thestream--2020-06-24--A Report from the Streets on Cops and the Black Community

Given the violence that has erupted across America in the wake of the George Floyd killing , The Stream ’ s John Zmirak interviewed Toni Brinker .
She founded and leads Operation Blue Shield/One Community USA .
It works to resolve tensions and improve cooperation between police and citizens .
John Zmirak : Ms. Brinker , could you please describe your group ’ s mission for Stream readers ?
Toni Brinker : I founded it in 2015 , as a non-profit dedicated to building bridges of trust between ordinary citizens and law enforcement/first responders .
Unification for the ‘ common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stabilizing and revitalizing neighborhoods .
This provides economic opportunities and a better life for all … no matter their zip code .
One Community USA™ seeks to improve communities by building ‘ neighborhoods of opportunity.
’ Core programs serve approximately 5,250 Americans annually .
They provide the boots-on-the-ground tools and practical approaches needed when addressing and resolving ongoing societal issues .
The goal ?
To promote local economic growth and a stronger America .
Programs address needs in education , health , reentry second chance opportunities ( military and civilians ) , civic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evidence-based programs engage citizens and law enforcement/ first responders in open conversations .
In them , every voice matters , so people have a sense of being heard and valued .
What were your reactions to the video of Derek Chauvin and his fellow officers arresting George Floyd ?
My reaction was just like everyone else ’ s across America who saw the video .
Disbelief .
Then I was shocked , angry , and immensely sad for Mr. Floyd ’ s family and friends .
Injustices like that should never happen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you receive directly from your contacts in the community you serve ?
Our Shop Talk stakeholders ( citizens and the police department ) immediately called for a town hall meeting .
The chief , mayor and city manager opened the discussion by denouncing Officer Derek Chavin and expressing condolences for the Floyd family .
The rest of the meeting was an open peaceful forum where everyone was able to ask questions , i.e .
citizens to law enforcement , law enforcement of citizen .
It provided a platform to constructively and peacefully address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killings and rampant crime within many communities .
Our community engagement and community intervention programs create a sense of community , well-being and increased public safety .
Those are critically important to everyone .
Each program is designed to build or rebuild bridges of trust and create an environment of unity where everyone works together for the common good .
There was significant rioting , property damage , and at least one serious assault on a business owner here in Dallas .
And we saw extensive violence nationwide .
What was behind that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ root of our problem is what I call the good , the bad and the ugly of mankind .
We can point to several things .
No prayers in schools , no patriotism in school , high divorce rate , fatherless families , sins from the past , and on and on … .
Here is how I view what I can do .
I can not change what happened 200 years ago .
Nor what happened 50 years ago .
All I can do is change what is happening today going forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constructive and pulls everyone forward for the common good is hard work .
After the marches have stopped and the level of yelling subsided , the next question is always the same : “ Now what do we do ?
” That is where One CommunityUSA shines the brightest .
To what degree are citizens with legitimate grievances being manipulated by political extremists with other agendas ?
Or simply piggy-backed by would-be thieves ?
That game has gone on far too long .
No matter where you live or what you look like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We want a safe neighborhood to raise our family , go to school , attend church and have a job .
Safety is the first step in a stabilizing neighborhood .
With safety assured , you ’ ll grow a revitalized community with opportunities for all .
Focusing on the big picture allows for everyone to be heard .
It brings out the best in mankind for the sake of their children and their children .
Stabilizing a neighborhood from within is sustainable .
It allows people to work hard so they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
There are reports that Black Lives Matter is angry at Antifa for hijacking this issue and destroying black-owned businesses , black neighborhoods .
You ’ ve had some contact with BLM in the past .
Do you know anything about this ?
I have heard this .
Why hurt the very people that you say you are trying to help ?
Many of the marchers are from out of town ; hence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the businesses they are destroying so consequences mean nothing to them .
Unfortunately , that attitude not only destroys buildings and businesses .
It destroys people .
What We Can Do How should religious believers , especially white Christians , respond to this crisis ?
My hope is that all religious leaders stand up , speak up and get involved .
Staying silent is not the answer .
How are police officers whom you deal with reacting to these events ?
They are heartbroken .
People forget that good cops hate bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The general public also forgets there are bad people everywhere .
That means not just bank robbers and drug dealers , but bad doctors , lawyers , reporters , politicians , and so on .
What are the long-term solutions to this division ?
Mankind needs to hit the reset button .
Admit that we are all in this together .
We didn ’ t get to this point in history because we did everything right .
Nor because we did everything wrong .
We are human and we make mistakes .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of truthfulness , forgiveness , caring and patience .
These problems can not be solved overnight .
Police reform is needed and law enforcement knows it and wants it .
High crime neighborhoods need the involvement of community leaders who live in the neighborhood and know the streets .
Politicians need to “ get real.
” People in the media need to know their words can kill .
To admit that they would not want chaos to erupt in their neighborhoods .
Citizens need to work hand-in glove with first responders .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programs .
Initiatives that unite , build or rebuild bridges of trust and create positive change .
Toni Brinker : I guess I ’ ve explained this best in a piece I wrote five years ago .
That ’ s when I felt moved to found this organization .
The sacred fabric of a city is defined by its people .
When citizens , local government and community-outreach organizations work together collaboratively , the result can be booming economic development , improved residential opportunities and increased public safety .
It is impossible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without the other two producing the same result .
But to achieve these shared goals , we need to begin at the beginning .
Public safety is the first and most critical component when building a city of opportunity because public safety affects every citizen and every neighborhood .
Safe and economically sustainable neighborhoods only happen when people living and working in those neighborhoods have a sense of security built on a foundation of trust .
Whether it ’ s the parents of a young family putting their children to bed for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heading home for dinner , a sense of security coupled with a feeling of community inclusion instills the desire , courage and determination to pursue their own dreams .
The economic benefit of reducing crime is the lynchpin to improving public safety and creating safer , more stable and more secure neighborhoods .
Paramount to achieving reduced crime rates are citizens and law enforcement agencies cooperating together through open dialogue and community-centric activities .
By working collectively to acknowledge issues , we can create an atmosphere of cooperation and a shared vision of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vibrant communities lead to improved accessibility to homeownership opportunities , better schools , better health care and , most importantly , job-creative economic development that benefits every individual , every taxpayer and every community across our great nation .
The economic advantages derived from a secure and thriving community-centric city will produce the sound , fiscal conditions that provide all mayors and city councils the opportunity to reduce spending , expand revenues and deliver the vital goods and services that all Americans want and expect .
The cycle begins with us .
Like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public safety , neighborhood stability and economic-development opportunities are inextricably intertwined .
To work successfully , each one needs the support of the others .
Collaboration is the key .
Collaboration only happens when the power of one becomes the “ power of many.
” John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream , and author or co-author of ten books , including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism .

Given the violence that has erupted across America in the wake of the George Floyd killing, The Stream’s John Zmirak interviewed Toni Brinker. She founded and leads Operation Blue Shield/One Community USA. It works to resolve tensions and improve cooperation between police and citizens.
John Zmirak: Ms. Brinker, could you please describe your group’s mission for Stream readers?
Toni Brinker: I founded it in 2015, as a non-profit dedicated to building bridges of trust between ordinary citizens and law enforcement/first responders. Unification for the ‘common good’ plays a huge part in stabilizing and revitalizing neighborhoods. This provides economic opportunities and a better life for all … no matter their zip code.
One Community USA™ seeks to improve communities by building ‘neighborhoods of opportunity.’ Core programs serve approximately 5,250 Americans annually. They provide the boots-on-the-ground tools and practical approaches needed when addressing and resolving ongoing societal issues. The goal? To promote local economic growth and a stronger America. Programs address needs in education, health, reentry second chance opportunities (military and civilians), civic engagement, safety and citizen advocacy. Evidence-based programs engage citizens and law enforcement/ first responders in open conversations. In them, every voice matters, so people have a sense of being heard and valued.
Disbelief and Grief
What were your reactions to the video of Derek Chauvin and his fellow officers arresting George Floyd?
My reaction was just like everyone else’s across America who saw the video. Disbelief. Then I was shocked, angry, and immensely sad for Mr. Floyd’s family and friends. Injustices like that should never happen, no matter what.
What reactions did you receive directly from your contacts in the community you serve?
Our Shop Talk stakeholders (citizens and the police department) immediately called for a town hall meeting. The chief, mayor and city manager opened the discussion by denouncing Officer Derek Chavin and expressing condolences for the Floyd family. The rest of the meeting was an open peaceful forum where everyone was able to ask questions, i.e. citizens to law enforcement, law enforcement of citizen. It provided a platform to constructively and peacefully address the issues race, racism, unjust killings and rampant crime within many communities.
Our community engagement and community intervention programs create a sense of community, well-being and increased public safety. Those are critically important to everyone. Each program is designed to build or rebuild bridges of trust and create an environment of unity where everyone works together for the common good.
The Lawless Streets of a Godless Land
There was significant rioting, property damage, and at least one serious assault on a business owner here in Dallas. And we saw extensive violence nationwide. What was behind that?
Where do I begin? The root of our problem is what I call the good, the bad and the ugly of mankind. We can point to several things. No prayers in schools, no patriotism in school, high divorce rate, fatherless families, sins from the past, and on and on … .
No matter where you live or what you look like, we all want the same things. We want a safe neighborhood to raise our family, go to school, attend church and have a job.
Here is how I view what I can do. I cannot change what happened 200 years ago. Nor what happened 50 years ago. All I can do is change what is happening today going forward. Real change that is positive, constructive and pulls everyone forward for the common good is hard work. After the marches have stopped and the level of yelling subsided, the next question is always the same: “Now what do we do?” That is where One CommunityUSA shines the brightest.
Extremists Manipulating the Vulnerable
To what degree are citizens with legitimate grievances being manipulated by political extremists with other agendas? Or simply piggy-backed by would-be thieves?
That game has gone on far too long. No matter where you live or what you look like, we all want the same things. We want a safe neighborhood to raise our family, go to school, attend church and have a job. Safety is the first step in a stabilizing neighborhood. With safety assured, you’ll grow a revitalized community with opportunities for all. Focusing on the big picture allows for everyone to be heard. It brings out the best in mankind for the sake of their children and their children. Stabilizing a neighborhood from within is sustainable. It allows people to work hard so they can achieve their dreams.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
There are reports that Black Lives Matter is angry at Antifa for hijacking this issue and destroying black-owned businesses, black neighborhoods. You’ve had some contact with BLM in the past. Do you know anything about this?
I have heard this. Why hurt the very people that you say you are trying to help? Many of the marchers are from out of town; hence, they have not alliance and no connections to the businesses they are destroying so consequences mean nothing to them. Unfortunately, that attitude not only destroys buildings and businesses. It destroys people.
What We Can Do
How should religious believers, especially white Christians, respond to this crisis?
My hope is that all religious leaders stand up, speak up and get involved. Staying silent is not the answer.
How are police officers whom you deal with reacting to these events?
They are heartbroken. People forget that good cops hate bad cops as much as we do. The general public also forgets there are bad people everywhere. That means not just bank robbers and drug dealers, but bad doctors, lawyers, reporters, politicians, and so on.
What are the long-term solutions to this division?
Mankind needs to hit the reset button. Admit that we are all in this together. We didn’t get to this point in history because we did everything right. Nor because we did everything wrong. We are human and we make mistakes. We need to address issues from a position of truthfulness, forgiveness, caring and patience. These problems cannot be solved overnight.
Police reform is needed and law enforcement knows it and wants it. High crime neighborhoods need the involvement of community leaders who live in the neighborhood and know the streets. Politicians need to “get real.” People in the media need to know their words can kill. To admit that they would not want chaos to erupt in their neighborhoods. Citizens need to work hand-in glove with first responders. That happens through community engagement and community intervention programs. Initiatives that unite, build or rebuild bridges of trust and create positive change.
The Sacred Fabric of a City
Toni Brinker: I guess I’ve explained this best in a piece I wrote five years ago. That’s when I felt moved to found this organization.
The sacred fabric of a city is defined by its people. When citizens, local government and community-outreach organizations work together collaboratively, the result can be booming economic development, improved residential opportunities and increased public safety. It is impossible to have success or failure in one category without the other two producing the same result. But to achieve these shared goals, we need to begin at the beginning. Public safety is the first and most critical component when building a city of opportunity because public safety affects every citizen and every neighborhood. Safe and economically sustainable neighborhoods only happen when people living and working in those neighborhoods have a sense of security built on a foundation of trust. Whether it’s the parents of a young family putting their children to bed for the night or someone catching the bus and heading home for dinner, a sense of security coupled with a feeling of community inclusion instills the desire, courage and determination to pursue their own dreams. The economic benefit of reducing crime is the lynchpin to improving public safety and creating safer, more stable and more secure neighborhoods. Paramount to achieving reduced crime rates are citizens and law enforcement agencies cooperating together through open dialogue and community-centric activities. By working collectively to acknowledge issues, we can create an atmosphere of cooperation and a shared vision of safe and thriving neighborhoods. Prosperous and vibrant communities lead to improved accessibility to homeownership opportunities, better schools, better health care and, most importantly, job-creative economic development that benefits every individual, every taxpayer and every community across our great nation. The economic advantages derived from a secure and thriving community-centric city will produce the sound, fiscal conditions that provide all mayors and city councils the opportunity to reduce spending, expand revenues and deliver the vital goods and services that all Americans want and expect. The cycle begins with us. Like the legs on a three-legged stool; public safety, neighborhood stability and economic-development opportunities are inextricably intertwined. To work successfully, each one needs the support of the others. Collaboration is the key. Collaboration only happens when the power of one becomes the “power of many.”
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream, and author or co-author of ten books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism.


thestream--2020-06-24--Water for LIFE: Fighting an Illness More Deadly Than Coronavirus

A mother knelt by the graves of two of her children and wept .
She lost her children to diseases brought on by drinking bacteria-laden water from a pond outside her village in Cambodia .
Now she ’ s terrified she ’ ll lose her last child .
Each day , the mother , Thy , takes a bucket to the pond to get drinking water for her family .
When she gets home , she lets the dirt settle to the bottom before using the “ clean ” water on top for drinking .
The water causes diarrhea , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But she has no choice .
There ’ s nothing else she can do .
The Water for LIFE outreach team traveled to Cambodia .
Thy showed the team her water source , then begged them for help .
“ I have lost two of my children already , ” she sobbed .
“ Please don ’ t let this water take my last !
” Unlike the coronavirus , this is completely curable and avoidable — mothers like Thy all over the world are in desperate need of clean water .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that recovery happens “ from the first cup of water they drink.
” How You Can Help The Stream ’ s parent organization , LIFE Outreach International , is doing something about it .
Since 2000 , LIFE Outreach ’ s Water for LIFE program has drilled more than 6,500 wells .
That means LIFE Outreach , with the gracious help of friends like you , has been able to provide access to clean water for several million people .
This year , Water for LIFE has promised 350 villages a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can secure the final 150 wells of the year .
Join us in praying that the Lord move in the hearts of His children to meet this need .
And please consider giving to Water for LIFE yourself .
With your gift , Water for LIFE can provide clean , disease-free water for villagers in the poorest countries .
150 wells .
Stream family , together we can get it done .
Click here to help .
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream .
You can follow her @ NancyFlory3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

A mother knelt by the graves of two of her children and wept. She lost her children to diseases brought on by drinking bacteria-laden water from a pond outside her village in Cambodia. Now she’s terrified she’ll lose her last child.
Each day, the mother, Thy, takes a bucket to the pond to get drinking water for her family. When she gets home, she lets the dirt settle to the bottom before using the “clean” water on top for drinking. The water causes diarrhea, vomiting, fever and intestinal cramps. But she has no choice. There’s nothing else she can do.
The Water for LIFE outreach team traveled to Cambodia. Thy showed the team her water source, then begged them for help. “I have lost two of my children already,” she sobbed. “Please don’t let this water take my last!”
Unlike the coronavirus, this is completely curable and avoidable — mothers like Thy all over the world are in desperate need of clean water. With a new well, a local doctor said that recovery happens “from the first cup of water they drink.”
How You Can Help
The Stream’s parent organization, LIFE Outreach International, is doing something about it. Since 2000, LIFE Outreach’s Water for LIFE program has drilled more than 6,500 wells. That means LIFE Outreach, with the gracious help of friends like you, has been able to provide access to clean water for several million people. This year, Water for LIFE has promised 350 villages a new well. With your help, we can secure the final 150 wells of the year.
Join us in praying that the Lord move in the hearts of His children to meet this need. And please consider giving to Water for LIFE yourself. With your gift, Water for LIFE can provide clean, disease-free water for villagers in the poorest countries.
150 wells. Stream family, together we can get it done. Click here to help.
Watch:
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-06-24--Post-Pandemic Pastors and the Sin of Silence

