thestream--2020-05-21--Biden Does Face Allegations of Criminality … in Ukraine

Presidential candidate Joe Biden may think he ’ s off the hook now that Bill Barr has expressed reluctance to charge political figures with crimes , but he isn ’ t .
He might not be named as an alleged perpetrator in an American court , but he ’ s already been so named in a Ukrainian court .
The charge : “ interfering in the work of an official of a law enforcement agency.
” John Solomon has been following Ukraine and the Bidens for a long time , but now , finally , the story seems poised to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting more mainstream media attention , I have to think that ’ s because top Democrats know Biden is simply not functioning well enough cognitively to make it to the finish line , at which point his running mate would have presumably become President .
No , the Democrat Party has likely realized that to survive the election of 2020 , they might have to stop protecting Biden and let this scandal — and his own incoherence — take him out .
Don ’ t worry ; they ’ ve had the understudy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anyway , Solomon reported Wednesday that last month in Kiev , District Court Judge S. V. Vovk ordered the nation ’ s law enforcement services to “ formally list ” the fired prosecutor , Victor Shokin , as the victim of an alleged crime by then-Vice President Biden .
Shokin was the official to whom Biden was referring when he spoke publicly about threatening the withdrawal of $ 1 billion in U.S. loan guarantees if a certain Ukrainian prosecutor didn ’ t get fired .
Shokin was investigating Burisma Holdings , a Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for some unfathomable reason , nudge wink — named Biden ’ s son Hunter to its board .
They paid him thousands and thousands of dollars to do essentially nothing except have his name appear on their letterhead .
If Joe Biden were a Republican candidate for President , this attempt to use extortion to help his son by getting the Ukrainian prosecutor fired would have been enough to torpedo him .
If it really is what it looks like , it should torpedo a candidate of either party .
But as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden gets a pass .
( Just as Hillary got one at the end of the “ Mid-Year Exam ” after she ’ d clearly mishandled classified material , lied , destroyed evidence and obstructed justice . )
In contrast , it was considered an impeachable offense for President Trump to even mention investigating Burisma .
It seems Ukraine was useful to our media primarily if our bureaucrats serving there could bash Trump during his impeachment hearings .
Otherwise , nothing to see .
Anyway , the Ukrainian court had already ruled there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s claim of “ unlawful interference ” in his work as Ukraine ’ s chief prosecutor .
However , they hadn ’ t specifically named Biden as the defendant until now .
They just called him an “ unnamed American.
” But the latest ruling comes right out and names “ citizen of the United States of America Joseph Biden , former U.S. Vice President.
” “ The order of the court may not be appealed , ” the judge concludes .
According to Shokin ’ s attorney , Ukrainian officials have not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruling .
Shokin has publicly appealed to the Ukrainian president “ to properly respond to illegal inaction in the investigation of criminal cases that are open against Joseph Biden.
” Biden bragged on video — we ’ ve all seen it — that he got the prosecutor fired .
( You know , I ’ m suddenly reminded of James Comey bragging on video that he could just go around protocol to interview Michael Flynn . )
Biden even implied that President Obama would back him up .
( “ Go ahead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort had nothing to do with Burisma .
He says it ’ s because Shokin was “ ineffective as a corruption fighter.
” But Shokin alleges in a court affidavit that he was told he was being fired because he had refused to stand down on the Burisma investigation and had even planned to call Hunter Biden to the stand .
He was going to ask Hunter about the millions of dollars in payments his American firm received from Burisma .
Both Bidens have said they wish they ’ d handled the matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do — while denying any wrongdoing .
But Shokin smells corruption and wants to keep investigating , so who knows what will turn up in the next few months ?
Solomon ends his piece with a mention of some recorded phone calls published by Ukrainian parliamentarian Andrii Derkach purported to be between Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Poroshenko as they discuss the firing of Shokin .
You ’ ve probably heard something about these , but we ’ re holding off on commenting , as these recordings still need to be verified.We , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether or not the evidence is real .
Senate Looking Joe ’ s Way Too Biden ’ s legal headaches are starting in this country , too .
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee , chaired by Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson , has been given approval to issue subpoenas in its look into the Bidens ’ Ukraine dealings .
They plan to subpoena a Democrat-led PR firm called Blue Star Strategies , which has been accused of trying to leverage Hunter Biden ’ s position on the Burisma board in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Department .
Sen. Johnson and Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley are also looking into Hunter ’ s travel itinerary while his father was Vice President , asking the Secret Service for those official records so they can look for “ potential conflicts of interest.
” Then There ’ s Joe and the Flynn Unmasking There ’ s more : Of course , we do have evidence that Biden personally made an unmasking request on incoming national security adviser Michael Flynn in January of 2016 .
Why would he have been involved in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an American isn ’ t illegal if you have the proper clearance .
But it ’ s a big deal and you ’ re supposed to have a very good reason .
This is something he ’ s going to have to explain , though I wouldn ’ t be surprised if he simply said he couldn ’ t remember .
Hey , that ’ s semi-believable , coming from him .
“ Flynn who ?
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hannity brought up something else about Joe Biden Wednesday evening : In 2018 , the Biden Foundation paid $ 120,000 to “ independent contractor ” Perkins Coie .
That ’ s the same law firm used by the Hillary Clinton campaign and the DNC ( same thing ) to funnel money to Fusion GPS for the outrageously fictional “ dossier.
” Goodness , the same circle of people just keeps turning up .
This is a developing story ; we don ’ t yet know what services they provided .
These are described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m wondering if they were legal only in the sense that they were performed by lawyers .
The Heat is Building in Joe ’ s Basement So , at a time when he seems hardly able to dress himself , the heat is being turned up on Biden on a number of fronts .
Still , there ’ s one area that his supporters are simply leaving alone , even though to do so is incredibly hypocritical .
That ’ s because the place where his gropey behavior seems to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Movement .
Dig this : the far-left former communications director for MoveOn.org — who three years ago said that those who are accused of sexual misconduct are automatically disqualified from running for office — was just hired by the Biden campaign .
Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas and longtime conservative commentator on issues in culture and current events .
A New York Times best-selling author , he hosts the weekly talk show Huckabee on TBN .

Presidential candidate Joe Biden may think he’s off the hook now that Bill Barr has expressed reluctance to charge political figures with crimes, but he isn’t. He might not be named as an alleged perpetrator in an American court, but he’s already been so named in a Ukrainian court. The charge: “interfering in the work of an official of a law enforcement agency.”
John Solomon has been following Ukraine and the Bidens for a long time, but now, finally, the story seems poised to take off. If it does start getting more mainstream media attention, I have to think that’s because top Democrats know Biden is simply not functioning well enough cognitively to make it to the finish line, at which point his running mate would have presumably become President.
No, the Democrat Party has likely realized that to survive the election of 2020, they might have to stop protecting Biden and let this scandal — and his own incoherence — take him out.
Don’t worry; they’ve had the understudy waiting in the wings all along.
Extortion
Anyway, Solomon reported Wednesday that last month in Kiev, District Court Judge S. V. Vovk ordered the nation’s law enforcement services to “formally list” the fired prosecutor, Victor Shokin, as the victim of an alleged crime by then-Vice President Biden. Shokin was the official to whom Biden was referring when he spoke publicly about threatening the withdrawal of $1 billion in U.S. loan guarantees if a certain Ukrainian prosecutor didn’t get fired.
Shokin was investigating Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian oil and gas company that had — for some unfathomable reason, nudge wink — named Biden’s son Hunter to its board. They paid him thousands and thousands of dollars to do essentially nothing except have his name appear on their letterhead.
If Joe Biden were a Republican candidate for President, this attempt to use extortion to help his son by getting the Ukrainian prosecutor fired would have been enough to torpedo him. If it really is what it looks like, it should torpedo a candidate of either party. But as a Democrat presidential candidate running against Trump, Biden gets a pass. (Just as Hillary got one at the end of the “Mid-Year Exam” after she’d clearly mishandled classified material, lied, destroyed evidence and obstructed justice.) In contrast, it was considered an impeachable offense for President Trump to even mention investigating Burisma.
It seems Ukraine was useful to our media primarily if our bureaucrats serving there could bash Trump during his impeachment hearings. Otherwise, nothing to see.
Joe Biden, Defendant
Anyway, the Ukrainian court had already ruled there was enough evidence to investigate Shokin’s claim of “unlawful interference” in his work as Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. However, they hadn’t specifically named Biden as the defendant until now. They just called him an “unnamed American.” But the latest ruling comes right out and names “citizen of the United States of America Joseph Biden, former U.S. Vice President.”
“The order of the court may not be appealed,” the judge concludes.
According to Shokin’s attorney, Ukrainian officials have not yet complied with the judge’s ruling. Shokin has publicly appealed to the Ukrainian president “to properly respond to illegal inaction in the investigation of criminal cases that are open against Joseph Biden.”
Boastful Joe
Biden bragged on video — we’ve all seen it — that he got the prosecutor fired. (You know, I’m suddenly reminded of James Comey bragging on video that he could just go around protocol to interview Michael Flynn.) Biden even implied that President Obama would back him up. (“Go ahead, call him.”) He maintains this effort had nothing to do with Burisma. He says it’s because Shokin was “ineffective as a corruption fighter.” But Shokin alleges in a court affidavit that he was told he was being fired because he had refused to stand down on the Burisma investigation and had even planned to call Hunter Biden to the stand.
He was going to ask Hunter about the millions of dollars in payments his American firm received from Burisma. Both Bidens have said they wish they’d handled the matter differently — well, of course they do — while denying any wrongdoing. But Shokin smells corruption and wants to keep investigating, so who knows what will turn up in the next few months?
Solomon ends his piece with a mention of some recorded phone calls published by Ukrainian parliamentarian Andrii Derkach purported to be between Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Poroshenko as they discuss the firing of Shokin. You’ve probably heard something about these, but we’re holding off on commenting, as these recordings still need to be verified.We, unlike the FBI, actually care about whether or not the evidence is real.
Senate Looking Joe’s Way Too
Biden’s legal headaches are starting in this country, too. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, has been given approval to issue subpoenas in its look into the Bidens’ Ukraine dealings. They plan to subpoena a Democrat-led PR firm called Blue Star Strategies, which has been accused of trying to leverage Hunter Biden’s position on the Burisma board in order to have influence at Obama’s State Department.
Sen. Johnson and Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley are also looking into Hunter’s travel itinerary while his father was Vice President, asking the Secret Service for those official records so they can look for “potential conflicts of interest.”
Then There’s Joe and the Flynn Unmasking
There’s more: Of course, we do have evidence that Biden personally made an unmasking request on incoming national security adviser Michael Flynn in January of 2016. Why would he have been involved in this at all? An unmasking request on an American isn’t illegal if you have the proper clearance. But it’s a big deal and you’re supposed to have a very good reason.
This is something he’s going to have to explain, though I wouldn’t be surprised if he simply said he couldn’t remember. Hey, that’s semi-believable, coming from him. “Flynn who?”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Sean Hannity brought up something else about Joe Biden Wednesday evening: In 2018, the Biden Foundation paid $120,000 to “independent contractor” Perkins Coie. That’s the same law firm used by the Hillary Clinton campaign and the DNC (same thing) to funnel money to Fusion GPS for the outrageously fictional “dossier.” Goodness, the same circle of people just keeps turning up. This is a developing story; we don’t yet know what services they provided. These are described simply as “legal,” but I’m wondering if they were legal only in the sense that they were performed by lawyers.
The Heat is Building in Joe’s Basement
So, at a time when he seems hardly able to dress himself, the heat is being turned up on Biden on a number of fronts. Still, there’s one area that his supporters are simply leaving alone, even though to do so is incredibly hypocritical. That’s because the place where his gropey behavior seems to go essentially unchallenged is with the #MeToo Movement.
Dig this: the far-left former communications director for MoveOn.org — who three years ago said that those who are accused of sexual misconduct are automatically disqualified from running for office — was just hired by the Biden campaign.
Originally published at MikeHuckabee.com. Reprinted with permission.
Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas and longtime conservative commentator on issues in culture and current events. A New York Times best-selling author, he hosts the weekly talk show Huckabee on TBN.


