wnd--2020-04-16--Dennis Quaid sees 'spiritual reawakening' breaking out due to COVID-19

Actor Dennis Quaid believes a `` spiritual reawakening '' is happening in the United States as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
Fox News host Dana Perino asked the star of hits like `` The Right Stuff '' ( 1983 ) , `` The Rookie '' ( 2002 ) , and more recently the Christian film `` I Can Only Imagine '' ( 2018 ) during a Wednesday interview on `` The Daily Briefing '' about his thoughts regarding the COVID-19 outbreak .
`` This is our World War II moment really , '' he responded .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spiritual reawakening in this country . ''
`` We already see it , everybody coming together .
There 's going to be something really powerful and wonderful that comes out of all of this for us as a people I think and the world , '' Quaid , who was wearing a cross around his neck , added .
`` It 's already happening .
We 're already relearning how to do many things in our life and to think of others at the same time , '' he said .
TRENDING : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Over 155,000 sign petition to recall Democrat governor The Hollywood celebrity launched a new podcast called `` The Dennissance '' last week , and he told Perino the first four people the program will feature include country music stars Billy Ray Cyrus and Tanya Tucker , as well as television personality Billy Bush and Jim Morris , the real-life former major league baseball pitcher played by Quaid in `` The Rookie . ''
The actor explained that the name of the podcast was inspired by the resurgence he has seen in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , saying he 's been a `` lucky '' man .
Quaid believes some of the skills he has acquired in acting , particularly portraying real-world people , transfer well to being an interviewer .
`` My favorite part [ of movie making ] is research and in doing that , it 's a little like being an investigative journalist and getting to the essence of somebody , '' he said .
`` I 'm now taking that process and taking it to a podcast interview form . ''
Last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus outbreak .
“ I think the president is handling it in a good way , ” he said .
“ We see him on television every day , he ’ s involved , and the travel ban early on was a great idea — which he did in spite of protest about that . ''
Quaid described himself as an independent politically , voting for whom he believes the country needs at the time .
Asked by Perino what he 's looking forward to most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the star said getting married to his fiancée Laura Savoie .
The couple was slated to tie the knot on April 4 at actor Craig T. Nelson 's house on the Hawaiian island of Kauai , but now is looking to do something more in the heart of America .
Regarding his religious beliefs , Quaid said in a 2005 BeliefNet interview that he `` grew up Baptist and still goes to church . ''
`` I myself have explored other religions , because I want to know what it is that makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I find we 're all talking about the same thing , really -- it 's all God . ''
Quaid wrote and performed the original song “ On My Way To Heaven ” for the `` I Can Only Imagine '' soundtrack .
The lyrics to the tune go , in part , `` My life may not be roses but still I 'm gon na be alright , long as I got my Savior by my side . ''
`` He freed me from the heavy chains that had bound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; gave me a brand new start . ''
“ I wrote it for my mom because my mom has always been there , her faith is unquestionable , so solid , ” Quaid told CBN News in 2018 .
“ So I wrote it for her , but I guess it ’ s my story.
” This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Actor Dennis Quaid believes a "spiritual reawakening" is happening in the United States as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Fox News host Dana Perino asked the star of hits like "The Right Stuff" (1983), "The Rookie" (2002), and more recently the Christian film "I Can Only Imagine" (2018) during a Wednesday interview on "The Daily Briefing" about his thoughts regarding the COVID-19 outbreak.
"This is our World War II moment really," he responded. "I think there's going to be a spiritual reawakening in this country."
"We already see it, everybody coming together. There's going to be something really powerful and wonderful that comes out of all of this for us as a people I think and the world," Quaid, who was wearing a cross around his neck, added.
"It's already happening. We're already relearning how to do many things in our life and to think of others at the same time," he said.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The Hollywood celebrity launched a new podcast called "The Dennissance" last week, and he told Perino the first four people the program will feature include country music stars Billy Ray Cyrus and Tanya Tucker, as well as television personality Billy Bush and Jim Morris, the real-life former major league baseball pitcher played by Quaid in "The Rookie."
The actor explained that the name of the podcast was inspired by the resurgence he has seen in his acting career and personal life in recent years, saying he's been a "lucky" man.
Quaid believes some of the skills he has acquired in acting, particularly portraying real-world people, transfer well to being an interviewer.
"My favorite part [of movie making] is research and in doing that, it's a little like being an investigative journalist and getting to the essence of somebody," he said. "I'm now taking that process and taking it to a podcast interview form."
Last week, Quaid made headlines when he praised President Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak.
“I think the president is handling it in a good way,” he said. “We see him on television every day, he’s involved, and the travel ban early on was a great idea — which he did in spite of protest about that."
Quaid described himself as an independent politically, voting for whom he believes the country needs at the time.
Asked by Perino what he's looking forward to most when the coronavirus restrictions are lifted, the star said getting married to his fiancée Laura Savoie.
The couple was slated to tie the knot on April 4 at actor Craig T. Nelson's house on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, but now is looking to do something more in the heart of America.
Regarding his religious beliefs, Quaid said in a 2005 BeliefNet interview that he "grew up Baptist and still goes to church."
"I myself have explored other religions, because I want to know what it is that makes other people tick," he added. "I find we're all talking about the same thing, really -- it's all God."
Quaid wrote and performed the original song “On My Way To Heaven” for the "I Can Only Imagine" soundtrack.
The lyrics to the tune go, in part, "My life may not be roses but still I'm gonna be alright, long as I got my Savior by my side."
"He freed me from the heavy chains that had bound my broken heart, picked me up; gave me a brand new start."
“I wrote it for my mom because my mom has always been there, her faith is unquestionable, so solid,” Quaid told CBN News in 2018. “So I wrote it for her, but I guess it’s my story.”
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-01-07--Repeating radio signal tracked to spiral galaxy

( SCIENCEALERT ) -- A mysterious repeating radio signal from space revealed last year is now the fifth fast radio @ @ @ @ @ to its source galaxy .
It 's a location unlike any of the others , @ @ @ @ @ rethink their previous assumptions about how these signals are generated .
The origin of this @ @ @ @ @ galaxy , located 500 million light-years from Earth , making it the closest known source @ @ @ @ @ radio bursts ( FRBs ) yet .

(SCIENCEALERT) -- A mysterious repeating radio signal from space revealed last year is now the fifth fast radio burst to be tracked back to its source galaxy.
It's a location unlike any of the others, and astronomers are having to rethink their previous assumptions about how these signals are generated.
The origin of this repeating signal is a spiral galaxy, located 500 million light-years from Earth, making it the closest known source of what we call fast radio bursts (FRBs) yet.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-01-07--Iranian foreign minister fumes when denied entry to U.S.

( FOX NEWS ) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif fumed Tuesday over the reported U.S. decision to deny him @ @ @ @ @ United Nations in New York later this week , amid escalating tensions between the two @ @ @ @ @ Iranian General Qassem Soleimani .
“ They fear that someone comes to the U.S. and @ @ @ @ @ told The Associated Press .
“ The world is not limited to New York , @ @ @ @ @ the American people from Tehran , and we will do that.
” He later claimed @ @ @ @ @ him a visa was in violation of the 1947 United Nations Headquarters agreement that established @ @ @ @ @ base of operations in New York .
That agreement requires the U.S. to permit foreign @ @ @ @ @ conduct U.N. business .
He also listed a series of allegations against the U.S. , @ @ @ @ @ and “ cowardly assassination .
”

(FOX NEWS) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif fumed Tuesday over the reported U.S. decision to deny him a visa to address the United Nations in New York later this week, amid escalating tensions between the two countries after the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
“They fear that someone comes to the U.S. and reveals realities,” Zarif told The Associated Press. “The world is not limited to New York, and you can talk to the American people from Tehran, and we will do that.”
He later claimed in a tweet that denying him a visa was in violation of the 1947 United Nations Headquarters agreement that established the international body’s base of operations in New York. That agreement requires the U.S. to permit foreign diplomats from other countries to conduct U.N. business. He also listed a series of allegations against the U.S., including “economic terrorism” and “cowardly assassination.”
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-01-07--Dozens killed in Soleimani funeral stampede

( WASHINGTON EXAMINER ) -- The burial for Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani was postponed after more than 30 people were @ @ @ @ @ the funeral ceremonies .
Thousands of supporters in Soleimani ’ s hometown , Kerman , @ @ @ @ @ the procession of his coffin on its way to a local cemetery .
The crowd @ @ @ @ @ deadly stampede in which Iranian state TV said more than 32 people were killed .
@ @ @ @ @ injured , most of them elderly , said Hamid Shamseddini , a security chief for @ @ @ @ @ to the IRNA news agency .

(WASHINGTON EXAMINER) -- The burial for Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani was postponed after more than 30 people were killed during a stampede at the funeral ceremonies.
Thousands of supporters in Soleimani’s hometown, Kerman, filled the streets to watch the procession of his coffin on its way to a local cemetery. The crowd swelled, leading to the deadly stampede in which Iranian state TV said more than 32 people were killed.
Nearly 200 other people were injured, most of them elderly, said Hamid Shamseddini, a security chief for the regional government, according to the IRNA news agency.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-01-07--Defense secretary defends decision to take out Iranian terrorist.

