thestream--2020-06-11--Understanding the ‘Historic’ Anti-Lynching Bill — And Efforts to Amend It

In the wake of protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd , U.S. lawmakers are grappling with potential policing reforms .
One key policy has been adopted into both Republican and Democratic proposals : the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act , which would make lynching a federal crime .
“ There have been many attempts to pass a federal lynching bill , ” said Mat Staver , founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel .
“ It ’ s historic to have a lynching bill that has come this far and is potentially on the verge of passing.
” Last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are black — Cory Booker , Kamala Harris , and Tim Scott — jointly introduced an anti-lynching bill .
That bill passed in the Senate last February .
On February 26 , 2020 , a version of that bill passed in the U.S. House .
More than 4,400 African American men , women , and children were lynched by white mobs between 1877 and 1950 .
Nearly 200 past attempts to criminalize lynching have failed in Congress , according to the bill ’ s current text .
With such difficult history as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the bill have been met with swift public backlash .
Two prominent libertarian House members have been roundly criticized for their votes against it .
More recently , Senator Rand Paul , R.-Ky. , has as well .
On June 4 , Paul ’ s amendment to the bill failed in a dramatic Senate floor showdown .
“ Senator Paul indicated that he wanted to strengthen the lynching bill rather than oppose it , ” said Staver .
“ His views have been misrepresented by the media , just like Liberty Counsel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he added .
“ We need to make sure [ this bill ] actually has teeth and that it applies to everyone.
” Standing Up for the Rights of All “ Judeo-Christian principles hold that all people are created in the image of God , ” said Staver .
“ We begin with that , and we have to build upon that .
All people are entitled to dignity and respect.
” The anti-lynching bill is named after Emmett Till , a 14-year-old black boy lynched by two white men in Mississippi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of threatening a white woman .
Over 50 years later , she admitted her story had been fabricated .
Till ’ s mother chose to give her son an open-casket funeral , and media published images of his unrecognizable body scarred by violence .
This horrifically tragic story became a civil-rights rallying cry .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Since its opening in 2016 , the National Museum of African American History and Culture has placed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in .
Echoing many Christian leaders today , Staver believes such events must not be forgotten .
“ This anti-lynching bill arose out of difficult , painful history , ” he said .
“ Certainly , ethnic discrimination continues to exist .
In [ addition ] to legal changes , our nation needs a cultural shift and cultural education.
” Last year , Staver ’ s group Liberty Counsel , a public interest legal firm based near Orlando , Fla. , opposed a radically different version of the anti-lynching bill .
“ When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill , it only applied to certain categories , ” he said .
“ That ’ s the reason Liberty Counsel opposed it.
” Earlier this week , Senator Rand Paul wrote a detailed response after his hometown newspaper misreported what occurred with the current bill on the Senate floor .
“ Not only did I not ‘ block ’ the bill [ as reported ] , ” stated Paul .
“ I actually sought the Senate ’ s immediate consideration and passage of the Emmett Till Anti-lynching Act with an amendment.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought a high degree of specificity in the proposed law .
He repeated concerns from his libertarian House colleagues , who voted against the bill .
“ Prosecutors already have enough blank checks , ” stated Paul .
“ I do not intend on giving them another one.
” Staver views the media mobbing of Paul as a repeat of what his group faced last year .
“ Liberty Counsel is opposed to lynching , period , ” he said .
“ The media claimed we wanted to remove LGBT [ identified persons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them protection from lynching .
It was preposterous , but they still ran with that narrative.
” He warned that poorly written legislation could veer close to legislating ‘ thought crimes , ’ which he views as a dangerous precedent .
“ The absurdity of the original bill was that you could lynch certain people , ” said Staver .
“ And , if they didn ’ t fall in a certain category , it wouldn ’ t be a federal crime .
If somebody is going to lynch you , how can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — no matter what your motivation is.
” Liberty Counsel has not taken a position on the current bill , which does not list protected categories .
“ When this bill came back again this year , NBC News ran with that same narrative , ” he said .
“ Despite the fact that we contacted them , they wouldn ’ t change their news story.
” Current protests are not the only framework for advocacy on the anti-lynching bill .
The First Step Act , passed in the closing days of 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people having their sentences reduced .
“ We made some historic strides with regards to the criminal justice reform bill that was passed within the last year and a half , ” said Staver .
“ And there ’ s always more that can be done.
” Paul supported the bill , which reflected principles of restorative justice .
“ For too long , Congress ignored the impact of our system ’ s harsh penalties , ” he stated .
“ [ They ] turned a blind eye as mandatory minimum sentences led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incarceration.
” Studies have shown that ethnic minorities , particularly black men , are disproportionately incarcerated .
Addressing this issue has found cultural resonance in the current moment .
“ We passed the First Step Act to begin to fix some of the racial disparities in criminal justice , ” stated Paul .
His colleague Senator Tim Scott is currently leading the GOP effort to draft policing reforms .
In recent weeks , people of faith have taken action to right injustice .
Some have participated in protests , some have led prayer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions on difficult issues .
Staver urges believers to take an active stance .
“ The church has a lot to say about justice , ” he said .
“ We need to see it from God ’ s perspective , that he created each one of us as unique and precious in his sight.
” A graduate of the University of Colorado , Josh M. Shepherd covers culture , faith , and public policy issues for media outlets including The Stream and The Federalist .
Find him on Twitter and follow The @ @ @ @

In the wake of protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd, U.S. lawmakers are grappling with potential policing reforms.
One key policy has been adopted into both Republican and Democratic proposals: the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act, which would make lynching a federal crime.
“There have been many attempts to pass a federal lynching bill,” said Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “It’s historic to have a lynching bill that has come this far and is potentially on the verge of passing.”
Last year, the three current U.S. Senators who are black — Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, and Tim Scott — jointly introduced an anti-lynching bill. That bill passed in the Senate last February. On February 26, 2020, a version of that bill passed in the U.S. House.
More than 4,400 African American men, women, and children were lynched by white mobs between 1877 and 1950. Nearly 200 past attempts to criminalize lynching have failed in Congress, according to the bill’s current text.
With such difficult history as its backdrop, any objections or amendments to the bill have been met with swift public backlash. Two prominent libertarian House members have been roundly criticized for their votes against it. More recently, Senator Rand Paul, R.-Ky., has as well.
On June 4, Paul’s amendment to the bill failed in a dramatic Senate floor showdown. “Senator Paul indicated that he wanted to strengthen the lynching bill rather than oppose it,” said Staver.
“His views have been misrepresented by the media, just like Liberty Counsel’s position was last year,” he added. “We need to make sure [this bill] actually has teeth and that it applies to everyone.”
Standing Up for the Rights of All
“Judeo-Christian principles hold that all people are created in the image of God,” said Staver. “We begin with that, and we have to build upon that. All people are entitled to dignity and respect.”
The anti-lynching bill is named after Emmett Till, a 14-year-old black boy lynched by two white men in Mississippi in 1955. Till had been accused of threatening a white woman. Over 50 years later, she admitted her story had been fabricated.
Till’s mother chose to give her son an open-casket funeral, and media published images of his unrecognizable body scarred by violence. This horrifically tragic story became a civil-rights rallying cry.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Since its opening in 2016, the National Museum of African American History and Culture has placed on display the casket Till had lain in.
Echoing many Christian leaders today, Staver believes such events must not be forgotten. “This anti-lynching bill arose out of difficult, painful history,” he said. “Certainly, ethnic discrimination continues to exist. In [addition] to legal changes, our nation needs a cultural shift and cultural education.”
Last year, Staver’s group Liberty Counsel, a public interest legal firm based near Orlando, Fla., opposed a radically different version of the anti-lynching bill.
“When you actually read the original federal lynching bill, it only applied to certain categories,” he said. “That’s the reason Liberty Counsel opposed it.”
Mainstream Media Misinterprets Minor Objections
Earlier this week, Senator Rand Paul wrote a detailed response after his hometown newspaper misreported what occurred with the current bill on the Senate floor.
“Not only did I not ‘block’ the bill [as reported],” stated Paul. “I actually sought the Senate’s immediate consideration and passage of the Emmett Till Anti-lynching Act with an amendment.”
As clear from his amendment, Paul sought a high degree of specificity in the proposed law. He repeated concerns from his libertarian House colleagues, who voted against the bill. “Prosecutors already have enough blank checks,” stated Paul. “I do not intend on giving them another one.”
Staver views the media mobbing of Paul as a repeat of what his group faced last year.
“Liberty Counsel is opposed to lynching, period,” he said. “The media claimed we wanted to remove LGBT [identified persons] from the bill and not give them protection from lynching. It was preposterous, but they still ran with that narrative.”
He warned that poorly written legislation could veer close to legislating ‘thought crimes,’ which he views as a dangerous precedent.
“The absurdity of the original bill was that you could lynch certain people,” said Staver. “And, if they didn’t fall in a certain category, it wouldn’t be a federal crime. If somebody is going to lynch you, how can anybody argue that that’s right — no matter what your motivation is.”
Liberty Counsel has not taken a position on the current bill, which does not list protected categories.
“When this bill came back again this year, NBC News ran with that same narrative,” he said. “Despite the fact that we contacted them, they wouldn’t change their news story.”
Reforming Law, Transforming Culture
Current protests are not the only framework for advocacy on the anti-lynching bill. The First Step Act, passed in the closing days of 2018, has resulted in thousands of incarcerated people having their sentences reduced.
“We made some historic strides with regards to the criminal justice reform bill that passed, and there’s always more that can be done.” – Mat Staver
“We made some historic strides with regards to the criminal justice reform bill that was passed within the last year and a half,” said Staver. “And there’s always more that can be done.”
Paul supported the bill, which reflected principles of restorative justice. “For too long, Congress ignored the impact of our system’s harsh penalties,” he stated. “[They] turned a blind eye as mandatory minimum sentences led to the problem of over-criminalization and mass incarceration.”
Studies have shown that ethnic minorities, particularly black men, are disproportionately incarcerated. Addressing this issue has found cultural resonance in the current moment.
“We passed the First Step Act to begin to fix some of the racial disparities in criminal justice,” stated Paul. His colleague Senator Tim Scott is currently leading the GOP effort to draft policing reforms.
In recent weeks, people of faith have taken action to right injustice. Some have participated in protests, some have led prayer gatherings, and others have engaged tough questions on difficult issues.
Staver urges believers to take an active stance. “The church has a lot to say about justice,” he said. “We need to see it from God’s perspective, that he created each one of us as unique and precious in his sight.”
A graduate of the University of Colorado, Josh M. Shepherd covers culture, faith, and public policy issues for media outlets including The Stream and The Federalist. Find him on Twitter and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.
/*


