later by a lopsided emphasis on law enforcement .
But that hasn ’ t been the case .
The slick four-day GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has featured prime-time speeches by numerous prominent African Americans , some Democrats , all making similar and impassioned arguments for Trump while taking Biden to task for race-related gaffes and his authorship of the 1994 crime bill .
The list has included South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott , state Rep. Vernon Jones , Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron , and three retired professional football players .
Maryland congressional nominee Kim Klacik , a long-shot Republican candidate running to represent a Baltimore-area seat long held by the late civil rights advocate Elijah Cummings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by encouraging members of her party not to give up running in cities long-considered Democratic strongholds .
The second night began with a dramatic tale of personal redemption .
President Trump issued a surprise pardon to Jon Ponder , a convicted bank robber who had changed his ways in prison and struck up a friendship with his arresting FBI agent .
The two now run a charity , Hope for Prisoners , that provides job training and counseling to those leaving jail .
Later on Tuesday , football great Herschel Walker talked about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he was offended that people would think he has maintained a 35-year friendship with a racist .
“ Growing up in the Deep South , I have seen racism up close .
I know what it is .
And it isn ’ t Donald Trump.
” Two more retired NFL players addressed the convention Wednesday night , and made the same point .
“ I know what racism looks like , I ’ ve seen it firsthand , ” said onetime defensive back Jack Brewer .
“ In America , it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m fed up with the way he ’ s portrayed in the media , who refuse to acknowledge what he ’ s actually done for the black community.
” It was a direct , head-on rejection of the label Democrats have long tried to stick to Trump and are working to drive home in the final two months before the election .
It also served a dual purpose – an attempt to siphon off black voters from Biden while making an appeal for conservative-leaning swing voters uncomfortable with Trump ’ s record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long tried to tout their outreach to black voters , only to fall flat on Election Day .
Republicans won less than 10 % of black support in the 2018 midterms and 2016 presidential election .
This year it ’ s an even taller order .
Some 88 % of black adults said they disapprove of Trump ’ s job performance in a recent Pew Research Center poll .
Other pre-convention polls show Biden with a 67-percentage-point lead over Trump among black voters with the president attracting only 8 % .
Still , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hillary Clinton ’ s 79-point in the final registered voter surveys of 2016 .
In a close race , if Trump can improve even slightly on his past performance , it could give him an edge in key battleground states .
Clinton lost Florida by just a little more than a single point and Michigan by a hair — just 0.2 points .
Team Trump ’ s decision to go all in on race while also pushing back on Democrats ’ far-left defund the police movement has another undeniable benefit : trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the familiar division-stoking entrenchments emanating from both sides .
Many Americans are weary of the extremes amid general unease over race and ongoing uncertainty about the coronavirus pandemic .
Melania Trump won plaudits for trying to strike that balance in her Tuesday night closing address , in which she acknowledged that America has more work to do on racial injustice and division but must also appreciate the blessings of living in a nation where freedom of speech is valued .
Vice President Mike Pence spent much of his speech Wednesday night emphasizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also made a commitment to the black community to help end racial and economic inequality .
“ We will always stand with those who stand on the thin blue line and we are not going to defund the police , not now , not ever , ” he said .
“ Let me be clear , the violence must stop — whether in Minneapolis , Portland , or Kenosha .
…We will have law and order in the streets of America.
” Pence rejected , wholesale , Biden ’ s and Democrats ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and discussed how police put their lives on the line every day to protect all communities across America .
It was an attempt at striking a moderate note that he believes most Americans will embrace .
“ The American people know we don ’ t have to choose between supporting law enforcement and standing with African American neighbors to improve the quality of life in our cities and towns , ” he said .
“ From the first days of this administration , we have done both .
And we will keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House.
” Whether the messaging convinces enough black voters to help swing the election in Trump ’ s favor will be known in November , but at the convention this week , no one can say Republicans didn ’ t try their hardest to make the appeal .

[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]
By Susan Crabtree
Real Clear Politics
Sixty years ago, on a seemingly average February day in Greensboro, N.C., a young Clarence Henderson did something extraordinary. He joined a group of black students who were staging a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter, and refused to leave after being denied service. The action emboldened other students to do the same and soon the movement was spreading to college towns across the South.
In recalling the experience Wednesday night, Henderson, 79, said he didn’t know whether he was going to come out “in a vertical or prone position, in handcuffs or on a stretcher — or even in a body bag.”
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
“We faced down the KKK. We were cursed at and called all kinds of names. They threatened to kill us, and some of us were arrested,” he said, speaking against the backdrop of a huge mural of the four original Woolworth sit-in participants. Despite fearing for his life, Henderson said the experience was worth it.
“In the end, segregation was abolished and our country moved a step closer to true equality for all.”
Up until that point in the remarks, it was impossible to tell the venue where this civil rights trailblazer was speaking. He provided a clue only with his next words. “That’s what an actual peaceful protest can accomplish!” he exclaimed, turning a corner to wholeheartedly endorse President Trump in a 2020 Republican National Convention speech.
