thestream--2020-09-02--‘Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From Evil.’

As we pray the Lord ’ s Prayer we might wonder why God would lead us into temptation in the first place .
This traditional wording for the Lord ’ s Prayer is rather unfortunate .
When I rode my motorcycle here today I might have prayed “ Lord , may I not be enticed by this beautiful weather to keep motorcycling instead of getting to work.
” Or I might have prayed “ Lord , may I not fall off.
” Those are two very different prayers and both those ideas work for the Greek word for temptation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in view , the idea of being tested , of facing trials and great difficulties .
As with the most of the Lord ’ s Prayer , we want to remember these requests are in the plural .
It is not “ Do not lead me ( personally ) into testing , deliver me from evil , ” but “ do not lead us ( as a people ) into testing , deliver us from evil.
” The people standing by Jesus as he taught may have had in mind the entire nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have considered the very real possibility of another national tragedy as the kind of testing they were praying to avoid .
God ’ s old covenant people were used to national tragedies .
The Assyrians took out the Northern tribes some time before the Babylonians took the people of Judah into exile .
These times of great trial , tribulation and testing happened because of the sin of God ’ s people .
Now , God ’ s covenant people were back in the promised land , as promised , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an occupying army .
There was a very real danger of being led into a great and terrible time of testing again .
In this context , the prayer might be understood as , “ forgive us rather than lead us into tribulation by driving us into exile again , deliver us from the evil Romans.
” Jesus would go on to answer the prayer in quite a different way .
In fact , God ’ s old covenant people did experience great tragedy at the hands of the Romans — with Jerusalem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jesus , however , did something far greater than deal with the danger God ’ s convent people faced in losing their land to the Romans .
He dealt with the danger we all face in losing life due to separation from God through sin .
Rather than deliverance from the Romans through victory over the Romans , it was deliverance from sin in a victory that even the Romans could share in .
It was victory over and deliverance from evil itself .
It was , and is , a victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we think this means we will never face times of trial and testing , let us also consider the following : Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ !
By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead , and into an inheritance that is imperishable , undefiled , and unfading , kept in heaven for you , who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In this you rejoice , even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials [ the same word traditionally translated as “ temptation ” in the Lord ’ s prayer ] , so that the genuineness of your faith — being more precious than gold that , though perishable , is tested by fire — may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed .
Although you have not seen him , you love him ; and even though you do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy , for you are receiving the outcome of your faith , the salvation of your souls .
As these Scriptures make clear , we are not rescued from all suffering .
We will face times of trouble and adversity .
God does not send those troubles to destroy us .
God uses those troubles in our lives to help us grow .
His ultimate plan is to deliver us from evil and its consequences .
God will answer the prayer .
Even when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the day is coming when we will look back and say “ God has delivered us from evil !
God has taken care of us !
” Jesus taught us to pray “ lead us not into great testing , but deliver us from evil.
” As we pray that , let us thank the Lord our prayer is already answered in Christ .
Editor ’ s Note : This reflection comes from an “ online worship expression ” which has replaced our regular church service due to COVID-19 precautions .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clarke is the pastor of Calvary Baptist in Cobourg , Ontario .
He blogs at clarkedixon.wordpress.com .

As we pray the Lord’s Prayer we might wonder why God would lead us into temptation in the first place. This traditional wording for the Lord’s Prayer is rather unfortunate. When I rode my motorcycle here today I might have prayed “Lord, may I not be enticed by this beautiful weather to keep motorcycling instead of getting to work.” Or I might have prayed “Lord, may I not fall off.” Those are two very different prayers and both those ideas work for the Greek word for temptation. Most Bible scholars think the latter is in view, the idea of being tested, of facing trials and great difficulties.
As with the most of the Lord’s Prayer, we want to remember these requests are in the plural. It is not “Do not lead me (personally) into testing, deliver me from evil,” but “do not lead us (as a people) into testing, deliver us from evil.” The people standing by Jesus as he taught may have had in mind the entire nation of God’s people. They could have considered the very real possibility of another national tragedy as the kind of testing they were praying to avoid.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
God’s old covenant people were used to national tragedies. The Assyrians took out the Northern tribes some time before the Babylonians took the people of Judah into exile. These times of great trial, tribulation and testing happened because of the sin of God’s people. Now, God’s covenant people were back in the promised land, as promised, but the Romans were also in the land as an occupying army. There was a very real danger of being led into a great and terrible time of testing again. In this context, the prayer might be understood as, “forgive us rather than lead us into tribulation by driving us into exile again, deliver us from the evil Romans.”
Deliverance From Evil
Jesus would go on to answer the prayer in quite a different way. In fact, God’s old covenant people did experience great tragedy at the hands of the Romans — with Jerusalem being destroyed, along with the temple. Jesus, however, did something far greater than deal with the danger God’s convent people faced in losing their land to the Romans. He dealt with the danger we all face in losing life due to separation from God through sin.
Rather than deliverance from the Romans through victory over the Romans, it was deliverance from sin in a victory that even the Romans could share in. It was victory over and deliverance from evil itself. It was, and is, a victory open to all of us.
When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. — 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (NIV)
Trails and Testing
Before we think this means we will never face times of trial and testing, let us also consider the following:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials [the same word traditionally translated as “temptation” in the Lord’s prayer], so that the genuineness of your faith — being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire — may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. — 1 Peter 1:3-9 (NRSV, emphasis added)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials [the same word traditionally translated as “temptation” in the Lord’s Prayer] of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. — James 1:2-4 (NIV, emphasis added)
As these Scriptures make clear, we are not rescued from all suffering. We will face times of trouble and adversity. God does not send those troubles to destroy us. God uses those troubles in our lives to help us grow. His ultimate plan is to deliver us from evil and its consequences. God will answer the prayer. Even when the troubles before us threaten our lives, the day is coming when we will look back and say “God has delivered us from evil! God has taken care of us!”
Jesus taught us to pray “lead us not into great testing, but deliver us from evil.” As we pray that, let us thank the Lord our prayer is already answered in Christ.
Editor’s Note: This reflection comes from an “online worship expression” which has replaced our regular church service due to COVID-19 precautions. The reflection alone can be seen here.
Clarke is the pastor of Calvary Baptist in Cobourg, Ontario. He blogs at clarkedixon.wordpress.com.
Originally published on Clarke’s blog. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-09-02--Military Photo of the Day: Navy Corpsmen Working an Endurance Course

U.S. Navy corpsmen carry a simulated casualty during an endurance course at Camp Johnson in North Carolina on August 17 @ @ @ @ @ to these military medical heroes for training to save lives on the battlefield .

U.S. Navy corpsmen carry a simulated casualty during an endurance course at Camp Johnson in North Carolina on August 17, 2020.
Thank you to these military medical heroes for training to save lives on the battlefield.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


