thestream--2020-08-05--Will Black Voters Tip the Scales and Re-Elect Donald Trump? This Book Says Yes

When The Stream learned about the intriguing new book , Coming Home : How Black American Voters Will Re-Elect Trump , we knew we had to cover it .
We asked Stream contributor and civil rights leader Rev .
Bill Owens , and his wife , Dr. Deborah Owens , to interview the authors , Vernon Robinson III and Bruce Eberle .
Bill & Deborah Owens : Your book Coming Home posits that Black voters were critical to President Trump ’ s victory in 2016 .
Also that African Americans will vote for Trump in even greater numbers in 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the traditional voting patterns for African Americans ?
Vernon Robinson III and Bruce Eberle : Approximately one-third of black Americans are conservative on issues such as choice schools , abortion , national defense , taxes , the right-to-life , job creation , etc .
We have known that for decades .
Nothing has really changed in that regard since Richard Nixon won 32 % of the black vote in 1960 .
But the real problem is that after the Goldwater defeat , Republicans quit communicating with black voters .
And , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field to themselves .
They could tell black voters that if they vote Republican another black church will burn down ( Missouri Democratic Party radio ads ) and worse .
“ Smart ” inside-the-Beltway consultants advised Republican candidates to avoid all communications with black voters .
To do so would only increase black turnout and thus aid their opponents .
When Republicans do communicate with black voters as Trump did for the first time in 2016 ?
That doesn ’ t mean you will win over 30 % of the black vote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ told for fifty years that all Republicans are racist .
However , if you communicate with them electronically , over urban contemporary radio stations and door-to-door , you can win over a good portion of that vote .
You can not automatically ask them to vote for all Republican candidates .
Like Roosevelt in 1936 ( the first year he won the black vote ) , you ask them to vote for the presidential candidate , not other party members .
It wasn ’ t until 1948 that a majority of black Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communicate with black voters there are three responses : a ) No , I will never vote for a “ racist ” Republican .
b ) I agree with the Republican on the issues , but I don ’ t trust him or her enough to vote for him , I ’ ll just sit this election out .
c ) I agree with the Republican candidate .
The Democrats have done nothing for black Americans .
I ’ ll take a chance and vote for the Republican candidate .
In the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have motivated the black voter to vote for him or her .
Many black Americans really are fed up with the lies and broken promises of the Democrats .
Is There Life After George Floyd ’ s Death ?
There ’ s been a vast political uproar following the death of George Floyd .
Combine that with the frequently-repeated claims that President Trump is “ racist.
” One might expect the president to have difficulty retaining the minority vote in this election .
How is it possible that Trump could not only keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African American vote in 2020 ?
It is surprising only to uninformed pollsters and Democrats .
The reality is that about one-third of black Americans ( including aspiring poor black Americans ) hold exactly the same political views as do conservative white Americans .
See the Rasmussen poll taken about a week and a half after the George Floyd death .
In fact , black support for Trump soared in the black community .
People knew that he wanted peace , calm , and competent law enforcement in their communities .
Such communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suburbs .
I read a poll showing that about 87 % of those black Americans in the worst areas abide by the law .
Only about 13 % break the law in any way .
That is a high number , but those 87 % want a police presence .
A violent community is not a successful community .
Why Trump ?
Why Now ?
What is it about President Trump that makes him appealing to African American voters ?
Is his success a result of his policies , social trends , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a number of answers .
• Donald Trump ’ s award-winning TV show The Apprentice was more popular with black Americans than with white Americans .
He started off with a positive image .
• Donald Trump made a direct appeal to black voters in 2016 and is doing that again in 2020 .
• He made promises to the black community on choice schools , abortion , prison reform , jobs , wages , energy , enterprise zones , etc .
And he has kept them .
• He has continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attract black leaders , bringing them to the White House , and listening to them .
Is there any hope for the GOP that gains among black voters may continue even after Trump leaves office ?
Black support is not immediately transferable .
But black support played a major role in helping to elect a Republican candidate to Congress in North Carolina in a special election .
It will come especially to black candidates who spend time and money reaching out to black voters .
About 30 black Republicans won their congressional district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump wins handily , he will pull in some of those black candidates with him .
Why is the Democratic Party losing the loyalty of black voters ?
Is this a problem of policies ?
Personalities ?
Both ?
This movement is both organic and issue-driven .
It is organic in that the Democrats have not lived up to their promises .
In fact , they have followed racist policies .
Like blocking a good choice of schools .
Or supporting Planned Parenthood that specifically targets black babies for abortion .
Backing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with cheap labor that steals black jobs , or drives down the wages of black Americans .
Denying black Americans living in cities their Second Amendment rights .
And driving up the cost of energy , which hurts poor black Americans the most .
In each election Republicans should be winning at least 30 % of the black vote at every level .
What could the Democrats keep African Americans from leaving their party ?
Democrat policies are racist .
They don ’ t care about black Americans .
That ’ s why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their party if they don ’ t toe the line .
If the Republicans are smart enough to go after the black vote Democrats have nothing to stop it except calling Republicans racist .
That is old , tired , worn-out and it is a lie .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
For African Americans , what has been the most damaging aspect of the far left ’ s increasing influence over American politics and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied the opportunity to participate in the American Dream .
The primary thing stopping them is the awful schools they are forced to send their children to .
You can ’ t succeed in life if you can ’ t read , can ’ t add , and can ’ t communicate well .
But , today , as during the civil rights years , Democrats effectively stand in the school house door denying good schools to black Americans .
We must repeal legislation that has destroyed the black family .
Without intact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to join gangs that provide an awful role model to live up to .
What Donald Trump is trying to do is nothing less than transformational .
The BREATHE Act is a Democrat-sponsored bill intended to address police brutality .
It cuts funding for police , immigration enforcement , and drug enforcement .
It also includes a reparations program as well as sweeping changes to immigration law and law enforcement techniques .
Why do you believe this bill is especially harmful to African Americans ?
A violent community is a failed community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans know that as much or more than white Americans .
By wide margins black Americans want to be able to rely on law enforcement .
That was encapsulated by the black woman who was arrested for pouring black paint on de Blasio ’ s BLM street art outside the Trump Tower .
She was shouting , “ They lie , they lie .
Re-fund the police.
” It has been suggested that polls and surveys tend to understate President Trump ’ s support .
People point to a reluctance among respondents to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for the president .
How much do you think the “ silent Trump supporter ” phenomenon factors into the black vote ?
Polling was very inaccurate in the 2016 cycle .
You can find an article in Wired magazine , April 2016 that explains the reasons for this .
Early polls are even more inaccurate .
They fluctuate wildly .
The latest Rasmussen poll has Trump in a dead heat with Biden , but had him down ten points about ten days earlier .
Yes , there is a so-called hidden Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote for BREXIT in England .
If you scare voters and try to shame them , it makes polling very inaccurate .
I watch two polling organizations who were the most accurate in 2016 — Rasmussen and Trafalgar .
What are your predictions for the 2020 election ?
In spite of the dire polls and predictions of defeat , Donald Trump will win , and he will win handily .
I will not be surprised if he wins 25 % of the black vote and 55 % of the general election vote overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in segregated Memphis , Tenn .
He joined the Civil Rights movement and participated in non-violent protests .
He is the President/Founder of the Coalition of African-American Pastors ( CAAP ) , which promotes Christian values and religious liberty by coordinating the activities of black churches .
Dr. Deborah De Sousa Owens heads CAAP ’ s education department and CAAP ’ s Women ’ s Ministry .
Together , they are the co-authors of A Dream Derailed .

