thestream--2020-12-02--High Court in UK Rules That Young Teenagers are ‘Unlikely’ to be Able to Give Consent for Puberty Bl

High Court in UK Rules That Young Teenagers are ‘Unlikely’ to be Able to Give Consent for Puberty Blocking Treatment

A three-judge panel at a High Court in the UK Tuesday ruled that young teenagers are not likely to be competent to consent to puberty blockers .
The landmark ruling will make it more difficult for young people to get puberty blocking treatment .
Keira Bell is a woman who once identified as a male and was given treatment at 16 to transition .
She sued the London-based Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust .
According to Bell , the Tavistock clinic should have challenged her decision to transition to a male when she was a teenager .
Bell said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Tuesday ’ s ruling , the BBC reported .
Bell is in the process of detransitioning .
Tuesday ’ s ruling stated that “ It is highly unlikely that a child aged 13 or under would be competent to give consent to the administration of puberty blockers.
” It added , “ It is doubtful that a child aged 14 or 15 could understand and weigh the long-term risks and consequences of the administration of puberty blockers.
” It also clarified that the legal position for those aged 16 and over is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have the ability to consent to medical treatment.
” Given the long-term consequences of the clinical interventions at issue in this case , and given that the treatment is as yet innovative and experimental , we recognise that clinicians may well regard these as cases where the authorisation of the court should be sought prior to commencing the clinical treatment .
Bell , 23 , — along with the mother of an autistic girl who is currently on the list for treatment — filed the suit against the clinic earlier this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trust operates the UK ’ s only gender identity development service for children , according to Sky News .
Dame Victoria Sharp , along with Lord Justice Lewis and Mrs. Justice Lieven , handed down the ruling .
The solicitor for Bell and the mother of the autistic girl , Paul Conrathe , called the ruling “ an historic judgment that protects children who suffer from gender dysphoria.
” He added that the judgment showed “ that a culture of unreality has become embedded in the Tavistock .
“ This may have led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment without their properly informed consent.
” Bell was happy with the judgment .
“ This judgment is not political , it ’ s about protecting vulnerable children .
I ’ m delighted to see that common sense has prevailed.
” A spokesperson for Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust said the organization was “ disappointed ” with the ruling but immediately suspended referrals for children under 16 .
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream .
You can follow her @ NancyFlory3 , and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

A three-judge panel at a High Court in the UK Tuesday ruled that young teenagers are not likely to be competent to consent to puberty blockers. The landmark ruling will make it more difficult for young people to get puberty blocking treatment.
Keira Bell is a woman who once identified as a male and was given treatment at 16 to transition. She sued the London-based Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust. According to Bell, the Tavistock clinic should have challenged her decision to transition to a male when she was a teenager. Bell said Tuesday that she was “delighted” by Tuesday’s ruling, the BBC reported. Bell is in the process of detransitioning.
Tuesday’s Ruling at the High Court
Tuesday’s ruling stated that “It is highly unlikely that a child aged 13 or under would be competent to give consent to the administration of puberty blockers.” It added, “It is doubtful that a child aged 14 or 15 could understand and weigh the long-term risks and consequences of the administration of puberty blockers.” It also clarified that the legal position for those aged 16 and over is “that there is a presumption that they have the ability to consent to medical treatment.”
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The ruling continued:
Given the long-term consequences of the clinical interventions at issue in this case, and given that the treatment is as yet innovative and experimental, we recognise that clinicians may well regard these as cases where the authorisation of the court should be sought prior to commencing the clinical treatment.
Bell, 23, — along with the mother of an autistic girl who is currently on the list for treatment — filed the suit against the clinic earlier this year. The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust operates the UK’s only gender identity development service for children, according to Sky News.
Dame Victoria Sharp, along with Lord Justice Lewis and Mrs. Justice Lieven, handed down the ruling.
Protecting Vulnerable Children
The solicitor for Bell and the mother of the autistic girl, Paul Conrathe, called the ruling “an historic judgment that protects children who suffer from gender dysphoria.” He added that the judgment showed “that a culture of unreality has become embedded in the Tavistock.
“This may have led to hundreds of children receiving this experimental treatment without their properly informed consent.”
Bell was happy with the judgment. “This judgment is not political, it’s about protecting vulnerable children. I’m delighted to see that common sense has prevailed.”
A spokesperson for Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust said the organization was “disappointed” with the ruling but immediately suspended referrals for children under 16.
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-12-03--Brutal Attack on Indonesian Christians Stirs Renewed Fears of Persecution

On Friday , November 27 , a jihadi attack took place against Christians in Sulawesi , one of Indonesia ’ s largest islands .
This vicious attack resulted in the mutilation and death of four members of the local Salvation Army , including at least one beheading , along with the torching of several homes and a Christian house of worship .
This attack — which was preceded by a period of relative calm — has stirred up horrifying memories of similar brutalities in the same region beginning more than a decade ago .
On New Year ’ s Eve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christian-area market in Palu , Central Sulawesi , killing eight people and injuring 56 .
That May , another bombing in the predominantly Christian village of Tentena , Sulawesi left 22 dead and at least 74 injured .
Months later , the Associated Press reported the beheadings of three Christian teenagers in October .
Six men attacked four girls — Theresia Morangke , 15 , Alfita Poliwo , 17 , Yarni Sambue , 15 , and Noviana Malewa , 15 — early in the morning as they walked to a Christian school in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ girls were beheaded ; Noviana Malewa received serious injuries to her face and neck but survived the attack .
The murdered girls ’ heads were wrapped in black plastic bags .
One was found on the steps of a Kasiguncu village church .
The other two were left at a nearby police station .
One of the bags contained a note , some of which read , “ We will murder 100 more Christian teenagers and their heads will be presented as presents.
” In 2006 , three Indonesian Catholics were executed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been found guilty of incitement to murder during rioting .
At the time , Amnesty International responded , “ Such murders approved by the State are even more unacceptable when there are , as in this case , serious doubts about the fairness of the trials.
” Indonesia ’ s population is 90 percent Muslim .
But in recent years there have been largely successful efforts by Indonesia ’ s government to enforce religious freedom .
Other attacks have happened in various Indonesian cities over the years , but the region of Sulawesi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terror .
Sadly , this recent attack on Christians has renewed countrywide concerns .
Central Sulawesi police have affirmed finding the four victims ’ dismembered bodies , but so far the identities of the killers remain in question .
According to BBC , “ The Salvation Army confirmed the killing of its members in a ‘ savage attack ’ in a statement last week .
Our hearts go out to our people who have been victims of evil , and to the families of those whose faith have caused such harm.
” Indonesian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by suspected Islamist militants as “ beyond the limits of humanity , ” as the military chief prepared to deploy special forces to join the hunt for the killers .
In a video address , the president said the attack on Friday in a region riven by bloody , sectarian conflict in the past was designed to drive a wedge among the population in the world ’ s biggest majority-Muslim nation .
“ That gross act had the purpose of provoking and terrorizing the people .
They wanted to destroy the unity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ We need to stay united in the fight against terrorism.
” I spoke to my friend and colleague Paul Marshall , a Senior Fellow in Religious Freedom at the Hudson Institute and a scholar who focuses on Indonesia .
He has spent much time there , over many decades .
I asked him about these recent concerns regarding religious freedom , and the situation specifically in Sulawesi .
He explained , The dominant forms of Islam in Indonesia continue to be moderate and tolerant .
But there are threats from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indonesia ’ s 34 provinces ( states ) , Aceh , is governed by Sharia law but some other counties and villages are restrictive according to Islamic standards .
In Indonesia , there are also outright terrorist groups , some affiliated with ISIS , that have carried out sporadic violent attacks throughout the country , although they tend to be scattered and weak .
Perhaps more ominous is the return from Saudi Arabia on November 10 of Muhammad Rizieq Shihab , the founder of the Islamic Defenders Front , a radical militia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ elements .
According to current reports on the recent violence , the Indonesia government has indeed pulled in military special forces to supplement police anti-terrorism units in the hunt for the Sulawesi terrorists , who are believed to be hiding in a remote area .
Some locals have claimed to have seen and recognized the killers .
Thus far , however , there have been no arrests .