Henderson was just one of several men and women of color who have delivered gripping and deeply personal arguments for giving Donald Trump four more years in office and rejecting former Vice President Joe Biden’s record as the right person to close the country’s deep racial divide.
The country right now is reeling amid a reckoning on racial injustice. Henderson made his statements as the nation is confronted with disturbing new images out of Kenosha, Wis. Jacob Blake, who is black, is partially paralyzed after being shot seven times over the weekend at close range by a police officer. Few details have been available to piece together the full backstory, and the aftermath has been all too familiar: Protesters have torched buildings, and on the second night of rioting two people were killed and a third was injured, allegedly at the hands of a white teen.
Henderson has lived through these violent racial clashes before, throughout the 1960s civil rights movement – and more recently in a new period of rioting in the streets over police killings of black men and women, which began during the Obama administration in Ferguson, Mo., and reignited earlier this summer. The turmoil continues to shock the nation’s conscience this week amid the Republicans’ nominating convention.
Unlike many of the speakers at the Democratic convention last week, Henderson doesn’t hold Trump responsible for the mayhem taking place across the country. He also doesn’t endorse the boycotts rippling through the sports world.
Quite the opposite.
Trump, he said, “has done more for black Americans in four years than Joe Biden has done in 50. Joe Biden had the audacity to say if you don’t vote for him ‘you ain’t black.’ Well to that I say, if you do vote for Biden, you don’t know history.”
It’s a stinging indictment of the Democratic nominee’s record, and it didn’t end there. On a night the Trump campaign had said would reflect its law-and-order theme, Henderson praised Trump for signing major prison and criminal-sentence reform laws he helped push through Congress, an opportunity zone measure that incentivizes investment in poor areas, and permanent funding for historically black colleges and universities.
“These achievements demonstrate that Donald Trump truly cares about black lives. His policies show his heart,” Henderson said.
If Henderson was the lone voice making this argument at the convention, viewers may have been stopped in their tracks for the moment, only to become overwhelmed later by a lopsided emphasis on law enforcement. But that hasn’t been the case. The slick four-day GOP pitch for Trump’s second term has featured prime-time speeches by numerous prominent African Americans, some Democrats, all making similar and impassioned arguments for Trump while taking Biden to task for race-related gaffes and his authorship of the 1994 crime bill.
The list has included South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, state Rep. Vernon Jones, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, and three retired professional football players. Maryland congressional nominee Kim Klacik, a long-shot Republican candidate running to represent a Baltimore-area seat long held by the late civil rights advocate Elijah Cummings, helped kick off the convention on Monday by encouraging members of her party not to give up running in cities long-considered Democratic strongholds.
The second night began with a dramatic tale of personal redemption. President Trump issued a surprise pardon to Jon Ponder, a convicted bank robber who had changed his ways in prison and struck up a friendship with his arresting FBI agent. The two now run a charity, Hope for Prisoners, that provides job training and counseling to those leaving jail.
Later on Tuesday, football great Herschel Walker talked about his close ties to Trump, and said he was offended that people would think he has maintained a 35-year friendship with a racist.
“Growing up in the Deep South, I have seen racism up close. I know what it is. And it isn’t Donald Trump.” Two more retired NFL players addressed the convention Wednesday night, and made the same point. “I know what racism looks like, I’ve seen it firsthand,” said onetime defensive back Jack Brewer. “In America, it has no resemblance to President Trump and I’m fed up with the way he’s portrayed in the media, who refuse to acknowledge what he’s actually done for the black community.”
It was a direct, head-on rejection of the label Democrats have long tried to stick to Trump and are working to drive home in the final two months before the election. It also served a dual purpose – an attempt to siphon off black voters from Biden while making an appeal for conservative-leaning swing voters uncomfortable with Trump’s record and rhetoric on race.
Republicans have long tried to tout their outreach to black voters, only to fall flat on Election Day. Republicans won less than 10% of black support in the 2018 midterms and 2016 presidential election. This year it’s an even taller order. Some 88% of black adults said they disapprove of Trump’s job performance in a recent Pew Research Center poll.
Other pre-convention polls show Biden with a 67-percentage-point lead over Trump among black voters with the president attracting only 8%. Still, Biden’s support is smaller than Hillary Clinton’s 79-point in the final registered voter surveys of 2016. In a close race, if Trump can improve even slightly on his past performance, it could give him an edge in key battleground states. Clinton lost Florida by just a little more than a single point and Michigan by a hair — just 0.2 points.
Team Trump’s decision to go all in on race while also pushing back on Democrats’ far-left defund the police movement has another undeniable benefit: trying to carve out a sensible middle ground instead of the familiar division-stoking entrenchments emanating from both sides. Many Americans are weary of the extremes amid general unease over race and ongoing uncertainty about the coronavirus pandemic.
