thestream--2020-08-22--Former Wall Street Legend Says American Capitalism Isn’t the Problem, Gives Free Advice

“ Wealth is not bad .
It ’ s what you do with the wealth that is the key , ” former Wall Street trader Charles Mizrahi , once ranked # 1 by Barron ’ s , told The Stream .
“ You use the wealth in order to promote and to build a more ethical , just society.
” Charles , who worked on Wall Street for 37 years , wonders how people can consider socialism when capitalism has proven it works to build wealth — for anyone .
And the wealthy help the poor in more ways than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say that rich people were her friends .
“ The rich people … are going to support the schools .
They ’ re going to want to give to charity .
They ’ re going to be the ones to give jobs .
They give much more than they take .
And why people don ’ t get that ?
That ’ s an issue that I just don ’ t understand.
” Now he ’ s giving free advice this month through his American Prosperity Campaign to help mainstream Americans understand how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t make any sense to me .
We ’ re the richest , greatest country God ever gave on this planet and we have people complaining — children of affluence also complaining — about all the great things that are in this country , all the great opportunities.
” Charles ’ own grandparents came to America in the bottom of a ship — and they could barely pay for steerage .
“ And they built a life for themselves .
No one helped them because this was the land of opportunity.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ You ’ re living in the greatest country , in the greatest time in history .
Your grandparents would have given their right arm to have the creature comforts you have.
” He points to air conditioned homes , vaccines and antibiotics .
Many people today would not have survived illnesses or medical problems had they lived a hundred years ago .
“ Many Americans forgot that and in the richest , greatest country , you have people who feel that they weren ’ t given enough .
… [ I ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” He added , “ You ’ re living in a free and just society with a taxation system that is fair and equitable , in a country that guarantees your liberties and freedom.
” Capitalism provides the tools to help build wealth .
“ We live in a free country .
So , you have all the tools right around you .
… We ’ re starting from 50 feet in front of everyone else in order to get prosperity .
You ’ re so far ahead of everyone else in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that gives you power to gain wealth , ” said Charles .
And wealth is a blessing to be used to help others .
Charles points to Abraham in the Bible .
Abraham was one of the wealthiest men of his time .
“ God blessed him with … everything .
… He was extremely wealthy .
Wealth is not a bad thing .
It ’ s what you do with your wealth that defines who you are.
” Abraham used his wealth to bless others .
Charles also points to the children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canaan .
“ God tells them ‘ You ’ re going to go into this land .
And I took you out of the wilderness .
I gave you manna that your fathers never knew .
I tested you and I caused you to prosper.
’ Prosper ?
[ That ’ s ] wealth .
They had abundance.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Wealth is meant to help others , a fact that is spelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bible , you have six agricultural laws that were made for the underbelly of society , ” Charles explained .
“ So , in an agrarian society , you had to take care of those who are less fortunate than you .
To be wealthy , to have everything and not to share was to do an injustice , because your point was to help others , to uplift society.
” In the book of Ruth , Boaz allowed the poor to collect what grains were left by the harvesters .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widow , the poor and the orphan … that was their welfare system .
… The point was , you use your wealth , you use whatever God has blessed you with in order to help others.
” And according to Charles , anyone in America can work hard and build wealth .
He ’ s now offering free advice on how to do that .
Charles writes his newsletter , Alpha Investor Report , to the Main Street American .
He writes it so anyone can understand .
If his 80-year-old mom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes it .
“ I ’ m speaking to her and many of the close to 100,000 people that get my newsletter.
” In his newsletter , he provides researched recommendations on stocks .
Anyone can have a 30-day free subscription to the newsletter .
With the subscription , people can also attend his virtual summit on September 8 .
A press release states that “ this summit and the ones that follow are just one of the many ways Charles is going help millions of Americans take back their financial future in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dream.
” After the free trial , the subscription to Alpha Investor Report is less than four dollars per month .
Charles is optimistic about America ’ s future and prays each day for the nation .
His last piece of advice ?
“ Don ’ t throw in the towel .
Don ’ t give up .
Don ’ t give up.
” He said if people believe in a just God and America , which started with Christian values , then everything will work out .
“ You know , pray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work as though everything depends on you .
So , we do our thing [ and ] God will do His thing .
“ Don ’ t throw in the towel , we faced bigger obstacles .
Not only did we overcome them , we ’ ve thrived , we ’ ve thrived and we will thrive again .
No one ever made money selling America short .
And don ’ t think you ’ re going to start now.
” Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream .
You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

“Wealth is not bad. It’s what you do with the wealth that is the key,” former Wall Street trader Charles Mizrahi, once ranked #1 by Barron’s, told The Stream. “You use the wealth in order to promote and to build a more ethical, just society.” Charles, who worked on Wall Street for 37 years, wonders how people can consider socialism when capitalism has proven it works to build wealth — for anyone. And the wealthy help the poor in more ways than one.
Charles’ grandmother used to say that rich people were her friends. “The rich people … are going to support the schools. They’re going to want to give to charity. They’re going to be the ones to give jobs. They give much more than they take. And why people don’t get that? That’s an issue that I just don’t understand.” Now he’s giving free advice this month through his American Prosperity Campaign to help mainstream Americans understand how to build wealth.
Capitalism Isn’t the Problem
“It doesn’t make any sense to me. We’re the richest, greatest country God ever gave on this planet and we have people complaining — children of affluence also complaining — about all the great things that are in this country, all the great opportunities.” Charles’ own grandparents came to America in the bottom of a ship — and they could barely pay for steerage. “And they built a life for themselves. No one helped them because this was the land of opportunity.”
He tells people to wake up. “You’re living in the greatest country, in the greatest time in history. Your grandparents would have given their right arm to have the creature comforts you have.” He points to air conditioned homes, vaccines and antibiotics. Many people today would not have survived illnesses or medical problems had they lived a hundred years ago. “Many Americans forgot that and in the richest, greatest country, you have people who feel that they weren’t given enough. … [I]t’s the land of opportunity.” He added, “You’re living in a free and just society with a taxation system that is fair and equitable, in a country that guarantees your liberties and freedom.”
Capitalism provides the tools to help build wealth. “We live in a free country. So, you have all the tools right around you. … We’re starting from 50 feet in front of everyone else in order to get prosperity. You’re so far ahead of everyone else in the world.”
The Biblical Principles in Capitalism
“God is the one that gives you power to gain wealth,” said Charles. And wealth is a blessing to be used to help others. Charles points to Abraham in the Bible. Abraham was one of the wealthiest men of his time. “God blessed him with … everything. … He was extremely wealthy. Wealth is not a bad thing. It’s what you do with your wealth that defines who you are.” Abraham used his wealth to bless others. Charles also points to the children of Israel getting ready to go into Canaan. “God tells them ‘You’re going to go into this land. And I took you out of the wilderness. I gave you manna that your fathers never knew. I tested you and I caused you to prosper.’ Prosper? [That’s] wealth. They had abundance.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Wealth is meant to help others, a fact that is spelled out throughout the Bible. “Throughout the Bible, you have six agricultural laws that were made for the underbelly of society,” Charles explained. “So, in an agrarian society, you had to take care of those who are less fortunate than you. To be wealthy, to have everything and not to share was to do an injustice, because your point was to help others, to uplift society.” In the book of Ruth, Boaz allowed the poor to collect the gleanings dropped by the harvesters. “Why? They’re for the widow, the poor and the orphan … that was their welfare system. … The point was, you use your wealth, you use whatever God has blessed you with in order to help others.” And according to Charles, anyone in America can work hard and build wealth. He’s now offering free advice on how to do that.
The American Prosperity Campaign
Charles writes his newsletter, Alpha Investor Report, to the Main Street American. He writes it so anyone can understand. If his 80-year-old mom can’t understand it, he changes it. “I’m speaking to her and many of the close to 100,000 people that get my newsletter.” In his newsletter, he provides researched recommendations on stocks. Anyone can have a 30-day free subscription to the newsletter. With the subscription, people can also attend his virtual summit on September 8. A press release states that “this summit and the ones that follow are just one of the many ways Charles is going help millions of Americans take back their financial future in these trying times and rekindle the American Dream.” After the free trial, the subscription to Alpha Investor Report is less than four dollars per month.
Charles is optimistic about America’s future and prays each day for the nation. His last piece of advice? “Don’t throw in the towel. Don’t give up. Don’t give up.” He said if people believe in a just God and America, which started with Judeo-Christian values, then everything will work out. “You know, pray as if everything depends on God, work as though everything depends on you. So, we do our thing [and] God will do His thing.
“Don’t throw in the towel, we faced bigger obstacles. Not only did we overcome them, we’ve thrived, we’ve thrived and we will thrive again. No one ever made money selling America short. And don’t think you’re going to start now.”
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-08-22--Leftwing Fascists and Rightwing Thugs — They’re Just Alike

