thestream--2020-07-29--Attorney General Barr’s Hearing in 30 Seconds

Attorney General William Barr was ordered by Democrats to appear before the House Judiciary Committee today .
Here ’ s a 30 second summary of his appearance : Chairman Jerry Nadler : “ You are a horrible person doing only the bidding of that devil Donald Trump.
” Ranking Minority Member Rep. Jim Jordan .
“ Rep .
Nadler says the Antifa riots and violence are a ‘ myth.
’ As sportscaster George Michaels used to say , ‘ Let ’ s go to the tape . '
” ( Shows long montage of the outrageous violence and assaults on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anarchists . )
Chairman Jerry Nadler : “ You didn ’ t give us warning you were going to offer proof !
” Attorney General Barr : “ My opening statement : I didn ’ t need this job .
But I ’ m doing my job .
I ’ m following the law and trying to clean up the mess left by Obama ’ s ‘ wingman ’ Eric Holder , Hillary and Bill ’ s BFF Loretta Lynch and James Comey .
And while I ’ m here , can at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to burn down federal courthouses with federal workers inside is a bad thing ?
Just one of you ?
One ?
Could we just hear something like that ?
Since when is it okay to burn down a federal courthouse ?
Democratic Congressman : “ You ’ re a corrupt killer fascist who hates free speech , enjoys seeing innocent protesters broken into pieces , is planning to help Trump steal the election .
And incidentally wants millions of people to die from COVID 19.
” Democratic Congressman : “ I reclaim my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of baby kittens … ” Republican Congressman : “ Is the Antifa violence in Portland and elsewhere a myth ?
” Democratic Congresswoman : “ You ’ re a corrupt killer fascist who hates free speech , enjoys seeing innocent protesters broken into pieces , is planning to help Trump steal the election .
Wants millions of people to die from COVID 19 , tortures baby kittens , and are personally responsible for slavery and the postponement of Wonder Woman 1984 .
Democratic Congresswoman : “ I reclaim my time .
I take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barr : “ This is a hearing .
I thought the point was to hear what I have to say.
” Democratic Congresswoman : “ I can not believe you would be so disrespectful to a member of Congress !
” Democratic Congresswoman : “ I am getting so angry !
” As absurd as that all sounds that ’ s pretty much what happened .
Much verbatim .
Democrats flat out would not let Attorney General Barr answer the questions they posed .
He could barely get a syllable out before these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jump in .
They ’ d bark about “ reclaiming my time , ” then roll onto their next unsupported allegation or scenery-chewing rant .
At one point , Rep. Lucy McBath , while suggesting Barr wanted people to die of COVID-19 , mentioned she ’ s a cancer survivor .
Barr began to respond that he has two children who are cancer survivors .
She cut him off .
The patience of Job ?
Job would have slapped those people silly .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Issues of Our Day .
He ’ d certainly want to shake them , because in essence theirs was a five-hour defense of mob rule .
An insistence that the people who are blinding agents , torching buildings with people inside , hurling bricks at cops , launching explosives at federal workers , are “ peaceful.
” And Barr , by following the law and trying to protect federal property ( and workers ) , is somehow leader of a band of Nazi stormtroopers .
Independents and moderate Democrats , were you watching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

Attorney General William Barr was ordered by Democrats to appear before the House Judiciary Committee today. Here’s a 30 second summary of his appearance:
The Opening
Chairman Jerry Nadler: “You are a horrible person doing only the bidding of that devil Donald Trump.” Ranking Minority Member Rep. Jim Jordan. “Rep. Nadler says the Antifa riots and violence are a ‘myth.’ As sportscaster George Michaels used to say, ‘Let’s go to the tape.'”
(Shows long montage of the outrageous violence and assaults on police and agents at the hands of anarchists.) Chairman Jerry Nadler: “You didn’t give us warning you were going to offer proof!” Attorney General Barr: “My opening statement: I didn’t need this job. But I’m doing my job. I’m following the law and trying to clean up the mess left by Obama’s ‘wingman’ Eric Holder, Hillary and Bill’s BFF Loretta Lynch and James Comey. And while I’m here, can at least one of you admit that trying to burn down federal courthouses with federal workers inside is a bad thing? Just one of you? One? Could we just hear something like that? Since when is it okay to burn down a federal courthouse? (crickets)
The Questioning
Democratic Congressman: “You’re a corrupt killer fascist who hates free speech, enjoys seeing innocent protesters broken into pieces, is planning to help Trump steal the election. And incidentally wants millions of people to die from COVID 19.” Attorney General Barr: “If I may … Democratic Congressman: “I reclaim my time. Moving on to your torturing of baby kittens …” Republican Congressman: “Is the Antifa violence in Portland and elsewhere a myth?” Attorney General Barr: “No.” Democratic Congresswoman: “You’re a corrupt killer fascist who hates free speech, enjoys seeing innocent protesters broken into pieces, is planning to help Trump steal the election. Wants millions of people to die from COVID 19, tortures baby kittens, and are personally responsible for slavery and the postponement of Wonder Woman 1984. Attorney General Barr: “That is entirely …” Democratic Congresswoman: “I reclaim my time. I take that as a confession.” Attorney General Barr: “This is a hearing. I thought the point was to hear what I have to say.” Democratic Congresswoman: “I cannot believe you would be so disrespectful to a member of Congress!” Democratic Congresswoman: “I am getting so angry!”
The Ending
Attorney General Barr: “May we have a five minute recess?” Chairman Jerry Nadler: “No.” Attorney General Barr: “I waited 45 minutes, an hour for you this morning. I haven’t had lunch. I’d like to take a five minute break.” Chairman Jerry Nadler: “No.” Attorney General Barr: “You’re a real class act. A real class act.” The End.
What a Ridiculous Lot
As absurd as that all sounds that’s pretty much what happened. Much verbatim. Democrats flat out would not let Attorney General Barr answer the questions they posed. He could barely get a syllable out before these “distinguished” members of Congress would jump in. They’d bark about “reclaiming my time,” then roll onto their next unsupported allegation or scenery-chewing rant. At one point, Rep. Lucy McBath, while suggesting Barr wanted people to die of COVID-19, mentioned she’s a cancer survivor. Barr began to respond that he has two children who are cancer survivors. She cut him off.
The patience of Job? Job would have slapped those people silly.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
He’d certainly want to shake them, because in essence theirs was a five-hour defense of mob rule. An insistence that the people who are blinding agents, torching buildings with people inside, hurling bricks at cops, launching explosives at federal workers, are “peaceful.” And Barr, by following the law and trying to protect federal property (and workers), is somehow leader of a band of Nazi stormtroopers.
Independents and moderate Democrats, were you watching?
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--2020-07-29--Jim Carrey, I Also Embraced Buddhism … Until I Found the Truth of Jesus Christ

