Xi The Pooh slam dunks the NBA

Grrr Graphics

"Communist China is run by a tyrannical oligarchy that’s headed by the thin-skinned President Xi. He banned ‘Winnie the Pooh’ from China after dissidents said he resembled the cartoon bear. As a result, the meme bear is now routinely applied to him.

"China has a penchant for basketball and the NBA plays exhibition games there. The players aren’t allowed to have free speech when it comes to topics such as Hong Kong. The Chicoms are authoritarian control freaks. They want their social credit score system in America as well and Silicon Valley seems happy to oblige.

"The NBA coaches could have set an example for freedom, but 1.4 billion fans in China are hard to ignore. It’s a big market there. The left is all too eager to lambast Trump, but the left in the NBA will not criticize Xi and his brutality. It boils down to money. For the left, money always trumps freedom. President Trump criticized Warrior’s coach Steve Kerr for pandering to China. Or maybe it was panda-er-ing.

"The NBA also caves into China to protect Nike. They make billions of dollars in sales to the Chinese and they also pump a lot of money into the NBA through advertising. Americans must loudly criticize that organization for caving to tyrants. The Chinese are using companies and economic threats to control American culture. Rather than pandering, we must push back against the control freaks in China.

"Kudos to South Park for having the courage to push back at China while the rest of corporate America caves to China’s every demand."  —Ben Garrison

Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Chick-fil-A Bill into Law to ‘Protect Religious Liberty’

Sarah Watching  . . . prohibiting local governments from retaliating against an individual or business for their membership in, or support for, faith-based organizations.

. . . "The legislation was introduced after the San Antonio City Council voted to block the restaurant from participating as a vendor at the San Antonio International Airport because of its Christian beliefs.

“ 'Discrimination is not tolerated in Texas,” said the Republican governor, as he signed the bill amid Chick-fil-A cups. “No business should be discriminated against simply because its owners gave to a church or the Salvation Army or to any other religious organization. No business should lose a government contract because of their religious beliefs.”

"Abbott said the law is a “victory for religious freedom in Texas.”

"The Texas House passed Senate Bill 1978 on May 20 in a 79–62 vote, CBS DFW reported.

"In March, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced his investigation into whether the San Antonio City Council violated the First Amendment when it banned Chick-fil-A from the airport’s concessions." . . .

DNC Passes Resolution that Condemns Religious Freedom or as they call it, "hate speech".

In her latest music video, Taylor Swift advocates for LGBT people while mocking the ignorance and hatred of the anti-LGBT movement. The video is a playful tune with a not so subtle message to anti-gay bigots: “You Need To Calm Down.” As a Christian, I don’t know of any anti-LGBT movement. Christians do believe that drunkenness, idolatry, murder, theft, adultery, human sacrifice, licentiousness, homosexuality, etc. are all spiritual sins. However, that doesn’t equate to a movement, it’s a set of ideals and beliefs. Christians must wrestle with their own sins daily and are admonished not to pick the speck out of their brother’s eye while ignoring the log in their own eye. And many of them did, praying for the survivors of the Pulse Nightclub massacre, inviting them to churches in Orlando to be prayed over and celebrating that their lives were saved in the tragedy while mourning those who were so senselessly gunned down. And unlike the left, they publicly called out the real enemy, which is radical Islam.

Ocasio-Cortez Says Dreams of Motherhood ‘Taste Bittersweet’ Due to Climate Change

We knew she'd find some way to be a victim.

Breitbart  . . . "The freshman lawmaker delivered a speech at the summit this week and emotionally declared that her dreams of motherhood “taste bittersweet” because of climate change and the impact it will have on “our children’s future.”

“I speak to you not as an elected official or public figure. But I speak to you as a human being,” she began.

“A woman whose dreams of motherhood now taste bittersweet because of what I know about our children’s future and that our actions are responsible for bringing their most dire possibilities into focus,” she continued, audibly holding back tears.

“I speak to you as a daughter and descendant of colonized peoples who have already begun to suffer,” she added, citing the thousands of Puerto Rican lives lost due to Hurricane Maria, which she described as a “climate change powered storm.”

She said her grandfather died in the aftermath along with others, all because “they were living under colonial rule, which contributed to the dire conditions and lack of recovery.” . . .

FLASHBACK: Tom Brokaw called out Biden corruption — in 2008!

The American Mirror  "Former vice president Joe Biden faces increased scrutiny on his son Hunter’s shady business deals in the Ukraine and China, but it’s not the first time the Bidens’ conflict of interest has caused problems in a presidential campaign.

"More than a decade ago, Tom Brokaw asked Biden to his face about a different arrangement with a Delaware credit company called MBNA, which hired Hunter on a six-figure salary and paid then Sen. Joe Biden hundreds of thousands more in campaign contributions to win his favor."  Video  . . . 

