thestream--2020-10-21--Washington Post Op-Ed: Rural Dog Bites Man, President to Blame

The headline for Philip Bump ’ s Washington Post op-ed reads , “ Trump ’ s farmer bailout gave $ 21 billion to red counties and $ 2.1 billion to blue ones.
” My first thought was , Well , that ’ s a “ dog bites man ” story if I ever heard one .
Last time I looked at an election map , almost all the rural counties in America were red .
Bump ’ s facts support that quick opinion .
As far as Trump and this money is concerned , the headline tells you almost all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s still a “ rest of the story ” and it ’ s in Bump ’ s bias as he tries to make political scandal out of “ dog bites man.
” Admittedly there ’ s a hint of bias in the numbers .
Bump reports that counties that flipped from blue to red in 2016 got more cash , on average , than those that were red in both 2012 and 2016 .
Statistics can be tricky , though .
He writes , “ It ’ s impossible to separate this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ places where the money went.
” Sure .
It ’ s equally impossible to separate the near-perfect correlation between ( a ) per capita consumption of mozzarella cheese , and ( b ) the number of civil engineering doctorates awarded .
Or the strong correlation between the number of people who ’ ve drowned by falling into a pool , and the number of films Nicolas Cage has appeared in .
The point is , correlations may mean something or they may mean nothing .
Mere numbers can ’ t tell the story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well .
Bump tries to show this one means Trump is buying votes .
It isn ’ t easy .
He offers nothing by way of explaining those extra funds going to flipped counties , first of all .
More importantly , he has to admit the obvious : “ Trump won rural areas by 27 points , and rural areas are , for obvious reasons , more likely to have farms.
” Red counties get more farm money because rural counties have more farms than , say , Manhattan .
Thank you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for telling us what we already knew .
Still he tries to spin it into presidential misdeed by asking a what-if question .
It ’ s a form of inquiry we conservatives are familiar with , as in , “ What if Donald Trump ’ s family members were credibly connected with billions of dollars of corrupt money gained via his connections .
Wouldn ’ t the press be all over it ?
” Bump ’ s what-if comes out completely lame .
( Maybe the dog bit the man ’ s leg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s as though a Democratic president decided to tax Americans broadly to send billions of dollars to the largest cities .
The recipients would overwhelmingly be members of his or her own party.
” Oh , these liberals .
They ’ re just not good at these kinds of things .
Not enough experience , I guess .
So here ’ s a quick remedial lesson for Mr. Bump : A what-if question needs some if to it .
That ’ s if , as in : “ He wrote that as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadly taxed for decades , with benefits pouring into the big cities.
” Oh , Yeah — That Tax on Americans What is this broad tax on Americans , though ?
Bump explains it : “ Trump imposed tariffs on products coming from China , a tax paid largely by American consumers .
… This tax was then redistributed to farmers who had been targeted by reciprocal tariffs from China.
” What he means , of course , is that these tariffs cause higher prices in American stores .
Consumers pay for them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we see a wonder to behold , almost a man-bites-dog scenario .
This liberal op-ed , in a liberal paper , admits that costs imposed on businesses are in effect a tax on consumers .
It ’ s obvious enough ; but how many times have liberals demanded higher taxes on corporations ?
How many times have conservatives tried to explain that these taxes always end up raising prices ?
How many times have we said , “ A tax on a corporation always ends up being a tax on its customers ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the obvious ?
This time Bump sees it .
This time it ’ s convenient for him to see it .
So it turns out the man didn ’ t bite the dog after all .
It ’ s just the usual case of a liberal writer seeing what he wants to see .
Bump ’ s headline might as well have read , “ Country Dog Bites Man , Liberals Scandalized , Trump to Blame.
” Tom Gilson ( @ TomGilsonAuthor ) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recently released Too Good To Be False : How Jesus ’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality .

The headline for Philip Bump’s Washington Post op-ed reads, “Trump’s farmer bailout gave $21 billion to red counties and $2.1 billion to blue ones.” My first thought was, Well, that’s a “dog bites man” story if I ever heard one. Last time I looked at an election map, almost all the rural counties in America were red.
Bump’s facts support that quick opinion. As far as Trump and this money is concerned, the headline tells you almost all you need to know. But there’s still a “rest of the story” and it’s in Bump’s bias as he tries to make political scandal out of “dog bites man.”
Tricky Statistics
Admittedly there’s a hint of bias in the numbers. Bump reports that counties that flipped from blue to red in 2016 got more cash, on average, than those that were red in both 2012 and 2016.
Statistics can be tricky, though. He writes, “It’s impossible to separate this generosity from the political nature of the places where the money went.” Sure. It’s equally impossible to separate the near-perfect correlation between (a) per capita consumption of mozzarella cheese, and (b) the number of civil engineering doctorates awarded. Or the strong correlation between the number of people who’ve drowned by falling into a pool, and the number of films Nicolas Cage has appeared in.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The point is, correlations may mean something or they may mean nothing. Mere numbers can’t tell the story; it requires some rational connection as well.
Bump tries to show this one means Trump is buying votes. It isn’t easy. He offers nothing by way of explaining those extra funds going to flipped counties, first of all. More importantly, he has to admit the obvious: “Trump won rural areas by 27 points, and rural areas are, for obvious reasons, more likely to have farms.” Red counties get more farm money because rural counties have more farms than, say, Manhattan. Thank you, Philip Bump and Washington Post, for telling us what we already knew.
A Lame What-If
Still he tries to spin it into presidential misdeed by asking a what-if question. It’s a form of inquiry we conservatives are familiar with, as in, “What if Donald Trump’s family members were credibly connected with billions of dollars of corrupt money gained via his connections. Wouldn’t the press be all over it?”
Bump’s what-if comes out completely lame. (Maybe the dog bit the man’s leg.) He writes, “It’s as though a Democratic president decided to tax Americans broadly to send billions of dollars to the largest cities. The recipients would overwhelmingly be members of his or her own party.”
Oh, these liberals. They’re just not good at these kinds of things. Not enough experience, I guess. So here’s a quick remedial lesson for Mr. Bump: A what-if question needs some if to it. That’s if, as in: “He wrote that as if Americans hadn’t already been broadly taxed for decades, with benefits pouring into the big cities.”
Oh, Yeah — That Tax on Americans
What is this broad tax on Americans, though? Bump explains it: “Trump imposed tariffs on products coming from China, a tax paid largely by American consumers. … This tax was then redistributed to farmers who had been targeted by reciprocal tariffs from China.” What he means, of course, is that these tariffs cause higher prices in American stores. Consumers pay for them, in the end.
And here we see a wonder to behold, almost a man-bites-dog scenario. This liberal op-ed, in a liberal paper, admits that costs imposed on businesses are in effect a tax on consumers. It’s obvious enough; but how many times have liberals demanded higher taxes on corporations? How many times have conservatives tried to explain that these taxes always end up raising prices? How many times have we said, “A tax on a corporation always ends up being a tax on its customers”? How many times have liberals ignored the obvious?
This time Bump sees it. This time it’s convenient for him to see it. So it turns out the man didn’t bite the dog after all. It’s just the usual case of a liberal writer seeing what he wants to see. Bump’s headline might as well have read, “Country Dog Bites Man, Liberals Scandalized, Trump to Blame.”
Tom Gilson (@TomGilsonAuthor) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books, including the recently released Too Good To Be False: How Jesus’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality.


thestream--2020-10-21--Joe Biden Says ‘No Basis’ to Claim His Son Has Profited Off of Family Name — Hunter Biden Admitted a

Joe Biden Says ‘No Basis’ to Claim His Son Has Profited Off of Family Name — Hunter Biden Admitted as Much Last Year

