thestream--2020-05-12--‘Get Me Off of House Arrest’: Pastors Call on Barr, DOJ to Protect Religious Liberty

As governors crack down on religious services during the coronavirus pandemic , pastors across the United States weigh in on whether Attorney General William Barr and the Department of Justice are doing enough to protect their civil liberties .
The attorney general has issued multiple statements on the importance of respecting religious liberty “ even in times of emergency ” and intervened in cases of government crackdowns on churches and pastors .
The DOJ referred the Daily Caller News Foundation to several more instances of Justice Department intervention , including an April 27 memorandum from the attorney general on balancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights .
The DOJ also intervened in the case of a Mississippi church ’ s lawsuit in early April , siding with Temple Baptist Church after police officers issued hefty tickets to church goers who refused to leave a drive-in service .
In the beginning of May , the Justice Department sided with a Virginia church suing Democratic Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam .
And on Friday , an Oklahoma mayor reversed her order and allowed churches to reopen for Mother ’ s Day following a warning from the Justice Department .
Yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continuing to hold church services say they want to see more from Barr .
Pastor Tony Spell of the Louisiana Life Tabernacle church sparked a backlash in March when reports emerged that he had bused worshipers to Life Tabernacle from several different parishes in defiance of Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edward ’ s ban on gatherings of more than 50 people .
Spell was also criticized at the time for calling the reaction to the virus “ politically motivated.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our Day .
Since the incident occurred , Spell told the Daily Caller News Foundation that he has been arrested three times for holding religious services .
“ I ’ m on my 25th citation today , ” he said Thursday , adding that “ animals have been treated better ” than authorities have treated him as he described how he has been forced to wear an ankle bracelet in his home for 13 days .
“ I ’ m under house arrest , ” he said .
“ When I cross the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m a fugitive from justice.
” Spell says that his “ inalienable rights to preach and go to church ” are not given to him by Barr or any other person but by God .
“ They can not make a statement in favor of me going back to church that will encourage me to do more of what I have never stopped doing , ” he told the DCNF .
But Spell added that he would like to see Barr intervening more in cases where authorities are prohibiting religious services .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow me to preach freely without fear of being arrested again , ” Spell said he would ask Barr , if he were given the chance .
The pastor added that he believes it is an “ anti-God governance stance to tell a man he can not go to church and preach , ” and added that governors and authorities have “ overstepped their bounds ” in telling pastors they can not preach or go to church .
Florida megachurch pastor Rodney Howard-Browne was also arrested in March for defying coronavirus social-distancing orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the River at Tampa Bay Church .
Browne cancelled services following his arrest , saying he had “ no choice ” but to do so .
Howard-Browne told the DCNF that he is “ very disappointed ” in both the DOJ and with Barr for their actions thus far in preserving civil liberties during the coronavirus .
“ They have done the bare minimum in defending the American people and the constitution , ” Howard-Browne said .
“ Sound bites on television are great , but we need action .
Unfortunately our judiciary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest levels !
” Howard-Browne also said that he does not believe that Barr or the DOJ have the power to “ do anything ” at this point , adding that he is beginning to think that many authorities “ have never read the Constitution.
” Other religious leaders expressed thanks to Barr for the efforts the attorney general has made to preserve religious liberties , though they also hope that he will take more aggressive measures .
“ I am pleased to see that the AG is talking tough about intervening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberty is threatened , ” Rev .
Edwin C. Dwyer , who is a parish priest at St. Cyril Catholic Church in Michigan , told the DCNF .
“ My hope is that the talk is enough for these authorities to back off , but if not , my hope is that it is not just talk , ” the priest added .
“ I ’ d much prefer the most local authority to restore justice , but justice must be restored.
” Megachurch Pastor Brian Gibson announced Monday that he is opening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas and Kentucky May 17 , challenging other churches nationwide to join him through an online petition in collaboration with First Liberty Institute .
“ Our Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and the right to assemble peacefully , ” the petition says .
“ By signing the petition , you pledge that you will exercise these sacred rights on Sunday , May 17th for Peaceably Gather Sunday .
Your church will be open , and will welcome all healthy people in your communities to attend and physically participate in services.
” The megachurch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ pleased to hear ” Barr warn the nation that he is watching for violations of religious liberty , he believes that the DOJ needs to take more aggressive measures .
“ We are in a developing Constitutional crisis and religious liberty violations are widespread , ” Gibson told the DCNF .
Pastor Marc Little says he is “ quite surprised ” at how quickly Barr has responded to attacks on religious liberty , noting that Barr and the DOJ have filed statements of interest “ in direct response to the recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ churches.
” “ I would also add that I think it ’ s consistent with President Trump ’ s declaration last September before the United Nations that this administration supports the expression of religious liberty , ” Little told the DCNF .
Little is senior counsel of Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood , California , the pastor of the pro-life organization , No Longer Bound Abortion & Miscarriage Recovery Ministry , Inc. , and the chairman of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education .
“ It is absolutely critical for government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to weigh the interest that the government has in providing public safety and protecting our First Amendment rights in the U.S. and in all cases , ” Little said .
He added that the First Amendment right to freely express religious beliefs is an “ absolute right , ” and said that America ’ s founding fathers intended that government should not intrude on religious liberty .
“ Oftentimes people think that it ’ s the church that should stay out of government and that turns the whole ideal on its head , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not what we ’ re supposed to be doing.
” Arresting pastors is going too far , Little said .
“ We have to find a balance between public safety and a First Amendment right to not only have religious liberty but also freedom of assembly , ” he added .
“ These things are fundamental in our First Amendment rights .
And I think that in many instances our local governments are overreaching their authority.
” Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