( WASHINGTON EXAMINER ) -- NO CHOICE : Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley have @ @ @ @ @ the Jan. 3 drone strike that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Quds force commander Gen. Qassem @ @ @ @ @ criticism President Trump acted impulsively without fully considering the ramifications of the action .
“ @ @ @ @ @ operation we knew there would be consequences .
We knew there 'd be risk .
@ @ @ @ @ time .
We did n't take any of it lightly , ” said Milley in @ @ @ @ @ at the Pentagon on Monday .
“ We laid out very clearly what the consequences @ @ @ @ @ every option , ” added Esper .
“ We did n't put any option on @ @ @ @ @ n't believe in and that we – we knew that – that we could n't @ @ @ @ @ option we present the pros and cons , the cost and benefits .
That 's @ @ @ @ @ time .
That 's my duty , my obligation .
”

(WASHINGTON EXAMINER) -- NO CHOICE: Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley have mounted an aggressive defense of the Jan. 3 drone strike that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Quds force commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani, and are disputing criticism President Trump acted impulsively without fully considering the ramifications of the action.
“When we looked at this operation we knew there would be consequences. We knew there'd be risk. We knew that ahead of time. We didn't take any of it lightly,” said Milley in an off-camera session with reporters at the Pentagon on Monday.
“We laid out very clearly what the consequences were pro and con of every option,” added Esper. “We didn't put any option on the table that we didn't believe in and that we – we knew that – that we couldn't execute. And with each option we present the pros and cons, the cost and benefits. That's what we do all the time. That's my duty, my obligation.”
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-01-07--Newsweek hits a new low

Newsweek hits a new low

If decent people working in mainstream American media want to know why many Americans do not trust them and are willing to use the term `` fake news '' to describe the mainstream media , I offer one of the most glaring examples of a lie in my lifetime .
Last week , Newsweek headlined the following : `` Conservative Radio Host Ridicules Anne Frank : ' I Do n't Get My Wisdom From Teenagers . '
'' Now , imagine how that must have struck any reader not familiar with the `` conservative radio host '' or with what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Frank '' – what kind of terrible human being would do that ?
Well , it turns out the `` conservative radio host '' was me .
Yes , me – a religious Jew who has devoted much of his life to the welfare of the Jewish people , served on the board of the U.S .
Holocaust Museum , made the most widely viewed pro-Israel video in the world , written a book on anti-Semitism that is in its third printing , and founded a synagogue and a Jewish day school .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is , you need to know what happened : Every week I do a video podcast for PragerU called `` The Fireside Chat . ''
In it , I offer thoughts on life and then take questions from around the world ( we have received questions from 52 countries ) .
A few weeks ago , I received the following question from Sam in Meridian , Idaho : `` On your most recent Fireside Chat , you said that people are not basically good .
We 've heard you discuss this topic before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 'Despite everything , I believe that people are really good at heart . '
How do you respond to her quote ? ''
Here is my response ( this is a word-for-word transcription , except for the words in parentheses added for clarity ) : `` She wrote that in her diary , the most famous Holocaust document .
( She was ) a teenage girl , a Dutch Jewish girl , who hid with her family until they were betrayed by someone to the Nazis , who then shipped them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murdered by the Nazis in the death camps .
She was about 16 years old , maybe 15 .
Her diary is very famous .
It gives a face to the horror of the Holocaust .
`` I know she wrote that , and my answer is it does n't matter that she wrote it .
I do n't get my wisdom from teenagers .
That she was a wonderful young woman and wrote an unbelievably powerful document that will last forever is beside the point .
I do n't expect 16-year-olds , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jewish or Christian home ( where it is taught as basic religious doctrine that people are not born basically good ) .
She was a secular Jew .
Most kids believe that ( people are basically good ) .
But it is not true .
So , it has never been an issue for me – 'Well , you disagree with Anne Frank . '
So what ?
`` And , by the way , to be very serious for a moment , I would be very curious – I 've thought about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be able to visit Anne Frank while in a concentration camp , would she have still believed that ?
We do n't know . ''
Only someone who deliberately seeks to smear someone would claim that what I said ridicules Anne Frank .
The person who wrote this is Benjamin Fearnow , a deputy editor at Newsweek , who previously worked for the left-wing site Mediaite .
When I looked up Fearnow , I came across this December 2018 tweet from talk-show host Mark Levin : `` Newsweek 's Benjamin Fearnow is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' And Rabbi Joseph Telushkin , one of the most revered Jewish scholars in America – author of such Jewish classics as `` Jewish Literacy '' and `` Biblical Literacy '' – called me to say that Fearnow 's article saying I ridiculed Anne Frank is `` the most despicable lie I recall reading in a mainstream news source . ''
Yesterday , Newsweek published Fearnow 's column headlined , `` Top Iranian Presidential Adviser Says Tehran 's 'Sole Problem Is Trump , ' Not Average American People . ''
Apparently , Fearnow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idiot for the Iranian regime , which hates America , not only Trump .
( Does Fearnow believe that the Iranian chant `` death to Israel '' only means `` death to Netanyahu '' ? )
The Iranian regime has gathered millions of Iranians to chant `` death to America '' since long before it ever heard of Donald Trump .
It has been wishing death on us and killing Americans ( not to mention Iranians ) since it came into power in 1979 .
But Fearnow cites the Iranian dictator , Ayatollah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that `` 'Death to America ' means death to Trump , ( National Security Adviser ) John Bolton , and ( Secretary of State Mike ) Pompeo , '' as if it were credible .
Meanwhile , multiple left-wing sites have picked up Fearnow 's and Newsweek 's lie that I ridiculed Anne Frank .
If Newsweek has any honor , it will remove Fearnow 's article and apologize to me .
But neither is likely .
As I wrote 30 years ago , `` Being on the left means never having to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time someone challenges you for using the term `` fake news '' to describe mainstream media , just cite Newsweek and Fearnow .

If decent people working in mainstream American media want to know why many Americans do not trust them and are willing to use the term "fake news" to describe the mainstream media, I offer one of the most glaring examples of a lie in my lifetime.
Last week, Newsweek headlined the following: "Conservative Radio Host Ridicules Anne Frank: 'I Don't Get My Wisdom From Teenagers.'"
Now, imagine how that must have struck any reader not familiar with the "conservative radio host" or with what he actually said. "Ridicule Anne Frank" – what kind of terrible human being would do that?
Well, it turns out the "conservative radio host" was me. Yes, me – a religious Jew who has devoted much of his life to the welfare of the Jewish people, served on the board of the U.S. Holocaust Museum, made the most widely viewed pro-Israel video in the world, written a book on anti-Semitism that is in its third printing, and founded a synagogue and a Jewish day school.
To understand how terrible a lie this is, you need to know what happened: Every week I do a video podcast for PragerU called "The Fireside Chat." In it, I offer thoughts on life and then take questions from around the world (we have received questions from 52 countries). A few weeks ago, I received the following question from Sam in Meridian, Idaho: "On your most recent Fireside Chat, you said that people are not basically good. We've heard you discuss this topic before. Anne Frank is quoted as saying, 'Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.' How do you respond to her quote?"
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Here is my response (this is a word-for-word transcription, except for the words in parentheses added for clarity): "She wrote that in her diary, the most famous Holocaust document. (She was) a teenage girl, a Dutch Jewish girl, who hid with her family until they were betrayed by someone to the Nazis, who then shipped them to death camps. And she died, murdered by the Nazis in the death camps. She was about 16 years old, maybe 15. Her diary is very famous. It gives a face to the horror of the Holocaust.
"I know she wrote that, and my answer is it doesn't matter that she wrote it. I don't get my wisdom from teenagers. That she was a wonderful young woman and wrote an unbelievably powerful document that will last forever is beside the point. I don't expect 16-year-olds, unless they grew up in a religious Jewish or Christian home (where it is taught as basic religious doctrine that people are not born basically good). She was a secular Jew. Most kids believe that (people are basically good). But it is not true. So, it has never been an issue for me – 'Well, you disagree with Anne Frank.' So what?
"And, by the way, to be very serious for a moment, I would be very curious – I've thought about this a lot – if I were to be able to visit Anne Frank while in a concentration camp, would she have still believed that? We don't know."
Only someone who deliberately seeks to smear someone would claim that what I said ridicules Anne Frank.
The person who wrote this is Benjamin Fearnow, a deputy editor at Newsweek, who previously worked for the left-wing site Mediaite.
When I looked up Fearnow, I came across this December 2018 tweet from talk-show host Mark Levin: "Newsweek's Benjamin Fearnow is a very, very sick person."
And Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, one of the most revered Jewish scholars in America – author of such Jewish classics as "Jewish Literacy" and "Biblical Literacy" – called me to say that Fearnow's article saying I ridiculed Anne Frank is "the most despicable lie I recall reading in a mainstream news source."
Yesterday, Newsweek published Fearnow's column headlined, "Top Iranian Presidential Adviser Says Tehran's 'Sole Problem Is Trump,' Not Average American People."
Apparently, Fearnow has chosen to serve as a useful idiot for the Iranian regime, which hates America, not only Trump. (Does Fearnow believe that the Iranian chant "death to Israel" only means "death to Netanyahu"?) The Iranian regime has gathered millions of Iranians to chant "death to America" since long before it ever heard of Donald Trump. It has been wishing death on us and killing Americans (not to mention Iranians) since it came into power in 1979. But Fearnow cites the Iranian dictator, Ayatollah Khamenei, as having said last February that "'Death to America' means death to Trump, (National Security Adviser) John Bolton, and (Secretary of State Mike) Pompeo," as if it were credible.
Meanwhile, multiple left-wing sites have picked up Fearnow's and Newsweek's lie that I ridiculed Anne Frank.
If Newsweek has any honor, it will remove Fearnow's article and apologize to me.
But neither is likely. As I wrote 30 years ago, "Being on the left means never having to say you're sorry."
Next time someone challenges you for using the term "fake news" to describe mainstream media, just cite Newsweek and Fearnow.


