thestream--2020-08-06--The Hypersexualization of Children in Dance and Today’s Culture: What Parents Should Know

“ I think it hurts me because it hurts Jesus , ” Mary Bawden told The Stream .
For years , she ’ s watched the culture becoming increasingly ambivalent toward the “ hypersexualization ” of children .
Mary has a degree in modern dance and has taught dance .
Fifteen years ago , a fellow church member invited her to a dance concert .
She was shocked .
“ I was just jolted by almost every number being hypersexualized and a lot of hooting and hollering.
” She ’ d never seen anything quite like that , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a personal preference and she just didn ’ t like it .
The next year was worse .
Then she began seeing a trend spread through the dance world .
“ I begin to see the same thing in the June dance recitals of high school students that were in the dance program I directed at our church .
And then I began seeing the same hypersexualized dances in the junior high age group .
And then I began to see the same hypersexualized dances in the elementary age range.
” She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her eyes opened to this downward cultural trend and she decided to do something about it .
She founded DA : NCE .
The name stands for “ Dance Awareness : No Child Exploited.
” The group provides parents with research-based resources .
These include an e-book on sexualization and videos that explain the difference between healthy and harmful dance , as well as a newsletter .
All the resources are free .
“ Hypersexualization of girls can refer to girls being depicted or treated as sexual objects , ” Canadian Women ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It also means sexuality that is inappropriately imposed on girls through media , marketing or products directed at them that encourages them to act in adult sexual ways.
” Mary was seeing hypersexualization in dance through costumes , choreography and music .
But children are being hypersexualized in other ways , too , through what they see on television and the internet .
It ’ s a public health issue , says Mary .
She ’ s not the only one who thinks so .
“ Actually the experts are calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like tobacco , much like when there were no safety belts in cars — [ a ] public health issue to get safety belts on kids and adults .
And so , the outgrowth of all of this is really … harming our culture.
” It ’ s harming the kids , especially .
Children who are hypersexualized have codependency issues and eating disorders and they have a higher risk of porn use because they ’ re seeing it all the time , said Mary , referencing an APA study .
“ And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unhealthy culture online .
They have a lower academic outcome .
They tend to be more promiscuous .
They tend to be objectified .
We turn little girls into women that are objectified.
” They also have a higher risk of teen pregnancy .
The culture doesn ’ t just affect girls , Mary said .
“ The girls are often hypersexualized .
Boys are often hypermasculinized.
” How Does This Happen ?
“ We pornified the culture , ” Mary said .
“ That ’ s what experts are calling it — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ You can ’ t keep your child from it .
What has happened with the advent of the internet and the mobile phone has opened up Pandora ’ s box for evil.
” Kids are seeing “ adult ” content everywhere — on their smartphones and computers .
We ’ re living in an age of “ unconsciousness , where people kind of seem not to be aware.
” People are busy , but the media “ normalizes things that are not normal .
Everybody ’ s kind of accepting it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” What ’ s not normal is now the normal thing .
“ And the healthy thing is the one that ’ s not normal.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The pornified culture has now trended toward “ corporate pedophilia.
” She explains that “ Lots of kids don ’ t have the ability to identify sexual abuse.
” The culture has normalized sexualization and that keeps children from knowing what ’ s being done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of parents think the sexualized dances are cute .
“ They think it ’ s just darling to see their kids in adult costumes , choreography , and music.
” She believes education on the issue can change their minds .
What Can Parents Do ?
We must realize that children aren ’ t sexual commodities , says Mary .
Parents must first name the problem and be aware enough to identify it .
“ They are the protective factors … and they can make a healthy choice for their child.
” Parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the harmful effects of hypersexualization .
We ’ re all “ blindsided ” by hypersexualization , said Mary .
“ I think it hurts me because it hurts Jesus .
I think He ’ s heartbroken over this and He needs His people to speak out .
Nothing will change unless we speak out.
” Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream .
You can follow her @ NancyFlory3 , and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

“I think it hurts me because it hurts Jesus,” Mary Bawden told The Stream. For years, she’s watched the culture becoming increasingly ambivalent toward the “hypersexualization” of children.
Mary has a degree in modern dance and has taught dance. Fifteen years ago, a fellow church member invited her to a dance concert. She was shocked. “I was just jolted by almost every number being hypersexualized and a lot of hooting and hollering.” She’d never seen anything quite like that, but the dancers were over 18. Maybe it was a personal preference and she just didn’t like it.
The next year was worse. Then she began seeing a trend spread through the dance world. “I begin to see the same thing in the June dance recitals of high school students that were in the dance program I directed at our church. And then I began seeing the same hypersexualized dances in the junior high age group. And then I began to see the same hypersexualized dances in the elementary age range.” She saw them even in preschool groups.
Her eyes opened to this downward cultural trend and she decided to do something about it. She founded DA:NCE. The name stands for “Dance Awareness: No Child Exploited.” The group provides parents with research-based resources. These include an e-book on sexualization and videos that explain the difference between healthy and harmful dance, as well as a newsletter. All the resources are free.
Hypersexualization of Children
“Hypersexualization of girls can refer to girls being depicted or treated as sexual objects,” Canadian Women’s Health Network said in a statement. “It also means sexuality that is inappropriately imposed on girls through media, marketing or products directed at them that encourages them to act in adult sexual ways.”
Mary was seeing hypersexualization in dance through costumes, choreography and music. But children are being hypersexualized in other ways, too, through what they see on television and the internet. It’s a public health issue, says Mary. She’s not the only one who thinks so.
“Actually the experts are calling this a public health issue, much like tobacco, much like when there were no safety belts in cars — [a] public health issue to get safety belts on kids and adults. And so, the outgrowth of all of this is really … harming our culture.” It’s harming the kids, especially.
Children who are hypersexualized have codependency issues and eating disorders and they have a higher risk of porn use because they’re seeing it all the time, said Mary, referencing an APA study. “And so that sucks them into a really unhealthy culture online. They have a lower academic outcome. They tend to be more promiscuous. They tend to be objectified. We turn little girls into women that are objectified.” They also have a higher risk of teen pregnancy.
The culture doesn’t just affect girls, Mary said. “The girls are often hypersexualized. Boys are often hypermasculinized.”
How Does This Happen?
“We pornified the culture,” Mary said. “That’s what experts are calling it — a pornified culture. ” She added, “You can’t keep your child from it. What has happened with the advent of the internet and the mobile phone has opened up Pandora’s box for evil.” Kids are seeing “adult” content everywhere — on their smartphones and computers.
We’re living in an age of “unconsciousness, where people kind of seem not to be aware.” People are busy, but the media “normalizes things that are not normal. Everybody’s kind of accepting it and not pushing back in appropriate ways.” What’s not normal is now the normal thing. “And the healthy thing is the one that’s not normal.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The pornified culture has now trended toward “corporate pedophilia.” She explains that “Lots of kids don’t have the ability to identify sexual abuse.” The culture has normalized sexualization and that keeps children from knowing what’s being done to them.
They’re being abused, but when you’re a child and that’s all you know, and it’s normalized, you don’t even know you’re being abused. You don’t know you’re being groomed by the culture to not only have unhealthy experiences, but that’s when predators really can come in and take advantage of you.
Unfortunately, a lot of parents think the sexualized dances are cute. “They think it’s just darling to see their kids in adult costumes, choreography, and music.” She believes education on the issue can change their minds.
What Can Parents Do?
We must realize that children aren’t sexual commodities, says Mary. Parents must first name the problem and be aware enough to identify it. “They are the protective factors … and they can make a healthy choice for their child.” Parents also need to educate their children on the harmful effects of hypersexualization.
We’re all “blindsided” by hypersexualization, said Mary. “I think it hurts me because it hurts Jesus. I think He’s heartbroken over this and He needs His people to speak out. Nothing will change unless we speak out.”
Watch Experts Talk About Hypersexualization:
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-08-06--DC Mayor Let Activists Paint ‘Defund The Police,’ But Cops Arrested Pro-Lifers for Chalk Message. A

DC Mayor Let Activists Paint ‘Defund The Police,’ But Cops Arrested Pro-Lifers for Chalk Message. A First Amendment Expert Says That Smacks of ‘Viewpoint Discrimination’

