thestream--2020-05-20--7 Highlights From National Coronavirus Recovery Panel’s New Recommendations

State and local governments should get ready to reopen K-12 schools , but also prepare hospitals and public transportation systems for a possible second wave of COVID-19 , according to a new round of recommendations from the National Coronavirus Recovery Commission .
The new suggestions , released Tuesday , are part of the fifth phase of the commission ’ s work , which is to “ reduce future risks of pandemics.
” The National Coronavirus Recovery Commission , assembled by The Heritage Foundation , is made up of 17 experts with experience in government , public health , disaster response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business , and the faith community .
Launched April 6 , the panel now has released a total of 264 recommendations .
The latest recommendations focus on determining how big government policies failed in response to the spread of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new coronavirus , and on providing better solutions for federal , state , and local governments for the next potential public health crisis .
“ Saving lives and livelihoods in the wake of the coronavirus requires policymakers to honestly evaluate what went wrong as we prepare for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemics , ” Heritage Foundation President Kay C. James , the commission ’ s chairwoman , said in a prepared statement .
Previous rounds have focused on reopening the economy , averting a depression , and fast-tracking approval of new medicines .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Also Tuesday , President Donald Trump signed an executive order to help slash government regulations to boost the economy .
Trump ’ s order directs agencies to use all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporarily waive regulations to promote job creation and economic growth .
It also includes a “ Regulatory Bill of Rights ” — a set of 10 basic principles to govern administrative enforcement .
As of Wednesday , the United States had 1,532,212 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 92,128 related deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University ’ s tracker .
In June , the National Coronavirus Recovery Commission expects to deliver a last report with final recommendations and an assessment of each state ’ s response to COVID-19 .
“ While we move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , governments must resist the urge to spend more money and create new programs without even examining what actually works , ” James said , adding : The Daily Signal is the multimedia news organization of The Heritage Foundation .
Here are seven highlights from the National Coronavirus Recovery Commission ’ s new recommendations .
State and local governments should work to reopen classrooms for grades K-12 , but take targeted measures to protect the health of students and teachers .
Trump has said he favors the reopening of schools , although his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state officials should take precautions .
As the threat of COVID-19 became clear , Trump assembled a White House coronavirus task force made up of officials from nearly every government department and headed by Vice President Mike Pence .
The Trump administration should develop and submit to Congress a plan to restructure and reform the functions of federal public health agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services .
The goal : to ensure quicker and more effective responses to future epidemics , pandemics , and infectious diseases .
Trump should sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examining and evaluating the crisis response systems related to the COVID-19 pandemic , and developing recommendations for future preparedness .
Federal agencies should streamline access to spectrum to accelerate deployment of the 5G network .
State legislatures should review , and possibly revise , the granting of emergency powers to governors in light of some executive actions taken by various governors during the pandemic .
Several governors came under criticism for overreaching and encroaching on individual liberties in their states .
The commission ’ s report doesn ’ t name any governors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
State policymakers should set up a new strategy to better equip hospitals for dealing with a major pandemic , and states should work with Congress when necessary on this front .
Many hospitals faced a strain as the COVID-19 crisis unfolded , and those in New York were overwhelmed .
Trump ordered a Navy hospital ship to New York City to offer assistance .
Congress should pay for some of its trillions of dollars in stimulus spending with the sale of federal property .
Congress should create a more friendly business and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pharmaceutical companies , researchers , and investment to return to the United States .
Congress thus far has spent more than $ 3 trillion in response to the coronavirus , and is developing a plan for more aid to states , individuals , companies , and nonprofits .
State and local governments should set aside a minimum of two months ’ worth of operating expenditures , or roughly 16 % of expenditures , for times of crisis as suggested by the Government Finance Officers Association .
Responding to the pandemic led to massive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local governments .
Some state governments have demanded bailouts from federal taxpayers to cover costs not related to the virus , such as pension fund shortfalls .
State and local governments should put in place plans for mass transit systems that protect both the public and transit workers during future epidemics .
This would mean reforming transit agency operations to reduce financial vulnerability .
Public transportation in major cities is a particular concern during the spread of a highly contagious disease .
New York City faced criticism for being slow to sanitize the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

State and local governments should get ready to reopen K-12 schools, but also prepare hospitals and public transportation systems for a possible second wave of COVID-19, according to a new round of recommendations from the National Coronavirus Recovery Commission.
The new suggestions, released Tuesday, are part of the fifth phase of the commission’s work, which is to “reduce future risks of pandemics.”
The National Coronavirus Recovery Commission, assembled by The Heritage Foundation, is made up of 17 experts with experience in government, public health, disaster response and relief, academia and education, business, and the faith community. Launched April 6, the panel now has released a total of 264 recommendations.
The latest recommendations focus on determining how big government policies failed in response to the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, and on providing better solutions for federal, state, and local governments for the next potential public health crisis.
“Saving lives and livelihoods in the wake of the coronavirus requires policymakers to honestly evaluate what went wrong as we prepare for another wave of the virus and future pandemics,” Heritage Foundation President Kay C. James, the commission’s chairwoman, said in a prepared statement.
Previous rounds have focused on reopening the economy, averting a depression, and fast-tracking approval of new medicines.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Also Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to help slash government regulations to boost the economy. Trump’s order directs agencies to use all emergency authorities to identify and rescind or temporarily waive regulations to promote job creation and economic growth. It also includes a “Regulatory Bill of Rights” — a set of 10 basic principles to govern administrative enforcement.
As of Wednesday, the United States had 1,532,212 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 92,128 related deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University’s tracker.
In June, the National Coronavirus Recovery Commission expects to deliver a last report with final recommendations and an assessment of each state’s response to COVID-19.
“While we move to get Americans safely back to work, governments must resist the urge to spend more money and create new programs without even examining what actually works,” James said, adding:
More now than ever, we know the American spirit of freedom and free enterprise will play a defining role in empowering workers, businesses, health providers, patients, and all Americans to defeat the coronavirus.
The Daily Signal is the multimedia news organization of The Heritage Foundation.
Here are seven highlights from the National Coronavirus Recovery Commission’s new recommendations.
1. Reopening Schools
State and local governments should work to reopen classrooms for grades K-12, but take targeted measures to protect the health of students and teachers.
Trump has said he favors the reopening of schools, although his health experts have warned that local and state officials should take precautions.
As the threat of COVID-19 became clear, Trump assembled a White House coronavirus task force made up of officials from nearly every government department and headed by Vice President Mike Pence.
2. Actions by the Administration
The Trump administration should develop and submit to Congress a plan to restructure and reform the functions of federal public health agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services. The goal: to ensure quicker and more effective responses to future epidemics, pandemics, and infectious diseases.
Trump should sign an executive order tasking his Cabinet with examining and evaluating the crisis response systems related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and developing recommendations for future preparedness.
Federal agencies should streamline access to spectrum to accelerate deployment of the 5G network.
3. Governors’ Executive Actions
State legislatures should review, and possibly revise, the granting of emergency powers to governors in light of some executive actions taken by various governors during the pandemic.
Several governors came under criticism for overreaching and encroaching on individual liberties in their states. The commission’s report doesn’t name any governors, but raises concerns with separation of powers.
4. Hospital Preparation
State policymakers should set up a new strategy to better equip hospitals for dealing with a major pandemic, and states should work with Congress when necessary on this front.
Many hospitals faced a strain as the COVID-19 crisis unfolded, and those in New York were overwhelmed. Trump ordered a Navy hospital ship to New York City to offer assistance.
5. Role of Congress
Congress should pay for some of its trillions of dollars in stimulus spending with the sale of federal property.
Congress should create a more friendly business and tax environment to encourage medical supply and pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and investment to return to the United States.
Congress thus far has spent more than $3 trillion in response to the coronavirus, and is developing a plan for more aid to states, individuals, companies, and nonprofits.
6. Fiscal Responsibility
State and local governments should set aside a minimum of two months’ worth of operating expenditures, or roughly 16% of expenditures, for times of crisis as suggested by the Government Finance Officers Association.
Responding to the pandemic led to massive spending by federal, state, and local governments. Some state governments have demanded bailouts from federal taxpayers to cover costs not related to the virus, such as pension fund shortfalls.
7. Public Transportation
State and local governments should put in place plans for mass transit systems that protect both the public and transit workers during future epidemics. This would mean reforming transit agency operations to reduce financial vulnerability.
Public transportation in major cities is a particular concern during the spread of a highly contagious disease. New York City faced criticism for being slow to sanitize the subway system on a nightly basis.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Signal