When The Stream learned about the intriguing new book, Coming Home: How Black American Voters Will Re-Elect Trump, we knew we had to cover it. We asked Stream contributor and civil rights leader Rev. Bill Owens, and his wife, Dr. Deborah Owens, to interview the authors, Vernon Robinson III and Bruce Eberle.
Bill & Deborah Owens: Your book Coming Home posits that Black voters were critical to President Trump’s victory in 2016. Also that African Americans will vote for Trump in even greater numbers in 2020. How do you explain this shift in the traditional voting patterns for African Americans?
Vernon Robinson III and Bruce Eberle: Approximately one-third of black Americans are conservative on issues such as choice schools, abortion, national defense, taxes, the right-to-life, job creation, etc. We have known that for decades. Nothing has really changed in that regard since Richard Nixon won 32% of the black vote in 1960.
But the real problem is that after the Goldwater defeat, Republicans quit communicating with black voters. And, when they stopped, the Democrats had the field to themselves. They could tell black voters that if they vote Republican another black church will burn down (Missouri Democratic Party radio ads) and worse. “Smart” inside-the-Beltway consultants advised Republican candidates to avoid all communications with black voters. To do so would only increase black turnout and thus aid their opponents.
When Republicans do communicate with black voters as Trump did for the first time in 2016? That doesn’t mean you will win over 30% of the black vote. After all, black voters have been told for fifty years that all Republicans are racist. However, if you communicate with them electronically, over urban contemporary radio stations and door-to-door, you can win over a good portion of that vote.
What to Expect
You cannot automatically ask them to vote for all Republican candidates. Like Roosevelt in 1936 (the first year he won the black vote), you ask them to vote for the presidential candidate, not other party members. It wasn’t until 1948 that a majority of black Americans identified themselves as Democrats.
When you communicate with black voters there are three responses:
a) No, I will never vote for a “racist” Republican.
b) I agree with the Republican on the issues, but I don’t trust him or her enough to vote for him, I’ll just sit this election out.
c) I agree with the Republican candidate. The Democrats have done nothing for black Americans. I’ll take a chance and vote for the Republican candidate.
In the last case, the candidate’s efforts have motivated the black voter to vote for him or her. Many black Americans really are fed up with the lies and broken promises of the Democrats.
Is There Life After George Floyd’s Death?
There’s been a vast political uproar following the death of George Floyd. Combine that with the frequently-repeated claims that President Trump is “racist.” One might expect the president to have difficulty retaining the minority vote in this election. How is it possible that Trump could not only keep, but expand his share of the African American vote in 2020?
It is surprising only to uninformed pollsters and Democrats. The reality is that about one-third of black Americans (including aspiring poor black Americans) hold exactly the same political views as do conservative white Americans. See the Rasmussen poll taken about a week and a half after the George Floyd death. In fact, black support for Trump soared in the black community.
People knew that he wanted peace, calm, and competent law enforcement in their communities. Such communities are more subject to violence than the suburbs. I read a poll showing that about 87% of those black Americans in the worst areas abide by the law. Only about 13% break the law in any way. That is a high number, but those 87% want a police presence. A violent community is not a successful community.
Why Trump? Why Now?
What is it about President Trump that makes him appealing to African American voters? Is his success a result of his policies, social trends, or some combination of the two?
There are a number of answers.
Donald Trump’s award-winning TV show The Apprentice was more popular with black Americans than with white Americans. He started off with a positive image.
Donald Trump made a direct appeal to black voters in 2016 and is doing that again in 2020.
He made promises to the black community on choice schools, abortion, prison reform, jobs, wages, energy, enterprise zones, etc. And he has kept them.
He has continued to work with, appoint, and attract black leaders, bringing them to the White House, and listening to them.
A Black GOP Trend?
Is there any hope for the GOP that gains among black voters may continue even after Trump leaves office?
Black support is not immediately transferable. But black support played a major role in helping to elect a Republican candidate to Congress in North Carolina in a special election. It will come especially to black candidates who spend time and money reaching out to black voters. About 30 black Republicans won their congressional district nomination in this election cycle. If Donald Trump wins handily, he will pull in some of those black candidates with him.
Why is the Democratic Party losing the loyalty of black voters? Is this a problem of policies? Personalities? Both?
This movement is both organic and issue-driven. It is organic in that the Democrats have not lived up to their promises. In fact, they have followed racist policies. Like blocking a good choice of schools. Or supporting Planned Parenthood that specifically targets black babies for abortion. Backing open borders that flood the job market with cheap labor that steals black jobs, or drives down the wages of black Americans. Denying black Americans living in cities their Second Amendment rights. And driving up the cost of energy, which hurts poor black Americans the most. In each election Republicans should be winning at least 30% of the black vote at every level.
Broken Democrat Promises
What could the Democrats keep African Americans from leaving their party?
Democrat policies are racist. They don’t care about black Americans. That’s why they are driving black Democrat politicians out of their party if they don’t toe the line. If the Republicans are smart enough to go after the black vote Democrats have nothing to stop it except calling Republicans racist. That is old, tired, worn-out and it is a lie.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
For African Americans, what has been the most damaging aspect of the far left’s increasing influence over American politics and social media?
Black Americans have been denied the opportunity to participate in the American Dream. The primary thing stopping them is the awful schools they are forced to send their children to. You can’t succeed in life if you can’t read, can’t add, and can’t communicate well. But, today, as during the civil rights years, Democrats effectively stand in the school house door denying good schools to black Americans.
We must repeal legislation that has destroyed the black family. Without intact black families, young black men will continue to join gangs that provide an awful role model to live up to. What Donald Trump is trying to do is nothing less than transformational.
Law Enforcement
The BREATHE Act is a Democrat-sponsored bill intended to address police brutality. It cuts funding for police, immigration enforcement, and drug enforcement. It also includes a reparations program as well as sweeping changes to immigration law and law enforcement techniques. Why do you believe this bill is especially harmful to African Americans?
A violent community is a failed community. It does not function and black Americans know that as much or more than white Americans. By wide margins black Americans want to be able to rely on law enforcement. That was encapsulated by the black woman who was arrested for pouring black paint on de Blasio’s BLM street art outside the Trump Tower. She was shouting, “They lie, they lie. Re-fund the police.”
Polling and Silent Support
It has been suggested that polls and surveys tend to understate President Trump’s support. People point to a reluctance among respondents to expose themselves to perceived backlash with vocal support for the president. How much do you think the “silent Trump supporter” phenomenon factors into the black vote?
Polling was very inaccurate in the 2016 cycle. You can find an article in Wired magazine, April 2016 that explains the reasons for this. Early polls are even more inaccurate. They fluctuate wildly. The latest Rasmussen poll has Trump in a dead heat with Biden, but had him down ten points about ten days earlier. Yes, there is a so-called hidden Trump vote just as there was a hidden vote for BREXIT in England. If you scare voters and try to shame them, it makes polling very inaccurate. I watch two polling organizations who were the most accurate in 2016 — Rasmussen and Trafalgar.
What are your predictions for the 2020 election?
In spite of the dire polls and predictions of defeat, Donald Trump will win, and he will win handily. I will not be surprised if he wins 25% of the black vote and 55% of the general election vote overall.
Rev. Bill Owens grew up in segregated Memphis, Tenn. He joined the Civil Rights movement and participated in non-violent protests. He is the President/Founder of the Coalition of African-American Pastors (CAAP), which promotes Christian values and religious liberty by coordinating the activities of black churches. Dr. Deborah De Sousa Owens heads CAAP’s education department and CAAP’s Women’s Ministry.
Together, they are the co-authors of A Dream Derailed.


thestream--2020-08-05--Chicago Lawmaker Wants to Cancel History Classes ‘Until a Suitable Alternative Can Be Found’

Chicago-area leaders urged the Illinois State Board of Education on Sunday to halt history classes that “ unfairly ” communicate history until an “ alternative ” can be found .
Democratic state Rep. LaShawn Ford of Chicago said the current state history curriculum leads to a “ racist society ” and may cause “ white privilege ” before a Sunday press conference in Evanston in a release obtained by NBC 5 .
In the release , Ford called to replace courses and books that “ unfairly communicate ” history until a “ suitable alternative is developed.
” “ When it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need to end the miseducation of Illinoisans , ” Ford said in the release .
“ I ’ m calling on the Illinois State Board of Education and local school districts to take immediate action by removing current history books and curriculum practices that unfairly communicate our history.
” “ Until a suitable alternative is developed , we should instead devote greater attention toward civics and ensuring students understand our democratic processes and how they can be involved , ” he continued .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moral Issues of Our Day .
Evanston Mayor Steve Hagerty , a Democrat , said , according to the release , “ As Mayor , I am not comfortable speaking on education , curriculum , and whether history lessons should be suspended .
This is not my area.
” He continued , “ Personally , I support House Bill 4954 because I am interested in learning more and believe the history of Black people should be taught to all children and include all groups , Women , LatinX , and Native Indians who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of We Will said in the release that “ miseducation ” has led to “ systemic racism.
” We Will is an organization dedicated to women ’ s empowerment , according to its webpage .
“ It is urgent that it comes to an end as we witness our current climate become more hostile , ” Gardner said .
“ Miseducation has fed and continues to feed systemic racism for generations .
If Black History continues to be devalued and taught incorrectly , then it will call for further action.
” Increased racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd , who was pronounced deceased after a police officer knelt on his neck for over eight minutes .
Chicago recently removed two Christopher Columbus statues that were the subject of violent protests between officers and demonstrators .
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 .

Chicago-area leaders urged the Illinois State Board of Education on Sunday to halt history classes that “unfairly” communicate history until an “alternative” can be found.
Democratic state Rep. LaShawn Ford of Chicago said the current state history curriculum leads to a “racist society” and may cause “white privilege” before a Sunday press conference in Evanston in a release obtained by NBC 5. In the release, Ford called to replace courses and books that “unfairly communicate” history until a “suitable alternative is developed.”
“When it comes to teaching history in Illinois, we need to end the miseducation of Illinoisans,” Ford said in the release. “I’m calling on the Illinois State Board of Education and local school districts to take immediate action by removing current history books and curriculum practices that unfairly communicate our history.”
“Until a suitable alternative is developed, we should instead devote greater attention toward civics and ensuring students understand our democratic processes and how they can be involved,” he continued.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Evanston Mayor Steve Hagerty, a Democrat, said, according to the release, “As Mayor, I am not comfortable speaking on education, curriculum, and whether history lessons should be suspended. This is not my area.”
He continued, “Personally, I support House Bill 4954 because I am interested in learning more and believe the history of Black people should be taught to all children and include all groups, Women, LatinX, and Native Indians who helped to build America.”
Meleika Gardner of We Will said in the release that “miseducation” has led to “systemic racism.” We Will is an organization dedicated to women’s empowerment, according to its webpage.
“It is urgent that it comes to an end as we witness our current climate become more hostile,” Gardner said. “Miseducation has fed and continues to feed systemic racism for generations. If Black History continues to be devalued and taught incorrectly, then it will call for further action.”
Increased racial tensions have followed the death of George Floyd, who was pronounced deceased after a police officer knelt on his neck for over eight minutes. Chicago recently removed two Christopher Columbus statues that were the subject of violent protests between officers and demonstrators.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-08-06--Is the Left Using George Floyd to Impose a Police State?

