thestream--2020-06-04--What’s Dividing and Killing Americans?

What’s Dividing and Killing Americans?

It seems like a bad time to tell you about may latest film project .
But in fact Divided Hearts of America couldn ’ t come at a more fitting moment .
Its goal is to unearth the founding truths on which our country is built .
And to challenge the dehumanizing lies that pit black against white , rich against poor , and mothers against their babies .
This is a hellish time for our country .
I don ’ t mean that figuratively , but literally .
Forces are loose in our streets and in our hearts that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Possessed .
That profound Christian author saw what comes when our souls are in disorder , and we live far from God .
As walking wounded , we ’ re vulnerable to passions of the moment .
To mindless tribal divisions .
But most of all to pseudo-intellectual actions plans , or ideologies .
The kind of gibberish you hear online from Antifa , or white nationalists .
“ Ideology ” doesn ’ t just mean “ a worldview.
” It refers to a half-baked idea with a fully-loaded gun .
Political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideologies as substitute religions , truncated or dishonest visions of man that paper over their own flaws by threatening critics with violence .
How did we get here , to a place where fascist lockdowns only lift to make way for Marxist riots ?
We forgot who we are .
Forgot both what it means to be human beings , and to be Americans .
We ’ ve walked consistently away from the founding vision of these United States .
As Robert Reilly shows in his brilliant new book , America on Trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was the human person as the image and likeness of God , Whose law we can know via reason , and enact in just laws and free institutions .
That vision grew organically from the philosophy of Greece , the institutions of Rome , and the revelation granted man via Israel , then passed on by the Church .
The vision got clouded in the Renaissance by new skepticism about the power of reason , and the rising cult of the Divine Right of Kings .
Sophists like Machiavelli whispered to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth ?
” Then urged them to crush their opponents , toss their liberties on the trash heap of history .
Sound familiar ?
But Christians in Britain like Richard Hooker revived the great tradition , citing the best medieval arguments and biblical precedents .
Then they passed that on to those pioneers who settled the 13 colonies .
The American founding was a bold and risky enterprise on the part of men who risked not just their lives but their families .
Hundreds of orthodox Christians joined a couple of Deists in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They knew that America wasn ’ t perfect .
It still bore the stain of slavery that marked almost every society in human history .
Unlike those states , America aspired to something more .
It sought perfection , not merely power .
It affirmed eternal truths , and moved inexorably closer to realizing them .
That ’ s why slaveowners lived for sixty years in ever increasing terror that their institution was doomed .
It ’ s why they tore America apart , rather than see it threatened .
The first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ principle we faced , and barely survived , was slavery .
The next grew out of it : the ugly , dehumanizing segregation white Americans imposed on the freedmen .
While our founding documents , and the great 14th Amendment , affirmed the true vision of man , little men found means to evade that .
They stuffed ballot boxes , denied black citizens guns , and finally stole even their votes .
It took another hundred years , and the Christian witness of Rev .
Martin Luther King , Jr. , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their ancestors ’ promises .
But what the devil yielded with his right hand , he took back with his left .
The Civil Rights Movement was a great moment in the triumph of Christianity in America .
That didn ’ t last .
The father of lies , a “ murderer ” moved his war to another front .
He spread the lie in the culture that the family , marriage , and the bond between mother and child weren ’ t natural and good , God ’ s means for protecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No , they were “ oppressive ” institutions and young people must “ liberate ” themselves from them as well , and “ follow their bliss.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Elites with racist heritages stepped forward to make that possible .
To offer quick , “ safe ” abortions that cleared “ unwanted ” children out of the way and filled America ’ s poor neighborhoods with clinics that made that easy .
Or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Movie To Movement ’ s mission is to promote the beauty of the human person through the power of film and stand alongside the vulnerable : from the child in the womb to the child in Chinese-occupied East Turkistan .
What divides us has always been our failure to live up to the noble vision of our founding , a Republic grounded on the truth of the human person as a creature made in the Image and likeness of God .
What will unite us is a renewed commitment to work together to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , love and beauty .
Jason Jones is a senior contributor to The Stream .
He is a film producer , author , activist and human rights worker .
You can follow him @ TGCWithJason .

It seems like a bad time to tell you about may latest film project. But in fact Divided Hearts of America couldn’t come at a more fitting moment. Its goal is to unearth the founding truths on which our country is built. And to challenge the dehumanizing lies that pit black against white, rich against poor, and mothers against their babies.
This is a hellish time for our country. I don’t mean that figuratively, but literally. Forces are loose in our streets and in our hearts that recall Dostoevsky’s prophetic novel, The Possessed. That profound Christian author saw what comes when our souls are in disorder, and we live far from God. As walking wounded, we’re vulnerable to passions of the moment. To mindless tribal divisions. But most of all to pseudo-intellectual actions plans, or ideologies. The kind of gibberish you hear online from Antifa, or white nationalists.
A Half-Baked Idea with a Fully-Loaded Gun
“Ideology” doesn’t just mean “a worldview.” It refers to a half-baked idea with a fully-loaded gun. Political philosophers Eric Voegelin and Russell Kirk analyzed ideologies as substitute religions, truncated or dishonest visions of man that paper over their own flaws by threatening critics with violence.
How did we get here, to a place where fascist lockdowns only lift to make way for Marxist riots?
We forgot who we are. Forgot both what it means to be human beings, and to be Americans. We’ve walked consistently away from the founding vision of these United States. As Robert Reilly shows in his brilliant new book, America on Trial, that vision was clear and consistent. It was the human person as the image and likeness of God, Whose law we can know via reason, and enact in just laws and free institutions.
That vision grew organically from the philosophy of Greece, the institutions of Rome, and the revelation granted man via Israel, then passed on by the Church. The vision got clouded in the Renaissance by new skepticism about the power of reason, and the rising cult of the Divine Right of Kings. Sophists like Machiavelli whispered to princes the question, “What is truth?” Then urged them to crush their opponents, toss their liberties on the trash heap of history. Sound familiar?
America Sought Perfection
But Christians in Britain like Richard Hooker revived the great tradition, citing the best medieval arguments and biblical precedents. Then they passed that on to those pioneers who settled the 13 colonies.
We forgot who we are. Forgot both what it means to be human beings, and to be Americans.
The American founding was a bold and risky enterprise on the part of men who risked not just their lives but their families. Hundreds of orthodox Christians joined a couple of Deists in drafting and approving the Declaration and Constitution. They knew that America wasn’t perfect. It still bore the stain of slavery that marked almost every society in human history. Unlike those states, America aspired to something more. It sought perfection, not merely power. It affirmed eternal truths, and moved inexorably closer to realizing them. That’s why slaveowners lived for sixty years in ever increasing terror that their institution was doomed. It’s why they tore America apart, rather than see it threatened.
The first brutal contradiction of America’s founding principle we faced, and barely survived, was slavery. The next grew out of it: the ugly, dehumanizing segregation white Americans imposed on the freedmen. While our founding documents, and the great 14th Amendment, affirmed the true vision of man, little men found means to evade that. They stuffed ballot boxes, denied black citizens guns, and finally stole even their votes. It took another hundred years, and the Christian witness of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., to finally shame Americans into living up to their ancestors’ promises.
War in the Womb
But what the devil yielded with his right hand, he took back with his left. The Civil Rights Movement was a great moment in the triumph of Christianity in America. That didn’t last. The father of lies, a “murderer” moved his war to another front. He spread the lie in the culture that the family, marriage, and the bond between mother and child weren’t natural and good, God’s means for protecting the vulnerable and raising children right. No, they were “oppressive” institutions and young people must “liberate” themselves from them as well, and “follow their bliss.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Elites with racist heritages stepped forward to make that possible. To offer quick, “safe” abortions that cleared “unwanted” children out of the way and filled America’s poor neighborhoods with clinics that made that easy. Or made it look easy, anyway.
Movie To Movement’s mission is to promote the beauty of the human person through the power of film and stand alongside the vulnerable: from the child in the womb to the child in Chinese-occupied East Turkistan.
What divides us has always been our failure to live up to the noble vision of our founding, a Republic grounded on the truth of the human person as a creature made in the Image and likeness of God. What will unite us is a renewed commitment to work together to leave our children a culture of life, love and beauty.
Jason Jones is a senior contributor to The Stream. He is a film producer, author, activist and human rights worker. You can follow him @JasonJonesShow.


