thestream--2020-10-09--Holocaust Survivor Irving Roth: ‘I Am Seeing Signposts on the Road to Auschwitz’

Irving Roth , founder of the Holocaust Resource Center in New York City , speaks with boundless energy that belies his 94 years of life .
A survivor of the Auschwitz death camp during World War II , Roth cited a surprising source in our interview .
“ One of my favorite quotes is from a fifth grader , ” said Roth .
“ I was sharing my story at a local elementary school .
After explaining all this , one of the boys raised his hand .
He said , ‘ If you stand by and do nothing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ” For years , Roth has been on a mission to educate particularly young Americans on the dangers of anti-Semitism .
The Jewish leader has found surprising allies in Christians United for Israel ( CUFI ) , a nonprofit group founded by evangelical pastor John Hagee .
Having spoken often at CUFI events , Roth is now the subject of their first major documentary , Never Again .
The film opens in select theaters on October 13 , and is expected to release on-demand soon after .
It ’ s particularly relevant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week .
In a phone interview from his Long Island home , Roth recounts his astounding and harrowing life experiences … and warns of signs he sees of history repeating itself .
It has been lightly edited for length .
You speak in the film about being a child in eastern Europe when Nazi Germany was on the rise .
What began to change for Jewish families like yours ?
Irving Roth : In 1939 , the people of Slovakia elected a government that was fashioned the same way as Nazi Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sudden , things begin to change .
As a 10-year-old , I went to meet my friends in the park .
But I couldn ’ t because a big sign had gone up .
It stated : Jews and Dogs Are Forbidden to Enter .
That afternoon , I went to the beach but was also turned away .
I had to be identified in the street by wearing a star .
Some of my friends wouldn ’ t talk to me because I was a Jew .
Within a year , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all Jewish children .
The separation of Jews from everybody else in town was a step-by-step process that moved quickly .
How did your family experience betrayal from your community and even close friends ?
Roth : In the 1930 ’ s , my father had a lumber business .
He produced railroad ties by the tens of thousands and shipped them all over Europe .
By 1940 , Jews could no longer own a business .
To prevent losing it , my father asked one of his friends , a Christian , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And my father would continue running it and compensate the friend for using his name , so to speak .
That was arranged , and a few months go by .
One day , his friend comes to the office and says , “ You ’ re doing a very good job running my business , so I ’ m not going to fire you .
You may be the manager , but understand this business is mine.
” This man had been a friend of my father for years and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were close .
He takes away my father ’ s business , just because he can .
I call that a transformation .
Because he was a perfectly wonderful friend , a Christian , who goes to church , who believes in God .
Faith is part and parcel of his life , and my father ’ s life as a Jew — same thing , more or less .
Yet this man thinks nothing of stealing what my father had worked for .
He thinks that ’ s perfectly OK , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s no longer stealing , because you ’ re taking away from a Jew .
Murder of Six Million Jews Began With A Meeting When did this ideology of anti-Semitism – essentially , hatred of Jews — take root in Europe ?
Roth : It all begins with words .
The Holocaust did not start in 1942 when the gas chambers were built .
It began in the late 19th century , where political figures and historians began to write on the evils of Jews and Judaism .
They made up stories about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are , which was all sheer nonsense .
Jews are like everybody else : there are good ones and not so good ones .
But the lies became a fundamental ideology which was infused into society .
Hatred develops when people believe these made-up stories .
Any problem you have , you can blame on somebody .
We tend to do that , right ?
When you lose a baseball game , it ’ s easy to say the pitcher lost it .
Well , not really , because there are 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hit the ball out of the park .
But you blame somebody , and Germany in 1920 was a perfect example of that .
After losing World War I , the Nazi Party espouses this idea that they were betrayed by the Jews who caused their loss .
Because of this , they planned to punish Jews .
People bought into it .
That manipulation of their minds and propaganda made it possible for Germany to elect a Nazi government , one that promoted hatred of Jews .
To return to your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what were the consequences of this ideology ?
Roth : The objective of the Nazis was the total annihilation of every single Jew in Europe .
In six months , they had managed to murder half a million Jews .
They looked at that problem and thought , It ’ s going to take forever to get rid of all 10 or 11 million Jews , at the rate we ’ re going .
In January 1942 at the Wannsee Conference , in an hour and a half , this group of very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with a plan of how to do that .
Within a few months , they had started building six death camps .
That summer , on a Friday night in my town in Slovakia , Nazi police rounded up nearly all the Jews .
They marched them into the synagogue , then the next day moved them to the train station .
They shoved them into cattle cars , and they disappeared .
Because my father was running that business for his friend , my family bypassed the first deportation .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then forced into slave labor .
All Jewish men between ages 17 and 60 were attached to the Hungarian army .
During the war , the Jews were marched in front of the army to find explosive mines .
Somehow my cousins , brother , and grandfather survived that .
By spring of 1944 , my grandparents , my brother , and I and 437,000 Jews were all in cattle cars going to the Auschwitz death camp .
There ’ s something called the selection process on the arriving platform .
Within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jews arriving at that transport were murdered and their bodies burned — including my grandfather , grandmother and many other family members .
All that was left of my family was my mother and father .
Because , in addition to all the evil being done , some people hid Jews who survived .
They said : “ This is evil , and if anybody wants help , I will provide it.
” My parents had escaped to Budapest and asked for help from a family living in the capital city .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apartment and my parents were saved .
You survived significant violence and persecution when so many friends and family died .
Is that something you still think about often ?
Roth : Yes , I think about it and I speak about it .
Because it ’ s necessary for people to understand how it ’ s possible to transform people .
Perfectly reasonable people living in a democracy , through propaganda and evil , can be transformed .
Look at what ’ s happening today .
I am seeing signposts on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words .
Many articles in mainstream media take facts and transform them into something that is not really factual .
Today , hundreds of thousands of people think that Israel is an apartheid country that has committed genocide .
When giving talks in schools and universities , I ’ ve heard this claim not just from students but from professors .
Yet Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East .
Everyone who lives in Israel has full rights — they can vote , own a business , go to school , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been to Israel many times , quite often with young people .
We take them on a tour of the hospitals , where Christians , Muslims , Jews , Hindus or anybody else who needs it receive medical care .
That ’ s called apartheid ?
It ’ s an absolutely bizarre idea .
But words become slogans and slogans lead to actions .
Those actions , unfortunately , have started .
I ’ ve observed professors and students at universities , screaming and yelling : Kill the Jews .
On the streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I live , orthodox Jews have faced violent attacks .
This is the beginning .
For years , you have been allied with evangelical Christians who are pro-Israel , including with this film release .
Have your friends in Jewish communities questioned that ?
Roth : Some Jewish friends say to me , “ Wait a minute , we have suffered for 2,000 years because ‘ wonderful Christians ’ want to get rid of us in Germany and Slovakia and other places .
After all this persecution , can you really trust them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Look at their writing and theology .
Because CUFI and other organizations of similar nature state and stand by their theological position .
They say : “ We are Bible believing people .
In Genesis , it ’ s very clear .
God speaks to Abraham and says , ‘ Those who will bless you will be blessed and those who curse you will be cursed.
’ A Christian understanding of what the Bible really says is you should be good to all people , and Jews in particular.
” When you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wonderful people who take the Bible verbatim .
They are part of what is today probably the largest single pro-Israel organization in the world .
CUFI has about nine million people who believe in this cause and act on it .
They are involved politically , financially , socially , and in every way — on college campuses and in churches worldwide .
This group is a very powerful force standing for the survival of the Jews .
A documentary film produced by Christians United for Israel , Never Again premieres October 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more about the Holocaust Resource Center .
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 .

