Month: December 2019

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New York Plans to Unleash Chaos in New Year

This article was provided exclusively to the New York Analysis of Policy and Government by Judge John H. Wilson (Ret.)

The descent of California into chaos due to its government’s insistence on following hard-left ideology has been well documented, particularly in the ruination of its great cities. The same may be said for the once-great city of Detroit.  As the New Year approaches, New York state is following suit.

In April of this year, the New York State legislature passed a bill which is intended “to end the use of monetary bail, reduce unnecessary pretrial incarceration and improve equity and fairness in the criminal justice system.” Known as the “Bail Elimination Act of 2019,” this new law, which takes effect on January 1, 2020, will do exactly that – in the majority of offenses, a Court no longer has the discretion to set cash bail on a criminal defendant.  

Under CPL Sec. 510.10, prior to the changes made by the new law, a Court ” must, by a securing order, either release (a criminal defendant) on his own recognizance, fix bail or commit him to the custody of the sheriff.”   Now, a Court shall…release the principal (criminal defendant) pending trial on the principal’s personal recognizance, unless the court finds on the record that release on recognizance will not reasonably assure the individual’s court attendance. In such instances, the court will release the individual under non-monetary conditions, selecting the least restrictive alternative that will reasonably assure the principal’s court attendance.”

Further, a Court is now required to “support its choice of alternative on the record. A principal shall not be required to pay for any part of the cost of release under non-monetary conditions.” 

There are other aspects of this new legislation that will not be discussed here, including reducing the time a prosecutor has to bring a case to trial, and requiring prosecutors to provide evidence to the defense earlier in the life of a case than was previously required.  These other changes are not as radical as the change at issue here – Courts no longer have the discretion to set bail in the majority of criminal cases in New York State.  

Just what crimes are subject to these new rules?  For example, felonies like Second Degree Burglary and Second Degree Robbery would Some individual thinks that it is grammatically incorrect and one must give credit to those who have managed to package what appears, on the surface, to be “penis order viagra india enlargement,” when instead, what men are really getting, is “penis enlargement.” Yes, I do realize those are the exact same therapeutic effect as the brand name medication as well as well-known Canadian local drugstore. An oral medicine will start its action within viagra canadian 30 to 45 minutes. This Kamagra is slightly costly if you choose oral jelly or viagra properien other items than oral pills. This is of course just speculation buy viagra online at this point. fall under the new release rules, however, it is shorter to discuss which crimes could still result in cash bail.  For misdemeanors, only sex offenses (such as touching over the clothes, etc) and criminal contempt arising out of an underlying domestic case (for instance, a violation of an Order of Protection issued on behalf of one domestic partner against another) are subject to bail.  For felonies, only violent crimes are subject to cash bail, such as Murder or Rape.  But serious drug felonies, such as possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell, or sale of a controlled substance, will be subject to the new rules. 

In fact, when Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Anne Swern set a $100,000 bond on alleged drug dealer Arfhy Santos for driving down the sidewalk while fleeing DEA Agents, Santos’ defense lawyer argued for his  release on the basis that his current charges ‘are not subject to bail under the new reform act.”  

How drastic is this change?  According to the Center for Court Innovation, “our analysis indicates that of the almost 205,000 criminal cases that were arraigned in New York City in 2018, the new legislation leaves money bail as an option in just 10 percent.”  The Center notes that on April 1, 2019, 7,822 people were being held in New York City jails.   Of these, “almost 5,000 were held pretrial and potentially impacted by the changes in the bail law.  Our analysis finds that 43 percent of these 5,000 individuals…would have been released under the State’s bail reform.” 

Though the law hasn’t taken effect yet, many of New York’s judges have already begun to follow the new bail rules.  In November, Stathos Hugunnie was arrested by the NYPD for possession of three guns and a supply of both heroin and crack cocaine.  Yet, despite a prior conviction for shooting a police officer for which Hugunnie was incarcerated for a least a decade, the Queens Criminal Court only set a $5,000 bail on Hugunnie, a bail he was able to easily post. 

Further, to avoid a deluge of applications for release come January 1st, New York already has plans to release approximately 900 inmates from jail before the new bail rules take effect.    According to the New York Post, those being released include “Jose “Catano” Jorge, charged with first-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance after a customer OD’d on fentanyl-laced heroin…(and) Jacob Morales, who has two prior assault convictions and allegedly pulled a razor on a No. 4 straphanger.” 

