thestream--2020-06-03--The Treason of the Clergy: ‘Woke’ Prelates Begging for Head-Pats From Arsonists and Looters

Angry , larcenous mobs organized by radical terrorist groups roam America ’ s blue cities at will .
The same mayors like Bill de Blasio who threatened to seize church and synagogue property six weeks ago , if they violated “ social distancing ” ?
Now they won ’ t use the police to protect the livelihoods and job sites of millions of their citizens .
Media that slant every action of President Trump and his allies by reaching for comparisons with Hitler , now spin the march of hooded violent anarchists as “ mostly peaceful demonstrations.
” I want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for .
Are they demanding that the cop who apparently killed George Floyd be arrested and charged ?
Done , and done .
Albeit done too late , by the Democrat prosecutor in the Democrat city and Democrat state where that tragedy happened .
At the hands , by the way , of a cop Amy Klobuchar refused several times to charge for his previous abuses of force .
So what does the Mob want from us ?
I wrote last week that the Democrats had adopted the “ Kidnap Patty Hearst ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least the Symbionese Liberation Army issued concrete demands at some point .
But they weren ’ t facing law enforcement that was openly on their side .
If they had , poor Patty might still be in their custody , and the SBLA might be running the State of California .
Wait a minute… maybe they are .
Seriously , what is America supposed to do to persuade people to stop smashing and grabbing , beating and burning ?
Eliminate “ racism ” ?
Let me stop to blaspheme that false god @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In every country in the world , the majority tends to enjoy some advantages .
From China to Zambia , from Pakistan to Papua New Guinea — a certain degree of social inequality is inevitable .
It ’ s part of man ’ s fallen nature .
The only real solution , beyond legal equality , lies in Christian love for each other as images of God .
And that ’ s in short supply these days , I fear .
The toxic heritage of slavery and segregation ( also not unique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Civil Rights Act in 1964 .
Massive affirmative action programs and anti-discrimination laws micromanage every transaction in America .
Middle class neighborhoods get seeded with housing projects , while our refugee programs stuff angry Muslim Somalis into Minnesota and Maine .
That is literally the furthest the government can go , without turning itself into a totalitarian instrument of re-education .
Which , of course , is where our universities and schools come in .
They now openly vilify not just Western Civilization but “ whiteness ” itself .
Just as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” also with the excuse of countering Jewish “ privilege.
” And our churches ?
Well , the most prominent ones are selling themselves to the highest bidder .
That is , to the most fashionable cause vaunted on CNN , backed by violent mobs , and oiled like Caesar by thousands of tenured , Ivy-covered professors .
Before I analyze recent events surrounding President Trump and D.C. churches , let me dip into history for a minute .
When Obama Let GOP Protesters Dictate His Movements Do you remember when thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D.C. , led by violent fascist militias ?
They attacked and tried to torch a historic black church in that city .
The next day President Obama decided to visit the afflicted church .
But hundreds of angry demonstrators blocked the path , in violation of curfew , so the D.C. Park Police lured them away with lollipops and glasses of lemonade … .
.
No , I don ’ t remember that either .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of journalists and the church leaders who love them apparently do remember that story .
As if they were eyewitnesses .
Why else would they denounce President Trump for visiting an historic church attended by dozens of U.S. presidents , which rioters tried to burn down ?
What other president have they expected to let his movements be dictated by angry protestors breaking the law ?
Once again , President Trump is not uniquely bad , just singled out and scapegoated , held to standards that no other president has been .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up , post-Monica revelations , literally waving a bible outside the very same church . )
Let ’ s keep the President in our prayers .
Which of us could stand this ?
I won ’ t spend time addressing the ungracious reaction of the Bishop of the Episcopal Church which owns St. John ’ s , to the president ’ s visit .
Because … who really cares ?
That church made itself an empty rainbow shell decades ago .
Its one job now ?
To preserve exquisite , empty historic buildings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it should hire some security guards .
Instead let me speak of my own Church , which is racing down the same slippery Gadarene slope as fast as it can .
This week , President Trump made a long-planned visit to the St. John Paul II Shrine in Washington , D.C. to address religious freedom .
His special focus ?
The persecution of Christians abroad , in nations like Pakistan , China , and Nigeria , where they face Islamist or Communist violence .
The pope for whom the center ’ s named @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His voice was one of the loudest at Vatican II , calling for the Church to embrace religious freedom for all .
President Trump , doing his job , carrying out his official duties and serving a cause he believes in , went to the Center along with the First Lady Melania , and prayed .
And the American Catholic establishment went insane .
Not just the gay media Jesuits whom TV networks fatten in gilded cages .
Nor even the professional “ Catholic left , ” which boosts America ’ s manufacturing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , excuses for Catholics to vote for pro-abortion Democrats .
No , I mean the official leader of the Catholic Church in America , Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory .
He wrote a stinging letter rebuking the John Paul II Shrine for letting the president visit .
His language beggars belief , especially compared to Gregory ’ s crickets-ridden silence on Democrats ’ support for infanticide .
Gregory ’ s statement includes the media lie about the use of “ tear gas ” by Park Police : Here ’ s what you need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the protégé of his predecessor as Washington Archbishop , the child-molester Theodore McCarrick .
Gregory colluded with McCarrick in 2002 in altering the plan to protect Catholic kids from pervert priests — to exempt bishops from penalties .
( Not just for molestation , but for shuffling and hiding pedophiles , as many continued to do for decades . )
As I put things light-heartedly on Twitter : Another of Gregory ’ s long-time allies was his immediate predecessor , former Washington archbishop Donald Wuerl .
Gregory got the job after Wuerl had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rampant cover-ups of child sex abuse by priests .
The worst case Wuerl had to answer for is the one I reported on already at The Stream , that of “ Fr .
George Zirwas , a priest who made sadistic child pornography on church grounds.
” Wuerl never reported Zirwas to police , gave him a lifetime pension , and when he died , a hero ’ s funeral .
These are the kinds of men who presume to judge our president unfit to set foot on holy ground .
But there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Let this exotic bird stretch his wings and show us his plumage .
According to the investigative site Complicit Clergy : • Gregory was a protégé of the thoroughly disgraced Joseph Cardinal Bernardin , serving as an auxiliary bishop under him for 10 years in Chicago .
• Gregory , as Archbishop of Atlanta , maintained Bernardin ’ s program of gay promotion and propaganda in the Church .
• Gregory was himself identified as a homosexual by Richard Sipe , an early expert in the Catholic sexual abuse crisis .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diocesan spiritual director for victims of sexual abuse by clergy .
• Gregory restored a priest to active ministry after involvement in a homosexual relationship .
• Gregory personally invited pro-gay Vatican adviser Fr .
James Martin to give a speech titled “ Showing Welcome and Respect in Our Parishes to LGBT Catholics ” at both St. Thomas More Parish and at Atlanta ’ s Shrine of the Immaculate Conception .
Martin described Gregory as “ thoughtful , progressive and open-minded , ” and noted his LGBT outreach .
• Gregory has permitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atlanta , GA ) to act as a center for LGBT events , including LGBT potluck socials and participating in the city ’ s Pride Parade .
Since 2014 , he has also allowed the pro-homosexual and pro-transgenderism “ Catholic ” group , Fortunate and Faithful Families , to hold retreats in his Atlanta Chancery , while personally saying Mass for the group .
• Gregory was accused of covering-up sexual abuse in Atlanta .
• Gregory built himself a $ 2.2 million mansion which he later was forced to sell when news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together with Theodore McCarrick , concealed the contents of a 2003 letter from Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger advising the US Bishops that ministers of Holy Communion must refuse to distribute it to pro-abortion politicians .
And the list could go on … If God decides to grant us yet another undeserved grace , and the Republicans beat the Symbionese Liberation Army in November , I pray that President Trump remembers these events .
He could do more to purify the Catholic Church and save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than any man on earth , save Pope Francis .
It would be simple .
And just .
And ( after this ugly attack by Archbishop Gregory ) satisfying payback for Trump .
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops , which has overseen the interstate shuffling of abusive priests , also runs an empire of lucrative non-profits .
Forty percent of its income is money it makes from federal contracts , mainly serving groups like immigrants .
If the U.S. Dept .
of Justice launched a RICO investigation of the USCCB for its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help keep children safer .
It would also make the USCCB ineligible to bid on federal contracts .
That one step alone would bankrupt the anti-American , anti-Christian “ Catholic ” left .
The thousands of hirelings , failed priests , embittered ex-nuns , and gay underachievers employed by Catholic Charities and similar groups—the people keening today about how Trump profaned the John Paul II Shrine ?
They would have to find real jobs .
It would do them good .
And bishops like Gregory might have to start listening to lay members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical .
What can you do to help ?
In the name of all that is decent in America , I implore you : Go visit Washington , D.C. ( once it ’ s safe ) .
Find St. John ’ s Episcopal Church , and take a MAGA-hat selfie , holding a book that ’ s sacred to you .
( As you can see from this story ’ s feature image mock up , I chose The Silmarillion . )
Then post it and tag the Episcopal Bishop .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream , and author or co-author of ten books , including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism .

Angry, larcenous mobs organized by radical terrorist groups roam America’s blue cities at will. The same mayors like Bill de Blasio who threatened to seize church and synagogue property six weeks ago, if they violated “social distancing”? Now they won’t use the police to protect the livelihoods and job sites of millions of their citizens. Media that slant every action of President Trump and his allies by reaching for comparisons with Hitler, now spin the march of hooded violent anarchists as “mostly peaceful demonstrations.”
I want to know what exactly people are marching for. Are they demanding that the cop who apparently killed George Floyd be arrested and charged? Done, and done. Albeit done too late, by the Democrat prosecutor in the Democrat city and Democrat state where that tragedy happened. At the hands, by the way, of a cop Amy Klobuchar refused several times to charge for his previous abuses of force.
So what does the Mob want from us? I wrote last week that the Democrats had adopted the “Kidnap Patty Hearst” approach to persuading U.S. voters. But at least the Symbionese Liberation Army issued concrete demands at some point. But they weren’t facing law enforcement that was openly on their side. If they had, poor Patty might still be in their custody, and the SBLA might be running the State of California. Wait a minute… maybe they are.
‘Anti-Racism’: a Pagan Idol
Seriously, what is America supposed to do to persuade people to stop smashing and grabbing, beating and burning? Eliminate “racism”? Let me stop to blaspheme that false god, “Anti-Racism,” right now. In every country in the world, the majority tends to enjoy some advantages. From China to Zambia, from Pakistan to Papua New Guinea — a certain degree of social inequality is inevitable. It’s part of man’s fallen nature. The only real solution, beyond legal equality, lies in Christian love for each other as images of God. And that’s in short supply these days, I fear.
The toxic heritage of slavery and segregation (also not unique to the United States) we addressed with the Civil Rights Act in 1964. Massive affirmative action programs and anti-discrimination laws micromanage every transaction in America. Middle class neighborhoods get seeded with housing projects, while our refugee programs stuff angry Muslim Somalis into Minnesota and Maine.
White ‘Privilege,’ Jewish ‘Privilege’
That is literally the furthest the government can go, without turning itself into a totalitarian instrument of re-education. Which, of course, is where our universities and schools come in. They now openly vilify not just Western Civilization but “whiteness” itself. Just as German universities once vilified “Jewishness,” also with the excuse of countering Jewish “privilege.”
And our churches? Well, the most prominent ones are selling themselves to the highest bidder. That is, to the most fashionable cause vaunted on CNN, backed by violent mobs, and oiled like Caesar by thousands of tenured, Ivy-covered professors.
Before I analyze recent events surrounding President Trump and D.C. churches, let me dip into history for a minute.
When Obama Let GOP Protesters Dictate His Movements
Do you remember when thousands of angry GOP protesters smashed windows in Washington, D.C., led by violent fascist militias? They attacked and tried to torch a historic black church in that city. The next day President Obama decided to visit the afflicted church. But hundreds of angry demonstrators blocked the path, in violation of curfew, so the D.C. Park Police lured them away with lollipops and glasses of lemonade …. .
No, I don’t remember that either.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
But thousands of journalists and the church leaders who love them apparently do remember that story. As if they were eyewitnesses. Why else would they denounce President Trump for visiting an historic church attended by dozens of U.S. presidents, which rioters tried to burn down? What other president have they expected to let his movements be dictated by angry protestors breaking the law?
Donald Trump, Scapegoat
Once again, President Trump is not uniquely bad, just singled out and scapegoated, held to standards that no other president has been. (No bishops complained when Bill Clinton showed up, post-Monica revelations, literally waving a bible outside the very same church.) Let’s keep the President in our prayers. Which of us could stand this?
Same church. Two different presidents. One considered acceptable, the other, “photo opp”. The one on the left to show solidarity with the church that had been set on fire the night before. The one on the right was to deflect from having an affair. Interesting, isn’t it.￼?￼ pic.twitter.com/TDLOB3hkxu — John Stone (@Johnthemadmonk) June 3, 2020
I won’t spend time addressing the ungracious reaction of the Bishop of the Episcopal Church which owns St. John’s, to the president’s visit. Because … who really cares? That church made itself an empty rainbow shell decades ago. Its one job now? To preserve exquisite, empty historic buildings like St. John’s. Maybe it should hire some security guards.
The American Catholic establishment went insane: The gay media Jesuits whom TV networks fatten in gilded cages, and the professional “Catholic left,” which boosts America’s manufacturing base by assembling, day-in and out, excuses for Catholics to vote for pro-abortion Democrats.
Instead let me speak of my own Church, which is racing down the same slippery Gadarene slope as fast as it can. This week, President Trump made a long-planned visit to the St. John Paul II Shrine in Washington, D.C. to address religious freedom. His special focus? The persecution of Christians abroad, in nations like Pakistan, China, and Nigeria, where they face Islamist or Communist violence. The pope for whom the center’s named was a pioneer for religious freedom. His voice was one of the loudest at Vatican II, calling for the Church to embrace religious freedom for all.
President Trump, doing his job, carrying out his official duties and serving a cause he believes in, went to the Center along with the First Lady Melania, and prayed.
The Big Gay Catholic Machine Overheats
And the American Catholic establishment went insane. Not just the gay media Jesuits whom TV networks fatten in gilded cages. Nor even the professional “Catholic left,” which boosts America’s manufacturing base by assembling, day-in and out, excuses for Catholics to vote for pro-abortion Democrats. No, I mean the official leader of the Catholic Church in America, Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory. He wrote a stinging letter rebuking the John Paul II Shrine for letting the president visit. His language beggars belief, especially compared to Gregory’s crickets-ridden silence on Democrats’ support for infanticide. Gregory’s statement includes the media lie about the use of “tear gas” by Park Police:
.@WashArchbishop Gregory has released a statement on the president’s visit to the Saint John Paul II National Shrine.https://t.co/46g9Ac8Wy5 pic.twitter.com/d1wERIoLVp — DC Archdiocese (@WashArchdiocese) June 2, 2020
Here’s what you need to know about Wilton Gregory. He was the protégé of his predecessor as Washington Archbishop, the child-molester Theodore McCarrick. Gregory colluded with McCarrick in 2002 in altering the plan to protect Catholic kids from pervert priests — to exempt bishops from penalties. (Not just for molestation, but for shuffling and hiding pedophiles, as many continued to do for decades.) As I put things light-heartedly on Twitter:
When they wrapped up the 2002 Synod on abuse with Bishop Gregory playing piano as McCarrick was draped across the white grand piano, crooning “The St. James Infirmary Blues” in a Marlene Dietrich accent, that should have tipped us off. — John Zmirak (@JZmirak) June 2, 2020
Another of Gregory’s long-time allies was his immediate predecessor, former Washington archbishop Donald Wuerl. Gregory got the job after Wuerl had to resign, when media exposed his rampant cover-ups of child sex abuse by priests. The worst case Wuerl had to answer for is the one I reported on already at The Stream, that of “Fr. George Zirwas, a priest who made sadistic child pornography on church grounds.” Wuerl never reported Zirwas to police, gave him a lifetime pension, and when he died, a hero’s funeral.
These are the kinds of men who presume to judge our president unfit to set foot on holy ground.
Wilton Gregory, Political Hack
But there’s more to know about Gregory. Let this exotic bird stretch his wings and show us his plumage. According to the investigative site Complicit Clergy:
And the list could go on …
Mr. President, Bankrupt These Bishops!
If God decides to grant us yet another undeserved grace, and the Republicans beat the Symbionese Liberation Army in November, I pray that President Trump remembers these events. He could do more to purify the Catholic Church and save it from the fate of the Episcopal than any man on earth, save Pope Francis.
It would be simple. And just. And (after this ugly attack by Archbishop Gregory) satisfying payback for Trump.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which has overseen the interstate shuffling of abusive priests, also runs an empire of lucrative non-profits. Forty percent of its income is money it makes from federal contracts, mainly serving groups like immigrants. If the U.S. Dept. of Justice launched a RICO investigation of the USCCB for its countless crimes against kids, that would help keep children safer. It would also make the USCCB ineligible to bid on federal contracts.
That one step alone would bankrupt the anti-American, anti-Christian “Catholic” left. The thousands of hirelings, failed priests, embittered ex-nuns, and gay underachievers employed by Catholic Charities and similar groups—the people keening today about how Trump profaned the John Paul II Shrine? They would have to find real jobs.
It would do them good. And bishops like Gregory might have to start listening to lay members, whose financial support would suddenly prove critical.
Make a Pilgrimage to St. John’s
What can you do to help? In the name of all that is decent in America, I implore you: Go visit Washington, D.C. (once it’s safe). Find St. John’s Episcopal Church, and take a MAGA-hat selfie, holding a book that’s sacred to you. (As you can see from this story’s feature image mock up, I chose The Silmarillion.) Then post it and tag the Episcopal Bishop. It’s the right thing to do.
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream, and author or co-author of ten books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism.


