thestream--2020-06-16--Idiocy in Seattle: If Only We Could Blame It On Drugs

It ’ s too painfully obvious : Police-free zones can ’ t work .
Yet cities across the land are seriously considering them anyway .
I wish we could blame the idiocy on drugs this time .
Surely some of these people are sober , though .
Sober , yet ignorant .
Dangerously , foolishly , obviously ignorant .
They think they ’ ve got all the secret wisdom needed to build new homes for the whole world to live in .
They ’ ve got their nails all ready , and they ’ ve picked up their handsaws to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s that bad .
There ’ s just too much wrong — and too obviously wrong — with the thought of a police-free world .
There ’ s also something wrong with a nation that doesn ’ t immediately laugh it off as ridiculous .
Ray Levy-Uyeda , who writes for Mic.com , forgot to laugh .
He thinks Seattle ’ s “ Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone ” ( CHAZ ) is a great picture of what “ a police-free world looks like.
” It ’ s “ in the early days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live in an interdependent , police-free society.
” No , Mr. Levy Uyeda , it ’ s not .
If CHAZ has demonstrated anything at all , it ’ s this , and only this : A small , homogeneous social fragment can live in an illusion of autonomy , much of it hidden from outsiders , and make it appear to work for a week or so .
That limiting — yet realistic — perspective does nothing to dampen his enthusiasm , though , nor does it quell others ’ utopian butterfly-dreams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area who says it represents “ the most beautiful forms of peace and love and mutual aid , art , expression , [ and ] public discourse.
” Art ?
I ’ ve seen photos of some graffiti .
If romanticized nonsense were an art form , though , then this teacher ’ s sentimentality just might count as a masterpiece .
Let ’ s try some realism instead .
First , CHAZ is not a revolutionary demonstration of a new way of getting along together .
It ’ s been done before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re undoubtedly in a version of it yourself — minus the silliness , of course .
Because CHAZ ( or CHOP , a new label since Levy-Uyeda wrote ) is nothing more special than any other smallish-sized group of people with shared values , cooperating to achieve a common mission .
Every small- to medium-sized business fits that description .
So does virtually every church , as well as every local non-profit organization .
Ever play in an adult sports league ?
They ’ ve got umps or referees , sure , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handguns to keep the peace .
Lots of enterprises get along without security guards or police protecting their members from each other .
And they do it without all this odious self-congratulation for it .
A Few Blocks , Maybe .
A Whole World , Though ?
So CHAZ success , such as it is , is nowhere near as unique as they claim it is .
There are limits to casual cooperation , though .
This movement ’ s founders aren ’ t talking about “ a few blocks in Seattle without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a world without police.
” So what happens if CHOP were to really succeed — and to grow ?
Pardon me for stating the obvious , but it wouldn ’ t take long before they run into some folks who don ’ t share their values — and that ’ d be the beginning of the end for them .
I give it days at most , if the collapse hasn ’ t already begun before this goes to press .
It ’ s certain that they ’ ll run into people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and light .
Thieves .
Muggers .
Rapists .
( In fact , they already have : “ Rapes , robberies , and all sorts of violent acts.
” ) Levy-Uyeda tells us CHAZ has a “ security team ” : “ veterans , lawyers , social workers , and [ EMTs ] .
” A lot of good that ’ ll do when someone pulls a knife on them — or a gun .
They ’ ll also run into people of lesser , shall we say , ideological purity .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s success , so they ’ ll have to be silenced .
So much for a free state .
Either that , or they ’ ll need to be confined — so much for a police-free state — or perhaps “ re-educated.
” Given the movement ’ s Marxist roots , that Soviet-sounding solution might be exactly what they have in mind .
Leaders Will Arise , and They Will Fight Each Other Now I ask you : Is any of this hard to figure out ?
Is any of it not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while .
It ’ s small , and it has enough people in it who think alike .
But people keep talking about a “ world ” without police .
Cities , at least .
Again , let ’ s suppose that CHAZ is Seattle ’ s seed for that police-free community .
It ’ s going to have to grow .
A lot .
A few blocks just won ’ t do it , not when we ’ re talking about a whole city .
And that ’ s going to require @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need bones , giraffes and humans do .
Small organizations thrive easily enough on mere relational cooperation , larger ones require structure .
Organization .
Leaders .
Management .
You can imagine a leaderless organization only if you ’ ve never actually tried to be in one .
Organizational psychologists actually set people up in leaderless groups to see who takes the lead .
Someone always does , others always either compete or follow .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if it grows , will grow leaders , too .
And given enough time , leadership always arouses opposition .
Someone always disagrees , someone always wants the power .
Leaders can only stay in power by persuading some people , and by enforcing their vision and values on others .
That ’ s en-forcing , mind you .
And it ’ s absolutely unavoidable in larger organizations , including social movements .
Human structures require rules , too .
You can soften the term to “ norms ” if you like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or else the whole structure is doomed to collapse .
Compliance is easy to gain in small , tight-knit groups where everyone agrees with the norms .
That ’ s not , however , what you ’ d call a great description of a world without police .
Or even Seattle without police .
All this is still too painfully obvious .
And I haven ’ t even begun to speak of what happens when Seattle ’ “ Autonomous Zone ” bumps into , say , Tacoma ’ s “ Autonomous Zone.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll happen without some friction , do you ?
Eventually Someone ’ s Going to Have to Act Like Adults Those scare quotes I just used were necessary , by the way .
This zone ’ s “ autonomy ” is a lie .
Levy-Uyeda says the city of Seattle has pledged to “ clean the area and maintain chemical toilets for those living within the zone.
” The kids can play as long as mom and dad pick up after them .
With or without police , though , eventually people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adults .
This whole dream of police-free cities is so unrealistic , so flawed , so plainly obviously impossible , only complete and utter ignorance could entertain any hope of it.Yet Levy-Uyeda thinks CHAZ-style “ radical change — may be just what Seattle and the rest of the country need.
” And I ’ ll bet he wasn ’ t even on drugs when he wrote that .
I ’ d prefer it if I could think he was , he and all the über-optimistic utopians in Seattle , in the media , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America , talking about de-funding their police .
I don ’ t think we can blame it on drugs , though .
We ’ re forced instead to conclude that they ’ re operating — and influencing others — from a level of ignorance so extreme , it ’ s a hazard to us all .
If not ignorance , then emotion , guilt , or shame so extreme , they ’ ve effectively shut their minds off .
Our best bet in the face of this is to keep our own heads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act responsibly .
I expect that ’ s going to have to include confronting them at some point .
Let ’ s at least be prepared to confront them with plain , sober reality .
Tom Gilson ( @ TomGilsonAuthor ) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books , including the forthcoming Too Good To Be False : How Jesus ’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality .

It’s too painfully obvious: Police-free zones can’t work. Yet cities across the land are seriously considering them anyway.
I wish we could blame the idiocy on drugs this time. Surely some of these people are sober, though. Sober, yet ignorant. Dangerously, foolishly, obviously ignorant. They think they’ve got all the secret wisdom needed to build new homes for the whole world to live in. They’ve got their nails all ready, and they’ve picked up their handsaws to pound them in.
Yes, it’s that bad. There’s just too much wrong — and too obviously wrong — with the thought of a police-free world. There’s also something wrong with a nation that doesn’t immediately laugh it off as ridiculous.
Nonsense As an Art Form
Ray Levy-Uyeda, who writes for Mic.com, forgot to laugh. He thinks Seattle’s “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone” (CHAZ) is a great picture of what “a police-free world looks like.” It’s “in the early days of demonstrating what it looks like to live in an interdependent, police-free society.”
No, Mr. Levy Uyeda, it’s not. If CHAZ has demonstrated anything at all, it’s this, and only this: A small, homogeneous social fragment can live in an illusion of autonomy, much of it hidden from outsiders, and make it appear to work for a week or so.
That limiting — yet realistic — perspective does nothing to dampen his enthusiasm, though, nor does it quell others’ utopian butterfly-dreams. Levy-Uyeda quotes a teacher in the area who says it represents “the most beautiful forms of peace and love and mutual aid, art, expression, [and] public discourse.”
Art? I’ve seen photos of some graffiti. If romanticized nonsense were an art form, though, then this teacher’s sentimentality just might count as a masterpiece.
Odious Self-Congratulation
Let’s try some realism instead. First, CHAZ is not a revolutionary demonstration of a new way of getting along together. It’s been done before. Millions of times. You’re undoubtedly in a version of it yourself — minus the silliness, of course. Because CHAZ (or CHOP, a new label since Levy-Uyeda wrote) is nothing more special than any other smallish-sized group of people with shared values, cooperating to achieve a common mission.
Every small- to medium-sized business fits that description. So does virtually every church, as well as every local non-profit organization. Ever play in an adult sports league? They’ve got umps or referees, sure, but you don’t see them carrying handguns to keep the peace.
Lots of enterprises get along without security guards or police protecting their members from each other. And they do it without all this odious self-congratulation for it.
A Few Blocks, Maybe. A Whole World, Though?
So CHAZ success, such as it is, is nowhere near as unique as they claim it is. There are limits to casual cooperation, though. This movement’s founders aren’t talking about “a few blocks in Seattle without police,” remember, but “a world without police.” So what happens if CHOP were to really succeed — and to grow?
Pardon me for stating the obvious, but it wouldn’t take long before they run into some folks who don’t share their values — and that’d be the beginning of the end for them. I give it days at most, if the collapse hasn’t already begun before this goes to press.
If we can’t blame it on drugs, then we’re forced to conclude they’re operating — and influencing others — from a level of ignorance so extreme, it’s a hazard to us all.
It’s certain that they’ll run into people who aren’t so filled with goodness and light. Thieves. Muggers. Rapists. (In fact, they already have: “Rapes, robberies, and all sorts of violent acts.”) Levy-Uyeda tells us CHAZ has a “security team”: “veterans, lawyers, social workers, and [EMTs].” A lot of good that’ll do when someone pulls a knife on them — or a gun.
They’ll also run into people of lesser, shall we say, ideological purity. Some will surely seek to undermine the movement’s success, so they’ll have to be silenced. So much for a free state. Either that, or they’ll need to be confined — so much for a police-free state — or perhaps “re-educated.” Given the movement’s Marxist roots, that Soviet-sounding solution might be exactly what they have in mind.
Leaders Will Arise, and They Will Fight Each Other
Now I ask you: Is any of this hard to figure out? Is any of it not obvious?
CHAZ may work for a while. It’s small, and it has enough people in it who think alike. But people keep talking about a “world” without police. Cities, at least. Again, let’s suppose that CHAZ is Seattle’s seed for that police-free community. It’s going to have to grow. A lot. A few blocks just won’t do it, not when we’re talking about a whole city. And that’s going to require some structure. Amoebas don’t need bones, giraffes and humans do. Small organizations thrive easily enough on mere relational cooperation, larger ones require structure. Organization. Leaders. Management.
You can imagine a leaderless organization only if you’ve never actually tried to be in one. Organizational psychologists actually set people up in leaderless groups to see who takes the lead. Someone always does, others always either compete or follow.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
So this movement, if it grows, will grow leaders, too. And given enough time, leadership always arouses opposition. Someone always disagrees, someone always wants the power. Leaders can only stay in power by persuading some people, and by enforcing their vision and values on others. That’s en-forcing, mind you. And it’s absolutely unavoidable in larger organizations, including social movements.
Human structures require rules, too. You can soften the term to “norms” if you like; either way, people generally comply, or else the whole structure is doomed to collapse. Compliance is easy to gain in small, tight-knit groups where everyone agrees with the norms. That’s not, however, what you’d call a great description of a world without police. Or even Seattle without police.
All this is still too painfully obvious. And I haven’t even begun to speak of what happens when Seattle’ “Autonomous Zone” bumps into, say, Tacoma’s “Autonomous Zone.” You don’t suppose that’ll happen without some friction, do you?
Eventually Someone’s Going to Have to Act Like Adults
Those scare quotes I just used were necessary, by the way. This zone’s “autonomy” is a lie. Levy-Uyeda says the city of Seattle has pledged to “clean the area and maintain chemical toilets for those living within the zone.” The kids can play as long as mom and dad pick up after them. With or without police, though, eventually people are going to have to act like adults.
This whole dream of police-free cities is so unrealistic, so flawed, so plainly obviously impossible, only complete and utter ignorance could entertain any hope of it.Yet Levy-Uyeda thinks CHAZ-style “radical change — may be just what Seattle and the rest of the country need.” And I’ll bet he wasn’t even on drugs when he wrote that.
I’d prefer it if I could think he was, he and all the über-optimistic utopians in Seattle, in the media, and in “progressive” cities across America, talking about de-funding their police. I don’t think we can blame it on drugs, though. We’re forced instead to conclude that they’re operating — and influencing others — from a level of ignorance so extreme, it’s a hazard to us all. If not ignorance, then emotion, guilt, or shame so extreme, they’ve effectively shut their minds off.
Our best bet in the face of this is to keep our own heads on. Someone’s got to act responsibly. I expect that’s going to have to include confronting them at some point. Let’s at least be prepared to confront them with plain, sober reality.
Tom Gilson (@TomGilsonAuthor) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books, including the forthcoming Too Good To Be False: How Jesus’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality.


thestream--2020-06-16--SCOTUS Drastically Expands 1964 Employment Anti-Discrimination Law, Redefining ‘Sex’ to Include LGBT

In a surprisingly decisive 6-3 decision , the U.S. Supreme Court expanded the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include gays , bisexuals and transgenders .
Title VII prohibits discrimination based on race , color , religion , sex and national origin .
In 1964 , Congress intended “ sex ” to refer to bias against men or women .
It did not intend the word to include sexual orientation and gender identity .
Trump appointee Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote the opinion for the majority in Bostock v. Clayton County , Georgia .
He claimed that the word “ sex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was drafted .
In his dissent , Justice Samuel Alito Jr. said the court had abandoned its judicial role and was now legislating .
Justice Clarence Thomas joined in his dissent .
The court was not merely interpreting a statute .
Alito called the decision “ preposterous.
” It betrayed “ breathtaking ” arrogance .
He noted that Congress has tried for years to amend the law with no success .
The American people didn ’ t want the law expanded .
The court essentially legislated for the American people , over their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that theirs was a “ textualist ” decision , following the manner of interpretation promulgated by the late Antonin Scalia .
Textualists simply rule on what the text of the law says .
In 1964 , when Congress said “ sex , ” it meant male and female .
Congress definitely did not mean males who felt themselves to be female .
The decision was not textualist at all .
The court imposed its own preferred meaning on the text .
“ What it actually , ” Alito explained , “ represents is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scalia excoriated — the theory that courts should ‘ update ’ old statutes so that they better reflect the current values of society.
” He warned about the ramifications of the decision .
It will expand the new interpretation of the anti-discrimination law beyond employment to other areas .
How would courts now rule on transgenders in restrooms and locker rooms , for example ?
Will it matter that a self-identified woman is actually a male ?
Erasing the distinction could harm people , Alito noted .
“ For women who have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the experience of seeing an unclothed person with the anatomy of a male in a confined and sensitive location such as a bathroom or locker room can cause serious psychological harm.
” The decision affects many other areas of life .
How will it affect affect sports , college housing , and health care ?
How will it affect religious employers and free speech ?
Colleges could be forced to assign students of the opposite sex to dorms as roommates .
Rape centers may be required to admit men who identify as women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] f if a religious school teaches that sex outside marriage and sex reassignment procedures are immoral , the message may be lost if the school employs a teacher who is in a same-sex relationship or has undergone or is undergoing sex reassignment.
” Religious employers and healthcare providers may be required to provide costly sex reassignment procedures that go counter to their deeply held religious beliefs .
What Happens if You Refer to a Transgender Using the ‘ Wrong ’ Pronoun ?
And “ After today ’ s decision , plaintiffs may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preferred pronoun violates one of the federal laws prohibiting sex discrimination.
” The decision will “ threaten freedom of religion , freedom of speech , and personal privacy and safety .
No one should think that the Court ’ s decision represents an unalloyed victory for individual liberty.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Gorsuch claimed in his opinion that Title VII also includes protections for religious employers , and that another federal law and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their employment decisions .
But he said the Religious Freedom Restoration Act did not supersede the decision .
Alito wrote that the majority ’ s opinion “ no doubt arises from humane and generous impulses.
” They want to treat all people “ with the dignity , consideration , and fairness that everyone deserves.
” However , the court ’ s role “ is limited to saying what the law is.
” It should not add to it .
In Justice Brett Kavanaugh ’ s dissent , he pointed out that the woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the gay rights movement , so the majority is making a mistake of history and sociology .
But he also pointed out that the decision was a huge victory for gay and lesbian Americans .
He wrote , “ They have advanced powerful policy arguments and can take pride in today ’ s result.
” The lower circuit courts were split on the issue .
Until the decision , it was legal in about half the states to fire someone for being gay , bisexual or transgender .
The other states had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SCOTUS considered three cases .
The first one involved a gay man , Gerald Bostock , who was fired from a government program that helped neglected and abused children after he joined a gay softball league .
The second case was brought by a skydiving instructor who was fired after telling a woman he was strapped to that she had nothing to worry about since he was gay .
A third case involved a transgender who was fired from a funeral home after announcing a change in sex .
Gorsuch ’ s decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought he was a conservative when President Trump appointed him to the court .
Justice John Roberts , who joined the majority , was also somewhat surprising , although he has been drifting left over the years .
Rachel Alexander is a senior editor of The Stream .
Follow her on Twitter at Rach_IC .
Follow The Stream at streamdotorg .
Send tips to rachel.alexander @ stream.org .

