thestream--2020-07-16--Redskins Bombshell? Rumors and a Perfect Resolution

Editor ’ s Note : The Washington Post story dropped this evening .
15 women are alleging sexual misconduct by former team employees .
Owner Dan Snyder is not accused in this story .
The WaPo story is currently behind a paywall .
Here is an ESPN summary .
First year coach Ron Rivera insisted the team culture will change going forward .
“ Biggest thing is that we have to move forward from this and make sure everybody understands we have policies that we will follow and that we have an open door policy with no retribution , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter works for the team and I sure as h*** am not going to allow any of this !
” Perhaps it ’ s a sign we ’ re getting tired of the violent revolutionaries and the coronavirus .
Just days ago , the Washington Redskins announced they are changing their name to ward off the woke mob ( which included very few Native Americans ) .
Now rumors abound that a huge bombshell is about to rock the team .
And the NFL .
The National ’ s Capital is in frenzied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Washington Post is reportedly going to drop this bombshell Friday .
Local and national sports reporters promise us a doozy .
“ Devastating.
” “ Sickening , ” even .
A former Redskins beat reporter posted on Twitter , “ The warped and toxic culture of the Washington Football Team is about to be exposed in a sickening fashion … again.
” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reports , the FormerSkins have hired high powered Swamp attorney Beth Wilkinson .
Her task ?
To “ review the organization ’ s protocols ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the organization ’ s past culture.
” ( Past culture ?
Sounds like a word fed him by team officials . )
Schefter notes that within the past week front office members Richard Mann III and Alex Santos have left the team .
Also longtime radio play-by-play voice Larry Michael suddenly announced his departure .
He ’ s a longtime pal of owner Daniel Snyder .
( Note : All three are accused of harassment in the Washington Post story . )
For those who don ’ t follow the FormerSkins , head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle of last season .
Longtime team president Bruce Allen was booted too .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
What we also know is under Snyder , the once fabled franchise had crumbled into perpetual dysfunction .
They ’ re Venezuela in shoulder pads .
For example , just last year , perpetual all-pro left tackle Trent Williams revealed how team doctors had misdiagnosed a cancerous brain tumor for years .
The tumor nearly killed him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sleazy tales of sex and drugs .
Those old enough to remember the book and movie North Dallas Forty have some idea .
In that movie , based on author Peter Gent ’ s experiences as a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys , a squeaky clean coach rode herd on the players .
Not here .
The new rumors involve former coach Jay Gruden , too .
More serious rumors center on an allegations made by five former Redskins cheerleaders in 2018 .
They claimed they were “ pimped out ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women told The New York Times the organization required some to pose topless in front of the men .
It sent others out to nightclubs as personal escorts .
“ They weren ’ t putting a gun to our heads , ” one anonymous cheerleader said , “ but it was mandatory for us to go.
” Most of the allegations center around a trip the squad took to Costa Rica in 2013 for a calendar shoot .
The women say some of the 36 cheerleaders were required by cheer squad director Stephanie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing but bodypaint .
And male sponsors and FedEx suite holders looked on .
Jojokian then allegedly ordered nine of the women to accompany the men on dates .
The cheerleaders believe team management “ seemed to condone this.
” Jojokian and the organization denied the charges , with Jokokian insisting the women chose to go with the men .
Another rumored “ bombshell ” is that Snyder bribed NFL refs .
Now the FBI is investigating .
That would be a huge scandal because it threatens the integrity of the game .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a source with the team “ strongly denied ” the allegation .
The source also laughed and said , “ if we did , we need to get our money back.
” True enough , given the team ’ s fortunes the past 20 years .
Of course , given Snyder ’ s abysmal habit of signing useless free agents for insane amounts of money , it ’ d be just like Snyder to pay off refs and get nothing in return .
You think the Patriots would bribe an official and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No way .
The FormerSkins ?
Would be par for the course .
What Would Be Amazing The chaos around the team has team investors spooked .
Schefter is reporting minority owners have hired an investment pro to vet buyers and to sell their stake in the team .
Also , if it proves true Snyder tried bribing officials and condoned cheerleaders being “ pimped out , ” he could be forced to sell .
And every Washington fan will cheer .
But who could buy the team ?
As a longtime Redskins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t it be fun if a Tribal Nation flush with casino cash bought the team ?
And proudly renamed it the Redskins ?
Don ’ t laugh .
It ’ s 2020 .
Stranger things have happened .
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author , with @ JZmirak , of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration .
You can follow him at @ StreamingAl .
And if you aren ’ t already , please follow The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

Editor’s Note: The Washington Post story dropped this evening. 15 women are alleging sexual misconduct by former team employees. Owner Dan Snyder is not accused in this story. The WaPo story is currently behind a paywall. Here is an ESPN summary. First year coach Ron Rivera insisted the team culture will change going forward. “Biggest thing is that we have to move forward from this and make sure everybody understands we have policies that we will follow and that we have an open door policy with no retribution,” Rivera told ESPN. “Plus my daughter works for the team and I sure as h*** am not going to allow any of this!”
Perhaps it’s a sign we’re getting tired of the violent revolutionaries and the coronavirus. Just days ago, the Washington Redskins announced they are changing their name to ward off the woke mob (which included very few Native Americans). Now rumors abound that a huge bombshell is about to rock the team. And the NFL. The National’s Capital is in frenzied, obsessive anticipation.
What We Know
The Washington Post is reportedly going to drop this bombshell Friday. Local and national sports reporters promise us a doozy. “Devastating.” “Sickening,” even. A former Redskins beat reporter posted on Twitter, “The warped and toxic culture of the Washington Football Team is about to be exposed in a sickening fashion … again.”
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reports, the FormerSkins have hired high powered Swamp attorney Beth Wilkinson. Her task? To “review the organization’s protocols” and “do a deep dive into the organization’s past culture.” (Past culture? Sounds like a word fed him by team officials.)
Schefter notes that within the past week front office members Richard Mann III and Alex Santos have left the team. Also longtime radio play-by-play voice Larry Michael suddenly announced his departure. He’s a longtime pal of owner Daniel Snyder. (Note: All three are accused of harassment in the Washington Post story.) For those who don’t follow the FormerSkins, head coach Jay Gruden got fired in the middle of last season. Longtime team president Bruce Allen was booted too.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
What we also know is under Snyder, the once fabled franchise had crumbled into perpetual dysfunction. They’re Venezuela in shoulder pads. For example, just last year, perpetual all-pro left tackle Trent Williams revealed how team doctors had misdiagnosed a cancerous brain tumor for years. The tumor nearly killed him.
What Is Rumored
Most of the rumors involve assorted sleazy tales of sex and drugs. Those old enough to remember the book and movie North Dallas Forty have some idea. In that movie, based on author Peter Gent’s experiences as a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, a squeaky clean coach rode herd on the players. Not here. The new rumors involve former coach Jay Gruden, too.
More serious rumors center on an allegations made by five former Redskins cheerleaders in 2018. They claimed they were “pimped out” to male sponsors and suite holders. The women told The New York Times the organization required some to pose topless in front of the men. It sent others out to nightclubs as personal escorts. “They weren’t putting a gun to our heads,” one anonymous cheerleader said, “but it was mandatory for us to go.”
Most of the allegations center around a trip the squad took to Costa Rica in 2013 for a calendar shoot. The women say some of the 36 cheerleaders were required by cheer squad director Stephanie Jojokian to pose topless. Others donned nothing but bodypaint. And male sponsors and FedEx suite holders looked on. Jojokian then allegedly ordered nine of the women to accompany the men on dates. The cheerleaders believe team management “seemed to condone this.” Jojokian and the organization denied the charges, with Jokokian insisting the women chose to go with the men.
Another rumored “bombshell” is that Snyder bribed NFL refs. Now the FBI is investigating. That would be a huge scandal because it threatens the integrity of the game. However, ESPN’s Schefter says a source with the team “strongly denied” the allegation. The source also laughed and said, “if we did, we need to get our money back.”
In response to the wild internet speculation that members of Washington’s NFL team paid off officials, one source laughed, strongly denied it, and added “if we did, we need to get our money back.” — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 16, 2020
True enough, given the team’s fortunes the past 20 years. Of course, given Snyder’s abysmal habit of signing useless free agents for insane amounts of money, it’d be just like Snyder to pay off refs and get nothing in return. You think the Patriots would bribe an official and not get their money’s worth? No way. The FormerSkins? Would be par for the course.
What Would Be Amazing
The chaos around the team has team investors spooked. Schefter is reporting minority owners have hired an investment pro to vet buyers and to sell their stake in the team. Also, if it proves true Snyder tried bribing officials and condoned cheerleaders being “pimped out,” he could be forced to sell.
And every Washington fan will cheer.
But who could buy the team? As a longtime Redskins fan, I wonder. Wouldn’t it be fun if a Tribal Nation flush with casino cash bought the team? And proudly renamed it the Redskins? Don’t laugh. It’s 2020. Stranger things have happened.
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author, with @JZmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl. And if you aren’t already, please follow The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-07-16--‘Give Me Only My Daily Bread’: This Ancient Prayer Has Answers for Today

