thestream--2020-05-01--Iran Threatens the Entire World With Its Secrecy and Mismanagement of COVID-19

The Iranian regime has been grossly mismanaging its coronavirus outbreak since the day the first cases were reported in the country .
It has also been systematically deceiving both its own people and the international community .
It is long past time for the international community to recognize these realities .
The potential consequences extend far beyond Iran ’ s own borders .
It has been clear for more than a month that Iran is the epicenter of outbreaks spanning the entire Middle East region .
COVID-19 cases in Europe and Canada can be traced to Iran as well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbors are doing much better than the country from which their first cases arrived .
Once it was clear that the novel coronavirus had breached their borders , the borders were almost invariably closed .
Quarantines and social distance measures were proactively put into place at a time when Iranian Health Ministry officials were still insisting that these were “ Middle Ages ” strategies that would never be needed .
By the time such measures became inevitable , it was too late .
One coronavirus task force official admitted this month that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half a million people .
But even this seems to dramatically understate the severity of the crisis .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
By some estimates , the total number of cases actually exceeded one million just a few weeks after Iran ’ s coronavirus outbreak was formally acknowledged .
This may seem implausible at first glance , but it reflects the fact that the regime tried to sweep the outbreak under the rug entirely and made no public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month after the first cases emerged .
Those first cases were recorded by the National Emergency Organization in the last week of January .
The relevant documents were obtained and released to the world by the main opposition the Mujahedin-e Khalq ( MEK ) in early April .
In between those first cases being recorded and the regime announcing the first deaths on February 19 , massive gatherings took place in the streets of Tehran to celebrate the anniversary of the 1979 Iranian Revolution .
The parades and festivities are an annual boon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attendance is mandatory for government employees .
There is simply no doubt that the parade became a breeding ground for COVID-19 , which had surely been incubating in local residents for the prior two weeks .
And if this were not bad enough , Iranians throughout the country were given another opportunity to spread the illness far and wide later in February , during the sham parliamentary elections .
Fortunately , turnout for those elections was historically low , in spite of concerted efforts by regime authorities to drum up voter participation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ far more interested in hollow demonstrations of political power than in the public welfare .
Fearing public backlash against a lack of financial or social support from the government , Iranian officials are now pushing the people back to work , in hopes that those who manage to avoid the coronavirus will at least be able to feed themselves .
As to how many will actually be able to avoid it , many statistical models paint a grim picture .
One study by Farhang Radjai of the University of Montpellier and Nicolas Vandewalle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the regime reinstates its inexcusably brief social distancing measures , more than 10 million of Iran ’ s 83 million people could be infected by the end of May .
This in turn would add 60,000 more fatalities over the same period , with still more to come afterwards .
While Tehran claims a death toll of about 6,000 , the MEK says that nearly 38,000 have died .
These are been dutifully covered up by regime authorities in order to obscure the image of their mismanagement .
In many cases , coronavirus-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cardiac arrest , and so on .
But in cases of afflicted prisoners , especially political prisoners , it appears as if some individuals are being quietly removed from their cells to die in absence of public scrutiny .
These phenomena go to show that the scale of the pandemic ’ s impact on Iran may never be truly known until international health experts are able to access the country and perform objective assessments .
That pressure is vital and urgent for all parties that are in a position to help apply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would surely be saving tens of thousands of Iranians , and they would also be helping to prevent the regime from re-infecting the surrounding region or the broader world with a contagion that the mullahs falsely claim to have under control .
Ken Blackwell is the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Commission .
He is Chairman of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems .

The Iranian regime has been grossly mismanaging its coronavirus outbreak since the day the first cases were reported in the country. It has also been systematically deceiving both its own people and the international community. It is long past time for the international community to recognize these realities. The potential consequences extend far beyond Iran’s own borders.
Outbreaks in the Middle East
It has been clear for more than a month that Iran is the epicenter of outbreaks spanning the entire Middle East region. COVID-19 cases in Europe and Canada can be traced to Iran as well. But some of Iran’s immediate neighbors are doing much better than the country from which their first cases arrived. Once it was clear that the novel coronavirus had breached their borders, the borders were almost invariably closed. Quarantines and social distance measures were proactively put into place at a time when Iranian Health Ministry officials were still insisting that these were “Middle Ages” strategies that would never be needed.
By the time such measures became inevitable, it was too late. One coronavirus task force official admitted this month that the infection had likely spread to upwards of half a million people. But even this seems to dramatically understate the severity of the crisis.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
By some estimates, the total number of cases actually exceeded one million just a few weeks after Iran’s coronavirus outbreak was formally acknowledged. This may seem implausible at first glance, but it reflects the fact that the regime tried to sweep the outbreak under the rug entirely and made no public statements about domestic cases until nearly a month after the first cases emerged.
Those first cases were recorded by the National Emergency Organization in the last week of January. The relevant documents were obtained and released to the world by the main opposition the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) in early April.
Parades and Festivities
In between those first cases being recorded and the regime announcing the first deaths on February 19, massive gatherings took place in the streets of Tehran to celebrate the anniversary of the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The parades and festivities are an annual boon to the regime’s propaganda. Attendance is mandatory for government employees.
There is simply no doubt that the parade became a breeding ground for COVID-19, which had surely been incubating in local residents for the prior two weeks. And if this were not bad enough, Iranians throughout the country were given another opportunity to spread the illness far and wide later in February, during the sham parliamentary elections.
Fortunately, turnout for those elections was historically low, in spite of concerted efforts by regime authorities to drum up voter participation. It is clear that the regime was far more interested in hollow demonstrations of political power than in the public welfare.
Fearing public backlash against a lack of financial or social support from the government, Iranian officials are now pushing the people back to work, in hopes that those who manage to avoid the coronavirus will at least be able to feed themselves.
Statistical Models
As to how many will actually be able to avoid it, many statistical models paint a grim picture. One study by Farhang Radjai of the University of Montpellier and Nicolas Vandewalle of University of Liège found that unless the regime reinstates its inexcusably brief social distancing measures, more than 10 million of Iran’s 83 million people could be infected by the end of May. This in turn would add 60,000 more fatalities over the same period, with still more to come afterwards.
While Tehran claims a death toll of about 6,000, the MEK says that nearly 38,000 have died. These are been dutifully covered up by regime authorities in order to obscure the image of their mismanagement.
Objective Assessments Needed
In many cases, coronavirus-related deaths have simply been mislabeled as influenza, cardiac arrest, and so on. But in cases of afflicted prisoners, especially political prisoners, it appears as if some individuals are being quietly removed from their cells to die in absence of public scrutiny.
These phenomena go to show that the scale of the pandemic’s impact on Iran may never be truly known until international health experts are able to access the country and perform objective assessments.
That pressure is vital and urgent for all parties that are in a position to help apply it. By doing so, they would surely be saving tens of thousands of Iranians, and they would also be helping to prevent the regime from re-infecting the surrounding region or the broader world with a contagion that the mullahs falsely claim to have under control.
Ken Blackwell is the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Commission. He is Chairman of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.
CALL TO ACTION: COVID-19 is causing massive disruptions in life. The Stream’s parent organization, LIFE Outreach International, is helping send a first wave of help. LIFE’s local mission partners are already distributing thousands of surgical masks, gloves and other sanitary supplies to first responders, hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, other partners have focused on distributing as many meals as possible to help those who need food. You can help with these efforts. Click here to donate.


