thestream--2020-08-17--Ex-FBI Counterintelligence Chief Facing Scrutiny Over Steele Dossier Briefing

Sen. Lindsey Graham , who is investigating the FBI ’ s probe of the Trump campaign , on Friday accused former FBI counterintelligence chief Bill Priestap of providing misleading information to the Senate Intelligence Committee regarding the Steele dossier .
“ You ’ ve got Bill Priestap on Feb. 15th , 2018 , with four other people from the FBI briefing this Senate Intel Committee , completely whitewashing the truth about the reliability of the dossier , ” Graham said in a Fox News interview on Friday .
Graham accused Priestap and his FBI colleagues of downplaying information that Igor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ author Christopher Steele , provided the FBI in January 2017 .
He also said that he intends to share information about the briefing with John Durham , the U.S. attorney conducting a sprawling investigation of the FBI and CIA ’ s Trump-related activities .
“ What I want to do with this is turn it over to Durham because I think the briefing in 2018 , a year after the sub-source told the FBI it was a bunch of garbage , whitewashing that report to the Senate Intel Committee is potentially another crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largely avoided scrutiny amid revelations of FBI misdeeds in its probe of the Trump campaign .
But a review of a Justice Department inspector general ’ s ( IG ) report of that investigation shows that Priestap withheld information that undercut dossier author Christopher Steele ’ s credibility .
According to the IG report , Priestap told the watchdog that he withheld derogatory information he obtained regarding Steele from the Crossfire Hurricane team because of an agreement he struck with officials at MI6 .
Priestap and Peter Strzok , his deputy , visited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associates of Steele , a former MI6 officer who owns a private intelligence firm in London .
While some of Steele ’ s former colleagues described him as “ smart ” and a “ person of integrity , ” others cast doubt on his judgment , according to the IG report .
Priestap and Strzok , the report said , were told that Steele “ [ d ] emonstrates lack of self-awareness , poor judgment , ” that he was “ underpinned by poor judgment , ” and that he reported “ in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ not clear what he would have done to validate.
” The IG report said that Priestap told investigators with the IG that he “ may have made a commitment ” to Steele ’ s former employer “ not to document the former employer ’ s views on Steele as a condition for obtaining the information.
” The information was not provided to the rest of the Crossfire Hurricane team or in applications to renew Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ( FISA ) orders against Carter Page , a former Trump aide who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Priestap also provided a rosier assessment of Steele in correspondence with the CIA in mid-December 2016 .
According to the IG report , Priestap told a CIA analyst that Steele was “ reliable ” even though he had learned from MI6 by that time that the former British spy displayed questionable judgement .
At the time , FBI officials were lobbying to include information from Steele in an Intelligence Community Assessment of Russia ’ s interference in the 2016 election .
CIA officials and analysts opposed including Steele ’ s information in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as “ Internet rumor.
” The IG report said that Priestap and Strzok defended their assessment of Steele ’ s reliability “ because they were told that Steele was never untruthful.
” Priestap also told the IG that the FBI “ didn ’ t have any indication whatsoever ” by May 2017 that the Kremlin may have fed disinformation to Steele .
That claim is undercut by other evidence cited in the IG report .
Footnotes in the report say that the FBI received information on Jan. 12 , 2017 , and Feb. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers may have passed inaccurate information to Steele regarding Trump lawyer Michael Cohen and about a rumored sex tape of Trump .
The full details of Priestap ’ s briefing to SSCI regarding the dossier have not been revealed .
An FBI memo written before the briefing indicates that the FBI briefers did not point to any glaring differences between Danchenko ’ s statements and the contents of the dossier .
“ At minimum , our discussions with [ redacted ] confirm that the dossier was not fabricated by Steele , ” reads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Danchenko “ did not cite any significant concerns with the way his reporting was characterized in the dossier to the extent he could identify it.
” Graham asserts that both statements are inaccurate based on what Danchenko told the FBI during interviews in January 2017 .
In an interview last week , before he learned that Priestap briefing Senate Intelligence , Graham accused the FBI official who provided the briefing of lying to Congress .
“ Somebody needs to go to jail for this , ” he said .
Priestap , who retired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be reached for comment .
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 .

Sen. Lindsey Graham, who is investigating the FBI’s probe of the Trump campaign, on Friday accused former FBI counterintelligence chief Bill Priestap of providing misleading information to the Senate Intelligence Committee regarding the Steele dossier.
“You’ve got Bill Priestap on Feb. 15th, 2018, with four other people from the FBI briefing this Senate Intel Committee, completely whitewashing the truth about the reliability of the dossier,” Graham said in a Fox News interview on Friday.
Graham accused Priestap and his FBI colleagues of downplaying information that Igor Danchenko, the primary source for dossier author Christopher Steele, provided the FBI in January 2017. He also said that he intends to share information about the briefing with John Durham, the U.S. attorney conducting a sprawling investigation of the FBI and CIA’s Trump-related activities.
“What I want to do with this is turn it over to Durham because I think the briefing in 2018, a year after the sub-source told the FBI it was a bunch of garbage, whitewashing that report to the Senate Intel Committee is potentially another crime,” Graham said.
Priestap has largely avoided scrutiny amid revelations of FBI misdeeds in its probe of the Trump campaign. But a review of a Justice Department inspector general’s (IG) report of that investigation shows that Priestap withheld information that undercut dossier author Christopher Steele’s credibility.
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According to the IG report, Priestap told the watchdog that he withheld derogatory information he obtained regarding Steele from the Crossfire Hurricane team because of an agreement he struck with officials at MI6.
Priestap and Peter Strzok, his deputy, visited the U.K. in December 2016 to interview associates of Steele, a former MI6 officer who owns a private intelligence firm in London.
While some of Steele’s former colleagues described him as “smart” and a “person of integrity,” others cast doubt on his judgment, according to the IG report.
Priestap and Strzok, the report said, were told that Steele “[d]emonstrates lack of self-awareness, poor judgment,” that he was “underpinned by poor judgment,” and that he reported “in good faith” but that it was “not clear what he would have done to validate.”
The IG report said that Priestap told investigators with the IG that he “may have made a commitment” to Steele’s former employer “not to document the former employer’s views on Steele as a condition for obtaining the information.”
The information was not provided to the rest of the Crossfire Hurricane team or in applications to renew Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) orders against Carter Page, a former Trump aide who is a key fixture in the dossier.
Priestap also provided a rosier assessment of Steele in correspondence with the CIA in mid-December 2016.
According to the IG report, Priestap told a CIA analyst that Steele was “reliable” even though he had learned from MI6 by that time that the former British spy displayed questionable judgement. At the time, FBI officials were lobbying to include information from Steele in an Intelligence Community Assessment of Russia’s interference in the 2016 election.
CIA officials and analysts opposed including Steele’s information in the assessment, with one analyst describing it as “Internet rumor.”
The IG report said that Priestap and Strzok defended their assessment of Steele’s reliability “because they were told that Steele was never untruthful.”
Priestap also told the IG that the FBI “didn’t have any indication whatsoever” by May 2017 that the Kremlin may have fed disinformation to Steele.
That claim is undercut by other evidence cited in the IG report. Footnotes in the report say that the FBI received information on Jan. 12, 2017, and Feb. 27, 2017, that Russian intelligence officers may have passed inaccurate information to Steele regarding Trump lawyer Michael Cohen and about a rumored sex tape of Trump.
The full details of Priestap’s briefing to SSCI regarding the dossier have not been revealed. An FBI memo written before the briefing indicates that the FBI briefers did not point to any glaring differences between Danchenko’s statements and the contents of the dossier.
“At minimum, our discussions with [redacted] confirm that the dossier was not fabricated by Steele,” reads the memo.
It also said that Danchenko “did not cite any significant concerns with the way his reporting was characterized in the dossier to the extent he could identify it.”
Graham asserts that both statements are inaccurate based on what Danchenko told the FBI during interviews in January 2017. In an interview last week, before he learned that Priestap briefing Senate Intelligence, Graham accused the FBI official who provided the briefing of lying to Congress.
“Somebody needs to go to jail for this,” he said.
Priestap, who retired from the FBI in 2018, could not be reached for comment.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-08-18--Did US Bishops Make a Deal With the Democrats, Like the Vatican’s Alliance With China?