Thank You, Officers

Someone put crazy pills in the water again last night , so let me say something wild and subversive : Thank you for risking your neck on the front line .
Thank you for helping make America livable .
Thank you for facing down the mobs that have been trashing our cities .
And to the hundreds of officers who have been injured in the riots so far : we love and appreciate you .
Yes , Some Officers Abuse Their Authority Yes , I know that some in criminal justice abuse their authority .
The only time I testified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beat a man in the head for no great reason .
A former prison guard tells me that in the old days , the prison elevator would sway as guards thumped inmates .
( Reforms have changed things since , he says . )
And it is dreadful to watch George Floyd die .
I hear a drumbeat of rage against the police , including from some friends .
Buildings have been torched , including buildings for low-income residents .
Neighborhoods have been trashed .
Mobs have robbed businesses blind , upscale chains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been beaten up .
Police who also have loved ones , have already been killed .
Which is why we need you .
Many people like to burn , beat , steal , drink , fight and lie , and will gladly use injustice as an excuse to commit injustice .
Often one or more parents failed to stick around and teach their child how to give instead of just taking .
Others have been brainwashed by radicals in the education system into believing that America is a racist state , that capitalism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other excuse to feel righteous as they pound on a shop owner .
Most of these riots have occurred in cities run for decades by our liberal elite , inspired by the soaring rhetoric of Martin Luther King , but tempted towards more radical ideologies .
We see how those ideologies play out .
America has almost 700,000 police officers .
Each is a sinner .
By the law of averages , some are bound to be rotten human beings , a few even sociopaths .
Society screens , trains , and sends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who would destroy it .
Sometimes society makes mistakes .
But no group of human beings would find easy that most necessary task of keeping some folk from acting like werewolves .
Given the size of our country , and the number of drunk , violent , and downright feral folk in it , no amount of screening or training will prevent some injustices from occurring .
Objectively , Police are a Relatively Trivial Danger to Non-Offending Civilians You say , “ But so many cops are crooked or racist !
” I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inner thoughts of anyone but myself .
But in the outer world of objective reality , police officers seem a relatively trivial danger to non-offending civilians .
On a typical day , several black men kill other black men , and several white men kill other white men .
On a weekend in Chicago , it ’ s much worse .
You will only hear about these killings if certain people , who decide what is news , suddenly decide that every life matters after all .
In other words , you will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by white police officers against unarmed and non-threatening black suspects , as in the case of George Floyd , are extremely rare .
The vast majority of men shot by police are armed and in the process of attacking someone .
More than twice as many of those shot are white as black .
Surprisingly , Blacks and Hispanics are more likely to shoot and kill suspects of their own race than are Whites .
( Likely because cop and suspect are drawn from the same community . )
My Brother Felt Called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday I talked with a retired police officer with some 40 years of experience : my brother .
He says he was physically attacked “ thousands ” of times , often by drunks .
He has rushed into burning vehicles to save the driver , taken hypothermic teenagers off rafts , gone into motorcycle bars by himself to pull out a thug that had just busted someone up badly , and faced down angry mobs alone .
He credits his survival to divine intervention and the prayers of members of his church .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officer , he said , as a young man .
Now that he is retired , he insists on that calling even more emphatically .
But never mind rescues in the middle of a flooding river .
Think of drunk drivers .
How many of your children , mothers , would be dead if police didn ’ t risk their necks in traffic to pull over speeding drunks ?
Do you want the millions of violent men now behind bars to be out on the street , unrestrained ?
Emasculating the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you enjoy riots , a police force muzzled and fearful is just the ticket .
What If We Faced the Same Pressures in Our Workplaces ?
And who has the right to cast that first brick ?
I am a teacher .
How would teachers look , if our every move were monitored by cameras and then any careless action were posted online and promoted by a broad , angry , and unscrupulous community of radicals who wished to portray us as hateful bigots ?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Moral Issues of Our Day .
I once helped intervene in a fight between a teacher and student in which the teacher was the aggressor .
He wasn ’ t fired , since he was the only teacher in the school who tried to help that kid , who had few friends among his classmates .
What would that scene have looked like if it had been posted online ?
Parents might have stormed the gates .
Our school might have folded .
And it wasn ’ t a bad school .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ student .
Thanks to smart phones , we see how an anecdote can lie , and how a lie can destroy a city .
Now no one needs to say , “ The Jews are poisoning the wells !
” We watch the video of a single case online , and false generalizations justify themselves .
Thank You for Keeping the Beast in Us — and You — Mostly in Check Society ( especially cities run by Democrats ) has sown the wind , and is reaping a whirlwind .
Left-wing ideology railed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is almost dead in the inner city .
The media , educated under posters of Martin Luther King , Gandhi , and sometimes Malcolm X , encourages us to spot white racism under every rock , especially a few months before an election .
Criminals were even let out of prison in time to join the mobs .
Then to keep us safe , society commissions that thin blue line .
No need to be sentimental .
Every officer is also a sinner , subject to the same forces of social dissolution that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dealing with the roughest elements of society can have a hardening effect over time .
And to be effective , police foster a team spirit that , unchecked , can morph into groupthink or an us-versus-them mentality — which may explain why those three other officers failed to act .
It is an inherently difficult balance to find and keep , day after day .
But let us thank America ’ s officers of all races and creeds , for trying to keep that balance .
Thank you for keeping the beast in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ check .
Thank you for putting up with insults , spit , and often punches , and keeping our communities safe .
I ’ ll even say thanks for those speeding tickets .
They were well-meant , I realize .
Reader , last night , fellow citizens possessed by the devil may have trashed your hometown .
Here ’ s a suggestion .
Grab a broom and some work gloves , and join the crowd of all races cleaning up the next morning .
Show the world that America is not dead yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Give them to an officer of the law , and tell him “ thank you ” from all of us .
David Marshall holds a bachelor ’ s degree in the Russian and Chinese Languages and Marxism , a master ’ s degree in Chinese Religions , and a doctoral degree in Christian Thought and Chinese Tradition .
His most recent book is Jesus is No Myth : The Fingerprints of God on the Gospels .

Someone put crazy pills in the water again last night, so let me say something wild and subversive:
Thank you, officer.
Thank you for risking your neck on the front line. Thank you for helping make America livable. Thank you for facing down the mobs that have been trashing our cities. And to the hundreds of officers who have been injured in the riots so far: we love and appreciate you.
Yes, Some Officers Abuse Their Authority
Yes, I know that some in criminal justice abuse their authority. The only time I testified in court was against a cop who beat a man in the head for no great reason. A former prison guard tells me that in the old days, the prison elevator would sway as guards thumped inmates. (Reforms have changed things since, he says.)
And it is dreadful to watch George Floyd die. I hear a drumbeat of rage against the police, including from some friends. Buildings have been torched, including buildings for low-income residents. Neighborhoods have been trashed. Mobs have robbed businesses blind, upscale chains and Mom-and-Pop shops. Business owners have been beaten up. Police who also have loved ones, have already been killed.
We need you.
Which is why we need you. Many people like to burn, beat, steal, drink, fight and lie, and will gladly use injustice as an excuse to commit injustice. Often one or more parents failed to stick around and teach their child how to give instead of just taking. Others have been brainwashed by radicals in the education system into believing that America is a racist state, that capitalism needs to be destroyed, or some other excuse to feel righteous as they pound on a shop owner. Most of these riots have occurred in cities run for decades by our liberal elite, inspired by the soaring rhetoric of Martin Luther King, but tempted towards more radical ideologies. We see how those ideologies play out.
America has almost 700,000 police officers. Each is a sinner. By the law of averages, some are bound to be rotten human beings, a few even sociopaths. Society screens, trains, and sends them out to protect civilization from throngs who would destroy it. Sometimes society makes mistakes. But no group of human beings would find easy that most necessary task of keeping some folk from acting like werewolves. Given the size of our country, and the number of drunk, violent, and downright feral folk in it, no amount of screening or training will prevent some injustices from occurring.
Objectively, Police are a Relatively Trivial Danger to Non-Offending Civilians
You say, “But so many cops are crooked or racist!”
I can’t pretend to know the inner thoughts of anyone but myself. But in the outer world of objective reality, police officers seem a relatively trivial danger to non-offending civilians.
On a typical day, several black men kill other black men, and several white men kill other white men. On a weekend in Chicago, it’s much worse. You will only hear about these killings if certain people, who decide what is news, suddenly decide that every life matters after all. In other words, you will not hear about them.
Fatal acts by white police officers against unarmed and non-threatening black suspects, as in the case of George Floyd, are extremely rare.
Fatal acts by white police officers against unarmed and non-threatening black suspects, as in the case of George Floyd, are extremely rare. The vast majority of men shot by police are armed and in the process of attacking someone. More than twice as many of those shot are white as black. Surprisingly, Blacks and Hispanics are more likely to shoot and kill suspects of their own race than are Whites. (Likely because cop and suspect are drawn from the same community.)
My Brother Felt Called By God to be a Police Officer
Sunday I talked with a retired police officer with some 40 years of experience: my brother. He says he was physically attacked “thousands” of times, often by drunks. He has rushed into burning vehicles to save the driver, taken hypothermic teenagers off rafts, gone into motorcycle bars by himself to pull out a thug that had just busted someone up badly, and faced down angry mobs alone. He credits his survival to divine intervention and the prayers of members of his church.
God called him to serve as a police officer, he said, as a young man. Now that he is retired, he insists on that calling even more emphatically.
But never mind rescues in the middle of a flooding river. Think of drunk drivers. How many of your children, mothers, would be dead if police didn’t risk their necks in traffic to pull over speeding drunks? Do you want the millions of violent men now behind bars to be out on the street, unrestrained? Emasculating the police is in their professional interest. If you enjoy riots, a police force muzzled and fearful is just the ticket.
What If We Faced the Same Pressures in Our Workplaces?
And who has the right to cast that first brick?
I am a teacher. How would teachers look, if our every move were monitored by cameras and then any careless action were posted online and promoted by a broad, angry, and unscrupulous community of radicals who wished to portray us as hateful bigots?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
I once helped intervene in a fight between a teacher and student in which the teacher was the aggressor. He wasn’t fired, since he was the only teacher in the school who tried to help that kid, who had few friends among his classmates. What would that scene have looked like if it had been posted online? Parents might have stormed the gates. Our school might have folded. And it wasn’t a bad school. We tried to help both teacher and student.
Thanks to smart phones, we see how an anecdote can lie, and how a lie can destroy a city. Now no one needs to say, “The Jews are poisoning the wells!” We watch the video of a single case online, and false generalizations justify themselves.
Thank You for Keeping the Beast in Us — and You — Mostly in Check
Society (especially cities run by Democrats) has sown the wind, and is reaping a whirlwind. Left-wing ideology railed against “patriarchal marriage”: Marriage is almost dead in the inner city. The media, educated under posters of Martin Luther King, Gandhi, and sometimes Malcolm X, encourages us to spot white racism under every rock, especially a few months before an election. Criminals were even let out of prison in time to join the mobs.
Then to keep us safe, society commissions that thin blue line.
To be effective, police foster a team spirit that, unchecked, can morph into groupthink or an us-versus-them mentality — which may explain why those three other officers failed to act.
No need to be sentimental. Every officer is also a sinner, subject to the same forces of social dissolution that act on society as a whole. Dealing with the roughest elements of society can have a hardening effect over time. And to be effective, police foster a team spirit that, unchecked, can morph into groupthink or an us-versus-them mentality — which may explain why those three other officers failed to act. It is an inherently difficult balance to find and keep, day after day.
But let us thank America’s officers of all races and creeds, for trying to keep that balance. Thank you for keeping the beast in us (and yourselves) mostly in check. Thank you for putting up with insults, spit, and often punches, and keeping our communities safe.
I’ll even say thanks for those speeding tickets. They were well-meant, I realize.
Reader, last night, fellow citizens possessed by the devil may have trashed your hometown. Here’s a suggestion. Grab a broom and some work gloves, and join the crowd of all races cleaning up the next morning. Show the world that America is not dead yet. And bring some flowers along. Give them to an officer of the law, and tell him “thank you” from all of us.
David Marshall holds a bachelor’s degree in the Russian and Chinese Languages and Marxism, a master’s degree in Chinese Religions, and a doctoral degree in Christian Thought and Chinese Tradition. His most recent book is Jesus is No Myth: The Fingerprints of God on the Gospels.


