thestream--2020-12-07--AOC’s $58 ‘Tax the Rich’ Sweatshirt Perfectly Demonstrates How Her Ideas Hurt the Poor

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez did what she does best this week and created another social media firestorm .
It all started when a Twitter account called Tax March , which apparently advocates for higher taxes , posted a link to the congresswoman ’ s online merchandise store and complimented a sweatshirt she sells .
The sweatshirt pictured is a plain , black , cotton item emblazoned with the words “ Tax The Rich.
” But the style itself is not what made headlines , rather it was the price tag : a whopping $ 58 .
The usual ( and deserved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one to back down from a fight , the congresswoman responded to the criticism on her own Twitter account stating that the merchandise was “ made in the U.S. with dignified , union jobs paying living wages.
” She went on to say that “ Republicans are freaking out because we don ’ t use slave-wage labor for merch that funds grassroots organizing ” and that people could obtain the sweatshirt for free if they chose to volunteer for her .
We ’ ll leave the fact that the congresswoman included the term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that simultaneously called for others to work for her for free alone , as we have bigger fish to fry here .
( But , come on . )
So to summarize , Ocasio-Cortez is selling sweatshirts that say “ Tax The Rich ” at a price most poor or working class people could not reasonably afford .
She ’ s making money off of her merchandise that attacks the creation of wealth .
And her excuse for all of this hypocrisy is that it costs more to buy from whole-sellers who pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American labor .
There ’ s a lot to unpack here .
While Ocasio-Cortez clearly thinks her choice to employ operations that pay a “ living wage ” ( presumably at least $ 15 an hour ) is virtuous , it actually perfectly portrays how her economic ideas hurt people — especially the poor .
As the cost for labor increases , so do the prices of goods and services .
As much as Ocasio-Cortez likes to think she ’ s sticking it to the rich by buying from companies that pay their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in reality she ’ s just passing those increased labor costs on to her supporters .
When companies are forced to pay too much for labor , either due to governmental rules or regulations , they merely bake those costs into the price of their product .
When that product is something as frivolous as a luxury sweatshirt peddling trite socialist slogans , we can laugh about it .
But Ocasio-Cortez wants to use big government to force these costly business conditions on every industry — meaning the cost of essential goods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clothing items would all increase .
That doesn ’ t uplift struggling people — it spells disaster for the poor .
Ocasio-Cortez and her ilk might counter that their mandates would increase peoples ’ take-home pay , so they could afford higher prices and still obtain a higher quality of life .
However , it ’ s also important to remember that when the price of goods and services increases , real wages fall .
Real income is not nominal wages , it is an individual ’ s actual purchasing power in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 15 an hour , they will likely see their purchasing power decrease as the price of goods and services increases as a result of companies having to pay workers too much .
As one example , it is unlikely that those paid to make AOC ’ s sweatshirt could afford to buy the end product in this scenario — even if they ’ re earning what she calls a “ living wage.
” Ultimately , people care about what their paychecks can buy , not the number itself .
Furthermore , Ocasio-Cortez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Made in America ” may have just been intended to troll Trump-supporting Republicans , but the congresswoman accidentally proved why free trade creates prosperity .
When the U.S. or any country tries to force domestic production of certain goods that can be made more efficiently in other countries , it results in inefficiency and higher prices .
That ’ s how you end up hawking a nearly $ 60 sweater when the same thing could be available for half or one-quarter of the price .
Personally , I like to buy from and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the reality is that our regulatory framework , cost of labor , and business taxes make many American-made products far more expensive .
When I can afford to , I ’ m happy to buy local , but I ’ m beyond grateful I have the option to buy globalized products when it comes to high-end items like my iPhone , which would be quite expensive if it was a “ Made in America ” product .
If these kinds of products were only made in America , and if Ocasio-Cortez got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hire anyone for less than $ 15 an hour , no one but the very wealthy would be able to afford this technology .
If politicians want to elevate American companies and products , they should work to deregulate our economy , slash corporate taxes , and create an economy where businesses can create cost-effective products .
Until that happens , we should all thank our lucky stars we have the ability to order cheaper products from other places .
And we shouldn ’ t devalue the work being done by others to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world .
Nowadays , it ’ s become popular to virtue-signal against “ sweatshops ” in other countries .
But as is so often the case with those more focused on virtue-signals than price-signals , these ideas would also hurt the poor .
Developing countries need to be able to compete in a global marketplace .
And while these jobs may not meet our standards in an industrialized country , they are a life raft to those struggling to obtain basic necessities in third-world countries .
Plain and simple , when put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ocasio-Cortez ’ s worldview hurt people .
In contrast , free markets ( when allowed to operate organically ) lead to an abundance of affordable products and all people having greater access to goods and services .
And free trade is an essential component of free markets .
“ It is the maxim of every prudent master of a family , never to attempt to make at home what it will cost him more to make than to buy , ” wrote Adam Smith .
“ What is prudence in the conduct of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ folly in that of a great kingdom.
” We can forgive everyday people for making the kinds of Econ 101 errors that plague this agenda .
But as an educated congresswoman , Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has no excuse .
We can laugh about her expensive sweaters , yet there ’ s nothing funny about the fact that the policies she pushes would make life less affordable for all Americans .
Hannah Cox is a libertarian-conservative writer , commentator and activist .
She ’ s a Newsmax Insider and a Contributor to The Washington Examiner @

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez did what she does best this week and created another social media firestorm.
It all started when a Twitter account called Tax March, which apparently advocates for higher taxes, posted a link to the congresswoman’s online merchandise store and complimented a sweatshirt she sells.
The sweatshirt pictured is a plain, black, cotton item emblazoned with the words “Tax The Rich.” But the style itself is not what made headlines, rather it was the price tag: a whopping $58.
The usual (and deserved) criticisms poured in quickly.
https://twitter.com/LibertyAnders/status/1334532068592791556?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1334532068592791556%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ffee.org%2Farticles%2Faocs-58-tax-the-rich-sweater-perfectly-demonstrates-how-her-ideas-hurt-the-poor%2F
Never one to back down from a fight, the congresswoman responded to the criticism on her own Twitter account stating that the merchandise was “made in the U.S. with dignified, union jobs paying living wages.”
https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1334543240742260737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1334543240742260737%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ffee.org%2Farticles%2Faocs-58-tax-the-rich-sweater-perfectly-demonstrates-how-her-ideas-hurt-the-poor%2F
She went on to say that “Republicans are freaking out because we don’t use slave-wage labor for merch that funds grassroots organizing” and that people could obtain the sweatshirt for free if they chose to volunteer for her.
We’ll leave the fact that the congresswoman included the term “slave-wage labor” in a post that simultaneously called for others to work for her for free alone, as we have bigger fish to fry here. (But, come on.)
A “Living Wage”
So to summarize, Ocasio-Cortez is selling sweatshirts that say “Tax The Rich” at a price most poor or working class people could not reasonably afford. She’s making money off of her merchandise that attacks the creation of wealth. And her excuse for all of this hypocrisy is that it costs more to buy from whole-sellers who pay a “living wage” and use American labor. There’s a lot to unpack here.
While Ocasio-Cortez clearly thinks her choice to employ operations that pay a “living wage” (presumably at least $15 an hour) is virtuous, it actually perfectly portrays how her economic ideas hurt people — especially the poor.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
As the cost for labor increases, so do the prices of goods and services.
As much as Ocasio-Cortez likes to think she’s sticking it to the rich by buying from companies that pay their employees more than their fair market value, in reality she’s just passing those increased labor costs on to her supporters.
When companies are forced to pay too much for labor, either due to governmental rules or regulations, they merely bake those costs into the price of their product.
When that product is something as frivolous as a luxury sweatshirt peddling trite socialist slogans, we can laugh about it. But Ocasio-Cortez wants to use big government to force these costly business conditions on every industry — meaning the cost of essential goods like food, automobiles, and essential clothing items would all increase. That doesn’t uplift struggling people — it spells disaster for the poor.
Real Income
Ocasio-Cortez and her ilk might counter that their mandates would increase peoples’ take-home pay, so they could afford higher prices and still obtain a higher quality of life. However, it’s also important to remember that when the price of goods and services increases, real wages fall.
Real income is not nominal wages, it is an individual’s actual purchasing power in the market. Even if someone is paid $15 an hour, they will likely see their purchasing power decrease as the price of goods and services increases as a result of companies having to pay workers too much. As one example, it is unlikely that those paid to make AOC’s sweatshirt could afford to buy the end product in this scenario — even if they’re earning what she calls a “living wage.” Ultimately, people care about what their paychecks can buy, not the number itself.
“Made in America”
Furthermore, Ocasio-Cortez’s use of the term “Made in America” may have just been intended to troll Trump-supporting Republicans, but the congresswoman accidentally proved why free trade creates prosperity. When the U.S. or any country tries to force domestic production of certain goods that can be made more efficiently in other countries, it results in inefficiency and higher prices.
That’s how you end up hawking a nearly $60 sweater when the same thing could be available for half or one-quarter of the price.
Personally, I like to buy from and support American companies when I can. But the reality is that our regulatory framework, cost of labor, and business taxes make many American-made products far more expensive. When I can afford to, I’m happy to buy local, but I’m beyond grateful I have the option to buy globalized products when it comes to high-end items like my iPhone, which would be quite expensive if it was a “Made in America” product.
If these kinds of products were only made in America, and if Ocasio-Cortez got her way and made it impossible to hire anyone for less than $15 an hour, no one but the very wealthy would be able to afford this technology.
If politicians want to elevate American companies and products, they should work to deregulate our economy, slash corporate taxes, and create an economy where businesses can create cost-effective products. Until that happens, we should all thank our lucky stars we have the ability to order cheaper products from other places.
Free Markets
And we shouldn’t devalue the work being done by others to produce these goods in other parts of the world. Nowadays, it’s become popular to virtue-signal against “sweatshops” in other countries. But as is so often the case with those more focused on virtue-signals than price-signals, these ideas would also hurt the poor. Developing countries need to be able to compete in a global marketplace. And while these jobs may not meet our standards in an industrialized country, they are a life raft to those struggling to obtain basic necessities in third-world countries.
Plain and simple, when put into practice, the policies that undergird Ocasio-Cortez’s worldview hurt people. In contrast, free markets (when allowed to operate organically) lead to an abundance of affordable products and all people having greater access to goods and services. And free trade is an essential component of free markets.
“It is the maxim of every prudent master of a family, never to attempt to make at home what it will cost him more to make than to buy,” wrote Adam Smith. “What is prudence in the conduct of every private family, can scarce be folly in that of a great kingdom.”
We can forgive everyday people for making the kinds of Econ 101 errors that plague this agenda. But as an educated congresswoman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has no excuse. We can laugh about her expensive sweaters, yet there’s nothing funny about the fact that the policies she pushes would make life less affordable for all Americans.
Hannah Cox is a libertarian-conservative writer, commentator and activist. She’s a Newsmax Insider and a Contributor to The Washington Examiner.
Originally published on FEE.org.