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said in an interview Tuesday that there was no basis “ whatsoever ” to say that his son , Hunter , has profited off of his family name , a claim which the younger Biden contradicted in an interview last year .
Joe Biden was asked in an interview with Wisconsin TV station WISN about comments from Sen. Ron Johnson , who asserted in a report that Hunter Biden has “ profited off the Biden name ” through his foreign business dealings .
Asked whether there was any truth to Johnson ’ s claim , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ None whatsoever.
” He said that Johnson , the Republican chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee , “ should be ashamed of himself.
” Biden also took a shot at Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani , who has investigated Hunter Biden ’ s overseas business dealings .
Giuliani has also been behind the release of emails purported to be from Hunter Biden ’ s laptop .
“ This is the same garbage Rudy Giuliani , Trump ’ s henchman , ” Biden began to say .
“ It ’ s a last-ditch effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and my committee.
” “ The vast majority of the intelligence people have come out and said there ’ s no basis at all , ” he continued .
Despite Joe Biden ’ s remarks , Hunter acknowledged in an interview on Oct. 15 , 2019 that he believes he was asked to join the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings because his father was vice president .
“ If your last name wasn ’ t Biden , do you think you would ’ ve been asked to be on the board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know .
I don ’ t know .
Probably not , in retrospect , ” Biden said in the interview .
“ I don ’ t think that there ’ s a lot of things that would have happened in my life if my last name wasn ’ t Biden , ” he said , adding , “ because my dad was Vice President of the United States.
” “ There ’ s literally nothing , as a young man or as a full-grown adult that — my father in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he continued .
It is unclear what Joe Biden meant by his reference to “ intelligence people ” in his comments to WISN .
Some Democrats have asserted that the release of Hunter Biden ’ s emails is part of a Russian disinformation effort .
Democrats have questioned Giuliani ’ s involvement in obtaining and releasing emails from the laptop because of the former New York City mayor ’ s links to a Ukrainian lawmaker sanctioned over his ties to Russia .
On Monday , 50 former intelligence officials signed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a plot to release Hunter ’ s emails .
Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe undercut the theory on Monday , saying that the laptop is not tied to a Russian disinformation effort .
The owner of a computer store in Delaware has said that Hunter Biden dropped off his laptop in April 2019 and never came back to retrieve the device .
The shop owner , John Paul Mac Isaac , said that he eventually turned the computer over to the FBI .
He also says he contacted a lawyer for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Ron Johnson ’ s office .
Despite Democrats ’ allegations , neither the Biden campaign nor Hunter Biden has disputed the store owner ’ s claim .
They have also not disputed the accuracy of any of the emails released so far from the laptop .
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 .

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said in an interview Tuesday that there was no basis “whatsoever” to say that his son, Hunter, has profited off of his family name, a claim which the younger Biden contradicted in an interview last year.
Joe Biden was asked in an interview with Wisconsin TV station WISN about comments from Sen. Ron Johnson, who asserted in a report that Hunter Biden has “profited off the Biden name” through his foreign business dealings.
Asked whether there was any truth to Johnson’s claim, the former vice president responded: “None whatsoever.”
He said that Johnson, the Republican chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, “should be ashamed of himself.”
Biden also took a shot at Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who has investigated Hunter Biden’s overseas business dealings. Giuliani has also been behind the release of emails purported to be from Hunter Biden’s laptop.
“This is the same garbage Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s henchman,” Biden began to say. “It’s a last-ditch effort in a desperate campaign to smear me and my committee.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“The vast majority of the intelligence people have come out and said there’s no basis at all,” he continued.
Despite Joe Biden’s remarks, Hunter acknowledged in an interview on Oct. 15, 2019 that he believes he was asked to join the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings because his father was vice president.
“If your last name wasn’t Biden, do you think you would’ve been asked to be on the board of Burisma?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know. Probably not, in retrospect,” Biden said in the interview.
“I don’t think that there’s a lot of things that would have happened in my life if my last name wasn’t Biden,” he said, adding, “because my dad was Vice President of the United States.”
“There’s literally nothing, as a young man or as a full-grown adult that — my father in some way hasn’t had influence over,” he continued.
WATCH:
It is unclear what Joe Biden meant by his reference to “intelligence people” in his comments to WISN.
Some Democrats have asserted that the release of Hunter Biden’s emails is part of a Russian disinformation effort. Democrats have questioned Giuliani’s involvement in obtaining and releasing emails from the laptop because of the former New York City mayor’s links to a Ukrainian lawmaker sanctioned over his ties to Russia.
On Monday, 50 former intelligence officials signed a letter asserting that Russia was likely involved in a plot to release Hunter’s emails.
Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe undercut the theory on Monday, saying that the laptop is not tied to a Russian disinformation effort.
The owner of a computer store in Delaware has said that Hunter Biden dropped off his laptop in April 2019 and never came back to retrieve the device. The shop owner, John Paul Mac Isaac, said that he eventually turned the computer over to the FBI.
He also says he contacted a lawyer for Giuliani last month and reached out to Sen. Ron Johnson’s office.
Despite Democrats’ allegations, neither the Biden campaign nor Hunter Biden has disputed the store owner’s claim. They have also not disputed the accuracy of any of the emails released so far from the laptop.
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--2020-10-21--Trump Administration Announces New Center for Countering Human Trafficking. Reporters Don’t Care to

Trump Administration Announces New Center for Countering Human Trafficking. Reporters Don’t Care to Ask Any Questions

The Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) announced Tuesday the opening of the new Center for Countering Human Trafficking .
It is the government ’ s first “ integrated law enforcement operations center directly supporting federal criminal investigations , victim assistance efforts , intelligence analysis , and outreach and training activities related to human trafficking and forced labor , ” according to the DHS website .
The Washington-based center is led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) .
Following the announcement , reporters present were asked for questions .
No one had anything to ask .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s efforts to combat human trafficking , tweeted a user named Matriarch .
“ Today Trump Admin announced the first Govt .
Center For Countering Human Trafficking in the U.S .
They asked if the press had any questions .
This is what happened… *crickets*.
” According to the DHS , “ The center will be staffed with law enforcement officials from Homeland Security Investigations ( HSI ) and across DHS , as well as subject matter experts and support staff from 16 DHS components — all focused on the ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s mission : prevention , protection , prosecution and partnerships.
” Acting Secretary of DHS Chad Wolf compared human trafficking to modern day slavery .
“ There is no other way to say it .
The words are strong because the actions are evil.
” The forms of exploitation , sex trafficking , forced labor , and domestic servitude that constitute human trafficking are antithetical in every way to the principles of human dignity that Americans hold dear .
The launch of this Center for Countering Human Trafficking represents the investment of resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump to combat and dismantle all forms of human trafficking .
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream .
You can follow her @ NancyFlory3 , and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .
Editor ’ s Note : The Stream ’ s parent organization , LIFE Outreach International , is also involved in combating human trafficking through its RescueLIFE ministry .
RescueLIFE goes into villages , reaching , educating and preventing children from becoming victims , rescuing those who have been victimized and restoring them by providing an environment where their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restored to the beauty God designed for them .
Please consider giving today to RescueLIFE to combat human trafficking worldwide .

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Tuesday the opening of the new Center for Countering Human Trafficking. It is the government’s first “integrated law enforcement operations center directly supporting federal criminal investigations, victim assistance efforts, intelligence analysis, and outreach and training activities related to human trafficking and forced labor,” according to the DHS website. The Washington-based center is led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Following the announcement, reporters present were asked for questions. No one had anything to ask.
This is why no one knows about Trump’s efforts to combat human trafficking, tweeted a user named Matriarch. “Today Trump Admin announced the first Govt. Center For Countering Human Trafficking in the U.S. They asked if the press had any questions. This is what happened… *crickets*.”
Wonder why the you never hear about @realDonaldTrump administration’s work to combat human trafficking? Today Trump Admin announced the first Govt. Center For Countering Human Trafficking in the US. They asked if the press had any questions. This is what happened… *crickets* pic.twitter.com/lio4BwWoKi — Matriarch (@imatriarch) October 20, 2020
According to the DHS, “The center will be staffed with law enforcement officials from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and across DHS, as well as subject matter experts and support staff from 16 DHS components — all focused on the ‘4 Ps’ of the center’s mission: prevention, protection, prosecution and partnerships.”
Acting Secretary of DHS Chad Wolf compared human trafficking to modern day slavery. “There is no other way to say it. The words are strong because the actions are evil.”
Wolf added,
The forms of exploitation, sex trafficking, forced labor, and domestic servitude that constitute human trafficking are antithetical in every way to the principles of human dignity that Americans hold dear. The launch of this Center for Countering Human Trafficking represents the investment of resources, attention, and time by President Trump to combat and dismantle all forms of human trafficking.
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.
Editor’s Note: The Stream’s parent organization, LIFE Outreach International, is also involved in combating human trafficking through its RescueLIFE ministry. RescueLIFE goes into villages, reaching, educating and preventing children from becoming victims, rescuing those who have been victimized and restoring them by providing an environment where their hearts, minds and bodies can be restored to the beauty God designed for them. Please consider giving today to RescueLIFE to combat human trafficking worldwide.