thestream--2020-06-04--A Call to Celebrate Unity: June 6th is Harmony Day

Businessman and philanthropist Foster Friess has called for pastors and civic leaders to organize events to celebrate and promote unity on Saturday , June 6 .
Friess is calling it “ Harmony Day.
” Friess is specifically asking leaders to go out of their way to include participants of diverse races , as well as law enforcement .
He wants communities to put together a rally , march or BBQ — an event that will promote unity .
Pastors and civic leaders can register their event online at HarmonyDay.org .
“ This event can be a rally/march or even an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s all about unity , community , ” the website states .
Leaders are invited to send receipts for any costs to be reimbursed up to $ 1,000 .
Pastors and civic leaders can list their event on the website in a searchable format .
“ We reject hate and violence and efforts to divide Americans along race , ” the website states .
“ Saturday , June 6th , we celebrate the harmony that exists and promote its expansion.
” In 2017 , Friess organized a “ Return to Civility , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone who held different beliefs to have coffee and chat .
“ When you get to get to know someone on a personal basis , it ’ s very hard to be angry and mean , ” he told Fox News ’ Tucker Carlson ahead of his coffee date with politician Maria Chappelle Nadal .
“ And we have to be more careful about throwing this word ‘ hate ’ around .
Let love trump hate , so to speak.
” Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream .
You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

Businessman and philanthropist Foster Friess has called for pastors and civic leaders to organize events to celebrate and promote unity on Saturday, June 6. Friess is calling it “Harmony Day.”
Friess is specifically asking leaders to go out of their way to include participants of diverse races, as well as law enforcement. He wants communities to put together a rally, march or BBQ — an event that will promote unity.
Harmony Day
Pastors and civic leaders can register their event online at HarmonyDay.org. “This event can be a rally/march or even an event at the church — again it’s all about unity, community,” the website states. Leaders are invited to send receipts for any costs to be reimbursed up to $1,000. Pastors and civic leaders can list their event on the website in a searchable format.
“We reject hate and violence and efforts to divide Americans along race,” the website states. “Saturday, June 6th, we celebrate the harmony that exists and promote its expansion.”
In 2017, Friess organized a “Return to Civility,” where he asked people to take someone who held different beliefs to have coffee and chat. “When you get to get to know someone on a personal basis, it’s very hard to be angry and mean,” he told Fox News’ Tucker Carlson ahead of his coffee date with politician Maria Chappelle Nadal. “And we have to be more careful about throwing this word ‘hate’ around. Let love trump hate, so to speak.”
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-06-04--Rosenstein Testimony is a Giant Step in Exposing #Spygate

Former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein , who signed off on the last renewal of the FISA warrant application to spy on Carter Page , appointed Robert Mueller , determined the “ scope ” of the special counsel investigation of Trump and his colleagues , and supposedly supervised Mueller and his team , tried hard in testimony Wednesday to distance himself from all that happened in what has been dubbed “ Spygate.
” He was smiling broadly at times , perhaps because he thought he was succeeding in his aim .
And maybe he was , at least partially .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ own skin , this slippery attorney actually succeeded in showing us that there was a coup against the President .
Nothing else makes sense .
If we weren ’ t living in “ these uncertain times ” — a phrase I can ’ t wait to see retired — Rosenstein ’ s testimony would be “ the ” story right now .
Even the mainstream media might have to cover it a little .
At the moment , it ’ s easy for them to bury it .
But this was just the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Durham continues to investigate .
Step by step , the revelations continue to prove we were right .
He Just Trusted What He Was Told In his long-awaited testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee , Rosenstein ’ s strategy was to present himself as someone who trusted his colleagues to give him correct information .
So much so that he didn ’ t bother to read “ every word ” of the FISA application before signing it , even though in this case his signature was his personal stamp of verification of “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sen. Lindsay Graham , chairman of the committee , was having none of it .
Neither was Sen. Ted Cruz , who skewered Rosenstein for including Michael Flynn in the “ scope ” memo in August of 2017 after the FBI had concluded on January 4 there was no evidence against Flynn and that the case should be closed .
He went on to bring up that infamous meeting held the very next day , January 5 , in the Oval Office .
Going through the timeline , he told Rosenstein there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either that you were complicit in the wrongdoing , which I don ’ t believe was the case , or that your performance of your duties was grossly negligent.
” Much more ; this is a must-watch video if you ’ ve not already seen it .
You ’ ll notice in the video that Rosenstein isn ’ t smiling anymore .
It was really Cruz , by giving Rosenstein the benefit of the doubt as he did , who showed point-by-point what had been going on deep within the FBI .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you aware of … this ? )
Rosenstein comes across as a naive fool .
But that ’ s likely a choice he has made , finding it preferable to coming across as someone who should be wearing an orange jumpsuit .
“ Why did you let this pile of partisan lies consume the country for two years ?
” Cruz asks .
Rosenstein tries in vain to change direction , saying that “ there was a lot going on at the Department of Justice ” during those years , that he and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” that weren ’ t “ just about the Russia investigation , ” as if that had any bearing here .
David Marcus at the New York Post has a magnificent write-up of the day ’ s testimony and its significance .
It Was All a Fraud Sen. Graham asked Rosenstein the big takeaway question of the day : “ If you knew then what you know now , would you have signed the warrant application ?
” No , he would not .
If it was wrong for Rosenstein to sign the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then it was wrong to apply for the warrant in the first place .
From the start , there was never any evidence on Carter Page .
They used that first warrant as a pretext for all the spying to come .
So that ’ s it .
It was all a fraud , started with a piece of partisan , fictional oppo “ research ” paid for by ( who else ? )
the Hillary Clinton campaign .
It was perpetrated against Donald Trump , his associates and the country at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needless torture over nothing .
Think of all the histrionics , the obsession , the endless “ Russia , Russia Russia !
” paranoia , leaping from the front page of The New York Times , and consuming almost all major media , day after day after day .
The many millions of dollars wasted .
The enormous waste of time — Congress ’ s time , everybody ’ s time .
Trump ’ s presidency was practically stalled .
That was the idea , of course .
Think of the lives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn , a man who served his country for 33 years .
As it turns out , he didn ’ t lie after all .
The FBI didn ’ t even ask him the question ( concerning sanctions on Russia ) they later accused him of lying about !
Then there ’ s Carter Page , who had actually helped the FBI in the past yet was accused by them of being a Russian agent .
The President himself was being investigated for conspiracy with Russia — which would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence of that at all .
Of course , if Hillary had ( shudder ) been elected , all evidence would have been swept away , shredded , hit with hammers and Bleach-bitted , and the spying on political enemies would have metastasized .
Think of the lack of focus we had on really important things — particularly China , which was hiding the spread of a deadly contagion from its own virology lab while Congress was busy with its kangaroo-court impeachment fiasco .
The irony ?
Vladimir Putin must have had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
He did want to see chaos over here , and in their zeal to get rid of Trump , our own Justice Department and the American media gave it to him .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Mr. Marcus is clearly as angry about this as I am .
“ What is becoming clear , ” he says , is that the Department of Justice wanted to prevent , then destroy , a Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being led by the facts ; they were manipulating the facts and hiding exculpatory evidence to bring down Trump and his associates.
” I would add that this is what Rosenstein was trying to distance himself from today .
He has to appear ignorant of all of it or be part of the conspiracy .
If he does know more than he ’ s letting on — which seems likely ; Cruz gave him more benefit of the doubt than I would — it ’ ll be up to John Durham and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , through the testimony of others or some revealing text or email .
Also , U.S. Attorney John Bash is now looking more closely at the unmasking process , particularly as it was used against Michael Flynn .
More subpoenas are set to be issued this week .
Clapper , Brennan , Comey , and McCabe are expected to be among those subpoenaed by the Senate .
Democrats tried to say on Wednesday that these hearings are being held to weaken Biden ’ s run for president .
Trust me , if this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have plenty to investigate him for , and that wouldn ’ t be pretty , either .
On Wednesday , Andrew McCabe issued a statement essentially calling Rosenstein a liar for suggesting that FBI officials misled him .
Details here .
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsay Graham read it aloud near the close of the hearing and allowed Rosenstein a chance to respond .
Rosenstein said he hadn ’ t actually said “ misled.
” He ’ d said McCabe hadn ’ t been “ fully forthcoming.
” Personally , I doubt either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forthcoming.
” Apparently , there ’ s a longstanding feud between McCabe and Rosenstein , starting around the time President Trump fired then-FBI Director James Comey .
The Washington Post wrote about this two years ago , and it adds a fascinating dimension to the story .
McCabe is the one who said in a memo that Rosenstein had talked in a meeting about wearing a wire and using the 25th Amendment to get rid of Trump .
Rosenstein reportedly responded later that he had been joking .
Then-FBI general counsel James Baker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments after the meeting and thought Rosenstein was serious .
At that time , each man had his own reasons for wanting the other to step away from the “ Trump/Russia ” case .
And today , they ’ re telling different stories about what went on .
A prosecutor ’ s dream .
I have a feeling this is going to get good .
Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas and longtime conservative commentator on issues in culture and current events .
A New York Times best-selling author , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TBN .