When I was a teenager exploring various religions someone once asked me , “ what happens when we die ?
” I was fresh into Buddhism and Hinduism at the time and said , “ When I die , I will become part of that tree.
” I believed , like all good Eastern mystics , that humanity ’ s ultimate goal was to dissolve into the everything of the universe .
This popular doctrine is called Monism .
It means that everything — birds , trees , rocks and people — is ultimately one thing .
Buddhism and most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although Buddhists typically believe the oneness to be emptiness , while Hindus think it ’ s God .
Currently , Jim Carrey is one of Monism ’ s most famous advocates .
In a recent interview with Canadian radio host Tom Power , Carrey couldn ’ t help but push the gospel of Buddha by claiming that all human individuality is false .
Carrey recently released an autobiography , of sorts , mixing fictional stories with overtones from his real life .
Rodney Dangerfield , his mentor , becomes a Rhinoceros ; Nicolas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hopkins wears pajamas .
The book is sure to be a “ trip ” on many levels .
But Carrey is serious when he dives into his Monism .
He ’ s seen a kind of transformation after wrestling with depression and using art as a creative outlet .
And the notion that reality is an illusion appears to be a form of therapy for him as well .
During the interview Carrey persisted in sharing the Buddhist message , and as someone who knows where he ’ s coming from , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few thoughts .
First , I believe that Carrey has had a sincere transformation .
Being broken by mental stress has the tendency to empty a person of worldly concerns .
This was my experience as well .
After living through drug abuse , criminal activities and other stresses , I found myself in a hospital with only one concern : survival .
That sort of experience does something to someone .
I believe I experienced God during that time in a preparatory way .
I had never been in church , never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I knew that during my time of extreme brokenness , I was being humbled and put in a better place .
I came out of the hospital a radically different person and told people I had found God .
The problem was , I didn ’ t know who God was .
All I knew was that my previous life was filled with sin and that brokenness made Him more real .
In my search for knowledge I encountered a myriad of spiritual delicacies .
I devoured doctrines from all faiths and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ except one , that is .
I started going to church after my visit to the hospital , but immediately found myself critical of the biblical God .
“ Hell can ’ t be real , ” I thought , and , “ Why did Jesus have to die for our sins ?
” Questions ranging from science to sexuality plagued my thinking .
But there was something different about the Christian faith , something I couldn ’ t find anywhere else , and that was Jesus .
His character displayed the kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been of human origin .
His divinity shown in the gospels didn ’ t seem legendary , but more like a real life account of the miraculous .
The supernatural quality of prophecies forming one giant story stretching across thousands of years was also new .
Either God wrote this book , I thought , or it must be one giant conspiracy .
I dug for that conspiracy and couldn ’ t find any sign of it .
After almost a year of research and patience from fellow church members , the reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like stepping into the Matrix and seeing behind the curtain of spiritual counterfeits .
What I thought I knew about God before was swamped by revelations far beyond my previous philosophies .
The reality of God , in Christ , was more real and beautiful than anything I ’ d ever encountered before .
So I believe I understand where Jim is coming from .
It ’ s amazing to see him become a more thoughtful , creative person .
Nevertheless , the philosophy he clings to is self-defeating .
He summarizes his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ there are no two things.
” But taking that maxim seriously means diving into a mess of incoherence .
During the interview itself , Carrey ’ s message contradicted itself countless times .
When asked who the real Jim was , Carrey iterated that there was no real Jim , his identity was only an “ idea , ” or “ abstract construction.
” When asked about those close to him who had died , he said they were now everywhere .
Just like I told that person I would be part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I thought I would dissolve into the universe .
Carrey even went so far to say that sometimes he can coalesce with his coffee table during enlightenment .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
But what people in that mindset can ’ t see is their incoherent logic .
Despite his preaching , Carrey continually spoke about himself and others as if they were real .
He said that his art pieces were “ vestiges ” of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reflect his own character in movies .
How can he be an illusion in one breath , and have parts of his character reflected in art and movies ?
The kind of philosophy espoused by Carrey can sound appealing , but is opposed to reality .
The Bible does advocate a kind of death to self , but it also speaks of a new birth of which Buddha knew nothing .
Jesus taught that when left to our own efforts , we are incapable of pleasing God .
Selfish pursuits and pride @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To enter God ’ s family , Jesus taught , we need to be reborn through His Spirit and adopted into God ’ s family ( John 3:3 ) .
The Bible says humanity was created in God ’ s image ( Genesis 1:26 ) , although ( unlike Eastern teaching ) we are distinct from Him .
When those who ’ ve put their faith in Jesus die , they will be present with God , not merging into oblivion , but remaining in our unique though perfected personalities ( 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God ’ s adopted children , the book of Revelation has this to say : “ They will be his people , and God himself will be with them and be their God .
‘ He will wipe every tear from their eyes .
There will be no more death ’ or mourning or crying or pain , for the old order of things has passed away ” ( Rev .
21:3-4 ) .
Many theologians see other religions as “ stepping stones ” on their way to finding fulfillment in Jesus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ searching for spiritual truth , and takes a look at Jesus of Nazareth , he ’ ll find the true healing and grace he seeks .
In the meantime , we can pray for him to keep looking with an open heart .
Angelos Kyriakides is a freelance writer who lives in Maple Ridge , British Columbia , outside Vancouver .
He has previously served as an urban missionary and youth pastor in Canada ’ s poorest postal code , Vancouver ’ s downtown Eastside , for just under a decade .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Christ with truthful perspectives about current events and make Christian faith real in the hearts of today ’ s generation .
He lives with his wife , Sarah , and their two small children who always make life a joyful adventure .

When I was a teenager exploring various religions someone once asked me, “what happens when we die?” I was fresh into Buddhism and Hinduism at the time and said, “When I die, I will become part of that tree.” I believed, like all good Eastern mystics, that humanity’s ultimate goal was to dissolve into the everything of the universe.
This popular doctrine is called Monism. It means that everything — birds, trees, rocks and people — is ultimately one thing. Buddhism and most forms of Hinduism emphasize this oneness, although Buddhists typically believe the oneness to be emptiness, while Hindus think it’s God.
A Dive Into Monism
Currently, Jim Carrey is one of Monism’s most famous advocates. In a recent interview with Canadian radio host Tom Power, Carrey couldn’t help but push the gospel of Buddha by claiming that all human individuality is false.
Carrey recently released an autobiography, of sorts, mixing fictional stories with overtones from his real life. Rodney Dangerfield, his mentor, becomes a Rhinoceros; Nicolas Cage fights aliens with Excalibur; Anthony Hopkins wears pajamas. The book is sure to be a “trip” on many levels.
The kind of philosophy espoused by Carrey can sound appealing, but is opposed to reality.
But Carrey is serious when he dives into his Monism. He’s seen a kind of transformation after wrestling with depression and using art as a creative outlet. And the notion that reality is an illusion appears to be a form of therapy for him as well.
During the interview Carrey persisted in sharing the Buddhist message, and as someone who knows where he’s coming from, I thought I’d also share a few thoughts.
Relating to Jim
First, I believe that Carrey has had a sincere transformation. Being broken by mental stress has the tendency to empty a person of worldly concerns. This was my experience as well. After living through drug abuse, criminal activities and other stresses, I found myself in a hospital with only one concern: survival. That sort of experience does something to someone.
I believe I experienced God during that time in a preparatory way. I had never been in church, never read the Bible, but I prayed. I knew that during my time of extreme brokenness, I was being humbled and put in a better place. I came out of the hospital a radically different person and told people I had found God. The problem was, I didn’t know who God was. All I knew was that my previous life was filled with sin and that brokenness made Him more real.
A Search for God
In my search for knowledge I encountered a myriad of spiritual delicacies. I devoured doctrines from all faiths and ate them like candy — every faith except one, that is. I started going to church after my visit to the hospital, but immediately found myself critical of the biblical God. “Hell can’t be real,” I thought, and, “Why did Jesus have to die for our sins?” Questions ranging from science to sexuality plagued my thinking.
But there was something different about the Christian faith, something I couldn’t find anywhere else, and that was Jesus.
But there was something different about the Christian faith, something I couldn’t find anywhere else, and that was Jesus. His character displayed the kind of goodness that couldn’t have been of human origin. His divinity shown in the gospels didn’t seem legendary, but more like a real life account of the miraculous.
The supernatural quality of prophecies forming one giant story stretching across thousands of years was also new. Either God wrote this book, I thought, or it must be one giant conspiracy. I dug for that conspiracy and couldn’t find any sign of it. After almost a year of research and patience from fellow church members, the reality of Jesus broke through.
It was like stepping into the Matrix and seeing behind the curtain of spiritual counterfeits. What I thought I knew about God before was swamped by revelations far beyond my previous philosophies. The reality of God, in Christ, was more real and beautiful than anything I’d ever encountered before.
Monism and Eastern Logic
So I believe I understand where Jim is coming from. It’s amazing to see him become a more thoughtful, creative person. Nevertheless, the philosophy he clings to is self-defeating. He summarizes his beliefs by using the Buddhist maxim, “there are no two things.” But taking that maxim seriously means diving into a mess of incoherence.
During the interview itself, Carrey’s message contradicted itself countless times. When asked who the real Jim was, Carrey iterated that there was no real Jim, his identity was only an “idea,” or “abstract construction.” When asked about those close to him who had died, he said they were now everywhere. Just like I told that person I would be part of the tree when I died. I thought I would dissolve into the universe. Carrey even went so far to say that sometimes he can coalesce with his coffee table during enlightenment.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
But what people in that mindset can’t see is their incoherent logic. Despite his preaching, Carrey continually spoke about himself and others as if they were real. He said that his art pieces were “vestiges” of his personality, and that he tries to reflect his own character in movies. How can he be an illusion in one breath, and have parts of his character reflected in art and movies? The kind of philosophy espoused by Carrey can sound appealing, but is opposed to reality.
Christian Self Denial
The Bible does advocate a kind of death to self, but it also speaks of a new birth of which Buddha knew nothing. Jesus taught that when left to our own efforts, we are incapable of pleasing God. Selfish pursuits and pride taint all humanity’s inner nature. To enter God’s family, Jesus taught, we need to be reborn through His Spirit and adopted into God’s family (John 3:3).
The Bible says humanity was created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26), although (unlike Eastern teaching) we are distinct from Him. When those who’ve put their faith in Jesus die, they will be present with God, not merging into oblivion, but remaining in our unique though perfected personalities (2 Cor. 5:8).
Speaking of God’s adopted children, the book of Revelation has this to say: “They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Rev. 21:3-4).
Many theologians see other religions as “stepping stones” on their way to finding fulfillment in Jesus. My hope is that if Jim keeps searching for spiritual truth, and takes a look at Jesus of Nazareth, he’ll find the true healing and grace he seeks. In the meantime, we can pray for him to keep looking with an open heart.
Angelos Kyriakides is a freelance writer who lives in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, outside Vancouver. He has previously served as an urban missionary and youth pastor in Canada’s poorest postal code, Vancouver’s downtown Eastside, for just under a decade. His passion is to build up the Body of Christ with truthful perspectives about current events and make Christian faith real in the hearts of today’s generation. He lives with his wife, Sarah, and their two small children who always make life a joyful adventure.


thestream--2020-07-29--Say It Loud: #NeverWoke and Proud!

