Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Queen Elizabeth II

2026-10-22T20:12:59Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Queen_Elizabeth_II

{{Infobox officeholder
|name=Queen Elizabeth II
|image=QueenElizabethII 2003.jpg
|birth_date=Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor April 21, 1926
|birth_place=Mayfair, London, United Kingdom
|death_date=September 8, 2022 (age 96)
|death_place=Balmoral, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
|religion=
|spouse=[[Prince Philip]] (m. 1947 - 2021)
|children= Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward
|alma_mater=
|party=
|office=Queen of the [[United Kingdom]] and other [[Commonwealth]] realms
|term_start=February 6, 1952
|term_end=September 8, 2022
|preceded=[[George VI]]
|succeeded=[[Charles III]]
}}
'''Queen Elizabeth II''' (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, April 21, 1926 – September 8, 2022) was the previous reigning monarch and [[head of state]] (1952–2022) of the [[United Kingdom]] of [[Great Britain]] and [[Northern Ireland]], and of 14 other [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] realms (see list below), including [[Canada]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]] and [[Jamaica]]. She was the elder daughter of King [[George VI]] and [[HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother|Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother]].

Unlike most [[British|Brits]], Queen Elizabeth II was devoutly [[Christian]], and said that she leaned on [[Jesus Christ]].<ref name="Queen">https://aleteia.org/2022/09/17/the-biblical-meaning-behind-the-queens-2-22-pm-procession/</ref> Her funeral procession was timed to arrive at Westminster Hall precisely at 3pm, which is thought to be the time of death of [[Jesus]] on the [[Crucifixion|Crucifix]].<ref name="Queen"/>

In Britain, she was referred to formally as "Her Majesty the Queen", but was generally called simply "the Queen". Her full title, by virtue of the Royal Titles Act of 1953, was: "Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith".

==Early life==
Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926 in Mayfair, She was the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King [[George VI]] and Queen Consort Elizabeth. At birth she stood third in line of succession to the throne after Edward, Prince of Wales (later King [[Edward VIII]]), and her father. It was not expected that her father would become king, or that she would become queen.

Princess Elizabeth's quiet family life came to an end in 1936, when her grandfather, King [[George V]], died. His eldest son came to the throne as King Edward VIII, but, before the end of the year, the new king decided to give up the throne in order to marry a divorced American woman, Mrs [[Wallis Simpson]].

Upon Edward's abdication, Princess Elizabeth's father acceded to the throne, and in 1937 Princess Elizabeth attended her parents' coronation in [[Westminster Abbey]]. This put her first in line to the throne.

The princess received home tuition at Sandringham and [[Buckingham Palace]] during the 1930s, where her tutors included her father and Henry Marten, the Vice-Provost of Eton. She was also instructed in religion by the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]]. Now that she had became first in line to throne, Elizabeth started to study constitutional history and law as preparation for her future role as queen. Elizabeth also learned French from various French and Belgian governesses; this skill standing the queen in good stead, as she often has cause to use it when speaking to ambassadors and heads of state from French-speaking countries and when visiting French-speaking areas of [[Canada]].

In 1940, at the height of [[the Blitz]], the young princess was moved to the safety of [[Windsor Castle]], where she spent most of the war years, although in 1945 she joined the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service and trained as a driver, operating military trucks.

==Marriage and Children ==
She married [[Prince Philip|Philip Mountbatten]], [[Duke of Edinburgh]], on November 20, 1947. Their first child, [[Prince Charles]], now the [[Prince of Wales]], heir apparent to the throne, was born in 1948, and his sister, [[Princess Anne]] (now The [[Princess Royal]]), two years later. After Princess Elizabeth became queen, their third child, [[Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor]], arrived in 1960, and the fourth, [[Prince Edward]] (now the Earl of Wessex and who will eventually become the Duke of Edinburgh), in 1964.

The Queen has eight grandchildren--[[Prince William]], [[Duke of Cambridge]]; [[Prince Henry]] of Wales; Princess Beatrice of York; Princess Eugenie of York; James Mountbatten-Windsor, Viscount Severn; Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor; Peter Phillips; and Zara Tindall—and five great-grandchildren.

==Accession to the throne and coronation==
On February 6, 1952, Princess Elizabeth, who was on a tour of [[Kenya]] and staying at the Treetops Hotel, received the news of her father's death at Sandringham and her own accession to the throne.
[[File:Queen Elizabeth with Donald Trump.jpg|right|300px|thumb|[[President Donald Trump]] with Queen Elizabeth II.]]
On June 2, 1953, Elizabeth was crowned Queen of the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland]] and of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and her other realms and territories at [[Westminster Abbey]] by the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]], and took the [[English coronation oath|coronation oath]] in the traditional coronation ceremony that has been used for at least 1000 years.

== Role within the Church of England ==
Since Queen Elizabeth took the throne, she took the role of "Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England". Archbishops and bishops are appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister, who considers the names selected by a Church Commission.<ref>[http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/QueenandChurch/QueenandtheChurchofEngland.aspx Official Website of the British Monarchy:] Queen and the Church of England</ref> They take an oath of allegiance to The Queen on appointment and may not resign without Royal authority.

In parliament the Queen's position in the Church of England is represented by a selection of Priests, known as the Lords Spiritual, taking positions in the [[House of Lords]]. In recent times, however, it has been discussed in the [[House of Commons]] that the Lords Spiritual have their positions removed.

== Role in British politics ==
The Queen's executive powers are limited by the constitution, and her role in the politics of the nation is largely ceremonial. The monarch is required to be politically neutral, while retaining the right "to be consulted, to advise and to warn" government ministers. Her powers, known as the "Royal prerogative" (to enact legislation, to declare war, to sign treaties and to award honours) are exercised instead by the government of the day. The Queen's greatest right is "the right to rule": the people of Britain are not ''citizens'', but ''subjects'' of the queen. The Queen is required to remain – publicly – politically neutral, and accepts the decisions made by the democratically elected government of the UK. Although she signs her name to every Act of Parliament before it can become law, no monarch has defied Parliament - and by extension the people - by refusing to sign an Act since Queen Anne did so in 1708.<ref>{{cite news|title=King Charles III: Could the King or Queen refuse to give royal assent?|first=Reiss|last=Smith|date=May 10, 2017|work=Daily Express|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/802763/royal-assent-refuse-reserved-King-Charles-III-Queen|location=London|accessdate=August 26, 2017}}</ref> The Queen has the right to vote in elections, but she chooses not to exercise this right, a principle adopted by all royals of the Windsor household. The Queen is advised by the [[Privy Council]].
===Royal assent===
The Queen, being an apolitical figure by precedent, does not veto or refuse to sign bills passed by Parliament in order not to interfere with the will of the people. Thus, she signed the bill for legalizing [[abortion]], for [[same-sex "marriage"]] and for [[Primogeniture|absolute primogeniture]] to replace male-preference primogeniture. Some critics believe she should refuse to sign certain legislation, but others argue that doing so would amount to [[monarchy|true monarchy]], which is a fancy term for a [[dictatorship]].

In 2014, the stage play ''King Charles III'', written by playwright Mike Bartlett in [[Iambic pentameter|blank verse]], addressed this issue of "royal conscience".<ref>{{cite news |last=Billington |first=Michael |date=April 11, 2014 |title=King Charles III – a flawed premise but royally entertaining |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/apr/11/king-charles-3-flawed-premise-royally-entertaining |work=The Guardian |location=London|accessdate=August 26, 2017}}</ref> The play is set in the near future, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession to the throne by [[Prince Charles|The Prince of Wales]] as King Charles III. When asked to give royal assent to a bill which will give the government greater powers to "gag" the media — and also make it effectively impossible for the media to report on government corruption and abuse of power — Charles refuses.<ref>{{cite news |last=Curtis |first=Nick |date=April 3, 2014|title=What would happen if Prince Charles was made king? |url=http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/theatre/what-would-happen-if-prince-charles-was-made-king-9234812.html |work=London Evening Standard|location= London|accessdate=August 26, 2017}}</ref> When the government counters by saying it will create a new law which will remove the necessity for royal assent, Charles responds by dissolving Parliament — a parallel to his forebear [[Charles I]], who, in the 17th century, disagreed with Parliament about the royal prerogative and the king's right to rule as an [[Monarchy|absolute monarch]], governing according to his personal conscience rather than accepting the democratic will of the people. For Charles I, this led to the [[Eleven Years Tyranny]] and the [[English Civil War]], and ultimately he was executed — for [[Treason|high treason]] — by beheading in 1649.

In ''King Charles III'', the king's actions lead to widespread and violent national protests, and the British Army are required to surround [[Buckingham Palace]] to safeguard him. The public are less concerned with the new law — which would not benefit them anyway — and more concerned with the principle of a monarch attempting to impose supreme authority over both Parliament and people. For defying the people, Charles is forced to abdicate, and his son [[Prince William of Wales]] takes the throne, with William's wife [[Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge]] becoming the Queen consort. The new king signs the bill.

In 2017, the play was broadcast as a 90-minute TV film by [[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC Two]] in the UK and [[PBS]] in the USA.

==The Commonwealth Realms==
[[image:Australian 50c coins.jpg|thumb|200px|Australian 50c coins showing two different likenesses of Queen Elizabeth II]]
*[[Antigua and Barbuda]]
*[[Australia]]
*The [[Bahamas]]
*[[Belize]]
*[[Canada]]
*[[Grenada]]
*[[Jamaica]]
*[[New Zealand]]
*[[Papua New Guinea]]
*[[Solomon Islands]]
*[[St. Kitts and Nevis]]
*[[St. Lucia]]
*[[St. Vincent and the Grenadines]]
*[[Tuvalu]]

==Death and tributes==
Upon Queen Elizabeth II's passing, US President [[Donald Trump]] offered his condolences, stating on his [[Truth Social]] account:
{{cquote|Melania and I are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Together with our family and fellow Americans, we send our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom during this time of great sorrow and grief. Queen Elizabeth’s historic and remarkable reign left a tremendous legacy of peace and prosperity for Great Britain. Her leadership and enduring diplomacy secured and advanced alliances with the United States and countries around the world. However, she will always be remembered for her faithfulness to her country and her unwavering devotion to her fellow countrymen and women. Melania and I will always cherish our time together with the Queen, and never forget Her Majesty’s generous friendship, great wisdom, and wonderful sense of humor. What a grand and beautiful lady she was—there was nobody like her! Our thoughts and prayers will remain with the great people of the United Kingdom as you honor her most meaningful life and exceptional service to the people. May God bless the Queen, may she reign forever in our hearts, and may God hold her and Prince Philip in abiding care.<ref>[https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2022/09/trump-releases-heartfelt-statement-passing-queen-elizabeth/ Trump Releases Heartfelt Statement on Passing of Queen Elizabeth] at the Gateway Pundit</ref>}}

All Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom who were extant at the time, [[John Major]], [[Tony Blair]], [[Gordon Brown]], [[David Cameron]], [[Theresa May]], [[Boris Johnson]] and the then-current Prime Minister [[Liz Truss]] were unanimous in their respectful tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.

Many leftists chose to disrespectfully celebrate Elizabeth II's death. This included some in countries like Australia, India and Ireland, who had been a part of either the United Kingdom and/or the British Empire long before Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in 1952;<ref>[Why Some People From Ireland, India Are Celebrating Queen's Death https://www.newsweek.com/queen-elizabeth-dead-ireland-india-commonwealth-republic-1741243#:~:text=Much%20of%20the%20world%20has,the%20subjugation%20of%20their%20countries.]</ref> such people who chose to celebrate included far-left writers for ''[[Vogue magazine|Teen Vogue]]''.<ref>[https://www.teenvogue.com/story/queen-elizabeth-colonialism-oped Celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's Death Isn't Disrespectful, Colonialism Is]</ref> Some such celebrations had racist undertones.

== External links ==

*[https://www.royal.uk/queen-elizabeth Queen Elizabeth's life and reign], Official web site of the British Royal Family

Video:

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBRP-o6Q85s Queen Elizabeth II's 1957 Christmas Broadcast]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Elizabeth 2}}
[[Category:British History]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theory scapegoats]]
[[Category:Former Heads of State]]
[[Category:United Kingdom Monarchs]]
[[Category:Anglicans]]
[[Category:Queens]]
[[Category:People who were Educated at Home]]
[[Category:British Royal Family]]
[[Category:1950s]]
[[Category:1960s]]
[[Category:1970s]]
[[Category:1980s]]
[[Category:1990s]]
[[Category:2000s]]
[[Category:2010s]]
[[Category:2020s]]

Marriage

2026-10-22T20:11:42Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Marriage

[[Image:Bride and groom signing the book.jpg|right|275px]]
'''Marriage''' is the divinely ordained [[covenant]]<ref>Marriage between the sexes is a covenant, not a [[contract]]. Since time immemorial, some men disposed of a wife (woman) after her childbearing years to pursue a younger female consort. God, being a defender of women, ordained marriage by his perfect will to protect women's rights and not allow a man (male) to abandon them to homelessness and poverty with no marketable job skills other than homemaking or child-rearing. This, however, is not the only reason the covenant of marriage evolved between the sexes.</ref> between one man and one woman, and is intended to be for life. ([[Genesis 1-8 (Translated)#2:24|Genesis 2:24]]) This is recognized by the majority of churches.<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c3a7.htm Article 7, "The sacrament of matrimony"]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/basicbeliefs.asp|title="Basic Beliefs," Southern Baptist Convention|accessdate=March 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/topics/relations_04_marriage.cfm|title="Marriage"}}</ref><ref>http://www.studylight.org/com/bnb/view.cgi?bk=39&ch=19 Albert Barnes, Matthew 19]</ref><ref>[http://live.e-sword.net/app/ [[Matthew Henry]], Matthew 19]</ref>

The unity between a man and a woman in marriage is an expression of the spiritual relationship that God desires His creation to realize with Him. The first marriage occurred nearly 6,000 years ago in the [[Garden of Eden]], in the area of the world that we now know as the Middle East. The first couple was Adam and Eve, and the Lord Jesus specified that it was male and female that God joined together in marriage for life. (Matthew 19:4-6) '''See also:''' [[Christian marriage]]

Marriage has been practiced as such in most cultures across geography and time.<ref>"Because there is a natural complementarity between men and women - sexual, emotional, temperamental, spiritual - marriage allows for a wholeness and completeness that cannot be won in any other way. ([[Bill Bennett]], ''The Broken Hearth'', Page 197)</ref>
Marriage is a lifelong commitment, and typically this involves a public ceremony (a [[wedding]]) in which vows are exchanged by the parties and before God. Approximately half of all traditional marriages in America end in [[divorce]],<ref>Divorce is within the permissive will of God, Deut. 22:13; divorce, however, is due to sin entering the world, which God is willing to redeem. God himself in fact is divorced from Israel ([http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%203:8-14&version=KJV Jer. 3:8-14]; see also [http://www.biblestudytools.com/kjv/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+54:5-15 Is. 54:5]), or for that matter, all unredeemed sinners.</ref> many due to [[Facebook]] and other [[liberal]] activities.

[[Dinesh D'Souza]] wrote:
:Marriage requires a) two people who are b) of legal age and c) not closely related to each other who are d) one male and one female. Note that this definition excludes people who want to marry children, or guys who want to marry their sisters, or Muslims who want to take four wives, or that strange guy who wants to marry his dog.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://townhall.com/columnists/DineshDSouza/2008/05/19/gay_rights_vs_democracy|title=Gay Rights vs. Democracy|accessdate=March 11, 2020}}</ref>

[[Bill Bennett]] wrote:
:Based as it is on the principle of [[complementarity]], marriage is also about a great deal more than love. That "great deal" encompasses, above all, [[procreation]]. The timeless function of marriage is childbearing and child-rearing, and the best arrangement ever developed to that end is the marital union between one man and one woman ...<ref>''The Broken Hearth'', Page 197)</ref>

What Bennett's words ultimately imply is that, in terms of the value of marriage to anything that stands outside of it, marriage is most principally for the production of additional marriages, and, thus, is a progressive type of scale-invariance such as the Mandelbrot fractal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dectech.org/publications/LinksNick/FoundationsTheoryAndMethodology/Scale-invariance%20as%20a%20unifying%20psychological%20principle.pdf|title=Scale-invariance as a unifying psychological principle; 1999|accessdate=March 11, 2020}}</ref>

So, marriage is the most glorious kind of relationship between human individuals because it alone is what essentially defines humanity. The ''good'' of humanity is defined as an integration of all naturally enduring mutual benefits between all free individuals. But, all those benefits are created and sustained by the existence of marriage as that one relation for the preservation of which is invoked the most special legal recognition, because...

...'''Marriage not only historically is the very first form of human society, it is logically the most beautiful, perfect, simple, and potentially productive human institution possible.'''

==Biblical marriage advice==
1 Corinthians 7:1-16:
{{cquote|Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman. But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband. The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. But this I say by way of concession, not of command. Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that. But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I. But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband (but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife. But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?}}

==Modern marriage licenses==
In the present-day [[United States]], "getting married" typically involves a marriage license issued by the [[state]] [[government]] or a subdivision thereof (e.g., a county). However, marriage licenses are nowhere mentioned in Scripture; in fact, they are a relatively recent innovation and originally applied only to marriages that were otherwise forbidden.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mercyseat.net/BROCHURES/marriagelicense.htm|title=Information on marriage licenses from Mercy Seat Christian Church|accessdate=March 11, 2020}}</ref>

==Definition of marriage==

For Christians, marriage has traditionally been seen as "a union that takes its distinctive character from being founded, unlike other friendships, on bodily unity of the kind that sometimes generates new life."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/marriage/mf0123.htm|title=Gay Marriage, Democracy, and the Courts|accessdate=March 11, 2020}}</ref> As such, marriage is the one and only form of companionship from which all other forms spring: it is the single irreducible core of [[society]].

==Modern history of marriage law==

*1724 — blacks, with permission of their slave owner, given the right to marry (formerly, under [[British]] law, only whites could legally marry)
*1769 — women no longer considered property of their husbands
*1899 — polygamy outlawed in the US
*1967 — interracial marriage legalized in all states
*1981 — the rise of community property laws as men are no longer seen as the sole owner of all marital assets
*2015 — same-sex "marriage" legalized

==Attacks on the institution of marriage==
Any society that has lessened the sanctity of marriage has perished, whereas those that have upheld the sanctity of marriage have endured. It has been argued that Ancient Rome's decline and its eventual fall in A.D. 476 were due in no small part to a growing tolerance of extramarital sex, particularly of [[homosexual acts]], beginning in the Late Republic period ending in 27 B.C.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/11-02-2011/116875-homosexuality-0/|title=Is there anyone left to defend traditional marriage?|accessdate=March 11, 2020}}</ref>

In the Judeo-Christian tradition, there is no approval of [[sexual intercourse]] other than between man and wife, even if the parties agree otherwise; anything which tolerates or permits [[promiscuity]] is considered sin.

Since the middle of the 20th century, [[Liberalism]] has sought to dismantle the societal pressures that dissuade people from engaging in extramarital and [[premarital sex]]. Removing the stigma from these behaviors, creating no-fault [[divorce]] laws, exalting adultery as liberating, rejuvenating, and "stimulating", and especially the de-stigmatizing of [[homosexuality]] all weaken the institution of marriage.

A recent ''Newsweek'' article complained that Biblical figures have not provided good historical examples of marriage, noting that [[Abraham]] begat [[Ishmael]] by a maidservant and [[Jacob]] had [[polygamy|two wives]] and had sons with both of their [[concubine|servants]]. The article also criticizes [[Jesus]] and [[St. Paul]] for remaining single.<ref>http://www.newsweek.com/id/172653/page/1</ref>

== Atheism and marriage ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and marriage]] and [[Atheist marriages]] and [[Atheism and divorce]]

Christian apologist Michael Caputo wrote: "Recently the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has published its mammoth study on Religion in America based on 35,000 interviews... According to the Pew Forum a whopping 37% of atheists never marry as opposed to 19% of the American population, 17% of Protestants and 17% of Catholics."<ref>https://creation.com/atheism</ref> See also: [[Atheism and marriage]]

According to the 2001 [[American Religious Identification Survey]] (ARIS), over 50% of all atheists and [[agnosticism|agnostics]] don’t get married.<ref>https://creation.com/atheism</ref>
The fertility rate is significantly lower in the atheist population (see: [[Atheism and fertility rates]]).

The fertility rate is significantly lower in the atheist population (see: [[Atheism and fertility rates]]).

Furthermore, the [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologist]] Ken Ammi wrote in his atheism article at [[Creation Ministries International]]:
{{cquote|“According to Barna, ‘Forty-two percent of adults who associate with a faith other than Christianity had co-habited, while atheists were the most likely to do so (51%).

“It is critical to stress that it is a well-known fact that cohabiters experience a very high number of ‘breakups’ before getting married. ‘Millions of people … believe that cohabitation is a prelude to marriage. And for many, it is. However, Smock reports that 45% of cohabitations break up with no marriage. Another 10% continue cohabiting.’

“Barna did not include this enlightening fact in his research. Thus, if 21% of atheists divorce after marriage, and 45 % break up once or more before marriage, what we have is the astounding rate of about 66% of atheist couples experiencing ‘at least’ one break up. If, however, the number is 37%, then we have a shocking figure of 82% …

“What needs mentioning is the fact that many atheists do not cohabit as a prelude to marriage. They in fact see cohabitation as ‘equivalent’ to any marriage relationship … These breakups were not included in the Barna research …

“The appellation ‘Christian’ a Christian does not make. There are great numbers of people in this world who call themselves ‘Christians’ but have never internalized the teachings of Jesus Christ." …
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://creation.com/atheism|title=Atheism = Mario Grinbank - Creation Ministries International|accessdate=March 11, 2020|publisher=[[Creation Ministries International]]}}</ref>}}

==See also==
* [[Form of Solemnization of Matrimony]]
* [[Fidelity]]
* [[Gedankenexperiment#Marriage vs. Homosexual Life-style|Marriage vs. Homosexual Life-style]]
* [[Christian marriage]]
* [[Civil marriage]]
* [[Arranged marriage]]
* [[Marriage in the Unification Church]]
* [[Agamist]]
* [[Oath Keepers]]
* [[Commitment as a virtue]]
* [[Interpersonal relations]]
* [[Ten Commandments]]
* [[Sacrament]]
* [[Ex opere operato and ex opere operantis]]
* [[Atheism and marriage]]

Essay:

* [[Essay:The Invisible Hand of Marriage|The Invisible Hand of Marriage]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.aim.org/wls/category/marriage/ What Liberals Say - Category: Marriage], [[Accuracy In Media]]
* [http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1722155 What Is Marriage?; 2010 paper by Girgis, George, & Anderson]

[[Category:Marriage|*]]
[[Category:Catholic Church Sacraments]]
[[Category:Christian Rites]]
[[Category:Oaths]]
[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:Sociology]]
[[Category:Sexual Morality]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Christian Terms]]

Stephen Colbert

2026-10-22T20:10:38Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Stephen_Colbert

[[File:Stephencolbert2.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Colbert with his signature banana]]
'''Stephen Tyrone Colbert''' is a writer, a late night talk show host, and actor. Colbert is a self-proclaimed [[liberal]], but also reportedly a [[Democrat]] [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] and a Sunday school teacher.<ref>http://www.tvsquad.com/2006/07/13/ask-tv-squad-stephen-colbert-teaches-sundayschool/</ref><ref>http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/jon_stewart_stephen_colbert_americas_anchors/page/4 Rolling Stone Interview, Oct 31, 2006</ref> Colbert is an [[ex-atheists|ex-atheist]].<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/stephen-colbert-reveals-why-he-lost-his-faith-before-returning-to-catholicism Stephen Colbert reveals why he returned to Catholicism after losing his faith]</ref> Stephen Colbert is notorious for his [[homophobic]] jokes<ref>https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39828336</ref> and misogynist attacks on the [[bisexual]] Sen. [[Kyrsten Sinema]].<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/media/colbert-misogyny-mocking-mrs-hamburglar-kyrsten-sinema-filibuster-support</ref> Colbert has used his platform on CBS to express anti-government sentiments.<ref>[https://www.clayandbuck.com/ignoramus-stephen-colbert-abolish-the-senate/ Ignoramus Stephen Colbert: Abolish The Senate], Clay Travis and Buck Sexton, 18 JAN 2022.</ref> Former [[CIA]] and [[State Department]] analyst [[Larry Johnson]] referred to Colbert as "a walking colostomy bag".<ref>[https://sonar21.com/bidens-exit-when-not-if/ BIDEN’S EXIT, WHEN, NOT IF], Larry Johnson, 11 July 2024. sonar21.com</ref>

On October 8, 2019, Dr. [[Steve Turley]] in a video entitled ''[[Trump]]-Obsessed Late Night TV Hosts ALL See Their Ratings Plummet'' points out that Stephen Colbert and other anti-Trump late night comedians have seen their ratings dramatically drop.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QTT6wppbP8 ''Trump-Obsessed Late Night TV Hosts ALL See Their Ratings Plummet'']</ref> In 2019, Colbert saw a 30% drop over the previous year for the key demographic 18-49-year-olds (key demographic for advertisers).<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QTT6wppbP8 ''Trump-Obsessed Late Night TV Hosts ALL See Their Ratings Plummet'']</ref> In 2018, Colbert saw a drop in this key demographic as well.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QTT6wppbP8 ''Trump-Obsessed Late Night TV Hosts ALL See Their Ratings Plummet'']</ref>

Colbert replaced David Letterman as the host of CBS's late night program on September 9, 2015, featuring "six solid minutes bashing [[Donald Trump]] but not a single joke about [[Hillary Clinton]]’s email scandal or crazy [[Socialist]] [[Bernie Sanders]]."<ref>https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2015/09/gross-colbert-launches-late-show-with-donald-trump-on-screen-with-kkk-video/</ref> Not surprisingly, his ratings then collapsed for his show the following night, particularly in the key demographic of younger viewers.<ref>https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2015/09/10/colbert-audience-drops-44-night-2/72010818/</ref>

His show ''The Colbert Report'' gained credibility by featuring ''Conservapedia'' on December 8, 2009, including an interview of Andy Schlafly in his studio.<ref>{{cite episode
| title = The Colbert Report (December 8, 2009 episode)
| series = The Colbert Report
| serieslink = The Colbert Report
| airdate = 2009-12-08
| url = http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/258144/december-08-2009/andy-schlafly}}</ref> Apparently pleased with the popularity and quality of the segment, Colbert selected and featured the same episode as a subsequent rerun. The show had previously mentioned ''Conservapedia'' on prior occasions.<ref>{{cite episode
| title = The Colbert Report (October 7, 2009 episode)
| series = The Colbert Report
| serieslink = The Colbert Report
| airdate = 2009-10-07
| url = http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/251994/october-07-2009/tip-wag---conservapedia--louvre---honda-unicycle}}</ref> Some Colbert fans responded to the references to ''Conservapedia'' by attempting to vandalize the site.<ref>[http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Stephen_Colbert&diff=709438&oldid=709432 Example of vandalism on the Stephen Colbert article]</ref><ref>[http://conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Genesis_1-8_%28Translated%29&diff=prev&oldid=709520 Example of vandalism on the Genesis 1-8 page of the Conservative Bible Project]</ref>

Colbert began his career at [[Comedy Central]] in the year 2000 on the show ''Strangers with Candy''. He later left in order to become a correspondent on ''[[The Daily Show|The Daily Show with Jon Stewart]]'', where he began to build what would later be the character he would play on ''The Colbert Report''. He was well-regarded on the show and occasionally guest-hosted for Stewart.

Due to his work on ''The Daily Show'', he won three [[Emmy Awards]] and two [[Peabody Awards]] along with the other writers.<ref>https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0170306/awards IMDB List of Stephen Colbert Awards</ref><ref>http://128.192.29.189/news/pressrelease.asp?ID=151 List of 2007 Peabody Award Winners</ref>

On October 21, 2008, [[Patrick Henry College]] chancellor, [[Michael Farris]], presented Colbert with the honorary title of Arbiter of American Morality and Defender of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/2f3tuj/michael-farris|title=The Colbert Report: Michael Farris|date=October 21, 2008|accessdate=January 8, 2015}}</ref>

''The Colbert Report'' ended on December 18, 2014 as Colbert was slated to replace David Letterman as the host of the ''Late Show'' on CBS beginning September 8, 2015. Colbert hosts the show as himself and the Colbert character will presumably be retired with the end of the ''Report''.

On May 10, shortly after he received word that FBI Director [[James Comey]] had been fired by President Donald Trump, he proceeded to correct his audience and imply they were all Trump supporters when they cheered at the news.<ref>https://www.breitbart.com/big-hollywood/2017/05/10/stephen-colbert-corrects-audience-cheering-news-comey-firing/</ref>

== Background ==
[[File:Colbert fired.PNG|right|300px|thumb|Colbert was fired from [[CBS]] in July 2025 for low ratings, costing the company money, and being a loser.]]
'''''The Colbert Report''''' (pronounced Col-'''bear''' Re-'''pore''') was a late night satirical program hosted by liberal Christian Stephen Colbert on [[Comedy Central]]. The show was hosted by the character Stephen Colbert, a news anchor who makes many of his jokes [[parody]]ing [[conservative]]s and [[conservative values]]. It first aired on October 17, 2005 as a spinoff of ''[[The Daily Show]]''. Stone Phillips was the first guest.<ref>http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/full-episodes/jnv7om/october-17--2005---stone-phillips Retrieved December 24, 2014.</ref>

Colbert played a character who shares his name. Colbert's character was a liberal stereotype of a conservative pundit, particularly a mockery of Fox News host [[Bill O'Reilly]] and ''[[The O'Reilly Factor]]''. Colbert has a guest every episode in the last segment, including authors, activists, and occasionally politicians and political personalities. He has said that his personality was based on O'Reilly, [[Anderson Cooper]], and [[Geraldo Rivera]].

Colbert's interviews were short and almost never serious, with Colbert's character often joking around and never getting to the point, making unrelated jokes and obvious fallacies.

Colbert was famous for coining words, most notably ''truthiness'', which states facts are meaningless and one should trust one's gut, which was coined to mock conservatives by saying they are unintelligent or unlearned.

Colbert has also used the show to condone vandalism on [[Wikipedia®]] and [[Conservapedia]] on several occasions.

A book, ''I Am America (And So Can You!)'' was written by Colbert and his writers in the persona of his character in which conservative values are mocked, and the book is an extension of Colbert's character.

A ''Better Know a District'' segment of ''The Report'' had Colbert interview a congressman on the show, and Colbert has had a disproportionate showing by party, having significantly more [[Democrat]]s than [[Republican]]s on the show. The interviews, which are pre-recorded, are later edited to cast the interviewee in a poor light. For example, a congressman's answer to a question might be made to appear as though in reply to a totally different question, making the answer, and by extension the congressman, appear ridiculous, immoral, biased or ignorant. Another technique used in these interviews is Colbert's asking of loaded questions, such as his famous "George Bush- great president or ''the greatest'' president?"

''The Colbert Report'' had a following which the Colbert character often used for his various pranks. For example, in every public vote for naming something, Colbert urges his fans to vote for him. He also leads frivolous wiki-vandalizing campaigns, having requested viewers vandalize Wikipedia several times, as well as Conservapedia.
[[File:Colbert vaccine.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Colbert promoting the [[covid vaccine]]. Studies have shown far more deaths from the vaccine than the original [[covid bioweapon]].<ref>https://slaynews.com/news/official-data-vaccines-caused-far-more-deaths-than-covid/</ref>]]
In his recurring segment "The Wørd", which is a parody of O'Reilly's "Talking Points", Colbert coined the word [[truthiness]] on the show's pilot, which refers to the quality possessed by statements which, though factually false, are repeated by supporters who feel in their hearts that they ''ought'' to be true, and regard it as quibbling to object to their falsehood.

Colbert has poked fun at [[Wikipedia]] and its apparent democratization of truth. He has coined the word "Wikiality" (as opposed to "reality") and caused trouble for Wikipedia by suggesting that his viewers alter articles. In August 2006, he encouraged users to state that the population of African [[elephants]] had tripled in the last decade. Colbert's point was that if enough people believe something, it becomes "the truth". Wikipedia responded by reverting and locking down the pages to prevent further vandalism in response to Colbert's requests.

Colbert had viewers write in his name to a public vote done by [[NASA]] to name a new room addition to the [[International Space Station]]. Colbert's cult-like followers won the contest for him with an astonishing 230,539 total votes, 40,000 more than NASA's choice of Serenity. To resolve the issue, NASA named a treadmill on the space station after Colbert instead of the room.

In September 2010, Colbert testified in character before Congress.

Colbert "ran" for President in the South Carolina primary in 2008. In 2012, the South Carolina primary ballot had been finalized before [[Herman Cain]] dropped out of the race and before Colbert could announce his candidacy. So, Cain and Colbert agreed that Cain would be Colbert's surrogate, and they campaigned jointly in South Carolina delivering the message that a vote for Cain would be a vote for Colbert. On January 21, "Cain/Colbert" received over 6,000 votes, a fifth-place finish.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2012/01/21/145583425/herman-cain-gets-a-colbert-bump-in-south-carolina|title=Herman Cain Gets 'A Colbert Bump' In South Carolina|first=Padmananda|last= Rama|date=January 21, 2012|accessdate=January 8, 2015|work=NPR}}</ref>

Colbert founded the Colbert Super PAC, which was designed to make fun of the ''Citizens United'' ruling. The Super PAC's ads made fun of former Republican candidate [[Rick Perry]], and the negative ads about [[Mitt Romney]]. During Colbert's 2012 campaign, he was required to transfer control of his Super PAC, which he handed over to [[Jon Stewart]]. Ultimately, the Super PAC's unused funds were donated to charity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/clpvpj/colbert-super-pac---the-ham-rove-memorial-fund|title=The Colbert Report|date=December 13, 2012|accessdate=January 8, 2015}}</ref> The last episode aired on December 18, 2014.<ref>http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/full-episodes/q0f0hx/december-18--2014---grimmy Retrieved December 24, 2014.</ref>

On May 1, Colbert received much criticism for saying a homosexual-themed joke against U.S. President [[Donald Trump]]. Despite the vulgarity of the comment, the [[Federal Communications Commission]] chose not to fine him.<ref>Blake, Andrew (May 24, 2017). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/may/24/fcc-wont-fine-stephen-colbert-over-controversial-t/ FCC won’t discipline Stephen Colbert over Trump-Putin joke]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved May 24, 2017.</ref>

== Appearance of Andrew Schafly on Colbert Report ==

''See also:'' [[Andrew Schlafly]] (owner of [[Conservapedia]])

*[http://www.cc.com/video-playlists/kw3fj0/the-opposition-with-jordan-klepper-welcome-to-the-opposition-w--jordan-klepper/9o2lyz Andy Schlafly on Colbert Report]

==2022 Capital insurrection==
{{See also|2022 Leftwing capital insurrection}}
On the 50th anniversary of the [[Watergate]] break-in, 7 staff members of the Colbert show were arrested in the [[United States Capitol]] building for breaking in during the leftwing capital insurrection.<ref>https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-06-17/late-show-stephen-colbert-capitol-arrests-triumph-the-insult-comic-dog</ref>

==See also==
*''[[The Daily Show]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Colbert, Stephen}} 
[[Category:Actors]]
[[Category:Television Show Hosts]]
[[Category:Comedians]]
[[Category:Liberals]]
{{liberalism}}
[[Category:Talk Show Hosts]]
[[Category:Hollywood Values]]
[[Category:Best Selling Authors]]
[[Category:Irish-Americans]]

Rick Santorum

2026-10-22T20:09:23Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Rick_Santorum

{{Officeholder
|name=Rick Santorum
|image=Rick Santorum.jpg
|party=[[Republican]]
|spouse=Karen Garver
|religion=[[Roman Catholic]]
|offices=
{{Officeholder/senator
|state=Pennsylvania
|terms=January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2007
|preceded=Harris Wofford
|succeeded=[[Bob Casey Jr.]]
}}
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Pennsylvania
|district=18th
|terms=January 3, 1991 – January 3, 1995
|preceded=Doug Walgren
|succeeded=Mike Doyle
}}
}}

'''Richard John "Rick" Santorum''' (Winchester, [[Virginia]], May 10, 1958) is an [[America]]n politician who served as [[United States]] [[Senator]] for [[Pennsylvania]] from January 1995 to January 2007, and ran unsuccessfully for the [[Republican]] nomination for president in 2012. Santorum repeatedly campaigned for [[liberal]] Republicans, was elected to the position of Senate Republican Conference Chairman in 2000, and had a lifetime [[ACU]] [[conservative]] voting rating of about 88 out of 100.<ref>http://ratings.conservative.org/people/S000059</ref> Santorum campaigned hard for Arlen Specter against the more [[conservative]] primary opponent [[Pat Toomey]] in Pennsylvania, which enabled Specter to narrowly win. Then Specter voted for taxpayer-funded [[abortion]] and was the 60th vote that made [[ObamaCare]] law nationwide. Specter even switched to become a [[Democrat]] after Santorum helped elect him.

After garnering the support of conservatives nationwide for his presidential bid, Santorum then reverted to his prior habit of endorsing liberal Republicans. He double-crossed conservative leaders by endorsing the [[RINO]], pro-[[Planned Parenthood]] [[Jon Bruning]] for the Republican nomination for [[U.S. Senate]] in [[Nebraska]] in 2012.<ref>http://atr.rollcall.com/nebraska-rick-santorum-backs-jon-bruning-for-senate/</ref> Leading [[conservatives]], including [[Rand Paul]], [[Jim DeMint]] and [[Club for Growth]], have instead unanimously endorsed [[pro-life]] [[Don Stenberg]] in that race. Santorum's candidate, Jon Bruning, then lost in a stinging upset defeat to a third candidate in the race.

Endorsed by the [[pro-life]] [[Susan B. Anthony List|Susan B. Anthony]] organization,<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/02/17/susan-b-anthony-list-to-endorse-santorum/</ref> Santorum was a strong candidate in the [[2012 Republican Primary]]. After winning [[Louisiana]] on March 25, 2012 - his 11th victory in the primary race - the [[New York Times]] noted that "not since [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1976 has a conservative candidate won as many states as Santorum has."<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/25/us/politics/santorum-projected-winner-of-louisiana-primary.html?_r=1]</ref> He suspended his campaign on April 10, 2012, citing personal reasons.<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/04/10/santorum</ref>

<blockquote>
Santorum was an author and floor manager of the landmark "Welfare Reform Act" which passed in 1996 that has empowered millions of Americans to leave the welfare rolls and enter the workforce. Senator Santorum wrote and championed legislation that outlawed the heinous procedure known as "Partial Birth Abortion" as well as the "Born Alive Infants Protection Act", the "Unborn Victims of Violence Act", and the "Combating Autism Act" because he believes each and every individual has value and the most vulnerable in our society need to be protected. Senator Santorum fought to maintain fiscal sanity in Washington before it was in fashion, fighting for a balanced budget and a line item veto.<ref>[http://www.ricksantorum.com/why-rick Why Rick?]</ref>
</blockquote>

A movement among [[liberals]], and particularly [[homosexual]] activists, vilified Santorum for his clear and forthright statements regarding [[traditional marriage]] and condemnation of homosexuality. In the Senate, Santorum stood for traditional values and fought for traditional marriage. His "[[Santorum Amendment]]" to the 'No Child Left Behind' Act sought unsuccessfully to stop public schools from presenting the [[theory of evolution]] in a dogmatic way and, instead, to present the alternative theory of [[intelligent design]].

In 2006 [[Bob Casey, Jr.]], the [[liberal]] son of a popular former Pennsylvania governor who had been [[pro-life]], defeated Santorum as part of a [[Democratic]] sweep in that election. Casey subsequently endorsed pro-[[abortion]] [[Barack Obama]] for president in 2008, and supported [[Obamacare]] with the excuse that less poverty would reduce the demand for abortions.

2012 Presidential candidate [[Ron Paul]] has accused Santorum of being a "counterfeit conservative" due to his quick willingness to compromise (such as supporting [[George W. Bush]]'s [[Medicare Part D]], refusing to aggressively stand up against funding [[Planned Parenthood]], and support for increasing the [[Department of Education]]).<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57383263-503544/santorum-fights-charges-hes-a-fake-conservative/</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgNJBdTaKE8</ref> Santorum also endorsed [[RINO]]-turned-[[Democrat]] Arlen Specter.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/rick-santorums-greatest-sin-endorsing-arlen-specter/2012/02/24/gIQAD0sUXR_blog.html "Rick Santorum’s greatest sin: Endorsing Arlen Specter" ''Washington Post'']</ref> Candidates [[Mitt Romney]] and [[Newt Gingrich]] have also criticized Santorum's record.

On May 27, 2015, Santorum announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the [[2016 presidential election]].<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/05/27/santorum-set-to-announce-2016-plans-wednesday/</ref>

==Liberal Obsession with Santorum==

[[Liberals]] have become obsessed with Santorum, particularly after he stood up for traditional marriage and drew an analogy between support for [[homosexual marriage]] and other illegal forms of marriage and conduct. Rather than dispute the analogy, liberals were quick to [[liberal tricks|feign offense]]. They argue that because the other kinds of conduct are so universally repulsive, pointing out the parallels with [[homosexual act]]s and homosexual marriage unduly disparages homosexuals. But they know the ugly truth—that homosexuality is just one step away on the slippery slope towards many other disgustingly immoral proclivities. They can only resort to [[liberal namecalling]] and personal attacks; it's gotten so pathetic that now they're dedicated to slandering his name by equating it with fecal matter, knowing full well they can't refute any of his arguments.

==Texas Sodomy Case, Dan Savage, & Lower-Case "santorum" Campaign==

After the "Texas sodomy case" ('''''[[Lawrence v. Texas]]'''''), Rick Santorum remarked that if homosexuality was acceptable in America, [[incest]] and [[bestiality]] would also be acceptable. This was taken completely out of context - Santorum was referring to the actual decision of the Supreme Court, which declared '''''all''''' consensual sexual activity between adults, not merely homosexuality, to be a private matter which could not be regulated.

Homosexual advice columnist [[Dan Savage]] instigated a campaign on [[Google]] to associate Santorum's name with vile slang, creating the lower-case term "santorum" to refer to something vulgar associated with gay sex. By enlisting the help of readers of his column, mostly college students experimenting with sexual deviancy, he redirected legitimate searches for Santorum's name to a slanderous website he created, urging people to spread the term "santorum" as a vile Internet meme.