Former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who signed off on the last renewal of the FISA warrant application to spy on Carter Page, appointed Robert Mueller, determined the “scope” of the special counsel investigation of Trump and his colleagues, and supposedly supervised Mueller and his team, tried hard in testimony Wednesday to distance himself from all that happened in what has been dubbed “Spygate.”
He was smiling broadly at times, perhaps because he thought he was succeeding in his aim. And maybe he was, at least partially. But with his effort to save his own skin, this slippery attorney actually succeeded in showing us that there was a coup against the President. Nothing else makes sense.
If we weren’t living in “these uncertain times” — a phrase I can’t wait to see retired — Rosenstein’s testimony would be “the” story right now. Even the mainstream media might have to cover it a little. At the moment, it’s easy for them to bury it. But this was just the first of many hearings, and John Durham continues to investigate. Step by step, the revelations continue to prove we were right.
He Just Trusted What He Was Told
In his long-awaited testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Rosenstein’s strategy was to present himself as someone who trusted his colleagues to give him correct information. So much so that he didn’t bother to read “every word” of the FISA application before signing it, even though in this case his signature was his personal stamp of verification of “every word” to the FISA court.
Sen. Graham asked Rosenstein the big takeaway question of the day: “If you knew then what you know now, would you have signed the warrant application?”
Rosenstein was ready: “No I would not.”
Sen. Lindsay Graham, chairman of the committee, was having none of it. Neither was Sen. Ted Cruz, who skewered Rosenstein for including Michael Flynn in the “scope” memo in August of 2017 after the FBI had concluded on January 4 there was no evidence against Flynn and that the case should be closed. He went on to bring up that infamous meeting held the very next day, January 5, in the Oval Office. Going through the timeline, he told Rosenstein there were only two possible conclusions: “either that you were complicit in the wrongdoing, which I don’t believe was the case, or that your performance of your duties was grossly negligent.” Much more; this is a must-watch video if you’ve not already seen it.
You’ll notice in the video that Rosenstein isn’t smiling anymore. It was really Cruz, by giving Rosenstein the benefit of the doubt as he did, who showed point-by-point what had been going on deep within the FBI. (Were you aware of this? Were you aware of … this?) Rosenstein comes across as a naive fool. But that’s likely a choice he has made, finding it preferable to coming across as someone who should be wearing an orange jumpsuit.
“Why did you let this pile of partisan lies consume the country for two years?” Cruz asks. Rosenstein tries in vain to change direction, saying that “there was a lot going on at the Department of Justice” during those years, that he and Jeff Sessions were making “significant changes” that weren’t “just about the Russia investigation,” as if that had any bearing here.
David Marcus at the New York Post has a magnificent write-up of the day’s testimony and its significance.
It Was All a Fraud
Sen. Graham asked Rosenstein the big takeaway question of the day: “If you knew then what you know now, would you have signed the warrant application?”
Rosenstein was ready: “No, I would not.”
No, he would not. If it was wrong for Rosenstein to sign the renewal based on the facts they had, then it was wrong to apply for the warrant in the first place. From the start, there was never any evidence on Carter Page. They used that first warrant as a pretext for all the spying to come.
So that’s it. It was all a fraud, started with a piece of partisan, fictional oppo “research” paid for by (who else?) the Hillary Clinton campaign. It was perpetrated against Donald Trump, his associates and the country at large. We went through years of needless torture over nothing. Think of all the histrionics, the obsession, the endless “Russia, Russia Russia!” paranoia, leaping from the front page of The New York Times, and consuming almost all major media, day after day after day. The many millions of dollars wasted. The enormous waste of time — Congress’s time, everybody’s time. Trump’s presidency was practically stalled. That was the idea, of course.
Think of the lives and careers that were ruined, particularly that of Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, a man who served his country for 33 years. As it turns out, he didn’t lie after all. The FBI didn’t even ask him the question (concerning sanctions on Russia) they later accused him of lying about! Then there’s Carter Page, who had actually helped the FBI in the past yet was accused by them of being a Russian agent. The President himself was being investigated for conspiracy with Russia — which would be treason — when there was no evidence of that at all. Of course, if Hillary had (shudder) been elected, all evidence would have been swept away, shredded, hit with hammers and Bleach-bitted, and the spying on political enemies would have metastasized.
Think of the lack of focus we had on really important things — particularly China, which was hiding the spread of a deadly contagion from its own virology lab while Congress was busy with its kangaroo-court impeachment fiasco.
The irony? Vladimir Putin must have had a really good laugh about it, every day. He did want to see chaos over here, and in their zeal to get rid of Trump, our own Justice Department and the American media gave it to him.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Mr. Marcus is clearly as angry about this as I am. “What is becoming clear,” he says, is that the Department of Justice wanted to prevent, then destroy, a Trump presidency. These were not open-minded officials being led by the facts; they were manipulating the facts and hiding exculpatory evidence to bring down Trump and his associates.”
I would add that this is what Rosenstein was trying to distance himself from today. He has to appear ignorant of all of it or be part of the conspiracy. If he does know more than he’s letting on — which seems likely; Cruz gave him more benefit of the doubt than I would — it’ll be up to John Durham and his team of investigators to prove he does, through the testimony of others or some revealing text or email. Also, U.S. Attorney John Bash is now looking more closely at the unmasking process, particularly as it was used against Michael Flynn.
More subpoenas are set to be issued this week. Clapper, Brennan, Comey, and McCabe are expected to be among those subpoenaed by the Senate.
Democrats tried to say on Wednesday that these hearings are being held to weaken Biden’s run for president. Trust me, if this were about Biden, we’d have plenty to investigate him for, and that wouldn’t be pretty, either.
McCabe Responds. It’s On.
On Wednesday, Andrew McCabe issued a statement essentially calling Rosenstein a liar for suggesting that FBI officials misled him. Details here.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsay Graham read it aloud near the close of the hearing and allowed Rosenstein a chance to respond. Rosenstein said he hadn’t actually said “misled.” He’d said McCabe hadn’t been “fully forthcoming.”
Personally, I doubt either one of them has been “fully forthcoming.”
Apparently, there’s a longstanding feud between McCabe and Rosenstein, starting around the time President Trump fired then-FBI Director James Comey. The Washington Post wrote about this two years ago, and it adds a fascinating dimension to the story.
McCabe is the one who said in a memo that Rosenstein had talked in a meeting about wearing a wire and using the 25th Amendment to get rid of Trump. Rosenstein reportedly responded later that he had been joking. Then-FBI general counsel James Baker was not present but heard about the comments after the meeting and thought Rosenstein was serious.
At that time, each man had his own reasons for wanting the other to step away from the “Trump/Russia” case. And today, they’re telling different stories about what went on. A prosecutor’s dream. I have a feeling this is going to get good.
Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas and longtime conservative commentator on issues in culture and current events. A New York Times best-selling author, he hosts the weekly talk show Huckabee on TBN.
Originally published at MikeHuckabee.com. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-06-04--Snake News and the Rising Death Toll From Trump Derangement Syndrome