Say It Loud: #NeverWoke and Proud!

I ’ ve written for years about the rise of illiberalism in the West .
What do I mean by illiberalism ?
It ’ s the unforgiving , accusatory culture you ’ ve sensed creeping in around you .
At your place of work .
On your social media feeds .
Maybe even at your Church .
Illiberalism is primitive and brutal .
It separates us into competing tribes .
Then it tells us that if we can ’ t flog everyone to conform to our tribe ’ s orthodoxies , we ’ ve lost .
We should be ashamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We must join a winning tribe , abandoning all we hold dear .
Or else pit our deepest convictions against our neighbors in an all-out gang war .
And the gang that currently seems to think it ’ s winning is the Woke tribe .
It ’ s the one that ’ s emboldened enough to openly use “ cancel culture ” to destroy its enemies .
Thuggishness Is All the Rage Right Now But the illiberalism behind Woke morality and today ’ s cancel culture is more widespread than you might know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s the same tribal , Woke thinking at the heart of the Christian “ Never-Trump ” movement .
Not serious moral conviction .
Nor scruples about Trump ’ s character flaws or past or present sins .
( Have any “ never-Trumpers ” condemned Joe Biden for his recent racist remarks ? )
No , what drives NeverTrump is fear .
A very public fearfulness about saying anything that could offend the illiberal tribe of Woke .
Because it might win .
And NeverTrump people don ’ t want to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The # NeverTrump hashtag and stance is one thing only : A cowardly and indirect way of saying “ don ’ t come after me !
” A virtue-signal to the mobs that threaten punishment .
I want no part of that .
Instead I propose a diametrically opposite approach .
We should loudly tell anyone who ’ ll listen that we ’ re # NeverWoke .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
In the upcoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We aren ’ t just voting for a president .
We ’ re voting for a future culture .
And the culture of thuggish illiberalism threatens all the good things Americans have enjoyed since 1787 .
Out of love for our children and grandchildren , must stand against it .
We can ’ t let it rob our progeny of the blessings we enjoyed .
For all of my warnings about the rise of illiberalism in the past few years , I ’ m now more convinced than ever that its days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can only demand so many sacrifices before the people rebel .
Illiberalism spits in the face of the Christian culture of America , a culture which — in my experience — is embraced and cherished even by my non-Christian neighbors .
Thanks to our Judeo-Christian cultural heritage , Americans ’ deepest conviction is the virtue of Charity .
While it ’ s a truthful virtue , and never requires us to deny our doctrines , it also compels us to live in solidarity with our neighbors in need .
That ’ s true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s true even their local communities want to act on different beliefs .
We keep power decentralized .
We try to live and let live .
The Woke have no such conviction .
Woke illiberalism is what ’ s behind that growing feeling that you ’ re being watched — policed by cultural revolutionaries who could strike at any minute if you don ’ t watch your mouth .
It ’ s the pressure to offer sacrifice to the false “ gods of the city.
” The ones the mob killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share his fate .
So Christian leaders feel the need to send only agreeable responses to the opinionated journalist who might tweet out their email replies .
It drives corporate bigwigs to fawn on the paid Antifa activist with a camera phone who stands ready to make them go viral , putting them at the mercy of the Woke mob .
What drives people ’ s fear is the mob ’ s vindictiveness and hate .
But that power will pass .
Like all ideologies of hate , Wokeness will one day be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who currently participate in the culture of Woke will be forced to deny that they did .
Not in order to avoid punishment , but rather out of shame .
( Remember all the people , including conservatives and Christians , who bashed Nick Sandmann , then had to climb down or at least scrub their comments ? )
When that time comes , many will hang their heads in shame .
But those of us who reject Woke now ?
Who refuse to participate in its mind-policing , internet-mobbing , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heads high .
We will be those who say , with clear consciences and hearts full of unbending love for our neighbors : “ I am , always was , and always will be # NeverWoke.
” Jason Jones is a senior contributor to The Stream .
He is a film producer , author , activist and human rights worker .
You can follow him @ JasonJonesShow .

I’ve written for years about the rise of illiberalism in the West. What do I mean by illiberalism? It’s the unforgiving, accusatory culture you’ve sensed creeping in around you. At your place of work. On your social media feeds. Maybe even at your Church.
Illiberalism is primitive and brutal. It separates us into competing tribes. Then it tells us that if we can’t flog everyone to conform to our tribe’s orthodoxies, we’ve lost. We should be ashamed. So we have no choice. We must join a winning tribe, abandoning all we hold dear. Or else pit our deepest convictions against our neighbors in an all-out gang war.
And the gang that currently seems to think it’s winning is the Woke tribe. It’s the one that’s emboldened enough to openly use “cancel culture” to destroy its enemies.
Thuggishness Is All the Rage Right Now
But the illiberalism behind Woke morality and today’s cancel culture is more widespread than you might know.
Woke illiberalism is what’s behind that growing feeling that you’re being watched.
Though few would admit it, it’s the same tribal, Woke thinking at the heart of the Christian “Never-Trump” movement. Not serious moral conviction. Nor scruples about Trump’s character flaws or past or present sins. (Have any “never-Trumpers” condemned Joe Biden for his recent racist remarks?)
No, what drives NeverTrump is fear. A very public fearfulness about saying anything that could offend the illiberal tribe of Woke. Because it might win. And NeverTrump people don’t want to be “losers,” at any cost.
A Hashtag for People of Courage: #NeverWoke
The #NeverTrump hashtag and stance is one thing only: A cowardly and indirect way of saying “don’t come after me!” A virtue-signal to the mobs that threaten punishment.
I want no part of that. Instead I propose a diametrically opposite approach. We should loudly tell anyone who’ll listen that we’re #NeverWoke.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Let me explain.
In the upcoming election, illiberalism is on the ballot. We aren’t just voting for a president. We’re voting for a future culture. And the culture of thuggish illiberalism threatens all the good things Americans have enjoyed since 1787.
Out of love for our children and grandchildren, must stand against it. We can’t let it rob our progeny of the blessings we enjoyed.
The Bullies Will Lose
For all of my warnings about the rise of illiberalism in the past few years, I’m now more convinced than ever that its days are numbered. The gods of Woke can only demand so many sacrifices before the people rebel.
Illiberalism spits in the face of the Christian culture of America, a culture which — in my experience — is embraced and cherished even by my non-Christian neighbors.
Thanks to our Judeo-Christian cultural heritage, Americans’ deepest conviction is the virtue of Charity. While it’s a truthful virtue, and never requires us to deny our doctrines, it also compels us to live in solidarity with our neighbors in need. That’s true even when they differ from us. It’s true even their local communities want to act on different beliefs. We keep power decentralized. We try to live and let live.
You’re Being Watched
The Woke have no such conviction. Woke illiberalism is what’s behind that growing feeling that you’re being watched — policed by cultural revolutionaries who could strike at any minute if you don’t watch your mouth. It’s the pressure to offer sacrifice to the false “gods of the city.” The ones the mob killed Socrates for offending.
Few want to share his fate. So Christian leaders feel the need to send only agreeable responses to the opinionated journalist who might tweet out their email replies. It drives corporate bigwigs to fawn on the paid Antifa activist with a camera phone who stands ready to make them go viral, putting them at the mercy of the Woke mob.
What drives people’s fear is the mob’s vindictiveness and hate. But that power will pass. Like all ideologies of hate, Wokeness will one day be looked back upon with disgust. All those who currently participate in the culture of Woke will be forced to deny that they did. Not in order to avoid punishment, but rather out of shame. (Remember all the people, including conservatives and Christians, who bashed Nick Sandmann, then had to climb down or at least scrub their comments?)
When that time comes, many will hang their heads in shame. But those of us who reject Woke now? Who refuse to participate in its mind-policing, internet-mobbing, and whisper campaigns? We will hold our heads high.
We will be those who say, with clear consciences and hearts full of unbending love for our neighbors: “I am, always was, and always will be #NeverWoke.”
Jason Jones is a senior contributor to The Stream. He is a film producer, author, activist and human rights worker. You can follow him @JasonJonesShow.


