thestream--2020-06-16--Coronavirus Pandemic ‘Could Have Been Prevented’ If Not for China’s Coronavirus Cover-Up, House GOP

Coronavirus Pandemic ‘Could Have Been Prevented’ If Not for China’s Coronavirus Cover-Up, House GOP Report Finds

The global coronavirus “ could have been prevented ” if not for China ’ s cover up of the viral disease in its early stages , a new report from Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee found .
The report , released Monday evening , also condemned the China-aligned World Health Organization ( WHO ) , concluding that the WHO “ enabled ” China ’ s cover-up of the virus ’ s outbreak .
The report also called on WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to resign from his post .
The Chinese Communist Party ’ s ( CCP ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may make it “ impossible ” to find hard evidence proving whether the COVID-19 outbreak originated at a laboratory in Wuhan , China , the document also concluded .
“ Until the CCP agrees to cooperate with the WHO , other countries , and the international scientific community , it will be impossible to gather the concrete evidence needed to prove , or disprove , ” whether the virus leaked out of the Wuhan Institute of Virology , the report stated .
Under Tedros ’ s leadership , the WHO has repeatedly echoed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus outbreak .
The WHO chief “ seriously erred in his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic , ” the report stated .
It also noted that Tedros was previously accused of covering up cholera epidemics in Africa .
Tedros “ should accept responsibility for his detrimental impact on the COVID-19 response and resign , ” the report stated in its recommendations .
“ The health of the world can not afford incompetence and poor management.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ After months of investigating , it ’ s become crystal clear the Chinese Communist Party ’ s cover-up of the coronavirus , especially in the early days of the outbreak , played a significant role in turning what could have been a local epidemic into a global pandemic , ” Texas Rep. Michael McCaul , the top Republican on the committee , said in a statement .
Under Tedros , the WHO “ only exacerbated the problem by repeatedly ignoring warnings about the severity of the virus , including from their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time parroting the CCP ’ s propaganda without independently confirming their claims , ” McCaul added .
The WHO did not immediately return a request for comment .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

The global coronavirus “could have been prevented” if not for China’s cover up of the viral disease in its early stages, a new report from Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee found.
The report, released Monday evening, also condemned the China-aligned World Health Organization (WHO), concluding that the WHO “enabled” China’s cover-up of the virus’s outbreak. The report also called on WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to resign from his post.
The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) cover-up of the virus’s outbreak may make it “impossible” to find hard evidence proving whether the COVID-19 outbreak originated at a laboratory in Wuhan, China, the document also concluded.
“Until the CCP agrees to cooperate with the WHO, other countries, and the international scientific community, it will be impossible to gather the concrete evidence needed to prove, or disprove,” whether the virus leaked out of the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the report stated.
Under Tedros’s leadership, the WHO has repeatedly echoed China’s propaganda about its handling of the coronavirus outbreak. The WHO chief “seriously erred in his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the report stated. It also noted that Tedros was previously accused of covering up cholera epidemics in Africa.
Tedros “should accept responsibility for his detrimental impact on the COVID-19 response and resign,” the report stated in its recommendations. “The health of the world cannot afford incompetence and poor management.”
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“After months of investigating, it’s become crystal clear the Chinese Communist Party’s cover-up of the coronavirus, especially in the early days of the outbreak, played a significant role in turning what could have been a local epidemic into a global pandemic,” Texas Rep. Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the committee, said in a statement.
Under Tedros, the WHO “only exacerbated the problem by repeatedly ignoring warnings about the severity of the virus, including from their own health experts, while at the same time parroting the CCP’s propaganda without independently confirming their claims,” McCaul added.
Must Read Report By @RepMcCaul @HouseForeignGOP Just Released! "THE ORIGINS OF THE COVID-19 GLOBAL PANDEMIC, INCLUDING THE ROLES OF THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY AND THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION" China lied and people died. The facts are all getting out.https://t.co/NYmZNtDAZr — Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) June 16, 2020
The WHO did not immediately return a request for comment.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-06-16--JK Rowling vs. Harry Potter Stars and the Supreme Court

This has been quite a ten-day stretch for transgender activism .
It began with one of the world ’ s bestselling authors , J.K. Rowling , coming under attack for stating that only women menstruate ( how dare she ! )
.
It ended with the Supreme Court including sexual orientation and gender identity under the category of “ sex.
” In the middle , several Harry Potter stars weighed in on the side of trans-activism .
It began on June 6 on Twitter when Rowling responded to an op-ed which referenced “ people who menstruate.
” She tweeted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m sure there used to be a word for those people .
Someone help me out .
Wumben ?
Wimpund ?
Woomud ?
” In response to the swirl of condemnation she received , rather than backing down , on June 10 she published a 3,600 word essay explaining her thinking .
Of her 5 reasons for taking a public stand , one involved the idea that only a female is a woman ( what a concept ! )
.
Living in a misogynistic world , this was an important issue for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve read all the arguments about femaleness not residing in the sexed body , and the assertions that biological women don ’ t have common experiences , and I find them , too , deeply misogynistic and regressive.
” Indeed , she wrote , “ It isn ’ t enough for women to be trans allies .
Women must accept and admit that there is no material difference between trans women and themselves.
” She continued , “ But , as many women have said before me , ‘ woman ’ is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not an idea in a man ’ s head .
‘ Woman ’ is not a pink brain , a liking for Jimmy Choos or any of the other sexist ideas now somehow touted as progressive.
” In short , “ If sex isn ’ t real , the lived reality of women globally is erased .
I know and love trans people , but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives .
It isn ’ t hate to speak the truth.
” Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harry Potter movie stars were not happy with Rowling .
Daniel Radcliffe ( who played Harry Potter ) wrote ( in part ) , “ Transgender women are women .
Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo ( Rowling ) or I.
” Among others joining in from the Potter cast was co-star Rupert Grint , who said , “ I firmly stand with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressed by many of my peers .
Trans women are women .
Trans men are men .
We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment.
” For Radcliffe , Grint and others , this was a matter of compassion .
Of understanding .
Of enlightenment .
It is high time , they would say , to move beyond the bigoted , hurtful , small-minded views of the past .
After all , we ’ re well into the 20th century now .
But all the compassion in the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be worth asking some of these trans-allied stars some simple questions , including : “ How , exactly do you define the terms men and women ?
What , after all , is a man or a woman ?
What constitutes being male or female ?
If it is not biological , then is it a state of mind ?
What , then , of a biological male who loves female things but still identifies as male ?
Is he a man ?
And if biology is not determinative , why does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sex ?
” These are logical questions , but when it comes to trans-activism , logic is not necessarily the biggest factor .
That ’ s because many trans-activists and allies are thinking more with their hearts , which I don ’ t mean in an insulting way .
They have a friend or relative who identifies as trans .
This person speaks of the terrible struggles they had until they transitioned , and now they are finally at peace .
Why shouldn ’ t we support them ?
That is an emotional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is compelling .
But it shouldn ’ t be compelling for the Supreme Court of the United States , which surprisingly voted 6-3 in favor of including “ sexual orientation ” and “ gender identity ” within the concept of “ sex ” in Title VII .
( Passed as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 , “ Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race , color , religion , sex and national origin.
” ) In one of the three cases included in the court ’ s current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funeral parlor that dismissed a male funeral director who wished to transition to the opposite sex .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
As explained by the ADF , “ Harris Funeral Homes [ the employer ] has professional conduct and dress codes to ensure that the grieving families it serves can focus on healing and not on the funeral home or its employees .
Such policies are not unusual .
In fact , they are consistent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that federal law allows such policies.
” So , Harris Funeral Homes thought it would be a distraction for grieving families if they were served by a male funeral director who was now dressing as and identifying as a woman .
As a result , the employee and the funeral home parted ways .
Now , by transforming the meaning of Title VII , “ sex ” includes gender identity .
As Justice Samuel Alito responded in his blistering dissenting opinion , “ Neither ‘ sexual orientation , ’ nor ‘ gender identity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specified grounds for discrimination in Title VII , and the majority ’ s ‘ argument is not only arrogant , it is wrong , ’ he wrote .
The terms ‘ sex , ’ ‘ sexual orientation , ’ and ‘ gender identity ’ are ‘ different concepts , ’ and neither of the two latter terms are ‘ tied to either of the biological sexes.
’ ” ( See further the succinct analysis of Hans Von Spokovski and Ryan T .
Anderson . )
As Alito also noted , “ if every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it would have been hard to find any who thought that discrimination because of sex meant discrimination because of sexual orientation — not to mention gender identity , a concept that was essentially unknown at the time.
” So , what SCOTUS did on June 15 was not an interpretation of a written law .
It was the making of a new law .
As Spokovski and Anderson asked , “ Why bother trying to pass the proposed Equality Act when you can get the justices to make law for you ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Funeral Homes , how were they guilty of an act of “ discrimination based on race , color , religion , sex and national origin ” ?
( The other two cases grouped together by SCOTUS involved gays who were fired because of the sexual orientation .
This , too , is now included under “ sex.
” ) It is little consolation that the ruling may not affect religious institutions .
( See here and here . )
That ’ s because : 1 ) there could be plenty more Harris Funeral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) SCOTUS has just redefined reality , without a stitch of biological or genetic evidence to back their claim .
It ’ s one thing when Harry Potter stars make such determinations .
It ’ s another thing entirely when the Supreme Court does .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is When the World Stops : Words of Faith , Hope , and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis .
Connect with him on Facebook , @ @ @ @