Editor ’ s Note : You can see and hear Shane deliver this message “ Shocking : Post-Pandemic Pastors and the Sin of Silence , ” here .
Let me state up front that countless pastors and Christian leaders are currently doing amazing things .
Many of them , such as Jack Graham , James Robison , Jack Hibbs , Michael Brown , and Jim Garlow , have invested into my life , and I praise God daily for them .
But there is also a disturbing trend taking place .
As I ’ ve said before , over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destruction of the institution of marriage between a man and a woman , the removal of God ’ s Word in most of the public arena , horrific racism , and the blatant murdering of millions of babies .
This is an indictment against America , and the pulpit is partially responsible .
Our silence speaks volumes .
The pulpit regulates the spiritual condition of God ’ s people , which affects the nation .
A lukewarm , sex-saturated culture ( and church ) simply reflects the lack of conviction in the pulpit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jim Garlow rightly noted when we spoke this week : “ There are approximately 364,000 churches in America : 72 percent , or 264,000 of them , are liberal , meaning that they really don ’ t care about the Bible .
According to exhaustive surveys , somewhere between 6,000 and 15,000 actually have a bona fide biblical worldview , that is , they see life through the lens of Scripture.
” Did you catch that ?
By this account , nearly 72 percent of churches don ’ t look to the Bible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direction .
No wonder America is crumbling from within ; the foundation is deteriorating .
He went on to say , This article is not a rebuke , per se , but a tear-stained plea to return to God .
The blood of unborn children and the effects of ungodly legislation are not just on the hands of legislators or judges but also on the hands of capitulating preachers .
Society can ignore the murder of millions of babies in the womb , mock the police , desecrate society , pillage and destroy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back ungodly movements — and pastors are supposed to keep their mouths shut on these issues ?
I don ’ t think so .
( For more on that , I invite you to watch this short clip picked up by Fox News . )
The Bible calls pastors “ watchmen ” who cry out and sound the alarm to awaken a sleeping church , not sing her lullabies .
The prophet Isaiah , who doesn ’ t mince words about lazy watchmen , says they are blind and ignorant and that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bark ( raise their voices to warn ) .
They sleep and lie down , loving to slumber ( cf .
Isaiah 56:9-12 ) .
At first glance , you may think this wording is too strong , but I can assure you that it is not .
Backing away from speaking the truth in love is a serious offense against God .
A genuine pastor doesn ’ t call himself to the ministry — God calls him to speak the truth , even on tough topics .
Silence about sin is rebelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your sermons do not upset the world from time to time , I have to seriously question your calling .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Few Spirit-filled preachers are left , and when one rises , they are quickly labeled as right-wing , extreme or narrow-minded .
The so-called evangelical church is on the verge of totally capitulating , especially on the cusp of the Supreme Court ’ s recent decisions .
I ’ m equally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remained silent when police officers were killed and babies aborted .
These “ woke ” Christians are not woke to the things of God .
They often do more harm than good by hashtagging and promoting false narratives .
Yes , we need to unite against racism and call it out when warranted , but our capitulation has led to cowardliness .
In trying to correct the sin of racism , the pendulum has now swung in a dangerous direction .
To fix racism , you have to preach about sin , repentance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn completely to Christ to truly change .
The irony is that many pastors avoid talking about foundational truths of the Bible that lead to real heart change .
They are actually part of the problem , not the solution .
From Orange County , California , to Dallas , Texas , how sad that many churches won ’ t even do voter registration because it ’ s “ too political.
” God ordained the government .
Surely He doesn ’ t want us to stay silent .
What we say ( or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are not being political .
We are being biblical .
Saying , “ I ’ m just not political , ” is really an excuse to hide cowardliness .
“ Bold pastors may look like they are on the wrong side of history , but they are on the right side of eternity , ” Jim Garlow says .
Many are even marching with ungodly groups and seeking redemption by kneeling .
This is why the social gospel , if not properly explained , is dangerous — it removes redemption through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works.
” There is no harm in calling for national repentance .
We have biblical grounds for that , as we see in the life of Daniel and Nehemiah .
But is racism the only sin we are guilty of as a nation ?
Why not unite black and white pastors in peaceful , biblically-grounded , gospel-centered , God-honoring gatherings rather than align with groups who fuel anger , revel in sin , and take pride in the lack of forgiveness and unity in their mission statements ?
Listen to more here .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sins of prayerlessness and pride .
They are running rampant in many of our churches .
The dry , dead , lethargic condition of the church accurately reflects an impotent prayer life and a lack of humility .
Prayerlessness in the pulpit leads to apostasy and dead sermons .
Prayerlessness in the pew leads to shattered lives and depression .
Prayerlessness in men leads to the breakdown of the family .
Prayerlessness in Washington leads to the breakdown of society .
“ When faith ceases to pray , it ceases to live ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have plenty of demands for protests , but where are the cries for prayer meetings ?
When a pastor stands firm for truth , he is demeaned , mocked and scorned — or people simply leave that church in search of a more “ loving ” pastor .
But this persecution , according to Scripture , can be a badge of honor , as long as our boldness is a fruit of the Spirit and not the fruit of an arrogant heart : “ Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ironically , the closer I draw to Christ through prayer and worship , the bolder I become .
But the more I ’ m concerned with the opinions of others , the less bold I become .
Boldness can not be worked up .
It must be brought down as we surrender our hearts and lives to Jesus Christ .
Too many pastors join the ministry not to battle the darkness but to sign a truce with the world .
A quote often attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville , a Frenchman who authored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , helps to identify how far we have drifted : “ It was not until I went to the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her success .
America is great because she is good , and if America ceases to be good , America will cease to be great.
” Pastors , we are not just cheerleaders , we are game-changers .
We are called to stir and to convict so that change takes place .
Granted , there are many wonderful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministry , but as a whole , the church has drifted off course .
Many have lost the compass of truth .
But there is hope : “ Therefore say to them , Thus declares the Lord of hosts : Return to me , says the Lord of hosts , and I will return to you ” ( Zechariah 1:3 ) .
Pastors , that ’ s a life-changing promise : return to Him , and He will return to you .
Boldness comes directly from the Holy Spirit , and it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not spending a lot of time with God .
Everything that God calls us to be is compromised when we are too busy and have no time for Him .
The world is on fire .
You may not accept that , but it is the truth .
This may be God ’ s last warning to America .
Can America be saved ?
I am not sure .
When the pulpit is silent , all hell breaks loose because there is no confrontation or conviction of sin .
But we are called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prayer and worship , to stand strong , and to expose the unfruitful works of darkness .
I will do that until God calls me home .
How about you ?
( Here is a quick clip on why we can talk about political hot buttons . )
Let it not be said of us today , “ And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord , ” because pastors failed to be bold preachers of righteousness .
The burden of responsibility rests squarely upon our shoulders .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or fall !
Shane has also delivered a short message responding to critics who don ’ t want to see a preacher talking about public issues .
It ’ s called “ Stay In Your Lane .
Stop Talking About Politics !
” Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Southern California and the creator of the WCF Radio Network .
His program , Regaining Lost Ground , points us back to God and reminds us that although times change , truth does not .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all be found at ShaneIdleman.com .

Editor’s Note: You can see and hear Shane deliver this message “Shocking: Post-Pandemic Pastors and the Sin of Silence,” here.
Let me state up front that countless pastors and Christian leaders are currently doing amazing things. Many of them, such as Jack Graham, James Robison, Jack Hibbs, Michael Brown, and Jim Garlow, have invested into my life, and I praise God daily for them. But there is also a disturbing trend taking place.
As I’ve said before, over the last few decades Americans have witnessed the destruction of the institution of marriage between a man and a woman, the removal of God’s Word in most of the public arena, horrific racism, and the blatant murdering of millions of babies. This is an indictment against America, and the pulpit is partially responsible. Our silence speaks volumes. The pulpit regulates the spiritual condition of God’s people, which affects the nation. A lukewarm, sex-saturated culture (and church) simply reflects the lack of conviction in the pulpit as well as the pew.
As Jim Garlow rightly noted when we spoke this week: “There are approximately 364,000 churches in America: 72 percent, or 264,000 of them, are liberal, meaning that they really don’t care about the Bible. According to exhaustive surveys, somewhere between 6,000 and 15,000 actually have a bona fide biblical worldview, that is, they see life through the lens of Scripture.” Did you catch that? By this account, nearly 72 percent of churches don’t look to the Bible as their final source of authority and direction. No wonder America is crumbling from within; the foundation is deteriorating.
He went on to say,
Bold pastors are nearly extinct. It would be much easier “to play church” and make everyone feel good. The church — as we now know it — will be functionally illegal very soon. With the recent SCOTUS decisions, the First Amendment died and churches will very soon be forced to hire those who practice homosexuality and will not be allowed to speak against the sinful practice.
This article is not a rebuke, per se, but a tear-stained plea to return to God. The blood of unborn children and the effects of ungodly legislation are not just on the hands of legislators or judges but also on the hands of capitulating preachers. Society can ignore the murder of millions of babies in the womb, mock the police, desecrate society, pillage and destroy, redefine marriage, support perversion, back ungodly movements — and pastors are supposed to keep their mouths shut on these issues? I don’t think so. (For more on that, I invite you to watch this short clip picked up by Fox News.)
The Irony of Silent Watchmen
The Bible calls pastors “watchmen” who cry out and sound the alarm to awaken a sleeping church, not sing her lullabies. The prophet Isaiah, who doesn’t mince words about lazy watchmen, says they are blind and ignorant and that they are all dumb dogs who cannot bark (raise their voices to warn). They sleep and lie down, loving to slumber (cf. Isaiah 56:9-12).
At first glance, you may think this wording is too strong, but I can assure you that it is not. Backing away from speaking the truth in love is a serious offense against God. A genuine pastor doesn’t call himself to the ministry — God calls him to speak the truth, even on tough topics. Silence about sin is rebelling against the call of God. If your sermons do not upset the world from time to time, I have to seriously question your calling.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Few Spirit-filled preachers are left, and when one rises, they are quickly labeled as right-wing, extreme or narrow-minded. The so-called evangelical church is on the verge of totally capitulating, especially on the cusp of the Supreme Court’s recent decisions. I’m equally alarmed at the number of leaders who remained silent when police officers were killed and babies aborted. These “woke” Christians are not woke to the things of God. They often do more harm than good by hashtagging and promoting false narratives.
Yes, we need to unite against racism and call it out when warranted, but our capitulation has led to cowardliness. In trying to correct the sin of racism, the pendulum has now swung in a dangerous direction. To fix racism, you have to preach about sin, repentance and forgiveness. A person needs to turn completely to Christ to truly change. The irony is that many pastors avoid talking about foundational truths of the Bible that lead to real heart change. They are actually part of the problem, not the solution.
From Orange County, California, to Dallas, Texas, how sad that many churches won’t even do voter registration because it’s “too political.” God ordained the government. Surely He doesn’t want us to stay silent. What we say (or do not say) greatly impacts politics. We are not being political. We are being biblical. Saying, “I’m just not political,” is really an excuse to hide cowardliness. “Bold pastors may look like they are on the wrong side of history, but they are on the right side of eternity,” Jim Garlow says.
Many are even marching with ungodly groups and seeking redemption by kneeling. This is why the social gospel, if not properly explained, is dangerous — it removes redemption through Christ and places it on “good works.” There is no harm in calling for national repentance. We have biblical grounds for that, as we see in the life of Daniel and Nehemiah. But is racism the only sin we are guilty of as a nation? Why not unite black and white pastors in peaceful, biblically-grounded, gospel-centered, God-honoring gatherings rather than align with groups who fuel anger, revel in sin, and take pride in the lack of forgiveness and unity in their mission statements? Listen to more here.
The Sin of Prayerlessness
At the heart of cowardliness are the sins of prayerlessness and pride. They are running rampant in many of our churches. The dry, dead, lethargic condition of the church accurately reflects an impotent prayer life and a lack of humility. Prayerlessness in the pulpit leads to apostasy and dead sermons. Prayerlessness in the pew leads to shattered lives and depression. Prayerlessness in men leads to the breakdown of the family. Prayerlessness in Washington leads to the breakdown of society. “When faith ceases to pray, it ceases to live” (E. M. Bounds). We have plenty of demands for protests, but where are the cries for prayer meetings?
When a pastor stands firm for truth, he is demeaned, mocked and scorned — or people simply leave that church in search of a more “loving” pastor. But this persecution, according to Scripture, can be a badge of honor, as long as our boldness is a fruit of the Spirit and not the fruit of an arrogant heart: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (Matthew 5:10).
Boldness comes directly from the Holy Spirit, and it is crystal clear that many of us are not spending a lot of time with God.
Ironically, the closer I draw to Christ through prayer and worship, the bolder I become. But the more I’m concerned with the opinions of others, the less bold I become. Boldness cannot be worked up. It must be brought down as we surrender our hearts and lives to Jesus Christ. Too many pastors join the ministry not to battle the darkness but to sign a truce with the world.
Pulpits Aflame with Righteousness
A quote often attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville, a Frenchman who authored Democracy in America in the early 1800s, helps to identify how far we have drifted: “It was not until I went to the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her success. America is great because she is good, and if America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”
Pastors, we are not just cheerleaders, we are game-changers. We are called to stir and to convict so that change takes place. Granted, there are many wonderful pastors and churches — I appreciate their ministry, but as a whole, the church has drifted off course. Many have lost the compass of truth. But there is hope: “Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you” (Zechariah 1:3).
Pastors, that’s a life-changing promise: return to Him, and He will return to you. Boldness comes directly from the Holy Spirit, and it is crystal clear that many of us are not spending a lot of time with God. Everything that God calls us to be is compromised when we are too busy and have no time for Him.
The world is on fire. You may not accept that, but it is the truth. This may be God’s last warning to America. Can America be saved? I am not sure. When the pulpit is silent, all hell breaks loose because there is no confrontation or conviction of sin. But we are called to fight with the spiritual weapons of prayer and worship, to stand strong, and to expose the unfruitful works of darkness. I will do that until God calls me home. How about you? (Here is a quick clip on why we can talk about political hot buttons.)
Let it not be said of us today, “And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord,” because pastors failed to be bold preachers of righteousness. The burden of responsibility rests squarely upon our shoulders. It’s our choice — stand, or fall!
Shane has also delivered a short message responding to critics who don’t want to see a preacher talking about public issues. It’s called “Stay In Your Lane. Stop Talking About Politics!”
Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Southern California and the creator of the WCF Radio Network. His program, Regaining Lost Ground, points us back to God and reminds us that although times change, truth does not. His books, blogs, and sermons can all be found at ShaneIdleman.com.