thestream--2020-05-20--The Jesus Who Reaches In

The Jesus Who Reaches In

What does it feel like to “ feel ” isolated ?
I may not have been able tell you before seven weeks in quarantine , but maybe I could now .
In 2020 B.C .
( Before-Corona ) , I had my places where I felt like I belonged , probably much like you do .
The regular stuff : nail salon , gym , church , coffee shop , events at the high school campus .
These were the places and faces that drew boundaries around my life and pointed to where I belonged .
Then the virus happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changed .
Familiar freedoms were sectioned off with “ Do Not Cross ” tape and I found myself relating to people from behind masks , through Zoom calls , and an unnatural six feet away in real-life conversations ( like “ OMG , I should hug you , but I can ’ t … I mean , we can ’ t … did I offend you by bringing it up ?
” ) .
I fled to social media for connection but didn ’ t find solace in what I read and observed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many , desperate to have something to say and adamant that their voices be heard .
The incessant cacophony surrounding the novel coronavirus pushed me into uncharted territory of novel feelings of personal isolation .
Social media-induced self-doubt crept in with questions like , “ Do I really need to post that ?
Or am I just contributing to the noise ?
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
So , I shut up on social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopped calling my sisters .
I just went about and did this new “ social distancing ” thing they told me to do to “ flatten the curve , ” all the while wanting to be needed for something more than staying home .
Bored with platitudes , packaged prayers , and pleasantries , I was looking for someone to reach in … without having to explain myself .
Saying I knew Jesus , I was confronted with the question , “ Did I let Jesus reach in to know me ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the healed leper knew him .
A permanently socially distanced societal outcast , the leper set himself up for a raw , life-changing encounter with Jesus .
Bringing himself to his knees , the leper cried , “ Lord , if you will , you can make me clean .
And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him , saying , ‘ I will ; be clean ' ” ( Matthew 8:2-3 ) .
Immediately , the leprosy was gone .
With complete confidence in His authority and sheer compassion toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached in .
Into the isolation , into the hopelessness , into the loneliness , into the disease .
And .
He .
Touched .
It .
Touch , to me , is identification .
There ’ s no other sense that emanates empathy and compassion like touch .
Without words , it speaks , “ I know your pain .
I understand what you ’ re going through.
” To be touched by Jesus Christ is to be changed forever .
Perfect in its embodiment of love and free from the compromising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heals us from the inside out .
Jesus ’ touch renders the contagion of humanity ’ s disease a moot point .
It ’ s a touch that to onlookers broke all the rules .
A touch that unless you were God himself would have infected you too .
A touch that transformed this leper ’ s life forever — bridging the gap , closing the distance , making sick things whole and the unclean , clean .
Jesus ’ goal was , and still is , reconciliation to the Father .
Showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ triumphs over judgment .
Because He is who He says He is , no boundary , no wall , no disease , no sin , no social isolation is beyond the Jesus Who Reaches In .
Annemarie McLean is a four-girl mom , freelance writer , and co-founder of Brave & Beautiful , a ministry focused on challenging young women to live purpose-driven lives full of courage and character , while developing Christ-centered inner beauty .
In 2012 , she also founded 3D Missions , an international outreach taking the Gospel to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holds a journalism degree from Oral Roberts University , with post-graduate work in organizational leadership at Palm Beach Atlantic University .

What does it feel like to “feel” isolated? I may not have been able tell you before seven weeks in quarantine, but maybe I could now. In 2020 B.C. (Before-Corona), I had my places where I felt like I belonged, probably much like you do. The regular stuff: nail salon, gym, church, coffee shop, events at the high school campus. These were the places and faces that drew boundaries around my life and pointed to where I belonged.
Then the virus happened and as time wore on, that changed. Familiar freedoms were sectioned off with “Do Not Cross” tape and I found myself relating to people from behind masks, through Zoom calls, and an unnatural six feet away in real-life conversations (like “OMG, I should hug you, but I can’t … I mean, we can’t … did I offend you by bringing it up?”).
Wanting to be Needed
I fled to social media for connection but didn’t find solace in what I read and observed. There were people, and so many, desperate to have something to say and adamant that their voices be heard. The incessant cacophony surrounding the novel coronavirus pushed me into uncharted territory of novel feelings of personal isolation. Social media-induced self-doubt crept in with questions like, “Do I really need to post that? Or am I just contributing to the noise?”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
So, I shut up on social media for a few weeks. So I stopped calling my sisters. I just went about and did this new “social distancing” thing they told me to do to “flatten the curve,” all the while wanting to be needed for something more than staying home. Bored with platitudes, packaged prayers, and pleasantries, I was looking for someone to reach in … without having to explain myself. Saying I knew Jesus, I was confronted with the question, “Did I let Jesus reach in to know me?”
The Touch of Compassion
I decided I wanted to know him like the healed leper knew him. A permanently socially distanced societal outcast, the leper set himself up for a raw, life-changing encounter with Jesus. Bringing himself to his knees, the leper cried, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean. And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean'” (Matthew 8:2-3). Immediately, the leprosy was gone.
With complete confidence in His authority and sheer compassion toward the one knelt before Him, Jesus reached in. Into the isolation, into the hopelessness, into the loneliness, into the disease. And. He. Touched. It. Touch, to me, is identification. There’s no other sense that emanates empathy and compassion like touch. Without words, it speaks, “I know your pain. I understand what you’re going through.”
Jesus Reaches In
To be touched by Jesus Christ is to be changed forever. Perfect in its embodiment of love and free from the compromising effects of sin, Jesus’ touch heals us from the inside out. Jesus’ touch renders the contagion of humanity’s disease a moot point. It’s a touch that to onlookers broke all the rules. A touch that unless you were God himself would have infected you too. A touch that transformed this leper’s life forever — bridging the gap, closing the distance, making sick things whole and the unclean, clean.
Jesus’ goal was, and still is, reconciliation to the Father. Showing a lost and confused world that mercy triumphs over judgment. Because He is who He says He is, no boundary, no wall, no disease, no sin, no social isolation is beyond the Jesus Who Reaches In.
Annemarie McLean is a four-girl mom, freelance writer, and co-founder of Brave & Beautiful, a ministry focused on challenging young women to live purpose-driven lives full of courage and character, while developing Christ-centered inner beauty.
In 2012, she also founded 3D Missions, an international outreach taking the Gospel to the nations through the performing arts. Annemarie holds a journalism degree from Oral Roberts University, with post-graduate work in organizational leadership at Palm Beach Atlantic University.


