thestream--2020-06-08--Should We Be Concerned About the Militarization of the Police?

Defense Secretary Mark Esper called the country ’ s streets “ the battlespace.
” The Minnesota Department of Public Safety labeled the riots a “ sophisticated network of urban warfare.
” Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-Ark . )
urged the deployment of the Army .
But the police in many cities already operate like the army .
Gone are the days of policemen who just carried sidearms and almost never even drew them .
Police now drive tanks and armored vehicles .
They even use military helicopters to disperse protesters and rioters .
They carry rubber and wooden bullets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas canisters .
For many years , influential people have described cities as if they were at war with their people .
With riots breaking out after the police killing of George Floyd , more people are seeing the militarized police in action .
Some like it .
Many don ’ t .
It ’ s likely not what the founders intended .
Yet the federal government funds it .
Its Defense Logistics Agency ’ s 1033 Program lets the military transfer equipment to local law enforcement agencies .
The Homeland Security Grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military-grade weapons and vehicles .
Proponents point out that criminals are using more sophisticated and deadly weapons , so the police need more to fight back .
But is it worth it ?
A 2017 study says not .
It found a positive correlation between a police department ’ s military gear and weapons and a higher number of civilian deaths .
It doesn ’ t necessarily reduce crime .
One recent study found it didn ’ t .
The militarization of police dates back to the late 1960s .
It was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Panthers .
Radical groups led marches that could quickly turn violent .
The police wanted military equipment to counter extreme threats .
Even when that threat faded , the police kept their hardware .
In fact , the militarization became normalized during the “ War on Drugs.
” Police needed high-powered weapons to go after drug gangs .
It significantly increased after 9-11 during the “ War on Terror.
” Police facing hidden terrorist cells capable of mass destruction wanted the best weapons to fight them .
But the Charles Koch Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t being used by criminals .
In 2016 , about 75 % of homicides were committed with a handgun or a non-firearm weapon other than explosives .
As little as 2 % of crimes are committed using AR-15s .
The number of homicides , robberies and burglaries committed with a firearm has steadily decreased since 1994 .
Incentives to Use the Military Equipment are Built in The Department of Defense ’ s 1033 program began in the early 1990s .
Federal money for this program goes directly to the law enforcement agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversight .
And the police can ’ t just keep the equipment .
They have a strong incentive to use it .
If they don ’ t use it within one year , they must return it to the Department of Defense .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
They have another incentive .
The cost .
They ’ re responsible for “ the insurance , fuel , storage , training , and cost to convert the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” To justify these costs , they need to use the equipment a lot .
This distorts the way they operate .
To afford the weapons , they often shift priorities away from the most serious crimes and focus on raising money through civil asset forfeiture .
They target the types of crimes likely to result in something of value to seize , such as drug crimes .
They don ’ t make money solving burglaries or even murders .
They do make money putting officers in a troop carrier and descending on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems with militarized police .
The biggest is what having such equipment makes them .
Having that kind of weaponry changes the local police into something else .
Mark Cancian , writing at the Center for Strategic and International Studies , says soldiers make bad police officers since they are heavily armed and taught to regard the population as “ threats.
” Police effectively turned into soldiers will view the people they ’ re called to protect the same way .
Washington Post writer Radley Balko says if you tell police officers “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officers will treat the people they serve like — almost like an enemy combatant , rather than an American with rights.
” Balko wrote “ Rise of the Warrior Cop : The Militarization of America ’ s Police Forces.
” Common Dreams documented the militarization of police in New Orleans during the rioting after Hurricane Katrina .
General Russell Honore , who went to New Orleans to direct the military recovery , expressed his concern that the police were pointing their guns at civilians .
“ Any time we have policemen pointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go through retraining , ” he said .
A HuffPost reporter said a police officer pointed a machine gun at him , even though he was not engaging in violence ( the gun actually appears to be an AR-15 ) .
One area where the police have been accused with overdoing it is obtaining no-knock warrants to break down the doors of suspects without warning .
This recently arose in the case of the tragic shooting of the girlfriend of Kenneth Walker .
Police were looking for an acquaintance of hers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residence .
The police said they still knocked and announced themselves , even though they didn ’ t need to .
Walker said he only heard the knocking and thought it was an intruder , so he got his gun ready , shooting them when they knocked down the door .
The police shot back and killed his girlfriend , Breonna Taylor .
Because of this and other tragic incidents , leaders like Sen. Rand Paul ( R-Ky. ) are calling to ban no-knock warrants .
Of course , one former law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually save lives .
He said he was involved with a no-knock warrant on a man wanted for child porn .
After his team arrested the suspect , the suspect told him that if they had knocked , giving him time to get his gun , he would have shot at them .
If the police in the Kenneth Walker case had actually followed the no-knock warrant and not knocked , would that have stopped Walker from shooting , possibly saving the life of his girlfriend ?
Are the Police Too Aggressive With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Antifa and the police , claiming the police ’ s response is too violent relative to what Antifa is doing .
Does their level of violence justify the level of police tactics being used against them ?
They smash windows and burn buildings .
They throw Molotov cocktails and other objects at the police .
While numerous police officers have been injured , it ’ s not clear whether any have died .
So is it necessary to escalate the response to them from the police to the military ?
Trump wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their violence .
This would make it easier for the government to use the military to combat them .
There is a federal statute which authorizes designating foreign organizations as foreign terrorist organizations .
But it says nothing about domestic terrorist organizations .
The criteria for labeling an organization could include Antifa if it were a foreign organization .
The suspected group must “ engage in or retain the capability and intent to engage in terrorism , and threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national defense , foreign relations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States.
” So it ’ s not clear how Trump would accomplish this , maybe designate some new category in an executive order .
But We Use the National Guard to Conduct Police Functions Not only are the police being militarized , but we are bringing in soldiers to handle law enforcement situations .
Those concerned with the police ’ s response to the rioters are also alarmed that the National Guard is being brought in .
But what exactly is their role ?
Governors in various states have called on The National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump has considered broader deployment .
More than 18,000 National Guard troops in 29 states and the District of Columbia were activated .
They are under the control of the governors .
They are engaging in “ traffic control , support to law enforcement , transportation and communication support .
They ’ ve also been called up on to assist with extinguishing fires burning as a result of the unrest.
” In DC , the 500 National Guard troops who have been activated , which report to the president , are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Craig Clapper , a D.C. National Guard spokesman , said they are there for support and to push the crowds back .
They are also unarmed in Colorado , although they carry defensive weapons like batons , tasers and pepper spray .
National Guard deployment is authorized in specific situations .
The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 prohibits federal troops from participating in domestic law enforcement activities , such as arrests and detentions , unless authorized by a federal statute or the Constitution .
But the Act does not apply to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as federal troops were sent to deal with the Rodney King LA riots in 1992 , authorized by the Insurrection Act of 1807 .
George H.W .
Bush called the riots “ anarchy ” and “ purely criminal.
” The National Guard was also sent to airports after 9-11 to guard against terrorism .
Presidents have occasionally called in the National Guard without the approval of governors .
Several times during the 1950s and 1960s , presidents sent in troops to states where governors weren ’ t enforcing civil rights laws .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting at the rioters that have come under criticism .
In one of them , a National Guard soldier shot three times at a vehicle that was driving fast towards the unit .
An investigation is underway .
What it comes down to whether the government has become too draconian in its efforts to combat crime .
Do we want a nanny state ?
We saw the results of The Patriot Act .
It expanded government enforcement powers to such a degree the government violated civil liberties .
Do we want the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way the NSA uses computers to track our conversation and movements ?
Computers just record information .
Military weapons kill people .
There has to be some balance .
Many of the people denouncing the police and military for combating the rioters suddenly want them around when the rioters come for their own homes and businesses .
We need the police to protect us and enforce law and order .
The movement to significantly defund the police goes too far .
There is a balance between policing effectively while not overdoing it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed that the police can make mistakes .
Somehow we made do without the militarization of the police before the 1950s .
Maybe it ’ s time to deescalate things a little .
Rachel Alexander is a senior editor of The Stream .
Follow her on Twitter at Rach_IC .
Follow The Stream at streamdotorg .
Send tips to rachel.alexander @ stream.org .

