But God

They are two of the most powerful words in the Bible , words that change everything .
One moment , there is despondency and despair .
All hope is lost , and the worst case scenario is about to unfold .
BUT GOD .
But God had other plans .
But God intervened .
But God turned the tables .
But God !
Here are some examples from Scripture : “ The patriarchs , jealous of Joseph , sold him into Egypt ; but God was with him ” ( Acts 7:9 ) .
“ My flesh and my heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strength of my heart and my portion forever ” ( Psalms 73:26 ) .
“ They killed him [ Jesus ] by hanging him on a cross , but God raised him from the dead on the third day ” ( Acts 10:39-40 ) .
The story was over and the dream had died .
But God .
And then consider this extraordinary passage : “ And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked , following the course of this world , following the prince of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh , carrying out the desires of the body and the mind , and were by nature children of wrath , like the rest of mankind .
BUT GOD , being rich in mercy , because of the great love with which he loved us , even when we were dead in our trespasses , made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved ” ( Ephesians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were beyond down and out .
We were buried and spiritually dead — BUT GOD .
( If you keep reading in Ephesians 2 , beyond v. 5 , the amazing picture of redemption gets even better .
We are actually “ seated together ” with Jesus in heavenly places .
Try to wrap your mind around that . )
Who Would Trump Have … But God ?
But why do I write this today ?
It is to give us a broader perspective in the midst of the current electoral crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a crisis time in our nation . )
It is to help us keep our faith and our sanity .
It is to do what I can as someone who started preaching from the pulpit in 1973 , at the age of 18 , but who only started writing regular op-ed columns in 2013 , at the age of 58 .
In other words , I ’ m a God-first , gospel-first thinker rather than a conservative-first , politics-first thinker .
So , in these days of turmoil , allow me to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purposes of these recent articles on related themes .
( See also here and here . )
Right now , legal officials and the courts are weighing the question of a fraudulent election .
But regardless of the final verdict , we can say for sure that the odds were already stacked against President Trump .
Just think of what might have happened had the mainstream media reported the story of the Hunter Biden laptop the way they reported the alleged Russian collusion story ( among other , anti-Trump stories ) .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t suppress conservative voices ?
More broadly , what might have happened if COVID-19 did not crush the thriving economy , or if the virus did not pave the way for tens of millions of mail-in ballots , opening the door wider to potential fraud ?
Dr. Victor Davis Hanson asked , “ But who did [ Trump ] have in his corner ?
Maybe talk radio … maybe Breitbart , maybe half of the Fox team , maybe not .
… Hoover Institution was not for him , National Review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mainstream Republican establishment [ was against him ] .
Big Tech was against him .
Wall Street was against him .
Big Money , the universities , professional sports , entertainment , everybody was against him , yet he overcame all that , almost.
” These are surely formidable foes .
But God .
Again , this does not mean that God is with Trump and against his political opponents .
This does not mean that , unless Trump is reelected , God ’ s purposes have failed .
And this doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of his own problems .
But it does mean that all these obstacles , multiplied endlessly , are no match for God .
Not even close .
If He wants Trump in office , it will happen .
Liking the Odds When God ’ s With Me As I ’ ve said repeatedly in recent days , I say this with confidence because of the massive amount of prayer that , to this moment , is still ascending to heaven for the elections .
I say this when I think of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DC , in the weeks before the elections .
Virtually all of these mass gatherings were conducted by Christian conservatives , and I imagine that the vast majority of those attending ( and praying ) were Trump voters .
( For those who were not there , the prayers were not for a Trump victory .
They were prayers for personal and corporate repentance , prayers for the good of the nation , and prayers for God ’ s outcome in the elections . )
Personally , I would have rather the whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the whole world for me and God against me .
Personally , I like the odds of having Big Money , Big Tech , Big Media , and Big Whatever Else against me and God for me .
It ’ s not even a contest .
And this is how we overcome our frustration and even our outrage .
While we keep doing everything we know how to do , not becoming passive in the least ( not a chance ) , we also put our faith in God .
We remember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We remember the one who sits enthroned as King .
We remember those two words : but God .
He Will Not Fail Us , Regardless At the moment , we do not know what the final outcome of the election will be .
We do not who will lead the next administration and what will happen in the days ahead in our nation .
But we do know this : if we will continue to do everything we know to do , passionately pursuing righteousness and justice and truth and mercy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Lord , He will not fail us .
And when things look their very worst , remember those two words : but God .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

They are two of the most powerful words in the Bible, words that change everything. One moment, there is despondency and despair. All hope is lost, and the worst case scenario is about to unfold. BUT GOD.
But God had other plans. But God intervened. But God turned the tables. But God!
Ask Joseph, Ask Jesus
Here are some examples from Scripture:
“The patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him” (Acts 7:9).
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalms 73:26).
“They killed him [Jesus] by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day” (Acts 10:39-40).
The story was over and the dream had died. But God.
And then consider this extraordinary passage:
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. BUT GOD, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:1-5, my emphasis)
We were beyond down and out. We were buried and spiritually dead — BUT GOD. (If you keep reading in Ephesians 2, beyond v. 5, the amazing picture of redemption gets even better. We are actually “seated together” with Jesus in heavenly places. Try to wrap your mind around that.)
Who Would Trump Have … But God?
But why do I write this today? To give us a broader perspective in the midst of the current electoral crisis. (Whatever the final outcome, it is a time of crisis in our nation.) I write to help us keep our faith and our sanity.
I write to do what I can as someone who started preaching from the pulpit in 1973, at the age of 18 — but who only started writing regular op-ed columns in 2013, at the age of 58.
In other words — I’m a God-first, gospel-first thinker rather than a conservative-first, politics-first thinker.
So, in these days of turmoil, allow me to encourage your faith. That is the purpose of these recent articles on related themes. (See also here and here.)
Right now, legal officials and the courts are weighing the question of a fraudulent election. But regardless of the final verdict, we can say for sure that the odds were already stacked against President Trump.
Just think of what might have happened had the mainstream media reported the story of the Hunter Biden laptop the way they reported the alleged Russian collusion story (among other, anti-Trump stories).
What might have happened if the internet giants didn’t suppress conservative voices?
More broadly, what might have happened if COVID-19 did not crush the thriving economy, or if the virus did not pave the way for tens of millions of mail-in ballots, opening the door wider to potential fraud?
Dr. Victor Davis Hanson asked, “But who did [Trump] have in his corner? Maybe talk radio … maybe Breitbart, maybe half of the Fox team, maybe not. … Hoover Institution was not for him, National Review was against him. Most of the mainstream Republican establishment [was against him]. Big Tech was against him. Wall Street was against him. Big Money, the universities, professional sports, entertainment, everybody was against him, yet he overcame all that, almost.”
These are surely formidable foes. But God.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Again, this does not mean that God is with Trump and against his political opponents. This does not mean that, unless Trump is reelected, God’s purposes have failed. And this doesn’t mean that Trump did not create some of his own problems.
But it does mean that all these obstacles, multiplied endlessly, are no match for God. Not even close. If He wants Trump in office, it will happen.
Liking the Odds When God’s With Me
As I’ve said repeatedly in recent days, I say this with confidence because of the massive amount of prayer that, to this moment, is still ascending to heaven for the elections. I say this when I think of the large prayer gatherings held in Washington, D.C., in the weeks before the elections.
Virtually all of these mass gatherings were conducted by Christian conservatives, and I imagine that the vast majority of those attending (and praying) were Trump voters. (For those who were not there, the prayers were not for a Trump victory. They were prayers for personal and corporate repentance, prayers for the good of the nation, and prayers for God’s outcome in the elections.)
Personally, I would have rather the whole world against me and God for me than the whole world for me and God against me.
Personally, I like the odds of having Big Money, Big Tech, Big Media, and Big Whatever Else against me and God for me. It’s not even a contest.
And this is how we overcome our frustration and even our outrage. While we keep doing everything we know how to do, not becoming passive in the least (not a chance), we also put our faith in God.
We remember the hundreds of millions of prayers prayed. We remember the one who sits enthroned as King. We remember those two words: but God.
He Will Not Fail Us, Regardless
At the moment, we do not know what the final outcome of the election will be. We do not who will lead the next administration and what will happen in the days ahead in our nation.
But we do know this: if we will continue to do everything we know to do, passionately pursuing righteousness and justice and truth and mercy, and if we lean hard on the Lord, He will not fail us.
And when things look their very worst, remember those two words: but God.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