thestream--2020-05-21--Getting Angry Makes Us Happy. God Says No

One of God ’ s harder rules is that He doesn ’ t want us getting angry as much as we ’ d like to .
Getting angry makes us happy .
We wouldn ’ t get angry so often if it didn ’ t .
Especially when we can get righteously angry and direct our wrath against the enemy .
That ’ s really fun .
And God says no .
The Psalmist tells us to refrain from anger and forsake wrath .
Paul tells the Colossian and the Ephesian Christians to put away all anger and wrath .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ anger does not produce the righteousness of God .
Jesus explains that those who live by the sword — and angry words are swords we all carry — will die by the sword .
He warns us that everyone who is angry with his brother is in danger of judgment .
The wise men of Christian history since then kept repeating the warning .
So anger ’ s out .
Oh course we can feel a true anger at injustice .
But for most of us most of the time , that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t try this at home ” version .
We can tell it ’ s dangerous by how much we want to excuse to let go .
I know all this very well myself .
Much too well .
What ’ s so wrong with getting angry ?
One of the great Christian writers of the last century explains .
Basically , it can kill the soul .
Dorothy L. Sayers wrote a great article called “ The Other Six Deadly Sins.
” One of them is wrath or anger .
Most people know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starring Lord Peter Wimsey .
PBS ’ s Mystery series ran a bunch of them .
In mid-life , she stopped writing those and started writing a lot of religious things .
She wrote on a level with C. S. Lewis , though even Christians don ’ t read her much nowadays .
Sad .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Sayers begins her article with a humble-brag about the English .
The Englishman likes everyone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoids violence .
Unlike , she says , the Irish .
( The Brits got ta Brit . )
She admits that “ He has one besetting weakness , by means of which he may very readily be led or lashed into the sin of Wrath : he is peculiarly liable to attacks of righteous indignation .
While he is in one of these fits he will fling himself into a debauch of fury.
” She calls that kind of supposedly righteous anger “ devil-born.
” We know the kind of person she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the screen .
You can hear the screeching and the pounding on the table .
Although sometimes , instead , the person writes with complete cold contempt .
In those cases , you can see the sneer .
The hard thing , though , Sayers says , is that we don ’ t always recognize this kind of rage in people who think they ’ re doing the right thing .
We don ’ t see it when people do it in the language everyone uses in the newspaper or political platform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
This could easily be us .
The kind of people who read and write for sites like this care about the world .
We see things going wrong , people doing and saying bad things , and other people getting hurt .
Of course we get angry .
The system itself encourages us to get angry and to speak angrily .
People write angry posts because angry posts get responses .
People cheer you on .
You ’ re telling it like it is .
You ’ re speaking out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Other people attack you .
You ’ re stupid .
You ’ re a fascist .
You ’ re a bully .
But that works too , because the hostile readers still give you a clicks .
The world encourages this .
Newspapers did then , Facebook and Twitter do now .
“ Nothing pays so well in the newspaper world as the manufacture of schism and the exploitation of wrath , ” Sayers writes .
“ Turn over the pages of the more popular papers if you want to see how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of violence.
” “ To foment grievance and to set men at variance is the trade by which agitators thrive and journalists make money , ” she continues .
“ A dog-fight , a brawl , or a war is always news ; if news of that kind is lacking , it pays well to contrive it .
The average English mind is a fertile field in which to sow the dragon ’ s teeth of moral indignation ; and the fight that follows will be blind , brutal , and merciless.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so angry ?
Sayers mostly describes how it works .
She does warn that letting yourself get so angry leaves you vulnerable to people who want to exploit you .
“ Above all , ” she writes , “ we must see to it now that our blind rages are not harnessed and driven by those men of the cold head and the cold heart — the Envious , the Avaricious , and the Proud.
” C.S .
Lewis explained the danger in his classic book Mere Christianity .
Getting angry changes us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the soul.
” It makes a “ twist in the central man.
” Everyone who lets himself fly into a rage “ has done something to himself which , unless he repents , will make it harder for him to keep out of the rage next time he is tempted , and will make the rage worse when he does fall into it.
” We get addicted to anger .
We become angry people .
What do we do , living in a world that constantly tempts us to let go ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s wise men is : Stop talking .
As my grandmother said , if you can ’ t say something nice , don ’ t say anything at all .
Which really annoyed me when I was 15 .
But she was right .
I ’ d have a lot fewer little marks on my soul had I listened to her .
For some good short quotes about anger , see here .
Like Billy Graham ’ s “ Hot heads and cold hearts never solved anything.
” For a theological treatment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , using the eighth century wise man Isaac the Syrian , see here .
This podcast gives an easier explanation of Isaac ’ s teaching .
David Mills is a senior editor of The Stream .
After teaching writing in a seminary , he has been editor of Touchstone and the 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 .
He is finishing a book on death and dying to be published by @ @ @ @