Note: The Stream has received word through Christians United for Israel (CUFI) that Irving Roth has passed away. As we await details, we wanted to re-run what may well be one of Roth’s final interviews, which took place with The Stream last October.
Irving Roth, founder of the Holocaust Resource Center in New York City, speaks with boundless energy that belies his 91 years of life. A survivor of the Auschwitz death camp during World War II, Roth cited a surprising source in our interview.
“One of my favorite quotes is from a fifth grader,” said Roth. “I was sharing my story at a local elementary school. After explaining all this, one of the boys raised his hand. He said, ‘If you stand by and do nothing, you’re helping the bad people.’”
For years, Roth has been on a mission to educate particularly young Americans on the dangers of anti-Semitism. The Jewish leader has found surprising allies in Christians United for Israel (CUFI), a nonprofit group founded by evangelical pastor John Hagee.
Having spoken often at CUFI events, Roth is now the subject of their first major documentary, Never Again. The film opens in select theaters on October 13, and is expected to release on-demand soon after. It’s particularly relevant as the Jewish high holy days conclude this week.
In a phone interview from his Long Island home, Roth recounts his astounding and harrowing life experiences … and warns of signs he sees of history repeating itself. It has been lightly edited for length.
It Started Small
You speak in the film about being a child in eastern Europe when Nazi Germany was on the rise. What began to change for Jewish families like yours?
Irving Roth: In 1939, the people of Slovakia elected a government that was fashioned the same way as Nazi Germany. That summer, all of a sudden, things begin to change.
As a 10-year-old, I went to meet my friends in the park. But I couldn’t because a big sign had gone up. It stated: Jews and Dogs Are Forbidden to Enter.
That afternoon, I went to the beach but was also turned away. I had to be identified in the street by wearing a star. Some of my friends wouldn’t talk to me because I was a Jew.
Within a year, I was thrown out of school as were all Jewish children. The separation of Jews from everybody else in town was a step-by-step process that moved quickly.
How did your family experience betrayal from your community and even close friends?
Roth: In the 1930’s, my father had a lumber business. He produced railroad ties by the tens of thousands and shipped them all over Europe. By 1940, Jews could no longer own a business. To prevent losing it, my father asked one of his friends, a Christian, to take over his business on paper. And my father would continue running it and compensate the friend for using his name, so to speak.
That was arranged, and a few months go by. One day, his friend comes to the office and says, “You’re doing a very good job running my business, so I’m not going to fire you. You may be the manager, but understand this business is mine.” This man had been a friend of my father for years and a previous business partner. Obviously, they were close. He takes away my father’s business, just because he can.
I call that a transformation. Because he was a perfectly wonderful friend, a Christian, who goes to church, who believes in God. Faith is part and parcel of his life, and my father’s life as a Jew — same thing, more or less.
Yet this man thinks nothing of stealing what my father had worked for. He thinks that’s perfectly OK, because the law allows it. It’s no longer stealing, because you’re taking away from a Jew.
Murder of Six Million Jews Began With A Meeting
When did this ideology of anti-Semitism — essentially, hatred of Jews — take root in Europe?
Roth: It all begins with words. The Holocaust did not start in 1942 when the gas chambers were built. It began in the late 19th century, where political figures and historians began to write on the evils of Jews and Judaism.
They made up stories about Jews, how we behave and who we are, which was all sheer nonsense. Jews are like everybody else: there are good ones and not so good ones. But the lies became a fundamental ideology which was infused into society. Hatred develops when people believe these made-up stories.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Any problem you have, you can blame on somebody. We tend to do that, right? When you lose a baseball game, it’s easy to say the pitcher lost it. Well, not really, because there are 10 others on the team who are supposed to hit the ball out of the park. But you blame somebody, and Germany in 1920 was a perfect example of that.
After losing World War I, the Nazi Party espouses this idea that they were betrayed by the Jews who caused their loss. Because of this, they planned to punish Jews. People bought into it. That manipulation of their minds and propaganda made it possible for Germany to elect a Nazi government, one that promoted hatred of Jews.
To return to your family’s story in 1941, what were the consequences of this ideology?
Roth: The objective of the Nazis was the total annihilation of every single Jew in Europe. In six months, they had managed to murder half a million Jews. They looked at that problem and thought, It’s going to take forever to get rid of all 10 or 11 million Jews, at the rate we’re going.
In January 1942 at the Wannsee Conference, in an hour and a half, this group of very intelligent, bright, sophisticated people came up with a plan of how to do that. Within a few months, they had started building six death camps.
That summer, on a Friday night in my town in Slovakia, Nazi police rounded up nearly all the Jews. They marched them into the synagogue, then the next day moved them to the train station. They shoved them into cattle cars, and they disappeared.
Because my father was running that business for his friend, my family bypassed the first deportation. Some of us escaped from Slovakia to Hungary, then forced into slave labor. All Jewish men between ages 17 and 60 were attached to the Hungarian army. During the war, the Jews were marched in front of the army to find explosive mines. Somehow my cousins, brother, and grandfather survived that.
By spring of 1944, my grandparents, my brother, and I and 437,000 Jews were all in cattle cars going to the Auschwitz death camp. There’s something called the selection process on the arriving platform. Within 24 hours, 90 percent of the Jews arriving at that transport were murdered and their bodies burned — including my grandfather, grandmother and many other family members.
All that was left of my family was my mother and father. Because, in addition to all the evil being done, some people hid Jews who survived. They said: “This is evil, and if anybody wants help, I will provide it.” My parents had escaped to Budapest and asked for help from a family living in the capital city. This righteous Christian family hid them in their apartment and my parents were saved.
Reasons for Concern Today — And for Hope
You survived significant violence and persecution when so many friends and family died. Is that something you still think about often?
Roth: Yes, I think about it and I speak about it. Because it’s necessary for people to understand how it’s possible to transform people. Perfectly reasonable people living in a democracy, through propaganda and evil, can be transformed.
Look at what’s happening today. I am seeing signposts on the road to Auschwitz. It begins with words. Many articles in mainstream media take facts and transform them into something that is not really factual. Today, hundreds of thousands of people think that Israel is an apartheid country that has committed genocide.
When giving talks in schools and universities, I’ve heard this claim not just from students but from professors. Yet Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. Everyone who lives in Israel has full rights — they can vote, own a business, go to school, or whatever else.
I’ve been to Israel many times, quite often with young people. We take them on a tour of the hospitals, where Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus or anybody else who needs it receive medical care. That’s called apartheid? It’s an absolutely bizarre idea.
But words become slogans and slogans lead to actions. Those actions, unfortunately, have started. I’ve observed professors and students at universities, screaming and yelling: Kill the Jews. On the streets of Brooklyn, not far from where I live, orthodox Jews have faced violent attacks. This is the beginning.
For years, you have been allied with evangelical Christians who are pro-Israel, including with this film release. Have your friends in Jewish communities questioned that?
Roth: Some Jewish friends say to me, “Wait a minute, we have suffered for 2,000 years because ‘wonderful Christians’ want to get rid of us in Germany and Slovakia and other places. After all this persecution, can you really trust them?” My answer to them is: Look at their writing and theology.
Because CUFI and other organizations of similar nature state and stand by their theological position. They say: “We are Bible believing people. In Genesis, it’s very clear. God speaks to Abraham and says, ‘Those who will bless you will be blessed and those who curse you will be cursed.’ A Christian understanding of what the Bible really says is you should be good to all people, and Jews in particular.”
When you understand that, you realize these are wonderful people who take the Bible verbatim. They are part of what is today probably the largest single pro-Israel organization in the world. CUFI has about nine million people who believe in this cause and act on it.
They are involved politically, financially, socially, and in every way — on college campuses and in churches worldwide. This group is a very powerful force standing for the survival of the Jews.
A documentary film produced by Christians United for Israel, Never Again premieres October 13 and 15 in select theaters. Learn more about the Holocaust Resource Center.
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--2020-10-09--Military Photo of the Day: Never Forget Them

A U.S. Air Force airman carries a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag while running during a 24-hour POW/MIA remembrance @ @ @ @ @ Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on September 17 , 2020 .