We Catholics were deeply scandalized when Pope Francis sent then-Cardinal McCarrick ( yes , the child molester now hiding from reporters ) to negotiate a deal with Communist China .
Its terms remain partly secret .
That piece of transparency hearkens back to the 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact .
Two apparent enemies inked a deal against the West , the secret provisions included carving up free Poland .
Among the public terms of the China deal , the Vatican surrendered its power to pick Chinese bishops .
It turned that key right over to the atheist Communist Party , which cultivates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal , which hero of the faith Cardinal Zen called an “ abandonment ” of the faithful , “ underground ” Church , gained Catholics no new protections .
In fact , the Chinese government has stepped up persecutions of Catholics and others .
It ’ s demolishing churches , burning Bibles , and forcing churches to replace Christian images with Communist Chinese icons .
What did the Vatican gain ?
A whistleblower reports that $ 2 billion went from wealthy China to this cash-strapped , scandal plagued papacy .
On a public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the Trump administration , and the capitalist West .
After a whirlwind ( carefully shepherded ) tour of Potemkin China , the highest Church official on science and Catholic social teaching , Bishop Marcelo Sorondo , spoke out .
He praised China as living out Catholic social teaching far better than … the U.S. under Donald Trump .
Later , Sorondo proclaimed Francis ’ s “ trust ” for Communist China , and promised to recognize its claim over Taiwan .
He announced that at a meeting of the regime ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) steal them from live political prisoners , especially Uyghur Muslims .
Some two million Uyghurs now languish in camps , some working as slaves making sneakers for Nike .
Francis has never spoken out , either on the persecution of Christians or of Uyghurs .
Remember that Francis trashed Donald Trump as “ not a Christian ” and visited the U.S. on the eve of the 2016 election .
The Leftist group PICO took $ 650,000 from George Soros to spin that as a campaign tour for Democrats .
When that fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
He sent PICO an effusive message of support for its far-left Modesto Meeting in 2017 .
At it , 24 U.S. bishops , and Vatican cardinal ( Peter Turkson ) pledged to use churches to foil immigration enforcement .
They urged all Catholics to “ disrupt Trump.
” Now on the eve of another pivotal election , prominent U.S. bishops and their conference , the USCCB , make their sympathies obvious .
This month , Father Frank Pavone , founder of Priests for Life , was ordered by his bishop to resign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A good priest , he obeyed . )
Perhaps that was too political for the bishops ?
No , it was just the wrong kind of politics .
The Democratic National Convention featured a benediction by media figure and LGBT advocate Fr .
James Martin , SJ .
No flak from his Jesuit superior , or the local bishop , over that .
When Blacks Lives Matter and Antifa rioters tried to burn a historic Washington , D.C. church , the Catholic archbishop , Wilton Gregory , denounced Trump for visiting the church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outrageous , opportunistic politics Trump ’ s visit to the John Paul II Shrine the day after that .
This , even though the visit had been planned for months , and Gregory had been invited .
Why lie about the president to help the Democratic party ?
Why ban a priest from publicly supporting Donald Trump , but allow another priest to take much more high-profile role helping the whole Democratic party ?
I have a theory .
Just as the Vatican under Pope Francis made a deal with an anti-Catholic regime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a secret or tacit deal with the pro-abortion , anti-Christian Democrats .
The bishops offer the Democrats political cover for the most pro-abortion platform adopted by any political group on earth .
No restrictions on abortion , right up through birth .
Our taxpayer money would go to pay for abortions .
Biden supports forcing the Little Sisters of the Poor to dispense abortion pills , or else be forced to close their hospices for the elderly .
He would narrow religious liberty for Christians across the board , and appoint judges to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will cast a tattered Seamless Garment from the 1970s over all that .
It won ’ t complain that his choice for vice president , Kamala Harris , started an effort ( still ongoing ) to imprison pro-life journalists .
( Read my interview with David Daleiden , who reports on the early morning , SWAT-style raid on his home . )
Harris punished those pro-lifers who exposed her campaign donor , Planned Parenthood , as illegally selling baby parts , just as … those Chinese Communists Bishop Sorondo hobnobs with like to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here ?
What do the bishops get in return ?
If Biden suspends , as promised , all enforcement at our borders , quite a bit .
Already , the bishops reap 40 percent of their annual budget from federal non-profit contracts , most of them serving immigrants ( legal or not ) .
If our nation is flooded with a new wave of illegals after January , that percentage might shoot up higher .
What better way to make up the weekly collections lost when bishops shuttered our churches ?
I suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at all on voluntary donations from grubby laymen , anyway .
They seem to crave an arrangement like the one bishops have in Germany : Catholic laymen are taxed by the government almost 10 % of their income , which goes to the church .
Refuse ?
You ’ re excommunicated .
But there ’ s an even darker side to this .
Conservative Catholics like me have been calling for the Trump administration to launch a RICO probe , through the Department of Justice , into bishops shuffling sex abusers across state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force the Church to cough up files on men like McCarrick .
They might implicate their allies , such as Archbishop Gregory , who colluded with McCarrick in 2002 to exempt bishops ( such as McCarrick ) from penalties for abusing kids or hiding abusers .
Such a probe would strip the bishops ’ lucrative non-profits from the right to bid for federal contracts .
So 40 % of their money would go poof , overnight .
The money that sloshes around in the USCCB , helping it lobby for open borders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending , would go somewhere else .
Why would the bishops think a Biden/Harris administration would keep them safe from such a probe ?
Just take a look at Harris ’ s record as District Attorney of San Francisco and California attorney general .
As George Neumayr reports : Harris ran against a local D.A .
who ’ d been pursuing sex abusers .
As Schweizer notes , cash started rolling into her campaign from rich liberal Catholics and law firms that worked with the Church .
Harris wasn ’ t Catholic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ started fighting for her to win .
According to Neumayr : Accusations of appalling child abuse of boys at an elite Jesuit prep school over decades disappeared in the Memory Hole .
The Church saved millions in court costs and likely settlements .
The abusers never came to light , and the victims were never acknowledged or compensated .
Harris turned her attention to more important causes , like imprisoning pro-life journalists .
And that ’ s why I think so many bishops are pulling for her and Biden .
They can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baby parts , embattled nuns , abused kids , or American freedom and public order get in the way of meeting payroll .
They really don ’ t want the light of day shining on the crimes of their past .
That ’ s why to this day there has been no public report on how Theodore McCarrick rose to the top of the U.S. church .
His appointees and allies still own and operate it today .
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream , and author or co-author of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism .
He is co-author with Jason Jones of “ God , Guns , & the Government .
”

We Catholics were deeply scandalized when Pope Francis sent then-Cardinal McCarrick (yes, the child molester now hiding from reporters) to negotiate a deal with Communist China. Its terms remain partly secret. That piece of transparency hearkens back to the 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. Two apparent enemies inked a deal against the West, the secret provisions including the carve-up of free Poland.
Selling Out Chinese Christians
Among the public terms of the China deal, the Vatican surrendered its power to pick Chinese bishops. It turned that key right over to the atheist Communist Party, which cultivates collaborator priests it can trust. This deal, which hero of the faith Cardinal Zen called an “abandonment” of the faithful, “underground” Church, gained Catholics no new protections. In fact, the Chinese government has stepped up persecutions of Catholics and others. It’s demolishing churches, burning Bibles, and forcing churches to replace Christian images with Communist Chinese icons.
What did the Vatican gain? A whistleblower reports that $2 billion went from wealthy China to this cash-strapped, scandal plagued papacy. On a public level, Pope Francis gained an ally against the Trump administration, and the capitalist West.
Allying with China Against Trump’s America
After a whirlwind (carefully shepherded) tour of Potemkin China, the highest Church official on science and Catholic social teaching, Bishop Marcelo Sorondo, spoke out. He praised China as living out Catholic social teaching far better than … the U.S. under Donald Trump. Later, Sorondo proclaimed Francis’s “trust” for Communist China, and promised to recognize its claim over Taiwan. He announced that at a meeting of the regime’s organ thieves, who (Forbes reports) steal them from live political prisoners, especially Uyghur Muslims.
Some two million Uyghurs now languish in camps, some working as slaves making sneakers for Nike. Francis has never spoken out, either on the persecution of Christians or of Uyghurs.
Soros Money to Help Churches “Disrupt Trump”
Remember that Francis trashed Donald Trump as “not a Christian” and visited the U.S. on the eve of the 2016 election. The Leftist group PICO took $650,000 from George Soros to spin that as a campaign tour for Democrats. When that fact got leaked, how did Francis respond? He sent PICO an effusive message of support for its far-left Modesto Meeting in 2017. At it, 24 U.S. bishops, and Vatican cardinal (Peter Turkson) pledged to use churches to foil immigration enforcement. They urged all Catholics to “disrupt Trump.”
Silencing Pro-Life Priests, Boosting Pro-Gay Clerics
Now on the eve of another pivotal election, prominent U.S. bishops and their conference, the USCCB, make their sympathies obvious. This month, Father Frank Pavone, founder of Priests for Life, was ordered by his bishop to resign as a Trump campaign adviser. (A good priest, he obeyed.) Perhaps that was too political for the bishops?
No, it was just the wrong kind of politics. The Democratic National Convention featured a benediction by media figure and LGBT advocate Fr. James Martin, SJ. No flak from his Jesuit superior, or the local bishop, over that. When Black Lives Matter and Antifa rioters tried to burn a historic Washington, D.C. church, the Catholic archbishop, Wilton Gregory, denounced Trump for visiting the church the next day. He slandered as outrageous, opportunistic politics Trump’s visit to the John Paul II Shrine the day after that. This, even though the visit had been planned for months, and Gregory had been invited.
Why lie about the president to help the Democratic party? Why ban a priest from publicly supporting Donald Trump, but allow another priest to take much more high-profile role helping the whole Democratic party?
A Secret Concordat with the Democrats?
I have a theory. Just as the Vatican under Pope Francis made a deal with an anti-Catholic regime, so the U.S. bishops have made a secret or tacit deal with the pro-abortion, anti-Christian Democrats. The bishops offer the Democrats political cover for the most pro-abortion platform adopted by any political group on earth. No restrictions on abortion, right up through birth. Our taxpayer money would go to pay for abortions.
Biden supports forcing the Little Sisters of the Poor to dispense abortion pills, or else be forced to close their hospices for the elderly. He would narrow religious liberty for Christians across the board, and appoint judges to give that promise teeth.
The Church will cast a tattered Seamless Garment from the 1970s over all that. It won’t complain that his choice for vice president, Kamala Harris, started an effort (still ongoing) to imprison pro-life journalists. (Read my interview with David Daleiden, who reports on the early morning, SWAT-style raid on his home.) Harris punished those pro-lifers who exposed her campaign donor, Planned Parenthood, as illegally selling human organs, just as … those Chinese Communists with whom Bishop Sorondo hobnobs like to do. Are you seeing a pattern here?
More Immigrants, More Taxpayer Cash
What do the bishops get in return? If Biden suspends, as promised, all enforcement at our borders, quite a bit. Already, the bishops reap 40 percent of their annual budget from federal non-profit contracts, most of them serving immigrants (legal or not). If our nation is flooded with a new wave of illegals after January, that percentage might shoot up higher.
What better way to make up the weekly collections lost when bishops shuttered our churches? I suspect it rankles those clerics to be reliant at all on voluntary donations from grubby laymen, anyway. They seem to crave an arrangement like the one bishops have in Germany: Catholic laymen are taxed by the government almost 10% of their income, which goes to the church. Refuse? You’re excommunicated.
No Awkward Questions About Sex Abuse
But there’s an even darker side to this. Conservative Catholics like me have been calling for the Trump administration to launch a RICO probe, through the Department of Justice, into bishops shuffling sex abusers across state lines for decades. That probe would force the Church to cough up files on men like McCarrick. They might implicate their allies, such as Archbishop Gregory, who colluded with McCarrick in 2002 to exempt bishops (such as McCarrick) from penalties for abusing kids or hiding abusers.
Kamala Harris ran for San Francisco D.A. against a fierce prosecutor of priestly sex abuse. Money poured into her campaign from Church-linked donors. She won, and never prosecuted such cases. The files vanished from sight.
Such a probe would strip the bishops’ lucrative non-profits of the right to bid for federal contracts. So 40% of their money would go poof, overnight. The money that sloshes around in the USCCB, helping it lobby for open borders, gun bans, and ever more welfare spending, would go somewhere else.
Kamala Harris: Tough on Pro-Lifers, Easy on Pedophiles
Why would the bishops think a Biden/Harris administration would keep them safe from such a probe? Just take a look at Harris’s record as District Attorney of San Francisco and California attorney general. As George Neumayr reports:
Perhaps the deepest and most troubling mystery of Kamala Harris’s tenure as a prosecutor centers on the disturbing issue of sexual abuse of children by priests,” writes Peter Schweizer in Profiles in Corruption. “During her decade-and-a-half tenure as a chief prosecutor, Harris would fail to prosecute a single case of priest abuse and her office would strangely hide vital records on abuses that had occurred despite the protests of victim groups.”
Harris ran against a local D.A. who’d been pursuing sex abusers. As Schweizer notes, cash started rolling into her campaign from rich liberal Catholics and law firms that worked with the Church. Harris wasn’t Catholic. But somehow wealthy donors with Church connections started fighting for her to win. According to Neumayr:
After Hallinan lost to Harris, the “fate of the investigation into Catholic priest abuse would dramatically change — and not for the better,” according to Schweizer. Harris quickly buried Hallinan’s abuse investigations: “Harris, who had been a sexual crimes prosecutor early in her career, moved in the opposite direction of Hallinan and worked to cover up the records.”
The Church Bought Immunity from Harris
Accusations of appalling child abuse of boys at an elite Jesuit prep school over decades disappeared in the Memory Hole. The Church saved millions in court costs and likely settlements. The abusers never came to light, and the victims were never acknowledged or compensated.
Harris turned her attention to more important causes, like imprisoning pro-life journalists.
And that’s why I think so many bishops are pulling for her and Biden. They can’t afford to let little things like baby parts, embattled nuns, abused kids, or American freedom and public order get in the way of meeting payroll. They really don’t want the light of day shining on the crimes of their past. That’s why to this day there has been no public report on how Theodore McCarrick rose to the top of the U.S. church. His appointees and allies still own and operate it today.
NOTE: After this column was published, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York announced he will offer a benediction at the Republican National Convention.
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream, and author or co-author of ten books, including The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism. He is co-author with Jason Jones of “God, Guns, & the Government.”