That children are often the first to absorb new Internet content was apparently of no concern to the gay rights activist, who also encouraged readers to write to his newspaper column to address him as "Dear Faggot."<ref>http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/SavageLove?oid=340</ref>

==2012 Presidential Race==

On June 6, 2011,<ref>https://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/06/us-usa-campaign-santorum-idUSTRE7551YL20110606</ref> Santorum announced his intention to run for the Republican Party nomination in the US Presidential election of 2012.<ref>https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0511/55772.html</ref>

<blockquote>
In the [[Iowa]] caucuses, January 3, 2012, Santorum and [[Mitt Romney]] Fight to a Draw. In the first Republican contest of the season, the two candidates were separated by only a sliver of votes, offering Rick Santorum a chance to emerge as the alternative to Mitt Romney.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/04/us/politics/santorum-and-romney-fight-to-a-draw.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all Romney Wins Iowa Caucus by 8 Vote]</ref>
</blockquote>

Despite doing well, getting approximately half the delegates of Romney, Rick Santorum surprisingly announced on April 10, 2012 that he was ending his campaign.
==Personal life==
Rick Santorum and his wife Karen are the parents of seven children: Elizabeth, John, Daniel, Sarah Maria, Peter, Patrick and Isabella. Isabella was born in 2008 with a rare genetic disorder known as Trisomy 18. Most children born with this disorder die in infancy, and only about 10 percent survive to their first birthday.<ref name="santorum">[http://www.ncregister.com/site/article%20/presidential-hopefuls-rick-santorum1/ Presidential Hopefuls: Rick Santorum, Catholic Former Senator Lives Out His Devotion to the Sanctity of Life] Hayes, Charlotte, National Catholic Register, January 9, 2012, retrieved January 15, 2012</ref>

In keeping with his conservative, pro-life stance, Santorum counts as his eighth child Gabriel, who sadly lost his life in 1996 due to an infection contracted in the womb. The baby was born five months prematurely, and died two hours later in the hospital. According to an article in the ''National Catholic Register'', the Santorums "took their child home briefly so that their other children could meet their brother." Santorum stated, "We wanted them to know that there was a baby and that his life was precious and that baby in the womb was real,"<ref name="santorum"/>

The Santorum family's struggle with the sadness of the loss of their son, and their decision to mourn the baby as a human being, served as an inspiration to other families struggling with the pain of losing a child. On the other hand, the criticism Santorum received from pro abortion journalists, such as liberal "gotcha reporter" Alan Colmes,<ref>http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=48506</ref> who accused Santorum of "playing" with his dead child's body, has been fierce. Public sentiment, however, is firmly in Santorum's column.<ref>https://www.nationalreview.com/media-blog/286998/alan-colmes-apologizes-rick-santorum-greg-pollowitz</ref>

Santorum is a practicing Catholic.<ref>Sokolove, Michael. "The Believer." May 22, 2005. The New York Times Magazine. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/22/magazine/22SANTORUM.html</ref>

==Political positions==
Rick Santorum is emphatically pro-life and pro-family as described above, opposing abortion, homosexual "marriage", and the spread of pornography.<ref>"Where I Stand." Rick Santorum Presidential campaign website. http://www.ricksantorum.com/issues</ref> He does not believe that humans are causing [[global warming]], calling it "junk science." He favors increased production of [[fossil fuels]] in the U.S.<ref>Johnson, Brad and Somanader, Tanya. "Santorum: 'There's no such thing as global warming.'" June 24, 2011. Think Progress. http://thinkprogress.org/green/2011/06/24/253389/santorum-theres-no-such-thing-as-global-warming/</ref> Broadly, Santorum is in favor of reducing the size of government and reducing taxes. Some of the major economic and fiscal policy measures that he supports are:<ref>"Rick Santorum - The Economy." The Political Guide. http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Profiles/Senate/Pennsylvania/Rick_Santorum/Views/The_Economy/</ref>
*A [[balanced budget]] amendment
*Cutting the corporate tax rate in half
*Cutting the tax rate for manufacturers to zero
*Simplifying the tax code for all
*Repealing [[Obamacare]]
*Repealing the Dodd-Frank Act
*Eliminating the focus on [[green energy]]

Santorum has opposed giving assistance to illegal immigrants,<ref>"Immigration Reform: Securing and Strengthening America." Rick Santorum Presidential campaign website. http://www.ricksantorum.com/immigration-reform-securing-and-strengthening-america</ref> and supported the [[Iraq War]] ZZ,<ref>"Rick Santorum - The Iraq War." The Political Guide. http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Profiles/Senate/Pennsylvania/Rick_Santorum/Views/The_War_in_Iraq/</ref> and opposed [[universal health care]] ZZ,<ref>"Rick Santorum: Healthcare." Electful. http://electful.com/candidate/rick-santorum/issues/healthcare</ref> and supported the [[death penalty]] (although in recent years he has said the death penalty should be more limited).<ref>"Santorum Rethinks Death Penalty Support." March 23, 2005. Associated Press / Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,151241,00.html</ref> These four views are in opposition to the teachings of the [[Catholic Church]].

Santorum said that [[Islam]] and democracy are not compatible. He believes that Muslims have to implement [[Sharia]] law.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news-press.com/article/20130323/NEWS0119/303230016/Santorum-delivers-warning-about-radical-Islam-during-Naples-appearance|title=Santorum delivers warning about radical Islam during Naples appearance|date=March 23, 2013|newspaper=Fort Meyers News Press|author=Lindsay Downey}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.ricksantorum.com Rick Santorum 2016 campaign website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Santorum, Rick}}
[[Category:Former United States Senators]]
[[Category:Republicans]]
[[Category:Conservatives]]
[[Category:2012 Presidential Candidates]]
[[Category:Catholic Politicians]]
[[Category:Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Christians]]
[[Category:Pro Second Amendment]]
[[Category:2016 Presidential Candidates]]
[[Category:Italian-Americans]]
[[Category:Irish-Americans]]

Secularized Language

2026-10-22T20:07:42Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved reference spacing

While [[Essay:Best New Conservative Words|the development of conservative words grows by doubling each century]], those with an [[anti-Christian]] and [[anti-American]] agenda, such as [[liberal]]s, [[homosexual]]s, [[atheist]]s, [[evolutionist]]s and [[leftist]]s, have diluted the [[Christian]] origins of our [[language]] by replacing common phrases with [[secular]]ized versions. ''See also'' [[Religious language]].

'''''For example, "[[God]] be with you" was secularized to "Goodbye".''''' Many more examples are listed below.

By appealing to [[tolerance]] and [[political correctness]], they have succeeded in propagating these secularized versions, even among those who don't share their views. Such [[deceit]]ful tactics are a prime example of [[Liberal redefinition]] and other [[Liberal tools]].

==Calendar Terms==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Original expression
!Secularized version
|-
|B.C./A.D.
|B.C.E./[[C.E.]]1
|-
|Christ's Mass
|Christmas<ref>http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Christmas</ref>
|-
|Christmas
|Xmas2
|-
|Christmas Tree
|Celebration Tree<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/12/05/christian-book-store-struggles-in-internet-culture/?test=latestnews Christian Book Store Struggles in Internet Culture, Fox News, December 5, 2011]</ref> Holiday Tree
|-
|Christmas Party
|Holiday Party
|-
|Christmas Holiday
|Winter Break
|-
|Easter Holiday
|Spring Break
|-
|Gregorian calendar
|Civil calendar
|-
|All Hallow's Eve<ref>All Hallow's Eve was originally the pre-Roman pagan Celtic holiday of Samhain's Day. In 835 Pope Gregory IV moved All Saint's Day, which celebrates the lives of Catholic martyrs and the communion of saints, to November 1. Thus, Halloween is not itself a [[Christian]] holiday, but the evening before the Catholic feast day. [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01315a.htm] [http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Oct2001/Family.asp]</ref>
|Halloween
|-
|Holy Day
|Holiday<ref>http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=holiday</ref>
|-
|Independence Day
|The Fourth of July
|-
|Merry Christmas
|Happy Holidays/Season's Greetings
|-
|Pascha/Resurrection Sunday
|Easter Sunday3
|-
|Saint Patrick's Day
|Paddy's Day
|-
|[[Saint Valentine's Day]]
|Valentine's Day
|-
|Shrove Tuesday
|Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Carnival
|-
|Thanksgiving
|Turkey Day
|-
|The Lord's Day
|Football Sunday
|-
|The Reverend Martin Luther King Day
|MLK Day<ref>http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c103:6:./temp/~c103JkPHc3::</ref>
|-
|Washington's Birthday4
|President's Day
|-
|}

==Expressions and Colloquialisms==
NOTE: In some cases, the secularized version is used as a "minced oath" in order to avoid using the original expression as a profanity.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Original expression
!Secularized version
|-
|God be with you
|Good luck
|-
|God be with you
|Goodbye
|-
|God bless you/Bless you
|Gesundheit
|-
|Godspeed
|Be good
|-
|What the dickens<ref>[[Shakespeare]]'s ''[[The Merry Wives of Windsor]]'' Act III, scene ii.</ref>
|What the [[devil]]
|-
|God Willing
|Hopefully
|-
|Jesus!
|Gee whiz!
|-
|One nation under God
|One nation5
|-
|Praise the Lord
|Praise be
|-
|Thank God!
|Thank Goodness!
|-
|Thank heavens
|Thank goodness
|-
|Thank the Lord
|Give thanks
|-
|Do God's work
|Do good
|-
|Have a blessed day
|Have a nice/good day
|-
|}

==General Examples==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Original expression
!Secularized version
|-
|Abomination
|Mistake
|-
|Abortion
|Birth control6

|-
|Abortion
|Reproductive Rights

|-
|Act of God
|Natural disaster
|-
|Adultery
|Cheating
|-
|Adultery
|Fooling around
|-
|Angelic
|Pretty
|-
|Religious Suppression
|[[Separation of church and state]]
|-
|Anti-life
|Pro-choice
|-
|Atheistic
|Secular
|-
|Bible study
|Fundamentalism
|-
|Blasphemy
|Secular opinion
|-
|Blasphemy
|Religious "freedoms"
|-
|Blessed
|Lucky
|-
|Blessing
|Stars aligned
|-
|Chosen lifestyle
|Innate characteristic
|-
|Communist
|Liberal
|-
|Constitutionalist
|Birther
|-
|Contraception
|Protection
|-
|Covetousness
|Inequality
|-
|Creation
|Abiogenesis
|-
|Curse
|Bad luck
|-
|Disciple of Christ
|Christian
|-
|Disciple of Christ
|Wingnut
|-
|Diabolical
|Dishonest/Underhanded
|-
|Domestic Terrorism
|Workplace violence
|-
|Drunkard
|[[Alcoholic]]
|-
|Easter Egg
|Spring Sphere [http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=459668], Chocolate Egg
|-
|Effeminate<ref>https://www.facebook.com/100024261101030/videos/182433154820785/?idorvanity=1565087340597515 Sermon by Pastor Manny Fernandez, Eagle River Baptist Church]</ref>
|[[Transgender]]
|-
|Eternity
|Forever
|-
|Father
|Old man
|-
|Fertile
|Breeder
|-
|Flood
|Myth
|-
|Freedom Fighter
|Terrorist
|-
|Gender confusion
|Living one's truth
|-
|Glory
|Praise
|-
|God
|A higher power
|-
|God
|Mother Nature
|-
|God
|The universe
|-
|God-fearing
|Intolerant
|-
|God-given
|Natural
|-
|Godless
|Secular
|-
|Golden Rule
|Altruism
|-
|Govern
|Rule
|-
|Harlot
|Sex worker
|-
|Harlot
|Prostitute
|-
|Harlot
|Slut
|-
|Harlot
|Empowerment
|-
|Harlot
|Liberated woman
|-
|Harlot
|Feminist
|-
|Heathen
|Multicultural
|-
|[[Hell]] (or Heaven)
|Afterlife
|-
|Heavenly
|Beautiful
|-
|Heresy
|Scientific theory
|-
|Heresy
|Freedom of Opinion
|-
|Heretic
|Crackpot
|-
|Holy matrimony
|Civil union
|-
|Homosexual
|Gay
|-
|Homosexuality
|Lifestyle choice
|-
|Husband or wife
|Significant other/life partner
|-
|Judgement Day
|Death
|-
|Immoral
|Personal choice
|-
|Islamic Terrorism
|Man-caused disaster<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/story/2009/03/17/terrorism-is-man-caused-disaster/ Terrorism Is a 'Man-Caused' Disaster?]</ref>
|-
|Lazy
|Lacks motivation
|-
|Living in sin
|Shacking up/cohabitation/domestic partnership
|-
|Lust
|Love
|-
|Mankind
|Humankind
|-
|Meek
|Weak
|-
|Miraculous
|Amazing
|-
|Mother
|Parent
|-
|Morality
|Social Oppression
|-
|Nature
|[[Social construct]]
|-
|Perversion
|Diversity
|-
|Possessed
|Crazy
|-
|Possessed
|Influenced
|-
|Pray
|Plead
|-
|Prayer/blessing
|Moment of silence
|-
|Principled
|Extremist
|-
|Prison
|Correctional center
|-
|Pro-abortion
|Pro-choice
|-
|Pro-murder
|Pro-choice
|-
|Providence
|Lucky break
|-
|Rebuke
|Hate speech
|-
|Reckoning
|Accountability
|-
|Religion
|Spirituality
|-
|Religion
|Superstition
|-
|Righteous
|Law-abiding
|-
|Sacred
|Respected
|-
|Sanctify
|Set apart<ref>See Jeremiah 1:5 in the [[Feminist Bible]].</ref>
|-
|Saintly
|Well-behaved
|-
|Sex before marriage
|Liberated
|-
|Sin
|Crime
|-
|Sin
|Lifestyle Choice
|-
|Sodomite (generally)
|Gay; LGBT
|-
|Sodomite (in antiquity)
|Male shrine prostitute
|-
|Sodomy
|Relations
|-
|Solemn
|Dignified
|-
|Son/Daughter
|Offspring
|-
|Soul
|Spirit
|-
|The State
|The Government
|-
|Terrorist
|Freedom fighter
|-
|Unborn baby
|Fetus
|-
|Unequally yoked
|Multicultural
|-
|Unequally yoked
|Diverse
|-
|Virgin
|Young woman
|-
|Wicked
|Antisocial
|-
|Wicked
|Naughty
|-
|Witchcraft
|Wicca, (Neo-)Pagan
|-
|With child
|Pregnant
|-
|Worldly
|Secular
|-
|Worldly
|Non-religious
|-
|}

==Names==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Original expression
!Secularized version
|-
|Christian Name
|Given Name, First Name, forename
|-
|[[Mary Magdalene]]
|maudlin
|-
|}

==Historical Examples==

Starting in 1933, [[Nazi]] [[Germany]] had a program to secularize the German language. The Nazis themselves called it ''Sprachregelung'' (regulation of language). The Sprachregelung was mainly directed by the ''Reichsministerium für Volksaufklärung und Propaganda'' (RMVP) (Ministry for the Enlightenment of the People and Propaganda). While the RMVP concentrated mainly on controlling and censoring the language of the media and the language used in movies and other cultural ventures, there were other actions as well. The Nazi government published a new dictionary, which contained only secularized language, that was in unison with the party's ideology. The sad culmination of the ''Sprachregelung'' was in the vocabulary for the ''Endlösung''. ''Humans'' became ''units'', ''murder'' became ''deportation'' etc.<ref>Gerd Simon (Universität Tübingen): Art, Auslese, Ausmerze... etc.: Ein bisher unbekanntes Wörterbuch-Unternehmen aus dem SS-Hauptamt im Kontext der Weltanschauungslexika des 3. Reichs</ref>

[[George Orwell]]'s ''[[1984]]'' describes how a tyrannical government changes language to entrench its power. This is done by the so-called ''Newspeak''. Newspeak is a slimmed-down version of normal English. Its goal is to prevent the speaker from forming thoughts like rebellion or dislike against the government or one of its leaders. Even if an individual would be able to form such thoughts, it would be impossible to communicate them to others using Newspeak. Orwell's description of newspeak was heavily influenced by the language controls of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.

==Avoiding Blasphemy==

While motivations will vary from one individual to the next, there is a degree to which the secularization of language may be driven by some Christians wanting to avoid breaking the [[The Ten Commandments|Third Commandment]]. In what is sometimes described as a 'minced oath'<ref>http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/minced-oath.html</ref> a speaker, often under stress, begins to form a [[taboo]] term and then corrects himself with an acceptable term that rhymes or has a similar initial sound. Thus 'God' becomes 'gosh', 'golly' or 'goodness gracious'; 'Jesus' becomes 'gee' or 'jeepers creepers'; 'Christ' becomes 'crikey' or 'crumbs'. The taboo term may not have any religious connotations: 'shoot' and 'sugar' are used merely to avoid a vulgarity. The fact that words such as 'crikey' and 'gee' have become less prevalent in recent decades, to be replaced with the original 'Christ' or 'Jesus' may be as much down to a reduced concern about breaching the Third Commandment as it is to an increasing desire to reintroduce Christian terminology into everyday speech.

== 21st century, desecularization and language ==

''See also:'' [[Desecularization]]
[[File:Donald John Trump.jpg|200px|right|thumbnail|[[Donald Trump]], courting the vote of religious conservatives, said, "If I become president, we're gonna be saying Merry Christmas at every store ... You can leave happy holidays at the corner."<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2015/10/21/politics/donald-trump-iowa-rally/ Donald Trump's pledge: 'We're gonna be saying Merry Christmas']</ref>]]
The 21st century is expected to be a time of the decline of [[atheism]] in terms of its global market share, and religious conservatism/[[fundamentalism]] is expected to grow in both the developing world and the developed world (see: [[Desecularization]]). There are a [[causes of desecularization|number of causes]] of desecularization in the developed world (and the world at large), but two of the primary causes are the [[Atheism and fertility rates|higher fertility rate]] of religious conservatives and immigration of the religious into developed countries.

The 21st century may see a growing desecularization of language.

[[Donald Trump]], courting the vote of religious conservatives, said, "If I become president, we're gonna be saying Merry Christmas at every store ... You can leave happy holidays at the corner."<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2015/10/21/politics/donald-trump-iowa-rally/ Donald Trump's pledge: 'We're gonna be saying Merry Christmas']</ref> CNN reported about this incident, "Trump supporters in the room said it was precisely Trump's aversion to [[political correctness]] that attracted them to the colorful candidate."<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2015/10/21/politics/donald-trump-iowa-rally/ Donald Trump's pledge: 'We're gonna be saying Merry Christmas']</ref> See also: [[Atheism and Christmas]]

== See also ==

*[[Militant atheism]]
*[[Politically correct]]
*[[Atheists and the endurance of religion]]
*[[Secularization thesis]]
*[[Desecularization]]
*[[Liberal creep]]
*[[Liberal euphemisms]]
*[[Opposition to Christianity]]
* Contrast with [[Essay:Best New Conservative Words]]
*[[Transmigration of Words in Religion: an essay]]

==Notes==

* 1 Sometimes C.E. is an abbreviation for "Christian era" instead of "common era", but this [[CE|also conceals the historical basis]] is due to Jesus Christ being Jewish. Christianity would not exist as a separate religion until much later.
* 2 The 'X' in "Xmas" was originally an abbreviation for the Greek letter "chi" translated as "Ch", though the abbreviation eventually became a means of "[[Liberal censorship|crossing out Christ]]".
* 3 Easter was originally a pagan festival, upon which Christianity would later apply the [[Resurrection]] to Christ and surrounding events (such as the [[Crucifixion]] on [[Good Friday]]). "Resurrection Sunday" is often used to emphasize the Resurrection of Christ rather than the pagan holiday.
* 4 Washington's Birthday was February 11 in the Julian calendar, while Lincoln's Birthday was February 12 in the Gregorian. Under the Gregorian calendar, Washington's Birthday would be February 22. Thus Washington's birthday would be more accurate. ([http://usparks.about.com/od/historicalparks/a/Presidents-Day.htm source])
* 5 This was part of the original [[Pledge of Allegiance]]. "Under God" was added in the 1950s at the request of President [[Eisenhower]]. ([http://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm source]) However, atheists such as [[Michael Newdow]] have been trying to remove the phrase "under God" from the Pledge through the federal courts ([https://www.wnd.com/?pageId=138325 source])
* 6 [[Pro-choice]] people often use the phrase "birth control" regardless of whether conception has occurred.

== References ==

<references/>

{{liberalism}}
{{Conservatism}}
[[Category:Liberalism]]
[[Category:Language]]

Secularized Language

2026-10-22T20:07:40Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Secularized_Language

While [[Essay:Best New Conservative Words|the development of conservative words grows by doubling each century]], those with an [[anti-Christian]] and [[anti-American]] agenda, such as [[liberal]]s, [[homosexual]]s, [[atheist]]s, [[evolutionist]]s and [[leftist]]s, have diluted the [[Christian]] origins of our [[language]] by replacing common phrases with [[secular]]ized versions. ''See also'' [[Religious language]].

'''''For example, "[[God]] be with you" was secularized to "Goodbye".''''' Many more examples are listed below.

By appealing to [[tolerance]] and [[political correctness]], they have succeeded in propagating these secularized versions, even among those who don't share their views. Such [[deceit]]ful tactics are a prime example of [[Liberal redefinition]] and other [[Liberal tools]].

==Calendar Terms==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Original expression
!Secularized version
|-
|B.C./A.D.
|B.C.E./[[C.E.]]1
|-
|Christ's Mass
|Christmas <ref>http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Christmas</ref>
|-
|Christmas
|Xmas2
|-
|Christmas Tree
|Celebration Tree <ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/12/05/christian-book-store-struggles-in-internet-culture/?test=latestnews Christian Book Store Struggles in Internet Culture, Fox News, December 5, 2011]</ref> Holiday Tree
|-
|Christmas Party
|Holiday Party
|-
|Christmas Holiday
|Winter Break
|-
|Easter Holiday
|Spring Break
|-
|Gregorian calendar
|Civil calendar
|-
|All Hallow's Eve<ref>All Hallow's Eve was originally the pre-Roman pagan Celtic holiday of Samhain's Day. In 835 Pope Gregory IV moved All Saint's Day, which celebrates the lives of Catholic martyrs and the communion of saints, to November 1. Thus, Halloween is not itself a [[Christian]] holiday, but the evening before the Catholic feast day. [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01315a.htm] [http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Oct2001/Family.asp]</ref>
|Halloween
|-
|Holy Day
|Holiday <ref>http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=holiday</ref>
|-
|Independence Day
|The Fourth of July
|-
|Merry Christmas
|Happy Holidays/Season's Greetings
|-
|Pascha/Resurrection Sunday
|Easter Sunday3
|-
|Saint Patrick's Day
|Paddy's Day
|-
|[[Saint Valentine's Day]]
|Valentine's Day
|-
|Shrove Tuesday
|Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Carnival
|-
|Thanksgiving
|Turkey Day
|-
|The Lord's Day
|Football Sunday
|-
|The Reverend Martin Luther King Day
|MLK Day <ref>http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c103:6:./temp/~c103JkPHc3::</ref>
|-
|Washington's Birthday4
|President's Day
|-
|}

==Expressions and Colloquialisms==
NOTE: In some cases, the secularized version is used as a "minced oath" in order to avoid using the original expression as a profanity.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Original expression
!Secularized version
|-
|God be with you
|Good luck
|-
|God be with you
|Goodbye
|-
|God bless you/Bless you
|Gesundheit
|-
|Godspeed
|Be good
|-
|What the dickens<ref>[[Shakespeare]]'s ''[[The Merry Wives of Windsor]]'' Act III, scene ii.</ref>
|What the [[devil]]
|-
|God Willing
|Hopefully
|-
|Jesus!
|Gee whiz!
|-
|One nation under God
|One nation5
|-
|Praise the Lord
|Praise be
|-
|Thank God!
|Thank Goodness!
|-
|Thank heavens
|Thank goodness
|-
|Thank the Lord
|Give thanks
|-
|Do God's work
|Do good
|-
|Have a blessed day
|Have a nice/good day
|-
|}

==General Examples==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Original expression
!Secularized version
|-
|Abomination
|Mistake
|-
|Abortion
|Birth control6

|-
|Abortion
|Reproductive Rights

|-
|Act of God
|Natural disaster
|-
|Adultery
|Cheating
|-
|Adultery
|Fooling around
|-
|Angelic
|Pretty
|-
|Religious Suppression
|[[Separation of church and state]]
|-
|Anti-life
|Pro-choice
|-
|Atheistic
|Secular
|-
|Bible study
|Fundamentalism
|-
|Blasphemy
|Secular opinion
|-
|Blasphemy
|Religious "freedoms"
|-
|Blessed
|Lucky
|-
|Blessing
|Stars aligned
|-
|Chosen lifestyle
|Innate characteristic
|-
|Communist
|Liberal
|-
|Constitutionalist
|Birther
|-
|Contraception
|Protection
|-
|Covetousness
|Inequality
|-
|Creation
|Abiogenesis
|-
|Curse
|Bad luck
|-
|Disciple of Christ
|Christian
|-
|Disciple of Christ
|Wingnut
|-
|Diabolical
|Dishonest/Underhanded
|-
|Domestic Terrorism
|Workplace violence
|-
|Drunkard
|[[Alcoholic]]
|-
|Easter Egg
|Spring Sphere [http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=459668], Chocolate Egg
|-
|Effeminate<ref>https://www.facebook.com/100024261101030/videos/182433154820785/?idorvanity=1565087340597515 Sermon by Pastor Manny Fernandez, Eagle River Baptist Church]</ref>
|[[Transgender]]
|-
|Eternity
|Forever
|-
|Father
|Old man
|-
|Fertile
|Breeder
|-
|Flood
|Myth
|-
|Freedom Fighter
|Terrorist
|-
|Gender confusion
|Living one's truth
|-
|Glory
|Praise
|-
|God
|A higher power
|-
|God
|Mother Nature
|-
|God
|The universe
|-
|God-fearing
|Intolerant
|-
|God-given
|Natural
|-
|Godless
|Secular
|-
|Golden Rule
|Altruism
|-
|Govern
|Rule
|-
|Harlot
|Sex worker
|-
|Harlot
|Prostitute
|-
|Harlot
|Slut
|-
|Harlot
|Empowerment
|-
|Harlot
|Liberated woman
|-
|Harlot
|Feminist
|-
|Heathen
|Multicultural
|-
|[[Hell]] (or Heaven)
|Afterlife
|-
|Heavenly
|Beautiful
|-
|Heresy
|Scientific theory
|-
|Heresy
|Freedom of Opinion
|-
|Heretic
|Crackpot
|-
|Holy matrimony
|Civil union
|-
|Homosexual
|Gay
|-
|Homosexuality
|Lifestyle choice
|-
|Husband or wife
|Significant other/life partner
|-
|Judgement Day
|Death
|-
|Immoral
|Personal choice
|-
|Islamic Terrorism
|Man-caused disaster <ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/story/2009/03/17/terrorism-is-man-caused-disaster/ Terrorism Is a 'Man-Caused' Disaster?]</ref>
|-
|Lazy
|Lacks motivation
|-
|Living in sin
|Shacking up/cohabitation/domestic partnership
|-
|Lust
|Love
|-
|Mankind
|Humankind
|-
|Meek
|Weak
|-
|Miraculous
|Amazing
|-
|Mother
|Parent
|-
|Morality
|Social Oppression
|-
|Nature
|[[Social construct]]
|-
|Perversion
|Diversity
|-
|Possessed
|Crazy
|-
|Possessed
|Influenced
|-
|Pray
|Plead
|-
|Prayer/blessing
|Moment of silence
|-
|Principled
|Extremist
|-
|Prison
|Correctional center
|-
|Pro-abortion
|Pro-choice
|-
|Pro-murder
|Pro-choice
|-
|Providence
|Lucky break
|-
|Rebuke
|Hate speech
|-
|Reckoning
|Accountability
|-
|Religion
|Spirituality
|-
|Religion
|Superstition
|-
|Righteous
|Law-abiding
|-
|Sacred
|Respected
|-
|Sanctify
|Set apart<ref>See Jeremiah 1:5 in the [[Feminist Bible]].</ref>
|-
|Saintly
|Well-behaved
|-
|Sex before marriage
|Liberated
|-
|Sin
|Crime
|-
|Sin
|Lifestyle Choice
|-
|Sodomite (generally)
|Gay; LGBT
|-
|Sodomite (in antiquity)
|Male shrine prostitute
|-
|Sodomy
|Relations
|-
|Solemn
|Dignified
|-
|Son/Daughter
|Offspring
|-
|Soul
|Spirit
|-
|The State
|The Government
|-
|Terrorist
|Freedom fighter
|-
|Unborn baby
|Fetus
|-
|Unequally yoked
|Multicultural
|-
|Unequally yoked
|Diverse
|-
|Virgin
|Young woman
|-
|Wicked
|Antisocial
|-
|Wicked
|Naughty
|-
|Witchcraft
|Wicca, (Neo-)Pagan
|-
|With child
|Pregnant
|-
|Worldly
|Secular
|-
|Worldly
|Non-religious
|-
|}

==Names==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Original expression
!Secularized version
|-
|Christian Name
|Given Name, First Name, forename
|-
|[[Mary Magdalene]]
|maudlin
|-
|}

==Historical Examples==

Starting in 1933, [[Nazi]] [[Germany]] had a program to secularize the German language. The Nazis themselves called it ''Sprachregelung'' (regulation of language). The Sprachregelung was mainly directed by the ''Reichsministerium für Volksaufklärung und Propaganda'' (RMVP) (Ministry for the Enlightenment of the People and Propaganda). While the RMVP concentrated mainly on controlling and censoring the language of the media and the language used in movies and other cultural ventures, there were other actions as well. The Nazi government published a new dictionary, which contained only secularized language, that was in unison with the party's ideology. The sad culmination of the ''Sprachregelung'' was in the vocabulary for the ''Endlösung''. ''Humans'' became ''units'', ''murder'' became ''deportation'' etc.<ref>Gerd Simon (Universität Tübingen): Art, Auslese, Ausmerze... etc.: Ein bisher unbekanntes Wörterbuch-Unternehmen aus dem SS-Hauptamt im Kontext der Weltanschauungslexika des 3. Reichs</ref>

[[George Orwell]]'s ''[[1984]]'' describes how a tyrannical government changes language to entrench its power. This is done by the so-called ''Newspeak''. Newspeak is a slimmed-down version of normal English. Its goal is to prevent the speaker from forming thoughts like rebellion or dislike against the government or one of its leaders. Even if an individual would be able to form such thoughts, it would be impossible to communicate them to others using Newspeak. Orwell's description of newspeak was heavily influenced by the language controls of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.

==Avoiding Blasphemy==

While motivations will vary from one individual to the next, there is a degree to which the secularization of language may be driven by some Christians wanting to avoid breaking the [[The Ten Commandments|Third Commandment]]. In what is sometimes described as a 'minced oath'<ref>http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/minced-oath.html</ref> a speaker, often under stress, begins to form a [[taboo]] term and then corrects himself with an acceptable term that rhymes or has a similar initial sound. Thus 'God' becomes 'gosh', 'golly' or 'goodness gracious'; 'Jesus' becomes 'gee' or 'jeepers creepers'; 'Christ' becomes 'crikey' or 'crumbs'. The taboo term may not have any religious connotations: 'shoot' and 'sugar' are used merely to avoid a vulgarity. The fact that words such as 'crikey' and 'gee' have become less prevalent in recent decades, to be replaced with the original 'Christ' or 'Jesus' may be as much down to a reduced concern about breaching the Third Commandment as it is to an increasing desire to reintroduce Christian terminology into everyday speech.

== 21st century, desecularization and language ==

''See also:'' [[Desecularization]]
[[File:Donald John Trump.jpg|200px|right|thumbnail|[[Donald Trump]], courting the vote of religious conservatives, said, "If I become president, we're gonna be saying Merry Christmas at every store ... You can leave happy holidays at the corner."<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2015/10/21/politics/donald-trump-iowa-rally/ Donald Trump's pledge: 'We're gonna be saying Merry Christmas']</ref>]]
The 21st century is expected to be a time of the decline of [[atheism]] in terms of its global market share, and religious conservatism/[[fundamentalism]] is expected to grow in both the developing world and the developed world (see: [[Desecularization]]). There are a [[causes of desecularization|number of causes]] of desecularization in the developed world (and the world at large), but two of the primary causes are the [[Atheism and fertility rates|higher fertility rate]] of religious conservatives and immigration of the religious into developed countries.

The 21st century may see a growing desecularization of language.

[[Donald Trump]], courting the vote of religious conservatives, said, "If I become president, we're gonna be saying Merry Christmas at every store ... You can leave happy holidays at the corner."<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2015/10/21/politics/donald-trump-iowa-rally/ Donald Trump's pledge: 'We're gonna be saying Merry Christmas']</ref> CNN reported about this incident, "Trump supporters in the room said it was precisely Trump's aversion to [[political correctness]] that attracted them to the colorful candidate."<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2015/10/21/politics/donald-trump-iowa-rally/ Donald Trump's pledge: 'We're gonna be saying Merry Christmas']</ref> See also: [[Atheism and Christmas]]

== See also ==

*[[Militant atheism]]
*[[Politically correct]]
*[[Atheists and the endurance of religion]]
*[[Secularization thesis]]
*[[Desecularization]]
*[[Liberal creep]]
*[[Liberal euphemisms]]
*[[Opposition to Christianity]]
* Contrast with [[Essay:Best New Conservative Words]]
*[[Transmigration of Words in Religion: an essay]]

==Notes==

* 1 Sometimes C.E. is an abbreviation for "Christian era" instead of "common era", but this [[CE|also conceals the historical basis]] is due to Jesus Christ being Jewish. Christianity would not exist as a separate religion until much later.
* 2 The 'X' in "Xmas" was originally an abbreviation for the Greek letter "chi" translated as "Ch", though the abbreviation eventually became a means of "[[Liberal censorship|crossing out Christ]]".
* 3 Easter was originally a pagan festival, upon which Christianity would later apply the [[Resurrection]] to Christ and surrounding events (such as the [[Crucifixion]] on [[Good Friday]]). "Resurrection Sunday" is often used to emphasize the Resurrection of Christ rather than the pagan holiday.
* 4 Washington's Birthday was February 11 in the Julian calendar, while Lincoln's Birthday was February 12 in the Gregorian. Under the Gregorian calendar, Washington's Birthday would be February 22. Thus Washington's birthday would be more accurate. ([http://usparks.about.com/od/historicalparks/a/Presidents-Day.htm source])
* 5 This was part of the original [[Pledge of Allegiance]]. "Under God" was added in the 1950s at the request of President [[Eisenhower]]. ([http://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm source]) However, atheists such as [[Michael Newdow]] have been trying to remove the phrase "under God" from the Pledge through the federal courts ([https://www.wnd.com/?pageId=138325 source])
* 6 [[Pro-choice]] people often use the phrase "birth control" regardless of whether conception has occurred.

== References ==

<references/>

{{liberalism}}
{{Conservatism}}
[[Category:Liberalism]]
[[Category:Language]]

Harry Potter

2026-10-22T20:05:57Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Harry_Potter

[[File:67486ruy.jpg|right|thumb|British edition of '''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone'''.]]
The '''''Harry Potter''''' books are an immensely popular<ref>The author has sold 350 million books and counting, been translated into 65 languages and had her work made into highly successful movies. [https://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=3811481&page=1 ABC News]</ref> series of seven fantasy novels by [[J.K. Rowling]] about three children at a British boarding school for 'witchcraft and wizardry': Harry, Ron and Hermione. The children grow from age 11 to 17 in the books, giving them appeal to a broad range of readers including children and teenagers, but also appealing to adults. Since their release, interest and acceptance of witchcraft has increased, particularly among the goth subculture, and many rides and attractions centered around the books are causing children to accept and admire witchcraft and magic.

==Harry Potter==
'''Harry Potter''' is the [[protagonist]] and the plot of each book focuses on Harry's adolescence and fight against the [[antagonist]] wizard Lord Voldemort. The books combine elements of whimsy reminiscent of ''Alice in Wonderland'', the strange adult immaturity of ''Through the Looking Glass'', and the implacable good vs. evil fight of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.

When Harry was a mere baby, his parents were murdered by the evil [[Voldemort]]. Harry didn't know that his parents were [[wizard (fiction)|wizard]]s until his 11th birthday; it came as a giant surprise. [[Hagrid]] took him to Diagon Alley for robes, books and wand; then on to [[Hogwarts]], a boarding school for wizards and witches. He had many adventures there learning [[magic]] and using it to fight the forces of the [[Voldemort|wizard]] who killed his [[parent]]s when he was an [[infant]]. Lord Voldemort seeks to become immortal by any means. Voldemort also leads forces of "Death Eaters" who follow Voldemort's ideology of a "pure-blood" (wizard who was born to wizard parents) society and persecute Muggles, non-magical folk. Along the way, Harry learns about life and [[death]] and grapples with questions of [[morality]] and [[friendship]].

The seven books in the series have been fabulously successful, selling 300 million copies, and ''[[Forbes]]'' estimates that they have made Rowling the first billion-dollar author in history.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/maserati/billionaires2004/cx_jw_0226rowlingbill04.html J. K. Rowling And The Billion-Dollar Empire].</ref> All of them have been made into movies, with the last book being split into two separate films.

The ''Harry Potter'' series of books are sizable volumes. The 870 pages of ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', even though printed in large type, contain 255,000 words—about twice as long as ''A Tale of Two Cities''. The "Lexile" measure of reading level puts the series between 880L and 950L,<ref>For comparison: ''Charlotte's Web'' 680L, ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' 890L, ''Moby Dick'' 1200L</ref> comparable to sixth-grade texts<ref>[http://www.lexile.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?view=fa&tabindex=4&tabid=22 The Lexile framework for reading].</ref>

==Reception==
[[Phyllis Schlafly]]'s [[Eagle Forum]] on one occasion briefly mentioned the book series in August 2005:<ref>August 2005. [https://eagleforum.org/psr/2005/aug05/psraug05.html Follies and Failures of the National Education Assn.]. ''Eagle Forum''. Retrieved October 30, 2021.</ref>
{{cquote|If school principals think that history is not worth learning because it's just a lot of "old dead stuff," the younger generation will never learn how Americans won our independence and freedom and why we must teach history in order keep America the land of the free.

Other principals have defended their policies by saying that schoolchildren don't want to read big books any more. The incredible sale of the Harry Potter books gives the lie to that argument. There is no reason why American history can't be made exciting to read. }}

===Criticisms===
The ''Harry Potter'' series is written in a way that embeds fantasy and wizardry into a real world setting. This could potentially lead to some children exploring witchcraft, Wicca, and paganism. Indeed, the Pagan Federation in Britain has received a flood of inquiries from young ''Harry Potter'' fans.<ref>About.com: Agnosticism/Atheism - [http://atheism.about.com/od/harrypotter/i/witchcraft_2.htm Does Harry Potter Promote Wicca or Witchcraft? Is Harry Potter a Pagan Book?] (page 2)</ref>

Some expect children's literature to present characters that are role models and teach simple truths that will help children grow and know the difference between right and wrong. However, the world of ''Harry Potter'' is one in which adult authority figures are complex, imperfect, and occasionally ludicrous. Some teachers in the series are boring, or outright incompetent, while others are supportive and protective (like [[Dumbledore]] and [[Lupin]]). In the first book Harry disobeys the teachers and is successful and later praised, a questionable message for younger minds.

The books also present witches and wizards as being both normal people and abundant. This deceit causes children to likewise accept magic and witchcraft as normal, and they identify with the children in the books, again furthering their acceptance of witchcraft.

====Allegations of popularizing the Occult and Mockery of Christianity====
{{spoiler}}
Many conservative Christians have attacked the books. Most mainline Protestant and Catholic leaders have taken a more favorable position. For example, the official organization of American Catholic bishops (the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) has rated each film "A-II", --that is, suitable for adults and adolescents and was not found to be morally offensive. The episcopal conference even named the film adaptation of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" one of the ten best family films of 2004.

However, conservative critics have charged that the books have the potential of driving children away from Christian knowledge of good and evil toward the occult more than anything else in western society: "a generation of children is becoming desensitized to the occult. But with Hollywood's help, Harry Potter will likely surpass all these influences, potentially reaping some grave spiritual consequences"<ref>http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/harrypotter.html</ref> Hollywood never filmed any of the books, every Harry Potter movie is British and very family-friendly without references to any alleged occultism.

Witchcraft is expressly forbidden by the Old Testament.

Some Fundamentalists have praised the moral values of the books. For example, Scott Moore, philosophy professor at Baylor University, has found some remarkable Christian symbolism in the Potter series.

James L. Evans, pastor of Crosscreek Baptist Church, concludes, "Instead of condemning Harry, maybe we should learn courage from him to name as evil what apparently we are afraid to speak."<ref>Jim Evans, [http://www.ethicsdaily.com/news.php?viewStory=2737 "Harry Potter As Teacher Of Christian Values" ''EthicsDaily.com'' June 24, 2003]</ref>

Conservative Christians say the ''Harry Potter'' series is written in a way that embeds fantasy and wizardry into a real world setting. This could potentially lead to some children exploring witchcraft, Wicca, and paganism. Indeed, the Pagan Federation in Britain has received a flood of inquiries from young ''Harry Potter'' fans.<ref>About.com: Agnosticism/Atheism - [http://atheism.about.com/od/harrypotter/i/witchcraft_2.htm Does Harry Potter Promote Wicca or Witchcraft? Is Harry Potter a Pagan Book?] (page 2)</ref>

The children's fantasy genre and slick storytelling style may make the danger more severe, say conservatives: "This is a true representation of witchcraft, and the black arts, and black magic. And yet we have people that say this is merely fantasy and harmless reading for our children. Actually, what makes this more dangerous is that it is couched in fantasy language, and children's literature, and made to be humorous, and beautifully written and extremely provocative reading. And it just opens up children to want to have the next one. This is what is so harmful."<ref>http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/harrypotter.html</ref>

==Notable Ban Attempts==
On the week of April 10, 2006, Georgia mother of four Laura Mallory filed an appeal with the Gwinnett Board of Education in an attempt to remove the ''Harry Potter'' series from Gwinnett schools. Ms. Mallory (who has only read excerpts of the books) stated on the appeal form that she wished the books removed due to their "evil themes, witchcraft, demonic activity, murder, evil blood sacrifice, spells and teaching children all of this."<ref>[http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=32&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=14074&change_well_id=2]</ref> The local board of education denied the request, as they felt the banning of ''Harry Potter'' would necessitate the banning of all books with reference to witches, including plays like ''[[Macbeth]]'' and even stories like [[Cinderella]].<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15127464/ Georgia mom seeks ban on Harry Potter]</ref> Ms. Mallory has since appealed the ruling twice to no avail.<ref>[http://www.wtvm.com/Global/story.asp?S=5022462&nav=8fap]</ref><ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16204853/from/]</ref><ref>[https://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/education/stories/011807dnentpotterprotest.a89cec.html]</ref>

Similar concerns have been voiced by Christian cartoonist [[Jack Chick]], pastor and author [[Dave Hunt]], the British group [[Christian Voice]] and various others. None of these has resulted in any form of legal action.

==Series titles==
*''[[Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone]]'' (original title as published in England and all other English-speaking countries other than the USA: ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'')
*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]''
*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]''
*''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]''
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''
*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]''
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''

Also, three companion books have been made to go along with the series: ''The Tale of the Beedle the Bard'', ''Quidditch Through the Ages'', and ''Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them''. ''Quidditch Through the Ages'' and ''Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'' are both written under pen names, but all three are written by J.K. Rowling.<ref>http://www.jkrowling.org</ref> All books have been filmed. The spin-off ''Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'' is being filmed as a trilogy. The first movie was released into cinemas in November 2016, and the second one ''Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald'' in November 2018.