thestream--2020-05-01--This Week at War on Coronavirus: Working Together

For all the partisanship and division we see each day on cable news , there is unity and sacrifice across America .
The hard work of our brave men and women in uniform is the focus of The Stream ‘ s weekly look at our military ’ s war on coronavirus .
Wednesday evening in hard-hit New York , National Guard troops were not only working to help the hungry and sick , but pausing to honor doctors , nurses and first responders .
Moments like the one captured below should define America ’ s response to COVID-19 , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political gain .
With more than 45,000 National Guard troops on duty across the nation , their selfless patriotism is not only inspiring , but keeping us healthy and safe .
In Florida , troops are running coronavirus test sites and helping translate for doctors and nurses treating non-English speaking citizens .
In Kentucky , soldiers are helping feed the hungry .
In New Mexico , troops are building and staffing makeshift coronavirus hospitals .
In Hawaii , airmen are delivering masks and other key supplies to hospitals .
In Colorado , soldiers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not about arguing with each other .
It ’ s about freedom , faith and defending the defenseless .
Those ideals are being reinforced every day by the heroes of our country ’ s Armed Forces .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
The brilliant work being performed by soldiers , sailors , airmen , marines and coast guardsmen often results in anxiety and stress .
From being apart from their families to painful assignments like bringing out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tragic toll of this crisis up close .
Military chaplains play a crucial role in helping our troops and their families manage these emotional hardships .
Like we ’ ve seen during the ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq , these men and women of faith are always there for their fellow service members .
“ We have learned very quickly that a pandemic like this engenders a high degree of uncertainty and stress , ” New York National Guard Col .
Rob Mitchell said this week .
“ The chaplains and behavioral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in reducing stress and anxiety in the ranks as well as meeting the ministerial needs at mission sites.
” One of those hard-working chaplains is Army National Guard Lt. Col. Scott Ehler .
“ The ministry teams are on the ground with our service members providing daily support .
Even though we must socially distance ourselves , we are ensuring our service members don ’ t isolate , ” Lt. Col. Ehler said .
“ We are desperately trying to remain spiritually connected and located to the front lines of duty.
” Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spirits of its ranks is by giving stressed out service members some time with service dogs .
I have personally witnessed the positive impact these special animals have on our troops and veterans , as wounded U.S. Navy veteran Brad Snyder explained in our 2016 book , Fire in My Eyes .
The service dogs are making a huge difference for those on the front lines .
“ The amount of stress that the military and medical personnel serving in New York City are going through is extraordinary , ” Puppies Behind Bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
“ The fact that our dogs can provide some comfort makes me prouder than I think I have ever been of them.
” Few service members have been through more over the past six weeks than the command and crew of the USS Theodore Roosevelt .
As pictured above , sailors are now returning to the Guam-docked aircraft carrier after completing 14-day quarantines .
Nearly 1,000 sailors aboard the ship have tested positive for coronavirus , including 41-year-old U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Charles Thacker , who passed away last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service members had tested positive for the coronavirus , according to the Military Times .
As we pray for those infected and their families , the good news is that “ the Defense Department ’ s rate of new COVID-19 cases has slowed to its lowest pace since the beginning of the month , ” the website reports .
Perhaps there is light at the end of the tunnel .
As the men and women of our military continue to serve and sacrifice , the best things we can do are to pray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wonderful group of South Florida children did this week .
They decorated medals to thank National Guard troops , doctors and nurses .
In New York , New Jersey and all over the East Coast , U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force fighter pilots also took to the skies to show America ’ s gratitude for health care workers .
As much of the national media and political establishment tries to further divide America , patriotic tributes like these show that no matter what , they will never tear us apart .
Tom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Stream .
He is co-author of 8 Seconds of Courage , Brothers Forever , Fire in My Eyes and the forthcoming Three Wise Men .
Follow Tom on Twitter @ TSileo and The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

For all the partisanship and division we see each day on cable news, there is unity and sacrifice across America. The hard work of our brave men and women in uniform is the focus of The Stream‘s weekly look at our military’s war on coronavirus.
Wednesday evening in hard-hit New York, National Guard troops were not only working to help the hungry and sick, but pausing to honor doctors, nurses and first responders. Moments like the one captured below should define America’s response to COVID-19, not politicians and pundits exploiting a pandemic for political gain.
Every day at 7 p.m. as the hospitals change shifts, New Yorkers clap for health care workers and hospital staff battling COVID-19. Tonight, we thought we'd join them and cheer for everyone fighting on the front lines against this pandemic. #InThisTogether pic.twitter.com/E0MYl2DXoe — National Guard (@USNationalGuard) April 29, 2020
With more than 45,000 National Guard troops on duty across the nation, their selfless patriotism is not only inspiring, but keeping us healthy and safe. In Florida, troops are running coronavirus test sites and helping translate for doctors and nurses treating non-English speaking citizens.
These @FLGuard members are putting their language skills to good use to support the needs of the community and partner organizations at a walk-up COVID-19 testing site in a community with a significant Haitian-Creole speaking population. #InThisTogether https://t.co/pi7FiLZY4N — National Guard (@USNationalGuard) April 28, 2020
In Kentucky, soldiers are helping feed the hungry.
https://twitter.com/kentuckyguard/status/1255225046303412224?s=20
In New Mexico, troops are building and staffing makeshift coronavirus hospitals.
.@NMNationalGuard Airmen and Soldiers are helping support two alternate care facilities to keep their state from exceeding its medical capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://t.co/FYiXZ9zAkO #InThisTogether — National Guard (@USNationalGuard) April 27, 2020
In Hawaii, airmen are delivering masks and other key supplies to hospitals.
Airmen from the 8th Intelligence Squadron at @JointBasePHH gather supplies for their community amid the #COVID19 pandemic, April 26th, 2020. The food, masks and cleaning supplies will supply more than 1,000 care packages to local Hawaiian families. (courtesy photo) pic.twitter.com/jNmrBxyS8h — Airman Magazine (@AirmanMagazine) April 30, 2020
In Colorado, soldiers are caring for the homeless.
While helping serving food and caring for those experiencing homelessness, two @CONG1860 Soldiers jumped in to assist when they noticed one man struggling to breathe… https://t.co/vPjCch6h3M #InThisTogether — National Guard (@USNationalGuard) April 27, 2020
America is not about arguing with each other. It’s about freedom, faith and defending the defenseless. Those ideals are being reinforced every day by the heroes of our country’s Armed Forces.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The brilliant work being performed by soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guardsmen often results in anxiety and stress. From being apart from their families to painful assignments like bringing out the dead, service members are seeing the tragic toll of this crisis up close.
Military chaplains play a crucial role in helping our troops and their families manage these emotional hardships. Like we’ve seen during the ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, these men and women of faith are always there for their fellow service members.
“We have learned very quickly that a pandemic like this engenders a high degree of uncertainty and stress,” New York National Guard Col. Rob Mitchell said this week. “The chaplains and behavioral health teams are having a notable impact in reducing stress and anxiety in the ranks as well as meeting the ministerial needs at mission sites.”
One of those hard-working chaplains is Army National Guard Lt. Col. Scott Ehler.
“The ministry teams are on the ground with our service members providing daily support. Even though we must socially distance ourselves, we are ensuring our service members don’t isolate,” Lt. Col. Ehler said. “We are desperately trying to remain spiritually connected and located to the front lines of duty.”
Service dogs visited @NationalGuardNY Soldiers, Airmen and active duty and civilian medical providers on duty fighting COVID-19 in New York City to bring smiles and a sense of normalcy. #InThisTogether https://t.co/GDf9zz8Q8t — National Guard (@USNationalGuard) April 30, 2020
Another way the military is helping lift the spirits of its ranks is by giving stressed out service members some time with service dogs. I have personally witnessed the positive impact these special animals have on our troops and veterans, as wounded U.S. Navy veteran Brad Snyder explained in our 2016 book, Fire in My Eyes. The service dogs are making a huge difference for those on the front lines.
“The amount of stress that the military and medical personnel serving in New York City are going through is extraordinary,” Puppies Behind Bars program coordinator Gloria Gilbert Stoga said this week. “The fact that our dogs can provide some comfort makes me prouder than I think I have ever been of them.”
The Navy began moving sailors back aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, sidelined on Guam after nearly a fourth of its 4,000-member crew tested positive for coronavirus. https://t.co/YzMrGf8R6U — Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) April 29, 2020
Few service members have been through more over the past six weeks than the command and crew of the USS Theodore Roosevelt. As pictured above, sailors are now returning to the Guam-docked aircraft carrier after completing 14-day quarantines. Nearly 1,000 sailors aboard the ship have tested positive for coronavirus, including 41-year-old U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Charles Thacker, who passed away last month.
As of Wednesday, 4,359 American service members had tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the Military Times. As we pray for those infected and their families, the good news is that “the Defense Department’s rate of new COVID-19 cases has slowed to its lowest pace since the beginning of the month,” the website reports. Perhaps there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Children from a South Florida hospital decorated medals for our #Guardsmen and our partners at Memorial Healthcare System. Check out the story. #FLNGfightsCOVID #RightReadyRelevant https://t.co/HwHXzroBsL pic.twitter.com/WnJEsybLTy — FloridaNationalGuard (@FLGuard) April 29, 2020
As the men and women of our military continue to serve and sacrifice, the best things we can do are to pray for them and show support like a wonderful group of South Florida children did this week. They decorated medals to thank National Guard troops, doctors and nurses.
My thanks to the @USNavy @BlueAngels and @AFThunderbirds for their flyover yesterday above a number of @NYCHealthSystem locations. Our #HealthCareHeroes enjoyed the salute and appreciate your support. pic.twitter.com/kpuaLnIa5Y — Mitch Katz, MD (@DrKatzNYCHH) April 29, 2020
In New York, New Jersey and all over the East Coast, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force fighter pilots also took to the skies to show America’s gratitude for health care workers. As much of the national media and political establishment tries to further divide America, patriotic tributes like these show that no matter what, they will never tear us apart.
CALL TO ACTION: COVID-19 is causing massive disruptions in life. The Stream’s parent organization, LIFE Outreach International is helping send a first wave of help. LIFE’s local Mission Partners are already distributing thousands of surgical masks, gloves and other sanitary supplies to first responders, hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, other partners have focused on distributing as many meals as possible to help those who need food. You can help with these efforts. Click here to donate.
Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream. He is co-author of 8 Seconds of Courage, Brothers Forever, Fire in My Eyes and the forthcoming Three Wise Men. Follow Tom on Twitter @TSileo and The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-05-01--The Life or Death Question You Should Ask Any Leftist