On Friday, November 27, a jihadi attack took place against Christians in Sulawesi, one of Indonesia’s largest islands. This vicious attack resulted in the mutilation and death of four members of the local Salvation Army, including at least one beheading, along with the torching of several homes and a Christian house of worship.
Asia News reported,
Four members of the same Christian family have been found murdered, some of them beheaded. All four belonged to the Protestant Church of Salvation (Salvation Army). Their dismembered bodies were found yesterday, Central Sulawesi police reported today. The murder took place in the village of Lenowu, Lemban Tongoa district, Sigi.
This attack — which was preceded by a period of relative calm — has stirred up horrifying memories of similar brutalities in the same region beginning more than a decade ago.
Similar Brutalities
On New Year’s Eve 2003, a bomb exploded at a Christian-area market in Palu, Central Sulawesi, killing eight people and injuring 56. That May, another bombing in the predominantly Christian village of Tentena, Sulawesi left 22 dead and at least 74 injured.
Months later, the Associated Press reported the beheadings of three Christian teenagers in October. Six men attacked four girls — Theresia Morangke, 15, Alfita Poliwo, 17, Yarni Sambue, 15, and Noviana Malewa, 15 — early in the morning as they walked to a Christian school in the Poso district. The first three girls were beheaded; Noviana Malewa received serious injuries to her face and neck but survived the attack.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The murdered girls’ heads were wrapped in black plastic bags. One was found on the steps of a Kasiguncu village church. The other two were left at a nearby police station. One of the bags contained a note, some of which read, “We will murder 100 more Christian teenagers and their heads will be presented as presents.”
In 2006, three Indonesian Catholics were executed by firing squad in Palu, Sulawesi having been found guilty of incitement to murder during rioting. At the time, Amnesty International responded, “Such murders approved by the State are even more unacceptable when there are, as in this case, serious doubts about the fairness of the trials.”
Indonesia’s population is 90 percent Muslim. But in recent years there have been largely successful efforts by Indonesia’s government to enforce religious freedom. Other attacks have happened in various Indonesian cities over the years, but the region of Sulawesi has been a particular hotspot of Islamist terror.
A Hotspot of Islamist Terror
Sadly, this recent attack on Christians has renewed countrywide concerns. Central Sulawesi police have affirmed finding the four victims’ dismembered bodies, but so far the identities of the killers remain in question.
According to BBC, “The Salvation Army confirmed the killing of its members in a ‘savage attack’ in a statement last week. Our hearts go out to our people who have been victims of evil, and to the families of those whose faith have caused such harm.”
In a report from Reuters,
Indonesian President Joko Widodo condemned the brutal murder by suspected Islamist militants as “beyond the limits of humanity,” as the military chief prepared to deploy special forces to join the hunt for the killers. In a video address, the president said the attack on Friday in a region riven by bloody, sectarian conflict in the past was designed to drive a wedge among the population in the world’s biggest majority-Muslim nation. “That gross act had the purpose of provoking and terrorizing the people. They wanted to destroy the unity and brotherhood of our people,” he said. “We need to stay united in the fight against terrorism.”
I spoke to my friend and colleague Paul Marshall, a Senior Fellow in Religious Freedom at the Hudson Institute and a scholar who focuses on Indonesia. He has spent much time there, over many decades. I asked him about these recent concerns regarding religious freedom, and the situation specifically in Sulawesi. He explained,
The dominant forms of Islam in Indonesia continue to be moderate and tolerant. But there are threats from more radical groups. Only one of Indonesia’s 34 provinces (states), Aceh, is governed by Sharia law but some other counties and villages are restrictive according to Islamic standards. In Indonesia, there are also outright terrorist groups, some affiliated with ISIS, that have carried out sporadic violent attacks throughout the country, although they tend to be scattered and weak. Perhaps more ominous is the return from Saudi Arabia on November 10 of Muhammad Rizieq Shihab, the founder of the Islamic Defenders Front, a radical militia. His reappearance has now emboldened more radical elements.
According to current reports on the recent violence, the Indonesia government has indeed pulled in military special forces to supplement police anti-terrorism units in the hunt for the Sulawesi terrorists, who are believed to be hiding in a remote area. Some locals have claimed to have seen and recognized the killers.
Thus far, however, there have been no arrests.
Originally published at frcblog.com.


thestream--2020-12-02--Ordinances Banning ‘Sexual Orientation Change Efforts’ Are Unconstitutional, Says 11th Circuit

Many Christians , especially when it comes to LGBT-related issues , have bought into what might be called “ the inevitability thesis.
” Nearly everything in our culture has convinced them to assume that it is futile for anyone to resist their same-sex attractions .
And , any attempt to help someone , especially young people , reduce their behaviors and attractions is just as futile , and probably even illegal .
After all , many believe , legislatures have adopted and courts have upheld bans on such things .
Pastors , youth pastors , Christian-school teachers , entire counseling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and plenty of parents have embraced the “ inevitability thesis ” when it comes to LGBT issues , and now refuse either to address these questions at all , or , if they do , they still refuse to counter the cultural consensus they assume has been settled .
A ruling last week from the 11th Circuit court challenges the inevitability thesis .
In 2017 , the city of Boca Raton and the county of Palm Beach in Florida joined a growing list of jurisdictions that have adopted bans on “ Sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ licensed professional counselors are prohibited from treating minors with the goal of “ changing [ their ] sexual orientation or gender identity.
” When Robert Otto and Julie Hamilton , two licensed counselors , challenged the ordinances in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals , their chances of success seemed slim to none .
After all , similar bans had already been challenged and upheld in the 9th and 3rd Circuit Courts .
Judge Britt Grant of the 11th Circuit , however , sided with Otto and Hamilton .
The counselors told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their constitutional right to speak freely with clients , ” including those who have sought counseling because of “ sincerely held religious beliefs conflicting with homosexuality.
” Judge Grant found these free-speech restrictions of the ordinances to be “ presumptively unconstitutional.
” While Judge Grant acknowledged that the kind of therapy Otto and Hamilton practice to be “ highly controversial , ” which is why dozens of states and municipalities have banned it , the ordinances applied only “ to particular speech because of the topic discussed or the idea or message expressed.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ clarified , “ has no carveout for controversial speech.
” Despite the government ’ s “ legitimate authority to protect children , ” speech , no matter how controversial , “ can not be suppressed solely to protect the young from ideas or images that a legislative body thinks unsuitable for them.
” “ If the [ therapists ’ ] perspective is not allowed here , ” Grant concluded , “ then the [ government ’ s ] perspective can be banned elsewhere.
” In other words , what ’ s sauce for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gander .
Thus , speech should not be restricted merely because some people object to what is being said .
Not only does Grant ’ s decision create what ’ s called “ a conflict in the circuits , ” making it all the more probable that the Supreme Court will have to consider the issue , there is an implicit lesson for anyone tempted by the inevitability thesis .
After California and other jurisdictions passed laws restricting what counselors could discuss with their clients , many Christians and Christian institutions chose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew to be wrong , so as not to put their licensure , accreditation , or some form of the state ’ s blessing , at risk .
The pressure they felt was , of course , real , but they were mistaken to think there was no further legal recourse available .
A similar mistake was made a couple years ago by a Christian adoption agency who had been told they had to place children with same-sex couples .
A judge decided against the state in that case as well .
Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what decision a newly remade Supreme Court may return on any of these issues .
That ’ s why the best advice in times like ours remains that given by Alexander Solzhenitsyn , advice we were all reminded of by Rod Dreher : We must not live by lies .
While there may be no call for us to stand on every street corner or counter-protest every pride march , the greater challenge for every mom , dad , pastor , professor , youth pastor , or professional counselor , is never , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go along with what is not true .
Especially when it comes to what it means to be human .
John Stonestreet serves as president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview .
He ’ s a sought-after author and speaker on areas of faith and culture , theology , worldview , education and apologetics .
John is the daily voice of BreakPoint , the nationally syndicated commentary on the culture founded by the late Chuck Colson .
Roberto Rivera is a Fellow and Senior Writer at the Colson Center .
He has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Books & Culture , Touchstone , and First Things , among other publications .
Originally published on Breakpoint.org : BreakPoint Commentaries .
Republished with permission of The Colson Center for Christian Worldview .