thestream--2020-10-21--America is Drowning in the Lies of the Left

There are conservatives who lie , and there are liberals who lie , but both conservatism and liberalism hold truth to be a supreme value .
This is not true for leftism .
Truth is simply not a left-wing value .
Lying is to the left what breathing is to biological life .
That is why the father of modern leftism , Vladimir Lenin , named the Soviet communist newspaper Pravda , the Russian word for “ truth.
” Truth is what a leftist says it is .
It is not an objective reality .
The left has always relied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is as true today in the United States as it was in the Soviet Union .
Here are examples of lies Americans are told they must hold lest they be removed from social media , shamed , ostracized and even fired from their jobs .
In no order of importance : Men menstruate .
ACLU tweet , Nov. 19 , 2019 : “ Men who get their periods are men .
Men who get pregnant and give birth are men.
” If this is not a lie , the word has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ males who identify as females compete in girls ’ and women ’ s sports .
In Connecticut , two biological men who are trans women have combined to win 15 girls state indoor or outdoor championship races since 2017 .
According to The Wall Street Journal , “ 19 state athletic conferences … allow athletes to compete based solely on their expressed gender identity.
” No one with a passing acquaintance with truth could say this is fair .
To be colorblind is to be racist .
This left-wing assertion is the opposite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism : to have everyone colorblind , meaning we are all to view and judge people solely as individuals irrespective of race .
“ Colorblind is racist ” is not just a lie ; it is an Orwellian lie .
But it is actually normative on the left .
See , for example , “ Color-Blindness Is Counterproductive ” ( The Atlantic , Sept. 13 , 2015 ) or the book Colorblind Racism by Meghan Burke , associate professor of sociology at Illinois Wesleyan University .
The Trump 2016 campaign colluded with Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has permeated the American media for more than three years .
There was never any truth to it .
But those on the left — the Democratic Party and the mainstream media — found it a very useful claim , and they are doing so again in the 2020 campaign .
President Donald Trump said there were “ very fine ” Nazis .
This is “ the Charlottesville lie.
” First , the media spread it , and now Joe Biden has run with it , claiming repeatedly that this was the reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of course , what Biden said is a lie ; he has wanted to run for president all his life .
At Trump ’ s press conference on Aug. 15 , 2017 , right after the Charlottesville march and demonstrations , Trump made it clear he wasn ’ t referring to the neo-Nazis when he said there were “ very fine people on both sides.
” He told the press , “ I ’ m not talking about the neo-Nazis and the white nationalists because they should be condemned totally.
” He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest over statues .
See the video “ The Charlottesville Lie ” by former CNN reporter Steve Cortes at PragerU.com .
Donald Trump is a dictator .
This lie has been told since before Trump was elected .
It is repeated by virtually every left-wing commentator and politician .
See , for example , “ 10 Ways Trump Is Becoming a Dictator , Election Edition ” by Harvard professor Stephen M. Walt ( Foreign Policy , Sept. 8 , 2020 ) or “ Donald Trump Wants To Be a Dictator ” by Guardian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 5 , 2019 ) .
It is a lie .
The fact is no conservative American politician is a likely dictator because one of the fundamental goals of American conservatives is to shrink the power of the government .
A dictatorship in America is far more likely to come from the left , which seeks to massively increase government power .
For example , as reported in Politico on Aug. 21 , 2020 , Biden has already pledged , “ I would shut it down , ” referring to the American economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat the COVID-19 virus .
America is a racist society .
This is the greatest national lie since the medieval blood libel , in which Christians accused Jews of slaughtering Christian children to use their blood to bake matzo for Passover .
America is , in fact , the least racist country in history .
That ’ s why , for example , there are so many race hoaxes ; the real thing is so hard to find .
Jews didn ’ t need to concoct anti-Jewish hoaxes to prove there was widespread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ferguson was an example of racist police brutality .
The Ferguson lie is frequently cited by the left as an example of police racism , including by figures as prominent as Barack Obama .
Yet , a grand jury , which included black jurors , declined to indict the white police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown , a black man , because Brown had attacked the officer , sought to steal his gun and was in the process of a second attack when he was killed .
The claim that Brown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t shoot ” was also a left-wing lie .
Brown never said it .
See the PragerU video with Larry Elder .
America was founded in 1619 , not 1776 .
This is the infamous New York Times lie for which the Times was awarded a Pulitzer Prize .
This is the same prize awarded to the same newspaper in 1932 for its horrific lie that there was no famine in Ukraine when , in fact , Joseph Stalin was deliberately starving about 5 million Ukrainians to death .
Leading liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times ‘ rewriting of American history — that the American Revolution was fought in order to preserve slavery — as a lie .
These are just some of the left-wing lies increasing numbers of Americans believe .
America ’ s survival depends on Americans — especially young Americans — recognizing them as such .
Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist .
His latest book , published by Regnery in May 2019 , is The Rational Bible , a commentary on the book of Genesis .
His film , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released to home entertainment nationwide on September 15 , 2020 .
He is the founder of Prager University and may be contacted at dennisprager.com .

There are conservatives who lie, and there are liberals who lie, but both conservatism and liberalism hold truth to be a supreme value.
This is not true for leftism.
Truth is simply not a left-wing value.
Lying is to the left what breathing is to biological life. That is why the father of modern leftism, Vladimir Lenin, named the Soviet communist newspaper Pravda, the Russian word for “truth.” Truth is what a leftist says it is. It is not an objective reality.
The left has always relied on lies to gain and retain power. This is as true today in the United States as it was in the Soviet Union.
Here are examples of lies Americans are told they must hold lest they be removed from social media, shamed, ostracized and even fired from their jobs.
In no order of importance:
Men menstruate. ACLU tweet, Nov. 19, 2019: “Men who get their periods are men. Men who get pregnant and give birth are men.” If this is not a lie, the word has no meaning.
It is fair when males who identify as females compete in girls’ and women’s sports. In Connecticut, two biological men who are trans women have combined to win 15 girls state indoor or outdoor championship races since 2017. According to The Wall Street Journal, “19 state athletic conferences … allow athletes to compete based solely on their expressed gender identity.” No one with a passing acquaintance with truth could say this is fair.
To be colorblind is to be racist. This left-wing assertion is the opposite of the basic liberal ideal to end racism: to have everyone colorblind, meaning we are all to view and judge people solely as individuals irrespective of race. “Colorblind is racist” is not just a lie; it is an Orwellian lie. But it is actually normative on the left. See, for example, “Color-Blindness Is Counterproductive” (The Atlantic, Sept. 13, 2015) or the book Colorblind Racism by Meghan Burke, associate professor of sociology at Illinois Wesleyan University.
The Trump 2016 campaign colluded with Russia to win the election. This lie has permeated the American media for more than three years. There was never any truth to it. But those on the left — the Democratic Party and the mainstream media — found it a very useful claim, and they are doing so again in the 2020 campaign.
President Donald Trump said there were “very fine” Nazis. This is “the Charlottesville lie.” First, the media spread it, and now Joe Biden has run with it, claiming repeatedly that this was the reason he decided to run for president. Of course, what Biden said is a lie; he has wanted to run for president all his life.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
At Trump’s press conference on Aug. 15, 2017, right after the Charlottesville march and demonstrations, Trump made it clear he wasn’t referring to the neo-Nazis when he said there were “very fine people on both sides.” He told the press, “I’m not talking about the neo-Nazis and the white nationalists because they should be condemned totally.” He was referring to the two sides at the protest over statues. See the video “The Charlottesville Lie” by former CNN reporter Steve Cortes at PragerU.com.
Donald Trump is a dictator. This lie has been told since before Trump was elected. It is repeated by virtually every left-wing commentator and politician. See, for example, “10 Ways Trump Is Becoming a Dictator, Election Edition” by Harvard professor Stephen M. Walt (Foreign Policy, Sept. 8, 2020) or “Donald Trump Wants To Be a Dictator” by Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland (The Guardian, July 5, 2019). It is a lie. The fact is no conservative American politician is a likely dictator because one of the fundamental goals of American conservatives is to shrink the power of the government. A dictatorship in America is far more likely to come from the left, which seeks to massively increase government power. For example, as reported in Politico on Aug. 21, 2020, Biden has already pledged, “I would shut it down,” referring to the American economy and Americans’ freedom of movement to combat the COVID-19 virus.
America is a racist society. This is the greatest national lie since the medieval blood libel, in which Christians accused Jews of slaughtering Christian children to use their blood to bake matzo for Passover. America is, in fact, the least racist country in history. That’s why, for example, there are so many race hoaxes; the real thing is so hard to find. Jews didn’t need to concoct anti-Jewish hoaxes to prove there was widespread anti-Semitism in Germany in the 1930s.
Ferguson was an example of racist police brutality. The Ferguson lie is frequently cited by the left as an example of police racism, including by figures as prominent as Barack Obama. Yet, a grand jury, which included black jurors, declined to indict the white police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown, a black man, because Brown had attacked the officer, sought to steal his gun and was in the process of a second attack when he was killed. The claim that Brown had said, “Hands up, don’t shoot” was also a left-wing lie. Brown never said it. See the PragerU video with Larry Elder.
America was founded in 1619, not 1776. This is the infamous New York Times lie for which the Times was awarded a Pulitzer Prize. This is the same prize awarded to the same newspaper in 1932 for its horrific lie that there was no famine in Ukraine when, in fact, Joseph Stalin was deliberately starving about 5 million Ukrainians to death. Leading liberal scholars of American history have condemned the Times‘ rewriting of American history — that the American Revolution was fought in order to preserve slavery — as a lie.
These are just some of the left-wing lies increasing numbers of Americans believe. America’s survival depends on Americans — especially young Americans — recognizing them as such.
Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist. His latest book, published by Regnery in May 2019, is The Rational Bible, a commentary on the book of Genesis. His film, “No Safe Spaces,” was released to home entertainment nationwide on September 15, 2020. He is the founder of Prager University and may be contacted at dennisprager.com.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM


thestream--2020-10-22--The Treason of the Fathers: Pope Francis’ LGBT Enabling Now Includes ‘Civil Unions’

