thestream--2020-07-21--Do Looters Deserve Shooters? And Other Vexed Questions From a ‘Karen.’

Periodically , I drop in and eavesdrop on the online debates between a blue-state , “ Woke ” suburban named “ Karen ” and a red-state conservative Christian called “ Obadiah.
” Our politics and culture have fallen so far into Manichaean madness , they never seem to run out of stuff to talk about .
Though it ’ s unclear whether in fact they communicate much at all … .
KAREN : You must be upset today .
Two of your heroes , that McCloskey couple in St. Louis , got charged with a felony for illegally brandishing weapons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the surface .
But deep down I ’ m terrified .
Those two people ought to be held up as the George Floyds of homeowners : examples of how the System can destroy people when it goes totally wrong .
When institutionalized corruption , callousness , and hatred turn the State from our protector into our enemy .
Today it ’ s them , tomorrow it ’ s you and me .
Well , maybe not you .
KAREN : You ’ re damned straight .
I ’ m not part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never threaten the lives of peaceful demonstrators .
Replace the Police with … Social Workers and Commissars OBADIAH : If a mob of enemies who hated you broke down your front gate and stormed your front lawn , you might wish you belonged to the gun cult .
Of course you ’ d just call the police .
But they ’ ll already have been abolished .
Maybe they ’ ll dispatch a social worker , like those Keith Ellison wants to send to rape victims , instead of cops .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Woke leaders don ’ t really want to eliminate the police , but replace them with mobs of Antifa terrorists and black racist thugs .
Like the warlords who took over Seattle .
KAREN : When an institution is thoroughly colonized by racist attitudes , sometimes you need to tear it down and start from scratch .
OBADIAH : People who couldn ’ t make a paperweight if you gave them a box of Legos are keen to destroy the achievements of the past , and rip down its monuments .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they offer .
They ’ re just incompetent narcissists , who want to break what they can ’ t understand .
“ Hulk no LIKE vertical structures .
Hulk SMASH !
” KAREN : So you ’ re saying that Western culture isn ’ t infused with systemic racism ?
I guess black people just willingly chose to have much lower incomes and much higher incarceration rates ?
OBADIAH : “ Systemic racism ” is an ignorant , malicious conspiracy theory , on the same order as the so-called “ Zionist Occupational Government.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christian equality , and helped remove racist barriers blocking black people from our cultural mainstream , tossed aside the Church like a used condom the moment that was done .
Then they poisoned that mainstream with cheap sex , hard drugs , and a rock and roll culture that told people to live for the moment .
They desegregated the swimming pool , then pumped it full of toxins that made everyone lose bowel control .
And set up a welfare state bribing every teenage girl in America to get pregnant as soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroyed black families , and is wrecking blue collar white families now .
Your upscale Woke pals have enough money to insulate themselves from its worst effects .
They can take “ gap ” years , go to rehab , work at unpaid internships while crashing in Daddy ’ s ski lodge .
Poor people ’ s lives are different , and always have been .
It ’ s typically “ one strike , and you ’ re out.
” But you don ’ t care .
You know you can import plenty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only use you have for black Americans is as plaster victim saints , and sometimes as street muscle for your political gangs .
KAREN : So you ’ re just going to demonize people for legitimate political outrage , and fantasize about violence aimed at peaceful protesters .
If that isn ’ t fascism , what is ?
OBADIAH : By “ peaceful ” you mean simply that as long as nobody tries to stop them looting , smashing , stealing , and destroying what others poured their own toil , time and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just menace bystanders , instead of beating them .
That ’ s not peace .
That ’ s just blind thuggish force , prevailing without opposition .
By that standard , Hitler annexed Czechoslovakia “ peacefully ” too .
The government , betrayed by the Allies , had its army stand down .
They were conquered without firing a shot .
I ’ d fire a shot .
If a mob came to smash the irreplaceable stained glass church windows that my immigrant ancestors sweated to build , and the marble altar they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t just wave a gun .
If the police wouldn ’ t protect the place , I ’ d defend it myself .
Same deal with a house I ’ d scrimped and saved to buy .
Or my neighbors ’ house , if he asked for help .
If the police are going to leave us unprotected from the Mob , we ’ re going to have to organize citizens militias to take their place .
Or else the whole country turns into one big Minneapolis .
KAREN : And you call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoot human beings , whom you claim to see as images of God , to protect bricks and mortar , glass and marble ?
OBADIAH : Without losing sleep .
Violence against property is violence against people .
Let ’ s say you spent a year ’ s salary on your car .
And I came up to it with a sledgehammer and smashed it .
I would be stealing every hour you worked to buy it , turning that time into slave labor .
Burn a cathedral , as just happened in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of years to build .
You ’ re erasing the lives of the people who sweated blood to build it , just as surely as if you smashed the headstones on their graves .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Just the same if a mob trashes the shop , restaurant , or other small business some hard-working family built from the ground up .
People who try that kind of violence deserve to be met with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human right to defend ourselves against being pillaged , raped , beaten or robbed .
That ’ s what Christianity teaches us , and why every Christian who ’ s actually sincere ought to be a hardcore supporter of the Second Amendment .
Christians gave us that amendment , in fact .
It was modeled on the English Bill of Rights , enacted to protect the religious freedom of Puritans , who ’ d been persecuted by the Stuarts .
If you don ’ t think religious freedom and self-defense are connected , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yazidis in Iraq .
Or the Uyghurs in China .
Or the Christians in Nigeria .
They ’ re black .
They ’ re alive .
( For now . )
Could you at least pretend that you think they matter ?
KAREN : [ Does research , finds out Obadiah ’ s state has a “ red flag ” law .
She contacts his local precinct , reports Obadiah as “ dangerously unstable.
” Police come to confiscate his legally owned AR-15 and pistol . ]
OBADIAH : [ Since such laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused , and don ’ t let him confront or question his accuser , Obadiah must spend several weeks ’ salary on legal fees and court costs , to get back his weapons . ]
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 .