thestream--2020-05-20--Some Thoughts About Being Safe

Some Thoughts About Being Safe

In a recent Fireside Chat , my weekly talk show on the PragerU platform , I commented on society ’ s increasing fixation on being “ safe.
” The following is a condensed version of what I said : We have a meme up at PragerU : “ ‘ Until it ’ s safe ’ means ‘ never . '
” The pursuit of “ safe ” over virtually all other considerations is life-suppressing .
This is true for your own individual life , and it is true for the life of a society .
I always give the following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Israel for decades , and for all those decades , people have called my radio show to say , “ Dennis , I would so love to visit Israel , but I ’ m just going to wait until it ’ s safe.
” And I ’ ve always told these people , “ Then you ’ ll never go.
” And sure enough , I ’ ve gone there over 20 times , and they never went .
I have never led my life on the basis of “ until it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take ridiculous risks .
I wear a seatbelt whenever I ’ m in a car because the chances are overwhelming that in a bad accident , a seatbelt can save my life .
But I get into the car , which is not 100 % safe .
You are not on earth to be safe .
You are on earth to lead a full life .
I don ’ t want my epitaph to be , “ He led a safe life.
” It ’ s like another epitaph I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pain as possible.
” The nature of this world is such that if you aim for 100 % safety and no pain , you don ’ t live .
I have visited 130 countries , some of which were not particularly safe .
Safe , as in “ no risk , ” doesn ’ t exist .
Accepting there are degrees of safety and balancing risk with reward are part of the reason I ’ ve led a rich life .
I ’ ll give a personal example .
I started teaching myself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in my teens .
I have conducted orchestras periodically for much of my adult life .
As a guest conductor , I raise funds for orchestras , as I did two years ago at the Disney Concert Hall , where I conducted a Haydn symphony with the Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra .
Now , I rarely get nervous .
But the first time I conducted , I was so nervous I was actually dripping sweat onto the score — and it was only a rehearsal .
What I did was not play it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant I wouldn ’ t have accepted the invitation to conduct .
The Issue of the Word ‘ Safe ’ All of life confronts you with this question : Are you going to take risks or play it safe ?
If you play it safe , you don ’ t get married .
If you play it safe , you don ’ t have kids .
There are real risks in getting married ; there are real risks in having children .
Take the issue of the word “ safe ” on campuses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suppress freedom of thought : “ If we have a conservative speaker on campus , we need a ‘ safe space ’ where we can avoid feeling discomfort from exposure to ideas we don ’ t like.
” A conservative speaker comes to campus and some students go to a “ safe space ” where they ’ re given Play-Doh , hot chocolate and stuffed animals .
I ’ m not joking .
That ’ s what they do at some colleges — for people who are 18 and older .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our movie about free speech “ No Safe Spaces ” ( which you can and should watch at NoSafeSpaces.com ) .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
“ Safe ” has become a dirty word .
I rarely use it in the context of living life .
It ’ s one of the reasons I ’ m a happy person and have led a full life .
I ’ m thinking of a trivial example , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most of life is not major moments .
If I am at a restaurant and my fork or knife falls , I pick it up and use it .
They rush over to give me a new one , like I am flirting with death if I take the fork from the floor .
My view is there ’ s no reason to come over .
The fork fell on the floor .
What did it pick up — diphtheria ?
Am I going to get pancreatic cancer from a fork that fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these things .
“ Safe ” is going to suppress your joy of life .
When I was 21 years old , I was sent to the Soviet Union to smuggle in religious items for Soviet Jews and to smuggle out names of Jews who wanted to escape the Soviet Union .
It wasn ’ t safe .
I was in a totalitarian state , smuggling things in and out .
But it was one of the most important things I ’ ve done in my life .
Not to mention a life-transforming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told my father about my plans .
We both knew it wasn ’ t safe .
I ’ ll never forget what my father said : “ Dennis , I spent two and a half years on a Navy ship in World War II , fighting in the Pacific .
So , you can take risks for a month.
” Yes , he was worried .
But this was a man who , despite having a wife and child , enlisted in the U.S. Navy to fight in World War II .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ship , a prime target of the Japanese .
He wasn ’ t safe .
The World War II generation has been dubbed “ the greatest generation.
” Part of what made them great was the last thing they would ever ask was , “ Is it safe ?
” If you want to lead a good and full life , you can not keep asking , “ Is it safe ?
” Those at college promoting “ safe spaces ” are afraid of life , and they want to make you afraid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Safety We ’ re going crazy on the safe issue .
It is making police states .
That ’ s my worry : In the name of safety , many Americans are dropping all other considerations .
“ Is it safe ?
” shouldn ’ t be the overarching element in your life .
Pick the fork up .
Wipe it off .
And use it .
Postscript : Some left-wing media cited the remarks about picking up a fork ( transcribed above word-for-word ) in order to smear me and the message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mendacious headline : “ Dennis Prager Licks Dirty Forks To Show COVID Who ’ s Boss.
” And the Daily Mail offered its attack with this headline : “ Right-Wing Radio Host Dennis Prager Boasts About Using Dirty Forks From Restaurant Floors in His Latest Rambling Message Downplaying Dangers of Coronavirus That Has Now Killed 88,000 Americans.
” As is obvious , my talk was about “ being safe , ” not the coronavirus .
Please read my last column about truth and the left .
Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ book , published by Regnery in May 2019 , is The Rational Bible , a commentary on the book of Genesis .
His film , “ No Safe Spaces , ” came to theaters fall 2019 .
He is the founder of Prager University and may be contacted at dennisprager.com .

In a recent Fireside Chat, my weekly talk show on the PragerU platform, I commented on society’s increasing fixation on being “safe.” The following is a condensed version of what I said:
We have a meme up at PragerU: “‘Until it’s safe’ means ‘never.'”
The pursuit of “safe” over virtually all other considerations is life-suppressing. This is true for your own individual life, and it is true for the life of a society.
Until It’s Safe
I always give the following example: I have been taking visitors to Israel for decades, and for all those decades, people have called my radio show to say, “Dennis, I would so love to visit Israel, but I’m just going to wait until it’s safe.” And I’ve always told these people, “Then you’ll never go.” And sure enough, I’ve gone there over 20 times, and they never went.
I have never led my life on the basis of “until it’s safe.” I do not take ridiculous risks. I wear a seatbelt whenever I’m in a car because the chances are overwhelming that in a bad accident, a seatbelt can save my life. But I get into the car, which is not 100% safe.
You are not on earth to be safe. You are on earth to lead a full life. I don’t want my epitaph to be, “He led a safe life.” It’s like another epitaph I don’t want: “He experienced as little pain as possible.”
Degrees of Safety and Balancing Risk
The nature of this world is such that if you aim for 100% safety and no pain, you don’t live. I have visited 130 countries, some of which were not particularly safe. Safe, as in “no risk,” doesn’t exist. Accepting there are degrees of safety and balancing risk with reward are part of the reason I’ve led a rich life.
I’ll give a personal example. I started teaching myself to conduct an orchestra when I was in my teens. I have conducted orchestras periodically for much of my adult life. As a guest conductor, I raise funds for orchestras, as I did two years ago at the Disney Concert Hall, where I conducted a Haydn symphony with the Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra.
Now, I rarely get nervous. But the first time I conducted, I was so nervous I was actually dripping sweat onto the score — and it was only a rehearsal.
What I did was not play it safe. Playing it safe would have meant I wouldn’t have accepted the invitation to conduct.
The Issue of the Word ‘Safe’
All of life confronts you with this question: Are you going to take risks or play it safe? If you play it safe, you don’t get married. If you play it safe, you don’t have kids. There are real risks in getting married; there are real risks in having children.
Take the issue of the word “safe” on campuses. “Safe” is used to suppress freedom of thought: “If we have a conservative speaker on campus, we need a ‘safe space’ where we can avoid feeling discomfort from exposure to ideas we don’t like.” A conservative speaker comes to campus and some students go to a “safe space” where they’re given Play-Doh, hot chocolate and stuffed animals. I’m not joking. That’s what they do at some colleges — for people who are 18 and older.
That’s why Adam Carolla and I named our movie about free speech “No Safe Spaces” (which you can and should watch at NoSafeSpaces.com).
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“Safe” has become a dirty word. I rarely use it in the context of living life. It’s one of the reasons I’m a happy person and have led a full life. I’m thinking of a trivial example, but life is filled with trivial examples. Most of life is not major moments. If I am at a restaurant and my fork or knife falls, I pick it up and use it. They rush over to give me a new one, like I am flirting with death if I take the fork from the floor. My view is there’s no reason to come over. The fork fell on the floor. What did it pick up — diphtheria? Am I going to get pancreatic cancer from a fork that fell? I’m not troubled by these things.
‘Safe’ Suppresses Joy of Life
“Safe” is going to suppress your joy of life.
When I was 21 years old, I was sent to the Soviet Union to smuggle in religious items for Soviet Jews and to smuggle out names of Jews who wanted to escape the Soviet Union.
It wasn’t safe. I was in a totalitarian state, smuggling things in and out. But it was one of the most important things I’ve done in my life. Not to mention a life-transforming experience.
Before I went, I told my father about my plans. We both knew it wasn’t safe. I’ll never forget what my father said: “Dennis, I spent two and a half years on a Navy ship in World War II, fighting in the Pacific. So, you can take risks for a month.”
Yes, he was worried. But this was a man who, despite having a wife and child, enlisted in the U.S. Navy to fight in World War II. He was an officer on a troop transport ship, a prime target of the Japanese. He wasn’t safe. The World War II generation has been dubbed “the greatest generation.” Part of what made them great was the last thing they would ever ask was, “Is it safe?”
If you want to lead a good and full life, you cannot keep asking, “Is it safe?” Those at college promoting “safe spaces” are afraid of life, and they want to make you afraid of life.
In the Name of Safety
We’re going crazy on the safe issue. It is making police states. That’s my worry: In the name of safety, many Americans are dropping all other considerations.
“Is it safe?” shouldn’t be the overarching element in your life. Pick the fork up. Wipe it off. And use it.
Postscript: Some left-wing media cited the remarks about picking up a fork (transcribed above word-for-word) in order to smear me and the message. The Daily Beast led with this mendacious headline: “Dennis Prager Licks Dirty Forks To Show COVID Who’s Boss.” And the Daily Mail offered its attack with this headline: “Right-Wing Radio Host Dennis Prager Boasts About Using Dirty Forks From Restaurant Floors in His Latest Rambling Message Downplaying Dangers of Coronavirus That Has Now Killed 88,000 Americans.” As is obvious, my talk was about “being safe,” not the coronavirus. Please read my last column about truth and the left.
Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist. His latest book, published by Regnery in May 2019, is The Rational Bible, a commentary on the book of Genesis. His film, “No Safe Spaces,” came to theaters fall 2019. He is the founder of Prager University and may be contacted at dennisprager.com.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM


thestream--2020-05-20--Military Photo of the Day: Setting Up Gear at The Citadel

U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy sailors recently stage their gear at The Citadel , a public military college temporarily used @ @ @ @ @ 14-day observation period in Charleston , South Carolina .
Thank you to these sailors and @ @ @ @ @ during this deadly pandemic .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly @ @ @ @ @ and Moral Issues of Our Day .

