thestream--2020-05-07--Rosenstein’s ‘Scope’ Memo Gave Mueller Free Rein With No Evidence

In breaking news , the long-awaited August 2 , 2017 , memo from then-deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein outlining the scope of the Mueller special counsel investigation has been declassified ( well , partially ) , and it ’ s almost unimaginably bad .
No wonder it was kept under wraps for so long .
We ’ ll have more to say about this on Monday , but for your weekend reading pleasure , Sean Davis at The Federalist brings the details to you .
Thanks to Sen. Lindsay Graham of South Carolina for his repeated requests that finally led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senate Judiciary Committee by the Justice Department .
It shows Rosenstein essentially turned Mueller loose to look far beyond whatever dealings with Russia his targets might or might not have had .
In other words , the scope was pretty much unlimited .
Mueller was tasked with investigating “ 1 ) any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump , and 2 ) any matters that arose or may arise directly from that investigation.
” “ The legal foundation for Mueller ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Wednesday night .
“ I supported the Mueller investigation because I didn ’ t know [ that there was no foundation ] .
Now I know why Mueller didn ’ t find anything.
” It ’ s true that Mueller ’ s team never did find any evidence to link any associate of the Trump campaign with Russia ’ s election interference .
Of course he didn ’ t -— there was never any legitimate reason to be looking at that in the first place .
Using the Bogus Steele Dossier to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and justify the authorization of a special counsel , Rosenstein pulled from the bogus Christopher Steele “ dossier.
” The dossier had been funded , through sneaky channels , by the Hillary Clinton campaign and the DNC ( same thing ) , including unsupported claims about Paul Manafort and Carter Page .
This was after the “ 7th Floor ” at the FBI knew the problems with the “ dossier ” and with Steele as a source .
Inescapable conclusion : They didn ’ t give a flying fig about whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long as it gave them a pretense to go after the President .
Rosenstein ordered Mueller to investigate allegations that Page “ committed a crime or crimes by colluding with Russian government officials with respect to the Russian government ’ s efforts to interfere with the 2016 election.
” Keep in mind , by this time they had already been spying on him for months and had found nothing to justify this .
As you know , there has never been any evidence that Page was working with Russia , and he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( In fact , it was discovered he was actually assisting the CIA in nabbing Russians . )
Rosenstein ’ s memo casts a wide net ; it includes not only Page and Manafort but also Michael Flynn , George Papadopoulos and one other mystery person whose name is still redacted .
( We don ’ t know for sure , but does anyone think it isn ’ t President Trump ?
Who else would still have his name redacted ? )
Rosenstein targeted Flynn for activities that , though perfectly appropriate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be tied , however ludicrously , to the Logan Act .
The Logan Act dates from 1799 and under which no one has ever been successfully prosecuted .
He also targeted Papadopoulos , alleging that he was a secret , unregistered foreign agent of…not Russia , but Israel .
As Sean Davis reports , what is now evident from this memo is that Rep. Davin Nunes of California was correct when he said Rosenstein had used the fictitious Steele “ dossier ” to justify and direct Mueller ’ s special counsel probe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turns out to be right again !
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
This incredible overreach should be an embarrassment to the FBI .
Again , we ’ ll have much more Monday .
In the meantime , here ’ s some solid reporting from Gregg Re at FOX NEWS , who says the memo “ makes clear that Rosenstein didn ’ t hesitate to explicitly authorize a deep-dive criminal probe into the Trump team that extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Collusion is not a U.S. crime , ” Re explains , “ meaning Mueller had a broad mandate to investigate essentially any foreign involvement by these officials in search of some criminal activity .
In other words , a fishing expedition .
They were going in search of crimes .
Contrast this with the way Hillary and her Bleachbit-happy campaign people were treated .
There ’ s still a giant block of copy in the memo that remains redacted .
According to Re , “ speculation has swirled ” about whether it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Remember , one of the names of the people to be investigated is still redacted . )
Message to Bill Barr , who can declassify anything he wants : LET ’ S SEE IT ALL .
Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas and longtime conservative commentator on issues in culture and current events .
A New York Times best-selling author , he hosts the weekly talk show Huckabee on TBN .

In breaking news, the long-awaited August 2, 2017, memo from then-deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein outlining the scope of the Mueller special counsel investigation has been declassified (well, partially), and it’s almost unimaginably bad. No wonder it was kept under wraps for so long.
We’ll have more to say about this on Monday, but for your weekend reading pleasure, Sean Davis at The Federalist brings the details to you.
Thanks to Sen. Lindsay Graham of South Carolina for his repeated requests that finally led to the document’s release to the Senate Judiciary Committee by the Justice Department. It shows Rosenstein essentially turned Mueller loose to look far beyond whatever dealings with Russia his targets might or might not have had.
In other words, the scope was pretty much unlimited. Mueller was tasked with investigating “1) any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump, and 2) any matters that arose or may arise directly from that investigation.”
“The legal foundation for Mueller’s appointment is crumbling,” Graham said Wednesday night. “I supported the Mueller investigation because I didn’t know [that there was no foundation]. Now I know why Mueller didn’t find anything.” It’s true that Mueller’s team never did find any evidence to link any associate of the Trump campaign with Russia’s election interference. Of course he didn’t -— there was never any legitimate reason to be looking at that in the first place.
Using the Bogus Steele Dossier to Hunt Trump
To provide his “foundation” and justify the authorization of a special counsel, Rosenstein pulled from the bogus Christopher Steele “dossier.” The dossier had been funded, through sneaky channels, by the Hillary Clinton campaign and the DNC (same thing), including unsupported claims about Paul Manafort and Carter Page. This was after the “7th Floor” at the FBI knew the problems with the “dossier” and with Steele as a source. Inescapable conclusion: They didn’t give a flying fig about whether the junk “dossier” was true as long as it gave them a pretense to go after the President.
Rosenstein ordered Mueller to investigate allegations that Page “committed a crime or crimes by colluding with Russian government officials with respect to the Russian government’s efforts to interfere with the 2016 election.” Keep in mind, by this time they had already been spying on him for months and had found nothing to justify this. As you know, there has never been any evidence that Page was working with Russia, and he has never been charged with anything at all. (In fact, it was discovered he was actually assisting the CIA in nabbing Russians.)
Rosenstein’s memo casts a wide net; it includes not only Page and Manafort but also Michael Flynn, George Papadopoulos and one other mystery person whose name is still redacted. (We don’t know for sure, but does anyone think it isn’t President Trump? Who else would still have his name redacted?)
Rosenstein targeted Flynn for activities that, though perfectly appropriate for an incoming national security adviser, could be tied, however ludicrously, to the Logan Act. The Logan Act dates from 1799 and under which no one has ever been successfully prosecuted. He also targeted Papadopoulos, alleging that he was a secret, unregistered foreign agent of…not Russia, but Israel.
As Sean Davis reports, what is now evident from this memo is that Rep. Davin Nunes of California was correct when he said Rosenstein had used the fictitious Steele “dossier” to justify and direct Mueller’s special counsel probe. What do you know — Nunes turns out to be right again!
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
This incredible overreach should be an embarrassment to the FBI. Again, we’ll have much more Monday. In the meantime, here’s some solid reporting from Gregg Re at FOX NEWS, who says the memo “makes clear that Rosenstein didn’t hesitate to explicitly authorize a deep-dive criminal probe into the Trump team that extended well beyond Russian interference efforts.”
“Collusion is not a U.S. crime,” Re explains, “meaning Mueller had a broad mandate to investigate essentially any foreign involvement by these officials in search of some criminal activity. In other words, a fishing expedition. They were going in search of crimes. Contrast this with the way Hillary and her Bleachbit-happy campaign people were treated.
There’s still a giant block of copy in the memo that remains redacted. According to Re, “speculation has swirled” about whether it has to do with investigating President Trump. (Remember, one of the names of the people to be investigated is still redacted.)
Message to Bill Barr, who can declassify anything he wants: LET’S SEE IT ALL.
Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas and longtime conservative commentator on issues in culture and current events. A New York Times best-selling author, he hosts the weekly talk show Huckabee on TBN.
Originally published at MikeHuckabee.com. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-05-08--V-E Day at 75: A Reminder that Together, We Triumph