thestream--2020-08-18--When Violence is Just Around the Corner

When Violence is Just Around the Corner

The level of criminal violence in our country is rising .
Surprisingly , a number of politicians don ’ t want to fight it at all .
Crime Happens — There Must Be Too Many Police In spite of this crime wave , over a dozen cities have brazenly cut funding for their police departments .
Democrats in Austin , New York , Los Angeles and Washington have cut hundreds of millions from law enforcement .
Some are simply deranged .
Democrat leaders in riot-ravaged Minneapolis threaten to eliminate the police force entirely .
And when the Seattle ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the midst of months of rioting , Police Chief Carmen Best quit in disgust .
These leaders seem to think that crime happens because there are too many police .
They might well believe their own wishful thinking , but they ignore the law of cause and effect .
Right now their haywire policies are inflicting prolonged and profound damage on the country .
Consider Portland ’ s Mike Schmidt .
He ’ s Multnomah County ’ s new District Attorney .
He refuses to charge those arrested for rioting , even as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhoods are terrorized by roving gangs late into the night .
As a result , Oregon State Police announced last Thursday that they were withdrawing protection from Portland ’ s federal courthouse .
Will peace return when police disappear ?
Unlikely .
Wishful thinking and ideological dreams are nothing new .
The old saying about “ people taking the law into their own hands ” has an unlovely history .
Sure , City Council members can hire private security guards and send the bill to the taxpayer .
But most Portlanders don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those folks in Austin , Los Angeles and those other cities whose police will not be picking up the phone when residents call .
What do they do ?
The consequences of the collapse of the rule of law are not pretty .
In many countries around the world , the rule of law doesn ’ t exist .
There , corruption and violence are a way of life .
So a well-connected criminal won ’ t get charged ?
Fine .
Hire a gang to kill him .
Did the courts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a retired soldier to take him out .
A competitor is moving in on your business territory ?
Ditto .
In violent countries , these bad habits flow down into the fabric of everyday life .
A bus driver is killed every day somewhere in Central America , on average , because he refuses to pay “ protection ” to all the gangs that demand it .
And if you ’ re a judge or a mayor south of the Rio Grande , you ’ re facing a very high morality rate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and police have divisions that deal every day with their operations : drugs , child trafficking , prostitution , homicide and so on .
Normally the gangs “ police ” themselves .
Some years ago a young Hispanic woman in Northern Virginia was accused by MS-13 of being an informer .
She was brutally killed at the corner of our rural farm on the Shenandoah River .
How Far Does Radicalism Go ?
Judges also face heightened dangers .
Unlike Portland City Council members , few judges have taxpayer-funded bodyguards when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New Jersey murderers have targeted judges for their decisions .
The most heinous crime in that category featured the Weather Underground , a murder ring that terrorized the nation when I was in college .
Fifty years ago this month , Judge Harold Haley , a Superior Court Judge in Marin County , California , was kidnapped and killed by terrorists who burst into his courtroom in an attempt to free several criminals on trial .
The guns they used were registered to Angela Davis , a Communist who was tried and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conspiracy .
Davis later served as a college professor and was the 1980 vice-presidential candidate of the U.S. Communist Party .
Today she is a supporter of Joe Biden .
60 ’ s radicalism lived on for years .
On November 7 , 1983 , members of the May 19th Communist Organization planted a bomb just outside the Senate Republican cloakroom .
I was working in that room with several Senators and other staff members earlier in the day .
The Senate was scheduled to be in session into the evening , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the cloakroom was empty when the bomb went off that evening .
Terrorist Susan Rosenberg was eventually captured and convicted of the bombing .
She was released from federal prison after serving 16 years of her 58-year prison sentence when Bill Clinton commuted her sentence on his last day in office .
Today she sits on the Board of Directors for the fundraising arm of Black Lives Matter .
Today BLM and Antifa aren ’ t just setting police cars on fire .
They ’ re testing the waters to see how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news is , they ’ re getting pretty far .
Right now folks in quiet middle-class American suburbs seldom see domestic terrorists .
But what will come to pass when local law enforcement is curbed in capacity , and demoralized police are busy fighting marauders on the city streets ?
How long will it take for such communities to begin policing themselves ?
Consider : an unpopular bumper sticker on our car might arouse some serious physical abuse .
We know that police are too busy to protect us and to arrest the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trained not to react .
Does that go for us too ?
Christopher Manion earned a Ph.D. in government from Notre Dame .
For many years he was the staff director of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere , chaired by the late Sen. Jesse Helms , R-N.C .