thestream--2020-12-07--Visa, Mastercard Reviewing Relationship With Pornhub Following NYT Column Alleging the Site is ‘Infe

Visa, Mastercard Reviewing Relationship With Pornhub Following NYT Column Alleging the Site is ‘Infested With Rape Videos’

Major credit card companies are reviewing their relationship with Pornhub following the publication of a New York Times column alleging that Pornhub is “ infested with rape videos.
” “ We are aware of the allegations , and we are actively engaging with the relevant financial institutions to investigate , in addition to engaging directly with the site ’ s parent company , MindGeek , ” Visa told the Associated Press Sunday , noting that Pornhub will be prohibited from accepting any Visa payments if the massive pornography company is found to be violating the law .
Mastercard also promised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pulitzer prize winning opinion columnist Nicholas Kristof ‘ s allegations are true , telling the AP : “ We are investigating the allegations raised in the New York Times and are working with MindGeek ’ s bank to understand this situation.
” Kristof accused Pornhub of monteizing “ child rapes , revenge pornography , spy cam videos of women showering , racist and misogynist content , and footage of women being asphyxiated in plastic bags , ” in a Friday New York Times op-ed .
Pornhub told the Daily Caller News Foundation in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ irresponsible and flagrantly untrue.
” “ Due to the nature of our industry , people ’ s preconceived notions of Pornhub ’ s values and processes often differ from reality — but it is counterproductive to ignore the facts regarding a subject as serious as CSAM [ Child Sexual Abuse Material ] , ” the pornography company said in a statement to the DCNF .
“ Any assertion that we allow CSAM is irresponsible and flagrantly untrue , ” the Pornhub statement continued .
“ We have zero tolerance for CSAM .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and has instituted an industry-leading trust and safety policy to identify and eradicate illegal material from our community.
” The massively popular pornography website has been listed the 10th-most-visited website in the world , with 3.5 billion visits a month , and profits from almost three billion ad impressions every day , he wrote .
“ A search for ‘ girls under18 ’ ( no space ) or ‘ 14yo ’ leads in each case to more than 100,000 videos , ” Kristof wrote .
“ Most aren ’ t of children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” His work echoes the accusations of many anti-pornography and anti-sexual exploitation activists : that Pornhub profits from exploitative material and does little to remove violent sexual crimes , sometimes against minors , from its website .
Republican Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse told the Daily Caller News Foundation Friday that the Department of Justice must open an investigation into allegations against PornHub .
“ The Department of Justice needs to open an investigation into the scumbags who run Mindgeek , ” Sasse said .
“ Sexual exploitation and human trafficking are abhorrent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working to end this.
” “ It is completely unacceptable that Pornhub and its parent company Mindgeek make money from rape , sexual abuse , and the exploitation of minors , ” the senator , who also called on the DOJ to investigate Pornhub in March , added .
“ They need to be investigated , and the DOJ needs more urgency about building cases against creeps.
” The DOJ did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Editor’s note: This article discusses disturbing pornographic material and sexual crimes.
Major credit card companies are reviewing their relationship with Pornhub following the publication of a New York Times column alleging that Pornhub is “infested with rape videos.”
“We are aware of the allegations, and we are actively engaging with the relevant financial institutions to investigate, in addition to engaging directly with the site’s parent company, MindGeek,” Visa told the Associated Press Sunday, noting that Pornhub will be prohibited from accepting any Visa payments if the massive pornography company is found to be violating the law.
Mastercard also promised to take “immediate action” if Pulitzer prize winning opinion columnist Nicholas Kristof‘s allegations are true, telling the AP: “We are investigating the allegations raised in the New York Times and are working with MindGeek’s bank to understand this situation.”
Kristof accused Pornhub of monteizing “child rapes, revenge pornography, spy cam videos of women showering, racist and misogynist content, and footage of women being asphyxiated in plastic bags,” in a Friday New York Times op-ed.
Pornhub told the Daily Caller News Foundation in a Monday statement that the allegations are “irresponsible and flagrantly untrue.”
“Due to the nature of our industry, people’s preconceived notions of Pornhub’s values and processes often differ from reality — but it is counterproductive to ignore the facts regarding a subject as serious as CSAM [Child Sexual Abuse Material],” the pornography company said in a statement to the DCNF.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“Any assertion that we allow CSAM is irresponsible and flagrantly untrue,” the Pornhub statement continued. “We have zero tolerance for CSAM. Pornhub is unequivocally committed to combating CSAM, and has instituted an industry-leading trust and safety policy to identify and eradicate illegal material from our community.”
The massively popular pornography website has been listed the 10th-most-visited website in the world, with 3.5 billion visits a month, and profits from almost three billion ad impressions every day, he wrote.
“A search for ‘girls under18’ (no space) or ‘14yo’ leads in each case to more than 100,000 videos,” Kristof wrote. “Most aren’t of children being assaulted, but too many are.”
His work echoes the accusations of many anti-pornography and anti-sexual exploitation activists: that Pornhub profits from exploitative material and does little to remove violent sexual crimes, sometimes against minors, from its website.
Republican Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse told the Daily Caller News Foundation Friday that the Department of Justice must open an investigation into allegations against PornHub.
“The Department of Justice needs to open an investigation into the scumbags who run Mindgeek,” Sasse said. “Sexual exploitation and human trafficking are abhorrent, period. A decent society should be working to end this.”
Tremendous reporting by @NickKristof on the exploitation that occurs on sites like Pornhub. It’s time for it to end. I will introduce legislation to create a federal right to sue for every person coerced or trafficked or exploited by sites like Pornhub https://t.co/tOynnIILOx — Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) December 4, 2020
“It is completely unacceptable that Pornhub and its parent company Mindgeek make money from rape, sexual abuse, and the exploitation of minors,” the senator, who also called on the DOJ to investigate Pornhub in March, added. “They need to be investigated, and the DOJ needs more urgency about building cases against creeps.”
The DOJ did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-12-07--Election Update: Rudy Tests Positive for COVID; Where are We Now?