It ’ s hard to believe that on this day in 1945 , Americans were truly united .
All across our land , jubilant citizens were celebrating V-E Day while praying for the brave warriors still fighting World War II in the Pacific .
Seventy-five years later , our nation ’ s military , health care workers , first responders and ordinary citizens are busy battling an invisible enemy that ’ s still killing thousands per week .
In addition to sickness and death , millions of Americans are experiencing a level of economic devastation not seen since 2008 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead of uniting behind the everyday heroes trying to lead us out of this crisis by saving lives , America remains bitterly divided .
With a presidential election on the horizon , many Republicans , Democrats and political activists posing as journalists seem incapable of setting aside their differences and putting our country first .
As we observe the 75th anniversary of V-E Day and honor the Greatest Generation ’ s historic struggle to reach that improbable moment , all Americans should strive to emulate their pride , patriotism and selfless courage .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ simultaneously defeat the evil Axis of imperial Japan , fascist Italy and Nazi Germany , why can ’ t present day America come together to beat a virus ?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
When history books are written about America ’ s response to the COVID-19 pandemic , I want us to be remembered not as a generation that tore itself apart , but one that stepped up to collectively crush the coronavirus .
Much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unrelenting response to the 9/11 terrrorist attacks , we have a unique opportunity to not only save lives , but preserve the cherished American values of freedom , family and faith .
I recently watched two television series centered on alternate histories of World War II and its aftermath : Amazon ’ s The Man in the High Castle and HBO ’ s The Plot Against America .
In that creative spirit , please permit me to present another scenario .
Imagine if immediately after Pearl Harbor , the party out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roosevelt for the attack .
Then , instead of being patriots , a partisan media started pushing those anti-FDR talking points , thereby whipping Americans into a frenzied blend of fear , anger and division .
Rather than staying above the fray , imagine if President Roosevelt then expended much of his energy on fighting his political and media opponents instead of the nation ’ s real enemies .
Under those conditions , could FDR have successfully mobilized millions of citizens and soldiers to defeat Adolf Hitler ’ s army of darkness ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ election is still six months away and should not dominate the thoughts or actions of any politician – including President Donald Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden – as thousands of Americans are dying .
Every day , our leaders and those who cover them should have the same focus as health care professionals , first responders and the heroes of our military : saving lives .
Other than also helping those experiencing economic devastation as a result of the COVID-19 crisis , nothing should matter more .
Will there ever be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope so .
To reach a historic moment even approaching the jubilation of May 8 , 1945 , however , more present day Americans must emulate those who earned the right to celebrate 75 years ago today .
V-E Day didn ’ t happen by accident ; it was the culmination of years of unity , shared sacrifice , bravery and a collective belief that eventually , God would shine a path for our nation and world to triumph over evil .
Time is running out to preserve the United States of America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dearly to save .
It ’ s up to us .
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 .

It’s hard to believe that on this day in 1945, Americans were truly united. All across our land, jubilant citizens were celebrating V-E Day while praying for the brave warriors still fighting World War II in the Pacific.
Seventy-five years later, our nation’s military, health care workers, first responders and ordinary citizens are busy battling an invisible enemy that’s still killing thousands per week. In addition to sickness and death, millions of Americans are experiencing a level of economic devastation not seen since 2008 and before then, the Great Depression.
Instead of uniting behind the everyday heroes trying to lead us out of this crisis by saving lives, America remains bitterly divided. With a presidential election on the horizon, many Republicans, Democrats and political activists posing as journalists seem incapable of setting aside their differences and putting our country first.
As we observe the 75th anniversary of V-E Day and honor the Greatest Generation’s historic struggle to reach that improbable moment, all Americans should strive to emulate their pride, patriotism and selfless courage. If those who came before us could simultaneously defeat the evil Axis of imperial Japan, fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, why can’t present day America come together to beat a virus?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
When history books are written about America’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, I want us to be remembered not as a generation that tore itself apart, but one that stepped up to collectively crush the coronavirus. Much like our military community’s heroic, unrelenting response to the 9/11 terrrorist attacks, we have a unique opportunity to not only save lives, but preserve the cherished American values of freedom, family and faith.
I recently watched two television series centered on alternate histories of World War II and its aftermath: Amazon’s The Man in the High Castle and HBO’s The Plot Against America. In that creative spirit, please permit me to present another scenario.
Imagine if immediately after Pearl Harbor, the party out of power focused on blaming President Franklin D. Roosevelt for the attack. Then, instead of being patriots, a partisan media started pushing those anti-FDR talking points, thereby whipping Americans into a frenzied blend of fear, anger and division. Rather than staying above the fray, imagine if President Roosevelt then expended much of his energy on fighting his political and media opponents instead of the nation’s real enemies.
Under those conditions, could FDR have successfully mobilized millions of citizens and soldiers to defeat Adolf Hitler’s army of darkness? I doubt it.
The 2020 presidential election is still six months away and should not dominate the thoughts or actions of any politician – including President Donald Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden – as thousands of Americans are dying. Every day, our leaders and those who cover them should have the same focus as health care professionals, first responders and the heroes of our military: saving lives. Other than also helping those experiencing economic devastation as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, nothing should matter more.
Will there ever be a V-COVID-19 Day in America? I hope so. To reach a historic moment even approaching the jubilation of May 8, 1945, however, more present day Americans must emulate those who earned the right to celebrate 75 years ago today. V-E Day didn’t happen by accident; it was the culmination of years of unity, shared sacrifice, bravery and a collective belief that eventually, God would shine a path for our nation and world to triumph over evil.
Time is running out to preserve the United States of America, which the Greatest Generation fought so dearly to save. It’s up to us.
CALL TO ACTION: COVID-19 is causing massive disruptions in life. The Stream’s parent organization, LIFE Outreach International is helping send a first wave of help. LIFE’s local Mission Partners are already distributing thousands of surgical masks, gloves and other sanitary supplies to first responders, hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, other partners have focused on distributing as many meals as possible to help those who need food. You can help with these efforts. Click here to donate.
Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream. He is co-author of 8 Seconds of Courage, Brothers Forever, Fire in My Eyes and the forthcoming Three Wise Men. Follow Tom on Twitter @TSileo and The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-05-09--Plandemic: The COVID-19 Video YouTube and Facebook Don’t Want You to See

Over the last couple of days , I ’ ve had several friends send me a link to a video about COVID-19 called “ Plandemic.
” They said they can ’ t post it on Facebook ; Facebook either removes it or threatens them with suspension before they try to post it .
When I went to the URL on YouTube , it had been pulled for allegedly violating YouTube ’ s terms of service .
A YouTube spokesperson told Buzzfeed News that they remove “ content that includes medically unsubstantiated diagnostic advice for COVID-19.
” The social media companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance on what to allow , but the WHO has its own questionable history with COVID-19 , prompting President Trump to consider withholding funding from the U.N. agency .
Fortunately others had re-uploaded it so I was able to watch it .
But YouTube is still finding the videos and taking them down .
It has been uploaded to Bitchute , which doesn ’ t appear to be censoring it .
So what is all the fuss ?
The half hour long documentary features an interview with Dr. Judy Mikovits , PhD .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ says some very jarring things about COVID-19 including how the government and medical industry deal with coronaviruses .
Plenty of doctors are featured during the video backing her up .
A science insider told me she is the real deal .
But critics point to her checkered work history and previous arrest to say she is not credible .
Exposed Dangerous Use of Animal and Human Fetal Tissues in Scientific Experiments Mikovitz says in the interview that she was arrested and placed in jail several years ago for exposing corruption in the medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t go into detail .
She says she got placed on the medical community ’ s hit list after publishing an explosive paper exposing the dangerous use of animal and human fetal tissues in scientific experiments .
She said the practice was releasing plagues of chronic diseases .
Her study speculated that the retrovirus XMRV “ came out of the lab into humans via contaminated blood and vaccines.
” Critics of the documentary say she was arrested for theft from her place of employment after she was fired , discrediting her .
Trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because there are people who obviously really dislike her trying to get across things that make her look bad .
On the other hand , she has aligned herself with questionable groups , such as the website Natural News .
That site has a reputation for sloppy or false reporting and conspiracy theories , although some of its content is fine .
Robert F. Kennedy , Jr. called Mikovits “ one of the most qualified scientists of his generation.
” But Kennedy has obtained a controversial status over his denunciation of vaccines .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at work with people , and some people in her field were skeptical of her research .
In 2009 , she tried to show that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was caused by the newly discovered retrovirus XMRV .
Her peers were unable to reproduce her studies — which is common with groundbreaking studies — and so the magazine Science retracted its publication of her paper .
Ultimately she was fired .
Her manager said she was fired for not getting along with a colleague .
Mikovits maintains that she merely refused to allow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line in the lab because it went outside the scope of the research grant .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Upon being fired , she allegedly took some things home with her from the office , including lab notebooks , a computer , and other materials .
This prompted authorities to arrest her and place her in jail .
She claims the items were planted on her .
The charges were eventually dropped .
Mikovitz recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corruption : Restoring Faith in the Promise of Science , ” where she asserts that globalists like Dr. Anthony Fauci and Bill Gates are actually making the world sicker .
She claims Fauci held up a key paper of hers on HIV in the 1980s because he wanted a friend to take credit .
She thinks millions of people in Africa and around the world may have died needlessly while this information wasn ’ t available .
Gates has no medical background so she finds it troubling that he is able to throw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She says Fauci is telling us propaganda about COVID-19 .
She recommends repealing the Bayh–Dole Act , which has given universities the ability to misuse patents and collect royalties .
Government workers are profiting off the work funded by taxpayers .
This is a real concern of many and not considered a fringe position .
Mikowitz thinks this contributes to the reason natural remedies are downplayed , because they ’ re not as profitable .
She says people will support something that isn ’ t true in exchange for money and fame .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ line , you risk not getting published .
She says she ’ s not anti-vaccine , but notes that a pandemic like COVID-19 creates the need for a vaccine that Big Pharma can then profit from .
She worries that the reason hydroxychloroquine is being withheld from a lot of patients is in order to force a vaccine instead as a solution .
This despite the fact that thousands of doctors have said it is effective against coronaviruses .
She is very concerned about injecting the flu vaccine into people , because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 36 % , according to a recent military study .
Hospitals Get More Money for COVID-19 She is particularly worried that molecular biologists like herself may have trained coronaviruses to infect humans .
She believes that COVID-19 ’ s ability to infect humans was likely not naturally occurring but caused by scientists manipulating the virus in a laboratory .
She ’ s also troubled that the deaths of elderly are being labeled as COVID-19 when there is no evidence of the virus .
This may be due to the lure of money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per case if the doctor labels it COVID-19 .
The hospital gets an additional $ 39,000 if the patient is put on a ventilator — but patients are dying after being placed on ventilators .
I asked a biologist friend of mine who worked with viruses for years about Facebook banning the video .
Facebook said Mikovits ’ s advice about not wearing a face mask because they could make you sick could cause harm .
He agreed with Mikovits and responded , “ Masks collect germs from your nasal and oral discharges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so you are actually taking in more air from your surroundings .
But beyond that , they are just pointless .
They are ineffective .
But the government and media have convinced people that they are necessary , so it ’ s a losing battle to fight them .
I hate them because they are symbolic of ‘ shut up and obey . '
” He says he refuses to wear a mask because the the virus is too small and can get through the holes in the mask .
The N95 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are supposed to leave them for medical personnel .
He said the 95 stands for 95 % , as in , they are only effective at keeping out 95 % of viruses .
An Objective Look at the Documentary Alex Berenson , a former New York Times reporter , has taken an objective look at the video and censorship .
He says the problem with the video is it mixes some truths with “ lots of random and largely unsupported specific allegations.
” He is troubled by the fact Mikowitz has an axe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he thinks whistleblowers “ driven by personal animus are the least reliable.
” Of course , he may be wrong there .
I was targeted by some very evil people in law and government several years ago , destroying my legal career , and that experience motivated me to make changes in the system , such as trying to get the laws changed .
My motivation isn ’ t based on personal animus ( the original players are all mostly gone ) , but to make sure what happened to me doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says the video should not be censored on YouTube and Facebook .
But he points out that its style of including some wild allegations doesn ’ t help the cause of credible dissenters .
He concludes with a condemnation of the mainstream media .
… [ T ] he incredible spread of the video and the fact Dr. Mikovits ’ book ‘ Plague of Corruption ’ is # 1 on Amazon ( almost certainly selling 10000+ copies a day ) shows that people know the narrative @ CNN etc doesn ’ t match @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Fortunately , some brave people in the media are trying to get the full story on COVID-19 and present it .
Commentators like Sean Hannity , Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham on Fox News are bringing up alternative information , despite being ridiculed by left-wing groups like Media Matters for doing so .
It is just disturbing when the disinformation has gotten so bad it ’ s even refuting our president , like claiming hydroxychloroquine isn ’ t helpful when the evidence overwhelmingly shows otherwise .
For more information like this , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been recommended as credible sources .
For a source debunking Mikovitz , check out the Snopes entry on this .
Rachel Alexander is a senior editor of The Stream .
Follow her on Twitter at Rach_IC .
Follow The Stream at streamdotorg .
Send tips to rachel.alexander @ stream.org .

