thestream--2020-12-09--Is Today’s Prophetic Movement Fake News?

I ’ ve hesitated writing this article for several weeks .
The reason ?
I ’ m placing myself right in the crossfire of the prophetic zealots ( of which , ironically , I am one ) and those who are fed up with the mystical , self-serving foolishness that ’ s rampant today .
I ’ m in that group too .
Truly , it ’ s a no-win situation .
However , ministry isn ’ t about winning .
Ministry is about communicating truth so the Kingdom of God can most powerfully advance .
So , onward .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand that I have been embracing the prophetic for years .
My entire life has been marked by strange and glorious supernatural occurrences .
God ’ s leading has been nothing short of remarkable and miraculous .
I ’ m humbled and in awe .
I believe that God speaks , moves and interacts with every Christian who has an ear to hear .
The wonders that so many experience on a consistent basis are not only dramatic , but they are required if we are to move in the direction the Spirit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hesitation I admit to endorsing the often bizarre , sometimes confounding and always stunning biblically based prophetic ministry .
Honestly , it would be impossible for me not to .
I ’ ve written about my personal , humanly impossible , logically indescribable prophetic happenings in several of my books .
I can ’ t doubt .
With that , I ’ m also disturbed by the butchering of prophetic ministry today .
Before you attempt to offer me a high-five in celebration of finding another who is bent on exposing today ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear me .
Let ’ s deal with the elephant in this article .
Several high profile prophetic leaders have boldly predicted another four years for President Trump .
You need to understand that I personally know some of these people , and I ’ ve been following the ministry of several others .
To call them false prophets based on the current state of our nation ’ s affairs alone would be ridiculous .
These men and women of God are so pure , so passionate about Jesus and radically locked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are also imperfect .
Let ’ s settle something right now .
Missing a prophecy does not deem one a false prophet .
As I stated above , that is ridiculous .
There ’ s a difference between false prophecy and poor prophecy .
False prophecy is demonic while poor prophecy flows out of imperfect children of God at times ( just as poor teaching , poor pastoring and poor evangelizing does ) .
Of course , at the writing of this article , the election isn ’ t settled .
President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at this late stage in early December , 2020 .
This would , I suppose , vindicate the prophets .
But do they need vindication ?
Old Testament prophecy and New Testament prophecy are markedly different .
In the Old Covenant , a small handful of prophets received occasional , clear , precise messages from God .
In the New Covenant , every Believer in Christ , including those who hold the office of Prophet , can hear God ’ s voice .
However , while Old Testaments prophets received messages , today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Today , prophecy is intuitive , often abstract and , in most cases , it must be learned .
Quite often , prophetic signs , dreams , visions , impressions and other spiritual data must be interpreted .
It also must be weighed , analyzed and prayed through .
The Holy Spirit brings the understanding to the precise parts of the divine message entrusted to us .
That process can result in accidental errors .
Prophecy is tricky .
We need to exhibit both faith and humility .
Admitting there is a chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely isn ’ t exhibiting a lack of faith .
I don ’ t believe we should ever give a “ thus sayeth the Lord ” when prophesying .
We should say , “ I sense the Lord saying , ” or “ I have a strong impression that… ” Why ?
We can miss it .
Prophecies in Scripture are absolute .
Prophecies today are not .
Further , prophecies not found in the Bible are conditional .
We have a role to play in the outcome .
All of this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not found in Scripture to be one hundred percent certain to come to pass is inappropriate and irresponsible .
This brings us to the necessary reformation .
Are there foolish , self-satisfying people growing a pseudo-prophetic ministry that ’ s fueled by the enemy ?
Absolutely there are .
Are there others who are immature in their understanding of the prophetic , and as a result are out of step with true biblical prophecy ?
Yes .
Has the prophetic become way too dominant in some people ’ s lives , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historical Bible truths ?
Most definitely .
( Though I ’ d suggest there are way more who have excluded a true , biblical , prophetic lifestyle in favor of dry , dead religion . )
Simply , is much of today ’ s prophetic ministry that ’ s flourishing all over social media fake news ?
It is .
I ’ ll introduce some sub-points that should at least get us thinking : Predictive prophecy ( foretelling ) often leaves me asking a question : why was it necessary to share that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Understand , it ’ s just a question .
There may be a legitimate answer .
Of course , Scripture is filled with predictive prophecies .
Yet , there must be a reason God would reveal this information to us .
Why did we need to know that President Trump would supposedly win the election ?
What is that purpose ?
On one hand , it could be to bolster a prophets resume of successful predictions .
Is there another hand ?
Maybe .
But we really need to know what ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role in response to the prophetic word ?
I personally believe all prophecy not found in Scripture is conditional .
I believe it was designed this way by God as a catalyst to rally the troops .
For example , if the prophets are revealing that Trump was God ’ s choice , what must the church do to advance that agenda ?
Prophecy that is devoid of a strategic call to action is at least suspicious .
Prophetic messages should provoke a response , whether it ’ s a warning or revelation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncovering of the enemy ’ s plans , we as hearers of the word need to know how to proceed .
Personally , I am significantly more impressed with prophetic preaching , forthtelling , than I am with foretelling , revealing future events .
Understand , I affirm and value both , when handled well .
But , give me a Leonard Ravenhill any day over one of today ’ s pop prophets .
Forthtelling always has a fiery , urgent and unapologetic call to action .
Unfortunately , too many of today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their ability to craft the perfect fortune cookie message than they are revealing the depths of God .
I dealt with this above , but I wanted to put it in the list of thought provokers .
When I hear someone declare that “ God said ” and that what they heard is perfect , complete and guaranteed to come to pass , I change the channel .
We prophesy in part .
We see in part .
We understand in part .
And , guess what ?
We are fallible humans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Testament prophecy is intuitive .
I ’ m not saying it can ’ t have a measure of clarity .
It absolutely can .
I ’ m not saying it can ’ t be overwhelming , weighty and convincing .
It can .
In fact , we need to live in the realm of the weighty much more than we do today .
The prayer rooms should be soaked with sweat and tears from the brows of the prophets .
However , we aren ’ t privy to an unmistakable voice booming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holy Spirit is the one brooding and impressing upon God ’ s people mysterious and often illogical messages that require discernment , prayer and interpretation to grasp .
I posted the following to Facebook recently : What percent chance do you give Trump being reelected at this stage of the game ?
( If you say 100 % or 0 % , you are delusional .
I ’ m sure you are nice , but still delusional . )
Needless to say , a bunch of delusional friends responded !
( I say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face . )
There are so many factors at play in the prophetic that we can rarely if ever proclaim that a prophetic word is certain to come to pass .
Remember , prophecy not found in Scripture is conditional .
It ’ s an invitation , not a guarantee .
Several promoted the idea that thinking anything less would be a violation of faith .
This is not true .
We have a part to play .
This is what happens when “ thus sayeth the Lord ” style prophecies are accepted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people into a false sense of comfort as they sit back and wait for it to come to pass .
Anybody who has adopted a prophetic lifestyle knows that prophetic words must be warred over .
Simply receiving and believing is far from enough .
Satan is exceptionally skilled at disrupting the plans of God in our lives .
When we simply receive and believe , we are playing right into the enemy ’ s hands .
We must go to battle !
Presuming a prophecy will come to pass without a sword @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upon a star .
There are many other factors at play including timing , sin in the lives of the prophets , fear , doubt , presumption , etc .
I feel some great first steps in reforming the prophetic would include : • Considering the purpose of the word .
• Inviting the word to be weighed .
• Admitting when you missed it .
• Giving grace to those who missed it .
John Burton is a sought out teacher , prophetic messenger and revivalist .
He has authored ten books @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Magazine , and directed one of the primary internships at the International House of Prayer ( IHOP ) in Kansas City .
He has planted two churches and has initiated two city prayer movements and a school of ministry .

