The Patriot Post® · Govs Get Their Priorities Out in the Re-open
They got in line at Peach Tree Battle Barbershop at 7 a.m. For a lot of them, it was the first haircut they’d had in a month and a half. “I certainly don’t want to spread it to anyone,” customer Matt Maddox said, “so I’ve got a mask. But I’m not concerned.” Others, like Atlanta restaurant owner Hugh Acheson, understands that staying closed will hurt, but argues, “Now is not the time for fine dining.” Either way, their governor, Brian Kemp ®, is giving them a choice – which is more than a lot of Americans can say.
The eyes of the whole country will certainly be on states like Georgia, who flipped the signs to “open” on businesses like salons, tattoo parlors, gyms, bowling alleys, and more for the first time Friday morning. But that’s not to say things are even remotely the same as before. Local officials can’t flip a switch and tell people to go back to normal. But what they can do is allow Americans to make those decisions themselves based on how the churches, stores, and restaurants respond. As Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) said earlier this week, “It’s one thing for government to say, ‘Okay, it’s safe to go out. [But] if people don’t believe it’s safe, they’re not going to go.”
As Scott Rasmussen and I talked on “Washington Watch” Thursday, “Everybody has a role to play in governing society.” He’s in New York City, where the virus is still a major concern. But, he said, “When they [do] open up restaurants in our city here, some people will be excited and run right out the door. But many are going to hold back, and they’re going to wait for the restaurant owners to demonstrate that it’s safe. Maybe the tables aren’t quite as close together as they used to be, or maybe some other steps have been taken. And by the way, those restaurant owners are also going to have to convince their employees that it’s safe to come back to work… This is going to be a process, where we collectively will learn how to behave in this new environment.”
After 40 days in isolation, people are going to take the threat seriously. They’re going to be cautious. But, as Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) pointed out, the Founders’ model was “Let’s trust the people.” Of course, that freedom requires accountability. But there’s a way to do this that ensures people – and the economy – are protected. “It’s not a binary choice, that’s for sure.” That’s why the best approach is the one the president has taken. He’s given governors the tools, the resources, suggested benchmarks, but in the end, he’s made it clear to the states: You know what’s best for your community.
Rep. Roger Marshall (R-Kans.), a medical doctor in his own right, has been up close and personal with the virus. He’s talked to people who will be scarred for life after their work with patients in the ICU. And he still believes there is a “responsible and safe way to start opening certain parts of the country.” What does that look like? “Well,” he said, “What we need is more testing availability – and probably more Personal Protective Equipment as well… And then, we need a community [commitment] to responsibility.”
One way to make sure we’re doing this right, Dr. Marshall suggests, is to start partnering with the people who know best. “I’ve been challenging the health care folks in each community to reach out to their own businesses around town. There [are] infectious disease nurses at hospitals, at county health clinics, [who] are some sharp, sharp people. We need to get them involved out in the private sector. [They could be] talking to the local schools and to the local businesses. What does [this] look like going forward?” As he agreed, “This will not be solved at the federal level. It’s going to be solved at the local community level now.”
At the end of the day, FRC’s Ken Blackwell said, “The American people are smart people. We don’t hide in the midst of a crisis. We push back intelligently against it.” This is not, he reminded listeners, “an either-or.” “It’s not a public health strategy versus an economic strategy…” We understand all sides and the importance of a measured, consistent approach. “But at the end of the day, it’s no accident why we are the most prosperous and the most free democratic constitutional republic in the history of the world. It’s because we cherish liberty, and we trust people.” And now, more than ever, our leaders need to do both.
Originally published here.
Show and Intel: Spy Chief Acts on LGBT Views
Richard Grenell never worked for Barack Obama – but he’s using tactics near and dear to that administration’s foreign policy. The acting director of national intelligence has decided that it’s time for America to stop sharing information with countries who aren’t as pro-LGBT as he is – a view that’s eerily similar to Hillary Clinton’s State Department, where ideological blackmail was the order of every day.
“We can’t just simply make the moral argument and expect others to respond in kind,” Grenell told the New York Times, “because telling others that it’s the right thing to do doesn’t always work.” Instead, reverting to the cultural imperialism of the Obama years, he’d rather strong-arm countries – putting national security on the line in the process. When the president promoted Grenell, FRC said publicly that it would keep an open mind – knowing full well that the ambassador of Germany’s ideas about morality were vastly different than the rest of the Trump administration.
There was a deep concern among our pro-family allies around the world that Grenell would engage in the same LGBT activism that he had as German ambassador. But, given the administration’s deep commitment to core values like religious freedom, we were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Now it’s fair to say, our fears have been more than confirmed. Most everyone in America, FRC included, fiercely opposes violence against anyone based on their sexuality. But that doesn’t mean we should put our country’s safety at risk to threaten other countries into accepting what was only forced on America by our U.S. Supreme Court.