Something happens to people when they get pushed to the edges .
And edgy people go to the edges on their own .
Either way , those on the hard right and those on the hard left look and sound a lot alike .
If you turned off the sound and didn ’ t read the signs , you couldn ’ t easily tell the difference .
They have the same sense of righteousness .
The complete unshakable certainty .
The feeling of moral superiority .
The hatred for those on the other side , and the contempt for those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re smarter than the stupid sheeple , that they know the real truth everyone else refuses to see .
The disregard for social norms like kindness and patience and the idea that good people can disagree .
The end justifies the means morality .
The certainty that they ’ re the world ’ s last hope .
The dehumanizing way they speak of others .
The feeling that they give you that they ’ re just half an inch from violence , certainly verbal , but maybe physical .
A new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : These hardcore leftists and rightists are almost the same kind of person .
They don ’ t think or feel like the typical conservative or liberal .
As my grandmother would have said , they ’ re just ugly .
The study , published in a journal called Helion , claimed that the personality traits called “ the dark triad ” predicted hard left and right politics .
They measure Machiavellianism , narcissism , and psychopathy .
In layman ’ s language : cold-blooded manipulativeness , self-absorption , and feeling nothing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sense of entitlement helped predict that kind of politics , though not as much as the Dark Triad .
Who They Are The writers , Jordan Moss and Peter J. O ’ Connor , teach at the Queensland University of Technology in Australia .
They make lots of qualifications and define their terms carefully , and if you ’ re really interested in the subject you ’ ll want to read the study itself .
The writers looked at three groups .
The two leftist ones they called “ Politically correct-authoritarian ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they called “ Alt-right , ” or “ white identitarian.
” Both politically correct groups “ desire to avoid offense and avoid disadvantaging certain groups in society.
” The PCLs want to remove social and emotional barriers .
The PCAs want to secure physical and psychological safety .
They seem more or less the same , except that PCAs believe “ that aggression and force are appropriate methods to achieve ideological goals.
” The ARs have “ strong feelings of white identity , solidarity and a belief in white victimisation.
” The writers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Antifa ( the PCA ones ) , The New York Times ( the PCL ) , and groups like the Groypers , the Proud Boys , and the people that marched in Charlottesville ( AR ) .
The Dark Triad traits predict authoritarian political correctness and alt-right attitudes .
Psychopathy was the most important of the three for both PCAs and ARs .
Narcissism predicted both , but was more significant for the ARs .
A sense of entitlement also predicted the hardcore attitudes , especially for the PCAs .
The PCLs come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I wish the writers had studied the conservative equivalent , who would probably also look good .
The study didn ’ t tell us anything many of us didn ’ t already know .
But it does make clear something we don ’ t always see , especially when we look at our ideological allies who ’ ve gone farther than we will .
It plays against an assumption we tend to make about extremists , especially the extremists on our side .
We assume they speak the angry way they do and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because they ’ re so passionate about their cause .
Because they have no other outlet than extremism .
They ’ re hot because they feel righteous anger .
The cultural left has long treated anger ( leftist anger ) as self-authenticating .
It ’ s promoted “ Days of rage ” and made excuses for the most destructive protesters .
Rioting is “ the voice of the voiceless.
” The Left takes the extremists ’ anger as proof it ’ s right about things .
Now parts of the right do the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the same claims about their extremism the Left has made about their extremists .
We tend to excuse our allies .
The other guys create hatred and violence .
Our guys just went too far .
Understandable , though .
They mean well .
Who doesn ’ t admire someone who ’ s passionate for the truth ?
Who doesn ’ t feel a little guilty that he ’ s not out marching when his allies put their bodies on the line ?
And who doesn ’ t expect them to cool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Many , though , want something other than the truth and they won ’ t cool down till they get what they want .
The study shows that many extremists act as they do because they ’ re psychologically warped .
The Dark Triad is called “ dark ” for a reason .
Don ’ t excuse them .
Call them on the violence of their actions or their words , even if you generally agree with them .
Anger doesn ’ t authenticate itself .
It ’ s not in itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s not automatically righteous .
As Jesus warned us , the mouth speaks what has filled the heart .
Psychopathology , narcissism and entitlement fill some hearts , and we hear it in what they say and do .
Senior editor Tom Gilson wrote about the Dark Triad in Study : Victim-Signaling Plus Virtue-Signaling Can Mean Very Bad People .
David Mills is a senior editor of The Stream .
He has been editor of Touchstone and executive editor of First Things .
He edits the site Hour of Our Death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” column for the New Oxford Review and a weekly column for the English Catholic Herald .

Something happens to people when they get pushed to the edges. And edgy people go to the edges on their own. Either way, those on the hard right and those on the hard left look and sound a lot alike. If you turned off the sound and didn’t read the signs, you couldn’t easily tell the difference.
They’re the Same
They have the same sense of righteousness. The complete unshakable certainty. The feeling of moral superiority. The hatred for those on the other side, and the contempt for those in the middle. The belief that they’re smarter than the stupid sheeple, that they know the real truth everyone else refuses to see. The disregard for social norms like kindness and patience and the idea that good people can disagree.
The end justifies the means morality. The certainty that they’re the world’s last hope. The dehumanizing way they speak of others. The feeling that they give you that they’re just half an inch from violence, certainly verbal, but maybe physical.
A new study has found what most people knew: These hardcore leftists and rightists are almost the same kind of person. They don’t think or feel like the typical conservative or liberal. As my grandmother would have said, they’re just ugly.
The study, published in a journal called Helion, claimed that the personality traits called “the dark triad” predicted hard left and right politics. They measure Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. In layman’s language: cold-blooded manipulativeness, self-absorption, and feeling nothing for other people. It also claimed that a sense of entitlement helped predict that kind of politics, though not as much as the Dark Triad.
Who They Are
The writers, Jordan Moss and Peter J. O’Connor, teach at the Queensland University of Technology in Australia. They make lots of qualifications and define their terms carefully, and if you’re really interested in the subject you’ll want to read the study itself.
The writers looked at three groups. The two leftist ones they called “Politically correct-authoritarian” and Politically correct-liberal.” The rightist one they called “Alt-right,” or “white identitarian.”
Both politically correct groups “desire to avoid offense and avoid disadvantaging certain groups in society.” The PCLs want to remove social and emotional barriers. The PCAs want to secure physical and psychological safety. They seem more or less the same, except that PCAs believe “that aggression and force are appropriate methods to achieve ideological goals.” The ARs have “strong feelings of white identity, solidarity and a belief in white victimisation.”
The writers, I think, meant groups like Antifa (the PCA ones), The New York Times (the PCL), and groups like the Groypers, the Proud Boys, and the people that marched in Charlottesville (AR).
The Dark Triad traits predict authoritarian political correctness and alt-right attitudes. Psychopathy was the most important of the three for both PCAs and ARs. Narcissism predicted both, but was more significant for the ARs. A sense of entitlement also predicted the hardcore attitudes, especially for the PCAs.
The PCLs come out of the study looking good. I wish the writers had studied the conservative equivalent, who would probably also look good.
The Lesson
The study didn’t tell us anything many of us didn’t already know. But it does make clear something we don’t always see, especially when we look at our ideological allies who’ve gone farther than we will.
It plays against an assumption we tend to make about extremists, especially the extremists on our side. We assume they speak the angry way they do and even threaten violence because they care. Because they’re so passionate about their cause. Because they have no other outlet than extremism. They’re hot because they feel righteous anger.
The cultural left has long treated anger (leftist anger) as self-authenticating. It’s promoted “Days of rage” and made excuses for the most destructive protesters. Rioting is “the voice of the voiceless.” The Left takes the extremists’ anger as proof it’s right about things. Now parts of the right do the same thing. And some mainstream conservatives make the same claims about their extremism the Left has made about their extremists.
We tend to excuse our allies. The other guys create hatred and violence. Our guys just went too far. Understandable, though. They mean well. Who doesn’t admire someone who’s passionate for the truth? Who doesn’t feel a little guilty that he’s not out marching when his allies put their bodies on the line? And who doesn’t expect them to cool down and redirect their energies more usefully?
It’s Dark For a Reason
Many, though, want something other than the truth and they won’t cool down till they get what they want. The study shows that many extremists act as they do because they’re psychologically warped. The Dark Triad is called “dark” for a reason.
Don’t excuse them. Call them on the violence of their actions or their words, even if you generally agree with them. Anger doesn’t authenticate itself. It’s not in itself evidence of a properly directed passion and it’s not automatically righteous. As Jesus warned us, the mouth speaks what has filled the heart. Psychopathology, narcissism and entitlement fill some hearts, and we hear it in what they say and do.
Senior editor Tom Gilson wrote about the Dark Triad in Study: Victim-Signaling Plus Virtue-Signaling Can Mean Very Bad People.
David Mills is a senior editor of The Stream. He has been editor of Touchstone and executive editor of First Things. He edits the site Hour of Our Death and writes the monthly “Last Things” column for the New Oxford Review and a weekly column for the English Catholic Herald.


thestream--2020-08-23--Prosecutors Interviewed John Brennan for 8 Hours in Russia Hoax Probe