thestream--2020-07-29--Parents, School Board Members Divided on Teaching ‘1619 Project,’ Poll Finds

A recent survey conducted for The Heritage Foundation found that some parents and many school board members disagree with the historical perspective advanced by The New York Times ’ “ 1619 Project.
” The project promotes the notions that the Revolutionary War was fought to preserve slavery and that America ’ s founding date should be 1619 , the year the first slave ship arrived in America , rather than 1776 .
Supporters of the 1619 Project continue to incorporate it into school civics curriculums across the country , even after The New York Times issued a major correction to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nikole Hannah-Jones , its creator .
Pulitzer Prize-winning historians “ have said that the project has weak scholarly support , ” Jonathan Butcher , senior policy analyst at The Heritage Foundation ’ s Center for Education Policy , said at a July 9 webinar event on civics education and the 1619 Project .
The Heritage Foundation commissioned a survey , conducted by Braun Research Inc. , to gauge the extent of Americans ’ approval of the project .
Parents and school board members from across the country were asked about the way American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The survey , conducted of 1,001 parents and 566 school board members , revealed that much of the nation is divided in its opinions of the 1619 Project .
When asked whether 1776 should continue to be taught as the year of the country ’ s founding , rather than 1619 , 59.1 % of parents and 72.6 % of school board members answered the year the Declaration of Independence was signed should remain as America ’ s founding date .
Almost 50 % of parents and 70 % of school board members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s school to use “ instructional material based on the idea that slavery is the ‘ center of our national narrative.
’ ” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The study consistently revealed a difference in opinion between parents and school board members .
Parents were found to hold a more “ progressive ” view of American history and to be more approving of the 1619 Project .
Lindsey Burke , director of The Heritage Foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the difference in response between parents and school board members likely can be attributed to a number of factors .
The average age of the school board members surveyed skewed slightly older than that of the parents .
The school board members also on average had higher levels of education , such as a master ’ s degree or Ph.D. , and were higher-income earners .
Burke also noted that just over 53 % of school board members surveyed were from the South , which tends to be a more politically conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of opinion between parents and school board members was also in evidence when asked whether they thought a “ curriculum for schoolchildren should promote the view that our founding ideals of liberty and equality were false when they were written by the Founders.
” About 5 of every 10 parents said yes , while only 3 of every 10 school board members answered in the affirmative .
Just over 57 % of parents and nearly 65 % of school board members answered “ no ” when asked whether schools “ should reframe American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States has been tainted by slavery and racism.
” The attempt of the 1619 Project to reframe history is not a new phenomenon , said Mike Gonzalez , Heritage Foundation senior fellow with the Center for Foreign Policy and author of the new book , “ The Plot to Change America , ” at the webinar , discussing the results of the survey .
“ The mayhem we are seeing in the streets today , the toppling of statues of Founders , and even abolitionists , a rejection of America ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its history , its economic system , it ’ s part of an effort that has been unfurling for decades , ” Gonzalez said .
Throughout history , various movements have arisen and attempted to change the historical narrative in order to further a political agenda , he explained , adding :

A recent survey conducted for The Heritage Foundation found that some parents and many school board members disagree with the historical perspective advanced by The New York Times’ “1619 Project.”
The project promotes the notions that the Revolutionary War was fought to preserve slavery and that America’s founding date should be 1619, the year the first slave ship arrived in America, rather than 1776.
Supporters of the 1619 Project continue to incorporate it into school civics curriculums across the country, even after The New York Times issued a major correction to the project’s introductory essay by Nikole Hannah-Jones, its creator.
Pulitzer Prize-winning historians “have said that the project has weak scholarly support,” Jonathan Butcher, senior policy analyst at The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Education Policy, said at a July 9 webinar event on civics education and the 1619 Project.
The Heritage Foundation commissioned a survey, conducted by Braun Research Inc., to gauge the extent of Americans’ approval of the project. Parents and school board members from across the country were asked about the way American history should be taught in school.
The survey, conducted of 1,001 parents and 566 school board members, revealed that much of the nation is divided in its opinions of the 1619 Project.
When asked whether 1776 should continue to be taught as the year of the country’s founding, rather than 1619, 59.1% of parents and 72.6% of school board members answered the year the Declaration of Independence was signed should remain as America’s founding date.
Almost 50% of parents and 70% of school board members said they do not want their children’s school to use “instructional material based on the idea that slavery is the ‘center of our national narrative.’”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The study consistently revealed a difference in opinion between parents and school board members. Parents were found to hold a more “progressive” view of American history and to be more approving of the 1619 Project.
Lindsey Burke, director of The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Education Policy, said the difference in response between parents and school board members likely can be attributed to a number of factors.
The average age of the school board members surveyed skewed slightly older than that of the parents. The school board members also on average had higher levels of education, such as a master’s degree or Ph.D., and were higher-income earners. Burke also noted that just over 53% of school board members surveyed were from the South, which tends to be a more politically conservative region of the country.
The disparity of opinion between parents and school board members was also in evidence when asked whether they thought a “curriculum for schoolchildren should promote the view that our founding ideals of liberty and equality were false when they were written by the Founders.” About 5 of every 10 parents said yes, while only 3 of every 10 school board members answered in the affirmative.
Just over 57% of parents and nearly 65% of school board members answered “no” when asked whether schools “should reframe American history so that children will learn that the United States has been tainted by slavery and racism.”
The attempt of the 1619 Project to reframe history is not a new phenomenon, said Mike Gonzalez, Heritage Foundation senior fellow with the Center for Foreign Policy and author of the new book, “The Plot to Change America,” at the webinar, discussing the results of the survey.
“The mayhem we are seeing in the streets today, the toppling of statues of Founders, and even abolitionists, a rejection of America’s founding, of its institutions, its history, its economic system, it’s part of an effort that has been unfurling for decades,” Gonzalez said.
Throughout history, various movements have arisen and attempted to change the historical narrative in order to further a political agenda, he explained, adding:
I do have hope in my heart. I do see 2020 as … the year when the American people finally begin to realize that decades of teaching the children to hate their country has been a colossal mistake.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Signal


thestream--2020-07-29--Why Are Ex-Gays Such a Threat?

Why Are Ex-Gays Such a Threat?