As governors crack down on religious services during the coronavirus pandemic, pastors across the United States weigh in on whether Attorney General William Barr and the Department of Justice are doing enough to protect their civil liberties.
The attorney general has issued multiple statements on the importance of respecting religious liberty “even in times of emergency” and intervened in cases of government crackdowns on churches and pastors.
The DOJ referred the Daily Caller News Foundation to several more instances of Justice Department intervention, including an April 27 memorandum from the attorney general on balancing public safety with the preservation of civil rights.
The DOJ also intervened in the case of a Mississippi church’s lawsuit in early April, siding with Temple Baptist Church after police officers issued hefty tickets to church goers who refused to leave a drive-in service. In the beginning of May, the Justice Department sided with a Virginia church suing Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam.
And on Friday, an Oklahoma mayor reversed her order and allowed churches to reopen for Mother’s Day following a warning from the Justice Department.
Yet some pastors who have been arrested for continuing to hold church services say they want to see more from Barr.
Pastor Tony Spell of the Louisiana Life Tabernacle church sparked a backlash in March when reports emerged that he had bused worshipers to Life Tabernacle from several different parishes in defiance of Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edward’s ban on gatherings of more than 50 people. Spell was also criticized at the time for calling the reaction to the virus “politically motivated.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Since the incident occurred, Spell told the Daily Caller News Foundation that he has been arrested three times for holding religious services.
“I’m on my 25th citation today,” he said Thursday, adding that “animals have been treated better” than authorities have treated him as he described how he has been forced to wear an ankle bracelet in his home for 13 days.
“I’m under house arrest,” he said. “When I cross the threshold of my door, I’m a fugitive from justice.”
Spell says that his “inalienable rights to preach and go to church” are not given to him by Barr or any other person but by God.
“They cannot make a statement in favor of me going back to church that will encourage me to do more of what I have never stopped doing,” he told the DCNF. But Spell added that he would like to see Barr intervening more in cases where authorities are prohibiting religious services.
“Get me off of house arrest and allow me to preach freely without fear of being arrested again,” Spell said he would ask Barr, if he were given the chance.
The pastor added that he believes it is an “anti-God governance stance to tell a man he cannot go to church and preach,” and added that governors and authorities have “overstepped their bounds” in telling pastors they cannot preach or go to church.
“This is a total government overreach,” Spell said.
Florida megachurch pastor Rodney Howard-Browne was also arrested in March for defying coronavirus social-distancing orders and holding two Sunday religious services at the River at Tampa Bay Church.
Browne cancelled services following his arrest, saying he had “no choice” but to do so.
Howard-Browne told the DCNF that he is “very disappointed” in both the DOJ and with Barr for their actions thus far in preserving civil liberties during the coronavirus.
“They have done the bare minimum in defending the American people and the constitution,” Howard-Browne said. “Sound bites on television are great, but we need action. Unfortunately our judiciary has been compromised all the way to the highest levels!”
Howard-Browne also said that he does not believe that Barr or the DOJ have the power to “do anything” at this point, adding that he is beginning to think that many authorities “have never read the Constitution.”
Other religious leaders expressed thanks to Barr for the efforts the attorney general has made to preserve religious liberties, though they also hope that he will take more aggressive measures.
“I am pleased to see that the AG is talking tough about intervening in states, and localities where religious liberty is threatened,” Rev. Edwin C. Dwyer, who is a parish priest at St. Cyril Catholic Church in Michigan, told the DCNF.
“My hope is that the talk is enough for these authorities to back off, but if not, my hope is that it is not just talk,” the priest added. “I’d much prefer the most local authority to restore justice, but justice must be restored.”
Megachurch Pastor Brian Gibson announced Monday that he is opening the doors of his four churches in Texas and Kentucky May 17, challenging other churches nationwide to join him through an online petition in collaboration with First Liberty Institute.
“Our Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and the right to assemble peacefully,” the petition says. “By signing the petition, you pledge that you will exercise these sacred rights on Sunday, May 17th for Peaceably Gather Sunday. Your church will be open, and will welcome all healthy people in your communities to attend and physically participate in services.”
The megachurch pastor told the DCNF that though he is “pleased to hear” Barr warn the nation that he is watching for violations of religious liberty, he believes that the DOJ needs to take more aggressive measures.
“We are in a developing Constitutional crisis and religious liberty violations are widespread,” Gibson told the DCNF.
Pastor Marc Little says he is “quite surprised” at how quickly Barr has responded to attacks on religious liberty, noting that Barr and the DOJ have filed statements of interest “in direct response to the recent developments and attacks on the gatherings of churches.”
“I would also add that I think it’s consistent with President Trump’s declaration last September before the United Nations that this administration supports the expression of religious liberty,” Little told the DCNF.
Little is senior counsel of Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood, California, the pastor of the pro-life organization, No Longer Bound Abortion & Miscarriage Recovery Ministry, Inc., and the chairman of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education.
“It is absolutely critical for government, as Attorney General Barr said, to weigh the interest that the government has in providing public safety and protecting our First Amendment rights in the U.S. and in all cases,” Little said.
He added that the First Amendment right to freely express religious beliefs is an “absolute right,” and said that America’s founding fathers intended that government should not intrude on religious liberty.
“Oftentimes people think that it’s the church that should stay out of government and that turns the whole ideal on its head,” he said. “That’s not what we’re supposed to be doing.”
Arresting pastors is going too far, Little said.
“We have to find a balance between public safety and a First Amendment right to not only have religious liberty but also freedom of assembly,” he added. “These things are fundamental in our First Amendment rights. And I think that in many instances our local governments are overreaching their authority.”
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-05-12--Shrugging at Sexual Assault Accusations

Shrugging at Sexual Assault Accusations

How hard is it to find a man who hasn ’ t sexually assaulted , harassed , or inappropriately touched someone ?
It ’ s not that hard to find a woman who has suffered these things .
CDC data shows that nearly 1 in 5 women have been the victim of completed or attempted rape .
One in four girls are victims of childhood sex abuse .
Numbers on sexual harassment are harder to nail down , but surveys suggest as many as 81 percent of women experience sexual harassment at some point in their lifetime , including 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a problem nearly as old as time .
But in politics , we shrug it off as if we have no other option .
In the last presidential election , we faced what many felt was a revolting choice .
On the one hand , we had a man with a public record of dishonorable behavior toward and lewd statements about women .
He was also accused of sexual assault by multiple women .
On the other hand , we had a corrupt woman with a history of helping to cover up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many refused to make .
Some important things have happened since then .
Thanks to several tenacious journalists and countless courageous women , we got the # MeToo movement .
It was a collective acknowledgment that sexual assault and harassment are systemic problems .
We acknowledged that they are often ignored at the expense of women ’ s safety and wellbeing .
Serially abusive men were finally held accountable .
Long overdue investigations ensued in many industries and institutions , including the Church .
Powerful men like “ America ’ s dad ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been convicted of sex crimes .
But here we are , gearing up for the next presidential election .
As far as candidates go , the playing field looks the same .
Many of us could have told you that former Vice President Joe Biden has a long history of being , well , creepy .
New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd calls it “ being sometimes warmly , sometimes inappropriately , hands-on with men and women.
” As someone who ’ s had the humiliating experience of working with an “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I can tell you that Dowd ’ s diminishing of this habit is dangerous .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
But that ’ s not the worst of it .
Biden has now been credibly accused of actual sexual assault .
Annoyed are many Democrats , who are suddenly very wary of such allegations .
And just like that , it ’ s clear # MeToo didn ’ t mean what some of us hoped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This ?
No It ’ s ridiculous to say that women never lie .
It ’ s not ridiculous to suggest that we ought to be believe them more than we do .
Michael Stern prosecuted sexual assault cases for 25 years .
He wrote in 2018 that “ making an allegation of sexual assault is not the type of attention most women want to needlessly bring to themselves.
” False accusations exist , he says , but cites a “ widely respected 2009 study ” revealing that “ 92 to 98 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspect is a nonstranger , are real.
” That means that at most , only 1 in 12 charges are false , and the fraction could be as low as 1 in 50 .
We live in a fallen world , so I know sexual assault and harassment will happen .
As always , many people will only take it seriously when it ’ s convenient .
But I have to believe that we can do better than this .
Surely we can choose for our two predominant presidential candidates people who haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducted themselves so questionably that such allegations are easy to believe .
Is that such a difficult criterion to meet ?
Here ’ s the thing : It ’ ll never be met unless we demand it .
Christians , we have to take the lead .
We need to be the people who stand for right and wrong , above politics .
For starters , we need to stop dismissing accusations aimed at our own political party — even at someone as important as a presidential candidate .
That doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a man who may be innocent .
Unbiased inquiry is crucial .
It does mean we treat the accuser with care and her claim with importance .
Let the evidence take us where it may .
What if the investigation reveals that the allegations are true ?
And some will be true .
That ’ s where we have to make sacrifices .
We have to be willing to depose the perpetrator , no matter how important he may be to our political ends .
This should be a no-brainer .
But it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t consistently done this .
Rachael Denhollander , an outspoken Christian and the first woman to publicly accuse pedophile and former Olympic gymnastic coach Larry Nassar , saw this in Christian circles .
Obedience to Jesus “ means that you pursue justice and you stand up for the oppressed and you stand up for the victimized , ” she said .
Obedience isn ’ t easy .
“ It will cost to stand up for the oppressed , and it should , ” she told Christianity Today in 2018 .
“ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it costs , then it doesn ’ t matter to us enough.
” The first victims are those already victimized , she explains .
Those who have heard that what someone did to them in the past doesn ’ t matter .
“ Who have seen a woman vilified , attacked , and even subjected to death threats after making an allegation of abuse .
The impact of sending that message across our country is greater and more devastating than we will ever know , because we have silenced the voices that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is where we ask ourselves : Does taking a stand against sexual assault and harassment matter enough to us to sacrifice political gain ?
Saying no to sexual abusers can mean losing .
No politician will ever be perfect .
And no , we generally don ’ t elect pastors .
But sexual assault and harassment are grave crimes against God and another human being .
We simply can ’ t make someone guilty of such our political champion .
As Virginia pastor Joe Carter writes for The Gospel Coalition , doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against women.
” ( For anyone questioning whether “ culture of abuse ” is an accurate term , see again the statistics at the beginning of this article . )
Democrats , especially Christians in the party , need to truly reckon with the accusation against Biden .
Republicans have reckoning to do as well .
Happily , there are people who haven ’ t sexually assaulted , harassed , or inappropriately touched someone , even in politics .
But they ’ ll never get elected to major office if we keep shrugging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liberty McArtor , former staff writer for The Stream , is a freelance writer in the great state of Texas , where she lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with her husband and son .
Follow Liberty on Twitter @ LibertyMcArtor , or learn more about her at LibertyMcArtor.com .

