thestream--2020-10-04--Election Update: All Eyes on President Trump and Walter Reed

As Election Day speeds closer , all eyes are on Walter Reed , where the president remains hospitalized after being diagnosed with COVID-19 .
Daughter-in-law Lara Trump will be hosting a national Call to Prayer at 5:00 pm Eastern on Facebook .
( Details below ) Can 2020 get any more surreal ?
Friday offered a scare , Chief of Staff Mark Meadows admitted , when the president ’ s oxygen levels dropped and he reportedly suffered heart palpitations .
However , as the sun rose Sunday morning , his doctors report Trump is responding “ very well ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and has no fever .
According to OANN sources , the biggest problem is getting the guy to keep still for more than 20 minutes .
President Trump admitted as much in a taped message released Saturday evening .
Trump said he was “ feeling much better now.
” He said he was given the option of staying at the White House residence and not working , “ and just be done with it.
” Even though he was using his “ inside voice , ” and acknowledged the next couple days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sharp .
And determined .
He spoke of the new therapeutics and vaccines .
“ We have things happening that look like miracles coming down from God.
” The President thanked Americans and those around the world for their support .
“ I ’ ll never forget it , ” he said .
Who but Trump would wear a business jacket and pressed shirt while recovering at a hospital from a potentially fatal disease ?
He ’ s Recovering , But TDS is Still Raging Out of respect ( and frankly because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden said he pulled his negative campaign ads .
However , hundreds were still running as of Saturday .
The Biden campaign said it takes about a day for all ads to be removed .
Rep. Ilhan Omar blasted Biden ’ s decision .
“ Why would Biden delay or suspend his campaign when we know Trump would ’ ve had ads up by noon today ridiculing Biden for testing positive ?
Get it together , ” she tweeted .
This is the same Rep. Omar who Project Veritas has exposed as running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swing state of Minnesota .
Anything to win , baby .
Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy decided the president ’ s illness was the perfect time to resurrect the dead and buried Russia hoax .
He suggested Trump would be replaced on the campaign trail by “ surrogate ” Vladimir Putin .
Saturday Night Live displayed its typical lack of class and rabid TDS by mocking the President ’ s illness … and lying about Trump saying COVID was a “ hoax ” in the process .
Meanwhile , Twitter claims it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those hoping for the President ’ s death , but so far we ’ re not seeing much of that .
We ’ ve also seen TDS turn people into dogs .
Outside Walter Reed , a member of Antifa taunted Trump supporters .
“ Wah , wah , you ’ re president ’ s going to die.
” Though not saying the same out loud , the wretched hosts on CNN can ’ t seem to remove the smug and gleeful smirks off their face .
That said , let ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notoriously anti-Trump Rachel Maddow .
Maddow tweeted “ God bless the President and first lady .
If you pray , please pray for their speedy and complete recovery — and everyone everywhere.
” How Will President Trump ’ s COVID Diagnosis Affect the Campaign ?
So how does the President ’ s COVID diagnosis affect the campaign ?
The conventional wisdom is that it hurts him .
This puts COVID front and center of the campaign , and frankly , that ’ s all Joe Biden ’ s got .
COVID and Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big issue .
Biden gets to second-guess Trump from here to November 3 , as he has been doing since being handed the Democratic nomination .
Also , this means Trump is unable to run around the country for a few crucial weeks , building up enthusiasm , helping out local House candidates .
Third , being ill takes away , for the moment , one of Trump ’ s advantages : Joe Biden being frail , forgetful and failing .
Fourth , since the focus is all on Trump right now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outs and stumbles without anyone paying attention .
However , there is the possibility Trump comes out of this with massive momentum .
Support for Ronald Reagan skyrocketed after he was shot in an assassination attempt .
His humor and grace during the experience generated renewed appreciation for The Gipper .
In Trump ’ s case , his fight against COVID could generate renewed appreciation for his fighting spirit .
The guy does not stop .
No matter what is thrown at him , he does not quit .
Also , if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tremendous opportunity to show off his more human and humorous side .
95 % of Trump ’ s media coverage has been negative .
Despite all his accomplishments .
If for just a few days , Trump gets to be seen as a human being , rather than Orange Man Bad , and he makes the most of those days , he could come out of isolation with a boost .
After all , America is with Trump on policy .
It ’ s his personality ( as presented by the 95 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Finally , as Jesse Waters noted Saturday night , if Trump is able to come roaring back the last couple weeks of the campaign , he becomes a living , breathing symbol of America roaring back from COVID .
And that momentum will carry him to victory .
Meanwhile , prayers for the President continue .
Tonight at 5 pm eastern , a national prayer vigil will be held on Facebook .
The event will be hosted by Trump ’ s daughter-in-law Lara Trump .
You can join in the prayer event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author , with @ JZmirak , of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration .
You can follow him at @ StreamingAl .
And if you aren ’ t already , please follow The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

As Election Day speeds closer, all eyes are on Walter Reed, where the president remains hospitalized after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
Daughter-in-law Lara Trump will be hosting a national Call to Prayer at 5:00 pm Eastern on Facebook. (Details below)
Can 2020 get any more surreal?
President Feeling ‘Much Better’
Friday offered a scare, Chief of Staff Mark Meadows admitted, when the president’s oxygen levels dropped and he reportedly suffered heart palpitations. However, as the sun rose Sunday morning, his doctors report Trump is responding “very well” to treatment, is making “substantial progress” and has no fever.
According to OANN sources, the biggest problem is getting the guy to keep still for more than 20 minutes.
President Trump admitted as much in a taped message released Saturday evening. Trump said he was “feeling much better now.” He said he was given the option of staying at the White House residence and not working, “and just be done with it.”
This is America. This is the United States. This is the greatest country in the world. This is the most powerful country in the world. I can’t be locked up in a room upstairs and totally safe, and say, “whatever happens, happens.” I can’t do that.
Even though he was using his “inside voice,” and acknowledged the next couple days are crucial, the President sounded strong and sharp. And determined.
He spoke of the new therapeutics and vaccines. “We have things happening that look like they’re miracles coming down from God.”
The President thanked Americans and those around the world for their support. “I’ll never forget it,” he said.
Who but Trump would wear a business jacket and pressed shirt while recovering at a hospital from a potentially fatal disease?
He’s Recovering, But TDS Is Still Raging
Out of respect (and frankly because negative ads would backfire), Joe Biden said he pulled his negative campaign ads. However, hundreds were still running as of Saturday. The Biden campaign said it takes about a day for all ads to be removed.
Rep. Ilhan Omar blasted Biden’s decision. “Why would Biden delay or suspend his campaign when we know Trump would’ve had ads up by noon today ridiculing Biden for testing positive? Get it together,” she tweeted.
This is the same Rep. Omar who Project Veritas has exposed as running a fraudulent vote harvesting operation in the swing state of Minnesota. Anything to win, baby.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy decided the president’s illness was the perfect time to resurrect the dead and buried Russia hoax. He suggested Trump would be replaced on the campaign trail by “surrogate” Vladimir Putin.
Saturday Night Live displayed its typical lack of class and rabid TDS by mocking the President’s illness … and lying about Trump saying COVID was a “hoax” in the process.
Meanwhile, Twitter claims it’s going to take down the tweets from those hoping for the President’s death, but so far we’re not seeing much of that.
We’ve also seen TDS turn people into dogs.
Claremont: The opposition bark at Trump supporters. pic.twitter.com/REfJqqlUfL — Tomas Morales (@TomasMorales_iv) October 3, 2020
Outside Walter Reed, a member of Antifa taunted Trump supporters. “Wah, wah, you’re president’s going to die.”
An Antifa girl showed up to Walter Reed and is chanting “Wah wah your leader’s gonna die” from across the street pic.twitter.com/6Z3Vq66xLz — Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) October 3, 2020
Though not saying the same out loud, the wretched hosts on CNN can’t seem to remove the smug and gleeful smirks off their face.
That said, let’s give a shout-out to MSNBC’s notoriously anti-Trump Rachel Maddow. Maddow tweeted “God bless the President and first lady. If you pray, please pray for their speedy and complete recovery — and for everyone infected, everywhere.”
God bless the president and the first lady. If you pray, please pray for their speedy and complete recovery — and for everyone infected, everywhere. This virus is horrific and merciless — no one would wish its wrath on anyone. We must get its spread under control. Enough. — Rachel Maddow MSNBC (@maddow) October 2, 2020
That’s the spirit, Rachel.
How Will President Trump’s COVID Diagnosis Affect the Campaign?
So how does the President’s COVID diagnosis affect the campaign? The conventional wisdom is that it hurts him. This puts COVID front and center of the campaign, and frankly, that’s all Joe Biden’s got. COVID and Trump’s COVID response is his one big issue. Biden gets to second-guess Trump from here to November 3, as he has been doing since being handed the Democratic nomination.
Also, this means Trump is unable to run around the country for a few crucial weeks, building up enthusiasm, helping out local House candidates.
Third, being ill takes away, for the moment, one of Trump’s advantages: Joe Biden being frail, forgetful and failing.
Fourth, since the focus is all on Trump right now, Biden can continue his gaffes and blank outs and stumbles without anyone paying attention.
Possible Momentum
However, there is the possibility Trump comes out of this with massive momentum. Support for Ronald Reagan skyrocketed after he was shot in an assassination attempt. His humor and grace during the experience generated renewed appreciation for The Gipper.
In Trump’s case, his fight against COVID could generate renewed appreciation for his fighting spirit. The guy does not stop. No matter what is thrown at him, he does not quit.
Also, if he is wise, he will use this tremendous opportunity to show off his more human and humorous side.
95% of Trump’s media coverage has been negative. Despite all his accomplishments. If for just a few days, Trump gets to be seen as a human being, rather than Orange Man Bad, and he makes the most of those days, he could come out of isolation with a boost. After all, America is with Trump on policy. It’s his personality (as presented by the 95% negative coverage) that turns many off.
Finally, as Jesse Waters noted Saturday night, if Trump is able to come roaring back the last couple weeks of the campaign, he becomes a living, breathing symbol of America roaring back from COVID. And that momentum will carry him to victory.
Prayer for The President
Meanwhile, prayers for the President continue. Tonight at 5 pm eastern, a national prayer vigil will be held on Facebook. The event will be hosted by Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump.
Featured speakers include pastor and White House advisor Paula White-Cain, Cissie Graham Lynch, Pastor Jentezen Franklin, Pastor Ramiro Pena and Bishop Harry Jackson.
You can join in the prayer event here: Call to Prayer
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author, with @JZmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl. And if you aren’t already, please follow The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-10-05--Protect Elderly Votes Project Aims to Thwart ‘Vote Harvesting’ Fraud