Many Christians, especially when it comes to LGBT-related issues, have bought into what might be called “the inevitability thesis.” Nearly everything in our culture has convinced them to assume that it is futile for anyone to resist their same-sex attractions. And, any attempt to help someone, especially young people, reduce their behaviors and attractions is just as futile, and probably even illegal.
After all, many believe, legislatures have adopted and courts have upheld bans on such things. Pastors, youth pastors, Christian-school teachers, entire counseling degree programs at Christian colleges and seminaries, and plenty of parents have embraced the “inevitability thesis” when it comes to LGBT issues, and now refuse either to address these questions at all, or, if they do, they still refuse to counter the cultural consensus they assume has been settled.
A ruling last week from the 11th Circuit court challenges the inevitability thesis.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
In 2017, the city of Boca Raton and the county of Palm Beach in Florida joined a growing list of jurisdictions that have adopted bans on “Sexual Orientation Change Efforts.” By ordinance, licensed professional counselors are prohibited from treating minors with the goal of “changing [their] sexual orientation or gender identity.” When Robert Otto and Julie Hamilton, two licensed counselors, challenged the ordinances in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, their chances of success seemed slim to none. After all, similar bans had already been challenged and upheld in the 9th and 3rd Circuit Courts.
Judge Britt Grant of the 11th Circuit, however, sided with Otto and Hamilton. The counselors told the court that the ordinances “infringe on their constitutional right to speak freely with clients,” including those who have sought counseling because of “sincerely held religious beliefs conflicting with homosexuality.” Judge Grant found these free-speech restrictions of the ordinances to be “presumptively unconstitutional.”
While Judge Grant acknowledged that the kind of therapy Otto and Hamilton practice to be “highly controversial,” which is why dozens of states and municipalities have banned it, the ordinances applied only “to particular speech because of the topic discussed or the idea or message expressed.” The First Amendment, Judge Grant clarified, “has no carveout for controversial speech.” Despite the government’s “legitimate authority to protect children,” speech, no matter how controversial, “cannot be suppressed solely to protect the young from ideas or images that a legislative body thinks unsuitable for them.”
“If the [therapists’] perspective is not allowed here,” Grant concluded, “then the [government’s] perspective can be banned elsewhere.” In other words, what’s sauce for the goose could easily become sauce for the gander. Thus, speech should not be restricted merely because some people object to what is being said.
While there may be no call for us to stand on every street corner or counter-protest every pride march, the greater challenge … is never, ever to allow ourselves to say or go along with what is not true.
Not only does Grant’s decision create what’s called “a conflict in the circuits,” making it all the more probable that the Supreme Court will have to consider the issue, there is an implicit lesson for anyone tempted by the inevitability thesis. After California and other jurisdictions passed laws restricting what counselors could discuss with their clients, many Christians and Christian institutions chose to conform to ideas and practices they knew to be wrong, so as not to put their licensure, accreditation, or some form of the state’s blessing, at risk. The pressure they felt was, of course, real, but they were mistaken to think there was no further legal recourse available. A similar mistake was made a couple years ago by a Christian adoption agency who had been told they had to place children with same-sex couples. A judge decided against the state in that case as well.
Of course, it’s not clear what decision a newly remade Supreme Court may return on any of these issues. That’s why the best advice in times like ours remains that given by Alexander Solzhenitsyn, advice we were all reminded of by Rod Dreher: We must not live by lies. While there may be no call for us to stand on every street corner or counter-protest every pride march, the greater challenge for every mom, dad, pastor, professor, youth pastor, or professional counselor, is never, ever to allow ourselves to say or go along with what is not true. Especially when it comes to what it means to be human.
John Stonestreet serves as president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He’s a sought-after author and speaker on areas of faith and culture, theology, worldview, education and apologetics. John is the daily voice of BreakPoint, the nationally syndicated commentary on the culture founded by the late Chuck Colson.
Roberto Rivera is a Fellow and Senior Writer at the Colson Center. He has written for Sojourners, Christianity Today, Books & Culture, Touchstone, and First Things, among other publications.
Originally published on Breakpoint.org: BreakPoint Commentaries. Republished with permission of The Colson Center for Christian Worldview.


thestream--2020-12-02--4 Takeaways From the Michigan Senate’s Election Fraud Hearing

Election workers and observers presented alarming accounts of voter fraud to the Michigan state Senate on Tuesday , with some calling on lawmakers to act and insisting on an audit of the vote in that state .
The Michigan state Senate Oversight Committee held the hearing , which included testimony from a former senator with expertise on data and technology .
The witness spoke to the committee under oath about voting by dead people , a truck full of ballots coming into the counting center long after the deadline , and vulnerable voting machines .
The focus was entirely on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in downtown Detroit formerly known as the Cobo Center , where Wayne County votes were being counted .
Senate Oversight Committee Chairman Ed McBroom , a Republican , suggested there would be future hearings to hear from additional witnesses on the 2020 election .
The Michigan hearing followed similar hearings by state lawmakers in Pennsylvania , which certified former Vice President Joe Biden as having defeated President Donald Trump there by about 80,000 votes , and in Arizona , which certified Biden as the winner by just over 10,000 votes .
In Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exceeded 150,000 votes .
Trump ’ s lawyers did not testify in the Michigan hearing as they did in Pennsylvania and Arizona .
Litigation also continues in several closely contested states .
Major news outlets have projected Biden as the winner , but Trump hasn ’ t conceded .
The Electoral College will make that determination on Dec. 14 .
An email from the office of Michigan Senate committee clerks said a written list of witnesses with accurate spellings of names from the Tuesday hearing would not be made public for several days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hearing : Chris Schornak volunteered with “ Guard the Vote ” after the balloting .
It went through 30,000 of the 172,000 absentee ballots in the city of Detroit .
He said the group found “ 229 of these 30,000 we went through are deceased.
” He added that “ 2,660 of them [ were ] invalid addresses described by vacant lots and burnt-down houses.
” “ What I can say for sure , and swear to you here today , is that overall , 8.9 % of the 30,000 absentee ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigated , just in the city of Detroit , were unqualified , fraudulent ballots that should have been spoiled , ” Schornak said .
He extrapolated about how the 30,000 sample could reflect on all of the absentee votes cast .
“ At the lowest levels , if these percentages carry through , this means of the 172,000 [ absentee votes ] in the city of Detroit , 1,300 of them could be deceased , ” he told the senators .
“ We are investigating it .
And another 15,000 could have fraudulent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lots or [ in ] burnt-down houses.
” Former Michigan state Sen. Pat Colbeck , who has a background in information technology and cybersecurity , having worked for the Defense Department , NASA , and other entities , testified that the numbers do not match up to demonstrate Biden clearly won the state — or at least not by the margin as it stands now .
“ There has been a huge narrative around this whole election that says , No .
1 , it started off saying that there is no voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the media to say there is no widespread voter fraud , ” Colbeck said .
“ Then it changed into , there is no widespread voter fraud that could impact the result of the election.
” He said voter fraud “ doesn ’ t have to be rampant to be significant.
” “ If you have voter fraud in just one of our 83 counties , if that county is Wayne County , you ’ ve got an issue , because over 800,000 votes were cast in that county , ” Colbeck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than the margin of difference we are talking about in the election for the president.
” With the Dominion Voting Systems , he added , “ there is a transmittal of fractional vote data.
” “ You guys have done a lot of votes inside the Senate , as I did when I was serving my two terms .
I don ’ t recall any of those vote tallies up on the board having a decimal point .
Do you guys ?
” Colbeck asked his former colleagues .
He also noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ machines were connected to the internet — and potentially prone to hacking .
Dominion has vigorously defended its machines , stating on its website : State Sen. Jeff Irwin , the top Democrat on the committee , objected to his former colleague ’ s testimony .
“ All we ’ ve got here is conjecture and musings by former Sen. Colbeck , ” Irwin said .
Still , Colbeck insisted it falls on the Legislature to act and push for an audit of the balloting .
“ This is a referendum .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you in this context , ” Colbeck said .
“ No .
1 , you believe in principled , constitutional governance , and you believe that chain of custody was broken .
There is significant evidence of election fraud , or — and I ’ m not saying this lightly — there is an attempted coup.
” 3 ) What an Anonymous Dominion Contractor Allegedly Saw A contractor with Dominion Voting Systems — the controversial voting machine company that prompted questions from Democrats before the election and from Republicans after — alleged fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center , according to a woman who says her employer works with Dominion .
Melissa Carone , an information technology and cybersecurity specialist with PDS Staffing , a talent acquisition firm that she said was working with Dominion , asserted a Dominion employee claimed he had been at a storage place called the “ Chicago warehouse ” after she inquired where he had been .
“ So , it ’ s in Chicago ?
” she recalled asking the Dominion employee , who she said was named “ Samuel.
” “ They said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s in Detroit .
We call it the Chicago warehouse.
’ I said , ‘ OK , ’ and I just walked away , ” Carone continued .
“ But there was something very secretive that he was doing .
There was also , they said , a big data loss.
” For the 27 hours Carone was at the location , she said she didn ’ t witness a single ballot for Trump and saw ballots counted multiple times .
“ What I witnessed at the TCF Center was completely fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there , there were batches of ballots run through the tabulating machines numerous times , being counted eight to 10 times .
I watched this with my own eyes.
” Michigan state Sen. Peter Lucido , the Republican vice chairman of the committee , asked another witness identified as Michael Dubio what time he saw a truck carrying ballots come into the center .
“ Like I said , 3-ish , 4-ish , in that window ” Dubio replied .
“ No , no , no .
I was there from 10 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They were in mail sleeves , you said .
Did anybody have any earmarkings of who they were , carrying these ballots ?
” Lucido asked .
“ Were they carrying them ?
Were they on a dolly ?
” “ They were on a dolly , ” Dubio answered .
“ Do I know who they were ?
Absolutely not.
” State Sen. Sylvia Santana , a Democrat , was skeptical about the witness .
“ Was there any particular reason you didn ’ t ask for a supervisor to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dolly ?
” Santana asked .
Dubio said , “ I didn ’ t think I needed to , because the lead counsel that was supposed to be there was taking tally , and I was standing right next to him .
Patty McMurray , a Republican poll challenger at the TCF Center in Detroit , claimed she saw copies of ballots being made to increase Biden ’ s vote total .
“ Not one of the ballots was a registered military voter , and the ballots looked like they were all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she told the committee .
“ They were all for Biden across the board .
There wasn ’ t a single Trump vote .
None of the voters are registered , ” McMurray said .
She said election workers entered names and addresses with phony birthdates that she said “ would override the system and allow them to enter nonregistered voters.
” “ Throughout the day , that ’ s how they would override voters that were neither in the electronic poll book or the supplemental , updated poll book , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House correspondent for The Daily Signal and co-host of “ The Right Side of History ” podcast .
Lucas is also the author of Tainted by Suspicion : The Secret Deals and Electoral Chaos of Disputed Presidential Elections .
Send an email to Fred .