A U.S. Air Force airman carries a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag while running during a 24-hour POW/MIA remembrance event at Skelton Lake at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on September 17, 2020.
Have a safe weekend, everyone.
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thestream--2020-10-09--This Week at War: ‘We Will Never Quit’

This Week at War: ‘We Will Never Quit’

Is the war in Afghanistan , which turned 19 years old this week , about to end ?
According to a Wednesday night tweet by the commander-in-chief , the answer appears to be yes .
Nobody deserves a Christmas present more than military families enduring the strain of overseas deployments , particularly during a global pandemic .
There are approximately 8,500 brave U.S. troops still serving in Afghanistan , which means 8,500 spouses , children , parents and siblings are eagerly awaiting the return of their loved ones .
Time will tell if President Trump is able to bring all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas , which would be six months ahead of the timetable specified in a deal between the U.S. government and the Taliban that was signed in February .
The war-torn country remains a violent place , with another deadly attack reportedly carried out by the Taliban on Monday in Laghman province .
Please join The Stream in praying for our troops and all innocent Afghan civilians caught in the crossfire .
We humbly ask God to keep our heroes safe before they are hopefully able to embrace their loved ones in what would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ About 600 American service members are still at war against ISIS and other terrorist groups in Syria .
As you can see in the below photos , however , these American warriors are still willing to risk their safety to brighten the smiles of children who remain trapped in the darkness of chaos and civil war .
Images such as these are often dismissed as Pentagon propaganda , but I firmly disagree .
Having frequently spoken to troops , veterans and Gold Star families for the past decade , I have heard countless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at helping civilians and specifically children .
While handing out candy or school supplies won ’ t usually grab headlines , these are nevertheless selfless acts of heroism by American troops who have no way of knowing whether a bomb is buried beneath them or strapped to someone ’ s chest .
The fact that so many of our troops are willing to risk their safety in war zones to perform acts of kindness is a tribute to the bravery and brilliance of our country ’ s volunteer warriors .
Two captured ISIS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hostages , including four Americans abducted in Syria , have been flown to the United States from the Middle East to face justice .
On Wednesday , the Justice Department charged El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Amon Kotey , both British citizens , with “ hostage-taking resulting in death , conspiracy to commit hostage taking resulting in death , and conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists resulting in death , ” according to CBS News .
They are accused of helping torture American hostages James Foley , Kayla Mueller , Steven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom were brutally murdered by ISIS .
The captured terrorists are being held in Alexandria , Virginia , and will spend the rest of their lives in prison if convicted .
“ The reach of American law is long , but our memory is even longer , ” Assistant Attorney General John Demers said this week .
“ No matter how long it may take , we will never forget , and we will never quit.
” Several of our country ’ s highest-ranking military leaders are in quarantine after Admiral Charles W. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coast Guard , tested positive for COVID-19 .
Those taking precautions include Gen. Mark Milley , the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff .
As military leaders and the commander-in-chief are impacted by the coronavirus , the U.S. military ’ s massive effort to stop the spread and help those in need continued this week throughout the country .
From running test sites and food banks to protecting nursing homes , there is no limit to the military ’ s battle against the deadly disease .
Earlier this week , I had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military ’ s coronavirus response up close .
On Tuesday , I went to the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach , Florida , to take a COVID-19 test .
As a season ticket holder at the spring training ballpark , which is shared by the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros , I was amazed to see how the Florida National Guard transformed an area I parked in as recently as March into a well-organized testing center .
I was in and out of the parking lot within ten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negative test result about an hour later .
Thank you to the Florida National Guard and the tens of thousands of brave U.S. troops for risking your safety during the war on coronavirus .
Every single day , you help save lives and help Americans cope with the widespread impact of this pandemic .
The crew of the U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer USS Pinckney returned to San Diego this week after nine long months overseas .
Welcome home , heroes !
Thank you for keeping us safe .
Tom Sileo is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He is co-author of Three Wise Men , Brothers Forever , 8 Seconds of Courage and Fire in My Eyes .
Follow Tom on Twitter @ TSileo and The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

Afghanistan
Is the war in Afghanistan, which turned 19 years old this week, about to end? According to a Wednesday night tweet by the commander-in-chief, the answer appears to be yes.
We should have the small remaining number of our BRAVE Men and Women serving in Afghanistan home by Christmas! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2020
Nobody deserves a Christmas present more than military families enduring the strain of overseas deployments, particularly during a global pandemic. There are approximately 8,500 brave U.S. troops still serving in Afghanistan, which means 8,500 spouses, children, parents and siblings are eagerly awaiting the return of their loved ones.
Time will tell if President Trump is able to bring all American service members home from Afghanistan by Christmas, which would be six months ahead of the timetable specified in a deal between the U.S. government and the Taliban that was signed in February. The war-torn country remains a violent place, with another deadly attack reportedly carried out by the Taliban on Monday in Laghman province.
Please join The Stream in praying for our troops and all innocent Afghan civilians caught in the crossfire. We humbly ask God to keep our heroes safe before they are hopefully able to embrace their loved ones in what would be a truly beautiful Christmas gift.
Middle East
About 600 American service members are still at war against ISIS and other terrorist groups in Syria.
As you can see in the below photos, however, these American warriors are still willing to risk their safety to brighten the smiles of children who remain trapped in the darkness of chaos and civil war.
The @Coalition continues to utilize A2 Bradleys to provide force protection and support to our partner forces in NE Syria. U.S. Soldiers attached to CJTF-OIR recently stopped to hand out candy and interact with the locals during a convoy operation. pic.twitter.com/7MxkzxIZu5 — Inherent Resolve (@CJTFOIR) October 4, 2020
Images such as these are often dismissed as Pentagon propaganda, but I firmly disagree. Having frequently spoken to troops, veterans and Gold Star families for the past decade, I have heard countless stories about efforts such as these aimed at helping civilians and specifically children.
While handing out candy or school supplies won’t usually grab headlines, these are nevertheless selfless acts of heroism by American troops who have no way of knowing whether a bomb is buried beneath them or strapped to someone’s chest. The fact that so many of our troops are willing to risk their safety in war zones to perform acts of kindness is a tribute to the bravery and brilliance of our country’s volunteer warriors.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Two captured ISIS terrorists accused of participating in the torture of hostages, including four Americans abducted in Syria, have been flown to the United States from the Middle East to face justice.
On Wednesday, the Justice Department charged El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Amon Kotey, both British citizens, with “hostage-taking resulting in death, conspiracy to commit hostage taking resulting in death, and conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists resulting in death,” according to CBS News. They are accused of helping torture American hostages James Foley, Kayla Mueller, Steven Sotloff and Peter Kassig, all of whom were brutally murdered by ISIS.
The captured terrorists are being held in Alexandria, Virginia, and will spend the rest of their lives in prison if convicted.
“The reach of American law is long, but our memory is even longer,” Assistant Attorney General John Demers said this week. “No matter how long it may take, we will never forget, and we will never quit.”
COVID-19
Several of our country’s highest-ranking military leaders are in quarantine after Admiral Charles W. Ray, the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard, tested positive for COVID-19. Those taking precautions include Gen. Mark Milley, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
BREAKING: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and at least 3 other members of the 8-member Joint Chiefs are quarantining after the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard tested positive for Covid-19, defense officials say. https://t.co/NcGy80hxY9 — NBC News (@NBCNews) October 6, 2020
As military leaders and the commander-in-chief are impacted by the coronavirus, the U.S. military’s massive effort to stop the spread and help those in need continued this week throughout the country. From running test sites and food banks to protecting nursing homes, there is no limit to the military’s battle against the deadly disease.
Earlier this week, I had an opportunity to see part of our military’s coronavirus response up close. On Tuesday, I went to the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, to take a COVID-19 test.
As a season ticket holder at the spring training ballpark, which is shared by the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros, I was amazed to see how the Florida National Guard transformed an area I parked in as recently as March into a well-organized testing center. I was in and out of the parking lot within ten minutes, and thankfully, received my negative test result about an hour later.
Thank you to the Florida National Guard and the tens of thousands of brave U.S. troops for risking your safety during the war on coronavirus. Every single day, you help save lives and help Americans cope with the widespread impact of this pandemic.
Coming Home
The crew of the U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer USS Pinckney returned to San Diego this week after nine long months overseas.
Welcome home, heroes! Thank you for keeping us safe.
Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream. He is co-author of Three Wise Men, Brothers Forever, 8 Seconds of Courage and Fire in My Eyes. Follow Tom on Twitter @TSileo and The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-10-09--Hard Questions About Abortion and Our Vote