“ Applying the prayer of Agur to the coronavirus crisis is about finding the sweet spot , ” said Jay Payleitner .
“ You ’ ve got to stay safe .
But you ’ ve also got to be productive.
” In Proverbs 30 , the prophet Agur prays : “ Give me neither poverty nor riches , but give me only my daily bread.
” A scribe and contemporary of King Solomon , Agur ( rhymes with “ bagger ” ) wrote an entire chapter that gives context to this probing petition to God .
Payleitner , author of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 in The Prayer of Agur .
In a phone interview from his home near Chicago , he shares why this ancient wisdom is relevant .
Payleitner also grapples with the prosperity gospel and offers a practical model for personal prayer .
When you first read this chapter in Proverbs , what about the prayer of Agur stood out ?
Jay Payleitner : This theme of contentment and the phrase “ finding your sweet spot ” is something God spoke to me when studying it .
It ’ s about trusting God ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your purpose .
In the Lord ’ s Prayer , we pray , ‘ Give us this day our daily bread.
’ Here Agur prays , ‘ Give me only my daily bread.
’ That gives a different spin on it and looks at it from a new angle .
Consider the scene in Exodus 16 of the Israelites in the desert .
When they went out every morning , God provided daily manna from heaven .
( They still griped about it — which is ridiculous when they were getting free food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than they needed for the day , it would spoil anyways .
So if you ’ re grabbing on to more than you need , it ’ s going to somehow spoil .
If you ’ re grabbing on to a bigger house or to more stuff , it ’ s going to spoil you or a thief may come in and rob you .
You may lie in bed at night worrying about your investments and whether your Porsche got scratched .
On the flip side , having less than you need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to live an abundant life .
Either way , you ’ re not living in peace .
Living in God ’ s sweet spot is about pursuing exactly what God has called you to do .
What that looks like differs for each person .
You are going to be able to launch from there into great things .
Many people have had their lives , health , and jobs affected by COVID-19 .
Does this prayer speak to the current crisis ?
Payleitner : The message here is about having a long-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take care of us .
Look at how our leaders are being pulled right now , as they consider reopening schools .
We need to educate our kids .
But we ’ ve got to keep them safe .
Because if kids are getting ill , that ’ s not an acceptable outcome .
Social unrest has been sparked by the killing of George Floyd and other African Americans .
Whoever we are , whatever color our skin is , this is a moment to dig deep .
We should ask : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I change ?
But we also need to look out and see how our actions affect the rest of the community .
There ’ s a way to protest but be respectful and safe about it .
We can acknowledge how far we ’ ve come , and admit there ’ s still work to do .
In this economic crunch we ’ re in , we also have to find balance .
Your business may have to cut back on budgets .
But we ’ ve also got to keep hustling .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ while also allowing other to serve us .
This book will show up next to another one about an obscure biblical character , The Prayer of Jabez .
How would you compare and contrast this prayer with that one ?
Payleitner : I ’ m hoping that God uses this book in a similar way , though it ’ s not likely to sell nine million copies !
The prayer of Jabez is him asking God , “ Oh , that you would bless me and enlarge my territory.
” That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ careers .
The heart of it is : “ God , I ’ m trusting you to equip me .
Would you challenge me to do great things in your name , and give you the glory ?
” It ’ s gotten a bit of a bad rap in some Christian circles , because they think it ’ s all about , “ Just believe and receive.
” I don ’ t think it was written as a prosperity gospel kind of thing .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Moral Issues of Our Day .
We all have Bible verses that we hang on our walls or in our kids ’ bedrooms .
Too often , we take those out of context .
For instance , Philippians chapter four , verse 13 reads : “ I can do all things through him who gives me strength.
” But that oft-quoted verse takes on an even greater relevance when you consider how the secret source of that strength is described in verse 12 .
Paul says there : “ I have learned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation , whether well-fed or hungry , whether in plenty or in want.
” In other words , finding contentment is what leads to the point where you can do all things through him who gives you strength .
That ’ s what Agur is praying .
“ God , don ’ t make me too wealthy .
Don ’ t give me too little .
Make me who you want me to be .
Fill my cup exactly to the right amount.
” Then I have the confidence to go out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glory .
You mentioned the prosperity gospel , an ideology which concerns many believers today .
In what ways does this chapter of Proverbs reflect on that set of beliefs ?
Payleitner : Each person approaches the gospel — seeking God in repentance — from a different place .
If you ’ re uncomfortable and hurting , if you go to God , I believe he ’ s going to bring you comfort .
But if you ’ re living comfortably , God is probably going to make you uncomfortable .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you uncomfortable so that you go out and leave your comfort zone .
This parallels the prayer of Agur .
If money is what drives me , I ’ m going to dishonor God in pursuing wealth .
But we also see wealthy people who are authentic Christians .
They use their gifts and talents to hire people , supply other people ’ s needs , and give to worthy causes .
Remember it ’ s not money , but the love of money that is the root of all evil .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want a bigger bank account and that ’ s your motivation ?
Yeah , you ’ re asking for trouble .
That is no place to live .
In Luke 18 , Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell everything and give to the poor .
Does that mean we all have to do that ?
I don ’ t think so .
His weakness was money .
Christ said to him : “ I know you , my son .
You know your problem is materialism .
So you ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agur ’ s prayer doesn ’ t just apply to finances .
Perhaps you are drawn to Christ because you are broken , whether physically , emotionally , or spiritually , or living without purpose .
You pray , “ I don ’ t know what to do .
God , will you save me ?
” He is going to come and fill you .
In one sense , that broken person looking for prosperity finds it the moment he turns to the God revealed in the Gospels .
How has prayer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message shifted how you pray ?
Payleitner : I ’ m not what you might call a prayer warrior , but there have definitely been times when answered prayer has blown me away .
My first job out of college was selling photocopiers — and I was terrible at it !
We had two little boys at home .
Alongside friends in a small group , my wife and I were learning about prayer .
Two truths were to be specific in prayer , and that God answers every prayer .
That summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boys .
“ Dear God , get Dad a job in advertising in July.
” We prayed that every night .
I put a sample book together of ads , and I walked around to different ad agencies in Chicago .
I prayed before I would walk into each one .
I recall how , after a long month , I dropped off my sample book at one agency .
They interviewed me on a Friday and I had a job on Monday !
The day I got that job was on August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of humor , had answered our prayer not exactly but a day late .
As to why the prayer of Agur is so valuable , we ’ ve all heard the ACTS mnemonic .
It stands for Adoration , Confession , Thanksgiving , and Supplication .
Most of us spend way too much time in that last category , asking for stuff .
But if we ’ re trusting God for exactly what we need — no more , no less — then we can spend more time in the other three areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who He is ( adoration ) .
In confession , I acknowledge my brokenness and need for Him .
Thanksgiving means counting my blessings .
In God ’ s sweet spot , supplication can then be more others-focused .
We are free to pray unselfishly for those who are hurting and for God to intervene in the issues facing our world today .
But be warned !
Don ’ t be surprised when that leads to doors opening for each of us to be part of the solution .
Learn more about The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s interview below with author Jay Payleitner .
The interview has been lightly edited for length .
Stream contributor Josh M. Shepherd covers culture , faith , and public policy issues for media outlets including The Federalist .
Find him on Twitter and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