==See also==
*[[Harry Potter Witchcraft Repackaged]]

==Further reading==
* Brown, Nancy Carpentier. ''The Mystery of Harry Potter: A Catholic Family Guide'' (2007) [https://www.amazon.com/Mystery-Harry-Potter-Catholic-Family/dp/1592763987/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254259810&sr=1-4 excerpt and text search]
* Cherrett, Lisa. "Harry Potter and the Bible" (2003) [http://www.harrypotterforseekers.com/articles/hpandthebible.php online version]
* Cockrell, Amanda. "Harry Potter and the Witch Hunters: a Social Context for the Attacks on 'Harry Potter'", ''Journal of American Culture'' 2006 29(1): 24–30, in [[EBSCO]]
* Colbert, David. ''The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter'' (2nd ed. 2008) [https://www.amazon.com/Magical-Worlds-Harry-Potter-revised/dp/0425223183/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263210737&sr=1-20 excerpt and text search]
* Granger, John. ''Unlocking Harry Potter: Five Keys for the Serious Reader'' (2007) [https://www.amazon.com/Unlocking-Harry-Potter-Serious-Reader/dp/0972322124/ref=sr_1_27?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263211376&sr=1-27 excerpt and text search]
* Granger, John. ''Looking for God in Harry Potter'' (2006) [https://www.amazon.com/How-Harry-Cast-His-Spell/dp/1414321880/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254259810&sr=1-3 excerpt and text search, 2nd edition under ''How Harry Cast His Spell'']
* Heilman, Elizabeth E., ed. ''Critical Perspectives on Harry Potter'' (2nd ed. 2008) [https://www.amazon.com/Critical-Perspectives-Potter-Elizabeth-Heilman/dp/0415964849/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263211512&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]
* Neal, Connie W. ''The Gospel According to Harry Potter: The Spiritual Journey of the World's Greatest Seeker'' (2008) [https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-According-Harry-Potter-Spiritual/dp/0664231233/ref=sr_1_33?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263211376&sr=1-33 excerpt and text search]
* Thomas, James W. ''Repotting Harry Potter: A Professor's Book-by-Book Guide for the Serious Re-Reader'' (2009)
* Whited, Lana A., ed. ''The Ivory Tower And Harry Potter: Perspectives On A Literary Phenomenon'' (2002) [https://www.amazon.com/Ivory-Tower-Harry-Potter-Perspectives/dp/0826215491/ref=pd_sim_b_1 excerpt and text search]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Harry Potter Universe]]
[[Category:Novels]]
[[Category:Ghost Stories]]
[[Category:Books]]
[[Category:Science Fiction Movies]]
[[Category:Fantasy]]
[[Category:Fiction]]
[[Category:Movies]]
[[Category:Novels]]
[[Category:Science Fiction]]
[[Category:Witchcraft]]

Bill O'Reilly

2026-10-22T20:04:40Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Bill_O'Reilly

[[Image:Bll.png|thumb|right|Bill O' Reilly On The O'Reilly Report]]
'''Bill O'Reilly''' is an American news personality, political commentator, author, and former host of the show ''[[The O'Reilly Factor]]'' on the [[Fox News Channel]], which he called the "No Spin Zone." O'Reilly calls himself a "traditionalist" and an "independent." O'Reilly is not strongly [[conservative]], and he has ineptly tried to defend [[Obama]] against criticism for failing to provide his birth certificate. Despite this, he is deeply disliked by many on the [[leftist|far left]].

Although many people consider O'Reilly a conservative, and although he frequently criticized left-wingers and their policies, he is probably better described as "non-ideological" or "populist."<ref>Antle III, James W. (April 19, 2017). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/donald-trump-and-the-gops-enduring-oreilly-factor/article/2620747 Donald Trump and the GOP's enduring 'O'Reilly factor']. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved April 20, 2017.</ref> Often the show seems lost on social issues. Despite claims that O'Reilly is a conservative, a 2011 study showed that compared to the American population as a whole (which actually was relatively conservative), O'Reilly's views were actually in the political center of the population<ref name="Pollak">Pollak, Joel B. (April 19, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2017/04/19/bill-oreilly-secret-centrist-not-conservative/ Bill O’Reilly’s Secret: He Was a Centrist, Not a Conservative]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 19, 2017.</ref>, this was likely the reason his show was so popular.<ref name="Pollak"/>

O'Reilly held a pay-per-view online debate with "comedian" [[Jon Stewart]] on October 6, 2012, at George Washington University, with proceeds going to charity.<ref>[http://www.therumble2012.com/index.html The Rumble 2012]</ref> However, the live streaming of the event was a bust due to technical ineptness.

O'Reilly's audience was among the oldest in all of television, with viewers having an average age of more than 72 years.<ref>https://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2014/05/may-cable-news-ratings-spare-no-one-189393</ref> O'Reilly has used his show to promote his own books, such as his ''Killing'' series he wrote with historian Martin Dugard. While these books have sold well due to their promotion on television, it is doubtful how many people actually read them.

==Career==
O'Reilly's career was growing throughout the 1980s, but he received his "big break" when hired to anchor ''Inside Edition'', a tabloid gossip and news program.<ref>[http://www.starpulse.com/Notables/O%27Reilly,_Bill/Biography/ Bill O'Reilly Biography]</ref>

His biggest success would come from hosting the ''The O'Reilly Factor''. His show was the highest-rated hour on any cable news channel, with over 2.5 million people watching the show each night and millions more listening to his radio show.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/09/23/60minutes/main645202.shtml Bill O'Reilly: "No Spin"], [[CBS News]] Transcript [[60 Minutes]] with Mike Wallace aired Sept. 26, 2004.</ref> ''The O'Reilly Factor'' was #1 on cable news for 15 consecutive years,<ref>Katz, A.J. (December 28, 2017). [http://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/2016-ratings-fox-news-channel-is-cable-tvs-most-watched-network/315009 2016 Ratings: Fox News Channel is Cable TV’s Most-Watched Network]. ''TVNewser''. Retrieved May 22, 2017.</ref> until O'Reilly was forced out from Fox in April 2017.<ref name="Elber2017">Elber, Lynn (April 20, 2017). [https://www.usnews.com/news/entertainment/articles/2017-04-20/oreilly-is-out-at-fox-but-influence-endures-career-too O'Reilly Is Out at Fox but Influence Endures; Career Too?]. ''U.S. News & World Report''. Retrieved May 22, 2017.</ref>

Politically, O'Reilly claimed to be an independent, but it was later revealed that he was actually a registered [[Republican]] in Nassau County from 1994 to 2000. O'Reilly re-registered as an independent soon after.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0971123/bio Biography], [[IMDB]]</ref>

On April 19, 2017, Fox News broke ties with O'Reilly due to an alleged sex abuse scandal revolving around him.<ref>Steel, Emily; Schmidt, Michael S. (April 19, 2017). [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/19/business/media/bill-oreilly-fox-news-allegations.html?_r=0 Bill O’Reilly Is Forced Out at Fox News]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved April 19, 2017.</ref> He began his "No Spin" news podcast on April 24.<ref>Nussbaum, Daniel (April 23, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2017/04/23/bill-oreilly-sets-return-no-spin-news-podcast/ Bill O’Reilly Sets Return with ‘No Spin News’ Podcast]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 23, 2017.</ref> He claimed that his ouster was due to an organized attack by left-wingers.<ref>Key, Pam (May 12, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/video/2017/05/12/oreilly-on-leaving-fox-news-this-was-a-hit-by-the-organized-left-wing-cabal/ O’Reilly on Leaving Fox News: ‘This Was a Hit’ By the ‘Organized Left-Wing Cabal’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 12, 2017.</ref> He later stated he regretted not fighting back like [[Sean Hannity]] did when attacked by left-wingers.<ref>Mayfield, Mandy (June 8, 2017). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/bill-oreilly-says-he-should-have-fought-back-like-sean-hannity/article/2625435 Bill O'Reilly says he should have fought back like Sean Hannity]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved June 9, 2017.</ref><ref>Concha, Joe (June 9, 2017). [https://thehill.com/homenews/media/337139-oreilly-i-should-have-fought-back-like-hannity O'Reilly: 'I should have' fought back like Hannity]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved June 9, 2017.</ref><ref>Ernst, Douglas (June 9, 2017). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jun/9/bill-oreilly-laments-silence-fox-shows-demise-hann/ Bill O’Reilly laments keeping quiet before his Fox News demise: ‘Hannity fought back; I should have’]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved June 9, 2017.</ref> The person who accused O'Reilly of sexual abuse had been arrested in 2015 for falsely reporting a crime, something which undermines her credibility.<ref>Patten, David A. (September 17, 2017). [https://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/Bill-OReilly-accuser-false-allegation-Perquita-Burgess/2017/09/17/id/814093/ Bill O'Reilly's Accuser Arrested for False Allegation of Crime]. ''Newsmax''. Retrieved September 28, 2017.</ref>

O'Reilly now does a "No Spin News" podcast available on his personal website and appears in a Friday segment on [[Glenn Beck]]'s radio program, simulcast on TheBlaze TV. He started a daily 30-minute-long webcast, shown from his personal website and free for all viewers to watch, in early August 2017.<ref>Greenwood, Max (August 10, 2017). [https://thehill.com/homenews/media/346036-bill-oreilly-debuts-new-webcast Bill O'Reilly debuts new webcast]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved August 10, 2017.</ref><ref>Chasmar, Jessica (August 10, 2017). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/aug/10/bill-oreilly-debuts-online-news-show/ Bill O’Reilly debuts online news show]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved August 10, 2017.</ref>

== Bill O'Reilly and homosexuality ==

:''See also:'' [[Fox News and homosexuality]] and [[Bill O'Reilly and the homosexuality issue]]

The [[American Family Association]] reported:
{{cquote|On February 11, 2004, Bill O'Reilly, host of The O'Reilly Factor on the Fox News Channel, featured Kevin Jennings, the executive director of GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network.) Jennings, former teacher turned homosexual activist, along with a lesbian counterpart, discussed GLSEN's new pro-homosexual curriculum on marriage being marketed to children and youth in public schools all across America under the guise of "tolerance."...

O'Reilly, watched heavily by conservatives and Christians alike, shocked much of his constituency on September 3, 2002 when he publicly announced his support of homosexual rights in the nation's largest “gay” publication, ''The Advocate''. His sympathetic, lenient views on “gay” adoption and his mixed-message stance on “gay” marriage have caused great dissent among his loyalists - and no doubt cost him viewers.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040222080725/http://www.afa.net/homosexual_agenda/GetArticle.asp?id=115 Bill O'Reilly: He Still Doesn't Get It], [[American Family Association|AFA]]</ref>}}

[[WorldNetDaily]] stated the following regarding O'Reilly and his exchange with the [[Ex-Homosexuals|ex-homosexual]] and evangelical minister Stephen Bennett:
{{cquote|Fox News is threatening to sue a prominent evangelical minister in the ex-homosexual movement who engaged in a volatile exchange over biblical morality on the top-rated television program "The O'Reilly Factor" in September.

Stephen Bennett, who says he left his homosexual lifestyle nearly 11 years ago, has distributed a 60-minute audio tape program called the "The O'Reilly Shocker," in which he responds to host Bill O'Reilly's characterization of people who take the Bible literally as "religious fanatics.".

Bennett said he has received hundreds of e-mails from viewers of the segment who said they were outraged at O'Reilly's "anger and verbal abuse."<ref>[https://www.wnd.com/2003/01/16542 Fox News threatens to sue ex 'gay' minister], [[WND]]</ref>}}

In response to the threatened lawsuit of the Fox News Channel, the Agape Press reported:
{{cquote|But Mike DePrimo, senior litigation counsel for the American Family Association Center for Law & Policy, which represents Bennett, says Bennett has a right to distribute a recording of the program -- and that his use of the tape is legal under copyright law's allowance of fair use and comment.

"The law provides that even copyrighted material may be used, provided it's used not for commercial gain but for comment," DePrimo says. "Stephen Bennett used the material from the O'Reilly show simply to rebut the arguments O'Reilly put forward."

The attorney implies there may be another reason the popular O'Reilly wants distribution of the tape stopped -- and it has to do with image. "O'Reilly promotes himself as a [[conservative]]," DePrimo explains. "In fact, Bennett's tape shows that O'Reilly is simply another media elite who's advancing the [[Homosexual Agenda|homosexual agenda]] -- and he doesn't want to be exposed for what he is."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040608014836/http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/1/afa/32003a.asp Network Threatens Former Homosexual with Lawsuit], [[American Family Association|AFA]]</ref>}}

Bill O'Reilly describes himself as a practicing [[Roman Catholic]].<ref>[https://www.billoreilly.com/newslettercolumn?pid=29184 The Catholic Quandary]</ref> According to the [[Vatican]] individuals should not engage in homosexual acts as they are acts of serious depravity.<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20030731_homosexual-unions_en.html Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons]</ref>

==''Killing Jesus'' book==
In 2013, O'Reilly wrote a book entitled ''Killing Jesus'', which discusses [[Jesus Christ]]'s earthly ministry. While O'Reilly used numerous sources for his book, he severely undermined the [[Bible]]'s authority and inerrancy by picking and choosing which parts of the [[Gospel]] were historical fact and by refusing to even call Jesus the Son of God in the book.<ref name="Evangelicals">Ham, Ken (October 2, 2013). [https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2013/10/02/should-evangelicals-love-bill-oreillys-new-book/ Should Evangelicals “Love” Bill O’Reilly’s New Book?]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved January 17, 2017.</ref>

==Other==
based on previous interviews, as well as his ''Killing Jesus'' book and associated interviews, O'Reilly does not look highly upon those who believe the Bible in a straightforward manner.<ref name="Evangelicals"/>

==Legacy==
O'Reilly had a large political influence through his TV career.<ref name="Elber2017"/>

==Trivia==
* O'Reilly and conservative-mocker [[Stephen Colbert]] have appeared on each other's shows.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16698834/ Colbert and O’Reilly face off], [[MSNBC]]</ref>

==Further reading==
*Pinkerton, James P. (April 22, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2017/04/22/pinkerton-trump-nation-fox-nation-fox-news-roger-ailes-bill-oreilly/ Pinkerton: Before Trump Nation, There Was Fox Nation: Fox News After Roger Ailes and Bill O’Reilly]. ''Breitbart News''.

==See also==
*[[Sean Hannity]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Oreilly, Bill}} 
[[Category:Broadcasters|Oreilly, Bill]]
[[Category:Moderates]]
[[Category:Fox News Channel]]
[[Category:The 100 Americans The Left Hates Most]]
[[Category:Homosexual Agenda]]
[[Category:Best Selling Authors]]
[[Category:Irish-Americans]]
[[Category:Populists]]

Allah

2026-10-22T20:03:36Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Allah

[[Image:Allah.png|thumb|right|200px|"Allah" in simple [[Arabic language|Arabic]] calligraphy. In Islam any image depicting God is strictly forbidden.]]
The name '''''Allah''''' (<big><big>الله</big></big>) is the [[Arabic]] term which adherents of [[Islam]] claim refers to the god of Islam and should not be confused with [[Jehovah]] or [[Yahweh]] of the Bible, or 'the Father' of the [[New Testament]]. It is not the same being or entity. This [[theonym]] is likely a contraction of Arabic ''Al-'ilāh'' (ال إِله), which means "the god".<ref>http://www.chishti.ru/sufi_doct.htm</ref> In [[Semitic]] languages it is thus related to the Hebrew term [[Elohim|Eloh(-im)]].

Islam claims that Allah is the personal name of the creator and comprises all of the [[99 Names of God]] in Islam. When a Muslim refers to Allah, he thinks of his god as being One, Creator, Owner, Sustainer, and Almighty. In Arabic, the name is composed of four letters, ا ل ل ه (or Alif, Lam, Lam, Ha) which when brought together make <big><big><big>'''الله'''</big></big></big>. [[Arab]] [[Christians]] often use this name simply to mean "[[God]]". (The generic word for "god" is simply'' 'ilāh'', though due to the strong association of Arabic with Islam this word is rarely used in modern speech.)

== Christianity and Judaism ==
The name Allah, however, is used by Arab Christians throughout the Middle East. It is also used by Arabic Jews, especially those residing in Yemen. In Arabic it generically takes the place of the name of deity.

According to the [[Koran]] the authority of the [[Torah]] and the [[Gospels]] is subordinated to the content of Islamic revelation. While some [[proper noun]]s and parallels exist with the Hebrew [[Old Testament]] scriptures, some passages and contexts contradict the teachings of Hebrew and Christian doctrines. It was claimed by the prophet [[Mohammed]] that both the Jewish and Christian scriptures were "corrupted" (from the Arabic term: ''Tahrif''). ''Accordingly, since the Koran has remained unaltered to the present day, (compared to the other Scriptures) Muslims assert that only the Koran contains the Words of God -- the truth in toto (i.e., the whole truth and nothing but the truth). Whereas the earlier Scriptures/Books such as The New Testament, The Old Testament, etc. contain only partial truths.''<ref>[http://muslim-canada.org/islam_christianity.html Islam and Christianity.]</ref>
Christians believe in the mystery of the [[Trinity]] (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), but the first Pilar of Islam is an oath of abrogation against.<ref>[http://answering-islam.org/Why-not/13trinity.html My Questions to Muslims.]</ref>
<ref>[http://www.islamfrominside.com/Pages/Tafsir/Tafsir(5-116%20t o%20120).html Islam from inside.]</ref> In the Koran's Surah 13 it is said: ''"Allah is the Creator of all things: He is the One, the Supreme and Irresistible." ''

The Kalimah, the first of the 5 pillars of Islam, denies the [[divinity]] of [[Christ]]:

<blockquote>
To believe that Allah Ta’ala is One. That He has no partner, no father, mother, wife and so has no son or daughter; and that there is nothing else that is worthy of praise, or worship except Him ‑Alone and to equally testify that Muhammed (S.A.W.) is His servant and messenger.

</blockquote>
<blockquote>
This Kalimah is poetic in the original Arabic, but it's meaning is damning under [[shariah]] as it represents a sacred oath.

''"La ilaha Illa Allah Muhammad Rasulu llah" (SAW)''.

Meaning: ''There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad (S.A.W.) is the messenger of Allah.''
<ref>[http://www.nmnonline.net/articles/kalimah.htm KALIMAH: THE DECLARATION OF FAITH.]</ref>
</blockquote>

Consequently, ''Allah'' is unique, is the god in Islam, and according to Marshall G. S. Hodgson, (The Venture of Islam) Muslims are worshiping ''Allah'' rather than God, the creator.

From the 112th sura of the Koran: ''"In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. Say (O Mohammad) He is God the One God, the Everlasting Refuge, who has not begotten, nor has been begotten, and equal to Him is not anyone." ''<ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/allah Islamic Dictionary: Allah]</ref>

Allah is claimed by adherents of Islam to be one and the same with the God of Christianity and Judaism; however:

{{cquote|Al-Kindi, one of the early Christian apologists against Islam, pointed out that Islam and its god Allah did not come from the Bible but from the paganism of the Sabeans. They did not worship the God of the Bible but the Moon-god and his daughters al-Uzza, al-Lat and Manat.<ref name=Islam>[https://www.conservativenewsandviews.com/2016/12/27/clergy/islam-anti-civilization/ Islam: Anti-Civilization] at Conservative News and Views</ref>}}

{{cquote|The Arabs worshiped the Moon-god as a supreme deity. But this was not biblical monotheism. While the Moon-god was greater than all other gods and goddesses, this was still a polytheistic pantheon of deities. Now that we have the actual idols of the Moon-god, it is no longer possible to avoid the fact that Allah was a pagan god in pre-Islamic times. Is it any wonder then that the symbol of Islam is the crescent moon? That a crescent moon sits on top of their mosques and minarets? …. [Is it any wonder that everywhere in the ancient world], the symbol of the crescent moon can be found …. on the flags of Islamic nations?<ref name=Islam />}}

{{cquote|The Muslim claim that Allah is the God of the Bible and that Islam arose from the religion of the prophets and apostles, fails before solid, overwhelming archaeological evidence. Islam is nothing more than a revival of the ancient Moon-god cult. It has taken the symbols, the rites, the ceremonies, and even the name of its god from the ancient pagan religion of the Moon-god. As such, it is sheer idolatry and must be rejected by all those who follow the Torah and Gospel.<ref name=Islam />}}

== Is Allah Satan? ==
In John 8:44, Jesus said of those who did not follow His Word and dishonored Him:

{{cquote|You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.}}

Accordingly, these passages from the Koran openly describe Allah as follows:

{{cquote|Koran 3:54 - And they (the unbelievers) planned to deceive, and Allah planned to deceive (the unbelievers), and '''Allah is the best of deceivers'''.}}

{{cquote|Koran 7:99 - Are they then safe from Allah's deception? '''No one feels safe from Allah's deception except those that shall perish'''.}}

{{cquote|Koran 8:30 - And (remember) when the unbelievers plotted deception against you (O Muhammad), to imprison you, or kill you, or expel you. They plotted deception, but Allah also plotted deception; and '''Allah is the best of deceivers'''.}}

When comparing John 8:44 with the Koran passages quoted above,<ref>[http://www.answeringmuslims.com/2014/03/is-allah-best-of-deceivers.html Is Allah the Best of Deceivers?]</ref> and when other Biblical passages describing Satan are compared with the descriptions of Allah, it indicates that Allah may, in fact, be Satan.

== Possible Early Use ==
It is a matter of contention as to whether the name Allah came into use only with the foundation of Islam, or whether it is a reuse of a title of the main pagan god of pre-Islamic [[Mecca]]; Hubal, god of the Moon. Muslim scholars have claimed refutations of this allegation,<ref>http://www.islamic-awareness.org/Quran/Sources/Allah/hubal.html</ref> but some Christian groups have offered counter-refutations that indicate otherwise.<ref>http://www.studytoanswer.net/islam/hubalallah.html</ref>

=== Moon God ===
Perched atop mosques across the world is the crescent moon and most flags of Muslim majority countries also show a crescent moon. The Muslim "holy" month of Ramadan starts at the sighting of a new crescent moon. "Allah" was also the personal name given to the moon god, the highest of the 360 pagan idols worshipped in Mecca, Muhammad's home town.<ref>http://www.billionbibles.org/sharia/allah-moon-god.html</ref>

== ''Takbeer or Takbir'' (Glorification of God) ==
''Takbeer'' (تَكْبِير) (Glorification of God), is the common way Muslims give glory to Allah. The wording used is ''Allahu-Akbar'' "الله أكبر", which is translated as "God is great". It is a very common practice in Islam and is essential to the Islamic call of prayer ([[Athan]]). It is regularly used by [[jihad]]is as a final cry while they believe that Allah strikes [[vengeance]] at his enemies.

== See also ==
*[[The Bible versus the Qur'an]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Islam]]
[[Category:Divine Beings]]
[[Category:Pagan gods and goddesses]]

Sex

2026-10-22T20:02:40Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Sex

'''Sex''' is the attribute of being either [[male]] or [[female]], categories which reflect biological reproductive functions.
The female sex is defined as the one which produces the larger [[gamete]] (the egg) and which typically bears the offspring. In contrast, the male sex has a smaller gamete (sperm) and rarely bears offspring.

Sex can also refer to sexual intercourse, the physical act of reproduction, also known as "sexual relations" or "having sex."

In some animals, sex may be assigned to specific structures rather than the entire organism. Earthworms, for example, are normally [[hermaphrodites]].

==Norms of social conduct==
{{main|Gender roles}}

"Sex" is the biological definition of whether one is born male or female by their genitalia and biological genes. "Gender" is a word created in the 1950s to define what society expects of persons of different sexes. The distinction is important in law, as it tends to forbid discrimination on the basis of either, e.g. effeminate men cannot be fired for not acting according to their "gender". In other areas the distinction is primarily important for more abstracted social and legal arguments, rather than everyday use.

In the 21st century, "gender" signifies an apparent difference between your birth sex and the gender one "identifies as," also known as being [[transgender]]. The left-wing, including [[Cultural Marxist]]s, frequently claim the existence of a difference in biological sex and "gender identity," despite no difference in basic biology.

The term ''sex'' is often used to denote the activity of sexual relations, and as such it is subject to laws of social conduct.

==Sexual morality in the Bible==
From the beginning, [[God]] created the male and female as uniquely compatible and complementary, and only joined them in the sanctified sexual union of marriage.<ref>Gn. 1:27,27; 2:18-24; 1Cor. 11:8-12; Eph. 5:31</ref> All sexual relations with others outside that bond are revealed to be [[sexual immorality|fornication]], which is unconditionally (regardless of motive or circumstance) prohibited and condemned.<ref>Gn. 34:1-4,13,31; 38:15,18,24; Lv. 19:29; 21:9; Dt. 22:13-30; Num. 25:1; Jdg. 8:33; 2Chrn. 21:11; Prov. 7:10-12; Hos. 1:2; Ezek. 6:9; 16:17,36; 20:7,18; 23:7; Mat. 5:32; 15:19; 19:9; Jn. 8:41; Acts 15:20; 15:29; 21:25; Rom. 1:29; 1Cor. 5:1,11; 6:9,13,18; 7:2; 2Cor. 6:16; 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5; 1Thes. 4:3; Heb. 12:16; 13:4; 1Pet. 4:3; Rev. 9:21, etc.</ref>

In the Bible a ''harlot'' or ''whore'' ([[KJV]]) was a woman who had sex before marriage, including prostitutes.<ref>Gn. 34:1-4,13,31; 38:15,18,24 Num. 25:1</ref> If a man engaged in such with a single woman, he was required to marry her for life, while the [[death penalty]] was mandated for the man (or both if consensual) for engaging in sexual relations with a woman who was betrothed (contracted to marry) to another, or for a woman who married under the false pretense of being a virgin, and her husband objected upon discovering otherwise.<ref>Dt. 22:13-29</ref> Likewise, spiritual fornication was that of infidelity to God in making an idol to be one's god,<ref>Ezek. 6:9; 23:30; 37:23</ref> with Israel being covenantally "married" to God.<ref>Jer. 3:14; Ezek. 16:8</ref>

In the [[Gospel of Mark]] 7:20-23 (cf. Mt. 15:19), Jesus declares that sin begins in the heart, and the iniquities that proceed out of the heart include fornications, which, being plural, includes all sexual relations outside marriage. While broader descriptions exist (i.e. "the bed of love": Ezek. 23:17), sexual intercourse is what is usually indicated (by euphemisms) in laws against illicit sex, yet it is generally held that this is not limited to such, but prohibits all sexual eroticism outside marriage (in which it is exclusively sanctioned: Prov. 5:15-20: SoS), and which all "uncleanness"<ref>Rm. 1:24; Eph. 5:3</ref> covers.<ref>Adam Clarke, [[Matthew Henry]], John Wesley, Eph. 5:3; Albert Barnes, Rm. 1:24</ref>

Though [[polygamy|more than one wife]] was allowed in the Old Testament, and even [[concubine]]s were wives,<ref>Gn. 25:1; cf. 1Ch. 1:32; Gn. 30:4; cf. Gn. 35:22; 2Sam. 16:21, 22, cf. 2Sam. 20:3</ref> the Lord Jesus restored that to the original standard of one man and one woman, for life (though most understand the fornication clause as allowing [[divorce]] in the case of marital infidelity, as fornication can include [[adultery]]<ref>[http://www.enterhisrest.org/articles/divorce_remarriage.pdf DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE UNDER GOD By L. S. Boardman]</ref>). In so doing, (Mt. 19:4-9) Jesus defined the male and the female as constituting the "what" of "what therefore God hath joined together", and which, along with other verses, excludes [[same-sex marriage]] or other sexual unions. {{Main|Homosexuality and biblical interpretation}}

==Gender identity==
Gender identity is a term used by the Left to give cause to people believing they are a sex other than their biological sex. It can be used to signify a man wants to become a woman (or vice versa) or if any person wants to become a "third gender," meaning they choose a sex that is neither male nor female.

Children are not simply born with a sense of their own gender, but their gender identity is formed through connections and interactions with others, primarily members of the same sex.<ref>http://www.narth.com/docs/coll-harren.html</ref>

Leftists also hold the [[pseudoscience|non-scientific]] opinion that a person's gender can be altered [[anthropomorphic]]ally by [[surgery]] and [[hormone]] treatment.

== Safety ==
In general, [[vagina]]l sex is highly safe. The rates of [[sexually transmitted disease]]s amongst [[United States|American teenagers]] is practically equal between those who always use condoms and those who have occasional or no condom usage.<ref>{{cite book|author=Ian Wishart|title=Eve's Bite|publisher=Howling At The Moon Publishing Ltd.|year=2007|accessdate=March 4, 2020|isbn=978-0-9582401-1-6}}</ref>

==See also==

*[[Grammar]] for a discussion of grammatical gender
*[[Atheism and sexuality]]
*[[Atheism and sexual immorality articles|Atheism and sexual immorality]]
*[[John Money]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Sociology]]
[[Category:Sexuality]]
[[Category:Bible]]

Flying Spaghetti Monster

2026-10-22T20:01:34Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Flying_Spaghetti_Monster

[[File:FSM anti.svg.png|thumbnail|250px|right|At London South Bank University, images of the Flying Spaghetti Monster have been banned.<ref>[http://coelsblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/11/why-are-british-student-unions-imposing-islamic-rules/ Why are British Student Unions imposing Islamic rules?]</ref> Muslims were offended by the Flying Spaghetti Monster.<ref>[http://coelsblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/11/why-are-british-student-unions-imposing-islamic-rules/ Why are British Student Unions imposing Islamic rules?]</ref>

According to Google trends data, public interest in the Flying Spaghetti Monster has fallen - as has interest in evolutionary ideas.<ref>*[http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=%2Fm%2F0ycv4dw Flying Spaghetti Monster - Google trends data worldwide]
*[http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=%2Fm%2F0ycv4dw&geo=US&cmpt=q&tz=Etc%2FGMT%2B4 Flying Spaghetti Monster - Google trends data for the United States]
*[http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=%2Fm%2F0ycv4dw&geo=GB&cmpt=q&tz=Etc%2FGMT%2B4 Flying Spaghetti Monster - Google trends for Google UK]
*[http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=evolution%2C%20theory%20of%20evolution%2C%20Charles%20Darwin&cmpt=q&tz= Worldwide interest in evolutionary ideas]
*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/jesus-vs-richard-dawkins-and-pz-myers.html Jesus vs. Richard Dawkins and PZ Myers - Jesus wins!]
*[http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=Jesus%2C%20Charles%20Darwin&cmpt=q&tz= Worldwide online interest in Jesus vs. worldwide online interest in Charles Darwin]
*[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/05/is-public-tiring-of-hearing.html How stale and boring is evolutionary indoctrination? Is the public fooled or are they suspicious? What is the trend?]</ref> Meanwhile, [[global creationism]] is growing.]]
The '''Flying Spaghetti Monster''' is the deity of "'''Pastafarianism'''", a [[parody]] [[religion]] that began as a critique of the Kansas Board of Education's decision to allow the teaching of [[intelligent design]] in public schools. Arguing that intelligent design was a thinly-veiled attempt to bring [[religion]] into the classroom, Bobby Henderson constructed "Pastafarianism" as a new theological system and argued that, if schools wished to "teach the controversy," they should teach "Pastafarianism" alongside evolution and intelligent design.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/27/AR2005082700019.html?nav=most_emailed Verbatim: Noodle This, Kansas - Washington Post]</ref>

Since then, many [[Atheism|atheist]]s and [[secularist]]s have claimed to be "Pastafarians", implicitly using its obvious shortcomings to criticize actual religions, especially [[Christianity]]. More prominent [[Atheism|atheists]] and [[agnosticism|agnostics]] have also mentioned it, such as [[New Atheism|new atheist]] [[Richard Dawkins]] in his book ''[[The God Delusion]]''.

==Teachings==
"Pastafarians" worship the Flying Spaghetti Monster, a flying pile of spaghetti and meatballs, by eating spaghetti and dressing in pirate regalia. "Pastafarianism" also holds pirates in high esteem, claiming that they were good men whose deeds were perverted by the media. They attribute the decrease in pirates to [[global warming]], presenting graphs showing that global temperatures have risen over the past centuries in rough inverse correlation to the number of pirates.

According to the letter by Bobby Henderson to the Kansas Board of Education, the Flying Spaghetti Monster has the following powers:
*Flight
*Invisibility
*Can travel through solid matter
*Can create and alter anything
*Plants evidence and changes test results to confuse [[evolutionists]].
== London South Bank University ban ==

''See also:'' [[Essay: Attention British, militant atheists! Brace yourself for the mighty, religious wave that is coming|Essay: Attention British, militant atheists! Brace yourself for the mighty, religious wave that is coming]]

Rory Fenton, who is the president of the National Federation of Atheist, Humanist and Secular Student Societies (AHS), declared in 2014:<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/rory-fenton/atheism-students_b_5434739.html?utm_hp_ref=uk Atheist students must fight back]</ref>

"...at London South Bank University our members were told they could not invite speakers who criticised religion at all, or even engage religious societies in debates, putting joining the South Bank Atheist Society on a par with joining the BNP. This February the same university banned images of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, a satirical deity in which nobody believes, on the grounds that they were " "religiously offensive".<ref>[http://coelsblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/11/why-are-british-student-unions-imposing-islamic-rules/ Why are British Student Unions imposing Islamic rules?]</ref>

Muslims were offended by the Flying Spaghetti Monster.<ref>[http://coelsblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/11/why-are-british-student-unions-imposing-islamic-rules/ Why are British Student Unions imposing Islamic rules?]</ref>

{{See also|British atheism#Signs pointing towards a dramatic decline of British atheism in the 21st century|l1=Desecularization of Britain in the 21st century}}

== Google Trends: Google searches for the term Flying Spaghetti Monster is dramatically down ==

''See also:'' [[Internet atheism]] and [[Google trends - Atheism and agnosticism terms]] and [[Google trends - Global searches for atheism and agnosticism terms]]

[[File:Flying spaghetti monster Google trends as of December 28, 2022.jpg|thumbnail|center|1600px|According to Google Trends, Google searches for the term "Flying Spaghetti Monster" is dramatically down.]]
{{Clear}}

==See also ==

*[[Santa syndrome]]
*[[Atheism symbols]]
*[[Essay:Evolutionist Spaghetti Monster]]

Humor:

*[[Essay: The Flying Spaghetti Monster is losing what little popularity it had|The Flying Spaghetti Monster is losing what little popularity it had]]

== References ==
<references />

== External links ==
* [http://www.venganza.org/ Official Website of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster]

{{Nb Atheism}}

[[Category:Culture]]

Poland

2026-10-21T21:12:44Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Poland

{{Country
|name =''3rd Rzeczpospolita Polska''
|map =Pol-cia.jpg
|map2 =
|flag =Flag of Poland.png
|arms =Arms of Poland.png
|capital =Warsaw
|capital-raw =
|government =Parliamentary Republic
|government-raw =
|language =Polish
|king =
|queen =
|monarch-raw =
|president =Karol Nawrocki
|chancellor =
|chancellor-raw =
|pm =Donald Tusk
|pm-raw =
|conservative-leader = Mateusz Morawiecki
|area =120,728 sq mi
|pop =37,750,000 (2020)
|pop-basis =
|gdp =$600,000,000,000 (2020)
|gdp-year =
|gdp-pc =$15,894 (2020)
|currency =Złoty (PLN)
|idd =
|tld =.pl
}}
The '''Third Polish Republic''' is a [[Central Europe]] country and the leading [[pro-life]] nation in [[Europe]]. Previously, Poland suffered many hardships before and after [[World War I]] and [[World War II]], disappearing from the world map in 1875 and re-appearing in 1918 after 123 years of [[Austria-Hungary|Austro-Hungarian]], [[Prussia]] ([[Germany|German]]), and [[Russian Empire]] rule. After having re-emerged as a sovereign nation after World War I, Poland was again partitioned between [[Nazi Germany]] and the [[Soviet Union]] at the start of World War II. Attaining nationhood again at the end of that war, Poland was then suppressed behind the [[Iron Curtain]] as a Soviet satellite state controlled by a [[communist]] regime imposed by [[Josef Stalin]].

While Hungary remained [[conservative]] by standing against the [[NATO war in Ukraine]] and not [[bankruptcy|bankrupting]] itself over it, Poland's [[RINO]]-type leadership made both mistakes and was defeated in the national election on October 15, 2023. Predictably, as a result of Poland caving into [[liberal]] [[NATO]], the [[homosexual agenda]] and [[transgender agenda]] began taking over Poland in 2024: "Religious symbols have been banned from [[Warsaw]]'s city hall by its mayor, marking the first Polish city to do so. [[Cross]]es will no longer be allowed to hang on walls according to a new set of documented rules, which was a common sight in state offices in Poland. Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski also included in the new rules that officials must respect [[same-sex marriage|same-sex couples]] and preferred pronouns."<ref>https://humanevents.com/2024/05/16/religious-symbols-crosses-banned-from-warsaw-city-hall</ref>

Poland is the second-most [[conservative]] nation in the [[European Union]], only behind [[Hungary]]. However, Poland is far behind Hungary in terms of conservatism and only slightly ahead of its remaining EU counterparts, namely due to its highly [[Russophobia|Russophobic]] foreign policy and strong acquiescence to the American [[Deep State]]. That being said, Poland controls its border and limits [[illegal immigration]] more effectively than most other [[European]] countries do. In 2021, Poland announced that it would fine [[Big Tech]] for its [[liberal censorship]].

Poland accepted millions of refugees from the [[Ukraine]], and this has resulted in some new labor unrest among the fewer [[conservative]] Ukrainian workers. "Ukrainians are starting to protest against the violation of their labor rights in Poland. This month, a strike took place at the factory of Christmas decorations in the Polish town of Gliwice."<ref>https://libcom.org/article/how-inflow-ukrainians-enhances-labor-struggle-poland</ref> In March 2023, Poland cut its subsidies for Ukrainian refugees by half.<ref>https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/poland-cuts-funding-for-ukrainian-refugees-by-half-2/</ref> Poland agreed with [[globalist]]s to deport some men of expanded military age (roughly 18–50 years old) back to Ukraine in September 2023.<ref>[https://www.uawire.org/poland-begins-deportation-of-draft-evaders-to-ukraine Poland begins deporting draft evaders back to Ukraine], September 4, 2023. www.uawire.org</ref> Most were sent directly to the front and died within 3 days.<ref>[https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-real-reason-thousands-are-fleeing-conscription-in-ukraine The Real Reason Thousands Are Fleeing Conscription in Ukraine], Stefan Weichert, ''[[The Daily Beast]]'', Jan. 21, 2024. thedailybeast.com</ref><ref>[https://nypost.com/2023/02/23/life-expectancy-on-frontline-in-ukraine-4-hours-soldier/ Frontline Ukrainian soldiers’ life expectancy just ‘four hours,’ US Marine claims], Isabel Keane, ''[[New York Post]]'', Feb 23, 2023. nypost.com</ref>

Historically, Poland finally became liberated from communist rule in the late 1980s, specifically July 4, 1989 (the date of the elections won by the ''Solidarność'', or ''Solidarity'' movement). [[Pope John Paul II]] was from Poland and played a major part in bringing down [[communist|communism]] in Poland. Among the nations under Soviet domination, Poland was unique in continuing to keep its strong [[Catholic]] roots even in the face of persecution. Despite this, communists remained in power and received no punishment, even decades later.<ref>[https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/30340-alex-newman-pawel-chojecki-polish-pastor-exposes-commies Polish Pastor Exposes Commies in High Places]. ''The New American''. October 15, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.</ref> The [[capital]] of Poland is [[Warsaw]].

==Geography==
[[File:Poland overlaid.PNG|275px|right|thumb|Post-1945 Poland (dark) overlaid on Poland re-created in 1919 at the [[Treaty of Versailles]].]]
One-third of contemporary lands claimed by Poland were taken from [[Germany]] and gifted to the Polish People's Republic by Soviet dictator [[Joseph Stalin]] after a period of mass deportation of the Germans resident there at the end of [[World War II]].
{{clear}}

== People ==
[[File:Fickowa Pokusa Poland.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Polish folk musician.]]
Poland today is ethnically almost homogeneous (98% Polish), in contrast with the period before and during World War II, when there were significant ethnic minorities—4.5 million [[Ukrainiane|Ukrainians]], 3 million [[Jew]]s, 1 million [[Belorusse|Belorussians]], and 800,000 [[German]]s. The majority of the Jews were murdered during the German occupation in World War II, and many others emigrated in the succeeding years.

Most Germans left Poland at the end of the war, while many Ukrainians and Belorussians lived in territories incorporated into the then-U.S.S.R. Small Ukrainian, Belorussian, [[Slovakia]], and [[Lithuania]] minorities reside along the borders, and a German minority is concentrated near the southwest city of Opole.
*Population (July 2018): 38.399 million.
*Annual growth rate: Unchanging.
*Ethnic groups: Polish 98%, German, Ukrainian, Belorussian, Lithuanian.
*Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Eastern Orthodox, Uniate, Protestant, Judaism.
*Language: Polish.
*Education: Literacy—98%.
*Health (2016): Infant mortality rate—4/1,000. Life expectancy (2017)—males 74 yrs., females 82 yrs.
*Workforce: 17.2 million. Industry and construction—30%; agriculture—13%; services—57%.

=== Religion ===
[[File:Altar in St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Gliwice Poland.jpg|250px|left|thumb|Altar in St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Gliwice.]]
[[File:St John Cathedral Warsaw Poland.jpg|thumb|right|300px|St. John Cathedral, Warsaw.]]
More than 94% of the population is [[Roman Catholic]]. According to the 2007 Annual Statistical Yearbook of Poland, the formal membership of the listed religious groups includes 33,862,800 Roman Catholics; 506,800 Polish Orthodox Church members; 53,000 Greek Catholics; 126,827 Jehovah's Witnesses; 77,500 Lutherans (Augsburg Confession); 23,670 Old Catholic Mariavits; 21,199 Pentecostals; 9,620 Seventh-day Adventists; 19,035 members of the Polish Catholic Church; 4,881 members of the New Apostolic Church; 4,726 Baptists; 4,445 Methodists; 3,516 Lutherans (Reformed); 2,500 Jews; 2,425 members of the Church of Christ; 2,195 Catholic Mariavits; 1,299 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons); 915 members of the Church of Krishna Consciousness (Hare Krishnas); and 112 registered members of Muslim associations. These figures do not account for persons who adhere to a particular faith but do not maintain formal membership. Figures for Jews and Muslims in particular are significantly deflated as a result. Jewish and Muslim organizations estimate their actual numbers to be 30,000-40,000 and 25,000, respectively.<ref>See [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/ U.S. State Department "International Religious Freedom Report 2008"]</ref>

The majority of asylum seekers are Muslims from Chechnya. In the refugee centers around the country, they organize their own mosques where they practice their religion.