This has been quite a ten-day stretch for transgender activism. It began with one of the world’s bestselling authors, J.K. Rowling, coming under attack for stating that only women menstruate (how dare she!). It ended with the Supreme Court including sexual orientation and gender identity under the category of “sex.” In the middle, several Harry Potter stars weighed in on the side of trans-activism.
J.K. Rowling Speaks Up
It began on June 6 on Twitter when Rowling responded to an op-ed which referenced “people who menstruate.”
She tweeted, “‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”
In response to the swirl of condemnation she received, rather than backing down, on June 10 she published a 3,600 word essay explaining her thinking.
Of her 5 reasons for taking a public stand, one involved the idea that only a female is a woman (what a concept!). Living in a misogynistic world, this was an important issue for her.
She wrote, “I’ve read all the arguments about femaleness not residing in the sexed body, and the assertions that biological women don’t have common experiences, and I find them, too, deeply misogynistic and regressive.”
Indeed, she wrote, “It isn’t enough for women to be trans allies. Women must accept and admit that there is no material difference between trans women and themselves.”
She continued, “But, as many women have said before me, ‘woman’ is not a costume. ‘Woman’ is not an idea in a man’s head. ‘Woman’ is not a pink brain, a liking for Jimmy Choos or any of the other sexist ideas now somehow touted as progressive.”
In short, “If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.”
Well said, J.K.
Rowling Gets Ripped
Not surprisingly, a number of the major Harry Potter movie stars were not happy with Rowling.
Daniel Radcliffe (who played Harry Potter) wrote (in part), “Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo (Rowling) or I.”
Among others joining in from the Potter cast was co-star Rupert Grint, who said, “I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers. Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment.”
For Radcliffe, Grint and others, this was a matter of compassion. Of understanding. Of enlightenment. It is high time, they would say, to move beyond the bigoted, hurtful, small-minded views of the past. After all, we’re well into the 20th century now.
Reality and Emotional Reasoning
But all the compassion in the world doesn’t change reality. It would be worth asking some of these trans-allied stars some simple questions, including: “How, exactly do you define the terms men and women? What, after all, is a man or a woman? What constitutes being male or female? If it is not biological, then is it a state of mind? What, then, of a biological male who loves female things but still identifies as male? Is he a man? And if biology is not determinative, why does biology-altering surgery now change someone’s sex?”
These are logical questions, but when it comes to trans-activism, logic is not necessarily the biggest factor. That’s because many trans-activists and allies are thinking more with their hearts, which I don’t mean in an insulting way. They have a friend or relative who identifies as trans. This person speaks of the terrible struggles they had until they transitioned, and now they are finally at peace. Why shouldn’t we support them?
That is an emotional line of reasoning, and for many it is compelling.
SCOTUS Passes Into the Alternate Reality
But it shouldn’t be compelling for the Supreme Court of the United States, which surprisingly voted 6-3 in favor of including “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” within the concept of “sex” in Title VII. (Passed as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, “Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.”)
In one of the three cases included in the court’s current ruling, the justices ruled against a funeral parlor that dismissed a male funeral director who wished to transition to the opposite sex.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
As explained by the ADF, “Harris Funeral Homes [the employer] has professional conduct and dress codes to ensure that the grieving families it serves can focus on healing and not on the funeral home or its employees. Such policies are not unusual. In fact, they are consistent with industry standard. Not to mention that federal law allows such policies.”
So, Harris Funeral Homes thought it would be a distraction for grieving families if they were served by a male funeral director who was now dressing as and identifying as a woman. As a result, the employee and the funeral home parted ways.
Now, by transforming the meaning of Title VII, “sex” includes gender identity.
Justice Alito’s Devastating Dissent
As Justice Samuel Alito responded in his blistering dissenting opinion, “Neither ‘sexual orientation,’ nor ‘gender identity’ appear on the list of five specified grounds for discrimination in Title VII, and the majority’s ‘argument is not only arrogant, it is wrong,’ he wrote. The terms ‘sex,’ ‘sexual orientation,’ and ‘gender identity’ are ‘different concepts,’ and neither of the two latter terms are ‘tied to either of the biological sexes.’” (See further the succinct analysis of Hans Von Spokovski and Ryan T. Anderson.)
As Alito also noted, “if every single American had been surveyed in 1964, it would have been hard to find any who thought that discrimination because of sex meant discrimination because of sexual orientation — not to mention gender identity, a concept that was essentially unknown at the time.”
New Law, Re-Defined Reality
So, what SCOTUS did on June 15 was not an interpretation of a written law. It was the making of a new law. As Spokovski and Anderson asked, “Why bother trying to pass the proposed Equality Act when you can get the justices to make law for you?”
And in terms of the Harris Funeral Homes, how were they guilty of an act of “discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin”? (The other two cases grouped together by SCOTUS involved gays who were fired because of the sexual orientation. This, too, is now included under “sex.”)
It is little consolation that the ruling may not affect religious institutions. (See here and here.) That’s because: 1) there could be plenty more Harris Funeral Homes in the future. And 2) SCOTUS has just redefined reality, without a stitch of biological or genetic evidence to back their claim.
It’s one thing when Harry Potter stars make such determinations. It’s another thing entirely when the Supreme Court does.
What’s next?
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is When the World Stops: Words of Faith, Hope, and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-06-16--Military Photo of the Day: Cruising the Baltic Sea With Our Allies

Canadian , German , Norwegian and U.S. Navy ships sail together during a joint exercise in the Baltic Sea on @ @ @ @ @ Thank you to Germany ’ s Navy for capturing this image and to all the @ @ @ @ @ ships !
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Canadian, German, Norwegian and U.S. Navy ships sail together during a joint exercise in the Baltic Sea on June 8, 2020.
Thank you to Germany’s Navy for capturing this image and to all the brave sailors aboard these majestic ships!
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thestream--2020-06-17--Military Photo of the Day: Testing the Texas Army National Guard

Texas Army National Guard soldiers receive a COVID-19 antigen test at Camp Swift in Bastrop , Texas , on June @ @ @ @ @ you to these brave soldiers for protecting our country .
Stay safe !
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Texas Army National Guard soldiers receive a COVID-19 antigen test at Camp Swift in Bastrop, Texas, on June 9, 2020.
Thank you to these brave soldiers for protecting our country. Stay safe!
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thestream--2020-06-17--JK Rowling Uproar Reveals Unified Media Bias

Much has been written about the J.K. Rowling row over the past several weeks .
I contributed several columns summarizing the situation myself .
Before leaving this story behind , I ’ d like to make a final observation that highlights just how successful the transgender movement has been in recent years .
It is clear that , almost without exception , the media went to war against the phenomenally famous author of Harry Potter .
This is important for several reasons .
Many people seem not to have noticed ( another indicator of just how swift the trans takeover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost every headline on J.K. Rowling ’ s statement on transgenderism has assumed that she was wrong .
Despite the fact that Rowling emphasizes over and over again in her 3,500 word public statement on transgenderism that she supports some people transitioning and is not transphobic and is very pro-LGBT , the media reported on her statements not only as a heresy , but as a self-evident heresy .
Some day I hope an enterprising journalist tells the story of how trans activists managed to get the entire mainstream media to sign on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phrases such as “ sex assigned at birth ” and “ her penis ” and “ his breasts.
” The response to J.K. Rowling ’ s critique of the more radical aspects of the trans agenda prove that the media transition from news reporting to LGBT enforcer was lightning fast — so fast , in fact , that most people can not pinpoint exactly when it happened .
Consider the headline published by the CBC , for example : “ Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling sparks outrage again with tweets on transgender people.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would never be a reverse of this headline .
An equally true statement such as “ Tens of thousands come out in support of Rowling ’ s statements on transgenderism ” or “ Feminists thank Rowling for transgender stance ” would never be published .
In fact , any editor proposing them would probably fall victim to a professional guillotine from the woker staff members who have been collecting scalps , from the New York Times to the Philadelphia Enquirer .
Or how about the Vanity Fair ’ s think piece on Rowling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rowling ’ s transphobia comes from.
” Believing the premises of the transgender movement ’ s ideology is now simply the price of admission when consuming the mainstream media .
To understand what you are being fed by these folks , you are required to accept , without question , the idea that people like Rowling ( and probably yourself ! )
are afflicted by “ transphobia.
” Rowling , who was the darling of the liberal media for decades , is now a wicked TERF who must be canceled .
Liberals aren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after all .
Their intolerant wokeling descendants are .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
There are even spinoff stories that are intended to highlight just how hateful Rowling is .
“ Fans getting rid of ‘ Harry Potter ’ tattoos over J.K. Rowling ’ s anti-trans comments , ” read one headline .
“ 16 Celebrities who have spoken out against J.K. Rowling following her anti-trans remarks , ” BuzzFeed added helpfully .
“ The trans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spell , ” The Times reported hopefully .
And , somewhat ominously from The Independent : “ Harry Potter fans imagine a world without J.K. Rowling after transphobia row.
” This is a disturbing and fascinating case study of media homogeneity on the trans issue .
Besides some conservative media outlets , the media spoke with one voice .
In fact , the media created the story as much as reported on it .
They said there was massive backlash , then relentlessly solicited statements from various celebrities and former Rowling associates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be called a “ backlash.
” The media did not interview people for their thoughts , however .
Most Rowling readers couldn ’ t care less what her opinion on transgenderism is .
Most of them are kids , and most of them just want to read fantasy novels .
The media is seeking out those who will say what they want them to say , so that they can craft the “ J.K .
Rowling is a hateful bigot who is now canceled ” narrative .
Their willingness to engage in advocacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalism and into the realm of enforcement .
Their job is to patrol the ever-shifting borders of what the trans movement says is the current reality , to enforce the current orthodoxy and to let you know what the new one is tomorrow .
It has been an incredibly fast transition .
Jonathon Van Maren is a public speaker , writer , and pro-life activist .
He is the author of The Culture War and Seeing Is Believing : Why Our Culture Must Face the Victims of Abortion , and co-author of A @ @ @ @ @ @