Less than five hours after Rudy Giuliani appeared with Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures , President Trump announced via tweet that Rudy had tested positive for COVID-19 .
Fox News reported it Sunday afternoon .
Later that day , it was reported that he ’ d been admitted to Georgetown University Hospital for treatment .
Rudy has been doing a heroic job managing the legal strategy for Trump in states where election tactics and results have been highly suspect .
Like all who test positive , he ’ ll be under quarantine for 14 days after being symptom-free , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hospital or his home , as the case may be .
I hope you ’ ll keep him in your prayers .
He appeared fine in his interview with Bartiromo , who asked for his response to dismissals from the media such as The Wall Street Journal ‘ s Sunday morning headline “ Trump Uses Rally for Georgia ’ s Senate Candidates to Push Unsupported Claims of Voting Fraud.
” ( I join in her scorn of the WSJ ’ s unsupported use of the word “ unsupported.
” ) Rudy could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that headline as Maria played footage from the State Farm Arena in Fulton County , where a skeleton crew of unsupervised ballot-counters appeared to be stuffing the Dominion machines .
“ Why is it that the media continues to report that there ’ s unsupported evidence here , ” she asked , “ when every day , you ’ re out talking about these situations ?
” “ Maria , I wish I knew the answer to that , ” he replied .
“ Part of it is bias , part of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s laziness , part of it is just inexplicable .
How you can say it ’ s unsupported , when there are now tape after tape after tape… ” However , Guiliani went on to say there are ONE THOUSAND affidavits from people who personally observed fraudulent acts .
“ This is a massive fraud , all throughout the country , ” he said .
He ’ s looking to state legislatures to act ; Bartiromo asked about the possible role of the Supreme Court .
( Justice Sam Alito ’ s involvement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a positive sign that SCOTUS might hear a case . )
Giuliani said the Pennsylvania case “ probably is a week away ” from being ready to argue , and he believes it is “ a very good case.
” He told Maria that state legislatures have authority to change state electors if this action is based on “ substantial reasons of corruption , irregularities — in each case , each one of these legislatures has more than enough of that to sustain a Supreme Court challenge.
” “ We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said , “ and once they make a decision , we ’ ll get heard in the Supreme Court.
” “ We ’ re not getting heard in the public , ” he added , “ except for occasional shows like yours and a few others , a few interviews that we do , and social media.
” ( I would add that social media has actually made the sharing of information quite challenging , and also that we proudly place ourselves within the small circle of outlets trying to inform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had not questioned the people who were shown working unsupervised at State Farm Arena .
“ Not that I know of , ” he said .
And it wasn ’ t just the counting , he alleged .
“ They were involved in two or three other acts of voter fraud.
” “ And the FBI is nowhere to be found.
” John Ratcliffe , Director of National Intelligence , has expressed similar concerns and calls for more transparency from the FBI .
Alan Dershowitz , appearing later in the show , agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for further investigation .
He said Giuliani has made “ very serious allegations.
” The big question is which institution is designed , constitutionally , to look into these allegations : state legislatures ?
the courts ?
Dershowitz proposes the creation of a “ vote integrity panel ” or “ VIP , ” consisting of former justices and judges , “ neutral and nonpartisan , ” that would look at all election-related complaints before , during and after the vote .
Not to shoot down an idea , but I do see potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VIP , Voter Integrity Panel.
” There already exists a group called “ VIP , ” the Voter Integrity Project , sponsored by the Thomas More Society ; we ’ ve quoted from it here .
Still , that ’ s a relatively small problem compared with the most challenging one : keeping such a panel truly nonpartisan .
But at least someone ’ s thinking about possible solutions going forward .
Dershowitz agreed that Giuliani has been presenting evidence — repeat , for The Wall Street Journal , EVIDENCE — that now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testimony .
He said Justice Alito ’ s actions suggest that the Supreme Court would likely rule Pennsylvania acted unconstitutionally in expanding the “ window ” so that ballots arriving after Election Day were counted .
Dershowitz predicted that if the SCOTUS decided to take the case , it would rule that Pennsylvania acted illegally in changing voting laws without legislative action .
This would cancel out all votes in Pennsylvania that were received after the close of Election Day .
He also said the constitutional question of whether state legislatures can choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives them that responsibility before —has not been answered .
The way he explained it , if a state legislature decides fraud and/or error has occurred to a level that they must choose new electors , then it becomes “ the key constitutional question ” for the Supreme Court as to whether the legislature can do this .
So that adds another level of complication .
One thing we know : we ’ ve got to abolish or severely limit mail-in voting .
There were 100 million mail-in ballots in this election !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ year 2000 , Jimmy Carter and James Baker ’ s bipartisan commission warned of the huge potential for fraud posed by mail-in voting .
In 2008 , even Barack Obama agreed that mail-in ballots shouldn ’ t be counted unless they had verified signatures .
But in Starr ’ s words , “ we ’ re running out of time ” with this election because December 14 is the date set for the Electoral College to meet .
“ It ’ s going to take extraordinary action by legislatures and so forth.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be more time than that , as the Constitution itself sets just one date , and that is Inauguration Day , January 20 .
Some legal analysts say the rest of the timetable isn ’ t necessarily firm .
Starr points to the allegations of especially egregious potential fraud in Georgia , and in Wisconsin with the use of unmanned dropboxes in violation of state law .
We recently reported these were funded by the Center for Tech and Civic Life , meaning Mark Zuckerberg .
Again , we ’ ll be praying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active .
At the same time , we know the election challenges are in excellent hands with lead GOP attorney Jenna Ellis .
On a related note , we also share Michael Flynn ’ s hopes for the independent legal efforts of Sidney Powell , whom he calls “ America ’ s guardian angel of justice.
” Addendum : Speaking of Sidney Powell , we ’ re eager to see the case she makes against Dominion Voting Systems and how it plays out .
In the meantime , we don ’ t quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday that involves Smartmatic , the firm that makes software used in Dominion machines , but we think you might be very interested .
No accusations yet , just eyebrows raised at more evidence of the George Soros connection .
Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas and longtime conservative commentator on issues in culture and current events .
A New York Times best-selling author , he hosts the weekly talk show Huckabee on TBN .

Less than five hours after Rudy Giuliani appeared with Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures, President Trump announced via tweet that Rudy had tested positive for COVID-19. Fox News reported it Sunday afternoon.
Later that day, it was reported that he’d been admitted to Georgetown University Hospital for treatment.
Rudy has been doing a heroic job managing the legal strategy for Trump in states where election tactics and results have been highly suspect. Like all who test positive, he’ll be under quarantine for 14 days after being symptom-free, so must continue his role either from the hospital or his home, as the case may be. I hope you’ll keep him in your prayers.
He appeared fine in his interview with Bartiromo, who asked for his response to dismissals from the media such as The Wall Street Journal‘s Sunday morning headline “Trump Uses Rally for Georgia’s Senate Candidates to Push Unsupported Claims of Voting Fraud.” (I join in her scorn of the WSJ’s unsupported use of the word “unsupported.”) Rudy could only shake his head in bewilderment at that headline as Maria played footage from the State Farm Arena in Fulton County, where a skeleton crew of unsupervised ballot-counters appeared to be stuffing the Dominion machines.
“Why is it that the media continues to report that there’s unsupported evidence here,” she asked, “when every day, you’re out talking about these situations?”
“Maria, I wish I knew the answer to that,” he replied. “Part of it is bias, part of it is corruption, part of it’s laziness, part of it is just inexplicable. How you can say it’s unsupported, when there are now tape after tape after tape…”
(It should be noted that the chief investigator for the Georgia Secretary of State told the factchecking site LeadStories.com that the video shows nothing unusual: that the workers who left were just “cutters” whose job is open the envelopes and they were finished, and that those weren’t suitcases but standard containers for ballots. She also claims nobody was told to leave and the people on the tape were just scanners doing their job. Duly noted.)
Witnesses Observed Fraud, Media Observers Radio Silence
However, Guiliani went on to say there are ONE THOUSAND affidavits from people who personally observed fraudulent acts. “This is a massive fraud, all throughout the country,” he said.
He’s looking to state legislatures to act; Bartiromo asked about the possible role of the Supreme Court. (Justice Sam Alito’s involvement in Pennsylvania has seemed to us to be a positive sign that SCOTUS might hear a case.) Giuliani said the Pennsylvania case “probably is a week away” from being ready to argue, and he believes it is “a very good case.”
He told Maria that state legislatures have authority to change state electors if this action is based on “substantial reasons of corruption, irregularities — in each case, each one of these legislatures has more than enough of that to sustain a Supreme Court challenge.”
“We’re getting heard in the state legislatures,” he said, “and once they make a decision, we’ll get heard in the Supreme Court.”
“We’re not getting heard in the public,” he added, “except for occasional shows like yours and a few others, a few interviews that we do, and social media.” (I would add that social media has actually made the sharing of information quite challenging, and also that we proudly place ourselves within the small circle of outlets trying to inform people.)
Giuliani said the FBI had not questioned the people who were shown working unsupervised at State Farm Arena. “Not that I know of,” he said. And it wasn’t just the counting, he alleged. “They were involved in two or three other acts of voter fraud.”
“And the FBI is nowhere to be found.”
John Ratcliffe, Director of National Intelligence, has expressed similar concerns and calls for more transparency from the FBI.
Dershowitz and the Supreme Court
Alan Dershowitz, appearing later in the show, agreed that there is “probable cause” for further investigation. He said Giuliani has made “very serious allegations.” The big question is which institution is designed, constitutionally, to look into these allegations: state legislatures? the courts? Dershowitz proposes the creation of a “vote integrity panel” or “VIP,” consisting of former justices and judges, “neutral and nonpartisan,” that would look at all election-related complaints before, during and after the vote.
Not to shoot down an idea, but I do see potential problems, starting with the name “VIP, Voter Integrity Panel.” There already exists a group called “VIP,” the Voter Integrity Project, sponsored by the Thomas More Society; we’ve quoted from it here. Still, that’s a relatively small problem compared with the most challenging one: keeping such a panel truly nonpartisan. But at least someone’s thinking about possible solutions going forward.
Dershowitz agreed that Giuliani has been presenting evidence — repeat, for The Wall Street Journal, EVIDENCE — that now should be subject to cross-examination and other testimony.
He said Justice Alito’s actions suggest that the Supreme Court would likely rule Pennsylvania acted unconstitutionally in expanding the “window” so that ballots arriving after Election Day were counted.
(Since I’m not a legal expert, here is a different take on the possible reasons for Alito’s timing of his deadline.)
Dershowitz predicted that if the SCOTUS decided to take the case, it would rule that Pennsylvania acted illegally in changing voting laws without legislative action. This would cancel out all votes in Pennsylvania that were received after the close of Election Day.
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He also said the constitutional question of whether state legislatures can choose electors after Election Day — the Constitution gives them that responsibility before —has not been answered. The way he explained it, if a state legislature decides fraud and/or error has occurred to a level that they must choose new electors, then it becomes “the key constitutional question” for the Supreme Court as to whether the legislature can do this. So that adds another level of complication.
The Disaster of Mass Mail-In Voting
One thing we know: we’ve got to abolish or severely limit mail-in voting. There were 100 million mail-in ballots in this election! Ken Starr reminds us that in the year 2000, Jimmy Carter and James Baker’s bipartisan commission warned of the huge potential for fraud posed by mail-in voting. In 2008, even Barack Obama agreed that mail-in ballots shouldn’t be counted unless they had verified signatures.
But in Starr’s words, “we’re running out of time” with this election because December 14 is the date set for the Electoral College to meet. “It’s going to take extraordinary action by legislatures and so forth.”
On the other hand, there may be more time than that, as the Constitution itself sets just one date, and that is Inauguration Day, January 20. Some legal analysts say the rest of the timetable isn’t necessarily firm .
Starr points to the allegations of especially egregious potential fraud in Georgia, and in Wisconsin with the use of unmanned dropboxes in violation of state law. We recently reported these were funded by the Center for Tech and Civic Life, meaning Mark Zuckerberg.
Again, we’ll be praying for Rudy Giuliani to stay healthy and active. At the same time, we know the election challenges are in excellent hands with lead GOP attorney Jenna Ellis. On a related note, we also share Michael Flynn’s hopes for the independent legal efforts of Sidney Powell, whom he calls “America’s guardian angel of justice.”
Soros and Smartmatic
Addendum: Speaking of Sidney Powell, we’re eager to see the case she makes against Dominion Voting Systems and how it plays out. In the meantime, we don’t quite know what to make of this announcement Friday that involves Smartmatic, the firm that makes software used in Dominion machines, but we think you might be very interested. No accusations yet, just eyebrows raised at more evidence of the George Soros connection.
Mike Huckabee is the former governor of Arkansas and longtime conservative commentator on issues in culture and current events. A New York Times best-selling author, he hosts the weekly talk show Huckabee on TBN.


