thestream--2020-05-15--The Grace of Dana Loesch

The Grace of Dana Loesch

When we learned in 2019 that Republican Sean Spicer would appear on the TV show Dancing with the Stars , an instant controversy arose .
Liberals felt appalled that a conservative would gain a foothold in Hollywood , and scrambled to eject Spicer .
Then Spicer ’ s fellow competitor Karamo Brown , star of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy , dissented .
He decided to engage and befriend Spicer instead of calling for his head .
“ I ’ m a big believer that you can talk to someone and meet in the middle , you can learn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grow , ” Brown said .
“ We have been chatting all day today — he ’ s a good guy , a really sweet guy.
” Imagine Treating Each Other Like Human Beings This story illustrates what we call “ grace.
” The touching Dancing moment appears in Grace Canceled : How Outrage is Destroying Lives , Ending Debate , and Endangering Democracy , the new book by Dana Loesch .
She ’ s a well-known conservative journalist , Second Amendment activist , and radio host .
And Loesch wants to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture .
Grace appears when a person sees another not as a monster with contemptible views , but as a divinely created , if still fallible , soul .
Someone perhaps right about one or two things , and worthy of dialogue and forgiveness .
That ’ s what transpired between Sean Spicer and Karamo Brown .
We find it in short supply the days .
Yes , a lot of Grace Canceled reports on the anger of the left and defends conservative policies on poverty , racism , guns and abortion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ involve Loesch ’ s own personal history , recounting the things that made her turn from confrontation to grace .
Or , rather , attempts at grace , as she acknowledges what hard work it requires to try and act with grace and not retribution .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Loesch recalls that early in her career , when she worked in the Tea Party movement , she would descend from a stage and wade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heckler .
Loesch cut that out after bearing two sons .
At one point , her boys got mentioned negatively at CNN town hall after the Parkland shooting .
Loesch was surprised , then transformed , when one of her sons took the opportunity to begin participating in debates .
He learned the issues , and expressed an interest in law school .
He turned leftist rage into graceful , positive action .
“ Parenting is a sacrifice of ego , ” Loesch observes , “ and so is genuine discussion of varied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear in Grace Canceled , as well as smart examples from popular culture .
Loesch effectively uses theology in arguing for the importance of grace in the lives of imperfect people , observing that “ Jesus meets us where we are.
” She waxes passionate and eloquent in denouncing racism and calling for us to help our fellow neighbors rather than rely solely on the government .
When we do so our lives are filled with grace , not just the lives of those we are helping .
However , the theological themes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a different , more sobering take .
Our current political impasse really is deep .
In the fall of 2018 I became a target of the left during the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation fiasco .
That experience reinforced something that I had already known for a long time .
There are certain kinds of political extremism that are beyond grace , that reside in the realm of the demonic .
The priests in The Exorcist did not go into the bedroom of the possessed girl to have coffee .
Nazism , racism , communism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be redeemed .
Nor can today ’ s far left in America .
I don ’ t mean John F. Kennedy liberalism , which resisted totalitarianism even as it allowed for prudential social change .
I ’ m talking about the implacable , narcissistic extremism that seeks to destroy and corrupt rather than connect and redeem .
It is a cancer that eats at America , and we can not reason with it , nor extend it a hand .
As Alfred so wisely told Bruce Wayne in The Dark Knight , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world burn .
”

When we learned in 2019 that Republican Sean Spicer would appear on the TV show Dancing with the Stars, an instant controversy arose. Liberals felt appalled that a conservative would gain a foothold in Hollywood, and scrambled to eject Spicer.
Then Spicer’s fellow competitor Karamo Brown, star of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, dissented. He decided to engage and befriend Spicer instead of calling for his head. “I’m a big believer that you can talk to someone and meet in the middle, you can learn about each other and help each other grow,” Brown said. “We have been chatting all day today — he’s a good guy, a really sweet guy.”
Imagine Treating Each Other Like Human Beings
This story illustrates what we call “grace.” The touching Dancing moment appears in Grace Canceled: How Outrage is Destroying Lives, Ending Debate, and Endangering Democracy, the new book by Dana Loesch. She’s a well-known conservative journalist, Second Amendment activist, and radio host. And Loesch wants to bring grace back into America’s political culture.
Grace appears when a person sees another not as a monster with contemptible views, but as a divinely created, if still fallible, soul.
Grace appears when a person sees another not as a monster with contemptible views, but as a divinely created, if still fallible, soul. Someone perhaps right about one or two things, and worthy of dialogue and forgiveness. That’s what transpired between Sean Spicer and Karamo Brown. We find it in short supply the days.
Debate Is Dead
As Loesch notes:
Nuanced, insightful debate is dead, sound bites and outrage rule the news cycle, people are so poisonously partisan that finding common ground is viewed as capitulation and compromise is assumed to include a forfeiture of principle.
Yes, a lot of Grace Canceled reports on the anger of the left and defends conservative policies on poverty, racism, guns and abortion. But the best parts of the book involve Loesch’s own personal history, recounting the things that made her turn from confrontation to grace. Or, rather, attempts at grace, as she acknowledges what hard work it requires to try and act with grace and not retribution.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Loesch recalls that early in her career, when she worked in the Tea Party movement, she would descend from a stage and wade into a crowd to confront a single heckler. Loesch cut that out after bearing two sons. At one point, her boys got mentioned negatively at CNN town hall after the Parkland shooting. Loesch was surprised, then transformed, when one of her sons took the opportunity to begin participating in debates. He learned the issues, and expressed an interest in law school. He turned leftist rage into graceful, positive action. “Parenting is a sacrifice of ego,” Loesch observes, “and so is genuine discussion of varied ideas.”
Beyond the Pale
Numerous passages from the Bible appear in Grace Canceled, as well as smart examples from popular culture. Loesch effectively uses theology in arguing for the importance of grace in the lives of imperfect people, observing that “Jesus meets us where we are.” She waxes passionate and eloquent in denouncing racism and calling for us to help our fellow neighbors rather than rely solely on the government. When we do so our lives are filled with grace, not just the lives of those we are helping.
However, the theological themes that run through Grace Canceled also provoke a different, more sobering take. Our current political impasse really is deep. In the fall of 2018 I became a target of the left during the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation fiasco. That experience reinforced something that I had already known for a long time. There are certain kinds of political extremism that are beyond grace, that reside in the realm of the demonic.
The priests in The Exorcist did not go into the bedroom of the possessed girl to have coffee. Nazism, racism, communism: these are all evils that cannot be redeemed. Nor can today’s far left in America. I don’t mean John F. Kennedy liberalism, which resisted totalitarianism even as it allowed for prudential social change.
I’m talking about the implacable, narcissistic extremism that seeks to destroy and corrupt rather than connect and redeem. It is a cancer that eats at America, and we cannot reason with it, nor extend it a hand. As Alfred so wisely told Bruce Wayne in The Dark Knight, “some men just want to watch the world burn.”
Mark Judge is a writer and filmmaker in Washington, D.C.


thestream--2020-05-15--Military Photo of the Day: Hugs After a Sixth-Month Deployment … and 14-Day Quarantine

A U.S. Air Force airman hugs his children on May 7 , 2020 , at Hill Air Force Base in @ @ @ @ @ to the Middle East .
Families practiced social distancing while awaiting their airmen and they @ @ @ @ @ days as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus .
Thank you for your @ @ @ @ @ heroes !
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political @ @ @ @ @ of Our Day .

A U.S. Air Force airman hugs his children on May 7, 2020, at Hill Air Force Base in Utah following a six-month deployment to the Middle East. Families practiced social distancing while awaiting their airmen and they will be quarantined for 14 days as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus.
Thank you for your service and welcome home, heroes!
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-05-15--Mission Feeding in the Face of a Looming Famine

