thestream--2020-08-21--Would a Robot Have Replaced Me on My First Job?

My first job was at a Dairy Queen in Houston , Texas .
I was 16 years old and earned $ 1.83 an hour .
My specialty was making double dip ice cream cones .
It turns out , if I were starting my work experience today , I might have to pursue a different vocation .
Starting this fall , the White Castle burger chain in California will test a robot arm named Flippy that can cook french fries and other foods .
The restaurant chain was already considering this innovation when COVID-19 struck , accelerating the need for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flippy is not the only potential competitor for my culinary aspirations .
Sally is a refrigerator-sized robot that makes a variety of salads and bowls .
Customers can choose from 22 prepared ingredients stored inside the machine , which can make around 65 bowls before workers need to refill it .
It is an obvious fact that our culture is changing more rapidly than ever before .
The pandemic has disrupted our economy in unprecedented ways .
More people are working remotely than ever before .
Technology is transforming some vocations and ending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the COVID-19 outbreak and has now risen to even more dangerous levels .
In these chaotic , conflicted days , I ’ d like to suggest a timeless evangelical commitment that we apply too seldom to our lives .
The “ sanctity of life ” is a biblical doctrine we usually emphasize in January when working to advance protections for preborn children .
We proclaim and defend the fact that life begins at conception and is precious to God from that moment forward .
I am seeing this doctrine employed more frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well .
As physician-assisted death becomes an increasing but tragic reality in our culture , more and more evangelicals are emphasizing the fact that every life is sacred to God until the moment of natural death .
Now it ’ s time to apply this affirmation of life ’ s sacredness to ourselves .
When David testified that he was “ fearfully and wonderfully made ” ( Psalm 139:14 ) , he stated a scientific fact .
Your heart pumps enough blood through your body every 24 hours to fill a railway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as much effort as it would take to shovel 20 tons of gravel onto a platform as high as your waist .
You are made of protons , the core of atoms .
Look at the dot on an “ i ” in this sentence .
It holds something in the region of five hundred billion protons , more than the number of seconds contained in half a million years .
Your Father made all of that , for you .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our Day .
You live in a visible universe that is now calculated as a million million million million miles across .
Through a telescope you can see around one hundred thousand galaxies , each containing tens of billions of stars .
And you ’ re watching all this on a planet which spins at the speed of a thousand miles an hour at its equator .
Your Father made all of that , to make a place for you .
And then he made you .
His Son died on the cross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for you .
Now the God of the universe wants an intimate , passionate , personal relationship with you .
He invites you to trust him with your greatest fears and challenges , “ casting all your anxieties on him , because he cares for you ” ( 1 Peter 5:7 ) .
And he is calling you to pay forward his grace by sharing his compassionate presence and hope with those you know .
Harry Emerson Fosdick noted , “ Christians are supposed not merely to endure change , nor even to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it.
” What changes will you cause to the glory of God today ?
Jim Denison , PhD , is the founder of Denison Forum with a reach of 1.8 million .
He also serves as Resident Scholar for Ethics with Baylor Scott & White Health .

My first job was at a Dairy Queen in Houston, Texas. I was 16 years old and earned $1.83 an hour. My specialty was making double dip ice cream cones.
It turns out, if I were starting my work experience today, I might have to pursue a different vocation.
Starting this fall, the White Castle burger chain in California will test a robot arm named Flippy that can cook french fries and other foods. The restaurant chain was already considering this innovation when COVID-19 struck, accelerating the need for a touch-free environment that minimizes contact.
What changes will you cause to the glory of God today?
Flippy is not the only potential competitor for my culinary aspirations. Sally is a refrigerator-sized robot that makes a variety of salads and bowls. Customers can choose from 22 prepared ingredients stored inside the machine, which can make around 65 bowls before workers need to refill it.
A Timeless Truth We Often Neglect
It is an obvious fact that our culture is changing more rapidly than ever before.
The pandemic has disrupted our economy in unprecedented ways. More people are working remotely than ever before. Technology is transforming some vocations and ending others. Loneliness was a pandemic even before the COVID-19 outbreak and has now risen to even more dangerous levels.
In these chaotic, conflicted days, I’d like to suggest a timeless evangelical commitment that we apply too seldom to our lives. The “sanctity of life” is a biblical doctrine we usually emphasize in January when working to advance protections for preborn children. We proclaim and defend the fact that life begins at conception and is precious to God from that moment forward.
I am seeing this doctrine employed more frequently these days with regard to end-of-life decisions as well. As physician-assisted death becomes an increasing but tragic reality in our culture, more and more evangelicals are emphasizing the fact that every life is sacred to God until the moment of natural death.
Now it’s time to apply this affirmation of life’s sacredness to ourselves.
Five Hundred Billion Protons
When David testified that he was “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14), he stated a scientific fact.
Your heart pumps enough blood through your body every 24 hours to fill a railway tanker. Every day, it exerts as much effort as it would take to shovel 20 tons of gravel onto a platform as high as your waist.
You are made of protons, the core of atoms. Look at the dot on an “i” in this sentence. It holds something in the region of five hundred billion protons, more than the number of seconds contained in half a million years.
Your Father made all of that, for you.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
You live in a visible universe that is now calculated as a million million million million miles across. Through a telescope you can see around one hundred thousand galaxies, each containing tens of billions of stars.
And you’re watching all this on a planet which spins at the speed of a thousand miles an hour at its equator. Your Father made all of that, to make a place for you.
And then he made you. His Son died on the cross for you and rose from the grave for you.
Harry Emerson Fosdick on Change
Now the God of the universe wants an intimate, passionate, personal relationship with you. He invites you to trust him with your greatest fears and challenges, “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
And he is calling you to pay forward his grace by sharing his compassionate presence and hope with those you know.
Harry Emerson Fosdick noted, “Christians are supposed not merely to endure change, nor even to profit by it, but to cause it.”
What changes will you cause to the glory of God today?
Jim Denison, PhD, is the founder of Denison Forum with a reach of 1.8 million. He also serves as Resident Scholar for Ethics with Baylor Scott & White Health.


thestream--2020-08-21--Military Photo of the Day: Pararescue Specialists Over Alpena

U.S. Air National Guard pararescue specialists conduct multi-component training in Alpena , Michigan , on July 21 , 2020 .
@ @ @ @ @ Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our @ @

U.S. Air National Guard pararescue specialists conduct multi-component training in Alpena, Michigan, on July 21, 2020.
Have a safe weekend, everyone!
React to This Article What do you think of our coverage in this article? We value your feedback as we continue to grow.


thestream--2020-08-21--Everything the Left Touches It Ruins. Now Add Science.

More than two years ago , I wrote a column titled “ Whatever the Left Touches It Ruins.
” I listed eight examples : — And , perhaps most disturbingly , America ’ s commitment to free speech .
One should now add the sciences .
The COVID-19 pandemic has hastened the left ’ s ruining of science .
This had already begun with the left ’ s attacks on “ objectivity , ” the most essential value in science — the very thing that makes science possible .
The left declares objectivity , which it now puts in quotation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One example is that science departments in universities throughout America have declared their intention to hire physicists , biologists and other scientists based on gender and race , not scientific expertise .
A few years ago , all five candidates on the shortlist of applicants to the physics department of the University of California at San Diego were females , “ leading one male candidate with a specialty in extragalactic physics , ” reported Heather Mac Donald , “ to wonder why the school had even solicited applications from Asian and white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a piece published this week : “ The dean of the Jacobs School of Engineering at the University of California , San Diego , pronounced himself ‘ absolutely dedicated ’ to turning the engineering school into an ‘ anti-racist organization . '
” A recent example was the declaration by more than 1,000 doctors and other health care providers that despite all their previous warnings against public gatherings as health risks : “ As public health advocates , we do not condemn these gatherings ( mass protests against racism ) as risky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as vital to the national public health.
” Yet another example of leftism overwhelming medical science is the medical profession ’ s denial of the benefits of hydroxychloroquine and zinc in the early days of a COVID-19 infection .
That physicians , including the Food and Drug Administration , would label a drug dangerous that has been used safely for more than half a century , and by many thousands ( such as those with rheumatoid arthritis or lupus ) every day for decades , is a medical and moral scandal .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of science but also ahead of saving lives .
The medical profession , the FDA and the CDC have lost the faith of half of the American people and , over time , will lose the faith of the majority of Americans .
It is difficult to envision the medical profession regaining its credibility in this generation .
One of the world ’ s most prestigious medical and scientific journals , The Lancet in the U.K. , withdrew an article it had published that dismissed the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine in treating COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As The New York Times reported , Dr. Richard Horton , the editor in chief of The Lancet , called the paper retracted by his journal a “ fabrication ” and “ a monumental fraud.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The journal published the fraudulent study about the alleged dangers of hydroxychloroquine because of pressure from pharmaceutical companies , which have nothing to gain financially from widespread use of hydroxychloroquine , a cheap , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loathes President Donald Trump , who , when the first reports of successful treatment with hydroxychloroquine surfaced , had announced use of the drug could save lives .
Horton had labelled Trump ’ s withdrawal of U.S. funding of the World Health Organization “ a crime against humanity ” after the WHO ’ s politicization of the coronavirus , including behaving as a puppet of the Chinese Communist Party when it condemned Trump ’ s Jan. 31 ban on travel from China .
The number of Americans killed by the medical boards , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CDC for not allowing doctors to prescribe hydroxychloroquine in the early days following a patient ’ s diagnosis with COVID-19 and outside of a hospital setting , and the number killed by the doctors who could but would not prescribe hydroxychloroquine , is likely in the tens of thousands .
On my radio show , Yale University epidemiologist Dr. Harvey Risch said , “ Because we were blocked from using it ( hydroxychloroquine ) in the United States to the present point , probably at least 100,000 people have died.
” Based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The Washington Post headlined “ Hydroxychloroquine Drug Promoted by Trump as Coronavirus ‘ Game-Changer ’ Increasingly Linked to Deaths.
” And social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter immediately remove any citation of a scientist who promotes hydroxychloroquine .
A fourth example is the American Psychological Association , or the APA , choosing leftism over psychology in declaring , “ 40 years of research ( show that ) traditional masculinity is psychologically harmful and that socializing boys to suppress their emotions causes damage that echoes both inwardly and outwardly.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the APA ’ s pathologizing masculinity is that people searching for a competent psychotherapist for themselves or their child now have an easy method by which to identify the incompetent : Simply ask the prospective therapist if he or she agrees with the APA statement .
If they do , or if they merely hesitate to distance themselves from it , you know you want another therapist .
Forthcoming columns will deal with more areas of life ruined by the left , including , most troubling of all , America itself .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson , the left can tear down , but it can not build .
Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist .
His latest book , published by Regnery in May 2019 , is The Rational Bible , a commentary on the book of Genesis .
His film , “ No Safe Spaces , ” will be released to home entertainment nationwide on Sept. 15 , 2020 .
He is the founder of Prager University and may be contacted at dennisprager.com .