Like virtually all Americans , including cops and their family members , I was appalled by the footage we saw of George Floyd ’ s arrest .
It tapped into an utterly primal fear , the terror of bullies .
It reminded us how dangerous the modern state can be .
This institution , between 1914 and 1990 , intentionally murdered 170 million civilians , not including casualties of war .
That ’ s why we must cling , bitterly or not , to our Second Amendment freedoms .
Hearing Floyd croak “ I can ’ t breathe ” touched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also echoed scenes we might recall from classic works exposing the evils of totalitarianism .
Yes , 1984 , of course .
( “ A boot , crushing a human face … forever.
” ) But there are other works too that are less well-known now than they were in the Cold War .
Now with the rise of a violent , fanatical left that acts as the paramilitary wing of the Democrat party , they deserve our attention again .
As we prep for this election , I recommend just a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Koestler .
It depicts a loyal Communist returning to Stalin ’ s Russia .
He desperately tries to keep faith with a Party that has chosen to put him to death .
He tortures his own mind in the style today ’ s “ Woke ” white liberals do , convicting themselves of unconscious racism .
The hero knows that he is innocent of treason on behalf of Nazi Germany .
But the Party ( which is infallible ) considers him “ objectively ” an obstacle to Progress .
And the “ verdict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die .
So he is content to .
He willingly confesses to a long string of made-up crimes .
Then he goes to his death feeling righteous .
The Gulag Archipelago , by Alexander Solzhenitsyn .
It shows through dozens of ruined lives how radical ideology can dig an earthly Hell so deep you can barely imagine it .
The vastness and grandeur of the earthly paradise promised can excuse almost any crime .
And empower the cruelest petty tyrants ever to wield a bullystick or pistol .
Mao : The Unknown Story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This history by escapees from Communist China is perhaps the most relevant now .
That ’ s because the current government of rising power China has rehabilitated Mao .
It openly emulates some of his most appalling atrocities .
Those Nike sneakers Colin Kaepernick wears while refusing to stand for our national anthem ?
They may have been made by ethnic Uighur slaves , in prison camps because of their race and their religion .
Mao enslaved almost a billion people , to toil for the comfort of his pet party elites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and ruthless personal destruction of ideological “ enemies ” like Nick Sandman , Mike Adams , and ( yes ) Donald Trump were pioneered during China ’ s fanatical Cultural Revolution .
If you don ’ t have time for novels ( make time ! )
, rent movies like The Death of Stalin , The Killing Fields , or Famine 33 — the last one an unjustly neglected work of art depicting Stalin ’ s artificial famine in Ukraine .
It ’ s the first movie made in Ukraine after perestroika @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smash up churches and steal grain from hungry peasants will remind you of Antifa .
The “ social justice ” slogans they use as excuses today are echoed by the Marxists of Black Lives Matter .
At the end of our class on the twentieth century , I showed it to students I taught in college .
I said just this : “ Ideas have consequences .
These are the consequences of Karl Marx ’ s ideas.
” Share these documents to wake your fellow citizens up about the threat posed by angry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s what the Democrats hope to scare us or fool us into handing them in November .
Patrick Buchanan warns us exactly how radical their agenda would prove in practice : Remember how New York governor Andrew Cuomo said that pro-lifers , biblical Christians , and gun owners should simply leave his state ?
His party is ready to remake the entire U.S. on the New York model , using virus-fears and race-baiting as the nightsticks they club us with .
Yes , the death of George Floyd was a moment we should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a wave of public violence across the country .
Then the seizure of control over the streets of major cities by armed , organized thugs .
Men clad in body armor , communicating by pricey earpieces , coordinated and savage .
They beat up reporters , dissenters , and ordinary civilians .
Some used lasers to blind federal officers .
This isn ’ t a wave of peaceful protesters , but a domestic terrorist army .
And Democrats won ’ t denounce them .
In fact , they wield these thugs as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s genuine black anger in America , which grows out of very real suffering .
As I showed last week , the real source of that suffering isn ’ t the hapless cops who try to keep order among young , angry fatherless boys .
What millions of blacks and blue collar whites endure is the aftermath of the Sexual Revolution .
It ’ s the toxic hangover from Hugh Hefner ’ s dry martinis and Margaret Sanger ’ s Utopian fantasies .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The left doesn ’ t want us to question its sex-trafficking porn sites or ghetto abortion clinics .
So it trots out the crackpot conspiracy theory that the U.S. is ruled by “ systemic racism.
” That ’ s a lie , as shabby and facile as Stalin ’ s claims that “ saboteurs ” and “ greedy peasants ” were behind the famines and shortages that socialism produces .
Lies so at once vicious and politically useful claim scapegoats , and exult in show trials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney General Barr .
How the FBI framed Michael Flynn .
How the media tried and convicted Brett Kavanaugh and Mark Judge of running a rape gang .
Or Nick Sandmann and his friends for acting as “ white supremacist ” bullies .
Think , if the left gets the one-party state it ’ s aiming for in November , what people as ruthless as today ’ s left might do to your pastor , or you .
What Really Happened to George Floyd ?
In my next column , I ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bodycam footage from the arrest of George Floyd .
We ’ ll see if the facts it exposes merit the charges aimed both at the officers involved .
And at our country and culture as a whole .
Or do they reveal something much more complicated and tragic ?
Namely , a country where local police can not possibly contain the chaos unleashed by the left ’ s willful destruction of the family ?
John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream , and author or co-author of ten books , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism .
He is co-author with Jason Jones of “ God , Guns , & the Government .
”