wnd--2020-01-07--Family devastated after father and age 9 daughter killed when mistaken for deer while hunting

A South Carolina family is devastated after a tragic hunting accident left 30-year-old father Kim Daniel Drawdy and his 9-year-old daughter Lauren Drawdy dead .
The father and daughter had been part of a hunting party on New Year 's Day in Colleton County when the accident happened , WCSC reported .
The Drawdys and two other hunters had been engaged in a process called deer driving , an attempt to move deer to a desired hunting location , on the final day of South Carolina 's deer hunting season .
According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after being mistaken for deer and died from injuries consistent with a gunshot wound .
The SCDNR announced it is investigating the incident and has not commented on who killed the pair or how they were mistaken for deer .
Kim Drawdy , one of 12 siblings , was described in his obituary as a `` devoted father and son '' who had a deep passion for the outdoors .
Lauren , a fourth-grade student at Cottageville Elementary School , shared her father 's love of the outdoors .
`` Lauren truly loved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fishing , and riding four wheelers and her dirt bike .
She was so proud of harvesting her first deer in late October , '' her obituary read .
Kim Drawdy 's brother , Benny Drawdy , told WCSC that the family is having a difficult time accepting what has happened .
“ I was devastated , '' Benny Drawdy said .
`` I couldn ’ t believe it when I first got the news .
I said , 'It couldn ’ t be . '
It broke my heart and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twin brother and now there ’ s only one left.
” “ Of all days , ringing in the new year , something like this happens , ” he said .
Lauren Drawdy is survived by her mother , Mary Katina Bowers , step-father Jordan Brovon , and her sister Kylie Drawdy in addition to extended family and classmates .
A fundraiser has been set up to cover funeral expenses for the pair as the family prepares to bury their loved ones on Thursday .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal @

A South Carolina family is devastated after a tragic hunting accident left 30-year-old father Kim Daniel Drawdy and his 9-year-old daughter Lauren Drawdy dead.
The father and daughter had been part of a hunting party on New Year's Day in Colleton County when the accident happened, WCSC reported.
The Drawdys and two other hunters had been engaged in a process called deer driving, an attempt to move deer to a desired hunting location, on the final day of South Carolina's deer hunting season.
According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the father and daughter were shot after being mistaken for deer and died from injuries consistent with a gunshot wound.
NEWS RELEASE: Four hunters were attempting to move deer, also known as driving deer, near Barracada Road in Walterboro when two hunters were shot after being mistaken for a deer. Those two hunters succumbed to their injuries. SCDNR continues to investigate this incident. — S.C. Dept. of Natural Resources (@SCDNR) January 2, 2020
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The SCDNR announced it is investigating the incident and has not commented on who killed the pair or how they were mistaken for deer.
Kim Drawdy, one of 12 siblings, was described in his obituary as a "devoted father and son" who had a deep passion for the outdoors.
Lauren, a fourth-grade student at Cottageville Elementary School, shared her father's love of the outdoors.
"Lauren truly loved spending time outdoors with her father hunting and fishing, and riding four wheelers and her dirt bike. She was so proud of harvesting her first deer in late October," her obituary read.
Kim Drawdy's brother, Benny Drawdy, told WCSC that the family is having a difficult time accepting what has happened.
“I was devastated," Benny Drawdy said. "I couldn’t believe it when I first got the news. I said, 'It couldn’t be.' It broke my heart and I couldn’t believe it, a twin brother and now there’s only one left.”
“Of all days, ringing in the new year, something like this happens,” he said.
Lauren Drawdy is survived by her mother, Mary Katina Bowers, step-father Jordan Brovon, and her sister Kylie Drawdy in addition to extended family and classmates.
A fundraiser has been set up to cover funeral expenses for the pair as the family prepares to bury their loved ones on Thursday.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-01-07--Music superstar Meat Loaf: Greta Thunberg has been brainwashed

Rock star Meat Loaf pities climate change activist Greta Thunberg because of her delusion , according to a new interview .
`` I feel for that Greta .
She has been brainwashed into thinking that there is climate change and there is n't , '' he during an interview with the Daily Mail in which he declared himself a `` sex god . ''
`` She has n't done anything wrong but she 's been forced into thinking that what she is saying is true , '' the 72-year-old singer said .
The comments roiled the waters of Twitter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of person who celebrates birthdays , ” she said , according to Reuters , having spent seven hours in a protest outside the Swedish parliament as part of her Friday School Strike for the Climate campaign .
“ I stand here striking from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. as usual ... then I ’ ll go home , ” Thunberg said .
“ I won ’ t have a birthday cake but we ’ ll have a dinner.
” Svante Thunberg , Greta 's father , recently told the BBC he was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter wanted to skip school to stage climate change protests .
But , he said , Greta had been struggling with depression for three to four years before her activism took hold .
`` She stopped talking ... she stopped going to school , '' he said , adding that he embraced her climate change agenda not so much for the sake of science but for his daughter .
Thunberg said Greta is now `` very happy '' as a result of her activism .
`` You think she 's not ordinary now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's very famous , and all these things .
But to me she 's now an ordinary child -- she can do all the things like other people can , '' he said .
`` She dances around , she laughs a lot , we have a lot of fun -- and she 's in a very good place . ''
But he added that his daughter handles criticism `` incredibly well . ''
`` Quite frankly , I do n't know how she does it , but she laughs most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' her father said .
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Rock star Meat Loaf pities climate change activist Greta Thunberg because of her delusion, according to a new interview.
"I feel for that Greta. She has been brainwashed into thinking that there is climate change and there isn't," he during an interview with the Daily Mail in which he declared himself a "sex god."
"She hasn't done anything wrong but she's been forced into thinking that what she is saying is true," the 72-year-old singer said.
The comments roiled the waters of Twitter.
How would Meatloaf feel if someone publicly called out HIS daughters, Olive and Onion?https://t.co/EpWsuBxmnC — Danny Zuker (@DannyZuker) January 4, 2020
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
#Meatloaf...he's says the Greta is "Brainwashed?" the only "Brainwashing" is for people not to realize that every single Meatloaf song sounds the same...way to milk a career,bro... pic.twitter.com/E73snCfOcN — John Godish (@john_godish) January 4, 2020
I'll take the word of @GretaThunberg over Meat Loaf any day.
Hell, I trust ACTUAL meatloaf more than Meat Loaf. (I was actually shocked to find out he's still alive.) https://t.co/srfkUSoh7P — Scruffy Nerf Herder (@CTCullensArt) January 4, 2020
Rock legend Meatloaf just got 100X cooler. He says Climate Change isn't real and poor little Greta is brainwashed. https://t.co/PoXvBzmo0d — Wayne Dupree 🎙🎥 (@WayneDupreeShow) January 5, 2020
Thunberg turned 17 on Friday.
“I’m not the kind of person who celebrates birthdays,” she said, according to Reuters, having spent seven hours in a protest outside the Swedish parliament as part of her Friday School Strike for the Climate campaign.
Thank you so much for all the birthday wishes today!!❤ pic.twitter.com/ydnoUZ6E8H — Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) January 3, 2020
“I stand here striking from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. as usual ... then I’ll go home,” Thunberg said. “I won’t have a birthday cake but we’ll have a dinner.”
Svante Thunberg, Greta's father, recently told the BBC he was "not supportive" at first when his daughter wanted to skip school to stage climate change protests.
But, he said, Greta had been struggling with depression for three to four years before her activism took hold.
"She stopped talking ... she stopped going to school," he said, adding that he embraced her climate change agenda not so much for the sake of science but for his daughter.
Thunberg said Greta is now "very happy" as a result of her activism.
"You think she's not ordinary now because she's special, and she's very famous, and all these things. But to me she's now an ordinary child -- she can do all the things like other people can," he said. "She dances around, she laughs a lot, we have a lot of fun -- and she's in a very good place."
But he added that his daughter handles criticism "incredibly well."
"Quite frankly, I don't know how she does it, but she laughs most of the time. She finds it hilarious," her father said.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-01-07--Hypocritical Dems trash Trump but are fine with Obama's 2,800 strikes Congress didn't approve