Much has been written about the J.K. Rowling row over the past several weeks. I contributed several columns summarizing the situation myself. Before leaving this story behind, I’d like to make a final observation that highlights just how successful the transgender movement has been in recent years.
It is clear that, almost without exception, the media went to war against the phenomenally famous author of Harry Potter.
Woke Media Collecting Scalps
This is important for several reasons. Many people seem not to have noticed (another indicator of just how swift the trans takeover of media has been), but almost every headline on J.K. Rowling’s statement on transgenderism has assumed that she was wrong. Despite the fact that Rowling emphasizes over and over again in her 3,500 word public statement on transgenderism that she supports some people transitioning and is not transphobic and is very pro-LGBT, the media reported on her statements not only as a heresy, but as a self-evident heresy.
Some day I hope an enterprising journalist tells the story of how trans activists managed to get the entire mainstream media to sign on to their agenda and begin obediently using phrases such as “sex assigned at birth” and “her penis” and “his breasts.” The response to J.K. Rowling’s critique of the more radical aspects of the trans agenda prove that the media transition from news reporting to LGBT enforcer was lightning fast — so fast, in fact, that most people cannot pinpoint exactly when it happened.
It is clear that, almost without exception, the media went to war against the phenomenally famous author of Harry Potter.
Consider the headline published by the CBC, for example: “Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling sparks outrage again with tweets on transgender people.” You’ll notice that there would never be a reverse of this headline. An equally true statement such as “Tens of thousands come out in support of Rowling’s statements on transgenderism” or “Feminists thank Rowling for transgender stance” would never be published. In fact, any editor proposing them would probably fall victim to a professional guillotine from the woker staff members who have been collecting scalps, from the New York Times to the Philadelphia Enquirer.
Intolerant Ideology
Or how about the Vanity Fair’s think piece on Rowling’s statement: “Where J.K. Rowling’s transphobia comes from.” Believing the premises of the transgender movement’s ideology is now simply the price of admission when consuming the mainstream media. To understand what you are being fed by these folks, you are required to accept, without question, the idea that people like Rowling (and probably yourself!) are afflicted by “transphobia.” Rowling, who was the darling of the liberal media for decades, is now a wicked TERF who must be canceled. Liberals aren’t running the media anymore, after all. Their intolerant wokeling descendants are.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
There are even spinoff stories that are intended to highlight just how hateful Rowling is. “Fans getting rid of ‘Harry Potter’ tattoos over J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans comments,” read one headline. “16 Celebrities who have spoken out against J.K. Rowling following her anti-trans remarks,” BuzzFeed added helpfully. “The trans row that broke J.K. Rowling’s spell,” The Times reported hopefully. And, somewhat ominously from The Independent: “Harry Potter fans imagine a world without J.K. Rowling after transphobia row.”
A Manufactured Narrative
This is a disturbing and fascinating case study of media homogeneity on the trans issue. Besides some conservative media outlets, the media spoke with one voice. In fact, the media created the story as much as reported on it. They said there was massive backlash, then relentlessly solicited statements from various celebrities and former Rowling associates, so that there is now what can be called a “backlash.”
The media did not interview people for their thoughts, however. Most Rowling readers couldn’t care less what her opinion on transgenderism is. Most of them are kids, and most of them just want to read fantasy novels. The media is seeking out those who will say what they want them to say, so that they can craft the “J.K. Rowling is a hateful bigot who is now canceled” narrative. Their willingness to engage in advocacy has removed them from the realm of journalism and into the realm of enforcement. Their job is to patrol the ever-shifting borders of what the trans movement says is the current reality, to enforce the current orthodoxy and to let you know what the new one is tomorrow.
It has been an incredibly fast transition.
Jonathon Van Maren is a public speaker, writer, and pro-life activist. He is the author of The Culture War and Seeing Is Believing: Why Our Culture Must Face the Victims of Abortion, and co-author of A Guide to Discussing Assisted Suicide.


thestream--2020-06-18--Thousands Of Mexican, Brazilian Christians Reportedly Attend Clandestine Masses In Defiance Of Coron

Thousands Of Mexican, Brazilian Christians Reportedly Attend Clandestine Masses In Defiance Of Coronavirus Orders

Thousands of Catholics and Christians in Mexico and Brazil are reportedly attending clandestine masses in defiance of coronavirus social distancing orders .
“ The bells don ’ t ring , there are no calls to mass , ” Antonio Hernández , who has seen church-goers quietly enter religious services at the Mexican Sagrado Corazón de Jesús church , told The Guardian .
“ You just see the people arrive a few minutes before 6:30 p.m. , enter the temple through the back door and then after that you start to hear their prayers , ” he said .
More than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Catholic , The Guardian reported , making Mexico the country with the largest Catholic congregation in the world second only to Brazil .
Latin America itself is home to more than 40 % of the world ’ s Catholics .
Many of these Catholics have continued to go to mass , despite coronavirus social distancing orders .
Mexico ’ s federal government suspended all religious activities that involve crowds in March after the Mexican Episcopal Conference suspended masses earlier in the month following the nation ’ s first wave of coronavirus outbreaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ church services are “ invitation only , ” Diego Martinez , whose mother attends the services , told The Guardian .
“ They call you and tell you the place and the date.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Some churches , such as the Nuestra Señora de Fátima church in Zacatecas , allow attendance if the mass-goers sit behind the camera while the mass is live-streamed on Facebook .
Vicente Martinez , a Catholic in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all churches have been closed in his area but that his church has hidden activities every Thursday for about 30 to 40 people .
“ They do a callout where they describe it as an exclusive and private mass with refreshments after , ” Martinez told The Guardian .
Mexican authorities raided the Nuestra Señora de la Luz in the middle of mass in late May where they found around 20 people who were mostly elderly women praying .
The authorities kicked the women out of the church and sealed the church ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women had entered .
“ [ But ] they didn ’ t take any measures against the people inside — not even their temperature , ” Martinez told The Guardian .
Evangelicals in Brazil have also been sneaking into church services , though the state governor of Rio banned religious gatherings in mid-March , according to The Guardian .
Brazil ’ s president Jair Bolsonaro has been calling for churches to reopen , the publication reported .
“ Lift up your hands and shout : ‘ I wasn ’ t chosen to hide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rodrigues at a church service attended by about 80 worshippers in Rio , according to The Guardian .
“ I won ’ t accept having to cower in a cave , I won ’ t accept hiding in a hole because I have a calling from God , ” Rodrigues added .
“ You could have stayed at home .
But you needed to be here taking care of your salvation.
” Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Thousands of Catholics and Christians in Mexico and Brazil are reportedly attending clandestine masses in defiance of coronavirus social distancing orders.
“The bells don’t ring, there are no calls to mass,” Antonio Hernández, who has seen church-goers quietly enter religious services at the Mexican Sagrado Corazón de Jesús church, told The Guardian.
“You just see the people arrive a few minutes before 6:30 p.m., enter the temple through the back door and then after that you start to hear their prayers,” he said.
More than 80% of those in Mexico identify as Catholic, The Guardian reported, making Mexico the country with the largest Catholic congregation in the world second only to Brazil. Latin America itself is home to more than 40% of the world’s Catholics.
Many of these Catholics have continued to go to mass, despite coronavirus social distancing orders. Mexico’s federal government suspended all religious activities that involve crowds in March after the Mexican Episcopal Conference suspended masses earlier in the month following the nation’s first wave of coronavirus outbreaks, The Guardian reported.
The secret church services are “invitation only,” Diego Martinez, whose mother attends the services, told The Guardian. “They call you and tell you the place and the date.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Some churches, such as the Nuestra Señora de Fátima church in Zacatecas, allow attendance if the mass-goers sit behind the camera while the mass is live-streamed on Facebook. Vicente Martinez, a Catholic in the city of Gómez Palacios, said all churches have been closed in his area but that his church has hidden activities every Thursday for about 30 to 40 people.
“They do a callout where they describe it as an exclusive and private mass with refreshments after,” Martinez told The Guardian.
Mexican authorities raided the Nuestra Señora de la Luz in the middle of mass in late May where they found around 20 people who were mostly elderly women praying. The authorities kicked the women out of the church and sealed the church’s back door, through which the women had entered.
“[But] they didn’t take any measures against the people inside — not even their temperature,” Martinez told The Guardian.
Evangelicals in Brazil have also been sneaking into church services, though the state governor of Rio banned religious gatherings in mid-March, according to The Guardian. Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro has been calling for churches to reopen, the publication reported.
“Lift up your hands and shout: ‘I wasn’t chosen to hide myself!’” shouted Pastor Gilvrando Rodrigues at a church service attended by about 80 worshippers in Rio, according to The Guardian.
“I won’t accept having to cower in a cave, I won’t accept hiding in a hole because I have a calling from God,” Rodrigues added. “You could have stayed at home. But you needed to be here taking care of your salvation.”
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-06-17--Careful, Your Socks May Be Instruments of Hate