Melania Trump won plaudits for trying to strike that balance in her Tuesday night closing address, in which she acknowledged that America has more work to do on racial injustice and division but must also appreciate the blessings of living in a nation where freedom of speech is valued.
Vice President Mike Pence spent much of his speech Wednesday night emphasizing the law enforcement theme, but he also made a commitment to the black community to help end racial and economic inequality.
“We will always stand with those who stand on the thin blue line and we are not going to defund the police, not now, not ever,” he said. “Let me be clear, the violence must stop — whether in Minneapolis, Portland, or Kenosha. …We will have law and order in the streets of America.”
Pence rejected, wholesale, Biden’s and Democrats’ argument that America is “systemically racist” and discussed how police put their lives on the line every day to protect all communities across America. It was an attempt at striking a moderate note that he believes most Americans will embrace.
“The American people know we don’t have to choose between supporting law enforcement and standing with African American neighbors to improve the quality of life in our cities and towns,” he said. “From the first days of this administration, we have done both. And we will keep doing both for four more years in the White House.”
Whether the messaging convinces enough black voters to help swing the election in Trump’s favor will be known in November, but at the convention this week, no one can say Republicans didn’t try their hardest to make the appeal.


wnd--2020-08-27--14 questions for candidate Joe Biden

14 questions for candidate Joe Biden

`` Protesting brutality is a right and absolutely necessary , '' says Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden .
`` But burning down communities is not protest .
It 's needless violence .
Violence that endangers life .
Violence that guts businesses and shutters businesses that serve the community .
That 's wrong . ''
Thus , after months of silence about widespread leftist looting , arson and killings in Democrat-run American cities such as Chicago , Portland , Seattle , Minneapolis , New York City and Kenosha , Mr. Biden made a feeble criticism of urban terrorism .
Why this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Don Lemon admits `` polls and focus groups '' reveal that rioters are turning Americans against Biden .
Biden now condemns violence only because Democrats otherwise will lose November 's elections .
The previous Democrat Big Lie has been , as Rep. Jerrold Nadler , D-N.Y. , paradoxically said : `` There are no violent protests , '' and the violence `` is [ President Donald ] Trump 's fault . ''
TRENDING : Trump tells felon ' I 'm not sure you know this , ' then signs his pardon during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are concealing the extent of their fellow-leftists ' bloody violence , but sane people no longer believe their propaganda .
No intelligent person should believe politically self-serving words Biden and other Democrats will now mouth to `` socially distance '' themselves from the violent terrorism plague they unleashed , condoned , encouraged and praised .
Vague talk is cheap .
Mr. Biden says `` needless violence '' is `` wrong '' – implying that `` necessary '' violence by roving leftist mobs is fine .
Before we can believe Mr. Biden ( and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , non-evasive answers to 14 questions : 1 .
Mr. Biden , you now say `` burning down communities is not protest . ''
Such violence is not a constitutionally protected right but a crime .
Why have you not demanded the arrest and imprisonment of these violent criminals ?
2 .
Mr. Biden , when will you fire your own staff members who help fund bail for these violent criminals ?
3 .
Mr. Biden , will you condemn by name the Democratic mayors who have ordered their own police to `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , arsonists and those attacking police with blinding lasers , explosives and other weapons ?
Will you demand by name that these mayors resign ?
4 .
Mr. Biden , will you condemn by name Democratic state governors who opposed President Trump sending federal peace officers to protect U.S. citizens ' civil rights ?
5 .
Mr. Biden , will you demand by name the resignation of all Democratic mayors and governors who create `` sanctuary '' cities or states that `` nullify '' federal laws ?
This is secession , an act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and terrorists .
6 .
Mr. Biden , will you demand by name the resignation of Democratic district attorneys and state attorneys general ( many of whose elections were funded by George Soros ) for high-handed tactics to smear police and encourage mobs ?
Will you demand resignations from Democrats who have `` defunded '' the police and `` decriminalized crimes '' such as shoplifting ?
7 .
Mr. Biden , your comrade House Speaker Nancy Pelosi days ago called Republicans `` domestic enemies of the state . ''
Rep. Steve Scalise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mentally deranged supporter of socialist Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to shoot him .
Will you condemn Pelosi 's violence-encouraging hate speech ?
8 .
Mr. Biden , America 's Declaration of Independence affirms the right of citizens to overthrow tyrannical government .
If the U.S. government taxed citizens 100 % of their income , would that be slavery ?
At what level of taxation does government become tyrannical ?
9 .
Mr. Biden , in America where left-wing terrorism and COVID-19 shutdown have destroyed tens of millions of businesses , jobs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxes by many trillions of dollars as you propose on at least 82 % of Americans is itself socialist violence ?
10 .
Mr. Biden , guerrilla-warfare-trained Marxists like the leaders of Antifa and Black Lives Matter argue that theft or destruction of private `` property '' is not `` violence . ''
Do you agree ?