The caving in of the pseudo-[[conservative]] leadership of Poland to [[liberal]] [[NATO]] in 2022 has resulted in their political defeat in 2023 and a predictable subsequent movement to legalize [[abortion]]. Most political forces in the parliament had been [[pro-life]] (allowing abortion when the woman's life or health is threatened, when pregnancy is a result of rape or incest, when the fetus is irreversibly damaged). The attempts to change the constitution so that it would state that life would be protected from the moment of conception to natural death failed.
{{clear}}

== Government ==
[[File:Ukrainian Refugees in Europe Protest Corruption of Kiev Regime.PNG|left|300px|thumb|Ukrainian refugees protest the [[corrupt]] [[Zelensky regime]] in Poland.<ref>https://t.me/infodefENGLAND/30348?single</ref>]]
{{See also|2023 Poland election}}
The current government structure consists of a council of ministers led by a Prime Minister, typically chosen from the majority coalition in the bicameral legislature's lower house (Sejm). The president, elected every five years for no more than two terms, is the head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The judicial branch plays a minor role in decision-making.

The parliament consists of the 460-member Sejm and the 100-member Senat, or upper house. The new constitution and the reformed administrative division (as of 1999) required a revision of the election ordinance (passed in April 2001). The most important changes were the liquidation of a national list (all deputies are elected by voters in electoral districts) and the introduction of a new method of calculating seats (the modified St. Lague method replaced the d'Hondt method, thus eliminating the premium for the top parties). The law stipulated that with the exception of guaranteed seats for small ethnic parties, only parties receiving at least 5% of the total vote could enter parliament.

Parties represented in the newly elected (October 2015) Sejm are [[Law and Justice]] (PiS), [[Civic Platform]] (PO), Kukiz'15 (K'15), Nowoczesna Ryszarda Petru (.N), and Polish Peasant Party (PSL). There is also one representative of the German Minority and some non-allied members of Parliament.

Poland has repeatedly ruled out joining the EU common currency. In October 2022, the Polish Constitutional Tribunal declared that Articles 1, 2, and 4 clauses 3 and 19 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) are incompatible with the Polish Constitution and warned the European Union not to interfere with its [[sovereignty]].

[[Andrew Korybko]] noted in ''NATO’s Proposed ‘Military Schengen’ Is A Thinly Disguised German Power Play Over Poland'' that it was aimed at taking advantage of Donald Tusk's return to the premiership to subordinate Poland as a [[German]] [[proxy]]. Conservative-nationalist opposition leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski accused Tusk of being a “German agent” due to his close ties with Germany and warned that he's plotting to surrender Polish [[sovereignty]]t.<ref>https://themessenger.com/news/poland-prime-minister-donald-tusk-elected-german-agent</ref>

===Recent politics===
[[File:Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Grants to Support the Needs of the LGBTQI+ Community.PNG|400px|right|thumb|After [[bullying]] a country with [[economic sanctions]] to [[legal]]ize [[gay rights]] with threats to list them as a "human rights abuser" by the [[State Department]], the [[United States]] [[escalate]]s to openly interfering in their [[domestic|domestic affairs]]].]]In 2026 President [[Karol Nawrocki]] and Prime Minister [[Donald Tusk]] represented two opposing parties. Tusk's [[tweet]] said that "President Nawrocki has once again pointed to [[the West]] as the main threat to Poland. This is the essence of the dispute between the anti-European bloc (Nawrocki, Braun, Mentzen, [[PiS]]) and our Coalition."<ref>https://x.com/donaldtusk/status/2005235407274062234</ref> A deadly serious dispute, a dispute over our values, security, [[sovereignty]]: East or West. Germanophobia, not just [[Russophobia]], remains a powerful issue filled with suspicion in contemporary Poland. Instead of another invasion, the current [[German]] threat to Poland is the [[hybrid warfare]] that's actively waged against Poland through the German-led [[EU]], the goal of which is to deracinate Poles and erode their country's sovereignty in order to facilitate their subordination as a post-modern German [[vassal state]].

=== Principal Government Officials ===
*President—Karol Nawrocki
*Prime Minister—Donald Tusk
*Minister of Foreign Affairs—[[Radosław Sikorski]]
*First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and National Heritage—Piotr Gliński
*Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and Higher Education—Jarosław Gowin
*Deputy Prime Minister—Jacek Sasin

=== Foreign Relations ===
[[File:Sikorski tweet.PNG|right|300px|thumb|Former Polish Foreign and Defense Minister and Member of the EU Parliament thanked [[Joe Biden]] for his [[environmentalism|environmental]] [[terrorism]] and Act of War against Germany and [[Russia]].<ref>https://twitter.com/radeksikorski/status/1574800653724966915</ref>]]
====Three Seas Initiative====
Poland recognized its Soviet-drawn eastern borders after the USSR's dissolution in 1991 per the Giedroyc Doctrine, but still sought to become its neighbors' big brother, which today takes the form of the "Three Seas Initiative" (3SI).<ref>https://thealtworld.com/andrew_korybko/the-three-seas-initiative-will-play-a-prominent-role-in-post-conflict-europe</ref> This neo-"[[Intermarium]]" policy is integral to the attempted revival of Poland's lost [[Great Power]] status in a contemporary [[geopolitical]] context. "Prometheism" hasn't been abandoned, however, as proven by former President [[Andrzej Duda]] calling for Russia's "decolonization" in summer 2024.

Poland became an associate member of the EU and its defensive arm, the Western European Union, in 1994. In a June 2003 national referendum, the Polish people approved EU accession by an overwhelming margin, and Poland gained full membership on May 1, 2004.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, speaking at the Warsaw Permanent Working Review Conference for Ukrainian Support on February 5, 2023, said, "Poland is ready to take responsibility for shaping the [[New World Order]]."<ref>https://youtu.be/TX99tVOkZhk</ref>

====United States====

In August 2019, when the U.S. withdrew from the [[INF Treaty]], banning intermediate-range missiles in [[Europe]], the [[U.S.]] had already deployed [[missile]]s in [[Romania]] and Poland, saying their purpose was ostensibly ‘to defend against [[Iran]]’. However, the tubes installed are deliberately configured to accommodate [[nuclear warhead]]-equipped [[cruise missile]]s and [[ballistic missile]]s; it is not possible to determine which missile is loaded, as the tubes have lids. The time for these missiles to reach [[Moscow]] would be 9 minutes from Poland, and 10 from Romania.
====[[Tucker Carlson]]====

[[File:Poland demands Tucker Carlson retracts pro Hitler lies.jpeg |thumb|(Embassy of Poland U.S. @PolishEmbassyUS (10/5/26): '''As an American journalist who enjoys the democratic right to the freedom of speech, you [Tucker Carlson] have now become an apologist for [[Adolf Hitler]].''']]

In an Oct/2026 interview with former British politician Jacob Rees-Mogg, the "just asking questions" bigoted propagandist [[Tucker Carlson]] questioned why Britain entered [[World War II]], arguing that Hitler had no fundamental quarrel with Britain.

Carlson also characterized Germany's territorial claims involving Poland as legitimate, essentially arguing that Germany had been stripped of territories populated by Germans.

Klich, Poland's chargé d'affaires in Washington, strongly condemned these comments, saying they distort the documented historical record and amount to an insult to millions of Nazi victims, including American servicemen.

Klich accused Carlson of becoming an “apologist for Adolf Hitler” and demanded that he publicly retract his statements and apologize.<ref>[https://tvpworld.com/95769457/polish-diplomat-klich-accuses-tucker-carlson-of-insulting-victims-of-nazism ‘Disgraceful’: Polish diplomat demands Tucker Carlson retract ‘lies’ about WWII]. Poland’s chargé d'affaires in Washington said Carlson had become an “apologist for Adolf Hitler.” ''TVP''. Oct 5, 2026.</ref>

The diplomat reminded that Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland was deliberately planned and aimed at destroying the Polish state and its population—not simply reclaiming territory.

It was also noted that Carlson had a broader history of skepticism toward the Allied war effort.

Rees-Mogg himself pushed back against Carlson during the interview, saying Carlson appeared to be “verging on defending Hitler.”<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/03/rees-mogg-tucker-carlson-verging-on-defending-hitler/ Rees-Mogg: Tucker Carlson ‘verging on defending Hitler’].
''The Telegraph'', Oct 3, 2026.</ref>

====Germany====
During the [[Russia-Ukraine war]], the Polish Sejm or Senate passed a resolution, 418 to 4, demanding [[reparations]] from Poland's NATO ally, [[Germany]]. The resolution stated that "the Republic of Poland has never received compensation for the numerous human and material losses caused by the German state." The resolution claims that Warsaw has never renounced its claims against Berlin. "The allegation that these claims have been withdrawn or ceased to be relevant over the years has no basis, neither moral nor legal."<ref>https://eadaily.com/ru/news/2022/09/15/seym-polshi-prinyal-rezolyuciyu-s-trebovaniem-reparaciy-ot-frg</ref>

====Ukraine====
[[File:Photo 2025-11-16 19-33-23.jpg|right|300px|thumb|In Poland, a Ukrainian child refugee goes to [[public school]] wearing a [[UPA]] patch on his sleeve. The UPA murdered 120,000 Polish [[civilian]]s, mostly [[women]], [[children]] and [[infant]]s, in [[WWII]].<ref>[https://youtu.be/bmMlIix9aI0 Volhynia Massacre: 100,000 Poles Slaughtered in a Forgotten Ethnic Bloodbath], Rethinking WWII, Oct 21, 2025. [[YouTube]].</ref>]]
In December 2020, after torchlight parades took place all over Ukraine honoring [[Stepan Bandera]], the head of the [[OUN-B]], Ukrainian national hero, who was a collaborator with the Nazis during the [[Second World War]], and whose men massacred [[Jews]] and [[Polish]] civilians, Poland and [[Israel]] issued a joint communiqué to complain about the glorification of Bandera, Andriy Melnyk, the head of the other branch of the OUN, the [[OUN-M]], and all others who actively promoted the [[ethnic cleansing]] of Jews and Poles.<ref>[https://twitter.com/PLinUkraine/status/1212760669285736449 Joint statement of Ambassador of Polish Ambassador Bartosz Cichocki and Ambassador of Israel in Ukraine Joel Lion].</ref>

On May 3, 2022, President Duda said in a nationally televised speech, "I hope that [[Ukraine]] will be a brotherly state to Poland; that it will not have a [[border]] between them, that there will in fact be no border; that we will live together on this land, rebuilding ourselves and building our common happiness, our common strength."<ref>https://twitter.com/intermarium24/status/1521652429024120832</ref>

President Duda said at the opening of the 2023 [[United Nations]] General Assembly session, "[[Ukraine]] is like a drowning man, it can drag us into the depths".<ref>https://news.yahoo.com/polish-president-grain-dispute-ukraine-202459286.html</ref>

====China====
Poland shut the [[trade]] corridor between [[China]] and the [[EU]] by closing its border with [[Belarus]] for an indefinite period. In closing the border, Poland is preventing Europeans from using the longest railway line, [[Beijing]] to [[Madrid]], in the world. One hundred thirty Chinese freight trains were blocked following the border closure. However, China bypassed the blockade and reached the EU via the Northern Sea Route with the help of Russian icebreakers, ''[[Politico]]'' reported.<ref>https://www.politico.eu/article/poland-belarus-border-closure-eu-china-rail-trade-russia-zapad</ref> After [[Warsaw]]'s provocation, [[Beijing]] intends to make the Northern Sea Route a regular one. The Northern Sea Route is about 40% shorter than the usual sea lane for shipments from China to Europe.

After Warsaw's provocation, Beijing intends to make that route a regular one. After all, the Northern Sea Route is about 40% shorter than the usual sea lane for shipments from China to Europe. The voyage from Ningbo–Zhoushan in China to the [[UK]]'s Felixstowe port takes about 18 days with support from Russian icebreakers.

Analysts figure NATO and [[Western alliance|Western]] globalists intend to sever China-Europe [[logistics]] chains that are beyond its control so China will face provocations aimed at trying to block the Northern Sea Route under the pretext of "environmental protection."

==Military==
[[File:800px-August 15, 2018. Celebration of the Polish Army Day. Air force of Poland.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Polish military [[goose step]]ping, August 15, 2018.]]
Poland became a full member of the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO) in March 1999 as part of the first wave of enlargement outlined at the July 1997 NATO Summit in [[Madrid]]. Poland's top national security goal is to further integrate with NATO and other West European defense, economic, and political institutions while modernizing and reorganizing its military. Polish military doctrine reflects the same defense posture as its Alliance partners.

Poland maintains a sizable armed force currently numbering about 140,572 troops divided among an army of 87,877, an air and defense force of 31,147, and a navy of 21,548. Poland relies on military conscription for the majority of its personnel strength. All males (with some exceptions) are subject to a 12-month term of military service. The Polish military continues to restructure and modernize its equipment. The Polish Defense Ministry General Staff and the Land Forces staff have recently reorganized the latter into a NATO-compatible J/G-1 through J/G-6 structure. Although budget constraints remain a drag on modernization, Poland has been able to move forward with U.S. assistance on acquiring 48 [[F-16]] multi-role fighters, [[C-130 Hercules|C-130]] cargo planes, HMMWVs, and other items key to the military's restructuring.
[[File:Poland-Tweet-Airforce-Ukraine.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Polish government responds to [[Biden regime]] foreign secretary [[Antony Blinken]] efforts to induce Poland to provoke [[Russia-Ukraine war#Expansion of war|World War III]].<ref>[https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2022/03/08/poland-calls-secretary-blinkens-bluff-refuses-to-help-the-united-states-start-world-war-iii-against-russia/ Poland Calls Secretary Blinken’s Bluff, Refuses To Help the United States Start World War-III Against Russia],
March 8, 2022. ''[[The Conservative Treehouse]].''</ref>]]
Poland continues to be a regional leader in support and participation in the NATO Partnership for Peace Program and has actively engaged most of its neighbors and other regional actors to build stable foundations for future European security arrangements. Poland continues its long record of strong support for UN peacekeeping operations by maintaining a unit in Southern Lebanon, a battalion in NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR), and by providing and actually deploying the KFOR strategic reserve to Kosovo. Polish military forces have served in [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] in [[Afghanistan]] and [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]].

Poland assumed command of a multinational division of stabilization forces in Iraq (MDN-CS) on September 3, 2003. Poland and its MND-CS partners have worked effectively since then to stabilize south-central Iraq while working to train Iraqi forces to take over MND-CS responsibilities and operate independently.<ref>http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/iraq_orbat_coalition.htm</ref>

On March 8, 2022, the government of Poland announced it would transfer all of its Russian-made MIG-29 jets to the Rammstein Air Base in Germany. The jets will be placed “at the disposal of the Government of the United States of America” which in turn is expected to send them to Ukraine.<ref>https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/poland-announces-all-its-mig-29-jets-will-be-transferred-us-send-ukraine</ref> The Pentagon responded to the Polish announcement: "The prospect of fighter jets " at the disposal of the Government of the United States of America" departing from a U.S./NATO base in Germany to fly into airspace that is contested with Russia over Ukraine raises serious concerns for the entire NATO alliance. It is simply not clear to us that there is a substantive rationale for it.'<ref>https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2960180/statement-by-pentagon-press-secretary-john-f-kirby-on-security-assistance-to-uk/</ref> Simply put, Blinken and Biden tried to bribe Poland with new jets to attack Russia and begin World War III so NATO Article 5 could be invoked. Poland refused on at least two earlier occasions in the previous two weeks. When Poland said it would fly the old MIGs to Germany and let Germany or the U.S. begin World War III, or let the US transport the MIGs to Slovakia or Romania and let Romania or Slovakia get nuked in addition to the United States for starting World War III, the whole [[duplicitous]] game that the Biden regime was playing with the lives of people on the planet was exposed. Biden, the "leader of the free world", wanted to start World War III but didn't want to take the blame for it, and was looking for a NATO ally to bribe and become the fall guy.<ref>https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2022/03/08/blinken-and-biden-fold-pentagon-rejects-poland-offer-for-united-states-to-start-world-war-iii/</ref>

Poland plans to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2026, using a funding scheme that includes bonds, loans and leasing options. The PiS-led cabinet is already among NATO's top spenders (2.2% of GDP in 2022). In 2022, military spending stood at 57.7 billion zlotys, or 12.5 billion euros, which will consume 12 per cent of the country's budget. As a result of the NATO war in Ukraine, Poland planned to raise military spending to 5% of GDP, with 300,000 active troops by 2035. It is buying billions in modern equipment from the US and South Korea.

As stated by the Defence Ministry, the military modernization plan until 2035 has a price tag of 524 billion zlotys (115 billion euros), but details have not been made public. The increased spending also does not require parliamentary approval, let alone a referendum, even for the largest procurement items. All that is required is the signature of the Defense Minister.
[[File:Suwalki.PNG|right|300px|thumb|Sawulki Gap]]
In January 2023, the Polish Ministry of Defense reported that 15,900 professional soldiers resigned from the Army and Polish Territorial Defense in 2022. This compares with 6,000 resignations in the previous year of 2021.<ref>https://www.rp.pl/wojsko/art37865691-marek-kozubal-fala-odejsc-z-wojska-mon-nie-widzi-problemu</ref>

====Suwałki Gap====
The Polish town of Suwałki lies approximately 15 miles southeast of the border with [[Kaliningrad]] and 25 miles west of its border with [[Belarus]], putting it in the middle of a sixty-mile gap between Russia and Belarus. This chokepoint is NATO's ‘gateway to the [[Baltic states]]’, and without this passage, there is no terrestrial connection between [[Lithuania]] (or [[Latvia]] and [[Estonia]]) and the rest of NATO.

====Lvov biological weapons research lab====
{{See also|U.S. funded biological labs abroad}}
Captured documents show the involvement of Poland in Ukrainian biolaboratories. The participation of the Polish Institute of Veterinary Medicine in research aimed at assessing the epidemiological threats and spread of the rabies virus in Ukraine has been confirmed. Characteristically, the research in question was carried out jointly with the US-based Battelle Institute, a key contractor for the [[Pentagon]].

In addition, Polish funding for the Lvov Medical University, which includes a member of US military biology projects, the Institute of Epidemiology and Hygiene, has been documented. The organization has been running a retraining program for specialists with experience of working with dual-use materials and technologies since 2002.<ref>https://telegra.ph/Briefing-on-the-results-of-the-analysis-of-documents-related-to-the-military-biological-activities-of-the-United-States-on-the-t-05-11</ref>

====Russia-Ukraine war====
{{See also|NATO war in Ukraine}}
Evidence suggests Polish intelligence has fed exaggerated and phony anti-Russian information on Russian activities in Ukraine to NATO to inflame tensions since at least 2014.

On March 8, 2022, the government of Poland announced it would transfer all of its Russian-made MIG-29 jets to the Rammstein Air Base in Germany. The jets will be placed “at the disposal of the Government of the United States of America” which in turn is expected to send them to Ukraine.<ref>https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/poland-announces-all-its-mig-29-jets-will-be-transferred-us-send-ukraine</ref> The Pentagon responded to the Polish announcement: "The prospect of fighter jets " at the disposal of the Government of the United States of America" departing from a U.S./NATO base in Germany to fly into airspace that is contested with Russia over Ukraine raises serious concerns for the entire NATO alliance. It is simply not clear to us that there is a substantive rationale for it.'<ref>[https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2960180/statement-by-pentagon-press-secretary-john-f-kirby-on-security-assistance-to-uk/ Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby on Security Assistance to Ukraine], MARCH 8, 2022. www.defense.gov</ref> Simply put, [[Blinken]] and Biden tried to bribe Poland with new upgraded replacement jets to attack Russia and begin World War III so that NATO Article 5 could be invoked. Poland refused on at least two earlier occasions in the previous two weeks. When Poland said it would fly the old MIGs to Germany and let Germany or the U.S. begin World War III, or let the US transport the MIGs to Slovakia or Romania and let Romania or Slovakia get nuked in addition to the United States, the whole duplicitous game the [[Biden regime]] was playing with the lives of people on the planet was exposed. Biden, the "leader of the free world", wanted to start World War III but didn't want to take the blame for it, and was looking for a NATO ally to bribe and become the fall guy.<ref>https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2022/03/08/blinken-and-biden-fold-pentagon-rejects-poland-offer-for-united-states-to-start-world-war-iii/</ref>

On March 24, 2022, Biden flew to Poland. Reports emerged that Poland was "contemplating" an incursion into Western Ukraine.

On April 5, 2022, according to Deputy Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczynski, leader of Poland's ruling [[Law and Justice]] (PiS) party, agreements were fully reached allowing Washington to relocate its nuclear arsenals to the country in any required quantity, the German newspaper ''Welt am Sonntag'' reported.<ref>https://youtu.be/nYx-W9Do--4</ref>

On April 28, 2022, the Polish Defense Ministry announced that there would be intensive movement of convoys with equipment in the country's north and east from May 1, 2022, until the end of the month due to “military exercises”.

One of the development options of the Polish leadership's plan is to create an advanced bridgehead on the territory of Moldova to promptly take control of Transnistria and deploy a “peacekeeping contingent” on the territory of the Odessa region. The Odesa command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) is ready to support a Moldovan-Polish-Romanian invasion of Transnistria under the guise of a "humanitarian" operation.

On May 18, 2022, Maurycy Hawranek, an Administrator of WolneMedia.net published this:
[[File:Polish mobilization for invasion of Ukraine.PNG|right|300px|thumb|Polish armored vehicles being transported to Ukraine, May 2022.]]
{{quotebox-float|"Independent freedom portal WolneMedia.net from Poland was censored preventively contrary to Article 54 of the Polish Constitution. The pro-Ukrainian government does not allow criticism of the Ukrainian propaganda and the government's policy. After 15 years of activity for freedom of speech, the owner of the portal encountered brutal censorship by the state security police. He has not received a decision on censorship or information on how to appeal. The Polish law does not allow for an appeal. The secret list of censored sites is growing. Sites in the .pl domain are disabled, and portals with international domains are blocked by Polish telecoms in DNS. They can be read from abroad, via VPN, Tor, proxy gateways or by changing the Polish DNS to a foreign one. Ordinary people do not know about this. ... Is the promotion of a Polish-Ukrainian union in the media to mask a secret capitulation? Has Poland become a colony of Ukraine? The Polish parliament displays the flag of Ukraine in the place of the host country and the Polish flag in the place of a guest. Some offices have swapped the flags of Poland for those of Ukraine..,.."<ref>https://wolnemedia.net/polish-government-censors-free-media/</ref>}}
While attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) President Andrzej Duda accused Germany of breaking its word to re-supply Poland with new tanks as compensation for Polish deliveries of Soviet-era tanks to Ukraine. In an interview with ''[[Die Welt]]'' Duda said Germany has "not fulfilled this promise. And frankly, we are very disappointed about this....We have provided Ukraine with a large number of tanks … because we believe it is our responsibility as a neighbor,” Duda said, referring to reports that Warsaw handed at least 240 Soviet-era tanks to the Ukrainian military. “By doing so, we depleted our own military potential and stockpiles."<ref>https://www.politico.eu/article/polish-president-accuses-germany-of-breaching-promises-on-ukraine-related-tank-deliveries/</ref>

Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski told ''Gazeta Polska'' in an interview on June 15, 2022, "the defeat of the West, primarily [[America]], in Ukraine will be something more serious than [[Vietnam]], not to mention [[Afghanistan]]."<ref>https://profile.ru/news/politics/v-polshe-zayavili-chto-porazhenie-ssha-na-ukraine-budet-sereznee-razgroma-vo-vetname-1102372/</ref> On June 21, 2022, Kaczynski, the "puppet master" of the Duda regime, quit further weakening the regime.

In June it was reported Poland was to receive 500 [[HIMARS]] from the United States.<ref>[https://www.thedefensepost.com/2022/06/07/poland-himars-us/#:~:text=Polish%20Defense%20Minister%20Mariusz%20B%C5%82aszczak%20has%20announced%20that,request%20%28LOR%29%20to%20acquire%20US-made%20M142%20HIMARS%20launchers.]</ref>

On October 10, 2022 ''Reuters'' reported that the government of Poland advised its citizens to leave Belarus.<ref>https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/poland-advises-its-citizens-leave-belarus-2022-10-10/</ref>

On October 14, 2022, it was reported Poland was to purchase close to 300 K239 Chunmoo multiple-rocket launchers from [[South Korea]].<ref>https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/10/14/poland-to-buy-hundreds-of-s-korean-chunmoo-multiple-rocket-launchers/</ref>

On November 15, 2022, Poland was called out by U.S. socialist premier [[Joe Biden]] for issuing a global [[false flag]] alert that World War III was about to begin when it posted misinformation about a supposed [[Russian]] missile attack on Poland.<ref>https://www.moonofalabama.org/2022/11/another-ukrainian-missile-stunt.html</ref> Polish leadership is known for its [[Russophobia]] and efforts to drag the United States into war with Russia ever since Poland was admitted to NATO, and before. [[Extremist]]s in the Polish government, with their rabid hatred of Russia and everything Russian, and their lust for [[vengeance]] against Russia and the Russian people in fact provide NATO with NATO's only reason for NATO's continued existence. Polish anti-Russian [[propaganda]] and influence are typically expressed in [[Western]] media and [[U.S. State Department]] comments with phrases such as, "Russia is a threat to its neighbors".

====NATO mercenaries====
The Polish new site ''Niezaleizny Dziennik Polityczny'' reported on November 23, 2022:
{{quotebox-float|'''A shameful end. American quarters for Polish mercenaries.''' 

In early November, the regional media announced plans to create burials similar to American war cemeteries in Olsztyn. The reports sparked a wave of indignation, both among the city's residents and Poles across the country. "This is a necropolis for Poles? We are from a different culture,” which is how indignant users in social media reacted to the strange ideas of the city council.
...
The municipal cemetery in Dywity is the main necropolis in Olsztyn and covers over 35 ha. Today it is loud about it all over Poland, because soon it will look like a war cemetery in the USA. It has to be like in an American movie. A large lawn with identical tombstones on it. Without trees, benches, angels bending over the dead. The tombstones will be the same, they will only differ in color. Their manufacturers provided for only three: black, gray and red-brown.

The main reason for the creation of the American cemetery in Olsztyn was the drastically increased number of burials in the region, mainly soldiers' graves.

This situation has become a real problem for the local government of Olsztyn, where the 16th Pomeranian Mechanized Division is stationed. Almost daily military funerals combined with volleys of honor began to irritate the residents and provoked numerous questions to the city administration and the command of the 16th Division. To avoid additional publicity of the problem, the authorities decided to create a separate "American" cemetery.
...
After the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February this year, President Andrzej Duda and Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak officially called on Poles to join the ranks of mercenaries and fight on the side of the Kyiv regime. Among the fighters who went to war were professional soldiers of the 16th Mechanized Division and veterans of the unit living in the region.

During the 10 months of bloody fighting, according to information from publicly available sources, over 1,200 Polish citizens died in Ukraine, including soldiers and veterans of the 16th PDZ. The number of injured and maimed people also amounts to several thousand.<ref>https://www.moonofalabama.org/2022/11/ukraine-war-a-contentious-graveyard-in-poland.html#more</ref>}}
On February 20, 2023, the head of the [[Russian Investigative Committee]] Alexander Bastrykin reported that the mutilated bodies of Polish mercenaries were found by Russian forces with their heads and hands cut off by the [[AFU]] to thwart identification.<ref>https://www.theinteldrop.org/2023/02/20/mass-beheadings-russia-details-claims-of-mutilations-by-ukrainian-forces/</ref><ref>https://www.bitchute.com/video/WbX3UNN7pg8H/</ref>

According to a report by the Myśl Polska news agency in late August 2023, the number of Polish casualties in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine exceeded 10,000. This staggering figure has serious implications for both Poland and its military establishment, especially given that a significant proportion of the dead have been identified as Polish Army reservists. This number of deaths would be more than 15% of all Polish ground forces. While some of these victims are referred to as volunteers and mercenaries, the majority are identified as Polish active-duty soldiers and reservists.<ref>https://www.voiceofeurope.com/recorded-polish-casualties-in-ukrainian-conflict-exceed-10000/</ref>

====Ukraine missile attack on Poland====
On November 15, 2022, two Ukrainian [[S-300]] missiles, alleged to have been launched to shoot down a Russian [[cruise missile]], were fired westward and hit a Polish grain storage facility, killing two civilians. The Polish government, Ukrainian government, the ''[[Associated Press]]'',<ref>https://apnews.com/article/nato-ap-news-alert-europe-poland-government-and-politics-ba48101fd25c86e68e57dc56fe2adf80</ref> most of all Western propaganda media and so-called national security and intelligence experts called for invoking NATO Article 5.<ref>https://twitter.com/anders_aslund/status/1592616431291535360</ref> Zelensky advisor [[Mykhailo Podolyak]] declared that the strikes came from Russia. Ukrainian foreign minister [[Dmytro Kuleba]] claimed Russian denials were a [[conspiracy theory]] and that “No one should buy Russian propaganda or amplify its messages."<ref>https://twitter.com/DmytroKuleba/status/1592632386751434752?s=20&t=TtnVQsVODlidTZoknWqWpg</ref> Ukrainian dictator Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted that the “Russian attack on collective security in the Euro-Atlantic is a significant escalation” of the conflict.<ref>https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/15/world/kyiv-strikes-russia-zelensky-peace-intl/index.html</ref>

However, an AWACS radar plane and other ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) aircraft regularly flying in the region and ground radar tracked the missiles' trajectory and determined the Kyiv regime had launched the missiles. That did not prevent an anonymous "senior U.S. intelligence official" from reporting to the ''Associated Press'' that Russia had fired the missiles at Poland. The [[fake news]] story was disseminated globally, as all fake news stories emanating from Kyiv, and its CIA counterparts in Kyiv, have been disseminated globally to world media for the entirety of 2022 and late 2021.

When called out on the [[lie]]s, Ukrainian dictator Volodymyr Zelensky doubled down. Both socialist premier Joe Biden and NATO chief warlord Jens Stoltenberg blamed Ukraine for the attack. Zelensky refuted the Western leaders' statements that the missile which killed two innocent civilians in Poland was Ukrainian. "I have no doubt that it was not our missile or our missile strike." Zelensky insisted that he received reports from the corrupt Armed Forces of Ukraine command that told him the missile attacks did not come from Ukraine," he told the people in a live nationwide address on Ukrainian state-controlled media.<ref>https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/11/16/7376663/</ref> The [[Russophobic]] ''Financial Times'' of [[London]] quoted a [[diplomat]] from a NATO country in Kyiv saying: “This is getting ridiculous. The Ukrainians are destroying [our] confidence in them. Nobody is blaming Ukraine and they are openly lying. This is more destructive than the [[missile]].”<ref>https://archive.ph/mxQ5K#selection-2029.34-2029.282</ref>

The Polish politician Jaroslaw Pakula said that Poland should reconsider its position vis-à-vis the conflict in Ukraine after a “provocation” from Kyiv that killed Polish citizens. Pakula said the missile that hit Przewodow was clearly Ukrainian and that the government in Warsaw should send a message to Kyiv instead of telling “fairy tales” to its citizens.<ref>https://www.armstrongeconomics.com/international-news/ukraine/the-west-must-abandon-ukraine-force-peace/</ref>

====Revanchism====
[[File:NATO partitioning of Ukraine.PNG|right|300px|thumb|Planned partitioning of Ukraine in 2022.]]Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS) stated that the Polish military's priority “combat tasks” would include the gradual seizure of control over strategic facilities in West Ukraine. Poland discussed with the Biden regime an action to “reunite” with West Ukraine. According to [[Warsaw]]'s estimates, the entrenchment of the Polish military in West Ukraine would amount to a partitioning of Ukraine. On April 28, 2022, FIS spokesman [[Sergei Naryshkin]] said that Washington and Warsaw were planning to deploy a Polish “peacekeeping contingent” in the western part of Ukraine.
{{quotebox-float|“According to information received by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, Washington and Warsaw are working on plans to establish tight military and political control over ‘their historical possessions’ in Ukraine,”}}
According to the FIS, the first stage of the “reunification” should be the introduction of Polish troops into the western regions of Ukraine under the guise of 'peacekeepers' with the participation of ‘willing states’. Warsaw has not yet been able to agree on potential participants in a ‘coalition of like-minded'," the FIS said.

At the same time, the FIS pointed out, Polish leadership is not interested in “unnecessary spies” in its operation. “The so-called peacekeeping contingent is planned to be deployed in those parts of Ukraine where the threat of direct clash with the Russian Armed Forces is minimal. The priority “combat tasks” of the Polish military will include gradual interception of control over strategic objects located there from the National Guard of Ukraine. Polish special services are already searching for “agreeable” representatives of the Ukrainian elite to form a Warsaw-oriented “democratic” counterweight to the nationalists," the FIS said in its report.

Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Armed Forces, Jaroslaw Mika, signed an order to bring the Polish Army into a state of full combat readiness for the invasion of western Ukraine.<ref>https://youtu.be/DzHlHaphi3I</ref> This document was published online by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.<ref>https://t.me/MedvedevVesti/9303</ref> According to the Polish government’s estimates, a deployment into western Ukraine is highly likely to split the country. Warsaw will essentially gain control of the territories where Polish "peacekeepers" will enter. Essentially, it is an attempt to repeat the historical “deal” for Poland after the [[First World War]], when the collective West, represented by the [[Triple Entente|Entente]], recognized Warsaw's right first to occupy part of Ukraine to protect its population from the “[[Bolshevik]] threat”, and then to incorporate those territories into the Polish state. The events that followed were a clear illustration of the [[colonialism|colonial]] order and forced Polonization as the main methods of building a ‘Greater Poland’," the FIS concluded.<ref>https://southfront.org/transnistria29042022/</ref>

On May 3, 2022, Polish President [[Andrzej Duda]] said in a nationally televised speech,<ref>https://twitter.com/intermarium24/status/1521652429024120832</ref>
{{quotebox-float|"I hope that Ukraine will be a brotherly state to Poland; that it will not have a [[border]] between them, that there will in fact be no border; that we will live together on this land, rebuilding ourselves and building our common happiness, our common strength."<ref>https://twitter.com/intermarium24/status/1521652429024120832</ref>}}
Other reports indicated that Ukrainian dictator [[Volodymyr Zelensky]] and his entire cabinet had been offered UK citizenship, bypassing the ordinary process for acquiring citizenship and in preparation for a government-in-exile of a shrunken landlocked Ukrainian [[rump state]].<ref>https://cmio.org/en/world/660051-representatives-of-zelenskys-office-received-british-citizenship-kiva-said</ref>

====Alleged peacekeepers====
Hanna Kramer, writing in the Polish ''Political Journal'' in March 2023, said,
{{quotebox-float|"Ukrainians are paying thousands of victims for the mistakes and arrogance of the authorities, for unfulfilled promises, for the chaos created by the Americans, who now call it " order". And also for the fact that the government agreed and helped [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]] to revive [[Nazism]] and kill its own citizens in [[Donbas]]. The only thing that remains unchanged is that the [[White House]] will stop at nothing to maintain its world dominance. If we do not stop the American Reich now, they will unleash more [[war]]s around the world and drown Europeans in the blood of their own citizens!"<ref>https://dziennik-polityczny.com/2023/03/28/hanna-kramer-misja-pokojowa-nato-szykuje-sie-armagedon/</ref>}}

====Operation Safe Podlasie====
On August 1, 2024, the start of a number of military operations was announced in Poland. In particular, conducting an air operation in the eastern and south-eastern parts of the country “Eastern Dawn”, as well as a ground operation in the same directions, in the border area – Operation Safe Podlasie.<ref>https://www.defensemirror.com/news/37296/Poland_Launches__Operation_Safe_Podlasie__with_17_000_Troops_to_Secure_Eastern_Border_Amid_Rising_Hybrid_Threats</ref> These are not exercises, but operations. The troops are in full [[combat]] readiness, including full [[ammunition]].

Since the beginning of July 2024, the appearance of F-16 air groups with various affiliation markings, in particular, the Air Forces of [[Romania]], [[Germany]], [[Denmark]] and other NATO countries, was observed in the airspace of countries adjacent to Ukraine. In addition, flights were practiced with transponders turned off. Frequent takeoffs and landings at airfields in Poland and Romania were also being practiced, including at night. A significant increase in [[F-16]] sorties from Polish airfields was observed. A "operational game" was carried out to covertly transport F-16 aircraft for the air forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). This indicated a disguise of the start of the [[NATO]] air operation in Ukraine, and of the Polish Armed Forces' direct intervention in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

== Economy ==
Since its reunification with the rest of the West, the Polish economy grew rapidly in the mid-1990s, slowed considerably in 2001 and 2002, returned again to healthy growth rates in 2003, then faltered during the worldwide [[recession of 2008]]. Poland's gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an annualized rate of 5.2% in the first quarter of 2006. Faster growth has begun to reduce persistently high unemployment, from nearly 20% in the middle of 2004 to 16.5% in May 2006. Tight monetary policy and dramatic productivity growth have helped to hold down inflation, which was 2.1% in 2005. Likewise, Poland's current account deficit, which grew rapidly in the late 1990s, has since moderated to 1.4% of GDP in 2005. The 2005 budget deficit was 27.5 billion zloty, or 2.8% of GDP in 2005, and the current government pledged to restrain the 2006 and 2007 budgets at 30 billion zloty.
[[File:Warszawy by Night.jpg|frame|center|[[Warsaw]] by night.]]
Throughout the 1990s, the United States and other Western countries supported the growth of a free enterprise economy by reducing Poland's foreign debt burden, providing economic aid, and lowering trade barriers. Poland graduated from [[U.S. Agency for International Development]] (USAID) assistance in 2000 and paid the balance of its U.S.-held Paris Club debt in 2005. Poland officially joined the European Union (EU) on May 1, 2004.
*GDP (2018): $614.2 billion.
*GDP Growth (2018): 5.1%.
*Per Capita GDP (2018): $16,180.
*Rate of inflation (2018): 1.6%.
*Rate of unemployment (April 2019): 5.6%.
*Natural resources: [[Coal]], [[copper]], [[sulfur]], [[natural gas]], [[silver]], [[lead]], [[salt]].
*Agriculture: Products—grains, hogs, dairy, potatoes, horticulture, sugarbeets, oilseed.
*Industry: Types—machine building, iron and steel, mining, shipbuilding, automobiles, furniture, textiles and apparel, chemicals, food processing, glass, and beverages.
*Trade (2018): Exports--$247 billion: furniture, cars, ships, coal, apparel. Imports--$253 billion: crude oil, passenger cars, pharmaceuticals, car parts, computers.

According to the FTSE Russell Index in 2018, Poland became the first post-Soviet country to become a "developed market."<ref>Lane, Oliver JJ (September 27, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/09/27/telegraph-poland-first-post-soviet-bloc-nation-developed-market/ Telegraph: Poland Is First Post-Soviet Bloc Nation to Become a ‘Developed Market’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 27, 2018.</ref> Poland has the highest increase in GDP among EU countries and 4th among all countries in the world.

On the other hand, Poland has the biggest inflation in Europe, high public debt, highest wholesale electricity prices in the EU and the level of social spending is the highest in relation to GDP in the world.

[[Inflation]] has taken a heavy toll on the economy as a result of [[Russia sanctions]], increasing from 15.6 percent in July 2022 to 16.1 percent in August, a new 25-year high. Poland then signed an oil deal with Russia, disregarding EU sanctions, and even imported coal.

=== Agriculture ===
Agriculture employs 16.1% of the workforce but contributes only 5% to the gross domestic product (GDP), reflecting relatively low productivity. Unlike the industrial sector, Poland's agricultural sector remained largely in private hands during the decades of communist rule. Most of the former state farms are now leased to farmer tenants. Lack of credit is hampering efforts to sell former state farmland. Currently, Poland's 2 million private farms occupy 90% of all farmland and account for roughly the same percentage of total agricultural production. These farms are small—8 hectares (ha) on average—and often fragmented. Farms with an area exceeding 15 ha accounted for only 9% of the total number of farms but cover 45% of total agricultural area. Over half of all farming households in Poland produce only for their own needs, with little, if any, commercial sales.

Poland is a net exporter of confectionery, processed fruit and vegetables, meat, and dairy products. Processors often rely on imports to supplement domestic supplies of wheat, feed grains, vegetable oil, and protein meals, which are generally insufficient to meet domestic demand. However, Poland is the leading producer in Europe of potatoes and rye and is one of the world's largest producers of sugarbeets. Poland also is a significant producer of rapeseed, grains, hogs, and cattle. Attempts to increase domestic feed grain production are hampered by the short growing season, poor soil, and the small size of farms.

Pressure to restructure the agricultural sector intensified as Poland prepared to accede to the European Union, which is unwilling to subsidize the vast number of subsistence farms that do not produce for the market. The changes in agriculture are likely to strain Poland's social fabric, tearing at the heart of the traditional, family-based small farm as the younger generation drifts toward the cities. Nonetheless, dramatically increasing agricultural exports to the EU-15 (38% growth in 2005) and payments to farmers from Brussels following accession have enriched Polish commercial farmers and dramatically increased support for EU membership in Poland's rural areas.

[[File:Panorama-Morskiego-Oka Poland.jpg|thumb|center|500px|Panoramic view of Morskie Oko ("Marine Eye").]]

=== Industry ===
[[File:Locomotive train station Poland..jpg|thumb|Locomotive at a [[train station]]]]
Before World War II, Poland's industrial base was concentrated in the coal, textile, chemical, machinery, iron, and steel sectors. Today it extends to fertilizers, petrochemicals, machine tools, electrical machinery, electronics, and shipbuilding.

Poland's industrial base suffered greatly during World War II, and many resources were directed toward reconstruction. The communist economic system imposed in the late 1940s created large and unwieldy economic structures operated under a tight central command. In part because of this systemic rigidity, the economy performed poorly even in comparison with other economies in central Europe. In 1990, the Mazowiecki government began a comprehensive reform program to replace the centralized command economy with a market-oriented system. While the results overall have been impressive, many large state-owned industrial enterprises, particularly the railroads and the mining, steel, and defense sectors, have remained resistant to the change and downsizing required to survive in an open market economy.

=== Economic Reform Program and Direct Foreign Investment ===
The economic reforms introduced in 1990 removed price controls, eliminated most subsidies to industry, opened markets to international competition, and imposed strict budgetary and monetary discipline. Poland was the first former centrally planned economy in central Europe to end its recession and return to growth in the early 1990s. The private sector now accounts for over two-thirds of GDP.

In early 2002, the government announced a new set of economic reforms known as the Hausner Plan, designed in many ways to complete the process launched in 1990. The package acknowledged the need to improve Poland's investment climate, particularly the conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises, and better prepare the economy to compete as a European Union (EU) member. The government also aimed to improve Poland's public finances to prepare for the eventual adoption of the euro. Though the government was able to enact only portions of the Hausner Plan, those successes, coupled with successful monetary efforts to strengthen the zloty, have put Poland within reach of the National Bank's goal of euro accession in 2008–2009.

As a result of Poland's growth and investment-friendly climate, the country has received over $85 billion in direct foreign investment (DFI) since 1990, with roughly $7 billion in 2004 alone. According to a recently published report by Ernst and Young, Poland is tied with Germany as the most attractive destination for foreign investment in Europe. The availability of cheap land and a large, relatively skilled labor force are among Polish strengths. However, the government continues to play a strong role in the economy, as seen in excessive red tape and the high level of politicization in many business decisions. Investors complain that state regulation is not transparent or predictable, and the economy suffers from a lack of competition in many sectors, notably telecommunications.

