thestream--2020-09-18--Foundations: Why Is the Pro-Life Movement Central to Christians?

His mother was unmarried , 40 years old , with no money to raise a child .
She ’ d been raped by the alcoholic son of the man she cared for .
She went to the doctor to have the child aborted .
What else could she do ?
The plight many women face , with pregnancies they weren ’ t expecting , can be overwhelming and heartbreaking .
The abortion industry capitalizes on fear to promote death as the answer .
Millions have convinced themselves that women have a right to abortion , not just that it should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Others think that if you support individual rights , the free market and limited government , you should be “ pro-choice.
” These views are mistaken .
Why Support the Right to Life ?
There is no right more basic than life .
It is enshrined in our Declaration of Independence ( though it is much older than that ) : “ We are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights [ and ] among these are life , liberty , and the pursuit of happiness.
” Christianity has for two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be obvious , but has all too often been ignored .
This fundamental right extends to the voiceless , defenseless unborn .
With few exceptions , the Church has opposed abortion since the beginning , because it involves intentionally killing a helpless , innocent human being .
That ’ s murder , and murder is a sin .
The logic is not complicated , and it applies not only to abortion but also to procedures that destroy human embryos for research .
Killing human beings is not an acceptable way of resolving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ From scripture we gain revelation on God ’ s perspective of the unborn .
God told the prophet Jeremiah , “ Before I formed you in the womb , I knew you , and before you were born I consecrated you ; I appointed you a prophet to the nations ” ( Jeremiah 1:5 , 6 ) .
The New Testament treats born and unborn babies the same way .
Luke in his Gospel uses the same Greek word for “ baby ” to refer to both John the Baptist before he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The angel Gabriel tells Zacharias that his son , John the Baptist , will “ be filled with the Holy Spirit , even from his mother ’ s womb.
” If unborn human beings are not morally significant persons , then how could the Holy Spirit come upon John the Baptist even when he was in the womb , and cause him to leap for joy at the sound of Mary ’ s voice ?
God ’ s Spirit did not discount John as a person when he was in the womb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human beings as persons when they are in the womb ?
We don ’ t oppose abortion because it violates something peculiar to Christianity , however , but because it ’ s a form of murder .
If you can ’ t make laws against murder , you can ’ t make laws against anything .
Freedom Does Not Allow For Murder The most common pro-abortion argument — that a woman should be free to do what she wants with her own body — is flawed .
We should not be legally free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
There is no such right .
Some abortion proponents will allow that an unborn child gains full human moral significance at some point during development inside the womb .
When does that transition happen , how does it happen , and how do they know that ’ s when it happens ?
As author and speaker Greg Koukl has pointed out , we don ’ t kill anything if we don ’ t know what it is .
If a toddler tugs on Mom from behind and says , “ Mommy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she won ’ t answer until she knows whether he ’ s talking about a beetle or his baby sister .
So , if you don ’ t know for sure if an unborn baby is a human being and so has the right to protection , what ’ s the best course of action ?
In any other situation , you would err on the side of caution .
Why throw caution to the wind regarding unborn babies ?
Some abortion advocates claim they ’ re certain the fetus is not fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or because it depends on another life , so it ’ s not really an independent life .
By that principle , though , a newborn six-pound baby is considered a fully human person while an unborn seven-pound baby is not .
How does that make sense ?
Newborns , the weak and the elderly all depend on others .
Are they nonhuman for that reason ?
A person who crashes on a ski slope and is knocked out cold with a concussion would freeze to death without help .
Is she suddenly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
To be a person ( supposedly ) , one must be self-conscious , or able to get on in the world , or have meaningful relationships , or meet some other similar requirement .
This is absurd .
When people are sleeping or in a coma , they aren ’ t self-conscious and they aren ’ t too chatty .
Does that mean they ’ re not persons , so it ’ s okay to kill them ?
Certainly not .
The issue boils down to one simple question : Is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Yes , a fetus is a not-yet-born human being .
It ’ s not just that this new life has its own , distinct DNA , though it does , right from the start .
It ’ s a fully integrated , living , complete being — also right from the start .
Some respond that criminalizing abortion limits choice .
So does every law , though .
Every law recognizes that choice is not an absolute virtue .
Yes , the law limits the choice of those who seek abortions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in order to protect the life and freedom of unborn human beings .
The central role of government — its core competency — is to maintain the conditions in which individual initiative , personal freedoms , and personal property are protected under the rule of law .
Those conditions do not include the “ freedom ” of some to violate the basic rights of others .
Without the rule of law , there can be neither free markets nor free people .
And the first rule of law is to protect innocent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives from harm and death at the hands of others .
Protecting innocent , pre-born human life , then , is not only consistent with economic freedom .
It is one of its prerequisites .
So we need to support pro-life candidates .
Bad laws and tragic court decisions must be changed .
Still , we ’ re not going to stop abortion by focusing all our attention on reversing Roe v. Wade .
In fact , that alone could make the pro-abortion forces more militant .
We must demonstrate love and compassion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to every woman who is pregnant , regardless of the circumstances .
We could certainly do more of what we ’ re doing : praying and protesting peacefully at abortion mills and providing alternatives to mothers with tough pregnancies .
Adoption , crisis pregnancy centers , homes for poor and homeless mothers — all these are part of the solution .
As Christians and as Christian communities , we should lead the way in all these things .
Let ’ s focus not just on what “ society ” or government is doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We don ’ t rely solely on Christian doctrine for the revelation that murder , and therefore abortion , is wrong ( there are pro-life atheists ) .
Nevertheless as Christians we glorify God when we care for vulnerable people .
By loving the fatherless child , for example — in the womb or out — and the unmarried woman who doesn ’ t know how she ’ ll care for that child , we do His work of loving those who are like the Biblical “ widow and orphan.
” When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelmed by the reality of being pregnant , and when we offer her and her growing little one support , we display God ’ s provision and love .
When we make difficult sacrifices to love and care for a child , we reflect the image of God the Father , who loves us perfectly , and God the Son , who laid down his life for the sake of loving us .
When we show compassion to post-abortive parents struggling with guilt and point them to God ’ s forgiveness , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spirit .
When we come alongside single-parent families , foster families and adoptive families , we help the world see an image of God .
God , in His nature , is family : God the Father .
God the Son .
When we support families and become God ’ s family to others , we glorify God , which is our purpose as Christians .
Alternatively , when we turn a blind eye to abortion and the needs of those around us , we ignore that which grieves God ’ s heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children is in grave spiritual danger .
God is just .
He hates sin , especially sins against those who bear His image .
So , above all , we should pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to lead us to repentance — before it ’ s too late .
We must cry out to God in repentance for revival , boldly proclaim the right to life and help provide hope in life .
The story we opened with above reveals what God can do with one hopeful choice .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top of this article had no money to raise a child conceived from rape .
She wanted to have the child aborted .
Her doctor said , “ Ma ’ am , I simply do not believe this is best .
I believe it is wrong.
” She went home , sat down alone , and prayed .
God said , “ Have this little baby , and it will bring joy to the world.
” The baby was born in the charity ward of the Saint Joseph Hospital in Houston , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an ad in the newspaper , his mother released him to a foster family — a pastor and his wife — who raised him for the first five years of his life .
That baby was James Robison , founder of LIFE Outreach International and publisher of The Stream .
Think what the world would have lost had his mother aborted him .
James has helped to feed the hungry , clothe those with bare feet , build water wells for those without clean water , rescue those who are about to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trafficking .
He and the work he began have changed the lives of millions around the world .
“ My conception was the result of a crime , and my childhood and adolescence weren ’ t easy , ” James says , “ but God had a plan for this unexpected child born in difficult circumstances.
” That plan required that he be allowed to be born .
This article is part of a new Stream series called Foundations .
As we approach this year ’ s election , it appears that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ republic was founded are being called into question .
Foundations is a tool for pastors , teachers , leaders and all people of faith to learn why , from a Biblical view , we should continue to support the Constitution — with an emphasis on the First and Second Amendments and wise policies that promote freedom .
Visit the Foundations page to see all the articles in this series .
This article is adapted from the chapter “ Choose Life ” of the book Indivisible : Restoring Faith , Family , and Freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Stream Founder James Robison and Stream Executive Editor Jay Richards .