I’ve hesitated writing this article for several weeks. The reason? I’m placing myself right in the crossfire of the prophetic zealots (of which, ironically, I am one) and those who are fed up with the mystical, self-serving foolishness that’s rampant today. I’m in that group too.
Truly, it’s a no-win situation. However, ministry isn’t about winning. Ministry is about communicating truth so the Kingdom of God can most powerfully advance. So, onward.
It’s important for you to understand that I have been embracing the prophetic for years. My entire life has been marked by strange and glorious supernatural occurrences. God’s leading has been nothing short of remarkable and miraculous. I’m humbled and in awe.
I believe that God speaks, moves and interacts with every Christian who has an ear to hear. The wonders that so many experience on a consistent basis are not only dramatic, but they are required if we are to move in the direction the Spirit of God is leading us.
Without hesitation I admit to endorsing the often bizarre, sometimes confounding and always stunning biblically based prophetic ministry. Honestly, it would be impossible for me not to. I’ve written about my personal, humanly impossible, logically indescribable prophetic happenings in several of my books. I can’t doubt.
False Prophets!
With that, I’m also disturbed by the butchering of prophetic ministry today.
Before you attempt to offer me a high-five in celebration of finding another who is bent on exposing today’s false prophets, you need to hear me.
Let’s deal with the elephant in this article. Several high profile prophetic leaders have boldly predicted another four years for President Trump. You need to understand that I personally know some of these people, and I’ve been following the ministry of several others. To call them false prophets based on the current state of our nation’s affairs alone would be ridiculous.
These men and women of God are so pure, so passionate about Jesus and radically locked in to God’s heart. They are also imperfect.
Let’s settle something right now. Missing a prophecy does not deem one a false prophet. As I stated above, that is ridiculous. There’s a difference between false prophecy and poor prophecy. False prophecy is demonic while poor prophecy flows out of imperfect children of God at times (just as poor teaching, poor pastoring and poor evangelizing does).
Of course, at the writing of this article, the election isn’t settled. President Trump could very well be re-elected, even at this late stage in early December, 2020. This would, I suppose, vindicate the prophets. But do they need vindication?
New Testament Prophecy
Old Testament prophecy and New Testament prophecy are markedly different.
In the Old Covenant, a small handful of prophets received occasional, clear, precise messages from God.
In the New Covenant, every Believer in Christ, including those who hold the office of Prophet, can hear God’s voice. However, while Old Testaments prophets received messages, today we perceive God’s messages. Today, prophecy is intuitive, often abstract and, in most cases, it must be learned.
Quite often, prophetic signs, dreams, visions, impressions and other spiritual data must be interpreted. It also must be weighed, analyzed and prayed through. The Holy Spirit brings the understanding to the precise parts of the divine message entrusted to us.
That process can result in accidental errors.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Prophecy is tricky. We need to exhibit both faith and humility. Admitting there is a chance we might be wrong either partially or completely isn’t exhibiting a lack of faith. I don’t believe we should ever give a “thus sayeth the Lord” when prophesying. We should say, “I sense the Lord saying,” or “I have a strong impression that…” Why? We can miss it.
Prophecies in Scripture are absolute. Prophecies today are not. Further, prophecies not found in the Bible are conditional. We have a role to play in the outcome.
All of this is why I believe declaring a prophecy that is not found in Scripture to be one hundred percent certain to come to pass is inappropriate and irresponsible.
Fake News Prophecy
This brings us to the necessary reformation.
Are there foolish, self-satisfying people growing a pseudo-prophetic ministry that’s fueled by the enemy? Absolutely there are.
Are there others who are immature in their understanding of the prophetic, and as a result are out of step with true biblical prophecy? Yes.
Has the prophetic become way too dominant in some people’s lives, to the exclusion of basic, orthodox, historical Bible truths? Most definitely. (Though I’d suggest there are way more who have excluded a true, biblical, prophetic lifestyle in favor of dry, dead religion.)
Simply, is much of today’s prophetic ministry that’s flourishing all over social media fake news? It is.
I’ll introduce some sub-points that should at least get us thinking:
Purpose
Predictive prophecy (foretelling) often leaves me asking a question: why was it necessary to share that message? What is the purpose?
Understand, it’s just a question. There may be a legitimate answer. Of course, Scripture is filled with predictive prophecies. Yet, there must be a reason God would reveal this information to us.
Why did we need to know that President Trump would supposedly win the election? What is that purpose? On one hand, it could be to bolster a prophets resume of successful predictions. Is there another hand? Maybe. But we really need to know what’s in that hand. What is our role in response to the prophetic word?
Strategy
I personally believe all prophecy not found in Scripture is conditional. I believe it was designed this way by God as a catalyst to rally the troops.
For example, if the prophets are revealing that Trump was God’s choice, what must the church do to advance that agenda? Prophecy that is devoid of a strategic call to action is at least suspicious.
Prophetic messages should provoke a response, whether it’s a warning or revelation of God’s heart or an uncovering of the enemy’s plans, we as hearers of the word need to know how to proceed.
Forthtelling vs. Foretelling
Personally, I am significantly more impressed with prophetic preaching, forthtelling, than I am with foretelling, revealing future events.
Understand, I affirm and value both, when handled well. But, give me a Leonard Ravenhill any day over one of today’s pop prophets. Forthtelling always has a fiery, urgent and unapologetic call to action. Unfortunately, too many of today’s foretellers are more excited about their ability to craft the perfect fortune cookie message than they are revealing the depths of God.
Thus Sayeth the Lord
I dealt with this above, but I wanted to put it in the list of thought provokers. When I hear someone declare that “God said” and that what they heard is perfect, complete and guaranteed to come to pass, I change the channel.
We prophesy in part. We see in part. We understand in part. And, guess what? We are fallible humans. We can miss it.
Again, New Testament prophecy is intuitive. I’m not saying it can’t have a measure of clarity. It absolutely can. I’m not saying it can’t be overwhelming, weighty and convincing. It can. In fact, we need to live in the realm of the weighty much more than we do today. The prayer rooms should be soaked with sweat and tears from the brows of the prophets.
However, we aren’t privy to an unmistakable voice booming out of a burning bush. The Holy Spirit is the one brooding and impressing upon God’s people mysterious and often illogical messages that require discernment, prayer and interpretation to grasp.
Prophecy is Conditional
I posted the following to Facebook recently:
What percent chance do you give Trump being reelected at this stage of the game? (If you say 100% or 0%, you are delusional. I’m sure you are nice, but still delusional.)
Needless to say, a bunch of delusional friends responded! (I say that with a friendly smile on my face.)
There are so many factors at play in the prophetic that we can rarely if ever proclaim that a prophetic word is certain to come to pass. Remember, prophecy not found in Scripture is conditional. It’s an invitation, not a guarantee.
Several promoted the idea that thinking anything less would be a violation of faith. This is not true. We have a part to play.
This is what happens when “thus sayeth the Lord” style prophecies are accepted as the norm. They can seduce people into a false sense of comfort as they sit back and wait for it to come to pass.
The Enemy
Anybody who has adopted a prophetic lifestyle knows that prophetic words must be warred over. Simply receiving and believing is far from enough.
Satan is exceptionally skilled at disrupting the plans of God in our lives. When we simply receive and believe, we are playing right into the enemy’s hands. We must go to battle! Presuming a prophecy will come to pass without a sword in our hands is akin to wishing upon a star.
Final Thoughts
There are many other factors at play including timing, sin in the lives of the prophets, fear, doubt, presumption, etc.
I feel some great first steps in reforming the prophetic would include:
Prophesying from a place of fervent, Spirit-driven intercession.
Considering the purpose of the word.
Majoring on forthtelling, minoring on foretelling.
Communicating prophetic strategies, not just a prophetic word.
Inviting the word to be weighed.
Admitting when you missed it.
Giving grace to those who missed it.
Avoiding presumptive prophetic guarantees.
John Burton is a sought out teacher, prophetic messenger and revivalist. He has authored ten books, is a regular contributor to Charisma Magazine, and directed one of the primary internships at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City. He has planted two churches and has initiated two city prayer movements and a school of ministry.


thestream--2020-12-09--Pornhub Announces ‘Huge Changes’ Following NYT Column Alleging the Site Is ‘Infested With Rape Video

Pornhub Announces ‘Huge Changes’ Following NYT Column Alleging the Site Is ‘Infested With Rape Videos’