“ 'This is an issue that you’ve heard about before. Your son was working for the company at the same time. In retrospect, wasn’t it inappropriate for someone like you in the middle of all this to have your son collecting money from the big credit card company while you were on the floor protecting its interests?” Brokaw questioned.
"Much like Biden’s deflections and denials during the current presidential race, he also refused to acknowledge the shady shenanigans in 2008, alleging instead that his son could have made much more money working on Wall Street.
“ 'Absolutely not,” Biden responded to Brokaw. “My son graduated from Yale Law School. The starting salary on Wall Street is $140,000 a year as a lawyer, options he had.
“ 'He came home to work for a bank, surprise, surprise,” Biden said, clearly bitter about the question." . . .

Another opinion on the Syrian pullout: Missing the Bigger Picture in Kurdish Syria

Lt. Col. Robert L. Maginnis, US Army Ret.

The Syrian civil war which led to the rise of ISIS is over and the bloody dictator in Damascus won, thanks to the Russians and Iranians.  We can blame Obama for that outcome, not Trump. 

"President Trump’s decision to withdraw our few troops from the Syria-Turkey border area earned him considerable criticism from allies.  Senator Lindsey Graham said the decision is “a catastrophe in the making.” Representative Lin Cheney said it’s “a catastrophic mistake.”  Former UN Secretary Nikki Haley said, “We must always have the backs of our allies.” 

"President Trump has answered these critics.  The Kurds were engaged in a contractual relationship fighting the Islamic State (ISIS).  They were well paid and equipped for their fighting, much like any mercenary group.  Further, they were given three years to consolidate eastern Syria to feed their long-held desire to form an independent Kurdistan with other Kurds in Turkey, Iraq, and Iran.  They failed. 

"The Kurds’ problem, and by association that of the U.S., is that regional powers like Turkey and to a lesser extent Iran and Syria have long held the Kurds in disdain.  In fact, Turkey considers the Syrian Kurds to be allies of the Kurdistan Workers' Party or (PKK), which are Turkish Kurds and terrorists fighting for independence for the last 35 years.   

"Basically, the Kurds hijacked our fight with ISIS to feed their regional civil war to earn independence." . . .

I’m reminded of what English statesman and General Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) said to his troops: “Put your trust in God, but mind to keep your powder dry.”   That’s an apropos view in the Syria account.  America has too many fights ongoing now and much bigger ones ahead.  For our national interests, we too must “mind to keep” our powder dry and not squander our resources on others’ wars.  Let’s put Syria in the rearview mirror.

Beto just saying anything these days

Silvio Canto, Jr.  "How much longer will Robert F. O'Rourke be around?  I don't know but he has become a rather interesting fellow lately.

"Beto is now pushing a new idea about "gay marriage":

When the former Texas congressman was asked if religious institutions — "colleges, churches, charities" — should be stripped of tax-exempt status Thursday night by CNN anchor Don Lemon during the LGBTQ town hall, he immediately responded, "Yes."

"There can be no reward, no benefit, no tax break for anyone or any institution, any organization in America, that denies the full human rights and the full civil rights of every single one of us," he said.  "So as president, we're going to make that a priority, and we are going to stop those who are infringing upon the human rights of our fellow Americans."

"Infringing upon the human rights?  Did you hear that, former justice Anthony Kennedy?

"Beto's latest proposal has two objectives.

"First, this is a man desperately looking for a headline.  In other words, you can expect him to say this and other bizarre ideas before the funds finally run out.

"Second, Beto is still hopeful that he can get the nomination by saying everything the Left wants to hear.

"Of course, Beto did not explain, or may not know, that he would have to get 60 votes in the U.S. Senate to get that idea to President O'Rourke's desk."

Potential NeverTrump Candidate Beto O'Rourke: You're Damn Right I'll Yank Churches' Tax-Exempt Status Unless They Start Performing Gay Weddings!
Elizabeth Warren Also Calls for Destroying Religion

Since we brought up Bobby O'Rourke:  Remember a year ago when this came out? O'Rourke: Police Are the 'New Jim Crow' ; Well, after the mass murder of several Dallas police officers, there are homes with blue police memorial ribbons:

...and there are homes with Beto signs...

But after searching for some time, I have yet to find a home with both on their yards.  The Tunnel Dweller.

Will We Ever Prosecute?

Gordon Wysong  "Imagine that the local cops know that a gang member, named William, broke into the pawn shop and stole guns, jewelry, and money.  William's fingerprints, film image, and DNA add to the hard evidence log.  The owner knows it; the prosecutor knows it; William's gang associates know it.  But he is not arrested.  Nearby shopkeepers and neighborhood mothers are asking why he is walking the street.  No one explains it; mum's the word.  Could it be there is a grand plan to take out the gang's leaders?  No one knows; mum's the word.  Shopkeepers and residents are about to give up and start moving away from the area, and no one asks them to stay the course.

