thestream--2020-05-28--Here’s How The DOJ Has Fought Against Orders Limiting Religious Services During The Pandemic

• Governors across the United States have issued orders during the coronavirus pandemic that restrict or prohibit religious services .
• The Department of Justice and Attorney General William Barr have fought back against such restrictions on multiple occasions .
• “ Even in times of emergency , ” Barr warned in April , federal law prohibits religious discrimination .
Governors and mayors across the United States have issued orders during the coronavirus pandemic that restrict or prohibit religious services , and the Department of Justice has pushed back against such restrictions on multiple occasions .
Governors like Democratic Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 or more people through initial stay-at-home orders , restrictions which effectively banned church services .
Authorities have arrested multiple religious leaders for defying coronavirus orders , such as Pastor Tony Spell of the Louisiana Life Tabernacle church and Florida megachurch pastor Rodney Howard-Browne .
Attorney General William Barr set the tone for the U.S. Department of Justice ’ s attitude towards religious freedom during the pandemic by warning in an early April statement that “ even in times of emergency , ” federal law prohibits religious discrimination .
Barr also promised that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state or local government that “ singles out , targets , or discriminates against any house of worship for special restrictions.
” Since this statement was issued , the DOJ has intervened in multiple cases of government crackdowns on churches and pastors , specifically in Nevada , California , Oklahoma , Illinois , Virginia , and Mississippi .
Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband notified Democratic Nevada Gov .
Steve Sisolak in a Monday letter that the governor ’ s May 13 emergency order subjected churches and other faith based organizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses and other organizations .
Section 17 of Emergency Directive 18 allowed restaurants to operate at 50 % capacity , the letter notes , but the order prohibited places of worship from holding services of 10 or more people .
“ We understand these directives were issued in the midst of an uncertain situation , which may have required quick decisions based on changing information , ” the letter said .
“ We are concerned , however , that the flat prohibition against ten or more persons gathering for in-person worship services — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines — impermissibly treats religious and nonreligious organizations unequally.
” Dreiband urged Sisolak to “ help preserve the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment by amending earlier Emergency Directives and remedying their unequal treatment of places of worship.
” Following the DOJ letter , Sisolak announced Tuesday as part of the second phase his plan for reopening the state ’ s economy that starting Friday religious organizations with strict social distancing requirements may hold services with 50 attendees or fewer .
“ I am confident faith leaders will follow the guidance and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welfare of their communities , ” Sisolak said .
The DOJ also filed a statement of interest May 22 in an Illinois federal court that supported Republican Illinois state Rep. Darren Bailey ’ s lawsuit against Democratic Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker .
Bailey ’ s lawsuit was brought before a judge May 15 and a hearing was scheduled to take place May 21 , but the governor removed the case to a federal district court , according to a DOJ press release .
“ According to the lawsuit , ” the DOJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Governor ’ s actions are not authorized by state law , as they extend beyond the 30-day time period imposed by the Illinois legislature for the Governor ’ s exercise of emergency powers granted under the Act.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Dreiband said in a statement that Pritzker owes it “ owes it to the people of Illinois to allow his state ’ s courts to adjudicate the question of whether Illinois law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 , ” reminding Pritzker that all governors must comply with the law , “ especially during times of crisis.
” “ The Department of Justice remains committed to defending the rule of law and the American people at all times , especially during this difficult time as we deal with COVID-19 pandemic , ” Dreiband added .
The DOJ statement of interest states that the case belongs in the Illinois state court since the “ sweeping nature ” of Pritzker ’ s orders “ may affect millions of lives and raise significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s current stay-at-home order still prevents religious services from having more than 10 people present , and the state does not plan on allowing religious services with 50 or fewer people until phase four of Illinois ’ reopening plan in late June .
The DOJ warned Democratic California Gov .
Gavin Newsom in a May 19 letter that though the DOJ understands California ’ s responsibility to protect the health and safety of Californians , the state also has a duty to preserve religious liberty during the pandemic .
Dreiband said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when reasonable and temporary restrictions are placed on rights , the First Amendment and federal statutory law prohibit discrimination against religious institutions and religious believers.
” “ Simply put , there is no pandemic exception to the U.S. Constitution and its Bill of Rights , ” Dreiband said .
California ’ s phase two reopening plan does not allow churches to reopen but does allow other types of secular businesses to reopen with social distancing measures , which Dreiband called in his letter “ differential treatment.
” “ While it is true that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worship may inevitably result in much smaller congregations than some faith groups would like , in our experience with other controversies around the country , many places of worship are quite content to operate at 15-25 % of capacity in a way that allows for social distancing between family groups , ” Dreiband wrote .
“ We believe , for the reasons outlined above , that the Constitution calls for California to do more to accommodate religious worship , including in Stage 2 of the Reopening Plan , ” Dreiband said .
Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday following the letter that allow for the partial reopening of California churches .
The new guidelines will allow houses of worship to open if these institutions limit attendance to 25 % capacity or to 100 attendees .
The United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma , Timothy J .
Downing , asked Norman , Oklahoma , Mayor Breea Clark in a May 8 letter to amend her proclamation restricting religious services .
“ Religion and religious worship continue to be central to the lives of millions of Americans , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s April 15 statement .
” This is true now more than ever .
The pandemic has changed the way Americans live their lives.
” “ Religious communities have rallied to protect their communities from the spread of this disease by making services available online or in parking lots , leaving pews empty , and in numerous other creative ways that otherwise comply with social distancing and sanitation guidelines .
Those efforts may be impeded by Proclamation 2020-07 and its prohibition on the operation of places of worship , ” Downing said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Clark , the mayor reversed her course and allowed churches to reopen in Norman , Oklahoma .
Clark defended this decision by saying that she was going to reopen churches regardless on May 15 .
“ I will not spend years feuding with the federal government over one week , ” Clark said .
The DOJ filed a statement of interest with a Virginia federal court May 3 supporting Lighthouse Fellowship Church , which serves recovering drug addicts and former prostitutes , according to a DOJ press release .
Northam ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with more than 10 people but permitted “ gatherings of workers in any non-retail business and an array of retail businesses , including liquor stores , dry cleaners and department stores , ” according to the press release .
Violations of this order were punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of $ 2,500 .
The press release notes that when Lighthouse Fellowship Church , a church that seats 225 , held a service on April 5 attended by sixteen people , police issued a criminal citation and summons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The pastor then filed a lawsuit but the district church denied the church ’ s request for preliminary relief .
The court said at the time that though businesses “ may not be essential , the exception crafted on their behalf is essential to prevent joblessness.
” “ For many people of faith , exercising religion is essential , especially during a crisis , ” Dreiband said in a statement at the time .
“ The Commonwealth of Virginia has offered no good reason for refusing to trust congregants who promise to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it trusts accountants , lawyers , and other workers to do the same.
” Matthew Schneider , U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan , who is helping Dreiband oversee the DOJ ’ s monitoring of religious freedom during the pandemic , also noted that “ unlawful discrimination against people who exercise their right to religion violates the First Amendment , whether we are in a pandemic or not.
” “ As important as it is that we stay safe during these challenging times , it is also important for states to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our freedoms in times of emergency , ” Schneider said .
As part of Phase 1 of reopening Virginia , Northam allowed many Virginia churches to open May 15 at 50 % capacity .
Northern Virginia churches will be able to open on Friday at 50 % capacity after a delayed opening due to concerns from DMV area leaders that the area was not yet ready to open .
The DOJ also filed a statement of interest April 15 in support of a Mississippi church that attempted to hold parking lot services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pastor over the radio .
Though Greenville , Mississippi , allowed citizens to attend drive-in restaurants with windows open , Barr noted in a DOJ press release , the city fined those who attended the drive in mass at King James Baptist Church .
“ The City appears to have thereby singled churches out as the only essential service ( as designated by the state of Mississippi ) that may not operate despite following all CDC and state recommendations regarding social distancing , ” Barr said .
“ Where a state has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a compelling reason to impose restrictions on places of worship and must ensure that those restrictions are narrowly tailored to advance its compelling interest , ” Barr said .
“ While we believe that during this period there is a sufficient basis for the social distancing rules that have been put in place , the scope and justification of restrictions beyond that will have to be assessed based on the circumstances as they evolve.
” The DOJ press release noted that Greenville later said it would drop the fines against those who attended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to enforce the order .