Biden Emerges

Monday was like Groundhog Day in summer , as Punxsutawney Joe emerged from his burrow 10 days ahead of schedule , saw his teleprompter in Pittsburgh and signaled that there will be two more months of campaigning after all .
Out of the Basement Not that it went that well .
Having been goaded by President Trump into not hiding out for another 10 days ( Trump called that “ an eternity in Trumpville ” ) , Biden did prove once again that he ’ s still capable of reading words off of a screen .
However , he seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end , resulting in some indecipherable tossed word salad .
The “ press conference ” then ended with him turning and exiting the stage , ignoring the questions called out by the handful of reporters who were allowed to be in the huge room with him ( each one corralled far back , inside “ social distancing ” circles that reminded me of the “ Cone of Silence ” from Get Smart … ) The thrust of the speech was partly for Biden to finally … finally … suggest that riots , looting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aren ’ t cool , but mostly to float the idea that it ’ s all Trump ’ s fault .
Trump is to blame for creating the atmosphere of divisiveness because he refused to accept the results of the 2016 election … oh , wait , that was them .
Well , because he encourages his supporters to physically assault people who don ’ t agree with them .
No , that ’ s them again … Okay , his supporters are to blame because a small handful of them ( so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back against mobs attacking them and destroying their homes and businesses instead of just standing there like sitting ducks and taking it .
How dare they ?
!
I don ’ t know about you , but when I think of “ Trump ’ s America , ” I think of Manhattan , Chicago , Portland , Seattle ( cue grunge guitar riff ) , Minneapolis and other cities that have been under solid Democratic control since before Trump bought his first monogrammed hankie — the kind of GOP hotbeds where people share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , think that Rachel Maddow is an actual journalist , and drive Priuses with “ Not My President !
” bumper stickers on them .
If that ’ s “ Trump ’ s America , ” then what ’ s “ Biden ’ s America ” ?
Fantasyland at Disney World ?
Anyone who ’ s been paying any attention at all over the past few years knows that this level of mindless partisan vitriol was not caused by a few rude Trump tweets .
It ’ s the poison fruit of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Maxine Waters , Ayanna Pressley , Nancy Pelosi and others , demonizing Trump and his supporters and urging civil unrest in the streets ( or worse — ask Rep. Steve Scalise how Bernie Bros demonstrate their political opposition with rifles . )
Only a few brainwashed potheads online could possibly believe that all the BLM/Antifa looting , arson and assaults on cops are secretly the doing of Trump supporters .
Tucker Carlson at Fox News summed up Biden ’ s speech well , calling it possibly “ the most thoroughly dishonest speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” one in which “ virtually every word of it was the opposite of the truth .
It was literally beyond belief.
” I couldn ’ t agree more , but what else are the Dems going to do ?
I can only imagine how awful their internal polls must look to scare them into taking on this emergency rescue mission .
Especially after last week ’ s conventions , where the Dems spent all their time badmouthing Trump and America and paying homage to the “ peaceful protesters ” who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ worth of traditional , pro-American messaging about restoring law and order , putting aside racial differences and working together to make America great again .
Biden ’ s handlers faced a Hobson ’ s choice : They could condemn the violent , racist radical rioters and risk alienating their far-left , pro-violence base … or they could embrace them and alienate all the sane people .
They can ’ t win with no votes from sane people , and they need their insane base , so they ’ re trying to split @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” pass : finally acknowledge that the violence exists ( now that it ’ s devolved into murdering a Trump supporter and celebrating that ) , but somehow blame it on Trump and his supporters .
As if they somehow had it coming , what with thinking they had a First Amendment right to express their opinions in public without fear of being shot .
Trump has , in fact , made it clear that he doesn ’ t want his supporters to confront these people .
He wants to send in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat Mayors and Governors would rather put their TDS first and put on a public display of snuffing Trump than let him help stop the destruction of their own cities and the violence against their own people .
That ’ s why the “ D ” in TDS stands for “ Derangement.
” Buck Sexton summed up the latest excuse to spin away reality quite well .
The Democrats obviously think the big winning message of Biden ’ s speech is this , which they sent out in a tweet under his name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be less violence in America if Donald Trump is reelected ?
” Mollie Hemingway quite rightly replied , “ The ‘ blackmail Americans into voting for me by threatening more violence unless I win ’ strategy is so impossibly evil and strategically unwise.
” 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 .

Monday was like Groundhog Day in summer, as Punxsutawney Joe emerged from his burrow 10 days ahead of schedule, saw his teleprompter in Pittsburgh and signaled that there will be two more months of campaigning after all.
Out of the Basement
Not that it went that well. Having been goaded by President Trump into not hiding out for another 10 days (Trump called that “an eternity in Trumpville”), Biden did prove once again that he’s still capable of reading words off of a screen. However, he seemed to get tired and confused toward the end, resulting in some indecipherable tossed word salad.
The “press conference” then ended with him turning and exiting the stage, ignoring the questions called out by the handful of reporters who were allowed to be in the huge room with him (each one corralled far back, inside “social distancing” circles that reminded me of the “Cone of Silence” from Get Smart …)
It’s All Trump’s Fault
The thrust of the speech was partly for Biden to finally … finally … suggest that riots, looting and murder of cops and Trump supporters aren’t cool, but mostly to float the idea that it’s all Trump’s fault. Trump is to blame for creating the atmosphere of divisiveness because he refused to accept the results of the 2016 election … oh, wait, that was them. Well, because he encourages his supporters to physically assault people who don’t agree with them. No, that’s them again … Okay, his supporters are to blame because a small handful of them (so far) have armed themselves to fight back against mobs attacking them and destroying their homes and businesses instead of just standing there like sitting ducks and taking it. How dare they?!
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
I don’t know about you, but when I think of “Trump’s America,” I think of Manhattan, Chicago, Portland, Seattle (cue grunge guitar riff), Minneapolis and other cities that have been under solid Democratic control since before Trump bought his first monogrammed hankie — the kind of GOP hotbeds where people share unfunny Stephen Colbert video clips every day, think that Rachel Maddow is an actual journalist, and drive Priuses with “Not My President!” bumper stickers on them.
If that’s “Trump’s America,” then what’s “Biden’s America”? Fantasyland at Disney World?
Poison Fruit
Anyone who’s been paying any attention at all over the past few years knows that this level of mindless partisan vitriol was not caused by a few rude Trump tweets. It’s the poison fruit of the “Resistance” movement and leftist politicians like Maxine Waters, Ayanna Pressley, Nancy Pelosi and others, demonizing Trump and his supporters and urging civil unrest in the streets (or worse — ask Rep. Steve Scalise how Bernie Bros demonstrate their political opposition with rifles.) Only a few brainwashed potheads online could possibly believe that all the BLM/Antifa looting, arson and assaults on cops are secretly the doing of Trump supporters.
Dangerous Dishonesty — An Emergency Rescue Mission
Tucker Carlson at Fox News summed up Biden’s speech well, calling it possibly “the most thoroughly dishonest speech ever given by a major presidential candidate,” one in which “virtually every word of it was the opposite of the truth. It was literally beyond belief.”
I couldn’t agree more, but what else are the Dems going to do? I can only imagine how awful their internal polls must look to scare them into taking on this emergency rescue mission. Especially after last week’s conventions, where the Dems spent all their time badmouthing Trump and America and paying homage to the “peaceful protesters” who are destroying our cities while Trump offered days’ worth of traditional, pro-American messaging about restoring law and order, putting aside racial differences and working together to make America great again.
(Here’s Rush Limbaugh’s commentary on how Trump is running to save us from a race war. It contains some really eye-opening poll data.)
(And a new Zogby poll showing that Biden’s support among blacks has dropped by 15 points and Trump’s support is up to 20 percent, or 9 points more than campaign officials believe he would need to win reelection.)
The ‘Hail Mary’ Pass
Biden’s handlers faced a Hobson’s choice: They could condemn the violent, racist radical rioters and risk alienating their far-left, pro-violence base … or they could embrace them and alienate all the sane people. They can’t win with no votes from sane people, and they need their insane base, so they’re trying to split the difference with a “Hail Mary” pass: finally acknowledge that the violence exists (now that it’s devolved into murdering a Trump supporter and celebrating that), but somehow blame it on Trump and his supporters. As if they somehow had it coming, what with thinking they had a First Amendment right to express their opinions in public without fear of being shot.
Trump has, in fact, made it clear that he doesn’t want his supporters to confront these people. He wants to send in the professionals to restore order, but the Democrat Mayors and Governors would rather put their TDS first and put on a public display of snuffing Trump than let him help stop the destruction of their own cities and the violence against their own people. That’s why the “D” in TDS stands for “Derangement.”
Buck Sexton summed up the latest excuse to spin away reality quite well.
The Democrats obviously think the big winning message of Biden’s speech is this, which they sent out in a tweet under his name: “Does anyone believe there will be less violence in America if Donald Trump is reelected?” Mollie Hemingway quite rightly replied, “The ‘blackmail Americans into voting for me by threatening more violence unless I win’ strategy is so impossibly evil and strategically unwise.”
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.
Originally published at mikehuckabee.com. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-09-02--Either Grossly Unethical or Incompetent and Powerless – Which of Those Do You Like for Biden?