“Applying the prayer of Agur to the coronavirus crisis is about finding the sweet spot,” said Jay Payleitner. “You’ve got to stay safe. But you’ve also got to be productive.”
In Proverbs 30, the prophet Agur prays: “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.” A scribe and contemporary of King Solomon, Agur (rhymes with “bagger”) wrote an entire chapter that gives context to this probing petition to God.
Payleitner, author of over 30 Christian books, unpacks Proverbs 30 in The Prayer of Agur. In a phone interview from his home near Chicago, he shares why this ancient wisdom is relevant. Payleitner also grapples with the prosperity gospel and offers a practical model for personal prayer.
My Daily Bread
When you first read this chapter in Proverbs, what about the prayer of Agur stood out?
Jay Payleitner: This theme of contentment and the phrase “finding your sweet spot” is something God spoke to me when studying it. It’s about trusting God’s provision so you can ultimately find your purpose.
In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray, ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’ Here Agur prays, ‘Give me only my daily bread.’ That gives a different spin on it and looks at it from a new angle.
Consider the scene in Exodus 16 of the Israelites in the desert. When they went out every morning, God provided daily manna from heaven. (They still griped about it — which is ridiculous when they were getting free food!) But if they took more than they needed for the day, it would spoil anyways.
So if you’re grabbing on to more than you need, it’s going to somehow spoil. If you’re grabbing on to a bigger house or to more stuff, it’s going to spoil you or a thief may come in and rob you. You may lie in bed at night worrying about your investments and whether your Porsche got scratched.
On the flip side, having less than you need means you’re not fully equipped to live an abundant life. Either way, you’re not living in peace. Living in God’s sweet spot is about pursuing exactly what God has called you to do. What that looks like differs for each person. You are going to be able to launch from there into great things.
Peace in Crisis
Many people have had their lives, health, and jobs affected by COVID-19. Does this prayer speak to the current crisis?
Payleitner: The message here is about having a long-term view and trusting that God is going to take care of us.
Look at how our leaders are being pulled right now, as they consider reopening schools. We need to educate our kids. But we’ve got to keep them safe. Because if kids are getting ill, that’s not an acceptable outcome.
“This book is about trusting God’s provision so you can ultimately find your purpose.”
Social unrest has been sparked by the killing of George Floyd and other African Americans. Whoever we are, whatever color our skin is, this is a moment to dig deep.
We should ask: What does this mean? How should I change? But we also need to look out and see how our actions affect the rest of the community. There’s a way to protest but be respectful and safe about it. We can acknowledge how far we’ve come, and admit there’s still work to do.
In this economic crunch we’re in, we also have to find balance. Your business may have to cut back on budgets. But we’ve also got to keep hustling. This is a time to serve others while also allowing other to serve us.
Sweet Spot
This book will show up next to another one about an obscure biblical character, The Prayer of Jabez. How would you compare and contrast this prayer with that one?
Payleitner: I’m hoping that God uses this book in a similar way, though it’s not likely to sell nine million copies! The prayer of Jabez is him asking God, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory.” That’s not necessarily about big dollars or big careers.
The heart of it is: “God, I’m trusting you to equip me. Would you challenge me to do great things in your name, and give you the glory?” It’s gotten a bit of a bad rap in some Christian circles, because they think it’s all about, “Just believe and receive.” I don’t think it was written as a prosperity gospel kind of thing.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
We all have Bible verses that we hang on our walls or in our kids’ bedrooms. Too often, we take those out of context. For instance, Philippians chapter four, verse 13 reads: “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.”
But that oft-quoted verse takes on an even greater relevance when you consider how the secret source of that strength is described in verse 12. Paul says there: “I have learned the secret of being content in every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether in plenty or in want.”
In other words, finding contentment is what leads to the point where you can do all things through him who gives you strength.
That’s what Agur is praying. “God, don’t make me too wealthy. Don’t give me too little. Make me who you want me to be. Fill my cup exactly to the right amount.” Then I have the confidence to go out, do great things, and give him glory.
Wealth And Worship
You mentioned the prosperity gospel, an ideology which concerns many believers today. In what ways does this chapter of Proverbs reflect on that set of beliefs?
Payleitner: Each person approaches the gospel — seeking God in repentance — from a different place. If you’re uncomfortable and hurting, if you go to God, I believe he’s going to bring you comfort.
But if you’re living comfortably, God is probably going to make you uncomfortable. It’s kind of his job to make you uncomfortable so that you go out and leave your comfort zone.
This parallels the prayer of Agur. If money is what drives me, I’m going to dishonor God in pursuing wealth. But we also see wealthy people who are authentic Christians. They use their gifts and talents to hire people, supply other people’s needs, and give to worthy causes.
Remember it’s not money, but the love of money that is the root of all evil. If you are coming to Christ because you want a bigger bank account and that’s your motivation? Yeah, you’re asking for trouble. That is no place to live.
In Luke 18, Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell everything and give to the poor. Does that mean we all have to do that? I don’t think so. His weakness was money. Christ said to him: “I know you, my son. You know your problem is materialism. So you’ve got to go the other direction.”
Agur’s prayer doesn’t just apply to finances. Perhaps you are drawn to Christ because you are broken, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually, or living without purpose. You pray, “I don’t know what to do. God, will you save me?” He is going to come and fill you. In one sense, that broken person looking for prosperity finds it the moment he turns to the God revealed in the Gospels.
Power of Prayer
How has prayer impacted your life? And has this message shifted how you pray?
Payleitner: I’m not what you might call a prayer warrior, but there have definitely been times when answered prayer has blown me away.
My first job out of college was selling photocopiers — and I was terrible at it! We had two little boys at home. Alongside friends in a small group, my wife and I were learning about prayer. Two truths were to be specific in prayer, and that God answers every prayer.
“In God’s sweet spot, we pray for those who are hurting — and for God to intervene in the issues facing our world today.”
That summer, I prayed with my two little boys. “Dear God, get Dad a job in advertising in July.” We prayed that every night. I put a sample book together of ads, and I walked around to different ad agencies in Chicago. I prayed before I would walk into each one.
I recall how, after a long month, I dropped off my sample book at one agency. They interviewed me on a Friday and I had a job on Monday! The day I got that job was on August 1. God, in his sense of humor, had answered our prayer not exactly but a day late.
As to why the prayer of Agur is so valuable, we’ve all heard the ACTS mnemonic. It stands for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. Most of us spend way too much time in that last category, asking for stuff. But if we’re trusting God for exactly what we need — no more, no less — then we can spend more time in the other three areas.
That is: seeing God for who He is (adoration). In confession, I acknowledge my brokenness and need for Him. Thanksgiving means counting my blessings.
In God’s sweet spot, supplication can then be more others-focused. We are free to pray unselfishly for those who are hurting and for God to intervene in the issues facing our world today. But be warned! Don’t be surprised when that leads to doors opening for each of us to be part of the solution.
Learn more about The Prayer of Agur in Randy Robison’s interview below with author Jay Payleitner.
The interview has been lightly edited for length.
Stream contributor Josh M. Shepherd covers culture, faith, and public policy issues for media outlets including The Federalist. Find him on Twitter and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-07-16--FBI Opens an Investigation Into Twitter Hack Amid National Security Concerns: Report

The FBI is leading an investigation into a hacking campaign that compromised several high-profile Twitter accounts Wednesday , The Wall Street Journal and Reuters reported Thursday , citing sources who are familiar with the probe .
Cyber services company Unit 221b chief researcher Allison Nixon told TheWSJ that the FBI contacted her about the plot , which compromised the platform Wednesday .
Blockchain analysis company Chainalysis also said that , “ several federal law-enforcement agencies ” contacted the company about the issue , according to the report .
Reuters reported that the FBI is leading the probe , citing two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI is aware of the operation but declined to comment about an investigation , a bureau spokesman told TheWSJ .
Twitter declined to comment , and the Department of Justice did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment .
The accounts of former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Joe Biden were among several hacked Wednesday , and the accounts tweeted requests for users to send money to a bitcoin address .
The address collected more than $ 100,000 , NBC News reported , citing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Twitter confirmed in a tweet thread Wednesday that hackers gained access to the tools through social engineering attacks on employees .
Roughly an hour after the hacking campaign began , Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley urged Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in a letter Wednesday to ask the DOJ to take “ any necessary measures ” to secure the social media platform .
House Committee on Oversight and Reform Ranking Member Rep. James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter Thursday to Dorsey , noting the national security implications if government officials ’ accounts were hacked .
“ Indeed , the President , with 83.5 million followers , is a frequent user of Twitter , which allows him to break through the filter of traditional media and speak directly to all Americans and the world , ” Comer , a Kentucky Republican , wrote in the letter .
“ Breaches similar to yesterday ’ s have the potential to jeopardize national and economic security and disrupt the lives of millions of Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

The FBI is leading an investigation into a hacking campaign that compromised several high-profile Twitter accounts Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal and Reuters reported Thursday, citing sources who are familiar with the probe.
Cyber services company Unit 221b chief researcher Allison Nixon told TheWSJ that the FBI contacted her about the plot, which compromised the platform Wednesday. Blockchain analysis company Chainalysis also said that, “several federal law-enforcement agencies” contacted the company about the issue, according to the report.
Reuters reported that the FBI is leading the probe, citing two sources familiar with the effort. The FBI is aware of the operation but declined to comment about an investigation, a bureau spokesman told TheWSJ.
Twitter declined to comment, and the Department of Justice did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
The accounts of former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Joe Biden were among several hacked Wednesday, and the accounts tweeted requests for users to send money to a bitcoin address. The address collected more than $100,000, NBC News reported, citing a public register of bitcoin transactions.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Twitter confirmed in a tweet thread Wednesday that hackers gained access to the tools through social engineering attacks on employees.
Roughly an hour after the hacking campaign began, Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley urged Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in a letter Wednesday to ask the DOJ to take “any necessary measures” to secure the social media platform.
House Committee on Oversight and Reform Ranking Member Rep. James Comer made a similar request in a letter Thursday to Dorsey, noting the national security implications if government officials’ accounts were hacked.
“Indeed, the President, with 83.5 million followers, is a frequent user of Twitter, which allows him to break through the filter of traditional media and speak directly to all Americans and the world,” Comer, a Kentucky Republican, wrote in the letter.
“Breaches similar to yesterday’s have the potential to jeopardize national and economic security and disrupt the lives of millions of Americans,” Comer wrote.
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--2020-07-17--This Week at War: Fire Down Below