The District Attorneys of both Staten Island and Queens, as well as numerous police officials across the state have asked the Legislature to reconsider the bail reform changes, or at the very least, give a “grace period” of at least 6 months before the statute takes effect.  To date, Governor Andrew Cuomo refuses to reconsider the immediate implementation of the new law.    Meanwhile, for his part, in anticipation of no longer needing the facility, New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio is busy planning to close New York City’s largest jail, Rikers Island.  

The result of this change is readily apparent to everyone but the social engineers in Albany.  According to New York PBA President Pat Lynch, while commenting on the low bail set on Stathos Hugunnie, “New Yorkers, this is your future, and the worst is still to come. The appalling and disturbing decisions that have now twice put a vicious cop-shooter back on our streets are not outliers — they are what our elected leaders have chosen.”      

Photo: Pixabay

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Defense Budget Addresses Major Threats

President Trump has continued his bid to remedy the substantial reduction in the capabilities of America’s armed forces during the Obama Administration with the latest National defense Authorization Act (NDAA.) Politifact reported that from 2012 to 2016, military spending was cut each year, to a total of 15%.

In a Military Times review, James Jay Carafano, deputy director of international studies at the Heritage Foundation noted: “There’s no question [that the Obama]era will go down as the third ‘hollow’ army, and it’s that president’s fault. For all his promises, the operations tempo hasn’t gone down as much as he hoped, and he has invested little in the military.”

This didn’t occur in a vacuum.  While the U.S. cut back, Russia engaged in a significant arms buildup and China hiked spending at a faster percentage than either Washington or Moscow did during the height of the cold war.  Making matters worse, Obama and Clinton agreed to an arms control package that gave, for the first time, Moscow the lead in nuclear weapons, and totally ignored Beijing’s rising atomic arsenal.

The measure provides a $22 billion hike in the defense budget, amounting to $738 billion. That represents approximately 15% of all federal spending. Since President Trump’s election, a total of about $130 billion has been added for defense.

Washington has been criticized for quite some time about its deficit spending, and the cumulative U.S. debt, which currently stands at over $23 trillion. Debt Clock explains that, despite slashing defense spending, Obama added $8.335 trillion to the public debt – more than any modern president. In 2001, the public debt was 54% of GDP. By 2009, it had increased to 77%. In order to get Democrat approval of the defense budget, many expensive programs favored by the left need to be agreed to by pro-defense elected officials.

The particulars of the new NDAA marks a recognition that great power confrontation has returned in a major way.  The modernized Russian military and its world-leading nuclear arsenal, combined with China’s dramatic rise in armed might are clear, present and immediate threats. The NDAA specifically notes the danger resulting from that reality.

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According to Senate’s Armed Services Committee, “This year’s NDAA charts a consensus national defense policy that continues the restoration of military readiness, implements a National Defense Strategy to confront Russia, China, and other threats around the world, reforms and modernizes Pentagon business systems and bureaucracy, and – most importantly – cares for our troops and their families…The NDAA Conference Report …supports a base budget of $658.4 billion, an additional $71.5 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations, and $5.3 billion for emergency disaster recovery to restore installations damaged by extreme weather or earthquakes.”

It also recognizes the reality that the high frontier of space is a crucial domain in military competition by establishing the Space Force.  As currently envisioned, this sixth branch of the armed forces would have a relationship with the Air Force similar to that which the Marine Corps has with the Navy.

The measure provides a 3.1% increase in pay for armed service members, and provides a comprehensive reform of military health care.

 Photo: The USS Germantown sails in formation with Navy air-cushion landing craft and Indian navy vessels in the Bay of Bengal, Nov. 17, 2019, during Tiger Triumph, an exercise that aims to improve readiness and cooperation. (DoD)

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Foreign Policy Update

LEBANON

It appears Lebanon is forming a new government that may be led by a prime minister who is a member of Hezbollah, or at least one who has the strong backing of Hezbollah, according to a senior, unnamed State Department official. In the past the United States had had to work with Lebanonese leaders affiliated with Hezbollah. He added: “Our principles on Lebanon, notwithstanding who may or may not be the next prime minister – because although we have a prime minister-designate, it’s unclear whether they will be able to find a government, be able to form a government – is that this government must be capable of and committed to pursuing reform and fighting corruption.”

Washington is highly skeptical that a government led by Hizballah would be capable of or committed to fighting corruption as it is an organization that depends greatly on corruption for its survival and funding its criminal enterprise and terrorist activities, the official noted. He also added that no government, including Great Britain, China, Russia, France, Italy or the United States is going to bail out Lebanon financially if it is not committed wholeheartedly to financial reform and stopping corruption.