thestream--2020-12-07--Another California Sheriff Refuses to Send Deputies to Enforce Masks, ‘Social Gatherings or Stay-at-

Another California Sheriff Refuses to Send Deputies to Enforce Masks, ‘Social Gatherings or Stay-at-Home Orders’

A California sheriff on Saturday joined a growing list of law enforcement leaders in the state who refuse to enforce recent coronavirus orders .
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes tweeted an announcement vowing not to send his deputies to enforce mask violations , “ social gatherings or stay-at-home ” violations .
Democratic California Gov .
Gavin Newsom had issued a state-wide quarantine order for localities where intensive care unit capacity drops below 15 % , according to the New York Times .
“ Compliance with health orders is a matter of personal responsibility and not a matter of law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Orange County Sheriff ’ s Deputies will not be dispatched to , or respond to , calls for service to enforce compliance with face coverings , social gatherings or stay-at-home orders only.
” “ To put the onus on law enforcement to enforce these orders against law-abiding citizens who are already struggling through difficult circumstances , while at the same time criticizing law enforcement and taking away tools to do our jobs , is both contradictory and disingenuous , ” he continued .
Barnes joined law enforcement chiefs from Riverside County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County in rejecting the governor ’ s order .
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco announced Friday that he would not be “ blackmailed ” into enforcing the mandate on the residents of his county .
“ [ Newsom ] is expecting us to arrest anyone violating these orders , cite them and take their money , close their businesses , make them stay in their homes and take away their civil liberties or he will punish all of us , ” Bianco said in video statement .
“ I believe that all jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor ’ s office and the state has threatened action against violators , the Riverside County Sheriff ’ s Department will not be blackmailed , bullied or used as muscle against Riverside County residents in the enforcement of the governor ’ s orders , ” Bianco continued .
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva on Thursday vowed to “ stay away from business , ” and told Fox LA ’ s Bill Melugin that he was limiting the enforcement of Newsom ’ s order to large gatherings only .
“ I want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] that are trying to comply , ” Villanueva told Melugin .
“ They bent over backwards to modify their operations to conform to these orders and then they have the rug yanked out from under them.
” “ That ’ s a disservice , ” Villanueva continued .
“ I don ’ t want to make them more miserable.
” The San Bernardino Sheriff ’ s Department , although it has not released a formal statement , told the local reporter that deputies will not be responding to complaints pertaining to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

A California sheriff on Saturday joined a growing list of law enforcement leaders in the state who refuse to enforce recent coronavirus orders.
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes tweeted an announcement vowing not to send his deputies to enforce mask violations, “social gatherings or stay-at-home” violations. Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom had issued a state-wide quarantine order for localities where intensive care unit capacity drops below 15%, according to the New York Times.
“Compliance with health orders is a matter of personal responsibility and not a matter of law enforcement,” Barnes said in the statement. “Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies will not be dispatched to, or respond to, calls for service to enforce compliance with face coverings, social gatherings or stay-at-home orders only.”
“To put the onus on law enforcement to enforce these orders against law-abiding citizens who are already struggling through difficult circumstances, while at the same time criticizing law enforcement and taking away tools to do our jobs, is both contradictory and disingenuous,” he continued.
Please see my statement regarding Southern California being placed under the Governor’s regional stay-at-home order. pic.twitter.com/lgvvHGnasp — OC Sheriff Don Barnes (@OCSheriffBarnes) December 5, 2020
Barnes joined law enforcement chiefs from Riverside County, Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County in rejecting the governor’s order.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco announced Friday that he would not be “blackmailed” into enforcing the mandate on the residents of his county.
“[Newsom] is expecting us to arrest anyone violating these orders, cite them and take their money, close their businesses, make them stay in their homes and take away their civil liberties or he will punish all of us,” Bianco said in video statement. “I believe that all jobs are essential to someone.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“While the governor’s office and the state has threatened action against violators, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department will not be blackmailed, bullied or used as muscle against Riverside County residents in the enforcement of the governor’s orders,” Bianco continued.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva on Thursday vowed to “stay away from business,” and told Fox LA’s Bill Melugin that he was limiting the enforcement of Newsom’s order to large gatherings only.
“I want to stay away from business [sic] that are trying to comply,” Villanueva told Melugin. “They bent over backwards to modify their operations to conform to these orders and then they have the rug yanked out from under them.”
“That’s a disservice,” Villanueva continued. “I don’t want to make them more miserable.”
The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, although it has not released a formal statement, told the local reporter that deputies will not be responding to complaints pertaining to the recent COVID-19 orders.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-12-07--A Challenge to Pro-Life Voters

A Challenge to Pro-Life Voters

For many Christian conservatives , the No .
1 voting issue is abortion .
Under no circumstances will we vote for a “ pro-choice ” candidate , no matter how good that candidate ’ s other policies may be .
Conversely , we will vote for a strong pro-life candidate even if that candidate does not line up with some of our other ideals .
After all , we reason , what is more important than the shedding of innocent blood , especially the blood of babies in their mothers ’ wombs ?
And while it is true that having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as burning a baby on the altar of the god Molech , as the ancient Israelites used to do , it is certainly high on the list of things that God hates .
For good reason are we grieved and outraged over it .
That is one reason why so many of us voted for President Trump .
And that is one reason why so many of us voted against Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden ( and Kamala Harris ) .
Abortion .
That one word says it all .
What Else are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an important question .
Other than voting for pro-life candidates every two ( or four ) years , what else are we doing to save babies ’ lives ?
Other than expressing our moral outrage in tweets or comments , what practical difference are we making ?
If this is such a grave evil in God ’ s sight and if we are so burdened by it , what are we doing the rest of the year ?
I remember speaking at a pro-life rally in Charlotte , North Carolina , in conjunction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There was a fairly small crowd present , which only highlighted the degree of apathy in the Church on the subject .
In fact , one might say that our degree of passion when it comes to voting against abortion is in inverse proportion to our degree of action when it comes to actually working for the pro-life cause outside of the voting booth .
But as I spoke at the small rally , rather than having a holier-than-thou feeling , I was struck with the opposite emotion , saying to those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , attending this rally once a year is the only thing we will actually do to save the lives of the unborn.
” Most of us could hardly pat ourselves on the back .
To be sure , there have been countless thousands of pro-life workers who have given themselves to the cause for decades .
They have endured ridicule and scorn .
They have been arrested and attacked .
And yet , week in , week out , standing in front of abortion clinics , they have lovingly offered women ( and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Choose life , ” they have pleaded , with passion , regardless of the opposition they have received .
Others have served faithfully in pro-life clinics , offering alternatives to abortion and affirming the humanity of the child in the womb .
Others have worked on the legal front , while others have lobbied politically .
Still others have given themselves to prayer and fasting , spending many a sleepless night praying for the unborn and for the emergence of a culture of life .
Here in Charlotte , a powerful pro-life movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by some Christian businessmen deeply burdened by the shedding of innocent blood .
It quickly moved to other cities in North Carolina and has now been duplicated in other states and countries .
As a result , many hundreds of babies are being saved and many families being formed .
Are We Apathetic About Abortion ?
But the truth be told , as dogmatic as we are when it comes to voting pro-life ( and I ’ m with you in terms of taking that stand ) most of us are often just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing something to save the lives of the unborn .
Does that not smack of hypocrisy ?
Does that not speak of superficiality ?
If we really are so burdened , why so little action ?
If this sin really is so ugly in God ’ s sight , why do we do so little to stop it outside of our periodic votes ?
If these unborn children are so precious and innocent , why do we hardly lift a finger to save their lives ?
A recurring theme of the Bible is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak louder than words .
Or , to paraphrase the words of Jacob ( James ) , “ If you have so much conviction , show it to me by your deeds ” ( see James 2:18 ) .
Our voting is certainly important , and there are many legislative victories being won even as we continue to fight to overturn Roe v. Wade .
( See here for a grudging acknowledgment of this in Time Magazine . )
But if we really care as much as we claim to care about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious an issue as we claim that it is when we go to vote , then surely , for most of us , there is far more we can do to be pro-life .
Let us turn our passion into action and let us put feet to our conviction .
Lives are hanging in the balance , and you and I can be the difference between life and death .
Literally .
Dr. Michael Brown ( www.askdrbrown.org ) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program .
His latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Will We Pass the Trump Test ?
Connect with him on Facebook , Twitter or YouTube .

