thestream--2020-10-09--Killing Children: How Can Christians Vote for a Pro-Death Candidate?

I ’ ll never forget something a remarkable pastor who was deeply invested in the prayer movement and in justice for the unborn told me .
At a citywide pastor and church leader gathering in Detroit a call for prayer requests was made as the meeting was coming to a close .
This pastor simply asked the room of spiritual leaders , “ Please keep us covered in prayer as we contend against abortion in Detroit.
” What happened next stunned him speechless .
A prominent pastor brashly retorted by saying , “ Sir , you must know that many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s right to choose.
” How this man and others in the room who have aligned themselves with the slaughter of children can call themselves Christians , much less pastors , I don ’ t know .
Like the pastor , I ’ m speechless .
I ’ m also sickened , grieved and enraged .
You should be too .
I was again nauseous after Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris trumpeted her and Joe Biden ’ s faith during the debate Wednesday .
Conservative commentator Allie Beth Stuckey tweeted : Kamala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” What faith ?
The Washington Post reported , “ Kamala Harris … voted last year against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act , which would punish doctors who fail to provide medical care to a child born alive after an attempted abortion.
” Allow me to propose the question again : If your candidate supported killing children under the age of two for any reason , would you vote for him or her ?
Looking forward into time I can see this scenario playing out sooner than later .
If people like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lives of children who have been born after a failed abortion , that same murderous spirit will easily support the right to kill others .
The moment a toddler becomes an irritable inconvenience to the mother or father they are but a lethal injection away from peace and quiet .
In fact , if they were to adopt the methods of abortion “ doctors ” they would have the option of ripping off the child ’ s arms and legs , sucking out its brains and disposing of it in the trash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a buck by harvesting the child ’ s organs .
If my writing that disturbed you , perfect .
You should be disturbed .
If you think my prediction is ridiculous , that ’ s okay .
My point wasn ’ t to prophesy the future of destruction in America .
My purpose was to make something vividly clear : Killing children , toddlers who are breathing , laughing , walking , talking and a precious and valuable part of humanity is no different than killing those who are unborn .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christian ” who supports a mother ’ s right to choose has exposed an alliance with a murderous , demonic spirit who seeks to steal , kill and destroy .
If they have the right to choose to slaughter their child before birth , then , by extension , they are supporting the right to slaughter their child after they are born .
Is it possible the barbaric culture we now live in is exponentially worse than during the time children were sacrificed to Molech ?
Absolutely .
As Ryan Leasure wrote : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One of the worst , though , has to be the ancient Canaanites .
As was customary in that culture , parents offered their newborn children as sacrifices to their god Molech .
Most depictions of Molech include large metal statues of a man with a bull ’ s head .
Usually these statues had outstretched arms to hold the baby sacrifices .
During the sacrificial process , the Canaanites would light a fire inside or around the statue to heat up the statue as hot as they could .
Then they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Molech and watch the children sizzle to death .
During this gruesome event , the Canaanites would play flutes and bang on drums to drown out the sound of their shrieking children .
No wonder God ordered the Israelites to destroy them .
So , again , the question is , would you vote for someone who supported killing children ?
Apparently many professing Christians plan on it this upcoming election day .
In fact , I was stunned to hear Jason Upton , a renowned worship leader and musician , make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directly responsible for the horrifying death of millions of children is “ pro-life in her own way ?
” This was an irresponsible remark by Jason .
Shockingly , many other well-known ministers and worship leaders voiced their agreement with Jason ’ s statement .
This is why we can ’ t be too surprised when Christians are leaning left and rallying behind pro-death politicians .
“ Approximately how many professing Christians do you know who are voting for Biden ?
I ’ m writing an article and I ’ m trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” • Right now my mom is voting for Biden .
I can ’ t comprehend how/ why she would do that as a born again believer .
~Kathryn • Oh goodness I have lost count but it ’ s a huge number all across the Country .
~Kerri • Over twenty here too .
~Aimee • I know quite a few supposed Christians who are voting for Biden .
~Amy • I go to a liberal seminary and I would say the vast majority of my fellow classmates and in particularly the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • I know about a dozen , but I ’ ll never understand how they can make that choice — on the Life issue alone .
~Timmerle • Way too many !
One is too many !
!
~Bev • I would say probably at least 20 % of the people I know are voting for Biden .
~Karen But Pro-Choice Platforms Reduce the Number of Abortions !
First of all , this has not been proven to be true .
Secondly , if it were true it wouldn ’ t matter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he or she would kill every young child that was not appropriately secured in a car seat or booster when in a car , would you vote him in ?
Of course not .
Why ?
Because the politician would be exposed as a demented sociopath that probably needs to be locked away in prison or safely secured in a hospital for the mentally ill.
He ’ d be an extreme danger to society .
Yet , if the promise of the political sociopath became law you can be absolutely certain that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not increase .
In fact , it would probably be quite rare for police officers to pull out a revolver to terminate children during traffic stops .
Parents would be obsessively careful to ensure their children are perfectly strapped in no matter how short their commute might be .
Allowing mothers to kill unborn children is an absurd strategy to bring the abortion statistics down .
Vile even .
There are many other arguments that are equally pathetic .
Many would say the election isn ’ t only about abortion and that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are actually saying is they are okay with children being ripped out of wombs as long as the economy is strong , the poor are taken care of and universal , affordable health care is available .
These same people will most likely be among the first in line to endorse the anti-Christ , someone who will offer peace and safety in exchange for their soul .
Make no mistake , a vote for a pro-death candidate is a vote for Molech .
An endorsement of someone who promotes killing children invites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death into your home .
Don ’ t underestimate the supernatural implications .
I ’ ll say what few will : if you vote for a candidate who is in support of abortion , your supposed Christianity is suspect .
You can ’ t presume to be saved .
You are truly in great eternal danger .
If you have considered even for a moment voting for a pro-death candidate , I implore you to repent .
Then , go deeper in God than you ever have in your life .
Pray with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God .
Fall in love with Jesus .
Become a passionate radical for God .
Invite the Holy Spirit to consume you .
If enough do this , revival just might break out and America may shift from being a barbaric nation to one that truly promotes life .
John Burton is a sought out teacher , prophetic messenger and revivalist .
He has authored ten books , is a regular contributor to Charisma Magazine , and directed one of the primary internships at the International House of Prayer ( IHOP ) in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ churches and has initiated two city prayer movements and a school of ministry .