What is it that makes the very existence of ex-gays so dangerous ?
And why is there a concerted , worldwide effort to block professional counseling for those with unwanted same-sex attractions ?
Before you think I ’ m exaggerating , consider these following examples .
In England , Barclays Bank announced it was closing the account of a Christian charity after protest from LGBTQ activists .
The charity , Core Issues Trust ( CIT ) , was accused of practicing “ conversion therapy.
” CIT said that “ Barclays informed them that their bank account will be terminated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came after pressure from an LGBT social media campaign that targetted the group for allegedly practising ‘ conversion therapy ’ .
” On the social media front , it is now reported that , “ Facebook and its photo platform Instagram are banning any content advertising or promoting treatment to overcome unwanted same-sex attraction.
” According to Facebook spokeswoman Stephanie Otway , “ This is a global policy .
The policy is still under development , but for now it will be applied to content that promotes conversion therapy when we become aware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informed me that their content is being removed from Facebook and their pages are being shut down , simply for stating that change is possible .
Last year , Amazon stopped selling books by respected therapists like Dr. Joseph Nicolosi as part of their ban on “ conversion therapy ” books .
This year , Amazon refused to allow Regnery Books , one of the largest conservative publishers , to buy ads for their new book by journalist Abigail Shrier , Irreversible Damage : The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters .
As posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the High Commissioner of the United Nations Human Rights organization , “ Practices known as ‘ conversion therapy ’ inflict severe pain and suffering on lesbian , gay , bisexual , trans and gender-diverse ( LGBT ) persons , often resulting in long-lasting psychological and physical damage , a UN expert told the Human Rights Council while calling for a global ban.
” Yes , you read that correctly .
This UN expert is calling for a global ban of so-called “ conversion therapy.
” And what , exactly , is this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity … conversion is attempted through beatings , rape , electrocution , forced medication , isolation and confinement , forced nudity , verbal offense and humiliation and other acts of physical , psychological , and sexual abuse.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
He said , “ These interventions exclusively target LGBT persons with the specific aim of interfering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their sexual orientation or gender identity do not fall under what is perceived by certain persons as a desirable norm .
They are inherently degrading and discriminatory and rooted in the belief that LGBT persons are somehow inferior , and that they must at any cost modify their orientation or identity to remedy that supposed inferiority.
” This sounds pretty horrible , right ?
No wonder the Christian charity in England is having its bank account shut down .
No wonder Facebook and Instagram are blocking posts advocating these torturous practices .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban .
“ Conversion Therapy ” Myth Used to Ban Voluntary Talk Therapy for Unwanted Same-Sex Attraction This is a myth .
It is a creation of the left .
It is a bogey man , manufactured out of thin air , meant to discredit fine organizations and ministries which simply say , “ If you are unhappy with your same-sex attractions or gender-identity confusion , we ’ re here to talk with you and help.
” Nothing is forced or coerced .
No one is being beaten .
Or raped .
Or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Or forced to take medication .
Or stripped naked .
Or subjected to “ verbal offense and humiliation and other acts of physical , psychological , and sexual abuse.
” God forbid !
There is not a person I know on the planet who would affirm such abusive practices , and if they do exist , they have no connection at all to organizations like CIT and others .
Instead , professional counselors and ministry leaders , many of them ex-gay or ex-trans themselves , are offering prayer , support , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You say , “ But I ’ ve heard horror stories of kids taken against their own will and isolated and tortured in an attempt to drive the gay out of them .
It is child abuse of the worst kind.
” If such stories were true , I would agree with you wholeheartedly .
That would be downright wicked , and all people of conscience should denounce such horrific practices .
And to the extent such a thing has taken place or still takes place , I will work side-by-side with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality , however , is that many of these stories are not true at all .
And certainly , there is not a single , recognized ex-gay ministry or organization in the world that would sanction any of the horrific practices listed here .
Why , then , should they be banned by the UN , by social media , and by other countries when all they do is offer counseling and prayer to those who request it ?
What is their crime ?
Why the extreme reaction , to the point of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shutting down their bank accounts ?
Why accuse them of practicing “ conversion therapy ” ( allegedly replete with horrible practices ) when that is not who they are or what they do ?
You say , “ I have gay and trans friends who told me how damaging it was to receive this kind of counseling and prayer when they were adults .
They were told this would help them change their sexual orientation or gender identity , but in the end , it did far more harm than good .
Worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was something wrong with being gay or trans when , in fact , this is how God made them.
” Maybe they weren ’ t helped at all .
Maybe they were actually hurt .
The same can be said for countless people who tried everything from new diets to spiritual fads to life coaches to psychiatrists .
They report negative outcomes rather than positive outcomes .
But I can also point you to countless thousands who have been helped .
Who have improved the quality of their lives .
Who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolved deep inner conflicts .
Who have found gender wholeness ( without surgery or lifelong hormones ) .
Who have even seen changes in their sexual orientation .
Why Don ’ t the Stories of People Who Once Identified as LGBT Count ?
Why don ’ t their stories count ?
And what about those people who believe that God did not make them gay or trans ?
Do not their beliefs or convictions count ?
Really now , in today ’ s world , if someone wants to go to a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UFO ’ s , they can do so .
Or , if someone wants to go to a holistic cancer treatment center rather than get chemotherapy , that ’ s their choice .
Yet if someone says , “ I would rather not take hormones for life and remove perfectly healthy organs in order to feel at home in my body .
Instead , I would prefer finding wholeness from the inside out , and I ’ d like to meet with a professionally trained counselor , ” they will be told that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both criminal and cruel , and people of conscience around the world need to raise their voices in support of freedom of choice .
( Shall I mention here the secular therapists who believe that sexual orientation is often quite fluid ? )
The Restored Hope Network has posted this Call to Action , offering many practical steps you can take .
And you can do what I ’ ve done on social media , specifically , challenging the ban and asking for people to post their testimonies of change .
( See @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thankfully , has not been taken down .
Some of the testimonies are very powerful . )
As for the questions I asked at the outset of this article , the answers are simple .
People who are ex-gay and ex-trans are a threat to the whole “ born that way ” argument , the argument that says that gay ( or trans ) is the new black .
By undermining that , we undermine the movement .
And that ’ s why it is such a threat .
Dr. Michael Brown ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

What is it that makes the very existence of ex-gays so dangerous? And why is there a concerted, worldwide effort to block professional counseling for those with unwanted same-sex attractions?