The level of criminal violence in our country is rising. Surprisingly, a number of politicians don’t want to fight it at all.
Crime Happens — There Must Be Too Many Police
In spite of this crime wave, over a dozen cities have brazenly cut funding for their police departments. Democrats in Austin, New York, Los Angeles and Washington have cut hundreds of millions from law enforcement. Some are simply deranged. Democrat leaders in riot-ravaged Minneapolis threaten to eliminate the police force entirely. And when the Seattle’s City Council slashed the law enforcement in the midst of months of rioting, Police Chief Carmen Best quit in disgust.
Will peace return when police disappear? Unlikely.
These leaders seem to think that crime happens because there are too many police. They might well believe their own wishful thinking, but they ignore the law of cause and effect. Right now their haywire policies are inflicting prolonged and profound damage on the country.
Consider Portland’s Mike Schmidt. He’s Multnomah County’s new District Attorney. He refuses to charge those arrested for rioting, even as the city’s downtown and nearby neighborhoods are terrorized by roving gangs late into the night. As a result, Oregon State Police announced last Thursday that they were withdrawing protection from Portland’s federal courthouse.
Will peace return when police disappear? Unlikely.
Wishful thinking and ideological dreams are nothing new. The old saying about “people taking the law into their own hands” has an unlovely history. Sure, City Council members can hire private security guards and send the bill to the taxpayer. But most Portlanders don’t have bodyguards. The same goes for those folks in Austin, Los Angeles and those other cities whose police will not be picking up the phone when residents call. What do they do?
Lessons From Not-So-Ancient History
The consequences of the collapse of the rule of law are not pretty.
In many countries around the world, the rule of law doesn’t exist. There, corruption and violence are a way of life. So a well-connected criminal won’t get charged? Fine. Hire a gang to kill him. Did the courts ignore your lawsuit? Good. Hire a retired soldier to take him out. A competitor is moving in on your business territory? Ditto.
In violent countries, these bad habits flow down into the fabric of everyday life. A bus driver is killed every day somewhere in Central America, on average, because he refuses to pay “protection” to all the gangs that demand it. And if you’re a judge or a mayor south of the Rio Grande, you’re facing a very high morality rate.
Our country has gangs, of course, and police have divisions that deal every day with their operations: drugs, child trafficking, prostitution, homicide and so on. Normally the gangs “police” themselves. Some years ago a young Hispanic woman in Northern Virginia was accused by MS-13 of being an informer. She was brutally killed at the corner of our rural farm on the Shenandoah River.
How Far Does Radicalism Go?
Judges also face heightened dangers. Unlike Portland City Council members, few judges have taxpayer-funded bodyguards when they leave the office. In Chicago and in New Jersey murderers have targeted judges for their decisions.
The most heinous crime in that category featured the Weather Underground, a murder ring that terrorized the nation when I was in college. Fifty years ago this month, Judge Harold Haley, a Superior Court Judge in Marin County, California, was kidnapped and killed by terrorists who burst into his courtroom in an attempt to free several criminals on trial. The guns they used were registered to Angela Davis, a Communist who was tried and declared not guilty of being part of the conspiracy. Davis later served as a college professor and was the 1980 vice-presidential candidate of the U.S. Communist Party. Today she is a supporter of Joe Biden.
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60’s radicalism lived on for years. On November 7, 1983, members of the May 19th Communist Organization planted a bomb just outside the Senate Republican cloakroom. I was working in that room with several Senators and other staff members earlier in the day. The Senate was scheduled to be in session into the evening, but we went out early. Fortunately, the cloakroom was empty when the bomb went off that evening.
Terrorist Susan Rosenberg was eventually captured and convicted of the bombing. She was released from federal prison after serving 16 years of her 58-year prison sentence when Bill Clinton commuted her sentence on his last day in office. Today she sits on the Board of Directors for the fundraising arm of Black Lives Matter.
Testing the Waters
Today BLM and Antifa aren’t just setting police cars on fire. They’re testing the waters to see how far they can go. The bad news is, they’re getting pretty far.
Right now folks in quiet middle-class American suburbs seldom see domestic terrorists. But what will come to pass when local law enforcement is curbed in capacity, and demoralized police are busy fighting marauders on the city streets? How long will it take for such communities to begin policing themselves?
Consider: an unpopular bumper sticker on our car might arouse some serious physical abuse. We know that police are too busy to protect us and to arrest the malefactor.
Antifa knows that police are trained not to react. Does that go for us too?
Christopher Manion earned a Ph.D. in government from Notre Dame. For many years he was the staff director of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, chaired by the late Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C.


thestream--2020-08-18--COVID-19, Death Cases Remain Concentrated: Heritage’s Tracker — and New Graphic Tool — Provide Conte

COVID-19, Death Cases Remain Concentrated: Heritage’s Tracker — and New Graphic Tool — Provide Context

As Heritage Foundation researchers have demonstrated throughout the pandemic , the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. has been heavily concentrated in a small number of states — and among a small number of counties within those states .
Even though the U.S. saw a rapid rise in cases during June and July , the overall levels of concentration have remained fairly consistent .
As our research has pointed out , state-level figures do not adequately describe the concentrated nature of the spread of COVID-19 .
One Percent of Counties Responsible for Half the Covid Deaths As of Aug. 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 deaths , for example , account for 26 % of all the cases in the U.S. and 43 % of all deaths , much greater than their 17 % share of the U.S. population .
That is , just 1 % of the counties in the U.S. , representing 17 % of the population , are responsible for almost half of the country ’ s COVID-19 deaths .
Of those 30 counties , 23 are in the Northeast corridor between Philadelphia and Boston , the passageway served by a commuter railway system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only about 10 % of the counties in the U.S. contain 90 % of all the COVID-19 deaths , even though these counties include 60 % of the population .
Throughout the pandemic , there have been many U.S. counties with relatively few COVID-19 deaths .
For instance , as of May 11 , 64 % of all counties ( 16 % of the population ) had one or fewer COVID-19 deaths .
As of Aug. 11 , 37 % of all counties ( 5 % of the population ) have no more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these numbers obviously have declined since May , many counties still have a relatively small number of COVID-19 deaths .
In particular , as of Aug. 11 , 58 % of all counties ( 12 % of the population ) have five or fewer COVID-19 deaths .
Heritage ’ s new interactive graphic allows individuals to see more detail on these concentrations among the counties with the most deaths as well as those with the fewest .
For instance , the graphic allows users to select data from the five counties with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the 50 counties with the most deaths .
It also allows visitors to select data from counties with zero deaths , all the way to counties with 10 or fewer .
Once a category is selected , the graphic provides the percentage of counties represented by the category , the percentage of the population contained in those counties , and the percentage of all U.S. COVID-19 deaths in those counties .
For example , as of Aug. 11 , 68.2 % of all counties are reporting 10 or fewer deaths .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and account for only 2.9 % of total COVID-19 deaths in the U.S .
In contrast , the five counties with the most COVID-19 deaths represent just 0.2 % of all counties , but they account for 18 % of all COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. , nearly three times their population share of 6.5 % .
A list of the 50 counties with the most deaths is also provided , and this list has not changed very much since April .
New York , for instance , recorded 32,477 deaths as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of New York City saw 23,561 recorded deaths from COVID-19 .
Excluding Richmond County ( Staten Island ) , four of these counties are in the top 10 counties with the most recorded COVID-19 deaths .
Nassau County in New York also makes the Top 5 .
Compared to other places that have been considered hotspots , it is clear that New York City ’ s outbreak is , so far , much more severe .
For comparison , California recorded 10,650 COVID-19 deaths .
Los Angeles County makes the Top 5 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the greater Los Angeles region recorded 7,257 deaths — less than one-third of the deaths to date in New York City .
Now that COVID-19 testing has increased dramatically and many state and local governments have relaxed stay-at-home orders , it is even more critical to study the trends in deaths along with cases .
To make studying these trends easier , The Heritage Foundation now has two interactive COVID-19 trackers .
One tracks trends in cases , the other tracks trends in deaths .
The trackers describe whether the trend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasing or decreasing over the prior 14 days , and provides a visual depiction of new cases — or deaths — during this time period .
These tools help put the concentrated nature of the pandemic in perspective with county-level data .
They show just how difficult it can be to use only one metric to gauge whether a county — or state — is doing well .
Readers are invited to explore the information in the tracker and check back frequently for updates , as well as explore the other visual tools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Drew Gonshorowski focuses his research and writing on the nation ’ s new health care law , including the repercussions for Medicare and Medicaid , as a policy analyst in the Center for Data Analysis at The Heritage Foundation .
He also studies economic mobility and the Austrian school of economics .
Norbert Michel studies and writes about housing finance , including the reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac , as The Heritage Foundation ’ s research fellow in financial regulations .
Read his research .

As Heritage Foundation researchers have demonstrated throughout the pandemic, the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. has been heavily concentrated in a small number of states — and among a small number of counties within those states.
Even though the U.S. saw a rapid rise in cases during June and July, the overall levels of concentration have remained fairly consistent.
As our research has pointed out, state-level figures do not adequately describe the concentrated nature of the spread of COVID-19.
One Percent of Counties Responsible for Half the Covid Deaths
As of Aug. 11, the 30 counties with the most COVID-19 deaths, for example, account for 26% of all the cases in the U.S. and 43% of all deaths, much greater than their 17% share of the U.S. population. That is, just 1% of the counties in the U.S., representing 17% of the population, are responsible for almost half of the country’s COVID-19 deaths.
Of those 30 counties, 23 are in the Northeast corridor between Philadelphia and Boston, the passageway served by a commuter railway system that runs through Manhattan.
Overall, only about 10% of the counties in the U.S. contain 90% of all the COVID-19 deaths, even though these counties include 60% of the population.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Throughout the pandemic, there have been many U.S. counties with relatively few COVID-19 deaths. For instance, as of May 11, 64% of all counties (16% of the population) had one or fewer COVID-19 deaths. As of Aug. 11, 37% of all counties (5% of the population) have no more than one COVID-19 death each.
While these numbers obviously have declined since May, many counties still have a relatively small number of COVID-19 deaths. In particular, as of Aug. 11, 58% of all counties (12% of the population) have five or fewer COVID-19 deaths.
Heritage’s New Interactive Graphic
Heritage’s new interactive graphic allows individuals to see more detail on these concentrations among the counties with the most deaths as well as those with the fewest.
For instance, the graphic allows users to select data from the five counties with the most deaths, all the way up to the 50 counties with the most deaths. It also allows visitors to select data from counties with zero deaths, all the way to counties with 10 or fewer.
Once a category is selected, the graphic provides the percentage of counties represented by the category, the percentage of the population contained in those counties, and the percentage of all U.S. COVID-19 deaths in those counties.
For example, as of Aug. 11, 68.2% of all counties are reporting 10 or fewer deaths. These counties represent 16.7% of the population, and account for only 2.9% of total COVID-19 deaths in the U.S.
In contrast, the five counties with the most COVID-19 deaths represent just 0.2% of all counties, but they account for 18% of all COVID-19 deaths in the U.S., nearly three times their population share of 6.5%.
A list of the 50 counties with the most deaths is also provided, and this list has not changed very much since April. New York, for instance, recorded 32,477 deaths as of Aug. 11.
The five counties of New York City saw 23,561 recorded deaths from COVID-19. Excluding Richmond County (Staten Island), four of these counties are in the top 10 counties with the most recorded COVID-19 deaths. Nassau County in New York also makes the Top 5.
Compared to other places that have been considered hotspots, it is clear that New York City’s outbreak is, so far, much more severe.
For comparison, California recorded 10,650 COVID-19 deaths. Los Angeles County makes the Top 5 of most deaths from COVID-19 at 4,967 deaths, and the greater Los Angeles region recorded 7,257 deaths — less than one-third of the deaths to date in New York City.
Tracking Cases and Deaths
Now that COVID-19 testing has increased dramatically and many state and local governments have relaxed stay-at-home orders, it is even more critical to study the trends in deaths along with cases. To make studying these trends easier, The Heritage Foundation now has two interactive COVID-19 trackers. One tracks trends in cases, the other tracks trends in deaths.
The trackers describe whether the trend of cases — or deaths — is increasing or decreasing over the prior 14 days, and provides a visual depiction of new cases — or deaths — during this time period.
These tools help put the concentrated nature of the pandemic in perspective with county-level data. They show just how difficult it can be to use only one metric to gauge whether a county — or state — is doing well.
Readers are invited to explore the information in the tracker and check back frequently for updates, as well as explore the other visual tools on Heritage’s COVID-19 resources page.
Drew Gonshorowski focuses his research and writing on the nation’s new health care law, including the repercussions for Medicare and Medicaid, as a policy analyst in the Center for Data Analysis at The Heritage Foundation. He also studies economic mobility and the Austrian school of economics.
Norbert Michel studies and writes about housing finance, including the reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as The Heritage Foundation’s research fellow in financial regulations. Read his research.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Signal


