thestream--2020-08-30--How Joe Biden Embraces Democrats’ Shutdown Insanity

“ We ’ ll have a national mandate to wear a mask — not as a burden but as a patriotic duty to protect one another , ” declared Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden at last week ’ s Democratic National Convention .
Biden ’ s plan to impose a federal gag order on all Americans symbolizes the Democratic Party ’ s embrace of failed pandemic policies that could inflict far more damage on Americans ’ prosperity and freedom .
Nobody has asked Biden why the same mask rules should apply to New York City subway riders and to Iowa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of America ’ s 3,000+ counties — most of which now have very few COVID cases — makes no sense .
But Biden apparently believes that this “ security theater ” mandate would comfort Americans still waiting for a rescue from Washington .
In an ABC News interview last Friday , Biden was asked , “ Are you going to force [ everyone ] to wear a mask ?
” Biden replied : “ This isn ’ t about freedom , it ’ s about freedom for your , your neighbors … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve ever heard people say that doing something patriotic you can save other people ’ s lives , impacts on their freedom .
Come on .
Give me a break.
” For Biden , any presumed benefit from government edicts to curb COVID infections makes freedom irrelevant .
This is why Biden endorsed a national “ stay-at-home ” dictate in March , declaring “ Why would we not err on the side of making sure that we are not going to have a repeat ?
” The fact that placing most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collateral damage was irrelevant .
Biden also called for suspending rent payments for three months : “ Freeze it and forgive it so you ’ re able to stay in that place.
” Biden neglected to cite which provision of the Constitution empowers the federal government to suspend rent in tens of millions of rental dwellings .
ABC News ’ David Muir asked Biden last Friday how he would respond if scientists urged him to repeat the lockdowns that most states imposed earlier this year .
Biden replied , “ I would shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listen to the scientists.
” Biden justified that heavy-handed policy : “ In order to keep the country running and moving and the economy growing and people employed , you have to fix the virus , you have to deal with the virus.
” Biden did not reconcile prohibiting economic activity and getting “ the economy growing and people employed.
” Biden learned nothing from the disastrous shutdowns earlier this year , when millions of Americans were effectively placed under house arrest .
Those lockdowns were far more effective at destroying 14 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to more than five million Americans .
As a Wall Street Journal analysis published on Monday noted , “ Many governments deployed draconian tactics never used in modern times : severe and broad restrictions on daily activity that helped send the world into its deepest peacetime slump since the Great Depression.
” As a result of the lockdowns and other restrictions , “ We ’ re on the cusp of an economic catastrophe , ” warned Harvard University economist James Stock .
The “ stay-at-home ” decrees earlier this year were justified by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Organization that were 50 times higher than the rate experienced in the United States .
But most of the media still presumes that the lockdown dictates were legitimate because they were based on “ science and data ” — regardless that the epidemiological forecasts were even more inaccurate than the 2016 election predictions .
States with Democratic governors have been more aggressive in imposing and perpetuating COVID lockdowns .
Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , a Democrat who was rumored to be Biden ’ s personal pick for vice president , imposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prohibiting anyone from leaving their home to visit family or friends .
Whitmer prohibited “ all public and private gatherings of any size ” and also prohibited purchasing seeds for spring planting in stores after she decreed that a “ nonessential ” activity .
( Purchasing state lottery tickets was still an “ essential ” activity . )
COVID-19 infections were concentrated in the Detroit metropolitan area , but Whitmer shut down the entire state — including northern counties with near-zero infections and zero fatalities , boosting unemployment to 24 % statewide .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Democrat , banned her state ’ s four million residents from leaving their homes except for essential work , buying food , and other narrow exemptions , and also banned all recreational travel .
At that point , six Oregon counties had only one confirmed COVID-19 case , and most of the state had minimal infections .
But schools , businesses , and other activities were slammed shut by government command .
Almost 400,000 Oregonians losttheir jobs after Brown ’ s shutdown .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , yet another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s economy and confining almost everyone to their homes based on a simple formula : “ If everything we do saves just one life , I ’ ll be happy.
” At the time of Cuomo ’ s decree , five or fewer people had tested positive for coronavirus in most counties in New York State .
The governor entitled himself to freeze the lives and movement of 20 million people , subverting their efforts to provide for themselves and their families purportedly to save “ one life.
” And the self-proclaimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any harm they inflicted .
Cuomo callously compelled nursing homes to accept COVID-19 patients , a policy that contributed to more than 10,000 nursing home deaths in his state .
Pennsylvania Health Czar Rachel Levine issued a similar order , contributing to thousands of nursing home deaths , and then removed her own 95-year-old mother from a nursing home to keep her safe .
According to the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis , Democratic governors in Michigan , California , and New Jersey imposed similar policies to compel nursing homes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home residents account for almost half of COVID-19 fatalities .
The Suffering of Our Schools School shutdowns are another COVID-19 policy that have inflicted far more damage than most Americans realize .
A recent Wall Street Journal analysis headlined , “ The Results Are In for Remote Learning : It Didn ’ t Work , ” noted , “ In many places , lots of students simply didn ’ t show up online , and administrators had no good way to find out why not … Soon many districts weren ’ t requiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , increasing the risk that millions of students would have big gaps in their learning.
” Barely half of Los Angeles students “ participated daily in online learning during the spring ” school COVID-19 shutdown .
An analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) noted that only “ one in three school districts expected teachers to provide instruction , track student engagement , or monitor academic progress for all students.
” Democratic candidates are endlessly denouncing America ’ s “ systemic racism ” this year , but they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The CDC warned that “ the lack of in-person educational options disproportionately harms low-income and minority children.
” An analysis by McKinsey and Company consultants “ estimated that if schools were entirely online until January , on average white students would lose six months of learning , Hispanic students nine months , Black students 10 months and low-income students more than a year during the time school buildings have closed for the pandemic , ” The Baltimore Sun reported .
Will a Biden administration “ solve ” that problem by making it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to flunk a minority student after the COVID-19 shutdowns end ?
As with the shutdown of the economy , the school shutdowns were a disaster that never needed to happen .
Britain has done the largest scientific study in the world and concluded that there is little risk of COVID-19 spreading in schools .
But that does nothing to deter teacher union demands to keep schools closed while teachers continue pocketing full pay .
Biden insists that “ we ’ re going to follow the science ” for fighting COVID-19 .
But many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forecasts that paved the way to economic disaster .
Incompetent CDC scientists contaminated key samples for creating a test in February , and Food and Drug Administration scientist-bureaucrats continue to block innovative private testing .
If scientists tell Biden that everyone needs the newly-approved COVID-19 vaccine , would he declare a national emergency and force every American to get injected ?
In the name of fighting COVID-19 , would Biden turn Americans ’ lives into an endless TSA security checkpoint with unlimited commands and degradation and pointless groveling ?
If the COVID-19 infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would Biden claim that justified imposing the Australian-style crackdown – dictating an 8 p.m. curfew , banning all weddings , and prohibiting people from traveling more than three miles from their homes or from buying more than two packages of toilet paper ?
America can not afford a president who pretends to be a viral King Canute , whose edicts will instantly make a pandemic recede .
The COVID-19 shutdowns will likely be viewed as one of the greatest political debacles in modern American history .
But Joe Biden believes that all that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bigger federal iron fist .
James Bovard is the author of “ Attention Deficit Democracy , ” “ The Bush Betrayal , ” “ Terrorism and Tyranny , ” and other books .
Bovard is on the USA Today Board of Contributors .
He is on Twitter at @ jimbovard .
His website is at www.jimbovard.com The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ .

“We’ll have a national mandate to wear a mask — not as a burden but as a patriotic duty to protect one another,” declared Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden at last week’s Democratic National Convention. Biden’s plan to impose a federal gag order on all Americans symbolizes the Democratic Party’s embrace of failed pandemic policies that could inflict far more damage on Americans’ prosperity and freedom.
Nobody has asked Biden why the same mask rules should apply to New York City subway riders and to Iowa farmers. Imposing the same muzzle on all of America’s 3,000+ counties — most of which now have very few COVID cases — makes no sense. But Biden apparently believes that this “security theater” mandate would comfort Americans still waiting for a rescue from Washington.
Biden: “This isn’t About Freedom, It’s About Freedom”
In an ABC News interview last Friday, Biden was asked, “Are you going to force [everyone] to wear a mask?” Biden replied: “This isn’t about freedom, it’s about freedom for your, your neighbors … This is … the first time I’ve ever heard people say that doing something patriotic you can save other people’s lives, impacts on their freedom. Come on. Give me a break.”
For Biden, any presumed benefit from government edicts to curb COVID infections makes freedom irrelevant. This is why Biden endorsed a national “stay-at-home” dictate in March, declaring “Why would we not err on the side of making sure that we are not going to have a repeat?” The fact that placing most of the nation under house arrest inflicted vast collateral damage was irrelevant. Biden also called for suspending rent payments for three months: “Freeze it and forgive it so you’re able to stay in that place.” Biden neglected to cite which provision of the Constitution empowers the federal government to suspend rent in tens of millions of rental dwellings.
ABC News’ David Muir asked Biden last Friday how he would respond if scientists urged him to repeat the lockdowns that most states imposed earlier this year. Biden replied, “I would shut [America] down, I would listen to the scientists.” Biden justified that heavy-handed policy: “In order to keep the country running and moving and the economy growing and people employed, you have to fix the virus, you have to deal with the virus.” Biden did not reconcile prohibiting economic activity and getting “the economy growing and people employed.”
Biden Learned Nothing
Biden learned nothing from the disastrous shutdowns earlier this year, when millions of Americans were effectively placed under house arrest. Those lockdowns were far more effective at destroying 14 million jobs than preventing the spread of COVID-19 to more than five million Americans. As a Wall Street Journal analysis published on Monday noted, “Many governments deployed draconian tactics never used in modern times: severe and broad restrictions on daily activity that helped send the world into its deepest peacetime slump since the Great Depression.” As a result of the lockdowns and other restrictions, “We’re on the cusp of an economic catastrophe,” warned Harvard University economist James Stock.
The “stay-at-home” decrees earlier this year were justified by mortality predictions on COVID-19 from the World Health Organization that were 50 times higher than the rate experienced in the United States. But most of the media still presumes that the lockdown dictates were legitimate because they were based on “science and data” — regardless that the epidemiological forecasts were even more inaccurate than the 2016 election predictions.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
States with Democratic governors have been more aggressive in imposing and perpetuating COVID lockdowns. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat who was rumored to be Biden’s personal pick for vice president, imposed some of the most severe restrictions, prohibiting anyone from leaving their home to visit family or friends. Whitmer prohibited “all public and private gatherings of any size” and also prohibited purchasing seeds for spring planting in stores after she decreed that a “nonessential” activity. (Purchasing state lottery tickets was still an “essential” activity.) COVID-19 infections were concentrated in the Detroit metropolitan area, but Whitmer shut down the entire state — including northern counties with near-zero infections and zero fatalities, boosting unemployment to 24% statewide.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, also a Democrat, banned her state’s four million residents from leaving their homes except for essential work, buying food, and other narrow exemptions, and also banned all recreational travel. At that point, six Oregon counties had only one confirmed COVID-19 case, and most of the state had minimal infections. But schools, businesses, and other activities were slammed shut by government command. Almost 400,000 Oregonians losttheir jobs after Brown’s shutdown.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, yet another Democrat, justified shutting down his state’s economy and confining almost everyone to their homes based on a simple formula: “If everything we do saves just one life, I’ll be happy.” At the time of Cuomo’s decree, five or fewer people had tested positive for coronavirus in most counties in New York State. The governor entitled himself to freeze the lives and movement of 20 million people, subverting their efforts to provide for themselves and their families purportedly to save “one life.”
And the self-proclaimed immaculate intentions of politicians absolved them for any harm they inflicted. Cuomo callously compelled nursing homes to accept COVID-19 patients, a policy that contributed to more than 10,000 nursing home deaths in his state. Pennsylvania Health Czar Rachel Levine issued a similar order, contributing to thousands of nursing home deaths, and then removed her own 95-year-old mother from a nursing home to keep her safe. According to the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, Democratic governors in Michigan, California, and New Jersey imposed similar policies to compel nursing homes to admit COVID-19 patients. Nationwide, nursing home residents account for almost half of COVID-19 fatalities.
The Suffering of Our Schools
School shutdowns are another COVID-19 policy that have inflicted far more damage than most Americans realize. A recent Wall Street Journal analysis headlined, “The Results Are In for Remote Learning: It Didn’t Work,” noted, “In many places, lots of students simply didn’t show up online, and administrators had no good way to find out why not … Soon many districts weren’t requiring students to do any work at all, increasing the risk that millions of students would have big gaps in their learning.” Barely half of Los Angeles students “participated daily in online learning during the spring” school COVID-19 shutdown. An analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that only “one in three school districts expected teachers to provide instruction, track student engagement, or monitor academic progress for all students.”
Democratic candidates are endlessly denouncing America’s “systemic racism” this year, but they ignore how school shutdowns are devastating minorities. The CDC warned that “the lack of in-person educational options disproportionately harms low-income and minority children.” An analysis by McKinsey and Company consultants “estimated that if schools were entirely online until January, on average white students would lose six months of learning, Hispanic students nine months, Black students 10 months and low-income students more than a year during the time school buildings have closed for the pandemic,” The Baltimore Sun reported.
Will a Biden administration “solve” that problem by making it a federal offense for a school system to flunk a minority student after the COVID-19 shutdowns end?
As with the shutdown of the economy, the school shutdowns were a disaster that never needed to happen. Britain has done the largest scientific study in the world and concluded that there is little risk of COVID-19 spreading in schools. But that does nothing to deter teacher union demands to keep schools closed while teachers continue pocketing full pay.
Follow the Science. Blindly.
Biden insists that “we’re going to follow the science” for fighting COVID-19. But many states relied on wildly-inaccurate “scientific” forecasts that paved the way to economic disaster. Incompetent CDC scientists contaminated key samples for creating a test in February, and Food and Drug Administration scientist-bureaucrats continue to block innovative private testing. If scientists tell Biden that everyone needs the newly-approved COVID-19 vaccine, would he declare a national emergency and force every American to get injected?
In the name of fighting COVID-19, would Biden turn Americans’ lives into an endless TSA security checkpoint with unlimited commands and degradation and pointless groveling? If the COVID-19 infection rate does not fall to zero, would Biden claim that justified imposing the Australian-style crackdown – dictating an 8 p.m. curfew, banning all weddings, and prohibiting people from traveling more than three miles from their homes or from buying more than two packages of toilet paper?
America cannot afford a president who pretends to be a viral King Canute, whose edicts will instantly make a pandemic recede. The COVID-19 shutdowns will likely be viewed as one of the greatest political debacles in modern American history. But Joe Biden believes that all that is necessary to keep Americans safe is a bigger federal iron fist.
James Bovard is the author of “Attention Deficit Democracy,” “The Bush Betrayal,” “Terrorism and Tyranny,” and other books. Bovard is on the USA Today Board of Contributors. He is on Twitter at @jimbovard. His website is at www.jimbovard.com
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation. Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-08-30--‘Kyle Did Nothing Wrong’: Lawyers for Teen Kenosha Shooter Say He Acted in Self-Defense

Attorneys for Kyle Rittenhouse , the 17-year-old charged with killing two people and wounding another during a riot on Tuesday , said the teenager “ did nothing wrong ” and only pulled the trigger to defend himself from harm .
“ Kyle did nothing wrong .
He exercised his God-given , Constitutional , common law and statutory right to self defense , ” Pierce Bainbridge , the law firm representing Rittenhouse , said in a press release Friday evening .
Rittenhouse is facing six charges from the shooting , including first degree intentional homicide and attempted intentional homicide .
Video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people chasing after Rittenhouse , someone other than Rittenhouse firing a shot into the air , and then Rittenhouse turning around and shooting one of the men chasing him .
As Rittenhouse fled from the scene of the first shooting , he tripped and was set upon by several other individuals who were chasing him , videos show .
Rittenhouse shot two of the men as they lunged at him while he was on the ground , according to video from the scene .
All three of the shooting victims were convicted criminals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a minor to felony strangulation , court documents reviewed by the Daily Caller News Foundation show .
“ A 17-year-old child should not have to take up arms in America to protect life and property .
That is the job of state and local governments , ” John Pierce , the law firm ’ s founder , said in a press release Friday .
“ However , those governments have failed , and law-abiding citizens have no choice but to protect their own communities as their forefathers did at Lexington and Concord in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or a white supremacist , ” Pierce added .
“ He is a brave , patriotic , compassionate law-abiding American who loves his country and his community , ” he said .