Three current stories on widely divergent areas all sharing one common denominator : the despising of Trump leading to death , deceit and destruction , pumped into the body politic by the venomous bite of Snake News .
As we ’ ve noted before , “ Fake News ” is stories like Elvis being spotted in Vegas , a closeted actor romancing his leading lady , Hillary Clinton being the smartest woman on the planet .
However , Snake News is “ The deliberate distortion , manipulation or creation of information in order to damage , demonize or destroy.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Garden and , thanks to the “ ruler of the power of the air , ” is now a regular feature of our mainstream news sources .
Remember the deadly pandemic ?
Looting apparently kills Covid-19 .
But before that happened , over 100,000 Americans died from the virus .
As the coronavirus began ravaging our land , President Trump touted as a possible way of saving lives hydroxychloriquine , or HCQ .
Suddenly — and directly because Trump championed the cheap , safe drug — the mainstream media treated it like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the ground here and abroad were insisting HCQ was helping save lives , a massive effort was launched to destroy or discredit the drug and anyone who touted it .
Just ask Rep. Karen Whitsett , the black Democratic lawmaker from Michigan who credited Trump and HCQ with saving her life , only to have the Democratic officials try to wreck her career .
But , Al , didn ’ t you see that the World Health Organization halted studies into hydroxychloroquine because it was proving deadly ?
That the esteemed medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HCQ to be dangerous ?
Yeah .
The gleeful American mainstream media repeated that over and over and over and over again .
Hitting Trump for touting the drug again and again .
Well , turns out an investigation by The Guardian newspaper shows the data used by the WHO and Lancet was false .
The database came from a little known US company called Surgisphere that suddenly emerged as a data provider in the past two months .
Its handful of employees seem to have very little if any science background .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Australia flat out didn ’ t match what was actually happening in Australia .
Check out this key paragraph from The Guardian : The Guardian investigation is so troubling that Lancet is now acknowledging they have a mess on their hands .
The New England Journal of Medicine also questioned the studies .
Meanwhile , the World Health Organization has resumed its HCQ studies .
How much are you hearing about this ?
This , of course , is just one front on the war against HCQ … a war on Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost could we have saved , if there hadn ’ t been such a determined effort to deny Trump a “ victory ” ?
TDS kills .
For four days now you have been told over and over again that officers used tear gas and rubber bullets to clear away “ peaceful protesters ” so President Trump could do a “ photo op ” at St. John ’ s Episcopal Church .
It is a lie .
It is Snake News .
No tear gas .
No rubber bullets .
And protesters were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service — the famously non-political National Park Service — the cheerful folks who tutor you on the memorials , show off the Grand Canyon , guide you through Yellowstone — saw 50 of their people injured by rioters over the weekend .
They issued a statement Tuesday spelling out why they cleared away the crowd Monday .
And it had nothing to do with Trump .
And everything to do with a very real threat to lives and property .
Read the whole statement here .
But here ’ s the pertinent part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the USPP worked with the United States Secret Service to have temporary fencing installed inside Lafayette Park .
At approximately 6:33 pm , violent protestors on H Street NW began throwing projectiles including bricks , frozen water bottles and caustic liquids .
The protestors also climbed onto a historic building at the north end of Lafayette Park that was destroyed by arson days prior .
Intelligence had revealed calls for violence against the police , and officers found caches of glass bottles , baseball bats and metal poles hidden along the street .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the USPP , following established policy , issued three warnings over a loudspeaker to alert demonstrators on H Street to evacuate the area .
Horse mounted patrol , Civil Disturbance Units and additional personnel were used to clear the area .
As many of the protestors became more combative , continued to throw projectiles , and attempted to grab officers ’ weapons , officers then employed the use of smoke canisters and pepper balls .
No tear gas was used by USPP officers or other assisting law enforcement partners to close the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mine . )
Yet rather than be on the side of the innocent people destined to be hurt by those baseball bats , metal poles and caustic liquids , the media and democratic leaders continue pushing the lie .
They keep protecting those who bring war on America .
Why ?
Just because Trump walked over to a church that those militants had burned ; the historic “ Church of the Presidents.
” TDS puts lives in danger .
The St. John ’ s story proves The First Law of Snake News .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Is Hyperventilating Over Will Be Proven False.
” ( The corollary to the First Law : It ’ ll usually be proven false with 24 hours .
As the St. John ’ s meme was . )
The First Law was proven true again Wednesday .
Remember the frothing 24/7 coverage of “ TRUMP-RUSSIA !
” ?
Barely a peep yesterday as another nail was put in the coffin of the Trump-Russia Collusion black op .
The three year , Snake News-driven lie that President Trump and his campaign had teamed with Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein testified Wednesday before the Senate Intelligence Committee .
Rosenstein played the befuddled bureaucrat kept in the dark by the FBI .
He testified under oath he had no idea the FISA warrant he signed off on Carter Page had not been verified .
That the FBI kept from him the exculpatory evidence proving Carter Page was no more a Russian spy than he was a Moroccan belly dancer .
Rosenstein said if the FBI told him then what he knows now , he would not have approved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrant that allowed spying on President Trump and his people to continue .
Deputy Director Andrew McCabe had not been forthcoming , he said .
( McCabe then turned around and accused Rosenstein of giving “ false ” testimony . )
Rosenstein acknowledged that when he appointed Robert Mueller Special Counsel in May 2017 he did not know that Peter Strzok ’ s 9-month investigation had shown there was “ no there there ” in terms of collusion .
( In other words , there was no need for a Special Counsel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
But the gullible puppy routine only went so far .
Rosenstein also admitted under oath that he did know by August of 2017 that there was absolutely , positively zero evidence Trump or any of his associates were connected with Russia .
And yet , he allowed the Mueller Special Counsel investigation to continue .
And yet , he did not clear Trump and his associates even though he knew they were innocent .
In fact , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation … prepared by the same people conspiring in the Trump Russia lie in the first place .
Carter Page , George Papadapoulos , Michael Flynn .
We know how their lives were ruined , their names smeared .
How many others were dragged and kicked around by Mueller ’ s team ?
How many other people connected with Trump faced financial ruin ?
Bigger picture .
How paralyzed was our nation because of the “ Trump Russia Collusion ” drama ?
How much was national security damaged because Trump wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
For example , how many more lives were lost to Islamic extremism n the Middle East because the U.S. and Russia couldn ’ t fully cooperate ?
And why ?
TDS .
The Obama administration concocted a lie , the media peddled the lie , the public absorbed the lie .
And Americans suffered .
The enemy comes to “ steal , kill and destroy.
” In the Garden he used an apple and smooth words .
Today he uses his Snake News Networks and chyrons .
Al Perrotta is the Managing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