How hard is it to find a man who hasn’t sexually assaulted, harassed, or inappropriately touched someone? It’s not that hard to find a woman who has suffered these things. CDC data shows that nearly 1 in 5 women have been the victim of completed or attempted rape. One in four girls are victims of childhood sex abuse. Numbers on sexual harassment are harder to nail down, but surveys suggest as many as 81 percent of women experience sexual harassment at some point in their lifetime, including 1 in 3 at work.
It’s a problem nearly as old as time. But in politics, we shrug it off as if we have no other option.
Déjà vu
In the last presidential election, we faced what many felt was a revolting choice. On the one hand, we had a man with a public record of dishonorable behavior toward and lewd statements about women. He was also accused of sexual assault by multiple women. On the other hand, we had a corrupt woman with a history of helping to cover up sexual misconduct. It was a choice many refused to make.
Sexual assault is a grave crime against God and another human being. We simply can’t make someone guilty of such our political champion.
Some important things have happened since then. Thanks to several tenacious journalists and countless courageous women, we got the #MeToo movement. It was a collective acknowledgment that sexual assault and harassment are systemic problems. We acknowledged that they are often ignored at the expense of women’s safety and wellbeing.
Serially abusive men were finally held accountable. Long overdue investigations ensued in many industries and institutions, including the Church. Powerful men like “America’s dad” Bill Cosby and movie producer Harvey Weinstein have been convicted of sex crimes.
But here we are, gearing up for the next presidential election. As far as candidates go, the playing field looks the same.
Was #MeToo a Bust?
Many of us could have told you that former Vice President Joe Biden has a long history of being, well, creepy. New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd calls it “being sometimes warmly, sometimes inappropriately, hands-on with men and women.” As someone who’s had the humiliating experience of working with an “inappropriately hands-on” man as a teenager, I can tell you that Dowd’s diminishing of this habit is dangerous.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
But that’s not the worst of it. Biden has now been credibly accused of actual sexual assault. Annoyed are many Democrats, who are suddenly very wary of such allegations. And just like that, it’s clear #MeToo didn’t mean what some of us hoped it did.
Do Women Lie About This? No It’s ridiculous to say that women never lie. It’s not ridiculous to suggest that we ought to be believe them more than we do. Michael Stern prosecuted sexual assault cases for 25 years. He wrote in 2018 that “making an allegation of sexual assault is not the type of attention most women want to needlessly bring to themselves.” False accusations exist, he says, but cites a “widely respected 2009 study” revealing that “92 to 98 percent of sexual assaults, in which the suspect is a nonstranger, are real.” That means that at most, only 1 in 12 charges are false, and the fraction could be as low as 1 in 50.
We live in a fallen world, so I know sexual assault and harassment will happen. As always, many people will only take it seriously when it’s convenient.
But I have to believe that we can do better than this. Surely we can choose for our two predominant presidential candidates people who haven’t sexually assaulted someone, or conducted themselves so questionably that such allegations are easy to believe. Is that such a difficult criterion to meet?
Taking it Seriously, Making Sacrifices
Here’s the thing: It’ll never be met unless we demand it. Christians, we have to take the lead. We need to be the people who stand for right and wrong, above politics.
For starters, we need to stop dismissing accusations aimed at our own political party — even at someone as important as a presidential candidate. That doesn’t mean we skip the investigation and sack a man who may be innocent. Unbiased inquiry is crucial. It does mean we treat the accuser with care and her claim with importance. Let the evidence take us where it may.
What if the investigation reveals that the allegations are true? And some will be true. That’s where we have to make sacrifices. We have to be willing to depose the perpetrator, no matter how important he may be to our political ends. This should be a no-brainer. But it’s not, because we haven’t consistently done this.
Costly Obedience to Christ
Rachael Denhollander, an outspoken Christian and the first woman to publicly accuse pedophile and former Olympic gymnastic coach Larry Nassar, saw this in Christian circles. Obedience to Jesus “means that you pursue justice and you stand up for the oppressed and you stand up for the victimized,” she said.
Obedience isn’t easy. “It will cost to stand up for the oppressed, and it should,” she told Christianity Today in 2018. “If we’re not speaking out when it costs, then it doesn’t matter to us enough.”
The first victims are those already victimized, she explains. Those who have heard that what someone did to them in the past doesn’t matter. “Who have seen a woman vilified, attacked, and even subjected to death threats after making an allegation of abuse. The impact of sending that message across our country is greater and more devastating than we will ever know, because we have silenced the voices that would otherwise tell us.”
Taking a Stand
So Christians, this is where we ask ourselves: Does taking a stand against sexual assault and harassment matter enough to us to sacrifice political gain? Saying no to sexual abusers can mean losing.
No politician will ever be perfect. And no, we generally don’t elect pastors. But sexual assault and harassment are grave crimes against God and another human being. We simply can’t make someone guilty of such our political champion. As Virginia pastor Joe Carter writes for The Gospel Coalition, doing so legitimizes “the culture of abuse against women.” (For anyone questioning whether “culture of abuse” is an accurate term, see again the statistics at the beginning of this article.)
Democrats, especially Christians in the party, need to truly reckon with the accusation against Biden. Republicans have reckoning to do as well. Happily, there are people who haven’t sexually assaulted, harassed, or inappropriately touched someone, even in politics. But they’ll never get elected to major office if we keep shrugging our shoulders and electing the guilty.
Liberty McArtor, former staff writer for The Stream, is a freelance writer in the great state of Texas, where she lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with her husband and son. Follow Liberty on Twitter @LibertyMcArtor, or learn more about her at LibertyMcArtor.com.


thestream--2020-05-13--The HEROES Act: Disturbing Finds in the Dem’s New $3 Trillion Relief Bill

Last night during his opening monologue , Tucker Carlson reported on many disturbing finds his team has uncovered in the latest coronavirus relief bill being proposed by House Democrats .
Among the most troubling inclusions are : • $ 1,200 each to all illegal immigrants • An amnesty provision for all illegal immigrants in “ essential ” jobs • Automatic extension of guest worker visas and higher ceilings for new visas • An order to the DHS to expedite visas for foreigners seeking to work in the medical field • Expanded access to financial services for minority-owned and women-owned cannabis-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the National Science Foundation to study coronavirus “ misinformation ” Regarding the many provisions for illegal aliens , Carlson expresses deep concern for the lasting effects this bill would have on the future of this nation .
This is a blanket amnesty for virtually every illegal alien that has already taken an American job .
And once this amnesty is granted , it will never be taken away .
Bet on that , no matter what they tell you .
Anyone who lives in Washington can confirm that .
Once passed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And at that point , there will be no debate about illegal immigration .
The issue will be settled permanently .
Democrats will win every presidential election for the rest of your life , the rest of your children ’ s lives , and the rest of your grandchildren ’ s lives .
“ Who wrote this thing ?
” Carlson quipped .
In answer to his own question , he concluded , “ Probably not scientists .
Lobbyists and ideologues wrote it .
The same people who control the Democratic Party .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ control this country.
” Watch the full video above for a deeper look .

Tuesday night during his opening monologue, Tucker Carlson reported on many disturbing finds his team has uncovered in the latest coronavirus relief bill being proposed by House Democrats.
Among the most troubling inclusions are:
$1,200 each to all illegal immigrants
An amnesty provision for all illegal immigrants in “essential” jobs
Automatic extension of guest worker visas and higher ceilings for new visas
An order to the DHS to expedite visas for foreigners seeking to work in the medical field
Expanded access to financial services for minority-owned and women-owned cannabis-related businesses
$1 Million to the National Science Foundation to study coronavirus “misinformation”
Regarding the many provisions for illegal aliens, Carlson expressed deep concern for the lasting effects this bill would have on the future of our nation.
This is a blanket amnesty for virtually every illegal alien that has already taken an American job. And once this amnesty is granted, it will never be taken away. Bet on that, no matter what they tell you. Anyone who lives in Washington can confirm that. Once passed, it’s not going away. And at that point, there will be no debate about illegal immigration. The issue will be settled permanently. Democrats will win every presidential election for the rest of your life, the rest of your children’s lives, and the rest of your grandchildren’s lives.
“Who wrote this thing?” Carlson quipped. In answer to his own question, he concluded, “Probably not scientists. Lobbyists and ideologues wrote it. The same people who control the Democratic Party. The same people who badly want to control this country.”
Watch the full video above for a deeper look.