I’ll never forget something a remarkable pastor who was deeply invested in the prayer movement and in justice for the unborn told me. At a citywide pastor and church leader gathering in Detroit a call for prayer requests was made as the meeting was coming to a close.
This pastor simply asked the room of spiritual leaders, “Please keep us covered in prayer as we contend against abortion in Detroit.”
What happened next stunned him speechless. A prominent pastor brashly retorted by saying, “Sir, you must know that many pastors in this room support a woman’s right to choose.”
Pure, unabashed wickedness.
How this man and others in the room who have aligned themselves with the slaughter of children can call themselves Christians, much less pastors, I don’t know. Like the pastor, I’m speechless. I’m also sickened, grieved and enraged. You should be too.
Christians Voting Pro-Death
I was again nauseous after Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris trumpeted her and Joe Biden’s faith during the debate Wednesday.
Conservative commentator Allie Beth Stuckey tweeted: Kamala is a “person of faith?” What faith?
Kamala is a “person of faith?” What faith? — Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) October 8, 2020
The Washington Post reported, “Kamala Harris … voted last year against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which would punish doctors who fail to provide medical care to a child born alive after an attempted abortion.”
Allow me to propose the question again: If your candidate supported killing children under the age of two for any reason, would you vote for him or her?
Looking forward into time I can see this scenario playing out sooner than later. If people like Kamala Harris are in opposition to saving the lives of children who have been born after a failed abortion, that same murderous spirit will easily support the right to kill others.
The moment a toddler becomes an irritable inconvenience to the mother or father they are but a lethal injection away from peace and quiet. In fact, if they were to adopt the methods of abortion “doctors” they would have the option of ripping off the child’s arms and legs, sucking out its brains and disposing of it in the trash. More progressive people might try to make a buck by harvesting the child’s organs.
If my writing that disturbed you, perfect. You should be disturbed.
If you think my prediction is ridiculous, that’s okay. My point wasn’t to prophesy the future of destruction in America. My purpose was to make something vividly clear:
Killing children, toddlers who are breathing, laughing, walking, talking and a precious and valuable part of humanity is no different than killing those who are unborn.
It is exactly the same.
Literally.
No difference whatsoever.
The Murderous Spirit of Molech
A “Christian” who supports a mother’s right to choose has exposed an alliance with a murderous, demonic spirit who seeks to steal, kill and destroy. If they have the right to choose to slaughter their child before birth, then, by extension, they are supporting the right to slaughter their child after they are born.
Is it possible the barbaric culture we now live in is exponentially worse than during the time children were sacrificed to Molech? Absolutely. As Ryan Leasure wrote:
History is filled with barbaric cultures. One of the worst, though, has to be the ancient Canaanites. As was customary in that culture, parents offered their newborn children as sacrifices to their god Molech. Most depictions of Molech include large metal statues of a man with a bull’s head. Usually these statues had outstretched arms to hold the baby sacrifices. During the sacrificial process, the Canaanites would light a fire inside or around the statue to heat up the statue as hot as they could. Then they would place their newborns into the red-hot arms of Molech and watch the children sizzle to death. During this gruesome event, the Canaanites would play flutes and bang on drums to drown out the sound of their shrieking children. No wonder God ordered the Israelites to destroy them.
So, again, the question is, would you vote for someone who supported killing children?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Apparently many professing Christians plan on it this upcoming election day. In fact, I was stunned to hear Jason Upton, a renowned worship leader and musician, make an absurd statement:
I believe Ruth Bader Ginsburg was ProLife in her own way.
Someone who was directly responsible for the horrifying death of millions of children is “pro-life in her own way?” This was an irresponsible remark by Jason. Shockingly, many other well-known ministers and worship leaders voiced their agreement with Jason’s statement. This is why we can’t be too surprised when Christians are leaning left and rallying behind pro-death politicians.
I asked a simple question on Facebook today:
“Approximately how many professing Christians do you know who are voting for Biden? I’m writing an article and I’m trying to get an unscientific pulse on the situation.”
I hope the responses disturb you.
Right now my mom is voting for Biden. I can’t comprehend how/ why she would do that as a born again believer. ~Kathryn
Unfortunately a lot. ~Janet
Oh goodness I have lost count but it’s a huge number all across the Country. ~Kerri
Lots. ~Melodie
Over twenty. ~Michael
Over twenty here too. ~Aimee
Maybe 5 or 6. ~Chad
I know quite a few supposed Christians who are voting for Biden. ~Amy
I go to a liberal seminary and I would say the vast majority of my fellow classmates and in particularly the teachers are voting for Biden. ~Aaron
I know about a dozen, but I’ll never understand how they can make that choice — on the Life issue alone. ~Timmerle
Christians voting for Biden-Harris? None. ~Don
Professing is the correct term…. ~Tim
Way too many! One is too many!! ~Bev
Lots. Rachelle
I would say probably at least 20% of the people I know are voting for Biden. ~Karen
But Pro-Choice Platforms Reduce the Number of Abortions!
First of all, this has not been proven to be true.
Secondly, if it were true it wouldn’t matter.
If a politician made a campaign promise that he or she would kill every young child that was not appropriately secured in a car seat or booster when in a car, would you vote him in? Of course not. Why? Because the politician would be exposed as a demented sociopath that probably needs to be locked away in prison or safely secured in a hospital for the mentally ill. He’d be an extreme danger to society.
Yet, if the promise of the political sociopath became law you can be absolutely certain that deaths of young children would plummet, not increase. In fact, it would probably be quite rare for police officers to pull out a revolver to terminate children during traffic stops. Parents would be obsessively careful to ensure their children are perfectly strapped in no matter how short their commute might be.
Absurd, right?
Allowing mothers to kill unborn children is an absurd strategy to bring the abortion statistics down. Vile even.
There are many other arguments that are equally pathetic. Many would say the election isn’t only about abortion and that there are other equally important issues. What they are actually saying is they are okay with children being ripped out of wombs as long as the economy is strong, the poor are taken care of and universal, affordable health care is available.
These same people will most likely be among the first in line to endorse the anti-Christ, someone who will offer peace and safety in exchange for their soul.
Make no mistake, a vote for a pro-death candidate is a vote for Molech. An endorsement of someone who promotes killing children invites an invisible yet powerfully destructive spirit of death into your home. Don’t underestimate the supernatural implications.
I’ll say what few will: if you vote for a candidate who is in support of abortion, your supposed Christianity is suspect. You can’t presume to be saved. You are truly in great eternal danger.
Final Thoughts
If you have considered even for a moment voting for a pro-death candidate, I implore you to repent. Then, go deeper in God than you ever have in your life. Pray with fiery passion. Devour the Word of God. Fall in love with Jesus. Become a passionate radical for God. Invite the Holy Spirit to consume you.
If enough do this, revival just might break out and America may shift from being a barbaric nation to one that truly promotes life.
John Burton is a sought out teacher, prophetic messenger and revivalist. He has authored ten books, is a regular contributor to Charisma Magazine, and directed one of the primary internships at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City. He has planted two churches and has initiated two city prayer movements and a school of ministry.


thestream--2020-10-09--C’mon Man: Biden Must Answer Court-Packing Question

The Commission on Presidential Debates will become irreversibly illegitimate unless it reverses course on in-person debates , which alone can force Joe Biden to answer the single most important question in this election : Whether Biden would pack to the Supreme Court with additional seats , forever transforming our Constitution ’ s three-branch form of government into a two-branch system .
The Constitution allows Congress to set the number of Supreme Court seats .
After several decades of trial and error , in 1869 Congress settled on nine seats , which has been a bedrock of stability in America ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For more than half of our nation ’ s existence , there has been only one attempt to change that number .
Franklin Roosevelt in 1937 proposed increasing the number of justices to guarantee a pro-New Deal majority .
Even fellow Democrats joined Republicans in opposing the idea , a repudiation that helped fuel massive Republican congressional gains in 1938 .
Independent courts are essential to safeguarding a free nation , with judges who stand against the political majority — or the mob — when the government seizes unjust power or tramples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg called an independent judiciary “ our nation ’ s hallmark and pride.
” It is not surprising that Ginsburg declared in 2019 that the Supreme Court should stay at nine justices , criticizing FDR ’ s court-packing scheme .
Packing the Court would make the judiciary just an extension of the two political branches , subservient to Congress and the president .
Yet during the Democrat primaries — before Ginsburg ’ s passing — candidates like Kamala Harris openly discussed passing a law to create new Supreme Court seats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ items .
The Constitution gives justices lifetime appointments so that they can defy politicians , ignore polls and the popular mood of the day , and instead faithfully apply the law as written .
Packing the Court to change political outcomes would forever transform our constitutional system of separation of powers and checks and balances between the three branches of government that has kept this nation free since 1789 .
It would fundamentally and forever transform America .
That is why President Donald Trump pressed Biden during the first debate to say whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill from Congress .
Biden refused to answer with the damning dodge that his answer would become the main story , which is telling .
Harris likewise repeatedly refused to answer when pressed by Vice President Pence .
Thursday , Biden declared we will get his answer “ on court-packing the day after the election.
” That must not stand .
With all the pressing national issues that deserve serious public debate , forcing Biden to clearly answer the court-packing question is an overriding reason that there must be two more debates ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stake .
Debates count only if they are in-person .
Central to President Trump ’ s case is that the 78-year-old Biden has become slow , unfocused , and weak .
In a “ virtual debate , ” Biden could have an earpiece for campaign policy experts to tell him how to answer questions , or cue-cards or a whiteboard held above the camera lens to give him words .
Only a debate in front of an audience with the candidates facing each other can reveal what both men are made of .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is right that Biden can not give full , coherent answers without help , or steadfastly stand firm against pressure .
However , the debate commission reveals itself a herd of Democrat and establishment Republican hacks who are in the tank for Biden ; none are conservatives or otherwise open to Trump .
The commission ’ s sole reason for being is to force revealing debates to educate and test presidential nominees , yet it robs the American people of that by cancelling in-person debates .
Americans deserve to be fully informed when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been coddled and sheltered to date .
Numerous questions must be answered , especially on the Supreme Court .
The commission must either provide two more in-person debates , or be abolished .
Ken Blackwell , is a Senior Fellow for Human Rights and Constitutional Governance at the Family Research Council .