Disparity in actions taken by law enforcement in the District of Columbia over Black Lives Matter demonstrations smacks of “ viewpoint discrimination , ” an attorney tells the Daily Caller News Foundation .
The DCNF spoke with a number of First Amendment experts regarding the Saturday arrest of two Students for Life of America ( SFLA ) members .
The Metropolitan Police Department ( MPD ) arrested both 29-year-old Warner DePriest and 22-year-old Erica Caporaletti early Saturday morning for chalking pro-life sentiments , including the slogan “ Black Preborn Lives Matter , ” on the road in front of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came after DC ’ s Mayor Muriel Bowser commissioned the “ Black Lives Matter ” slogan to be painted on the streets of DC earlier this summer .
The mural included the symbol of the D.C. flag — two horizontal bars topped by three stars — after which activists painted “ Defund the Police , ” making the phrase appear “ Black Lives Matter = Defund the Police.
” Bowser ’ s government removed the D.C. flag , but allowed “ Defund the Police ” to remain , The Washington Post reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CEO of the Center for American Liberty , told the DCNF that the disparity in treatment in these cases is “ obviously viewpoint discrimination.
” “ I think it ’ s going to become clear as legal proceedings , which are probably inevitable , proceed on this matter that the city and it ’ s law enforcement have violated clearly established First Amendment precedent that bars treating similarly situated circumstances of free speech differently , ” Dhillon told the DCNF .
The SFLA members were arrested in the middle of the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people were present , Students for Life spokeswoman Kristi Hamrick told the DCNF .
The students also said that they chalked these messages every week in front of the abortion clinic .
SFLA and the Frederick Douglass Foundation had sent a letter on July 20 to Mayor Muriel Bowser requesting permission to paint the words “ Black Preborn Lives Matter ” in order “ to celebrate the beautiful children with endless potential who are the future of their community and deserve the opportunity to make their mark in the world.
” SFLA said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Hamrick told the DCNF that when a SFLA member picked up this permit from MPD , she was told that painting on the streets of DC had opened a “ Pandora ’ s box.
” The member was told that MPD would not be able to prevent painting , and that SFLA should buy tempera paint that would quickly wash away .
When SFLA arrived at the scene early Saturday morning , according to Hamrick , six police cars awaited them .
MPD told them not to use the tempera paint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told them they could not use the chalk .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
MPD told the DCNF that MPD does not have “ any information to corroborate the statement that the group was told they would not be stopped from painting , ” noting that the groups had obtained a permit to assemble , but needed a permit from D.C. Department of Transportation to also be able to mark the roads .
A DDOT spokeswoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the department does not issue “ permits to install markings on DC roadways or sidewalks in accordance with District and federal safety standards and guidelines.
” “ DDOT does not allow unauthorized markings of any kind on sidewalks or roadways as they may interfere with the intended purpose and effectiveness of the transportation network , ” the spokeswoman added .
“ The District Government may commission markings on roads and sidewalks that are closed or restricted by DDOT , MPD , or the Mayor ’ s Special Event Task Group.
” Senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reminded the DCNF that “ The First Amendment protects people of all beliefs — not just those whom government officials agree with.
” “ Students for Life of America engaged in forms of expression similar to what is practiced by other groups and permitted by the local government , ” Harle said .
“ Washington , D.C. , can not exclude pro-life individuals from exercising their constitutionally protected freedom to peacefully share their views , even if those views are not shared by those in power.
” SFLA President Kristan Hawkins told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal remedies ” and is discussing SFLA ’ s next steps with attorneys .
Bowser has not returned many requests for comment from the DCNF on this incident .
Jeremy Dys , Special Counsel for Litigation and Communications for First Liberty , emphasized that government censorship was at play in these arrests .
“ Whether it is banning singing religious songs , but supporting the chants of protestors ; sealing off city blocks for riots , but penalizing church members for sitting in their cars in the church parking lot to worship ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets with the mayor ’ s message in giant , yellow paint , but then arresting kids expressing their speech with chalk on a sidewalk , the American people are growing weary of being told that their freedom belongs only to those who express messages approved by the government , ” Dys told the DCNF .
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 @

Disparity in actions taken by law enforcement in the District of Columbia over Black Lives Matter demonstrations smacks of “viewpoint discrimination,” an attorney tells the Daily Caller News Foundation.
The DCNF spoke with a number of First Amendment experts regarding the Saturday arrest of two Students for Life of America (SFLA) members. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested both 29-year-old Warner DePriest and 22-year-old Erica Caporaletti early Saturday morning for chalking pro-life sentiments, including the slogan “Black Preborn Lives Matter,” on the road in front of a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic.
The arrests came after DC’s Mayor Muriel Bowser commissioned the “Black Lives Matter” slogan to be painted on the streets of DC earlier this summer. The mural included the symbol of the D.C. flag — two horizontal bars topped by three stars — after which activists painted “Defund the Police,” making the phrase appear “Black Lives Matter = Defund the Police.” Bowser’s government removed the D.C. flag, but allowed “Defund the Police” to remain, The Washington Post reported.
Attorney Harmeet Kaur Dhillon, who is the CEO of the Center for American Liberty, told the DCNF that the disparity in treatment in these cases is “obviously viewpoint discrimination.”
“I think it’s going to become clear as legal proceedings, which are probably inevitable, proceed on this matter that the city and it’s law enforcement have violated clearly established First Amendment precedent that bars treating similarly situated circumstances of free speech differently,” Dhillon told the DCNF.
The SFLA members were arrested in the middle of the day at an event where less than 50 people were present, Students for Life spokeswoman Kristi Hamrick told the DCNF. The students also said that they chalked these messages every week in front of the abortion clinic.
SFLA and the Frederick Douglass Foundation had sent a letter on July 20 to Mayor Muriel Bowser requesting permission to paint the words “Black Preborn Lives Matter” in order “to celebrate the beautiful children with endless potential who are the future of their community and deserve the opportunity to make their mark in the world.”
SFLA said it obtained a permit for the event, and Hamrick told the DCNF that when a SFLA member picked up this permit from MPD, she was told that painting on the streets of DC had opened a “Pandora’s box.” The member was told that MPD would not be able to prevent painting, and that SFLA should buy tempera paint that would quickly wash away.
When SFLA arrived at the scene early Saturday morning, according to Hamrick, six police cars awaited them. MPD told them not to use the tempera paint, she said, and then also told them they could not use the chalk.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
MPD told the DCNF that MPD does not have “any information to corroborate the statement that the group was told they would not be stopped from painting,” noting that the groups had obtained a permit to assemble, but needed a permit from D.C. Department of Transportation to also be able to mark the roads.
A DDOT spokeswoman said in a statement to the DCNF that the department does not issue “permits to install markings on DC roadways or sidewalks in accordance with District and federal safety standards and guidelines.”
“DDOT does not allow unauthorized markings of any kind on sidewalks or roadways as they may interfere with the intended purpose and effectiveness of the transportation network,” the spokeswoman added. “The District Government may commission markings on roads and sidewalks that are closed or restricted by DDOT, MPD, or the Mayor’s Special Event Task Group.”
Senior Counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom Denise Harle reminded the DCNF that “The First Amendment protects people of all beliefs — not just those whom government officials agree with.”
“Students for Life of America engaged in forms of expression similar to what is practiced by other groups and permitted by the local government,” Harle said. “Washington, D.C., cannot exclude pro-life individuals from exercising their constitutionally protected freedom to peacefully share their views, even if those views are not shared by those in power.”
SFLA President Kristan Hawkins told the DCNF that the group will “seek legal remedies” and is discussing SFLA’s next steps with attorneys. Bowser has not returned many requests for comment from the DCNF on this incident.
Jeremy Dys, Special Counsel for Litigation and Communications for First Liberty, emphasized that government censorship was at play in these arrests.
“Whether it is banning singing religious songs, but supporting the chants of protestors; sealing off city blocks for riots, but penalizing church members for sitting in their cars in the church parking lot to worship; or ordering city officials to paint the streets with the mayor’s message in giant, yellow paint, but then arresting kids expressing their speech with chalk on a sidewalk, the American people are growing weary of being told that their freedom belongs only to those who express messages approved by the government,” Dys told the DCNF.
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--2020-08-06--Twitter, Facebook Hit Trump Over Post Suggesting Children are ‘Almost Immune’ From Coronavirus

Twitter partially suspended President Donald Trump ’ s campaign Twitter account on Wednesday for posting a tweet containing a video of Trump suggesting children are “ almost immune ” to coronavirus .
The post contains an interview Trump gave to Fox News Wednesday morning in which the president made the claim relating to children and the ongoing pandemic , The Washington Post reported Wednesday .
Facebook removed a post Wednesday that contained the same video , marking the first time the social media platform has nixed a Trump post over coronavirus misinformation .
“ If you look at children , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost say definitely — but almost immune from this disease , ” Trump said during the interview .
“ This video includes false claims that a group of people is immune from Covid-19 which is a violation of our policies around harmful Covid misinformation , ” Facebook spokesman Andy Stone said in a press statement , CNN reported Wednesday .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Facebook has a policy against sharing misinformation regarding COVID-19 , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China before spreading to the United States , where it has reportedly killed 157,000 people , John Hopkins University data show .
The White House has not responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment .
Researchers have determined children are still capable of spreading the virus , though some studies indicate they exhibit milder symptoms and are less likely to contract the virus .
Researchers at the New South Wales ’ National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance in Australia published a study of staff and students at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in April showing only two people of 863 people contracted COVID-19 .
Centers for Disease Control Director Robert Redfield pushed for children to go back to school in July , telling the Hill in an interview that COVID-19 has a “ very limited effect on kids.
” Facebook ’ s decision comes more than a month after Twitter flagged a Trump tweet that warned activists that they will be met with “ serious force ” if they build an autonomous zone in Washington , D.C. His tweet violated Twitter ’ s policies against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presence of a threat of harm against an identifiable group , ” the company wrote in a tweet in June .
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 .