thestream--2020-08-18--Military Photo of the Day: Training in Norway

A U.S. Marine fires an M27 infantry assault rifle at simulated targets during a recent drill in Setermoen , Norway @ @ @ @ @ brave Marine for serving our country overseas .

A U.S. Marine fires an M27 infantry assault rifle at simulated targets during a recent drill in Setermoen, Norway.
Thank you to this brave Marine for serving our country overseas.
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thestream--2020-08-18--Michelle Obama Has a Raging Case of Trump Derangement Syndrome

So I watched all two hours of the Democratic National Convention Monday night — primarily so you don ’ t have to .
I consider it an act of public service .
And folks , what a bunch of Debbie Downers these Democrats have become .
No solutions .
No vision .
Only gloom , despair and agony .
My take-away ?
These people truly hate President Trump .
Former First Lady Michelle Obama actually predicted the end of the world as we know it if the President is re-elected .
If you think things can not possibly get worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they will if we don ’ t make a change in this election .
If we have any hope of ending this chaos , we have got to vote for Joe Biden like our lives depend on it .
See what I mean ?
Debbie Downer .
So let me be as honest and clear as I possibly can .
Donald Trump is the wrong President for our country .
He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job , but he is clearly in over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this moment .
He simply can not be who we need him to be for us .
It is what it is .
And of course it wouldn ’ t be an Obama speech without a deep dive into the “ Trump is a racist ” swimming pool .
And yet she failed to mention those innocent people of color and police injured or killed during these months of unrest .
People like Capt .
David Dorn , killed in St. Louis , or black Trump supporter Bernell Trammell gunned down in Milwaukee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phrase from Hillary Clinton , deplorable .
Mrs. Obama was just the headliner in a chorus line of Democrats who blamed President Trump for racism , unemployment , natural disasters and of course the China virus .
One unfortunate soul literally blamed President Trump for killing her father .
I suspect we will be seeing more members of the “ Trump Killed My Daddy ” caucus .
It was a great big prime time mess with musical performances that wouldn ’ t make the opening round of the Eurovision Song Contest .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last night ’ s convention — it was a snooze fest .
You ’ d be more entertained watching a PBS telethon — or watching paint dry .
Mrs. Obama recently announced she had been diagnosed with low-grade depression — but based on that speech last night , I ’ d say she also has raging case of Trump Derangement Syndrome .
Perhaps she will be able to come to terms with how awful our nation has been to Black Americans while convalescing inside her $ 12 million dollar home .
Todd Starnes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and radio talk show host .
His latest book is Culture Jihad : How to Stop the Left From Killing a Nation .

So I watched all two hours of the Democratic National Convention Monday night — primarily so you don’t have to. I consider it an act of public service.
A Bunch of Debbie Downers
And folks, what a bunch of Debbie Downers these Democrats have become.
No solutions. No vision. Only gloom, despair and agony. My take-away? These people truly hate President Trump.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama actually predicted the end of the world as we know it if the President is re-elected.
If you think things cannot possibly get worse, trust me, they can; and they will if we don’t make a change in this election. If we have any hope of ending this chaos, we have got to vote for Joe Biden like our lives depend on it.
See what I mean? Debbie Downer.
So let me be as honest and clear as I possibly can. Donald Trump is the wrong President for our country. He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job, but he is clearly in over his head. He cannot meet this moment. He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us. It is what it is.
“Trump is a Racist”
And of course it wouldn’t be an Obama speech without a deep dive into the “Trump is a racist” swimming pool.
And here at home, as George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and a never-ending list of innocent people of color continue to be murdered, stating the simple fact that a Black life matters is still met with derision from the nation’s highest office.
And yet she failed to mention those innocent people of color and police injured or killed during these months of unrest. People like Capt. David Dorn, killed in St. Louis, or black Trump supporter Bernell Trammell gunned down in Milwaukee.
It was, to borrow a phrase from Hillary Clinton, deplorable.
The Chorus Line of Blame
Mrs. Obama was just the headliner in a chorus line of Democrats who blamed President Trump for racism, unemployment, natural disasters and of course the China virus.
One unfortunate soul literally blamed President Trump for killing her father. I suspect we will be seeing more members of the “Trump Killed My Daddy” caucus.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
It was a great big prime time mess with musical performances that wouldn’t make the opening round of the Eurovision Song Contest.
But perhaps the most egregious offense committed at last night’s convention — it was a snooze fest.
You’d be more entertained watching a PBS telethon — or watching paint dry.
Mrs. Obama recently announced she had been diagnosed with low-grade depression — but based on that speech last night, I’d say she also has raging case of Trump Derangement Syndrome.
Perhaps she will be able to come to terms with how awful our nation has been to Black Americans while convalescing inside her $12 million dollar home.
Todd Starnes is a columnist, commentator, author and radio talk show host. His latest book is Culture Jihad: How to Stop the Left From Killing a Nation.
Originally published at toddstarnes.com. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-08-18--Does the Church Need a ‘President Kamala Harris’ in Order to Fully Awaken?

I certainly hope I ’ m wrong .
I certainly hope it doesn ’ t come to this .
And yet I am concerned .
Will Christian conservatives in America take their foot off the gas if Trump is reelected ?
Will we somehow put our trust in the government to save our nation from moral and cultural decline ?
Will we rely on the White House to fight our battles for life and liberty ?
Or will it take an overtly hostile president to awaken us from our all-too-common complacency and compromise ?
For decades it has been clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Church in America .
For decades it has been clear that we needed a revolution in the Church — by which I mean dramatic reformation and renewal — before we could see the tide turn in our land .
We ’ re Waking Up as We See the Spiritual War We are Fighting Yet it seems that it has taken the COVID-19 crisis to shake us into action .
Finally , on a large , national scale , we are rethinking how to do church and how to be the church .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our congregational buildings .
We are moving beyond “ spectator Christianity.
” We are taking public stands against unfair government practices .
We are waking up .
In addition , the radical nature of the protest movement ( in contrast with legitimate issues concerning reconciliation and justice ) is waking us up .
I ’ m talking about the radical agendas of the BLM movement and Antifa and the growing army of cultural anarchists and political socialists .
These extreme and destructive groups have also helped to awaken slumbering believers , enabling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the very real spiritual war we are fighting .
And all this underscores the importance of the November elections .
Will We Respond Spiritually Based on Who is President ?
But if Trump is reelected , will we be lulled into a false sense of security ?
Will we somehow think that , because he is such a fighter , he will fight our battles for us ?
Although Joe Biden is the presidential candidate for the Democratic Party , should he win , vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris could very likely become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The consequences would be daunting .
As a Christian friend ( and native Californian ) recently expressed to me via email , “ She terrifies me .
At least Biden has a purported Catholic faith and takes a ‘ pragmatic ’ view re : his political stance on abortion… whereas Harris is vehemently anti-life in every conceivable way.
” As for Biden , he already shifted dramatically left during the campaign , abandoning his historic support for the Hyde Amendment , to cite one important example .
And it was Biden , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in favor of same-sex “ marriage ” before President Obama made his real views known .
And it was Biden who earlier this year tweeted , “ Let ’ s be clear : Transgender equality is the civil rights issue of our time.
” So , a President Biden would be dangerous enough when it came to the culture wars .
But a President Harris would be more dangerous still .
Harris Has a Consistent Record of Being Ardently Pro-Abortion Just ask David Daleiden , the courageous activist who exposed Planned Parenthood ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I have been on the receiving end of her abuse of power , ” he said .
As Fox reported , “ Under Harris , California authorities raided Daleiden ’ s home for evidence — prompting questions about her relationship with Planned Parenthood , which has donated to her and many other Democrats .
In May , Daleiden filed a lawsuit alleging that Harris conspired to violate his civil rights through a bogus prosecution.
” With regard to her voting record as a senator , the Washington Times noted that , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 % rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America , appears to support no restrictions on abortion , calling it ‘ a fundamental issue of justice.
’ She voted last year with Senate Democrats to block a GOP bill requiring doctors to treat infants born alive after botched abortions.
” And who can forget how Harris led the vicious assault on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh ?
In the words of Townhall editor Guy Benson , “ Her performance during the Kavanaugh circus stood out as particularly demagogic , cynical & abysmal.
” Yet Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic primaries , could soon be President of the United States .
Is this what it will take to wake up the Church ?
What Will it Take to Wake Up the Church ?
In my new book Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
, I picture two evangelicals debating about Trump , one an ardent supporter and the other an ardent opponent .
The opponent concludes his remarks by saying , “ I would rather stand on principle than compromise my convictions for the sake of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , what have we gained if the laws are changed and the courts are changed but hearts are hardened to the gospel ?
Maybe we would do better if a radical liberal was elected .
Maybe then we would wake up as a church and stop putting our trust in the government and the White House.
” To this the supporter replies , “ Oh , that ’ s a great idea , kind of like not treating cancer so we can see God perform a miracle .
Not on my watch !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ high .
In recent days , speaking face to face at some Christian gatherings , I said this ( as a Trump voter myself ) : “ Four more years of Donald Trump will not save America .
At best , he is like a human wedge , lodged in the door to stop it from slamming .
But if the Church does not wake up and do its job , the nation will go over the edge.
” I was pleased to see numerous believers , many of them Trump voters themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They “ get it ” too .
So , what will it be ?
Will we retain our spiritual urgency no matter who wins in November ?
Will we give ourselves to prayer , fasting , the Great Commission and acts of mercy and righteousness ?
Will we stay involved ( or , finally , get involved ) in the culture ?
Or will we vote for Trump and take our foot off the gas ?
What will it be ?
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads : Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