Defense Secretary Mark Esper called the country’s streets “the battlespace.” The Minnesota Department of Public Safety labeled the riots a “sophisticated network of urban warfare.” Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) urged the deployment of the Army.
But the police in many cities already operate like the army. Gone are the days of policemen who just carried sidearms and almost never even drew them. Police now drive tanks and armored vehicles. They even use military helicopters to disperse protesters and rioters. They carry rubber and wooden bullets, stun grenades, sound cannons and tear gas canisters.
For many years, influential people have described cities as if they were at war with their people. With riots breaking out after the police killing of George Floyd, more people are seeing the militarized police in action. Some like it. Many don’t.
Federally Funded
It’s likely not what the founders intended. Yet the federal government funds it. Its Defense Logistics Agency’s 1033 Program lets the military transfer equipment to local law enforcement agencies. The Homeland Security Grant Program gives police departments funding to buy military-grade weapons and vehicles. Proponents point out that criminals are using more sophisticated and deadly weapons, so the police need more to fight back.
A 2017 study found a positive correlation between the amount of military gear and weapons transferred to a police agency and number of civilian deaths.
But is it worth it? A 2017 study says not. It found a positive correlation between a police department’s military gear and weapons and a higher number of civilian deaths. It doesn’t necessarily reduce crime. One recent study found it didn’t.
The militarization of police dates back to the late 1960s. It was the era of the terrorist Weatherman and the Black Panthers. Radical groups led marches that could quickly turn violent. The police wanted military equipment to counter extreme threats.
Even when that threat faded, the police kept their hardware. In fact, the militarization became normalized during the “War on Drugs.” Police needed high-powered weapons to go after drug gangs. It significantly increased after 9-11 during the “War on Terror.” Police facing hidden terrorist cells capable of mass destruction wanted the best weapons to fight them.
But the Charles Koch Institute points out that more dangerous weapons aren’t being used by criminals. In 2016, about 75% of homicides were committed with a handgun or a non-firearm weapon other than explosives. As little as 2% of crimes are committed using AR-15s. The number of homicides, robberies and burglaries committed with a firearm has steadily decreased since 1994.
Incentives to Use the Military Equipment are Built in
The Department of Defense’s 1033 program began in the early 1990s. Federal money for this program goes directly to the law enforcement agencies. State and local officials have no oversight. And the police can’t just keep the equipment. They have a strong incentive to use it. If they don’t use it within one year, they must return it to the Department of Defense.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
They have another incentive. The cost. They’re responsible for “the insurance, fuel, storage, training, and cost to convert the equipment for law enforcement’s use.” To justify these costs, they need to use the equipment a lot.
This distorts the way they operate. To afford the weapons, they often shift priorities away from the most serious crimes and focus on raising money through civil asset forfeiture. They target the types of crimes likely to result in something of value to seize, such as drug crimes. They don’t make money solving burglaries or even murders. They do make money putting officers in a troop carrier and descending on a drug dealer.
Soldiers Make Bad Police Officers?
There are other problems with militarized police. The biggest is what having such equipment makes them. Having that kind of weaponry changes the local police into something else.
Mark Cancian, writing at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, says soldiers make bad police officers since they are heavily armed and taught to regard the population as “threats.” Police effectively turned into soldiers will view the people they’re called to protect the same way.
Washington Post writer Radley Balko says if you tell police officers “they’re fighting a war, police officers will treat the people they serve like — almost like an enemy combatant, rather than an American with rights.” Balko wrote “Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America’s Police Forces.”
Common Dreams documented the militarization of police in New Orleans during the rioting after Hurricane Katrina. General Russell Honore, who went to New Orleans to direct the military recovery, expressed his concern that the police were pointing their guns at civilians. “Any time we have policemen pointing weapons at American citizens, they need to go through retraining,” he said. A HuffPost reporter said a police officer pointed a machine gun at him, even though he was not engaging in violence (the gun actually appears to be an AR-15).
Breaking Down Doors With No-Knock Warrants
One area where the police have been accused with overdoing it is obtaining no-knock warrants to break down the doors of suspects without warning. This recently arose in the case of the tragic shooting of the girlfriend of Kenneth Walker. Police were looking for an acquaintance of hers, so obtained a no-knock warrant for her residence. The police said they still knocked and announced themselves, even though they didn’t need to. Walker said he only heard the knocking and thought it was an intruder, so he got his gun ready, shooting them when they knocked down the door. The police shot back and killed his girlfriend, Breonna Taylor.
Because of this and other tragic incidents, leaders like Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) are calling to ban no-knock warrants. Of course, one former law enforcement agent pointed out that no-knock warrants might actually save lives. He said he was involved with a no-knock warrant on a man wanted for child porn. After his team arrested the suspect, the suspect told him that if they had knocked, giving him time to get his gun, he would have shot at them. If the police in the Kenneth Walker case had actually followed the no-knock warrant and not knocked, would that have stopped Walker from shooting, possibly saving the life of his girlfriend?
Are the Police Too Aggressive With Antifa?
The media is highlighting incidents between Antifa and the police, claiming the police’s response is too violent relative to what Antifa is doing. Does their level of violence justify the level of police tactics being used against them? They smash windows and burn buildings. They throw Molotov cocktails and other objects at the police. While numerous police officers have been injured, it’s not clear whether any have died.
So is it necessary to escalate the response to them from the police to the military? Trump wants to designate Antifa a terrorist organization due to their violence. This would make it easier for the government to use the military to combat them. There is a federal statute which authorizes designating foreign organizations as foreign terrorist organizations. But it says nothing about domestic terrorist organizations.
The criteria for labeling an organization could include Antifa if it were a foreign organization. The suspected group must “engage in or retain the capability and intent to engage in terrorism, and threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national defense, foreign relations, or the economic interests of the United States.” So it’s not clear how Trump would accomplish this, maybe designate some new category in an executive order.
But We Use the National Guard to Conduct Police Functions
Not only are the police being militarized, but we are bringing in soldiers to handle law enforcement situations. Those concerned with the police’s response to the rioters are also alarmed that the National Guard is being brought in. But what exactly is their role?
Governors in various states have called on The National Guard to address the riots, and President Trump has considered broader deployment. More than 18,000 National Guard troops in 29 states and the District of Columbia were activated. They are under the control of the governors. They are engaging in “traffic control, support to law enforcement, transportation and communication support. They’ve also been called up on to assist with extinguishing fires burning as a result of the unrest.”
In DC, the 500 National Guard troops who have been activated, which report to the president, are not armed. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Craig Clapper, a D.C. National Guard spokesman, said they are there for support and to push the crowds back. They are also unarmed in Colorado, although they carry defensive weapons like batons, tasers and pepper spray.
National Guard deployment is authorized in specific situations. The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 prohibits federal troops from participating in domestic law enforcement activities, such as arrests and detentions, unless authorized by a federal statute or the Constitution. But the Act does not apply to the National Guard. National Guard as well as federal troops were sent to deal with the Rodney King LA riots in 1992, authorized by the Insurrection Act of 1807. George H.W. Bush called the riots “anarchy” and “purely criminal.” The National Guard was also sent to airports after 9-11 to guard against terrorism.
Presidents have occasionally called in the National Guard without the approval of governors. Several times during the 1950s and 1960s, presidents sent in troops to states where governors weren’t enforcing civil rights laws.
There have been a couple incidents involving soldiers shooting at the rioters that have come under criticism. In one of them, a National Guard soldier shot three times at a vehicle that was driving fast towards the unit. An investigation is underway.
A significant majority of voters surveyed said they are in favor of using the National Guard to intervene now.
We Need Balance
What it comes down to whether the government has become too draconian in its efforts to combat crime. Do we want a nanny state? We saw the results of The Patriot Act. It expanded government enforcement powers to such a degree the government violated civil liberties. Do we want the police to start using military weaponry on us the way the NSA uses computers to track our conversation and movements? Computers just record information. Military weapons kill people.
There has to be some balance. Many of the people denouncing the police and military for combating the rioters suddenly want them around when the rioters come for their own homes and businesses. We need the police to protect us and enforce law and order. The movement to significantly defund the police goes too far. There is a balance between policing effectively while not overdoing it.
George Floyd’s tragic death revealed that the police can make mistakes. Somehow we made do without the militarization of the police before the 1950s. Maybe it’s time to deescalate things a little.
Rachel Alexander is a senior editor of The Stream. Follow her on Twitter at Rach_IC. Follow The Stream at streamdotorg. Send tips to [email protected].