The Commission on Presidential Debates will become irreversibly illegitimate unless it reverses course on in-person debates, which alone can force Joe Biden to answer the single most important question in this election: Whether Biden would pack to the Supreme Court with additional seats, forever transforming our Constitution’s three-branch form of government into a two-branch system.
Supreme Court Seats
The Constitution allows Congress to set the number of Supreme Court seats. After several decades of trial and error, in 1869 Congress settled on nine seats, which has been a bedrock of stability in America’s form of government for 151 years.
For more than half of our nation’s existence, there has been only one attempt to change that number. Franklin Roosevelt in 1937 proposed increasing the number of justices to guarantee a pro-New Deal majority. Even fellow Democrats joined Republicans in opposing the idea, a repudiation that helped fuel massive Republican congressional gains in 1938.
Independent courts are essential to safeguarding a free nation, with judges who stand against the political majority — or the mob — when the government seizes unjust power or tramples on individual rights. In 2018, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg called an independent judiciary “our nation’s hallmark and pride.”
Packing the Court
It is not surprising that Ginsburg declared in 2019 that the Supreme Court should stay at nine justices, criticizing FDR’s court-packing scheme. Packing the Court would make the judiciary just an extension of the two political branches, subservient to Congress and the president.
Yet during the Democrat primaries — before Ginsburg’s passing — candidates like Kamala Harris openly discussed passing a law to create new Supreme Court seats to ensure justices would rubber-stamp liberal agenda items.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The Constitution gives justices lifetime appointments so that they can defy politicians, ignore polls and the popular mood of the day, and instead faithfully apply the law as written. Packing the Court to change political outcomes would forever transform our constitutional system of separation of powers and checks and balances between the three branches of government that has kept this nation free since 1789. It would fundamentally and forever transform America.
Biden Refuses to Answer Court-Packing Question
That is why President Donald Trump pressed Biden during the first debate to say whether Biden would sign or veto a court-packing bill from Congress. Biden refused to answer with the damning dodge that his answer would become the main story, which is telling. Harris likewise repeatedly refused to answer when pressed by Vice President Pence.
Thursday, Biden declared we will get his answer “on court-packing the day after the election.” That must not stand.
With all the pressing national issues that deserve serious public debate, forcing Biden to clearly answer the court-packing question is an overriding reason that there must be two more debates; our very form of government is at stake.
A Virtual Debate Doesn’t Count
Debates count only if they are in-person. Central to President Trump’s case is that the 78-year-old Biden has become slow, unfocused, and weak. In a “virtual debate,” Biden could have an earpiece for campaign policy experts to tell him how to answer questions, or cue-cards or a whiteboard held above the camera lens to give him words.
Only a debate in front of an audience with the candidates facing each other can reveal what both men are made of. Americans deserve to know if President Trump is right that Biden cannot give full, coherent answers without help, or steadfastly stand firm against pressure.
However, the debate commission reveals itself a herd of Democrat and establishment Republican hacks who are in the tank for Biden; none are conservatives or otherwise open to Trump. The commission’s sole reason for being is to force revealing debates to educate and test presidential nominees, yet it robs the American people of that by cancelling in-person debates.
Americans Deserve to be Informed
Americans deserve to be fully informed when choosing a president, yet Biden has been coddled and sheltered to date. Numerous questions must be answered, especially on the Supreme Court. The commission must either provide two more in-person debates, or be abolished.
Ken Blackwell, is a Senior Fellow for Human Rights and Constitutional Governance at the Family Research Council.


thestream--2020-10-09--The Man Who Died This Morning

The Man Who Died This Morning

He wasn ’ t exactly a friend , the man who died this morning .
We enjoyed talking when we met , but neither of us sought out the other ’ s company .
We lived in very different worlds .
He was a wildly successful businessman , who ’ d created a business that recycled materials people actually wanted to buy .
I was a writer who tried to create words people wanted to read .
He once mentioned casually ( he was not name-dropping ) that he and his wife had dinner a few nights before with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the world-famous Manfred Honeck .
All I could have offered in response was a dinner with a scruffy collection of scholars and writers .
All very smart but none world-famous .
We became friends because our sons — my second child and his fourth — had become best friends in kindergarten , when they were four , and have stayed best friends in the almost thirty years since .
He once told me he thought of our son as their fifth son .
They gave him the security code to their ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let himself in any time .
They lived a short walk from his school and he would sometimes walk over and make himself lunch .
His son hung around our house as well , though we didn ’ t have a code to share .
He took the two boys to southern Africa as a graduation present .
We haven ’ t talked in a long time .
He moved to Florida several years ago , having sold his business .
A few months ago , he found he had liver cancer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it didn ’ t work .
He returned to Pittsburgh for the end .
As it happened , we ’ d gone to D.C. to put our eldest child on her flight to her next work , in Bangladesh .
We ’ d spent Tuesday evening around the fire pit at the B & B our daughter had rented , my wife and me , both daughters , and our son and his wife .
A lovely evening , with lots of stories and laughing .
About 11:00 , just half an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he texted me to say that his friend ’ s father had 24 to 48 hours to live .
We talked for a while about his going up and what he should expect .
He left before dawn the next morning .
He arrived in time to see his friend ’ s father and say goodbye .
He ’ d had a speech prepared , he told me , but it didn ’ t come out right .
They never do , I said , As we talked , some part of my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s death from cancer four years ago , and our vigil the last long night in the hospice .
And another part anticipated another death , of someone closer to me .
I found myself tearing up , and glad we were texting and not speaking , because I would not have been able to speak .
The loss even of someone who ’ s not exactly a friend knocks a hole in your world .
It takes away someone who ought to be there .
A few years ago , I went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You are a gift to me.
” It seemed a little sentimental , until I thought about it .
That “ you ” means you , whoever you are .
You are a gift , someone God put into my life , however well you are known , and even if you may also be a burden , a trial , a pain .
You are a gift to me , if I let myself see it .
The man who died this morning was a gift to me .
He was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my son .
And because I loved his .
But also because we could talk happily when we did meet and were interested in each other ’ s lives , and because I admired his gifts and his hard work , his kindness and his very generous sharing of what he had earned .
And because he was a man God gave me to know , and to be known by , in the way we did and in the time we had .
He was a gift , and part of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though an unlikely one .
In thanksgiving for the gift of my friend , when my son and I finally finished talking , I said for him the ancient Christian prayer called In Paradisum : Jurgen , may the angels lead you into paradise ; may the martyrs receive you at your arrival and lead you to the holy city Jerusalem .
May choirs of angels receive you , and with Lazarus , once a poor man , may you have eternal rest .
The illustration is a detail from an engraving by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior editor of The Stream .
After teaching writing in a seminary , he has been editor of Touchstone and the executive editor of First Things .
He edits the site Hour of Our Death and writes a weekly column for The Catholic Herald .