Periodically, I drop in and eavesdrop on the online debates between a blue-state, “Woke” suburban named “Karen” and a red-state conservative Christian called “Obadiah.” Our politics and culture have fallen so far into Manichaean madness, they never seem to run out of stuff to talk about. Though it’s unclear whether in fact they communicate much at all … .
KAREN: You must be upset today. Two of your heroes, that McCloskey couple in St. Louis, got charged with a felony for illegally brandishing weapons.
OBADIAH: I’m angry on the surface. But deep down I’m terrified. Those two people ought to be held up as the George Floyds of homeowners: examples of how the System can destroy people when it goes totally wrong. When institutionalized corruption, callousness, and hatred turn the State from our protector into our enemy. Today it’s them, tomorrow it’s you and me. Well, maybe not you.
KAREN: You’re damned straight. I’m not part of the gun cult. And I would never threaten the lives of peaceful demonstrators.
Replace the Police with … Social Workers and Commissars
OBADIAH: If a mob of enemies who hated you broke down your front gate and stormed your front lawn, you might wish you belonged to the gun cult. Of course you’d just call the police. But they’ll already have been abolished. Maybe they’ll dispatch a social worker, like those Keith Ellison wants to send to rape victims, instead of cops. That’s nonsense, of course. Your Woke leaders don’t really want to eliminate the police, but replace them with mobs of Antifa terrorists and black racist thugs. Like the warlords who took over Seattle.
Farrakhan disciple, former DNC Vice Chair, and current Minnesota AG Keith Ellison says he doesn’t want police officers to respond to rape calls. This is Joe Biden’s Democrat Party and a reminder that you won’t be safe in Joe Biden’s America.pic.twitter.com/n6TsI379Kf — Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) July 20, 2020
KAREN: When an institution is thoroughly colonized by racist attitudes, sometimes you need to tear it down and start from scratch.
OBADIAH: People who couldn’t make a paperweight if you gave them a box of Legos are keen to destroy the achievements of the past, and rip down its monuments. That’s not because of whatever moral pretexts they offer. They’re just incompetent narcissists, who want to break what they can’t understand. “Hulk no LIKE vertical structures. Hulk SMASH!”
Systemic Balderdash
KAREN: So you’re saying that Western culture isn’t infused with systemic racism? I guess black people just willingly chose to have much lower incomes and much higher incarceration rates?
OBADIAH: “Systemic racism” is an ignorant, malicious conspiracy theory, on the same order as the so-called “Zionist Occupational Government.”
The same liberals who concurred with Christian equality, and helped remove racist barriers blocking black people from our cultural mainstream, tossed aside the Church like a used condom the moment that was done. Then they poisoned that mainstream with cheap sex, hard drugs, and a rock and roll culture that told people to live for the moment. They desegregated the swimming pool, then pumped it full of toxins that made everyone lose bowel control. And set up a welfare state bribing every teenage girl in America to get pregnant as soon as possible.
That’s what destroyed black families, and is wrecking blue collar white families now. Your upscale Woke pals have enough money to insulate themselves from its worst effects. They can take “gap” years, go to rehab, work at unpaid internships while crashing in Daddy’s ski lodge. Poor people’s lives are different, and always have been. It’s typically “one strike, and you’re out.”
But you don’t care. You know you can import plenty of immigrants to replace them. The only use you have for black Americans is as plaster victim saints, and sometimes as street muscle for your political gangs.
Looting and Smashing Are Violence
KAREN: So you’re just going to demonize people for legitimate political outrage, and fantasize about violence aimed at peaceful protesters. If that isn’t fascism, what is?
OBADIAH: By “peaceful” you mean simply that as long as nobody tries to stop them looting, smashing, stealing, and destroying what others poured their own toil, time and treasure to build, that mob will just menace bystanders, instead of beating them. That’s not peace. That’s just blind thuggish force, prevailing without opposition. By that standard, Hitler annexed Czechoslovakia “peacefully” too. The government, betrayed by the Allies, had its army stand down. They were conquered without firing a shot.
I’d fire a shot. If a mob came to smash the irreplaceable stained glass church windows that my immigrant ancestors sweated to build, and the marble altar they sacrificed to buy, I wouldn’t just wave a gun. If the police wouldn’t protect the place, I’d defend it myself. Same deal with a house I’d scrimped and saved to buy. Or my neighbors’ house, if he asked for help. If the police are going to leave us unprotected from the Mob, we’re going to have to organize citizens militias to take their place. Or else the whole country turns into one big Minneapolis.
KAREN: And you call yourself a Christian. You’d shoot human beings, whom you claim to see as images of God, to protect bricks and mortar, glass and marble?
Burning Cathedrals and Gutted Businesses
OBADIAH: Without losing sleep. Violence against property is violence against people. Let’s say you spent a year’s salary on your car. And I came up to it with a sledgehammer and smashed it. I would be stealing every hour you worked to buy it, turning that time into slave labor. Burn a cathedral, as just happened in Nantes, France, that took hundreds of years to build. You’re erasing the lives of the people who sweated blood to build it, just as surely as if you smashed the headstones on their graves.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Just the same if a mob trashes the shop, restaurant, or other small business some hard-working family built from the ground up. People who try that kind of violence deserve to be met with proportionate force. We have an absolute human right to defend ourselves against being pillaged, raped, beaten or robbed.
That’s what Christianity teaches us, and why every Christian who’s actually sincere ought to be a hardcore supporter of the Second Amendment. Christians gave us that amendment, in fact. It was modeled on the English Bill of Rights, enacted to protect the religious freedom of Puritans, who’d been persecuted by the Stuarts. If you don’t think religious freedom and self-defense are connected, you should go tell that to the Yazidis in Iraq. Or the Uyghurs in China. Or the Christians in Nigeria. They’re black. They’re alive. (For now.) Could you at least pretend that you think they matter?
KAREN: [Does research, finds out Obadiah’s state has a “red flag” law. She contacts his local precinct, reports Obadiah as “dangerously unstable.” Police come to confiscate his legally owned AR-15 and pistol.]
OBADIAH: [Since such laws put the burden of proof on the accused, and don’t let him confront or question his accuser, Obadiah must spend several weeks’ salary on legal fees and court costs, to get back his weapons.]
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--2020-07-21--Suspect Who Allegedly Killed Son of Federal Judge Found Dead

Federal authorities have begun investigating whether a body found in New York State is that of the gunman who shot and killed the son of a federal judge in New Jersey Sunday .
New York State Police found the body Monday , less than 24 hours after the shooting took place at the home of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas , where the gunman killed Salas ’ son and wounded her husband before fleeing .
Authorities believe that the the body is that of another attorney , Roy Den Hollander , who died due to what authorities said was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times reported .
Den Hollander was a self described anti-feminist who had sued nightclubs for offering discounts to women and Columbia University over offering courses in women ’ s studies , according to The New York Times .
He also brought a lawsuit before Salas in 2015 challenging the male-only military draft , arguing that the Selective Service System was violating women ’ s equal protection by only requiring men to register for the draft .
Police found a package addressed to Salas shortly after the found Den Hollander ’ s body , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the investigation .
Salas was in her basement at the time of the shooting and was unharmed .
The search for the shooter led authorities to Liberty , New York , about a two hour drive north from where the shooting took place in New Brunswick , New Jersey .
Her husband , Mark Anderl , was shot several times but is in stable condition .
Her son , Daniel Anderl , 20 , was killed after a shot to the heart , The New York Times reported .
Please Support The Stream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Last week , Salas was assigned to a class-action lawsuit against Deutsche Bank that alleges the firm failed to act on suspicious transactions from Epstein ’ s account .
The shooting did not appear to be tied to the case , though authorities were still investigating the motive , CNN reported .
Epstein died in jail in 2019 awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Federal authorities have begun investigating whether a body found in New York State is that of the gunman who shot and killed the son of a federal judge in New Jersey Sunday.
New York State Police found the body Monday, less than 24 hours after the shooting took place at the home of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, where the gunman killed Salas’ son and wounded her husband before fleeing.
Authorities believe that the the body is that of another attorney, Roy Den Hollander, who died due to what authorities said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, The New York Times reported.
Den Hollander was a self described anti-feminist who had sued nightclubs for offering discounts to women and Columbia University over offering courses in women’s studies, according to The New York Times.
He also brought a lawsuit before Salas in 2015 challenging the male-only military draft, arguing that the Selective Service System was violating women’s equal protection by only requiring men to register for the draft.
Police found a package addressed to Salas shortly after the found Den Hollander’s body, according to law enforcement officials knowledgeable about the investigation.
DEVELOPING: Authorities believe an attorney found dead in New York Monday was the shooter who killed a New Jersey federal judge's son and wounded her husband, law enforcement sources tell @NBCNewYork. https://t.co/VA2T8UpZW1 — NBC News (@NBCNews) July 20, 2020
Salas was in her basement at the time of the shooting and was unharmed. The search for the shooter led authorities to Liberty, New York, about a two hour drive north from where the shooting took place in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Her husband, Mark Anderl, was shot several times but is in stable condition. Her son, Daniel Anderl, 20, was killed after a shot to the heart, The New York Times reported.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Last week, Salas was assigned to a class-action lawsuit against Deutsche Bank that alleges the firm failed to act on suspicious transactions from Epstein’s account. The shooting did not appear to be tied to the case, though authorities were still investigating the motive, CNN reported.
Epstein died in jail in 2019 awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
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--2020-07-22--Five Strategic Steps We Must Take to Overcome the Lunacy