thestream--2020-06-24--Planned Parenthood Fires Top Exec Over Allegations of Racism

A top executive at the Planned Parenthood Federation of America has been fired over allegations of racism .
The organization ’ s board of directors announced Tuesday that they had “ parted ways ” Monday with Laura McQuade , who had served as chief executive of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York since 2017 , the New York Times reported .
The news came after allegations of both abusive and discriminatory behavior towards black Planned Parenthood employees .
Hundreds of employees formed a group called Save PPGNY and spoke out against McQuade in the form of letters — letters that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We reject what we view as McQuade ’ s Trumpian leadership style , ” one of the letters said , according to the Times , “ and envision a Planned Parenthood where all our staff , in particular our black and other staff of color , are honored for their expertise and included in the decision-making process.
” The letters accuse McQuade of treating black employees with discrimination and preventing them from advancing in their careers , of humiliating and berating employees , and of supporting the laying off and furloughing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s employees during the coronavirus crisis — without a decrease in her own pay .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
“ Planned Parenthood was founded by a racist , white woman , ” one of the letters said , posted on the group Save PPGNY ’ s website , referring to Planned Parenthood founder and eugenicist supporter Margaret Sanger .
“ That is a part of history that can not be changed .
While efforts have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harm from institutional racism , many of these issues have worsened under McQuade ’ s tenure.
” “ After years of complaints from staff about issues of systemic racism , pay inequity , and lack of upward mobility for black staff , highly-paid consultants were brought in three separate times to assess the situation , ” the letter continued .
“ Each time , employees of color were brutally honest about their experiences , but nothing changed .
It is not possible to do justice to the scope and gravity of this issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amidst national outrage over the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes , video of the incident showed .
Derek Chauvin , the officer , has been fired and arrested on second-degree murder and manslaughter charges .
“ The Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Board of Directors has announced that they have parted ways with Laura McQuade , ” Save PPGNY said in a post on the group ’ s website following news that she had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is still work to do , we are happy for this victory .
Thank you to everyone who helped us with this important win .
The people united will never be defeated.
” Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

A top executive at the Planned Parenthood Federation of America has been fired over allegations of racism.
The organization’s board of directors announced Tuesday that they had “parted ways” Monday with Laura McQuade, who had served as chief executive of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York since 2017, the New York Times reported. The news came after allegations of both abusive and discriminatory behavior towards black Planned Parenthood employees.
Hundreds of employees formed a group called Save PPGNY and spoke out against McQuade in the form of letters — letters that demanded she be removed from her position.
“We reject what we view as McQuade’s Trumpian leadership style,” one of the letters said, according to the Times, “and envision a Planned Parenthood where all our staff, in particular our black and other staff of color, are honored for their expertise and included in the decision-making process.”
The letters accuse McQuade of treating black employees with discrimination and preventing them from advancing in their careers, of humiliating and berating employees, and of supporting the laying off and furloughing of almost a third of PPGNY’s employees during the coronavirus crisis — without a decrease in her own pay.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“Planned Parenthood was founded by a racist, white woman,” one of the letters said, posted on the group Save PPGNY’s website, referring to Planned Parenthood founder and eugenicist supporter Margaret Sanger.
“That is a part of history that cannot be changed. While efforts have been made to undo some of the harm from institutional racism, many of these issues have worsened under McQuade’s tenure.”
“After years of complaints from staff about issues of systemic racism, pay inequity, and lack of upward mobility for black staff, highly-paid consultants were brought in three separate times to assess the situation,” the letter continued. “Each time, employees of color were brutally honest about their experiences, but nothing changed. It is not possible to do justice to the scope and gravity of this issue here.”
The allegations of racism came amidst national outrage over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes, video of the incident showed. Derek Chauvin, the officer, has been fired and arrested on second-degree murder and manslaughter charges.
“The Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Board of Directors has announced that they have parted ways with Laura McQuade,” Save PPGNY said in a post on the group’s website following news that she had been fired. “While we know that there is still work to do, we are happy for this victory. Thank you to everyone who helped us with this important win. The people united will never be defeated.”
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--2020-06-24--Appeals Court Orders Judge to Dismiss Flynn Case as Proof Emerges of Obama’s Role in the Frame-Up