He wasn’t exactly a friend, the man who died this morning. We enjoyed talking when we met, but neither of us sought out the other’s company.
We lived in very different worlds. He was a wildly successful businessman, who’d created a business that recycled materials people actually wanted to buy. I was a writer who tried to create words people wanted to read.
He once mentioned casually (he was not name-dropping) that he and his wife had dinner a few nights before with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s music director, the world-famous Manfred Honeck. All I could have offered in response was a dinner with a scruffy collection of scholars and writers. All very smart but none world-famous.
We Become Friends
We became friends because our sons — my second child and his fourth — had become best friends in kindergarten, when they were four, and have stayed best friends in the almost thirty years since. He once told me he thought of our son as their fifth son.
They gave him the security code to their home and let him let himself in any time. They lived a short walk from his school and he would sometimes walk over and make himself lunch. His son hung around our house as well, though we didn’t have a code to share. He took the two boys to southern Africa as a graduation present.
We haven’t talked in a long time. He moved to Florida several years ago, having sold his business. A few months ago, he found he had liver cancer. The doctors tried what they try, but it didn’t work.
He returned to Pittsburgh for the end. As it happened, we’d gone to D.C. to put our eldest child on her flight to her next work, in Bangladesh. We’d spent Tuesday evening around the fire pit at the B&B our daughter had rented, my wife and me, both daughters, and our son and his wife. A lovely evening, with lots of stories and laughing.
About 11:00, just half an hour after they’d left, he texted me to say that his friend’s father had 24 to 48 hours to live. We talked for a while about his going up and what he should expect. He left before dawn the next morning. He arrived in time to see his friend’s father and say goodbye. He’d had a speech prepared, he told me, but it didn’t come out right. They never do, I said.
As we talked, some part of my mind flashed back to my sister’s death from cancer four years ago, and our vigil the last long night in the hospice. And another part anticipated another death, of someone closer to me. I found myself tearing up, and glad we were texting and not speaking, because I would not have been able to speak.
A Gift
The loss even of someone who’s not exactly a friend knocks a hole in your world. It takes away someone who ought to be there.
A few years ago, I went to a conference with the theme “You are a gift to me.” It seemed a little sentimental, until I thought about it. That “you” means you, whoever you are. You are a gift, someone God put into my life, however well you are known, whether you are admirable like my friend, or not, and even if you may also be a burden, a trial, a pain. You are a gift to me, if I let myself see it.
The man who died this morning was a gift to me. He was a gift to me mainly because he loved my son. And because I loved his. But also because we could talk happily when we did meet and were interested in each other’s lives, and because I admired his gifts and his hard work, his humility about the things he’d accomplished, his kindness and his very generous sharing of what he had earned. And because he was a man God gave me to know, and to be known by, in the way we did and in the time we had.
He was a gift, and part of that gift was his being a friend, though an unlikely one. In thanksgiving for the gift of my friend, when my son and I finally finished talking, I said for him the ancient Christian prayer called In Paradisum: Jurgen, may the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs receive you at your arrival and lead you to the holy city Jerusalem. May choirs of angels receive you, and with Lazarus, once a poor man, may you have eternal rest.
The illustration is a detail from an engraving by John Flaxman.
David Mills is a senior editor of The Stream. After teaching writing in a seminary, he has been editor of Touchstone and the executive editor of First Things. He edits the site Hour of Our Death and writes a weekly column for The Catholic Herald.


thestream--2020-10-09--Pence Victorious Over Harris and Page

Pence Victorious Over Harris and Page

The conventional wisdom is that Susan Page was a fair moderator of the vice presidential debate .
She wasn ’ t , but Vice President Mike Pence won anyway .
Almost all of Page ’ s questions were loaded against the Trump-Pence agenda , and hardly any were loaded against the Biden-Harris agenda .
Though her baked-in assumptions incorporated the liberal narrative , Pence managed to overcome all of it .
Permit a sampling .
In her COVID-19 question to Sen. Kamala Harris , Page stressed how much worse the virus is getting ( debatable ) , which was an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it .
In her question to Pence , she charged that the U.S. death toll is proportionately higher than that of almost every other wealthy nation .
Now , some will say this is no big deal , but an impartial moderator would offer no such editorial comments in either question and would instead invite Harris to comment on Trump ’ s handling of it and how Biden would handle it differently .
She would not suggest Trump has mismanaged the virus but ask Pence if he believes the administration has managed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused Trump of conducting a “ super-spreader event ” in the Rose Garden without social distancing or masks and accusatorily asked Pence how he could expect Americans to follow safety guidelines when Trump didn ’ t .
It is not her job to attack .
That is the debater ’ s prerogative .
She might fairly ask that question in an interview , but not a debate .
On the question of presidential disability , Page opined that voters were concerned over presidential disability because of the candidates ’ ages and said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s recent bout with COVID .
She didn ’ t mention the extraordinarily humongous elephant in the room — Joe Biden ’ s mental decline — even though Trump ’ s COVID issue will most likely be short-term and Biden ’ s will almost certainly progressively degenerate .
The media ’ s glaring omission of Biden ’ s dementia throughout the course of this campaign , and again during this debate , underscores their obscene bias and cynical disregard for the very issue Page raised in this question : presidential disability .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place for presidential succession , so please give us a break from your feigned concern , madam .
Page ’ s next infraction was particularly egregious , as she accused “ Trump ’ s doctors ” of giving “ misleading answers ” to questions about his health , further pushing the media narrative that all human beings in Trump ’ s orbit , including distinguished physicians at Walter Reed hospital , are tainted , and that these doctors are hiding something for some sinister purpose .
Page misleadingly framed her question about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Trump , emphasizing that 11 million jobs lost this year have not been replaced and adding the zinger that Latinos , blacks and women were hit hardest .
She didn ’ t mention how Trump ’ s pre-COVID economy was spectacular or that these very minorities benefitted in particular .
Nor did she mention that the current recovery is extraordinary , especially given the Democrats ’ efforts to perpetuate lockdowns .
If she must editorialize , then let ’ s have both sides .
When she directed the economy question to Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predicted a rapid recovery , “ but the latest economic report shows that ’ s not happening.
” She presented this highly debatable assertion as indisputable fact .
She shouldn ’ t have injected herself at all , but since she did , she should have been neutral — not an ally of the Biden-Harris ticket .
On “ climate change , ” Page noted that there have been increasing hurricanes in the South and record-setting wildfires in the west , before loading her question with the assumption that “ man-made climate change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are ludicrous , in my opinion .
But that ’ s not the point , which is that it is not her job to make such assertions .
Her real purpose in so framing the question was to trap Pence into rejecting the conventional wisdom of climate change in an effort to make him look like a science denier .
In a follow-up , Page directly asked Pence whether he regards climate change as an existential threat .
She might as well have said , “ Well , do you , rube ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask Harris whether she believes in gender science or accepts the leftist pap that there are 71 genders .
While Page deserves credit for pointing out the inconsistency between Harris ’ and Biden ’ s attempt to distance themselves from the Green New Deal and their support for it on their website , she didn ’ t ask Harris any pointed questions about the quixotic provisions this program includes , its prohibitive costs and the undeniable truth that even if we were to implement all of its mandates , we wouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this century .
Space limitations preclude further examples .
But let me say that despite the deck being stacked against him , Pence managed to parry the accusations and keep the debate focused on substantive issues .
He specifically contrasted Biden ’ s agenda with Trump ’ s agenda and Trump ’ s record .
I disagree with the pundit consensus that this debate will make no difference .
Pence focused the nation ’ s attention on Biden ’ s horrific plans for America , which is critical for a Trump victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s agenda , and it was incalculably beneficial for Pence to highlight it .
President Trump can build on this in the next debate .
The more people exposed to Biden ’ s dangerous and cockamamie ideas , the greater Trump ’ s chances , which is precisely why Biden and Harris are hiding parts of their agenda and the media is abetting them .
David Limbaugh is a writer , author and attorney .
His latest book is Guilty by Reason of Insanity : Why the Democrats Must Not Win .
Follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website at www.davidlimbaugh.com .

