thestream--2020-06-01--Historic St. John’s Church Set Ablaze in DC as Another Night of Riots Engulfs Country

Another night of violent chaos engulfed the country as historic St. John ’ s Episcopal Church was set ablaze Sunday night , one of several fires set near the White House .
Demonstrations across the country turned violent yet again as activists set cars ablaze in Washington , D.C. and looted businesses across the country in protest of the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after a Minneapolis , Minnesota police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes , according to video of the incident .
The St. John ’ s fire was extinguished without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found a better fate than many other buildings targeted in the nationwide riots .
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Protesters in Minneapolis dragged a truck driver out of his vehicle after he drove into a throng of people clogging a highway .
The driver did not appear to hit any of the protesters with his truck before he was pulled from the vehicle .
He sustained injuries , media reports show .
Some protesters were prepared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and caused violence .
Video out of DC showed protesters apprehending a man who is seen smashing up pavement .
The protesters then handed him over to police , video shows .
BuzzFeed reporter Brianna Sacks reported Sunday afternoon that one woman in Santa Monica , California pleaded with looters not to smash and grab private property , telling them : “ We don ’ t want Trump re-elected , please don ’ t do this.
” Sacks reported that most of the businesses on 4th street in Santa Monica were looted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ white woman dressed in black for marking a Starbucks Coffee with the Black Lives Mask symbol .
“ They ’ re going to blame black people for this , and black people didn ’ t do it , ” she said to the white woman .
This is a developing story that will continue to be updated .
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 @ @ @

Another night of violent chaos engulfed the country as historic St. John’s Episcopal Church was set ablaze Sunday night, one of several fires set near the White House.
Demonstrations across the country turned violent yet again as activists set cars ablaze in Washington, D.C. and looted businesses across the country in protest of the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes, according to video of the incident.
WATCH:
St. John’s church in Lafayette Square is burning right now. Every single president since James Madison has sat in that church. It’s a historic landmark and it’s on fire. — Katrina B Haydon (@katrinabhaydon) June 1, 2020
NEW: Fire was in basement of St. Johns, and is out, my @washingtonpost colleague @phscoop reports from DC fire department. Firefighters got there w/ a police escort and quickly put out the blaze. Did NOT appear to cause any significant damage, and it is unclear how it started. — Michelle Boorstein (@mboorstein) June 1, 2020
Box Alarm 1525 H St NW. #DCsBravest had fire in basement of church. Fire extinguishing. Checking for extension. — DC Fire and EMS #StayHomeDC Lite (@dcfireems) June 1, 2020
The St. John’s fire was extinguished without major structural damage. The historic church found a better fate than many other buildings targeted in the nationwide riots.
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Protesters in Minneapolis dragged a truck driver out of his vehicle after he drove into a throng of people clogging a highway. The driver did not appear to hit any of the protesters with his truck before he was pulled from the vehicle. He sustained injuries, media reports show.
WATCH:
I was just sent this on the ground view of the truck that drove into a crowd of protesters on 35W in Minneapolis: pic.twitter.com/I5Pl0NkSix — Kyle Hooten (@KyleHooten2) May 31, 2020
Some protesters were prepared to take on instigators who vandalized property and caused violence. Video out of DC showed protesters apprehending a man who is seen smashing up pavement. The protesters then handed him over to police, video shows.
WATCH:
Peaceful protesters in DC tackle an Antifa rioter and hand him over to the police for trying to turn things violent. He was smashing the pavement so people could have objects to throw at the police. pic.twitter.com/WoNIkH0GM8 — Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) June 1, 2020
Fire started at AFL-CIO building not far from WH. pic.twitter.com/tRpP1sc3UO — Alex Leary (@learyreports) June 1, 2020
BuzzFeed reporter Brianna Sacks reported Sunday afternoon that one woman in Santa Monica, California pleaded with looters not to smash and grab private property, telling them: “We don’t want Trump re-elected, please don’t do this.” Sacks reported that most of the businesses on 4th street in Santa Monica were looted.
And in the most Santa Monica thing ever, a shirtless dude on his run down the street toward the beach as SWAT teams show up and workers board up Nordstrom pic.twitter.com/SsTS1HJVUK — Brianna Sacks (@bri_sacks) May 31, 2020
A black woman lashed out at a white woman dressed in black for marking a Starbucks Coffee with the Black Lives Mask symbol. “They’re going to blame black people for this, and black people didn’t do it,” she said to the white woman.
This is a developing story that will continue to be updated.
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--2020-06-01--Greg Abbott Declares State of Disaster, Gives Green Light to Federal Assistance

Republican Texas governor Greg Abbott declared a State of Disaster Sunday and authorized federal agents to serve as Texas police officers .
“ Every Texan and every American has the right to protest and I encourage all Texans to exercise their First Amendment rights , ” the governor said in a statement .
“ However , violence against others and the destruction of property is unacceptable and counterproductive , ” he added .
“ As protests have turned violent in various areas across the state , it is crucial that we maintain order , uphold public safety , and protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have raged across the United States following the death of George Floyd , a black man who died while in police custody .
Abbott has called the death of Floyd “ horrific ” and the “ consequence of poor police work.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
“ By authorizing additional federal agents to serve as Texas Police Officers we will help protect people ’ s safety while ensuring that peaceful protestors can continue to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The officer who knelt on Floyd ’ s neck , Derek Chauvin , has been arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter .
Abbott ’ s announcement comes after he activated the Texas National Guard in response to riots through the state and sent resources to Houston , Austin , Dallas , and San Antonio , the Texas Tribune reports .
Rioters have protested , looted , and clashed with police in Houston , Austin , Dallas , and San Antonio .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Republican Texas governor Greg Abbott declared a State of Disaster Sunday and authorized federal agents to serve as Texas police officers.
“Every Texan and every American has the right to protest and I encourage all Texans to exercise their First Amendment rights,” the governor said in a statement.
“However, violence against others and the destruction of property is unacceptable and counterproductive,” he added. “As protests have turned violent in various areas across the state, it is crucial that we maintain order, uphold public safety, and protect against property damage or loss.”
Riots have raged across the United States following the death of George Floyd, a black man who died while in police custody. Abbott has called the death of Floyd “horrific” and the “consequence of poor police work.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“By authorizing additional federal agents to serve as Texas Police Officers we will help protect people’s safety while ensuring that peaceful protestors can continue to make their voices heard,” Abbott said.
The officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck, Derek Chauvin, has been arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
Abbott’s announcement comes after he activated the Texas National Guard in response to riots through the state and sent resources to Houston, Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio, the Texas Tribune reports. Rioters have protested, looted, and clashed with police in Houston, Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio.
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--2020-06-01--4 Reasons the Race Riots Do Far More Harm Than Good

As city after city in America is under assault , with buildings on fire and bloodied bodies laying in the streets , we need to unite in our condemnation of these violent riots .
There is nothing righteous about looting .
Or bashing someone over the head with a skateboard and pelting him with stones .
Or vandalizing the store of a black business owner .
This is chaos .
This is anarchy .
This is lawlessness .
This is wrong .
We can be outraged over the killing of George Floyd and aggrieved over the sin of racism without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons why these race riots do far more harm than good .
All Were United in Horror at the Death of George Floyd First , they came at a time when more and more Americans were willing to talk about apparent racial injustice .
As tweeted by the influential black rapper and podcaster , Zuby , As I emphasized in my last article , “ Hope for Black Americans , ” this was a rare time when law and order conservatives like Sean Hannity , Laura Ingraham , and Dan Bongino united with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the killing of a black American by a police officer .
Yet the focus has now shifted to the violence and lawlessness of the riots .
How on earth is this positive or helpful ?
Second , the riots paint a negative picture of black Americans , as if this is what “ they ” do .
As expressed in a May 31 email , conservative Christian activist Scott Lively “ contends that the purpose of Black Lives Matter rioting is to INCREASE Racism to justify the Marxist race-war narrative , and laments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the trap of lumping the innocent majority of Black Americans with the trained thugs of the BLM and the useful idiots who run with them.
” Obviously , Lively ’ s words are confrontational and even inflammatory , and one can debate his larger thesis .
But his overall point is clear : the race riots , allegedly carried out in the memory of George Floyd , play into the worst racial stereotypes of black Americans .
I ask again : How on earth is this helpful ?
Third , these riots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appealing to our worst instincts .
As I tweeted on May 31 , “ Peaceful protests can be righteous , godly , and powerful , even reflecting the Spirit of Christ .
Rioting and looting are unrighteous , ungodly , and destructive , reflecting the spirit of lawlessness and chaos and murder .
Which spirit is that ?
” One of my black friends , a historian with a strong social conscience , said to me , “ Anything that comes to kill steal and destroy is the enemy ” ( meaning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Precisely so .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
In response to my tweet , someone challenged me , saying , “ Forgive me if I ’ m wrong but didn ’ t Jesus clear out the temple with a whip ?
” I replied , “ 1 ) He acted in perfect harmony with the Lord .
We often do not .
2 ) He did not kill anyone .
He did not set the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroy the businesses of honest , hardworking people .
I could go on and on .
Surely you must know this.
” The Riots Are Orchestrated by Outside Bad Players Fourth , there appears to be strong evidence that these riots are being aided and abetted by bad players .
Pastor Jim Garlow reported via email on May 31 , This was confirmed by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison , himself a liberal Democrat and an African American Muslim : “ We have evidence that outsiders have been present and , in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role .
But I ’ ve been talking with protesters and trying to get a sense of who some of these folks are and I ’ ve heard mixed things .
Some of the negative stuff has come from people in Minnesota and some of it has come from people on the outside .
What I ’ d say is we ’ ve got enough to handle on our own and that what we really need to do is refocus on justice for Mr. Floyd .
And the negative behavior , looting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that goal.
” Conservative broadcaster ( and former NYPD officer ) Dan Bongino was even more blunt : “ This isn ’ t a protest anymore , this is a coup , ” he said .
He added , “ This is an organized internal coup by a small group of agitators acting as a domestic terror group .
That ’ s a fact.
” No wonder that President Trump has now declared ANTIFA a terrorist organization .
Groups like this rip at the very fabric of our nation , and their goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vast majority of Americans .
Let us then , work together for equality and justice .
One day we can do that is by denouncing these violent riots .
Then , we can refocus on the killing of George Floyd and the larger questions of equal treatment under the law .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is When the World Stops : Words of Faith , Hope , and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter or YouTube .