Like virtually all Americans, including cops and their family members, I was appalled by the footage we saw of George Floyd’s arrest. It tapped into an utterly primal fear, the terror of bullies. It reminded us how dangerous the modern state can be. This institution, between 1914 and 1990, intentionally murdered 170 million civilians, not including casualties of war. That’s why we must cling, bitterly or not, to our Second Amendment freedoms.
Hearing Floyd croak “I can’t breathe” touched our guts with genuine empathy. It also echoed scenes we might recall from classic works exposing the evils of totalitarianism.
Yes, 1984, of course. (“A boot, crushing a human face … forever.”)
Grim Warnings from the Cold War
But there are other works too that are less well-known now than they were in the Cold War. Now with the rise of a violent, fanatical left that acts as the paramilitary wing of the Democrat party, they deserve our attention again. As we prep for this election, I recommend just a few.
Darkness at Noon, by Arthur Koestler. It depicts a loyal Communist returning to Stalin’s Russia. He desperately tries to keep faith with a Party that has chosen to put him to death. He tortures his own mind in the style today’s “Woke” white liberals do, convicting themselves of unconscious racism. The hero knows that he is innocent of treason on behalf of Nazi Germany. But the Party (which is infallible) considers him “objectively” an obstacle to Progress. And the “verdict of History” decrees that he must die. So he is content to. He willingly confesses to a long string of made-up crimes. Then he goes to his death feeling righteous.
The Gulag Archipelago, by Alexander Solzhenitsyn. It shows through dozens of ruined lives how radical ideology can dig an earthly Hell so deep you can barely imagine it. The vastness and grandeur of the earthly paradise promised can excuse almost any crime. And empower the cruelest petty tyrants ever to wield a bullystick or pistol.
Mao: The Unknown Story, by Jung Chang and Jon Halliday. This history by escapees from Communist China is perhaps the most relevant now. That’s because the current government of rising power China has rehabilitated Mao. It openly emulates some of his most appalling atrocities. Those Nike sneakers Colin Kaepernick wears while refusing to stand for our national anthem? They may have been made by ethnic Uighur slaves, in prison camps because of their race and their religion.
Mao enslaved almost a billion people, to toil for the comfort of his pet party elites. The mob tactics, public shaming, and ruthless personal destruction of ideological “enemies” like Nick Sandman, Mike Adams, and (yes) Donald Trump were pioneered during China’s fanatical Cultural Revolution.
Hearing Floyd croak “I can’t breathe” touched our guts with genuine empathy. It also echoed scenes we might recall from classic works exposing the evils of totalitarianism.
Films You Can’t Miss
If you don’t have time for novels (make time!), rent movies like The Death of Stalin, The Killing Fields, or Famine 33 — the last one an unjustly neglected work of art depicting Stalin’s artificial famine in Ukraine. It’s the first movie made in Ukraine after perestroika. The thugs who march in and smash up churches and steal grain from hungry peasants will remind you of Antifa. The “social justice” slogans they use as excuses today are echoed by the Marxists of Black Lives Matter. At the end of our class on the twentieth century, I showed it to students I taught in college. I said just this: “Ideas have consequences. These are the consequences of Karl Marx’s ideas.”
Share these documents to wake your fellow citizens up about the threat posed by angry radicals demanding unaccountable power.
The Democrats’ Plan for a One-Party State
That’s what the Democrats hope to scare us or fool us into handing them in November. Patrick Buchanan warns us exactly how radical their agenda would prove in practice:
By calling the filibuster “another Jim Crow relic” the ex-president [Obama] was putting progressives on notice that failure to get rid of it would be to collaborate with racists. After abolishing the filibuster, says Obama, Democrats should ram through statehood for Puerto Rico and D.C., thereby expanding the Senate to 104 members, and adding four new Democratic senators. That new Senate, says Obama, should enact every law possible to enlarge and expand the electorate, including extending the ballot to ex-convicts.
Remember how New York governor Andrew Cuomo said that pro-lifers, biblical Christians, and gun owners should simply leave his state? His party is ready to remake the entire U.S. on the New York model, using virus-fears and race-baiting as the nightsticks they club us with.
Domestic Terrorist Armies Seizing Our Cities
Yes, the death of George Floyd was a moment we should grieve. But it became a pretext for a wave of public violence across the country. Then the seizure of control over the streets of major cities by armed, organized thugs. Men clad in body armor, communicating by pricey earpieces, coordinated and savage. They beat up reporters, dissenters, and ordinary civilians. Some used lasers to blind federal officers. This isn’t a wave of peaceful protesters, but a domestic terrorist army. And Democrats won’t denounce them. In fact, they wield these thugs as weapons.
The New Scapegoat: You
There’s genuine black anger in America, which grows out of very real suffering. As I showed last week, the real source of that suffering isn’t the hapless cops who try to keep order among young, angry fatherless boys. What millions of blacks and blue collar whites endure is the aftermath of the Sexual Revolution. It’s the toxic hangover from Hugh Hefner’s dry martinis and Margaret Sanger’s Utopian fantasies.
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The left doesn’t want us to question its sex-trafficking porn sites or ghetto abortion clinics. So it trots out the crackpot conspiracy theory that the U.S. is ruled by “systemic racism.” That’s a lie, as shabby and facile as Stalin’s claims that “saboteurs” and “greedy peasants” were behind the famines and shortages that socialism produces. Lies so at once vicious and politically useful claim scapegoats, and exult in show trials.
Think of how House Democrats treated Attorney General Barr. How the FBI framed Michael Flynn. How the media tried and convicted Brett Kavanaugh and Mark Judge of running a rape gang. Or Nick Sandmann and his friends for acting as “white supremacist” bullies.
Think, if the left gets the one-party state it’s aiming for in November, what people as ruthless as today’s left might do to your pastor, or you.
What Really Happened to George Floyd?
In my next column, I’ll examine the too long-hidden, finally leaked bodycam footage from the arrest of George Floyd. We’ll see if the facts it exposes merit the charges aimed both at the officers involved. And at our country and culture as a whole. Or do they reveal something much more complicated and tragic? Namely, a country where local police cannot possibly contain the chaos unleashed by the left’s willful destruction of the family?
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--2020-08-06--Hydroxychloroquine Helps Poor Nations Overcome COVID-19

Controversy rages in the United States over the use of Hydroxychloroquine ( HCQ ) for COVID-19 .
Critics — so many driven to fight HCQ because President Trump advocated for it —refuse to yield to evidence that it works .
Yet that evidence is pouring in from around the world .
There , it has been a vital tool for both prevention and treatment .
It could be reducing case fatality rates .
Including in my home country .
The largest population to consume HCQ , and successfully reduce deaths and infection , is in India .
After careful studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Indian government recommends HCQ for people at high risk of contracting COVID-19 .
Data from lab tests showed HCQ ’ s safety and its efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 .
Health care workers who took it showed reduced infection rates and mortality despite constant exposure to COVID-19 patients .
Clinical trials on outpatients confirmed that , properly used , it is safe .
As you might guess , since HCQ is very inexpensive , the biggest benefactors are the poor .
Asia ’ s largest slum , Dharavi , is in Mumbai .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
It made great progress against COVID-19 .
Officials credited the turnaround to HCQ and a combination of other drugs .
Given HCQ ’ s widespread efficacy , the Indian government announced it will provide 42 million HCQ tablets to Indian states .
Officials stated , “ States have to use these HCQ tablets for the treatment of COVID-19 patients and as prophylaxis.
” India also produces 70 percent of the global stockpile of HCQ .
Since COVID-19 took off , the country has exported HCQ to many countries .
The U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Use Elsewhere in the Developing World Further , India is sending HCQ tablets as aid to 75 or more poor countries .
Africa received $ 16 million worth of COVID-19 support from India , including HCQ tablets .
Morocco used HCQ with high success .
In light of that , a Moroccan scientist working in France claimed that “ 78 % of Europe ’ s coronavirus-related deaths could have been avoided if European states had used HCQ.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkey , Indonesia , Ukraine , Greece , Malaysia , and Cuba are other countries where early HCQ use brought very low death rates .
Why Not HCQ for America ?
Many American physicians knew of HCQ ’ s potential to fight COVID-19 .
In April , the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons suggested , “ Hydroxychloroquine has about 90 percent chance of helping COVID-19 patients.
” A study of 2500 patients at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit revealed that early HCQ use reduced deaths by half in COVID-19 positive cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctors and scientists , we look to the data for insight .
And the data here is clear that there was benefit to using the drug as a treatment for sick , hospitalized patients.
” HCQ can prevent COVID-19 and help cure it when administered in early stages of the disease .
Nonetheless , politics — not science — keeps Americans from fully benefiting from it .
Vijay Jayaraj ( M.Sc.
, Environmental Science , University of East Anglia , England ) , is a Research Contributor for the Cornwall Alliance for the @ @ @ @

Controversy rages in the United States over the use of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for COVID-19. Critics — so many driven to fight HCQ because President Trump advocated for it —refuse to yield to evidence that it works. Yet that evidence is pouring in from around the world.
There, it has been a vital tool for both prevention and treatment. It could be reducing case fatality rates. Including in my home country.
HCQ Use in India
The largest population to consume HCQ, and successfully reduce deaths and infection, is in India.
After careful studies from the country’s top hospitals, the Indian government recommends HCQ for people at high risk of contracting COVID-19.
Data from lab tests showed HCQ’s safety and its efficacy against SARS-CoV-2. Health care workers who took it showed reduced infection rates and mortality despite constant exposure to COVID-19 patients. Clinical trials on outpatients confirmed that, properly used, it is safe.
HCQ can prevent COVID-19 and cure it when administered in early stages of the disease. Nonetheless, politics — not science — keeps Americans from benefiting from it.
The Poor Benefit Most
As you might guess, since HCQ is very inexpensive, the biggest benefactors are the poor.
Asia’s largest slum, Dharavi, is in Mumbai. It is home to about a million people. It made great progress against COVID-19. Officials credited the turnaround to HCQ and a combination of other drugs.
Given HCQ’s widespread efficacy, the Indian government announced it will provide 42 million HCQ tablets to Indian states. Officials stated, “States have to use these HCQ tablets for the treatment of COVID-19 patients and as prophylaxis.”
India also produces 70 percent of the global stockpile of HCQ. Since COVID-19 took off, the country has exported HCQ to many countries. The U.S. alone received 50 million tablets.
HCQ Use Elsewhere in the Developing World
Further, India is sending HCQ tablets as aid to 75 or more poor countries. Africa received $16 million worth of COVID-19 support from India, including HCQ tablets.
Morocco used HCQ with high success. In light of that, a Moroccan scientist working in France claimed that “78% of Europe’s coronavirus-related deaths could have been avoided if European states had used HCQ.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Turkey, Indonesia, Ukraine, Greece, Malaysia, and Cuba are other countries where early HCQ use brought very low death rates.
Why Not HCQ for America?
Many American physicians knew of HCQ’s potential to fight COVID-19. In April, the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons suggested, “Hydroxychloroquine has about 90 percent chance of helping COVID-19 patients.”
A study of 2500 patients at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit revealed that early HCQ use reduced deaths by half in COVID-19 positive cases. Its CEO acknowledged, “As doctors and scientists, we look to the data for insight. And the data here is clear that there was benefit to using the drug as a treatment for sick, hospitalized patients.”
HCQ can prevent COVID-19 and help cure it when administered in early stages of the disease. Nonetheless, politics — not science — keeps Americans from fully benefiting from it.
It’s time for a change.
Vijay Jayaraj (M.Sc., Environmental Science, University of East Anglia, England), is a Research Contributor for the Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation.


thestream--2020-08-06--Military Photo of the Day: Replenishing at Sea With the USNS Alan Shepard

The guided missile cruiser USS Shiloh conducts a replenishment-at-sea with the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Alan Shepard in @ @ @ @ @ July 31 , 2020 .
Thank you to all the sailors aboard these ships for @ @ @ @ @ Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic @ @ @ @ @ Day .