Pornhub announced momentous changes to the pornography website ’ s safety measures Tuesday following a New York Times column alleging that the site is “ infested with rape videos.
” “ Today , we are taking major steps to further protect our community , ” Pornhub announced Tuesday .
“ Going forward , we will only allow properly identified users to upload content .
We have banned downloads .
We have made some key expansions to our moderation process , and we recently launched a Trusted Flagger Program with dozens of non-profit organizations.
” “ Earlier this year , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Missing & Exploited Children , and next year we will issue our first transparency report , ” Pornhub ’ s statement said .
Pulitzer prize-winning opinion columnist Nicholas Kristof had accused Pornhub of monetizing “ child rapes , revenge pornography , spy cam videos of women showering , racist and misogynist content , and footage of women being asphyxiated in plastic bags , ” in a Friday New York Times op-ed .
The massively popular pornography website has been listed the 10th-most-visited website in the world , with 3.5 billion visits a month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ad impressions every day , according to Kristof .
“ A search for ‘ girls under18 ’ ( no space ) or ‘ 14yo ’ leads in each case to more than 100,000 videos , ” Kristof wrote .
“ Most aren ’ t of children being assaulted , but too many are.
” Kristof ’ s story sparked a massive backlash against the pornography website , prompting lawmakers to call for investigations into the massive pornography website and pushing major credit card companies to review their relationship with Pornhub .
The Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Tuesday evening tweet , but said that “ a great deal will also depend on whether past content , already on the site , is vetted or removed.
” “ I ’ d add that continued monitoring and pressure will be necessary , and that we should also widen the lens to look at other companies , ” Kristof said .
“ XVideos already has a bigger audience than Pornhub , and fewer scruples , and they should be forced to adopt similar measures — and make them work.
” Kristof also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared their stories with him “ because they didn ’ t want other kids to endure what they had suffered.
” “ It was their courage , their stories , that made this happen , ” he said .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Editor’s note: This article discusses disturbing pornographic content and sexual crimes.
Pornhub announced momentous changes to the pornography website’s safety measures Tuesday following a New York Times column alleging that the site is “infested with rape videos.”
“Today, we are taking major steps to further protect our community,” Pornhub announced Tuesday. “Going forward, we will only allow properly identified users to upload content. We have banned downloads. We have made some key expansions to our moderation process, and we recently launched a Trusted Flagger Program with dozens of non-profit organizations.”
“Earlier this year, we also partnered with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and next year we will issue our first transparency report,” Pornhub’s statement said.
Pulitzer prize-winning opinion columnist Nicholas Kristof had accused Pornhub of monetizing “child rapes, revenge pornography, spy cam videos of women showering, racist and misogynist content, and footage of women being asphyxiated in plastic bags,” in a Friday New York Times op-ed.
Pornhub just announced huge changes: a.) allow uploads only from verified users; b.) no downloads; c.) improvements in moderation. Initial take: A great deal depends on how responsibly Pornhub implements these, and it hasn't earned my trust at all, but these seem significant. — Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) December 8, 2020
The massively popular pornography website has been listed the 10th-most-visited website in the world, with 3.5 billion visits a month, and profits from almost three billion ad impressions every day, according to Kristof.
“A search for ‘girls under18’ (no space) or ‘14yo’ leads in each case to more than 100,000 videos,” Kristof wrote. “Most aren’t of children being assaulted, but too many are.”
Kristof’s story sparked a massive backlash against the pornography website, prompting lawmakers to call for investigations into the massive pornography website and pushing major credit card companies to review their relationship with Pornhub.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The Times columnist announced Pornhub’s changes in a Tuesday evening tweet, but said that “a great deal will also depend on whether past content, already on the site, is vetted or removed.”
“I’d add that continued monitoring and pressure will be necessary, and that we should also widen the lens to look at other companies,” Kristof said. “XVideos already has a bigger audience than Pornhub, and fewer scruples, and they should be forced to adopt similar measures — and make them work.”
Kristof also thanked the young men and women who shared their stories with him “because they didn’t want other kids to endure what they had suffered.”
“It was their courage, their stories, that made this happen,” he said.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-12-09--‘We Have People at the Top.’ Video From China Admits Wide Conspiracy of American Elites

Maybe don ’ t boycott Tucker Carlson just yet .
Yes , he got it wrong about Sidney Powell , dismissing her case against the election of Joe Biden too easily — apparently because she wouldn ’ t give him an exclusive .
But let ’ s not be people who demand “ What have you done for me lately ?
” Remember that Carlson ’ s show aired Tony Bobulinski ’ s explosive revelations of Biden family corruption and influence-peddling .
And now Carlson ’ s digging deeper .
Recently , Carlson aired a clip from Chinese TV that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information for foreigners like us .
So it banned the clip from all social media in China .
But a brave soul quietly leaked the clip , and Carlson got hold of it .
He aired it .
The clip confirms what President Trump and his supporters have long claimed — and before them populist critics of China such as Patrick Buchanan and Ross Perot .
Namely that China leverages its enormous wealth to purchase the allegiance of influential Americans at every level of U.S. government and business .
But especially the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crank , or even a Chinese dissident embittered by the totalitarian government ’ s religious repression , forced abortions , and concentration camps .
No , it ’ s Di Dongsheng , Vice Dean of the School of International Relations , Renmin University of China .
He serves as Vice Director and Secretary of the Center for Foreign Strategic Studies of China .
So , a loyal appointee and servant of China ’ s national socialist regime .
He doesn ’ t speak as if he were spilling any state secrets .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow members of the Chinese Communist elite how China has outfoxed the U.S. for decades — and why President Trump constituted such a problem .
Dongsheng brags : “ We have people at the top ” of American institutions across the board , including government .
The audience doesn ’ t scoff or act surprised .
Instead , most of them laugh , acknowledging an open secret widely accepted and lauded in China — but dismissed by American media as a crackpot “ conspiracy theory.
” He goes on to explain : [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street had a very strong influence on the domestic and foreign affairs of the United States .
So we had a channel to rely on .
But the problem is that after 2008 , the status of Wall Street has declined , and more importantly , after 2016 , Wall Street can ’ t fix Trump .
It ’ s very awkward .
Why ?
Trump had a previous soft default issue with Wall Street , so there was a conflict between them , but I won ’ t go into details , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So during the US-China trade war , they ( Wall Street ) tried to help , and I know that my friends on the US side told me that they tried to help , but they couldn ’ t do much .
Trump has been saying that Biden ’ s son has some sort of global foundation .
Have you noticed that ?
Who helped him ( Biden ’ s son ) build the foundations ?
Trump Was the Problem .
Was Biden the Solution ?
After a pregnant pause , the audience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of course — a fact which the Hunter Biden laptop revealed , but U.S. media mostly censored .
Got it ?
There are a lot of deals inside all these .
[ W ] e know that the Trump administration is in a trade war with us , so why can ’ t we fix the Trump administration ?
Why did China and the U.S. use to be able to settle all kinds of issues between 1992 and 2016 ?
No matter what kind of crises we encountered , be it the Yinhe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or the crashing of the plane , things were all solved in no time , like ( a couple ) do with their quarrels… .
We fixed everything in two months .
What is the reason ?
I ’ m going to throw out something maybe a little bit explosive here .
It ’ s just because we have people at the top .
We have our old friends who are at the top of America ’ s core inner circle of power & influence .
[ emphasis added ] In case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is true , or doubt the translation of Dongsheng ’ s remarks , consult the headlines .
John Ratcliffe , the U.S. director of national intelligence wrote in The Wall Street Journal that China has conducted a “ massive ” campaign of influence and espionage against U.S. members of Congress .
As The Daily Caller News Foundation reports : ‘ This year China engaged in a massive influence campaign that included targeting several dozen members of Congress and congressional aides , ’ Ratcliffe wrote in the op-ed , entitled ‘ China Is National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanded on his op-ed during an interview with CBS News .
‘ They want laws and policies out of the United States that are favorable to China , ’ Ratcliffe said of Chinese agents targeting U.S. lawmakers .
‘ And what they ’ re really trying to do is through blackmail , through bribery , through overt and covert influence , trying to make sure that only laws that are favorable to China are passed.
’ One lawmaker caught up in the Chinese espionage operation was firebrand liberal California Congressman Eric Swallwell .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ up and coming ” politicians , Swallwell got personally and professionally close to a now-exposed Chinese female agent , Axios reports .
COVID Hit the West Thanks to Chinese Biowarfare On the eve of the election , I pointed out that in every way , the COVID crisis has proven to be a massively successful biowarfare attack against the United States ( and other countries ) by China .
China ’ s decision to quarantine Wuhan province and the rest of China last winter , while sending one million potentially infected Chinese on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Chinese Pearl Harbor attack.
” And American politicians who opposed Trump ’ s ban on that travel to the U.S. , such as Joe Biden , were aiding that attack , consciously or not .
Democrats who favored massive lockdowns that crippled Trump ’ s booming economy were serving their own political interests , and China ’ s strategic plan for replacing the U.S. as a global hegemon .
Keep all this in mind as you ponder whether vote-counting software linked to foreign , hostile governments , such as Dominion , played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparent victory in the 2020 election .
Let your state legislators who could decertify electors know what you think .
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream , and author or co-author of ten books , including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism .
He is co-author with Jason Jones of “ God , Guns , & the Government .
”