Are there at least some leftists who really care about people dying of the coronavirus ?
Do our political opponents have enough civic-mindedness or human decency left ?
I mean , once you strip away all the cynical ways they ’ re weaponizing this pandemic , as the Nazis did the Reichstag fire .
That ’ s the life-or-death question .
But they won ’ t answer if you ask bluntly , as I do .
You must employ indirection .
Otherwise they ’ ll tell you something that almost sounds right , until you look closely enough to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yes , of course they want to use the lockdown to attack their least favorite industries , such as fossil fuels .
And yes , they relish the astonishing government control over our individual lives for which this disease has been a pretext .
Churches are closed , abortion clinics are open , and tens of millions of once-working citizens now live from hand to mouth on checks from the feds .
So far , so good .
On the down side , millions of women are at home with their own children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Millions of them might realize that they like it .
That ’ s a danger , and Harvard ’ s ready with a solution : a pre-emptive home-schooling ban .
Look for reps of teachers ’ unions to start swatting timid state legislators over the head with bound copies of “ Harvard ’ s recommendations ” in the next legislative session which actually meets .
Obviously they want to bash President Trump and blame him .
Even if that means exculpating Red China .
The same people who screamed “ Racism !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigrants from some Muslim countries ?
They say not a word about the million-plus Muslims in China ’ s concentration camps .
The reporters who blathered for years about “ Russian collusion ” and “ Russian assets ” ?
They won ’ t mention the Chinese origins of this virus .
( That ’ s xenophobic ! )
Or the Pearl Harbor attack China launched on the world when it locked down Wuhan from the rest of China , but sent the likely infected streaming like bioweapons on flights to the rest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprised when such people blame Trump for fishtank-cleaner deaths ?
Why wouldn ’ t they mindlessly oppose any treatment he even seems to think worth looking into ?
Should we be surprised when they give Democrats a pass for opposing a travel ban , but curse Trump for not locking down the uninfected parts of the country soon enough ?
Watching how the Left has sabotaged our country , and persecuted innocents from Mark Judge to the Covington boys , from General Flynn to Carter Page , I expect no less .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Enough I ’ m not sure it ’ s possible to be sufficiently cynical about the Democratic party , the mainstream media , or the rest of America ’ s power-clutching , corrupt ruling class .
These people support Planned Parenthood selling baby parts in Styrofoam buckets like KFC wings and legs .
Should we put anything past them , unless it requires courage ?
Like the characters in Dostoevsky ’ s novel The Possessed , our Gadarene elites seem driven by dark , unwholesome spirits to gallop straight to the dead bottom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Such thoughts are depressing .
And dangerous .
They might help us give ourselves an unjustified pass on our own pet temptations .
( “ O Lord , I thank you that I am not like these Democrats….
” ) Or goad us toward despair , extremist solutions , or violent actions .
Remember that each of us has his very own personal Screwtape , a case-worker who patiently and dutifully attends to us as well .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do better .
I would like to find people on the left who are actually patriots .
Not just on our country ’ s behalf , but on the behalf of our race ( by which I mean the human ) .
In his timeless book Orthodoxy , G.K. Chesterton calls for us to be patriots of existence .
To plant the flag of loyalty in the solid ground of human life , because it is good .
It ’ s a good thing that we were born .
The universe isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He can not argue , he says , with those who treat all argument as futile — since for these people , existence , and consciousness , and humanity itself are futile too .
Nor can I argue with people who really don ’ t care if the vulnerable die of coronavirus , so long as their deaths further some political agenda .
But I don ’ t want to believe that everyone on the left , backed by half the voters in the country , is really that far gone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ get through the day , if I really believed that .
And I ’ m not sure it ’ s totally fair .
So I have come up with a test .
A simple fact-based question any one of us can pose in an argument , to see if the person we ’ re talking to is already beyond the brink .
I suggest you have it handy , for the next time you encounter someone from the other side of the aisle .
Here ’ s the one clear way I suggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left really think about life and death .
Are you ready ?
“ Should the most vulnerable people in America , the elderly , be intentionally exposed to the virus in their nursing homes ?
” That ’ s what Andrew Cuomo is doing in New York ( along with the governors of California and New Jersey . )
For more , see my appearance on The Eric Metaxas Show : See , that was short and simple .
It cuts through all the nonsense .
It divides the sheep from the goats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as good and death as evil can answer “ Yes.
” No one who answers “ Yes ” deserves another second of our precious time on this earth , which God will ask us to answer for .
We should smile calmly , take off our shoes , and shake off every particle of dust , then walk away .
“ It shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah ” than for them .
( Matt .
10:15 ) People who answer “ Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ?
Those are the people with whom we have something in common .
Citizens we might work with .
Patriots of existence , who are loyal to human life .
The fact that they ’ re right about this is a “ cup of cool water ” that will be remembered on Judgment Day .
Because we agree on this , we can start to talk as fellow men and Americans about the next prudent steps for the president .
I pray that there are more such people on the left than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news .
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 .

Are there at least some leftists who really care about people dying of the coronavirus? Do our political opponents have enough civic-mindedness or human decency left? I mean, once you strip away all the cynical ways they’re weaponizing this pandemic, as the Nazis did the Reichstag fire. That’s the life-or-death question.
But they won’t answer if you ask bluntly, as I do. You must employ indirection. Otherwise they’ll tell you something that almost sounds right, until you look closely enough to see what they’re really after.
Yes, of course they want to use the lockdown to attack their least favorite industries, such as fossil fuels. And yes, they relish the astonishing government control over our individual lives for which this disease has been a pretext. Churches are closed, abortion clinics are open, and tens of millions of once-working citizens now live from hand to mouth on checks from the feds.
So far, so good.
Harvard Hates Your Family
On the down side, millions of women are at home with their own children, some of them even home-schooling them. Millions of them might realize that they like it. That’s a danger, and Harvard’s ready with a solution: a pre-emptive home-schooling ban. Look for reps of teachers’ unions to start swatting timid state legislators over the head with bound copies of “Harvard’s recommendations” in the next legislative session which actually meets.
“O Lord, I thank you that I am not like these Democrats….”
Obviously they want to bash President Trump and blame him. Even if that means exculpating Red China. The same people who screamed “Racism!” when Trump mulled a ban on immigrants from some Muslim countries? They say not a word about the million-plus Muslims in China’s concentration camps. The reporters who blathered for years about “Russian collusion” and “Russian assets”? They won’t mention the Chinese origins of this virus. (That’s xenophobic!) Or the Pearl Harbor attack China launched on the world when it locked down Wuhan from the rest of China, but sent the likely infected streaming like bioweapons on flights to the rest of the world.
Why should we be surprised when such people blame Trump for fishtank-cleaner deaths? Why wouldn’t they mindlessly oppose any treatment he even seems to think worth looking into? Should we be surprised when they give Democrats a pass for opposing a travel ban, but curse Trump for not locking down the uninfected parts of the country soon enough?
Watching how the Left has sabotaged our country, and persecuted innocents from Mark Judge to the Covington boys, from General Flynn to Carter Page, I expect no less.
It Seems You Can’t Be Cynical Enough
I’m not sure it’s possible to be sufficiently cynical about the Democratic party, the mainstream media, or the rest of America’s power-clutching, corrupt ruling class. These people support Planned Parenthood selling baby parts in Styrofoam buckets like KFC wings and legs. Should we put anything past them, unless it requires courage? Like the characters in Dostoevsky’s novel The Possessed, our Gadarene elites seem driven by dark, unwholesome spirits to gallop straight to the dead bottom of their very own slippery slopes.
Such thoughts are depressing. And dangerous. They might help us give ourselves an unjustified pass on our own pet temptations. (“O Lord, I thank you that I am not like these Democrats….”) Or goad us toward despair, extremist solutions, or violent actions. Remember that each of us has his very own personal Screwtape, a case-worker who patiently and dutifully attends to us as well.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Looking for Pro-Human Leftists
So I want to do better. I would like to find people on the left who are actually patriots. Not just on our country’s behalf, but on the behalf of our race (by which I mean the human). In his timeless book Orthodoxy, G.K. Chesterton calls for us to be patriots of existence. To plant the flag of loyalty in the solid ground of human life, because it is good. It’s a good thing that we were born. The universe isn’t some cosmic jail or comic farce. He cannot argue, he says, with those who treat all argument as futile — since for these people, existence, and consciousness, and humanity itself are futile too.
Nor can I argue with people who really don’t care if the vulnerable die of coronavirus, so long as their deaths further some political agenda.
But I don’t want to believe that everyone on the left, backed by half the voters in the country, is really that far gone. I’m not sure I could get through the day, if I really believed that. And I’m not sure it’s totally fair.
So I have come up with a test. A simple fact-based question any one of us can pose in an argument, to see if the person we’re talking to is already beyond the brink. I suggest you have it handy, for the next time you encounter someone from the other side of the aisle. Here’s the one clear way I suggest you find out what people on the left really think about life and death. Are you ready?
The Question Stated Precisely
“Should the most vulnerable people in America, the elderly, be intentionally exposed to the virus in their nursing homes?”
That’s what Andrew Cuomo is doing in New York (along with the governors of California and New Jersey.) For more, see my appearance on The Eric Metaxas Show:
See, that was short and simple. It cuts through all the nonsense. It divides the sheep from the goats. No one who regards human life as good and death as evil can answer “Yes.” No one who answers “Yes” deserves another second of our precious time on this earth, which God will ask us to answer for. We should smile calmly, take off our shoes, and shake off every particle of dust, then walk away. “It shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah” than for them. (Matt. 10:15)
People who answer “Of course not, that’s insane”? Those are the people with whom we have something in common. Citizens we might work with. Patriots of existence, who are loyal to human life. The fact that they’re right about this is a “cup of cool water” that will be remembered on Judgment Day. Because we agree on this, we can start to talk as fellow men and Americans about the next prudent steps for the president.
I pray that there are more such people on the left than seems to me likely, reading the news.
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--2020-05-01--The Great Coronavirus Jailbreak