Attorneys for Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old charged with killing two people and wounding another during a riot on Tuesday, said the teenager “did nothing wrong” and only pulled the trigger to defend himself from harm.
“Kyle did nothing wrong. He exercised his God-given, Constitutional, common law and statutory right to self defense,” Pierce Bainbridge, the law firm representing Rittenhouse, said in a press release Friday evening.
JUST IN: statement from the legal team of Kyle Rittenhouse: “Kyle is not a racist or a white supremacist. He is a brave, compassionate, law-abiding American who loves his country and his community.” pic.twitter.com/t65Et9oV2A — Cassidy Williams (@CassidyWtv) August 28, 2020
Rittenhouse is facing six charges from the shooting, including first degree intentional homicide and attempted intentional homicide.
Video from the incident shows a group of people chasing after Rittenhouse, someone other than Rittenhouse firing a shot into the air, and then Rittenhouse turning around and shooting one of the men chasing him. As Rittenhouse fled from the scene of the first shooting, he tripped and was set upon by several other individuals who were chasing him, videos show.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Rittenhouse shot two of the men as they lunged at him while he was on the ground, according to video from the scene. All three of the shooting victims were convicted criminals with crimes ranging from sexual conduct with a minor to felony strangulation, court documents reviewed by the Daily Caller News Foundation show.
https://twitter.com/Julio_Rosas11/status/1298484633143775234?s=20
“A 17-year-old child should not have to take up arms in America to protect life and property. That is the job of state and local governments,” John Pierce, the law firm’s founder, said in a press release Friday.
“However, those governments have failed, and law-abiding citizens have no choice but to protect their own communities as their forefathers did at Lexington and Concord in 1775. Kyle is not a racist or a white supremacist,” Pierce added.
“He is a brave, patriotic, compassionate law-abiding American who loves his country and his community,” he said.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-08-30--World-Renowned Christian Hymn Writers Take ‘Sing! Conference’ Global Sunday, August 30 – September 2

Award-winning hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty are gearing up to take their annual Sing !
Conference global this year in light of the coronavirus pandemic .
The event will begin Sunday , August 30 and end Wednesday , September 2 .
They ’ re calling it Sing !
Global 2020 .
In an interview with The Stream , Keith Getty said , “ It ’ s called global because it involves musicians and pastors from all over the world that are registrants in over 60 countries.
” Sing !
Global 2020 will be translated into Spanish , Portuguese , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expects over 100 countries to be involved .
The event is immersive in that half of the songs were recorded at the Grand Old Opry in Nashville , Tennessee .
Then it was sent out to participants who added their voices to the songs .
“ So it sounds like this wonderful congregation of singing.
” Keith calls it “ the first ever worship conference that we know of that has speakers and music being led in … six continents.
” Some of the pastors and artists include John Lennox , Joni Eareckson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charles , Andrew Peterson , Conrad Mbewe , David Platt , Bill Gaither , Trillia Newbell , Alistair Begg , and the African Children ’ s choir , according to a press release .
When Keith asked friends and colleagues about doing the Sing !
conference this year with the coronavirus pandemic , they all told him no .
They said , “ ‘ Don ’ t even think about it Keith , because singing isn ’ t even legal right now.
’ And then I thought about it and kind of liked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more we thought about it , the more we realized that … it was actually crucial at this point.
” He added that singing is the most common command in Scripture .
“ Praise .
Proclaim .
Extol .
Exalt .
Because that is the ultimate goal of humanity .
And thus , for us to be at our healthiest , we have to be singing and it ’ s a lot more than just 25 minutes on a Sunday morning .
So , right now we need this more than we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to learn that worshiping God is about the greatness of God .
“ It ’ s called ‘ sing the Scriptures ’ because you don ’ t just worship or sing .
You actually tell people ‘ I agree with God and it ’ s now time to respond.
’ I think that ’ s the cool thing .
That ’ s why we ’ re so excited.
” The Gettys knew they ’ d have to adjust this year ’ s conference a bit because of the pandemic .
Kristyn said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have shared in the same global crisis of 2020 we are more mindful of one another .
As God ’ s Church all over the world , we want to embrace this particular moment , using every facility of technology and innovation available to us to more greatly illuminate the gospel hope we sing and share in , the hope we proclaim to every corner of the world.
” Keith said the theme of this year ’ s conference is “ the centrality of God ’ s Word and the singing of God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ most exciting generation in history to be Christians , ” said Keith .
While there ’ s a lot of nervousness with some Western Christians , in other countries , Christianity is growing .
“ There are more Christians in the world today than has ever been in human history [ and ] there ’ s Bibles in more languages.
” He added , “ So , we have so much to be excited about , but there are also such extraordinary challenges ahead of us and so we want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building deep believers .
“ We do that by studying the Word , we do that by singing the Word , we do that by reading the Word , and we do that by praying the Word.
” “ The times we live in have again reminded us that time is short and life is fragile — there is an urgent need to build deep believers .
We want to connect families , pastors and churches to encourage that deeper congregational worship around the world .
In times like these , people need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God more than ever before.
” For more information , or to register , go to GettyMusicWorshipConference.com .
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream .
You can follow her @ NancyFlory3 , and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

Award-winning hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty are gearing up to take their annual Sing! Conference global this year in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The event will begin Sunday, August 30 and end Wednesday, September 2. They’re calling it Sing! Global 2020.
Sing! Global 2020
In an interview with The Stream, Keith Getty said, “It’s called global because it involves musicians and pastors from all over the world that are registrants in over 60 countries.” Sing! Global 2020 will be translated into Spanish, Portuguese, French, Korean and Mandarin and Keith expects over 100 countries to be involved.
The event is immersive in that half of the songs were recorded at the Grand Old Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. Then it was sent out to participants who added their voices to the songs. “So it sounds like this wonderful congregation of singing.” Keith calls it “the first ever worship conference that we know of that has speakers and music being led in … six continents.”
Some of the pastors and artists include John Lennox, Joni Eareckson Tada, John Piper, H.B. Charles, Andrew Peterson, Conrad Mbewe, David Platt, Bill Gaither, Trillia Newbell, Alistair Begg, and the African Children’s choir, according to a press release.
Perfect Timing
When Keith asked friends and colleagues about doing the Sing! conference this year with the coronavirus pandemic, they all told him no. They said, “‘Don’t even think about it Keith, because singing isn’t even legal right now.’ And then I thought about it and kind of liked it. … [T]he more we thought about it, the more we realized that … it was actually crucial at this point.” He added that singing is the most common command in Scripture. “Praise. Proclaim. Extol. Exalt. Because that is the ultimate goal of humanity. And thus, for us to be at our healthiest, we have to be singing and it’s a lot more than just 25 minutes on a Sunday morning. So, right now we need this more than we’ve ever needed this.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The church needs to learn that worshiping God is about the greatness of God. “It’s called ‘sing the Scriptures’ because you don’t just worship or sing. You actually tell people ‘I agree with God and it’s now time to respond.’ I think that’s the cool thing. That’s why we’re so excited.”
The Gettys knew they’d have to adjust this year’s conference a bit because of the pandemic. Kristyn said in a statement that “As we have shared in the same global crisis of 2020 we are more mindful of one another. As God’s Church all over the world, we want to embrace this particular moment, using every facility of technology and innovation available to us to more greatly illuminate the gospel hope we sing and share in, the hope we proclaim to every corner of the world.”
The Message
Keith said the theme of this year’s conference is “the centrality of God’s Word and the singing of God’s people.” We live in the “most exciting generation in history to be Christians,” said Keith. While there’s a lot of nervousness with some Western Christians, in other countries, Christianity is growing. “There are more Christians in the world today than has ever been in human history [and] there’s Bibles in more languages.”
He added, “So, we have so much to be excited about, but there are also such extraordinary challenges ahead of us and so we want to go deeply.” The next challenge is building deep believers. “We do that by studying the Word, we do that by singing the Word, we do that by reading the Word, and we do that by praying the Word.”
“The times we live in have again reminded us that time is short and life is fragile — there is an urgent need to build deep believers. We want to connect families, pastors and churches to encourage that deeper congregational worship around the world. In times like these, people need beautiful artistry that reflects the truths of God more than ever before.”
For more information, or to register, go to GettyMusicWorshipConference.com.
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-08-31--The Ignorant Mob Assault on Rand Paul Shows How Political Tribalism Undermines Progress