In a surprisingly decisive 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court expanded the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include gays, bisexuals and transgenders. Title VII prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. In 1964, Congress intended “sex” to refer to bias against men or women. It did not intend the word to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
Trump appointee Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote the opinion for the majority in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia. He claimed that the word “sex” was meant broadly when the law was drafted.
In his dissent, Justice Samuel Alito Jr. said the court had abandoned its judicial role and was now legislating. Justice Clarence Thomas joined in his dissent. The court was not merely interpreting a statute.
Alito called the decision “preposterous.” It betrayed “breathtaking” arrogance. He noted that Congress has tried for years to amend the law with no success. The American people didn’t want the law expanded. The court essentially legislated for the American people, over their wishes.
A Scalia Type of Textualist Decision?
Alito said the majority pretends that theirs was a “textualist” decision, following the manner of interpretation promulgated by the late Antonin Scalia. Textualists simply rule on what the text of the law says. In 1964, when Congress said “sex,” it meant male and female. Congress definitely did not mean males who felt themselves to be female.
It will expand the new interpretation of the anti-discrimination law beyond employment to other areas.
The decision was not textualist at all. The court imposed its own preferred meaning on the text. “What it actually,” Alito explained, “represents is a theory of statutory interpretation that Justice Scalia excoriated — the theory that courts should ‘update’ old statutes so that they better reflect the current values of society.”
He warned about the ramifications of the decision. It will expand the new interpretation of the anti-discrimination law beyond employment to other areas.
Erasing the Distinction
How would courts now rule on transgenders in restrooms and locker rooms, for example? Will it matter that a self-identified woman is actually a male?
Erasing the distinction could harm people, Alito noted. “For women who have been victimized by sexual assault or abuse, the experience of seeing an unclothed person with the anatomy of a male in a confined and sensitive location such as a bathroom or locker room can cause serious psychological harm.”
The decision affects many other areas of life. How will it affect affect sports, college housing, and health care? How will it affect religious employers and free speech? Colleges could be forced to assign students of the opposite sex to dorms as roommates. Rape centers may be required to admit men who identify as women.
Alito wrote: “[I]f if a religious school teaches that sex outside marriage and sex reassignment procedures are immoral, the message may be lost if the school employs a teacher who is in a same-sex relationship or has undergone or is undergoing sex reassignment.” Religious employers and healthcare providers may be required to provide costly sex reassignment procedures that go counter to their deeply held religious beliefs.
What Happens if You Refer to a Transgender Using the ‘Wrong’ Pronoun?
And “After today’s decision, plaintiffs may claim that the failure to use their preferred pronoun violates one of the federal laws prohibiting sex discrimination.” The decision will “threaten freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and personal privacy and safety. No one should think that the Court’s decision represents an unalloyed victory for individual liberty.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Gorsuch claimed in his opinion that Title VII also includes protections for religious employers, and that another federal law and the First Amendment allow religious groups discretion in their employment decisions. But he said the Religious Freedom Restoration Act did not supersede the decision.
Alito wrote that the majority’s opinion “no doubt arises from humane and generous impulses.” They want to treat all people “with the dignity, consideration, and fairness that everyone deserves.” However, the court’s role “is limited to saying what the law is.” It should not add to it.
Justice Kavanaugh’s Dissent
In Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s dissent, he pointed out that the woman’s movement is not the same as the gay rights movement, so the majority is making a mistake of history and sociology. But he also pointed out that the decision was a huge victory for gay and lesbian Americans. He wrote, “They have advanced powerful policy arguments and can take pride in today’s result.”
Until the decision, it was legal in about half the states to fire someone for being gay, bisexual or transgender.
The lower circuit courts were split on the issue. Until the decision, it was legal in about half the states to fire someone for being gay, bisexual or transgender. The other states had enacted laws or regulations prohibiting it.
SCOTUS considered three cases. The first one involved a gay man, Gerald Bostock, who was fired from a government program that helped neglected and abused children after he joined a gay softball league. The second case was brought by a skydiving instructor who was fired after telling a woman he was strapped to that she had nothing to worry about since he was gay. A third case involved a transgender who was fired from a funeral home after announcing a change in sex.
Gorsuch’s decision came as a shock to many who thought he was a conservative when President Trump appointed him to the court. Justice John Roberts, who joined the majority, was also somewhat surprising, although he has been drifting left over the years.
Rachel Alexander is a senior editor of The Stream. Follow her on Twitter at Rach_IC. Follow The Stream at streamdotorg. Send tips to [email protected].


thestream--2020-06-16--Will the 2020 Elections Come Down to Trump vs. Social Anarchy?

Many of us who voted for Donald Trump in 2016 had serious misgivings about him as a person and a candidate .
Yet it was either Trump or Hillary Clinton , so our vote for Trump was effectively a vote against Hillary .
Now , in 2020 , the stakes are considerably higher .
As expressed by George P. Bush , “ Trump is the only thing standing between America and socialism.
” That ’ s why many voters will support Trump again , even if they are put off by some of his tweets and public statements .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump or Antifa , either Trump or chaos on our streets .
In that light , the choice becomes simple .
We ’ ve seen how bad things can get with Trump in office .
What would happen if he was not in office ?
What would happen if socialist-leaning Democrats ran the country ?
What then ?
In my new book , Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
, I lay out the evangelical case against Trump , explaining why many Christians could not vote for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evangelicals , our association with Trump has hurt our witness and damaged the cause of the gospel .
As expressed to me with great passion by an evangelical colleague ( he voted Republican for years until Trump ) , “ He has set back , no he has utterly destroyed the credibility of the evangelical world .
Who respects evangelicals because of Donald Trump ?
NO ONE .
Who feels more attracted to the gospel because of evangelical fealty to Donald Trump ?
NO ONE .
Is this undeniable and massive good ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
This is all laid out in my book , detailing the case against Trump as clearly as I can .
It is a powerful case , indeed .
But then I lay out the pro-Trump evangelical position , one which basically says , “ We needed someone to stand up to a one-world government movement .
To face down Iran and China .
To fight against Islamic terrorism .
To push back against extremist elements in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious liberties .
To fight for the lives of the unborn .
“ So what if he makes stupid statements and sends out nasty tweets .
We ’ re dealing with massive issues of national and global importance here , and Trump has been the man for the job.
” Never Trumper Will Vote for Trump This is similar to the reasoning of Middle East expert Daniel Pipes who penned a June 4 editorial titled , “ A Reluctant but Unhesitating Vote for Donald Trump.
” He first listed his Never Trump bona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I watched in dismay as I helped the Ted Cruz presidential campaign , seeing Republican primary voters select Donald Trump out of a field of 16 viable candidates and make him president-elect .
I signed an open letter committing to ‘ working energetically to prevent the election of someone so utterly unfitted ’ to the presidency and wrote many articles lambasting Trump .
I left the Republican Party on his nomination and voted for Libertarian Gary Johnson in the general election .
After the election , I hoped for Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now he will be voting for Trump , encouraging others to do the same .
As he explains , “ Nearly four years later , Trump ’ s character still troubles and repels me .
If anything , his egotism , disloyalty , and bombast exceed those vices when he was a mere candidate .
“ But , ” he continues , “ to my unending surprise , he has governed as a resolute conservative.
” And so , “ Slowly but inexorably over the past three years , my approval of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person .
Finally , knowing that Joe Biden will represent the radicalized Democrats in November , I conclude that I will do my small part to help Trump get re-elected by writing , giving , and voting.
” Today , as we see just how radicalized the Democrats have become , with “ defund the police ” becoming the latest mantra , we understand how high the stakes have become .
I personally know Christians who voted for Trump in 2016 but told me they were not going to vote for him again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote for Biden either , so they would sit out the presidential elections or cast a third-party protest vote . )
They were too repulsed by his character and felt that he often made a mess of things with his words .
And , as much as they appreciated the good that he did , they felt that the damage to the nation outweighed his positive contributions .
He was too divisive .
Too destructive .
He degraded us more than he helped us .
Because of that , they would not vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as our cities are on fire and angry mobs stand ready to cancel our freedoms and demand conformity , these same voters are confronted with a stark reality .
In short , it could well be that Donald Trump is the last line of defense again a radical , leftist takeover of our government , the likes of which we have never seen .
This will push many a reluctant voter , like Daniel Pipes , firmly into the Trump column .
It could be as simple as that .
Dr. Michael Brown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is When the World Stops : Words of Faith , Hope , and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis .
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