“ Mommy , I ’ m hungry.
” Those were Nayndid ’ s last words before dying of malnutrition .
LIFE Outreach ’ s mission team reached Nayndid ’ s village three days too late .
Her mother Ngoo was still raw from burying her child , still fearing the life of her youngest child , Burthi .
There ’ d been no food in their region for a long time , she said .
For days , Nayndid had been crying , “ Mommy , I ’ m hungry !
” — until , overtaken by fever and diarrhea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clutching Burthi , Ngoo told our team : All I do now is remember my dead child , even as I hold my other one .
I don ’ t know what ’ s going to happen .
I have nothing to give him , and now he is getting sick .
I can only pray to God because there is no one that can help me .
God is sending help , through our parent organization ’ s LIFE Outreach Mission Feeding ministry … and you .
Together , we are sending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other mothers by saying “ Food is on the way !
Mission Feeding can be set up in your region and your children will have the food they need to survive.
” This is no idle boast .
This promise of LIFE has already helped millions of children survive .
How many more will be saved is up to you .
Because Mission Feeding can only “ go ” as you help send mission workers into action .
Your gift fuels the entire lifesaving operation — from the food factory that prepares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that delivers it , right down to the bowls of porridge placed in children ’ s hands .
It works !
We have been feeding 350,000 children a day in South Sudan , Angola , Mozambique and South Africa .
But the funds for the season have been stretched to the limit , and we need your help to keep those children fed .
Whatever the Lord puts on your heart to give life , please respond .
Your gift powers the supply line that puts food in the bellies of these precious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not come at a more critical time .
You ’ re reading the stories of the famine bearing down at frightening speed .
While the shutdown in America for most of us means inconvenience — in places already stressed for food , it means looming catastrophe .
The COVID-19 pandemic , along with locus swarms in east Africa , is creating a perfect hellstorm of hunger .
The United Nations World Food Programme ( WFP ) is already projecting the number of people acutely food-insecure could jump from 135 million to 265 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if economic conditions continue to deteriorate and food supply lines break down , we could see 100,000 to 300,000 people people die of malnutrition per day for several months at a minimum .
Yes , every single day we could lose more people to hunger than we have to COVID-19 during the entire pandemic .
But together , bowl-by-bowl , we can spare mothers like Ngoo the agony .
We can save children like Burthi .
Editor ’ s Note : You can help combat world hunger .
Consider giving to Mission Feeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , LIFE Outreach International .
LIFE ’ s Mission Feeding outreach has been a proven answer to the nutritional needs of starving and malnourished children .
Each bowl of food contains vitamins and nutrients needed to stop the vicious cycle of malnutrition and death .
That ’ s why we say , “ There ’ s LIFE in every bowl , and hope for every LIFE !
” Click here to see how you can help .

“Mommy, I’m hungry.” Those were Nayndid’s last words before dying of malnutrition.
LIFE Outreach’s mission team reached Nayndid’s village three days too late. Her mother Ngoo was still raw from burying her child, still fearing the life of her youngest child, Burthi.
There’d been no food in their region for a long time, she said. For days, Nayndid had been crying, “Mommy, I’m hungry!” — until, overtaken by fever and diarrhea, her little body gave out. Clutching Burthi, Ngoo told our team:
All I do now is remember my dead child, even as I hold my other one. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I have nothing to give him, and now he is getting sick. I can only pray to God because there is no one that can help me.
God is sending help, through our parent organization’s LIFE Outreach Mission Feeding ministry … and you.
Together, we are sending a “good word” to Ngoo and other mothers by saying “Food is on the way! Mission Feeding can be set up in your region and your children will have the food they need to survive.” This is no idle boast. This promise of LIFE has already helped millions of children survive. How many more will be saved is up to you.
Because Mission Feeding can only “go” as you help send mission workers into action. Your gift fuels the entire lifesaving operation — from the food factory that prepares the food mix, to the truck that delivers it, right down to the bowls of porridge placed in children’s hands.
It works! We have been feeding 350,000 children a day in South Sudan, Angola, Mozambique and South Africa. But the funds for the season have been stretched to the limit, and we need your help to keep those children fed.
$1000 feeds 100 children.
$500 feeds 50 children.
$10 feeds a child for three months.
Whatever the Lord puts on your heart to give life, please respond. Your gift powers the supply line that puts food in the bellies of these precious children.
Fight the Coming Storm
Streamers, our gifts cannot come at a more critical time. You’re reading the stories of the famine bearing down at frightening speed.
While the shutdown in America for most of us means inconvenience — in places already stressed for food, it means looming catastrophe. The COVID-19 pandemic, along with locus swarms in east Africa, is creating a perfect hellstorm of hunger. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is already projecting the number of people acutely food-insecure could jump from 135 million to 265 million. WFP Executive Director David Beasley warns if economic conditions continue to deteriorate and food supply lines break down, we could see 100,000 to 300,000 people people die of malnutrition per day for several months at a minimum.
Yes, every single day we could lose more people to hunger than we have to COVID-19 during the entire pandemic.
But together, bowl-by-bowl, we can spare mothers like Ngoo the agony. We can save children like Burthi.
Editor’s Note: You can help combat world hunger. Consider giving to Mission Feeding, a ministry of our parent organization, LIFE Outreach International.
LIFE’s Mission Feeding outreach has been a proven answer to the nutritional needs of starving and malnourished children. Each bowl of food contains vitamins and nutrients needed to stop the vicious cycle of malnutrition and death. That’s why we say, “There’s LIFE in every bowl, and hope for every LIFE!” Click here to see how you can help.


thestream--2020-05-15--Rigid Lockdowns vs. Relative Freedom: A Tale of Two Southern Governors

In North Carolina , Gov .
Roy Cooper has adopted the policy premise that anything done in the name of safety from the coronavirus trumps all other interests , including economic , religious or other health considerations .
Despite comparatively low numbers in the Tar Heel state , the ninth most populous state in the United States , and with no evidence of the healthcare system being overwhelmed , North Carolina has been in full lockdown for over a month .
It matters not if you live in the mountains or on the coast—rural or urban—all residents are required to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect COVID-19 has had on the $ 25 billion tourism industry , the devastation to the small business community and over a million job losses , “ thou shalt not work ” unless the good governor has deemed you “ essential.
” In Mississippi , Gov .
Tate Reeves has operated under an alternative premise : that medical safety is a major consideration , but so is allowing people to protest , or to fish or to earn a living .
The governor in the Magnolia State has taken a lot of heat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut and quick to discuss reopening it .
He has also caught a lot of flak for allowing counties and cities to determine what works best in their own communities and for refusing to tell Mississippi churches how to conduct their affairs .
Like North Carolina , Mississippi has relatively low numbers of COVID-19 deaths and no apparent strain on the healthcare system , despite having a very high rate of citizens with obesity , heart disease and diabetes .
Small businesses are on life support across both states .
Jobless claims have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Dogwood and in the state of the Magnolia — now higher than during the financial crisis .
Medical advisers in both states are giving warnings and covering all their bases at daily briefings as they stand beside their respective governors .
There is no question that both governors have taken this disease seriously and offered intelligent advice about how we should protect ourselves .
So , how do you explain the vastly different approach to the pandemic from two red states with similarly low coronavirus impact ?
The difference is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the viewpoint of how best to mitigate risks and protect citizens .
Cooper ’ s instincts are to restrict the personal freedoms of his citizens ; Reeves ’ instincts are to protect the personal freedoms of his .
Cooper believes shutting down businesses won ’ t lead to shortages of food and paper products and that denying the constitutional rights of his residents won ’ t lead to a citizen uprising .
( Note citizens are staging weekly protests at the state capitol and the governor ’ s mansion in Raleigh .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to open retail shops , acknowledged the rights of protestors to peacefully assemble at the Capitol and refused to accept the premise that we must choose between prudent healthcare measures and protecting our economy .
In the state of Michael Jordan , hospitals are losing revenue and laying off personnel because the governor won ’ t allow the treatment of non-coronavirus patients .
In the state of Archie Manning , elective procedures have begun again because the governor recognizes cancer surgeries are pretty “ essential ” to the patient .
History will judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other 48 , managed this pandemic .
But as data comes in , it ’ s looking like the quarantines will not prevent us from getting sick .
It appears we ’ re basically delaying the inevitable infection rate .
As these long days go by , the models continue to indicate initial predictions were vastly overstated .
However , the data on the destruction of our economies and on the hopes and dreams of our citizens may be far worse than ever imagined .
The American economy is the greatest in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and voluntary exchanges that take place every day , in every community .
It remains to be seen if this economic miracle of free enterprise can survive the kind of body blows delivered by the heavy hand of government — especially by the kind of authoritarian governors who seem hellbent on taking a sledgehammer to our economies when a scalpel would have been more useful .
Jon L. Pritchett is president and CEO of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy , the state ’ s non-partisan , free-market think tank .
Prior to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked as an investment banker , executive , and entrepreneur over a 28-year career in private business .
Ed Tiryakian is the chief strategist and managing director of Argentum Group ; a former first vice president at UBS/Paine Webber , serving on the President ’ s Council .
Ed is starting his 10th year at Duke University as a visiting associate professor , teaching corporate finance and business economics at Duke University and is a Contributing Fellow at the Publius Institute .
This article was originally published on FEE.org .