More than two years ago, I wrote a column titled “Whatever the Left Touches It Ruins.” I listed eight examples:
— The universities.
— The arts: music, art and architecture.
— Sports.
— Mainstream Judaism, Protestantism and Catholicism.
— Race relations.
— Women’s happiness.
— Children’s innocence.
— And, perhaps most disturbingly, America’s commitment to free speech.
One should now add the sciences.
The Ruining of Science
The COVID-19 pandemic has hastened the left’s ruining of science. This had already begun with the left’s attacks on “objectivity,” the most essential value in science — the very thing that makes science possible. The left declares objectivity, which it now puts in quotation marks, a characteristic of white supremacy.
One example is that science departments in universities throughout America have declared their intention to hire physicists, biologists and other scientists based on gender and race, not scientific expertise. A few years ago, all five candidates on the shortlist of applicants to the physics department of the University of California at San Diego were females, “leading one male candidate with a specialty in extragalactic physics,” reported Heather Mac Donald, “to wonder why the school had even solicited applications from Asian and white men.”
Mac Donald updated her findings in a piece published this week: “The dean of the Jacobs School of Engineering at the University of California, San Diego, pronounced himself ‘absolutely dedicated’ to turning the engineering school into an ‘anti-racist organization.'”
A recent example was the declaration by more than 1,000 doctors and other health care providers that despite all their previous warnings against public gatherings as health risks: “As public health advocates, we do not condemn these gatherings (mass protests against racism) as risky for COVID-19 transmission. We support them as vital to the national public health.”
Politics Ahead of Science
Yet another example of leftism overwhelming medical science is the medical profession’s denial of the benefits of hydroxychloroquine and zinc in the early days of a COVID-19 infection. That physicians, including the Food and Drug Administration, would label a drug dangerous that has been used safely for more than half a century, and by many thousands (such as those with rheumatoid arthritis or lupus) every day for decades, is a medical and moral scandal. The medical profession has placed politics not only ahead of science but also ahead of saving lives. The medical profession, the FDA and the CDC have lost the faith of half of the American people and, over time, will lose the faith of the majority of Americans. It is difficult to envision the medical profession regaining its credibility in this generation.
One of the world’s most prestigious medical and scientific journals, The Lancet in the U.K., withdrew an article it had published that dismissed the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine in treating COVID-19 patients. The article contained made-up data. As The New York Times reported, Dr. Richard Horton, the editor in chief of The Lancet, called the paper retracted by his journal a “fabrication” and “a monumental fraud.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The journal published the fraudulent study about the alleged dangers of hydroxychloroquine because of pressure from pharmaceutical companies, which have nothing to gain financially from widespread use of hydroxychloroquine, a cheap, generic drug, and because the journal loathes President Donald Trump, who, when the first reports of successful treatment with hydroxychloroquine surfaced, had announced use of the drug could save lives. Horton had labelled Trump’s withdrawal of U.S. funding of the World Health Organization “a crime against humanity” after the WHO’s politicization of the coronavirus, including behaving as a puppet of the Chinese Communist Party when it condemned Trump’s Jan. 31 ban on travel from China.
The number of Americans killed by the medical boards, the pharmaceutical boards, the FDA and the CDC for not allowing doctors to prescribe hydroxychloroquine in the early days following a patient’s diagnosis with COVID-19 and outside of a hospital setting, and the number killed by the doctors who could but would not prescribe hydroxychloroquine, is likely in the tens of thousands. On my radio show, Yale University epidemiologist Dr. Harvey Risch said, “Because we were blocked from using it (hydroxychloroquine) in the United States to the present point, probably at least 100,000 people have died.”
Based on the retracted study in The Lancet, The Washington Post headlined “Hydroxychloroquine Drug Promoted by Trump as Coronavirus ‘Game-Changer’ Increasingly Linked to Deaths.” And social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter immediately remove any citation of a scientist who promotes hydroxychloroquine.
The Attack on Traditional Masculinity
A fourth example is the American Psychological Association, or the APA, choosing leftism over psychology in declaring, “40 years of research (show that) traditional masculinity is psychologically harmful and that socializing boys to suppress their emotions causes damage that echoes both inwardly and outwardly.”
The one good thing to come out of the APA’s pathologizing masculinity is that people searching for a competent psychotherapist for themselves or their child now have an easy method by which to identify the incompetent: Simply ask the prospective therapist if he or she agrees with the APA statement. If they do, or if they merely hesitate to distance themselves from it, you know you want another therapist.
Forthcoming columns will deal with more areas of life ruined by the left, including, most troubling of all, America itself.
As seen in their treatment of the statues of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, the left can tear down, but it cannot build.
Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist. His latest book, published by Regnery in May 2019, is The Rational Bible, a commentary on the book of Genesis. His film, “No Safe Spaces,” will be released to home entertainment nationwide on Sept. 15, 2020. He is the founder of Prager University and may be contacted at dennisprager.com.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM


thestream--2020-08-21--Obama Should Fool No One With His Bipartisan Mask

I urge those who still indulge the fiction that former President Barack Obama is a uniter and great statesman to read the transcript of his Democratic convention speech with an open mind and discerning eye .
Obama proudly violated the long-practiced rule that former presidents shouldn ’ t attack sitting ones .
But he ’ s Obama , exempt from the rules , and he was attacking President Donald Trump , whom the left considers fair game for any smear anytime anywhere , no matter how deceitful and malicious .
Obama was petty , personal , dishonest and strikingly divisive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He showcased the very qualities for which he torched Trump .
To address every objectionable aspect of this speech would require a full book chapter , so let me just highlight some of its most noxious parts .
I did hope , for the sake of our country , that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously , that he might come to feel the weight of the office and discover some reverence for the democracy that had been placed in his care .
But he never did .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s shown no interest in putting in the work , no interest in finding common ground , no interest in using the awesome power of his office to help anyone but himself and his friends , no interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves .
Donald Trump hasn ’ t grown into the job because he can ’ t .
And the consequences of that failure are severe : 170,000 Americans dead , millions of jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in more than ever , our worst impulses unleashed , our proud reputation around the world badly diminished and our democratic institutions threatened like never before .
Projection , anyone ?
In every single sentence .
I honestly don ’ t know how even the most rabid Trump haters can deny he takes the job seriously , even if he occasionally gets in the mud with his detractors .
He clearly recognizes the gravity of the presidency and reveres our system , which happens to not be a democracy but a constitutional republic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself .
Trump is nothing if not an energizer bunny , tirelessly working to advance his pro-America agenda .
Every day , he demonstrates his love for the United States and his commitment to ensure that it remains the world ’ s greatest nation .
No , Mr. Obama , you and your party are the ones assaulting our system , while Trump is trying to protect it .
He is the immovable force on our side standing in your way , and , boy , do you and yours loathe him for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judges who will preserve our constitutional system , instead of exercising the wicked prerogative of dismantling it through judicial legislation .
He further seeks to uphold the integrity of “ our democracy ” by safeguarding the integrity of our voting process and opposing myriad Democratic efforts to thwart it — plans to undermine the Electoral College ; stack the Supreme Court ; block voter ID measures ; lower the voting age to 16 ; and push schemes to transfer power from duly elected congressmen to an unelected , unaccountable , power-mad administrative state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for showing “ no interest in finding common ground ” is a bad-faith cliche .
Progressives like Obama routinely accuse conservatives of divisiveness without proof , assuming the charge will stick because they ’ ve long categorically demonized us as bigots .
But , in fact , Trump has repeatedly reached across the aisle and only abandoned his efforts when Sen. Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi consistently snubbed him and blocked almost all bipartisan initiatives he proposed , including those they had earlier embraced , such as a border wall .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ package to keep Trump from getting any credit .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Sadly , Obama is the one who drives an ongoing wedge between groups of Americans on the basis of identity .
Trump has not only appealed to all Americans and specifically to minorities ; his policies , in stark contrast with Obama ’ s , have dramatically improved their economic circumstances .
Shouldn ’ t those real results matter far more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an atmosphere of minority victimhood ?
Obama and his fellow travelers have no proof that Trump is using the power of his office to enrich himself , unlike some in Obama ’ s orbit .
They simply throw charges against the wall , and the media piles on to complete the libel , never providing evidence — only vicious , unsubstantiated innuendo .
If all this weren ’ t audacious enough , Obama also blamed Trump for every single COVID death — as if heads of state can eradicate the coronavirus with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the contrary , Trump has been on this problem from the beginning , and we must emphasize that he has rigorously followed the advice of his medical team , Democratic sweethearts Drs .
Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx .
Critics can ’ t have it both ways .
If Trump was wrong , they were wrong .
Also , beyond mostly following their medical advice , Trump aggressively tackled COVID at the federal level , utilizing his private-sector executive expertise to design a plan to postpone the spread of the virus ; and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing and fast-track the development of vaccines and therapeutic treatments .
Obama ’ s most surreal claim was that Trump has caused the economic problems brought on by the virus .
From the start , Trump has been urging America to get back to work , while Obama ’ s party has fought to keep America locked down .
On top of all this , Mr. Obama , President Trump has rescued this nation from your lead-from-behind foreign policy and restored us to a position of respect in the world .
Poor taste @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to use his undeserved stature to excoriate President Trump , but many of us would appreciate it if he didn ’ t insult us by masquerading as bipartisan in the process .
David Limbaugh is a writer , author and attorney .
His latest book is Guilty by Reason of Insanity : Why the Democrats Must Not Win .
Follow him on Twitter @ davidlimbaugh and his website at www.davidlimbaugh.com .

I urge those who still indulge the fiction that former President Barack Obama is a uniter and great statesman to read the transcript of his Democratic convention speech with an open mind and discerning eye.
Obama proudly violated the long-practiced rule that former presidents shouldn’t attack sitting ones. But he’s Obama, exempt from the rules, and he was attacking President Donald Trump, whom the left considers fair game for any smear anytime anywhere, no matter how deceitful and malicious.
Obama was petty, personal, dishonest and strikingly divisive while pretending to call for unity. He showcased the very qualities for which he torched Trump.
To address every objectionable aspect of this speech would require a full book chapter, so let me just highlight some of its most noxious parts.
Obama’s Noxious Remarks
Obama said:
I did hope, for the sake of our country, that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously, that he might come to feel the weight of the office and discover some reverence for the democracy that had been placed in his care. But he never did. For close to four years now, he’s shown no interest in putting in the work, no interest in finding common ground, no interest in using the awesome power of his office to help anyone but himself and his friends, no interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves. Donald Trump hasn’t grown into the job because he can’t. And the consequences of that failure are severe: 170,000 Americans dead, millions of jobs gone while those at the top take in more than ever, our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world badly diminished and our democratic institutions threatened like never before.
Projection, anyone? In every single sentence.
I honestly don’t know how even the most rabid Trump haters can deny he takes the job seriously, even if he occasionally gets in the mud with his detractors. He clearly recognizes the gravity of the presidency and reveres our system, which happens to not be a democracy but a constitutional republic.
Obama’s Confusion
Obama is confusing President Trump with himself. Trump is nothing if not an energizer bunny, tirelessly working to advance his pro-America agenda. Every day, he demonstrates his love for the United States and his commitment to ensure that it remains the world’s greatest nation.
No, Mr. Obama, you and your party are the ones assaulting our system, while Trump is trying to protect it. He is the immovable force on our side standing in your way, and, boy, do you and yours loathe him for it.
Trump is committed to appointing judges who will preserve our constitutional system, instead of exercising the wicked prerogative of dismantling it through judicial legislation. He further seeks to uphold the integrity of “our democracy” by safeguarding the integrity of our voting process and opposing myriad Democratic efforts to thwart it — plans to undermine the Electoral College; stack the Supreme Court; block voter ID measures; lower the voting age to 16; and push schemes to transfer power from duly elected congressmen to an unelected, unaccountable, power-mad administrative state.
A Bad-Faith Cliche
Obama’s criticism of Trump for showing “no interest in finding common ground” is a bad-faith cliche. Progressives like Obama routinely accuse conservatives of divisiveness without proof, assuming the charge will stick because they’ve long categorically demonized us as bigots. But, in fact, Trump has repeatedly reached across the aisle and only abandoned his efforts when Sen. Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi consistently snubbed him and blocked almost all bipartisan initiatives he proposed, including those they had earlier embraced, such as a border wall. They even obstructed a COVID relief stimulus package to keep Trump from getting any credit.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Sadly, Obama is the one who drives an ongoing wedge between groups of Americans on the basis of identity. Trump has not only appealed to all Americans and specifically to minorities; his policies, in stark contrast with Obama’s, have dramatically improved their economic circumstances. Shouldn’t those real results matter far more than inflammatory, condescending rhetoric aimed at perpetuating an atmosphere of minority victimhood?
Obama and his fellow travelers have no proof that Trump is using the power of his office to enrich himself, unlike some in Obama’s orbit. They simply throw charges against the wall, and the media piles on to complete the libel, never providing evidence — only vicious, unsubstantiated innuendo.
Trump Isn’t Responsible for COVID Deaths
If all this weren’t audacious enough, Obama also blamed Trump for every single COVID death — as if heads of state can eradicate the coronavirus with a magic wand or cruise missile. To the contrary, Trump has been on this problem from the beginning, and we must emphasize that he has rigorously followed the advice of his medical team, Democratic sweethearts Drs. Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx. Critics can’t have it both ways. If Trump was wrong, they were wrong. Also, beyond mostly following their medical advice, Trump aggressively tackled COVID at the federal level, utilizing his private-sector executive expertise to design a plan to postpone the spread of the virus; and marshaling public and private resources to develop testing and fast-track the development of vaccines and therapeutic treatments.
Masquerading as Bipartisan
Obama’s most surreal claim was that Trump has caused the economic problems brought on by the virus. From the start, Trump has been urging America to get back to work, while Obama’s party has fought to keep America locked down.
On top of all this, Mr. Obama, President Trump has rescued this nation from your lead-from-behind foreign policy and restored us to a position of respect in the world.
Poor taste or not, Obama certainly has the right to use his undeserved stature to excoriate President Trump, but many of us would appreciate it if he didn’t insult us by masquerading as bipartisan in the process.
David Limbaugh is a writer, author and attorney. His latest book is Guilty by Reason of Insanity: Why the Democrats Must Not Win. Follow him on Twitter @davidlimbaugh and his website at www.davidlimbaugh.com.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM


thestream--2020-08-21--Jesus Christ, My Confidence to Move Forward

Like so many other parents this week , I sent my daughter off to college for fall semester .
She boarded a plane back to her university to pursue her dream of one day making it on Broadway .
I don ’ t know if she ’ ll finish the semester with any in-person classes for singing , dancing , and acting , or if she ’ ll have any in-person classes at all .
As of today , Broadway remains shut down … dark until at least 2021 , while the city which made it famous struggles to recover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic and widespread rioting earlier this year .
As we “ start to restart ” the school year , perhaps the one thing millions of us would agree on is that things feel , well , different .
We ’ re navigating into the unknown and marking our calendars in pencil .
If we were to be honest , just beneath the “ so exciteds ” and “ can ’ t waits ” of our social media posts , we really don ’ t know what next week may bring .
We find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with questions that would not have even been questions 365 days ago .
Things like , “ If I move my child into her college dorm , will she be asked to move out next week ?
” ( This happened at UNC–Chapel Hill recently . )
Contradictory messaging and media-manipulated information don ’ t help either .
From mask mandates to mail-in voting , some days it feels like we live in The United States of Confusion , not America .
And as weeks have worn into months — both as individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desperate , yet tentative , to have the confidence to move forward .
Into this backdrop , I learned about COVI-PASS , a digital health identification wallet that stores personal health information for travel and work clearance .
While COVI-PASS is certainly relevant , something about its tagline — “ Gives the World the Confidence to Move Forward ” — triggered me .
I honestly didn ’ t feel like I needed the confidence to move forward .
I felt like I already had it .
Nevertheless , I realized then that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we place our confidence .
Whether we realize it or not , we are all in a confidence crisis of sorts , forced to examine which voices we will listen to and what information we will trust .
Into the chaos have come human constructs that boost confidence short term but deliver conformity long term .
Some of us find solace in that conformity , as well as a sense of security when the world turns upside down .
Whether it ’ s digital health identification wallets , Plexiglass shields between desks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are being led to believe if we adhere to all the protocols , we will be kept safe , and hopefully saved and spared from the present affliction our world is experiencing .
Already Saved From All of It While I thank God for medical breakthroughs , front line workers , wise civil authorities , and communities that come together to help one another , whether they do or do not fail me does not affect my confidence .
Sure , common grace and wisdom can come through these human institutions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to “ save ” me .
Our present afflictions are temporary , and in light of the eternal , I ’ ve already been saved .
Delivered .
From all of it .
The curse of sin and death upon this planet ( Romans 6 : 17-18 ) , this present evil age ( Galatians 1:3-4 ) and the ploy to make me a slave to fear ( Romans 8:15 ) ( in this case , brought on by uncertainty and confusion surrounding current events ) .
The implications of believing these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact , believing them changes everything .
I do not look to man or man-made constructs to give me the confidence to move forward , because I already possess that confidence through Jesus Christ .
I am not waiting for a vaccine , a stimulus check , or the next election to go my way for my path to be made straight and my steps secure .
We Need God , Not God Replacements While all of these things are not “ evil ” in and of themselves , they hold the potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to satiate our deepest needs and quell our deepest fears .
They tempt us to look to them for answers , instead of looking to God .
As the world increasingly clamors for signs , stats , and data that is only validated by what we can see , hear , feel and quantify , get ready .
Trusting Christ Jesus whom you can ’ t see as your Way-Maker , Truth-Teller and Life-Giver — believing that He is literally the Wisdom and Power of God — will be deemed sheer foolishness by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of humanity apart from Him ( I Corinthians 1:18-25 ) .
It ’ s not hard to project that the nonconformity of anchoring our confidence by faith outside their world system is hurling us headlong into conflict over our allegiance .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
You can be sure of this : You can bow your knee to one of the two belief systems , but you can not bow your knee to both .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now ?
Who or what would you consider your most trusted adviser ?
Where your trust is , there is your confidence also .
Isaiah 28:16 says that God has laid in Zion “ as a foundation , a stone , a tested stone , a precious cornerstone , of a sure foundation : Whoever believes will not be in haste.
” Jesus , the precious cornerstone of our faith , is the sure foundation of our confidence .
His words do not fail .
His promises do not fade away .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and His resurrection can not be overcome .
My eternal destiny is secure when I call on the name of Jesus to save me from the sin that would have condemned me .
I am now adopted and loved forever in the family of God .
This all the confidence I need — that I ’ ll ever need — to move forward .
Paraphrasing Proverbs 3:26 : “ The Lord Himself is my confidence.
” Annemarie McLean is a four-girl mom , freelance writer , and co-founder of Brave & Beautiful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women to live purpose-driven lives full of courage and character , while developing Christ-centered inner beauty .
Annemarie holds a journalism degree from Oral Roberts University , with graduate work in organizational leadership at Palm Beach Atlantic University .

Like so many other parents this week, I sent my daughter off to college for fall semester. She boarded a plane back to her university to pursue her dream of one day making it on Broadway. I don’t know if she’ll finish the semester with any in-person classes for singing, dancing, and acting, or if she’ll have any in-person classes at all. As of today, Broadway remains shut down … dark until at least 2021, while the city which made it famous struggles to recover from the debilitating effects of both the pandemic and widespread rioting earlier this year.
As we “start to restart” the school year, perhaps the one thing millions of us would agree on is that things feel, well, different. We’re navigating into the unknown and marking our calendars in pencil. If we were to be honest, just beneath the “so exciteds” and “can’t waits” of our social media posts, we really don’t know what next week may bring. We find ourselves in the unfamiliar position of grappling with questions that would not have even been questions 365 days ago. Things like, “If I move my child into her college dorm, will she be asked to move out next week?” (This happened at UNC–Chapel Hill recently.)
Contradictory messaging and media-manipulated information don’t help either. From mask mandates to mail-in voting, some days it feels like we live in The United States of Confusion, not America. And as weeks have worn into months — both as individuals and as a nation — we are desperate, yet tentative, to have the confidence to move forward.
A Confidence Crisis
Into this backdrop, I learned about COVI-PASS, a digital health identification wallet that stores personal health information for travel and work clearance. While COVI-PASS is certainly relevant, something about its tagline — “Gives the World the Confidence to Move Forward” — triggered me. I honestly didn’t feel like I needed the confidence to move forward. I felt like I already had it. Nevertheless, I realized then that there is a tug-of-war going on for where we place our confidence.
Whether we realize it or not, we are all in a confidence crisis of sorts, forced to examine which voices we will listen to and what information we will trust. Into the chaos have come human constructs that boost confidence short term but deliver conformity long term. Some of us find solace in that conformity, as well as a sense of security when the world turns upside down. Whether it’s digital health identification wallets, Plexiglass shields between desks, or temperature checks before gym class, we are being led to believe if we adhere to all the protocols, we will be kept safe, and hopefully saved and spared from the present affliction our world is experiencing.
Already Saved From All of It
While I thank God for medical breakthroughs, front line workers, wise civil authorities, and communities that come together to help one another, whether they do or do not fail me does not affect my confidence. Sure, common grace and wisdom can come through these human institutions, but I don’t look to them to “save” me. Our present afflictions are temporary, and in light of the eternal, I’ve already been saved. Delivered. From all of it. The curse of sin and death upon this planet (Romans 6: 17-18), this present evil age (Galatians 1:3-4) and the ploy to make me a slave to fear (Romans 8:15) (in this case, brought on by uncertainty and confusion surrounding current events).
The implications of believing these truths are far-reaching and profound. In fact, believing them changes everything. I do not look to man or man-made constructs to give me the confidence to move forward, because I already possess that confidence through Jesus Christ. I am not waiting for a vaccine, a stimulus check, or the next election to go my way for my path to be made straight and my steps secure.
We Need God, Not God Replacements
While all of these things are not “evil” in and of themselves, they hold the potential to become God-replacements, handing out solutions to satiate our deepest needs and quell our deepest fears. They tempt us to look to them for answers, instead of looking to God. As the world increasingly clamors for signs, stats, and data that is only validated by what we can see, hear, feel and quantify, get ready. Trusting Christ Jesus whom you can’t see as your Way-Maker, Truth-Teller and Life-Giver — believing that He is literally the Wisdom and Power of God — will be deemed sheer foolishness by experts promulgating the inherent greatness and wisdom of humanity apart from Him (I Corinthians 1:18-25). It’s not hard to project that the nonconformity of anchoring our confidence by faith outside their world system is hurling us headlong into conflict over our allegiance.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
You can be sure of this: You can bow your knee to one of the two belief systems, but you cannot bow your knee to both. Whose voice are you most listening to right now? Who or what would you consider your most trusted adviser? Where your trust is, there is your confidence also.
A Firm Foundation
Isaiah 28:16 says that God has laid in Zion “as a foundation, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: Whoever believes will not be in haste.” Jesus, the precious cornerstone of our faith, is the sure foundation of our confidence.
His words do not fail. His promises do not fade away. His work on the Cross is finished, and His resurrection cannot be overcome. My eternal destiny is secure when I call on the name of Jesus to save me from the sin that would have condemned me. I am now adopted and loved forever in the family of God. This all the confidence I need — that I’ll ever need — to move forward. Paraphrasing Proverbs 3:26: “The Lord Himself is my confidence.”
Annemarie McLean is a four-girl mom, freelance writer, and co-founder of Brave & Beautiful, a ministry focused on challenging young women to live purpose-driven lives full of courage and character, while developing Christ-centered inner beauty. Annemarie holds a journalism degree from Oral Roberts University, with graduate work in organizational leadership at Palm Beach Atlantic University.


thestream--2020-08-21--Can the Portland Protests Actually Bring Change? The Answer From Their Own Graffiti

