thestream--2020-09-24--Why Everyone Loses in the Breonna Taylor Tragedy

If there ’ s one thing we can agree on , it is that Breonna Taylor ’ s death is a terrible tragedy .
No one with a working heart and functioning brain will deny that .
But who is to blame for her death ?
Were the police at fault ?
Was her boyfriend at fault ?
Is the legal system at fault ?
And how should the public respond to the verdict of the grand jury ?
Reading the various accounts of the shooting , this seems to be the most reliable narrative : 1 ) Three Louisville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to search an apartment for drugs in the middle of the night .
2 ) They knocked at the door of Breonna Taylor ’ s apartment around 12:40 AM .
3 ) Kenneth Walker , Breonna ’ s boyfriend , says he heard the knock , asked loudly who was there ( as did Taylor ) , but got no response .
4 ) The police claim to have identified themselves , an independent witness confirmed that , but either way , we know they knocked on the door and , when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using a battering ram .
5 ) As the police broke in , Walker fired once , as Taylor stood next to him .
( According to her attorneys , she was shot in the hallway , not asleep in bed . )
6 ) Walker ’ s shot hit one of the officers .
The others responded with a hail of bullets , resulting in Taylor ’ s death , with the fatal bullet allegedly killing her within two minutes .
7 ) Since charges against Walker for attempted murder of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his report that he was not aware they were police .
8 ) The grand jury found none of the officers guilty in the shooting of Taylor but did find one officer ( whose bullet did not kill her ) guilty of shooting recklessly into neighboring apartments .
This officer was subsequently fired .
9 ) Prior to the grand jury ’ s announcement on Wednesday , the city granted Taylor ’ s family 12 million dollars for her wrongful death .
How , then , do we sort out this painful , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Be Dead First , Breonna Taylor should not be dead .
Let us not forget that for one moment .
This has been acknowledged by the city ’ s wrongful death settlement .
As reported by ABC News , Mayor Greg Fischer “ said that in addition to the monetary settlement , the largest in a police use-of-force case in Louisville history , the city will implement a series of police department reforms ‘ to prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again.
’ ” Second , although the warrant was legally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factors were involved , including a move towards the gentrification of the neighborhood .
According to Appeal.com , “ Whatever the truth in this case , academic research and historical scholarship show that policing can be particularly intense during the process of gentrification .
This research suggests that the continued use of police to pursue economic development will most likely result in more needless stops , arrests , and deaths like Breonna Taylor ’ s. ” This , then , is another question to be sorted out by others with detailed and factual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many in the Black community will question the legitimacy of the warrant in the first place .
Who or What Was at Fault ?
Understandable Actions and Sentiments Third , when it comes to Kenneth Walker , what would you expect him to do ?
He hears a knock at the door in the middle of the night .
He has no idea who is there .
The next thing he knows , the door has been broken down and armed men burst in .
He shoots at them to protect himself and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that all charges against him were dropped indicates that his account was believed … or at least unable to be disproved : he did not know he was shooting at police officers executing a search warrant .
Should he be faulted ?
No .
Fourth , when it comes to the police , what would you expect them to do ?
They are looking for drugs and might encounter an armed drug dealer .
They knock on the door , no one answers , so they break in , as per their warrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shot is fired and one of them is hit .
They respond with deadly force — and again , this is taking place in the middle of the night .
Should they be faulted ?
Obviously , some fault was found by the grand jury , but not in the killing of Taylor .
She was an innocent victim in a case of mistaken identity on both sides , and there is no indication that the police were targeting an unarmed black woman .
As for the police , what else are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and wounded ?
Of course they shot back multiple times .
Fifth , when it comes to the grand jury , based on the evidence they had , they had no reason to charge the officers in Taylor ’ s death .
Again , she was the innocent victim caught in a deadly crossfire between mistaken combatants .
Sixth , when it comes to the Black community , it is totally understandable that many would say , “ Here we go again !
An unarmed Black person is killed in the middle of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own home , a woman with no criminal record .
The system has failed us once more.
” The fact that Louisville already paid out 12 million dollars in a wrongful death suit is bound to raise eyebrows .
Why a monetary payment for wrongful death yet no criminal charges for wrongful death ?
All this being said , violent riots , including shooting of police , are both unjustified and unproductive , even if some of the rage is understandable .
But I ask , again , once the warrant was issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t see how Walker can be blamed for firing first .
What would all the Second Amendment supporters say ?
I don ’ t see how the police can be blamed for firing back .
And I don ’ t see how the grand jury can be blamed for reaching their verdict , based on the evidence presented , which found only the officer who had already been fired guilty .
Yet , before the grand jury ’ s decision was announced , there was little question that no one would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the verdict , there would be fierce criticism from one side or the other .
That ’ s why the city braced itself in advance .
Unfortunately , nothing can bring back Breonna Taylor , and the monetary payment to the family is a small consolation for her loss .
But that doesn ’ t mean there are no flaws in the system and that no deeper questions should be asked .
We Should Work Together to Promote Flourishing and Consider Policing Reforms We all agree that drugs and drug dealing are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in countless casualties every year .
That means that routing out drug dealers is both necessary and good .
And police officers put their own lives at risk in the process .
But is there a way to do this that will not put other , innocent lives at risk ?
Are there police reforms that can be implemented , as per the mayor ?
Those are the questions we should be asking .
Burning down another city or targeting police officers for death or engaging in angry , hate-filled rhetoric are evil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , what will it be ?
Will we continue to collapse into social anarchy ?
Or will we work together across racial and political lines to build a more perfect union ?
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