"Fast-forward to today's still vocal Obama gang.  Why no indictments?  Mum's the word.  Can anyone hold to the faith in American justice?  Those who support the rule of law feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick a football.  It's coming — oh, wait, it's coming...oh, wait...

"Without doubt, a criminal cabal is an extraordinarily complex organization, and understanding who did what, why, when, and how is a challenge to the mental faculties of anyone.  But, what happens if the full scope of activities is never clear?  Does everyone get off?  Does complexity confer immunity?" . . .

On the Whistleblower Kerfuffle, Imagine a Different Scenario

Victor Davis Hanson

"Imagine . . .

"If in early 2015, some White House staffers transcribing confidential presidential calls were disturbed about one conversation that President Obama had with Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif. The two allegedly had confidentially discussed the staggered release of some $1.7 billion in withheld U.S. dollars to Iran — as an understood exchange for the release of 4 American hostages, $400 million of which was to be delivered, in an unmarked cargo plane at night, and in various currencies to Tehran.

"The payments were allegedly to take place in the general context of the ongoing “Iran Deal” nuclear nonproliferation negotiations, and a time when Iranian-funded Hezbollah was staging terrorist operations in Syria and from Lebanon.

"Imagine further that a few of the insider staffers/transcribers talked about their worries over such a quid pro quo and the disconnect between what their president was saying to the Iranians and what the administration was denying to the press. And they were further outraged because such payments were hidden from the public and in apparent violation of US policy prohibiting cash payments for hostage releases.

"At that point, a furious conservative Republican, former CIA analyst, and former Dick Cheney staffer, with ties to a likely 2016 Republican presidential candidate, working in the National Intelligence Program, contacted the staff of Representative Nunes, Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. The latter’s staff then helped to prep and advise the complainant, along with a mostly conservative leaning law firm, before submitting the formal charges to the inspector general.

"The gist of the brief, citing legal precedents, footnoted to often-conservative media, and prepared as a formal legal document, was that the anonymous complainant had heard and learned from anonymous bureaucrats that they in turn had heard the Obama–Zarif call. Such hearsay in the complaint was allowable given that the whistleblower protocols have been mysteriously recently altered to permit such second-hand complaints." . . .

CNN’s LGBT Town Hall Was Progressive Propaganda

Speaking nonsense to power; how the exalted press has descended into the pits. TD

The Federalist

The event held last night by CNN was not a series of town halls, but a pageant of progressive pieties.

"The “historic” LGBT event on CNN for most of last night was billed as a series of town halls with nine Democratic candidates for president. Typically the purpose of a political town hall is to allow voters with a range of views to ask difficult questions exposing differences in candidates’ policies or beliefs. Nothing of the sort happened last night.

"Nine times last night the same basic half hour played itself out over and over again. As former Vice President Joe Biden pointed out early on, there weren’t many differences exposed, with the possible exception of former Congressman Beto O’Rourke promising to end tax breaks for churches, mosques, and synagogues. Instead, what we saw was a ritualistic exercise meant to make every candidate, and moderator, for that matter, accept incredibly progressive shibboleths regarding LGBT issues. It was nothing more than a purity test. They all passed, except for maybe Chris Cuomo.  

"Each of the candidates expressed their fidelity to the belief that gender is not based in biology, but rather on gender expression, with Senator Elizabeth Warren adding that she had been wrong just seven years ago to say that the state should not pay for sex change operations. Each candidate asked supported the idea that every business should be compelled to participate in gay marriage. Given the opportunity, no one offered any opinion of Americans who hold differing views as much more than wrongheaded bigots."  . . .

How Illinois Schools Teach Preschoolers To Celebrate Transgenderism

The Pope’s Pitiful Reign of Error

The American Spectator

. . . Whatever the future of Islam, at least Muslims have enough regard for God to keep Mecca and Medina from turning into Touristville. Not so for FrancisChurch, which is hastening the death of Catholicism by self-indulgence, if not suicide.

"I arrived in Rome this week in anticipation of another defining liberal moment of this pontificate: the Pan-Amazon Synod, Pope Francis’ latest pretext to fiddle with Catholic discipline and doctrine. I haven’t been to the Vatican in some years. It was hardly a golden age under Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI, but at least back then Vatican City had recognizably Catholic features. Now it looks like the United Nations Plaza.