thestream--2020-06-03--A Divine Perspective on the Protests and the Riots

Many observers are comparing the year 2020 with 1968 , the year that Martin Luther King , Jr. , was assassinated , leading to riots all over America .
Not long after that , Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated .
1968 was also the year of the May Revolution in France , the Tlatelolco massacre in Mexico ( along with the Black Panther salute during the Mexico Olympics ) , and the Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia .
By 1969 , there was Woodstock , the Stonewall Riots and more .
This was a snapshot of the tumultuous Sixties in America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scenes , under the surface , something else was going on .
Looking for the Meaning of Life in the Tumultuous Sixties The rebellion was certainly real and the generation gap undeniable .
And the obsession with sex , drugs , and rock and roll was anything but a myth .
( I was born in New York City in 1955 and saw Jimi Hendrix in concert for the first time in 1968 .
I started playing drums in a rock band , then began getting high in 1969 and was shooting heroin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all , often in plain sight , there was a deep spiritual search .
Young people were looking for the meaning of life .
They were asking deep questions , and the simple answers of the American dream no longer satisfied .
( Why work hard in school , to get into the best college , to get the best job , so your kids could simply repeat the cycle ? )
Traditional religion didn ’ t seem to have the answers either , and so young people sought after Eastern religions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty cool , and many were open to find out more about Him .
And so , right there in the middle of these rebellious , fleshly times , the Jesus Revolution began .
( The starting date is normally put at 1967 . )
The results were dramatic , illustrated by these two headlines from Time Magazine , one from April , 1966 , the other from June , 1971 .
The first asked in stark , bold letters : “ Is God Dead ?
” The second , just 5 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Revolution.
” And just as I was part of the counterculture revolution of the 1960s , I became part of the Jesus Revolution of the early 1970s , getting “ born again ” in late 1971 and instantly delivered from drugs .
Many Pastors Weren ’ t Aware of the Spiritual Hunger The real tragedy is that most pastors and churches did not understand what was happening .
They didn ’ t see the spiritual search going on in the midst of the counterculture revolution .
Instead , they saw the outward , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The lawlessness .
The drug abuse .
The promiscuity .
They heard the loud , blaring rock music .
They saw the outlandish costumes and heard the scandalous lyrics .
But they missed the spiritual pain .
The longing .
The searching .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Then , when tens of thousands of hippies and radicals and rebels began showing up in large numbers at many small , traditional churches , in many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know what to do with them .
Consequently , what could have been a much greater , longlasting spiritual harvest fell far short of its potential .
Have We Ever Seen a Year Like 2020 ?
Now , when it comes to 2020 , we have never had another year like it .
Of course , the 1960s also witnessed the assassination of JFK in 1963 and wrestled with the ongoing Vietnam War , among other things .
But never have we seen , in just one year , all these events together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the president .
Second , a pandemic resulting in a massive and unprecedented shutdown .
Third , a widescale economic downturn , resulting in tens of millions of Americans unemployed .
Fourth , video evidence of two horrific killings of black Americans ( Ahmaud Arberry and then George Floyd ) , followed by nationwide peaceful protests marred by violent riots and looting .
Nothing really comes close to this in our history in terms of a perfect storm .
And we have just started June !
Even if all becomes peaceful soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we are facing perhaps the most volatile elections in our history .
The shaking will continue .
How , then , should we look at the current state of affairs in America ?
What is the divine perspective ?
A Ministry That ’ s Taking Prayer and Gospel Love to the Streets of America On my Tuesday broadcast , I spoke with Steve Uggen , who leads the Firebase Movement , taking prayer and gospel love to the streets of America ’ s cities .
Steve is based in Minneapolis and so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the protests and riots , reaching out one by one as best as possible , as well as praying and worshiping with teams on the streets .
They believe only the presence of God can ultimately change the spiritual and moral climate .
To be clear , in no way was he minimizing the violence or justifying the looting .
Not at all .
But he also said this .
He saw lots of young people on the streets and was reminded that they represented several generations of fatherless kids .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like sheep without a shepherd , and he knew that only God was the answer for their lives .
They need a heavenly Father !
We Must Get God ’ s Heart for People and His Perspective on the Protests and Riots This does not mean that we do not take concrete steps to stop the anarchy .
It does not mean that we seek spiritual solutions alone while ignoring a host of practical issues that must be addressed .
But it means that we look beyond the sin , the anger , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get God ’ s heart for the looters and the vandals , along with His heart for the peaceful , aggrieved protesters .
And while we recognize that force must be used to stop the lawbreakers , we know that this will not address the boiling anger and lawlessness .
Only the gospel can transform lives .
In short , the greatest thing we can do is point people to the cross .
There , the ultimate act of injustice was carried out , as the perfect Son died for the sins of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place , redemption flows for the entire human race .
Let ’ s step back from the news for a moment and lift our hearts in prayer , asking God to give us His perspective on the protests and riots and to enable us to be part of a lasting , transformative solution .
Isn ’ t that what He desires ?
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is When the World Stops : Words of Faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Midst of Crisis .
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

Many observers are comparing the year 2020 with 1968, the year that Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated, leading to riots all over America. Not long after that, Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated.
1968 was also the year of the May Revolution in France, the Tlatelolco massacre in Mexico (along with the Black Panther salute during the Mexico Olympics), and the Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia.
By 1969, there was Woodstock, the Stonewall Riots and more.
This was a snapshot of the tumultuous Sixties in America and the world.
Yet behind the scenes, under the surface, something else was going on.
Looking for the Meaning of Life in the Tumultuous Sixties
The rebellion was certainly real and the generation gap undeniable. And the obsession with sex, drugs, and rock and roll was anything but a myth. (I was born in New York City in 1955 and saw Jimi Hendrix in concert for the first time in 1968. I started playing drums in a rock band, then began getting high in 1969 and was shooting heroin by 1970.)
But underneath it all, often in plain sight, there was a deep spiritual search.
What could have been a much greater, longlasting spiritual harvest fell far short of its potential.
Young people were looking for the meaning of life. They were asking deep questions, and the simple answers of the American dream no longer satisfied. (Why work hard in school, to get into the best college, to get the best job, so your kids could simply repeat the cycle?)
Traditional religion didn’t seem to have the answers either, and so young people sought after Eastern religions and new philosophies. Still, Jesus seemed pretty cool, and many were open to find out more about Him.
The Jesus Revolution
And so, right there in the middle of these rebellious, fleshly times, the Jesus Revolution began. (The starting date is normally put at 1967.)
The results were dramatic, illustrated by these two headlines from Time Magazine, one from April, 1966, the other from June, 1971.
The first asked in stark, bold letters: “Is God Dead?”
The second, just 5 years later, announced, “The Jesus Revolution.”
And just as I was part of the counterculture revolution of the 1960s, I became part of the Jesus Revolution of the early 1970s, getting “born again” in late 1971 and instantly delivered from drugs.
Many Pastors Weren’t Aware of the Spiritual Hunger
The real tragedy is that most pastors and churches did not understand what was happening. They didn’t see the spiritual search going on in the midst of the counterculture revolution. Instead, they saw the outward, the obvious. They saw the rebellion. The lawlessness. The drug abuse. The promiscuity.
They heard the loud, blaring rock music. They saw the outlandish costumes and heard the scandalous lyrics.
But they missed the spiritual pain. The longing. The searching.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Then, when tens of thousands of hippies and radicals and rebels began showing up in large numbers at many small, traditional churches, in many cases, the churches didn’t know what to do with them.
Consequently, what could have been a much greater, longlasting spiritual harvest fell far short of its potential.
Have We Ever Seen a Year Like 2020?
Now, when it comes to 2020, we have never had another year like it.
Of course, the 1960s also witnessed the assassination of JFK in 1963 and wrestled with the ongoing Vietnam War, among other things.
But never have we seen, in just one year, all these events together.
First, the impeachment and acquittal of the president. Second, a pandemic resulting in a massive and unprecedented shutdown. Third, a widescale economic downturn, resulting in tens of millions of Americans unemployed. Fourth, video evidence of two horrific killings of black Americans (Ahmaud Arberry and then George Floyd), followed by nationwide peaceful protests marred by violent riots and looting.
Nothing really comes close to this in our history in terms of a perfect storm. And we have just started June! Even if all becomes peaceful soon and the economy starts to swing back, we are facing perhaps the most volatile elections in our history. The shaking will continue.
How, then, should we look at the current state of affairs in America? What is the divine perspective?
A Ministry That’s Taking Prayer and Gospel Love to the Streets of America
On my Tuesday broadcast, I spoke with Steve Uggen, who leads the Firebase Movement, taking prayer and gospel love to the streets of America’s cities.
Steve is based in Minneapolis and so, has been on the front lines of the protests and riots, reaching out one by one as best as possible, as well as praying and worshiping with teams on the streets. They believe only the presence of God can ultimately change the spiritual and moral climate.
He saw lots of young people on the streets and was reminded that they represented several generations of fatherless kids.
To be clear, in no way was he minimizing the violence or justifying the looting. Not at all. But he also said this. He saw lots of young people on the streets and was reminded that they represented several generations of fatherless kids.
He saw their aimlessness, their lostness, like sheep without a shepherd, and he knew that only God was the answer for their lives. They need a heavenly Father!
We Must Get God’s Heart for People and His Perspective on the Protests and Riots
This does not mean that we do not take concrete steps to stop the anarchy. It does not mean that we seek spiritual solutions alone while ignoring a host of practical issues that must be addressed.
But it means that we look beyond the sin, the anger, the violence. It means that we get God’s heart for the looters and the vandals, along with His heart for the peaceful, aggrieved protesters.
And while we recognize that force must be used to stop the lawbreakers, we know that this will not address the boiling anger and lawlessness. Only the gospel can transform lives.
In short, the greatest thing we can do is point people to the cross. There, the ultimate act of injustice was carried out, as the perfect Son died for the sins of the world. And from that bloodied place, redemption flows for the entire human race.
Let’s step back from the news for a moment and lift our hearts in prayer, asking God to give us His perspective on the protests and riots and to enable us to be part of a lasting, transformative solution. Isn’t that what He desires?
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is When the World Stops: Words of Faith, Hope, and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-06-03--Franklin Graham on Trump’s Walk to St. John’s Church and Us All Walking Forward Together

Our country has erupted in chaos .
Everyone agrees that what happened to George Floyd was a terrible tragedy that should not have happened and should never happen again .
But what has taken place with these riots is also a heartbreaking disaster for so many and for our nation .
I was asked if I was offended by the President walking out of the White House , which is his back yard , and walking over to St. John ’ s Church .
Offended ?
Not at all .
This made an important statement that what took place the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and vandalism of the nation ’ s capital — including this historic house of worship — mattered , and that the lawlessness had to end .
And I ’ m not offended that he held up the Bible — as a matter of fact , I was encouraged !
I appreciate it .
I believe that God ’ s Word is the only hope for each individual and for our nation .
The problem we are facing in this country is a spiritual and moral problem .
New laws and more government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s a heart problem , and only God can change the human heart .
I ’ m disappointed that some of the President ’ s harshest critics about going to the church were clergy .
They have publicly ( to the media ) criticized the President for walking to the church and for holding up the Bible .
That ’ s unbelievable .
They should be thanking him rather than criticizing him !
They are nitpicking his gesture , also saying he should have prayed while he was there .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invite him back and pray for him as he leads this country through a very difficult time in our history .
I call on all pastors , regardless of denomination , race , or political persuasion , to join hands and join hearts in praying for our nation , that God would give wisdom to our leaders — our mayors , our governors , our President Donald J. Trump , and also our law enforcement .
The God of the Bible is our only hope .
Franklin Graham is president and CEO of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Samaritan ’ s Purse .