I have a confession to make , and it ’ s likely to get me fired .
Or would get me fired if I didn ’ t work where I did .
About two weeks ago , I wore a pair of socks containing the face of Thomas Jefferson .
I know .
Horrible .
Far worse than the Klan hood worn by Virginia ’ s current governor .
I ’ m loathsome .
As racist as any southern Democrat police chief in 1960 .
As long as I ’ m confessing , I also have a t-shirt from Jefferson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s old and ratty now , used only for projects around the house .
I figured that would still be safe to wear , because who could object to a Jefferson shirt getting covered in dirt and sweat and paint and mortar ?
Treated like a rag ?
Foolish me .
T-shirts not given a seal of approval by Mob Rules Matter are a no-go , too .
No matter where you may wear them .
Just ask Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy .
Mike Gundy was forced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ pain and discomfort ” he has caused .
What did he do ?
Was he parading around the practice field in a t-shirt made from the Confederate flag ?
Was he wearing a mask around campus that read “ I Support Officer Chauvin ” ?
Did he post on Facebook , “ Black Lives Matter as Long As They Block , Tackle and Run ” ?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
No .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American News Network ( Commonly abbreviated as OAN ) .
A shirt he was wearing on a fishing trip .
OSU star running back Chuba Hubbard was offended and threatened to effectively boycott the team .
Other players rallied behind Hubbard .
And this being 2020 , Gundy was made to grovel .
( Not that Gundy ’ s apology was enough for critics . )
The university president V. Burns Hargis , from atop a high horse , declared .
“ We will not tolerate insensitive behavior by anyone at Oklahoma State.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the school , we ’ ll see how just how much “ insensitive behavior ” from protesters Hargis tolerates .
So what is OAN and what ’ s the problem ?
OAN is a conservative news network and its opinion side is supportive of Trump .
Which means , in the media ’ s eyes , the whole operation is Nazi .
After all , anything to right of the anarchists and Marxists dictating life in Seattle is considered “ far right.
” And anything even remotely pro-Trump must be destroyed .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any tweet by Trump pointing out a media lie as an “ attack on the free press , ” even fights to keep OAN out of the White House briefings .
This despite the fact the news operation of OAN is described by Don Kaplan of the liberal New York Daily News as “ by far one of the most fair news outlets around , serving up a daily diet of ad-free , non-ideological , non-stop news — without smirking , snarky anchors or much fanfare.
” What a racket .
The mainstream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fledgling competition , attempt to stamp out any embers of independent thought , and lets the cancel culture carry the ball from there .
OAN also reports on the reality behind the Black Lives Matter organization .
( They know the difference between the preciousness of black life — black lives do matter — and the radical organization that claims the slogan .
An anti-American , Marxist-led , anti-Semitic corporation that has as one of its goals the destruction of the nuclear family .
A destruction , not incidentally , that has had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . )
Read OAN ’ s straight up coverage of stories connected to Black Lives Matter .
But because of sleigh-of-hand — reporting on the organization meets hating black people — OAN is branded racist .
And now , tossing on an OAN t-shirt while fishing makes you a racist , or at best “ insensitive.
” Unfortunately , it won ’ t be enough to wear pre-approved t-shirts .
You might also have to keep your hands in your pockets .
Just ask Emmanuel Cafferty .
Emmanuel Cafferty was fired from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Why ?
For cracking his knuckles .
About two weeks ago , Cafferty was out in a company truck when a stranger began following him .
The stranger shot a photograph of Cafferty with his arm hung out the window .
The image , as you can see , caught Cafferty ’ s hand making what up until recently was a harmless “ OK ” sign .
Suddenly the image is on Twitter , and Cafferty is accused of making a “ white power ” hand gesture .
Next thing you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : First : As the Anti-Defamation League notes , the OK sign has long meant … OK. People still use it to mean OK .
It shouldn ’ t be assumed to be a white supremacy symbol unless there ’ s other evidence to support the accusation .
Second : Cafferty insists he didn ’ t know the gesture is now used by some white supremacists .
He was just cracking his knuckles .
“ When my supervisor said that I was being accused of doing a white supremacist gesture , that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s NBC 7 .
“ I don ’ t know how long it ’ s going to take me to get over this , but to lose your dream job for playing with your fingers , that ’ s a hard pill to swallow.
” We should also mention a third point : Emmanuel Cafferty is a person of color .
He ’ s Mexican-American and says he comes from a diverse family of all races .
Not someone to make a white power gesture .
And a fourth point : the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have gotten it wrong , NBC7 reports .
I pray Cafferty will get his job back , or in the rebound economy an even better one .
I pray average Americans can go to work or play without worrying whether their casual wear will get them canned .
I pray the lunacy will end .
( The Stream ‘ s Tom Gilson has posted the first of a series on how we can strategize against the lunacy .
Please check it out . )
We can ’ t stand still as sanity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down on top of us .
We can ’ t keep our hands in our pockets .
We can ’ t let our voices be silenced , as radicals take food off our table and the shirts off our backs .
“ I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.
” — Thomas Jefferson Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author , with @ JZmirak , of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration .
You can follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you aren ’ t already , please follow The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