If there’s one thing we can agree on, it is that Breonna Taylor’s death is a terrible tragedy. No one with a working heart and functioning brain will deny that. But who is to blame for her death? Were the police at fault? Was her boyfriend at fault? Is the legal system at fault? And how should the public respond to the verdict of the grand jury?
What Happened?
Reading the various accounts of the shooting, this seems to be the most reliable narrative:
1) Three Louisville, Kentucky policemen were issued a warrant to search an apartment for drugs in the middle of the night.
2) They knocked at the door of Breonna Taylor’s apartment around 12:40 AM.
3) Kenneth Walker, Breonna’s boyfriend, says he heard the knock, asked loudly who was there (as did Taylor), but got no response.
4) The police claim to have identified themselves, an independent witness confirmed that, but either way, we know they knocked on the door and, when they heard no response, they broke in using a battering ram.
5) As the police broke in, Walker fired once, as Taylor stood next to him. (According to her attorneys, she was shot in the hallway, not asleep in bed.)
6) Walker’s shot hit one of the officers. The others responded with a hail of bullets, resulting in Taylor’s death, with the fatal bullet allegedly killing her within two minutes.
7) Since charges against Walker for attempted murder of a police officer were dropped, we believe his report that he was not aware they were police.
8) The grand jury found none of the officers guilty in the shooting of Taylor but did find one officer (whose bullet did not kill her) guilty of shooting recklessly into neighboring apartments. This officer was subsequently fired.
9) Prior to the grand jury’s announcement on Wednesday, the city granted Taylor’s family 12 million dollars for her wrongful death.
How, then, do we sort out this painful, deadly story?
Breonna Taylor Should Not Be Dead
First, Breonna Taylor should not be dead. Let us not forget that for one moment. This has been acknowledged by the city’s wrongful death settlement.
As reported by ABC News, Mayor Greg Fischer “said that in addition to the monetary settlement, the largest in a police use-of-force case in Louisville history, the city will implement a series of police department reforms ‘to prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again.’”
How, then, do we sort out this painful, deadly story?
Second, although the warrant was legally executed, critics have claimed that other factors were involved, including a move towards the gentrification of the neighborhood. According to Appeal.com, “Whatever the truth in this case, academic research and historical scholarship show that policing can be particularly intense during the process of gentrification. This research suggests that the continued use of police to pursue economic development will most likely result in more needless stops, arrests, and deaths like Breonna Taylor’s.”
This, then, is another question to be sorted out by others with detailed and factual knowledge. But it is understandable that many in the Black community will question the legitimacy of the warrant in the first place.
Who or What Was at Fault? Understandable Actions and Sentiments
Third, when it comes to Kenneth Walker, what would you expect him to do? He hears a knock at the door in the middle of the night. He has no idea who is there. The next thing he knows, the door has been broken down and armed men burst in. He shoots at them to protect himself and his girlfriend.
Again, the fact that all charges against him were dropped indicates that his account was believed … or at least unable to be disproved: he did not know he was shooting at police officers executing a search warrant. Should he be faulted? No.
Fourth, when it comes to the police, what would you expect them to do? They are looking for drugs and might encounter an armed drug dealer. They knock on the door, no one answers, so they break in, as per their warrant. The next thing they know, a shot is fired and one of them is hit. They respond with deadly force — and again, this is taking place in the middle of the night.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Should they be faulted? Obviously, some fault was found by the grand jury, but not in the killing of Taylor. She was an innocent victim in a case of mistaken identity on both sides, and there is no indication that the police were targeting an unarmed black woman.
As for the police, what else are they trained to do when shot at and wounded? Of course they shot back multiple times.
Fifth, when it comes to the grand jury, based on the evidence they had, they had no reason to charge the officers in Taylor’s death. Again, she was the innocent victim caught in a deadly crossfire between mistaken combatants.
Sixth, when it comes to the Black community, it is totally understandable that many would say, “Here we go again! An unarmed Black person is killed in the middle of the night in the privacy of her own home, a woman with no criminal record. The system has failed us once more.”
The fact that Louisville already paid out 12 million dollars in a wrongful death suit is bound to raise eyebrows. Why a monetary payment for wrongful death yet no criminal charges for wrongful death?
Violent Riots are Not Justifiable
All this being said, violent riots, including shooting of police, are both unjustified and unproductive, even if some of the rage is understandable.
But I ask, again, once the warrant was issued, who was at fault? I don’t see how Walker can be blamed for firing first. What would all the Second Amendment supporters say? I don’t see how the police can be blamed for firing back. And I don’t see how the grand jury can be blamed for reaching their verdict, based on the evidence presented, which found only the officer who had already been fired guilty.
Is there a way to [rout out drug dealers] that will not put other, innocent lives at risk? Are there police reforms that can be implemented, as per the mayor?
Yet, before the grand jury’s decision was announced, there was little question that no one would be satisfied with the outcome. Whatever the verdict, there would be fierce criticism from one side or the other. That’s why the city braced itself in advance.
Unfortunately, nothing can bring back Breonna Taylor, and the monetary payment to the family is a small consolation for her loss.
But that doesn’t mean there are no flaws in the system and that no deeper questions should be asked.
We Should Work Together to Promote Flourishing and Consider Policing Reforms
We all agree that drugs and drug dealing are a terrible bane on our society, resulting in countless casualties every year. That means that routing out drug dealers is both necessary and good. And police officers put their own lives at risk in the process.
But is there a way to do this that will not put other, innocent lives at risk? Are there police reforms that can be implemented, as per the mayor?
Those are the questions we should be asking. Burning down another city or targeting police officers for death or engaging in angry, hate-filled rhetoric are evil themselves and will solve nothing.
So, what will it be? Will we continue to collapse into social anarchy? Or will we work together across racial and political lines to build a more perfect union?
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-09-24--How Abortion Poisoned Our Politics (and Everything Else)

President Trump has promised that his nomination to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will be announced on Saturday .
And , now that Senator Mitt Romney has committed to support the process , it looks probable , perhaps likely , that Mitch McConnell could succeed in seating a new justice before the November election .
Democrats will , of course , fight against this with , to quote Nancy Pelosi , “ every arrow in their quiver.
” The death of Justice Ginsburg raises an incredible number of questions on a ton of issues , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nominations , to the legacy of this historic member of the Court , to just how a Justice becomes a pop-culture icon to the future of Roe v. Wade .
Earlier this week , Kim Colby , director of the Center of Law and Religious Freedom for the Christian Legal Society , joined me on a special edition of the BreakPoint Podcast to talk through each of those questions .
Justice Ginsburg was truly an historic figure as a pioneer for women ’ s rights and women ’ s equality .
A towering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was also among the political left ’ s most effective champions .
As Dr. Albert Mohler put it recently on The Briefing , “ This is for the left as big a loss as was several years ago experienced by the right with the sudden death of Justice Antonin Scalia.
” Her legacy , however , will always be , to quote Kim Colby , “ very much tarnished by the fact that she equated women ’ s advancement ” with abortion , something “ not good for women or the little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the sexual revolution ’ s version of feminism , in which the procreative capacity of women is seen not as a good to be celebrated but as a problem to be solved , Ginsburg fiercely protected legalized abortion , including later-term , sex-selective and disability-targeted abortions .
In 2019 , she even chided Justice Clarence Thomas on the topic , saying “ [ A ] woman who exercises her constitutionally protected right to terminate a pregnancy is not a ‘ mother ’ .
” A Protector of the Dark and Destructive Legacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much a protector of the dark and destructive legacy of Roe v. Wade , at least part of which has become the kind of brutal , divisive and cruel confirmation hearings we are all now bracing for .
As the Heritage Foundation ’ s Ryan Anderson has said , not only are abortion and Roe great evils against children , but they poison our entire political and judicial systems .
Like the dreadful Dred Scott decision on slavery , Roe is a decision that deals with the very heart of what it means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scott , the Court got Roe wrong .
This country , especially African American communities , are still paying the price for getting Dred Scott wrong , as we ’ ve seen even this summer .
And , this country is still paying the price for the Court getting Roe wrong , both in terms of millions of lives lost and families destroyed , as well as our deeply poisoned political system .
It ’ s Never Been About Principle .
It ’ s Always Been About Politics .
Both Republicans and Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selective histories and suddenly important so-called “ norms ” in order to blame the other side for the awful vitriol called “ Senate confirmation hearings.
” But make no mistake , it wasn ’ t about principle in 2016 when Republicans refused to consider the nomination of Merrick Garland , and it ’ s not about principle now when Democrats wish they could refuse to consider the nomination of Ginsburg ’ s replacement .
There ’ s nothing unconstitutional about bringing a nominee before the Senate 40-some days before an election , any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 50 , or refusing to consider a nomination in an election year .
It ’ s never been about principle .
It ’ s always been about politics .
And our politics have been deeply poisoned by abortion .
Amy Coney Barrett , thought to be among the finalists for the nomination , already experienced just how poisonous the nomination process is , when her Catholic faith was attacked by Senator Dianne Feinstein during her confirmation hearings for the 7th Circuit Court .
“ When you read your speeches , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you.
” At a 2006 speech to the graduating class of Notre Dame ’ s law school , Barrett said , “ Your legal career is but a means to an end , and … that end is building the kingdom of God .
… [ I ] f you can keep in mind that your fundamental purpose in life is not to be a lawyer , but to know , love and serve God , you truly will be a different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the kind of loudly living dogma that alarms her critics .
Catch my conversation with the Christian Legal Society ’ s Kim Colby on the BreakPoint Podcast .
And pray for the nominee whoever she is , as she will face personal attacks and blistering opposition .
But most of all pray for our nation — and for the lives at stake .
John Stonestreet serves as president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview .
He ’ s a sought-after author and speaker on areas of faith and culture , theology , @ @ @ @ @ @