Following the death of George Floyd in May , a bipartisan national consensus emerged that serious criminal justice reforms were needed .
This put emphasis on an issue that already had broad spectrum support .
Polling shows that a clear majority of Americans support reforms such as ending “ no-knock ” search warrants , limiting police use of chokeholds , eliminating the civil liability shield for abusive police officers , mandating dashboard and body cameras , and more .
In fact , even a majority of police officers support these reforms .
So why hasn ’ t Congress actually accomplished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that just played out featuring Sen. Rand Paul reveals the problem in a nutshell .
An irate mob swarmed the Kentucky senator and his wife as they left the Republican National Convention on Thursday evening to walk back to their hotel .
Video captured shows the Pauls being shielded by police officers as members of the mob scream obscenities at them .
Agitators then try to push past the police and assault the legislator and his spouse .
“ Just got attacked by an angry mob of over 100 , one block away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senator tweeted afterwards .
“ Thank you to [ the DC Police Department ] for literally saving our lives from a crazed mob.
” “ Thursday night felt like being in a terrifying dystopian novel , ” Kelley Paul wrote in a Washington Examiner op-ed after the fact .
“ The mob swarmed me and my husband… We rushed up to two police officers , and I believe that is the only thing that kept us from being knocked to the ground .
As the mob grew and became more threatening , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could the two officers for several minutes .
The rioters were inches from us , screaming in our faces.
” “ Mobs are terrifying , ” she continued .
“ They looked at us with no humanity — just a vicious and righteous zeal .
What ’ s particularly ironic is that these agitators were screaming obscenities about criminal justice and the death of Breonna Taylor at one of the most outspoken champions of police reform in Congress .
The assailants screeched things like “ Say her name !
” and “ Breonna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were harassing the very senator who met with Taylor ’ s family and worked with them to craft legislation banning the “ no-knock ” police search warrants that led to her tragic death .
That ’ s right : Rand Paul literally introduced the “ Justice for Breonna Taylor Act.
” Paul has also championed other criminal justice reform causes such as sentencing reform and demilitarizing the police .
It ’ s no exaggeration to say that he has done more to advance criminal justice reform than almost any other elected Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the mob that menaced Paul and his wife .
The agitators , and some left-wing commentators , were too blinded by tribalist hatred of Team Red to even acknowledge the basic fact that Paul has explicitly worked for justice for Breonna Taylor : This is just a sampling of blind partisan hate that has poured Paul ’ s way .
The ignorance and bigotry of this behavior is manifest .
But it ’ s all part of a broader phenomenon , and this disturbing affair reminds us how partisan tribalism makes progress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disagree with Paul on everything else ought to appreciate his work on criminal justice and seek to work together on the issue .
Some , such as Sens .
Cory Booker and Kamala Harris , have done so in the past .
But increasingly , many on the Left instead indiscriminately vilify all Republicans and are unable to view them as anything other than inherently evil members of Team Red .
Such partisan venom — to say nothing of literal mobs — makes cooperation toward shared goals impossible and sets back progress .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you and never give an ounce of credit , why would any elected official ever stray from the party line ?
Unfortunately , tribalistic behavior is hardly exclusive to the Left .
Some prominent Republicans and conservative media commentators regularly engage in similarly tribalist and blind opposition to Democrats .
( Although , thankfully , the Right is far less prone to mob violence and rioting than today ’ s Left ) .
However , other Republican leaders like Senator Paul have shown a willingness to reject tribalism and work with anyone across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Sen. Bernie Sanders , where common ground can be found .
Simply put , tribalism is to progress what bleach is to growing grass .
Until more Americans can view our political opponents not as inherently evil enemies but as real people who aren ’ t always wrong , no meaningful change can be accomplished .

Following the death of George Floyd in May, a bipartisan national consensus emerged that serious criminal justice reforms were needed. This put emphasis on an issue that already had broad spectrum support.
Polling shows that a clear majority of Americans support reforms such as ending “no-knock” search warrants, limiting police use of chokeholds, eliminating the civil liability shield for abusive police officers, mandating dashboard and body cameras, and more. In fact, even a majority of police officers support these reforms.
So why hasn’t Congress actually accomplished anything? Well, the disturbing saga that just played out featuring Sen. Rand Paul reveals the problem in a nutshell.
An irate mob swarmed the Kentucky senator and his wife as they left the Republican National Convention on Thursday evening to walk back to their hotel. Video captured shows the Pauls being shielded by police officers as members of the mob scream obscenities at them. Agitators then try to push past the police and assault the legislator and his spouse.
The mob has surrounded Senator @RandPaul and his wife as they left the White House
pic.twitter.com/Wm7IojAQTF — Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) August 28, 2020
“Just got attacked by an angry mob of over 100, one block away from the White House,” the senator tweeted afterwards. “Thank you to [the DC Police Department] for literally saving our lives from a crazed mob.”
“Thursday night felt like being in a terrifying dystopian novel,” Kelley Paul wrote in a Washington Examiner op-ed after the fact. “The mob swarmed me and my husband… We rushed up to two police officers, and I believe that is the only thing that kept us from being knocked to the ground. As the mob grew and became more threatening, we literally could not move, and neither could the two officers for several minutes. The rioters were inches from us, screaming in our faces.”
“Mobs are terrifying,” she continued. “They looked at us with no humanity — just a vicious and righteous zeal.
The Irony
What’s particularly ironic is that these agitators were screaming obscenities about criminal justice and the death of Breonna Taylor at one of the most outspoken champions of police reform in Congress.
The assailants screeched things like “Say her name!” and “Breonna Taylor! Breonna Taylor!” Yet they were harassing the very senator who met with Taylor’s family and worked with them to craft legislation banning the “no-knock” police search warrants that led to her tragic death.
That’s right: Rand Paul literally introduced the “Justice for Breonna Taylor Act.”
After talking with Breonna Taylor’s family, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s long past time to get rid of no-knock warrants. This bill will effectively end no-knock raids in the United States. Read more: https://t.co/88FXs32RTV — Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) June 11, 2020
Paul has also championed other criminal justice reform causes such as sentencing reform and demilitarizing the police. It’s no exaggeration to say that he has done more to advance criminal justice reform than almost any other elected Republican in America.
None of this mattered to the mob that menaced Paul and his wife. The agitators, and some left-wing commentators, were too blinded by tribalist hatred of Team Red to even acknowledge the basic fact that Paul has explicitly worked for justice for Breonna Taylor:
I want to be clear when I say this that I mean it literally: Rand Paul, like all Republican Senators, should never go anywhere for the rest of his life without getting screamed at by literally everyone who sees him. https://t.co/cYR04Jid4E — A.R. Moxon (@JuliusGoat) August 28, 2020
I see the GOP is blaming Maxine Waters for Rand Paul getting heckled. Let's be honest. Rand Paul is so annoying his own neighbor broke Rand's ribs in a lawn dispute about leaf piles. Nobody has to convince people to bully Rand Paul, Rand Paul is simply eminently bullyable. — SHE WROTE THE GODDAMN BILL!!! (@RealKHiveQueenB) August 28, 2020
I didn’t see anyone attack Rand Paul. I saw people yelling at a man who refused to sign an anti-lynching bill. I saw a cop run into a protestor. So show me where he was attacked. I am still team Rand Paul’s neighbor. — Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) August 28, 2020
This is just a sampling of blind partisan hate that has poured Paul’s way. The ignorance and bigotry of this behavior is manifest. But it’s all part of a broader phenomenon, and this disturbing affair reminds us how partisan tribalism makes progress impossible.
Even Democrats and liberals who disagree with Paul on everything else ought to appreciate his work on criminal justice and seek to work together on the issue. Some, such as Sens. Cory Booker and Kamala Harris, have done so in the past. But increasingly, many on the Left instead indiscriminately vilify all Republicans and are unable to view them as anything other than inherently evil members of Team Red.
Such partisan venom — to say nothing of literal mobs — makes cooperation toward shared goals impossible and sets back progress. If the other side will still hate you and never give an ounce of credit, why would any elected official ever stray from the party line?
Unfortunately, tribalistic behavior is hardly exclusive to the Left.
The Tribalistic Behavior
Some prominent Republicans and conservative media commentators regularly engage in similarly tribalist and blind opposition to Democrats. (Although, thankfully, the Right is far less prone to mob violence and rioting than today’s Left). However, other Republican leaders like Senator Paul have shown a willingness to reject tribalism and work with anyone across the aisle, from Rep. Ro Khanna to Sen. Bernie Sanders, where common ground can be found.
Simply put, tribalism is to progress what bleach is to growing grass. Until more Americans can view our political opponents not as inherently evil enemies but as real people who aren’t always wrong, no meaningful change can be accomplished.
Originally published at Fee.com. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-08-31--Gov. Huckabee Answers a Thoughtful Letter from Left-Leaning Reader