thestream--2020-05-13--Military Photo of the Day: Solidarity

Military Photo of the Day: Solidarity

The U.S. Army Africa Headquarters Building on Caserma Ederle in Vicenza , Italy , is illuminated with the Italian and @ @ @ @ @ of solidarity in combating the spread of the coronavirus on May 3 , 2020 .
@ @ @ @ @ all COVID-19 victims in the United States , Italy and around the world .
Please @ @ @ @ @ Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day @

The U.S. Army Africa Headquarters Building on Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy, is illuminated with the Italian and American flags as a sign of solidarity in combating the spread of the coronavirus on May 3, 2020.
We continue to pray for all COVID-19 victims in the United States, Italy and around the world.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-05-13--Wear a Mask for Freedom’s Sake

Wear a Mask for Freedom’s Sake

The virus isn ’ t just destroying lung cells .
It ’ s tearing our country apart .
Many freedom-lovers want everything open again , no masks , no precautions .
The government is overreaching and trampling on constitutionally protected liberties , like the right to assemble and the right to expression of religion .
The coronavirus is a conspiracy .
The diagnosis and deaths counts are inflated .
Unemployment is at Great Depression-era levels .
The cure is worse than the disease .
We must return to life as normal !
Many safety-lovers want us to shelter in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zero deaths for 2 weeks , or a well-vetted treatment .
The disease is very serious .
Cases are still rising .
Reopening now would invite disaster .
In the meantime , the government will take care of us with unemployment benefits and reoccurring stimulus payments .
If continued lockdowns mean closed beaches , no car parades , arresting salon owners , so be it .
Lives are more important than profit !
Both sides have valid points .
The lockdown has come at a very high price .
And the disease is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
But there is another way .
We can re-open our society and economy , and still protect the vulnerable .
We can re-open the economy , without ( yet ) returning to life as normal .
We can social distance , do curbside pick-ups , and schedule multiple , modified church services , each with fewer people .
Masks are a pain .
Maybe they ’ re not a silver bullet .
Maybe we can ’ t agree that they have value .
But is there more to think about than our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights ?
But the CDC Told Us Not to Wear Masks !
The CDC originally said the general public should not wear them , but now they recommend we wear them in public , as a part of social distancing .
The flip-flopping and unclear messaging damaged trust .
But studies , recent ones , show that masks are helpful .
Yes , sick people should stay home .
And no , masks are not 100 % effective .
But because the virus can be caught from asymptomatic carriers , the masks can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the distance that virus particles spread .
But Wearing a Mask Infringes on My Civil Liberties !
You ’ ve probably come across this logic : “ Wearing a mask is hot .
It makes it harder to breathe .
The straps cause irritation behind the ears .
It ’ s my body .
The government can ’ t make me wear a mask !
Anyone who thinks they have to wear a mask is a sheep , thoughtlessly yielding to unconstitutional government overreach.
” We have the promise of liberty in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited by the Constitution .
There ’ s a time to fight for these rights .
But Rod Dreher is right when he tells us to get a grip .
Mask-wearing is nowhere close to slavery , the struggle for civil rights , or swastikas spray-painted on a synagogue .
Inconvenience to protect our neighbors , or at least make them comfortable , is not a cowardly surrender .
The Purpose of Freedom — for Christians Jesus promised us freedom ( John 8:36 ) .
But to what end ?
Is our freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whenever we want ?
Jesus frees us from the power of sin .
He frees us to be in relationship with Him , to become the men and women He created us to be .
We ’ re not free to pursue selfishness ( Galatians 5:13 ) .
But isn ’ t there a line ?
If we give in when it comes to masks , what about when vaccines are mandatory ?
Or when something more invasive is required ?
There is a line , but it ’ s not here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mild irritant .
When the government says the convention center can open but not the church , then we respectfully disobey .
But if our God-ordained government is not asking us to sin , we should obey .
A friend recently compared mask-wearing to the Chinese complying with the one-child policy .
The Chinese government was concerned about mass starvation if the population kept growing .
It asked citizens to limit their family size “ for the greater good.
” Eventually , the Chinese people tragically submitted to sterilization and abortions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ comparable to the inconvenience of wearing a mask to protect others .
This is a logical fallacy , a weak analogy , comparing two situations that are not closely related .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
God has called us , as Christians , to show His love during this pandemic .
We are not called to cling to our rights .
We ’ re called to look beyond ourselves — to be ambassadors for Christ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What will do more to win an audience for the saving message of Christ ?
Appealing to our rights , or accounting for the public health concerns of others ?
We are to look out not only for our own interests , but also to the interests of others .
Wearing masks offers protection to others if we are asymptomatic carriers .
It will bless others who are fearful of contracting the virus .
Social distancing , handwashing , and mask-wearing are small prices to pay for the sake of others .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heal the Division .
So We Can Move Forward .
A large percentage of our country is desperately fearful of this virus .
Those of us who want to see our economy and rights restored would be wise to consider our fellow Americans .
God calls us to love not only our neighbors but our enemies , to act out of consideration of others .
Most conservatives want these restrictive health orders to be lifted .
Strategically , we will be far more persuasive if we can say and show by our actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together .
We get it .
We will comply with public health guidelines and wear masks .
Let ’ s get our economy going.
” You may not want to wear a mask .
But mask-wearing is for others .
Sacrificing your comfort and personal preferences is not being a sheep .
It ’ s loving our neighbors as Christ commanded .
Dr. Alex Chediak ( Ph.D. , U.C .
Berkeley ) is a professor and the author of Thriving at College ( Tyndale House , 2011 ) , a roadmap for how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their college years .
His latest book is Beating the College Debt Trap .
Learn more about him at www.alexchediak.com or follow him on Twitter ( @ chediak ) .
Mrs. Marni Chediak is a graduate of Stanford University .
Before becoming a mom , she worked in various management positions for AT & T and General Mills .
She has been homeschooling her three children in Southern California for the past nine years .
She is currently a Challenge director in her local Classical Conversations community .

The virus isn’t just destroying lung cells. It’s tearing our country apart.
Many freedom lovers want everything open again, no masks, no precautions. After all, the government is overreaching and trampling on constitutionally protected liberties, like the right to assemble and the right to expression of religion. The coronavirus is a conspiracy. The diagnosis and deaths counts are inflated. Unemployment is at Great Depression-era levels. The cure is worse than the disease. We must return to life as normal!
Many safety lovers want us to shelter in place until we have a vaccine, or zero deaths for 2 weeks, or a well-vetted treatment. After all, the disease is very serious. Cases are still rising. Reopening now would invite disaster. In the meantime, the government will take care of us with unemployment benefits and reoccurring stimulus payments. If continued lockdowns mean closed beaches, no car parades, arresting salon owners, so be it. Lives are more important than profit!
Both sides have valid points. The lockdown has come at a very high price. And the disease is serious.
Is There a Third Way?
But there is another way. We can re-open our society and economy, and still protect the vulnerable. We can re-open the economy, without (yet) returning to life as normal. We can social distance, do curbside pick-ups, and schedule multiple, modified church services, each with fewer people.
Masks are a pain. Maybe they’re not a silver bullet. Maybe we can’t agree that they have value. But is there more to think about than our own personal comfort, or even our rights?
But the CDC Told Us Not to Wear Masks!
The CDC originally said the general public should not wear them, but now they recommend we wear them in public, as a part of social distancing. The flip-flopping and unclear messaging damaged trust. But studies, recent ones, show that masks are helpful. Yes, sick people should stay home. And no, masks are not 100% effective. But because the virus can be caught from asymptomatic carriers, the masks can at least slow the speed and limit the distance that virus particles spread.
But Wearing a Mask Infringes on My Civil Liberties!
You’ve probably come across this logic: “Wearing a mask is hot. It makes it harder to breathe. The straps cause irritation behind the ears. It’s my body. The government can’t make me wear a mask! Anyone who thinks they have to wear a mask is a sheep, thoughtlessly yielding to unconstitutional government overreach.”
We have the promise of liberty in the Declaration of Independence and our government is limited by the Constitution. There’s a time to fight for these rights. But Rod Dreher is right when he tells us to get a grip. Mask-wearing is nowhere close to slavery, the struggle for civil rights, or swastikas spray-painted on a synagogue. Inconvenience to protect our neighbors, or at least make them comfortable, is not a cowardly surrender.
The Purpose of Freedom — for Christians
Jesus promised us freedom (John 8:36). But to what end? Is our freedom the right to do whatever we want, whenever we want? Jesus frees us from the power of sin. He frees us to be in relationship with Him, to become the men and women He created us to be. We’re not free to pursue selfishness (Galatians 5:13).
But isn’t there a line? If we give in when it comes to masks, what about when vaccines are mandatory? Or when something more invasive is required?
There is a line, but it’s not here. It’s not masks, a mild irritant. When the government says the convention center can open but not the church, then we respectfully disobey. But if our God-ordained government is not asking us to sin, we should obey.
Serving the Greater Good
A friend recently compared mask-wearing to the Chinese complying with the one-child policy. The Chinese government was concerned about mass starvation if the population kept growing. It asked citizens to limit their family size “for the greater good.” Eventually, the Chinese people tragically submitted to sterilization and abortions. Complying with such a policy is not comparable to the inconvenience of wearing a mask to protect others. This is a logical fallacy, a weak analogy, comparing two situations that are not closely related.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
God has called us, as Christians, to show His love during this pandemic. We are not called to cling to our rights. We’re called to look beyond ourselves — to be ambassadors for Christ in a suffering, fearful world. What will do more to win an audience for the saving message of Christ? Appealing to our rights, or accounting for the public health concerns of others?
We are to look out not only for our own interests, but also to the interests of others. Wearing masks offers protection to others if we are asymptomatic carriers. It will bless others who are fearful of contracting the virus. Social distancing, handwashing, and mask-wearing are small prices to pay for the sake of others.
So Wear a Mask. So We Can Heal the Division. So We Can Move Forward.
A large percentage of our country is desperately fearful of this virus. Those of us who want to see our economy and rights restored would be wise to consider our fellow Americans. God calls us to love not only our neighbors but our enemies, to act out of consideration of others. Most conservatives want these restrictive health orders to be lifted. Strategically, we will be far more persuasive if we can say and show by our actions, “We’re in this together. We get it. We will comply with public health guidelines and wear masks. Let’s get our economy going.” You may not want to wear a mask. But mask-wearing is for others. Sacrificing your comfort and personal preferences is not being a sheep. It’s loving our neighbors as Christ commanded.
Dr. Alex Chediak (Ph.D., U.C. Berkeley) is a professor and the author of Thriving at College (Tyndale House, 2011), a roadmap for how students can best navigate the challenges of their college years. His latest book is Beating the College Debt Trap. Learn more about him at www.alexchediak.com or follow him on Twitter (@chediak).
Mrs. Marni Chediak is a graduate of Stanford University. Before becoming a mom, she worked in various management positions for AT&T and General Mills. She has been homeschooling her three children in Southern California for the past nine years. She is currently a Challenge director in her local Classical Conversations community.