The guided missile cruiser USS Shiloh conducts a replenishment-at-sea with the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Alan Shepard in the East China Sea on July 31, 2020.
Thank you to all the sailors aboard these ships for serving our country overseas.
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thestream--2020-08-06--‘Are You a Junkie’? Joe Biden’s Confusing Day

Woody Allen once said “ 80 percent of success is just showing up.
” Joe Biden won ’ t be showing up for the Democratic National Convention .
And in interview clips published today , we got more evidence why .
The DNC announced today that rather than accept the nomination in Milwaukee , Biden will deliver his nomination acceptance speech from his home state of Delaware .
The reason given ?
COVID-19 .
A senior Democratic official told CNN , “ The fear of community spread in Milwaukee , with media , production teams and party folks was just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t want to risk anybody ’ s health for this.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The Biden campaign and the DNC is desperate to limit Joe ’ s public exposure ( and not to the virus ) .
But Biden ’ s getting some cover from President Trump when it comes to the nomination speeches .
Trump this morning floated the idea of delivering his own acceptance speech from the White House , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He told Fox & Friends it ’ d be the “ easiest from the standpoint of security.
” Trump explained .
No final decision has been made .
The question now for Biden is whether he ’ ll deliver his speech live or offer a pre-recorded acceptance speech , like an award show winner “ who couldn ’ t be here with us tonight.
” There ’ s good reason to question .
On Wednesday , Biden made yet another potentially politically catastrophic blunder during an interview set to air Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the campaign , Biden face a question he didn ’ t like and came unglued .
Errol Barnett of CBS News asked Biden if he ’ d taken a cognitive test .
A logical question , given his age and obvious mental lapses .
And , not a gotcha one , since he ’ d heard it just a few days ago at a brief press conference .
But Biden got ticked .
“ No , I haven ’ t taken a test .
Why the h*** would I take a test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
You know he ’ s ticked when he breaks out the “ C ’ mon , man.
” But then Biden carried on , right over the cliff .
“ That ’ s like saying you , before you got in this program , if you take a test where you ’ re taking cocaine or not , what do you think , huh ?
Are you a junkie ?
” Barnett is black .
Imagine for a second President Trump asking a black reporter “ Are you a junkie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ straight out calling the reporter a junkie .
And maybe he ’ d have said the same thing had Barrett been white .
( Except Biden ’ s response contradicts what he told Fox News ’ white Doug McKelway when he asked the same question .
Biden said he was “ constantly tested.
” His campaign explained he meant tested on the campaign trail .
The same campaign trail he now shuns . )
Biden has a history of insensitive racial remarks .
So the fact that he ’ d immediately think of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a black reporter must … raise questions .
As racial stereotyping goes , this ranks up there with Biden ’ s “ Poor kids are just as smart as white kids.
” Or you ’ re not really black if you don ’ t vote for him .
Or desegregation policies could cause his children to grow up “ in a racial jungle.
” Biden went on to give further evidence why the question about cognitive tests are so urgent .
He gets asked about China .
He answers in foggy fragments .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to saying his verbal stumbles are because “ he ’ s still fighting a stutter.
” A stutter he bravely beat decades ago .
But even if his stutter is returning , that doesn ’ t explain the confused thinking .
And with examples piling up every passing day , it ’ s no surprise a string of Democratic insiders and media elites are pushing Joe Biden not to debate President Trump .
However , Joe ’ s wife Jill insisted Tuesday that the former vice president will get in the ring with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as formidable as Trump would be , it is clear Biden ’ s main foe is Father Time .
And he ’ s already on the ropes .
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author , with @ JZmirak , of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration .
You can follow him at @ StreamingAl .
And if you aren ’ t already , please follow The Stream at @ Streamdotorg .

UPDATE: Another stunning, racially-shocking clip from Joe Biden. Biden in an on-line chat with the National Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Hispanic Journalists, asserts that the black community is not as diverse as the Latino community. “What you all know, but most people don’t know, unlike the African-American community with notable exceptions, the Latino community is an incredibly diverse community, with incredibly different attitudes about different things.”
Uhh… did Joe Biden just say that Black people are all the same? pic.twitter.com/iUgkk2uSJo — Trump War Room – Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) August 6, 2020
How is this allowed to continue?
*****
Woody Allen once said “80 percent of success is just showing up.” Joe Biden won’t be showing up for the Democratic National Convention. And in interview clips published today, we got more evidence why.
The DNC announced today that rather than accept the nomination in Milwaukee, Biden will deliver his nomination acceptance speech from his home state of Delaware. The reason given? COVID-19.
A senior Democratic official told CNN, “The fear of community spread in Milwaukee, with media, production teams and party folks was just getting to be too much. We don’t want to risk anybody’s health for this.”
(Unless he does it from his basement, wouldn’t there be the same fear of community spread in Delaware? But I digress.)
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The Biden campaign and the DNC is desperate to limit Joe’s public exposure (and not to the virus). But Biden’s getting some cover from President Trump when it comes to the nomination speeches. Trump this morning floated the idea of delivering his own acceptance speech from the White House, rather than at a GOP convention site. He told Fox & Friends it’d be the “easiest from the standpoint of security.” Trump explained. No final decision has been made.
“Are You a Junkie?”
The question now for Biden is whether he’ll deliver his speech live or offer a pre-recorded acceptance speech, like an award show winner “who couldn’t be here with us tonight.” There’s good reason to question. On Wednesday, Biden made yet another potentially politically catastrophic blunder during an interview set to air Thursday.
As he has done at several points in the campaign, Biden face a question he didn’t like and came unglued.
Errol Barnett of CBS News asked Biden if he’d taken a cognitive test. A logical question, given his age and obvious mental lapses. And, not a gotcha one, since he’d heard it just a few days ago at a brief press conference. But Biden got ticked.
“No, I haven’t taken a test. Why the h*** would I take a test? C’mon man!” he said. You know he’s ticked when he breaks out the “C’mon, man.” But then Biden carried on, right over the cliff. “That’s like saying you, before you got in this program, if you take a test where you’re taking cocaine or not, what do you think, huh? Are you a junkie?”
BIDEN: "No, I haven't taken a test. Why the hell would I take a test? C'mon man. That's like saying you, before you got in this program, if you take a test where you're taking cocaine or not, what do you think huh? Are you a junkie?" pic.twitter.com/f6UMPJq381 — Trump War Room – Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) August 5, 2020
Barnett is black. Imagine for a second President Trump asking a black reporter “Are you a junkie?”
Yes, Biden was not straight out calling the reporter a junkie. And maybe he’d have said the same thing had Barrett been white. (Except Biden’s response contradicts what he told Fox News’ white Doug McKelway when he asked the same question. Biden said he was “constantly tested.” His campaign explained he meant tested on the campaign trail. The same campaign trail he now shuns.)
Biden has a history of insensitive racial remarks. So the fact that he’d immediately think of a “junkie” when responding to a black reporter must … raise questions.
As racial stereotyping goes, this ranks up there with Biden’s “Poor kids are just as smart as white kids.” Or you’re not really black if you don’t vote for him. Or desegregation policies could cause his children to grow up “in a racial jungle.”
A Nonsensical Answer on China, And Weak Defense
Biden went on to give further evidence why the question about cognitive tests are so urgent. He gets asked about China. He answers in foggy fragments. Take a listen:
Joe Biden explains how he's going to take on China… 🤔pic.twitter.com/aGilQv35jW — The First (@TheFirstonTV) August 5, 2020
Here is a transcript:
The way Trump, the way China will respond is when we gather the rest of the world that in fact [unintelligible] in in fr- in in in in open trade and making sure that we’re in a position that the world uh that that we deal with WHO the right way, that in fact that’s when things begin to change.
Defenders have taken to saying his verbal stumbles are because “he’s still fighting a stutter.” A stutter he bravely beat decades ago. But even if his stutter is returning, that doesn’t explain the confused thinking. And with examples piling up every passing day, it’s no surprise a string of Democratic insiders and media elites are pushing Joe Biden not to debate President Trump.
However, Joe’s wife Jill insisted Tuesday that the former vice president will get in the ring with Trump. Okay. Maybe. But as formidable as Trump would be, it is clear Biden’s main foe is Father Time. And he’s already on the ropes.
Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream and co-author, with @JZmirak, of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration. You can follow him at @StreamingAl. And if you aren’t already, please follow The Stream at @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-08-06--Former Police Sergeant Starts a Nonprofit to Help First Responders Heal From Trauma in Their Jobs