Twitter partially suspended President Donald Trump’s campaign Twitter account on Wednesday for posting a tweet containing a video of Trump suggesting children are “almost immune” to coronavirus.
The post contains an interview Trump gave to Fox News Wednesday morning in which the president made the claim relating to children and the ongoing pandemic, The Washington Post reported Wednesday. Facebook removed a post Wednesday that contained the same video, marking the first time the social media platform has nixed a Trump post over coronavirus misinformation.
“If you look at children, children are almost — and I would almost say definitely — but almost immune from this disease,” Trump said during the interview.
The tweet “is in violation of the Twitter Rules on COVID-19 misinformation. The account owner will be required to remove the Tweet before they can Tweet again,” Twitter spokeswoman Liz Kelley told The Washington Post. Twitter hid the tweet and is preventing his account from posting until the tweet is removed.
“This video includes false claims that a group of people is immune from Covid-19 which is a violation of our policies around harmful Covid misinformation,” Facebook spokesman Andy Stone said in a press statement, CNN reported Wednesday.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Facebook has a policy against sharing misinformation regarding COVID-19, as does Twitter. The virus originated in China before spreading to the United States, where it has reportedly killed 157,000 people, John Hopkins University data show.
The White House has not responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
Researchers have determined children are still capable of spreading the virus, though some studies indicate they exhibit milder symptoms and are less likely to contract the virus.
Researchers at the New South Wales’ National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance in Australia published a study of staff and students at five primary schools and 10 high schools in April showing only two people of 863 people contracted COVID-19.
Centers for Disease Control Director Robert Redfield pushed for children to go back to school in July, telling the Hill in an interview that COVID-19 has a “very limited effect on kids.”
Facebook’s decision comes more than a month after Twitter flagged a Trump tweet that warned activists that they will be met with “serious force” if they build an autonomous zone in Washington, D.C. His tweet violated Twitter’s policies against “abusive behavior, specifically, the presence of a threat of harm against an identifiable group,” the company wrote in a tweet in June.
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--2020-08-07--Are Christians Anti-Science? Why a Rover on Mars is Good News on Earth

Every day draws us one day closer to vaccines for COVID-19 , the most devastating pandemic in more than a century .
However , recent polls report that as few as 50 percent of Americans are committed to receiving a vaccine , while another quarter of the population is wavering .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , told CNN recently , “ There is a general anti-science , anti-authority , anti-vaccine feeling among some people in this country.
” According to the National Association of Evangelicals , American evangelicals are more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public ( 29 percent vs. 14 percent ) to say that science and religion are in conflict and that they are on the side of religion .
As an evangelical who has taught philosophy of religion at four graduate schools , I have long believed that science and faith — properly understood — are complementary rather than competitive .
To further this conviction , I ’ d like to turn your attention from our world to another planet .
NASA is launching this week what the Associated Press calls its “ brawniest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Perseverance is equipped with the latest landing technology and the most cameras and microphones ever assembled for a Mars rover .
A four-pound helicopter named Ingenuity will make the trip as well .
As the AP notes , “ The future could see next-generation helicopters scouting out distant Martian territory for astronauts or even robots.
” Here ’ s my point : God has given humans remarkable capacities for guarding and advancing his creation ( cf .
Genesis 2:15 ) .
We are to love him with all our “ minds ” ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources to serve our Lord and our neighbor .
As scientists develop therapies that lessen the effects of COVID-19 and vaccines that immunize us against the virus , we should view their work with great gratitude .
Just as those whose scientific brilliance protected us from polio and smallpox , these medical researchers are serving humanity in ways that deserve our support .
Christians , in fact , should be on the front lines of such affirmation .
How Christianity Prepared the Way for Science Around 400 BC , Hippocrates pioneered the belief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looked for their solutions not in the pagan religions of the day but in approaches which birthed the “ science ” of medicine .
But the Western world would wait nearly 20 centuries for Leonardo da Vinci and Nicolaus Copernicus to break significant new ground in scientific investigation .
Francis Bacon ( died 1626 ) and his laws of investigation are considered by many to herald the beginning of what is now known as the “ scientific movement.
” As a result , the “ scientific ” worldview did not exist when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science and faith was possible .
To the contrary , Christianity did more to prepare for the later scientific revolution than any other religious worldview .
In the first century , conventional wisdom was highly mythological and superstitious .
No one would think to investigate the makeup of water , for instance , because the gods could change its composition tomorrow .
The gospel was incredible good news that the world is created and ordered by a benevolent God .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day .
Greek rationalism and Christian confidence in an ordered creation would eventually make the scientific movement possible .
In the medieval era , however , the Church dominated the progress of knowledge , arguing for an earth-centered view of the universe which made the Church central .
We are all familiar with the tragic rejection of Galileo ’ s theories which followed .
Under Newton ’ s influence , scientists began to see the universe as a machine governed by laws of mechanistic causality .
Despite Newton ’ s personal faith , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God was no longer needed to explain the laws of physical experience .
When Darwin pioneered evolutionary theory , many concluded that a Creator was unnecessary for explaining the origins of life as we know it .
The result was a heightened dualism between science and faith , reason and religion .
Fortunately , dynamics within the science/faith relationship have changed dramatically in recent generations .
Einstein ’ s theories of relativity showed the universe to be far less mechanistic and predictable than Newton thought .
Problems with Darwin ’ s assumptions have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And Christians have increasingly accepted the fact that the Bible was not intended to be a science textbook .
While we believe that God ’ s word speaks with authority and truth to every subject it addresses , we also know that it was not written to define the age of the earth or size of the universe .
It tells us what we need to know to follow Jesus , not all we would like to know about the world he created .
So long as scientific declarations do not contradict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conflict between the two .
Pope John Paul II noted : “ Science can purify religion from error and superstition ; religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes .
Each can draw the other into a wider world .
A world in which both can flourish.
” All truth is indeed God ’ s truth .
Jim Denison , PhD , is the founder of Denison Forum with a reach of 1.8 million .
He also serves as Resident Scholar for Ethics with Baylor Scott & White Health .

Every day draws us one day closer to vaccines for COVID-19, the most devastating pandemic in more than a century. However, recent polls report that as few as 50 percent of Americans are committed to receiving a vaccine, while another quarter of the population is wavering.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN recently, “There is a general anti-science, anti-authority, anti-vaccine feeling among some people in this country.” According to the National Association of Evangelicals, American evangelicals are more than twice as likely as the general public (29 percent vs. 14 percent) to say that science and religion are in conflict and that they are on the side of religion.
So long as scientific declarations do not contradict biblical truth, there can be no conflict between the two.
As an evangelical who has taught philosophy of religion at four graduate schools, I have long believed that science and faith — properly understood — are complementary rather than competitive. To further this conviction, I’d like to turn your attention from our world to another planet.
The “Brainiest” Mars Rover Yet
NASA is launching this week what the Associated Press calls its “brawniest and brainiest Martian rover yet.” The spacecraft Perseverance is equipped with the latest landing technology and the most cameras and microphones ever assembled for a Mars rover.
A four-pound helicopter named Ingenuity will make the trip as well. As the AP notes, “The future could see next-generation helicopters scouting out distant Martian territory for astronauts or even robots.” Here’s my point: God has given humans remarkable capacities for guarding and advancing his creation (cf. Genesis 2:15). We are to love him with all our “minds” (Matthew 22:37), using our best resources to serve our Lord and our neighbor.
As scientists develop therapies that lessen the effects of COVID-19 and vaccines that immunize us against the virus, we should view their work with great gratitude. Just as those whose scientific brilliance protected us from polio and smallpox, these medical researchers are serving humanity in ways that deserve our support.
Christians, in fact, should be on the front lines of such affirmation.
How Christianity Prepared the Way for Science
Around 400 BC, Hippocrates pioneered the belief that physical diseases have natural causes and looked for their solutions not in the pagan religions of the day but in approaches which birthed the “science” of medicine. But the Western world would wait nearly 20 centuries for Leonardo da Vinci and Nicolaus Copernicus to break significant new ground in scientific investigation. Francis Bacon (died 1626) and his laws of investigation are considered by many to herald the beginning of what is now known as the “scientific movement.”
As a result, the “scientific” worldview did not exist when the Christian movement began. No conflict between science and faith was possible. To the contrary, Christianity did more to prepare for the later scientific revolution than any other religious worldview.
In the first century, conventional wisdom was highly mythological and superstitious. No one would think to investigate the makeup of water, for instance, because the gods could change its composition tomorrow. The gospel was incredible good news that the world is created and ordered by a benevolent God.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Greek rationalism and Christian confidence in an ordered creation would eventually make the scientific movement possible. In the medieval era, however, the Church dominated the progress of knowledge, arguing for an earth-centered view of the universe which made the Church central. We are all familiar with the tragic rejection of Galileo’s theories which followed.
Under Newton’s influence, scientists began to see the universe as a machine governed by laws of mechanistic causality. Despite Newton’s personal faith, many viewed his theories as demonstrating that God was no longer needed to explain the laws of physical experience. When Darwin pioneered evolutionary theory, many concluded that a Creator was unnecessary for explaining the origins of life as we know it.
The result was a heightened dualism between science and faith, reason and religion.
All Truth is God’s Truth
Fortunately, dynamics within the science/faith relationship have changed dramatically in recent generations. Einstein’s theories of relativity showed the universe to be far less mechanistic and predictable than Newton thought. Problems with Darwin’s assumptions have made atheistic evolution less tenable for many.
And Christians have increasingly accepted the fact that the Bible was not intended to be a science textbook. While we believe that God’s word speaks with authority and truth to every subject it addresses, we also know that it was not written to define the age of the earth or size of the universe. It tells us what we need to know to follow Jesus, not all we would like to know about the world he created.
So long as scientific declarations do not contradict biblical truth, there can be no conflict between the two.
Pope John Paul II noted: “Science can purify religion from error and superstition; religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes. Each can draw the other into a wider world. A world in which both can flourish.”
All truth is indeed God’s truth.
Jim Denison, PhD, is the founder of Denison Forum with a reach of 1.8 million. He also serves as Resident Scholar for Ethics with Baylor Scott & White Health.