His mother was unmarried, 40 years old, with no money to raise a child. She’d been raped by the alcoholic son of the man she cared for. She went to the doctor to have the child aborted. What else could she do?
The plight many women face, with pregnancies they weren’t expecting, can be overwhelming and heartbreaking. The abortion industry capitalizes on fear to promote death as the answer. Millions have convinced themselves that women have a right to abortion, not just that it should be permitted. Even many Christians agree. Others think that if you support individual rights, the free market and limited government, you should be “pro-choice.” These views are mistaken.
Why Support the Right to Life?
There is no right more basic than life. It is enshrined in our Declaration of Independence (though it is much older than that): “We are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights [and] among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Christianity has for two thousand years tutored us to recognize what should be obvious, but has all too often been ignored. This fundamental right extends to the voiceless, defenseless unborn. With few exceptions, the Church has opposed abortion since the beginning, because it involves intentionally killing a helpless, innocent human being. That’s murder, and murder is a sin.
The logic is not complicated, and it applies not only to abortion but also to procedures that destroy human embryos for research. Killing human beings is not an acceptable way of resolving difficult situations or advancing scientific knowledge.
God’s Perspective
From scripture we gain revelation on God’s perspective of the unborn. God told the prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5, 6).
The New Testament treats born and unborn babies the same way. Luke in his Gospel uses the same Greek word for “baby” to refer to both John the Baptist before he is born and Christ after He is born. The angel Gabriel tells Zacharias that his son, John the Baptist, will “be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.”
If unborn human beings are not morally significant persons, then how could the Holy Spirit come upon John the Baptist even when he was in the womb, and cause him to leap for joy at the sound of Mary’s voice? God’s Spirit did not discount John as a person when he was in the womb. How then, can we discount human beings as persons when they are in the womb?
We don’t oppose abortion because it violates something peculiar to Christianity, however, but because it’s a form of murder. If you can’t make laws against murder, you can’t make laws against anything.
Freedom Does Not Allow For Murder
The most common pro-abortion argument — that a woman should be free to do what she wants with her own body — is flawed. We should not be legally free to use our bodies to murder other people. There is no such right.
Some abortion proponents will allow that an unborn child gains full human moral significance at some point during development inside the womb. When does that transition happen, how does it happen, and how do they know that’s when it happens? As author and speaker Greg Koukl has pointed out, we don’t kill anything if we don’t know what it is. If a toddler tugs on Mom from behind and says, “Mommy, may I kill it?” she won’t answer until she knows whether he’s talking about a beetle or his baby sister.
So, if you don’t know for sure if an unborn baby is a human being and so has the right to protection, what’s the best course of action? In any other situation, you would err on the side of caution. Why throw caution to the wind regarding unborn babies?
Strange Definitions
Some abortion advocates claim they’re certain the fetus is not fully human because it is quite small, or because it depends on another life, so it’s not really an independent life. By that principle, though, a newborn six-pound baby is considered a fully human person while an unborn seven-pound baby is not. How does that make sense? Newborns, the weak and the elderly all depend on others. Are they nonhuman for that reason? A person who crashes on a ski slope and is knocked out cold with a concussion would freeze to death without help. Is she suddenly nonhuman because she is no longer independent?
To be a person (supposedly), one must be self-conscious, or able to get on in the world, or have meaningful relationships, or meet some other similar requirement. This is absurd. When people are sleeping or in a coma, they aren’t self-conscious and they aren’t too chatty. Does that mean they’re not persons, so it’s okay to kill them? Certainly not.
The issue boils down to one simple question: Is a pre-born embryo or fetus a human being? Yes, a fetus is a not-yet-born human being. It’s not just that this new life has its own, distinct DNA, though it does, right from the start. It’s a fully integrated, living, complete being — also right from the start.
Abortion and the Law
Some respond that criminalizing abortion limits choice. So does every law, though. Every law recognizes that choice is not an absolute virtue.
Yes, the law limits the choice of those who seek abortions and of those who seek to provide them, in order to protect the life and freedom of unborn human beings. The central role of government — its core competency — is to maintain the conditions in which individual initiative, personal freedoms, and personal property are protected under the rule of law. Those conditions do not include the “freedom” of some to violate the basic rights of others.
Without the rule of law, there can be neither free markets nor free people. And the first rule of law is to protect innocent human beings at every stage of their lives from harm and death at the hands of others. Protecting innocent, pre-born human life, then, is not only consistent with economic freedom. It is one of its prerequisites.
So we need to support pro-life candidates. Bad laws and tragic court decisions must be changed. Still, we’re not going to stop abortion by focusing all our attention on reversing Roe v. Wade. In fact, that alone could make the pro-abortion forces more militant.
Glorifying God in Our Response
We must demonstrate love and compassion — not just emotionally but practically — to every woman who is pregnant, regardless of the circumstances. We could certainly do more of what we’re doing: praying and protesting peacefully at abortion mills and providing alternatives to mothers with tough pregnancies. Adoption, crisis pregnancy centers, homes for poor and homeless mothers — all these are part of the solution. As Christians and as Christian communities, we should lead the way in all these things. Let’s focus not just on what “society” or government is doing, but on what we can do.
We don’t rely solely on Christian doctrine for the revelation that murder, and therefore abortion, is wrong (there are pro-life atheists). Nevertheless as Christians we glorify God when we care for vulnerable people. By loving the fatherless child, for example — in the womb or out — and the unmarried woman who doesn’t know how she’ll care for that child, we do His work of loving those who are like the Biblical “widow and orphan.”
Reflecting God’s Image
When we stand with a woman who is overwhelmed by the reality of being pregnant, and when we offer her and her growing little one support, we display God’s provision and love.
When we make difficult sacrifices to love and care for a child, we reflect the image of God the Father, who loves us perfectly, and God the Son, who laid down his life for the sake of loving us.
When we show compassion to post-abortive parents struggling with guilt and point them to God’s forgiveness, we partner with the work of the Holy Spirit.
When we come alongside single-parent families, foster families and adoptive families, we help the world see an image of God. God, in His nature, is family: God the Father. God the Son.
When we support families and become God’s family to others, we glorify God, which is our purpose as Christians.
Or the Alternative
Alternatively, when we turn a blind eye to abortion and the needs of those around us, we ignore that which grieves God’s heart. A nation that sacrifices its unborn children is in grave spiritual danger. God is just. He hates sin, especially sins against those who bear His image. So, above all, we should pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to lead us to repentance — before it’s too late.
We must cry out to God in repentance for revival, boldly proclaim the right to life and help provide hope in life. The story we opened with above reveals what God can do with one hopeful choice.
The Unmarried Mother
The unmarried forty-year-old woman we spoke about at the top of this article had no money to raise a child conceived from rape. She wanted to have the child aborted. Her doctor said, “Ma’am, I simply do not believe this is best. I believe it is wrong.” She went home, sat down alone, and prayed. God said, “Have this little baby, and it will bring joy to the world.”
The baby was born in the charity ward of the Saint Joseph Hospital in Houston, Texas. Two weeks later, through an ad in the newspaper, his mother released him to a foster family — a pastor and his wife — who raised him for the first five years of his life.
That baby was James Robison, founder of LIFE Outreach International and publisher of The Stream. Think what the world would have lost had his mother aborted him. James has helped to feed the hungry, clothe those with bare feet, build water wells for those without clean water, rescue those who are about to be trafficked and heal the wounds of sex trafficking. He and the work he began have changed the lives of millions around the world.
“My conception was the result of a crime, and my childhood and adolescence weren’t easy,” James says, “but God had a plan for this unexpected child born in difficult circumstances.” That plan required that he be allowed to be born.
This article is part of a new Stream series called Foundations. As we approach this year’s election, it appears that the most fundamental principles upon which the American republic was founded are being called into question. Foundations is a tool for pastors, teachers, leaders and all people of faith to learn why, from a Biblical view, we should continue to support the Constitution — with an emphasis on the First and Second Amendments and wise policies that promote freedom. Visit the Foundations page to see all the articles in this series.
This article is adapted from the chapter “Choose Life” of the book Indivisible: Restoring Faith, Family, and Freedom Before It’s Too Late, by Stream Founder James Robison and Stream Executive Editor Jay Richards.


thestream--2020-09-18--1776 Unites Curriculum Rejects 1619 Project’s Victimhood Narrative

Personal narratives are powerful and often serve to empower others .
The African American community is full of stories of men and women who overcame slavery , Jim Crow laws and discrimination .
The 1776 Unites movement , founded by Bob Woodson , has just released a school curriculum to tell the stories of black success throughout American history , stories that The New York Times ’ 1619 Project has chosen to ignore .
The curriculum features “ stories and lesson plans that celebrate black excellence , reject victimhood culture , and showcase African Americans , past and present , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s founding ideals of free enterprise , family , hard work , entrepreneurship and faith , ” Ian Rowe , a senior visiting fellow at the Woodson Center , said Wednesday at a media briefing to unveil the curriculum .
Free American History Lessons on What African Americans Have Achieved The Woodson Center is a Washington , D.C. , nonprofit that says its mission is to “ transform lives , schools , and troubled neighborhoods from the inside out.
” The free lessons look back at America ’ s past with honesty , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be achieved through hard work and wise choices , said Rowe , who is also an experienced charter school leader and resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute , a D.C.-based public policy think tank .
The first installment of the curriculum is already available on the 1776 Unites website and features lessons from the life of Elijah McCoy , who , despite being the son of an escaped slave , was a successful investor , and Biddy Mason , a woman who was born into slavery but died a millionaire .
Learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downloadable lesson on Mason begins by telling her compelling story .
A slave from birth , Mason was born in Mississippi in 1818 , but won her freedom in court as an adult after her owner took her to California , a free state .
As a free woman , Mason worked as a midwife to earn enough money to buy property in Los Angeles .
She bought and sold a number of properties and eventually became one of the most prominent landlords in the city .
Her philanthropy earned her the title @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Mississippi , accumulating $ 300,000 , the equivalent of $ 8 million today .
After Mason ’ s story , the curriculum details activities that teachers can undertake with their students , such as researching real estate properties in their own community to determine the cost of housing and what properties might be good investments .
New lessons will be added to the online curriculum every month .
Each lesson is meant to supplement history and literature curriculums and can be used in the classroom , at home , or “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Rowe said .
The 1776 Unites curriculum was launched in response to the school curriculum being pushed by the 1619 Project , because “ no nation or individual should be defined by its birth defects or what it used to be in the past , ” Woodson , the CEO of the Woodson Center , said during the Wednesday briefing .
“ America should be defined by its promise , ” he said .
In contrast to the 1619 Project , the goal of 1776 Unites , he explained , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their skin color , and to “ desegregate poverty and deracialize race.
” The curriculum doesn ’ t seek to cover up the horror of slavery , but it does highlight the success and values of the African American community because people ’ s very nature is to improve when they are inspired , Woodson said .
Virginia Allen is a news producer for The Daily Signal .
She is the co-host of The Daily Signal Podcast and Problematic Women .
Send an email to Virginia or follow her on Twitter .