The country is going crazy .
It ’ s noticeably worse now than five weeks ago , when I started a series here on how to deal with the lunacy .
And I ’ m still not seeing anyone leading a strategic response to it .
Tactical , yes , strategic , no .
I have no idea who that leader or leaders will be .
I spent a large portion of my career advising leaders , and I know that ’ s where I belong .
This series is the advice I ’ d offer on what we must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , it ’ s time to review it so far .
Strategy differs from tactics in taking a higher-level , broader view of both challenges and opportunities .
I ’ ve suggested that Christians ( and other conservatives ) should adopt a five-part response : • Defeat and drive out the lunacy .
These five must take place simultaneously .
The battle , remember , is against lunacy .
Some people responding to this series have read that wrong ; they think it ’ s against lunatics .
Yes , there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t the kind of battle we can win by defeating people .
That should be obvious .
Imagine the effect of that kind of “ victory.
” Suppose we overcame all the leftists ( the carriers of the lunacy ) and locked them away .
Can you picture even the slightest good that could come of that ?
We ’ d be running roughshod over our own beliefs in human liberty , we ’ d make millions of new enemies , and the lies would still be out there .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they did the McCloskeys ’ in St. Louis , that ’ s a different matter .
Then we have to stop them .
If they come armed in gangs , we might have to arm in unified groups to stop them .
That ’ s another strategic question for a different problem , though , and no amount of success on that front will stop the madness motivating the mobs .
The lie , the lunacy , needs its own strategic answer .
That ’ s what we must overcome .
And the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect the vulnerable .
In this case that mostly means equipping young minds with truth to guard them from the lies .
They need a realistic education in everything from Christian doctrine to Christian apologetics to history to economics to race relations .
More than that , they need training in it .
Training moves beyond book learning to simulated challenge situations .
For example : Pretend I ’ m your college roommate .
I ’ m asking you , “ Why are you such a homophobe ?
” How do you answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Better to face it in the church than in the dorm , though .
The second step is especially urgent now because it ’ s an election year .
One major political party is full-on , ram-speed charging ahead with the lunacy .
The other party is at least nominally on the side of sanity — though I could wish it were even stronger in it !
If the Democrats win big in November , the damage will spread quickly .
I expect we ’ d see it first in the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moral commitments , third in our border security , and ultimately in our fundamental freedoms .
I could have that sequence wrong , but that matters little .
We have to protect all those interests , and it happens crucially at the ballot box this November .
I ’ ve covered the first two points previously , as linked from within them .
Still to come : 3 .
Defeat and Drive Out the Lunacy We ’ ve got to replace the madness with some sense of restored reason .
I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election is the answer .
No , that won ’ t settle it ; it will only determine how tough it ’ s going to be for us moving forward from there .
The same will likely be true for every election for the next 16 to 20 years , because this third step is not going to be any overnight victory .
God could intervene with massive revival and prove me wrong .
Oh , how I ’ d love to be wrong that way !
From our human position , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being in this for the long haul .
It was late in the 1980s that homosexual strategists published their own strategies .
It took them decades to get to where they are now .
We have to think in terms of decades to undo what they ’ ve done .
Meanwhile , the other four elements of this strategy must keep on churning .
I took a quick , early stab at this fourth step by taking a theoretical look at leftist strategy .
I ’ ll have more to say on it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As much as possible , we need to know what ’ s really going on in this battle .
If we can ’ t read the other side ’ s plans in advance , we must read them in real time .
A great chess player sees the opponent ’ s move and deduces what kind of position they ’ re trying to establish .
We ’ ve got to develop and utilize the same kind of savvy .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Full intelligence also means knowing both sides ’ strengths and resources .
The other side has the advantage of position , especially in media , in education , and in their manipulative control over much of the Western world ’ s vocabulary .
We have the advantage of large numbers , if only the Church would wake up and deploy properly .
More than that , though ( much much more than that ! )
, we stand on the side of God ’ s truth , so we can move forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at that and say it sounds sappy .
You and I had better read it as reality instead — and stay in tune with Him in it .
We have our weaknesses , too .
More on that later .
This fifth point shouldn ’ t need making .
It should be obvious by now : There ’ s no protecting our loved ones without re-tooling our priorities .
There ’ s no containing the damage this November without fighting the hard ( yet honorable ! )
political fight .
Win or lose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d better dig in for a drawn-out battle .
Our children are in trouble if we don ’ t take it seriously .
Our communities are in danger .
And what was unimaginable just a few years ago seems almost to be staring us in the face today : Without a serious strategic response on our part , there ’ s real real risk that our country could crumble .
That ’ s my mid-course summary of recommendations to leaders on Christian ( and conservative ) strategy against the lunacy .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially on points three through five .
In the meantime , would you join me in praying that we will all , finally take the rising danger seriously ?
That we would move onto a real wartime footing ?
That authentic , humble , wise , godly leaders would rise up to unite us ?
Tom Gilson ( @ TomGilsonAuthor ) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books , including the forthcoming Too Good To Be False : How Jesus ’ Incomparable Character Reveals His @ @

The country is going crazy. It’s noticeably worse now than five weeks ago, when I started a series here on how to deal with the lunacy. And I’m still not seeing anyone leading a strategic response to it. Tactical, yes, strategic, no. I have no idea who that leader or leaders will be.
I spent a large portion of my career advising leaders, and I know that’s where I belong. This series is the advice I’d offer on what we must pay attention to. Halfway through it now, it’s time to review it so far.
Strategy differs from tactics in taking a higher-level, broader view of both challenges and opportunities. I’ve suggested that Christians (and other conservatives) should adopt a five-part response:
Protect the vulnerable. Contain the damage. Defeat and drive out the lunacy. Use our full intelligence. Stay on a wartime footing.
These five must take place simultaneously.
Understanding the Battle
The battle, remember, is against lunacy. Some people responding to this series have read that wrong; they think it’s against lunatics. Yes, there are crazy people out there, but this isn’t the kind of battle we can win by defeating people.
That should be obvious. Imagine the effect of that kind of “victory.” Suppose we overcame all the leftists (the carriers of the lunacy) and locked them away. Can you picture even the slightest good that could come of that? We’d be running roughshod over our own beliefs in human liberty, we’d make millions of new enemies, and the lies would still be out there.
We’d better count on being in this for the long haul.
If the crazies come down our street like they did the McCloskeys’ in St. Louis, that’s a different matter. Then we have to stop them. If they come armed in gangs, we might have to arm in unified groups to stop them.
That’s another strategic question for a different problem, though, and no amount of success on that front will stop the madness motivating the mobs. The lie, the lunacy, needs its own strategic answer. That’s what we must overcome.
1. Protect the Vulnerable
And the most immediate, urgent priority is to protect the vulnerable. In this case that mostly means equipping young minds with truth to guard them from the lies. They need a realistic education in everything from Christian doctrine to Christian apologetics to history to economics to race relations.
More than that, they need training in it. Training moves beyond book learning to simulated challenge situations. For example: Pretend I’m your college roommate. I’m asking you, “Why are you such a homophobe?” How do you answer? Tough? Of course it is! Better to face it in the church than in the dorm, though.
2. Contain the Damage
The second step is especially urgent now because it’s an election year. One major political party is full-on, ram-speed charging ahead with the lunacy. The other party is at least nominally on the side of sanity — though I could wish it were even stronger in it!
If the Democrats win big in November, the damage will spread quickly. I expect we’d see it first in the economy, second in our country’s moral commitments, third in our border security, and ultimately in our fundamental freedoms. I could have that sequence wrong, but that matters little. We have to protect all those interests, and it happens crucially at the ballot box this November.
I’ve covered the first two points previously, as linked from within them. Still to come:
3. Defeat and Drive Out the Lunacy
We’ve got to replace the madness with some sense of restored reason. I’ve heard pundits talking as if the coming election is the answer. No, that won’t settle it; it will only determine how tough it’s going to be for us moving forward from there.
The same will likely be true for every election for the next 16 to 20 years, because this third step is not going to be any overnight victory. God could intervene with massive revival and prove me wrong. Oh, how I’d love to be wrong that way! From our human position, though, we’d better count on being in this for the long haul.
It was late in the 1980s that homosexual strategists published their own strategies. It took them decades to get to where they are now. We have to think in terms of decades to undo what they’ve done. Meanwhile, the other four elements of this strategy must keep on churning.
4. With Full Intelligence
I took a quick, early stab at this fourth step by taking a theoretical look at leftist strategy. I’ll have more to say on it later. The point is this: As much as possible, we need to know what’s really going on in this battle.
If we can’t read the other side’s plans in advance, we must read them in real time. A great chess player sees the opponent’s move and deduces what kind of position they’re trying to establish. We’ve got to develop and utilize the same kind of savvy.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Full intelligence also means knowing both sides’ strengths and resources. The other side has the advantage of position, especially in media, in education, and in their manipulative control over much of the Western world’s vocabulary.
We have the advantage of large numbers, if only the Church would wake up and deploy properly. More than that, though (much much more than that!), we stand on the side of God’s truth, so we can move forward in His power. Leftists may scoff at that and say it sounds sappy. You and I had better read it as reality instead — and stay in tune with Him in it.
We have our weaknesses, too. More on that later.
5. On a Wartime Footing
This fifth point shouldn’t need making. It should be obvious by now: There’s no protecting our loved ones without re-tooling our priorities. There’s no containing the damage this November without fighting the hard (yet honorable!) political fight. Win or lose this fall, either way we’d better dig in for a drawn-out battle.
Our children are in trouble if we don’t take it seriously. Our communities are in danger. And what was unimaginable just a few years ago seems almost to be staring us in the face today: Without a serious strategic response on our part, there’s real real risk that our country could crumble.
Praying Forward From Here
That’s my mid-course summary of recommendations to leaders on Christian (and conservative) strategy against the lunacy. I’ll have more to say later, especially on points three through five.
In the meantime, would you join me in praying that we will all, finally take the rising danger seriously? That we would move onto a real wartime footing? That authentic, humble, wise, godly leaders would rise up to unite us?
Tom Gilson (@TomGilsonAuthor) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books, including the forthcoming Too Good To Be False: How Jesus’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality.


thestream--2020-07-22--Military Photo of the Day: Liberating a Sea Turtle

A large green sea turtle is freed by U.S. Navy rescue swimmers after being found ensnared by fishing lines , @ @ @ @ @ harbor at Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport on Andros Island in the Bahamas on @ @ @ @ @ We are glad that thanks to the brave men and women of the U.S. Navy @ @ @ @ @ is safe and sound !
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly @ @ @ @ @ and Moral Issues of Our Day .