thestream--2020-08-07--New Twist in Fox News Case Involving Seth Rich

Just over four years ago , in the heat of the 2016 election season , DNC staffer Seth Rich was murdered on the streets of Washington , DC .
His murder remains unsolved .
At the heart of the case lies one crucial mystery : Did Seth Rich supply Wikileaks with the DNC emails that were published shortly after his murder ?
Uh-oh .
Al ’ s got his tinfoil hat on .
How dare we speak of this right-wing conspiracy theory ?
Everyone knows Russia hacked the emails .
And even Fox News retracted it ’ s story .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The judge in the Rich family lawsuit against Fox News is now insisting Wikileaks founder Julian Assange provide some answers .
Assange is the One Who Connected Rich to WikiLeaks Fox News wasn ’ t the first to connected Rich with Wikileaks .
It wasn ’ t “ right-wing conspiracy theorists.
” In fact , it wasn ’ t even Bernie Sanders supporters miffed at discovering from the DNC leaks just how far the party had gone to railroad Bernie ’ s candidacy .
It was Wikileaks founder Julian Assange .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke of the danger of being a WikiLeaks source , and how “ a 27-year-old who works for the DNC was shot in the back , murdered.
” He doubled down in an interview with Megyn Kelly .
WikiLeaks then put out a $ 20,000 reward for information leading to Seth Rich ’ s killer or killers .
The reward was later raised to $ 130,000 .
Assange has never directly said Rich was the source .
But he has insisted since the DNC emails were published that he did not get them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backs up Assange ’ s claim , says he was handed the files in wooded area by American University in DC by a “ disgusted ” Democrat .
Also , a reporter named Ellen Ratner met with Assange for three hours days before the 2016 election .
She recalled in an interview you can see on YouTube that Assange told her the Russians had no involvement .
The emails came from an internal source in the Hillary campaign .
( Keep in mind , Rich worked for DNC , but had just been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Not incidentally , Radner ’ s brother was Assange ’ s lawyer . )
In 2017 Fox News posted an article titled “ Seth Rich , slain DNC staffer , had contact with WikiLeaks , say multiple sources.
” The article cited an anonymous federal investigator , who claimed to have reviewed the FBI forensic file on Rich , and seen emails between Rich and Wikileaks .
Fox News retracted the story , stating “ the article was not initially subject to the high degree of editorial scrutiny we require for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the story was proven false .
A year later the Rich family sued .
They claim the network inflicted intentional emotional distress by slandering their son .
They say the story painted him as a “ traitor and a criminal.
” ( How painting Seth Rich as a whistle-blower slandered him as a traitor and criminal has never been explained . )
The lawsuit has now entered the discovery phase .
And here ’ s where things get interesting .
This week , US Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn requested testimony from Assange himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance via the Hague Convention to get it .
The testimony is the heart of the case .
Assange can quickly let the judge know whether the story was a “ sham , ” as Rich Family lawyers claim .
Or “ substantially true , ” as Fox News claims .
Judge Netburn has 20 questions for Assange , who currently sits in a UK jail cell .
These include how and from whom did Wikileaks get the DNC emails , and the question of the hour : Did Seth Rich play any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a response from the UK by September 1 .
Epoch Times reports , if the “ royal court oblige , the interview of Assange would proceed via video conference.
” Going forward , we must keep a few more facts in mind .
For three years , suggesting Seth Rich had something to do with the DNC email leak has been ridiculed because — as we were told over and over and over and over and over and over and over again — “ Russia hacked the DNC !
” One huge problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
CrowdStrike , the progressive tech firm hired to examine the DNC computers , confessed under oath they found no evidence Russia had extracted the emails .
They found some evidence Russia-connected hackers may have poked around , but again , no evidence Russia extracted the emails .
CrowdStrike ’ s president made the confession to the House Intelligence Committee in late 2017 , according to declassified transcripts released in May 2020 .
As Epoch Times notably reports , CrowdStrike had been contracted to protect DNC computers from hackers about half of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Were they so incompetent they missed a hack on their watch ?
Or , is it true , as former NSA employees insist , that it never was a hack .
The emails were downloaded by someone with access .
Still , CrowdStrike publicly pushed the “ Russians did it ” angle , and their work was the basis for all the claims by the likes of CIA director John Brennan , Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and FBI director Jim Comey .
Remember , the FBI never inspected the DNC computers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They relied on data from CrowdStrike .
“ Russia hacked the DNC ” was gobbled up hook , line and sinker by Robert Mueller and the Special Counsel .
The Mueller team never bothered to interview the one guy who knew best , Julian Assange .
( Ignored by the media : The Mueller Report hedged on Russia ’ s involvement , and their timeline requires Assange to be a time-traveler .
See here . )
Very crucial point : CrowdStrike was paid for its DNC work by the law firm Perkins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hillary campaign and Obama ’ s political group in the 2016 election cycle .
Perkins Coie is the firm that paid Fusion GPS to create the Trump Russia Collusion dossier .
In other words , the same people who lied about Trump being a Russian agent are the same people telling you Russia hacked the DNC .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Go one step further : The ” Russia hacked the DNC ” meme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excuse for launching Crossfire Hurricane .
Their story : Russia hacks the DNC , gives emails to WikiLeaks .
George Papadapoulos mentions he had heard Russia had dirt on Hillary .
Papadapoulos is a Trump advisor .
Ergo , Trump campaign knew about Russian hack in advance .
And we have to spy on them to get to the truth about Trump .
But if the DNC email leak was an inside job , the whole excuse to spy on Trump disappears .
And if they knew it was an inside job … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been mocked for its claim that the FBI had seen emails between Rich and WikiLeaks .
The FBI insisted it had no involvement whatsoever in the Seth Rich case .
One problem : Judicial Watch uncovered an email exchange between Peter Strzok and Lisa Page right after Assange spoke of Rich ’ s murder that mentions Rich .
The email chain indicates the FBI ’ s Washington Field Office had at least some interest in the case .
In February 2020 , Judicial Watch sued to get all FBI records related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was minute and trivial .
Fine .
But with the same Obama FBI at the time working hand in hand with the same Clinton DNC to set up Donald Trump , we have reason to wonder .
Four years on , the mystery of who killed Seth Rich and why remains .
Officially , it ’ s still an open investigation .
Even if Assange testifies Rich was his source , that doesn ’ t necessarily mean that ’ s why he was murdered .
And even if he says the source was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question : Why were the DNC , Obama FBI and CIA , and Mueller Special Counsel so determined to deflect attention from the possibility of an inside job ?
So determined , they ignored Assange ’ s own statements ?
So determined , they relied on a conclusion offered , without scientific basis , by a tech firm paid by Hillary Clinton ’ s go-to-law firm ?
It also raises the question of why the media refused to question the narrative being sold them .
And instead took part in a coordinated PR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harass ) those who brought up the name Seth Rich .
On July 10 , 2016 , Seth Rich was shot in the back and left to die .
Julian Assange can answer whether he was a whistle-blower .
( A true whistle-blower , not the kind touted by the likes of Adam Schiff . )
Assange ’ s answer may go a long way in determining whether being a DNC whistle-blower got Seth Rich killed .
And why so many powerful people forced America to look the other way .
The truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it come , Lord , let it come .
For Seth , and the sake of Justice .
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 .