If it is violence , will you demand imprisoning these criminals ?
11 .
Mr. Biden , Democratic officials have denied police protection to citizens , so will you end your plan to confiscate firearms from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 .
Mr. Biden , you describe yourself as a Roman Catholic , but you advocate taxpayer-funded abortion without limit .
Do you regard murdering millions of innocent unborn babies as `` necessary '' violence ?
Is n't abolishing abortion today 's abolitionist struggle against slavery ?
13 .
Mr. Biden , is it racist that African Americans – roughly 12 % of our population – suffer more than 25 % of all abortions ?
Taxpayer-funded abortion-factory Planned Parenthood 's co-founder is racist eugenicist socialist Margaret Sanger .
14 .
Mr. Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hussein Obama-Joe Biden agreement allowing apocalyptic , terrorism-funding theocratic Iranian dictators to acquire nuclear weapons ?
Why do you think law-abiding gun owners are more dangerous than Iranian terrorist nukes ?
Lowell Ponte is a former Reader 's Digest Roving Editor .
His articles have appeared in the Wall Street Journal , the New York Times and other major publications .
His latest paper co-authored with Craig R. Smith , `` The Secret War , '' shows how to rethink several areas of investment to protect and grow your savings against little-known economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ copy , call toll-free 800-630-1492 .

"Protesting brutality is a right and absolutely necessary," says Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
"But burning down communities is not protest. It's needless violence. Violence that endangers life. Violence that guts businesses and shutters businesses that serve the community. That's wrong."
Thus, after months of silence about widespread leftist looting, arson and killings in Democrat-run American cities such as Chicago, Portland, Seattle, Minneapolis, New York City and Kenosha, Mr. Biden made a feeble criticism of urban terrorism.
Why this sudden Biden change of heart? CNN's Don Lemon admits "polls and focus groups" reveal that rioters are turning Americans against Biden. Biden now condemns violence only because Democrats otherwise will lose November's elections.
The previous Democrat Big Lie has been, as Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., paradoxically said: "There are no violent protests," and the violence "is [President Donald] Trump's fault."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
CNN and other left-leaning media are concealing the extent of their fellow-leftists' bloody violence, but sane people no longer believe their propaganda.
No intelligent person should believe politically self-serving words Biden and other Democrats will now mouth to "socially distance" themselves from the violent terrorism plague they unleashed, condoned, encouraged and praised.
Vague talk is cheap. Mr. Biden says "needless violence" is "wrong" – implying that "necessary" violence by roving leftist mobs is fine.
Before we can believe Mr. Biden (and other Democrats), we need specific, non-evasive answers to 14 questions:
1. Mr. Biden, you now say "burning down communities is not protest." Such violence is not a constitutionally protected right but a crime. Why have you not demanded the arrest and imprisonment of these violent criminals?
2. Mr. Biden, when will you fire your own staff members who help fund bail for these violent criminals?
3. Mr. Biden, will you condemn by name the Democratic mayors who have ordered their own police to "stand down" and not arrest robbers, arsonists and those attacking police with blinding lasers, explosives and other weapons? Will you demand by name that these mayors resign?
4. Mr. Biden, will you condemn by name Democratic state governors who opposed President Trump sending federal peace officers to protect U.S. citizens' civil rights?
5. Mr. Biden, will you demand by name the resignation of all Democratic mayors and governors who create "sanctuary" cities or states that "nullify" federal laws? This is secession, an act of civil war, that protects criminals and terrorists.
6. Mr. Biden, will you demand by name the resignation of Democratic district attorneys and state attorneys general (many of whose elections were funded by George Soros) for high-handed tactics to smear police and encourage mobs? Will you demand resignations from Democrats who have "defunded" the police and "decriminalized crimes" such as shoplifting?
7. Mr. Biden, your comrade House Speaker Nancy Pelosi days ago called Republicans "domestic enemies of the state." Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., says such radical rhetoric caused a mentally deranged supporter of socialist Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to shoot him. Will you condemn Pelosi's violence-encouraging hate speech?
8. Mr. Biden, America's Declaration of Independence affirms the right of citizens to overthrow tyrannical government. If the U.S. government taxed citizens 100% of their income, would that be slavery? At what level of taxation does government become tyrannical?
9. Mr. Biden, in America where left-wing terrorism and COVID-19 shutdown have destroyed tens of millions of businesses, jobs and dreams, do you comprehend that raising taxes by many trillions of dollars as you propose on at least 82% of Americans is itself socialist violence?
10. Mr. Biden, guerrilla-warfare-trained Marxists like the leaders of Antifa and Black Lives Matter argue that theft or destruction of private "property" is not "violence." Do you agree? If it is violence, will you demand imprisoning these criminals?
11. Mr. Biden, Democratic officials have denied police protection to citizens, so will you end your plan to confiscate firearms from law-abiding citizens who must protect themselves?