One of God’s harder rules is that He doesn’t want us getting angry as much as we’d like to. Getting angry makes us happy. We wouldn’t get angry so often if it didn’t. Especially when we can get righteously angry and direct our wrath against the enemy. That’s really fun.
And God says no. The Psalmist tells us to refrain from anger and forsake wrath. Paul tells the Colossian and the Ephesian Christians to put away all anger and wrath. James tells us that man’s anger does not produce the righteousness of God. Jesus explains that those who live by the sword — and angry words are swords we all carry — will die by the sword. He warns us that everyone who is angry with his brother is in danger of judgment. The wise men of Christian history since then kept repeating the warning.
So anger’s out. Oh course we can feel a true anger at injustice. But for most of us most of the time, that’s the “kids, don’t try this at home” version. We can tell it’s dangerous by how much we want to excuse to let go. I know all this very well myself. Much too well.
What’s so wrong with getting angry? One of the great Christian writers of the last century explains. Basically, it can kill the soul.
The Sin of Wrath
Dorothy L. Sayers wrote a great article called “The Other Six Deadly Sins.” One of them is wrath or anger.
Most people know Sayers now for her mysteries stories, starring Lord Peter Wimsey. PBS’s Mystery series ran a bunch of them. In mid-life, she stopped writing those and started writing a lot of religious things. She wrote on a level with C. S. Lewis, though even Christians don’t read her much nowadays. Sad.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Sayers begins her article with a humble-brag about the English. The Englishman likes everyone, doesn’t get too upset, avoids violence. Unlike, she says, the Irish. (The Brits gotta Brit.) She admits that “He has one besetting weakness, by means of which he may very readily be led or lashed into the sin of Wrath: he is peculiarly liable to attacks of righteous indignation. While he is in one of these fits he will fling himself into a debauch of fury.” She calls that kind of supposedly righteous anger “devil-born.”
We know the kind of person she means. The fire and smoke come off the screen. You can hear the screeching and the pounding on the table. Although sometimes, instead, the person writes with complete cold contempt. In those cases, you can see the sneer.
The Exploitation of Wrath
The hard thing, though, Sayers says, is that we don’t always recognize this kind of rage in people who think they’re doing the right thing. We don’t see it when people do it in the language everyone uses in the newspaper or political platform. We’re used to it there.
This could easily be us. The kind of people who read and write for sites like this care about the world. We see things going wrong, people doing and saying bad things, and other people getting hurt. Of course we get angry.
The system itself encourages us to get angry and to speak angrily. People write angry posts because angry posts get responses. People cheer you on. You’re telling it like it is. You’re speaking out. And you’re taking a stand! Other people attack you. You’re stupid. You’re a fascist. You’re a bully. But that works too, because the hostile readers still give you a clicks.
The world encourages this. Newspapers did then, Facebook and Twitter do now. “Nothing pays so well in the newspaper world as the manufacture of schism and the exploitation of wrath,” Sayers writes. “Turn over the pages of the more popular papers if you want to see how avarice thrives on hatred and the passion of violence.”
“To foment grievance and to set men at variance is the trade by which agitators thrive and journalists make money,” she continues. “A dog-fight, a brawl, or a war is always news; if news of that kind is lacking, it pays well to contrive it. The average English mind is a fertile field in which to sow the dragon’s teeth of moral indignation; and the fight that follows will be blind, brutal, and merciless.”
The Problem With Wrath
What’s the problem with getting so angry? Sayers mostly describes how it works. She does warn that letting yourself get so angry leaves you vulnerable to people who want to exploit you. “Above all,” she writes, “we must see to it now that our blind rages are not harnessed and driven by those men of the cold head and the cold heart — the Envious, the Avaricious, and the Proud.”
C.S. Lewis explained the danger in his classic book Mere Christianity. Getting angry changes us. It leaves a “little mark on the soul.” It makes a “twist in the central man.” Everyone who lets himself fly into a rage “has done something to himself which, unless he repents, will make it harder for him to keep out of the rage next time he is tempted, and will make the rage worse when he does fall into it.” We get addicted to anger. We become angry people.
What do we do, living in a world that constantly tempts us to let go? The almost universal advice of Christianity’s wise men is: Stop talking. As my grandmother said, if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. Which really annoyed me when I was 15. But she was right. I’d have a lot fewer little marks on my soul had I listened to her.
For some good short quotes about anger, see here. Like Billy Graham’s “Hot heads and cold hearts never solved anything.” For a theological treatment of God’s wrath and our anger, using the eighth century wise man Isaac the Syrian, see here. This podcast gives an easier explanation of Isaac’s teaching.
David Mills is a senior editor of The Stream. After teaching writing in a seminary, he has been editor of Touchstone and the 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. He is finishing a book on death and dying to be published by Sophia Institute Press.


thestream--2020-05-21--Military Photo of the Day: In-Flight Refueling Near Oahu

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett conducts helicopter in-flight refueling operations with an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter off Oahu @ @ @ @ @ 26 , 2020 .
Thank you to the brave men and women of the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ our shores safe .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About @ @ @ @ @ Moral Issues of Our Day .

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett conducts helicopter in-flight refueling operations with an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter off Oahu, Hawaii, on March 26, 2020.
Thank you to the brave men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard for always keeping our shores safe.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-05-22--What Our Worry Reveals

What Our Worry Reveals

Americans are less worried than they were last month , according to a new Gallup poll .
Worry increased dramatically in March , when the pandemic and governments ’ responses hit in full force .
The recent decrease in worry coincides with the lifting of many pandemic-inspired restrictions , showing that “ reopening America ” truly is good for mental health .
It also reveals something else : how much we allow our circumstances to dictate our attitudes .
( I ’ m not talking about clinical depression or other mental illnesses . )
Well , of course a global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make people worried , you might say .
If there were ever a good reason to worry , that ’ d be it , right ?
The trouble is that , for Christians , there ’ s never a good reason to worry , regardless of the circumstances .
Do not be anxious about anything .
Do not be anxious about your life .
Do not let your hearts be troubled .
That ’ s what God says .
Not , Do not be anxious about tomorrow , unless there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let your hearts be troubled , unless you get sick or lose your job .
At the same time that God ’ s Word tells us not to be anxious , it also acknowledges that we experience this very emotion .
The commands to not be anxious are unequivocal .
But so is the solution — taking our worry to God and trusting him with our lives .
Do not be anxious about anything , but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ anxious about your life .
… But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness , and all these things will be added to you .
( Matthew 6:25 , 33 ) Do not let your hearts be troubled .
Believe in God ; believe also in me .
( John 14:1 ) Trusting God isn ’ t easy , especially when one is out of the habit .
You may think you trust him , like I often do , until something bad happens .
Then you see your “ trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ load bearing .
So ask yourself , How much comfort does casting my cares on the Lord bring me ?
How many times do I even try to give him my concerns and rest in his peace ?
The answers reveal our innermost heart — where we really put our confidence .
Maybe it ’ s in stability , in keeping certain routines .
Maybe it ’ s in wealth , health or in possessions .
What do I need to regain in order for this worry to go away ?
There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
But isn ’ t there ever cause for legitimate concern ?
Of course .
And don ’ t some situations need to change ?
Definitely .
But who do you think will guide you to take the appropriate actions ?
Who do you think will give you the discernment and courage to make the necessary changes ?
The answer always points back to him .
Cast your anxiety on him .
Give your concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then let his Spirit lead .
He ’ ll lead you to a better place in the right way and in the right time — and he ’ ll give you peace now .
Liberty McArtor , former staff writer for The Stream , is a freelance writer in the great state of Texas , where she lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with her husband and son .
Follow Liberty on Twitter @ LibertyMcArtor , or learn more about her at LibertyMcArtor.com .

Americans are less worried than they were last month, according to a new Gallup poll. Worry increased dramatically in March, when the pandemic and governments’ responses hit in full force. The recent decrease in worry coincides with the lifting of many pandemic-inspired restrictions, showing that “reopening America” truly is good for mental health.
It also reveals something else: how much we allow our circumstances to dictate our attitudes. (I’m not talking about clinical depression or other mental illnesses.) Well, of course a global pandemic and an economic crisis are going to make people worried, you might say. If there were ever a good reason to worry, that’d be it, right?
The trouble is that, for Christians, there’s never a good reason to worry, regardless of the circumstances.
Do not be anxious about anything.
Do not be anxious about your life.
Do not let your hearts be troubled.
That’s what God says. Not, Do not be anxious about tomorrow, unless there’s a pandemic. Or, Do not let your hearts be troubled, unless you get sick or lose your job.
He simply says, Don’t worry.
The Unequivocal Solution
At the same time that God’s Word tells us not to be anxious, it also acknowledges that we experience this very emotion. The commands to not be anxious are unequivocal. But so is the solution — taking our worry to God and trusting him with our lives.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)
Do not be anxious about your life. … But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:25, 33)
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. (John 14:1)
You may think you trust him, like I often do, until something bad happens. Then you see your “trust” was decorative and not at all load bearing.
Trusting God isn’t easy, especially when one is out of the habit. You may think you trust him, like I often do, until something bad happens. Then you see your “trust” was decorative and not at all load bearing.
So ask yourself, How much comfort does casting my cares on the Lord bring me? How many times do I even try to give him my concerns and rest in his peace?
The answers reveal our innermost heart — where we really put our confidence. Maybe it’s in stability, in keeping certain routines. Maybe it’s in wealth, health or in possessions. What do I need to regain in order for this worry to go away? There’s your idol.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Discernment, Courage, Peace
But isn’t there ever cause for legitimate concern? Of course. And don’t some situations need to change? Definitely. But who do you think will guide you to take the appropriate actions? Who do you think will give you the discernment and courage to make the necessary changes?
The answer always points back to him. Cast your anxiety on him. Give your concerns to him. Trust him, and then let his Spirit lead. He’ll lead you to a better place in the right way and in the right time — and he’ll give you peace now.
Liberty McArtor, former staff writer for The Stream, is a freelance writer in the great state of Texas, where she lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with her husband and son. Follow Liberty on Twitter @LibertyMcArtor, or learn more about her at LibertyMcArtor.com.


thestream--2020-05-22--Memorial Day Weekend: Taps

Memorial Day Weekend: Taps

An Idaho Army National Guard soldier plays Taps at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery overlooking the city of Boise on @ @ @ @ @ On this Memorial Day weekend , we honor and remember America ’ s fallen heroes @ @ @ @ @ .
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An Idaho Army National Guard soldier plays Taps at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery overlooking the city of Boise on May 14, 2020.
On this Memorial Day weekend, we honor and remember America’s fallen heroes. Stay safe, everyone.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-05-22--Who is Kayleigh McEnany? What You Need to Know About President Trump’s New Press Secretary