LIBYA

As 2019 ends and a new year begins Libya remains an enormous and escalating concern for Washington. Field Marshal Shalifa Belqasim Haftar is engaged in a second civil in Libya that threatens to further destabilize the country. According to a senior State Department official, there is increased Egyptian support for Hiftar, but he is “most concerned about increased Russian support for Hiftar, increasing numbers of Russian mercenaries on the ground, increasing number – amount of violence, shelling of civilian areas in Tripoli, and of course, the prospect of increased Turkish involvement….” Washington is pushing for a negotiated diplomatic solution and continues to back the Berlin Process which is attempting to develop a consensus on governance and security arrangements.

RUSSIA

The United States is concerned that Nord Stream 2, an undersea pipeline Russia is attempting to lay, will be used in support of Moscow’s campaign of aggression against the Ukraine. The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) signed by President Trump, calls for immediate cessation of construction-related activity in a “good faith wind-down” by parties that have sold, leased, or provided vessels engaged in laying pipe at depths of over 100 feet for the construction of Nord Stream 2 or face American sanctions.

According to the State Department, the pipeline would allow Russia to bypass the Ukraine for gas transit to Europe and deprive that country of “substantial transit revenues on imports of Russian natural gas.” It also portends a heavy reliance on Russia by western Europe which created both economics and political vulnerabilities in the region. The United States and most of western Europe oppose Nord Stream 2. 

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According to the new NDAA legislation, the Secretary of State has up to 60 days to issue a report to Congress to identify violating entities. This is consistent with past US Administrations that also opposed the construction. Diversification of Europe’s energy supplies will continue to promote security for the region by reducing the influence of geopolitics, according to the State Department. Purchasing US LNG already has saved European consumers $8 billion by enabling countries to negotiate lower prices.

PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY

Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, in a press interview this week, called on the Palestinian Authority and Israel to meet to try to work out a political solution to the complex territorial issues plaguing the area. The result, he added, must be one that provides a beneficial outcome for both sides.

Pompeo pointed out that “the parties have to have leaders that are prepared to do things that are difficult. But more importantly, they need to be prepared to engage in a set of conversations….” He said that arguing over who is right or wrong as a matter of international law is not going to get peace. “It’s a complex political problem only resolvable between the Israelis and the Palestinians. We’re – we the United States is committed to help facilitating that. We’ll do what we can.”

DARIA NOVAK served in the United States State Department during the Reagan Administration, and currently is on the Board of the American Analysis of News and Media Inc., which publishes usagovpolicy.com and the New York Analysis of Policy and Government.  Each Saturday, she presents key updates on U.S. foreign policy from the State Department.

Illustration: Pixabay

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Ignoring Bipartisanship

The news media hasn’t dwelled very much on the near-unanimous bipartisan success of two legislative items concerning Hong Kong and animal cruelty, discussed in a prior New York Analysis of Policy and Government article. One concerned the prevention of animal cruelty. The other, actually a collection of two bills, dealt with measures aimed at Beijing for its attempts to illegally deprive the people of Hong Kong of their civil rights.

 Bipartisanship can occur. There is another version of America, not covered by the media, desperately wishing that the nation’s business would start to take precedence over party politics.  But the news media doesn’t like that idea—it’s not controversial, and doesn’t provide ratings or clickbait. Nor does it comply with its hard-left political leanings.

There is clearly a cancer in the news business.  Recently, the Washington Times reported that Bloomberg News has blatantly stated that they would not cover investigate Democrat candidates, while continuing to examine President Trump. “Shortly after the billionaire jumped Sunday into the 2020 race, Bloomberg News Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait said in a staff memo that the news division would refrain from investigating Mr. Bloomberg, his finances and his family, describing that policy as part of its journalism ‘tradition.’ In addition, he said, Bloomberg News will refrain from conducting investigations into Mr. Bloomberg’s Democratic rivals — but will continue to investigate President Trump and his administration — and that several Bloomberg editors and editorial board members will jump temporarily to the campaign.

While dwelling almost pathologically on any inartful use of language or Twitter decorum by Republicans, extremely bizarre statement by Democrats are barely mentioned.  Former presidential candidate, Senator, Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Clinton was a virtual production line for statements that would have ruined any GOP career, but she remained largely shielded by many key media sites. Just one example:  “Who is going to find out? These women are trash. Nobody’s going to believe them,” speaking of the accusing statements made by women her husband molested or raped.