Editor ’ s Note : In his newsletter this weekend , Gov .
Mike Huckabee answered the concerns of a left-leading reader .
He hopes , if you like his response , you will share this column with friends and family of all political persuasions .
Just a note for my right-leaning family and friends from my left-leaning self as we near voting day : They say we want to disband police departments ( and that we hate the police ) : we don ’ t , that ’ s a lie .
We want to weed out racism and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse their power to be held accountable .
They say we want to release all prisoners : we don ’ t , that ’ s a lie .
We want to weed out racism and ensure the punishments match the crimes and to deprivatize prisons .
They say we want open borders : we don ’ t , that ’ s a lie .
We want asylum seekers to be given their chance to seek asylum .
We want to help people who are cg from unimaginable terror and poverty help to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to ensure children aren ’ t separated from their parents and that nobody is kept in cages .
But we do want proper vetting .
They say we want to take away your guns : we don ’ t , that ’ s a lie .
We want logical gun control to help prevent mass shootings .
They say we want to wage a war on Christianity and Christian values : we don ’ t , that ’ s a lie .
We want people of all religions to be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we want to get everything for free : we don ’ t , that ’ s a lie .
We want to work hard and make sure that healthcare and education are affordable for all .
They say we want a war against traditional marriage : we don ’ t , that ’ s a lie .
We want people of all sexual orientations to be able to love freely , no matter who you love .
They say we want to destroy or rewrite history : we don ’ t , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to recognize the ugly parts of our past and do everything we can to say “ that ’ s not okay , let ’ s not honor those aggressors , let ’ s not let those things happen again ” .
They say we want to take away your constitutional rights : we don ’ t , that ’ s a lie .
We choose to believe science and wear masks and try to prevent the spread of this disease .
They say we hate America : we don ’ t , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognize our faults and want us to do better , be better .
Stop with the us vs. them .
Stop with the straw man arguments .
Stop with the fake news .
Stop with Fox News .
Our position is one of empathy , compassion , and logic .
Stop believing the hype .
Stop with the division .
Just because we want equality for all doesn ’ t mean we want to take anything away from you .
Thanks for writing , Karen .
You are a very thoughtful and idealistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ” ?
When you say “ we , ” I don ’ t think you can include the leftists with power in the Democrat Party in your description of what “ we ” do and do not want .
You are a moderate , and today ’ s Democrat Party is NOT moderate .
For example , it ’ s certainly not a “ lie ” to say that many who fund and support the Democrat Party and various leftist organizations want to defund the police .
YOU don ’ t , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Congress openly call for it .
Trump wants bad cops out , of course , but law and order and the safety of Americans is a must .
It ’ s not a “ lie ” to say that many who fund and support the Democrat Party want to open up prisons .
YOU don ’ t , but many of them do .
Brace yourself , but I ’ d say that your goals of rooting out racism in the prison system sound downright “ Trumpian.
” It ’ s absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that many on the left want a “ borderless ” world .
YOU don ’ t , but many leftists with a lot more influence than you want exactly that .
I ’ m sure you know that the left is continuing to lie ( REALLY lie ) about Trump and the “ children in cages.
” It ’ s not a “ lie ” to say that many on the left want to confiscate all guns .
YOU might not , but it ’ s the dream of many in your party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justices bent on reinterpreting the Second Amendment , they could do it .
It ’ s not a “ lie ” to say that many in your party want to wage a war on Christianity or Christian values .
YOU don ’ t want to , but activists on the left are waging that war , mostly in courtrooms .
It ’ s not a “ lie ” to say that some people want everything for free .
YOU don ’ t , but many do .
Democrats are seriously considering how they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rioters justify their looting .
I ’ m glad to hear you have a sense of responsibility .
Did you know that , by improving the economy so much , Trump had made it much easier for people to get jobs and work hard ?
It ’ s not a “ lie ” to say that many want a war on traditional marriage .
YOU don ’ t , but some do .
( See “ Christianity , ” above . )
The next step is abolishing even the idea of marriage as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And over the past several decades , Democrat policies have helped destroy the traditional family — especially black families , where 70 percent are born out of wedlock and male role models are largely absent .
It ’ s not a “ lie ” to say that many on the left want to tear down or rewrite history .
Oh , yes , they do .
YOU might see it as “ recognizing the ugly parts ” and learning from our past .
They see it not as a chance to learn , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down statues of … abolitionists , suffragettes , saints , whatever .
Many don ’ t know what they ’ re doing .
And a concerted effort to rewrite history is going on right now .
It ’ s not a “ lie ” to say that many on the left want to take away our constitutional rights .
YOU apparently don ’ t , but many in your party do .
I ’ ve touched on a few of these above .
Another right that many would love to take away — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — is freedom of speech .
As for masks , effective treatments , etc.
, there ’ s a LOT of dispute within the scientific community about all that , and , unfortunately , it got politicized .
It is absolutely not a “ lie ” to say that many on the left hate America .
YOU don ’ t , but many do , from the rioters on Seattle streets to billionaires who fund your party and leftist causes .
Some are calling for the outright destruction of our country .
Thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ being better.
” I ’ d love it if you would show this letter to your family and friends , both left and right-leaning .
It would be great to hear their reaction .
I fear your idealism causes you to look at your party through rose-tinted glasses , ironically at a time when the left is finally showing its true colors .
It might surprise you to hear that you sound in a lot of ways like today ’ s Republican Party .
You really are too smart and thoughtful to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democrat Party .
Maybe they ’ re not who you think they are .
And I haven ’ t “ lied ” about them at all .
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 .

Editor’s Note: In his newsletter this weekend, Gov. Mike Huckabee answered the concerns of a left-leaning reader. He hopes, if you like his response, you will share this column with friends and family of all political persuasions.
From Karen B:
Just a note for my right-leaning family and friends from my left-leaning self as we near voting day:
They say we want to disband police departments (and that we hate the police): we don’t, that’s a lie. We want to weed out racism and unnecessary police brutality and for those who abuse their power to be held accountable.
They say we want to release all prisoners: we don’t, that’s a lie. We want to weed out racism and ensure the punishments match the crimes and to deprivatize prisons.
They say we want open borders: we don’t, that’s a lie. We want asylum seekers to be given their chance to seek asylum. We want to help people who are cg from unimaginable terror and poverty help to give them the chances we have. We want to ensure children aren’t separated from their parents and that nobody is kept in cages. But we do want proper vetting.
They say we want to take away your guns: we don’t, that’s a lie. We want logical gun control to help prevent mass shootings.
They say we want to wage a war on Christianity and Christian values: we don’t, that’s a lie. We want people of all religions to be able to practice and worship freely.
They say we want to get everything for free: we don’t, that’s a lie. We want to work hard and make sure that healthcare and education are affordable for all.
They say we want a war against traditional marriage: we don’t, that’s a lie. We want people of all sexual orientations to be able to love freely, no matter who you love.
They say we want to destroy or rewrite history: we don’t, that’s a lie. We want to recognize the ugly parts of our past and do everything we can to say “that’s not okay, let’s not honor those aggressors, let’s not let those things happen again”.
They say we want to take away your constitutional rights: we don’t, that’s a lie. We choose to believe science and wear masks and try to prevent the spread of this disease.
They say we hate America: we don’t, that’s a lie. We just recognize our faults and want us to do better, be better.
Stop with the us vs. them. Stop with the straw man arguments. Stop with the fake news. Stop with Fox News. Our position is one of empathy, compassion, and logic. Stop believing the hype. Stop with the division. Just because we want equality for all doesn’t mean we want to take anything away from you.
From Governor Huckabee:
Thanks for writing, Karen. You are a very thoughtful and idealistic person. But who is this “we”? When you say “we,” I don’t think you can include the leftists with power in the Democrat Party in your description of what “we” do and do not want. You are a moderate, and today’s Democrat Party is NOT moderate.
For example, it’s certainly not a “lie” to say that many who fund and support the Democrat Party and various leftist organizations want to defund the police. YOU don’t, but many of them do. Some in Congress openly call for it. Trump wants bad cops out, of course, but law and order and the safety of Americans is a must.
It’s not a “lie” to say that many who fund and support the Democrat Party want to open up prisons. YOU don’t, but many of them do. Brace yourself, but I’d say that your goals of rooting out racism in the prison system sound downright “Trumpian.”
It’s absolutely not a “lie” to say that many on the left want a “borderless” world. YOU don’t, but many leftists with a lot more influence than you want exactly that. I’m sure you know that the left is continuing to lie (REALLY lie) about Trump and the “children in cages.”
It’s not a “lie” to say that many on the left want to confiscate all guns. YOU might not, but it’s the dream of many in your party. With a handful of Supreme Court justices bent on reinterpreting the Second Amendment, they could do it.
It’s not a “lie” to say that many in your party want to wage a war on Christianity or Christian values. YOU don’t want to, but activists on the left are waging that war, mostly in courtrooms.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
It’s not a “lie” to say that some people want everything for free. YOU don’t, but many do. Democrats are seriously considering how they’re going to do reparations. Rioters justify their looting. I’m glad to hear you have a sense of responsibility. Did you know that, by improving the economy so much, Trump had made it much easier for people to get jobs and work hard?
It’s not a “lie” to say that many want a war on traditional marriage. YOU don’t, but some do. (See “Christianity,” above.) The next step is abolishing even the idea of marriage as a partnership; why not polyamory? And over the past several decades, Democrat policies have helped destroy the traditional family — especially black families, where 70 percent are born out of wedlock and male role models are largely absent.
It’s not a “lie” to say that many on the left want to tear down or rewrite history. Oh, yes, they do. YOU might see it as “recognizing the ugly parts” and learning from our past. They see it not as a chance to learn, but to exercise mob rule, pulling down statues of … abolitionists, suffragettes, saints, whatever. Many don’t know what they’re doing. And a concerted effort to rewrite history is going on right now.
It’s not a “lie” to say that many on the left want to take away our constitutional rights. YOU apparently don’t, but many in your party do. I’ve touched on a few of these above. Another right that many would love to take away — and they’re working on it — is freedom of speech. As for masks, effective treatments, etc., there’s a LOT of dispute within the scientific community about all that, and, unfortunately, it got politicized.
It is absolutely not a “lie” to say that many on the left hate America. YOU don’t, but many do, from the rioters on Seattle streets to billionaires who fund your party and leftist causes. Some are calling for the outright destruction of our country. Thanks to them, America is far from “being better.”
I’d love it if you would show this letter to your family and friends, both left and right-leaning. It would be great to hear their reaction. I fear your idealism causes you to look at your party through rose-tinted glasses, ironically at a time when the left is finally showing its true colors. It might surprise you to hear that you sound in a lot of ways like today’s Republican Party. You really are too smart and thoughtful to be led around by the far-leftists of the Democrat Party. Maybe they’re not who you think they are. And I haven’t “lied” about them at all.
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--2020-08-31--Navy SEAL Widow Writes A Beautiful Tragedy to Offer Hope and Healing for Other Grief Survivors