With degrees from Harvard and Georgetown — not to mention a study-abroad stint at Oxford — no one will be able to say Kayleigh McEnany , the president ’ s new press secretary , was not prepared for the job .
Her experience at CNN as a political pundit , as well as her time at Fox News working for former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee , her job as a spokeswoman for the RNC and President Trump ’ s campaign , made her the perfect candidate for the position .
Even at the tender age of 32 .
McEnany started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when she volunteered for the 2004 Bush-Cheney presidential campaign .
After she graduated from high school , she studied at Georgetown University ’ s School of Foreign Service .
During her time there , she studied abroad at Oxford .
After graduating in 2010 , McEnany took a job at Fox News as a producer for the Mike Huckabee Show .
After a few years , she went back to school .
In 2016 she graduated with a law degree from Harvard .
CNN hired McEnany as a paid contributor when she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she made some statements about Donald Trump that mainstream media publicized , saying that she switched from not supporting Trump to being his newest and fiercest defender .
In 2015 , on CNN , McEnany talked about Trump ’ s statement that Mexico was sending immigrants to the U.S. who were “ rapists ” and bringing drugs and crimes to the country .
“ To me , a racist statement is a racist statement .
I don ’ t like what Donald Trump said , ” McEnany stated .
“ Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I don ’ t think he ’ s a serious candidate .
I think it ’ s a sideshow .
It ’ s not within the mainstream of the candidates.
” She continued to say she didn ’ t support his comments .
“ I think he said something very unartful , very inappropriate.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
CNN said she began supporting Trump the following month .
Earlier this month , McEnany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She said she made those comments after watching CNN and “ naively believing some of the headlines ” during the first few weeks of the 2016 presidential campaign .
In 2017 , McEnany left CNN .
She then was named “ Republican National Committee spokeswoman , ” and joined the Trump campaign in 2019 as national press secretary .
Critics of the new press secretary claim that she made erroneous and misleading comments about the coronavirus .
On Trish Regan Primetime in February , McEnany said , “ [ W ] e @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come here , we will not see terrorism come here , and isn ’ t that refreshing when contrasting it with the awful presidency of President Obama ?
” Reuter ’ s White House correspondent Jeff Mason questioned McEnany in a press briefing .
“ In a previous life , before you were press secretary , you worked for the [ Trump ] campaign .
And you made a comment , I believe on Fox , in which you said President Trump will not allow the coronavirus to come into this country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ obviously , would you like to take that back ?
” McEnany explained that her comments had to do with Trump ’ s travel restrictions he placed on China .
She pointed out that the intention of the president ’ s restrictions was to “ prevent the virus from spreading in the U.S. ” She added : McEnany said , “ I ’ ll leave you with those questions and maybe you ’ ll have some answers in a few days.
” She then left the briefing room .
She ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had the experience that makes her so .
Jason Miller , co-host of the podcast War Room : Pandemic , told The Guardian to “ Keep in mind that she went through a couple of years of being a CNN political commentator where she was rumbling with Erin Burnett and Anderson Cooper and Chris Cuomo and Van Jones and Ana Navarro and every other hater that ’ s out there .
So if Kayleigh can go toe to toe with the toughest anchors and commentators on TV , she ’ ll do just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Tim Murtaugh is the director of communications for the Trump campaign .
He told The Guardian that liberals just want to question her intelligence .
“ And I would say to people , you underestimate Kayleigh McEnany at your own peril .
I don ’ t think they ’ re turning out too many dummies from Oxford and Harvard Law School.
” But McEnany isn ’ t only a tough-as-nails White House spokesperson .
She ’ s also a woman of faith .
Murtaugh recalled that McEnany began a Bible study in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that continues to meet weekly — virtually through the coronavirus outbreak .
And then , two years ago , McEnany went through a double mastectomy .
She had tested positive for a BRCA2 genetic mutation that meant she was high risk for developing breast cancer .
She wrote in a Fox News article that “ My faith in Jesus Christ was my strength that day , ” and that He can turn life ’ s trials into good .
Her family ’ s support “ and that of my Savior carried me through.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ during her time at Oxford .
It was there that she was under the tutelage of evangelist Ravi Zacharias , who died earlier this week .
CBN recently interviewed the new press secretary about her connection to Ravi and what his ministry meant for her .
She became emotional .
“ We don ’ t have to cry because we ’ re Christians , ” she said .
We know he ’ s with Jesus .
“ So Ravi , his life may have ended , but his life continues in the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll meet in Heaven .
Rest assured , his legacy will always be here and he will continue to change lives.
” Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream .
You can follow her @ NancyFlory3 , and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

With degrees from Harvard and Georgetown — not to mention a study-abroad stint at Oxford — no one will be able to say Kayleigh McEnany, the president’s new press secretary, was not prepared for the job. Her experience at CNN as a political pundit, as well as her time at Fox News working for former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, her job as a spokeswoman for the RNC and President Trump’s campaign, made her the perfect candidate for the position. Even at the tender age of 32.
The Early Years
McEnany started her political career as a high-school student when she volunteered for the 2004 Bush-Cheney presidential campaign. After she graduated from high school, she studied at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. During her time there, she studied abroad at Oxford. After graduating in 2010, McEnany took a job at Fox News as a producer for the Mike Huckabee Show. After a few years, she went back to school. In 2016 she graduated with a law degree from Harvard.
CNN hired McEnany as a paid contributor when she was a law school student. While there, she made some statements about Donald Trump that mainstream media publicized, saying that she switched from not supporting Trump to being his newest and fiercest defender.
Naively Believing CNN
In 2015, on CNN, McEnany talked about Trump’s statement that Mexico was sending immigrants to the U.S. who were “rapists” and bringing drugs and crimes to the country. “To me, a racist statement is a racist statement. I don’t like what Donald Trump said,” McEnany stated. “Donald Trump has shown himself to be a showman, I don’t think he’s a serious candidate. I think it’s a sideshow. It’s not within the mainstream of the candidates.” She continued to say she didn’t support his comments. “I think he said something very unartful, very inappropriate.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
CNN said she began supporting Trump the following month. Earlier this month, McEnany explained her comments during a press briefing. She said she made those comments after watching CNN and “naively believing some of the headlines” during the first few weeks of the 2016 presidential campaign. In 2017, McEnany left CNN. She then was named “Republican National Committee spokeswoman,” and joined the Trump campaign in 2019 as national press secretary.
Media Bias and McEnany’s Response
Critics of the new press secretary claim that she made erroneous and misleading comments about the coronavirus. On Trish Regan Primetime in February, McEnany said, “[W]e will not see diseases like the coronavirus come here, we will not see terrorism come here, and isn’t that refreshing when contrasting it with the awful presidency of President Obama?”
Reuter’s White House correspondent Jeff Mason questioned McEnany in a press briefing. “In a previous life, before you were press secretary, you worked for the [Trump] campaign. And you made a comment, I believe on Fox, in which you said President Trump will not allow the coronavirus to come into this country. Given what has happened since then, obviously, would you like to take that back?”
McEnany explained that her comments had to do with Trump’s travel restrictions he placed on China. She pointed out that the intention of the president’s restrictions was to “prevent the virus from spreading in the U.S.” She added:
Does The New York Times want to take back that fear of the virus may be spreading faster than the virus itself? Does NPR want to take back that the flu was a much bigger threat than the coronavirus? And finally, once again, The Washington Post, would they like to take back that the government should not respond aggressively to the coronavirus?
McEnany said, “I’ll leave you with those questions and maybe you’ll have some answers in a few days.” She then left the briefing room.
Holding Her Own
She’s a tough woman to intimidate. She has had the experience that makes her so. Jason Miller, co-host of the podcast War Room: Pandemic, told The Guardian to “Keep in mind that she went through a couple of years of being a CNN political commentator where she was rumbling with Erin Burnett and Anderson Cooper and Chris Cuomo and Van Jones and Ana Navarro and every other hater that’s out there. So if Kayleigh can go toe to toe with the toughest anchors and commentators on TV, she’ll do just fine with the White House press corps.”
Tim Murtaugh is the director of communications for the Trump campaign. He told The Guardian that liberals just want to question her intelligence. “And I would say to people, you underestimate Kayleigh McEnany at your own peril. I don’t think they’re turning out too many dummies from Oxford and Harvard Law School.”
A Woman of Faith
But McEnany isn’t only a tough-as-nails White House spokesperson. She’s also a woman of faith. Murtaugh recalled that McEnany began a Bible study in Arlington, Virginia, with a group that continues to meet weekly — virtually through the coronavirus outbreak. And then, two years ago, McEnany went through a double mastectomy. She had tested positive for a BRCA2 genetic mutation that meant she was high risk for developing breast cancer. She wrote in a Fox News article that “My faith in Jesus Christ was my strength that day,” and that He can turn life’s trials into good. Her family’s support “and that of my Savior carried me through.”
McEnany’s faith was strengthened during her time at Oxford. It was there that she was under the tutelage of evangelist Ravi Zacharias, who died earlier this week. CBN recently interviewed the new press secretary about her connection to Ravi and what his ministry meant for her. She became emotional. “We don’t have to cry because we’re Christians,” she said. We know he’s with Jesus.
“So Ravi, his life may have ended, but his life continues in the next life. He’s someone I’ll meet in Heaven. Rest assured, his legacy will always be here and he will continue to change lives.”
Watch:
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-05-22--Memorial Day 2020: Remembering Not to Forget