Over the last couple of days, I’ve had several friends send me a link to a video about COVID-19 called “Plandemic.” They said they can’t post it on Facebook; Facebook either removes it or threatens them with suspension before they try to post it. When I went to the URL on YouTube, it had been pulled for allegedly violating YouTube’s terms of service. A YouTube spokesperson told Buzzfeed News that they remove “content that includes medically unsubstantiated diagnostic advice for COVID-19.” The social media companies tend to look to the WHO for guidance on what to allow, but the WHO has its own questionable history with COVID-19, prompting President Trump to consider withholding funding from the U.N. agency.
Why did the W.H.O. Ignore an email from Taiwanese health officials in late December alerting them to the possibility that CoronaVirus could be transmitted between humans? Why did the W.H.O. make several claims about the CoronaVirus that ere either inaccurate or misleading…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 17, 2020
Fortunately others had re-uploaded it so I was able to watch it. But YouTube is still finding the videos and taking them down. It has been uploaded to Bitchute, which doesn’t appear to be censoring it.
So what is all the fuss? The half hour long documentary features an interview with Dr. Judy Mitkovits, PhD. She is a molecular biologist. She says some very jarring things about COVID-19 including how the government and medical industry deal with coronaviruses. Plenty of doctors are featured during the video backing her up. A science insider told me she is the real deal. But critics point to her checkered work history and previous arrest to say she is not credible.
Exposed Dangerous Use of Animal and Human Fetal Tissues in Scientific Experiments
Mitkovits says in the interview that she was arrested and placed in jail several years ago for exposing corruption in the medical research field. But she doesn’t go into detail. She says she got placed on the medical community’s hit list after publishing an explosive paper exposing the dangerous use of animal and human fetal tissues in scientific experiments. She said the practice was releasing plagues of chronic diseases. Her study speculated that the retrovirus XMRV “came out of the lab into humans via contaminated blood and vaccines.”
Critics of the documentary say she was arrested for theft from her place of employment after she was fired, discrediting her. Trying to understand what happened is murky, because there are people who obviously really dislike her trying to get across things that make her look bad.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. describes Mitkovits as having “spent twenty years at the National Cancer Institute, working with Dr. Frank Ruscetti, one of the founding fathers of human retrovirology, and co-authoring over forty articles with scientists. She co-founded and directed the first institute of neuro-immune diseases using a systems biology approach in 2006.”
On the other hand, she has aligned herself with questionable groups, such as the website Natural News. That site has a reputation for sloppy or false reporting and conspiracy theories, although some of its content is fine. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. called Mitkovits “one of the most qualified scientists of his generation.” But Kennedy has obtained a controversial status over his denunciation of vaccines.
Conflicts With Colleagues
It appears that Mitkovits had some conflicts at work with people, and some people in her field were skeptical of her research. In 2009, she tried to show that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was caused by the newly discovered retrovirus XMRV. Her peers were unable to reproduce her studies — which is common with groundbreaking studies — and so the magazine Science retracted its publication of her paper.
Ultimately she was fired. Her manager said she was fired for not getting along with a colleague. Mitkovits maintains that she merely refused to allow the colleague to work on a particular cell line in the lab because it went outside the scope of the research grant.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Upon being fired, she allegedly took some things home with her from the office, including lab notebooks, a computer, and other materials. This prompted authorities to arrest her and place her in jail. She claims the items were planted on her. The charges were eventually dropped.
On Bill Gates and Dr. Anthony Fauci
Mitkovits recently published a book, “Plague of Corruption: Restoring Faith in the Promise of Science,” where she asserts that globalists like Dr. Anthony Fauci and Bill Gates are actually making the world sicker. She claims Fauci held up a key paper of hers on HIV in the 1980s because he wanted a friend to take credit. She thinks millions of people in Africa and around the world may have died needlessly while this information wasn’t available. Gates has no medical background so she finds it troubling that he is able to throw billions of dollars around dictating science. She says Fauci is telling us propaganda about COVID-19.
This is a real concern of many and not considered a fringe position.
She recommends repealing the Bayh–Dole Act, which has given universities the ability to misuse patents and collect royalties. Government workers are profiting off the work funded by taxpayers. This is a real concern of many and not considered a fringe position. Mitkovits thinks this contributes to the reason natural remedies are downplayed, because they’re not as profitable. She says people will support something that isn’t true in exchange for money and fame. If you don’t toe the line, you risk not getting published.
She says she’s not anti-vaccine, but notes that a pandemic like COVID-19 creates the need for a vaccine that Big Pharma can then profit from. She worries that the reason hydroxychloroquine is being withheld from a lot of patients is in order to force a vaccine instead as a solution. This despite the fact that thousands of doctors have said it is effective against coronaviruses. She is very concerned about injecting the flu vaccine into people, because it increases the risk of contracting a coronavirus by 36%, according to a recent military study.
Hospitals Get More Money for COVID-19
She is particularly worried that molecular biologists like herself may have trained coronaviruses to infect humans. She believes that COVID-19’s ability to infect humans was likely not naturally occurring but caused by scientists manipulating the virus in a laboratory. She’s also troubled that the deaths of elderly are being labeled as COVID-19 when there is no evidence of the virus. This may be due to the lure of money. Hospitals get $13,000 from Medicare per case if the doctor labels it COVID-19. The hospital gets an additional $39,000 if the patient is put on a ventilator — but patients are dying after being placed on ventilators.
I asked a biologist friend of mine who worked with viruses for years about Facebook banning the video. Facebook said Mitkovits’s advice about not wearing a face mask because they could make you sick could cause harm. He agreed with Mitkovits and responded, “Masks collect germs from your nasal and oral discharges, and they make you breathe heavier, so you are actually taking in more air from your surroundings. But beyond that, they are just pointless. They are ineffective. But the government and media have convinced people that they are necessary, so it’s a losing battle to fight them. I hate them because they are symbolic of ‘shut up and obey.'”
He says he refuses to wear a mask because the the virus is too small and can get through the holes in the mask. The N95 masks are better, but regular people are supposed to leave them for medical personnel. He said the 95 stands for 95%, as in, they are only effective at keeping out 95% of viruses.
An Objective Look at the Documentary
Alex Berenson, a former New York Times reporter, has taken an objective look at the video and censorship. He says the problem with the video is it mixes some truths with “lots of random and largely unsupported specific allegations.” He is troubled by the fact Mitkovits has an axe to grind with the infectious disease establishment, he thinks whistleblowers “driven by personal animus are the least reliable.”
Of course, he may be wrong there. I was targeted by some very evil people in law and government several years ago, destroying my legal career, and that experience motivated me to make changes in the system, such as trying to get the laws changed. My motivation isn’t based on personal animus (the original players are all mostly gone), but to make sure what happened to me doesn’t happen to others.
Berenson says the video should not be censored on YouTube and Facebook. But he points out that its style of including some wild allegations doesn’t help the cause of credible dissenters.
Berenson says the video should not be censored on YouTube and Facebook. But he points out that its style of including some wild allegations doesn’t help the cause of credible dissenters. He concludes with a condemnation of the mainstream media. …[T]he incredible spread of the video and the fact Dr. Mitkovits’s book ‘Plague of Corruption’ is #1 on Amazon (almost certainly selling 10000+ copies a day) shows that people know the narrative @CNN etc doesn’t match reality and are desperate for more information…”
Honest Media
Fortunately, some brave people in the media are trying to get the full story on COVID-19 and present it. Commentators like Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham on Fox News are bringing up alternative information, despite being ridiculed by left-wing groups like Media Matters for doing so. It is just disturbing when the disinformation has gotten so bad it’s even refuting our president, like claiming hydroxychloroquine isn’t helpful when the evidence overwhelmingly shows otherwise.
For more information like this, the sites Mercola and The Highwire have been recommended as credible sources. For a source debunking Mitkovits, check out the Snopes entry on this.
Rachel Alexander is a senior editor of The Stream. Follow her on Twitter at Rach_IC. Follow The Stream at streamdotorg. Send tips to [email protected].