12. Mr. Biden, you describe yourself as a Roman Catholic, but you advocate taxpayer-funded abortion without limit. Do you regard murdering millions of innocent unborn babies as "necessary" violence? Isn't abolishing abortion today's abolitionist struggle against slavery?
13. Mr. Biden, is it racist that African Americans – roughly 12% of our population – suffer more than 25% of all abortions? Taxpayer-funded abortion-factory Planned Parenthood's co-founder is racist eugenicist socialist Margaret Sanger.
14. Mr. Biden, when will you resign for the Barack Hussein Obama-Joe Biden agreement allowing apocalyptic, terrorism-funding theocratic Iranian dictators to acquire nuclear weapons? Why do you think law-abiding gun owners are more dangerous than Iranian terrorist nukes?
Lowell Ponte is a former Reader's Digest Roving Editor. His articles have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and other major publications. His latest paper co-authored with Craig R. Smith, "The Secret War," shows how to rethink several areas of investment to protect and grow your savings against little-known economic threats. For a free, postpaid copy, call toll-free 800-630-1492.


wnd--2020-08-27--Trump kin playing important role in convention

[ Editor 's note : This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics . ]
He was sweating and his pupils appeared dilated as he yelled in an empty auditorium for 10 straight minutes on the first night of the Republican National Convention .
And while he is always energetic , some wondered if something other than normal partisan passion was animating the eldest son of the president .
Drugs , maybe ?
Not that it ’ s a reliable source , but that was the speculation on social media , albeit mostly from critics .
It was still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” trending next to the name of Donald Trump Jr. on Twitter .
TRENDING : Trump tells felon ' I 'm not sure you know this , ' then signs his pardon during RNC broadcast “ I think they must have me confused with the other candidate ’ s son , ” Trump said in an interview Wednesday morning with RealClearPolitics , repeating a line he delivered earlier on “ Fox & Friends ” in reference to former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s son , who has spoken openly about his drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't on a substance , ” Trump told RCP .
He also expressed annoyance that the media was not talking more about what he had said , instead asserting “ that my eyes were glossy.
” While his detractors were spreading baseless rumors about him , he said , they were “ giving Hunter Biden , a known cokehead , a total pass.
” He described the apparent double standard “ pretty disgusting.
” But the tabloid mini-drama that unfolded as the Republicans ’ online convention followed that of the Democrats sums up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left has a monopoly on Hollywood star power , the right has the children of the former host of “ Celebrity Apprentice.
” And though their presence provides plenty of gossip opportunities for their critics , the first family will remain front and center in the effort to reelect their father .
Toward that end , Donald Jr. gave a speech of red-meat substance while his opponents snarked about substance abuse .
The prince of MAGA went full populist , branding Democratic nominee Biden “ the Loch Ness monster ” and railing against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an empty Mellon Auditorium not far from the White House , he did his best to define the race .
Republicans embrace free speech and people of faith , he argued , while Democrats try to cancel their opponents and keep pews empty while allowing the nation ’ s streets to erupt in violence : “ It ’ s almost like this election is shaping up to be church , work and school versus rioting , looting , and vandalism , or in the words of Biden and the Democrats , peaceful protesting.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to the streets , the president ’ s son told voters through the television screen .
They only have to do one simple thing .
“ It starts by rejecting radicals who want to drag us into the dark and embracing the man who represents a bright and beautiful future for all , ” he said .
“ It starts by reelecting Donald J. Trump.
” It was the sort of bombast that has endeared Junior to the populist right .
It also earned him an atta-boy from the president as soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was really happy with the way things are going right now , ” said the Trump scion .
If that ’ s true , the president can thank members of the first family , who are trying their hardest to make the best of a bad situation for a candidate who misses the campaign trail .
He feeds off live audiences .
They are trying to substitute that via the television .
“ I want big crowds and no script , ” Donald Jr. admitted while explaining how he and his father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me go up there and have some fun and speak to the people , take the selfies , give the hugs , get in the crowd , mix it up .
He truly loves that aspect of it.
” In lieu of that , the president has reverted to the ethos of his reality TV days – get the star on camera as much as possible .
He also seems to delight seeing his progeny in prime time .
After the eldest son spoke the first night , daughter Tiffany followed on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and wife No .
3 , the stylish first lady .
By the end of the convention , all of the president ’ s adult children will have delivered addresses , including Ivanka , who will have the plum assignment : introducing her father on the final night of the big show .
As Donald Jr. explains it , they each have individual roles to play and all embrace the different personas that they have developed during the Trump presidency .
His is that of firebrand .
“ Unlike so many on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I do n't just roll over and die .
I 'll actually fight , and I do n't care .
I guess because of that I created a brand for myself.
” The extended family has done its part .
Daughter-in-law Lara Trump , Eric ’ s wife , held her own on Wednesday night , spotlighting her root working-class roots .