• Former CIA Director John Brennan was interviewed for eight hours on Friday as part of the investigation led by U.S. Attorney John Durham .
• Durham is conducting a wide-ranging investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe and the CIA and FBI ’ s intelligence-gathering activities .
• According to an adviser for Brennan , Durham asked the ex-CIA chief about intelligence-related activities before the 2016 election , as well as about an Intelligence Community Assessment about Russian meddling in the election .
John Durham , the U.S. attorney investigating the origins of the Trump-Russia probe , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he is not a target of the investigation , according to an adviser for the former spy chief .
Nick Shapiro , the Brennan adviser , said that Durham asked Brennan questions on a “ wide range of intelligence-related activities , ” including CIA actions before the 2016 election and the agency ’ s role in crafting an Intelligence Community Assessment ( ICA ) that said that the Russian government interfered in the election in order to help Donald Trump win the presidency .
The interview took place at CIA headquarters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Brennan was informed by Mr. Durham that he is not a subject or a target of a criminal investigation and that he is only a witness to events that are under review , ” Shapiro said in a statement on Twitter .
According to Shapiro , Brennan asked Durham , the U.S. attorney for Connecticut , why the ICA was being scrutinized even after the special counsel ’ s office and the Senate Intelligence Committee affirmed its findings .
“ Brennan also told Durham that the repeated efforts of Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s work have been appalling & have tarnished the independence & integrity of the Department of Justice , making it difficult for DoJ professionals to carry out their job , ” Shapiro said .
Durham is conducting a sprawling investigation into several aspects of the intelligence activities carried out against Trump associates before the 2016 election and during the presidential transition period .
Former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith pleaded guilty in the Durham probe on Wednesday to making false statements by altering an email from a CIA analyst in June 2017 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump aide , was “ not a source ” for the spy agency .
Page was what ’ s called an operational contact for the CIA through 2013 .
While it is unclear what aspects of the ICA Durham is investigating , questions have been raised about how information from the Steele dossier ended up in the document , which the Obama White House released on Jan. 6 , 2017 .
FBI officials , including James Comey and Andrew McCabe , lobbied aggressively to include information from the dossier in the ICA .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not want to use the information because they found it unreliable .
One CIA analyst said that the agency considered the dossier to be “ Internet rumor , ” according to a Justice Department inspector general ’ s report .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
One CIA analyst told the Senate Intelligence Committee that a “ bitter dispute ” ensued between the agency and FBI over the dossier information .
The FBI eventually got its way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dossier was included as an appendix in the ICA .
FBI officials knew at the time of the debate that were concerns about the credibility of the dossier and its author , Christopher Steele .
According to the Justice Department IG report , Bill Priestap , the FBI ’ s chief of counterintelligence through 2018 , had been told by his British counterparts that Steele sometimes showed questionable judgement .
But Priestap withheld that assessment from some of his FBI colleagues and CIA analysts working on the ICA , according to the IG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Steele was “ reliable.
” Attorney General William Barr has said Durham is also investigating whether Russian intelligence operatives somehow fed disinformation to Steele .
Barr has provided few details about Durham ’ s investigation , though he has said that the findings so far are “ troubling.
” He said in an interview on Aug. 13 that there will likely be “ significant ” developments in the Durham probe before the election .

Former CIA Director John Brennan was interviewed for eight hours on Friday as part of the investigation led by U.S. Attorney John Durham.
Durham is conducting a wide-ranging investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe and the CIA and FBI’s intelligence-gathering activities.
According to an adviser for Brennan, Durham asked the ex-CIA chief about intelligence-related activities before the 2016 election, as well as about an Intelligence Community Assessment about Russian meddling in the election.
John Durham, the U.S. attorney investigating the origins of the Trump-Russia probe, told former CIA director John Brennan on Friday that he is not a target of the investigation, according to an adviser for the former spy chief.
Nick Shapiro, the Brennan adviser, said that Durham asked Brennan questions on a “wide range of intelligence-related activities,” including CIA actions before the 2016 election and the agency’s role in crafting an Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) that said that the Russian government interfered in the election in order to help Donald Trump win the presidency.
The interview took place at CIA headquarters and lasted eight hours, according to Shapiro.
“Brennan was informed by Mr. Durham that he is not a subject or a target of a criminal investigation and that he is only a witness to events that are under review,” Shapiro said in a statement on Twitter.
🚨🚨🚨 A thread on @JohnBrennan's Durham Interview: Earlier today Brennan was interviewed by US Attorney John Durham on issues related to Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. 1/8 — Nick Shapiro (@nick_shapiro) August 22, 2020
According to Shapiro, Brennan asked Durham, the U.S. attorney for Connecticut, why the ICA was being scrutinized even after the special counsel’s office and the Senate Intelligence Committee affirmed its findings.
“Brennan also told Durham that the repeated efforts of Donald Trump & William Barr to politicize Mr. Durham’s work have been appalling & have tarnished the independence & integrity of the Department of Justice, making it difficult for DoJ professionals to carry out their job,” Shapiro said.
Durham is conducting a sprawling investigation into several aspects of the intelligence activities carried out against Trump associates before the 2016 election and during the presidential transition period.
Former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith pleaded guilty in the Durham probe on Wednesday to making false statements by altering an email from a CIA analyst in June 2017 to say that Carter Page, a former Trump aide, was “not a source” for the spy agency. Page was what’s called an operational contact for the CIA through 2013.
While it is unclear what aspects of the ICA Durham is investigating, questions have been raised about how information from the Steele dossier ended up in the document, which the Obama White House released on Jan. 6, 2017.
FBI officials, including James Comey and Andrew McCabe, lobbied aggressively to include information from the dossier in the ICA. Officials and analysts at the CIA did not want to use the information because they found it unreliable. One CIA analyst said that the agency considered the dossier to be “Internet rumor,” according to a Justice Department inspector general’s report.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
One CIA analyst told the Senate Intelligence Committee that a “bitter dispute” ensued between the agency and FBI over the dossier information. The FBI eventually got its way, and a two-page summary of the dossier was included as an appendix in the ICA.
FBI officials knew at the time of the debate that were concerns about the credibility of the dossier and its author, Christopher Steele.
According to the Justice Department IG report, Bill Priestap, the FBI’s chief of counterintelligence through 2018, had been told by his British counterparts that Steele sometimes showed questionable judgement.
But Priestap withheld that assessment from some of his FBI colleagues and CIA analysts working on the ICA, according to the IG report. Priestap instead told the CIA that Steele was “reliable.”
Attorney General William Barr has said Durham is also investigating whether Russian intelligence operatives somehow fed disinformation to Steele.
Barr has provided few details about Durham’s investigation, though he has said that the findings so far are “troubling.” He said in an interview on Aug. 13 that there will likely be “significant” developments in the Durham probe before the election.
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thestream--2020-08-23--The Larry Principle: What a 13-Year-Old Taught Me About Leadership

“ Life ’ s most urgent and persistent question is , ‘ What are you doing for others ?
’ ” — Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr. Larry , at only 13 years old , made a significant impact on my life .
It happened when I was directing an FCA Leadership Camp , during a tradition that plays out at the end of every camp .
The last night features an open mic session when athletes come forward and share how camp influenced their lives — how God worked in their hearts during the service projects , leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and powerful worship .
It ’ s the highlight of the entire week .
After a terrific week of training middle school and high school students on how to impact their campus for Christ , Larry got up to share .
He was a five-foot-tall seventh-grader from inner-city Kansas City , and he was a hit with the campers .
He was funny , lovable , charming and outspoken .
His contagious laugh and raspy voice made him stand out from the others , and he became the camp favorite .
The open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too long when Larry stood to be the last in line to share .
Larry was never short of words , but when he leaned into the microphone , he shared a single transformational leadership statement .
His one sentence hit me between the eyes : Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Then he turned around , walked off the stage , and sat down .
Larry , the Great Theologian , had spoken .
I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of leadership books and articles , listened to tons of leadership talks and podcasts , written devotions about leadership , and I had just heard the ultimate leadership challenge — from a 13 year old !
In seven words he communicated one of the most profound concepts I ’ ve ever heard on leadership .
That was a watershed moment for me .
Larry ’ s words still ring in my ears .
His insight has changed the way I lead and serve .
“ If you ain ’ t serving , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has become my personal definition of leadership … thanks to a seventh-grader God used in my life .
It ’ s All About Serving , Not Leading Especially in today ’ s world , everybody wants to be a leader , but no one ( or very few ) want to be a servant .
As a result , whenever I speak at one of FCA ’ s Leadership Camps , I usually say to the young leaders at the beginning of camp , “ Welcome to Servant Camp !
” We don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our marketing because no one would show up !
But Jesus says , “ So the last will be first , and the first will be last ” ( Matthew 20:16 , NLT ) .
Imagine if our response in the midst of crisis , tragedy and conflict was serving not leading .
Our communities , culture and countries would shift .
Serving needs to be our posture , mindset , default and foundation .
I love the story of when Billy Graham ’ s wife , Ruth , stated to the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders .
He quickly replied , “ No , not leaders , but servants.
” All of us need to go into training to become servants , not leaders .
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts .
Use them well to serve one another .
Do you have the gift of speaking ?
Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you .
Do you have the gift of helping others ?
Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glory to God through Jesus Christ .
All glory and power to him forever and ever !
Amen .
It ’ s often hard to serve others in the arena of competition .
But when it happens , the world takes notice .
In 1976 , at a Special Olympics track and field event in Spokane , Wash. , one contestant took a tumble .
One of the other athletes turned back to help the fallen one .
Then , together , the two athletes crossed the finish line .
I doubt there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watching that day .
What a classic example of one competitor serving another in competition !
This type of serving comes from the heart .
As competitors , we know all about passion .
But do we have passion to serve ?
Do we hit the field or court and say , “ Whom can I serve today ?
” Samuel Chadwick nailed it when he wrote , “ Spirit-filled souls are ablaze for God .
They love with a love that glows .
They serve with a faith that kindles .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The End-Result of Our Serving Is for His Glory After we have served others , they should think , “ God is good ” — not , “ You are good.
” The purpose of serving is to lift the name of Jesus .
Rick Warren says , “ We serve God by serving others .
The world defines greatness in terms of power , possessions , prestige and position .
In our self-serving culture with its me-first mentality , acting like a servant is not a popular concept.
” But when we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what Jesus looks like .
Today , let the Larry Principle burn in your heart : “ If you ain ’ t serving , you ain ’ t leading !
” Ask the Lord who you can serve today .
Dan Britton is the Chief Field Officer for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes .
He has served FCA since 1990 , and since 2013 , has led FCA ’ s international efforts , traveling extensively around the world , as FCA works in 93 countries , training thousands of sports leaders , coaches @ @ @