Election Integrity

This is not a banana republic .
This is the United States of America .
Here we are on the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower Compact ( November 11 , 1620 ) — the document that initiated American democracy that culminated in the Constitution and our freedoms .
And yet election integrity is at risk .
How this is resolved may well determine what kind of a country we become and what kind of a legacy we leave for our children and posterity .
As one man put it , “ The importance of getting it right outweighs the importance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this ?
Some rube with the Trump campaign ?
No , actually , that was former Clinton cabinet member Warren Christopher on November 11 , 2000 , speaking on behalf of the Gore campaign during the hotly contested Bush-Gore election .
The media , including Fox News , have already called this race for Joe Biden .
Many are calling him “ president-elect.
” Is it not more honest to call him , at best , the “ projected president-elect ” ?
Besides , who died and gave the media the authority to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s always cheating in elections , I suppose .
It seems that conservatives always have to get a percentage or more of extra votes to counteract the cheating .
Hmmmm .
If the left is so great , why do they so often have to cheat to win ?
There are serious and credible allegations of voter fraud in some of the key swing states .
The swing states include Pennsylvania , Arizona , Georgia , Michigan , and Wisconsin .
Here are some examples : • Citizen Free Press reports : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] this morning [ 11/8/20 ] that as many as 900,000 invalid ballots were cast in Pennsylvania , and that the Trump campaign will reveal the full slate of evidence in court.
” • Trump attorney Sidney Powell added that they ’ ve identified 450,000 ballots in PA that only had Biden on them ( not any vote for candidates of other offices on the ballot ) .
• In Pennsylvania , supposedly 840 voters were 101 or older ; 39 lived through the Civil War ; 45 were born in the 1800s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in Pennsylvania that are reported to have voted .
As some wag noted , “ I see dead people voting.
” • Despite court orders , poll counters in Philadelphia and Detroit reportedly have prevented Republican vote counting monitors from seeing the ballot counting .
Furthermore , in some instances , workers have boarded up windows , eliminating any pretense of transparency .
• A software “ glitch ” in Michigan has caused thousands of votes for Trump to be applied as votes for Biden .
Ian Miles Cheong tweets ( 11/6/20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tabulate the votes in one county sent at least 6,000 Trump votes to Biden .
47 counties used the software .
Other states may have , too .
Was it a glitch or a ‘ feature ’ ?
” Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan said , “ This is the first time in American history , where you have a party systematically set out to win an election after the election .
That ’ s what they ’ re doing , and it has to be stopped.
” [ Emphasis added ] Perhaps love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all this .
As Gary Bauer of American Values noted that if someone has no problem with killing babies up to the moment of birth ( and even after , in some cases ) , why would they have a problem with cheating in an election ?
Judge Darrell White is a conservative Christian and the founder/director of Retired Judges of America .
I once interviewed him for Christian television in reference to America ’ s Christian heritage .
He told me , “ Our founders were not atheists .
They pledged their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honor on behalf of themselves , but also , on behalf of posterity .
That ’ s us and our grandchildren , and we hold the truths of the Constitution and the sacred guarantees that are ours as Americans .
We hold them not as owners , but in trust .
We are trustees for the next generation.
” [ Emphasis added ] As trustees , it is up to us to make sure that we preserve our national heritage and genuine trust at the polls .
White adds that “ our founders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a major component of which is a belief in the “ notion of the depravity of man.
” The division of powers by the founders was based on their knowledge that man is sinful .
James Madison , a key architect of the Constitution , put it succinctly : “ All men having power ought to be distrusted.
” That ’ s not cynical .
It is because of that view we enjoy the freedoms we enjoy .
The day could come when we lose that freedom because of a monopoly of power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tech ( which has systematically censored conservative and Christian content ) , and by big media .
Since there are still many serious , credible allegations of voter fraud , every American , including those on the other side of the aisle , should welcome this inquiry to make sure it was an honest election .
Love him or hate him , Trump is fighting for our nation ’ s election integrity .
Jerry Newcombe , D.Min.
, is the senior producer and an on-air host for D. James Kennedy Ministries .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Unstoppable Jesus Christ , American Amnesia : Is America Paying the Price for Forgetting God ?
, What If Jesus Had Never Been Born ?
( w/ D. James Kennedy ) , and the bestseller , George Washington ’ s Sacred Fire ( w/ Peter Lillback ) djkm.org @ newcombejerry www.jerrynewcombe.com

The 2020 election was a dirty, dark, despicable mess. A corrupt, cynical abuse of the American election system and the American people, in ways large and small. Fortunately, despite the Democrats’ furious, frantic efforts to keep the people in darkness, light is peeking through.
Let’s go coast-to-coast.
Arizona Audit Resumes
The Maricopa County audit is back underway after a string of graduations took over the Veterans Memorial Coliseum for a bit. About 500,000 of the 2.1 million ballots has been reviewed.
The break wasn’t without activity.
Maricopa County’s Board of Supervisors last week again called for the Arizona audit to end, and declared it will no longer cooperate with the Arizona Senate (and thus court orders). Dr. Kelli Ward, Arizona Republican Party chairwoman, responded, “Who gives these local officials the right to challenge the constitutional authority of the Arizona Senate and of the Arizona courts?”
Don’t know what is worse, their arrogance or lack of curiosity.
Meanwhile, newly-elected U.S. House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik is giving a big thumbs up to the audit. This in contrast to the woman she replaced, Rep. Liz Cheney, who thinks transparency is an attack on democracy. (And for her efforts is currently enjoying the warm cuddles of CNN.)
Stefanik also blasted Biden’s DOJ for threatening the audit. She says interference from the Feds is “unconstitutional.” The states, “constitutionally, are responsible for writing states’ constitution law,” she said.
Former DOJ official J. Christian Adams agrees. Adams worked in the Voting Section of the Civil Rights Division and he’s urging Arizona Senate president Karen Fann to resist the “non-existent federal authority” assorted by Trump-hating Biden DOJ appointee Pamela S. Karlan. The Daily Signal’s Fred Lucas detailed the issues with Karlan last week.
Meanwhile, Adams has been racking up court victories in other states. Yes. Court victories.
Bring Out Your Dead … to Vote in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia
You know those people who say all the election integrity cases have been lost? Bet they don’t know that last month, Pennsylvania settled a suit that demonstrated at least 21,000 dead people were still on voter registration rolls before the 2020 Election.
Pennsylvania, far after the election, has “agreed to compare its full voter registration database against the Cumulative Social Security Death Index in order to identify dead voters. Pennsylvania then agreed to direct all county election commissions to remove the names of dead voters.”
But Al, how many of those 21,000 dead folks “voted” in 2020?
The suit against Pennsylvania was brought by Adams, who now heads the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF). He suggested earlier this month that he has found numerous instances of the dead voting not only in Pennsylvania, but Virginia and Maryland. That included people who “registered” after dying.
He also posted cryptic tweets like this:
Fact: In #PA this deceased individual voted in the #2020Election because #voteBYMail made easy. Stay tuned to @PILFoundation for details about the #deadvoter problem in PA and the other side of the headstone. pic.twitter.com/VyFd5xMT4g — J. Christian Adams (@ElectionLawCtr) May 13, 2021
How many? Don’t know yet. PILF claimed in its suit hundreds of dead voted in 2016 and 2018. What we do know is we need to know if there was a systematic effort to use the dead to help rig the election. And who was behind it. We also know that the Soros-backed Secretary of Commonwealth at the time Kathy Boockvar had no interest in cleaning the rolls before the election.
We also know Boockvar was forced to resign after ignoring the state’s legislature and constitution in regard to another election-related matter. Just like she ignored the Pennsylvania’s constitution and legislature in re-writing the election rules to make cheating easy-peasy.
Carolina On My Mind
PILF just won another case, this time in North Carolina, after the state’s election board refused to disclose records showing foreigners and non-citizens voting. So how many illegals or foreigners voted in our election?
According to analysis by Just Facts, between 30,000 and 62,000 in North Carolina alone.
What about other swing states? According to the Just Facts calculations (based on the percentage of non-citizens who admitted voting in the 2016 race):
Arizona: 51,081 ± 17,689
± 17,689 Georgia: 54,950 ± 19,025
± 19,025 Michigan: 22,585 ± 7,842
± 7,842 Nevada: 22,021 ± 7,717
± 7,717 Pennsylvania: 32,706 ± 11,332
± 11,332 Wisconsin: 5,010± 1,774
Putting aside all the other election shenanigans, the vote from non-citizens alone might well have decided the race.
And you wonder by Joe Biden loves them open borders?
New Hampshire
While much attention has been directed toward the Arizona election audit, much less attention has been paid to a profoundly interesting audit in New Hampshire.
A forensic audit is underway in Windham, New Hampshire. A tiny town with a big 2020 election problem. In November, Democrat Kristi St. Laurent lost her bid for a 7th Congressional District state House seat by 24 votes. She asked for a recount. Shockingly, a hand recount showed she lost by an additional 99 votes. Even more shocking, four Windham Republicans running for the House seats actually earned 300 votes more each than what the AccuVote machines had tabulated. You’d have to be an MSNBC host to see that as coincidence.
The discrepancy led to Gov. Chris Sununu signing off on a forensic audit. The first review from that audit is in, and the Democrat actually got 125 less votes than the machines had given her, and the four Republicans earned around 220 more votes than the machines had tabulated.
The question is why? The bigger question that must be answered: Is the AccuVote machines issue that adds votes to Democrats and takes votes from Republicans systemic across the state?
The AccuVote machines used in Windham are used in about 85% of New Hampshire. So if there was an issue with the machine, we must know if the problem existed elsewhere in the state.
Unfortunately, the audit isn’t looking at the presidential race. At least at this point.
FYI: Trump lost New Hampshire by roughly 60,000 votes. Interestingly, the Republican Gov. Sununo won re-election by 250,000 votes.
The audit findings in New Hampshire are suddenly drawing attention from CNN. Of the predictable kind. They ran a hit piece Friday called “Trump and his allies seize on small New Hampshire town’s vote discrepancies to push lies about election outcome.” Basically, their argument is “The Republicans still won, so why the fuss? How disgusting to use a trivial error on some old machines to push The Big Lie.”
You have to read all the way to the third line from the bottom before CNN admits the discrepancies are “vexing.”
Also vexing? Windham still doesn’t know why Republicans and only Republicans got hundreds of votes shaved off their total by the machines. And CNN isn’t the least bit curious.
Talking Pristine Military Ballots in Georgia
Monday morning we wrote about Judge Brian Amero ordering the absentee ballots from Fulton County unsealed and reviewed. One of the things reviewers will be looking for are pristine ballots.
Veteran election worker Susan Boyles was fired by Fulton County after testifying under oath about witnessing a box of “pristine” ballots. “They were absolutely, starkly different than the rest,” Voyles said. “Some of the (filled-in) bubbles looked exactly the same on every ballot.”
Meanwhile, according to a suit filed by Lin Wood, all 900 military ballots in Fulton County went to Biden.
Unbelievable? Not to Debbie Fisher. She was an election worker in nearby Cobb County. She testified under oath in December that 80 to 90% of the military ballots she saw went to Biden, and that she saw stacks of military ballots that were 100% for Biden.
An impossibility, if the ballots were legit. I’d show you the YouTube video of her testimony, but YouTube removed it.
And, just like Boyles, she swears the ballots were pristine. “I reviewed 298 military ballots on Nov. 16,” she said. “One thing after I had seen several that I noticed was they were exceptionally clean. I was comparing them to the ballots that I had seen during the general election that didn’t even come close to comparing to these ballots.” She found
bubbles on the ballots that were filled in perfectly, there was almost none that went outside the lines. There were no stray marks like we found on the ballots during the general election, such as x’s or checkmarks. Not one ballot that I looked at had any kind of markings other than black. The circles were perfectly colored in.
We ask our military to defend us with their lives. Least we can do is defend their vote with a serious look at their ballots.
Pristine ballots point to a dirty election. And that cannot stand.
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author, with John Zmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl on Twitter and Parler, if his Twitter account is restored. You can also follow him @StreamingAl on Gab and MeWe.