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 licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Governors across the United States have issued orders during the coronavirus pandemic that restrict or prohibit religious services.
The Department of Justice and Attorney General William Barr have fought back against such restrictions on multiple occasions.
“Even in times of emergency,” Barr warned in April, federal law prohibits religious discrimination.
Governors and mayors across the United States have issued orders during the coronavirus pandemic that restrict or prohibit religious services, and the Department of Justice has pushed back against such restrictions on multiple occasions.
Governors like Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam banned gatherings of 10 or more people through initial stay-at-home orders, restrictions which effectively banned church services. Authorities have arrested multiple religious leaders for defying coronavirus orders, such as Pastor Tony Spell of the Louisiana Life Tabernacle church and Florida megachurch pastor Rodney Howard-Browne.
Attorney General William Barr set the tone for the U.S. Department of Justice’s attitude towards religious freedom during the pandemic by warning in an early April statement that “even in times of emergency,” federal law prohibits religious discrimination.
Barr also promised that the DOJ would be watching for any state or local government that “singles out, targets, or discriminates against any house of worship for special restrictions.”
Since this statement was issued, the DOJ has intervened in multiple cases of government crackdowns on churches and pastors, specifically in Nevada, California, Oklahoma, Illinois, Virginia, and Mississippi.
Nevada
Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband notified Democratic Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak in a Monday letter that the governor’s May 13 emergency order subjected churches and other faith based organizations to restrictions that were not applied to businesses and other organizations.
Section 17 of Emergency Directive 18 allowed restaurants to operate at 50% capacity, the letter notes, but the order prohibited places of worship from holding services of 10 or more people.
“We understand these directives were issued in the midst of an uncertain situation, which may have required quick decisions based on changing information,” the letter said.
“We are concerned, however, that the flat prohibition against ten or more persons gathering for in-person worship services — regardless of whether they maintain social distancing guidelines — impermissibly treats religious and nonreligious organizations unequally.”
Dreiband urged Sisolak to “help preserve the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment by amending earlier Emergency Directives and remedying their unequal treatment of places of worship.”
Following the DOJ letter, Sisolak announced Tuesday as part of the second phase his plan for reopening the state’s economy that starting Friday religious organizations with strict social distancing requirements may hold services with 50 attendees or fewer.
“I am confident faith leaders will follow the guidance and restrictions necessary to protect the health and welfare of their communities,” Sisolak said.
Illinois
The DOJ also filed a statement of interest May 22 in an Illinois federal court that supported Republican Illinois state Rep. Darren Bailey’s lawsuit against Democratic Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Bailey’s lawsuit was brought before a judge May 15 and a hearing was scheduled to take place May 21, but the governor removed the case to a federal district court, according to a DOJ press release.
“According to the lawsuit,” the DOJ’s press release said, “the Governor’s actions are not authorized by state law, as they extend beyond the 30-day time period imposed by the Illinois legislature for the Governor’s exercise of emergency powers granted under the Act.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Dreiband said in a statement that Pritzker owes it “owes it to the people of Illinois to allow his state’s courts to adjudicate the question of whether Illinois law authorizes orders he issued to respond to COVID-19,” reminding Pritzker that all governors must comply with the law, “especially during times of crisis.”
“The Department of Justice remains committed to defending the rule of law and the American people at all times, especially during this difficult time as we deal with COVID-19 pandemic,” Dreiband added.
The DOJ statement of interest states that the case belongs in the Illinois state court since the “sweeping nature” of Pritzker’s orders “may affect millions of lives and raise significant constitutional concerns in other litigation.”
Illinois’s current stay-at-home order still prevents religious services from having more than 10 people present, and the state does not plan on allowing religious services with 50 or fewer people until phase four of Illinois’ reopening plan in late June.
California
The DOJ warned Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom in a May 19 letter that though the DOJ understands California’s responsibility to protect the health and safety of Californians, the state also has a duty to preserve religious liberty during the pandemic.
Dreiband said that “even in times of emergency, when reasonable and temporary restrictions are placed on rights, the First Amendment and federal statutory law prohibit discrimination against religious institutions and religious believers.”
“Simply put, there is no pandemic exception to the U.S. Constitution and its Bill of Rights,” Dreiband said.
California’s phase two reopening plan does not allow churches to reopen but does allow other types of secular businesses to reopen with social distancing measures, which Dreiband called in his letter “differential treatment.”
“While it is true that social distancing requirements applied to places of worship may inevitably result in much smaller congregations than some faith groups would like, in our experience with other controversies around the country, many places of worship are quite content to operate at 15-25% of capacity in a way that allows for social distancing between family groups,” Dreiband wrote.
“We believe, for the reasons outlined above, that the Constitution calls for California to do more to accommodate religious worship, including in Stage 2 of the Reopening Plan,” Dreiband said.
Newsom announced an updated set of coronavirus restrictions Monday following the letter that allow for the partial reopening of California churches. The new guidelines will allow houses of worship to open if these institutions limit attendance to 25% capacity or to 100 attendees.
Oklahoma
The United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, Timothy J. Downing, asked Norman, Oklahoma, Mayor Breea Clark in a May 8 letter to amend her proclamation restricting religious services.
“Religion and religious worship continue to be central to the lives of millions of Americans,” Downing said, drawing on Barr’s April 15 statement. ” This is true now more than ever. The pandemic has changed the way Americans live their lives.”
“Religious communities have rallied to protect their communities from the spread of this disease by making services available online or in parking lots, leaving pews empty, and in numerous other creative ways that otherwise comply with social distancing and sanitation guidelines. Those efforts may be impeded by Proclamation 2020-07 and its prohibition on the operation of places of worship,” Downing said.
The same day the letter was sent to Clark, the mayor reversed her course and allowed churches to reopen in Norman, Oklahoma. Clark defended this decision by saying that she was going to reopen churches regardless on May 15.
“I will not spend years feuding with the federal government over one week,” Clark said.
Virginia
The DOJ filed a statement of interest with a Virginia federal court May 3 supporting Lighthouse Fellowship Church, which serves recovering drug addicts and former prostitutes, according to a DOJ press release.
Northam’s executive order initially banned in-person religious services with more than 10 people but permitted “gatherings of workers in any non-retail business and an array of retail businesses, including liquor stores, dry cleaners and department stores,” according to the press release.
Violations of this order were punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of $2,500.
The press release notes that when Lighthouse Fellowship Church, a church that seats 225, held a service on April 5 attended by sixteen people, police issued a criminal citation and summons to the church’s pastor. The pastor then filed a lawsuit but the district church denied the church’s request for preliminary relief.
The court said at the time that though businesses “may not be essential, the exception crafted on their behalf is essential to prevent joblessness.”
“For many people of faith, exercising religion is essential, especially during a crisis,” Dreiband said in a statement at the time. “The Commonwealth of Virginia has offered no good reason for refusing to trust congregants who promise to use care in worship in the same way it trusts accountants, lawyers, and other workers to do the same.”
Matthew Schneider, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, who is helping Dreiband oversee the DOJ’s monitoring of religious freedom during the pandemic, also noted that “unlawful discrimination against people who exercise their right to religion violates the First Amendment, whether we are in a pandemic or not.”
“As important as it is that we stay safe during these challenging times, it is also important for states to remember that we do not abandon all of our freedoms in times of emergency,” Schneider said.
As part of Phase 1 of reopening Virginia, Northam allowed many Virginia churches to open May 15 at 50% capacity. Northern Virginia churches will be able to open on Friday at 50% capacity after a delayed opening due to concerns from DMV area leaders that the area was not yet ready to open.
Mississippi
The DOJ also filed a statement of interest April 15 in support of a Mississippi church that attempted to hold parking lot services with windows rolled up, listening to the pastor over the radio. Though Greenville, Mississippi, allowed citizens to attend drive-in restaurants with windows open, Barr noted in a DOJ press release, the city fined those who attended the drive in mass at King James Baptist Church.
“The City appears to have thereby singled churches out as the only essential service (as designated by the state of Mississippi) that may not operate despite following all CDC and state recommendations regarding social distancing,” Barr said.
“Where a state has not acted evenhandedly, it must have a compelling reason to impose restrictions on places of worship and must ensure that those restrictions are narrowly tailored to advance its compelling interest,” Barr said. “While we believe that during this period there is a sufficient basis for the social distancing rules that have been put in place, the scope and justification of restrictions beyond that will have to be assessed based on the circumstances as they evolve.”
The DOJ press release noted that Greenville later said it would drop the fines against those who attended the drive in service but would continue to enforce the order.
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--2020-05-28--‘A Year’s Worth of Suicide Attempts in Four Weeks’: The Unintended Consequences of COVID-19 Lockdown