When now-retired police sergeant Mike McGrew reached out for help with post-traumatic stress-related injuries , his story made his counselor cry .
He realized that she suffered secondary trauma , just from listening to him .
It was also a wake-up call that first responders needed help to cope with PTSD , or injuries they suffered while working in a high-stress field .
Since he didn ’ t have help in his situation , he founded an organization that would help others .
The Barriers to Seeking Help for Trauma-Related Injuries McGrew was a police officer for 31 years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ effects that PTSD injuries had on his fellow officers as well as first responders he worked with .
When he started as a police officer , senior officers — mostly Vietnam vets — told their guys to just deal with it .
“ They would say , ‘ Okay , you got a job and you ’ re getting a paycheck and it ’ s a tough job .
So , just go out there and suck it up .
If you can ’ t , just have a drink . '
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was set up for a disaster .
“ So , people would go out and do their job until they can ’ t because of the layered stress that ’ s on the police officers and the first responders who go out and do a very difficult job every day.
” Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Part of the fallout is the high suicide rate , high divorce rate and alcoholism .
And there are very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help when they need it .
“ If you reached out to get help , you would be seen as not being able to handle the job or were weak or something like that , ” McGrew explained .
“ And then the other barrier was that if you did want to get help , you ’ d have to reach out to your employer.
” He continued , In 2014 , McGrew , along with Michael A .
Hammer , started a program in Santa Barbara , California , called 911 At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the perfect formula .
It ’ s where the community comes together .
And we raise money through a private nonprofit , and then we provide the first responders a telephone number that they can call .
It ’ s confidential , it ’ s not associated with their work or the cities or counties that they work for.
” From there , first responders are set up to see a counselor — one that is vetted in trauma — quickly .
First the police officers used the program .
It became so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s how the whole central coast of California became filled with 911 At Ease International centers .
Last year , the organization helped over 600 first responders .
Many of those first responders have told McGrew that the program saved their lives .
“ People have told us [ that ] we saved their life literally by offering the services .
That we saved their marriages , we saved their homes and their careers.
” Through 911 At Ease , McGrew wants to “ create a loving environment for everybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get some help.
” A Christian , McGrew said the program grew out of prayer and the Lord is expanding the program after McGrew walked out in faith to start it .
“ Now we get some big requests , but you know , we have a God that will call us to things that we may not be able to do , but He ’ ll provide resources for us to do it .
And so , it ’ s been an amazing walk.
” McGrew is also struggling with stage four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hasn ’ t stopped him from doing what the Lord asked him to do .
“ I ’ ve never felt more at peace and really just fired up every single day to go out and serve the Lord with this program .
It ’ s just been amazing to see Him work .
I know that he ’ s got my situation in His hand , so I trust Him.
” He added , “ I ’ m just really excited to be able to bring this opportunity to different communities throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you know , and just be able to serve at such an important place in people ’ s lives.
” Sgt .
Mike McGrew ’ s book , A Higher Call to Duty , was released last summer .
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream .
You can follow her @ NancyFlory3 , and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

When now-retired police sergeant Mike McGrew reached out for help with post-traumatic stress-related injuries, his story made his counselor cry. He realized that she suffered secondary trauma, just from listening to him. It was also a wake-up call that first responders needed help to cope with PTSD, or injuries they suffered while working in a high-stress field. Since he didn’t have help in his situation, he founded an organization that would help others.
The Barriers to Seeking Help for Trauma-Related Injuries
McGrew was a police officer for 31 years. During that time, he saw the effects that PTSD injuries had on his fellow officers as well as first responders he worked with. When he started as a police officer, senior officers — mostly Vietnam vets — told their guys to just deal with it. “They would say, ‘Okay, you got a job and you’re getting a paycheck and it’s a tough job. So, just go out there and suck it up. If you can’t, just have a drink.'” It was a culture that McGrew said was set up for a disaster. “So, people would go out and do their job until they can’t because of the layered stress that’s on the police officers and the first responders who go out and do a very difficult job every day.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Part of the fallout is the high suicide rate, high divorce rate and alcoholism. And there are very real barriers for first responders to get help when they need it. “If you reached out to get help, you would be seen as not being able to handle the job or were weak or something like that,” McGrew explained. “And then the other barrier was that if you did want to get help, you’d have to reach out to your employer.” He continued,
And you’d have to say ‘Hey boss, you know, taking that dead child out of the grieving mom’s arms yesterday really messed me up. The answer would be, ‘Hey, that’s nice. Why don’t you give me your badge and you’re done, go sit over there and we’ll see if you’re fit for duty.’ So it started this fitness for duty issue.
911 At Ease International
In 2014, McGrew, along with Michael A. Hammer, started a program in Santa Barbara, California, called 911 At Ease International. “It’s the perfect formula. It’s where the community comes together. And we raise money through a private nonprofit, and then we provide the first responders a telephone number that they can call. It’s confidential, it’s not associated with their work or the cities or counties that they work for.”
From there, first responders are set up to see a counselor — one that is vetted in trauma — quickly. First the police officers used the program. It became so popular that the fire departments wanted in. That’s how the whole central coast of California became filled with 911 At Ease International centers. Last year, the organization helped over 600 first responders. Many of those first responders have told McGrew that the program saved their lives. “People have told us [that] we saved their life literally by offering the services. That we saved their marriages, we saved their homes and their careers.”
An Amazing Walk
Through 911 At Ease, McGrew wants to “create a loving environment for everybody to be able to come in and get some help.”
A Christian, McGrew said the program grew out of prayer and the Lord is expanding the program after McGrew walked out in faith to start it. “Now we get some big requests, but you know, we have a God that will call us to things that we may not be able to do, but He’ll provide resources for us to do it. And so, it’s been an amazing walk.”
McGrew is also struggling with stage four cancer during this journey, but it hasn’t stopped him from doing what the Lord asked him to do. “I’ve never felt more at peace and really just fired up every single day to go out and serve the Lord with this program. It’s just been amazing to see Him work. I know that he’s got my situation in His hand, so I trust Him.” He added, “I’m just really excited to be able to bring this opportunity to different communities throughout the nation and the world, and, you know, and just be able to serve at such an important place in people’s lives.”
Sgt. Mike McGrew’s book, A Higher Call to Duty, was released last summer.
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-08-06--First They Came for the NRA …

First They Came for the NRA …

Do you remember when state attorneys general learned about Planned Parenthood selling baby parts for profit , in violation of multiple laws ?
So a coordinated group of big-state AGs filed suit to dissolve the organization ?
Or that time when the FBI , learning of various mosques ’ links to the terror-funding Muslim Brotherhood , sought to close those mosques ?
Or when the U.S. Attorney General responded to bishops shuffling pedophile priests by suing to dissolve the Catholic Church in America ?
No , of course not .
Because such things never happened .
Nor should they .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to react that way .
If the state finds legal irregularities on the part of a private organization ’ s leaders , its job is clear .
It ’ s supposed to protect the organization ’ s members , just as the SEC protects stockholders from CEOs who steal from the company .
Imagine that your Methodist or Southern Baptist pastor got accused of using your tithe money for trips to Nevada brothels .
Would you expect your district attorney to try to dissolve your church ?
Is that a fair response ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do it , if your church opposed his politics .
And if he had the legal ethics of a drug cartel ’ s in-house attorney .
On a grand scale , that ’ s what happening now to the National Rifle Association .
Using some ( unproven ) charges of sleazy insider dealing among a few NRA executives , the Attorneys General of New York State , and the District of Columbia are suing the NRA .
They ’ re not seeking to remove its chief executive , Wayne LaPierre .
Nor to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re seeking to dissolve the organization , nationally .
Less than three months before a historic election .
Does this sound like crass political gamesmanship with the rule of law to you ?
The NY AG won her last election in part on a promise to “ take on ” the NRA .
And that gun rights organization is fighting hard to preserve our constitutional rights in 2020 .
As a keen observer on Twitter noted : So the NRA is using its money to defend its members ’ rights .
And Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They Want to Render Us Helpless The Democrats are nothing if not consistent in their worldview .
They want to take away our right to defend ourselves .
Yes , our guns , but not just our guns .
They want to abuse the law to take away even our means to fight politically , in defense of God-given rights literally guaranteed by one of the Bill of Rights .
They want to disarm us , silence us , prohibit us from associating freely .
These people have problems with more amendments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s no surprise .
As Jason Jones and I showed in our in-depth , scholarly article , “ God , Guns , & the Government , ” these rights stand or fall together .
Morally , because the Christian vision of the human person includes his right of self-defense .
The Most Dangerous Predator : The Modern State Practically , because without an armed citizenry , a nation ’ s people are always at the mercy of those in power , who wield a “ monopoly of violence.
” As I never tire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used that monopoly to murder 170 million civilians in 90 years .
Not just in “ remote ” places like the Gulag , but in cities like Paris , Brussels , Munich and Venice .
What insane , God-mocking hubris would Americans have to indulge in to imagine that such things can ’ t happen here ?
Indeed , they ’ re already starting to happen here .
The tragic explosion in Beirut seems likely the fault of Hezbollah , an extremist militia group that has allied with ( and hijacked ) mainstream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. , Antifa and Black Lives Matter are serving as the street-fighting wing of the Democratic party .
They ’ re burning bibles in the streets , and terrorizing citizens .
They ’ re even attacking homes .
I want you to watch the video below .
But please sit down first .
It was taken by an onlooker whom Antifa didn ’ t catch recording its thuggish behavior .
( The group habitually beats down such citizen journalists and steals their phones . )
This isn ’ t footage from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington .
An Antifa mob attacks the home of a political enemy , trying to blind her with lasers .
Should any American citizen have to put up with such treatment ?
Shouldn ’ t any of us , inside our homes , have the means to defend himself against a gang of political thugs ?
What If They Deem You a “ Nazi ” Next ?
At this point , some helpful soul in the Comments will chime in , “ She was a Nazi !
” And indeed , it appears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had taunted the ( openly Communist ) Antifa members by sporting a swastika .
That ’ s crass , provocative and wrong .
But not illegal , and certainly no reason for a political gang to appoint itself judge , jury and executioner .
Would we approve of a gang in Miami that invaded the home of a Fidel Castro supporter ?
The difference of course : Castro ’ s dictatorship is still in place , killing and torturing .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day .
Since Antifa burns bibles — here emulating the Nazis — it clearly thinks faithful Christians are little better than fascists .
Mobs have already torn down statues of Catholic saints , and vandalized churches nationwide .
If America endorsed this reign of terror by voting for Zombie Biden and the secret committee which will actually govern instead of him , why wouldn ’ t they come for us next ?
I mean literally come for us , in churches and in our homes .
If the Democrats have their way , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lambs at the slaughter .
The Democrats won ’ t denounce this kind of violence .
In fact , they ’ re trying to strip you and me of any protection against it .
They want to dissolve or disband the police , and confiscate our weapons of self-defense .
Then who will have the monopoly of violence in America ?
Thugs like the ones in this video .
As I observed earlier on Twitter : John Zmirak is a senior editor at The Stream , and author or co-author of ten books @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Immigration and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Catholicism .
He is co-author with Jason Jones of “ God , Guns , & the Government .
”