All of which brings former Vice President Joe Biden into the discussion.   Biden has a long history of truly weird acts and comments, which have received more play on Saturday Night Live then they have in establishment news sources.  His invasion of the personal space of females young and old has been caught numerous times on camera. His antics, most notably in the vice-presidential debate with Paul Ryan, were outside the bounds of any definition of normality. But these have received scant notice.

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Now, however, Biden is, according to some estimates, a front runner for the 2020 presidential election.  According to some estimates, he is far ahead of his rivals in national ratings. There are serious questions about his mental fitness for the position.  America has survived presidents lacking personal scruples (think Bill Clinton), odd personalities (Richard Nixon) and many who were ineloquent. But there are serious questions about his mental fitness, and that is whole other level of concern. 

These concerns are not just the criticism of Republicans or conservatives, or even his Democratic primary opponents.  (By the way, the portrayal of Biden as a moderate are as far off as the attempts to characterize him as a “blue collar” guy.  His policies are solidly on the elite left. He only looks less radical when compared to the most extreme elements of his party.)  They come from individuals who one would reasonably assume would be firmly in Biden’s camp.

Biden served as President Obama’s Vice President, and was wholly supportive of him and his policies.  Obama’s refusal to endorse Biden or support his campaign in any way speaks volumes. It gets worse for the ex-VP. Obama campaign strategist and key Democrat operative David Axelrod has been especially critical.

Many in the media see Biden as the strongest candidate to defeat President Trump, and so reporting on the possibility of mental fitness issues has been light.  The barons of the media seem to prefer partisanship to the safety of the nation.

Photo: Pixabay

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Good U.S. Economy, Bad News for Democrats

Democrats are not enjoying the good U.S. economic news.

Unemployment has hit a half-century low of 3.5%. According to Trading Economics, “The US unemployment rate decreased to 3.5 percent in November 2019 from 3.6 percent in the previous month while markets had expected it to be unchanged at 3.6 percent. The number matched the September figure which was the lowest since 1969. Over the month, the number of unemployed persons decreased by 44,000. The labor force participation rate edged down to 63.2 percent from 63.3 percent in October. Unemployment Rate in the United States averaged 5.74 percent from 1948 until 2019.”

Stephen Moore, writing for the Washington Times, notes that “median household incomes have risen by $5,000 under Mr. Trump, compared to $1,100 in seven years under President Obama.”

Adding to the Democrats’ misery is the reality that both minorities and workers at the lower end of the wage spectrum, central to the party’s electoral hopes, have benefited substantially during the Trump Administration. A Goldman Sachs report earlier this year obtained by CNBC  noted that “The recent jump in paychecks has come with an unusual characteristic, as workers at the lower end of the pay scale are getting the greater benefit.”   

Minority unemployment is at record lows.  In November, David Almasi, speaking for the African-American organization Project 21 noted that:

“Even during the economic boom of the 1990s, blacks still endured double-digit unemployment for most of the decade. Black unemployment dropped for a couple of years during the early 2000s, but it later found its way back into the double digits. The economic policies of our first black president exacerbated black unemployment during the recession, helping black unemployment to reach or exceed 16 percent on 11 occasions. Obama Administration officials told us that high national unemployment, high black unemployment and a depressed economic environment in which businesses hired fewer employees because people stopped looking for work was the “new normal.” But, since 2016, black unemployment has significantly and consistently declined. Under President Trump, black unemployment reached an all-time low on several occasions. Black unemployment dropped below six percent for the first time in May 2017. Twice this year – in August and September – black unemployment dropped and held steady at 5.5 The change in the functioning of male generico levitra on line reproductive organs due to diabetes or atherosclerosis is one of the worst misconceptions of people. When tadalafil free shipping became popular with men when it is judged that surgery or other treatments may cause more harm than good. Denslow and Chase’s pioneering work helped biomedical researchers understand how shortened prescription viagra prices limbs torsion the pelvis, creating painful lumbar compensations. Ajanta Pharma has manufactured the best medicine known worldwide and is very cheap and affordable for everyone and this is the reason why is very famous. you could try these out cialis prescription percent. In October, black unemployment [was at] 5.4 percent  – the lowest rate ever recorded.”

An elated White House reported that “Steady job growth, accompanied by 15 months of 3 percent or higher average year-over-year hourly wage increases, benefits Americans across the country, as 24 States achieved or matched their lowest-ever unemployment rates during the Trump Administration…35 States had unemployment rates below 4 percent, compared to 14 States when President Trump was elected.”