A large green sea turtle is freed by U.S. Navy rescue swimmers after being found ensnared by fishing lines, nets and ropes in the harbor at Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport on Andros Island in the Bahamas on July 13, 2020.
We are glad that thanks to the brave men and women of the U.S. Navy, this endangered sea turtle is safe and sound!
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-07-22--CNN, Media Matters Lead Charge to Ban Religious Counselors From Social Media

Last week , Instagram shut down the public profile of UK-based Christian nonprofit Core Issues Trust .
The ministry had published “ violating content ” about so-called “ conversion therapy.
” Facebook owns Instagram .
Some view shutting down the ministry as an indicator of social media censorship to come .
“ When Core Issues Trust posted on addressing homosexuality , it did so graciously , ” said Anne Paulk , executive director of Restored Hope Network ( RHN ) .
“ Their content comes from a therapeutic and scientific viewpoint .
Yet they were banned and Instagram removed all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an exclusive report headlined : ‘ Instagram and Facebook ban all content promoting conversion therapy.
’ They referred to nonprofit groups , many faith-based , who offer counseling and resources for those facing unwanted same-sex attraction .
The headline itself was slanted , Paulk said , let alone the story .
“ Our group rejects ‘ conversion therapy ’ as a term , ” she said .
“ That language is intended to demean and vilify those of us who are helping people who want help.
” A leader of the Free Speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activism .
“ Traditional media have become leading voices of cancel culture , ” said Dan Gainor , vice president of Media Research Center in Reston , Va. “ And no news organization is more supportive of censorship than CNN.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Activists behind the campaign have tipped their hand .
On Thursday , Media Matters for America published a list of nonprofit groups it deems should be banned .
Among them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that resources ministries , pastors , and counselors across the U.S. “ Normally when you have dialogue , you may disagree with someone , even passionately , ” said Paulk .
“ In this case , gay activist groups really intend to completely shut out our viewpoint.
” Activist groups are being aided by the third-most-watched cable news channel , noted Gainor .
“ The idea that the traditional press is some free speech , First Amendment zone is a fraud , ” he said .
“ CNN reporters regularly support the silencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up support for boycotts .
‘ This company isn ’ t boycotted yet , ’ are the sort of stories they produce.
” Tara Hopkins , Instagram ’ s public policy director for Europe , the Middle East , and Africa , fed CNN an exclusive quote for their report .
“ We are updating our policies to ban the promotion of conversion therapy services , ” she said .
“ We don ’ t allow attacks against people based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
” Gainor links this report to how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lately faced relentless activism .
“ Across social media , the most radical anti-free speech people are the trans activists , ” he said .
“ They ’ ve repeatedly tangled online with J.K. Rowling , the most famous living author.
” Author of the Harry Potter novels , Rowling has been labeled a “ TERF ” which stands for “ trans exclusionary radical feminist.
” Media commentary has remained unified against her viewpoint .
Christian author Paulk remains baffled by critics seeking to ban their ministry .
“ Hearing our point of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ Maybe it triggers some degree of conscience.
” Over the past year , Media Research Center has coalesced a group of 70 diverse organizations into the Free Speech Alliance .
They attempt to respond to incidents like this one .
“ These are attempts by a micro-minority to mandate speech for the entire globe , ” said Gainor .
“ You don ’ t dare say anything that disagrees with them .
Really it ’ s not just speech , but belief.
” Paulk and her small ministry team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture wars .
Last July , activists pressured Amazon to ban her book Restoring Sexual Identity from being sold .
Formerly living in a lesbian lifestyle , the mother of three sons has for decades offered biblical teaching and counsel to those seeking change .
While she has observed harmful approaches in churches in the past , she says such mindsets have largely faded away .
“ There are still some people who want to shame someone into overcoming something , ” said Paulk .
“ They ’ re ignorant about how change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But that I find is more rare than common these days.
” She noted anyone familiar with Christian counseling would find nothing surprising in RHN-affiliated programs .
Clients are not coerced , nor have any long-discarded harmful psychiatric practices been used .
“ Surrender , repentance , and transformation are all critical parts of the Christian walk , ” said Paulk .
“ It also applies to those who are dealing with unwanted same-sex attraction .
They ’ re not excluded from the picture of the gospel.
” Knowing the complexity of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others , she notes the network does not make guarantees .
“ From the very beginning , we have instituted disclosure forms that do not promise anyone anything , ” said Paulk .
“ The outcome of talking together with a counselor will not be A , B , or C. If the person is willing to walk with Jesus , I believe they will find their lives are changing over time.
” While most believers have rejected what she called the “ Westboro Baptist philosophy ” of shaming , another pitfall has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are really empathetic tend to be swaying towards gay Christianity and not calling out sin , ” she noted .
“ Neither extreme supports the healing pathway right down the middle .
“ We ’ re not to shame other people , rather we ’ re to support them in their in their goal of following Jesus.
” Current crises have kept Paulk occupied with seeking to help those in need .
She laments that seeking to silence differing views has become a cultural norm with certain groups .
“ They want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoken , ” said Paulk .
“ It ’ s an unfortunate bent in that activist community.
” Another breaking development may affect how these issues play out in society .
On Friday , the Global Alliance for Responsible Media announced it would be issuing a specific definition of “ hate speech ” to apply across platforms .
The consortium includes Facebook , Google , Twitter , NBCUniversal , and many of their largest advertisers .
“ When they operate more and more with one collective groupthink , it becomes a cartel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cartel against free speech is a cartel against freedom .
It ’ s insidious and evil that so many supposedly pro-free speech voices like CNN , NBC , and The New York Times would support this.
” Legislative fixes may be necessary , he asserts .
Senator Josh Hawley , R-Mo.
, has floated changing how Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act is applied to big tech companies .
“ For a long time , these social media companies were pro-free speech , and the world benefited from it , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the board , are not .
“ If they ’ re actually going to undermine the republic , then why is the republic protecting them ?
” Stream contributor Josh M. Shepherd covers culture , faith , and public policy issues for media outlets including The Federalist .
Find him on Twitter and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