Maybe don’t boycott Tucker Carlson just yet. Yes, he got it wrong about Sidney Powell, dismissing her case against the election of Joe Biden too easily — apparently because she wouldn’t give him an exclusive. But let’s not be people who demand “What have you done for me lately?” Remember that Carlson’s show aired Tony Bobulinski’s explosive revelations of Biden family corruption and influence-peddling. And now Carlson’s digging deeper.
Recently, Carlson aired a clip from Chinese TV that the Communist government flagged as too much information for foreigners like us. So it banned the clip from all social media in China. But a brave soul quietly leaked the clip, and Carlson got hold of it. He aired it. The clip confirms what President Trump and his supporters have long claimed — and before them populist critics of China such as Patrick Buchanan and Ross Perot. Namely that China leverages its enormous wealth to purchase the allegiance of influential Americans at every level of U.S. government and business. But especially the top.
Not a Crank, But a Chinese Regime Executive
The speaker is not some fevered crank, or even a Chinese dissident embittered by the totalitarian government’s religious repression, forced abortions, and concentration camps. No, it’s Di Dongsheng, Vice Dean of the School of International Relations, Renmin University of China. He serves as Vice Director and Secretary of the Center for Foreign Strategic Studies of China.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
So, a loyal appointee and servant of China’s national socialist regime. He doesn’t speak as if he were spilling any state secrets. Instead, he’s explaining to his fellow members of the Chinese Communist elite how China has outfoxed the U.S. for decades — and why President Trump constituted such a problem.
Dongsheng brags: “We have people at the top” of American institutions across the board, including government. The audience doesn’t scoff or act surprised. Instead, most of them laugh, acknowledging an open secret widely accepted and lauded in China — but dismissed by American media as a crackpot “conspiracy theory.” He goes on to explain:
[S]ince the 1970s, Wall Street had a very strong influence on the domestic and foreign affairs of the United States. So we had a channel to rely on. But the problem is that after 2008, the status of Wall Street has declined, and more importantly, after 2016, Wall Street can’t fix Trump. It’s very awkward. Why? Trump had a previous soft default issue with Wall Street, so there was a conflict between them, but I won’t go into details, I may not have enough time. So during the US-China trade war, they (Wall Street) tried to help, and I know that my friends on the US side told me that they tried to help, but they couldn’t do much. Trump has been saying that Biden’s son has some sort of global foundation. Have you noticed that? Who helped him (Biden’s son) build the foundations?
Trump Was the Problem. Was Biden the Solution?
After a pregnant pause, the audience laughs again. It was China, of course — a fact which the Hunter Biden laptop revealed, but U.S. media mostly censored.
Got it? There are a lot of deals inside all these. … [W]e know that the Trump administration is in a trade war with us, so why can’t we fix the Trump administration? Why did China and the U.S. use to be able to settle all kinds of issues between 1992 and 2016? No matter what kind of crises we encountered, be it the Yinhe incident, the bombing of the embassy, or the crashing of the plane, things were all solved in no time, like (a couple) do with their quarrels…. We fixed everything in two months. What is the reason? I’m going to throw out something maybe a little bit explosive here. It’s just because we have people at the top. We have our old friends who are at the top of America’s core inner circle of power & influence. [emphasis added]
Beyond Wall Street, China Targets Members of Congress
In case you aren’t sure if that is true, or doubt the translation of Dongsheng’s remarks, consult the headlines. John Ratcliffe, the U.S. director of national intelligence wrote in The Wall Street Journal that China has conducted a “massive” campaign of influence and espionage against U.S. members of Congress. As The Daily Caller News Foundation reports:
‘This year China engaged in a massive influence campaign that included targeting several dozen members of Congress and congressional aides,’ Ratcliffe wrote in the op-ed, entitled ‘China Is National Security Threat No. 1.’ … Ratcliffe expanded on his op-ed during an interview with CBS News. ‘They want laws and policies out of the United States that are favorable to China,’ Ratcliffe said of Chinese agents targeting U.S. lawmakers. ‘And what they’re really trying to do is through blackmail, through bribery, through overt and covert influence, trying to make sure that only laws that are favorable to China are passed.’
One lawmaker caught up in the Chinese espionage operation was firebrand liberal California Congressman Eric Swalwell. Along with a list of other “up and coming” politicians, Swallwell got personally and professionally close to a now-exposed Chinese female agent, Axios reports.
COVID Hit the West Thanks to Chinese Biowarfare
On the eve of the election, I pointed out that in every way, the COVID crisis has proven to be a massively successful biowarfare attack against the United States (and other countries) by China. China’s decision to quarantine Wuhan province and the rest of China last winter, while sending one million potentially infected Chinese on flights around the world was indeed a “Chinese Pearl Harbor attack.”
And American politicians who opposed Trump’s ban on that travel to the U.S., such as Joe Biden, were aiding that attack, consciously or not. Democrats who favored massive lockdowns that crippled Trump’s booming economy were serving their own political interests, and China’s strategic plan for replacing the U.S. as a global hegemon.
Keep all this in mind as you ponder whether vote-counting software linked to foreign, hostile governments, such as Dominion, played a role in Joe Biden’s apparent victory in the 2020 election. Let your state legislators who could decertify electors know what you think.
Maybe America owes Pat Buchanan an apology.
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream, and author or co-author of ten books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism. He is co-author with Jason Jones of “God, Guns, & the Government.”


thestream--2020-12-10--Hunter Biden Says He’s Being Investigated for Possible Tax Crimes

Federal prosecutors in Delaware are investigating Hunter Biden , son of former Vice President Joe Biden , for potential tax crimes , the younger Biden said in a statement Wednesday issued through his father ’ s presidential transition team .
“ I learned yesterday for the first time that the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office in Delaware advised my legal counsel , also yesterday , that they are investigating my tax affairs , ” Biden said in the statement .
“ I take this matter very seriously but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legally and appropriately , including with the benefit of professional tax advisors.
” The transition team issued a statement saying that Biden “ is deeply proud of his son , who has fought through difficult challenges , including the vicious personal attacks of recent months , only to emerge stronger.
” Hunter Biden , 50 , has come under scrutiny over his business dealings in China and Ukraine .
The owner of a computer repair shop in Wilmington , Delaware , released documents in September that he said were from a laptop that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 2019 .
A copy of the laptop ’ s hard drive includes thousands of Biden ’ s personal and business emails .
A person reached by phone at the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office in Delaware declined comment .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Federal prosecutors in Delaware are investigating Hunter Biden, son of former Vice President Joe Biden, for potential tax crimes, the younger Biden said in a statement Wednesday issued through his father’s presidential transition team.
“I learned yesterday for the first time that the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Delaware advised my legal counsel, also yesterday, that they are investigating my tax affairs,” Biden said in the statement.
“I take this matter very seriously but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisors.”
The transition team issued a statement saying that Biden “is deeply proud of his son, who has fought through difficult challenges, including the vicious personal attacks of recent months, only to emerge stronger.”
Hunter Biden says US attorney's Office in Delaware is investigating his taxes. pic.twitter.com/UeOWYfGfEL — Olivier Knox (@OKnox) December 9, 2020
Hunter Biden, 50, has come under scrutiny over his business dealings in China and Ukraine.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The owner of a computer repair shop in Wilmington, Delaware, released documents in September that he said were from a laptop that Biden dropped off at his business in April 2019. A copy of the laptop’s hard drive includes thousands of Biden’s personal and business emails.
A person reached by phone at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Delaware declined comment.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-12-10--Is It ‘Dangerous’ to Fight Voter Fraud?

Is It ‘Dangerous’ to Fight Voter Fraud?