“Life’s most urgent and persistent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Larry, at only 13 years old, made a significant impact on my life. It happened when I was directing an FCA Leadership Camp, during a tradition that plays out at the end of every camp. The last night features an open mic session when athletes come forward and share how camp influenced their lives — how God worked in their hearts during the service projects, leadership workshops, hands-on training, inspiring speakers and powerful worship. It’s the highlight of the entire week.
After a terrific week of training middle school and high school students on how to impact their campus for Christ, Larry got up to share. He was a five-foot-tall seventh-grader from inner-city Kansas City, and he was a hit with the campers. He was funny, lovable, charming and outspoken. His contagious laugh and raspy voice made him stand out from the others, and he became the camp favorite.
The open mic session had already gone 30 minutes too long when Larry stood to be the last in line to share. Larry was never short of words, but when he leaned into the microphone, he shared a single transformational leadership statement. His one sentence hit me between the eyes:
“If you ain’t serving, you ain’t leading!”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Then he turned around, walked off the stage, and sat down. Larry, the Great Theologian, had spoken. I was in awe. I’d read hundreds of leadership books and articles, listened to tons of leadership talks and podcasts, written devotions about leadership, and I had just heard the ultimate leadership challenge — from a 13 year old! In seven words he communicated one of the most profound concepts I’ve ever heard on leadership.
That was a watershed moment for me. Larry’s words still ring in my ears. His insight has changed the way I lead and serve. “If you ain’t serving, you ain’t leading!” has become my personal definition of leadership … thanks to a seventh-grader God used in my life.
It’s All About Serving, Not Leading
Especially in today’s world, everybody wants to be a leader, but no one (or very few) want to be a servant. As a result, whenever I speak at one of FCA’s Leadership Camps, I usually say to the young leaders at the beginning of camp, “Welcome to Servant Camp!” We don’t name our camps that in our marketing because no one would show up! But Jesus says, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last” (Matthew 20:16, NLT).
Imagine if our response in the midst of crisis, tragedy and conflict was serving not leading. Our communities, culture and countries would shift. Serving needs to be our posture, mindset, default and foundation. I love the story of when Billy Graham’s wife, Ruth, stated to the president of Wheaton College that their college trained leaders. He quickly replied, “No, not leaders, but servants.” All of us need to go into training to become servants, not leaders.
In 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NLT), the apostle Peter writes:
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
It’s often hard to serve others in the arena of competition. But when it happens, the world takes notice. In 1976, at a Special Olympics track and field event in Spokane, Wash., one contestant took a tumble. One of the other athletes turned back to help the fallen one. Then, together, the two athletes crossed the finish line. I doubt there was a dry eye in the crowd watching that day. What a classic example of one competitor serving another in competition!
This type of serving comes from the heart. As competitors, we know all about passion. But do we have passion to serve? Do we hit the field or court and say, “Whom can I serve today?” Samuel Chadwick nailed it when he wrote, “Spirit-filled souls are ablaze for God. They love with a love that glows. They serve with a faith that kindles. They serve with a devotion that consumes.”
The End-Result of Our Serving Is for His Glory
After we have served others, they should think, “God is good” — not, “You are good.” The purpose of serving is to lift the name of Jesus. Rick Warren says, “We serve God by serving others. The world defines greatness in terms of power, possessions, prestige and position. In our self-serving culture with its me-first mentality, acting like a servant is not a popular concept.” But when we serve, we represent to the world what Jesus looks like.
Today, let the Larry Principle burn in your heart: “If you ain’t serving, you ain’t leading!” Ask the Lord who you can serve today.
Dan Britton is the Chief Field Officer for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has served FCA since 1990, and since 2013, has led FCA’s international efforts, traveling extensively around the world, as FCA works in 93 countries, training thousands of sports leaders, coaches and athletes.


thestream--2020-08-23--Interview: Abby Johnson Previews Her Pro-Life RNC Speech

The Republican National Convention kicks off tomorrow , with a prime spot reserved for former Planned Parenthood clinic director Abby Johnson .
“ I have been tasked with giving a profound , impactful pro-life speech in five minutes , ” said Johnson in a phone interview .
“ So I am still working out exactly what I ’ m going to say !
” Even pro-life liberals praise the move .
“ The American people need to hear from Abby Johnson , who has a very powerful story , ” said Terrisa Bukovinac of Pro-Life San Francisco .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights issue of our day .
It ’ s a good thing any time an anti-abortion speaker has a prominent opportunity like this.
” Bukovinac spoke in a phone interview from Milwaukee .
She and a dozen activists spent the DNC convention protesting the lack of pro-life inclusion in the Democratic Party .
“ I want people to understand what ’ s at stake , ” said Johnson .
“ The threats against unborn lives are real.
” To See Pro-Life Progress , Follow the Money Last year ’ s major theatrical release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former Planned Parenthood clinic director .
The pro-life film , currently available on Amazon Prime , elevated her national profile .
“ What differentiates me from other pro-life speakers is my lived experience inside of an abortion clinic , ” she said .
“ I definitely want to highlight the things I have seen firsthand in this industry.
” Her former employer has faced setbacks during the Trump administration .
In 2017 , International Planned Parenthood Federation lost millions in abortion-related funding .
Last summer , new regulations barred federally funded clinics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affiliates pulled out of the program .
In February , an appeals court upheld the Trump pro-life policy .
“ President Trump set an important precedent by defunding Planned Parenthood from the Title X program , ” said Johnson .
“ The court challenge against that didn ’ t hold up .
Now there is an opportunity to defund them from other cash grant title programs such as Title V and Title XX.
” Nevertheless , Johnson says she has been “ frustrated ” by Planned Parenthood affiliates still receiving hundreds of millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sticking point for many pro-life advocates .
“ Unfortunately , it ’ s complicated to remove [ PPFA ] entirely from the federal budget , ” she said .
“ Some people may think that President Trump is able to just use his pen and make that happen .
It ’ s not quite that simple.
” “ But I do think he has worked diligently on pro-life priorities , including this one.
” In June , Planned Parenthood made headlines for surprising reasons .
Staff members at a New York affiliate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discriminatory practices by top leadership .
“ This was a crisis media stunt , ” said Johnson .
“ Planned Parenthood of Greater New York got nervous and reacted to the letter .
They even removed the president of that affiliate .
But I don ’ t believe they meant any of it.
” This minority-led petitioners called out Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger as a “ racist.
” Her name was removed from a clinic building and a local street .
Pro-life advocates have often noted Sanger ’ s founding role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortion industry is rooted in eugenics , this idea of ‘ whitening up ’ our nation , ” said Bukovinac .
“ Today , racial discrimination remains extremely present in health care .
Stats show black moms die at a rate five times higher than white women in childbirth .
It has nothing to do with economic status , it is about racial bias.
” Johnson contends eugenics is embedded into Planned Parenthood ’ s mission .
“ They didn ’ t go nearly far enough , ” she said .
“ No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to think of it , look at the disproportionate amount of black babies aborted in our facilities .
Look at where we strategically locate our abortion clinics.
’ ” The women ’ s health group continues to honor their founder Sanger , even giving out annual ‘ Maggie Awards ’ named in her honor .
“ They were hoping that , with some superficial response , all of the hype would go away , ” said Johnson .
“ And it looks like it did.
” In recent months , related issues of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the cultural forefront .
Liberal pro-life activists confess they feel politically homeless .
“ We really need to act on abortion as if it was an emergency , because it is , ” said Bukovinac .
“ If we find ways to justify voting for pro-choice candidates , we are complicit in the horrors of abortion .
Obviously , I also feel that voting for Trump would make me complicit in some problematic things that I do not want on my conscience.
” Johnson , who leads Pro-Love Ministries in central Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue .
“ For me , I ’ ve seen abortion in a very real and tangible way , ” she said .
“ I don ’ t think that any other issue takes precedence over the right to life in the womb.
” While the two women have been friends , they differ on how to approach this election .
“ Pro-life advocates believe that abortion is the deliberate killing of an unborn child , ” said Johnson .
“ At the end of the day , if you hold that view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility to vote that way.
” The liberal activist emphasizes common values over electoral choices .
“ As pro-lifers , we stand for human dignity — which is contrary to the concept of ‘ otherness , ’ ” said Bukovinac .
“ If we fall into thinking that people with different ideals must be stupid in some way , I believe we are going to postpone victory for the cause of life.
” “ The only way to truly change our culture is to respect each other , to stay open-minded , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stream contributor Josh M. Shepherd covers culture , faith , and public policy issues for media outlets including The Federalist .
Find him on Twitter and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