I have a confession to make, and it’s likely to get me fired. Or would get me fired if I didn’t work where I did.
About two weeks ago, I wore a pair of socks containing the face of Thomas Jefferson. I know. Horrible. Far worse than the Klan hood worn by Virginia’s current governor. I’m loathsome. As racist as any southern Democrat police chief in 1960.
As long as I’m confessing, I also have a t-shirt from Jefferson’s second home, Poplar Forest. It’s old and ratty now, used only for projects around the house. I figured that would still be safe to wear, because who could object to a Jefferson shirt getting covered in dirt and sweat and paint and mortar? Treated like a rag?
Foolish me. T-shirts not given a seal of approval by Mob Rules Matter are a no-go, too. No matter where you may wear them. Just ask Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy.
Gundy Apologizes for T-Shirt
Mike Gundy was forced to apologize Tuesday. He expressed remorse for the “pain and discomfort” he has caused. What did he do? Was he parading around the practice field in a t-shirt made from the Confederate flag? Was he wearing a mask around campus that read “I Support Officer Chauvin”? Did he post on Facebook, “Black Lives Matter as Long As They Block, Tackle and Run”?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
No. He was photographed wearing a t-shirt from One American News Network (Commonly abbreviated as OAN). A shirt he was wearing on a fishing trip.
OSU star running back Chuba Hubbard was offended and threatened to effectively boycott the team. Other players rallied behind Hubbard. And this being 2020, Gundy was made to grovel. (Not that Gundy’s apology was enough for critics.)
The university president V. Burns Hargis, from atop a high horse, declared. “We will not tolerate insensitive behavior by anyone at Oklahoma State.” Wait until a conservative speaks at the school, we’ll see how just how much “insensitive behavior” from protesters Hargis tolerates.
Far Right Nazi News
So what is OAN and what’s the problem? OAN is a conservative news network and its opinion side is supportive of Trump. Which means, in the media’s eyes, the whole operation is Nazi. After all, anything to right of the anarchists and Marxists dictating life in Seattle is considered “far right.” And anything even remotely pro-Trump must be destroyed.
The White House Correspondents Association, which considers any tweet by Trump pointing out a media lie as an “attack on the free press,” even fights to keep OAN out of the White House briefings. This despite the fact the news operation of OAN is described by Don Kaplan of the liberal New York Daily News as “by far one of the most fair news outlets around, serving up a daily diet of ad-free, non-ideological, non-stop news — without smirking, snarky anchors or much fanfare.”
What a racket. The mainstream media gets to define and slander their fledgling competition, attempt to stamp out any embers of independent thought, and lets the cancel culture carry the ball from there.
OAN also reports on the reality behind the Black Lives Matter organization. (They know the difference between the preciousness of black life — black lives do matter — and the radical organization that claims the slogan. An anti-American, Marxist-led, anti-Semitic corporation that has as one of its goals the destruction of the nuclear family. A destruction, not incidentally, that has had a horrific impact on the black community. )
Read OAN’s straight up coverage of stories connected to Black Lives Matter. But because of sleigh-of-hand — reporting on the organization meets hating black people — OAN is branded racist.
And now, tossing on an OAN t-shirt while fishing makes you a racist, or at best “insensitive.”
Unfortunately, it won’t be enough to wear pre-approved t-shirts. You might also have to keep your hands in your pockets. Just ask Emmanuel Cafferty.
Your Knuckles are Racist
Emmanuel Cafferty was fired from his job at San Diego Gas and Electric. Why? For cracking his knuckles. About two weeks ago, Cafferty was out in a company truck when a stranger began following him. The stranger shot a photograph of Cafferty with his arm hung out the window. The image, as you can see, caught Cafferty’s hand making what up until recently was a harmless “OK” sign.
Suddenly the image is on Twitter, and Cafferty is accused of making a “white power” hand gesture. Next thing you know, Cafferty is canned.
Two points: First: As the Anti-Defamation League notes, the OK sign has long meant … OK. People still use it to mean OK. It shouldn’t be assumed to be a white supremacy symbol unless there’s other evidence to support the accusation.
Second: Cafferty insists he didn’t know the gesture is now used by some white supremacists. He was just cracking his knuckles.
“When my supervisor said that I was being accused of doing a white supremacist gesture, that was baffling,” Cafferty told San Diego’s NBC 7. “I don’t know how long it’s going to take me to get over this, but to lose your dream job for playing with your fingers, that’s a hard pill to swallow.”
We should also mention a third point: Emmanuel Cafferty is a person of color. He’s Mexican-American and says he comes from a diverse family of all races. Not someone to make a white power gesture.
And a fourth point: the tweeter deleted his account and admits he may have gotten it wrong, NBC7 reports.
Can’t Keep Hands in Pockets
I pray Cafferty will get his job back, or in the rebound economy an even better one. I pray average Americans can go to work or play without worrying whether their casual wear will get them canned. I pray the lunacy will end. (The Stream‘s Tom Gilson has posted the first of a series on how we can strategize against the lunacy. Please check it out.) We can’t stand still as sanity and liberty and free speech are pulled down on top of us.
We can’t keep our hands in our pockets. We can’t let our voices be silenced, as radicals take food off our table and the shirts off our backs.
“I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” — Thomas Jefferson
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author, with @JZmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl. And if you aren’t already, please follow The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-06-17--No Winners, Only Losers: Law Enforcement Officers, GOP Lawmakers Imagine What Would Happen in a Worl

No Winners, Only Losers: Law Enforcement Officers, GOP Lawmakers Imagine What Would Happen in a World Without Police

Abolishing the police would create an ugly world , one in which highwaymen , street gangs , and warlords fill the vacuum where an officer once stood , according to two veteran law enforcement officers and several GOP lawmakers .
“ I don ’ t see there being any winners , and the losers will probably be the future generations of kids and their kids and how life will be for them growing up , ” Sergeants Benevolent Association of New York Vice President Vincent Vallelong , a long-time veteran of the New York City Police Department , told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have pushed defund the police during demonstrations against the death of George Floyd , a black man who died in May after a police officer kneeled down on his neck for nearly 10 minutes , a video of the incident shows .
The officer , Derek Chauvin , was immediately fired after the incident and faces second-degree murder and manslaughter charges .
The protests kickstarted a movement to defund the police , but the precise meaning of that phrase isn ’ t clear .
Many activists maintain that they are not necessarily interested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for defunding the police .
“ The slogan may be misleading without interpretation , ” Al Sharpton said on MSNBC ’ s Morning Joe June 8 .
“ I don ’ t think anyone other than the far extremes are saying we don ’ t want any kind of policing at all , ” he said .
To many , defund the police means cutting law enforcement budgets and directing funds toward social programs , or a form of community policing , which would require a willingness to embrace an alternative form of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policing right now is generated and directed toward quality-of-life issues , homelessness , drug addiction , domestic violence , ” Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza said in a June 7 interview on NBC .
“ What we do need is increased funding for housing , we need increased funding for education , we need increased funding for quality of life of communities who are over-policed and over-surveilled , ” Garza added .
Some activists , on the other hand , have argued that abolishing police is the best and only solution .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ abolition of the police for years , ” Mariame Kaba , an anti-criminalization activist who heads a grassroots group called Project NIA , wrote in a June 12 editorial for The New York Times .
“ Regardless of your view on police power — whether you want to get rid of the police or simply to make them less violent — here ’ s an immediate demand we can all make : Cut the number of police in half and cut their budget in half .
Fewer police officers equals fewer opportunities for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Kaba wrote .
Roughly 64 % of Americans oppose defunding the police , according to an ABC News poll published on June 12 .
Kaba ’ s strident position has created too much noise and distracted from the more moderate voices in the discussion , according to Vallelong .
Vallelong , who called what happened to Floyd “ disgusting , ” said policy changes are needed that address police brutality while also considering the police ’ s role in society .
Americans can expect to see the kind of chaos currently happening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zone ( CHAZ ) on a wide scale , said Vallelong , referring to the small neighborhood in Seattle , also known as the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest .
“ Some people took law into their own hands ( in Seattle ) and became the sheriff or a warlord , ” Vallelong said referring reports of a strong leader in CHAZ .
“ You ’ d have different factions .
Basically , gangs that would sprout up all over the place and take over certain areas … People would be shaken down.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cops are bad now , imagine the corruption and people dying and the violation of their civil rights if you do get rid of police as a whole.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
“ The predators would devour the prey , and when the prey are gone then they would devour each other , ” Dennis Slocumb , vice president emeritus of the International Union of Police Associations , told the DCNF .
He is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Sheriff ’ s Department .
“ If they want to improve the police departments — and so do we — then recruit the best people , ” Slocumb said .
Banning the police is like a “ scene out of a Blade Runner movie or something , ” he added .
“ If you don ’ t want the police to be in your neighborhood , then you better get used to the crooks being there , Slocumb said before noting : “ We want to solve the problem of police officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officer involved in Floyd ’ s death never should have been an officer , he added .
A lack of law enforcement could lead to hiring private security enforcers to protect property , but that likely wouldn ’ t make things safer , according to Vallelong .
“ Hiring private armed guards when you are armed with more armaments than the individuals who are coming to take whatever it is from you , ” he said .
“ Still does not make you safe.
” Democratic Los Angeles City Council President Nury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers as security over the past two months while calling for the department to be defunded , Spectrum News 1 initially reported June 9 .
Hawley , a Missouri Republican , offered up a similarly bleak vision as Vallelong in a June 12 National Review Online op-ed .
“ David Dorn ’ s tragic death is a stark reminder that the costs of this radicalism will be borne not by the many elites who advocate it but by the working class of all races — both those who are most vulnerable to crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and protect our neighborhoods , ” Hawley noted .
Hawley referred to the death of retired St. Louis Police Capt .
David Dorn , was killed trying to protect a friend ’ s pawn shop as rioters descended on the city .
“ The truth is , American elites don ’ t fear violent crime because , increasingly , they don ’ t encounter it , ” the senator added .
“ Rather than make high-crime neighborhoods safe and habitable for the people who live there , urban elites demolish them and put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And from the safety of a luxury loft , policing becomes an abstract concept.
” Hawley ’ s Republican colleague , Sen. Ted Cruz , suggested minority communities stand to lose the most if the move to defund the police is successful .
“ Calls to defund the police are radical , out of touch , and dangerous .
The people who have the most to lose by defunded police departments are the communities who need them most , ” the Texas Republican said in a June 10 tweet .