thestream--2020-11-12--Lessons from the Church Under Caesar

Lessons from the Church Under Caesar

We have been blessed with many liberties here in America , many of them unknown throughout human history .
And we should diligently guard those liberties .
It would be a terrible tragedy if we lost them , especially for the generations that will follow .
Few things are as precious as our freedoms .
At the same time , as followers of Jesus , it ’ s easy for us to lose our perspective because of those very liberties and freedoms .
It ’ s easy for us to become dependent on the government .
Or to put our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to believe that human limitations can put limitations on God .
Perish the thought .
With this in mind , we do well to think back to the situation of the first century church , living in the Roman Empire and subject to the Roman emperor , meaning men like Caligula ( 37-41 AD ) and Nero ( 54-68 ) .
According to one history website , “ Caligula was Rome ’ s most tyrannical emperor .
His reign from 37-41 AD is filled with murder and debauchery , to levels even his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The great-great grandson of Julius Caesar certainly left his mark by his possible madness and definitely horrific acts.
” Another website states , “ Historical accounts of Caligula may vary , but nearly all historians agreed on one dark fact : this deranged emperor placed very little value on human life .
In one twisted story , Caligula was supposedly meant to sacrifice a bull to the gods by hitting it over the head with a huge mallet .
At the last minute , Caligula had an even worse idea — he turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the leader of the empire .
As for Nero , where do we start ?
According to the historian Tacitus , “ to stop the rumor [ that he had set Rome on fire ] , he [ Emperor Nero ] falsely charged with guilt , and punished with the most fearful tortures , the persons commonly called Christians , who were [ generally ] hated for their enormities … .
Accordingly first those were arrested who confessed they were Christians ; next on their information , a vast multitude were convicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of burning the city , as of ‘ hating the human race.
’ ” ( Yes , these early Christians were called “ haters.
” ) Tacitus continues : “ In their very deaths they were made the subjects of sport : for they were covered with the hides of wild beasts , and worried to death by dogs , or nailed to crosses , or set fire to , and when the day waned , burned to serve for the evening lights.
” Picture this happening in your city to your friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the reigns of Caligula and Nero , among others , that the early church thrived .
It was during these times of intense , unspeakable cruelty and persecution , that the gospel message flourished and grew .
And it was while the demented , murderous Nero was emperor that Paul wrote these words : “ Let every person be subject to the governing authorities .
For there is no authority except from God , and those that exist have been instituted by God ” ( Romans 13:1 ) .
Of course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to governing authorities , as in cases where the authorities command you to do evil .
Accordingly , if you were a Christian living in Hitler ’ s Germany and were commanded to turn in any Jews you knew , the right thing would be disobedience — disobedience to man but obedience to God .
We always submit to the highest authority .
But that ’ s now what I want to focus on .
Instead , I want to draw our attention to the attitude of believers under a dictatorial regime .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not take legal action against the government .
You can not protest ( unless you want to be killed in the process ) .
You can not change “ the system.
” Such matters are out of your hands .
But you can do something much more powerful .
You can spread the gospel .
You can advance God ’ s countercultural , spiritual kingdom .
You can liberate people ’ s hearts and minds .
You can bring healing and redemption .
You can be an agent of eternal change .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
And that ’ s what these early believers did , turning their world upside down .
The ultimate battle is a spiritual battle , and that battle can be waged regardless of what kind of government we ’ re under .
In fact , it is often during the hardest times that the church grows the most .
Just look at the explosive growth of the Church in Communist China over the last 70-80 years .
Or consider the church in Muslim Iran , which is growing as rapidly as any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often does much better under persecution than under prosperity .
That ’ s why it doesn ’ t surprise me that the most precious , devoted Christians I have met in the world are Christians under persecution .
Conversely , it doesn ’ t surprise that , quite often , the most complacent Christians I ’ ve met have been Christians in the midst of abundant prosperity .
That ’ s why the church became much more compromised and worldly once Constantine Christianized the Roman Empire .
With the good came the bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mixture , as the Church became an appendage of a still-worldly empire .
Freedom and prosperity are gifts that can be easily abused .
It ’ s true , of course , that at different times in history ( including recently ) , radical Islam has virtually wiped out entire Christian populations in some parts of the world .
And it ’ s true that no one in their right mind would want to bequeath brutal persecution and mass killing on the generations to come .
Do Not Put Your Trust in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must guard the freedoms and liberties God has given us here in America .
But let ’ s also be realistic .
Just as Donald Trump is not Jesus , Joe Biden is not the devil .
Neither is he Nero .
Biden may support gay “ marriage ” and transgender activism , but Nero “ castrated a boy named Sporus to make him womanlike , and then married him in a traditional ceremony , which included a bridal veil and a dowry , according to the Roman historian and biographer Suetonius ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do not believe for a moment that Biden would call for Christians to be set on fire and burned alive to illuminate the night .
Please !
( And for the record , we still do not officially know who our next president will be . )
So , while we work hard to preserve our freedoms and push back against those who seek to take them from us , we must never put our trust in the arm of flesh .
Paul ’ s counsel was simple : “ First of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplications , prayers , intercessions , and thanksgivings be made for all people , for kings and all who are in high positions , that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life , godly and dignified in every way .
This is good , and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior , who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth ” ( 1 Timothy 2:1-4 ) .
Here in America , we should get involved in the political system as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the opportunity to do so .
But our trust is placed elsewhere .
The invisible kingdom is advancing , and no power in heaven or on earth can stop it .
Peter and Paul and a host of other first century Christians , all killed for their faith , would add their hearty Amen .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
Connect with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