“ I think it will be a quiet Memorial Day , ” Gold Star sister Ami Neiberger-Miller told The Stream .
“ But one that is peaceful.
” This year might mark the most unique Memorial Day in modern American history .
Not only is our military still at war in Afghanistan and parts of the Middle East , but the vast majority of ceremonies are cancelled due to a deadly pandemic not seen in our nation since World War I .
Rather than a column consisting mostly of my thoughts , I wanted to share the much more important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t just know the meaning of Memorial Day .
They ’ ve lived it .
“ On Memorial Day , I remember my brother , U.S. Army Spc .
Christopher Neiberger , who was killed in action in Baghdad , Iraq , on August 6 , 2007 .
My brother died three days after his 22nd birthday .
I try to honor and remember him by sharing photos of what his life was like , and I usually visit his grave site in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery .
I also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by assisting with the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation and their efforts to honor our fallen troops with flowers , which is helping bring back the original meaning of Memorial Day .
The holiday used to be known as Decoration Day , and families would bring flowers to the cemeteries to decorate the grave sites of their loved ones .
This year , many of the activities are different .
Arlington National Cemetery is closed to the public but family pass holders will be allowed to visit with face coverings.
” “ We usually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the cemetery where he was laid to rest but I ’ m not sure they can even have ceremony this year .
Then we do something as a family .
Sometimes it ’ s eating at a Chinese place ( his favorite food ) or having a family barbecue .
We try to celebrate him and usually end up telling stories that make us laugh .
This year , Memorial Day would have been his 42nd birthday , so it ’ s a little harder than other years.
” “ Philip loved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we barbecue and have drinks .
But we always do something for Memorial Day weekend in our community of Arlington , Texas , with the Patriot Guard Riders or the Travis Manion Foundation .
This year we are doing the Memorial Day “ March ” Drive with Carry The Load in Dallas , where Philip will have a storyboard displayed for the first time .
We are gathering Saturday for a family event at our home by the pool with shots for Philip .
Last year , we went up to Ridgway , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ours who are also Gold Star parents to U.S. Marine Cpl .
Donovan Clancy and celebrated Memorial Day weekend with them .
We planned to do that this year , too , but because of the virus we limited our travels.
” “ I know it ’ s a cliché , but in all honesty , every day really is Memorial Day for us , so Monday is usually not a whole lot different .
In Washington ( state ) , we would go to the Memorial Day event they had the Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flowers out to Group Headquarters at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and lay them at the wall .
We would always take pics of ( Ben and Traci ’ s son ) Luke by Ben ’ s name .
We have friends in Virginia who try to make it to the cemetery and lay flowers for us for both ( Ben and his oldest brother , U.S. Navy SEAL and CIA hero Jeremy Wise ) .
They send me pictures and we reminisce .
My social media is usually abuzz , lots of talk about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember and honor .
We always have a Captain Morgan and Coke in the evening for Ben on the days associated with him.
” “ While we always try to make it to a ceremony or event to recognize Memorial Day , we strive to recognize the sacrifice made by too many every day , not just the last Monday in May .
We say the names of the fallen and we pray for their families because we know all too well that Memorial Day is more than just one day a year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them be forgotten.
” Having spoken with so many families of fallen heroes over the past decade , I am always amazed by not only their courage , but the close knit nature of the Gold Star community .
The last two soldiers honored , Staff Sgt .
Jesse Williams and Sgt .
1st Class Ben Wise , actually served in an infantry unit together in Iraq long before both made the ultimate sacrifice .
Sonya wound up introducing me to Traci many years after we first connected .
As Traci explained , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for us.
” While civilians like me can never fully comprehend what a Gold Star military spouse , parent , sibling or child has been through , we can honor these inspiring people and their heroes by remembering not just on the last Monday each May , as Sonya noted , but when most of the country ’ s attention is on other things .
“ Thank you for always remembering us , my friend !
” Phyllis McGeath wrote .
No , Phyllis , thank you for the unimaginable sacrifices you and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our great country .
Memorial Day is a sacred annual reminder that you and your departed loved ones are America ’ s national treasures .
We will never forget to thank God for them – or you .
Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream .
He is co-author of 8 Seconds of Courage , Brothers Forever , Fire in My Eyes and the forthcoming Three Wise Men .
Follow Tom on Twitter @ TSileo and The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

“I think it will be a quiet Memorial Day,” Gold Star sister Ami Neiberger-Miller told The Stream. “But one that is peaceful.”
This year might mark the most unique Memorial Day in modern American history. Not only is our military still at war in Afghanistan and parts of the Middle East, but the vast majority of ceremonies are cancelled due to a deadly pandemic not seen in our nation since World War I.
Rather than a column consisting mostly of my thoughts, I wanted to share the much more important perspectives of five extraordinary people who don’t just know the meaning of Memorial Day. They’ve lived it.
Ami Neiberger-Miller, sister of U.S. Army Spc. Christopher Neiberger, KIA August 6, 2007, Iraq.
“On Memorial Day, I remember my brother, U.S. Army Spc. Christopher Neiberger, who was killed in action in Baghdad, Iraq, on August 6, 2007. My brother died three days after his 22nd birthday. I try to honor and remember him by sharing photos of what his life was like, and I usually visit his grave site in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery. I also help other families honor their loved ones by assisting with the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation and their efforts to honor our fallen troops with flowers, which is helping bring back the original meaning of Memorial Day. The holiday used to be known as Decoration Day, and families would bring flowers to the cemeteries to decorate the grave sites of their loved ones. This year, many of the activities are different. Arlington National Cemetery is closed to the public but family pass holders will be allowed to visit with face coverings.”
Marcie Robertson, wife of U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Forrest Robertson, KIA November 3, 2013, Afghanistan.
“We usually spend the morning attending our local ceremony at the cemetery where he was laid to rest but I’m not sure they can even have ceremony this year. Then we do something as a family. Sometimes it’s eating at a Chinese place (his favorite food) or having a family barbecue. We try to celebrate him and usually end up telling stories that make us laugh. This year, Memorial Day would have been his 42nd birthday, so it’s a little harder than other years.”
Phyllis McGeath, mother of U.S. Marine Cpl. Philip McGeath, KIA January 18, 2012, Afghanistan.
“Philip loved to have a good time, so we barbecue and have drinks. But we always do something for Memorial Day weekend in our community of Arlington, Texas, with the Patriot Guard Riders or the Travis Manion Foundation. This year we are doing the Memorial Day “March” Drive with Carry The Load in Dallas, where Philip will have a storyboard displayed for the first time. We are gathering Saturday for a family event at our home by the pool with shots for Philip. Last year, we went up to Ridgway, Pennsylvania, to visit good friends of ours who are also Gold Star parents to U.S. Marine Cpl. Donovan Clancy and celebrated Memorial Day weekend with them. We planned to do that this year, too, but because of the virus we limited our travels.”
Traci Wise, wife of U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Ben Wise, KIA January 15, 2012, Afghanistan.
“I know it’s a cliché, but in all honesty, every day really is Memorial Day for us, so Monday is usually not a whole lot different. In Washington (state), we would go to the Memorial Day event they had the Thursday before and on Monday we would take flowers out to Group Headquarters at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and lay them at the wall. We would always take pics of (Ben and Traci’s son) Luke by Ben’s name. We have friends in Virginia who try to make it to the cemetery and lay flowers for us for both (Ben and his oldest brother, U.S. Navy SEAL and CIA hero Jeremy Wise). They send me pictures and we reminisce. My social media is usually abuzz, lots of talk about Ben usually and I love that people remember and honor. We always have a Captain Morgan and Coke in the evening for Ben on the days associated with him.”
Sonya Williams, wife of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jesse Williams, KIA April 8, 2007, Iraq.
“While we always try to make it to a ceremony or event to recognize Memorial Day, we strive to recognize the sacrifice made by too many every day, not just the last Monday in May. We say the names of the fallen and we pray for their families because we know all too well that Memorial Day is more than just one day a year for them. We will never let them be forgotten.”
The Gold Star Community
Having spoken with so many families of fallen heroes over the past decade, I am always amazed by not only their courage, but the close knit nature of the Gold Star community. The last two soldiers honored, Staff Sgt. Jesse Williams and Sgt. 1st Class Ben Wise, actually served in an infantry unit together in Iraq long before both made the ultimate sacrifice. Sonya wound up introducing me to Traci many years after we first connected.
As Traci explained, “every day really is Memorial Day for us.” While civilians like me can never fully comprehend what a Gold Star military spouse, parent, sibling or child has been through, we can honor these inspiring people and their heroes by remembering not just on the last Monday each May, as Sonya noted, but when most of the country’s attention is on other things.
“Thank you for always remembering us, my friend!” Phyllis McGeath wrote.
No, Phyllis, thank you for the unimaginable sacrifices you and every Gold Star family member have made for our great country. Memorial Day is a sacred annual reminder that you and your departed loved ones are America’s national treasures. We will never forget to thank God for them – or you.
Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream. He is co-author of 8 Seconds of Courage, Brothers Forever, Fire in My Eyes and the forthcoming Three Wise Men. Follow Tom on Twitter @TSileo and The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-05-22--Trump Threatens to Override Governors If They Do Not Open Churches

President Donald Trump called on governors Friday to open houses of worship “ right now , ” warning he will override governors ’ orders if they do not allow Americans to attend religious services .
Trump spoke Friday at the White House where he said governors should allow churches and places of worship to open , saying that if governors have any questions on this , “ they ’ re going to have to call me , but they ’ re not going to be successful in that call.
” “ These are places that hold our society together and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ The people are demanding to go to church and synagogue , go to their mosque .
Many millions of Americans embrace worship as an essential part of life.
” The president added that he is confident that faith leaders will make sure their congregations are safe .
“ I know them well .
They love their congregations , they love their people , they don ’ t want anything bad to happen to them or anyone else , ” Trump said .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Moral Issues of Our Day .
“ The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now , ” Trump said .
“ For this weekend .
If they don ’ t do it , I will override the governors .
In America , we need more prayer , not less.
” The religious freedom organization First Liberty applauded the president ’ s words in a Friday statement provided to the Daily Caller News Foundation .
“ The discrimination that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worship has been shocking , ” said Kelly Shackelford , who is president , CEO and chief counsel of First Liberty .
“ We applaud the President ’ s strong stance today demanding that these attacks must stop and that churches and houses of worship be freed to safely open.
” “ Americans are going to malls and restaurants , ” Shackelford said .
“ They need to be able to go to their houses of worship.
” Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