thestream--2020-05-08--Trump’s Critics Can’t Have It Both Ways

Trump’s Critics Can’t Have It Both Ways

The left ’ s position on the nation ’ s proper response to the pandemic , though shrouded in the language of compassion , is incoherent and morally repugnant virtue signaling .
Since this calamity began , many national Democratic leaders , the left-wing media and various never-Trumpers have been more interested in smearing President Donald Trump — no change there — than helping to solve the myriad problems caused by the coronavirus .
They Can ’ t Have It Both Ways They wanted it both ways .
President Trump was doing too much , and he wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numerous Democrats were downplaying the virus and condemning Trump as a racist for his China and Europe travel bans .
Later they blamed Trump for not taking the virus seriously , when in fact , they were taking it less seriously than he was .
But being a progressive means never having to say you ’ re sorry — and that yesterday ’ s inconsistent positions are deemed wiped from our collective memory .
From the beginning , Trump and Vice President Mike Pence , along with their medical team , were conducting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation about the virus and the federal and state governments ’ efforts to slow the spread , organizing the distribution of medical equipment to hotspots and pushing legislation to provide relief for individuals and businesses devastated by the outbreak .
The media used those briefings to humiliate Trump rather than illicit facts to inform viewers .
For example , New York Magazine ’ s Olivia Nuzzi asked Trump , “ If an American President loses more Americans over the course of six weeks than died in the entirety of the Vietnam War , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Editorial after editorial excoriated Trump for every imaginable sin and certainly every death — while exempting Democratic governors from any accountability for wildly disproportionate cases and deaths in their states .
They view everything through a partisan prism , and no crisis is too severe to be exploited for political gain .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Trump , they said , was only interested in manipulating the crisis to enhance his reelection efforts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope to reopen our economy on Easter .
He wasn ’ t listening to the medical experts .
He didn ’ t care about Americans dying .
He was practicing medicine without a license .
Unfortunately for these critics , President Trump was deferring to the medical experts , who repeatedly denied that he was ignoring them .
Considering themselves the sole exemplars of compassion , progressives insist that their views are the only morally acceptable ones , that all who oppose them are immoral and that so long as they have “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nor their policies can be questioned — even if they are inconsistent or cause major harm .
Democratic leaders get away with indefensible , one-dimensional thinking , free from scrutiny by an equally one-dimensional media .
Their statements are often childishly shallow — and yet no one challenges them .
Take putative Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , who tweeted Wednesday evening , “ I ’ ve said it before , and I ’ ll say it again : No one is expendable .
No life is worth losing to add one more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may strike unthinking people as a compassionate declaration , it is a cheap shot at Trump , other leaders trying to facilitate the reopening of our economy and Americans yearning to be free again — and to return to work .
Biden is simply expressing his party ’ s position : You must choose between those at risk from the virus and reopening the economy .
There are no competing interests to balance .
Your concern for those unemployed , devastated , isolated , depressed and with other medical problems that are ignored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What ’ s particularly offensive is Biden ’ s reducing our concern for those financially devastated to a class-warfare soundbite ( “ to add one more point to the Dow ” ) — as if having a heart for the unemployed is promoting the rich .
That doesn ’ t even make sense , but it doesn ’ t have to as long as it serves the narrative that Republicans are heartless .
Similarly , the never-Trump group The Lincoln Project produced an ad called “ Mourning in America ” in which Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who died because he “ ignored ” the virus but for the economic devastation it caused .
That ’ s convenient .
These faux conservatives have absorbed the ideas and tactics of their progressive soulmates — virtue signaling , the shameless advocacy of mutually contradictory positions and consuming hatred for Donald J. Trump .
You know that Trump haters from both sides of the aisle have lost any semblance of fairness when their biases compel them to direct their energies toward destroying Trump rather than seeking solutions for our common problems .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy while trying to prevent new flare-ups , which happens to be precisely what President Trump and his task force are doing .
Talk is cheap , and finger-pointing is easy , but real-world problems sometimes don ’ t lend themselves to easy fixes .
There are no perfect solutions here — there is no way to avoid death and financial destruction , only to mitigate both .
I trust that reasonable people — hopefully still a majority — will demand accountability from their leaders but not hold them to impossible standards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during times of crisis , we must understand that there ’ s only so much that government can do and sometimes it can also get in the way .
It ’ s time that state governments show a little faith in the American people and respect their prerogative to return to their lives while still exercising responsible behavior to protect themselves and their neighbors .
We will get through this .
David Limbaugh is a writer , author and attorney .
His latest book is Guilty by Reason of Insanity : Why the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter @ davidlimbaugh and his website at www.davidlimbaugh.com .