Just over four years ago, in the heat of the 2016 election season, DNC staffer Seth Rich was murdered on the streets of Washington, DC. His murder remains unsolved. At the heart of the case lies one crucial mystery: Did Seth Rich supply Wikileaks with the DNC emails that were published shortly after his murder?
Uh-oh. Al’s got his tinfoil hat on. How dare we speak of this right-wing conspiracy theory? Everyone knows Russia hacked the emails. And even Fox News retracted its story.
Well, put aside your talking points. The judge in the Rich family lawsuit against Fox News is now insisting Wikileaks founder Julian Assange provide some answers.
First, the backstory.
Assange is the One Who Connected Rich to WikiLeaks
Fox News wasn’t the first to connect Rich with Wikileaks. It wasn’t “right-wing conspiracy theorists.” In fact, it wasn’t even Bernie Sanders supporters miffed at discovering from the DNC leaks just how far the party had gone to railroad Bernie’s candidacy. It was Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.
In an interview with Dutch TV, Assange spoke of the danger of being a WikiLeaks source, and how “a 27-year-old who works for the DNC was shot in the back, murdered.” He doubled down in an interview with Megyn Kelly. WikiLeaks then put out a $20,000 reward for information leading to Seth Rich’s killer or killers. The reward was later raised to $130,000. Assange has never directly said Rich was the source. But he has insisted since the DNC emails were published that he did not get them from Russia.
Assange associate Craig Murray backs up Assange’s claim, says he was handed the files in wooded area by American University in DC by a “disgusted” Democrat.
Also, a reporter named Ellen Ratner met with Assange for three hours the weekend before the 2016 election. She recalled in an interview you can see on YouTube that Assange told her the Russians had no involvement. The emails came from an internal source in the Hillary campaign. (Keep in mind, Rich worked for DNC, but had just been offered a gig with the Hillary campaign. Not incidentally, Ratner’s brother was Assange’s lawyer.)
Fox News Story and Lawsuit
In 2017 Fox News posted an article titled “Seth Rich, slain DNC staffer, had contact with WikiLeaks, say multiple sources.” The article cited an anonymous federal investigator, who claimed to have reviewed the FBI forensic file on Rich, and seen emails between Rich and Wikileaks. Fox News retracted the story, stating “the article was not initially subject to the high degree of editorial scrutiny we require for all our reporting.” They did not say the story was proven false.
For three years, suggesting Seth Rich had something to do with the DNC email leaked has been ridiculed because — as we were told over and over and over and over and over and over and over again — “Russia hacked the DNC!” One huge problem: It’s likely not true.”
A year later the Rich family sued. They claim the network inflicted intentional emotional distress by slandering their son. They say the story painted him as a “traitor and a criminal.” (How painting Seth Rich as a whistle-blower slandered him as a traitor and criminal has never been explained.)
It Gets Interesting
The lawsuit has now entered the discovery phase. And here’s where things get interesting.
This week, US Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn requested testimony from Assange himself. Moreover, she is requesting international assistance via the Hague Convention to get it. The testimony is the heart of the case. Assange can quickly let the judge know whether the story was a “sham,” as Rich Family lawyers claim. Or “substantially true,” as Fox News claims.
Judge Netburn has 20 questions for Assange, who currently sits in a UK jail cell. These include how and from whom did Wikileaks get the DNC emails, and the question of the hour: Did Seth Rich play any role in it? The court wants a response from the UK by September 1. Epoch Times reports, if the “royal court oblige, the interview of Assange would proceed via video conference.”
No Proof Russia Hacked
Going forward, we must keep a few more facts in mind.
For three years, suggesting Seth Rich had something to do with the DNC email leak has been ridiculed because — as we were told over and over and over and over and over and over and over again — “Russia hacked the DNC!”
One huge problem: It’s likely not true. CrowdStrike, the progressive tech firm hired to examine the DNC computers, confessed under oath they found no evidence Russia had extracted the emails. They found some evidence Russia-connected hackers may have poked around, but again, no evidence Russia extracted the emails. CrowdStrike’s president made the confession to the House Intelligence Committee in late 2017, according to declassified transcripts released in May 2020.
As Epoch Times notably reports, CrowdStrike had been contracted to protect DNC computers from hackers about half of the period covered by the stolen emails. Were they so incompetent they missed a hack on their watch? Or, is it true, as former NSA employees insist, that it never was a hack. The emails were downloaded by someone with access.
Still, CrowdStrike publicly pushed the “Russians did it” angle, and their work was the basis for all the claims by the likes of CIA director John Brennan, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and FBI director Jim Comey. Remember, the FBI never inspected the DNC computers. The DNC would not let them. They relied on data from CrowdStrike.
Hook, Line and Sinker
“Russia hacked the DNC” was gobbled up hook, line and sinker by Robert Mueller and the Special Counsel. The Mueller team never bothered to interview the one guy who knew best, Julian Assange. (Ignored by the media: The Mueller Report hedged on Russia’s involvement, and their timeline requires Assange to be a time-traveler. See here.)
Very crucial point: CrowdStrike was paid for its DNC work by the law firm Perkins Coie, which was paid millions by the Hillary campaign and Obama’s political group in the 2016 election cycle. Perkins Coie is the firm that paid Fusion GPS to create the Trump Russia Collusion dossier. In other words, the same people who lied about Trump being a Russian agent are the same people telling you Russia hacked the DNC.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Go one step further: The”Russia hacked the DNC” meme is foundational to the FBI’s excuse for launching Crossfire Hurricane. Their story: Russia hacks the DNC, gives emails to WikiLeaks. George Papadapoulos mentions he had heard Russia had dirt on Hillary. Papadapoulos is a Trump advisor. Ergo, Trump campaign knew about Russian hack in advance. And we have to spy on them to get to the truth about Trump.
But if the DNC email leak was an inside job, the whole excuse to spy on Trump disappears. And if they knew it was an inside job … ?
What’s the FBI Know?
For three years, Fox News has been mocked for its claim that the FBI had seen emails between Rich and WikiLeaks. The FBI insisted it had no involvement whatsoever in the Seth Rich case.
One problem: Judicial Watch uncovered an email exchange between Peter Strzok and Lisa Page right after Assange spoke of Rich’s murder that mentions Rich. The email chain indicates the FBI’s Washington Field Office had at least some interest in the case. In February 2020, Judicial Watch sued to get all FBI records related to Seth Rich. Perhaps the FBI involvement was minute and trivial. Fine. But with the same Obama FBI at the time working hand in hand with the same Clinton DNC to set up Donald Trump, we have reason to wonder.
Four Years On
Four years on, the mystery of who killed Seth Rich and why remains. Officially, it’s still an open investigation. Even if Assange testifies Rich was his source, that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s why he was murdered. And even if he says the source was someone else, he forces an uncomfortable question: Why were the DNC, Obama FBI and CIA, and Mueller Special Counsel so determined to deflect attention from the possibility of an inside job? So determined, they ignored Assange’s own statements? So determined, they relied on a conclusion offered, without scientific basis, by a tech firm paid by Hillary Clinton’s go-to-law firm?
It also raises the question of why the media refused to question the narrative being sold them. And instead took part in a coordinated PR campaign to mock and ridicule (and harass) those who brought up the name Seth Rich.
On July 10, 2016, Seth Rich was shot in the back and left to die. Julian Assange can answer whether he was a whistle-blower. (A true whistle-blower, not the kind touted by the likes of Adam Schiff.) Assange’s answer may go a long way in determining whether being a DNC whistle-blower got Seth Rich killed.
And why so many powerful people forced America to look the other way.
The truth is still to be had. Let it come, Lord, let it come. For Seth, and the sake of Justice.
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--2020-08-07--This Week at War: ‘It’s Just Heartbreaking’

Eight U.S. Marines and one U.S. Navy sailor were tragically killed in a July 30 amphibious assault vehicle accident off the Southern California coast .
As their remains are solemnly recovered near San Clemente Island , The Stream ‘ s This Week at War feature pauses to pray for all nine families of the fallen while honoring each of these young American heroes .
“ He was truly an amazing person who impacted a lot of lives , ” fellow U.S. Marine David Latigo told News 4 San Antonio about his friend .
Lance Cpl .
Guillermo Perez is being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our country , but his “ infectious smile.
” “ He was honestly sent to earth to make people laugh , ” Latigo told the TV station .
“ He was always in good spirits no matter what was going on.
” Please pray for Perez ’ s loved ones , friends and fellow Marines .
One year after enlisting in the Marine Corps as a teenager , Pfc .
Bryan Baltierra made the ultimate sacrifice for his country .
“ My one and only son , who radiated positivity and expressed his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the fallen Marine ’ s mother said in a statement relayed by CBS Los Angeles .
The TV station reported that the departed warrior is survived by his parents and three sisters , all of whom we are praying for .
“ I ’ m so proud of you , you are the best son I could ask for , ” Lupita Garcia said to her son , Lance Cpl .
Marco Barranco , known to those around him as Andy .
“ My heart goes out to all those families because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” CBS L.A. reported that Lance Cpl .
Barranco “ was inspired to serve his country because of the opportunities it gave his immigrant parents and family.
” “ He wanted to be part of this great nation and he wanted to protect it and I know he would do it again , ” the fallen hero ’ s mother told the station .
In addition to his parents , Barranco reportedly leaves behind two sisters .
We ask God to comfort them .
Less than a week before making the ultimate sacrifice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break from training to call his mom .
“ He found a doorway in the ship that he found a little bit of signal , and he called me , ” Aleta Bath told FOX 6 Now Milwaukee .
“ He said he was really happy , so I knew that .
It made me happy.
” The young Marine was reportedly an active member of Lifepoint Church in Mukwonago , Wisconsin .
We join Lifepoint ’ s congregation in praying for this faithful warrior ’ s parents , stepmom and stepsisters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
“ It ’ s just gut-wrenching , ” Lincoln High School basketball coach Gary Greeno told CBS Sacramento .
“ I mean , it ’ s just heartbreaking.
” Future U.S. Navy Hospitalman Christopher “ Bobby ” Gnem was nowhere near the best player on his high school basketball team , but was nevertheless voted its captain .
“ That shows how much respect his teammates had for him , ” Greeno told the TV station .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just make a huge difference in the world.
” Indeed , the lone sailor to lose his life in the accident made a difference .
We pray for this sailor ’ s parents and fiancée , who is also a U.S. service member , according to CBS Sacramento .
Please ease their pain , Lord .
On Memorial Day 2019 , Pfc .
Jack Ostrovsky hiked up the Pilot Butte lava dome in his hometown of Bend , Oregon .
The young Marine wanted to honor American service members killed in war .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ good Memorial Day and honoring those who couldn ’ t be here , ” Pfc .
Ostrovsky wrote .
“ God bless.
” May God also bless the family , friends and fellow Marines of a warrior who honored fallen war heroes by the way he lived and died .
This proud patriot embodied all that is noble about our nation .
“ You know , some people have the angel and the devil on their shoulder , ” Niki Stockdale , aunt of Lance Cpl .
Chase Sweetwood , told KUSI in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grew up .
“ He just always had that little angel on the side.
” The fallen Marine leaves behind his mother , Christiana Sweetwood , and three siblings .
We are praying for them .
“ His heart was so big and he just drew people to him , ” Stockdale told the station .
“ I am so grateful for the life that he had.
” Corporal Wesley Rodd was just 23 years old , but was also the oldest U.S. service member that the Pentagon said was killed in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a GoFundMe page created in his honor , Cpl .
Rodd was not only a husband , but a brand new father .
Our hearts ache for this fallen Marine ’ s wife , Jamie , and their precious little boy .
We pray that Cpl .
Rodd ’ s son will grow up with his dad ’ s enduring spirit always shining brightly in his heart .
Corporal Cesar Villanueva had just gotten married , according to CBS L.A. “ On behalf of the City Council and entire City of Riverside , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gratitude for Cpl .
Villanueva ’ s services to our country and the service of all men and women in our military , ” Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey posted on Facebook .
“ We will be working over the next few days to connect with the Villanueva family to offer support.
” “ In the meantime , I hope that our entire community will join me in prayer for these families during this tragic time , ” Mayor Bailey added .
The Stream , its readers and countless others across our nation will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for five rescued Marines and two others who were hospitalized after the accident while training for war , according to Stars & Stripes .
In addition to the injured , we ask the Lord to wrap His arms around all nine families of the fallen and everyone who knew and served with Lance Cpl .
Guillermo Perez , Pfc .
Bryan Baltierra , Lance Cpl .
Marco “ Andy ” Barranco , Pfc .
Evan Bath , Hospitalman Christopher “ Bobby ” Gnem , Pfc .
Jack Ostrovsky , Lance Cpl .
Chase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cpl .
Cesar Villanueva .
We will never forget these nine American heroes .
They were blessings to not only their loved ones , but the country they so proudly served .
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 .