President Trump has promised that his nomination to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will be announced on Saturday. And, now that Senator Mitt Romney has committed to support the process, it looks probable, perhaps likely, that Mitch McConnell could succeed in seating a new justice before the November election. Democrats will, of course, fight against this with, to quote Nancy Pelosi, “every arrow in their quiver.”
The Legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The death of Justice Ginsburg raises an incredible number of questions on a ton of issues, from the rules and norms of Supreme Court nominations, to the legacy of this historic member of the Court, to just how a Justice becomes a pop-culture icon to the future of Roe v. Wade. Earlier this week, Kim Colby, director of the Center of Law and Religious Freedom for the Christian Legal Society, joined me on a special edition of the BreakPoint Podcast to talk through each of those questions.
Justice Ginsburg was truly an historic figure as a pioneer for women’s rights and women’s equality. A towering intellect who relentlessly followed her worldview, she was also among the political left’s most effective champions. As Dr. Albert Mohler put it recently on The Briefing, “This is for the left as big a loss as was several years ago experienced by the right with the sudden death of Justice Antonin Scalia.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Her legacy, however, will always be, to quote Kim Colby, “very much tarnished by the fact that she equated women’s advancement” with abortion, something “not good for women or the little girls who are aborted.” Deeply committed to the sexual revolution’s version of feminism, in which the procreative capacity of women is seen not as a good to be celebrated but as a problem to be solved, Ginsburg fiercely protected legalized abortion, including later-term, sex-selective and disability-targeted abortions. In 2019, she even chided Justice Clarence Thomas on the topic, saying “[A] woman who exercises her constitutionally protected right to terminate a pregnancy is not a ‘mother’.”
A Protector of the Dark and Destructive Legacy of Roe v. Wade
Ginsburg was very much a protector of the dark and destructive legacy of Roe v. Wade, at least part of which has become the kind of brutal, divisive and cruel confirmation hearings we are all now bracing for. As the Heritage Foundation’s Ryan Anderson has said, not only are abortion and Roe great evils against children, but they poison our entire political and judicial systems.
Like the dreadful Dred Scott decision on slavery, Roe is a decision that deals with the very heart of what it means to be human. And like Dred Scott, the Court got Roe wrong. This country, especially African American communities, are still paying the price for getting Dred Scott wrong, as we’ve seen even this summer. And, this country is still paying the price for the Court getting Roe wrong, both in terms of millions of lives lost and families destroyed, as well as our deeply poisoned political system.
It’s Never Been About Principle. It’s Always Been About Politics.
Both Republicans and Democrats will appeal to “principle,” selective histories and suddenly important so-called “norms” in order to blame the other side for the awful vitriol called “Senate confirmation hearings.” But make no mistake, it wasn’t about principle in 2016 when Republicans refused to consider the nomination of Merrick Garland, and it’s not about principle now when Democrats wish they could refuse to consider the nomination of Ginsburg’s replacement. There’s nothing unconstitutional about bringing a nominee before the Senate 40-some days before an election, any more than changing the 60 vote rule to 50, or refusing to consider a nomination in an election year.
It’s never been about principle. It’s always been about politics. And our politics have been deeply poisoned by abortion.
Amy Coney Barrett, thought to be among the finalists for the nomination, already experienced just how poisonous the nomination process is, when her Catholic faith was attacked by Senator Dianne Feinstein during her confirmation hearings for the 7th Circuit Court. “When you read your speeches,” said the liberal Senator from California, “the conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you.”
At a 2006 speech to the graduating class of Notre Dame’s law school, Barrett said, “Your legal career is but a means to an end, and … that end is building the kingdom of God. … [I]f you can keep in mind that your fundamental purpose in life is not to be a lawyer, but to know, love and serve God, you truly will be a different kind of lawyer.”
That’s the kind of loudly living dogma that alarms her critics.
Catch my conversation with the Christian Legal Society’s Kim Colby on the BreakPoint Podcast. And pray for the nominee whoever she is, as she will face personal attacks and blistering opposition. But most of all pray for our nation — and for the lives at stake.
John Stonestreet serves as president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He’s a sought-after author and speaker on areas of faith and culture, theology, worldview, education and apologetics.
Originally published at Breakpoint.org. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-09-25--When MSNBC Compares Trump to Hitler

When MSNBC Compares Trump to Hitler

This past Wednesday morning , Donny Deutsch , a frequent guest on MSNBC and a former program host , claimed there was “ ‘ no difference ’ between President Donald Trump ’ s rhetoric and what ‘ Adolf Hitler preached ’ in Germany in the 1930s.
” He added , “ And we ’ re here and what is the difference between Adolph Hitler and Donald Trump ?
I ’ m not saying there is a Holocaust but when you look at the tactics , that is where we are right now.
” This is as outrageous as it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called on the carpet for his ugly and inflammatory comments .
As stated by the National Council of Young Israel , “ To in any way liken President Trump to Adolf Hitler , who is arguably the most heinous anti-Semite in world history , is unequivocally repugnant , and trivializing the Holocaust to make a cheap political point on television is a tremendous insult to the victims and their progeny.
” Joe Scarborough , who hosted the interview with Deutsch , is also to be faulted for going along with Deutsch rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also inexcusable that Deutsch , himself Jewish , called out Jews who support Trump .
What was Deutsch ’ s fundamental argument ?
He said , “ But what was going on in the early ’ 30s Germany ?
Basically you had a destruction of belief in the free press , you had blurring between the executive branch and the Justice Department , you have creating an other , whether it ’ s Muslims , whether it ’ s Mexicans , whether it ’ s congressmen who weren ’ t born in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the destruction of free elections.
” But Deutsch is hardly the first to make the Trump-Hitler comparison .
In fact , I devoted an entire chapter of my book Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
to a major statement by the International Bonhoeffer Society ( IBS ) .
They , too , made comparisons between Nazi Germany and America today , mentioning Trump by name but not Hitler .
The statement explicitly called for “ ending Donald Trump ’ s presidency.
” Obviously , I can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the book , but let ’ s put aside inflammatory rhetoric and look at the simple facts .
Can a valid comparison be made between Trump and Hitler and between America today and pre-World War II Nazi Germany ?
Absolutely , categorically not .
Trump has been our president for the last four years .
During this time he has not imprisoned his political opponents , not overruled the Supreme Court or Congress , not launched aggressive new wars in other parts of the world , and not shut down the dissenting press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expose “ fake news ” ) .
In stark contrast , within months of Hitler coming into power in 1933 , the Dachau concentration camp was opened for political dissenters , Hitler announced some of his conquest and expansion plans , and the first boycott of Jewish businesses was implemented .
As for targeting the Jews , the Yad Vashem website explains , “ In September 1935 the ‘ Nuremberg Laws ’ were passed , stripping the Jews of their citizenship and forbidding intermarriage between Jews and non-Jews .
Jews were banned from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theaters ; Jewish authors ’ works were rejected by publishers ; and Jewish journalists were hard-pressed to find newspapers that would publish their writings .
Famous artists and scientists played an important role in this campaign of dispossession and party labeling of literature , art , and science .
Some scientists and physicians were involved in the theoretical underpinnings of the racial doctrine.
” How do we even contrast that with Trump ’ s pro-Israel actions , including moving our embassy to Jerusalem , seeking to broker a peace plan with the Palestinians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historic peace treaties with the UAE and Bahrain ?
And what of the fact that Ivanka and Jared are practicing Jews , meaning that Trump ’ s own grandchildren are Jewish ?
When it comes to the treatment of the Christian community , Trump has fought tirelessly to defend religious liberties , both at home and abroad .
Again , in stark contrast , already in 1933 , Nazi church leaders were calling for all pastors to make a personal oath of loyalty to Hitler while demanding that all baptized Jews be expelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim that Trump ’ s Christian supporters will follow him no matter what , those same supporters challenged him when he pulled our troops from Syria , with Pat Robertson even issuing a public warning .
Can you imagine what would happen if Trump changed his stance on abortion or religious liberty ?
Speaking of abortion , rather than starting a campaign to put to death “ the least of these ” ( as Hitler did in 1939 , euthanizing the mentally ill and disabled ) , Trump has been a courageous opponent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life of “ the least of these.
” As for Trump ’ s alleged racism , the corollary of his purported white nationalism , why is it that he has been steadily growing in popularity in the Black community ?
And why were so many Black voices heard at the recent RNC ?
As I noted in Evangelicals at the Crossroads , a March 4 , 2020 op-ed piece in the New York Times discussing a major survey of 40,000 black voters ( from March-December , 2019 ) indicated that “ Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased from 7 percent in 2016 to 18 percent in 2019. .
.
.
” Think back to the viral video of an Ethiopian immigrant leading in prayer at a 2019 Young Black Leadership Summit at the White House following the president addressing the packed room of young Black leaders .
Could you imagine a world in which Hitler held a Young Jewish Leadership Summit ?
And what of Trump ’ s actions in prison reform , funding of historic Black colleges , and helping drop the unemployment rates for all Americans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can this possibly be compared to the actions of a murderous madman like Hitler ?
I have no desire to deny Trump ’ s many flaws or to downplay the divisive nature of his rhetoric .
But to compare him to Adolph Hitler , also comparing his followers to Hitler ’ s Nazis , is simply obscene , not to mention a terrible slight on Hitler ’ s victims .
Deutsch should be ashamed of himself .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

Editor’s note: Be sure to watch Dr. Brown’s recent interview with Stream publisher James Robison: Can We Vote for Trump Without Hurting Our Christian Witness?
This past Wednesday morning, Donny Deutsch, a frequent guest on MSNBC and a former program host, claimed there was “‘no difference’ between President Donald Trump’s rhetoric and what ‘Adolf Hitler preached’ in Germany in the 1930s.” He added, “And we’re here and what is the difference between Adolf Hitler and Donald Trump? I’m not saying there is a Holocaust but when you look at the tactics, that is where we are right now.”
Outrageous and Ignorant
This is as outrageous as it is ignorant, and Deutsch needs to be called on the carpet for his ugly and inflammatory comments. As stated by the National Council of Young Israel, “To in any way liken President Trump to Adolf Hitler, who is arguably the most heinous anti-Semite in world history, is unequivocally repugnant, and trivializing the Holocaust to make a cheap political point on television is a tremendous insult to the victims and their progeny.”
Joe Scarborough, who hosted the interview with Deutsch, is also to be faulted for going along with Deutsch rather than stopping him in his tracks. It is also inexcusable that Deutsch, himself Jewish, called out Jews who support Trump.
Showing Why It’s Categorically False
What was Deutsch’s fundamental argument? He said, “But what was going on in the early ’30s Germany? Basically you had a destruction of belief in the free press, you had blurring between the executive branch and the Justice Department, you have creating an other, whether it’s Muslims, whether it’s Mexicans, whether it’s congressmen who weren’t born in this country, and then you have the destruction of free elections.”
But Deutsch is hardly the first to make the Trump-Hitler comparison. In fact, I devoted an entire chapter of my book Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? to a major statement by the International Bonhoeffer Society (IBS). They, too, made comparisons between Nazi Germany and America today, mentioning Trump by name but not Hitler. The statement explicitly called for “ending Donald Trump’s presidency.”
Obviously, I can’t duplicate here everything laid out in the book, but let’s put aside inflammatory rhetoric and look at the simple facts. Can a valid comparison be made between Trump and Hitler and between America today and pre-World War II Nazi Germany? Absolutely, categorically not.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Trump has been our president for the last four years. During this time he has not imprisoned his political opponents, not overruled the Supreme Court or Congress, not launched aggressive new wars in other parts of the world, and not shut down the dissenting press (although he has certainly sought to expose “fake news”).
In stark contrast, within months of Hitler coming into power in 1933, the Dachau concentration camp was opened for political dissenters, Hitler announced some of his conquest and expansion plans, and the first boycott of Jewish businesses was implemented.
One Targeted Jews, One Brings Peace
As for targeting the Jews, the Yad Vashem website explains, “In September 1935 the ‘Nuremberg Laws’ were passed, stripping the Jews of their citizenship and forbidding intermarriage between Jews and non-Jews. Jews were banned from universities; Jewish actors were dismissed from theaters; Jewish authors’ works were rejected by publishers; and Jewish journalists were hard-pressed to find newspapers that would publish their writings. Famous artists and scientists played an important role in this campaign of dispossession and party labeling of literature, art and science. Some scientists and physicians were involved in the theoretical underpinnings of the racial doctrine.”
How do we even contrast that with Trump’s pro-Israel actions, including moving our embassy to Jerusalem, seeking to broker a peace plan with the Palestinians that was strongly pro-Israel, and forging historic peace treaties with the UAE and Bahrain? And what of the fact that Ivanka and Jared are practicing Jews, meaning that Trump’s own grandchildren are Jewish?
When it comes to the treatment of the Christian community, Trump has fought tirelessly to defend religious liberties, both at home and abroad. Again, in stark contrast, already in 1933, Nazi church leaders were calling for all pastors to make a personal oath of loyalty to Hitler while demanding that all baptized Jews be expelled from the churches.
For those who claim that Trump’s Christian supporters will follow him no matter what, those same supporters challenged him when he pulled our troops from Syria, with Pat Robertson even issuing a public warning. Can you imagine what would happen if Trump changed his stance on abortion or religious liberty?
Abortion and Race
Speaking of abortion, rather than starting a campaign to put to death “the least of these” (as Hitler did in 1939, euthanizing the mentally ill and disabled), Trump has been a courageous opponent of abortion, thereby fighting for the life of “the least of these.”
As for Trump’s alleged racism, the corollary of his purported white nationalism, why is it that he has been steadily growing in popularity in the Black community? And why were so many Black voices heard at the recent RNC?
As I noted in Evangelicals at the Crossroads, a March 4, 2020 op-ed piece in the New York Times discussing a major survey of 40,000 Black voters (from March-December, 2019) indicated that “Trump’s favorability rating among Black voters overall increased from 7 percent in 2016 to 18 percent in 2019. . . .”
Think back to the viral video of an Ethiopian immigrant leading in prayer at a 2019 Young Black Leadership Summit at the White House following the president addressing the packed room of young Black leaders. Could you imagine a world in which Hitler held a Young Jewish Leadership Summit?
And what of Trump’s actions in prison reform, funding of historic Black colleges, and helping drop the unemployment rates for all Americans, including Blacks and other minorities? How can this possibly be compared to the actions of a murderous madman like Hitler?
It is Obscene
I have no desire to deny Trump’s many flaws or to downplay the divisive nature of his rhetoric. But to compare him to Adolf Hitler, also comparing his followers to Hitler’s Nazis, is simply obscene, not to mention a terrible slight on Hitler’s victims. Deutsch should be ashamed of himself.
(For all who want to defend Deutsch’s words, including Deutsch himself, my phone lines are open. I’d be more than happy to debate this with you on the radio. The light will quickly dispel the darkness. For my relevant video commentary, see here.)
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-09-25--#Election2020: Peaceful Transfers of Power and a Not So-Peaceful Trip to Pay Respects to RGB

40 days out from the most crucial election in 160 years and Joe Biden ended his campaign day at 9:30 .
That ’ s 9:30 AM .
Biden said Wednesday he was going to start intense debate prep Thursday , so that could be one excuse .
However that makes 9 days already this month his campaign has called it quits before noon .
Must really be hooked into those afternoon soaps .
Today ’ s big hubbub is over a comment made by President Trump Wednesday .
When asked if he could guarantee a peaceful transfer of power , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Then went into his familiar — and legitimate – rant against universal mail in ballots .
So of course the media and democrats and Republican swamp creatures are in a tizzy .
“ How dare he not guarantee a peaceful transition !
Danger !
Dictator Alert.
” Before you buy into it , please remember the First Law of Snake News .
Whatever has the media hyperventilating about Trump today will eventually be disproven … usually within 24 hours .
And here ’ s the truth in this situation : • There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 .
You had Obama doing everything in his power to sabotage his successor .
( As today ’ s revelations in the Gen. Michael Flynn case prove beyond an even greater shadow of a doubt .
FBI agents knew Obama was setting Trump up . )
• You have the “ resistance.
” • You have Hillary Clinton still running around saying she was robbed and ordering Biden not to concede under any circumstances .
( And in an incredible lack of self awareness , knocking Trump for his comments . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hiring hundreds of lawyers to fight in every nook and cranny .
• You have less than one third of Americans , according to a new poll , who believe the election will be conducted fairly .
• You have social media giants gearing up to censor any news indicating a Trump win if things get contested .
• You ’ ve got four Democratic County Commissioners in Texas arrested in connection with an organized vote harvesting scheme during the 2018 Democratic primary .
• And yes , you ’ ve got millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and legitimate ballots turning up in ditches .
Now you ’ ve got this shocking news , from the U.S. Attorney out of Scranton , in the swing state of Pennsylvania .
Military ballots supporting Trump were simply tossed aside .
Biden says this election is between Scranton and Park Avenue .
No .
It ’ s between Scranton and those who would steal their voice in this election .
It ’ d be derelict for President Trump to agree he ’ ll walk away if the vote is corrupted .
Yes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a legitimate election , sure , it ’ ll be a peaceful transition .
I ’ ll give Biden what Obama didn ’ t give me.
” But Trump ’ s shorthand is , “ We ’ ll see.
” In fact , today he assured the nation that there ’ d be a peaceful transfer of power if he loses or the Supreme Court rules against him .
Of Course Trump Would Leave What is illogical is this baffling idea that if Biden wins a fair election Trump wouldn ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Middle East peace , ISIS victory , twice saving the economy , drug price cutting , medicare premium shrinking , military rebuilding , Space Force creating , vaccine revolutionizing accomplishments , grab his supermodel wife and go back to being a resort building billionaire .
And watch NBC offer a king ’ s ransom to reboot The Apprentice .
As someone pointed out on Twitter this morning , “ Has Joe Biden been asked if HE ’ D accept the results if he lost ?
” Maybe they ’ re worried the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The Debate : What Joe Can not Do The first presidential debate is five days away , and as I said , Joe is now working on intense debate prep .
One thing he ’ s being told is , don ’ t do this .
Joe was asked Wednesday by Axios about his son ’ s business dealings in the wake of the Senate ’ s devastating report on Hunter Biden ’ s dubious foreign dealings .
Here ’ s what happened .
Did you count the problems there ?
Defensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If it came out today your kid was cavorting with eastern European hookers with ties to human trafficking , wouldn ’ t you expect it to come up ?
Also , his statement “ I trust my son.
” On one hand , a nice sentiment .
He ’ s defending his wayward son .
On the other hand , yesterday ’ s Senate report showed Biden and his staff were warned by the State Department .
Hunter cashing in with the corrupt Burisma is bad news .
Biden ignored the concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we ’ re talking about Hunter Biden .
But I digress .
The big issue with Joe ’ s answer is , once again , he ’ s getting agitated and angry at a legitimate question .
That ’ s not good .
It goes against his brand .
It ’ s one thing to get mad if you ’ ve spent the past 50 years as John McEnroe .
Or even John McCain .
But Joe was legitimately considered a nice , warm guy .
That guy ’ s gone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate , and Donald Trump is the nicest person on stage , you ’ ve got a problem .
Which gets to the final point here .
If Joe tries to flip questions about Hunter into an attack on Trump ’ s kids in the debate , Trump will level him .
You know Trump will go there .
He will go to the knocked up stripper .
The drug busts .
The running off with his brother ’ s widow .
“ You trusted that guy ?
” At best , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The American President .
“ You want a character debate , Joe .
You better stick with me , because Ivanka Trump is way out of your league.
” Heckled by Political Demons While Paying Respects to RGB The President and First Lady went to pay their respects to Ruth Bader Ginsburg this morning at the Supreme Court .
Respect is not a word the left understands .
Protesters end up chanting “ Vote him out !
” and “ honor her wish.
” Her wish would be that you didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be her wish .
However , that ’ s not what I want you to listen for in the clip .
What are you first hearing ?
Isn ’ t that the movie soundtrack of hell ?
It ’ s a good reminder we ’ re not in just a political battle .
We ’ re in a spiritual battle .
That ’ s not the sound of protesters .
That ’ s the sound of principalities and powers .
Which is why intercession is going to be as crucial as information … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 days .
And beyond … 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 .

40 days out from the most crucial election in 160 years and Joe Biden ended his campaign day at 9:30. That’s 9:30 AM.
Biden said Wednesday he was going to start intense debate prep Thursday, so that could be one excuse. However that makes 9 days already this month his campaign has called it quits before noon. Must really be hooked into those afternoon soaps.
Today’s big hubbub is over a comment made by President Trump Wednesday. When asked if he could guarantee a peaceful transfer of power, Trump remarked “we’ll see.” Then went into his familiar — and legitimate – rant against universal mail in ballots.
So of course the media and democrats and Republican swamp creatures are in a tizzy. “How dare he not guarantee a peaceful transition! Danger! Dictator Alert.”
Before you buy into it, please remember the First Law of Snake News. Whatever has the media hyperventilating about Trump today will eventually be disproven … usually within 24 hours.
And here’s the truth in this situation:
There was no peaceful transfer of power in 2017. You had Obama doing everything in his power to sabotage his successor. (As today’s revelations in the Gen. Michael Flynn case prove beyond an even greater shadow of a doubt. FBI agents knew Obama was setting Trump up.)
You have the “resistance.”
You have Hillary Clinton still running around saying she was robbed and ordering Biden not to concede under any circumstances. (And in an incredible lack of self awareness, knocking Trump for his comments.)
You have Biden’s team hiring hundreds of lawyers to fight in every nook and cranny.
You have less than one third of Americans, according to a new poll, who believe the election will be conducted fairly.
You have social media giants gearing up to censor any news indicating a Trump win if things get contested.
You’ve got four Democratic County Commissioners in Texas arrested in connection with an organized vote harvesting scheme during the 2018 Democratic primary.
And yes, you’ve got millions of unsolicited ballots being mailed everywhere … and legitimate ballots turning up in ditches.
Now you’ve got this shocking news, from the U.S. Attorney out of Scranton, in the swing state of Pennsylvania. Military ballots supporting Trump were simply tossed aside.
At this point we can confirm that a small number of military ballots were discarded. Investigators have recovered nine ballots at this time. Some of those ballots can be attributed to specific voters and some cannot. All nine ballots were cast for presidential candidate Donald Trump.”
Biden says this election is between Scranton and Park Avenue. No. It’s between Scranton and those who would steal their voice in this election.
It’d be derelict for President Trump to agree he’ll walk away if the vote is corrupted. Yes, he should have said, “in a legitimate election, sure, it’ll be a peaceful transition. I’ll give Biden what Obama didn’t give me.” But Trump’s shorthand is, “We’ll see.” In fact, today he assured the nation that there’d be a peaceful transfer of power if he loses or the Supreme Court rules against him.
Of Course Trump Would Leave
What is illogical is this baffling idea that if Biden wins a fair election Trump wouldn’t be happy to leave.
Happy to take his Middle East peace, ISIS victory, twice saving the economy, drug price cutting, medicare premium shrinking, military rebuilding, Space Force creating, vaccine revolutionizing accomplishments, grab his supermodel wife and go back to being a resort building billionaire. And watch NBC offer a king’s ransom to reboot The Apprentice.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
As someone pointed out on Twitter this morning, “Has Joe Biden been asked if HE’D accept the results if he lost?” Maybe they’re worried the answer will be “Lost what?”
The Debate: What Joe Cannot Do
The first presidential debate is five days away, and as I said, Joe is now working on intense debate prep. One thing he’s being told is, don’t do this.
Joe was asked Wednesday by Axios about his son’s business dealings in the wake of the Senate’s devastating report on Hunter Biden’s dubious foreign dealings. Here’s what happened.
This interview is a disaster for Joe Biden.pic.twitter.com/oxqfWVRLgM — The First (@TheFirstonTV) September 23, 2020
Did you count the problems there? Defensive, put out by an obvious question. If it came out today your kid was cavorting with eastern European hookers with ties to human trafficking, wouldn’t you expect it to come up?
Also, his statement “I trust my son.” On one hand, a nice sentiment. He’s defending his wayward son. On the other hand, yesterday’s Senate report showed Biden and his staff were warned by the State Department. Hunter cashing in with the corrupt Burisma is bad news. Biden ignored the concerns.
If you had a third hand, we’re talking about Hunter Biden.
But I digress. The big issue with Joe’s answer is, once again, he’s getting agitated and angry at a legitimate question. That’s not good.
It goes against his brand. It’s one thing to get mad if you’ve spent the past 50 years as John McEnroe. Or even John McCain. But Joe was legitimately considered a nice, warm guy. That guy’s gone. And if you’re in a debate, and Donald Trump is the nicest person on stage, you’ve got a problem.
Which gets to the final point here. If Joe tries to flip questions about Hunter into an attack on Trump’s kids in the debate, Trump will level him. You know Trump will go there. He will go to the knocked up stripper. The drug busts. The running off with his brother’s widow. “You trusted that guy?”
At best, he’ll sound like Michael Douglas in The American President. “You want a character debate, Joe. You better stick with me, because Ivanka Trump is way out of your league.”
Heckled by Political Demons While Paying Respects to RGB
The President and First Lady went to pay their respects to Ruth Bader Ginsburg this morning at the Supreme Court. Respect is not a word the left understands. Protesters end up chanting “Vote him out!” and “honor her wish.” Her wish would be that you didn’t act like morons. That’d be her wish.
However, that’s not what I want you to listen for in the clip. What are you first hearing?
President Trump went to pay his respects to Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Leftists threw a tantrum. How disrespectful… pic.twitter.com/J9JWlzhzjh — Benny (@bennyjohnson) September 24, 2020
Isn’t that the movie soundtrack of hell?
It’s a good reminder we’re not in just a political battle. We’re in a spiritual battle. That’s not the sound of protesters. That’s the sound of principalities and powers. Which is why intercession is going to be as crucial as information … if not more so … the next 40 days. And beyond …
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--2020-09-25--Military Photo of the Day: Over Fort Hood