AWAKEN NOW!

The only hope we have for peace , security and the divine enabling necessary to share Christ with a world in darkness is to experience another great spiritual awakening .
Christ will come for a bride filled with His love , compassion , righteousness and holy boldness .
Paul said , “ You shall love your neighbor as yourself… which is the fulfillment of the law… and knowing the time that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep ; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed .
The night is almost gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light ” ( Romans 13:9-12 ) .
This is not only a challenge , it is a command and it is to be obeyed right now !
Several years ago I shared a message God burned into my heart .
I titled it , We Have a Choice : Humility or Humiliation .
What I shared is truth .
We will either bow before God , or be broken before God .
We will come to Him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the nation , or we will witness humiliation .
In the word that I shared calling for repentance and a return to God , I pointed out the fact that terrorists under demonic control targeted something representing our economic system and prosperity and it was not incidental .
In light of the economic challenges we face today , two paragraphs in my message jump out from pages 6-7 : “ Many have made such an idol of economic gain and material possessions , I am not certain brokenness will come apart from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of treasured possessions .
Selfish indulgences , revealed through sexual excesses and perversion , are promoted and defended as perfectly acceptable and normal .
This attitude must be changed from within , and its effect will be visibly manifested in the lives and practices of our general population… We must have God ’ s power and protection in order to miss our enemies ’ plans for us .
Without this divine miracle , unparalleled , indescribable devastation is coming to our shores – truly “ the sum of all fears.
” This remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have reached a point in America where the collapse of our economic systems may not come from the actions of an outside enemy .
There is a very real enemy within our midst .
It is an insidious worldview that blames the possibility of productivity and prosperity as the problem , rather than recognizing the idolatrous heart of many who have been given responsibility for the stewardship and oversight of the free market and the fertile field of opportunity .
Jesus taught all who follow Him to pray , “ Thy kingdom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earth ( in us and through us ) as it is in heaven.
” This means there is the very real possibility of being the light that dispels the darkness and reveals the correct approach to best solve every problem and challenge we face including the realm of economics .
Many of our nation ’ s leaders are groping in darkness .
Jesus proclaims clearly that He is the light of the world and that we have been left here as light and salt , and are to join together in heart harmony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another to become a light revealed as distinctly as a city set on a hill .
If He told us to pray that His will would be done now , that means it ’ s possible .
We can storm the gates of hell and overcome !
He sends us as sheep in the midst of wolves , but not to be slaughtered .
We are to be sheep walking and living in the shadow of the Almighty , the shelter of His wings and with the Great Shepherd guiding and illuminating our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a table before us in the presence of our enemies .
He will calm the troubled water and lead us in green pastures .
As children of light we must diligently seek to lead our confused nation and the world out of darkness .
God is not opposed to the possibilities and opportunities set before us , or the prosperity that enables us to freely bless those in need .
Every Christian should be concerned about social ills and personal need .
The compassion connection , however , must be established .
Social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every Christian and every caring person on this planet .
We are , too often , targeting the wrong enemy !
Selfishness , greed , fear and indifference ( to name only a few ) are the real enemies of the life and godliness available to those who will humble themselves before the Almighty .
The way to discover the necessary course correction for our Titanic ship of state is to fall before God in brokenness and humility .
Let me share other points from the message , “ We Have a Choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t want us to get what we deserve .
I cry out for mercy for me , my family members , friends and everyone – even those who chose to be our enemies .
I don ’ t want anyone to perish but all to repent , just as the Bible emphasizes .
This is the very desire of God ’ s heart .
A change of heart and direction must take place in this nation .
Brokenness will lead to true character , determination , self-sacrifice and a sincere desire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , regardless of the cost or sacrifice .
The line distinguishing good from evil must become as distinct as the difference in light and darkness… I pray for a change of heart and direction , for true repentance to occur until our nation receives the truth of God , begins to live with the character , strength and faith that made America great in the first place , and allows selfless love to prevail rather than selfish indulgence .
I am convinced brokenness will come .
Count on it .
The Bible says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; its power can break our stubborn will .
His Word is a fire ; it can purify us .
His Word is water ; it can cleanse .
The choice is ours : Choose life or choose the way that seems right to men and women – the fruit of which is death… At the present time , there is no doubt we have many enemies plotting our demise , but as Abraham Lincoln pointed out , the fall does not have to come at the hand of any enemy across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destruction be our lot , we our self will be its author and finisher.
” Many are in the process of making very foolish decisions that will affect those yet to be born .
God , bring us to our knees and lead us back to sanity and truth .
We must come to understand , “ Prosperity must be defined as life itself , rather than life ’ s possessions.
” People must choose whom they will serve .
We can eat the fruit of our own rebellious ways , or receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God offers .
The Right Fight … The Right Way … The Right Place … The Right Time Only right relationships with God will produce the necessary resolve to fight the right fight the right way in the right place at the right time .
It is only through commitment to godly principles that we will have the character to make the sacrifices necessary to protect and preserve the truly priceless aspects of life .
No political leader or party can be seen as our hope and security apart from the guidance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tony Evans say , “ Hope does not arrive in any city on Air Force One.
” I do believe , however , God has used President Trump the last three-and-a-half years to make very positive course corrections .
I am praying he and other elected representatives will receive and follow the wisdom God freely offers .
After four years of personal conversation and prayer with President Trump , I am convinced he wants to hear and heed God ’ s wisdom .
Our hope and trust must be in the Lord !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ guided by God to return to time-tested , proven principles in complete harmony with the Word of God and the Judeo-Christian ethic .
Families will be once again defined properly – husband , wife and children .
All innocent life , in the womb and after birth , will be considered precious and worthy of protection .
Our freedom will not only be diligently protected , but its benefits and blessings freely shared .
While enjoying the privileges true prosperity affords us , we will cherish the responsibility and joy of sharing what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be manipulated or motivated by greed , but moved by compassion and unselfish love .
I am praying for this day .
If we fall before God in brokenness and humility , He is anxious to lift us up and establish our lives and future on the unshakable rock of His truth – truly His Kingdom revealed on earth through the family of faith .
James Robison is The Stream ’ s founder and publisher .
He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host of LIFE Today .
He ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indivisible ( with Jay Richards ) and Living Amazed .