Many of us who voted for Donald Trump in 2016 had serious misgivings about him as a person and a candidate. Yet it was either Trump or Hillary Clinton, so our vote for Trump was effectively a vote against Hillary.
Now, in 2020, the stakes are considerably higher. As expressed by George P. Bush, “Trump is the only thing standing between America and socialism.”
That’s why many voters will support Trump again, even if they are put off by some of his tweets and public statements. In their minds, it’s either Trump or Antifa, either Trump or chaos on our streets. In that light, the choice becomes simple.
The Trump Test
We’ve seen how bad things can get with Trump in office. What would happen if he was not in office? What would happen if socialist-leaning Democrats ran the country? What then?
In my new book, Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test?, I lay out the evangelical case against Trump, explaining why many Christians could not vote for him in good conscience. For these evangelicals, our association with Trump has hurt our witness and damaged the cause of the gospel.
As expressed to me with great passion by an evangelical colleague (he voted Republican for years until Trump), “He has set back, no he has utterly destroyed the credibility of the evangelical world. Who respects evangelicals because of Donald Trump? NO ONE. Who feels more attracted to the gospel because of evangelical fealty to Donald Trump? NO ONE. Is this undeniable and massive good?”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
This is all laid out in my book, detailing the case against Trump as clearly as I can. It is a powerful case, indeed.
But then I lay out the pro-Trump evangelical position, one which basically says, “We needed someone to stand up to a one-world government movement. To face down Iran and China. To fight against Islamic terrorism. To push back against extremist elements in our own country. To stand for our religious liberties. To fight for the lives of the unborn.
“So what if he makes stupid statements and sends out nasty tweets. We’re dealing with massive issues of national and global importance here, and Trump has been the man for the job.”
Never Trumper Will Vote for Trump
This is similar to the reasoning of Middle East expert Daniel Pipes who penned a June 4 editorial titled, “A Reluctant but Unhesitating Vote for Donald Trump.”
He first listed his Never Trump bona fides, which were impressive indeed: “I watched in dismay as I helped the Ted Cruz presidential campaign, seeing Republican primary voters select Donald Trump out of a field of 16 viable candidates and make him president-elect. I signed an open letter committing to ‘working energetically to prevent the election of someone so utterly unfitted’ to the presidency and wrote many articles lambasting Trump. I left the Republican Party on his nomination and voted for Libertarian Gary Johnson in the general election. After the election, I hoped for Trump’s impeachment and President Mike Pence.”
Yet now he will be voting for Trump, encouraging others to do the same. As he explains, “Nearly four years later, Trump’s character still troubles and repels me. If anything, his egotism, disloyalty, and bombast exceed those vices when he was a mere candidate.
“But,” he continues, “to my unending surprise, he has governed as a resolute conservative.”
And so, “Slowly but inexorably over the past three years, my approval of the policies has outbalanced my distaste for the person. Finally, knowing that Joe Biden will represent the radicalized Democrats in November, I conclude that I will do my small part to help Trump get re-elected by writing, giving, and voting.”
The Radicalized Democrats
Today, as we see just how radicalized the Democrats have become, with “defund the police” becoming the latest mantra, we understand how high the stakes have become.
I personally know Christians who voted for Trump in 2016 but told me they were not going to vote for him again. (They did not plan to vote for Biden either, so they would sit out the presidential elections or cast a third-party protest vote.)
They were too repulsed by his character and felt that he often made a mess of things with his words. And, as much as they appreciated the good that he did, they felt that the damage to the nation outweighed his positive contributions. He was too divisive. Too destructive. He degraded us more than he helped us. Because of that, they would not vote for him in 2020.
Now, as our cities are on fire and angry mobs stand ready to cancel our freedoms and demand conformity, these same voters are confronted with a stark reality. In short, it could well be that Donald Trump is the last line of defense again a radical, leftist takeover of our government, the likes of which we have never seen.
This will push many a reluctant voter, like Daniel Pipes, firmly into the Trump column.
It could be as simple as that.
(For the question of how evangelical Christians can vote for Trump without destroying their personal witness, see my 10-point strategy in Evangelicals at the Crossroads.)
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--2020-06-16--Will Jewish and Christian Schools Teach the Truth About America and Racism?

When I went to yeshiva day schools , America was celebrated .
America was regarded , in the description of Menachem Schneerson ( the Lubavitcher rebbe ) , the most influential rabbi of the 20th century , as a “ medina shel chesed ” — “ a country of kindness.
” He knew , as all American Jews knew , that there were many anti-Semites in America , that America should have done more for the Jews of Europe , that universities like Harvard limited the number of Jewish students , that prestigious law firms and country clubs barred Jews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why did he describe America as a country of kindness ?
Why did my yeshiva in Brooklyn put on plays honoring George Washington ?
Why did my Orthodox Jewish day school utilize texts not only celebrating America but affirming America as a “ melting pot ” ?
Why did a Jew , Irving Berlin , write “ God Bless America ” ?
The primary reason was that these Jews knew what the rest of the world was like .
They had the wisdom to compare America with other countries , not , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to utopia .
Compared with the rest of the world , America was — and remains — a medina shel chesed .
Do Not Compare Past and Present Was it such a country for every one of its citizens ?
Of course not .
At the time Rabbi Schneerson described America as a “ country of kindness , ” the southern half of America enforced immoral and degrading Jim Crow laws , and racism was common in the North as well .
I have noted the anti-Semitism in American life at that time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ degraded .
But the Torah teaches us that we are not to compare the past with the present .
That is why Noah , the man God saves from the Flood , is described in Genesis as righteous “ in his generations.
” If Noah were to be compared with people in later generations , he would be found wanting .
Abraham , the man chosen by God to be the father of His People , had a concubine and lied about his wife to save his own life .
But only fools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tear down monuments to George Washington and Thomas Jefferson — would dismiss Abraham ’ s greatness .
Jacob , the man God renamed “ Israel , ” owned slaves .
Should Jews cease calling themselves the “ children of Israel ” ?
Should the State of Israel change its name ?
That is what Jewish — and all religious — schools should be teaching when discussing Washington or Jefferson having slaves .
If we are to dismiss the greatness of two of the founders of the freest country in human history — not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have ever lived in — then we should do likewise to the Jewish patriarchs .
Moses had a fellow Israelite executed for publicly violating the Sabbath .
Should his sculpture be removed from the Supreme Court ?
Will Jewish day schools start dismissing the greatness of all our ancestors ?
If they start doing this to Washington and Jefferson , they should be consistent .
Or should they do what the Torah does ?
While never ignoring the flaws of giants , remember why they were giants .
Will Jewish and Christian schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in secular schools — teach that every society in world history , including African , Native American and Arab societies , all practiced slavery ?
If not , why not ?
Isn ’ t it morally and factually dishonest to teach only about slavery in America ?
What should be taught is that America ’ s and the Western world ’ s uniqueness did not lie in having slaves .
Slavery was universal .
Therefore , the morally serious person asks who abolished slavery , not who practiced it .
But the left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — is not now , nor ever has been , morally serious .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
When you ask the only morally significant question — who abolished slavery ?
— the answer is America and some other Western countries .
And then you should teach the reason : because of Western values rooted in the Bible .
One would think that fact would be central to the curriculum of every Jewish and Christian school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much of contemporary Christianity and Judaism — including Jewish and Christian schools — has been influenced more by the left than by Christianity or Judaism .
If your school cares about truth , it should try to teach all the facts while acknowledging the history of racism and including the history of police racism .
One such fact is that in August 2019 , the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences concluded there is “ no significant evidence of antiblack disparity in the likelihood of being fatally shot by police.
” A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , according to a 2016 Anti-Defamation League survey , “ ‘ anti-Semitic views ’ among black respondents were materially more common than among whites.
” The Washington Post reported two years earlier , “ ‘ entrenched anti-Semitic views ’ are far more common among African Americans and Latinos than among others.
” Indeed , in 1991 , black attacks on Jews in Crown Heights , New York City , were so violent that former Mayor Ed Koch , New York Times ’ executive editor A.M. Rosenthal and others called it a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shapiro wrote it was “ the most serious anti-Semitic incident in American history.
” Will Jewish schools smear American society as “ systemically ” racist while making believe blacks are the only victims ?
One reason this is important is so students will understand that “ all whites are racist ” is as vile a charge as “ all blacks are anti-Semitic.
” Finally , will Jewish and Christian schools teach the central teaching of both faiths — that Adam had no race ?
As the sages put it : “ Why was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first ?
To teach us that … no race or class may claim a nobler ancestry , saying , ‘ Our father was born first . '
” In other words , the Bible ’ s demand is that we be colorblind .
“ There are only two races , ” Viktor Frankl wrote , “ the race of the decent and the race of the indecent.
” No Jewish or Christian parent should send their child to a Jewish or Christian school that teaches otherwise .
Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest book , published by Regnery in May 2019 , is The Rational Bible , a commentary on the book of Genesis .
His film , “ No Safe Spaces , ” came to theaters fall 2019 .
He is the founder of Prager University and may be contacted at dennisprager.com .