A U.S. Army crew chief sits on a ramp and watches the sunset out the back of a CH-47 Chinook @ @ @ @ @ Texas on August 26 , 2020 .

A U.S. Army crew chief sits on a ramp and watches the sunset out the back of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter over Fort Hood in Texas on August 26, 2020.
Have a safe weekend, everyone!
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thestream--2020-09-25--This Week at War: Our Military’s ‘Long Fight’

U.S. troops are still at war in Syria .
About 100 additional troops and Bradley fighting vehicles arrived in the northeastern part of the war-torn country this week to battle ISIS and stand up to the Russian military , which has been “ deliberately provocative and aggressive ” in recent months , according to U.S. Central Command .
Russia ’ s actions include an August vehicle ramming incident that injured numerous American service members .
In all , there are about 600 U.S. troops at war in Syria with a primary mission of destroying remnants of the ISIS terrorist group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heroes serving in one of the world ’ s most dangerous countries , as well as neighboring Iraq and nearby Afghanistan .
September 21-26 is Gold Star Families Remembrance Week , which honors the loved ones of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation in war .
Having spent the last decade meeting and interviewing Gold Star family members , I want each and every one of you to know that you are constantly being prayed for .
I am particularly thinking about the family of U.S. Navy LT ( SEAL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Afghanistan ten years ago this week , and U.S. Army Sgt .
Joshua “ Jay ” Strickland , who died on the same date three years later .
I say it all the time and I ’ ll say it again : Gold Star families are national treasures .
It is our duty as Americans to ensure that their loved ones are always remembered .
About 500 National Guard troops were sent to Louisville , Kentucky , this week in the wake of civil unrest following the high-profile Breonna Taylor case .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the local hospital where two police officers were taken after being shot .
We are praying for these wounded law enforcement officers , as well as for safety and calm in Louisville and other cities across the country .
We can have a national discussion about important issues without resorting to violence .
As you may have read last week on The Stream , thousands of troops from the National Guard and other military branches have been busy responding to hurricanes and wildfires .
A week after Hurricane Sally ’ s landfall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still helping residents with recovery efforts .
On the West Coast , approximately 2,300 members of the National Guard are helping fight fires , evacuate residents and deliver supplies .
The Washington Post reports that the military is preparing for a “ long fight ” against the devastating outbreak of wildfires .
Marines and sailors stationed at Camp Pendleton in California are now being trained to join the firefighting effort .
All of us at The Stream are praying for the thousands of Americans being affected by these raging wildfires .
From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ displacement , the impact these simultaneous disasters are having on a large section of our country can not be overstated .
We ask God to protect the innocent and watch over those bravely battling these terrible fires .
Tens of thousands of U.S. troops continue to assist in the war on COVID-19 .
From setting up countless coronavirus testing sites and field hospitals to helping distribute food and protect nursing homes , the military ’ s massive mobilization to battle the pandemic has been unprecedented .
In Ohio alone , the “ National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pounds of food and distributed more than 50 million pounds of food and provided more than 700,000 meals to people , ” according to the Ohio National Guard .
“ For the past six months , an extraordinary group of men and women have sacrificed each day to serve their neighbors and friends struggling to access and afford food amid the pandemic , ” Lisa Hamler-Fugitt of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks said .
“ We are so deeply thankful that the Ohio National Guard will extend its support of this mission for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together for what ’ s to come in 2021.
” The military ’ s sacrifices while fighting the war on COVID-19 have come at a high cost .
According to Department of Defense statistics , 43,851 American service members have tested positive for COVID-19 , with 29,033 listed as having recovered .
There have been 603 hospitalizations , and as you ’ ve probably read on The Stream , seven tragic deaths .
Please continue to pray for our troops and their families as they remain on the front lines of the war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oregon National Guard troops returned home from the African nation of Djibouti .
It was the “ second largest mobilization of Oregon troops since World War II , ” according to the Oregon National Guard .
Thank you for defending our freedom overseas and welcome home , warriors !
Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream .
He is co-author of Three Wise Men , Brothers Forever , 8 Seconds of Courage and Fire in My Eyes .
Follow Tom on Twitter @ TSileo and The Stream at @ Streamdotorg @