Election workers and observers presented alarming accounts of voter fraud to the Michigan state Senate on Tuesday, with some calling on lawmakers to act and insisting on an audit of the vote in that state.
The Michigan state Senate Oversight Committee held the hearing, which included testimony from a former senator with expertise on data and technology. The witness spoke to the committee under oath about voting by dead people, a truck full of ballots coming into the counting center long after the deadline, and vulnerable voting machines.
The focus was entirely on the TCF Center, the convention center in downtown Detroit formerly known as the Cobo Center, where Wayne County votes were being counted.
Senate Oversight Committee Chairman Ed McBroom, a Republican, suggested there would be future hearings to hear from additional witnesses on the 2020 election.
The Michigan hearing followed similar hearings by state lawmakers in Pennsylvania, which certified former Vice President Joe Biden as having defeated President Donald Trump there by about 80,000 votes, and in Arizona, which certified Biden as the winner by just over 10,000 votes. In Michigan, Biden’s victory over Trump exceeded 150,000 votes.
“The ballots looked like they were all the same Xeroxed copies of the ballot.” — Patty McMurray, a Republican poll challenger at the TCF Center in Detroit
Trump’s lawyers did not testify in the Michigan hearing as they did in Pennsylvania and Arizona.
Litigation also continues in several closely contested states. Major news outlets have projected Biden as the winner, but Trump hasn’t conceded. The Electoral College will make that determination on Dec. 14.
An email from the office of Michigan Senate committee clerks said a written list of witnesses with accurate spellings of names from the Tuesday hearing would not be made public for several days.
Here are four big takeaways from the hearing:
1) Dead Voters and Vacant Addresses?
Chris Schornak volunteered with “Guard the Vote” after the balloting. It went through 30,000 of the 172,000 absentee ballots in the city of Detroit.
He said the group found “229 of these 30,000 we went through are deceased.” He added that “2,660 of them [were] invalid addresses described by vacant lots and burnt-down houses.”
“What I can say for sure, and swear to you here today, is that overall, 8.9% of the 30,000 absentee ballots that we’ve gone through and investigated, just in the city of Detroit, were unqualified, fraudulent ballots that should have been spoiled,” Schornak said.
He extrapolated about how the 30,000 sample could reflect on all of the absentee votes cast.
“At the lowest levels, if these percentages carry through, this means of the 172,000 [absentee votes] in the city of Detroit, 1,300 of them could be deceased,” he told the senators. “We are investigating it. And another 15,000 could have fraudulent addresses, described as living on vacant lots or [in] burnt-down houses.”
2) A ‘Referendum’ With ‘Only 2 Choices’
Former Michigan state Sen. Pat Colbeck, who has a background in information technology and cybersecurity, having worked for the Defense Department, NASA, and other entities, testified that the numbers do not match up to demonstrate Biden clearly won the state — or at least not by the margin as it stands now.
“There has been a huge narrative around this whole election that says, No. 1, it started off saying that there is no voter fraud. Then, the narrative changed in the media to say there is no widespread voter fraud,” Colbeck said. “Then it changed into, there is no widespread voter fraud that could impact the result of the election.”
He said voter fraud “doesn’t have to be rampant to be significant.”
“If you have voter fraud in just one of our 83 counties, if that county is Wayne County, you’ve got an issue, because over 800,000 votes were cast in that county,” Colbeck said. “That’s much more than the margin of difference we are talking about in the election for the president.”
With the Dominion Voting Systems, he added, “there is a transmittal of fractional vote data.”
“You guys have done a lot of votes inside the Senate, as I did when I was serving my two terms. I don’t recall any of those vote tallies up on the board having a decimal point. Do you guys?” Colbeck asked his former colleagues.
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He also noted from his own observations that the voting machines were connected to the internet — and potentially prone to hacking.
Every one of those tabulator machines was connected to an ethernet cable. That ethernet cable connected to a router. That router connected to all of the other computers in that network, including up to what is called the local data center, which was managing all the returns for 503 precincts in the city of Detroit. What was further concerning is, I saw an ethernet cable coming from the wall, connecting into one of these routers that was connected to the local data center, which was connected to all the tabulators and adjudicators. That seemed to indicate an outside internet connection.
Dominion has vigorously defended its machines, stating on its website:
According to a Joint Statement by the federal government agency that oversees U.S. election security, the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency: ‘There is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes, or was in any way compromised.’ The government & private sector councils that support this mission called the 2020 election ‘the most secure in American history.’
State Sen. Jeff Irwin, the top Democrat on the committee, objected to his former colleague’s testimony. “All we’ve got here is conjecture and musings by former Sen. Colbeck,” Irwin said.
Still, Colbeck insisted it falls on the Legislature to act and push for an audit of the balloting.
“This is a referendum. There are only two choices for each of you in this context,” Colbeck said. “No. 1, you believe in principled, constitutional governance, and you believe that chain of custody was broken. There is significant evidence of election fraud, or — and I’m not saying this lightly — there is an attempted coup.”
3) What an Anonymous Dominion Contractor Allegedly Saw
A contractor with Dominion Voting Systems — the controversial voting machine company that prompted questions from Democrats before the election and from Republicans after — alleged fraud throughout the counting location at the TCF Center, according to a woman who says her employer works with Dominion.
Melissa Carone, an information technology and cybersecurity specialist with PDS Staffing, a talent acquisition firm that she said was working with Dominion, asserted a Dominion employee claimed he had been at a storage place called the “Chicago warehouse” after she inquired where he had been.
“So, it’s in Chicago?” she recalled asking the Dominion employee, who she said was named “Samuel.”
“They said, ‘No, Melissa, it’s in Detroit. We call it the Chicago warehouse.’ I said, ‘OK,’ and I just walked away,” Carone continued. “But there was something very secretive that he was doing. There was also, they said, a big data loss.”
For the 27 hours Carone was at the location, she said she didn’t witness a single ballot for Trump and saw ballots counted multiple times.
“What I witnessed at the TCF Center was completely fraud. The whole 27 hours I was there, there were batches of ballots run through the tabulating machines numerous times, being counted eight to 10 times. I watched this with my own eyes.”
4) A Truck Full and Xeroxing of Ballots?
Michigan state Sen. Peter Lucido, the Republican vice chairman of the committee, asked another witness identified as Michael Dubio what time he saw a truck carrying ballots come into the center.
“Like I said, 3-ish, 4-ish, in that window” Dubio replied.
“In the afternoon?” Lucido asked.
“No, no, no. I was there from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.,” Dubio said.
“They were in mail sleeves, you said. Did anybody have any earmarkings of who they were, carrying these ballots?” Lucido asked. “Were they carrying them? Were they on a dolly?”
“They were on a dolly,” Dubio answered. “Do I know who they were? Absolutely not.”
State Sen. Sylvia Santana, a Democrat, was skeptical about the witness.
“Was there any particular reason you didn’t ask for a supervisor to question the ballots coming in on a dolly?” Santana asked.
Dubio said, “I didn’t think I needed to, because the lead counsel that was supposed to be there was taking tally, and I was standing right next to him.
So, I figured he was kind of the person that was overseeing the whole night. That’s what we were told. We were talking directly about, ‘Why are these coming in?’ We all thought it was interesting that all these were coming in so late. … We were definitely perplexed these were coming in so late, as well that they were coming in to be counted.
Patty McMurray, a Republican poll challenger at the TCF Center in Detroit, claimed she saw copies of ballots being made to increase Biden’s vote total.
“Not one of the ballots was a registered military voter, and the ballots looked like they were all the same Xeroxed copies of the ballot,” she told the committee.
“They were all for Biden across the board. There wasn’t a single Trump vote. None of the voters are registered,” McMurray said.
She said election workers entered names and addresses with phony birthdates that she said “would override the system and allow them to enter nonregistered voters.”
“Throughout the day, that’s how they would override voters that were neither in the electronic poll book or the supplemental, updated poll book,” McMurray said.
Fred Lucas is the White House correspondent for The Daily Signal and co-host of “The Right Side of History” podcast. Lucas is also the author of Tainted by Suspicion: The Secret Deals and Electoral Chaos of Disputed Presidential Elections. Send an email to Fred.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Signal


thestream--2020-12-02--Attorney General Barr Did Not Say What the Media Says He Said About Election Fraud