She remembers the screams and sobs of her friends .
The young military wife of a Navy SEAL deployed overseas hosted a weekly dinner at her home .
Like each week , her house was filled with people that night — friends and neighbors from the military community .
The reality of what was happening hit her when she saw the men in uniform at her door .
It ’ s a scene from Char Westfall ’ s new book A Beautiful Tragedy : A Navy SEAL Widow ’ s Permission to Grieve and a Prescription for Hope .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fontan , and his fellow SEALs in Operation Redwing is told in the bestselling book Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell .
Lone Survivor was also made into a movie by the same name starring Mark Wahlberg . )
Char was only 29 when Jacques was killed in Afghanistan .
A group of SEALS were killed when their helicopter was hit by a RPG .
The men were en route to help other SEALs whose mission had been compromised .
Sixteen SEALs died that day in June , 2005 .
After the deaths were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends and other SEAL wives began making plans for the memorial services .
Buying the dresses at a local mall was incredibly difficult .
To this day , that brand of dress brings back painful memories and a sense of extreme loss .
You Don ’ t Go Through It Alone Before Jacques ’ death , Char was a strong Christian .
But his death changed that .
“ I turned away from God and my faith in the beginning , so I can ’ t say that I relied on God because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ angry at God for taking Jacques .
But looking back , she sees how God helped her through that painful time .
He put a friend in her life who encouraged her .
“ He got me out of the house , made me brush my teeth , made me take a shower .
“ [ He ’ d say ] ‘ Hey , I ’ m going to pick you up and take you on the golf course , ’ and that sort of thing.
” He encouraged her to go back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until she began going back to church and get counseling that she began to heal .
It wasn ’ t easy or quick .
“ [ I ] was a year into it before I started making the change in seeking help .
And then I would say another 1-2 years that I really started kind of feeling healthier and much more stable emotionally.
” Some well-meaning people told her that she suffered the loss of her husband because God knew she was strong enough to take it .
Her pastor disagreed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nowhere in the Bible does it say that .
What He says is everybody — Christians included — are going to fall on hard times and tragedy is going to strike and different things are going to happen .
And I will never leave you to go through that alone . '
” When she heard that , her whole journey changed .
It made sense .
“ Because then I could look back and see where He put this friend in my life .
… I feel like my faith then made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exponentially in year 2 , 3 and 4 of my grief.
” Fifteen years later , Char remembers the pain of losing Jacques .
Now she tells her story in her book and hopes it will help others .
“ Everybody goes through grief at some point , ” Char told The Stream .
“ My goal was to just show people that … with the grief process , with their faith , they ’ re not alone and it ’ s okay.
” There are no 12 steps to complete that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s nothing that can be said , ” that will take away the grief .
“ It ’ s part of me every day , whether anybody sees it , there ’ s not a day that goes by that I don ’ t think about what happened to me or think about Jacques and my life.
” People have a choice on how to handle grief .
“ So , once I made the choice to start healing and I made a turn , I figured out that the best way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep living and honor what he wanted me to do and to be a wife and a mom .
So I can make him proud.
” Char went on to marry her friend who helped her during the first years of grief .
They now have three children .
She doesn ’ t pretend to have all the answers .
But she wants to help anyone , military or nonmilitary , who is dealing with grief .
She hopes to do that with her new book .
“ I just want to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my healing process and just share my journey as much as people need to hear it .
And wherever God wants to lead me , that ’ s where I ’ m going to go.
” Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream .
You can follow her @ NancyFlory3 , and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

She remembers the screams and sobs of her friends.
The young military wife of a Navy SEAL deployed overseas hosted a weekly dinner at her home. Like each week, her house was filled with people that night — friends and neighbors from the military community. The reality of what was happening hit her when she saw the men in uniform at her door.
It’s a scene from Char Westfall’s new book A Beautiful Tragedy: A Navy SEAL Widow’s Permission to Grieve and a Prescription for Hope. (The story of her husband, Jacques Fontan, and his fellow SEALs in Operation Redwing is told in the bestselling book Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell. Lone Survivor was also made into a movie by the same name starring Mark Wahlberg.)
Jacques’ Death
Char was only 29 when Jacques was killed in Afghanistan. A group of SEALS were killed when their helicopter was hit by a RPG. The men were en route to help other SEALs whose mission had been compromised. Sixteen SEALs died that day in June, 2005.
After the deaths were confirmed, Char, her sister, friends and other SEAL wives began making plans for the memorial services. Buying the dresses at a local mall was incredibly difficult. To this day, that brand of dress brings back painful memories and a sense of extreme loss.
You Don’t Go Through It Alone
Before Jacques’ death, Char was a strong Christian. But his death changed that. “I turned away from God and my faith in the beginning, so I can’t say that I relied on God because I didn’t.” She was angry at God for taking Jacques.
But looking back, she sees how God helped her through that painful time. He put a friend in her life who encouraged her. “He got me out of the house, made me brush my teeth, made me take a shower. “[He’d say] ‘Hey, I’m going to pick you up and take you on the golf course,’ and that sort of thing.” He encouraged her to go back to church. It wasn’t until she began going back to church and get counseling that she began to heal. It wasn’t easy or quick. “[I] was a year into it before I started making the change in seeking help. And then I would say another 1-2 years that I really started kind of feeling healthier and much more stable emotionally.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Some well-meaning people told her that she suffered the loss of her husband because God knew she was strong enough to take it. Her pastor disagreed. He told her “‘Char, nowhere in the Bible does it say that. What He says is everybody — Christians included — are going to fall on hard times and tragedy is going to strike and different things are going to happen. And I will never leave you to go through that alone.'”
When she heard that, her whole journey changed. It made sense. “Because then I could look back and see where He put this friend in my life. … I feel like my faith then made a really huge turn and I grew exponentially in year 2, 3 and 4 of my grief.”
Helping Others
Fifteen years later, Char remembers the pain of losing Jacques. Now she tells her story in her book and hopes it will help others.
“Everybody goes through grief at some point,” Char told The Stream. “My goal was to just show people that … with the grief process, with their faith, they’re not alone and it’s okay.” There are no 12 steps to complete that will make grief go away. “There’s nothing that can be said,” that will take away the grief. “It’s part of me every day, whether anybody sees it, there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about what happened to me or think about Jacques and my life.”
People have a choice on how to handle grief. “So, once I made the choice to start healing and I made a turn, I figured out that the best way to live and honor Jacques was to keep living and honor what he wanted me to do and to be a wife and a mom. So I can make him proud.”
Char went on to marry her friend who helped her during the first years of grief. They now have three children.
She doesn’t pretend to have all the answers. But she wants to help anyone, military or nonmilitary, who is dealing with grief. She hopes to do that with her new book. “I just want to continue to help where I can, continue my healing process and just share my journey as much as people need to hear it. And wherever God wants to lead me, that’s where I’m going to go.”
Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-08-31--Military Photo of the Day: Countermeasures

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II releases countermeasure flares over the Middle East on August 13 , 2020 .