‘A Year’s Worth of Suicide Attempts in Four Weeks’: The Unintended Consequences of COVID-19 Lockdowns

The costs of the government responses to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic have been severe .
New evidence suggests they could be even worse than we imagined .
An ABC affiliate in California reports that doctors at John Muir Medical Center tell them they have seen more deaths by suicide than COVID-19 during the quarantine .
“ The numbers are unprecedented , ” said Dr. Michael deBoisblanc , referring to the spike in suicides .
“ We ’ ve never seen numbers like this , in such a short period of time , ” deBoisblanc added .
“ I mean we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth of suicide attempts in the last four weeks.
” Kacey Hansen , a trauma nurse who has spent 33 years at the hospital , said she has never witnessed self-inflicted attacks on such a scale .
“ What I have seen recently , I have never seen before , ” Hansen said .
“ I have never seen so much intentional injury.
” To date , there is little evidence that lockdowns have reduced the spread of COVID-19 .
But even if there were compelling evidence that lockdowns were saving lives , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the manifold unintended consequences of stay-at-home orders .
As economist Antony Davies and political scientist James Harrigan explain , “ every human action has both intended and unintended consequences .
Human beings react to every rule , regulation , and order governments impose , and their reactions result in outcomes that can be quite different than the outcomes lawmakers intended.
” The problem with negative unintended consequences is two-fold .
First , as Ludwig von Mises , observed , every government intervention in markets creates unintended consequences , which often lead to more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unintended consequences , and so on .
Second , as Frédéric Bastiat pointed out , we tend to focus our attention more on the intended consequences than the unintended ones .
( Think of government assistance and the poverty trap . )
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The unintended consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have been severe .
Most of the attention , however , has been focused on the economic consequences .
Forty million US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hundreds of thousands of businesses wiped out and retirements destroyed .
The psychological and physiological unintended consequences of stay-at-home orders have received less attention .
Media have been largely transfixed on COVID-19 , reporting daily death tolls and rising case numbers in states easing lockdown restrictions ( while failing to note that COVID cases are rising because of expanded testing ) .
To be sure , measuring the impact on mental health is trickier than measuring COVID-19 fatalities or job losses .
But that is no reason to discount the psychological and physical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggests the toll is severe .
A recent Wall Street Journal report shows a surge in the number of people taking drugs for anxiety and insomnia , prompting physicians to warn about the long-term risks of increased prescriptions , which include drug addiction and abuse .
Stay-at-home orders may seem relatively benign , but they are not .
Science shows that human beings struggle mightily in isolation from one another .
As The New York Times reported in 2016 , social isolation isn ’ t just harmful , it ’ s quite deadly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social separation is bad for us .
Individuals with less social connection have disrupted sleep patterns , altered immune systems , more inflammation and higher levels of stress hormones .
One recent study found that isolation increases the risk of heart disease by 29 percent and stroke by 32 percent .
Another analysis that pooled data from 70 studies and 3.4 million people found that socially isolated individuals had a 30 percent higher risk of dying in the next seven years , and that this effect was largest in middle age .
Loneliness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and isolated individuals are twice as likely to die prematurely as those with more robust social interactions .
These effects start early : Socially isolated children have significantly poorer health 20 years later , even after controlling for other factors .
All told , loneliness is as important a risk factor for early death as obesity and smoking .
Anecdotal evidence , like the testimony of doctors at John Muir Medical Center and reported surges in calls to suicide hotlines around the country , suggest the mental toll of lockdowns could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Indeed , they likely go hand-in-hand . )
We ’ ll have months if not years to debate whether the lockdowns were effective or the right thing to do .
What ’ s important to remember is the stay-at-home orders come with a host of unintended consequences that we have not yet even begun to measure or understand .
For his part , Dr. DeBoisblanc has seen enough to convince him that it ’ s time to lift stay-at-home orders and let people return to their communities .
“ Personally , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ I think , originally , this was put in place to flatten the curve and to make sure hospitals have the resources to take care of COVID patients .
We have the current resources to do that , and our other community health is suffering.
” Jonathan Miltimore is the Managing Editor of FEE.org .
His writing/reporting has been the subject of articles in TIME magazine , The Wall Street Journal , CNN , Forbes , Fox News , and the Star Tribune .
Bylines : The Washington Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Daily Caller , The Federalist , the Epoch Times .

The costs of the government responses to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic have been severe. New evidence suggests they could be even worse than we imagined.
An ABC affiliate in California reports that doctors at John Muir Medical Center tell them they have seen more deaths by suicide than COVID-19 during the quarantine.
“The numbers are unprecedented,” said Dr. Michael deBoisblanc, referring to the spike in suicides.
“We’ve never seen numbers like this, in such a short period of time,” deBoisblanc added. “I mean we’ve seen a year’s worth of suicide attempts in the last four weeks.”
Kacey Hansen, a trauma nurse who has spent 33 years at the hospital, said she has never witnessed self-inflicted attacks on such a scale.
“What I have seen recently, I have never seen before,” Hansen said. “I have never seen so much intentional injury.”
To date, there is little evidence that lockdowns have reduced the spread of COVID-19. But even if there were compelling evidence that lockdowns were saving lives, it would be a mistake to ignore the manifold unintended consequences of stay-at-home orders.
As economist Antony Davies and political scientist James Harrigan explain, “every human action has both intended and unintended consequences. Human beings react to every rule, regulation, and order governments impose, and their reactions result in outcomes that can be quite different than the outcomes lawmakers intended.”
The problem with negative unintended consequences is two-fold.
First, as Ludwig von Mises, observed, every government intervention in markets creates unintended consequences, which often lead to more calls for government interventions which have more unintended consequences, and so on. Second, as Frédéric Bastiat pointed out, we tend to focus our attention more on the intended consequences than the unintended ones. (Think of government assistance and the poverty trap.)
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The unintended consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have been severe. Most of the attention, however, has been focused on the economic consequences. Forty million US jobs lost. A looming recession. Hundreds of thousands of businesses wiped out and retirements destroyed.
The psychological and physiological unintended consequences of stay-at-home orders have received less attention. Media have been largely transfixed on COVID-19, reporting daily death tolls and rising case numbers in states easing lockdown restrictions (while failing to note that COVID cases are rising because of expanded testing).
To be sure, measuring the impact on mental health is trickier than measuring COVID-19 fatalities or job losses. But that is no reason to discount the psychological and physical impact of lockdowns, especially when evidence suggests the toll is severe.
A recent Wall Street Journal report shows a surge in the number of people taking drugs for anxiety and insomnia, prompting physicians to warn about the long-term risks of increased prescriptions, which include drug addiction and abuse.
Stay-at-home orders may seem relatively benign, but they are not. Science shows that human beings struggle mightily in isolation from one another.
As The New York Times reported in 2016, social isolation isn’t just harmful, it’s quite deadly:
A wave of new research suggests social separation is bad for us. Individuals with less social connection have disrupted sleep patterns, altered immune systems, more inflammation and higher levels of stress hormones. One recent study found that isolation increases the risk of heart disease by 29 percent and stroke by 32 percent. Another analysis that pooled data from 70 studies and 3.4 million people found that socially isolated individuals had a 30 percent higher risk of dying in the next seven years, and that this effect was largest in middle age. Loneliness can accelerate cognitive decline in older adults, and isolated individuals are twice as likely to die prematurely as those with more robust social interactions. These effects start early: Socially isolated children have significantly poorer health 20 years later, even after controlling for other factors. All told, loneliness is as important a risk factor for early death as obesity and smoking.
Anecdotal evidence, like the testimony of doctors at John Muir Medical Center and reported surges in calls to suicide hotlines around the country, suggest the mental toll of lockdowns could be as great as the material costs. (Indeed, they likely go hand-in-hand.)
We’ll have months if not years to debate whether the lockdowns were effective or the right thing to do. What’s important to remember is the stay-at-home orders come with a host of unintended consequences that we have not yet even begun to measure or understand.
For his part, Dr. DeBoisblanc has seen enough to convince him that it’s time to lift stay-at-home orders and let people return to their communities.
“Personally, I think it’s time,” he said. “I think, originally, this was put in place to flatten the curve and to make sure hospitals have the resources to take care of COVID patients. We have the current resources to do that, and our other community health is suffering.”
Jonathan Miltimore is the Managing Editor of FEE.org. His writing/reporting has been the subject of articles in TIME magazine, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, and the Star Tribune. Bylines: The Washington Times, MSN.com, The Washington Examiner, The Daily Caller, The Federalist, the Epoch Times.