Last week, Instagram shut down the public profile of UK-based Christian nonprofit Core Issues Trust. The ministry had published “violating content” about so-called “conversion therapy.”
Facebook owns Instagram. Some view shutting down the ministry as an indicator of social media censorship to come.
Gracious Address
“When Core Issues Trust posted on addressing homosexuality, it did so graciously,” said Anne Paulk, executive director of Restored Hope Network (RHN). “Their content comes from a therapeutic and scientific viewpoint. Yet they were banned and Instagram removed all content.”
Days ago, CNN published an exclusive report headlined: ‘Instagram and Facebook ban all content promoting conversion therapy.’ They referred to nonprofit groups, many faith-based, who offer counseling and resources for those facing unwanted same-sex attraction.
The headline itself was slanted, Paulk said, let alone the story. “Our group rejects ‘conversion therapy’ as a term,” she said. “That language is intended to demean and vilify those of us who are helping people who want help.”
A leader of the Free Speech Alliance noted this reporting veered closer to activism. “Traditional media have become leading voices of cancel culture,” said Dan Gainor, vice president of Media Research Center in Reston, Va. “And no news organization is more supportive of censorship than CNN.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Activists behind the campaign have tipped their hand. On Thursday, Media Matters for America published a list of nonprofit groups it deems should be banned. Among them was the Christian network led by Paulk that resources ministries, pastors, and counselors across the U.S.
“Normally when you have dialogue, you may disagree with someone, even passionately,” said Paulk. “In this case, gay activist groups really intend to completely shut out our viewpoint.”
CNN Advances Cancel Culture
Activist groups are being aided by the third-most-watched cable news channel, noted Gainor.
“The idea that the traditional press is some free speech, First Amendment zone is a fraud,” he said. “CNN reporters regularly support the silencing of opposition voices or will even drum up support for boycotts. ‘This company isn’t boycotted yet,’ are the sort of stories they produce.”
Tara Hopkins, Instagram’s public policy director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, fed CNN an exclusive quote for their report. “We are updating our policies to ban the promotion of conversion therapy services,” she said. “We don’t allow attacks against people based on sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Gainor links this report to how the world’s best-selling author has lately faced relentless activism.
“Across social media, the most radical anti-free speech people are the trans activists,” he said. “They’ve repeatedly tangled online with J.K. Rowling, the most famous living author.”
Author of the Harry Potter novels, Rowling has been labeled a “TERF” which stands for “trans exclusionary radical feminist.” Media commentary has remained unified against her viewpoint.
Christian author Paulk remains baffled by critics seeking to ban their ministry. “Hearing our point of view seems to irritate them,” she said. “Maybe it triggers some degree of conscience.”
Over the past year, Media Research Center has coalesced a group of 70 diverse organizations into the Free Speech Alliance. They attempt to respond to incidents like this one.
“These are attempts by a micro-minority to mandate speech for the entire globe,” said Gainor. “You don’t dare say anything that disagrees with them. Really it’s not just speech, but belief.”
Christian Counselor Banned from Amazon
Paulk and her small ministry team have become a lightning rod in recent culture wars. Last July, activists pressured Amazon to ban her book Restoring Sexual Identity from being sold.
Formerly living in a lesbian lifestyle, the mother of three sons has for decades offered biblical teaching and counsel to those seeking change. While she has observed harmful approaches in churches in the past, she says such mindsets have largely faded away.
“There are still some people who want to shame someone into overcoming something,” said Paulk. “They’re ignorant about how change happens or what it looks like. But that I find is more rare than common these days.”
She noted anyone familiar with Christian counseling would find nothing surprising in RHN-affiliated programs. Clients are not coerced, nor have any long-discarded harmful psychiatric practices been used.
“Surrender, repentance, and transformation are all critical parts of the Christian walk,” said Paulk. “It also applies to those who are dealing with unwanted same-sex attraction. They’re not excluded from the picture of the gospel.”
Support in Following Jesus
Knowing the complexity of her own journey, and those of many others, she notes the network does not make guarantees. “From the very beginning, we have instituted disclosure forms that do not promise anyone anything,” said Paulk.
“The outcome of talking together with a counselor will not be A, B, or C. If the person is willing to walk with Jesus, I believe they will find their lives are changing over time.”
While most believers have rejected what she called the “Westboro Baptist philosophy” of shaming, another pitfall has emerged. “Certain leaders today who are really empathetic tend to be swaying towards gay Christianity and not calling out sin,” she noted. “Neither extreme supports the healing pathway right down the middle.
“We’re not to shame other people, rather we’re to support them in their goal of following Jesus.”
Hate Speech And Groupthink
Current crises have kept Paulk occupied with seeking to help those in need. She laments that seeking to silence differing views has become a cultural norm with certain groups.
“They want to control what’s allowed to be spoken,” said Paulk. “It’s an unfortunate bent in that activist community.”
Another breaking development may affect how these issues play out in society.
On Friday, the Global Alliance for Responsible Media announced it would be issuing a specific definition of “hate speech” to apply across platforms. The consortium includes Facebook, Google, Twitter, NBCUniversal, and many of their largest advertisers.
“When they operate more and more with one collective groupthink, it becomes a cartel,” said Gainor. “And a cartel against free speech is a cartel against freedom. It’s insidious and evil that so many supposedly pro-free speech voices like CNN, NBC, and The New York Times would support this.”
Legislative fixes may be necessary, he asserts. Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo., has floated changing how Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act is applied to big tech companies.
“For a long time, these social media companies were pro-free speech, and the world benefited from it,” said Gainor. “Now these companies, across the board, are not.
“If they’re actually going to undermine the republic, then why is the republic protecting them?”
Stream contributor Josh M. Shepherd covers culture, faith, and public policy issues for media outlets including The Federalist. Find him on Twitter and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-07-22--Domestic Violence More Than Doubled Under Lockdowns, New Study Finds

The unintended consequences of the COVID-19 lockdowns have been severe : mass unemployment , increased drug overdoses and suicides , and widespread social unrest are but a few of them .
On Monday , the National Bureau of Economic Research released a paper detailing another : increased domestic violence .
Analyzing government-mandated lockdowns in India , researchers Saravana Ravindran and Manisha Shah found evidence of a 131 percent increase in complaints of domestic violence in May 2020 in “ red zone districts , ” or districts that experienced the strictest lockdown measures , relative to districts that had less strict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The researchers , who used a difference-in-differences empirical strategy , found the increase in domestic violence complaints was consistent with a surge in Google search activity for terms related to domestic violence over the same period .
The authors ’ findings “ contribute to a growing literature on the impacts of lockdowns and stay-at-home policies on violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic.
” The findings , which also found a decline in reported sexual assaults because of decreased mobility , are similar to those from research that found lockdowns led to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence calls in Mexico City .
A study analyzing data from police departments in four US cities showed smaller increases in domestic violence , 10-27 percent , during lockdown periods .
Globally about one-third of women experience “ intimate partner violence ” ( IPV ) , which negatively impacts female earnings , labor participation , earnings , mental health , and household consumption .
The global increase in domestic violence during the lockdown period has received relatively little attention , though CNN recently reported on the increase south of the US border .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of its economy on March 23 , urging people to stay indoors .
Activists told the network the action spurred “ an onslaught of domestic violence , ” and data show 911 calls for domestic violence are up 44 percent from the same time the previous year .
“ The lockdowns triggered violence in so many ways , ” Perla Acosta Galindo , Director of Más Sueños A.C. , a women ’ s community center , told CNN .
“ People can ’ t work , there ’ s alcoholism , overcrowding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To some degree , the COVID pandemic has been portrayed as a morality play .
Some would have you believe those who care about people support lockdowns ; those who don ’ t care about people oppose them .
We ’ re presented with false choices : we can support the economy or protect American lives .
These types of arguments only serve to divide .
They can also obscure a basic truth : there are human costs to lockdowns , besides the economic ones , that can ravage lives just as badly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for example , recently reported on “ a hidden epidemic within the coronavirus pandemic ” : drug overdoses .
One Ohio coroner said he can ’ t process the bodies fast enough .
“ We ’ ve literally run out of wheeled carts to put them on , ” Anahi Ortiz told the paper .
Statistics suggest the trend is national in scope .
Data from the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program show that overdoses were up 18 percent in March , 29 percent in April , and 42 percent in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These statistics should come as no surprise .
Social scientists have been writing about the deadly consequences of social isolation for years .
It ’ s not just higher stress levels , disrupted sleep patterns , and altered immune systems .
One 2015 study determined that social isolation substantially increased the risk of stroke ( 32 percent ) and heart disease ( 29 percent ) .
Social isolation is also linked to suicide .
While there is no comprehensive 2020 data on suicides , anecdotal evidence suggests many are struggling to cope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the peak of the lockdowns , one California doctor told local media his hospital has seen “ a year ’ s worth of suicide attempts in the last four weeks.
” As the French economist Frédéric Bastiat stressed , every policy , “ produces not only one effect , but a series of effects.
” The immediate and intended effects are what he calls “ the seen , ” while the indirect , unintended consequences are “ the unseen.
” “ The seen ” usually gets all the attention , while “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
In this case , “ the seen ” are the victims of the virus and those who hopefully avoid spreading or catching the disease because of the lockdowns .
They are , without a doubt , worthy of our care and attention .
But we also must not ignore “ the unseen ” : the millions of human beings who , as a result of the lockdowns , have become victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depression , suicide , and more .
As Antony Davies and James Harrigan wrote , “ The uncomfortable truth is that no policy can save lives ; it can only trade lives.
” It may one day be determined that the lockdowns saved more lives than they destroyed , although recent evidence suggests the correlation between lockdown severity and COVID-19 deaths is weak .
But let ’ s not underestimate the devastating human toll of this policy .
The lives ruined or snuffed out by the lockdowns deserve better than that .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the Managing Editor of FEE.org .
His writing/reporting has been the subject of articles in TIME magazine , The Wall Street Journal , CNN , Forbes , Fox News , and the Star Tribune .