The only hope we have for peace, security and the divine enabling necessary to share Christ with a world in darkness is to experience another great spiritual awakening. Christ will come for a bride filled with His love, compassion, righteousness and holy boldness. Paul said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself… which is the fulfillment of the law… and knowing the time that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:9-12). This is not only a challenge, it is a command and it is to be obeyed right now!
Several years ago I shared a message God burned into my heart. I titled it, We Have a Choice: Humility or Humiliation. What I shared is truth. We will either bow before God, or be broken before God. We will come to Him in humility as individuals, the church and the nation, or we will witness humiliation.
An Attitude of Brokenness
In the word that I shared calling for repentance and a return to God, I pointed out the fact that terrorists under demonic control targeted something representing our economic system and prosperity and it was not incidental. In light of the economic challenges we face today, two paragraphs in my message jump out from pages 6-7:
“Many have made such an idol of economic gain and material possessions, I am not certain brokenness will come apart from the collapse of our economy and loss of treasured possessions. Selfish indulgences, revealed through sexual excesses and perversion, are promoted and defended as perfectly acceptable and normal. This attitude must be changed from within, and its effect will be visibly manifested in the lives and practices of our general population… We must have God’s power and protection in order to miss our enemies’ plans for us. Without this divine miracle, unparalleled, indescribable devastation is coming to our shores – truly “the sum of all fears.”
This remains a word for this present moment. We have reached a point in America where the collapse of our economic systems may not come from the actions of an outside enemy. There is a very real enemy within our midst. It is an insidious worldview that blames the possibility of productivity and prosperity as the problem, rather than recognizing the idolatrous heart of many who have been given responsibility for the stewardship and oversight of the free market and the fertile field of opportunity. Jesus taught all who follow Him to pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth (in us and through us) as it is in heaven.” This means there is the very real possibility of being the light that dispels the darkness and reveals the correct approach to best solve every problem and challenge we face including the realm of economics.
Light Dispels Darkness
Many of our nation’s leaders are groping in darkness. Jesus proclaims clearly that He is the light of the world and that we have been left here as light and salt, and are to join together in heart harmony with God and holy unity with one another to become a light revealed as distinctly as a city set on a hill. If He told us to pray that His will would be done now, that means it’s possible. We can storm the gates of hell and overcome!
He sends us as sheep in the midst of wolves, but not to be slaughtered. We are to be sheep walking and living in the shadow of the Almighty, the shelter of His wings and with the Great Shepherd guiding and illuminating our path. He says He will prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies. He will calm the troubled water and lead us in green pastures. As children of light we must diligently seek to lead our confused nation and the world out of darkness.
God is not opposed to the possibilities and opportunities set before us, or the prosperity that enables us to freely bless those in need. Every Christian should be concerned about social ills and personal need. The compassion connection, however, must be established. Social concerns should be the legitimate concern of every Christian and every caring person on this planet. We are, too often, targeting the wrong enemy! Selfishness, greed, fear and indifference (to name only a few) are the real enemies of the life and godliness available to those who will humble themselves before the Almighty.
A Necessary Course Correction
The way to discover the necessary course correction for our Titanic ship of state is to fall before God in brokenness and humility. Let me share other points from the message, “We Have a Choice: Humility or Humiliation”:
I don’t want us to get what we deserve. I cry out for mercy for me, my family members, friends and everyone – even those who chose to be our enemies. I don’t want anyone to perish but all to repent, just as the Bible emphasizes. This is the very desire of God’s heart. A change of heart and direction must take place in this nation. Brokenness will lead to true character, determination, self-sacrifice and a sincere desire to know and do what is right, regardless of the cost or sacrifice. The line distinguishing good from evil must become as distinct as the difference in light and darkness… I pray for a change of heart and direction, for true repentance to occur until our nation receives the truth of God, begins to live with the character, strength and faith that made America great in the first place, and allows selfless love to prevail rather than selfish indulgence. I am convinced brokenness will come. Count on it. The Bible says God’s Word is a hammer; its power can break our stubborn will. His Word is a fire; it can purify us. His Word is water; it can cleanse. The choice is ours: Choose life or choose the way that seems right to men and women – the fruit of which is death…
At the present time, there is no doubt we have many enemies plotting our demise, but as Abraham Lincoln pointed out, the fall does not have to come at the hand of any enemy across the ocean. He stated, “If destruction be our lot, we our self will be its author and finisher.”
Many are in the process of making very foolish decisions that will affect those yet to be born. God, bring us to our knees and lead us back to sanity and truth. We must come to understand, “Prosperity must be defined as life itself, rather than life’s possessions.” People must choose whom they will serve. We can eat the fruit of our own rebellious ways, or receive the liberating truth and life-changing love that God offers.
The Right Fight … The Right Way … The Right Place … The Right Time
Only right relationships with God will produce the necessary resolve to fight the right fight the right way in the right place at the right time. It is only through commitment to godly principles that we will have the character to make the sacrifices necessary to protect and preserve the truly priceless aspects of life. No political leader or party can be seen as our hope and security apart from the guidance of Divine Providence. As I heard Dr. Tony Evans say, “Hope does not arrive in any city on Air Force One.” I do believe, however, God has used President Trump the last three-and-a-half years to make very positive course corrections. I am praying he and other elected representatives will receive and follow the wisdom God freely offers. After four years of personal conversation and prayer with President Trump, I am convinced he wants to hear and heed God’s wisdom. Our hope and trust must be in the Lord!
If we repent, we will be guided by God to return to time-tested, proven principles in complete harmony with the Word of God and the Judeo-Christian ethic. Families will be once again defined properly – husband, wife and children. All innocent life, in the womb and after birth, will be considered precious and worthy of protection.
Our Freedom Protected — His Kingdom Revealed
Our freedom will not only be diligently protected, but its benefits and blessings freely shared. While enjoying the privileges true prosperity affords us, we will cherish the responsibility and joy of sharing what we have with others. We will not be manipulated or motivated by greed, but moved by compassion and unselfish love. I am praying for this day.
If we fall before God in brokenness and humility, He is anxious to lift us up and establish our lives and future on the unshakable rock of His truth – truly His Kingdom revealed on earth through the family of faith.
James Robison is The Stream’s founder and publisher. He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host of LIFE Today. He’s the author of many books, including Indivisible (with Jay Richards) and Living Amazed.


thestream--2020-05-13--Truth, Not Politics, is at the Root of the Left-Right Divide