War hero Lt. General Michael Flynn never should have been targeted ( twice ) by the Obama Administration for destruction .
Never should have been set up by Comey ’ s FBI .
Never should have been charged by Mueller ’ s partisan goons , who knew he ’ d been cleared of collusion with Russia and had not lied to the FBI .
Never should have been forced into a plea agreement by threats against his son .
Never should have had mountains of exculpatory evidence kept from his lawyers .
Never should have had the judge in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the face of overwhelming evidence of government misconduct .
Never should have had this same judge ignore — for partisan political reasons — the Justice Department ’ s decision to drop the case after cataloging that misconduct .
Never should this judge have hired a partisan Trump-hating ex-judge as an amicus to challenge DOJ ’ s decision .
Lt. General Michael Flynn never should have been brutalized .
No American should ever be so brutalized .
Thankfully , today , the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ordered District Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s case .
And today we got further proof President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden were key players in the framing of General Flynn .
In a very rare move , the appeals court granted Flynn ’ s request for a “ Writ of Mandamus.
” This is an order from a court to an inferior government official ordering the government official to properly fulfill their official duties or correct an abuse of discretion .
The court demands Sullivan “ grant the government ’ s Rule 48 ( a ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court ’ s order appointing an amicus is hereby vacated as moot.
” To put it in popular terms , “ Judge Sullivan , You had ONE JOB !
” They went further .
The court said “ The dissent ( by Sullivan ) fails to justify the district court ’ s unprecedented intrusions on individual liberty and the Executive ’ s charging authority.
” Sullivan denied Flynn ’ s rights and violated the Separation of Powers .
( Perhaps someday we ’ ll find the real reason why . )
President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yet , it ’ s still too early to pop the bubbly .
Sullivan could appeal the decision .
And given how inexplicably hard he ’ s tried to keep Flynn from receiving justice , who ’ d be surprised if he did ?
So Flynn ’ s legal battle isn ’ t quite over .
Gen. Flynn acknowledged as much in a surprise call to Rush Limbaugh Wednesday afternoon .
“ It never ends , ” he said .
“ The struggle for this country never ends.
” He thanked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he thanked his lawyer Sidney Powell , calling her “ America ’ s Guardian of Justice.
” Any further refusal by Sullivan to bring the gavel down would raise even greater suspicions the judge himself has been compromised .
Especially with news breaking on yet another piece of evidence from the FBI that is “ highly exculpatory.
” And extremely illuminating on the origins of the anti-Flynn plot .
According to Just The News , Sullivan was informed Tuesday by the DOJ of a single page of notes “ believed to have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of early January 2017 when FBI agents recommended shutting down their investigation of Flynn only to be overruled by FBI superiors.
” That meant Strzok , former Deputy Director Andrew McCabe and fired FBI director James Comey .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
However , the note itself was revealed Wednesday .
It is crystal clear the direction to target Michael Flynn went higher than Comey .
It went straight into the Oval Office .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden .
As The Federalist is putting it , “ Explosive New FBI Notes Confirm Obama Directed Anti-Flynn Operation.
” Peter Strzok ’ s Notes Co… by The Federalist on Scribd We return back to that infamous January 5 , 2017 meeting in the White House where Obama and his top officials discussed what to do about Trump and the Russia investigation .
Strzok ’ s notes on the meeting reveal three key points : 1 .
James Comey said that Flynn ’ s call with Russian ambassador Sergie Kislyak ( SP ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower level agents had already cleared Flynn of any Russian collusion and wanted to close the case on him .
So with the agents saying Flynn was clean and FBI director Comey agreeing all was well with the call , that should have been it .
But no , VP Joe Biden had just offered an idea : 2 .
VP Biden raises the possibility of using the Logan Act against Flynn .
The Logan Act dates from the 18th century .
It prohibits non governmental officials from conducting U.S. policy .
Nobody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever been convicted under the Logan Act and only a couple people in the far distant past have even been charged .
( BTW , Joe Biden has previously denied knowing anything about the Flynn investigation . )
The Logan Act wouldn ’ t even apply to Flynn because he was acting in his official role as incoming National Security Adviser .
It ’ s his job to be on the horn with Russia ’ s ambassador .
For that matter , the Logan Act is very likely unconstitutional .
Which you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutional law named Barack Obama would know .
Yet instead of laughing off Biden ’ s idea President Obama pushed the effort against Flynn forward : 3 .
“ Make sure you look at things , ” Obama said , ” … and have the right people on it.
” What things ?
There are no things to look at .
Strzok , by this time had already spent five months investigating Trump Russia collusion and found nothing .
The FBI and other intelligence agencies had also been unable to confirm anything in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the allegations were funded by Hillary Clinton ’ s campaign .
And Flynn ’ s call with the Russian ambassador , Comey was about to confirm , was squeaky clean . )
“ Have the right people on it.
” There , we know exactly what Obama means .
And who would those “ right people ” be ?
Try Peter Strzok , for starters .
He not only had contempt for Trump , he ’ d already partnered with his lover Lisa Page and Andrew McCabe on an “ insurance policy ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had proved a loyal soldier in guiding the criminal investigation against Hillary Clinton straight into a dumpster .
And when a huge cache of Clinton State Department emails turned up on the laptop of convicted pervert Anthony Weiner , Strzok made sure to sit on that news for a month before antsy agents and cops in New York pressured him to act .
And Comey was forced to pretend to reopen the Hillary investigation for 48 hours , the weekend before the election .
Finally — since with Obama it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boss Bill Priestap would be “ right people.
” Priestap had truly “ made his bones , ” as the mobsters say , with the capo di capi .
He had been the one to edit references to Barack Obama out of James Comey ’ s infamous statement recommending against prosecuting Hillary Clinton .
The original statement had said Clinton exposed her unsecure server to a foreign government while corresponding from China with President Obama .
In other words , Obama knew all about Hillary ’ s secret server and email system and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( with Strzok looking on ) fixed that pesky problem for Obama .
Priestap would go onto made the actual decision to launch “ Crossfire Hurricane , ” the counter-intelligence investigation into the Trump campaign based on false and unverified information handed the FBI by Clinton-paid operators .
Yes , indeed .
Come January 2017 , for his seditious conspiracy against the incoming President , Barack Obama needed the right people .
Ironically , Priestap ’ s notes would ultimately help unravel the case against Flynn .
It ’ s Priestap who wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flynn , “ What is our goal ?
Truth/Admission or to get him to lie , so we can prosecute him or get him fired ?
” Michael Flynn has been vindicated .
God willing , he ’ ll soon be free of his legal cloud .
God willing , he will also be free to talk .
Then , perhaps , we ’ ll know what , exactly , Obama was so scared of .
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author , with @ JZmirak , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You can follow him at @ StreamingAl .
And if you aren ’ t already , please follow The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

War hero Lt. General Michael Flynn never should have been targeted (twice) by the Obama Administration for destruction. Never should have been set up by Comey’s FBI. Never should have been charged by Mueller’s partisan goons, who knew he’d been cleared of collusion with Russia and had not lied to the FBI. Never should have been forced into a plea agreement by threats against his son. Never should have had mountains of exculpatory evidence kept from his lawyers.
Never should have had the judge in the case refuse to dismiss the case in the face of overwhelming evidence of government misconduct. Never should have had this same judge ignore — for partisan political reasons — the Justice Department’s decision to drop the case after cataloging that misconduct. Never should this judge have hired a partisan Trump-hating ex-judge as an amicus to challenge DOJ’s decision.
Lt. General Michael Flynn never should have been brutalized. No American should ever be so brutalized.
Thankfully, today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ordered District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan to dismiss Gen. Flynn’s case.
And today we got further proof President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden were key players in the framing of General Flynn.
The Order to Dismiss
In a very rare move, the appeals court granted Flynn’s request for a “Writ of Mandamus.” This is an order from a court to an inferior government official ordering the government official to properly fulfill their official duties or correct an abuse of discretion.
The court demands Sullivan “grant the government’s Rule 48 (a) motion to dismiss; and the District Court’s order appointing an amicus is hereby vacated as moot.” To put it in popular terms, “Judge Sullivan, You had ONE JOB!”
They went further. The court said “The dissent (by Sullivan) fails to justify the district court’s unprecedented intrusions on individual liberty and the Executive’s charging authority.” Sullivan denied Flynn’s rights and violated the Separation of Powers. (Perhaps someday we’ll find the real reason why.)
President Trump was quick to hail the court order.
Great! Appeals Court Upholds Justice Departments Request To Drop Criminal Case Against General Michael Flynn! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 24, 2020
Yet, it’s still too early to pop the bubbly. Sullivan could appeal the decision. And given how inexplicably hard he’s tried to keep Flynn from receiving justice, who’d be surprised if he did? So Flynn’s legal battle isn’t quite over.
Gen. Flynn acknowledged as much in a surprise call to Rush Limbaugh Wednesday afternoon. “It never ends,” he said. “The struggle for this country never ends.”
He thanked the American people for their support. And he thanked his lawyer Sidney Powell, calling her “America’s Guardian of Justice.”
More “Highly Exculpatory” Evidence Emerges
Any further refusal by Sullivan to bring the gavel down would raise even greater suspicions the judge himself has been compromised. Especially with news breaking on yet another piece of evidence from the FBI that is “highly exculpatory.” And extremely illuminating on the origins of the anti-Flynn plot.
According to Just The News, Sullivan was informed Tuesday by the DOJ of a single page of notes “believed to have been taken by Strzok during the critical juncture of early January 2017 when FBI agents recommended shutting down their investigation of Flynn only to be overruled by FBI superiors.” That meant Strzok, former Deputy Director Andrew McCabe and fired FBI director James Comey.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
However, the note itself was revealed Wednesday. It is crystal clear the direction to target Michael Flynn went higher than Comey. It went straight into the Oval Office. And President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. As The Federalist is putting it, “Explosive New FBI Notes Confirm Obama Directed Anti-Flynn Operation.”
Peter Strzok’s Notes Co… by The Federalist on Scribd
We return back to that infamous January 5, 2017 meeting in the White House where Obama and his top officials discussed what to do about Trump and the Russia investigation.
Strzok’s notes on the meeting reveal three key points:
1. James Comey said that Flynn’s call with Russian ambassador Sergie Kislyak (SP) “appears legit.” Remember, the lower level agents had already cleared Flynn of any Russian collusion and wanted to close the case on him.
So with the agents saying Flynn was clean and FBI director Comey agreeing all was well with the call, that should have been it. But no, VP Joe Biden had just offered an idea:
2. VP Biden raises the possibility of using the Logan Act against Flynn. The Logan Act dates from the 18th century. It prohibits non governmental officials from conducting U.S. policy. Nobody in the history of our nation has ever been convicted under the Logan Act and only a couple people in the far distant past have even been charged. (BTW, Joe Biden has previously denied knowing anything about the Flynn investigation.)
The Logan Act wouldn’t even apply to Flynn because he was acting in his official role as incoming National Security Adviser. It’s his job to be on the horn with Russia’s ambassador. For that matter, the Logan Act is very likely unconstitutional. Which you’d think a former adjunct professor of constitutional law named Barack Obama would know. Yet instead of laughing off Biden’s idea President Obama pushed the effort against Flynn forward:
3. “Make sure you look at things,” Obama said, ” … and have the right people on it.”
What things? There are no things to look at. Strzok, by this time had already spent five months investigating Trump Russia collusion and found nothing. The FBI and other intelligence agencies had also been unable to confirm anything in the Steele Dossier. They also knew the allegations were funded by Hillary Clinton’s campaign. And Flynn’s call with the Russian ambassador, Comey was about to confirm, was squeaky clean.)
“The Right People”
“Have the right people on it.” There, we know exactly what Obama means. And who would those “right people” be? Try Peter Strzok, for starters. He not only had contempt for Trump, he’d already partnered with his lover Lisa Page and Andrew McCabe on an “insurance policy” to take out Trump. Moreover, he had proved a loyal soldier in guiding the criminal investigation against Hillary Clinton straight into a dumpster. And when a huge cache of Clinton State Department emails turned up on the laptop of convicted pervert Anthony Weiner, Strzok made sure to sit on that news for a month before antsy agents and cops in New York pressured him to act. And Comey was forced to pretend to reopen the Hillary investigation for 48 hours, the weekend before the election.
“It never ends,” Gen. Flynn told Rush. “The struggle for this country never ends.”
Finally — since with Obama it’s always about Obama — Strzok’s boss Bill Priestap would be “right people.” Priestap had truly “made his bones,” as the mobsters say, with the capo di capi. He had been the one to edit references to Barack Obama out of James Comey’s infamous statement recommending against prosecuting Hillary Clinton. The original statement had said Clinton exposed her unsecure server to a foreign government while corresponding from China with President Obama. In other words, Obama knew all about Hillary’s secret server and email system and had lied about it. But Priestap (with Strzok looking on) fixed that pesky problem for Obama.
Priestap would go onto made the actual decision to launch “Crossfire Hurricane,” the counter-intelligence investigation into the Trump campaign based on false and unverified information handed the FBI by Clinton-paid operators.
Yes, indeed. Come January 2017, for his seditious conspiracy against the incoming President, Barack Obama needed the right people.
Ironically, Priestap’s notes would ultimately help unravel the case against Flynn. It’s Priestap who wrote before the White House interview to entrap Flynn, “What is our goal? Truth/Admission or to get him to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired?”
Michael Flynn has been vindicated. God willing, he’ll soon be free of his legal cloud. God willing, he will also be free to talk. Then, perhaps, we’ll know what, exactly, Obama was so scared of.
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author, with @JZmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl. And if you aren’t already, please follow The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-06-24--White Liberal Blindness Strikes Again