thestream--2020-05-28--Women Hurt by Abortion: Pam’s Story

Women Hurt by Abortion: Pam’s Story

In 1981 , Pam was a 24-year-old college graduate with a fiancé and a bright future when she found herself facing an unplanned pregnancy .
“ Society told me I could ‘ do it all ’ — including choosing to have a legal abortion thanks to Roe v. Wade .
I felt in control of my future and my body , ” Pam said .
Pam and her soon-to-be husband were nervous about the pregnancy .
“ We weren ’ t ready to start a family yet because of our new careers and worried what others , including family , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before we got married , ” Pam said .
Despite that , Pam still felt uneasy about having an abortion .
“ Although it all made sense with my justifications , I still had an ominous feeling in my heart that it just wasn ’ t right , ” Pam said .
The procedure felt impersonal , Pam explained .
“ There was no counseling offered and we didn ’ t tell a single person .
As a result , life would be forever changed for us .
For me , there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost two days .
At about 8 weeks pregnant , I don ’ t even know which abortion procedure they performed — no one told me and I didn ’ t ask .
How is that for being in control of your body ?
” The repercussions of the abortion stayed with Pam long after .
“ After the pain subsided , I began to feel intense guilt , regret and shame .
I buried it all deep inside of me when I went back to work two days later .
On the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but on the inside , I would never be the same .
Suddenly , I didn ’ t feel like I ‘ had it all ’ anymore.
” Ten years later , Pam and her fiancé were married with two daughters .
“ On the outside , we were the picture-perfect all American family , but the dark secret my husband and I shared was still there .
It was like a cancer in our marriage.
” Then , they found out they were pregnant again .
At their 18-week sonogram , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a congenital condition that would result in death in the womb or shortly after birth .
The recommendation was to abort .
“ We left the specialists ’ office that day numb , making the second irreversible , life-changing decision for our lives and our unborn baby girl .
This time we knew the sex and already had a name , she would have been Sally , ” Pam said .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was induced to deliver the baby at a hospital but knew she would not be born alive when the procedure was through .
It was all the pain and emotion that childbirth is without the joy or child at the end .
Our daughters , family and friends grieved with us for the loss of this baby .
For me , the despair and depression set in almost immediately , ” Pam said .
Pam explained that her marriage shortly ended after the second abortion .
“ Within a year , our 11-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilt and sadness were too much for our marriage to bear .
How could we have had an abortion for the second time — where was my choice in this ?
Instead of feeling in control and empowered , I felt desperate and hopeless because of this choice , ” Pam said .
Today , Pam still has occasional nightmares about the babies she lost to abortion , but she has found hope and healing from the abortion recovery program known as Rachel ’ s Vineyard .
“ Through this incredible journey that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and believe that I am forgiven by my loving and merciful God , ” Pam said .
Despite her healing , Pam states , “ But make no mistake , there is nothing empowering about the ability to have an abortion — my experience has shown that it is emotional bondage , crippling to a woman ’ s psyche and can destroy marriages and families .
It is a decision that will forever change the lives of everyone involved whether it is an abortion from a month ago — or 38 years ago.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a crisis such as the coronavirus more women may feel pressured to have one .
The lasting harm caused by abortion can cause immense pain , which is a horrible burden to put on a woman during the already stressful time of the COVID-19 pandemic .
During a time when many families and friends are socially distancing , the mourning period after an abortion and the psychological impact a woman bears should not be borne alone .
There are always better options than abortion .
If you or someone you know feels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach out to The Justice Foundation at 210-614-7157 or visit The Justice Foundation online .
To support The Justice Foundation ’ s campaign to end abortion and overturn Roe v. Wade , please visit www.themoraloutcry.com and sign their petition .
To learn more about the women who are part of the Operation Outcry movement to give a voice to those injured by abortion , please visit www.operationoutcry.com .
Olivia Briscoe is a freelance writer who lives in the beautiful state of Virginia with her husband and daughter .
Olivia has been published in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has written blog posts for pro-life organizations .

In 1981, Pam was a 24-year-old college graduate with a fiancé and a bright future when she found herself facing an unplanned pregnancy. “Society told me I could ‘do it all’ — including choosing to have a legal abortion thanks to Roe v. Wade. I felt in control of my future and my body,” Pam said.
Pam and her soon-to-be husband were nervous about the pregnancy. “We weren’t ready to start a family yet because of our new careers and worried what others, including family, would have thought if I was pregnant before we got married,” Pam said.
Despite that, Pam still felt uneasy about having an abortion. “Although it all made sense with my justifications, I still had an ominous feeling in my heart that it just wasn’t right,” Pam said.
The procedure felt impersonal, Pam explained. “There was no counseling offered and we didn’t tell a single person. As a result, life would be forever changed for us. For me, there was immediate physical pain to deal with for almost two days. At about 8 weeks pregnant, I don’t even know which abortion procedure they performed — no one told me and I didn’t ask. How is that for being in control of your body?”
The repercussions of the abortion stayed with Pam long after. “After the pain subsided, I began to feel intense guilt, regret and shame. I buried it all deep inside of me when I went back to work two days later. On the outside, I was the same person, but on the inside, I would never be the same. Suddenly, I didn’t feel like I ‘had it all’ anymore.”
A Recommendation to Abort
Ten years later, Pam and her fiancé were married with two daughters. “On the outside, we were the picture-perfect all American family, but the dark secret my husband and I shared was still there. It was like a cancer in our marriage.” Then, they found out they were pregnant again. At their 18-week sonogram, they were told that the baby had a congenital condition that would result in death in the womb or shortly after birth. The recommendation was to abort.
“We left the specialists’ office that day numb, making the second irreversible, life-changing decision for our lives and our unborn baby girl. This time we knew the sex and already had a name, she would have been Sally,” Pam said.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“For this therapeutic abortion, I was induced to deliver the baby at a hospital but knew she would not be born alive when the procedure was through. It was all the pain and emotion that childbirth is without the joy or child at the end. Our daughters, family and friends grieved with us for the loss of this baby. For me, the despair and depression set in almost immediately,” Pam said.
Pam explained that her marriage shortly ended after the second abortion. “Within a year, our 11-year marriage was ending in divorce. The guilt and sadness were too much for our marriage to bear. How could we have had an abortion for the second time — where was my choice in this? Instead of feeling in control and empowered, I felt desperate and hopeless because of this choice,” Pam said.
Hope and Healing
Today, Pam still has occasional nightmares about the babies she lost to abortion, but she has found hope and healing from the abortion recovery program known as Rachel’s Vineyard. “Through this incredible journey that healed my soul, I now know and believe that I am forgiven by my loving and merciful God,” Pam said.
Despite her healing, Pam states, “But make no mistake, there is nothing empowering about the ability to have an abortion — my experience has shown that it is emotional bondage, crippling to a woman’s psyche and can destroy marriages and families. It is a decision that will forever change the lives of everyone involved whether it is an abortion from a month ago — or 38 years ago.”
Abortion is never necessary, but during a crisis such as the coronavirus more women may feel pressured to have one. The lasting harm caused by abortion can cause immense pain, which is a horrible burden to put on a woman during the already stressful time of the COVID-19 pandemic. During a time when many families and friends are socially distancing, the mourning period after an abortion and the psychological impact a woman bears should not be borne alone.
There are always better options than abortion. If you or someone you know feels pressured to have an abortion, please reach out to The Justice Foundation at 210-614-7157 or visit The Justice Foundation online.
To support The Justice Foundation’s campaign to end abortion and overturn Roe v. Wade, please visit www.themoraloutcry.com and sign their petition. To learn more about the women who are part of the Operation Outcry movement to give a voice to those injured by abortion, please visit www.operationoutcry.com.
Olivia Briscoe is a freelance writer who lives in the beautiful state of Virginia with her husband and daughter. Olivia has been published in LifeSiteNews and the online newspaper Potomac Local and has written blog posts for pro-life organizations.


thestream--2020-05-28--Chicago Pastor Accuses Mayor of Lying About Police Presence at Services Violating Lockdown Order