Personal narratives are powerful and often serve to empower others. The African American community is full of stories of men and women who overcame slavery, Jim Crow laws and discrimination.
The 1776 Unites movement, founded by Bob Woodson, has just released a school curriculum to tell the stories of black success throughout American history, stories that The New York Times’ 1619 Project has chosen to ignore.
The curriculum features “stories and lesson plans that celebrate black excellence, reject victimhood culture, and showcase African Americans, past and present, who have prospered by embracing America’s founding ideals of free enterprise, family, hard work, entrepreneurship and faith,” Ian Rowe, a senior visiting fellow at the Woodson Center, said Wednesday at a media briefing to unveil the curriculum.
Free American History Lessons on What African Americans Have Achieved
The Woodson Center is a Washington, D.C., nonprofit that says its mission is to “transform lives, schools, and troubled neighborhoods from the inside out.”
The free lessons look back at America’s past with honesty, but also look forward to what can be achieved through hard work and wise choices, said Rowe, who is also an experienced charter school leader and resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a D.C.-based public policy think tank.
The first installment of the curriculum is already available on the 1776 Unites website and features lessons from the life of Elijah McCoy, who, despite being the son of an escaped slave, was a successful investor, and Biddy Mason, a woman who was born into slavery but died a millionaire.
Learning From the Story of Biddy Mason
The downloadable lesson on Mason begins by telling her compelling story. A slave from birth, Mason was born in Mississippi in 1818, but won her freedom in court as an adult after her owner took her to California, a free state.
As a free woman, Mason worked as a midwife to earn enough money to buy property in Los Angeles. She bought and sold a number of properties and eventually became one of the most prominent landlords in the city. Her philanthropy earned her the title of the wealthiest African American woman west of the Mississippi, accumulating $300,000, the equivalent of $8 million today.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
After Mason’s story, the curriculum details activities that teachers can undertake with their students, such as researching real estate properties in their own community to determine the cost of housing and what properties might be good investments.
Not Overlooking Slavery, But Offering Inspiration
New lessons will be added to the online curriculum every month. Each lesson is meant to supplement history and literature curriculums and can be used in the classroom, at home, or “anywhere character formation of children is happening,” Rowe said.
The 1776 Unites curriculum was launched in response to the school curriculum being pushed by the 1619 Project, because “no nation or individual should be defined by its birth defects or what it used to be in the past,” Woodson, the CEO of the Woodson Center, said during the Wednesday briefing.
“America should be defined by its promise,” he said.
In contrast to the 1619 Project, the goal of 1776 Unites, he explained, is to bring Americans together, no matter their skin color, and to “desegregate poverty and deracialize race.”
The curriculum doesn’t seek to cover up the horror of slavery, but it does highlight the success and values of the African American community because people’s very nature is to improve when they are inspired, Woodson said.
Virginia Allen is a news producer for The Daily Signal. She is the co-host of The Daily Signal Podcast and Problematic Women. Send an email to Virginia or follow her on Twitter.


thestream--2020-09-18--The Left is Hurting the Black Community: My Interview With Leo Terrell

Leo Terrell , a passionate Civil Rights attorney , has been a champion for social justice for more than 20 @ @ @ @ @ his colleagues earlier this year when he came out in support of President Trump .
@ @ @ @ @ party has given in to violent extremists and abandoned its true Civil Rights roots .
@ @ @ @ @ keeping to his principles and values , regardless of party or partisan politics.
” You @ @ @ @ @ inspired by this interview .
Please watch and share .
Find out more about Leo @ @ @ @ @ follow him on Twitter .
James Robison is The Stream ’ s founder and publisher @ @ @ @ @ LIFE Outreach International and co-host of LIFE Today .
He ’ s the author of @ @ @ @ @ ( with Jay Richards ) and Living Amazed .
You can view all the videos @ @ @ @ @ .

Leo Terrell, a passionate Civil Rights attorney, has been a champion for social justice for more than 20 years. But he shocked his colleagues earlier this year when he came out in support of President Trump. He believes the 2020 Democratic party has given in to violent extremists and abandoned its true Civil Rights roots. Instead, he is “keeping to his principles and values, regardless of party or partisan politics.”
You will be deeply blessed and inspired by this interview. Please watch and share.
Find out more about Leo Terrell on his website and follow him on Twitter.
James Robison is The Stream’s founder and publisher. He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host of LIFE Today. He’s the author of many books, including Indivisible (with Jay Richards) and Living Amazed.
You can view all the videos in this interview series here.


thestream--2020-09-18--You Do Not Exploit Children to Teach That Exploiting Children Is Wrong

The Babylon Bee headline is satirical , but , based on the logic of Netflix , it might as well be true : “ New Netflix Movie Actually Murders Puppies To Teach That Murdering Puppies Is Bad.
” Or , to move from satire to reality and create our own headline , “ New Netflix Movie Actually Exploits Young Girls Sexually To Teach That Sexually Exploiting Young Girls Is Wrong.
” Yes , in order to defend the indefensible , Netlix has argued that , “ Cuties is a social commentary against the sexualization of young children .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story about the pressure young girls face on social media and from society more generally growing up — and we ’ d encourage anyone who cares about these important issues to watch the movie.
” And what will viewers discover when they watch the movie ?
They will see with their own eyes the sexual exploitation of little girls .
Depictions Too Distasteful to Describe , Let Alone Cast Young Girls to Film You can read for yourself just how vulgar , explicit , and degrading some of the scenes are ( see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examples — if you can stomach them ) .
I find it too distasteful even to print the detailed descriptions here , let alone imagine casting little girls to film these scenes — scenes which will be watched by millions of people .
How can this be justified ?
And can you imagine your own daughters or granddaughters cast in these roles ?
We understand that the movie ultimately speaks against the sexual exploitation of children .
But , to repeat , you do not exploit those very children to make your point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ satirical story ( which has gone viral , for good reason ) : Netflix is embroiled in controversy yet again with its new documentary Puppy Murder , a show where the director kills puppies to teach you that murdering puppies is bad .
The movie is just two hours of puppies being brutally murdered onscreen , sending a powerful message to the viewer about just how bad puppy murder is .
From getting shot and stabbed to being run over with a steamroller and the inspiring climactic scene where a puppy is dropped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and powerfully shows the brutal reality of puppy murder .
As for those who have a problem with Puppy Murder , they are described as “ ‘ triggered conservatives ’ and ‘ scandal-mongers ’ since they obviously just didn ’ t get the message of the film , which very clearly teaches that puppy murder is bad.
” People Who Are Grieved Over Cuties are Apparently “ Pedophile Obsessed ” But once again , the Babylon Bee ’ s biting satire is too true to be funny , as evidenced by an op-ed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In it , he claims that , “ Criticism of Netflix ’ s ‘ Cuties ’ isn ’ t about the movie .
It ’ s a cynical ploy in the culture war.
” ( To repeat : This was printed on NBC News rather than on a satirical site .
The same holds true for the quotes that follow .
I am not taking them out of context or twisting them at all .
This is from NBC News . )
Thielman describes “ Cuties ” as a “ sweet-spirited French coming-of-age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movie as “ what may be the single dumbest battle of the culture wars.
” ( He also tells us the film is “ very funny ” and “ very witty.
” ) As for those who openly oppose “ Cuties , ” Thielman calls them “ the pedophile-obsessed American right , driven by QAnon.
” Did you get that , offended moms and dads ?
Did you get that , morally grieved Americans ?
You are simply “ the pedophile-obsessed American right , driven by QAnon.
” Yes , you are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directors and producers and screenwriters .
Not the dance instructors and costume designers .
Not the parents of the little girls who allegedly brought their children by the hundreds to audition .
No , it is you are obsessed and perverted .
( All of this reminds me of Isaiah 5:20 : “ Woe to those who call evil good and good evil , who put darkness for light and light for darkness , who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter !
” ) Thielman : Cuties “ Does Not ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And so , in condescending terms , Thielman must lecture us ignorant , pathetic moral conservatives : It is , annoyingly , important to state plainly that ‘ Cuties ’ does not portray child abuse , it does not glorify or countenance pedophilia in any way , and it does not “ sexualize ” its characters — which is , to put it plainly , a favorite description of people so disturbed by their own reaction to a piece of art that they have to quickly plant the blame for that reaction on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s movie is about platonic relationships between women and girls ; there is no sexuality to be had anywhere in this movie , which makes the outrage over it seem all the more extraterrestrial .
Go back and read the descriptions of some of the movie ’ s most graphic scenes , linked above , or watch some of the clips that have been released online , and then read Thielman ’ s paragraph once more .
There is no sexualizing of these little girls ?
Really ?
I ’ m quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a colleague of mine is about to release the first definitive exposé of QAnon ) .
And I know that sometimes , our moral indignation can be shallow or even hypocritical .
But there ’ s a reason that “ Rep .
Ken Buck , R-Colo. , sent a letter to the Department of Justice on Monday raising concerns about Netflix ‘ s new film ‘ Cuties.
’ ” Just like you don ’ t murder puppies on screen to illustrate how evil puppy murder is , you don ’ t exploit young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their exploitation is .
How can anyone with a working moral compass question this ?
Or perhaps I just answered my question : all too many do not have a working moral compass .
God help us .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