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic , the push for widespread mail-in voting and other alternatives to going to the polls ahead of the presidential election has increased the risk of vote fraud through “ ballot harvesting , ” and the elderly are particularly vulnerable , advocates warn .
To protect seniors , especially those with physical impairments , the American Constitutional Rights Union is stepping up its efforts to prevent what it calls “ Stranger Danger ” through its Protect Elderly Votes project .
The American Constitutional Rights Union is a Naples , Florida-based right-leaning nonprofit dedicated to what it says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitution and Bill of Rights .
Not only are those 65 and older more likely to be victims of COVID-19 , they are also increasingly at risk of falling prey to voter fraud this election year , American Constitutional Rights Union President Lori Roman said .
That ’ s because many seniors rely on assistance in voting from staffers of nursing homes and assisted living facilities , as well as from political activists .
The latter may target the elderly living in those facilities , disguising their true intentions with offers to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registration cards and ballot forms .
Political operatives also have been known to approach seniors near their homes and polling stations , and in residential facilities , with offers of “ voting assistance.
” The operatives ’ true objective might be to manipulate or change votes .
Among the physical factors that make seniors particularly vulnerable to those forms of voter fraud are health conditions , such as vision and hearing impairments and/or mobility challenges , according to the American Constitutional Rights Union ’ s Senior Citizen Voter Bill of Rights .
Such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political activists intent on committing vote fraud and ballot manipulation under the guise of “ assisting the elderly.
” Along with physical challenges , seniors may face cognitive problems , such as dementia or other forms of memory decline .
How Seniors Can Protect Themselves But seniors can protect themselves from vote fraud , Roman said : Vote in person whenever possible .
That ’ s the most secure way to vote .
Seniors who are not able to vote in person and have to use an absentee ballot should ensure that no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that no one coerces them or tries to fill it out for them .
If they ’ re in a facility , and they fill out their absentee ballot , they need to fill it out themselves , and they need to mail it themselves using the mailbox at the facility and not hand it to anyone else .
Either turn in the ballot yourself or give it to a trusted family member to turn it in .
Seniors should also be wary of handing over their ballots to organizations claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding : That “ ballot harvesting ” has increased as the presidential election nears .
The American Constitutional Rights Union recently reported widespread cases of ballot harvesting in Florida by third-party organizations , such as the left-leaning League of Women Voters and possibly also the American Civil Liberties Union , Roman said .
The groups may be using the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to offer their “ assistance.
” To counter the practice of illegal ballot harvesting and to raise awareness of the growing risk of vote fraud , the “ Stranger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nursing homes across the country , alerting the directors about the prevalence of ballot harvesting and offering to provide residents of the facilities with copies of its Senior Citizen Voter Bill of Rights .

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the push for widespread mail-in voting and other alternatives to going to the polls ahead of the presidential election has increased the risk of vote fraud through “ballot harvesting,” and the elderly are particularly vulnerable, advocates warn.
Stranger Danger
To protect seniors, especially those with physical impairments, the American Constitutional Rights Union is stepping up its efforts to prevent what it calls “Stranger Danger” through its Protect Elderly Votes project. The American Constitutional Rights Union is a Naples, Florida-based right-leaning nonprofit dedicated to what it says is safeguarding the liberties enshrined in the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Not only are those 65 and older more likely to be victims of COVID-19, they are also increasingly at risk of falling prey to voter fraud this election year, American Constitutional Rights Union President Lori Roman said.
That’s because many seniors rely on assistance in voting from staffers of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, as well as from political activists. The latter may target the elderly living in those facilities, disguising their true intentions with offers to help “fill out” and deliver voter registration cards and ballot forms.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Political operatives also have been known to approach seniors near their homes and polling stations, and in residential facilities, with offers of “voting assistance.” The operatives’ true objective might be to manipulate or change votes.
Physical and Cognitive Factors
Among the physical factors that make seniors particularly vulnerable to those forms of voter fraud are health conditions, such as vision and hearing impairments and/or mobility challenges, according to the American Constitutional Rights Union’s Senior Citizen Voter Bill of Rights.
Such physical impairments make them prime targets for political activists intent on committing vote fraud and ballot manipulation under the guise of “assisting the elderly.”
Along with physical challenges, seniors may face cognitive problems, such as dementia or other forms of memory decline.
How Seniors Can Protect Themselves
But seniors can protect themselves from vote fraud, Roman said:
Vote in person whenever possible. That’s the most secure way to vote. Seniors who are not able to vote in person and have to use an absentee ballot should ensure that no one touches or tampers with their ballot, and that no one coerces them or tries to fill it out for them. If they’re in a facility, and they fill out their absentee ballot, they need to fill it out themselves, and they need to mail it themselves using the mailbox at the facility and not hand it to anyone else. Either turn in the ballot yourself or give it to a trusted family member to turn it in.
Seniors should also be wary of handing over their ballots to organizations claiming to be nonpartisan, Roman said, adding:
We have, through our hotline, received tips that nonprofit leftist-leaning organizations all over the country—two in particular—are trying to harvest ballots from the elderly and assisted living facilities. They are claiming that they will take the ballots and get them to the election office for the citizens.
That “ballot harvesting” has increased as the presidential election nears.
Election at Risk
The American Constitutional Rights Union recently reported widespread cases of ballot harvesting in Florida by third-party organizations, such as the left-leaning League of Women Voters and possibly also the American Civil Liberties Union, Roman said. The groups may be using the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to offer their “assistance.”
To counter the practice of illegal ballot harvesting and to raise awareness of the growing risk of vote fraud, the “Stranger Danger” campaign has also contacted dozens of nursing homes across the country, alerting the directors about the prevalence of ballot harvesting and offering to provide residents of the facilities with copies of its Senior Citizen Voter Bill of Rights.


thestream--2020-10-05--Military Photo of the Day: A Rapture Enraptures

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor pilot performs an aerial demonstration over Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia on September @ @ @ @

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor pilot performs an aerial demonstration over Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia on September 18, 2020.
Have a safe week, everyone!
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thestream--2020-10-05--Reflections on the President Contracting COVID-19

I truly hope that by the time you read this article , President Trump will be well on his way to a full and healthy recovery .
( Note : Judging from his video released Sunday night that certainly appears the case . )
That is certainly what I , along with all other decent human beings , am praying for .
But already , as I write these words early evening , Saturday , October 3 , 2020 , there is much to reflect on .
Here are 10 important considerations .
1 ) Life is fragile .
Until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enjoying robust health and physical vigor for a 74-year-old man .
He could hold multiple rallies in a day and speak for more than 90 minutes at a time , and he seemed to thrive in the midst of the conflict .
Yet no one is invincible , not even the president of the United States .
Life should be cherished , appreciated , and protected .
2 ) COVID-19 is serious .
On March 2 , I wrote my first article on the virus , emphasizing that it was not an end-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But , I wrote , “ I recognize the seriousness of this virus.
” I also stated that pandemics and epidemics “ are tragic reminders of the broken state of our world and of the frailty of our race .
And while doing all we can to prevent and combat the spread of Covid-19 , we should pray for the mercy of God.
” Since writing those words , an old friend of mine , about the same age as President Trump , passed away from the virus , other close friends of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others spent weeks in and out of ICU , battling for their lives .
With the president and others close to him testing positive , we are reminded again that COVID-19 is nothing to trivialize .
We should not let it paralyze us , but we should not ignore it .
3 ) There are cruel people on both the left and the right .
When Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died , some on the right celebrated her death , even pointing to scripture verses for support .
( A common verse was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the righteous prosper , the city rejoices ; when the wicked perish , there are shouts of joy.
” ) In fact , some days later , when I posted one of her sayings with which I agreed – making clear that I differed deeply with her ideology – some asked , “ Are you going to quote Hitler next ?
” We are now seeing this same cruelty expressed toward President Trump , with some celebrities even praying openly for his death .
( I won ’ t dignify them here by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is sick , ugly , and inexcusable .
4 ) There are decent people on both the left and the right .
Despite the harsh rhetoric on display during the presidential debate , candidate Joe Biden showed real class in expressing his hopes for Trump ’ s recovery while also announcing he was suspending all attack ads .
( As of Sunday , many were still running . )
In the same way , Tucker Carlson , known for his acerbic tongue , spoke graciously of Justice Ginsburg after her passing .
5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human being .
Although the Trump name and brand are bigger than life , Donald Trump is just another person , a man with fears and concerns and pressures like anyone else .
When you have a potential brush with death , when you have to be quarantined and hospitalized , you recognize your humanity .
But others can recognize it too , reminding us that , behind the braggadocios Trump persona is the Trump person — someone just like the rest of us , someone who needs our prayers .
6 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequence .
It ’ s one thing to think about Trump having four more years or Biden being the next president through the electoral process .
It ’ s another thing to realize that , in a moment ’ s time , there could be a new president – President Mike Pence or President Nancy Pelosi .
Suddenly , you realize just how large this and consequential the office of the President of the United States really is .
Whoever steps into this office steps into some very big shoes .
7 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as president .
To be sure , Vice President Pence has not tweaked the nose of the left the way Donald Trump has .
He does not engage in the kind of insults and attacks that our president has been famous for .
So , the unique type of animosity that comes against Trump would not come against him .
On the other hand , because Pence is known as a committed evangelical Christian , there would be an even more hysterical attack against him by the left , from the media to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I have written about this before , but now , with talk about possible transfer of power and the like , it becomes more of a potential reality .
8 ) No one knows what will happen on November 3 .
Barring divine revelation , we have no idea if the elections will take place , as scheduled ( who knows what other crisis might hit before then ) , and we have no idea if the two presidential candidates will be Trump and Biden .
I certainly expect to vote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote for Donald Trump .
But this latest , serious episode reminds us the extraordinarily uncertain times in which we live .
And then , even if all goes well on election day , will we have a definitive outcome ?
9 ) The virus might change President Trump .
All of us are works in progress , and hopefully , all of us will keep growing and maturing as human beings until we leave this earth .
Perhaps this serious illness will have a positive effect on our president , giving him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a greater kindness towards others , just as kindness was shown towards him .
10 ) God is not sitting idly by , hoping and wishing .
He has a plan , and He is working it out in the midst of the chaos and confusion .
As I tweeted on October 2 , “ Of this I am sure .
In the midst of the political chaos , the virus , the shutdown , the protests , the riots , the SCOTUS seat , and now the president ’ s positive COVID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making our prayer simple : Your name be hallowed , Father !
Your kingdom come !
Your will be done !
” Right now , tens of millions of believers are praying for President Trump and the nation .
May God hear and answer those prayers , and may He have mercy on our land .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
Connect with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