America is hurting .
Angry .
Burning .
As we watched George Floyd die under the knee of Officer Chauvin , the outrage in the Black community finally reached the tipping point .
Demonstrations spread across the country .
The outrage has been deeply felt in the White community too .
In this unique moment of our cultural history , both sides seem united in empathy for George Floyd and a desire to see change .
Powerful forces are trying to seize this moment to create lasting change .
Saturday night was the Portland protesters ’ 80th consecutive night of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for George Floyd and for the Black community .
But why are they attacking the police precincts , the courthouse ?
Why did they break down the fence around it and try to set fire to it with lawmen inside ?
Why are they starting to protest in the suburbs ?
What do they want ?
And is their protest their best hope for change ?
The best answers I ’ ve seen are in pictures shot in Portland and shared on Facebook .
Click here to see more .
Devon Combs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has given me permission to post them in this photo essay .
The mainstream media has suppressed these images .
Rep. Gerald Nadler has called them a myth .
But these pictures speak so powerfully of the violence and the message being delivered in Portland .
I urge you to see them for yourself .
Below you ’ ll see the not-always-PG pictures with a little commentary , explaining the “ code ” of the Oregon protesters graffiti message communicated in numbers , symbols and urban slang .
Read the handwriting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for George Floyd.
” Most Americans are united in their desire that justice will be done for Floyd .
But divided over the vision of justice painted on Portland ’ s walls .
To the left , “ FTP ” = “ F*** the police.
” In the middle of the wall , an acrostic : reading across , “ Cops aren ’ t real , ” reading down , “ CAB ” = “ Cops are bas***ds , ” under that — “ Hate = USA , ” beside those — “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first support beam — “ oink your last , pigs , ” next two support beams — “ Kill Cops.
” I ’ ve seen some people describe this graffiti as simply wanting appropriate punishment for Officer Chauvin and other police responsible for unjust deaths of blacks .
The death penalty delivers justice .
Because some crimes are so morally outrageous .
Genesis 9:6 says , “ Whoever sheds the blood of man , by man shall his blood be shed , for God made man in his own image.
” We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are all made in God ’ s image .
To murder an image-bearer does deserve “ appropriate ” punishment .
But when the call to “ kill cops ” is constantly combined with a dehumanizing , devaluing message ( “ ACAB ” = “ All Cops Are Bas***ds , ” etc ) , it sends a different message .
It denies the image-bearing value of each officer ’ s life .
Notice all the degrading language aimed at the police .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Our Day .
Reading the Portland graffiti reminded me of the cultivation of hate and bloodlust in the prelude to genocide in Rwanda , where the message was drummed in that all Tutsis were cockroaches and should be killed .
It became so pervasive that at a given radio broadcast cue , “ Chop down the tall trees , ” the Hutus grabbed their machetes and began to hack their neighbors in pieces — 800,000 in 100 days .
The Atlantic ’ s article , “ In Rwanda , We Know All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hatred led to death on a horrifying scale , ” describes the malignant power unleashed by words like this .
People on both sides of our political spectrum are guilty , especially in protests , but neither the most recent conservative protest movement ( the Tea Party ) nor President Trump ’ s tweets have used language at this level of incessant , inflamed hatred toward one group of Americans — law enforcement .
The apostle James wrote that “ the tongue is a fire ” that sets great forests ablaze and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life ” ( James 3:5-6 ) We Need Deep and Thoughtful Dialogue Note : “ 1312 ” ( the alphabetic numeration of ACAB , A=1 , B=2 etc . )
, “ Get a Job Pig , ” “ BURN the system , ” “ HATE = USA , ” “ F**k COPS , ” “ F12 ” means the same thing .
A lament for “ George Floyd ” is here as well as “ Say their names , ” urging protesters to mention victims killed by police by name .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police .
The banner of Black Lives Matter waves everywhere .
Black Lives do matter .
And America needs a deep and thoughtful dialogue that results in change .
But we can support the supreme truth of this statement without supporting the organization .
An interesting twist to BLM : “ No lives matter until black lives do.
” The devaluing and dehumanizing extends beyond the police .
Threatening everyone and anyone until protesters achieve their goals .
This was Stalin ’ s rationale for the 1933 famine in Russia that killed millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government even took food from peasants ’ homes in Ukraine to support investment in his 5-year plan for arms and manufacturing .
The head of the New York Times in Moscow knew it , and being sympathetic to Stalin , helped him hide the truth .
Yes there is hunger , but no famine , he famously reported .
“ To put it brutally — you can ’ t make an omelette without breaking eggs.
” The Marxist leadership of Black Lives Matter are focused on power — taking it from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving it to the victims , the blacks and trans people .
They seem willing , at this point , to support the George Floyd protests and see protesters break a lot of property eggs to help make their omelette .
Many lives of business owners , both ethnic and white , are devastated .
And according to Wikipedia , “ As of July 25 , 2020 , at least 29 people have died during the protests , with 25 due to gunshot wounds.
” In the photo above and many others you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Wikipedia defines anarchy as “ a political philosophy and movement that rejects all involuntary , coercive forms of hierarchy .
It calls for the abolition of the state which it holds to be undesirable , unnecessary , and harmful.
” Or put another way : This was the philosophy of Seattle ’ s George Floyd protest-inspired Autonomous Zone , CHAZ/CHOP .
Within 2 weeks police had to forcibly clear the protesters out after a rape and 4 shootings , two that resulted in death .
They were not able to protect each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in these protests sincerely want to create a more loving community .
God ’ s message to us is that we are great — made in his image , but fallen — enslaved to our own sinful desires .
The good that we desire to do , we do not do .
We can never create a community of perfect love apart from him .
It ’ s beyond sad .
I look at these pictures and can ’ t help but think of Jesus — the only one with the know-how and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Prince of Peace — saying , “ O Jerusalem , Jerusalem , the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it !
How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings , and you would not !
See , your house is left to you desolate ” ( Matthew 23:37-38 ) .
Clearly there is an element among the protesters that wants to destroy .
Not just the police station ( above ) or the courts , but… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I understand the frustration over bad cops .
My black friends , especially the men , describe all the ways they live with a presumption of guilt or deficit .
All the ways they experience police profiling as harassment .
And this part has to change .
But , in addition to hating “ cops , ” some of the Portland protesters hate the very foundations of America .
Some hate capitalism .
On the lower gray wall : “ We all suffer under capitalists ” ( with an encircled pentagram underneath , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Wiccan religion ) .
The Difference Between MLK and the Portland Protesters This Portland image is one of the most disturbing to me .
It highlights the vast difference between the protests of Martin Luther King and the Portland Protesters .
MLK protested against unjust American laws ( laws that are not the same for everyone ) by locking arms in broad daylight , with dignity and respect and without violence .
He saw himself in partnership with God to do it .
In Letters from a Birmingham Jail he wrote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the same for everyone leads to anarchy .
Clearly , he opposed anarchy .
Breaking unjust laws and suffering their penalty creates empathy and brings change .
In Portland , peaceful protests occur during the day , with respect for the law .
Lawless protests occur at night with setting fires , looting , using fireworks and lasers , rocks and frozen water bottles as weapons , and salutes to anarchy .
Defying just laws that are meant to protect everyone .
( Sadly , all the Portland protesters demonize the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system ’ s unjust laws .
Even if it meant paying the unjust laws ’ penalties .
He never called for burning the system down or abolishing capitalism or America .
Even when his home was firebombed , King urged the black community not to riot .
More importantly , MLK also stated that , “ Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability ; it comes through the tireless efforts of men willing to be co workers with God.
” But God is on the side of treating your enemies with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dehumanizing them .
Not calling for their extermination .
Not burning down the police precincts or unions or federal courthouses .
Some of the Portland protesters signed their demands with a Wiccan star — a pagan symbol in rejection of God .
God ’ s main business is reconciliation .
He shows that in order to bring enemies together , sacrifice is needed .
“ While we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his son ” ( Romans 5:10 ) .
What is needed for racial reconciliation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reconciliation and change .
As Prof. George Yancey points out , “ If you rely merely on accusation , blaming and canceling to compel whites to support you , we will get what we have gotten thus far.
” In other words , endless cycles of a national racial incident , protest , demands , backlash or disregard and , after about two months , a return to a racially unjust normal .
In other words , the message written on the walls of the Portland protests will not bring change .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not to change unjust laws .
They want to change the way they are treated , especially by police .
And they want power to force the change .
Thinking of George Floyd ’ s death , the goal is not simply , “ Police shouldn ’ t suffocate someone under their knee.
” How we treat each other comes from the heart .
How do you teach procedures for treating people with empathy and respect instead of Chauvin ’ s stone-cold harshness and arrogance ?
What is needed in large part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring heart change , Blacks and Whites must listen to one another , treating one another with dignity and respect , seeking to understand each other , willing to sacrifice some of what they want to meet the others ’ needs .
Then we will have the mutual buy-in and support that will bring both sides together to make real change to end racism .
And that is what both sides long for .
What MLK stood for .
What God wants and will provide the power for — as we proactively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust for the others ’ side .
Lael Arrington is a national speaker and author of four books — most recently , Faith and Culture : The Guide to a Culture Shaped by Faith .