Eight U.S. Marines and one U.S. Navy sailor were tragically killed in a July 30 amphibious assault vehicle accident off the Southern California coast. As their remains are solemnly recovered near San Clemente Island, The Stream‘s This Week at War feature pauses to pray for all nine families of the fallen while honoring each of these young American heroes.
Lance Cpl. Guillermo S. Perez, 20, New Braunfels, Texas
“He was truly an amazing person who impacted a lot of lives,” fellow U.S. Marine David Latigo told News 4 San Antonio about his friend.
Lance Cpl. Guillermo Perez is being remembered not only for his service to our country, but his “infectious smile.”
“He was honestly sent to earth to make people laugh,” Latigo told the TV station. “He was always in good spirits no matter what was going on.”
Please pray for Perez’s loved ones, friends and fellow Marines.
Pfc. Bryan J. Baltierra, 19, Corona, California
One year after enlisting in the Marine Corps as a teenager, Pfc. Bryan Baltierra made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
“My one and only son, who radiated positivity and expressed his wonderful smile to everyone he met,” the fallen Marine’s mother said in a statement relayed by CBS Los Angeles.
The TV station reported that the departed warrior is survived by his parents and three sisters, all of whom we are praying for.
Lance Cpl. Marco “Andy” Barranco, 21, Montebello, California
“I’m so proud of you, you are the best son I could ask for,” Lupita Garcia said to her son, Lance Cpl. Marco Barranco, known to those around him as Andy. “My heart goes out to all those families because it’s not just my son.”
CBS L.A. reported that Lance Cpl. Barranco “was inspired to serve his country because of the opportunities it gave his immigrant parents and family.”
“He wanted to be part of this great nation and he wanted to protect it and I know he would do it again,” the fallen hero’s mother told the station.
In addition to his parents, Barranco reportedly leaves behind two sisters. We ask God to comfort them.
Pfc. Evan A. Bath, 19, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Less than a week before making the ultimate sacrifice, Pfc. Evan Bath took a break from training to call his mom.
“He found a doorway in the ship that he found a little bit of signal, and he called me,” Aleta Bath told FOX 6 Now Milwaukee. “He said he was really happy, so I knew that. It made me happy.”
The young Marine was reportedly an active member of Lifepoint Church in Mukwonago, Wisconsin. We join Lifepoint’s congregation in praying for this faithful warrior’s parents, stepmom and stepsisters.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
U.S. Navy Hospitalman Christopher “Bobby” Gnem, 22, Stockton, California
“It’s just gut-wrenching,” Lincoln High School basketball coach Gary Greeno told CBS Sacramento. “I mean, it’s just heartbreaking.”
Future U.S. Navy Hospitalman Christopher “Bobby” Gnem was nowhere near the best player on his high school basketball team, but was nevertheless voted its captain.
“That shows how much respect his teammates had for him,” Greeno told the TV station. “These are the kind of kids that just make a huge difference in the world.”
Indeed, the lone sailor to lose his life in the accident made a difference. We pray for this sailor’s parents and fiancée, who is also a U.S. service member, according to CBS Sacramento. Please ease their pain, Lord.
Pfc. Jack Ryan Ostrovsky, 21, Bend, Oregon
On Memorial Day 2019, Pfc. Jack Ostrovsky hiked up the Pilot Butte lava dome in his hometown of Bend, Oregon. The young Marine wanted to honor American service members killed in war.
“I hope everyone is having a good Memorial Day and honoring those who couldn’t be here,” Pfc. Ostrovsky wrote. “God bless.”
May God also bless the family, friends and fellow Marines of a warrior who honored fallen war heroes by the way he lived and died. This proud patriot embodied all that is noble about our nation.
Lance Cpl. Chase D. Sweetwood, 19, Portland, Oregon
“You know, some people have the angel and the devil on their shoulder,” Niki Stockdale, aunt of Lance Cpl. Chase Sweetwood, told KUSI in San Diego, where the future Marine grew up. “He just always had that little angel on the side.”
The fallen Marine leaves behind his mother, Christiana Sweetwood, and three siblings. We are praying for them.
“His heart was so big and he just drew people to him,” Stockdale told the station. “I am so grateful for the life that he had.”
Cpl. Wesley A. Rodd, 23, Harris, Texas
Corporal Wesley Rodd was just 23 years old, but was also the oldest U.S. service member that the Pentagon said was killed in the July 30 training accident. According to a GoFundMe page created in his honor, Cpl. Rodd was not only a husband, but a brand new father.
Our hearts ache for this fallen Marine’s wife, Jamie, and their precious little boy. We pray that Cpl. Rodd’s son will grow up with his dad’s enduring spirit always shining brightly in his heart.
Cpl. Cesar A. Villanueva, 21, Riverside, California
Corporal Cesar Villanueva had just gotten married, according to CBS L.A.
“On behalf of the City Council and entire City of Riverside, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for Cpl. Villanueva’s services to our country and the service of all men and women in our military,” Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey posted on Facebook. “We will be working over the next few days to connect with the Villanueva family to offer support.”
“In the meantime, I hope that our entire community will join me in prayer for these families during this tragic time,” Mayor Bailey added.
United in Prayer
The Stream, its readers and countless others across our nation will undoubtedly join in those prayers, including for five rescued Marines and two others who were hospitalized after the accident while training for war, according to Stars & Stripes.
In addition to the injured, we ask the Lord to wrap His arms around all nine families of the fallen and everyone who knew and served with Lance Cpl. Guillermo Perez, Pfc. Bryan Baltierra, Lance Cpl. Marco “Andy” Barranco, Pfc. Evan Bath, Hospitalman Christopher “Bobby” Gnem, Pfc. Jack Ostrovsky, Lance Cpl. Chase Sweetwood, Cpl. Wesley Rodd and Cpl. Cesar Villanueva.
We will never forget these nine American heroes. They were blessings to not only their loved ones, but the country they so proudly served.
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--2020-08-07--Military Photo of the Day: Fire Support Specialist

A U.S. Marine Corps fire support specialist operates a PRC-117A radio during a training exercise in Yuma , Arizona , @ @ @ @ @ .
Have a healthy and safe weekend , everyone !
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A U.S. Marine Corps fire support specialist operates a PRC-117A radio during a training exercise in Yuma, Arizona, on July 14, 2020.
Have a healthy and safe weekend, everyone!
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thestream--2020-08-07--Alexandria Ocasio Cortez: The New Face of the Church, Versus Its True Face