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her fellow Democratic leaders are decrying President Donald Trump 's use of force against Iranian Quds force commander Qassem Soleimani without congressional authorization but allowed former President Barack Obama free rein to carry out military operations .
Obama oversaw military actions in both Syria and Libya for months without seeking the approval of Congress .
The Washington Times reported in April 2015 that U.S. strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq surpassed 2,800 by that point in the conflict .
`` The U.S. military has been conducting strikes in Iraq for 10 months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Syria last September as part of Mr. Obama ’ s announced campaign to degrade the capabilities of the Islamic State , '' according to The Times .
By mid-April 2015 , the U.S. had carried out 1,458 strikes in Iraq and 1,343 in Syria .
Obama pointed to his powers as commander in chief , as well as the September 2001 `` Authorization for Use of Military Force '' resolution passed by Congress , which recognizes , `` the President has authority under the Constitution to take action to deter and prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States . ''
The Obama administration also relied on the 2002 AUMF resolution calling for the removal of Saddam Hussein as leader of Iraq .
The Times reported that Obama continued his military campaign in Iraq and Syria , even after a new authorization for the use of force against the Islamic State was introduced , but had not been passed by Congress .
While ISIS was certainly a purveyor of terrorism , some of which was directed at the U.S. , such was not the case when Obama decided to commit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Libyan leader Colonel Moammar Gadhafi in 2011 .
The Washington Post reported in June 2011 , nearly three months into the air campaign , that the Obama administration had yet to seek congressional approval .
The president did not comply with the 1973 War Powers Resolution , otherwise known as the War Powers Act , by either obtaining congressional authorization for the military action or pulling U.S. forces out of the conflict within 60 days of committing them .
Hillary Clinton , who was secretary of state during the operation , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` We came , we saw , he died , '' mimicking Roman Emperor Julius Caesar 's famous line , `` veni , vidi , vici . ''
That was then ; this is now .
Suddenly with one voice Democrats are concerned that Trump overstepped his authority as commander in chief by green-lighting the killing of Soleimani in Baghdad , just days after our embassy was attacked and Americans were killed and injured by Iranian backed forces .
In a letter to her Democratic colleagues on Sunday , Pelosi wrote that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a war powers resolution `` mandating that if no further Congressional action is taken , the Administration ’ s military hostilities with regard to Iran cease within 30 days . ''
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer charged on Friday that Trump has no authority for a war with Iran .
Meanwhile , Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin and Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia have introduced a war powers resolution seeking to block further acts by Trump directed at Iran .
`` The resolution requires that any hostilities with Iran must be explicitly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specific authorization for use of military force , but does not prevent the United States from defending itself from imminent attack , '' Durbin and Kaine said in a joint news release on Friday .
The Associated Press reported that Trump met “ the 48-hour deadline required by the War Powers Act to notify Congress ” via a Saturday communication , following Friday 's deadly drone strike on Soleimani , but neither Pelosi nor Schumer was satisfied .
Pelosi responded to Trump ’ s notification in a news release on Saturday , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notification delivered to Congress raises more questions than it answers.
” “ This document prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing , manner and justification of the Administration ’ s decision to engage in hostilities against Iran , ” she continued .
“ The highly unusual decision to classify this document in its entirety compounds our many concerns , and suggests that the Congress and the American people are being left in the dark about our national security.
” In a Sunday letter to Trump , Schumer called for the immediate declassification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regarding the Soleimani strike .
All the messaging appears aimed at trying to cast doubt in the minds of the American public that Trump made the right decision to kill the man responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans and thousands of others .
After all , if Trump is a good commander in chief , protecting Americans , why in the world would the Democrats be pushing forward a purely partisan impeachment , in which they do not allege he engaged in any sort of criminal conduct ?
As I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s decisive response to last week 's attack on the United States embassy in Baghdad has been to once again highlight what competent leadership looks like , particularly when compared to the actions of the Obama administration .
Unlike at the Benghazi , Libya , consulate attack in 2012 , the call for U.S. military help was answered in a timely fashion .
The result was no dead Americans .
Further , the Trump administration was clear about who was responsible for the attack — Iran — and what the consequences would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tragic result of the Obama administration ’ s incompetence in Benghazi was the deaths of four Americans , including U.S .
Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens .
Everything that Pelosi , Schumer and their cohort say and do should be viewed through the lens of their one and only objective : to remove Trump from office , whether by impeachment or in November 's election .
Trump made the right call to take out Soleimani , and the Democrats likely know it 's true , but their hypocrisy in the pursuit of political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared originally on The Western Journal .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her fellow Democratic leaders are decrying President Donald Trump's use of force against Iranian Quds force commander Qassem Soleimani without congressional authorization but allowed former President Barack Obama free rein to carry out military operations.
Obama oversaw military actions in both Syria and Libya for months without seeking the approval of Congress.
The Washington Times reported in April 2015 that U.S. strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq surpassed 2,800 by that point in the conflict.
"The U.S. military has been conducting strikes in Iraq for 10 months, and began striking directly at targets in Syria last September as part of Mr. Obama’s announced campaign to degrade the capabilities of the Islamic State," according to The Times.
By mid-April 2015, the U.S. had carried out 1,458 strikes in Iraq and 1,343 in Syria.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Obama pointed to his powers as commander in chief, as well as the September 2001 "Authorization for Use of Military Force" resolution passed by Congress, which recognizes, "the President has authority under the Constitution to take action to deter and prevent acts of international terrorism against the United States."
The Obama administration also relied on the 2002 AUMF resolution calling for the removal of Saddam Hussein as leader of Iraq.
The Times reported that Obama continued his military campaign in Iraq and Syria, even after a new authorization for the use of force against the Islamic State was introduced, but had not been passed by Congress.
While ISIS was certainly a purveyor of terrorism, some of which was directed at the U.S., such was not the case when Obama decided to commit the American military to assist in the toppling of Libyan leader Colonel Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.
The Washington Post reported in June 2011, nearly three months into the air campaign, that the Obama administration had yet to seek congressional approval.
The president did not comply with the 1973 War Powers Resolution, otherwise known as the War Powers Act, by either obtaining congressional authorization for the military action or pulling U.S. forces out of the conflict within 60 days of committing them.
Hillary Clinton, who was secretary of state during the operation, said in October 2011 regarding Gaddafi's overthrow, "We came, we saw, he died," mimicking Roman Emperor Julius Caesar's famous line, "veni, vidi, vici."
That was then; this is now.
Suddenly with one voice Democrats are concerned that Trump overstepped his authority as commander in chief by green-lighting the killing of Soleimani in Baghdad, just days after our embassy was attacked and Americans were killed and injured by Iranian backed forces.
In a letter to her Democratic colleagues on Sunday, Pelosi wrote that this week that the House will introduce a war powers resolution "mandating that if no further Congressional action is taken, the Administration’s military hostilities with regard to Iran cease within 30 days."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer charged on Friday that Trump has no authority for a war with Iran.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin and Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia have introduced a war powers resolution seeking to block further acts by Trump directed at Iran.
"The resolution requires that any hostilities with Iran must be explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force, but does not prevent the United States from defending itself from imminent attack," Durbin and Kaine said in a joint news release on Friday.
The Associated Press reported that Trump met “the 48-hour deadline required by the War Powers Act to notify Congress” via a Saturday communication, following Friday's deadly drone strike on Soleimani, but neither Pelosi nor Schumer was satisfied.
Pelosi responded to Trump’s notification in a news release on Saturday, saying, “This classified War Powers Act notification delivered to Congress raises more questions than it answers.”
“This document prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing, manner and justification of the Administration’s decision to engage in hostilities against Iran,” she continued. “The highly unusual decision to classify this document in its entirety compounds our many concerns, and suggests that the Congress and the American people are being left in the dark about our national security.”
In a Sunday letter to Trump, Schumer called for the immediate declassification of the notice president sent to Congress regarding the Soleimani strike.
All the messaging appears aimed at trying to cast doubt in the minds of the American public that Trump made the right decision to kill the man responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans and thousands of others.
After all, if Trump is a good commander in chief, protecting Americans, why in the world would the Democrats be pushing forward a purely partisan impeachment, in which they do not allege he engaged in any sort of criminal conduct?
As I have previously argued, one result of Trump’s decisive response to last week's attack on the United States embassy in Baghdad has been to once again highlight what competent leadership looks like, particularly when compared to the actions of the Obama administration.
Unlike at the Benghazi, Libya, consulate attack in 2012, the call for U.S. military help was answered in a timely fashion. The result was no dead Americans. Further, the Trump administration was clear about who was responsible for the attack — Iran — and what the consequences would be if the aggression persisted.
The tragic result of the Obama administration’s incompetence in Benghazi was the deaths of four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens.
Everything that Pelosi, Schumer and their cohort say and do should be viewed through the lens of their one and only objective: to remove Trump from office, whether by impeachment or in November's election.
Trump made the right call to take out Soleimani, and the Democrats likely know it's true, but their hypocrisy in the pursuit of political gain knows no bounds.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-01-07--Watch Venezuela's dramatic 'democratic socialist' collapse

An animated chart by economist Mark Perry illustrates the dramatic decline in Venezuela 's once oil-rich economy under the `` democratic socialist '' revolution initiated by the late Hugo Chavez and continued under his right-hand man , Nicholas Maduro .
Perry points out in a blog post https : //issuesinsights.com/2019/12/23/watch-venezuelas-dramatic-economic-plunge-under-democratic-socialism/ '' > highlighted by Issues & Insights that Venezuela consistently ranked in the top tier among Latin American countries in the 1980s and was No .
4 when Chavez took office in 1999 .
It rose to No .
2 during Chavez 's early years .
But it 's now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,548 , Venezuela ’ s per-capital GDP is about a third of South America 's average of $ 7,866 .
Perry , on his Carpe Diem blog , wrote that the `` initial , temporary success of democratic socialism in Venezuela that was predictably followed by the precipitous economic decline illustrated in the visualization above provides a cautionary tale for those today in America who are attracted to the socialism being repackaged as 'democratic socialism ' and peddled by Bernie Sanders and AOC . ''
Issues & Insights pointed to a recent Gallup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socialism is `` a good thing . ''
That 's up from 57 % a year ago , which was the first time more than half of Democrats embraced socialism .
Half of Democrats now say that government should be `` primarily responsible '' for the overall economy , according to Gallup .
Seventy percent say it should be primarily responsible for health care .
Nearly two–thirds want higher education to be primarily the responsibility of the government .
And most favor nationalizing the health insurance industry , which would effectively nationalize health @ @ @