My heart sank Tuesday when I saw the news .
“ Bill Barr says DOJ found no evidence of widespread election fraud.
” Given Hillary , Strzok , Page , James Comey , John Brennan and the whole corrupt , rotten mess of them still walk the streets , I don ’ t exactly have high hopes for justice .
The FBI also had Hunter Biden ’ s laptop proving Joe Biden Inc. ’ s financial ties to China for a year , and best anyone can tell they ’ re using the thing as a coaster .
Also , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warning to Peter Strzok as he was set to interview Hillary Clinton in the Clinton email investigation .
Basically , she said , “ Go easy .
She ’ s likely to be the next President , and she will hold a grudge.
” Today , DOJ investigators are being told by the media that Joe Biden is the next president , Donald Trump won ’ t be able to stop it , and the old gang will again be taking over .
Who is going to stick their neck out to chase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re hearing it won ’ t make a difference ?
We ’ d like to think federal agents are The Untouchables .
It ’ d be nice if that were so .
But history since Obama ’ s election has shown that at least when it comes to politically motivated cases against conservatives or Trump supporters , they ’ re less Elliot Ness and more Lock Ness Monster .
They stick their head out of The Swamp , make a quick show of it , then disappear .
But That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as I was stuffing my sorrows with an Italian sub , I remembered the First Law of Snake News : “ Anything that has the media hyperventilating over Trump will be proven false , usually within 24 hours.
” So , I picked my heart up off the floor , dropped the sub on my plate , and read what Attorney General William Barr actually , reportedly , said .
The Associated Press headline is “ Disputing Trump , Barr Says No Widespread Election Fraud.
” Barr ’ s actual quote … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ to date , we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election.
” William Barr chooses his words with the care a bride chooses her wedding dress .
“ To date ” — that means investigations are on-going .
In fact , DOJ later confirmed this , rejecting the widespread media reporting that DOJ ’ s look at the election is over-and-done .
Victory to Biden .
Their statement , as reported by Catherine Herridge : Enough Fraud to Change the Election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scale ” — that means we have found fraud .
In other words , every single news story that speaks of “ baseless ” allegations is a flat out lie .
“ fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election.
” Think , my friends .
What would it take to effect a “ different outcome ” ?
This would mean , the results in several states — how many would depend on which states — would have to be overturned .
That ’ s a pretty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To date .
Or there would have to already be convincing proof of a nationwide fraud effort , be it by Dominion , the Democrats or foreign actors … or some combination … to invalidate the entire election .
Again , that ’ s a pretty tall order to prove in a couple weeks .
At this point .
To date .
The Evidence Continues to Come In A “ firehose ” of evidence — as Sidney Powell says — continues to pour in .
Take one example : It ’ s only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barr ’ s interview — that the FBI got hold of the staggering discoveries by Matt Braynard of the Voter Integrity Project .
Said Phillip Kline of the Amistad Project , which is teaming with Braynard : “ This data has been used to identify hundreds of thousands of potentially fraudulent ballots in states where we filed litigation.
” Watch Braynard explain some of his findings to Lou Dobbs here .
Braynard told Dobbs he ’ s not sending the FBI , or governors or legislatures “ charts or line graphs or speculation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened.
” He is sending them “ hard data.
” What Braynard found in several key states , including Wisconsin , Georgia and Arizona , is that the number of dubious ballots , the individual voters identified , surpasses the margin of victory .
“ Which means , nobody can honestly say for certain that Joe Biden actually won the election , just based on our data alone.
” Braynard mentioned that his raw data has been used for analysis in other states .
Take Pennsylvania .
Williams College Professor and math expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data there , and contacted a sample of nearly 3,000 Republican voters .
Miller , in a sworn affidavit , declares : Currently , the margin of “ victory ” of Joe Biden is under 82,000 .
Also , yesterday — also after Barr ’ s interview — America met Jesse Morgan , a truck driver subcontracted out to the United States Postal Service .
He ’ s a whistleblower .
Not the Adam Schiff kind .
The real kind .
The kind that puts his life and livelihood on the line by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stuff of old Hollywood movies .
Morgan says he transported hundreds of thousands of already filled out ballots from New York to Pennsylvania on October 21st .
Morgan testifies he “ saw 24 Gaylords , or large cardboard containers of ballots , loaded into my trailer .
These gaylords contained plastic trays — I call them totes , but trays will work — of ballots stacked on top of each other.
” Inexplicably Morgan was not allowed to unload at his first stop in Harrisburg , Pa .
Inexplicably , he was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showing he had even made that first stop .
After six inexplicable hours , he was ordered by a USPS supervisor to leave and drive onto Lancaster , Pa .
In 18 months , he had never even spoken to a USPS supervisor .
At his second stop , he unhitched as he always does , and went home .
Most amazing , when he returned the next day , his trailer had up and vanished .
The trailer he ’ d been driving for 18 months .
Gone .
Where ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kline , head of the Amistad Project , has a good idea where some of them went .
He has another whistleblower who describes trays of ballots — just like the ones described by Morgan — showing up at a counting center in Delaware County , Pennsylvania , near Philadelphia , in the wee hours of November 4 , for “ a late-night ballot dump.
” Kline says he has evidence indicating the wrong truck was loaded in Bethpage , New York with the dubious ballots , which explains Morgan ’ s otherwise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Again , this is evidence presented yesterday .
Evidence Bill Barr and DOJ has not yet had a chance to pursue .
Evidence that would demonstrate “ fraud on a scale ” that would effect “ a different outcome of the election.
” I pray the DOJ and FBI will seriously investigate these and other emerging evidence , regardless of the upheaval it would bring .
We mentioned The Untouchables earlier .
Yet I ’ m reminded of a quote from another Kevin Costner history-based movie , where he played another lawman fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to uncover the truth about JFK ’ s assassination .
The 1960s ?
It might as well have been today .
“ Let Justice be done , though the heavens fall.
” Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author , with @ JZmirak , of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration .
You can follow him at @ StreamingAl .
And if you aren ’ t already , please follow The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

My heart sank Tuesday when I saw the news. “Bill Barr says DOJ found no evidence of widespread election fraud.”
“How hard did they look?” I asked.
Given Hillary, Strzok, Page, James Comey, John Brennan and the whole corrupt, rotten mess of them still walk the streets, I don’t exactly have high hopes for justice. The FBI also had Hunter Biden’s laptop proving Joe Biden Inc.’s financial ties to China for a year, and best anyone can tell they’re using the thing as a coaster.
Also, I well remember Lisa Page’s warning to Peter Strzok as he was set to interview Hillary Clinton in the Clinton email investigation. Basically, she said, “Go easy. She’s likely to be the next President, and she will hold a grudge.”
Today, DOJ investigators are being told by the media that Joe Biden is the next president, Donald Trump won’t be able to stop it, and the old gang will again be taking over. Who is going to stick their neck out to chase down election fraud when from all sides they’re hearing it won’t make a difference?
We’d like to think federal agents are The Untouchables. It’d be nice if that were so. But history since Obama’s election has shown that at least when it comes to politically motivated cases against conservatives or Trump supporters, they’re less Elliot Ness and more Lock Ness Monster. They stick their head out of The Swamp, make a quick show of it, then disappear.
But That’s Not What Barr Said!
Thankfully, as I was stuffing my sorrows with an Italian sub, I remembered the First Law of Snake News: “Anything that has the media hyperventilating over Trump will be proven false, usually within 24 hours.”
So, I picked my heart up off the floor, dropped the sub on my plate, and read what Attorney General William Barr actually, reportedly, said.
The Associated Press headline is “Disputing Trump, Barr Says No Widespread Election Fraud.”
Barr’s actual quote … assuming the AP is quoting accurately … is “to date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election.”
William Barr chooses his words with the care a bride chooses her wedding dress.
“To date” — that means investigations are on-going. In fact, DOJ later confirmed this, rejecting the widespread media reporting that DOJ’s look at the election is over-and-done. Victory to Biden. Their statement, as reported by Catherine Herridge:
Some media outlets have incorrectly reported that the Department has concluded its investigation of election fraud and announced an affirmative finding of no fraud in the election. That is not what the Associated Press reported or what the Attorney General stated. The Department will continue to receive and vigorously pursue all specific and credible allegations of fraud as expeditiously as possible.
what the Attorney General stated. The Department will continue to receive and vigorously pursue all specific and credible allegations of fraud as expeditiously as possible.” @ClareHymes22 @CBSNews — Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) December 2, 2020
Enough Fraud to Change the Election? Not Yet
“fraud on a scale” — that means we have found fraud. In other words, every single news story that speaks of “baseless” allegations is a flat out lie.
“fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election.” Think, my friends. What would it take to effect a “different outcome”? This would mean, the results in several states — how many would depend on which states — would have to be overturned. That’s a pretty tall order. At this point. To date.
Or there would have to already be convincing proof of a nationwide fraud effort, be it by Dominion, the Democrats or foreign actors … or some combination … to invalidate the entire election. Again, that’s a pretty tall order to prove in a couple weeks. At this point. To date.
The Evidence Continues to Come In
A “firehose” of evidence — as Sidney Powell says — continues to pour in. Take one example: It’s only yesterday — in other words, after Barr’s interview — that the FBI got hold of the staggering discoveries by Matt Braynard of the Voter Integrity Project.
Update: – The @FBI has proactively and directly requested from me the VIP findings that indicates illegal ballots. – By Tuesday, we will have delivered to the agency all of our data, including names, addresses, phone numbers, etc. — Matt Braynard (@MattBraynard) November 29, 2020
Said Phillip Kline of the Amistad Project, which is teaming with Braynard: “This data has been used to identify hundreds of thousands of potentially fraudulent ballots in states where we filed litigation.”
Watch Braynard explain some of his findings to Lou Dobbs here. Watch the latest video at foxnews.com
Braynard told Dobbs he’s not sending the FBI, or governors or legislatures “charts or line graphs or speculation about what may or may not have happened.” He is sending them “hard data.”
The names, addresses and phone numbers, dates of birth and voter records of people who either had ballots cast in their name but didn’t, or did cast ballots they shouldn’t have because they didn’t meet residency requirements or cast ballots in multiple states.
What Braynard found in several key states, including Wisconsin, Georgia and Arizona, is that the number of dubious ballots, the individual voters identified, surpasses the margin of victory.
“Which means, nobody can honestly say for certain that Joe Biden actually won the election, just based on our data alone.”
Braynard mentioned that his raw data has been used for analysis in other states. Take Pennsylvania. Williams College Professor and math expert Steven J. Miller took Braynard’s data there, and contacted a sample of nearly 3,000 Republican voters. Miller, in a sworn affidavit, declares:
“I estimate that the number of ballots that were either requested by someone other than the registered Republican or requested and returned but not counted range from 89,397 to 98,801.”
Currently, the margin of “victory” of Joe Biden is under 82,000.
The Brave Truck Driver
Also, yesterday — also after Barr’s interview — America met Jesse Morgan, a truck driver subcontracted out to the United States Postal Service. He’s a whistleblower. Not the Adam Schiff kind. The real kind. The kind that puts his life and livelihood on the line by coming forward.
His story is the stuff of old Hollywood movies. Morgan says he transported hundreds of thousands of already filled out ballots from New York to Pennsylvania on October 21st.
Morgan testifies he “saw 24 Gaylords, or large cardboard containers of ballots, loaded into my trailer. These gaylords contained plastic trays — I call them totes, but trays will work — of ballots stacked on top of each other.”
Estimates range from 144,000 to 288,000 ballots.
Inexplicably Morgan was not allowed to unload at his first stop in Harrisburg, Pa. Inexplicably, he was not allowed to get a “ticket” showing he had even made that first stop. After six inexplicable hours, he was ordered by a USPS supervisor to leave and drive onto Lancaster, Pa. In 18 months, he had never even spoken to a USPS supervisor.
At his second stop, he unhitched as he always does, and went home. Most amazing, when he returned the next day, his trailer had up and vanished. The trailer he’d been driving for 18 months. Gone.
Where’d the truck of ballots go? Phillip Kline, head of the Amistad Project, has a good idea where some of them went. He has another whistleblower who describes trays of ballots — just like the ones described by Morgan — showing up at a counting center in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, in the wee hours of November 4, for “a late-night ballot dump.”
Kline says he has evidence indicating the wrong truck was loaded in Bethpage, New York with the dubious ballots, which explains Morgan’s otherwise inexplicable experience.
Let Justice Be Done
Again, this is evidence presented yesterday. Evidence Bill Barr and DOJ has not yet had a chance to pursue. Evidence that would demonstrate “fraud on a scale” that would effect “a different outcome of the election.” I pray the DOJ and FBI will seriously investigate these and other emerging evidence, regardless of the upheaval it would bring.
We mentioned The Untouchables earlier. Yet I’m reminded of a quote from another Kevin Costner history-based movie, where he played another lawman fighting against strong tides and a hostile media to uncover the truth about JFK’s assassination.
The 1960s? It might as well have been today.
“Let Justice be done, though the heavens fall.”
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author, with @JZmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl. And if you aren’t already, please follow The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-12-02--UK Approves Pfizer/BioNTech Coronavirus Vaccine