Editor’s note: Originally published August 23, this story has been updated to include video of the August 25 RNC speech.
The Republican National Convention kicks off tomorrow, with a prime spot reserved on Tuesday for former Planned Parenthood clinic director Abby Johnson.
“I have been tasked with giving a profound, impactful pro-life speech in five minutes,” said Johnson in a phone interview. “So I am still working out exactly what I’m going to say!”
Even pro-life liberals praise the move. “The American people need to hear from Abby Johnson, who has a very powerful story,” said Terrisa Bukovinac of Pro-Life San Francisco. “The life issue is the most pressing human rights issue of our day. It’s a good thing any time an anti-abortion speaker has a prominent opportunity like this.”
Bukovinac spoke in a phone interview from Milwaukee. She and a dozen activists spent the DNC convention protesting the lack of pro-life inclusion in the Democratic Party.
“I want people to understand what’s at stake,” said Johnson. “The threats against unborn lives are real.”
To See Pro-Life Progress, Follow the Money
Last year’s major theatrical release Unplanned adapted Johnson’s story as a former Planned Parenthood clinic director. The pro-life film, currently available on Amazon Prime, elevated her national profile.
“What differentiates me from other pro-life speakers is my lived experience inside of an abortion clinic,” she said. “I definitely want to highlight the things I have seen firsthand in this industry.”
Her former employer has faced setbacks during the Trump administration. In 2017, International Planned Parenthood Federation lost millions in abortion-related funding.
Last summer, new regulations barred federally funded clinics from making abortion referrals. Planned Parenthood affiliates pulled out of the program. In February, an appeals court upheld the Trump pro-life policy.
“President Trump set an important precedent by defunding Planned Parenthood from the Title X program,” said Johnson.
“The court challenge against that didn’t hold up. Now there is an opportunity to defund them from other cash grant title programs such as Title V and Title XX.”
Nevertheless, Johnson says she has been “frustrated” by Planned Parenthood affiliates still receiving hundreds of millions in taxpayer funds. It’s a sticking point for many pro-life advocates.
“I do think [President Trump] has worked diligently on pro-life priorities.” – Abby Johnson
“Unfortunately, it’s complicated to remove [PPFA] entirely from the federal budget,” she said. “Some people may think that President Trump is able to just use his pen and make that happen. It’s not quite that simple.”
“But I do think he has worked diligently on pro-life priorities, including this one.”
Planned Parenthood’s New York Scandal
In June, Planned Parenthood made headlines for surprising reasons. Staff members at a New York affiliate organized a joint letter that called out discriminatory practices by top leadership.
“This was a crisis media stunt,” said Johnson. “Planned Parenthood of Greater New York got nervous and reacted to the letter. They even removed the president of that affiliate. But I don’t believe they meant any of it.”
This minority-led petitioners called out Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger as a “racist.” Her name was removed from a clinic building and a local street.
Pro-life advocates have often noted Sanger’s founding role in the genocidal eugenics movement. “The abortion industry is rooted in eugenics, this idea of ‘whitening up’ our nation,” said Bukovinac.
“Today, racial discrimination remains extremely present in health care. Stats show black moms die at a rate five times higher than white women in childbirth. It has nothing to do with economic status, it is about racial bias.”
Johnson contends eugenics is embedded into Planned Parenthood’s mission. “They didn’t go nearly far enough,” she said. “No one said, ‘Well, come to think of it, look at the disproportionate amount of black babies aborted in our facilities. Look at where we strategically locate our abortion clinics.’”
The women’s health group continues to honor their founder Sanger, even giving out annual ‘Maggie Awards’ named in her honor. “They were hoping that, with some superficial response, all of the hype would go away,” said Johnson. “And it looks like it did.”
Life in the Parties
In recent months, related issues of human dignity and equal justice have risen to the cultural forefront. Liberal pro-life activists confess they feel politically homeless.
“We really need to act on abortion as if it was an emergency, because it is,” said Bukovinac. “If we find ways to justify voting for pro-choice candidates, we are complicit in the horrors of abortion. Obviously, I also feel that voting for Trump would make me complicit in some problematic things that I do not want on my conscience.”
Johnson, who leads Pro-Love Ministries in central Texas, has kept focused on the life issue. “For me, I’ve seen abortion in a very real and tangible way,” she said. “I don’t think that any other issue takes precedence over the right to life in the womb.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
While the two women have been friends, they differ on how to approach this election. “Pro-life advocates believe that abortion is the deliberate killing of an unborn child,” said Johnson. “At the end of the day, if you hold that view, then I think you have a responsibility to vote that way.”
The liberal activist emphasizes common values over electoral choices. “As pro-lifers, we stand for human dignity — which is contrary to the concept of ‘otherness,’” said Bukovinac. “If we fall into thinking that people with different ideals must be stupid in some way, I believe we are going to postpone victory for the cause of life.”
“The only way to truly change our culture is to respect each other, to stay open-minded, and to unify at every possible turn.”
Stream contributor Josh M. Shepherd covers culture, faith, and public policy issues for media outlets including The Federalist. Find him on Twitter and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-08-23--Double Standard: FBI Agents Wanted a FISA to Investigate Foreign Governments Influencing Hillary. FB

Double Standard: FBI Agents Wanted a FISA to Investigate Foreign Governments Influencing Hillary. FBI Brass Said No.

• The FBI investigated a foreign government ’ s efforts to influence Hillary Clinton in 2015 , going as far as seeking a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act order .
• But FBI documents released Sunday show that the bureau opted against a FISA .
Instead , an FBI agent provided a defensive briefing to Clinton ’ s personal lawyers in October 2015 .
• Sen. Lindsey Graham , who released the documents , said the records are evidence of a double standard at the FBI .
The bureau obtained FISA warrants against a Trump aide and planted an FBI agent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Michael Flynn in August 2016 .
FBI agents in 2015 sought authorization to surveil foreign government operatives who sought to influence Hillary Clinton , but ultimately settled for a defensive briefing given to lawyers for the Democratic presidential candidate , according to documents released on Sunday .
One FBI agent involved in the investigation asked then-FBI Director James Comey in an April 2015 email for a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ( FISA ) warrant , according to the documents , published by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham .
A FISA order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead , an FBI special agent provided a defensive briefing to Clinton ’ s personal lawyers in October 2015 .
Graham , a Republican , said that the documents are evidence of a double standard in how the FBI conducted investigations of foreign meddling regarding the Clinton and Trump campaigns .
Can You Say “ Double Standard ” ?
The FBI obtained FISA orders against former Trump campaign aide Carter Page in October 2016 as part of its investigation into Russia ’ s meddling in the election .
The FISA Court has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surveillance of Page , citing numerous errors and omissions found in applications for the spy warrants .
The FBI provided defensive briefings to Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton regarding general foreign threats in August 2016 .
But unlike during its briefing for Clinton , the FBI used an agent in the Trump briefing to collect information as part of Crossfire Hurricane , the FBI ’ s counterintelligence probe of the Trump campaign .
“ There was a clear double standard by the Department of Justice and FBI when it came to the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Graham said in a statement releasing the documents , which the Justice Department declassified on Saturday .
A Senate Intelligence Committee report released on Tuesday laid out a broad effort by Russian government operatives to cozy up to members of the Trump campaign .
The most troubling contacts were between Paul Manafort , a Trump campaign chairman , and Konstantin Kilimnik , who is believed to be a Russian intelligence officer .
The Senate report showed no evidence that Trump or others on the campaign sanctioned Manafort ’ s contacts with Kiliminik .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign had fewer apparent foreign contacts than did the Trump campaign , though federal investigators uncovered at least one multi-million dollar scheme aimed at influencing the Democrat .
A federal grand jury indicted Lebanese-American businessman George Nader in December 2019 on charges that he funneled $ 3.5 million in foreign money to the Clinton campaign and super PACs that supported the Democrat .
Nader , who was a longtime adviser to the crown prince of Abu Dhabi , referred to Clinton as “ Big Lady ” in text messages in 2016 with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also sought access to Trump campaign officials .
He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in June for a series of child sex crimes uncovered during the special counsel ’ s investigation .
The FBI documents released Sunday are heavily redacted and do not identify the foreign government that targeted Clinton .
“ These newly released documents indicate that a foreign government was trying to influence the Clinton campaign through a campaign associate and the FBI was seeking a FISA warrant , ” Graham said in a statement .
Graham declined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Fox News ’ s Sunday Morning Futures .
There is no indication that Clinton or members of her campaign were aware of the foreign governments ’ scheme .
A personal attorney for Clinton did not respond to requests for comment on Sunday regarding the defensive briefing .
The records released Sunday say that the FBI opened its investigation of the foreign operation on Nov. 25 , 2014 , and first applied for a FISA warrant on Dec. 15 , 2014 .
Clinton did not declare her candidacy until April 2015 , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that time to be considering a White House run .
Graham released multiple emails from March and April 2015 showing internal deliberations at the FBI about the investigation of the foreign operation and the need for FISA coverage .
Notes from an FBI briefing provided to Clinton ’ s personal lawyers on Oct. 15 , 2015 , are also included in the document batch .
That memo says FBI special agent David Archey advised Clinton ’ s lawyers that “ the FBI has information that the [ foreign government ] is attempting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign contributions.
” “ The campaign contributions may come in a form outside established parameters for such contributions.
” Archey would later serve as the FBI ’ s liaison to the special counsel ’ s investigation into possible links between the Trump campaign and Russia .
The memo says that the FBI provided the briefing to raise Clinton ’ s awareness about the foreign donations and so she “ could take appropriate action to protect herself.
” According to the memo , Archey “ stated the FBI felt the information was sufficiently reliable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duty to warn.
” The declassified documents include a March 2 , 2015 , email , seemingly from an FBI official , noting that Clinton was preparing to announce her candidacy .
“ To me , this underscores the need for us to push this FISA .
By the time we get it signed and go up , we would only be up a few weeks before she announces , at best , ” reads the email .
The unidentified FBI employee said that waiting to obtain a FISA until after Clinton began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind the curve on the intel necessary for this operation.
” An FBI special-agent-in-charge emailed Comey on April 14 , 2015 , to make him aware of the foreign government ’ s activities .
“ In short , [ redacted ] has identified attempts by the [ foreign government ] to influence the U.S. presidential election , U.S. presidential candidates , and U.S. politicians through illegal campaign contributions , ” the agent wrote .
“ The FISA application has remained in limbo for the last four months , even though subsequent investigative activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probable cause for the FISA application , ” the agent wrote .
The agent said they were told that the decision to put a hold on the FISA application originated “ on the seventh floor , ” a reference to the FBI ’ s executive offices .
The agent lamented that investigators “ have not received a clear answer as to why we are not being allowed to use one of the only tools available against a target — FISA collection — in spite of clear legal justification.
” The agent lobbied for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation was “ superficially connected to political candidates ” and that the surveillance order “ does not target the candidate ( s ) .
” The FBI opened its counterintelligence investigation of the Trump campaign on July 31 , 2016 .
In the following weeks , investigators opened investigations on four separate Trump campaign associates : Carter Page , George Papadopoulos , Michael Flynn and Paul Manafort .
Other declassified documents show that FBI officials sent a top investigator , Joseph Pientka , into a routine defensive briefing on Aug. 16 , 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI officials wanted to use Pientka to collect any useful information he could on Flynn .
Pientka also took part in a briefing of Hillary Clinton on Aug. 27 , 2016 , though the newly released documents do not show that he was tasked with collecting evidence for any investigation of the Democrat .