As city after city in America is under assault, with buildings on fire and bloodied bodies laying in the streets, we need to unite in our condemnation of these violent riots.
There is nothing righteous about looting. Or bashing someone over the head with a skateboard and pelting him with stones. Or vandalizing the store of a black business owner.
This is chaos. This is anarchy. This is lawlessness. This is wrong.
We can be outraged over the killing of George Floyd and aggrieved over the sin of racism without resorting to this.
Here are four reasons why these race riots do far more harm than good.
All Were United in Horror at the Death of George Floyd
First, they came at a time when more and more Americans were willing to talk about apparent racial injustice. As tweeted by the influential black rapper and podcaster, Zuby,
The USA temporarily had a moment where virtually ALL Americans were united in empathy and sympathy, over the pointless, awful killing of a fellow citizen. People of ALL colours and ALL political stripes, unanimous on an issue of clear injustice. That’s extremely rare…
He continued,
Now this unity and sympathy has been divided, diluted and misdirected as people fight on the streets, steal from their neighbours, and torch their own communities. It’s fricking sad to see. I’ll say it again. Some people thrive on division and anger. They don’t want solutions.
(A hat tip to my colleague John Zmirak for these references. He responded to Zuby’s tweets with his own: “The looters in Minneapolis no more represent black Americans than the neo-Nazi thugs in Charlottesville represented me.”)
As I emphasized in my last article, “Hope for Black Americans,” this was a rare time when law and order conservatives like Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, and Dan Bongino united with Christian conservatives like Franklin Graham in condemning the killing of a black American by a police officer. Yet the focus has now shifted to the violence and lawlessness of the riots. How on earth is this positive or helpful?
Painting a Negative Picture
Second, the riots paint a negative picture of black Americans, as if this is what “they” do. As expressed in a May 31 email, conservative Christian activist Scott Lively “contends that the purpose of Black Lives Matter rioting is to INCREASE Racism to justify the Marxist race-war narrative, and laments that too many conservatives and constitutionalists fall into the trap of lumping the innocent majority of Black Americans with the trained thugs of the BLM and the useful idiots who run with them.”
Obviously, Lively’s words are confrontational and even inflammatory, and one can debate his larger thesis. But his overall point is clear: the race riots, allegedly carried out in the memory of George Floyd, play into the worst racial stereotypes of black Americans. I ask again: How on earth is this helpful?
Appealing to Our Worst Instincts
Third, these riots are destructive in their very nature, appealing to our worst instincts. As I tweeted on May 31, “Peaceful protests can be righteous, godly, and powerful, even reflecting the Spirit of Christ. Rioting and looting are unrighteous, ungodly, and destructive, reflecting the spirit of lawlessness and chaos and murder. Which spirit is that?”
One of my black friends, a historian with a strong social conscience, said to me, “Anything that comes to kill steal and destroy is the enemy” (meaning, from Satan; see John 10:10). Precisely so.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
In response to my tweet, someone challenged me, saying, “Forgive me if I’m wrong but didn’t Jesus clear out the temple with a whip?”
I replied, “1) He acted in perfect harmony with the Lord. We often do not. 2) He did not kill anyone. He did not set the Temple on fire. He did not destroy the businesses of honest, hardworking people. I could go on and on. Surely you must know this.”
Enough said.
The Riots Are Orchestrated by Outside Bad Players
Fourth, there appears to be strong evidence that these riots are being aided and abetted by bad players.
Pastor Jim Garlow reported via email on May 31,
A couple of hours ago, some bussed-in protesters were attacking the La Mesa, CA police station only a few miles from where I live. A close friend of mine who is black has reported that the Minneapolis Airport was full of people today being flown in to create havoc. Many were being bussed in. And now we are hearing reports of pallets of bricks being dropped off at street corners in cities to give weapons to the anarchists. The George Soros types have found their moment. We pray for our President, governors and mayors.
This was confirmed by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, himself a liberal Democrat and an African American Muslim: “We have evidence that outsiders have been present and, in some cases, have played a very negative role. But I’ve been talking with protesters and trying to get a sense of who some of these folks are and I’ve heard mixed things. Some of the negative stuff has come from people in Minnesota and some of it has come from people on the outside. What I’d say is we’ve got enough to handle on our own and that what we really need to do is refocus on justice for Mr. Floyd. And the negative behavior, looting, arson, does not help us achieve that goal.”
Conservative broadcaster (and former NYPD officer) Dan Bongino was even more blunt: “This isn’t a protest anymore, this is a coup,” he said.
He added, “This is an organized internal coup by a small group of agitators acting as a domestic terror group. That’s a fact.”
No wonder that President Trump has now declared ANTIFA a terrorist organization.
Groups like this rip at the very fabric of our nation, and their goals are vastly different than the goals of the vast majority of Americans.
Let’s Work Together
Let us then, work together for equality and justice. One day we can do that is by denouncing these violent riots. Then, we can refocus on the killing of George Floyd and the larger questions of equal treatment under the law.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is When the World Stops: Words of Faith, Hope, and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-06-02--The Real Lesson of Love

The Real Lesson of Love

The lights went out early on May 29 , just before a private Mass I was blessed to be able to participate in .
The natural response now , when things seem to be getting worse , is “ Well , of course ” or “ Why not ?
” I ’ ve seen that in reaction to a possible tornado in New York , a news story about locusts ( yes , locusts ) , and another about apes escaping a facility with COVID-19 samples ( ! )
.
May 29 happens to be the day that the Catholic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VI .
He ’ s the one who released the encyclical “ Humanae Vitae , ” which shed light on some warring factions in the Church in a whole new way .
The sticking point was and is contraception , the idea of which was really only just beginning to change the world as we knew it in 1968 .
The timing all seemed to make some sense in those dark early morning minutes ( the local blackout didn ’ t extend for more than 10 or 15 minutes , but as I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it might have seemed longer ) .
All We Really Need to Know Throughout the previous night , parts of Minneapolis were in flames because of the seemingly blatant murder of George Floyd by that city ’ s police .
Most of us have seen the video that shows a cold , calculating cruelty , a total indifference to the humanity of Floyd , completely helpless under the weight of the officer pressing his knee against Floyd ’ s neck .
“ He ’ s human !
” one bystander yelled .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
This is at the heart of the nursing home scandals , too , during these coronavirus times — do we consider the elderly less than human because they may not have all the faculties they once did ?
Do we realize that someday we will be the elderly , dependent on younger generations ?
It all comes back to what we think about life .
Is it a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing I worry about these last few weeks and months now : Have we been staying home out of respect for others more vulnerable than we are , or have we been hiding in an act of somewhat universal self-preservation ?
One of the healthy lessons from this time is a deeper appreciation of the fact that we are all going to die !
If it ’ s not coronavirus , it will be something somewhere , and we do not know the day or the time .
Seeing God in Each Other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Right on the eve of Paul VI ’ s feast day , as people were looting parts of the Twin Cities , there was an image making the rounds on social media .
It appeared to be Jesus , falling under the weight of His cross .
But beside Him were the words , “ I can ’ t breathe ” — the words Floyd said as an officer ’ s leg on his neck must have made breathing impossible .
I saw a flare-up on Facebook , one man calling the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a god , not a man , after all .
But that is precisely the point the artist , I suspect , was trying to make , and that Paul VI was , too .
We must see God in one another !
You don ’ t treat a man like a wild beast when you see the dignity that God has given us all through his son , Jesus Christ .
And , yes , racism is certainly anathema to such radical life and love .
The Measure of Our Lives When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we are uncertain ; we reflect on what is most important to us .
We ’ ve all experienced the pandemic in different ways , but shouldn ’ t it serve as inspiration to love each other more ?
Many things matter to the functioning of society , but love is really the measure of our lives and what makes the difference in the lives of others .
Love makes it impossible to needlessly and callously kill each other .
Love keeps us from spreading hate on Twitter or Facebook or in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us from destroying a man ’ s livelihood , as we ’ ve seen in the burning and looting in Minneapolis .
Love changes things , and we all have a limited time to do our part .
What are we waiting for ?
Why are we wasting time on anything less ?
Kathryn Jean Lopez is senior fellow at the National Review Institute , editor-at-large of National Review magazine and author of the new book A Year With the Mystics : Visionary Wisdom for Daily Living .
She is also chair of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York .
She can be contacted at klopez @ nationalreview.com .