In North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper has adopted the policy premise that anything done in the name of safety from the coronavirus trumps all other interests, including economic, religious or other health considerations. Despite comparatively low numbers in the Tar Heel state, the ninth most populous state in the United States, and with no evidence of the healthcare system being overwhelmed, North Carolina has been in full lockdown for over a month.
It matters not if you live in the mountains or on the coast—rural or urban—all residents are required to shelter in place. Despite the crippling effect COVID-19 has had on the $25 billion tourism industry, the devastation to the small business community and over a million job losses, “thou shalt not work” unless the good governor has deemed you “essential.”
In Mississippi, Gov. Tate Reeves has operated under an alternative premise: that medical safety is a major consideration, but so is allowing people to protest, or to fish or to earn a living. The governor in the Magnolia State has taken a lot of heat for being slow to slam the economy shut and quick to discuss reopening it. He has also caught a lot of flak for allowing counties and cities to determine what works best in their own communities and for refusing to tell Mississippi churches how to conduct their affairs. Like North Carolina, Mississippi has relatively low numbers of COVID-19 deaths and no apparent strain on the healthcare system, despite having a very high rate of citizens with obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
A Vast Difference in Approach
Small businesses are on life support across both states. Jobless claims have risen to historic levels in the state of the Dogwood and in the state of the Magnolia — now higher than during the financial crisis. Medical advisers in both states are giving warnings and covering all their bases at daily briefings as they stand beside their respective governors. There is no question that both governors have taken this disease seriously and offered intelligent advice about how we should protect ourselves. So, how do you explain the vastly different approach to the pandemic from two red states with similarly low coronavirus impact?
The difference is in the tone, in the language and in the viewpoint of how best to mitigate risks and protect citizens. Cooper’s instincts are to restrict the personal freedoms of his citizens; Reeves’ instincts are to protect the personal freedoms of his. Cooper believes shutting down businesses won’t lead to shortages of food and paper products and that denying the constitutional rights of his residents won’t lead to a citizen uprising. (Note citizens are staging weekly protests at the state capitol and the governor’s mansion in Raleigh.) By contrast, Reeves has moved to open retail shops, acknowledged the rights of protestors to peacefully assemble at the Capitol and refused to accept the premise that we must choose between prudent healthcare measures and protecting our economy.
In the state of Michael Jordan, hospitals are losing revenue and laying off personnel because the governor won’t allow the treatment of non-coronavirus patients. In the state of Archie Manning, elective procedures have begun again because the governor recognizes cancer surgeries are pretty “essential” to the patient.
History will judge how these two governors, and the other 48, managed this pandemic.
History will judge how these two governors, and the other 48, managed this pandemic. But as data comes in, it’s looking like the quarantines will not prevent us from getting sick. It appears we’re basically delaying the inevitable infection rate. As these long days go by, the models continue to indicate initial predictions were vastly overstated. However, the data on the destruction of our economies and on the hopes and dreams of our citizens may be far worse than ever imagined.
The American economy is the greatest in the world because of all of the interconnected and voluntary exchanges that take place every day, in every community. It remains to be seen if this economic miracle of free enterprise can survive the kind of body blows delivered by the heavy hand of government — especially by the kind of authoritarian governors who seem hellbent on taking a sledgehammer to our economies when a scalpel would have been more useful.
Jon L. Pritchett is president and CEO of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy, the state’s non-partisan, free-market think tank. Prior to his work in public policy, he worked as an investment banker, executive, and entrepreneur over a 28-year career in private business.
Ed Tiryakian is the chief strategist and managing director of Argentum Group; a former first vice president at UBS/Paine Webber, serving on the President’s Council. Ed is starting his 10th year at Duke University as a visiting associate professor, teaching corporate finance and business economics at Duke University and is a Contributing Fellow at the Publius Institute.
This article was originally published on FEE.org.


thestream--2020-05-15--Important Lessons We Need to Learn

Important Lessons We Need to Learn

Perhaps you listened to the Supreme Court oral arguments in the Catholic school case on C-SPAN ?
Even with it happening over the phone and us listening in live , it added a whiff of that longed-for “ normalcy ” to the week and a little nostalgia , too , for the days when we had debates outside of pandemics .
A few weeks ago , controversy swirled because some Catholic bishops — including the president of the United States Conference of Catholic bishops , Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles , and the archbishop of New York , Cardinal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call with the president of the United States and some 600 Catholic leaders and educators .
Critics saw it as a campaign rally .
President Donald Trump did say some characteristic things during the call to give credence to that claim .
But the bishops ’ participation was something else : an acknowledgement of a tragic reality .
A vital national resource , Catholic schools are closing and need help if they are going to survive .
The coronavirus pandemic has only made things worse .
Teachers at tuition-dependent schools wonder if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the financial pain people are feeling and the challenges of distance learning .
A mother recently told me that she ’ s probably just going to make her new normal official and try her hand at homeschooling ; with distance learning , not only is the teaching virtual , so is the ministering — and with that distance , something is lost .
Anyone who has been watching online Masses knows this .
We ’ re not physically present for the greatest prayer there is , the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ course .
So is charity , which many churches and church institutions have still found ways to provide .
But for Catholics who do truly believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist , the desire to be physically present during this rite can be painful .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Never in my life did I think that church doors would have to be anything else but wide open in welcome during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there have been counterterrorism police patrolling St. Patrick ’ s Cathedral , where I often find myself in New York , but this is wholly different .
Here a virus forces new protocols , which we cooperate with because we love each other .
And yet , we also know that presence is important .
The doctors who have been advising churches on how to meet safely are tremendous blessings .
While the constitutional law analysts make predictions about how the Supreme Court will rule on the Our Lady of Guadalupe School case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability of Catholic schools to effectively manage their employees is at stake — there really is much more to it .
Why do we have still have parish schools in the first place , and what do they say about us and what we value ?
And what are our priorities ?
Children who are tested in the current trends in education , or children who know the treasures of God ’ s creation and civilization , and who have hope ?
Catholic schools have been known to save lives in the inner-city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lost Classroom , Lost Community : Catholic Schools ’ Importance in Urban America by Margaret F. Brinig and Nicole Stelle Garnett , chronicles , neighborhoods suffer when a Catholic school closes .
It ’ s not just the closing of a school , but the death of an essential refuge and asset in the life of the community .
We must learn from this current crisis .
We can ’ t fall back into old ways in which we were losing our moorings .
Now is a time for creative renewal .
Everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let ’ s remember what we ’ ve valued and why , and move forward with a devotion to human flourishing that reveres the transcendent in all of us .
Kathryn Jean Lopez is senior fellow at the National Review Institute , editor-at-large of National Review magazine and author of the new book A Year With the Mystics : Visionary Wisdom for Daily Living .
She is also chair of Cardinal Dolan ’ s pro-life commission in New York .
She can be contacted at klopez @ nationalreview.com .

Perhaps you listened to the Supreme Court oral arguments in the Catholic school case on C-SPAN? Even with it happening over the phone and us listening in live, it added a whiff of that longed-for “normalcy” to the week and a little nostalgia, too, for the days when we had debates outside of pandemics.
A Tragic Reality
A few weeks ago, controversy swirled because some Catholic bishops — including the president of the United States Conference of Catholic bishops, Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, and the archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan — participated in a phone call with the president of the United States and some 600 Catholic leaders and educators. Critics saw it as a campaign rally. President Donald Trump did say some characteristic things during the call to give credence to that claim. But the bishops’ participation was something else: an acknowledgement of a tragic reality.
A vital national resource, Catholic schools are closing and need help if they are going to survive. The coronavirus pandemic has only made things worse. Teachers at tuition-dependent schools wonder if they will have jobs come fall, given the financial pain people are feeling and the challenges of distance learning. A mother recently told me that she’s probably just going to make her new normal official and try her hand at homeschooling; with distance learning, not only is the teaching virtual, so is the ministering — and with that distance, something is lost.
The Real Presence of Christ
Anyone who has been watching online Masses knows this. We’re not physically present for the greatest prayer there is, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Community and fellowship are important, of course. So is charity, which many churches and church institutions have still found ways to provide. But for Catholics who do truly believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, the desire to be physically present during this rite can be painful.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Never in my life did I think that church doors would have to be anything else but wide open in welcome during Mass. Sure, for years now there have been counterterrorism police patrolling St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where I often find myself in New York, but this is wholly different. Here a virus forces new protocols, which we cooperate with because we love each other. And yet, we also know that presence is important. The doctors who have been advising churches on how to meet safely are tremendous blessings.
Catholic Schools’ Importance
While the constitutional law analysts make predictions about how the Supreme Court will rule on the Our Lady of Guadalupe School case I mentioned earlier — in which the ability of Catholic schools to effectively manage their employees is at stake — there really is much more to it. Why do we have still have parish schools in the first place, and what do they say about us and what we value? And what are our priorities? Children who are tested in the current trends in education, or children who know the treasures of God’s creation and civilization, and who have hope? Catholic schools have been known to save lives in the inner-city and beyond.
As the 2014 book Lost Classroom, Lost Community: Catholic Schools’ Importance in Urban America by Margaret F. Brinig and Nicole Stelle Garnett, chronicles, neighborhoods suffer when a Catholic school closes. It’s not just the closing of a school, but the death of an essential refuge and asset in the life of the community.
Creative Renewal
We must learn from this current crisis. We can’t fall back into old ways in which we were losing our moorings. Now is a time for creative renewal. Everything may not look the same, but let’s remember what we’ve valued and why, and move forward with a devotion to human flourishing that reveres the transcendent in all of us.
Kathryn Jean Lopez is senior fellow at the National Review Institute, editor-at-large of National Review magazine and author of the new book A Year With the Mystics: Visionary Wisdom for Daily Living. She is also chair of Cardinal Dolan’s pro-life commission in New York. She can be contacted at [email protected].


thestream--2020-05-15--Why Not Judaism for Jews and Christianity for Gentiles?