Now that it looks like another conservative justice will be appointed to the Supreme Court , does it matter so much if my vote for President is pro-life ?
Why is a candidate being pro-choice such a deal breaker for some Christians ?
Can ’ t we put aside our belief about abortion for the sake of unity ?
( Note : this is a frank discussion and depiction of abortion . )
I wish that every election season each voter would take the time to watch or re-watch the movie Unplanned .
It begins with real empathy for those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
It ’ s the true story of Abby Johnson who joined the staff of Planned Parenthood to help women in crisis — the women who called and walked through their doors , tender , upset , weeping .
Having experienced two abortions of her own , she wanted to offer support to those women who didn ’ t think they could care for their child .
She began to think about leaving after , as clinic director , Planned Parenthood began to push her to be more proactive in selling abortions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make our money.
” They gave her a new quota that was double the number of abortions at her clinic the previous year .
The final tipping point to leave came a month later .
What Abby saw in the clinic opened her eyes ( and hopefully opens each viewer ’ s eyes ) to see the reality of the bloody , violent business that takes a human life .
She was asked to assist an abortion doctor in doing an ultra-sound guided abortion .
Though she had worked at the clinic for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what went on .
Abby Says She Will “ Never Forget ” What She Saw When She Assisted in an Abortion “ Nothing prepared me for what I saw on the screen , Abby said .
“ An unborn baby fighting back , desperate to move away from the suction .
And I will never forget what the doctor said next : ‘ Beam me up , Scotty.
’ The last thing I saw was a spine twirling around in the mother ’ s womb before succumbing to the force of the suction.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sucks and tubes swirl with blood and pieces of infant flesh and bone , the viewer naturally begins to consider whether , in the struggle between the abortion doctor and the unborn baby , they identify more with the baby or the doctor .
Who is more deserving of compassion ?
The baby trying to get away or the doctor joking , “ Beam me up Scottie ” ?
The scene depicting Abby ’ s experience with an abortion pill was almost as hard to watch .
A medically induced abortion brings on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sluffs off its blood rich-lining and the fetus .
In the scene depicting her at-home abortion the bathroom becomes a bloody mess .
Calling the baby a “ fetus ” or “ product of conception , ” and keeping the reality of abortion procedures behind closed doors may hide the violence and gore of abortion .
But Unplanned compels us to consider , if this is what it means to take an unborn child ’ s life , how can we be so casual about it ?
How can the violence on screen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roe v. Wade was decided , be just or compassionate ?
If we really believe that our Constitution guarantees the right to life of each little person , how can we justify taking that life ?
What moral difference does it make if that life is on one side of its mama ’ s skin or the other ?
Yes it ’ s small…but is a 6 pound already born baby more of a human life than a 7 pound baby in utero ?
It already has its own DNA .
Its own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little person .
That baby ’ s innocent life matters .
Is It a Deal Breaker if a Candidate Has a Pro-Abortion Record ?
To someone who asks if voting pro-abortion is a deal breaker for me I can ’ t help but wonder how he or she would respond if asked if voting pro-slavery is a deal breaker for him or her .
Could you vote for someone who is still bitter about the Emancipation Proclamation and wished to return to the days when slaves were counted as property ?
Not fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evil of both abortion and slavery have to do with honoring and protecting the sanctity of the image of God in another person .
Both are terribly wrong .
But I believe taking an innocent life is worse .
Even in bondage a suffering soul can know and love God and others in this life .
A suffering soul can be loved by God and others in this life .
That greatest good is denied the one whose life is taken .
So yes , a candidate who is pro-choice is a deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coney Barrett is appointed to the Supreme court to create a conservative majority , does it still matter so much if I vote pro-life ?
Yes , and here ’ s why : In this presidential election , Joe Biden is not only pro-choice , he wants to repeal the Hyde Amendment .
I must not only tolerate this great loss of innocent human life , I must now pay for it with my taxes .
The possible repeal of the Hyde Amendment moves the accountability of abortion closer to home .
Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accountable for this massive taking of innocent human life , but I will be accountable for how I vote to have my tax dollars spent .
Given his age , Biden may not finish his term .
At the very least Kamala Harris will play an outsized vice-presidential role .
Her record on abortion and Planned Parenthood is appalling .
Perhaps you remember David Daleiden , the undercover investigator who filmed Planned Parenthood execs talking about performing abortions in such a way so that the baby parts could be sold to researchers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , severely damaged Planned Parenthood ’ s standing and finances .
Three congressional committees and 13 states began investigations .
So the PP leadership met with Kamala Harris , then California Attorney General , to custom order a prosecution of Daleiden .
Daleiden ’ s home was invaded and his computers taken .
He was charged , found guilty of a felony and is appealing his conviction .
He has also counter-sued Kamala Harris and Planned Parenthood for violation of his Civil Rights .
How could I vote for a vice-president that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the organization that is pressing its personnel to sell more abortions ?
How could I vote to reward a woman who has persecuted Daleiden , one of the bravest champions of the pro-life movement ?
To say nothing of her vicious attacks on Justice Kavanaugh in his confirmation hearings , mainly because his originalist interpretation of the Constitution will probably result in weakening or reversing Roe v. Wade .
Do we really believe that Roe was justly decided ?
That there really is a woman ’ s right to kill her unborn child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Republican National Convention , Abby Johnson said , “ Life is a core tenant of who we are as Americans .
This election is a choice between two radical anti-life activists and the most pro-life president we have ever had .
That ’ s something that should compel you to action.
” No , We Can ’ t Put Aside the Fight for Life for the Sake of National Unity Former Ohio Governor John Kasich asks , “ Can ’ t we put aside our belief about abortion for the sake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond : “ Can we put aside our belief about slavery for the sake of unity ?
” Jesus regarded unity very highly .
But his moral law also condemns murder .
I believe we must come together in unity to show compassion to the women in crisis pregnancies .
But we must not grow complacent about the evil of abortion .
We must always counsel women in distress about their pregnancies to choose life .
That is God ’ s heart .
Choose life !
Trust God in your suffering .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumstance , even rape , into something good as we choose life .
If a woman chooses abortion to make her own life better , easier , we need to challenge her to see if she is sacrificing her child for her own well-being .
These are hard words .
They must be communicated in great love .
In the Old Testament , people sacrificed their children for their own well-being .
They sacrificed their children to the God Baal so he would send rain and increase their crops , prosper them economically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sacrifice to the prophet Jeremiah .
His words pierce my heart .
They are almost a lament : “ They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal — something I did not command or mention , nor did it enter my mind ( Jeremiah 19:5 ) .
” It is unthinkable to God that we would sacrifice our children for our own well-being .
May God have mercy on America .
May he show great mercy on women in crisis pregnancies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we elect a pro-life president .
Lael Arrington is a national speaker and author of four books — most recently , Faith and Culture : The Guide to a Culture Shaped by Faith .