I feel disenfranchised with last month ’ s vote because of such apparent widespread voter fraud in six key swing states .
But the media says , “ There ’ s nothing to see here.
” As of this writing , 40 court decisions seem to agree with them .
Thank God for the alternative media which is a lifeline of information , which big tech , big media and the cultural elites are doing their best to suppress .
But you can ’ t suppress the truth forever .
Nothing to See Here A congresswoman from Florida says that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of voter fraud are undermining our nation .
Stephanie Murphy ( D-Florida ) , whose family fled Vietnam in the late 1970s , is a U.S. Representative in the greater Orlando area .
She said , “ My family fled a communist dictatorship , so I ’ ve never taken America ’ s democracy for granted .
The President ’ s claims of election fraud are discredited and dangerous , nothing more than a cynical attempt to subvert the will of the American people.
” She was responding to this tweet ( 12/1/20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was fair and not stolen .
NPR Politics : “ ‘ This was a secure election , ’ Christopher Krebs , the former top federal government election security official , said .
‘ That is a success story .
That is something everyone in the administration should be proud of.
’ ” • Forget those suitcases captured on video brought out in the middle of election night in Atlanta , presumably chock full of Biden ballots .
• Forget all those dead people that voted in Pennsylvania — even people who lived through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ over 400 affidavits documenting vote fraud and polling place irregularities , documenting that there were more votes cast than registered voters in quite a number of jurisdictions , ” to quote Scott Powell , American Thinker ( 12/5/20 ) .
• Forget the Detroit Democrat poll-workers who muscled Republicans out of the room in the middle of the night and then taped up the windows so no one could see what was going on .
Gary Bauer notes ( 12/3/20 ) : “ … in numerous progressive cities , left-wing operatives systematically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The vote counters , who are government employees , often erupted in applause as the conservatives were shown the door.
” Forget all that — nothing to see here .
Time to move on .
To question the mainstream media ’ s coronation of Joe Biden as president is “ dangerous , ” says Rep. Murphy .
Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis have held hearings providing all sorts of evidence of voter fraud that took place primarily in the wee hours of the early morning of November 4 in key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Michigan , Wisconsin and Arizona .
Regardless of one ’ s opinions on Donald Trump , I would think virtually all Americans of good will would oppose election fraud .
Election security is critical .
I showed my wife a compilation of highlights of the Giuliani-Ellis Michigan hearings of alleged voter fraud .
After a while , she almost wept , wondering how this could happen in her adopted country .
She was originally from Norway and gladly became a U.S. citizen many years ago .
Democracy is messy .
But to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth sorting through this mess .
One man noted , “ If we don ’ t root out the fraud … we don ’ t have a country anymore.
” That was Al Gore in 2000 .
But in the case of Al Gore ’ s challenge of Bush ’ s victory — which was predicated on Bush ’ s taking Florida — Bush won every single vote recount in Florida .
Every single one , even those conducted by liberal ( anti-Bush ) newspapers , like The New York Times .
Was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ellis said “ We ’ re a nation of rules , not a nation of rulers.
” Ellis referred Americans to look up Federalist # 68 , which I did .
This “ Federalist Paper ” was written by Alexander Hamilton , and he states : “ … every practicable obstacle should be opposed to cabal , intrigue and corruption.
” He calls these underhanded deeds the “ most deadly adversaries of republican government.
” Was there a cabal at work in the wee hours on the day after the election to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden in the key swing states ?
Twenty congressmen are demanding voter integrity , especially after they saw the footage of the Georgia suitcases .
They wrote an open letter ( 12/4/20 ) to Bill Barr with this lead : “ Dear Attorney General Barr , Two pillars of a successful republic are election integrity and confidence in our democratic processes.
” [ Emphasis theirs ] Gary Bauer notes ( 12/6/20 ) , “ After the election , a shocking 70 % of Republicans don ’ t believe the 2020 election was free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe it is likely the election was stolen from President Trump !
These figures undermine confidence in our electoral process.
” Congresswoman Murphy is wrong .
Until the many allegations — including more than a thousand affidavits where many people ( including Democrats ) report on the cheating they themselves witnessed on behalf of the Biden campaign — have their day in court , it is not “ dangerous ” to explore these accusations .
It is dangerous not to .
Jerry Newcombe , D.Min.
, is the senior producer and an on-air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He has written or co-written 33 books , such as The Unstoppable Jesus Christ , American Amnesia : Is American Paying the Price for Forgetting God ?
, What If Jesus Had Never Been Born ?
( with D. James Kennedy ) and the bestseller , George Washington ’ s Sacred Fire ( with Peter Lillback ) .
Learn more at www.jerrynewcombe.com and follow him on Twitter @ newcombejerry .

I feel disenfranchised with last month’s vote because of such apparent widespread voter fraud in six key swing states. But the media says, “There’s nothing to see here.” As of this writing, 40 court decisions seem to agree with them.
Thank God for the alternative media which is a lifeline of information, which big tech, big media and the cultural elites are doing their best to suppress. But you can’t suppress the truth forever.
Nothing to See Here
A congresswoman from Florida says that Trump’s attempts to expose allegations of voter fraud are undermining our nation.
Stephanie Murphy (D-Florida), whose family fled Vietnam in the late 1970s, is a U.S. Representative in the greater Orlando area. She said, “My family fled a communist dictatorship, so I’ve never taken America’s democracy for granted. The President’s claims of election fraud are discredited and dangerous, nothing more than a cynical attempt to subvert the will of the American people.”
She was responding to this tweet (12/1/20) from NPR that said the election was fair and not stolen. NPR Politics: “‘This was a secure election,’ Christopher Krebs, the former top federal government election security official, said. ‘That is a success story. That is something everyone in the administration should be proud of.’”
Forget those suitcases captured on video brought out in the middle of election night in Atlanta, presumably chock full of Biden ballots.
Forget all those dead people that voted in Pennsylvania — even people who lived through the Civil War.
Forget the “over 400 affidavits documenting vote fraud and polling place irregularities, documenting that there were more votes cast than registered voters in quite a number of jurisdictions,” to quote Scott Powell, American Thinker (12/5/20).
Forget the Detroit Democrat poll-workers who muscled Republicans out of the room in the middle of the night and then taped up the windows so no one could see what was going on.
Gary Bauer notes (12/3/20): “… in numerous progressive cities, left-wing operatives systematically threw out GOP observers one by one. The vote counters, who are government employees, often erupted in applause as the conservatives were shown the door.”
Forget all that — nothing to see here. Time to move on. To question the mainstream media’s coronation of Joe Biden as president is “dangerous,” says Rep. Murphy.
All Sorts of Evidence
Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis have held hearings providing all sorts of evidence of voter fraud that took place primarily in the wee hours of the early morning of November 4 in key swing states such as Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin and Arizona.
Regardless of one’s opinions on Donald Trump, I would think virtually all Americans of good will would oppose election fraud. Election security is critical.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
I showed my wife a compilation of highlights of the Giuliani-Ellis Michigan hearings of alleged voter fraud. After a while, she almost wept, wondering how this could happen in her adopted country. She was originally from Norway and gladly became a U.S. citizen many years ago.
Democracy is messy. But to ensure voter integrity, it’s worth sorting through this mess.
One man noted, “If we don’t root out the fraud … we don’t have a country anymore.” That was Al Gore in 2000. But in the case of Al Gore’s challenge of Bush’s victory — which was predicated on Bush’s taking Florida — Bush won every single vote recount in Florida. Every single one, even those conducted by liberal (anti-Bush) newspapers, like The New York Times.
Was There a Cabal at Work?
Jenna Ellis said “We’re a nation of rules, not a nation of rulers.” Ellis referred Americans to look up Federalist #68, which I did. This “Federalist Paper” was written by Alexander Hamilton, and he states: “… every practicable obstacle should be opposed to cabal, intrigue and corruption.” He calls these underhanded deeds the “most deadly adversaries of republican government.”
Was there a cabal at work in the wee hours on the day after the election to bring in bundles of thousands of votes for Biden in the key swing states?
Twenty congressmen are demanding voter integrity, especially after they saw the footage of the Georgia suitcases. They wrote an open letter (12/4/20) to Bill Barr with this lead: “Dear Attorney General Barr, Two pillars of a successful republic are election integrity and confidence in our democratic processes.” [Emphasis theirs]
Gary Bauer notes (12/6/20), “After the election, a shocking 70% of Republicans don’t believe the 2020 election was free and fair … 30% of Democrats believe it is likely the election was stolen from President Trump! These figures undermine confidence in our electoral process.”
Congresswoman Murphy is wrong. Until the many allegations — including more than a thousand affidavits where many people (including Democrats) report on the cheating they themselves witnessed on behalf of the Biden campaign — have their day in court, it is not “dangerous” to explore these accusations. It is dangerous not to.
Jerry Newcombe, D.Min., is the senior producer and an on-air host for D. James Kennedy Ministries. He has written or co-written 33 books, such as The Unstoppable Jesus Christ, American Amnesia: Is American Paying the Price for Forgetting God?, What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? (with D. James Kennedy) and the bestseller, George Washington’s Sacred Fire (with Peter Lillback). Learn more at www.jerrynewcombe.com and follow him on Twitter @newcombejerry.