Trump Derangement Syndrome is now a proven killer.
Three current stories on widely divergent areas all sharing one common denominator: the despising of Trump leading to death, deceit and destruction, pumped into the body politic by the venomous bite of Snake News.
As we’ve noted before, “Fake News” is stories like Elvis being spotted in Vegas, a closeted actor romancing his leading lady, Hillary Clinton being the smartest woman on the planet. However, Snake News is “The deliberate distortion, manipulation or creation of information in order to damage, demonize or destroy.” It goes back to the Serpent in the Garden and, thanks to the “ruler of the power of the air,” is now a regular feature of our mainstream news sources.
Recent Anti-Hydroxychloroquine Stories Are Based on Fraudulent Data
Remember the deadly pandemic? Looting apparently kills Covid-19. But before that happened, over 100,000 Americans died from the virus. As the coronavirus began ravaging our land, President Trump touted as a possible way of saving lives hydroxychloriquine, or HCQ. Suddenly — and directly because Trump championed the cheap, safe drug — the mainstream media treated it like it was arsenic. Even as doctors on the ground here and abroad were insisting HCQ was helping save lives, a massive effort was launched to destroy or discredit the drug and anyone who touted it. Just ask Rep. Karen Whitsett, the black Democratic lawmaker from Michigan who credited Trump and HCQ with saving her life, only to have the Democratic officials try to wreck her career.
But, Al, didn’t you see that the World Health Organization halted studies into hydroxychloroquine because it was proving deadly? That the esteemed medical journal Lancet said the data was showing HCQ to be dangerous? Yeah. The gleeful American mainstream media repeated that over and over and over and over again. Hitting Trump for touting the drug again and again.
Well, turns out an investigation by The Guardian newspaper shows the data used by the WHO and Lancet was false. The database came from a little known US company called Surgisphere that suddenly emerged as a data provider in the past two months. Its handful of employees seem to have very little if any science background. The Guardian discovered Surgisphere’s numbers in Australia flat out didn’t match what was actually happening in Australia.
Check out this key paragraph from The Guardian:
Peter Ellis, the chief data scientist of Nous Group, an international management consultancy that does data integration projects for government departments, expressed concern that Surgisphere database was “almost certainly a scam.”
(Questions for another time: Who was behind the “scam”? Who put this little company into the game the past two months? Who got them WHO’s ear?)
The Guardian investigation is so troubling that Lancet is now acknowledging they have a mess on their hands.
Given the questions raised about the reliability of the data gathered by Surgisphere, we have today issued an Expression of Concern, pending further investigation. An independent data audit is currently underway and we trust that this review, which should be completed within the next week, will tell us more about the status of the findings reported in the paper by Mandeep Mehra and colleagues.
(UPDATE: The study has now been retracted from Lancet.)
The New England Journal of Medicine also questioned the studies. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has resumed its HCQ studies.
How much are you hearing about this? This, of course, is just one front on the war against HCQ … a war on Trump. How many of the 106,000 lives lost could we have saved, if there hadn’t been such a determined effort to deny Trump a “victory”? TDS kills.
The Lie About St. John’s
For four days now you have been told over and over again that officers used tear gas and rubber bullets to clear away “peaceful protesters” so President Trump could do a “photo op” at St. John’s Episcopal Church. It is a lie. It is Snake News. No tear gas. No rubber bullets. And protesters were far from peaceful.
The National Park Service — the famously non-political National Park Service — the cheerful folks who tutor you on the memorials, show off the Grand Canyon, guide you through Yellowstone — saw 50 of their people injured by rioters over the weekend. They issued a statement Tuesday spelling out why they cleared away the crowd Monday. And it had nothing to do with Trump. And everything to do with a very real threat to lives and property.
Read the whole statement here. But here’s the pertinent part:
On Monday, June 1, the USPP worked with the United States Secret Service to have temporary fencing installed inside Lafayette Park. At approximately 6:33 pm, violent protestors on H Street NW began throwing projectiles including bricks, frozen water bottles and caustic liquids. The protestors also climbed onto a historic building at the north end of Lafayette Park that was destroyed by arson days prior. Intelligence had revealed calls for violence against the police, and officers found caches of glass bottles, baseball bats and metal poles hidden along the street. To curtail the violence that was underway, the USPP, following established policy, issued three warnings over a loudspeaker to alert demonstrators on H Street to evacuate the area. Horse mounted patrol, Civil Disturbance Units and additional personnel were used to clear the area. As many of the protestors became more combative, continued to throw projectiles, and attempted to grab officers’ weapons, officers then employed the use of smoke canisters and pepper balls. No tear gas was used by USPP officers or other assisting law enforcement partners to close the area at Lafayette Park. (Emphasis mine.)
Yet rather than be on the side of the innocent people destined to be hurt by those baseball bats, metal poles and caustic liquids, the media and democratic leaders continue pushing the lie. They keep protecting those who bring war on America. Why? Just because Trump walked over to a church that those militants had burned; the historic “Church of the Presidents.” TDS puts lives in danger.
The St. John’s story proves The First Law of Snake News. “Anything Involving Trump That the Media Is Hyperventilating Over Will Be Proven False.” (The corollary to the First Law: It’ll usually be proven false with 24 hours. As the St. John’s meme was.)
Rosenstein Confirms the Russian Black Op
The First Law was proven true again Wednesday. Remember the frothing 24/7 coverage of “TRUMP-RUSSIA!”? Barely a peep yesterday as another nail was put in the coffin of the Trump-Russia Collusion black op. The three year, Snake News-driven lie that President Trump and his campaign had teamed with Russia to interfere in the 2016 election.
Former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein testified Wednesday before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Rosenstein played the befuddled bureaucrat kept in the dark by the FBI. He testified under oath he had no idea the FISA warrant he signed off on Carter Page had not been verified. That the FBI kept from him the exculpatory evidence proving Carter Page was no more a Russian spy than he was a Moroccan belly dancer. Rosenstein said if the FBI told him then what he knows now, he would not have approved the final Page FISA warrant. A warrant that allowed spying on President Trump and his people to continue.
Deputy Director Andrew McCabe had not been forthcoming, he said. (McCabe then turned around and accused Rosenstein of giving “false” testimony.)
Rosenstein acknowledged that when he appointed Robert Mueller Special Counsel in May 2017 he did not know that Peter Strzok’s 9-month investigation had shown there was “no there there” in terms of collusion. (In other words, there was no need for a Special Counsel.)
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
But the gullible puppy routine only went so far.
Rosenstein also admitted under oath that he did know by August of 2017 that there was absolutely, positively zero evidence Trump or any of his associates were connected with Russia. And yet, he allowed the Mueller Special Counsel investigation to continue. And yet, he did not clear Trump and his associates even though he knew they were innocent.
In fact, he signed a scope memo expanding the investigation … prepared by the same people conspiring in the Trump Russia lie in the first place.
Carter Page, George Papadapoulos, Michael Flynn. We know how their lives were ruined, their names smeared. How many others were dragged and kicked around by Mueller’s team? How many other people connected with Trump faced financial ruin?
Bigger picture. How paralyzed was our nation because of the “Trump Russia Collusion” drama? How much was national security damaged because Trump wasn’t free to deal straight up with Russia? For example, how many more lives were lost to Islamic extremism n the Middle East because the U.S. and Russia couldn’t fully cooperate?
And why? TDS. The Obama administration concocted a lie, the media peddled the lie, the public absorbed the lie. And Americans suffered.
The enemy comes to “steal, kill and destroy.” In the Garden he used an apple and smooth words. Today he uses his Snake News Networks and chyrons.
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--2020-06-04--Here’s a List of Media and Politicians Who Downplayed Violence and Looting

Media figures and politicians alike have downplayed the violence and looting occurring throughout the United States following the death of George Floyd .
Activists have set cars ablaze , looted and pillaged businesses , and protested against police in cities across the nation over the death of Floyd , a black man who died after a police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes .
The police officer , Derek Chauvin , has been fired and charged with murder and manslaughter .
Both media figures and politicians have downplayed the destruction during the riots and protests , and some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blame for destruction or violence .
Notable people who have downplayed the violence include MSNBC ’ s Chris Hayes , Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkin , and more .
We need to be really careful with our language .
Yes , it is disturbing to see property being destroyed .
It is disturbing to see people taking property from stores .
But these are things .
Violence is when an agent of the state kneels on a man ’ s neck until all of the life is leached out of his body .
Destroying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence .
And to use the exact same language to describe those two things , I think really it ’ s not moral to do that .
I think , yes , any reasonable person would say we shouldn ’ t be destroying other people ’ s property .
But these are not reasonable times .
These are people who have protested against police violence again and again and again , year after year after year , and still we can have videos of law enforcement , with witnesses , nonchalantly taking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged crime of passing a fake $ 20 bill .
So when we have people who say that people should respect the law , they ’ re not respecting the law because the law is not respecting them .
You can ’ t say that — that regular citizens should play by all of the rules when agents of the state are clearly are not .
“ I stand by what I said in the context of what I said it , ” Hannah-Jones told the Daily Caller News Foundation .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is we need to be careful in the language and not treat the destruction of property as the same thing as the destruction of human life .
That I stand by.
” “ I don ’ t defend looting , ” she added .
“ I would never defend looting .
I would never defend people losing their property .
That ’ s silly.
” MSNBC host Chris Hayes tweeted Monday that it is “ insanely dangerous and irresponsible ” to describe the looting , pillaging and violence as “ domestic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening on the streets domestic terrorism is both plainly wrong and insanely dangerous and irresponsible , ” tweeted MSNBC host Chris Hayes .
He did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF .
Hayes ’ tweet came the day after President Donald Trump announced that United States will officially designate Antifa as a terrorist organization following days of protests , riots , looting and violence across the country .
“ I ’ m tired of hearing about violence and non-violence , ” said activist Deray McKesson during an appearance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The only violence I have seen in the street is the police … I have a friend who ’ s now permanently blind in one eye because the police shot her in the eye with a rubber bullet .
That ’ s violence.
” “ There has been no violence from the protesters , there has been property damage , ” he added , without pushback from Amanpour .
“ And that property will return.
” Amanpour , who did not immediately respond to a request for comment , shared the clip of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s assertion that there has not been violence from the protesters .
Seattle councilmember Tammy Morales said at a council session Monday that she can ’ t understand “ why looting bothers people so much more ” than black people “ dying every day ” at the hands of police .
“ What I don ’ t want to hear is for our constituents to be told to be civil , not to be reactionary , to be told that looting doesn ’ t solve anything.
” Please Support The Stream : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
“ It does make me wonder and ask the question why looting bothers people so much more than knowing that across the country , black men and women are dying every day , and far too often at the hands of those who are sworn to protect and serve , ” Morales said .
She did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF .
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said Sunday that “ white men ” have caused much of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rioting .
“ I want to acknowledge that much of the violence and destruction , both here in Seattle and across the country , has been instigated and perpetuated by white men , ” Durkan said Sunday night on Twitter .
“ These individuals experience the height of privilege and are co-opting peaceful demonstrations that were organized by and meant to center people of color , particularly Black Americans , ” the mayor added .
The mayor did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF .
Content created by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