This Week at War: Fire Down Below

The above image looks like it was captured while at war .
It was actually taken this week in San Diego , where more than 60 U.S. Navy sailors and civilians were injured during a massive fire aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard .
The fire aboard the amphibious assault ship , which started on Sunday morning , was finally extinguished on Thursday afternoon , according to a U.S. Navy statement reported by KPBS .
According to the U.S .
Naval Institute ( USNI ) , more than 300 Navy and civilian firefighters were still battling the blaze as of Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night , according to KGTV-TV , when “ the vessel ‘ naturally settled ’ due to the fire and water damage and was rocking slightly to one side.
” The station said that firefighters returned to the ship on Thursday morning .
USNI News reported that the ship had suffered “ extensive damage ” as the battle against the blaze entered its fifth day .
The cause of the fire , which has resulted in injuries related to heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation , is being investigated by the Navy .
Please keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those displaced by this catastrophe in your prayers .
Another American soldier has died while serving in America ’ s longest war .
According to the Department of Defense , U.S. Army 1st Lt. Joseph Trent Allbaugh “ died as the result of a non-combat-related incident ” on Sunday in Kandahar , Afghanistan .
The married 24-year-soldier hailed from Folsom , California .
His death is under investigation .
“ The loss of 1st Lt. Joseph Allbaugh is devastating for everyone , ” said Col. Charles Matallana , as quoted by the Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 108th ADA Brigade , I want to extend our deepest condolences .
Our thoughts are with his family , friends and fellow soldiers .
We are with them during this incredibly painful time.
” As we pray for 1st Lt. Allbaugh ’ s wife and family , a group of National Guard airmen is headed overseas to join the fight .
The below photo shows the warriors leaving Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph , Missouri , for their deployment to “ an undisclosed location.
” Our gratitude to our nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is eternal .
We humbly ask God to shield these airmen from danger and comfort their loved ones as they deal with the strains of a deployment during a time of war .
Amen .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
It ’ s been another busy week for thousands of U.S. service members battling COVID-19 .
To defend the defenseless , troops have been inspecting nursing homes , delivering badly needed supplies and even feeding the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Defense said there were 18,968 confirmed military COVID-19 cases , with 7,783 recoveries , 409 hospitalizations and three deaths .
We are praying for these warriors and their families as the men and women of our Armed Forces continue risking their own health to keep us safe .
Speaking of COVID-19 , military homecomings are much different these days because of the pandemic .
The below photo shows U.S. troops being greeted by fellow soldiers to take their temperatures while recently returning from a nine-month overseas deployment .
Welcome home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country overseas .
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 .

USS Bonhomme Richard Fire
The above image looks like it was captured while at war. It was actually taken this week in San Diego, where more than 60 U.S. Navy sailors and civilians were injured during a massive fire aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard.
The fire aboard the amphibious assault ship, which started on Sunday morning, was finally extinguished on Thursday afternoon, according to a U.S. Navy statement reported by KPBS. According to the U.S. Naval Institute (USNI), more than 300 Navy and civilian firefighters were still battling the blaze as of Wednesday. They were briefly evacuated later that night, according to KGTV-TV, when “the vessel ‘naturally settled’ due to the fire and water damage and was rocking slightly to one side.” The station said that firefighters returned to the ship on Thursday morning.
USNI News reported that the ship had suffered “extensive damage” as the battle against the blaze entered its fifth day. The cause of the fire, which has resulted in injuries related to heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation, is being investigated by the Navy.
Please keep the injured, their families and all those displaced by this catastrophe in your prayers.
Afghanistan
Another American soldier has died while serving in America’s longest war.
According to the Department of Defense, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Joseph Trent Allbaugh “died as the result of a non-combat-related incident” on Sunday in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The married 24-year-soldier hailed from Folsom, California. His death is under investigation.
“The loss of 1st Lt. Joseph Allbaugh is devastating for everyone,” said Col. Charles Matallana, as quoted by the Army Times. “On behalf of the 108th ADA Brigade, I want to extend our deepest condolences. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and fellow soldiers. We are with them during this incredibly painful time.”
Army officer killed in non-combat incident in Afghanistanhttps://t.co/SnWlHfuMBU pic.twitter.com/R5Nb2bfUfJ — ArmyTimes (@ArmyTimes) July 13, 2020
As we pray for 1st Lt. Allbaugh’s wife and family, a group of National Guard airmen is headed overseas to join the fight. The below photo shows the warriors leaving Rosecrans Air National Guard Base in St. Joseph, Missouri, for their deployment to “an undisclosed location.”
https://twitter.com/usairforce/status/1283474177199149059?s=20
Our gratitude to our nation’s courageous troops and their families is eternal. We humbly ask God to shield these airmen from danger and comfort their loved ones as they deal with the strains of a deployment during a time of war. Amen.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Coronavirus
It’s been another busy week for thousands of U.S. service members battling COVID-19. To defend the defenseless, troops have been inspecting nursing homes, delivering badly needed supplies and even feeding the homeless.
Photo of the Day: @AZNationalGuard members helped prepare meals for the homeless in Phoenix as a part of their multi-faceted response to COVID-19. https://t.co/rvr25nQqlq #InThisTogether pic.twitter.com/X0Uc3kXent — National Guard (@USNationalGuard) July 15, 2020
As of Thursday, the Department of Defense said there were 18,968 confirmed military COVID-19 cases, with 7,783 recoveries, 409 hospitalizations and three deaths. We are praying for these warriors and their families as the men and women of our Armed Forces continue risking their own health to keep us safe.
Coming Home
Speaking of COVID-19, military homecomings are much different these days because of the pandemic. The below photo shows U.S. troops being greeted by fellow soldiers to take their temperatures while recently returning from a nine-month overseas deployment.
Welcome home, heroes! Thank you for serving our country overseas.
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--2020-07-17--A Robot That Helps With Loneliness: The Transforming Ministry of Presence

Sandra Peterson maintains a geriatric house-call practice in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area .
Her elderly patients are especially struggling during the pandemic : they must remain isolated for their own safety , yet many have become profoundly lonely as a result .
Paro is modeled after a baby harp seal and intentionally scaled to the weight of a human infant .
The robot coos , wiggles , and blinks its eyes when it is held .
Invented by Japanese roboticist Takanori Shibata , the device demonstrably works .
Studies show that the robot helps some Alzheimer ’ s patients reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure and oxygenation levels , and respond emotionally .
Paro was given to workers at a high-volume call center in Tokyo to help them with stress as they respond to calls for coronavirus testing .
An intensive care nurse in Atlanta has been using a Paro to cope with isolation since he is living separately from his family and pet in case he becomes infected with coronavirus .
‘ Fear Not , for I Have Redeemed You ’ Human nature does not change .
You and I feel the same fears our great-grandparents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observed , “ Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet .
We all breathe the same air .
We all cherish our children ’ s future .
And we are all mortal.
” As a result , what helped hurting people in the biblical era still helps hurting people today .
And across God ’ s word , we find that the promise of God ’ s presence is one of the most vital ways he ministers to suffering souls .
He pledged to his people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go with you , and I will give you rest ” ( Exodus 33:14 ) .
His word assures us , “ The Lord is near to all who call on him , to all who call on him in truth ” ( Psalm 145:18 ) .
One of my favorite passages of Scripture contains this promise from God to his exiled people : “ Fear not , for I have redeemed you ; I have called you by name , you are mine .
When you pass through the waters , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rivers , they shall not overwhelm you ; and when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned , and the flame shall not consume you .
For I am the Lord your God , the Holy One of Israel , your Savior ” ( Isaiah 43:1–3 ) .
Now , as the “ body of Christ ” ( 1 Corinthians 12:27 ) , it ’ s our turn to pay forward the grace we have received .
My father died at the age of fifty-five when I was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his death , a friend from school drove across Houston to be with me .
He spent most of the day at our house .
I don ’ t remember that he said much at all .
But I will never forget the fact that he was there .
On my first trip to Cuba , I asked one of the pastors how our church could best help his church .
He said , “ You ’ re doing it.
” He explained that many of his members feel intensely isolated in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are constantly pressured and worse .
It ’ s easy for them to feel their minority status and perilous future .
For a group of Americans to spend a week with them says more powerfully than words that they are not alone .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
In these very difficult days , it can be hard to know how to help hurting people .
If someone loses a loved one to COVID-19 , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If someone is isolated because of the disease , we ’ re not sure how to help .
If someone loses their job or is otherwise disrupted by the pandemic , we ’ re not sure how we should respond .
Let me suggest the ministry of presence .
In an existentialist , postmodern society that views the world through the lens of “ my feelings ” and “ my truth , ” an expression of unconditional solidarity and grace-filled humanity is as powerful as it is countercultural .
When you don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask the Holy Spirit ( Mark 13:11 ) .
And know that often , you don ’ t need to say anything at all .
Where you can be physically present , your companionship will make a difference you can not measure .
Where you can not be physically present , your simple notes , emails , texts , or social media posts of compassion will be used by God in ways you can not know .
Alfred North Whitehead encouraged us to plant trees we ’ ll never sit under .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gospel through the compassion of your heart ?
Jim Denison , PhD , is the founder of Denison Forum with a reach of 1.7 million .
He also serves as Resident Scholar for Ethics with Baylor Scott & White Health .