The left’s position on the nation’s proper response to the pandemic, though shrouded in the language of compassion, is incoherent and morally repugnant virtue signaling.
Since this calamity began, many national Democratic leaders, the left-wing media and various never-Trumpers have been more interested in smearing President Donald Trump — no change there — than helping to solve the myriad problems caused by the coronavirus.
They Can’t Have It Both Ways
They wanted it both ways. President Trump was doing too much, and he wasn’t doing enough. Before the outbreak, numerous Democrats were downplaying the virus and condemning Trump as a racist for his China and Europe travel bans. Later they blamed Trump for not taking the virus seriously, when in fact, they were taking it less seriously than he was. But being a progressive means never having to say you’re sorry — and that yesterday’s inconsistent positions are deemed wiped from our collective memory.
Press Briefings
From the beginning, Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, along with their medical team, were conducting daily press briefings to inform an anxious nation about the virus and the federal and state governments’ efforts to slow the spread, organizing the distribution of medical equipment to hotspots and pushing legislation to provide relief for individuals and businesses devastated by the outbreak.
The media used those briefings to humiliate Trump rather than illicit facts to inform viewers. For example, New York Magazine’s Olivia Nuzzi asked Trump, “If an American President loses more Americans over the course of six weeks than died in the entirety of the Vietnam War, does he deserve to be reelected?”
Exploitation for Political Gain
Editorial after editorial excoriated Trump for every imaginable sin and certainly every death — while exempting Democratic governors from any accountability for wildly disproportionate cases and deaths in their states. They view everything through a partisan prism, and no crisis is too severe to be exploited for political gain.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Trump, they said, was only interested in manipulating the crisis to enhance his reelection efforts. He jumped the gun in expressing his hope to reopen our economy on Easter. He wasn’t listening to the medical experts. He didn’t care about Americans dying. He was practicing medicine without a license.
Unfortunately for these critics, President Trump was deferring to the medical experts, who repeatedly denied that he was ignoring them.
‘Morally Acceptable’ Views Only
Considering themselves the sole exemplars of compassion, progressives insist that their views are the only morally acceptable ones, that all who oppose them are immoral and that so long as they have “good” intentions, neither their motives nor their policies can be questioned — even if they are inconsistent or cause major harm.
Democratic leaders get away with indefensible, one-dimensional thinking, free from scrutiny by an equally one-dimensional media. Their statements are often childishly shallow — and yet no one challenges them.
Take putative Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, who tweeted Wednesday evening, “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: No one is expendable. No life is worth losing to add one more point to the Dow.”
A Cheap Shot
While this may strike unthinking people as a compassionate declaration, it is a cheap shot at Trump, other leaders trying to facilitate the reopening of our economy and Americans yearning to be free again — and to return to work. Biden is simply expressing his party’s position: You must choose between those at risk from the virus and reopening the economy. There are no competing interests to balance. Your concern for those unemployed, devastated, isolated, depressed and with other medical problems that are ignored because of the virus is illegitimate.
What’s particularly offensive is Biden’s reducing our concern for those financially devastated to a class-warfare soundbite (“to add one more point to the Dow”) — as if having a heart for the unemployed is promoting the rich. That doesn’t even make sense, but it doesn’t have to as long as it serves the narrative that Republicans are heartless.
Faux Conservatives Blame Trump
Similarly, the never-Trump group The Lincoln Project produced an ad called “Mourning in America” in which Trump is blamed not just for the Americans who died because he “ignored” the virus but for the economic devastation it caused. That’s convenient. These faux conservatives have absorbed the ideas and tactics of their progressive soulmates — virtue signaling, the shameless advocacy of mutually contradictory positions and consuming hatred for Donald J. Trump.
You know that Trump haters from both sides of the aisle have lost any semblance of fairness when their biases compel them to direct their energies toward destroying Trump rather than seeking solutions for our common problems.
Let’s Work Together
We should all be working together to reopen the economy while trying to prevent new flare-ups, which happens to be precisely what President Trump and his task force are doing.
Talk is cheap, and finger-pointing is easy, but real-world problems sometimes don’t lend themselves to easy fixes. There are no perfect solutions here — there is no way to avoid death and financial destruction, only to mitigate both.
I trust that reasonable people — hopefully still a majority — will demand accountability from their leaders but not hold them to impossible standards. While people often look to government during times of crisis, we must understand that there’s only so much that government can do and sometimes it can also get in the way. It’s time that state governments show a little faith in the American people and respect their prerogative to return to their lives while still exercising responsible behavior to protect themselves and their neighbors. We will get through this.
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--2020-05-08--The Coronavirus Pandemic Doesn’t Nullify Our Religious Freedom

Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic , the secular Left ’ s contempt for Christians and Jews reached a frightening low in New York City .
When police dispersed a large outdoor funeral for a beloved Hasidic rabbi , Mayor Bill DeBlasio wrote this tweet April 28 : Yet the mayor said nothing about a Blue Angels flyover attended by hundreds the same day .
One month earlier , DeBlasio threatened to shut down public services held in violation of his stay-at-home order .
The mayor threatened to impose fines and even permanently close houses of worship .
DeBlasio specifically mentioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Not to be outdone , the speaker of New York ’ s City Council took aim at Samaritan ’ s Purse .
That Christian organization established a field hospital in Central Park .
“ It is time for Samaritan ’ s Purse to leave NYC , ” Councilman Corey Johnson tweeted May 1 .
“ This group , led by the notoriously bigoted , hate-spewing Franklin Graham , came at a time when our city couldn ’ t in good conscience turn away any offer of help .
That time has passed.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Jews New York City ’ s leading politicians aren ’ t alone .
Consider the following : • In Mississippi , the Democratic mayor of Greeneville ordered police to end a service April 9 in a church parking lot .
Congregants observed social media guidelines by staying in their cars and listing to their pastor on radio .
Nevertheless , those congregants who stayed received $ 500 fines .
Only when two churches filed lawsuits did Mayor Errick Simmonds rescind his order .
• In Kentucky , Democratic Gov .
Andy Beshear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plates of anybody attending Easter services .
Police would give those records to health officials , who could order violators into a 14-day quarantine .
When a Baptist church opened its doors , the pastor found state police in the parking lot and nails at the lot ’ s entrance .
• In Illinois , Democratic Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said May 6 that churches could not hold services with more than 50 people until a vaccine or a similar treatment was developed .
The pandemic provides the perfect excuse to intimidate Christians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that intimidation could re-emerge during another extended emergency as state-sponsored persecution .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Persecution logically results from the Left ’ s campaign to dehumanize anybody who opposes its ideology as “ racist , ” “ sexist , ” “ fascist , ” “ homophobic , ” “ transphobic , ” “ Islamophobic , ” “ stupid , ” “ ignorant , ” “ selfish ” or “ deplorable.
” That campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history .
The Nazis and Communists offer the most notorious examples .
By dehumanizing those who disagree , totalitarians feel entitled to treat opponents cruelly .
Just look at the Twitter accounts of “ progressive ” Democrats who say that anyone who supports President Donald Trump should die .
In addition , “ progressives ” now have useful tools in states of emergency .
Not only did Trump declare a national emergency .
For the first time in American history , all 50 states announced states of emergency .
So did counties and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in those declarations , what would prevent areas run by “ progressives ” to restrict public worship once the flu season arrives ?
What would prevent a Democratic president from using the Green New Deal to stifle worship while remaking society ?
That question isn ’ t far-fetched .
Rabbi Jennie Rosenn , writing in The Forward , called the pandemic “ a fire drill for climate change.
” “ At levels that far exceed the virus , ” Rosenn wrote , “ the climate crisis will bring unprecedented death and disruption to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives — unless we act boldly and decisively.
” “ More positively , this moment offers unexpected opportunities to reimagine and create a different sort of world , ” she continued .
“ The need to rebuild our economy can actually accelerate our country ’ s response to the climate crisis.
” Given the nature worship that radical environmentalism encourages , implementing the Green New Deal could lead to religious persecution .
But one group will not back down .
Some Authorities Are Overstepping Their Just Authority Six Romanian-American pastors in Metropolitan Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order .
They will re-open their conservative Protestant churches to public worship Sunday while following public health protocols .
“ Our willing compliance with your orders thus far has been voluntary , ” the pastors wrote May 2 .
“ But this should not be misunderstood as our acquiescence to the improper and unconstitutional authority you have sought to exercise over our worship .
“ Your orders are in clear violation of our First Amendment rights .
The Constitution and the rights enshrined therein are not suspended during a pandemic , and neither @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone else , should obey just laws .
But some authorities are overstepping their just authority and singling out religious believers .
In such places , pastors could adopt the passive , non-violent resistance used by Martin Luther King during the civil rights movement .
Pastors should take steps to organize services at their houses of worship under social distancing guidelines .
Pastors and congregants should not resist arrest .
But surely , at some point , they can refuse the demand against gathering for worship .
Joseph D ’ Hippolito has written @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post , the American Thinker and Front Page Magazine .
He works as a free-lance writer .

Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, the secular Left’s contempt for Christians and Jews reached a frightening low in New York City.
When police dispersed a large outdoor funeral for a beloved Hasidic rabbi, Mayor Bill DeBlasio wrote this tweet April 28:
My message to the Jewish community, and all communities, is this simple: the time for warnings has passed. I have instructed the NYPD to proceed immediately to summons or even arrest those who gather in large groups. This is about stopping this disease and saving lives. Period.
Yet the mayor said nothing about a Blue Angels flyover attended by hundreds the same day.
One month earlier, DeBlasio threatened to shut down public services held in violation of his stay-at-home order. The mayor threatened to impose fines and even permanently close houses of worship. DeBlasio specifically mentioned churches and synagogues, but not mosques.
Not to be outdone, the speaker of New York’s City Council took aim at Samaritan’s Purse. That Christian organization established a field hospital in Central Park.
“It is time for Samaritan’s Purse to leave NYC,” Councilman Corey Johnson tweeted May 1. “This group, led by the notoriously bigoted, hate-spewing Franklin Graham, came at a time when our city couldn’t in good conscience turn away any offer of help. That time has passed.”
Graham’s crime? Proclaiming that LGBTQ sexuality contradicts God’s design.
The Perfect Excuse to Intimidate Christians and Jews
New York City’s leading politicians aren’t alone. Consider the following:
In Mississippi, the Democratic mayor of Greeneville ordered police to end a service April 9 in a church parking lot. Congregants observed social media guidelines by staying in their cars and listing to their pastor on radio. Nevertheless, those congregants who stayed received $500 fines. Only when two churches filed lawsuits did Mayor Errick Simmonds rescind his order.
In Kentucky, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear ordered state police to record the license plates of anybody attending Easter services. Police would give those records to health officials, who could order violators into a 14-day quarantine. When a Baptist church opened its doors, the pastor found state police in the parking lot and nails at the lot’s entrance.
In Illinois, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker said May 6 that churches could not hold services with more than 50 people until a vaccine or a similar treatment was developed.
The pandemic provides the perfect excuse to intimidate Christians and Jews. Once the pandemic ends, that intimidation could re-emerge during another extended emergency as state-sponsored persecution.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Persecution logically results from the Left’s campaign to dehumanize anybody who opposes its ideology as “racist,” “sexist,” “fascist,” “homophobic,” “transphobic,” “Islamophobic,” “stupid,” “ignorant,” “selfish” or “deplorable.” That campaign reflects the time-honored tactic of dictators throughout history. The Nazis and Communists offer the most notorious examples.
By dehumanizing those who disagree, totalitarians feel entitled to treat opponents cruelly. Just look at the Twitter accounts of “progressive” Democrats who say that anyone who supports President Donald Trump should die.
‘A Fire Drill for Climate Change’
In addition, “progressives” now have useful tools in states of emergency. Not only did Trump declare a national emergency. For the first time in American history, all 50 states announced states of emergency. So did counties and cities.
Given the sweeping executive powers in those declarations, what would prevent areas run by “progressives” to restrict public worship once the flu season arrives? What would prevent a Democratic president from using the Green New Deal to stifle worship while remaking society? That question isn’t far-fetched. Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, writing in The Forward, called the pandemic “a fire drill for climate change.”
“At levels that far exceed the virus,” Rosenn wrote, “the climate crisis will bring unprecedented death and disruption to all the systems that sustain our day-to-day lives — unless we act boldly and decisively.”
“More positively, this moment offers unexpected opportunities to reimagine and create a different sort of world,” she continued. “The need to rebuild our economy can actually accelerate our country’s response to the climate crisis.”
Given the nature worship that radical environmentalism encourages, implementing the Green New Deal could lead to religious persecution. But one group will not back down.
Some Authorities Are Overstepping Their Just Authority
Six Romanian-American pastors in Metropolitan Chicago told Pritzker they will defy his executive order. They will re-open their conservative Protestant churches to public worship Sunday while following public health protocols.
Pastors, like everyone else, should obey just laws. But some authorities are overstepping their just authority and singling out religious believers.
“Our willing compliance with your orders thus far has been voluntary,” the pastors wrote May 2. “But this should not be misunderstood as our acquiescence to the improper and unconstitutional authority you have sought to exercise over our worship.
“Your orders are in clear violation of our First Amendment rights. The Constitution and the rights enshrined therein are not suspended during a pandemic, and neither is our religion.”
Pastors, like everyone else, should obey just laws. But some authorities are overstepping their just authority and singling out religious believers. In such places, pastors could adopt the passive, non-violent resistance used by Martin Luther King during the civil rights movement. Pastors should take steps to organize services at their houses of worship under social distancing guidelines. Pastors and congregants should not resist arrest. But surely, at some point, they can refuse the demand against gathering for worship.
Joseph D’Hippolito has written commentaries for such outlets as the Jerusalem Post, the American Thinker and Front Page Magazine. He works as a free-lance writer.


thestream--2020-05-08--Conservative White Christians Must Listen

She ’ s a devout Christian , a home-schooling mom , the works .
She ’ s not sure she should move a few miles away .
A realtor called the place “ a sundown area.
” That means : “ No blacks after sundown.
” My Facebook friend ’ s not sure how to find out if her family would be safe there .
“ Would I be terrified for my husband or children to go jogging there or to exist there ?
Why do we even have to consider this ?
” she asks .
And answers her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
2020 .
This sickness can ’ t be out-earned , out-educated , out-enunciated , out-behaved , out-kumbaya ’ d .
… Feels like our liberty is limited by our skin color and our designated place.
” The issue came up yet again with the killing of Ahmaud Arbery by two white men claiming they were making a citizen ’ s arrest they had no legal right and apparently no practical reason to make .
They almost got with away it anyway , one district attorney claiming they had the right to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finally had to arrest them .
“ It ’ s amazing , ” a very conservative friend said , “ these two guys weren ’ t arrested until people complained.
” It ’ s not amazing at all .
They were white and connected .
The victim was black and not .
What Sen. Tim Scott and others describe I have never experienced , because I ’ m as northern European white as it is possible to be .
I enjoy advantages my African American friends don ’ t , as I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ahmaud Arbery ’ s story .
The killers ’ excuse was that they saw the victim looking in the window of a house under construction .
I ’ ve done that , because I ’ m curious about how things are made and what a house being built looks like .
It ’ s a guy thing to do .
No one would bother me for doing that , except maybe by telling me to go away .
But for him , it proved a capital crime .
That reality is one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inadequately open .
Particularly politically conservative ones , who tend to jump on these stories as if they were political statements and deny them out of hand .
They find it easy to do that because they don ’ t listen even to their African American fellow Christians .
Or their Latino , Asian , and other minority brethren either .
The sociologist George Yancey , a senior contributor for The Stream , points out that the killing “ has not happened in a vacuum.
” Writing on his Facebook page , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racialized society where there are stereotypes about black men as violent criminals is rampant .
( And if you post stats about black crime also be sure to post stats about white mass murderers , okay ? )
” He notes that we can ’ t prove that a white man would not have been treated the same , but it ’ s not likely he would have been .
Like my Facebook friend , he knows the possibility of being attacked or killed is , as the statisticians say , non-trivial .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a black man who cycles for exercise , do you think I do not think about this possibility ?
I will still cycle , but it is in the back of my mind .
This is why we teach our black boys to be extra careful when dealing with authorities .
… Events like this remind us that there is an extra danger for blacks and the way we prepare our boys for it carries an extra level of importance.
” Many of our brother and sister Christians make the same observations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Republican senator from a southern state , and Chuck Colson ’ s long-time writer , all quoted here .
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina described the experience in a speech on the Senate floor .
Among other injuries , he ’ d been pulled over seven times in one year , mostly because he was black .
Being one of the most powerful men in America didn ’ t protect him .
The senator had “ felt the pressure applied by the scales of justice when they are slanted .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the sadness , and the humiliation that comes with feeling like you ’ re being targeted for nothing more than being just yourself.
” He added : “ I do not know many African-American men who do not have a very similar story to tell — no matter their profession , no matter their income , no matter their disposition in life.
” Here we have five testimonies : my Facebook friend ’ s , George Yancey ’ s , Tim Scott ’ s , Ismail Hernandez ’ s ( he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rivera ’ s ( the writer ) .
All serious Christians and all political conservatives or centrists .
When Yancey writes about “ Christianophobia ” and Hernandez defends the market , conservative Christians nod their heads and hit share .
When they write about the reality of racism , and about being the targets of racism themselves , the same people ’ s response is more … muted .
Or deflective .
“ Whataboutism ” is a favorite cheap tactic .
So is claiming it ’ s somehow just political .
Someone — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservative friend ’ s remark with “ No one talks about all the people in Chicago getting killed every day this is interesting coming up to an election.
” He says in reaction , “ Never mind that , look over there !
” That ’ s simply racist , whether he means it to be or not .
White Christians must stop framing stories like Arbery ’ s as political and culture-war acts and denying them without looking and listening .
That devout Catholic “ Whatabouter ” stands for too many .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because it doesn ’ t let them speak for themselves .
And it means ignoring the voices of your Christian sisters and brothers who need you to look , and look very closely .
How must it feel to hear a white Christian who ’ d happily stand next to you in church blow off the story of something you know could happen to you ?
Who treasures a convenient political narrative more than your story ?
Your life ?
Peter Wolfgang , a Stream columnist , and no liberal , observed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ African-Americans have said all along that equality under the law is a myth .
Eventually we had DNA tests confirming that there really are innocent people on death row , cell phone videos confirming that police really did ( and do ) horrible things , etc , and that this stuff happens more than whites believed .
It ’ s pretty hard to deny at this point.
” He ’ s listened to people like Yancey and the others .
Their ’ s are the kind of voices to whom we ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listen .
Must , especially as Christians , listen .
They suffer a kind of oppression and danger we don ’ t .
They see realities and truths we don ’ t .
Like this : “ While I thank God I have not endured bodily harm , I have however felt the pressure applied by the scales of justice when they are slanted , ” Scott said in his talk on the senate floor .
“ I have felt the anger , the frustration , the sadness , and the humiliation that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being targeted for nothing more than being just yourself.
” 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 the monthly “ Last Things ” column for the New Oxford Review .
He is finishing a book on death and dying to be published by Sophia Institute Press .