A pastor of a Chicago church claims that Democratic Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot lied when she claimed police were not sent to his church on Sunday , though she admitted that she sent an official to the church holding religious services during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ We are trying to follow the laws of man as much as reasonably possible but when the laws of man conflict with the laws of God I as a pastor have a duty to follow the laws of God , ” Pastor Courtney Lewis of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Chicago said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
Several congregants told the Daily Caller News Foundation Tuesday that they saw police officers go up to the church and knock on the door while the service was going on Sunday , and provided pictures of the alleged incident .
Lewis ’ grievance letter , first reported by conservative radio host Todd Starnes , followed the alleged disruption of Cornerstone Baptist Church ’ s Sunday services which were held in defiance of the state ’ s stay-at-home order limiting gathering sizes to 10 people or fewer during the coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers to our small church ( 45 attendees today ) to shut our services down today , ” Lewis said in the letter .
“ They came with 3 squad cars , two unmarked Durangos and a mayor representative ’ s car.
” Lewis told the DCNF Tuesday that his church is working with attorneys to obtain video footage from police cameras as well as video from an unmarked vehicle which he believes was taping members of the congregation entering and leaving the services .
The Chicago Police Department did respond to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tapes exist .
“ Like the Soviet styled KGB they knocked on our locked doors ; the only thing she hasn ’ t done ‘ yet ’ is beat the doors down and arrest our members , ” Lewis wrote in his letter .
“ Thankfully our doors were locked as a normal safety precaution we take each service to protect our members from the escalating gun violence in Chicago.
” A spokesman for Lightfoot ’ s office told the DCNF that a representative of the mayor ’ s office did go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officers went with him .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
“ As a part of Mayor Lightfoot ’ s ongoing engagement with and outreach to faith leaders , the Mayor ’ s Office ’ s Chief of Faith Engagement , Vance Henry , visited the church to talk with the local pastor and address some of his concerns regarding the stay-at-home order , ” spokesman Patrick Mullane said .
Mullane said “ no police officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The Chicago Police Department ( CPD ) told the DCNF in a Tuesday statement that CPD officers were monitoring religious services over the weekend , but did not comment on whether officers visited Cornerstone Baptist Church .
Officers “ worked this weekend to monitor any possible large gatherings in their districts and issue any citations where necessary ” and that citations issued in response to worship are done so by mail , CPD said in a statement .
Lewis criticized these comments , saying that “ the Mayor ’ s office has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There were 3 marked vehicles and 3 unmarked vehicles parked in front of our church at the morning service , ” Lewis said .
“ The mayor ’ s statement is simply untrue and they know it.
” The pastor provided the DCNF with a number of pictures that he said were Sunday , allegedly depicting the mayor ’ s representative “ at two separate entrances taken at the same time the officers were on our church property during the services , ” according to Lewis .
Two congregants who were outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service told the DCNF that they saw police cars near the building .
Church member Debra Robertson said she was sitting outside the church in her car with several other elderly church members when the incident occurred , since the church has asked the elderly not to attend services during the pandemic .
Robertson saw at least six police vans drive by the church , she told the DCNF .
Several of these vans circled the block as congregants began to leave the church , she said , noting that one officer left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the church several times while it was locked .
The church is always locked during services in order to prevent any “ hooligans ” from entering and causing disruptions or committing acts of violence , she added .
She said she later witnessed two men in regular clothes pull up in a vehicle .
One of these men went to several of the church ’ s entrances and banged on doors , seeking access .
Lewis provided the DCNF with photographs of a minivan and described it as “ equipped with dark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ It is not a family van , ” Lewis said .
“ I have one of those.
” Lewis said that church members identified the man driving the minivan as William Townsell by the lanyard he was allegedly wearing .
This lanyard had a tag on it , according to Lewis , which said “ Chicago Police Office of Management.
” “ He recorded for long periods of time in the a.m. service and the p.m. service , ” Lewis said .
“ He told my member that he was recording @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neither Lightfoot nor the CPD responded to a request for comment about Townsell , but a man by that name has worked as an Assistant Director of the Chicago Police Department since April 2001 , according to his LinkedIn account .
Townsell did not respond to a request for comment .
The CPD did not respond to a request for comment regarding the vehicle .
Lewis said that later on Sunday during the church ’ s evening service , the only police department personnel present was the person whose lanyard identified him as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photograph taken by church member Jerry Humphrey showing police standing outside a car window .
Humphrey told the DCNF that he saw one of the police officers , who he believes was the female officer depicted in the photograph , banging on the church door .
He added that the photograph shows police standing on the west side of the church .
Humphrey said that he has been acting as a security guard for the church after a May 20 shooting at a neighboring church prompted safety concerns at Cornerstone Baptist Church .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his car when police arrived , he told the DCNF .
“ We will not be intimidated by this overhanded government bully , but we are requesting the assistance of our president and our Justice Department in correcting this grave miscarriage of the law , ” Lewis wrote in his letter to Lausch .
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 .

A pastor of a Chicago church claims that Democratic Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot lied when she claimed police were not sent to his church on Sunday, though she admitted that she sent an official to the church holding religious services during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are trying to follow the laws of man as much as reasonably possible but when the laws of man conflict with the laws of God I as a pastor have a duty to follow the laws of God,” Pastor Courtney Lewis of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Chicago said in a grievance letter to U.S. attorney John Lausch Sunday.
Several congregants told the Daily Caller News Foundation Tuesday that they saw police officers go up to the church and knock on the door while the service was going on Sunday, and provided pictures of the alleged incident.
Lewis’ grievance letter, first reported by conservative radio host Todd Starnes, followed the alleged disruption of Cornerstone Baptist Church’s Sunday services which were held in defiance of the state’s stay-at-home order limiting gathering sizes to 10 people or fewer during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Mayor Lightfoot today sent armed police officers to our small church (45 attendees today) to shut our services down today,” Lewis said in the letter. “They came with 3 squad cars, two unmarked Durangos and a mayor representative’s car.”
Lewis told the DCNF Tuesday that his church is working with attorneys to obtain video footage from police cameras as well as video from an unmarked vehicle which he believes was taping members of the congregation entering and leaving the services.
The Chicago Police Department did respond to a request for comment on whether such video tapes exist.
“Like the Soviet styled KGB they knocked on our locked doors; the only thing she hasn’t done ‘yet’ is beat the doors down and arrest our members,” Lewis wrote in his letter. “Thankfully our doors were locked as a normal safety precaution we take each service to protect our members from the escalating gun violence in Chicago.”
A spokesman for Lightfoot’s office told the DCNF that a representative of the mayor’s office did go to the church Sunday, but said no police officers went with him.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“As a part of Mayor Lightfoot’s ongoing engagement with and outreach to faith leaders, the Mayor’s Office’s Chief of Faith Engagement, Vance Henry, visited the church to talk with the local pastor and address some of his concerns regarding the stay-at-home order,” spokesman Patrick Mullane said.
Mullane said “no police officers accompanied or escorted Henry on this visit.”
The Chicago Police Department (CPD) told the DCNF in a Tuesday statement that CPD officers were monitoring religious services over the weekend, but did not comment on whether officers visited Cornerstone Baptist Church.
Officers “worked this weekend to monitor any possible large gatherings in their districts and issue any citations where necessary” and that citations issued in response to worship are done so by mail, CPD said in a statement.
Lewis criticized these comments, saying that “the Mayor’s office has grossly lacked candor in their reply.”
“There were 3 marked vehicles and 3 unmarked vehicles parked in front of our church at the morning service,” Lewis said. “The mayor’s statement is simply untrue and they know it.”
The pastor provided the DCNF with a number of pictures that he said were Sunday, allegedly depicting the mayor’s representative “at two separate entrances taken at the same time the officers were on our church property during the services,” according to Lewis.
Photographs courtesy of Jerry Humphrey.
Two congregants who were outside the church around the time of the service told the DCNF that they saw police cars near the building.
Church member Debra Robertson said she was sitting outside the church in her car with several other elderly church members when the incident occurred, since the church has asked the elderly not to attend services during the pandemic.
Robertson saw at least six police vans drive by the church, she told the DCNF. Several of these vans circled the block as congregants began to leave the church, she said, noting that one officer left the van and banged on the door of the church several times while it was locked.
The church is always locked during services in order to prevent any “hooligans” from entering and causing disruptions or committing acts of violence, she added. She said she later witnessed two men in regular clothes pull up in a vehicle. One of these men went to several of the church’s entrances and banged on doors, seeking access.
Lewis provided the DCNF with photographs of a minivan and described it as “equipped with dark tinted windows all of the ways around.”
“It is not a family van,” Lewis said. “I have one of those.”
Lewis said that church members identified the man driving the minivan as William Townsell by the lanyard he was allegedly wearing. This lanyard had a tag on it, according to Lewis, which said “Chicago Police Office of Management.”
“He recorded for long periods of time in the a.m. service and the p.m. service,” Lewis said. “He told my member that he was recording for a class. Pure intimidation.”
Neither Lightfoot nor the CPD responded to a request for comment about Townsell, but a man by that name has worked as an Assistant Director of the Chicago Police Department since April 2001, according to his LinkedIn account.
Townsell did not respond to a request for comment. The CPD did not respond to a request for comment regarding the vehicle.
Lewis said that later on Sunday during the church’s evening service, the only police department personnel present was the person whose lanyard identified him as Townsell.
The pastor also provided a photograph taken by church member Jerry Humphrey showing police standing outside a car window.
Humphrey told the DCNF that he saw one of the police officers, who he believes was the female officer depicted in the photograph, banging on the church door. He added that the photograph shows police standing on the west side of the church.
Photograph courtesy of Jerry Humphrey.
Humphrey said that he has been acting as a security guard for the church after a May 20 shooting at a neighboring church prompted safety concerns at Cornerstone Baptist Church. Humphrey was patrolling around the block in his car when police arrived, he told the DCNF.
“We will not be intimidated by this overhanded government bully, but we are requesting the assistance of our president and our Justice Department in correcting this grave miscarriage of the law,” Lewis wrote in his letter to Lausch.
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--2020-05-28--To the Jewish Community: You May Not Recognize Me as a Jew But the Antisemites Do