Sandra Peterson maintains a geriatric house-call practice in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Her elderly patients are especially struggling during the pandemic: they must remain isolated for their own safety, yet many have become profoundly lonely as a result.
Enter Paro the robot.
Paro is modeled after a baby harp seal and intentionally scaled to the weight of a human infant. The robot coos, wiggles, and blinks its eyes when it is held. Invented by Japanese roboticist Takanori Shibata, the device demonstrably works. Studies show that the robot helps some Alzheimer’s patients reduce reliance on psychotropic drugs, improve blood pressure and oxygenation levels, and respond emotionally.
Paro was given to workers at a high-volume call center in Tokyo to help them with stress as they respond to calls for coronavirus testing. An intensive care nurse in Atlanta has been using a Paro to cope with isolation since he is living separately from his family and pet in case he becomes infected with coronavirus.
‘Fear Not, for I Have Redeemed You’
Human nature does not change. You and I feel the same fears our great-grandparents faced. As John F. Kennedy famously observed, “Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.”
As a result, what helped hurting people in the biblical era still helps hurting people today. And across God’s word, we find that the promise of God’s presence is one of the most vital ways he ministers to suffering souls.
He pledged to his people in the wilderness, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14). His word assures us, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).
One of my favorite passages of Scripture contains this promise from God to his exiled people: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; and when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (Isaiah 43:1–3).
Now, as the “body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27), it’s our turn to pay forward the grace we have received.
The Day My Father Died
My father died at the age of fifty-five when I was a senior in college. The day after his death, a friend from school drove across Houston to be with me. He spent most of the day at our house. I don’t remember that he said much at all. But I will never forget the fact that he was there.
On my first trip to Cuba, I asked one of the pastors how our church could best help his church. He said, “You’re doing it.” He explained that many of his members feel intensely isolated in their Communist country. They and their families are constantly pressured and worse. It’s easy for them to feel their minority status and perilous future. For a group of Americans to spend a week with them says more powerfully than words that they are not alone.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
In these very difficult days, it can be hard to know how to help hurting people. If someone loses a loved one to COVID-19, we’re not sure what to say. If someone is isolated because of the disease, we’re not sure how to help. If someone loses their job or is otherwise disrupted by the pandemic, we’re not sure how we should respond.
Let me suggest the ministry of presence. In an existentialist, postmodern society that views the world through the lens of “my feelings” and “my truth,” an expression of unconditional solidarity and grace-filled humanity is as powerful as it is countercultural.
When you don’t know what to say, ask the Holy Spirit (Mark 13:11). And know that often, you don’t need to say anything at all. Where you can be physically present, your companionship will make a difference you cannot measure. Where you cannot be physically present, your simple notes, emails, texts, or social media posts of compassion will be used by God in ways you cannot know.
Alfred North Whitehead encouraged us to plant trees we’ll never sit under. With whom will you plant seeds of the gospel through the compassion of your heart?
Jim Denison, PhD, is the founder of Denison Forum with a reach of 1.7 million. He also serves as Resident Scholar for Ethics with Baylor Scott & White Health.


thestream--2020-07-17--Military Photo of the Day: Raptor Over Alaska

A U.S. Air Force pilot flies a F-22 Raptor over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska on July 9 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ the ongoing effort to fight COVID-19 .
Have a healthy and safe weekend , everyone @ @ @ @ @ : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of @ @ @

A U.S. Air Force pilot flies a F-22 Raptor over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska on July 9, 2020, to salute heroes of the ongoing effort to fight COVID-19.
Have a healthy and safe weekend, everyone!
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-07-17--Farewell, and Thanks for the Love

Farewell, and Thanks for the Love

Lifelong doors are closing for my extended family .
Lengthy , layered chapters are swiftly spelling out their last words .
There will be no new adventure once the last jot and tittle is put down .
These doors will not open again .
The sensible voice in my head says that life only goes forward , and what is past stays behind .
Trying to drag it along like luggage in tow will not help and is exhausting besides .
Looking back certainly didn ’ t help Lot ’ s wife any .
That ’ s what sensible says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can go sit on a tack .
Sensible can put a sock in it .
Sensible is an unwelcome salesman .
I ’ m not interested .
First comes a reckoning , and time to grieve .
The house that holds over 70 years of my family ’ s history is being sold to strangers .
Very soon it will be gone .
It feels as though the family tree is being chopped down .
It is an ordinary house that has been the nucleus of ordinary family life for generations .
Family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and holidays , a million loads of laundry up and down the stairs , waiting in line for the bathroom , dishes washed and dried by hand , sweet pipe tobacco wafting through the open window by the front porch .
The table around which children , grandchildren , and great-grandchildren have gathered for decades and tens of thousands of meals .
My grandmother , like an anchoring presence , in her chair crocheting blankets and towels to give to just about everyone .
The workbench in the basement where I can still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The towering trees at the end of the driveway that feel like steadfast friends who ’ ve watched over every moment all these years .
Steps from the front door , the park where we all played as children .
The park where , when he was young , my father fell from a tree and broke both arms .
The park where I ’ ve taken my own children to swing and slide just as I did as a girl .
And the lake .
The beautiful lake , with its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoreline .
The massive ships going back and forth every day , in between the sailboats and fishing boats .
Splashing in the cold water , playing in the soft sand .
Hunting for sea shells and Petoskey stones and lake glass .
Trials and sorrows as well are embedded in the house .
Cancer , strokes , age and illness , the loss of independence , and finally death .
My grandparents both died in the house , in the same room .
First him , then years later , her .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ brick and mortar .
It is engraved in my childhood and in my heart .
Now , like it or not , the time has come to say goodbye .
I will never again be able to walk through the back door and climb the five narrow steps up to my grandmother ’ s tiny kitchen .
Never again look out the living room window at that lovely lake .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walls will become distant recollections never to be touched again .
Kept in our hearts , retold in our stories for as long as the storytellers may remember , but that is all .
The brick and mortar , wood and metal , creaks and rattles will no longer be there for us to feel and take in .
The keys will be handed over , the last sentence written , and the story will end as the door closes behind us .
It feels much like a death .
And like every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes too soon and we ’ re not ready and please not yet and do you really have to go ?
Must this really happen ?
Can ’ t we find a way to prevent this ?
How are we supposed to let go ?
I hate this .
More Than Letting Go The first child born in that house is now an old man , and he is dying .
Death upon death , wrenching away upon wrenching away .
We would stop it if we could .
It feels too painful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go , for we take nothing with us .
Nothing except the contents of our own heart , for good or evil .
If we cling to anything but God , we cling to wisps of vapor that leave us falling and flailing .
Nothing will last except love , and love only comes from God , for He is love .
It is love that keeps safe all that we hold dear , including our family history and the random , treasured memories of everyday sacred moments .
Voices , faces , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , heirlooms and mementos must all one day vanish except from the heart of Love itself .
Whatever we wish to keep must be found there .
The house will belong to a new family and begin a new story with them .
Life only goes forward .
All will be well as long as we go forward into Love .
Jennifer Hartline is a senior contributor to The Stream .
You can follow her at @ jenniehartline .

Lifelong doors are closing for my extended family. Lengthy, layered chapters are swiftly spelling out their last words. There will be no new adventure once the last jot and tittle is put down. These doors will not open again.
The sensible voice in my head says that life only goes forward, and what is past stays behind. Trying to drag it along like luggage in tow will not help and is exhausting besides. Looking back certainly didn’t help Lot’s wife any. That’s what sensible says.
Well, right now, sensible can go sit on a tack. Sensible can put a sock in it. Sensible is an unwelcome salesman. I’m not interested.
First comes a reckoning, and time to grieve.
Sticks and Stones and Treasures
The house that holds over 70 years of my family’s history is being sold to strangers. Very soon it will be gone. It feels as though the family tree is being chopped down.
It is an ordinary house that has been the nucleus of ordinary family life for generations. Family dinners, card games, birthday parties and holidays, a million loads of laundry up and down the stairs, waiting in line for the bathroom, dishes washed and dried by hand, sweet pipe tobacco wafting through the open window by the front porch. The table around which children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have gathered for decades and tens of thousands of meals.
My grandmother, like an anchoring presence, in her chair crocheting blankets and towels to give to just about everyone. The workbench in the basement where I can still see my grandpa and my father working. The towering trees at the end of the driveway that feel like steadfast friends who’ve watched over every moment all these years.
That house is the collective memory in brick and mortar.
Steps from the front door, the park where we all played as children. The park where, when he was young, my father fell from a tree and broke both arms. The park where I’ve taken my own children to swing and slide just as I did as a girl.
And the lake. The beautiful lake, with its stalwart lighthouse, playful waves and rocky shoreline. The massive ships going back and forth every day, in between the sailboats and fishing boats. Splashing in the cold water, playing in the soft sand. Hunting for sea shells and Petoskey stones and lake glass.
Trials and sorrows as well are embedded in the house. Cancer, strokes, age and illness, the loss of independence, and finally death. My grandparents both died in the house, in the same room. First him, then years later, her.
The Collective Memory
That house is the collective memory in brick and mortar. It is engraved in my childhood and in my heart. Now, like it or not, the time has come to say goodbye. I will never again be able to walk through the back door and climb the five narrow steps up to my grandmother’s tiny kitchen. Never again look out the living room window at that lovely lake.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The history, the innumerable memories within those walls will become distant recollections never to be touched again. Kept in our hearts, retold in our stories for as long as the storytellers may remember, but that is all. The brick and mortar, wood and metal, creaks and rattles will no longer be there for us to feel and take in. The keys will be handed over, the last sentence written, and the story will end as the door closes behind us.
It feels much like a death. And like every loved one’s death, it comes too soon and we’re not ready and please not yet and do you really have to go? Must this really happen? Can’t we find a way to prevent this? How are we supposed to let go? I hate this.
More Than Letting Go
The first child born in that house is now an old man, and he is dying. Death upon death, wrenching away upon wrenching away. We would stop it if we could. It feels too painful to bear.
It all has to go, for we take nothing with us. Nothing except the contents of our own heart, for good or evil. If we cling to anything but God, we cling to wisps of vapor that leave us falling and flailing. Nothing will last except love, and love only comes from God, for He is love. It is love that keeps safe all that we hold dear, including our family history and the random, treasured memories of everyday sacred moments. Voices, faces, fragrances, sounds, rituals, traditions, heirlooms and mementos must all one day vanish except from the heart of Love itself. Whatever we wish to keep must be found there.
The house will belong to a new family and begin a new story with them. Life only goes forward. All will be well as long as we go forward into Love.
Jennifer Hartline is a senior contributor to The Stream. You can follow her at @jenniehartline.