An animated chart by economist Mark Perry illustrates the dramatic decline in Venezuela's once oil-rich economy under the "democratic socialist" revolution initiated by the late Hugo Chavez and continued under his right-hand man, Nicholas Maduro.
Perry points out in a blog post https://issuesinsights.com/2019/12/23/watch-venezuelas-dramatic-economic-plunge-under-democratic-socialism/">highlighted by Issues & Insights that Venezuela consistently ranked in the top tier among Latin American countries in the 1980s and was No. 4 when Chavez took office in 1999.
It rose to No. 2 during Chavez's early years.
But it's now at the very bottom. At $2,548, Venezuela’s per-capital GDP is about a third of South America's average of $7,866.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Perry, on his Carpe Diem blog, wrote that the "initial, temporary success of democratic socialism in Venezuela that was predictably followed by the precipitous economic decline illustrated in the visualization above provides a cautionary tale for those today in America who are attracted to the socialism being repackaged as 'democratic socialism' and peddled by Bernie Sanders and AOC."
Issues & Insights pointed to a recent Gallup poll finding 70% of Democrats say socialism is "a good thing."
That's up from 57% a year ago, which was the first time more than half of Democrats embraced socialism.
Half of Democrats now say that government should be "primarily responsible" for the overall economy, according to Gallup.
Seventy percent say it should be primarily responsible for health care. Nearly two–thirds want higher education to be primarily the responsibility of the government.
And most favor nationalizing the health insurance industry, which would effectively nationalize health care itself.


wnd--2020-01-07--Iran activist: Don't believe U.S. media coverage of Soleimani 'mourners'

An exiled Iranian activist and journalist is warning Americans watching media coverage of the reaction of the Iranian people to the death of Gen. Qassem Soleimani : `` Do n't take what you 're seeing at face value . ''
`` Without doubt , Soleimani had support among hard-liners and regime loyalists , '' wrote Masih Alinejad in a op-ed for the Washington Post .
But she pointed to reports of the government forcing people to turn out to mourn Soleimani .
And last November , `` thousands of Iranians took to the streets across the country to protest against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the clerical rule in 40 years . ''
`` Many of the mothers of those killed in 2009 , in 2017 and in 2019 are rejoicing about Soleimani 's death , '' she said , referring to major uprisings against the regime .
`` How do I know ?
Because they ’ ve sent me videos of themselves , speaking to the camera , dancing , or even sharing cakes and sweets . ''
Alinejad noted media in the Islamic Republic is heavily controlled .
`` Public gatherings are allowed only if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or shot .
( Even I , living outside the country , have received a death threat on Iranian national TV for my coverage of Soleimani ’ s killing . )
So it 's not hard to use all the tools and resources of the state to stage a funeral procession . ''
'The crowds are massive and emotional' A report Monday from Iran by veteran ABC News reporter Martha Raddatz offered an example of the kind of media coverage that should n't be `` taken at face value . ''
With an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raddatz looked grim as she addressed the `` Good Morning America '' audience .
`` Good morning , Robin , '' she said , referring to host Robin Roberts .
`` I have been in the midst of anti-American protests in Iran before , but nothing like this .
A powerful combination of grief and anger , with shouts of 'Death to America ' echoing in the streets around us . '
'' Over aerial footage of the ceremony for Soliemani , Raddatz said the images `` captured the sea of Iranians packing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man revered by many here . ''
Walking down a crowded street , she said the impact of his death is `` profound . ''
`` The crowds are massive and emotional .
There are many tears here , many signs with Soleimani 's picture on them .
But the message is also very clear : These people want revenge . ''
Raddatz concluded by noting that when she was in the country six months ago , `` some people were critical of their leaders because of the effect of American sanctions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ least , they are united against America . ''
Alinejad pointed out that during the uprising in November , an estimate 1,500 people were killed by security forces , including units of Soleimani 's Revolutionary Guard .
`` The protesters had harsh words for Soleimani and his foreign adventures , chanting against Iran ’ s involvement in Syria and its support of Hezbollah , '' she wrote .
`` That came as a shock to the regime , which portrays Soleimani as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ’ s adopted son . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soleimani was among the Revolutionary Guard leaders who demanded that then-President Mohammad Khatami crush university student demonstrations .
And few Syrians are mourning Soleimani , she said .
`` Current Supreme Leader Khamenei praised Soleimani for his staunch defense of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad , who has killed hundreds of thousands of his own people . ''
Alinejad , who has more than 4 million followers on social media platforms , said she has received thousands of messages , voice mails and videos from Iranians in many cities who are happy about Soleimani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attend services for him , she said .
`` There are many Iranian voices who think Soleimani was a war criminal , but Western journalists rarely reach out to them , '' wrote Alinejad .
`` Ironically , the Western media is more skeptical of such state-organized events in other countries , such as Russia or North Korea , but seems to leave its critical sense at the border when it comes to the Islamic Republic .
`` While it ’ s true that Western correspondents face daunting conditions when it comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that shouldn ’ t excuse the many times they ’ ve shown unwarranted gullibility toward the official version of events . ''
She pointed out that many in Western media had predicted that Iranians would unite in resistance to President Trump 's sanctions .
`` The same analysts who missed November 's protests are now predicting Iranians will rally around the flag , '' she said .
`` This sorely underestimates the anger and resentment over the crackdown , '' she wrote .
`` The authorities forced many families to pay blood money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their loved ones from the morgue .
Some even had to sign official forms waiving the right to hold a public funeral as a condition of getting bodies returned . ''

An exiled Iranian activist and journalist is warning Americans watching media coverage of the reaction of the Iranian people to the death of Gen. Qassem Soleimani: "Don't take what you're seeing at face value."
"Without doubt, Soleimani had support among hard-liners and regime loyalists," wrote Masih Alinejad in a op-ed for the Washington Post.
But she pointed to reports of the government forcing people to turn out to mourn Soleimani. And last November, "thousands of Iranians took to the streets across the country to protest against the regime, in the biggest challenge to the clerical rule in 40 years."
"Many of the mothers of those killed in 2009, in 2017 and in 2019 are rejoicing about Soleimani's death," she said, referring to major uprisings against the regime.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
"How do I know? Because they’ve sent me videos of themselves, speaking to the camera, dancing, or even sharing cakes and sweets."
Alinejad noted media in the Islamic Republic is heavily controlled.
"Public gatherings are allowed only if they are pro-regime. Critics are jailed or shot. (Even I, living outside the country, have received a death threat on Iranian national TV for my coverage of Soleimani’s killing.) So it's not hard to use all the tools and resources of the state to stage a funeral procession."
'The crowds are massive and emotional'
A report Monday from Iran by veteran ABC News reporter Martha Raddatz offered an example of the kind of media coverage that shouldn't be "taken at face value."
With an Islamic hijab covering her blonde locks, Raddatz looked grim as she addressed the "Good Morning America" audience.
"Good morning, Robin," she said, referring to host Robin Roberts. "I have been in the midst of anti-American protests in Iran before, but nothing like this. A powerful combination of grief and anger, with shouts of 'Death to America' echoing in the streets around us.'"
Over aerial footage of the ceremony for Soliemani, Raddatz said the images "captured the sea of Iranians packing the streets to pay tribute to a man revered by many here."
Walking down a crowded street, she said the impact of his death is "profound."
"The crowds are massive and emotional. There are many tears here, many signs with Soleimani's picture on them. But the message is also very clear: These people want revenge."
Raddatz concluded by noting that when she was in the country six months ago, "some people were critical of their leaders because of the effect of American sanctions. But today, for now, at least, they are united against America."
"A powerful combination of grief and anger, with shouts of 'death to America' echoing through the streets around us." https://t.co/Ho2Tizj1C6@MarthaRaddatz reports live from Iran. pic.twitter.com/kFrcKycwSg — Good Morning America (@GMA) January 6, 2020
'A shock to the regime'
Alinejad pointed out that during the uprising in November, an estimate 1,500 people were killed by security forces, including units of Soleimani's Revolutionary Guard.
"The protesters had harsh words for Soleimani and his foreign adventures, chanting against Iran’s involvement in Syria and its support of Hezbollah," she wrote. "That came as a shock to the regime, which portrays Soleimani as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s adopted son."
She pointed out that in 1999, Soleimani was among the Revolutionary Guard leaders who demanded that then-President Mohammad Khatami crush university student demonstrations.
And few Syrians are mourning Soleimani, she said.
"Current Supreme Leader Khamenei praised Soleimani for his staunch defense of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, who has killed hundreds of thousands of his own people."
Alinejad, who has more than 4 million followers on social media platforms, said she has received thousands of messages, voice mails and videos from Iranians in many cities who are happy about Soleimani's death.
Some complain of pressure to attend services for him, she said.
"There are many Iranian voices who think Soleimani was a war criminal, but Western journalists rarely reach out to them," wrote Alinejad.
"Ironically, the Western media is more skeptical of such state-organized events in other countries, such as Russia or North Korea, but seems to leave its critical sense at the border when it comes to the Islamic Republic.
"While it’s true that Western correspondents face daunting conditions when it comes to reporting the truth from Iran, that shouldn’t excuse the many times they’ve shown unwarranted gullibility toward the official version of events."
She pointed out that many in Western media had predicted that Iranians would unite in resistance to President Trump's sanctions.
"The same analysts who missed November's protests are now predicting Iranians will rally around the flag," she said.
"This sorely underestimates the anger and resentment over the crackdown," she wrote. "The authorities forced many families to pay blood money in order to receive the body of their loved ones from the morgue. Some even had to sign official forms waiving the right to hold a public funeral as a condition of getting bodies returned."


wnd--2020-01-08--Iran launches 'more than a dozen' missiles into Iraq targeting U.S.