For many Christian conservatives, the No. 1 voting issue is abortion. Under no circumstances will we vote for a “pro-choice” candidate, no matter how good that candidate’s other policies may be. Conversely, we will vote for a strong pro-life candidate even if that candidate does not line up with some of our other ideals. After all, we reason, what is more important than the shedding of innocent blood, especially the blood of babies in their mothers’ wombs?
And while it is true that having an abortion is not exactly the same as burning a baby on the altar of the god Molech, as the ancient Israelites used to do, it is certainly high on the list of things that God hates. For good reason are we grieved and outraged over it.
That is one reason why so many of us voted for President Trump. And that is one reason why so many of us voted against Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden (and Kamala Harris). Abortion. That one word says it all.
What Else are We Doing?
But that leads to an important question. Other than voting for pro-life candidates every two (or four) years, what else are we doing to save babies’ lives? Other than expressing our moral outrage in tweets or comments, what practical difference are we making? If this is such a grave evil in God’s sight and if we are so burdened by it, what are we doing the rest of the year?
I remember speaking at a pro-life rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, in conjunction with the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. There was a fairly small crowd present, which only highlighted the degree of apathy in the Church on the subject. In fact, one might say that our degree of passion when it comes to voting against abortion is in inverse proportion to our degree of action when it comes to actually working for the pro-life cause outside of the voting booth.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
But as I spoke at the small rally, rather than having a holier-than-thou feeling, I was struck with the opposite emotion, saying to those gathered, “For many of us, attending this rally once a year is the only thing we will actually do to save the lives of the unborn.” Most of us could hardly pat ourselves on the back.
Some Have Worked Hard
To be sure, there have been countless thousands of pro-life workers who have given themselves to the cause for decades. They have endured ridicule and scorn. They have been arrested and attacked. And yet, week in, week out, standing in front of abortion clinics, they have lovingly offered women (and men) a better way. “Choose life,” they have pleaded, with passion, regardless of the opposition they have received.
Others have served faithfully in pro-life clinics, offering alternatives to abortion and affirming the humanity of the child in the womb. Others have worked on the legal front, while others have lobbied politically. Still others have given themselves to prayer and fasting, spending many a sleepless night praying for the unborn and for the emergence of a culture of life.
Here in Charlotte, a powerful pro-life movement, called Love Life, was birthed by some Christian businessmen deeply burdened by the shedding of innocent blood. It quickly moved to other cities in North Carolina and has now been duplicated in other states and countries. As a result, many hundreds of babies are being saved and many families being formed.
Are We Apathetic About Abortion?
But the truth be told, as dogmatic as we are when it comes to voting pro-life (and I’m with you in terms of taking that stand) most of us are often just as apathetic when it comes to actually doing something to save the lives of the unborn.
Does that not smack of hypocrisy? Does that not speak of superficiality? If we really are so burdened, why so little action? If this sin really is so ugly in God’s sight, why do we do so little to stop it outside of our periodic votes? If these unborn children are so precious and innocent, why do we hardly lift a finger to save their lives?
A recurring theme of the Bible is that talk is cheap and that actions speak louder than words. Or, to paraphrase the words of Jacob (James), “If you have so much conviction, show it to me by your deeds” (see James 2:18).
Our voting is certainly important, and there are many legislative victories being won even as we continue to fight to overturn Roe v. Wade. (See here for a grudging acknowledgment of this in Time Magazine.)
But if we really care as much as we claim to care about the unborn, and if abortion is as serious an issue as we claim that it is when we go to vote, then surely, for most of us, there is far more we can do to be pro-life.
Let us turn our passion into action and let us put feet to our conviction. Lives are hanging in the balance, and you and I can be the difference between life and death. Literally.
Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test? Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.


thestream--2020-12-07--Argentina and Learning the Wrong Lessons About Abortion

Argentina — the home country of Pope Francis — is currently in a fight over abortion .
The pope has even weighed in — talking , among other things , about making it clear that abortion isn ’ t a religious issue .
It ’ s a fact issue .
A matter of science .
When a woman is pregnant , there is a child developing inside her .
It ’ s not a leap of faith to say it ; we see it on sonograms .
She is a mother and will always be , whatever happens to that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mourn when they suffer miscarriages .
This is a real , grueling , heartbreaking loss .
To deny that is an injustice and a lie that helps no one .
When you take away the politics and the emotion , that ’ s what the science tells us .
And that ’ s what lived experience tells us too .
Let ’ s , again , face facts : If a couple is trying to get pregnant , or is at least open to having children , it ’ s very clear what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s known .
There is a child developing in the woman .
An announcement might be made ; nursery decorations might be purchased ; baby shower plans might take shape .
All of this expectation is not unlike the waiting of the current Christian season of Advent .
There is a looking forward to the arrival of the Christ Child ( even if we sometimes seem to push Him aside for Santa Claus or Festivus ) .
What This Means for Argentina This all ties to Argentina ’ s current debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s health minister , is a key proponent of legalizing abortion in that country .
Journalist Ines San Martin recently wrote in the Catholic magazine Crux that Garcia has called abortion a “ public health issue , ” and that “ there are not two lives , as some say.
” Garcia insists : “ There ’ s clearly a single person , and the other ( thing ) is a phenomenon .
If it were not like that , we would be facing the greatest universal genocide , ( because ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it.
” A “ phenomenon ” !
That ’ s a new euphemism .
Garcia seems to be running out of ways to veil the truth .
That “ genocide ” word is much more accurate than “ choice ” or “ reproductive health.
” Abortion is , indeed , a horrific part of the “ civilized world.
” In the United States alone , there have been tens of millions of abortions since 1973 .
That ’ s a brutal reality to come to terms with .
As we approach a half-century @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reflect on how much other violence might stem from this , our most poisonous export .
Those words from the Argentinian health minister , as backward as he got them , point to the truth .
And I ’ m starting to hope beyond all hope , and pray for a miracle , that Joe Biden might be serious about healing .
If he is , he will drive us away from the radical allegiance to Planned Parenthood and its sexual revolutionary values .
It has been said that women deserve better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So does civilization .
Again , Garcia went right there , but took the wrong message away from it .
We need to step away from abortion and truly welcome life — to walk with women and their children .
To treasure and support them .
Pope Francis frequently talks about tenderness .
Who better than mothers and babies to show us what that looks like ?
And when we see it , we will be touched by it — rather than terrorized by more violence and death .
Kathryn Jean Lopez is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , editor-at-large of National Review magazine and author of the new book A Year With the Mystics : Visionary Wisdom for Daily Living .
She is also chair of Cardinal Dolan ’ s pro-life commission in New York .
She can be contacted at klopez @ nationalreview.com .

Argentina — the home country of Pope Francis — is currently in a fight over abortion.
The pope has even weighed in — talking, among other things, about making it clear that abortion isn’t a religious issue. It’s a fact issue. A matter of science. When a woman is pregnant, there is a child developing inside her. It’s not a leap of faith to say it; we see it on sonograms. She is a mother and will always be, whatever happens to that child. That’s why women mourn when they suffer miscarriages.
This is a real, grueling, heartbreaking loss. To deny that is an injustice and a lie that helps no one. When you take away the politics and the emotion, that’s what the science tells us. And that’s what lived experience tells us too.
The Facts About Pregnancy
Let’s, again, face facts: If a couple is trying to get pregnant, or is at least open to having children, it’s very clear what a pregnancy means, from the moment it’s known. There is a child developing in the woman. An announcement might be made; nursery decorations might be purchased; baby shower plans might take shape. All of this expectation is not unlike the waiting of the current Christian season of Advent. There is a looking forward to the arrival of the Christ Child (even if we sometimes seem to push Him aside for Santa Claus or Festivus).
What This Means for Argentina
This all ties to Argentina’s current debate. Gines Gonzalez Garcia, the country’s health minister, is a key proponent of legalizing abortion in that country. Journalist Ines San Martin recently wrote in the Catholic magazine Crux that Garcia has called abortion a “public health issue,” and that “there are not two lives, as some say.” Garcia insists: “There’s clearly a single person, and the other (thing) is a phenomenon. If it were not like that, we would be facing the greatest universal genocide, (because) more than half the civilized world allows it.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
A “phenomenon”! That’s a new euphemism. Garcia seems to be running out of ways to veil the truth. That “genocide” word is much more accurate than “choice” or “reproductive health.”
Coming to Terms With a Brutal Reality
Abortion is, indeed, a horrific part of the “civilized world.” In the United States alone, there have been tens of millions of abortions since 1973. That’s a brutal reality to come to terms with. As we approach a half-century of legal abortion here, we ought to reflect on how much other violence might stem from this, our most poisonous export.
Those words from the Argentinian health minister, as backward as he got them, point to the truth. And I’m starting to hope beyond all hope, and pray for a miracle, that Joe Biden might be serious about healing. If he is, he will drive us away from the radical allegiance to Planned Parenthood and its sexual revolutionary values.
Women Deserve Better
It has been said that women deserve better than abortion, and they do. So does civilization. Again, Garcia went right there, but took the wrong message away from it. We need to step away from abortion and truly welcome life — to walk with women and their children. To treasure and support them.
Pope Francis frequently talks about tenderness. Who better than mothers and babies to show us what that looks like? And when we see it, we will be touched by it — rather than terrorized by more violence and death.
Kathryn Jean Lopez is senior fellow at the National Review Institute, editor-at-large of National Review magazine and author of the new book A Year With the Mystics: Visionary Wisdom for Daily Living. She is also chair of Cardinal Dolan’s pro-life commission in New York. She can be contacted at [email protected].