President Donald Trump called on governors Friday to open houses of worship “right now,” warning he will override governors’ orders if they do not allow Americans to attend religious services.
Trump spoke Friday at the White House where he said governors should allow churches and places of worship to open, saying that if governors have any questions on this, “they’re going to have to call me, but they’re not going to be successful in that call.”
“These are places that hold our society together and keep our people united,” Trump said. “The people are demanding to go to church and synagogue, go to their mosque. Many millions of Americans embrace worship as an essential part of life.”
The president added that he is confident that faith leaders will make sure their congregations are safe.
“I know them well. They love their congregations, they love their people, they don’t want anything bad to happen to them or anyone else,” Trump said.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now,” Trump said. “For this weekend. If they don’t do it, I will override the governors. In America, we need more prayer, not less.”
WATCH:
Trump: The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now. For this weekend. If they don’t do it, I will override the governors. In America, we need more prayer, not less. pic.twitter.com/Tmd2T5zB16 — Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) May 22, 2020
The religious freedom organization First Liberty applauded the president’s words in a Friday statement provided to the Daily Caller News Foundation.
“The discrimination that has been occurring against churches and houses of worship has been shocking,” said Kelly Shackelford, who is president, CEO and chief counsel of First Liberty. “We applaud the President’s strong stance today demanding that these attacks must stop and that churches and houses of worship be freed to safely open.”
“Americans are going to malls and restaurants,” Shackelford said. “They need to be able to go to their houses of worship.”
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-05-22--A Response to Professor Avi Bell: You Misrepresent Jewish Believers in Jesus

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my May 17 article in Haaretz and for responding to me directly in your article of May 19 .
Allow me to respond to you .
In the first line of your article , you referenced GOD TV ’ s Hebrew speaking channel in Israel , Shelanu , claiming that it “ employs [ my ] services.
” That is incorrect .
I am not employed by GOD TV or Shelanu .
While a minor point , truth is important .
You wrote , “ I rather doubt that you are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrary , for the last 48 years , as a Jewish believer in Jesus and a serious student of the Scriptures , I have engaged in continuous dialogue , discussion , and debate with the Jewish community .
This includes thousands of hours of private discussions and many public debates and dialogues , including more than 20 with my dear friend Rabbi Shmuley Boteach .
I welcome healthy interaction in the spirit of the Talmudic phrase , shakla vetarya , and I love for my views to be challenged in the court of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
My door is wide open to you .
Shall we continue ?
Since When Is It Illegal for Israeli Jews to Share Their Views About Jesus as Messiah ?
You wrote , “ Many Jews , in Israel and elsewhere in the world , are offended by God TV ’ s missionary activity , which is also in direct violation of its broadcasting license.
” Yes , as someone who has devoted many years of my life to exposing the sins of the Church against the Jewish people , I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of any mention of Jesus-Yeshua .
In my home , growing up in NY , the name “ Jesus Christ ” could be used as profanity .
That ’ s why Ward Simpson ’ s initial public announcement caused such a stir , and that ’ s why he , as CEO of GOD TV , immediately pulled it .
But he did not pull the video to be deceptive .
Rather , he did it to avoid undue offense .
As for Shelanu itself , contrary to your statement , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadcasting license .
This is according to information released by the Israeli board members of Shelanu and confirmed by their attorney .
Unfortunately , later in your article , you claim that Shelanu wants to “ defraud Israeli regulatory authorities ” and that it “ violates our laws.
” Once again , sir , you are misinformed .
More importantly , since when is it illegal for Israeli Jews who believe that Yeshua is the Messiah , as taught in the New Testament , to share their views in public ?
What law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it written that they can not share their personal stories and their music and song with Israeli viewers ?
With all respect , sir , may I ask how many hours of programming on Shelanu you watched before penning your editorial ?
Why Resist the Open , Non-Coercive Exchange of Ideas ?
You wrote , “ This is not because we are attempting to silence the voice of American Christian missionaries ( or , in your patently dishonest description , ‘ Israeli Jews who believe in Yeshua.
’ ) ” To the contrary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shelanu are exactly what I said they are : “ Israeli Jews who believe in Yeshua.
” I ’ m speaking of sabra Messianic Jews like Avi Mizrachi and Eitan Bar .
Should their content be banned from Israeli TV ?
I appreciate your kind words about the positive impact that Christianity has had on the world , and I appreciate your affirmation of a Christian ’ s right to interpret the Bible as he or she understands it .
But you also wrote , “ We are not telling you how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should stop telling us Jews how we are to interpret our Torah .
… We respect your choice to abandon the religion of your people .
Now respect our choice to stick with the religion of ours.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
In reality , you are free to do whatever you wish with your religious choices .
At the same time , according to the New Testament , Yeshua is the promised Messiah of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom the Torah spoke and of whom the Prophets bear witness .
And we , his followers , are commanded by the risen Messiah to share the good news of his death and resurrection with both Jew and Gentile .
So , in effect , you are telling us not to be true to our faith , and you are telling us our understanding of Torah is wrong .
And that is your prerogative .
But why resist the open , non-coercive exchange of ideas ?
What is so dangerous about that ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ worldwide who do believe in Yeshua , including as many as 30,000 in Israel right now ?
Many come from secular backgrounds while others come from religious backgrounds .
Do they , as fellow Jews , get to decide for themselves ?
Or do you claim the right to stop them from hearing a message ?
A 2017 survey , referenced by the Jerusalem Post , found that one-fifth of Jewish millennials believe that Jesus is the Son of God .
Should they not be allowed to investigate things for themselves ?
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow preachers at God TV claim that Christianity is the true Judaism you are making a claim that is disrespectful , anti-Semitic and toxic.
” Actually , we simply proclaim Jesus as the Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world .
Is that “ disrespectful , anti-Semitic and toxic ” ?
Ironically , the very New Testament that you disparage says this about God ’ s promises to the nation of Israel : “ the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable ” ( Romans 11:29 ) .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous article , a true Christian faith is deeply philosemitic .
And that ’ s why evangelical Christians have no history of persecuting Jews .
You even acknowledge that “ most evangelical Christians are wonderfully philosemitic ” before saying “ unlike you and your ilk at God TV.
” In reality , Prof. Bell , the evangelical Christians associated with GOD TV , along with the Messianic Jews living in Israel working with Shelanu , are among the most philosemitic people on the planet .
Why do you so grossly mischaracterize people of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
You wrote , “ If you want your brand of Christianity to be supercessionist , specifically aimed at destroying Jewish faith and traditions , we can ’ t stop you.
” Then why are you trying to stop Jewish believers in Jesus , living in Israel and honoring many of our common traditions , from sharing their faith with fellow Jews ?
There is nothing that even hints of supersessionism here .
Why oppose this so vigorously ?
You close your article by saying , “ Friendship begins with respect .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preaching ?
” Sir , I ’ m preaching the same friendship I have preached for decades .
One based on mutual respect in the midst of our differences .
One based on non-coercion and unconditional love .
One based on truth .
I offer that friendship , with respect , to you .
Will you reciprocate and offer the same back to me ?
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is When the World Stops : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis .
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

Dear Professor Bell,
Thanks so much for taking the time to read my May 17 article in Haaretz and for responding to me directly in your article of May 19. Allow me to respond to you.
In the first line of your article, you referenced GOD TV’s Hebrew speaking channel in Israel, Shelanu, claiming that it “employs [my] services.” That is incorrect. I am not employed by GOD TV or Shelanu. While a minor point, truth is important.
You wrote, “I rather doubt that you are interested in real dialogue.”
To the contrary, for the last 48 years, as a Jewish believer in Jesus and a serious student of the Scriptures, I have engaged in continuous dialogue, discussion, and debate with the Jewish community. This includes thousands of hours of private discussions and many public debates and dialogues, including more than 20 with my dear friend Rabbi Shmuley Boteach.
I welcome healthy interaction in the spirit of the Talmudic phrase, shakla vetarya, and I love for my views to be challenged in the court of public opinion as well as in private. My door is wide open to you. Shall we continue?
Since When Is It Illegal for Israeli Jews to Share Their Views About Jesus as Messiah?
You wrote, “Many Jews, in Israel and elsewhere in the world, are offended by God TV’s missionary activity, which is also in direct violation of its broadcasting license.”
Yes, as someone who has devoted many years of my life to exposing the sins of the Church against the Jewish people, I’m quite aware that many Jews are offended of any mention of Jesus-Yeshua. In my home, growing up in NY, the name “Jesus Christ” could be used as profanity.
That’s why Ward Simpson’s initial public announcement caused such a stir, and that’s why he, as CEO of GOD TV, immediately pulled it. But he did not pull the video to be deceptive. Rather, he did it to avoid undue offense.
Where is it written that they cannot share their personal stories and their music and song with Israeli viewers?
As for Shelanu itself, contrary to your statement, it is operating 100 percent in harmony with its broadcasting license. This is according to information released by the Israeli board members of Shelanu and confirmed by their attorney. Unfortunately, later in your article, you claim that Shelanu wants to “defraud Israeli regulatory authorities” and that it “violates our laws.”
Once again, sir, you are misinformed.
More importantly, since when is it illegal for Israeli Jews who believe that Yeshua is the Messiah, as taught in the New Testament, to share their views in public? What law are they breaking? And where is it written that they cannot share their personal stories and their music and song with Israeli viewers?
With all respect, sir, may I ask how many hours of programming on Shelanu you watched before penning your editorial?
Why Resist the Open, Non-Coercive Exchange of Ideas?
You wrote, “This is not because we are attempting to silence the voice of American Christian missionaries (or, in your patently dishonest description, ‘Israeli Jews who believe in Yeshua.’)”
To the contrary, many of the key contributors to Shelanu are exactly what I said they are: “Israeli Jews who believe in Yeshua.” I’m speaking of sabra Messianic Jews like Avi Mizrachi and Eitan Bar. Should their content be banned from Israeli TV?
I appreciate your kind words about the positive impact that Christianity has had on the world, and I appreciate your affirmation of a Christian’s right to interpret the Bible as he or she understands it.
But you also wrote, “We are not telling you how to interpret your New Testament, and you should stop telling us Jews how we are to interpret our Torah. … We respect your choice to abandon the religion of your people. Now respect our choice to stick with the religion of ours.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
In reality, you are free to do whatever you wish with your religious choices. At the same time, according to the New Testament, Yeshua is the promised Messiah of Israel. He is the one of whom the Torah spoke and of whom the Prophets bear witness. And we, his followers, are commanded by the risen Messiah to share the good news of his death and resurrection with both Jew and Gentile.
So, in effect, you are telling us not to be true to our faith, and you are telling us our understanding of Torah is wrong. And that is your prerogative. But why resist the open, non-coercive exchange of ideas? What is so dangerous about that?
And what of the roughly 300,000 Jews worldwide who do believe in Yeshua, including as many as 30,000 in Israel right now? Many come from secular backgrounds while others come from religious backgrounds. Do they, as fellow Jews, get to decide for themselves? Or do you claim the right to stop them from hearing a message?
A 2017 survey, referenced by the Jerusalem Post, found that one-fifth of Jewish millennials believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Should they not be allowed to investigate things for themselves?
A Friendship Based on Non-Coercion, Unconditional Love and Truth
You wrote, “When you and your fellow preachers at God TV claim that Christianity is the true Judaism you are making a claim that is disrespectful, anti-Semitic and toxic.”
Actually, we simply proclaim Jesus as the Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world. Is that “disrespectful, anti-Semitic and toxic”?
Ironically, the very New Testament that you disparage says this about God’s promises to the nation of Israel: “the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). That’s why, as I argued in my previous article, a true Christian faith is deeply philosemitic. And that’s why evangelical Christians have no history of persecuting Jews.
You even acknowledge that “most evangelical Christians are wonderfully philosemitic” before saying “unlike you and your ilk at God TV.”
In reality, Prof. Bell, the evangelical Christians associated with GOD TV, along with the Messianic Jews living in Israel working with Shelanu, are among the most philosemitic people on the planet. Why do you so grossly mischaracterize people of whom you apparently know little or nothing?
You wrote, “If you want your brand of Christianity to be supercessionist, specifically aimed at destroying Jewish faith and traditions, we can’t stop you.”
Then why are you trying to stop Jewish believers in Jesus, living in Israel and honoring many of our common traditions, from sharing their faith with fellow Jews? There is nothing that even hints of supersessionism here. Why oppose this so vigorously?
You close your article by saying, “Friendship begins with respect. What kind of ‘friendship’ are you preaching?”
Sir, I’m preaching the same friendship I have preached for decades. One based on mutual respect in the midst of our differences. One based on non-coercion and unconditional love. One based on truth.
I offer that friendship, with respect, to you. Will you reciprocate and offer the same back to me?
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is When the World Stops: Words of Faith, Hope, and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-05-22--My 4-Year Journey With Trump: ‘Don’t Make Him a Prisoner of His Past’