The conventional wisdom is that Susan Page was a fair moderator of the vice presidential debate. She wasn’t, but Vice President Mike Pence won anyway.
Almost all of Page’s questions were loaded against the Trump-Pence agenda, and hardly any were loaded against the Biden-Harris agenda. Though her baked-in assumptions incorporated the liberal narrative, Pence managed to overcome all of it.
Page’s Bias Revealed
Permit a sampling. In her COVID-19 question to Sen. Kamala Harris, Page stressed how much worse the virus is getting (debatable), which was an implied indictment of Trump’s management of it. In her question to Pence, she charged that the U.S. death toll is proportionately higher than that of almost every other wealthy nation. Now, some will say this is no big deal, but an impartial moderator would offer no such editorial comments in either question and would instead invite Harris to comment on Trump’s handling of it and how Biden would handle it differently. She would not suggest Trump has mismanaged the virus but ask Pence if he believes the administration has managed it well, and why.
A ‘Super-Spreader event’?
Page accused Trump of conducting a “super-spreader event” in the Rose Garden without social distancing or masks and accusatorily asked Pence how he could expect Americans to follow safety guidelines when Trump didn’t. It is not her job to attack. That is the debater’s prerogative. She might fairly ask that question in an interview, but not a debate.
Presidential Disability
On the question of presidential disability, Page opined that voters were concerned over presidential disability because of the candidates’ ages and said that this concern was sharpened because of Trump’s recent bout with COVID. She didn’t mention the extraordinarily humongous elephant in the room — Joe Biden’s mental decline — even though Trump’s COVID issue will most likely be short-term and Biden’s will almost certainly progressively degenerate.
The media’s glaring omission of Biden’s dementia throughout the course of this campaign, and again during this debate, underscores their obscene bias and cynical disregard for the very issue Page raised in this question: presidential disability. Besides, there are already constitutional procedures in place for presidential succession, so please give us a break from your feigned concern, madam.
Trump’s Health
Page’s next infraction was particularly egregious, as she accused “Trump’s doctors” of giving “misleading answers” to questions about his health, further pushing the media narrative that all human beings in Trump’s orbit, including distinguished physicians at Walter Reed hospital, are tainted, and that these doctors are hiding something for some sinister purpose.
The Economy
Page misleadingly framed her question about the economy in the worst possible light for Trump, emphasizing that 11 million jobs lost this year have not been replaced and adding the zinger that Latinos, blacks and women were hit hardest. She didn’t mention how Trump’s pre-COVID economy was spectacular or that these very minorities benefitted in particular. Nor did she mention that the current recovery is extraordinary, especially given the Democrats’ efforts to perpetuate lockdowns. If she must editorialize, then let’s have both sides.
When she directed the economy question to Pence, she gratuitously editorialized that Trump had predicted a rapid recovery, “but the latest economic report shows that’s not happening.” She presented this highly debatable assertion as indisputable fact. She shouldn’t have injected herself at all, but since she did, she should have been neutral — not an ally of the Biden-Harris ticket.
Climate Change
On “climate change,” Page noted that there have been increasing hurricanes in the South and record-setting wildfires in the west, before loading her question with the assumption that “man-made climate change” has caused both. These claims are ludicrous, in my opinion. But that’s not the point, which is that it is not her job to make such assertions.
Her real purpose in so framing the question was to trap Pence into rejecting the conventional wisdom of climate change in an effort to make him look like a science denier. In a follow-up, Page directly asked Pence whether he regards climate change as an existential threat. She might as well have said, “Well, do you, rube?” Note that she didn’t ask Harris whether she believes in gender science or accepts the leftist pap that there are 71 genders.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
While Page deserves credit for pointing out the inconsistency between Harris’ and Biden’s attempt to distance themselves from the Green New Deal and their support for it on their website, she didn’t ask Harris any pointed questions about the quixotic provisions this program includes, its prohibitive costs and the undeniable truth that even if we were to implement all of its mandates, we wouldn’t appreciably change global temperature by the end of this century.
The Deck Was Stacked, But…
Space limitations preclude further examples. But let me say that despite the deck being stacked against him, Pence managed to parry the accusations and keep the debate focused on substantive issues. He specifically contrasted Biden’s agenda with Trump’s agenda and Trump’s record.
Pence’s Resounding Victory
I disagree with the pundit consensus that this debate will make no difference. Pence focused the nation’s attention on Biden’s horrific plans for America, which is critical for a Trump victory. The media studiously shields Biden’s agenda, and it was incalculably beneficial for Pence to highlight it. President Trump can build on this in the next debate. The more people exposed to Biden’s dangerous and cockamamie ideas, the greater Trump’s chances, which is precisely why Biden and Harris are hiding parts of their agenda and the media is abetting them.
Against 2-to-1 odds, Pence brought home a resounding victory.
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 his website at www.davidlimbaugh.com.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM


thestream--2020-10-10--Faith and Government: Christians Need Not Apply?

Should being an active Christian bar you from public service ?
Yes , say many pundits today .
It would seem that the left wants to impose a religious test to bar anyone who truly believes in Jesus from serving in government .
The death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg left a vacancy on the Supreme Court .
In the days following her death , all of the candidates on President Trump ’ s shortlist to replace her were dedicated Christians , and the left once again bared their anti-Christian bigotry .
The Constitution says there can be no religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal level ( Article 6 , clause 3 ) .
A famous incident in 2017 involved California Senator Diane Feinstein scorning Catholic judge , Amy Coney Barrett ( who is now Trump ’ s nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy ) , for being too religious .
The senator said , “ I think whatever a religion is , it has its own dogma .
The law is totally different .
And I think in your case , professor , when you read your speeches , the conclusion one draws is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that ’ s of concern.
” Washington Post writer Ron Charles recently criticized Judge Barrett because of her belief that a “ legal career is but a means to an end … and that end is building the Kingdom of God.
” When George W. Bush , an outspoken Christian , was president , one of his biggest antagonists ( at least behind the scenes ) was George Soros .
The billionaire venture-capitalist is committed to a secular vision for America .
Soros has paid out billions of dollars to try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With Bush 43 in mind , Soros said , “ The separation of church and state , the bedrock of our democracy , is clearly undermined by having a born-again president.
” These are amazing statements .
Why not just hang out a sign on Constitution Avenue : “ Government Service Openings : Christians Need Not Apply ” ?
One man had the impertinence to hold a different opinion than these .
He said , “ Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers , and it is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.
” Oh my goodness .
Who was this backwoods rube ?
Didn ’ t he know anything about the Constitution and about our nation ’ s sacred institutions — er , make that “ secular institutions ” ?
That quote was from founding father John Jay , one of the three authors of the Federalist Papers , perhaps the finest political science writings in American history .
John Jay was appointed by President Washington to serve as the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States .
I spoke recently with my friend Dr. Peter Lillback of the Providence Forum on the radio , and I mentioned the Diane Feinstein quote to him .
He noted that we could turn it around and observe that Senator Feinstein is also dogmatic .
But her dogma is one rooted in secularism .
Gary DeMar of American Vision puts it this way : “ The left hates any ‘ dogma ’ that questions their ‘ dogma.
” ’ Meanwhile , an honest reading of American history shows that faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important to most of the settlers and the founders of America : • This year we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the voyage of the Mayflower .
The Pilgrims said they were establishing their colony “ for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith.
” • Rev .
John Winthrop , the leader of the Puritans who founded Boston and Harvard , said of their colony , “ For we shall be as a city upon a hill , ” providing a metaphor for the future nation that ultimately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington said , “ [ T ] rue religion affords to government its surest support.
” • In his Inaugural Address , John Adams said , “ I feel it to be my duty to add , if a veneration for the religion of a people who profess and call themselves Christians , and a fixed resolution to consider a decent respect for Christianity among the best recommendations for the public service.
” [ emphasis added ] Rather than prevent one from serving , being a devout Christian is an asset to one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our second president .
• Alexander Hamilton expressed his desire to create “ the Christian Constitutional Society , ” but his premature death scuttled his plans .
• Thomas Jefferson , was certainly not as orthodox as most of the other founders .
Nonetheless he said , “ Of all the systems of morality ancient or modern , which have come under my observation , none appear to me so pure as that of Jesus.
” ( Letter to William Canby , September 18 , 1813 ) .
The dogmatic anti-Christian bigots in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notion that being a devout Christian should somehow disqualify you from public service .
The idea that there ’ s some sort of anti-Christian magnet over the threshold of government buildings does not comport with our history nor with our Constitution .
Jerry Newcombe , D.Min.
, is a senior producer and an on-air host for D. James Kennedy Ministries .
He has written or co-written 32 books , such as The Unstoppable Jesus Christ , American Amnesia : Is American Paying the Price for Forgetting God ?
, What If Jesus Had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James Kennedy ) and the bestseller , George Washington ’ s Sacred Fire ( with Peter Lillback ) .
Learn more at www.jerrynewcombe.com and follow him on Twitter @ newcombejerry .