I truly hope that by the time you read this article, President Trump will be well on his way to a full and healthy recovery. (Note: Judging from his video released Sunday night that certainly appears the case.) That is certainly what I, along with all other decent human beings, am praying for.
But already, as I write these words early evening, Saturday, October 3, 2020, there is much to reflect on. Here are 10 important considerations.
10 Important Considerations
1) Life is fragile. Until now, President Trump seemed to be enjoying robust health and physical vigor for a 74-year-old man. He could hold multiple rallies in a day and speak for more than 90 minutes at a time, and he seemed to thrive in the midst of the conflict.
Yet no one is invincible, not even the president of the United States. Life should be cherished, appreciated, and protected.
2) COVID-19 is serious. On March 2, I wrote my first article on the virus, emphasizing that it was not an end-time plague from the book of Revelation. But, I wrote, “I recognize the seriousness of this virus.”
I also stated that pandemics and epidemics “are tragic reminders of the broken state of our world and of the frailty of our race. And while doing all we can to prevent and combat the spread of Covid-19, we should pray for the mercy of God.”
Since writing those words, an old friend of mine, about the same age as President Trump, passed away from the virus, other close friends of mine lost close friends, while still others spent weeks in and out of ICU, battling for their lives.
With the president and others close to him testing positive, we are reminded again that COVID-19 is nothing to trivialize.
We should not let it paralyze us, but we should not ignore it.
3) There are cruel people on both the left and the right. When Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died, some on the right celebrated her death, even pointing to scripture verses for support. (A common verse was cited was Proverbs 11:10: “When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.”)
In fact, some days later, when I posted one of her sayings with which I agreed – making clear that I differed deeply with her ideology – some asked, “Are you going to quote Hitler next?”
We are now seeing this same cruelty expressed toward President Trump, with some celebrities even praying openly for his death. (I won’t dignify them here by linking to their words.) That is sick, ugly, and inexcusable.
4) There are decent people on both the left and the right. Despite the harsh rhetoric on display during the presidential debate, candidate Joe Biden showed real class in expressing his hopes for Trump’s recovery while also announcing he was suspending all attack ads. (As of Sunday, many were still running.) In the same way, Tucker Carlson, known for his acerbic tongue, spoke graciously of Justice Ginsburg after her passing.
5) The president is just a regular human being. Although the Trump name and brand are bigger than life, Donald Trump is just another person, a man with fears and concerns and pressures like anyone else. When you have a potential brush with death, when you have to be quarantined and hospitalized, you recognize your humanity. But others can recognize it too, reminding us that, behind the braggadocios Trump persona is the Trump person — someone just like the rest of us, someone who needs our prayers.
6) The office of the president has massive consequence. It’s one thing to think about Trump having four more years or Biden being the next president through the electoral process. It’s another thing to realize that, in a moment’s time, there could be a new president – President Mike Pence or President Nancy Pelosi.
Suddenly, you realize just how large this and consequential the office of the President of the United States really is. Whoever steps into this office steps into some very big shoes.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
7) The left would rage against Mike Pence as president. To be sure, Vice President Pence has not tweaked the nose of the left the way Donald Trump has. He does not engage in the kind of insults and attacks that our president has been famous for. So, the unique type of animosity that comes against Trump would not come against him.
On the other hand, because Pence is known as a committed evangelical Christian, there would be an even more hysterical attack against him by the left, from the media to politicians and from celebrities to the universities. I have written about this before, but now, with talk about possible transfer of power and the like, it becomes more of a potential reality.
8) No one knows what will happen on November 3. Barring divine revelation, we have no idea if the elections will take place, as scheduled (who knows what other crisis might hit before then), and we have no idea if the two presidential candidates will be Trump and Biden. I certainly expect to vote on November 3, and I plan to vote for Donald Trump. But this latest, serious episode reminds us the extraordinarily uncertain times in which we live. And then, even if all goes well on election day, will we have a definitive outcome?
9) The virus might change President Trump. All of us are works in progress, and hopefully, all of us will keep growing and maturing as human beings until we leave this earth. Perhaps this serious illness will have a positive effect on our president, giving him a greater humility and, perhaps, a greater kindness towards others, just as kindness was shown towards him.
10) God is not sitting idly by, hoping and wishing. He has a plan, and He is working it out in the midst of the chaos and confusion. As I tweeted on October 2, “Of this I am sure. In the midst of the political chaos, the virus, the shutdown, the protests, the riots, the SCOTUS seat, and now the president’s positive COVID test, God has a plan, making our prayer simple: Your name be hallowed, Father! Your kingdom come! Your will be done!”
Right now, tens of millions of believers are praying for President Trump and the nation. May God hear and answer those prayers, and may He have mercy on our land.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-10-05--#Election2020: President Home, Declared ‘Don’t Be Afraid of Covid. Do Not Let It Dominate Your Life’

“ Don ’ t be afraid of Covid .
Don ’ t let it dominate your life.
” With those shades of FDR , President Trump announced he was homeward bound and feeling “ better than I did 20 years ago.
” Trump was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Monday evening .
Upon arriving home , he saluted military officers and Marine One from his balcony .
At an afternoon press conference , White House physician Dr. Sean Conley gave an update on Trump ’ s condition .
“ Over the past 24-hours , the President has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met or exceeded all standard hospital discharge criteria and will receive another dose of Remdesivir here today , and then we plan to get him home.
” But , he warned , the battle ’ s not totally won .
“ Though he may not entirely be out of the woods yet , the team and I agree that all our evaluations , and most importantly , his clinical status , support the president ’ s safe return home where he ’ ll be surrounded by world class medical care 24/7.
” Unfortunately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment to cure the media hysteria over Trump ’ s drive-by past supporters Sunday afternoon .
A full 24 hours later , and they were still having the vapors .
As just one example , Joy Behar called Trump driving past supporters “ right out of a dictator ’ s playbook.
” TDS sufferer and Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin took out her ire on the entire Walter Reed Medical Center .
Tell it to the Wounded Warriors recovering there .
All night and all morning , we heard countless moanings about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The folks at Twitchy made a wonderful point : “ It was fascinating to watch the same people who have been fine with defunding law enforcement and turning a blind eye to cops being assaulted over the summer during countless riots suddenly care SO MUCH for their lives and safety.
” All told , it ’ s little exaggeration to say some in the media are upset that he ’ s leaving Walter Reed in a chopper rather than a body bag .
Joe Biden seems to want that as well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ words suggests that ’ s so .
Biden asked the crowd at a Florida campaign appearance to fantasize about Trump being delivered a “ coup de grâce.
” As Mollie Hemingway points out , “ coup de grâce ” is a “ final blow or shot given to kill a wounded person or animal.
” Of course , Biden might think “ coup de grâce ” is something built by Chevy .
Speaking of driving , Biden repeated today he wants a mask mandate nationwide … even for “ interstate travel.
” Does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeated a demand for mask mandates in federal buildings .
As Abigail Marone noted , he made this request at a CNN Town Hall .
Here ’ s Biden after that townhall .
Notice anything missing ?
60 Minutes Airs Damaging Interview With Biden Accuser Tara Reade .
That is , 60 Minutes AUSTRALIA Sunday night on 60 Minutes , Joe Biden ’ s accuser Tara Reade gave a detailed account of Biden ’ s alleged sexual assault .
Oh , you didn ’ t see it on 60 Minutes ?
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minutes Australia .
For some reason , 60 Minutes think the Aussies have a greater interest in knowing whether the Democratic nominee is a violent sexual predator than the American voter .
And here ’ s one lost in last week ’ s news .
A report surfaced that the wife of a Boston Marathon hero said Biden touched her in an “ inappropriate and uncomfortable way.
” The Washington Examiner published the story last week … to crickets .
Kim Donahue made the allegation in two Facebook posts , the second in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posts .
“ He greeted me by rubbing my back in an inappropriate and uncomfortable way , ” she wrote .
According to her account , Biden then pushed aside her husband , who had been wounded in the pursuit of the bombers , talked up her “ mesmerizing ” eyes , and asked if she wanted to ride with him to the ceremony marking the first anniversary of the bombing .
“ I couldn ’ t get out of that car fast enough , I practically dove into the pavement , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the post .
Donahue confirms the posts were legit , but refuses to talk about them further .
An individual close to Donahue claims her politics “ have shifted ” since 2016 , and she is supporting Biden ’ s candidacy .
In other words , she ’ s keeping quiet to protect Biden .
And who is protecting other women or girls with “ mesmerizing ” eyes ?
We can ’ t even stop Biden from pinching British politicians .
Back in 1988 , Joe Biden had to quit the Democratic primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the words and deeds of British politician Neil Kinnock .
Seems old habits for Joe die hard .
His Build Back Better slogan ?
Borrowed from the current British Prime Minister .
You Say There ’ s No Issues With Mail-In Balloting Finally , in today ’ s edition of “ You Say There ’ s No Issues With Mail-In Balloting , ” two quick stories .
First , election officials in central Virginia are warning voters who used one of six public mail-boxes to deposit their mail-in ballot to contact the U.S @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail-boxes were broken into over the weekend .
Neither the Department of Elections nor the USPS knows if any ballots were stolen .
Henrico ( Va. ) Commonwealth ’ s Attorney Shannon Taylor said in a statement that she would not tolerate tampering with mail or attempts to interfere with the election .
Meanwhile , a Florida man has been charged with requesting a mail-in ballot for his wife , who passed away in 2018 .
Larry Wiggins is a registered Democrat , but claims he supports President Trump .
He also claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system .
“ I said well , ‘ Let me just send it in and see what ’ s going to happen to see if they ’ re actually going to send a ballot for her to vote . '
” Fortunately , the system in Florida worked .
But what about states sending ballots without there being a request ?
How many dead wives are getting ballots ?
And will the dead wife vote be enough to sway the election ?
The Election is in four weeks tomorrow .
Al Perrotta is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-author , with @ JZmirak , of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration .
You can follow him at @ StreamingAl .
And if you aren ’ t already , please follow The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

“Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life.”
With those shades of FDR, President Trump announced he was homeward bound and feeling “better than I did 20 years ago.” Trump was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Monday evening. Upon arriving home, he saluted military officers and Marine One from his balcony.
I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M. Feeling really good! Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2020
At an afternoon press conference, White House physician Dr. Sean Conley gave an update on Trump’s condition. “Over the past 24-hours, the President has continued to improve. He’s met or exceeded all standard hospital discharge criteria and will receive another dose of Remdesivir here today, and then we plan to get him home.”
But, he warned, the battle’s not totally won.
“Though he may not entirely be out of the woods yet, the team and I agree that all our evaluations, and most importantly, his clinical status, support the president’s safe return home where he’ll be surrounded by world class medical care 24/7.”
Unfortunately, Dr. Conley did not prescribe any treatment to cure the media hysteria over Trump’s drive-by past supporters Sunday afternoon. A full 24 hours later, and they were still having the vapors. As just one example, Joy Behar called Trump driving past supporters “right out of a dictator’s playbook.”
TDS sufferer and Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin took out her ire on the entire Walter Reed Medical Center.
Congress might want to defund Walter Reed. It is a public health hazard. — Jennifer 'Vote Early' Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) October 5, 2020
Tell it to the Wounded Warriors recovering there.
All night and all morning, we heard countless moanings about the danger Trump put the Secret Service in. The folks at Twitchy made a wonderful point: “It was fascinating to watch the same people who have been fine with defunding law enforcement and turning a blind eye to cops being assaulted over the summer during countless riots suddenly care SO MUCH for their lives and safety.”
All told, it’s little exaggeration to say some in the media are upset that he’s leaving Walter Reed in a chopper rather than a body bag.
Joe Biden seems to want that as well. Or at least his ill choice of words suggests that’s so. Biden asked the crowd at a Florida campaign appearance to fantasize about Trump being delivered a “coup de grâce.” As Mollie Hemingway points out, “coup de grâce” is a “final blow or shot given to kill a wounded person or animal.”
a 'coup de grâce' is a final blow or shot given to kill a wounded person or animal https://t.co/gy81uDOaxH — Mollie (@MZHemingway) October 5, 2020
Of course, Biden might think “coup de grâce” is something built by Chevy.
Speaking of driving, Biden repeated today he wants a mask mandate nationwide … even for “interstate travel.” Does that mean when driving?
https://twitter.com/DeAnna4Congress/status/1313223955805806593
He also repeated a demand for mask mandates in federal buildings. As Abigail Marone noted, he made this request at a CNN Town Hall. Here’s Biden after that townhall. Notice anything missing?
Biden, who demands a national mask mandate, often talks to folks on the campaign trail while not wearing a mask. This photo was taken after his CNN town hall where he said he would mandate mask wearing on federal property if elected. pic.twitter.com/CN2QZbGcYQ — Abigail Marone (@abigailmarone) October 5, 2020
60 Minutes Airs Damaging Interview With Biden Accuser Tara Reade. That is, 60 Minutes AUSTRALIA
Sunday night on 60 Minutes, Joe Biden’s accuser Tara Reade gave a detailed account of Biden’s alleged sexual assault. Oh, you didn’t see it on 60 Minutes? That’s because the interview aired on 60 Minutes Australia. For some reason, 60 Minutes think the Aussies have a greater interest in knowing whether the Democratic nominee is a violent sexual predator than the American voter.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
And here’s one lost in last week’s news. A report surfaced that the wife of a Boston Marathon hero said Biden touched her in an “inappropriate and uncomfortable way.” The Washington Examiner published the story last week … to crickets. Kim Donahue made the allegation in two Facebook posts, the second in 2016. She has since deleted the posts. “He greeted me by rubbing my back in an inappropriate and uncomfortable way,” she wrote. According to her account, Biden then pushed aside her husband, who had been wounded in the pursuit of the bombers, talked up her “mesmerizing” eyes, and asked if she wanted to ride with him to the ceremony marking the first anniversary of the bombing. “I couldn’t get out of that car fast enough, I practically dove into the pavement,” Donohue wrote in the comment section of the post.
Donahue confirms the posts were legit, but refuses to talk about them further. An individual close to Donahue claims her politics “have shifted” since 2016, and she is supporting Biden’s candidacy. In other words, she’s keeping quiet to protect Biden.
And who is protecting other women or girls with “mesmerizing” eyes?
We can’t even stop Biden from pinching British politicians.
Back in 1988, Joe Biden had to quit the Democratic primary in part because he was caught plagiarizing the words and deeds of British politician Neil Kinnock. Seems old habits for Joe die hard. His Build Back Better slogan? Borrowed from the current British Prime Minister.
Why does Joe Biden plagiarize foreign politicians so much? pic.twitter.com/odRfmIDxIY — Trump War Room – Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) October 4, 2020
You Say There’s No Issues With Mail-In Balloting
Finally, in today’s edition of “You Say There’s No Issues With Mail-In Balloting,” two quick stories.
First, election officials in central Virginia are warning voters who used one of six public mail-boxes to deposit their mail-in ballot to contact the U.S. Postal Service. Seems the six mail-boxes were broken into over the weekend. Neither the Department of Elections nor the USPS knows if any ballots were stolen.
Henrico (Va.) Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor said in a statement that she would not tolerate tampering with mail or attempts to interfere with the election.
With a month before a critical election, some people are choosing to vote by mail and they must be able to know their vote is safe, will not be tampered with and will arrive in a timely fashion to their local registrar. I would just remind voters who are concerned about the whereabouts of their ballots that they can track them at the Virginia Department of Elections.
Meanwhile, a Florida man has been charged with requesting a mail-in ballot for his wife, who passed away in 2018. Larry Wiggins is a registered Democrat, but claims he supports President Trump. He also claims he was just trying to test the system. “I said well, ‘Let me just send it in and see what’s going to happen to see if they’re actually going to send a ballot for her to vote.'”
Fortunately, the system in Florida worked. But what about states sending ballots without there being a request? How many dead wives are getting ballots? And will the dead wife vote be enough to sway the election?
The Election is in four weeks tomorrow.
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author, with @JZmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl. And if you aren’t already, please follow The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-10-05--Get Your Hands Off My Liberty: My Interview With Gov. Mike Huckabee

Gov .
Mike Huckabee is a true stateman and ambassador for God ’ s Kingdom .
Today we discuss his @ @ @ @ @ Cs That Made America Great : Christianity , Capitalism and the Constitution .
Be sure @ @ @ @ @ where Gov .
Huckabee prayed for healing for the President , First Lady , and @ @ @ @ @ all the videos in this interview series here .
James Robison is The Stream ’ @ @ @ @ @ He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host of LIFE Today .
He ’ @ @ @ @ @ books , including Indivisible ( with Jay Richards ) and Living Amazed .