President Lincoln had a saying : “ If you want to get rid of an enemy , make him your friend.
” On Thursday ’ s episode of LIFE Today , host and Stream founder James Robison gave a peek into one of his life ’ s most amazing , surprising , and interesting journeys : from “ Almost Anybody But Trump ” in 2016 to close friend of President Trump and the Trump family .
“ This isn ’ t a political message , ” James made clear .
“ This is a message of hope , concern and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that our hope is found only in one person , Jesus Christ , but He often answers the prayers of His people in unlikely ways and through unlikely people .
According to James , prayers for the president are bearing fruit .
“ We are seeing the answer to prayers in this man ’ s life and in his family and in those around him.
” He speaks of praying with Trump , seeing his heart up close .
“ This president is convinced there is one Father that knows best .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Father .
He does not want to get up and talk about a bunch of religious stuff .
Like he ’ s trying to impress you .
I ’ ve told him ‘ Your actions will always speak louder than your words.
” James spoke of Trump ’ s actions during the COVID-19 crisis and his passion for raising up each and every American , in the face of a media desperate to shoot him down.
” I ’ m telling you , ” said James , “ This man and his family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t make him or anyone a prisoner of the past.
” Editor ’ s Note : You can help combat world hunger .
Consider giving to Mission Feeding , a ministry of our parent organization , LIFE Outreach International .
LIFE ’ s Mission Feeding outreach has been a proven answer to the nutritional needs of starving and malnourished children .
Each bowl of food contains vitamins and nutrients needed to stop the vicious cycle of malnutrition and death .
That ’ s why we say , “ There ’ s LIFE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every LIFE !
” Click here to see how you can help .

President Lincoln had a saying: “If you want to get rid of an enemy, make him your friend.”
On Thursday’s episode of LIFE Today, host and Stream founder James Robison gave a peek into one of his life’s most amazing, surprising, and interesting journeys: from “Almost Anybody But Trump” in 2016 to close friend of President Trump and the Trump family.
“This isn’t a political message,” James made clear. “This is a message of hope, concern and answered prayer.”
As Christians, we know that our hope is found only in one person, Jesus Christ, but He often answers the prayers of His people in unlikely ways and through unlikely people. According to James, prayers for the president are bearing fruit. “We are seeing the answer to prayers in this man’s life and in his family and in those around him.”
He speaks of praying with Trump, seeing his heart up close. “This president is convinced there is one Father that knows best. He really wants to hear from that Father. He does not want to get up and talk about a bunch of religious stuff. Like he’s trying to impress you. I’ve told him ‘Your actions will always speak louder than your words.”
James spoke of Trump’s actions during the COVID-19 crisis and his passion for raising up each and every American, in the face of a media desperate to shoot him down. “I’m telling you,” said James, “this man and his family are worthy of your prayers. Don’t make him or anyone a prisoner of the past.”
Editor’s Note: You can help combat world hunger. Consider giving to Mission Feeding, a ministry of our parent organization, LIFE Outreach International.
LIFE’s Mission Feeding outreach has been a proven answer to the nutritional needs of starving and malnourished children. Each bowl of food contains vitamins and nutrients needed to stop the vicious cycle of malnutrition and death. That’s why we say, “There’s LIFE in every bowl, and hope for every LIFE!” Click here to see how you can help.


thestream--2020-05-22--Election Judge Pleads Guilty to Ballot Stuffing for Democrats

A former elected official in Philadelphia who accepted large payments from a political consultant to stuff ballot boxes for Democratic judicial candidates has pleaded guilty as part of a continuing federal investigation .
The Justice Department announced Thursday that Domenick J. DeMuro , 73 , who was an election judge in South Philadelphia , pleaded guilty to conspiracy to deprive city voters of their civil rights by fraudulently stuffing ballot boxes in the 2014 , 2015 , and 2016 primary elections .
DeMuro , a judge for the 39th Ward , 36th Division , also pleaded guilty to violating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any facility in interstate commerce — in this case , cellphones — with the intent to promote certain illegal activity — in this case , bribery .
The Justice Department said the case is part of an ongoing investigation by the FBI and the Pennsylvania State Police .
The judge of elections is an elective office and a paid position in Pennsylvania municipalities responsible for supervising the local election process .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by literally standing in a voting booth and voting over and over , as fast as he could , while he thought the coast was clear , ” U.S. Attorney William McSwain of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania said .
“ This is utterly reprehensible conduct , ” McSwain said .
“ The charges announced today do not erase what he did , but they do ensure that he is held to account for those actions.
” During his guilty plea hearing , DeMuro said an unnamed political consultant gave him directions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain Democrats who were running for judicial office .
Their campaigns had hired the consultant .
DeMuro also admitted to casting illegal votes for other candidates for federal , state , and local offices at the consultant ’ s request .
Prosecutors said the political consultant solicited monetary payments from his clients in the form of cash or checks as “ consulting fees , ” then used some of the money to pay election board officials , including DeMuro , to tamper with the election results .
DeMuro said payments ranged between $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cornerstone of our democracy .
If even one vote is fraudulently rung up , the integrity of that election is compromised .
I want the public to know that this investigation is active and ongoing , and my office is taking every possible step that we can to ensure the integrity of the upcoming primary and general elections in the nine counties of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania .
Citizens of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania should be confident of election integrity , said Capt .
Leo Hannon , director of the special investigations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ As this investigation clearly illustrates , the Pennsylvania State Police will relentlessly pursue any breach of the sacred trust bestowed upon our public officials , ” Hannon said in a prepared statement .
“ Our agency is proud to partner with the Federal Bureau of Investigation , the United States Attorney ’ s Office , and the United States Department of Justice as a whole to root out corruption at any level of our government.
” The probe is a positive step forward in prosecuting voter fraud , said former Justice Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Public Interest Legal Foundation , an election integrity group .
“ Right now , other federal prosecutors are aware of cases of double voting in federal elections as well as noncitizen voting , ” Adams said in a written statement , adding :