thestream--2020-06-11--Closing the Distance: Reading the Scriptures in Isolation

Have you been unable to go to church for months ?
Or are you just getting back into the swing of things after being cooped up at home during the quarantine ?
You ’ re far from alone , even though it may feel like it .
Many Christians all over the world have been , or are in , the same boat — wanting to go to church , Mass , small groups , and other church activities but forbidden to do so because of the pandemic .
It can feel very lonely .
I think many people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for much of this year .
But , in reality , we are far from alone .
If you have a Bible , you ’ ll find story after story of men , women , and families who suffered isolation and distance from the ones they loved .
Distance and Isolation in the Bible If you are one of those who feel distant from your friends and family during this challenging time , it ’ s not hard to understand why .
For months , we ’ ve endured limited social contact .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we ’ ve had to be aware of keeping the proper distance from other people .
This isn ’ t normal , yet it happened in the blink of an eye .
And all of us have been forced to adapt in one way or another .
Yet , amazingly , when we turn to the Scriptures , we find that distance and isolation are common themes in the history of salvation .
Abraham , hearing the voice of God , leaves his home and sets off in faithfulness to wherever God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desert after witnessing the terrible way the Egyptians treated his people .
The prophet Jeremiah is in anguish over the destruction of his country as his people are driven into exile .
Queen Esther sought isolation and prayer when the lives of her people were put at huge risk in her country .
And Jesus ’ own mission finds him isolated and alone on the cross at his death .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and isolation are no small parts of the history of salvation .
By recognizing these stories in the Bible and sharing them with our family , friends , and those around us , it lightens our burden just a little .
We aren ’ t the first ones in history to live through isolation .
Social distance can give the impression that we are all living in different worlds , perhaps only connected through video conferencing .
But that ’ s far from the truth .
The Body of Christ is always united @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bible gives us plenty of examples of this .
The early Church leaders were often scattered preaching the Word of God , yet they remained steadfast in their mission — writing letters to each other , sending messengers , and always praying .
God Was There Then and He is Here Now Even though reading the Bible and pondering the words of God is no substitute for Mass , social gatherings , or church activities , reading the Scriptures as a family helps us orient ourselves more closely to God ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing to recognize that so many other people have gone through challenges similar to what we face today .
Granted , Biblical times were long ago and things are different now , but it doesn ’ t take away the fact that God was there then and God is here now .
Have you considered that maybe distance and isolation are part of our own salvation journey , like they have been for so many holy men and women before us ?
Scriptures turn our attention to the God who is hidden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perceived absence .
But our stories don ’ t end there .
Scripture goes on to reveal a God who is always near and full of love for His people .
By reading the Bible with our loved ones , we can remind each other of that love and be examples of grace and love to one another .
The story of Jesus ’ redemptive love for his creation is so vast , so incomprehensible .
God sent His only Son to us , a fallen people , who for so long were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became human , closing that distance for a short time , and left us with the greatest story ever told , the greatest love of all .
If you are hurting and feeling alone during this tough time , crack open the Bible .
God closed the distance in Scripture in such incredible ways .
We can be reminded of his love for us and believe , in the hope that surpasses all understanding , that God will close the distance in our own lives .
Jon Stotts is the director of adult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Nashville and Catholic spokesperson for Catholic Bible Press .

Have you been unable to go to church for months? Or are you just getting back into the swing of things after being cooped up at home during the quarantine? You’re far from alone, even though it may feel like it. Many Christians all over the world have been, or are in, the same boat — wanting to go to church, Mass, small groups, and other church activities but forbidden to do so because of the pandemic. It can feel very lonely.
I think many people have felt isolated in one way or another for much of this year. But, in reality, we are far from alone. If you have a Bible, you’ll find story after story of men, women, and families who suffered isolation and distance from the ones they loved.
Distance and Isolation in the Bible
If you are one of those who feel distant from your friends and family during this challenging time, it’s not hard to understand why. For months, we’ve endured limited social contact. And when we could leave our homes, we’ve had to be aware of keeping the proper distance from other people. This isn’t normal, yet it happened in the blink of an eye. And all of us have been forced to adapt in one way or another. Yet, amazingly, when we turn to the Scriptures, we find that distance and isolation are common themes in the history of salvation.
Abraham, hearing the voice of God, leaves his home and sets off in faithfulness to wherever God leads him. Moses flees into the desert after witnessing the terrible way the Egyptians treated his people. The prophet Jeremiah is in anguish over the destruction of his country as his people are driven into exile. Queen Esther sought isolation and prayer when the lives of her people were put at huge risk in her country. And Jesus’ own mission finds him isolated and alone on the cross at his death.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Still think you’re alone? Distance and isolation are no small parts of the history of salvation. By recognizing these stories in the Bible and sharing them with our family, friends, and those around us, it lightens our burden just a little. We aren’t the first ones in history to live through isolation.
Social distance can give the impression that we are all living in different worlds, perhaps only connected through video conferencing. But that’s far from the truth. The Body of Christ is always united, always connected and working together — the Bible gives us plenty of examples of this. The early Church leaders were often scattered preaching the Word of God, yet they remained steadfast in their mission — writing letters to each other, sending messengers, and always praying.
God Was There Then and He is Here Now
Even though reading the Bible and pondering the words of God is no substitute for Mass, social gatherings, or church activities, reading the Scriptures as a family helps us orient ourselves more closely to God’s word. It’s no small thing to recognize that so many other people have gone through challenges similar to what we face today. Granted, Biblical times were long ago and things are different now, but it doesn’t take away the fact that God was there then and God is here now.
If you are hurting and feeling alone during this tough time, crack open the Bible. God closed the distance in Scripture in such incredible ways.
Have you considered that maybe distance and isolation are part of our own salvation journey, like they have been for so many holy men and women before us? Scriptures turn our attention to the God who is hidden, who saves us in the midst of perceived absence.
But our stories don’t end there. Scripture goes on to reveal a God who is always near and full of love for His people. By reading the Bible with our loved ones, we can remind each other of that love and be examples of grace and love to one another.
The story of Jesus’ redemptive love for his creation is so vast, so incomprehensible. God sent His only Son to us, a fallen people, who for so long were separated from the Lord. He physically became human, closing that distance for a short time, and left us with the greatest story ever told, the greatest love of all.
If you are hurting and feeling alone during this tough time, crack open the Bible. God closed the distance in Scripture in such incredible ways. We can be reminded of his love for us and believe, in the hope that surpasses all understanding, that God will close the distance in our own lives.
Jon Stotts is the director of adult formation for Christ the King Catholic Church in Nashville and Catholic spokesperson for Catholic Bible Press.


thestream--2020-06-11--Antifa Takes Over Six-Block Area of Seattle, Create Own ‘Autonomous Zone.’ Mayor and Governor Yawn