The unintended consequences of the COVID-19 lockdowns have been severe: mass unemployment, increased drug overdoses and suicides, and widespread social unrest are but a few of them. There are inpatient drug rehab santa clarita that can help people gain back their life and to come back on track.
On Monday, the National Bureau of Economic Research released a paper detailing another: increased domestic violence.
Analyzing government-mandated lockdowns in India, researchers Saravana Ravindran and Manisha Shah found evidence of a 131 percent increase in complaints of domestic violence in May 2020 in “red zone districts,” or districts that experienced the strictest lockdown measures, relative to districts that had less strict measures (“green zones”).
The researchers, who used a difference-in-differences empirical strategy, found the increase in domestic violence complaints was consistent with a surge in Google search activity for terms related to domestic violence over the same period.
The authors’ findings “contribute to a growing literature on the impacts of lockdowns and stay-at-home policies on violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The findings, which also found a decline in reported sexual assaults because of decreased mobility, are similar to those from research that found lockdowns led to a 100 percent increase in intimate partner violence calls in Mexico City. A study analyzing data from police departments in four US cities showed smaller increases in domestic violence, 10-27 percent, during lockdown periods.
Globally about one-third of women experience “intimate partner violence” (IPV), which negatively impacts female earnings, labor participation, earnings, mental health, and household consumption.
Unseen Costs of Lockdowns
The global increase in domestic violence during the lockdown period has received relatively little attention, though CNN recently reported on the increase south of the US border.
In Mexico, federal lawmakers shut down most of its economy on March 23, urging people to stay indoors. Activists told the network the action spurred “an onslaught of domestic violence,” and data show 911 calls for domestic violence are up 44 percent from the same time the previous year.
“The lockdowns triggered violence in so many ways,” Perla Acosta Galindo, Director of Más Sueños A.C., a women’s community center, told CNN. “People can’t work, there’s alcoholism, overcrowding; it’s a lot.”
Lockdowns Are Destructive
To some degree, the COVID pandemic has been portrayed as a morality play. Some would have you believe those who care about people support lockdowns; those who don’t care about people oppose them. We’re presented with false choices: we can support the economy or protect American lives.
There are human costs to lockdowns, besides the economic ones, that can ravage lives just as badly as any disease.
These types of arguments only serve to divide. They can also obscure a basic truth: there are human costs to lockdowns, besides the economic ones, that can ravage lives just as badly as any disease.
The Washington Post, for example, recently reported on “a hidden epidemic within the coronavirus pandemic”: drug overdoses. One Ohio coroner said he can’t process the bodies fast enough. “We’ve literally run out of wheeled carts to put them on,” Anahi Ortiz told the paper.
Statistics suggest the trend is national in scope. Data from the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program show that overdoses were up 18 percent in March, 29 percent in April, and 42 percent in May from the same periods the previous year. These statistics should come as no surprise. Social scientists have been writing about the deadly consequences of social isolation for years.
It’s not just higher stress levels, disrupted sleep patterns, and altered immune systems. One 2015 study determined that social isolation substantially increased the risk of stroke (32 percent) and heart disease (29 percent).
Social isolation is also linked to suicide. While there is no comprehensive 2020 data on suicides, anecdotal evidence suggests many are struggling to cope with quarantine life. In May, during the peak of the lockdowns, one California doctor told local media his hospital has seen “a year’s worth of suicide attempts in the last four weeks.”
Recognizing That Lockdowns Have Victims
As the French economist Frédéric Bastiat stressed, every policy, “produces not only one effect, but a series of effects.” The immediate and intended effects are what he calls “the seen,” while the indirect, unintended consequences are “the unseen.” “The seen” usually gets all the attention, while “the unseen” often goes neglected.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
In this case, “the seen” are the victims of the virus and those who hopefully avoid spreading or catching the disease because of the lockdowns. They are, without a doubt, worthy of our care and attention. But we also must not ignore “the unseen”: the millions of human beings who, as a result of the lockdowns, have become victims of domestic violence, drug overdoses, depression, suicide, and more.
As Antony Davies and James Harrigan wrote, “The uncomfortable truth is that no policy can save lives; it can only trade lives.” It may one day be determined that the lockdowns saved more lives than they destroyed, although recent evidence suggests the correlation between lockdown severity and COVID-19 deaths is weak. But let’s not underestimate the devastating human toll of this policy.
The lives ruined or snuffed out by the lockdowns deserve better than that. They deserve to be seen.
Jonathan Miltimore is the Managing Editor of FEE.org. His writing/reporting has been the subject of articles in TIME magazine, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, and the Star Tribune.
Originally published at FEE.org. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-07-22--Phil Robertson, Author and Duck Dynasty TV Star, Talks ‘Jesus Politics’ and How Christians Represent

Phil Robertson, Author and Duck Dynasty TV Star, Talks ‘Jesus Politics’ and How Christians Represent the Kingdom of God on Earth

There are “ two great truths of the Kingdom of God , ” best-selling author and Duck Dynasty TV personality Phil Robertson told The Stream .
“ Love God with all your heart , mind , soul and strength , and love your neighbor.
” Phil questions how the world would look if all those who are rioting , looting , and tearing down statues were filled with the Holy Spirit because of their faith in Jesus .
And if “ they were representing the Kingdom of God on planet earth .
Just think about what [ a ] difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s new book Jesus Politics : How to Win Back the Soul of America , he writes about how Christians can bring the Kingdom of God on earth right now , and what is needed to make that happen .
The first thing to realize is that those on the other side of the current cultural crisis are not the enemy .
“ We don ’ t wrestle against flesh and blood , but against the rulers , the powers of this dark world , the spiritual forces of evil .
…So , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on.
” The book is about approaching life through a spiritual lens .
It ’ s a “ spiritual fix ” to bring about the Kingdom of God on earth , Phil said .
“ Our warfare is not with guns , and we don ’ t use the weapons of the world .
We appeal to people ’ s consciences .
We preach the Gospel to them , and the ones who say ‘ Yes , ’ and bow their knee to Jesus the King — He and He only — those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The world doesn ’ t see the spiritual war , he said .
“ The reason they don ’ t see it is that the evil one has taken control of them .
And there ’ s only one thing that will get them out from under it .
That ’ s their faith in the Gospel of Jesus and their obedience to the Gospel .
Then they would see [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a spiritual war going on .
It ’ s right in front of them but they don ’ t realize it .
So we go out and preach the message to the ones that will obey it.
” If we ’ re going to win the spiritual battle we need a spiritual solution , says Phil .
“ As people of the King , we need a strategy for bringing that spiritual solution ‘ on earth as it is in heaven.
’ …We need a kingdom manifesto.
” In Jesus Politics , Phil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topic at a time , from religious freedom to guns and sharing the Gospel .
This is what he calls “ Jesus politics.
” We must align our politics with Jesus , not a particular political party .
“ Don ’ t buy the lie that one side has it all together .
Instead , pay attention to individual politicians and platforms.
” One example of Jesus politics in action is his take on religious freedom .
“ We must rebuild the foundation of this country , returning to the Word of God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens of the Kingdom.
” How ?
By voting “ for leaders who will promote religious liberty , protect our rights to practice Christianity in every public square , and live lives aligned with Jesus politics.
” Jesus Politics — What It ’ s All About But it ’ s more than just voting , although that is important .
Jesus politics is about “ loving the King so much that you ’ d go out of your way to share that love with your neighbors … recognizing the work of Jesus all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth .
Jesus politics is about serving the King , protecting the King , and offering the love of the King to the world.
” He adds , “ Ultimately , Jesus politics is about loving God , loving our neighbors , and doing whatever it takes to bring , maintain , and protect his kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven.
” Jesus Politics : How to Win Back the Soul of America releases on August 4 .
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream .
You can follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stream @ Streamdotorg .

There are “two great truths of the Kingdom of God,” best-selling author and Duck Dynasty TV personality Phil Robertson told The Stream. “Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, and love your neighbor.” Phil questions how the world would look if all those who are rioting, looting, and tearing down statues were filled with the Holy Spirit because of their faith in Jesus. And if “they were representing the Kingdom of God on planet earth. Just think about what [a] difference that would make.”
In Phil’s new book Jesus Politics: How to Win Back the Soul of America, he writes about how Christians can bring the Kingdom of God on earth right now, and what is needed to make that happen. The first thing to realize is that those on the other side of the current cultural crisis are not the enemy. “We don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the powers of this dark world, the spiritual forces of evil. …So, there’s a spiritual war going on.” The book is about approaching life through a spiritual lens.
A Spiritual War
It’s a “spiritual fix” to bring about the Kingdom of God on earth, Phil said. “Our warfare is not with guns, and we don’t use the weapons of the world. We appeal to people’s consciences. We preach the Gospel to them, and the ones who say ‘Yes,’ and bow their knee to Jesus the King — He and He only — those are the members of the Kingdom.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The world doesn’t see the spiritual war, he said. “The reason they don’t see it is that the evil one has taken control of them. And there’s only one thing that will get them out from under it. That’s their faith in the Gospel of Jesus and their obedience to the Gospel. Then they would see [it] clearly. It’s a spiritual war going on. It’s right in front of them but they don’t realize it. So we go out and preach the message to the ones that will obey it.”
A Spiritual Solution
If we’re going to win the spiritual battle we need a spiritual solution, says Phil. “As people of the King, we need a strategy for bringing that spiritual solution ‘on earth as it is in heaven.’ …We need a kingdom manifesto.” In Jesus Politics, Phil outlines what America must do, one topic at a time, from religious freedom to guns and sharing the Gospel. This is what he calls “Jesus politics.” We must align our politics with Jesus, not a particular political party. “Don’t buy the lie that one side has it all together. Instead, pay attention to individual politicians and platforms.”
One example of Jesus politics in action is his take on religious freedom. “We must rebuild the foundation of this country, returning to the Word of God and protecting the religious liberty of the citizens of the Kingdom.” How? By voting “for leaders who will promote religious liberty, protect our rights to practice Christianity in every public square, and live lives aligned with Jesus politics.”
Jesus Politics — What It’s All About
But it’s more than just voting, although that is important. Jesus politics is about “loving the King so much that you’d go out of your way to share that love with your neighbors … recognizing the work of Jesus all around you and about acting on that truth. Jesus politics is about serving the King, protecting the King, and offering the love of the King to the world.” He adds, “Ultimately, Jesus politics is about loving God, loving our neighbors, and doing whatever it takes to bring, maintain, and protect his kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven.”
Jesus Politics: How to Win Back the Soul of America releases on August 4.
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-07-22--Questions. I Have So Many … Questions!