Before you think I’m exaggerating, consider these following examples.
In England, Barclays Bank announced it was closing the account of a Christian charity after protest from LGBTQ activists. The charity, Core Issues Trust (CIT), was accused of practicing “conversion therapy.” CIT said that “Barclays informed them that their bank account will be terminated by September. CIT claimed that the move came after pressure from an LGBT social media campaign that targetted the group for allegedly practising ‘conversion therapy’.”
Facebook and Instagram Ban Content Deemed to Promote “Conversion Therapy”
On the social media front, it is now reported that, “Facebook and its photo platform Instagram are banning any content advertising or promoting treatment to overcome unwanted same-sex attraction.”
According to Facebook spokeswoman Stephanie Otway, “This is a global policy. The policy is still under development, but for now it will be applied to content that promotes conversion therapy when we become aware of it.”
Ex-gay colleagues have already informed me that their content is being removed from Facebook and their pages are being shut down, simply for stating that change is possible.
Ex-gay colleagues have already informed me that their content is being removed from Facebook and their pages are being shut down, simply for stating that change is possible.
Last year, Amazon stopped selling books by respected therapists like Dr. Joseph Nicolosi as part of their ban on “conversion therapy” books. This year, Amazon refused to allow Regnery Books, one of the largest conservative publishers, to buy ads for their new book by journalist Abigail Shrier, Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters.
But there’s more.
UN Expert Calls for a Global Ban on “Conversion Therapy”
As posted on the official website of the Office of the High Commissioner of the United Nations Human Rights organization, “Practices known as ‘conversion therapy’ inflict severe pain and suffering on lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender-diverse (LGBT) persons, often resulting in long-lasting psychological and physical damage, a UN expert told the Human Rights Council while calling for a global ban.”
Yes, you read that correctly. This UN expert is calling for a global ban of so-called “conversion therapy.”
And what, exactly, is this dangerous therapy?
According to Victor Madrigal-Borloz, “the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity … conversion is attempted through beatings, rape, electrocution, forced medication, isolation and confinement, forced nudity, verbal offense and humiliation and other acts of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
He said, “These interventions exclusively target LGBT persons with the specific aim of interfering in their personal integrity and autonomy because their sexual orientation or gender identity do not fall under what is perceived by certain persons as a desirable norm. They are inherently degrading and discriminatory and rooted in the belief that LGBT persons are somehow inferior, and that they must at any cost modify their orientation or identity to remedy that supposed inferiority.”
This sounds pretty horrible, right? No wonder the Christian charity in England is having its bank account shut down. No wonder Facebook and Instagram are blocking posts advocating these torturous practices. No wonder the UN is calling for a ban.
There’s only one problem.
“Conversion Therapy” Myth Used to Ban Voluntary Talk Therapy for Unwanted Same-Sex Attraction
This is a myth. It is a creation of the left. It is a bogey man, manufactured out of thin air, meant to discredit fine organizations and ministries which simply say, “If you are unhappy with your same-sex attractions or gender-identity confusion, we’re here to talk with you and help.”
That’s it.
Nothing is forced or coerced. No one is being beaten. Or raped. Or electrocuted. Or isolated. Or confined. Or forced to take medication. Or stripped naked. Or subjected to “verbal offense and humiliation and other acts of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse.” God forbid!
There is not a person I know on the planet who would affirm such abusive practices, and if they do exist, they have no connection at all to organizations like CIT and others.
Instead, professional counselors and ministry leaders, many of them ex-gay or ex-trans themselves, are offering prayer, support, and talk therapy to those that request it.
That’s it.
You say, “But I’ve heard horror stories of kids taken against their own will and isolated and tortured in an attempt to drive the gay out of them. It is child abuse of the worst kind.”
If such stories were true, I would agree with you wholeheartedly. That would be downright wicked, and all people of conscience should denounce such horrific practices. And to the extent such a thing has taken place or still takes place, I will work side-by-side with you to help eradicate it.
The reality, however, is that many of these stories are not true at all. And certainly, there is not a single, recognized ex-gay ministry or organization in the world that would sanction any of the horrific practices listed here.
Why the Extreme Reaction?
Why, then, should they be banned by the UN, by social media, and by other countries when all they do is offer counseling and prayer to those who request it? What is their crime? Why the extreme reaction, to the point of removing their content on social media and shutting down their bank accounts? Why accuse them of practicing “conversion therapy” (allegedly replete with horrible practices) when that is not who they are or what they do?
You say, “I have gay and trans friends who told me how damaging it was to receive this kind of counseling and prayer when they were adults. They were told this would help them change their sexual orientation or gender identity, but in the end, it did far more harm than good. Worse still, it made them feel like there was something wrong with being gay or trans when, in fact, this is how God made them.”
Maybe they weren’t helped at all. Maybe they were actually hurt. The same can be said for countless people who tried everything from new diets to spiritual fads to life coaches to psychiatrists. They report negative outcomes rather than positive outcomes.
But I can also point you to countless thousands who have been helped. Who have improved the quality of their lives. Who are happier and more content. Who have resolved deep inner conflicts. Who have found gender wholeness (without surgery or lifelong hormones). Who have even seen changes in their sexual orientation.
Why Don’t the Stories of People Who Once Identified as LGBT Count?
Why don’t their stories count? And what about those people who believe that God did not make them gay or trans? Do not their beliefs or convictions count?
Really now, in today’s world, if someone wants to go to a new age healer who allegedly makes contact with UFO’s, they can do so. Or, if someone wants to go to a holistic cancer treatment center rather than get chemotherapy, that’s their choice.
Yet if someone says, “I would rather not take hormones for life and remove perfectly healthy organs in order to feel at home in my body. Instead, I would prefer finding wholeness from the inside out, and I’d like to meet with a professionally trained counselor,” they will be told that such counseling is forbidden.
This is both criminal and cruel, and people of conscience around the world need to raise their voices in support of freedom of choice. (Shall I mention here the secular therapists who believe that sexual orientation is often quite fluid?)
The Restored Hope Network has posted this Call to Action, offering many practical steps you can take. And you can do what I’ve done on social media, specifically, challenging the ban and asking for people to post their testimonies of change. (See here for a Facebook post that, thankfully, has not been taken down. Some of the testimonies are very powerful.)
As for the questions I asked at the outset of this article, the answers are simple. People who are ex-gay and ex-trans are a threat to the whole “born that way” argument, the argument that says that gay (or trans) is the new black. By undermining that, we undermine the movement.
And that’s why it is such a threat.
(To watch an important August 1 online event, offering a sneak preview of a powerful new documentary called In His Image, addressing these very issues with biblical clarity and life-changing stories, go here.)
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--2020-07-29--Building Bridges to the Hispanic Community: My Interview with Pastor Tony Suarez