Gov. Mike Huckabee is a true stateman and ambassador for God’s Kingdom. Today we discuss his newest book, The Three Cs That Made America Great: Christianity, Capitalism and the Constitution.
Be sure to watch our previous discussion where Gov. Huckabee prayed for healing for the President, First Lady, and others.
You can view all the videos in this interview series here.
James Robison is The Stream’s founder and publisher. He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host of LIFE Today. He’s the author of many books, including Indivisible (with Jay Richards) and Living Amazed.


thestream--2020-10-05--The Woke Cult Kills Everything, Even Science Fiction

In the summer of 2019 , the magazine Analog Science Fiction and Fact jumped through a hoop .
It announced it would drop John W. Campbell ’ s name from its annual prize for best new science fiction writer .
The decision came after Jeanette Ng , the 2019 award winner , criticized Campbell in her acceptance speech .
“ He is responsible for setting a tone for science fiction that haunts this genre to this very day , ” she said .
“ Stale , sterile , male , white , exalting in the ambitions of imperialists , colonialists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now called the Astounding Award for Best New Writer , after Astounding Science Fiction , the magazine that Campbell ran from the late 1930s until his death in 1971 .
John W. Campbell was a pivotal figure in the history of American science fiction .
He helped transform much of it from pulp fantasy to accomplished storytelling and even literature .
Alec Nevada-Lee notes that in Astounding : John W. Campbell , Isaac Asimov , Robert A. Heinlein , L. Ron Hubbard , and the Golden Age of Science Fiction .
Nevada-Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and launched the careers of people like Isaac Asimov , Arthur C. Clarke and Robert A. Heinlein .
Campbell was the author of sci-fi under his own name and as “ Don A. Stuart.
” His most famous story is probably “ Who Goes There ?
” It became the classic movie The Thing .
A Sinner , Like the Rest of Us Campbell also held racist views .
He hawked crank medical remedies and other pseudoscience , most notably Scientology .
That cult was the brainchild of his writer L Ron Hubbard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , calling slavery “ a useful educational system.
” In a 1998 essay , “ Racism and Science Fiction , ” the award-winning author Samuel R. Delany recalled Campbell rejecting a submission of his .
He claimed Campbell “ didn ’ t feel his readership would be able to relate to a black main character.
” But the claim that Campbell represented “ the ambitions of imperialists , colonialists , settlers and industrialists ” is wrong .
Isaac Asimov , arguable Campbell ’ s greatest writer , was neither a racist nor a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editor , explaining it this way : Campbell championed far-out ideas… .
He pained very many of the men he had trained ( including me ) in doing so , but felt it was his duty to stir up the minds of his readers and force curiosity right out to the border lines .
He began a series of editorials … in which he championed a social point of view that could sometimes be described as far right ( he expressed sympathy for George Wallace in the 1968 national election , for instance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this from many ( including me – I could hardly ever read a Campbell editorial and keep my temper ) .
Remember When We Were Free ?
Furthermore , Star Wars and Star Trek , the two most popular science fiction franchises of the past century , are emphatically anti-imperialist .
Libertarian Robert Heinlein wrought powerfully and with great imagination , in books like The Moon is a Harsh Mistress , about rising the power of the state .
So it is well and good to criticize John W Campbell .
But as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the indictment is scattershot and hysterical .
Also , the alternative storytelling offered by social justice warriors is often preachy leftist sociology dressed up as fiction .
The new collection The Year ’ s Best Science Fiction is a good example of this .
Many stories don ’ t deal with swashbuckling interstellar explorers , but climate change : characters in the “ The Bookstore at the End of America ” by Charlie Jane Anders , Peter Watts ’ s “ Cyclopterus , ” Alec Nevala-Lee ’ s “ At the Fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruined by global warming .
Income inequality is the theme of E. Lily Yu ’ s “ Green Glass : A Love Story.
” And of Rich Larson ’ s “ Contagion ’ s Even at the House Noctambulous.
” And of “ It ’ s 2059 and the Rich Kids Are Still Winning ” by Ted Chiang .
N.K .
Jemisin ’ s writes about race in “ Emergency Skin.
” It ’ s all more like a catechism than an escape .
Or a Maoist struggle session on Earth as opposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John W. Campbell had his sins .
So did many artists , on the left as well as the right .
Science fiction writer and two-time Campbell Award winner Cory Doctoro ( who agreed with changing its name offered the most nuanced approach .
He wrote : Here ’ s the thing .
Neither one of those [ positive and negative ] facets of Campbell cancels the other one out .
Just as it ’ s not true that any amount of good deeds done for some people can repair the harms he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also true that none of those harms cancel out the kindnesses he did for the people he was kind to .
Life is not a ledger .
Your sins can ’ t be paid off through good deeds .
Your good deeds are not cancelled by your sins .
Your sins and your good deeds live alongside one another .
They coexist in superposition .

In the summer of 2019, the magazine Analog Science Fiction and Fact jumped through a hoop. It announced it would drop John W. Campbell’s name from its annual prize for best new science fiction writer. The decision came after Jeanette Ng, the 2019 award winner, criticized Campbell in her acceptance speech.
“He is responsible for setting a tone for science fiction that haunts this genre to this very day,” she said. “Stale, sterile, male, white, exalting in the ambitions of imperialists, colonialists, settlers and industrialists.” The prize is now called the Astounding Award for Best New Writer, after Astounding Science Fiction, the magazine that Campbell ran from the late 1930s until his death in 1971.
A Father of the Genre
John W. Campbell was a pivotal figure in the history of American science fiction. He helped transform much of it from pulp fantasy to accomplished storytelling and even literature. Alec Nevada-Lee notes that in Astounding: John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, and the Golden Age of Science Fiction. Nevada-Lee writes:
[F]or more than three decades, an unparalleled series of visions of the future passed through his tiny office in New York, where he inaugurated the main series of science fiction that runs through works from 2001 to Westworld.
Campbell published thousands of stories and launched the careers of people like Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke and Robert A. Heinlein. Campbell was the author of sci-fi under his own name and as “Don A. Stuart.” His most famous story is probably “Who Goes There?” It became the classic movie The Thing.
A Sinner, Like the Rest of Us
Campbell also held racist views. He hawked crank medical remedies and other pseudoscience, most notably Scientology. That cult was the brainchild of his writer L Ron Hubbard. Campbell wrote in support of segregation, calling slavery “a useful educational system.” In a 1998 essay, “Racism and Science Fiction,” the award-winning author Samuel R. Delany recalled Campbell rejecting a submission of his. He claimed Campbell “didn’t feel his readership would be able to relate to a black main character.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
But the claim that Campbell represented “the ambitions of imperialists, colonialists, settlers and industrialists” is wrong. Isaac Asimov, arguably Campbell’s greatest writer, was neither a racist nor a colonialist. He openly disagreed with his editor, explaining it this way:
Campbell championed far-out ideas… . He pained very many of the men he had trained (including me) in doing so, but felt it was his duty to stir up the minds of his readers and force curiosity right out to the border lines. He began a series of editorials … in which he championed a social point of view that could sometimes be described as far right (he expressed sympathy for George Wallace in the 1968 national election, for instance). There was bitter opposition to this from many (including me – I could hardly ever read a Campbell editorial and keep my temper).
Remember When We Were Free?
Furthermore, Star Wars and Star Trek, the two most popular science fiction franchises of the past century, are emphatically anti-imperialist. Libertarian Robert Heinlein wrought powerfully and with great imagination, in books like The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, about rising the power of the state.
So it is well and good to criticize John W Campbell. But as is often the case with the left, the indictment is scattershot and hysterical. Also, the alternative storytelling offered by social justice warriors is often preachy leftist sociology dressed up as fiction. The new collection The Year’s Best Science Fiction is a good example of this.
Many stories don’t deal with swashbuckling interstellar explorers, but climate change: characters in the “The Bookstore at the End of America” by Charlie Jane Anders, Peter Watts’s “Cyclopterus,” Alec Nevala-Lee’s “At the Fall” all survive in a world almost ruined by global warming. Income inequality is the theme of E. Lily Yu’s “Green Glass: A Love Story.” And of Rich Larson’s “Contagion’s Even at the House Noctambulous.” And of “It’s 2059 and the Rich Kids Are Still Winning” by Ted Chiang. N.K. Jemisin’s writes about race in “Emergency Skin.”
Imagine Understanding Moral Complexity
It’s all more like a catechism than an escape. Or a Maoist struggle session on Earth as opposed to a reach for the stars. John W. Campbell had his sins. So did many artists, on the left as well as the right. Science fiction writer and two-time Campbell Award winner Cory Doctoro (who agreed with changing its name offered the most nuanced approach. He wrote:
Here’s the thing. Neither one of those [positive and negative] facets of Campbell cancels the other one out. Just as it’s not true that any amount of good deeds done for some people can repair the harms he visited on others, it’s also true that none of those harms cancel out the kindnesses he did for the people he was kind to. Life is not a ledger. Your sins can’t be paid off through good deeds. Your good deeds are not cancelled by your sins. Your sins and your good deeds live alongside one another. They coexist in superposition.
Mark Judge is a writer and filmmaker in Washington, D.C.


thestream--2020-10-05--Pledge Asks Senate Dems to Promise They Will Not Attack Amy Coney Barrett for Her Faith