thestream--2020-12-10--Lessons From the Least of These: The Woodson Principles Explains Poverty in America and What You Can

Lessons From the Least of These: The Woodson Principles Explains Poverty in America and What You Can Do to Help

The biggest problem that poor communities face isn ’ t racism , says civil rights activist Bob Woodson .
It ’ s elitism .
Founder of the Woodson Center , a nonprofit serving those in the underserved communities , he recently spoke with The Stream about his new book .
In Lessons From the Least of These : The Woodson Principles , he explains the cycle of poverty in the U.S. and what people can do about it .
It will be released December 15 .
The problem , he says , is “ this notion that solutions to problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who then parachute their remedies into low-income communities .
And that has been the fatal mistake of anti-poverty programs over decades.
” Effective answers come from within the community .
While many nonprofits and others seek to help poor communities , they don ’ t understand the best way to assist those living in them .
Woodson explained that those looking to help need to find people living in the communities who are already trying to help those around them .
He calls them “ healing agents.
” Robert L. Woodson ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he ’ s learned over the years into 10 principles .
They begin with “ competence.
” Look for a solution first from people suffering the problem , not from people who aren ’ t experiencing poverty .
Other principles describe the kind of leaders to be encouraged .
Look for people who ’ ve overcome hardships and are transparent in the way they relate to others .
The remaining principles explain how to work effectively .
Stress “ innovation , ” for example , by empowering the leaders and leveraging the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inspire people with attainable victories and give them the tools to succeed .
Respect their agency , and never do more for someone than they are willing to do for themselves .
Always strive to be “ on tap and not on top.
” The last principle is “ grace.
” Love and respect others , even when it ’ s inconvenient .
“ If you go into the communities , identify these healing agents who I call social entrepreneurs .
Provide them with the means , the training and the access to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influence.
” Nonprofits and other givers should not be quick to offer solutions .
“ What what we ought to do is once we find a trusted healing agent in those communities , rather than come in as professionals and impose on them expectations , find some of them , [ ask ] what are their remedies .
And then we need to give in a way that we ’ re on tap but not on top.
” For most , it means providing financial help , access to people and resources as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to do this .
“ If you say that 70 % of the families are raising children that are disruptive , it means 30 % are not .
And why not knock on the doors of the 30 % to find out how people are managing to achieve and thrive in the midst of these very challenging circumstances ?
” Studying that 30 % is important .
Woodson encourages people to study successes , not failures .
“ You can learn nothing from studying failure except how to create failure , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Begin your inquiry by recognizing the capacity people possess , ” he continues .
“ People are inspired to improve when they are presented with victories that are possible , not injuries to be avoided .
Provide them with the tools for self-determination and help them strive to succeed above all reasonable expectations .
Then , look for ways to celebrate even modest improvements.
” Woodson hopes his book inspires people to realize the importance of humility and the insignificance of race .
“ My goal as a civil rights veteran is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I want people to walk away understanding that our problem in America is not tribalism or race , but it is [ elitism ] from people across racial [ lines ] .
” The takeaway , he says , is that “ answers do exist and … we have to come together across race and class lines to address the presence of evil in this society .
The enemy of good is evil .
And so , we must not permit those who are trying to divide us by race to prevail.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not about policy .
It was written to challenge people to change their thinking about poverty in America .
“ There are three things that I hope to accomplish by the book .
To inform , to inspire , and more importantly , to challenge people.
” But he also wants it to be a hopeful book .
“ I hope it will inspire people .
I hope folks can come together and recognize that the forces trying to divide us by race represent a minority and not a majority.
” Nancy Flory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You can follow her @ NancyFlory3 , and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

The biggest problem that poor communities face isn’t racism, says civil rights activist Bob Woodson. It’s elitism. Founder of the Woodson Center, a nonprofit serving those in the underserved communities, he recently spoke with The Stream about his new book.
In Lessons From the Least of These: The Woodson Principles, he explains the cycle of poverty in the U.S. and what people can do about it. It will be released December 15.
The problem, he says, is “this notion that solutions to problems can only be solved by well-credentialed professionals who then parachute their remedies into low-income communities. And that has been the fatal mistake of anti-poverty programs over decades.” Effective answers come from within the community.
Finding Healing Agents
While many nonprofits and others seek to help poor communities, they don’t understand the best way to assist those living in them. Woodson explained that those looking to help need to find people living in the communities who are already trying to help those around them. He calls them “healing agents.”
The Woodson Principles Robert L. Woodson’s Lessons From the Least of These puts what he’s learned over the years into 10 principles. They begin with “competence.” Look for a solution first from people suffering the problem, not from people who aren’t experiencing poverty. Other principles describe the kind of leaders to be encouraged. Look for people who’ve overcome hardships and are transparent in the way they relate to others. The remaining principles explain how to work effectively. Stress “innovation,” for example, by empowering the leaders and leveraging the skills already available in the neighborhood. Inspire people with attainable victories and give them the tools to succeed. Respect their agency, and never do more for someone than they are willing to do for themselves. Always strive to be “on tap and not on top.” The last principle is “grace.” Love and respect others, even when it’s inconvenient.
“If you go into the communities, identify these healing agents who I call social entrepreneurs. Provide them with the means, the training and the access to capital that allows them to expand their influence.” Nonprofits and other givers should not be quick to offer solutions.
“What what we ought to do is once we find a trusted healing agent in those communities, rather than come in as professionals and impose on them expectations, find some of them, [ask] what are their remedies. And then we need to give in a way that we’re on tap but not on top.” For most, it means providing financial help, access to people and resources as well as in-kind contributions.
Woodson explained how to do this. “If you say that 70% of the families are raising children that are disruptive, it means 30% are not. And why not knock on the doors of the 30% to find out how people are managing to achieve and thrive in the midst of these very challenging circumstances?”
Studying that 30% is important. Woodson encourages people to study successes, not failures. “You can learn nothing from studying failure except how to create failure,” he writes in the book.
“Begin your inquiry by recognizing the capacity people possess,” he continues. “People are inspired to improve when they are presented with victories that are possible, not injuries to be avoided. Provide them with the tools for self-determination and help them strive to succeed above all reasonable expectations. Then, look for ways to celebrate even modest improvements.”
The Takeaway
Woodson hopes his book inspires people to realize the importance of humility and the insignificance of race. “My goal as a civil rights veteran is to deracialize race … and desegregate poverty. I want people to walk away understanding that our problem in America is not tribalism or race, but it is [elitism] from people across racial [lines].”
The takeaway, he says, is that “answers do exist and … we have to come together across race and class lines to address the presence of evil in this society. The enemy of good is evil. And so, we must not permit those who are trying to divide us by race to prevail.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Woodson points out that his book is not about policy. It was written to challenge people to change their thinking about poverty in America. “There are three things that I hope to accomplish by the book. To inform, to inspire, and more importantly, to challenge people.” But he also wants it to be a hopeful book. “I hope it will inspire people. I hope folks can come together and recognize that the forces trying to divide us by race represent a minority and not a majority.”
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-12-10--Military Photo of the Day: The End of Patrol

U.S. Army soldiers pause at the end of a patrol near Wynot , Iraq .
We are so grateful for @ @ @ @ @ serving our country overseas .
Thank you !