U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy sailors recently stage their gear at The Citadel, a public military college temporarily used to stage poolees for a 14-day observation period in Charleston, South Carolina.
Thank you to these sailors and Marines for defending our nation during this deadly pandemic.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-05-20--Why Gun Rights are Essential in a World of Uncertainty and Scarcity

A common joke in the American gun community goes something like this : Q : Why do you carry a gun ?
A : Because carrying a cop is too heavy .
This humorous quip should not detract from the fact that many individuals in the United States ( including me ) own and carry a firearm for purely pragmatic reasons .
The simplest case for the right to keep and bear arms can be summarized in one sentence : You are ultimately responsible for your own safety and security .
This sobering pill can be difficult for many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Evil exists in this world .
Under the right circumstances , people can and will do unspeakable things to each other as any student of history or psychology will know .
Those fortunate to live in gated communities and can afford armed security are often oblivious that most other people do not enjoy the same luxuries .
Many violent crimes take place and are over in a matter of seconds ( and stopped in seconds that prevent the worst ) .
As another popular saying goes , “ When seconds count , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the United States , depending where you live , police response time ranges from nine minutes to over an hour .
Right now , one in five New York police officers are currently out sick due to COVID-19 .
Police in multiple states have announced they will no longer respond to theft , burglary , and break-ins .
Given the current climate , it ’ s not unreasonable to assume police will take much longer to arrive , if they do at all , should someone dial 911 .
Furthermore , Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obligation for the police to protect you , which is affirmed by the Supreme Court and multiple lower courts .
( See Castle Rock v. Gonzales , Warren v. District of Columbia , and Lozito v. New York City ) .
Should the police fail to arrive or protect you when needed , you can ’ t even sue for neglect .
Thus , given the legal and logistical realities , taking the initiative to protect yourself should be as sensible as any other proactive measure such as having a fire extinguisher in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the back of the car .
Should disaster strike , preparedness will make all the difference in the world .
Protecting your one and only life deserves no less preparation and investment , especially in our increasingly complex and uncertain world .
Chaos Can , and Will , Strike Americans are fortunate to live in a country with mostly stable institutions .
But there are vivid examples when segments of society break down , many in not-too-distant memory .
In widespread civil disturbances such as the 1992 LA riots or the aftermaths of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the authorities were overwhelmed and unscrupulous individuals took advantage of the chaos to prey on others .
Going by sheer numbers , almost all of us will encounter at least one black swan in our lifetime .
The current COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath are already the most trying times on the lives and livelihoods of Americans since the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the financial crisis of 2008-2009 .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take place , if the authorities haven ’ t been incapacitated , displaced , or destroyed completely , whatever personnel and resources are left will be prioritized to protect high-ranking government officials , their inner-circle , and critical government facilities and infrastructure .
The economist Thomas Sowell reminds us , “ The first lesson of economics is scarcity : there is never enough of anything to fully satisfy all those who want it.
” Security also happens to be a scarce resource .
There ’ s simply not enough boots on the ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be protected at all times from all threats .
In every emergency , tough decisions will have to be made .
From what we know about past and present “ continuity of government ” plans , ruling elites will be evacuated to a secure bunker in some undisclosed location while John Q .
Public will be left to fend for himself .
Every American schoolchild is taught that everyone is equal before the law .
Given this fundamental axiom , it ’ s not unfair to demand that the average American citizen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security and protection that government officials — who are our servants , not overlords — insist on having for themselves ( while using taxpayer money ) .
Under the American political system , the right of self-defense can not be limited to only a privileged few .
No one , regardless of their socioeconomic status , can deny fundamental rights to others .
The right to life is closely intertwined with the right of self-preservation .
John Locke , a major influence on the philosophical foundations of the US Declaration of Independence and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-preservation as a “ fundamental law of nature ” in his Second Treatise of Civil Government : The state of war is a state of enmity and destruction : and therefore declaring by word or action , not a passionate and hasty , but a sedate settled design upon another man ’ s life , puts him in a state of war with him against whom he has declared such an intention , and so has exposed his life to the other ’ s power to be taken away by him , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his defence , and espouses his quarrel ; it being reasonable and just , I should have a right to destroy that which threatens me with destruction : for , by the fundamental law of nature , man being to be preserved as much as possible , when all can not be preserved , the safety of the innocent is to be preferred : and one may destroy a man who makes war upon him , or has discovered an enmity to his being , for the same reason that he may kill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such men are not under the ties of the common-law of reason , have no other rule , but that of force and violence , and so may be treated as beasts of prey , those dangerous and noxious creatures , that will be sure to destroy him whenever he falls into their power .
The political philosophy of John Locke and other Enlightenment thinkers contributed a unique element to American political theory : Fundamental rights do not come from the government .
Human beings possess them already simply by virtue of being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ natural right of self-defense and self-preservation .
As the Declaration of Independence memorably emphasizes , these natural rights are “ unalienable ” which means they can not be taken or given away .
They are permanent and apply in all times and all places to all human beings , with or without the Second Amendment or any other statutory pronouncement .
“ Self-evident truths ” and similar conclusions are found in other schools of thought .
The ethical intuitionist philosopher Michael Huemer also highlights an interlocking relationship between the right of self-defense and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even without the existence of absolute rights ( which Huemer declines to acknowledge for guns or any other right ) , he nevertheless persuasively argues : • There is a strong prima facie right to own a gun • Prohibiting private gun ownership constitutes both a major interference in gun owners ’ plans for their own lives as well as a significant violation of their right of self-defense Using a memorable thought experiment , Huemer shows how gun control laws that prevent a person from accessing or exercising the means of self-defense is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a victim down while the actual murderer carries out the foul deed .
By preventing the victim from escaping or exercising his right to self-defense , the accomplice ’ s action is still “ if not equivalent to murder , something close to murder in degree of wrongness , even though he neither kills nor injures the victim.
” In a follow-up thought experiment , Huemer adds : Most reasonable individuals will intuitively recognize what the accomplice did was morally wrong .
In both scenarios , the accomplice ’ s actions purposely prevented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun control laws have the same effect , it logically follows that they are “ about equally serious as a violation of the right of self-defense.
” Fortunately for Americans , most of us still have access to a wide range of choices when it comes to self-defense .
While it is understandable to be reluctant to pick up a gun , it is worth mentioning alternatives such as martial arts , tasers , and pepper spray are often severely limited by range , efficiency , or effectiveness .
Even if she is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years of training ) , a 5-foot , 100-pound woman will be overwhelmed if she faces multiple attackers who weigh twice as much .
On the other hand , she can ably defend herself with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle , which is a popular weapon for many Americans , including women , because of its light weight , low recoil , accuracy , reliability , ergonomics , and ease of customization to fit any shooter regardless of size and stature .
Compared to other options , firearms are the most practical and effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his or her life , liberty , and property .
As I emphasized in a previous essay : In these uncertain times , both the pragmatic and philosophical case for gun rights are as strong as ever .
Many Americans , especially minorities , have realized the need for self-protection in times of social upheaval and breakdown .
It is unfortunate that it took a tragedy as extreme as the COVID-19 pandemic to remind people that we should never take peace , prosperity , and freedom for granted .
But millions have now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their loved ones .
They should know they are in good company .
From what I ’ ve witnessed firsthand and experienced to date , the American gun community is strongly supportive and always welcoming towards first-time gun owners and anyone remotely curious about firearms regardless of their background .
( See our plethora of welcome and orientation videos for newcomers brought in by the recent gun-buying surge ) .
Our country ’ s gun culture and people ’ s civic virtue reinforce each other .
In the spirit of Tocqueville , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic and demonstrated exemplary acts of charity .
It ’ s only natural that the gun community is also actively participating by sharing knowledge with their fellow Americans and ensuring new gun owners are comfortably onboarded .
I am confident these new gun owners will learn how to handle their weapons responsibly , discover the joys of shooting , and become future staunch defenders of the Second Amendment ( and hopefully the rest of the Bill of Rights as well ) .
Our past is full of inspiring examples of Americans emerging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tear the fabric of society and test our ideals .
In these “ times that try men ’ s souls , ” let us not forget the precious legacy bequeathed to us .
Aaron Tao is an entrepreneur and young professional working in Austin , Texas .
He holds an M.S .
from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin and a B.A .
from Case Western Reserve University .
His other writings have been published by Areo Magazine , Quillette , and the Independent Institute .
Follow @ @ @ @