The Babylon Bee headline is satirical, but, based on the logic of Netflix, it might as well be true: “New Netflix Movie Actually Murders Puppies To Teach That Murdering Puppies Is Bad.” Or, to move from satire to reality and create our own headline, “New Netflix Movie Actually Exploits Young Girls Sexually To Teach That Sexually Exploiting Young Girls Is Wrong.”
Yes, in order to defend the indefensible, Netlix has argued that, “Cuties is a social commentary against the sexualization of young children. It’s an award-winning film and a powerful story about the pressure young girls face on social media and from society more generally growing up — and we’d encourage anyone who cares about these important issues to watch the movie.”
And what will viewers discover when they watch the movie? They will see with their own eyes the sexual exploitation of little girls.
Depictions Too Distasteful to Describe, Let Alone Cast Young Girls to Film
You can read for yourself just how vulgar, explicit, and degrading some of the scenes are (see here and here and here for vivid examples — if you can stomach them). I find it too distasteful even to print the detailed descriptions here, let alone imagine casting little girls to film these scenes — scenes which will be watched by millions of people. How can this be justified? And can you imagine your own daughters or granddaughters cast in these roles?
We understand that the movie ultimately speaks against the sexual exploitation of children. But, to repeat, you do not exploit those very children to make your point.
We understand that the movie ultimately speaks against the sexual exploitation of children. But, to repeat, you do not exploit those very children to make your point.
In the Babylon Bee’s satirical story (which has gone viral, for good reason):
Netflix is embroiled in controversy yet again with its new documentary Puppy Murder, a show where the director kills puppies to teach you that murdering puppies is bad. The movie is just two hours of puppies being brutally murdered onscreen, sending a powerful message to the viewer about just how bad puppy murder is. From getting shot and stabbed to being run over with a steamroller and the inspiring climactic scene where a puppy is dropped into a volcano, the movie unequivocally and powerfully shows the brutal reality of puppy murder.
As for those who have a problem with Puppy Murder, they are described as “‘triggered conservatives’ and ‘scandal-mongers’ since they obviously just didn’t get the message of the film, which very clearly teaches that puppy murder is bad.”
People Who Are Grieved Over Cuties are Apparently “Pedophile Obsessed”
But once again, the Babylon Bee’s biting satire is too true to be funny, as evidenced by an op-ed by Sam Thielman on NBC News. In it, he claims that, “Criticism of Netflix’s ‘Cuties’ isn’t about the movie. It’s a cynical ploy in the culture war.” (To repeat: This was printed on NBC News rather than on a satirical site. The same holds true for the quotes that follow. I am not taking them out of context or twisting them at all. This is from NBC News.)
Thielman describes “Cuties” as a “sweet-spirited French coming-of-age drama” while characterizing controversy over the movie as “what may be the single dumbest battle of the culture wars.” (He also tells us the film is “very funny” and “very witty.”)
As for those who openly oppose “Cuties,” Thielman calls them “the pedophile-obsessed American right, driven by QAnon.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Did you get that, offended moms and dads? Did you get that, morally grieved Americans? You are simply “the pedophile-obsessed American right, driven by QAnon.”
Yes, you are the ones with the problem.
Not the directors and producers and screenwriters. Not the dance instructors and costume designers. Not the parents of the little girls who allegedly brought their children by the hundreds to audition.
No, it is you are obsessed and perverted. (All of this reminds me of Isaiah 5:20: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”)
Thielman: Cuties “Does Not ‘Sexualize’ Its Characters.” Really?
And so, in condescending terms, Thielman must lecture us ignorant, pathetic moral conservatives:
It is, annoyingly, important to state plainly that ‘Cuties’ does not portray child abuse, it does not glorify or countenance pedophilia in any way, and it does not “sexualize” its characters — which is, to put it plainly, a favorite description of people so disturbed by their own reaction to a piece of art that they have to quickly plant the blame for that reaction on the artist before anyone notices. Doucouré’s movie is about platonic relationships between women and girls; there is no sexuality to be had anywhere in this movie, which makes the outrage over it seem all the more extraterrestrial.
Go back and read the descriptions of some of the movie’s most graphic scenes, linked above, or watch some of the clips that have been released online, and then read Thielman’s paragraph once more. There is no sexualizing of these little girls? Really?
I’m quite aware of the QAnon conspiracy theories (a colleague of mine is about to release the first definitive exposé of QAnon). And I know that sometimes, our moral indignation can be shallow or even hypocritical.
A Working Moral Compass
But there’s a reason that “Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., sent a letter to the Department of Justice on Monday raising concerns about Netflix‘s new film ‘Cuties.’”
Just like you don’t murder puppies on screen to illustrate how evil puppy murder is, you don’t exploit young girls on screen to illustrate how evil their exploitation is.
How can anyone with a working moral compass question this? Or perhaps I just answered my question: all too many do not have a working moral compass. God help us.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-09-18--The Richness of Leftist Fascists Decrying ‘Fascism’

The fascist left regularly typifies the very qualities it professes to abhor .
The only thing more pronounced than its totalitarianism is its stunning lack of self-awareness .
It ’ s ironic that leftists think of themselves as liberals , as the term “ liberal ” is historically and etymologically connected to the concept of liberty .
Not only are they merely selective champions of liberty but the logical extension of their agenda is an eradication of liberty , from socialism to Supreme Court legislation , from radical redistributions of income to oppressive pseudo-environmental regulations .
What do I mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Simply that they believe conservative ideas are so odious they must be excluded from the classroom ; social media ; university student organizations ; and , in too many cases , restaurants , yard signs and baseball caps .
In the Name of Science Try teaching intelligent design in many public schools .
In the name of science , they ’ ll exclude ID ’ s scientific findings .
They believe that conservatives and their ideas are inherently racist and sexist and , in many cases , lead to violence , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment protection or free expression on social media .
It ’ s scary how these leftists have blinded themselves to their own hypocrisy and fascism in trampling the same rights they purport to celebrate .
Invisible authoritarians running social media platforms cite arbitrary rules of conduct that conveniently censor conservative opinion to allegedly ensure decency and decorum .
Yet the opinions they muzzle are only dangerous and indecent if you define danger as the free expression of opposing views .
While prohibiting conservative views that don ’ t remotely advocate violence , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The chilling process by which this “ private ” and sometimes-government-supported censorship occurs is that leftists subjectively determine conservative speech is offensive or hateful and must be banned .
Free Speech Used to be Guaranteed The First Amendment free-speech guarantees were designed precisely to protect controversial political speech , as uncontroversial expression obviously needs no protection .
In the not-too-distant past , liberals understood that protecting the expression of all ideas was the essence of liberty .
Yesterday ’ s American Civil Liberties Union defended the rights of neo-Nazis to march through Skokie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the tyrannical leftist mindset abound .
Nicholas Sandmann ’ s admission to Transylvania University in Kentucky incensed certain leftists .
They clearly loathe Sandmann , who was brutally slandered by CNN and other leftists when activists accosted him for simply wearing a MAGA hat and standing for the pro-life cause .
“ Does anyone else think it ’ s a bit of a stain on Transylvania University for accepting Nick Sandmann ?
I ’ m sure it ’ s a ‘ both sides ’ defense , but it ’ s pretty counter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there not being equal sides to an issue , ” wrote ACLU staffer Samuel Crankshaw on Facebook .
“ This kid clearly is a provocateur in training with no intention of learning .
He exists only to troll , intimidate and play victim.
” “ Counter to their mission ” ?
What mission would that be : the promulgation of leftist propaganda and the suppression of opposing ideas ?
Note Crankshaw ’ s revealing admission that he doesn ’ t believe there are even two sides to the Sandmann controversy .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s original reporting of this event was debunked at the time and then more resoundingly discredited when Sandmann settled a major defamation suit against CNN and others .
Despite Sandmann ’ s vindication , this ranting ACLU ideologue can ’ t even acknowledge that Sandmann had a legitimate position .
And without knowing Sandmann personally , Crankshaw presumes he has no intention of learning — leftist open-mindedness on parade .
Crankshaw isn ’ t alone .
Transylvania University professor Avery Tompkins , who paradoxically identifies as a “ diversity scholar , ” went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were to cause problems by being disruptive , trolling , or engaging in unethical behavior of any kind , I would immediately document it … and he would just be putting himself in a position for me to file a conduct report , ” commented Tompkins on Crankshaw ’ s Facebook page .
This unmistakably reads like a threat against Sandmann should he express his views .
If that weren ’ t sickening enough , Tompkins ’ claims are preposterous .
Sandmann wasn ’ t disruptive at the pro-life march .
He trolled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approached and taunted him , obnoxiously banging a drum in his face .
Nor did Sandmann behave unethically , unless , perhaps , you believe that gathering in support of innocent unborn babies is unethical .
Tompkins ’ thinking is disturbing ( though I would still defend his freedom to express this stupidity ) , as is his attempted intimidation of a student entering his university .
It ’ s rich that on the university website , Tompkins is quoted as saying : “ I don ’ t want to be the authoritative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classes are there for the students .
It ’ s not my soapbox.
” Hmm .
Could have fooled this casual observer .
Tompkins ’ later apology in which he paid lip service to “ diversity ” is laughable .
He is an adult with fully formed ideas , and a poster child for illustrating that the left ’ s idea of “ diversity ” means anything but ideological diversity .
Another example involved leftist University of Rhode Island professor Erik Loomis , who defended an anarchist ’ s murder of Trump supporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed a fascist , ” Loomis said .
“ I see nothing wrong with it , at least from a moral perspective.
” This abomination speaks for itself .
Before you call this an extreme example , note that this kind of thinking drives the widespread leftist violence throughout American cities that was enabled by Democratic governors and mayors .
I wouldn ’ t be so alarmed about any of this if the left weren ’ t promising to ratchet up its violence if President Donald Trump is reelected .
If you doubt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention , and as young people say , “ That ’ s on you.
” Prayers and more prayers for this great nation .
David Limbaugh is a writer , author and attorney .
His latest book is Guilty by Reason of Insanity : Why the Democrats Must Not Win .
Follow him on Twitter @ davidlimbaugh and his website at www.davidlimbaugh.com .