Many Catholics worldwide were shocked to learn , via comments he made in a fawning documentary of his life , that Pope Francis supports civil unions for same sex couples .
Catholic News Agency reports : In a documentary that premiered Wednesday in Rome , Pope Francis called for the passage of civil union laws for same-sex couples , departing from the position of the Vatican ’ s doctrinal office and the pope ’ s predecessors on the issue .
The remarks came amid a portion of the documentary that reflected on pastoral care for those who identify as LGBT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a part of the family .
They ’ re children of God and have a right to a family .
Nobody should be thrown out , or be made miserable because of it , ” Pope Francis said in the film , of his approach to pastoral care .
The Deep Church Reaching Out to the Deep State ?
Francis ’ comments stand in stark contrast to previous , official Church teaching on this issue .
Whistleblowing Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano responded to Francis ’ statement .
One does not have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know that such statements are totally heterodox and constitute a very serious cause of scandal for the faithful .
But pay careful attention : these words simply constitute the umpteenth provocation by which the “ ultra-progressive ” part of the Hierarchy wants to artfully provoke a schism , as it has already tried to do with the Post-Synodal Exhortation Amoris Laetitia , the modification of doctrine on the death penalty , the Pan-Amazon Synod and the filthy Pachamama , and the Abu Dhabi Declaration which has now been reaffirmed and aggravated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draws on the support of the globalist élite , the mainstream media and the LGBT lobby , to which many clergy , bishops , and cardinals are no strangers .
Furthermore , let us not forget that in many nations there are laws in force which criminally punish anyone who considers sodomy reprehensible and sinful or who does not approve of the legitimization of homosexual “ matrimony ” – even if they do so on the basis of their Creed .
A pronouncement by the bishops against Bergoglio on a question like homosexuality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them criminally , with the approval of the Vatican .
Bergoglio would thus have on his side not only the “ deep church ” represented by rebels like Father James Martin , S.J.
, and those who promote the German “ Synodal Path , ” but also the “ deep state.
” It is not surprising that in the documentary there is also an endorsement of the Democratic candidate in the upcoming American presidential election , along with a disconcerting condemnation of the policy of the Trump Administration , which is accused of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States illegally , while the reality is that the President is confronting human trafficking and the trafficking of minors .
What ’ s really at stake here ?
Does this change really matter , now that full-on same sex “ marriage ” is legal in much of the West ?
Is the Church just accepting a legal fait accompli ?
Or is Pope Francis gravely undermining the solemn teachings of his predecessors ?
Is he flouting the Bible and 2000 years of Christian preaching ?
Perhaps Francis is dog-whistling to pastors around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Theology of the Body ” taught by St. John Paul II .
That comprehensive teaching centered on moral absolutes .
John Paul made it crystal clear that some acts are simply evil by their nature .
No considerations of “ relationship , ” “ faithfulness ” or “ inclusion ” could justify actions which God Himself has condemned .
To learn more , The Stream decided to interview Joseph Sciambra .
A courageous Catholic author , he escaped the homosexual lifestyle decades ago .
His accounts of what that lifestyle entails are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( WARNING : EXPLICIT CONTENT ) Sciambra believes that Catholics who suffer from same-sex attraction are being betrayed by the very clergy — and pope — which claim to minister to them .
John Zmirak : You ’ ve written that pro-gay priests were directly responsible for helping to lead you into that lifestyle .
Can you elaborate a little on that , and the spiritual impact it had on you ?
Joseph Sciambra : From a rather young age , in retrospect , I can see that I was being groomed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case with many predators , they recognize and focus on the most vulnerable .
I was a lost , lonely , and bullied boy .
I had few male friends and was a chronically awkward and shy kid .
When a priest took an interest in me , I was rather elated .
At the age of 16 , I confided in him about my sexual confusion .
I didn ’ t know if I was gay or straight .
He assured me and comforted me .
According to him , “ God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gay .
And there was nothing to be ashamed of .
He said , one day , I could settle down with one man , just like a man settles down with a woman .
I believed him .
Then he molested me .
At the time , I didn ’ t regard the sexual encounter I had with this priest as a form of abuse .
I considered it my first experience .
It wasn ’ t how I wanted it to be .
I ’ d always envisioned being with someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In fact , it happened so fast , in my mind , I disregarded it and tried to move on and forget .
But it also proved a pivotal moment .
I no longer questioned myself .
“ I am gay.
” I made my mind up , when I turned 18 and I graduated from high school , I was moving to San Francisco to live as a gay man with other gay men .
That is where I belonged .
In the lifestyle , what was your experience of Catholic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual morality ?
What were they preaching ?
In San Francisco , I abandoned what little faith I had in the Catholic Church .
It didn ’ t offer me anything .
For the “ born gay ” theory , even the doctrine of “ God made you gay ” were already embedded into gay culture .
I thought , “ The Church got it from us.
” I didn ’ t need them .
Here , if I wanted to listen , the adherents of a queer theology were younger and much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I rarely encountered Catholic priests .
Unless I went to a funeral for someone who died of AIDS , held at the local Catholic parish .
Or else attended a back-yard same-sex wedding officiated by a rogue gay priest .
I thought most of them to be rather kind , but hopelessly conflicted and muddled .
“ Why don ’ t they leave the Church ?
” I thought .
From friends showed up for mass or social gatherings at gay-affirmative Catholic parishes around San Francisco , I heard that the Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I paid little attention .
Years later , I decided to give Catholicism another chance .
I found that most of these priests who promised a gay Church were still there .
But those whom they ’ d made these promises to , the gay guys who listened ?
They were pretty much all dead from AIDS .
A priest told me that I was still gay .
God loved me .
God wanted me to find a permanent partner , and had someone in mind .
As Pope Francis seems to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journey , how do you respond to Pope Francis ’ embrace of civil unions ?
The Pope seems to lament that gay people do not have a family .
In a sense , that is true .
To leave the gay community , to embrace a life of chastity , to turn against everything you once believed — that decision sometimes causes an immense amount of loneliness .
The gay community doesn ’ t want you .
You feel unwelcomed in the Church .
And not because anyone finds you loathsome due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LGBT-affirmative priests and ministries control nearly every parish that is situated near a center of LGBT population .
I have been literally told to leave a Catholic Church .
According to them , I hate myself and I hate my own kind .
I am a traitor .
At one point in my life , I decided to create a same-sex family .
I met another same-sex attracted man , both of us wanted to be chaste .
So we tried to make a relationship work .
It didn ’ t .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and according to the Church , we couldn ’ t give it .
We both needed affection and affirmation .
In men , once those needs press their way into the realm of the physical , it ’ s difficult to pull back .
Consequently , now I do have a family — my friends .
Most of them straight , but many of them are gay or formerly identify as gay .
As in the monastic rule , I don ’ t cultivate particular friendships — except with heterosexual married men .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ true healing .
In their example as husbands and fathers , I have witnessed the true beauty of masculinity .
I don ’ t need a civil union with another man .
I don ’ t need another man — because I am a man .
Your Are on Your Own What should Church leaders be saying instead ?
For the most part , Church leaders , including almost every Western bishop , has handed the “ ministry ” to homosexual persons over to gay priests , gay-affirmative priests , and out and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t care and they don ’ t want to be bothered .
I often tell people who are seeking help within the Church on this issue : “ You are on your own.
” My advice ?
Stay away from parishes near the gay-ghettos that fly the rainbow flag , offer “ pride ” masses , and feature James Martin ’ s book in their book-club .
Unfortunately , that leaves very few options .
In my experience , many of those with same-sex attraction who return to the Catholic Church , usually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gay community , or join a gay-affirmative parish .
I think they instinctively desire the truth , but will settle for a sense of solidarity .
Right now , the Church is silent about the truth .
It offers tea-time social hours , priests in rainbow stoles , and the promise of a same-sex wedding in the Church .
The Church offers lies .
The truth is simple and easy to declare , but often requires suffering .
The bishops are weak and afraid .
They won ’ t do it .
Priests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the eucharistic hymn of “ Over the Rainbow ” are quickly crushed .
Read Joseph Sciambra ’ s powerful spiritual testimony , Disordered , and follow him on Twitter .
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream , and author or co-author of ten books , including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism .
He is co-author with Jason Jones of “ God , Guns , & the Government .
”