The Great Coronavirus Jailbreak

In response to the coronavirus epidemic , progressive politicians have begun enacting a policy torn directly from the Bible .
Unfortunately , it has been “ to tell the prisoners they are released ” ( Isaiah 61:1 ) .
The Left has used COVID-19 to press — or sue — for the release of thousands of criminals .
To empty the nation ’ s jails and detention centers .
The future crimes of these recently freed murderers , rapists , and “ non-violent offenders ” ?
That ’ s a new man-made contagion added to Americans ’ collective suffering .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ densely populated areas , such as prisons .
Prisoners , leftists rightly note , are at high risk of infection .
Leftists responded to the crisis with the same policies they advance after every emergency .
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , D-N.Y. , tweeted that officials should respond with “ humanitarian … decarceral policies.
” Ever heard of The Brennan Center for Justice ?
It ’ s a major recipient of George Soros ’ funding .
It asked all 50 governors to “ release as many people as possible from incarceration.
” The ACLU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force a wide-scale prison furlough .
Many officials have responded by staging preemptive jailbreaks .
In Austin — the San Francisco of the Lone Star State — the Travis County jail released hundreds of felons .
Their crimes ranged from aggravated assault and assaulting a peace officer to arson and human sex trafficking .
Even the Trump administration has released about 700 ICE detainees .
The handful of illegal immigrants released in one Massachusetts county alone stand accused of crimes ranging “ from rape to robbery , assault with intent to kill to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ And they are being let out into our communities to basically go free.
” • Police say 26-year-old Joseph Edward Williams murdered a man the day after he and 163 other “ low-level ” offenders were released from a Florida county jail .
• Nine days after he was released from prison for a parole violation , 29-year-old Daniel Vargas was arrested for beating and robbing a 62-year-old man .
• After he paid $ 50 of a $ 500 bond , police say Timothy Singleton beat up his girlfriend and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York authorities at Rikers Island released James Little , police arrested him for a bank robbery .
His third in four months , they say .
Coronavirus shutdown orders reduced crime by keeping victims from going outside .
But the great virus jailbreak threatens to undo these benefits .
In New York City , burglaries are up 37 % and murders have nearly tripled .
With only 10 % of their usual commuters , the number of NYC subway robberies has risen 29 % .
In Seattle , burglaries have spiked , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The nation ’ s law enforcement officers stand firmly against AOC ’ s “ decarceral ” policies .
“ I think people are taking advantage of the situation , ” said NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea .
“ We need to keep violent criminals in jail.
” San Joaquin County , California , Sheriff Pat Withrow agreed .
He said that the ill-advised policy “ really exposes our public here to really the baddest of the bad.
” Yet politicians press forward against the majority of voters ’ wishes , even in deep-blue states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oregon ’ s county jails have been released .
But more than two-thirds of Oregonians oppose releasing inmates .
A full 58 % disapprove of releasing even “ medically fragile ” convicts .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
However , this is not to say that politicians have done nothing to crack down on crime .
They have threatened to seize and “ permanently ” close churches that hold worship services .
They have offered to reward “ snitches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They have threatened anyone who violates quarantine orders with up to five years in prison .
( As William Shatner said in Airplane 2 , “ Irony can be pretty ironic sometimes.
” ) And NYPD Assistant Chief Jeff Maddrey said the boys in blue maintain a laser-like focus … on gun confiscation .
But bona fide criminals get heart-to-heart talks .
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner , a Democrat , has appealed to crooks ’ social conscience .
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio lectured criminals that reoffending would be “ unconscionable.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what makes someone a criminal .
Keeping Criminals in Jail is … ( Wait for It ) ‘ Racist ’ Meanwhile , the Left ’ s thought leaders have moved the Overton Window .
They ’ re telling Americans that keeping murderers and rapists imprisoned is discriminatory .
Probably even “ racist.
” The Washington Post published an op-ed by Fordham Law professor John Pfaff .
Its original title ?
“ Free violent offenders from prison early , too.
” Pfaff argued that refusing to release cop killers , murders , and rapists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor moral choice.
” In fact , it proved Americans are “ viewing certain people , and certain groups of people , as not fully human.
” ( I ’ d be fascinated to learn his views on abortion . )
With a somewhat lighter touch , a New York Times editorial argued , “ No One Deserves to Die of COVID-19 in Jail.
” Indeed , no one deserves to die of COVID-19 anywhere .
No one deserves to get murdered , robbed , raped , kidnapped , molested , carjacked , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take every reasonable measure to limit transmission among prisoners .
That includes enhanced sanitary measures , rotating cafeteria schedules , and , if necessary , lockdowns .
Elected officials should not multiply our national tragedy by compounding a viral plague with a crime spree .
When someone offends against the community , that person loses some of his ( almost invariably his ) rights .
For instance , freedom of movement and association .
Society protects the innocent by quarantining its violent anti-social elements .
Doing so does not deny their humanity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ protects the dignity of their next potential victim .
It pursues justice by punishing illicit behavior .
And it requires no apology .
Thankfully , one leader proves clear-eyed on this issue .
Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott issued a declaration barring such releases .
The ACLU sued , but the Texas Supreme Court sided with Abbott last Thursday .
Their decision serves as a welcome reminder in our maddening times that sometimes , justice prevails .
Rev .
Ben Johnson ( @ therightswriter ) is executive editor of the Acton Institute ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and edits its transatlantic website .
He is an Eastern Orthodox priest and the author of three books .
His views are his own .