Media figures and politicians alike have downplayed the violence and looting occurring throughout the United States following the death of George Floyd.
Activists have set cars ablaze, looted and pillaged businesses, and protested against police in cities across the nation over the death of Floyd, a black man who died after a police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes.
The police officer, Derek Chauvin, has been fired and charged with murder and manslaughter.
Both media figures and politicians have downplayed the destruction during the riots and protests, and some have suggested that white supremacists are to blame for destruction or violence. Notable people who have downplayed the violence include MSNBC’s Chris Hayes, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkin, and more.
New York Times Writer Nikole Hannah-Jones
New York Times writer Nikole Hannah-Jones defended the rioting Tuesday, telling CBS News:
We need to be really careful with our language. Yes, it is disturbing to see property being destroyed. It is disturbing to see people taking property from stores. But these are things. Violence is when an agent of the state kneels on a man’s neck until all of the life is leached out of his body. Destroying property which can be replaced is not violence. And to use the exact same language to describe those two things, I think really it’s not moral to do that. I think, yes, any reasonable person would say we shouldn’t be destroying other people’s property. But these are not reasonable times. These are people who have protested against police violence again and again and again, year after year after year, and still we can have videos of law enforcement, with witnesses, nonchalantly taking the life of — of man for the alleged crime of passing a fake $20 bill. So when we have people who say that people should respect the law, they’re not respecting the law because the law is not respecting them. You can’t say that — that regular citizens should play by all of the rules when agents of the state are clearly are not.
“I stand by what I said in the context of what I said it,” Hannah-Jones told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “I stand by the argument I was making, which is we need to be careful in the language and not treat the destruction of property as the same thing as the destruction of human life. That I stand by.”
“I don’t defend looting,” she added. “I would never defend looting. I would never defend people losing their property. That’s silly.”
MSNBC Host Chris Hayes
MSNBC host Chris Hayes tweeted Monday that it is “insanely dangerous and irresponsible” to describe the looting, pillaging and violence as “domestic terrorism.”
“Calling what’s happening on the streets domestic terrorism is both plainly wrong and insanely dangerous and irresponsible,” tweeted MSNBC host Chris Hayes. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.
Calling what's happening on the streets domestic terrorism is both plainly wrong and insanely dangerous and irresponsible. — Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) June 1, 2020
Hayes’ tweet came the day after President Donald Trump announced that United States will officially designate Antifa as a terrorist organization following days of protests, riots, looting and violence across the country.
Activist Deray McKesson
“I’m tired of hearing about violence and non-violence,” said activist Deray McKesson during an appearance on CNN with Christiane Amanpour. “The only violence I have seen in the street is the police … I have a friend who’s now permanently blind in one eye because the police shot her in the eye with a rubber bullet. That’s violence.”
“There has been no violence from the protesters, there has been property damage,” he added, without pushback from Amanpour. “And that property will return.”
WATCH:
.@deray: “I’m tired of hearing about violence and non-violence. The only violence I have seen in the street is the police… I have a friend who’s now permanently blind in one eye because the police shot her in the eye with a rubber bullet. That’s violence.” pic.twitter.com/0IKfIYwtJz — Christiane Amanpour (@camanpour) June 1, 2020
Amanpour, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment, shared the clip of the discussion on Twitter without correcting McKesson’s assertion that there has not been violence from the protesters.
Seattle Councilmember Tammy Morales
Seattle councilmember Tammy Morales said at a council session Monday that she can’t understand “why looting bothers people so much more” than black people “dying every day” at the hands of police.
“What I don’t want to hear is for our constituents to be told to be civil, not to be reactionary, to be told that looting doesn’t solve anything.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“It does make me wonder and ask the question why looting bothers people so much more than knowing that across the country, black men and women are dying every day, and far too often at the hands of those who are sworn to protect and serve,” Morales said. She did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said Sunday that “white men” have caused much of the destruction that has occurred during the rioting.
“I want to acknowledge that much of the violence and destruction, both here in Seattle and across the country, has been instigated and perpetuated by white men,” Durkan said Sunday night on Twitter.
I want to acknowledge that much of the violence and destruction, both here in Seattle and across the country, has been instigated and perpetuated by white men. — Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) May 31, 2020
“These individuals experience the height of privilege and are co-opting peaceful demonstrations that were organized by and meant to center people of color, particularly Black Americans,” the mayor added. The mayor did not immediately respond to a request for comment from 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--2020-06-05--The Whole Earth Groans: A Year of Seismic Events and Our Response

Since January , Americans have been dealing with four seismic events that echo some of the gravest crises in our history .
From impeachment ( 1974 ) , to a global pandemic ( 1918 ) , to an economic crisis ( 1929 , 2008 ) , to a racial crisis ( 1968 , 1992 ) , we are facing systemic challenges that are embroiling our nation .
However , the bad news they share leads to the good news that shows us the way forward .
When the first humans fell , creation fell with them ( Genesis 3:16–19 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now ” ( Romans 8:22 NKJV ) .
This observation leads to three relevant facts today .
The Natural World is Fallen , Which Explains COVID-19 and Other Disasters As of this writing , COVID-19 has infected more than 6.3 million people and caused more than 380,000 deaths .
According to the Congressional Budget Office , the pandemic will cost the US economy nearly $ 8 trillion over the next decade .
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting an above-normal 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office estimates annual economic losses from such storms at $ 54 billion .
Researchers believe that drought conditions experienced in the Western US since 2000 are part of a megadrought equivalent to the worst our continent has experienced in more than 1,200 years .
India is grappling with the worst locust storm the country has encountered in nearly 30 years .
Last week , Yellowstone National Park was hit with nearly a dozen earthquakes .
The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates the annual cost of earthquakes in the US at $ 4.4 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Lord of nature for his miraculous intervention ( cf .
Matthew 8:23–27 ) and healing ( cf .
Matthew 4:24 ) while practicing prevention ( Proverbs 22:3 ) and responding medically ( cf .
Isaiah 38:21 ; 1 Timothy 5:23 ) .
But we should not be surprised when diseases and disasters strike .
Human Beings are Fallen , Which Explains Racism and Other Sins The first murder ( Genesis 4:8 ) came only one chapter after the first sin ( Genesis 3:6 ) .
The sin of racism is present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) to the Jewish rejection of Samaritans ( John 4:9 ) and Gentiles ( cf .
Matthew 15:23 ) .
In his affair with Bathsheba , King David broke the fifth , sixth , seventh , eighth , ninth and tenth commandments ( Exodus 20:12–17 ) .
Like Israel ’ s most famous king , “ all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God ” ( Romans 3:23 ) .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask God to forgive our sins ( 1 John 1:9 ) , separate them from us “ as far as the east is from the west ” ( Psalm 103:12 ) , bury them in “ the depths of the sea ” ( Micah 7:19 ) and “ remember [ our ] sins no more ” ( Hebrews 8:12 ) .
We can forgive others ( Matthew 18:15 ) and seek their forgiveness ( Matthew 5:23–24 ) .
And we can pray for the Spirit to manifest his “ fruit ” in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he makes us more like Jesus ( Romans 8:29 ) .
But we should not be surprised when sinners sin .
This World is Passing Away , Which Explains Our Call in the Present and Hope for the Future One day , there will be “ a new heaven and a new earth , for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away ” ( Revelation 21:1 ) .
In the meantime , we are responsible to develop and protect God ’ s creation ( Genesis 2:15 ) and advance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6:33 ) .
We are called to “ make disciples of all nations ” ( Matthew 28:19 ) , persuading everyone we can to “ be reconciled to God ” ( 2 Corinthians 5:20 ) .
And we are to make “ the best use of time ” ( Ephesians 5:16 ) , knowing that each day is one day closer to eternity .
But we should not be surprised when God comes to us ( John 14:3 ) or we go to him ( Philippians 1:21 ) .
What if it were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Ethics with Baylor Scott & White Health and the founder of Denison Forum , with a reach of 1.7 million .

Since January, Americans have been dealing with four seismic events that echo some of the gravest crises in our history. From impeachment (1974), to a global pandemic (1918), to an economic crisis (1929, 2008), to a racial crisis (1968, 1992), we are facing systemic challenges that are embroiling our nation.
However, the bad news they share leads to the good news that shows us the way forward.
When the first humans fell, creation fell with them (Genesis 3:16–19). As a result, “the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now” (Romans 8:22 NKJV). This observation leads to three relevant facts today.
The Natural World is Fallen, Which Explains COVID-19 and Other Disasters
As of this writing, COVID-19 has infected more than 6.3 million people and caused more than 380,000 deaths. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the pandemic will cost the US economy nearly $8 trillion over the next decade.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting an above-normal 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. The Congressional Budget Office estimates annual economic losses from such storms at $54 billion.
Researchers believe that drought conditions experienced in the Western US since 2000 are part of a megadrought equivalent to the worst our continent has experienced in more than 1,200 years. India is grappling with the worst locust storm the country has encountered in nearly 30 years.
Last week, Yellowstone National Park was hit with nearly a dozen earthquakes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates the annual cost of earthquakes in the US at $4.4 billion.
In response, we can pray to the Lord of nature for his miraculous intervention (cf. Matthew 8:23–27) and healing (cf. Matthew 4:24) while practicing prevention (Proverbs 22:3) and responding medically (cf. Isaiah 38:21; 1 Timothy 5:23).
But we should not be surprised when diseases and disasters strike.
Human Beings are Fallen, Which Explains Racism and Other Sins
The first murder (Genesis 4:8) came only one chapter after the first sin (Genesis 3:6). The sin of racism is present in Scripture from Miriam (Numbers 12:1) to the Jewish rejection of Samaritans (John 4:9) and Gentiles (cf. Matthew 15:23).
In his affair with Bathsheba, King David broke the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth commandments (Exodus 20:12–17). Like Israel’s most famous king, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
In response, we can ask God to forgive our sins (1 John 1:9), separate them from us “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12), bury them in “the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19) and “remember [our] sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12). We can forgive others (Matthew 18:15) and seek their forgiveness (Matthew 5:23–24). And we can pray for the Spirit to manifest his “fruit” in our lives and relationships (Galatians 5:22–23) as he makes us more like Jesus (Romans 8:29).
But we should not be surprised when sinners sin.
This World is Passing Away, Which Explains Our Call in the Present and Hope for the Future
One day, there will be “a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away” (Revelation 21:1). In the meantime, we are responsible to develop and protect God’s creation (Genesis 2:15) and advance his kingdom in our world (Matthew 6:33).
We are called to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), persuading everyone we can to “be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). And we are to make “the best use of time” (Ephesians 5:16), knowing that each day is one day closer to eternity.
But we should not be surprised when God comes to us (John 14:3) or we go to him (Philippians 1:21).
What if it were today?
Jim Denison is Resident Scholar for Ethics with Baylor Scott & White Health and the founder of Denison Forum, with a reach of 1.7 million.