Do you remember when state attorneys general learned about Planned Parenthood selling baby parts for profit, in violation of multiple laws? So a coordinated group of big-state AGs filed suit to dissolve the organization?
Or that time when the FBI, learning of various mosques’ links to the terror-funding Muslim Brotherhood, sought to close those mosques?
Or when the U.S. Attorney General responded to bishops shuffling pedophile priests by suing to dissolve the Catholic Church in America?
A Bizarre, Political Prosecution
No, of course not. Because such things never happened. Nor should they. It’s not normal for prosecutors to react that way. If the state finds legal irregularities on the part of a private organization’s leaders, its job is clear. It’s supposed to protect the organization’s members, just as the SEC protects stockholders from CEOs who steal from the company.
Imagine that your Methodist or Southern Baptist pastor got accused of using your tithe money for trips to Nevada brothels. Would you expect your district attorney to try to dissolve your church? Is that a fair response?
The Attorneys General of New York State and the District of Columbia are suing the NRA. They’re seeking to dissolve the organization, nationally.
No, but he might try to do it, if your church opposed his politics. And if he had the legal ethics of a drug cartel’s in-house attorney.
Banning the NRA?
On a grand scale, that’s what happening now to the National Rifle Association. Using some (unproven) charges of sleazy insider dealing among a few NRA executives, the Attorneys General of New York State, and the District of Columbia are suing the NRA. They’re not seeking to remove its chief executive, Wayne LaPierre. Nor to force reforms. No, they’re seeking to dissolve the organization, nationally. Less than three months before a historic election.
Does this sound like crass political gamesmanship with the rule of law to you? The NY AG won her last election in part on a promise to “take on” the NRA. And that gun rights organization is fighting hard to preserve our constitutional rights in 2020. As a keen observer on Twitter noted:
This was published 15 minutes before Letitia James’ press conference. bwa. ha. ha.HA HA BWAAAHAHAHAAHAHAAA 😂🤣😂🤣😂😂 https://t.co/Dhc16Ru48a — Eric Garland (@ericgarland) August 6, 2020
So the NRA is using its money to defend its members’ rights. And Democrat prosecutors are trying to shut it down.
They Want to Render Us Helpless
The Democrats are nothing if not consistent in their worldview. They want to take away our right to defend ourselves. Yes, our guns, but not just our guns. They want to abuse the law to take away even our means to fight politically, in defense of God-given rights literally guaranteed by one of the Bill of Rights. They want to disarm us, silence us, prohibit us from associating freely.
These people have problems with more amendments than the Second. And that’s no surprise. As Jason Jones and I showed in our in-depth, scholarly article, “God, Guns, & the Government,” these rights stand or fall together. Morally, because the Christian vision of the human person includes his right of self-defense.
The Most Dangerous Predator: The Modern State
Practically, because without an armed citizenry, a nation’s people are always at the mercy of those in power, who wield a “monopoly of violence.” As I never tire of pointing out, the modern state used that monopoly to murder 170 million civilians in 90 years. Not just in “remote” places like the Gulag, but in cities like Paris, Brussels, Munich and Venice. What insane, God-mocking hubris would Americans have to indulge in to imagine that such things can’t happen here?
Indeed, they’re already starting to happen here. The tragic explosion in Beirut seems likely the fault of Hezbollah, an extremist militia group that has allied with (and hijacked) mainstream political parties in Lebanon. Right here in the U.S., Antifa and Black Lives Matter are serving as the street-fighting wing of the Democratic party. They’re burning bibles in the streets, and terrorizing citizens. They’re even attacking homes.
They’re Swarming People’s Homes
I want you to watch the video below. But please sit down first.
It was taken by an onlooker whom Antifa didn’t catch recording its thuggish behavior. (The group habitually beats down such citizen journalists and steals their phones.) This isn’t footage from Lebanon or Afghanistan, but Seattle, Washington. An Antifa mob attacks the home of a political enemy, trying to blind her with lasers.
After #antifa were dispersed by police following the attack on the East Precinct, they tried to blind a woman at her home with lasers and attacked her. Antifa have gone into residential parts of the city after moving on from attacking federal courthouse. pic.twitter.com/mKcrgHixmC — Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) August 6, 2020
Should any American citizen have to put up with such treatment? Shouldn’t any of us, inside our homes, have the means to defend himself against a gang of political thugs?
What If They Deem You a “Nazi” Next?
At this point, some helpful soul in the Comments will chime in, “She was a Nazi!” And indeed, it appears that the misguided woman under assault here had taunted the (openly Communist) Antifa members by sporting a swastika. That’s crass, provocative and wrong. But not illegal, and certainly no reason for a political gang to appoint itself judge, jury and executioner. Would we approve of a gang in Miami that invaded the home of a Fidel Castro supporter? The difference of course: Castro’s dictatorship is still in place, killing and torturing.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Since Antifa burns bibles — here emulating the Nazis — it clearly thinks faithful Christians are little better than fascists. Mobs have already torn down statues of Catholic saints, and vandalized churches nationwide. If America endorsed this reign of terror by voting for Zombie Biden and the secret committee which will actually govern instead of him, why wouldn’t they come for us next? I mean literally come for us, in churches and in our homes. If the Democrats have their way, we’ll be as helpless as lambs at the slaughter.
Antifa: The Democrats’ Hezbollah
The Democrats won’t denounce this kind of violence. In fact, they’re trying to strip you and me of any protection against it. They want to dissolve or disband the police, and confiscate our weapons of self-defense.
Then who will have the monopoly of violence in America? Thugs like the ones in this video. As I observed earlier on Twitter:
Antifa is preparing to become the American Hezbollah, and the Democrats are quietly cheering it on. Lebanon was once a lot like the U.S. Soon we might be a lot more like Lebanon. God bless Lebanon. God help us. — John Zmirak (@JZmirak) August 6, 2020
Vote carefully, my friends.
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--2020-08-06--How 2020 Is Taking a Toll on Your Soul