Now that it looks like another conservative justice will be appointed to the Supreme Court, does it matter so much if my vote for President is pro-life? Why is a candidate being pro-choice such a deal breaker for some Christians? Can’t we put aside our belief about abortion for the sake of unity?
(Note: this is a frank discussion and depiction of abortion.) I wish that every election season each voter would take the time to watch or re-watch the movie Unplanned. It begins with real empathy for those who seek abortion and those who help them. It’s the true story of Abby Johnson who joined the staff of Planned Parenthood to help women in crisis — the women who called and walked through their doors, tender, upset, weeping. Having experienced two abortions of her own, she wanted to offer support to those women who didn’t think they could care for their child.
She began to think about leaving after, as clinic director, Planned Parenthood began to push her to be more proactive in selling abortions because, “Abortion is how we make our money.” They gave her a new quota that was double the number of abortions at her clinic the previous year.
The final tipping point to leave came a month later. What Abby saw in the clinic opened her eyes (and hopefully opens each viewer’s eyes) to see the reality of the bloody, violent business that takes a human life. She was asked to assist an abortion doctor in doing an ultra-sound guided abortion. Though she had worked at the clinic for years, she had never observed first-hand what went on.
Abby Says She Will “Never Forget” What She Saw When She Assisted in an Abortion
“Nothing prepared me for what I saw on the screen, Abby said. “An unborn baby fighting back, desperate to move away from the suction. And I will never forget what the doctor said next: ‘Beam me up, Scotty.’ The last thing I saw was a spine twirling around in the mother’s womb before succumbing to the force of the suction.”
While the extraction machinery whirs and sucks and tubes swirl with blood and pieces of infant flesh and bone, the viewer naturally begins to consider whether, in the struggle between the abortion doctor and the unborn baby, they identify more with the baby or the doctor. Who is more deserving of compassion? The baby trying to get away or the doctor joking, “Beam me up Scottie”?
(When she retells her story in person, Abby describes what most people don’t know: “They don’t know about the Products of Conception Room in abortion clinics where infant corpses are pieced back together to ensure nothing remains in the mother’s womb. Or that we joked and called it, ‘The Pieces of Children Room’.”)
If we really believe that our Constitution guarantees the right to life of each little person, how can we justify taking that life?
The scene depicting Abby’s experience with an abortion pill was almost as hard to watch. A medically induced abortion brings on terrible cramps and bleeding as the uterus sluffs off its blood rich-lining and the fetus. In the scene depicting her at-home abortion the bathroom becomes a bloody mess.
Calling the baby a “fetus” or “product of conception,” and keeping the reality of abortion procedures behind closed doors may hide the violence and gore of abortion. But Unplanned compels us to consider, if this is what it means to take an unborn child’s life, how can we be so casual about it? How can the violence on screen, multiplied by the 62,252,920 abortions since Roe v. Wade was decided, be just or compassionate?
If we really believe that our Constitution guarantees the right to life of each little person, how can we justify taking that life? What moral difference does it make if that life is on one side of its mama’s skin or the other? Yes it’s small…but is a 6 pound already born baby more of a human life than a 7 pound baby in utero? It already has its own DNA. Its own blood type. It is its own little person. That baby’s innocent life matters.
Is It a Deal Breaker if a Candidate Has a Pro-Abortion Record?
To someone who asks if voting pro-abortion is a deal breaker for me I can’t help but wonder how he or she would respond if asked if voting pro-slavery is a deal breaker for him or her. Could you vote for someone who is still bitter about the Emancipation Proclamation and wished to return to the days when slaves were counted as property? Not fully human?
At their core, the evil of both abortion and slavery have to do with honoring and protecting the sanctity of the image of God in another person. Both are terribly wrong. But I believe taking an innocent life is worse. Even in bondage a suffering soul can know and love God and others in this life. A suffering soul can be loved by God and others in this life. That greatest good is denied the one whose life is taken.
So yes, a candidate who is pro-choice is a deal breaker for me. But if Amy Coney Barrett is appointed to the Supreme court to create a conservative majority, does it still matter so much if I vote pro-life?
Yes, and here’s why: In this presidential election, Joe Biden is not only pro-choice, he wants to repeal the Hyde Amendment. I must not only tolerate this great loss of innocent human life, I must now pay for it with my taxes. The possible repeal of the Hyde Amendment moves the accountability of abortion closer to home. Not only will the judges and justices be accountable for this massive taking of innocent human life, but I will be accountable for how I vote to have my tax dollars spent.
Given his age, Biden may not finish his term. At the very least Kamala Harris will play an outsized vice-presidential role. Her record on abortion and Planned Parenthood is appalling.
Kamala’s Abortion Record
Perhaps you remember David Daleiden, the undercover investigator who filmed Planned Parenthood execs talking about performing abortions in such a way so that the baby parts could be sold to researchers. His footage, released on the internet, severely damaged Planned Parenthood’s standing and finances. Three congressional committees and 13 states began investigations.
So the PP leadership met with Kamala Harris, then California Attorney General, to custom order a prosecution of Daleiden. Daleiden’s home was invaded and his computers taken. He was charged, found guilty of a felony and is appealing his conviction. He has also counter-sued Kamala Harris and Planned Parenthood for violation of his Civil Rights.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
How could I vote for a vice-president that has acted to preferentially to Planned Parenthood, the organization that is pressing its personnel to sell more abortions? How could I vote to reward a woman who has persecuted Daleiden, one of the bravest champions of the pro-life movement? To say nothing of her vicious attacks on Justice Kavanaugh in his confirmation hearings, mainly because his originalist interpretation of the Constitution will probably result in weakening or reversing Roe v. Wade. Do we really believe that Roe was justly decided? That there really is a woman’s right to kill her unborn child in the Constitution?
In her speech at the Republican National Convention, Abby Johnson said, “Life is a core tenant of who we are as Americans. This election is a choice between two radical anti-life activists and the most pro-life president we have ever had. That’s something that should compel you to action.”
No, We Can’t Put Aside the Fight for Life for the Sake of National Unity
Former Ohio Governor John Kasich asks, “Can’t we put aside our belief about abortion for the sake of unity?”
I would again respond: “Can we put aside our belief about slavery for the sake of unity?” Jesus regarded unity very highly. But his moral law also condemns murder. I believe we must come together in unity to show compassion to the women in crisis pregnancies. But we must not grow complacent about the evil of abortion.
We must always counsel women in distress about their pregnancies to choose life. That is God’s heart. Choose life! Trust God in your suffering. He can redeem the most difficult, ugly circumstance, even rape, into something good as we choose life. If a woman chooses abortion to make her own life better, easier, we need to challenge her to see if she is sacrificing her child for her own well-being. These are hard words. They must be communicated in great love.
In the Old Testament, people sacrificed their children for their own well-being. They sacrificed their children to the God Baal so he would send rain and increase their crops, prosper them economically. God expressed his revulsion to child sacrifice to the prophet Jeremiah. His words pierce my heart. They are almost a lament: “They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal — something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind (Jeremiah 19:5).” It is unthinkable to God that we would sacrifice our children for our own well-being.
May God have mercy on America. May he show great mercy on women in crisis pregnancies and help them choose life. And may we elect a pro-life president.
Lael Arrington is a national speaker and author of four books — most recently, Faith and Culture: The Guide to a Culture Shaped by Faith.


thestream--2020-10-09--3 Inconvenient Truths 60 Minutes Forgot to Mention in Its Story on California Wildfires and Climate