Should being an active Christian bar you from public service? Yes, say many pundits today. It would seem that the left wants to impose a religious test to bar anyone who truly believes in Jesus from serving in government.
The death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg left a vacancy on the Supreme Court. In the days following her death, all of the candidates on President Trump’s shortlist to replace her were dedicated Christians, and the left once again bared their anti-Christian bigotry.
The Constitution says there can be no religious test applied to those seeking office at the federal level (Article 6, clause 3).
A famous incident in 2017 involved California Senator Diane Feinstein scorning Catholic judge, Amy Coney Barrett (who is now Trump’s nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy), for being too religious. The senator said, “I think whatever a religion is, it has its own dogma. The law is totally different. And I think in your case, professor, when you read your speeches, the conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you, and that’s of concern.”
Washington Post writer Ron Charles recently criticized Judge Barrett because of her belief that a “legal career is but a means to an end … and that end is building the Kingdom of God.”
Competing Visions for America
When George W. Bush, an outspoken Christian, was president, one of his biggest antagonists (at least behind the scenes) was George Soros. The billionaire venture-capitalist is committed to a secular vision for America. Soros has paid out billions of dollars to try and impose his godless vision on America. With Bush 43 in mind, Soros said, “The separation of church and state, the bedrock of our democracy, is clearly undermined by having a born-again president.”
These are amazing statements. Why not just hang out a sign on Constitution Avenue: “Government Service Openings: Christians Need Not Apply”?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
One man had the impertinence to hold a different opinion than these. He said, “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege of interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”
Oh my goodness. Who was this backwoods rube? Didn’t he know anything about the Constitution and about our nation’s sacred institutions — er, make that “secular institutions”? That quote was from founding father John Jay, one of the three authors of the Federalist Papers, perhaps the finest political science writings in American history. John Jay was appointed by President Washington to serve as the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
A History of Faith
I spoke recently with my friend Dr. Peter Lillback of the Providence Forum on the radio, and I mentioned the Diane Feinstein quote to him. He noted that we could turn it around and observe that Senator Feinstein is also dogmatic. But her dogma is one rooted in secularism.
Gary DeMar of American Vision puts it this way: “The left hates any ‘dogma’ that questions their ‘dogma.”’
Meanwhile, an honest reading of American history shows that faith — the Christian faith — was very important to most of the settlers and the founders of America:
This year we celebrate the 400th anniversary of the voyage of the Mayflower. The Pilgrims said they were establishing their colony “for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith.”
Rev. John Winthrop, the leader of the Puritans who founded Boston and Harvard, said of their colony, “For we shall be as a city upon a hill,” providing a metaphor for the future nation that ultimately came from Jesus Himself.
George Washington said, “[T]rue religion affords to government its surest support.”
In his Inaugural Address, John Adams said, “I feel it to be my duty to add, if a veneration for the religion of a people who profess and call themselves Christians, and a fixed resolution to consider a decent respect for Christianity among the best recommendations for the public service.” [emphasis added] Rather than prevent one from serving, being a devout Christian is an asset to one’s service in government, said our second president.
Alexander Hamilton expressed his desire to create “the Christian Constitutional Society,” but his premature death scuttled his plans.
Thomas Jefferson, was certainly not as orthodox as most of the other founders. Nonetheless he said, “Of all the systems of morality ancient or modern, which have come under my observation, none appear to me so pure as that of Jesus.” (Letter to William Canby, September 18, 1813).
The dogmatic anti-Christian bigots in our society are very wrong in their notion that being a devout Christian should somehow disqualify you from public service. The idea that there’s some sort of anti-Christian magnet over the threshold of government buildings does not comport with our history nor with our Constitution.
Jerry Newcombe, D.Min., is a senior producer and an on-air host for D. James Kennedy Ministries. He has written or co-written 32 books, such as The Unstoppable Jesus Christ, American Amnesia: Is American Paying the Price for Forgetting God?, What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? (with D. James Kennedy) and the bestseller, George Washington’s Sacred Fire (with Peter Lillback). Learn more at www.jerrynewcombe.com and follow him on Twitter @newcombejerry.


thestream--2020-10-10--Pompeo: More Hillary Clinton Emails Could Be Released Before the Election

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday the State Department is working to release emails from Hillary Clinton ’ s private server , and that the documents could be published before the November election .
“ We ’ ve got the emails , we ’ re getting them out .
We ’ ll get all of this information out so the American people can see them , ” Pompeo said in an interview on Fox News .
Earlier Friday , President Donald Trump called for the release of emails from Clinton ’ s server , which she used throughout her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama administration .
It was not immediately clear what emails are poised for release .
The State Department has already published the more than 30,000 emails that Clinton turned over to the agency in late 2014 .
Clinton said she deleted a similar number of emails from her server because they were unrelated to government business .
Hundreds of the emails stored on Clinton ’ s server contained classified information , some of it at the highest classification level .
Many of the classified emails involved correspondence with her closest aides , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mills .
Information in the emails is still considered classified and has not been made public .
Pompeo did not describe what new information , if any , would be disclosed in any future email dump .
But he said he expects to release some of the information before the election on Nov. 3 .
“ We ’ ll do it as far as we can .
I think there will be more to see before the election , ” he said .
The FBI investigated whether Clinton mishandled classified information by using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case without pursuing criminal charges .
Trump ’ s renewed focus on Clinton ’ s emails comes as he has pushed for the declassification of documents related to the FBI ’ s investigation of his campaign in 2016 .
The Republican said earlier this week that he has authorized the “ total ” declassification of documents that he says will expose what he called the “ Russia hoax.
” During the 2016 campaign , Trump repeatedly questioned what happened to the emails that Clinton deleted from her server .
Trump and his allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the hands of foreign hackers .
In one now-infamous speech , Trump called on Russians to search for the deleted emails .
“ Russia , if you ’ re listening , I hope you ’ re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing , ” he said at a rally on July 27 , 2016 .

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday the State Department is working to release emails from Hillary Clinton’s private server, and that the documents could be published before the November election.
“We’ve got the emails, we’re getting them out. We’ll get all of this information out so the American people can see them,” Pompeo said in an interview on Fox News.
Earlier Friday, President Donald Trump called for the release of emails from Clinton’s server, which she used throughout her tenure as secretary of state in the Obama administration.
It was not immediately clear what emails are poised for release.
The State Department has already published the more than 30,000 emails that Clinton turned over to the agency in late 2014. Clinton said she deleted a similar number of emails from her server because they were unrelated to government business.
Hundreds of the emails stored on Clinton’s server contained classified information, some of it at the highest classification level. Many of the classified emails involved correspondence with her closest aides, including Jake Sullivan, Huma Abedin and Cheryl Mills.
Information in the emails is still considered classified and has not been made public.
Pompeo did not describe what new information, if any, would be disclosed in any future email dump. But he said he expects to release some of the information before the election on Nov. 3.
“We’ll do it as far as we can. I think there will be more to see before the election,” he said.
The FBI investigated whether Clinton mishandled classified information by using the server, but ultimately closed the case without pursuing criminal charges.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Trump’s renewed focus on Clinton’s emails comes as he has pushed for the declassification of documents related to the FBI’s investigation of his campaign in 2016. The Republican said earlier this week that he has authorized the “total” declassification of documents that he says will expose what he called the “Russia hoax.”
During the 2016 campaign, Trump repeatedly questioned what happened to the emails that Clinton deleted from her server. Trump and his allies suggested that the records might have fallen into the hands of foreign hackers.
In one now-infamous speech, Trump called on Russians to search for the deleted emails.
“Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing,” he said at a rally on July 27, 2016.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-10-10--Christian Voting Myth #2: ‘God is in Charge Anyway so it Doesn’t Matter if I Vote’