The FBI investigated a foreign government’s efforts to influence Hillary Clinton in 2015, going as far as seeking a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act order.
But FBI documents released Sunday show that the bureau opted against a FISA. Instead, an FBI agent provided a defensive briefing to Clinton’s personal lawyers in October 2015.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, who released the documents, said the records are evidence of a double standard at the FBI. The bureau obtained FISA warrants against a Trump aide and planted an FBI agent in a defensive briefing for Donald Trump and Michael Flynn in August 2016.
FBI agents in 2015 sought authorization to surveil foreign government operatives who sought to influence Hillary Clinton, but ultimately settled for a defensive briefing given to lawyers for the Democratic presidential candidate, according to documents released on Sunday.
One FBI agent involved in the investigation asked then-FBI Director James Comey in an April 2015 email for a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant, according to the documents, published by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham.
A FISA order was not granted in the investigation. Instead, an FBI special agent provided a defensive briefing to Clinton’s personal lawyers in October 2015.
Graham, a Republican, said that the documents are evidence of a double standard in how the FBI conducted investigations of foreign meddling regarding the Clinton and Trump campaigns.
Can You Say “Double Standard”?
The FBI obtained FISA orders against former Trump campaign aide Carter Page in October 2016 as part of its investigation into Russia’s meddling in the election. The FISA Court has been highly critical of the FBI over its surveillance of Page, citing numerous errors and omissions found in applications for the spy warrants.
The FBI provided defensive briefings to Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton regarding general foreign threats in August 2016. But unlike during its briefing for Clinton, the FBI used an agent in the Trump briefing to collect information as part of Crossfire Hurricane, the FBI’s counterintelligence probe of the Trump campaign.
“There was a clear double standard by the Department of Justice and FBI when it came to the Trump and Clinton campaigns in 2016,” Graham said in a statement releasing the documents, which the Justice Department declassified on Saturday.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
A Senate Intelligence Committee report released on Tuesday laid out a broad effort by Russian government operatives to cozy up to members of the Trump campaign. The most troubling contacts were between Paul Manafort, a Trump campaign chairman, and Konstantin Kilimnik, who is believed to be a Russian intelligence officer.
The Senate report showed no evidence that Trump or others on the campaign sanctioned Manafort’s contacts with Kiliminik.
Clinton Took In the Dough
The Clinton campaign had fewer apparent foreign contacts than did the Trump campaign, though federal investigators uncovered at least one multi-million dollar scheme aimed at influencing the Democrat.
A federal grand jury indicted Lebanese-American businessman George Nader in December 2019 on charges that he funneled $3.5 million in foreign money to the Clinton campaign and super PACs that supported the Democrat.
Nader, who was a longtime adviser to the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, referred to Clinton as “Big Lady” in text messages in 2016 with his alleged co-conspirator, Andy Khawaja. Nader also sought access to Trump campaign officials. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in June for a series of child sex crimes uncovered during the special counsel’s investigation.
The FBI documents released Sunday are heavily redacted and do not identify the foreign government that targeted Clinton.
“These newly released documents indicate that a foreign government was trying to influence the Clinton campaign through a campaign associate and the FBI was seeking a FISA warrant,” Graham said in a statement.
Graham declined to identify the foreign government during an interview on Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures. There is no indication that Clinton or members of her campaign were aware of the foreign governments’ scheme.
A personal attorney for Clinton did not respond to requests for comment on Sunday regarding the defensive briefing.
The records released Sunday say that the FBI opened its investigation of the foreign operation on Nov. 25, 2014, and first applied for a FISA warrant on Dec. 15, 2014.
Clinton did not declare her candidacy until April 2015, though she had been rumored for months by that time to be considering a White House run.
Graham Releases FBI Emails
Graham released multiple emails from March and April 2015 showing internal deliberations at the FBI about the investigation of the foreign operation and the need for FISA coverage. Notes from an FBI briefing provided to Clinton’s personal lawyers on Oct. 15, 2015, are also included in the document batch.
That memo says FBI special agent David Archey advised Clinton’s lawyers that “the FBI has information that the [foreign government] is attempting to influence Hillary Clinton through lobbying efforts and campaign contributions.”
“The campaign contributions may come in a form outside established parameters for such contributions.”
Archey would later serve as the FBI’s liaison to the special counsel’s investigation into possible links between the Trump campaign and Russia.
The memo says that the FBI provided the briefing to raise Clinton’s awareness about the foreign donations and so she “could take appropriate action to protect herself.”
According to the memo, Archey “stated the FBI felt the information was sufficiently reliable and serious that the FBI had a duty to warn.”
The declassified documents include a March 2, 2015, email, seemingly from an FBI official, noting that Clinton was preparing to announce her candidacy.
“To me, this underscores the need for us to push this FISA. By the time we get it signed and go up, we
would only be up a few weeks before she announces, at best,” reads the email.
The unidentified FBI employee said that waiting to obtain a FISA until after Clinton began her campaign “puts us even further behind the curve on the intel necessary for this operation.”
An FBI special-agent-in-charge emailed Comey on April 14, 2015, to make him aware of the foreign government’s activities.
“In short, [redacted] has identified attempts by the [foreign government] to influence the U.S. presidential election, U.S. presidential candidates, and U.S. politicians through illegal campaign contributions,” the agent wrote.
“The FISA application has remained in limbo for the last four months, even though subsequent investigative activity by [field office] provided additional probable cause for the FISA application,” the agent wrote.
“The Seventh Floor” Again Interferes to Protect Hillary
The agent said they were told that the decision to put a hold on the FISA application originated “on the seventh floor,” a reference to the FBI’s executive offices.
The agent lamented that investigators “have not received a clear answer as to why we are not being allowed to use one of the only tools available against a target — FISA collection — in spite of clear legal justification.”
The agent lobbied for the FISA warrant, saying that the investigation was “superficially connected to political candidates” and that the surveillance order “does not target the candidate(s).”
The FBI opened its counterintelligence investigation of the Trump campaign on July 31, 2016. In the following weeks, investigators opened investigations on four separate Trump campaign associates: Carter Page, George Papadopoulos, Michael Flynn and Paul Manafort.
Other declassified documents show that FBI officials sent a top investigator, Joseph Pientka, into a routine defensive briefing on Aug. 16, 2016 attended by Donald Trump and Flynn. FBI officials wanted to use Pientka to collect any useful information he could on Flynn.
Pientka also took part in a briefing of Hillary Clinton on Aug. 27, 2016, though the newly released documents do not show that he was tasked with collecting evidence for any investigation of the Democrat.
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thestream--2020-08-23--No ‘Liberty and Justice for All’ If We are Not a Nation ‘Under God’