thestream--2020-07-17--Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Undergoing Cancer Treatment

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is undergoing treatment for recurring cancer , Fox News reported Friday .
Ginsburg , 87 , is the oldest member of the Court .
In a statement Friday , Ginsburg said that a biopsy in February discovered lesions on her liver .
She was treated with immunotherapy , which was unsuccessful .
She began chemotherapy treatment May 19 .
It is “ yielding positive results , ” she said .
According to the Wall Street Journal , Ginsburg has dealt with cancer four previous times .
In addition , she was also treated for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital earlier this week for an infection .
Her hospital stay this week was unrelated to her cancer treatment .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
In the statement Friday , Ginsburg explained the treatment she ’ s been undergoing : My most recent scan on July 7 indicated significant reduction of the liver lesions and no new disease .
I am tolerating chemotherapy well and am encouraged by the success of my current treatment .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancer at bay , and am able to maintain an active daily routine .
Throughout , I have kept up with opinion writing and all other Court work .
She added , “ I have often said I would remain a member of the Court as long as I can do the job full steam .
I remain fully able to do that.
” Please pray for Justice Ginsburg ’ s spiritual and physical well-being .

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is undergoing treatment for recurring cancer, Fox News reported Friday. Ginsburg, 87, is the oldest member of the Court.
In a statement Friday, Ginsburg said that a biopsy in February discovered lesions on her liver. She was treated with immunotherapy, which was unsuccessful. She began chemotherapy treatment May 19. It is “yielding positive results,” she said.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Ginsburg has dealt with cancer four previous times. In addition, she was also treated for gallstones in May and was in the hospital earlier this week for an infection. Her hospital stay this week was unrelated to her cancer treatment.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
In the statement Friday, Ginsburg explained the treatment she’s been undergoing:
My most recent scan on July 7 indicated significant reduction of the liver lesions and no new disease. I am tolerating chemotherapy well and am encouraged by the success of my current treatment. I will continue biweekly chemotherapy to keep my cancer at bay, and am able to maintain an active daily routine. Throughout, I have kept up with opinion writing and all other Court work.
She added, “I have often said I would remain a member of the Court as long as I can do the job full steam. I remain fully able to do that.”
Please pray for Justice Ginsburg’s spiritual and physical well-being.


thestream--2020-07-17--Attorney General Says Hollywood ‘Kowtowing’ to China, Warns US Executives Against Acting as Chinese

Attorney General Says Hollywood ‘Kowtowing’ to China, Warns US Executives Against Acting as Chinese Foreign Agents

Attorney General William Barr said Thursday the Chinese government has achieved a “ massive propaganda coup ” by shaping the content coming out of Hollywood , while warning U.S. business executives against acting as agents of the communist regime in possible violation of foreign lobbying laws .
Speaking at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library , Barr offered a sober assessment of China ’ s efforts to “ raid ” U.S. companies and institutions with a goal of becoming the world ’ s lone superpower .
Barr went through several examples of movie studios and tech companies caving into pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China in a negative light .
Barr pointed to the movie “ World War Z , ” which originally included a scene showing that the origins of a zombie apocalypse originated in China .
Paramount Pictures ordered the scene removed from the movie at the request of Chinese authorities .
“ This is a massive propaganda coup for the Chinese Communist Party , ” Barr said .
“ Hollywood is far from alone in kowtowing to the PRC .
America ’ s big tech companies have also allowed themselves to become pawns of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apple , Zoom , and Google have taken to appease the Chinese government , such as self-censoring content available through their services .
Barr also said the Justice Department has seen an increase in party officials and their cut-outs working to “ cultivate and coerce ” U.S. corporate leaders in order to further China ’ s political objectives .
Barr said the Chinese government hides behind “ American voices ” in order to covertly “ elevate its influence and put a ‘ friendly face ’ on pro-regime policies.
” Please Support The Stream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
“ The legislator or policymaker who hears from a fellow American is properly more sympathetic to that constituent than to a foreigner .
And by masking its participation in our political process , the PRC avoids accountability for its influence efforts and the public outcry that might result , if its lobbying were exposed.
” Barr also issued a thinly-veiled warning to U.S. business executives against working as foreign agents of the Chinese government .
“ America ’ s corporate leaders might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Barr said , adding , “ but you should be alert to how you might be used , and how your efforts on behalf of a foreign company or government could implicate the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
” Barr explained that the law , known as FARA , requires Americans to register as foreign agents if they push policies that advance the interests of foreign governments .
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For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Attorney General William Barr said Thursday the Chinese government has achieved a “massive propaganda coup” by shaping the content coming out of Hollywood, while warning U.S. business executives against acting as agents of the communist regime in possible violation of foreign lobbying laws.
Speaking at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, Barr offered a sober assessment of China’s efforts to “raid” U.S. companies and institutions with a goal of becoming the world’s lone superpower.
Barr went through several examples of movie studios and tech companies caving into pressure from Beijing to censor content that paints China in a negative light.
Barr pointed to the movie “World War Z,” which originally included a scene showing that the origins of a zombie apocalypse originated in China. Paramount Pictures ordered the scene removed from the movie at the request of Chinese authorities.
“This is a massive propaganda coup for the Chinese Communist Party,” Barr said.
“Hollywood is far from alone in kowtowing to the PRC. America’s big tech companies have also allowed themselves to become pawns of Chinese influence.”
Barr detailed steps that Apple, Zoom, and Google have taken to appease the Chinese government, such as self-censoring content available through their services.
Barr also said the Justice Department has seen an increase in party officials and their cut-outs working to “cultivate and coerce” U.S. corporate leaders in order to further China’s political objectives.
Barr said the Chinese government hides behind “American voices” in order to covertly “elevate its influence and put a ‘friendly face’ on pro-regime policies.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“The legislator or policymaker who hears from a fellow American is properly more sympathetic to that constituent than to a foreigner. And by masking its participation in our political process, the PRC avoids accountability for its influence efforts and the public outcry that might result, if its lobbying were exposed.”
Barr also issued a thinly-veiled warning to U.S. business executives against working as foreign agents of the Chinese government.
“America’s corporate leaders might not think of themselves as lobbyists,” Barr said, adding, “but you should be alert to how you might be used, and how your efforts on behalf of a foreign company or government could implicate the Foreign Agents Registration Act.”
Barr explained that the law, known as FARA, requires Americans to register as foreign agents if they push policies that advance the interests of foreign governments.
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--2020-07-17--Most Trump Supporters Can’t Wait to Vote for Him