Kimberly Guilfoyle , Junior ’ s girlfriend , railed against her former home state , calling Democrat-controlled California “ a land of discarded heroin needles in parks , riots in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But while Guilfoyle secured headlines and endured her share of mockery for her delivery , another member of the family was missing .
Jared Kushner , husband of Ivanka and senior adviser to his father-in-law , won ’ t take the stage .
“ Part of my skill set is being able to be out there to fire up people .
That ’ s not his , ” Donald Jr. said .
Instead , Kushner has been behind the scenes where he is most comfortable .
According to his brother-in-law , that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his value .
Kushner is “ a brilliant guy -- he gets it done and has no interest in taking credit for the things that he 's done , ” he said .
“ He just puts his head down , and he works.
” Kushner may be trying to work out a question that has consumed operatives and politicos : Who will become the heir apparent of Trump whether he loses in 2020 or wins and possibly prepares for the coronation of a successor come 2024 ?
The eldest child may now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The morning after his convention remarks , Politico proclaimed in a headline that “ It ’ s Nikki Haley vs. Don Jr. for the soul of the GOP.
” Donald Jr. did not miss that story line .
“ I go , ‘ That 's interesting .
I did n't even know that I was doing anything.
’ I guess it 's a compliment , but not something I 've even thought about.
” [ 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 Philip Wegmann
Real Clear Politics
He was sweating and his pupils appeared dilated as he yelled in an empty auditorium for 10 straight minutes on the first night of the Republican National Convention. And while he is always energetic, some wondered if something other than normal partisan passion was animating the eldest son of the president.
Drugs, maybe? Not that it’s a reliable source, but that was the speculation on social media, albeit mostly from critics. It was still enough to get the word “cocaine” trending next to the name of Donald Trump Jr. on Twitter.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
“I think they must have me confused with the other candidate’s son,” Trump said in an interview Wednesday morning with RealClearPolitics, repeating a line he delivered earlier on “Fox & Friends” in reference to former Vice President Joe Biden’s son, who has spoken openly about his drug addiction.
“No, I wasn't on a substance,” Trump told RCP. He also expressed annoyance that the media was not talking more about what he had said, instead asserting “that my eyes were glossy.” While his detractors were spreading baseless rumors about him, he said, they were “giving Hunter Biden, a known cokehead, a total pass.”
He described the apparent double standard “pretty disgusting.” But the tabloid mini-drama that unfolded as the Republicans’ online convention followed that of the Democrats sums up the last four years: While the left has a monopoly on Hollywood star power, the right has the children of the former host of “Celebrity Apprentice.” And though their presence provides plenty of gossip opportunities for their critics, the first family will remain front and center in the effort to reelect their father.
Toward that end, Donald Jr. gave a speech of red-meat substance while his opponents snarked about substance abuse. The prince of MAGA went full populist, branding Democratic nominee Biden “the Loch Ness monster” and railing against so-called “cancel culture.” Speaking in an empty Mellon Auditorium not far from the White House, he did his best to define the race.
Republicans embrace free speech and people of faith, he argued, while Democrats try to cancel their opponents and keep pews empty while allowing the nation’s streets to erupt in violence: “It’s almost like this election is shaping up to be church, work and school versus rioting, looting, and vandalism, or in the words of Biden and the Democrats, peaceful protesting.”
Life will improve and peace will return to the streets, the president’s son told voters through the television screen. They only have to do one simple thing. “It starts by rejecting radicals who want to drag us into the dark and embracing the man who represents a bright and beautiful future for all,” he said. “It starts by reelecting Donald J. Trump.”
It was the sort of bombast that has endeared Junior to the populist right. It also earned him an atta-boy from the president as soon as he stepped off stage. “He was really happy with the way things are going right now,” said the Trump scion. If that’s true, the president can thank members of the first family, who are trying their hardest to make the best of a bad situation for a candidate who misses the campaign trail. He feeds off live audiences. They are trying to substitute that via the television.
“I want big crowds and no script,” Donald Jr. admitted while explaining how he and his father love the same thing. “Let me go up there and have some fun and speak to the people, take the selfies, give the hugs, get in the crowd, mix it up. He truly loves that aspect of it.”
In lieu of that, the president has reverted to the ethos of his reality TV days – get the star on camera as much as possible. He also seems to delight seeing his progeny in prime time. After the eldest son spoke the first night, daughter Tiffany followed on Tuesday, then son No. 2 Eric, and wife No. 3, the stylish first lady. By the end of the convention, all of the president’s adult children will have delivered addresses, including Ivanka, who will have the plum assignment: introducing her father on the final night of the big show.
As Donald Jr. explains it, they each have individual roles to play and all embrace the different personas that they have developed during the Trump presidency. His is that of firebrand. “Unlike so many on the right,” he explained, “I don't just roll over and die. I'll actually fight, and I don't care. I guess because of that I created a brand for myself.”