( FOX NEWS ) -- Iran fired `` more than a dozen ballistic missiles '' into Iraq , targeting U.S. @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , Pentagon officials said .
The missiles targeted military bases in Al-Assad and Irbil @ @ @ @ @ There was no immediate word on injuries or damage .

(FOX NEWS) -- Iran fired "more than a dozen ballistic missiles" into Iraq, targeting U.S. military and coalition forces early Wednesday, Pentagon officials said.
The missiles targeted military bases in Al-Assad and Irbil, the Pentagon added.
There was no immediate word on injuries or damage.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-01-08--Abortion workers are leaving their jobs … by the hundreds

In 2008 , Abby Johnson , the manager of the Bryan , Texas , ( 100 miles from Houston ) Planned Parenthood , became that organization 's Employee of the Year .
By 2009 , she quit for conscience 's sake .
Why ?
That year , for the first time , she saw an ultrasound of an abortion of a 13-week old unborn child in her own clinic .
This was not a blob of tissue , a clump of cells , a non-living being .
This was a baby that was fighting for his life .
Although Abby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and thought that she was helping women through her work , seeing that baby fighting for his life caused the scales to fall from her eyes .
Abby says that after she saw that ultrasound , `` I knew that I had been part of a lie .
I had been a part of a corrupt system , a corrupt organization , that really preyed upon women in their vulnerable states , and I knew that I needed to leave . ''
She has now written a book ( with Cindy Lambert ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( `` God 's Not Dead '' ) has now turned that book into an excellent movie .
Abby Johnson has also started an outreach , And Then There Were None ( ATTWN ) , to help abortion workers leave the field .
I have interviewed Abby before and have previously written about her story .
But here is an update about ATTWN , since I recently interviewed for Christian television two of her assistants at ATTWN .
One of them is Meagan Weber , who told me , `` [ Abby ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would pick it up as a skeptic and see the truth , and see themselves through her words , and within three months of her book 's release in 2011 , she had 17 abortion workers contact her for help . ''
In effect , Abby and those 17 workers became the beginning of her work to help transition abortion clinic workers out of the field .
Her reasoning is simple .
She says on her ATTWN website , abortionworker.com , `` We always say that nobody grows up wanting to work in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vision statement for 'And then there were none ' is 'No abortion clinic workers , no abortion clinics , no abortions ' – it starts with the workers .
We see ourselves as being part of a pro-love movement .
That we want to love these workers out of the clinics .
We want to love them to a path of healing , and we want to love them back into a relationship with Jesus Christ . ''
As an abortion worker , Abby Johnson had thought that what she was doing at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she learned the hard way that the real bottom line of Planned Parenthood was its bottom line .
Weber , who serves as Abby Johnson 's assistant , told me , `` They asked her to increase the number of abortions at her facility by half , and so she said , 'Do n't we tell the media that we want to reduce the number of abortions to make them safe , legal , and rare ? '
And her supervisor laughed and said , 'Well , Abbey , how do you think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she really was blindsided by that . ''
Weber also says , `` Leaving your job in the abortion industry is not like leaving your job in a fast food outlet .
It has the same high turnover rate , but you do n't just leave your job , you leave your friends , you leave your ideology … you go from one day championing women 's rights and abortion rights to the next day having to humble yourself and say , ' I was wrong .
I was part of a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come to terms with that .
So there is a lot of emotional trauma , and there is abandonment . ''
I also have spoken with Laura Ricketts of ATTWN for Christian television .
She observed , `` As we walk through the process of healing them , as we meet their practical needs with financial assistance , with resume writing , with jobs search help , as we help them pay their bills , get back on their feet , once their practical needs are met , they are ready to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' So far the organization has been able to help hundreds of clinic workers get out of the abortion field .
Meagan states , `` And so here we are seven years later , and we 've helped 550 workers and seven full-time doctors . ''
The movie alone helped cause about a hundred abortion clinic workers to respond , to consider coming out .
Ricketts told me , `` I think one of the most exciting things about the movie is the impact it had across the country and now across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion clinic workers leaving their jobs . ''
Abby Johnson says , `` My story is really an exposé .
It 's pulling back the curtain into an industry that has been normalized .
Abortion has been so incredibly normalized in our society , and it 's anything but normal . ''

In 2008, Abby Johnson, the manager of the Bryan, Texas, (100 miles from Houston) Planned Parenthood, became that organization's Employee of the Year.
By 2009, she quit for conscience's sake. Why?
That year, for the first time, she saw an ultrasound of an abortion of a 13-week old unborn child in her own clinic. This was not a blob of tissue, a clump of cells, a non-living being. This was a baby that was fighting for his life.
Although Abby Johnson was a good salesman of abortions and thought that she was helping women through her work, seeing that baby fighting for his life caused the scales to fall from her eyes.
Abby says that after she saw that ultrasound, "I knew that I had been part of a lie. I had been a part of a corrupt system, a corrupt organization, that really preyed upon women in their vulnerable states, and I knew that I needed to leave."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
She has now written a book (with Cindy Lambert) called "Unplanned," and PureFlix ("God's Not Dead") has now turned that book into an excellent movie.
Abby Johnson has also started an outreach, And Then There Were None (ATTWN), to help abortion workers leave the field. I have interviewed Abby before and have previously written about her story. But here is an update about ATTWN, since I recently interviewed for Christian television two of her assistants at ATTWN.
One of them is Meagan Weber, who told me, "[Abby] wrote her book hoping that a worker would pick it up as a skeptic and see the truth, and see themselves through her words, and within three months of her book's release in 2011, she had 17 abortion workers contact her for help."
In effect, Abby and those 17 workers became the beginning of her work to help transition abortion clinic workers out of the field. Her reasoning is simple. She says on her ATTWN website, abortionworker.com, "We always say that nobody grows up wanting to work in the abortion industry. Nobody. Our vision statement for 'And then there were none' is 'No abortion clinic workers, no abortion clinics, no abortions' – it starts with the workers. We see ourselves as being part of a pro-love movement. That we want to love these workers out of the clinics. We want to love them to a path of healing, and we want to love them back into a relationship with Jesus Christ."
As an abortion worker, Abby Johnson had thought that what she was doing at Planned Parenthood was helping women. But she learned the hard way that the real bottom line of Planned Parenthood was its bottom line.
Weber, who serves as Abby Johnson's assistant, told me, "They asked her to increase the number of abortions at her facility by half, and so she said, 'Don't we tell the media that we want to reduce the number of abortions to make them safe, legal, and rare?' And her supervisor laughed and said, 'Well, Abbey, how do you think we make our money?' And she really was blindsided by that."
Weber also says, "Leaving your job in the abortion industry is not like leaving your job in a fast food outlet. It has the same high turnover rate, but you don't just leave your job, you leave your friends, you leave your ideology … you go from one day championing women's rights and abortion rights to the next day having to humble yourself and say, 'I was wrong. I was part of a very evil system,' and they have to come to terms with that. So there is a lot of emotional trauma, and there is abandonment."
I also have spoken with Laura Ricketts of ATTWN for Christian television. She observed, "As we walk through the process of healing them, as we meet their practical needs with financial assistance, with resume writing, with jobs search help, as we help them pay their bills, get back on their feet, once their practical needs are met, they are ready to meet their emotion and spiritual needs."
So far the organization has been able to help hundreds of clinic workers get out of the abortion field. Meagan states, "And so here we are seven years later, and we've helped 550 workers and seven full-time doctors."
The movie alone helped cause about a hundred abortion clinic workers to respond, to consider coming out. Ricketts told me, "I think one of the most exciting things about the movie is the impact it had across the country and now across the world. We saw hearts changed, abortion clinic workers leaving their jobs."
Abby Johnson says, "My story is really an exposé. It's pulling back the curtain into an industry that has been normalized. Abortion has been so incredibly normalized in our society, and it's anything but normal."