Do not follow the majority to do evil. — Exodus 23:2
When I went to yeshiva day schools, America was celebrated. America was regarded, in the description of Menachem Schneerson (the Lubavitcher rebbe), the most influential rabbi of the 20th century, as a “medina shel chesed” — “a country of kindness.”
Medina Shel Chesed
He knew, as all American Jews knew, that there were many anti-Semites in America, that America should have done more for the Jews of Europe, that universities like Harvard limited the number of Jewish students, that prestigious law firms and country clubs barred Jews, etc. So, then, why did he describe America as a country of kindness? Why did my yeshiva in Brooklyn put on plays honoring George Washington? Why did my Orthodox Jewish day school utilize texts not only celebrating America but affirming America as a “melting pot”? Why did a Jew, Irving Berlin, write “God Bless America”?
The primary reason was that these Jews knew what the rest of the world was like. They had the wisdom to compare America with other countries, not, as the foolish, nihilistic left does, to utopia. Compared with the rest of the world, America was — and remains — a medina shel chesed.
Do Not Compare Past and Present
Was it such a country for every one of its citizens? Of course not. At the time Rabbi Schneerson described America as a “country of kindness,” the southern half of America enforced immoral and degrading Jim Crow laws, and racism was common in the North as well. I have noted the anti-Semitism in American life at that time. And gays were often ostracized and degraded.
But the Torah teaches us that we are not to compare the past with the present. That is why Noah, the man God saves from the Flood, is described in Genesis as righteous “in his generations.” If Noah were to be compared with people in later generations, he would be found wanting. Abraham, the man chosen by God to be the father of His People, had a concubine and lied about his wife to save his own life. But only fools — like all those who want to tear down monuments to George Washington and Thomas Jefferson — would dismiss Abraham’s greatness. Jacob, the man God renamed “Israel,” owned slaves. Should Jews cease calling themselves the “children of Israel”? Should the State of Israel change its name?
Be Consistent
That is what Jewish — and all religious — schools should be teaching when discussing Washington or Jefferson having slaves. If we are to dismiss the greatness of two of the founders of the freest country in human history — not to mention the best non-Jewish country Jews have ever lived in — then we should do likewise to the Jewish patriarchs. Moses had a fellow Israelite executed for publicly violating the Sabbath. Should his sculpture be removed from the Supreme Court? Will Jewish day schools start dismissing the greatness of all our ancestors? If they start doing this to Washington and Jefferson, they should be consistent.
Or should they do what the Torah does? While never ignoring the flaws of giants, remember why they were giants.
Teaching About Slavery in Schools
Will Jewish and Christian schools — there is no hope for wisdom in secular schools — teach that every society in world history, including African, Native American and Arab societies, all practiced slavery? If not, why not? Isn’t it morally and factually dishonest to teach only about slavery in America?
What should be taught is that America’s and the Western world’s uniqueness did not lie in having slaves. Slavery was universal. Therefore, the morally serious person asks who abolished slavery, not who practiced it. But the left — as opposed to liberals and conservatives — is not now, nor ever has been, morally serious.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
When you ask the only morally significant question — who abolished slavery? — the answer is America and some other Western countries. And then you should teach the reason: because of Western values rooted in the Bible. One would think that fact would be central to the curriculum of every Jewish and Christian school that takes their religion seriously. But much of contemporary Christianity and Judaism — including Jewish and Christian schools — has been influenced more by the left than by Christianity or Judaism.
If your school cares about truth, it should try to teach all the facts while acknowledging the history of racism and including the history of police racism. One such fact is that in August 2019, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences concluded there is “no significant evidence of antiblack disparity in the likelihood of being fatally shot by police.”
Anti-Semitism in America
A Jewish school might also wish to note that, according to a 2016 Anti-Defamation League survey, “‘anti-Semitic views’ among black respondents were materially more common than among whites.” The Washington Post reported two years earlier, “‘entrenched anti-Semitic views’ are far more common among African Americans and Latinos than among others.”
Indeed, in 1991, black attacks on Jews in Crown Heights, New York City, were so violent that former Mayor Ed Koch, New York Times’ executive editor A.M. Rosenthal and others called it a “pogrom.” Brandeis University historian Edward S. Shapiro wrote it was “the most serious anti-Semitic incident in American history.” Will Jewish schools smear American society as “systemically” racist while making believe blacks are the only victims?
One reason this is important is so students will understand that “all whites are racist” is as vile a charge as “all blacks are anti-Semitic.”
Adam Had No Race
Finally, will Jewish and Christian schools teach the central teaching of both faiths — that Adam had no race? As the sages put it: “Why was only a single specimen of man created first? To teach us that … no race or class may claim a nobler ancestry, saying, ‘Our father was born first.'” In other words, the Bible’s demand is that we be colorblind.
“There are only two races,” Viktor Frankl wrote, “the race of the decent and the race of the indecent.”
No Jewish or Christian parent should send their child to a Jewish or Christian school that teaches otherwise.
Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist. His latest book, published by Regnery in May 2019, is The Rational Bible, a commentary on the book of Genesis. His film, “No Safe Spaces,” came to theaters fall 2019. He is the founder of Prager University and may be contacted at dennisprager.com.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM


thestream--2020-06-16--‘We Have to Find Common Ground’: Trump Signs Police Reform Executive Order

“ Reducing crime and raising standards are not opposite goals , ” President Trump said Tuesday as he signed a new Executive Order promoting police reform .
Speaking from the Rose Garden , Trump said he ’ s aiming to “ deliver a future of safety and security for Americans of every race , religion , color or creed.
” With the Executive Order dubbed “ Safe Policing for Safe Communities ” Trump is calling on police to reach for the “ highest and the strongest professional standards.
” The President strongly defended America ’ s law enforcement officers amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decried the “ defund the police ” madness .
He cited the violent protests as “ radical and dangerous.
” “ Americans know the truth , ” he said .
“ Without police there is chaos .
Without law there is anarchy and without safety there is catastrophe.
” He hopes his reforms will help “ build trust.
” “ Safe Policing for Safe Communities ” will “ help law enforcement build trust and effectively serve the community as our first line of defense here at home , ” the White House said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ components : • Certification and Credentialing .
Credentialing and certification for the nation ’ s police departments will involve such areas of policing as use-of-force standards , deescalation technique training , early warning systems for departments to identify personnel issues , community engagement practices , and so forth .
• Information Sharing .
Create a national database that can track officers with excessive force complaints .
This will help spot bad seeds and keep them from skipping from department to department .
• Mental Health , Homelessness and Addiction .
Promote co-responder programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on responses to non-violent calls involving homelessness , addiction and other mental health issues .
Police departments will be given a financial incentive to support best practices and encourage co-responder programs .
The Daily Caller reports police departments that fail to comply with the first two components will be cut off from $ 1.5 billion in federal grant money .
These best practices include banning chokeholds , unless an officer is targeted by deadly force .
The President wants to move quickly on the idea of partnering police with mental health workers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alex Azar has been ordered to submit a report within 90 days offering recommendations on how social workers could pair with responding officers .
Notice this is not sending social workers out on 911 calls instead of police as some are advocating .
Instead , they roll out in partnership with police .
The Executive Order also calls for legislative action .
And Congress is already on the move .
Sen. Tim Scott is working to craft the Senate GOP ’ s legislation .
The only black Republican senator has been regularly consulting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will reportedly include new restrictions on police chokeholds , greater use of police body cameras , among other provisions .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The House is expected to vote next week on its sweeping proposals .
Though a battle is brewing there between young Antifa-friendly squad members like Rep. Ilhan Omar who wants to defund police departments and older congressmen like Rep. Jim Clyburn , who understands the danger .
The House bill from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holds and create a national database of cops who are repeat offenders .
However , Democrats are also calling for an end to qualified immunity and certain no-knock warrants .
As a “ first step.
” “ We can not settle for anything less than transformative structural change , ” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday .
Still , it looks like a bipartisan reform is possible .
Trump wants to see it , but not at the cost of the safety to Americans of all races .
One Nation , Grieving Together , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garden , Trump met with the loved ones of several impacted by violence .
Trump said these included the families of Ahmaud Arbery , Botham Jean , Antwon Rose , Jemel Roberson , Atatiana Jefferson , Michael Dean , Daris Tarver , Cameron Lamb and Everett Palmer .
You can read the entire Executive Order on Safe Policing for Safe Communities here .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t already , please follow The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

“Reducing crime and raising standards are not opposite goals,” President Trump said Tuesday as he signed a new Executive Order promoting police reform.
Speaking from the Rose Garden, Trump said he’s aiming to “deliver a future of safety and security for Americans of every race, religion, color or creed.” With the Executive Order dubbed “Safe Policing for Safe Communities” Trump is calling on police to reach for the “highest and the strongest professional standards.”
The President strongly defended America’s law enforcement officers amid today’s anti-officer hysteria, and decried the “defund the police” madness. He cited the violent protests as “radical and dangerous.” “Americans know the truth,” he said. “Without police there is chaos. Without law there is anarchy and without safety there is catastrophe.”
He hopes his reforms will help “build trust.”
Safe Policing for Safe Communities
“Safe Policing for Safe Communities” will “help law enforcement build trust and effectively serve the community as our first line of defense here at home,” the White House said. The E.O. has three main components:
Certification and Credentialing. Credentialing and certification for the nation’s police departments will involve such areas of policing as use-of-force standards, deescalation technique training, early warning systems for departments to identify personnel issues, community engagement practices, and so forth. Information Sharing. Create a national database that can track officers with excessive force complaints. This will help spot bad seeds and keep them from skipping from department to department. Mental Health, Homelessness and Addiction. Promote co-responder programs — have mental health experts accompany officers on responses to non-violent calls involving homelessness, addiction and other mental health issues.
Police departments will be given a financial incentive to support best practices and encourage co-responder programs. The Daily Caller reports police departments that fail to comply with the first two components will be cut off from $1.5 billion in federal grant money. These best practices include banning chokeholds, unless an officer is targeted by deadly force.
Moving Quickly on Co-Responders
The President wants to move quickly on the idea of partnering police with mental health workers and other social service professionals. HHS Secretary Alex Azar has been ordered to submit a report within 90 days offering recommendations on how social workers could pair with responding officers. Notice this is not sending social workers out on 911 calls instead of police as some are advocating. Instead, they roll out in partnership with police.
The Executive Order also calls for legislative action. And Congress is already on the move.
Sen. Tim Scott is working to craft the Senate GOP’s legislation. The only black Republican senator has been regularly consulting and advising the president. His package will reportedly include new restrictions on police chokeholds, greater use of police body cameras, among other provisions.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The House is expected to vote next week on its sweeping proposals. Though a battle is brewing there between young Antifa-friendly squad members like Rep. Ilhan Omar who wants to defund police departments and older congressmen like Rep. Jim Clyburn, who understands the danger.
The House bill from Democrats also wants an end to choke holds and create a national database of cops who are repeat offenders. However, Democrats are also calling for an end to qualified immunity and certain no-knock warrants. As a “first step.” “We cannot settle for anything less than transformative structural change,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday.
Still, it looks like a bipartisan reform is possible. Trump wants to see it, but not at the cost of the safety to Americans of all races.
We have to find common ground. But I strongly oppose the radical and dangerous efforts to defend, dismantle and dissolve our police departments, especially now when we achieved the lowest recorded crime rates in recent history.
One Nation, Grieving Together, Healing Together
Before stepping into the Rose Garden, Trump met with the loved ones of several impacted by violence. Trump said these included the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Botham Jean, Antwon Rose, Jemel Roberson, Atatiana Jefferson, Michael Dean, Daris Tarver, Cameron Lamb and Everett Palmer.
“These are incredible people … and it’s so sad. Many of these families lost their loved ones in deadly interactions with police. To all of the hurting families, I want you to know, all Americans mourn by your side. Your loved ones will not have died in vain. We are one nation. We grieve together and we heal together.”
You can read the entire Executive Order on Safe Policing for Safe Communities here.
WATCH THE PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT:
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--2020-06-16--Why Americans Must Stand Up to the Left’s Power Grab