3 Inconvenient Truths 60 Minutes Forgot to Mention in Its Story on California Wildfires and Climate Change

CBS journalist Scott Pelley recently visited Butte County , California , to report on the wildfires devastating the Golden State .
Government statistics show that more than 8,300 wildfires have burned some 4 million acres to date .
The flames have claimed 31 lives and destroyed nearly 8,700 structures .
One of those structures belonged to Fire Station 61 Chief Reed Rankin , who saw his home reduced to a charred skeleton after a September blaze .
“ [ It ’ s ] nothin ’ but a foundation with a metal roof on top of it , ” Rankin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a firefighter , told Pelley .
“ It ’ s completely burned down.
” CBS had a wonderful opportunity to explore the devastating impact and causes of California ’ s fires .
Unfortunately , it was an opportunity missed .
The 60 Minutes segment focused primarily on climate change , a topic that is covered in depth virtually every single day .
California ’ s historic wildfires received scant attention , and all but the most attuned viewers would have concluded that the wildfires are simply the result of global warming .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ total of seven seconds of the 13-minute segment explaining a primary cause of California ’ s megafires .
“ Climate isn ’ t the only reason , ” Pelley says of the wildfires at one point .
“ Decades of aggressively putting out every forest fire allowed brush to pile up like kindling.
” Pelley is correct .
There is a widespread scientific consensus that California ’ s aggressive efforts to suppress fire have made the state ripe for megafires .
But this is the last 60 Minutes viewers hear on the mismanagement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bulk of the segment is dedicated to interviewing James Hansen and Michael Mann , a pair of scientists who have spent decades warning about the dangers of man-made climate change .
“ We ’ re seeing exactly what we expected , ” said Hansen , who in 1988 produced a seminal paper predicting a decades-long rise in global temperatures .
“ But I expected that governments would be wise enough that they ’ d begin to adopt policies to preserve the future for young people .
But they haven ’ t done that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate science at Columbia University , and Pelley notes that he is considered the “ father of climate change science.
” “ If we don ’ t change anything , then we ’ re going to continue to see more and more of these extreme regional events , ” Hansen says .
“ The physics is quite simple .
As you add more greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere , you increase the heating of the surface .
So at the times and places where it ’ s dry you get more extreme droughts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fires burn hotter.
” When I first wrote about California ’ s wildfires , I noted that evidence suggests both poor land management and California ’ s high temperatures have played a role in the wildfires .
And it ’ s certainly reasonable to assume the dry and hot conditions have contributed to California ’ s harsh season .
Yet to blame the bulk of the blame on climate change ignores evidence that suggests government policies are the primary culprit .
Consider these facts .
Wildfires are not at historic highs ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true that California is suffering from a truly devastating fire season , one that has exacted a sadly high toll on human lives .
Across the US , however , burning is much lower than previous decades .
As of October 5 , fires have consumed 7.8 million acres of land in the US over the last year .
That ’ s less over the same period that burned in 2017 , 2015 , 2012 , and 2011 .
Moreover , it ’ s a small fraction — about one-fourth — of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the official historical data .
When journalists and climate activists warn of record-high levels of fire in the US , they ’ re simply ignoring all data prior to 1960 .
This offers a politically convenient baseline , since it means that the data set begins when fire suppression was still a widely used management tool in the US .
California is 4.3 % of US landmass — but has 50 % of its burn area in 2020 State statistics say California has seen about 4 million acres burn this season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In fact , it ’ s more than half of the total acreage burned in the US .
To be sure , California is a really big state — 163,694 square miles .
But that ’ s still just 4.3 percent of the total land area of the US .
What these numbers mean is that the megafire problem in the US right now is a problem pretty much singular to California .
This suggests it ’ s less about climate change and more a result of the state ’ s decades-long practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently told the New York Times , other parts of the United States long ago abandoned such policies , recognizing natural and prescribed burning are effective tools to manage the land .
“ Today fire is widely accepted as a tool for land management in the Southeast , ” said Crystal Kolden , a fire scientist at the University of California , Merced , told the Times last month .
Is it possible that Appalachia country and other parts of the US are being spared from the effects of climate change ?
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fact that California has refused to acknowledge : burning is necessary , and aggressive efforts to suppress it are disastrous .
Texas is Hotter Than California and Has More Forests , but Far Fewer Megafires In case some people do believe that California is simply experiencing harsher effects of climate change than other parts of the country , it ’ s worth pointing out a few simple geographical facts about Texas .
The Lone Star state actually has more forest area than the Golden State and higher temperatures .
Yet government data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ megafires .
From 1997-2019 Texas had about one-third the number of megablazes ( fires larger than 100,000 acres ) that California did .
What could explain these results ?
Perhaps the fact that 95 percent of Texas ’ s land mass is privately owned and authorities have embraced burning policies that allow fire to do its natural work .
California ’ s wildfires are a serious matter .
We must make every effort to protect people and communities from their devastating effects .
But the crisis should not be used to advance a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence suggests California ’ s wildfires stem largely from government mismanagement .
Copyright 2020 Foundation for Economic Education .
Originally published at Fee.org .
Republished with permission .

CBS journalist Scott Pelley recently visited Butte County, California, to report on the wildfires devastating the Golden State.
Government statistics show that more than 8,300 wildfires have burned some 4 million acres to date. The flames have claimed 31 lives and destroyed nearly 8,700 structures. One of those structures belonged to Fire Station 61 Chief Reed Rankin, who saw his home reduced to a charred skeleton after a September blaze.
“[It’s] nothin’ but a foundation with a metal roof on top of it,” Rankin, who has spent more than 28 years as a firefighter, told Pelley. “It’s completely burned down.”
A Missed Opportunity
CBS had a wonderful opportunity to explore the devastating impact and causes of California’s fires. Unfortunately, it was an opportunity missed. The 60 Minutes segment focused primarily on climate change, a topic that is covered in depth virtually every single day.
California’s historic wildfires received scant attention, and all but the most attuned viewers would have concluded that the wildfires are simply the result of global warming. That’s because Pelley spent a total of seven seconds of the 13-minute segment explaining a primary cause of California’s megafires.
“Climate isn’t the only reason,” Pelley says of the wildfires at one point. “Decades of aggressively putting out every forest fire allowed brush to pile up like kindling.”
Pelley is correct. There is a widespread scientific consensus that California’s aggressive efforts to suppress fire have made the state ripe for megafires. But this is the last 60 Minutes viewers hear on the mismanagement of California’s forests.
Man-Made Climate Change?
The bulk of the segment is dedicated to interviewing James Hansen and Michael Mann, a pair of scientists who have spent decades warning about the dangers of man-made climate change.
“We’re seeing exactly what we expected,” said Hansen, who in 1988 produced a seminal paper predicting a decades-long rise in global temperatures. “But I expected that governments would be wise enough that they’d begin to adopt policies to preserve the future for young people. But they haven’t done that yet.”
Hansen runs the program on climate science at Columbia University, and Pelley notes that he is considered the “father of climate change science.”
“If we don’t change anything, then we’re going to continue to see more and more of these extreme regional events,” Hansen says. “The physics is quite simple. As you add more greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere, you increase the heating of the surface. So at the times and places where it’s dry you get more extreme droughts, the fire seasons become longer, the fires burn hotter.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
When I first wrote about California’s wildfires, I noted that evidence suggests both poor land management and California’s high temperatures have played a role in the wildfires. And it’s certainly reasonable to assume the dry and hot conditions have contributed to California’s harsh season.
Yet to blame the bulk of the blame on climate change ignores evidence that suggests government policies are the primary culprit. Consider these facts.
Wildfires are not at historic highs (not even close)
It’s true that California is suffering from a truly devastating fire season, one that has exacted a sadly high toll on human lives. Across the US, however, burning is much lower than previous decades.
As of October 5, fires have consumed 7.8 million acres of land in the US over the last year. That’s less over the same period that burned in 2017, 2015, 2012, and 2011. Moreover, it’s a small fraction — about one-fourth — of the yearly average between 1926 and 1952, according to the official historical data.
When journalists and climate activists warn of record-high levels of fire in the US, they’re simply ignoring all data prior to 1960. This offers a politically convenient baseline, since it means that the data set begins when fire suppression was still a widely used management tool in the US.
For all the talk about 2020's fires being an unprecedented apocalypse (7M acres burned), it's worth noting 2020 is unlikely to surpass 2017's total. Even if it does, it's still about about 1/5 of the total acreage burned in 1930. Context matters. H/T @BjornLomborg. pic.twitter.com/x44Ag1l4me — Jon Miltimore (@miltimore79) September 21, 2020
California is 4.3% of US landmass — but has 50% of its burn area in 2020
State statistics say California has seen about 4 million acres burn this season. That’s a lot. In fact, it’s more than half of the total acreage burned in the US.
To be sure, California is a really big state — 163,694 square miles. But that’s still just 4.3 percent of the total land area of the US.
What these numbers mean is that the megafire problem in the US right now is a problem pretty much singular to California. This suggests it’s less about climate change and more a result of the state’s decades-long practice of fire suppression.
As fire experts recently told the New York Times, other parts of the United States long ago abandoned such policies, recognizing natural and prescribed burning are effective tools to manage the land.
“Today fire is widely accepted as a tool for land management in the Southeast,” said Crystal Kolden, a fire scientist at the University of California, Merced, told the Times last month.
Is it possible that Appalachia country and other parts of the US are being spared from the effects of climate change? More likely, they simply learned decades ago a fact that California has refused to acknowledge: burning is necessary, and aggressive efforts to suppress it are disastrous.
California represents 4.3% of US landmass but accounts for more than 50% of its burned acreage in 2020. Does climate change effect California differently than other parts of the country? Or are we seeing the results of Calif's aggressive, decades-long fire suppression tactics? — Jon Miltimore (@miltimore79) October 6, 2020
Texas is Hotter Than California and Has More Forests, but Far Fewer Megafires
In case some people do believe that California is simply experiencing harsher effects of climate change than other parts of the country, it’s worth pointing out a few simple geographical facts about Texas.
The Lone Star state actually has more forest area than the Golden State and higher temperatures. Yet government data show they’ve had far fewer megafires. From 1997-2019 Texas had about one-third the number of megablazes (fires larger than 100,000 acres) that California did.
What could explain these results? Perhaps the fact that 95 percent of Texas’s land mass is privately owned and authorities have embraced burning policies that allow fire to do its natural work.
Texas has more forest than Calif. and higher temps, yet gov. data show show that from 1997-2019 TX had about 1/3 the number of megablazes (fires larger than 100k acres) that California did. -95% of Texas' land mass is privately owned.
-Texas embraces natural burning, unlike CA. pic.twitter.com/nsM95D0vrB — Jon Miltimore (@miltimore79) October 6, 2020
California’s wildfires are a serious matter. We must make every effort to protect people and communities from their devastating effects. But the crisis should not be used to advance a politicized climate change agenda, especially when evidence suggests California’s wildfires stem largely from government mismanagement.
Copyright 2020 Foundation for Economic Education. Originally published at Fee.org. Republished with permission.