The U.K. ’ s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) has approved Pfizer/BioNTech ’ s coronavirus vaccine , the BBC reported Wednesday .
Starting next week , the first 800,000 doses will be available free of charge .
The U.K. ’ s National Health Service ( NHS ) will contact those who will be given the vaccine first .
The elderly in nursing homes and their staff will be given priority .
Next in line will be those over 80 years of age and other health care staff .
The U.K. has ordered enough doses — 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that , while 2020 has been “ just awful , ” 2021 will be better .
“ I ’ m confident now , with the news today , that from spring , from Easter onwards , things are going to be better .
And we ’ re going to have a summer next year that everybody can enjoy.
” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said , “ It ’ s the protection of vaccines that will ultimately allow us to reclaim our lives and get the economy moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obtain the vaccine from hospitals , vaccination centers , general practitioners and pharmacists .
The vaccinations will not be compulsory .
The vaccine , made in Belgium , was 95 % effective in trials .
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream .
You can follow her @ NancyFlory3 , and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

The U.K.’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved Pfizer/BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine, the BBC reported Wednesday. Starting next week, the first 800,000 doses will be available free of charge.
The U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS) will contact those who will be given the vaccine first. The elderly in nursing homes and their staff will be given priority. Next in line will be those over 80 years of age and other health care staff.
The U.K. has ordered enough doses — 40 million — to treat 20 million people.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that, while 2020 has been “just awful,” 2021 will be better. “I’m confident now, with the news today, that from spring, from Easter onwards, things are going to be better. And we’re going to have a summer next year that everybody can enjoy.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “It’s the protection of vaccines that will ultimately allow us to reclaim our lives and get the economy moving again.”
Those in the U.K. can obtain the vaccine from hospitals, vaccination centers, general practitioners and pharmacists. The vaccinations will not be compulsory.
The vaccine, made in Belgium, was 95% effective in trials.
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-12-03--Four Principles to Understand if You Want to Change the World Around You

One of my main complaints is complainers .
If you see a problem , and have the power to fix it , get on and fix it .
If don ’ t have the power to fix it , call someone who does , and if you don ’ t have the power to fix it and don ’ t know anyone who does , then live with it .
But don ’ t blame other people and don ’ t complain .
When the world seems upside down and nothing is going right , when the devil seems to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down the drain — even then don ’ t complain .
Instead do what you can with what you have where you are .
You may not be able to change the world , but you can change your world .
There are four ways to be creative and positive about almost every problem .
The four principles all begin with the letter “ s. ” The first principle is subsidiarity .
Subsidiarity means the solution to problems and new ideas and initiatives should be taken at the lowest , local level possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home.
” Every solution should begin at home .
Whether the problem is poor housing , low educational standards , unemployment , bad communication or any other difficulty — the solution begins at the local level .
The people at the local level are the ones who experience the problem and can voice their concerns most realistically .
Our church is an a socially challenging part of town .
When we decided to do something to attack the housing problem we started by talking to the “ experts ” at the governmental level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideologies , but they didn ’ t know what the local needs and challenges really were .
Talking to the people in the community gave us the answers we needed , and the people who knew the problems also had many of the solutions .
We just needed to work together at the local level to put them into action .
The second principle for changing the world is simplicity .
Most of the world ’ s problems can be solved at the local level with simple solutions .
Complex technology and expensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they do not have a simple soul they will be top heavy and ultimately fail .
Simple solutions are most often human solutions .
Does a child struggling to read need more computers , complicated new learning systems , laptops and e-books ?
Maybe , but maybe he or she needs a volunteer to sit down and spend some extra time tutoring .
Whatever the needs , whether they are educational , financial , health and welfare or spiritual help , the human solution is the simple solution , and the principle of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the principle of subsidiarity .
If something is not local it is not real .
While the solutions are simple , they are not easy .
In fact , the simpler the solution , the more likely it is to be very difficult in terms of human time , effort and talent .
Climbing a mountain is simple .
It ’ s just one foot in front of another right ?
It ’ s simple — but it ’ s not easy .
Self-Reliance : Stand on Your Own Two Feet The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-reliance .
Human beings have free will , and when it is exercised we achieve personal dignity .
Any accomplishment of our own that we to achieve raises our self-esteem and nurtures the natural dignity we all strive for .
When asked to be involved in our church ’ s food pantry one of the local pastors laughed and said , “ Brother , we don ’ t give people stuff !
” He went on to explain that his church has programs of fellowship and support in place for people in need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learn self-reliance .
This principle also links with the other two .
Self-reliance is a strength of subsidiarity .
It is a local strength .
The more people in a locality are self-reliant , the more the whole community becomes self-reliant , proud and united .
Self-reliance also holds hands with simplicity .
Self-reliance is a simple and strong virtue .
One that takes time and effort , but which is far more rewarding in the long run than more hand outs .
The final principle that changes the world is solidarity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ am my brother ’ s keeper.
” Self-reliance is good , but solidarity balances that principle .
Solidarity means standing together — not one person better than another , but each person with his own unique gifts and capabilities belonging to the community .
In our modern , individualistic , fragmented world we too often stand alone and isolated .
The old community structures that were local have broken down .
The extended family with its self-reliance and solidarity has disappeared .
The principles of subsidiarity , simplicity , self-reliance and solidarity can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be from the ground up .
The effort to be local , to work together simply to be self-reliant is the work of families , churches , schools and local communities .
If we all understood these principles and each in our own locality tried to put them into action , we would truly change the world .
Fr .
Dwight Longenecker is a pastor in Greenville , South Carolina .
His latest book is Immortal Combat : Confronting the Heart of Darkness .
Visit his website at dwightlongenecker.com .