Abolishing the police would create an ugly world, one in which highwaymen, street gangs, and warlords fill the vacuum where an officer once stood, according to two veteran law enforcement officers and several GOP lawmakers.
“I don’t see there being any winners, and the losers will probably be the future generations of kids and their kids and how life will be for them growing up,” Sergeants Benevolent Association of New York Vice President Vincent Vallelong, a long-time veteran of the New York City Police Department, told the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Many activists have pushed defund the police during demonstrations against the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in May after a police officer kneeled down on his neck for nearly 10 minutes, a video of the incident shows. The officer, Derek Chauvin, was immediately fired after the incident and faces second-degree murder and manslaughter charges.
The protests kickstarted a movement to defund the police, but the precise meaning of that phrase isn’t clear.
Many activists maintain that they are not necessarily interested in abolishing law enforcement when they call for defunding the police.
“The slogan may be misleading without interpretation,” Al Sharpton said on MSNBC’s Morning Joe June 8. “I don’t think anyone other than the far extremes are saying we don’t want any kind of policing at all,” he said.
To many, defund the police means cutting law enforcement budgets and directing funds toward social programs, or a form of community policing, which would require a willingness to embrace an alternative form of public safety.
“So much of policing right now is generated and directed toward quality-of-life issues, homelessness, drug addiction, domestic violence,” Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza said in a June 7 interview on NBC.
“What we do need is increased funding for housing, we need increased funding for education, we need increased funding for quality of life of communities who are over-policed and over-surveilled,” Garza added.
Some activists, on the other hand, have argued that abolishing police is the best and only solution.
“I’ve been advocating the abolition of the police for years,” Mariame Kaba, an anti-criminalization activist who heads a grassroots group called Project NIA, wrote in a June 12 editorial for The New York Times. “Regardless of your view on police power — whether you want to get rid of the police or simply to make them less violent — here’s an immediate demand we can all make: Cut the number of police in half and cut their budget in half. Fewer police officers equals fewer opportunities for them to brutalize and kill people,” Kaba wrote.
Roughly 64% of Americans oppose defunding the police, according to an ABC News poll published on June 12.
Kaba’s strident position has created too much noise and distracted from the more moderate voices in the discussion, according to Vallelong.
Vallelong, who called what happened to Floyd “disgusting,” said policy changes are needed that address police brutality while also considering the police’s role in society.
Americans can expect to see the kind of chaos currently happening at Seattle’s Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) on a wide scale, said Vallelong, referring to the small neighborhood in Seattle, also known as the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest.
“Some people took law into their own hands (in Seattle) and became the sheriff or a warlord,” Vallelong said referring reports of a strong leader in CHAZ. “You’d have different factions. Basically, gangs that would sprout up all over the place and take over certain areas … People would be shaken down.”
Vallelong said, “If they think cops are bad now, imagine the corruption and people dying and the violation of their civil rights if you do get rid of police as a whole.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Another veteran officer expressed similar sentiments.
“The predators would devour the prey, and when the prey are gone then they would devour each other,” Dennis Slocumb, vice president emeritus of the International Union of Police Associations, told the DCNF. He is a 32-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
“If they want to improve the police departments — and so do we — then recruit the best people,” Slocumb said. Banning the police is like a “scene out of a Blade Runner movie or something,” he added.
“If you don’t want the police to be in your neighborhood, then you better get used to the crooks being there, Slocumb said before noting: “We want to solve the problem of police officers misbehaving as much as anyone.” The police officer involved in Floyd’s death never should have been an officer, he added.
A lack of law enforcement could lead to hiring private security enforcers to protect property, but that likely wouldn’t make things safer, according to Vallelong. “Hiring private armed guards when you are armed with more armaments than the individuals who are coming to take whatever it is from you,” he said. “Still does not make you safe.”
Democratic Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez faced criticism recently for using police officers as security over the past two months while calling for the department to be defunded, Spectrum News 1 initially reported June 9.
Hawley, a Missouri Republican, offered up a similarly bleak vision as Vallelong in a June 12 National Review Online op-ed.
“David Dorn’s tragic death is a stark reminder that the costs of this radicalism will be borne not by the many elites who advocate it but by the working class of all races — both those who are most vulnerable to crime and those who staff our police forces and protect our neighborhoods,” Hawley noted.
Hawley referred to the death of retired St. Louis Police Capt. David Dorn, was killed trying to protect a friend’s pawn shop as rioters descended on the city.
“The truth is, American elites don’t fear violent crime because, increasingly, they don’t encounter it,” the senator added. “Rather than make high-crime neighborhoods safe and habitable for the people who live there, urban elites demolish them and put up luxury high-rises for the upper class. And from the safety of a luxury loft, policing becomes an abstract concept.”
Hawley’s Republican colleague, Sen. Ted Cruz, suggested minority communities stand to lose the most if the move to defund the police is successful. “Calls to defund the police are radical, out of touch, and dangerous. The people who have the most to lose by defunded police departments are the communities who need them most,” the Texas Republican said in a June 10 tweet.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-06-17--How to Talk About LGBTQ Issues and Racism

The US Supreme Court ruled this week that “ an employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender defies the law.
” The next day , President Trump issued an executive order on police reform banning chokeholds unless an officer ’ s life is at risk and mandating that departments share information on officers accused of abusing power .
The debate over LGBTQ rights has dominated and divided our culture for many years .
To some , for example , opposing same-sex marriage is bigoted intolerance .
To others , advocating same-sex marriage violates God ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate over racial injustice has likewise dominated and divided our culture for many years .
To some , for example , “ silence is violence ” and all who do not protest against racism publicly are complicit in its evils .
To others , the violence at some protests delegitimizes the protests themselves .
How should Christians talk about these and other divisive issues in a way that generates more light than heat and brings glory to our Lord ?
Consider three biblical imperatives .
I taught biblical interpretation for many years with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often to my students was this fact : the only word God is obligated to bless is His word .
Our Lord promises that His word “ shall not return to me empty , but it shall accomplish that which I purpose , and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it ” ( Isaiah 55:11 ) .
His word “ is living and active , sharper than any two-edged sword , piercing to the division of soul and of spirit , of joints and of marrow , discerning the thoughts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hebrews 4:12 ) .
Billy Graham was once asked why his sermons so often included the phrase , “ the Bible says , ” followed by biblical quotations or citations .
He explained that early in his preaching ministry , he discovered that the more he quoted God ’ s word , the more powerfully God ’ s Spirit moved .
In speaking on divisive issues , it is vital that we seek and speak God ’ s word .
Human opinions can not change human hearts .
But God ’ s Spirit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God ’ s purposes in our lives and our world .
Two : Speak the Truth in Love Ephesians 4:15 has become a mantra for me : “ speaking the truth in love.
” Every word of this phrase is essential .
“ Speaking ” calls us to make public God ’ s word .
“ The truth ” points to biblical revelation .
“ In love ” shows us the right way to speak the right words .
People need the truth of God ’ s word , as we have seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth from a heart of love rather than hate , grace rather than condemnation , service rather than pride .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
We are much more likely to help people understand and embrace biblical truth on divisive issues if they know that we love them and want only the best for them .
Rather than viewing those who disagree with us as opponents to vanquish , we should see them as hurting hearts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more people disagree with biblical truth , the more they need to hear it .
But we are called to share that truth out of the humble fact that we are beggars helping beggars find bread .
Jesus knows the hearts and minds of those we are called to influence with His truth ( cf .
Matthew 9:4 ) .
He knows how we can best build relational bridges that earn the right to share His word and grace .
Before we speak for Jesus , we need to listen to Him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ divided culture , we need to retreat into stillness with our Savior .
To that end , I encourage you to make this prayer by Henri Nouwen your own today : Speak gently in my silence .
When the loud outer noises of my surroundings and the loud inner noises of my fears keep pulling me away from you , help me to trust that you are still there even when I am unable to hear you .
Give me ears to listen to your small , soft voice saying : “ Come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I will give you rest … for I am gentle and humble of heart.
” Let that loving voice be my guide .
Jim Denison , PhD , is the founder of Denison Forum with a reach of 1.7 million .
He also serves as Resident Scholar for Ethics with Baylor Scott & White Health .

The US Supreme Court ruled this week that “an employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender defies the law.” The next day, President Trump issued an executive order on police reform banning chokeholds unless an officer’s life is at risk and mandating that departments share information on officers accused of abusing power.
The debate over LGBTQ rights has dominated and divided our culture for many years. To some, for example, opposing same-sex marriage is bigoted intolerance. To others, advocating same-sex marriage violates God’s word and threatens religious liberty.
The debate over racial injustice has likewise dominated and divided our culture for many years. To some, for example, “silence is violence” and all who do not protest against racism publicly are complicit in its evils. To others, the violence at some protests delegitimizes the protests themselves.
How should Christians talk about these and other divisive issues in a way that generates more light than heat and brings glory to our Lord? Consider three biblical imperatives.
One: Speak Biblical Truth
I taught biblical interpretation for many years with several seminaries. A maxim I repeated often to my students was this fact: the only word God is obligated to bless is His word.
Our Lord promises that His word “shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). His word “is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
Billy Graham was once asked why his sermons so often included the phrase, “the Bible says,” followed by biblical quotations or citations. He explained that early in his preaching ministry, he discovered that the more he quoted God’s word, the more powerfully God’s Spirit moved.
In speaking on divisive issues, it is vital that we seek and speak God’s word. Human opinions cannot change human hearts. But God’s Spirit uses God’s word to accomplish God’s purposes in our lives and our world.
Two: Speak the Truth in Love
Ephesians 4:15 has become a mantra for me: “speaking the truth in love.” Every word of this phrase is essential.
“Speaking” calls us to make public God’s word. “The truth” points to biblical revelation. “In love” shows us the right way to speak the right words.
People need the truth of God’s word, as we have seen. But they need to hear that truth from a heart of love rather than hate, grace rather than condemnation, service rather than pride.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
We are much more likely to help people understand and embrace biblical truth on divisive issues if they know that we love them and want only the best for them. Rather than viewing those who disagree with us as opponents to vanquish, we should see them as hurting hearts to love.
In fact, the more people disagree with biblical truth, the more they need to hear it. But we are called to share that truth out of the humble fact that we are beggars helping beggars find bread.
Three: Listen to Jesus
Jesus knows the hearts and minds of those we are called to influence with His truth (cf. Matthew 9:4). He knows how we can best build relational bridges that earn the right to share His word and grace.
Before we speak for Jesus, we need to listen to Him. Before we step into our contentious, divided culture, we need to retreat into stillness with our Savior.
To that end, I encourage you to make this prayer by Henri Nouwen your own today:
Dear God, Speak gently in my silence.
When the loud outer noises of my surroundings
and the loud inner noises of my fears
keep pulling me away from you,
help me to trust that you are still there
even when I am unable to hear you.
Give me ears to listen to your small, soft voice saying:
“Come to me, you who are overburdened, and I will give you rest …
for I am gentle and humble of heart.”
Let that loving voice be my guide. Amen.
Jim Denison, PhD, is the founder of Denison Forum with a reach of 1.7 million. He also serves as Resident Scholar for Ethics with Baylor Scott & White Health.