I certainly hope I’m wrong. I certainly hope it doesn’t come to this. And yet I am concerned. Will Christian conservatives in America take their foot off the gas if Trump is reelected? Will we somehow put our trust in the government to save our nation from moral and cultural decline? Will we rely on the White House to fight our battles for life and liberty? Or will it take an overtly hostile president to awaken us from our all-too-common complacency and compromise?
For decades it has been clear that serious change needed to come to the Church in America. For decades it has been clear that we needed a revolution in the Church — by which I mean dramatic reformation and renewal — before we could see the tide turn in our land.
We’re Waking Up as We See the Spiritual War We are Fighting
Yet it seems that it has taken the COVID-19 crisis to shake us into action. Finally, on a large, national scale, we are rethinking how to do church and how to be the church. We are looking outside the four walls of our congregational buildings. We are moving beyond “spectator Christianity.” We are taking public stands against unfair government practices. We are waking up.
In addition, the radical nature of the protest movement (in contrast with legitimate issues concerning reconciliation and justice) is waking us up.
Although Joe Biden is the presidential candidate for the Democratic Party, should he win, vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris could very likely become president within the next four years. The consequences would be daunting.
I’m talking about the radical agendas of the BLM movement and Antifa and the growing army of cultural anarchists and political socialists.
These extreme and destructive groups have also helped to awaken slumbering believers, enabling us to see with our physical eyes the very real spiritual war we are fighting. And all this underscores the importance of the November elections.
Will We Respond Spiritually Based on Who is President?
But if Trump is reelected, will we be lulled into a false sense of security? Will we somehow think that, because he is such a fighter, he will fight our battles for us?
Although Joe Biden is the presidential candidate for the Democratic Party, should he win, vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris could very likely become president within the next four years. The consequences would be daunting.
As a Christian friend (and native Californian) recently expressed to me via email, “She terrifies me. At least Biden has a purported Catholic faith and takes a ‘pragmatic’ view re: his political stance on abortion… whereas Harris is vehemently anti-life in every conceivable way.”
As for Biden, he already shifted dramatically left during the campaign, abandoning his historic support for the Hyde Amendment, to cite one important example. And it was Biden, as vice president, who spoke out publicly in favor of same-sex “marriage” before President Obama made his real views known. And it was Biden who earlier this year tweeted, “Let’s be clear: Transgender equality is the civil rights issue of our time.”
So, a President Biden would be dangerous enough when it came to the culture wars. But a President Harris would be more dangerous still.
Harris Has a Consistent Record of Being Ardently Pro-Abortion
Just ask David Daleiden, the courageous activist who exposed Planned Parenthood’s trafficking in aborted baby parts. “I have been on the receiving end of her abuse of power,” he said.
As Fox reported, “Under Harris, California authorities raided Daleiden’s home for evidence — prompting questions about her relationship with Planned Parenthood, which has donated to her and many other Democrats. In May, Daleiden filed a lawsuit alleging that Harris conspired to violate his civil rights through a bogus prosecution.”
With regard to her voting record as a senator, the Washington Times noted that, “Ms. Harris, who has a 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America, appears to support no restrictions on abortion, calling it ‘a fundamental issue of justice.’ She voted last year with Senate Democrats to block a GOP bill requiring doctors to treat infants born alive after botched abortions.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
And who can forget how Harris led the vicious assault on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh? In the words of Townhall editor Guy Benson, “Her performance during the Kavanaugh circus stood out as particularly demagogic, cynical & abysmal.”
Yet Harris, despite her poor performance in the Democratic primaries, could soon be President of the United States. Is this what it will take to wake up the Church?
What Will it Take to Wake Up the Church?
In my new book Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test?, I picture two evangelicals debating about Trump, one an ardent supporter and the other an ardent opponent.
The opponent concludes his remarks by saying, “I would rather stand on principle than compromise my convictions for the sake of political expediency. And in the end, what have we gained if the laws are changed and the courts are changed but hearts are hardened to the gospel? Maybe we would do better if a radical liberal was elected. Maybe then we would wake up as a church and stop putting our trust in the government and the White House.”
To this the supporter replies, “Oh, that’s a great idea, kind of like not treating cancer so we can see God perform a miracle. Not on my watch!”
The national stakes really are that high.
In recent days, speaking face to face at some Christian gatherings, I said this (as a Trump voter myself): “Four more years of Donald Trump will not save America. At best, he is like a human wedge, lodged in the door to stop it from slamming. But if the Church does not wake up and do its job, the nation will go over the edge.”
I was pleased to see numerous believers, many of them Trump voters themselves, stand to their feet and applaud. They “get it” too.
So, what will it be? Will we retain our spiritual urgency no matter who wins in November? Will we give ourselves to prayer, fasting, the Great Commission and acts of mercy and righteousness? Will we stay involved (or, finally, get involved) in the culture? Or will we vote for Trump and take our foot off the gas?
What will it be?
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-08-18--Watch Everything You Missed From First Night of the Democratic Convention

The first night of the Democratic National Convention included long pauses and gaps between segments , regretful Republicans , and Bernie Sanders saying Biden has become more progressive .
The Daily Caller combined clips of the ceremony , which was held online due to the coronavirus pandemic , into a video of the highs and lows of the opening night of the convention .
Speakers at the virtual convention included those announced , like Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former Republican Ohio Gov .
John Kasich , as well as other individuals who described themselves as life-long and former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Former first lady Michelle Obama urged voters to participate in the coming general election in her keynote address .
“ Four years ago , too many people chose to believe that their votes didn ’ t matter … whatever the reason , in the end , those choices sent someone to the Oval Office who lost the national popular vote by nearly three million votes.
” The first night of the convention ceremonies opened with a recital of the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem , though no one appeared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Black Lives Matter movement were a strong focus during the first night of the convention , though video clips mostly showed peaceful instances of protesting with a few seconds of more violent demonstrations .
Democratic D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser described recent protests in D.C. as “ peaceful ” in a short speech , though the Metro Police Department arrested 41 people who allegedly “ engaged in riot behavior ” on Sunday night , the Daily Caller reported .
The host for the evening , American actress Eva Longoria , said that voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus by voting for presumptive Democratic nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden and his running mate , Democratic California Sen. Kamala Harris .
Democratic Mayor of New York , Andrew Cuomo said the “ current federal government is dysfunctional and incompetent , ” since the “ European virus infected the Northeast ” while the White House was “ fixated on China.
” Many self-identified Republicans made appearances to express their regret over voting for Trump in 2016 , and voicing support for Biden .
Democratic Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fought for are now “ considered mainstream.
” Sanders said Biden will actively fight climate change by transitioning America to “ 100 % clean energy over the next 15 years , ” and noted that Biden supports a $ 15 per hour minimum wage .
The first night of the convention ended with a musical rendition the Buffalo Springfield song “ For What It ’ s Worth , ” sung Billy Porter and featuring the songwriter Stephen Stills on the guitar .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

The first night of the Democratic National Convention included long pauses and gaps between segments, regretful Republicans, and Bernie Sanders saying Biden has become more progressive.
The Daily Caller combined clips of the ceremony, which was held online due to the coronavirus pandemic, into a video of the highs and lows of the opening night of the convention.
Speakers at the virtual convention included those announced, like Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich, as well as other individuals who described themselves as life-long and former Republicans but now endorse the Democratic ticket.
Former first lady Michelle Obama urged voters to participate in the coming general election in her keynote address. “Four years ago, too many people chose to believe that their votes didn’t matter … whatever the reason, in the end, those choices sent someone to the Oval Office who lost the national popular vote by nearly three million votes.”
The first night of the convention ceremonies opened with a recital of the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem, though no one appeared to kneel, video shows.
Aspects of the Black Lives Matter movement were a strong focus during the first night of the convention, though video clips mostly showed peaceful instances of protesting with a few seconds of more violent demonstrations.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Democratic D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser described recent protests in D.C. as “peaceful” in a short speech, though the Metro Police Department arrested 41 people who allegedly “engaged in riot behavior” on Sunday night, the Daily Caller reported.
.@jdickerson on Michelle Obama's dire warnings in her DNC closing address: "I kept thinking of alarms that say, 'Break Glass In Case Of Emergency.' There was glass all over the place by the end of this speech. This was an emergency speech." https://t.co/yradm5wGff pic.twitter.com/7iJOAw0Flz — CBS News (@CBSNews) August 18, 2020
The host for the evening, American actress Eva Longoria, said that voters could honor those who died due to the coronavirus by voting for presumptive Democratic nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden and his running mate, Democratic California Sen. Kamala Harris.
Democratic Mayor of New York, Andrew Cuomo said the “current federal government is dysfunctional and incompetent,” since the “European virus infected the Northeast” while the White House was “fixated on China.”
Many self-identified Republicans made appearances to express their regret over voting for Trump in 2016, and voicing support for Biden.
Democratic Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said “radical” ideas he and others had fought for are now “considered mainstream.” Sanders said Biden will actively fight climate change by transitioning America to “100% clean energy over the next 15 years,” and noted that Biden supports a $15 per hour minimum wage.
The first night of the convention ended with a musical rendition the Buffalo Springfield song “For What It’s Worth,” sung Billy Porter and featuring the songwriter Stephen Stills on the guitar.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-08-18--3 Things to Know About Trump COVID-19 Adviser Under Attack by the Left