One of my main complaints is complainers. If you see a problem, and have the power to fix it, get on and fix it. If don’t have the power to fix it, call someone who does, and if you don’t have the power to fix it and don’t know anyone who does, then live with it.
But don’t blame other people and don’t complain.
When the world seems upside down and nothing is going right, when the devil seems to be in charge and everything is going down the drain — even then don’t complain. Instead do what you can with what you have where you are.
You may not be able to change the world, but you can change your world. There are four ways to be creative and positive about almost every problem. The four principles all begin with the letter “s.”
Subsidiarity: Local is Real
The first principle is subsidiarity. Subsidiarity means the solution to problems and new ideas and initiatives should be taken at the lowest, local level possible. They say “Charity begins at home.” Every solution should begin at home.
Whether the problem is poor housing, low educational standards, unemployment, bad communication or any other difficulty — the solution begins at the local level. The people at the local level are the ones who experience the problem and can voice their concerns most realistically.
Talking to the people in the community gave us the answers we needed, and the people who knew the problems also had many of the solutions.
Our church is an a socially challenging part of town. When we decided to do something to attack the housing problem we started by talking to the “experts” at the governmental level. They were full of theories and ideologies, but they didn’t know what the local needs and challenges really were.
Talking to the people in the community gave us the answers we needed, and the people who knew the problems also had many of the solutions. We just needed to work together at the local level to put them into action.
Simplicity: ’Tis a Gift to Be Simple
The second principle for changing the world is simplicity. Most of the world’s problems can be solved at the local level with simple solutions. Complex technology and expensive social solutions can help, but if they do not have a simple soul they will be top heavy and ultimately fail.
Simple solutions are most often human solutions. Does a child struggling to read need more computers, complicated new learning systems, laptops and e-books? Maybe, but maybe he or she needs a volunteer to sit down and spend some extra time tutoring.
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Whatever the needs, whether they are educational, financial, health and welfare or spiritual help, the human solution is the simple solution, and the principle of simplicity is always delivered hand in hand with the principle of subsidiarity. If something is not local it is not real.
While the solutions are simple, they are not easy. In fact, the simpler the solution, the more likely it is to be very difficult in terms of human time, effort and talent. Climbing a mountain is simple. It’s just one foot in front of another right? It’s simple — but it’s not easy.
Self-Reliance: Stand on Your Own Two Feet
The third way to change the world is self-reliance. Human beings have free will, and when it is exercised we achieve personal dignity. Any accomplishment of our own that we to achieve raises our self-esteem and nurtures the natural dignity we all strive for.
When asked to be involved in our church’s food pantry one of the local pastors laughed and said, “Brother, we don’t give people stuff!” He went on to explain that his church has programs of fellowship and support in place for people in need to get back on their feet and learn self-reliance.
This principle also links with the other two. Self-reliance is a strength of subsidiarity. It is a local strength. The more people in a locality are self-reliant, the more the whole community becomes self-reliant, proud and united. Self-reliance also holds hands with simplicity. Self-reliance is a simple and strong virtue. One that takes time and effort, but which is far more rewarding in the long run than more hand outs.
Solidarity: Stand Together
The final principle that changes the world is solidarity. This simply means “Yes, I am my brother’s keeper.” Self-reliance is good, but solidarity balances that principle. Solidarity means standing together — not one person better than another, but each person with his own unique gifts and capabilities belonging to the community.
In our modern, individualistic, fragmented world we too often stand alone and isolated. The old community structures that were local have broken down. The extended family with its self-reliance and solidarity has disappeared.
The principles of subsidiarity, simplicity, self-reliance and solidarity can be rebuilt, but the work must be from the ground up. The effort to be local, to work together simply to be self-reliant is the work of families, churches, schools and local communities.
If we all understood these principles and each in our own locality tried to put them into action, we would truly change the world.
Fr. Dwight Longenecker is a pastor in Greenville, South Carolina. His latest book is Immortal Combat: Confronting the Heart of Darkness. Visit his website at dwightlongenecker.com.


thestream--2020-12-03--CDC Tells Americans to ‘Stay at Home and Not Travel’ for Christmas

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discouraged Americans from Christmas travel due to the coronavirus pandemic during a telephone press conference Wednesday .
“ We did put out a message to postpone and stay at home [ … ] around Thanksgiving and we ’ re putting out the same message : The best thing for Americans to do in the upcoming holiday season is to stay at home and not travel , ” Dr. Henry Walke , director of the Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections ( DPEI ) in the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that the CDC has guidance concerning travel should people decide to do so , and said that the CDC is “ releasing guidance related to consider testing before and after travel ” on Wednesday .
The CDC ’ s guidance discourages travel to avoid the coronavirus , but recommends testing should someone choose to travel , according to the organization ’ s website .
The CDC encouraged people to weigh “ getting tested ” within certain days before and after traveling .
Dr. Cindy Friedman , chief of the Travelers ’ Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have guidance for families and friends weighing whether to travel during the pandemic , according to the transcript .
“ I think it ’ s a good thing that people have options to prevent infection and they can take time now before the Christmas holidays .
We have several weeks to really think about the safest option for them and their family , which we think is to postpone travel .
And then we ’ ve outlined all the other measures that they can take if they do have to travel , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC guidance urging Americans to avoid traveling during Thanksgiving , a TSA spokesperson said over 1.17 million travelers on Sunday went through airport security checkpoints , the most travelers in a single day since the mid-March .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discouraged Americans from Christmas travel due to the coronavirus pandemic during a telephone press conference Wednesday.
“We did put out a message to postpone and stay at home […] around Thanksgiving and we’re putting out the same message: The best thing for Americans to do in the upcoming holiday season is to stay at home and not travel,” Dr. Henry Walke, director of the Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections (DPEI) in the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, said in the briefing.
Walke said that the CDC has guidance concerning travel should people decide to do so, and said that the CDC is “releasing guidance related to consider testing before and after travel” on Wednesday.
CDC urges Americans not to travel for Christmas amid fears that holiday gatherings could worsen pandemic https://t.co/eAxPpkyVN6 pic.twitter.com/Pbh48OzRCO — The Hill (@thehill) December 2, 2020
The CDC’s guidance discourages travel to avoid the coronavirus, but recommends testing should someone choose to travel, according to the organization’s website. The CDC encouraged people to weigh “getting tested” within certain days before and after traveling.
Dr. Cindy Friedman, chief of the Travelers’ Health Branch at the CDC, said they have guidance for families and friends weighing whether to travel during the pandemic, according to the transcript.
“I think it’s a good thing that people have options to prevent infection and they can take time now before the Christmas holidays. We have several weeks to really think about the safest option for them and their family, which we think is to postpone travel. And then we’ve outlined all the other measures that they can take if they do have to travel,” Friedman said at the briefing.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Despite CDC guidance urging Americans to avoid traveling during Thanksgiving, a TSA spokesperson said over 1.17 million travelers on Sunday went through airport security checkpoints, the most travelers in a single day since the mid-March.
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--2020-12-03--Charles Manson and the World’s Psychopathic ‘Authenticity’