Many Catholics worldwide were shocked to learn, via comments he made in a fawning documentary of his life, that Pope Francis supports civil unions for same sex couples. Catholic News Agency reports:
In a documentary that premiered Wednesday in Rome, Pope Francis called for the passage of civil union laws for same-sex couples, departing from the position of the Vatican’s doctrinal office and the pope’s predecessors on the issue. The remarks came amid a portion of the documentary that reflected on pastoral care for those who identify as LGBT. “Homosexuals have a right to be a part of the family. They’re children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out, or be made miserable because of it,” Pope Francis said in the film, of his approach to pastoral care.
The Deep Church Reaching Out to the Deep State?
Francis’ comments stand in stark contrast to previous, official Church teaching on this issue. Whistleblowing Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano responded to Francis’ statement.
One does not have to be a theologian or a moral expert to know that such statements are totally heterodox and constitute a very serious cause of scandal for the faithful. But pay careful attention: these words simply constitute the umpteenth provocation by which the “ultra-progressive” part of the Hierarchy wants to artfully provoke a schism, as it has already tried to do with the Post-Synodal Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, the modification of doctrine on the death penalty, the Pan-Amazon Synod and the filthy Pachamama, and the Abu Dhabi Declaration which has now been reaffirmed and aggravated by the Encyclical Fratelli Tutti. … This deception draws on the support of the globalist élite, the mainstream media and the LGBT lobby, to which many clergy, bishops, and cardinals are no strangers. Furthermore, let us not forget that in many nations there are laws in force which criminally punish anyone who considers sodomy reprehensible and sinful or who does not approve of the legitimization of homosexual “matrimony” – even if they do so on the basis of their Creed. A pronouncement by the bishops against Bergoglio on a question like homosexuality could potentially lead civil authority to prosecute them criminally, with the approval of the Vatican. Bergoglio would thus have on his side not only the “deep church” represented by rebels like Father James Martin, S.J., and those who promote the German “Synodal Path,” but also the “deep state.” It is not surprising that in the documentary there is also an endorsement of the Democratic candidate in the upcoming American presidential election, along with a disconcerting condemnation of the policy of the Trump Administration, which is accused of separating families that want to enter the United States illegally, while the reality is that the President is confronting human trafficking and the trafficking of minors.
Dumping St. John Paul II and the Moral Law?
What’s really at stake here? Does this change really matter, now that full-on same sex “marriage” is legal in much of the West? Is the Church just accepting a legal fait accompli? Or is Pope Francis gravely undermining the solemn teachings of his predecessors? Is he flouting the Bible and 2000 years of Christian preaching?
In the pope’s documentary there is also an endorsement of the Democratic candidate in the upcoming American presidential election.
Perhaps Francis is dog-whistling to pastors around the world that they can neglect the “Theology of the Body” taught by St. John Paul II. That comprehensive teaching centered on moral absolutes. John Paul made it crystal clear that some acts are simply evil by their nature. No considerations of “relationship,” “faithfulness” or “inclusion” could justify actions which God Himself has condemned.
Asking a Victim of LGBT Priests
To learn more, The Stream decided to interview Joseph Sciambra. A courageous Catholic author, he escaped the homosexual lifestyle decades ago. His accounts of what that lifestyle entails are raw, honest, and painful (WARNING: EXPLICIT CONTENT). Sciambra believes that Catholics who suffer from same-sex attraction are being betrayed by the very clergy — and pope — which claim to minister to them.
John Zmirak: You’ve written that pro-gay priests were directly responsible for helping to lead you into that lifestyle. Can you elaborate a little on that, and the spiritual impact it had on you?
Joseph Sciambra: From a rather young age, in retrospect, I can see that I was being groomed by a certain priest. As is the case with many predators, they recognize and focus on the most vulnerable. I was a lost, lonely, and bullied boy. I had few male friends and was a chronically awkward and shy kid. When a priest took an interest in me, I was rather elated. At the age of 16, I confided in him about my sexual confusion. I didn’t know if I was gay or straight. He assured me and comforted me. According to him, “God made me this way.” I was gay. And there was nothing to be ashamed of. He said, one day, I could settle down with one man, just like a man settles down with a woman. I believed him.
Then he molested me.
At the time, I didn’t regard the sexual encounter I had with this priest as a form of abuse. I considered it my first experience. It wasn’t how I wanted it to be. I’d always envisioned being with someone my age or someone a little older. In fact, it happened so fast, in my mind, I disregarded it and tried to move on and forget. But it also proved a pivotal moment. I no longer questioned myself. “I am gay.” I made my mind up, when I turned 18 and I graduated from high school, I was moving to San Francisco to live as a gay man with other gay men. That is where I belonged.
Priests Who Promote the LGBT Lifestyle
In the lifestyle, what was your experience of Catholic priests’ advice and spiritual direction on sexual morality? What were they preaching?
In San Francisco, I abandoned what little faith I had in the Catholic Church. It didn’t offer me anything. For the “born gay” theory, even the doctrine of “God made you gay” were already embedded into gay culture. I thought, “The Church got it from us.” I didn’t need them. Here, if I wanted to listen, the adherents of a queer theology were younger and much better looking.
When I was gay, I rarely encountered Catholic priests. Unless I went to a funeral for someone who died of AIDS, held at the local Catholic parish. Or else attended a back-yard same-sex wedding officiated by a rogue gay priest. I thought most of them to be rather kind, but hopelessly conflicted and muddled. “Why don’t they leave the Church?” I thought.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
From friends who showed up for mass or social gatherings at gay-affirmative Catholic parishes around San Francisco, I heard that the Church would someday change and accept homosexuality. I paid little attention.
Years later, I decided to give Catholicism another chance. I found that most of these priests who promised a gay Church were still there. But those whom they’d made these promises to, the gay guys who listened? They were pretty much all dead from AIDS.
A priest told me that I was still gay. God loved me. God wanted me to find a permanent partner, and had someone in mind.
Pro-LGBT Clergy Ostracize the Chaste
As Pope Francis seems to be suggesting. In light of your faith journey, how do you respond to Pope Francis’ embrace of civil unions?
The Pope seems to lament that gay people do not have a family. In a sense, that is true. To leave the gay community, to embrace a life of chastity, to turn against everything you once believed — that decision sometimes causes an immense amount of loneliness. The gay community doesn’t want you. You feel unwelcomed in the Church. And not because anyone finds you loathsome due to their homophobia.
No, but because LGBT-affirmative priests and ministries control nearly every parish that is situated near a center of LGBT population. I have been literally told to leave a Catholic Church. According to them, I hate myself and I hate my own kind. I am a traitor.
At one point in my life, I decided to create a same-sex family. I met another same-sex attracted man, both of us wanted to be chaste. So we tried to make a relationship work. It didn’t. We both needed something from the other, and according to the Church, we couldn’t give it. We both needed affection and affirmation. In men, once those needs press their way into the realm of the physical, it’s difficult to pull back.
Consequently, now I do have a family — my friends. Most of them straight, but many of them are gay or formerly identify as gay. As in the monastic rule, I don’t cultivate particular friendships — except with heterosexual married men. And in those friendships I have found true healing. In their example as husbands and fathers, I have witnessed the true beauty of masculinity. I don’t need a civil union with another man. I don’t need another man — because I am a man.
Your Are on Your Own
What should Church leaders be saying instead?
For the most part, Church leaders, including almost every Western bishop, has handed the “ministry” to homosexual persons over to gay priests, gay-affirmative priests, and out and proud LGBT activists. They don’t care and they don’t want to be bothered. I often tell people who are seeking help within the Church on this issue: “You are on your own.” My advice? Stay away from parishes near the gay-ghettos that fly the rainbow flag, offer “pride” masses, and feature James Martin’s book in their book-club. Unfortunately, that leaves very few options.
In my experience, many of those with same-sex attraction who return to the Catholic Church, usually leave. They go back to the gay community, or join a gay-affirmative parish. I think they instinctively desire the truth, but will settle for a sense of solidarity. Right now, the Church is silent about the truth. It offers tea-time social hours, priests in rainbow stoles, and the promise of a same-sex wedding in the Church. The Church offers lies. The truth is simple and easy to declare, but often requires suffering. The bishops are weak and afraid. They won’t do it. Priests who dare to raise their voice above the eucharistic hymn of “Over the Rainbow” are quickly crushed.
Read Joseph Sciambra’s powerful spiritual testimony, Disordered, and follow him on Twitter.
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream, and author or co-author of ten books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism. He is co-author with Jason Jones of “God, Guns, & the Government.”