America is hurting. Angry. Burning. As we watched George Floyd die under the knee of Officer Chauvin, the outrage in the Black community finally reached the tipping point. Demonstrations spread across the country. The outrage has been deeply felt in the White community too. In this unique moment of our cultural history, both sides seem united in empathy for George Floyd and a desire to see change.
Powerful forces are trying to seize this moment to create lasting change. Saturday night was the Portland protesters’ 80th consecutive night of protest and riots. They demand justice for George Floyd and for the Black community.
But why are they attacking the police precincts, the courthouse? Why did they break down the fence around it and try to set fire to it with lawmen inside? Why are they starting to protest in the suburbs? What do they want? And is their protest their best hope for change?
The best answers I’ve seen are in pictures shot in Portland and shared on Facebook. Click here to see more. Devon Combs, who posted these and lives near Portland, has given me permission to post them in this photo essay. The mainstream media has suppressed these images. Rep. Gerald Nadler has called them a myth. But these pictures speak so powerfully of the violence and the message being delivered in Portland. I urge you to see them for yourself.
The Handwriting on Portland’s Walls
Below you’ll see the not-always-PG pictures with a little commentary, explaining the “code” of the Oregon protesters graffiti message communicated in numbers, symbols and urban slang. Read the handwriting on Portland’s walls:
“Justice for George Floyd.” Most Americans are united in their desire that justice will be done for Floyd. But divided over the vision of justice painted on Portland’s walls.
‘Kill Cops’
To the left, “FTP” = “F*** the police.” In the middle of the wall, an acrostic: reading across, “Cops aren’t real,” reading down, “CAB” = “Cops are bas***ds,” under that — “Hate = USA,” beside those — “The final oink,” on the first support beam — “oink your last, pigs,” next two support beams — “Kill Cops.”
I’ve seen some people describe this graffiti as simply wanting appropriate punishment for Officer Chauvin and other police responsible for unjust deaths of blacks. The death penalty delivers justice. Because some crimes are so morally outrageous. Genesis 9:6 says, “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.” We are all equal in value before God because we are all made in God’s image. To murder an image-bearer does deserve “appropriate” punishment.
But when the call to “kill cops” is constantly combined with a dehumanizing, devaluing message (“ACAB” = “All Cops Are Bas***ds,” etc), it sends a different message. It denies the image-bearing value of each officer’s life. Notice all the degrading language aimed at the police.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Reading the Portland graffiti reminded me of the cultivation of hate and bloodlust in the prelude to genocide in Rwanda, where the message was drummed in that all Tutsis were cockroaches and should be killed. It became so pervasive that at a given radio broadcast cue, “Chop down the tall trees,” the Hutus grabbed their machetes and began to hack their neighbors in pieces — 800,000 in 100 days.
The Atlantic’s article, “In Rwanda, We Know All About Dehumanizing Language: Years of cultivated hatred led to death on a horrifying scale,” describes the malignant power unleashed by words like this. People on both sides of our political spectrum are guilty, especially in protests, but neither the most recent conservative protest movement (the Tea Party) nor President Trump’s tweets have used language at this level of incessant, inflamed hatred toward one group of Americans — law enforcement.
The apostle James wrote that “the tongue is a fire” that sets great forests ablaze and “sets on fire the entire course of life” (James 3:5-6)
We Need Deep and Thoughtful Dialogue
Note: “1312” (the alphabetic numeration of ACAB, A=1, B=2 etc.), “Get a Job Pig,” “BURN the system,” “HATE = USA,” “F**k COPS,” “F12” means the same thing. A lament for “George Floyd” is here as well as “Say their names,” urging protesters to mention victims killed by police by name. But there is far more rage against the police.
The banner of Black Lives Matter waves everywhere. Black Lives do matter. And America needs a deep and thoughtful dialogue that results in change. But we can support the supreme truth of this statement without supporting the organization.
An interesting twist to BLM: “No lives matter until black lives do.” The devaluing and dehumanizing extends beyond the police. Threatening everyone and anyone until protesters achieve their goals.
This was Stalin’s rationale for the 1933 famine in Russia that killed millions. State farms were shut down and the government even took food from peasants’ homes in Ukraine to support investment in his 5-year plan for arms and manufacturing. The head of the New York Times in Moscow knew it, and being sympathetic to Stalin, helped him hide the truth. Yes there is hunger, but no famine, he famously reported. “To put it brutally — you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs.”
The Marxist leadership of Black Lives Matter are focused on power — taking it from the “oppressing” Whites and straights and giving it to the victims, the blacks and trans people. They seem willing, at this point, to support the George Floyd protests and see protesters break a lot of property eggs to help make their omelette. Many lives of business owners, both ethnic and white, are devastated. And according to Wikipedia, “As of July 25, 2020, at least 29 people have died during the protests, with 25 due to gunshot wounds.”
Anarchy
In the photo above and many others you can also see the symbol of anarchy:
Wikipedia defines anarchy as “a political philosophy and movement that rejects all involuntary, coercive forms of hierarchy. It calls for the abolition of the state which it holds to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful.” Or put another way:
This was the philosophy of Seattle’s George Floyd protest-inspired Autonomous Zone, CHAZ/CHOP. Within 2 weeks police had to forcibly clear the protesters out after a rape and 4 shootings, two that resulted in death. They were not able to protect each other for fourteen days.
So many in these protests sincerely want to create a more loving community. God’s message to us is that we are great — made in his image, but fallen — enslaved to our own sinful desires. The good that we desire to do, we do not do. We can never create a community of perfect love apart from him. It’s beyond sad.
I look at these pictures and can’t help but think of Jesus — the only one with the know-how and the power to bring racial reconciliation, the Prince of Peace — saying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! See, your house is left to you desolate” (Matthew 23:37-38).
“CL@T” = Currently listening to anarchy, “ACAB,” “1312.”
Clearly there is an element among the protesters that wants to destroy. Not just the police station (above) or the courts, but…
Why do some protesters despise America? I understand the frustration over bad cops. My black friends, especially the men, describe all the ways they live with a presumption of guilt or deficit. All the ways they experience police profiling as harassment. And this part has to change.
But, in addition to hating “cops,” some of the Portland protesters hate the very foundations of America. Some hate capitalism.
On the lower gray wall: “We all suffer under capitalists” (with an encircled pentagram underneath, aka the Wiccan star, symbol of the Wiccan religion).
The Difference Between MLK and the Portland Protesters
This Portland image is one of the most disturbing to me. It highlights the vast difference between the protests of Martin Luther King and the Portland Protesters. MLK protested against unjust American laws (laws that are not the same for everyone) by locking arms in broad daylight, with dignity and respect and without violence. He saw himself in partnership with God to do it.
In Letters from a Birmingham Jail he wrote,
In no sense do I advocate evading or defying the law, as would the rabid segregationist. That would lead to anarchy. One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty. I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law.
MLK realized that breaking just laws that are the same for everyone leads to anarchy. Clearly, he opposed anarchy. Breaking unjust laws and suffering their penalty creates empathy and brings change.
In Portland, peaceful protests occur during the day, with respect for the law. Lawless protests occur at night with setting fires, looting, using fireworks and lasers, rocks and frozen water bottles as weapons, and salutes to anarchy. Defying just laws that are meant to protect everyone. (Sadly, all the Portland protesters demonize the police.)
King worked to change the system’s unjust laws. Even if it meant paying the unjust laws’ penalties. He never called for burning the system down or abolishing capitalism or America. Even when his home was firebombed, King urged the black community not to riot.
More importantly, MLK also stated that, “Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of men willing to be co workers with God.”
But God is on the side of treating your enemies with respect, as King did. Not dehumanizing them. Not calling for their extermination. Not burning down the police precincts or unions or federal courthouses. Some of the Portland protesters signed their demands with a Wiccan star — a pagan symbol in rejection of God.
The Business of Reconciliation
God’s main business is reconciliation. He shows that in order to bring enemies together, sacrifice is needed. “While we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his son” (Romans 5:10). What is needed for racial reconciliation is sacrifice as a path to empathy, reconciliation and change.
As Prof. George Yancey points out, “If you rely merely on accusation, blaming and canceling to compel whites to support you, we will get what we have gotten thus far.” In other words, endless cycles of a national racial incident, protest, demands, backlash or disregard and, after about two months, a return to a racially unjust normal.
In other words, the message written on the walls of the Portland protests will not bring change. In large part because the change they want is not to change unjust laws. They want to change the way they are treated, especially by police. And they want power to force the change.
Thinking of George Floyd’s death, the goal is not simply, “Police shouldn’t suffocate someone under their knee.” How we treat each other comes from the heart. How do you teach procedures for treating people with empathy and respect instead of Chauvin’s stone-cold harshness and arrogance?
What is needed in large part is a heart change. In order to bring heart change, Blacks and Whites must listen to one another, treating one another with dignity and respect, seeking to understand each other, willing to sacrifice some of what they want to meet the others’ needs. Then we will have the mutual buy-in and support that will bring both sides together to make real change to end racism.
And that is what both sides long for. What MLK stood for. What God wants and will provide the power for — as we proactively seek change with real empathy that builds trust for the others’ side.
(For more on this solution I recommend reading George Yancey’s article and his book recommended there.)
Lael Arrington is a national speaker and author of four books — most recently, Faith and Culture: The Guide to a Culture Shaped by Faith.
Originally published at blogs.bible.org. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-08-21--Will Liberals Protect Your Vote When They Won’t Protect You?