thestream--2020-06-08--Something to Like and Loathe About the Protests

I am , by nature and faith , an optimist .
I think life is good , that the created world is beautiful and my fellow human beings were all created good even though that goodness is marred by selfishness and weakness .
I believe God is loving and has a wonderful plan for planet earth .
Therefore when I see thousands out in the streets protesting against systemic racism and police brutality my heart lifts .
This is an amazingly positive aspect of our human society — that so many people see evil in the world and want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s encouraging that so many of the protesters are young people .
It ’ s a good thing that their consciences are sensitive to brutality , violence , injustice and racial prejudice .
This is something to like about the protests : that a mass of ordinary people recognize an evil in the world and want that evil to be abolished .
This is something to like about the protests : that thousands of people want to stand up with their brothers and sisters of a different race in a show of human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to like about the protests : the symbolic act of kneeling is , at its foundation , an action of humility and respect .
There may be mixed motives and the kneeling may be done out of peer pressure or fear , but the action in itself is something to like .
There is something else to like about the protests : that people from around the world have this same desire for goodness , peace , equality and justice .
However , while there is something to like about the protests , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If thousands of people are truly protesting against police brutality , racism and injustice , that is a good thing , but too often rage is at the root of protests , and that rage has its roots in resentment .
Resentment is a poison in the soul which leads to the blame game .
A resentful person instinctively and automatically looks to blame someone else for the problem .
If the thousands of protesters are saying , “ I ’ m part of the problem and I want to be part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re moving in the right direction .
But I wonder how many of the protesters have that attitude ?
The prevailing mindset seems to be one of blame : “ This is somebody else ’ s fault .
It is the government ’ s fault .
It is white people ’ s fault .
It ’ s the black people ’ s fault .
It is the rich people ’ s fault .
It is the police ’ s fault .
It is the military ’ s fault .
It ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the Republicans ’ fault .
It ’ s the Democrats ’ fault .
It is the fault of the whole corrupt system !
” When the mindset of protest is only the blame game , it will end in violence .
The blame game must end in violence because the individual or tribe who are blaming others must also seek to eliminate the problem , and the only way to eliminate the problem is to eliminate the cause of the problem .
And if they believe the cause of the problem is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then it makes sense : To get rid of the problem you have to get rid of those people .
This is the history of revolution down through the ages : one group gets blamed and that group is eliminated .
It is ironic that racism is , at its heart , blaming another racial group for what ’ s wrong with the world .
But blaming others for being racist perpetuates the same mentality .
Instead of gangs of thugs getting together to lynch the member of a minority group , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new victim of the mob .
Now that person will be vilified , excluded , persecuted and ultimately killed .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The difficulty is that very often the people being blamed really are part of the problem .
It is very difficult not to blame them if they are actually guilty in some way .
This is why justice must be objective and based on fact and evidence — not the howling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The history of revolution in the world shows that judging and blaming others out of pure rage and resentment will always end in greater injustice .
Anyone calling for revolution should know that , with very few exceptions , revolutions end in tyranny and terror .
Revolutions rooted in resentment lead to genocide , the gulag and the guillotine .
What is the answer ?
The protests should hold up a mirror not only to our society , but to each one of us as individuals .
In acknowledging police brutality , racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise our hands and admit , “ Yes , at least part of me is racist .
I am guilty of injustice in many small ways and I would probably revert to violence given enough pressure and stress.
” In other words , instead of playing the blame game , each one of us should accept responsibility to do what we can with what we have where we are .
Joining a peaceful protest could be a positive action , but I want to ask , “ After the protest is over what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rid the world of all kinds of prejudice , violence and injustice ?
” Think how the world could be changed if every person involved in the present protests went home and asked themselves the question “ What can I do about the problem ?
” Think how the world would change if all the protesters decided to dedicate their lives to the cause in a positive way , and became teachers in inner city schools , social workers , psychologists , doctors , nurses and police officers working in disadvantaged communities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if each person on the protest decided to help fund a struggling school in a down on its luck neighborhood , volunteered at the local homeless shelter , got involved in a prisoner rehab program , gave their time and money to help a church , school or community center in a racial minority community ?
Now that is the kind of protest that would really change the world !
Dwight Longenecker is a Catholic priest working in Greenville , South Carolina .
His latest book Immortal Combat looks at the problems of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do about it .
dwightlongenecker.com

I am, by nature and faith, an optimist. I think life is good, that the created world is beautiful and my fellow human beings were all created good even though that goodness is marred by selfishness and weakness. I believe God is loving and has a wonderful plan for planet earth.
Therefore when I see thousands out in the streets protesting against systemic racism and police brutality my heart lifts. This is an amazingly positive aspect of our human society — that so many people see evil in the world and want to stand up against it. It’s encouraging that so many of the protesters are young people. It’s a good thing that their consciences are sensitive to brutality, violence, injustice and racial prejudice.
This is something to like about the protests: that a mass of ordinary people recognize an evil in the world and want that evil to be abolished. This is something to like about the protests: that thousands of people want to stand up with their brothers and sisters of a different race in a show of human solidarity.
There’s something else to like about the protests: the symbolic act of kneeling is, at its foundation, an action of humility and respect. There may be mixed motives and the kneeling may be done out of peer pressure or fear, but the action in itself is something to like. There is something else to like about the protests: that people from around the world have this same desire for goodness, peace, equality and justice.
The Blame Game
However, while there is something to like about the protests, there is also something to loathe. If thousands of people are truly protesting against police brutality, racism and injustice, that is a good thing, but too often rage is at the root of protests, and that rage has its roots in resentment.
Resentment is a poison in the soul which leads to the blame game. A resentful person instinctively and automatically looks to blame someone else for the problem. If the thousands of protesters are saying, “I’m part of the problem and I want to be part of the solution”, then we’re moving in the right direction.
But I wonder how many of the protesters have that attitude? The prevailing mindset seems to be one of blame: “This is somebody else’s fault. It is the government’s fault. It is white people’s fault. It’s the black people’s fault. It is the rich people’s fault. It is the police’s fault. It is the military’s fault. It’s the president’s fault. It’s the Republicans’ fault. It’s the Democrats’ fault. It is the fault of the whole corrupt system!” When the mindset of protest is only the blame game, it will end in violence.
The blame game must end in violence because the individual or tribe who are blaming others must also seek to eliminate the problem, and the only way to eliminate the problem is to eliminate the cause of the problem. And if they believe the cause of the problem is person or group they are blaming, then it makes sense: To get rid of the problem you have to get rid of those people.
Racism and Blame
This is the history of revolution down through the ages: one group gets blamed and that group is eliminated. It is ironic that racism is, at its heart, blaming another racial group for what’s wrong with the world. But blaming others for being racist perpetuates the same mentality. Instead of gangs of thugs getting together to lynch the member of a minority group, the one accused of being racist becomes the new victim of the mob. Now that person will be vilified, excluded, persecuted and ultimately killed.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The difficulty is that very often the people being blamed really are part of the problem. It is very difficult not to blame them if they are actually guilty in some way. This is why justice must be objective and based on fact and evidence — not the howling of a raging, bloodthirsty mob.
The history of revolution in the world shows that judging and blaming others out of pure rage and resentment will always end in greater injustice. Anyone calling for revolution should know that, with very few exceptions, revolutions end in tyranny and terror. Revolutions rooted in resentment lead to genocide, the gulag and the guillotine.
Reflections and Responsibility
What is the answer? The protests should hold up a mirror not only to our society, but to each one of us as individuals. In acknowledging police brutality, racism and injustice each one of us should raise our hands and admit, “Yes, at least part of me is racist. I am guilty of injustice in many small ways and I would probably revert to violence given enough pressure and stress.”
In other words, instead of playing the blame game, each one of us should accept responsibility to do what we can with what we have where we are. Joining a peaceful protest could be a positive action, but I want to ask, “After the protest is over what other positive action will you take to rid the world of all kinds of prejudice, violence and injustice?”
Think how the world could be changed if every person involved in the present protests went home and asked themselves the question “What can I do about the problem?” Think how the world would change if all the protesters decided to dedicate their lives to the cause in a positive way, and became teachers in inner city schools, social workers, psychologists, doctors, nurses and police officers working in disadvantaged communities.
Think. How the world would change if each person on the protest decided to help fund a struggling school in a down on its luck neighborhood, volunteered at the local homeless shelter, got involved in a prisoner rehab program, gave their time and money to help a church, school or community center in a racial minority community?
Now that is the kind of protest that would really change the world!
Dwight Longenecker is a Catholic priest working in Greenville, South Carolina. His latest book Immortal Combat looks at the problems of rage and resentment and what we can do about it. dwightlongenecker.com


thestream--2020-06-09--Virus, Floyd, Riots, the 1-2-3 Punch: Choosing Not to Fear