thestream--2020-12-08--Pompeo Designates ‘Violators of Religious Freedom’ Including China, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo designated new “ violators of religious freedom ” Monday , announcing new action intended to protect “ those who simply want to exercise this essential freedom.
” Pompeo announced that the U.S. designated Burma , China , Eritrea , Iran , Nigeria , the Democratic People ’ s Republic of Korea , Pakistan , Saudi Arabia , Tajikistan , and Turkmenistan as “ Countries of Particular Concern ” for “ systematic , ongoing , egregious violations of religious freedom.
” The Secretary of State also noted that Comoros , Cuba , Nicaragua , and Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ List for “ severe violations of religious freedom , ” and that extremist groups al-Shabaab , al-Qa ’ ida , Boko Haram , Hayat Tahrir al-Sham , the Houthis , ISIS , ISIS-Greater Sahara , ISIS-West Africa , Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin , and the Taliban have been designated “ Entities of Particular Concern.
” “ We have not renewed the prior Entity of Particular Concern designations for al-Qa ’ ida in the Arabian Peninsula and ISIS-Khorasan , due to the total loss of territory formerly controlled by these terrorist organizations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ While these two groups no longer meet the statutory criteria for designation , we will not rest until we have fully eliminated the threat of religious freedom abuses by any violent extremist and terrorist groups.
” Sudan and Uzbekistan are no longer on the special watch list due to progress in their respective governments , Pompeo said , citing “ courageous reforms of their laws and practices stand as models for other nations to follow.
” “ And yet our work is far from complete , ” he said .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to end religiously motivated abuses and persecution around the world , and to help ensure that each person , everywhere , at all times , has the right to live according to the dictates of conscience.
” 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 .

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo designated new “violators of religious freedom” Monday, announcing new action intended to protect “those who simply want to exercise this essential freedom.”
Pompeo announced that the U.S. designated Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as “Countries of Particular Concern” for “systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom.”
The Secretary of State also noted that Comoros, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Russia have been placed on a Special Watch List for “severe violations of religious freedom,” and that extremist groups al-Shabaab, al-Qa’ida, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Houthis, ISIS, ISIS-Greater Sahara, ISIS-West Africa, Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin, and the Taliban have been designated “Entities of Particular Concern.”
Today the U.S. designates Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, the DPRK, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as countries of concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for engaging systematic, ongoing, egregious religious freedom violations. — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) December 7, 2020
“We have not renewed the prior Entity of Particular Concern designations for al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula and ISIS-Khorasan, due to the total loss of territory formerly controlled by these terrorist organizations,” Pompeo said in a statement.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“While these two groups no longer meet the statutory criteria for designation, we will not rest until we have fully eliminated the threat of religious freedom abuses by any violent extremist and terrorist groups.”
Sudan and Uzbekistan are no longer on the special watch list due to progress in their respective governments, Pompeo said, citing “courageous reforms of their laws and practices stand as models for other nations to follow.”
“And yet our work is far from complete,” he said. “The United States will continue to work tirelessly to end religiously motivated abuses and persecution around the world, and to help ensure that each person, everywhere, at all times, has the right to live according to the dictates of conscience.”
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-12-08--The Movie Hollywood Elitists Don’t Want You to See

Ron Howard ’ s new film , Hillbilly Elegy ( 2020 ) has been receiving a lot of negative reviews .
It opened in theaters on November 11 , and has been streaming on Netflix since November 24 .
According to the critics , it ’ s too melodramatic , or lacking in substance .
Or it doesn ’ t show the proper social and political implications .
Or quite simply , it ’ s far too emotional .
On the other hand , the film has been a great success among audiences — regular people .
They reacted favorably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an emotional and existential crisis .
It ’ s based on J. D. Vance ’ s 2016 memoir .
That book of the same title delves into his family ’ s relation to one another as well as America at large .
By now , everyone is familiar with the story .
J.D .
is a young man who grew up in Middletown , Ohio , in poor and dire circumstances filled with uncertainty , addiction , and abuse .
His mother ’ s family comes from Kentucky ’ s Appalachian region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
palpably feels the values that accompany such a family , namely loyalty to the family as a whole .
In fact , at the beginning of the film , we see a series of family photographs going back to the settler .
This is a first sign that history , both personal and collective , matters greatly .
These are Americans through and through , devoted to God and country .
Howard makes use of flashbacks between a teenage J. D. ( Owen Asztalos ) and older J. D. ( Gabriel Basso @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a constant onslaught of verbal and physical abuse from his mother , Beverly ( played by Amy Adams ) .
He enjoys moments of rough tenderness from his grandmother ( Beverly ’ s mother ) , or “ mamaw , ” as he calls her , played brilliantly by an almost unrecognizable Glenn Close .
The older J. D. has made a new life for himself , or at the very least is attempting to break the pattern of poverty and violence .
He is at Yale Law School but still feels odd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elites.
” As the film opens , he is at a fancy dinner party , where schmoozing is of the essence if you want to secure that prestigious summer internship .
During the dinner , a call comes through .
His mother has had yet another addiction episode .
This time , she has overdosed on heroin .
The dinner J. D. is attending is a wholly foreign affair to him .
He might as well be from another country , not merely from another state in the same country .
As much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to J. D. , he is almost relieved that he has to go back to the land that bore him .
It beats trying to have a semblance of a conversation with elite intellectuals and lawyers .
As he arrives , two worlds are colliding but not in a way that we might expect .
J. D. is entirely frustrated by his family ’ s ongoing cycle of abuse , addiction , hate , anger , and poverty .
He wants to make a better life for himself , yet he feels that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again .
As we move between the younger and older J. D. , we are witnessing a child that has been given a burden to carry .
The sins of the mothers , if you will .
Everything that is going wrong with his mother ’ s life ( mainly , her addiction and numerous volatile romantic relationships ) is firmly planted in J. D. ’ s lap .
If it ’ s not J. D. that is to blame , then it ’ s mamaw .
Beverly rarely takes responsibility for her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout the film .
Yet , Howard ( and one would assume Vance in his book ) doesn ’ t present this as a simple hero-villain story .
Rather , every character is humanized , and as much as this kind of biographical approach to film allows it , Howard shows glimpses of their interior lives .
Glenn Close , in particular , deserves every award possible for such an emotional portrayal of a woman burdened by her own past and the past of mothers and fathers .
One who is still grasping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , something that may be beautiful .
One of the main criticisms of this film has been that it is too emotional .
First of all , Ron Howard excels at creating such films , as seen for example in A Beautiful Mind ( 2001 ) .
He understands that if the cinematic and narrative movement is to remain intact , then that very movement must engage in dramatic effects .
In this , he succeeds immensely , and his approach to the juxtaposition of two very different Americas is done with just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercise in kitsch or schmaltz .
In fact , the film never becomes that .
Second of all , what exactly is wrong with emotion ?
Aren ’ t we all lacking in that these days ?
Everything is entirely political and ideological and Howard ’ s adaptation of Vance ’ s book is purposely choosing to tell a human story , rather than one relying on political or social categorization .
Without a doubt , there are social and economic implications but that is not even remotely the center of this beautiful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big statement about whether one America is better than the other , or even whether these people ( who seem to be getting in their own way of possible success ) are more noble or , on the other hand , should be ostracized .
Rather , this film and this story is about our place in this world as we try to navigate through a history of violence and love .
Emotional ?
You bet !
What else would you call a grandmother ’ s anguish , a mother ’ s disorder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a world of such an incredible division , Ron Howard has succeeded in making a film that elevates the power of the human spirit and what that spirit is capable of , as well as what may bring about its destruction .
We have become so used to seeing everything through the lens of politics and more than anything , of harmful ideology .
We are unable to see the humanity in each other and ourselves .
It ’ s not surprising that as a society , we are incapable of standing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when all we do is engage in simplistic and anger inducing categorizations and dehumanizations .
Every nuanced emotion and thought has been turned into yet another dumb hashtag .
Aren ’ t we all tired of that , or are we settled in our comforting existence of moving even further away from what it means to be a human being ?
Emina Melonic is a film and book critic .
Read her film blog , The Magic Lantern .