Antifa and other radical militants have sectioned off a six-block area of downtown Seattle , creating their own ‘ autonomous zone , ’ with armed guards and entry points .
They ’ ve even given it a name : The Capital Hill Autonomous Zone ( CHAZ ) .
And the officers of the East Precinct give them the streets , abandoning their station .
( And the businesses left hostage . )
Seattle ’ s mayor yawns .
Washington ’ s governor insists he doesn ’ t know anything about it .
But they sure are upset President Trump is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secessionist movement , ” as Seattle ’ s City Journal dubbed it after a week of “ pitched battle ” with Seattle police officers and National Guard soldiers .
Police had set up a barricade around the Seattle Police East Precinct .
Let the local reporter Christopher F. Rufo describe what happened next : Hoping to break through the barricade , protesters attacked officers with bricks , bottles , rocks , and improvised explosive devices , sending some officers to the hospital .
At the same time , activists circulated videos of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , demanding that the city cease using teargas and other anti-riot techniques .
Then , in a stunning turn of events , the City of Seattle made the decision to abandon the East Precinct and surrender the neighborhood to the protesters .
“ This is an exercise in trust and de-escalation , ” explained Chief Carmen Best .
Officers and National Guardsmen emptied out the facility , boarded it up , and retreated .
Immediately afterward , Black Lives Matter protesters , Antifa black shirts , and armed members of the hard-Left John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhood , moved the barricades into a defensive position , and declared it the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone — even putting up a cardboard sign at the barricades declaring “ you are now leaving the USA.
” When asked Wednesday about radicals taking over part of his state ’ s largest city , Washington Gov .
Jay Insee denied knowing a thing about it .
“ Well that ’ s news to me so I ’ ll have to reserve any comment about that , ” Inslee said , with all the sincerity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have not heard anything about that , from any credible source .
Not that you ’ re not credible , just before I espouse an opinion I should know of which I speak.
” As Brandi Kruse noted .
It had been in the news for a full 24 hours .
Seattle ’ s Mayor Jenny Durkan was busy .
On Tuesday , protesters stormed city hall .
And the first thing they did was demand Kurkan resign if she didn ’ t defund the city ’ s police department .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500 from the businesses in the CHAZ .
But with a chunk of her city barricaded like East Berlin , Durkan ’ s response Wednesday was to tweet about police body cameras .
You can guess President Trump ’ s reaction .
He ’ s furious at violent militants declaring part of a major U.S. city their own while local officials twiddling their thumbs .
He tweeted “ Take back your city NOW .
If you don ’ t do it , I will.
” Oh , that got a reaction .
Durkan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe .
Go back to your bunker.
” ( Trump ’ s actually heading to Dallas for a roundtable on actually solving the problem of racial equality and police reform . )
Inslee tweeted , “ A man who is totally incapable of governing should stay out of Washington state ’ s business .
‘ Stoop ’ tweeting.
” So to understand : Insurrection , ignore .
Tweets from Orange Man , attack !
Michael Sloan , president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild , says the city leadership has “ lost all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of law.
” He told Laura Ingraham Wednesday night , “ There is an unreasonable activist trench that is , unfortunately , stealing the peaceful protest message for justice for George Floyd.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Let ’ s stop here to take a quick look at what 18 U.S. Code § 2383 says about “ Rebellion or Insurrection ” : “ Whoever incites , sets on foot , assists , or engages in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the United States or the laws thereof , or gives aid or comfort thereto , shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years , or both ; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
” The radicals who have taken siege of Seattle aren ’ t just in it for the coffee .
They ’ ve got demands beyond abolishing the Seattle Police Department .
Yes , abolish .
That ’ s at the top of their list , for those of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means “ Reform the police.
” They ’ ve listed 30 .
It ’ s said to be from the “ collective black voices.
” ( Though the unhinged white guy screaming at a Fox News reporter doing a live report “ Who do you work for ?
!
Who do you work for ?
” is one indication that rage , not race is the real voice behind it . )
Here ’ s some of the greatest hits : “ We demand ( italics theirs ) a retrial of all People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a violent crime , by a jury of their peers in the community.
” “ We demand the abolition of imprisonment , generally speaking , but especially the abolition of both youth prisons and privately-owned , for-profit prisons.
” “ We demand autonomy be given to the people to create localized anti-crime systems.
” ( Our Translation : We will create our own armed force to deal with citizens who do not bow to our demands .
Do you know what we call chopping the heads off statues ?
Training.
” ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the abolition of the SPD that Seattle Police be prohibited from performing “ homeless sweeps ” that displace and disturb our homeless neighbors , and on equal footing we demand an end to all evictions.
” ( We mention this because on Wednesday , one of the CHAZ occupiers tweeted out the need for food because the homeless they invited in stole all their food . )
“ We demand the hospitals and care facilities of Seattle employ black doctors and nurses specifically to help care for black patients.
” Yes .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well tear down Martin Luther King ’ s statue because it might topple over from shock all on its own .
And on and on .
Less ominous , but highly ironic .
They are also suggesting Seattle residents support black owned businesses .
I ’ d take this a lot more seriously if these same radicals and those they encouraged hadn ’ t destroyed so many black owned businesses around the country .
Seattle Police Department says they want to get officers back to work inside the East Precinct .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with other city agencies are working to identify and engage with protester leadership to move towards resuming operations at the facility.
” Assistant Chief Dianna Nollette told the station she wants to come to an agreement with protesters so officers can return to the precinct because service has cut back .
Perhaps Nollette should read the manifesto .
A great percentage of the demands from the armed thugs controlling the area around East Precinct building assume the end of the SPD .
Besides how often in history does “ May we please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work ?
Nollette added , “ Right now , we are on priority calls only which means people citywide who need a police response are not receiving it .
That to us is just not acceptable.
” Not to police , perhaps .
But apparently , it ’ s just fine with the liberal politicians controlling the city and state .
God help the good citizens of Seattle .
Meanwhile , Portland radicals are already trying to set up their own “ autonomous zone.
” Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration .
You can follow him at @ StreamingAl .
And if you aren ’ t already , please follow The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