thestream--2020-06-17--Anarchy in Downtown Seattle Not a ‘Festive Zone’

Most revolutions don ’ t end in liberty ; rather , they typically end in bloodshed and merciless tyranny .
The Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone ( “ CHAZ ” ) , which was created in Seattle , is being billed as a cop-free zone ( or something along those lines ) , and is being treated by more than a few media organizations as little more than a social justice street festival .
CHAZ — now being referred to by some by a new acronym , “ CHOP ” — was carved out of a few city blocks surrounding the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Precinct building .
So far , Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and the chief of police have taken no steps to regain control of the area , which is now surrounded by various blockades .
Much of the media coverage portrays CHAZ as a sort of peaceful urban enclave where social justice activists have gathered to air their complaints about the police and racism in America .
“ What has emerged is an experiment in life without the police — part street festival , part commune , ” reported The New York Times .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , poetry , and music .
On [ the night of June 9 ] , dozens of people sat in the middle of an intersection to watch 13th , the Ava DuVernay film about the criminal justice system ’ s impact on African Americans .
[ The next day ] , children made chalk drawings in the middle of the street.
” The Associated Press called CHAZ a “ festive zone , ” and other outlets have followed suit .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day .
So , what exactly is the Seattle autonomous zone , and what does it stand for ?
On June 8 , some of the protesters drew up a list of what my colleague GianCarlo Canaparo called “ foolish and dangerous policy proposals , ” including abolishing courts , prisons , and the police .
They also demanded citizenship for illegal immigrants , socialized medicine , and reparations for black Americans .
The zone has a mix of peaceful occupiers and some not so peaceful ones , combining that so-called social justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eruptions of robbery , property destruction , and bloodshed .
“ Security , some armed , are stationed at borders fortified with metal and plastic traffic barricades , ” Jason Rantz wrote at National Review .
“ There ’ s only one entrance that allows drivers , but you must first check in with CHAZ security .
One protester said they monitor who comes in and out , looking for white supremacists they think may show up to start trouble.
” We ’ ve Seen This Show Before There are a few historical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on in Seattle , a city known for its history of left-wing labor agitation dating back more than a century .
It could also be described as a kind of rehash of the “ utopian ” communities that were tried and mostly spectacularly failed in the early 19th century , the difference being that most of those societies were created in lightly populated rural areas .
Or perhaps the better description would be that it ’ s a small-time re-enactment of the Paris Commune of 1871 .
The so-called communards — basically , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after France was defeated in the Franco-Prussian War .
The independent socialist paradise lasted two blood-soaked months in which escalating starvation and violence eventually led to the French military rolling in and retaking the city .
So far at least , CHAZ appears to be less violent , but a mob is still a mob .
Anarchy and radicalism tend to turn to destruction rather quickly .
The acronym name of the zone has been changed by some to “ CHOP , ” but what the “ O ” stands for in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some reports , it stands for Capitol Hill Organized Protest , but regardless , the message is certainly ominous .
It ’ s not a good sign that “ citizens ” of the autonomous zone , if they can be called that , are drawing their own comparisons to the French Revolution .
True enough , opponents of the French Revolution went to the guillotine .
So did proponents .
Before the bloody reign of terror was over , even the most fervent Jacobin leader , Maximilien Robespierre , went to the chopping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd .
Such is the nature of the end of most of history ’ s revolutions .
The bottom line is , CHAZ — or CHOP , or whatever the autonomous zone is being called at the moment — represents a city in a state of anarchy , but that anarchy won ’ t continue long .
Despite claims to be above needing sordid things such as police , the CHAZ occupiers have already begun implementing enforcers to control outbreaks of violence and theft , a border to ensure that not everyone can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and outsiders , and some kind of rudimentary political system ( specifically , a warlord in rapper Raz Simone ) .
They have all this while eliminating the elements of a free society that elevate us above savagery and hold back tyranny .
They are missing courts ( which they seek to abolish ) , elections , or really any kind of political or legal accountability .
An incident that took place on Sunday , as described by Christopher Rufo , director of the Discovery Institute ’ s Center on Wealth , Poverty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experiment may be heading .
It ’ s clear that in the Seattle autonomous zone , most basic rights to life and property can ’ t be protected .
Though CHAZ occupants say they seek justice , at least rhetorically , they have no avenue to carry it out other than through the use of raw force .
In essence , the Seattle autonomous zone is a revolutionary movement that has few safeguards to stand up to the whims of the strong or the mob .
It ’ s malpractice for the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a peaceful block party .
If nature abhors a vacuum , the vacuum of anarchy is rarely replaced by liberty and justice for all .
Jarrett Stepman is a contributor to The Daily Signal and co-host of The Right Side of History podcast .
Send an email to Jarrett .
He is also the author of the new book , The War on History : The Conspiracy to Rewrite America ’ s Past .

Most revolutions don’t end in liberty; rather, they typically end in bloodshed and merciless tyranny.
The Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (“CHAZ”), which was created in Seattle, is being billed as a cop-free zone (or something along those lines), and is being treated by more than a few media organizations as little more than a social justice street festival.
CHAZ — now being referred to by some by a new acronym, “CHOP” — was carved out of a few city blocks surrounding the now-abandoned Seattle Police Department’s East Precinct building.
So far, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and the chief of police have taken no steps to regain control of the area, which is now surrounded by various blockades.
Just a Happy Urban Enclave
Much of the media coverage portrays CHAZ as a sort of peaceful urban enclave where social justice activists have gathered to air their complaints about the police and racism in America.
“What has emerged is an experiment in life without the police — part street festival, part commune,” reported The New York Times. “Hundreds have gathered to hear speeches, poetry, and music. On [the night of June 9], dozens of people sat in the middle of an intersection to watch 13th, the Ava DuVernay film about the criminal justice system’s impact on African Americans. [The next day], children made chalk drawings in the middle of the street.”
The Associated Press called CHAZ a “festive zone,” and other outlets have followed suit.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
So, what exactly is the Seattle autonomous zone, and what does it stand for?
On June 8, some of the protesters drew up a list of what my colleague GianCarlo Canaparo called “foolish and dangerous policy proposals,” including abolishing courts, prisons, and the police.
They also demanded citizenship for illegal immigrants, socialized medicine, and reparations for black Americans.
The zone has a mix of peaceful occupiers and some not so peaceful ones, combining that so-called social justice street festival with the threat and occasional eruptions of robbery, property destruction, and bloodshed.
“Security, some armed, are stationed at borders fortified with metal and plastic traffic barricades,” Jason Rantz wrote at National Review. “There’s only one entrance that allows drivers, but you must first check in with CHAZ security. One protester said they monitor who comes in and out, looking for white supremacists they think may show up to start trouble.”
We’ve Seen This Show Before
There are a few historical comparisons to what’s currently going on in Seattle, a city known for its history of left-wing labor agitation dating back more than a century.
It could also be described as a kind of rehash of the “utopian” communities that were tried and mostly spectacularly failed in the early 19th century, the difference being that most of those societies were created in lightly populated rural areas.
Or perhaps the better description would be that it’s a small-time re-enactment of the Paris Commune of 1871.
The so-called communards — basically, communists — created the commune in Paris after France was defeated in the Franco-Prussian War. The independent socialist paradise lasted two blood-soaked months in which escalating starvation and violence eventually led to the French military rolling in and retaking the city.
So far at least, CHAZ appears to be less violent, but a mob is still a mob. Anarchy and radicalism tend to turn to destruction rather quickly.
The acronym name of the zone has been changed by some to “CHOP,” but what the “O” stands for in this new acronym is ambiguous. According to some reports, it stands for Capitol Hill Organized Protest, but regardless, the message is certainly ominous.
It’s not a good sign that “citizens” of the autonomous zone, if they can be called that, are drawing their own comparisons to the French Revolution.
“Does anybody know what happened to the people who did not get on board with the French Revolution?” “CHOPPED,” the crowd answered. pic.twitter.com/FfyUAvcUhM — Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) June 15, 2020
True enough, opponents of the French Revolution went to the guillotine. So did proponents. Before the bloody reign of terror was over, even the most fervent Jacobin leader, Maximilien Robespierre, went to the chopping block to the chorus of a cheering crowd.
Such is the nature of the end of most of history’s revolutions.
Anarchy Cannot Last
The bottom line is, CHAZ — or CHOP, or whatever the autonomous zone is being called at the moment — represents a city in a state of anarchy, but that anarchy won’t continue long.
Despite claims to be above needing sordid things such as police, the CHAZ occupiers have already begun implementing enforcers to control outbreaks of violence and theft, a border to ensure that not everyone can come in and the distinction between occupants and outsiders, and some kind of rudimentary political system (specifically, a warlord in rapper Raz Simone).
They have all this while eliminating the elements of a free society that elevate us above savagery and hold back tyranny. They are missing courts (which they seek to abolish), elections, or really any kind of political or legal accountability.
An incident that took place on Sunday, as described by Christopher Rufo, director of the Discovery Institute’s Center on Wealth, Poverty, and Morality, illustrates where this experiment may be heading.
Sunday night, the CHAZ nearly erupted into a wider conflict. A man dressed in black broke into the Car Tender, a local business, allegedly stealing some items and setting the building on fire. The shop’s owner and a heavily armed companion put out the fire and detained the alleged thief, prompting a mob of protesters to swarm the area, break down the fence, and confront the shop owners, believing a rumor that the thief was being held at gunpoint. After a tense exchange, Raz Simone and the mob eventually chased down the alleged thief and forcibly detained him. Despite multiple calls for service, the police refused to intervene.
It’s clear that in the Seattle autonomous zone, most basic rights to life and property can’t be protected. Though CHAZ occupants say they seek justice, at least rhetorically, they have no avenue to carry it out other than through the use of raw force.
In essence, the Seattle autonomous zone is a revolutionary movement that has few safeguards to stand up to the whims of the strong or the mob.
It’s malpractice for the media to portray this development as little more than a peaceful block party.
If nature abhors a vacuum, the vacuum of anarchy is rarely replaced by liberty and justice for all.
Jarrett Stepman is a contributor to The Daily Signal and co-host of The Right Side of History podcast. Send an email to Jarrett. He is also the author of the new book, The War on History: The Conspiracy to Rewrite America’s Past.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Signal