Ron Howard’s new film, Hillbilly Elegy (2020) has been receiving a lot of negative reviews. It opened in theaters on November 11, and has been streaming on Netflix since November 24. According to the critics, it’s too melodramatic, or lacking in substance. Or it doesn’t show the proper social and political implications. Or quite simply, it’s far too emotional. On the other hand, the film has been a great success among audiences — regular people. They reacted favorably to the story of a family caught in an emotional and existential crisis. It’s based on J.D. Vance’s 2016 memoir. That book of the same title delves into his family’s relation to one another as well as America at large.
By now, everyone is familiar with the story. J.D. is a young man who grew up in Middletown, Ohio, in poor and dire circumstances filled with uncertainty, addiction, and abuse. His mother’s family comes from Kentucky’s Appalachian region. Despite living in Ohio, J.D. palpably feels the values that accompany such a family, namely loyalty to the family as a whole. In fact, at the beginning of the film, we see a series of family photographs going back to the settler. This is a first sign that history, both personal and collective, matters greatly. These are Americans through and through, devoted to God and country.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Howard makes use of flashbacks between a teenage J.D. (Owen Asztalos) and older J.D. (Gabriel Basso). Young J.D. is experiencing a constant onslaught of verbal and physical abuse from his mother, Beverly (played by Amy Adams). He enjoys moments of rough tenderness from his grandmother (Beverly’s mother), or “mamaw,” as he calls her, played brilliantly by an almost unrecognizable Glenn Close. The older J.D. has made a new life for himself, or at the very least is attempting to break the pattern of poverty and violence. He is at Yale Law School but still feels odd when trying to communicate with the “elites.”
Trapped at an Ivy League Dinner Party
As the film opens, he is at a fancy dinner party, where schmoozing is of the essence if you want to secure that prestigious summer internship. During the dinner, a call comes through. His mother has had yet another addiction episode. This time, she has overdosed on heroin. The dinner J.D. is attending is a wholly foreign affair to him. He might as well be from another country, not merely from another state in the same country. As much as securing a summer position is important to J.D., he is almost relieved that he has to go back to the land that bore him. It beats trying to have a semblance of a conversation with elite intellectuals and lawyers.
As he arrives, two worlds are colliding but not in a way that we might expect. J.D. is entirely frustrated by his family’s ongoing cycle of abuse, addiction, hate, anger, and poverty. He wants to make a better life for himself, yet he feels that he must help his mother, yet again. As we move between the younger and older J.D., we are witnessing a child that has been given a burden to carry. The sins of the mothers, if you will. Everything that is going wrong with his mother’s life (mainly, her addiction and numerous volatile romantic relationships) is firmly planted in J.D.’s lap. If it’s not J.D. that is to blame, then it’s mamaw. Beverly rarely takes responsibility for her own life, and this is addressed throughout the film.
Real, Three-Dimensional Characters with Souls
Yet, Howard (and one would assume Vance in his book) doesn’t present this as a simple hero-villain story. Rather, every character is humanized, and as much as this kind of biographical approach to film allows it, Howard shows glimpses of their interior lives. Glenn Close, in particular, deserves every award possible for such an emotional portrayal of a woman burdened by her own past and the past of mothers and fathers. One who is still grasping toward the future, toward something better, something that may be beautiful.
Emotions. Remember Them?
One of the main criticisms of this film has been that it is too emotional. First of all, Ron Howard excels at creating such films, as seen for example in A Beautiful Mind (2001). He understands that if the cinematic and narrative movement is to remain intact, then that very movement must engage in dramatic effects. In this, he succeeds immensely, and his approach to the juxtaposition of two very different Americas is done with just enough flourish as not to become an exercise in kitsch or schmaltz. In fact, the film never becomes that.
Second of all, what exactly is wrong with emotion? Aren’t we all lacking in that these days? Everything is entirely political and ideological and Howard’s adaptation of Vance’s book is purposely choosing to tell a human story, rather than one relying on political or social categorization. Without a doubt, there are social and economic implications but that is not even remotely the center of this beautiful film.
Howard is not making a big statement about whether one America is better than the other, or even whether these people (who seem to be getting in their own way of possible success) are more noble or, on the other hand, should be ostracized. Rather, this film and this story is about our place in this world as we try to navigate through a history of violence and love.
Emotional? You bet! What else would you call a grandmother’s anguish, a mother’s disorder, a boy’s confusion?
Crossing Political and Class Lines
In a world of such an incredible division, Ron Howard has succeeded in making a film that elevates the power of the human spirit and what that spirit is capable of, as well as what may bring about its destruction. We have become so used to seeing everything through the lens of politics and more than anything, of harmful ideology. We are unable to see the humanity in each other and ourselves.
It’s not surprising that as a society, we are incapable of standing face to face with ourselves or others, when all we do is engage in simplistic and anger-inducing categorizations and dehumanizations. Every nuanced emotion and thought has been turned into yet another dumb hashtag. Aren’t we all tired of that, or are we settled in our comforting existence of moving even further away from what it means to be a human being?
Emina Melonic is a film and book critic. Read her film blog, The Magic Lantern.


thestream--2020-12-08--Military Photo of the Day: Keeping Watch

U.S. Air Force F-15 Strike Eagles keep watch over U.S. troops serving in the Middle East .
Thank you to @ @ @ @ @ overseas .
We are praying for you and your families .

U.S. Air Force F-15 Strike Eagles keep watch over U.S. troops serving in the Middle East.
Thank you to all the American heroes serving overseas. We are praying for you and your families.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-12-08--An Open Letter to Young Pro-Lifers: Don’t Let Anyone Gaslight You

December 10 is World Human Rights Day , though you ’ d hardly know it .
I ’ ve devoted my life since I was a teenager to protecting the vulnerable , especially children , from intentional lethal violence .
And the hollowness of this holiday haunts me .
Because so many things are getting worse , and so few people care .
Before this disputed election , I helped write a series of columns examining Joe Biden ’ s record on crucial moral issues .
I looked at fundamental questions where there ’ s a black and white , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a longer series of prudential questions proposed by the U.S. Catholic bishops , aimed at improving ( rather than saving ) people ’ s lives .
One group of laymen created a “ Catholic Voters Guide , ” which offered to judge both Biden and Trump ’ s positions against that church ’ s teachings .
It came up with the conclusion that Biden scored quite well , and a good deal better than Trump .
An Abortion Extremist in Charge of Our Health I wonder how these people feel now .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Human Services … California Attorney General Xavier Becerra .
Mr. Becerra ’ s idea of health care includes abortion on demand for all nine months for any reason , including sex selection or wiping out handicapped babies .
Becerra ’ s notion of proper hospice care ?
It demands that nuns who offer free care to dying poor people dispense the abortion pill to their employees — or be forced to shut their doors .
Becerra ’ s vision of transparency is similar .
When pro-life journalists David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they proved it sold baby parts illegally .
And Becerra cracked down quickly .
Not on Planned Parenthood ( a big Democrat campaign donor ) .
Following Kamala Harris ’ lead , he focused his ire on the journalists .
His office is still trying to imprison them on trumped up “ privacy ” violations .
It ’ s not just that Biden has a blind spot on abortion .
Becerra is the kind of person he will appoint or support at all levels of government .
Biden ’ s picks for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back an al Qaeda ( “ moderate rebel ” ) takeover in Syria , instead of supporting the tolerant Kurds allied with Christians .
Biden supports more COVID lockdowns on the U.S. economy , despite the massive famines they ’ d threaten to unleash in Africa and Asia , putting 130 million in danger of hunger , according to a U.N. report .
Biden ’ s team is silent on Communist China ’ s enslavement and genocide of Uyghur Muslims .
China routinely resorts to forced abortion , and concentration camps .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in its way — though not in the way that many who say they back a “ consistent life ethic ” mean .
Biden and his allies consistently cherry-pick issues where they and their political constituencies can mobilize votes , or make a great deal of money .
They consistently scoff at human rights issues which don ’ t help them politically .
There ’ s a word for this kind of exploitation of other people ’ s suffering , coined by Christian philosopher Rene Girard .
He called it Victimism .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lobby out there trying to protect unborn children with Down Syndrome , or daughters of parents who only want sons .
The Uyghurs are a harried , persecuted people , who ’ d like to stop working as slaves in Nike factories .
They don ’ t have Congressional lobbyists like Nike ’ s .
Or China ’ s .
Christian , Yezidi , or Kurdish refugees can ’ t compete with military contractors trying to gin up another U.S. war of choice in the Middle East .
Nor with others who ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebuilding ” efforts ( such as Joe Biden ’ s brother , whose firm landed a $ 1.5 billion contract to reconstruct Iraq ) .
Don ’ t Expect Allies in Defense of the Vulnerable Those of us committed to protecting the vulnerable from violence will rarely find allies .
By definition , the vulnerable are those whom few care about , and nobody profits from helping .
The whole reason we have a pro-life movement is to stand up for people like that .
Don ’ t let those who make cheap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaslight you .
It ’ s not “ consistently ” pro-life to ignore the intentional killing of millions , then cover that up with a “ seamless ” shroud of empty rhetoric .
I don ’ t expect pro-life groups to take their focus off unborn children , and turn it to human rights for Uighurs .
Nor do I ask the Uighurs to take a stand on abortion in America .
But each of these groups consistently and correctly focuses on one grave , evil threat to human life , and fights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who talk about a “ Seamless Garment ” are consistent only in siding with opportunists like Mr. Biden .
They never seem to actually help anyone at all , except themselves .
They exercise what I dubbed some years back the “ preferential option for myself.
” Jason Jones is a senior contributor to The Stream .
He is a film producer , author , activist and human rights worker .
You can follow him @ JasonJonesShow .