In response to the coronavirus epidemic, progressive politicians have begun enacting a policy torn directly from the Bible. Unfortunately, it has been “to tell the prisoners they are released” (Isaiah 61:1).
The Left has used COVID-19 to press — or sue — for the release of thousands of criminals. To empty the nation’s jails and detention centers. The future crimes of these recently freed murderers, rapists, and “non-violent offenders”? That’s a new man-made contagion added to Americans’ collective suffering.
Wide-Scale Prison Furlough
The novel coronavirus spreads most rapidly in densely populated areas, such as prisons. Prisoners, leftists rightly note, are at high risk of infection. Leftists responded to the crisis with the same policies they advance after every emergency. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., tweeted that officials should respond with “humanitarian … decarceral policies.” Ever heard of The Brennan Center for Justice? It’s a major recipient of George Soros’ funding. It asked all 50 governors to “release as many people as possible from incarceration.” The ACLU introduced a series of lawsuits nationwide to force a wide-scale prison furlough.
Many officials have responded by staging preemptive jailbreaks. In Austin — the San Francisco of the Lone Star State — the Travis County jail released hundreds of felons. Their crimes ranged from aggravated assault and assaulting a peace officer to arson and human sex trafficking.
Even the Trump administration has released about 700 ICE detainees. The handful of illegal immigrants released in one Massachusetts county alone stand accused of crimes ranging “from rape to robbery, assault with intent to kill to kidnapping,” said the sheriff. “And they are being let out into our communities to basically go free.”
The Results: Predictable
What happened after?
Police say 26-year-old Joseph Edward Williams murdered a man the day after he and 163 other “low-level” offenders were released from a Florida county jail.
Nine days after he was released from prison for a parole violation, 29-year-old Daniel Vargas was arrested for beating and robbing a 62-year-old man.
After he paid $50 of a $500 bond, police say Timothy Singleton beat up his girlfriend and her grandmother. And
Ten days after New York authorities at Rikers Island released James Little, police arrested him for a bank robbery. His third in four months, they say.
Coronavirus shutdown orders reduced crime by keeping victims from going outside. But the great virus jailbreak threatens to undo these benefits.
In New York City, burglaries are up 37% and murders have nearly tripled. With only 10% of their usual commuters, the number of NYC subway robberies has risen 29%. In Seattle, burglaries have spiked, nearly doubling since the stay-at-home order.
The nation’s law enforcement officers stand firmly against AOC’s “decarceral” policies. “I think people are taking advantage of the situation,” said NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea. “We need to keep violent criminals in jail.” San Joaquin County, California, Sheriff Pat Withrow agreed. He said that the ill-advised policy “really exposes our public here to really the baddest of the bad.”
Politicians Release Prisoners, Threaten Christians
Yet politicians press forward against the majority of voters’ wishes, even in deep-blue states. Almost 45% of inmates in Oregon’s county jails have been released. But more than two-thirds of Oregonians oppose releasing inmates. A full 58% disapprove of releasing even “medically fragile” convicts.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
However, this is not to say that politicians have done nothing to crack down on crime. They have threatened to seize and “permanently” close churches that hold worship services. They have offered to reward “snitches” for spying on their fellow citizens. They have threatened anyone who violates quarantine orders with up to five years in prison. (As William Shatner said in Airplane 2, “Irony can be pretty ironic sometimes.”) And NYPD Assistant Chief Jeff Maddrey said the boys in blue maintain a laser-like focus … on gun confiscation.
But bona fide criminals get heart-to-heart talks. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, a Democrat, has appealed to crooks’ social conscience.
Until the coronavirus is resolved, criminals take a break, OK! Stay home, OK? Stay home. And don’t commit any crimes! And that way, they’ll stay safe and out of jail, and police officers will stay safe and can go home to their families, OK? So everybody chill! Crooks, criminals, you chill! Wait until the coronavirus is over! OK, and then we’ll all be OK!
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio lectured criminals that reoffending would be “unconscionable.” De Blasé-o seems not to grasp what makes someone a criminal.
Keeping Criminals in Jail is … (Wait for It) ‘Racist’
Meanwhile, the Left’s thought leaders have moved the Overton Window. They’re telling Americans that keeping murderers and rapists imprisoned is discriminatory. Probably even “racist.”
The Washington Post published an op-ed by Fordham Law professor John Pfaff. Its original title? “Free violent offenders from prison early, too.” Pfaff argued that refusing to release cop killers, murders, and rapists (his examples) “reflects a poor moral choice.” In fact, it proved Americans are “viewing certain people, and certain groups of people, as not fully human.” (I’d be fascinated to learn his views on abortion.)
With a somewhat lighter touch, a New York Times editorial argued, “No One Deserves to Die of COVID-19 in Jail.”
Indeed, no one deserves to die of COVID-19 anywhere. No one deserves to get murdered, robbed, raped, kidnapped, molested, carjacked, or assaulted, either. Officials should take every reasonable measure to limit transmission among prisoners. That includes enhanced sanitary measures, rotating cafeteria schedules, and, if necessary, lockdowns. Elected officials should not multiply our national tragedy by compounding a viral plague with a crime spree.
Quarantining Violent Criminals
When someone offends against the community, that person loses some of his (almost invariably his) rights. For instance, freedom of movement and association. Society protects the innocent by quarantining its violent anti-social elements. Doing so does not deny their humanity. It affirms their victims’. It protects the dignity of their next potential victim. It pursues justice by punishing illicit behavior. And it requires no apology.
Thankfully, one leader proves clear-eyed on this issue. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a declaration barring such releases. The ACLU sued, but the Texas Supreme Court sided with Abbott last Thursday.
Their decision serves as a welcome reminder in our maddening times that sometimes, justice prevails.
Rev. Ben Johnson (@therightswriter) is executive editor of the Acton Institute‘s flagship publication, Religion & Liberty, and edits its transatlantic website. He is an Eastern Orthodox priest and the author of three books. His views are his own.
CALL TO ACTION: COVID-19 is causing massive disruptions in life. The Stream’s parent organization, LIFE Outreach International, is helping send a first wave of help. LIFE’s local mission partners are already distributing thousands of surgical masks, gloves and other sanitary supplies to first responders, hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, other partners have focused on distributing as many meals as possible to help those who need food. You can help with these efforts. Click here to donate.


thestream--2020-05-01--Governor Newsom Allow Orange County to Open Their Beaches

California governor Gavin Newsom reacted in dismay to images of crowds flocking to Southern California beaches last weekend .
My family and I live an hour away from this beautiful coastline .
I ’ ll admit , after 6 weeks of sheltering in place , the pictures were a bit jarring .
Turns out the photos were deceptive , which I ’ ll get to in a minute .
I get that the governor wants to protect hospitals from being overwhelmed .
He wants to slow the spread of the virus as our capacity for testing and contact tracing ramp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for medical personnel to get more protective personal equipment ( PPE ) .
Newsom was the first governor to issue a state-wide shelter in place order ( March 19 ) .
By many measures , California has been more successful than other states in slowing the spread .
This Wednesday a memo from the governor ’ s office was leaked .
It was a notice to all police chiefs , giving them a heads-up that the governor would be closing all California beaches on May 1st .
While some residents approved , others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who lived nearest to the coast .
Orange County residents were sending e-mails to their leadership that were almost 2:1 in favor of keeping their beaches open .
So Orange County leadership pushed back hard against the promised order .
They pointed out that if people kept practicing social distancing , they should be fine .
In fact , the fresh air , sunlight , and chance to run and swim would yield physical and mental health benefits .
Then , surprisingly , just before his Thursday press conference , Newsom changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orange County beaches .
“ We ’ re gon na do a hard close in that part of the state , just in the O.C .
area , ” Newsom said .
He insisted he never intended to close all the beaches , despite the clear wording in the leaked memo to the police .
The governor prides himself on making decisions based on facts and science .
But to those who were there , the photos from last weekend that made headlines seemed sensationalized .
Camera angles and telephoto lenses made it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of each other .
Orange County officials countered with pictures of their own , showing family groups clearly spread out , honoring common-sense social distancing .
Police officers and lifeguards said that most beach goers were already following social distancing guidelines .
Those who weren ’ t complied with instructions to do so .
The Huntington Beach Police Department commended residents for their good behavior .
That wasn ’ t the only fact Newsom played fast and loose with .
The governor made the point on Wednesday that Orange County has the 4th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What he didn ’ t mention is that , as supervisor Don Wagner pointed out , Orange County has the 3rd highest population .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
The governor would do well to make decisions based on data .
The coronavirus spreads person-to-person by droplets through the air .
The risk is high when people are close , within 2 meters of each other .
But the beach goers were maintaining proper distance .
They were receiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relaxation .
These are crucial to personal health , especially in times of high stress .
Mindful of these realities , counties throughout southern California have recently been reopening parks , tennis courts , golf courses and hiking trails .
Why should the beach be any different ?
Why is the governor responding to a few misleading photos over boots-on-the-ground testimony and real-time , local , aerially documented reality ?
Why is he arbitrarily singling out Orange County for punishment ?
Why did the governor not talk to the Orange County leadership to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before charging ahead ?
Are the condescending scoldings and the targeted beach closures a response to data , rooted in good science ?
Or a response to what Governor Newsom feared were bad optics ?
Maybe the sensationalized crowd photos embarrassed the governor , a rising star and future presidential hopeful .
At least in his own eyes .
Newsom said the beaches need to be closed for the “ same reason we are not reopening arenas with tens of thousands of people — we don ’ t want to have beaches with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But are sports arenas and beaches really comparable ?
At a live concert or baseball game , I sit with people immediately next to , in front of , and behind me .
I ’ ll likely have 10 people within a six-foot radius .
I can ’ t get away from them .
But at a beach , I ’ m only sitting near the folks I came with .
People use blankets and chairs to mark out their personal space .
Even on the busiest days , our family has always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from others .
Yes , social distancing is a common-sense and necessary precaution at this time .
But can ’ t we keep beaches open and still maintain social distance ?
Beaches are much more diffuse than a concert venue or sports arena .
In Orange County , the people have shown they can be trusted to exercise freedom responsibly .
It ’ s their county .
It should be their choice .
I also don ’ t see how it ’ s in the governor ’ s self-interest to go after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s concerned with the welfare of all Californians , right ?
From a moral authority and public trust perspective , it looks capricious to overrule local authority in just one county .
As I write , the beaches in neighboring San Diego County remain open .
How fair is that ?
This pettiness is beneath the dignity of the governor ’ s office .
The governor should walk back his order immediately .
Marni Chediak is a graduate of Stanford University .
Before becoming a mom , she worked in various management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mills .
She has been homeschooling her three children in Southern California for the past nine years .
She is currently a Challenge director in her local Classical Conversations community .