The ongoing controversy over GOD TV ’ s Hebrew speaking channel in Israel has triggered an age-old debate : Are Jews who believe in Jesus still Jews ?
For decades now , religious Jews in particular have said to me , “ You ’ re not a Jew !
” Yet the antisemites of the world have no trouble identifying me as a Jew , flooding my social media pages with vile , Jew-hating comments .
How ironic .
To be sure , there are plenty of religious Jews who would see someone like me as an apostate Jew yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take the stance that I am a tinok shenishba , a child born in captivity , and therefore not as fully culpable for what they see as my idolatrous beliefs .
There is also the famous Talmudic statement that , “ Even though he sins , he is still Israel ” ( b. Sanhedrin 44a ) .
It ’ s to Be Expected : Jews Who Believe in Jesus Suffer Rejection Yet others , in keeping with some halakhic ( legal ) rulings or simply following their heart , will tell me I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at that .
( See here for an example , starting at 12:28 .
For similar sentiments expressed to a Messianic Jewish colleague of mine , even though he is married to a sabra [ that is , a native born Israeli ] , is an Israeli citizen , celebrates the Holy Days , observes biblical kashrut [ dietary laws ] and honors the Sabbath , see here , starting at 7:18 . )
For my part , the last thing I ’ m expecting is a word of congratulations or affirmation from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jews .
As much as I respect devoted rabbis and community leaders , I have crossed a dangerous line in their eyes , forfeiting my rights and my inheritance .
So be it .
Jews who believe in Jesus will suffer rejection and ridicule and scorn .
It comes with the turf , and I make no complaints about it .
( See Hebrews 13:10-15 . )
Antisemites Have No Trouble Recognizing My Jewishness That being said , I still do find the situation highly ironic .
While many in the Jewish community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jews , antisemites have not lost sight of our identity .
And if we are Zionists , believing that Israel is the eternal homeland of our people , we are even more sinister in their sight .
Accordingly , when I post videos refuting common antisemitic myths and libels , I ’ m told that I ’ m funded by Jewish banks , that I work for the Mossad , that I ’ m a crypto Jew , secretly infiltrating the Church to turn it to Judaism , and more .
( I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a secret agent for Chabad , an ultra-Orthodox Jewish group that actively proselytizes non-religious Jews ! )
The other day , I spotted these comments on one of our social media pages , completely unprovoked : “ I hope the Holocaust gets a round two and you are the first to go Dr. Michael Brown so I can laugh on your ashes.
” It was followed by this : “ Take a [ expletive ] on your greedy Jew grave.
” And then this : “ Get zyklon b.
” ( I captured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Another posted this , responding to a video where I called out an antisemitic pastor who also celebrates the killing of gays : “ Jesus is not a Jew .
Jesus is the Son of God .
The Jew has rejected the Son of God .
The Jew has speculated in their Talmud that Jesus is born of a Whore Mother and a Roman Soldier in their Talmud .
Doc Brown , if the Gospels have any chance to reach the masses… The Jew must be separated from Christianity .
Jesus was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was the Word made Flesh .
Doc Brown , you are a Zionist shill .
Punk [ expletive ] [ expletive ] .
” And then this , to another video , which dealt with a passage in the Book of Revelation : “ Brown is a Talmudist Eastern European ‘ Jew ’ supremacist.
” And this , to a video rebuking an “ evangelical Christian ” antisemite : “ 5 words for you zionist Jew racist deceiver Talmudic.
” On and on it goes , often by the hour , sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognize a Jew when they see one .
That ’ s why Hitler slaughtered Jewish Lutherans side by side with atheist Jews and Hasidic Jews .
A Jew was a Jew was a Jew .
It didn ’ t matter if that Jewish person saw himself as more German than Jewish or if that Jewish Christian was thoroughly assimilated in church life and had lost any connection to Jewish tradition or custom .
He was still a Jew , and as such , had to be exterminated .
Please Support The Stream : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
That ’ s why it was no surprise when a Messianic Jewish synagogue was vandalized in 2018 ( in Cary , North Carolina ) and another was targeted for bombing in 2019 ( in Las Vegas , Nevada ) .
The buildings looked Jewish enough for the haters , even though the congregations professed faith that Yeshua was the Messiah .
And that ’ s why , regardless of how much I am rejected by my own people ( again , this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ martyr ) , I will continue to expose the lies of contemporary antisemitism along with some of the horrible chapters of church history .
God knows , and that ’ s more than enough for me .
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 .

The ongoing controversy over GOD TV’s Hebrew speaking channel in Israel has triggered an age-old debate: Are Jews who believe in Jesus still Jews?
For decades now, religious Jews in particular have said to me, “You’re not a Jew!” Yet the antisemites of the world have no trouble identifying me as a Jew, flooding my social media pages with vile, Jew-hating comments. How ironic.
To be sure, there are plenty of religious Jews who would see someone like me as an apostate Jew yet still a Jew. Many would even take the stance that I am a tinok shenishba, a child born in captivity, and therefore not as fully culpable for what they see as my idolatrous beliefs. There is also the famous Talmudic statement that, “Even though he sins, he is still Israel” (b. Sanhedrin 44a).
It’s to Be Expected: Jews Who Believe in Jesus Suffer Rejection
Yet others, in keeping with some halakhic (legal) rulings or simply following their heart, will tell me I am not a Jew, quite forcefully at that. (See here for an example, starting at 12:28. For similar sentiments expressed to a Messianic Jewish colleague of mine, even though he is married to a sabra [that is, a native born Israeli], is an Israeli citizen, celebrates the Holy Days, observes biblical kashrut [dietary laws] and honors the Sabbath, see here, starting at 7:18.)
For my part, the last thing I’m expecting is a word of congratulations or affirmation from the Jewish community, especially from traditional Jews. As much as I respect devoted rabbis and community leaders, I have crossed a dangerous line in their eyes, forfeiting my rights and my inheritance. So be it.
Jews who believe in Jesus will suffer rejection and ridicule and scorn. It comes with the turf, and I make no complaints about it. (See Hebrews 13:10-15.)
Antisemites Have No Trouble Recognizing My Jewishness
That being said, I still do find the situation highly ironic. While many in the Jewish community do not see people like me as Jews, antisemites have not lost sight of our identity. And if we are Zionists, believing that Israel is the eternal homeland of our people, we are even more sinister in their sight.
Accordingly, when I post videos refuting common antisemitic myths and libels, I’m told that I’m funded by Jewish banks, that I work for the Mossad, that I’m a crypto Jew, secretly infiltrating the Church to turn it to Judaism, and more. (I’ve even been accused of being a secret agent for Chabad, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish group that actively proselytizes non-religious Jews!)
The other day, I spotted these comments on one of our social media pages, completely unprovoked: “I hope the Holocaust gets a round two and you are the first to go Dr. Michael Brown so I can laugh on your ashes.” It was followed by this: “Take a [expletive] on your greedy Jew grave.” And then this: “Get zyklon b.” (I captured these in screenshots before deleting them.)
On and on it goes, often by the hour, sometimes by the minute. The Jew haters recognize a Jew when they see one.
Another posted this, responding to a video where I called out an antisemitic pastor who also celebrates the killing of gays: “Jesus is not a Jew. Jesus is the Son of God. The Jew has rejected the Son of God. The Jew has speculated in their Talmud that Jesus is born of a Whore Mother and a Roman Soldier in their Talmud. Doc Brown, if the Gospels have any chance to reach the masses… The Jew must be separated from Christianity. Jesus was not a Jew nor a Rabbi. He was the Word made Flesh. Doc Brown, you are a Zionist shill. Punk [expletive] [expletive].”
And then this, to another video, which dealt with a passage in the Book of Revelation: “Brown is a Talmudist Eastern European ‘Jew’ supremacist.”
And this, to a video rebuking an “evangelical Christian” antisemite: “5 words for you zionist Jew racist deceiver Talmudic.”
On and on it goes, often by the hour, sometimes by the minute. The Jew haters recognize a Jew when they see one.
Hitler Slaughtered Jews Who Believed in Jesus
That’s why Hitler slaughtered Jewish Lutherans side by side with atheist Jews and Hasidic Jews. A Jew was a Jew was a Jew.
It didn’t matter if that Jewish person saw himself as more German than Jewish or if that Jewish Christian was thoroughly assimilated in church life and had lost any connection to Jewish tradition or custom. He was still a Jew, and as such, had to be exterminated.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
That’s why it was no surprise when a Messianic Jewish synagogue was vandalized in 2018 (in Cary, North Carolina) and another was targeted for bombing in 2019 (in Las Vegas, Nevada). The buildings looked Jewish enough for the haters, even though the congregations professed faith that Yeshua was the Messiah.
And that’s why, regardless of how much I am rejected by my own people (again, this is not a complaint; I am no martyr), I will continue to expose the lies of contemporary antisemitism along with some of the horrible chapters of church history.
God Knows I’m a Jew
I remain a Jew regardless of public opinion.
God knows, and that’s more than enough for me.
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--2020-05-28--David Daleiden, Planned Parenthood Trade Blows as Deposition Videos Reignite Fetal Organs Debate