In the midst of the ongoing controversy concerning GOD TV ’ s new Hebrew speaking channel in Israel , a larger question has emerged .
Is it right for Christians to share their faith with Jews ?
After all , the Jewish people were chosen by God and have the Torah and their traditions .
Why try to “ convert ” them to an alien faith , especially in light of centuries of “ Christian ” antisemitism ?
Why not leave the Jewish people with their faith and offer Jesus to the Gentiles ?
As attractive and irenic as this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one fundamental reason .
If Jesus is who He and His followers claimed Him to be — the Messiah of Israel — then Jewish people around the world should follow Him .
All Jews should be Jews for Jesus !
And if He wasn ’ t who He and His followers claimed Him to be — if He was not the Messiah of Israel — then no one should follow Him .
There should be no Gentiles for Jesus , no Christians on the planet .
It ’ s either all or nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the words of the rest of the New Testament leave us with no other choice .
Jesus Can ’ t Just Be for Gentiles Only Some scholars and religious leaders suggest that , although Jesus was Jewish , His mission was to make the God of Israel known to the nations .
So , Jews would follow Judaism while Gentiles would follow Christianity , and Jews could express their appreciation for this beautiful faith for the nations .
Christians , for their part , would not try to convince Jews to believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Gentiles , not for His fellow Jews .
Everyone could live happily ever after .
But again , that ’ s not what the New Testament says in passage after passage .
Instead , from beginning to end , it claims that Yeshua ( Jesus ) came as Israel ’ s Messiah , because of which He was also the Savior of the world .
Consequently , if Yeshua was not the Messiah of Israel , then He was not the Savior of the world .
He was a deceiver , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a messenger sent by God .
And if He did not fulfill the ancient prophecies of Moses and Isaiah and others , then His Jewish people were right in rejecting Him and the nations should not listen to Him .
If He was not Israel ’ s Messiah , then Christianity is a lie .
Yeshua is the Messiah of the Jewish People To summarize the evidence of the New Covenant ( New Testament ) writings : • Yeshua was called “ King of the Jews ” at His birth and at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
• Matthew ’ s Gospel introduced Him as “ Yeshua , the son of Abraham , the son of David ” ( Matthew 1:1 ) .
• He was given the title “ rabbi , ” not “ reverend ” ( John 9:2 ) .
• He said He did not come to abolish the Torah or Prophets but to fulfill them ( Matthew 5:17-20 ) .
• He wore the fringes on His garments , as prescribed by the Torah ( Luke 8:44 , ESV , RSV , NASB , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first mission was to the “ lost sheep of the house of Israel ” ( Matthew 10:5-6 ; 15:24 ) • He said His message should be declared to all nations , beginning in Jerusalem ( Luke 24:45b-47 ) .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
• When His first followers discovered Him , they exclaimed , “ We ’ ve found the One that Moses in the Torah , and also the prophets , wrote about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Joseph !
” ( John 1:45 , TLV ) .
• According to the writers of the Gospels , Yeshua ’ s birth , life , death , and resurrection were all predicted in the Tanakh ( read Matthew ! )
.
• After His resurrection , Yeshua said to two of His followers ( who had doubted that He would rise ) , “ How foolish you are , and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken !
Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luke 24:25–26 , NIV ) .
• Not long after that , Yeshua spoke to His eleven core disciples , saying , “ These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you — everything written concerning Me in the Torah of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled ” ( Luke 24:44 , TLV ) .
• Several weeks later , speaking to a large crowd in Jerusalem at Shavuot ( Pentecost ) , Peter said , “ And all the prophets who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came after him , also proclaimed these days ” ( Acts 3:24 ) .
This is just the small tip of a very large ( Jewish ) iceberg , leading to one inescapable conclusion : either Yeshua the Jew is the Messiah of Israel or He is the Savior of no one .
You can not have a Jesus for the Gentiles and another Messiah for the Jews .
It simply will not work .
I ’ m Grateful that Christians Did Not Withhold the Gospel From Me , a Jewish Man That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to force their faith on their Jewish friends and co-workers .
God forbid .
Hopefully , we have learned something from centuries of church-sponsored persecution of the Jewish people .
There should always be respect and love as we share our faith , and we should be quick to listen and slow to speak .
At the same time , we must not accept the false dichotomy that Jesus is for the Gentiles and not for the Jews .
That would turn the entire New Testament on its head .
To the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of God for salvation for everyone who believes , first for the Jew , then for the Gentile ( Romans 1:16 ) .
As a Jewish man myself , I am eternally grateful that Christians did not withhold the gospel from me in 1971 .
There was no greater gift they could have possibly given me in time and eternity .
Let the message go forth !
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is When the World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis .
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

In the midst of the ongoing controversy concerning GOD TV’s new Hebrew speaking channel in Israel, a larger question has emerged. Is it right for Christians to share their faith with Jews? After all, the Jewish people were chosen by God and have the Torah and their traditions. Why try to “convert” them to an alien faith, especially in light of centuries of “Christian” antisemitism? Why not leave the Jewish people with their faith and offer Jesus to the Gentiles?
As attractive and irenic as this sounds, it cannot work for one fundamental reason. If Jesus is who He and His followers claimed Him to be — the Messiah of Israel — then Jewish people around the world should follow Him. All Jews should be Jews for Jesus!
And if He wasn’t who He and His followers claimed Him to be — if He was not the Messiah of Israel — then no one should follow Him. There should be no Gentiles for Jesus, no Christians on the planet.
It’s either all or nothing at all. The words of Jesus and the words of the rest of the New Testament leave us with no other choice.
Jesus Can’t Just Be for Gentiles Only
Some scholars and religious leaders suggest that, although Jesus was Jewish, His mission was to make the God of Israel known to the nations. So, Jews would follow Judaism while Gentiles would follow Christianity, and Jews could express their appreciation for this beautiful faith for the nations.
Christians, for their part, would not try to convince Jews to believe in Jesus, since His message was for the Gentiles, not for His fellow Jews. Everyone could live happily ever after.
Either Yeshua the Jew is the Messiah of Israel or He is the Savior of no one.
But again, that’s not what the New Testament says in passage after passage. Instead, from beginning to end, it claims that Yeshua (Jesus) came as Israel’s Messiah, because of which He was also the Savior of the world.
Consequently, if Yeshua was not the Messiah of Israel, then He was not the Savior of the world. He was a deceiver, not a prophet; a fraud, not a messenger sent by God. And if He did not fulfill the ancient prophecies of Moses and Isaiah and others, then His Jewish people were right in rejecting Him and the nations should not listen to Him. If He was not Israel’s Messiah, then Christianity is a lie.
Yeshua is the Messiah of the Jewish People
To summarize the evidence of the New Covenant (New Testament) writings:
Yeshua was called “King of the Jews” at His birth and at His death (Matthew 2:2; 27:37).
Matthew’s Gospel introduced Him as “Yeshua, the son of Abraham, the son of David” (Matthew 1:1).
He was given the title “rabbi,” not “reverend” (John 9:2).
He said He did not come to abolish the Torah or Prophets but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17-20).
He wore the fringes on His garments, as prescribed by the Torah (Luke 8:44, ESV, RSV, NASB, TLV).
He said His first mission was to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:5-6; 15:24)
He said His message should be declared to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem (Luke 24:45b-47).
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
When His first followers discovered Him, they exclaimed, “We’ve found the One that Moses in the Torah, and also the prophets, wrote about — Yeshua of Natzeret, the son of Joseph!” (John 1:45, TLV).
According to the writers of the Gospels, Yeshua’s birth, life, death, and resurrection were all predicted in the Tanakh (read Matthew!).
After His resurrection, Yeshua said to two of His followers (who had doubted that He would rise), “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” (Luke 24:25–26, NIV).
Not long after that, Yeshua spoke to His eleven core disciples, saying, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you — everything written concerning Me in the Torah of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” (Luke 24:44, TLV).
Several weeks later, speaking to a large crowd in Jerusalem at Shavuot (Pentecost), Peter said, “And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days” (Acts 3:24).
This is just the small tip of a very large (Jewish) iceberg, leading to one inescapable conclusion: either Yeshua the Jew is the Messiah of Israel or He is the Savior of no one. You cannot have a Jesus for the Gentiles and another Messiah for the Jews. It simply will not work.
I’m Grateful that Christians Did Not Withhold the Gospel From Me, a Jewish Man
That doesn’t mean that Christians should try to force their faith on their Jewish friends and co-workers. God forbid. Hopefully, we have learned something from centuries of church-sponsored persecution of the Jewish people.
There should always be respect and love as we share our faith, and we should be quick to listen and slow to speak. At the same time, we must not accept the false dichotomy that Jesus is for the Gentiles and not for the Jews. That would turn the entire New Testament on its head.
To the contrary, the gospel remains the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes, first for the Jew, then for the Gentile (Romans 1:16).
As a Jewish man myself, I am eternally grateful that Christians did not withhold the gospel from me in 1971. There was no greater gift they could have possibly given me in time and eternity.
Let the message go forth!
(Some of this chapter was adapted and excerpted from Michael L. Brown, Resurrection: Investigating a Rabbi from Brooklyn, a Preacher from Galilee, and an Event that Changed the World.)
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is When the World Stops: Words of Faith, Hope, and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-05-15--The Night Michael Jordan and Stacey King Scored 70 Points: Choosing Unity in Community