Voting is ultimately a relationship between individuals , and as with every other trusted personal interaction , it should be based on integrity , veracity and good citizenship .
As the November election approaches , what does this mean for American voters ?
In a nutshell , a cursory review of news and social media casts significant doubt that we should leave the protection of our votes to liberal activists and their political associates who are currently demanding mail-only voting .
There are many ways votes can be lost , stolen , or uncounted , but voting in person is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , discouraging in-person voting is unnecessary and abets vote suppression .
The political left has deliberately withheld that their mass-mail ballot plan is different and significantly less secure than traditional absentee balloting , and that in-person primary voting has gone smoothly with the same safety precautions we use at the grocery store .
Yet this is the tip of the iceberg of reasonable mistrust .
Leftists led by BLM and Antifa have nearly burned Portland to the ground .
Last week a local man was dragged from his truck ( after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mob ) and was viciously beaten while rioters laughed .
In cities like Minneapolis and Dallas , riots left hundreds of minority businesses destroyed ( some with little or no insurance ) and that same lawlessness has led to a massive uptick in homicide , mostly in low-income , minority communities .
In Chicago , a BLM activist publicly repeated the selfish view of many of her fellow criminals by noting looting was okay because “ businesses have insurance.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our Day .
In these cities , controlled by Democrats , leaders have said little to condemn the violence and done less to contain it .
None has directly addressed the devastating abrogation of the property rights and rule of law that underpin our democracy .
The Portland area Democrat DA is refusing to press charges on personal and property crimes related to riots .
In Virginia , Democrat state senator Louise Lucas , a local school board member and three liberal public defenders have been charged with felony monument destruction .
Liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Ms. Lucas were “ unusual ” ( arguably , an elected official destroying public property is “ unusual ” ) and stated he looked forward to seeing her back at work in the capital .
In what so far has been presidential candidate Joe Biden ’ s most prominent interview during the DNC , he sat down with singer Cardi B .
Her latest music video is a disgraceful display of porn , with lyrics and images so filthy and immoral , I have declined to include the link .
Children should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of deviant behavior , and yet candidate Biden chose one of the musical left ’ s most prominent practitioners of such deviance — with absolutely no media credentials — to interview him .
The violent American left is calling to defund police — brave and selfless men and women who are responsible for protecting everyone ’ s property and personal safety .
President Trump has held several political rallies since the end of June .
Supporters were excited to order seats online as soon as they were available — and then have hopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stunt .
Liberals on social media made sport of ordering seats with no intention of attending , celebrating with “ LOLs ” on their posts .
There is nothing “ LOL , ” or decent , about stealing an opportunity to assemble and exercise free speech from a fellow citizen .
With their overwhelming lack of common decency , concern for fellow citizens , and disrespect for the law , why would anyone trust the political left to protect votes ?
Is stealing rally seats a metaphor for stealing votes ?
During this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of thousands of votes were proven to be uncounted under mail-only voting systems .
In California , Nevada , New York , Virginia , Wisconsin , and Florida alone , at least 407K+ ballots were not counted due to late delivery , missing postmarks , getting “ lost ’ in post offices , or being improperly completed by voters .
These don ’ t include votes subject to fraud under a scheme where ballots are mailed to unverified voters at equally unverified addresses .
Any voting plan that causes hundreds of thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fortunately , Americans are capable of both voting without mass mail-only ballots while being leery of the movement that is pushing for them .
Safe voting options include ordering personalized traditional absentee ballots mailed directly to verified addresses or taking advantage of less-crowded early voting in many states .
We can don a mask and social distance at the polls — the safest route to ensuring our individual political choices are heard .
The left and their chosen candidates have provided telling examples of their unwillingness to make ethical choices that protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numerous critical social norms , they are unlikely to be concerned with violating just one more .
Amb .
Ken Blackwell , a member of the American Constitutional Rights Union Action Fund Board of Directors , is an advisor to the Family Research Council .

Voting is ultimately a relationship between individuals, and as with every other trusted personal interaction, it should be based on integrity, veracity and good citizenship.
As the November election approaches, what does this mean for American voters?
The Left’s Mass-Mail Ballot Plan
In a nutshell, a cursory review of news and social media casts significant doubt that we should leave the protection of our votes to liberal activists and their political associates who are currently demanding mail-only voting. There are many ways votes can be lost, stolen, or uncounted, but voting in person is not one of them. Even in 2020, discouraging in-person voting is unnecessary and abets vote suppression.
The political left has deliberately withheld that their mass-mail ballot plan is different and significantly less secure than traditional absentee balloting, and that in-person primary voting has gone smoothly with the same safety precautions we use at the grocery store. Yet this is the tip of the iceberg of reasonable mistrust.
BLM, Antifa and Riots
Leftists led by BLM and Antifa have nearly burned Portland to the ground. Last week a local man was dragged from his truck (after he reportedly aided a transgender woman robbed by the mob) and was viciously beaten while rioters laughed.
In cities like Minneapolis and Dallas, riots left hundreds of minority businesses destroyed (some with little or no insurance) and that same lawlessness has led to a massive uptick in homicide, mostly in low-income, minority communities. In Chicago, a BLM activist publicly repeated the selfish view of many of her fellow criminals by noting looting was okay because “businesses have insurance.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
In these cities, controlled by Democrats, leaders have said little to condemn the violence and done less to contain it. None has directly addressed the devastating abrogation of the property rights and rule of law that underpin our democracy.
The Portland area Democrat DA is refusing to press charges on personal and property crimes related to riots. In Virginia, Democrat state senator Louise Lucas, a local school board member and three liberal public defenders have been charged with felony monument destruction. Liberal Virginia Governor Ralph Northam then complained charges against Ms. Lucas were “unusual” (arguably, an elected official destroying public property is “unusual”) and stated he looked forward to seeing her back at work in the capital.
The Left in Action
In what so far has been presidential candidate Joe Biden’s most prominent interview during the DNC, he sat down with singer Cardi B. Her latest music video is a disgraceful display of porn, with lyrics and images so filthy and immoral, I have declined to include the link.
Children should be protected from exposure to this kind of deviant behavior, and yet candidate Biden chose one of the musical left’s most prominent practitioners of such deviance — with absolutely no media credentials — to interview him.
The violent American left is calling to defund police — brave and selfless men and women who are responsible for protecting everyone’s property and personal safety.
Liberals’ Juvenile Stunt
President Trump has held several political rallies since the end of June. Supporters were excited to order seats online as soon as they were available — and then have hopes dashed by a juvenile, liberal political stunt.
Liberals on social media made sport of ordering seats with no intention of attending, celebrating with “LOLs” on their posts. There is nothing “LOL,” or decent, about stealing an opportunity to assemble and exercise free speech from a fellow citizen.
With their overwhelming lack of common decency, concern for fellow citizens, and disrespect for the law, why would anyone trust the political left to protect votes? Is stealing rally seats a metaphor for stealing votes?
Missing Votes
During this year’s presidential primaries, hundreds of thousands of votes were proven to be uncounted under mail-only voting systems. In California, Nevada, New York, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Florida alone, at least 407K+ ballots were not counted due to late delivery, missing postmarks, getting “lost’ in post offices, or being improperly completed by voters. These don’t include votes subject to fraud under a scheme where ballots are mailed to unverified voters at equally unverified addresses.
Any voting plan that causes hundreds of thousands of votes to be uncounted is vote suppression. Fortunately, Americans are capable of both voting without mass mail-only ballots while being leery of the movement that is pushing for them.
Safe voting options include ordering personalized traditional absentee ballots mailed directly to verified addresses or taking advantage of less-crowded early voting in many states. We can don a mask and social distance at the polls — the safest route to ensuring our individual political choices are heard.
The left and their chosen candidates have provided telling examples of their unwillingness to make ethical choices that protect citizens. Proving themselves willing to violate numerous critical social norms, they are unlikely to be concerned with violating just one more.
Amb. Ken Blackwell, a member of the American Constitutional Rights Union Action Fund Board of Directors, is an advisor to the Family Research Council.