The lights went out early on May 29, just before a private Mass I was blessed to be able to participate in. The natural response now, when things seem to be getting worse, is “Well, of course” or “Why not?” I’ve seen that in reaction to a possible tornado in New York, a news story about locusts (yes, locusts), and another about apes escaping a facility with COVID-19 samples (!).
May 29 happens to be the day that the Catholic Church remembers the life of Pope Paul VI. He’s the one who released the encyclical “Humanae Vitae,” which shed light on some warring factions in the Church in a whole new way. The sticking point was and is contraception, the idea of which was really only just beginning to change the world as we knew it in 1968.
The timing all seemed to make some sense in those dark early morning minutes (the local blackout didn’t extend for more than 10 or 15 minutes, but as I hadn’t had any coffee yet, it might have seemed longer).
All We Really Need to Know
Throughout the previous night, parts of Minneapolis were in flames because of the seemingly blatant murder of George Floyd by that city’s police. Most of us have seen the video that shows a cold, calculating cruelty, a total indifference to the humanity of Floyd, completely helpless under the weight of the officer pressing his knee against Floyd’s neck. “He’s human!” one bystander yelled. That’s all we really have to know.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
This is at the heart of the nursing home scandals, too, during these coronavirus times — do we consider the elderly less than human because they may not have all the faculties they once did? Do we realize that someday we will be the elderly, dependent on younger generations? It all comes back to what we think about life. Is it a gift? Is it precious?
One thing I worry about these last few weeks and months now: Have we been staying home out of respect for others more vulnerable than we are, or have we been hiding in an act of somewhat universal self-preservation? One of the healthy lessons from this time is a deeper appreciation of the fact that we are all going to die! If it’s not coronavirus, it will be something somewhere, and we do not know the day or the time.
Seeing God in Each Other
Which brings us back to Mr. Floyd. Right on the eve of Paul VI’s feast day, as people were looting parts of the Twin Cities, there was an image making the rounds on social media. It appeared to be Jesus, falling under the weight of His cross. But beside Him were the words, “I can’t breathe” — the words Floyd said as an officer’s leg on his neck must have made breathing impossible.
I saw a flare-up on Facebook, one man calling the comparison a stretch saying that Jesus was a god, not a man, after all. But that is precisely the point the artist, I suspect, was trying to make, and that Paul VI was, too. We must see God in one another! You don’t treat a man like a wild beast when you see the dignity that God has given us all through his son, Jesus Christ. And, yes, racism is certainly anathema to such radical life and love.
The Measure of Our Lives
When the lights are out for a moment, we are uncertain; we reflect on what is most important to us. We’ve all experienced the pandemic in different ways, but shouldn’t it serve as inspiration to love each other more? Many things matter to the functioning of society, but love is really the measure of our lives and what makes the difference in the lives of others.
Love makes it impossible to needlessly and callously kill each other. Love keeps us from spreading hate on Twitter or Facebook or in real, in-person encounters. Love keeps us from destroying a man’s livelihood, as we’ve seen in the burning and looting in Minneapolis. Love changes things, and we all have a limited time to do our part. What are we waiting for? Why are we wasting time on anything less?
Kathryn Jean Lopez is senior fellow at the National Review Institute, editor-at-large of National Review magazine and author of the new book A Year With the Mystics: Visionary Wisdom for Daily Living. She is also chair of Cardinal Dolan’s pro-life commission in New York. She can be contacted at [email protected].


thestream--2020-06-02--Military Photo of the Day: Congratulations, Airmen!

Military training instructors lead graduating U.S. Air Force airmen onto the drill pad during a basic military training graduation ceremony @ @ @ @ @ in Mississippi on May 15 , 2020 .
Thank you for your service and congratulations @ @ @ @ @ The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral @ @ @ @ @

Military training instructors lead graduating U.S. Air Force airmen onto the drill pad during a basic military training graduation ceremony at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi on May 15, 2020.
Thank you for your service and congratulations, warriors!
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-06-02--The Supreme Court Reveals Its Doubts About Religious Freedom

It was a quick decision not to overrule state law and lower courts , produced under the gun .
A bare 5 to 4 majority supported the state against the church .
Not exactly a big deal for religious freedom , but it could give us a sign of a coming big deal .
On Friday , the Supreme Court refused to overrule California ’ s limits on religious services .
Like other gatherings of their sort , they could fill at most 25 % of their occupancy limit .
Even then the law limited them to 100 people at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bay United Pentecostal Church v. Newsom , Governor of California .
You can read the majority and minority opinions here .
They ’ re not long .
Just five pages , and clearly written too .
As the Alliance Defending Freedom noted , the decision was “ procedural in nature , narrow in scope .
The court simply chose not to grant temporary relief on an emergency motion.
” That ’ s true , but not exactly the point .
All the justices , pro and con , believe the law must treat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem .
Chief Justice John Roberts joined the four liberal justices in the majority , and wrote the decision .
Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the dissent .
Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch joined him .
Justice Alito voted with them , but didn ’ t join in the dissent .
As far as I can see , the two sides agree about religious freedom .
They just disagree about a fact : What is a comparable business ?
Roberts argues that “ comparable secular gatherings ” were just as restricted as churches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plays and movies , and lectures .
The law left out “ dissimilar activities , ” like operating grocery stores and banks .
In those , “ people neither congregate in large groups nor remain in close proximity for extended periods.
” The majority believes churches don ’ t belong in the same group as grocery stores and banks .
The minority thinks they do .
The first believe the law applies to churches .
The second insist it ’ s unfair to them .
They disagree only on the judgment of fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The exemption for offices and factories complicates this a little .
Gorsuch was partly right .
But the very strict rules for offices aren ’ t very different from those under which the law requires churches to operate .
They ’ re only exempt from the occupancy cap and that may be in practice not so big an exemption as it appears .
When the decision came out , many people jumped on Roberts .
Typical was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scholar , that claimed the chief justice was placating “ Leftist elites.
” It called him “ bad ” and “ gutless.
” His friends gave it lots of likes and over 100 shares .
Almost nothing excites a certain kind of person more than the chance to name and shame a traitor .
Roberts wasn ’ t betraying the side , or the Constitution .
He offered a plausible reading of the law , as plausible as Gorsuch ’ s .
In fact , I think a slightly better one .
Oddly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement explains why .
Gorsuch quotes it approvingly .
“ Assuming all of the same precautions are taken , why can someone safely walk down a grocery store aisle but not a pew ?
” Because you don ’ t walk down a pew .
You sit in a pew for extended amount of time , probably a much longer time than you spend walking through the grocery store .
The church ’ s own example shows why worship differs from shopping .
It ’ s more like a lecture than grocery shopping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more like the “ comparable secular gatherings ” Roberts mentions than those Kavanaugh includes .
Roberts and his allies and Gorsuch and his allies insist that the law treat the churches fairly .
After the decision , the church ’ s pastor said that the state can ’ t restrict churches when it doesn ’ t restrict other such things .
“ We ’ re just asking for the same rights and privileges every other enterprise has in the state of California.
” The state can only require of churches what it requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one says that religious enterprises be given a special status .
That ’ s the problem .
To be precise , it ’ s true as far as it goes , but it doesn ’ t go far enough .
It points to the problem , which could be a big one for churches .
And synagogues , mosques , and temples as well .
The natural question to ask is : What about the First Amendment ?
Doesn ’ t its protection of the free exercise of religion make comparability irrelevant ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t it push back against the state ’ s attempt to tell churches what to do ?
Isn ’ t one implication that churches are both like and very unlike “ comparable ” businesses ?
Of course , the Bill of Rights gives us no absolute rights .
Your right to free speech doesn ’ t let you slander someone or lie in a contract .
No one has ever read the free exercise clause to free churches entirely from government authority .
State and Church always negotiate where they ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law has recognized that religious groups have more freedom to do what they think they should than other enterprises .
The Amish can refuse to fight in the Army , even when the draft applies to everyone .
The Catholic Church can ordain only men when anti-discrimination laws require women be given all jobs .
The First Amendment gives churches ( and synagogues etc . )
a special place in American law .
It gives them a particularly extensive freedom .
This decision essentially denies that freedom .
Yes , it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s not the court ’ s last word even on this matter .
Right .
But look at the way both sides argued .
Look at the way the church itself argued .
They gave up the First Amendment as it ’ s been understood through American history .
Roberts claims the authority of the First Amendment for his reading .
The “ restrictions appear consistent with the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment , ” he argues , because “ similar or more severe restrictions apply to comparable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeal to an idea of religious freedom .
He argues only that “ The state may not discriminate against religion.
” He defines discrimination as treating religion differently than business .
No one argued for the church ’ s special place .
No one protected its extensive freedom .
The “ free exercise ” they recognized doesn ’ t provide a freedom beyond a social club ’ s or a lecture society ’ s .
Roberts and Gorsuch could at least have furrowed their brow at the problem of religious freedom , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But they didn ’ t .
That question ’ s off the table .
What does it say about the nature of religion in America , and the future of religious practice in America , if the First Amendment doesn ’ t give it any special status ?
If “ free exercise ” means only the right everyone has to be treated alike ?
Losing our special status may prove very good for Christianity in America , but Christians must still think about it .
Hard .
And now , rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his friend Harold Fickett , for the observation about conscientious objection and the Little Sisters .
Harold directs Scenes Media .