White Liberal Blindness Strikes Again

I almost never read E.J .
Dionne , Jr.
He ’ s a liberal Catholic who appears in all the right places , like NPR and The Washington Post , and says all the usual things for a liberal Catholic who appears on NPR .
This one from the Post caught my eye , though — because I completely agree with him about African-American Christianity ’ s proclamation of the Gospel as liberation .
And the importance of their faith to keeping our politics sane .
The African-American base of the Democratic Party is the one thing keeping the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white liberals are headed .
On Super Tuesday , they saved the party .
As Ross Douthat observed , “ It was something — a turning of the tables , a doing what others up North and out West couldn ’ t quite do , and that was saying , ‘ We are not socialists , we ’ re Democrats.
’ ” The greatness of African-American Christianity isn ’ t the point of his column .
The point of his column is that white Christians are bad because they are Republican .
Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican .
And really , isn ’ t that the general theme of what we are seeing from so much of our white liberal friends and relatives in our news feeds this past month ?
For many white liberals , it ’ s not really about helping black people .
It ’ s about telling other white people that they occupy a loftier moral plane than others ( like conservatives ) .
But let ’ s come back to Dionne ’ s column .
He says that African-American Christianity is good because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He invokes lots of biblical references ( the prophet Amos , etc . )
to make this point .
White evangelical Christianity is bad because it ’ s conservative and its adherents support Trump .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Dionne is a Catholic , albeit a liberal one .
Has the man never heard of the pro-life movement ?
Is he even pro-life himself ?
I ’ ve never known him to write a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I mention this because the pro-life movement is the example par excellence of a mostly white conservative Christianity that is about justice , that does read all of Dionne ’ s Scriptural references the same way the African-American church does .
That is why the late Fr .
Richard John Neuhaus , who worked with Martin Luther King , could rightly point to the pro-life movement as a natural successor to MLK ’ s civil rights movement .
And that is why pro-life Christians voted for Trump .
From that very same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims we lack .
They voted for Trump out of a passionate desire for justice to the unborn .
None of which , by the way , is to deny Trump ’ s flaws .
It ’ s not to deny the weaknesses of our movement .
Some of our people have responded to the challenges of racism badly , without the sympathy that should mark pro-lifers .
They have not spoken in keeping with the noble lineage etched out by Fr .
Neuhaus and upheld today by figures like Robert P. George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vigorous ( indeed , at times all-consuming ) tradition of self-criticism .
We correct our mistakes .
White liberals , not so much .
Their self-criticisms aren ’ t really aimed at the self .
Theirs are more in the nature of the “ humble brag , ” the thing that means its opposite .
Their confessions of “ white privilege ” are really confessions of their own virtue , of their superiority over other white people who are not as morally wise as them .
That is what it is all about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pain of African-Americans is really just a means toward that end ( and many others ) .
A superficial focus on discrimination is how some affluent liberal whites maintain their power .
It gives them cover with the Left .
It keeps the woke mob from noticing that their wealthy allies benefit from growing income inequality .
As Rob Henderson wrote in the New York Post , “ Upper-class whites gain status by talking about their high status .
When laws are enacted to combat white privilege , it won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Poor whites will bear the brunt.
” Never is the hypocrisy of it more obvious than when they cite Al Sharpton against us , as Dionne does .
No single leader of the African-American community has done more harm to Martin Luther King ’ s legacy in my lifetime than Al Sharpton .
King responded to racism with a vision of the beloved community that we can all support .
Sharpton turned the cause into a shakedown operation that , in some cases , led to deaths or ruined lives .
Peter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Connecticut Action .
He lives in Waterbury , Connecticut , with his wife and their seven children .
The views expressed on The Stream are solely his own .

I almost never read E.J. Dionne, Jr. He’s a liberal Catholic who appears in all the right places, like NPR and The Washington Post, and says all the usual things for a liberal Catholic who appears on NPR. This one from the Post caught my eye, though — because I completely agree with him about African-American Christianity’s proclamation of the Gospel as liberation.
And the importance of their faith to keeping our politics sane. The African-American base of the Democratic Party is the one thing keeping the party from being full-on communist, or wherever white liberals are headed. On Super Tuesday, they saved the party. As Peggy Noonan observed, “It was something — a turning of the tables, a doing what others up North and out West couldn’t quite do, and that was saying, ‘We are not socialists, we’re Democrats.’”
But Dionne can’t stop there.
The General Theme
The greatness of African-American Christianity isn’t the point of his column. The point of his column is that white Christians are bad because they are Republican. Black Christians are good because they are not Republican.
And really, isn’t that the general theme of what we are seeing from so much of our white liberal friends and relatives in our news feeds this past month? For many white liberals, it’s not really about helping black people. It’s about telling other white people that they occupy a loftier moral plane than others (like conservatives).
But let’s come back to Dionne’s column. He says that African-American Christianity is good because it’s about justice for the oppressed. He invokes lots of biblical references (the prophet Amos, etc.) to make this point. White evangelical Christianity is bad because it’s conservative and its adherents support Trump.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Dionne is a Catholic, albeit a liberal one. Has the man never heard of the pro-life movement? Is he even pro-life himself? I’ve never known him to write a single word in defense of the unborn.
I mention this because the pro-life movement is the example par excellence of a mostly white conservative Christianity that is about justice, that does read all of Dionne’s Scriptural references the same way the African-American church does.
That is why the late Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, who worked with Martin Luther King, could rightly point to the pro-life movement as a natural successor to MLK’s civil rights movement.
And that is why pro-life Christians voted for Trump. From that very same Biblical tradition of social justice that Dionne claims we lack. They voted for Trump out of a passionate desire for justice to the unborn.
Pro-Life Self-Criticism
None of which, by the way, is to deny Trump’s flaws. It’s not to deny the weaknesses of our movement. Some of our people have responded to the challenges of racism badly, without the sympathy that should mark pro-lifers. They have not spoken in keeping with the noble lineage etched out by Fr. Neuhaus and upheld today by figures like Robert P. George.
But pro-lifers at least have a vigorous (indeed, at times all-consuming) tradition of self-criticism. We correct our mistakes. White liberals, not so much. Their self-criticisms aren’t really aimed at the self. Theirs are more in the nature of the “humble brag,” the thing that means its opposite.
Their confessions of “white privilege” are really confessions of their own virtue, of their superiority over other white people who are not as morally wise as them. That is what it is all about for them. For white liberals, the pain of African-Americans is really just a means toward that end (and many others).
A superficial focus on discrimination is how some affluent liberal whites maintain their power. It gives them cover with the Left. It keeps the woke mob from noticing that their wealthy allies benefit from growing income inequality. As Rob Henderson wrote in the New York Post, “Upper-class whites gain status by talking about their high status. When laws are enacted to combat white privilege, it won’t be the privileged whites who are harmed. Poor whites will bear the brunt.”
Liberal Hypocrisy
Never is the hypocrisy of it more obvious than when they cite Al Sharpton against us, as Dionne does. No single leader of the African-American community has done more harm to Martin Luther King’s legacy in my lifetime than Al Sharpton.
King responded to racism with a vision of the beloved community that we can all support. Sharpton turned the cause into a shakedown operation that, in some cases, led to deaths or ruined lives.
Seriously. Al Sharpton. Blind spots indeed.
Correction made: “Ross Douthat” changed to “Peggy Noonan.”
Peter Wolfgang is president of Family Institute of Connecticut Action. He lives in Waterbury, Connecticut, with his wife and their seven children. The views expressed on The Stream are solely his own.