The fascist left regularly typifies the very qualities it professes to abhor. The only thing more pronounced than its totalitarianism is its stunning lack of self-awareness.
Selective Champions of Liberty
It’s ironic that leftists think of themselves as liberals, as the term “liberal” is historically and etymologically connected to the concept of liberty. Not only are they merely selective champions of liberty but the logical extension of their agenda is an eradication of liberty, from socialism to Supreme Court legislation, from radical redistributions of income to oppressive pseudo-environmental regulations.
What do I mean by “selective champions of liberty”? Simply that they believe conservative ideas are so odious they must be excluded from the classroom; social media; university student organizations; and, in too many cases, restaurants, yard signs and baseball caps.
In the Name of Science
Try teaching intelligent design in many public schools. In the name of science, they’ll exclude ID’s scientific findings. They believe that conservatives and their ideas are inherently racist and sexist and, in many cases, lead to violence, which means conservatives are not entitled to First Amendment protection or free expression on social media. It’s scary how these leftists have blinded themselves to their own hypocrisy and fascism in trampling the same rights they purport to celebrate.
Social Media Platforms Censoring Conservative Speech
Invisible authoritarians running social media platforms cite arbitrary rules of conduct that conveniently censor conservative opinion to allegedly ensure decency and decorum. Yet the opinions they muzzle are only dangerous and indecent if you define danger as the free expression of opposing views. While prohibiting conservative views that don’t remotely advocate violence, they permit overt leftist calls for violence. The chilling process by which this “private” and sometimes-government-supported censorship occurs is that leftists subjectively determine conservative speech is offensive or hateful and must be banned.
Free Speech Used to be Guaranteed
The First Amendment free-speech guarantees were designed precisely to protect controversial political speech, as uncontroversial expression obviously needs no protection. In the not-too-distant past, liberals understood that protecting the expression of all ideas was the essence of liberty. Yesterday’s American Civil Liberties Union defended the rights of neo-Nazis to march through Skokie, Illinois, in 1978.
ACLU Staffer Goes After Nicholas Sandmann
Examples of the tyrannical leftist mindset abound. Nicholas Sandmann’s admission to Transylvania University in Kentucky incensed certain leftists. They clearly loathe Sandmann, who was brutally slandered by CNN and other leftists when activists accosted him for simply wearing a MAGA hat and standing for the pro-life cause.
“Does anyone else think it’s a bit of a stain on Transylvania University for accepting Nick Sandmann? I’m sure it’s a ‘both sides’ defense, but it’s pretty counter to their mission and another instance of there not being equal sides to an issue,” wrote ACLU staffer Samuel Crankshaw on Facebook. “This kid clearly is a provocateur in training with no intention of learning. He exists only to troll, intimidate and play victim.”
“Counter to their mission”? What mission would that be: the promulgation of leftist propaganda and the suppression of opposing ideas? Note Crankshaw’s revealing admission that he doesn’t believe there are even two sides to the Sandmann controversy. This is more remarkable considering that the media’s original reporting of this event was debunked at the time and then more resoundingly discredited when Sandmann settled a major defamation suit against CNN and others.
Despite Sandmann’s vindication, this ranting ACLU ideologue can’t even acknowledge that Sandmann had a legitimate position. And without knowing Sandmann personally, Crankshaw presumes he has no intention of learning — leftist open-mindedness on parade.
A ‘Diversity Scholar’ Goes Further
Crankshaw isn’t alone. Transylvania University professor Avery Tompkins, who paradoxically identifies as a “diversity scholar,” went further. “If (Sandmann) were to cause problems by being disruptive, trolling, or engaging in unethical behavior of any kind, I would immediately document it … and he would just be putting himself in a position for me to file a conduct report,” commented Tompkins on Crankshaw’s Facebook page.
This unmistakably reads like a threat against Sandmann should he express his views. If that weren’t sickening enough, Tompkins’ claims are preposterous. Sandmann wasn’t disruptive at the pro-life march. He trolled no one; a Native American man approached and taunted him, obnoxiously banging a drum in his face. Nor did Sandmann behave unethically, unless, perhaps, you believe that gathering in support of innocent unborn babies is unethical.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Tompkins’ thinking is disturbing (though I would still defend his freedom to express this stupidity), as is his attempted intimidation of a student entering his university. It’s rich that on the university website, Tompkins is quoted as saying: “I don’t want to be the authoritative person in the classroom. … The classes are there for the students. It’s not my soapbox.” Hmm. Could have fooled this casual observer.
Tompkins’ later apology in which he paid lip service to “diversity” is laughable. He is an adult with fully formed ideas, and a poster child for illustrating that the left’s idea of “diversity” means anything but ideological diversity.
Murder of a Trump Supporter
Another example involved leftist University of Rhode Island professor Erik Loomis, who defended an anarchist’s murder of Trump supporter Aaron Danielson in Portland. “He killed a fascist,” Loomis said. “I see nothing wrong with it, at least from a moral perspective.” This abomination speaks for itself.
Before you call this an extreme example, note that this kind of thinking drives the widespread leftist violence throughout American cities that was enabled by Democratic governors and mayors.
I wouldn’t be so alarmed about any of this if the left weren’t promising to ratchet up its violence if President Donald Trump is reelected. If you doubt this, you’re not paying attention, and as young people say, “That’s on you.” Prayers and more prayers for this great nation.
David Limbaugh is a writer, author and attorney. His latest book is Guilty by Reason of Insanity: Why the Democrats Must Not Win. Follow him on Twitter @davidlimbaugh and his website at www.davidlimbaugh.com.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM


thestream--2020-09-18--Fox Censors Gingrich for Blurting Out the S-Word (‘Soros’): A Glitch in the Matrix