How is your heart today ?
Seared by that slow-motion , snuff-film video ?
Rattled by the riots ?
On top of the virus threat that lurks out there as we begin to venture out ?
Don ’ t they feel like a 1-2-3 gut punch ?
My heart is grieved and angry over that video .
And I ’ ve been ambushed by fear several times in the last few days .
Maybe you have too .
I determined to choose to trust God during this pandemic .
He has been so faithful to me .
I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust .
By God ’ s grace , as I ’ ve faced fiery-darts of fear and worry from the Enemy these last two and a half months , I ’ ve been able to hold fast to him .
And then last Thursday came along .
My state , South Carolina , is opening up .
For the first time in eleven weeks I popped into my car to run multiple errands — to the doctor ’ s office for lab tests , to Talbots to return some online purchases , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prescriptions .
I am not prone to be a fearful person .
It felt freeing to be out of the house , zipping around in my car .
Almost … yes , almost normal .
Then I arrived at the doctor ’ s office where I was greeted in the lobby by several healthcare professionals wearing masks .
First I was interrogated about my risk of exposure to Covid .
Then a temperature gun was aimed at my head .
Well … okay … but then the elevator .
I loaded up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boarded right before the door closed .
I backed into a far corner .
Even though we were all masked , I suddenly felt fearful .
Visions of New Yorkers catching Covid in elevators danced in my head .
I got in and out for my blood draw .
From the Talbots parking lot I called in , and an associate , masked and gloved , soon came out to take my clothing items and receipts back in the store .
She said she would send me an e-receipt for my refund .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolutely no fun .
At Walmart , I passed a masked woman who was picking up and inspecting every ear of corn in the bin .
I perceived everything through the lens of threat and contamination .
Back in the car I popped open the hand sanitizer for the third time and headed for home .
Somehow that ride up the elevator had completely drained me of any “ spirit of power , love and self-discipline.
” I spent the afternoon in a spirit of fear .
Not panic .
But the unsettled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , surrounded by invisible enemies , and not feeling at home in my own community .
My hopes of returning to normalcy took a big hit that day .
Floyd ’ s Suffocation and the “ Mad as Hell ” Response Thursday evening I watched the ceaseless coverage of “ that video ” on cable news .
That knee on George ’ s neck .
The callous , pitiless , stare of arrogant police power right in the camera .
The breaking point .
People pouring into the 3rd Precinct Police Station in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down .
People in Columbus , Ohio breaking the windows in Ohio ’ s capitol building and heading inside .
In New York City more fires and the desecration of Saint Patrick ’ s Cathedral with messages of BLM and “ F—.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Throughout the weekend … A fire was set at St. John ’ s Episcopal Church across from the White House , a historic church where many presidents have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wounded .
Genuine outrage over the police killing an unarmed black man became muddied with other messages brought in from airports and buses ferrying outsiders to add to the chaos .
Voices in the cameras threatened , “ We ’ re going to burn the city centers and then we ’ re coming for the suburbs.
” Police found pallets of bricks strategically located for protesters ’ use .
Pages of instructions on how to inflict maximum damage with minimal detection .
We “ tremble for our country.
” And yet … dozens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Word , “ Do not fear.
” “ Do not fear anything frightening.
” “ Do not fear what you are about to suffer.
” “ Do not fear .
Only believe.
” What God commands he will enable us to do .
We can choose not to fear .
How ?
“ Only believe.
” It sounds so simplistic .
Believe what ?
We all know that “ Aslan is not a tame lion.
” That people who follow Jesus do get hurt .
Stoned .
Torched .
Crucified .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forevermore , and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
” ( Revelation 1:18 ) “ … [ I ] n your book were written , every one of them , the days that were formed for me , when as yet there were none of them .
( Psalm 139:16 ) Death is not the end .
It is a door .
And when the days that were written for you and me come down to the final one , the Lord Jesus is the only one who can slip the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ door and bring us home .
We can choose to believe that until that final day we are immortal .
“ You hem me in behind and before , and lay your hand upon me .
( Psalm 139:5 ) “ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death , I will fear no evil , for you are with me … You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
” ( Psalm 23:4-5 ) The Hebrew for “ hem me in ” conveys the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God surrounds us with his hedge of protection and nothing gets through it without his permission .
For each thing he allows through it , he shields us from thousands of others .
The car that miraculously didn ’ t hit us .
The food or money or insurance that arrives just in time .
Every day we wake up virus free .
Not only does he lay his protective “ hand ” on us there , we can choose to believe he is present with us .
He will never leave us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even in the presence of danger and enemies .
Even if he allows the virus … we still suffer under his protection and in his presence .
“ … [ F ] ear not , for I am with you ; be not dismayed , for I am your God ; I will strengthen you , I will help you , I will uphold you with my righteous right hand .
( Isaiah 41:10 ) In the elevator … in the store … re-entering our world … watching the injustice , riots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we choose not to be swept up in fear , but turn our hearts to God believing he will give us everything we need to overcome this temptation to fear .
We ask him for his strength and help .
We have a “ confident , alert expectation that he will do what he has said he will do ” ( Eugene Peterson ) .
He will strengthen and help us .
And we will have the joy of partnering with him in his transforming work in our lives .
“ … [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything , but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God .
And the peace of God , which surpasses all understanding , will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus .
( Philippians 4:5-6 ) These prayers restore my soul .
They drain away my anxiety .
The longer we pray over this crisis the more our heavenly Father truly erases our fear .
Is your heart afraid ?
So was David ’ s .
In Psalm 56 he wrote , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in God I trust ; I shall not be afraid .
What can flesh do to me ?
” But then , surprisingly , in Psalm 56 he also wrote , “ When I am afraid , I put my trust in you.
” David proclaims his trust .
But in the next breath , a fiery dart of fear hits .
When virus and injustice and “ anarchy is loosed ” as it is right now the darts inevitably find us .
“ When I am afraid.
” Our hearts can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and remembers , he looks up and chooses to believe again .
May God guard our hearts with his presence and promises .
And turn our fears into prayers of trust .
“ I shall not be afraid.
” Lael Arrington is a national speaker and author of four books — most recently , Faith and Culture : The Guide to a Culture Shaped by Faith .

How is your heart today? Seared by that slow-motion, snuff-film video? Rattled by the riots? On top of the virus threat that lurks out there as we begin to venture out? Don’t they feel like a 1-2-3 gut punch?
My heart is grieved and angry over that video. And I’ve been ambushed by fear several times in the last few days. Maybe you have too.
I determined to choose to trust God during this pandemic. He has been so faithful to me. I’ve wanted to honor him with my wholehearted trust.
By God’s grace, as I’ve faced fiery-darts of fear and worry from the Enemy these last two and a half months, I’ve been able to hold fast to him. And then last Thursday came along.
Ambushed in Re-entry
My state, South Carolina, is opening up. For the first time in eleven weeks I popped into my car to run multiple errands — to the doctor’s office for lab tests, to Talbots to return some online purchases, and to Walmart and Publix to pick up prescriptions.
I am not prone to be a fearful person. It felt freeing to be out of the house, zipping around in my car. Almost … yes, almost normal. Then I arrived at the doctor’s office where I was greeted in the lobby by several healthcare professionals wearing masks.
First I was interrogated about my risk of exposure to Covid. Then a temperature gun was aimed at my head. Well … okay … but then the elevator. I loaded up with two other people. Then two more boarded right before the door closed. I backed into a far corner. Even though we were all masked, I suddenly felt fearful. Visions of New Yorkers catching Covid in elevators danced in my head. I got in and out for my blood draw.
From the Talbots parking lot I called in, and an associate, masked and gloved, soon came out to take my clothing items and receipts back in the store. She said she would send me an e-receipt for my refund. It was very convenient. It was absolutely no fun.
At Walmart, I passed a masked woman who was picking up and inspecting every ear of corn in the bin. I perceived everything through the lens of threat and contamination. Back in the car I popped open the hand sanitizer for the third time and headed for home.
Somehow that ride up the elevator had completely drained me of any “spirit of power, love and self-discipline.” I spent the afternoon in a spirit of fear. Not panic. But the unsettled, high-alert feeling of living on defense, surrounded by invisible enemies, and not feeling at home in my own community. My hopes of returning to normalcy took a big hit that day.
Floyd’s Suffocation and the “Mad as Hell” Response
Thursday evening I watched the ceaseless coverage of “that video” on cable news. That knee on George’s neck. The callous, pitiless, stare of arrogant police power right in the camera. The breaking point. People pouring into the 3rd Precinct Police Station in Minneapolis. Setting fires. Burning it down. People in Columbus, Ohio breaking the windows in Ohio’s capitol building and heading inside. In New York City more fires and the desecration of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral with messages of BLM and “F—.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Throughout the weekend … A fire was set at St. John’s Episcopal Church across from the White House, a historic church where many presidents have worshiped. Fifty Secret Service agents were wounded. Genuine outrage over the police killing an unarmed black man became muddied with other messages brought in from airports and buses ferrying outsiders to add to the chaos. Voices in the cameras threatened, “We’re going to burn the city centers and then we’re coming for the suburbs.” Police found pallets of bricks strategically located for protesters’ use. Pages of instructions on how to inflict maximum damage with minimal detection.
We “tremble for our country.” And yet … dozens of times God commands us in his Word, “Do not fear.” “Do not fear anything frightening.” “Do not fear what you are about to suffer.” “Do not fear. Only believe.”
What God commands he will enable us to do. We can choose not to fear. How? “Only believe.” It sounds so simplistic. Believe what? We all know that “Aslan is not a tame lion.” That people who follow Jesus do get hurt. Stoned. Torched. Crucified.
Believe That…
“I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:18)
“… [I]n your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them. (Psalm 139:16)
Death is not the end. It is a door. And when the days that were written for you and me come down to the final one, the Lord Jesus is the only one who can slip the key in the lock, open the door and bring us home. We can choose to believe that until that final day we are immortal.
Believe That…
“You hem me in behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. (Psalm 139:5)
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me … You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” (Psalm 23:4-5)
The Hebrew for “hem me in” conveys the picture of a dense protective hedge. God surrounds us with his hedge of protection and nothing gets through it without his permission. For each thing he allows through it, he shields us from thousands of others. The car that miraculously didn’t hit us. The food or money or insurance that arrives just in time. Every day we wake up virus free.
Not only does he lay his protective “hand” on us there, we can choose to believe he is present with us. He will never leave us. He gives us abundance of provision, even in the presence of danger and enemies. Even if he allows the virus … we still suffer under his protection and in his presence.
Fear Not! And Believe…
“… [F]ear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
In the elevator … in the store … re-entering our world … watching the injustice, riots, looting and fires on TV … we choose not to be swept up in fear, but turn our hearts to God believing he will give us everything we need to overcome this temptation to fear. We ask him for his strength and help. We have a “confident, alert expectation that he will do what he has said he will do” (Eugene Peterson). He will strengthen and help us. And we will have the joy of partnering with him in his transforming work in our lives.
Fear Not! And Pray…
“… [D]o not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:5-6)
These prayers restore my soul. They drain away my anxiety. The longer we pray over this crisis the more our heavenly Father truly erases our fear.
Is your heart afraid? So was David’s. In Psalm 56 he wrote, “In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” But then, surprisingly, in Psalm 56 he also wrote, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
David proclaims his trust. But in the next breath, a fiery dart of fear hits. When virus and injustice and “anarchy is loosed” as it is right now the darts inevitably find us. “When I am afraid.” Our hearts can turn on a dime. David stops and remembers, he looks up and chooses to believe again. May God guard our hearts with his presence and promises. And turn our fears into prayers of trust. “I shall not be afraid.”
Lael Arrington is a national speaker and author of four books — most recently, Faith and Culture: The Guide to a Culture Shaped by Faith.
Copyright 2020 LaelArrington.com. Republished with permission. (NOTE: edited for length.)