She’s a devout Christian, a home-schooling mom, the works. She’s not sure she should move a few miles away. A realtor called the place “a sundown area.” That means: “No blacks after sundown.”
My Facebook friend’s not sure how to find out if her family would be safe there. “Would I be terrified for my husband or children to go jogging there or to exist there? Why do we even have to consider this?” she asks. And answers her own question: “This is America. 2020. This sickness can’t be out-earned, out-educated, out-enunciated, out-behaved, out-kumbaya’d. … Feels like our liberty is limited by our skin color and our designated place.”
The issue came up yet again with the killing of Ahmaud Arbery by two white men claiming they were making a citizen’s arrest they had no legal right and apparently no practical reason to make. They almost got with away it anyway, one district attorney claiming they had the right to do what they did. A state agency finally had to arrest them.
“It’s amazing,” a very conservative friend said, “these two guys weren’t arrested until people complained.” It’s not amazing at all. They were white and connected. The victim was black and not.
The Difference What Sen. Tim Scott and others describe I have never experienced, because I’m as northern European white as it is possible to be. I enjoy advantages my African American friends don’t, as I’ve written here. One comes up in Ahmaud Arbery’s story. The killers’ excuse was that they saw the victim looking in the window of a house under construction. I’ve done that, because I’m curious about how things are made and what a house being built looks like. It’s a guy thing to do. No one would bother me for doing that, except maybe by telling me to go away. But for him, it proved a capital crime.
That reality is one to which white American Christians can be inadequately open. Particularly politically conservative ones, who tend to jump on these stories as if they were political statements and deny them out of hand.
A Racialized Society
They find it easy to do that because they don’t listen even to their African American fellow Christians. Or their Latino, Asian, and other minority brethren either.
The sociologist George Yancey, a senior contributor for The Stream, points out that the killing “has not happened in a vacuum.” Writing on his Facebook page, he explained: “It happened in a racialized society where there are stereotypes about black men as violent criminals is rampant. (And if you post stats about black crime also be sure to post stats about white mass murderers, okay?)”
He notes that we can’t prove that a white man would not have been treated the same, but it’s not likely he would have been. Like my Facebook friend, he knows the possibility of being attacked or killed is, as the statisticians say, non-trivial.
He feels the danger. “As a black man who cycles for exercise, do you think I do not think about this possibility? I will still cycle, but it is in the back of my mind. This is why we teach our black boys to be extra careful when dealing with authorities. … Events like this remind us that there is an extra danger for blacks and the way we prepare our boys for it carries an extra level of importance.”
Even a Senator
Many of our brother and sister Christians make the same observations. People like a leading free-market economist, a Republican senator from a southern state, and Chuck Colson’s long-time writer, all quoted here.
Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina described the experience in a speech on the Senate floor. Among other injuries, he’d been pulled over seven times in one year, mostly because he was black. Being one of the most powerful men in America didn’t protect him.
The senator had “felt the pressure applied by the scales of justice when they are slanted. I have felt the anger, the frustration, the sadness, and the humiliation that comes with feeling like you’re being targeted for nothing more than being just yourself.” He added: “I do not know many African-American men who do not have a very similar story to tell — no matter their profession, no matter their income, no matter their disposition in life.”
We Must Listen
Here we have five testimonies: my Facebook friend’s, George Yancey’s, Tim Scott’s, Ismail Hernandez’s (he’s the economist), and Roberto Rivera’s (the writer). All serious Christians and all political conservatives or centrists. When Yancey writes about “Christianophobia” and Hernandez defends the market, conservative Christians nod their heads and hit share. When they write about the reality of racism, and about being the targets of racism themselves, the same people’s response is more … muted.
Or deflective. “Whataboutism” is a favorite cheap tactic. So is claiming it’s somehow just political. Someone — a devout Catholic — responded to my conservative friend’s remark with “No one talks about all the people in Chicago getting killed every day this is interesting coming up to an election.” He says in reaction, “Never mind that, look over there!” That’s simply racist, whether he means it to be or not.
White Christians must stop framing stories like Arbery’s as political and culture-war acts and denying them without looking and listening. That devout Catholic “Whatabouter” stands for too many. It’s dishonest about the facts, because it doesn’t let them speak for themselves.
Ignoring the Voices
And it means ignoring the voices of your Christian sisters and brothers who need you to look, and look very closely. How must it feel to hear a white Christian who’d happily stand next to you in church blow off the story of something you know could happen to you? Who treasures a convenient political narrative more than your story? Your life?
Peter Wolfgang, a Stream columnist, and no liberal, observed about the killing of Ahmaud Arbery: “African-Americans have said all along that equality under the law is a myth. Eventually we had DNA tests confirming that there really are innocent people on death row, cell phone videos confirming that police really did (and do) horrible things, etc, and that this stuff happens more than whites believed. It’s pretty hard to deny at this point.”
He’s listened to people like Yancey and the others. Their’s are the kind of voices to whom we (speaking as a white Christian) should listen. Must, especially as Christians, listen. They suffer a kind of oppression and danger we don’t. They see realities and truths we don’t.
Like this: “While I thank God I have not endured bodily harm, I have however felt the pressure applied by the scales of justice when they are slanted,” Scott said in his talk on the senate floor. “I have felt the anger, the frustration, the sadness, and the humiliation that comes with feeling like you’re being targeted for nothing more than being just yourself.”
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 the monthly “Last Things” column for the New Oxford Review. He is finishing a book on death and dying to be published by Sophia Institute Press.


thestream--2020-05-08--United States 5G Leadership: An Imperative For National Security and Prosperity

As we have faced the COVID-19 crisis over these last several weeks , one thing that has become crystal clear is the importance of fast and reliable Internet connections .
Rather than going to the office , attending meetings , or going to class , millions of Americans are participating in online meetings and video calls .
Families are using Facetime or Zoom as their only means of “ seeing ” each other .
Americans must now turn to the Internet for virtual religious services and for online consultations with their doctors .
The power of this connectivity we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home Internet service is simply astounding and would have been unthinkable only a few years ago .
Imagine if we were facing this crisis without the ability to do all these things .
Our economy would be exponentially worse and our family and spiritual lives would be in grave peril without the ability to maintain those connections .
For years , we have been hearing about leaps in technology like 5G — but now we are seeing the benefits of those inventions firsthand .
The American spirit of innovation has led to this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical in leading our nation out of the economic disruption we are facing .
As a result , we must dramatically accelerate 5G technology and make it available to as many Americans as possible .
Furthermore , it is now even more vital that the US continue our legacy of global technology leadership — and not let China win that race .
Wisely , the Trump administration and policy makers at all levels have made 5G leadership a top priority .
The administration has made 5G deployment and security a key national priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a national strategy to secure 5G .
This focus , coupled with their policies of low taxes , less regulation and greater IP protection encourage the type of investment and research we need to deliver 5G innovation .
President Trump ’ s appointed FCC chairman Ajit Pai has aggressively led his agency in promoting US 5G leadership .
In addition to rolling back harmful net neutrality regulations , Chairman Pai and his colleagues recently moved to open more spectrum for high speed Wi-Fi use .
The FCC and the White House are both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual radio access networks ( RAN ) — a trend being embraced by US innovators .
This concept uses various software-based components for a more flexible and diverse 5G network .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Many experts believe that increased use of these networks can be critical to the US competition with China — namely Huawei — in global 5G leadership .
Tom Duesterberg , a scholar at the Hudson Institute who has served in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street Journal , “ The idea is to bypass much of the traditional wired connections , switches and other processing equipment with a virtual network .
The initial radio signal from a mobile device is connected to the internet and almost all functionality is built into software , largely through cloud computing .
This avoids the proprietary hardware base that Huawei exploits to maintain control over the components , software and functionality of its networks.
” He concluded that the use of these networks will help “ carry the day for America ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In recent days , virtually all the leading American tech and telecom companies ( along with those of allied nations ) have joined together in a coalition to advance policies that support radio access networks .
This Open RAN policy coalition includes AT & T , Verizon , Google , Facebook , IBM , Qualcomm and many more .
The battle with China over 5G leadership is critical — which has become more evident throughout the global COVID-19 crisis .
We need America to continue to lead the development of 5G here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so , we must pull out all the steps to accelerate deployment .
With the right policies , the private sector will continue to lead that charge .
President Trump and some congressional leaders on both sides have talked about the next round of stimulus including infrastructure — including broadband .
We must tread carefully with more stimulus spending , however if we do — supporting 5G infrastructure is an investment that may make sense .
After September 11th we implemented policies to ensure greater wireless access to first responders and after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NTIA to provide grants to increase broadband access across the nation .
The administration can look to these programs as models to build on to support 5G deployment , encourage virtual networks , among other things .
We want smart solutions and limited government — not the China model of government funded and controlled 5G networks .
But we need to take drastic action to provide greater connectivity to all our citizens and to ensure US leadership of 5G across the world .
We don ’ t just want a US dominated 5G @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we can continue to export to the world .
As we look to move out of the current health and economic crisis , American technology leadership will be critical for us — and for the entire world .
Fast and reliable Internet like 5G will be critical allowing us to be connected to our families , communities and businesses in good times and bad — and will help us create new jobs and industries for the future .
Ken Blackwell is a member of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity and the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coalition .