We have been blessed with many liberties here in America, many of them unknown throughout human history. And we should diligently guard those liberties. It would be a terrible tragedy if we lost them, especially for the generations that will follow. Few things are as precious as our freedoms.
At the same time, as followers of Jesus, it’s easy for us to lose our perspective because of those very liberties and freedoms. It’s easy for us to become dependent on the government. Or to put our trust in a worldly system. Or to believe that human limitations can put limitations on God. Perish the thought.
Meet Nero and Caligula
With this in mind, we do well to think back to the situation of the first century church, living in the Roman Empire and subject to the Roman emperor, meaning men like Caligula (37-41 AD) and Nero (54-68).
According to one history website, “Caligula was Rome’s most tyrannical emperor. His reign from 37-41 AD is filled with murder and debauchery, to levels even his infamous nephew Nero could not reach. The great-great grandson of Julius Caesar certainly left his mark by his possible madness and definitely horrific acts.”
Another website states, “Historical accounts of Caligula may vary, but nearly all historians agreed on one dark fact: this deranged emperor placed very little value on human life. In one twisted story, Caligula was supposedly meant to sacrifice a bull to the gods by hitting it over the head with a huge mallet. At the last minute, Caligula had an even worse idea — he turned and struck the priest instead.”
This was the leader of the empire.
As for Nero, where do we start? According to the historian Tacitus, “to stop the rumor [that he had set Rome on fire], he [Emperor Nero] falsely charged with guilt, and punished with the most fearful tortures, the persons commonly called Christians, who were [generally] hated for their enormities … . Accordingly first those were arrested who confessed they were Christians; next on their information, a vast multitude were convicted, not so much on the charge of burning the city, as of ‘hating the human race.’” (Yes, these early Christians were called “haters.”)
Tacitus continues: “In their very deaths they were made the subjects of sport: for they were covered with the hides of wild beasts, and worried to death by dogs, or nailed to crosses, or set fire to, and when the day waned, burned to serve for the evening lights.”
Yet the Church Thrived
Picture this happening in your city to your friends and family members.
Yet it was during the reigns of Caligula and Nero, among others, that the early church thrived. It was during these times of intense, unspeakable cruelty and persecution, that the gospel message flourished and grew.
And it was while the demented, murderous Nero was emperor that Paul wrote these words: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1).
Of course, Paul did not call for unqualified submission to governing authorities, as in cases where the authorities command you to do evil. Accordingly, if you were a Christian living in Hitler’s Germany and were commanded to turn in any Jews you knew, the right thing would be disobedience — disobedience to man but obedience to God. We always submit to the highest authority.
Growth Under Persecution
But that’s now what I want to focus on. Instead, I want to draw our attention to the attitude of believers under a dictatorial regime. You cannot vote. You cannot take legal action against the government. You cannot protest (unless you want to be killed in the process). You cannot change “the system.” Such matters are out of your hands.
But you can do something much more powerful. You can spread the gospel. You can advance God’s countercultural, spiritual kingdom. You can liberate people’s hearts and minds. You can bring healing and redemption. You can be an agent of eternal change. You can challenge the system from the ground up.
And that’s what these early believers did, turning their world upside down.
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The ultimate battle is a spiritual battle, and that battle can be waged regardless of what kind of government we’re under.
In fact, it is often during the hardest times that the church grows the most. Just look at the explosive growth of the Church in Communist China over the last 70-80 years. Or consider the church in Muslim Iran, which is growing as rapidly as any church in the world.
The church often does much better under persecution than under prosperity.
That’s why it doesn’t surprise me that the most precious, devoted Christians I have met in the world are Christians under persecution. Conversely, it doesn’t surprise that, quite often, the most complacent Christians I’ve met have been Christians in the midst of abundant prosperity.
That’s why the church became much more compromised and worldly once Constantine Christianized the Roman Empire. With the good came the bad. Governmental backing now produced a foreign mixture, as the Church became an appendage of a still-worldly empire.
Freedom and prosperity are gifts that can be easily abused.
It’s true, of course, that at different times in history (including recently), radical Islam has virtually wiped out entire Christian populations in some parts of the world. And it’s true that no one in their right mind would want to bequeath brutal persecution and mass killing on the generations to come.
Do Not Put Your Trust in the Arm of Flesh
To repeat: we must guard the freedoms and liberties God has given us here in America.
But let’s also be realistic. Just as Donald Trump is not Jesus, Joe Biden is not the devil. Neither is he Nero.
Biden may support gay “marriage” and transgender activism, but Nero “castrated a boy named Sporus to make him womanlike, and then married him in a traditional ceremony, which included a bridal veil and a dowry, according to the Roman historian and biographer Suetonius (circa A.D. 69).”
And I do not believe for a moment that Biden would call for Christians to be set on fire and burned alive to illuminate the night. Please! (And for the record, we still do not officially know who our next president will be.)
So, while we work hard to preserve our freedoms and push back against those who seek to take them from us, we must never put our trust in the arm of flesh.
Paul’s counsel was simple: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
Here in America, we should get involved in the political system as much as we are called to and have the opportunity to do so.
But our trust is placed elsewhere. The invisible kingdom is advancing, and no power in heaven or on earth can stop it.
Peter and Paul and a host of other first century Christians, all killed for their faith, would add their hearty Amen.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-11-12--Military Photo of the Day: Rescuing Victims of Hurricane Eta

U.S. service members serving aboard an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter rescue victims of Hurricane Eta stranded in floodwaters in Honduras @ @ @ @ @ 5 , 2020 .
Thank you to these compassionate American warriors for saving lives .

U.S. service members serving aboard an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter rescue victims of Hurricane Eta stranded in floodwaters in Honduras following Hurricane Eta on November 5, 2020.
Thank you to these compassionate American warriors for saving lives.
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thestream--2020-11-12--President Trump & Joe Montana Versus Joe Biden & Milli Vanilli

It was a Monday – February 23 , 1990 , to be exact .
We were gathered for our weekly creative meeting at Cutler Productions in Los Angeles .
The Grammys had been held the night before , and a duo called Milli Vanilli had just been named Best New Artist .
In through the door bound a veteran session singer and background singer for the stars .
We ’ ll call her Janice .
And Janice was in a state .
“ They ’ re fake !
” she bellowed , without even a hello , “ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fake !
” With the urgency of Paul Revere riding the Massachusetts countryside , she told her tale .
Seems Janice had been hired to sing back-up at a pre-Grammy ’ s shindig Saturday night .
Milli Vanilli came up to sing their monster hit “ Blame It on the Rain.
” “ They were atrocious !
I mean , the most awful thing I ’ ve ever heard !
” said Janice , going into exacting detail about disastrous pitches .
mismatched keys and busted melodies .
“ I ’ ve been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guarantee you they did not sing on their album .
I guarantee you !
” Still , The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences had tabulated the votes , declared Milli Vanilli the Best New Artist Grammy winners .
Milli Vanilli stepped up and claimed the award , and all the newspapers proclaimed their victory .
They were “ Grammy Winners Milli Vanilli.
” That is , until nine months later , when the Grammys for the first time in their history , stripped Milli Vanilli of their Grammy .
Milli Vanilli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fraud .
I ’ m not sure why that story has kept coming to mind this past week .
Of course , I do know exactly why the story keeps coming to mind .
And all I keep thinking is , “ The difference between Milli Vanilli and Joe Biden ?
At least Milli Vanilli got out there and danced.
” It ’ s another Monday night in the early ’ 90s .
I ’ m at Angels Stadium for a Monday Night Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been knocking their rivals around pretty good all night .
Rams fans were feeling festive .
In fact , with less than two minutes on the clock , the Rams had gone ahead by 10 .
Yeah , they were feeling good .
“ We ’ re going to win this thing !
” Then something happened I ’ ll never forget .
After the kick-off , 49ers quarterback Joe Montana walked on the field .
That ’ s all he had to do .
The NFL legend strode onto the field with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a spaghetti western .
The confidence .
The swagger .
The killer reputation .
50,000 Rams fans instantly went from excitement to terror .
You could feel it , physically feel it .
They knew , just knew , their longtime foil , the comeback king , Joe Montana , was somehow , someway going to come back and beat them .
The Rams defense also seemed rattled .
After playing big and bad for over 58 minutes , the Rams shrunk before my very eyes .
Montana , as easy as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the field for a touchdown in about 35 seconds .
Extra point good .
Rams fans were now in panic .
A couple rows behind me , the actor Craig T. Nelson was on his feet , dazed , the color draining from his face .
Still , all the Rams needed to do was simply field the kickoff , then run out the clock .
All they had to do .
You know the rest .
You could see it coming from all the way up the coast .
The nervous Rams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovered .
A couple plays later , the 49er ’ s scored to win the game .
For five years , the Democrats and their media and Big Tech partners , have tried all manner of trick and treason to take Donald Trump out .
Every couple weeks , some new revelation or investigation or absurd allegation was going to take him out .
“ This one ’ s the one.
” And he ’ s beaten them all back .
Right now , they are telling us , THIS TIME , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s no comeback this time .
The gunslinger from Queens is toast .
Tell me , though .
Do they sound and act all that confident ?
Relaxed ?
Nah , to me the vibe is the same as Angel Stadium .
Why are they in a frenzy insisting Trump head off to the locker room , even with time on the clock ?
They ’ re tense .
Anxious .
Too frantic in their efforts to quash every word or fact that suggests the game ’ s not over .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He ’ s too fierce a competitor .
Too confident .
( And yeah , there are far too many holes in the Democrats ’ defense . )
Joe Biden said yesterday he thinks GOP leaders are intimidated by Trump .
I do not know about that .
But , regardless of what the scoreboard or announcers say , I know which team is rattled .
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author , with @ JZmirak , of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration .
You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you aren ’ t already , please follow The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