December 10 is World Human Rights Day, though you’d hardly know it. I’ve devoted my life since I was a teenager to protecting the vulnerable, especially children, from intentional lethal violence. And the hollowness of this holiday haunts me. Because so many things are getting worse, and so few people care.
Before this disputed election, I helped write a series of columns examining Joe Biden’s record on crucial moral issues. I looked at fundamental questions where there’s a black and white, right or wrong answer. Then at a longer series of prudential questions proposed by the U.S. Catholic bishops, aimed at improving (rather than saving) people’s lives.
One group of laymen created a “Catholic Voters Guide,” which offered to judge both Biden and Trump’s positions against that church’s teachings. It came up with the conclusion that Biden scored quite well, and a good deal better than Trump.
An Abortion Extremist in Charge of Our Health
I wonder how these people feel now. Biden has proposed as Secretary of Health and Human Services … California Attorney General Xavier Becerra. Mr. Becerra’s idea of health care includes abortion on demand for all nine months for any reason, including sex selection or wiping out handicapped babies.
Becerra’s notion of proper hospice care? It demands that nuns who offer free care to dying poor people dispense the abortion pill to their employees — or be forced to shut their doors. Becerra’s vision of transparency is similar. When pro-life journalists David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt conducted a routine undercover probe of Planned Parenthood, they proved it sold baby parts illegally. And Becerra cracked down quickly. Not on Planned Parenthood (a big Democrat campaign donor). Following Kamala Harris’ lead, he focused his ire on the journalists. His office is still trying to imprison them on trumped up “privacy” violations.
Al Qaeda, Famines, and Chinese Concentration Camps
It’s not just that Biden has a blind spot on abortion. Becerra is the kind of person he will appoint or support at all levels of government. Biden’s picks for Middle East policy are already promising to back an al Qaeda (“moderate rebel”) takeover in Syria, instead of supporting the tolerant Kurds allied with Christians. Biden supports more COVID lockdowns on the U.S. economy, despite the massive famines they’d threaten to unleash in Africa and Asia, putting 130 million in danger of hunger, according to a U.N. report. Biden’s team is silent on Communist China’s enslavement and genocide of Uyghur Muslims. China routinely resorts to forced abortion, and concentration camps.
Biden’s team is in fact consistent, in its way — though not in the way that many who say they back a “consistent life ethic” mean. Biden and his allies consistently cherry-pick issues where they and their political constituencies can mobilize votes, or make a great deal of money. They consistently scoff at human rights issues which don’t help them politically. There’s a word for this kind of exploitation of other people’s suffering, coined by Christian philosopher Rene Girard. He called it Victimism.
There’s no powerful, free-spending lobby out there trying to protect unborn children with Down Syndrome, or daughters of parents who only want sons. The Uyghurs are a harried, persecuted people, who’d like to stop working as slaves in Nike factories. They don’t have Congressional lobbyists like Nike’s. Or China’s.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Christian, Yezidi, or Kurdish refugees can’t compete with military contractors trying to gin up another U.S. war of choice in the Middle East. Nor with others who’d like to profit from U.S. “rebuilding” efforts (such as Joe Biden’s brother, whose firm landed a $1.5 billion contract to reconstruct Iraq).
Don’t Expect Allies in Defense of the Vulnerable
Those of us committed to protecting the vulnerable from violence will rarely find allies. By definition, the vulnerable are those whom few care about, and nobody profits from helping. The whole reason we have a pro-life movement is to stand up for people like that. Don’t let those who make cheap, tactical alliances with profiteers and cynics gaslight you. It’s not “consistently” pro-life to ignore the intentional killing of millions, then cover that up with a “seamless” shroud of empty rhetoric.
I don’t expect pro-life groups to take their focus off unborn children, and turn it to human rights for Uighurs. Nor do I ask the Uighurs to take a stand on abortion in America. But each of these groups consistently and correctly focuses on one grave, evil threat to human life, and fights it. Most of those I observe who talk about a “Seamless Garment” are consistent only in siding with opportunists like Mr. Biden. They never seem to actually help anyone at all, except themselves. They exercise what I dubbed some years back the “preferential option for myself.”
Jason Jones is a senior contributor to The Stream. He is a film producer, author, activist and human rights worker. You can follow him @JasonJonesShow.


thestream--2020-12-08--Andrea Bocelli’s Beautiful Testimony of Life

Sixty-two years ago , a young Italian woman named Edi Bocelli , pregnant with her first child , was hospitalized with appendicitis .
Her doctors advised her to abort the child because , they said , “ the baby would be born with some disability.
” A devout Catholic , Edi Bocelli refused , but the doctors ’ prognosis was correct .
Her son Andrea was born with congenital glaucoma and was completely blind by age 12 .
Despite being unable to see , Andrea was born with other gifts .
One , in particular , stands out .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beautiful in the world.
” According to Celine Dion , “ if God would have a singing voice , he must sound a lot like Andrea Bocelli.
” In fact , Bocelli ’ s albums have sold over 90 million copies .
His 1999 album Sacred Arias , is the biggest selling album by a solo classical artist in history , and his 1996 single , “ Con te partirò ” ( “ With You I Shall Leave ” ) is one of the biggest selling singles of all time , putting him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Maroon 5 and Adele .
Bocelli has sung for presidents , prime ministers and popes .
He was even named one of the world ’ s “ Fifty Most Beautiful People ” by People Magazine .
In 2010 , Bocelli told his mother ’ s story in a video entitled “ Andrea Bocelli — His Unknown Story That Touches Hearts.
” Sitting at the piano , after describing his mother ’ s decision to not abort him , he adds , “ Maybe I ’ m partisan , but I can say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bocelli told an Italian newspaper that he was inspired to share his story by a missionary in Haiti who works with children and women facing difficult pregnancies .
“ Because of my personal convictions as a devout Catholic , ” said Bocelli , “ I am not only fighting against something , I am fighting for something — and I am for life.
” The video went viral .
Bocelli said he hopes it will “ help comfort those who are in difficult situations and who sometimes just need to feel that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bocelli ’ s story is reminiscent of the important work of pregnancy care centers , which also exist to remind women facing a difficult pregnancy that they are not alone .
The comfort and support they provide helps women choose life , just as Bocelli ’ s mother did .
Especially at this time of year , Bocelli ’ s story reminds us of the part a challenging pregnancy played in the story of our redemption .
It ’ s easy for us to forget that God gave Mary the option to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ may it be done according to thy will , ” are similar to the words that Edi Bocelli and countless other women have echoed throughout the ages .
And here ’ s just a small sample of “ the most beautiful voice in the world , ” Andrea Bocelli singing , “ Glory to You , Christ Jesus , you will reign today and forever .
Glory to you , you who will soon come !
” Glory to you , Christ Jesus , you will reign today and for ever Glory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; you alone are our hope !
And , by the way , Andrea Bocelli is holding a Christmas concert , to be streamed online around the world , on December 12 .
It ’ s available on pay-per view .
The Colson Center team has prepared a free downloadable and beautifully illustrated e-book , Emmanuel !
Readings for Advent .
It ’ s available at BreakPoint.org .
John Stonestreet serves as president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview .
He ’ s a sought-after author and speaker on areas of faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education and apologetics .
John is the daily voice of BreakPoint , the nationally syndicated commentary on the culture founded by the late Chuck Colson .
Roberto Rivera is a Fellow and Senior Writer at the Colson Center .
He has written for Sojourners , Christianity Today , Books & Culture , Touchstone and First Things , among other publications .
Originally published on Breakpoint.org : BreakPoint Commentaries .
Republished with permission of The Colson Center for Christian Worldview .

Sixty-two years ago, a young Italian woman named Edi Bocelli, pregnant with her first child, was hospitalized with appendicitis. Her doctors advised her to abort the child because, they said, “the baby would be born with some disability.” A devout Catholic, Edi Bocelli refused, but the doctors’ prognosis was correct. Her son Andrea was born with congenital glaucoma and was completely blind by age 12.
Despite being unable to see, Andrea was born with other gifts. One, in particular, stands out. His voice has been called “the most beautiful in the world.” According to Celine Dion, “if God would have a singing voice, he must sound a lot like Andrea Bocelli.”
In fact, Bocelli’s albums have sold over 90 million copies. His 1999 album Sacred Arias, is the biggest selling album by a solo classical artist in history, and his 1996 single, “Con te partirò” (“With You I Shall Leave”) is one of the biggest selling singles of all time, putting him on a list that includes Lady Gaga, Maroon 5 and Adele. Bocelli has sung for presidents, prime ministers and popes. He was even named one of the world’s “Fifty Most Beautiful People” by People Magazine.
Bocelli’s Story
In 2010, Bocelli told his mother’s story in a video entitled “Andrea Bocelli — His Unknown Story That Touches Hearts.” Sitting at the piano, after describing his mother’s decision to not abort him, he adds, “Maybe I’m partisan, but I can say that it was the right choice.”
Bocelli told an Italian newspaper that he was inspired to share his story by a missionary in Haiti who works with children and women facing difficult pregnancies. “Because of my personal convictions as a devout Catholic,” said Bocelli, “I am not only fighting against something, I am fighting for something — and I am for life.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The video went viral. Bocelli said he hopes it will “help comfort those who are in difficult situations and who sometimes just need to feel that they are not alone.” In this way, Bocelli’s story is reminiscent of the important work of pregnancy care centers, which also exist to remind women facing a difficult pregnancy that they are not alone. The comfort and support they provide helps women choose life, just as Bocelli’s mother did.
A Reminder of the Christmas Story
Especially at this time of year, Bocelli’s story reminds us of the part a challenging pregnancy played in the story of our redemption. It’s easy for us to forget that God gave Mary the option to say “no.” Her reply, “may it be done according to thy will,” are similar to the words that Edi Bocelli and countless other women have echoed throughout the ages.
And here’s just a small sample of “the most beautiful voice in the world,” Andrea Bocelli singing, “Glory to You, Christ Jesus, you will reign today and forever. Glory to you, you who will soon come!”
Glory to you, Christ Jesus,
you will reign today and for ever
Glory to you! You will soon come;
you alone are our hope!
And, by the way, Andrea Bocelli is holding a Christmas concert, to be streamed online around the world, on December 12. It’s available on pay-per view.
The Colson Center team has prepared a free downloadable and beautifully illustrated e-book, Emmanuel! Readings for Advent. It’s available at BreakPoint.org.
John Stonestreet serves as president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He’s a sought-after author and speaker on areas of faith and culture, theology, worldview, education and apologetics. John is the daily voice of BreakPoint, the nationally syndicated commentary on the culture founded by the late Chuck Colson.
Roberto Rivera is a Fellow and Senior Writer at the Colson Center. He has written for Sojourners, Christianity Today, Books & Culture, Touchstone and First Things, among other publications.
Originally published on Breakpoint.org: BreakPoint Commentaries. Republished with permission of The Colson Center for Christian Worldview.