It was a quick decision not to overrule state law and lower courts, produced under the gun. A bare 5 to 4 majority supported the state against the church. Not exactly a big deal for religious freedom, but it could give us a sign of a coming big deal.
On Friday, the Supreme Court refused to overrule California’s limits on religious services. Like other gatherings of their sort, they could fill at most 25% of their occupancy limit. Even then the law limited them to 100 people at a time. The case is South Bay United Pentecostal Church v. Newsom, Governor of California. You can read the majority and minority opinions here. They’re not long. Just five pages, and clearly written too.
As the Alliance Defending Freedom noted, the decision was “procedural in nature, narrow in scope. The court simply chose not to grant temporary relief on an emergency motion.” That’s true, but not exactly the point. All the justices, pro and con, believe the law must treat churches fairly. That’s the problem.
Roberts Versus Gorsuch
Chief Justice John Roberts joined the four liberal justices in the majority, and wrote the decision. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the dissent. Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch joined him. Justice Alito voted with them, but didn’t join in the dissent.
As far as I can see, the two sides agree about religious freedom. They just disagree about a fact: What is a comparable business? Roberts argues that “comparable secular gatherings” were just as restricted as churches. He included concerts, sports, plays and movies, and lectures. The law left out “dissimilar activities,” like operating grocery stores and banks. In those, “people neither congregate in large groups nor remain in close proximity for extended periods.”
Kavanaugh disagreed. Churches faced restrictions “comparable secular businesses” didn’t. He listed “factories, offices, supermarkets, restaurants, retail stores, pharmacies, shopping malls, pet grooming shops, bookstores, florists, hair salons, and cannabis dispensaries .” For more information on cannabis dispensaries , Click here
The majority believes churches don’t belong in the same group as grocery stores and banks. The minority thinks they do. The first believe the law applies to churches. The second insist it’s unfair to them. They disagree only on the judgment of fact.
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The exemption for offices and factories complicates this a little. Gorsuch was partly right. But the very strict rules for offices aren’t very different from those under which the law requires churches to operate. They’re only exempt from the occupancy cap and that may be in practice not so big an exemption as it appears.
A Word for the Chief Justice
When the decision came out, many people jumped on Roberts. Typical was one Facebook post, from a biblical scholar, that claimed the chief justice was placating “Leftist elites.” It called him “bad” and “gutless.” His friends gave it lots of likes and over 100 shares. Almost nothing excites a certain kind of person more than the chance to name and shame a traitor.
Roberts wasn’t betraying the side, or the Constitution. He offered a plausible reading of the law, as plausible as Gorsuch’s. In fact, I think a slightly better one.
Oddly enough, the church’s own statement explains why. Gorsuch quotes it approvingly. “Assuming all of the same precautions are taken, why can someone safely walk down a grocery store aisle but not a pew?” Because you don’t walk down a pew. You sit in a pew for extended amount of time, probably a much longer time than you spend walking through the grocery store.
The church’s own example shows why worship differs from shopping. It’s more like a lecture than grocery shopping. Sitting in a pew is much more like the “comparable secular gatherings” Roberts mentions than those Kavanaugh includes.
The Problem
Roberts and his allies and Gorsuch and his allies insist that the law treat the churches fairly. After the decision, the church’s pastor said that the state can’t restrict churches when it doesn’t restrict other such things. “We’re just asking for the same rights and privileges every other enterprise has in the state of California.”
The state can only require of churches what it requires of other enterprises like them. No one says that religious enterprises be given a special status. That’s the problem. To be precise, it’s true as far as it goes, but it doesn’t go far enough. It points to the problem, which could be a big one for churches. And synagogues, mosques, and temples as well.
The natural question to ask is: What about the First Amendment? Doesn’t its protection of the free exercise of religion make comparability irrelevant? Or at least less important? Doesn’t it push back against the state’s attempt to tell churches what to do? Isn’t one implication that churches are both like and very unlike “comparable” businesses?
What does it say about the nature of religion in America, and the future of religious practice in America, if the First Amendment doesn’t give it any special status?
Of course, the Bill of Rights gives us no absolute rights. Your right to free speech doesn’t let you slander someone or lie in a contract. No one has ever read the free exercise clause to free churches entirely from government authority. State and Church always negotiate where they’ll draw the line.
But so far the law has recognized that religious groups have more freedom to do what they think they should than other enterprises. The Amish can refuse to fight in the Army, even when the draft applies to everyone. The Catholic Church can ordain only men when anti-discrimination laws require women be given all jobs. The First Amendment gives churches (and synagogues etc.) a special place in American law. It gives them a particularly extensive freedom.
A Denial of Freedom
This decision essentially denies that freedom. Yes, it was procedural in nature and narrow in scope. It’s not the court’s last word even on this matter. Right. But look at the way both sides argued. Look at the way the church itself argued. They gave up the First Amendment as it’s been understood through American history.
Roberts claims the authority of the First Amendment for his reading. The “restrictions appear consistent with the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment,” he argues, because “similar or more severe restrictions apply to comparable secular gatherings.” Kavanaugh doesn’t appeal to an idea of religious freedom. He argues only that “The state may not discriminate against religion.” He defines discrimination as treating religion differently than business.
No one argued for the church’s special place. No one protected its extensive freedom. The “free exercise” they recognized doesn’t provide a freedom beyond a social club’s or a lecture society’s. Roberts and Gorsuch could at least have furrowed their brow at the problem of religious freedom, even if they still argued as they did. But they didn’t. That question’s off the table.
What does it say about the nature of religion in America, and the future of religious practice in America, if the First Amendment doesn’t give it any special status? If “free exercise” means only the right everyone has to be treated alike? Losing our special status may prove very good for Christianity in America, but Christians must still think about it. Hard. And now, rather than later.
David would like to thank his friend Harold Fickett, for the observation about conscientious objection and the Little Sisters. Harold directs Scenes Media.
David Mills is a senior editor of The Stream. After teaching writing in a seminary, he has been editor of Touchstone and the executive editor of First Things. He edits the site Hour of Our Death and writes the monthly “Last Things” column for the New Oxford Review and a weekly column for the “Chapter House” section of The Catholic Herald. He is finishing a book on death and dying to be published by Sophia Institute Press.


thestream--2020-06-03--We Know Who Killed George Floyd. What’s Killing Our Country?

From the battered streets of our cities come a confused series of answers to an admittedly complicated question .
There is unrest in America today .
There is division .
There is racial tension .
And they are slowly unraveling what it means to be American .
Do we really want to move forward and achieve the “ real change ” so many politicians promise ?
If so , we must confront the racial tensions that bubble under the surface of our country .
Yes , we certainly must prosecute the police officer who killed George Floyd .
But that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Until we come together as a nation and address these racial issues , they will always be there .
They ’ ll build , waiting to erupt when injustice occurs , as in the case of George Floyd .
I am not willing to embrace inchoate complaints about “ the system ” when it comes to addressing our country ’ s racial tensions .
That may be of comfort to those who merely look for an excuse to burn down and destroy .
But I believe in America .
With all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the solution to this problem lies in our country ’ s character .
We are a country that is founded on freedom and equality .
It is in our DNA .
And even when we fall short , those principles are still there for us , like a beacon to bring us home .
I grew up in the Jim Crow South and can remember the pain of segregation .
So I marched in the American civil rights movement alongside great leaders like Dr. King .
I helped organize college students in non-violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement that changed our country forever .
So you can imagine how painful it is to see racial tensions continue to erupt in violence more than 50 years later .
I remember being a college student and saying , “ if only we had a black mayor ” ( or black congressman or governor ) , “ things would be different.
” Decades later , we ’ ve seen black men and women at all levels of power , even a black president .
But racial tensions don ’ t improve .
Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the civil rights movement has been hijacked by manipulative politicians ( of all races ) .
People who seem only interested in black issues as a pathway to power .
As I explain in my book , A Dream Derailed , African American voters got taken for granted by one party and , until President Trump , largely ignored by the other .
Where Are the Leaders ?
We ’ ve seen decades of policies that helped destroy the black family and the black community .
But finding leaders who are willing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is like looking for a needle in a haystack .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
That ’ s not just true for the African American community .
That ’ s true for America as a whole .
As I look around at the violence in our cities , I keep asking , “ Where are the leaders ?
” On both sides , where are the leaders ?
The rioting and looting are a disgrace , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ principle that they ’ re willing to excuse the rioters or pacify them … and all for political gain .
This is a nation of laws , and we need strong leaders to restore order .
We need to confront the issue of race head-on .
We can do without the hand-wringing and meaningless “ mea culpas ” from leftists who think that ’ s what black people want to hear .
But we need to confront these issues with love , understanding , and a belief in something bigger than ourselves .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ God .
Because we know that something is broken .
We know that there is frustration , resentment , and fear in our cities .
However , destruction and division will only deepen these problems , not solve them .
As I did during the civil rights movement and have ever since , I stand with the peaceful protesters .
They are the ones who will help us move forward to a new era of peace and justice .
I call on my brothers and sisters around the country to turn away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Instead , let ’ s work to get back to the point where we find healing and common cause .
Let us remember what is great about America and restore the belief in our most cherished values .
Only then will we be able to realize Dr. King ’ s dream , where , “ all of God ’ s children , ” will join hands and sing , “ Free at last .
”