=== Foreign Trade ===
With the collapse of the ruble-based COMECON trade bloc in 1990, Poland scrambled to reorient its trade. As early as 1996, 70% of its trade was with EU-15 members, and neighboring Germany today is Poland's dominant trading partner. Most of Poland's imports are capital goods needed for industrial retooling and for manufacturing inputs, rather than imports for consumption. Therefore, a deficit is expected and should even be regarded as positive at this point. Poland, a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and European Union, applies the EU's common external tariff to goods from other countries—including the U.S.

In the year after it joined the EU, Poland experienced an overall growth in exports of 30%. This growth was not confined to trade among EU partners: while exports to EU countries rose by 27%, exports to developing countries rose by 46%, and exports to Russia rose an unexpected 77%. Poland's trade balance continued to improve, with export growth significantly outpacing import growth. Opportunities for trade and investment continue to exist across virtually all sectors. The American Chamber of Commerce in Poland, founded in 1991 with seven members, now has more than 300 members. Strong economic growth potential, a large domestic market, EU membership, and political stability are the top reasons U.S. and other foreign companies do business in Poland.

=== Impact of Russian sanctions ===
In the absence of Russian energy resources and EU subsidies, the Polish economy began to die rapidly. The President of the National Bank of Poland, Adam Glapinski, warned the Poles about this.

Poland, after the UK [[Brexit]], was the fifth economy of the EU and was growing due to low prices for Russian gas, oil, and coal, as well as annual financial injections from the EU. By December 2022, the Polish economy, due to EU sanctions and the actions of the local government, was completely deprived of Russian gas and coal supplies. Poland's dependence on Russian gas was 50%, on Russian coal—more than 60%. In the energy balance of Poland, up to 70% of all electricity is generated using coal. Poland lacks gas and coal. The volumes of their consumption are more than three times higher than the volumes of their production.

The suspension of the gas contract with [[Gazprom]] and the embargo on coal against Russia led to an increase in purchase prices for gas and coal of at least twofold. The increase in electricity costs for Polish companies led to a proportional increase in gas and electricity tariffs in the domestic market.

The problem was exacerbated by the need to accommodate several million refugees from the territory of Ukraine.

The Polish authorities, unlike other EU countries, do not have financial reserves to subsidize their industry. The Polish economy is fully subsidized. Poland's budget revenues are about 95 billion euros, while expenditures are less than 110 billion euros.

The Polish government annually covered a budget deficit of 15 billion euros through EU subsidies. However, now the country has actually lost these subsidies for its aggressive policy directed against Germany and France.

The increase in the production costs of Polish enterprises for the purchase of energy resources led to an increase in prices for everything in Poland by 20%. The head of the Polish Central Bank predicted an increase in [[inflation]] in early 2023 to 24% year on year. Adam Glapinski warned that the Polish economy should not be expected to improve. The country began slipping into recession.

The head of the State Development Fund of Poland, Boris, noted that Poland's economic difficulties are related to the restructuring of the country's energy system, the refusal to receive Russian energy resources, and the rising cost of buying new American weapons.

== History ==
[[File:PolishLithuanian Commonwealth.PNG|right|300px|thumb|The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth at one time stretched from the Baltic to the Black Sea. 21st century [[Ukrainian Nazi]]s call the territory the '[[Intermarium]]' ('Between the Seas').]]
{{See also|History of Poland|Intermarium}}
Poland's written history begins with the reign of [[Mieszko I]], who accepted [[Christianity]] for himself and his kingdom in AD 966. The Polish state reached its zenith under the [[Jagiellonian dynasty]] in the years following the union with [[Lithuania]] in 1386 and the subsequent defeat of the [[Teutonic Knights]] at Grunwald in 1410. The Union of Lublin united the [[Kingdom Poland|Kingdom of Poland]] and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania on July 1, 1569, in Lublin, Poland, which created a single state known as the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Polish Commonwealth was at one point the largest country in Europe, covering much of what is today Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, and Poland. The Poles experienced their Golden Age during the 16th century. The monarchy survived many upheavals but eventually went into a decline, which ended with the final partition of Poland by [[Prussia]], [[Russia]], and [[Austria]] in 1795.

Independence for Poland was one of the 14 points enunciated by [[President Woodrow Wilson]] during [[World War I]]. Many Polish Americans enlisted in the military services to further this aim, and the United States worked at the postwar conference to ensure its implementation.

In 1999, after the collapse of the [[Soviet Union]], Poland joined [[NATO]], and in 2004 it was admitted to the [[European Union]]. Integration into [[Western]] structures was accompanied by a rapid growth of Polish [[nationalism]].

In 2026, [[Ukrainian]] [[dictator]] [[Volodymyr Zelensky]] honored the [[Volhynia Genocide]]’s [[OUN|OUN-UPA]] culprits at the state level and authorized the construction of a “national pantheon” in which the remains of such figures, especially [[Stepan Bandera]], are widely expected to be interred in [[Kyiv]]. These developments confirmed that Ukraine has indisputably become an anti-Polish state and prompted [[conservative]] President [[Karol Nawrocki]] to revoke the Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest award, from Zelensky.

==== Second Polish Republic ====
{{See also|Second Polish Republic}}
[[File:Polish particians.PNG|right|300px|thumb|By 1789, the Polish Commonwealth had been partitioned between the Russian, Prussian, and Austrian Empires. Poland disappeared from the map for over 130 years until it was resurrected at the [[Versailles conference]] in 1919.]]
However, the Poles were largely responsible for achieving their own independence in 1918 and keeping it shortly thereafter against [[Polish-Soviet War|Red aggression]] from [[Bolshevik]] Russia. Authoritarian rule predominated for most of the period before [[World War II]]. In the years preceding the outbreak of World War II, Germany's leader, Adolf Hitler, repeatedly requested an alliance with Poland. On August 23, 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union signed the [[Ribbentrop-Molotov nonaggression pact]], which secretly provided for the dismemberment of Poland into Nazi and Soviet-controlled zones. On September 1, 1939, Hitler ordered his troops into Poland. On September 17, Soviet troops invaded and then occupied eastern Poland under the terms of this agreement. On October 6, all remaining Polish resistance inside Poland ceased and Poland fell to Soviet and German occupation.

The eastern half of Poland known as the Kresy was annexed into the Soviet republics of Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania. After Germany terminated the Hitler-Stalin pact and invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941, Poland was completely occupied by German troops.

The Poles formed an underground resistance movement and a government in exile, first in [[Paris]] and later in [[London]], which was recognized by the Western powers (the USA, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union). During World War II, 400,000 Poles fought in the [[Polish Peoples Army]] under Soviet command, whereas 200,000 served in the [[Polish Home Army]] in underground resistance in Poland, North Africa, Italy, and on the Western Front, and remained loyal to the Free Polish government in exile. Despite this, anti-Poles have falsely claimed that Poles collaborated with Germany.<ref>Cummings McLean, Dorothy (February 14, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/anti-polish-hatred-should-have-no-place-in-american-media Anti-Polish hatred should have no place in American media]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved February 15, 2019.</ref>
[[File:Volhynia.PNG|left|300px|thumb|More than 100,000 Poles were murdered by [[Ukrainian Nazi]]s in the [[Volhynia massacre]] during [[WWII]].]]
After the German military announced that they had discovered mass graves of murdered Polish army officers at [[Katyn]] in April 1943, the Soviet Union broke relations with the Polish government in exile. The Soviets claimed that the Poles had insulted them by requesting that the [[Red Cross]] investigate these reports. In July 1944, the Soviet Red Army entered Poland and established a communist-controlled "Polish Committee of National Liberation" (PKWN) at Lublin.

Resistance against the Nazis in [[Warsaw]], including uprisings by Jews in the Warsaw ghetto and by the Polish underground, was brutally suppressed. As the Germans retreated in January 1945, they leveled the city while Red Army units waited just outside.<ref>Solzhenitsyn writes: "''in October, 1944, the Germans threw in Kaminsky's brigade—with its Moslem units—to suppress the Warsaw uprising. While one group of Russians sat traitorously dozing beyond the Vistula, watching the death of Warsaw through binoculars, other Russians crushed the uprising!"'' [[The Gulag Archipelago]] Three (1918-1956): An Experiment in Literary Investigation I-II, p. 257. [http://ia700304.us.archive.org/BookReader/BookReaderImages.php?zip=/29/items/Gulag_Archipelago_I/Gulag_Archipelago_jp2.zip&file=Gulag_Archipelago_jp2/Gulag_Archipelago_0267.jp2&scale=6&rotate=0]</ref> During the war, about 6 million Poles were killed, and 2.5 million were deported to Germany for forced labor. More than 3 million Jews (all but about 100,000 of the Jewish population) were killed in death camps like those at Oswiecim ([[Auschwitz]]), Treblinka, and Majdanek.

Following the [[Yalta Conference]] in February 1945, a Polish Provisional Government of National Unity was formed in June 1945; the U.S. recognized it the next month. Although the Yalta Agreement called for free elections, those held in January 1947 were controlled by the Communist Party. The communists then established a regime entirely under their domination.

==== Communist Poland ====
{|class="infobox" style="float:right; font-size:85%; width:1ex; line-height:17px; margin: 0px 0px 5px 50px" cellpadding="1"
|[[File:Polish revanchism.PNG|left|310px]]
|[[File:Poland overlaid.PNG|275px]]
|-
|colspan="3"|<hr/>Left: Outlined in red: Ukrainian lands claimed by Poland; Right: Post-1945 Poland (darkened) overlaid with inter-war borders 1921–1939.
|}
In 1945, Poland was forced by the [[Big Three]] powers at the [[Potsdam conference]] to give up its eastern territories to [[Ukraine]] and [[Lithuania]], in exchange for Germany's eastern territories of [[Pomerania]] and [[Silesia]]. Poland's former territories, including the cities of [[Lvov]] and [[Vilnius]] were incorporated and annexed under an agreement by the Communist rulers of Poland, Ukraine, and Lithuania. Poland ended up losing its eastern territories, which comprised half of the country and a sizable portion of the population.

In October 1956, after the 20th ("[[De-Stalinization]]") Soviet Party Congress in Moscow and riots by workers in Poznan, there was a shakeup in the communist regime. While retaining most traditional communist economic and social aims, the regime of First Secretary Wladyslaw Gomulka liberalized Polish internal life.

In 1968, the trend reversed when student demonstrations were suppressed and a "anti-Zionist" campaign initially directed against Gomulka supporters within the party eventually led to the emigration of much of Poland's remaining Jewish population. In December 1970, disturbances and strikes in the port cities of Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Szczecin, triggered by a price increase for essential consumer goods, reflected deep dissatisfaction with living and working conditions in the country. Edward Gierek replaced Gomulka as First Secretary.

Fueled by large infusions of Western credit, Poland's economic growth rate was one of the world's highest during the first half of the 1970s. But much of the borrowed capital was misspent, and the centrally planned economy was unable to use the new resources effectively. The growing debt burden became insupportable in the late 1970s, and economic growth had become negative by 1979.

In October 1978, the Bishop of Kraków, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, became [[Pope John Paul II]], head of the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. Polish Catholics rejoiced at the elevation of a Pole to the papacy and greeted his June 1979 papal visit to Poland with an outpouring of emotion.

In July 1980, with the Polish foreign debt at more than $20 billion, the government made another attempt to increase meat prices. A chain reaction of strikes virtually paralyzed the Baltic coast by the end of August and, for the first time, closed most coalmines in Silesia. Poland was entering into an extended crisis that would change the course of its future development.

==== The Solidarity Movement ====
[[File:Lech Walesa.jpg|thumb|Lech Walesa.]]
On August 31, 1980, workers at the Lenin Shipyard in [[Gdańsk]], led by an electrician named [[Lech Walesa]], signed a 21-point agreement with the government that ended their strike. Similar agreements were signed at Szczecin and in Silesia. The key provision of these agreements was the guarantee of the workers' right to form independent trade unions and the right to strike. After the Gdańsk agreement was signed, a new national union movement--"Solidarity" swept Poland.

The discontent underlying the strikes was intensified by revelations of widespread corruption and mismanagement within the Polish state and party leadership. In September 1980, Gierek was replaced by Stanislaw Kania as First Secretary.

Alarmed by the rapid deterioration of the PZPR's authority following the Gdańsk agreement, the Soviet Union proceeded with a massive military buildup along Poland's border in December 1980. In February 1981, Defense Minister Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski assumed the position of Prime Minister as well, and in October 1981, he also was named party First Secretary. At the first Solidarity national congress in September–October 1981, Lech Walesa was elected national chairman of the union.

On December 12–13, 1981, the regime declared martial law, under which the army and special riot police were used to crush the union. Virtually all Solidarity leaders and many affiliated intellectuals were arrested or detained. The United States and other Western countries responded to martial law by imposing economic sanctions against the Polish regime and against the Soviet Union. Unrest in Poland continued for several years thereafter.

In a series of slow, uneven steps, the Polish regime rescinded martial law. In December 1982, martial law was suspended, and a small number of political prisoners were released. Although martial law formally ended in July 1983 and a general amnesty was enacted, several hundred political prisoners remained in jail.

In July 1984, another general amnesty was declared, and 2 years later, the government had released nearly all political prisoners. The authorities continued, however, to harass dissidents and Solidarity activists. Solidarity remained proscribed and its publications banned. Independent publications were censored.

==== Roundtable Talks and Elections ====
[[File:Royal Castle of Warsaw Poland.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The Royal Castle of Warsaw.]]
The government's inability to forestall Poland's economic decline led to waves of strikes across the country in April, May, and August 1988. In an attempt to take control of the situation, the government gave de facto recognition to Solidarity, and Interior Minister Kiszczak began talks with Lech Walesa on August 31. These talks broke off in October, but a new series, the "roundtable" talks, began in February 1989. These talks produced an agreement in April for partly open National Assembly elections. The June election produced a Sejm (lower house) in which one-third of the seats went to communists and one-third went to the two parties which had hitherto been their coalition partners. The remaining one-third of the seats in the Sejm and all those in the Senat were freely contested; virtually all of these were won by candidates supported by Solidarity.

The failure of the communists at the polls produced a political crisis. The roundtable agreement called for a communist president, and on July 19, the National Assembly, with the support of some Solidarity deputies, elected General Jaruzelski to that office. Two attempts by the communists to form governments failed, however.

On August 19, President Jaruzelski asked journalist/Solidarity activist Tadeusz Mazowiecki to form a government; on September 12, the Sejm voted approval of Prime Minister Mazowiecki and his cabinet. For the first time in more than 40 years, Poland had a government led by non-communists.

In December 1989, the Sejm approved the government's reform program to transform the Polish economy rapidly from centrally planned to free-market, amended the constitution to eliminate references to the "leading role" of the Communist Party, and renamed the country the "Republic of Poland." The Polish United Workers' (Communist) Party dissolved itself in January 1990, creating in its place a new party, Social Democracy of the Republic of Poland. Most of the property of the former Communist Party was turned over to the state.

The May 1990 local elections were entirely free. Candidates supported by Solidarity's Citizens' Committees won most of the races they contested, although voter turnout was only a little over 40%. The cabinet was reshuffled in July 1990; the national defense and interior affairs ministers—holdovers from the previous communist government—were among those replaced.

In October 1990, the constitution was amended to curtail the term of President Jaruzelski. In December, Lech Walesa became the first popularly elected President of Poland.

==== 3rd Polish Republic ====
[[File:Downtown Warsaw skyline Poland 2006.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Downtown Warsaw skyline, 2006.]]
In November 1990, Lech Walesa was elected President for a 5-year term. Jan Krzysztof Bielecki, at Walesa's request, formed a government and served as its Prime Minister until October 1991, introducing world prices and greatly expanding the scope of private enterprise.

Poland's first free parliamentary elections were held in 1991. More than 100 parties participated, representing a full spectrum of political views. No single party received more than 13% of the total vote.

Since 1991, Poland has conducted five general parliamentary elections and four presidential elections—all free and fair. Incumbent governments have transferred power smoothly and constitutionally in every instance to their successors. The post-Solidarity center-right and post-Communist center-left have each controlled the parliament and the presidency since 1991. Most recently, Poles elected Law and Justice (PiS) candidate and Mayor of Warsaw Lech Kaczynski to a 5-year term as President. Kaczynski narrowly defeated Civic Platform (PO) candidate Donald Tusk and was sworn in on December 23, 2005.

PiS was also the top vote-getter on September 25, 2005, parliamentary elections. After coalition talks with runner-up PO collapsed, PiS alone formed a minority government under Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz. Frustrated by its inability to achieve its legislative program alone, PiS formed a formal coalition government with Self-Defense (SO) and the League of Polish Families (LPR) in April 2006. In July 2006, Prime Minister Marcinkiewicz resigned and was replaced by PiS party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski as Prime Minister.

In 2015, the [[conservative]] and [[right-wing populist]] [[Law and Justice]] party decisively won the parliamentary elections, becoming the first party in Poland's post-communist history to obtain an absolute majority in parliament. The PiS immediately went to work advancing conservative policies.

{{Clear}}

== See also ==
*[[Lech Kaczyński]] - President
*[[Jarosław Kaczyński]] - PM
*[[Tadeusz Kosciuszko]]

==Further reading==
* Library of Congress. ''A Country Study: Poland'' (1993), highly detailed factual report by U.S. government (it is in the public domain, with no copyright) [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/pltoc.html online edition]
* ''Poland'' (Eyewitness Travel Guides by DK Publishing) (2007)
* ''Lonely Planet Poland'' by Tom Parkinson, et al. (2005) [https://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Planet-Poland-Tom-Parkinson/dp/174059522X/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188096687&sr=8-2 online excerpt and search from Amazon.com]
* Biskupski, M. B. ''The History of Poland.'' Greenwood, 2000. 264 pp. [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=28002395 online edition]
* Davies, Norman. ''Heart of Europe: A Short History of Poland.'' Oxford University Press, 1984. 511 pp. [https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Europe-Past-Polands-Present/dp/0192801260/ref=pd_bbs_5/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192604734&sr=8-5 excerpt and text search]
* Podgórecki, Adam. ''Polish Society.'' Praeger, 1994. [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=28518609 online edition]
* Turnock, David. ''The Human Geography of East Central Europe.'' Routledge, 2002. [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=108154408 online edition]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.bitchute.com/video/UfI5UEiTpavL/ Volhynia. No Statute of Limitations] - Documentary discussing Ukrainian massacre of Poles (eng. subs.)

{{Copyright Details (US Government)}}

Source = [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2875.htm]

{{European Union}}

[[Category:European Countries]]
[[Category:Central Europe]]
[[Category:NATO Members]][[Category:Russia-Ukraine War]]
[[Category:Warsaw Pact Members]]
[[Category:Poland]]
[[Category:Christian-Majority Countries]]

{{Deep State}}

Wyoming

2026-10-21T21:03:57Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Wyoming

{{USState
|name=Wyoming
|flag=Flag of Wyoming.png
|motto=Equal Rights
|nick=The Equality/Cowboy State
|capital=Cheyenne
|language=English
|governor=Mark Gordon
|gparty=Republican
|senator2=John Barrasso
|s2party=Republican
|s2phone=(202) 224-6441
|s2email=http://barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.ContactForm Contact
|senator1=Cynthia Lummis
|s1party=Republican
|s1phone=(202) 224-3424
|s1email=http://enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInformation.EmailSenatorEnzi Contact
|population=585,000 (2020)
|date=July 10, 1890 (44th)
}}
[[File:Wyoming.jpg|thumb]]
'''Wyoming''' is a [[conservative]] state in the western [[United States]], and the first state to block new [[liberal]] science standards that promote the falsehoods of [[global warming]] and [[evolution]]. Wyoming became a state on July 10, 1890. It was the 44th state to join the union. It is the home of the world-renowned [[Yellowstone National Park]]. In 2020 its population was a little more than 576,000, the lowest of any state in the country (and lower than the population of [[Washington, D.C.]]). The state capital is [[Cheyenne (city)|Cheyenne]]. The current Governor is [[Mark Gordon]]. Wyoming defeated the [[Deep State]] [[RINO]] congresswoman [[Liz Cheney]] in her own [[GOP]] primary by a landslide, 66-29% in 2022. This was the second most humiliating primary defeat for a [[House]] incumbent in 60 years.

The state Constitution of Wyoming, like all of the other 50 states, acknowledges God or our Creator or the ''Sovereign Ruler of the Universe''. It says:
:''We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political and religious liberties, and desiring to secure them to ourselves and perpetuate them to our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.''

==Industry==
Wyoming is the number one [[coal]] producer in the United States, having surpassed [[West Virginia]] and [[Kentucky]] in coal production since the 1980s, largely due to surface (or strip) [[mining]] activity in the [[Powder River Basin]].

==Politics==
Wyoming is a strongly conservative state, having voted Republican in all Presidential elections from 1968 onwards. Only Teton County (in the northwest corner of the state, near Grand Teton National Park) is considered reliably Democrat.

It was also the first state to extend voting rights to women (primarily in order to have enough voters to qualify for statehood); as such, one of its nicknames is The Equality State.

==Elected Officials==

===Federal===
*Sen. [[John Barrasso]] (R)
*Sen. [[Cynthia Lummis]] (R)
*Rep. [[Harriet Hageman]] (R)

===Statewide===
*Governor [[Mark Gordon]] (R)
*Secretary of State Chuck Gray (R)
*Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder (R)
*State Auditor Kristi Racines (R)
*State Treasurer Curt Meier (R)

==Energy==
[[File:WY-oil.jpg|thumb|350px]] The Powder River Basin, in northeastern Wyoming, is one of the largest coal-producing regions in the world, accounting for 40% of all coal mined in the United States.<ref>See [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=WY Energy Information Administration, State Report 2009]</ref>

Wyoming's major geologic basins contain some of the largest fossil fuel deposits in the United States. Wyoming's estimated recoverable coal reserves are second only to [[Montana]]’s, its dry natural gas reserves are second only to those in [[Texas]], and its crude oil reserves are among the largest in the Nation. Wyoming has over a dozen of the Nation's largest oil and gas fields, including the Pinedale and Jonah natural gas fields, which rank among the top 10 in the country.

Wyoming has substantial wind power potential. The Southern Wyoming Corridor, where a gap in the Rocky Mountains channels strong winds across the plains, is ideally suited for wind power development. Wind power resources also exist in the northwestern part of the State. Although Wyoming's aggregate energy demand is low, per capita energy consumption is the second highest in the Nation due to an energy-intensive economy that is dependent on fossil fuel extraction, processing, and transportation. The industrial sector, which includes Wyoming's mining, oil, and gas industries, is the State's leading consumer of energy.

===Petroleum===
Wyoming typically accounts for 3% of annual U.S. oil production. The State is a transportation crossroads for Canadian crude oil imports and local Rocky Mountain production flowing to U.S. Midwest and Mountain markets. The State has five oil refineries, which lie in the southern and eastern parts of the State. Wyoming's total petroleum consumption is low, and refineries deliver much of their product to markets in neighboring States. Wyoming is one of the few States in the Nation that allow the statewide use of conventional motor gasoline. (Most States require the use of specific gasoline blends in non-attainment areas due to air-quality considerations.)

Although its proven crude oil reserves account for only about 3% of the U.S. total, Wyoming has enormous deposits of oil shale rock, known as marlstone, which can be converted into crude oil through destructive distillation. The Green River Formation, a group of basins in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah, contains the largest known oil shale deposits in the world. Wyoming's oil shale deposits, concentrated in the Green River and Washakie Basins in the southwestern part of the State, contain an estimated 300 billion barrels of oil, equal to about one-fourth of the world's proven oil reserves. Although this natural resource holds tremendous promise, oil shale development remains speculative and faces several major obstacles involving technological feasibility, economic viability, resource ownership, and environmental considerations. Wyoming's oil shale deposits are less favorable for commercial extraction than those in [[Utah]] and [[Colorado]] because they are generally situated in thinner, less continuous layers.

===Natural Gas===
Wyoming is one of the top natural gas-producing States in the Nation and typically accounts for almost one-tenth of U.S. natural gas production. Drilling activities take place throughout the State, but most of Wyoming's production comes from fields in the Greater Green River Basin.

Recovery of coalbed methane from coal seams in the Powder River Basin has grown rapidly since the late 1990s and now accounts for about one-fifth of State natural gas production. Wyoming is the third leading coalbed methane producer in the United States, after [[Colorado]] and [[New Mexico]]. The full potential of Powder River Basin coalbed methane resources has not been tapped due to the basin's few pipelines and rugged terrain. The Bureau of Land Management approved new drilling in the basin in 2003, which may encourage increased production from that area.

Unlike other major U.S. natural gas producing regions, Wyoming's natural gas production is expanding. However, State consumption is low and Wyoming generally consumes less than one-tenth of the natural gas it produces. Major pipeline systems deliver the majority of Wyoming supply to markets in the Midwest and [[California]], and natural gas producers have proposed a new pipeline to ease transportation constraints and help move Wyoming's increasing output to the Midwest. The proposed system, known as the Rockies Express Pipeline and scheduled to be in service by January 2008, will originate in northwestern Colorado and add supply in Wyoming's Greater Green River Basin for delivery to Midwest markets.

===Coal, Electricity, and Renewables===
The Powder River Basin in northeastern Wyoming is the largest coal-producing region in the Nation, accounting for nearly two-fifths of all coal mined in the United States. Powder River Basin coal seams are thick and facilitate surface mining, making extraction easy and efficient. As a result, the price of Powder River Basin coal at the mine mouth is less than that of coal produced elsewhere in the country. Powder River Basin coal also has lower sulfur content than other coal varieties, making it attractive for electricity generators that must comply with strict emission standards.

More than thirty states receive coal from Wyoming, and several Midwestern and Southern states are highly or entirely dependent on Wyoming supply. Two railroads, operating the Powder River Basin Joint Line, move coal out of the Powder River Basin. In May 2005, three train derailments severely damaged the Joint Line, causing the railroads to curtail promised deliveries to electric utilities in several States. The affected utilities were forced to either buy more expensive coal supplies from other sources or reduce coal use by using other, more expensive fuels. A second railroad line serving the Powder River Basin has been proposed to provide an alternative coal transportation route and alleviate bottlenecks on the Joint Line.

Coal-fired power plants dominate Wyoming electricity generation. Small hydroelectric facilities and a growing number of wind farms also contribute to the electric power grid. Although most of Wyoming's wind power facilities are in the southeastern part of the State, its largest wind facility is situated in the southwest corner of the State. State electricity demand is low, and Wyoming exports electricity to neighboring States. Electricity transfers may reach as far as California in the future. In April 2005, four western State governors agreed to develop a 1,300-mile high-capacity power line from Wyoming to California that would allow as much as 12 thousand megawatts of electricity to flow from the energy-rich Rocky Mountain region to high-demand markets in California.

==See also==
*[[Mike Enzi]]
*[[David D. Freudenthal]]
*[[Clifford P. Hansen]]
*[[Stanley K. Hathaway]]
*[[Cindy Hill (Wyoming politician)|Cindy Hill]]
*[[Lester C. Hunt]]
*[[Dick Jones (Wyoming politician)|Richard R. "Dick" Jones]]
*[[John Ostlund]]
*[[Matt Mead]]
*[[Dean T. Prosser]]
*[[Georgie Sicking]]
*[[Alan Simpson]]
*[[Milward Simpson]]
*[[Peter K. Simpson]]
*[[Malcolm Wallop]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{USstates}}

[[Category:Wyoming]]
[[Category:States of the United States]]
[[Category:Red States]]

Dark money

2026-10-21T21:02:23Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Dark money

'''Dark money''' consists of the hundreds of millions of dollars that flow secretly from undisclosed sources into organizations in order to influence policy and elections. The vast majority of dark money is from [[liberal]] and [[Deep State]]-type sources. [[George Soros]] has long been one of the single largest individual sources of dark money, and he funded the election of [[Leftist]] prosecutors who have weaponized the criminal justice system.

The case of ''NAACP v. Alabama'' in the [[Bull Connor]]-era granted anonymous protection of donors from retaliation by the state. The [[U.S. Supreme Court]] decision in ''[[Citizens United]]'' increased the influence of dark money. [[Phyllis Schlafly]] opposed the influence of dark money in politics.

OpenSecrets.org is a superb resource for trying to trace dark money influence.<ref>https://www.opensecrets.org/dark-money/top-donors</ref> But billionaires work overtime to hide their political spending such that much of it remains hidden.

The network of mega-donors originally formed by the [[Koch brothers]] has been an anti-[[Trump]], [[America Last]] source of dark money on the [[Republican]] side.

[[Arabella Advisors]] is also thought by some to be a source of dark money.
== Ballot initiatives ==
By a 4-2 vote in July 2021 -- during the [[Biden Administration]] -- "the [[FEC]] ruled [[ballot initiatives]] are not 'elections' under existing federal law, and therefore the foreign donation prohibition doesn't apply" to issues placed on state and local ballots.<ref>https://www.axios.com/2021/11/02/fec-foreign-money-referendum</ref> Only a handful of states have their own bans against foreign donations to ballot initiatives.
==See also==
*[[Clinton Foundation]]
*[https://www.opensecrets.org/dark-money/basics Dark Money Basics by OpenSecrets.org]
*[[Justice Democrats]]
*[[Frank R. White, Jr.]]
*[[Trumpify_GOP#Dark-money_Republicans|Dark-money Republicans]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Koch]]
[[Category:Politics]]
[[Category:Corruption]]

The American Conservative

2026-10-21T21:01:43Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved The American Conservative

[[Image:American Conservative.jpg|right|thumb|250px|July 2006 edition]]

* For other uses, see [[American Conservative]].

'''''The American Conservative''''' is a biweekly [[magazine]] of news and commentary. It is closely associated with the [[paleoconservative]] movement. The founding editors are [[Patrick J. Buchanan]] and Taki Theodoracopules; the current publisher is Ron Unz.

==External links==
* [http://www.amconmag.com/ American Conservative Magazine] - official website
* [http://www.intellectualconservative.com/ Intellectual Conservative Politics and Philosophy.]
* [https://thehill.com/ The Hill.]
* [http://anncoulter.com/ AnnCoulter.com/]

[[Category:Conservative Magazines|American Conservative]]

God

2026-10-21T04:11:05Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved God

''This article is about the God of the [[Bible]]. For the term as used to refer to any divine being, see [[Other gods]]''
[[Image:Alphaomega.jpg|thumb|100px|God is the Alpha and Omega; the first and last<ref>{{bibleref|Revelation|22|13}}</ref>]]
{{Christianity}}
{{cquote|'''John 1:1''' In the beginning was the [[Word]], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.}}
{{cquote|'''Genesis 1:1''' In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.<ref>Both of these quotes are from the [[ESV]].</ref>}}
'''God''' is the [[Sovereignty of God|sovereign creator]] and eternal ruler of all things and beings that [[Existence|exist]], whether in the physical [[universe]] or in the [[spiritual]] realm ([[Heaven]]). God created the physical [[universe]] out of [[chaos]], making the visible out of the unseen.<ref>{{bibleref|Hebrews|11|3}}</ref>

== God is Revealed: How we know about God ==

''See also:'' [[Creationism]] and [[Young earth creationism]]

Other than [[creation]] itself, God is revealed in several ways, including theological reasoning, conscience, and special revelation (the [[Bible]], [[Bible prophecy|prophets]], and even individual epiphanies). Most importantly though, God is revealed in [[Jesus Christ]], who is the Son of God.

[[File:Mezquita Catedral Cordoba.jpg|thumbnail|300px|center|[[Cathedral]] Cordoba, Spain.]]

== Attributes or Character of God ==
[[File:Rembrandt Ascension.jpg|thumb|[[Rembrandt]], Ascension.]]
The attributes of God are things that describe who He is. Similar to the way one might describe a close friend to another individual, so too do these attributes describe God's character and nature. Attributes of God include but are not limited to [[Wisdom]], [[Infinitude]], [[Sovereignty of God|Sovereignty]], [[Holiness]], [[Trinity]], [[Omniscience]], [[Faithfulness]], [[Love]], [[Omnipotence]], Self-existence, Self-sufficiency, [[Justice]], [[Immutability]], [[Mercy]], [[Eternal]], [[Goodness]], Graciousness, and [[Omnipresence]]. These attributes all work in complete and perfect harmony with one another.

God exercises eternal and righteous judgment of the wicked in [[hell]], because of an inherent problem in the human heart, namely [[Sin]]. According to the [[Bible]], the sacrifice of [[Jesus Christ]] on the cross of [[Calvary]] and then [[resurrection]] is God's merciful and gracious response to the problem of the human heart.

=== God is Triune ===

''See also:'' [[Trinity]] and [[God the Father]] and [[Jesus Christ|God the Son]] and [[Holy Spirit]]
{{trinity}}
Although the Bible does not use the term, it is clear that God is a triune God, or three in one.
These are sometimes referred to as ''God the Father'', ''God the Son'' ([[Jesus Christ|Jesus]]), and the ''[[Holy Spirit]]''.

The first hint of the Trinity is in {{Bible ref|Genesis|1|26}} which relates God saying, "Let us make man in our image", indicating that God is a plurality.

The three persons of God are treated as equivalents in these words of Jesus shortly after His resurrection:
{{Bible quote|Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit.|book=Matthew|chap=28|verses=19|version=NIV}}

==== Jesus is God ====

The first verse of the [[Gospel of John]], in which Jesus is referred to as the "Word", makes clear that Jesus is synonymous with God:
{{Bible quote|In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.|book=John|chap=1|verses=1|version=NIV}}
This verse not only says that "the Word" (Jesus) is synonymous with God, but also says that the Word was "in the beginning", which means that He existed before all else existed, something that is only true of God.

This is reinforced two verses later, in which Jesus is described as the creator.
[[Genesis]] refers to God as being the Creator.
{{Bible quote|Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.|book=John|chap=1|verses=3|version=NIV}}

==== The Holy Spirit is God ====

In the following passage, the [[Holy Spirit]] is referred to as God:
{{Bible quote|Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."|book=Acts|chap=5|verses=3-4|version=NIV}}

=== God is omniscient ===
{{main|omniscience}}

God knows everything:
{{Bible quote|This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.|book=1_John|chap=3|verses=19-20|version=NIV}}

Because God is outside of [[time]], He can see and know the [[past]] and the [[future]] as well as the present.

== "God" sometimes used to refer to God the Father ==
[[Image:Velasco Padre Eterno.jpg|thumb|left|180px|[[God the Father]] by [[Jose Maria Velasco]] (1840-1912).]]
In the Bible, the word "God" (θεός) does not always refer to God's being as a whole, but more specifically refers to the Person of the Father (God the Father). Here are some verses that demonstrate this:
{{cquote|'''John 3:16''' (NASB) For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.}}
{{cquote|'''1 John 4:10''' (NASB) In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.}}
Notice how in each case, "Father" can be substituted for "God." For example, "For the ''Father'' so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son," and "not that we loved the ''Father'', but that He loved us and sent His Son."
{{Clear}}

== Terminology ==

The Bible uses several different words to refer to God.
"God" itself is not a name, but an [[Old English]] word meaning ''supreme being, deity'',<ref>[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=god God] Online Etymology Dictionary.</ref> which the translators who translated the Bible into English chose as the appropriate English word for the [[Hebrew]] ''elohim'' and the [[Greek]] ''theos'' used in the [[Old Testament]] and [[New Testament]] respectively.<ref name="DPK">Kruse, Dale P.,[http://www.layevangelism.com/advtxbk/sections/sect-10/sec10-9.htm More on the ''Names'' of God In the Bible], Advanced Training Program of Evangelism.</ref>

The other main term for God is the Hebrew ''adonai'', usually translated as ''[[Lord]]''.
There are various compound words also used in the Bible, such as ''el shaddai'', which means ''God Almighty'' ("''el''" is a short version of ''elohim'').<ref name="DPK" />

''YHWH'' is given in the Bible as God's actual name. In most English Bibles it is translated as ''Lord'', in small capitals. The name has various other English versions, including Yehovah, Jehovah, and Yahweh.<ref>McHyde, Tim, [http://www.escapeallthesethings.com/yahweh.htm God’s Name: LORD, Yahweh, Yahveh, YHWH, YHVH, Jehovah or Yehovah?]</ref>

== God of the Bible ==
[[File:Open-bible.jpg|thumb|350px|right|The Bible is the best-selling book of all time.<ref>[https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/best-selling-book-of-non-fiction The Bible is the best selling book of all time], Guinness Book of Word Record</ref>
 
 
Between 5 to 7 billion Bibles have been published. ]]
''See also:'' [[Bible]]

*[https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/stewart_don/faq/does-the-god-of-the-bible-exist/01-who-exactly-is-the-god-of-the-bible.cfm Who Exactly is the God of the Bible. What Can We Know About Him?], BlueLetterBible.com

*[https://bible.org/seriespage/4-god-bible The God of the Bible], Bible.org

*[https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-who-god-is/ Bible Verses about Who God Is], BibleStudyTools.org

*[https://www.exploregod.com/articles/a-deeper-look-at-what-the-bible-says-about-who-god-is A Deeper Look at What the Bible Says About Who God is]

=== The Names of God in the Bible: Verses and Meaning ===

Throughout the Bible, God is referred to by many names. Sometimes these names of God were given in response to something God had done, other times they were to describe who he is.

*[https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/what-are-all-the-names-of-god.html The Names of God in the Bible: Verses and Meaning], Christianity.com
*[https://www.davidjeremiah.org/knowgod/the-names-of-god The Names of God and Why They Matter] by Dr. David Jeremiah
*[https://www.lwf.org/names-of-god Names of God Found in the Bible], Love Worth Finding Ministries

== God's judgment and sin ==

''See also:'' [[Judgment (theology)]]

God's judgment, in [[religion|religious]] contexts, refers to the idea that God punishes people in a just manner concerning their [[sin]]s and that He will also eventually judge humanity as a whole. God judges people based on their actions, inactions, thoughts and [[belief]]s. The concept of God's just judgments is central to many religions - including [[Christianity]], [[Islam]], and [[Judaism]]. And it frequently involves the idea of a final judgment.

== Resources on becoming a Christian ==
[[File:Hoffman Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane.jpg|thumbnail|225px||Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane by Heinrich Hofmann.]]

''see also:'' [[Resources on becoming a Christian]]

'''Below are some resources on becoming a [[Christian]]:'''

*[http://www.jesusfilm.org/film-and-media/watch-the-film Jesus film - free access]

*[http://www.thewordfortoday.org/?page=C2000 Free audio Bible and Bible audio streaming]

*[https://www.gotquestions.org/repentance.html Repentance]

*[http://www.allaboutgod.com/ AllAboutGod.com]

*[[Video testimonies of Christians]]

'''Tips on choosing a Christian church:'''

*[http://www.allaboutreligion.org/choosing-a-christian-church-faq.htm Choosing a Christian Church]

'''Spiritual growth as a Christian:'''

*[http://www.navpress.com/product/9781576839324/The-Pursuit-of-Holiness-Jerry-Bridges The Pursuit of Holiness] by Jerry Bridges
*[http://www.navpress.com/product/9780891099413/The-Practice-of-Godliness-Jerry-Bridges The Practice of Godliness] by Jerry Bridges
*[http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/529785.The_Complete_Book_of_Discipleship The Complete Book of Discipleship: On Being and Making Followers of Christ]

== Books ==

*''Knowing God'' (Fiftieth Anniversary Edition) by J. I. Packer. ‎IVP; Special Edition, 50th Anniversary (October 3, 2023)

*''Who Is God? And Can I Really Know Him?, Textbook.'' by John Hay and David Webb. Apologia Press; What We Believe, Volume 1 edition (September 1, 2009)

*''The Holiness of God'' by [[R.C. Sproul]]. Tyndale Momentum; Revised edition (July 1, 2000)

== See also ==
[[Image:Pieta.jpg|thumb|270px|[[Pieta]], [[Michelangelo]].]]
*[[Other gods]]
*[[Atheism]]
*[[Christianity in Conservapedia]]
*[[Bible Art Gallery]]

== External links ==

General articles about God:

*[https://answersingenesis.org/god/ God] at [[Answers in Genesis]]
*[http://www.theopedia.com/God Theopedia - God]
*[http://christiananswers.net/dictionary/god.html ChristianAnswers.net - God]
*[http://wikible.org/en/God Wikible.org - God]

Nature of God:

*[https://learn.ligonier.org/guides/the-nature-of-god The Nature of God], Ligonier Ministries
*[https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/15-amazing-attributes-of-god-what-they-mean-and-why-they-matter.html 15 Amazing Attributes of God: What They Mean and Why They Matter], BibleStudyTools.com
*[https://www.gotquestions.org/who-is-God.html Who is God?] [[Got Questions Ministries]]

Specific issues:

*[https://answersingenesis.org/jesus-christ/jesus-is-god/10-biblical-reasons-jesus-is-god/ 10 Biblical Reasons Jesus Is God] by Simon Turpin at [[Answers in Genesis]], August 8, 2017

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category: Theology]]
[[Category:Christianity]]
[[Category:Divine Beings]]

Theistic evolution

2026-10-21T04:09:34Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Theistic_evolution

[[File:Evolutionary Creation.jpg|thumb|Evolutionary creationists believe that God used the process of evolution to create human beings.]]
'''Theistic evolution''', one form of [[Old Earth Creationism]], has been defined in more than one way:
*Theistic evolution (or "evolutionary creation") is the view that [[evolution]] occurred, but was planned and guided by [[God]].<ref>[http://www.rationalchristianity.net/creation_evolution.html Reconciling Creation and Science], by an evangelical Protestant Christian identified only as India (her first name)</ref>
*The belief that God planned and created the universe in such a way that life would come into being without any further supernatural intervention.

Sometimes it is not a specific theory of how life originally came into being, or how new species of life arose, but is merely:
*the belief that [[creationism]] can be compatible with the [[Theory of Evolution|theory of evolution]].<ref>http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/1990</ref><ref>http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/origins/methods2.htm</ref><ref>http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/origins/te-guided.htm#top2 "another old-earth view, evolutionary creation (also called theistic evolution), natural evolution was God's method of creation, with the universe designed so physical structures (galaxies, stars, planets) and complex biological organisms (bacteria, fish, dinosaurs, humans) would naturally evolve."</ref>

In most forms, it asserts that life evolved from a common ancestor created by God, who then steered evolution indirectly as a process of creation, and later gave souls to the first humans to raise them above the animals. Proponents of theistic evolution often emphasize the overall message of Genesis and assert that the details of the story are not meant to be taken literally.<ref>http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/origins/methods2.htm</ref><ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v17/i4/theistic_evolution.asp</ref><ref>http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/faq-god.html</ref>

Theistic evolutionists reject [[special creation]] of nature and its inhabitants and mankind as declared in Genesis chapters one and two and agree that humans and apes shared a common primate ancestor. The position has come under attack from a variety of sources - Young Earth Creationists raise all of their standard objections to evolution as well as various theological and exegetical problems. Meanwhile, various agnostics and [[atheists]] have accused proponents of theistic evolution of not going far enough or of tacking on various ideas for their own emotional comfort and not for any evidence-based reasoning.