Michael Jordan is making headlines as ESPN airs The Last Dance , a documentary about the Chicago Bulls ’ final championship season in 1997-98 .
Jordan was once asked to identify the best game of his career .
He didn ’ t hesitate , he scored 69 points in leading the Chicago Bulls to victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers .
He wasn ’ t the only player to have a memorable night .
Bulls ’ rookie forward Stacey King said , “ I ’ ll always remember this as the night that Michael Jordan and I combined to score 70 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scored one point .
Even Michael Jordan could not win a basketball game by himself .
As the world wages war against COVID-19 , we are experiencing the value of unity .
Researchers are .
Nations are with other nations .
When we have a mutual enemy , we are forced into community .
The same principle is true spiritually .
My First Visit to Cuba I still remember my first visit to Cuba twenty years ago .
It was like traveling backwards in time .
The cars were 1950s-vintage American or 1980s-era @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were run down and decaying .
The people were deeply impoverished , most working two and three jobs to try to make enough income to get by .
I have traveled to Cuba many times since .
Each time was like the first time .
In the face of such need , the Cuban Christians I know view praying as they do breathing : indispensable and constant .
They have so little , so they rely confidently on Jesus for their needs .
And they rely on each other as the body of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Cuban pastors have invited me to teach at several leadership conferences over the years .
Unlike my experiences in the U.S. , these events gather pastors from across the denominational spectrum .
They pray for and with each other .
Their churches share plans , programs , and strategies .
Their members see themselves as part of a single family of faith .
The reason for their unity is simple : they are fighting an opponent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need each other .
How Jesus is Praying for Us The night before his crucifixion , Jesus prayed that his followers would “ become perfectly one , so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me ” ( John 17:23 ESV ) .
We can answer his prayer today .
Like our sisters and brothers in Cuba , we can respond to our mutual challenges by choosing unity in community .
We can pray for churches and pastors unlike our own , Protestants interceding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We can work not as churches but as the Church in helping those in need during this pandemic .
We can draw closer to our Father and thus closer to each other .
As we pray to Jesus , he is praying for us ( Romans 8:34 ) .
As we pray in unity , he is praying for our unity .
And as we work in community , the world will see his love in our compassion and be drawn to his grace .
How Cubans are Praying for Us During my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pastor that I was praying for persecution to lessen against his people .
He asked me to stop .
I was surprised , so he explained that persecution was purifying their faith and uniting their people .
Then he told me that Cuban Christians were praying for challenges to increase in America for the same reason .
Dr. Jim Denison is the founder of the Denison Forum .
His Daily Article reaches 1.5 million people monthly with subscribers in 226 countries .

Michael Jordan is making headlines as ESPN airs The Last Dance, a documentary about the Chicago Bulls’ final championship season in 1997-98.
Jordan was once asked to identify the best game of his career. He didn’t hesitate, pointing to the time he scored 69 points in leading the Chicago Bulls to victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He wasn’t the only player to have a memorable night. Bulls’ rookie forward Stacey King said, “I’ll always remember this as the night that Michael Jordan and I combined to score 70 points.” That’s because King scored one point. Even Michael Jordan could not win a basketball game by himself.
As the world wages war against COVID-19, we are experiencing the value of unity. Researchers are cooperating on unprecedented levels. Nations are sharing resources with other nations. When we have a mutual enemy, we are forced into community.
The same principle is true spiritually.
My First Visit to Cuba
I still remember my first visit to Cuba twenty years ago. It was like traveling backwards in time. The cars were 1950s-vintage American or 1980s-era Russian models. Even the best hotels were run down and decaying. The people were deeply impoverished, most working two and three jobs to try to make enough income to get by. I have traveled to Cuba many times since. Each time was like the first time.
In the face of such need, the Cuban Christians I know view praying as they do breathing: indispensable and constant. They have so little, so they rely confidently on Jesus for their needs. And they rely on each other as the body of Christ.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Cuban pastors have invited me to teach at several leadership conferences over the years. Unlike my experiences in the U.S., these events gather pastors from across the denominational spectrum. They pray for and with each other. Their churches share plans, programs, and strategies. Their members see themselves as part of a single family of faith.
The reason for their unity is simple: they are fighting an opponent bigger than themselves and know that they need each other.
How Jesus is Praying for Us
The night before his crucifixion, Jesus prayed that his followers would “become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me” (John 17:23 ESV). We can answer his prayer today. Like our sisters and brothers in Cuba, we can respond to our mutual challenges by choosing unity in community.
We can pray for churches and pastors unlike our own, Protestants interceding for Catholics and Catholics for Protestants. We can work not as churches but as the Church in helping those in need during this pandemic. We can draw closer to our Father and thus closer to each other.
As we pray to Jesus, he is praying for us (Romans 8:34). As we pray in unity, he is praying for our unity. And as we work in community, the world will see his love in our compassion and be drawn to his grace.
How Cubans are Praying for Us
During my first visit to Cuba, I told a pastor that I was praying for persecution to lessen against his people. He asked me to stop. I was surprised, so he explained that persecution was purifying their faith and uniting their people. Then he told me that Cuban Christians were praying for challenges to increase in America for the same reason.
Is God answering their prayers today?
Dr. Jim Denison is the founder of the Denison Forum. His Daily Article reaches 1.5 million people monthly with subscribers in 226 countries.


thestream--2020-05-15--Joy Break: The Blessing Goes Viral

Joy Break: The Blessing Goes Viral

When we turn on our televisions or smart phones we are bombarded with news that brings us down .
Where are all the good stories ?
They ’ re still there .
Here ’ s one that we hope will bless you .
A video cover of the song The Blessing filmed in the UK has gone viral .
As of Friday , the video has had nearly 2.5 million views .
According to Premier Christian News , more than 65 churches and Christian groups took part making the video .
Singers harmonized on the video , performing out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Worship leader Tim Hughes from Gas Street Church in Birmingham , UK , organized the video .
He told Premier that he saw The Blessing performed by singers in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania .
People began to call on him to do the same thing with the song in the UK .
“ Basically , we thought , let ’ s call lots of friends , lots of different networks and people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone from their church singing this song and then we edited it all together .
It was amazing — these are musicians who aren ’ t the most organized !
We spoke to them on the Friday and Saturday and everybody had to be in by the Tuesday and everyone got behind it — everybody said yes and it ’ s been a beautiful thing seeing it all come together.
” Kari Jobe , along with Cody Carnes and a few other musicians , wrote the song , which is based on Numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved by this song and how quickly it came about , ” Jobe said about the power of The Blessing .
“ Because this song is based on scripture , the message is timeless , and we wanted to release it as quick as we could knowing the effect it could have on people ’ s hearts and spirits immediately , as it did ours .
Also , God knew it would be something we could hold onto during a season of our lives that ’ s full of uncertainties and unknowns .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with you.
” Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream .
You can follow her @ NancyFlory3 , and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

When we turn on our televisions or smart phones we are bombarded with news that brings us down. Where are all the good stories? They’re still there. Here’s one that we hope will bless you.
A video cover of the song The Blessing filmed in the UK has gone viral. As of Friday, the video has had nearly 2.5 million views.
According to Premier Christian News, more than 65 churches and Christian groups took part making the video. Singers harmonized on the video, performing out of their homes during the coronavirus outbreak.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Worship leader Tim Hughes from Gas Street Church in Birmingham, UK, organized the video. He told Premier that he saw The Blessing performed by singers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. People began to call on him to do the same thing with the song in the UK. “Basically, we thought, let’s call lots of friends, lots of different networks and people and see if everyone can send in someone from their church singing this song and then we edited it all together. It was amazing — these are musicians who aren’t the most organized! We spoke to them on the Friday and Saturday and everybody had to be in by the Tuesday and everyone got behind it — everybody said yes and it’s been a beautiful thing seeing it all come together.”
Kari Jobe, along with Cody Carnes and a few other musicians, wrote the song, which is based on Numbers 6:22-27.
“I’m so moved by this song and how quickly it came about,” Jobe said about the power of The Blessing. “Because this song is based on scripture, the message is timeless, and we wanted to release it as quick as we could knowing the effect it could have on people’s hearts and spirits immediately, as it did ours. Also, God knew it would be something we could hold onto during a season of our lives that’s full of uncertainties and unknowns. Do not be afraid, God is with you.”
Watch:
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-05-15--Nobody Expects the Darwinist Inquisition