A common joke in the American gun community goes something like this:
Q: Why do you carry a gun?
A: Because carrying a cop is too heavy.
This humorous quip should not detract from the fact that many individuals in the United States (including me) own and carry a firearm for purely pragmatic reasons. The simplest case for the right to keep and bear arms can be summarized in one sentence: You are ultimately responsible for your own safety and security.
Understanding Gun Rights
This sobering pill can be difficult for many people to swallow but that’s reality. Evil exists in this world. Under the right circumstances, people can and will do unspeakable things to each other as any student of history or psychology will know. Those fortunate to live in gated communities and can afford armed security are often oblivious that most other people do not enjoy the same luxuries.
Many violent crimes take place and are over in a matter of seconds (and stopped in seconds that prevent the worst). As another popular saying goes, “When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.” In the United States, depending where you live, police response time ranges from nine minutes to over an hour. Right now, one in five New York police officers are currently out sick due to COVID-19. Police in multiple states have announced they will no longer respond to theft, burglary, and break-ins. Given the current climate, it’s not unreasonable to assume police will take much longer to arrive, if they do at all, should someone dial 911.
Furthermore, Americans need to understand there is no legal obligation for the police to protect you, which is affirmed by the Supreme Court and multiple lower courts. (See Castle Rock v. Gonzales, Warren v. District of Columbia, and Lozito v. New York City). Should the police fail to arrive or protect you when needed, you can’t even sue for neglect.
Thus, given the legal and logistical realities, taking the initiative to protect yourself should be as sensible as any other proactive measure such as having a fire extinguisher in the home or jumper cables ready in the back of the car. Should disaster strike, preparedness will make all the difference in the world. Protecting your one and only life deserves no less preparation and investment, especially in our increasingly complex and uncertain world.
Chaos Can, and Will, Strike
Americans are fortunate to live in a country with mostly stable institutions. But there are vivid examples when segments of society break down, many in not-too-distant memory. In widespread civil disturbances such as the 1992 LA riots or the aftermaths of Hurricane Katrina, Florence, and Harvey, the authorities were overwhelmed and unscrupulous individuals took advantage of the chaos to prey on others.
Going by sheer numbers, almost all of us will encounter at least one black swan in our lifetime. The current COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath are already the most trying times on the lives and livelihoods of Americans since the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the financial crisis of 2008-2009.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Should an even deadlier natural or man-made catastrophe take place, if the authorities haven’t been incapacitated, displaced, or destroyed completely, whatever personnel and resources are left will be prioritized to protect high-ranking government officials, their inner-circle, and critical government facilities and infrastructure.
The economist Thomas Sowell reminds us, “The first lesson of economics is scarcity: there is never enough of anything to fully satisfy all those who want it.” Security also happens to be a scarce resource. There’s simply not enough boots on the ground that can guarantee all 300 million Americans will be protected at all times from all threats. In every emergency, tough decisions will have to be made. From what we know about past and present “continuity of government” plans, ruling elites will be evacuated to a secure bunker in some undisclosed location while John Q. Public will be left to fend for himself.
Legal and Ethical Foundations
Every American schoolchild is taught that everyone is equal before the law. Given this fundamental axiom, it’s not unfair to demand that the average American citizen have access to the same means of security and protection that government officials — who are our servants, not overlords — insist on having for themselves (while using taxpayer money). Under the American political system, the right of self-defense cannot be limited to only a privileged few. No one, regardless of their socioeconomic status, can deny fundamental rights to others.
The right to life is closely intertwined with the right of self-preservation. John Locke, a major influence on the philosophical foundations of the US Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, described the right of self-preservation as a “fundamental law of nature” in his Second Treatise of Civil Government:
The state of war is a state of enmity and destruction: and therefore declaring by word or action, not a passionate and hasty, but a sedate settled design upon another man’s life, puts him in a state of war with him against whom he has declared such an intention, and so has exposed his life to the other’s power to be taken away by him, or any one that joins with him in his defence, and espouses his quarrel; it being reasonable and just, I should have a right to destroy that which threatens me with destruction: for, by the fundamental law of nature, man being to be preserved as much as possible, when all cannot be preserved, the safety of the innocent is to be preferred: and one may destroy a man who makes war upon him, or has discovered an enmity to his being, for the same reason that he may kill a wolf or a lion; because such men are not under the ties of the common-law of reason, have no other rule, but that of force and violence, and so may be treated as beasts of prey, those dangerous and noxious creatures, that will be sure to destroy him whenever he falls into their power.
The political philosophy of John Locke and other Enlightenment thinkers contributed a unique element to American political theory: Fundamental rights do not come from the government. Human beings possess them already simply by virtue of being free and that includes a pre-existing, natural right of self-defense and self-preservation. As the Declaration of Independence memorably emphasizes, these natural rights are “unalienable” which means they cannot be taken or given away. They are permanent and apply in all times and all places to all human beings, with or without the Second Amendment or any other statutory pronouncement.
“Self-evident truths” and similar conclusions are found in other schools of thought. The ethical intuitionist philosopher Michael Huemer also highlights an interlocking relationship between the right of self-defense and the right to own a gun:
It is possible for a right to be both fundamental and derivative. Derivative rights are usually related to fundamental rights as means to the protection or enforcement of the latter, though this need not be the only way in which a right may be derivative. I claim that the right to own a gun is both fundamental and derivative; however, it is in its derivative aspect — as derived from the right of self-defense — that it is most important.
Even without the existence of absolute rights (which Huemer declines to acknowledge for guns or any other right), he nevertheless persuasively argues:
There is a strong prima facie right to own a gun Prohibiting private gun ownership constitutes both a major interference in gun owners’ plans for their own lives as well as a significant violation of their right of self-defense
Using a memorable thought experiment, Huemer shows how gun control laws that prevent a person from accessing or exercising the means of self-defense is akin to a criminal accomplice who holds a victim down while the actual murderer carries out the foul deed. By preventing the victim from escaping or exercising his right to self-defense, the accomplice’s action is still “if not equivalent to murder, something close to murder in degree of wrongness, even though he neither kills nor injures the victim.” In a follow-up thought experiment, Huemer adds:
… except that the victim has a gun by the bed, which he would, if able, use to defend himself from the killer. As the killer enters the bedroom, the victim reaches for the gun. The accomplice grabs the gun and runs away, with the result that the killer then stabs his victim to death.
Most reasonable individuals will intuitively recognize what the accomplice did was morally wrong. In both scenarios, the accomplice’s actions purposely prevented the victim from defending himself. If gun control laws have the same effect, it logically follows that they are “about equally serious as a violation of the right of self-defense.”
Other Forms of Self-Defense
Fortunately for Americans, most of us still have access to a wide range of choices when it comes to self-defense. While it is understandable to be reluctant to pick up a gun, it is worth mentioning alternatives such as martial arts, tasers, and pepper spray are often severely limited by range, efficiency, or effectiveness.
Even if she is proficient in martial arts (which requires years of training), a 5-foot, 100-pound woman will be overwhelmed if she faces multiple attackers who weigh twice as much. On the other hand, she can ably defend herself with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle, which is a popular weapon for many Americans, including women, because of its light weight, low recoil, accuracy, reliability, ergonomics, and ease of customization to fit any shooter regardless of size and stature.
Compared to other options, firearms are the most practical and effective way for the average American to secure his or her life, liberty, and property. As I emphasized in a previous essay:
From the colonists winning independence from Great Britain to African-Americans vindicating their civil rights, the role of the gun is inseparable from American identity. The gun is the ultimate multipurpose tool that empowers its user with the means to put food on the table, as well as preserve one’s life, whether against common street criminals or government tyranny.
In these uncertain times, both the pragmatic and philosophical case for gun rights are as strong as ever.
Many Americans, especially minorities, have realized the need for self-protection in times of social upheaval and breakdown. It is unfortunate that it took a tragedy as extreme as the COVID-19 pandemic to remind people that we should never take peace, prosperity, and freedom for granted. But millions have now taken the first steps to defend themselves and their loved ones. They should know they are in good company.
From what I’ve witnessed firsthand and experienced to date, the American gun community is strongly supportive and always welcoming towards first-time gun owners and anyone remotely curious about firearms regardless of their background. (See our plethora of welcome and orientation videos for newcomers brought in by the recent gun-buying surge). Our country’s gun culture and people’s civic virtue reinforce each other. In the spirit of Tocqueville, civil society has stepped up in the COVID-19 pandemic and demonstrated exemplary acts of charity. It’s only natural that the gun community is also actively participating by sharing knowledge with their fellow Americans and ensuring new gun owners are comfortably onboarded.
I am confident these new gun owners will learn how to handle their weapons responsibly, discover the joys of shooting, and become future staunch defenders of the Second Amendment (and hopefully the rest of the Bill of Rights as well). Our past is full of inspiring examples of Americans emerging stronger and freer after overcoming crises that tear the fabric of society and test our ideals. In these “times that try men’s souls,” let us not forget the precious legacy bequeathed to us.
Aaron Tao is an entrepreneur and young professional working in Austin, Texas. He holds an M.S. from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin and a B.A. from Case Western Reserve University. His other writings have been published by Areo Magazine, Quillette, and the Independent Institute. Follow him on Twitter.
Originally published at Fee.org. Republished with permission.