Pastor Tony Suarez is a dynamic speaker , the COO of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference , and a @ @ @ @ @ s evangelical advisory board .
In this brief interview , we cover a lot of @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s openness to Christians .
Learn more about Pastor Tony here .
James @ @ @ @ @ s founder and publisher .
He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host of @ @ @ @ @ s the author of many books , including Indivisible ( with Jay Richards ) and @ @ @

Pastor Tony Suarez is a dynamic speaker, the COO of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, and a member of President Trump’s evangelical advisory board. In this brief interview, we cover a lot of ground, from immigration to Trump’s openness to Christians.
Learn more about Pastor Tony here.
James Robison is The Stream’s founder and publisher. He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host of LIFE Today. He’s the author of many books, including Indivisible (with Jay Richards) and Living Amazed.


thestream--2020-07-29--Moderate Democrats, Walk Away From Your Radical Hate-Filled Party

Even with the anti-Trump media working overtime to cover for the horrendous violence and “ peaceful ” ( sure ) demonstrations ruining businesses and lives , there must be some moderate Democrats refusing to be gaslighted , understanding the level of hate driving this chaos , and walking away from their radicalized party .
Speaking of walking away , Brandon Straka , founder of the # WalkAway movement tweeted this on Monday : “ Trump lowered your taxes , built a thriving economy , created opportunity zones .
The Democrats , by contrast , are willing to order your businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus narrative to push for mail-in voting ( aka – fraud ) .
Dem voters – are you getting it yet ?
” Those words sound as if they came from Mike Huckabee , but they ’ re from a former liberal Democrat who saw the light , who gets it , and who I ’ m pretty sure shares my belief that most people are essentially conservatives and just don ’ t know it .
Some have been lied to for so long — by the media , by teachers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evil ” America and those “ evil ” Republicans who actually love this country that they ’ ve never allowed themselves to dig deeper and discover that this is all projection .
The radicals pointing fingers at us , accusing us of hate and racism , should more accurately be pointing in a mirror .
Their party has become all about “ identity politics ” — in other words , all about race .
And the evidence of hate is everywhere .
You name it , they hate it .
They hate it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and blind it , and not care .
HOW bad is the hatred ?
Try this .
Why else but for pure , seething hatred would any American WANT to use political violence to tear everything down ?
Do they really think they ’ re going to build a wonderful society in its place with free cotton candy and unicorns and perfect racial quotas ?
No , their focus is mainly on taking power from those they hate for being “ evil ” and having it for themselves .
Never mind that exercising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is like being the King Of Nothing ; they don ’ t see it that way .
Consider the issue of opportunity zones , which benefit everyone in an economically-challenged area .
Radical “ progressives , ” such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , hate them , and anything else that allows wealthy people to profit along with others .
( Of course , that ’ s why the wealthy invest in the first place . )
So she actively works against this and other proposals that would help her district .
And she wins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her case Justice Democrats , is behind her and also because , traditionally , an “ evil ” Republican who would work to help that district economically couldn ’ t get elected dogcatcher .
But recent man-on-the-street interviews suggest that some are seeing the light , especially where the police are concerned .
As Brandon Straka also tweeted : “ The left has done to this country everything that they feared and dreaded Donald Trump would do when he was elected.
” It ’ s true .
They feared a race-baiting , power-seizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one called Trump a racist until the day he came down the escalator at Trump Tower and announced he was running for President .
If you look at what both sides have actually done since then , it ’ s the left that has race-baited , created chaos and torn the country down .
They obviously fear doing anything that will benefit America as long as Trump might possibly gain .
If anything , Trump has been hesitant to brandish his presidential power and go in to stop the madness that local leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t address .
Heck , a real dictator would have sent in tanks weeks ago ; you know , the way Janet Reno did with the Branch Davidians .
But even Democrats , the ones looking from the outside in , are starting to notice with horrified eyes that the violence isn ’ t about George Floyd , at least not any more .
It seems more and more to be about nothing except raw aggression .
Here ’ s a stunning example of the hate we ’ re seeing from the left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I can ’ t believe some Democrats won ’ t see this and lament what has happened to their party .
Consider the media response to the death last week of university professor Mike Adams .
This sensitive column by conservative writer Robert Oscar Lopez on The Stream is a must-read .
University of North Carolina sociology/criminology teacher and Townhall contributor Mike Adams was found dead on July 23 ; details are sketchy but involve a firearm .
There will be an investigation , of course , but suicide looks likely .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been behaving erratically ( not dangerously ) and had been under a lot of stress in recent weeks .
And why was Adams under stress ?
Lopez writes that it was due to “ the gigantic network of agitators who had tracked his comments for years in hopes of driving him out of his job.
” Of course , they went back as far as it took to find comments made by Adams , a conservative Christian , that they could slam .
Some of these , for example , had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transgender people , and , by 2020 standards , no one is allowed to say them — or ever to have said them .
After years of abuse , he was finally forced into early retirement at age 55 and was set to retire on August 1 .
He had negotiated a settlement of $ 500,000 .
( “ Dollars are precious , but our institutional integrity is priceless , ” the school chancellor self-righteously said after the settlement . )
There are two points made by this tragic story ; first ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ article ) is the need to stop the persecution of conservatives and “ cancel culture ” in academia .
The second is the ungodly hate on the left , revealed as they dance on his grave .
“ Mike Adams was imperfect , ” Lopez writes .
“ …But don ’ t let him die in vain .
He was one of us , and the way he died was wrong .
Let ’ s at least be as decent and respectful to him as the leftists are to their imperfect poster children.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ right have been after the death of Democrat John Lewis .
He said plenty of outrageous things in his time , but we let it go , because we are decent .
Now look at a couple of headlines to see how the media reported the death of Mike Adams : “ Professor behind ‘ vile ’ racist and sexist tweets found dead in his North Carolina home.
” — NBC online “ A professor who was known for his racist , misogynistic tweets was found dead in his home.
” — BuzzFeed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party for what it is and…WALK AWAY .
The violence and lawlessness continue in blue cities around America , so much so that I don ’ t have time nor space to recount it all .
Here ’ s just a taste… It ’ s becoming increasingly obvious that much of what we ’ re hearing from the media and the Democratic politicians covering for the rioters is an attempt to deny reality that ’ s crossed into self-delusion .
It ’ s as if they ’ ve all become that MSNBC reporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ mostly peaceful ” as he was broadcasting from in front of a burning building .
For instance , Rep. Jerrold Nadler can see all sorts of things that aren ’ t really there , like “ Russian collusion ” or an impeachable offense in a Presidential courtesy call .
But he apparently can ’ t see a violent riot in front of his face .
Journalist Austen Fleccas asked Nadler on video if he would disavow the violence and riots by Antifa in Portland right now .
Nadler ’ s response : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violent protests in Washington , DC , were a myth ?
I ’ m sure Rep. Nadler is among the willfully deaf , dumb and blind crowd who insist that the rioters in places like Portland are “ peaceful protesters ” being bludgeoned and tear-gassed for no reason by federal fascist goons — who wouldn ’ t even have to be there if the Mayor of Portland hadn ’ t let the rioting go on for nearly 60 days now , including assaults on federal officers and repeated attempts to destroy the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Fortunately , some people are tired of playing along with this dream world .
That includes a number of black Americans who are fed up with how a legitimate protest following the death of George Floyd has been hijacked by young , white , anti-American radicals who are only making race relations worse and black neighborhoods more dangerous .
The president of the Portland chapter of the NAACP complained that the protests have lost focus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debacle.
” Another local black leader complained that they ’ ve been taken over by violent , “ mostly white anarchists , ” noting that most black people don ’ t even live downtown , and their problems , like the need for better schools , are far away and being ignored .
And here is today ’ s MUST-READ story .
Gabe Johnson is a 48-year-old black Marine veteran who lives in downtown Portland , near the riot scene but far enough away that he assumed from media reports that they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maybe a few typically angry young punks thrown in .
Then last weekend , when he was kept awake by the sound of explosions and tear gas started coming in through his A/C vent , he stood up and declared that somebody had to do something .
He thinks of the American flag as a symbol of unity among all people , so the next day , he went to the protest site , hung a couple of flags on a fence and tried to engage protesters in a peaceful dialogue about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t go well .
They called him the worst kind of racist names , and ripped down his flags and stomped on them .
When an older black man grabbed one of his flags and handed it back to him , a “ peaceful protester ” punched him in the face and ran .
Johnson said he dealt with terrorists overseas and he sees the same tactics being used in Portland : “ They ’ ve got spotters with cameras that will follow you around , and they ’ ve got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the baseball bats .
They have people that will intimidate you in Black Lives Matter attire.
” He also noticed a lot of out-of-state license plates and said 99 % of the people he did talk to didn ’ t live in Portland .
Johnson says that what he learned is that Antifa has attached itself to the Black Lives Matter movement and taken it over , and the claims that the protests are largely peaceful and the federal officers started the violence are lies .
He said , “ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there and say that they ’ re not causing damage or rioting .
It ’ s a riot , and it ’ s real , and when you are on the front line and you ’ re looking back into that crowd , it is an angry mob that is built on doing as much destruction as possible.
” He also stressed that he is not a conservative or a Trump supporter , but he is a patriot .
And having seen what ’ s going on with his own eyes , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any means necessary , including force , to stop it .
In short , these people have declared war on America .
They were just smart enough to pick cities with leaders who were dumb enough not to realize when someone is waging war on them .
But the residents are finally figuring it out .
What Happens When the Mob Gets Its Wish We ’ re seeing exactly what happens when we give the mob its wish and order the police to stand down .
These protesters don ’ t say , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like it ” and go home ; they ramp up the violence because now they figure they can get away with even more .
Law professor Glenn Reynolds of the Instapundit blog has written wisely that the inevitable result of this is not a utopian society with no evil gestapo cops , but vigilante justice .
The people will only put up with being terrorized for so long , particularly when the officials they foolishly elected abandon them to the mob and tell them , as the Seattle Police Chief just did , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law .
You are on your own.
” The only responses in such a case range across a spectrum from armed self-defense to neighborhood patrols to gangs to vigilante groups to militias .
Do the leftist leaders of these cities really prefer any of those options to police ( I exempt Chicago , since they ’ ve obviously preferred letting gangs run wild to backing the police for years ) ?
As Prof. Reynolds puts it , “ In the end , the police aren ’ t there to protect the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect criminals from the public .
Communities dealt with crime long before police were invented , usually in rather harsh and low-due-process ways .
The bargain was , let the police handle it instead .
No police , no bargain.
” All those who accuse the police of not being gentle enough with them when they assault someone or steal or destroy someone ’ s property really aren ’ t going to like what happens if the police go away and their victims start dealing directly with the problem themselves .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to your cause , this has to be the most sickening , reprehensible , and , fortunately , ineffective way to do it that I ’ ve ever seen : a 20-year-old man circulating a photo of himself with his knee on the neck of a crying white toddler : I ’ m relieved to hear that the child involved is unharmed and that the idiot allegedly responsible was arrested .
An investigation is also underway of a teacher ( ! )
who allegedly commented on the photo on Facebook by profanely encouraging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teacher should never be allowed in a classroom with any power over children of any color ever again .
Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas and longtime conservative commentator on issues in culture and current events .
A New York Times best-selling author , he hosts the weekly talk show Huckabee on TBN .