The extended family has done its part. Daughter-in-law Lara Trump, Eric’s wife, held her own on Wednesday night, spotlighting her root working-class roots. Kimberly Guilfoyle, Junior’s girlfriend, railed against her former home state, calling Democrat-controlled California “a land of discarded heroin needles in parks, riots in streets, and blackouts in homes.” But while Guilfoyle secured headlines and endured her share of mockery for her delivery, another member of the family was missing. Jared Kushner, husband of Ivanka and senior adviser to his father-in-law, won’t take the stage.
Why?
“Part of my skill set is being able to be out there to fire up people. That’s not his,” Donald Jr. said. Instead, Kushner has been behind the scenes where he is most comfortable. According to his brother-in-law, that is a testament to his humility -- and his value.
Kushner is “a brilliant guy -- he gets it done and has no interest in taking credit for the things that he's done,” he said. “He just puts his head down, and he works.”
Kushner may be trying to work out a question that has consumed operatives and politicos: Who will become the heir apparent of Trump whether he loses in 2020 or wins and possibly prepares for the coronation of a successor come 2024?
The eldest child may now have a bit of a head start. The morning after his convention remarks, Politico proclaimed in a headline that “It’s Nikki Haley vs. Don Jr. for the soul of the GOP.”
Donald Jr. did not miss that story line. “I go, ‘That's interesting. I didn't even know that I was doing anything.’ I guess it's a compliment, but not something I've even thought about.”
[Editor's note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Politics.]


wnd--2020-08-27--On law and order: How weak can Biden be?

Is Joe Biden forfeiting the law-and-order issue to Donald Trump ?
So it would seem .
`` Republicans Use Law and Order As Rallying Cry '' was the top headline on The New York Times ' front-page story on Vice President Mike Pence 's acceptance speech at Fort McHenry Wednesday night .
The Wall Street Journal Page 1 headline echoed the Times : `` Pence Accepts Nomination as GOP Puts Focus on Police . ''
In his address , Pence charged Biden with sinning by silence in failing to denounce the rioters , looters and arsonists who have for months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Minneapolis , Kenosha and other cities .
TRENDING : Trump tells felon ' I 'm not sure you know this , ' then signs his pardon during RNC broadcast Said Pence : `` Last week , Joe Biden did not say one word about the violence and chaos engulfing cities across this country .
`` Joe Biden says that America is systemically racist , and that law enforcement in America has … 'implicit bias against minorities . '
When asked whether he 'd support cutting funding to law enforcement , Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Joe Biden would double down on the very policies that are leading to unsafe streets and violence in American cities .
… You will not be safe in Joe Biden 's America . ''
Now , it is inexact to say Biden would `` defund '' the police .
When the big agenda item of Black Lives Matter was first raised , Biden rushed to say he would reform the police and increase spending .
And , late Wednesday afternoon , probably after seeing an advance of Pence 's speech , Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has engulfed Kenosha since Sunday night 's police shooting of Jacob Blake : '' Needless violence wo n't heal us .
We need to end the violence . ''
Biden 's belated and tepid condemnations of the riots and pillaging of America 's cities by `` peaceful protesters '' gone rogue night after night testifies to the dilemma in which he finds himself .
It is three months since George Floyd ceased to breathe under the knee of that Minneapolis cop .
But it is also three months to the election .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hard , against the arsonists and anarchists conducting the nightly rampages against cops across America .
The weariness of the public with the riots is palpable .
The claim that these are but the understandable excesses of `` peaceful protests '' is getting stale .
And the reaction against the riots and ruin in the black communities , for whom they are allegedly being conducted , is growing .
Black leaders in urban areas are saying we want good cops , but we also want more cops to protect our people from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekly kill rates .
Tuesday , video surfaced of a mob of radicals surrounding , berating , cursing and threatening a woman at a D.C. diner .
Her crime ?
She had refused to submit to demands she raise her fist in a Black Power salute and proclaim , `` Black Lives Matter ! ''
It looked like a training exercise for aspiring Nazi Brownshirts .
We are beginning to see how this all unfolds .
And from here , it looks like the Democratic left is going to be the loser on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandate – `` Defund the police ! ''
– has backfired .
The Biden media daily testify to its unpopularity by insisting Biden never endorsed it .
Where police department budgets have been cut , shooting and homicide rates have soared .
And Biden 's refusal to endorse the mandate tells you what Democrats ' polls are telling them .
The police bill passed by Nancy Pelosi 's House featuring restrictions on chokeholds has been ignored by the Senate , and Republicans do not appear to be suffering for having ignored it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ escalated from Columbus to Catholic missionaries and saints , to Confederate generals and statesmen like Lee , Jackson and Jefferson Davis , to the four presidents on Mount Rushmore – Washington , Jefferson , Lincoln , TR – is now seen even by liberal elites as excessive .
Eventually , the country is going to go with law and order , for , no matter how the liberals ' recoil from the phrase and its associations with Barry Goldwater and Richard Nixon , without law and order there is no justice and there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in '68 remains true : `` The first civil right of every American is to be free from domestic violence . ''
The mega-demand of BLM and its collaborators – reparations for slavery and segregation – is not wildly popular .