Antifa and other radical militants have sectioned off a six-block area of downtown Seattle, creating their own ‘autonomous zone,’ with armed guards and entry points. They’ve even given it a name: The Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ).
And the officers of the East Precinct give them the streets, abandoning their station. (And the businesses left hostage.) Seattle’s mayor yawns. Washington’s governor insists he doesn’t know anything about it.
But they sure are upset President Trump is tweeting about it.
Anarchists Given Control
The “hard-Left secessionist movement,” as Seattle’s City Journal dubbed it after a week of “pitched battle” with Seattle police officers and National Guard soldiers. Police had set up a barricade around the Seattle Police East Precinct. Let the local reporter Christopher F. Rufo describe what happened next:
Hoping to break through the barricade, protesters attacked officers with bricks, bottles, rocks, and improvised explosive devices, sending some officers to the hospital. At the same time, activists circulated videos of the conflict and accused the police of brutality, demanding that the city cease using teargas and other anti-riot techniques. Then, in a stunning turn of events, the City of Seattle made the decision to abandon the East Precinct and surrender the neighborhood to the protesters. “This is an exercise in trust and de-escalation,” explained Chief Carmen Best. Officers and National Guardsmen emptied out the facility, boarded it up, and retreated. Immediately afterward, Black Lives Matter protesters, Antifa black shirts, and armed members of the hard-Left John Brown Gun Club seized control of the neighborhood, moved the barricades into a defensive position, and declared it the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone — even putting up a cardboard sign at the barricades declaring “you are now leaving the USA.”
When asked Wednesday about radicals taking over part of his state’s largest city, Washington Gov. Jay Insee denied knowing a thing about it.
“Well that’s news to me so I’ll have to reserve any comment about that,” Inslee said, with all the sincerity of a snake oil salesman. “I have not heard anything about that, from any credible source. Not that you’re not credible, just before I espouse an opinion I should know of which I speak.” As Brandi Kruse noted. It had been in the news for a full 24 hours.
Speechless. Washington @GovInslee claims he’s unaware that protesters have taken over nearly 6 city blocks in Seattle and dubbed it an autonomous zone, rendering an entire @SeattlePD precinct useless. It’s been trending nationwide on Twitter. It’s been more than 24 hours. https://t.co/BhpwXlCbEH — Brandi Kruse (@BrandiKruse) June 11, 2020
Seattle’s Mayor Jenny Durkan was busy. On Tuesday, protesters stormed city hall. And the first thing they did was demand Kurkan resign if she didn’t defund the city’s police department. There are reports the leftists are extorting $500 from the businesses in the CHAZ. But with a chunk of her city barricaded like East Berlin, Durkan’s response Wednesday was to tweet about police body cameras.
You can guess President Trump’s reaction. He’s furious at violent militants declaring part of a major U.S. city their own while local officials twiddling their thumbs. He tweeted “Take back your city NOW. If you don’t do it, I will.”
Radical Left Governor @JayInslee and the Mayor of Seattle are being taunted and played at a level that our great Country has never seen before. Take back your city NOW. If you don’t do it, I will. This is not a game. These ugly Anarchists must be stooped IMMEDIATELY. MOVE FAST! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 11, 2020
Oh, that got a reaction. Durkan told Trump to “Make us all safe. Go back to your bunker.” (Trump’s actually heading to Dallas for a roundtable on actually solving the problem of racial equality and police reform.) Inslee tweeted, “A man who is totally incapable of governing should stay out of Washington state’s business. ‘Stoop’ tweeting.”
So to understand: Insurrection, ignore. Tweets from Orange Man, attack!
Michael Sloan, president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, says the city leadership has “lost all the political will to enforce the rule of law.” He told Laura Ingraham Wednesday night, “There is an unreasonable activist trench that is, unfortunately, stealing the peaceful protest message for justice for George Floyd.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Let’s stop here to take a quick look at what 18 U.S. Code § 2383 says about “Rebellion or Insurrection”: “Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.”
The 30 Demands
The radicals who have taken siege of Seattle aren’t just in it for the coffee. They’ve got demands beyond abolishing the Seattle Police Department. Yes, abolish. That’s at the top of their list, for those of you insisting “Defund the police” means “Reform the police.” They’ve listed 30. It’s said to be from the “collective black voices.” (Though the unhinged white guy screaming at a Fox News reporter doing a live report “Who do you work for?! Who do you work for?” is one indication that rage, not race is the real voice behind it.)
Here’s some of the greatest hits:
“We demand (italics theirs) a retrial of all People in Color currently serving a prison sentence for a violent crime, by a jury of their peers in the community.” “We demand the abolition of imprisonment, generally speaking, but especially the abolition of both youth prisons and privately-owned, for-profit prisons.” “We demand autonomy be given to the people to create localized anti-crime systems.” (Our Translation: We will create our own armed force to deal with citizens who do not bow to our demands. Do you know what we call chopping the heads off statues? Training.”) “We demand that between now and the abolition of the SPD that Seattle Police be prohibited from performing “homeless sweeps” that displace and disturb our homeless neighbors, and on equal footing we demand an end to all evictions.” (We mention this because on Wednesday, one of the CHAZ occupiers tweeted out the need for food because the homeless they invited in stole all their food.) “We demand the hospitals and care facilities of Seattle employ black doctors and nurses specifically to help care for black patients.” Yes. They are calling for segregation. They might as well tear down Martin Luther King’s statue because it might topple over from shock all on its own.
And on and on.
Less ominous, but highly ironic. They are also suggesting Seattle residents support black owned businesses. I’d take this a lot more seriously if these same radicals and those they encouraged hadn’t destroyed so many black owned businesses around the country.
What Next?
Seattle Police Department says they want to get officers back to work inside the East Precinct. According to Q13 Fox, SPD, “along with other city agencies are working to identify and engage with protester leadership to move towards resuming operations at the facility.” Assistant Chief Dianna Nollette told the station she wants to come to an agreement with protesters so officers can return to the precinct because service has cut back.
Perhaps Nollette should read the manifesto. A great percentage of the demands from the armed thugs controlling the area around East Precinct building assume the end of the SPD. Besides how often in history does “May we please have our police station back?” work?
Nollette added, “Right now, we are on priority calls only which means people citywide who need a police response are not receiving it. That to us is just not acceptable.”
Not to police, perhaps. But apparently, it’s just fine with the liberal politicians controlling the city and state. God help the good citizens of Seattle.
Meanwhile, Portland radicals are already trying to set up their own “autonomous zone.”
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author, with @JZmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl. And if you aren’t already, please follow The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-06-11--Systemic Racism and Other Conspiracy Theories

When you ’ re in the middle of a witch hunt , what ’ s the Christian thing to do ?
Or even the simply decent thing ?
It ’ s to side with the accused .
That ’ s because you know that most of them got put in the dock falsely , because of a contagious social hysteria .
Better to let off one or two wrongdoers than see dozens of innocents hanged .
Does that mean you think witchcraft is good ?
Or that no one has ever practiced it ?
That the devil doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religion is balderdash ?
No , but that ’ s what people will say about you .
Or else they ’ ll accuse you of being a secret witch yourself .
“ Why else are you defending witches ?
” they ’ ll demand .
Just as people will call you a racist now , if you stand against the rioters , and the “ peaceful demonstrators ” who give them political cover .
Some zealots really believed a widespread witch conspiracy afflicted Salem , Massachusetts .
Or 17th century Europe .
Others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gain money or power .
Or avenge themselves on their enemies .
Many others were simply part of a whipped-up mob , seeking scapegoats for their problems , or cheap absolution from sin .
So they flung accusations wildly , got thousands of innocents burned .
They turned small , peaceful towns into hellish circles of mutual accusation , suspicion , and hatred .
And they discredited Christianity itself to many in future generations .
That ’ s what we risk doing with the current moral panic over “ systematic racism.
” At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christian ethics in favor of this post-Christian heresy that calls itself “ Anti-Racism ” or “ Intersectionalism.
” It ’ s not that systemic racism doesn ’ t exist .
It does , but not in America , or any Western country since the end of Apartheid in South Africa .
No legal codes in any white country codify racial inequality .
In fact , most bend over backwards , and twist into knots any notion of equity or freedom , to police the private conduct of individuals against racism .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone should ask for from the state .
Why Do You Want This for Black Kids ?
Systemic racism existed in America , until 1964 .
Then our laws changed as they needed to , to restore equal treatment and voting rights .
That was enough .
In fact , the Great Society programs the Democrats created to atone for their own party ’ s racist past made life far worse for countless poor Americans , disproportionately non-whites .
Suddenly tens of millions were subsidized to have illegitimate children and become wards of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d want for your own kids ?
Then why would you want it for black kids ?
Ask Democrats that , if you like to listen to crickets .
No , we haven ’ t achieved equal economic outcomes for every American of any race .
That ’ s not how the real world works .
People who see disparate outcomes as proof of “ endemic racism ” are indulging in a conspiracy theory .
There are countless , complex reasons why Asians and Jews do better economically than most whites or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse than others .
It ’ s none of the government ’ s business to speculate , tinker , or try to drag one group down .
It ’ s the government ’ s job to treat people equally , and crack down on behavior whose motives are demonstrably discriminatory .
Not to police every aspect of each economic contract or government policy for “ disparate impact.
” That ’ s imputing guilt to people without any proof , and it just as easily leads to vicious policies ( or angry activists ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to anything helpful to less fortunate citizens .
It means embracing division , and stoking group hatred .
Yes , members of a majority group have certain real-world advantages , even without government discrimination .
That ’ s true in black , yellow , and brown countries as well as white .
It ’ s part of living in a fallen world .
As Christians we should try to offer special opportunities to the needy , out of our own treasure and toil — not by rigging the government to treat people unequally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the sins of the dead .
There is no evidence , whatsoever , that police departments nationwide brutalize black defendants more than white ones .
In fact , there ’ s abundant evidence to the contrary .
Nor is there any reason to think abolishing or slashing police forces help black people in crime-ridden cities .
Or that black people want to see cops vanish from their neighborhoods .
In fact , most want the opposite .
The Witch Hunters Are in Charge But the witch-hunters have captured the narrative , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Organized Marxist thugs have seized actual sovereignty , control on the ground , of whole neighborhoods — like foreign troops holding American soil .
Worst of all , because its impact is more profound , the lie of “ systemic racism ” has goaded countless institutions to yield to the unhinged demands of groups like Black Lives Matter , which want to abolish private property and the family .
Is that what black American Christians want ?
Don ’ t most of their problems arise from … family structures shattered after the Sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise economically ?
The witch-hunters don ’ t care what real black people want .
They think they know better .
But that claim isn ’ t racist of course , now is it ?
If we were to judge the left ’ s policies and priorities by “ disparate impact , ” what would we find ?
• The Sexual Revolution destroyed the family , hurting poor people and black people worse than those who are rich and white .
• Mass immigration undermined the wages of native-born Americans trying to climb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the drug culture devastated non-white communities worse than white ones .
Should we attribute all these evils to a racist conspiracy on the left ?
It might seem politically clever , but that wouldn ’ t really be fair .
Leftists didn ’ t foist these crusades on the West specifically to harm the non-white and the poor .
They just didn ’ t care what would actually happen to the most vulnerable , as long as they could wield power and pursue their private fantasies .
No more than blue state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nursing homes would kill thousands of helpless old people .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
That ’ s because progressives don ’ t feel bound by the laws of reality in a world that God made a certain way .
They feel the absolute right to remake the world as they wish it could be , using government force .
And if you try to resist them , they think they ’ re you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the crackpot , sophomoric worldview that the U.S. Supreme Court adopted in Planned Parenthood v. Casey .
Now it ’ s presenting its butcher ’ s bill , not just in America ’ s wombs , but in her streets .
No , I won ’ t take a knee to a Marxist cult like Black Lives Matter .
Nor will I cringe and confess that I ’ m part of its conspiratorial fantasy .
Nor should any patriotic American , much less a Christian .
Instead , I have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