U.S. Army soldiers pause at the end of a patrol near Wynot, Iraq.
We are so grateful for each and every American warrior serving our country overseas. Thank you!
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-12-10--The Torah Versus the Left

The Torah Versus the Left

Question : What book is the opposite of the left ?
The Torah is the Hebrew name of the first five books of the Bible , the “ Five Books of Moses.
” The Torah is the foundation of the rest of the Bible and the rock on which both Judaism and Christianity stand .
No Torah , no Judaism .
No Torah , no Christianity .
No Torah , no God , no divine creation , no Exodus , no Ten Commandments , no “ love your neighbor as yourself , ” no Judeo-Christian values , no Western civilization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about to finish the third volume of my five-volume commentary on the Torah ( The Rational Bible ) , I can say with some authority that the Torah is the antithesis of left-wing ideas and values .
It is not the antithesis of liberal ideas and values ; it is the antithesis of left-wing values and ideas .
A serious and committed Jew or Christian can be a liberal or a conservative ; he or she can not be a leftist .
Left-wing Jews and Christians use Judaism and Christianity as covers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Here are examples of basic laws and values in the Torah that are the opposite of what the left advocates .
No .
1 : “ Do not show favoritism to a poor person in passing judgment ” ( Exodus 23:3 ) .
“ Do not pervert justice .
Do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great , but judge your neighbor fairly ” ( Leviticus 19:15 ) .
The left advocates judging the poor differently .
A poor man who commits almost any crime , including a violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the same legal or moral standard as other people .
As reported last week in the City Journal : Since Karl Marx , the left has not divided the world between right and wrong , as the Torah , Judaism and Christianity do , but between rich and poor .
No .
2 : “ Honor your father and mother ” ( the fifth of the Ten Commandments — Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16 ) .
Parental authority ( as much as divine authority ) is probably the greatest single obstacle to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Therefore , the left , like all totalitarian movements and like all cults , has always sought to undermine parental authority .
That is precisely what has been taking place in America over the past few generations .
In every case , the diminution of parents ’ authority over their children is portrayed as reasonable and even morally necessary , but the end is clear : Allow left-wing laws and institutions to direct your children .
Your 9-year-old daughter says she is a boy ?
Your 9-year-old son says he is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a right to tell him or her otherwise .
Your minor-age daughter says she is a boy and wants to start hormone therapy and even have her breasts surgically removed ?
You are in no position to stop her .
Parents who allow their young children to take walks by themselves are increasingly reported to child protective services .
The authorities — not you , the parents — will determine at what age your children can take walks unaccompanied by an adult .
Even school breakfasts undermine parents ’ authority .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for their children is feed them .
But increasingly , progressive cities provide not only lunch but also breakfast for your child .
The message is clear : We , not your parent ( s ) , will take care of your needs .
No .
3 : “ Male and female He created them ” ( Genesis 5:2 ) .
The distinction among human beings between male and female is built into creation .
It is the only human distinction other than good and evil that matters .
In the Torah , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distinction among human beings ; God couldn ’ t care less about race .
But the male-female distinction is a fundamental part of the divine order .
Created in the Image of God The creation of one human being , Adam , whose race is unknown , made it impossible to argue that race matters .
This is another major conflict between the left and the Torah , given how important race is to the left .
Adam , and therefore every human being , is created in the image of God — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no color .
Distinctions lie at the very heart of creation .
The left ’ s war on the Judeo-Christian religions is rooted in its war against distinctions .
Male-Female : The left seeks to destroy this fundamental human distinction .
The issue is not trans rights .
If a person of majority age seeks to change his or her sex , the Torah is silent on that issue .
The issue is the blurring of the male-female distinction — forcing people to lie about reality and say , “ Men give birth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or having men who identify as men , look like men and have a man ’ s name publicly wear women ’ s clothing , as Harry Styles did on the cover of Vogue .
Man-God : Karl Marx wrote , “ Man is God.
” The left has always sought to displace God with man .
The desire to be a god — meaning the one who , rather than God , determines good and evil — has tempted human beings since Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden .
Good-Evil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evil are subjective .
In the Torah , they have an objective reality .
Moreover , the left ’ s moral compass does not divide human beings and their actions between good and evil but between rich and poor , white and nonwhite , strong and weak .
God-Nature : The opening verse of the Torah ushered in one of the most radical innovations in history : God created nature ; God is not part of nature .
On the left , however , nature is God .
Human-Animal : On the left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the Torah , only man is created in God ’ s image .
The left knows the Bible and the Judeo-Christian values that emanate from it are its enemy .
The rest of us should , too .
Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist .
His latest book , published by Regnery in May 2019 , is The Rational Bible , a commentary on the book of Genesis .
His film , “ No Safe Spaces , ” was released to home entertainment nationwide on September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founder of Prager University and may be contacted at dennisprager.com .

Question: What book is the opposite of the left?
Answer: the Torah.
The Torah is the Hebrew name of the first five books of the Bible, the “Five Books of Moses.” The Torah is the foundation of the rest of the Bible and the rock on which both Judaism and Christianity stand. No Torah, no Judaism. No Torah, no Christianity. No Torah, no God, no divine creation, no Exodus, no Ten Commandments, no “love your neighbor as yourself,” no Judeo-Christian values, no Western civilization and no America.
As I am about to finish the third volume of my five-volume commentary on the Torah (The Rational Bible), I can say with some authority that the Torah is the antithesis of left-wing ideas and values. It is not the antithesis of liberal ideas and values; it is the antithesis of left-wing values and ideas. A serious and committed Jew or Christian can be a liberal or a conservative; he or she cannot be a leftist. Left-wing Jews and Christians use Judaism and Christianity as covers for their real values — left-wing values.
Here are examples of basic laws and values in the Torah that are the opposite of what the left advocates.
Do Not Show Favoritism
No. 1: “Do not show favoritism to a poor person in passing judgment” (Exodus 23:3). “Do not pervert justice. Do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly” (Leviticus 19:15).
The left advocates judging the poor differently. A poor man who commits almost any crime, including a violent crime, is not to be held to the same legal or moral standard as other people. As reported last week in the City Journal:
In October, the Seattle City Council floated legislation to provide an exemption from prosecution for misdemeanor crimes for any citizen who suffers from poverty, homelessness, addiction, or mental illness. Under the proposed ordinance, courts would have to dismiss all so-called ‘crimes of poverty’ — which, according to the city’s former public-safety advisor, would cover more than 90 percent of all misdemeanor cases citywide.
Since Karl Marx, the left has not divided the world between right and wrong, as the Torah, Judaism and Christianity do, but between rich and poor.
Parental Authority
No. 2: “Honor your father and mother” (the fifth of the Ten Commandments — Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16).
Parental authority (as much as divine authority) is probably the greatest single obstacle to the left attaining control over a society. Therefore, the left, like all totalitarian movements and like all cults, has always sought to undermine parental authority. That is precisely what has been taking place in America over the past few generations. In every case, the diminution of parents’ authority over their children is portrayed as reasonable and even morally necessary, but the end is clear: Allow left-wing laws and institutions to direct your children.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Your 9-year-old daughter says she is a boy? Your 9-year-old son says he is a girl? Neither you nor any therapist has a right to tell him or her otherwise. Your minor-age daughter says she is a boy and wants to start hormone therapy and even have her breasts surgically removed? You are in no position to stop her.
Parents who allow their young children to take walks by themselves are increasingly reported to child protective services. The authorities — not you, the parents — will determine at what age your children can take walks unaccompanied by an adult.
Even school breakfasts undermine parents’ authority. One of the most fundamental things parents do for their children is feed them. But increasingly, progressive cities provide not only lunch but also breakfast for your child. The message is clear: We, not your parent(s), will take care of your needs.
Male and Female
No. 3: “Male and female He created them” (Genesis 5:2).
The distinction among human beings between male and female is built into creation. It is the only human distinction other than good and evil that matters. In the Torah, there is no built-in ethnic or racial distinction among human beings; God couldn’t care less about race. But the male-female distinction is a fundamental part of the divine order.
Created in the Image of God
No. 4: Race means nothing.
The creation of one human being, Adam, whose race is unknown, made it impossible to argue that race matters. This is another major conflict between the left and the Torah, given how important race is to the left. Adam, and therefore every human being, is created in the image of God — and, of course, God has no color.
Blurring Distinctions
No. 5: Distinctions.
Distinctions lie at the very heart of creation. The left’s war on the Judeo-Christian religions is rooted in its war against distinctions.
Male-Female: The left seeks to destroy this fundamental human distinction. The issue is not trans rights. If a person of majority age seeks to change his or her sex, the Torah is silent on that issue. The issue is the blurring of the male-female distinction — forcing people to lie about reality and say, “Men give birth” and, “Men menstruate” or having men who identify as men, look like men and have a man’s name publicly wear women’s clothing, as Harry Styles did on the cover of Vogue.
Man-God: Karl Marx wrote, “Man is God.” The left has always sought to displace God with man. The desire to be a god — meaning the one who, rather than God, determines good and evil — has tempted human beings since Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Good-Evil: On the left, good and evil are subjective. In the Torah, they have an objective reality. Moreover, the left’s moral compass does not divide human beings and their actions between good and evil but between rich and poor, white and nonwhite, strong and weak.
God-Nature: The opening verse of the Torah ushered in one of the most radical innovations in history: God created nature; God is not part of nature. On the left, however, nature is God.
Human-Animal: On the left, human beings are just another animal. In the Torah, only man is created in God’s image.
The left knows the Bible and the Judeo-Christian values that emanate from it are its enemy. The rest of us should, too.
Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist. His latest book, published by Regnery in May 2019, is The Rational Bible, a commentary on the book of Genesis. His film, “No Safe Spaces,” was released to home entertainment nationwide on September 15, 2020. He is the founder of Prager University and may be contacted at dennisprager.com.
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thestream--2020-12-10--Claiming to be a Pro-Choice Pastor is Like Claiming to be a Moloch-Worshiping Christian