thestream--2020-10-09--Biden on Court Packing: ‘You’ll Know … When the Election Is Over’

Former Vice President Joe Biden again refused to say whether he will pack the Supreme Court Thursday , saying that media will find out where he stands on packing the court “ when the election is over.
” “ You ’ ll know my opinion on court-packing when the election is over , ” he told reporters Thursday .
“ It ’ s a great question , and I don ’ t blame you for asking , ” he continued , “ but you know the moment I answer that question , the headline in every one of your papers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focusing on what ’ s happening now .
The election has begun .
There has never been a court appointment once an election has begun.
” The 2020 presidential candidate made these comments following the Wednesday night vice presidential debate where Vice President Mike Pence pushed Democratic California Sen. Kamala Harris to address whether the Biden administration would support adding justices to the Supreme Court if they win the election .
Harris repeatedly dodged answering the question .
Pence reminded Harris that Trump has nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett for the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know , if she is confirmed , are you and Joe Biden , if somehow you win this election , going to pack the Supreme Court to get your way , ” Pence asked .
Harris responded by saying that Americans deserve to decide “ who will serve for a lifetime.
” “ Joe and I are very clear the American people are voting right now , and it should be their decision about who will serve on this most important body for a lifetime , ” she said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ I have witnessed the lifetime appointments to the federal courts , the district courts , the courts of appeal , people who are purely ideological , people who have been reviewed by legal professional organizations and found to have been not competent or substandard.
” “ Do you know that of the 50 people who President Trump appointed to the court of appeals for lifetime appointments , not one is black ?
” she continued .
“ This is what they ’ ve been doing .
You want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s have that discussion.
” Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Former Vice President Joe Biden again refused to say whether he will pack the Supreme Court Thursday, saying that media will find out where he stands on packing the court “when the election is over.”
“You’ll know my opinion on court-packing when the election is over,” he told reporters Thursday.
“It’s a great question, and I don’t blame you for asking,” he continued, “but you know the moment I answer that question, the headline in every one of your papers will be about that, other than focusing on what’s happening now. The election has begun. There has never been a court appointment once an election has begun.”
Joe Biden: "You'll know my opinion on court packing when the election is over." pic.twitter.com/uYEXZHHAp1 — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) October 8, 2020
The 2020 presidential candidate made these comments following the Wednesday night vice presidential debate where Vice President Mike Pence pushed Democratic California Sen. Kamala Harris to address whether the Biden administration would support adding justices to the Supreme Court if they win the election. Harris repeatedly dodged answering the question.
Pence reminded Harris that Trump has nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett for the Supreme Court.
“American people would really like to know, if she is confirmed, are you and Joe Biden, if somehow you win this election, going to pack the Supreme Court to get your way,” Pence asked.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Harris responded by saying that Americans deserve to decide “who will serve for a lifetime.”
“Joe and I are very clear the American people are voting right now, and it should be their decision about who will serve on this most important body for a lifetime,” she said.
“I sit on the Judiciary Committee,” she said. “I have witnessed the lifetime appointments to the federal courts, the district courts, the courts of appeal, people who are purely ideological, people who have been reviewed by legal professional organizations and found to have been not competent or substandard.”
“Do you know that of the 50 people who President Trump appointed to the court of appeals for lifetime appointments, not one is black?” she continued. “This is what they’ve been doing. You want to talk about packing the court? Let’s have that discussion.”
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--2020-10-09--What if Biden-Harris Win?

What if Biden-Harris Win?