Commentators came out of the woodwork to ridicule President Donald Trump for allegedly turning his July 14 press conference into a campaign rally ( and for being unpresidential ) .
So what if he did ?
They objected that he veered into other topics when he was supposed to be talking about China and Hong Kong .
Horrors !
The press corps , of all people , has no standing to complain about topic drift at presidential press conferences when it routinely uses such events to ask questions unrelated to the announced topic .
Presidents always frame their policy positions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially this close to an election .
Don ’ t even think about saying Trump is unique on this .
Of course Trump is going to argue that his actions warrant his reelection , and it ’ s absurd to claim that ’ s unusually political , as if it ’ s possible to separate policy from politics .
But the liberal media ’ s hypocrisy is hardly noteworthy anymore .
We ’ d be fools to expect fairness from them .
What is notable , though , is that some establishment conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lamenting that Trump shot himself in the foot by going off script and meandering all over the board .
They essentially said , “ He had an opportunity to be presidential on this weighty foreign policy issue , but he descended into campaign-rally mode and blew it.
” They cringe that Trump is unorthodox , unpolished and unafraid to get down in the dirt with his opponents , especially from the lofty , hallowed presidential podium .
They also don ’ t get Trump supporters , who are not holding their noses to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t wait .
These establishment handwringers have shown themselves ill-equipped to analyze Trump or his supporters because they can ’ t adapt their expertise and experience to Trump , who broke the mold and is unlike any political figure they ’ ve ever encountered .
They are handicapped by their willful blindness to the unprecedented fascism of today ’ s political left .
Newsflash : The overwhelming majority of Trump supporters doesn ’ t give a rip about his so-called presidentiality .
They don ’ t care about the proverbial crease in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pseudo-sophisticated beltway elite cherish .
They don ’ t want someone like Mitt Romney , who let Barack Obama walk all over him in a presidential debate instead of fighting for what he purported to believe in .
Trump supporters don ’ t want Trump to moderate his positions in the hopes that the committed radicals will morph into moderates and the crisis will pass .
It won ’ t , because leftist agitators won ’ t let it .
Trump supporters realize we ’ re in a war for the survival of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t start and one we ’ ll lose if we don ’ t fight back with every fiber of our being .
We want him to counter the violent , revolutionary left at every turn .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Shame on us if we ignore or downplay the anarchy and violence in the streets ; the destruction of monuments ; the assault on and defunding of police ; the sanitization of radical groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cultural terrorism against ideological diversity ; and the deliberate fanning of racial discord .
Sadly , there ’ s no rational basis for clinging to the hope that the Neville Chamberlains of the right are going to wake up to the existential struggle we ’ re in and get on board .
So , at the very least , we mustn ’ t let them discourage those who understand the struggle .
Purveyors of conventional political wisdom miss the reality on the ground .
They fail to grasp how much Trump supporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narrative , that he ’ s calling out the anti-Americanism of the Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ’ s and the insane radicalism of their energy-and-economy-destroying green agenda .
Trump supporters don ’ t believe he ’ s inhumane for refusing to allow America to be paralyzed by fear , and for insisting that we reopen the economy and get our kids back to school .
They deny that he ’ s racially insensitive because he believes we should protect our borders and shouldn ’ t kneel for the national anthem .
They reject the false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dedicated to extinguishing the Trump presidency and fundamentally transforming America .
They resent being called racist because they celebrate our founding and our Constitution .
They will not be bullied into submission by those cynically using the race card as a Trojan horse for socialism and leftist authoritarianism .
Trump supporters understand that the failing Joe Biden , whether or not he ’ s a radical himself , will be putty in the hands of extremists and that , if Trump loses this election , their children ’ s chances of living in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these radicals have done when their political party of choice is out of power , and they shudder at what they would do if in power .
So you “ conservative ” strategists longing for the surrender of our principles for the sake of Oxford eloquence and phony politeness in the midst of an all-but-hot civil war will just have to remain frustrated , because if you don ’ t understand what ’ s at stake by now , you never will .
You just aren ’ t wired to get it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lose the election and the country , but we won ’ t do it without fighting or because we fear being falsely depicted as bigots more than we fear losing the nation .
David Limbaugh is a writer , author and attorney .
His latest book is Guilty by Reason of Insanity : Why the Democrats Must Not Win .
Follow him on Twitter @ davidlimbaugh and connect with him at davidlimbaugh.com .

Commentators came out of the woodwork to ridicule President Donald Trump for allegedly turning his July 14 press conference into a campaign rally (and for being unpresidential). So what if he did?
They objected that he veered into other topics when he was supposed to be talking about China and Hong Kong. Horrors!
The press corps, of all people, has no standing to complain about topic drift at presidential press conferences when it routinely uses such events to ask questions unrelated to the announced topic.
Presidents always frame their policy positions in the most favorable political light, especially this close to an election. Don’t even think about saying Trump is unique on this. Of course Trump is going to argue that his actions warrant his reelection, and it’s absurd to claim that’s unusually political, as if it’s possible to separate policy from politics.
But the liberal media’s hypocrisy is hardly noteworthy anymore. We’d be fools to expect fairness from them.
Establishment Conservatives’ Willful Blindness
What is notable, though, is that some establishment conservative strategists and analysts also joined in, lamenting that Trump shot himself in the foot by going off script and meandering all over the board. They essentially said, “He had an opportunity to be presidential on this weighty foreign policy issue, but he descended into campaign-rally mode and blew it.”
They cringe that Trump is unorthodox, unpolished and unafraid to get down in the dirt with his opponents, especially from the lofty, hallowed presidential podium. They also don’t get Trump supporters, who are not holding their noses to vote for him. They can’t wait.
These establishment handwringers have shown themselves ill-equipped to analyze Trump or his supporters because they can’t adapt their expertise and experience to Trump, who broke the mold and is unlike any political figure they’ve ever encountered. They are handicapped by their willful blindness to the unprecedented fascism of today’s political left.
What Trump Supporters Want
Newsflash: The overwhelming majority of Trump supporters doesn’t give a rip about his so-called presidentiality. They don’t care about the proverbial crease in his pants, or many other characteristics the pseudo-sophisticated beltway elite cherish. They don’t want someone like Mitt Romney, who let Barack Obama walk all over him in a presidential debate instead of fighting for what he purported to believe in.
Trump supporters don’t want Trump to moderate his positions in the hopes that the committed radicals will morph into moderates and the crisis will pass. It won’t, because leftist agitators won’t let it. Trump supporters realize we’re in a war for the survival of the country — a war we didn’t start and one we’ll lose if we don’t fight back with every fiber of our being. We want him to counter the violent, revolutionary left at every turn.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Shame on us if we ignore or downplay the anarchy and violence in the streets; the destruction of monuments; the assault on and defunding of police; the sanitization of radical groups as humanitarian rather than Marxist organizations; the cultural terrorism against ideological diversity; and the deliberate fanning of racial discord.
Sadly, there’s no rational basis for clinging to the hope that the Neville Chamberlains of the right are going to wake up to the existential struggle we’re in and get on board. So, at the very least, we mustn’t let them discourage those who understand the struggle.
Trump Supporters Won’t be Bullied
Purveyors of conventional political wisdom miss the reality on the ground. They fail to grasp how much Trump supporters appreciate that he counters the liberal media narrative, that he’s calling out the anti-Americanism of the Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s and the insane radicalism of their energy-and-economy-destroying green agenda.
Trump supporters don’t believe he’s inhumane for refusing to allow America to be paralyzed by fear, and for insisting that we reopen the economy and get our kids back to school. They deny that he’s racially insensitive because he believes we should protect our borders and shouldn’t kneel for the national anthem.
They reject the false choices foisted on them by a media dedicated to extinguishing the Trump presidency and fundamentally transforming America. They resent being called racist because they celebrate our founding and our Constitution. They will not be bullied into submission by those cynically using the race card as a Trojan horse for socialism and leftist authoritarianism.
Trump supporters understand that the failing Joe Biden, whether or not he’s a radical himself, will be putty in the hands of extremists and that, if Trump loses this election, their children’s chances of living in freedom drastically diminish.
They see what these radicals have done when their political party of choice is out of power, and they shudder at what they would do if in power.
So you “conservative” strategists longing for the surrender of our principles for the sake of Oxford eloquence and phony politeness in the midst of an all-but-hot civil war will just have to remain frustrated, because if you don’t understand what’s at stake by now, you never will. You just aren’t wired to get it.
We Trump supporters understand that we may lose the election and the country, but we won’t do it without fighting or because we fear being falsely depicted as bigots more than we fear losing the nation.
David Limbaugh is a writer, author and attorney. His latest book is Guilty by Reason of Insanity: Why the Democrats Must Not Win. Follow him on Twitter @davidlimbaugh and connect with him at davidlimbaugh.com.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM


thestream--2020-07-17--I’m Richard Spencer’s Screwtape, and I Approve This Racist Message