California governor Gavin Newsom reacted in dismay to images of crowds flocking to Southern California beaches last weekend. My family and I live an hour away from this beautiful coastline. I’ll admit, after 6 weeks of sheltering in place, the pictures were a bit jarring.
Turns out the photos were deceptive, which I’ll get to in a minute.
I get that the governor wants to protect hospitals from being overwhelmed. He wants to slow the spread of the virus as our capacity for testing and contact tracing ramp up. He wants to buy time for medical personnel to get more protective personal equipment (PPE). Newsom was the first governor to issue a state-wide shelter in place order (March 19). By many measures, California has been more successful than other states in slowing the spread.
A Statewide Beach Ban … Or Just Orange County?
This Wednesday a memo from the governor’s office was leaked. It was a notice to all police chiefs, giving them a heads-up that the governor would be closing all California beaches on May 1st. While some residents approved, others reacted with anger and shock — particularly those who lived nearest to the coast. Orange County residents were sending e-mails to their leadership that were almost 2:1 in favor of keeping their beaches open.
So Orange County leadership pushed back hard against the promised order. They pointed out that if people kept practicing social distancing, they should be fine. In fact, the fresh air, sunlight, and chance to run and swim would yield physical and mental health benefits.
Camera angles and telephoto lenses made it look like families were stacked on top of each other.
Then, surprisingly, just before his Thursday press conference, Newsom changed course and decided to only shut down Orange County beaches. “We’re gonna do a hard close in that part of the state, just in the O.C. area,” Newsom said. He insisted he never intended to close all the beaches, despite the clear wording in the leaked memo to the police.
Beach Facts
The governor prides himself on making decisions based on facts and science. But to those who were there, the photos from last weekend that made headlines seemed sensationalized. Camera angles and telephoto lenses made it look like families were stacked on top of each other. Orange County officials countered with pictures of their own, showing family groups clearly spread out, honoring common-sense social distancing. Police officers and lifeguards said that most beach goers were already following social distancing guidelines. Those who weren’t complied with instructions to do so. The Huntington Beach Police Department commended residents for their good behavior.
That wasn’t the only fact Newsom played fast and loose with. The governor made the point on Wednesday that Orange County has the 4th highest hospitalization rate in the state. What he didn’t mention is that, as supervisor Don Wagner pointed out, Orange County has the 3rd highest population.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The governor would do well to make decisions based on data. The coronavirus spreads person-to-person by droplets through the air. The risk is high when people are close, within 2 meters of each other. But the beach goers were maintaining proper distance. They were receiving the benefits of sunshine, exercise and relaxation. These are crucial to personal health, especially in times of high stress. Mindful of these realities, counties throughout southern California have recently been reopening parks, tennis courts, golf courses and hiking trails. Why should the beach be any different?
Beachy Thinking
Why is the governor responding to a few misleading photos over boots-on-the-ground testimony and real-time, local, aerially documented reality? Why is he arbitrarily singling out Orange County for punishment? Why did the governor not talk to the Orange County leadership to get a better sense of what happened before charging ahead?
Are the condescending scoldings and the targeted beach closures a response to data, rooted in good science? Or a response to what Governor Newsom feared were bad optics?
Are the condescending scoldings and the targeted beach closures a response to data, rooted in good science? Or a response to what Governor Newsom feared were bad optics? Maybe the sensationalized crowd photos embarrassed the governor, a rising star and future presidential hopeful. At least in his own eyes.
A Better Way
Newsom said the beaches need to be closed for the “same reason we are not reopening arenas with tens of thousands of people — we don’t want to have beaches with tens of thousands of people either.”
But are sports arenas and beaches really comparable? At a live concert or baseball game, I sit with people immediately next to, in front of, and behind me. I’ll likely have 10 people within a six-foot radius. I can’t get away from them. But at a beach, I’m only sitting near the folks I came with. People use blankets and chairs to mark out their personal space. Even on the busiest days, our family has always been at least six to 10 feet away from others.
Yes, social distancing is a common-sense and necessary precaution at this time. But can’t we keep beaches open and still maintain social distance? Beaches are much more diffuse than a concert venue or sports arena. In Orange County, the people have shown they can be trusted to exercise freedom responsibly. It’s their county. It should be their choice.
From a moral authority and public trust perspective, it looks capricious to overrule local authority in just one county.
I also don’t see how it’s in the governor’s self-interest to go after just one county. Presumably, he’s concerned with the welfare of all Californians, right? From a moral authority and public trust perspective, it looks capricious to overrule local authority in just one county. As I write, the beaches in neighboring San Diego County remain open. How fair is that?
This pettiness is beneath the dignity of the governor’s office. The governor should walk back his order immediately.
Marni Chediak is a graduate of Stanford University. Before becoming a mom, she worked in various management positions for AT&T and General Mills. She has been homeschooling her three children in Southern California for the past nine years. She is currently a Challenge director in her local Classical Conversations community.


thestream--2020-05-01--To Anderson Cooper: A Son Deserves His Mother

Isn ’ t it an amazing feeling to be a father ?
To know that the precious little baby that you hold in your arms is , in a real sense , your own flesh and blood ?
That in a unique way , he carries part of you in his very life and soul ?
Yet when I saw the announcement of his birth , I felt sadness more than happiness .
Sadness for him and for you .
Obviously , you don ’ t know me from Adam .
But you ’ re a public figure , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m confident , as a lesser-known public figure , that I speak for many others as well .
Anderson , a boy deserves his mother , yet if I understand your plan correctly , your son will not be raised together by her and by you .
That ’ s what saddens me the most .
Can you imagine what your life would look like today without the influence of your mother ?
Can you imagine Anderson Cooper without Gloria Vanderbilt ?
( Or , can you imagine only knowing her as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? )
Who would you be without your mom ?
Think back to all the memories the two of you share , especially since you lost your dad at the age of 10 .
Think back to the impact your mother had on who you are as a person .
Think back to the tender moments that only a mother and child can experience .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
And then ask yourself this question : Is it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special relationship with his mother that you had with yours ?
Is it fair to deprive him , by your own choice , of having the benefit of a mom and a dad ?
The World ’ s Best Dad Is Not a Mom To be clear , I don ’ t believe that you simply chose to be gay one day .
I don ’ t believe that any more than I “ chose ” to be straight .
And I don ’ t mean that you won ’ t try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devoted dad .
And a caring dad .
But the world ’ s best dad is not a mom ( just as the world ’ s best mom is not a dad ) .
Yet you have made a decision to bring Wyatt Morgan Cooper into the world without a mother , even though he has a mother .
That ’ s because biology is very stubborn , and the way God created us , every human being has a mother and a father and is meant to be nurtured by both .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they love each other , can not produce a child .
It ’ s the same with two women .
But this is not simply a matter of biology .
It ’ s a matter of complementarity .
The mother and the father each bring something unique and special , more unique than the difference between two dads or two moms .
That ’ s because male plus male or female plus female can never equal male plus female .
Wyatt Will Be Separated From His Mother By Your Choice Who would you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gay and made a decision to bring you into the world to be raised by him and a male partner .
Gloria Vanderbilt might have been your biological mother , but she would never have mothered you .
Or who would you be if you had a nanny instead of a mother , again , by the choice of your father ?
And would you feel that your father did what was best for you by bringing you into the world to be deprived of your mother ?
That ’ s the difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman whose husband abandons the family .
She is now a single mom and her kids are deprived of their dad , but not by her choice .
In your case , Wyatt will be separated from birth from his mother by choice , and not his own .
Or will Wyatt simply be told one day , “ That ’ s your mother , ” leaving him to figure out what it all means ?
What is Best for Wyatt Morgan Cooper ?
It was very touching to hear of the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer at the age of 95 .
You said , “ She lived nine more days .
… Being able to spend those nine days and nights with her was a great , great blessing .
They were the most extraordinary days of my life and I ’ m very grateful.
” Anderson , if those 9 days were so precious to you , the culmination of your lifelong relationship with your mother , shouldn ’ t Wyatt have the opportunity to have his mother as well ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ person , and I ’ m not trying to intrude in your life .
And you may simply write me off as a hateful gay basher .
But it is love that compels me to write .
What is best for Wyatt Morgan Cooper ?
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is When the World Stops : Words of Faith , Hope , and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis .
Connect with him on Facebook , @ @ @ @