I don ’ t mean to be harsh , but I see only three choices for Joe Biden , and they all look bad .
I find each of them in his most forceful statement so far against rioting in American cities .
He said it the other day in Philadelphia : “ I want to be clear about this : Rioting is not protesting .
Looting is not protesting .
Setting fires is not protesting .
None of this is protesting — it ’ s lawlessness — plain and simple .
And those who do it should be prosecuted.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; let ’ s play a what-if game now .
What if he had said this instead , after “ lawlessness — plain and simple ” ?
“ As the leader of the Democratic party to which they belong , I call on mayors Ted Wheeler , Jenny Durkan , Lori Lightfoot , and Bill de Blasio , in Portland , Seattle , Chicago , and New York respectively , to take immediate , direct action to stop it , now .
It ’ s time they put every resource and every energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” It Should … You Know , Happen He didn ’ t say that , did he ?
He took no responsibility .
He showed no leadership .
It ’ s such an easy thing to say criminals “ should be prosecuted.
” No one ’ s responsible that way .
It should just something that should … you know , happen , somehow , that ’ s all .
It ’ s easy to say it the way Biden did ; it ’ s much harder to step up and take leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He gained cover for himself , that ’ s all .
Those prosecutions probably won ’ t … you know , happen .
But when they don ’ t , at least he ’ s said they should … you know , happen , somehow .
So he can claim he really , truly believes they should … you know , happen , somehow .
Three Reasons for Taking Zero Responsibility And yet Biden also committed himself to something at least vaguely like the belief that lawlessness should be prosecuted .
Okay , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so let me try it another way .
He ’ s saying he thinks lawlessness is wrong , but not wrong enough to committing himself to doing something about it .
So it seems to me there are but three “ logical possibilities ” here , as the philosophers call them : • He doesn ’ t want the violence to stop at all , or • He wants the violence to stop , and he believes he has power to help stop it , but he won ’ t exercise that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something he wants even more , or • He wants the violence to stop , but he believes he has no power to stop it .
Which Bad Option Is More Likely ?
We can cross number 1 off at once .
It may not be logically impossible , but it ’ s still obviously false .
The second option is very possible on a politicized view .
He thinks it ’ s wrong , but he also thinks that letting the country fall apart will make Donald Trump look bad , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That explanation works on one level .
It would be consistent with every other Democratic leader ’ s absolute unwillingness to demand that certain individuals take responsibility to stop the violence .
In fact , I strongly suspect that ’ s the agreement they ’ re working under .
Still , I lean toward number 3 in Joe Biden ’ s case .
My guess is that he doesn ’ t have the power and he knows it .
I can hardly believe he ’ s enough of his own man to lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even from his position as the party ’ s ostensible top man .
He spends too much time under wraps .
Someone ’ s managing him , and whoever holds the keys to those wrappings also hold the key to Biden ’ s life and future .
So when he says , “ should be prosecuted , ” that ’ s all he can say .
He ’ s expressing every bit of power he actually has ; he can say no more .
Which Bad Option Do You Prefer ?
Maybe I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if so , then it ’ s one of the other options .
Those are three possible reasons for Biden ’ s not taking any real responsibility for the country ’ s violence — not even to the extent of calling on someone else , anyone else , to take responsibility .
Now , which of those do we want in a president ?
Number 1 , the pretender , who fakes believing that killing and burning and looting American cities is wrong ?
Number 2 , the one who ’ ll willingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s expedient to do so , for the sake of acquiring power ?
Or number 3 , the one who can ’ t lead because he doesn ’ t actually have any power ?
If I had to choose , I ’ d say the last one is the most favorable to Biden .
It ’ s not so much about being profoundly , criminally unethical .
It ’ s only about being incompetent to the point of abdicating his potential presidency , long before he acquires it .
There is Only One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option , but whatever it is , it couldn ’ t possibly be anything like a legitimate justification for failing to lead .
It all leads to exactly one good option for America ’ s voters .
I don ’ t care how much a person hates Donald Trump or the Republican Party ; Joe Biden is manifestly , openly , obviously unqualified to receive a single vote for president .
Democrats , write someone else in if you have to .
Just don ’ t vote for a man for whom the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that he ’ s utterly incompetent to lead .
Tom Gilson ( @ TomGilsonAuthor ) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books , including the recently released Too Good To Be False : How Jesus ’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality .

I don’t mean to be harsh, but I see only three choices for Joe Biden, and they all look bad. I find each of them in his most forceful statement so far against rioting in American cities. He said it the other day in Philadelphia:
“I want to be clear about this: Rioting is not protesting. Looting is not protesting. Setting fires is not protesting. None of this is protesting — it’s lawlessness — plain and simple. And those who do it should be prosecuted.”
That’s what he said; let’s play a what-if game now. What if he had said this instead, after “lawlessness — plain and simple”?
“As the leader of the Democratic party to which they belong, I call on mayors Ted Wheeler, Jenny Durkan, Lori Lightfoot, and Bill de Blasio, in Portland, Seattle, Chicago, and New York respectively, to take immediate, direct action to stop it, now. It’s time they put every resource and every energy into apprehending and prosecuting these lawless criminals.”
It Should … You Know, Happen
He didn’t say that, did he? He took no responsibility. He showed no leadership.
It’s such an easy thing to say criminals “should be prosecuted.” No one’s responsible that way. It should just something that should … you know, happen, somehow, that’s all.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
It’s easy to say it the way Biden did; it’s much harder to step up and take leadership. Biden did everything but that. He gained cover for himself, that’s all. Those prosecutions probably won’t … you know, happen. But when they don’t, at least he’s said they should … you know, happen, somehow. So he can claim he really, truly believes they should … you know, happen, somehow.
That’s not leadership.
Three Reasons for Taking Zero Responsibility
And yet Biden also committed himself to something at least vaguely like the belief that lawlessness should be prosecuted. Okay, maybe that’s not clear enough, so let me try it another way. He’s saying he thinks lawlessness is wrong, but not wrong enough to committing himself to doing something about it. So it seems to me there are but three “logical possibilities” here, as the philosophers call them:
He doesn’t want the violence to stop at all, or He wants the violence to stop, and he believes he has power to help stop it, but he won’t exercise that power because it could run contrary to something he wants even more, or He wants the violence to stop, but he believes he has no power to stop it.
Which Bad Option Is More Likely?
We can cross number 1 off at once. It may not be logically impossible, but it’s still obviously false.
The second option is very possible on a politicized view. He thinks it’s wrong, but he also thinks that letting the country fall apart will make Donald Trump look bad, so it might win him the presidency. That explanation works on one level. It would be consistent with every other Democratic leader’s absolute unwillingness to demand that certain individuals take responsibility to stop the violence. In fact, I strongly suspect that’s the agreement they’re working under.
Still, I lean toward number 3 in Joe Biden’s case. My guess is that he doesn’t have the power and he knows it. I can hardly believe he’s enough of his own man to lead with that much personal strength; not even from his position as the party’s ostensible top man. He spends too much time under wraps. Someone’s managing him, and whoever holds the keys to those wrappings also hold the key to Biden’s life and future. So when he says, “should be prosecuted,” that’s all he can say. He’s expressing every bit of power he actually has; he can say no more.
Which Bad Option Do You Prefer?
Maybe I’m wrong about that, but if so, then it’s one of the other options. Those are three possible reasons for Biden’s not taking any real responsibility for the country’s violence — not even to the extent of calling on someone else, anyone else, to take responsibility.
Now, which of those do we want in a president? Number 1, the pretender, who fakes believing that killing and burning and looting American cities is wrong? Number 2, the one who’ll willingly let cities burn, if it’s expedient to do so, for the sake of acquiring power? Or number 3, the one who can’t lead because he doesn’t actually have any power?
If I had to choose, I’d say the last one is the most favorable to Biden. It’s not so much about being profoundly, criminally unethical. It’s only about being incompetent to the point of abdicating his potential presidency, long before he acquires it.
There is Only One Good Option
Maybe I missed a fourth option, but whatever it is, it couldn’t possibly be anything like a legitimate justification for failing to lead.
It all leads to exactly one good option for America’s voters. I don’t care how much a person hates Donald Trump or the Republican Party; Joe Biden is manifestly, openly, obviously unqualified to receive a single vote for president.
Democrats, write someone else in if you have to. Just don’t vote for a man for whom the most favorable thing you could possibly say is that he’s utterly incompetent to lead.
(Update September 3: There’s a fourth logically possible option, and an interesting one, though it doesn’t change my conclusions here — Tom G.)
Tom Gilson (@TomGilsonAuthor) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books, including the recently released Too Good To Be False: How Jesus’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality.


thestream--2020-09-02--Common Sense: The New ‘Woke’

Common Sense: The New ‘Woke’