A former elected official in Philadelphia who accepted large payments from a political consultant to stuff ballot boxes for Democratic judicial candidates has pleaded guilty as part of a continuing federal investigation.
The Justice Department announced Thursday that Domenick J. DeMuro, 73, who was an election judge in South Philadelphia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to deprive city voters of their civil rights by fraudulently stuffing ballot boxes in the 2014, 2015, and 2016 primary elections.
DeMuro, a judge for the 39th Ward, 36th Division, also pleaded guilty to violating the Travel Act, which forbids use of any facility in interstate commerce — in this case, cellphones — with the intent to promote certain illegal activity — in this case, bribery.
The Justice Department said the case is part of an ongoing investigation by the FBI and the Pennsylvania State Police.
The judge of elections is an elective office and a paid position in Pennsylvania municipalities responsible for supervising the local election process.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“DeMuro fraudulently stuffed the ballot box by literally standing in a voting booth and voting over and over, as fast as he could, while he thought the coast was clear,” U.S. Attorney William McSwain of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania said.
“This is utterly reprehensible conduct,” McSwain said. “The charges announced today do not erase what he did, but they do ensure that he is held to account for those actions.”
During his guilty plea hearing, DeMuro said an unnamed political consultant gave him directions and paid him money to add votes for certain Democrats who were running for judicial office. Their campaigns had hired the consultant.
DeMuro also admitted to casting illegal votes for other candidates for federal, state, and local offices at the consultant’s request.
Prosecutors said the political consultant solicited monetary payments from his clients in the form of cash or checks as “consulting fees,” then used some of the money to pay election board officials, including DeMuro, to tamper with the election results. DeMuro said payments ranged between $300 to $5,000.
In a press release, McSwain said:
Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy. If even one vote is fraudulently rung up, the integrity of that election is compromised. I want the public to know that this investigation is active and ongoing, and my office is taking every possible step that we can to ensure the integrity of the upcoming primary and general elections in the nine counties of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Citizens of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania should be confident of election integrity, said Capt. Leo Hannon, director of the special investigations division of the Pennsylvania State Police.
“As this investigation clearly illustrates, the Pennsylvania State Police will relentlessly pursue any breach of the sacred trust bestowed upon our public officials,” Hannon said in a prepared statement. “Our agency is proud to partner with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Attorney’s Office, and the United States Department of Justice as a whole to root out corruption at any level of our government.”
The probe is a positive step forward in prosecuting voter fraud, said former Justice Department lawyer J. Christian Adams, president of the Public Interest Legal Foundation, an election integrity group.
“Right now, other federal prosecutors are aware of cases of double voting in federal elections as well as noncitizen voting,” Adams said in a written statement, adding:
Attorney General William Barr should prompt those other offices to do their duty and prosecute known election crimes. Those who are considering election crimes should take note of U.S. Attorney McSwain’s work. Now, they have something to fear before they violate federal election laws.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Signal


thestream--2020-05-22--Meet the Small Business Leader Fighting to Reopen Michigan

After Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer issued executive orders forcing the closure of many of the state ’ s businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic , small-businessman Erik Kiilunen said he saw $ 600,000 in contracts disappear overnight .
“ My book of business for the next month and a half was just gone , ” he told The Daily Signal in a phone interview .
“ It really hit hard .
I didn ’ t have any choice .
I laid off everybody .
I said , ‘ Guys , we ’ ve got nowhere to go.
’ ” Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in Michigan , which was set to coincide with President Donald Trump ’ s visit to the state .
The event — a takeoff on the annual Take Your Child to Work Day — was sponsored by the group All Business is Essential , an effort Kiilunen launched after reopening his businesses in defiance of the state orders .
Trump on Thursday afternoon visited Ypsilanti , Michigan , where he met with African American leaders and then toured and delivered remarks at the Ford Rawsonville Components plant , part of the Ford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t meant to be shut down .
We did the right thing , but now it ’ s time to open it up , ” Trump said at the Ford plant .
He later added , “ To protect the health of our people , we must have a functioning economy … Americans who want to return to work should not be vilified .
They should be supported.
” Michigan has had one of the strictest coronavirus regimens for closures in the country , which has prompted protests throughout the state .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was stomping around the house , just frustrated that I had been shut down at that time about three weeks , ” said Kiilunen , who was too far away to meet with the president .
“ I ’ m thinking , ‘ Will somebody please speak what ’ s on my mind ?
’ And nobody would .
I caught a glimpse in the mirror and thought , ‘ You know what ?
If nobody else will , I will.
’ ” Whitmer ’ s executive order mandates retailers control crowd sizes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every 1,000 square feet of floor space ; orders stores to “ refrain from the advertising ” of nonessential items ; closes off areas that sell “ carpet or flooring , furniture , garden centers and plant nurseries , and paint ” ; and bans residents from visiting other homes , stating “ public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring among persons not part of a single household are prohibited.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , Kiilunen set up an online Go Fund Me page to talk about restarting the economy in a sensible way .
It raised $ 10,000 in 48 hours , he said .
Then , after he got about 45 minutes of airtime on a local radio interview , he said his phone began ringing off the hook , and the Go Fund Me page raised an additional $ 20,000 .
With that , he bought 23 billboard spaces across the state that said : “ All Business is Essential.
” Kiilunen reopened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option of returning , but let them know their jobs would be there if they didn ’ t .
He said about 90 % are back .
None of the workers caught the virus , he said , adding : Kiilunen takes exception to being called “ reckless , ” saying the governor is operating out of fear of what might happen .
I ask you , who is more reckless ?
If she shuts down the economy for five months , kills 50 % of the state ’ s income and puts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you go from 1.7 million unemployed to 2 [ million to ] 3 million unemployed , who is going to feed them , and who is going to be responsible for the conditions people are living in , for the health problems we have , for the families we ’ ve destroyed , for the hospitals we ’ ve destroyed ?
I can put a number on that .
We can do that .
That ’ s guaranteed to happen .
This isn ’ t an ‘ if.
’ If we put this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you the destitution will be significantly higher than anything COVID can hope to make .
Kiilunen said he never set out to be an activist and is a natural introvert , but once he started this , he established three goals : to “ eliminate fear , ” “ educate the public , ” and “ restart the economy.
” “ If you want to put me on a stage , I can do a stage if I have to , but let me go into a lab and build equipment or do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m a happy man , ” he explained .
“ But when you start screwing around with my family , my livelihood , no .
I ’ ve worked too long and too hard.
” He also criticized Whitmer for seeking a federal bailout of the state , one of several governors to do so .
“ The federal government does not produce any wealth .
All the federal government can do is take money from another state and give it to another state .
It can not create wealth , ” he @ @ @ @

After Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued executive orders forcing the closure of many of the state’s businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic, small-businessman Erik Kiilunen said he saw $600,000 in contracts disappear overnight.
Kiilunen, of Ahmeek, Michigan, runs Kiilunen Manufacturing Group, which makes construction materials.
“My book of business for the next month and a half was just gone,” he told The Daily Signal in a phone interview. “It really hit hard. I didn’t have any choice. I laid off everybody. I said, ‘Guys, we’ve got nowhere to go.’”
But Kiilunen is fighting back.
Thursday was “Take Yourself to Work Day” in Michigan, which was set to coincide with President Donald Trump’s visit to the state. The event — a takeoff on the annual Take Your Child to Work Day — was sponsored by the group All Business is Essential, an effort Kiilunen launched after reopening his businesses in defiance of the state orders.
Trump on Thursday afternoon visited Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he met with African American leaders and then toured and delivered remarks at the Ford Rawsonville Components plant, part of the Ford Motor Co.
“A country wasn’t meant to be shut down. We did the right thing, but now it’s time to open it up,” Trump said at the Ford plant. He later added, “To protect the health of our people, we must have a functioning economy … Americans who want to return to work should not be vilified. They should be supported.”
Michigan has had one of the strictest coronavirus regimens for closures in the country, which has prompted protests throughout the state.
“About three weeks ago Sunday, I was stomping around the house, just frustrated that I had been shut down at that time about three weeks,” said Kiilunen, who was too far away to meet with the president. “I’m thinking, ‘Will somebody please speak what’s on my mind?’ And nobody would. I caught a glimpse in the mirror and thought, ‘You know what? If nobody else will, I will.’”
Whitmer’s executive order mandates retailers control crowd sizes to no more than four people for every 1,000 square feet of floor space; orders stores to “refrain from the advertising” of nonessential items; closes off areas that sell “carpet or flooring, furniture, garden centers and plant nurseries, and paint”; and bans residents from visiting other homes, stating “public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring among persons not part of a single household are prohibited.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
After deciding to speak out, Kiilunen set up an online Go Fund Me page to talk about restarting the economy in a sensible way. It raised $10,000 in 48 hours, he said. Then, after he got about 45 minutes of airtime on a local radio interview, he said his phone began ringing off the hook, and the Go Fund Me page raised an additional $20,000. With that, he bought 23 billboard spaces across the state that said: “All Business is Essential.”
Kiilunen reopened his own businesses, giving employees the option of returning, but let them know their jobs would be there if they didn’t. He said about 90% are back. None of the workers caught the virus, he said, adding:
I went public with it. If you’re going to find me, come get me. If I’m guilty for feeding 30 mouths, if that’s my crime, I’m guilty as charged.
Kiilunen takes exception to being called “reckless,” saying the governor is operating out of fear of what might happen.
I ask you, who is more reckless? If she shuts down the economy for five months, kills 50% of the state’s income and puts another 2 million people destitute, then you go from 1.7 million unemployed to 2 [million to] 3 million unemployed, who is going to feed them, and who is going to be responsible for the conditions people are living in, for the health problems we have, for the families we’ve destroyed, for the hospitals we’ve destroyed? I can put a number on that. We can do that. That’s guaranteed to happen. This isn’t an ‘if.’ If we put this country into a depression, I promise you the destitution will be significantly higher than anything COVID can hope to make.
Kiilunen said he never set out to be an activist and is a natural introvert, but once he started this, he established three goals: to “eliminate fear,” “educate the public,” and “restart the economy.”
“If you want to put me on a stage, I can do a stage if I have to, but let me go into a lab and build equipment or do something with chemistry, and I’m a happy man,” he explained. “But when you start screwing around with my family, my livelihood, no. I’ve worked too long and too hard.”
He also criticized Whitmer for seeking a federal bailout of the state, one of several governors to do so.
“The federal government does not produce any wealth. All the federal government can do is take money from another state and give it to another state. It cannot create wealth,” he said, adding:
The only way you can create wealth is to harvest it, to mine it, or to manufacture it. That’s where wealth comes from. Everything else is window dressing. We do all three things in spades in Michigan.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Signal