Dear Anderson,
Isn’t it an amazing feeling to be a father? To know that the precious little baby that you hold in your arms is, in a real sense, your own flesh and blood? That in a unique way, he carries part of you in his very life and soul? Yet when I saw the announcement of his birth, I felt sadness more than happiness. Sadness for him and for you.
Obviously, you don’t know me from Adam. But you’re a public figure, you made a public announcement, and I’m confident, as a lesser-known public figure, that I speak for many others as well.
A Boy Deserves His Mother
Anderson, a boy deserves his mother, yet if I understand your plan correctly, your son will not be raised together by her and by you. That’s what saddens me the most.
Can you imagine what your life would look like today without the influence of your mother? Can you imagine Anderson Cooper without Gloria Vanderbilt? (Or, can you imagine only knowing her as the other half of a biological equation?) Who would you be without your mom?
Think back to all the memories the two of you share, especially since you lost your dad at the age of 10. Think back to the impact your mother had on who you are as a person. Think back to the tender moments that only a mother and child can experience.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
And then ask yourself this question: Is it right that Wyatt will never have the special relationship with his mother that you had with yours? Is it fair to deprive him, by your own choice, of having the benefit of a mom and a dad?
The World’s Best Dad Is Not a Mom
To be clear, I don’t believe that you simply chose to be gay one day. I don’t believe that any more than I “chose” to be straight.
And I don’t mean that you won’t try to be an amazing dad. And a devoted dad. And a caring dad.
But the world’s best dad is not a mom (just as the world’s best mom is not a dad). Yet you have made a decision to bring Wyatt Morgan Cooper into the world without a mother, even though he has a mother.
This is not simply a matter of biology. It’s a matter of complementarity.
That’s because biology is very stubborn, and the way God created us, every human being has a mother and a father and is meant to be nurtured by both.
Two men, no matter how much they love each other, cannot produce a child. It’s the same with two women.
But this is not simply a matter of biology. It’s a matter of complementarity. The mother and the father each bring something unique and special, more unique than the difference between two dads or two moms. That’s because male plus male or female plus female can never equal male plus female.
Wyatt Will Be Separated From His Mother By Your Choice
Who would you be today if your dad had been gay and made a decision to bring you into the world to be raised by him and a male partner. Gloria Vanderbilt might have been your biological mother, but she would never have mothered you.
Or who would you be if you had a nanny instead of a mother, again, by the choice of your father? And would you feel that your father did what was best for you by bringing you into the world to be deprived of your mother?
In your case, Wyatt will be separated from birth from his mother by choice, and not his own.
That’s the difference between your situation and that of a woman whose husband abandons the family. She is now a single mom and her kids are deprived of their dad, but not by her choice.
In your case, Wyatt will be separated from birth from his mother by choice, and not his own. Or will Wyatt simply be told one day, “That’s your mother,” leaving him to figure out what it all means?
What is Best for Wyatt Morgan Cooper?
It was very touching to hear of the time you spent with your mother after she was diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer at the age of 95. You said, “She lived nine more days. … Being able to spend those nine days and nights with her was a great, great blessing. They were the most extraordinary days of my life and I’m very grateful.”
Anderson, if those 9 days were so precious to you, the culmination of your lifelong relationship with your mother, shouldn’t Wyatt have the opportunity to have his mother as well?
In many ways, you are private person, and I’m not trying to intrude in your life. And you may simply write me off as a hateful gay basher.
But it is love that compels me to write. What is best for Wyatt Morgan Cooper?
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is When the World Stops: Words of Faith, Hope, and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-05-01--US Intelligence Community Confirms It’s Examining Whether Coronavirus Accidentally Leaked From Wuhan

US Intelligence Community Confirms It’s Examining Whether Coronavirus Accidentally Leaked From Wuhan Lab

The U.S. intelligence community is seriously examining the possibility that the novel coronavirus could have entered the human population in Wuhan due to a laboratory accident , the Office of the Director of National Intelligence confirmed in a statement Thursday .
“ The [ intelligence community ] will continue to rigorously examine emerging information and intelligence to determine whether the outbreak began through contact with infected animals or if it was the result of an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan , ” the office ’ s statement read .
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the novel coronavirus “ was not manmade or genetically modified , ” a blow to the conspiracy theory that the virus is a Chinese-manufactured bioweapon .
The statement followed multiple news reports from mid-April that the intelligence community was investigating whether the virus , which has infected more than 3 million people worldwide and killed 229,000 , could have been accidentally released from a research lab in Wuhan that was known to be studying bat-based coronaviruses .
Sources briefed on the details of China ’ s early actions on the virus told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a lab in Wuhan as part of China ’ s efforts to demonstrate its ability to identify and combat viruses was greater than that of the United States .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
One source told Fox News the actions of the Chinese government may be the “ costliest government cover-up of all time.
” China ’ s top virologist on bat-borne viruses , Shi Zhengli , told the Scientific American in March that she frantically searched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lab in Wuhan could have been mishandled upon learning of the coronavirus outbreak in the city in late December 2019 .
“ Could they have come from her lab ?
” she recalled thinking , adding that she “ never expected this kind of thing to happen in Wuhan , in central China.
” Shi now adamantly denies that the novel coronavirus could have leaked from her lab in Wuhan .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

The U.S. intelligence community is seriously examining the possibility that the novel coronavirus could have entered the human population in Wuhan due to a laboratory accident, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence confirmed in a statement Thursday.
“The [intelligence community] will continue to rigorously examine emerging information and intelligence to determine whether the outbreak began through contact with infected animals or if it was the result of an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan,” the office’s statement read.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence also said it agrees with the widespread scientific consensus that the novel coronavirus “was not manmade or genetically modified,” a blow to the conspiracy theory that the virus is a Chinese-manufactured bioweapon.
Intelligence Community Statement on Origins of COVID-19 pic.twitter.com/MIPr6LVzU4 — Office of the DNI (@ODNIgov) April 30, 2020
The statement followed multiple news reports from mid-April that the intelligence community was investigating whether the virus, which has infected more than 3 million people worldwide and killed 229,000, could have been accidentally released from a research lab in Wuhan that was known to be studying bat-based coronaviruses.
Sources briefed on the details of China’s early actions on the virus told Fox News that the outbreak likely originated from a lab in Wuhan as part of China’s efforts to demonstrate its ability to identify and combat viruses was greater than that of the United States.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
One source told Fox News the actions of the Chinese government may be the “costliest government cover-up of all time.”
China’s top virologist on bat-borne viruses, Shi Zhengli, told the Scientific American in March that she frantically searched for evidence that any records in her lab in Wuhan could have been mishandled upon learning of the coronavirus outbreak in the city in late December 2019.
“Could they have come from her lab?” she recalled thinking, adding that she “never expected this kind of thing to happen in Wuhan, in central China.”
Shi now adamantly denies that the novel coronavirus could have leaked from her lab in Wuhan.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-05-01--Top House Dem Hakeem Jeffries Breaks With Party, Says Tara Reade’s Biden Allegation ‘Needs to Be Inv

Top House Dem Hakeem Jeffries Breaks With Party, Says Tara Reade’s Biden Allegation ‘Needs to Be Investigated Seriously’

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries broke with his party on Wednesday and said Tara Reade ’ s sexual assault accusation against former Vice President Joe Biden “ needs to be taken seriously.
” Other high-profile Democrats , including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand , have defended Biden against Reade ’ s allegation .
“ It ’ s got to be taken seriously because this is a serious allegation raised by a serious individual and needs to be investigated seriously , ” Jeffries , a fourth-term congressman from New York , said on WNYC .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear from [ Biden ] at some point directly.
” “ I ’ m not really in a position to say what is the appropriate mechanism , although this needs to be taken seriously , ” said Jeffries .
Biden ’ s campaign didn ’ t return a request for comment on Jeffries ’ s remarks , which were first reported by Fox News .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
Five people have corroborated different details of Reade ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Caller News Foundation review of public statements found : her mother , her brother , her close friend , her former neighbor and her former coworker .
Though Biden ’ s campaign has denied Reade ’ s accusation , Biden has yet to personally address the matter .
The former vice president has faced increasing pressure to confront Reade ’ s accusation and release any relevant documents from his Senate archive at the University of Delaware .
The Washington Post editorial board wrote Wednesday that Reade “ deserves to be heard , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deserve to hear from Joe Biden , too.
” Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries broke with his party on Wednesday and said Tara Reade’s sexual assault accusation against former Vice President Joe Biden “needs to be taken seriously.”
Other high-profile Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, have defended Biden against Reade’s allegation.
“It’s got to be taken seriously because this is a serious allegation raised by a serious individual and needs to be investigated seriously,” Jeffries, a fourth-term congressman from New York, said on WNYC. “We’ve probably got to hear from [Biden] at some point directly.”
“I’m not really in a position to say what is the appropriate mechanism, although this needs to be taken seriously,” said Jeffries.
Biden’s campaign didn’t return a request for comment on Jeffries’s remarks, which were first reported by Fox News.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Five people have corroborated different details of Reade’s account against Biden, a Daily Caller News Foundation review of public statements found: her mother, her brother, her close friend, her former neighbor and her former coworker.
Though Biden’s campaign has denied Reade’s accusation, Biden has yet to personally address the matter.
The former vice president has faced increasing pressure to confront Reade’s accusation and release any relevant documents from his Senate archive at the University of Delaware.
The Washington Post editorial board wrote Wednesday that Reade “deserves to be heard, and voters deserve to hear her. They deserve to hear from Joe Biden, too.”
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-05-01--Cosmos TV Series Concludes With a Materialist Origins Myth and Future Heavenly Bliss