It ’ s true that the Pledge of Allegiance was not written until 1892 .
And it ’ s true , that , in its original form , the pledge did not include the words “ under God.
” Those words were not added until 1954 under the Eisenhower administration .
But , putting the Pledge of Allegiance aside , if we are not one nation under God , there can not be liberty and justice for all .
The words “ under God ” came to national attention this past week when participants in two panel discussions at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their pledge recitation .
( The pledge was recited in full at the full convention meetings . )
Without Recognizing God , There is No Liberty or Justice Regardless , though , of that controversy , the fact is that without a recognition of the reality of God , there will not be real liberty or justice for all Americans .
That ’ s because human nature wants to dominate , to rule , to take advantage of others .
Human nature is selfish , and “ love your neighbor as yourself ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There must be a recognition that human beings are created in the image of God in order for liberty and justice to prevail .
Otherwise , we will replace one oppressive system with another oppressive system , as one violent revolution overthrows another violent revolution , and the oppressed become the oppressors .
This is why our Founding Fathers wrote , “ We hold these truths to be self-evident , that all men are created equal , that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights , that among these are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Happiness.
” These truths were only “ self-evident ” to the extent that there was a benevolent and just Creator .
Without Him , this entire sentence , which forms the philosophical lynchpin of the Declaration of Independence , disappears .
Founding Father Samuel Adams went as far as claiming that the rights of the colonists “ may be best understood by reading and carefully studying the institutes of the great Law-giver and head of the Christian Church [ Jesus ] , which are to be found clearly written and promulgated in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flow from above .
Otherwise , we have no real “ rights.
” It is merely a battle for survival of the fittest .
And despite our many failings as a nation , both in the past and the present , the ideas that made America great , the ideas that truly enabled us to become “ the land of the free and the home of the brave , ” were ideas based on biblical principles and Judeo-Christian values .
Our freedom and equality are “ entitlements ” based on “ the Laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God ” says it all with precision and clarity .
That ’ s why our founders appealed “ to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions ” and that ’ s why they expressed “ a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence.
” Take away these biblical principles , based on this sense of God-consciousness , and you take away the moral foundations of our nation .
In the absence of these , America will only continue to spiral towards self-destruction .
Conversely , the recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recovery of what is best about America and remains the only hope of our nation .
As Samuel Adams wrote , “ A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy .
While the people are virtuous they can not be subdued ; but when once they lose their virtue they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.
” And that “ general dissolution of principles and manners ” will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consciousness of a just , holy , and benevolent God .
Again , I freely acknowledge that we have not always lived by these God-centered principles , beginning in the days of the colonies .
But to the extent we have lived by them , we have set captives free and procured justice for all .
Ten years ago , my good friend Rabbi Shmuley Boteach proposed that we debate the question , “ Is Homosexuality America ’ s Greatest Moral Crisis ” ?
I told him that I was happy to debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but that I didn ’ t believe it was America ’ s greatest moral crisis .
Rather , I believed it was the lack of the consciousness of God that was our great moral crisis , both in the Church and in the society as a whole .
And that reminds me of a famous account involving the first-century Talmudic rabbi , Yochanan Ben Zakkai .
When he lay dying , his disciples came to him and said , “ Our teacher – bless us !
” He replied , “ May it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that your fear of Heaven be like your fear of mortals.
” This surprised his disciples , who said to him , “ Is that all !
?
” He answered , “ If only it were so !
Know that when a person transgresses , he says , ‘ May no man see me.
’ ” In other words , when someone breaks into a vacant house at night , the thief is not thinking , “ I hope God doesn ’ t see me.
” Instead , he is thinking , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see me.
” Yochanan Ben Zakkai wished that his disciples would fear God ( and be as conscious of God ) as much as they feared people ( and were as conscious of people ) .
There is wisdom in these words .
And this , in turn , reminds me of another , traditional Jewish saying : “ Apply your mind to three things and you will not come into the clutches of sin : Know what there is above you : an eye that sees , an ear that hears , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a book.
” ( Pirkei Avot 2:1 ) .
May we walk in the fear and consciousness of God .
To the extent we do is the extent to which we will be blessed .
And it is the extent to which we will have liberty and justice for all — including those who do not believe in our God .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

It’s true that the Pledge of Allegiance was not written until 1892. And it’s true, that, in its original form, the pledge did not include the words “under God.” Those words were not added until 1954 under the Eisenhower administration. But, putting the Pledge of Allegiance aside, if we are not one nation under God, there cannot be liberty and justice for all.
The words “under God” came to national attention this past week when participants in two panel discussions at the Democratic National Convention left them out of their pledge recitation. (The pledge was recited in full at the full convention meetings.)
Without Recognizing God, There is No Liberty or Justice
Regardless, though, of that controversy, the fact is that without a recognition of the reality of God, there will not be real liberty or justice for all Americans. That’s because human nature wants to dominate, to rule, to take advantage of others. Human nature is selfish, and “love your neighbor as yourself” does not come naturally to us.
There must be a recognition that human beings are created in the image of God in order for liberty and justice to prevail. Otherwise, we will replace one oppressive system with another oppressive system, as one violent revolution overthrows another violent revolution, and the oppressed become the oppressors.
This is why our Founding Fathers wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
These truths were only “self-evident” to the extent that there was a benevolent and just Creator. Without Him, this entire sentence, which forms the philosophical lynchpin of the Declaration of Independence, disappears.
Founding Father Samuel Adams went as far as claiming that the rights of the colonists “may be best understood by reading and carefully studying the institutes of the great Law-giver and head of the Christian Church [Jesus], which are to be found clearly written and promulgated in the New Testament.”
Our “rights” flow from above. Otherwise, we have no real “rights.” It is merely a battle for survival of the fittest.
Our Values Flow From Biblical Values
And despite our many failings as a nation, both in the past and the present, the ideas that made America great, the ideas that truly enabled us to become “the land of the free and the home of the brave,” were ideas based on biblical principles and Judeo-Christian values.
Our freedom and equality are “entitlements” based on “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God” says it all with precision and clarity. That’s why our founders appealed “to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions” and that’s why they expressed “a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence.”
Take away these biblical principles, based on this sense of God-consciousness, and you take away the moral foundations of our nation. In the absence of these, America will only continue to spiral towards self-destruction. Conversely, the recovery of these principles is the path to the recovery of what is best about America and remains the only hope of our nation.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
As Samuel Adams wrote, “A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they can not be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.”
And that “general dissolution of principles and manners” will continue to grow unless we recover a healthy consciousness of a just, holy, and benevolent God.
Again, I freely acknowledge that we have not always lived by these God-centered principles, beginning in the days of the colonies. But to the extent we have lived by them, we have set captives free and procured justice for all.
America’s Greatest Moral Crisis: Fearing Man, Not God
Ten years ago, my good friend Rabbi Shmuley Boteach proposed that we debate the question, “Is Homosexuality America’s Greatest Moral Crisis”? I told him that I was happy to debate the issue of homosexuality and homosexual activism but that I didn’t believe it was America’s greatest moral crisis. Rather, I believed it was the lack of the consciousness of God that was our great moral crisis, both in the Church and in the society as a whole.
And that reminds me of a famous account involving the first-century Talmudic rabbi, Yochanan Ben Zakkai. When he lay dying, his disciples came to him and said, “Our teacher – bless us!”
He replied, “May it be [God’s] will that your fear of Heaven be like your fear of mortals.”
This surprised his disciples, who said to him, “Is that all!?”
He answered, “If only it were so! Know that when a person transgresses, he says, ‘May no man see me.’”
In other words, when someone breaks into a vacant house at night, the thief is not thinking, “I hope God doesn’t see me.” Instead, he is thinking, “I hope people don’t see me.”
Yochanan Ben Zakkai wished that his disciples would fear God (and be as conscious of God) as much as they feared people (and were as conscious of people). There is wisdom in these words.
And this, in turn, reminds me of another, traditional Jewish saying: “Apply your mind to three things and you will not come into the clutches of sin: Know what there is above you: an eye that sees, an ear that hears, and all your deeds are written in a book.” (Pirkei Avot 2:1).
May we walk in the fear and consciousness of God. To the extent we do is the extent to which we will be blessed. And it is the extent to which we will have liberty and justice for all — including those who do not believe in our God.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-08-23--Jeff Myers’ Unquestioned Answers: Against False Simplistic Christianity