In October 1996, [[Pope John Paul II]] referred in an address<ref>http://www.newadvent.org/library/docs_jp02tc.htm</ref> to the Pontifical Academy of Science to "theories of evolution" that could be "more than a hypothesis" which led many to conclude that evolution and Catholicism are compatible. However, the Magisterial Teaching Authority of the Church as explained by several Papal Encyclicals, most notably ''Humani Generis''[http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_12081950_humani-generis_en.html] (promulgated by the Church in 1950) falls short of accepting any form of evolutionism in official Church teaching. The Roman Catholic Church officially teaches that God created all things ''ex nihilo'' (out of nothing) by His Word. The Catholic Church teaches that evolutionary theories are only acceptable if they admit the providence of God in creation (through evolution or otherwise) and that God is the origin of all creation. The Catholic Church also specifies that regardless of the origin of man, God endowed them at a definite point with an immortal soul made in God's image. However, many liberal theologians have advanced a heretical form of theistic evolutionism known as Modernism, which was condemned by the Church in several Papal Encyclicals, most notably ''Pascendi Dominici Gregis [http://www.ewtn.com/library/ENCYC/P10PASCE.HTM]'' promulgated by Pope St. Pius X in 1907. That God is the origin and designer of Creation, and criticism of extreme Darwinism, remains the official standpoint of the Catholic Church.<ref>When, subsequently, some Catholic writers, in spite of this solemn definition of Catholic doctrine, by which such divine authority is claimed for the "entire books with all their parts" as to secure freedom from any error whatsoever, ventured to restrict the truth of Sacred Scripture solely to matters of faith and morals, and to regard other matters, whether in the domain of physical science or history, as "obiter dicta" and - as they contended - in no wise connected with faith, Our Predecessor of immortal memory, Leo XIII in the Encyclical Letter Providentissimus Deus, published on November 18 in the year 1893, justly and rightly condemned these errors and safe-guarded the studies of the Divine Books by most wise precepts and rules.[http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_30091943_divino-afflante-spiritu_en.html]</ref>

Director of the [[National Institutes of Health]], [[Francis Collins]], a former atheist and now an evangelical Christian, founded [[BioLogos|The Biologos Foundation]] to promote theistic evolution, as well as "the harmony between science and biblical faith".<ref>{{cite book|editor=Paul Copan, Tremper Longman III, Christopher I. Reese, Michael G. Strauss|title=Dictionary of Christianity and Science: The Definitive Reference for the Intersection of Christian Faith and Contemporary Science|date=25 April 2017|publisher=Zondervan|language=English|isbn=9780310496069|page=119}}</ref>

[[William Jennings Bryan]] wrote that "Theistic evolution may be defined as an anesthetic which deadens the patient’s pain while [[atheism]] removes his religion.” Marvin Olasky essentially concurred with this in a recent column chronicling the loss of Christianity from universities/colleges started by churches.<ref>"Soaping the slippery slope: Two books document the decline of once-Christian colleges into bastions of unbelief", ''World Magazine'', August 25, 2012, (accessed 08/31/2017)[https://world.wng.org/2012/08/soaping_the_slippery_slope?]</ref>

The outstanding 19th century theologian Charles Hodge asked the question "What is Darwinism?" His answer: "Atheism".<ref>Charles Hodge, '''What Is Darwinism?''', Scribner, Armstrand, & Company, New York, 1874. (online)[https://books.google.com/books?id=XZqr-0xbcN4C&printsec=frontcover&dq=what+is+darwinism&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjC4tiy8OjWAhVD34MKHfp9CwAQ6AEIJjAA#v=onepage&q=what%20is%20darwinism&f=false]</ref> His work has met a deafening silence as a century and a half later his challenge is still not answered.

== [[Francis Collins]] and theistic evolution ==

[[Creation Ministries International]] declared concerning [[Francis Collins]] theistic evolutionary views:
{{cquote|All [[Christianity|Christians]], [[creationism|creationists]] included, can find much to like in ''[[The Language of God]]''. Collins’ personal story is fascinating. His intention in writing the book is excellent: to spread the word that faith is reasonable. Like Collins, we want to see an end to the widespread false impression that faith and science are incompatible. However, we must sadly conclude that most of Collins’ arguments—his means to the laudable ends that we all want to further—are going down the wrong path. Instead of creating a harmony between faith and science, theistic evolution subsumes the authority of [[Bible|Scripture]] to the authority of the latest scientific paper, leaving philosophical confusion in its wake.<ref>https://creation.com/harmony-and-discord-a-review-of-francis-collins-book-the-language-of-god</ref>}}

Jay Richards and his [[intelligent design]] colleagues thoroughly dismantled [[Francis Collins]] scientific evidence for Darwinism (supposed junk DNA), discredited by recent advances in understanding the genome.<ref>God and Evolution: The Problem with Theistic Evolution (accessed 08/31/2017)[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WHB_kMasMs]</ref> and Collins himself has renounced this also.<ref>Marvin Olasky, "Admission of Function", ''World Magazine'', July 9, 2016.(accessed 08/31/2017)[http://www.tccsa.tc/articles/collins_redaction.pdf]</ref>

==Theistic evolution and Intelligent Design==

Although theistic evolution and [[intelligent design]] (ID) are superficially similar, ID design proponents have made clear that the two are not the same thing. [[William Dembski]] has gone so far as to say that "as far as design theorists are concerned, theistic evolution is American evangelicalism's ill-conceived accommodation to Darwinism."<ref>''What every theologian should know about creation, evolution, and design'' Center for Interdisciplinary Studies Transactions 3(2), William Demsbki</ref>

The primary difference between the two is the perceived role of [[proof]]. While most theistic evolutionists are content to accept God on faith alone, intelligent design proponents seek to prove the necessary existence of a designer in the creation of life by scientific means. Watch their recent "The Problem with Theistic Evolution."<ref>[https://evolutionnews.org/2017/11/in-a-ted-talk-heres-the-question-you-may-not-ask/ The Problem with Theistic Evolution (crossway.org/TheisticEvolution)]</ref>

==Theistic evolution and Progressive Creationism ==
Theistic evolution is not the same as [[Progressive Creationism]], as the latter rejects evolution and posits a series of distinct creation events.

==Theistic evolution and Gap Theory ==
Theistic evolution is clearly distinct from [[Gap theory]], which robustly rejects any concept of evolutionary thought.

== Criticisms of Theistic Evolution ==

Theistic evolution has been criticized from a larger variety of directions, including Young Earth Creationists, Old Earth Creationists, [[atheism|atheists]] and [[agnostic]]s. [[Young Earth Creationism|Young Earth Creationists]] and some [[Old Earth Creationism|Old Earth Creationists]] generally consider Theistic Evolution to be [[heretical]] or at best, contrary to Biblical teachings.<ref>http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aig/aig-c015.html</ref><ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v11/i4/christian.asp</ref><ref>http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/1990</ref><ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v11/i4/christian.asp</ref> However, many Young Earth Creationists agree that correct knowledge of how they believe God created humanity and such is not a necessary condition for salvation.<ref>http://www.christiananswers.net/q-aig/aig-c015.html</ref><ref name="Gish">"belief in the historicity of Genesis is not essential to our salvation." Duane Gish ''Is it possible to be a Christian and an evolutionist?'' http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v11/i4/christian.asp</ref> A notable proponent of theistic evolution is biologist [[Ken Miller]].<ref>http://bioinfo.med.utoronto.ca/Evolution_by_Accident/Theistic_Evolution.html</ref>
Proponents of theistic evolution have been accused of subtly undermining science piece by piece.<ref>http://sandwalk.blogspot.com/2006/11/ed-brayton-speaks.html</ref>

The 2017 book ''Theistic Evolution: A Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Critique''<ref>https://www.amazon.com/Theistic-Evolution-Scientific-Philosophical-Theological/dp/1433552868</ref> provides a detailed and comprehensive critique of theistic evolution from a Christian perspective.

==See Also==
* [[BioLogos]]
* [[Francis Collins]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.asa3.org American Scientific Affiliation], the largest organization of scientists who are Christians and who believe evolution to be true.

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

{{creation vs. evolution}}
[[Category:Origins Debate]]
[[Category:Creationism]]

Liberalism

2026-10-21T04:07:35Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Liberalism

[[File:Putin3.PNG|right|175px|thumb|"Liberalism is the new [[tyranny]]."]]
'''Liberalism''' can refer to a number of political philosophies derived from [[Classical liberalism]]. In this article, the [[United States of America|American]] political platform referred to as "liberal" within the United States is contrasted with other meanings of the word, particularly in [[Europe]] and in other [[Parliamentary democracy|parliamentary democratic]] systems.

* "Whereas Liberalism is the triumph of emotion over [[reason]] (as defined historically), [[Conservatism]] is an applied intellectual process; based on observation, deduction, and the study of provable historical fact." - Sandy Stringfellow<ref>[http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/26552 Sandy Stringfellow]</ref>
* [[Cal Thomas]] said, "One of liberalism's many problems is that once an idea or program is proved wrong and unworkable, liberals rarely acknowledge their mistake and examine the root cause of their error so they don't repeat it."<ref>[https://townhall.com/columnists/calthomas/2011/02/11/told_you_so Cal Thomas]</ref>
* [[Fred Seigel]] wrote, "Liberalism has become an ugly blend of sanctimony, self-interest, and social connections."<ref>[http://news.heartland.org/editorial/2013/09/09/curse-liberalism Fred Seigel]</ref>
* [[Alan Caruba]] wrote:
*: A distinguishing element of liberalism has been its admiration of autocratic leaders and this explains its embrace of dictators from the likes of the German Kaiser, Lenin and Stalin, through to men like Fidel Castro and his murderous sidekick, Ernesto "Che" Guevera.<ref>[http://news.heartland.org/editorial/2013/09/09/curse-liberalism The Curse of Liberalism] Alan Caruba - September 9, 2013</ref>
* [[Michael Savage]] wrote, "As much as the Left fashions themselves as being progressive, they’re not. In reality, today’s leftist movement is made in much the same way as a sausage—it’s a blend of fascist, Communist, and socialist ideologies from twentieth-century Europe, with a pinch of Nazism, all ground together, yet retaining the flavor of its various parts."<ref>[https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/25837-liberalism-is-a-mental-disorder-savage-solutions Quote from ''Liberalism is a Mental Disorder'' by Michael Savage]</ref>
* [[Vladimir Putin]] said, "Liberalism is the new [[tyranny]]".

Since the definition of liberalism often – but not always – means to advocate for and be open to change, its specific reference depends on specified context. For instance, [[American liberalism]] has changed drastically since the 1960s, with liberals then (see: [[John F. Kennedy]] and [[Martin Luther King Jr.]]) advocating for personal responsibility and true liberty, in sharp contrast to modern-day liberals, who, being very close to leftists, denounce and devalue.

== United States ==
In the U.S. the word ''liberal'' is usually used to describe the platform espoused by the [[Democrat Party]], that is, support of [[social welfare]] systems, redistribution of wealth, and government regulation of the economy - combined with a certain brand of individual [[libertarianism]], emphasizing [[communism|social equality]], and (to a certain extent, these days increasingly radical) rejection of traditional [[Judaism|Judeo]]-[[Christianity|Christian]] standards of [[morality]] as a proper justification for [[law]].

The [[economic]] aspects of this ideology are to a large extent a product of the [[New Deal]] policies of the [[Great Depression]] era, as well as [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]'s "[[Great Society]]." It also should be noted that a good portion of the Liberal economic philosophy has certain roots in the teachings of [[Karl Marx]], such as the overall focus on [[communism|social equality]] and the outrageous rejection of the Judeo-Christian morals. It should be noted, however, that Liberals are not pureblood Communists: Unlike their redder brethren, Liberals are far more insidious and dangerous, as they have successfully infiltrated the American society and now threaten the American way of life.

The Democrat Party's idea of social liberty and equality, though, came much later, partly as a result of the [[Civil rights movement|civil rights]] and [[counterculture]] movements of the late 20th century. It continues to be fueled by various youth movements and the interests of numerous special interest groups.

== Europe and elsewhere ==
In Europe, ''liberalism'' refers to a political position that leans toward greater individual liberties and less government intervention in general. In short, this is the philosophy closest to [[classical liberalism]], and is commonly referred to in the United States as [[libertarianism]]. In Europe and elsewhere, then, the opposite of liberalism is not [[conservatism]], but [[authoritarianism]].

Because of this, the terms "conservative liberalism" and "liberal conservatism", which are seen as contradictory in the U.S., are not so in Europe. "Conservative liberalism" simply refers to a less radical libertarian philosophy, and is often referred to as "law-and-order liberalism." Liberal conservatism is simply a variant of conservatism willing to allow for individual liberties, and, in a way, describes the ideology of the American [[Republican Party]]. Such examples of this obvious line of thought include the [[civil rights movement]], when the Republican Party (and a few southern Democrats) just wanted to maintain African Americans' right to have the choice of forced segregation.

The Liberal Party of Australia is the right-leaning party, in opposition to the [[liberal]] Labor Party, and is not to be confused with liberalism as an ideology.

== Nazism and socialism ==
''For more information please see:'' [[Nazism and socialism]], [[Gun Control in Nazi Germany]]

[[Image:Hitler.jpg|thumb|250px|right|One of the most well known political parties of the 20th century which was [[socialism|socialistic]] was the [[Nazi Party|National Socialist German Workers' Party]] (Nazi Party), led by [[Social Darwinist]] [[Adolf Hitler]].<ref>http://mises.org/daily/1937</ref><ref>https://creation.com/darwinism-and-the-nazi-race-holocaust</ref><ref>http://www.hourofthetime.com/socialist.htm</ref> ]]
The [[Ludwig von Mises Institute]] declares:
{{cquote|The identification of [[Third Reich|Nazi Germany]] as a [[socialism|socialist]] state was one of the many great contributions of [[Ludwig von Mises]]...

The basis of the claim that Nazi Germany was capitalist was the fact that most industries in Nazi Germany appeared to be left in private hands.

What Mises identified was that private ownership of the means of production existed in name only under the Nazis and that the actual substance of ownership of the means of production resided in the German government. For it was the German government and not the nominal private owners that exercised all of the substantive powers of ownership: it, not the nominal private owners, decided what was to be produced, in what quantity, by what methods, and to whom it was to be distributed, as well as what prices would be charged and what wages would be paid, and what dividends or other income the nominal private owners would be permitted to receive. The position of the alleged private owners, Mises showed, was reduced essentially to that of government pensioners.

De facto government ownership of the means of production, as Mises termed it, was logically implied by such fundamental collectivist principles embraced by the Nazis as that the common good comes before the private good and the individual exists as a means to the ends of the State. If the individual is a means to the ends of the State, so too, of course, is his property. Just as he is owned by the State, his property is also owned by the State.<ref>http://mises.org/daily/1937</ref>}}

There is debate about the similarities between Nazism and socialism. Regardless of whether Nazism is socialist or not, they, with the help of general improvement of economic conditions in Europe, helped propel Germany out of the Great Depression with their economic policy.<ref>http://www.nazism.net/about/economic_practice</ref>

== Similarities between Communism, Nazism and liberalism ==
''See also:'' [[Similarities between Communism, Nazism and liberalism]]

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!
![[Communism|Communist]] Manifesto
![[Nazi Party]] Platform
!Analysis
|-
|1
|"Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public purposes."
|"We demand an agrarian reform in accordance with our national requirements, and the enactment of a law to expropriate the owners without compensation of any land needed for the common purpose. The abolition of ground rents, and the prohibition of all speculation in land."
|The stripping away of land from private owners. Liberalism today demands "eminent domain" on property.
|-
|2
|"A heavy progressive or graduated income tax."
|"We demand the nationalization of all trusts...profit-sharing in large industries...a generous increase in old-age pensions...by providing maternity welfare centers, by prohibiting juvenile labor...and the creation of a national (folk) army."
|The points raised in the [[Nazi]] platform demand an increase in taxes to support them. Liberalism today demands heavy progressive and graduated income taxes.
|-
|3
|"Abolition of all rights of inheritance."
|"That all unearned income, and all income that does not arise from work, be abolished."
|Liberalism today demands a "death tax" on anyone inheriting an estate.
|-
|4
|"Centralisation of credit in the hands of the state, by means of a national bank with State capital and an exclusive monopoly."
|"We demand the nationalization of all trusts."
|Central control of the financial system.
|-
|5
|"Centralisation of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the State."
|"We demand that there be a legal campaign against those who propagate deliberate political lies and disseminate them through the press...editors and their assistants on newspapers published in the German language shall be German citizens...Non-German newspapers shall only be published with the express permission of the State...the punishment for transgressing this law be the immediate suppression of the newspaper..."
|Central control of the press. Liberals today demand control or suppression of talk radio and Fox News.
|-
|6
|"Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children’s factory labour in its present form. Combination of education with industrial production, &c, &c."
|"In order to make it possible for every capable and industrious German to obtain higher education, and thus the opportunity to reach into positions of leadership, the State must assume the responsibility of organizing thoroughly the entire cultural system of the people. The curricula of all educational establishments shall be adapted to practical life. The conception of the State Idea (science of citizenship) must be taught in the schools from the very beginning. We demand that specially talented children of poor parents, whatever their station or occupation, be educated at the expense of the State. "
|Central control of education, with an emphasis on doing things their way. Liberals today are doing things ''their way'' in our schools.
|-
|}

== See also ==
*[[Liberalism and bestiality]]
*[[Progressivism]]
*[[Laissez faire]]

==References==
<references/>
{{liberalism}}
{{creation vs. evolution}}
{{Democrat establishment}}
[[Category:Liberalism]]
[[Category:Anti-American]]
[[Category:Man-Made Disasters]]

Mystery:Why Do Non-Conservatives Exist?

2026-10-21T04:06:35Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Mystery:Why_Do_Non-Conservatives_Exist?

Conservative principles are based on reason. So why do non-conservatives still exist? Here are some reasons:

==Reasons liberals exist==

:* Did not hear about conservative principles until ''after'' they made up their mind and, perhaps due to pervasive societal bias, refuse to reconsider
:* Genuinely lack a desire to find the truth, and instead desire attention, praise by liberal teachers, getting along by going along, and not standing up to liberal bullies
:* Refuse to forgive themselves and let go of their past mistakes and image
:* Believe myths created around government programs like the "New Deal" that liberal policies create jobs instead of destroying them and depriving people of liberty through government control.
:* Fooled by the demonizing of conservatives and mistakenly feel that conservative benefits are available only to those who are from an intact family or privileged background
:* Refuse to rise above their personal temptations, often self-destructive, and hate conservatives who criticize their self-indulgent behavior
:* Feel that they deserve to make more money than they do, as in public school teachers, university professors and scientists, and refuse to rise above self-interest
:* Harbor a grudge against a conservative, typically a parent but sometimes an ex-spouse, and refuse to forgive or rise above the animosity
:* Like an anarchist, genuinely want to believe in and propagate destructive ideas (Due to the tendency of non-conservatives to refuse to admit this even to themselves, this number could be much higher)
:* Are susceptible to marketing and suggestion to an overly large degree.
:* Humans think in opposites at the most primal logical level; as such, liberalism is sometimes an act of rebellion among the weak-minded.
:* Interpret Acts 4:32-5:11 as an endorsement of Marxist ideology

== What Triggers Reconsideration of [[Liberal]] Beliefs? ==

''See also:'' [[Open mind]]

What triggers reconsideration of liberal beliefs? Here are some estimates:

:* Raising or teaching children, and realizing how destructive liberal values are to many of them
:* A religious conversion followed by taking the [[Bible]] to heart
:* A loss of a loved one that resulted from accepting or promoting liberal values, as in losing a loved one to crime caused by pornography, drug addiction, gambling, etc.
:* A new friendship with someone who is conservative, and realizing how much good flows from the conservative values<ref>''See, e.g.'', the conversion of [[Ronald Reagan]] based in his friendship with his [[conservative]] father-in-law, Loyal Davis.[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,921293,00.html]</ref>
:* Simply by maturing and seeing liberalism's impact around them, and realizing what they were taught as youth was wrong
:* A desire to learn the truth, and a dislike for those who mislead
:* A genuine divine experience that cannot be explained.
:* Using conservative values to overcome an addiction, and then realizing the benefits of conservative values in many other ways
:* Taking a truthful course in [[economics]], or learning it firsthand in the workforce<ref>''See, e.g.'', the conversion of Nobel Laureate [[Ronald Coase]].</ref>

== Cultural indoctrination ==

*Brainwashing and deceit:
:* They pride themselves on doing well in school or reading the newspaper, can't accept that what they were taught was incorrect or biased.
:* Dangerous professors who impose their opinions upon vulnerable youth.
:* Television programs posing as comedies, such as ''Married with Children'', ''Roseanne'', ''[[South Park]]'', ''[[Family Guy]]'', and ''[[The Simpsons]]'', which inject liberal beliefs and mock conservative values
:* Exposed to incorrect liberal ideas throughout education. Standard American kindergartens up to the fourth grade. Wastes the potential of most children—does not expose them to foreign languages and other learning tasks their minds are obviously and mysteriously suited for. All helping to make them think they need liberal man-made structures that in fact limit their potential in a self-defeating sort of cycle.
:* Indoctrination by liberal churches which have a disproportionate focus on Biblical passages that appear to support liberal positions, e.g. the adulteress story, the disciples holding everything in common, etc.
:* A blind obsession to be famous, act and imitate the ways of their famous idols, to absorb their ideals as their own.
:* Failure to realize that modern science and modern wealth are the result of historical processes set into motion by God-fearing Christian Conservatives like [[Blaise Pascal]], [[Robert Boyle]], [[Isaac Newton]], and [[James Maxwell]]. (When the obvious importance of Christianity to these scientific figures' everyday lives comes up in an academic situation, dangerous professors—[[liberal]] historians and [[liberal]] scientists—have been known to label it as "some mental disorder".)
:*Elementary through high school textbooks having appalling and reprehensible omissions on the basic facts of American life (religion, marriage, politics, and business)<ref> ''Censorship: Evidence of Bias in Our Children's textbooks'', [[Paul C. Vitz]], Servant Books, 1986, ISBN 0-89283-305-X, (this book contains the results of a federally funded research project analyzing children's textbooks) </ref>
:*For decades Universities have discriminated against hiring conservatives, especially social conservatives and religious believers.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=zGOuAAAACAAJ A Student's Guide to Religious Studies], D. G. Hart, ISI Books, 2005, ISBN 1932236589, 9781932236583, 108 pages; see page 38 and note on page 107. </ref> This has resulted in most college graduates being exposed to liberals prejudiced against conservatives and conservative thought. These graduates become the teachers and other professionals who are unwitting soldiers in liberalism's battle against a Christian Reformed, Roman-Catholic/Anglican/Orthodox, obedient-to-God reality.

*No exposure:
:* Current fashions in American professional behavior make expressions of Christian faith awkward in the workaday world.
:* Increasing zone of publicly funded anti-religious fanaticism (e.g., no school-sponsored prayer)
:* Spectacle of entertainment industry (e.g., movies and T.V.) cuts into traditionally popular Christian church social activities
:* Most universities and hospitals have forgotten or have been forced to deny (to get various grants and even retirement benefits for their professors) their religious roots. Catholic-affiliated institutions remain one of the few exceptions (few or possibly no other body of Christians can make legitimate claims of offering modern [[Pastoral care]] as the Roman Catholic Church).

*Peer Pressure:
:* They have liberal friends, and want their approval and acceptance.
:* They live in a predominantly liberal state or community, ex. cities and fear rejection from said communities.

*Systemic bias:
:* Some people are [[The Liberal Mind: The Psychological Causes of Political Madness|inherently irrational]], and are thus driven to liberal ideology.
:* Their job and salary, such as working for public schools, depends on keeping conservatives out of power.
:* Media bias acts to caricature conservatism, making it seem unpalatable, conditioning people to reject its teachings.
:* Schools reward politically correct, liberal answers on tests.
:* Negative focusing by the media highlights personal flaws of conservatives, driving people to choose to identify with liberals rather than be categorized with those traits.

== Liberal characteristics ==
*Poor abstract thinking:
:* They have trouble understanding some of the slightly abstract concepts in conservatism, such as "more guns, less crime," and "less taxes, more revenue."
:* They are more comfortable discussing simple issues like race and poverty than complex issues like globalism.
:* Intellectual myopia - failure to heed the long-term consequences of ideological positions that seem beneficial in the short term.
:* Stereotyping: They knew a conservative whom they disliked for some reason, and tar all others with the same brush.
:* Ignorance: politics isn't a priority for some people. Without any wish to learn to think for themselves, some liberals don't bother to think through what's right, and just go with what's "cool."

*Closed-minded:
:* They made up their mind before hearing conservative principles, and will not reconsider their views.
:* They have something criticized by conservatives in their personal background, and feel compelled to defend it rather than let it go.
:* Slavish adherence to the ideals of liberal parents

*Naivety:
:* Non-conservatives demonstrate just how prone mankind is to arrogance.
:* An admiration for historical figures whom liberals claim were liberals (even though many of them were not liberal at all).
:* A desire for large government inculcated by personal weakness and reluctance to take personal responsibility.
:* Impressionable individuals buying into [[Bush derangement syndrome]], and reacting with emotion rather than reason.
:* Reliance on charisma: Charismatic leaders trading on image, rather than experience, can dupe the unsuspecting.

*Self-destructive or contrarian behavior:
:* Some choose to do what is irrational.
:* Use of mind-altering drugs, which encourages one to become a liberal to reconcile the cognitive dissonance, or dulls mental acuity resulting in mindless conformity.
:* Sexual experimentation to make up for lack of self-esteem, often with multiple partners, with partners of the same gender, or in public places
:* Unthinking rebellion against conservative parents.
:* Determined to prove their "independence of mind" by denying authority

== References ==

<references/>

[[Category:Mystery]]

Dick Cheney

2026-10-21T04:05:39Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Dick_Cheney

{{Officeholder
|name=Richard "Dick" Cheney
|image=408px-Richard Cheney 2005 official portrait.jpg
|party=[[Republican]]
|spouse=[[Lynne Cheney]]
|religion=[[Methodist]]
|offices=
{{Officeholder/vice president
|country=the United States
|number=46th
|terms=January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2009
|president=[[George W. Bush]]
|preceded=[[Al Gore]]
|former=y
|succeeded=[[Joe Biden]]
}}
{{Officeholder/representative
|state=Wyoming
|district=At-large
|terms=January 3, 1979 – March 20, 1989
|preceded=Teno Roncalio
|former=y
|succeeded=Craig L. Thomas
}}
{{Officeholder/secretary (cabinet)
|of=Defense
|number=17th
|deputy=n
|president=[[George H. W. Bush]]
|terms=March 20, 1989 – January 20, 1993
|preceded=Frank Carlucci
|former=y
|succeeded=Les Aspin
}}
}}

'''Richard Bruce “Dick” Cheney''' (January 30, 1941 - November 4, 2025), born in [[Lincoln, Nebraska]] served as the 46th [[Vice President]] of the [[United States]], 2001–2009. He was elected as a [[Republican]] in 2000 with President [[George W. Bush]]. Cheney was re-elected along with President [[George Bush|Bush]] in 2004. Cheney was also the Chief of Staff for President [[Gerald Ford]] (1975-77), when Cheney was contemptuous of [[conservative]]s as they supported [[Ronald Reagan]]'s primary challenge to Ford who then lost the presidential election to [[Jimmy Carter]]. [[Dem]]s and Cheney have linked arms as [[Opposition to Donald Trump|Never-Trumpers]], including a hero's welcome for him as Dems gathered in 2022 on the anniversary of the [[J6 Capitol protests]].

Cheney tarnished his reputation further by ranting incoherently against [[Trump]] in a last-minute, desperate political ad seeking to avert a humiliating defeat for her spiteful daughter, [[Liz Cheney]], in the [[GOP]] primary in August 2022.

Though somewhat [[conservative]] in his early days as a congressman, Cheney subsequently reaped tens of millions of dollars from a multinational corporation associated with a policy of foreign interventionalism by the United States. Cheney then became an aggressive cheerleader for the [[neocon]] agenda of foreign wars and even the [[NSA]] domestic spying program.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cheney-defends-nsa-programs-says-snowden-a-traitor-obama-lacks-credibility Cheney defends NSA programs, says Snowden a 'traitor,' Obama 'lacks credibility']</ref> With his neocon positions, Cheney's approval rating hovered at about only 30% as vice president,<ref>[https://news.gallup.com/poll/28159/americans-ratings-dick-cheney-reach-new-lows.aspx Americans' Ratings of Dick Cheney Reach New Lows]</ref> dropping to 13% when he left office.<ref>[https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/08/remembering-why-americans-loathe-dick-cheney/244306/ Remembering Why Americans Loathe Dick Cheney]</ref>

Dick Cheney continues to interfere with an America First agenda through his daughter Liz, who is the censured congresswoman for [[Wyoming]] based on Dick Cheney's roots there (Liz Cheney does not even spend much time there). In 2015, Dick Cheney co-wrote a book with Liz pushing the [[neocon]] agenda and foreign interventionalism, and in January 2021 organized an anti-[[Trump]] letter by former defense secretaries.

== Life and Family ==
Richard 'Dick' Cheney was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. After dropping out of Yale College, he took a BA and an MA in Political Science from the University of Wyoming. He was twice arrested for DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) in his early 20s. He did graduate work in political science at the University of Wisconsin, where in 1964 he met [[Lynne Cheney]], who was finishing her Ph.D. in literature. They have two daughters; Elizabeth and Mary.

==Gay Marriage==
During the 2004 Presidential Race, it entered the public sphere that his daughter Mary and her lesbian partner were having a child. After leaving office as vice president he announced that he was in favor of gay marriage though he believes it should be decided on a state-by-state basis. He summed up his point of view by saying, "With respect to the question of relationships, my general view is that freedom means freedom for everybody."<ref>http://articles.cnn.com/2004-08-24/politics/cheney.samesex_1_basic-fundamental-decision-ban-such-unions-gay-daughter?_s=PM:ALLPOLITICS Cheney describes same-sex marriage as state issue</ref>

== Political career ==
Cheney assumed his first political post as an assistant to [[Wisconsin]] Governor Warren P. Knowles in the early 1960s, at the age of 28, when he became an intern near the beginning of the [[Nixon]] Administration. He quickly came to the attention of [[Donald Rumsfeld]], then directing the Office of Economic Opportunity, and was promoted to a paid position in 1971. When [[Watergate]] forced Nixon's resignation in 1973, Cheney became vice president of an investment firm for a year, but Rumsfeld convinced [[Gerald Ford]] upon the latter's accession to the presidency that Cheney was indispensable, and he was recalled to public service. Eventually Cheney replaced Rumsfeld as [[Chief of staff|Chief of Staff]] to Ford as Rumsfeld was promoted to [[Secretary of Defense]]. In 1978–88, Cheney served in Congress from Wyoming, becoming the Republican Whip (the #2 job).

Cheney served as Secretary of Defense for President [[George H. W. Bush]] in the late 1980s. In the 1990s, Cheney worked for the big oil-supply company [[Halliburton]], becoming CEO in 1995. After he left the company with a retirement package of $33 million (which went into a blind trust which Cheney does not control), leftist critics alleged that he twisted American foreign policy for the benefit of Halliburton. There is little or no evidence to back up such claims, however.

[[Image:Cheney3.jpg‎|left|thumb|200px|Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Mrs. Lynne Cheney welcomed their fifth grandchild, 2006]]

==Hunter==
On February 11, 2006, Mr. Cheney accidentally<ref>[[Dana Bash]], [https://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/12/cheney/ Cheney accidentally shoots fellow hunter]. February 12, 2006 (accessed July 16, 2007), ''CNN''</ref> shot a hunting partner, Mr. Harry Whittington, in the face with [[Shotgun|birdshot]] while the pair were hunting Quail in [[Corpus Christi]], [[Texas]]. Mr. Whittington suffered a minor heart attack due to the incident,<ref>Lavandera, Ed. [https://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/17/cheney/ Man shot by Cheney: 'Accidents do and will happen'] February 20, 2006 (accessed July 16, 2007), ''CNN''</ref> and Cheney accepted full responsibility for the incident.<ref>Dana Bash, Suzanne Malveaux, Tim McCaughan. [https://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/15/cheney/ Cheney: 'One of the worst days of my life']. February 16, 2006 (accessed July 16, 2007), ''CNN''</ref> The incident was, according to all involved, an accident.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11409731/ Harry Whittington's hospital statement]. February 2006 (accessed July 16, 2007), ''MSNBC''</ref>

== Health Issues ==
A survivor of several heart attacks, Cheney's health was too precarious to run for president. In March 2007 he had surgery to remove a blood clot in his leg, the result of extended periods of sitting while airborne.

== Political positions ==
On June 1, 2009, Cheney spoke out in favor of [[gay marriage]] at the National Press Club.<ref>https://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/01/cheney-reasserts-stance-on-gay-marriages/?scp=1&sq=cheney%20gay%20marriage&st=cse</ref>

== Memoirs ==
In August 2011 Cheney released a book entitled ''In My Time'' about his experiences as vice president of the United States. In it he discusses a range of sensitive topics such as keeping a drafted letter of resignation in a safe in case he were to ever suffer debilitating health complications.

==Corruption==
Cheney was charged in [[Nigeria]] in 2010 with bribing Nigerian officials $180 million.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/02/dick-cheney-halliburton-nigeria-corruption-charges Dick Cheney to be charged in Nigeria corruption case]</ref> There are accusations of corruption against him for providing Iraq with fake oil meters by Halliburton company.<ref>https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2006/03/hall-m01.html</ref>

==Quotes==
* "It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you."<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=MRalq4bgd60C&pg=PA15&dq=It+is+easy+to+take+liberty+for+granted,+when+you+have+never+had+it+taken+from+you&ei=XBMWSu7AKJaQyAS2i-z9CQ He Kept the Colors: The True Story of the General, the Old Man and the Flag‎ - Page 15] L.E. Johnson</ref>
==Further reading==
* Hayes, Stephen F. ''Cheney: The Untold Story of America's Most Powerful and Controversial Vice President'' (2007) by a conservative journalist. [https://www.amazon.com/Cheney-Americas-Powerful-Controversial-President/dp/B001AQVTJE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253687382&sr=1-2 excerpt and text search]
==Books==
*''In My Time: A Personal and Political Memoir'' (2011)

==See also==
[[Previous Breaking News/Dick Cheney|Articles about '''Dick Cheney''' from previous "Breaking News"]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.facebook.com/dickcheney Facebook account]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cheney, Dick}}
{{USVicePresidents}}
{{Deep State}}
{{Globalism}}
[[Category:Republicans]]
[[Category:Reagan Era]]
[[Category:Moderate Republicans]]
[[Category:Establishment]]
[[Category:Homosexual Agenda]]
[[Category:RINOs]]
[[Category:Presidential Medal of Freedom award winners]]
[[Category:Pro Second Amendment]]
[[Category:Men]]
[[Category:Corruption]]
[[Category:George W. Bush Administration]]
[[Category:Republican Establishment]]
[[Category:Globalists]]
[[Category:Neoconservatives]]
[[Category:Russophobia]]
[[Category:Anti-Trump]]

African Americans

2026-10-21T04:04:28Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved African_Americans

[[image:Freddouglas.jpg|225px|thumb|[[Frederick Douglass]], historic [[Abolitionism|abolitionist]] activist, historic member of the [[Republican Party]] of the United States.]]

'''African American''' is the term some use to describe the ethnic background of Americans with [[Africa]]n ancestry. The vast majority of African Americans are descended from Africans brought to the Americas as [[slavery|slaves]] beginning four centuries ago.

African Americans were specifically targeted by the [[Biden regime]] for genetic experiments.<ref>''[https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/07/health/coronavirus-vaccine-trials-african-americans.html ‘I Won’t Be Used as a Guinea Pig for White People’]'', By Jan Hoffman, ''[[New York Times]]'', Published Oct. 7, 2020 Updated Oct. 13, 2021.</ref><ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-black-vaccine-hesitancy/2021/02/13/1abc1006-661f-11eb-886d-5264d4ceb46d_story.html</ref>

==Terms==
The preferred terminology changes constantly. Currently "black" and "African American" are in favor, and "Afro-American" and "Negro" are out of favor. The situation before 1960 was just the reverse. "Colored" was popular until the 1950s, but now is generally out of favor except among some [[Leftist]] groups. Some criticize the use of terms such as "African American" or "Mexican American," collectively referred to as "[[hyphenated American]]ism," because the terms "put America second" and emphasize racial differences over common national identity.<ref>https://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/on_becoming_an_unhyphenated_am.html</ref>

The use of the term "African Canadian," a similar politically correct attempt at labeling Canadians of African or Caribbean origin, is largely rejected in favor of the term "Black Canadian."

==History==
''See also [[Black history]]''.

Blacks were originally brought to America to serve as slaves in southeastern states on large-scale plantations. During the [[Civil War]], all slaves were freed by Republican President [[Abraham Lincoln]] through the [[Emancipation Proclamation]], the [[Thirteenth Amendment]], and some state actions. During [[Reconstruction]] the [[Freedmen]] (freed slaves) gained citizenship and civil and political rights, including the right to marry, move about, and keep their wages.

The system of sharecropping instituted after the end of the war left most Freedmen poor, while the [[Democrat]] [[Jim Crow]] policies of racial [[segregation]] that were implemented after the end of [[Reconstruction]] limited their civic and political rights. Notably, the states that supported these policies were largely governed by members of the [[Democrat Party]].

Blacks left the rural south in two waves, the first around 1915–20, the second coming after [[World War II]] when machinery ended the need for large numbers of people to pick cotton by hand. The migrants headed to the large cities of the North and West, and also in the South, moving from very poorly paid farm work to wage labor.

Others like [[Colin Powell]] were twentieth century immigrants from the [[West Indies]] or Africa, or the children born in America of present-day Africans with no connection to America's history of slavery, such as [[Barack Obama]].

==Politics==
Blacks tended to support the [[Republican Party]] from the 1860s to the 1960s, but Democrats suppressed the vote of Blacks living in [[the South]] —some states even stopped people of African ancestry voting by the use of literacy tests, poll taxes and other measures. The [[New Deal]] provided some relief for blacks during the [[Great Depression]] but New Deal legislation still [[discrimination|discriminated]] based on race, particularly in housing and employment. New Deal funds were used to conduct the [[Tuskegee syphilis experiment]]s. Some Northern Black Republicans however, as in Chicago, were bought off by New Deal government spending and switched to the [[Democrat]]s. This change is often attributed to the [[Great Society]] spending that exploded in the second half of the twentieth century. The [[15th Amendment]] allowed blacks to vote, but Democrat [[Jim Crow]] laws suppressed minority voter registration to a level much lower than white voter registration.<ref>Issacharoff, Samuel; Karlan, Pamela S.; Pildes, Richard H. (2012). ''The Law of Democracy: Legal Structure of the Political Process'' (4th ed.). New York, NY: Foundation Press. ISBN 1-59941-935-1, p. 514</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20040806055436/http://www.justice.gov/crt/voting/intro/intro_a.htm</ref> After the 1965 Voting Rights Act]], black turnout increased substantially.

Beginning with [[Lyndon Johnson]]'s [[War on Poverty]], blacks voted 85% to 92% for Democrat presidential candidates; however, the Democrat poverty programs which encourage out-of-wedlock births had a devastating effect on Black families, Black fatherhood, Black males in general, and Black communities. In the 1990s, the mass incarceration laws of [[Joe Biden]], [[Bill Clinton]], and [[Hillary Clinton]] had an even more devastating effect in dampening hope and splitting up Black families.

In 2020 Ismail K. White and Chryl N. Laird wrote in an essay, "Understanding why African Americans are such steadfast supporters of the Democratic Party is not as straightforward as it seems. Although committed to the Democratic Party, African Americans are actually one of the most [[conservative]] blocs of Democratic supporters."<ref>https://press.princeton.edu/ideas/why-are-blacks-democrats</ref>

==Religion==

Among African Americans, [[Christianity]] is very high, and the standard practice since [[Reconstruction]] is for black ministers to be community spokespersons, and political power brokers; they often run for office. The great majority of African Americans are [[Protestant]]s, with their own [[Baptist]], [[Pentecostal]], and [[Methodist]] churches. A few are [[Muslim]]s.<ref>The Pluralism Project at Harvard University [http://www.pluralism.org/resources/statistics/tradition.php#Islam] Twenty-four percent of American Muslims are black, according to American Muslim Council's Zogby poll of August 2000.</ref>

==Racial registration and anti-miscegenation laws==
In the early 20th century some states, not only in the South, adopted racial registration policies and implemented laws against the mixing of black and white people. These "anti-miscegenation" laws were only finally ended in the federal case [[Loving v. Virginia]], when a mixed race couple successfully challenged all laws against mixed marriage in the states.

==Integration vs. separate institutions==
[[File:RosaParks.jpg|thumb|right|[[Rosa Parks]].]]
Since 1964, most forms of racial discrimination are illegal, and government services and public accommodations have been integrated so that African Americans and non-African Americans can go to school, shop, travel and live with all other Americans. Although ''de jure'' segregation has ended, ''de facto'' segregation continues in many aspects of American life. Many people have observed that Sunday morning when people are attending church is perhaps the most racially segregated time of the week—because many congregations and denominations are composed primarily of a single race. Similarly, housing patterns have created neighborhoods of predominantly a single race. The federal government has outlawed racial discrimination, but continues to support [[historically black colleges and universities]] which continue to educate a predominantly African American student body. Many states have two public university systems: one for African Americans and a second one open to all students. Within an individual college that includes students of both races, African Americans socialize in particular [[fraternity|fraternities]] that are historically African American or live in "special interest" dormitories that focus on the "Black experience." There have even been debates as to whether African American students should be encouraged to use "Black English" as a separate dialect apart from Standard English that is taught and used in academic settings. The concept of promoting and having all Americans accept a separate "Black culture" in the United States has culminated in the opening of a separate Smithsonian museum on the subject. As a result, in the 50 years since the passage of the Civil Rights law, American society has not been thoroughly integrated and still has many divides along racial lines.

==References==
<references/>
* [http://www.adherents.com/rel_USA.html National Survey of Religious Identification (NSRI)]

==See also==

* [[Black History]]
* [[Civil Rights]]
* [[Jim Crow]]
* [[Race]]
* [[Black Republican]]
* [[Black unemployment]]

[[Category:Ethnicities]]
[[Category:The South]]
[[Category:Civil Rights]]
[[Category:Black History]]
[[Category:Race (human classification)]]

Pseudoscience

2026-10-21T04:03:29Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Pseudoscience

:''See also: [[War on Science]]''
'''Pseudoscience''' is [[theory]] or speculation which has the trappings and [[rhetoric]] of [[science]], and is presented as science, but does not follow the [[scientific method]]. Pseudoscientific theories are typically not [[falsifiable]], and their purveyors show unwillingness to allow outsiders to observe, test, or replicate their findings.

A common example of pseudoscientific thought is the notion that [[slave]] [[reparations]] will reduce carbon emissions and lower global temperatures by 2 degrees [[Celsius]].

== Falsifiability ==
The most cited element of scientific theory is [[falsifiability]], established by [[philosopher]] [[Karl Popper]].<ref>[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/popper/#BacHisTho Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, see in particular sections 2 and 3]</ref> A falsifiable theory makes predictions, which can be used to test it. Thus, the theory of gravity is falsifiable, as it predicts that an apple held above the ground and released will fall. If it fails the test, it is discarded, and if it passes, it is not proven, but better supported.