How 2020 Is Taking a Toll on Your Soul

I ’ m going to tell you something that will explain what you ’ re likely feeling about this turbulent year .
No doubt , you ’ ve witnessed a series of tragic events unfold before your eyes .
You ’ ve also probably felt an inordinate pressure to say the right thing about each of them .
Like you , I ’ ve been hesitant to comment for fear I ’ ll be blasted by someone who sees things differently .
It ’ s been frustrating and fatiguing , to say the least , and I believe this short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason why we feel this way .
Here ’ s what he wrote : This is an important assessment .
Through the internet and social media , technology has given us ringside seats to every event , tragedy and evil act that happens in any part of the planet .
That ’ s not something we ’ re created to handle .
It ’ s made possible , though , because of the internet .
Though technology often helps us , it also creates two problems that hurt our soul : faux omnipresence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last fraction of human existence , we ’ ve only had to carry events that directly affect us , our family/friends and our local community .
Today , with the internet and social media , we can witness every evil event .
If we miss it , a recording is readily replayed online .
The carnage is funneled through our eyes and embedded in our soul .
What we witness can be in the next town , the next state or on the other side of the planet .
No matter where it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s like we ’ re everywhere .
But it ’ s a faux omnipresence .
We ’ re not actually there , but we ’ re made to experience these events like we were .
We soak them in and feel the pain that others feel , albeit to a lesser degree .
We scroll through our news feed and witness another tragedy .
Then another .
In a matter of minutes , we ’ ve watched multiple evil events .
It ’ s overwhelming .
God , who is omnipresent can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tragedy .
He ’ s capable .
He has the emotional and psychological bandwidth to witness his creation repeatedly commit evil and not become overwhelmed .
Finite humans , though , are not God .
We don ’ t have the capacity to handle inordinate amounts of evil .
This faux omnipresence hurts us .
Our faux omnipresence leads to a faux omniscience .
We think we ’ re present at these tragedies , so we ’ re tricked into thinking we understand what happened .
We saw it online , after all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because we “ witness ” these events , we ’ re expected to know the truth about what happened , make an immediate evaluation and then say the right thing about it .
Finite humans can ’ t be perfectly accurate , though .
Even still , we comment , post and emote .
We argue and then divide .
Our online debating adds another layer of stress .
All this happens after a single tragedy .
There ’ s more , though .
Another horrific event is around the corner .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This faux omniscience hurts us , as well .
I appreciate Charles Spurgeon ’ s similar concern , when he addressed pastors in training .
Recognizing their potential to take on overwhelming burdens , he warned them of making this mistake .
There ’ s only so much one person can take , says Spurgeon .
Plus , to presume you can handle all the world ’ s hurt is to take on an exaggerated view of yourself .
God is the only one capable of carrying that weight .
Progress — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online technologies can hurt us , I ’ m not a Luddite .
I don ’ t doubt that scientific advancements have helped us communicate , protect people , care for vulnerable people and do many other good things .
Progress , though , often comes with a price .
Though Inherit the Wind is a disastrous retelling of the “ Scopes Monkey Trial ” of 1925 , I resonate with one of Henry Drummond ’ s speeches in the movie .
It ’ s hard to imagine the wonder of flight that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve all grown up in a world with planes .
We sip sodas in leather seats , 38,000 feet in the air , while cities zip by at 600 mph .
A flying bird is no big deal .
We fly faster and higher .
We ’ ve lost our wonder .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Technology that makes the internet and social media possible might move us forward in some ways , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We experience a faux omnipresence and faux omniscience , causing us to carry all the hurts of the world .
“ Could it be that God didn ’ t wire us to carry every event … as if it were ours ?
” Naysayers might object : “ We need to know what ’ s happening around the world , to stay abreast of current affairs .
We must learn from our collective experience.
” While I agree it ’ s important to learn from tragic events that occur outside our immediate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the barrage of negative news .
We ’ re not created to soak in every tragedy as if it were ours .
“ Progress , ” like Drummond says , “ has never been a bargain .
You have to pay for it.
” It takes a toll on our souls .
Perhaps , then , we should take better care of ourselves .
Here ’ s what I suggest .
First , unplug from the internet and/or social media .
This is mandatory .
Set up times when you walk away without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time in nature .
For example , take a hike through the woods and observe the simplicity and beauty of God ’ s creation .
I love to notice delicate flowers or watch the gentle dance of birds in the trees .
It helps me escape — for a time — the harsh reality I must eventually return to .
Third , pray and discern when and where you can shoulder other people ’ s burdens , and find friends who can help carry yours .
This is a biblical mandate .
Finally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Jesus , the one who took on our burdens .
Without him , we ’ d be in bigger trouble and hurting even more .
He encourages us to come to him and promises , “ You will find rest for your souls .
For my yoke is easy , and my burden is light ” ( Matt .
11:29–30 ) .
Alan Shlemon is an author and speaker for Stand to Reason .
He trains Christians to share their convictions in a persuasive , yet gracious manner .
He has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and has spoken to thousands of adults and students across the country at churches , conferences and college campuses .
Originally published at Stand to Reason .
Reprinted with permission .

I’m going to tell you something that will explain what you’re likely feeling about this turbulent year. No doubt, you’ve witnessed a series of tragic events unfold before your eyes. You’ve also probably felt an inordinate pressure to say the right thing about each of them. Like you, I’ve been hesitant to comment for fear I’ll be blasted by someone who sees things differently. It’s been frustrating and fatiguing, to say the least, and I believe this short comment by a Texas pastor explains the reason why we feel this way. Here’s what he wrote:
Could it be that God didn’t wire us to carry every event, taking place in every part of the world, at every moment, as if it were ours? Could it be that technology has produced a faux omniscience and omnipresence that is hurting mankind and not helping it?
This is an important assessment. Through the internet and social media, technology has given us ringside seats to every event, tragedy and evil act that happens in any part of the planet. That’s not something we’re created to handle. It’s made possible, though, because of the internet. Though technology often helps us, it also creates two problems that hurt our soul: faux omnipresence and faux omniscience.
Faux Omnipresence
Up until the last fraction of human existence, we’ve only had to carry events that directly affect us, our family/friends and our local community. Today, with the internet and social media, we can witness every evil event. If we miss it, a recording is readily replayed online. The carnage is funneled through our eyes and embedded in our soul. What we witness can be in the next town, the next state or on the other side of the planet. No matter where it happens, we see it. It’s like we’re everywhere.
But it’s a faux omnipresence. We’re not actually there, but we’re made to experience these events like we were. We soak them in and feel the pain that others feel, albeit to a lesser degree. We scroll through our news feed and witness another tragedy. Then another. In a matter of minutes, we’ve watched multiple evil events. It’s overwhelming.
God, who is omnipresent can handle all that evil, pain and tragedy. He’s capable. He has the emotional and psychological bandwidth to witness his creation repeatedly commit evil and not become overwhelmed. Finite humans, though, are not God. We don’t have the capacity to handle inordinate amounts of evil. This faux omnipresence hurts us.
Faux Omniscience
Our faux omnipresence leads to a faux omniscience. We think we’re present at these tragedies, so we’re tricked into thinking we understand what happened. We saw it online, after all. It was in high definition. Because we “witness” these events, we’re expected to know the truth about what happened, make an immediate evaluation and then say the right thing about it. Finite humans can’t be perfectly accurate, though. Even still, we comment, post and emote. We argue and then divide. Our online debating adds another layer of stress. All this happens after a single tragedy. There’s more, though. Another horrific event is around the corner. We repeat the cycle and the stress builds. This faux omniscience hurts us, as well.
I appreciate Charles Spurgeon’s similar concern, when he addressed pastors in training. Recognizing their potential to take on overwhelming burdens, he warned them of making this mistake.
Many servants of God are made to feel their weakness in another way, by an oppressive sense of responsibility…. Do not take an exaggerated view of what the Lord expects of you. He will not blame you for not doing that which is beyond your mental power or physical strength…. We are not the Father, nor the Saviour, nor the Comforter of the Church. We cannot take the responsibility of the universe upon our shoulders. [Emphasis in original.]
There’s only so much one person can take, says Spurgeon. Plus, to presume you can handle all the world’s hurt is to take on an exaggerated view of yourself. God is the only one capable of carrying that weight.
Progress — You Have to Pay For It
Though online technologies can hurt us, I’m not a Luddite. I don’t doubt that scientific advancements have helped us communicate, protect people, care for vulnerable people and do many other good things.
Progress, though, often comes with a price. Though Inherit the Wind is a disastrous retelling of the “Scopes Monkey Trial” of 1925, I resonate with one of Henry Drummond’s speeches in the movie.
Progress has never been a bargain. You have to pay for it. Sometimes I think there’s a man who sits behind a counter and says, “All right, you can have a telephone, but you lose privacy and the charm of distance. Madam, you may vote but at a price. You lose the right to retreat behind the powder puff or your petticoat. Mister, you may conquer the air, but the birds will lose their wonder and the clouds will smell of gasoline.”
It’s hard to imagine the wonder of flight that birds effortlessly enjoy. Why? We’ve all grown up in a world with planes. We sip sodas in leather seats, 38,000 feet in the air, while cities zip by at 600 mph. A flying bird is no big deal. We fly faster and higher. We’ve lost our wonder.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Technology that makes the internet and social media possible might move us forward in some ways, but we pay for it in other ways. We experience a faux omnipresence and faux omniscience, causing us to carry all the hurts of the world. “Could it be that God didn’t wire us to carry every event … as if it were ours?”
Rest for Our Souls
Naysayers might object: “We need to know what’s happening around the world, to stay abreast of current affairs. We must learn from our collective experience.” While I agree it’s important to learn from tragic events that occur outside our immediate community, we can become overwhelmed by the barrage of negative news. We’re not created to soak in every tragedy as if it were ours. “Progress,” like Drummond says, “has never been a bargain. You have to pay for it.” It takes a toll on our souls.
Perhaps, then, we should take better care of ourselves. Here’s what I suggest. First, unplug from the internet and/or social media. This is mandatory. Set up times when you walk away without taking sneak peeks. Second, spend time in nature. For example, take a hike through the woods and observe the simplicity and beauty of God’s creation. I love to notice delicate flowers or watch the gentle dance of birds in the trees. It helps me escape — for a time — the harsh reality I must eventually return to. Third, pray and discern when and where you can shoulder other people’s burdens, and find friends who can help carry yours. This is a biblical mandate. Finally, develop a habit of giving thanks to Jesus, the one who took on our burdens. Without him, we’d be in bigger trouble and hurting even more. He encourages us to come to him and promises, “You will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:29–30).
Alan Shlemon is an author and speaker for Stand to Reason. He trains Christians to share their convictions in a persuasive, yet gracious manner. He has been a guest on both radio and television, and has spoken to thousands of adults and students across the country at churches, conferences and college campuses.
Originally published at Stand to Reason. Reprinted with permission.