Questions. I Have So Many … Questions!

The members of America ’ s elite talk what sounds like sense to them , but to everyone else it ’ s mangled , quasi-gibberish .
Whenever the Woke speak of “ racism , ” “ injustice , ” “ racial injustice , ” or any related topics , they fall into nonsense .
It ’ s as if they were speaking in tongues , but the spirits speaking aren ’ t Holy and their wagging tongues are forked .
I ’ ve spent many thousands of words here trying to string together some sense out of what they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m taking a break .
Instead of offering answers , I want to air the questions that this week ’ s word salad and violent street theater raise .
I invite you to ponder them yourselves , see if you can do better than I at figuring any of … all this … out .
Please Help Me Make Sense of All This • Why don ’ t the police forces of cities like New York , Chicago , and Minneapolis arrest their mayors and hold them incommunicado in secret locations ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the streets and abuse helpless , disarmed citizens , those mayors lose all claim to legitimacy .
At the worst , such a “ Latin American ” strategy would provoke state governors to send their national guards in to try to locate and “ rescue ” the mayors .
They ’ d have little choice then but to impose order .
If they won ’ t do that , President Trump can federalize the guards and do so himself .
The police might get dissolved a few months earlier , but at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• What is the political message the Democrats are sending by trying to imprison the McCloskeys in St. Louis ?
Can it be anything other than : “ We will send mobs to terrorize you at home .
Resist , and we ’ ll send your husband to get raped in prison ” ?
Is there some other meaning we can take away from this ?
Can Trump possibly lose in November if his campaign takes this message and rams it home for the next three and a half months ?
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statue of Columbus destroyed by “ peaceful protesters.
” Should the electric charge that pulses through the new statue be : a ) Mild , to serve as a deterrent .
b ) Moderate , to incapacitate looters .
c ) Lethal , to make the statue a thug-zapper ?
• The wife of George Stephanopolous , former White House Communications Director and TV news host , just called on parents not to block porn on their kids ’ smartphones .
Instead , they should … watch porn with them .
Will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Democratic 2020 platform .
b ) Incorporated in national Common Core curricula .
c ) Incorporated in 1619 curricula .
d ) Added to homeschooling requirements by a Biden Department of Education ?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
• Planned Parenthood of New York City just finally distanced itself from its own founder , Margaret Sanger .
Apparently , it took attacks on Ulysses Grant and Abraham Lincoln to get this abortion business to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s close and long-lasting ties to eugenicist racists and Nazis .
Will the organization take other steps to diminish its “ disparate impact ” on the non-white unborn community ?
Will the percentage of black children aborted in New York City ever fall below 50 % again ?
• If The New York Times publishes the home address of Tucker Carlson , who has been menaced before by leftist terrorists , should Carlson use his own venue to publish the home addresses of The Times ’ editors and corporate board members ?
Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Destruction in this so far one-sided civil war ?
• Since Anthony Fauci has cited Andrew Cuomo as the governor whose response to the virus was exemplary , do we decide that Fauci is now simply siding with the virus ?
How else to explain his praise for a governor who seeded nursing homes with virus patients , killing thousands of old people ?
In Civil Wars , Both Sides Get to Fight • Since mayors and governors are showing us that violence and mayhem work , will pro-lifers at some point decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and abortion clinics are now legitimate targets ?
Would that provoke a sudden , desperate call for law and order ?
• What is the meaning of this video , apparently aired on the Cartoon Network ?
It depicts black-clad figures torturing and sacrificing babies on altars , animated as if it ’ s meant to be funny .
Is this an instance of the Culture of Death becoming even more shameless , because its partisans are confident of triumph ?
Or is it just a Planned Parenthood training and motivation video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason Republicans shouldn ’ t air it in every swing district in the country , linking it to Democrats ?
If you have solid answers , please share them , with this piece , on Twitter .
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 .

The members of America’s elite talk what sounds like sense to them, but to everyone else it’s mangled, quasi-gibberish. Whenever the Woke speak of “racism,” “injustice,” “racial injustice,” or any related topics, they fall into nonsense. It’s as if they were speaking in tongues, but the spirits speaking aren’t Holy and their wagging tongues are forked.
I’ve spent many thousands of words here trying to string together some sense out of what they’re saying. For today, I’m taking a break. Instead of offering answers, I want to air the questions that this week’s word salad and violent street theater raise. I invite you to ponder them yourselves, see if you can do better than I at figuring any of … all this … out.
Please Help Me Make Sense of All This
Why don’t the police forces of cities like New York, Chicago, and Minneapolis arrest their mayors and hold them incommunicado in secret locations? When mayors license rioters to take over the streets and abuse helpless, disarmed citizens, those mayors lose all claim to legitimacy. At the worst, such a “Latin American” strategy would provoke state governors to send their national guards in to try to locate and “rescue” the mayors. They’d have little choice then but to impose order. If they won’t do that, President Trump can federalize the guards and do so himself. The police might get dissolved a few months earlier, but at least they would leave with their honor intact.
What is the political message the Democrats are sending by trying to imprison the McCloskeys in St. Louis? Can it be anything other than: “We will send mobs to terrorize you at home. Resist, and we’ll send your husband to get raped in prison”? Is there some other meaning we can take away from this? Can Trump possibly lose in November if his campaign takes this message and rams it home for the next three and a half months?
Structuring Incentives for Rioters
Italian-American citizens of Baltimore plan to replace the statue of Columbus destroyed by “peaceful protesters.” Should the electric charge that pulses through the new statue be:
a) Mild, to serve as a deterrent.
b) Moderate, to incapacitate looters.
c) Lethal, to make the statue a thug-zapper?
The wife of George Stephanopolous, former White House Communications Director and TV news host, just called on parents not to block porn on their kids’ smartphones. Instead, they should … watch porn with them. Will this proposal be:
a) Part of the Democratic 2020 platform.
b) Incorporated in national Common Core curricula.
c) Incorporated in 1619 curricula.
d) Added to homeschooling requirements by a Biden Department of Education?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Planned Parenthood of New York City just finally distanced itself from its own founder, Margaret Sanger. Apparently, it took attacks on Ulysses Grant and Abraham Lincoln to get this abortion business to show a little shame about Sanger’s close and long-lasting ties to eugenicist racists and Nazis. Will the organization take other steps to diminish its “disparate impact” on the non-white unborn community? Will the percentage of black children aborted in New York City ever fall below 50% again?
If The New York Times publishes the home address of Tucker Carlson, who has been menaced before by leftist terrorists, should Carlson use his own venue to publish the home addresses of The Times’ editors and corporate board members? Is it time to escalate to Mutually Assured Destruction in this so far one-sided civil war?
Since Anthony Fauci has cited Andrew Cuomo as the governor whose response to the virus was exemplary, do we decide that Fauci is now simply siding with the virus? How else to explain his praise for a governor who seeded nursing homes with virus patients, killing thousands of old people?
In Civil Wars, Both Sides Get to Fight
Since mayors and governors are showing us that violence and mayhem work, will pro-lifers at some point decide that the civil peace is already gone, and abortion clinics are now legitimate targets? Would that provoke a sudden, desperate call for law and order?
What is the meaning of this video, apparently aired on the Cartoon Network? It depicts black-clad figures torturing and sacrificing babies on altars, animated as if it’s meant to be funny. Is this an instance of the Culture of Death becoming even more shameless, because its partisans are confident of triumph? Or is it just a Planned Parenthood training and motivation video that got leaked? Is there any reason Republicans shouldn’t air it in every swing district in the country, linking it to Democrats?
So this is a video that was aired on #CartoonNetwork. Is this normal? #StopAbortion pic.twitter.com/6g69bdDc4M — BasedPoland (@BasedPoland) July 20, 2020
If you have solid answers, please share them, with this piece, on Twitter.
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--2020-07-22--What Jewish Privilege Really Looks Like