This is part 2 of a 4-part series debunking four common myths Christians use to not vote .
Read myth # 1 : “ One Vote Doesn ’ t Make a Difference ” Anyone who has spent 15 minutes around a church during election season has heard someone say some version of the following : “ Don ’ t worry about the election .
It doesn ’ t really matter what happens because God is always in charge anyways.
” It ’ s true , of course , that God is always in charge .
Neither human frailty nor human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world .
He will accomplish His plan despite us .
But it isn ’ t logical to conclude that because God is sovereign , we don ’ t have to care about what happens in government .
Here ’ s why .
We Take Freedom for Granted The freedom we enjoy in America is unusual .
Even if you ’ re not a political activist , you ’ re probably thankful that life in the United States is different than life in places like Venezuela or North Korea .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better .
We can own property , say stupid things online about our government without fear of the police arresting us for it , and even help determine who our government is .
These freedoms are so normal for Americans that we tend to take them for granted , but they were unimaginable for generations past .
Billions of people have lived and died under a monarchy , oligarchy , or some form of dictatorship .
That ’ s not only true of the past , it ’ s true of the present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now are not free in the way Americans understand freedom .
Those of us who have freedom and prosperity probably didn ’ t do anything to earn it .
We inherited it .
We ’ re political trust fund babies .
Though we didn ’ t do anything to get it , we are responsible for what we do with it .
To whom much is given , much is required .
That ’ s why indifference isn ’ t an option .
The American form of government is a gift , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave us that gift to treat it with appropriate respect and appreciation .
One way we do that is by taking care of it .
A republican form of government , like everything in our lives , requires constant maintenance .
If you decide to never mow your lawn again , never replace the brakes on your car , or never fix the leak in your roof , God will still be in charge and He will still accomplish His purpose .
Nothing about neglecting adult responsibilities threatens God ’ s sovereignty .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fix our roof because God is sovereign , nor is God ’ s sovereignty the reason we would fix it .
We fix the roof as an act of stewardship for the good gift of a house that God has given us and as an act of service to the people in our family who live in the house .
So it is with governments .
Educating ourselves , voting , and running for office are forms of civic maintenance .
They feel like chores because in a real sense , they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they ’ re a privilege .
We shouldn ’ t complain about our civic duties any more than we should complain about the maintenance costs on our private fleet of jets .
Some problems aren ’ t problems , they ’ re blessings .
It is a privilege to be able to query which candidate is most tolerable .
At least we get to have an opinion .
Doing the work necessary to keep the luxury items God has given us in good condition does not show a lack of trust in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good stewardship of what He has given to us and kindness to our neighbors .
After all , well maintained governments make life better for everyone .
Ideas are not neutral .
All ideas have consequences , and bad ideas have victims .
When we allow bad ideas to take root in government , people get hurt .
Engagement in our government is not just a way to fulfill a civic duty , it ’ s a chance to make life tangibly better for other people .
Babies who would otherwise die get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be punished for speaking the truth get to speak .
Businesses that would otherwise be shut down can flourish .
Parents who would otherwise lose the right to direct the upbringing of their children get to have the final say .
Communities that would otherwise be unsafe are able to thrive .
Justice exists where it didn ’ t before .
Some political choices are purely a matter of opinion — chocolate or vanilla ?
But sometimes they ’ re a matter of life and death .
It ’ s true that God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Him , even when things are hard .
It is also comforting to know that God will restore all things in His time , even if something bad happens .
But that ’ s no excuse for indifference .
God has placed us on earth to be His hands and feet in a broken world .
Our efforts to make the world better by living out our beliefs are not a sign of misplaced trust but a recognition of who He made us to be .
Joseph Backholm is Senior Fellow for Biblical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council .
He combines extensive legal , political , and policy experience with a love for the way biblical truth cultivates human flourishing .

This is part 2 of a 4-part series debunking four common myths Christians use to not vote. Read myth #1: “One Vote Doesn’t Make a Difference”
Anyone who has spent 15 minutes around a church during election season has heard someone say some version of the following: “Don’t worry about the election. It doesn’t really matter what happens because God is always in charge anyways.”
It’s true, of course, that God is always in charge. Neither human frailty nor human stupidity threaten God’s plan for the world. He will accomplish His plan despite us. But it isn’t logical to conclude that because God is sovereign, we don’t have to care about what happens in government. Here’s why.
We Take Freedom for Granted
The freedom we enjoy in America is unusual. Even if you’re not a political activist, you’re probably thankful that life in the United States is different than life in places like Venezuela or North Korea. It’s not just different, it’s better. We can own property, say stupid things online about our government without fear of the police arresting us for it, and even help determine who our government is.
These freedoms are so normal for Americans that we tend to take them for granted, but they were unimaginable for generations past. Billions of people have lived and died under a monarchy, oligarchy, or some form of dictatorship. That’s not only true of the past, it’s true of the present. Most people alive in the world right now are not free in the way Americans understand freedom.
Engagement in our government is not just a way to fulfill a civic duty, it’s a chance to make life tangibly better for other people.
Those of us who have freedom and prosperity probably didn’t do anything to earn it. We inherited it. We’re political trust fund babies. Though we didn’t do anything to get it, we are responsible for what we do with it. To whom much is given, much is required. That’s why indifference isn’t an option. The American form of government is a gift, and we owe it to those who gave us that gift to treat it with appropriate respect and appreciation. One way we do that is by taking care of it.
Civic Maintenance
A republican form of government, like everything in our lives, requires constant maintenance. If you decide to never mow your lawn again, never replace the brakes on your car, or never fix the leak in your roof, God will still be in charge and He will still accomplish His purpose. Nothing about neglecting adult responsibilities threatens God’s sovereignty. But we don’t decline to fix our roof because God is sovereign, nor is God’s sovereignty the reason we would fix it. We fix the roof as an act of stewardship for the good gift of a house that God has given us and as an act of service to the people in our family who live in the house. So it is with governments.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Educating ourselves, voting, and running for office are forms of civic maintenance. They feel like chores because in a real sense, they are chores. They’re civic chores and they’re a privilege. We shouldn’t complain about our civic duties any more than we should complain about the maintenance costs on our private fleet of jets. Some problems aren’t problems, they’re blessings. It is a privilege to be able to query which candidate is most tolerable. At least we get to have an opinion. Doing the work necessary to keep the luxury items God has given us in good condition does not show a lack of trust in God’s sovereignty, it shows good stewardship of what He has given to us and kindness to our neighbors.
Ideas are not Neutral
After all, well maintained governments make life better for everyone. Ideas are not neutral. All ideas have consequences, and bad ideas have victims. When we allow bad ideas to take root in government, people get hurt. Engagement in our government is not just a way to fulfill a civic duty, it’s a chance to make life tangibly better for other people. Babies who would otherwise die get to live. People who would otherwise be punished for speaking the truth get to speak. Businesses that would otherwise be shut down can flourish. Parents who would otherwise lose the right to direct the upbringing of their children get to have the final say. Communities that would otherwise be unsafe are able to thrive. Justice exists where it didn’t before. Some political choices are purely a matter of opinion — chocolate or vanilla? But sometimes they’re a matter of life and death.
It’s true that God is in charge and we can trust Him, even when things are hard. It is also comforting to know that God will restore all things in His time, even if something bad happens. But that’s no excuse for indifference. God has placed us on earth to be His hands and feet in a broken world. Our efforts to make the world better by living out our beliefs are not a sign of misplaced trust but a recognition of who He made us to be.
Joseph Backholm is Senior Fellow for Biblical Worldview and Strategic Engagement at Family Research Council. He combines extensive legal, political, and policy experience with a love for the way biblical truth cultivates human flourishing.
Originally published at FRCBlog.


thestream--2020-10-11--Call to Prayer: Live on Sunday, October 11, 5:00 PM ET

On Sunday , October 11 , Lara Trump will be hosting a live prayer event for the President and for @ @ @ @ @ feature Stream publisher James Robison , Paula White-Cain , Darryl Strawberry , Sam Rodriguez , @ @ @ @ @ event begins at 5:00 pm ( ET ) .
Watch the event live on Facebook @ @ @

On Sunday, October 11, Lara Trump hosted a live prayer event for President Trump and for America. The event featured prayers from Stream publisher James Robison, Paula White-Cain, Darryl Strawberry, Sam Rodriguez, and Joni Lamb. The President himself joined the call to give an update on his health and to thank the American people for their support. Please watch and be blessed.
React to This Article What do you think of our coverage in this article? We value your feedback as we continue to grow. React to This Post 😀 🙂 😐 🙁 😡


thestream--2020-10-10--Who’s Behind the Fake Christian Group Against Amy Barrett? George Soros