He calls it Simplicism .
Not simplicity , which is about uncluttering our lives , but the mistaken attempt to unclutter thinking by making things simpler than they really are .
Bumper stickers are the great example : “ COEXIST ” or “ You can ’ t hug a child with nuclear arms.
” But Jeff Myers , author of Unquestioned Answers : Rethinking Ten Christian Clichés to Rediscover Biblical Truths , isn ’ t talking about skeptics or about the left in this book .
He ’ s talking about us .
Christians .
We have an addiction to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us no good .
It ’ s an easy trap to fall into .
Simple messages communicate .
“ Hate the sin but love the sinner.
” Just seven words , and there you go : you ’ ve communicated a complex and difficult theological truth .
God really does hate sin , and He really does love sinners .
We ’ re supposed to follow Him and His example .
It ’ s quick , it ’ s easy — and in all kinds of ways , it ’ s wrong .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the truth way more simple than it really is , which opens the door for all kinds of error .
Think of the “ sinner ” we ’ re talking about with that slogan .
When he hears us say it , can we count on him knowing the full , rich theology behind it ?
Does the woman hearing know just how great a love God has for her , love that would take Jesus all the way to the Cross ?
Would either of them know that God has a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his behavior ?
Do he know that his “ lifestyle ” isn ’ t his whole story ?
Now think of the believer who tries using that slogan : Does he understand these things ?
Does he know that God hates his sin , too , while yet loving him as a sinner ?
Might he even be using this slogan as an easy way out from really loving the sinner ?
That ’ s just one example of the distorting Simplicism Jeff Myers is after in this book .
This Author Knows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has reason to know about it .
As a teenager he rejected Christianity because he ’ d been judged on the basis of “ Us vs.
Them ” Simplicisms .
“ My childhood crisis faith led me to feel that Christianity was a simplistic solution in search of a problem simple enough for it to solve , ” he says .
Not that Christians are the only guilty parties : Witness the bumper sticker slogans above .
Myers has another reason to know about Simplicism , though .
“ In one of life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he now heads up Summit Ministries , a “ respected organization that for more than fifty-seven years has inspired rising generations to reawaken their Christian faith and be leaders who stand strong in a culture of great dishonesty.
” Respected ?
I ’ ll say .
There ’ s nothing else to compare .
I can think of one or two other organizations that may do about as well at training young people to understand and handle the complexities of our culture .
There ’ s none other , though , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Myers credits Axis co-founder David Eaton with helping him title the book .
“ Some people have unanswered questions , ” they reasoned .
“ Far more struggle with unquestioned answers.
” In this book Myers takes aim at ten “ Christian ” unquestioned answers ; ten Simplicisms distorting the faith .
He lists them .
• “ God said it ; I believe it ; that settles it for me.
” Okay , I ’ d better pause right there .
Some of us are already wondering , “ But that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with it ?
” The thing is , all these Simplicisms have some truth to them .
They ’ re answers , in a way ; they turn hazardous only follow when we leave them as unquestioned answers .
Sure , in the right context , with the right qualifications and conditions added to it , I could affirm that statement .
It never gets used that carefully , though .
And then it causes confusion , even error .
I ’ ve known people who ’ ve left the faith because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that simply .
Myers does a marvelous job of dismantling such misconceptions .
More of Those Unquestioned Answers But you ’ re wondering about the rest of the list , right ?
• “ God will heal our land if we humble ourselves and pray.
” • “ It ’ s just me and Jesus.
” • “ It ’ s not my place to judge.
” • “ This world has nothing for me.
” • “ God is good all the time — all the time , God is good.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right qualifications and the right conditions , each one of those could be true .
Some of them need a lot more qualifications and conditions .
( I ’ m thinking especially number 7 . )
Still , though , with enough attention to the right details and the right nuance , correcting possible misconceptions , pointing out where it works and where it doesn ’ t , you could make each one of these part of a true answer .
But that ’ s just another way of saying that not one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we leave it as is , unquestioned .
Treat it simplistically and you ’ re certain to get it wrong .
Or else someone ’ s going to understand it wrong .
But if they ’ re going to misunderstand it , why even say it ?
Why It Matters , and For Whom Myers is on to something very important here .
Christianity is crippled by careless thinking .
It ’ s an injury that ’ s multiplied many times over through careless communication like these Simplicisms .
I suppose you might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opposite error , making it all so complex no one will understand it , either .
Not to worry .
Myers works with young people all the time .
You could use this as a text with youth in your church , or at least with older high school students .
I guarantee you many of them will be relieved when they find out they don ’ t have to believe Christian slogans they know don ’ t work as well as advertised .
I wouldn ’ t just recommend it for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us could use this kind of corrective , and not just to these ten unquestioned answers .
We could benefit from the example , leading us to develop habits of mind that would welcome probing , exploring , questioning .
We might even ( as the title says ) rediscover real biblical truths .
Tom Gilson ( @ TomGilsonAuthor ) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books , including Too Good To Be False : How Jesus ’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality .

He calls it Simplicism. Not simplicity, which is about uncluttering our lives, but the mistaken attempt to unclutter thinking by making things simpler than they really are. Bumper stickers are the great example: “COEXIST” or “You can’t hug a child with nuclear arms.” But Jeff Myers, author of Unquestioned Answers: Rethinking Ten Christian Clichés to Rediscover Biblical Truths, isn’t talking about skeptics or about the left in this book. He’s talking about us. Christians. We have an addiction to Simplicism, and it’s doing us no good.
It’s an easy trap to fall into. Simple messages communicate. “Hate the sin but love the sinner.” Just seven words, and there you go: you’ve communicated a complex and difficult theological truth. God really does hate sin, and He really does love sinners. We’re supposed to follow Him and His example.
It’s quick, it’s easy — and in all kinds of ways, it’s wrong. It’s wrong because it makes the truth way more simple than it really is, which opens the door for all kinds of error. Think of the “sinner” we’re talking about with that slogan. When he hears us say it, can we count on him knowing the full, rich theology behind it? Does the woman hearing know just how great a love God has for her, love that would take Jesus all the way to the Cross? Would either of them know that God has a way of regarding persons’ worth separate from his behavior? Does he know that his “lifestyle” isn’t his whole story?
Now think of the believer who tries using that slogan: Does he understand these things? Does he know that God hates his sin, too, while yet loving him as a sinner? Might he even be using this slogan as an easy way out from really loving the sinner?
That’s just one example of the distorting Simplicism Jeff Myers is after in this book.
This Author Knows What He’s Talking About
Myers has reason to know about it. As a teenager he rejected Christianity because he’d been judged on the basis of “Us vs. Them” Simplicisms. “My childhood crisis faith led me to feel that Christianity was a simplistic solution in search of a problem simple enough for it to solve,” he says. Not that Christians are the only guilty parties: Witness the bumper sticker slogans above.
Myers has another reason to know about Simplicism, though. “In one of life’s ironies,” he says, he now heads up Summit Ministries, a “respected organization that for more than fifty-seven years has inspired rising generations to reawaken their Christian faith and be leaders who stand strong in a culture of great dishonesty.”
Respected? I’ll say. There’s nothing else to compare. I can think of one or two other organizations that may do about as well at training young people to understand and handle the complexities of our culture. There’s none other, though, that also shares the same long heritage.
Ten Unquestioned Answers
Myers credits Axis co-founder David Eaton with helping him title the book. “Some people have unanswered questions,” they reasoned. “Far more struggle with unquestioned answers.” In this book Myers takes aim at ten “Christian” unquestioned answers; ten Simplicisms distorting the faith. He lists them.
“God said it; I believe it; that settles it for me.”
Okay, I’d better pause right there. Some of us are already wondering, “But that’s true! What’s wrong with it?” The thing is, all these Simplicisms have some truth to them. They’re answers, in a way; they turn hazardous only when we leave them as unquestioned answers. Sure, in the right context, with the right qualifications and conditions added to it, I could affirm that statement. It never gets used that carefully, though. And then it causes confusion, even error. I’ve known people who’ve left the faith because they thought they had to take it just that simply.
Myers does a marvelous job of dismantling such misconceptions.
More of Those Unquestioned Answers
But you’re wondering about the rest of the list, right?
“Just have faith.” “God will heal our land if we humble ourselves and pray.” “It’s just me and Jesus.” “Love the sinner; hate the sin.” “Christianity is a relationship, not a religion.” “Jesus was a social justice warrior.” “It’s not my place to judge.” “This world has nothing for me.” “God is good all the time — all the time, God is good.”
In the right context, with the right qualifications and the right conditions, each one of those could be true. Some of them need a lot more qualifications and conditions. (I’m thinking especially number 7.) Still, though, with enough attention to the right details and the right nuance, correcting possible misconceptions, pointing out where it works and where it doesn’t, you could make each one of these part of a true answer.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
But that’s just another way of saying that not one of these answers works at all if we leave it as is, unquestioned. Treat it simplistically and you’re certain to get it wrong. Or else someone’s going to understand it wrong. But if they’re going to misunderstand it, why even say it?
Why It Matters, and For Whom
Myers is on to something very important here. Christianity is crippled by careless thinking. It’s an injury that’s multiplied many times over through careless communication like these Simplicisms.
I suppose you might wonder whether a book like this makes the opposite error, making it all so complex no one will understand it, either. Not to worry. Myers works with young people all the time. You could use this as a text with youth in your church, or at least with older high school students. I guarantee you many of them will be relieved when they find out they don’t have to believe Christian slogans they know don’t work as well as advertised.
I wouldn’t just recommend it for youth, though. A lot of us could use this kind of corrective, and not just to these ten unquestioned answers. We could benefit from the example, leading us to develop habits of mind that would welcome probing, exploring, questioning. We might even (as the title says) rediscover real biblical truths.
Tom Gilson (@TomGilsonAuthor) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books, including Too Good To Be False: How Jesus’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality.


thestream--2020-08-22--Leftwing Fascists, Rightwing Thugs, and the Dark Triad