The U.S. economy could advance even further if the new USMCA (United States, Mexico, Canada) trade deal were passed by Congress, but the House of Representatives under Nancy Pelosi is currently concentrating on impeachment rather than economics. The three-nation deal was passed in 2018, but awaits approval by Congress and the other nations.

Electoral politics is, according to President Trump, is one of the reasons the much-needed trade deal with China remains undone. The Wall Street Journal reported in November that he “…accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of pressuring Democrats to support his impeachment before she would let them vote on his rewrite of the North American Free Trade Agreement…”

Looming even larger is President Trump’s move to rein in China’s extensive unfair trade practices, intellectual property theft, and espionage. Despite the unambiguous boost ending Beijing’s policies would bring, Democrats have been reluctant to back the White House.

Jen Kirby, , writing for VOX, reports “The 2020 Democratic candidates all hate President Donald Trump’s trade war with China. They also seem to have no real idea what they would do instead.” A June article in Bloomberg News noted that “Americans split along political party lines when it comes to President Donald Trump’s get-tough trade policy toward China, according to a…opinion poll. More than three-quarters of Trump’s fellow Republicans approved of his imposition of tariffs on China while 74% of Democrats disapproved, an in-depth survey from the University of Maryland found.”

Illustration: Pixabay

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A Christmas Message

Ret. U.S. Army Chaplain Col. Don Zapsic has provided this article exclusively to the New York Analysis of Policy and Government.

“Christmas a humbug, uncle!” said Scrooge’s nephew. “You don’t mean that, I am sure?” “I do,” said Scrooge. “Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry? What reason have you to be merry? You’re poor enough.” “Come, then,” returned the nephew gaily. “What right have you to be dismal? What reason have you to be morose? You’re rich enough.”Scrooge having no better answer ready on the spur of the moment, said, “Bah!” again; and followed it up with “Humbug.”

The 2017 movie release of “The Man Who Invented Christmas” is a big screen account of Charles Dicken’s great triumph of writing a book called, ‘A Christmas Carol’. The book itself was a secular rendering of what it means to celebrate Christmas featuring the miserly Mr. Scrooge. The work was originally published in 1843 and little has changed when it comes to celebrating the season of hope known as Christmas. In a sense, we all invent our own versions of what the Christmas season is all about through our daily living practices. 

How one experiences Christmas largely depends upon a number of factors. I gained a first-hand knowledge of how the poor experience the holiday season through a couple of years of inner-city work. The invention of Santa Claus for example creates some interesting dynamics considering that there is zero discrimination when it comes to the dubious hope that he singularly inspires with parental collusion. Any small child, rich or poor, can dream about what he or she wants under the tree on that magical morning, since hope doesn’t cost anything. Whether 1843 in Dickens time or 2019 in contemporary America, hope is a wondrous thing when it inspires generosity rather than disappointment.

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“A Christmas Carol” is obviously a cautionary tale rooted in fiction. Jaded cynics bereft of childhood innocence, like Scrooge’s shrewd business partner Marley, forge their chains in life, link-by-link, through word and deed. Life rarely presents a redo at some critical turning point at the approaching midnight hour. Or does it?

Christians note that it is important to keep in mind that Dickens was not the man who ‘invented Christmas’. The man who did was actually no man at all. He was simply a baby born in Bethlehem. That little baby was God the Christ-child who chose to come into the world impoverished in a stable environment that was literally a stable reserved for animals. The original giving of Christmas gifts was to the Christ-child in humble submission to the God of Heaven exemplified by the three wise men. A mystery no doubt; a tradition meant to be replicated by the giving of oneself in service to others. Whether deserved or not, in recognition of our own undeserving nature in the presence of a righteous and merciful God. The Divine Magistrate who grants last-hour pardons embodied in the pardoning of the thief on the cross. While I wish each and every one who reads this article a Merry Christmas, it is really up to each of us to invent our own Christmas.    

Illustration: Pixabay   

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Persecution of Christians Increases, Part 2

The Ethics and Liberty Review Commission  outlined the five key facts concerning Christian persecution.

         1. In China, Christian communities have ‘borne a significant brunt of the oppression,’ with          numerous churches bulldozed and crosses torn down.