Our country has erupted in chaos. Everyone agrees that what happened to George Floyd was a terrible tragedy that should not have happened and should never happen again. But what has taken place with these riots is also a heartbreaking disaster for so many and for our nation.
I was asked if I was offended by the President walking out of the White House, which is his back yard, and walking over to St. John’s Church. Offended? Not at all. This made an important statement that what took place the night before in the burning, looting, and vandalism of the nation’s capital — including this historic house of worship — mattered, and that the lawlessness had to end.
And I’m not offended that he held up the Bible — as a matter of fact, I was encouraged! I appreciate it. I believe that God’s Word is the only hope for each individual and for our nation. The problem we are facing in this country is a spiritual and moral problem. New laws and more government give-away programs are not the answer. It’s a heart problem, and only God can change the human heart.
I’m disappointed that some of the President’s harshest critics about going to the church were clergy. They have publicly (to the media) criticized the President for walking to the church and for holding up the Bible. That’s unbelievable. They should be thanking him rather than criticizing him! They are nitpicking his gesture, also saying he should have prayed while he was there. So critical. Well, maybe they should invite him back and pray for him as he leads this country through a very difficult time in our history.
I call on all pastors, regardless of denomination, race, or political persuasion, to join hands and join hearts in praying for our nation, that God would give wisdom to our leaders — our mayors, our governors, our President Donald J. Trump, and also our law enforcement. The God of the Bible is our only hope.
Franklin Graham is president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and of Samaritan’s Purse.
Originally published at Facebook/Franklin Graham


thestream--2020-06-03--80% More Guns Sold in May of This Year Than in May 2019

Americans purchased more than 80 % more guns in the month of May than they did in May of 2019 , a new analysis found .
Private citizens acquired more than 1.7 million firearms last month , and handgun scales skyrocketed by 90 % when compared to sales in the same month last year , according to Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting ’ s ( SAAF ) analysis of FBI NICS data .
Rifle sales increased by around 66 % amid both uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and violent uprisings associated with the death of George Floyd , who died with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his neck , ” the firm said .
May was the third consecutive month with a record-high for gun sales in the United States , the Washington Free Beacon reports .
It is further estimated that over 6 million guns have been sold since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic , according to the Free Beacon .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The beginning months of the virus saw empty shelves in gun stores and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lines stretching down the block .
Just one week in March saw over 1.2 million NICS background checks take place , according to The Guardian .
A gun store in Long Island , New York appears to have a line out the door comprised of more than 50 people .
Monday riots in the Empire State saw multiple officers struck with motor vehicles and a continuation of city-wide destruction and looting , according to The Hill .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Americans purchased more than 80% more guns in the month of May than they did in May of 2019, a new analysis found.
Private citizens acquired more than 1.7 million firearms last month, and handgun scales skyrocketed by 90% when compared to sales in the same month last year, according to Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting’s (SAAF) analysis of FBI NICS data.
Rifle sales increased by around 66% amid both uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and violent uprisings associated with the death of George Floyd, who died with a Minneapolis police officer’s knee on his neck,” the firm said.
May was the third consecutive month with a record-high for gun sales in the United States, the Washington Free Beacon reports. It is further estimated that over 6 million guns have been sold since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Free Beacon.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The beginning months of the virus saw empty shelves in gun stores and an unprecedented demand for firearms often resulting in lines stretching down the block. Just one week in March saw over 1.2 million NICS background checks take place, according to The Guardian.
A gun store in Long Island, New York appears to have a line out the door comprised of more than 50 people.
Line up for a gun shop in Long Island right now. +50 people and over a 2 hour wait. pic.twitter.com/SOVAfoc3Gk — Clarion Project (@clarionproject) June 2, 2020
Monday riots in the Empire State saw multiple officers struck with motor vehicles and a continuation of city-wide destruction and looting, according to The Hill.
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--2020-06-03--Trump: ‘Angry Mob’ Must Not Drown out ‘Righteous Cries of Peaceful Protesters’

President Donald Trump announced the deployment of the military to help quell the violent riots in Washington , D.C. , and said he would send federal troops to states to restore order if governors didn ’ t act .
“ What happened in this city last night was a total disgrace , ” Trump announced Monday evening in the Rose Garden , referring to the weekend riots in the nation ’ s capital .
“ As we speak , I am dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers , military personnel , and law enforcement officers to stop the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the wanton destruction of property.
” The president also spoke about the need for justice after the police killing of George Floyd , 46 , during his arrest in Minneapolis on Memorial Day evening .
In response to Floyd ’ s death , peaceful protests in Minneapolis turned to violent riots , which spread across the United States , even as peaceful protests also continued .
“ All Americans were rightly sickened and revolted by the brutal death of George Floyd , ” said Trump , who spoke last week with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My administration is committed that for George Floyd and his family , justice will be served .
He will not have died in vain.
” However , he emphasized that violent riots did not honor Floyd ’ s memory .
“ We can not allow the righteous cries of peaceful protesters to be drowned out by an angry mob , ” Trump said .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Last week , Trump said the Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of Floyd , who died after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin put his knee on Floyd ’ s neck for nine minutes .
Chauvin , fired Tuesday , was charged Friday with third-degree murder and manslaughter .
Shortly after the remarks in the Rose Garden , Trump walked to St. John ’ s Episcopal Church , a historic church near the White House that was partially burned during riots over the weekend .
“ We are ending the riots and lawlessness that has spread throughout our country .
We will end it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House for the church .
“ I have strongly recommended to every governor to deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers that we dominate the streets.
” He later added : “ If a city or state refuses to take the actions that are necessary to defend the life and property of their residents , then I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them.
” Using the military for domestic order is rare .
But a president can use the power under the Insurrection Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to domestic emergencies even against the wishes of a state ’ s government .
“ The biggest victims of the rioting are peace-loving citizens in our poorest communities , ” Trump said .
“ As your president , I will fight to keep them safe .
I will fight to protect you .
I ’ m your president of law and order and an ally of all peaceful protesters.
” But , in recent days , our nation has been gripped by professional anarchists , violent mobs , arsonists , looters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others .
… Innocent people have been left savagely beaten , like the young man in Dallas , Texas , who was left dying on the street , or the woman in upstate New York , viciously attacked by dangerous thugs .
Small business owners have seen their dreams utterly destroyed .
New York ’ s finest have been hit in the face with bricks .
Brave nurses who have battled the [ coronavirus ] are afraid to leave their homes .
A police precinct has been overrun .
Here in the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the World War II Memorial have been vandalized .
One of our most historic churches was set ablaze .
A federal officer in California—an African American enforcement hero—was shot and killed .
These are not acts of peaceful protests .
These are acts of domestic terror .
“ I want the organizers of this terror to be on notice that you will face severe criminal penalties and lengthy sentences in jail , ” Trump said .
“ This includes Antifa and others who are leading instigators of this violence.
” Fred Lucas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House correspondent for The Daily Signal and co-host of “ The Right Side of History ” podcast .

President Donald Trump announced the deployment of the military to help quell the violent riots in Washington, D.C., and said he would send federal troops to states to restore order if governors didn’t act.
“What happened in this city last night was a total disgrace,” Trump announced Monday evening in the Rose Garden, referring to the weekend riots in the nation’s capital. “As we speak, I am dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel, and law enforcement officers to stop the rioting, looting, vandalism, assaults, and the wanton destruction of property.”
The president also spoke about the need for justice after the police killing of George Floyd, 46, during his arrest in Minneapolis on Memorial Day evening.
In response to Floyd’s death, peaceful protests in Minneapolis turned to violent riots, which spread across the United States, even as peaceful protests also continued.
“All Americans were rightly sickened and revolted by the brutal death of George Floyd,” said Trump, who spoke last week with Floyd’s family members. “My administration is committed that for George Floyd and his family, justice will be served. He will not have died in vain.”
However, he emphasized that violent riots did not honor Floyd’s memory.
“We cannot allow the righteous cries of peaceful protesters to be drowned out by an angry mob,” Trump said.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Last week, Trump said the Justice Department initiated a federal investigation into the death of Floyd, who died after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin put his knee on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes. Chauvin, fired Tuesday, was charged Friday with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
Shortly after the remarks in the Rose Garden, Trump walked to St. John’s Episcopal Church, a historic church near the White House that was partially burned during riots over the weekend.
“We are ending the riots and lawlessness that has spread throughout our country. We will end it now,” Trump said before departing the White House for the church. “I have strongly recommended to every governor to deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers that we dominate the streets.”
He later added: “If a city or state refuses to take the actions that are necessary to defend the life and property of their residents, then I will deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them.”
Using the military for domestic order is rare. But a president can use the power under the Insurrection Act of 1807 to send federal troops to respond to domestic emergencies even against the wishes of a state’s government.
“The biggest victims of the rioting are peace-loving citizens in our poorest communities,” Trump said. “As your president, I will fight to keep them safe. I will fight to protect you. I’m your president of law and order and an ally of all peaceful protesters.”
He continued:
But, in recent days, our nation has been gripped by professional anarchists, violent mobs, arsonists, looters, criminals, rioters, Antifa, and others. … Innocent people have been left savagely beaten, like the young man in Dallas, Texas, who was left dying on the street, or the woman in upstate New York, viciously attacked by dangerous thugs. Small business owners have seen their dreams utterly destroyed. New York’s finest have been hit in the face with bricks. Brave nurses who have battled the [coronavirus] are afraid to leave their homes. A police precinct has been overrun. Here in the nation’s capital, the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial have been vandalized. One of our most historic churches was set ablaze. A federal officer in California—an African American enforcement hero—was shot and killed. These are not acts of peaceful protests. These are acts of domestic terror.
Trump stressed that rioters would face consequences.
“I want the organizers of this terror to be on notice that you will face severe criminal penalties and lengthy sentences in jail,” Trump said. “This includes Antifa and others who are leading instigators of this violence.”
Fred Lucas (@FredLucasWH) is the White House correspondent for The Daily Signal and co-host of “The Right Side of History” podcast.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Signal