From the battered streets of our cities come a confused series of answers to an admittedly complicated question. There is unrest in America today. There is division. There is racial tension. And they are slowly unraveling what it means to be American.
Do we really want to move forward and achieve the “real change” so many politicians promise? If so, we must confront the racial tensions that bubble under the surface of our country. Yes, we certainly must prosecute the police officer who killed George Floyd. But that’s not where our responsibility ends.
I Believe in America
Until we come together as a nation and address these racial issues, they will always be there. They’ll build, waiting to erupt when injustice occurs, as in the case of George Floyd.
We are a country that is founded on freedom and equality. It is in our DNA.
I am not willing to embrace inchoate complaints about “the system” when it comes to addressing our country’s racial tensions. That may be of comfort to those who merely look for an excuse to burn down and destroy.
But I believe in America. With all of America’s flaws and problems, the solution to this problem lies in our country’s character. We are a country that is founded on freedom and equality. It is in our DNA. And even when we fall short, those principles are still there for us, like a beacon to bring us home.
I Marched with Dr. King
I grew up in the Jim Crow South and can remember the pain of segregation. So I marched in the American civil rights movement alongside great leaders like Dr. King. I helped organize college students in non-violent resistance and played a part in a movement that changed our country forever.
So you can imagine how painful it is to see racial tensions continue to erupt in violence more than 50 years later.
I remember being a college student and saying, “if only we had a black mayor” (or black congressman or governor), “things would be different.” Decades later, we’ve seen black men and women at all levels of power, even a black president. But racial tensions don’t improve. Why?
One of the reasons is that the civil rights movement has been hijacked by manipulative politicians (of all races). People who seem only interested in black issues as a pathway to power. As I explain in my book, A Dream Derailed, African American voters got taken for granted by one party and, until President Trump, largely ignored by the other.
Where Are the Leaders?
We’ve seen decades of policies that helped destroy the black family and the black community. But finding leaders who are willing to tell the truth about what is happening is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
That’s not just true for the African American community. That’s true for America as a whole. As I look around at the violence in our cities, I keep asking, “Where are the leaders?” On both sides, where are the leaders? The rioting and looting are a disgrace, but some politicians are so lacking in principle that they’re willing to excuse the rioters or pacify them … and all for political gain.
A Nation of Laws
This is a nation of laws, and we need strong leaders to restore order. We need to confront the issue of race head-on. We can do without the hand-wringing and meaningless “mea culpas” from leftists who think that’s what black people want to hear. But we need to confront these issues with love, understanding, and a belief in something bigger than ourselves.
This is why we need prayer and God. Because we know that something is broken. We know that there is frustration, resentment, and fear in our cities. However, destruction and division will only deepen these problems, not solve them.
Turn Away from Anger
As I did during the civil rights movement and have ever since, I stand with the peaceful protesters. They are the ones who will help us move forward to a new era of peace and justice.
I call on my brothers and sisters around the country to turn away from the anger, chaos, and disorder. Instead, let’s work to get back to the point where we find healing and common cause. Let us remember what is great about America and restore the belief in our most cherished values. Only then will we be able to realize Dr. King’s dream, where, “all of God’s children,” will join hands and sing, “Free at last.”
Rev. Bill Owens grew up in segregated Memphis, Tenn. He joined the Civil Rights movement and participated in non-violent protests. He is the President/Founder of the Coalition of African-American Pastors (CAAP), which promotes Christian values and religious liberty by coordinating the activities of black churches.


thestream--2020-06-02--Barack Obama and Other Leaders on the Left: Do They Even Want the Violence to Stop?

Everyone wants this rioting to stop , right ?
I ’ m not so sure .
Leaders on the left could be trying a lot harder than they have been .
It has to make one wonder what they really want .
I ’ m talking to you , former President Obama .
I ’ m talking to you , Joe Biden , Hillary Clinton , Ilhan Omar , and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
I ’ m talking to every leader who has a voice to speak to Americans on the left .
You ’ re the ones with the real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t likely listen to leaders on the right .
But you ’ ve got both the voice and the community organizations to get through to them .
You could say something .
Maybe it wouldn ’ t work .
But you could at least try .
What Are You Even Talking About , Mr. Obama ?
Let me direct this especially to our former president , who ’ s in the best position of all to make a difference right now .
Maybe you ’ ve spoken up , Mr. Obama .
Maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it was anything like this astonishingly empty blog post you published on Medium.com yesterday , you weren ’ t really trying .
I get that your point in that blog piece was “ real change ” — enduring , long-term change .
That ’ s what you were focusing on , you said .
And I get that when that ’ s your topic , it makes perfect sense to highlight the long view , from decades past to “ a new generation of activists.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
I get all that .
But I don ’ t get why long-term change was your topic right now , when whole cities are being torn apart in a matter of just a few nights .
And what I really don ’ t get is how the former president of the United States , who retains a voice that many protesters would listen to , would have spoken out yesterday in a blog post that reads like an application essay for the National Honor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders speak with courage and resolve .
They don ’ t turn academic .
They don ’ t bore their people .
But your blog post was pure academia , Mr. Obama .
It was anodyne .
Guaranteed to be ineffectual .
Look again how you capped it off ( if we can even call it that ) : Was that the best you could do ?
A thousand graduating seniors surely said the same thing in a thousand valedictory speeches last year ( when we still had high school commencements . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ or at least thought they did , because each one of them had already heard the same clichés a thousand times .
By saying so little , in such an out-of-the-way Medium , Mr. Obama , you ’ ve said as close to nothing as a politician possibly could .
Right when the nation could have used your help the most , you said nothing .
So many words to say nothing .
Granted , you did speak of anger .
Believe me , I ’ m not discounting that one bit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s any quick or easy answer to that .
But burning and looting and killing don ’ t help calm anyone ’ s anger , and they don ’ t help solve the underlying problems , either .
You spoke of long-term solutions .
That ’ s perfectly fine , too , except pardon me , but your timing stinks .
This week — today , even — we need short-term solutions .
We need no more buildings torched — tonight .
No more grocery stores trashed — tonight .
No more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tonight .
It makes me wonder if you even want it to stop .
I can see the political advantage the Left gains from it , making Trump look bad , and accentuating racial hatred .
And if you ’ d genuinely wanted people to calm down so they could go back to work on the real problem , you ’ d have found a microphone to grab .
All the networks would have offered you one .
You ’ d have stood tall and cried out , “ Stop the destruction !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we solve our problems !
” Instead you blogged , “ So let ’ s not excuse violence , or rationalize it , or participate in it .
If we want our criminal justice system , and American society at large , to operate on a higher ethical code , then we have to model that code ourselves.
” Translation : “ Now , now , children , we know that ’ s not how nice little boys and girls behave , don ’ t we ?
” What Do Leaders on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d wanted the rioting to stop , you ’ d have been all over the phones , mobilizing your massive network of regional and community leaders .
You ’ d be imploring them to get the word out — right now — going everywhere and crying out , “ This is the wrong way to make things better !
” Maybe you ’ ve been doing that work behind the scenes .
If so , you ’ re doing a poor job of it .
An effort like that needs your voice ringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much publicly .
You ’ re doing none of that , which is why I doubt you ’ re making an effort like that .
Maybe you think it just wouldn ’ t work .
“ Mobs are crazy ; they ’ re out of control , ” and all that .
I ’ m not sure how you ’ d know , though .
There ’ s no evidence you ’ ve tried , any more than when you made yourself the first American president to preside over a non-peaceful transition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a word then , either ; not even from the Oval Office , when you still had that chance .
Maybe I ’ m picking on you unfairly , though .
At least you wrote an essay .
Most on the left are too busy defending the indefensible .
You represent a whole lot of leaders on the left , Mr. Obama , who could deploy their vast organizations to quell the riots , but haven ’ t done that .
You say in your essay this moment could be a “ turning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s quite the smashing time for it .
The looting , burning , killing time , even .
Can you blame me for wondering if this is what you want ?
If it isn ’ t , could you please show some leadership to help put a halt to it ?
Tom Gilson ( @ TomGilsonAuthor ) is a senior editor with The Stream , and the author of A Christian Mind : Thoughts on Life and Truth in Jesus Christ and Critical Conversations : A Christian Parent ’ s Guide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lead editor of True Reason : Confronting the Irrationality of the New Atheism .