It was a Monday – February 23, 1990, to be exact. We were gathered for our weekly creative meeting at Cutler Productions in Los Angeles. The Grammys had been held the night before, and a duo called Milli Vanilli had just been named Best New Artist.
In through the door bound a veteran session singer and background singer for the stars. We’ll call her Janice. And Janice was in a state. “They’re fake!” she bellowed, without even a hello, “I’m telling you, they’re fake!”
They’re Fake
With the urgency of Paul Revere riding the Massachusetts countryside, she told her tale.
Seems Janice had been hired to sing back-up at a pre-Grammy’s shindig Saturday night. Milli Vanilli came up to sing their monster hit “Blame It on the Rain.” “They were atrocious! I mean, the most awful thing I’ve ever heard!” said Janice, going into exacting detail about disastrous pitches. mismatched keys and busted melodies. “I’ve been in this business 20 years. I guarantee you they did not sing on their album. I guarantee you!”
Still, The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences had tabulated the votes, declared Milli Vanilli the Best New Artist Grammy winners. Milli Vanilli stepped up and claimed the award, and all the newspapers proclaimed their victory. They were “Grammy Winners Milli Vanilli.”
That is, until nine months later, when the Grammys for the first time in their history, stripped Milli Vanilli of their Grammy. Milli Vanilli had, indeed, proven to be a fraud.
I’m not sure why that story has kept coming to mind this past week.
Of course, I do know exactly why the story keeps coming to mind. And all I keep thinking is, “The difference between Milli Vanilli and Joe Biden? At least Milli Vanilli got out there and danced.”
Cool Joe Montana
It’s another Monday night in the early ’90s. I’m at Angels Stadium for a Monday Night Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers. The Rams had been knocking their rivals around pretty good all night. Rams fans were feeling festive. In fact, with less than two minutes on the clock, the Rams had gone ahead by 10. Yeah, they were feeling good. “We’re going to win this thing!”
Then something happened I’ll never forget. After the kick-off, 49ers quarterback Joe Montana walked on the field. That’s all he had to do. The NFL legend strode onto the field with all the deadly cool of Clint Eastwood in a spaghetti western. The confidence. The swagger. The killer reputation. 50,000 Rams fans instantly went from excitement to terror. You could feel it, physically feel it. They knew, just knew, their longtime foil, the comeback king, Joe Montana, was somehow, someway going to come back and beat them.
The Rams defense also seemed rattled. After playing big and bad for over 58 minutes, the Rams shrunk before my very eyes. Montana, as easy as Sunday morning, guided the 49ers down the field for a touchdown in about 35 seconds. Extra point good. Rams fans were now in panic. A couple rows behind me, the actor Craig T. Nelson was on his feet, dazed, the color draining from his face. Still, all the Rams needed to do was simply field the kickoff, then run out the clock. All they had to do. You know the rest. You could see it coming from all the way up the coast. The nervous Rams return man fumbled the kick-off. 49ers recovered. A couple plays later, the 49er’s scored to win the game.
Trump Psyches Out the Opposition
For five years, the Democrats and their media and Big Tech partners, have tried all manner of trick and treason to take Donald Trump out. Every couple weeks, some new revelation or investigation or absurd allegation was going to take him out. “This one’s the one.” And he’s beaten them all back.
Right now, they are telling us, THIS TIME, they’ve got the game won. There’s no comeback this time. The gunslinger from Queens is toast.
Tell me, though. Do they sound and act all that confident? Relaxed? Nah, to me the vibe is the same as Angel Stadium. Why are they in a frenzy insisting Trump head off to the locker room, even with time on the clock? They’re tense. Anxious. Too frantic in their efforts to quash every word or fact that suggests the game’s not over. He’s staged too many comebacks. He’s too fierce a competitor. Too confident. (And yeah, there are far too many holes in the Democrats’ defense.)
Joe Biden said yesterday he thinks GOP leaders are intimidated by Trump. I do not know about that. But, regardless of what the scoreboard or announcers say, I know which team is rattled.
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author, with @JZmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl. And if you aren’t already, please follow The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-11-13--Be Careful What You Cheat For

Be Careful What You Cheat For

Guess what ’ s got the Biden Camp worried ?
They ’ re worried that should Biden actually be inaugurated no one but Trump supporters will show up .
Yep .
They are scared that Biden ’ s inauguration will turn into a Trump rally .
Read about it here .
Maybe he can just give the speech in his basement .
However , this story does point to a huge problem for Democrats should Biden actually be sworn in .
Getting what they wanted by hook or crook may well get them what they deserve .
Start with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it will have been proven Democrats cheated to win .
Oh , it might not be enough to overturn anything , but it ’ ll be well established .
Joe Biden would enter the White House a lame duck .
( And with the ruthless Kamala as his VP , likely worse than that .
See below . )
Trump supporters aren ’ t the type to wail in the streets or wear p-hats as Madonna threatens to blow up the White House .
They brush off the mud … and there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including by Biden himself … and they get to work .
Their work ?
To reclaim what is rightfully theirs .
Right off the bat , Joe Biden is looking at over 70 million people he disrespected by not respecting their call to ensure every legal ballot is counted , every illegal ballot tossed .
He called Trump ’ s desire to fight for the rights of those 70 million “ embarrassing.
” That ’ s not unity , Joe .
That ’ s self-sabotage .
We don ’ t riot , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forget , either .
Joe Biden would also be looking at a Donald Trump with one mission : Vindication .
You think he campaigned hard the last few weeks of the election ?
What ’ s it look like when he runs around the country the next two years campaigning for , raising funds for , Trump candidates ?
Heaven help those who stand in the way of a billionaire on a mission .
The Result ?
Since the fix was only at the top of the ticket , Trump ’ s red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of regaining the House .
In 2022 , you are looking at a Red Tidal Wave .
The House will fall into the control of Trump Republicans .
Not the Swamp Republicans .
The Trump Republicans .
As the Biden-Harris lockdown , economic and immigration policies sink the fortunes of urban minorities , the GOP outreach to Blacks and Latinos will grow much stronger .
Meanwhile , Joe Biden will be shoved aside .
Will it be in time to break William Henry Harrison ’ s record for the shortest presidency ?
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubts it ’ s going to happen ?
First off , he is clearly incapable of serving as president .
His handlers could hide him , and the media could cover for him like a thick blanket during the campaign , but not when he ’ s president .
Not even with Big Tech censorship .
Second , since Joe can ’ t control his thoughts , let alone an administration , you ’ ll be looking at an internal war for power that makes House of Cards look like the Hardy Boys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Dr .
Jill Camp vs. Kamala Camp ” stories ?
Despot-in-Waiting Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will be in Biden ’ s face more than his precious mask .
Third , Joe has served his purpose .
The goal was to have the once-moderate Biden be a Trojan horse for the progressives and socialists and radicals .
Come January 20 , that Trojan horse will be put out to pasture .
Related , Kamala Harris is ambitious , corrupt , and ruthless .
And she ’ s got the even worse Obama in her corner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media covered up about Joe ’ s involvement in the Biden family corruption will spring back to life .
Or , they ’ ll sit Joe down and say , “ Perhaps you should retire .
For health reasons .
Of course .
Before these stories spring back to life .
I mean , there is that FBI investigation into your family.
” One way or another , Kamala Harris will be sworn in .
And let ’ s be honest .
Even most Democrats can ’ t stand her .
They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her speak for more than five minutes .
Worse , she ’ s shown zero capacity to govern and plenty of evidence of being a horrible administrator .
( See : Kamala Harris 2020 primary campaign . )
Plus , once there ’ s a Trump Republican House in 2023 , she can forget any progressive legislation .
And any garbage she and Joe pulled will go under intense scrutiny .
So , where are we , going into the 2024 election ?
You have a Trump Republican House Majority , and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a failing and thoroughly disliked Kamala Harris up against either a Donald Trump hell-bent on getting justice , or a fresh , hand-picked successor with the Trump moxie .
( Gov .
Kristi Noem ? )
Either way , Harris will be beaten so thoroughly even Dominion hackers and sleazy ballot harvesters can ’ t save her .
America in 2025 will head towards our 250th birthday with a New Birth of Freedom .
Democrats Can Still Avoid This Fate The Democrats don ’ t have to suffer this fate .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audit of all elections and a forensic study of the voting systems .
They can acknowledge the fraud , and accept Donald Trump as the legitimate winner .
Then in 2022 , pick up a bunch of House seats , as always happens for the party not in the White House .
Maybe win the Senate .
They can watch as Trump ’ s second term goes stale as most second terms do … with the added benefit of Trump fatigue .
Then they enter 2024 with both House and Senate , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and America in the mood for a change .
Socialism here we come !
The good news for Trump supporters ?
The Democrats are too bitter and obsessed with Trump to do what is even in their best long-term interests .
My friends , win or lose now , the Trump Nation still wins in the end .
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author , with @ JZmirak , of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration .
You can follow him at @ StreamingAl .
And if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