The NeverTrump movement among putatively faithful Christians is running on fumes .
All the legitimate doubts we ( I included ) once had about President Trump ’ s pro-life intentions , or respect for the limits of his office ?
They ’ ve proven groundless .
There is now no honest reason for any Christian or conservative to say it would be better if Joe Biden won .
Much less that he carried behind him a string of newly minted far-left U.S. senators .
That would happen , of course .
And then they would pack the courts , add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to gain more senators , and abolish the filibuster so their party could rule essentially by decree .
There is nothing Donald Trump has ever done to make us deserve that .
Nor Richard Nixon .
Indeed , no Republican president has ever been so bad that he would have deserved replacement by Biden .
Few Democrats have been bad enough , in fact .
Maybe Woodrow Wilson .
To find a major American politician whose views or character were bad enough to look even worse than Biden , you ’ d really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Worst Democrat Since the Confederacy And not even to the mixed-bag Jefferson Davis .
You ’ d need to fasten on Confederate Vice President Alexander Stevens .
He cited proto-Darwinist pseudo-science and twisted Bible verses to claim that black people are inherently inferior , and must be forever slaves .
That ’ s somebody I might vote for Biden to stop .
Though to be honest , I ’ d probably just write in Kanye West .
I ’ ve debunked the fainting-couch Christian case against Trump here enough times that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to repeat myself .
Check out my response to David French ’ s attacks on Eric Metaxas , to get the gist .
Which conservatives are really convinced in good faith that we deserve for Trump to lose ?
Nobody , that ’ s who .
Mollie Hemingway made this point nicely on Twitter : The only Republicans who still want to see Biden win at this point are those who value their control over the GOP more highly than they do America ’ s best interests .
Or the lives of unborn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
People who saw the GOP , and the U.S. in fact , as means to an end— especially the prosecution of pointless , aggressive wars in the Middle East that leave Christians persecuted .
All the honest NeverTrumpers have already come around .
Don ’ t bother with the others .
But the enemies of everything you and I hold dear don ’ t want folks to know that .
They ’ re keen to claim there ’ s a vast constituency of “ principled , ” “ pro-life , ” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too darned pure to vote for Donald Trump .
Michael Brown recently addressed the “ Pro-Life Evangelicals for Biden , ” out of exquisite courtesy assuming a ) that they are in good faith and b ) that they exist .
I ’ d like to follow up by addressing a group that neither has good faith , nor really exists .
It ’ s an Astroturf “ grass roots ” coalition of flunkies and nonentities , conjured out of nothing by waving the magic wand of money .
I speak of “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ putative pro-life Evangelicals .
Its website boasts that it waged war against Hobby Lobby , World Vision , and the Family Research Council .
Just in case you were wondering what kind of “ evangelical ” the group claims to represent .
That is , a fake one .
Faithful America claims that all its funds come from members ’ donations , but in fact it asked for and got hundreds of thousands from … George Soros .
That ’ s right , the Israel-bashing friend of terrorists , abortionists , and open-borders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thank God ( not Putin ) for Wikileaks .
It exposed so many apostles eager for little bags of silver .
Including these guys .
The Soros staffers themselves know how much respect to grant these people , derisively calling them “ mascots.
” Check out the video below : Soros ’ s “ Rented Evangelicals ” from Well Versed on Vimeo .
Now Newsweek reports that “ Faithful America ” is collecting petition signatures to stop the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court .
This front group warns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could potentially undermine progress on a range of issues , including the Affordable Care Act , immigration rights and LGBTQ protections.
” I think I can speak with some authority here .
I once questioned Barrett ’ s nomination too , out of fear that she was too deferential to liberal U.S. bishops and Pope Francis .
But her judicial decisions proved me wrong , and I was honest enough to admit it .
Don ’ t expect honesty from bought-and-paid for “ mascots ” of George Soros who boast of taking scalps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be naïve about the ambitions of anti-American , anti-Israel , and anti-Western globalists like Soros to meddle in our politics .
The prosecutor who ’ s persecuting the McCloskeys in St. Louis for defending their homes from a mob of rioters was elected as part of a whole slate of Soros-backed candidates , in cities across our country .
I should know .
My own D.A .
here in Dallas is one of them .
Learn more about Soros ’ agenda in this comprehensive , alarming video which Youtube keeps taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Assault on Trump and America from Well Versed on Vimeo .
Let your senators know you don ’ t want Soros picking our Supreme Court justices either .
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 .
He is co-author with Jason Jones of “ God , Guns , & the Government .
”

The NeverTrump movement among putatively faithful Christians is running on fumes. All the legitimate doubts we (I included) once had about President Trump’s pro-life intentions, or respect for the limits of his office? They’ve proven groundless.
There is now no honest reason for any Christian or conservative to say it would be better if Joe Biden won. Much less that he carried behind him a string of newly minted far-left U.S. senators. That would happen, of course. And then they would pack the courts, add frivolous new states like Washington, D.C. to gain more senators, and abolish the filibuster so their party could rule essentially by decree.
There is nothing Donald Trump has ever done to make us deserve that. Nor Richard Nixon. Indeed, no Republican president has ever been so bad that he would have deserved replacement by Biden. Few Democrats have been bad enough, in fact. Maybe Woodrow Wilson. To find a major American politician whose views or character were bad enough to look even worse than Biden, you’d really have to reach back to the Confederacy.
The Worst Democrat Since the Confederacy
And not even to the mixed-bag Jefferson Davis. You’d need to fasten on Confederate Vice President Alexander Stevens. He cited proto-Darwinist pseudo-science and twisted Bible verses to claim that black people are inherently inferior, and must be forever slaves. That’s somebody I might vote for Biden to stop. Though to be honest, I’d probably just write in Kanye West.
All the honest NeverTrumpers have already come around. Don’t bother with the others.
I’ve debunked the fainting-couch Christian case against Trump here enough times that it would be a waste of time to repeat myself. Check out my response to David French’s attacks on Eric Metaxas, to get the gist. Which conservatives are really convinced in good faith that we deserve for Trump to lose? Nobody, that’s who. Mollie Hemingway made this point nicely on Twitter:
I personally know so many people who could have written this. “I Didn’t Vote For Trump In 2016, But I’d Crawl Over Broken Glass To Now” https://t.co/i7tPitlP3M — Mollie (@MZHemingway) October 9, 2020
The only Republicans who still want to see Biden win at this point are those who value their control over the GOP more highly than they do America’s best interests. Or the lives of unborn children. Or the safety of Christians. People who saw the GOP, and the U.S. in fact, as means to an end— especially the prosecution of pointless, aggressive wars in the Middle East that leave Christians persecuted.
All the honest NeverTrumpers have already come around. Don’t bother with the others.
Astroturf “Christian Grass Roots”
But the enemies of everything you and I hold dear don’t want folks to know that. They’re keen to claim there’s a vast constituency of “principled,” “pro-life,” “conservative Christian” voters who are just too darned pure to vote for Donald Trump. Michael Brown recently addressed the “Pro-Life Evangelicals for Biden,” out of exquisite courtesy assuming a) that they are in good faith and b) that they exist.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
I’d like to follow up by addressing a group that neither has good faith, nor really exists. It’s an Astroturf “grass roots” coalition of flunkies and nonentities, conjured out of nothing by waving the magic wand of money. I speak of “Faithful America,” a group of putative pro-life Evangelicals. Its website boasts that it waged war against Hobby Lobby, World Vision, and the Family Research Council. Just in case you were wondering what kind of “evangelical” the group claims to represent. That is, a fake one.
Faithful America claims that all its funds come from members’ donations, but in fact it asked for and got hundreds of thousands from … George Soros. That’s right, the Israel-bashing friend of terrorists, abortionists, and open-borders human trafficking allies around the world.
Rent-an-Evangelical “Mascots” for Soros
Thank God (not Putin) for Wikileaks. It exposed so many apostles eager for little bags of silver. Including these guys. The Soros staffers themselves know how much respect to grant these people, derisively calling them “mascots.” Check out the video below:
Soros’s “Rented Evangelicals” from Well Versed on Vimeo.
Now Newsweek reports that “Faithful America” is collecting petition signatures to stop the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court. This front group warns that on the court, Barrett “could potentially undermine progress on a range of issues, including the Affordable Care Act, immigration rights and LGBTQ protections.”
I think I can speak with some authority here. I once questioned Barrett’s nomination too, out of fear that she was too deferential to liberal U.S. bishops and Pope Francis. But her judicial decisions proved me wrong, and I was honest enough to admit it. Don’t expect honesty from bought-and-paid for “mascots” of George Soros who boast of taking scalps from genuine Christian groups.
Should Soros Decide Who’s on SCOTUS?
And don’t be naïve about the ambitions of anti-American, anti-Israel, and anti-Western globalists like Soros to meddle in our politics. The prosecutor who’s persecuting the McCloskeys in St. Louis for defending their homes from a mob of rioters was elected as part of a whole slate of Soros-backed candidates, in cities across our country. I should know. My own D.A. here in Dallas is one of them.
Learn more about Soros’ agenda in this comprehensive, alarming video which Youtube keeps taking down:
Rent a Riot: Soros’ Assault on Trump and America from Well Versed on Vimeo.
Let your senators know you don’t want Soros picking our Supreme Court justices either.
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. He is co-author with Jason Jones of “God, Guns, & the Government.”