Despite an accomplished career at the Stanford University Medical Center , including writing a leading textbook in his field , Dr. Scott Atlas , the president ’ s new appointee to the White House coronavirus task force , is being dismissed by some liberal commentators as just a political hack .
CNN in several segments labeled Atlas as a “ Fox News guest , ” claiming President Donald Trump ’ s new adviser is “ unscientific ” and part of an “ echo chamber , ” according to tracking by the Media Research Center , a conservative media-watchdog group .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ arguing against expanded COVID-19 testing ” at White House meetings , Politico reported .
He also has opposed government mandates to wear masks .
We are all in this fight together , and only the media has distorted and diminished Dr. Atlas ’ highly acclaimed career , simply because he has come to serve the president .
Dr. Atlas , like all of the medical experts in the administration , is working to carry out the president ’ s number one priority : protecting the health and safety of the American people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential candidates in the past , Atlas has had a largely mainstream role in the medical world .
Here are three things to know about the new doctor on the White House coronavirus task force .
Atlas is a radiologist affiliated with multiple hospitals in the Stanford , California , area , according to U.S. News & World Report .
They include Stanford Health Care-Stanford Hospital and Lucile Packard Children ’ s Hospital Stanford .
The specialty involves reading X-rays , CT scans , and MRIs .
Atlas was a professor and chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 1998 to 2012 .
In that and previous academic positions , Atlas trained more than 100 neurologists , according to the university , which said many of those he trained are now leaders in their field .
Atlas has lectured throughout the world on MRI advances and spoken about economic issues related to technological innovation .
In the private sector , Atlas has advised startup entrepreneurs and companies in life sciences and medical technology , according to Stanford .
Atlas earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the University of Chicago School of Medicine .
In 2007 and early 2008 , Atlas was a health care policy adviser to the Republican presidential campaign of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani .
Four years later , Atlas was a health care policy adviser to the presidential campaign of Republican nominee Mitt Romney , the former Massachusetts governor who is now the junior senator from Utah .
Atlas is a senior fellow at Stanford University ’ s Hoover Institution , a conservative think tank .
He is also a senior fellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Studies , a research institute also housed at Stanford .
According to the Hoover and Stanford websites , Atlas “ investigates the impact of government and the private sector on access , quality , and pricing in health care , global trends in health care innovation , and key economic issues related to the future of technology-based medical advances.
” Atlas has testified before the House Energy and Commerce health subcommittee as well as Congress ’ Joint Economic Committee .
He has briefed directors of federal agencies and members of the House GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Atlas ’ books include Restoring Quality Health Care : A Six-Point Plan for Comprehensive Reform at Lower Cost , published this year .
Another book , In Excellent Health : Setting the Record Straight on America ’ s Health Care System , was published in 2012 .
Atlas also wrote the leading textbook in his field , Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain and Spine .
The fifth edition was released in 2016 ; the book has been translated from English into Mandarin , Spanish and Portuguese , according to Stanford .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientific publications and leading medical journals , according to Stanford .
He has been an editor , an associate editor , and a member of the editorial and scientific boards of several other journals , as well as a member of national and international scientific societies during the past three decades .
He served on the nominating committee for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for several years .
While commentators on CNN have criticized Atlas for being an analyst on Fox News Channel , he has been interviewed and provided analysis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well , according to Stanford .
These other outlets include BBC Radio , The PBS NewsHour , The Wall Street Journal , The New York Times , Forbes magazine , CNN , USA Today , London ’ s Financial Times , Italy ’ s Corriere della Sera , Brazil ’ s Correio Braziliense , Argentina ’ s La Nacion , and India ’ s The Hindu .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Despite an accomplished career at the Stanford University Medical Center, including writing a leading textbook in his field, Dr. Scott Atlas, the president’s new appointee to the White House coronavirus task force, is being dismissed by some liberal commentators as just a political hack.
CNN in several segments labeled Atlas as a “Fox News guest,” claiming President Donald Trump’s new adviser is “unscientific” and part of an “echo chamber,” according to tracking by the Media Research Center, a conservative media-watchdog group.
Atlas has “irritated other aides by arguing against expanded COVID-19 testing” at White House meetings, Politico reported.
He also has opposed government mandates to wear masks.
White House spokesman Judd Deere told Politico:
We are all in this fight together, and only the media has distorted and diminished Dr. Atlas’ highly acclaimed career, simply because he has come to serve the president. Dr. Atlas, like all of the medical experts in the administration, is working to carry out the president’s number one priority: protecting the health and safety of the American people.
Although an adviser to two establishment Republican presidential candidates in the past, Atlas has had a largely mainstream role in the medical world.
Here are three things to know about the new doctor on the White House coronavirus task force.
1. Specialty in Radiology
Atlas is a radiologist affiliated with multiple hospitals in the Stanford, California, area, according to U.S. News & World Report. They include Stanford Health Care-Stanford Hospital and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford.
The specialty involves reading X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. Atlas was a professor and chief of neuroradiology at Stanford University Medical Center from 1998 to 2012.
In that and previous academic positions, Atlas trained more than 100 neurologists, according to the university, which said many of those he trained are now leaders in their field.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Atlas has lectured throughout the world on MRI advances and spoken about economic issues related to technological innovation.
In the private sector, Atlas has advised startup entrepreneurs and companies in life sciences and medical technology, according to Stanford.
Atlas earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his medical degree from the University of Chicago School of Medicine.
2. Political Activity
In 2007 and early 2008, Atlas was a health care policy adviser to the Republican presidential campaign of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Four years later, Atlas was a health care policy adviser to the presidential campaign of Republican nominee Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor who is now the junior senator from Utah.
Atlas is a senior fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, a conservative think tank. He is also a senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, a research institute also housed at Stanford.
According to the Hoover and Stanford websites, Atlas “investigates the impact of government and the private sector on access, quality, and pricing in health care, global trends in health care innovation, and key economic issues related to the future of technology-based medical advances.”
Atlas has testified before the House Energy and Commerce health subcommittee as well as Congress’ Joint Economic Committee. He has briefed directors of federal agencies and members of the House GOP Doctors’ Caucus, Stanford University says.
3. Publications and Media
Atlas’ books include Restoring Quality Health Care: A Six-Point Plan for Comprehensive Reform at Lower Cost, published this year. Another book, In Excellent Health: Setting the Record Straight on America’s Health Care System, was published in 2012.
Atlas also wrote the leading textbook in his field, Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain and Spine. The fifth edition was released in 2016; the book has been translated from English into Mandarin, Spanish and Portuguese, according to Stanford.
Atlas has written for more than 120 scientific publications and leading medical journals, according to Stanford. He has been an editor, an associate editor, and a member of the editorial and scientific boards of several other journals, as well as a member of national and international scientific societies during the past three decades.
He served on the nominating committee for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for several years.
While commentators on CNN have criticized Atlas for being an analyst on Fox News Channel, he has been interviewed and provided analysis to numerous left-leaning and mainstream media outlets as well, according to Stanford.
These other outlets include BBC Radio, The PBS NewsHour, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes magazine, CNN, USA Today, London’s Financial Times, Italy’s Corriere della Sera, Brazil’s Correio Braziliense, Argentina’s La Nacion, and India’s The Hindu.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-08-18--Battle for the Soul of America: My Interview With Richard Lee

Dr. Richard Lee is the President and Speaker for There ’ s Hope America broadcast media and President of There @ @ @ @ @ Hungry food ministry .
His book The Battle for the Soul of America and How @ @ @ @ @ our nation ’ s decent into immorality and the attempt to replace Christianity with godless @ @ @ @ @ how the future of freedom in America depends upon us putting God and His principles @ @ @ @ @ for more pastors to speak the Word of God boldly from their pulpits .
You @ @ @ @ @ in this interview series here .
And be sure to subscribe to The Stream ’ @ @ @ @ @ more .
James Robison is The Stream ’ s founder and publisher .
He is @ @ @ @ @ and co-host of LIFE Today .
He ’ s the author of many books , @ @ @ @ @ Richards ) and Living Amazed .