wnd--2020-01-08--The ongoing absurdity of the trans movement

Note : Dr. Orient is a member of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons , AAPS .
Children who grow up on a farm learn the `` facts of life '' at an early age , such as the observation in an old song : `` They 're laying eggs now/ Just like they used ter/ Ever since that rooster/ Came into our yard . ''
All species that propagate by sexual reproduction have two sexes , and every new organism arises from one male and one female gamete .
Except in the rare hermaphroditic species , every organism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one female , permitting the wonderful variety that exists in the natural world .
One can debate endlessly about the role of nature or nurture in molding a person – or animal – but sex is 100 percent nature .
It is not `` assigned . ''
It is recognized at birth , or on a prenatal ultrasound – or hundreds of years later in a skeleton .
If there is ambiguity , it is a medical emergency .
The newborn needs to be seen immediately by a pediatric endocrinologist because he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ differentiation begins long before any visible differences – the Y chromosome affects every cell in the body .
Skilled persons can sex chicks soon after they hatch .
Gender is a subjective concept these days .
If there are not two , how many are there ?
Three , 50 , 83 , hundreds ?
New ones keep getting named .
Doctors are being told to be hyper-aware so as to treat each patient appropriately , as defined by the person 's self-identity .
How about , instead of trying to stuff people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone as an individual ?
There is some yang in every yin , and some yin in every yang , but the yin and the yang exist and are not the same .
There is not a womb in a trans-woman , but there is in a trans-man who has not had it removed .
We do patients a terrible disservice by pretending to treat organs that are n't there , or by ignoring organs that are .
Roosters are different , as I learned visiting a farm , where I was attacked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been pecked to death , save for the timely intervention of an 8-year-old boy who thought boys were supposed to protect girls .
( I will be his friend for life . )
This brings us to the reason for wanting to sex chicks .
A farmer does n't want to waste money raising a chicken that does n't lay eggs .
You only need a few roosters .
They fight and are disruptive .
Similarly , if you are raising sheep or cattle , you want to be the one who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so you castrate most of the males .
Now , if your goal is to have a compliant society of dependent serfs , you need to geld ( `` detoxify '' ) the males or make them irrelevant .
A father in each family protects his own and works hard so his offspring can thrive .
But strong families can thwart the designs of would-be rulers .
For decades , we have tried using Big Daddy/Big Brother government to look after the flock and herd it in the proper direction .
The results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delinquency , drug abuse and crime .
The stated goals of the growing transgender movement sound noble : Make a troubled minority happy , and do away with patriarchy , discrimination and oppression .
And , by the way , save the Earth from the purported danger of overpopulation ( by humans ) .
This assumes we are smarter than Mother Nature .
If we could turn a lot of boys into girls , or at least non-boys , and shame the rest , there would be fewer roosters .
True , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while they can grow a beard , they can not increase their muscle strength by 40 percent and their lung capacity by 25 percent , nor can they match a genetic male in bone density and body size .
What prevents men from crushing women physically is civilization .
Boys must be trained not to hit girls .
But if a man `` identifies '' as a woman , `` she '' can dominate women in prisons , shelters for abused women and female sports .
The rooster attitude may persist along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off with women in charge ?
Women like Catherine the Great , Elizabeth I , `` Bloody Mary , '' or a modern radical feminist ?
Or how about a bureaucratic technocracy in which your every thought and deed is monitored – as in Orwell 's `` 1984 '' ?
To eliminate Thought Crime under Ingsoc , it was necessary to make people believe the absurd : that two plus two is not equal to four .
It is equally absurd to say that boys can be turned into girls , or vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professionally for asserting that there are two and only two sexes , determined and fixed by biology .
Could we get rid of natural , complementary sex , and strong men , without getting rid of humanity ?

Note: Dr. Orient is a member of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, AAPS.
Children who grow up on a farm learn the "facts of life" at an early age, such as the observation in an old song: "They're laying eggs now/ Just like they used ter/ Ever since that rooster/ Came into our yard."
All species that propagate by sexual reproduction have two sexes, and every new organism arises from one male and one female gamete. Except in the rare hermaphroditic species, every organism has two different parents, one male and one female, permitting the wonderful variety that exists in the natural world.
One can debate endlessly about the role of nature or nurture in molding a person – or animal – but sex is 100 percent nature. It is not "assigned." It is recognized at birth, or on a prenatal ultrasound – or hundreds of years later in a skeleton. If there is ambiguity, it is a medical emergency. The newborn needs to be seen immediately by a pediatric endocrinologist because he might die from adrenal insufficiency.
Sexual differentiation begins long before any visible differences – the Y chromosome affects every cell in the body. Skilled persons can sex chicks soon after they hatch.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Gender is a subjective concept these days. If there are not two, how many are there? Three, 50, 83, hundreds? New ones keep getting named. Doctors are being told to be hyper-aware so as to treat each patient appropriately, as defined by the person's self-identity. How about, instead of trying to stuff people into artificially created gender/racial/ethnic boxes, treating everyone as an individual?
There is some yang in every yin, and some yin in every yang, but the yin and the yang exist and are not the same. There is not a womb in a trans-woman, but there is in a trans-man who has not had it removed. We do patients a terrible disservice by pretending to treat organs that aren't there, or by ignoring organs that are.
Roosters are different, as I learned visiting a farm, where I was attacked by the Bad Rooster. I might have been pecked to death, save for the timely intervention of an 8-year-old boy who thought boys were supposed to protect girls. (I will be his friend for life.)
This brings us to the reason for wanting to sex chicks. A farmer doesn't want to waste money raising a chicken that doesn't lay eggs. You only need a few roosters. They fight and are disruptive. Similarly, if you are raising sheep or cattle, you want to be the one who is in charge of the herd – so you castrate most of the males.
Now, if your goal is to have a compliant society of dependent serfs, you need to geld ("detoxify") the males or make them irrelevant. A father in each family protects his own and works hard so his offspring can thrive. But strong families can thwart the designs of would-be rulers.
For decades, we have tried using Big Daddy/Big Brother government to look after the flock and herd it in the proper direction. The results are terrible: poverty, despair, delinquency, drug abuse and crime.
The stated goals of the growing transgender movement sound noble: Make a troubled minority happy, and do away with patriarchy, discrimination and oppression. And, by the way, save the Earth from the purported danger of overpopulation (by humans). This assumes we are smarter than Mother Nature.
If we could turn a lot of boys into girls, or at least non-boys, and shame the rest, there would be fewer roosters. True, some girls want to become boys, but while they can grow a beard, they cannot increase their muscle strength by 40 percent and their lung capacity by 25 percent, nor can they match a genetic male in bone density and body size. What prevents men from crushing women physically is civilization. Boys must be trained not to hit girls. But if a man "identifies" as a woman, "she" can dominate women in prisons, shelters for abused women and female sports. The rooster attitude may persist along with the strength.
Would we be better off with women in charge? Women like Catherine the Great, Elizabeth I, "Bloody Mary," or a modern radical feminist? Or how about a bureaucratic technocracy in which your every thought and deed is monitored – as in Orwell's "1984"?
To eliminate Thought Crime under Ingsoc, it was necessary to make people believe the absurd: that two plus two is not equal to four.
It is equally absurd to say that boys can be turned into girls, or vice versa. But people are being punished professionally for asserting that there are two and only two sexes, determined and fixed by biology.
Could we get rid of natural, complementary sex, and strong men, without getting rid of humanity?


wnd--2020-01-08--President Trump's timely move against evil

The muted reaction of leading Democratic politicians to the elimination of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani reinforces my sense of what divides our country and differentiates the two parties .
One part of America still believes that there is good and evil , and one part does n't .
The American left , whose political home is the Democratic Party , lives in a world where good and evil do n't exist .
Everything is about politics including redemption itself .
Only someone who does not believe there is good and evil experiences no joy when evil is defeated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's work was carrying out the will of a despicable regime , is cause for celebration .
As commander of the Quds Force , his hands dripped with the blood of hundreds of Americans , and hundreds of thousands of others throughout the Middle East , particularly in Syria .
According to authoritative reports , the Iranian ideological imperialism extends to managing terrorist forces in Lebanon , Iraq , Afghanistan , Pakistan and Yemen .
And much of their activity focuses on threatening the existence of Israel .
This network of terror has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America .
In 1994 , a bomb was detonated at the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires , Argentina , killing 85 and injuring 300 .
In 2006 , Argentinian special prosecutor Alberto Nisman indicted eight former Iranian officials accused of being responsible for the operation , and the following year , Interpol issued `` red notices '' for the arrest of six of them .
The Wall Street Journal has reported Iranian activities in Venezuela , Bolivia , Nicaragua , Brazil , Peru and Chile .
According to Joseph Humire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secure Free Society in Washington , D.C. , `` Latin America is arguably Iran 's top foreign policy priority outside of the Middle East . ''
The evil Iranian regime is a clear and threatening global danger , and Soleimani was its most powerful general .
How can there not be unreserved joy at his elimination ?
But Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others of their party are not joyful .
As was the case when ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was eliminated , instead of celebrating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No one wants war .
And no one believes that the United States should expend its resources being the world 's policeman .
But refusal to recognize the threat of aggressive evil is irresponsible and dangerous .
In March 1983 , then-President Ronald Reagan addressed the National Association of Evangelicals and delivered the famous address in which he called the Soviet Union `` an evil empire . ''
Reagan unleashed his passion , noting the standing threat from the Soviet communists , arguing for aggressive confrontation .
`` There is sin and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president , `` and we are enjoined by scripture and the Lord Jesus to oppose it with all our might . ''
`` ( I ) f history teaches anything , '' he continued , `` it teaches : Simple-minded appeasement or wishful thinking about our adversaries is folly .
It means the betrayal of our past , the squandering of our freedom . ''
Reagan stood tough , and not many years later , the unthinkable happened .
The Soviet Union collapsed .
Some of the foolishness we are hearing from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a diversionary tactic by President Trump to take attention from the impeachment proceedings .
Let 's recall what he said three years ago in his inaugural address : `` We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones – and unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism , which we will eradicate completely from the face of the Earth . ''
President Trump is focused and consistent with his agenda – rebuilding a strong , creative and safe America .
Despite Iran being among the most oil-rich nations in the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its citizens is a paltry $ 5,400 .
Rather than investing to develop the potential of their own country , they squander their wealth to terrorize the world .
No one suffers more than Iran 's own citizens .
We should celebrate this blow to the regime in Iran and this timely , courageous act of President Trump .