thestream--2020-06-03--Who’s Your Messiah Now, Democrats?

Who’s Your Messiah Now, Democrats?

Political polarization is a fact of modern America .
Some say it ’ s the worst it ’ s ever been in American history .
At least so goes the refrain here and here .
AP did a whole series on the topic .
Of course the coronavirus pandemic allegedly made our political divisions even worse .
However , there are counter-arguments to the idea that the Republic is uniquely wracked by partisanship today .
Look back at American history .
The press and political opponents even went after the man who wouldn ’ t be king .
George Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Treasury Secretary with .54 caliber hot lead , politics is literally deadly .
Before Lincoln was murdered in a fit of political pique , he was subject to daily virtual attacks on his character as well as his policies by the Democrats of his day .
I could go on .
But you get the point .
Maybe we ’ re not the most divided ever .
However , America is undoubtedly split into two major political tribes .
( Go ahead , Libertarians .
Throw your vote away . )
Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distinctions can be drawn between the two .
The mommy party v. the daddy one .
College-educated Democrats v. less-educated Republicans .
( Yes , liberals love to yuk it up that they are smarter .
But in fact economically-literate conservatives might have higher IQs . )
Everyone knows Republicans are into country music while Dems prefer the Beatles .
( I ’ d rather be water-boarded than listen to country , however .
So this line of analysis has its limitations . )
In perhaps the most memorable demarcation , Democrats see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are stupid .
One is the party of Joe Quimby .
The other of Sideshow Bob .
Perhaps the most telling and important difference is in the religious realm .
One camp is dominated by secularists , the other by practicing Christians .
The “ religiously unaffiliated ” now make up the largest single cohort of the modern Democratic Party .
Indeed , many have noted that politics is the new religion of many Democrats .
And that far-left politics are a Christian heresy .
I would go further .
The Democrat party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this topic some years ago on my old blog .
That analysis showed up in my 2016 book Sects , Lies and the Caliphate .
My take bounced off of a review by Anne Barbeau Gardiner of Ross Douthat ’ s 2013 Bad Religion : How We Became a Nation of Heretics .
His book identifies four heresies in American Christianity .
The liberal “ New Quest , ” epitomized by the infamous Jesus Seminar whose members voted on what sections of the Gospels they deemed historical .
The “ Prosperity Theology ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Within ” Gnostics like Oprah .
And finally — and most germane here — so-called “ American Nationalism.
” This ideology is said to have two sides : one messianic , one apocalyptic .
The former substitutes politics for Christ and the Church .
The latter sees our national trajectory as a “ downhill slide ” from its Adamic Founding .
Douthat , says Gardiner , sees both Democrats and Republicans as equally capable of manifesting messianism or apocalypticism .
It just depends on the circumstances and time frame .
Please Support The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
But I think that ’ s wrong .
Democrats love to make their leaders into messiahs .
Republicans , on the other hand , all too often are fine thinking it ’ s the end of the world as we know it .
And they are loathe to see GOP candidates , or Presidents , as saviors .
Why ?
Because most Republicans are Christians , and they already have a Messiah .
Liberal efforts to suggest otherwise are risible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jones — or Sauron .
No , it ’ s the Democrats who fall off the horse on the side of worshipping their leading figures .
And this really started in earnest only recently .
With Barack Hussein Obama ’ s Presidency .
Sure , FDR and JFK and even LBJ were seen as saviors .
Roosevelt saved democracy .
Kennedy delivered us from Khrushchev ’ s nukes .
Johnson cast out poverty .
Or so go the claims .
But half a century ago the Democrats were still moored in reality on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them were still Christians .
So , like modern Republicans , they knew better than to make false idols out of politicians .
But in the last 20 years ( as noted above ) , the percentage of Christians in the Democrat party has plummeted .
At the same time — or perhaps as a result — the party of Jefferson has turned hard Left .
And as Chesterton once said , “ when you stop believing in God it ’ s not that you believe in nothing ; you ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t just a lark on the part of Newsweek .
Other Leftist outlets noted “ Obama ’ s cocky messianism ” when he first campaigned for President .
Oprah Winfrey called him “ the One.
” In his first term , Jamie Foxx referred to Obama as “ our Lord and Savior.
” And he wasn ’ t alone .
By Obama ’ s second term , school kids were being taught along the same lines .
Eventually some in the media sobered up .
A bit .
The narcissism which they encouraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat party and its rank-and-file continue to drink themselves into a stupor at the messianic tap .
Why ?
Mainly because the Orange Antichrist won the election in 2016 .
So the party and the press ( who can tell the difference ? )
have wandered through the wilderness , searching for their new messiah .
First it was Beto , the Vanilla Obama .
Then many turned to the Vermont Socialist Senator .
“ Help us , Bernie-Won .
You ’ re our only hope.
” But the DNC knew they couldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sickle hung around their necks .
So they used the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to shut down their primaries , declaring Joe Biden the winner .
This although he doesn ’ t have a majority of delegates .
Biden is too addled and uncharismatic to fulfill the preferred messianic role — much less win .
So Democrats have two final possible saviors in mind .
One is Michelle Obama .
She could serve as a substitute savior , if you will .
Reflecting what is left of her husband ’ s magnetism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democrats and their media mouthpieces is for Stacy Abrams .
The Washington Post magazine ’ s fawning , indeed worshipful , profile of her is exhibit A .
It included this hagiographical picture : One wonders how many Democrats and journalists have a candle burning in front of that picture .
I live in Georgia .
The truth about Abrams is that she was an unremarkable state-level politician who owed the IRS , was deeply in credit card debt — and when she lost the race for Governor here , blamed “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If she ’ s the Democrat messiah now , that party is in trouble .
Republicans have plenty of problems .
Donald Trump himself is both a blessing and a curse .
Most of us realize that .
But we ’ re realistic , and Christian , enough to know that sinners can be effective leaders .
No Republican thinks Trump is a paragon of virtue .
Much less a saint .
Certainly not messianic .
But we do know his policies are effective .
Tax and regulation cuts .
Naming and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutionalists on the Supreme Court .
Supporting Christians , at home and abroad .
Those are worth a score of intemperate Tweets .
Republicans aren ’ t looking for Trump , or anyone else , to lead us to the Promised Land .
Just to keep the walls from tumbling down .
Democrats , on the other hand , seem to expect a president to turn stones into bread , water into wine and forgive sins .
Sorry , that ’ s all already been done .
And not by a politician .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , World and African history .
He is a former U.S. Army Arabic linguist and , later , civilian consultant to U.S. Special Operations Command .
He ’ s the author of books on the Middle East and Middle-earth ; a history professor ; and sometime media opiner ( as , for example , on Fox News Channel ’ s War Stories : Fighting ISIS ) .