Parts of the movement started by widespread revulsion at the murder of George Floyd have metastasized into a power grab by hard leftists .
Their aim goes beyond dismantling the police — likely to have an early sell-by date — but targets the suppression of such tenets of liberalism as speech and property rights .
Conservatives who want to conserve the republic as it is need to gird up for this battle .
For a brief , ephemeral moment , the country came together in condemnation of Floyd ’ s death in police custody in Minneapolis .
But a crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so those who want to change America root and branch , because they see it as an experiment not worth preserving , sensed an opportunity for their agenda .
Have no illusion : They are seizing the moment .
“ These protesters have begun to create a new movement — one that aims to rework society , ” wrote Sean Collins in Vox on June 4 .
The protests are a reminder , he went on , that “ there is something very wrong with American society , all of it , everywhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want something new.
” You should believe people when they are this direct .
Yes , years of being told by their teachers and professors that America was a hideous creature , an indoctrination that kicked into high gear with the pseudo-historian Howard Zinn and followed by his many copycats , including the current 1619 curriculum by The New York Times , has not stayed behind ivied walls or state campuses .
They were never meant to .
The leftist ideologues indoctrinated youth because they knew they would get compliant adults .
Think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of Animal Farm and then , unexpectedly later on in the book , unleashing them on Snowy once they were grown up .
George Orwell , the author of Animal Farm , also wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four , in which he said : “ The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect.
” Orwell was warning us of this totalitarian attempt to control the meaning of words .
But 1960s radical organizer Saul Alinsky embraced this tactic .
To win the cultural battles , you must take control of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be surprised that the first victories of the new power grab have come in newsrooms .
Two editors at large city newspapers , The New York Times and The Philadelphia Inquirer , have been fired .
In the case of the first , it was because he ran an op-ed by a sitting U.S. senator , Tom Cotton of Arkansas , advocating a view endorsed by almost 60 % of Americans .
In the case of the second , the editor ran a headline that read , “ Buildings Matter , Too.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ came at the instigation of the news-side staff , who told editors and owners cowed by the riots that such views no longer were permitted in the new America .
Katie Kingsbury , the new acting op-ed editor at the Times , told staff : “ Anyone who sees any piece of Opinion journalism , headlines , social posts , photos — you name it — that gives you the slightest pause , please call or text me immediately.
” Writing in the opinion pages of The Wall Street Journal , a paper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t allowed to dictate terms of surrender to the editorial side , Dan Henninger says : This renunciation of journalistic objectivity has been openly embraced by reporters , editors , and deans of journalism schools .
Nikole Hannah-Jones , creator of the Times ’ mendacious 1619 Project — another Zinnian-styled effort meant to make Americans dislike the Founding — went on NPR and denounced the very possibility of objectivity .
“ All journalism is activism , ” she proclaimed .
Hannah-Jones , incidentally , also has been leading the crusade against property rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroying property , which can be replaced , is not violence.
” She ’ s not alone .
That vile view is now what is acceptable at The New York Times and throughout American journalism .
The Times is Hannah-Jones ’ paper now .
One of the aims of the language power grab is to make it impossible for conservatives to openly discuss their policy remedies to the ills besetting society , such as emphasizing civic equality , equal protection under the law , economic growth , and education equality through choice .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools teach what is known as the success sequence — the idea that if someone graduates high school , gets a job , marries , and then has kids , they are highly unlikely to become poor .
But to say this now falls under the heading of “ blaming the victim , ” a form of racism , according to the “ Pyramid of White Supremacy ” taught to our children .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-conservatives such as law professor Jonathan Turley , are coming round to the view that this is a moment not unlike those we saw in the French terror of 1793-94 , or the Maoist Cultural Revolution of 1966-76 .
“ The atmosphere is strikingly similar for those familiar with history and specifically the course of the French Revolution , ” Turley writes .
“ Welcome to the French Revolution 2.0.
” Perhaps because of my years in Asia as an American journalist , I see Maoism in today ’ s ritualized self-criticisms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees had to offer an abject apology , complete with “ I statements ” such as “ I am an ally , ” for having the temerity to say he would not stand for disrespecting Old Glory .
Cotton said on the floor of the Senate this week that “ the cancel culture , whether in its Maoist or Jacobin forms , ultimately is animated by a single idea : that America , at its core , is fundamentally irredeemable and wicked.
” Either way , conservatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The writer Rod Dreher warns : “ We are going to come out of this long , hot , miserable summer with the progressive ruling class with much more confidence in its own righteousness , and much more willing to clamp down on dissent from its ‘ social justice ’ gospel .
We have to get ready for it .
We have no time to lose .
”

Parts of the movement started by widespread revulsion at the murder of George Floyd have metastasized into a power grab by hard leftists.
Their aim goes beyond dismantling the police — likely to have an early sell-by date — but targets the suppression of such tenets of liberalism as speech and property rights.
Conservatives who want to conserve the republic as it is need to gird up for this battle.
Seizing the Moment
For a brief, ephemeral moment, the country came together in condemnation of Floyd’s death in police custody in Minneapolis. But a crisis is a terrible thing to waste, so those who want to change America root and branch, because they see it as an experiment not worth preserving, sensed an opportunity for their agenda.
Have no illusion: They are seizing the moment.
“These protesters have begun to create a new movement — one that aims to rework society,” wrote Sean Collins in Vox on June 4. The protests are a reminder, he went on, that “there is something very wrong with American society, all of it, everywhere, and that people across the nation want something new.”
You should believe people when they are this direct.
Indoctrinating the Youth
Yes, years of being told by their teachers and professors that America was a hideous creature, an indoctrination that kicked into high gear with the pseudo-historian Howard Zinn and followed by his many copycats, including the current 1619 curriculum by The New York Times, has not stayed behind ivied walls or state campuses.
They were never meant to. The leftist ideologues indoctrinated youth because they knew they would get compliant adults. Think Napoleon’s kidnapping the puppies at the start of Animal Farm and then, unexpectedly later on in the book, unleashing them on Snowy once they were grown up.
George Orwell, the author of Animal Farm, also wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four, in which he said: “The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect.”
Orwell was warning us of this totalitarian attempt to control the meaning of words. But 1960s radical organizer Saul Alinsky embraced this tactic. To win the cultural battles, you must take control of the language. That is why we should not be surprised that the first victories of the new power grab have come in newsrooms.
The Silencing of Journalism
Two editors at large city newspapers, The New York Times and The Philadelphia Inquirer, have been fired. In the case of the first, it was because he ran an op-ed by a sitting U.S. senator, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, advocating a view endorsed by almost 60% of Americans. In the case of the second, the editor ran a headline that read, “Buildings Matter, Too.”
These firings, mind you, came at the instigation of the news-side staff, who told editors and owners cowed by the riots that such views no longer were permitted in the new America.
Katie Kingsbury, the new acting op-ed editor at the Times, told staff: “Anyone who sees any piece of Opinion journalism, headlines, social posts, photos — you name it — that gives you the slightest pause, please call or text me immediately.”
Writing in the opinion pages of The Wall Street Journal, a paper where the news side still isn’t allowed to dictate terms of surrender to the editorial side, Dan Henninger says:
It is impossible not to recognize the irony of these events. The silencers aren’t campus protesters but professional journalists, a class of American workers who for nearly 250 years have had a constitutionally protected and court-enforced ability to say just about anything they want.
This renunciation of journalistic objectivity has been openly embraced by reporters, editors, and deans of journalism schools.
Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of the Times’ mendacious 1619 Project — another Zinnian-styled effort meant to make Americans dislike the Founding — went on NPR and denounced the very possibility of objectivity. “All journalism is activism,” she proclaimed.
Hannah-Jones, incidentally, also has been leading the crusade against property rights, saying in an interview that “destroying property, which can be replaced, is not violence.”
She’s not alone. That vile view is now what is acceptable at The New York Times and throughout American journalism. The Times is Hannah-Jones’ paper now.
The Silencing of Conservatives
One of the aims of the language power grab is to make it impossible for conservatives to openly discuss their policy remedies to the ills besetting society, such as emphasizing civic equality, equal protection under the law, economic growth, and education equality through choice.
Take for example having public and private schools teach what is known as the success sequence — the idea that if someone graduates high school, gets a job, marries, and then has kids, they are highly unlikely to become poor.
But to say this now falls under the heading of “blaming the victim,” a form of racism, according to the “Pyramid of White Supremacy” taught to our children.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Many conservatives, and even non-conservatives such as law professor Jonathan Turley, are coming round to the view that this is a moment not unlike those we saw in the French terror of 1793-94, or the Maoist Cultural Revolution of 1966-76.
“The atmosphere is strikingly similar for those familiar with history and specifically the course of the French Revolution,” Turley writes. “Welcome to the French Revolution 2.0.”
Perhaps because of my years in Asia as an American journalist, I see Maoism in today’s ritualized self-criticisms, struggle sessions, and modern-day Red Guards.
Be Prepared
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees had to offer an abject apology, complete with “I statements” such as “I am an ally,” for having the temerity to say he would not stand for disrespecting Old Glory.
Cotton said on the floor of the Senate this week that “the cancel culture, whether in its Maoist or Jacobin forms, ultimately is animated by a single idea: that America, at its core, is fundamentally irredeemable and wicked.”
Either way, conservatives better be prepared for much worse.
The writer Rod Dreher warns: “We are going to come out of this long, hot, miserable summer with the progressive ruling class with much more confidence in its own righteousness, and much more willing to clamp down on dissent from its ‘social justice’ gospel. We have to get ready for it. We have no time to lose.”
We don’t.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Signal


thestream--2020-06-16--Yep, I’m ‘Gay’ Now. And You Ought to Be Too.