The muted reaction of leading Democratic politicians to the elimination of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani reinforces my sense of what divides our country and differentiates the two parties.
One part of America still believes that there is good and evil, and one part doesn't.
The American left, whose political home is the Democratic Party, lives in a world where good and evil don't exist. Everything is about politics including redemption itself.
Only someone who does not believe there is good and evil experiences no joy when evil is defeated.
The destruction of Soleimani, whose life's work was carrying out the will of a despicable regime, is cause for celebration. As commander of the Quds Force, his hands dripped with the blood of hundreds of Americans, and hundreds of thousands of others throughout the Middle East, particularly in Syria.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
According to authoritative reports, the Iranian ideological imperialism extends to managing terrorist forces in Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen. And much of their activity focuses on threatening the existence of Israel.
This network of terror has spread to our own hemisphere in South America.
In 1994, a bomb was detonated at the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, killing 85 and injuring 300. In 2006, Argentinian special prosecutor Alberto Nisman indicted eight former Iranian officials accused of being responsible for the operation, and the following year, Interpol issued "red notices" for the arrest of six of them.
The Wall Street Journal has reported Iranian activities in Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Brazil, Peru and Chile. According to Joseph Humire, executive director of the Center for a Secure Free Society in Washington, D.C., "Latin America is arguably Iran's top foreign policy priority outside of the Middle East."
The evil Iranian regime is a clear and threatening global danger, and Soleimani was its most powerful general. How can there not be unreserved joy at his elimination?
But Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others of their party are not joyful. As was the case when ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was eliminated, instead of celebrating, they are attacking President Donald Trump.
No one wants war. And no one believes that the United States should expend its resources being the world's policeman.
But refusal to recognize the threat of aggressive evil is irresponsible and dangerous.
In March 1983, then-President Ronald Reagan addressed the National Association of Evangelicals and delivered the famous address in which he called the Soviet Union "an evil empire."
Reagan unleashed his passion, noting the standing threat from the Soviet communists, arguing for aggressive confrontation.
"There is sin and evil in the world," said the president, "and we are enjoined by scripture and the Lord Jesus to oppose it with all our might."
"(I)f history teaches anything," he continued, "it teaches: Simple-minded appeasement or wishful thinking about our adversaries is folly. It means the betrayal of our past, the squandering of our freedom."
Reagan stood tough, and not many years later, the unthinkable happened. The Soviet Union collapsed.
Some of the foolishness we are hearing from the left cynically suggests that this operation was a diversionary tactic by President Trump to take attention from the impeachment proceedings.
Let's recall what he said three years ago in his inaugural address: "We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones – and unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the Earth."
President Trump is focused and consistent with his agenda – rebuilding a strong, creative and safe America.
Despite Iran being among the most oil-rich nations in the world, the average per capita income of its citizens is a paltry $5,400. Rather than investing to develop the potential of their own country, they squander their wealth to terrorize the world. No one suffers more than Iran's own citizens.
We should celebrate this blow to the regime in Iran and this timely, courageous act of President Trump.


wnd--2020-01-08--Trump's Iran policy isn't the problem – Obama's was

This week , President Donald Trump launched a global round of teeth gnashing when he ordered the killing of the greatest terrorist leader in the modern Middle East , Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani .
Soleimani was unquestionably responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans in Iraq and thousands of others throughout the Middle East – mostly Muslim .
His global terror network ran from South America to Europe to Africa to Lebanon , Syria , Yemen and Iraq .
Soleimani was an unparalleled organizer and a pitiless murderer .
His death was richly earned .
But for many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and international left , Trump 's action was precipitously `` provocative . ''
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Soleimani 's killing – which came directly after a Soleimani-approved terror assault on America 's embassy in Baghdad and amidst reported further plans for escalated terror against American targets – `` disproportionate . ''
Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, suggested that Trump , not the Iranians , had `` escalated '' the situation .
Former Vice President Joe Biden said that Trump had `` just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media , many of whom have been speculating about the possibility of all-out war between the United States and Iran .
Think pieces have been written about whether the United States will reactivate the draft ( spoiler alert : No , we wo n't ) .
Musings have filled the newspapers about the supposed conflagration prompted not by Iranian evil but by Trumpian reactivity .
All of this smacks less of legitimate concern about what comes next than it does of sheer panic that Trump has overturned a decade of American and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ben Rhodes , former President Obama 's deputy national security adviser , architect of the Iran deal and an overt liar who told the American public that Iran was on its way to moderation if only the United States would loosen economic restrictions on the terror state , has placed blame for volatility squarely before Trump .
Susan Rice , Obama 's national security adviser during the Iran deal and another overt liar who told the American public that Islamic terror against our Benghazi embassy was rooted in anger over a YouTube video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be wise to brace for war . ''
Biden suggested that in throwing out the Iran deal , Trump had paved the way for war – and , oh , by the way , the Iran deal was `` airtight . ''
This is a deliberate misreading of history designed to absolve the Obama administration of its Iran policy debacle .
The administration pursued a policy of strengthening Iran economically – and did so while openly acknowledging that Iran would use that newly gained economic strength to pursue terrorism and ballistic missile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief given to Iran , then-Secretary of State John Kerry explained in January 2016 , `` I think that some of it will end up in the hands of the IRGC or other entities , some of which are labeled terrorists . ''
That 's precisely what happened .
In March 2016 , then-U.S. Central Command nominee Army Gen. Joseph Votel said that Iran had become `` more aggressive '' since the advent of the nuclear deal .
Indeed , Iran has built up Hezbollah in Lebanon , propped up Bashar Assad in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bolstered its war in Yemen .
In the past few months , Iran and its proxies have attacked shipping in the Strait of Hormuz , Saudi oil facilities , an American drone and an American embassy , among other targets .
All of this occurred while the Trump administration did little or nothing in response .
Then Trump ordered the killing of Soleimani .
Suddenly , we have been informed by dishonest Democrats and their media allies , Iran has gone rogue .
Nonsense .
Iran has been rogue for decades .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to whistle past the graveyard with the terror regime – to pay it off long enough so that President Barack Obama could declare the problem handled .
This was , after all , the Obama strategy in Crimea and Syria : Declare a red line ; run away from it ; pretend that pusillanimous inaction is bravery and deterrence provocation .
Trump thought differently .
Now Iran has come face to face with the prospect that actions have consequences – and those consequences do n't involve pallets of cash being shipped over to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

This week, President Donald Trump launched a global round of teeth gnashing when he ordered the killing of the greatest terrorist leader in the modern Middle East, Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Soleimani was unquestionably responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans in Iraq and thousands of others throughout the Middle East – mostly Muslim. His global terror network ran from South America to Europe to Africa to Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq. Soleimani was an unparalleled organizer and a pitiless murderer. His death was richly earned.
But for many in the media and on the domestic and international left, Trump's action was precipitously "provocative." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Soleimani's killing – which came directly after a Soleimani-approved terror assault on America's embassy in Baghdad and amidst reported further plans for escalated terror against American targets – "disproportionate." Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., suggested that Trump, not the Iranians, had "escalated" the situation. Former Vice President Joe Biden said that Trump had "just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox."
This reaction has been magnified by the media, many of whom have been speculating about the possibility of all-out war between the United States and Iran. Think pieces have been written about whether the United States will reactivate the draft (spoiler alert: No, we won't). Musings have filled the newspapers about the supposed conflagration prompted not by Iranian evil but by Trumpian reactivity.
All of this smacks less of legitimate concern about what comes next than it does of sheer panic that Trump has overturned a decade of American and European appeasement of the Iranian regime. Ben Rhodes, former President Obama's deputy national security adviser, architect of the Iran deal and an overt liar who told the American public that Iran was on its way to moderation if only the United States would loosen economic restrictions on the terror state, has placed blame for volatility squarely before Trump. Susan Rice, Obama's national security adviser during the Iran deal and another overt liar who told the American public that Islamic terror against our Benghazi embassy was rooted in anger over a YouTube video, soberly informed Americans that "Americans would be wise to brace for war." Biden suggested that in throwing out the Iran deal, Trump had paved the way for war – and, oh, by the way, the Iran deal was "airtight."
This is a deliberate misreading of history designed to absolve the Obama administration of its Iran policy debacle. The administration pursued a policy of strengthening Iran economically – and did so while openly acknowledging that Iran would use that newly gained economic strength to pursue terrorism and ballistic missile testing. In speaking of the sanctions relief given to Iran, then-Secretary of State John Kerry explained in January 2016, "I think that some of it will end up in the hands of the IRGC or other entities, some of which are labeled terrorists."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
That's precisely what happened. In March 2016, then-U.S. Central Command nominee Army Gen. Joseph Votel said that Iran had become "more aggressive" since the advent of the nuclear deal. Indeed, Iran has built up Hezbollah in Lebanon, propped up Bashar Assad in Syria, increased its presence in Iraq and bolstered its war in Yemen. In the past few months, Iran and its proxies have attacked shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi oil facilities, an American drone and an American embassy, among other targets. All of this occurred while the Trump administration did little or nothing in response.
Then Trump ordered the killing of Soleimani. Suddenly, we have been informed by dishonest Democrats and their media allies, Iran has gone rogue.
Nonsense. Iran has been rogue for decades. The Iran deal was simply an attempt to whistle past the graveyard with the terror regime – to pay it off long enough so that President Barack Obama could declare the problem handled. This was, after all, the Obama strategy in Crimea and Syria: Declare a red line; run away from it; pretend that pusillanimous inaction is bravery and deterrence provocation.
Trump thought differently. Now Iran has come face to face with the prospect that actions have consequences – and those consequences don't involve pallets of cash being shipped over to fund terror organizations that span the globe.