"As I walked down the hill to the Vatican, from the convent turned inn where I am staying, I noticed graffiti about “comrades” on the walls surrounding it — walls, by the way, far more imposing than Trump’s. One would have to be a criminal with Olympian talents to scale them. Yet what’s the first sculpture one encounters in St. Peter’s Square? A depiction of illegal immigrants, unveiled recently by Pope Francis. The immigrants are huddled together on a kind of ark — certainly not Noah’s, for the sculpture contains almost no religious content, though some interpret a Hasidic Jewish couple on board as Joseph and Mary. The sculpture looks completely out of place, plopped randomly near the arms of Bernini, which now appear more like the forearm of George Soros."
. . . 
"One small example of FrancisChurch’s death wish is the ubiquity of a gay calendar sold in tourist shops throughout the city featuring handsome priests, some in suggestive poses. Women no doubt buy the calendar, but one suspects its primary consumers are the bishops, vocation directors, and clerical colleagues of these priests. I don’t know what is more depressing about the calendar: that the priests would voluntarily pose for it, or that their superiors are likely to buy it. In any case, it is a hideous illustration of a gayed-up religion, screwing around while the Church collapses under the weight of a gay pederasty scandal of epic proportions." . . .

George Neumayr, a contributing editor to The American Spectator, is co-author of No Higher Power: Obama’s War on Religious Freedom.

http://www.terrellaftermath.com/

The Great Triggering  . . . "The facts will come out and supersede this informed speculation, but it's becoming clear that we've found elements of a seditious cabal in the White House that wants to bring Donald Trump down.  Fortunately for us, he's a bare-knuckle street-fighter.  The Left will rue the day it took him on."

Protesters in Minneapolis Physically Attack Trump Supporter After Rally, Chant Anti-Police Slogans

"President Trump’s rally in Minnesota Thursday drew hundreds of protesters, who lit MAGA hats on fire, reportedly threw urine, and attacked a Trump supporter as he left.

"Protesters also clashed with the police, with one “tense” moment when they began chanting “Whose streets? Our streets” and “kill a cop, save a life.” According to Townhall’s Cortey O’Brien, “Blue lives don’t f***ing matter” was also among the anti-police language used." . . .

Left-wing Rioters Attack Trump Supporters Leaving Minneapolis Rally  . . . "The scene was reminiscent of the riot outside a convention center in San Jose in June 2016, when anti-Trump rioters attacked Trump supporters leaving the venue in full view of the media — and Mayor Sam Liccardo blamed Trump.
"Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey proclaimed Thursday as “Love Trumps Hate Day” in the city, in solidarity with protests against Trump. Evidently, however, some of those among the “protesters” felt “hate” trumped “love.' ” . . .

Then they got home, turned on the TV and saw more of the same just on the talk shows.

Will all the violence serve to discourage attendance at Trump rallies?  Rep. Mark Meadows said the protests were an attempt to "intimidate future Trump rally supporters and goers."

Protesters in Minneapolis Physically Attack Trump Supporter After Rally, Chant Anti-Police Slogans  . . . " 'You know inside the arena just a few minutes ago was really lifting up and honoring the law enforcement and and giving them the respect that they're doing," Meadows told Jason Chaffetz, who was filling in on "The Ingraham Angle." "And yet outside a few minutes later, you have just, it appears to be just hostility towards law enforcement and really an unruly crowd.' " . . .

The liberal scheme to get rid of the Electoral College is dangerous

BPR

With all that in mind, does this really make sense? Are we really so dead-set on taking the success and prosperity of America for granted that we’re willing to go down this dangerous road? Maybe we are. In fact, if Texas goes blue, you can be certain that it will be Republicans pushing this idea or something similar. But, as our Founding Fathers realized, it’s dangerous to our Republic and we should be very hesitant to take the sort of risk that moving to a popular vote model would create. 

"From George Washington to Donald Trump, there have been 45 American presidents and out of all the elections they have participated in, there have only been five times where the popular vote did not agree with the electoral college. However, because two of those elections have occurred within the last 20 years (Trump vs. Clinton, Bush vs. Gore), liberals believe we have a crisis on our hands that must be addressed.

"Their plan to address this crisis is called the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. The idea is to get 270 electoral votes worth of states to sign up for it and then those states will promise to throw their electoral votes to the winner of the popular vote. 

"Democrats believe this will benefit them, but that is far from assured. Why? Because since the election isn’t decided on the popular vote, Republicans haven’t been competing to win the popular vote. For example, what sense would it have made for Donald Trump to spend major resources in California, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois in 2016? He wasn’t going to win those states and everyone knew it, including Republican voters, millions of whom undoubtedly didn’t bother turning out because of it.

"If the popular vote were to become the standard, Republicans would start spending major amounts of time and money in big liberal states and once that happens, there’s no reason to think that Democrats would have an advantage. In fact, if and when Texas turns blue, it would undoubtedly be to the Republican Party’s advantage to have the election decided by the popular vote." . . .