“I am not a seat warmer,” Grenell warned. “The president asked me to do a job, and I am going to do the job to the best of my ability.” But that job, most people would agree, never included a blank check to pursue LGBT radicalism at the expense of national intelligence. And yet, in a letter last week to agencies he oversees, the mask of his true intentions came off. “While I will not be in this role for long,” he admitted, “I plan to use this opportunity to drive a lasting impact for the Pride community… And I am asking every member of the IC leadership team to join me.”
Now, in addition to pushing a policy that cuts off intelligence sharing with countries who believe differently than he does, Grenell is also assembling an international group of “gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender” advocates to change “anti-gay” laws (which, we know from experience, is the Left’s code for any policy that promotes religious liberty). Grenell claims he has the president’s full support – but anyone who’s watched the last three and a half years has to wonder just how true that is. After all, the Trump administration has spent its entire first term positioning itself as the global leader on religious freedom. A rogue effort like this one would undermine that entire legacy.
And unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Grenell has gotten under the skin of other nations. He overstepped his authority so often as German ambassador that local lawmakers wanted him to be declared persona non grata. Now, he seems intent on abusing that trust at home, destroying the credibility that President Trump has built overseas after Obama’s two terms of cultural extortion.
There’s a way to call for an end to violence against the people who identify as LGBT without imposing the values of the sexual revolution on the rest of the world. But Grenell’s actions – pursuing a personal agenda – are not only endangering important alliances, they’re putting the United States at risk.
Originally published here.
Survey Results: How Has the Virus Affected Your Family?
My daughter is a medical assistant. She and her coworkers were short on PPE [personal protective equipment]. I made reusable masks for 6 of the medical assistants. Others heard about it and it exploded. At this point in time I have made 113 masks for various people and would like to do more.
This is just one of thousands of testimonies we’ve received from friends across the nation since the coronavirus pandemic began. Truly, one of the silver linings throughout this ordeal has been witnessing ordinary Americans finding extraordinary ways to serve and bless their neighbors.
In every crisis our country has faced, we have only emerged stronger by uniting together. And make no mistake: this is a crisis. Over the past two weeks, we asked people like you who follow and support FRC a few questions in an online survey. Over 8,000 people responded revealing that this pandemic has hit closer to home than many at first believed.
Over 20 percent of respondents reported knowing someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 (the disease caused by this novel coronavirus), while 64 percent have unfortunately had their or a family member’s job affected.
While facing these difficulties, the vast majority of respondents (over 96 percent) still said they support President Trump’s handling of the situation. And, arguably the most important response to the survey, over 99 percent of FRC followers committed to pray for the president, Vice President Pence, and our governmental leaders as they navigate these uncharted waters (as 1 Timothy 2:1-4 instructs).
As followers of Jesus, we understand that it’s in dark times like these when the light of Christ can shine the brightest. For example, 29 percent reported finding more opportunities to share the gospel with loved ones during this season. Meanwhile, as FRC has been spotlighting since this situation began, churches have found creative ways to help their communities through online Sunday services (33 percent) or Bible studies (19 percent), mobilizing prayer (14 percent), delivering food or supplies for people who are at risk (13 percent), promoting resources for parents (11 percent), or providing financial assistance (10 percent). There were even 37 respondents who stated that their churches setup mobile coronavirus testing sites.
Reflecting trends that Pew Research reported a month ago, Americans continue to wisely turn to faith as the pandemic wears on. Over 56 percent of FRC’s survey respondents stated that they are spending more time in prayer, and nearly 40 percent are diving deeper into the Bible or other devotional materials. Now is the perfect time to join the FRC family in reading through the Bible with our free Stand on the Word with FRC two-year Bible reading plan. And don’t forget our guide on How to Pray During the Coronavirus Crisis that we continue to update as the situation develops.
When questioned about what resource they turned to for information, 43 percent reported these Washington Update emails have been helpful. To ensure you always get the latest biblically-based insider perspective on the news, download our improved Stand Firm app where you can read the Update and listen to our daily Washington Watch radio program.
While these are difficult days for our nation and our families, these results give us renewed strength and hope for America. We are thankful for the partnership of every friend like you that enables FRC to boldly stand in faith during this crisis to encourage believers, equip the church, educate elected officials, and elevate the issues of faith, family, freedom.
Together, let’s continue to find ways to be the salt and light Christ talked about in Matthew 5:13-16 that our nation so desperately needs.
Originally published here.
This is a publication of the Family Research Council. Mr. Perkins is president of FRC.