Last week , a writer at the leftist magazine The National Catholic Reporter called Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez the new face of the Catholic Church .
Of course , her support for abortion right up through birth and same sex marriage raises some immediate questions in our minds .
But before we consider those points , let ’ s step back for a moment .
What does it even mean for the Church to have a whole new face ?
Are we putting our faith and our souls at risk when we let them drift with the culture , and follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generation of Christians faces a test of faith .
The challenges can be different , depending on circumstance .
In one era , the greatest temptation can be toward intolerance and pride .
Proud Christians wielding power can use their faith as a club to terrorize non-believers , hunt witches , or persecute “ heretics.
” At other times , Christians must face overt violence themselves , as Marxists or Islamists demand that they renounce Jesus or die .
That they embrace a new religion or watch their daughters and wives get carted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq or Nigeria today to hear such Christians ’ stories .
Or speak to Chinese Christians whose pastors were tortured by China ’ s government .
Sometimes the threats are subtler , more insidious .
We aren ’ t asked to spit on the face of Jesus ( as Christians were ordered to in Samurai Japan ) .
Just to … change His face a little .
To let Caesar and Mammon tweak Jesus a bit .
Redraw Our Lord and His teachings to something more fashionable , “ updated ” and stripped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” elements .
This last is perhaps the most dangerous temptation of all .
It lets people renounce Christ in fact , while pretending to themselves that they ’ re still Christians in good standing .
Just “ modern ” ones , “ progressive ” ones , “ enlightened ” or “ Woke ” enough to drop “ outdated ” doctrines .
They didn ’ t do this to be more popular or make more money , of course !
They did it the better to bring the real essence of Christianity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ essence , ” it just so happens by an absolute total coincidence , amounts to exactly what the rich and powerful want to hear at the moment .
And the “ archaic ” elements of faith you were asked to discard ?
Again , by pure happenstance , those were the parts of the Gospel that Caesar , Mammon and Sodom object to , which threaten their power .
Another funny piece of serendipity is this : Real images of Jesus drawn by real believers all around the world look totally different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some look practically Viking .
Many others look African , Chinese , or Native American .
But they all represent the same thing : the Suffering Servant , the God-Man who welcomed the sinner , rebuked the hypocrites , and went to the cross for our sins .
By contrast , whenever Jesus gets “ tweaked ” by the powerful , He always ends up looking the same : He looks like Barabbas , a demagogue and a Zealot .
An angry advocate of grabbing worldly power .
If need be , by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up and make war on the “ haves.
” Or else by helping the “ haves ” to hold on to their power by scapegoating the innocent .
Either way , Barabbas ’ focus is firmly on this world , not the next .
He might ( if it suits him ) cherry-pick some slogans from the scriptures .
But the Gospel is merely a means , never an end in itself .
The paycheck in money , power , or payback is never far off .
Barabbas , like the Pharisees who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those who follow him “ already have their reward.
” Barabbas is always good-looking .
He never misses a haircut .
He ’ s fashionably dressed and carefully photographed , as Rep. Ocasio-Cortez is by friendly fashion magazines .
He flies first-class and hob-nobs with sympathetic billionaires , then makes orchestrated trips to slum for a weekend with his constituents .
He ’ s a man of the people — the “ right people , ” anyway .
The one thing he never does is to stand with the really vulnerable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have nothing to offer him , except as abstract victims he can sprinkle in his speeches .
Anywhere But the Foot of the Cross You won ’ t find him at crisis pregnancy centers , where poor women fooled by the Sexual Revolution and bribed by the welfare state agonize over whether to save their babies .
Where weary volunteers weep with them , offer diapers and carseats bought with dwindling funds from donors — none of Caesar ’ s gold reaches here , unlike Planned Parenthood .
Where they fend off attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
You won ’ t find him in prisons , trying to help fatherless boys repent and rebuild their lives .
Or helping trafficked girls and kids smuggled through our porous borders straight into the arms of the porn industry .
And you won ’ t find him at leper colonies , contracting the illness while serving the sick .
That ’ s where you ’ d meet men like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his comfortable home to serve the most abandoned people on earth .
No wonder Rep. Ocasio-Cortez finds Damien offensive , and wants his statue removed from the U.S. Capitol .
He ’ s a sturdy bronze reminder of the real face of Jesus , disfigured and suffering for the sake of our sins .
Best to label him “ white supremacist ” and stick him away in a closet .
By contrast , Barabbas seems … tacky , like a plaster and gold-leaf “ god ” growing shabby at Caesar ’ s Palace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to The Stream .
He is a film producer , author , activist and human rights worker .
You can follow him at @ JasonJonesShow .
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream , and author or co-author of ten books , including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism .
Together , Jones and Zmirak wrote The Race to Save Our Century .

Last week, a writer at the leftist magazine The National Catholic Reporter called Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez the new face of the Catholic Church. Of course, her support for abortion right up through birth and same sex marriage raises some immediate questions in our minds. But before we consider those points, let’s step back for a moment. What does it even mean for the Church to have a whole new face? Are we putting our faith and our souls at risk when we let them drift with the culture, and follow political winds wherever they blow?
Every generation of Christians faces a test of faith. The challenges can be different, depending on circumstance. In one era, the greatest temptation can be toward intolerance and pride. Proud Christians wielding power can use their faith as a club to terrorize non-believers, hunt witches, or persecute “heretics.”
At other times, Christians must face overt violence themselves, as Marxists or Islamists demand that they renounce Jesus or die. That they embrace a new religion or watch their daughters and wives get carted off as sex slaves. Go to Iraq or Nigeria today to hear such Christians’ stories. Or speak to Chinese Christians whose pastors were tortured by China’s government.
Tweaking Jesus Just a Bit
Sometimes the threats are subtler, more insidious. We aren’t asked to spit on the face of Jesus (as Christians were ordered to in Samurai Japan). Just to … change His face a little. To let Caesar and Mammon tweak Jesus a bit. Redraw Our Lord and His teachings to something more fashionable, “updated” and stripped of “obsolete” or “superstitious” elements.
This last is perhaps the most dangerous temptation of all. It lets people renounce Christ in fact, while pretending to themselves that they’re still Christians in good standing. Just “modern” ones, “progressive” ones, “enlightened” or “Woke” enough to drop “outdated” doctrines. They didn’t do this to be more popular or make more money, of course! They did it the better to bring the real essence of Christianity to the world and its elites.
Serving Caesar, Mammon, and Sodom
That “essence,” it just so happens by an absolute total coincidence, amounts to exactly what the rich and powerful want to hear at the moment. And the “archaic” elements of faith you were asked to discard? Again, by pure happenstance, those were the parts of the Gospel that Caesar, Mammon and Sodom object to, which threaten their power.
Another funny piece of serendipity is this: Real images of Jesus drawn by real believers all around the world look totally different. Some are Semitic and Mediterranean. Some look practically Viking. Many others look African, Chinese, or Native American. But they all represent the same thing: the Suffering Servant, the God-Man who welcomed the sinner, rebuked the hypocrites, and went to the cross for our sins.
Give Us Barabbas!
By contrast, whenever Jesus gets “tweaked” by the powerful, He always ends up looking the same: He looks like Barabbas, a demagogue and a Zealot. An angry advocate of grabbing worldly power. If need be, by mobilizing the “have-nots” to rise up and make war on the “haves.” Or else by helping the “haves” to hold on to their power by scapegoating the innocent.
You won’t find Barabbas at crisis pregnancy centers, where poor women fooled by the Sexual Revolution and bribed by the welfare state agonize over whether to save their babies.
Either way, Barabbas’ focus is firmly on this world, not the next. He might (if it suits him) cherry-pick some slogans from the scriptures. But the Gospel is merely a means, never an end in itself. The paycheck in money, power, or payback is never far off. Barabbas, like the Pharisees who backed him, believes in immediate gratification. Those who follow him “already have their reward.”
Ever Telegenic
Barabbas is always good-looking. He never misses a haircut. He’s fashionably dressed and carefully photographed, as Rep. Ocasio-Cortez is by friendly fashion magazines. He flies first-class and hob-nobs with sympathetic billionaires, then makes orchestrated trips to slum for a weekend with his constituents. He’s a man of the people — the “right people,” anyway.
The one thing he never does is to stand with the really vulnerable, the weakest and the persecuted. They have nothing to offer him, except as abstract victims he can sprinkle in his speeches.
Anywhere But the Foot of the Cross
You won’t find him at crisis pregnancy centers, where poor women fooled by the Sexual Revolution and bribed by the welfare state agonize over whether to save their babies. Where weary volunteers weep with them, offer diapers and carseats bought with dwindling funds from donors — none of Caesar’s gold reaches here, unlike Planned Parenthood. Where they fend off attacks from bureaucrats trying to close such centers down.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
You won’t find him in prisons, trying to help fatherless boys repent and rebuild their lives. Or helping trafficked girls and kids smuggled through our porous borders straight into the arms of the porn industry.
And you won’t find him at leper colonies, contracting the illness while serving the sick. That’s where you’d meet men like St. Damien of Molokai, who left his comfortable home to serve the most abandoned people on earth.
Cancel that Leper
No wonder Rep. Ocasio-Cortez finds Damien offensive, and wants his statue removed from the U.S. Capitol. He’s a sturdy bronze reminder of the real face of Jesus, disfigured and suffering for the sake of our sins. Best to label him “white supremacist” and stick him away in a closet.
By contrast, Barabbas seems … tacky, like a plaster and gold-leaf “god” growing shabby at Caesar’s Palace.
Jason Jones is a senior contributor to The Stream. He is a film producer, author, activist and human rights worker. You can follow him at @JasonJonesShow.
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream, and author or co-author of ten books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism.
Together, Jones and Zmirak wrote The Race to Save Our Century.