thestream--2020-05-21--Freedom Versus Tyranny on Display

Freedom Versus Tyranny on Display

Dr. Richard Land once called our country , “ the divided states of America.
” How apt — especially when we survey the various responses to the coronavirus .
They are lessons in liberty and lessons in tyranny .
To paraphrase what a friend of mine wrote me recently , “ We have 50 real-world government examples of liberty or tyranny — 50 real-time experiments in whether state governments moved towards liberty ( as in Texas and South Dakota ) or absolute control ( as in California , Michigan and New York ) .
” As a resident , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is doing a great job .
Nowhere can this contrast be better seen than in how the state authorities deal with churches versus how they deal with abortion , ordering churches closed while deeming Planned Parenthood and other abortionists “ essential services.
” How fitting .
In her classic book , Godless , Ann Coulter postulates that abortion is the left ’ s “ sacrament.
” The sacraments of the church are out .
The left ’ s new sacrament is in .
The most pro-abortion leaders are the ones who are most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their states .
If a politician gets abortion wrong , they tend to get everything else wrong too .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
This anti-religious spirit at work is exceedingly ironic because America was born as a religious nation .
In the Mayflower Compact , the Pilgrims explained their reason for coming : “ For the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith.
” Our First Amendment declares our first freedom — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there would be no national denomination and there would be no prohibition on the “ free exercise ” of religion .
They didn ’ t add , “ except in times of pestilence.
” “ No Pandemic Exception to the Bill of Rights ” Indeed , Attorney General William Barr sides with the churches ( following social distancing guidelines , etc . )
in this conflict .
He said , “ There is no pandemic exception to the Constitution and its Bill of Rights.
” But many of the left today have used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down a lot of religious services : • The mayor of Kansas City , Missouri was demanding that churches hand over a list of anyone who attended any of their services .
When Mat Staver and Liberty Counsel threatened to sue , the city backed down .
• The governor of Illinois postulated that church services may need to be banned for a year .
This is the same governor who prohibited residents in his state from traveling — while apparently his wife vacationed in Florida .
• Overzealous administrators have sought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” church services , which follow the mandates to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
If your church parking lot permits , holding a drive-in service is a clever way to worship the Lord together .
Usually , the pastor would preach to the congregation in their cars though a low frequency on the FM dial in such services .
But even in the Bible belt , such as in Kentucky and Mississippi , some overzealous administrators have tried to shut such services down .
First Liberty Institute has threatened lawsuits , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wall Street Journal had an editorial entitled , “ Caesar , God and the Lockdowns , ” in which they note , “ A federal court ruling on religious liberty is a lesson to governors.
” The editorial talks about Maryville Baptist Church in Louisville , which held a modest Easter service — with some worshipers inside and others in the parking lot , hearing the service through a loudspeaker .
To harass the worshipers , notes the WSJ , “ The police took down license-plate numbers .
The church sued.
” A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favor of the church : “ It ’ s not always easy to decide what is Caesar ’ s and what is God ’ s — and that ’ s assuredly true in the context of a pandemic .
… Why is it safe to wait in a car for a liquor store to open but dangerous to wait in a car to hear morning prayers ?
” A new report out of Chicago over the weekend shows the lengths to which the anti-God forces will go .
Wirepoints observes that the mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Romanian Church , to prevent it from holding services .
They stated , “ On Sunday morning the tow trucks descended — not just on churchgoers , but on residents and everybody else , and on a private lot used by parishioners.
” The pastor of the church said , “ The mayor is inciting hate against the church which is very sad .
A lot of our members risked their lives to escape Communism , only to find it germinating in 2020 under Mayor Lightfoot in Chicago.
” Lightfoot is so committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of office one of the last Democrat , pro-life U. S. Congressmen .
Wirepoints adds , “ It should also be a clarion call to the churches across the city as to how far the left will go to crush the faithful of all denominations.
” Freedom-loving Americans can look at a map of the country and see how those on the left versus those on the right are delicately handling the crisis .
The abortion-loving , church-hating politicians stand in great contrast with their freedom-loving counterparts in the red states .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior producer and an on-air host for D. James Kennedy Ministries .
He has written or co-written 32 books , such as The Unstoppable Jesus Christ , American Amnesia : Is American Paying the Price for Forgetting God ?
, What If Jesus Had Never Been Born ?
( with D. James Kennedy ) and the bestseller , George Washington ’ s Sacred Fire ( with Peter Lillback ) .
Learn more at www.jerrynewcombe.com and follow him on Twitter @ newcombejerry .

Dr. Richard Land once called our country, “the divided states of America.” How apt — especially when we survey the various responses to the coronavirus. They are lessons in liberty and lessons in tyranny.
To paraphrase what a friend of mine wrote me recently, “We have 50 real-world government examples of liberty or tyranny — 50 real-time experiments in whether state governments moved towards liberty (as in Texas and South Dakota) or absolute control (as in California, Michigan and New York).” As a resident, I would add: Florida’s leadership is doing a great job.
Churches Closed, Planned Parenthood Open
Nowhere can this contrast be better seen than in how the state authorities deal with churches versus how they deal with abortion, ordering churches closed while deeming Planned Parenthood and other abortionists “essential services.”
How fitting. In her classic book, Godless, Ann Coulter postulates that abortion is the left’s “sacrament.” The sacraments of the church are out. The left’s new sacrament is in. The most pro-abortion leaders are the ones who are most cracking down on real constitutional freedoms in their states. If a politician gets abortion wrong, they tend to get everything else wrong too.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
This anti-religious spirit at work is exceedingly ironic because America was born as a religious nation. In the Mayflower Compact, the Pilgrims explained their reason for coming: “For the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith.”
Our First Amendment declares our first freedom — freedom of religion. The founders stipulated there would be no national denomination and there would be no prohibition on the “free exercise” of religion. They didn’t add, “except in times of pestilence.”
“No Pandemic Exception to the Bill of Rights”
Indeed, Attorney General William Barr sides with the churches (following social distancing guidelines, etc.) in this conflict. He said, “There is no pandemic exception to the Constitution and its Bill of Rights.”
But many of the left today have used the pandemic crisis to try and shut down a lot of religious services:
The mayor of Kansas City, Missouri was demanding that churches hand over a list of anyone who attended any of their services. When Mat Staver and Liberty Counsel threatened to sue, the city backed down.
The governor of Illinois postulated that church services may need to be banned for a year. This is the same governor who prohibited residents in his state from traveling — while apparently his wife vacationed in Florida.
Overzealous administrators have sought to ban churches even from holding “drive-in” church services, which follow the mandates to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
If your church parking lot permits, holding a drive-in service is a clever way to worship the Lord together. Usually, the pastor would preach to the congregation in their cars though a low frequency on the FM dial in such services.
“A Lesson to Governors”
But even in the Bible belt, such as in Kentucky and Mississippi, some overzealous administrators have tried to shut such services down. First Liberty Institute has threatened lawsuits, and the cities have relented.
The Wall Street Journal had an editorial entitled, “Caesar, God and the Lockdowns,” in which they note, “A federal court ruling on religious liberty is a lesson to governors.”
The editorial talks about Maryville Baptist Church in Louisville, which held a modest Easter service — with some worshipers inside and others in the parking lot, hearing the service through a loudspeaker.
To harass the worshipers, notes the WSJ, “The police took down license-plate numbers. The church sued.”
A panel on the Sixth Circuit ruled in favor of the church: “It’s not always easy to decide what is Caesar’s and what is God’s — and that’s assuredly true in the context of a pandemic. … Why is it safe to wait in a car for a liquor store to open but dangerous to wait in a car to hear morning prayers?”
The Left-Right Divide in Leadership
A new report out of Chicago over the weekend shows the lengths to which the anti-God forces will go. Wirepoints observes that the mayor sought to punish a church, Philadelphia Romanian Church, to prevent it from holding services. They stated, “On Sunday morning the tow trucks descended — not just on churchgoers, but on residents and everybody else, and on a private lot used by parishioners.”
The pastor of the church said, “The mayor is inciting hate against the church which is very sad. A lot of our members risked their lives to escape Communism, only to find it germinating in 2020 under Mayor Lightfoot in Chicago.” Lightfoot is so committed to abortion rights, she helped drive out of office one of the last Democrat, pro-life U. S. Congressmen.
Wirepoints adds, “It should also be a clarion call to the churches across the city as to how far the left will go to crush the faithful of all denominations.”
Freedom-loving Americans can look at a map of the country and see how those on the left versus those on the right are delicately handling the crisis. The abortion-loving, church-hating politicians stand in great contrast with their freedom-loving counterparts in the red states.
Jerry Newcombe, D.Min., is a senior producer and an on-air host for D. James Kennedy Ministries. He has written or co-written 32 books, such as The Unstoppable Jesus Christ, American Amnesia: Is American Paying the Price for Forgetting God?, What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? (with D. James Kennedy) and the bestseller, George Washington’s Sacred Fire (with Peter Lillback). Learn more at www.jerrynewcombe.com and follow him on Twitter @newcombejerry.