Oh, Lord God

I come to you as one of your children , saved through faith in your son Jesus who paid the ultimate price for me and all who come to you in repentance and receive eternal life !
My heart is heavy for our country and the whole world as the battle intensifies between good and evil , truth and lies , life or death .
I know you are committed to never leave us or forsake us and you are standing right in the middle of this battle for us .
Oh God , please give us wisdom and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the enemy and come out on the other side maybe a little scarred or singed from the battle , but more committed and submitted to your perfect will through our lives .
Oh God , give us strength to love and forgive those who have hurt us and to show them the truth and light through your son Jesus Christ !
Let your light so shine through us as your body so those that don ’ t know you will come seeking that light shining clearly through your children .
We know you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the life !
Lord Jesus , as one of your children I ask for your peace that passes all understanding just as we experienced it when our daughter Robin left us to be with you in Heaven .
Also that you will continue to have mercy and patience with your children during this time of terrible turmoil .
I pray protection for our president and his family , along with all appointed and elected national leaders .
Speak to each one of them and let them know you will give them wisdom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Please do a supernatural work in our hearts and bring healing to our very sick nation and our world .
May we realize the error of our ways and come to you broken and in need of the healing you freely offer .
Lord , give us hope and strength to follow you and bring you honor and glory .
Betty Robison cohosts LIFE Today with her husband James .
The program reaches more than 300 million households in North America , Europe and Australia .
The Robisons founded LIFE Outreach International , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Betty is also the author of the inspirational best-seller Free to be Me , and co-author of Living in Love .

I come to you as one of your children, saved through faith in your son Jesus who paid the ultimate price for me and all who come to you in repentance and receive eternal life!
My heart is heavy for our country and the whole world as the battle intensifies between good and evil, truth and lies, life or death. I know you are committed to never leave us or forsake us and you are standing right in the middle of this battle for us. Oh God, please give us wisdom and the steadfastness to withstand the fiery darts of the enemy and come out on the other side maybe a little scarred or singed from the battle, but more committed and submitted to your perfect will through our lives.
Oh God, give us strength to love and forgive those who have hurt us and to show them the truth and light through your son Jesus Christ! Let your light so shine through us as your body so those that don’t know you will come seeking that light shining clearly through your children. We know you are the only way, the truth and the life!
Lord Jesus, as one of your children I ask for your peace that passes all understanding just as we experienced it when our daughter Robin left us to be with you in Heaven. Also that you will continue to have mercy and patience with your children during this time of terrible turmoil. I pray protection for our president and his family, along with all appointed and elected national leaders. Speak to each one of them and let them know you will give them wisdom and direction if they will ask.
Please do a supernatural work in our hearts and bring healing to our very sick nation and our world. May we realize the error of our ways and come to you broken and in need of the healing you freely offer. Lord, give us hope and strength to follow you and bring you honor and glory.
Betty Robison cohosts LIFE Today with her husband James. The program reaches more than 300 million households in North America, Europe and Australia. The Robisons founded LIFE Outreach International, a worldwide media ministry and missions organization. Betty is also the author of the inspirational best-seller Free to be Me, and co-author of Living in Love.


thestream--2020-06-05--This Week at War: ‘I Love This Community’

While this weekly feature ’ s title has long been “ This Week at War , ” let ’ s make something clear : U.S. troops are not at war with their fellow citizens .
So far this week , tens of thousands of National Guard troops have been called upon to protect Americans from violence , rioting , looting and vandalism .
They are also defending the Constitutional rights of protesters to peacefully assemble .
“ As members of the Joint Force – comprised of all races , colors and creeds – you embody the ideals of our Constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , wrote in a Tuesday statement .
“ Please remind all of our troops and leaders that we will uphold the values of our nation and operate consistent with national laws and our own high standards of conduct at all times.
” As Gen. Milley made clear , the National Guard and military as a whole is no monolith .
It is comprised of real people , including more than 32,400 currently devoted to keeping the peace in cities across America .
“ I joined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community , ” a Washington , D.C. National Guard airman said at the beginning of the below video .
“ I ’ m a part of this community .
I value this community and I think it ’ s super important that our people – that their voice is heard.
” Please join The Stream in praying for the safety of these 32,400 National Guard citizen-warriors .
Approximately 40,000 U.S. troops are also risking their safety in the ongoing war against COVID-19 .
Combined with the response to civil unrest , the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations has surpassed the historic Hurricane Katrina response level in 2005 .
“ We have issued masks and we continue to issue masks to our soldiers and airmen , but we know we are taking a risk here , ” Minnesota National Guard Maj. Gen. Jon Jensen said .
“ But we have a mission that our community and our state are counting on us to perform.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
After last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Simon Zamudio , the third American service member known to die from coronavirus complications , another U.S. Army soldier has been infected .
Stars and Stripes reports that the service member tested positive for the virus after reporting for duty in South Korea .
“ The latest was a soldier who was tested , according to procedure , after arriving at Osan Air Base on Saturday aboard the Patriot Express , a government-chartered flight , U.S .
Forces Korea said in a press release , ” Stars and Stripes reported .
Please keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We ask God to heal and shield all of our country ’ s heroes .
Courageous U.S. troops are still fighting terrorism around the world .
Just before Memorial Day , a group of brave American warriors finally returned to their families after spending the previous nine months at war in the Middle East during a deadly pandemic .
Welcome home , warriors !
Thank you for your service , God bless you and we hope you enjoy some well-deserved time off with your families .
Tom Sileo is a contributing senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-author of 8 Seconds of Courage , Brothers Forever , Fire in My Eyes and the forthcoming Three Wise Men .
Follow Tom on Twitter @ TSileo and The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

Civil Unrest
While this weekly feature’s title has long been “This Week at War,” let’s make something clear: U.S. troops are not at war with their fellow citizens.
So far this week, tens of thousands of National Guard troops have been called upon to protect Americans from violence, rioting, looting and vandalism. They are also defending the Constitutional rights of protesters to peacefully assemble.
“As members of the Joint Force – comprised of all races, colors and creeds – you embody the ideals of our Constitution,” U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wrote in a Tuesday statement. “Please remind all of our troops and leaders that we will uphold the values of our nation and operate consistent with national laws and our own high standards of conduct at all times.”
New: @CBSDavidMartin obtained this memo from General Mark Milley to the armed forces, which includes a hand written note that reads: “We all committed our lives to the idea that is America—We will stay true to that oath and the American people.” pic.twitter.com/L9Z3KrKFN6 — Weijia Jiang (@weijia) June 3, 2020
As Gen. Milley made clear, the National Guard and military as a whole is no monolith. It is comprised of real people, including more than 32,400 currently devoted to keeping the peace in cities across America.
“I joined the National Guard because I love this community,” a Washington, D.C. National Guard airman said at the beginning of the below video. “I’m a part of this community. I value this community and I think it’s super important that our people – that their voice is heard.”
As of this morning, more than 75,000 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are activated for domestic operations across the United States, including more than 32,400 assisting law enforcement authorities to protect life, and to preserve property, peace, and public safety. https://t.co/Yo98oxpbAx — National Guard (@USNationalGuard) June 4, 2020
Please join The Stream in praying for the safety of these 32,400 National Guard citizen-warriors.
Coronavirus
Approximately 40,000 U.S. troops are also risking their safety in the ongoing war against COVID-19. Combined with the response to civil unrest, the number of National Guard personnel assigned to domestic operations has surpassed the historic Hurricane Katrina response level in 2005.
“We have issued masks and we continue to issue masks to our soldiers and airmen, but we know we are taking a risk here,” Minnesota National Guard Maj. Gen. Jon Jensen said. “But we have a mission that our community and our state are counting on us to perform.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
After last week’s tragic death of Sgt. Simon Zamudio, the third American service member known to die from coronavirus complications, another U.S. Army soldier has been infected. Stars and Stripes reports that the service member tested positive for the virus after reporting for duty in South Korea.
“The latest was a soldier who was tested, according to procedure, after arriving at Osan Air Base on Saturday aboard the Patriot Express, a government-chartered flight, U.S. Forces Korea said in a press release,” Stars and Stripes reported.
Please keep this brave soldier in your constant prayers. We ask God to heal and shield all of our country’s heroes.
Coming Home
Courageous U.S. troops are still fighting terrorism around the world. Just before Memorial Day, a group of brave American warriors finally returned to their families after spending the previous nine months at war in the Middle East during a deadly pandemic.
Welcome home, warriors! Thank you for your service, God bless you and we hope you enjoy some well-deserved time off with your families.
Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream. He is co-author of 8 Seconds of Courage, Brothers Forever, Fire in My Eyes and the forthcoming Three Wise Men. Follow Tom on Twitter @TSileo and The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-06-05--Military Photo of the Day: Homecoming for COVID-19 Heroes

U.S. Air Force medical personnel recently return home after a month supporting the COVID-19 response efforts in New York .
@ @ @ @ @ and welcome home , heroes !
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think @ @ @ @ @ Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .

U.S. Air Force medical personnel recently return home after a month supporting the COVID-19 response efforts in New York.
Thank you for your service and welcome home, heroes!
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