I remember The Matrix fondly .
And the halcyon time when the brothers who made that movie hadn ’ t had their genitals hacked off , and insisted on playing the scariest-looking sisters in show-biz outside Macbeth .
I recall how rich the film seemed in potential implications .
I even bought an anthology entitled Philosophy and The Matrix .
Its essays wondered , learnedly , was the film crypto-Christian ?
Buddhist ?
Alt-right ?
Gnostic ?
Parts II and III , alas , answered all those questions like a wet blanket dropped on a child ’ s flickering birthday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One had meant nothing whatsoever .
It just marketed generic paranoia and gender confusion ( Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Ann Moss seemed to morph into each other ) , in the midst of fun action sequences .
And “ Guns , lots of guns.
” But that doesn ’ t ruin Part One for me , or anyone else .
We still remember seeing The Matrix when it came out in 1999 , before we knew for realsies about the genuine conspiracies out there : • Al Qaeda , planning terror attacks against Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities across the country .
• The Muslim Brotherhood ’ s “ grand jihad ” to honeycomb the West with Islamists via mass immigration .
And in enough numbers to accomplish things like electing them to the U.S. Congress from Minnesota .
• The War Party , straddling the corporate wings of both the Democrats and the Republicans , preparing to use # 1 as a pretext for the U.S. to occupy much of the Islamic world .
To impose , you know , democracy , feminism , gay rights and stuff .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christians would get driven out of entire countries like Iraq .
Or the U.S. would spend trillions of dollars and thousands of lives , to accomplish … absolutely nothing .
Meanwhile , the same War Party would actually support # 2 , and demonize all who opposed it .
( See the NeverTrump Republicans . )
• The conspiracy in Hollywood to cover up power-broker Harvey Weinstein ’ s serial sexual abuse of women .
And also the serial sexual abuse of child actors on movie sets .
• The conspiracy ( still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his friends to sexually exploit underage girls on his “ Pedophile Island , ” when Epstein wasn ’ t keeping office hours in his mysterious free office at Harvard University .
Nothing to see here folks , just move along .
• The Deep State conspiracy to nullify the 2016 presidential election of Donald Trump , and destroy anyone who helped him win .
• Communist China ’ s multi-front war against the West , using the Wuhan virus , $ 2 billion in bribes to the Vatican , massive bullying of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Lives Matter .
There Are Real Conspiracies , and Crackpot Theories I really could go on for a while longer , but you get the idea .
Because there ’ s original sin , there are real conspiracies out there .
There are also hundreds of crackpot theories that try to connect the dots of random events using the “ Lizard Men , ” the Freemasons , or the Jews .
Or wicked NASA scientists trying to con the world into thinking that it is … round .
( To whose possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even the flat-earthers can ’ t answer that one , the most basic conspiratorial question , “ Cui bono ?
” ) The more ludicrous conspiracy theories are actually kind of fun .
Two podcasts I subscribe to , “ Conspiracy Theories ” and “ Stuff They Don ’ t Want You to Know ” offer great entertainment .
Except when powerful people take them seriously , as they do the “ Systemic Racism ” myth .
Then you end up with the 1619 Project ( The Protocols of the Elders of Jamestown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What is kind of creepy is when you see a conspiracy hiding in plain sight , with abundant real-world , documentary evidence .
And then people get punished , silenced , or terrorized for daring to point it out .
That ’ s scary , like watching a real-time , real-world production of Orwell ’ s 1984 , complete with un-personing and a Memory Hole where “ bad ” facts go to vanish .
Coming back to The Matrix , there was a great scene in the first film which talked about “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ computer-simulated reality that trapped the human race in that film showed a “ bug ” or “ glitch , ” repeating itself or showing another anomaly , that meant something .
It tipped off the Resistance that an “ Agent ” working for the AI overlords had been inserted , and was coming to kill them .
When Jeffrey Epstein “ committed suicide , ” that was a glitch in the Matrix .
Likewise when the British establishment pulled out all stops to cancel Brexit .
And when prosecutors sent a SWAT team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Daleiden .
And when the leftist prosecutor in St. Louis filed felony charges against the McCloskeys for defending their home with legal firearms against BLM thugs in a state with a “ castle doctrine ” that explicitly permits that .
Each move was so heavy-handed that it gave the game away .
Or would , if the media would let the facts be aired in public .
The worst glitches , of course , appear in the media itself .
And we saw a doozy this week not on MSNBC or NPR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ places .
Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich was talking about the threat of left-wing district attorneys all across the country — like the one that ’ s persecuting the McCloskeys in St. Louis .
He noted the widely-established , not at all secret or uncorroborated fact that globalist left-wing donor George Soros had spent many millions electing these prosecutors .
( In 2016 , Wikileaks established the sheer scale and range of Soros ’ global campaign to promote leftist , Islamist , and anti-Israel politicians around the world .
It even exposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vatican . )
And Fox News shut Gingrich down .
Watch the relevant segment : What is going on ?
The Fox anchors reacted as if someone behind the scenes had pushed the button on a shock collar .
Or screamed at them in their earpiece .
The question is why ?
Why should it be unspeakable to ask what a foreign billionaire who hates America has in mind picking our prosecutors ?
Will Soros-Picked DAs Help Steal the Election ?
In this case , the tactic was so heavy-handed that it backfired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than any conservative ever could .
But the question remains , why is Fox playing along ?
The excellent new conservative publication The National Pulse offers some answers : A senior Fox News staffer confirmed to me that the network discourages discussion of Soros which management claims is “ anti-Semitic ” .
Talking about an atheist who hates Israel is anti-Semitic now .
But Gingrich , who did nothing but point out the accurate information that George Soros proudly and openly funded District Attorney ( DA ) races across the country , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t they want people knowing this , right now ?
Because many of these DAs are going to be involved in the election dispute process after November 3rd , we ’ ve seen it already in the past year when a Surf City DA recused himself after one of his prosecutors spoke at a candidate ’ s rally .
That candidate went on to face six felony charges , later reduced to just one misdemeanor regarding errors on past voter and campaign forms .
And that brings me right back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its co-founders , Nils Gilman .
On August 18th , Gilman gave an interview with the left-wing Vox website , and said this of who calls the election night winner in the United States : Is that what we saw yesterday from Fox ?
Lachlan and Rupert Murdoch making the call that there should be no conversation about George Soros because of his involvement with the coup – the Transition Integrity Project , and the DA races up and down the country ?
What They Will Tell Us Election Night So George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ theft of this year ’ s election .
If they can ’ t print enough fake mail-in ballots , or terrorize us with threatened riots , they ’ ll use their Soros-funded network of local officials to legitimize whatever crackpot military plans they have in mind .
And use the media to justify it to us all .
You ’ d think Fox , as a news network , might want to cover that .
The fact that it doesn ’ t really gives me that “ glitch in the Matrix ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chill down the spine that reveals the presence of principalities and powers .
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 .
He is co-author with Jason Jones of “ God , Guns , & the Government .
”