When you’re in the middle of a witch hunt, what’s the Christian thing to do? Or even the simply decent thing? It’s to side with the accused. That’s because you know that most of them got put in the dock falsely, because of a contagious social hysteria. Better to let off one or two wrongdoers than see dozens of innocents hanged.
Does that mean you think witchcraft is good? Or that no one has ever practiced it? That the devil doesn’t exist, nor God, and all religion is balderdash?
“Why Are You Defending Witches?”
No, but that’s what people will say about you. Or else they’ll accuse you of being a secret witch yourself. “Why else are you defending witches?” they’ll demand. Just as people will call you a racist now, if you stand against the rioters, and the “peaceful demonstrators” who give them political cover.
Systemic Witchcraft
Some zealots really believed a widespread witch conspiracy afflicted Salem, Massachusetts. Or 17th century Europe. Others saw the witch-craze as a chance to gain money or power. Or avenge themselves on their enemies. Many others were simply part of a whipped-up mob, seeking scapegoats for their problems, or cheap absolution from sin.
So they flung accusations wildly, got thousands of innocents burned. They turned small, peaceful towns into hellish circles of mutual accusation, suspicion, and hatred. And they discredited Christianity itself to many in future generations.
Leftists didn’t foist destructive ideas on the West specifically to harm the non-white and the poor. They just didn’t care what would actually happen, as long as they could wield power and pursue their private fantasies
That’s what we risk doing with the current moral panic over “systematic racism.” At least if we agree to abandon real Christian ethics in favor of this post-Christian heresy that calls itself “Anti-Racism” or “Intersectionalism.”
It’s not that systemic racism doesn’t exist. It does, but not in America, or any Western country since the end of Apartheid in South Africa. No legal codes in any white country codify racial inequality. In fact, most bend over backwards, and twist into knots any notion of equity or freedom, to police the private conduct of individuals against racism. That’s enough. That’s all anyone should ask for from the state.
Why Do You Want This for Black Kids?
Systemic racism existed in America, until 1964. Then our laws changed as they needed to, to restore equal treatment and voting rights. That was enough. In fact, the Great Society programs the Democrats created to atone for their own party’s racist past made life far worse for countless poor Americans, disproportionately non-whites. Suddenly tens of millions were subsidized to have illegitimate children and become wards of the government. Is that what you’d want for your own kids? Then why would you want it for black kids? Ask Democrats that, if you like to listen to crickets.
No, we haven’t achieved equal economic outcomes for every American of any race. That’s not how the real world works. People who see disparate outcomes as proof of “endemic racism” are indulging in a conspiracy theory. There are countless, complex reasons why Asians and Jews do better economically than most whites or blacks. Or why some groups do worse than others.
It’s none of the government’s business to speculate, tinker, or try to drag one group down. It’s the government’s job to treat people equally, and crack down on behavior whose motives are demonstrably discriminatory. Not to police every aspect of each economic contract or government policy for “disparate impact.”
From “White Privilege” to “Jewish Privilege”
That’s imputing guilt to people without any proof, and it just as easily leads to vicious policies (or angry activists) targeting Jews or Asians as it does to anything helpful to less fortunate citizens. It means embracing division, and stoking group hatred.
Yes, members of a majority group have certain real-world advantages, even without government discrimination. That’s true in black, yellow, and brown countries as well as white. It’s part of living in a fallen world. As Christians we should try to offer special opportunities to the needy, out of our own treasure and toil — not by rigging the government to treat people unequally, and skewing the system to atone for the sins of the dead.
There is no evidence, whatsoever, that police departments nationwide brutalize black defendants more than white ones. In fact, there’s abundant evidence to the contrary. Nor is there any reason to think abolishing or slashing police forces help black people in crime-ridden cities. Or that black people want to see cops vanish from their neighborhoods. In fact, most want the opposite.
The Witch Hunters Are in Charge
But the witch-hunters have captured the narrative, and unleashed violence on major American cities. Organized Marxist thugs have seized actual sovereignty, control on the ground, of whole neighborhoods — like foreign troops holding American soil. Worst of all, because its impact is more profound, the lie of “systemic racism” has goaded countless institutions to yield to the unhinged demands of groups like Black Lives Matter, which want to abolish private property and the family.
Is that what black American Christians want? Don’t most of their problems arise from … family structures shattered after the Sexual Revolution, and not enough capital to rise economically? The witch-hunters don’t care what real black people want. They think they know better. But that claim isn’t racist of course, now is it?
The Racist Conspiracy of … Democrats?
If we were to judge the left’s policies and priorities by “disparate impact,” what would we find?
The Sexual Revolution destroyed the family, hurting poor people and black people worse than those who are rich and white.
Legal abortion disproportionately kills black and brown babies.
Mass immigration undermined the wages of native-born Americans trying to climb out of poverty.
Lax policing and the drug culture devastated non-white communities worse than white ones.
Should we attribute all these evils to a racist conspiracy on the left? It might seem politically clever, but that wouldn’t really be fair. Leftists didn’t foist these crusades on the West specifically to harm the non-white and the poor. They just didn’t care what would actually happen to the most vulnerable, as long as they could wield power and pursue their private fantasies. No more than blue state governors cared that dumping virus patients on nursing homes would kill thousands of helpless old people.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
That’s because progressives don’t feel bound by the laws of reality in a world that God made a certain way. They feel the absolute right to remake the world as they wish it could be, using government force. And if you try to resist them, they think they’re you’re restricting their precious “freedom.” That’s the crackpot, sophomoric worldview that the U.S. Supreme Court adopted in Planned Parenthood v. Casey.
Now it’s presenting its butcher’s bill, not just in America’s wombs, but in her streets.
Don’t Take a Knee
No, I won’t take a knee to a Marxist cult like Black Lives Matter. Nor will I cringe and confess that I’m part of its conspiratorial fantasy. Nor should any patriotic American, much less a Christian. Instead, I have a suggestion:
Here’s a slogan I can get behind: “Black Lives Are Sacred, Born & Unborn.” Simple and true, with enough garlic to repel all the Moloch-worshiping vampires of the left. — John Zmirak (@JZmirak) June 10, 2020
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream, and author or co-author of ten books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism.