A friend of mine in England tweeted the other day that there is a campaign to “ De-fund the BBC ” .
I should explain that the BBC — the British Broadcasting Corporation — is the official arm of the British government ’ s information service .
The unelected folks who control the BBC run several TV channels , radio networks and online news , entertainment and information outlets .
The BBC has always claimed to be independent and objective , and while they may be officially independent from the government , the BBC has always been the mouthpiece of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when the British establishment from the monarchy , to the Church of England , to the military and educational institutions are all “ woke ” and politically correct to the nth degree , the BBC is the mouthpiece of this “ woke ” establishment .
The problem is , people are waking up to woke .
As the politically correct propaganda becomes increasingly bizarre ordinary folks have had enough .
As part of their anti-racism campaign some at the BBC proposed to scrap two patriotic songs at the traditional end of summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Land of Hope and Glory ” and “ Rule Brittania ” are rousing nationalistic anthems that some associate with colonialism and slavery .
In fact , to make their point some jokers changed the words to “ Rule Brittania ” from “ Brittania rules the waves ” to “ Brittania rules the slaves.
” Despite this , the anthem has always been sung heartily by the union jack waving crowds at the last night of the Proms .
Outraged at the possible destruction of their heritage , Britons have decided to stop funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Yes , because the BBC is funded by the payment of a media tax called the “ Television License.
” If you have a TV you have to pay for the license , and it ’ s not cheap — about $ 50.00 per household .
So the usually sedate and mild mannered English are rising up and threatening to withhold their TV license .
When I lived in England I learned that this little ruckus would be called “ a tempest in a teapot ” in other words , “ No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebellion on the part of ordinary English folk is a signal of a bigger reaction which is taking place across the world .
Put simply , ordinary people are waking up to how extreme being “ woke ” has become .
This is the way society swings back and forth : there is a reaction to a perceived injustice , but that reaction becomes so extreme that it causes a new round of injustice .
The people who were victims start victimizing their enemies and become guilty of the very thing they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people with common sense who were sympathetic to the cause wake up to the fact that things have gone too far .
When people are afraid to speak their mind for fear of being attacked by a self righteous Twitter mob , a harangue by a student group or a non-stop , well funded propaganda campaign by some entitled faux victim group they ’ ll soon start to fight back .
Eventually ordinary folks with common sense wake up to the lunacy of such extremes and they decide that silence , complacency and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ordinary folks get weary of being bullied by one ideologue after another .
They get fed up with being pushed around by do-gooders who are more concerned with forcing other people to be good than being good themselves .
These common folks with common sense see the bigger picture .
They understand there is always injustice in society .
They know ” the poor you shall always have with you ” but they also know that “ to whom much is given much is required ” — that racial and financial justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all of us .
They know the answer is for each of us to put justice into action by doing the best we can right where we are with what we have .
The common sense brigade don ’ t riot in the streets or start big campaigns .
Instead they use peaceful means of resistance , like not paying a TV license or boycotting Netflix or buying cartfuls of Goya products .
They protest by ignoring the angry crowd , the political grandstanding and the half truths dished out by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entertainment industry .
They don ’ t cause a ruckus .
They ’ re the silent majority .
They are ordinary , hard working people with clear vision and common sense .
When all the blather is done and all the protests are over , these are the people who turn up to clean up .
These are the folks who shake their heads like a grandpa dealing with a troubled adolescent .
These are the ones who continue to pay the bills , pick up the litter , turn out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next morning .
These are the ones who deliver our food , keep our utilities working , keep the factories open , fight the fires , police the streets , clean the streets , empty our garbage and keep the show on the road .
These are the nurses and moms , teachers and doctors and emergency workers who are on call for us .
These are a multitude of others we take for granted , but who are solid , hard working citizens of every race and background , every income group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are also the ones who get up off their couch and go out to vote , and I reckon I know who most of them are going to vote for this November … it ’ s the candidates of common sense .
It ’ s the party that works for the common good — not the party of protest and unrest .
Dwight Longenecker ’ s latest book explores the reasons for unrest in our society today .
Get Immortal Combat-Confronting the Heart of Darkness at dwightlongenecker.com

A friend of mine in England tweeted the other day that there is a campaign to “De-fund the BBC”. I should explain that the BBC — the British Broadcasting Corporation — is the official arm of the British government’s information service.
The unelected folks who control the BBC run several TV channels, radio networks and online news, entertainment and information outlets. The BBC has always claimed to be independent and objective, and while they may be officially independent from the government, the BBC has always been the mouthpiece of the official British establishment.
These days, when the British establishment from the monarchy, to the Church of England, to the military and educational institutions are all “woke” and politically correct to the nth degree, the BBC is the mouthpiece of this “woke” establishment.
The problem is, people are waking up to woke. As the politically correct propaganda becomes increasingly bizarre ordinary folks have had enough.
Brittania Rules the Slaves?
As part of their anti-racism campaign some at the BBC proposed to scrap two patriotic songs at the traditional end of summer music program called The Proms. “Land of Hope and Glory” and “Rule Brittania” are rousing nationalistic anthems that some associate with colonialism and slavery.
In fact, to make their point some jokers changed the words to “Rule Brittania” from “Brittania rules the waves” to “Brittania rules the slaves.” Despite this, the anthem has always been sung heartily by the union jack waving crowds at the last night of the Proms.
Eventually ordinary folks with common sense wake up to the lunacy of such extremes and they decide that silence, complacency and appeasing the resentful extremists has to end.
Outraged at the possible destruction of their heritage, Britons have decided to stop funding the BBC. Can they do that? Yes, because the BBC is funded by the payment of a media tax called the “Television License.” If you have a TV you have to pay for the license, and it’s not cheap — about $50.00 per household. So the usually sedate and mild mannered English are rising up and threatening to withhold their TV license.
Saying “Whoa!” to Woke
When I lived in England I learned that this little ruckus would be called “a tempest in a teapot” in other words, “No big deal.” However, this mini rebellion on the part of ordinary English folk is a signal of a bigger reaction which is taking place across the world. Put simply, ordinary people are waking up to how extreme being “woke” has become.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
This is the way society swings back and forth: there is a reaction to a perceived injustice, but that reaction becomes so extreme that it causes a new round of injustice. The people who were victims start victimizing their enemies and become guilty of the very thing they were criticizing. The protest becomes ridiculous and people with common sense who were sympathetic to the cause wake up to the fact that things have gone too far.
When people are afraid to speak their mind for fear of being attacked by a self righteous Twitter mob, a harangue by a student group or a non-stop, well funded propaganda campaign by some entitled faux victim group they’ll soon start to fight back.
Waking Up to Wokeness
Eventually ordinary folks with common sense wake up to the lunacy of such extremes and they decide that silence, complacency and appeasing the resentful extremists has to end. Ordinary folks get weary of being bullied by one ideologue after another. They get fed up with being pushed around by do-gooders who are more concerned with forcing other people to be good than being good themselves.
These common folks with common sense see the bigger picture. They understand there is always injustice in society. They know ”the poor you shall always have with you” but they also know that “to whom much is given much is required” — that racial and financial justice and the common good are the responsibility of all of us. They know the answer is for each of us to put justice into action by doing the best we can right where we are with what we have.
The Army of Common Sense
The common sense brigade don’t riot in the streets or start big campaigns. Instead they use peaceful means of resistance, like not paying a TV license or boycotting Netflix or buying cartfuls of Goya products. They protest by ignoring the angry crowd, the political grandstanding and the half truths dished out by the media masters, the elite educationalists and the entertainment industry. They don’t cause a ruckus. They’re the silent majority. They are ordinary, hard working people with clear vision and common sense.
When all the blather is done and all the protests are over, these are the people who turn up to clean up. These are the folks who shake their heads like a grandpa dealing with a troubled adolescent. These are the ones who continue to pay the bills, pick up the litter, turn out the lights and turn up for work the next morning. These are the ones who deliver our food, keep our utilities working, keep the factories open, fight the fires, police the streets, clean the streets, empty our garbage and keep the show on the road.
These are the nurses and moms, teachers and doctors and emergency workers who are on call for us. These are a multitude of others we take for granted, but who are solid, hard working citizens of every race and background, every income group and every corner of America.
These are also the ones who get up off their couch and go out to vote, and I reckon I know who most of them are going to vote for this November … it’s the candidates of common sense. It’s the party that works for the common good — not the party of protest and unrest.
Dwight Longenecker’s latest book explores the reasons for unrest in our society today. Get Immortal Combat-Confronting the Heart of Darkness at dwightlongenecker.com


thestream--2020-09-02--Vote Like the First Amendment Is on the Nov. 3 Ballot — It Is