Just this weekend , I reviewed Robert Reilly ’ s brilliant new book .
In it , he shows how the corruption of language destroys all hopes for genuine freedom .
Philosophical “ nominalism ” asserts that nothing has any essence or purpose .
No words have any fixed meaning reflecting eternal truths or even shared , common natures ( such as “ humanity ” or “ catness ” ) .
Words are simply tags we apply to individual things , like a clerk wielding a price gun .
We don ’ t use words to reflect any kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want .
You know , as chimps signal each other or wolves emit barks and howls .
We “ price ” things as we will , in order to sell people on what we ’ re peddling .
That ’ s how the U.S. Supreme Court used “ liberty ” in Planned Parenthood v. Casey .
That is , as an empty vessel , for the court to fill with the political outcome it wished for .
( Legal abortion , forever ) .
The court claimed that “ liberty ” actually meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morality just like a price gun — sticking whatever tag we think will prove most profitable on everything in the universe .
And on June 15 , the current Supreme Court performed the same operation on “ sex.
” It snipped off its real world meaning and biological function , and redefined the word to produce … the political outcome it wished for .
Six out of the nine justices agreed , including “ conservative ” appointees John Roberts and Neil Gorsuch .
They ruled that the Civil Rights Act outlaws discrimination against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that law has the word “ sex ” in it .
No , seriously .
It was bad enough that the Congress outla wed sex discrimination in 1964 .
That provision , adding “ sex ” to “ race , ” went in as a poison pill from segregationists hoping to kill the law .
That ’ s because most Americans knew that treating men and women exactly the same , and enforcing that by law , is absurd .
But Congress decided that the poison pill seemed tasty , and bit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It eventually forced most moms out into the work force — and their kids into daycare .
The federal government ought not to be in the business of micromanaging private associations and contracts .
Only one thing justified an intrusion on liberty such as the Civil Rights Act .
We needed to make reparations for past , atrocious actions by the government itself .
To atone for the crime of slavery , and the state-imposed injustices of Jim Crow laws .
So enforcing non-discrimination logically ought to have only applied to groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In other words , descendants of slavery and Native Americans .
Those two groups should have gained special protections and advantages .
And nobody else .
Instead , now virtually every group in America except straight white males gets special protections .
( In effect , conservative Christians are also left unprotected . )
Why not just re-purpose old Hindu caste laws , declaring straight white males and orthodox Christians “ untouchables , ” and get it over with ?
That would at least be more honest .
The Congress in 1964 had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities ” or “ imaginary sexual identities ” when it passed the Civil Rights Act .
Laws banned homosexual activity in 49 of 50 states .
No member of Congress suggested the law had such implications .
Till the Obama administration got the bright idea of outflanking an unwilling Congress , no court ever ruled so .
The new Supreme Court ruling is such an instance of sophistry , I really do worry that animal rights activists could get this court majority to apply the 14th Amendment to any mammal .
The argument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notion ” of “ person ” now includes our furry friends .
No More Ladies ’ Rooms or Women ’ s Sports Justice Alito has written a stinging , shocked dissent from this decision .
I won ’ t try to reproduce it .
He shows all the threats to religious liberty and liberty in general posed by this latest torturing of the law .
Every institution , sporting event , rest room or changing room in America will now be open to men who claim to “ be women.
” ( Whatever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Goodbye women ’ s sports .
They ’ re over now , thanks to the final , insane extension of the logic of “ equality , ” applied with no reference to reality or human biology .
Good luck to Christian schools that don ’ t want to make a mockery of their own teachings .
Now they ’ ll have to hire teachers who blatantly , publicly defy the teachings of scripture .
Now Christian scout troops will have to hire cross-dressing scout troop leaders , and fight in court for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t have millions of dollars , I don ’ t recommend it .
But I do have a recommendation .
Let me start by reminding you of the territory we ’ re in now .
If you ’ re a conservative Christian , you now have serious reason to fear for your livelihood .
The nation ’ s highest court has ruled that sexual activities and identities which the bible teaches are evil , are part of the public good .
In other words , faithful churches now stand in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 1980s , when it banned interracial dating .
The entire Christian tradition of sexual morality has just been dumped in the same flaming dumpster as crude racial prejudice .
Will the courts even respect churches ’ liberty to teach the old morality ?
They didn ’ t respect Mormons ’ right to teach and practice polygamy , since that went against “ significant state interests.
” So good luck if your secular employer disciplines or fires you for advocating the gospel , even on your own time , on social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take anti-Christian discrimination seriously , for obvious reasons : Christianity opposes the arbitrary renaming and revaluing of everything in the world just to suit our transient wishes .
With Planned Parenthood v. Casey , the Supreme Court ruled that the American system is based on empty , nihilistic nominalism .
That put it on a collision course with any serious Christian church .
And The Titanic just hit the iceberg .
So I would like to throw you a life preserver .
I can ’ t help Christian employers or organizations — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Expect the Christian baker/florist/wedding planner treatment .
Maybe relocate to Mexico , and smuggle your operatives into the U.S. across our porous borders , to do missionary work .
But I can help Christian employees of secular organizations ( or sold-out Sadducee churches — you know which ones I mean ) .
Here ’ s what to do : Tomorrow , go to your HR representative and inform him/her/zir that you identify as “ gay.
” Make sure that gets written down in your file .
Announce it on social media , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opinion publicly , you do so “ speaking as a gay ” Methodist or Catholic or whatever .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
This will make you a member of America ’ s newest “ protected class , ” immune from discrimination .
It will give you grounds to sue if you are unjustly terminated .
Or do you think that employers will hire private detectives to police your sexual behavior ?
Is there even a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or “ queer ” apart from the same private , arbitrary definitions that let bearded men claim to be women ?
Will courts deny your right to be “ gay ” but not engage in same-sex relations ?
I ’ d like to see courts be forced to legislate from the bench just how much gay sex is the legal minimum .
Can ’ t we insist that celibacy is our “ kink ” ?
If Words Have No Meaning , It ’ s Not a Lie Some will worry that this amounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid unjust persecution aren ’ t sinful lies , any more than killing in self-defense amounts to murder .
But if that doesn ’ t soothe your conscience , remember this : By the logic of Planned Parenthood v. Casey , reaffirmed by this decision , words have no stable meaning .
By “ gay ” you ’ re free to mean … happy , full of joy in the Lord .
Or else you can mean by “ gay ” the following : “ someone who ’ s cheerful and carefree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discrimination.
” Or else that you secretly identify as a potato .
Words mean just what you want them to mean .
That ’ s what it means to be … an American .
( Thank you , Justice Kennedy ! )
We didn ’ t make these rules , but we ’ d better learn how to play by them .
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream , and author or co-author of ten books , including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to @ @