Political polarization is a fact of modern America. Some say it’s the worst it’s ever been in American history. At least so goes the refrain here and here. AP did a whole series on the topic. Of course the coronavirus pandemic allegedly made our political divisions even worse.
However, there are counter-arguments to the idea that the Republic is uniquely wracked by partisanship today. Look back at American history. The press and political opponents even went after the man who wouldn’t be king. George Washington. And when a Vice-President fills a former Treasury Secretary with .54 caliber hot lead, politics is literally deadly. Before Lincoln was murdered in a fit of political pique, he was subject to daily virtual attacks on his character as well as his policies by the Democrats of his day. I could go on. But you get the point. Maybe we’re not the most divided ever.
Quimby v. Sideshow Bob
However, America is undoubtedly split into two major political tribes. (Go ahead, Libertarians. Throw your vote away.) Democrats and Republicans. A number of important distinctions can be drawn between the two. The mommy party v. the daddy one. College-educated Democrats v. less-educated Republicans. (Yes, liberals love to yuk it up that they are smarter. But in fact economically-literate conservatives might have higher IQs.) Everyone knows Republicans are into country music while Dems prefer the Beatles. (I’d rather be water-boarded than listen to country, however. So this line of analysis has its limitations.) In perhaps the most memorable demarcation, Democrats see Republicans as evil while Republicans think Democrats are stupid. One is the party of Joe Quimby. The other of Sideshow Bob.
Secular v. Sacred
Perhaps the most telling and important difference is in the religious realm. One camp is dominated by secularists, the other by practicing Christians. The “religiously unaffiliated” now make up the largest single cohort of the modern Democratic Party. Indeed, many have noted that politics is the new religion of many Democrats. And that far-left politics are a Christian heresy. I would go further. The Democrat party is downright messianic.
Messianic v. Apocalyptic
I wrote on this topic some years ago on my old blog. That analysis showed up in my 2016 book Sects, Lies and the Caliphate. My take bounced off of a review by Anne Barbeau Gardiner of Ross Douthat’s 2013 Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics. His book identifies four heresies in American Christianity. The liberal “New Quest,” epitomized by the infamous Jesus Seminar whose members voted on what sections of the Gospels they deemed historical. The “Prosperity Theology” proponents like Joel Osteen. “God Within” Gnostics like Oprah. And finally — and most germane here — so-called “American Nationalism.” This ideology is said to have two sides: one messianic, one apocalyptic. The former substitutes politics for Christ and the Church. The latter sees our national trajectory as a “downhill slide” from its Adamic Founding. Douthat, says Gardiner, sees both Democrats and Republicans as equally capable of manifesting messianism or apocalypticism. It just depends on the circumstances and time frame.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
But I think that’s wrong. Democrats love to make their leaders into messiahs. Republicans, on the other hand, all too often are fine thinking it’s the end of the world as we know it. And they are loathe to see GOP candidates, or Presidents, as saviors. Why? Because most Republicans are Christians, and they already have a Messiah. Liberal efforts to suggest otherwise are risible. Especially when they cast Trump as Jim Jones — or Sauron.
Politics as Religion
No, it’s the Democrats who fall off the horse on the side of worshipping their leading figures. And this really started in earnest only recently. With Barack Hussein Obama’s Presidency. Sure, FDR and JFK and even LBJ were seen as saviors. Roosevelt saved democracy. Kennedy delivered us from Khrushchev’s nukes. Johnson cast out poverty. Or so go the claims. But half a century ago the Democrats were still moored in reality on this issue. Not least because most of them were still Christians. So, like modern Republicans, they knew better than to make false idols out of politicians.
But in the last 20 years (as noted above), the percentage of Christians in the Democrat party has plummeted. At the same time — or perhaps as a result — the party of Jefferson has turned hard Left. And as Chesterton once said, “when you stop believing in God it’s not that you believe in nothing; you’ll believe anything.”
Obama the Messiah
Like this:
And this wasn’t just a lark on the part of Newsweek. Other Leftist outlets noted “Obama’s cocky messianism” when he first campaigned for President. Oprah Winfrey called him “the One.” In his first term, Jamie Foxx referred to Obama as “our Lord and Savior.” And he wasn’t alone. By Obama’s second term, school kids were being taught along the same lines. Eventually some in the media sobered up. A bit. The narcissism which they encouraged in Obama proved counter-productive.
False Democrat Messiahs
But the Democrat party and its rank-and-file continue to drink themselves into a stupor at the messianic tap. Why? Mainly because the Orange Antichrist won the election in 2016. So the party and the press (who can tell the difference?) have wandered through the wilderness, searching for their new messiah. First it was Beto, the Vanilla Obama. Then many turned to the Vermont Socialist Senator. “Help us, Bernie-Won. You’re our only hope.” But the DNC knew they couldn’t win with a hammer and sickle hung around their necks. So they used the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to shut down their primaries, declaring Joe Biden the winner. This although he doesn’t have a majority of delegates. Biden is too addled and uncharismatic to fulfill the preferred messianic role — much less win. So Democrats have two final possible saviors in mind.
One is Michelle Obama. She could serve as a substitute savior, if you will. Reflecting what is left of her husband’s magnetism. But the real messianic fervor among the Democrats and their media mouthpieces is for Stacy Abrams. The Washington Post magazine’s fawning, indeed worshipful, profile of her is exhibit A. It included this hagiographical picture:
One wonders how many Democrats and journalists have a candle burning in front of that picture.
I live in Georgia. The truth about Abrams is that she was an unremarkable state-level politician who owed the IRS, was deeply in credit card debt — and when she lost the race for Governor here, blamed “voter suppression” and refused to concede. If she’s the Democrat messiah now, that party is in trouble.
Realism v. Messianism
Republicans have plenty of problems. Donald Trump himself is both a blessing and a curse. Most of us realize that. But we’re realistic, and Christian, enough to know that sinners can be effective leaders. No Republican thinks Trump is a paragon of virtue. Much less a saint. Certainly not messianic. But we do know his policies are effective. Tax and regulation cuts. Naming and standing up to Islamic terrorism. Putting constitutionalists on the Supreme Court. Supporting Christians, at home and abroad. Those are worth a score of intemperate Tweets. Republicans aren’t looking for Trump, or anyone else, to lead us to the Promised Land. Just to keep the walls from tumbling down. Democrats, on the other hand, seem to expect a president to turn stones into bread, water into wine and forgive sins. Sorry, that’s all already been done. And not by a politician.
Timothy Furnish holds a Ph.D. in Islamic, World and African history. He is a former U.S. Army Arabic linguist and, later, civilian consultant to U.S. Special Operations Command. He’s the author of books on the Middle East and Middle-earth; a history professor; and sometime media opiner (as, for example, on Fox News Channel’s War Stories: Fighting ISIS).


thestream--2020-06-04--Does Trump Have the Authority to Issue an Executive Order Targeting Bias by Social Media Companies?

President Trump has finally had enough of social media censorship of conservatives .
And Twitter asked for it .
The company went after him , tacking a warning on a pair of his tweets about voter fraud .
So right after it last Thursday , he issued an executive order eliminating liability protections social media companies have as “ platforms.
” Platforms allow others to post content without editorial interference .
That legally protects them from being charged or sued for what appears on their site .
The idea is that the companies couldn ’ t function if they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They ’ re like freighters carrying hundreds of containers .
The shipping company isn ’ t responsible if one of those containers holds illegal drugs .
Publishers choose what appears on their site .
They have no such protections .
They ’ re expected to make sure that they only publish lawful material .
In other words , platforms have immunity , publishers don ’ t .
But the social media companies violated the terms .
They take advantage of their status as platforms .
They behave as publishers by making editorial decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have it both ways .
If they want to control the content , that will make them publishers .
And if they decide to be publishers , they will not be immune from lawsuits .
Trump explained this at the press conference announcing the Executive Order on Preventing Online Censorship : “ The choices that Twitter makes , when it chooses to suppress , edit , blacklist , shadowban are editorial decisions , pure and simple , they are editorial decisions.
” He went on , “ What they choose to fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or promote is nothing more than a political activism group.
” Besides Twitter , the order would apply to Facebook , Google ’ s YouTube and many others .
The order asks the FCC to define actions from social media companies that are “ deceptive , pretextual , or inconsistent with a provider ’ s terms of service.
” Actions that are the result of “ inadequate notice , the product of unseasoned explanation , or having been undertak [ en ] without a meaningful opportunity to be heard ” are outside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 230 ( c ) ( 1 ) of the Communications Decency Act shields the sites from liability for the content generated entirely by third parties .
Section 230 ( c ) ( 2 ) gives them immunity for “ good faith ” efforts to filter or remove objectionable content .
That includes content that is “ obscene , lewd , lascivious , filthy , excessively violent , harassing , or otherwise objectionable.
” That is not considered editorializing and preserves their immunity .
The Electronic Frontier Foundation , a longtime advocate of free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the First Amendment .
EFF says it erroneously combines the two sections into one , assigning ( c ) ( 2 ) ’ s good faith protection to ( c ) ( 1 ) as well .
EFF says courts have clarified that the sections are separate .
The order asks agencies to define what “ good faith ” means .
FCC May Not Have Jurisdiction EFF also claims that the FCC doesn ’ t have authority over the social media companies .
Its jurisdiction covers the communications infrastructure industry ( companies such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Frontier ) as well as the airwaves .
So far , courts have held that the big tech companies are engaging in free speech as publishers and so can not be regulated .
At the same time , they are private actors that can not be transformed into state actors constrained by the First Amendment .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
But other court decisions say otherwise .
Courts held recently that Trump can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment applies to it as a public forum .
If Trump ’ s tweets are considered free speech in a public forum , then why aren ’ t everyone ’ s tweets considered similarly ?
Is Trump or Congress Implementing the Order ?
EFF also claims that Congress did not give the president the power to interpret or implement Section 230 .
That may be true .
But the order actually instructs the attorney general to create a proposal for Congress to implement the order .
It preserves the separation of powers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ . )
introduced legislation last year that would make platforms ’ CDA 230 immunity contingent on certifications of “ political neutrality ” issued by the Federal Trade Commission .
Providers of interactive computer services would need to prove to the FTC “ by clear and convincing evidence ” that they haven ’ t taken steps to “ moderate information … in a politically biased manner ” at any point over the preceding two years .
This is headed for the courts to decide .
Big tech has mostly kept quiet about the order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Mark Zuckerberg .
He criticized Twitter ’ s actions right before the order came out .
Tech executives told Vox that they ’ re not speaking up since they believe the courts will strike it down .
However , it ’ s tough to predict how the Supreme Court will come down .
The decision might not break down on conservative-liberal lines .
And if it does , Chief Justice Roberts has proven to be a wildcard , voting sometimes with the justices on the left .
Regardless , the order serves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop the censorship .
Conservatives are fed up with it and want something done .
Things escalated between Twitter and Trump after Trump announced the order .
Twitter hid one of his tweets , saying it glorified violence against the rioters .
Trump responded in a tweet , Rachel Alexander is a senior editor of The Stream .
Follow her on Twitter at Rach_IC .
Follow The Stream at streamdotorg .
Send tips to rachel.alexander @ stream.org .