I remember The Matrix fondly. And the halcyon time when the brothers who made that movie hadn’t had their genitals hacked off, and insisted on playing the scariest-looking sisters in show-biz outside Macbeth. I recall how rich the film seemed in potential implications. I even bought an anthology entitled Philosophy and The Matrix. Its essays wondered, learnedly, was the film crypto-Christian? Buddhist? Alt-right? Gnostic?
Parts II and III, alas, answered all those questions like a wet blanket dropped on a child’s flickering birthday cake. They showed us that Part One had meant nothing whatsoever. It just marketed generic paranoia and gender confusion (Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Ann Moss seemed to morph into each other), in the midst of fun action sequences. And “Guns, lots of guns.”
That Innocent Time, the 90s
But that doesn’t ruin Part One for me, or anyone else. We still remember seeing The Matrix when it came out in 1999, before we knew for realsies about the genuine conspiracies out there:
Al Qaeda, planning terror attacks against Americans all around the world, and our cities across the country. The Muslim Brotherhood’s “grand jihad” to honeycomb the West with Islamists via mass immigration. And in enough numbers to accomplish things like electing them to the U.S. Congress from Minnesota. The War Party, straddling the corporate wings of both the Democrats and the Republicans, preparing to use #1 as a pretext for the U.S. to occupy much of the Islamic world. To impose, you know, democracy, feminism, gay rights and stuff. Too bad if that meant that the Christians would get driven out of entire countries like Iraq. Or the U.S. would spend trillions of dollars and thousands of lives, to accomplish … absolutely nothing. Meanwhile, the same War Party would actually support #2, and demonize all who opposed it. (See the NeverTrump Republicans.) The conspiracy in Hollywood to cover up power-broker Harvey Weinstein’s serial sexual abuse of women. And also the serial sexual abuse of child actors on movie sets. The conspiracy (still mostly unexposed) to allow Jeffrey Epstein and his friends to sexually exploit underage girls on his “Pedophile Island,” when Epstein wasn’t keeping office hours in his mysterious free office at Harvard University. Nothing to see here folks, just move along. The Deep State conspiracy to nullify the 2016 presidential election of Donald Trump, and destroy anyone who helped him win. Communist China’s multi-front war against the West, using the Wuhan virus, $2 billion in bribes to the Vatican, massive bullying of cowardly U.S. corporations, Joe Biden and Black Lives Matter.
There Are Real Conspiracies, and Crackpot Theories
I really could go on for a while longer, but you get the idea. Because there’s original sin, there are real conspiracies out there. There are also hundreds of crackpot theories that try to connect the dots of random events using the “Lizard Men,” the Freemasons, or the Jews. Or wicked NASA scientists trying to con the world into thinking that it is … round. (To whose possible benefit? we have to wonder. Even the flat-earthers can’t answer that one, the most basic conspiratorial question, “Cui bono?”)
The more ludicrous conspiracy theories are actually kind of fun. Two podcasts I subscribe to, “Conspiracy Theories” and “Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know” offer great entertainment. Except when powerful people take them seriously, as they do the “Systemic Racism” myth. Then you end up with the 1619 Project (The Protocols of the Elders of Jamestown) getting taught in public schools.
Glitches in the Matrix
What is kind of creepy is when you see a conspiracy hiding in plain sight, with abundant real-world, documentary evidence. And then people get punished, silenced, or terrorized for daring to point it out. That’s scary, like watching a real-time, real-world production of Orwell’s 1984, complete with un-personing and a Memory Hole where “bad” facts go to vanish.
It’s creepy when you see a conspiracy hiding in plain sight, with abundant real-world, documentary evidence. And then people get punished, silenced, or terrorized for daring to point it out.
Coming back to The Matrix, there was a great scene in the first film which talked about “glitches in the Matrix.” When the computer-simulated reality that trapped the human race in that film showed a “bug” or “glitch,” repeating itself or showing another anomaly, that meant something. It tipped off the Resistance that an “Agent” working for the AI overlords had been inserted, and was coming to kill them.
When Jeffrey Epstein “committed suicide,” that was a glitch in the Matrix. Likewise when the British establishment pulled out all stops to cancel Brexit. And when prosecutors sent a SWAT team to raid the home of pro-life journalist David Daleiden. And when the leftist prosecutor in St. Louis filed felony charges against the McCloskeys for defending their home with legal firearms against BLM thugs in a state with a “castle doctrine” that explicitly permits that.
Fox News’ Shock Collars Go Off
Each move was so heavy-handed that it gave the game away. Or would, if the media would let the facts be aired in public. The worst glitches, of course, appear in the media itself. And we saw a doozy this week not on MSNBC or NPR but on Fox News, of all places.
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Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich was talking about the threat of left-wing district attorneys all across the country — like the one that’s persecuting the McCloskeys in St. Louis. He noted the widely-established, not at all secret or uncorroborated fact that globalist left-wing donor George Soros had spent many millions electing these prosecutors. (In 2016, Wikileaks established the sheer scale and range of Soros’ global campaign to promote leftist, Islamist, and anti-Israel politicians around the world. It even exposed Soros’ ties to Pope Francis’ Vatican.)
And Fox News shut Gingrich down. Watch the relevant segment:
What is going on? The Fox anchors reacted as if someone behind the scenes had pushed the button on a shock collar. Or screamed at them in their earpiece. The question is why? Why should it be unspeakable to ask what a foreign billionaire who hates America has in mind picking our prosecutors?
Will Soros-Picked DAs Help Steal the Election?
In this case, the tactic was so heavy-handed that it backfired, highlighting Soros’ meddling more effectively than any conservative ever could. But the question remains, why is Fox playing along?
The excellent new conservative publication The National Pulse offers some answers:
A senior Fox News staffer confirmed to me that the network discourages discussion of Soros which management claims is “anti-Semitic”. “Anti-Semitic.” Talking about an atheist who hates Israel is anti-Semitic now. But Gingrich, who did nothing but point out the accurate information that George Soros proudly and openly funded District Attorney (DA) races across the country, was silenced. For a reason. Why don’t they want people knowing this, right now? Because many of these DAs are going to be involved in the election dispute process after November 3rd, we’ve seen it already in the past year when a Surf City DA recused himself after one of his prosecutors spoke at a candidate’s rally. That candidate went on to face six felony charges, later reduced to just one misdemeanor regarding errors on past voter and campaign forms. And that brings me right back to the Soros-linked Transition Integrity Project and one of its co-founders, Nils Gilman. On August 18th, Gilman gave an interview with the left-wing Vox website, and said this of who calls the election night winner in the United States: Is that what we saw yesterday from Fox? Lachlan and Rupert Murdoch making the call that there should be no conversation about George Soros because of his involvement with the coup – the Transition Integrity Project, and the DA races up and down the country? It sure seems like it.
What They Will Tell Us Election Night
So George Soros is helping to prepare the Democrats’ theft of this year’s election. If they can’t print enough fake mail-in ballots, or terrorize us with threatened riots, they’ll use their Soros-funded network of local officials to legitimize whatever crackpot military plans they have in mind. And use the media to justify it to us all.
You’d think Fox, as a news network, might want to cover that. The fact that it doesn’t really gives me that “glitch in the Matrix” feeling. It’s a cold chill down the spine that reveals the presence of principalities and powers.
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. He is co-author with Jason Jones of “God, Guns, & the Government.”


thestream--2020-09-18--BLM Co-Founder’s New Org Sponsored by Group That Raised China’s Communist Flag Over Boston City Hall

Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza ’ s new organization , Black Futures Lab , is fiscally sponsored by the Chinese Progressive Association , which organized the raising of communist China ’ s flag over Boston City Hall last year .
The “ donate ” button on Black Futures Lab ’ s website takes users to a donation page hosted by the CPA , which notes that “ Black Futures Lab is a fiscally sponsored project of the Chinese Progressive Association.
” The partnership between the two groups was first reported by the Daily Signal on Tuesday .
The CPA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese flag over Boston City Hall to mark the 70th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party creating the People ’ s Republic of China .
The event sparked a protest from demonstrators opposed to the Chinese government ’ s actions in Hong Kong , 7News Boston reported at the time .
According to its mission statement , the CPA “ educates , organizes and empowers the low income and working class immigrant Chinese community in San Francisco to build collective power with other oppressed communities to demand better living and working conditions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lab “ is focused on collaborating with Black people , Black elected officials , and Black community-based organizations to build progressive political and legislative power in order to get us closer to having the communities and political power we deserve , ” according to its website .
Garza launched the organization in 2018 .
Garza is a vocal opponent of American-style capitalism .
She said in a 2015 speech that capitalism needs to be abolished in order for black lives to matter .
“ It ’ s not possible for a world to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s under capitalism , ” she said in 2015 at the left-wing convention Left Forum .
“ And it ’ s not possible to abolish capitalism without a struggle against national oppression and gender oppression.
” One of Garza ’ s fellow co-founders of Black Lives Matter , Patrisse Cullors , described herself and Garza as “ trained Marxists ” in 2015 as well .
“ Myself and Alicia in particular are trained organizers .
We are trained Marxists .
We are super-versed on , sort of , ideological theories , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garza returned the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s requests for comment for this article .
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 .

Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza’s new organization, Black Futures Lab, is fiscally sponsored by the Chinese Progressive Association, which organized the raising of communist China’s flag over Boston City Hall last year.
The “donate” button on Black Futures Lab’s website takes users to a donation page hosted by the CPA, which notes that “Black Futures Lab is a fiscally sponsored project of the Chinese Progressive Association.” The partnership between the two groups was first reported by the Daily Signal on Tuesday.
The CPA last year sponsored the raising of the Chinese flag over Boston City Hall to mark the 70th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party creating the People’s Republic of China. The event sparked a protest from demonstrators opposed to the Chinese government’s actions in Hong Kong, 7News Boston reported at the time.
Screenshot/CPA
According to its mission statement, the CPA “educates, organizes and empowers the low income and working class immigrant Chinese community in San Francisco to build collective power with other oppressed communities to demand better living and working conditions and justice for all people.”
Black Futures Lab “is focused on collaborating with Black people, Black elected officials, and Black community-based organizations to build progressive political and legislative power in order to get us closer to having the communities and political power we deserve,” according to its website. Garza launched the organization in 2018.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Garza is a vocal opponent of American-style capitalism. She said in a 2015 speech that capitalism needs to be abolished in order for black lives to matter.
“It’s not possible for a world to emerge where black lives matter if it’s under capitalism,” she said in 2015 at the left-wing convention Left Forum. “And it’s not possible to abolish capitalism without a struggle against national oppression and gender oppression.”
One of Garza’s fellow co-founders of Black Lives Matter, Patrisse Cullors, described herself and Garza as “trained Marxists” in 2015 as well.
“Myself and Alicia in particular are trained organizers. We are trained Marxists. We are super-versed on, sort of, ideological theories,” Cullors said.
Neither the CPA nor Garza returned the Daily Caller News Foundation’s requests for comment for this article.
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--2020-09-19--‘A Responsibility to Vote’: Here’s What Democrats Said About Filling SCOTUS Vacancy in 2016

Several Democratic leaders favored a Senate confirmation vote for President Barack Obama ’ s Supreme Court nominee Judge Merrick Garland in 2016 .
Following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia , Obama nominated Garland , who had been the chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia .
However , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell vowed to block a confirmation vote for Garland until after the 2016 presidential election , The Washington Post reported .
“ The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice , ” McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Therefore , this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.
” Several Democrats condemned McConnell in the days and weeks following his decision .
Although Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden favored putting off a confirmation hearing during an election year in 1992 as a senator , Biden supported Garland ’ s confirmation in 2016 as vice president , according to ABC News .
He said there was no supposed “ Biden Rule ” concerning Supreme Court nominations in an election year .
“ Deciding in advance simply to turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nominee is not an option the Constitution leaves open , ” Biden said , according to Business Insider .
“ It ’ s a plain abdication from the Senate ’ s duty .
… [ It ’ s ] never occurred before in our history.
” “ Elections have consequences , ” then-Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said , according to Politico .
“ The president has a responsibility to nominate a new justice and the Senate has a responsibility to vote.
” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted : “ Garland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & is a perfect fit for [ the Supreme Court ] .
GOP inaction does our country a great disservice.
” And then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi tweeted : “ Judge Merrick Garland , is a respected jurist who must be given a fair hearing & timely vote.
” Sen. Bernie Sanders , an Independent who caucuses with Democrats , tweeted , “ Judge Garland is a strong nominee with decades of experience on the bench .
[ Obama ] has done his job .
It ’ s time for Republicans to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted that Republicans must “ ditch their extremism ” and schedule a vote for Garland .
Then-Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said the Senate should consider a nominee immediately , according to Politico .
“ It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat , ” Reid said , Politico reported .
“ Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate ’ s most essential Constitutional responsibilities .
”