thestream--2020-10-22--Why This Detransitioning UK Woman Sued a Gender Clinic

A female information technology engineer in London , for whom doctors prescribed testosterone injections and a double mastectomy for her gender dysphoria , had her day in court this month against the gender clinic where she received treatment .
At age 16 , Keira Bell , now 23 , went to Tavistock and Portman National Health Service Trust for help with gender dysphoria .
After the hormone replacement therapy and mastectomy , Bell began to regret her transition and , along with the mother of a 16-year-old girl with autism who is waiting for gender dysphoria treatment , filed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hyam , the lawyer for Bell and the mother , made a strong case against puberty blockers in young people .
The lawyer argued that gender clinics should be able to prescribe hormone replacement therapy — which are essentially puberty blockers — only with a court order , stressing the “ lifelong medical , psychological , and emotional implications ” of taking the blockers .
“ There is evidence that hormone blockers can have significant side effects , including loss of fertility and sexual function , and decreased bone density , ” Hyam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a young person would be able to fully understand and give consent for the treatment is “ simply a fairy tale.
” The lawyers for Tavistock argued puberty blockers were not used often in children under 13 and can be a “ safe and reversible treatment with a well-established history.
” Bell has taken steps to show just how painful and frustrating it has been to “ transition , ” only to realize a person with gender dysphoria can ’ t change her gender through surgery and hormone replacements , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dysphoria .
The testosterone Bell took has left her with a deep voice , and she may be permanently infertile .
Her strongest plea in court was to encourage Tavistock to stop “ rushing ” other young people into transitioning before full psychological evaluations had taken place , and to discourage use of puberty blockers at a young age altogether .
The Daily Mail reported that Bell told ITV ’ s This Morning program : I grew up very gender nonconforming , and so , that — along with things like sexuality struggles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alienation .
I just became very depressed in my teens and very anxious and definitely very distressed about my body and all of that kind of manifested into gender dysphoria .
There was no exploration of the feelings that I had , no psychiatric assessment .
It was very brief and based on my recent past .
There was no in-depth discussion .
I can see now when I reflect back , it was all very rushed , and I wish that there was some psychiatric assessment .
At the end of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been explored into why I had those feelings and not just accepted for what they were.
” Bell ’ s experience is important on several levels .
First , her descriptions about how the gender clinic treated her gender dysphoria are revealing .
Without any psychological assessment whatsoever , the clinic determined that Bell , at age 16 , should simply transition — altering her entire body ’ s chemistry via hormones and her body ’ s physical markers of femininity via a double mastectomy .
If physicians prescribed this kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s body image , it would be seen as radical , if not illegal .
Yet so many gender clinics in the U.K. and in the United States rush right into transition mode .
Second , Bell ’ s courage to speak out in the media about the effects of the transition and the gender clinic ’ s need to be held accountable are crucial and encouraging .
So much of the mainstream media support transitioning that few stories about its adverse , life-altering effects are told .
If they are told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an anomaly or an exception , not the norm .
The fact that Bell and another woman had the courage to sue the clinic to hold it accountable not only generates an important message to the media , it may result in some real-life repercussions that keep gender clinics from doling out hormone replacement therapy and surgery like they ’ re simple , normal solutions to a complex problem .
Bell ’ s story , and those like hers , need to be told .
“ I don ’ t think that changing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ psychological condition .
That doesn ’ t make sense to me , ” she told ITV .
“ So , I think it ’ s important for these children to be protected and to be actually listened to in a professional manner.
” Nicole Russell is a contributor to The Daily Signal .
Her work has appeared in The Atlantic , The New York Times , National Review , Politico , The Washington Times , The American Spectator , and Parents Magazine .

A female information technology engineer in London, for whom doctors prescribed testosterone injections and a double mastectomy for her gender dysphoria, had her day in court this month against the gender clinic where she received treatment.
At age 16, Keira Bell, now 23, went to Tavistock and Portman National Health Service Trust for help with gender dysphoria. After the hormone replacement therapy and mastectomy, Bell began to regret her transition and, along with the mother of a 16-year-old girl with autism who is waiting for gender dysphoria treatment, filed a lawsuit.
The Guardian reported that Jeremy Hyam, the lawyer for Bell and the mother, made a strong case against puberty blockers in young people.
The lawyer argued that gender clinics should be able to prescribe hormone replacement therapy — which are essentially puberty blockers — only with a court order, stressing the “lifelong medical, psychological, and emotional implications” of taking the blockers.
“There is evidence that hormone blockers can have significant side effects, including loss of fertility and sexual function, and decreased bone density,” Hyam said, and noted that the notion that a young person would be able to fully understand and give consent for the treatment is “simply a fairy tale.”
Bell has taken steps to show just how painful and frustrating it has been to “transition,” only to realize a person with gender dysphoria can’t change her gender through surgery and hormone replacements, and that any attempts to do so increased her dysphoria.
The lawyers for Tavistock argued puberty blockers were not used often in children under 13 and can be a “safe and reversible treatment with a well-established history.”
Bell has taken steps to show just how painful and frustrating it has been to “transition,” only to realize a person with gender dysphoria can’t change her gender through surgery and hormone replacements, and that any attempts to do so increased her dysphoria.
The testosterone Bell took has left her with a deep voice, and she may be permanently infertile. Her strongest plea in court was to encourage Tavistock to stop “rushing” other young people into transitioning before full psychological evaluations had taken place, and to discourage use of puberty blockers at a young age altogether.
The Daily Mail reported that Bell told ITV’s This Morning program:
I grew up very gender nonconforming, and so, that — along with things like sexuality struggles — kind of led to feelings of alienation. I just became very depressed in my teens and very anxious and definitely very distressed about my body and all of that kind of manifested into gender dysphoria. There was no exploration of the feelings that I had, no psychiatric assessment. It was very brief and based on my recent past. There was no in-depth discussion. I can see now when I reflect back, it was all very rushed, and I wish that there was some psychiatric assessment. At the end of the day, I feel like it should have been explored into why I had those feelings and not just accepted for what they were.”
Bell’s experience is important on several levels. First, her descriptions about how the gender clinic treated her gender dysphoria are revealing.
Without any psychological assessment whatsoever, the clinic determined that Bell, at age 16, should simply transition — altering her entire body’s chemistry via hormones and her body’s physical markers of femininity via a double mastectomy.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
If physicians prescribed this kind of treatment for any other complaint about one’s body image, it would be seen as radical, if not illegal. Yet so many gender clinics in the U.K. and in the United States rush right into transition mode.
Second, Bell’s courage to speak out in the media about the effects of the transition and the gender clinic’s need to be held accountable are crucial and encouraging.
So much of the mainstream media support transitioning that few stories about its adverse, life-altering effects are told. If they are told, these stories often are treated as an anomaly or an exception, not the norm.
The fact that Bell and another woman had the courage to sue the clinic to hold it accountable not only generates an important message to the media, it may result in some real-life repercussions that keep gender clinics from doling out hormone replacement therapy and surgery like they’re simple, normal solutions to a complex problem.
Bell’s story, and those like hers, need to be told.
“I don’t think that changing your body is going to help a psychological condition. That doesn’t make sense to me,” she told ITV. “So, I think it’s important for these children to be protected and to be actually listened to in a professional manner.”
Nicole Russell is a contributor to The Daily Signal. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The New York Times, National Review, Politico, The Washington Times, The American Spectator, and Parents Magazine.


thestream--2020-10-22--Military Photo of the Day: Meeting Local Oil Factory Workers in Syria

U.S. Army soldiers serving in Syria meet with local oil facility workers in northeastern Syria on October 13 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ express our gratitude for the brave American warriors serving in one of the world ’ @ @ @ @ @ May God bless you and keep you safe .

U.S. Army soldiers serving in Syria meet with local oil facility workers in northeastern Syria on October 13, 2020.
Words cannot adequately express our gratitude for the brave American warriors serving in one of the world’s most dangerous places. May God bless you and keep you safe.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-10-22--#Election2020: Husband Calls Kamala ‘The Next President’; Cop Leaves Trump Nearly Speechless