A conservative group has released a pledge asking Senate Democrats to promise that they will not attack Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett for her faith .
Article III Project ( A3P ) ’ s pledge reminds Democrats of both the First Amendment and Article VI of the Constitution ’ s bar on religious tests for office .
“ I , _______________________ , along with my staff , hereby pledge to respect the clear text and full spirit of the First Amendment ’ s guarantee of free exercise of religion , as well as the prohibition on religious tests in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at all times before , during , and after Judge Amy Coney Barrett ’ s Supreme Court confirmation hearing , ” the pledge says .
The pledge continues : “ Further , neither I nor my staff will direct or participate in any attacks , veiled or explicit , on Judge Barrett ’ s faith , whether at the hearing or in the press , either on the record , on background , or off the record.
” A3P founder and president Mike Davis criticized Senate Judiciary Democrats for their “ anti-Catholic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pledge .
“ Over the past several years of confirmation hearings , Senate Judiciary Democrats Diane Feinstein , Kamala Harris , Dick Durbin , and Mazie Hirono have clearly demonstrated that the anti-Catholic bigotry lives loudly within them , ” Davis said .
“ That is unacceptable , unconstitutional , and we challenge every Democrat on the Committee to sign the Article VI pledge and refrain from any and all attacks on Judge Amy Coney Barrett ’ s Catholicism.
” Davis ’ s comments reference Democratic California Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Democratic Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barrett ’ s 2017 confirmation hearings that Barrett ’ s Catholicism made her unfit to serve as a judge .
“ Why is it that so many of us on this side have this very uncomfortable feeling that dogma and law are two different things , and I think whatever a religion is , it has its own dogma .
The law is totally different , ” Feinstein told Barrett when she came before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2017 .
“ The conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ And that ’ s of concern.
” Durbin also questioned Barrett on an article she co-authored as a law student that included the term “ orthodox Catholic , ” asking Barrett : “ Do you consider yourself an orthodox Catholic ?
” “ If you ’ re asking whether I ’ m a faithful Catholic , I am , although I would stress that my own personal church affiliation or my religious belief would not bear on the discharge of my duties as a judge , ” Barrett told him .
Durbin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2017 hearing that he prefaced his remarks by saying that “ going into a person ’ s religion is not the right thing to do in every circumstance.
” 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 licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

A conservative group has released a pledge asking Senate Democrats to promise that they will not attack Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett for her faith.
Article III Project (A3P)’s pledge reminds Democrats of both the First Amendment and Article VI of the Constitution’s bar on religious tests for office.
“I, _______________________, along with my staff, hereby pledge to respect the clear text and full spirit of the First Amendment’s guarantee of free exercise of religion, as well as the prohibition on religious tests in Article VI of the United States Constitution, at all times before, during, and after Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing,” the pledge says.
The pledge continues: “Further, neither I nor my staff will direct or participate in any attacks, veiled or explicit, on Judge Barrett’s faith, whether at the hearing or in the press, either on the record, on background, or off the record.”
A3P founder and president Mike Davis criticized Senate Judiciary Democrats for their “anti-Catholic bigotry” in a statement accompanying the pledge.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“Over the past several years of confirmation hearings, Senate Judiciary Democrats Diane Feinstein, Kamala Harris, Dick Durbin, and Mazie Hirono have clearly demonstrated that the anti-Catholic bigotry lives loudly within them,” Davis said. “That is unacceptable, unconstitutional, and we challenge every Democrat on the Committee to sign the Article VI pledge and refrain from any and all attacks on Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s Catholicism.”
Davis’s comments reference Democratic California Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Democratic Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin’s suggestions at Barrett’s 2017 confirmation hearings that Barrett’s Catholicism made her unfit to serve as a judge.
Anti-Catholic bigotry has no place in the Senate. https://t.co/WbzzSe33ZD — The Article III Project (A3P) (@Article3Project) October 1, 2020
“Why is it that so many of us on this side have this very uncomfortable feeling that dogma and law are two different things, and I think whatever a religion is, it has its own dogma. The law is totally different,” Feinstein told Barrett when she came before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2017.
“The conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you,” Feinstein added. “And that’s of concern.”
Durbin also questioned Barrett on an article she co-authored as a law student that included the term “orthodox Catholic,” asking Barrett: “Do you consider yourself an orthodox Catholic?”
“If you’re asking whether I’m a faithful Catholic, I am, although I would stress that my own personal church affiliation or my religious belief would not bear on the discharge of my duties as a judge,” Barrett told him.
Durbin told the Daily Caller News Foundation after the 2017 hearing that he prefaced his remarks by saying that “going into a person’s religion is not the right thing to do in every circumstance.”
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--2020-10-05--Once Again, Why So Many Evangelical Christians Strongly Support Trump

The massive groundswell of prayer support for President Trump as he battles COVID-19 reminds us of just how strong his conservative Christian base remains .
Yet his performance at the first presidential debate was so unchristian that the question remains : why are so many so loyal ?
This illustration will help to explain .
Let ’ s say that you and your spouse are committed Christian conservatives , raising your four children to honor the Lord and live by biblical principles .
Included in those principles are the words of Jesus , who taught that the meek and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s one reason that you eschew violent entertainment , from violent video games to blood and gore movies to extremely violent sports .
Your Good Neighbor , the Fighter , Who Isn ’ t Always the Best Role Model You live in the suburbs , and your next-door neighbor became famous years ago as the toughest bar fighter in the region , cracking open many a skull in the process .
He then transitioned to cage fighting where he has made an excellent living .
And while he is a good neighbor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for your kids .
He uses all kinds of profanity .
He still drinks .
And he has multiple girlfriends .
One day , two of your kids come home from school quite shaken .
They were cursed out by some older teens who mocked their Christian faith .
They were spat on .
And they were threatened .
They were also told , “ Just see what our dad is going to do your parents !
He hates Christians even more than we do .
There ’ s a good reason they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fighter Takes on Crazy Sam for You Later that night , to your shock , Crazy Sam shows up at your door with three of his friends , all of them looking ominous and angry .
They begin to scream threats against you , and you can see they have tire irons and knives in their hands .
Before you can respond , your neighbor comes running over , ripping into Crazy Sam and his cronies , getting stabbed and struck in the process , but beating them up even worse until they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the police arrive to clean things up , your neighbor leaves the attackers with a threat : “ If you ever come near this family — and that includes your kids coming near their kids — I will tear you apart with my own hands.
” How would you now feel about your neighbor ’ s violence ?
Would you see it a different light ?
Would you recognize that God just used this profane character , who makes his living beating people up , to save your lives ?
You still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes his living , but you would have a deep sense of gratitude and even loyalty towards him .
Your whole perspective would change .
Of course , this is meant as an illustration rather than a precise analogy , but the application is clear .
It is not just that Trump fights .
It is not even that Trump fights back .
It is that Trump fights for us .
That ’ s how many Americans feel in general .
Trump is fighting for them .
( Of course , the left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is a matter of racist , white Americans wanting to keep their country white .
In reality , such people represent a very small minority of the whole . )
Trump is willing to expose the lying media .
Trump is willing to take on the political establishment .
Trump is willing to confront the radical leftists who want to disfigure our nation .
Trump is willing to call out Big Pharma .
So what if he lies , too .
So what if he ’ s nasty in the process .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ along the way .
There will always be collateral damage .
But the good far outweighs the bad .
When it comes to Christian conservatives , the feelings run just as deep .
There are hostile forces that want to wipe us out .
They despise our beliefs .
They want to silence us in the public square .
They want to indoctrinate our children in the schools .
They want to steal our most fundamental liberties .
They also stand for the most egregious sin in our nation , namely , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we have someone fighting back for us — and for the unborn .
At last we have someone tenacious enough to keep his word , no matter what .
Yes , he is the last person we would have chosen for the job , just like the cage fighting neighbor was the last person we would have looked to for help .
But these are existential issues Trump is fighting for , from the life of the unborn to our religious liberties , and from standing up to Communist China to facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting on our behalf .
( For my 5-minute interview with former governor Mike Huckabee on this subject , go here . )
We Need a Street Fighter Right Now To underscore this train of thought , what if , after Trump , Mike Pence became our president ?
He is known as a committed Christian .
He shares our convictions on many key issues .
And he is anything but Trump in terms of his own personality and demeanor .
What would be the concern that many Christian conservatives would have ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
He ’ s too nice !
He doesn ’ t have enough backbone !
” I trust you get the point .
To be sure , I would gladly vote for a Mike Pence should he be the Republican candidate in the future , given the current state of the Democratic party .
But my sense is that many , if not most conservative Christian voters would vote for Trump today rather than Pence , simply because we need a street fighter right now , and Trump is that proven man .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Our Christian Unity Where we cross a dangerous line is when we become apologists for Trump .
When we defend his indefensible and even destructive behavior .
When we look to him rather than to the Lord .
When we are better known as Trump supporters than as Jesus followers .
That ’ s a major reason I wrote Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
And by “ the Trump test ” I meant two things .
First , can we vote for him without destroying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we unite around Jesus even if we don ’ t agree about Trump ?
I believe we can and must pass both aspects of the Trump test for the good of our country and for the good of our reputation .
But part of passing that test ties in with our ability to explain why , despite Trump ’ s offensive personality , we so strongly support him .
He fights for us , getting battered in the process .
We now feel a loyalty to him .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org @ @ @ @ @ @ @ syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