  1. In Sudan, the government stiffened penalties for both apostasy and blasphemy. The regime prosecutes Christian pastors on trumped-up charges and marginalizes the country’s minority Christian community.
  2. Boko Haram continues to attack with impunity both Christians and many Muslims. From bombings at churches and mosques to mass kidnappings of children from schools, Boko Haram has cut a wide path of terror across vast swaths of Nigeria and in neighboring countries, leaving thousands killed and millions displaced
  3. The situation is “particularly grave” for Evangelical and Pentecostal Christians in Eritrea. The government requires all physically- and mentally-capable people between the ages of 18 and 70 to perform a full-time, indefinite, and poorly-paid national service obligation, which includes military, development, or civil service components.  There are no exemptions for conscientious objections and individuals completing their national service obligation in the military are prohibited from practicing their religion. Failure to participate in the national service results in being detained, sentenced to hard labor, abused, and having one’s legal documents confiscated.
  4. The report notes numerous incidents over the past year of Iranian authorities raiding church services, threatening church members, and arresting and imprisoning worshipers and church leaders, particularly converts to Evangelical forms of Christianity. Since 2010, authorities ‘arbitrarily arrested and detained more than 550 Christians throughout the country.’ As of February 2016, approximately 90 Christians were either in prison, detained, or awaiting trial because of their religious beliefs and activities.”

Anti-Christian prejudice is not confined to non-Western nations.  The Wall Street Journal provides an example:

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“While the Obama administration made the issue national, it’s happening locally too. In March 2018, Philadelphia declared an urgent need for hundreds of new foster families. Then the city government barred Catholic Social Services from placing children in homes because of the Catholic Church’s teaching about marriage. City hall’s use of children as leverage to force a religious institution to change its beliefs was appalling.

“Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel cited the Obama-era rule when attempting to cancel a state-approved foster-care and adoption-services contract with St. Vincent Catholic Charities. “

The Gatestone Institutes deeply concerned that the media willfully ignores this human rights crisis. “NASA’s satellites observed the Amazon fires, prompting world leaders to pledge to protect the rainforest. But the burning, chopping and murder of Christians is not tracked by satellites and their suffering is not seen on our televisions and newspapers. Actually, it seems in the West as if the persecution of Christians does not even exist.”  It quotes Father Benedict Kiely, writing in Crisis Magazine, :“The mainstream media is remarkably silent about attacks on Christians…more than two hundred Christians were killed in Nigeria. There was hardly any mention of the latter in the news. There were no marches for martyred Christians, no tolling of church bells ordered by governments, no ‘Je suis Charlie’ t-shirts… no public outrage at all.”

That media silence is prominent in the leftist media.  David Harsanyi, writing for the New York Post, https://nypost.com/2019/01/25/exposing-the-times-anti-christian-bias/ describes The New York Times’ “long history of prejudicial coverage of religious Christians…The New York Times… was one of many outlets that negatively reported that Second Lady Karen Pence had recently begun teaching at a private school that adhered to the Christian doctrine of her church. Editors at The Washington Post and other large outlets incredulously wondered how Christian schools that still embraced traditional social values could even ‘happen’ in contemporary American society.”

A Federalist report notes: As the media lean into their progressive political ideology, they are becoming more and more anti-Christian. “Anti-Christian Ideology Is an Emerging Aspect of White Progressive Populism,” David French observed recently.

Photo: Pixabay

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Persecution of Christians Rises

The joy of Christians preparing to celebrate Christmas is tempered by the growing indications that their faith is suffering under intense persecution throughout the globe.  There has been a 14% rise in the number of Christians who experience high levels of persecution in the top 50 nations that oppress their faith.

Open Doors USA  reports that “From Sudan to Russia, from Nigeria to North Korea, from Colombia to India, followers of Christianity are targeted for their faith. They are attacked; they are discriminated against at work and at school; they risk sexual violence, torture, arrest and much more.”

In just the last year (according to the World Watch List, cited by Open Doors USA) there have been:

Over 245 million Christians living in places where they experience high levels of persecution; 4,305 Christians killed for their faith; 1,847 churches and other Christian buildings attacked; [and] 3,150 believers detained without trial, arrested, sentenced or imprisoned.

The Washington Times describes a pattern of “Violence against Christians — like the bomb attacks that killed at least 311 people in Catholic churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday” that has  escalated steadily over the past few years…”  Stark reminders of the danger Christians face around the world abound. An underground priest was dragged from his pickup truck in Xuanhua Diocese in China, a Christian couple in India were beaten by a father accusing them of trying to convert his son, 17 Christians were killed during a child dedication service in Nigeria.