Guess what’s got the Biden Camp worried? They’re worried that should Biden actually be inaugurated no one but Trump supporters will show up. Yep. They are scared that Biden’s inauguration will turn into a Trump rally. Read about it here.
Maybe he can just give the speech in his basement.
However, this story does point to a huge problem for Democrats should Biden actually be sworn in. Getting what they wanted by hook or crook may well get them what they deserve.
He Enters as a Lame Duck
Start with the reality that by January 20, 2021, it will have been proven Democrats cheated to win. Oh, it might not be enough to overturn anything, but it’ll be well established. Joe Biden would enter the White House a lame duck. (And with the ruthless Kamala as his VP, likely worse than that. See below.)
Trump supporters aren’t the type to wail in the streets or wear p-hats as Madonna threatens to blow up the White House. They brush off the mud … and there’s been plenty thrown at them, including by Biden himself … and they get to work. Their work? To reclaim what is rightfully theirs.
Right off the bat, Joe Biden is looking at over 70 million people he disrespected by not respecting their call to ensure every legal ballot is counted, every illegal ballot tossed. He called Trump’s desire to fight for the rights of those 70 million “embarrassing.” That’s not unity, Joe. That’s self-sabotage. We don’t riot, Joe — but we don’t forget, either.
Joe Biden would also be looking at a Donald Trump with one mission: Vindication. You think he campaigned hard the last few weeks of the election? What’s it look like when he runs around the country the next two years campaigning for, raising funds for, Trump candidates? Heaven help those who stand in the way of a billionaire on a mission.
The Result? Since the fix was only at the top of the ticket, Trump’s red wave brought Republicans to the very edge of regaining the House. In 2022, you are looking at a Red Tidal Wave. The House will fall into the control of Trump Republicans. Not the Swamp Republicans. The Trump Republicans.
As the Biden-Harris lockdown, economic and immigration policies sink the fortunes of urban minorities, the GOP outreach to Blacks and Latinos will grow much stronger.
Bye, Bye, Joe, Goodbye
Meanwhile, Joe Biden will be shoved aside. Will it be in time to break William Henry Harrison’s record for the shortest presidency? I can’t say. But who doubts it’s going to happen?
First off, he is clearly incapable of serving as president. His handlers could hide him, and the media could cover for him like a thick blanket during the campaign, but not when he’s president. Not even with Big Tech censorship.
Second, since Joe can’t control his thoughts, let alone an administration, you’ll be looking at an internal war for power that makes House of Cards look like the Hardy Boys. How soon before we see the “Dr. Jill Camp vs. Kamala Camp” stories? Despot-in-Waiting Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will be in Biden’s face more than his precious mask.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Third, Joe has served his purpose. The goal was to have the once-moderate Biden be a Trojan horse for the progressives and socialists and radicals. Come January 20, that Trojan horse will be put out to pasture.
Related, Kamala Harris is ambitious, corrupt, and ruthless. And she’s got the even worse Obama in her corner. Suddenly, all those stories the media covered up about Joe’s involvement in the Biden family corruption will spring back to life. Or, they’ll sit Joe down and say, “Perhaps you should retire. For health reasons. Of course. Before these stories spring back to life. I mean, there is that FBI investigation into your family.”
Hello, Kamala
One way or another, Kamala Harris will be sworn in. And let’s be honest. Even most Democrats can’t stand her. They’d choose waterboarding at Gitmo over hearing her speak for more than five minutes. Worse, she’s shown zero capacity to govern and plenty of evidence of being a horrible administrator. (See: Kamala Harris 2020 primary campaign.)
Plus, once there’s a Trump Republican House in 2023, she can forget any progressive legislation. And any garbage she and Joe pulled will go under intense scrutiny.
2024 Election
So, where are we, going into the 2024 election?
You have a Trump Republican House Majority, and a strengthening Trump movement among minorities. You have a failing and thoroughly disliked Kamala Harris up against either a Donald Trump hell-bent on getting justice, or a fresh, hand-picked successor with the Trump moxie. (Gov. Kristi Noem?) Either way, Harris will be beaten so thoroughly even Dominion hackers and sleazy ballot harvesters can’t save her.
America in 2025 will head towards our 250th birthday with a New Birth of Freedom.
Democrats Can Still Avoid This Fate
The Democrats don’t have to suffer this fate. They could insist right now on a full audit of all elections and a forensic study of the voting systems. They can acknowledge the fraud, and accept Donald Trump as the legitimate winner.
Then in 2022, pick up a bunch of House seats, as always happens for the party not in the White House. Maybe win the Senate. They can watch as Trump’s second term goes stale as most second terms do … with the added benefit of Trump fatigue.
Then they enter 2024 with both House and Senate, an open race for the White House, and America in the mood for a change. Socialism here we come!
The good news for Trump supporters? The Democrats are too bitter and obsessed with Trump to do what is even in their best long-term interests.
My friends, win or lose now, the Trump Nation still wins in the end.
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author, with @JZmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl. And if you aren’t already, please follow The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-11-12--I Was Abused by a Priest, and the McCarrick Report Is a Sickening Whitewash

I knew the so-called “ McCarrick Report ” would be coming out .
As the time approached , I struggled with myself .
Would I even read it — let alone comment on it ?
I suspected it would prove disturbing for me to sift through , just as the “ Pennsylvania Report ” was in 2018 .
I never even met the former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick , who sexually harassed seminarians and abused a boy he ’ d baptized as a baby .
But as a priest sex abuse survivor , McCarrick ’ s career became symbolic for me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because sexual assault usually involves another male ) I never reported my abuse .
It was too shameful on one level .
But I also wondered if it was my fault .
Had I “ asked for it ” ?
The priest told me that “ God made me gay.
” I thought he was right .
That priest almost ruined my life .
I can ’ t blame him for everything that subsequently happened .
But he assuredly pushed me forward on a path that led directly to further deprivation and exploitation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the McCarrick scandal broke , Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò published his famous “ testimony.
” It dared to name names — even Pope Francis himself — as complicit in the cover-up of McCarrick ’ s crimes .
And I thought justice would finally prevail .
In a strange way , I believed there would be vindication for me and the countless other nameless victims .
That wasn ’ t meant to be , however — allegedly for the good of the Church .
I started to read the new Report .
Initially , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which continued throughout much of the first half of the “ Report.
” It included rather detailed descriptions from various priests and seminarians who ’ d been sexually propositioned and assaulted by McCarrick .
At first , I got angry at these men .
Why didn ’ t they do more ?
Why didn ’ t they speak louder when the hierarchy failed to act ?
When they saw McCarrick rise up the ranks , why didn ’ t they speak out – again ?
Then I answered myself .
They didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t .
It ’ s the insidious nature of sexual abuse — particularly male-on-male abuse .
Sadly , when you do reach out for help , sometimes , you are abused all over again .
This scenario played out in the McCarrick Report .
An Unending Cycle of Abuse by Priests Priest 4 , a victim of McCarrick , goes to see a priest-counselor who was recommended by another priest .
That priest-counselor sexually assaults Priest 4 .
At first , I couldn ’ t believe I was reading this , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my own story that I have rarely addressed — even in therapy .
As an adult , I asked a priest for help .
He knew I was a survivor .
He knew I was vulnerable .
But he went about grooming me anyway , and then propositioned me .
I was devastated .
The violation of trust hurt almost worse than the original abuse .
I ’ d allowed myself to trust someone again — and I got burned .
Tragically , I believe it is nearly impossible for survivors to heal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Church has refused to heal itself .
How Dumb Do Cardinals Expect Us to Think They Are ?
This passage from the McCarrick report caused me to pause : Does that make it okay ?
The fact that the victims were not minors ?
This seems to have been the attitude .
I believe this remains the current position of many in the Church hierarchy .
Repeatedly , I have informed certain prelates about the ongoing problem of adult-on-adult predation in some of their parishes .
Because this situation exists in a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bishops do nothing .
Perhaps they think that gay men simply act this way .
Maybe some do , but that doesn ’ t excuse their lack of oversight .
According to a study , 46 % of gay men have experienced same-sex molestation .
This is a uniquely vulnerable population .
I was a lonely boy and I was vulnerable .
The bishops failed to protect me , as well as those before , and they are continuing to forsake every succeeding generation .
In addition , the McCarrick Report revealed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s predilections .
They showed themselves primarily concerned about the prospect of public scandal , however .
In 1999 , Cardinal John O ’ Connor of New York wrote a letter to the Apostolic Nuncio in the U.S .
In it , he raised his apprehensions about a possible McCarrick promotion .
He expressed worry not about priests abusing men , but that “ rumors and allegations about the past might surface with such an appointment , with the possibility of accompanying grave scandal and widespread adverse publicity.
” Similarly , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both of these instances , the main concern seems to center around the issues of scandal , bad publicity and how to protect the reputation of the Church .
Within the miasma of these anxieties , the victims of sex abuse are forgotten .
However , it goes further than that ; they have even been ignored , dismissed , and silenced .
In the Report , a priest victim of McCarrick was advised by his bishop to keep quiet .
When All crafty and devious predators adapt and adjust to shifting situations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims silent changes with it .
In that pivotal year of 2018 , Pope Francis accused priest sex abuse survivors in Chile of “ calumny.
” Later in 2018 , he told a male priest sex abuse victim that “ God made you this way.
” A priest told me that very thing over 30 years ago .
It kept me quiet .
Lately , especially since 2018 , I have attended numerous conferences , lectures , and addresses , usually offered by priests or Catholic LGBTQ activists , that openly promote the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even transgenderism .
The particular targets of this message are minors .
This all takes place under the auspices of prominent U.S. cardinals and bishops .
In the middle of one such presentation , I had to excuse myself and rush to the restroom where I vomited .
I felt as if I were again in the presence of my abuser .
I was truly frightened .
Now I am just angry .
In the Report , Priest 4 said : I think I understand how he feels .
If I ever had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Church , it disappeared when , as an abuse survivor , I trusted a priest again , and he violated that trust .
Since then , for the past 20 years , I have been a practicing , and what I would surmise to be a devout Catholic .
But I often wonder if I am a hypocrite .
Because I do not trust for one minute those who supposedly Christ placed as my shepherd .
Yet still there is also something rather naive and hopeful still inside of me .
I keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to admit their faults , and to somehow regain my trust .
I wonder if the McCarrick Report was their last opportunity .
They didn ’ t take it .
Instead , they continue to protect the complicit and the corrupt — including Pope Francis himself — for “ the good of the Church.
” Throughout the 1990s , Joseph Sciambra lived around the homosexual culture of San Francisco ’ s Castro District , offering him rare insight into the daily lives and struggles of many gay men .
Later , he became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 1999 , following a near death experience , Joseph returned to the Love of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church .
Read him at his website , and check out his most recent book , Disordered .