thestream--2020-06-11--Read This Open Letter to the President

Read This Open Letter to the President

Please read this open letter to President Trump from Carlo Maria Viganò , a former ambassador to the U.S. from the Vatican .
To me , it sounds in so many ways like a message from our heavenly Father — not only to the president , but to everyone with ears to hear .
It clearly emphasizes the truth about the spiritual battle in which we are engaged .
In the invisible spiritual realm , the principalities and powers of darkness have prevailed because the church gave them ground .
In America , we have been taking back that ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lies and the murder — has gone ballistic .
Please do not cut off a member of Christ ’ s body if you have some points of disagreement .
One of the last things the late Ravi Zacharias said to me while he still had enough strength to be heard was , “ The body of Christ must stop dividing over different points of view that have been discussed over the last 2,000 years .
We must find common ground to stand against the deceiver , and we don ’ t have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it.
” Ravi and I discussed many times the battle for the soul of the nation , and we must join hearts and hands so the gates of hell do not prevail against the witness of the church on our watch .
Please read this letter from this courageous , compassionate and very honest archbishop , who knows the Lord Jesus and loves Him very deeply .
In recent months we have been witnessing the formation of two opposing sides that I would call Biblical : the children of light and the children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitute the most conspicuous part of humanity , while the children of darkness represent an absolute minority .
And yet the former are the object of a sort of discrimination which places them in a situation of moral inferiority with respect to their adversaries , who often hold strategic positions in government , in politics , in the economy and in the media .
In an apparently inexplicable way , the good are held hostage by the wicked and by those who help them either out of self-interest or fearfulness .
These two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , follow the clear separation between the offspring of the Woman and the offspring of the Serpent .
On the one hand there are those who , although they have a thousand defects and weaknesses , are motivated by the desire to do good , to be honest , to raise a family , to engage in work , to give prosperity to their homeland , to help the needy , and , in obedience to the Law of God , to merit the Kingdom of Heaven .
On the other hand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who do not hold any moral principles , who want to demolish the family and the nation , exploit workers to make themselves unduly wealthy , foment internal divisions and wars , and accumulate power and money : for them the fallacious illusion of temporal well-being will one day – if they do not repent – yield to the terrible fate that awaits them , far from God , in eternal damnation .
In society , Mr. President , these two opposing realities co-exist as eternal enemies , just as God and Satan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the children of darkness – whom we may easily identify with the deep state which you wisely oppose and which is fiercely waging war against you in these days – have decided to show their cards , so to speak , by now revealing their plans .
They seem to be so certain of already having everything under control that they have laid aside that circumspection that until now had at least partially concealed their true intentions .
The investigations already under way will reveal the true responsibility of those who managed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area of health care but also in politics , the economy , and the media .
We will probably find that in this colossal operation of social engineering there are people who have decided the fate of humanity , arrogating to themselves the right to act against the will of citizens and their representatives in the governments of nations .
We will also discover that the riots in these days were provoked by those who , seeing that the virus is inevitably fading and that the social alarm of the pandemic is waning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disturbances , because they would be followed by repression which , although legitimate , could be condemned as an unjustified aggression against the population .
The same thing is also happening in Europe , in perfect synchrony .
It is quite clear that the use of street protests is instrumental to the purposes of those who would like to see someone elected in the upcoming presidential elections who embodies the goals of the deep state and who expresses those goals faithfully and with conviction .
It will not be surprising if , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again that hidden behind these acts of vandalism and violence there are those who hope to profit from the dissolution of the social order so as to build a world without freedom : Solve et Coagula , as the Masonic adage teaches .
Although it may seem disconcerting , the opposing alignments I have described are also found in religious circles .
There are faithful Shepherds who care for the flock of Christ , but there are also mercenary infidels who seek to scatter the flock and hand the sheep over to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not surprising that these mercenaries are allies of the children of darkness and hate the children of light : just as there is a deep state , there is also a deep church that betrays its duties and forswears its proper commitments before God .
Thus the Invisible Enemy , whom good rulers fight against in public affairs , is also fought against by good shepherds in the ecclesiastical sphere .
It is a spiritual battle , which I spoke about in my recent Appeal which was published on May 8 .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has in you a President who courageously defends the right to life , who is not ashamed to denounce the persecution of Christians throughout the world , who speaks of Jesus Christ and the right of citizens to freedom of worship .
Your participation in the March for Life , and more recently your proclamation of the month of April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month , are actions that confirm which side you wish to fight on .
And I dare to believe that both of us are on the same side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapons .
For this reason , I believe that the attack to which you were subjected after your visit to the National Shrine of Saint John Paul II is part of the orchestrated media narrative which seeks not to fight racism and bring social order , but to aggravate dispositions ; not to bring justice , but to legitimize violence and crime ; not to serve the truth , but to favor one political faction .
And it is disconcerting that there are Bishops – such as those whom I recently denounced – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they are aligned on the opposing side .
They are subservient to the deep state , to globalism , to aligned thought , to the New World Order which they invoke ever more frequently in the name of a universal brotherhood which has nothing Christian about it , but which evokes the Masonic ideals of those want to dominate the world by driving God out of the courts , out of schools , out of families , and perhaps even out of churches .
The American people are mature and have now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not want to spread the truth but seeks to silence and distort it , spreading the lie that is useful for the purposes of their masters .
However , it is important that the good – who are the majority – wake up from their sluggishness and do not accept being deceived by a minority of dishonest people with unavowable purposes .
It is necessary that the good , the children of light , come together and make their voices heard .
What more effective way is there to do this , Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Lord to protect you , the United States , and all of humanity from this enormous attack of the Enemy ?
Before the power of prayer , the deceptions of the children of darkness will collapse , their plots will be revealed , their betrayal will be shown , their frightening power will end in nothing , brought to light and exposed for what it is : an infernal deception .
Mr. President , my prayer is constantly turned to the beloved American nation , where I had the privilege and honor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Apostolic Nuncio .
In this dramatic and decisive hour for all of humanity , I am praying for you and also for all those who are at your side in the government of the United States .
I trust that the American people are united with me and you in prayer to Almighty God .
United against the Invisible Enemy of all humanity , I bless you and the First Lady , the beloved American nation , and all men and women of good will .
+ Carlo Maria Viganò Titular Archbishop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States of America

Please read this open letter to President Trump from Carlo Maria Viganò, a former ambassador to the U.S. from the Vatican. To me, it sounds in so many ways like a message from our heavenly Father — not only to the president, but to everyone with ears to hear. It clearly emphasizes the truth about the spiritual battle in which we are engaged. In the invisible spiritual realm, the principalities and powers of darkness have prevailed because the church gave them ground. In America, we have been taking back that ground, and Satan — the father of lies and the murder — has gone ballistic. Please do not cut off a member of Christ’s body if you have some points of disagreement. One of the last things the late Ravi Zacharias said to me while he still had enough strength to be heard was, “The body of Christ must stop dividing over different points of view that have been discussed over the last 2,000 years. We must find common ground to stand against the deceiver, and we don’t have to compromise God’s Word to do it.” Ravi and I discussed many times the battle for the soul of the nation, and we must join hearts and hands so the gates of hell do not prevail against the witness of the church on our watch. Please read this letter from this courageous, compassionate and very honest archbishop, who knows the Lord Jesus and loves Him very deeply.
June 7, 2020
Holy Trinity Sunday
Mr. President,
In recent months we have been witnessing the formation of two opposing sides that I would call Biblical: the children of light and the children of darkness. The children of light constitute the most conspicuous part of humanity, while the children of darkness represent an absolute minority. And yet the former are the object of a sort of discrimination which places them in a situation of moral inferiority with respect to their adversaries, who often hold strategic positions in government, in politics, in the economy and in the media. In an apparently inexplicable way, the good are held hostage by the wicked and by those who help them either out of self-interest or fearfulness.
These two sides, which have a Biblical nature, follow the clear separation between the offspring of the Woman and the offspring of the Serpent. On the one hand there are those who, although they have a thousand defects and weaknesses, are motivated by the desire to do good, to be honest, to raise a family, to engage in work, to give prosperity to their homeland, to help the needy, and, in obedience to the Law of God, to merit the Kingdom of Heaven. On the other hand, there are those who serve themselves, who do not hold any moral principles, who want to demolish the family and the nation, exploit workers to make themselves unduly wealthy, foment internal divisions and wars, and accumulate power and money: for them the fallacious illusion of temporal well-being will one day – if they do not repent – yield to the terrible fate that awaits them, far from God, in eternal damnation.
In society, Mr. President, these two opposing realities co-exist as eternal enemies, just as God and Satan are eternal enemies. And it appears that the children of darkness – whom we may easily identify with the deep state which you wisely oppose and which is fiercely waging war against you in these days – have decided to show their cards, so to speak, by now revealing their plans. They seem to be so certain of already having everything under control that they have laid aside that circumspection that until now had at least partially concealed their true intentions. The investigations already under way will reveal the true responsibility of those who managed the Covid emergency not only in the area of health care but also in politics, the economy, and the media. We will probably find that in this colossal operation of social engineering there are people who have decided the fate of humanity, arrogating to themselves the right to act against the will of citizens and their representatives in the governments of nations.
We will also discover that the riots in these days were provoked by those who, seeing that the virus is inevitably fading and that the social alarm of the pandemic is waning, necessarily have had to provoke civil disturbances, because they would be followed by repression which, although legitimate, could be condemned as an unjustified aggression against the population. The same thing is also happening in Europe, in perfect synchrony. It is quite clear that the use of street protests is instrumental to the purposes of those who would like to see someone elected in the upcoming presidential elections who embodies the goals of the deep state and who expresses those goals faithfully and with conviction. It will not be surprising if, in a few months, we learn once again that hidden behind these acts of vandalism and violence there are those who hope to profit from the dissolution of the social order so as to build a world without freedom: Solve et Coagula, as the Masonic adage teaches.
Although it may seem disconcerting, the opposing alignments I have described are also found in religious circles. There are faithful Shepherds who care for the flock of Christ, but there are also mercenary infidels who seek to scatter the flock and hand the sheep over to be devoured by ravenous wolves. It is not surprising that these mercenaries are allies of the children of darkness and hate the children of light: just as there is a deep state, there is also a deep church that betrays its duties and forswears its proper commitments before God. Thus the Invisible Enemy, whom good rulers fight against in public affairs, is also fought against by good shepherds in the ecclesiastical sphere. It is a spiritual battle, which I spoke about in my recent Appeal which was published on May 8.
For the first time, the United States has in you a President who courageously defends the right to life, who is not ashamed to denounce the persecution of Christians throughout the world, who speaks of Jesus Christ and the right of citizens to freedom of worship. Your participation in the March for Life, and more recently your proclamation of the month of April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, are actions that confirm which side you wish to fight on. And I dare to believe that both of us are on the same side in this battle, albeit with different weapons.
For this reason, I believe that the attack to which you were subjected after your visit to the National Shrine of Saint John Paul II is part of the orchestrated media narrative which seeks not to fight racism and bring social order, but to aggravate dispositions; not to bring justice, but to legitimize violence and crime; not to serve the truth, but to favor one political faction. And it is disconcerting that there are Bishops – such as those whom I recently denounced – who, by their words, prove that they are aligned on the opposing side. They are subservient to the deep state, to globalism, to aligned thought, to the New World Order which they invoke ever more frequently in the name of a universal brotherhood which has nothing Christian about it, but which evokes the Masonic ideals of those want to dominate the world by driving God out of the courts, out of schools, out of families, and perhaps even out of churches.
The American people are mature and have now understood how much the mainstream media does not want to spread the truth but seeks to silence and distort it, spreading the lie that is useful for the purposes of their masters. However, it is important that the good – who are the majority – wake up from their sluggishness and do not accept being deceived by a minority of dishonest people with unavowable purposes. It is necessary that the good, the children of light, come together and make their voices heard. What more effective way is there to do this, Mr. President, than by prayer, asking the Lord to protect you, the United States, and all of humanity from this enormous attack of the Enemy? Before the power of prayer, the deceptions of the children of darkness will collapse, their plots will be revealed, their betrayal will be shown, their frightening power will end in nothing, brought to light and exposed for what it is: an infernal deception.
Mr. President, my prayer is constantly turned to the beloved American nation, where I had the privilege and honor of being sent by Pope Benedict XVI as Apostolic Nuncio. In this dramatic and decisive hour for all of humanity, I am praying for you and also for all those who are at your side in the government of the United States. I trust that the American people are united with me and you in prayer to Almighty God.
United against the Invisible Enemy of all humanity, I bless you and the First Lady, the beloved American nation, and all men and women of good will.
+ Carlo Maria Viganò
Titular Archbishop of Ulpiana
Former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America