Everyone wants this rioting to stop, right? I’m not so sure. Leaders on the left could be trying a lot harder than they have been. It has to make one wonder what they really want.
I’m talking to you, former President Obama. I’m talking to you, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Ilhan Omar, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. I’m talking to every leader who has a voice to speak to Americans on the left. You’re the ones with the real influence. These angry people won’t likely listen to leaders on the right. But you’ve got both the voice and the community organizations to get through to them.
You could say something. Maybe it wouldn’t work. But you could at least try.
What Are You Even Talking About, Mr. Obama?
Let me direct this especially to our former president, who’s in the best position of all to make a difference right now. Maybe you’ve spoken up, Mr. Obama. Maybe I’ve missed it. But if it was anything like this astonishingly empty blog post you published on Medium.com yesterday, you weren’t really trying.
I get that your point in that blog piece was “real change” — enduring, long-term change. That’s what you were focusing on, you said. And I get that when that’s your topic, it makes perfect sense to highlight the long view, from decades past to “a new generation of activists.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
I get all that. But I don’t get why long-term change was your topic right now, when whole cities are being torn apart in a matter of just a few nights.
And what I really don’t get is how the former president of the United States, who retains a voice that many protesters would listen to, would have spoken out yesterday in a blog post that reads like an application essay for the National Honor Society.
Boring. Trite. Anodyne.
In times of crisis, leaders speak with courage and resolve. They don’t turn academic. They don’t bore their people. But your blog post was pure academia, Mr. Obama. It was anodyne. Guaranteed to be ineffectual. Look again how you capped it off (if we can even call it that):
I recognize that these past few months have been hard and dispiriting — that the fear, sorrow, uncertainty, and hardship of a pandemic have been compounded by tragic reminders that prejudice and inequality still shape so much of American life. But watching the heightened activism of young people in recent weeks, of every race and every station, makes me hopeful. If, going forward, we can channel our justifiable anger into peaceful, sustained, and effective action, then this moment can be a real turning point in our nation’s long journey to live up to our highest ideals. Let’s get to work.
Translation: “Now, now, children, we know that’s not how nice little boys and girls behave, don’t we?”
Was that the best you could do? A thousand graduating seniors surely said the same thing in a thousand valedictory speeches last year (when we still had high school commencements.) And they all wrote it themselves, or at least thought they did, because each one of them had already heard the same clichés a thousand times.
By saying so little, in such an out-of-the-way Medium, Mr. Obama, you’ve said as close to nothing as a politician possibly could. Right when the nation could have used your help the most, you said nothing. So many words to say nothing.
Anger, Answers, and “Now, Now, Children”
Granted, you did speak of anger. Believe me, I’m not discounting that one bit. I’m also not saying there’s any quick or easy answer to that. But burning and looting and killing don’t help calm anyone’s anger, and they don’t help solve the underlying problems, either.
You spoke of long-term solutions. That’s perfectly fine, too, except pardon me, but your timing stinks. This week — today, even — we need short-term solutions. We need no more buildings torched — tonight. No more grocery stores trashed — tonight. No more innocent people killed on the street — tonight.
It makes me wonder if you even want it to stop. I can see the political advantage the Left gains from it, making Trump look bad, and accentuating racial hatred. And if you’d genuinely wanted people to calm down so they could go back to work on the real problem, you’d have found a microphone to grab. All the networks would have offered you one. You’d have stood tall and cried out, “Stop the destruction! Now! This isn’t how we solve our problems!”
Maybe I’m picking on you unfairly, though. At least you wrote an essay. I’m not sure Joe Biden has done even that.
Instead you blogged, “So let’s not excuse violence, or rationalize it, or participate in it. If we want our criminal justice system, and American society at large, to operate on a higher ethical code, then we have to model that code ourselves.”
Translation: “Now, now, children, we know that’s not how nice little boys and girls behave, don’t we?”
What Do Leaders on the Left Really Want?
If you’d wanted the rioting to stop, you’d have been all over the phones, mobilizing your massive network of regional and community leaders. You’d be imploring them to get the word out — right now — going everywhere and crying out, “This is the wrong way to make things better!”
Maybe you’ve been doing that work behind the scenes. If so, you’re doing a poor job of it. An effort like that needs your voice ringing out strong, clear, and very much publicly. You’re doing none of that, which is why I doubt you’re making an effort like that.
Maybe you think it just wouldn’t work. “Mobs are crazy; they’re out of control,” and all that. I’m not sure how you’d know, though. There’s no evidence you’ve tried, any more than when you made yourself the first American president to preside over a non-peaceful transition of power. You didn’t say a word then, either; not even from the Oval Office, when you still had that chance.
It’s Time to Show Leadership
Maybe I’m picking on you unfairly, though. At least you wrote an essay. Most on the left are too busy defending the indefensible.
You represent a whole lot of leaders on the left, Mr. Obama, who could deploy their vast organizations to quell the riots, but haven’t done that.
You say in your essay this moment could be a “turning point for real change.” Sure. It’s quite the smashing time for it. The looting, burning, killing time, even. Can you blame me for wondering if this is what you want? If it isn’t, could you please show some leadership to help put a halt to it?
Tom Gilson (@TomGilsonAuthor) is a senior editor with The Stream, and the author of A Christian Mind: Thoughts on Life and Truth in Jesus Christ and Critical Conversations: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Discussing Homosexuality with Teens, and the lead editor of True Reason: Confronting the Irrationality of the New Atheism.


thestream--2020-06-02--President Trump Orders Governors to Do More to Stop Violence or Else …

Having given the “ leaders ” of blue states and cities ample time to stop the rioting , arson and looting that ’ s being ginned up to exploit and dishonor the death of George Floyd , President Trump ordered riot teams from the Federal Bureau of Prisons to Washington , DC , and Miami .
And more could be forthcoming if Governors don ’ t take action .
That could include mobilizing thousands of soldiers , which the President has the power to do under the Insurrection Act of 1807 .
Naturally , the media are hysterically painting this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a declaration of war on the First Amendment ( we have a right to riot , burn and loot ? )
But in fact , the Insurrection Act has been invoked over a dozen times , most recently in 1992 by President George H.W .
Bush to stop the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles .
Sadly , that may be necessary because so many Democratic officials are refusing to do their # 1 job of protecting public safety .
Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown is so addlepated with Trump Derangement Syndrome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do what ’ s necessary because “ TRUUUUMP !
!
” She said at a press conference , “ Having soldiers on the streets across America is exactly what President Trump wants … Trump wants Governors to deploy the National Guard as a show of force to intimidate the public.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Monday night , Trump said , “ I swore an oath to uphold the laws of our nation and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am your president of law and order and an ally of all peaceful protesters.
” He said we can not allow their righteous cries to be drowned out by an angry mob .
But , “ a number of state and local governments have failed to take necessary action to safeguard their residents .
I am taking immediate presidential action to stop the violence and restore security and safety in America .
I am mobilizing all available federal resources , civilian and military , to stop the rioting and looting , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect the rights of law-abiding Americans , including your Second Amendment rights.
” Speaking of Second Amendment rights , a lot of people , especially in blue states , are waking up to the scary reality that their leaders will do very little to protect them , so they have to protect themselves .
Gun sales are exploding , and the price of gun stocks is booming .
Former CIA officer Bryan Dean Wright ( @ BryanDeanWright ) tweeted that he talked to a major “ Progressive ” Democratic fundraiser in Colorado who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house .
Nobody he knew owned a gun , so he was buying one today ( hope there ’ s not a 10-day waiting period ! )
Wright said , “ The left is losing their base , folks .
People prefer order over anarchy.
” I ’ m sure that many of the people buying guns to protect their homes , families and businesses are African-American .
Contrary to the false media stereotype , conservatives are perfectly fine with that , it ’ s the liberals who are expressing alarm .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , when the KKK was terrorizing blacks in the South by burning down their neighborhoods , the NRA was the only constitutional rights organization that defended their right to buy guns to protect themselves .
History is merely repeating itself .
Meanwhile , word on social media is that Antifa , having helped torch blue cities , now thinks they ’ ll move into the suburbs and terrorize people there .
That would be the dumbest idea they ’ ve come up with yet .
And that covers a lot of territory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after fleeing cities because they were sick of depending on noodle-spined leftist mayors who order the police to stand down and who sympathize with criminals over victims .
Instead , for protection , they have guns .
Polk County , Florida , Sheriff Grady Judd put it succinctly , when he warned , “ The people in Polk County like guns , they have guns , I encourage them to own guns .
If you try to break into their homes to steal , to set fires , I ’ m highly recommending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house with their guns.
” Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas and longtime conservative commentator on issues in culture and current events .
A New York Times best-selling author , he hosts the weekly talk show Huckabee on TBN .

Having given the “leaders” of blue states and cities ample time to stop the rioting, arson and looting that’s being ginned up to exploit and dishonor the death of George Floyd, President Trump ordered riot teams from the Federal Bureau of Prisons to Washington, DC, and Miami. And more could be forthcoming if Governors don’t take action. That could include mobilizing thousands of soldiers, which the President has the power to do under the Insurrection Act of 1807.
Naturally, the media are hysterically painting this as an unprecedented abuse of tyrannical power and a declaration of war on the First Amendment (we have a right to riot, burn and loot?) But in fact, the Insurrection Act has been invoked over a dozen times, most recently in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush to stop the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles.
Sadly, that may be necessary because so many Democratic officials are refusing to do their #1 job of protecting public safety. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown is so addlepated with Trump Derangement Syndrome, she actually admitted she refuses to do what’s necessary because “TRUUUUMP!!” She said at a press conference, “Having soldiers on the streets across America is exactly what President Trump wants … Trump wants Governors to deploy the National Guard as a show of force to intimidate the public.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Monday night, Trump said, “I swore an oath to uphold the laws of our nation and that is exactly what I will do. I am your president of law and order and an ally of all peaceful protesters.” He said we cannot allow their righteous cries to be drowned out by an angry mob. But, “a number of state and local governments have failed to take necessary action to safeguard their residents. I am taking immediate presidential action to stop the violence and restore security and safety in America. I am mobilizing all available federal resources, civilian and military, to stop the rioting and looting, to end the destruction and arson and to protect the rights of law-abiding Americans, including your Second Amendment rights.”
A Sudden Desire for Guns
Speaking of Second Amendment rights, a lot of people, especially in blue states, are waking up to the scary reality that their leaders will do very little to protect them, so they have to protect themselves. Gun sales are exploding, and the price of gun stocks is booming. Former CIA officer Bryan Dean Wright (@BryanDeanWright) tweeted that he talked to a major “Progressive” Democratic fundraiser in Colorado who was spooked by rioters getting near his house. Nobody he knew owned a gun, so he was buying one today (hope there’s not a 10-day waiting period!) Wright said, “The left is losing their base, folks. People prefer order over anarchy.”
I’m sure that many of the people buying guns to protect their homes, families and businesses are African-American. Contrary to the false media stereotype, conservatives are perfectly fine with that, it’s the liberals who are expressing alarm. That’s no surprise: many years ago, when the KKK was terrorizing blacks in the South by burning down their neighborhoods, the NRA was the only constitutional rights organization that defended their right to buy guns to protect themselves. History is merely repeating itself.
Meanwhile, word on social media is that Antifa, having helped torch blue cities, now thinks they’ll move into the suburbs and terrorize people there. That would be the dumbest idea they’ve come up with yet. And that covers a lot of territory. Many people live in the suburbs after fleeing cities because they were sick of depending on noodle-spined leftist mayors who order the police to stand down and who sympathize with criminals over victims. Instead, for protection, they have guns.
Polk County, Florida, Sheriff Grady Judd put it succinctly, when he warned, “The people in Polk County like guns, they have guns, I encourage them to own guns. If you try to break into their homes to steal, to set fires, I’m highly recommending they blow you back out of the house with their guns.”
Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas and longtime conservative commentator on issues in culture and current events. A New York Times best-selling author, he hosts the weekly talk show Huckabee on TBN.
Originally published at MikeHuckabee.com. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-06-02--You Are Just Too Woke for Me

You Are Just Too Woke for Me

It ’ s difficult to take a stand for anything today without being accused of virtue signaling or the like .
And if you ’ re woke in one area you ’ ll soon find out that you are blissfully unwoke in another area .
( Hey , if “ woke ” is a word , why not “ unwoke ” ? )
Well , allow me to set the record straight .
Everyone has blind spots .
Everyone is woefully ignorant ( or neglectful or indifferent ) in some major area of genuine concern .
So let ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And let ’ s not be so condemning of others who genuinely care but who don ’ t quite express their concern in the right way .
We are doing the best we know how .
Do You Decry Racism ?
What About Antisemitism ?
For all those who decry racism , do you also decry antisemitism ?
Have you been speaking out about the dangerous rise in antisemitic words and deeds in America in recent years ?
And last year and the year before , did you take to the streets to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop !
” Or maybe you ’ ve been alert to the very real dangers of antisemitism .
But have you been on the front lines of the pro-life movement ?
Have you been speaking up for the unborn ?
Are you there on the sidewalk to help offer mothers a better choice ?
Are You Grieved by Gun Violence ?
What About Abortion ?
Perhaps you are grieved about gun violence in America .
A report from January of this year stated that , “ At least 15,292 people were fatally shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excluding suicides , according to data gathered by Gun Violence Archive , a nonprofit that tracks shootings .
That ’ s a roughly 3 percent increase over 2018.
” That is not good news .
But it absolutely pales in comparison to the number of babies killed in the womb each year — as many as 800,000 to 1 million .
Woke in one area ; asleep in the next .
Or maybe you are thoroughly pro-life .
That ’ s great to hear .
Do You Pray for Persecuted Christians ?
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christians worldwide ?
About our brothers and sisters being raped and kidnapped and tortured and beheaded ?
About them losing their properties and their homes ?
About their church buildings being burned to the ground ?
Does your home congregation even talk about this publicly , let alone pray for these persecuted saints ?
As noted by the Catholic News Agency , “ In a report issued on 15 May , the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law ( Intersociety ) said that 620 Nigerian Christians have been killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mapped a campaign of destruction and arson carried out against churches in the African nation .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
“ The society , a non-profit founded in 2008 in Nigeria , works to promote civil liberties , the rule of law , criminal justice reform , and good governance .
Its report said that ‘ Nigeria ’ s main Islamic Jihadists : Militant Fulani Herdsmen and Boko Haram/ISWAP have intensified their anti-Christian violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions.
’ ” And that is just Nigeria .
What about Christians in China and India ?
Or in the Middle East ?
How woke are we really ?
Do You Fight Human Trafficking and Child Sex Slavery ?
Or maybe this is your area of focus .
Maybe you pray daily for the suffering Church and write letters to advocate for them .
But do you care about human trafficking ?
According to an April 2019 report in Fortune , “ Slavery is alive and well in the land of the free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry worldwide and cases increasing in the United States , activists are trying to squash the myth that most women who work as prostitutes do so because they want to.
” And what about the children sold into sexual slavery ?
Does that keep you up at night ?
Were you even aware ?
According to the Erase Child Trafficking website , “ Statistics show that 46 children in America are taken and sold into slavery per day.
” How can this be happening , and on our watch , at that ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus , and you are fighting tirelessly to liberate victims and stop others from being victimized .
Wonderful .
Do You Feed Those Who are in Danger of Dying of Malnourishment ?
But what about world hunger ?
We are told that more than one-tenth of the world ’ s population is undernourished ( so , more than 8 billion people ) while World Hunger reports that , “ Approximately 3.1 million children die from undernutrition each year.
” That is almost 8,500 kids dying per day because of malnourishment .
Who can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about all the other , urgent causes that I have not addressed ?
What about your particular area of interest that I failed to mention ?
The point of all this is not to lay a guilt trip on you or to make you feel that you should not focus on one particular issue .
And I certainly don ’ t want to make you feel paralyzed by the massive needs worldwide , including many that we can do something about .
I simply want to remove any sense of smug self-righteousness .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ else .
Or of criticizing those who are late to your particular party .
Or of accusing others of virtue signaling when they are simply trying to do what is right .
From God ’ s perspective , all of us are miserably unwoke and fall pitifully short of loving our neighbors as ourselves .
So , rather than strutting around in our self-righteous cubicle , applauding our compassion and awareness , let ’ s walk humbly , honoring others as they fight their fights and welcoming those who want to join ours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not as woke as we thought .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is When the World Stops : Words of Faith , Hope , and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis .
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

It’s difficult to take a stand for anything today without being accused of virtue signaling or the like. And if you’re woke in one area you’ll soon find out that you are blissfully unwoke in another area. (Hey, if “woke” is a word, why not “unwoke”?)
Well, allow me to set the record straight. Everyone has blind spots. Everyone is woefully ignorant (or neglectful or indifferent) in some major area of genuine concern.
So let’s not be so self-righteous and smug. And let’s not be so condemning of others who genuinely care but who don’t quite express their concern in the right way. We are doing the best we know how.
Do You Decry Racism? What About Antisemitism?
For all those who decry racism, do you also decry antisemitism? Have you been speaking out about the dangerous rise in antisemitic words and deeds in America in recent years? And last year and the year before, did you take to the streets to shout, “These synagogue shootings must stop!”
Or maybe you’ve been alert to the very real dangers of antisemitism. But have you been on the front lines of the pro-life movement? Have you been speaking up for the unborn? Are you there on the sidewalk to help offer mothers a better choice?
Are You Grieved by Gun Violence? What About Abortion?
Perhaps you are grieved about gun violence in America. A report from January of this year stated that, “At least 15,292 people were fatally shot in The United States in 2019, excluding suicides, according to data gathered by Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit that tracks shootings. That’s a roughly 3 percent increase over 2018.”
That is not good news. But it absolutely pales in comparison to the number of babies killed in the womb each year — as many as 800,000 to 1 million.
Woke in one area; asleep in the next.
Or maybe you are thoroughly pro-life. That’s great to hear.
Do You Pray for Persecuted Christians?
But are you concerned about the persecution of Christians worldwide? About our brothers and sisters being raped and kidnapped and tortured and beheaded? About them losing their properties and their homes? About their church buildings being burned to the ground? Does your home congregation even talk about this publicly, let alone pray for these persecuted saints?
As noted by the Catholic News Agency, “In a report issued on 15 May, the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety) said that 620 Nigerian Christians have been killed since the beginning of the year, and mapped a campaign of destruction and arson carried out against churches in the African nation.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“The society, a non-profit founded in 2008 in Nigeria, works to promote civil liberties, the rule of law, criminal justice reform, and good governance. Its report said that ‘Nigeria’s main Islamic Jihadists: Militant Fulani Herdsmen and Boko Haram/ISWAP have intensified their anti-Christian violence in the old Middle Belt and Northeast regions.’”
And that is just Nigeria. What about Christians in China and India? Or in the Middle East? How woke are we really?
Do You Fight Human Trafficking and Child Sex Slavery?
Or maybe this is your area of focus. Maybe you pray daily for the suffering Church and write letters to advocate for them. But do you care about human trafficking?
According to an April 2019 report in Fortune, “Slavery is alive and well in the land of the free. With human trafficking now a multi-billion-dollar industry worldwide and cases increasing in the United States, activists are trying to squash the myth that most women who work as prostitutes do so because they want to.”
And what about the children sold into sexual slavery? Does that keep you up at night? Were you even aware?
According to the Erase Child Trafficking website, “Statistics show that 46 children in America are taken and sold into slavery per day.”
How can this be happening, and on our watch, at that?
Or maybe this is your area of focus, and you are fighting tirelessly to liberate victims and stop others from being victimized. Wonderful.
Do You Feed Those Who are in Danger of Dying of Malnourishment?
But what about world hunger? We are told that more than one-tenth of the world’s population is undernourished (so, more than 8 billion people) while World Hunger reports that, “Approximately 3.1 million children die from undernutrition each year.” That is almost 8,500 kids dying per day because of malnourishment. Who can puts words to this?
And what about all the other, urgent causes that I have not addressed? What about your particular area of interest that I failed to mention?
Let the awakening being. We are not as woke as we thought.
The point of all this is not to lay a guilt trip on you or to make you feel that you should not focus on one particular issue. And I certainly don’t want to make you feel paralyzed by the massive needs worldwide, including many that we can do something about.
Let’s Walk Humbly With God
I simply want to remove any sense of smug self-righteousness. Or of being more woke than someone else. Or of criticizing those who are late to your particular party. Or of accusing others of virtue signaling when they are simply trying to do what is right.
From God’s perspective, all of us are miserably unwoke and fall pitifully short of loving our neighbors as ourselves.
So, rather than strutting around in our self-righteous cubicle, applauding our compassion and awareness, let’s walk humbly, honoring others as they fight their fights and welcoming those who want to join ours.
Let the awakening being. We are not as woke as we thought.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is When the World Stops: Words of Faith, Hope, and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-06-02--Protesters, Police in Troy, Ohio Gather Around a Phone to Pray With MLK’s Niece