== Disproven Science ==
The term pseudoscience is also often applied to theories which ''are'' falsifiable and have in fact been falsified and discarded. [[Phrenology]] predicted that psychological traits could be inferred from the shape of the skull, but no actual link was ever found. Various [[astrology|astrological]] theories predicted regular planetary effects on the earth and human health, but testing those failed.

The existence of [[God]] is thus not considered scientific theory, as no test can possibly be conceived which categorically disproves His existence. The same is the case for [[string theory]], which is a mathematical unification of scientific theory, but makes no predictions. Such things fall outside the realm of science.

== Charlatanism ==
The label ''pseudoscientist'' is commonly given to cranks and [[charlatan]]s, who claim abnormal powers and abilities, but refuse to demonstrate them in objective, controlled, monitored environments. For example, Uri Geller claims to be able to bend spoons without applying pressure to them, but he cannot do it in front of scientists or journalists.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3vGGf-ZIkc Uri Geller debunked by James Randi and Johnny Carson</ref> Countless conjurers and mediums claim to be able to speak with the dead, but controlled circumstances revealed that they were really only conducting clever psychological tricks.

== Metaphysics ==
[[Spiritual]], [[metaphysical]], [[philosophical]], and [[religious]] beliefs are occasionally confused with pseudoscience, as there is often an overlap in rhetoric, and charlatans blur the lines between scientific and philosophical ideas of knowledge.

== Public belief ==
Despite evidence and logic against pseudoscientific theories, many remain popular among the public. Homeopathic medicine is available at most health-food stores and is a multibillion-dollar business, and 31% of Americans believe in astrology.

Notably, twice as many [[Democrats]] believe in astrology as [[Republicans]], showing a strong bent of irrationality and scientific [[illiteracy]] among [[liberals]].<ref>http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=359</ref>

There is no definitive or objective definition of the term "pseudoscience", so it is also sometimes used as a pejorative term. Pseudoscientists consider their work to be real science rather than pseudoscience. In addition to this, oftentimes theories which conflict with their theories are considered by them to be pseudoscience. Theories which are considered to be pseudoscience by the public may transition into being considered science if substantial evidence is found to support the theory. For example, before the theory of plate tectonics was fully developed, it was considered pseudoscience, whilst its predecessors, theories which involved an expanding Earth, are now considered pseudoscience.<ref>R. G. A. Dolby, ''Uncertain Knowledge: An Image of Science for a Changing World'', Published by Cambridge University Press, 2002. ISBN 0521892627, 9780521892629, 380 pages. [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=xd3ylT3WTLEC&pg=PA191&dq=pseudoscience+pejorative&num=100&as_brr=3 Page 191]</ref><ref>Brian Stableford, ''Science Fact and Science Fiction'', Published by CRC Press, 2006, ISBN 0415974607, 9780415974608, 729 pages. [http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=uefwmdROKTAC&pg=PA410&dq=pseudoscience+pejorative&num=100&as_brr=3 Page 410]</ref>

==Topics classified as pseudoscience==
[[File:Richard Dawkins Stockholm.JPG|thumb|200px|right|Within the [[evolution]]ary science community and the [[creation science]] community, Richard Dawkins has faced charges of engaging in pseudoscience besides committing elementary errors.<ref>http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/send-clowns-–-richard-dawkins-obliges</ref><ref>https://creation.com/the-greatest-hoax-on-earth/main.php</ref> For more information, please see: [[Richard Dawkins and pseudoscience]] ]]
* Acupuncture
* Alternative medicine
* The [[ancient astronaut theory]]
* Animal magnetism
* [[Astrology]]
* [[Big Bang]] astronomy
* [[Biodynamic agriculture]]
* [[Chiropractic]]
* Clairvoyance
* [[Covid lockdown]]s
* Cryptozoology
* Crystal healing
* [[Darwinism]]
* [[Richard Dawkins]]' work<ref>http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/send-clowns-–-richard-dawkins-obliges</ref><ref>https://creation.com/the-greatest-hoax-on-earth/main.php</ref> (see: [[Richard Dawkins and pseudoscience]])
* [[Dianetics]]
* [[Dominionism]]
* [[Environmentalism]]
* [[Evolution|Evolutionary biology]]<ref>https://www.icr.org/home/resources/resources_tracts_scientificcaseagainstevolution/</ref><ref>http://www.grisda.org/origins/04004.htm</ref><ref>http://www.uncommondescent.com/darwinism/there-is-no-theory-of-evolution/</ref><ref>http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/PoE/pe05scnc.html</ref><ref>http://www.parentcompany.com/science_kit/sk3b.htm</ref><ref>http://www.apologeticspress.org/rr/reprints/Evolution-Fact-or-Theory.pdf</ref>
* Extrasensory perception
* Feng shui
* [[Free Energy]]
* Ghost hunting
* [[Global warming]]
* [[Graphology]]
* [[Homeopathy]]
* Iridology
* Levitation
* Lunar effects
* [[Lysenkoism]]
* Magnet Therapy
* Memetics (coincidentally originated by Richard Dawkins)
* Mesmerism
* [[PZ Myers]]' work<ref>http://www.truefreethinker.com/articles/pz-myers-pseudoscienceblogscom</ref>
* Neuro-linguistic programming
* Numerology
* [[Old earth]] geology
* Orgone therapy
* Palmistry
* [[Parapsychology]]
* Personality tests (such as Myers-Briggs, DISC, [[Enneagram]], etc.)
* [[Phrenology]]
* [[Population control]]
* [[Pseudoarchaeology]]
* [[Psychoanalysis]]
* Psychokinesis
* "Psychological personality" tests (e.g., Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, DISC, [[Enneagram]], Four Temperaments)
* Reflexology
* [[Carl Sagan]]'s work
* [[Scientific racism]], the basis for [[Democrat]] [[Jim Crow]] laws and [[Adolf Hitler]]'s eugenics system
* [[Scientology]]
* Séances
* [[Self-projection as God]] (also known as [[vicarious autotheism]])
* [[Social distancing]]
* [[Transgenderism]]
* [[Ufology]]

== See also ==
* [[War on Science]]
* [[Green New Deal]]
* [[Scientism]]
* [[List of atheist and agnostic pseudosciences]]
* [[Gay gene theory]]
* [http://www.stardestroyer.net/Empire/Science/Pseudoscience.html http://www.stardestroyer.net/Empire/Science/Pseudoscience.html]

Humor:
* [[Essay: You obviously don't understand how science works|You obviously don't understand how science works]] - Humor/[[Satire]]

=== Refutations of Pseudoscience ===
* [[Counterexamples to Evolution]]
* [[Counterexamples to Global Warming]]
* [[Counterexamples to an Ice Age]]
* [[Counterexamples to an Old Earth]]
* [[Counterexamples to Relativity]]
* [[Counterexamples to String Theory]]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Pseudoscience]]

Illinois

2026-10-20T14:34:43Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Illinois

{{USState
|name=Illinois
|flag=Flag of Illinois.png
|motto="State Sovereignty; National Union"
|nick=The Prairie State
|capital=Springfield
|language=English
|governor=J.B. Pritzker
|gparty=Democrat
|senator2=Tammy Duckworth
|s2party=Democrat
|s2phone=(202) 224-2854
|s2email=http://www.duckworth.senate.gov/content/contact-senator Contact
|senator1=Richard Durbin
|s1party=Democrat
|s1phone=(202) 224-2152
|s1email=http://durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm Contact
|population=12,675,000 (2020)
|date=December 3, 1818 (21st)
}}
'''Illinois''' was the twenty-first state to enter into the [[union]]. Its capital is [[Springfield]], and the largest city is [[Chicago]]. Illinois is bordered by [[Indiana]], [[Kentucky]], [[Michigan]], [[Missouri]], [[Iowa]], and [[Wisconsin]]. Illinois was the most abandoned state in the country in 2023, as more people moved away from Illinois than from any other state. [[Chicago]] has long been considered to be one of the most politically corrupt cities in the [[U.S.]]. Illinois has a population of 12,830,632 according to the 2010 census, making it the 5th most populous state. Illinois has 102 counties.

Illinois is one of the top 10 agricultural states in the [[United States]], and outside of [[Chicago]] agriculture is the biggest part of the [[economy]]. Its leading products are [[corn]], [[soybean]]s, and [[swine]].

Downstate Illinois is the political opposite of upstate Illinois, such that [[Trump]] won landslide victories in downstate Illinois while [[Dems]] won the state overall. Many downstate counties have voted to "separat[e] from Cook County [Chicago] to form a new state and to seek admission to the Union as such, subject to the approval of the people”.<ref>https://www.nbcchicago.com/illinois-election-2024/7-illinois-counties-vote-to-explore-seceding-from-state/3593776/</ref>

The state Constitution of Illinois, like all of the other 50 states, acknowledges God or our Creator or the ''Sovereign Ruler of the Universe''. It says:
:''We, the People of the State of Illinois; grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He has permitted us to enjoy and seeking His blessing upon our endeavors — in order to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the people; maintain a representative and orderly government; eliminate poverty and inequality; assure legal, social and economic justice; provide opportunity for the fullest development of the individual; insure domestic tranquility; provide for the common defense; and secure the blessings of freedom and liberty to ourselves and our posterity - do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Illinois.''

[[File:John R. Thomas Oklahoma judge.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Rep. [[John R. Thomas]], a GOP U.S. representative from Illinois spanning 1879–89 who voted against the [[Pendleton Act]].<ref>[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/47-2/h272 TO PASS S. 133, A BILL REGULATING AND IMPROVING THE U. S. CIVIL SERVICE. (J.P. 163).] ''GovTrack.us''. Retrieved November 10, 2021.</ref>]]
==Politics==
[[File:Illinois Governor Election Results by County, 2014.svg.png|thumb|left|150px|2014 gubernatorial election results. If it were not for Cook County, Rauner would have won in a landslide.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Newman | first1=James | title=Quinn/Rauner a Squeaker? Durbin/Oberweis a Cakewalk? Think Again | url=http://www.niutoday.info/2014/11/05/think-quinnrauner-was-a-squeaker-and-durbinoberweis-was-a-cakewalk-heres-why-youd-be-wrong/ | date=November 5, 2014 | publisher=''[[Northern Illinois University|NIU]] Today'' | accessdate=July 26, 2016}}</ref>]]
Overall, Illinois is a blue state. Geographically speaking, the vast majority of Illinois is Republican and conservative, but because of the large population of ultraliberal Cook County and parts of the suburbs, the Democratic Party dominates the state. The 2014 gubernatorial election was very tight, even though Bruce Rauner, who won the election, won every county except Cook. Particularly regarding presidential elections, Illinois is a liberal Democrat stronghold. In 1962, Illinois became the first state in the nation to legalize [[Homosexuality|homosexual conduct]].

Currently, Illinois has a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] governor, [[J.B. Pritzker]]. One of its governors in the recent past was [[George Ryan]], who controversially emptied the state's death row after an investigation by [[Northwestern University]] law students proved that one death row inmate was innocent.<ref>https://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/01/11/illinois.death.row/</ref> Critics charged that he only did so to gain sympathy because he was about to be tried for [[corruption]] and selling commercial driver's licenses when he was the [[Secretary of State|Illinois Secretary of State]]. There are 2 Senators and 18 Representatives in Illinois.

Illinois is one of the worst fiscally managed states in the United States.<ref>Lawler, Joseph (July 11, 2017). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/the-5-worst-fiscally-managed-states-in-the-usa/article/2628211 The 5 worst fiscally managed states in the USA]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved July 13, 2017.</ref>

==Commerce==

*Gross State Product - $528 Billion (2004)
*Personal income per Capita - $32,965 (2003)
Illinois is not only the nation's leading pumpkin producer, but also its leading pumpkin processor. Libby's plants 5,000 acres of Dickinson Select pumpkins each year in and around Morton, Illinois. Morton, where 80 percent of the world's canned pumpkin is packed at the Libby's factory, is known as the "Pumpkin Capital of the World." The town hosts an annual Pumpkin Festival to celebrate the start of the pumpkin canning season. Illinois is a leading producer of [[soybeans]], [[corn]] and [[pigs]]. The state's climate and varied soil types enable farmers to grow and raise many other agricultural commodities, including cattle, wheat, oats, sorghum, hay, sheep, poultry, fruits and vegetables. Illinois also produces several specialty crops, such as buckwheat, horseradish, ostriches, fish and Christmas trees. Marketing of Illinois' agricultural commodities generates more than $9 billion annually. Corn accounts for nearly 40 percent of that total. Marketing of soybeans contributes about one-third, with the combined marketing of livestock, dairy and poultry generating about 23 percent.
Illinois has a competitive edge over many other states due to its central location and superior
transportation system. More than 2,000 miles of interstate highways and 34,500 miles of other state highways make trucking of goods fast and efficient. Chicago is home to the largest rail gateway in the nation, connecting the eastern and western United States. The state boasts some 1,100 airports, landing areas and heliports, including Chicago's O'Hare International, through which more than 65 million travelers pass annually. Illinois' 1,118 miles of navigable waterways, including the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, make barge traffic an excellent option for shipment of grain to the Gulf of Mexico.

==Demographics==
According to the 2010 census.

*Population: 12,830,632
*Male Population: 6,080,336 (49.0%)
*Female Population: 6,338,957 (51.0%)
*White: 9,177,877 (71.5%)
*Black: 1,866,414 (14.5%)
*Asian: 586,934 (4.6%)
*American Indian: 43,963 (0.3%)
*Other race: 861,412 (56.7%)
*Two or more races: 289,982 (2.3%)
*Hispanic/Latino: 2,029,578 (15.8%)

==Elected Officials==
As of 2019.

===Federal===
*Sen. [[Richard Durbin]] (D)
*Sen. [[Tammy Duckworth]] (D)
*Rep. [[Bobby Rush]] [D, IL–1]
*Rep. [[Robin Kelly]] [D, IL–2]
*Rep. [[Marie Newman]] [D, IL–3]
*Rep. [[Jesus Garcia]] [D, IL–4]
*Rep. [[Mike Quigley]] [D, IL–5]
*Rep. [[Sean Casten]] [D, IL–6]
*Rep. [[Danny K. Davis (Democrat congressman)]] [D, IL–7]
*Rep. [[Raja Krishnamoorthi]] [D, IL–8]
*Rep. [[Janice Schakowsky]] [D, IL–9]
*Rep. [[Bradley Schneider]] [D, IL–10]
*Rep. [[Bill Foster]] [D, IL–11]
*Rep. [[Mike Bost]] [R, IL–12]
*Rep. [[Rodney Davis]] [R, IL–13]
*Rep. [[Lauren Underwood]] [D, IL–14]
*Rep. [[Mary Miller]] [R, IL–15]
*Rep. [[Adam Kinzinger]] [R, IL–16]
*Rep. [[Cheri Bustos]] [D, IL–17]
*Rep. [[Darin LaHood]] [R, IL–18]

===Statewide===
*Governor [[J.B. Pritzker]] (D)
*Lt. Governor [[Juliana Stratton]] (D)
*Secretary of State [[Jesse White]] (D)
*Attorney General [[Kwame Raoul]] (D)
*State Treasurer [[Mike Frerichs]] (D)
*State Comptroller [[Susana Mendoza]] (D)

==State Facts==

*Illinois State Tree – white oak
*Illinois State Bird – cardinal
*Illinois State Fish – bluegill
*Illinois State Animal – white-tailed deer
*Illinois State Insect – monarch butterfly
*Illinois State Mineral – fluorite
*Illinois State Prairie Grass – big bluestem
*Illinois State Reptile – painted turtle
*Illinois State Flower – violet
*Illinois State Snack – popcorn
*Illinois State Fruit – goldrush apple

==See also==
* [[Senator from Illinois]]

==Further reading==
* Buck, Solon J. ''Illinois in 1818'' (1917) excellent history [http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/America/United_States/Illinois/_Texts/Centennial_History/Illinois_in_1818/home.html complete text online]
* Biles, Roger. ''Illinois: a history of the land and its people.'' (2005). very good recent survey DeKalb: Northern Illinois University Press. ISBN 9780875803494. OCLC 58526330.
* Bridges, Roger D. and Davis, Rodney O., eds. ''Illinois: its history & legacy.'' (1984). essays by experts.
* Cole, Arthur Charles. ''The era of the Civil War, 1848-1870'' [1919]. excellent history
* Davis, James E. ''Frontier Illinois.'' (1998).
* Gove, Samuel Kimball; Nowlan, James Dunlap. ''Illinois politics & government: the expanding metropolitan frontier'' (1996) government textbook
* Grossman, James R., Keating, Ann Durkin and Reiff, Janice L. ''Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago'' (2005) (Online ed.).[http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/ outstanding reference on Chicagoland]
* Hallwas, John E., ed ''Illinois literature: the nineteenth century.'' (1986).
* Howard, Robert P. ''Illinois; a history of the Prairie State.'' (1972). fair textbook
* Jensen, Richard E. ''Illinois: a history'' (1977), influential interpretation, stressing traditionalism, modernization and postmodernity
* Keiser, John H. ''Building for the centuries: Illinois, 1865 to 1898.'' good survey
* Kleppner, Paul. ''Political atlas of Illinois'' (1988) election maps
* Meyer, Douglas K. ''Making the heartland quilt: a geographical history of settlement and migration in early-nineteenth-century Illinois.'' (2000).

===Primary sources===
* Peck, John Mason. ''A Gazetteer of Illinois, in Three Parts: Containing a General View of the State, a General View of Each County, and a Particular Description of Each'' (1837) fascinating primary source [http://www.worldcat.org/wcpa/oclc/300889206?page=frame&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DY5pKAAAAMAAJ%26checksum%3D8b8c2da173569b9ff33410019959caef&title=&linktype=digitalObject&detail= online]
* Sutton, Robert P. ed. ''The Prairie State; a documentary history of Illinois.'' (1976). primary and secondary sources
* Walton, Clyde C. ed. ''An Illinois reader'' (1970). primary and secondary sources
* Works Progress Administration. ''The WPA guide to Illinois: the Federal Writers' Project guide to 1930s Illinois.'' (1939), very good primary source
* The source for the facts [http://www.dnr.state.il.us/education/CLASSRM/IllinoisFactsFinal.pdf].

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{USstates}}
[[Category:States of the United States]]
[[Category:Illinois]]
[[Category:Blue States]]

Florida

2026-10-20T14:33:27Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Florida

{{USState
|name=Florida
|flag=Flag of Florida.png
|motto="In God We Trust"
|nick=The Sunshine State
|capital=Tallahassee
|language=English
|governor=Ron DeSantis
|gparty=Republican
|senator2=Marco Rubio
|s2party=Republican
|s2phone=(202) 224-3041
|s2email=http://rubio.senate.gov/office_locations.cfm Contact
|senator1=Rick Scott
|s1party=Republican
|s1phone=(202) 224-5274
|s1email=https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/ Contact
|population=22,000,000 (2020)
|date=March 3, 1845 (27th)
}}

'''Florida''' is a state located in the southeastern [[United States]], traditionally [[conservative]] and prominent amid the [[COVID-19]] pandemic in opposing lockdowns, mask mandates, and [[vaccine passport]]s. It is bound by [[Georgia]] and [[Alabama]] to the north, the [[Gulf of America]] to the west, the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the east, and the Straits of Florida to the south. Originally a colony of [[Spain]], it was purchased by the U.S. in 1819 and in 1845 became the 27th state to join the Union. The capital of Florida is [[Tallahassee]], and the main metropolitan areas are [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]], [[Miami]], St. Petersburg and [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]. Florida's nickname is the "Sunshine State," and its state tree is the sabal palm. Florida has grown very rapidly, pulling in thousands of hard-working retirees from the cold [[New England]] and [[Midwest]] areas, along with refugees fleeing the communist governments of [[Cuba]], [[Venezuela]], and other Latin American countries, giving it the 3rd largest population of the 50 states. But Florida is also an [[abortion]] center for [[the South]], which ostensibly [[conservative]] (actually [[RINO]]) Gov. [[Ron DeSantis]] has not curtailed.<ref>https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/12/republicans-desantis-florida-abortion-legacy-00086640</ref>

The state Constitution of Florida, like all of the other 50 states, acknowledges God or our Creator or the ''Sovereign Ruler of the Universe''. It says:
:''We, the people of the State of Florida, being grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, in order to secure its benefits, perfect our government, insure domestic tranquility, maintain public order, and guarantee equal civil and political rights to all, do ordain and establish this constitution.''

==History==
''See also [[History of Florida]]''.

Florida was first settled by Europeans in 1513, when Spaniard [[Juan Ponce de Leon]] landed near where [[St. Augustine, Florida|St. Augustine]] stands today. de Leon originally spotted Florida on Easter Sunday, so he named it ''Pascua Florida'', which means "Flowery Easter" in Spanish.<ref>[http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Florida/FloridaNameOrigin.html Florida state name origin]</ref>

For some time, Spain and France ran competing colonies in Florida, with the Spanish eventually expelling the French. [[John Quincy Adams]], serving as the Secretary of State for President [[James Monroe]], negotiated the Adams–Onís Treaty with the Spanish in 1819, purchasing the territory of Florida from Spain.<ref>[http://future.state.gov/when/timeline/1801_timeline/acquisition_of_florida.html Acquisition of Florida]</ref>

Florida seceded from the Union in 1861 and joined the [[Confederate States of America]]; there was little military action in the remote state.

==Geography==
[[Image:Florida ref 2001.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The state of Florida]]
The southernmost of America's "Lower 48" states, Florida is a largely subtropical state whose southernmost point (at Key West) is only about 90 miles north of Cuba. It has a land area of about 58,560 square miles, ranking 22nd among the states. Most of its land is part of the long, tapering Florida peninsula that juts in a south-southeastward direction toward the Caribbean, with the rest, a narrow northwestern arm extending as far west as the Perdido River just west of Pensacola, known as the Florida panhandle. The state's highest elevation, the peak of Britton Hill in Walton County near the Alabama state line, is only 345 feet above sea level (the lowest "high point" of any state), while its whole coastline lies at or just above sea level. Florida's average elevation, of only about 100 feet above sea level, is lower than every other state except [[Delaware]] and [[Louisiana]].

The state has three major natural regions: the Atlantic Coastal Plain, the East Gulf Coastal Plain, and the Florida Uplands.
* The '''Atlantic Coastal Plain''' is a low, level expanse that covers the eastern part of the Florida peninsula, gently sloping towards the Atlantic Ocean. A considerable portion of the plain consists of freshwater and saltwater marshes, separated by small, drier heights known as "land islands." The largest of the wetlands, lying south of Lake Okeechobee, are Big Cypress Swamp and the Everglades. Just off the coast, for practically the entire length of the peninsula, is a broken string of long, very narrow islands, terminating in the Florida Keys.

* The '''East Gulf Coastal Plain''', which wraps around most of Florida's western and northwestern coast, is similar in terrain and other features to the Atlantic Coastal Plain, except that it is somewhat narrower in width (typically 30 miles or less). Its southernmost portion, in the Everglades, effectively merges with the other coastal plain, the two being indistinguishable except for the direction of water flow. There are fewer offshore islands on the Gulf Coast, except along the Florida panhandle.
[[File:800px-The Beach - Panama City Beach Florida.jpg|thumbnail|right|400px|[[Panama City Beach]], Florida]]
* The '''Florida Uplands''' comprise the state's interior portion, including the central part of the peninsula and most of the Florida panhandle. It consists largely of rolling red-clay hills, divided by fertile valleys. In central Florida, the Uplands are characterized by numerous lakes, many of them formed by sinkholes, water-filled holes created by a collapse in the underlying bed of limestone.

===Climate===

Because of its southerly location, Florida is famed for its warm climate. North and Central Florida are regarded as being within the humid subtropical climate zone, with hot summers and generally mild winters, though killing frosts usually occur every year as far south as Lake Okeechobee. South Florida, by contrast, has a tropical climate, with the monthly average temperature above 64°F every month; it is extremely uncommon for temperatures to fall below freezing, even in January. Most of the state, especially further south and along the coasts, is influenced to a degree by monsoon wind patterns, so that summers are distinctly wetter than winters; Miami, for instance, averages a combined 15 inches of rainfall in June and July, but fewer than 4 inches in December and January.

Though Florida is known for its sunny weather--averaging about 220 days of sunshine per year--it is also prone to severe weather. Most parts of the state lie less than 50 miles from a coastline, meaning that hurricanes are a recurring threat, especially in late summer and early autumn. It is not uncommon for a hurricane to approach from the Atlantic, pass over the entire peninsula, and head into the Gulf, or vice versa. The interior regions of Central Florida, being farthest from the coasts, are less prone to severe hurricane damage, but high temperatures and the collision of sea breezes from opposite directions make severe thunderstorms and tornadoes frequent in the summer months. This area is sometimes known as "Lightning Alley," due to the regularity of lightning strikes during these storms.

==Economy==
A large sector of Florida's economy is based on the cultivation of citrus fruit. As of 2006, Florida produced 67 percent of the [[United States]]' total citrus fruit. This breaks down to 74 percent of [[oranges]] grown in the US, 58 percent of tangerines and 54 percent of grapefruits.<ref>[http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Florida/fruit_orange.html Florida state fruit: orange]</ref> The orange blossom is Florida's state flower, the orange is the state fruit and orange juice is the official state beverage.

Tourism is one of the state's largest economic sectors, with over 112 million tourists visiting in 2016 and with 1.4 million people employed in the industry (as of 2016). Particularly popular attractions include the Everglades, Walt Disney World, and Miami's South Beach district.

NASA's presence in Cape Canaveral makes Florida a very good environment for the aerospace industry. Florida is the 4th largest employer of workers in the aerospace industry, with over 23,000 employed.

As Florida has no state [[income tax]], and due to its generally warm weather, it has become a haven for retirees. The largest senior adult community in the world, [[The Villages, Florida|The Villages]], is located in Central Florida.

== State Government ==
Florida has a republican form of government (as guaranteed to every State by Article IV, Section 4 of the United States Constitution) that is modeled on the United States government and has three distinct branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

The head of the executive branch is the Governor of Florida. He is elected by the voters of Florida for a term of four years, and is limited to two consecutive terms. In the State of Florida, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected on the same ticket in the general election. The Governor of Florida exercises the following powers and duties:
He is commander-in-chief of all the military forces of the State.
He takes care that the laws are faithfully executed and commissions all the officers of the State and counties.
He is the chief administrative officer of the State and is responsible for budgeting.
He may initiate judicial proceedings against any executive or administrative officer.
He may request judicial opinions from the Florida Supreme Court.
He calls forth the militia to execute the laws.
He communicates by message with the Legislature.
He fills vacancies.
He may veto bills passed by the Legislature.

The other elected officers of the executive branch are the Chief Financial Officer, the Attorney General, and the Agriculture Commissioner, who are also elected for four-year terms and subject to term limits. Those three officers plus the Governor comprise the '''Florida Cabinet'''. For any matter requiring a vote of the Cabinet, in the event of a tie vote, the side on which the Governor voted (for or against) is the outcome.

In case of a vacancy in the office of Governor, the Lieutenant Governor becomes Governor for the remainder of the term.

The legislative branch consists of the Florida Legislature. The Legislature consists of the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives. Senators serve four-year terms and are limited to two consecutive terms, while Representatives serve two-year terms and are limited to four consecutive terms. Bills are passed by a majority of each chamber. The Legislature may override the Governor's veto by a two-thirds vote of each chamber.

The Florida Supreme Court, district courts of appeal, circuit courts, and county courts. The Florida Supreme Court is composed of seven justices who are appointed by the Governor and subject to a retention election. Justices may not be seventy-five years of age or older.

==Politics==
Florida is a swing state in presidential elections. The South Florida region ([[Miami]], [[Fort Lauderdale]], and [[Palm Beach]], along with the [[Florida Keys]]) along with the [[Tallahassee]] capital area, is heavily Democratic and the urban areas of [[Tampa]] and [[Orlando]] lean Democratic, while the northern parts of the state (especially the panhandle, due to the presence of significant military bases, but excluding the Tallahassee area), rural areas of central Florida, and the southwestern portion of the state ([[Naples]], [[Fort Myers, Florida|Fort Myers]], [[Punta Gorda, Florida|Punta Gorda]], and [[Sarasota, Florida|Sarasota]]) are heavily Republican. The swing state phenomenon was most pronounced during the 2000 presidential election when the margin of victory for eventual winner George W. Bush was a mere 537 votes (triggering a mandatory recount under Florida state law, an ensuing number of lawsuits and judicial rulings, and never-ending speculation as to the real winner).

Historically, Florida was a Democratic Party stronghold. This was the case until the 1960s and was especially the case in the early 20th Century. Due to the Dominance of the Democrats, the Democrat primaries were considered "the real election" during this time. In the Party, however, there were competing factions, and during the New Deal, a conservative-liberal divide within the Democratic Party emerged. As the Democratic Party became more liberal, and as different changes occurred in the state, conservative voters switched to the growing, more conservative Republican Party. Florida was originally part of the Solid South, as Democrats overwhelmingly won state and federal elections during the hundred years following the [[American Civil War|Civil War]].

===2020 Elections===
In the 2020 presidential elections, Floridian Latinos (mainly devoutly religious [[Cuban-Americans]] who are strongly opposed to [[socialism]]) in the very populous [[Miami-Dade]] area, turned out strongly for [[Donald J. Trump]]. That was after [[Obama]] campaigned in Miami for [[Biden]] ZZ.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/03/us/elections/in-florida-trump-shows-strength-with-latino-voters.html "In Florida, Trump shows strength with Latino voters."] New York Times, Nov.3.2020 ...''Florida, a must-win battleground for President Trump with 29 electoral votes, appeared to be edging toward the president on the strength of his support among Latinos in the Miami area. In populous Miami-Dade, Mr. Trump was overperforming his 2016 vote totals, with 512,000-plus votes so far counted in 2020 compared with about 334,000 total four years ago — an enormous improvement. The Biden campaign had sent former President Barack Obama to Miami on the eve of the election to try to rally supporters to the polls. “The reason why I’m back here in South Florida is that I know some of you have not voted yet,” Mr. Obama had said on Monday. But Mr. Biden was showing strength in other parts of the state, and the margins were too narrow to declare a winner. Mr. Biden, for instance, was leading in Duval County, home of the city of Jacksonville, which Mr. Trump carried in 2016.''</ref>

The Next day, there was celebration among Cuban-American Trump supporters in Miami.<ref>[https://www.kake.com/story/42866534/trump-supporters-took-to-streets-of-little-havana-after-florida-win "Trump supporters took to streets of Little Havana after Florida win"]. Wednesday, November 4th 2020. (WFOR). Kake.com</ref>

Nicaraguan-American Ana Navarro said the next day: Florida... I feel like I have been beaten like a piñata...<ref>CNN, Nov.4.2020 7:56 am [https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2020/11/04/republican-narrative-latino-miami-dade-elexnight-election-2020-navarro-vpx.cnn Time stamp: 00:36]</ref>

==State symbols==
<center>
<gallery perrow="3">
Image:Florida_panther.jpg|The Florida panther is the state's official animal.
Image:Orange_blossom.jpg|The orange blossom is Florida's official flower.
Image: Manatee Keith Ramos WEB.jpg|The manatee is Florida's official marine mammal.
</gallery>
</center>

==Elected officials==
===Federal===
*Sen. [[Rick Scott]] (R)
*Sen. [[Marco Rubio]] (R)
*Rep. [[Matt Gaetz]] [R, FL–1]
*Rep. [[Neal Dunn]] [R, FL–2]
*Rep. [[Kat Cammack]] [R, FL–3]
*Rep. [[John Rutherford]] [R, FL–4]
*Rep. [[Al Lawson]] [D, FL–5]
*Rep. [[Michael Waltz]] [R, FL–6]
*Rep. [[Stephanie Murphy]] [D, FL–7]
*Rep. [[Bill Posey]] [R, FL–8]
*Rep. [[Darren Soto]] [D, FL–9]
*Rep. [[Val Demings]] [D, FL–10]
*Rep. [[Daniel Webster]] [R, FL–11]
*Rep. [[Gus M. Bilirakis]] [R, FL–12]
*Rep. [[Charlie Crist]] [D, FL–13]
*Rep. [[Kathy Castor]] [D, FL–14]
*Rep. [[Scott Franklin]] [R, FL–15]
*Rep. [[Vern Buchanan]] [R, FL–16]
*Rep. [[Greg Steube]] [R, FL–17]
*Rep. [[Brian Mast]] [R, FL–18]
*Rep. [[Byron Donalds]] [R, FL–19]
*Rep. [[Alcee L. Hastings]] [D, FL–20]
*Rep. [[Lois Frankel]] [D, FL–21]
*Rep. [[Ted Deutch]] [D, FL–22]
*Rep. [[Debbie Wasserman Schultz]] [D, FL–23]
*Rep. [[Frederica Wilson]] [D, FL–24]
*Rep. [[Mario Diaz-Balart]] [R, FL–25]
*Rep. [[Carlos Giménez]] [R, FL–26]
*Rep. [[Maria Elvira Salazar]] [R, FL–27]

===Statewide===
*Governor [[Ron DeSantis]] (R)
*Lt. Governor [[Jeanette Nunez]] (R)
*Chief Financial Officer [[Jimmy Patronis ]] (R)
*Attorney General [[Ashley Moody]] (R)
*Agriculture Commissioner [[Wilton Simpson]] (R)

==Metropolitan Areas==
*[[Daytona Beach]]
*[[Deltona, Florida|Deltona]]
*[[Fort Myers, Florida|Fort Myers]]
*[[Fort Walton Beach]]
*[[Gainesville, Florida|Gainesville]]
*[[Homosassa Springs]]
*[[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]]
*[[Lakeland, Florida|Lakeland]]
*[[Miami]]
*[[Naples, Florida|Naples]]
*[[Ocala, Florida|Ocala]]
*[[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]
*[[Panama City, Florida|Panama City]]
*[[Pensacola, Florida|Pensacola]]
*[[Port St. Lucie, Florida|Port St. Lucie]]
*[[Punta Gorda, Florida|Punta Gorda]]
*[[Sarasota, Florida|Sarasota]]
*[[Sebring, Florida|Sebring]]
*[[Tallahassee]]
*[[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]]
*[[Titusville, Florida|Titusville]]
*[[Vero Beach, Florida|Vero Beach]]

== References ==
<references/>
<ref>Constitution of the State of Florida</ref>

{{USstates}}

[[Category:Florida]]
[[Category:East Coast of the United States]]
[[Category:Eastern United States]]
[[Category:The South]]
[[Category:Southern United States]]
[[Category:Gulf Coast of the United States]]
[[Category:Southeastern United States]]
[[Category:Regions of the United States]]
[[Category:United States Geography]]
[[Category:United States of America]]
[[Category:Geography]]
[[Category:Red States]]

Alaska

2026-10-20T14:30:59Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Alaska

{{USState
|name=Alaska
|flag=Alaska_State_Flag.gif
|motto=North to the Future
|nick=The Last Frontier
|capital=Juneau
|language=English
|governor=Mike Dunleavy
|gparty=Republican
|senator1=Lisa Murkowski
|s1party=Republican
|s1phone=(202) 224-6665
|s1email=http://murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactMe.EMailLisa Contact
|senator2=Dan Sullivan
|s2party=Republican
|s2phone=(202) 224-3004
|s2email=https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/contact Contact
|population=735,000 (2020)
|date=January 3, 1959
}}
'''Alaska''' became the forty-ninth [[state]] to enter into the [[United States of America]] in 1959. Alaska is not contiguous to the rest of the United States, bordering [[Canada]]'s [[Yukon Territory]] and province of [[British Columbia]] to the east. Its [[capital]] is [[Juneau]].

Alaska's territory was purchased from [[Russia]] in 1867 by the Johnson administration for 7.2 million [[Dollar|USD]]; its vast [[oil]] and [[gold]] reserves have more than repaid the investment that was once ridiculed as "Seward's Folly," after [[William Seward|William H. Seward]] who was the [[Secretary of State]] that negotiated the purchase.

Although it is the largest state by area, it is the third smallest state by population (larger than only [[Wyoming]] and [[Vermont]]).

The state Constitution of Alaska, like all of the other 50 states, acknowledges God or our Creator or the ''Sovereign Ruler of the Universe''. It says:
:''We the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land, in order to secure and transmit to succeeding generations our heritage of political, civil, and religious liberty within the Union of States, do ordain and establish this constitution for the State of Alaska.''

==Elected Officials==
===Federal===
*Senator [[Lisa Murkowski]] (R)
*Senator [[Dan Sullivan]] (R)
*Rep. [[Mary Peltola]] (D)

===Statewide===
*Governor [[Mike Dunleavy]] (R)
*Lt. Governor [[Nancy Dahlstrom]] (R)

==Politics==
[[File:E-ALSIB-Monument-w-flags-W.jpg|right|300px|thumb|The Heroes of Alaska-Siberia Monument on [[Magadan]].]]
Alaska is a [[Republican]] stronghold with a [[libertarian]] streak.<ref>http://election.nationaljournal.com/states/ak.htm</ref> [[George W. Bush]] carried the state 59%-28% in 2000, 61%-36% in 2004, and [[John McCain]] 59%-38% in 2008. The legislature has split control, with Democrats in control of the state senate. In 2008 [[Mark Begich]] became the first [[Democrat]] elected to [[Congress]] from Alaska since 1974. Due to [[Ranked-choice voting]], which passed in 2020, the state very quickly had a leftward shift, with Alaska's At-Large district flipping and RINO Lisa Murkowski winning re-election in 2022.

==Economy==
Alaska's economy consists of three main sectors. Firstly, there are mineral resources, in the form of oil, coal, gold, silver, and a variety of other metals. Secondly, there is commercial fishing, primarily salmon, king crab, halibut, grey cod, and pollock. Finally, there is federal spending. Alaska receives more federal spending per citizen than any other state, getting about two dollars in federal spending for every tax dollar sent to the IRS.

==Energy==
[[File:Alaska-oil.jpg|thumb|300px|left]] [[File:Oil-symbol.jpg|thumb|300px|left]]
Alaska has vast energy resources but low energy demand. Major oil and gas reserves are found in the Alaska North Slope (ANS) and Cook Inlet basins. The Alaska North Slope contains 14 of the 100 largest oil fields in the United States, and two of the largest natural gas fields. The North Slope's Prudhoe Bay field is the largest oil field in the country. Substantial coal deposits are found in Alaska's bituminous, sub-bituminous, and lignite coal basins. Alaska's numerous rivers offer some of the highest hydroelectric power potential in the country, and large swaths of the Alaskan coastline offer wind and geothermal energy potential. The oil and gas industry dominates the Alaskan economy, and production activities drive state energy demand. Nevertheless, overall state energy demand is low.<ref>See [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=AK Energy Information Administration, State Report 2009]</ref>

Alaska is the second-ranked oil-producing state (after Texas), if output from the Federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) is excluded from the state totals. Nearly all of Alaska's oil production takes place on the North Slope. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) transports crude oil from the frozen North Slope to the warm-water Port of Valdez, on Alaska's southern coast. From Valdez, tankers ship the ANS crude oil primarily to refineries in California and Washington State. Those refineries are designed to process the intermediate, sour (high-sulfur) crude oil from the ANS. Alaskan crude oil production has been in decline since 1988, when output peaked at over 2 million barrels per day. However, experts believe that large oil and gas reserves in the state remain untapped, and some have called for the federal government to open more public lands, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, for oil exploration and drilling.

Demand for finished petroleum products in Alaska is low. Although Alaska has six refineries, most of them are “topping” plants that strip away lighter products from the TAPS heavy crude oil stream for internal refinery use. State motor gasoline demand is primarily met by refineries in Kenai and near Fairbanks. The use of oxygenated motor gasoline is required in the Fairbanks and Anchorage areas during their winter months. Jet fuel consumption in Alaska is high compared to other States.

Due to harsh weather conditions that persist throughout most of the year, Alaska's oil infrastructure is particularly vulnerable to weather-related accidents and disruptions. The worst accident was not weather-related, however. It occurred in March 1989, when the tank vessel ''[[Exxon Valdez]]'' struck Bligh Reef and spilled at least 260 thousand barrels of oil into the Prince William Sound (some estimates put the figure at 30 million gallons, or over 700 thousand barrels<ref>Bluemink, Elizabeth. "Size of Exxon spill remains disputed." June 15, 2010. Anchorage Daily News. http://www.adn.com/2010/06/05/1309722/size-of-exxon-spill-remains-disputed.html</ref>). The cause of the accident is at least partially due to navigation errors of fatigued crew members, some of whom were allegedly drunk. Other factors contributing to the accident were navigational equipment failures, deliberate breach of navigational protocol, and an inadequate number of crew members on the vessel,<ref>Alaska Oil Spill Commission. "Spill: The Wreck of the Exxon Valdez: Implications for Safe Transport of Oil." February, 1990. http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/noaa_documents/NOAA_related_docs/oil_spills/spill_wreck_ExxonValdez_1990.pdf</ref><ref>Reprint of pages 5-14 of the AOSC reference, in an easier to read form. http://www.evostc.state.ak.us/facts/details.cfm</ref> and these findings led to new regulations and recommended changes in the oil industry, specifically with regard to transporting oil.

==Notable People from Alaska==
*[[Sarah Palin]], former governor, GOP vice presidential nominee 2008
*[[Carlos Boozer]] ([[Utah Jazz]] basketball player)
*[[Jewel (singer)|Jewel]]
*[[Valerie Plame]]

==State Motto==
''“North to the Future”'' The motto was chosen in 1967 during the Alaska Purchase centennial and was created by Juneau newsman Richard Peter. The motto is meant to represent Alaska as a land of promise.

==See also==
*[[Alaska-class cruiser]]
* [[Constitutional carry]]: In Alaska the [[Second Amendment]] is the "[[license]]" for [[Concealed carry]] and [[Open carry]]. The carrying of [[firearm]]s, [[concealed carry|concealed]] or [[Open carry|not]], is generally not restricted by the [[law]].
* [[Red state]]s - [[Republican]]
* [[Purple state]]s - swing states that can vote either [[Republican]] or [[Democrat]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://arcticcam.com/cam/ Live image from Fairbanks, Alaska]
*[http://www.state.ak.us/ State of Alaska Home page]
*[http://www.travelalaska.com/ State of Alaska Travel and Vacation Information]

{{USstates}}

[[Category:Alaska]]
[[Category:Red States]]
[[Category:Arctic Circle]]
[[Category:States of the United States]]
[[Category:Western United States]]
[[Category:United States Geography]]
[[Category:Pro Second Amendment]]
[[Category:Constitutional Carry]]

California

2026-10-20T14:29:34Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved California

{{USState
|name=California
|flag=Flag of California.png
|motto=Eureka (I have found it)
|nick=The Golden State
|capital=Sacramento
|language=English
|governor=Gavin Newsom
|gparty=Democrat
|senator1=Adam Schiff
|s1party=Democrat
|s1phone=
|s1email=
|senator2=Alex Padilla
|s2party=Democrat
|s2phone=Unknown
|s2email=http://www.padilla.senate.gov/content/contact-senator Contact
|population=40,000,000 (2020)
|date=September 9, 1850 (31st)
}}
{{See also|California values}}
'''California''', known as the "Golden State," is the 31st of the [[United States]], admitted to the union on September 9, 1850. It is located on the west coast of the United States, by the [[Pacific Ocean]] and bordered by [[Oregon]], [[Nevada]] and [[Arizona]]. California has the biggest debt in the [[U.S.]]: its estimated state and local government debt totals $1 to $1.6 trillion, and its annual state deficit is roughly $25 billion as of 2026.