What Jewish Privilege Really Looks Like

What began on Twitter as an attempt by anti-Semites to expose alleged Jewish privilege in America quickly became a platform where Jews could share their own stories of suffering and pain .
Contrary to the claim that Jews control the media , the banks , and the governments of the world , Jews have often been the first to suffer , the first to be persecuted , the first to be exiled , the first to be killed .
That ’ s what Jewish privilege really looks like .
What ‘ Jewish Privilege ’ Really Looks Like Writing for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stuart Winer explained that , “ The Twitter hashtag ‘ # JewishPrivilege ’ has been used by anti-Semites and conspiracy theorists for years , but over the last few days has instead become a locus for personal accounts highlighting discrimination faced by Jews over the centuries and today.
” The tables were dramatically turned , as one Jew after another posted his or her experience with anti-Semitism .
Yes , Jewish privilege meant that Jews have been privileged to suffer in nation after nation simply for being Jews .
It is true that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best educated and most prosperous members of our society .
But that is hardly through some kind of privileged status .
Not only so , but financial prosperity and exalted social status have certainly not been the norm throughout Jewish history .
Rather , Jewish privilege through history often looked more like Tevye and his family in Fiddler on the Roof : dirt poor , excluded from the best jobs , second-class citizens , and having to flee for their lives because of the latest pogrom .
Jews , then , have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ categories .
1 ) Jews have been exiled from more countries than any other people group .
There ’ s not even a close second .
Anti-Semites will tell you that this is because Jews are so evil .
But of course !
2 ) Jews have been hated longer than any other people , and many scholars have referred to anti-Semitism as the world ’ s longest hatred , dating back at least to the third century B.C .
Today , more than 2,300 years later , it is just as vibrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hatred for so long ?
3 ) Jews have been demonized by more different groups from more different backgrounds than anyone else .
This includes being demonized by both Christian leaders and Islamic leaders , white supremacists and black supremacists , atheistic Communists and irreligious Nazis .
That ’ s why anti-Semitic black leader Louis Farrakhan could say in 2018 , “ I ’ m not an anti-Semite .
I ’ m anti-Termite.
” And then , less than two weeks later , a white supremacist could slaughter Jews in a synagogue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die.
” This is what Jewish privilege looks like .
4 ) Jews are the subject of more conspiracy theories than anyone else — what a privilege !
— including claims that we created and spread COVID-19 in our day .
To quote a Times of Israel headline , “ Tel Aviv University think tank says libels blaming Jews and Israel for pandemic are spreading , as crisis sparks new iterations of old hatred.
” In the same way , when the Black Plague decimated Europe , Jews were accused of starting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mixture made of spiders , lizards and the hearts of Christians mixed together with the sacred elements of the Lord ’ s Supper .
5 ) Jews have the privilege of being specially singled out by the United Nations for accusation and censor .
As noted by Ben-Dror Yemini in his book , Industry of Lies : Media , Academia , and the Israeli-Arab Conflict , “ in 2012 , the UN General Assembly passed 22 resolutions against Israel , in contrast to four against the rest of the world .
In 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ singling out Israel for criticism — and only three resolutions regarding the rest of the world combined .
As of 2010 , since its inception in 2006 , the UN Human Rights Council has adopted 33 resolutions against specific countries , of which 27 were against Israel .
In 2013 , the Council adopted 25 resolutions , four for all the other countries in the world and 21 against Israel .
Hundreds of thousands of people around the world were victims of tyrannical regimes , and countless massacres and pogroms were committed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these misdeeds , but it has been condemned more than any other country , perhaps more than all other countries combined.
” In keeping with this , in 2015 , “ At the closing of the 59th UN Commission on the Status of Women , only one political resolution was passed — one that accuses Israel of mistreating Palestinian women , in all aspects of life.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
And last July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named … as a violator or trouble spot by the 54-nation UN Economic and Social Council during the session , according to the UN Watch organization.
” That is Jewish privilege in a nutshell .
As noted on February , 2018 on The Conversation website , “ Anti-Semitism is on the march .
From the far-right demonstrators in Charlottesville , Virginia , with their ‘ Blood and Soil ’ chants and their ‘ Jews will not replace us ’ placards to attacks on synagogues in Sweden , arson attacks on kosher restaurants in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Jews in the UK .
Anti-Semitism seems to have been given a new lease of life.
” To be sure , the Bible speaks of the Jewish people being chosen by God for a special mission .
And religious Jews , in particular , take suffering as part of their calling and a result of their mission .
But let us put to rest this notion of some kind of world-controlling , world-dominating , privileged Jewish status .
The opposite has been the norm for millennia .
That ’ s what Jewish @ @ @ @ @

What began on Twitter as an attempt by anti-Semites to expose alleged Jewish privilege in America quickly became a platform where Jews could share their own stories of suffering and pain. Contrary to the claim that Jews control the media, the banks, and the governments of the world, Jews have often been the first to suffer, the first to be persecuted, the first to be exiled, the first to be killed. That’s what Jewish privilege really looks like.
What ‘Jewish Privilege’ Really Looks Like
Writing for the Times of Israel on July 15, Stuart Winer explained that, “The Twitter hashtag ‘#JewishPrivilege’ has been used by anti-Semites and conspiracy theorists for years, but over the last few days has instead become a locus for personal accounts highlighting discrimination faced by Jews over the centuries and today.”
The tables were dramatically turned, as one Jew after another posted his or her experience with anti-Semitism. Yes, Jewish privilege meant that Jews have been privileged to suffer in nation after nation simply for being Jews.
It is true that Jews in America today are among the best educated and most prosperous members of our society. But that is hardly through some kind of privileged status.
Not only so, but financial prosperity and exalted social status have certainly not been the norm throughout Jewish history. Rather, Jewish privilege through history often looked more like Tevye and his family in Fiddler on the Roof: dirt poor, excluded from the best jobs, second-class citizens, and having to flee for their lives because of the latest pogrom.
Here’s How Jews are Privileged
Jews, then, have been especially privileged to excel in the following categories.
1) Jews have been exiled from more countries than any other people group. There’s not even a close second. Anti-Semites will tell you that this is because Jews are so evil. But of course!
2) Jews have been hated longer than any other people, and many scholars have referred to anti-Semitism as the world’s longest hatred, dating back at least to the third century B.C. Today, more than 2,300 years later, it is just as vibrant and deadly as ever. What sustains a hatred for so long?
3) Jews have been demonized by more different groups from more different backgrounds than anyone else. This includes being demonized by both Christian leaders and Islamic leaders, white supremacists and black supremacists, atheistic Communists and irreligious Nazis. That’s why anti-Semitic black leader Louis Farrakhan could say in 2018, “I’m not an anti-Semite. I’m anti-Termite.” And then, less than two weeks later, a white supremacist could slaughter Jews in a synagogue, shouting, “All Jews must die.” This is what Jewish privilege looks like.
4) Jews are the subject of more conspiracy theories than anyone else — what a privilege! — including claims that we created and spread COVID-19 in our day. To quote a Times of Israel headline, “Tel Aviv University think tank says libels blaming Jews and Israel for pandemic are spreading, as crisis sparks new iterations of old hatred.” In the same way, when the Black Plague decimated Europe, Jews were accused of starting the plague by poisoning the wells with a mixture made of spiders, lizards and the hearts of Christians mixed together with the sacred elements of the Lord’s Supper.
5) Jews have the privilege of being specially singled out by the United Nations for accusation and censor. As noted by Ben-Dror Yemini in his book, Industry of Lies: Media, Academia, and the Israeli-Arab Conflict, “in 2012, the UN General Assembly passed 22 resolutions against Israel, in contrast to four against the rest of the world. In 2015, the General Assembly adopted 20 resolutions singling out Israel for criticism — and only three resolutions regarding the rest of the world combined. As of 2010, since its inception in 2006, the UN Human Rights Council has adopted 33 resolutions against specific countries, of which 27 were against Israel. In 2013, the Council adopted 25 resolutions, four for all the other countries in the world and 21 against Israel. Hundreds of thousands of people around the world were victims of tyrannical regimes, and countless massacres and pogroms were committed. Israel did not commit even a fraction of these misdeeds, but it has been condemned more than any other country, perhaps more than all other countries combined.”
In keeping with this, in 2015, “At the closing of the 59th UN Commission on the Status of Women, only one political resolution was passed — one that accuses Israel of mistreating Palestinian women, in all aspects of life.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
And last July, “Israel was the only country named … as a violator or trouble spot by the 54-nation UN Economic and Social Council during the session, according to the UN Watch organization.”
That is Jewish privilege in a nutshell.
Suffering as Part of Jews’ Calling
As noted on February, 2018 on The Conversation website, “Anti-Semitism is on the march. From the far-right demonstrators in Charlottesville, Virginia, with their ‘Blood and Soil’ chants and their ‘Jews will not replace us’ placards to attacks on synagogues in Sweden, arson attacks on kosher restaurants in France and a spike in hate crimes against Jews in the UK. Anti-Semitism seems to have been given a new lease of life.”
To be sure, the Bible speaks of the Jewish people being chosen by God for a special mission. And religious Jews, in particular, take suffering as part of their calling and a result of their mission.
But let us put to rest this notion of some kind of world-controlling, world-dominating, privileged Jewish status. The opposite has been the norm for millennia.
That’s what Jewish privilege really looks like.