A protest rally in Troy , Ohio , on Monday became a symbol of what can happen when people are willing to listen to each other and pray together .
About 150 mostly young people , black , white and Latino , gathered in the town square to show their solidarity with George Floyd , the African-American man whose death at the hands of police in Minneapolis has sparked both peaceful rallies and violent riots across the country .
A video shot by The Troy Show , shared with permission here , shows Troy Police Officer Chris Tilley taking a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to talk to the young people .
Priests for Life Youth Outreach Director Bryan Kemper , a Troy resident , then calls his colleague , Evangelist Alveda King , Director of Civil Rights for the Unborn for Priests for Life , to ask her to pray on speaker phone .
The crowd hushed when they heard that the niece of Rev .
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would be addressing them .
“ Heavenly Father , I love these young people , ” Evangelist King prayed .
“ I wish I could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy .
They have enthusiasm .
They want to make a difference .
They know they were born for a purpose .
… Help them to use their passion and their anger and even their confusion for Your good .
Give them true answers , turn them around and let them win , win , win because they were born to be winners.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
After the gathering , Kemper said “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pain and healing tonight in Troy .
There were some tense moments but there were beautiful moments .
I was able to get Evangelist Alveda King on the phone to lead the protesters and the police in a prayer together and it was beautiful .
I pray for continued conversation .
“ To be able to bring a voice like Alveda King to this moment was amazing .
I ’ m truly blessed to work with and learn from Alveda and the values her family , including her Uncle Martin , instilled in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Director of Priests for Life added , “ We thank God for the faith-filled citizens who are responding to this situation with prayer.
” Priests for Life ( EndAbortion.US ) is the world ’ s largest Catholic pro-life organization dedicated exclusively to ending abortion .
Pro-life efforts are working .
The abortion rate in America is the lowest it has been since Roe v. Wade and in recent years states have passed more than 400 laws to protect the unborn .
The number of freestanding abortion clinics in the U.S. has dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , and President Trump has placed more than 200 ( and counting ) pro-life judges on the federal bench .

A protest rally in Troy, Ohio, on Monday became a symbol of what can happen when people are willing to listen to each other and pray together.
About 150 mostly young people, black, white and Latino, gathered in the town square to show their solidarity with George Floyd, the African-American man whose death at the hands of police in Minneapolis has sparked both peaceful rallies and violent riots across the country.
A video shot by The Troy Show, shared with permission here, shows Troy Police Officer Chris Tilley taking a knee in the center of the crowd to talk to the young people. Priests for Life Youth Outreach Director Bryan Kemper, a Troy resident, then calls his colleague, Evangelist Alveda King, Director of Civil Rights for the Unborn for Priests for Life, to ask her to pray on speaker phone.
The crowd hushed when they heard that the niece of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would be addressing them.
“Heavenly Father, I love these young people,” Evangelist King prayed. “I wish I could be there right among them. They have energy. They have enthusiasm. They want to make a difference. They know they were born for a purpose. … Help them to use their passion and their anger and even their confusion for Your good. Give them true answers, turn them around and let them win, win, win because they were born to be winners.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
After the gathering, Kemper said “I saw a lot of passion, pain and healing tonight in Troy. There were some tense moments but there were beautiful moments. I was able to get Evangelist Alveda King on the phone to lead the protesters and the police in a prayer together and it was beautiful. I pray for continued conversation.
“To be able to bring a voice like Alveda King to this moment was amazing. I’m truly blessed to work with and learn from Alveda and the values her family, including her Uncle Martin, instilled in her.”
Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life added, “We thank God for the faith-filled citizens who are responding to this situation with prayer.”
Priests for Life (EndAbortion.US) is the world’s largest Catholic pro-life organization dedicated exclusively to ending abortion. Pro-life efforts are working. The abortion rate in America is the lowest it has been since Roe v. Wade and in recent years states have passed more than 400 laws to protect the unborn. The number of freestanding abortion clinics in the U.S. has dropped from 2179 in 1991 down to 710 today, and President Trump has placed more than 200 (and counting) pro-life judges on the federal bench.


thestream--2020-06-02--16-Year-Old Detroit Teen Stands Out as Leading Voice for Peace Amid Floyd Protests

16-year-old Stefan Perez unexpectedly found himself at the center of a large Detroit protest over the death of George Floyd .
As the city approached its 8 P.M. curfew , with police equipped in riot gear prepared to disperse the crowds of protesters along Detroit ’ s Michigan Avenue , Perez emerged as one of the leading voices at the scene .
Holding a megaphone minutes before the citywide curfew was to take effect , Perez found himself speaking to the crowd actively encouraging his fellow protesters to peaceably disperse .
“ The fact that I was able to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ causing trouble here tonight , I look back and smile at that moment , ” Perez said in a statement to the Detroit Free Press .
“ The people followed me into battle and I ’ m glad that I was able to get them home safely.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Perez ’ s actions were commended across the city by fellow protesters and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan .
“ [ Mayor Duggan ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the kid was remarkable and said he brought tears to his eyes , ” said Toson Knight , a former staffer for the Mayor who attended the protest .
Detroit has thus far managed to avoid the level of violence and destruction seen in other U.S. cities , including Minneapolis , New York , and Washington , and Perez ’ s leadership may have well prevented rapid escalation .
He emphasized the peaceful nature of Monday ’ s protests , and indicated that he planned to participate in protests throughout the week in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a peaceful and effective way : “ I had plenty of help today .
But I ’ m here .
I ’ m alive .
I woke up today enough to do this .
I ’ m just glad that I ’ m here .
I ’ m glad I was able to take a knee , put my hand up and say ‘ Black Lives Matter .
’ ”

16-year-old Stefan Perez unexpectedly found himself at the center of a large Detroit protest over the death of George Floyd. As the city approached its 8 P.M. curfew, with police equipped in riot gear prepared to disperse the crowds of protesters along Detroit’s Michigan Avenue, Perez emerged as one of the leading voices at the scene.
Holding a megaphone minutes before the citywide curfew was to take effect, Perez found himself speaking to the crowd actively encouraging his fellow protesters to peaceably disperse.
“The fact that I was able to put my hand up and stop everybody from causing trouble here tonight, I look back and smile at that moment,” Perez said in a statement to the Detroit Free Press. “The people followed me into battle and I’m glad that I was able to get them home safely.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Perez’s actions were commended across the city by fellow protesters and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan.
“[Mayor Duggan] called me and said that he thought the kid was remarkable and said he brought tears to his eyes,” said Toson Knight, a former staffer for the Mayor who attended the protest.
Detroit has thus far managed to avoid the level of violence and destruction seen in other U.S. cities, including Minneapolis, New York, and Washington, and Perez’s leadership may have well prevented rapid escalation. He emphasized the peaceful nature of Monday’s protests, and indicated that he planned to participate in protests throughout the week in order to continue to protest racial injustices in a peaceful and effective way: “I had plenty of help today. But I’m here. I’m alive. I woke up today enough to do this. I’m just glad that I’m here. I’m glad I was able to take a knee, put my hand up and say ‘Black Lives Matter.’”
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