I knew the so-called “McCarrick Report” would be coming out. As the time approached, I struggled with myself. Would I even read it — let alone comment on it? I suspected it would prove disturbing for me to sift through, just as the “Pennsylvania Report” was in 2018. I never even met the former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who sexually harassed seminarians and abused a boy he’d baptized as a baby. But as a priest sex abuse survivor, McCarrick’s career became symbolic for me.
Like most men and boys (because sexual assault usually involves another male) I never reported my abuse. It was too shameful on one level. But I also wondered if it was my fault. Had I “asked for it”? The priest told me that “God made me gay.” I thought he was right.
That priest almost ruined my life. I can’t blame him for everything that subsequently happened. But he assuredly pushed me forward on a path that led directly to further deprivation and exploitation in the gay male community.
Will Justice Ever Prevail?
After the McCarrick scandal broke, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò published his famous “testimony.” It dared to name names — even Pope Francis himself — as complicit in the cover-up of McCarrick’s crimes. And I thought justice would finally prevail. In a strange way, I believed there would be vindication for me and the countless other nameless victims. That wasn’t meant to be, however — allegedly for the good of the Church.
I started to read the new Report. Initially, I was plagued with bouts of PTSD, which continued throughout much of the first half of the “Report.” It included rather detailed descriptions from various priests and seminarians who’d been sexually propositioned and assaulted by McCarrick.
At first, I got angry at these men. Why didn’t they do more? Why didn’t they speak louder when the hierarchy failed to act? When they saw McCarrick rise up the ranks, why didn’t they speak out – again? Then I answered myself.
They didn’t for the same reason I didn’t. It’s the insidious nature of sexual abuse — particularly male-on-male abuse. Sadly, when you do reach out for help, sometimes, you are abused all over again. This scenario played out in the McCarrick Report.
An Unending Cycle of Abuse by Priests
Priest 4, a victim of McCarrick, goes to see a priest-counselor who was recommended by another priest. That priest-counselor sexually assaults Priest 4. At first, I couldn’t believe I was reading this, because it’s an aspect of my own story that I have rarely addressed — even in therapy. As an adult, I asked a priest for help. He knew I was a survivor. He knew I was vulnerable.
But he went about grooming me anyway, and then propositioned me. I was devastated. The violation of trust hurt almost worse than the original abuse. I’d allowed myself to trust someone again — and I got burned. Tragically, I believe it is nearly impossible for survivors to heal in the Church because so far the Church has refused to heal itself.
How Dumb Do Cardinals Expect Us to Think They Are?
This passage from the McCarrick report caused me to pause:
In an interview, Cardinal [Kevin] Farrell stated that, during his time as Vicar General in the Archdiocese of Washington, he occasionally heard “old rumors” about McCarrick having shared a bed with seminarians at a beach house when McCarrick was a bishop in New Jersey. Cardinal Farrell noted that the rumors were not about sexual activity and “didn’t ever relate to minors.”
Also:
Tobin [Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark] did check on the Internet and saw old allegations against McCarrick, which did not involve minors.
Does that make it okay? The fact that the victims were not minors? This seems to have been the attitude. I believe this remains the current position of many in the Church hierarchy.
Winking at Predatory Homosexual Priests
Repeatedly, I have informed certain prelates about the ongoing problem of adult-on-adult predation in some of their parishes. Because this situation exists in a few predominantly “gay” parishes, the bishops do nothing.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Perhaps they think that gay men simply act this way. Maybe some do, but that doesn’t excuse their lack of oversight. According to a study, 46% of gay men have experienced same-sex molestation. This is a uniquely vulnerable population. I was a lonely boy and I was vulnerable. The bishops failed to protect me, as well as those before, and they are continuing to forsake every succeeding generation.
Shepherds of Public Relations, Not Souls
In addition, the McCarrick Report revealed that several high-ranking prelates knew something about McCarrick’s predilections. They showed themselves primarily concerned about the prospect of public scandal, however. In 1999, Cardinal John O’Connor of New York wrote a letter to the Apostolic Nuncio in the U.S. In it, he raised his apprehensions about a possible McCarrick promotion. He expressed worry not about priests abusing men, but that “rumors and allegations about the past might surface with such an appointment, with the possibility of accompanying grave scandal and widespread adverse publicity.”
Similarly, also from the Report:
In an interview, Cardinal [Giovanni Battista] Re stated that he spoke sternly to McCarrick in Saint Peter’s Square, telling him that he should be conducting a quiet life so as not to cause himself to be spoken of [sic]. When McCarrick protested that the allegations against him were false, Cardinal Re forcefully responded: “True or not true, the accusations exist! You, for the good of the Church, must not be going around.”
Victims and Christ Forgotten
Here, in both of these instances, the main concern seems to center around the issues of scandal, bad publicity and how to protect the reputation of the Church. Within the miasma of these anxieties, the victims of sex abuse are forgotten. However, it goes further than that; they have even been ignored, dismissed, and silenced.
The priest who abused me told me that “God made me gay.” I thought he was right.
In the Report, a priest victim of McCarrick was advised by his bishop to keep quiet. When
[a]nother victim of McCarrick, named Priest 3 in the Report: “…finished describing the incidents, Bishop [Edward] Hughes advised Priest 3 to forget about McCarrick’s misconduct and to forgive McCarrick ‘for the good of the Church.’”
A Methodology of Silence
All crafty and devious predators adapt and adjust to shifting situations, and their methodology to keep their victims silent changes with it. In that pivotal year of 2018, Pope Francis accused priest sex abuse survivors in Chile of “calumny.” Later in 2018, he told a male priest sex abuse victim that “God made you this way.”
A priest told me that very thing over 30 years ago. It kept me quiet. Lately, especially since 2018, I have attended numerous conferences, lectures, and addresses, usually offered by priests or Catholic LGBTQ activists, that openly promote the theory of a blessed God-given homosexuality and even transgenderism. The particular targets of this message are minors.
From Nausea to Rage
This all takes place under the auspices of prominent U.S. cardinals and bishops. In the middle of one such presentation, I had to excuse myself and rush to the restroom where I vomited. I felt as if I were again in the presence of my abuser. I was truly frightened. Now I am just angry.
In the Report, Priest 4 said:
I spoke up at the time and I think that, if I had been listened to, things might have been different. I have what I believe to be justifiable anger and frustration because what happened to me makes it difficult for me to trust bishops, and I know that many other priests feel the same way.
I think I understand how he feels. If I ever had any trust for authority in the Catholic Church, it disappeared when, as an abuse survivor, I trusted a priest again, and he violated that trust. Since then, for the past 20 years, I have been a practicing, and what I would surmise to be a devout Catholic. But I often wonder if I am a hypocrite.
Because I do not trust for one minute those who supposedly Christ placed as my shepherd. Yet still there is also something rather naive and hopeful still inside of me. I keep waiting for them to make restitution, to admit their faults, and to somehow regain my trust. I wonder if the McCarrick Report was their last opportunity. They didn’t take it. Instead, they continue to protect the complicit and the corrupt — including Pope Francis himself — for “the good of the Church.”
Throughout the 1990s, Joseph Sciambra lived around the homosexual culture of San Francisco’s Castro District, offering him rare insight into the daily lives and struggles of many gay men. Later, he became an amateur porn actor and escort. In 1999, following a near death experience, Joseph returned to the Love of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. Read him at his website, and check out his most recent book, Disordered.


thestream--2020-11-12--What Three Contentious Presidential Elections from U.S. History Tell Us about How 2020 May End