The massive groundswell of prayer support for President Trump as he battles COVID-19 reminds us of just how strong his conservative Christian base remains. Yet his performance at the first presidential debate was so unchristian that the question remains: why are so many so loyal? This illustration will help to explain.
Let’s say that you and your spouse are committed Christian conservatives, raising your four children to honor the Lord and live by biblical principles. Included in those principles are the words of Jesus, who taught that the meek and the peacemakers would be blessed. That’s one reason that you eschew violent entertainment, from violent video games to blood and gore movies to extremely violent sports.
Your Good Neighbor, the Fighter, Who Isn’t Always the Best Role Model
You live in the suburbs, and your next-door neighbor became famous years ago as the toughest bar fighter in the region, cracking open many a skull in the process. He then transitioned to cage fighting where he has made an excellent living. And while he is a good neighbor, he is not a good role model for your kids. He uses all kinds of profanity. He still drinks. And he has multiple girlfriends.
One day, two of your kids come home from school quite shaken. They were cursed out by some older teens who mocked their Christian faith. They were spat on. And they were threatened. They were also told, “Just see what our dad is going to do your parents! He hates Christians even more than we do. There’s a good reason they call him Crazy Sam!”
The Fighter Takes on Crazy Sam for You
Later that night, to your shock, Crazy Sam shows up at your door with three of his friends, all of them looking ominous and angry. They begin to scream threats against you, and you can see they have tire irons and knives in their hands.
Before you can respond, your neighbor comes running over, ripping into Crazy Sam and his cronies, getting stabbed and struck in the process, but beating them up even worse until they are subdued and disarmed.
There will always be collateral damage. But the good far outweighs the bad.
Then, as the police arrive to clean things up, your neighbor leaves the attackers with a threat: “If you ever come near this family — and that includes your kids coming near their kids — I will tear you apart with my own hands.”
How would you now feel about your neighbor’s violence? Would you see it a different light? Would you recognize that God just used this profane character, who makes his living beating people up, to save your lives? You still might not approve of the way he makes his living, but you would have a deep sense of gratitude and even loyalty towards him. Your whole perspective would change.
Trump Fights for Us
Of course, this is meant as an illustration rather than a precise analogy, but the application is clear. It is not just that Trump fights. It is not even that Trump fights back. It is that Trump fights for us.
That’s how many Americans feel in general. Trump is fighting for them. (Of course, the left paints this quite differently, claiming that it is a matter of racist, white Americans wanting to keep their country white. In reality, such people represent a very small minority of the whole.)
Trump is willing to expose the lying media. Trump is willing to take on the political establishment. Trump is willing to confront the radical leftists who want to disfigure our nation. Trump is willing to call out Big Pharma.
So what if he lies, too. So what if he’s nasty in the process. So what if he creates deeper divisions along the way. There will always be collateral damage. But the good far outweighs the bad.
Hostile Forces Despise Our Beliefs
When it comes to Christian conservatives, the feelings run just as deep. There are hostile forces that want to wipe us out.
They despise our beliefs. They want to silence us in the public square. They want to indoctrinate our children in the schools. They want to steal our most fundamental liberties.
They also stand for the most egregious sin in our nation, namely, the slaughter of the unborn.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
At last, we have someone fighting back for us — and for the unborn. At last we have someone tenacious enough to keep his word, no matter what.
Yes, he is the last person we would have chosen for the job, just like the cage fighting neighbor was the last person we would have looked to for help. But these are existential issues Trump is fighting for, from the life of the unborn to our religious liberties, and from standing up to Communist China to facing down Islamic terrorism. We appreciate him fighting on our behalf. (For my 5-minute interview with former governor Mike Huckabee on this subject, go here.)
We Need a Street Fighter Right Now
To underscore this train of thought, what if, after Trump, Mike Pence became our president? He is known as a committed Christian. He shares our convictions on many key issues. And he is anything but Trump in terms of his own personality and demeanor.
What would be the concern that many Christian conservatives would have? “He’s not tough enough! He’s too nice! He doesn’t have enough backbone!”
First, can we vote for him without destroying our Christian witness? Second, can we unite around Jesus even if we don’t agree about Trump?
I trust you get the point.
To be sure, I would gladly vote for a Mike Pence should he be the Republican candidate in the future, given the current state of the Democratic party. But my sense is that many, if not most conservative Christian voters would vote for Trump today rather than Pence, simply because we need a street fighter right now, and Trump is that proven man.
The Trump Test: Our Christian Witness and Our Christian Unity
Where we cross a dangerous line is when we become apologists for Trump. When we defend his indefensible and even destructive behavior. When we look to him rather than to the Lord. When we are better known as Trump supporters than as Jesus followers. That’s a major reason I wrote Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test?
And by “the Trump test” I meant two things. First, can we vote for him without destroying our Christian witness? Second, can we unite around Jesus even if we don’t agree about Trump?
I believe we can and must pass both aspects of the Trump test for the good of our country and for the good of our reputation. But part of passing that test ties in with our ability to explain why, despite Trump’s offensive personality, we so strongly support him. He fights for us, getting battered in the process. We now feel a loyalty to him.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-10-05--Message to Intel: ‘This is Over, Hand Over All the Evidence of Russia Hoax NOW’

First , some breaking news : Andrew McCabe , who was set to testify , apparently in person , before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week , won ’ t be appearing because he says he ’ s afraid of catching COVID .
What ?
?
Oh , for crying out loud , Mr. McCabe , just testify online .
That ’ s how your colleague Jim Comey disgraced himself , so why can ’ t you do the same ?
I know the virus is highly contagious , but if it spreads via Zoom , we ’ re all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand , I guess that would give Biden an excuse to get back to his knitting and not make any more appearances during the campaign More Details on Obama Involvement in Russian Hoax Over the weekend , Maria Bartiromo on Fox News Sunday reviewed what we ’ ve learned in recent days about Hillary Clinton — and , yes , President Obama — concerning their involvement in the Russia hoax .
Of course , my readers already knew about this , but Maria ’ s guests had additional details .
Rep. Kevin McCarthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ Russia ” investigation has been , focusing on a fake story when we ’ ve been trying for so long to get the real story .
He said that when the letter from Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe to Sen. Lindsay Graham was released , leaders of Congress wanted to have a meeting about it right away .
Seems in all this time no one in either the House or Senate had seen this information .
“ This should drive every member of Congress , ” he said , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Ratcliffe has just made transparent to the world.
” Looking back now , the timeline of events is just tragic .
In July of 2016 , key people are briefed that Russian intelligence has picked up that Hillary ’ s campaign was creating a false narrative about Trump “ colluding ” with Russia to take attention off Hillary ’ s email scandal .
Then-CIA Director John Brennan personally briefs President Obama and others of this on July 26 .
“ Crossfire Hurricane ” is conveniently ( for Hillary ) opened just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When former FBI Director James Comey is asked about this briefing last Wednesday , he says it “ Doesn ’ t ring a bell.
” We know this is a lie .
Investigating a major presidential candidate for being an agent of Russia is a huge deal , the details of which are not something that would simply escape one ’ s memory … unless perhaps we ’ re talking about Joe Biden ’ s memory .
McCarthy calls this “ the biggest news that didn ’ t get reported.
” True @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for news , but there was plenty of time before the report that Trump had tested positive for COVID-19 to get it out there .
How Was It Kept Secret from the Public That Obama Knew ?
So , how was this information hidden from Congress ( and the rest of us ) for so long ?
Why did we appoint a special counsel when it was known even by Obama the previous year that the “ Trump/Russia ” story was part of Hillary ’ s election strategy ?
Maria brought up another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Director Gina Haspel still blocking the declassification of certain documents .
Her own sources , Maria said , had told her Ratcliffe wants to see much more material declassified but that Haspel “ does not want the spotlight on the CIA.
” Well , that ’ s just too bad , CIA .
McCarthy was followed by Devin Nunes , who made a great point : When Republicans in the legislative branch tried to find out where the “ Russia ” story came from , Comey and his colleagues didn ’ t seem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence that they absolutely knew , four years ago !
And there ’ s quite a lot more evidence that Congress still hasn ’ t seen .
“ Here you have the media , ” he said , “ which is the propaganda arm of the Democratic Party … ignoring all of this for the last four years … so here they ’ ve been blaming Republicans having something to do with Russia when the whole damn time , they had something to do with Russia.
” In other words , it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not the Republicans .
Here is where Nunes spoke for all of us , by saying , Law Enforcement Should Not Be Used as a Political Weapon Finally , former acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell also appeared with Maria .
“ We ’ ve had a scandal developing , ” he said , “ largely because politicians have allowed individuals to hide information to create a false narrative by one side.
” He characterized what Comey said in testimony this week as “ really shocking , ” because Comey is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really came from the top down .
There were voices who , early on , characterized this story as Russian propaganda , but the leadership “ decided to hide those warnings , ” and now Comey ( protected by Democrat vice-chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee Mark Warner of Virginia , Grenell alleged ) is blaming those same people .
“ This is what happens , ” Grenell said , “ when the insiders maintain control over all the information , and this is why I believe that President Trump as the outsider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s getting close to really changing the way that Washington works and they do not want the rules changed … ” He added that this is why the insiders support Joe Biden .
They know he ’ ll play by their rules .
As Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas lectured Comey on Wednesday , what he did “ has done severe damage to the professionals and the honorable men and women at the FBI , because law enforcement should not be used as a political weapon .
And that is the legacy you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