So what is the state of the presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris , 12 days out from the election ?
Yes , I said “ Kamala Harris.
” After all , who am I to argue with Kamala ’ s husband ?
Watch for yourself , as Doug Emhoff enthusiastically declares “ I am married to the next President of the United States !
” It ’ s not like this is a surprise .
Kamala herself has talked about the “ Harris Administration.
” Biden himself has spoken of the Harris-Biden ticket .
Heck , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talked about Harris-Biden when mocking military fly-overs .
Still , Harris may want to hold back on counting the ways to push Joe aside .
First , she has to figure out ways to get more than a handful of people to show up at her events .
This is a Kamala Harris event this morning in North Carolina .
You see more people waiting for their orders at a deli counter at Food Lion .
Meanwhile , this is what Donald Trump enjoyed in Johnstown , Pa. last week .
What ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t just the size of the crowds .
Or their enthusiasm .
( Then again , even Joe Biden isn ’ t enthusiastic about being at Biden events . )
The Washington Examiner looked at the GOP data from the 13 rallies Trump has held before Wednesday .
In total , about 167,000 participated .
But 25 % were new voters .
And a staggering 30 % were not Republicans .
Of course , there ’ s no way to tell how many are there just to see him dance .
The RealClear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up 7.6 points nationally .
But that factors in polls with data going back to October 7 .
( And , of course , polls skewed Democratic . )
An IBD/TIPP daily presidential poll out Wednesday shows a race a virtual dead heat .
Biden is up by 2.5 , 48.5-46 % among likely voters .
The poll shows Trump is gaining support .
Biden is losing support .
It also indicates Republican stragglers are joining Team Trump .
Not so many Democrats are climbing aboard the Biden-Harris train .
Meanwhile , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s surprise win in 2016 , has Trump winning again .
Robert Cahaly told Hannity Tuesday night there ’ s a “ hidden vote ” for Trump that other pollsters are not accounting for .
He predicts Trump will collect an Electoral Vote in the “ high 270s and possibly going up significantly higher.
” A candidate needs 270 to win .
Said Cahaly , “ There is a clear feeling among conservatives and people that are for the president that they ’ re not interested in sharing their opinions readily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participate in polls .
So if you ’ re not compensating for this , you ’ re not going to get honest answers.
” The Debate : Not Just About the Laptop Thursday night ’ s debate will obviously factor into the race .
Yesterday , we put forth the notion that the stars are aligning against Biden for the debate .
That this time out Biden doesn ’ t just have to beat back Father Time and Donald Trump , he also has to beat back the continued revelations about Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advising Trump to not focus much on the Hunter laptop revelations .
Deal with the issues that matter in people ’ s lives , he says .
And it looks like the Democrats are handing Trump such an issue on a platter .
The Heritage Foundation has laid out how Biden-Harris , if elected , will undo Trump immigration policies , particularly in relation to illegal immigration .
On Tuesday , Houston police officer Sgt .
Harold Preston was murdered , just one week away from retirement when answering a domestic call .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Preston ’ s suspected killer was a “ convicted criminal alien who is unlawfully present in the U.S. ” An illegal immigrant killed a cop .
The Biden-Harris-AOC Administration would reopen the door for illegal immigrants .
Put on top of that , the Democrats ’ war on police and Trump doesn ’ t have to spend so much time talking about Biden , Inc.
He ’ s been handed a case study in how Harris-Biden will endanger the life of Americans and America ’ s peace officers .
Speaking of police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Trump rally Tuesday .
A retiring police officer named Joel gave his badge to the president .
“ Can I give this to you , sir ?
” the officer asked Trump .
“ I ’ m retiring in 12 days and my last act as a police officer , sir , is that I want to give you this on behalf of all the men and women who wear the badge who have your back because you have ours.
” “ You ’ ve got to be kidding me !
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Finally , a Media Figure Gets Mad At Kamala for Ducking Questions Finally , we return to would-be President Kamala Harris .
Since getting the VP nomination Harris has refused to answer questions from the reporters traveling with her .
You want transparency in government , Harris is not your candidate .
Like Biden saying you don ’ t deserve to know his position on court packing , Harris doesn ’ t think reporters deserve to even ask questions she doesn ’ t like .
For months , the mainstream media has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last night , Kamala Harris attended a fund-raiser featuring the cast of The Avengers .
There , she answered questions from the assorted actors .
ABC ’ s Jonathan Karl was not pleased .
Kamala ’ s Marvel super power is turning journalists into suckers .
Congratulations to Jonathan Karl , for briefly being immune .
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author , with @ JZmirak , of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration .
You can follow him at @ StreamingAl .
And if you aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at @ Streamdotorg .

So what is the state of the presidential race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, 12 days out from the election?
Yes, I said “Kamala Harris.” After all, who am I to argue with Kamala’s husband?
The Next President
Watch for yourself, as Doug Emhoff enthusiastically declares “I am married to the next President of the United States!”
It’s not like this is a surprise. Kamala herself has talked about the “Harris Administration.” Biden himself has spoken of the Harris-Biden ticket.
Heck, even NFL announcers Troy Aikman and Joe Buck talked about Harris-Biden when mocking military fly-overs.
Still, Harris may want to hold back on counting the ways to push Joe aside. First, she has to figure out ways to get more than a handful of people to show up at her events.
This is a Kamala Harris event this morning in North Carolina.
https://twitter.com/KelemenCari/status/1318962781916418051
You see more people waiting for their orders at a deli counter at Food Lion.
Trump Drawing New Voters and Non-Republicans
Meanwhile, this is what Donald Trump enjoyed in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, last week.
What’s got to worry Democrats isn’t just the size of the crowds. Or their enthusiasm. (Then again, even Joe Biden isn’t enthusiastic about being at Biden events.) The Washington Examiner looked at the GOP data from the 13 rallies Trump has held before Wednesday. In total, about 167,000 participated. But 25% were new voters. And a staggering 30% were not Republicans.
Of course, there’s no way to tell how many are there just to see him dance.
LAST NIGHT: President Trump dances to the Village People's "YMCA" at the conclusion of his rally in Erie, Pennsylvania. pic.twitter.com/2JpcR4NMj2 — The Hill (@thehill) October 21, 2020
Polls Show a Tightening Race
The RealClear Politics average of polls insists Biden is up 7.6 points nationally. But that factors in polls with data going back to October 7. (And, of course, polls skewed Democratic.)
An IBD/TIPP daily presidential poll out Wednesday shows a race a virtual dead heat. Biden is up by 2.5, 48.5-46% among likely voters. The poll shows Trump is gaining support. Biden is losing support. It also indicates Republican stragglers are joining Team Trump. Not so many Democrats are climbing aboard the Biden-Harris train.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Meanwhile, the chief pollster for Trafalgar, who called Trump’s surprise win in 2016, has Trump winning again. Robert Cahaly told Hannity Tuesday night there’s a “hidden vote” for Trump that other pollsters are not accounting for. He predicts Trump will collect an Electoral Vote in the “high 270s and possibly going up significantly higher.” A candidate needs 270 to win.
Said Cahaly, “There is a clear feeling among conservatives and people that are for the president that they’re not interested in sharing their opinions readily. These people are more hesitant to participate in polls. So if you’re not compensating for this, you’re not going to get honest answers.”
The Debate: Not Just About the Laptop
Thursday night’s debate will obviously factor into the race. Yesterday, we put forth the notion that the stars are aligning against Biden for the debate. That this time out Biden doesn’t just have to beat back Father Time and Donald Trump, he also has to beat back the continued revelations about Biden, Inc.
Still, Mike Huckabee is advising Trump to not focus much on the Hunter laptop revelations. Deal with the issues that matter in people’s lives, he says.
And it looks like the Democrats are handing Trump such an issue on a platter. The Heritage Foundation has laid out how Biden-Harris, if elected, will undo Trump immigration policies, particularly in relation to illegal immigration.
On Tuesday, Houston police officer Sgt. Harold Preston was murdered, just one week away from retirement when answering a domestic call. On Wednesday, ICE revealed that Sgt. Preston’s suspected killer was a “convicted criminal alien who is unlawfully present in the U.S.”
An illegal immigrant killed a cop. The Biden-Harris-AOC Administration would reopen the door for illegal immigrants.
Put on top of that, the Democrats’ war on police and Trump doesn’t have to spend so much time talking about Biden, Inc.
He’s been handed a case study in how Harris-Biden will endanger the life of Americans and America’s peace officers.
An Officer’s Tribute.
Speaking of police officers, a beautiful scene emerged after a Trump rally Tuesday. A retiring police officer named Joel gave his badge to the president. “Can I give this to you, sir?” the officer asked Trump. “I’m retiring in 12 days and my last act as a police officer, sir, is that I want to give you this on behalf of all the men and women who wear the badge who have your back because you have ours.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” replied Trump, clearly taken aback.
I had the honor of closing out my career as a police officer by gifting my flat badge to @realDonaldTrump for his unwavering support of law enforcement throughout his presidency. @PressSec pic.twitter.com/16HCXlWcRG — joel (@votefreedom2020) October 20, 2020
Finally, a Media Figure Gets Mad At Kamala for Ducking Questions
Finally, we return to would-be President Kamala Harris. Since getting the VP nomination Harris has refused to answer questions from the reporters traveling with her. You want transparency in government, Harris is not your candidate. Like Biden saying you don’t deserve to know his position on court packing, Harris doesn’t think reporters deserve to even ask questions she doesn’t like.
For months, the mainstream media has been playing along. Until last night.
Last night, Kamala Harris attended a fund-raiser featuring the cast of The Avengers. There, she answered questions from the assorted actors. ABC’s Jonathan Karl was not pleased.
At a fundraiser tonight, @KamalaHarris played trivia and answered questions from the cast of The Avengers. And with that, the Democratic VP nominee has now taken more questions from cast of The Avengers than from the traveling press covering her campaign. (h/t @MissBeaE) — Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) October 21, 2020
Kamala’s Marvel super power is turning journalists into suckers. Congratulations to Jonathan Karl, for briefly being immune.
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author, with @JZmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl. And if you aren’t already, please follow The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-10-23--In the Middle East, Trump Protected Christians, While Biden Got Them Killed