thestream--2020-06-09--Military Photo of the Day: A Controlled Burn at Camp Pendleton

A firefighter ignites vegetation with a drip torch during a controlled burn training as part of fire school on Marine @ @ @ @ @ California on June 3 , 2020 .
Thank you to Lance Cpl .
Alison Dostie @ @ @ @ @ Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic @ @ @ @ @ Day .

A firefighter ignites vegetation with a drip torch during a controlled burn training as part of fire school on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California on June 3, 2020.
Thank you to Lance Cpl. Alison Dostie for capturing this image.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-06-09--Read This Open Letter to the President

Read This Open Letter to the President

Please read this open letter to President Trump from Carlo Maria Viganò , a former ambassador to the U.S. from the Vatican .
To me , it sounds in so many ways like a message from our heavenly Father—not only to the president , but to everyone with ears to hear .
It clearly emphasizes the truth about the spiritual battle in which we are engaged .
In the invisible spiritual realm , the principalities and powers of darkness have prevailed because the church gave them ground .
In America , we have been taking back that ground , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone ballistic .
Please do not cut off a member of Christ ’ s body if you have some points of disagreement .
One of the last things the late Ravi Zacharias said to me while he still had enough strength to be heard was , “ The body of Christ must stop dividing over different points of view that have been discussed over the last 2,000 years .
We must find common ground to stand against the deceiver , and we don ’ t have to compromise God ’ s Word to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many times the battle for the soul of the nation , and we must join hearts and hands so the gates of hell do not prevail against the witness of the church on our watch .
Please read this letter from this courageous , compassionate and very honest archbishop , who knows the Lord Jesus and loves Him very deeply .
In recent months we have been witnessing the formation of two opposing sides that I would call Biblical : the children of light and the children of darkness .
The children of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humanity , while the children of darkness represent an absolute minority .
And yet the former are the object of a sort of discrimination which places them in a situation of moral inferiority with respect to their adversaries , who often hold strategic positions in government , in politics , in the economy and in the media .
In an apparently inexplicable way , the good are held hostage by the wicked and by those who help them either out of self-interest or fearfulness .
These two sides , which have a Biblical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the offspring of the Woman and the offspring of the Serpent .
On the one hand there are those who , although they have a thousand defects and weaknesses , are motivated by the desire to do good , to be honest , to raise a family , to engage in work , to give prosperity to their homeland , to help the needy , and , in obedience to the Law of God , to merit the Kingdom of Heaven .
On the other hand , there are those who serve themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ principles , who want to demolish the family and the nation , exploit workers to make themselves unduly wealthy , foment internal divisions and wars , and accumulate power and money : for them the fallacious illusion of temporal well-being will one day – if they do not repent – yield to the terrible fate that awaits them , far from God , in eternal damnation .
In society , Mr. President , these two opposing realities co-exist as eternal enemies , just as God and Satan are eternal enemies .
And it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom we may easily identify with the deep state which you wisely oppose and which is fiercely waging war against you in these days – have decided to show their cards , so to speak , by now revealing their plans .
They seem to be so certain of already having everything under control that they have laid aside that circumspection that until now had at least partially concealed their true intentions .
The investigations already under way will reveal the true responsibility of those who managed the Covid emergency not only in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in politics , the economy , and the media .
We will probably find that in this colossal operation of social engineering there are people who have decided the fate of humanity , arrogating to themselves the right to act against the will of citizens and their representatives in the governments of nations .
We will also discover that the riots in these days were provoked by those who , seeing that the virus is inevitably fading and that the social alarm of the pandemic is waning , necessarily have had to provoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed by repression which , although legitimate , could be condemned as an unjustified aggression against the population .
The same thing is also happening in Europe , in perfect synchrony .
It is quite clear that the use of street protests is instrumental to the purposes of those who would like to see someone elected in the upcoming presidential elections who embodies the goals of the deep state and who expresses those goals faithfully and with conviction .
It will not be surprising if , in a few months , we learn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of vandalism and violence there are those who hope to profit from the dissolution of the social order so as to build a world without freedom : Solve et Coagula , as the Masonic adage teaches .
Although it may seem disconcerting , the opposing alignments I have described are also found in religious circles .
There are faithful Shepherds who care for the flock of Christ , but there are also mercenary infidels who seek to scatter the flock and hand the sheep over to be devoured by ravenous wolves .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies of the children of darkness and hate the children of light : just as there is a deep state , there is also a deep church that betrays its duties and forswears its proper commitments before God .
Thus the Invisible Enemy , whom good rulers fight against in public affairs , is also fought against by good shepherds in the ecclesiastical sphere .
It is a spiritual battle , which I spoke about in my recent Appeal which was published on May 8 .
For the first time , the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courageously defends the right to life , who is not ashamed to denounce the persecution of Christians throughout the world , who speaks of Jesus Christ and the right of citizens to freedom of worship .
Your participation in the March for Life , and more recently your proclamation of the month of April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month , are actions that confirm which side you wish to fight on .
And I dare to believe that both of us are on the same side in this battle , albeit with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I believe that the attack to which you were subjected after your visit to the National Shrine of Saint John Paul II is part of the orchestrated media narrative which seeks not to fight racism and bring social order , but to aggravate dispositions ; not to bring justice , but to legitimize violence and crime ; not to serve the truth , but to favor one political faction .
And it is disconcerting that there are Bishops – such as those whom I recently denounced – who , by their words , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposing side .
They are subservient to the deep state , to globalism , to aligned thought , to the New World Order which they invoke ever more frequently in the name of a universal brotherhood which has nothing Christian about it , but which evokes the Masonic ideals of those want to dominate the world by driving God out of the courts , out of schools , out of families , and perhaps even out of churches .
The American people are mature and have now understood how much the mainstream media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but seeks to silence and distort it , spreading the lie that is useful for the purposes of their masters .
However , it is important that the good – who are the majority – wake up from their sluggishness and do not accept being deceived by a minority of dishonest people with unavowable purposes .
It is necessary that the good , the children of light , come together and make their voices heard .
What more effective way is there to do this , Mr. President , than by prayer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States , and all of humanity from this enormous attack of the Enemy ?
Before the power of prayer , the deceptions of the children of darkness will collapse , their plots will be revealed , their betrayal will be shown , their frightening power will end in nothing , brought to light and exposed for what it is : an infernal deception .
Mr. President , my prayer is constantly turned to the beloved American nation , where I had the privilege and honor of being sent by Pope Benedict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dramatic and decisive hour for all of humanity , I am praying for you and also for all those who are at your side in the government of the United States .
I trust that the American people are united with me and you in prayer to Almighty God .
United against the Invisible Enemy of all humanity , I bless you and the First Lady , the beloved American nation , and all men and women of good will .
+ Carlo Maria Viganò Titular Archbishop of Ulpiana Former Apostolic Nuncio to @ @ @ @ @

Please read this open letter to President Trump from Carlo Maria Viganò, a former ambassador to the U.S. from the Vatican. To me, it sounds in so many ways like a message from our heavenly Father — not only to the president, but to everyone with ears to hear. It clearly emphasizes the truth about the spiritual battle in which we are engaged. In the invisible spiritual realm, the principalities and powers of darkness have prevailed because the church gave them ground. In America, we have been taking back that ground, and Satan — the father of lies and the murder — has gone ballistic. Please do not cut off a member of Christ’s body if you have some points of disagreement. One of the last things the late Ravi Zacharias said to me while he still had enough strength to be heard was, “The body of Christ must stop dividing over different points of view that have been discussed over the last 2,000 years. We must find common ground to stand against the deceiver, and we don’t have to compromise God’s Word to do it.” Ravi and I discussed many times the battle for the soul of the nation, and we must join hearts and hands so the gates of hell do not prevail against the witness of the church on our watch. Please read this letter from this courageous, compassionate and very honest archbishop, who knows the Lord Jesus and loves Him very deeply.
June 7, 2020
Holy Trinity Sunday
Mr. President,
In recent months we have been witnessing the formation of two opposing sides that I would call Biblical: the children of light and the children of darkness. The children of light constitute the most conspicuous part of humanity, while the children of darkness represent an absolute minority. And yet the former are the object of a sort of discrimination which places them in a situation of moral inferiority with respect to their adversaries, who often hold strategic positions in government, in politics, in the economy and in the media. In an apparently inexplicable way, the good are held hostage by the wicked and by those who help them either out of self-interest or fearfulness.
These two sides, which have a Biblical nature, follow the clear separation between the offspring of the Woman and the offspring of the Serpent. On the one hand there are those who, although they have a thousand defects and weaknesses, are motivated by the desire to do good, to be honest, to raise a family, to engage in work, to give prosperity to their homeland, to help the needy, and, in obedience to the Law of God, to merit the Kingdom of Heaven. On the other hand, there are those who serve themselves, who do not hold any moral principles, who want to demolish the family and the nation, exploit workers to make themselves unduly wealthy, foment internal divisions and wars, and accumulate power and money: for them the fallacious illusion of temporal well-being will one day – if they do not repent – yield to the terrible fate that awaits them, far from God, in eternal damnation.
In society, Mr. President, these two opposing realities co-exist as eternal enemies, just as God and Satan are eternal enemies. And it appears that the children of darkness – whom we may easily identify with the deep state which you wisely oppose and which is fiercely waging war against you in these days – have decided to show their cards, so to speak, by now revealing their plans. They seem to be so certain of already having everything under control that they have laid aside that circumspection that until now had at least partially concealed their true intentions. The investigations already under way will reveal the true responsibility of those who managed the Covid emergency not only in the area of health care but also in politics, the economy, and the media. We will probably find that in this colossal operation of social engineering there are people who have decided the fate of humanity, arrogating to themselves the right to act against the will of citizens and their representatives in the governments of nations.
We will also discover that the riots in these days were provoked by those who, seeing that the virus is inevitably fading and that the social alarm of the pandemic is waning, necessarily have had to provoke civil disturbances, because they would be followed by repression which, although legitimate, could be condemned as an unjustified aggression against the population. The same thing is also happening in Europe, in perfect synchrony. It is quite clear that the use of street protests is instrumental to the purposes of those who would like to see someone elected in the upcoming presidential elections who embodies the goals of the deep state and who expresses those goals faithfully and with conviction. It will not be surprising if, in a few months, we learn once again that hidden behind these acts of vandalism and violence there are those who hope to profit from the dissolution of the social order so as to build a world without freedom: Solve et Coagula, as the Masonic adage teaches.
Although it may seem disconcerting, the opposing alignments I have described are also found in religious circles. There are faithful Shepherds who care for the flock of Christ, but there are also mercenary infidels who seek to scatter the flock and hand the sheep over to be devoured by ravenous wolves. It is not surprising that these mercenaries are allies of the children of darkness and hate the children of light: just as there is a deep state, there is also a deep church that betrays its duties and forswears its proper commitments before God. Thus the Invisible Enemy, whom good rulers fight against in public affairs, is also fought against by good shepherds in the ecclesiastical sphere. It is a spiritual battle, which I spoke about in my recent Appeal which was published on May 8.
For the first time, the United States has in you a President who courageously defends the right to life, who is not ashamed to denounce the persecution of Christians throughout the world, who speaks of Jesus Christ and the right of citizens to freedom of worship. Your participation in the March for Life, and more recently your proclamation of the month of April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, are actions that confirm which side you wish to fight on. And I dare to believe that both of us are on the same side in this battle, albeit with different weapons.
For this reason, I believe that the attack to which you were subjected after your visit to the National Shrine of Saint John Paul II is part of the orchestrated media narrative which seeks not to fight racism and bring social order, but to aggravate dispositions; not to bring justice, but to legitimize violence and crime; not to serve the truth, but to favor one political faction. And it is disconcerting that there are Bishops – such as those whom I recently denounced – who, by their words, prove that they are aligned on the opposing side. They are subservient to the deep state, to globalism, to aligned thought, to the New World Order which they invoke ever more frequently in the name of a universal brotherhood which has nothing Christian about it, but which evokes the Masonic ideals of those want to dominate the world by driving God out of the courts, out of schools, out of families, and perhaps even out of churches.
The American people are mature and have now understood how much the mainstream media does not want to spread the truth but seeks to silence and distort it, spreading the lie that is useful for the purposes of their masters. However, it is important that the good – who are the majority – wake up from their sluggishness and do not accept being deceived by a minority of dishonest people with unavowable purposes. It is necessary that the good, the children of light, come together and make their voices heard. What more effective way is there to do this, Mr. President, than by prayer, asking the Lord to protect you, the United States, and all of humanity from this enormous attack of the Enemy? Before the power of prayer, the deceptions of the children of darkness will collapse, their plots will be revealed, their betrayal will be shown, their frightening power will end in nothing, brought to light and exposed for what it is: an infernal deception.
Mr. President, my prayer is constantly turned to the beloved American nation, where I had the privilege and honor of being sent by Pope Benedict XVI as Apostolic Nuncio. In this dramatic and decisive hour for all of humanity, I am praying for you and also for all those who are at your side in the government of the United States. I trust that the American people are united with me and you in prayer to Almighty God.
United against the Invisible Enemy of all humanity, I bless you and the First Lady, the beloved American nation, and all men and women of good will.
+ Carlo Maria Viganò
Titular Archbishop of Ulpiana
Former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America


thestream--2020-06-10--Is the Right Fascist? Or the Left?

Is the Right Fascist? Or the Left?

A horrific event has occurred .
The incident should be condemned , and the guilty punished .
Instead of presenting this simple message , the media has managed to get the country up in arms , and incite riots in the streets .
Something else is going on , something subtle that has gone virtually unnoticed .
Behind this backdrop of civil strife , a lie is being perpetuated .
It has nothing to do with racist cops , riots , or George Floyd .
For a long time now , both Democrats and Republicans have spread a false political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot over the years , but with Antifa back in the headlines , we ’ ve heard it a lot over the last several days .
It is categorizing fascism as the political right .
“ What ?
” I hear you ask .
“ Everyone puts fascism on the right.
” True , almost everyone describes the political spectrum as a straight line with Communism/Socialism on the left , Fascism on the right , and American Democracy somewhere in the middle .
This idea is being re-confirmed with media pundits talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Antifa , we are told , is short for “ Anti-fascist.
” Antifa members describe themselves as a left-wing group whose purpose is to fight fascist , alt-right groups like the neo-Nazis and white supremacists .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
We are also being told that the left and right are more polarized today than they ever have been .
But what exactly do the left and right represent ?
Since the media never bothers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closest we get to the truth is the vague idea that the left believes in “ big government ” and the right believes in “ limited government.
” When I began to study the various political philosophies as a young man , I used to wonder how Nazis could be on the right as fascists .
The word “ Nazi ” means National Socialist Party .
This should have put them on the left .
Also , fascists aren ’ t limited government types .
This dichotomy remained a mystery to me for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more , I became intrigued with the idea that both political sides , taken to the extreme , led to totalitarianism .
The spectrum seemed to double back on itself and form more of a circle than a straight line .
I shared this idea with my politically knowledgeable friend Jim .
He assured me the spectrum was a straight line , and I had simply put the wrong things on each end .
“ Totalitarianism goes on the left , and anarchy goes on the right , ” he explained .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was correct .
It made sense .
On a straight-line continuum , the opposing ends should be opposites .
Communism and Fascism are not opposites .
They are simply different types of totalitarian regimes .
Anarchy and Totalitarianism , on the other hand , are most definitely opposites .
On one end of the political spectrum is the ultimate freedom where there are no rules ( or laws ) at all , while the other end represents total control or power concentrated in the hands of one person ( or a group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all .
As one moves left along the line , one gives up freedom , thereby granting power to those in control .
As one moves right along the line , power returns to the people who , therefore , gain more freedom .
It is the Rosetta Stone of politics .
With it we can begin to discuss intelligently the most fundamental of all political questions .
How much freedom do we want vs. how many rules do we need ?
It is the same question that the left and right have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
This fundamental concept , once understood , makes it much more difficult for the media to mislead and obfuscate .
It finds application in a multitude of political discussions from Obamacare to the current debate over Quarantining .
And , at the very least , it explains why most extreme leftists and progressives are no different from the fascists they claim to despise .

A horrific event has occurred. The incident should be condemned, and the guilty punished. Instead of presenting this simple message, the media has managed to get the country up in arms, and incite riots in the streets.
Something else is going on, something subtle that has gone virtually unnoticed. Behind this backdrop of civil strife, a lie is being perpetuated.
The Lie
It has nothing to do with racist cops, riots, or George Floyd. For a long time now, both Democrats and Republicans have spread a false political narrative. We’ve heard it a lot over the years, but with Antifa back in the headlines, we’ve heard it a lot over the last several days. It is categorizing fascism as the political right.
“What?” I hear you ask. “Everyone puts fascism on the right.” True, almost everyone describes the political spectrum as a straight line with Communism/Socialism on the left, Fascism on the right, and American Democracy somewhere in the middle. This idea is being re-confirmed with media pundits talking about and interviewing members of Antifa.
Antifa, we are told, is short for “Anti-fascist.” Antifa members describe themselves as a left-wing group whose purpose is to fight fascist, alt-right groups like the neo-Nazis and white supremacists.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
We are also being told that the left and right are more polarized today than they ever have been. But what exactly do the left and right represent? Since the media never bothers to define Fascism and Socialism, the closest we get to the truth is the vague idea that the left believes in “big government” and the right believes in “limited government.”
When I began to study the various political philosophies as a young man, I used to wonder how Nazis could be on the right as fascists. The word “Nazi” means National Socialist Party. This should have put them on the left. Also, fascists aren’t limited government types. This dichotomy remained a mystery to me for quite a while.
Where Both Sides Lead
As I learned more, I became intrigued with the idea that both political sides, taken to the extreme, led to totalitarianism. The spectrum seemed to double back on itself and form more of a circle than a straight line.
I shared this idea with my politically knowledgeable friend Jim. He assured me the spectrum was a straight line, and I had simply put the wrong things on each end. “Totalitarianism goes on the left, and anarchy goes on the right,” he explained. I wanted to argue, but I knew he was correct.
It made sense. On a straight-line continuum, the opposing ends should be opposites. Communism and Fascism are not opposites. They are simply different types of totalitarian regimes.
Anarchy and Totalitarianism, on the other hand, are most definitely opposites. On one end of the political spectrum is the ultimate freedom where there are no rules (or laws) at all, while the other end represents total control or power concentrated in the hands of one person (or a group of persons) with no freedom at all.
As one moves left along the line, one gives up freedom, thereby granting power to those in control. As one moves right along the line, power returns to the people who, therefore, gain more freedom.
The Most Fundamental Questions
It is the Rosetta Stone of politics. With it we can begin to discuss intelligently the most fundamental of all political questions. How much freedom do we want vs. how many rules do we need? It is the same question that the left and right have been debating since the founding of this country.
This fundamental concept, once understood, makes it much more difficult for the media to mislead and obfuscate. It finds application in a multitude of political discussions from Obamacare to the current debate over quarantining.
And, at the very least, it explains why most extreme leftists and progressives are no different from the fascists they claim to despise.
George Janek is a conservative thinker encamped in Northern California.


thestream--2020-06-09--Facing Backlash From the Transgender Mob, JK Rowling Draws the Line: Against Abolishing Womanhood It

Facing Backlash From the Transgender Mob, JK Rowling Draws the Line: Against Abolishing Womanhood Itself

If you had told me back in 2007 that the LGBT crowd would eventually declare J.K. Rowling Public Enemy Number 1 , I would have laughed at you .
Back then , she was raking in accolades from the gay rights movement for declaring that Dumbledore of the Harry Potter series was gay .
In the years that followed , she was reliably left-wing on all issues , from abortion to same-sex marriage .
Like other celebrities of her wealth and status , she took the requisite shots at Donald Trump on Twitter .
Her credentials were impeccable .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The LGBT movement has surged past the redefinition of marriage , abandoned their commitment to free speech and gone to war with biological reality itself .
No longer is it enough to be cool with gay marriage .
It isn ’ t even good enough to celebrate Pride Month .
Now , you must believe that biological men can become women simply by identifying as such .
Biological men who identify as women are women , we are being told .
Those who disagree are being purged from the progressive herd .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bears mentioning that nobody is immune .
Even feminist icon Germaine Greer , author of the seminal tome The Female Eunuch , has been cast out of the movement .
She made the mistake of objecting to the idea that a biological male could understand the female experience .
She was promptly canceled for it .
J.K. Rowling ’ s first strike was back in December of 2019 .
Maya Forstater , a 45-year-old UK tax expert , had recently been fired for tweets objecting to a government plan to permit people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forstater took her case to an employment tribunal .
A heavy-handed judge told her that her belief in two biological sexes was “ absolutist , ” and that they were not protected under the 2010 Equality Act .
A weird coalition of feminists , conservatives and people in possession of common sense launched the hashtag # IStandWithMaya .
But Twitter truly erupted when J.K. Rowling , the billionaire cultural icon and beloved author , decided to weigh in with this tweet : The backlash was swift and brutal .
LGBT activists of every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Exclusionary Radical Feminist ) and worse .
She was accused of endangering trans lives .
She was told that trans children would be at risk because of her tweet .
The LGBT lobby group GLAAD menacingly offered to host a re-education meeting with her to correct her thinking .
Only conservatives — and Ricky Gervais — came to her defense .
As I noted in January in a column for LifeSiteNews , Rowling ignored it all — and thus became an incredibly dangerous figure for the trans movement .
For the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with every weapon in the arsenal — and all had failed .
They had accused her of endangering trans lives .
They had offered to re-educate her .
They had told her she was backward .
They had essentially threatened her with becoming a non-person .
But simply by refusing to apologize and leaving her offending tweet up , Rowling proved something : The power of the trans mob vanishes the moment we all refuse to play along .
As it became clear that Rowling was not going to back down , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If too many people noticed Rowling ’ s refusal to acknowledge their threats and their bluster , after all , they might be emboldened to speak up too .
Their power relies on people succumbing to their blackmail .
Rowling moved on to tweeting about her new children ’ s book The Ickabog , trans activists moved on to more vulnerable targets , and that seemed to be that .
Looking back at the events of the last month , I wonder if Rowling only re-entered the fray because of the actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Spurling decided to go after Rowling with one of the most repulsive insinuations anyone can face : that she is a risk to children .
Tweeting a link from The Guardian about Rowling ’ s new book , she stated : “ Definitely something to keep a close eye on .
In recent years , Rowling has made it clear that she can no longer be trusted around children.
” Imagine if someone said that about you : that you can not be trusted around children .
Understandably , Rowling was outraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hear from lawyers , you might want to rethink that tweet .
I ’ m not wasting time arguing with willful misrepresentations of my views on transgenderism — your timeline shows you ’ re not big on truth — but making serious insinuations like this comes with consequences.
” At first , Spurling refused to back down : “ If you feel that the transphobia you ’ ve put into the world is not dangerous to children you are more than welcome to have your lawyer send me a cease and desist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media would love to write articles about how you attack trans folk and then try to silence them.
” Rowling responded : “ Truth has always been far more important to me than clickbait , Nicola .
Please provide your evidence that a ) I can ’ t be trusted around children and b ) that I ‘ attack trans folks.
’ ” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Spurling then fell back on the standard trans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased suicide rates .
Eventually , the tweet came down , with Spurling begrudgingly noting that lawyers had advised its removal .
Spurling made clear , however , that the tweet itself was 100 % justified and true .
After having ignored the subject for over half a year , a few days after Spurling ’ s accusation , Rowling waded back into the fray .
She tweeted out an article from the charity magazine Devex.com with the headline “ Opinion : Creating a more equal post-Covid 19 world for people who menstruate.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ I ’ m sure there used to be a word for those people .
Someone help me out .
Wumben ?
Wimpund ?
Woomud ?
” It was retweeted over 10,000 times , and trans activists went nuts .
This time , she fought back .
In a string of tweets , she noted that many members of the gay community — particularly lesbians — agree with her .
Responding to one troll calling her a TERF , she noted : “ ‘ Feminazi , ’ ‘ TERF , ’ ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change .
Woman-hate is eternal.
” She summed up her view as follows : The backlash was immediate .
GLAAD accused her of “ targeting trans people.
” Tens of thousands of responses beneath her tweets level every imaginable slur and accusation against her .
Transgender Survivor contestant Zeke Smith replied by informing her : “ Hi !
I ’ m a man !
I menstruate !
Stop being an [ expletive ] !
” Major media organizations obediently referred to her comments as “ transphobic.
” An open letter to Rowling signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is a hint of shrillness to these attacks .
Trans activists know that if J.K. Rowling proves , once again , too big to cancel , it will be more evidence that their power can be broken .
If they fail to make her pay for her heresies , what will it mean ?
What if trans activists canceled somebody — and nobody cared ?
The source of their power lies in their ability to punish people for wrong-think .
If the world ’ s most famous author , a woman with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staunch liberal , publicly rejects and ridicules their ideology , what will it cost them ?
We will find out together .
The transgender movement wields tremendous cultural power , but their opponents are a diverse group .
Christians , conservatives , newly-exiled feminists and even some members of the LGB community are drawing the line at “ breaking the binary.
” As it turns out , J.K. Rowling , hardcore progressive , is one of them .
Even she , it turns out , will only go so far .
For the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abolishing womanhood itself .
Trans activists are doing everything they can to sink her career , and she is treating them with scorn while rejecting their arguments .
I wonder if we will look back at this moment in the culture wars and see an unlikely figure standing against the transgender tide when almost no other cultural figure would .
We live in strange times .
Jonathon Van Maren is a public speaker , writer , and pro-life activist .
He is the author of The Culture War and Seeing Is Believing : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Abortion , and co-author of A Guide to Discussing Assisted Suicide .

If you had told me back in 2007 that the LGBT crowd would eventually declare J.K. Rowling Public Enemy Number 1, I would have laughed at you. Back then, she was raking in accolades from the gay rights movement for declaring that Dumbledore of the Harry Potter series was gay. In the years that followed, she was reliably left-wing on all issues, from abortion to same-sex marriage. Like other celebrities of her wealth and status, she took the requisite shots at Donald Trump on Twitter. Her credentials were impeccable.
But that was then and this is now. The LGBT movement has surged past the redefinition of marriage, abandoned their commitment to free speech and gone to war with biological reality itself. No longer is it enough to be cool with gay marriage. It isn’t even good enough to celebrate Pride Month. Now, you must believe that biological men can become women simply by identifying as such. Biological men who identify as women are women, we are being told. Those who disagree are being purged from the progressive herd.
Nobody is Immune if They Disagree
It bears mentioning that nobody is immune. Even feminist icon Germaine Greer, author of the seminal tome The Female Eunuch, has been cast out of the movement. She made the mistake of objecting to the idea that a biological male could understand the female experience. She was promptly canceled for it.
J.K. Rowling’s first strike was back in December of 2019. Maya Forstater, a 45-year-old UK tax expert, had recently been fired for tweets objecting to a government plan to permit people to identify with whatever gender they liked. Forstater took her case to an employment tribunal. A heavy-handed judge told her that her belief in two biological sexes was “absolutist,” and that they were not protected under the 2010 Equality Act. A weird coalition of feminists, conservatives and people in possession of common sense launched the hashtag #IStandWithMaya.
But Twitter truly erupted when J.K. Rowling, the billionaire cultural icon and beloved author, decided to weigh in with this tweet:
Dress however you please. Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill
Standing Against the Brutal Backlash
The backlash was swift and brutal. LGBT activists of every stripe called her a TERF (Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist) and worse. She was accused of endangering trans lives. She was told that trans children would be at risk because of her tweet. The LGBT lobby group GLAAD menacingly offered to host a re-education meeting with her to correct her thinking. Only conservatives — and Ricky Gervais — came to her defense.
As I noted in January in a column for LifeSiteNews, Rowling ignored it all — and thus became an incredibly dangerous figure for the trans movement. For the first time, they had gone after a target with every weapon in the arsenal — and all had failed. They had accused her of endangering trans lives. They had offered to re-educate her. They had told her she was backward. They had essentially threatened her with becoming a non-person. But simply by refusing to apologize and leaving her offending tweet up, Rowling proved something: The power of the trans mob vanishes the moment we all refuse to play along.
As it became clear that Rowling was not going to back down, the LGBT activists began to quietly slink away. If too many people noticed Rowling’s refusal to acknowledge their threats and their bluster, after all, they might be emboldened to speak up too. Their power relies on people succumbing to their blackmail. Rowling moved on to tweeting about her new children’s book The Ickabog, trans activists moved on to more vulnerable targets, and that seemed to be that.
The power of the trans mob vanishes the moment we all refuse to play along.
Looking back at the events of the last month, I wonder if Rowling only re-entered the fray because of the actions of Canadian trans activist named Nicola Spurling. Spurling decided to go after Rowling with one of the most repulsive insinuations anyone can face: that she is a risk to children. Tweeting a link from The Guardian about Rowling’s new book, she stated: “Definitely something to keep a close eye on. In recent years, Rowling has made it clear that she can no longer be trusted around children.”
Imagine if someone said that about you: that you cannot be trusted around children.
Understandably, Rowling was outraged, responding: “Unless you want to hear from lawyers, you might want to rethink that tweet. I’m not wasting time arguing with willful misrepresentations of my views on transgenderism — your timeline shows you’re not big on truth — but making serious insinuations like this comes with consequences.”
At first, Spurling refused to back down: “If you feel that the transphobia you’ve put into the world is not dangerous to children you are more than welcome to have your lawyer send me a cease and desist letter. I’m sure the media would love to write articles about how you attack trans folk and then try to silence them.”
Rowling responded: “Truth has always been far more important to me than clickbait, Nicola. Please provide your evidence that a) I can’t be trusted around children and b) that I ‘attack trans folks.’”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Spurling then fell back on the standard trans argument that refusing to embrace trans ideology increased suicide rates. Eventually, the tweet came down, with Spurling begrudgingly noting that lawyers had advised its removal. Spurling made clear, however, that the tweet itself was 100% justified and true.
After having ignored the subject for over half a year, a few days after Spurling’s accusation, Rowling waded back into the fray. She tweeted out an article from the charity magazine Devex.com with the headline “Opinion: Creating a more equal post-Covid 19 world for people who menstruate.” Rowling’s sarcasm was scathing: “I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?” It was retweeted over 10,000 times, and trans activists went nuts.
This time, she fought back. In a string of tweets, she noted that many members of the gay community — particularly lesbians — agree with her. Responding to one troll calling her a TERF, she noted: “‘Feminazi,’ ‘TERF,’ ‘bitch,’ ‘witch.’ Times change. Woman-hate is eternal.” She summed up her view as follows:
If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.
The backlash was immediate. GLAAD accused her of “targeting trans people.” Tens of thousands of responses beneath her tweets level every imaginable slur and accusation against her. Transgender Survivor contestant Zeke Smith replied by informing her: “Hi! I’m a man! I menstruate! Stop being an [expletive]!” Major media organizations obediently referred to her comments as “transphobic.” An open letter to Rowling signed by dozens of activists was launched.
Too Big to Cancel
There is a hint of shrillness to these attacks. Trans activists know that if J.K. Rowling proves, once again, too big to cancel, it will be more evidence that their power can be broken. If they fail to make her pay for her heresies, what will it mean? What if trans activists canceled somebody — and nobody cared? The source of their power lies in their ability to punish people for wrong-think. If the world’s most famous author, a woman with tremendous influence with young people, a staunch liberal, publicly rejects and ridicules their ideology, what will it cost them?
We will find out together. The transgender movement wields tremendous cultural power, but their opponents are a diverse group. Christians, conservatives, newly-exiled feminists and even some members of the LGB community are drawing the line at “breaking the binary.” As it turns out, J.K. Rowling, hardcore progressive, is one of them. Even she, it turns out, will only go so far. For the Harry Potter author, the line is abolishing womanhood itself. Trans activists are doing everything they can to sink her career, and she is treating them with scorn while rejecting their arguments.
I wonder if we will look back at this moment in the culture wars and see an unlikely figure standing against the transgender tide when almost no other cultural figure would. We live in strange times.
Jonathon Van Maren is a public speaker, writer, and pro-life activist. He is the author of The Culture War and Seeing Is Believing: Why Our Culture Must Face the Victims of Abortion, and co-author of A Guide to Discussing Assisted Suicide.