John Zmirak was taken ill suddenly with acute but treatable Schadenfreude .
So he could not write his column today .
In its stead The Stream presents this unusual piece which was somehow spirited over our transom .
Its author claims to be an entity named “ Wokethug.
” We hope you find his distinctive perspective of interest .
What You Do Know Won ’ t Help You Some of you got hold of my godfather Screwtape ’ s correspondence with his late nephew Wormwood .
Perhaps you gloated over the latter ’ s petty failure .
But you will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a letter from me to another tempter .
Nor will I fail .
In fact , my success is ongoing and my victory assured .
I publish this purely to taunt you .
Whatever you learn from what I write here will prove as useless to you as the seer Cassandra ’ s warnings were to the hapless royals of Troy .
When the time comes you will welcome the Horse , no matter what I say here .
And your cities will burn .
And I will use their embers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grows stronger daily .
So our past efforts at camouflage seem needless .
We might as well trot out what we have in mind and rub your sweaty little faces in it , for all the good that will do you .
You had Moses and the prophets , Orwell and Solzhenitsyn , Muggeridge and Buchanan .
If you didn ’ t believe them , why should you believe an immortal spirit if it spoke to you from your smart phone ?
Tee-hee .
Isn ’ t scripture fun ?
Regarding this piece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yes .
I am indeed the spiritual advisor who works with white nationalist “ leader ” Richard Spencer .
You might sneer at the name of this chief who apparently has no Indians .
You might think that because he is widely scorned , only trotted out by CNN to tar conservative Christians with guilt by association , that my hard work went unrewarded .
And of course , you ’ d be dead wrong .
Our personnel wouldn ’ t permit , or our policy prefer , assigning one timeless advisor to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Instead each one of us manages whole movements .
Rather than mere souls , each of us is assigned a theme .
A dark and glorious Cause , which we must champion in your tepid hearts and gullible minds “ by any means necessary.
” ( To quote an old client of mine . )
So yes , I toil in the small and sterile vineyard that is Herr Spencer ’ s brain .
But that is only one , and one of the least productive , of the fields which I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” of course .
And its converse , its shadow , which proves equally useful .
I mean , of course , Anti-Racism .
I shine both sides of that coin , and flip it as seems expedient .
You might remember my work amongst the bible-thumping , black-baiting demagogues of the segregated South .
It was great fun goading fools from one Baptist church to sick vicious police dogs on fools from another , solely because of their skins ’ melanin content .
Much more profoundly productive , of course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laws in ruins , I gently guided many of those who ’ d crusaded against the idiot cause of racial segregation to sign up for the jihads which I had in mind .
The next windmill they ’ d bulldoze would be “ outdated ” abortion laws .
And “ repressive ” mores about sex .
Then “ fascist ” sentiments like patriotism and honor .
“ Arbitrary ” differences between men and women .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how easily led you primates are ) I managed to link all these substantive causes which the Enemy held dear with the old and actually primitive suspicions based on race .
So the same dewy-eyed idealists who ’ d fought to get blacks seated at lunch counters now strove to see them cut up and sucked apart in clinics .
The key to accomplishing this , of course , was to wave around bright shiny objects and make loud distracting noises , to stop you fools from thinking .
If you abandoned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was built — your common resemblance , however faint , to the Enemy — on what would people base it ?
How can anyone build the ethics of Martin Luther King on the metaphysics of Darwin and Hitler ?
The answer , of course , was … tribalism !
Instead of the “ white ” tribe or black one , you fools will build your worldviews on belonging to the “ Woke ” one .
Then you ’ ll just as energetically enforce a whole new kind of Apartheid .
But you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ educational snobbery , instead of skin pallor and nostril size .
That makes no difference to the Enemy .
Or , as you ’ ll learn to your horror in your last moments of life , to me .
But now I ’ ve outdone myself .
I have managed to convince some white elites to embrace both the self-righteous ferocity of witch hunters and the occult rites of witches .
At the very same time .
One of America ’ s most prestigious institutions , the Smithsonian Institute , leads the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not alone , as I ’ m making sure . )
That institution ’ s National Museum of African-American History , with my careful guidance , is now advancing the very same stereotypes of non-whites which I taught Richard Spencer .
And which I whispered in the ears of George Wallace , Ben Tillman , and Margaret Sanger before him .
But even I didn ’ t expect to succeed at convincing professional Anti-Racists to echo those exquisitely cankered bigots .
I was obviously too modest .
Take a glance at the helpful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managed to sell the Museum staff on the clear message that only white people are really capable of the following character virtues , pro-social attitudes , or economically productive habits .
All these things and more , these professional , highly credentialed Anti-Racists now say , are the exclusive preserve of white people .
Blacks or other non-whites who display such traits are traitors , cowardly collaborators who are selling out their ancestors .
( Instead of , as a sane man might think , sacrificing for their children . )
What other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of any color to hire anyone but whites if all this were true ?
Especially since the anti-discrimination laws ( which I helped to write ) make straight , white males the only workers one can fire ?
At least without the glowering threat of costly litigation… .
I and I alone , by my efforts on many fronts , have made hiring any member of any “ protected class ” more solemn , binding , and serious than the “ covenant ” of marriage .
I do insist , therefore , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I will see you all , I hope , in Hell .
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 .

John Zmirak was taken ill suddenly with acute but treatable Schadenfreude. So he could not write his column today. In its stead The Stream presents this unusual piece which was somehow spirited over our transom. Its author claims to be an entity named “Wokethug.” We hope you find his distinctive perspective of interest.
What You Do Know Won’t Help You
Some of you got hold of my godfather Screwtape’s correspondence with his late nephew Wormwood. Perhaps you gloated over the latter’s petty failure. But you will be disappointed reading this. It is not a letter from me to another tempter. Nor will I fail.
In fact, my success is ongoing and my victory assured. I publish this purely to taunt you. Whatever you learn from what I write here will prove as useless to you as the seer Cassandra’s warnings were to the hapless royals of Troy. When the time comes you will welcome the Horse, no matter what I say here. And your cities will burn. And I will use their embers to light myself a Cohiba.
Our side grows stronger daily. So our past efforts at camouflage seem needless. We might as well trot out what we have in mind and rub your sweaty little faces in it, for all the good that will do you. You had Moses and the prophets, Orwell and Solzhenitsyn, Muggeridge and Buchanan. If you didn’t believe them, why should you believe an immortal spirit if it spoke to you from your smart phone? Tee-hee. Isn’t scripture fun?
Chief Minister for Racism and Anti-Racism
Regarding this piece’s title, the answer is Yes. I am indeed the spiritual advisor who works with white nationalist “leader” Richard Spencer. You might sneer at the name of this chief who apparently has no Indians. You might think that because he is widely scorned, only trotted out by CNN to tar conservative Christians with guilt by association, that my hard work went unrewarded. And of course, you’d be dead wrong.
Our personnel wouldn’t permit, or our policy prefer, assigning one timeless advisor to just one trousered ape at a time. Instead each one of us manages whole movements. Rather than mere souls, each of us is assigned a theme. A dark and glorious Cause, which we must champion in your tepid hearts and gullible minds “by any means necessary.” (To quote an old client of mine.) So yes, I toil in the small and sterile vineyard that is Herr Spencer’s brain. But that is only one, and one of the least productive, of the fields which I manure.
My Theme is “Racism,” of course. And its converse, its shadow, which proves equally useful. I mean, of course, Anti-Racism. I shine both sides of that coin, and flip it as seems expedient. You might remember my work amongst the bible-thumping, black-baiting demagogues of the segregated South. It was great fun goading fools from one Baptist church to sick vicious police dogs on fools from another, solely because of their skins’ melanin content.
The Woke Post-Christian Cult
Much more profoundly productive, of course, was the aftermath. With the race laws in ruins, I gently guided many of those who’d crusaded against the idiot cause of racial segregation to sign up for the jihads which I had in mind. The next windmill they’d bulldoze would be “outdated” abortion laws. And “repressive” mores about sex. Then “fascist” sentiments like patriotism and honor. “Arbitrary” differences between men and women.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Somehow (remember how easily led you primates are) I managed to link all these substantive causes which the Enemy held dear with the old and actually primitive suspicions based on race. So the same dewy-eyed idealists who’d fought to get blacks seated at lunch counters now strove to see them cut up and sucked apart in clinics.
The key to accomplishing this, of course, was to wave around bright shiny objects and make loud distracting noises, to stop you fools from thinking. If you abandoned the very ground on which “equality” was built — your common resemblance, however faint, to the Enemy — on what would people base it? How can anyone build the ethics of Martin Luther King on the metaphysics of Darwin and Hitler?
The answer, of course, was … tribalism! Instead of the “white” tribe or black one, you fools will build your worldviews on belonging to the “Woke” one. Then you’ll just as energetically enforce a whole new kind of Apartheid. But you’ll base it on class scorn and educational snobbery, instead of skin pallor and nostril size. That makes no difference to the Enemy. Or, as you’ll learn to your horror in your last moments of life, to me.
The Smithsonian Institute’s Museum of Racist Cliches
But now I’ve outdone myself. I have managed to convince some white elites to embrace both the self-righteous ferocity of witch hunters and the occult rites of witches. At the very same time.
One of America’s most prestigious institutions, the Smithsonian Institution, leads the way here. (Though it’s not alone, as I’m making sure.) That institution’s National Museum of African-American History, with my careful guidance, is now advancing the very same stereotypes of non-whites which I taught Richard Spencer. And which I whispered in the ears of George Wallace, Ben Tillman, and Margaret Sanger before him. But even I didn’t expect to succeed at convincing professional Anti-Racists to echo those exquisitely cankered bigots. I was obviously too modest.
Don’t “Act White,” You Fools
Take a glance at the helpful, idiot-simple graphics provided here. I managed to sell the Museum staff on the clear message that only white people are really capable of the following character virtues, pro-social attitudes, or economically productive habits.
Respecting authority.
Delaying gratification.
Planning for the future.
Coming to work on time.
Meeting deadlines.
Valuing tangible assets.
Hoping for the future.
Mastering wild nature.
Making decisions.
Being polite.
Valuing personal privacy.
Working hard.
Thinking in a “rational” or “objective” manner.
All these things and more, these professional, highly credentialed Anti-Racists now say, are the exclusive preserve of white people. Blacks or other non-whites who display such traits are traitors, cowardly collaborators who are selling out their ancestors. (Instead of, as a sane man might think, sacrificing for their children.)
What other than sheer government coercion would induce anyone of any color to hire anyone but whites if all this were true? Especially since the anti-discrimination laws (which I helped to write) make straight, white males the only workers one can fire? At least without the glowering threat of costly litigation….
I and I alone, by my efforts on many fronts, have made hiring any member of any “protected class” more solemn, binding, and serious than the “covenant” of marriage.
I do insist, therefore, on stepping forward to take a bow.
I will see you all, I hope, in Hell.
Sincerely,
Wokethug
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.