Just this weekend, I reviewed Robert Reilly’s brilliant new book. In it, he shows how the corruption of language destroys all hopes for genuine freedom. Philosophical “nominalism” asserts that nothing has any essence or purpose. No words have any fixed meaning reflecting eternal truths or even shared, common natures (such as “humanity” or “catness”). Words are simply tags we apply to individual things, like a clerk wielding a price gun. We don’t use words to reflect any kind of truth, just to get what we want. You know, as chimps signal each other or wolves emit barks and howls. We “price” things as we will, in order to sell people on what we’re peddling.
That’s how the U.S. Supreme Court used “liberty” in Planned Parenthood v. Casey. That is, as an empty vessel, for the court to fill with the political outcome it wished for. (Legal abortion, forever). The court claimed that “liberty” actually meant the arbitrary “freedom” to treat morality just like a price gun — sticking whatever tag we think will prove most profitable on everything in the universe.
Perverting the Already Overly Broad Civil Rights Act
And on June 15, the current Supreme Court performed the same operation on “sex.” It snipped off its real world meaning and biological function, and redefined the word to produce … the political outcome it wished for. Six out of the nine justices agreed, including “conservative” appointees John Roberts and Neil Gorsuch. They ruled that the Civil Rights Act outlaws discrimination against homosexuals and “transgenders,” because that law has the word “sex” in it. No, seriously.
It was bad enough that the Congress outla wed sex discrimination in 1964. That provision, adding “sex” to “race,” went in as a poison pill from segregationists hoping to kill the law. That’s because most Americans knew that treating men and women exactly the same, and enforcing that by law, is absurd.
But Congress decided that the poison pill seemed tasty, and bit. That helped produce the family-shattering feminist movement. It eventually forced most moms out into the work force — and their kids into daycare.
The federal government ought not to be in the business of micromanaging private associations and contracts.
Only one thing justified an intrusion on liberty such as the Civil Rights Act. We needed to make reparations for past, atrocious actions by the government itself. To atone for the crime of slavery, and the state-imposed injustices of Jim Crow laws. So enforcing non-discrimination logically ought to have only applied to groups that suffered from persistent state injustice. In other words, descendants of slavery and Native Americans. Those two groups should have gained special protections and advantages. And nobody else.
White Straight Males: Untouchables
Instead, now virtually every group in America except straight white males gets special protections. (In effect, conservative Christians are also left unprotected.) Why not just re-purpose old Hindu caste laws, declaring straight white males and orthodox Christians “untouchables,” and get it over with? That would at least be more honest.
Why not just re-purpose old Hindu caste laws, declaring straight white males and orthodox Christians “untouchables,” and get it over with? That would at least be more honest.
The Congress in 1964 had no notion whatsoever of including “sexual activities” or “imaginary sexual identities” when it passed the Civil Rights Act. Laws banned homosexual activity in 49 of 50 states. No member of Congress suggested the law had such implications. Till the Obama administration got the bright idea of outflanking an unwilling Congress, no court ever ruled so.
The new Supreme Court ruling is such an instance of sophistry, I really do worry that animal rights activists could get this court majority to apply the 14th Amendment to any mammal. The argument would simply be that our “evolving notion” of “person” now includes our furry friends.
No More Ladies’ Rooms or Women’s Sports
Justice Alito has written a stinging, shocked dissent from this decision. I won’t try to reproduce it. He shows all the threats to religious liberty and liberty in general posed by this latest torturing of the law. Every institution, sporting event, rest room or changing room in America will now be open to men who claim to “be women.” (Whatever on earth that even means anymore.) Goodbye women’s sports. They’re over now, thanks to the final, insane extension of the logic of “equality,” applied with no reference to reality or human biology.
Good luck to Christian schools that don’t want to make a mockery of their own teachings. Now they’ll have to hire teachers who blatantly, publicly defy the teachings of scripture. Now Christian scout troops will have to hire cross-dressing scout troop leaders, and fight in court for the right to disagree. If you don’t have millions of dollars, I don’t recommend it.
We’re All Bob Jones University Now
But I do have a recommendation. Let me start by reminding you of the territory we’re in now. If you’re a conservative Christian, you now have serious reason to fear for your livelihood. The nation’s highest court has ruled that sexual activities and identities which the bible teaches are evil, are part of the public good. In other words, faithful churches now stand in the same position that Bob Jones University did in the 1980s, when it banned interracial dating.
The entire Christian tradition of sexual morality has just been dumped in the same flaming dumpster as crude racial prejudice. Will the courts even respect churches’ liberty to teach the old morality? They didn’t respect Mormons’ right to teach and practice polygamy, since that went against “significant state interests.”
Caesar Bans the Church Again
So good luck if your secular employer disciplines or fires you for advocating the gospel, even on your own time, on social media. Courts have already proven extremely reluctant to take anti-Christian discrimination seriously, for obvious reasons: Christianity opposes the arbitrary renaming and revaluing of everything in the world just to suit our transient wishes. With Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the Supreme Court ruled that the American system is based on empty, nihilistic nominalism. That put it on a collision course with any serious Christian church. And The Titanic just hit the iceberg.
So I would like to throw you a life preserver. I can’t help Christian employers or organizations — the court just basically banned you. Expect the Christian baker/florist/wedding planner treatment. Maybe relocate to Mexico, and smuggle your operatives into the U.S. across our porous borders, to do missionary work.
Save Your Job: “Come Out” Tomorrow
But I can help Christian employees of secular organizations (or sold-out Sadducee churches — you know which ones I mean). Here’s what to do:
Tomorrow, go to your HR representative and inform him/her/zir that you identify as “gay.” Make sure that gets written down in your file. Announce it on social media, and make sure whenever you offer a religious opinion publicly, you do so “speaking as a gay” Methodist or Catholic or whatever.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
This will make you a member of America’s newest “protected class,” immune from discrimination. It will give you grounds to sue if you are unjustly terminated. Or do you think that employers will hire private detectives to police your sexual behavior?
Is there even a real legal meaning to “gay” or “queer” apart from the same private, arbitrary definitions that let bearded men claim to be women? Will courts deny your right to be “gay” but not engage in same-sex relations? I’d like to see courts be forced to legislate from the bench just how much gay sex is the legal minimum. Can’t we insist that celibacy is our “kink”?
If Words Have No Meaning, It’s Not a Lie
Some will worry that this amounts to lying. But verbal deceits needed to avoid unjust persecution aren’t sinful lies, any more than killing in self-defense amounts to murder. But if that doesn’t soothe your conscience, remember this: By the logic of Planned Parenthood v. Casey, reaffirmed by this decision, words have no stable meaning.
By “gay” you’re free to mean … happy, full of joy in the Lord. Or else you can mean by “gay” the following: “someone who’s cheerful and carefree, because he’s protected from discrimination.” Or else that you secretly identify as a potato. Words mean just what you want them to mean. That’s what it means to be … an American. (Thank you, Justice Kennedy!)
We didn’t make these rules, but we’d better learn how to play by them.
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream, and author or co-author of ten books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism.


thestream--2020-06-16--May Retail Sales Jumped 17.7%, Double the Forecast as States Came Out of a Lockdown-Induced Hibernat

May Retail Sales Jumped 17.7%, Double the Forecast as States Came Out of a Lockdown-Induced Hibernation

Retail sales rebounded in May as states eased coronavirus-induced lockdown measures , allowing retail stores to regain more ground than analysts expected , according to Department of Commerce data .
Retail sales jumped 17.7 % in May , effectively doubling expectations and marking the biggest single-month gain in records going back more than 20 years , according to a Commerce Department report released Tuesday .
A Bloomberg News survey of economists had anticipated 8.4 % increase in retail sales in May as COVID-19-related measures melted away following a 14 % decline in April .
COVID-19 originated in Wuhan , China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , killing a reported 116,000 people in the United States .
Governors and mayors across the United States instituted strict stay-at-home orders to slow the pandemic .
There was also a 44.1 % increase in motor vehicle sales , as well as a 29.1 % jump in restaurant receipts , data show , which account for more than half of the overall increase in retail sales , suggesting the economy is bouncing back faster than anticipated .
Jobs are coming back as well .
Payroll employment rose by 2.5 million in May , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report published June 5 , and the number of unemployed dropped by 2.1 million to a total 21.0 million .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
President Donald Trump touted news of the retail numbers on Twitter Tuesday morning .
“ Wow !
May retail sales show biggest one-month increase of ALL TIME , up 17.7 % .
Far bigger than projected .
Looks like a BIG DAY FOR THE STOCK MARKET , AND JOBS !
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he expects a V-shaped economic recovery , meaning the economy will bounce back to pandemic highs after initially falling off the cliff due to economic lockdowns .
“ The market is up very big .
And I think you ’ re going to have a ‘ V ’ — I think it ’ s going to be terrific , ” the president told reporters in May at the White House .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Retail sales rebounded in May as states eased coronavirus-induced lockdown measures, allowing retail stores to regain more ground than analysts expected, according to Department of Commerce data.
Retail sales jumped 17.7% in May, effectively doubling expectations and marking the biggest single-month gain in records going back more than 20 years, according to a Commerce Department report released Tuesday. A Bloomberg News survey of economists had anticipated 8.4% increase in retail sales in May as COVID-19-related measures melted away following a 14% decline in April.
COVID-19 originated in Wuhan, China, in late December before going global, killing a reported 116,000 people in the United States. Governors and mayors across the United States instituted strict stay-at-home orders to slow the pandemic.
There was also a 44.1% increase in motor vehicle sales, as well as a 29.1% jump in restaurant receipts, data show, which account for more than half of the overall increase in retail sales, suggesting the economy is bouncing back faster than anticipated.
Jobs are coming back as well. Payroll employment rose by 2.5 million in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report published June 5, and the number of unemployed dropped by 2.1 million to a total 21.0 million.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
President Donald Trump touted news of the retail numbers on Twitter Tuesday morning.
“Wow! May retail sales show biggest one-month increase of ALL TIME, up 17.7%. Far bigger than projected. Looks like a BIG DAY FOR THE STOCK MARKET, AND JOBS!” he wrote.
Wow! May retail sales show biggest one-month increase of ALL TIME, up 17.7%. Far bigger than projected. Looks like a BIG DAY FOR THE STOCK MARKET, AND JOBS! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 16, 2020
Trump suggested in May that he expects a V-shaped economic recovery, meaning the economy will bounce back to pandemic highs after initially falling off the cliff due to economic lockdowns.
“The market is up very big. And I think you’re going to have a ‘V’ — I think it’s going to be terrific,” the president told reporters in May at the White House.
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].