thestream--2020-06-17--President Trump’s Leadership Strengthens Relations Between Law Enforcement and Communities

President Donald Trump is taking unprecedented action to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and their local communities by recognizing the need to invest more energy and resources in police training and by supporting efforts to bring the police and communities together .
Meanwhile , Democrat nominee for President Joe Biden — who has been in public office for almost half a century — remains silent , hiding in his basement , as radical-left elements of the Democrat Party attempt to tear the nation apart .
While Biden and the Democrats continue to disparage President Trump on this issue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump accomplished in 40 minutes what Mr. Biden couldn ’ t do in 40 years — common-sense reform that encourages law enforcement agencies to implement best practices and protect the communities they serve .
Six months ago , the president established the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice — the first commission on law enforcement in half a century .
Under Tuesday ’ s Order , the Attorney General will allocate certain grant funding to only those law enforcement agencies that meet high standards , including around use-of-force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent bodies .
The E.O .
also provides incentives for law enforcement agencies to use a nationwide database to track terminations and criminal convictions against law enforcement officers for excessive use-of-force , which will create accountability between agencies so misconduct isn ’ t simply swept under the rug or lost under a deluge of paperwork .
Contrast the president ’ s concrete steps to create real change to Joe Biden ’ s empty rhetoric and inaction as a 44-year career politician .
President Trump is working to increase transparency and accountability in policing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Biden led efforts to pass the infamous legislation that eliminated judicial discretion in sentencing , which had a disproportionate impact on black communities , targeting young black men for low level offenses .
President Trump has led the way on groundbreaking criminal justice reform , taking a smart-on-crime approach to make our communities safer .
Biden ’ s efforts were never about actually reducing crime , but to advance his own political career .
He supported efforts to eliminate parole and prison capacity requirements to appear “ tough on crime.
” He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turns a blind eye to the destruction of communities .
Mr. Biden even bragged about how he ensured that individuals found with even a quarter-sized amount of crack cocaine would go to jail for 5 years .
“ You get no probation , you get nothing other than five years in jail — judge doesn ’ t have a choice , ” Joe Biden said at the time .
Meanwhile , the President leads in building a better American future and a more just society based on the rule of law .
President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement community , a vast majority of whom serve and protect their communities with honor and dignity .
The president understands the tremendous sacrifice our law enforcement officers make to keep the American people safe .
In fact , last year alone , 89 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty .
In 2018 , American law enforcement agencies arrests nearly 12,000 people for murder and manslaughter , 25,000 people for rape , and nearly 1.5 million for assault .
While Joe Biden continues to engage in divisive rhetoric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understands the importance of close ties between law enforcement and the communities they serve .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
President Trump is taking real action to unite the country and ensure safer communities for all Americans .
Joe Biden continues his campaign of “ all-talk , no-action , ” by continuing to criticize the president from the comfort of his own basement .
Mr. Biden is focused on ways he can further divide the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the emotion and pain of the black community .
President Trump is leading through his actions , including Tuesday ’ s executive order which will help unite all Americans as we work towards a more perfect union .
Ken Blackwell is the former Mayor of Cincinnati , Ohio and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Commission .

President Donald Trump is taking unprecedented action to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and their local communities by recognizing the need to invest more energy and resources in police training and by supporting efforts to bring the police and communities together.
Meanwhile, Democrat nominee for President Joe Biden — who has been in public office for almost half a century — remains silent, hiding in his basement, as radical-left elements of the Democrat Party attempt to tear the nation apart.
While Biden and the Democrats continue to disparage President Trump on this issue, the fact of the matter is, President Trump accomplished in 40 minutes what Mr. Biden couldn’t do in 40 years — common-sense reform that encourages law enforcement agencies to implement best practices and protect the communities they serve.
President Trump’s Executive Order
Six months ago, the president established the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice — the first commission on law enforcement in half a century.
Under Tuesday’s Order, the Attorney General will allocate certain grant funding to only those law enforcement agencies that meet high standards, including around use-of-force and de-escalation, as credentialed by reputable independent bodies.
The E.O. also provides incentives for law enforcement agencies to use a nationwide database to track terminations and criminal convictions against law enforcement officers for excessive use-of-force, which will create accountability between agencies so misconduct isn’t simply swept under the rug or lost under a deluge of paperwork.
Joe Biden’s Empty Rhetoric
Contrast the president’s concrete steps to create real change to Joe Biden’s empty rhetoric and inaction as a 44-year career politician. President Trump is working to increase transparency and accountability in policing across America.
In the 1990’s Biden led efforts to pass the infamous legislation that eliminated judicial discretion in sentencing, which had a disproportionate impact on black communities, targeting young black men for low level offenses.
President Trump has led the way on groundbreaking criminal justice reform, taking a smart-on-crime approach to make our communities safer.
Biden’s efforts were never about actually reducing crime, but to advance his own political career. He supported efforts to eliminate parole and prison capacity requirements to appear “tough on crime.” He now embraces efforts to destabilize order and turns a blind eye to the destruction of communities.
Mr. Biden even bragged about how he ensured that individuals found with even a quarter-sized amount of crack cocaine would go to jail for 5 years. “You get no probation, you get nothing other than five years in jail — judge doesn’t have a choice,” Joe Biden said at the time.
A Better Future
Meanwhile, the President leads in building a better American future and a more just society based on the rule of law.
President Trump understands the importance of supporting our law enforcement community, a vast majority of whom serve and protect their communities with honor and dignity.
The president understands the tremendous sacrifice our law enforcement officers make to keep the American people safe. In fact, last year alone, 89 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty. In 2018, American law enforcement agencies arrests nearly 12,000 people for murder and manslaughter, 25,000 people for rape, and nearly 1.5 million for assault.
While Joe Biden continues to engage in divisive rhetoric to demonize law enforcement, President Trump understands the importance of close ties between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
President Trump is taking real action to unite the country and ensure safer communities for all Americans.
Joe Biden continues his campaign of “all-talk, no-action,” by continuing to criticize the president from the comfort of his own basement.
Mr. Biden is focused on ways he can further divide the country, attempting to score cheap political points off the emotion and pain of the black community.
President Trump is leading through his actions, including Tuesday’s executive order which will help unite all Americans as we work towards a more perfect union.
Ken Blackwell is the former Mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio, and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Commission.