As we have faced the COVID-19 crisis over these last several weeks, one thing that has become crystal clear is the importance of fast and reliable Internet connections. Rather than going to the office, attending meetings, or going to class, millions of Americans are participating in online meetings and video calls. Families are using Facetime or Zoom as their only means of “seeing” each other. Americans must now turn to the Internet for virtual religious services and for online consultations with their doctors.
Maintaining Connections
The power of this connectivity we are getting on our wireless devices and/or our home Internet service is simply astounding and would have been unthinkable only a few years ago. Imagine if we were facing this crisis without the ability to do all these things. Our economy would be exponentially worse and our family and spiritual lives would be in grave peril without the ability to maintain those connections.
For years, we have been hearing about leaps in technology like 5G — but now we are seeing the benefits of those inventions firsthand. The American spirit of innovation has led to this amazing technology which I believe will be critical in leading our nation out of the economic disruption we are facing.
As a result, we must dramatically accelerate 5G technology and make it available to as many Americans as possible. Furthermore, it is now even more vital that the US continue our legacy of global technology leadership — and not let China win that race.
5G Technology — a Top Priority
Wisely, the Trump administration and policy makers at all levels have made 5G leadership a top priority. The administration has made 5G deployment and security a key national priority. Earlier this year, they released a national strategy to secure 5G. This focus, coupled with their policies of low taxes, less regulation and greater IP protection encourage the type of investment and research we need to deliver 5G innovation.
President Trump’s appointed FCC chairman Ajit Pai has aggressively led his agency in promoting US 5G leadership. In addition to rolling back harmful net neutrality regulations, Chairman Pai and his colleagues recently moved to open more spectrum for high speed Wi-Fi use. The FCC and the White House are both looking at the promoting the concept of virtual radio access networks (RAN) — a trend being embraced by US innovators. This concept uses various software-based components for a more flexible and diverse 5G network.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Many experts believe that increased use of these networks can be critical to the US competition with China — namely Huawei — in global 5G leadership. Tom Duesterberg, a scholar at the Hudson Institute who has served in the Commerce Department wrote in the Wall Street Journal, “The idea is to bypass much of the traditional wired connections, switches and other processing equipment with a virtual network. The initial radio signal from a mobile device is connected to the internet and almost all functionality is built into software, largely through cloud computing. This avoids the proprietary hardware base that Huawei exploits to maintain control over the components, software and functionality of its networks.” He concluded that the use of these networks will help “carry the day for America” in its battle with China over 5G.
The Open RAN Policy Coalition
In recent days, virtually all the leading American tech and telecom companies (along with those of allied nations) have joined together in a coalition to advance policies that support radio access networks. This Open RAN policy coalition includes AT&T, Verizon, Google, Facebook, IBM, Qualcomm and many more.
The battle with China over 5G leadership is critical — which has become more evident throughout the global COVID-19 crisis. We need America to continue to lead the development of 5G here and around the world. To do so, we must pull out all the steps to accelerate deployment. With the right policies, the private sector will continue to lead that charge. President Trump and some congressional leaders on both sides have talked about the next round of stimulus including infrastructure — including broadband. We must tread carefully with more stimulus spending, however if we do — supporting 5G infrastructure is an investment that may make sense. After September 11th we implemented policies to ensure greater wireless access to first responders and after the recession of 2008, we used the NTIA to provide grants to increase broadband access across the nation. The administration can look to these programs as models to build on to support 5G deployment, encourage virtual networks, among other things.
Greater Connectivity
We want smart solutions and limited government — not the China model of government funded and controlled 5G networks. But we need to take drastic action to provide greater connectivity to all our citizens and to ensure US leadership of 5G across the world. We don’t just want a US dominated 5G for us — we want 5G solutions that we can continue to export to the world.
As we look to move out of the current health and economic crisis, American technology leadership will be critical for us — and for the entire world. Fast and reliable Internet like 5G will be critical allowing us to be connected to our families, communities and businesses in good times and bad — and will help us create new jobs and industries for the future.
Ken Blackwell is a member of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity and the National Leadership Council of the Save Our Country Coalition.


thestream--2020-05-08--3 Things to Know About Dallas Salon Owner Jailed, Then Released

The Texas Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the release of a Dallas hair salon owner who had been jailed for contempt of court after refusing to keep her business closed due to coronavirus pandemic .
1 ) She was jailed for violating the stay-at-home order .
Shelley Luther was sent to the Dallas County jail “ after keeping her salon open in defiance of state restrictions , ” according to KXAS-TV , the NBC affiliate in Dallas , which reported that “ Luther refused to apologize for repeatedly flouting the order , leading [ a Dallas County judge ] to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence her to a week behind bars ” and fine her $ 7,000 .
Texas Governor Greg Abbott , a Republican , said in a statement that jailing Luther , owner of Salon A La Mode , was going too far .
“ Throwing Texans in jail who have had their businesses shut down through no fault of their own is nonsensical , and I will not allow it to happen , ” Abbott said in a statement .
“ That is why I am modifying my executive orders to ensure confinement is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Abbott ’ s March executive order mandated that salons and other nonessential businesses close .
Texas attorney general Ken Paxton tweeted Wednesday that throwing the salon owner in jail was inappropriate .
“ Shelley Luther should immediately be released from jail , ” Paxton said .
“ Locking her up is a misguided abuse of power , especially considering Dallas County released real criminals to “ protect them from COVID-19.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also voiced his disapproval of Luther ’ s jail sentence on Tuesday , tweeting , “ 7 days in jail for cutting hair ?
?
This is NUTS .
And government officials don ’ t get to order citizens to apologize to them for daring to earn a living.
” Prior to Luther ’ s release , Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick tweeted Wednesday that he would pay Luther ’ s $ 7,000 fine , and even offered to take her place in jail .
“ 7 days in jail , no bail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outrageous , ” Patrick wrote .
“ No surprise Texans are responding .
I ’ m covering the $ 7K fine she had to pay , and I volunteer to be placed under House Arrest so she can go to work and feed her kids.
” Dallas ’ CBS affiliate reported Wednesday that Patrick made good on his promise to pay her fine .
The salon owner defended her actions , saying she refused to keep her business closed only out of the need to care for her family .
“ Feeding my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told state District Court Judge Eric Moye .
“ If you think the law is more important than kids getting fed , then please go ahead with your decision , but I am not going to shut the salon.
” John Malcolm , vice president of the Institute for Constitutional Government and director of the Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at The Heritage Foundation , told The Daily Signal in an email that Luther ’ s punishment was unreasonable .
“ It seems clear that the judge went overboard in sending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desperate about her financial situation — to jail for several days and imposing a substantial fine , especially at a time in which serious offenders are being released from jail because of the threat of contracting coronavirus while incarcerated , ” Malcolm said .
He added , “ That having been said , if the governor did not want judges to enforce his pandemic-related edicts with the threat of incarcerating people who violated them , then he probably should have said so upfront .
”

The Texas Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the release of a Dallas hair salon owner who had been jailed for contempt of court after refusing to keep her business closed due to coronavirus pandemic.
1) She was jailed for violating the stay-at-home order.
Shelley Luther was sent to the Dallas County jail “after keeping her salon open in defiance of state restrictions,” according to KXAS-TV, the NBC affiliate in Dallas, which reported that “Luther refused to apologize for repeatedly flouting the order, leading [a Dallas County judge] to find her in contempt of court and sentence her to a week behind bars” and fine her $7,000.
2) Prominent Texas lawmakers defended her.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, said in a statement that jailing Luther, owner of Salon A La Mode, was going too far.
“Throwing Texans in jail who have had their businesses shut down through no fault of their own is nonsensical, and I will not allow it to happen,” Abbott said in a statement. “That is why I am modifying my executive orders to ensure confinement is not a punishment for violating an order.”
Abbott’s March executive order mandated that salons and other nonessential businesses close.
Texas attorney general Ken Paxton tweeted Wednesday that throwing the salon owner in jail was inappropriate.
“Shelley Luther should immediately be released from jail,” Paxton said. “Locking her up is a misguided abuse of power, especially considering Dallas County released real criminals to “protect them from COVID-19.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, also voiced his disapproval of Luther’s jail sentence on Tuesday, tweeting, “7 days in jail for cutting hair?? This is NUTS. And government officials don’t get to order citizens to apologize to them for daring to earn a living.”
Prior to Luther’s release, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick tweeted Wednesday that he would pay Luther’s $7,000 fine, and even offered to take her place in jail.
“7 days in jail, no bail, and a $7K fine is outrageous,” Patrick wrote. “No surprise Texans are responding. I’m covering the $7K fine she had to pay, and I volunteer to be placed under House Arrest so she can go to work and feed her kids.”
Dallas’ CBS affiliate reported Wednesday that Patrick made good on his promise to pay her fine.
3) Luther defended her actions.
The salon owner defended her actions, saying she refused to keep her business closed only out of the need to care for her family.
“Feeding my kids is not selfish,” Luther told state District Court Judge Eric Moye. “If you think the law is more important than kids getting fed, then please go ahead with your decision, but I am not going to shut the salon.”
John Malcolm, vice president of the Institute for Constitutional Government and director of the Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at The Heritage Foundation, told The Daily Signal in an email that Luther’s punishment was unreasonable.
“It seems clear that the judge went overboard in sending Ms. Luther — who is obviously feeling desperate about her financial situation — to jail for several days and imposing a substantial fine, especially at a time in which serious offenders are being released from jail because of the threat of contracting coronavirus while incarcerated,” Malcolm said. He added, “That having been said, if the governor did not want judges to enforce his pandemic-related edicts with the threat of incarcerating people who violated them, then he probably should have said so upfront.”
Copyright 2020 The Daily Signal