Dr. Richard Lee is the President and Speaker for There’s Hope America broadcast media and President of There’s Hope for the Hungry food ministry. His book The Battle for the Soul of America and How Christians Can Win It tracks our nation’s decent into immorality and the attempt to replace Christianity with godless Socialism.
Today we discuss how the future of freedom in America depends upon us putting God and His principles first in our lives and for more pastors to speak the Word of God boldly from their pulpits.
You can view all the videos in this interview series here.
And be sure to subscribe to The Stream’s new YouTube channel for more.
James Robison is The Stream’s founder and publisher. He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host of LIFE Today. He’s the author of many books, including Indivisible (with Jay Richards) and Living Amazed.


thestream--2020-08-19--From Eastern Arabia With Love: The UAE Makes Peace With Israel

Last week , Israel and the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) announced that they would be establishing full diplomatic relations .
The UAE is thus the fourth major Mideast nation to do so .
The others are Egypt , Jordan and Turkey .
( The Jewish state is recognized by 84 % of the world ’ s nation-states .
The exceptions are most of the Arab League , along with a few Communist dinosaurs like Cuba and North Korea . )
This is a diplomatic coup for the Trump Administration , which has been pushing for these two American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why would a secular Jewish state and a rich , Arab Bedouin technocratic principality come to terms ?
Especially considering the latter also enforces shari ` a law ?
There are three huge reasons .
The Muslim Brotherhood issue .
The threat of Iran .
And Palestinian fatigue .
The Muslim Brothers are not the same as Saudi Wahhabis .
I know many conservatives , and Christians , conflate them .
But they are wrong to do so .
The former began in Egypt in the early 20th century and believe in making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that democracy is to some degree compatible with Islam .
Especially if it gets rids of hereditary dynasties .
And as long as you vote for shari ` a .
Wahhabis are named after Ibn Abd al-Wahhab , an 18th century Sunni Arab who believed in strict adherence to the Quran and the Hadiths ( sayings of Muhammad ) .
His alliance with the House of Saud eventually produced the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ( KSA ) .
Wahhabis were , and are , Sunni Muslim fundamentalists in religious terms .
Both Muslim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Salafis , ” or imitators of the “ pious ancestors.
” And both want more Islamic law in governance .
But the Brotherhood ’ s end game is a new , pan-Islamic caliphate .
This is anathema to national-regional rulers like Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman , Jordan ’ s King Abd Allah II , and of course Gulf shaykhs Muhammad bin Zaydi al-Nahyan .
Egypt is also opposed to the Muslim Brothers , because of its brief , unpleasant rule there .
Thus , the Sunni Middle East lines up behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rulers .
Qatar , another wealthy Gulf shaykhdom , supports the Muslim Brothers .
This seems oxymoronic .
But it gives that tiny , yet also extremely wealthy , state a mean to stick it to its former ruler , KSA .
Qatar also gets the support of Turkey , which also helps vis-à-vis KSA .
But Qatar is also tight with Iran , both because of KSA , and proximity .
Iraq and Oman also tend to line up with Qatar , on the pro-Iran side .
( Iraq , being also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has no choice in the matter . )
This is anathema to KSA for two major reasons .
As the staunchest Sunni country , the Saudis dislike Iran ’ s Shi ` ism — particularly its eschatological emphasis .
Riyadh sees this , not unreasonably , as unsettling and potentially dangerous .
Furthermore , Iran has a large population ( 80 million ) , a formidable military , and potential fifth columns in KSA ’ s Shi ` i minority .
Tehran is also stirring the Shi ` i pot in Yemen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twelver , Shi ` is .
The Sides in the Conflict How do the sides stack up ?
In one Mideast corner we find KSA , Egypt and the UAE .
In the other are Qatar and Turkey .
Iran and Iraq — which has become the former ’ s satellite — form a Shi ` i bloc .
But Qatar and Turkey can , and sometimes will , work with the ayatollahs .
The Saudi-Egyptian-Emirati alliance really will not .
And where is Israel in all this ?
Tel Aviv sees Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enemy .
This is so even if the Shi ` i state ’ s desire to wipe out Israel is greatly exaggerated .
Yet the Muslim Brotherhood is also a danger .
Hamas the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood .
Also , the Brotherhood ’ s push for transnational Islam threatens Israel .
Israel ’ s list of allies in the region has grown thin .
Its former friend Turkey has gone neo-Ottoman under Erdoğan .
So Tel Aviv has cast its geopolitical lot in with its former enemies KSA , Egypt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part , the Emirati rulers know that Israel has never attacked them .
And it ’ s the only state in the Middle East with nuclear weapons .
This makes it a counterweight to Iran .
Especially if the Islamic Republic does eventually go nuclear .
Finally , the Arab world seems to have decided that 70 years of tilting at Palestinian windmills is quite enough — especially when the latter never miss an opportunity to , well , miss an opportunity .
The Trump Peace Plan , released earlier this year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dollars at the Palestinian territories .
It would have roped in the international community to help the Palestinians create a self-sufficient state .
But the Palestinian Authority , not just Hamas , chose missile over hotels — and peace .
So the UAE joined Egypt and Jordan in recognizing reality .
The Saudis will make formal peace with Israel , too .
When they do , this will mark yet another Trump Administration diplomatic triumph .
The President has been working to undo his predecessor ’ s tilt toward the Islamic Republic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move the U.S. back to its more traditional alliance with key Arab countries .
This will help contain Iran , which is not just the most destabilizing force in the region .
It is also the world ’ s foremost state sponsor of terrorism .
Timothy Furnish holds a Ph.D. in Islamic , World and African history .
He is a former U.S. Army Arabic linguist and , later , civilian consultant to U.S. Special Operations Command .
He ’ s the author of books on the Middle East and Middle-earth ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opiner ( as , for example , on Fox News Channel ’ s War Stories : Fighting ISIS ) .

Last week, Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced that they would be establishing full diplomatic relations. The UAE is thus the fourth major Mideast nation to do so. The others are Egypt, Jordan and Turkey. (The Jewish state is recognized by 84% of the world’s nation-states. The exceptions are most of the Arab League, along with a few Communist dinosaurs like Cuba and North Korea.)
This is a diplomatic coup for the Trump Administration, which has been pushing for these two American allies to bury the hatchet. But why would a secular Jewish state and a rich, Arab Bedouin technocratic principality come to terms? Especially considering the latter also enforces shari`a law? There are three huge reasons. The Muslim Brotherhood issue. The threat of Iran. And Palestinian fatigue.
The Muslim Brotherhood: Reason #1
The Muslim Brothers are not the same as Saudi Wahhabis. I know many conservatives, and Christians, conflate them. But they are wrong to do so. The former began in Egypt in the early 20th century and believe in making politics more Islamic. They also believe that democracy is to some degree compatible with Islam. Especially if it gets rid of hereditary dynasties. And as long as you vote for shari`a.
Wahhabis are named after Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, an 18th century Sunni Arab who believed in strict adherence to the Quran and the Hadiths (sayings of Muhammad). His alliance with the House of Saud eventually produced the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Wahhabis were, and are, Sunni Muslim fundamentalists in religious terms.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Both Muslim Brothers and Wahhabis claim to be “Salafis,” or imitators of the “pious ancestors.” And both want more Islamic law in governance. But the Brotherhood’s end game is a new, pan-Islamic caliphate. This is anathema to national-regional rulers like Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, Jordan’s King Abd Allah II, and of course Gulf shaykhs Muhammad bin Zaydi al-Nahyan. Egypt is also opposed to the Muslim Brothers, because of its brief, unpleasant rule there.
Thus, the Sunni Middle East lines up behind either the transnational Muslim Brothers or national rulers. Qatar, another wealthy Gulf shaykhdom, supports the Muslim Brothers. This seems oxymoronic. But it gives that tiny, yet also extremely wealthy, state a mean to stick it to its former ruler, KSA. Qatar also gets the support of Turkey, which also helps vis-à-vis KSA.
Iran: Reason #2
But Qatar is also tight with Iran, both because of KSA, and proximity. Iraq and Oman also tend to line up with Qatar, on the pro-Iran side. (Iraq, being also majority Twelver Shi`i, really has no choice in the matter.) This is anathema to KSA for two major reasons. As the staunchest Sunni country, the Saudis dislike Iran’s Shi`ism — particularly its eschatological emphasis. Riyadh sees this, not unreasonably, as unsettling and potentially dangerous. Furthermore, Iran has a large population (80 million), a formidable military, and potential fifth columns in KSA’s Shi`i minority. Tehran is also stirring the Shi`i pot in Yemen, although the Zaydis are Fiver, not Twelver, Shi`is.
The Sides in the Conflict
How do the sides stack up? In one Mideast corner we find KSA, Egypt and the UAE. In the other are Qatar and Turkey. Iran and Iraq — which has become the former’s satellite — form a Shi`i bloc. But Qatar and Turkey can, and sometimes will, work with the ayatollahs. The Saudi-Egyptian-Emirati alliance really will not.
And where is Israel in all this? Tel Aviv sees Iran, quite rightly, as its main enemy. This is so even if the Shi`i state’s desire to wipe out Israel is greatly exaggerated. Yet the Muslim Brotherhood is also a danger. Hamas is the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. Also, the Brotherhood’s push for transnational Islam threatens Israel. Israel’s list of allies in the region has grown thin. Its former friend Turkey has gone neo-Ottoman under Erdoğan. So Tel Aviv has cast its geopolitical lot in with its former enemies KSA, Egypt — and now UAE. For its part, the Emirati rulers know that Israel has never attacked them. And it’s the only state in the Middle East with nuclear weapons. This makes it a counterweight to Iran. Especially if the Islamic Republic does eventually go nuclear.
Everyone’s Tired of the Palestinians: Reason #3
Finally, the Arab world seems to have decided that 70 years of tilting at Palestinian windmills is quite enough — especially when the latter never miss an opportunity to, well, miss an opportunity. The Trump Peace Plan, released earlier this year, was going to throw yet more billions of dollars at the Palestinian territories. It would have roped in the international community to help the Palestinians create a self-sufficient state. But the Palestinian Authority, not just Hamas, chose missile over hotels — and peace.
So the UAE joined Egypt and Jordan in recognizing reality. The Saudis will make formal peace with Israel, too. When they do, this will mark yet another Trump Administration diplomatic triumph. The President has been working to undo his predecessor’s tilt toward the Islamic Republic of Iran. His goal has been to move the U.S. back to its more traditional alliance with key Arab countries. This will help contain Iran, which is not just the most destabilizing force in the region. It is also the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism.
Timothy Furnish holds a Ph.D. in Islamic, World and African history. He is a former U.S. Army Arabic linguist and, later, civilian consultant to U.S. Special Operations Command. He’s the author of books on the Middle East and Middle-earth; a history professor; and sometime media opiner (as, for example, on Fox News Channel’s War Stories: Fighting ISIS).