thestream--2020-05-21--The Real Truth About Norma McCorvey, the ‘Roe’ of Roe v. Wade

The internet is ablaze with reports that Norma McCorvey , who claimed to convert to Christianity and worked for years as a pro-life activist , was actually a paid puppet of the right , putting on an act all these years .
So states a forthcoming FX documentary , AKA Jane Roe , to be aired on Hulu .
Yes , we are told that , “ Jane Roe ’ s Deathbed Confession : Anti-Abortion Conversion ‘ All an Act ’ Paid for by the Christian Right.
” Pro-lifers who knew her for years , to the point of becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reject these claims .
( See here and here and here . )
How do we sort this out ?
Let ’ s start with what we do know .
First , regarding the Roe v. Wade case , which began in 1971 , McCorvey was used by the pro-abortion side for their purposes .
Jacqulyne Anton , writing in History in the Making , Volume 11 , described McCorvey as , “ A poor , working-class woman from Louisiana , burdened with the psychological pain of an unplanned pregnancy , [ who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight for the legalization of abortion.
” After suffering years of physical and emotional abuse , including numerous sexual assaults , and while frequenting gay bars and struggling with substance abuse , she slept with a friend and became pregnant for a third time .
“ Nervous and afraid , Norma claimed that she was raped and that that was how she became pregnant , ” Anton says .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
She was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Anton explains , “ Norma was not looking to become the protagonist in the legal case that would become a landmark in legalizing abortion for women across the United States .
Rather , she was simply looking for the right to safely and legally end her own unwanted pregnancy.
” So , this young woman , the victim of all kinds of abuse , became the anonymous poster girl for the pro-abortion cause , the “ Roe ” of Roe v. Wade .
And note carefully : the claim that she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For the record , she did not have an abortion but rather gave up her child for adoption . )
She Wrote That She Was “ Won by Love ” Second , in 1995 , while employed by an abortion clinic and involved in a committed lesbian relationship , she professed to have a conversion experience and made an open , uncoerced profession of faith in Jesus and was baptized .
Multiple witnesses attest to this , and at no point in time was she ever offered money to convert or be baptized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support this wild allegation .
To watch the story for yourself , which involved pro-life activist Flip Benham , go here .
This was documented in her book Won by Love .
Once she was fired from her job in an abortion clinic , she and her partner were loved and embraced by the local pro-life community , which helped them in many ways .
But that is called Christian love .
Just think of the scorn we would have received for not helping a woman like this , left out in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She ’ s Not Here to Tell Us Which Version of Her Life to Believe Third , the producer of the new documentary is Nick Sweeney .
His website features some of his other projects , including : My Transgender Summer Camp ; Girls to Men ; My Transgender Kid ; The Sex Robots Are Coming ; and Secrets of the Living Dolls .
While this does not speak to the quality or veracity of his work , it does point to his social views , which are clearly far left .
Fourth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filmed in her nursing home before she died in 2017 , where she claimed that her conversion and pro-life work were all an act and that she was paid by the right for her activism .
Unfortunately , she is not here to tell us which version of her life story we should believe , and there are other examples of her reversing part of her story in the past ( specifically , her claim of being raped in 1971 , a claim she reiterated in 1983 but then denied in 1987 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Should we believe what she consistently said , without contradiction , for over 20 years ?
Or should we believe a “ death-bed confession ” made in a nursing home ?
David Benham Also Spoke With Her Shortly Before Her Passing Ultimately , only God knows the truth , but David Benham , Flip ’ s son , who knew McCorvey as a close friend of the family for years and who witnessed her baptism , spoke with her not long before her passing .
There was not the slightest indication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I encourage you to take the time to listen to my interview with David where you can hear the passion in his voice , coupled with the indignation he and his family now feel , as if their dear friend has been used and abused once again .
As for the idea that she might have come to believe that her previous 20+ years had been a sham , it is possible that this is no different than a husband who leaves his wife of 30 years , telling her , “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means is , “ I ’ m attracted to someone else now.
” His memory of the past is distorted .
What We Do Know Again , only God knows the truth about Norma McCorvey , but what we do know is that : 1 ) the very foundations of Roe v. Wade included a lie ( although the rape issue was not directly germane to the decision ) .
2 ) Norma McCorvey was used by the pro-abortion movement for their purposes .
3 ) She professed to have a radical conversion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than two decades .
4 ) The documentary was produced by a filmmaker with a clear social agenda .
5 ) The documentary is only being released three years after her death .
In the end , even if she was acting all this time , which I seriously doubt , as a result of Roe v. Wade , more than 65 million babies have been slaughtered and abortion remains evil and wrong .
Nothing will ever change that .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