The following column appeared as part of a point/counterpoint on the candidates in The Chaldean News .
That ’ s a magazine for Americans who belong to one of the Christian groups originating in Iraq , whose churches date back to the age of the Apostles .
Tonight ’ s presidential debate was originally supposed to be on foreign policy .
So The Stream thought it worthwhile to offer this reflection on the contrast between the candidates , as their policies have affected persecuted Christians .
It ’ s reprinted by permission of The Chaldean News .
There is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year or any other .
As always we face a choice between two complex human beings representing diverse coalitions .
We must choose which coalition has a worldview more compatible with our interests as a community , and which candidate seems effective at delivering .
On every important issue , Donald Trump and the Republicans offer more hope than Joe Biden and the Democrats .
Remember that Joe Biden strongly backed the disastrous U.S. invasion in 2003 , based on bad intelligence and false promises of a transformed , democratic Iraq .
Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said so .
Much of the reason he won the nomination in 2016 was his rejection of the grandiose neoconservative theorists , corner office imperialists who liked to play at reshaping the world .
Now the same military establishment that brought us so many useless , counterproductive wars from Iraq to Libya —hundreds of generals and armchair generals — is endorsing Joe Biden , and denouncing President Trump as “ unfit for office.
” Maybe he just doesn ’ t fit in with their plans .
Perhaps these militarists have not forgiven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he was one of the few candidates to oppose arming the so-called “ moderate rebels ” in Syria — controlled then as they are now by al Qaeda and other jihadists linked to Turkey .
The Obama/Biden administration did no more than the Bush administration had to protect Christians in Iraq whom radicals and bigots scapegoated for the aftereffects of that invasion .
Indeed , it dismissed the murderous Daesh as the “ junior varsity ” team of Islamist terror .
It ended the “ surge ” that had helped restore some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all U.S. troops out .
That pullout helped create the power vacuum that let Daesh storm into cities , murdering thousands , and raping or enslaving thousands more .
Did Joe Biden push for the U.S. or international forces to act to end that horror ?
No .
He was too busy helping his family enrich themselves via U.S. foreign policy in China , Ukraine , and Russia .
What did end the horrible reign of DAESH ?
Firm , rapid action by the Trump administration , in partnership with experienced local forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take .
The Obama/Biden years brought us the futile U.S. deal with Iran , which transferred unearned billions to that extremist regime , without meaningfully slowing its rush to gain nuclear weapons .
President Trump , by contrast , has brokered successful , productive deals between Israel and several major Arab countries .
These will help to contain Iran without the need for another destructive , disruptive war—whose side effects on religious minorities we can predict all too well .
The Trump administration has spoken and acted firmly in defense of religious freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Biden banned Iraqi nuns from visiting the U.S. , and skewed refugee quotas to favor Muslims who had safe havens over Christians who had none .
The Obama administration even changed the description of the U.S. First Amendment taught to new citizens from the real language , “ free exercise of religion , ” to the bland “ freedom of worship ” offered to dhimmis by Islamists .
At home , the Trump administration wishes to protect the vulnerable , from unpopular religious groups to unborn children .
Biden , by contrast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Little Sisters of the Poor , who care for the sick and dying , if they will not distribute abortion pills .
Trump stands for law and order on the streets of American cities like Detroit and Minneapolis .
Biden will not rebuke the rioters who demand that police be defunded , and cities be turned over to armed militant gangs , which are burning small businesses as you read this .
Trump will defend our Second Amendment rights and fund the police .
Biden will seize our guns and defund the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Portland to armed extremists , as the authorities once abandoned the people of Mosul to DAESH .
We ’ re happy to say that the Trump administration is working closely with representatives of the Chaldean community to address its particular interests and legitimate grievances .
President Trump and I talked at length last night about the Chaldean community ’ s needs .
As congressional candidate Eric Esshaki assured us , President Trump “ fully understands the real threats our family members in Iraq face every day .
Just as important he committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sure Chaldeans are treated fairly .
He ’ s pledged to be a great friend to our community and has our back.
” Back in 2015 , we wrote at the influential Christian website The Stream calling for a foreign policy that put “ persecuted Christians first.
” We believe that the Trump administration has listened , certainly more than any other U.S. politicians .
That ’ s why we ’ re proud to back Trump ’ s re-election and ask for your support .
Jason Jones is a senior contributor to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ producer , author , activist and human rights worker .
You can follow him at @ JasonJonesShow .
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 .
Together , Jones and Zmirak wrote The Race to Save Our Century .

The following column appeared as part of a point/counterpoint on the candidates in The Chaldean News. That’s a magazine for Americans who belong to one of the Christian groups originating in Iraq, whose churches date back to the age of the Apostles.
Tonight’s presidential debate was originally supposed to be on foreign policy. So The Stream thought it worthwhile to offer this reflection on the contrast between the candidates, as their policies have affected persecuted Christians. It’s reprinted by permission of The Chaldean News.
There is no perfect candidate for president. Not this year or any other. As always we face a choice between two complex human beings representing diverse coalitions. We must choose which coalition has a worldview more compatible with our interests as a community, and which candidate seems effective at delivering.
On every important issue, Donald Trump and the Republicans offer more hope than Joe Biden and the Democrats.
The same military establishment that brought us so many useless, counterproductive wars from Iraq to Libya — hundreds of generals and armchair generals — is endorsing Joe Biden. Why?
Remember that Joe Biden strongly backed the disastrous U.S. invasion in 2003, based on bad intelligence and false promises of a transformed, democratic Iraq. Donald Trump was always skeptical of it, and said so. Much of the reason he won the nomination in 2016 was his rejection of the grandiose neoconservative theorists, corner office imperialists who liked to play at reshaping the world. Now the same military establishment that brought us so many useless, counterproductive wars from Iraq to Libya — hundreds of generals and armchair generals — is endorsing Joe Biden, and denouncing President Trump as “unfit for office.” Maybe he just doesn’t fit in with their plans.
Trump Wouldn’t Help al Qaeda
Perhaps these militarists have not forgiven Trump for his stand in 2016, when he was one of the few candidates to oppose arming the so-called “moderate rebels” in Syria — controlled then as they are now by al Qaeda and other jihadists linked to Turkey.
The Obama/Biden administration did no more than the Bush administration had to protect Christians in Iraq whom radicals and bigots scapegoated for the aftereffects of that invasion. Indeed, it dismissed the murderous Daesh as the “junior varsity” team of Islamist terror. It ended the “surge” that had helped restore some order in Iraq, and finally pulled all U.S. troops out. That pullout helped create the power vacuum that let Daesh storm into cities, murdering thousands, and raping or enslaving thousands more. Did Joe Biden push for the U.S. or international forces to act to end that horror? No. He was too busy helping his family enrich themselves via U.S. foreign policy in China, Ukraine, and Russia.
Trump Crushed ISIS
What did end the horrible reign of DAESH? Firm, rapid action by the Trump administration, in partnership with experienced local forces — action the Obama/Biden team would never take.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The Obama/Biden years brought us the futile U.S. deal with Iran, which transferred unearned billions to that extremist regime, without meaningfully slowing its rush to gain nuclear weapons. President Trump, by contrast, has brokered successful, productive deals between Israel and several major Arab countries. These will help to contain Iran without the need for another destructive, disruptive war — whose side effects on religious minorities we can predict all too well.
Obama/Biden Favored Muslim Migrants Over Christian Refugees
The Trump administration has spoken and acted firmly in defense of religious freedom around the world, even as Obama and Biden banned Iraqi nuns from visiting the U.S., and skewed refugee quotas to favor Muslims who had safe havens over Christians who had none. The Obama administration even changed the description of the U.S. First Amendment taught to new citizens from the real language, “free exercise of religion,” to the bland “freedom of worship” offered to dhimmis by Islamists.
At home, the Trump administration wishes to protect the vulnerable, from unpopular religious groups to unborn children. Biden, by contrast, has promised to shut down the Little Sisters of the Poor, who care for the sick and dying, if they will not distribute abortion pills.
Biden Wouldn’t Stop the Riots
Trump stands for law and order on the streets of American cities like Detroit and Minneapolis. Biden will not rebuke the rioters who demand that police be defunded, and cities be turned over to armed militant gangs, which are burning small businesses as you read this. Trump will defend our Second Amendment rights and fund the police. Biden will seize our guns and defund the police, leaving American cities like Seattle and Portland to armed extremists, as the authorities once abandoned the people of Mosul to DAESH.
We’re happy to say that the Trump administration is working closely with representatives of the Chaldean community to address its particular interests and legitimate grievances. President Trump and I talked at length last night about the Chaldean community’s needs. As congressional candidate Eric Esshaki assured us, President Trump “fully understands the real threats our family members in Iraq face every day. Just as important he committed to find solutions to the deportation issue and make sure Chaldeans are treated fairly. He’s pledged to be a great friend to our community and has our back.”
Back in 2015, we wrote at the influential Christian website The Stream calling for a foreign policy that put “persecuted Christians first.” We believe that the Trump administration has listened, certainly more than any other U.S. politicians. That’s why we’re proud to back Trump’s re-election and ask for your support.
Jason Jones is a senior contributor to The Stream. He is a film producer, author, activist and human rights worker. You can follow him at @JasonJonesShow.
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.
Together, Jones and Zmirak wrote The Race to Save Our Century.