thestream--2020-06-24--When Fake News Becomes Canonized

When Fake News Becomes Canonized

I rarely use the term “ fake news ” in my writing .
In fact , out of the nearly 2,000 op-ed pieces I have written , I can only find a couple of times I used it in the title of one of my articles .
One reason I ’ m hesitant to use the term is because it is so overused .
Everything these days is “ fake news.
” Another reason I don ’ t use the term a lot is that it is often our convenient way of dismissing a story we don ’ t like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news !
” we exclaim .
Yet fake news really does exist .
And once it circulates online , it becomes canonized , fixed in the popular mind of the day as if irrefutable truth .
Yet it ’ s becoming more and more difficult to separate truth from fiction when following the news .
You ’ ll read a juicy headline , promising some bombshell information , only to read the article and say , “ That ’ s it ?
” You ’ ll see the sensational title of a video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Where was the shock and awe ?
” You ’ ll see a chyron ( a TV news banner ) running across the screen , but it doesn ’ t match the content you are hearing .
Worse still , you ’ ll see that the headline or title or chyron is merely an interpretation of the events , someone else ’ s spin on a quote .
The facts are obscured by the opining .
Yet you think you ’ re getting the facts .
And how often do we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( or watch the whole video or TV report ) , let alone research the information for ourselves ?
Trump ’ s Rally Wasn ’ t Packed Out , But Had Record-Breaking Views on Fox News I was struck by this phenomenon in recent days when reading reports about President Trump ’ s rally in Tulsa this past Saturday .
( For the Trump-lovers or Trump-haters , here ’ s a spoiler alert : This is not a politically partisan article .
This is not pro-Trump or anti-Trump .
It is pro-truth .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports of as many as one million people registering for the event .
There were plans for Trump to address an overflow crowd outside the arena .
And it was fully expected that the arena itself would be packed .
None of that happened .
Instead , according to the local fire department , 6,200 turned out for the rally , leaving many empty seats in the building .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Others disputed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd was present , based on the capacity of the arena and the number of empty seats .
In any event , on Fox News alone , nearly 8 million tuned in to watch , while online streaming services brought in as many as four million more .
The Hill even reported that , “ President Trump ’ s rally in Tulsa , Okla. , generated the largest Saturday audience in Fox News Channel ’ s 24-year history in delivering 7.7 million viewers , according to the early Nielsen data.
” That is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ongoing concerns about COVID-19 and the threat of protests outside the rally , the event was hardly a flop .
( The White House denied reports that Trump was “ furious ” over the turnout . )
As for Trump ’ s performance during the rally , he seemed quite energized , as did his base .
( Again , I ’ m just reporting the facts here , not making a political statement .
You may have loved or hated his speech .
That ’ s not the issue . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ describe the rally ?
Writing for CNN , Chris Cillizza offered “ 6 excuses for why the Trump Tulsa rally was such a dud.
” A dud ?
Really ?
Drawing thousands of people in the midst of virus fears and violent protest concerns is a dud ?
Setting an all-time Saturday night viewing audience on Fox is a dud ?
Worse still was the reporting by the Daily Mail for which “ dud ” was not a sufficiently derogatory description .
Instead , one headline announced , “ Two of Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disastrous Tulsa rally test positive for coronavirus — but officials say they were ‘ wearing masks ’ ” ( my emphasis ) .
Yes , the rally was disastrous !
( If you read the actual article , it barely mentions the rally .
When it does , the description is much less bombastic . )
Now this is a matter of fact .
It is codified and canonized .
For Politico , the rally was not merely a “ dud ” or “ disastrous.
” Instead , it was a “ debacle.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s Oklahoma debacle .
The rally was meant to be a turning point in Trump ’ s fortunes and efforts to take on Biden .
Instead , Trump was furious and his campaign is reeling.
” True to form , just four days later , on Tuesday , June 24 , the Mail reported , “ Donald Trump finally gets the packed mask-free crowd he craved at 3,000-strong students rally in Phoenix and calls coronavirus ‘ kung flu ’ AGAIN — while cops fire pepper balls at protesters outside.
” So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — meaning , on his second rally since the shutdown , just four days after the Tulsa rally .
That is the meaning of “ finally ” ?
Certainly , Trump expected a packed house in Tulsa and didn ’ t get it .
That would certainly irk him .
And he couldn ’ t have been happy about reports of Chinese collusion in boosting the number of reservations made for the Tulsa event , whether true or not .
But , to repeat , to rally that many people in such difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disaster , or a debacle .
And to draw another 12 million viewers between TV and internet , including record-setting TV numbers , is even less a dud , a disaster , or a debacle .
( Bear in mind that other TV networks did not air the rally , so the viewing numbers could have been much higher still . )
News Media Consumer Beware : We Must Do Our Own Homework But the story has been told and the reporting has been done .
The media has rendered its judgment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiction , has become fact .
Let the viewer/reader beware .
Does the rightwing media do this as well ?
Yes , the sword cuts both ways .
All the more , then , do we need to do our homework and form our opinions for ourselves .
We can not rely on the media to do it for us .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

I rarely use the term “fake news” in my writing. In fact, out of the nearly 2,000 op-ed pieces I have written, I can only find a couple of times I used it in the title of one of my articles.
One reason I’m hesitant to use the term is because it is so overused. Everything these days is “fake news.” Another reason I don’t use the term a lot is that it is often our convenient way of dismissing a story we don’t like. “That’s just fake news!” we exclaim.
Yet fake news really does exist. And once it circulates online, it becomes canonized, fixed in the popular mind of the day as if irrefutable truth.
Yet it’s becoming more and more difficult to separate truth from fiction when following the news.
You’ll read a juicy headline, promising some bombshell information, only to read the article and say, “That’s it?”
You’ll see the sensational title of a video only to watch the video and ask, “Where was the shock and awe?”
You’ll see a chyron (a TV news banner) running across the screen, but it doesn’t match the content you are hearing.
Worse still, you’ll see that the headline or title or chyron is merely an interpretation of the events, someone else’s spin on a quote. The facts are obscured by the opining. Yet you think you’re getting the facts.
And how often do we fail even to read the full article (or watch the whole video or TV report), let alone research the information for ourselves?
Trump’s Rally Wasn’t Packed Out, But Had Record-Breaking Views on Fox News
I was struck by this phenomenon in recent days when reading reports about President Trump’s rally in Tulsa this past Saturday. (For the Trump-lovers or Trump-haters, here’s a spoiler alert: This is not a politically partisan article. This is not pro-Trump or anti-Trump. It is pro-truth.)
Before the rally, there were reports of as many as one million people registering for the event. There were plans for Trump to address an overflow crowd outside the arena. And it was fully expected that the arena itself would be packed.
None of that happened. Instead, according to the local fire department, 6,200 turned out for the rally, leaving many empty seats in the building.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Others disputed those numbers, claiming a substantially larger crowd was present, based on the capacity of the arena and the number of empty seats.
In any event, on Fox News alone, nearly 8 million tuned in to watch, while online streaming services brought in as many as four million more. The Hill even reported that, “President Trump’s rally in Tulsa, Okla., generated the largest Saturday audience in Fox News Channel’s 24-year history in delivering 7.7 million viewers, according to the early Nielsen data.” That is quite an accomplishment.
And, given the ongoing concerns about COVID-19 and the threat of protests outside the rally, the event was hardly a flop. (The White House denied reports that Trump was “furious” over the turnout.)
As for Trump’s performance during the rally, he seemed quite energized, as did his base. (Again, I’m just reporting the facts here, not making a political statement. You may have loved or hated his speech. That’s not the issue.)
Media Calls Trump’s Rally “Disastrous” — a “Dud” and a “Debacle”
And how did some of the media describe the rally?
Writing for CNN, Chris Cillizza offered “6 excuses for why the Trump Tulsa rally was such a dud.”
A dud? Really? Drawing thousands of people in the midst of virus fears and violent protest concerns is a dud? Setting an all-time Saturday night viewing audience on Fox is a dud?
Worse still was the reporting by the Daily Mail for which “dud” was not a sufficiently derogatory description. Instead, one headline announced, “Two of Donald Trump’s campaign staff who were at disastrous Tulsa rally test positive for coronavirus — but officials say they were ‘wearing masks’” (my emphasis).
Yes, the rally was disastrous! (If you read the actual article, it barely mentions the rally. When it does, the description is much less bombastic.) Now this is a matter of fact. It is codified and canonized.
For Politico, the rally was not merely a “dud” or “disastrous.” Instead, it was a “debacle.”
To rally that many people in such difficult times is hardly a dud, a disaster, or a debacle.
To quote directly, “Inside Trump’s Oklahoma debacle. The rally was meant to be a turning point in Trump’s fortunes and efforts to take on Biden. Instead, Trump was furious and his campaign is reeling.”
True to form, just four days later, on Tuesday, June 24, the Mail reported, “Donald Trump finally gets the packed mask-free crowd he craved at 3,000-strong students rally in Phoenix and calls coronavirus ‘kung flu’ AGAIN — while cops fire pepper balls at protesters outside.”
So, Trump finally gets his full house — meaning, on his second rally since the shutdown, just four days after the Tulsa rally. That is the meaning of “finally”?
Certainly, Trump expected a packed house in Tulsa and didn’t get it. That would certainly irk him. And he couldn’t have been happy about reports of Chinese collusion in boosting the number of reservations made for the Tulsa event, whether true or not.
But, to repeat, to rally that many people in such difficult times is hardly a dud, a disaster, or a debacle. And to draw another 12 million viewers between TV and internet, including record-setting TV numbers, is even less a dud, a disaster, or a debacle. (Bear in mind that other TV networks did not air the rally, so the viewing numbers could have been much higher still.)
News Media Consumer Beware: We Must Do Our Own Homework
But the story has been told and the reporting has been done. The media has rendered its judgment, and opinion, to the point of fiction, has become fact. Let the viewer/reader beware.
Does the rightwing media do this as well? Yes, the sword cuts both ways.
All the more, then, do we need to do our homework and form our opinions for ourselves. We cannot rely on the media to do it for us.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-06-24--Night Falls at the Museum. Teddy’s Taken Away