There are sincere people on all sides of the political spectrum that love this country dearly and want the best for its citizens .
I know this because I ’ m close friends with Americans who hold entirely different points of view when it comes to what they expect of their government .
They often agree on the problems while disagreeing on the solutions .
I truly believe Republicans and Democrats , liberals and conservatives , can peacefully coexist alongside one another .
Bipartisanship isn ’ t only possible ; it is required in America .
Our Founders brilliantly created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate and requires compromise in order to make progress .
It ’ s what the Bible describes as “ iron sharpening iron.
” First Amendment Freedoms Are on the Ballot This November Yet there ’ s an emergent movement , one incompatible with my harmonious picture of America .
It ’ s incompatible with the very First Amendment of our Constitution .
It ’ s time for people of faith to draw the proverbial line in the sand .
This November , our First Amendment religious freedoms are literally on the ballot .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ jeopardy .
Politicians on the left have proven to be more than willing to strip away our religious liberty , and unfortunately many are in denial over this troubling phenomenon .
In Little Sisters of the Poor vs. Pennsylvania , a majority of justices on the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that this Catholic charity could not be forced to provide abortifacient birth control against their convictions .
It was widely accepted among most reasonable people in America that targeting nuns was un-American and unjust .
Well , to my astonishment , two of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fundamental rights of Little Sisters as made clear in the First Amendment .
What ’ s more , a chorus of folks on the far left responded angrily to the high court ’ s decision , vowing to ensure other religious charities and the like will eventually be forced to act contrary to their religious convictions .
I am unapologetically anti-abortion .
Yet , even many pro-choice Americans oppose using taxpayer funds to provide abortion .
It ’ s immoral to ask Americans who have a conviction about the horrors of abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a practice that goes against their religious values .
And that ’ s what the Hyde Amendment has protected for nearly two generations .
Vice President Joe Biden held this view for his 40 plus years in Washington , D.C .
Yet a reasonable and bipartisan policy has been cast aside by Biden as he had to trade his support of the Hyde Amendment to appease the most radical on the left in his party .
As COVID-19-related guidelines have affected our daily routines , radical leftists have ensured that churches and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked to abide by a set of rules not required of others .
For example , in Nevada , the perspective of that state ’ s governor , it ’ s perfectly fine for a casino in Las Vegas to operate at 50 % capacity , but churches are forbidden from having more than 50 people .
This is religious discrimination in brazen defiance of our First Amendment protections .
While laws slowly cripple people of faith , lawlessness is celebrated in our city streets .
In Portland , Chicago and countless other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protectors of the innocent , are chased away ; and the radical left labels it “ justice.
” Meanwhile , New York City Mayor Bill deBlasio has repeatedly ordered his officers to crack down on Jewish gatherings .
It ’ s just another example of people of faith getting a very short end of the stick .
It would be one thing if it was only bigoted rhetoric targeting religious institutions — we ’ re used to that .
However , these politicians are demonstrating how willing they are to use the full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opponents even if they are opposing them because of sincerely-held religious beliefs .
There is no question we are fighting for everything we hold near and dear and that we want our children and grandchildren to experience in this sweet land of liberty .
I don ’ t know how any Christian can witness all of the examples I ’ ve cited and not understand what ’ s at stake here .
There is a radical political movement that will not rest until religious institutions conform to their ideology .
To be clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special rights .
I ’ m not asking our lawmakers and our judges to tip the scales in our favor .
I ’ m simply asking them to stop tipping them against us .
Our evangelical vote this November will make all the difference .
So at this point my warning to people of faith is pretty simple : speak now , or forever hold your peace .
Nov. 3 , 2020 represents the election of a lifetime , as well as a critical moment to speak up .
If you don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter of time until “ speaking up ” becomes a thing of the past .
If I were you , I ’ d vote like the First Amendment itself was on the ballot .
Pastor Jentezen Franklin is the Senior Pastor of Free Chapel , a multi-campus church .
Each week his television program “ Kingdom Connection ” is broadcast on major networks all over the world .
A New York Times best-selling author , Jentezen has written nine books including his most recent , Love Like You ’ ve Never Been Hurt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Place-Right Plan.
” Jentezen and his wife Cherise have been married 31 years , have five children and four grandchildren , and make their home in Gainesville , Georgia .
Also , be sure to watch Jentezen Franklin ’ s recent interviews with Stream publisher , James Robison , here and here .

There are sincere people on all sides of the political spectrum that love this country dearly and want the best for its citizens. I know this because I’m close friends with Americans who hold entirely different points of view when it comes to what they expect of their government. They often agree on the problems while disagreeing on the solutions.
I truly believe Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives, can peacefully coexist alongside one another. Bipartisanship isn’t only possible; it is required in America.
Our Founders brilliantly created a society that demands robust and diverse debate and requires compromise in order to make progress. It’s what the Bible describes as “iron sharpening iron.”
First Amendment Freedoms Are on the Ballot This November
Yet there’s an emergent movement, one incompatible with my harmonious picture of America. It’s incompatible with the very First Amendment of our Constitution.
It’s time for people of faith to draw the proverbial line in the sand.
So at this point my warning to people of faith is pretty simple: speak now, or forever hold your peace.
This November, our First Amendment religious freedoms are literally on the ballot. The free exercise of religion is in jeopardy. Politicians on the left have proven to be more than willing to strip away our religious liberty, and unfortunately many are in denial over this troubling phenomenon.
Abortion and the Hyde Amendment
In Little Sisters of the Poor vs. Pennsylvania, a majority of justices on the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that this Catholic charity could not be forced to provide abortifacient birth control against their convictions. It was widely accepted among most reasonable people in America that targeting nuns was un-American and unjust.
Good news, right?
Well, to my astonishment, two of the justices failed to see the basic and fundamental rights of Little Sisters as made clear in the First Amendment.
What’s more, a chorus of folks on the far left responded angrily to the high court’s decision, vowing to ensure other religious charities and the like will eventually be forced to act contrary to their religious convictions.
I am unapologetically anti-abortion. Yet, even many pro-choice Americans oppose using taxpayer funds to provide abortion.
It’s immoral to ask Americans who have a conviction about the horrors of abortion to use their income to pay for a practice that goes against their religious values. And that’s what the Hyde Amendment has protected for nearly two generations.
Vice President Joe Biden held this view for his 40 plus years in Washington, D.C. Yet a reasonable and bipartisan policy has been cast aside by Biden as he had to trade his support of the Hyde Amendment to appease the most radical on the left in his party.
Religious Discrimination
As COVID-19-related guidelines have affected our daily routines, radical leftists have ensured that churches and other religious communities in many states have been asked to abide by a set of rules not required of others. For example, in Nevada, the perspective of that state’s governor, it’s perfectly fine for a casino in Las Vegas to operate at 50% capacity, but churches are forbidden from having more than 50 people.
This is religious discrimination in brazen defiance of our First Amendment protections.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
While laws slowly cripple people of faith, lawlessness is celebrated in our city streets.
In Portland, Chicago and countless other cities, officers of the law, protectors of the innocent, are chased away; and the radical left labels it “justice.” Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Bill deBlasio has repeatedly ordered his officers to crack down on Jewish gatherings.
It’s just another example of people of faith getting a very short end of the stick.
It would be one thing if it was only bigoted rhetoric targeting religious institutions — we’re used to that. However, these politicians are demonstrating how willing they are to use the full weight of the law against their political opponents even if they are opposing them because of sincerely-held religious beliefs.
There is no question we are fighting for everything we hold near and dear and that we want our children and grandchildren to experience in this sweet land of liberty.
Understand What’s at Stake
I don’t know how any Christian can witness all of the examples I’ve cited and not understand what’s at stake here. There is a radical political movement that will not rest until religious institutions conform to their ideology.
To be clear, we’re not asking for special rights. I’m not asking our lawmakers and our judges to tip the scales in our favor. I’m simply asking them to stop tipping them against us.
Our evangelical vote this November will make all the difference.
So at this point my warning to people of faith is pretty simple: speak now, or forever hold your peace.
Nov. 3, 2020 represents the election of a lifetime, as well as a critical moment to speak up. If you don’t, it’s only a matter of time until “speaking up” becomes a thing of the past.
If I were you, I’d vote like the First Amendment itself was on the ballot.
Pastor Jentezen Franklin is the Senior Pastor of Free Chapel, a multi-campus church. Each week his television program “Kingdom Connection” is broadcast on major networks all over the world. A New York Times best-selling author, Jentezen has written nine books including his most recent, Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt, the groundbreaking Fasting and Right People-Right Place-Right Plan.”Jentezen and his wife Cherise have been married 31 years, have five children and four grandchildren, and make their home in Gainesville, Georgia.
Also, be sure to watch Jentezen Franklin’s recent interviews with Stream publisher, James Robison, here and here.
Originally published at Newsmax.com. Reprinted with permission.


thestream--2020-09-02--Gary Sinise on Service: ‘I Felt Called by God’

If you ’ re tired of lefty , virtue-signaling , punitive and angry Hollywood , do yourself a favor : pick up a copy of Grateful American : A Journey from Self to Service , the recent memoir by actor Gary Sinise .
When it comes to patriotism , God-centered service , and just basic kindness , Sinise is as close to a saint as Tinseltown will get .
He would be the first to deny that because he is genuinely humble .
But Sinise is that rarest of birds , a genuinely talented , good , and God-centered Hollywood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse than read Grateful American and follow it ’ s example .
Sinise , 65 , is best known for playing Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump , a role that earned him an Oscar nomination .
He also has played detective Mac Taylor for nine seasons on CSI : NY .
He ’ s won an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award .
More important than the accolades , however , are service and gratitude .
In Grateful American Sinise focuses not on parties , huge paychecks , irritating co-stars or difficult shoots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and giving back.
” He appreciates his fellow actors who gave him advice and a curtain call when he had a minor role .
He loves his sister , who struggled with addiction and helped come through thanks to his prayers and help .
Sinise is especially thankful for Barbara Patterson , the drama teacher who , when he was a sophomore at Highland Park High School outside Chicago , asked him to audition for West Side Story .
It changed his life .
Sinise got the part of a gang member , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new place that felt like home.
” After high school he co-founded the Tony-winning Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago , which is now a multimillion-dollar theatrical institution .
Most impressive is the Gary Sinise Foundation , which builds special homes configured for the needs of for disabled veterans .
His Lt. Dan Band entertains the armed forces at concerts , and Sinise has frequently flown a group of WW II vets — along with high school students — to the WWII Museum in New Orleans .
In Grateful American , Sinise reveals the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to serve .
It happened the Friday after the September 11 2001 attacks on America by Islamic extremists .
Sinise describes what happened in the book , which is repeated at the 6:36 mark of the video below .
It was actually three days after September 11 .
September 11 was on a Tuesday .
… George Bush the president called for a national day of prayer to happen on the Friday after September 11 .
Churches all over the country were packed .
People were going to their churches just trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with our broken hearts .
I went to our local Catholic church… .
I remember it was standing room only .
I was in standing room only , I was standing on the side .
They were singing “ God Bless America , ” and everybody had tears , it was very powerful , very moving .
Out priest was … talking about service , and how service above self was very healing .
And that we all needed to try to do something to help out country heal .
I heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 11 .
That I think galvanized something in me .
I just felt called by God to do something to help heal the men and women who were deploying in response to that event .
Once we started deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan and we started losing people and they started getting hurt… .
I thought that ’ s where I can place my energy .
That ’ s where I can serve .
I ’ ve been involved with Vietnam veterans .
I don ’ t want our active duty folks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a nation that treated them the way our Vietnam veterans were treated .
I started doing everything I could .
It all manifested itself into this foundation .
Seriously , can this guy just run for president ?