thestream--2020-08-07--Time for Honesty When We Confront Our Nation’s Sins

“ Cancel Culture ” has overreached .
If we allow only the perfect to be enshrined in bronze or speak their minds we will have no statues or commentators at all .
Still , there are some benefits to the present cultural re-assessment .
Planned Parenthood of New York has removed the name of its founder from its Manhattan abortion clinic .
Margaret Sanger was a racist eugenicist .
Those in the pro-life movement who have long highlighted Sanger ’ s views can agree with the group ’ s chair , Karen Seltzer .
She said the move is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with our legacy and acknowledge Planned Parenthood ’ s contributions to historical reproductive harm within communities of color.
” Exposing the Sin of Eugenics and Affirming the Sin of Abortion Of course , Planned Parenthood continues to dismember preborn babies of color .
And they promote such with a smiling abortionist and assurances that the practice is “ very common ” ( as was eugenics a century ago ) .
Still , the move on Sanger is a start and one that can open doors elsewhere .
Someone should ask Hillary Clinton and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Margaret Sanger Awards they accepted from Planned Parenthood .
One hopes the move will spark some soul-searching within the civil rights movement as well .
In 1966 , Coretta Scott King accepted one of the first Sanger Awards on behalf of her husband , Martin Luther King Jr. She said , “ There is a striking kinship between our movement and Margaret Sanger ’ s early effort.
” Oh , really ?
When the Civil Right Movement Turned Its Back on the Unborn To be clear , Planned Parenthood was not publicly advocating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no evidence that MLK ever endorsed abortion .
( MLK ’ s limited public statements on what we would today call “ social issues ” suggest the opposite . )
Nevertheless , his widow and associates , like the recently departed John Lewis , would lock arms with a liberal movement .
That movement , after some fits and starts , firmly locked arms with the cause of abortion rights .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was been the Black Church , which largely upheld traditional sexual values .
However , often in the name of political expediency , the cloak of “ civil rights ” was eventually draped around abortion .
Remember , the Rev .
Jesse Jackson spoke out on behalf of the unborn before running for president .
That nuanced history has become clouded in the minds of today ’ s younger progressives .
Kamau Bell even unknowingly closed an abortion-extolling episode of his CNN series United Shades of America with the voice of the staunchly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Whole Story of Racism , Including Eugenics , Must Be Told The race-based injustices that Lewis , Jackson , Hamer and the Kings stood against , however , were very real .
We conservatives can stand some soul searching and history lessons ourselves .
A visit to the lynching memorial and Legacy Museum in Montgomery , Alabama , makes that jarringly clear .
The physical and audible evidence of slavery , segregation and incarceration are powerfully displayed .
Eugenics is not .
Perhaps that will change in the wake of Planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eugenics are also beginning to fall .
( The Bronx Zoo recently apologized for such links that even led to treating an African man as an exhibit specimen in 1906 . )
The liberal foundations and corporate funders pouring money into the Montgomery museum might now be a bit more willing to let the whole story of racism be told .
Too many folks like me ( whites raised in the South ) would , rather than the civil rights sites , be more likely to only see the First White House of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in “ The Relic Room , ” one sees Confederates venerated like saints .
When I toured it in 2019 , the only indication that slavery existed was a period illustration in which two African-Americans held candles .
Between them , Jefferson Davis speaks to a jubilant white crowd .
I noted that the exhibits failed to acknowledge any link of the building or the Confederacy to slavery , and the staffer I spoke with said they needed to do better .
I hope they are now .
Yet , I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Growing up , I was the perfect age to be enthralled by The Dukes of Hazzard .
The early 1980s television series featured an orange Dodge Charger called the General Lee that was emblazoned with the Confederate battle flag .
That flag was a common site elsewhere in my youth .
I was born and raised in a place that had changed its name to Davis County when Texas left the Union .
And it was not uncommon to hear the phrase “ the South will rise again.
” I will not stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boys .
Yet , I am embarrassed that , as an adult , I long enthusiastically told the tale of me as a law student getting cast member autographs .
The event where I got the autographs was a bit like a Star Trek convention meeting a NASCAR race .
But what for me was a fond nostalgia for Friday-night TV may have been tinged with pain for those who better understood the roots of the symbols associated with my memories .
And I made no effort to acknowledge the bigger picture .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Robert E. Lee Elementary across the street from which my grandparents lived .
That school , like the hundreds of other schools and statues erected decades after the Civil War , was really a monument to Jim Crow .
The existence of these mistakes should be recorded and remembered with regret at places like the museum in Montgomery .
But they should no longer be given places of honor .
It is time as well for my vintage poster of Bo , Luke , and Daisy Duke to be mothballed .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time to put away childish things .
John Murdock is an attorney who writes from Idaho .

“Cancel Culture” has overreached. If we allow only the perfect to be enshrined in bronze or speak their minds we will have no statues or commentators at all. Still, there are some benefits to the present cultural re-assessment.
Planned Parenthood of New York has removed the name of its founder from its Manhattan abortion clinic. Margaret Sanger was a racist eugenicist. Those in the pro-life movement who have long highlighted Sanger’s views can agree with the group’s chair, Karen Seltzer. She said the move is “a necessary and overdue step to reckon with our legacy and acknowledge Planned Parenthood’s contributions to historical reproductive harm within communities of color.”
Exposing the Sin of Eugenics and Affirming the Sin of Abortion
Of course, Planned Parenthood continues to dismember preborn babies of color. And they promote such with a smiling abortionist and assurances that the practice is “very common” (as was eugenics a century ago).
Still, the move on Sanger is a start and one that can open doors elsewhere. Someone should ask Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi whether they will return the Margaret Sanger Awards they accepted from Planned Parenthood.
Often in the name of political expediency, the cloak of “civil rights” was eventually draped around abortion.
One hopes the move will spark some soul-searching within the civil rights movement as well. In 1966, Coretta Scott King accepted one of the first Sanger Awards on behalf of her husband, Martin Luther King Jr. She said, “There is a striking kinship between our movement and Margaret Sanger’s early effort.” Oh, really?
When the Civil Right Movement Turned Its Back on the Unborn
To be clear, Planned Parenthood was not publicly advocating abortion at the time. And there is no evidence that MLK ever endorsed abortion. (MLK’s limited public statements on what we would today call “social issues” suggest the opposite.) Nevertheless, his widow and associates, like the recently departed John Lewis, would lock arms with a liberal movement. That movement, after some fits and starts, firmly locked arms with the cause of abortion rights.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Central to the civil rights movement was been the Black Church, which largely upheld traditional sexual values. However, often in the name of political expediency, the cloak of “civil rights” was eventually draped around abortion. Remember, the Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke out on behalf of the unborn before running for president. That nuanced history has become clouded in the minds of today’s younger progressives. Kamau Bell even unknowingly closed an abortion-extolling episode of his CNN series United Shades of America with the voice of the staunchly pro-life civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer.
The Whole Story of Racism, Including Eugenics, Must Be Told
The race-based injustices that Lewis, Jackson, Hamer and the Kings stood against, however, were very real. We conservatives can stand some soul searching and history lessons ourselves. A visit to the lynching memorial and Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, makes that jarringly clear. The physical and audible evidence of slavery, segregation and incarceration are powerfully displayed. Eugenics is not.
Perhaps that will change in the wake of Planned Parenthood renouncing Sanger. Other dominoes protecting eugenics are also beginning to fall. (The Bronx Zoo recently apologized for such links that even led to treating an African man as an exhibit specimen in 1906.) The liberal foundations and corporate funders pouring money into the Montgomery museum might now be a bit more willing to let the whole story of racism be told.
Too many folks like me (whites raised in the South) would, rather than the civil rights sites, be more likely to only see the First White House of the Confederacy when visiting Montgomery. There, in “The Relic Room,” one sees Confederates venerated like saints. When I toured it in 2019, the only indication that slavery existed was a period illustration in which two African-Americans held candles. Between them, Jefferson Davis speaks to a jubilant white crowd. I noted that the exhibits failed to acknowledge any link of the building or the Confederacy to slavery, and the staffer I spoke with said they needed to do better. I hope they are now.
Moving on From Personal Blind Spots
Yet, I am not without my own blind spots. Growing up, I was the perfect age to be enthralled by The Dukes of Hazzard. The early 1980s television series featured an orange Dodge Charger called the General Lee that was emblazoned with the Confederate battle flag.
That flag was a common site elsewhere in my youth. I was born and raised in a place that had changed its name to Davis County when Texas left the Union. And it was not uncommon to hear the phrase “the South will rise again.”
I will not stone my 10-year-old self for enjoying the Duke boys. Yet, I am embarrassed that, as an adult, I long enthusiastically told the tale of me as a law student getting cast member autographs. The event where I got the autographs was a bit like a Star Trek convention meeting a NASCAR race. But what for me was a fond nostalgia for Friday-night TV may have been tinged with pain for those who better understood the roots of the symbols associated with my memories. And I made no effort to acknowledge the bigger picture.
I also can recall enjoying the playground at Robert E. Lee Elementary across the street from which my grandparents lived. That school, like the hundreds of other schools and statues erected decades after the Civil War, was really a monument to Jim Crow. The existence of these mistakes should be recorded and remembered with regret at places like the museum in Montgomery. But they should no longer be given places of honor. It is time as well for my vintage poster of Bo, Luke, and Daisy Duke to be mothballed. As Saint Paul reminds us, there is a time to put away childish things.
John Murdock is an attorney who writes from Idaho.