Once upon a time , three men went forth together , brothers in arms .
One was a Native American , one an African , one a pudgy and nearsighted white guy from New York who deployed his privilege to create a permanent legacy to conserve the wild and educate his country .
Through his great anthropological and natural history museum , visitors would learn about the rich cultures of peoples they had once deemed savages .
They would learn about the natural beauty and environmental importance of lands they knew only as swatches on a map , labeled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had their eyes fixed on the future together — but in their rough-and-tumble world , they also kept their hands on their guns , anticipating a rough road ahead .
How rough a world , they could never have guessed .
Generations of people from all over the world gazed up at them , drawn by the physical beauty and power of the two men on foot and their idealistic fellowship with the American conservationist and president .
But then a mob came , and saw only oppression , saw only that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threw paint , scrawled obscenities .
The mob believed , not just that we were all too stupid to see that the fellowship walking out of the mists of history was a dream , dated perhaps but cloaked in dignity .
They also howled that the fellowship itself was a sour dream , poisoned and false , an insult and a lie to the oppressed .
And the museum , conservator of history and its contexts , squirmed and “ addressed ” the monument with a special exhibition , but the mob was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ louder .
And so the brothers in arms will be torn from their pedestal and hidden away , their gaze now fixed on a storeroom wall .
Perhaps we could replace them with a statue of a mass of people gazing at Twitter and retweeting slogans .
Because every monument is “ of its day , ” and the pigeons , like the mob , will move on to the next perch .
The photos were taken by the author .
Brenda Becker has been a medical writer and editor for 40 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she has written the blogs Crazy Stable and Prospect : A Year in the Park about life in Brooklyn , where she lives with her family .
She has contributed to The American Spectator and The Baltimore Sun , and is at work on a novel about the American Revolution .

Once upon a time, three men went forth together, brothers in arms. One was a Native American, one an African, one a pudgy and nearsighted white guy from New York who deployed his privilege to create a permanent legacy to conserve the wild and educate his country.
Through his great anthropological and natural history museum, visitors would learn about the rich cultures of peoples they had once deemed savages. They would learn about the natural beauty and environmental importance of lands they knew only as swatches on a map, labeled by resource and conqueror.
All three heroes had their eyes fixed on the future together — but in their rough-and-tumble world, they also kept their hands on their guns, anticipating a rough road ahead.
How Rough a World
How rough a world, they could never have guessed. Generations of people from all over the world gazed up at them, drawn by the physical beauty and power of the two men on foot and their idealistic fellowship with the American conservationist and president.
But then a mob came, and saw only oppression, saw only that the white guy got the horse. They threw paint, scrawled obscenities. The mob believed, not just that we were all too stupid to see that the fellowship walking out of the mists of history was a dream, dated perhaps but cloaked in dignity. They also howled that the fellowship itself was a sour dream, poisoned and false, an insult and a lie to the oppressed.
And the museum, conservator of history and its contexts, squirmed and “addressed” the monument with a special exhibition, but the mob was not satisfied. They howled all the louder.
And so the brothers in arms will be torn from their pedestal and hidden away, their gaze now fixed on a storeroom wall. Perhaps we could replace them with a statue of a mass of people gazing at Twitter and retweeting slogans. Because every monument is “of its day,” and the pigeons, like the mob, will move on to the next perch.
The photos were taken by the author.
Brenda Becker has been a medical writer and editor for 40 years. For more than a decade, she has written the blogs Crazy Stable and Prospect: A Year in the Park about life in Brooklyn, where she lives with her family. She has contributed to The American Spectator and The Baltimore Sun, and is at work on a novel about the American Revolution.


thestream--2020-06-24--Man Who Was Wrongfully Arrested in 2016 Rescues Police Officer From Burning Car

A man who says he was wrongfully arrested by the police in the past rescued a police officer from a burning police cruiser on Sunday , according to news reports .
Daylan McLee was in an apartment in Uniontown , Pennsylvania , when he heard a loud crash , the Associated Press reported .
McLee ran outside and upon seeing the aftermath of a car crash , ran to the burning police cruiser , and removed Officer Jay Hanley from the vehicle .
“ I don ’ t know what came across me , but I ripped the door open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the street , ” McLee said on Monday according to the Associated Press .
Several of Hanley ’ s relatives took to social media to thank McLee Tuesday .
Hanley ’ s sister even called McLee to thank him , the AP reported .
“ Daylan actually said , ‘ I ’ m not going to let him die , ’ ” Uniontown Police Lt. Thomas Kolencik told Pittsburgh-based WTAE-TV .
“ There ’ s just no words to describe , you know.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moral Issues of Our Day .
McLee , who is a black man , spent a year in jail over a March 2016 incident before he was acquitted of the charges .
McLee had been accused of being involved in a fight outside a bar , but he was cleared of wrongdoing after video reviewed by a jury showed he had disarmed a man , and thrown the gun away from the fight , according to the AP .
McLee sued the Pennsylvania State Police for wrongful arrest in 2018 .
McLee has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrest over an incident that occurred earlier in 2020 .
McLee said he started running from a gathering after plainclothes officers approached with guns drawn , the AP reported .
However , McLee said he stopped running once he realized those chasing him were law enforcement officers , according to the AP .
He plans to fight the charges , the AP reported .
“ Those encounters make him the perfect candidate to hate and resent the police , ” McLee ’ s attorney Alec Wright said , according to the Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daylan … The answer is not to disregard human life ; the answer is to accept it for all that it is .
That is Daylan.
” “ There is value in every human life .
We are all children of God and I can ’ t imagine just watching anyone burn , ” McLee said , the Associated Press reported .
“ No matter what other people have done to me , or other officers , I thought , ‘ this guy deserves to make it home safely to his family.
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking place across the country in response to the death of George Floyd .
Floyd , a black man , died in Minneapolis police custody on May 25 after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for more than 8 minutes , video showed .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

A man who says he was wrongfully arrested by the police in the past rescued a police officer from a burning police cruiser on Sunday, according to news reports.
Daylan McLee was in an apartment in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, when he heard a loud crash, the Associated Press reported. McLee ran outside and upon seeing the aftermath of a car crash, ran to the burning police cruiser, and removed Officer Jay Hanley from the vehicle.
“I don’t know what came across me, but I ripped the door open and just pulled him to safety across the street,” McLee said on Monday according to the Associated Press.
Daylan McLee says when he saw a Uniontown officer pinned inside a burning police cruiser Father’s Day he thought, “I know this man is my brother through Christ and I couldn’t leave him behind.” He is credited with saving the officer’s life. A hero’s message @KDKA Tonight. pic.twitter.com/xoXlXXnWhy — PamSuranoKDKA (@PamSuranoKDKA) June 23, 2020
Several of Hanley’s relatives took to social media to thank McLee Tuesday. Hanley’s sister even called McLee to thank him, the AP reported.
“Daylan actually said, ‘I’m not going to let him die,’” Uniontown Police Lt. Thomas Kolencik told Pittsburgh-based WTAE-TV. “There’s just no words to describe, you know.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
McLee, who is a black man, spent a year in jail over a March 2016 incident before he was acquitted of the charges. McLee had been accused of being involved in a fight outside a bar, but he was cleared of wrongdoing after video reviewed by a jury showed he had disarmed a man, and thrown the gun away from the fight, according to the AP. McLee sued the Pennsylvania State Police for wrongful arrest in 2018.
McLee has also been charged with fleeing and resisting arrest over an incident that occurred earlier in 2020. McLee said he started running from a gathering after plainclothes officers approached with guns drawn, the AP reported.
"There is value in every human life. We are all children of God and I can’t imagine just watching anyone burn,” said Fayette County man Daylan McLee, who is credited with pulling a Uniontown police officer from a burning car. https://t.co/ir0oJ3BzB8 — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (@PittsburghPG) June 23, 2020
However, McLee said he stopped running once he realized those chasing him were law enforcement officers, according to the AP. He plans to fight the charges, the AP reported.
“Those encounters make him the perfect candidate to hate and resent the police,” McLee’s attorney Alec Wright said, according to the Associated Press. “But, that is not Daylan … The answer is not to disregard human life; the answer is to accept it for all that it is. That is Daylan.”
“There is value in every human life. We are all children of God and I can’t imagine just watching anyone burn,” McLee said, the Associated Press reported. “No matter what other people have done to me, or other officers, I thought, ‘this guy deserves to make it home safely to his family.’”
Protests against police brutality have been taking place across the country in response to the death of George Floyd. Floyd, a black man, died in Minneapolis police custody on May 25 after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for more than 8 minutes, video showed.
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].