If you’re tired of lefty, virtue-signaling, punitive and angry Hollywood, do yourself a favor: pick up a copy of Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service, the recent memoir by actor Gary Sinise.
When it comes to patriotism, God-centered service, and just basic kindness, Sinise is as close to a saint as Tinseltown will get. He would be the first to deny that because he is genuinely humble. But Sinise is that rarest of birds, a genuinely talented, good, and God-centered Hollywood man. His fellow thespians could do worse than read Grateful American and follow its example.
From Gump to Grateful American
Sinise, 65, is best known for playing Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump, a role that earned him an Oscar nomination. He also has played detective Mac Taylor for nine seasons on CSI: NY. He’s won an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award.
More important than the accolades, however, are service and gratitude. In Grateful American Sinise focuses not on parties, huge paychecks, irritating co-stars or difficult shoots, but on “blessings, gratitude and giving back.” He appreciates his fellow actors who gave him advice and a curtain call when he had a minor role. He loves his sister, who struggled with addiction and helped come through thanks to his prayers and help. Sinise is especially thankful for Barbara Patterson, the drama teacher who, when he was a sophomore at Highland Park High School outside Chicago, asked him to audition for West Side Story.
It changed his life. Sinise got the part of a gang member, and in doing so “found this new place that felt like home.” After high school he co-founded the Tony-winning Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, which is now a multimillion-dollar theatrical institution.
Helping Our Disabled Vets
Most impressive is the Gary Sinise Foundation, which builds special homes configured for the needs of for disabled veterans. His Lt. Dan Band entertains the armed forces at concerts, and Sinise has frequently flown a group of WW II vets — along with high school students — to the WWII Museum in New Orleans.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
In Grateful American, Sinise reveals the moment that he felt called by God to serve. It happened the Friday after the September 11 2001 attacks on America by Islamic extremists. Sinise describes what happened in the book, which is repeated at the 6:36 mark of the video below.
It was actually three days after September 11. September 11 was on a Tuesday. … George Bush the president called for a national day of prayer to happen on the Friday after September 11. Churches all over the country were packed. People were going to their churches just trying to find some healing, something to help deal with our broken hearts. I went to our local Catholic church… . I remember it was standing room only. I was in standing room only, I was standing on the side. They were singing “God Bless America,” and everybody had tears, it was very powerful, very moving. Out priest was … talking about service, and how service above self was very healing. And that we all needed to try to do something to help out country heal. I heard that very specifically that Friday after Sept, 11. That I think galvanized something in me. I just felt called by God to do something to help heal the men and women who were deploying in response to that event. Once we started deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan and we started losing people and they started getting hurt… . I thought that’s where I can place my energy. That’s where I can serve. I’ve been involved with Vietnam veterans. I don’t want our active duty folks deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan coming home to a nation that treated them the way our Vietnam veterans were treated. I started doing everything I could. It all manifested itself into this foundation.
Seriously, can this guy just run for president?
Mark Judge is a writer and filmmaker in Washington, D.C.


thestream--2020-09-02--Victory! World War II Ended 75 Years Ago Today

U.S. Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur signs as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers during Japan ’ s formal surrender on @ @ @ @ @ aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay .
The ceremony marked the official end of @ @ @ @ @ years after the greatest military victory the world has ever seen , we honor our @ @ @ @ @ II veterans – living and departed – for their selfless sacrifices .
Thank you for @ @ @ @ @ and evil , and may God bless you and your families .

U.S. Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur signs as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers during Japan’s formal surrender on September 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. The ceremony marked the official end of World War II.
Seventy-five years after the greatest military victory the world has ever seen, we honor our nation’s World War II veterans – living and departed – for their selfless sacrifices. Thank you for saving the world from tyranny and evil, and may God bless you and your families.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.


thestream--2020-09-02--The Lockdown Has Gone From a Mistake to a Crime

Four months ago , I wrote a column titled “ The Worldwide Lockdown May Be the Greatest Mistake in History.
” I explained that “ ‘ mistake ’ and ‘ evil ’ are not synonyms .
The lockdown is a mistake ; the Holocaust , slavery , communism , fascism , etc.
, were evils .
Massive mistakes are made by arrogant fools ; massive evils are committed by evil people.
” Regarding the economic catastrophe in America and around the world — especially among the world ’ s poor who are dependent upon America and other first-world countries for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I wrote , “ It is panic and hysteria , not the coronavirus , that created this catastrophe.
” Unfortunately , I was right .
The world should have followed Sweden ’ s example .
That country never locked down and has even kept children under 16 in school the entire time .
As Reuters reported on July 15 , the number of Swedish children between 1 and 19 years of age who have died of COVID-19 is zero .
And the percentage of children who contracted the illness was the exact same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which locked down its schools .
As regards teachers , Sweden ’ s Public Health Agency reported that “ a comparison of the incidence of COVID-19 in different professions suggested no increased risk for teachers.
” Nevertheless , with few exceptions , teachers in Los Angeles and elsewhere refuse to enter a classroom that has students in it .
Their disdain for their profession has been superseded only by that of the Los Angeles teachers union , which announced that teachers will not resume teaching until the police are defunded .
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out that Sweden has the eighth-highest death rate per million in the Western world .
But , needless to say , this has no bearing at all on the issue of whether Sweden was right to keep schools open or whether our country was wrong to close them , let alone keep them closed now .
The overwhelming majority of deaths from COVID-19 in Sweden were among people over 70 years of age , and most of those were people over 80 and with compromised immune systems .
Reuters reported that three separate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ showed that Swedish children fared better than children in other countries during the pandemic , both in terms of education and mental health.
” For more than a month , Sweden has had almost no deaths from COVID-19 while the entire society remains open and almost no one wears masks .
( In Holland , too , almost no one wears masks . )
For all intents and purposes , the virus is over in Sweden .
I live in California , a state governed by that most dangerous of leaders : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fact that California ranks 28th among the 50 states in deaths per million , Gov .
Gavin Newsom has destroyed and continues to destroy tens of thousands of small businesses and untold numbers of livelihoods .
His continuing to forbid — a half-year after the onset of the pandemic — indoor dining in restaurants is leading to a projected permanent closure of approximately 1 in every 3 restaurants in the state .
The same catastrophic destruction will likely affect retail businesses and services such as hair and nail salons .
But all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased depression and suicides among the young and increased abuse of children and partners — means nothing to Newsom , to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti or to the Los Angeles Times , whose editors and columnists continue to advocate for the lockdown while they receive their salaries .
Why can people eat with no mask in an airplane — inches , not six feet , from strangers — but can not eat in a California restaurant , which is so much bigger than the inside of an airplane , while sitting six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , the Los Angeles Times supports it and , like sheep , Californians have accepted it .
According to the California Association of Museums , “ Museums are losing over $ 22 million a day due to the statewide quarantine .
As of August 1 , 2020 , California museums have lost more than $ 2.9 billion in revenue .
Museums have a $ 6.55 billion financial impact on California ’ s economy , support 80,722 jobs , and generated $ 492 million in tax revenues for the State of California in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal taxes.
” And the American Alliance of Museums issued results from a survey on July 22 , 2020 , that warned 1 out of every 3 museums may shutter forever as funding sources and financial reserves run dry .
On Aug. 3 , The Wall Street Journal wrote , “ In March … There was broad public support for the prudent goals of preventing hospitals from being overwhelmed and buying scientists time to develop therapies.
” But the left — the media and Democratic governors and mayors — immediately moved the goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ saving one life , ” enabling them to get away with destroying lives and livelihoods .
I conclude with the words of a Swedish medical doctor , Sebastian Rushworth : Covid is over in Sweden .
People have gone back to their normal lives and barely anyone is getting infected any more .
I am willing to bet that the countries that have shut down completely will see rates spike when they open up .
If that is the case , then there won ’ t have been any point in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shutting down completely in order to decrease the total number of deaths only makes sense if you are willing to stay shut down until a vaccine is available .
That could take years .
No country is willing to wait that long .
The lockdown is a crime .
But even more upsetting is that it is supported by so many Americans .
This country is unrecognizable to those of us who lived through the 1968-1970 pandemic , which killed , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , approximately 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans .
Nothing shut down .
Not one mask was worn .
Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist .
His latest book , published by Regnery in May 2019 , is The Rational Bible , a commentary on the book of Genesis .
His film , “ No Safe Spaces , ” will be released to home entertainment nationwide on Sept. 15 , 2020 .
He is the founder of Prager University and may be contacted at dennisprager.com .