I ’ ve written here before about the movement called “ Integralism.
” Or , as I call it , Catholic Sharia .
Its proponents don ’ t wish to make our public laws based only on natural law knowable by reason , as social conservatives argue .
No , they want to use the bayonets and prisons of the State to settle questions of faith .
It ’ s true , Christians believe that people only know those answers by God ’ s direct infusion of grace .
And we can ’ t know if anyone has yet received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should use violent force to compel each person to act as if he had faith anyway .
As in , practice hypocrisy .
So the edicts of popes and councils , the modesty codes drawn from private Marian apparitions at Fatima , all become fodder for state and federal laws .
Or so Integralists hope .
Integralists reject the Church ’ s embrace of religious freedom , from the apostles up through the emperor Theodosius I ( 381 AD ) , then again at Vatican II ( 1965 ) .
They prefer the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American founding as “ liberal.
” Likewise the entire conservative movement .
Plus the teachings of Pope Paul VI , John Paul II , Benedict XVI , and Francis I on this subject , and the current Catechism which reflects them .
The Erroneous Have No Rights Integralists repeat the 19th century slogan “ Error has no rights.
” They mean that “ erroneous ” Christians have no First Amendment rights .
All Orthodox and Protestants should be silent .
So should the 99.999 % of Catholics who are not Integralists .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tolerate them .
Their “ heretical ” books ( including their bibles ) should be banned .
Likewise , their evangelism and public worship .
So The Stream would be illegal .
I take that personally !
We ’ ll Take Those Kids of Yours , Thanks It ’ s not clear whether Integralists even think “ heretics ” may teach their own beliefs to their children .
The leading Integralist theorist , Thomas Pink , holds that Catholic bishops should have police powers over every local baptized Christian .
And the power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Franklin Graham moved to Chicago , Cardinal Blaise Cupich should have the power to arrest that non-Catholic for heresy .
( It helps to make abstract proposals nice and concrete , doesn ’ t it ? )
Integralists defend the decision of Pius IX to seize the child of a Jewish family ( Edgardo Mortara ) in papal-ruled Rome .
Then raise him in the Vatican , after a maid had illegally baptized him .
From that point , they consider that he was a Catholic .
So a good Integralist government would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his parents or without them .
The same logic applies to any baptized Orthodox , Protestant , or non-Integralist Catholic .
In 17th century France , King Louis XIV seized Protestant children and gave them to Catholics to raise .
Professor Adrian Vermeule at Harvard publicly defended the seizure of Edgardo Mortara , citing such arguments .
If he rejects them when applied to baptized non-Catholics , he has given no indication of that .
That ’ s why I found it alarming when Integralist fellow-traveler Sohrab Ahmari urged President Trump to appoint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maybe that was just a joke , in remarkably vulgar taste .
I ’ ll answer with a quip : With converts like Ahmari and Vermeule , who needs apostates ?
The Catholic Knock-Off of the Muslim Brotherhood I ’ ve explained here why I think Integralism has come out of the closet just now .
No , not because of fresh new historical research .
Or new , persuasive arguments .
It ’ s the fruit of institutional failure .
This brand of Catholic fundamentalism rose again for the same reason Islamic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense of crushing defeat and looming chaos within the religion itself .
When the Ottoman empire collapsed , then Turkey abolished the global caliphate , Sunni Islam lost its worldwide central authority .
Most Muslim nations ended up as Western colonies .
Their young people increasingly turned to secular ideologies instead of their faith .
In response , the activists who founded the Muslim Brotherhood rejected every attempt at peaceful coexistence with modernity and reason .
Instead , they called on Muslims to weather the crisis and reverse the fortunes of Islam by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have , with Pope Francis , witnessed the effective collapse of the papacy .
At the moment , it no longer serves its purpose of safeguarding doctrine and Catholic morals .
Instead it has become a transmission belt for heresy , and a tool used to punish the orthodox .
The moral and intellectual chaos that followed Vatican II has returned .
And now some Catholics are responding like radical Muslims in the 1930s .
They ’ re turning to our own version of sharia .
Responding to the weakness and chaos of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only thrive when it wields political power — exactly as the Muslim Brotherhood claimed about Islam .
There is no stable middle ground between getting persecuted and persecuting others .
If you won ’ t be the hammer , you will end up as the anvil .
Or so they say .
It all sounds kind of … totalitarian , doesn ’ t it ?
But plug in a few words here and there , and you ’ ve got the policy preferences of secular leftists .
The “ children ’ s rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea that homeschooling amounts to child abuse .
So it ought to be illegal , and parents who persist should lose their custody .
As they routinely do in Sweden , Germany , and other ( cough ) “ free ” Western countries .
So much for parents ’ rights .
On free speech , most on the left have abandoned their old free speech absolutism .
And started their own Inquisition , plus Index of Forbidden Books .
They adopt Herbert Marcuse ’ s concept of “ repressive tolerance.
” If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let historically “ privileged ” people or groups express themselves and pursue their interests ?
That ’ s unjust .
We must forcefully silence them .
And make room for those in once-oppressed groups .
Hence orthodox Christians , white men ( except leftist “ allies ” ) and others ought to face speech restrictions .
It ’ s almost as if the left sees freedom as wealth .
So the state must redistribute it to make things fair .
Object , and these elites who hate your speech will designate it “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroy your life .
But others on the left use different pretexts for silencing dissenters .
The latest is “ public health ” and scientific “ accuracy.
” Elites now treat the virus crisis as a Reichstag fire too good to waste .
Hence Google , which owns YouTube , announced it will silence any doctor or researcher who dissents from the World Health Organization .
Which China uses as a sock puppet , and used to deny : • That the coronavirus was contagious , person to person .
• And that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move .
Criticize Dr. Fauci , or the lockdowns , and you ’ re likely to see your content demonetized , removed , or slapped with a “ fake news ” warning .
But the left-Integralists are now going further .
They ’ re drilling down to essential matters , to the fundamental divide of basic worldviews .
That is , the yawning chasm between Darwinian nihilism , and a universe designed and replete with meaning .
David Klinghoffer of the Discovery Institute reports that intolerant Darwinists want to sweep up Intelligent Design @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dissenters .
He cites a call for censorship in the prominent biology journal Bioessays .
The writer claims : In other words , they ’ re heretics .
And error has no rights .
Suggesting that biology suggests evidence of design is like urging people to guzzle fish-tank cleaner , or vote pro-life .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
I see a deeper reason behind the power-grabs of ultra-right-wing Catholics and Darwinist materialists .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one hand , or the virus crisis on the other .
It ’ s the classic will to dominate , to bully and rule your neighbor .
Mankind has labored under this hereditary sin since the Garden of Eden .
That ’ s where he caught the bug from the first among the angels — whose own Fall arose from the craving to rule where he had no right to .
Only God ’ s grace , not arguments , can counter this fatal , damnable side-effect of Luciferian pride .
John Zmirak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and author or co-author of ten books , including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism .

I’ve written here before about the movement called “Integralism.” Or, as I call it, Catholic Sharia. Its proponents don’t wish to make our public laws based only on natural law knowable by reason, as social conservatives argue. No, they want to use the bayonets and prisons of the State to settle questions of faith.
It’s true, Christians believe that people only know those answers by God’s direct infusion of grace. And we can’t know if anyone has yet received that grace or not. But we should use violent force to compel each person to act as if he had faith anyway. As in, practice hypocrisy. So the edicts of popes and councils, the modesty codes drawn from private Marian apparitions at Fatima, all become fodder for state and federal laws. Or so Integralists hope.
Integralists reject the Church’s embrace of religious freedom, from the apostles up through the emperor Theodosius I (381 AD), then again at Vatican II (1965). They prefer the long, persecutory interlude. Integralists deride the American founding as “liberal.” Likewise the entire conservative movement. Plus the teachings of Pope Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis I on this subject, and the current Catechism which reflects them.
The Erroneous Have No Rights
Integralists repeat the 19th century slogan “Error has no rights.” They mean that “erroneous” Christians have no First Amendment rights. All Orthodox and Protestants should be silent. So should the 99.999% of Catholics who are not Integralists. At best, the State should reluctantly tolerate them. Their “heretical” books (including their bibles) should be banned. Likewise, their evangelism and public worship. So The Stream would be illegal. I take that personally!
We’ll Take Those Kids of Yours, Thanks
It’s not clear whether Integralists even think “heretics” may teach their own beliefs to their children. The leading Integralist theorist, Thomas Pink, holds that Catholic bishops should have police powers over every local baptized Christian. And the power to coerce them. So if evangelist Franklin Graham moved to Chicago, Cardinal Blaise Cupich should have the power to arrest that non-Catholic for heresy. (It helps to make abstract proposals nice and concrete, doesn’t it?)
So if evangelist Franklin Graham moved to Chicago, Cardinal Blaise Cupich should have the power to arrest that non-Catholic for heresy.
Integralists defend the decision of Pius IX to seize the child of a Jewish family (Edgardo Mortara) in papal-ruled Rome. Then raise him in the Vatican, after a maid had illegally baptized him. From that point, they consider that he was a Catholic. So a good Integralist government would ensure him a Catholic upbringing. With his parents or without them.
Who Needs Apostates?
The same logic applies to any baptized Orthodox, Protestant, or non-Integralist Catholic. In 17th century France, King Louis XIV seized Protestant children and gave them to Catholics to raise. Professor Adrian Vermeule at Harvard publicly defended the seizure of Edgardo Mortara, citing such arguments. If he rejects them when applied to baptized non-Catholics, he has given no indication of that. That’s why I found it alarming when Integralist fellow-traveler Sohrab Ahmari urged President Trump to appoint Vermeule to the U.S. Supreme Court. Maybe that was just a joke, in remarkably vulgar taste. I’ll answer with a quip: With converts like Ahmari and Vermeule, who needs apostates?
The Catholic Knock-Off of the Muslim Brotherhood
I’ve explained here why I think Integralism has come out of the closet just now. No, not because of fresh new historical research. Or new, persuasive arguments. It’s the fruit of institutional failure. This brand of Catholic fundamentalism rose again for the same reason Islamic radicalism exploded in the 1920s: a sense of crushing defeat and looming chaos within the religion itself.
When the Ottoman empire collapsed, then Turkey abolished the global caliphate, Sunni Islam lost its worldwide central authority. Most Muslim nations ended up as Western colonies. Their young people increasingly turned to secular ideologies instead of their faith. In response, the activists who founded the Muslim Brotherhood rejected every attempt at peaceful coexistence with modernity and reason. Instead, they called on Muslims to weather the crisis and reverse the fortunes of Islam by enacting its most intolerant doctrines. We have, with Pope Francis, witnessed the effective collapse of the papacy. At the moment, it no longer serves its purpose of safeguarding doctrine and Catholic morals. Instead it has become a transmission belt for heresy, and a tool used to punish the orthodox. The moral and intellectual chaos that followed Vatican II has returned. … And now some Catholics are responding like radical Muslims in the 1930s. They’re turning to our own version of sharia. Responding to the weakness and chaos of the Church by insisting that it can only thrive when it wields political power — exactly as the Muslim Brotherhood claimed about Islam. There is no stable middle ground between getting persecuted and persecuting others. If you won’t be the hammer, you will end up as the anvil. Or so they say.
Darwinist Integralists and Inquisitors
It all sounds kind of … totalitarian, doesn’t it? But plug in a few words here and there, and you’ve got the policy preferences of secular leftists. The “children’s rights” thinktank at Harvard is boosting the idea that homeschooling amounts to child abuse. So it ought to be illegal, and parents who persist should lose their custody. As they routinely do in Sweden, Germany, and other (cough) “free” Western countries.
So much for parents’ rights. On free speech, most on the left have abandoned their old free speech absolutism. And started their own Inquisition, plus Index of Forbidden Books. They adopt Herbert Marcuse’s concept of “repressive tolerance.” If the state, or schools, or media let historically “privileged” people or groups express themselves and pursue their interests? That’s unjust. We must forcefully silence them. And make room for those in once-oppressed groups.
Hence orthodox Christians, white men (except leftist “allies”) and others ought to face speech restrictions. It’s almost as if the left sees freedom as wealth. So the state must redistribute it to make things fair. Object, and these elites who hate your speech will designate it “far-right hate speech.” And try to destroy your life.
The Virus’s Reichstag Firemen
But others on the left use different pretexts for silencing dissenters. The latest is “public health” and scientific “accuracy.” Elites now treat the virus crisis as a Reichstag fire too good to waste. Hence Google, which owns YouTube, announced it will silence any doctor or researcher who dissents from the World Health Organization. Which China uses as a sock puppet, and used to deny:
That the coronavirus was contagious, person to person.
That masks would protect people.
And that travel bans were a wise public health move.
Criticize Dr. Fauci, or the lockdowns, and you’re likely to see your content demonetized, removed, or slapped with a “fake news” warning.
The Darwinist Inquisition
But the left-Integralists are now going further. They’re drilling down to essential matters, to the fundamental divide of basic worldviews. That is, the yawning chasm between Darwinian nihilism, and a universe designed and replete with meaning. David Klinghoffer of the Discovery Institute reports that intolerant Darwinists want to sweep up Intelligent Design advocates in the police raids of public dissenters. He cites a call for censorship in the prominent biology journal Bioessays. The writer claims:
Nowadays, such sites [as the Discovery Institute’s] pose as “objective” sources of information. Speaking more generally, spreading misinformation can be linked to climate science denial, vaccination avoidance, and a resurgence of pseudo‐scientific racism. Internet regulations to counter these sources of pseudo‐science are urgently needed….
In other words, they’re heretics. And error has no rights. Suggesting that biology suggests evidence of design is like urging people to guzzle fish-tank cleaner, or vote pro-life.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
I see a deeper reason behind the power-grabs of ultra-right-wing Catholics and Darwinist materialists. It’s not the Catholic crisis on the one hand, or the virus crisis on the other. It’s the classic will to dominate, to bully and rule your neighbor. Mankind has labored under this hereditary sin since the Garden of Eden. That’s where he caught the bug from the first among the angels — whose own Fall arose from the craving to rule where he had no right to. Only God’s grace, not arguments, can counter this fatal, damnable side-effect of Luciferian pride.
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream, and author or co-author of ten books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism.


thestream--2020-05-15--No, Obamagate is Not a Trump Diversion

No, Obamagate is Not a Trump Diversion

No , President Donald Trump is not ranting and raving about Obamagate to keep himself center stage or to distract attention from COVID-19 , as liberal media are suggesting .
They still don ’ t get Trump .
Two recent columns contend that Trump has ulterior motives in harping on Obamagate — the notion that the Obama administration tried to destroy Trump with the myth that he colluded with Russia to steal the 2016 election .
Wrong .
How about we draw the most obvious inferences from Trump ’ s statements instead of the liberal establishment ’ s theories , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obamagate conspiracy they ’ re ridiculing .
Everyone knows that Trump has long been outraged by the Russia hoax , and with good reason .
Even after he has been thoroughly vindicated of this frame job , the perpetrators have escaped accountability , and the left still pretends Trump is the guilty party .
Trump was effectively exonerated when the vaunted , high-powered and obscenely funded Mueller team couldn ’ t find a shred of evidence to tie Trump to Russian election meddling .
Now , with the revelation that Obama administration officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Flynn , we have a smoking .357 Magnum in the hands of scores of those officials .
It is the liberal media — not Trump — who are trying to divert the public ’ s attention from a story — the one showcasing the Democrats ’ complicity .
If we had never heard of COVID-19 , Trump would be railing against this corruption even more vigorously than he is now , because most of his day is consumed by virus-related health and economic issues .
But don ’ t bother telling that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oliver Darcy writes that although the virus has killed 82,000 and left millions unemployed , Trump and his conservative media allies are “ constructing a separate alternate reality to keep their fans distracted from the news and outraged at the long-standing villains in the right-wing media universe.
” Though this might stun Darcy , we hayseed Trump deplorables are capable of walking and chewing tobacco simultaneously .
Notwithstanding our diminished capacity , we stay abreast of virus and economic updates , which constitute 99.9 % of the news , even with coverage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to suppress .
Actually , Trump wants us to focus on the virus and on out of work Americans because he is determined to prudently reopen the economy precisely to help the same people these journos claim he is ignoring .
If Trump were trying to shift our attention from the economy or the virus , why would he publicly disagree with Dr. Anthony Fauci on the reopening of schools in the fall ?
Moreover , it is inconceivable that he could avoid virus-related issues during the campaign even if he tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is patently absurd .
Politico ’ s Jack Shafer is promoting the bizarre theory that Trump is pushing Obamagate and other “ outrageous claims ” because he wants the spotlight on himself , even if only for critical coverage : “ Making him the subject of our conversations is almost as good to Trump as making him the video camera ’ s focal point .
… Obviously , he ’ d like it better if the commentariat praised him , but if they ’ re going to criticize him , he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and repurpose them as offensive weapons .
… Baseless charges like these ( Obamagate , China , Joe Scarborough , QAnon ) are the perfect refuge of a rhetorical arsonist like Trump , who scorches the earth with controversy and confusion so nobody knows where to find the truth.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Sorry , Mr. Schafer , but Trump truly believes he was set up with the Russia hoax , and the evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s ranting about it even while COVID-19 is still with us .
No matter how much you mock it , no matter how much you want the country to focus solely on the virus , life has to go on , and other issues , especially Obamagate , still matter .
There must be a reckoning for the political party that abused governmental power to engineer a coup against the other party .
In a saner world , Democrats would agree with this , as it was the premise upon which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Progressives pounded the table for three years over Trump ’ s alleged theft of the election , and they now expect us to shuffle docilely into the night when we have his opponents dead to rights doing the very thing they accused him of doing ?
So , no , gentlemen , you are hopelessly off base .
Trump intends to keep the coronavirus-related issues on the front burner .
They must be if he is to lead America back to health and wealth .
Unlike the left , he is not ignoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Unlike the left , he is taking action instead of engaging in “ rhetorical arson , ” if I may humbly borrow Schafer ’ s incendiary term .
The left can smear Trump from their basements for not waving his wand and immediately accelerating our COVID-19 testing capacity to a billion per month and for the economic devastation caused by shutting down the economy .
But they show unprecedented audacity blaming him for a death count that would have been worse and for an economic shutdown that would go on indefinitely if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the media , President Trump is alert , engaged and proactively addressing a comprehensive range of issues affecting Americans .
He is fully capable of calling attention to this Democratic corruption of shocking magnitude without impeding his efforts to make America well and prosperous again .
David Limbaugh is a writer , author and attorney .
His latest book is Guilty by Reason of Insanity : Why the Democrats Must Not Win .
Follow him on Twitter @ davidlimbaugh and his website at www.davidlimbaugh.com .