thestream--2020-08-21--Outrage for the Children

Outrage for the Children

At what point does this stop ?
At what point does our society say , “ Enough is enough ” when it comes to the assault on our children ?
At what point do we stand up as a nation and put a stop to this attack on innocence ?
There was a time when our kids were not bombarded with “ pornographic ” sex-ed curricula in middle school .
There was a time when condoms were not given out to elementary school students .
There was a time when first graders were not taught LGBTQ terminology .
There was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8-year-old drag queens ( and when drag queens did not twerk for our toddlers in libraries ) .
There was a time when movies were not made about 11-year-old girls joining sensual dance teams .
But that time is not now , and the assault on our children ’ s innocence is at an all time high .
Should we not be concerned ?
Should we not be grieved ?
Should we not be outraged ?
Updated California Sex Ed Indoctrinates Children to Believe Sexual Filth is Normal Lest you think I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on May 9 , 2019 , “ Despite hundreds of parents protesting and testifying , on Wednesday the California State Board of Education approved highly controversial changes to the state ’ s health and sex education framework including teaching children about bondage , anal sex , pederasty , sex trafficking , sexual orientation and transgender and non-conforming students.
” One book , recommended for transitional kindergarten through third grade includes “ graphic , close-up illustrations of child/adult genitals and the sex act itself.
” This is for kids aged 6-9 !
Another book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group , teaches “ kids they can be a boy , a girl , both , neither , gender queer , or gender fluid , etc .
and that adults guess a child ’ s gender based on body parts.
” As for high school students , one textbook , “ Introduces or encourages anal sex for all sexual orientations , BDSM ( bondage , domination , sadomasochism ) , body fluid ( urinating on each other ) or blood play , fisting , and a long list of other sexual debauchery.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an adult ( or don ’ t know what some of the terms mean ) , can you imagine teaching this to high school kids ?
Yet it is adults , many of them parents , who approve of trash like this .
What an outrage .
Netflix is Under Attack for Sexualizing 11-Year-Olds in Cuties Now , Netflix has come under attack for its new documentary called Cuties .
Yes , “ The streaming giant is facing backlash for its promotional poster for the French film , whose young stars are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows the children wearing revealing dance attire of shorts and crop tops and striking various dance poses , like kneeling on the floor and squatting.
” Netflix quickly apologized for the poster , removing it from the promotional material .
But it did not apologize for the movie itself , stating , “ We ’ re deeply sorry for the inappropriate artwork that we used for Mignonnes/Cuties .
It was not OK , nor was it representative of this French film which won an award at Sundance .
We ’ ve now updated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t Be Fooled By Their Mention of a Sundance Award Ah , but of course .
The film won an award at Sundance .
It must be good and moral .
After all , Sundance is kind of like the Bible Belt of movies .
Conservative .
Almost prudish .
Right .
Rather , as Indie Wire noted , “ The Sundance Film Festival has been shocking audiences — and launching careers — for years.
” An early Sundance winner was the 1989 movie “ Sex , Lies , and Videotape.
” As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the quintessential movie of Sundance ’ s early years , Steven Soderbergh ’ s landmark debut remains one of the best movies ever to come out of the festival — and one of the most sexually frank.
” So much for winning an award at Sundance .
Cuties is About a Rotten New Reality We Must Not Accept And what , exactly , is “ Cuties ” about ?
As reported on Heavy , in the movie , which earned a TV-MA rating , “ Amy , an 11-year-old girl , joins a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ at school , and rapidly grows aware of her burgeoning femininity — upsetting her mother and her values in the process.
” It is also described as a “ coming-of-age moving about an 11-year-old , ” which really says it all .
Girls that young are not “ coming of age ” to sensual dancing unless someone else teaches them .
The thoughts would never enter their minds on their own , especially when they come from traditional religious backgrounds , as does Amy .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
A headline in The U.S. Sun reads , “ THIS IS GROSS !
Netflix ’ s new ‘ Cuties ’ show sparks fury with ‘ highly sexualised ’ drama about 11-year-old girl joining ‘ twerking squad.
’ ” This should spark fury among parents .
( And what about the little girls who posed for the Netflix poster ?
Should anyone think about them ? )
Someone might say , “ But the film simply tells the increasingly common story of a girl raised in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Muslim home ) who discovers a whole new world through social media and her school .
This is the new reality.
” But that ’ s the whole problem .
The new reality is rotten .
The new reality defiles .
The new reality destroys .
And the new reality gets worse by the day .
Almost all innocence has been lost .
The Souls of Our Children are Under Assault and We Must Act Young kids grow up singing the most salacious lyrics , gyrating sexually as they mouth the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before they can even understand it .
And kids as young as 8 are regularly encountering porn .
How have we let this happen ?
How have we let our children be emotionally and morally raped ?
There is even concern now about dolls promoting child abuse .
I am not making this up .
As a nation , we are outraged over the allegations against the late Jeffrey Epstein .
And we are mortified when we learn that sex trafficking is taking place in front of our eyes in major cities across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deeper .
The very souls of our children are under daily assault , from their cell phones to their classrooms .
Shall we not put up a wall of protection around them ?
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

At what point does this stop? At what point does our society say, “Enough is enough” when it comes to the assault on our children? At what point do we stand up as a nation and put a stop to this attack on innocence?
There was a time when our kids were not bombarded with “pornographic” sex-ed curricula in middle school.
There was a time when condoms were not given out to elementary school students.
There was a time when first graders were not taught LGBTQ terminology.
There was a time when we did not celebrate 8-year-old drag queens (and when drag queens did not twerk for our toddlers in libraries).
There was a time when movies were not made about 11-year-old girls joining sensual dance teams.
But that time is not now, and the assault on our children’s innocence is at an all time high. Should we not be concerned? Should we not be grieved? Should we not be outraged?
Updated California Sex Ed Indoctrinates Children to Believe Sexual Filth is Normal
Lest you think I’m exaggerating, the California Globe reported on May 9, 2019, “Despite hundreds of parents protesting and testifying, on Wednesday the California State Board of Education approved highly controversial changes to the state’s health and sex education framework including teaching children about bondage, anal sex, pederasty, sex trafficking, sexual orientation and transgender and non-conforming students.”
One book, recommended for transitional kindergarten through third grade includes “graphic, close-up illustrations of child/adult genitals and the sex act itself.” This is for kids aged 6-9!
The new reality is rotten. The new reality defiles. The new reality destroys. And the new reality gets worse by the day. Almost all innocence has been lost.
Another book, also recommended for the same age group, teaches “kids they can be a boy, a girl, both, neither, gender queer, or gender fluid, etc. and that adults guess a child’s gender based on body parts.”
As for high school students, one textbook, “Introduces or encourages anal sex for all sexual orientations, BDSM (bondage, domination, sadomasochism), body fluid (urinating on each other) or blood play, fisting, and a long list of other sexual debauchery.”
If you blush while reading these words as an adult (or don’t know what some of the terms mean), can you imagine teaching this to high school kids? Yet it is adults, many of them parents, who approve of trash like this. What an outrage.
Netflix is Under Attack for Sexualizing 11-Year-Olds in Cuties
Now, Netflix has come under attack for its new documentary called Cuties. Yes, “The streaming giant is facing backlash for its promotional poster for the French film, whose young stars are 11-years-old. The promo image in question shows the children wearing revealing dance attire of shorts and crop tops and striking various dance poses, like kneeling on the floor and squatting.”
Netflix quickly apologized for the poster, removing it from the promotional material. But it did not apologize for the movie itself, stating, “We’re deeply sorry for the inappropriate artwork that we used for Mignonnes/Cuties. It was not OK, nor was it representative of this French film which won an award at Sundance. We’ve now updated the pictures and description.”
Don’t Be Fooled By Their Mention of a Sundance Award
Ah, but of course. The film won an award at Sundance. It must be good and moral. After all, Sundance is kind of like the Bible Belt of movies. Conservative. Almost prudish. Right.
Rather, as Indie Wire noted, “The Sundance Film Festival has been shocking audiences — and launching careers — for years.” An early Sundance winner was the 1989 movie “Sex, Lies, and Videotape.”
As described on IndieWire, “In someways the quintessential movie of Sundance’s early years, Steven Soderbergh’s landmark debut remains one of the best movies ever to come out of the festival — and one of the most sexually frank.”
So much for winning an award at Sundance.
Cuties is About a Rotten New Reality We Must Not Accept
And what, exactly, is “Cuties” about? As reported on Heavy, in the movie, which earned a TV-MA rating, “Amy, an 11-year-old girl, joins a group of dancers named ‘the cuties’ at school, and rapidly grows aware of her burgeoning femininity — upsetting her mother and her values in the process.”
It is also described as a “coming-of-age moving about an 11-year-old,” which really says it all. Girls that young are not “coming of age” to sensual dancing unless someone else teaches them. The thoughts would never enter their minds on their own, especially when they come from traditional religious backgrounds, as does Amy.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
A headline in The U.S. Sun reads, “THIS IS GROSS! Netflix’s new ‘Cuties’ show sparks fury with ‘highly sexualised’ drama about 11-year-old girl joining ‘twerking squad.’” This should spark fury among parents. (And what about the little girls who posed for the Netflix poster? Should anyone think about them?)
Someone might say, “But the film simply tells the increasingly common story of a girl raised in a religious home (in this case, a Muslim home) who discovers a whole new world through social media and her school. This is the new reality.”
But that’s the whole problem. The new reality is rotten. The new reality defiles. The new reality destroys. And the new reality gets worse by the day. Almost all innocence has been lost.
The Souls of Our Children are Under Assault and We Must Act
Young kids grow up singing the most salacious lyrics, gyrating sexually as they mouth the words, being exposed to filth long before they can even understand it. And kids as young as 8 are regularly encountering porn. How have we let this happen? How have we let our children be emotionally and morally raped?
There is even concern now about dolls promoting child abuse. I am not making this up.
As a nation, we are outraged over the allegations against the late Jeffrey Epstein. And we are mortified when we learn that sex trafficking is taking place in front of our eyes in major cities across America.
But our outrage should go deeper. The very souls of our children are under daily assault, from their cell phones to their classrooms. Shall we not put up a wall of protection around them?
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.