Four months ago, I wrote a column titled “The Worldwide Lockdown May Be the Greatest Mistake in History.” I explained that “‘mistake’ and ‘evil’ are not synonyms. The lockdown is a mistake; the Holocaust, slavery, communism, fascism, etc., were evils. Massive mistakes are made by arrogant fools; massive evils are committed by evil people.”
Regarding the economic catastrophe in America and around the world — especially among the world’s poor who are dependent upon America and other first-world countries for their income through exports and tourism — I wrote, “It is panic and hysteria, not the coronavirus, that created this catastrophe.”
Unfortunately, I was right.
Sweden’s Example
The world should have followed Sweden’s example. That country never locked down and has even kept children under 16 in school the entire time. As Reuters reported on July 15, the number of Swedish children between 1 and 19 years of age who have died of COVID-19 is zero. And the percentage of children who contracted the illness was the exact same in Sweden as it was in Finland, which locked down its schools.
As regards teachers, Sweden’s Public Health Agency reported that “a comparison of the incidence of COVID-19 in different professions suggested no increased risk for teachers.” Nevertheless, with few exceptions, teachers in Los Angeles and elsewhere refuse to enter a classroom that has students in it. Their disdain for their profession has been superseded only by that of the Los Angeles teachers union, which announced that teachers will not resume teaching until the police are defunded.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
People who defend lockdowns and closing schools point out that Sweden has the eighth-highest death rate per million in the Western world. But, needless to say, this has no bearing at all on the issue of whether Sweden was right to keep schools open or whether our country was wrong to close them, let alone keep them closed now. The overwhelming majority of deaths from COVID-19 in Sweden were among people over 70 years of age, and most of those were people over 80 and with compromised immune systems.
Reuters reported that three separate studies, including one by UNICEF, “showed that Swedish children fared better than children in other countries during the pandemic, both in terms of education and mental health.”
For more than a month, Sweden has had almost no deaths from COVID-19 while the entire society remains open and almost no one wears masks. (In Holland, too, almost no one wears masks.) For all intents and purposes, the virus is over in Sweden.
Human Tragedies in California
I live in California, a state governed by that most dangerous of leaders: a fool with unlimited power. Despite the fact that California ranks 28th among the 50 states in deaths per million, Gov. Gavin Newsom has destroyed and continues to destroy tens of thousands of small businesses and untold numbers of livelihoods. His continuing to forbid — a half-year after the onset of the pandemic — indoor dining in restaurants is leading to a projected permanent closure of approximately 1 in every 3 restaurants in the state. The same catastrophic destruction will likely affect retail businesses and services such as hair and nail salons. But all this human tragedy — not to mention increased depression and suicides among the young and increased abuse of children and partners — means nothing to Newsom, to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti or to the Los Angeles Times, whose editors and columnists continue to advocate for the lockdown while they receive their salaries.
Why can people eat with no mask in an airplane — inches, not six feet, from strangers — but cannot eat in a California restaurant, which is so much bigger than the inside of an airplane, while sitting six feet from others? Because Newsom ordered it, the Los Angeles Times supports it and, like sheep, Californians have accepted it.
According to the California Association of Museums, “Museums are losing over $22 million a day due to the statewide quarantine. As of August 1, 2020, California museums have lost more than $2.9 billion in revenue. Museums have a $6.55 billion financial impact on California’s economy, support 80,722 jobs, and generated $492 million in tax revenues for the State of California in 2017 and over $1 billion in federal taxes.”
And the American Alliance of Museums issued results from a survey on July 22, 2020, that warned 1 out of every 3 museums may shutter forever as funding sources and financial reserves run dry.
It’s a Crime
On Aug. 3, The Wall Street Journal wrote, “In March … There was broad public support for the prudent goals of preventing hospitals from being overwhelmed and buying scientists time to develop therapies.” But the left — the media and Democratic governors and mayors — immediately moved the goal posts to “bending the curve” and “saving one life,” enabling them to get away with destroying lives and livelihoods.
I conclude with the words of a Swedish medical doctor, Sebastian Rushworth:
Covid is over in Sweden. People have gone back to their normal lives and barely anyone is getting infected any more. I am willing to bet that the countries that have shut down completely will see rates spike when they open up. If that is the case, then there won’t have been any point in shutting down in the first place … Shutting down completely in order to decrease the total number of deaths only makes sense if you are willing to stay shut down until a vaccine is available. That could take years. No country is willing to wait that long.
The lockdown is a crime. But even more upsetting is that it is supported by so many Americans. This country is unrecognizable to those of us who lived through the 1968-1970 pandemic, which killed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 100,000 Americans — the 2020 equivalent of 170,000 Americans. Nothing shut down. Not one mask was worn.
Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist. His latest book, published by Regnery in May 2019, is The Rational Bible, a commentary on the book of Genesis. His film, “No Safe Spaces,” will be released to home entertainment nationwide on Sept. 15, 2020. He is the founder of Prager University and may be contacted at dennisprager.com.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM


thestream--2020-09-03--Reparations and Other Money-Printing Fantasies

“ Mayors back reparations that could cost $ 6.2 quadrillion , or $ 151M per descendant.
” The above is the title of an article in the Washington Examiner by Paul Bedard , published July 13 , 2020 .
The cost , he quotes from a study by three college professors .
They reportedly used a complicated formula to estimate the price tag for slavery reparations they believe equitable .
He also cited a letter from the U.S. Conference of Mayors .
It supports slavery reparations legislation proposed by Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a study to determine the scope .
The letter stated , among other things : What Are They Smoking ?
My initial thought was , this must be a joke .
It ’ s not .
Mostly sane civilizations produce some crazies , but who ’ s at fault when inmates run the asylum ?
Aren ’ t we ultimately in charge ?
We elect these people and send our kids to expensive colleges full of extremist professors .
A confluence of bad ideas will lead to disaster .
If one hatched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would he do it ?
Now , even if the price tag the college professors support isn ’ t in legislation , where are they going with this ?
Why are we talking about it at all ?
Because money is something politicians think grows on trees ?
Our political leaders have already spent us into a higher debt to GDP ratio than we ’ ve ever had .
Higher than after World War II !
Think about how expensive that war was .
Our leaders did this to us , mainly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad results .
A First Step Off the Cliff What could these lawmakers possibly mean by “ a concrete first step ?
” It ’ s a solid foundation on which to build what ?
What ’ s the “ next step ?
” What does a “ larger reckoning ” entail ?
How high a price could we possibly pay for other peoples ’ past evils ?
Who in this country has ever owned enslaves ?
Who ’ s been a slave ?
Do our children deserve this price tag even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People of color from around the world struggle to get to the USA , many of them deliberately breaking the law in dangerous circumstances .
Has anyone enslaved them ?
Is slavery legal ?
No , they come here for the freedom to pursue happiness .
They still perceive American exceptionalism .
Haven ’ t we spent a fortune on Great Society Programs , the War on Poverty , and Affirmative Action ?
Why haven ’ t they ended poverty , urban blight , or high crime in our cities ?
The more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse the destruction in our cities and states .
Has Saul Alinsky ’ s army of community organizers brought prosperity or reduced violence ?
None of it works because the theories behind it all don ’ t work .
The leftist answer ?
Spend more !
They don ’ t just double down on it , but 6.2 quadrillion down on it !
Now that ’ s a concrete first step !
Democrat politicians want our trust .
Have you ever heard them run on anything but unbelievably reckless spending ?
How much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a handful of GOP Congress members support a plan to balance the budget , although the media doesn ’ t cover it much .
With the Coronavirus-panic , it ’ s all spending all the time now .
Our politicians are currently fighting over printing and borrowing another $ 1,000,000,000,000 to $ 3,000,000,000,000 , in the short term , as part of more immense ongoing “ aid.
” Wouldn ’ t it be great if they understood we support the government ; it doesn ’ t carry us ?
Unless they want society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dignity escape left-wing solutions completely .
Why are Republicans so eager to engage in the immoral behavior of spending what we don ’ t have too ?
We might last a bit longer under Republican leadership .
But is there a big difference to our grandchildren if the country goes into debt implosion when they ’ re five , or twelve years old ?
The problem is the underlying theories and a lack of moral courage .
Yes , the Democrats are willing to buy votes with printed and borrowed money despite what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or twenty years .
So should the Republicans do it too ?
They might rationalize it by saying if they don ’ t , the Dems will gain full control and do more damage … .
The thing is , many Republicans know better .
But they won ’ t do the right thing .
They take the path of least resistance , to win power .
Instead , they ought to be persuading voters not to wreck their own country .
The Communist Manifesto is a template for many of Bernie Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ class conflict , demonizes the ownership class , and calls for a political revolution to bring power to the workers .
Alexandria Ocasio Cortez is even more explicit .
Virtually the only economic answers Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi have are Keynesian .
Keynes believed the government must control the instruments of production and the rewards to those who own them .
He is considered the right-wing of the Democratic political spectrum , of course .
In many cases , the Dems don ’ t know better .
Providing reparations will cause economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve swallowed their professors ’ indoctrination hook , line , and sinker .
The imaginary Keynesian fiscal multiplier will bring back more than we invest .
Social engineering at its best !
Give them all money , and they ’ ll feel rich .
We ’ ll all be more prosperous .
Leftist economic theories conveniently fit in with their social views .
Cut police funding when crime spikes , give people money who won ’ t live responsible lives and spend our way out of financial trouble !
See a pattern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergencies and don ’ t follow good policies when they come because we believe in erroneous theories .
From Karl Marx on their left to John Maynard Keynes on their right , the Dems are irrational because of what they believe .
Isn ’ t proposing another $ 6,200,000,000,000,000 to the national debt proof ?
They ’ ve turned up the heat by blaming us all for something some Americans ’ ancestors did long ago .
It ’ s true Sen. Booker and Rep. Jackson Lee , and their cohorts , will push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they got them , it would never be enough .
They think they ’ ll extract “ justice ” from everyone ’ s children by making present and future Americans perpetual slaves to our national debt .
Much more likely we ’ ll fail to meet our obligations .
In default , we ’ d end up on our knees , as Argentina did .
We ’ re used to the government spending money we don ’ t have since we began following demand-pull economic theories in the year 1931 .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve agreed to pay a bill .
It ’ s worked until now , pass it on to the next generation .
Who cares about the kids ?
Spend more !
Now add the Green New Deal .
It may only cost $ 93 trillion over the next decade , according to the American Action Forum .
Bernie Sanders has plenty more ideas for spending .
“ Freedom ” for him means free everything !
Don ’ t worry .
They have it all penciled out !
Defund the police and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our enemies , so they ’ ll like us !
Send Iran more pallets of cash !
Call the looting , burning , and violence against the innocent a “ summer of love !
” Perception is reality !
Right ?
At present , our government has so much debt that if interest rates were comparable to the late ‘ 70s and early ‘ 80s , we wouldn ’ t be able to pay our bills now .
If we submit to their demands , we won ’ t be able to meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There goes America .
James Malloy is author of Economic Clarity or Political Confusion .
Sample his book here : econclarity.com .