She ’ s a footnote in history , but she still makes the news .
A few days ago , California ’ s governor blocked Leslie Van Houten ’ s release from prison for the second time .
His predecessor did the same thing , also twice .
She ’ s been in jail for almost fifty years , for something she did in 1969 .
Seems extreme to keep a little old lady in prison .
Especially when the parole board wants to let her out .
But that little old lady helped Charles Manson slaughter people they didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their blood on the walls .
She served America ’ s great image of complete evil .
You can get the basic story here .
Everyone ’ s horrified now , but some people used to think a lot of Charles Manson .
People like Neil Young and the Beach Boy ’ s Dennis Wilson took him up .
Hollywood culture-shapers thought he was cool .
“ Charlie ’ s real cosmic , man .
He ’ s deep .
He listens to Beatles records and gets messages from them about what to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Admittedly not the most stable person , but a culture-shaper nevertheless .
Trying to be Cool Even after the murders , pop culture figures played with his name , trying to be cool .
The band Black Flag ’ s Henry Rollins corresponded with him and even produced an album for him .
Guns N ’ Roses played one of Manson ’ s songs on an album .
Nine Inch Nails ’ Trent Reznor rented the house where Manson ’ s “ family ” murdered five people , including a woman eight months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writing “ pig ” in her blood on the front door .
He recorded an album there , including a song based on one of Manson ’ s songs .
Why ?
Just why ?
“ People , ” explained the journalist Hadley Freeman in The Guardian , “ can be stupid when they seek out authenticity.
” Rollins later admitted : “ At the time I was very young , and having him write letters to me made me feel intense and heavy.
” Freeman ’ s right , but not completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know about real authenticity .
And maybe don ’ t even want it when they see it .
“ Just as young people in that decade were marching to overthrow old attitudes and restrictions , ” Freeman writes , “ so the young Hollywood crowd fancied that they were overturning elitist structures , rejecting studio systems in favour of rock ’ n ’ roll and new cinema .
Manson represented this rejection of conformity in its purest form to rich people slightly embarrassed by their riches .
Mingling with him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about themselves.
” His admirers didn ’ t like “ conformity.
” It made you inauthentic .
It wasn ’ t real .
They seem to have felt his sad history as a criminal , his squalid life , his living on the edge , his leading a “ free love ” commune , showed that he lived a more primal , elemental , real life than they did .
As the Rolling Stone reporter said , explaining what he thought after he ’ d interviewed Manson , “ He looked just like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hair and a beard .
… We knew that anybody who looked like that could never have done these horrible things they were saying he did .
It was just the pigs picking on some poor hippy guru.
” Intellectuals Got There First It wasn ’ t just rock stars who felt that squalor means authenticity .
Intellectuals got there first .
And with a lot more complicated way of justifying it .
In 1957 , Norman Mailer wrote the once-famous essay “ The White Negro ” in the journal Dissent .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ novelists and public intellectuals and the journal one of the most important .
We can ’ t hope for any ultimate truth and meaning , Mailer insisted .
The Holocaust and the atom bomb proved that .
“ The only life-giving answer is to accept the terms of death , to live with death as immediate danger , to divorce oneself from society , to exist without roots , to set out on that uncharted journey into the rebellious imperatives of the self.
” He called the person who does this “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” He idealized the “ outlaw.
” That person might be a criminal or not , he continued .
In either case , he decides “ to encourage the psychopath in oneself , to explore that domain of experience where security is boredom and therefore sickness , and one exists in the present , in that enormous present which is without past or future , memory or planned intention.
” Being “ hip , ” Mailer asserted , “ would return us to ourselves , at no matter what price in individual violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affirmation of the barbarian .
… [ I ] t takes literal faith in the creative possibilities of the human being to envisage acts of violence as the catharsis which prepares growth.
” Freeman , who seems to have been born about twenty years after Mailer wrote “ The White Negro , ” does not find his idea of “ returning to ourselves ” so compelling .
For one thing , it often involves giving oneself over to the great man who incarnates this basic act of rebellion and authenticity .
Manson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saviours , ” she writes , “ they generally find false prophets.
” We Should All Know Better Sixty years later , Mailer ’ s earnest enthusiasm for the “ hip ” and for redemptive violence feels quaint .
He wrote before the hipster Charles Manson showed where “ violence as catharsis ” leads , but he should have known better .
His proposals were stupid even then .
We roll our eyes .
The sixties , wow , can you imagine ?
Their ideas look as silly now as do nehru jackets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And we know how badly they end .
And not just in spectacular crimes like the Manson family ’ s .
In everyone who ’ s wrecked his life , ruined his marriage , alienated his children and his friends , failed to keep a job and make a life because he thought , “ I have to be me , ” when what he really meant was “ I want to do what I want.
” The culture encourages us to confuse “ what I want ” with “ who I am.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , courageous , “ authentic.
” It ends badly .
But Young , Wilson , Reznor , and Mailer weren ’ t completely wrong .
They recognized that the life we tend to lead isn ’ t the real life , the true life , the life we should live .
They saw that we should live purer lives , expressing who we really are , not conforming to society .
But they didn ’ t understand what they saw .
Christianity does .
Christianity calls the life we lead “ the world.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and “ who we really are ” as who we are in Christ .
Most crucially , the Faith knows the only way to true authenticity is through Christ .
Christianity calls it “ conversion ” and “ salvation.
” We can ’ t make ourselves authentic .
We can only turn to the One who will .
There ’ s much more to be said about this , but we can make the point easily .
Think of a truly godly person you know .
Think of someone who insists on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems more authentic , more truly , purely themselves , who is happier and more likely to make others happier ?
David Mills is a senior editor of The Stream .
After teaching writing in a seminary , he has been editor of Touchstone and the executive editor of First Things .
He edits the site Hour of Our Death and writes the monthly “ Last Things ” column for the New Oxford Review .

She’s a footnote in history, but she still makes the news. A few days ago, California’s governor blocked Leslie Van Houten’s release from prison for the second time. His predecessor did the same thing, also twice. She’s been in jail for almost fifty years, for something she did in 1969.
Seems extreme to keep a little old lady in prison. Especially when the parole board wants to let her out. But that little old lady helped Charles Manson slaughter people they didn’t even know, and smear their blood on the walls. She served America’s great image of complete evil. You can get the basic story here.
Everyone’s horrified now, but some people used to think a lot of Charles Manson. People like Neil Young and the Beach Boy’s Dennis Wilson took him up. Hollywood culture-shapers thought he was cool. “Charlie’s real cosmic, man. He’s deep. He listens to Beatles records and gets messages from them about what to do next,” said Wilson. Admittedly not the most stable person, but a culture-shaper nevertheless.
Trying to be Cool
Even after the murders, pop culture figures played with his name, trying to be cool. The band Black Flag’s Henry Rollins corresponded with him and even produced an album for him. Guns N’ Roses played one of Manson’s songs on an album.
Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor rented the house where Manson’s “family” murdered five people, including a woman eight months pregnant, stabbing her sixteen times and writing “pig” in her blood on the front door. He recorded an album there, including a song based on one of Manson’s songs.
Why? Just why? “People,” explained the journalist Hadley Freeman in The Guardian, “can be stupid when they seek out authenticity.” Rollins later admitted: “At the time I was very young, and having him write letters to me made me feel intense and heavy.”
Freeman’s right, but not completely. People can be stupid because they don’t know about real authenticity. And maybe don’t even want it when they see it.
The Rejection of Conformity
“Just as young people in that decade were marching to overthrow old attitudes and restrictions,” Freeman writes, “so the young Hollywood crowd fancied that they were overturning elitist structures, rejecting studio systems in favour of rock’n’roll and new cinema. Manson represented this rejection of conformity in its purest form to rich people slightly embarrassed by their riches. Mingling with him in his squalor made them feel better about themselves.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
His admirers didn’t like “conformity.” It made you inauthentic. It wasn’t real. They seem to have felt his sad history as a criminal, his squalid life, his living on the edge, his leading a “free love” commune, showed that he lived a more primal, elemental, real life than they did.
As the Rolling Stone reporter said, explaining what he thought after he’d interviewed Manson, “He looked just like one of us. He had long hair and a beard. … We knew that anybody who looked like that could never have done these horrible things they were saying he did. It was just the pigs picking on some poor hippy guru.”
Intellectuals Got There First
It wasn’t just rock stars who felt that squalor means authenticity. Intellectuals got there first. And with a lot more complicated way of justifying it.
In 1957, Norman Mailer wrote the once-famous essay “The White Negro” in the journal Dissent. He was one of America’s leading novelists and public intellectuals and the journal one of the most important.
We can’t hope for any ultimate truth and meaning, Mailer insisted. The Holocaust and the atom bomb proved that. “The only life-giving answer is to accept the terms of death, to live with death as immediate danger, to divorce oneself from society, to exist without roots, to set out on that uncharted journey into the rebellious imperatives of the self.”
He called the person who does this “the hipster” and “the white negro.” He idealized the “outlaw.”
That person might be a criminal or not, he continued. In either case, he decides “to encourage the psychopath in oneself, to explore that domain of experience where security is boredom and therefore sickness, and one exists in the present, in that enormous present which is without past or future, memory or planned intention.”
Being “hip,” Mailer asserted, “would return us to ourselves, at no matter what price in individual violence, [for it] is the affirmation of the barbarian. … [I]t takes literal faith in the creative possibilities of the human being to envisage acts of violence as the catharsis which prepares growth.”
Freeman, who seems to have been born about twenty years after Mailer wrote “The White Negro,” does not find his idea of “returning to ourselves” so compelling. For one thing, it often involves giving oneself over to the great man who incarnates this basic act of rebellion and authenticity. Manson, for example. “When people seek saviours,” she writes, “they generally find false prophets.”
We Should All Know Better
Sixty years later, Mailer’s earnest enthusiasm for the “hip” and for redemptive violence feels quaint. He wrote before the hipster Charles Manson showed where “violence as catharsis” leads, but he should have known better. His proposals were stupid even then.
We roll our eyes. The sixties, wow, can you imagine? Their ideas look as silly now as do nehru jackets and those shirts with enormous collars. And we know how badly they end.
And not just in spectacular crimes like the Manson family’s. In everyone who’s wrecked his life, ruined his marriage, alienated his children and his friends, failed to keep a job and make a life because he thought, “I have to be me,” when what he really meant was “I want to do what I want.”
The culture encourages us to confuse “what I want” with “who I am.” That makes acting badly sound virtuous, courageous, “authentic.” It ends badly.
But Young, Wilson, Reznor, and Mailer weren’t completely wrong. They recognized that the life we tend to lead isn’t the real life, the true life, the life we should live. They saw that we should live purer lives, expressing who we really are, not conforming to society.
Christianity Understands
But they didn’t understand what they saw. Christianity does. Christianity calls the life we lead “the world.” It understands authenticity as “holiness” and “who we really are” as who we are in Christ. Most crucially, the Faith knows the only way to true authenticity is through Christ. Christianity calls it “conversion” and “salvation.”
We can’t make ourselves authentic. We can only turn to the One who will.
There’s much more to be said about this, but we can make the point easily. Think of a truly godly person you know. Think of someone who insists on being “Who I am.” Who seems more authentic, more truly, purely themselves, who is happier and more likely to make others happier?
David Mills is a senior editor of The Stream. After teaching writing in a seminary, he has been editor of Touchstone and the executive editor of First Things. He edits the site Hour of Our Death and writes the monthly “Last Things” column for the New Oxford Review.