Yet , reparations , which ultimately involves trillions in wealth transfers , is an issue on which Biden will have to choose between the Bernie-BLM-AOC wing of his party and the Scranton Democrats among whom he was raised .
Are the nation 's police forces shot through with systemic racism and overpopulated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on black folks ?
Or are our police the first of the first responders , the thin blue line standing between America and anarchy ?
The Republicans have chosen .
They stand with the cops .
And if and when Biden comes out of the basement again , he is going to have to take a stand .
Declaring evenhanded neutrality wo n't cut it .

Is Joe Biden forfeiting the law-and-order issue to Donald Trump?
So it would seem.
"Republicans Use Law and Order As Rallying Cry" was the top headline on The New York Times' front-page story on Vice President Mike Pence's acceptance speech at Fort McHenry Wednesday night.
The Wall Street Journal Page 1 headline echoed the Times: "Pence Accepts Nomination as GOP Puts Focus on Police."
In his address, Pence charged Biden with sinning by silence in failing to denounce the rioters, looters and arsonists who have for months attacked police and pillaged Portland, Seattle, Minneapolis, Kenosha and other cities.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Said Pence: "Last week, Joe Biden did not say one word about the violence and chaos engulfing cities across this country.
"Joe Biden says that America is systemically racist, and that law enforcement in America has … 'implicit bias against minorities.' When asked whether he'd support cutting funding to law enforcement, Joe Biden replied, 'Yes, absolutely.'
"Joe Biden would double down on the very policies that are leading to unsafe streets and violence in American cities. … You will not be safe in Joe Biden's America."
Now, it is inexact to say Biden would "defund" the police. When the big agenda item of Black Lives Matter was first raised, Biden rushed to say he would reform the police and increase spending.
And, late Wednesday afternoon, probably after seeing an advance of Pence's speech, Biden tweeted from Delaware about the chaos that has engulfed Kenosha since Sunday night's police shooting of Jacob Blake:
"Needless violence won't heal us. We need to end the violence."
Biden's belated and tepid condemnations of the riots and pillaging of America's cities by "peaceful protesters" gone rogue night after night testifies to the dilemma in which he finds himself.
It is three months since George Floyd ceased to breathe under the knee of that Minneapolis cop. But it is also three months to the election. And the political tide is turning, visibly and hard, against the arsonists and anarchists conducting the nightly rampages against cops across America.
The weariness of the public with the riots is palpable. The claim that these are but the understandable excesses of "peaceful protests" is getting stale. And the reaction against the riots and ruin in the black communities, for whom they are allegedly being conducted, is growing.
Black leaders in urban areas are saying we want good cops, but we also want more cops to protect our people from gun-toting gangbangers who are running up rising weekly kill rates.
Tuesday, video surfaced of a mob of radicals surrounding, berating, cursing and threatening a woman at a D.C. diner. Her crime? She had refused to submit to demands she raise her fist in a Black Power salute and proclaim, "Black Lives Matter!"
"White silence is violence!" screamed the mob.
It looked like a training exercise for aspiring Nazi Brownshirts.
We are beginning to see how this all unfolds. And from here, it looks like the Democratic left is going to be the loser on all counts.
First, the big mandate – "Defund the police!" – has backfired.
The Biden media daily testify to its unpopularity by insisting Biden never endorsed it. Where police department budgets have been cut, shooting and homicide rates have soared. And Biden's refusal to endorse the mandate tells you what Democrats' polls are telling them.
The police bill passed by Nancy Pelosi's House featuring restrictions on chokeholds has been ignored by the Senate, and Republicans do not appear to be suffering for having ignored it.
The smashing of statues, which has escalated from Columbus to Catholic missionaries and saints, to Confederate generals and statesmen like Lee, Jackson and Jefferson Davis, to the four presidents on Mount Rushmore – Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, TR – is now seen even by liberal elites as excessive.
Eventually, the country is going to go with law and order, for, no matter how the liberals' recoil from the phrase and its associations with Barry Goldwater and Richard Nixon, without law and order there is no justice and there is no peace. What Nixon said in '68 remains true: "The first civil right of every American is to be free from domestic violence."
The mega-demand of BLM and its collaborators – reparations for slavery and segregation – is not wildly popular. Yet, reparations, which ultimately involves trillions in wealth transfers, is an issue on which Biden will have to choose between the Bernie-BLM-AOC wing of his party and the Scranton Democrats among whom he was raised.
The decisive question:
Are the nation's police forces shot through with systemic racism and overpopulated by white cops who relish using violence on black folks? Or are our police the first of the first responders, the thin blue line standing between America and anarchy?
The Republicans have chosen. They stand with the cops.
And if and when Biden comes out of the basement again, he is going to have to take a stand. Declaring evenhanded neutrality won't cut it.