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The Guardian reported in May that “Pervasive persecution of Christians, sometimes amounting to genocide, is ongoing in parts of the Middle East, and has prompted an exodus in the past two decades, according to a report commissioned by the British foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt. Millions of Christians in the region have been uprooted from their homes, and many have been killed, kidnapped, imprisoned and discriminated against, the report finds. It also highlights discrimination across south-east Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and in east Asia – often driven by state authoritarianism. ‘The inconvenient truth,’ the report finds, is ‘that the overwhelming majority (80%) of persecuted religious believers are Christians’. Some of the report’s findings will make difficult reading for leaders across the Middle East who are accused of either tolerating or instigating persecution. The Justice and Development (AK) party of the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, for instance, is highlighted for denigrating Christians.”

When it comes to refugees getting a helping hand, Christians frequently miss out. Strangely missing in the debate about President Trump’s temporary travel restrictions, which were significantly less dramatic that President Carter’s actions in response to the Iranian embassy takeover, and roughly similar to President Obama’s actions in 2011, is the near total exclusion of Christians from U.S. Middle Eastern refugee programs over the past eight years.

In a CBN interview, President Trump announced a sharp change in policy, noting that Christians in the Middle East have “been horribly treated. Do you know if you were a Christian in Syria it was impossible, at least very tough to get into the United States? If you were a Muslim you could come in, but if you were a Christian, it was almost impossible and the reason that was so unfair, everybody was persecuted in all fairness, but they were chopping off the heads of everybody but more so the Christians. And I thought it was very, very unfair.” CBN has also reported that in October, “Chinese government authorities tore down a megachurch’s building in the Funan, Anhui region, starting the demolition while the congregation was worshipping. The church’s pastors were also arrested and detained.”

The move was overdue. Christians have been subjected to extraordinary maltreatment across the globe.

The Report concludes tomorrow

Photo: Pixabay

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Quick Analysis

Foreign Policy Update

ISRAEL

Secretary of State Michael Pompeo announced that the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda has concluded her preliminary examination into the so-called “situation in Palestine” and asked the ICC judges to confirm that the Court may exercise jurisdiction over the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. By taking this action, he pointed out, “the Prosecutor expressly recognized that there are serious legal questions about the Court’s authority to proceed with an investigation.”

The United States firmly opposes actions seeking to target Israel unfairly. Previously, Washington noted that as was made clear when the Palestinians purported to join the Rome Statute, the US does not believe the Palestinians qualify as a sovereign state, and they therefore are not qualified to obtain full membership, or participate as a state in international organizations, entities, or conferences, including the ICC.

IRAN

Iran has been a state sponsor of terrorism for many years using a campaign of plausible deniability to hide behind their proxies. A senior State Department official in recognizing this point said: “Well, that’s not us; it’s Hizballah,” or, “That’s not us; it’s the militias in Bahrain that are blowing up oil pipelines.”

He stated that the united States has “stripped away the veneer of deniability with our designation and made clear that it’s not just Iran supporting terrorism, it’s Iran engaging in terrorism itself. I think that messaging is important.” There are practical consequences of the terrorist designation.  The most important of those, according to the official, is the material support statute. “So, when the Secretary of State designates a group as a foreign terrorist organization, that unleashes a federal criminal prohibition on providing material support or resources to that group. That prohibition was not in place when we had previously sanctioned the IRGC under different sanctions authorities,” he said. Now that that FTO criminal liability regime is in place, that substantially increases the legal risk that second parties and third parties face when they engage with the IRGC.  

VENEZUELA 

In a recent special briefing at the State Department,  Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams, and the charge d’affaires of the US’s Venezuelan Affairs Unit James Story presented the latest developments with regard to the situation on the ground in Venezuela. Abrams pointed out that the National Assembly is the last bastion of Democracy left in the country and it is under attack by the Maduro regime. Of the 167 deputies, 32 have been detained, forced into exile, or had their constitutional immunities from prosecution revoked, he said. 

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Reports indicate these attacks have increased in the last week. Abrams pointed out that the “regime’s captive supreme court removed the immunity of four additional parliamentarians so they can be tried for alleged crimes against the state, including treason, after the regime’s attorney general, Tarek William Saab, accused them of being involved in an alleged terrorist plot.” In addition, he added, “…on December 17, two of the four denounced SEBIN intelligence agents for threatening their homes and their families.  Why?  The two deputies said the regime’s motive was to stop the deputies from voting in favor of Juan Guaido on January 5th in favor of his reelection as National Assembly president.”

James Story noted that “The National Assembly will vote on January 5, and the regime is using a combination of threats, arrests, and bribes – up to $500,000 per vote, we have been told – to stop the reelection of Juan Guaido.  Threaten, exile, detain, bribe – that is step one.  Step two will be to try to grab control of the National Assembly by preventing free elections in 2020.  The Venezuelan constitution calls for National Assembly elections next year, and opinion polls make it obvious the opposition will win them – if they’re free.”