Pro-life activist David Daleiden and Planned Parenthood traded blows Wednesday over newly released videos showing Planned Parenthood employees testifying in court about the sale of fetal organs .
Fox News reported Tuesday that it had obtained footage from sworn depositions of Planned Parenthood staff in their lawsuit against Center for Medical Progress in which Daleiden ’ s attorneys questioned Planned Parenthood about their use of different techniques in abortions to preserve fetal tissue .
Daleiden released his own video Tuesday that used clips of the depositions to renew accusations that Planned Parenthood profits from the sale of fetal organs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ traded blows Wednesday over newly released videos showing Planned Parenthood employees testifying in court about the sale of fetal organs .
Planned Parenthood has publicly acknowledged that it was paid for fetal tissue but said argued it was within the law because the payments only reimbursed for costs .
The organization has subsequently said they would no longer accept even reimbursements for fetal tissue provided for research .
“ Last fall , a jury found David Daleiden and the Center for Medical Progress broke the law with their malicious campaign to advance their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , based on the same evidence they are now citing , ” Planned Parenthood tweeted Wednesday .
“ David Daleiden and CMP are STILL facing criminal charges for trying to prevent us from serving the patients who depend on us , ” the organization said .
Planned Parenthood tweeted that Daleiden is “ once again launching baseless claims about Planned Parenthood.
” Daleiden responded to Planned Parenthood ’ s comments with the tweet : “ No , your hand-picked Judge Orrick , who founded your clinic in San Francisco , never let the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But I will make sure that law enforcement and the public see all of it .
# PPSellsBabyParts “ Neither Daleiden nor Judge William Orrick , who has presided over Planned Parenthood ’ s lawsuit against Daleiden , immediately responded to requests for comment about this allegation .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Planned Parenthood Senior Director of Communications and Culture Erica Sackin told Fox News in a statement that Daleiden ’ s claims are “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s been discredited time and time again.
” She added : “ The truth is that the Center for Medical Progress broke the law to try and prevent Planned Parenthood from serving the patients who depend on us , and to shut down a provider of critical sexual and reproductive health care , including cancer screenings , STI testing , birth control and abortion care .
They still face criminal charges , and were ordered to pay millions of dollars in damages as a result.
” Daleiden posed as a fetal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ videos of Planned Parenthood employees in 2013 and 2014 allegedly discussing the sale of fetal body parts .
One of Daleiden ’ s first undercover videos allegedly depicted senior management at Planned Parenthood , Drs .
Deborah Nucatola and Mary Gatter , talking about how they use a “ less crunchy ” technique to perform abortions when the mother has said she wishes to donate fetal tissue , according to Fox News .
In that video , Gatter allegedly joked that she wanted a Lamborghini while she negotiated fetal tissue rates , Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a deposition video reported by Fox News Wednesday that though they did not change their “ procedure , ” they did alter abortions .
Nucatola testified that she would crush an unborn baby both above and below the unborn baby ’ s thorax in order to remove the tissue intact .
“ You would do that as a general matter ?
” one of Daleiden ’ s attorneys asked in the video , according to Fox News .
“ If I was aware that it was a donation case , yes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this was “ not a change in the procedure.
” Gatter also discussed her “ evolution ” on how to obtain fetal tissue in the deposition videos obtained by Fox News .
“ By the time I was at PP [ Planned Parenthood ] Pasadena , many of us were moving in the direction of making this distinction between method and procedure , method and technique , ” Gatter said in the deposition video .
“ And so I was very comfortable at that time that the difference in technique did not — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electronic aspiration — did not really affect the procedure or the method ; so it was , therefore , permissible in terms of fetal tissue donation.
” Planned Parenthood did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Planned Parenthood said Daleiden ’ s undercover videos were deceptively edited and sued both him and CMP in March 2016 .
Following the publication of Daleiden ’ s undercover videos , Planned Parenthood announced in October 2015 that Planned Parenthood health centers supplying fetal tissue would no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beyond the shadow of a doubt the ludicrous idea that Planned Parenthood has any financial interest in fetal tissue donation – and shows the real agenda behind these attacks , ” then-Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards said at the time .
Planned Parenthood was awarded more than $ 2 million in damages in November 2019 in its suit against Daleiden after a jury ruled that he broke both federal and state laws when he secretly filmed the Planned Parenthood workers .

Pro-life activist David Daleiden and Planned Parenthood traded blows Wednesday over newly released videos showing Planned Parenthood employees testifying in court about the sale of fetal organs.
Fox News reported Tuesday that it had obtained footage from sworn depositions of Planned Parenthood staff in their lawsuit against Center for Medical Progress in which Daleiden’s attorneys questioned Planned Parenthood about their use of different techniques in abortions to preserve fetal tissue.
Daleiden released his own video Tuesday that used clips of the depositions to renew accusations that Planned Parenthood profits from the sale of fetal organs. Pro-life activist David Daleiden and Planned Parenthood traded blows Wednesday over newly released videos showing Planned Parenthood employees testifying in court about the sale of fetal organs.
Planned Parenthood has publicly acknowledged that it was paid for fetal tissue but said argued it was within the law because the payments only reimbursed for costs. The organization has subsequently said they would no longer accept even reimbursements for fetal tissue provided for research.
“Last fall, a jury found David Daleiden and the Center for Medical Progress broke the law with their malicious campaign to advance their goals of banning safe, legal abortion, based on the same evidence they are now citing,” Planned Parenthood tweeted Wednesday.
“David Daleiden and CMP are STILL facing criminal charges for trying to prevent us from serving the patients who depend on us,” the organization said.
Planned Parenthood tweeted that Daleiden is “once again launching baseless claims about Planned Parenthood.”
Daleiden responded to Planned Parenthood’s comments with the tweet: “No, your hand-picked Judge Orrick, who founded your clinic in San Francisco, never let the jury see any of this evidence. But I will make sure that law enforcement and the public see all of it. #PPSellsBabyParts“
Neither Daleiden nor Judge William Orrick, who has presided over Planned Parenthood’s lawsuit against Daleiden, immediately responded to requests for comment about this allegation.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Planned Parenthood Senior Director of Communications and Culture Erica Sackin told Fox News in a statement that Daleiden’s claims are “baseless, and coming from a group that’s been discredited time and time again.”
She added: “The truth is that the Center for Medical Progress broke the law to try and prevent Planned Parenthood from serving the patients who depend on us, and to shut down a provider of critical sexual and reproductive health care, including cancer screenings, STI testing, birth control and abortion care. They still face criminal charges, and were ordered to pay millions of dollars in damages as a result.”
Daleiden posed as a fetal tissue procurer and secretly recorded and published videos of Planned Parenthood employees in 2013 and 2014 allegedly discussing the sale of fetal body parts.
One of Daleiden’s first undercover videos allegedly depicted senior management at Planned Parenthood, Drs. Deborah Nucatola and Mary Gatter, talking about how they use a “less crunchy” technique to perform abortions when the mother has said she wishes to donate fetal tissue, according to Fox News.
In that video, Gatter allegedly joked that she wanted a Lamborghini while she negotiated fetal tissue rates, Fox News reported.
Nucatola and Gatter testifed in a deposition video reported by Fox News Wednesday that though they did not change their “procedure,” they did alter abortions. Nucatola testified that she would crush an unborn baby both above and below the unborn baby’s thorax in order to remove the tissue intact.
“You would do that as a general matter?” one of Daleiden’s attorneys asked in the video, according to Fox News.
“If I was aware that it was a donation case, yes,” Nucatola responded, adding that doing this was “not a change in the procedure.”
Gatter also discussed her “evolution” on how to obtain fetal tissue in the deposition videos obtained by Fox News. “By the time I was at PP [Planned Parenthood] Pasadena, many of us were moving in the direction of making this distinction between method and procedure, method and technique,” Gatter said in the deposition video. “And so I was very comfortable at that time that the difference in technique did not — doing different techniques: manual aspiration versus electronic aspiration — did not really affect the procedure or the method; so it was, therefore, permissible in terms of fetal tissue donation.”
Planned Parenthood did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Planned Parenthood said Daleiden’s undercover videos were deceptively edited and sued both him and CMP in March 2016.
Following the publication of Daleiden’s undercover videos, Planned Parenthood announced in October 2015 that Planned Parenthood health centers supplying fetal tissue would no longer accept any reimbursements.
“This removes beyond the shadow of a doubt the ludicrous idea that Planned Parenthood has any financial interest in fetal tissue donation – and shows the real agenda behind these attacks,” then-Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards said at the time.
Planned Parenthood was awarded more than $2 million in damages in November 2019 in its suit against Daleiden after a jury ruled that he broke both federal and state laws when he secretly filmed the Planned Parenthood workers.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
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thestream--2020-05-28--Democrats Admit Their 2020 Strategy: Lock Us Up and Starve Us Till We Join Them