Three years ago , I wrote a column explaining left-right differences on 35 different subjects .
Any one or two of them would make for a major political/cultural divide .
Thirty-five make the divide unbridgeable .
As the thesis itself is not really debatable , what is more difficult to explain are the roots of this divide .
I believe it is commitment to truth .
Truth is Not a Left-Wing Value Since I began studying the left as a graduate student of communism at the Russian Institute of the Columbia School of International Affairs , of one thing I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left-wing value .
It is a liberal value , and it is a conservative value , but truth has never been a left-wing value .
From Lenin to today ’ s left , lying , especially about opponents , is morally acceptable as long as it serves the left ’ s goals of defeating opponents and attaining more power .
Once you realize this , the divide becomes explicable .
Why has YouTube taken down the video of two emergency room physicians who argue that the lockdown may not be called for ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ opponents ; it shuts them down .
And that is because it has no interest in truth .
That ’ s why the left is pressuring YouTube and Facebook to prohibit anything the left differs with from appearing on their platforms .
Just as the Soviets labeled everything in the Western press “ imperialist propaganda , ” the left labels everything with which it differs “ misinformation.
” That is also why virtually every university does whatever it can to prevent conservatives from speaking on their campuses .
And why has The New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for what leading liberal historians have labelled its “ mendacious ” rewriting of American history , known as “ The 1619 Project ” ?
Because to The New York Times and the Pulitzer Prize committee , truth is less important than smearing America .
When it can not stifle opponents , it smears them .
Every prominent conservative or liberal opponent of the left has been smeared — which is just another way of saying “ lied about ” — as being sexist , intolerant , xenophobic , homophobic , Islamophobic , racist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , transphobic , etc .
Allow me to use an example I know well : me .
An Example I Know Well In the span of just this past year , I have written about Newsweek ’ s lie claiming I “ mocked ” Anne Frank .
To Newsweek ’ s credit , they revised the column and published a corrected headline .
Then I wrote about Purdue University ’ s “ vice provost of diversity and inclusion , ” who told a Purdue newspaper that I said in a speech I gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad.
” I sent this person a recording of my speech proving I never said anything remotely like what he charged .
After many of my listeners and readers protested to the vice provost and to Purdue ’ s president , the vice provost wrote me a private letter saying he was sorry if he “ misunderstood ” me .
His charge was public , but his apology was private .
This past week , as pure a lie as the previous two was manufactured by Media Matters — a left-wing organization whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and then picked up by various media .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
This is what I said — word for word — on my radio show : “ How many names have blacks gone through in my lifetime ?
‘ Colored , ’ ‘ Negro , ’ ‘ African American , ’ ‘ black.
’ That ’ s four different titles for the same human being .
What was wrong with ‘ Negro ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ?
There ’ s no problem with any of them .
Do you know that the NAACP is still the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ?
And then ‘ African American ’ — that changed , too .
Does it have a dash or hyphen , or not ?
I don ’ t remember what was connoted by having a hyphen or not.
” And the allegation was dutifully picked up by the New York Daily News , which headlined : “ Conservative Talk-Radio Host Dennis Prager Bemoans Loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” And by the Daily Mail , which headlined : “ Conservative Talk-Radio Host Dennis Prager , 71 , Bemoans the Loss of Racial Slurs in Society to Describe Black People.
” The article , by Daily Mail writer James Gordon , a Media Matters follower ( he actually appended a link to Media Matters at the end of his column ) , claimed : “ Prager … used his show to bemoan society no longer using racist language coined during eras of slavery and segregation.
” A Lie Out of Whole Cloth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Not one of those titles for blacks is racist .
Therefore , I could not possibly “ bemoan ” the fact that society no longer uses these words .
The term Martin Luther King Jr. , every other black leader and every nonblack anti-racist through the 1960s used to described black people was “ Negro.
” There is , to this day , a major black organization called the United Negro College Fund .
A variant of the term “ colored ” is regularly used by liberals to this day — “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonwhites .
“ Black ” is used by everyone , including most blacks — except liberals afraid of not using “ African American.
” And “ African American ” is not only not a “ racist slur , ” but it is also the contemporary left ’ s preferred term for blacks .
Media Matters created a lie out of whole cloth about me .
And those who rely on Media Matters — such as James Gordon at the Daily Mail and Nancy Dillon at the Daily News — repeated it , word @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to come on my radio show to defend the accuracy of their articles .
Given how many people read or watch left-wing reports and study under left-wing teachers , the world would be a much finer place if the left valued truth .
For the record , my view on race is taken from Viktor Frankl .
There are only two races : the decent and the indecent .
If you wish to send either or both of these writers this column and/or your own thoughts , I can only tell you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Newsweek and Purdue was immensely helpful .
We need to fight back .
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 , ” came to theaters fall 2019 .
He is the founder of Prager University and may be contacted at dennisprager.com .

Three years ago, I wrote a column explaining left-right differences on 35 different subjects. Any one or two of them would make for a major political/cultural divide. Thirty-five make the divide unbridgeable.
As the thesis itself is not really debatable, what is more difficult to explain are the roots of this divide.
I believe it is commitment to truth.
Truth is Not a Left-Wing Value
Since I began studying the left as a graduate student of communism at the Russian Institute of the Columbia School of International Affairs, of one thing I was certain: Truth is not a left-wing value. It is a liberal value, and it is a conservative value, but truth has never been a left-wing value. From Lenin to today’s left, lying, especially about opponents, is morally acceptable as long as it serves the left’s goals of defeating opponents and attaining more power.
Once you realize this, the divide becomes explicable.
Why has YouTube taken down the video of two emergency room physicians who argue that the lockdown may not be called for? Because the left does not argue with opponents; it shuts them down. And that is because it has no interest in truth. That’s why the left is pressuring YouTube and Facebook to prohibit anything the left differs with from appearing on their platforms. Just as the Soviets labeled everything in the Western press “imperialist propaganda,” the left labels everything with which it differs “misinformation.”
That is also why virtually every university does whatever it can to prevent conservatives from speaking on their campuses.
And why has The New York Times just received a Pulitzer Prize for what leading liberal historians have labelled its “mendacious” rewriting of American history, known as “The 1619 Project”? Because to The New York Times and the Pulitzer Prize committee, truth is less important than smearing America.
When it cannot stifle opponents, it smears them. Every prominent conservative or liberal opponent of the left has been smeared — which is just another way of saying “lied about” — as being sexist, intolerant, xenophobic, homophobic, Islamophobic, racist, bigoted, misogynistic, white supremacist, transphobic, etc.
Allow me to use an example I know well: me.
An Example I Know Well
In the span of just this past year, I have written about Newsweek’s lie claiming I “mocked” Anne Frank. To Newsweek’s credit, they revised the column and published a corrected headline. Then I wrote about Purdue University’s “vice provost of diversity and inclusion,” who told a Purdue newspaper that I said in a speech I gave at Purdue, “Slavery was not bad.” I sent this person a recording of my speech proving I never said anything remotely like what he charged. After many of my listeners and readers protested to the vice provost and to Purdue’s president, the vice provost wrote me a private letter saying he was sorry if he “misunderstood” me. His charge was public, but his apology was private.
This past week, as pure a lie as the previous two was manufactured by Media Matters — a left-wing organization whose sole purpose is lying and smearing conservatives — and then picked up by various media.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
This is what I said — word for word — on my radio show:
“How many names have blacks gone through in my lifetime? ‘Colored,’ ‘Negro,’ ‘African American,’ ‘black.’ That’s four different titles for the same human being. What was wrong with ‘Negro’? What was wrong with ‘colored’? There’s no problem with any of them. Do you know that the NAACP is still the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People? And then ‘African American’ — that changed, too. Does it have a dash or hyphen, or not? I don’t remember what was connoted by having a hyphen or not.”
Media Matters declared the comments “racist.”
And the allegation was dutifully picked up by the New York Daily News, which headlined: “Conservative Talk-Radio Host Dennis Prager Bemoans Loss of Racial Slurs, Gets History Lesson.”
And by the Daily Mail, which headlined: “Conservative Talk-Radio Host Dennis Prager, 71, Bemoans the Loss of Racial Slurs in Society to Describe Black People.”
The article, by Daily Mail writer James Gordon, a Media Matters follower (he actually appended a link to Media Matters at the end of his column), claimed:
“Prager … used his show to bemoan society no longer using racist language coined during eras of slavery and segregation.”
A Lie Out of Whole Cloth
Everything about these articles is a lie.
Not one of those titles for blacks is racist. Therefore, I could not possibly “bemoan” the fact that society no longer uses these words.
The term Martin Luther King Jr., every other black leader and every nonblack anti-racist through the 1960s used to described black people was “Negro.” There is, to this day, a major black organization called the United Negro College Fund.
A variant of the term “colored” is regularly used by liberals to this day — “people of color” — to describe nonwhites.
“Black” is used by everyone, including most blacks — except liberals afraid of not using “African American.”
And “African American” is not only not a “racist slur,” but it is also the contemporary left’s preferred term for blacks.
Media Matters created a lie out of whole cloth about me. And those who rely on Media Matters — such as James Gordon at the Daily Mail and Nancy Dillon at the Daily News — repeated it, word for word. I invite both of them to come on my radio show to defend the accuracy of their articles.
Given how many people read or watch left-wing reports and study under left-wing teachers, the world would be a much finer place if the left valued truth.
For the record, my view on race is taken from Viktor Frankl. There are only two races: the decent and the indecent.
If you wish to send either or both of these writers this column and/or your own thoughts, I can only tell you that your doing so in the cases of Newsweek and Purdue was immensely helpful. We need to fight back.
Nancy Dillon: [email protected]; twitter.com/NancyDillonNYDN.
Daily Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/contactus/article-3701145/Factual-Inaccuracies.html.
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,” came to theaters fall 2019. He is the founder of Prager University and may be contacted at dennisprager.com.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM


thestream--2020-05-13--Biden, Comey, Brennan Submitted Flynn ‘Unmasking’ Requests