Although many of my friends with spiritual intuition remain confident that Donald Trump will be reelected , looking at things through natural eyes , his prospects are not good .
What if Trump-Pence lost to Biden-Harris ?
What if Joseph Biden became our nation ’ s 46th president ?
What would that look like for conservative Americans ?
On the one hand , it would not be the end of the world .
The sun will still shine .
Children will be born .
Couples will get married .
Students will be in class ( be it virtual or in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep ticking .
The sports world will play its games .
Thanksgiving and Hanukkah and Christmas and the New Year will be celebrated on schedule .
To repeat : it would not be the end of the world .
What Would Be the Consequences ?
As for serious fears and concerns , gun owners will not suddenly have all their weapons confiscated .
Church buildings will not be shuttered by the government .
Roaming gangs will not take over all our cities and suburbs .
Planes will not fall from the sky .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ heaven , and He has not yet given us over to total chaos and destruction .
Plus , there are multiplied tens of millions of Americans ( the clear majority , I would say ) , who want what is best for our nation .
But let us not kid ourselves .
A Biden-Harris victory would likely have many serious consequences for Christian conservatives ( along with their ideological companions in other faiths ) .
Things could get much darker , very quickly .
Will the Legality of Abortion Go Back to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Law ?
Decades of hard work and sacrifice and tears are making a difference , as different states advance pro-life bills and the overturning of Roe v. Wade appears to be a real possibility .
( For the perspective of a front-line pro-lifer , go here . )
With the likely confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett , the next case challenging Roe could result in a major pushback .
And then , suddenly , abortion laws could fall back to the states , with massive potential gains in the sanctity of life .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ major reason many of us voted for Trump in 2016 , hoping he would keep his pro-life promises and nominate worthy judges to the courts .
He has just done that , and four more years of Trump could signal even more significant gains .
Yet all of that could be undone in a moment of time .
Biden has announced that he would pass legislation making Roe the law of the land , while Harris is the most militant pro-abortion candidate in our history .
( For my written response to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here ; for my video response , see here . )
Should the Democrats retake the Senate , such legislation could be passed , and just like that , decades of pro-life legal efforts would be obliterated .
There is also the ominous possibility of “ packing ” the Supreme Court , a possibility that , remarkably , neither Biden nor Harris will deny .
This would have even larger implications , touching also on our most fundamental freedoms , our freedoms of conscience , speech and religion .
Under Trump-Pence the DOJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden-Harris ?
During the COVID lockdown , we have seen the extreme inequities in certain Democratic cities and states , where abortion clinics and liquor stores remain open , providing so-called “ essential services , ” while churches and synagogues remain restricted .
Yet outrageous rulings like this — they truly are outrageous — would have increasing court backing with a Biden-Harris victory .
In California , you can protest on the streets in large numbers , but you can ’ t hold a group Bible study in your home .
You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can ’ t sing in a church service .
In Nevada , you can operate a casino at 50 percent capacity , but if your church building seats 3,000 people , you can ’ t have more than 50 in attendance .
Our freedoms really are under assault , and under Trump , the DOJ is pushing back .
Under Biden-Harris , the pushback would be in the opposite direction — against the churches , not for them .
When Kamala Harris was the Attorney General of California , she joined with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ persecuting ) David Daleiden , founder of the pro-life Center for Medical Progress .
His work came to national attention when he posted undercover videos confirming that Planned Parenthood clinics were selling aborted baby parts for profit .
But rather than going after Planned Parenthood for its barbaric practices , Harris went after Daleiden , authorizing a raid on his house in order to confiscate the video evidence .
Does that give a hint of where a Biden-Harris administration would go ?
We Could Expect to See Schools Lose Funding Over Bathroom Policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state that refused to allow a biological male to play on the girls ’ sports team or share their bathroom and locker room facilities would lose federal funding for its schools .
There was so much resistance to this policy that , in July , 2016 , Politico reported that “ half of all states are now battling the [ Obama ] administration over the culturally divisive issue of transgender students and whether they should be permitted to use the restrooms of their choice .
The growing number of lawsuits makes it all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make its way to the Supreme Court.
” The Trump administration undid this onerous and discriminatory policy , rendering these lawsuits unnecessary .
In stark contrast , candidate Biden tweeted this early this year : “ Let ’ s be clear : Transgender equality is the civil rights issue of our time .
There is no room for compromise when it comes to basic human rights.
” As nice as this sounds , it means trampling on the rights of millions of others , in particular students in our schools .
And with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court , who will be there to stand up for our kids and grandkids ?
Jesus is Lord Either Way , but the Stakes are High Again , a Biden-Harris victory would not be the end of the world .
There might even be a little less political drama , since the “ chaos president ” would have been removed .
But , as I tweeted on October 7 , “ It ’ s very true that @ realDonaldTrump provokes a lot of the leftist attacks against him , be it from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their target will be when he ’ s not around to bash ?
All of us who hold to conservative biblical values.
” Thankfully , the election is still a few weeks out , and regardless of the outcome , Jesus is still Lord .
It ’ s just important to realize that the stakes are very high ( and I only focused on a few of them here ) .
There is no hyperbole here .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

Although many of my friends with spiritual intuition remain confident that Donald Trump will be reelected, looking at things through natural eyes, his prospects are not good. What if Trump-Pence lost to Biden-Harris? What if Joseph Biden became our nation’s 46th president? What would that look like for conservative Americans?
On the one hand, it would not be the end of the world. The sun will still shine. Children will be born. Couples will get married. Students will be in class (be it virtual or in person). The business world will keep ticking. The sports world will play its games. Thanksgiving and Hanukkah and Christmas and the New Year will be celebrated on schedule.
To repeat: it would not be the end of the world.
What Would Be the Consequences?
As for serious fears and concerns, gun owners will not suddenly have all their weapons confiscated. Church buildings will not be shuttered by the government. Roaming gangs will not take over all our cities and suburbs. Planes will not fall from the sky.
After all, God remains God in heaven, and He has not yet given us over to total chaos and destruction. Plus, there are multiplied tens of millions of Americans (the clear majority, I would say), who want what is best for our nation.
But let us not kid ourselves. A Biden-Harris victory would likely have many serious consequences for Christian conservatives (along with their ideological companions in other faiths). Things could get much darker, very quickly.
Will the Legality of Abortion Go Back to the States? Or Become Codified in Federal Law?
Consider the pro-life movement.
Decades of hard work and sacrifice and tears are making a difference, as different states advance pro-life bills and the overturning of Roe v. Wade appears to be a real possibility. (For the perspective of a front-line pro-lifer, go here.)
With the likely confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett, the next case challenging Roe could result in a major pushback. And then, suddenly, abortion laws could fall back to the states, with massive potential gains in the sanctity of life.
This, in fact, was a major reason many of us voted for Trump in 2016, hoping he would keep his pro-life promises and nominate worthy judges to the courts. He has just done that, and four more years of Trump could signal even more significant gains.
Biden has announced that he would pass legislation making Roe the law of the land, while Harris is the most militant pro-abortion candidate in our history.
Yet all of that could be undone in a moment of time. Biden has announced that he would pass legislation making Roe the law of the land, while Harris is the most militant pro-abortion candidate in our history. (For my written response to “pro-life” evangelicals for Biden, see here; for my video response, see here.)
Should the Democrats retake the Senate, such legislation could be passed, and just like that, decades of pro-life legal efforts would be obliterated. There is also the ominous possibility of “packing” the Supreme Court, a possibility that, remarkably, neither Biden nor Harris will deny. This would have even larger implications, touching also on our most fundamental freedoms, our freedoms of conscience, speech and religion.
Under Trump-Pence the DOJ is Protecting Religious Liberty. But Under Biden-Harris?
During the COVID lockdown, we have seen the extreme inequities in certain Democratic cities and states, where abortion clinics and liquor stores remain open, providing so-called “essential services,” while churches and synagogues remain restricted. Yet outrageous rulings like this — they truly are outrageous — would have increasing court backing with a Biden-Harris victory.
In California, you can protest on the streets in large numbers, but you can’t hold a group Bible study in your home. You can shout at a BLM rally, but you can’t sing in a church service. In Nevada, you can operate a casino at 50 percent capacity, but if your church building seats 3,000 people, you can’t have more than 50 in attendance.
Our freedoms really are under assault, and under Trump, the DOJ is pushing back. Under Biden-Harris, the pushback would be in the opposite direction — against the churches, not for them.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
When Kamala Harris was the Attorney General of California, she joined with Planned Parenthood in prosecuting (really, persecuting) David Daleiden, founder of the pro-life Center for Medical Progress. His work came to national attention when he posted undercover videos confirming that Planned Parenthood clinics were selling aborted baby parts for profit.
But rather than going after Planned Parenthood for its barbaric practices, Harris went after Daleiden, authorizing a raid on his house in order to confiscate the video evidence.
Does that give a hint of where a Biden-Harris administration would go?
We Could Expect to See Schools Lose Funding Over Bathroom Policy Again
Under the Obama-Biden administration, a state that refused to allow a biological male to play on the girls’ sports team or share their bathroom and locker room facilities would lose federal funding for its schools. There was so much resistance to this policy that, in July, 2016, Politico reported that “half of all states are now battling the [Obama] administration over the culturally divisive issue of transgender students and whether they should be permitted to use the restrooms of their choice. The growing number of lawsuits makes it all but inevitable the transgender rights issue will make its way to the Supreme Court.”
The Trump administration undid this onerous and discriminatory policy, rendering these lawsuits unnecessary. In stark contrast, candidate Biden tweeted this early this year: “Let’s be clear: Transgender equality is the civil rights issue of our time. There is no room for compromise when it comes to basic human rights.”
As nice as this sounds, it means trampling on the rights of millions of others, in particular students in our schools. And with a Democratic Congress and a packed Supreme Court, who will be there to stand up for our kids and grandkids?
Jesus is Lord Either Way, but the Stakes are High
Again, a Biden-Harris victory would not be the end of the world. There might even be a little less political drama, since the “chaos president” would have been removed.
But, as I tweeted on October 7, “It’s very true that @realDonaldTrump provokes a lot of the leftist attacks against him, be it from the media or Hollywood. But guess who their target will be when he’s not around to bash? All of us who hold to conservative biblical values.”
Thankfully, the election is still a few weeks out, and regardless of the outcome, Jesus is still Lord. It’s just important to realize that the stakes are very high (and I only focused on a few of them here). There is no hyperbole 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.