Does the Cosmos TV documentary teach myths ?
Yes .
The third series , hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson , concluded recently on the National Geographic Channel with this : Stars make worlds , and a world made life .
And there came a time when heat shot out from the molten heart of this world and it warmed the waters .
And the matter that had rained down from the stars came alive .
And that star stuff became aware .
And that life was sculpted by the earth , and it struggles with the other living things .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one with many branches .
And six times it was almost felled , but still it grows .
And we are but one small branch , one that can not live without its tree .
And slowly we learned to read the book of nature , to learn her laws , to nurture the tree , to become a way for the cosmos to know itself , and to return to the stars .
Tyson ends his summary of cosmic history since the Big Bang with this story focused on earth .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — minus God .
It is a worldview-shaping narrative that awakens the imagination .
That means it is a “ myth ” in the way anthropologists use that word .
It also contains myths in the common sense of “ false parts.
” When connected with earlier Cosmos episodes that give details ( typically without sufficient evidence ) , this narrative answers important questions .
Or it seeks to answer them .
Where did we come from ?
Answer : we are star stuff shaped by the branching tree of evolution , powered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our purpose ?
Answer : to be one of the ways , along with extraterrestrial civilizations , that the universe knows itself through science .
Where are we going ?
Answer : we will become connected with civilizations located around countless other stars .
This will liberate us from terrestrial religions and scientific infancy ( Tyson earlier held a baby to make this point ) .
Six times terrestrial life worked hard to avoid total extinction and succeeded , but in the seventh period we will enter our cosmic rest of extraterrestrial ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
While resting in the lap of ET we will read the Encyclopedia Galactica , Tyson suggests .
This book represents the super-advanced accumulated knowledge of ET life .
This is an idea that Carl Sagan helped transfer from science fiction to “ documentary ” film back in the 1980 Cosmos series .
We ’ ll enjoy heavenly bliss while reading the good book .
That ’ s a key message from the Cosmos franchise .
Seven Wonders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is titled : “ Seven Wonders of the New World.
” In Biblical terms , seven symbolizes completion .
The Cosmos storytellers invented a 2039 New York World ’ s Fair with seven theme park attractions that celebrate cosmic history and life ’ s heroic accomplishments .
The year 2039 would be the centennial of the 1939 New York World ’ s Fair that helped awaken Carl Sagan ’ s scientific-materialist imagination ( also depicted in this final episode ) .
Sagan ’ s legacy grows with each multimillion-dollar retelling .
Such World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it builds upon a certain measure of legitimate science .
There are five widely recognized mass extinction events in our planet ’ s history .
Throw in human-caused global warming as the sixth catastrophe ( allegedly in the making in our own time ) and you have a great recipe for cosmic mythology .
Let ’ s save our Mother Earth in act six and join the extraterrestrial choir of enlightened ETs in the triumphant seventh act .
Hey everyone , make sure you oppose those fanatically religious earth-centered , flat-earth-believing science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Science is our only salvation .
( See my historical analyses of Christianity as being responsible for flat-earth-belief here and unthinking resistance to Copernicanism here .
These are two historical myths ) .
The makers of Cosmos wish to reach your heart with their message .
It ’ s a materialistic imitation of biblical religion .
Mother Nature is god and Tyson is her prophet .
“ Learn her laws , ” he declares , echoing Moses .
Nurture the Tree of Life she has mindlessly created .
Countless times in the series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” imitating Jesus ’ call for disciples .
The grand story is dressed up to look scientific , but at heart it is mostly materialistic mythology .
I see it teetering between atheism and pantheism , as I ’ ve argued in my book Unbelievable .
In the “ Preaching Anti-theism on TV : Cosmos ” chapter of my book I discuss Cosmos 1980 and 2014 .
Cosmos 2020 dishes up more of the same .
Many will swallow it .
Carl Sagan ’ s widow , Ann Druyan , is the key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Cosmos possible .
She had this to say about her team ’ s storytelling : Referring to traditional religions , she finally says in the same interview : “ I think we have a much better story to tell than they do.
” I doubt this even if both were treated as fictional narratives .
Of course the truth or fiction of each story is the subject of the main debate .
There ’ s much more where that came from : It ’ s Unbelievable !
Michael N. Keas is Lecturer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Biola University , a Fellow of the Discovery Institute ’ s Center for Science and Culture , and author of the new ISI book Unbelievable : 7 Myths about the History and Future of Science and Religion .

Does the Cosmos TV documentary teach myths? Yes. The third series, hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson, concluded recently on the National Geographic Channel with this:
Stars make worlds, and a world made life. And there came a time when heat shot out from the molten heart of this world and it warmed the waters. And the matter that had rained down from the stars came alive. And that star stuff became aware. And that life was sculpted by the earth, and it struggles with the other living things. And a great tree grew up, one with many branches. And six times it was almost felled, but still it grows. And we are but one small branch, one that cannot live without its tree. And slowly we learned to read the book of nature, to learn her laws, to nurture the tree, to become a way for the cosmos to know itself, and to return to the stars.
Tyson ends his summary of cosmic history since the Big Bang with this story focused on earth. It sounds like the the book of Genesis — minus God. It is a worldview-shaping narrative that awakens the imagination. That means it is a “myth” in the way anthropologists use that word. It also contains myths in the common sense of “false parts.”
Interpreting the Myth
When connected with earlier Cosmos episodes that give details (typically without sufficient evidence), this narrative answers important questions. Or it seeks to answer them. Where did we come from? Answer: we are star stuff shaped by the branching tree of evolution, powered by unguided material processes. What is our purpose? Answer: to be one of the ways, along with extraterrestrial civilizations, that the universe knows itself through science. Where are we going? Answer: we will become connected with civilizations located around countless other stars.
This will liberate us from terrestrial religions and scientific infancy (Tyson earlier held a baby to make this point). Six times terrestrial life worked hard to avoid total extinction and succeeded, but in the seventh period we will enter our cosmic rest of extraterrestrial (ET) enlightenment.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
While resting in the lap of ET we will read the Encyclopedia Galactica, Tyson suggests. This book represents the super-advanced accumulated knowledge of ET life. This is an idea that Carl Sagan helped transfer from science fiction to “documentary” film back in the 1980 Cosmos series. We’ll enjoy heavenly bliss while reading the good book. That’s a key message from the Cosmos franchise.
Seven Wonders of the New World
The season finale is titled: “Seven Wonders of the New World.” In Biblical terms, seven symbolizes completion. The Cosmos storytellers invented a 2039 New York World’s Fair with seven theme park attractions that celebrate cosmic history and life’s heroic accomplishments. The year 2039 would be the centennial of the 1939 New York World’s Fair that helped awaken Carl Sagan’s scientific-materialist imagination (also depicted in this final episode). Sagan’s legacy grows with each multimillion-dollar retelling.
The makers of Cosmos wish to reach your heart with their message. It’s a materialistic imitation of biblical religion.
Such World’s Fair science-fiction storytelling works well as it builds upon a certain measure of legitimate science. There are five widely recognized mass extinction events in our planet’s history. Throw in human-caused global warming as the sixth catastrophe (allegedly in the making in our own time) and you have a great recipe for cosmic mythology. Let’s save our Mother Earth in act six and join the extraterrestrial choir of enlightened ETs in the triumphant seventh act. Hey everyone, make sure you oppose those fanatically religious earth-centered, flat-earth-believing science deniers who are destined for extinction. Science is our only salvation. (See my historical analyses of Christianity as being responsible for flat-earth-belief here and unthinking resistance to Copernicanism here. These are two historical myths).
The makers of Cosmos wish to reach your heart with their message. It’s a materialistic imitation of biblical religion. Mother Nature is god and Tyson is her prophet. “Learn her laws,” he declares, echoing Moses. Nurture the Tree of Life she has mindlessly created. Countless times in the series Tyson says “Come with me,” imitating Jesus’ call for disciples.
Prophets and Preachers
The grand story is dressed up to look scientific, but at heart it is mostly materialistic mythology. I see it teetering between atheism and pantheism, as I’ve argued in my book Unbelievable. In the “Preaching Anti-theism on TV: Cosmos” chapter of my book I discuss Cosmos 1980 and 2014. Cosmos 2020 dishes up more of the same. Many will swallow it.
Carl Sagan’s widow, Ann Druyan, is the key figure who made the two recent series of Cosmos possible. She had this to say about her team’s storytelling:
Every story that we tell has to satisfy different criteria. … We’re aiming for your brain, your eye, your heart, your senses, your ear … via effects. Everything has to be working together in concert to give you a consummate experience, and to attract you to want to know more.
Referring to traditional religions, she finally says in the same interview: “I think we have a much better story to tell than they do.” I doubt this even if both were treated as fictional narratives. Of course the truth or fiction of each story is the subject of the main debate.
There’s much more where that came from: It’s Unbelievable!
Michael N. Keas is Lecturer in the History and Philosophy of Science at Biola University, a Fellow of the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture, and author of the new ISI book Unbelievable: 7 Myths about the History and Future of Science and Religion.