We are in the thick of what could become the greatest Constitutional crisis in American history .
The mainstream media and its big tech allies are actively censoring this fact , choosing rather to perpetuate the charade that everything is perfectly normal as we prepare for a new administration they have self-certified .
They believe it is in their strong interest to get this over with as soon as possible .
Yet , their interests are in stark contrast to the best interest of our citizens and our nation .
Far From Over A pre-election survey by Pew found that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institutions in society , and after the polling and misreporting fiascos of 2020 , it ’ s likely they have slipped even lower .
So , while they may hope to simply sweep 2020 under the rug , the truth is that this election is far from over , and we are several weeks , perhaps even months , away from a final outcome .
This is due to a contract between the American people and our government that works for us .
It is designed to protect our Republic from fraud , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal votes are counted and the rightfully elected President assumes office , once the prescribed process is complete .
Our Constitution only works if our elections are free , fair and accurate .
To ensure this , there are three key essentials .
First , transparency is a must .
Second , it ’ s essential to verify the ballots and the counts are accurate .
Finally , we must carefully follow the proper rule of law in case of violations or other irregularities .
None of this is new to presidential elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and highly contentious elections before , as well as accusations of widespread fraud , recounts , Supreme Court involvement , and inconclusive electoral college outcomes .
While this may parallel 2000 in the minds of many , the elections of 1824 , 1876 and 1888 made Bush v. Gore look like a walk in the park .
In 1824 , Andrew Jackson had more than a 10 % lead in the popular vote and 13 more electoral votes than John Quincy Adams , but no one had a majority .
This threw the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House of Representatives .
Despite Jackson ’ s significant lead , Adams was actually chosen as President in the end .
Jackson and others cried foul and fraud and everything in between , fueling a bitter rematch in 1828 , which was handily won by Jackson .
But it is the 1876 election that most closely parallels what we are seeing now .
Samuel Tilden was only one electoral vote shy of a majority , while twenty electoral votes were thrown into question .
Florida , South Carolina , and Louisiana all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one elector from Oregon was also challenged .
The Constitution does not address such a conundrum , so Congress passed a law to create a commission made up of five House Members , five Senators , and five Supreme Court Justices .
The commission ultimately awarded the disputed electors to Rutherford B. Hayes .
The 1888 election matchup between incumbent President Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison was filled with corruption , buying votes , and to use a popular media phrase , “ wide-spread fraud.
” This was the election that led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ century old custom of announcing your vote in front of others .
Harrison won , leading to another bitter rematch which Cleveland won by a large margin .
So , what does all this history mean for the 2020 election ?
It should remind us that we ’ re not in uncharted territory , that there are constitutional and legal processes for seeing this through , and that even final election results do not mean a candidate or a movement is finished .
There are quite literally hundreds of accusations of significant fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and testimony .
Even if every accusation of fraud is ignored , it is a matter of public record that some election officials willfully broke the law in many of the battleground states .
Governors , Secretaries of State , and local officials changed the election rules to favor their team , despite not having authority to do so and others blatantly broke the law by refusing to allow both sides to observe the counting .
Article 1 , Section 4 grants only the state legislatures the power to make election laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting mad that their statutes were ignored in the name of COVID-19 .
There is no pandemic exemption to Constitutional authority , and these lawless actions must be held to account .
The Supreme Court will likely do just that , and it could mean tossing the results of several battleground states if the illegal ballots have been mixed with the legal ones , or if the court determines that the illegal schemes disenfranchised large numbers of people .
If the rule of law and the Constitution are to be upheld , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battleground states will be left with only three options .
Three Options for the Election First , a Do-over .
This is not unheard of or impossible .
It just happened in a federal election for Congress in North Carolina just one year ago , over mail-in ballots no less .
In any state where the shenanigans have made the legal outcome impossible to determine , it is plausible to hold a new election for President .
Not easy , not without significant effort and cost , but plausible and perhaps necessary for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election process .
Second , state legislators directly choose electors .
Many states did this for decades , and The Supreme Court stated in Bush v. Gore and in McPherson v. Blacker that this plenary power granted in Article 2 , Section 1 of the Constitution could be taken back “ at any time.
” Yes , this would be highly controversial , but perfectly Constitutional ; and in this case , perhaps even necessary .
Third , and most incredibly , no electoral votes sent .
It would not be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes counted in the total ( TN & LA in 1864 ; AR & LA in 1872 ) or at least some of their electors not counted ( KY in 1809 , OH in 1813 , NV in 1864 ) .
Any one of these options could end up throwing the election to the state delegations in the U.S. House for the 4th time in our history .
If that happens , each state will have one vote and it will be the new Congress on January 6th that decides .
That body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority state delegations , and possibly as many as 29 , all but guaranteeing a re-election victory for President Donald Trump .
It Didn ’ t Have to be This Way It did not have to be this way .
None of these seemingly chaotic outcomes would be on the table if election officials would have followed the three simple steps to a fair election .
Had there been transparency and verification , there would be no need to seek remedies to violations in the law .
As Americans and as Christian citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep a close eye on all of this , to hold our public officials accountable , and to demand that this election process , no matter what the outcome , is followed to the letter of the law .
The future of our Republic , and our freedom , depends on it .
Rick Green , a former Texas State Representative , serves as President of TX-based Patriot Academy .

We are in the thick of what could become the greatest Constitutional crisis in American history.
The mainstream media and its big tech allies are actively censoring this fact, choosing rather to perpetuate the charade that everything is perfectly normal as we prepare for a new administration they have self-certified. They believe it is in their strong interest to get this over with as soon as possible.
Yet, their interests are in stark contrast to the best interest of our citizens and our nation.
Far From Over
A pre-election survey by Pew found that the media is one of the least-trusted institutions in society, and after the polling and misreporting fiascos of 2020, it’s likely they have slipped even lower. So, while they may hope to simply sweep 2020 under the rug, the truth is that this election is far from over, and we are several weeks, perhaps even months, away from a final outcome.
This is due to a contract between the American people and our government that works for us. It is designed to protect our Republic from fraud, wrongdoing, and coercion while guaranteeing that legal votes are counted and the rightfully elected President assumes office, once the prescribed process is complete.
Our Constitution only works if our elections are free, fair and accurate. To ensure this, there are three key essentials. First, transparency is a must. Second, it’s essential to verify the ballots and the counts are accurate. Finally, we must carefully follow the proper rule of law in case of violations or other irregularities.
None of this is new to presidential elections.
It’s Happened Before
We’ve faced incredibly close and highly contentious elections before, as well as accusations of widespread fraud, recounts, Supreme Court involvement, and inconclusive electoral college outcomes. While this may parallel 2000 in the minds of many, the elections of 1824, 1876 and 1888 made Bush v. Gore look like a walk in the park.
In 1824, Andrew Jackson had more than a 10% lead in the popular vote and 13 more electoral votes than John Quincy Adams, but no one had a majority. This threw the election to the state congressional delegations in the House of Representatives. Despite Jackson’s significant lead, Adams was actually chosen as President in the end. Jackson and others cried foul and fraud and everything in between, fueling a bitter rematch in 1828, which was handily won by Jackson.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
But it is the 1876 election that most closely parallels what we are seeing now.
Samuel Tilden was only one electoral vote shy of a majority, while twenty electoral votes were thrown into question. Florida, South Carolina, and Louisiana all sent 2 separate slates of electoral votes and one elector from Oregon was also challenged. The Constitution does not address such a conundrum, so Congress passed a law to create a commission made up of five House Members, five Senators, and five Supreme Court Justices. The commission ultimately awarded the disputed electors to Rutherford B. Hayes.
The 1888 election matchup between incumbent President Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison was filled with corruption, buying votes, and to use a popular media phrase, “wide-spread fraud.” This was the election that led to secret ballots, rather than the century old custom of announcing your vote in front of others. Harrison won, leading to another bitter rematch which Cleveland won by a large margin.
So, what does all this history mean for the 2020 election?
History and Precedent Matters
It should remind us that we’re not in uncharted territory, that there are constitutional and legal processes for seeing this through, and that even final election results do not mean a candidate or a movement is finished. There are quite literally hundreds of accusations of significant fraud backed up by witnesses, sworn affidavits, and testimony.
Even if every accusation of fraud is ignored, it is a matter of public record that some election officials willfully broke the law in many of the battleground states. Governors, Secretaries of State, and local officials changed the election rules to favor their team, despite not having authority to do so and others blatantly broke the law by refusing to allow both sides to observe the counting.
Article 1, Section 4 grants only the state legislatures the power to make election laws, and legislatures in these states are fighting mad that their statutes were ignored in the name of COVID-19. There is no pandemic exemption to Constitutional authority, and these lawless actions must be held to account.
The Supreme Court will likely do just that, and it could mean tossing the results of several battleground states if the illegal ballots have been mixed with the legal ones, or if the court determines that the illegal schemes disenfranchised large numbers of people.
If the rule of law and the Constitution are to be upheld, the Supreme Court and/or the legislatures in several battleground states will be left with only three options.
Three Options for the Election
First, a Do-over. This is not unheard of or impossible. It just happened in a federal election for Congress in North Carolina just one year ago, over mail-in ballots no less. In any state where the shenanigans have made the legal outcome impossible to determine, it is plausible to hold a new election for President. Not easy, not without significant effort and cost, but plausible and perhaps necessary for the American people to regain trust in the election process.
Second, state legislators directly choose electors. Many states did this for decades, and The Supreme Court stated in Bush v. Gore and in McPherson v. Blacker that this plenary power granted in Article 2, Section 1 of the Constitution could be taken back “at any time.” Yes, this would be highly controversial, but perfectly Constitutional; and in this case, perhaps even necessary.
Third, and most incredibly, no electoral votes sent. It would not be the first time a state had no electoral votes counted in the total (TN & LA in 1864; AR & LA in 1872) or at least some of their electors not counted (KY in 1809, OH in 1813, NV in 1864).
Any one of these options could end up throwing the election to the state delegations in the U.S. House for the 4th time in our history. If that happens, each state will have one vote and it will be the new Congress on January 6th that decides. That body will have a minimum of 26 republican majority state delegations, and possibly as many as 29, all but guaranteeing a re-election victory for President Donald Trump.
It Didn’t Have to be This Way
It did not have to be this way. None of these seemingly chaotic outcomes would be on the table if election officials would have followed the three simple steps to a fair election. Had there been transparency and verification, there would be no need to seek remedies to violations in the law.
As Americans and as Christian citizens, we have a moral obligation to keep a close eye on all of this, to hold our public officials accountable, and to demand that this election process, no matter what the outcome, is followed to the letter of the law.
The future of our Republic, and our freedom, depends on it.
Rick Green, a former Texas State Representative, serves as President of TX-based Patriot Academy.