President Trump has finally had enough of social media censorship of conservatives. And Twitter asked for it. The company went after him, tacking a warning on a pair of his tweets about voter fraud. So right after it last Thursday, he issued an executive order eliminating liability protections social media companies have as “platforms.”
Platforms allow others to post content without editorial interference. That legally protects them from being charged or sued for what appears on their site. The idea is that the companies couldn’t function if they had to review everything on the site. They’re like freighters carrying hundreds of containers. The shipping company isn’t responsible if one of those containers holds illegal drugs.
Publishers choose what appears on their site. They have no such protections. They’re expected to make sure that they only publish lawful material.
In other words, platforms have immunity, publishers don’t. But the social media companies violated the terms. They take advantage of their status as platforms. They behave as publishers by making editorial decisions about content. But they can’t have it both ways. If they want to control the content, that will make them publishers. And if they decide to be publishers, they will not be immune from lawsuits.
Trump explained this at the press conference announcing the Executive Order on Preventing Online Censorship: “The choices that Twitter makes, when it chooses to suppress, edit, blacklist, shadowban are editorial decisions, pure and simple, they are editorial decisions.” He went on, “What they choose to fact check and what they choose to ignore or promote is nothing more than a political activism group.”
Besides Twitter, the order would apply to Facebook, Google’s YouTube and many others.
FCC Called to Regulate
Excerpt from the Executive Order on Preventing Online Censorship In a country that has long cherished the freedom of expression, we cannot allow a limited number of online platforms to hand pick the speech that Americans may access and convey on the internet. This practice is fundamentally un-American and anti-democratic. When large, powerful social media companies censor opinions with which they disagree, they exercise a dangerous power. … These platforms function in many ways as a 21st century equivalent of the public square.
The order asks the FCC to define actions from social media companies that are “deceptive, pretextual, or inconsistent with a provider’s terms of service.” Actions that are the result of “inadequate notice, the product of unseasoned explanation, or having been undertak[en] without a meaningful opportunity to be heard” are outside the bounds of “good faith.”
Section 230 (c)(1) of the Communications Decency Act shields the sites from liability for the content generated entirely by third parties. Section 230 (c)(2) gives them immunity for “good faith” efforts to filter or remove objectionable content. That includes content that is “obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, excessively violent, harassing, or otherwise objectionable.” That is not considered editorializing and preserves their immunity.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a longtime advocate of free speech online, says the order violates the First Amendment. EFF says it erroneously combines the two sections into one, assigning (c)(2)’s good faith protection to (c)(1) as well. EFF says courts have clarified that the sections are separate. The order asks agencies to define what “good faith” means.
FCC May Not Have Jurisdiction
EFF also claims that the FCC doesn’t have authority over the social media companies. Its jurisdiction covers the communications infrastructure industry (companies such as AT&T, Comcast, Frontier) as well as the airwaves.
So far, courts have held that the big tech companies are engaging in free speech as publishers and so cannot be regulated. At the same time, they are private actors that cannot be transformed into state actors constrained by the First Amendment.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
But other court decisions say otherwise. Courts held recently that Trump can’t block people on Twitter because the First Amendment applies to it as a public forum. If Trump’s tweets are considered free speech in a public forum, then why aren’t everyone’s tweets considered similarly?
Is Trump or Congress Implementing the Order?
EFF also claims that Congress did not give the president the power to interpret or implement Section 230. That may be true. But the order actually instructs the attorney general to create a proposal for Congress to implement the order. It preserves the separation of powers.
Sen. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced legislation last year that would make platforms’ CDA 230 immunity contingent on certifications of “political neutrality” issued by the Federal Trade Commission. Providers of interactive computer services would need to prove to the FTC “by clear and convincing evidence” that they haven’t taken steps to “moderate information … in a politically biased manner” at any point over the preceding two years.
This is headed for the courts to decide. Big tech has mostly kept quiet about the order, with the exception of Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg. He criticized Twitter’s actions right before the order came out. Tech executives told Vox that they’re not speaking up since they believe the courts will strike it down. However, it’s tough to predict how the Supreme Court will come down. The decision might not break down on conservative-liberal lines. And if it does, Chief Justice Roberts has proven to be a wildcard, voting sometimes with the justices on the left.
Regardless, the order serves as a wake-up call to big tech to stop the censorship. Conservatives are fed up with it and want something done. Things escalated between Twitter and Trump after Trump announced the order. Twitter hid one of his tweets, saying it glorified violence against the rioters. Trump responded in a tweet,
REVOKE 230! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020
Rachel Alexander is a senior editor of The Stream. Follow her on Twitter at Rach_IC. Follow The Stream at streamdotorg. Send tips to [email protected].


thestream--2020-06-04--Military Photo of the Day: Green Berets Training a Syrian Rebel Group for the ISIS Fight

U.S. Army Green Berets recently train , advise , and assist the Maghaweir al-Thowra rebel group in Syria in the @ @ @ @ @ other terrorist organizations .
Thank you to these brave Special Forces soldiers for risking your @ @ @ @ @ world ’ s most dangerous places .
Stay safe !
Please Support The Stream : @ @ @ @ @ About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .

U.S. Army Green Berets recently train, advise, and assist the Maghaweir al-Thowra rebel group in Syria in the fight to defeat ISIS and other terrorist organizations.
Thank you to these brave Special Forces soldiers for risking your lives in one of the world’s most dangerous places. Stay safe!
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-06-04--What Happened to All the Fears About Spreading COVID-19?

I am not minimizing the seriousness of the COVID-19 .
I lost a friend to the virus .
Another friend tested positive for 45 days and lost two of her friends .
Other friends have lost friends and loved ones .
As I write , a friend in his 40s has been hospitalized again .
These losses are tragic and undeniable .
I ’ m simply questioning our response to the virus in light of the mass , national protests .
What happened to all our fears ?
I ’ m not a scientist , and I have zero expertise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it seems to me that only one of these two propositions can be true .
Either our national shutdown was an overreaction , or we are about to see a massive spike in virus infections across the country .
Of course , there is the issue of apparent double standards when it comes to what is allowed and what is not .
As I tweeted on May 31 , “ Want to go to a church service ?
Nope !
You must stay home .
Want to reopen your business so you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family ?
Nope !
You must stay home .
Want to riot and loot and tear up the city ?
Have at it !
” You might say , “ But no one is giving permission to the looters and rioters .
They ’ re breaking the law and defying authorities.
” But what about the peaceful protesters ?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
According to a report on NPR , “ Mass protests that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in America are raising concerns about the risk of spreading the coronavirus .
But some health experts , even as they urge caution , said they support the demonstrations — because racism also poses a dire health threat.
” In point of fact , others have been arguing for at least two months that an economic collapse poses a dire health threat .
And some have pointed out that an extended lockdown also poses a dire health threat , simply in terms of suicide and depression .
One report even predicted that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end up surpassing deaths by COVID-19 .
So , there is a lot to debate when it comes to policy decisions , and it appears that not even hindsight is 20-20 at this point .
But here ’ s the big question for me ( and many others ) .
Is this virus as dangerous as we thought or not ?
Is it as contagious ?
As deadly ?
We are now hearing from the CDC that the fatality rate is much lower than was feared .
In light of that , conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions for Dr. Fauci .
Now , with mass protests around the nation and with mixed signals from health experts about those protests , we are about to find out how dangerous COVID-19 actually is .
The state of California is still restricting church gatherings to no more than 100 people , even if you have a building that seats 5,000 and a congregation of 20,000 .
No more than 100 people in a service !
( Unfortunately , the Supreme Court upheld this ruling , thanks to Chief Justice Roberts siding with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain shuttered .
Restaurants are opening to limited capacity seating .
Sports events are being held without live audiences .
Schools remain closed — all because of fear of spreading the virus en masse , thereby crippling the health system .
Yet multiplied thousands of people are gathering on the streets , standing in close proximity to each other , marching side by side , many of them not wearing masks .
A Little Wisdom Goes a Long Way So , again , common sense tells me that we are either about to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which I hope is not the case but might well be ) or we will soon feel foolish for over-quarantining .
( To be clear , I am not criticizing the peaceful protesters and recognize their right to take a public stand . )
My personal tendency is to be full of faith , totally confident , and overly optimistic , jumping first and calculating later .
But , as I wrote in my new book When the World Stops : Words of Hope , Faith , and Wisdom in the Midst of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long way .
And so , over the years , I have learned to walk in both wisdom and faith , which are really two sides of the same coin .
I have also documented a number of cases where pastors boasted about their faith and flaunted government guidelines , only to die of the virus themselves .
And so , because I did not want to be presumptuous , as if I was an invincible 65-year-old , I followed a number of guidelines as well .
I had sanitizing wipes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shopping at the grocery store .
And for a short time , Nancy and I also sanitized the grocery items once I brought them inside .
After all , that ’ s what the experts recommended .
But then we were told that the virus could not be spread through inanimate objects after all .
Or could it ?
Either way , here we stand today , with some of the same voices that were screaming for extreme caution just a few weeks ago now modifying their tone .
We are about to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justified or whether we have been massively misled ( even if sincerely ) on a scale never seen before in our history .
What will it be ?
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest book is When the World Stops : Words of Faith , Hope , and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis .
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