“Mayors back reparations that could cost $6.2 quadrillion, or $151M per descendant.”
The above is the title of an article in the Washington Examiner by Paul Bedard, published July 13, 2020. The cost, he quotes from a study by three college professors. They reportedly used a complicated formula to estimate the price tag for slavery reparations they believe equitable.
He also cited a letter from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. It supports slavery reparations legislation proposed by Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, After, of course, a study to determine the scope. The letter stated, among other things:
We recognize and support your legislation as a concrete first step in our larger reckoning as a nation, and a next step to guide the actions of both federal and local leaders… .
What Are They Smoking?
My initial thought was, this must be a joke. It’s not. Mostly sane civilizations produce some crazies, but who’s at fault when inmates run the asylum? Aren’t we ultimately in charge? We elect these people and send our kids to expensive colleges full of extremist professors. A confluence of bad ideas will lead to disaster. If one hatched a plan to destroy America, how would he do it?
Now, even if the price tag the college professors support isn’t in legislation, where are they going with this? Why are we talking about it at all? Because money is something politicians think grows on trees? Our political leaders have already spent us into a higher debt to GDP ratio than we’ve ever had. Higher than after World War II! Think about how expensive that war was. Our leaders did this to us, mainly in peacetime! Remember, corrupt theories produce bad results.
A First Step Off the Cliff
What could these lawmakers possibly mean by “a concrete first step?” It’s a solid foundation on which to build what? What’s the “next step?” What does a “larger reckoning” entail? How high a price could we possibly pay for other peoples’ past evils? Who in this country has ever owned enslaves? Who’s been a slave? Do our children deserve this price tag even if they could pay off that much?
Is there a big difference to our grandchildren if the country goes into debt implosion when they’re five, or twelve years old?
People of color from around the world struggle to get to the USA, many of them deliberately breaking the law in dangerous circumstances. Has anyone enslaved them? Is slavery legal? No, they come here for the freedom to pursue happiness. They still perceive American exceptionalism.
Haven’t we spent a fortune on Great Society Programs, the War on Poverty, and Affirmative Action? Why haven’t they ended poverty, urban blight, or high crime in our cities? The more political power the left assumes, the worse the destruction in our cities and states. Has Saul Alinsky’s army of community organizers brought prosperity or reduced violence? None of it works because the theories behind it all don’t work. The leftist answer? Spend more! They don’t just double down on it, but 6.2 quadrillion down on it! Now that’s a concrete first step!
Money Grows on Printing Presses
Democrat politicians want our trust. Have you ever heard them run on anything but unbelievably reckless spending? How much better are the Republicans? At least a handful of GOP Congress members support a plan to balance the budget, although the media doesn’t cover it much. With the Coronavirus-panic, it’s all spending all the time now.
Our politicians are currently fighting over printing and borrowing another $1,000,000,000,000 to $3,000,000,000,000, in the short term, as part of more immense ongoing “aid.” Wouldn’t it be great if they understood we support the government; it doesn’t carry us? Unless they want society to collapse.
Human incentives and personal dignity escape left-wing solutions completely. Why are Republicans so eager to engage in the immoral behavior of spending what we don’t have too? We might last a bit longer under Republican leadership. But is there a big difference to our grandchildren if the country goes into debt implosion when they’re five, or twelve years old?
No Moral Courage
The problem is the underlying theories and a lack of moral courage. Yes, the Democrats are willing to buy votes with printed and borrowed money despite what might happen to their families in ten or twenty years. So should the Republicans do it too? They might rationalize it by saying if they don’t, the Dems will gain full control and do more damage … .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The thing is, many Republicans know better. But they won’t do the right thing. They take the path of least resistance, to win power. Instead, they ought to be persuading voters not to wreck their own country.
The Communist Manifesto is a template for many of Bernie Sanders‘s speeches. He starts with class conflict, demonizes the ownership class, and calls for a political revolution to bring power to the workers. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez is even more explicit. Virtually the only economic answers Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi have are Keynesian.
Keynes: Slow Motion Socialist
Keynes believed the government must control the instruments of production and the rewards to those who own them. He is considered the right-wing of the Democratic political spectrum, of course.
In many cases, the Dems don’t know better. Providing reparations will cause economic growth and right past wrongs! They’ve swallowed their professors’ indoctrination hook, line, and sinker. The imaginary Keynesian fiscal multiplier will bring back more than we invest. Social engineering at its best! Give them all money, and they’ll feel rich. We’ll all be more prosperous. Leftist economic theories conveniently fit in with their social views.
Cut police funding when crime spikes, give people money who won’t live responsible lives and spend our way out of financial trouble! See a pattern? We’re not prepared for emergencies and don’t follow good policies when they come because we believe in erroneous theories. From Karl Marx on their left to John Maynard Keynes on their right, the Dems are irrational because of what they believe. Isn’t proposing another $6,200,000,000,000,000 to the national debt proof?
Hate Thy Father
They’ve turned up the heat by blaming us all for something some Americans’ ancestors did long ago. It’s true Sen. Booker and Rep. Jackson Lee, and their cohorts, will push for slavery reparations forever. But even if they got them, it would never be enough. They think they’ll extract “justice” from everyone’s children by making present and future Americans perpetual slaves to our national debt. Much more likely we’ll fail to meet our obligations. In default, we’d end up on our knees, as Argentina did.
We’re used to the government spending money we don’t have since we began following demand-pull economic theories in the year 1931. We don’t seem to care that we’ve agreed to pay a bill. It’s worked until now, pass it on to the next generation. Who cares about the kids? Spend more! Now add the Green New Deal. It may only cost $93 trillion over the next decade, according to the American Action Forum. Bernie Sanders has plenty more ideas for spending. “Freedom” for him means free everything!
Don’t worry. They have it all penciled out! Defund the police and cut military spending too. Side with our enemies, so they’ll like us! Send Iran more pallets of cash! Call the looting, burning, and violence against the innocent a “summer of love!” Perception is reality! Right?
At present, our government has so much debt that if interest rates were comparable to the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, we wouldn’t be able to pay our bills now. If we submit to their demands, we won’t be able to meet our obligations at all. Poof! There goes America.
James Malloy is author of Economic Clarity or Political Confusion. Sample his book here: econclarity.com.