The internet is ablaze with reports that Norma McCorvey, who claimed to convert to Christianity and worked for years as a pro-life activist, was actually a paid puppet of the right, putting on an act all these years. So states a forthcoming FX documentary, AKA Jane Roe, to be aired on Hulu. Yes, we are told that, “Jane Roe’s Deathbed Confession: Anti-Abortion Conversion ‘All an Act’ Paid for by the Christian Right.”
Pro-lifers who knew her for years, to the point of becoming her family and close friends, categorically reject these claims. (See here and here and here.) How do we sort this out?
Let’s start with what we do know.
The Pro-Choice Side Used Norma McCorvey
First, regarding the Roe v. Wade case, which began in 1971, McCorvey was used by the pro-abortion side for their purposes.
Jacqulyne Anton, writing in History in the Making, Volume 11, described McCorvey as, “A poor, working-class woman from Louisiana, burdened with the psychological pain of an unplanned pregnancy, [who] unwittingly became the catalyst in the fight for the legalization of abortion.”
After suffering years of physical and emotional abuse, including numerous sexual assaults, and while frequenting gay bars and struggling with substance abuse, she slept with a friend and became pregnant for a third time.
“Nervous and afraid, Norma claimed that she was raped and that that was how she became pregnant,” Anton says.
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She was just 21 at the time.
However, Anton explains, “Norma was not looking to become the protagonist in the legal case that would become a landmark in legalizing abortion for women across the United States. Rather, she was simply looking for the right to safely and legally end her own unwanted pregnancy.”
So, this young woman, the victim of all kinds of abuse, became the anonymous poster girl for the pro-abortion cause, the “Roe” of Roe v. Wade. And note carefully: the claim that she was raped was an outright lie. (For the record, she did not have an abortion but rather gave up her child for adoption.)
She Wrote That She Was “Won by Love”
Second, in 1995, while employed by an abortion clinic and involved in a committed lesbian relationship, she professed to have a conversion experience and made an open, uncoerced profession of faith in Jesus and was baptized.
Multiple witnesses attest to this, and at no point in time was she ever offered money to convert or be baptized. There is not ounce of proof to support this wild allegation. To watch the story for yourself, which involved pro-life activist Flip Benham, go here. This was documented in her book Won by Love.
Once she was fired from her job in an abortion clinic, she and her partner were loved and embraced by the local pro-life community, which helped them in many ways.
But that is called Christian love. Just think of the scorn we would have received for not helping a woman like this, left out in the cold by the pro-abortion side.
She’s Not Here to Tell Us Which Version of Her Life to Believe
Third, the producer of the new documentary is Nick Sweeney. His website features some of his other projects, including: My Transgender Summer Camp; Girls to Men; My Transgender Kid; The Sex Robots Are Coming; and Secrets of the Living Dolls.
While this does not speak to the quality or veracity of his work, it does point to his social views, which are clearly far left.
Should we believe what she consistently said, without contradiction, for over 20 years? Or should we believe a “death-bed confession” made in a nursing home?
Fourth, Sweeney has interviews with McCorvey, filmed in her nursing home before she died in 2017, where she claimed that her conversion and pro-life work were all an act and that she was paid by the right for her activism.
Unfortunately, she is not here to tell us which version of her life story we should believe, and there are other examples of her reversing part of her story in the past (specifically, her claim of being raped in 1971, a claim she reiterated in 1983 but then denied in 1987, well before her conversion; see here).
Should we believe what she consistently said, without contradiction, for over 20 years? Or should we believe a “death-bed confession” made in a nursing home?
David Benham Also Spoke With Her Shortly Before Her Passing
Ultimately, only God knows the truth, but David Benham, Flip’s son, who knew McCorvey as a close friend of the family for years and who witnessed her baptism, spoke with her not long before her passing. There was not the slightest indication that she had changed her views.
I encourage you to take the time to listen to my interview with David where you can hear the passion in his voice, coupled with the indignation he and his family now feel, as if their dear friend has been used and abused once again.
As for the idea that she might have come to believe that her previous 20+ years had been a sham, it is possible that this is no different than a husband who leaves his wife of 30 years, telling her, “I never loved you.”
What he really means is, “I’m attracted to someone else now.” His memory of the past is distorted.
What We Do Know
Again, only God knows the truth about Norma McCorvey, but what we do know is that: 1) the very foundations of Roe v. Wade included a lie (although the rape issue was not directly germane to the decision). 2) Norma McCorvey was used by the pro-abortion movement for their purposes. 3) She professed to have a radical conversion and seemed the better for it for more than two decades. 4) The documentary was produced by a filmmaker with a clear social agenda. 5) The documentary is only being released three years after her death.
In the end, even if she was acting all this time, which I seriously doubt, as a result of Roe v. Wade, more than 65 million babies have been slaughtered and abortion remains evil and wrong.
Nothing will ever change that.
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--2020-05-21--Senators Demand DOJ Investigate Planned Parenthood Taking Coronavirus Funding

Twenty-seven Republican senators called on the Department of Justice to investigate potentially improper Paycheck Protection Program funding of Planned Parenthood in a Thursday letter .
Republican Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton led 26 other GOP senators , including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , in sending a letter to Attorney General William Barr that urges the Justice Department to investigate reports that 37 Planned Parenthood affiliates applied for and received over $ 80 million in coronavirus funding “ despite actual knowledge that they were ineligible for such loans.
” The letter said the Planned Parenthood Action Fund issued a March 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group knew its affiliates would be ineligible for the loan program .
“ The bill gives the Small Business Administration broad discretion to exclude Planned Parenthood affiliates and other non-profits serving people with low incomes and deny them benefits under the new small business loan program , ” Planned Parenthood Action Fund said .
Planned Parenthood did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation .
“ The Paycheck Protection Program established by the CARES Act was designed by Congress to help struggling small businesses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low-cost loans for expenses like keeping their employees on payroll during this pandemic , ” the GOP letter said .
“ It was not designed to give government funds to politicized , partisan abortion providers like Planned Parenthood , ” the letter continued .
“ The funds in the program are not unlimited , and were depleted once already because of high demand .
Planned Parenthood fraudulently taking tens of millions of dollars that were intended to help keep those small businesses and nonprofit organizations afloat can not stand and must be addressed.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Cotton is joined by a number of other prominent Republican senators , including Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee , Ted Cruz of Texas , Joni Ernst of Iowa , Kelly Loeffler of Georgia , Mitt Romney of Utah , and Ben Sasse of Nebraska .
CARES Act statutes expressly prohibited organizations such as these Planned Parenthood affiliates from receiving PPP funds , Cotton ’ s office said in a press release .
The Small Business Administration had also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s affiliation rules applied to the new PPP , excluding organizations like Planned Parenthood from receiving such funding .
President Donald Trump ’ s administration had also taken deliberate steps to prevent the nation ’ s largest abortion provider from receiving any of the coronavirus funding .
Fox News reported Tuesday that the Small Business Administration ( SBA ) would contact the Planned Parenthood affiliates involved and letting these affiliates know that Planned Parenthood is not eligible for distributions , since the organization has more than 500 employees .
The SBA told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment about individual borrowers , ” and did not respond to further requests for comment Thursday .
“ It seems clear that Planned Parenthood knew that it was ineligible for the small business loans under the CARES Act long before its affiliates fraudulently self-certified that they were eligible , ” the letter said .
“ As you know , fraudulent loan applications can trigger both civil and criminal penalties.
” The DOJ did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF .
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For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Twenty-seven Republican senators called on the Department of Justice to investigate potentially improper Paycheck Protection Program funding of Planned Parenthood in a Thursday letter.
Republican Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton led 26 other GOP senators, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in sending a letter to Attorney General William Barr that urges the Justice Department to investigate reports that 37 Planned Parenthood affiliates applied for and received over $80 million in coronavirus funding “despite actual knowledge that they were ineligible for such loans.”
The letter said the Planned Parenthood Action Fund issued a March 25 statement on the CARES Act that indicates the group knew its affiliates would be ineligible for the loan program.
“The bill gives the Small Business Administration broad discretion to exclude Planned Parenthood affiliates and other non-profits serving people with low incomes and deny them benefits under the new small business loan program,” Planned Parenthood Action Fund said.
Planned Parenthood did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
“The Paycheck Protection Program established by the CARES Act was designed by Congress to help struggling small businesses and nonprofit organizations by giving them access to low-cost loans for expenses like keeping their employees on payroll during this pandemic,” the GOP letter said.
“It was not designed to give government funds to politicized, partisan abortion providers like Planned Parenthood,” the letter continued. “The funds in the program are not unlimited, and were depleted once already because of high demand. Planned Parenthood fraudulently taking tens of millions of dollars that were intended to help keep those small businesses and nonprofit organizations afloat cannot stand and must be addressed.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Cotton is joined by a number of other prominent Republican senators, including Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Ted Cruz of Texas, Joni Ernst of Iowa, Kelly Loeffler of Georgia, Mitt Romney of Utah, and Ben Sasse of Nebraska.
CARES Act statutes expressly prohibited organizations such as these Planned Parenthood affiliates from receiving PPP funds, Cotton’s office said in a press release. The Small Business Administration had also confirmed in April that the SBA’s affiliation rules applied to the new PPP, excluding organizations like Planned Parenthood from receiving such funding.
President Donald Trump’s administration had also taken deliberate steps to prevent the nation’s largest abortion provider from receiving any of the coronavirus funding.
Fox News reported Tuesday that the Small Business Administration (SBA) would contact the Planned Parenthood affiliates involved and letting these affiliates know that Planned Parenthood is not eligible for distributions, since the organization has more than 500 employees.
The SBA told the DCNF Wednesday: “We do not comment about individual borrowers,” and did not respond to further requests for comment Thursday.
“It seems clear that Planned Parenthood knew that it was ineligible for the small business loans under the CARES Act long before its affiliates fraudulently self-certified that they were eligible,” the letter said. “As you know, fraudulent loan applications can trigger both civil and criminal penalties.”
The DOJ did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.
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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].