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II releases countermeasure flares over the Middle East on August 13, 2020.
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thestream--2020-08-31--Is Someone on the Trump Team Trying to Sabotage Trump?

Over the past four years President Trump has established himself as a man of his word — promises made , promises kept .
And that ’ s especially true among Evangelical Christians .
President Trump has been more of a friend to people of faith than any other president dating back to President Reagan .
He is without a doubt the most pro-life president in American history .
He has nominated constitutionalists to the federal courts .
And he is also a rock-solid defender of the Second Amendment .
So you can imagine the consternation among social conservatives and Evangelical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant campaign issues from their official second term agenda .
There was no mention about defending the unborn , or the Second Amendment or putting constitutionalist judges on the bench .
For weeks now conservatives have been quietly and aggressively working behind the scenes to urge the campaign to fix the glaring omissions .
“ Why in the world would the campaign risk veering away from the issues that matter so much to conservatives , ” one prominent conservative leader told me .
“ It doesn ’ t make any sense.
” Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on within the campaign and among Establishment Republicans .
“ It sounds as if someone deep inside the swamp has tried to hijack the campaign ’ s agenda and hurt the president ’ s relationship with the core base of his support , ” one Evangelical leader told me .
The good news is that those quiet voices behind the scenes were successful in righting a very dangerous wrong .
Over the weekend , the campaign ’ s agenda was revised to include a section titled , “ Defend American Values.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through every means available *Defend the freedoms of religious believers and organizations *Support the exercise of Second Amendment rights .
There ’ s still a looming issue hovering over the Trump campaign — why ?
What the campaign did was inconsistent with the priorities of the president as well as the Republican Party platform .
Who in the world thought it was a good idea to jettison issues like the Second Amendment and defending the unborn ?
Who signed off on that agenda ?
I can assure you it wasn ’ t President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work of a social liberal or an Establishment who thought they could pull a fast one on the president and social conservatives .
The jig is up and the only thing left to do is identify the culprit and give them the heave-ho .
Todd Starnes is a columnist , commentator , author and radio talk show host .
His latest book is Culture Jihad : How to Stop the Left From Killing a Nation .

Over the past four years President Trump has established himself as a man of his word — promises made, promises kept. And that’s especially true among Evangelical Christians.
President Trump has been more of a friend to people of faith than any other president dating back to President Reagan.
He is without a doubt the most pro-life president in American history. He has nominated constitutionalists to the federal courts. And he is also a rock-solid defender of the Second Amendment.
Promises made, promises kept.
Glaring Omissions
So you can imagine the consternation among social conservatives and Evangelical Christians when the Trump campaign erased those significant campaign issues from their official second term agenda.
There was no mention about defending the unborn, or the Second Amendment or putting constitutionalist judges on the bench.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
For weeks now conservatives have been quietly and aggressively working behind the scenes to urge the campaign to fix the glaring omissions.
“Why in the world would the campaign risk veering away from the issues that matter so much to conservatives,” one prominent conservative leader told me. “It doesn’t make any sense.”
Another suggested something more nefarious might be going on within the campaign and among Establishment Republicans.
“It sounds as if someone deep inside the swamp has tried to hijack the campaign’s agenda and hurt the president’s relationship with the core base of his support,” one Evangelical leader told me.
Defend American Values
The good news is that those quiet voices behind the scenes were successful in righting a very dangerous wrong. Over the weekend, the campaign’s agenda was revised to include a section titled, “Defend American Values.”
The campaign promised to:
*Continue nominating constitutionalist Supreme Court and lower court judges
*Protect unborn life through every means available
*Defend the freedoms of religious believers and organizations
*Support the exercise of Second Amendment rights.
But Why?
There’s still a looming issue hovering over the Trump campaign — why?
What the campaign did was inconsistent with the priorities of the president as well as the Republican Party platform.
Who in the world thought it was a good idea to jettison issues like the Second Amendment and defending the unborn? Who signed off on that agenda?
I can assure you it wasn’t President Trump.
I suspect this was the work of a social liberal or an Establishment who thought they could pull a fast one on the president and social conservatives.
The jig is up and the only thing left to do is identify the culprit and give them the heave-ho.
Todd Starnes is a columnist, commentator, author and radio talk show host. His latest book is Culture Jihad: How to Stop the Left From Killing a Nation.
Originally published at todd.starnes.com. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-08-31--Most of Those Arrested in Kenosha are Not From the City, Police Say

Most of those arrested during the recent riots in Kenosha , Wisconsin are not from the city , the Associated Press reported .
Officials said 102 of the 175 people arrested during the recent unrest in the city are from outside of Kenosha , according to the AP .
Most of the arrests were for violation of citywide curfew , but other charges included burglary , carrying concealed weapons without a permit and possession of illegal drugs .
As unrest continues in the city , some rioters have looted businesses and set fire to vehicles and buildings .
On Aug. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested after allegedly fatally shooting two people one night of the ongoing riots .
President Donald Trump tweeted Monday that he would visit Kenosha on Tuesday to address the violence , saying that “ there would be no Kenosha ” if he had not sent in the National Guard .
Wisconsin Gov .
Tony Evers wrote in a Sunday statement about Trump ’ s visit , “ I am concerned your presence will only hinder our healing.
” “ I am concerned your presence will only delay our work to overcome division and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Seven members of the Kenosha County Board , wrote a letter regarding the president ’ s visit , saying , “ Kenoshans are hurting and looking for leadership , and your leadership in this time of crisis is greatly appreciated , ” according to Kenosha News .
Jacob Blake , 29 , was shot on Aug. 23 .
Video of the incident shows Blake walking around the front of his car and opening the driver-side door just before officers opened fire .
Blake later admitted to officers that he had a knife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tase Blake before using their firearms .
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 .

Most of those arrested during the recent riots in Kenosha, Wisconsin are not from the city, the Associated Press reported.
Officials said 102 of the 175 people arrested during the recent unrest in the city are from outside of Kenosha, according to the AP. Most of the arrests were for violation of citywide curfew, but other charges included burglary, carrying concealed weapons without a permit and possession of illegal drugs.
As unrest continues in the city, some rioters have looted businesses and set fire to vehicles and buildings. On Aug. 25, a 17-year-old from Illinois was arrested after allegedly fatally shooting two people one night of the ongoing riots.
President Donald Trump tweeted Monday that he would visit Kenosha on Tuesday to address the violence, saying that “there would be no Kenosha” if he had not sent in the National Guard.
If I didn’t INSIST on having the National Guard activate and go into Kenosha, Wisconsin, there would be no Kenosha right now. Also, there would have been great death and injury. I want to thank Law Enforcement and the National Guard. I will see you on Tuesday! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 31, 2020
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers wrote in a Sunday statement about Trump’s visit, “I am concerned your presence will only hinder our healing.”
“I am concerned your presence will only delay our work to overcome division and move forward together,” Evers added.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Seven members of the Kenosha County Board, wrote a letter regarding the president’s visit, saying, “Kenoshans are hurting and looking for leadership, and your leadership in this time of crisis is greatly appreciated,” according to Kenosha News.
Jacob Blake, 29, was shot on Aug. 23. Video of the incident shows Blake walking around the front of his car and opening the driver-side door just before officers opened fire.
Blake later admitted to officers that he had a knife. Another video shows officers attempting to tase Blake before using their firearms.
Copyright 2020 The Daily Caller News Foundation
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].


thestream--2020-08-31--When ‘Protesters’ Call a Peaceful Driver a ‘Domestic Terrorist’