“The United States, the other nearly 60 nations that have recognized Juan Guaido as interim president because the May 2018 elections were fraudulent, and every country that seeks a peaceful way out for Venezuela through free elections can see exactly what’s going on in Caracas,” according to Abrams.  That is why, he said, the United States will continue the sanctions and strengthen them. 

DARIA NOVAK served in the United States State Department during the Reagan Administration, and currently is on the Board of the American Analysis of News and Media Inc., which publishes usagovpolicy.com and the New York Analysis of Policy and Government.  Each Saturday, she presents key updates on U.S. foreign policy from the State Department.

Illustration: Pixabay

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Quick Analysis

U.S. Space Program Returns

The American space program is moving into high gear.

An uncrewed Starliner, designated CST-100, built by Boeing as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, is over 16 feet tall. It launched, unmanned, from Florida’s Kennedy Center on an Atlas-V rocket this morning. (As we went to press, NASA reports that it did not reach the targeted orbit. The space agency is attempting to correct the issue.) A crewed launch is planned for shortly thereafter. When it becomes fully operational, it will travel to and from the International Space Station. Boeing Astronauts Chris Ferguson, and NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Nicole Mann are scheduled to be the first crew aboard the Starliner flight – which will make them the first U.S astronauts to launch from U.S soil since 2011.

The reusable Starliner capsule will return America’s ability to launch people to low Earth orbit from American soil for the first time since the final space shuttle mission in 2011.

Starliner  recently completed its final set of parachute tests. The capsule successfully landed at the U.S. Army’s White Sands Missile Range after being dropped from a balloon at 40,000 feet with two of its five parachutes disabled. In an additional test, the spacecraft was dropped from a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III over Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. This test was conducted with a 20% overload.

Boeing  notes that NASA’s Commercial Crew Program is working with the American aerospace industry as companies develop and operate a new generation of spacecraft and launch systems capable of carrying crews to low-Earth orbit and the International Space Station. Commercial transportation to and from the station will provide expanded utility, additional research time and broader opportunities for discovery on the orbiting laboratory. As commercial companies focus on providing human transportation services to and from low-Earth orbit, NASA is freed up to focus on building spacecraft and rockets for deep space missions. The space agency is developing a long-distance manned craft, entitled “Orion,” for that purpose.

The emphasis on manned spaceflight reverses the Obama-era policy which de-emphasized launching U.S. astronauts on The best viagra online pharmacy thing about this master program is its opening job prospects in both government and private sectors. Men with diabetes, renal disorders, ocular abnormalities, cialis pills free heart disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Handling an Injured PetThe American Veterinary Medical Association reminds pet owners that injured pets are getting viagra prescription often scared and confused. It’s best of pennies enlargement treatment.People in India are order cheap levitra http://icks.org/n/data/ijks/1482456353_add_file_7.pdf not that much open for their sexual concerns. domestic craft. The former administration prematurely ended the Shuttle program, cancelled Constellation (the planned follow-on manned system) and limited funding for the future Orion system.

Earlier this year, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine commented on NASA’s newly expanded budget under the Trump Administration. He noted that  “President Trump’s fiscal year 2020 NASA budget is one of the strongest on record …At $21 billion, this budget represents a nearly 6 percent increase over last year’s request…We will go to the Moon in the next decade with innovative, new technologies and systems to explore more locations across the lunar surface than ever before. This time, when we go to the Moon, we will stay. We will use what we learn as we move forward to the Moon to take the next giant leap – sending astronauts to Mars. This budget will build on our successes in low-Earth orbit to create a sustainable exploration campaign that combines NASA’s expertise with that of our commercial and international partners’. We will continue ushering in a new era of human spaceflight as we launch American astronauts on American rockets from American soil for the first time since 2011.”

SpaceX has also developed a spacecraft, called Dragon, designed to deliver both cargo and people to orbiting destinations. It is the only spacecraft currently flying that is capable of returning significant amounts of cargo to Earth. Currently Dragon carries cargo to space, but it was designed from the beginning to carry humans. The first demonstration flight under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program launched on March 2, 2019. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the space station on March 3, becoming the first American spacecraft in history to autonomously dock with the International Space Station. The Dragon spacecraft is capable of carrying up to 7 passengers to and from Earth orbit, and beyond. The pressurized section of the capsule is designed to carry both people and cargo.

Photo: CST-100 Starliner atop the Atlas V rocket. (NASA)