Former Vice President Joe Biden and the directors of the three main U.S. intelligence agencies submitted so-called “ unmasking ” requests for information about Michael Flynn contained in highly classified intelligence reports , according to documents released Wednesday .
The documents show that an unmasking request was made in Biden ’ s name on Jan. 12 , 2017 .
Similar requests were made under the names of James Comey , John Brennan and James Clapper , the former directors of the FBI , CIA and Office of the Director of National Intelligence , respectively .
Sens .
Chuck Grassley and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Richard Grenell , the acting director of national intelligence , declassified the list of names last Thursday , and provided them to the senators this week .
It is not clear whether Biden or the other intelligence chiefs saw the documents related to Flynn .
The document released on Wednesday said that the unmasking requests were made under 16 different government officials ’ names .
“ Below is a list of recipients who may have received Lt. Gen Flynn ’ s identity in response to a request processed between 8 November 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identity that had been generically referred to in an NSA foreign intelligence report , ” the document stated .
“ While the principals are identified below , we can not confirm they saw the unmasked information.
” Flynn spoke by phone on Dec. 29 , 2016 , with Kislyak .
Days after the call , FBI and Justice Department officials began discussing whether Flynn violated the Logan Act , an obscure law that prohibits American citizens from negotiating with foreign governments regarding U.S. government policy .
Unmasking describes the process where high-level U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American citizens mentioned in classified transcripts of communications involving foreigners .
It is not illegal to make unmasking requests .
But the Flynn case is unique because the mentions of him in the classified transcripts was leaked to the media .
David Ignatius , a Washington Post columnist , mentioned the call and the possible Logan Act violation in a Jan. 12 , 2017 , column .
WaPo ’ s source has still not been identified .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Department filed a motion to drop the case against Flynn May 7 for making false statements to the FBI regarding his conversations with Kislyak .
Flynn pleaded guilty on Dec. 1 , 2017 , to the false statements charge .
The Justice Department filed its motion to drop charges against Flynn citing new FBI documents discovered in the case .
Grenell , who also serves as ambassador to Germany , took the list of names to the Justice Department last week asking for the information to be released to the public .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to declassify and release documents related to the FBI ’ s investigation of Trump associates .
He was involved in the process of declassifying footnotes from a Justice Department inspector general ’ s report on the investigation .
Those footnotes showed that the FBI received evidence in 2017 that Russian intelligence operatives might have fed disinformation to Christopher Steele , the author of a dossier that accused the Trump campaign of conspiring with the Kremlin .
Grenell also recently pressured House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff to release 53 transcripts of interviews that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own Russia probe .
The transcripts showed that Obama officials such as James Clapper , Susan Rice and Ben Rhodes had not seen evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia by the time they left office .

Former Vice President Joe Biden and the directors of the three main U.S. intelligence agencies submitted so-called “unmasking” requests for information about Michael Flynn contained in highly classified intelligence reports, according to documents released Wednesday.
The documents show that an unmasking request was made in Biden’s name on Jan. 12, 2017. Similar requests were made under the names of James Comey, John Brennan and James Clapper, the former directors of the FBI, CIA and Office of the Director of National Intelligence, respectively.
Sens. Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson released the list on Wednesday. Richard Grenell, the acting director of national intelligence, declassified the list of names last Thursday, and provided them to the senators this week.
It is not clear whether Biden or the other intelligence chiefs saw the documents related to Flynn. The document released on Wednesday said that the unmasking requests were made under 16 different government officials’ names.
“Below is a list of recipients who may have received Lt. Gen Flynn’s identity in response to a request processed between 8 November 2016 and 31 January 2017 to unmask an identity that had been generically referred to in an NSA foreign intelligence report,” the document stated.
“While the principals are identified below, we cannot confirm they saw the unmasked information.”
Flynn spoke by phone on Dec. 29, 2016, with Kislyak.
Days after the call, FBI and Justice Department officials began discussing whether Flynn violated the Logan Act, an obscure law that prohibits American citizens from negotiating with foreign governments regarding U.S. government policy.
Unmasking describes the process where high-level U.S. government officials request to see information regarding American citizens mentioned in classified transcripts of communications involving foreigners. It is not illegal to make unmasking requests. But the Flynn case is unique because the mentions of him in the classified transcripts was leaked to the media.
David Ignatius, a Washington Post columnist, mentioned the call and the possible Logan Act violation in a Jan. 12, 2017, column.
WaPo’s source has still not been identified.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The Justice Department filed a motion to drop the case against Flynn May 7 for making false statements to the FBI regarding his conversations with Kislyak.
Flynn pleaded guilty on Dec. 1, 2017, to the false statements charge.
The Justice Department filed its motion to drop charges against Flynn citing new FBI documents discovered in the case.
Grenell, who also serves as ambassador to Germany, took the list of names to the Justice Department last week asking for the information to be released to the public. Grenell has been behind a recent push to declassify and release documents related to the FBI’s investigation of Trump associates.
He was involved in the process of declassifying footnotes from a Justice Department inspector general’s report on the investigation. Those footnotes showed that the FBI received evidence in 2017 that Russian intelligence operatives might have fed disinformation to Christopher Steele, the author of a dossier that accused the Trump campaign of conspiring with the Kremlin.
Grenell also recently pressured House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff to release 53 transcripts of interviews that the committee conducted as part of its own Russia probe. The transcripts showed that Obama officials such as James Clapper, Susan Rice and Ben Rhodes had not seen evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia by the time they left office.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-05-13--‘False Dichotomy’: Tim Scott Says ‘Goalposts’ for Flattening the Curve Keep Moving

Republican South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott said at Tuesday ’ s Senate hearing that while America has done a “ pretty good job ” of flattening the curve of the coronavirus outbreak , the “ goalposts ” for moving beyond lockdowns have kept moving .
Adverse effects of continued lockdowns are being ignored , Scott said .
The senator added that “ when we set out to flatten the curve by taking aggressive , unprecedented measures like staying-at-home orders and mass small business closures , we didn ’ t set out with the goal of preventing 100 % of fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is impossible.
” “ And we didn ’ t set out to keep quarantines in place until we found a safe and effective vaccine .
That would take too long , ” he said .
The “ whole point ” of flattening the curve “ was to make sure that we did not exceed hospital capacity .
So , while I respect the need for caution , we are too often presented with a false dichotomy — either saving our economy or saving lives , ” Scott continued .
Please Support The Stream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
“ We ’ ve seen the goalposts around flattening the curve move , and I think that ’ s unfortunate , because at the same time we ’ re doing that , businesses have collapsed , mental and physical health have declined , depths of despair escalate , educational outcomes nosedive , as we wait in our living rooms praying for some good news around therapies and around vaccines , ” Scott added .
“ We set out to flatten the curve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done a pretty good job of that.
” 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 .

Republican South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott said at Tuesday’s Senate hearing that while America has done a “pretty good job” of flattening the curve of the coronavirus outbreak, the “goalposts” for moving beyond lockdowns have kept moving.
Adverse effects of continued lockdowns are being ignored, Scott said.
The senator added that “when we set out to flatten the curve by taking aggressive, unprecedented measures like staying-at-home orders and mass small business closures, we didn’t set out with the goal of preventing 100% of fatalities. That would be unrealistic. It is impossible.”
“And we didn’t set out to keep quarantines in place until we found a safe and effective vaccine. That would take too long,” he said.
The “whole point” of flattening the curve “was to make sure that we did not exceed hospital capacity. So, while I respect the need for caution, we are too often presented with a false dichotomy — either saving our economy or saving lives,” Scott continued.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“We’ve seen the goalposts around flattening the curve move, and I think that’s unfortunate, because at the same time we’re doing that, businesses have collapsed, mental and physical health have declined, depths of despair escalate, educational outcomes nosedive, as we wait in our living rooms praying for some good news around therapies and around vaccines,” Scott added.
“We set out to flatten the curve, and I think we’ve done a pretty good job of that.”
WATCH:
MUST WATCH VIDEO FROM @SenatorTimScott: "We've set out to flatten the curve and I think we've done a pretty good job of that."pic.twitter.com/dTGaOAG5xK — Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) May 12, 2020
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].