thestream--2020-06-11--Our Nation Needs Jesus — But Jesus Calls Us to Action

When we look outside and see so much pain and turmoil , it ’ s hard to know how to respond .
We see pain and anger in the black community over centuries of dehumanization and discrimination .
We see good police officers , sympathetic to protestors and rightly angered about the abhorrent killing of George Floyd , vilified or attacked by people intent on instigating more violence .
We see people we love fighting , unfriending each other , or exposing things about themselves we wish we didn ’ t know .
Sometimes Christians , when we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to generic platitudes about how much we need God .
Our nation must turn to Jesus , we write on social media .
He ’ s the answer to all our problems !
Of course , nothing is truer .
Jesus is the ultimate answer .
Our nation desperately needs him .
The danger in offering that statement , however , is that we may not be prepared to follow it to its conclusion .
“ If Anyone Would Come After Me… ” “ Turning to Jesus ” is not a passive activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young ruler to sell all his possessions , and then come follow him ?
Perhaps God isn ’ t calling us to sell everything we own .
But he is calling us to wade into uncomfortable territory .
To make sacrifices .
To die to ourselves and do what he says .
To quote Jesus in Mark 8 , “ If anyone would come after me , let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
” The Bible has a lot to say about turning to God .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That doesn ’ t mean our behavior must change before God accepts us into his family .
What it does mean if that there is real inward change , there will be outward evidence .
“ Each tree is known by its own fruit , ” Jesus says in Luke 6 .
“ The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good , and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil , for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
” What about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious posturing ?
God has no use for it .
“ Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates , ” God says in Isaiah 1 .
“ Even though you make many prayers , I will not listen ; your hands are full of blood .
… Cease to do evil , learn to do good ; seek justice , correct oppression ; bring justice to the fatherless , plead the widow ’ s cause.
” And in James 1 , we ’ re reminded to “ be doers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , deceiving yourselves.
” ( Emphasis mine . )
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Acknowledging that our nation needs God and that we all must turn to Jesus is not just a good starting point — it ’ s the only real starting point .
But as Christians , we can ’ t stop there .
We must ask ourselves : are we actually living out God ’ s Word in our current circumstances ?
Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examine the circumstances .
George Floyd ’ s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer was the latest spark in what has become a national conversation about racism and injustice in our society .
How can we make sure we ’ re living out God ’ s Word at this moment in time ?
Keeping in mind biblical themes of love for others , seeking justice and correcting oppression , here are three ways .
Maybe you haven ’ t experienced racism firsthand .
Instead of denying the possibility that such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , humble yourself .
Listen to your brothers and sisters in Christ who claim otherwise .
If there are people in your life you can reach out to personally , do so .
Seek out authors , ministry leaders , and public figures whose experience may be different than your own .
Two great places to start are this article by Christian hip-hop artist Shai Linne at The Gospel Coalition , and Be the Bridge , an organization dedicated to biblical racial reconciliation .
We can ’ t be a unified body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and caring for each other properly , if we can ’ t even take the time to listen to and understand each other .
2 .
Confront Racism When You See It Obviously we should stand up to overt racism .
But it ’ s important to note that current generations understand “ racism ” as more than believing one ’ s own race is superior .
Today , a joke , phrase , or action may be called “ racist ” if it perpetuates harmful stereotypes , or is insensitive to certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our own , we should be willing to confront both types of racism when we see it , particularly in our own sphere of influence .
We can be thankful for the progress our nation has made toward racial equality , while acknowledging that problems persist .
There are multiple proposed law and policy changes being discussed right now .
Some sound extreme .
Some are extreme .
Some are things people across the political spectrum could get behind , if we really tried .
So let ’ s engage in a productive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and put in the work to achieve change where it ’ s needed .
In short , yes — our nation needs Jesus .
But with him , we can not be still or silent .
Liberty McArtor , former staff writer for The Stream , is a freelance writer in the great state of Texas , where she lives north of Dallas with her husband and son .
Follow Liberty on Twitter @ LibertyMcArtor , or learn more about her at LibertyMcArtor.com .

When we look outside and see so much pain and turmoil, it’s hard to know how to respond.
We see pain and anger in the black community over centuries of dehumanization and discrimination. We see good police officers, sympathetic to protestors and rightly angered about the abhorrent killing of George Floyd, vilified or attacked by people intent on instigating more violence. We see people we love fighting, unfriending each other, or exposing things about themselves we wish we didn’t know.
It’s overwhelming.
Sometimes Christians, when we’re unsure of what to say, resort to generic platitudes about how much we need God.
Our nation must turn to Jesus, we write on social media. He’s the answer to all our problems!
Of course, nothing is truer. Jesus is the ultimate answer. Our nation desperately needs him. The danger in offering that statement, however, is that we may not be prepared to follow it to its conclusion.
“If Anyone Would Come After Me…”
“Turning to Jesus” is not a passive activity. Remember how Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell all his possessions, and then come follow him? Perhaps God isn’t calling us to sell everything we own. But he is calling us to wade into uncomfortable territory. To make sacrifices. To die to ourselves and do what he says. To quote Jesus in Mark 8, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
The Bible has a lot to say about turning to God. It typically involves emphasis on changed behavior. That doesn’t mean our behavior must change before God accepts us into his family. What it does mean if that there is real inward change, there will be outward evidence.
“Each tree is known by its own fruit,” Jesus says in Luke 6. “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
If there is real inward change, there will be outward evidence.
What about our platitudes, good thoughts, and religious posturing? God has no use for it.
“Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates,” God says in Isaiah 1. “Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. … Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”
And in James 1, we’re reminded to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (Emphasis mine.)
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Acknowledging that our nation needs God and that we all must turn to Jesus is not just a good starting point — it’s the only real starting point. But as Christians, we can’t stop there. We must ask ourselves: are we actually living out God’s Word in our current circumstances?
Not Still, Not Silent
Let’s examine the circumstances. George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer was the latest spark in what has become a national conversation about racism and injustice in our society. How can we make sure we’re living out God’s Word at this moment in time? Keeping in mind biblical themes of love for others, seeking justice and correcting oppression, here are three ways.
1. Engage and Listen
Maybe you haven’t experienced racism firsthand. Instead of denying the possibility that such hatred and ignorance could persist in America today, humble yourself. Listen to your brothers and sisters in Christ who claim otherwise. If there are people in your life you can reach out to personally, do so. Seek out authors, ministry leaders, and public figures whose experience may be different than your own. Two great places to start are this article by Christian hip-hop artist Shai Linne at The Gospel Coalition, and Be the Bridge, an organization dedicated to biblical racial reconciliation. We can’t be a unified body, sharing each other’s burdens and caring for each other properly, if we can’t even take the time to listen to and understand each other.
2. Confront Racism When You See It
Obviously we should stand up to overt racism. But it’s important to note that current generations understand “racism” as more than believing one’s own race is superior. Today, a joke, phrase, or action may be called “racist” if it perpetuates harmful stereotypes, or is insensitive to certain groups. Keeping others’ interests before our own, we should be willing to confront both types of racism when we see it, particularly in our own sphere of influence.
3. Pursue Change at Local, State, and Federal Levels
We can be thankful for the progress our nation has made toward racial equality, while acknowledging that problems persist. There are multiple proposed law and policy changes being discussed right now. Some sound extreme. Some are extreme. Some are things people across the political spectrum could get behind, if we really tried. So let’s engage in a productive discourse. Let’s identify problems and put in the work to achieve change where it’s needed.
In short, yes — our nation needs Jesus. But with him, we cannot be still or silent.
Liberty McArtor, former staff writer for The Stream, is a freelance writer in the great state of Texas, where she lives north of Dallas with her husband and son. Follow Liberty on Twitter @LibertyMcArtor, or learn more about her at LibertyMcArtor.com.