In a piece I wrote with Jason Jones a few weeks ago , we pointed up the looming threat of famine around the world , thanks to America ’ s open-ended , moving-goalposts lockdown .
Millions who rely on U.S. food exports and aid will now go hungry .
This amidst a historic plague of locusts that has spread from the Horn of Africa to India , devastating farmers .
We asked if “ Woke ” liberals care about the fate of all those brown people .
So far , none seem to .
The fate of these millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little to Nancy Pelosi , Gretchen Whitmer , and Andrew Cuomo .
They want to continue the lockdown until … when , exactly ?
They never say .
But I think I have the answer .
In that column Jason and I cited an infamous kidnapping case from the 1970s .
I think it applies so precisely to the Democrats ’ electoral strategy it deserves a column all its own .
We wrote : What are the goalposts now ?
Do they stand at “ till we have a reliable vaccine and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ?
That ’ s a safe one , since five years will likely pass , with no guarantees on that score .
We think we know the real goalposts : Till the limping , battered economy drives enough blue-collar workers to deaths of despair , closes enough small businesses , and makes sufficient Americans 100 % dependent on government money to induce a national Stockholm Syndrome .
Then like a traumatized , battered Patty Hearst , Americans will numbly reach out and vote for their captors , the Democrats .
The very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sound the “ All-Clear !
” For those of you too young to remember Patty Hearst , she was an heiress kidnapped by a crackpot cult .
The Symbionese Liberation Army beat , starved , and raped her over months .
At last , her psyche cracked and she agreed to join their gang , even took part in their bank robberies , and read a manifesto they ’ d written for her .
From the State of the Union to Our State of Siege Now we have proof that the Democrats ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really are directly prolonging Americans ’ economic pain , and worsening global hunger , for crass political gain .
Remember the State of the Union address ?
President Trump delivered it in that tiny political window between the end of the fake impeachment effort based on the Russian collusion hoax , and the moment when Democrats decided the virus was real … and really useful .
During that halcyon time , when Nancy Pelosi was inviting folks to Chinatown , and Andrew Cuomo was boasting that New York got more viruses because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigrants , things were different .
Our economy was roaring .
This thanks to Donald Trump ’ s policies , and much of his powerhouse address highlighted that .
Democrats openly worried that low unemployment , rising tides in poor , non-white neighborhoods , and a national sense of hope might re-elect Trump .
So Democrats turned on a dime from saying “ Don ’ t talk about the Virus , that ’ s racist !
Keep flights coming in from China !
” to peddling abject terror .
Now , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe too .
And they seem to have done at least as much harm as good .
See Jeffrey Tucker on all the deaths by other causes ( from suicide to canceled medical tests ) the lockdown caused .
That ’ s because politicians dragged on far , far past the point of “ flattening the curve ” in hospitals .
Now it ’ s flattening whole economies , with the poorest suffering most .
And in many European countries , as in American blue states , the most vulnerable people in nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Euthanasia via virus has devastated the elderly in Sweden , which the BBC reports is denying older patients the simplest medical care : oxygen .
The Democrats Hope for a Depression and a Green New Deal But I don ’ t see countries in Europe calling for lockdowns to last till a vaccine emerges , if it ever does .
That ’ s confined to U.S. Democrats , who count on a real depression handing them a 1932-style landslide .
And they ’ re terrified at the prospect that lives getting better for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Need proof ?
See left-leaning Politico .
It reported on May 26 : In early April , Jason Furman , a top economist in the Obama administration and now a professor at Harvard , was speaking via Zoom to a large bipartisan group of top officials from both parties .
The economy had just been shut down , unemployment was spiking and some policymakers were predicting an era worse than the Great Depression .
The economic carnage seemed likely to doom President Donald Trump ’ s chances at reelection .
Furman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looked into his screen of poorly lit boxes of frightened wonks and made a startling claim .
“ We are about to see the best economic data we ’ ve seen in the history of this country , ” he said .
Furman ’ s counterintuitive pitch has caused some Democrats , especially Obama alumni , around Washington to panic .
“ This is my big worry , ” said a former Obama White House official who is still close to the former president .
Asked about the level of concern among top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s high — high , high , high , high.
” And top policy officials on the Biden campaign are preparing for a fall economic debate that might look very different than the one predicted at the start of the pandemic in March .
“ They are very much aware of this , ” said an informal adviser .
Have you got that ?
The top Democrats are counting on a limping economy , with all the suffering , suicides , and broken dreams that entails , to hand them the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Keep that in mind when listening to blue-state governors .
Especially who won ’ t even protect veterans and grandparents in nursing homes from the virus .
But who insist they just keep businesses closed and workers starving to “ save just one life , ” as Andrew Cuomo claimed .
( When he wasn ’ t dismissing seniors ’ deaths as inevitable and irrelevant . )
No , they ’ re just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her another meal , in the hope that she ’ ll join their gang .
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream , and author or co-author of ten books , including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism .

In a piece I wrote with Jason Jones a few weeks ago, we pointed up the looming threat of famine around the world, thanks to America’s open-ended, moving-goalposts lockdown. Millions who rely on U.S. food exports and aid will now go hungry. This amidst a historic plague of locusts that has spread from the Horn of Africa to India, devastating farmers.
We asked if “Woke” liberals care about the fate of all those brown people. So far, none seem to. The fate of these millions of mostly non-white, non-Christian poor people means little to Nancy Pelosi, Gretchen Whitmer, and Andrew Cuomo. They want to continue the lockdown until … when, exactly? They never say. But I think I have the answer.
Starved into Submission
In that column Jason and I cited an infamous kidnapping case from the 1970s. I think it applies so precisely to the Democrats’ electoral strategy it deserves a column all its own. We wrote:
What are the goalposts now? Do they stand at “till we have a reliable vaccine and have forced everyone in America to take it”? That’s a safe one, since five years will likely pass, with no guarantees on that score. We think we know the real goalposts: Till the limping, battered economy drives enough blue-collar workers to deaths of despair, closes enough small businesses, and makes sufficient Americans 100% dependent on government money to induce a national Stockholm Syndrome. Then like a traumatized, battered Patty Hearst, Americans will numbly reach out and vote for their captors, the Democrats. The very next day, the media sirens will sound the “All-Clear!”
For those of you too young to remember Patty Hearst, she was an heiress kidnapped by a crackpot cult. The Symbionese Liberation Army beat, starved, and raped her over months. At last, her psyche cracked and she agreed to join their gang, even took part in their bank robberies, and read a manifesto they’d written for her.
From the State of the Union to Our State of Siege
Now we have proof that the Democrats’ plan for America is analogous. They really are directly prolonging Americans’ economic pain, and worsening global hunger, for crass political gain. Remember the State of the Union address? President Trump delivered it in that tiny political window between the end of the fake impeachment effort based on the Russian collusion hoax, and the moment when Democrats decided the virus was real … and really useful.
Patty Hearst was an heiress kidnapped by a crackpot cult. The Symbionese Liberation Army beat, starved, and raped her over months. At last, her psyche cracked and she agreed to join their gang.
During that halcyon time, when Nancy Pelosi was inviting folks to Chinatown, and Andrew Cuomo was boasting that New York got more viruses because it was more “welcoming” to illegal immigrants, things were different. Our economy was roaring. This thanks to Donald Trump’s policies, and much of his powerhouse address highlighted that. Democrats openly worried that low unemployment, rising tides in poor, non-white neighborhoods, and a national sense of hope might re-elect Trump.
So Democrats turned on a dime from saying “Don’t talk about the Virus, that’s racist! Keep flights coming in from China!” to peddling abject terror. Now, it’s true that lockdown policies swept across Europe too. And they seem to have done at least as much harm as good. See Jeffrey Tucker on all the deaths by other causes (from suicide to canceled medical tests) the lockdown caused.
That’s because politicians dragged it on far, far past the point of “flattening the curve” in hospitals. Now it’s flattening whole economies, with the poorest suffering most. And in many European countries, as in American blue states, the most vulnerable people in nursing homes got no protection at all. Euthanasia via virus has devastated the elderly in Sweden, which the BBC reports is denying older patients the simplest medical care: oxygen.
The Democrats Hope for a Depression and a Green New Deal
But I don’t see countries in Europe calling for lockdowns to last till a vaccine emerges, if it ever does. That’s confined to U.S. Democrats, who count on a real depression handing them a 1932-style landslide. And they’re terrified at the prospect that lives getting better for Americans could cheat them of their victory.
Need proof? See left-leaning Politico. It reported on May 26:
In early April, Jason Furman, a top economist in the Obama administration and now a professor at Harvard, was speaking via Zoom to a large bipartisan group of top officials from both parties. The economy had just been shut down, unemployment was spiking and some policymakers were predicting an era worse than the Great Depression. The economic carnage seemed likely to doom President Donald Trump’s chances at reelection. Furman, tapped to give the opening presentation, looked into his screen of poorly lit boxes of frightened wonks and made a startling claim. “We are about to see the best economic data we’ve seen in the history of this country,” he said. … Furman’s counterintuitive pitch has caused some Democrats, especially Obama alumni, around Washington to panic. “This is my big worry,” said a former Obama White House official who is still close to the former president. Asked about the level of concern among top party officials, he said, “It’s high — high, high, high, high.” And top policy officials on the Biden campaign are preparing for a fall economic debate that might look very different than the one predicted at the start of the pandemic in March. “They are very much aware of this,” said an informal adviser.
Americans Held Hostage
Have you got that? The top Democrats are counting on a limping economy, with all the suffering, suicides, and broken dreams that entails, to hand them the White House and Congress.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Keep that in mind when listening to blue-state governors. Especially those who won’t even protect veterans and grandparents in nursing homes from the virus. But who insist they just keep businesses closed and workers starving to “save just one life,” as Andrew Cuomo claimed. (When he wasn’t dismissing seniors’ deaths as inevitable and irrelevant.)
No, they’re just giving Patty Hearst another beating, denying her another meal, in the hope that she’ll join their gang.
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream, and author or co-author of ten books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism.