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    Two Visions of America by Don Jans

    America: The End / Our Hope

    The End (Oct. 1-7)

    Edited by Michael Hernandez

    (Editor’s Note: this is part of a weekly compendium of recent significant events, culled from world news and curated by Michael Hernandez.)

     

    Iran blames the ‘Great Satan’ and Zionists for the recent uprising

    Jim Thompson (Oct. 3) RedState

    Before the Iranian revolution in 1978, Iran was a modern progressive country. After Islamic students (with the approval of clerics) stormed the American Embassy, Iran turned into an oppressive, regressive state sponsor of international and interior terrorism. After the return of Ruhollah Khomeini, Iranians saw their liberties stripped. For 44 years, Iran had successive “Supreme Leaders” and has been ruled by Islamic hardliners.

    In subsequent years, students have rebelled against the internal repression of freedom with little success. The “green” revolution in 2009 had a chance of forcing real change, but President Obama was pushing a nuclear deal, not a “regime” change. The clerics in power warned America to stay out of Iran’s affairs and Obama obliged. The uprising was brutally pushed down.

    Now, with Obama’s former VP in the Oval Office and Biden pushing for a revival of the disastrous nuclear deal Obama gave Iran, the Islamic Republic is roiled in another student uprising with students and everyday Iranians again seeking freedom from the oppression of successive Supreme Leaders.

    The 2022 iteration of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is blaming America and, of course, Israel for the 3-week protest and riots.

    On September 16, a 22-year-old woman named Mahsa Amini was arrested and beaten to death by sanctioned Iranian thugs called “Mortality Police”. She was detained for violating moral codes principally – for not wearing a head scarf and modest clothes. She died in custody and protests ensued.

    Khamenei claimed he is “heartbroken” about the death and said it was a “sad incident”. He also railed against the “Great Satan”.

    “This rioting was planned. These riots and insecurities were designed by America and the Zionist regime, and their employees.” “The duty of our security forces, including police, is to ensure the safety of the Iranian nation. ‘The ones who attack the police are leaving Iranian citizens defenseless against thugs, robbers, and extortionists.”

    A reminder – Iran’s “Supreme Leader” can spout nonsense and threaten Israel and America, but Trump is banned from Twitter.

    Of course, Zionists, America, and outside foreign agitators are his excuse to crack down on the protestors and use of communication with the outside world. Security forces and “Basij” militia have attacked protestors with human rights groups reporting that at least 130 people have been killed by Iran’s sanctioned thugs. Iran has claimed that many of its security forces have also been killed.

    Since Iran is a state sponsor of terror and has, without a doubt, enlisted terrorists to kill Americans and Israelis, it is possible that there has been some “help” from Israel to foment protestors to action. But it was Iran’s morality police who killed Amini not Israel and certainly not Biden’s administration. Biden isn’t interested in destabilizing Iran. Like Obama’s administration, Biden’s handlers are more interested in a phony nuclear deal than helping everyday Iranians topple a repressive regime.

    Khamenei blaming America and Israel is his way of justifying a crackdown; instead of admitting that it is organic and homegrown disaffection with repression, Khamenei can blame the Great Satan and Zionists.

    It’s also a reminder of why we have the 2nd Amendment.

    Energy Crisis: Europe told to prepare for long, cold winter ahead

    SIMON KENT (Oct 3) Breitbart News

    Wrap up and keep warm. Consumers across Europe were given a bleak warning Monday the winter ahead will be long, cold, and uncomfortable given challenges to global energy supplies.

    They were told to lower their thermostats accordingly and make all necessary “behavior adjustments” as the region faces “unprecedented risks” to global natural gas delivery networks.

    The Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its quarterly gas report European Union (E.U.) countries would need to reduce use by at least 13 percent over the winter in case of a complete Russian cutoff amid the war in Ukraine.

    Much of that cutback would reportedly have to come from consumer behavior such as turning down thermostats by one degree and adjusting boiler temperatures as well as industrial and utility conservation, the group said.

    Germany has already issued a warning of its own about the troubles that lay ahead, as Breitbart London reported, cautioning the situation was extremely tense and there is a possibility the country may run out of gas.

    The European Union on Friday agreed to mandate a reduction in electricity consumption by at least five percent during peak price hours by mandating controls on consumer use and supply.

    AP reports another hazard identified in the study was a late winter cold snap, which would be particularly challenging because underground gas reserves flow more slowly at the end of the season due to less gas and lower pressure in the storage caverns.

    The E.U. has already filled storage to 88 percent, ahead of its goal of 80 percent before winter. The IEA assumed 90 percent would be needed in its Russian cutoff scenario.

    Ultimately domestic consumers have been told to make do with less as emergency energy-saving measures are enacted by governments.

    https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2022/10/03/energy-crisis-europe-told-to-prepare-for-long-cold-winter-ahead/

     

    OPEC+ Energy Ministers agree to 2 million barrel cut to oil

    JOHN CARNEY (Oct. 5) Breitbart News

    A panel of energy ministers of the OPEC+ alliance of oil-exporting countries on Wednesday agreed to recommend a historically large cut in output, a stinging rebuke to the Biden administration that is likely to mean higher prices at gas pumps in the United States and Europe.

    The alliance, which is led by Saudi Arabia and includes Russia, is meeting in Vienna to negotiate the largest production cut since the pandemic first struck. The energy ministers who comprise the cartel’s Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee recommended a cut of two million barrels per day in the group’s overall production. A final decision will be voted on later on Wednesday.

    The Biden administration has reportedly been attempting to persuade the Saudis not to support a production cut. The administration fears higher prices will aid Russia, hurt U.S. allies in Europe, and be a blow to U.S. consumers ahead of the midterm election.

    The Biden administration has been releasing huge volumes oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to dampen global prices. These releases were scheduled to end in October but that is now in doubt in light of the OPEC+ cuts.

    https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2022/10/05/opec-energy-ministers-agree-to-2-million-barrel-cut-to-oil-production/

     

    Biden promotes a “better America” with classic Corvette photo

    CHARLIE SPIERING (Oct. 4) Breitbart News

    The White House on Monday released a photo of President Joe Biden driving a classic Corvette to promote a “better America” under his leadership. “Get in, folks. We’re building a better America,” the message posted on social media read, featuring Biden in his classic Corvette.

    Team Biden appears to be trying to channel an old “Mean Girls meme” successfully used by former President Barack Obama’s social media team to promote health care.

    The post sparked widespread mockery online, as voters pointed out high gas prices, a falling stock market, growing inflation, and other problems in the country under his leadership.

    https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2022/10/04/white-house-mocked-for-promising-better-america-with-joe-biden-corvette-photo/

     

    Republicans slam Biden for praising Coast Guard rescuer while also planning to kick him out over Vaccine Mandate

    KRISTINA WONG (Oct 3) Breitbart News

    Republicans slammed President Joe Biden for praising a Coast Guard rescue swimmer who is facing discharge from the military because of Biden’s own vaccine mandate for the armed forces.

    Biden had called Aviation Survival Technician Second Class Zach Loesch on Friday to thank him and his fellow Coasties for saving the lives of Floridians suffering from Hurricane Ian wreckage.

    The president boasted about the call afterwards and the White House put out a press statement on the exchange between the two.

    However, as reported by Breitbart News, Loesch is due to be kicked out of the Coast Guard within 30-60 days for being unvaccinated, given the Biden administration’s August 2021 military vaccine mandate.

    “Zach Loesch was deployed by the Coast Guard to rescue stranded Floridans but is still being kicked out over [a] vaccine. Biden’s mandate must end!” Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL), a National Guard Green Beret colonel, tweeted Sunday.

    Loesch told Breitbart News in an interview on Saturday that he has applied for religious exemption from the mandate but his request, as well as an appeal, were both denied. Now Loesch, as well as other unvaccinated Coast Guard rescue swimmers, are due to be kicked out amid hurricane season. Loesch said the Coast Guard in the affected areas is already drawing on rescue swimmers from other states to help with rescue efforts.

    Loesch has been a rescue swimmer for six years. On Friday, he personally pulled out a disabled woman and her husband from their back bedroom that had a doorway jammed with a couch.

    The rescuer kicked through a wall to pull them both out, and then later went back to retrieve her specialized wheelchair, strapping it to his body as he was hoisted by a helicopter.

    Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) tweeted, “Joe Biden said it himself — COVID is over. Yet, he is still firing our brave men and women who serve our nation, like Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Zach Loesch. Zach kicked through a wall to save an elderly couple trapped due to Hurricane Ian.”

    The Biden administration has indicated it does not plan to lift the vaccine mandate imposed on all members of the military. So far, nearly 8,000 service members have been kicked out of the military due to the mandate, in the midst of a recruiting crisis.

    There are still tens of thousands more service members who are unvaccinated, including those waiting for religious exemption requests to be adjudicated.

    There are also legal questions as to whether the mandate is lawful, as reported by Breitbart News.

    By law, the defense secretary can only mandate a vaccine that is FDA-approved, unless he seeks a presidential waiver. To date, Biden has not issued the waiver and the Department of Defense has administering a vaccine to troops that is under Emergency Use Authorization, not approved by the FDA.

    The FDA-approved vaccine, known as Comirnaty, has not been widely available in the United States, let alone to service members.

    Breitbart News reported last week that the DOD considered in October 2021 allowing troops to wait for the FDA-approved vaccine before being kicked out, but ultimately opted against it. Service members have filed several lawsuits, alleging the DOD is not following the law.

    VP Kamala Harris’ makes ‘equity’ comment regarding hurricane aid

    By Stuart Varney (Oct. 3) Fox Business News

    It looks like another gaffe. It’s certainly a controversy. Vice President Harris spoke about the effects of climate change on people of color, and how to distribute aid after hurricane damage in Puerto Rico and Florida. She said resources should be given based on “equity.”

    What exactly does that mean when it comes to allocating hurricane assistance? You get help depending on the color of your skin?

    Social media jumped on it. Elon musk tweeted, “Should be according to greatest need, not race or anything else.” Well said, Elon!

    You listen, and you feel like you’re in a sociology class. Lots of left-wing jargon designed to cover the real message.

    Fox News Digital caught up with Harris and asked her to explain her “equity” comment. She would not answer. Would not clarify. I suspect this administration “would” hand out assistance based on race.

    But Kamala Harris can’t say it in plain English because there’s an election in five weeks, and most voters surely don’t want any racial preference in helping hurricane victims.

    Kanye West: ‘Everyone knows that Black Lives Matter was a scam’

    DAVID NG (Oct. 4) Breitbart News

    Rap mogul and billionaire fashion entrepreneur Kanye West has declared that Black Lives Matter was always just a “scam,” saying that the movement is now “over.” On Tuesday, Kanye West posted a haiku-like obituary for the BLM movement to his Instagram stories, taking at least partial credit for its demise.

    As Breitbart News reported, Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation (GNF) executive Shalomyah Bowers has been accused of “siphoning” off more than $10 million from donors, allegedly funneling the money to his consulting firm after he joined the board of the foundation.

    Earlier this year, BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors admitted to using the group’s $6 million property to host private parties after she had previously resigned from the organization. Cullors previously came under fire for purchasing a $1.4 million compound in the upscale Los Angeles neighborhood of Topanga.

    The new documentary Uncle Tom II exposes BLM as one in a long line of socio-political movements orchestrated by white Marxists who are intent on manipulating black Americans to foment racial strife, with the ultimate goal of undermining American institutions.

    This week, Kanye West was spotted wearing a “White Lives Matter” sweatshirt while promoting his fashion line in Paris, France.

    https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2022/10/04/kanye-west-everyone-knows-that-black-lives-matter-was-a-scam-now-its-over/

    Our Hope

    The following is an open letter from Pastor John MacArthur to Governor Gavin Newsom, in response to billboard advertisements placed across the country by Newsom’s campaign shamelessly misquoting Mark 12:31 in support of abortion. View a PDF version of the letter.

    September 29, 2022

    Governor Gavin Newsom
    1021 O Street, Suite 9000
    Sacramento, CA 95814

    Sir,

    Almighty God says in His Word, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Scripture also teaches that it is the chief duty of any civic leader to reward those who do well and to punish evildoers (Romans 13:1–7). You have not only failed in that responsibility; you routinely turn it on its head, rewarding evildoers and punishing the righteous.

    The Word of God pronounces judgment on those who call evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20), and yet many of your policies reflect this unholy, upside-down view of honor and morality. The diabolical effects of your worldview are evident in the statistics of California’s epidemics of crime, homelessness, sexual perversions (like homosexuality and transgenderism), and other malignant expressions of human misery that stem directly from corrupt public policy. I don’t need to itemize or elaborate on the many immoral decisions you have perpetrated against God and the people of our state, which have only exacerbated these problems. Nevertheless, my goal in writing is not to contend with your politics, but rather to plead with you to hear and heed what the Word of God says to men in your position.

    “Let all kings bow down before Him, all nations serve Him” (Psalm 72:11).

    “He who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God, is as the light of the morning when the sun rises” (2 Samuel 23:3–4).

    “It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, for a throne is established on righteousness” (Proverbs 16:12).

    What God said to Cyrus is a truth you should take to heart: “I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known Me; that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:5–6).

    In mid-September, you revealed to the entire nation how thoroughly rebellious against God you are when you sponsored billboards across America promoting the slaughter of children, whom He creates in the womb (Psalm 139:13–16Isaiah 45:9–12). You further compounded the wickedness of that murderous campaign with a reprehensible act of gross blasphemy, quoting the very words of Jesus from Mark 12:31 as if you could somehow twist His meaning and arrogate His name in favor of butchering unborn infants. You used the name and the words of Christ to promote the credo of Molech (Leviticus 20:1–5). It would be hard to imagine a greater sacrilege.

    Furthermore, you chose words from the lips of Jesus without admitting that in the same moment He gave the greatest commandment: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). You cannot love God as He commands while aiding in the murder of His image-bearers.

    Psalm 50:16–19 speaks to people who pervert the Word of God for their own sinful ends:

    But to the wicked God says,
    “What right have you to recount My statutes
    And to take My covenant in your mouth?
    For you hate discipline,
    And you cast My words behind you.
    When you see a thief, you are pleased with him,
    And you associate with adulterers.
    You let your mouth loose in evil
    And you harness your tongue for deceit.”

    My concern, Governor Newsom, is that your own soul lies in grave, eternal peril. “Each one of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). One day, not very long from now, you will face that reality. Nothing is more certain. “It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). You will stand in the presence of the Holy God who created you, who is your Judge, and He will demand that you give an account for how you have flouted His authority in your governing, and how you have twisted His own Holy Word to rationalize it. As you look over the precipice of eternity, what will your answer be? When you look ahead of you and see that nothing awaits you but eternal misery—the just punishment for your sins—what will all the clever rationalizations and political talking points avail for you then? And by then it will be too late for any remedy or redemption. “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

    My plea to you, Sir, is that you would not let it come to that—that you would not go to that day of judgment apart from receiving forgiveness and righteousness through faith in Christ alone. In Psalm 50, after rebuking the wicked for uttering God’s words in a profane way, Scripture makes this promise: “Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there will be none to deliver. He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifies Me; and he who orders his way, I shall show the salvation of God” (Psalm 50:22–23).

    So there is salvation for those who repent. Christ purchased full redemption for all who will turn from wickedness, forsake their evil thoughts and actions, and trust fully in Him as Lord and Savior.

    Our church, and countless Christians nationwide, are praying for your full repentance. Please respond to the gospel, forsake the path of wickedness you have pursued all your life, turn to Christ, ask for forgiveness, and use your office to advance the cause of righteousness (as is your duty) instead of undermining it (as has been your pattern).

    Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:6–7)

    Governor Newsom, “now is the acceptable time, behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

    For the Master,

    John MacArthur
    Pastor-Teacher

    Stop Abortion-On-Demand at the VA

    ACLJAction.org (2,300 petitions submitted as of Oct. 7)

    The Biden Administration’s Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has issued an illegal interim final rule (IFR) to allow abortion-on-demand up until the point of birth.

    Contrary to federal and state law, the IFR amends the VA’s medical regulations to create broad exceptions to the exclusion of abortion procedures for veterans receiving medical care from the VA. It also eliminates the exclusion of abortion counseling.

    As a result of this rule, the VA announced last week that it performed the first abortion in its history.

    The Biden Administration must provide an individualized response to each unique submission. Please use our (ACLJAction.org) secure system to comment by October 11.


    You can be most effective by adding 3-4 sentences of your own personal thoughts, concerns, or stories related to this important issue.

    These links are terms of service messages provided by regulations.gov

    Regulations.gov Privacy and Security NoticeRegulations.gov User NoticeSource Regulation

    Act now!

    Message:

    I write to oppose this rule that allows the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to perform abortions in violation of both federal and state law.

    As you know, the VA is an institution intended to care for the men and women who have put their life on the line for our country. The VA plays an important role in providing a variety of benefits, including healthcare, to our veterans and their families.

    This rule undermines the intended purpose of the VA, using taxpayer dollars to harm preborn children in violation of federal and state laws. Abortion is the purposeful termination of innocent human life. Abortion also harms the women upon whom abortions are done—many of whom may already bear the wounds of war or who may be pressured into abortions by others.

    I am concerned that this regulation goes far beyond protecting the lives of pregnant women. It includes a broadly worded “health” exception that opens the door to abortion-on-demand up until the point of birth in virtually any case.  I am also concerned that the rule prohibits the VA from investigating instances where claims of rape or incest are used to justify abortions.

    I further note that, in this effort to hijack Veterans Affairs for political purposes, the rule is unlawful because it:

    1. violates Section 106 of the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992, which has never been repealed by Congress. Section 106 states that “general reproductive health care” is not to include “infertility services, abortions, or pregnancy care . . .” Public Law 102-585, sec. 106;
    2. violates the Administrative Procedure Act which requires that the public have an opportunity to provide comment on matters of public interest before a rule is effective; and
    3. attempts to supersede the authority of the states to regulate abortion as they see fit.

    The Supreme Court, in its Dobbs decision, noted both that abortion “presents a profound moral issue on which Americans hold sharply conflicting views,” 142 S. Ct. at 2240, and that

    “the people of the various States may evaluate [their] interests differently. . .Voters in [some] States may wish to impose tight restrictions based on their belief that abortion destroys an “unborn human being.” . . . Our Nation’s historical understanding of ordered liberty does not prevent the people’s elected representatives from deciding how abortion should be regulated. . ..

    [T]he authority to regulate abortion must be returned to the people and their elected representatives.”

    Id. at 2257, 2279

    This interim final rule as proposed by the VA is an extreme and unjustified overreach by the Executive Branch. The VA does not have the authority to unilaterally alter federal law in order to violate the laws of states that both value and protect innocent human life—whether born or preborn.

    (Editor’s Note: Submit petition at:

    https://acljaction.quorum.us/campaign/42818/.)

    California voters: “Every life is valuable” – Vote No on Proposition 1 For more info: https://proposition1-whyvoteno.com/

     

    (Michael Hernandez, co-founder of the Citizens Journal—Ventura County’s online news service is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor. Mr. Hernandez can be contacted at [email protected] and is editor of “America: The End and Our Hope”.)


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