I am not minimizing the seriousness of the COVID-19. I lost a friend to the virus. Another friend tested positive for 45 days and lost two of her friends. Other friends have lost friends and loved ones. As I write, a friend in his 40s has been hospitalized again. These losses are tragic and undeniable. I’m simply questioning our response to the virus in light of the mass, national protests. What happened to all our fears?
What’s the Truth?
I’m not a scientist, and I have zero expertise in the field of epidemiology. But it seems to me that only one of these two propositions can be true. Either our national shutdown was an overreaction, or we are about to see a massive spike in virus infections across the country.
Of course, there is the issue of apparent double standards when it comes to what is allowed and what is not. As I tweeted on May 31, “Want to go to a church service? Nope! You must stay home. Want to reopen your business so you can pay your bills and care for your family? Nope! You must stay home. Want to riot and loot and tear up the city? Have at it!”
You might say, “But no one is giving permission to the looters and rioters. They’re breaking the law and defying authorities.”
True enough.
But what about the peaceful protesters?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
According to a report on NPR, “Mass protests that have erupted over police brutality toward black people in America are raising concerns about the risk of spreading the coronavirus. But some health experts, even as they urge caution, said they support the demonstrations — because racism also poses a dire health threat.”
In point of fact, others have been arguing for at least two months that an economic collapse poses a dire health threat. And some have pointed out that an extended lockdown also poses a dire health threat, simply in terms of suicide and depression. One report even predicted that, in Australia, deaths by suicide could end up surpassing deaths by COVID-19.
So, there is a lot to debate when it comes to policy decisions, and it appears that not even hindsight is 20/20 at this point.
But here’s the big question for me (and many others). Is this virus as dangerous as we thought or not? Is it as contagious? As deadly?
Mixed Signals
We are now hearing from the CDC that the fatality rate is much lower than was feared. In light of that, conservative commentator Steve Deace has raised some important questions for Dr. Fauci.
Now, with mass protests around the nation and with mixed signals from health experts about those protests, we are about to find out how dangerous COVID-19 actually is.
The state of California is still restricting church gatherings to no more than 100 people, even if you have a building that seats 5,000 and a congregation of 20,000. No more than 100 people in a service! (Unfortunately, the Supreme Court upheld this ruling, thanks to Chief Justice Roberts siding with the liberal justices.)
Small businesses remain shuttered. Restaurants are opening to limited capacity seating. Sports events are being held without live audiences. Schools remain closed — all because of fear of spreading the virus en masse, thereby crippling the health system.
Yet multiplied thousands of people are gathering on the streets, standing in close proximity to each other, marching side by side, many of them not wearing masks.
A Little Wisdom Goes a Long Way
So, again, common sense tells me that we are either about to see a massive spike in infections (which I hope is not the case but might well be) or we will soon feel foolish for over-quarantining. (To be clear, I am not criticizing the peaceful protesters and recognize their right to take a public stand.)
My personal tendency is to be full of faith, totally confident, and overly optimistic, jumping first and calculating later. But, as I wrote in my new book When the World Stops: Words of Hope, Faith, and Wisdom in the Midst of the Crisis, a little wisdom goes a long way. And so, over the years, I have learned to walk in both wisdom and faith, which are really two sides of the same coin.
I have also documented a number of cases where pastors boasted about their faith and flaunted government guidelines, only to die of the virus themselves.
And so, because I did not want to be presumptuous, as if I was an invincible 65-year-old, I followed a number of guidelines as well. I had sanitizing wipes in my car to disinfect my hands after shopping at the grocery store. And for a short time, Nancy and I also sanitized the grocery items once I brought them inside. After all, that’s what the experts recommended.
But then we were told that the virus could not be spread through inanimate objects after all. Or could it?
Either way, here we stand today, with some of the same voices that were screaming for extreme caution just a few weeks ago now modifying their tone.
We are about to find out whether the extreme caution was justified or whether we have been massively misled (even if sincerely) on a scale never seen before in our history.
What will it be?
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is When the World Stops: Words of Faith, Hope, and Wisdom in the Midst of Crisis. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-06-04--Here’s A Closer Look At David Dorn, Retired Police Captain Killed Defending A Store From Looting In

Here’s A Closer Look At David Dorn, Retired Police Captain Killed Defending A Store From Looting In St Louis

Retired St. Louis Police Department Captain David Dorn , a black man , was killed early Tuesday morning outside of a local pawn shop he was reportedly defending from suspected looters , more than 40 years after his time at the police academy , and 13 years after his retirement from the police department .
Dorn , 77 , died at 2:30 a.m. in the middle of a street after being shot in the torso by suspected rioters , according to the police incident report .
The retired captain was said to be defending Lee ’ s Pawn and Jewelry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old friend of his , KMOV4 reported .
“ The fact that he was protecting and serving , this is the way , I feel in my heart of hearts , that he would have liked to leave this earth , ” Dorn ’ s son , Brian Powell , told KMOV4 .
“ It was senseless , it was senseless .
Over TVs and stuff that ’ s replaceable , ” Powell said .
“ They ’ re forgetting the real message of the protest and the positiveness that ’ s supposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we get this negative light shown on a situation that really needs light to be brought to it.
” Protests against police brutality have turned violent in St. Louis and other cities across the country since the May 25 death of George Floyd , who died in police custody after a police officer knelt on his neck for more than 8 minutes , a video of the incident showed .
The officer , Derek Chauvin , faces charges of second-degree murder .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Our Day .
Dorn began his career in civil service when he graduated from the police academy in May of 1970 , and he retired from the force in 2007 after being assigned to patrol support .
Dorn ’ s wife , Ann , a sergeant in the St. Louis Police Department , also spent the better part of her career in law enforcement , according to a USA Today report .
Former St. Louis County police Chief Tim Fitch , a 30-year friend of the deceased captain , told CBS News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ youth , especially disadvantaged youth ” and that he “ wanted to be a role model ” for young people seeking to enter the police force .
Police said looters burgled Lee ’ s shortly after the shooting , leaving the elderly , 37-year law enforcement veteran to die on 4123 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in a pool of his own blood .
The incident was recorded on Facebook Live , according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch .
Lee ’ s was one of 70 businesses ransacked by looters Monday night and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , four other active St. Louis officers were struck by gunfire , USA Today reports .
Riots have sparked across the country , following the death of George Floyd , an unarmed black man , that died after a Minneapolis police officer employed unconventional restraint tactics .
Dorn ’ s untimely death has attracted the attention of President Trump , who tweeted that he has the “ highest respect ” for the family of the fallen officer .
Police do not currently have any suspects in Dorn ’ s slaying , but have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A $ 10,000 reward is offered for anyone with information leading to an arrest , St. Louis authorities told the DCNF .
The St. Louis Police public information department urged the public not to donate to any GoFundMe fundraisers in Dorn ’ s name , as none of them support Dorn ’ s family .
Lee ’ s Pawn and Jewelry declined to comment on Dorn ’ s death .
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Retired St. Louis Police Department Captain David Dorn, a black man, was killed early Tuesday morning outside of a local pawn shop he was reportedly defending from suspected looters, more than 40 years after his time at the police academy, and 13 years after his retirement from the police department.
Dorn, 77, died at 2:30 a.m. in the middle of a street after being shot in the torso by suspected rioters, according to the police incident report. The retired captain was said to be defending Lee’s Pawn and Jewelry — a business that belonged to an old friend of his, KMOV4 reported.
“The fact that he was protecting and serving, this is the way, I feel in my heart of hearts, that he would have liked to leave this earth,” Dorn’s son, Brian Powell, told KMOV4.
“It was senseless, it was senseless. Over TVs and stuff that’s replaceable,” Powell said. “They’re forgetting the real message of the protest and the positiveness that’s supposed to come out of it. And we get this negative light shown on a situation that really needs light to be brought to it.”
Protests against police brutality have turned violent in St. Louis and other cities across the country since the May 25 death of George Floyd, who died in police custody after a police officer knelt on his neck for more than 8 minutes, a video of the incident showed. The officer, Derek Chauvin, faces charges of second-degree murder.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Dorn began his career in civil service when he graduated from the police academy in May of 1970, and he retired from the force in 2007 after being assigned to patrol support. Dorn’s wife, Ann, a sergeant in the St. Louis Police Department, also spent the better part of her career in law enforcement, according to a USA Today report.
Former St. Louis County police Chief Tim Fitch, a 30-year friend of the deceased captain, told CBS News that Dorn “was very dedicated to youth, especially disadvantaged youth” and that he “wanted to be a role model” for young people seeking to enter the police force.
Police said looters burgled Lee’s shortly after the shooting, leaving the elderly, 37-year law enforcement veteran to die on 4123 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in a pool of his own blood. The incident was recorded on Facebook Live, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Lee’s was one of 70 businesses ransacked by looters Monday night and Tuesday morning, and along with Dorn, four other active St. Louis officers were struck by gunfire, USA Today reports. Riots have sparked across the country, following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, that died after a Minneapolis police officer employed unconventional restraint tactics.
Dorn’s untimely death has attracted the attention of President Trump, who tweeted that he has the “highest respect” for the family of the fallen officer.
Our highest respect to the family of David Dorn, a Great Police Captain from St. Louis, who was viciously shot and killed by despicable looters last night. We honor our police officers, perhaps more than ever before. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/0ouUpoJEQ4 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2020
Police do not currently have any suspects in Dorn’s slaying, but have urged the public to contact Crime Stoppers. A $10,000 reward is offered for anyone with information leading to an arrest, St. Louis authorities told the DCNF.
The St. Louis Police public information department urged the public not to donate to any GoFundMe fundraisers in Dorn’s name, as none of them support Dorn’s family.
Lee’s Pawn and Jewelry declined to comment on Dorn’s death.
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].