Several Democratic leaders favored a Senate confirmation vote for President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee Judge Merrick Garland in 2016.
Following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, Obama nominated Garland, who had been the chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell vowed to block a confirmation vote for Garland until after the 2016 presidential election, The Washington Post reported.
“The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice,” McConnell said, according to Politico. “Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.”
Several Democrats condemned McConnell in the days and weeks following his decision.
Although Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden favored putting off a confirmation hearing during an election year in 1992 as a senator, Biden supported Garland’s confirmation in 2016 as vice president, according to ABC News. He said there was no supposed “Biden Rule” concerning Supreme Court nominations in an election year.
“Deciding in advance simply to turn your back before the president even names a nominee is not an option the Constitution leaves open,” Biden said, according to Business Insider. “It’s a plain abdication from the Senate’s duty. … [It’s] never occurred before in our history.”
“Elections have consequences,” then-Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton said, according to Politico. “The president has a responsibility to nominate a new justice and the Senate has a responsibility to vote.”
She called McConnell’s decision “outrageous.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted: “Garland has integrity, a brilliant legal mind & is a perfect fit for [the Supreme Court]. GOP inaction does our country a great disservice.”
And then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi tweeted: “Judge Merrick Garland, is a respected jurist who must be given a fair hearing & timely vote.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders, an Independent who caucuses with Democrats, tweeted, “Judge Garland is a strong nominee with decades of experience on the bench. [Obama] has done his job. It’s time for Republicans to do theirs.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Elizabeth Warren tweeted that Republicans must “ditch their extremism” and schedule a vote for Garland.
Then-Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said the Senate should consider a nominee immediately, according to Politico.
“It would be unprecedented in recent history for the Supreme Court to go a year with a vacant seat,” Reid said, Politico reported. “Failing to fill this vacancy would be a shameful abdication of one of the Senate’s most essential Constitutional responsibilities.”
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--2020-09-19--Find Love in Dark Times

Find Love in Dark Times

You can get lost in the Auschwitz Memorial Twitter feed .
When I visited that infamous German WWII concentration camp during the summer before our last presidential election , I had the overwhelming feeling that we were forgetting its terrible example — that we could fall into such evil again .
With the recent violence in the streets , in homes , on television and even in human hearts , that ’ s become a familiar feeling .
The power of the Auschwitz Memorial ’ s social media presence is in the names and faces .
At least 6 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were men , women and children .
They had names and stories .
“ 18 September 1942 : A transport of 70 men arrived at # Auschwitz from Cracow : 67 Poles , 1 Roma , 1 Jew & 1 Ukrainian .
Among them was Mieczyslaw Dziob ( no .
64258 ) .
He escaped on 16 October .
A year later he was captured , transferred back to the camp and shot on 28 September 1943.
” “ 18 September 1911 : Polish Jewish woman Chana Lewin was born Biala Podlaska .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1942 she was deported from Drancy to # Auschwitz .
She did not survive.
” “ 18 September 1932 : French Jewish girl Rosa Farber was born in Paris .
On her 10th birthday she was deported from # Drancy to # Auschwitz .
She was murdered in a gas chamber … ” Every now and again , you get a surprise — someone who made it out of hell alive : “ 18 September 1915 : Pole Stanislaw Zygula was born in Skopanie .
A land surveyor .
He was deported to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1940 in the first transport of Poles to the camp … On 18 October 1944 he escaped .
He survived the war.
” Do take a look at the Twitter account , at @ AuschwitzMuseum , so you can look at the faces of the dead and better take in the scope of the tragedy .
Here in the United States , we have been consumed with death because of COVID-19 .
The pandemic has been horrible , especially so as people have died of coronavirus because of bad government decisions , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In my home state of New York , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo has abandoned elderly people in nursing homes to the ravages of the disease .
The pandemic has proven that for many people in the United States , some peoples ’ lives matter less than others .
Nearing the half-century mark on Roe v. Wade , the Supreme Court decision that cleared the way for legal abortion , it ’ s clear that unborn lives don ’ t matter in our law .
There has been some chipping away at that total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go if we are going to truly protect the vulnerable .
It was around this time last year when I unexpectedly saw a young woman leave a Planned Parenthood after having had an abortion .
She looked hollow .
She looked like life had been sucked out of her .
Because it had been .
We should be protecting her from having to do that .
Abortion has done such damage in America .
Misery overflows onto the streets from it .
The Washington Post had a report in recent days with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed thousands of Alzheimer ’ s patients while families watch from afar.
” The extreme isolation is having an impact that I don ’ t know if we will ever be able to fully comprehend .
How many of us , even in the best of circumstances , have struggled in ways we would have never anticipated ?
Now consider people with chronic conditions , people who are prone to depression , people who are alone .
The list goes on .
I keep hearing about suicides .
Please , please , please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking at names and faces — insist on names and faces .
Do not forget , or it will happen again .
Every single human life matters , and is a precious jewel .
It ’ s when we don ’ t communicate this in our laws and eyes and words and actions — and social media — then we get ourselves into a dark place of death again .
Kathryn Jean Lopez is senior fellow at the National Review Institute , editor-at-large of National Review magazine and author of the new book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisdom for Daily Living .
She is also chair of Cardinal Dolan ’ s pro-life commission in New York .
She can be contacted at klopez @ nationalreview.com .

You can get lost in the Auschwitz Memorial Twitter feed. When I visited that infamous German WWII concentration camp during the summer before our last presidential election, I had the overwhelming feeling that we were forgetting its terrible example — that we could fall into such evil again. With the recent violence in the streets, in homes, on television and even in human hearts, that’s become a familiar feeling.
The power of the Auschwitz Memorial’s social media presence is in the names and faces. At least 6 million people died in the Holocaust. They were men, women and children. They had names and stories.
Holocaust Stories
A few examples from recent tweets:
“18 September 1942: A transport of 70 men arrived at #Auschwitz from Cracow: 67 Poles, 1 Roma, 1 Jew & 1 Ukrainian. Among them was Mieczyslaw Dziob (no. 64258). He escaped on 16 October. A year later he was captured, transferred back to the camp and shot on 28 September 1943.”
“18 September 1911: Polish Jewish woman Chana Lewin was born Biala Podlaska. She emigrated to France. In July 1942 she was deported from Drancy to #Auschwitz. She did not survive.”
“18 September 1932: French Jewish girl Rosa Farber was born in Paris. On her 10th birthday she was deported from #Drancy to #Auschwitz. She was murdered in a gas chamber …”
Every now and again, you get a surprise — someone who made it out of hell alive: “18 September 1915: Pole Stanislaw Zygula was born in Skopanie. A land surveyor. He was deported to #Auschwitz from Tarnow on 14 June 1940 in the first transport of Poles to the camp … On 18 October 1944 he escaped. He survived the war.”
Do take a look at the Twitter account, at @AuschwitzMuseum, so you can look at the faces of the dead and better take in the scope of the tragedy.
Consumed With Death
Here in the United States, we have been consumed with death because of COVID-19. The pandemic has been horrible, especially so as people have died of coronavirus because of bad government decisions, at both the state and federal level. In my home state of New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has abandoned elderly people in nursing homes to the ravages of the disease. The pandemic has proven that for many people in the United States, some peoples’ lives matter less than others.
Nearing the half-century mark on Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that cleared the way for legal abortion, it’s clear that unborn lives don’t matter in our law. There has been some chipping away at that total abortion license, but there are miles to go if we are going to truly protect the vulnerable.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
It was around this time last year when I unexpectedly saw a young woman leave a Planned Parenthood after having had an abortion. She looked hollow. She looked like life had been sucked out of her. Because it had been. We should be protecting her from having to do that. Abortion has done such damage in America. Misery overflows onto the streets from it.
Every Single Life Matters
The Washington Post had a report in recent days with the headline: “Pandemic isolation has killed thousands of Alzheimer’s patients while families watch from afar.” The extreme isolation is having an impact that I don’t know if we will ever be able to fully comprehend. How many of us, even in the best of circumstances, have struggled in ways we would have never anticipated? Now consider people with chronic conditions, people who are prone to depression, people who are alone. The list goes on. I keep hearing about suicides. Please, please, please, know you are loved.
Start looking at names and faces — insist on names and faces. Do not forget, or it will happen again. Every single human life matters, and is a precious jewel. It’s when we don’t communicate this in our laws and eyes and words and actions — and social media — then we get ourselves into a dark place of death again.
Kathryn Jean Lopez is senior fellow at the National Review Institute, editor-at-large of National Review magazine and author of the new book A Year With the Mystics: Visionary Wisdom for Daily Living. She is also chair of Cardinal Dolan’s pro-life commission in New York. She can be contacted at [email protected].