thestream--2020-06-12--Isn’t Trump a Racist Because White Supremacists Support Him? No

Every time a white nationalist supports President Trump , Democrats declare him a racist .
Only a racist would get support from them , right ?
Is this true ?
Does it really tell us something about Trump ?
First , look at who crazy extremists support .
They like all kinds of political views and political leaders .
When Barack Obama first ran for president , Esquire asked four of the leading white supremacists in the country if they supported John McCain or Obama .
Tom Metzger ran the White Aryan Resistance and had been Grand Dragon of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He didn ’ t like McCain because he was a warmonger .
Whereas Obama “ is a racist and I have no problem with black racists.
” Erich Gliebe , chairman of the National Alliance , said “ Obama might be a better candidate for our cause because he ’ s racially conscious.
” He went on , “ I give Obama credit , he seems to have stuck to his guns as far as pulling the troops out of Iraq .
He ’ s a very intelligent man , an excellent speaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the American Nazi Party supported Obama .
Rocky Suhayda said McCain “ wants to fight endless wars around the globe to make the world safe for Judeo-capitalist exploitation.
” In contrast , “ we have a black man , who loves his own kind , belongs to a Black-Nationalist religion , is married to a black women .
When usually negroes who have ‘ made it ’ immediately land a white spouse as a kind of prize .
That ’ s the kind of negro that I can respect.
” We didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of radical racists supported him .
In fact , the rest of the mainstream media ignored the story .
They must not have thought the support meant anything .
So why denounce Trump for the exact same reason ?
Second , look at who does support the president .
The vast majority of Trump ’ s supporters are regular conservatives .
They ’ re not racist extremists .
So why not judge him based on those supporters ?
How can anyone justify labeling a man a racist because a handful of extremists claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s positions .
Trump has denounced white supremacy over and over and over again .
How many times does he need to denounce it ?
After the gun massacre in El Paso , he said , “ The shooter in El Paso posted a manifesto online , consumed by racist hate .
In one voice , our nation must condemn racism , bigotry and white supremacy.
” After the riot in Charlottesville which resulted in the death of a protester , Trump signed a resolution condemning white supremacy .
If a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the extremists supporting them , that is a completely different situation .
Trump doesn ’ t do that .
Who does ?
Many prominent Democrats agree with Antifa ’ s violent rioting and demands to defund the police .
Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Ilhan Omar are calling for defunding .
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said they will reduce funding .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s done .
He has arguably done more for the black community than any president .
Criminal justice reform , lower black unemployment and increasing funding for historically black colleges and universities .
He ’ s promoted many blacks and other minorities to positions of leadership , including Ben Carson as the secretary of HUD .
Consequently , his approval rating with blacks has increased since he ’ s been in office .
He has an extensive history of working with blacks and other minorities as a businessman .
If he was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gotten as far as he did and allowed to host “ The Apprentice.
” He would have been marginalized like David Duke .
And remember that famous photograph from Trump ’ s marriage to Melania , where Hilary and Bill are laughing with him ?
In 2005 ?
They wouldn ’ t have done that for a racist .
In fact , try to find a major Democratic politician or media figure attacking Trump as a racist until he became the Republican candidate for president .
A handful of awful people will always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no control over that .
It ’ s a free country .
I ’ m sure Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy had preferences for president .
Trump has probably shrunk the number of white supremacists who support him , because he ’ s spoken so harshly about them .
And because he ’ s supported African-Americans in his words and in his deeds .
We may never know , because there is never any polling done on this .
No one polls them , probably because they ’ re so scarce and hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough of them to have an accurate representation .
This points to how unfair the charge against Trump is .
The mainstream media holds up white supremacists as a huge danger , when their influence is practically nothing and no one really cares to hear from them .
But if the media can get one on TV praising Trump , the press reports it as if the guy were a delegate from Trump himself .
They exaggerate the danger in order to use it against him .
Rachel Alexander is a senior editor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter at Rach_IC .
Follow The Stream at streamdotorg .
Send tips to rachel.alexander @ stream.org .

Every time a white nationalist supports President Trump, Democrats declare him a racist. Only a racist would get support from them, right? Is this true? Does it really tell us something about Trump?
No.
Crazy Extremists
First, look at who crazy extremists support. They like all kinds of political views and political leaders. When Barack Obama first ran for president, Esquire asked four of the leading white supremacists in the country if they supported John McCain or Obama.
Tom Metzger ran the White Aryan Resistance and had been Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan in the 70s. He didn’t like McCain because he was a warmonger. Whereas Obama “is a racist and I have no problem with black racists.”
Erich Gliebe, chairman of the National Alliance, said “Obama might be a better candidate for our cause because he’s racially conscious.” He went on, “I give Obama credit, he seems to have stuck to his guns as far as pulling the troops out of Iraq. He’s a very intelligent man, an excellent speaker and has charisma.”
Even the chairman of the American Nazi Party supported Obama. Rocky Suhayda said McCain “wants to fight endless wars around the globe to make the world safe for Judeo-capitalist exploitation.” In contrast, “we have a black man, who loves his own kind, belongs to a Black-Nationalist religion, is married to a black women. When usually negroes who have ‘made it’ immediately land a white spouse as a kind of prize. That’s the kind of negro that I can respect.”
We didn’t denounce Obama because a handful of radical racists supported him. In fact, the rest of the mainstream media ignored the story. They must not have thought the support meant anything. So why denounce Trump for the exact same reason?
Double Standard Between Obama and Trump
Second, look at who does support the president. The vast majority of Trump’s supporters are regular conservatives. They’re not racist extremists. So why not judge him based on those supporters? How can anyone justify labeling a man a racist because a handful of extremists claim to like him?
And look at Trump’s positions. Trump has denounced white supremacy over and over and over again. How many times does he need to denounce it? After the gun massacre in El Paso, he said, “The shooter in El Paso posted a manifesto online, consumed by racist hate. In one voice, our nation must condemn racism, bigotry and white supremacy.” After the riot in Charlottesville which resulted in the death of a protester, Trump signed a resolution condemning white supremacy.
If a politician or party supports the radical positions of the extremists supporting them, that is a completely different situation. Trump doesn’t do that. Who does? Many prominent Democrats agree with Antifa’s violent rioting and demands to defund the police. Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Ilhan Omar are calling for defunding. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said they will reduce funding.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
And then look at what Trump’s done. He has arguably done more for the black community than any president. Criminal justice reform, lower black unemployment and increasing funding for historically black colleges and universities. He’s promoted many blacks and other minorities to positions of leadership, including Ben Carson as the secretary of HUD. Consequently, his approval rating with blacks has increased since he’s been in office.
He has an extensive history of working with blacks and other minorities as a businessman. If he was a racist, he wouldn’t have gotten as far as he did and allowed to host “The Apprentice.” He would have been marginalized like David Duke.
And remember that famous photograph from Trump’s marriage to Melania, where Hilary and Bill are laughing with him? In 2005? They wouldn’t have done that for a racist. In fact, try to find a major Democratic politician or media figure attacking Trump as a racist until he became the Republican candidate for president.
Awful People
A handful of awful people will always support mainstream politicians. Those politicians have no control over that. It’s a free country. I’m sure Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy had preferences for president.
Trump has probably shrunk the number of white supremacists who support him, because he’s spoken so harshly about them. And because he’s supported African-Americans in his words and in his deeds. We may never know, because there is never any polling done on this. No one polls them, probably because they’re so scarce and hard to find, no one could survey enough of them to have an accurate representation.
This points to how unfair the charge against Trump is. The mainstream media holds up white supremacists as a huge danger, when their influence is practically nothing and no one really cares to hear from them. But if the media can get one on TV praising Trump, the press reports it as if the guy were a delegate from Trump himself. They exaggerate the danger in order to use it against him.
Rachel Alexander is a senior editor of The Stream. Follow her on Twitter at Rach_IC. Follow The Stream at streamdotorg. Send tips to [email protected].