If you paid professional actors to record a satire video , mocking the deluded perceptions of some of today ’ s “ protesters , ” it would be difficult to improve on this one .
The absurdity is so stunning that it almost leaves you speechless .
The video was shot at the Shell gas station in Lafayette , Louisiana , where Trayford Pellerin was shot and killed by police on August 21 .
It was posted by the conservative media figure Graham Allen on his Facebook page .
( Be forewarned that there is bad language . )
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters are deeply upset with Pellerin ’ s killing , convinced that this was yet another example of police brutality against a black man , and I don ’ t minimize their pain .
I simply write to separate myth from reality .
A Truck Slowly Moves Forward as Protesters Try to Block It In the video , a number of protesters , both Black and White , stand side by side , blocking the entrance to the station .
A pickup truck approaches very slowly , intending to drive in and get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ join hands to stop the vehicle .
Undeterred , the driver , who it turns out is a White male , continues to move forward very slowly , just inches at a time .
The group then begins to separate , with some pounding his vehicle , as they chant , “ No justice , no peace.
” ( Someone outside the video frame also throws a rock at the truck .
Another bounces up and down on the back of the vehicle . )
Some members of the group try to hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Others give the driver the finger — how dare he drive into the gas station to fill his truck — also cursing him with the f-word .
The audacity of this man !
Amazingly , as some of the “ protesters ” continue to shout at the driver ( while the others resume their blocking vigil to stop other cars ) , he calmly gets out to pump gas .
As others shout out , “ Say his name , ” one of the group turns to the camera to explain what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch it to believe your eyes .
He says , quite passionately , “ This is the type of foolishness that we ’ re talking about .
This man took his vehicle and tried to pass it through a peaceful protest and tried to kill us.
” That ’ s right .
The fact that a driver , who apparently lives in that area , decided to get gas at his local gas station , is the “ type of foolishness ” that these righteous protesters must deal with it .
Oh , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me why the gas station should be punished for the actions of the police , who shot and killed Pellerin ?
Even if their actions were unjustified — which the law must decide — why punish the gas station ?
And why punish the locals who do business there ?
But this is only the beginning of the unintended self-satire .
The driver could not have been more careful , and should a driver with a pickup truck want to hurt ( let alone kill ) people standing in front of him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the floor .
Watch the footage for yourself .
Then ask the obvious question : in what reality are these protesters living ?
He “ tried to kill us ” ?
Another protester then joins in , just as passionate , calling the driver “ a racist ” — he must be , if he is getting gas at that particular gas station — stating that he tried to drive a car into them , while acting as if did nothing wrong .
( Here ’ s a quick reality check : the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first man speaking now claims that the driver is guilty of “ inciting a riot ” ( I ’ m not making this up ) .
This is echoed by a woman who claims that he came to the gas station “ to cause destruction , deliberately.
” ( As they ’ re yelling , the driver is talking calmly to one of the other protesters while his truck fills up . )
Again , I urge you to watch the video for yourself .
Oh , the destruction !
Oh , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That ’ s called domestic terrorism .
That ’ s a domestic terrorist .
Make sure that they hear it .
That ’ s a domestic terrorist.
” Yes , the unidentified driver , pumping gas while talking calmly with a protester after driving his truck as slowly as possible so as not to injure anyone , is a domestic terrorist .
By now , he should be high up on the FBI ’ s most wanted list .
Who knows what other acts of destruction and incitement he has engaged in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might ask , “ But what ’ s the point of your sarcasm ?
People are hurting , and that ’ s what you should focus on.
” We Can ’ t Allow Reality to be Twisted Into Fantasy I agree that people are hurting , and I grieve with those who grieve .
But I will not ignore it when people turn reality upside down .
I will not cheer on those who engage in self-righteous , potentially dangerous , fantasy .
Yet this is a microcosm of what is taking place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aggrieved people did not have the right to block the entrance to the gas station .
Or to pound on the driver ’ s truck .
Or throw a rock at it .
Or jump on the back of it and bounce up and down .
Or assault the driver verbally .
Nor did they have the right to create their own reality , where the “ protesters ” engage in harassment , intimidation , and possible property damage while labeling an innocent man a “ domestic terrorist.
” When people stand for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ready ally .
When they engage in self-deceived fantasy , they will not .
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 .

If you paid professional actors to record a satire video, mocking the deluded perceptions of some of today’s “protesters,” it would be difficult to improve on this one. The absurdity is so stunning that it almost leaves you speechless.
The video was shot at the Shell gas station in Lafayette, Louisiana, where Trayford Pellerin was shot and killed by police on August 21. It was posted by the conservative media figure Graham Allen on his Facebook page. (Be forewarned that there is bad language.)
It’s clear that some of the protesters are deeply upset with Pellerin’s killing, convinced that this was yet another example of police brutality against a black man, and I don’t minimize their pain. I simply write to separate myth from reality.
A Truck Slowly Moves Forward as Protesters Try to Block It
In the video, a number of protesters, both Black and White, stand side by side, blocking the entrance to the station. A pickup truck approaches very slowly, intending to drive in and get gas, at which point the protesters join hands to stop the vehicle.
Undeterred, the driver, who it turns out is a White male, continues to move forward very slowly, just inches at a time. The group then begins to separate, with some pounding his vehicle, as they chant, “No justice, no peace.” (Someone outside the video frame also throws a rock at the truck. Another bounces up and down on the back of the vehicle.)
In what reality are these protesters living? He “tried to kill us”?
Some members of the group try to hold his vehicle back, but without success. Others give the driver the finger — how dare he drive into the gas station to fill his truck — also cursing him with the f-word. The audacity of this man!
Amazingly, as some of the “protesters” continue to shout at the driver (while the others resume their blocking vigil to stop other cars), he calmly gets out to pump gas.
As others shout out, “Say his name,” one of the group turns to the camera to explain what is happening. You really have to watch it to believe your eyes.
“Tried to Kill Us”
He says, quite passionately, “This is the type of foolishness that we’re talking about. This man took his vehicle and tried to pass it through a peaceful protest and tried to kill us.”
That’s right. The fact that a driver, who apparently lives in that area, decided to get gas at his local gas station, is the “type of foolishness” that these righteous protesters must deal with it. Oh, the burden!
And can anyone tell me why the gas station should be punished for the actions of the police, who shot and killed Pellerin? Even if their actions were unjustified — which the law must decide — why punish the gas station? And why punish the locals who do business there?
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
But this is only the beginning of the unintended self-satire.
The driver could not have been more careful, and should a driver with a pickup truck want to hurt (let alone kill) people standing in front of him, he need only slam the pedal to the floor.
Watch the footage for yourself. Then ask the obvious question: in what reality are these protesters living? He “tried to kill us”?
“That’s a Domestic Terrorist”
Another protester then joins in, just as passionate, calling the driver “a racist” — he must be, if he is getting gas at that particular gas station — stating that he tried to drive a car into them, while acting as if did nothing wrong. (Here’s a quick reality check: the driver did nothing wrong.)
The first man speaking now claims that the driver is guilty of “inciting a riot” (I’m not making this up). This is echoed by a woman who claims that he came to the gas station “to cause destruction, deliberately.” (As they’re yelling, the driver is talking calmly to one of the other protesters while his truck fills up.)
Again, I urge you to watch the video for yourself. Oh, the destruction! Oh, the incitement!
Then, the finale: “That’s called domestic terrorism. That’s a domestic terrorist. Make sure that they hear it. That’s a domestic terrorist.”
Yes, the unidentified driver, pumping gas while talking calmly with a protester after driving his truck as slowly as possible so as not to injure anyone, is a domestic terrorist. By now, he should be high up on the FBI’s most wanted list. Who knows what other acts of destruction and incitement he has engaged in until now? Arrest him!
You might ask, “But what’s the point of your sarcasm? People are hurting, and that’s what you should focus on.”
We Can’t Allow Reality to be Twisted Into Fantasy
I agree that people are hurting, and I grieve with those who grieve. But I will not ignore it when people turn reality upside down. I will not cheer on those who engage in self-righteous, potentially dangerous, fantasy. Yet this is a microcosm of what is taking place in cities all over America.
These aggrieved people did not have the right to block the entrance to the gas station. Or to pound on the driver’s truck. Or throw a rock at it. Or jump on the back of it and bounce up and down. Or assault the driver verbally.
I will not cheer on those who engage in self-righteous, potentially dangerous, fantasy. Yet this is a microcosm of what is taking place in cities all over America.
Nor did they have the right to create their own reality, where the “protesters” engage in harassment, intimidation, and possible property damage while labeling an innocent man a “domestic terrorist.”
When people stand for the truth, they will find me a ready ally. When they engage in self-deceived fantasy, they will not.
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.