It is one thing to be a radical , feminist atheist marching down the streets of DC and proclaiming your “ right ” to abortion .
It is another thing to be a “ pro-choice pastor , ” as Senate candidate Raphael Warnock claims to be , using the Bible to justify abortion .
This is as morally compromised as it is theologically confused .
Yet Warnock is unashamed of his position , tweeting on December 8 , “ I am a pro-choice pastor.
” Worse still , as of this writing , his tweet has more than 215,000 likes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followers of the Reverend Raphael Warnock Twitter account .
How can a reverend support abortion ?
How can a preacher of the gospel , whose sacred text is the Bible , support the killing of the unborn in the womb ?
And how can he do it without qualification , thereby including the “ right ” to kill the baby through the ninth month of pregnancy ?
What an absolute travesty .
But Warnock is not alone in his misguided zeal .
A pro-life colleague told me about an abortionist in our home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meaning , donated 10-percent of her abortion profits to her church ) .
She believed she was doing God ’ s work .
This colleague also sent me pictures of Dr. George Tiller ( the late-term abortionist who was murdered by a misguided pro-life zealot ) baptizing the corpses of babies he had just aborted .
He did this , I was told , to bring closure for the grieving parents .
Another colleague of mine met with a group of inner-city pastors some years ago , inviting them to join with him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One of the pastors said to him , “ We just took up a collection in my church to help a young lady get an abortion.
” How can this be ?
It ’ s one thing to “ shout your abortion ” as a God-mocker or an atheist or agnostic .
It ’ s another thing to claim to be a follower of Jesus and a lover of the Scriptures and to support abortion .
That ’ s why Rev .
Warnock ’ s pro-choice tweet drew such scorn from pro-life leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is grotesque .
You don ’ t preach Christ or His gospel ; you preach the shedding of the innocent blood of his children .
How dare you use the name ‘ pastor.
’ ” ( Sadly , although Lila Rose has about half of the Twitter followers that Warnock does , her tweet has only received about 2,500 likes . )
What , then , would the alleged “ Christian ” argument for the pro-choice position look like ?
It would argue that the child in the womb is merely a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would argue that in many situations , abortion is the compassionate choice due to the mental or physical health of the mother or the financial condition of the family .
It would point to tragic cases like the incestuous rape of a 12-year-old girl , resulting in an unwanted ( and totally traumatic ) pregnancy , one that could scar this child for life .
What gives anyone the right to force this child to carry the baby of her rapist ?
And who will care for the baby when it is born @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tragic cases of babies born with severe deformities and life-shortening conditions , conditions readily visible on the ultra-sounds .
Surely it is better to terminate this life in the womb rather than bring the baby into the world for months of intense suffering and hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills , only to watch it die an agonizing and tortured death while still an infant .
Yes , there are Christian-sounding arguments that can be made for abortion , except they all break down on this point : The Bible makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the child in the womb and God who gives life to the child in the womb .
And , just as it would be wrong to kill a severely handicapped baby after birth , it is wrong to kill a severely handicapped baby before birth .
That ’ s why the early Christians not only rescued abandoned babies , at the risk of their own lives , but they also militantly opposed abortion .
In another article , I laid out the main scriptural texts from which we get our pro-life position .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a simple request for Reverend Warnock .
Talk to the women who had an abortion years ago and who still regret and agonize over the decisions they made .
Talk to the former Planned Parenthood workers who , with many tears , will describe the evil of their past profession .
Or better still , stand next to the remains of more than 60 million babies — the tiny limbs and eyes and feet and fingers and brains and hearts , with a disproportionate percentage of those remains being black — and say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pastor.
” And do this in the sight of a holy God who loves life , who loves justice , and who cares “ for the least of these.
” May the Lord grant you repentance , Reverend Warnock .
Right now , there is blood on your hands .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or @ @

It is one thing to be a radical, feminist atheist marching down the streets of DC and proclaiming your “right” to abortion. It is another thing to be a “pro-choice pastor,” as Senate candidate Raphael Warnock claims to be, using the Bible to justify abortion. This is as morally compromised as it is theologically confused.
Yet Warnock is unashamed of his position, tweeting on December 8, “I am a pro-choice pastor.” Worse still, as of this writing, his tweet has more than 215,000 likes, representing almost half of the 500,000 followers of the Reverend Raphael Warnock Twitter account.
I am a pro-choice pastor. — Reverend Raphael Warnock (@ReverendWarnock) December 9, 2020
How can a reverend support abortion? How can a preacher of the gospel, whose sacred text is the Bible, support the killing of the unborn in the womb? And how can he do it without qualification, thereby including the “right” to kill the baby through the ninth month of pregnancy? What an absolute travesty.
He’s Not Alone
But Warnock is not alone in his misguided zeal.
A pro-life colleague told me about an abortionist in our home city who tithed on her earnings (meaning, donated 10-percent of her abortion profits to her church). She believed she was doing God’s work.
This colleague also sent me pictures of Dr. George Tiller (the late-term abortionist who was murdered by a misguided pro-life zealot) baptizing the corpses of babies he had just aborted. He did this, I was told, to bring closure for the grieving parents.
Another colleague of mine met with a group of inner-city pastors some years ago, inviting them to join with him for a major pro-life prayer rally. One of the pastors said to him, “We just took up a collection in my church to help a young lady get an abortion.”
How can this be?
It’s one thing to “shout your abortion” as a God-mocker or an atheist or agnostic.
It’s another thing to claim to be a follower of Jesus and a lover of the Scriptures and to support abortion.
That’s why Rev. Warnock’s pro-choice tweet drew such scorn from pro-life leaders.
Pro-Life Leaders Respond
As Lila Rose tweeted, “This is grotesque. You don’t preach Christ or His gospel; you preach the shedding of the innocent blood of his children. How dare you use the name ‘pastor.’” (Sadly, although Lila Rose has about half of the Twitter followers that Warnock does, her tweet has only received about 2,500 likes.)
This is grotesque. You don’t preach Christ or His gospel; you preach the shedding of the innocent blood of his children. How dare you use the name “pastor.” https://t.co/VM5THsI7XO — Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) December 9, 2020
What, then, would the alleged “Christian” argument for the pro-choice position look like?
The “Christian” Argument for Abortion
It would argue that the child in the womb is merely a fetus without fully human status.
It would argue that in many situations, abortion is the compassionate choice due to the mental or physical health of the mother or the financial condition of the family.
It would point to tragic cases like the incestuous rape of a 12-year-old girl, resulting in an unwanted (and totally traumatic) pregnancy, one that could scar this child for life. What gives anyone the right to force this child to carry the baby of her rapist? And who will care for the baby when it is born?
And it would point to other tragic cases of babies born with severe deformities and life-shortening conditions, conditions readily visible on the ultra-sounds. Surely it is better to terminate this life in the womb rather than bring the baby into the world for months of intense suffering and hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills, only to watch it die an agonizing and tortured death while still an infant.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Yes, there are Christian-sounding arguments that can be made for abortion, except they all break down on this point: The Bible makes clear that it is God who forms the child in the womb and God who gives life to the child in the womb. And, just as it would be wrong to kill a severely handicapped baby after birth, it is wrong to kill a severely handicapped baby before birth.
That’s why the early Christians not only rescued abandoned babies, at the risk of their own lives, but they also militantly opposed abortion.
In another article, I laid out the main scriptural texts from which we get our pro-life position.
But for the moment, I have a simple request for Reverend Warnock.
Blood on Your Hands
Talk to the women who had an abortion years ago and who still regret and agonize over the decisions they made.
Talk to the former Planned Parenthood workers who, with many tears, will describe the evil of their past profession.
Or better still, stand next to the remains of more than 60 million babies — the tiny limbs and eyes and feet and fingers and brains and hearts, with a disproportionate percentage of those remains being black — and say, “I’m a pro-choice pastor.” And do this in the sight of a holy God who loves life, who loves justice, and who cares “for the least of these.”
May the Lord grant you repentance, Reverend Warnock. Right now, there is blood on your hands.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.