No, President Donald Trump is not ranting and raving about Obamagate to keep himself center stage or to distract attention from COVID-19, as liberal media are suggesting. They still don’t get Trump.
Two recent columns contend that Trump has ulterior motives in harping on Obamagate — the notion that the Obama administration tried to destroy Trump with the myth that he colluded with Russia to steal the 2016 election.
Wrong. How about we draw the most obvious inferences from Trump’s statements instead of the liberal establishment’s theories, which are far more outlandish than the Obamagate conspiracy they’re ridiculing.
Trump’s Vindication
Everyone knows that Trump has long been outraged by the Russia hoax, and with good reason. Even after he has been thoroughly vindicated of this frame job, the perpetrators have escaped accountability, and the left still pretends Trump is the guilty party.
Trump was effectively exonerated when the vaunted, high-powered and obscenely funded Mueller team couldn’t find a shred of evidence to tie Trump to Russian election meddling. Now, with the revelation that Obama administration officials and the FBI collaborated to incriminate General Michael Flynn, we have a smoking .357 Magnum in the hands of scores of those officials.
It is the liberal media — not Trump — who are trying to divert the public’s attention from a story — the one showcasing the Democrats’ complicity.
Health and Economic Issues
If we had never heard of COVID-19, Trump would be railing against this corruption even more vigorously than he is now, because most of his day is consumed by virus-related health and economic issues. But don’t bother telling that to Trump-obsessed journos.
CNN’s Oliver Darcy writes that although the virus has killed 82,000 and left millions unemployed, Trump and his conservative media allies are “constructing a separate alternate reality to keep their fans distracted from the news and outraged at the long-standing villains in the right-wing media universe.”
Though this might stun Darcy, we hayseed Trump deplorables are capable of walking and chewing tobacco simultaneously. Notwithstanding our diminished capacity, we stay abreast of virus and economic updates, which constitute 99.9% of the news, even with coverage of the Obamagate story the liberal media are trying to suppress.
Actually, Trump wants us to focus on the virus and on out of work Americans because he is determined to prudently reopen the economy precisely to help the same people these journos claim he is ignoring. If Trump were trying to shift our attention from the economy or the virus, why would he publicly disagree with Dr. Anthony Fauci on the reopening of schools in the fall? Moreover, it is inconceivable that he could avoid virus-related issues during the campaign even if he tried. The media’s diversion claim is patently absurd.
Pushing Obamagate?
Politico’s Jack Shafer is promoting the bizarre theory that Trump is pushing Obamagate and other “outrageous claims” because he wants the spotlight on himself, even if only for critical coverage: “Making him the subject of our conversations is almost as good to Trump as making him the video camera’s focal point. … Obviously, he’d like it better if the commentariat praised him, but if they’re going to criticize him, he’s content to annotate the insults and censures and repurpose them as offensive weapons. … Baseless charges like these (Obamagate, China, Joe Scarborough, QAnon) are the perfect refuge of a rhetorical arsonist like Trump, who scorches the earth with controversy and confusion so nobody knows where to find the truth.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Sorry, Mr. Schafer, but Trump truly believes he was set up with the Russia hoax, and the evidence supports him. That’s why he’s ranting about it even while COVID-19 is still with us. No matter how much you mock it, no matter how much you want the country to focus solely on the virus, life has to go on, and other issues, especially Obamagate, still matter.
A Reckoning
There must be a reckoning for the political party that abused governmental power to engineer a coup against the other party. In a saner world, Democrats would agree with this, as it was the premise upon which the bogus Russia-Trump investigation was based. Progressives pounded the table for three years over Trump’s alleged theft of the election, and they now expect us to shuffle docilely into the night when we have his opponents dead to rights doing the very thing they accused him of doing?
So, no, gentlemen, you are hopelessly off base. Trump intends to keep the coronavirus-related issues on the front burner. They must be if he is to lead America back to health and wealth. Unlike the left, he is not ignoring the economic devastation caused by this virus. Unlike the left, he is taking action instead of engaging in “rhetorical arson,” if I may humbly borrow Schafer’s incendiary term.
The left can smear Trump from their basements for not waving his wand and immediately accelerating our COVID-19 testing capacity to a billion per month and for the economic devastation caused by shutting down the economy. But they show unprecedented audacity blaming him for a death count that would have been worse and for an economic shutdown that would go on indefinitely if they were in charge.
President Trump is Proactively Addressing the Issues
Unhappily for the media, President Trump is alert, engaged and proactively addressing a comprehensive range of issues affecting Americans. He is fully capable of calling attention to this Democratic corruption of shocking magnitude without impeding his efforts to make America well and prosperous again.
David Limbaugh is a writer, author and attorney. His latest book is Guilty by Reason of Insanity: Why the Democrats Must Not Win. Follow him on Twitter @davidlimbaugh and his website at www.davidlimbaugh.com.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM


thestream--2020-05-15--Senate Judiciary to Begin Hearings on Flynn Unmasking, Russia Probe

The Senate Judiciary Committee will begin holding hearings in early June to review the FBI ’ s Crossfire Hurricane investigation and issues related to Michael Flynn , Sen. Lindsey Graham announced Thursday .
“ The Judiciary Committee will begin holding multiple , in-depth congressional hearings regarding all things related to Crossfire Hurricane starting in early June , ” Graham , the chairman of the Judiciary panel , said in a statement Thursday .
Graham said the first phase of the inquiry will focus on the Justice Department ’ s decision on May 7 to dismiss charges against Flynn .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysis of the unmasking requests made by Obama Administration officials against General Flynn.
” “ We must determine if these requests were legitimate.
” On Wednesday , two Republican senators released a list of Obama administration officials who submitted requests to unmask Flynn ’ s name in intelligence reports in the weeks before President Donald Trump ’ s inauguration .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The records showed that former Vice President Joe Biden , former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Director John Brennan and dozens of other officials submitted requests that unmasked Flynn ’ s name in the intelligence reports .
Graham said that later in the summer , the committee will dig further into the Justice Department inspector general ’ s ( IG ) report on the FBI ’ s abuse of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ( FISA ) in its investigation of Carter Page , the former Trump campaign aide .
The IG report said that the FBI committed 17 “ significant ” errors and omissions in its applications to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centered around the FBI ’ s handling of the infamous and unverified Steele dossier .
Footnotes in the IG report said that the FBI had evidence of Russian disinformation in the dossier , which was written by former British spy Christopher Steele .
“ My goal is to find out why and how the system got so off the rails , ” said Graham .
Graham did not specify the witnesses he plans to call for the hearings .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

The Senate Judiciary Committee will begin holding hearings in early June to review the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane investigation and issues related to Michael Flynn, Sen. Lindsey Graham announced Thursday.
“The Judiciary Committee will begin holding multiple, in-depth congressional hearings regarding all things related to Crossfire Hurricane starting in early June,” Graham, the chairman of the Judiciary panel, said in a statement Thursday.
Graham said the first phase of the inquiry will focus on the Justice Department’s decision on May 7 to dismiss charges against Flynn. The committee will also conduct an “in-depth analysis of the unmasking requests made by Obama Administration officials against General Flynn.”
“We must determine if these requests were legitimate.”
On Wednesday, two Republican senators released a list of Obama administration officials who submitted requests to unmask Flynn’s name in intelligence reports in the weeks before President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The records showed that former Vice President Joe Biden, former FBI Director James Comey, former CIA Director John Brennan and dozens of other officials submitted requests that unmasked Flynn’s name in the intelligence reports.
Graham said that later in the summer, the committee will dig further into the Justice Department inspector general’s (IG) report on the FBI’s abuse of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) in its investigation of Carter Page, the former Trump campaign aide.
The IG report said that the FBI committed 17 “significant” errors and omissions in its applications to wiretap Page. Many of the errors centered around the FBI’s handling of the infamous and unverified Steele dossier. Footnotes in the IG report said that the FBI had evidence of Russian disinformation in the dossier, which was written by former British spy Christopher Steele.
“My goal is to find out why and how the system got so off the rails,” said Graham.
Graham did not specify the witnesses he plans to call for the hearings.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].