First, some breaking news: Andrew McCabe, who was set to testify, apparently in person, before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week, won’t be appearing because he says he’s afraid of catching COVID. What?? Oh, for crying out loud, Mr. McCabe, just testify online. That’s how your colleague Jim Comey disgraced himself, so why can’t you do the same?
I know the virus is highly contagious, but if it spreads via Zoom, we’re all in big trouble. On the other hand, I guess that would give Biden an excuse to get back to his knitting and not make any more appearances during the campaign
More Details on Obama Involvement in Russian Hoax
Over the weekend, Maria Bartiromo on Fox News Sunday reviewed what we’ve learned in recent days about Hillary Clinton — and, yes, President Obama — concerning their involvement in the Russia hoax. Of course, my readers already knew about this, but Maria’s guests had additional details.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy noted what a colossal waste of time the “Russia” investigation has been, focusing on a fake story when we’ve been trying for so long to get the real story. He said that when the letter from Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe to Sen. Lindsay Graham was released, leaders of Congress wanted to have a meeting about it right away. Seems in all this time no one in either the House or Senate had seen this information. “This should drive every member of Congress,” he said, “to go get the underlying information that John Ratcliffe has just made transparent to the world.”
Looking back now, the timeline of events is just tragic. In July of 2016, key people are briefed that Russian intelligence has picked up that Hillary’s campaign was creating a false narrative about Trump “colluding” with Russia to take attention off Hillary’s email scandal. Then-CIA Director John Brennan personally briefs President Obama and others of this on July 26. “Crossfire Hurricane” is conveniently (for Hillary) opened just a few days later, on July 31. When former FBI Director James Comey is asked about this briefing last Wednesday, he says it “Doesn’t ring a bell.”
We know this is a lie. Investigating a major presidential candidate for being an agent of Russia is a huge deal, the details of which are not something that would simply escape one’s memory … unless perhaps we’re talking about Joe Biden’s memory.
McCarthy calls this “the biggest news that didn’t get reported.” True, last week was a big week for news, but there was plenty of time before the report that Trump had tested positive for COVID-19 to get it out there.
How Was It Kept Secret from the Public That Obama Knew?
So, how was this information hidden from Congress (and the rest of us) for so long? Why did we appoint a special counsel when it was known even by Obama the previous year that the “Trump/Russia” story was part of Hillary’s election strategy?
Maria brought up another story we reported last week about CIA Director Gina Haspel still blocking the declassification of certain documents. Her own sources, Maria said, had told her Ratcliffe wants to see much more material declassified but that Haspel “does not want the spotlight on the CIA.” Well, that’s just too bad, CIA.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
McCarthy was followed by Devin Nunes, who made a great point: When Republicans in the legislative branch tried to find out where the “Russia” story came from, Comey and his colleagues didn’t seem to know. But now we have evidence that they absolutely knew, four years ago! And there’s quite a lot more evidence that Congress still hasn’t seen.
“Here you have the media,” he said, “which is the propaganda arm of the Democratic Party … ignoring all of this for the last four years … so here they’ve been blaming Republicans having something to do with Russia when the whole damn time, they had something to do with Russia.” In other words, it was the Democrats who were hiring Russian spies, not the Republicans.
Here is where Nunes spoke for all of us, by saying,
Every Republican, senator and member of Congress, should be saying, “THIS IS OVER. WE WANT EVERY DAMN BIT OF EVIDENCE THAT EVERY INTELLIGENCE AGENCY HAS, OR IT’S MAYBE TIME TO SHUT THOSE AGENCIES DOWN. BECAUSE, AT THE END OF THE DAY, OUR LIBERTIES ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING ELSE WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY, AND THEY HAVE BEEN STAMPEDED OVER BY THESE DIRTY COPS AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND THE MEDIA WHO FAILS TO REPORT ON IT.”
Law Enforcement Should Not Be Used as a Political Weapon
Finally, former acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell also appeared with Maria. “We’ve had a scandal developing,” he said, “largely because politicians have allowed individuals to hide information to create a false narrative by one side.” He characterized what Comey said in testimony this week as “really shocking,” because Comey is blaming mid-level career FBI people for what really came from the top down.
There were voices who, early on, characterized this story as Russian propaganda, but the leadership “decided to hide those warnings,” and now Comey (protected by Democrat vice-chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee Mark Warner of Virginia, Grenell alleged) is blaming those same people.
“This is what happens,” Grenell said, “when the insiders maintain control over all the information, and this is why I believe that President Trump as the outsider is being viciously attacked because he’s getting close to really changing the way that Washington works and they do not want the rules changed …” He added that this is why the insiders support Joe Biden. They know he’ll play by their rules.
As Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas lectured Comey on Wednesday, what he did “has done severe damage to the professionals and the honorable men and women at the FBI, because law enforcement should not be used as a political weapon. And that is the legacy you’ve left.”
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--2020-10-05--Barrett Will Be ‘Role Model’ for Our Daughters and Granddaughters, Female GOP Senators Say

Female Republican senators praised Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett on Wednesday , saying that Barrett will inspire their daughters and granddaughters through her example as a dignified legal jurist and successful mother .
“ Folks , this is what a mom can do , ” Sen. Joni Ernst , R-Iowa , said at a Wednesday press conference .
“ I tell my daughter that all the time .
A mom can be a farmer or a rancher .
A mom can be a combat veteran .
A mom can be a financial planner .
A mom can serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most certainly , a mom can be a Supreme Court justice .
Anybody that says different is absolutely wrong.
” President Donald Trump announced Barrett as his Supreme Court nominee Sept. 26 .
If confirmed by the Senate , Barrett will replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who died Sept. 18 .
In Barrett , “ we have a role model for our girls , our daughters , and our granddaughters , ” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito , R-W.Va. , adding that since Barrett has “ traveled a journey that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we should use that as an opportunity to inspire that next generation.
” “ She ’ s been asked to put her name forward .
She ’ s accepted that .
She ’ s putting her family under tremendous scrutiny , along with her professional life , and that ’ s not an easy journey in and of itself , ” Capito said .
Barrett ’ s 2017 confirmation hearings gained national attention when Democrats suggested that her Catholicism made her unfit to serve as a judge — and the media have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after during an interview on filling Supreme Court vacancies .
Barrett ’ s Catholic faith has also been called “ extreme , ” and some media outlets have attempted to link a Catholic group associated with Barrett to the fictional dystopian novel The Handmaid ’ s Tale .
Republican female leaders pushed back against those criticisms Wednesday , emphasizing that Barrett is a “ brilliant ” jurist and a woman who conducts herself with “ grace.
” “ Her religion ought not to be a disqualifier for serving on the federal bench , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , adding that there are “ some on the left ” who would rather have an atheist or secularist on the bench .
“ We appreciate freedom of religion .
As she goes through this process , we are going to hear more about that , about her life , her character.
” Barrett has seven children , five biological children and two adopted from Haiti , and her critics have questioned whether she will be able to take care of her children and serve as a Supreme Court justice .
Media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her children for nefarious reasons .
Sen. Deb Fischer , R-Neb.
, praised Barrett ’ s ability to balance both an impressive legal career and a large family , saying : “ When we look at Judge Barrett , we see an accomplished woman .
We see a brilliant jurist .
We see a nice person .
We see someone who has been able to balance their family life with a husband , seven children , and keep everyone on track.
” “ I think it is fitting that we have Judge Barrett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in breaking those barriers , ” Sen. Martha McSally , R-Ariz. , said , describing Barrett as a woman of “ faith , and of grace , and of brilliance , and of compassion.
” McSally also pointed out the hypocrisy of those who ask Barrett how she will balance her family with serving as a Supreme Court justice .
“ Nobody asks the men that , ” she said .
“ She ’ ll be just the fifth woman , if confirmed , on the court , and she ’ ll be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Supreme Court , ” McSally added .
“ That is something that should be celebrated across the country.
” 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 licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Female Republican senators praised Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett on Wednesday, saying that Barrett will inspire their daughters and granddaughters through her example as a dignified legal jurist and successful mother.
“Folks, this is what a mom can do,” Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said at a Wednesday press conference. “I tell my daughter that all the time. A mom can be a farmer or a rancher. A mom can be a combat veteran. A mom can be a financial planner. A mom can serve in the United States Senate. And most certainly, a mom can be a Supreme Court justice. Anybody that says different is absolutely wrong.”
President Donald Trump announced Barrett as his Supreme Court nominee Sept. 26. If confirmed by the Senate, Barrett will replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Sept. 18.
In Barrett, “we have a role model for our girls, our daughters, and our granddaughters,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., adding that since Barrett has “traveled a journey that not many of us get to do, we should use that as an opportunity to inspire that next generation.”
“She’s been asked to put her name forward. She’s accepted that. She’s putting her family under tremendous scrutiny, along with her professional life, and that’s not an easy journey in and of itself,” Capito said.
Barrett’s 2017 confirmation hearings gained national attention when Democrats suggested that her Catholicism made her unfit to serve as a judge — and the media have attempted to spin comments Barrett made soon after during an interview on filling Supreme Court vacancies.
Barrett’s Catholic faith has also been called “extreme,” and some media outlets have attempted to link a Catholic group associated with Barrett to the fictional dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Republican female leaders pushed back against those criticisms Wednesday, emphasizing that Barrett is a “brilliant” jurist and a woman who conducts herself with “grace.”
“Her religion ought not to be a disqualifier for serving on the federal bench,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said, adding that there are “some on the left” who would rather have an atheist or secularist on the bench. “We appreciate freedom of religion. As she goes through this process, we are going to hear more about that, about her life, her character.”
Barrett has seven children, five biological children and two adopted from Haiti, and her critics have questioned whether she will be able to take care of her children and serve as a Supreme Court justice. Media figures have also suggested that Barrett adopted her children for nefarious reasons.
Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., praised Barrett’s ability to balance both an impressive legal career and a large family, saying: “When we look at Judge Barrett, we see an accomplished woman. We see a brilliant jurist. We see a nice person. We see someone who has been able to balance their family life with a husband, seven children, and keep everyone on track.”
“I think it is fitting that we have Judge Barrett being nominated to continue to push forward in breaking those barriers,” Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., said, describing Barrett as a woman of “faith, and of grace, and of brilliance, and of compassion.”
McSally also pointed out the hypocrisy of those who ask Barrett how she will balance her family with serving as a Supreme Court justice. “Nobody asks the men that,” she said.
“She’ll be just the fifth woman, if confirmed, on the court, and she’ll be the first with school-age children serving on the Supreme Court,” McSally added. “That is something that should be celebrated across the country.”
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].