Middle East
U.S. troops are still at war in Syria.
About 100 additional troops and Bradley fighting vehicles arrived in the northeastern part of the war-torn country this week to battle ISIS and stand up to the Russian military, which has been “deliberately provocative and aggressive” in recent months, according to U.S. Central Command. Russia’s actions include an August vehicle ramming incident that injured numerous American service members.
The @Coalition routinely re-postures force elements in NE Syria to ensure the protection of our forces, support our partners and the enduring mission to #DefeatDaesh pic.twitter.com/gY44JNgDYH — Inherent Resolve (@CJTFOIR) September 21, 2020
In all, there are about 600 U.S. troops at war in Syria with a primary mission of destroying remnants of the ISIS terrorist group. Our prayers are with these American heroes serving in one of the world’s most dangerous countries, as well as neighboring Iraq and nearby Afghanistan.
Gold Star Families
September 21-26 is Gold Star Families Remembrance Week, which honors the loved ones of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation in war.
Having spent the last decade meeting and interviewing Gold Star family members, I want each and every one of you to know that you are constantly being prayed for. I am particularly thinking about the family of U.S. Navy LT (SEAL) Brendan Looney, who was killed in Afghanistan ten years ago this week, and U.S. Army Sgt. Joshua “Jay” Strickland, who died on the same date three years later.
I say it all the time and I’ll say it again: Gold Star families are national treasures. It is our duty as Americans to ensure that their loved ones are always remembered.
Civil Unrest
About 500 National Guard troops were sent to Louisville, Kentucky, this week in the wake of civil unrest following the high-profile Breonna Taylor case. Among their Wednesday night duties was protecting the local hospital where two police officers were taken after being shot.
We are praying for these wounded law enforcement officers, as well as for safety and calm in Louisville and other cities across the country. We can have a national discussion about important issues without resorting to violence.
Natural Disasters
As you may have read last week on The Stream, thousands of troops from the National Guard and other military branches have been busy responding to hurricanes and wildfires.
A week after Hurricane Sally’s landfall, National Guard troops on the Gulf Coast are still helping residents with recovery efforts.
Photo of the Day: Pfc. Angela Sandoval, of the @AlabamaNG, hands out water to a local citizen affected by Hurricane Sally. https://t.co/Y74ktpgF4L pic.twitter.com/6CnDj7C6xG — National Guard (@USNationalGuard) September 22, 2020
On the West Coast, approximately 2,300 members of the National Guard are helping fight fires, evacuate residents and deliver supplies.
The Washington Post reports that the military is preparing for a “long fight” against the devastating outbreak of wildfires. Marines and sailors stationed at Camp Pendleton in California are now being trained to join the firefighting effort.
Today, more than 2,300 National Guard members continue assist federal, state and local partners fight wildfires in multiple states. https://t.co/R0TWxHRJ6n — National Guard (@USNationalGuard) September 22, 2020
All of us at The Stream are praying for the thousands of Americans being affected by these raging wildfires. From loss of life to property damage and displacement, the impact these simultaneous disasters are having on a large section of our country cannot be overstated. We ask God to protect the innocent and watch over those bravely battling these terrible fires.
COVID-19
Tens of thousands of U.S. troops continue to assist in the war on COVID-19. From setting up countless coronavirus testing sites and field hospitals to helping distribute food and protect nursing homes, the military’s massive mobilization to battle the pandemic has been unprecedented.
In Ohio alone, the “National Guard has packed more than 43 million pounds of food and distributed more than 50 million pounds of food and provided more than 700,000 meals to people,” according to the Ohio National Guard.
“For the past six months, an extraordinary group of men and women have sacrificed each day to serve their neighbors and friends struggling to access and afford food amid the pandemic,” Lisa Hamler-Fugitt of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks said. “We are so deeply thankful that the Ohio National Guard will extend its support of this mission for the next three months as we plan together for what’s to come in 2021.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The military’s sacrifices while fighting the war on COVID-19 have come at a high cost. According to Department of Defense statistics, 43,851 American service members have tested positive for COVID-19, with 29,033 listed as having recovered. There have been 603 hospitalizations, and as you’ve probably read on The Stream, seven tragic deaths.
Please continue to pray for our troops and their families as they remain on the front lines of the war on coronavirus.
Coming Home
For several weeks, Oregon National Guard troops returned home from the African nation of Djibouti. It was the “second largest mobilization of Oregon troops since World War II,” according to the Oregon National Guard.
Thank you for defending our freedom overseas and welcome home, warriors!
Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream. He is co-author of Three Wise Men, Brothers Forever, 8 Seconds of Courage and Fire in My Eyes. Follow Tom on Twitter @TSileo and The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-09-25--Report: Trump Selects Amy Coney Barrett as Supreme Court Nominee

President Donald Trump will nominate federal Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States , multiple outlets reported Friday evening .
According to the New York Times , sources close to the process said that Trump will announce Barrett as the Supreme Court nominee on Saturday .
Trump is not known to have met with any other candidate for the vacancy , the Times reported , noting that aides warned there is a possibility Trump could change his mind before the announcement .
The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump told congressional Republicans that he will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the situation .
The White House declined to comment to the Daily Caller News Foundation .
If nominated and confirmed , Barrett would replace former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who died Sept. 18 at the age of 87 due to complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer .
Barrett ’ s pro-life stances contrast sharply to Ginsburg ’ s fierce defense of abortion access in the United States , and the projected Supreme Court nominee is frank about prioritizing her Catholic faith .
“ If you can keep in mind that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a lawyer , but to know , love and serve God , ” Barrett said during a 2006 commencement address to Notre Dame law students , “ you truly will be a different kind of lawyer.
” Trump considered nominating Barrett to replace former Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy in 2018 but ultimately chose Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh .
“ I ’ m saving her for Ginsburg , ” Trump said of Barrett in 2019 , Axios reported .
The president appointed Barrett to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Times .
Her confirmation hearings gained national attention when Democratic lawmakers questioned her about her Catholic beliefs , suggesting that Barrett ’ s Catholicism made her unfit to serve as a judge .
“ The conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you , ” Democratic California Sen. Dianne Feinstein told her .
“ And that ’ s of concern.
” 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

President Donald Trump will nominate federal Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States, multiple outlets reported Friday evening.
According to the New York Times, sources close to the process said that Trump will announce Barrett as the Supreme Court nominee on Saturday. Trump is not known to have met with any other candidate for the vacancy, the Times reported, noting that aides warned there is a possibility Trump could change his mind before the announcement.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump told congressional Republicans that he will choose Barrett, according to sources familiar with the situation.
The White House declined to comment to the Daily Caller News Foundation.
If nominated and confirmed, Barrett would replace former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Sept. 18 at the age of 87 due to complications of metastatic pancreatic cancer.
Barrett’s pro-life stances contrast sharply to Ginsburg’s fierce defense of abortion access in the United States, and the projected Supreme Court nominee is frank about prioritizing her Catholic faith.
“If you can keep in mind that your fundamental purpose in life is not to be a lawyer, but to know, love and serve God,” Barrett said during a 2006 commencement address to Notre Dame law students, “you truly will be a different kind of lawyer.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Trump considered nominating Barrett to replace former Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy in 2018 but ultimately chose Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
“I’m saving her for Ginsburg,” Trump said of Barrett in 2019, Axios reported.
The president appointed Barrett to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in 2017, according to the New York Times. Her confirmation hearings gained national attention when Democratic lawmakers questioned her about her Catholic beliefs, suggesting that Barrett’s Catholicism made her unfit to serve as a judge.
“The conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you,” Democratic California Sen. Dianne Feinstein told her. “And that’s of concern.”
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].