Even with the anti-Trump media working overtime to cover for the horrendous violence and “peaceful” (sure) demonstrations ruining businesses and lives, there must be some moderate Democrats refusing to be gaslighted, understanding the level of hate driving this chaos, and walking away from their radicalized party.
#WalkAway
Speaking of walking away, Brandon Straka, founder of the #WalkAway movement tweeted this on Monday:
“Trump lowered your taxes, built a thriving economy, created opportunity zones. The Democrats, by contrast, are willing to order your businesses shut as long as possible to maximize the virus narrative to push for mail-in voting (aka – fraud). Dem voters – are you getting it yet?”
Those words sound as if they came from Mike Huckabee, but they’re from a former liberal Democrat who saw the light, who gets it, and who I’m pretty sure shares my belief that most people are essentially conservatives and just don’t know it. Some have been lied to for so long — by the media, by teachers, by family and friends — about “evil” America and those “evil” Republicans who actually love this country that they’ve never allowed themselves to dig deeper and discover that this is all projection.
The radicals pointing fingers at us, accusing us of hate and racism, should more accurately be pointing in a mirror. Their party has become all about “identity politics” — in other words, all about race. And the evidence of hate is everywhere. You name it, they hate it. They hate it enough to shine lasers into its eyes and blind it, and not care.
HOW bad is the hatred? Try this.
Why else but for pure, seething hatred would any American WANT to use political violence to tear everything down? Do they really think they’re going to build a wonderful society in its place with free cotton candy and unicorns and perfect racial quotas? No, their focus is mainly on taking power from those they hate for being “evil” and having it for themselves. Never mind that exercising power over a society you have destroyed is like being the King Of Nothing; they don’t see it that way.
Consider the issue of opportunity zones, which benefit everyone in an economically-challenged area. Radical “progressives,” such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, hate them, and anything else that allows wealthy people to profit along with others. (Of course, that’s why the wealthy invest in the first place.) So she actively works against this and other proposals that would help her district. And she wins because an organized radical group, in her case Justice Democrats, is behind her and also because, traditionally, an “evil” Republican who would work to help that district economically couldn’t get elected dogcatcher.
Seeing the Light
But recent man-on-the-street interviews suggest that some are seeing the light, especially where the police are concerned. As Brandon Straka also tweeted:
“The left has done to this country everything that they feared and dreaded Donald Trump would do when he was elected.”
It’s true. They feared a race-baiting, power-seizing dictator who would create chaos. No one called Trump a racist until the day he came down the escalator at Trump Tower and announced he was running for President. If you look at what both sides have actually done since then, it’s the left that has race-baited, created chaos and torn the country down. They obviously fear doing anything that will benefit America as long as Trump might possibly gain. If anything, Trump has been hesitant to brandish his presidential power and go in to stop the madness that local leaders (again, Democrats) won’t address. Heck, a real dictator would have sent in tanks weeks ago; you know, the way Janet Reno did with the Branch Davidians.
But even Democrats, the ones looking from the outside in, are starting to notice with horrified eyes that the violence isn’t about George Floyd, at least not any more. It seems more and more to be about nothing except raw aggression.
Mike Adams Hounded to Death
Here’s a stunning example of the hate we’re seeing from the left — not violent, but so chilling that I can’t believe some Democrats won’t see this and lament what has happened to their party. Consider the media response to the death last week of university professor Mike Adams. This sensitive column by conservative writer Robert Oscar Lopez on The Stream is a must-read.
University of North Carolina sociology/criminology teacher and Townhall contributor Mike Adams was found dead on July 23; details are sketchy but involve a firearm. There will be an investigation, of course, but suicide looks likely. The friend who called 911 said Adams had been behaving erratically (not dangerously) and had been under a lot of stress in recent weeks.
And why was Adams under stress? Lopez writes that it was due to “the gigantic network of agitators who had tracked his comments for years in hopes of driving him out of his job.” Of course, they went back as far as it took to find comments made by Adams, a conservative Christian, that they could slam. Some of these, for example, had to do with the mental health issues of transgender people, and, by 2020 standards, no one is allowed to say them — or ever to have said them.
After years of abuse, he was finally forced into early retirement at age 55 and was set to retire on August 1. He had negotiated a settlement of $500,000. (“Dollars are precious, but our institutional integrity is priceless,” the school chancellor self-righteously said after the settlement.)
There are two points made by this tragic story; first (and Lopez elaborates on this in his article) is the need to stop the persecution of conservatives and “cancel culture” in academia. The second is the ungodly hate on the left, revealed as they dance on his grave. “Mike Adams was imperfect,” Lopez writes. “…But don’t let him die in vain. He was one of us, and the way he died was wrong. Let’s at least be as decent and respectful to him as the leftists are to their imperfect poster children.”
Consider how respectful we on the right have been after the death of Democrat John Lewis. He said plenty of outrageous things in his time, but we let it go, because we are decent. Now look at a couple of headlines to see how the media reported the death of Mike Adams:
“Professor behind ‘vile’ racist and sexist tweets found dead in his North Carolina home.” — NBC online
“A professor who was known for his racist, misogynistic tweets was found dead in his home.” — BuzzFeed
Moderate Democrats, please see your hate-filled party for what it is and…WALK AWAY.
Violence in Blue Cities Spikes
The violence and lawlessness continue in blue cities around America, so much so that I don’t have time nor space to recount it all. Here’s just a taste…
It’s becoming increasingly obvious that much of what we’re hearing from the media and the Democratic politicians covering for the rioters is an attempt to deny reality that’s crossed into self-delusion. It’s as if they’ve all become that MSNBC reporter who famously declared that the protests were “mostly peaceful” as he was broadcasting from in front of a burning building.
For instance, Rep. Jerrold Nadler can see all sorts of things that aren’t really there, like “Russian collusion” or an impeachable offense in a Presidential courtesy call. But he apparently can’t see a violent riot in front of his face. Journalist Austen Fleccas asked Nadler on video if he would disavow the violence and riots by Antifa in Portland right now. Nadler’s response:
“That… that… that… that’s a myth that’s spreading only in Washington, DC.”
I wonder if he also thinks the violent protests in Washington, DC, were a myth?
I’m sure Rep. Nadler is among the willfully deaf, dumb and blind crowd who insist that the rioters in places like Portland are “peaceful protesters” being bludgeoned and tear-gassed for no reason by federal fascist goons — who wouldn’t even have to be there if the Mayor of Portland hadn’t let the rioting go on for nearly 60 days now, including assaults on federal officers and repeated attempts to destroy the federal courthouse.
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Fortunately, some people are tired of playing along with this dream world. That includes a number of black Americans who are fed up with how a legitimate protest following the death of George Floyd has been hijacked by young, white, anti-American radicals who are only making race relations worse and black neighborhoods more dangerous.
The president of the Portland chapter of the NAACP complained that the protests have lost focus and turned into “a spectacle, a debacle.” Another local black leader complained that they’ve been taken over by violent, “mostly white anarchists,” noting that most black people don’t even live downtown, and their problems, like the need for better schools, are far away and being ignored.
Meet Gabe Johnson
And here is today’s MUST-READ story.
Gabe Johnson is a 48-year-old black Marine veteran who lives in downtown Portland, near the riot scene but far enough away that he assumed from media reports that they were just “peaceful protesters,” with maybe a few typically angry young punks thrown in. Then last weekend, when he was kept awake by the sound of explosions and tear gas started coming in through his A/C vent, he stood up and declared that somebody had to do something.
He thinks of the American flag as a symbol of unity among all people, so the next day, he went to the protest site, hung a couple of flags on a fence and tried to engage protesters in a peaceful dialogue about how to bring people back together. It didn’t go well. They called him the worst kind of racist names, and ripped down his flags and stomped on them. When an older black man grabbed one of his flags and handed it back to him, a “peaceful protester” punched him in the face and ran.
Johnson said he dealt with terrorists overseas and he sees the same tactics being used in Portland: “They’ve got spotters with cameras that will follow you around, and they’ve got their thugs. Those are the guys with the baseball bats. They have people that will intimidate you in Black Lives Matter attire.”
He also noticed a lot of out-of-state license plates and said 99% of the people he did talk to didn’t live in Portland. Johnson says that what he learned is that Antifa has attached itself to the Black Lives Matter movement and taken it over, and the claims that the protests are largely peaceful and the federal officers started the violence are lies.
He said, “It’s beyond me how they can sit there and say that they’re not causing damage or rioting. It’s a riot, and it’s real, and when you are on the front line and you’re looking back into that crowd, it is an angry mob that is built on doing as much destruction as possible.”
He also stressed that he is not a conservative or a Trump supporter, but he is a patriot. And having seen what’s going on with his own eyes, he now believes that Portland Police should use any means necessary, including force, to stop it.
In short, these people have declared war on America. They were just smart enough to pick cities with leaders who were dumb enough not to realize when someone is waging war on them. But the residents are finally figuring it out.
What Happens When the Mob Gets Its Wish
We’re seeing exactly what happens when we give the mob its wish and order the police to stand down. These protesters don’t say, “Well, that’s more like it” and go home; they ramp up the violence because now they figure they can get away with even more.
Law professor Glenn Reynolds of the Instapundit blog has written wisely that the inevitable result of this is not a utopian society with no evil gestapo cops, but vigilante justice. The people will only put up with being terrorized for so long, particularly when the officials they foolishly elected abandon them to the mob and tell them, as the Seattle Police Chief just did, that “we can no longer enforce the law. You are on your own.”
The only responses in such a case range across a spectrum from armed self-defense to neighborhood patrols to gangs to vigilante groups to militias. Do the leftist leaders of these cities really prefer any of those options to police (I exempt Chicago, since they’ve obviously preferred letting gangs run wild to backing the police for years)? As Prof. Reynolds puts it, “In the end, the police aren’t there to protect the public from criminals, they’re there to protect criminals from the public. Communities dealt with crime long before police were invented, usually in rather harsh and low-due-process ways. The bargain was, let the police handle it instead. No police, no bargain.”
All those who accuse the police of not being gentle enough with them when they assault someone or steal or destroy someone’s property really aren’t going to like what happens if the police go away and their victims start dealing directly with the problem themselves.
Sickening and Reprehensible Act
If you’re trying to win people to your cause, this has to be the most sickening, reprehensible, and, fortunately, ineffective way to do it that I’ve ever seen: a 20-year-old man circulating a photo of himself with his knee on the neck of a crying white toddler:
I’m relieved to hear that the child involved is unharmed and that the idiot allegedly responsible was arrested. An investigation is also underway of a teacher (!) who allegedly commented on the photo on Facebook by profanely encouraging worse violence against white children. That teacher should never be allowed in a classroom with any power over children of any color ever again.
Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas and longtime conservative commentator on issues in culture and current events. A New York Times best-selling author, he hosts the weekly talk show Huckabee on TBN.
Originally published at MikeHuckabee.com. Reprinted with permission.