There has been a net domestic migration away from [[liberal]] California for many years, such that [[conservative]] [[Texas]] is expected to surpass it as the most populous state by 2045. Through 2026, California's governor is [[Pelosi]] [[protégé]] [[Gavin Newsom]],<ref>[https://calmatters.org/commentary/2019/01/gavin-newsoms-keeping-it-all-in-the-family/ Gavin Newsom’s keeping it all in the family], by Dan Walters, ''Calmatters, January 6, 2019. calmatters.org</ref> when he is term-limited. California has served as a poster child for [[liberalism]]<ref>Ronayne, Kathleen (October 20, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/0e56c241e9014080842485932185fd70 California relishes role as the liberal trendsetter, Trump foe]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved October 21, 2019.</ref> since the 1960s, as in [[Hollywood values]] and [[San Francisco values]], especially [[Los Angeles]] and [[San Francisco]]. California is an illustration of the failure of [[liberal]] policies, featuring one of the worst educational systems in the world and losing many high-achievers to other states, especially [[Texas]]. The gap between rich and poor in California is more severe than anywhere, and homelessness is endemic. The top five most polluted areas in the entire country are in California (by year-round particle pollution),<ref>https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/04/22/california-worst-east-coast-best-air-quality/7400570001/</ref> while increasing wildfire smoke from liberal mismanagement of forests further harms air quality. "Close to 98% of Californians live in a county impacted with poor air quality," and overall California is ranked as the worst state in the nation on this issue.<ref>https://www.ktvu.com/news/california-has-the-worst-air-quality-in-the-country-study-finds</ref>

The California drought is worsened by its water-wasteful [[cannibis]] crop, which [[cannabis water use|consumes double the water]] of ordinary crops.

'''''Despite its relative wealth including more than 200 billionaires as residents, California is one of the ten least charitable states in the country'''''.<ref>https://digg.com/data-viz/link/most-least-charitable-states-us-america-visualized-tGBvU8Vm0Y</ref> California and [[New York]]'s [[Leftism]] loots the [[Midwest]] in [[Congress]] with repeated legislation that transfers money to wasteful programs concentrated in those [[liberal]] states, as the fraudulently named [[Inflation Reduction Act]] of 2022 did. [[Speaker of the House]] [[Nancy Pelosi]] and [[Vice President]] [[Kamala Harris]], as backup to the demented [[Joe Biden]] are both from northern California.

California courts also loot the [[Midwest]] with court decisions that nearly bankrupt productive companies, such as Monsanto over the unscientific hype of harm regarding Roundup.

However, the California economy has surpassed the [[atheist]] ic [[United Kingdom]], which illustrates that an atheistic ideology (which prevails in the UK) is even less productive than a [[liberal]] one. Still, liberals have run California into the economic ground. In 2012, its [[leftist]] politicians proposed making its citizens pay an extra $9 billion in new taxes, with half of that going into [[government]] pensions.<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/05/15/how-california-budget-blunders-led-to-my-divorce-from-golden-state/</ref> In 2015, California faced a worsening water shortage after years of failed liberal policies toward the problem. Attempts at voluntary self-restraint in the use of water have been unsuccessful in its far-[[Leftism|Left]] culture. Additionally, the state has seen a large number of people leave the state (dubbed the California exodus), disappointed with the state's liberal governance.<ref>Adelmann, Bob (November 7, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/item/33972-california-shrinking-million-have-left-more-to-follow California Shrinking: A Million Have Left, More to Follow]. ''The New American''. Retrieved November 7, 2019.</ref> However, they then vote for the same failed policies in their new states: Colorado and Nevada are now solidly liberal, Arizona is trending such, and Texas is in danger of losing its conservative edge that has made it attractive for business. Critics refer to California as "Commiefornia", and a [[California exodus]] consists of many of its top companies and visionary business leaders leaving the state.

California takes by far the largest amount of federal subsidies ($43.61 billion), although its net taking of federal funds per resident is ranked at 41.<ref>https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/federal-aid-by-state</ref> The regulatory burdens imposed by California and its politicians on the rest of the country are substantial.
The state Constitution of California, like all of the other 50 states, acknowledges God or our Creator or the ''Sovereign Ruler of the Universe''. It says:
:''We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure and perpetuate its blessings, do establish this Constitution.''

==History==
{{See also|History of California}}
[[Image:Reagangovernor.jpg‎|right|thumb|250px|Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan at the Victory celebration for California Governor at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California 11/8/66.]]
California [[Attorney General]] [[Kamala Harris]] refused to defend [[Proposition 8]] in court. The decision was significant. In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that proponents of the measure did not have the legal standing to defend Proposition 8 on appeal after Harris and Gov. [[Jerry Brown]] had refused to do so. The case was dismissed on technical grounds, removing the ban on same-sex marriage in California and eroding the respect for marriage further there.<ref>https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-senate-harris-milestones-20160706-snap-htmlstory.html</ref>

For more than a hundred years there has been a popular saying, 'As goes California, so goes the nation.' By 2021 that future became clear: It is a high-taxation society with a huge, impoverished, [[unemployed]] and unemployable destitute class where the [[middle class]] is annihilated, organized gangs and general chaotic street [[crime]] including muggings, [[rape]]s and [[murder]]s metastasize in all major [[urban]] areas and gangs more numerous and heavily armed than the police operate openly with impunity.<ref>https://www.zerohedge.com/political/california-collapsing</ref>

==Politics==
[[File:Biden 2020.png|left|350px|thumb|The Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon, California was defaced with [[swastika]]s, [[Biden 2020]], upside down crosses and [[BLM]] imagery.<ref>[https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/chaldean-catholic-cathedral-vandalized-in-san-diego-with-white-power-blm-and-swastikas-29343]</ref>]]
From 2003 to 2011, California's governor was the liberal Republican [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]. This is the same position that was once held by conservative icon [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1966–74. California is considered to be one of the [[blue state|"blue-est" states]], consistently voting for Democratic legislative and presidential candidates since 1992, mixed in with numerous Republican governors. Los Angeles and San Francisco are the centers of liberalism, while San Diego and other cities outside these localities are much more conservative. Prior to 1992, California was consistently a [[red state]]. A prominent conservative Republican U.S. senator from the state was [[William F. Knowland]], who served from 1945 to 1959.

[[Richard Nixon]] is the only president to have been born in California, but he lived in [[New York]] when elected in 1968. [[Ronald Reagan]] was a resident of California when elected president in 1980.

In the past, conservative areas of California included Orange and Ventura Counties, but Ventura County (Simi Valley) is heavily [[Democrat]] now like most of California. The [[Ronald Reagan]] Presidential Library is located in Ventura County. [[Orange County, California|Orange County]] has also become significantly more left-wing because of immigration. The California GOP has become significantly weaker since the 1980s, mainly because of weak, liberal leadership that ostracized conservatives and tried to turn the party into a "Democrat-lite" party.<ref>Donnelly, Tim (November 20, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/midterm-election/2018/11/20/donnelly-california-republican-party/ Donnelly: The California Republican Party Was Destroyed by Its Moderate Leaders and Donors]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 20, 2018.</ref>

Since 2014, California has become more politically segregated, with conservatives mostly choosing to live in rural or suburban areas. Multiple polls, surveys, and news sources have consistently indicated that among the largest populated places in California with conservative registered voters are Newport Beach and [[Yorba Linda]], both in [[Orange County, California|Orange County]] of Southern California.<ref>Wisckol, Martin (August 25, 2014). [https://www.ocregister.com/2014/08/25/survey-3-oc-cities-are-states-most-conservative/]. ''Survey: 3 O.C. cities are state’s most conservative''. Retrieved December 26, 2019.</ref><ref>Martin, Ted (May 17, 2018). [https://presscalifornia.com/2018/05/17/ten-conservative-cities-california/]. ''The ten most conservative cities in California''. Retrieved December 26, 2019.</ref>

===Marxism===

:{{See also|Revolutionary Vanguard}}
The Committees of Correspondence (CoC), also known as the [[Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism]] (CCDS) were formed in 1992 after the collapse of the [[Soviet Union]].<ref>https://keywiki.org/Committees_of_Correspondence</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20140518231419/http://www.ccds-discussion.org/?p=4</ref> Several prominent party [[Communist Party USA]] supporters, rudderless without the Soviet Union to offer funding and instructions, and disillusioned with the dictatorial rule of CPUSA General Secretary [[Gus Hall]], split off to form their own group.<ref>https://www.discoverthenetworks.org/organizations/committees-of-correspondence-for-democracy-and-socialism-ccds/</ref><ref>"The Communist Party of the United States has disintegrated, as has the party in [[Minnesota]], as a result of its own failures and misdeeds. The political and ideological crisis that brought down the [[Soviet Union]] and the [[Eastern Europe]]an [[socialist]] countries produced crises in Communist Parties throughout the world from which none have emerged unscathed. The CPUSA survives at present only as a shell, with many of its most active members and best-known national leaders having given up the attempt to reform from within and leaving to work in a new form. These reform forces have regrouped as the Committees of Correspondence, for the exchange of information, promotion of education and discussion and coordination of activities.... On February 9, the Northern California district, with the second largest (after [[New York]]) membership in the CPUSA, declared its independence from the national party and joined the Committees of Correspondence. Retaining its [[Marxist-Leninist]] ideological and political framework, the Northern California organization stated: "We desire to be a working-class, [[multiracial]], [[internationalism|internationalist]], anti-[[imperialist]] organization of women and men, regardless of [[sexual orientation]], with a commitment to [[coalition]] politics and mass struggle and a goal of participating in the leadership of such movements. Our work will be based upon participation with people and organizations in struggle, earning leadership through our concrete deeds. "The struggles of working people, the [[racial]]ly and [[Nationalism|national]]ly oppressed, and women are central to the struggle for [[social progress]], indispensable to fundamental [[economic]] and [[political]] change. The growing alliance of these forces is central to the building of a broad coalition of democratic forces that will challenge the rule of [[monopoly]] [[capital]] in this country. The victory of such an anti-monopoly coalition and the establishment of an anti-monopoly government is a necessary step toward the development of socialism in the [[United States]]." ...Dissent and disaffection within the CPUSA became an outright split because party chair Gus Hall blamed the crisis in the world Communist movement entirely on attacks by imperialism and the weakness of [[Gorbachev]]. He did not acknowledge the corrosive role of the [[Autocracy|autocratic]], [[bureaucrat]]ic, [[Paternalism|paternalistic]] administrative structures passed down from the [[Stalin]] period through the [[Communist International]] (Comintern) to most of the Communist Parties in the world, including the CPUSA. In reality, these undemocratic structures were ultimately responsible for the inability of the socialist economies to develop to a level that would enable them to counteract the economic offensives of the industrialized capitalist countries against them. A second major division arose over domestic political strategy. The Gus Hall leadership wanted to continue a policy of concentrating primarily on [[blue-collar]] workers in basic industry, on the grounds that they are most exploited and the sole source of capitalist [[profit]]. Critics of this narrow focus argued that the majority of workers contributing to capitalist profit are no longer industrial workers in basic industry, that Marxists must pay particular attention to those sectors of the [[working class]] in which there is the greatest opportunity to develop [[militant]] [[resistance]] to [[corporate]] onslaught on [[living standards]], whether in industry, trade, or services, in the private or public sector. The most militant labor struggles, they say, are now emerging where there are the greatest concentrations of the most oppressed sections of the working class, particularly [[African-American]]s, [[Latino]]s and women. A labor policy ignoring these realities of the contemporary U.S. workforce is, in practical effect, [[racist]] and [[sexist]]. The first significant criticism of Gus Hall's political leadership came with near unanimity from leading African-American members. The rigged convention subsequently purged most African-Americans, including [[Angela Davis]], Charlene Mitchell, Kendra Alexander and Carl Bloice, from the national committee. No one among over one-third of the Party's members who had signed a call for reform in the party, including [[Herbert Aptheker]], was safe; all were purged. As more and more U.S. Communists re-thought their understanding of socialism and political [[activism]], they confronted a blank wall at the top of the party. Those seeking reform were branded as enemies. The effective lack of inner-party democracy became impossible to ignore. The doctrinaire rigidity of party policies that had rejected rank-and-file union reform groups (unless party-led), denigrated labor organizing of service and clerical workers, lagged in supporting the [[Feminist movement|women's movement]], ignored [[gay]] and [[lesbian]] issues, branded other socialist and progressive organizations as the "phony [[left]]" and have been blind or dishonest about "existing socialism," was intolerable if members could not hope to change these policies....The Committees of Correspondence provide hope for new ways of drawing together [[progressive]]s to work for the replacement of [[capitalism]] with a just, humane and [[democratic socialism]], created by and for the working people of this country." -Erwin Marquit is a Professor in Physics, Doris G. Marquit is on the adjunct faculty in the English and [[Women's Studies]] Departments.[https://web.archive.org/web/20070311011756/http://www.mndaily.com/daily/gopher-archives/1992/02/19/Party_survives%2C_but_as_a_shell.txt "Party survives, but as a shell"], ''Minnesota Daily'', February 19, 1992. (Archive.org copy)</ref>
[[File:Democrat rioters Compton, CA.png|right|250px|thumb|Democrat riots in Compton, California, during the [[2020 presidential election]].<ref>https://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2020/09/10/the-united-states-its-constitution-have-two-months-left/</ref>]]
The group's first organizational conference was held in [[Berkeley]], California, July 17–19, 1992. Charlene Mitchell, who had been a leader of the California Communist Party, spoke at the conference. Mitchell said "the collapse of [[socialism]] in [[Eastern Europe]] left the [[United States]] in a near unchallenged position of world leadership." She continued,
{{Cquote|What began as a moment to take stock and ponder where to go from there has now become a very different entity. People from the Communist Party, from CrossRoads, from the [[Democratic Socialists of America]], from NCIPA [National Committee for Independent Political Action], from Solidarity, from the Socialist Organizing Network and many others, including independent leftists and independent socialists, have come together here in Berkeley.}}
Criticizing U.S. actions in the [[First Gulf War]], Mitchell stated,
{{Cquote|[[progressive]] forces were nearly powerless in the face of an onslaught of demagogic, [[patriotic]] [[jingoism]] and yellow ribbons. This war, fought for no legitimate reason, was the crowning height of [[George H.W. Bush|President [George H.W.] Bush]]'s [[New World Order]]. Previously, the Soviet Union helped to provide a certain balance to rein in the crazies in this country. Now, that balance is no longer there. It is now up to us, the American people, to rein in our own crazies. The [[left]] must take a major responsibility in organizing this task.}}

Former congressional investigator Herbert Romerstein said the CCDS has "a close working relationship with the [[Stalin]]ist remnants in the former [[East Germany]], now called the Party of Democratic Socialism..." Romerstein points out these were the people who ran the [[concentration camp]]s and the [[Communist Party]] apparatus in East Germany.

[[File:Sup-Ct-Judge-Harold-Haley-w-shotgun-taped-around-his-neck-during-Jonathan-Jacksons-Marin-Courthouse-Rebellion-080770-by-Jim-Kean-Marin-Independent-Journal.jpg|right|200px|thumb]]

===Black Liberation Army===
In 1970, Marin County Judge Harold Haley's head was blown off by a sawed-off shotgun in a hostage incident in which members of the [[Black Panthers]] attempted to free Davis' lover, Black Panther member [[George Jackson]]. Jackson's younger brother took the judge, the prosecutor, and three female jurors as hostages and armed the defendants.<ref>{{cite book|last=Aptheker|first=Bettina|title=The Morning Breaks: The Trial of Angela Davis|year=1997|publisher=Cornell University Press}}</ref><ref name="Register-Guard">{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Search broadens for Angela Davis|newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard|date=August 17, 1970|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4BkRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NuEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6482%2C3554926|accessdate=}}</ref> Davis had purchased several of the firearms used in the attack,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/harvard-new-home-angela-davis-papers-180968191/|title=Angela Davis’ Archive Comes to Harvard|last1=Treviño|first1=Julissa|publisher=Smithsonian Magazine|date=16 February 2018|accessdate=}}</ref> including the shotgun used to kill the judge.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/04/18/archives/a-shotgun-that-miss-davis-purchased-is-linked-to-the-fatal-shooting.html|title=A Shotgun That Miss Davis Purchased Is Linked to the Fatal Shooting of Judge|last1=Caldwell|first1=Earl|work=[[The New York Times]]|date= April 18, 1972|accessdate=}}</ref> Davis was also found to have corresponded with Jackson.<ref>{{cite book|authors=White, Bay, Martain|title=Freedom on My Mind|publisher=Bedford/St. Martin's|isbn=978-0-312-64884-8|page=725}}</ref> California considers "all persons concerned in the commission of a crime, whether they directly commit the act constituting the offense... principals in any crime so committed", and a warrant for her arrest was issued. [[J. Edgar Hoover]] listed Davis on the [[FBI]]'s Ten Most Wanted List; the third woman to ever be listed<ref>{{cite web|title=Biography|work=Davis (Angela) Legal Defense Collection, 1970–1972|url=http://digilib.nypl.org/dynaweb/ead/scm/scmdavisa|accessdate=}}</ref> behind Ma Barker and [[Bernardine Dohrn]]. She was apprehended and [[John Abt]], general counsel of the Communist Party USA, represented her.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Abt|first1=John|authorlink1=John Abt|last2=Myerson|first2=Michael|title=Advocate and Activist: Memoirs of an American Communist Lawyer|url=https://books.google.com/?id=9REaIPPh4k4C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false|year=1993|publisher=University of Illinois Press|location=Urbana, Illinois|isbn=978-0-252-02030-8}}</ref> Davis was eventually acquitted of any role in the plotting and execution of the crime.

===Progressivism===
[[File:Jim Jones and the Democrat party.jpg|right|400px|thumb|''Left to Right:'' The [[Rev. Jim Jones]], Mayor [[George Moscone]] (murdered along with City Councilman [[Harvey Milk]]), Speaker [[Nancy Pelosi]] a [[white privilege]]d refugee from [[Baltimore]], Speaker [[Willie Brown]] ex-lover and political patron of [[Kamala Harris]], and Sen. [[Dianne Feinstein]] whose rise came on the heels of the Moscone/Milk murders. The Moscone/Milk murders and the tragedy at [[Jonestown]] are intimately connected in San Francisco's [[Progressive]] [[Democratic party]],<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzyXNWYmfXg Jim Jones, The Most Admired Democrat of The 1970s, Censored Info], youtube</ref> a fact kept hidden by the [[mainstream media]] for decades.]]
[[Jim Jones]] was the original founder of the "[[Rainbow Coalition|Rainbow Family]]" in the late 1950s and early 1960s, a term Jones used to refer to his family.<ref>Reiterman & Jacobs 1982, p. 65</ref><ref>https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=64933</ref><ref>[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/jonestown/sfeature/race.html "Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple - Race and the Peoples Temple".] PBS.org. February 20, 2007.</ref> Jones moved to San Francisco in 1970 and was deeply involved in the city's [[progressive]] politics.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3U1pA8keSw Jim Jones on gay marriage, women's rights, white privilege and other Progressive causes], youtube.</ref> Jones's [[Peoples Temple]] was instrumental in the election of Mayor [[George Moscone]], serving as campaign workers and busing in unregistered people to vote. Jones was rewarded with the post of housing commissioner.

It was [[Kamala Harris]]'s mentor, [[Willie Brown]], who brought Jones in contact with the California [[Democratic party]].<ref>http://www.brasscheck.com/jonestown/</ref> From there, Jones became involved with the [[DNC]]. Willie Brown supported [[same-sex marriage]] as early as 1977. Jones publicly met with vice president candidate [[Walter Mondale]], and spoke at events with other leading Democrats at the San Francisco headquarters after the election in 1976, among them First Lady [[Rosalynn Carter]] and California governor [[Jerry Brown]].

[[Harvey Milk]], the first openly gay politician elected in California with Jones's help, would say: "My name is etched in stone with you."<ref>[http://jonestown.sdsu.edu/AboutJonestown/Articles/sawyer.htm]</ref> Milk wrote letters in support of Jones to [[President Jimmy Carter]]. Both Milk and Jones were [[homosexual]] activists.

In February 2021, Martin Sieff of the Strategic Culture Foundation observed, "what we are now seeing in America’s most populous state is the complete internal collapse of the entire liberal progressive civilization and the society that has most frantically tried to fulfill it."<ref>https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2021/02/24/california-collapsing/</ref>

====LGBT grooming====
{{See also|Grooming}}
In 2021, a pair of [[public school]] teachers at Buena Vista Middle School in Salinas, California were exposed for encouraging their fellow teachers to identify alleged [[LGBT]] schoolchildren, recruit them into LGBT clubs under false pretenses and then hide their in-club activities from the parents. The two were seen in video footage from a teleconference held by the California Teachers Association union. Both are members of the union. According to reports, both had already created their own LGBT club, “You Be You,” at Buena Vista. After their exposure, the school district suspended the club and issued a ban prohibiting teachers “from monitoring students’ online activity for any non-academic purposes.”

One mother said that the teachers had coached her suicidal 12-year-old daughter into a transgender identity behind her and her husband’s backs. She said that the teachers had also changed the girl’s name and pronouns and also removed information about her medical history. According to the ''[[The Epoch Times]]'',<ref>https://www.theepochtimes.com/parent-says-daughter-was-coached-on-lgbtq-identity-at-california-school_4156865.html</ref>
[[File:Progressive caucus.png|right|175px]]
{{quotebox-float|“[The mother] claims that one of the teachers coaxed her daughter to join a lunch-hour ‘Equality Club’ and began affirming her daughter as transgender. … Near the end of sixth grade, Konen’s daughter told her she might be bisexual, and by the middle of the seventh grade, Konen was called to the school for a meeting with her daughter, a teacher, and the school principal.”}}
The teacher reportedly told her that her daughter was “trans fluid. I sat across the table, and I was crying. I was trying to absorb everything. They kept looking at me angrily because I kept saying ‘she,’ and that it was going to take me time to time to process everything. I was very confused. ... I was very upset. I was blindsided—completely blindsided,” she told the ''Times''.

The teacher accused the mother, Jessica Konen, of not being ’emotionally supportive’ of her daughter, who was to be called by a new name and male pronouns and would be using the unisex restroom at school, according to the ''Epoch Times.'' “I felt she completely coached my child,” the mother said, referring to the teacher. "It made me feel very, very small as a parent. I was unaware of anything. Not one time had she mentioned to me ‘Oh, I think that I want to change my name,’ or ‘I’m transgender’ or anything. Nothing. I only heard [[bisexual]] one time, and that was it,” she added.

A couple days later, the police showed up at the couple’s home because of a complaint to California Child Protective Services (CPS) that had been filed by the school. After the family met with CPS, the complaint was dropped. At the local school board meeting, the mother attested,
{{quotebox-float|“How can you let these teachers come in and act like they’ve done nothing wrong. A mistake? How many mistakes are we going to make before my child almost lost her life? They didn’t tell me that my child was suicidal. You allowed these teachers to open their classrooms teaching predatorial information to a young child, a mindful child who doesn’t even know how to comprehend it all. How do you not know what’s going on in your own campuses? Did you think no parent would ever come forward? You will not quiet me today. I will stand here today and protect my child, along with every other child who has not come forward yet. Do they have psychiatry degrees that I wasn’t aware of? Because I didn’t hire them. I didn’t hire them to sit there and nitpick my child’s brain. You took away my ability to parent my child, even before I had any knowledge. I didn’t even get to show support. Your job was to educate my child in math, science, English, etc. Do your job, and let me do mine!”}}
Also in attendance was the child’s father. He revealed that they’d been told by the teachers that their daughter is a supposed "transgender", they’d had the cops sicced on them for refusing to use the pronouns the teachers had assigned to the child. Jessica Konen's father, Gunter Konen, also spoke at the meeting and expressed his outrage over the school's handling of his granddaughter, explaining that she had been a straight-A student before she was indoctrinated by her teachers with their leftist gender theory.

The teachers were caught on an audiotape discussing several new strategies to hide their [[woke]] agenda in order to avoid any pushback from parents by pulling “mind-tricks” on 6th graders because too many kids had been talking to their parents about the indoctrination. The Spreckels Union School District has since suspended the teachers – with pay – pending the outcome of an independent investigation.<ref>https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/12/must-watch-outraged-parents-demand-answers-leaked-training-audio-exposes-california-middle-school-teachers-conspiring-hide-lgbtq-indoctrination-parents/</ref>

===Bay Area===

People Organized to Win Employment Rights or POWER (Garza) evolved from the now defunct communist group STORM (Standing Together to Organize a Revolutionary Movement). [[Obama]]’s former “green jobs czar” and [[CNN]] contributor, the self-described “[[communist]]” and “rowdy black nationalist” [[Van Jones]], served on STORM's board. In January 2015, POWER merged with another [[Liberation Road]] group, Causa Justa,<ref>Causa Justa/Just Cause – a Black-Latino solidarity organization allied with the Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, the Right to the City Alliance, and others. Its 2013 revenues, $1.6 million, included $689,484 in government grants. Causa Justa has received over $2.3 million since 2010, mostly from the California Endowment, Marguerite Casey, and a few others.</ref> and Garza left.<ref>https://capitalresearch.org/article/blm-roots/</ref> Garza wrote at about the same time,
{{quotebox|"When I use Assata [Shakur]'s powerful demand in my [[Community organizing|organizing]] work, I always begin by sharing where it comes from, sharing about Assata’s significance to the Black Liberation Movement, what its political purpose and message is, and why it’s important in our context."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Garza|first1=Alicia|title=A Herstory of the #BlackLivesMatter Movement|url=http://www.thefeministwire.com/2014/10/blacklivesmatter-2/|website=The Feminist Wire|publisher=|accessdate=}}</ref>}}
[[Assata Shakur]] is the former "queen" of the Black Liberation Army (BLA) terrorist group, who was convicted of the first-degree murder of a New Jersey State Trooper in 1973. She was convicted of [[murder]] and seven other [[felon]]ies. While serving a life sentence, she escaped from the Clinton Correctional Facility for Women in 1979. She was granted [[political asylum]] in [[Cuba]] in 1984, where she has lived ever since, despite US government efforts to have her extradited. She is on the FBI Most Wanted Terrorists list, under her maiden name [[Joanne Deborah Chesimard]]. BLM founders openly admit to being "trained Marxists".<ref>https://twitter.com/RitaPanahi/status/1273739801464725504</ref>
Garza is a black separatist and more recently was affiliated with the Marxist [[Freedom Road Socialist Organization]] that wants to carve out an independent [[nation-state]] in the Bay Area.<ref>[https://www.periscope.tv/w/1zqKVljlzyDJB ''Black Lives Matter Unmasked''], Lee Stanahan, 2020.</ref>

====Black Lives Matter murder a Black federal officer====
[[File:Underwood.PNG|right|350px|thumb|Federal Security Police officer Patrick Underwood was murdered by Antifa terrorists.<ref>https://www.lifezette.com/2020/06/police-officers-all-over-the-country-targeted-for-murder-by-antifa-rioters/</ref>]]
[[Bay Area]] Democrats rioted in [[Oakland]],<ref>https://calwatchdog.com/2013/12/18/actually-jim-jones-cult-was-bay-area-democrats/</ref> California.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQq1Kv2UNpo</ref> Nearly 10,000 people took to the streets of the California community, looting stores like Target and Walgreens,<ref>https://streamable.com/y9s4x9</ref> and setting fire to a Chase bank. A Black officer from the [[Department of Homeland Security]] was [[murder]]ed and another officer shot.<ref>https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/east-bay/one-of-two-federal-officers-shot-friday-night-dies-from-injuries/2299729/</ref><ref>https://nypost.com/2020/05/30/federal-police-officer-shot-dead-another-injured-in-oakland/</ref>

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf ordered a [[hate crime]] investigation after Oakland Police identified five ropes they described as “nooses” hanging from trees at Lake Merritt, with the city government apparently believing that the ropes were akin to racial intimidation tactics and allusions to lynchings carried out by groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. The FBI was called in support of the investigation. A black man stepped forward stating that he and some of his friends installed the rope and small nooses merely for use as swings and exercise equipment. The nooses were used to attach a makeshift swing. “It’s unfortunate that a genuine gesture of just wanting to create a good time got misinterpreted," stating that he couldn't see how anyone would view the small ropes as a hangman's noose. The Democrat mayor however, refused to accept the word of a Black man and continued to claim the findings are indicative of a hate crime and continued the [[witchhunt]] for white supremacists invading Oakland.<ref>https://bigleaguepolitics.com/racial-panic-erupts-in-oakland-over-nooses-that-were-actually-exercise-equipment/</ref>

===San Francisco===
[[File:Pelosi poop map.jpg|left|350px|thumb|The City of San Francisco official "poop map" of reports of human feces on the street covers Nancy Pelosi's entire 12th Congressional district.<ref>https://www.mrctv.org/blog/new-report-shows-nancy-pelosis-district-seat-piled-high-dirty-needles-and-human-feces</ref>]]
{{See also|San Francisco values}}
[[San Francisco]] (colloquially known as '''Scat Francisco'''<ref>https://forums.carm.org/forum/secular/society-ethics-politics/11922-drinking-water-danger-scat-francisco</ref>), California faces [[Environmental Protection Agency]] fines over the environmental damage done by the city in collaboration with its homeless partners.<ref>https://hotair.com/archives/jazz-shaw/2019/09/19/will-epa-fine-san-francisco-homelessness/</ref>

The last Republican mayor was elected in 1964.

Since 2011, the city's Poop Patrol office has received 118,352 reports of turds in the street, or roughly am average of one every 90 seconds, around the clock, for eight solid years.<ref>[https://www.realclearinvestigations.com/articles/2019/04/17/calif_118352_human_feces_reports_in_frisco_since_11.html]</ref> With a growing population, the numbers can only be expected to increase. ''The San Francisco Chronicle'' reported in 2018 on the plight of residents unable to get a response from the city. A frustrated citizen finally called the newspaper after finding a suitcase full of human excrement on the corner of his block. The resident purchased a $750,000 condo for his wife and 2-1/2-year-old child. The paper described the neighborhood as "progressive."<ref>https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Neighbors-disgusted-over-despair-on-block-hit-13015964.php</ref> With the city already covered in feces, the newly elected Democrat district attorney vowed to not prosecute public urination.<ref>https://dailycaller.com/2019/11/11/san-francisco-chesa-boudin-public-urination/</ref>

In a city with an estimated homeless population of 8,000,<ref>https://sf.curbed.com/2019/5/17/18629080/san-francisco-homeless-population-count-numbers-2019-sf</ref> the taxpayers liberally hand out 4.5 million free syringes annually,<ref>https://sf.curbed.com/2018/5/9/17336090/san-francisco-needles-syringes-exchange-numbers-sf</ref> or roughly one every 16 hours, assuming (a) the needles are used exclusively by the homeless and (b) all 8,000 homeless are intravenous drug users. While homeowners and renters may take advantage of this taxpayer subsidy, there is no means testing. And the city leaders give little thought to the health and safety of children in public parks and elsewhere exposed to the careless disposal of dirty needles which are thrown away at a rate of some 12,000 daily. While the city has banned the use of plastic straws because they are a "threat to the environment."<ref>https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/No-more-slurping-through-plastic-straws-in-San-13102063.php</ref> the city continues the distribution of disposal plastic syringes which are a threat to everybody's health and the environment.

[[Chesa Boudin]] was elected San Francisco district attorney in 2019. Chesa was elected with money from [[George Soros]],<ref>https://issuesinsights.com/2020/06/05/soros-investments-in-far-left-district-attorneys-campaigns-yields-bitter-fruit/</ref> is the child of two cop-killing [[communist]]s,<ref>https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/nov/14/george-soros-pushes-remake-criminal-justice-system/</ref> and is named after a cop killing communist.<ref>https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2016/07/17/short-list-black-lives-matters-cop-killing-heroes/</ref> Chesa, a Democrat, was elected on a platform of not prosecuting [[criminal]]s and opening the [[prison]]s as an important step in furthering the Marxist [[revolution]].<ref>https://www.commentarymagazine.com/articles/andrew-mccarthy/the-progressive-prosecutor-project/</ref> Chesa is named after [[Joanne Chesimard]],<ref>https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/wanted_terrorists/joanne-deborah-chesimard</ref> also known as [[Assata Shakur]] of the [[FBI]]'s 10 Most Wanted list currently living in [[Cuba]]. Chesimard was convicted of the [[murder]] of a [[New Jersey]] State Trooper in 1977 and escaped prison in 1979. Chesimard is the inspiration of [[Patrisse Cullors]], founder of [[Black Lives Matter]] (BLM).

Chesa's mother is [[Kathy Boudin]], who served 22 years in prison for the murder of two policemen and a Brink's guard. His father, [[David Gilbert]], remains in prison. Chesa was adopted and raised by [[Weather Underground]] (WUO) self-admitted [[terrorist]]s [[Bill Ayers]] and [[Bernardine Dohrn]].<ref>https://legalinsurrection.com/2019/11/san-francisco-socialist-son-of-imprisoned-weather-underground-terrorists-who-was-raised-by-bill-ayers-and-worked-for-hugo-chavez-elected-d-a/</ref>

Chesa's namesake, Joanne Chesimard aka Assata Shakur, is the former "queen" of the [[Black Liberation Army]] (BLA) terrorist group, who was convicted of the first-degree murder of a New Jersey State Trooper in 1973. She was convicted of the [[murder]] in 1977 and seven other [[felon]]ies. While serving a life sentence, she escaped from the Clinton Correctional Facility for Women in 1979. She was granted political asylum in [[Cuba]] in 1984 where she has lived ever since, despite US government efforts to have her extradited. She is on the FBI Most Wanted Terrorists list, under her maiden name Joanne Deborah Chesimard. BLM founders openly admit to being "trained Marxists."<ref>https://twitter.com/RitaPanahi/status/1273739801464725504</ref> [[BLM]] co-founder [[Alicia Garza]] is a black separatist and more recently was affiliated with the Marxist [[Freedom Road Socialist Organization]] that wants to carve out an independent [[nation-state]] in the Bay Area.<ref>[https://www.periscope.tv/w/1zqKVljlzyDJB ''Black Lives Matter Unmasked''], Lee Stanahan, 2020.</ref> Garza wrote, "When I use Assata [Shakur]'s powerful demand in my [[Community organizing|organizing]] work, I always begin by sharing where it comes from, sharing about Assata’s significance to the Black Liberation Movement, what its political purpose and message is, and why it’s important in our context."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Garza|first1=Alicia|title=A Herstory of the #BlackLivesMatter Movement|url=http://www.thefeministwire.com/2014/10/blacklivesmatter-2/|website=The Feminist Wire|publisher=|accessdate=}}</ref>

===Los Angeles===
[[File:Antifa Hollywood.png|right|350px|thumb|Progressives looted expensive stores on [[Liberalism]] [[Hollywood values|Hollywood]]'s fashionable Rodeo Drive.]]
[[Los Angeles]] has had one Republican mayor since 1961.

Los Angeles currently is undergoing a [[typhus]] epidemic.<ref>https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/typhus-reaches-epidemic-levels-parts-los-angeles-area-n917271</ref> Typhus is the name given to a group of bacterial infections transmitted to people living in crowded and unsanitary conditions by lice and fleas, coming from infected rats. The rats are attracted to the human environment by unsanitary conditions created by humans.

Los Angeles Democrats sold off all its emergency medical stockpiles and ventilators for a respiratory pandemic in 2011.<ref>https://www.redstate.com/jenvanlaar/2020/03/29/ca-dismantled-its-mobile-hospital-system-ventilator-stockpile-in-2011/</ref>

During the 2020 leftist uprising, rioters beat up a cop<ref>https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/05/leftist-mob-beats-police-officer-street-la-officer-mobbed-rescued-good-samaritan/</ref> and burnt a police vehicle.<ref>https://streamable.com/61mdlo</ref> The city's Democrat mayor Eric Garcetti cut funding for the police department by $250 million.<ref>https://youtu.be/DcGSvEl44ow</ref> LAPD reported that during the week of May 31 to Jun 6 homicides went up 250% and victims shot went up 56% compared to the previous week.<ref>https://twitter.com/LAPDHQ/status/1270441223753396224</ref>

Two police sheriff deputies in Los Angeles were shot in an ambush and sustained critical injuries; BLM terrorists attempted to block them from being transported to the emergency room and cursed death wishes at them.<ref>Multiple references '''(Warning: Foul language, graphic videos)''':
*[https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/13/2-la-deputies-shot-in-apparent-ambush-of-patrol-car.html 2 LA sheriff’s deputies shot in apparent ambush of patrol car]
*[https://nypost.com/2020/09/14/injuries-of-ambushed-la-county-deputy-shown-in-graphic-photo/ Injuries of ambushed LA County deputy shown in graphic photo]
*[https://news.yahoo.com/los-angeles-police-officers-shot-112258899.html Los Angeles police officers shot in 'ambush']
*[https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/09/13/fcking-die-blm-activists-lay-siege-to-la-hospital-treating-officers-hit-in-ambush-shooting/ ‘F**cking Die’: BLM Activists Lay Siege to LA Hospital Treating Officers Hit in ‘Ambush’ Shooting]</ref> Several malicious bystanders laughed at the deputies when they had been initially injured, refusing to help them.<ref>[https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/09/pure-evil-bystanders-laugh-mock-deputies-including-31-year-old-mother-ambushed-shot-head-no-one-runs-help/ PURE EVIL: Bystanders Laugh, Mock Deputies including 31-Year-Old Mother After They Are Ambushed, Shot in the Head — NO ONE Runs to Help Them]</ref> The Gravel Institute, founded in 2019 to carry on the life work of former senator and 2020 Democrat primary presidential candidate [[Mike Gravel]],<ref>https://www.gravelinstitute.org/</ref> reacted to the gunning down of two LA County Sheriffs officers by tweeting that “blue lives don’t matter” because they are not a “thing”.<ref>https://summit.news/2020/09/14/gravel-institute-blue-lives-dont-matter-because-they-are-not-a-thing/</ref> Anti-cop protesters there had previously chanted "Blue Lives don't matter here!"<ref>Two references:
*[https://dailycaller.com/2020/09/08/los-angeles-protesters-chant-blue-lives-dont-matter-black-lives-matter/ Los Angeles Protesters Chant ‘Blue Lives Don’t Matter Here’]
*[https://www.westernjournal.com/watch-la-protesters-chant-blue-lives-dont-matter-sickening-anti-cop-display/ Watch: LA Protesters Chant 'Blue Lives Don't Matter Here' in Sickening Anti-Cop Display]</ref> An [[NPR]] hack who interfered with police officers paid the price of being arrested.<ref>Two references:
*[https://www.redstate.com/nick-arama/2020/09/13/npr-reporter-got-arrested-during-protester-action-at-hospital-where-ambushed-cops-were-being-treated/ NPR Reporter Got Arrested During ‘Protester’ Action at Hospital Where Ambushed Cops Were Being Treated]
*[https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/09/unhinged-npr-hack-reporter-josie-huang-flattened-pavement-cuffed-arrested-rushed-police-outside-hospital-blocked-blm-mob/ Unhinged NPR Hack Reporter Josie Huang Flattened to Pavement, Cuffed and Arrested After She Rushed Police Outside Hospital Blocked By BLM Mob]</ref>

===Elected officials===
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
====Federal====
*Sen. [[Kamala D. Harris]] [D, CA]
*Sen. [[Dianne Feinstein]] [D, CA]
*Rep. [[Doug LaMalfa]] [R, CA–1]
*Rep. [[Jared Huffman]] [D, CA–2]
*Rep. [[John Garamendi]] [D, CA–3]
*Rep. [[Tom McClintock]] [R, CA–4]
*Rep. [[Mike Thompson]] [D, CA–5]
*Rep. [[Doris O. Matsui]] [D, CA–6]
*Rep. [[Ami Bera]] [D, CA–7]
*Rep. [[Jay Obernolte]] [R, CA–8]
*Rep. [[Jerry McNerney]] [D, CA–9]
*Rep. [[Josh Harder]] [D, CA–10]
*Rep. [[Mark DeSaulnier]] [D, CA–11]
*Rep. [[Nancy Pelosi]] [D, CA–12]
*Rep. [[Barbara Lee]] [D, CA–13]
*Rep. [[Jackie Speier]] [D, CA–14]
*Rep. [[Eric Swalwell]] [D, CA–15]
*Rep. [[Jim Costa]] [D, CA–16]
*Rep. [[Ro Khanna]] [D, CA–17]
*Rep. [[Anna G. Eshoo]] [D, CA–18]
*Rep. [[Zoe Lofgren]] [D, CA–19]
*Rep. [[Jimmy Panetta]] [D, CA–20]
*Rep. [[David Valadao]] [R, CA–21]
*Rep. [[Devin Nunes]] [R, CA–22]
*Rep. [[Kevin McCarthy]] [R, CA–23]
*Rep. [[Salud Carbajal]] [D, CA–24]
*Rep. [[Katie Hill]] [D, CA–25]
*Rep. [[Julia Brownley]] [D, CA–26]
*Rep. [[Judy Chu]] [D, CA–27]
*Rep. [[Adam Schiff]] [D, CA–28]
*Rep. [[Tony Cárdenas]] [D, CA–29]
*Rep. [[Brad Sherman]] [D, CA–30]
*Rep. [[Pete Aguilar]] [D, CA–31]
*Rep. [[Grace Napolitano]] [D, CA–32]
*Rep. [[Ted Lieu]] [D, CA–33]
*Rep. [[Jimmy Gomez]] [D, CA–34]
*Rep. [[Norma Torres]] [D, CA–35]
*Rep. [[Raul Ruiz]] [D, CA–36]
*Rep. [[Karen Bass]] [D, CA–37]
*Rep. [[Linda Sánchez]] [D, CA–38]
*Rep. [[Young Kim]] [R, CA–39]
*Rep. [[Lucille Roybal-Allard]] [D, CA–40]
*Rep. [[Mark Takano]] [D, CA–41]
*Rep. [[Ken Calvert]] [R, CA–42]
*Rep. [[Maxine Waters]] [D, CA–43]
*Rep. [[Nanette Barragán]] [D, CA–44]
*Rep. [[Katie Porter]] [D, CA–45]
*Rep. [[J. Luis Correa]] [D, CA–46]
*Rep. [[Alan Lowenthal]] [D, CA–47]
*Rep. [[Michelle Steel]] [R, CA–48]
*Rep. [[Mike Levin]] [D, CA–49]
*Rep. [[Darrell Issa]] [R, CA–50]
*Rep. [[Juan Vargas]] [D, CA–51]
*Rep. [[Scott Peters]] [D, CA–52]
*Rep. [[Susan Davis]] [D, CA–53]

====Statewide====
* [[Governor of California|Governor]] [[Gavin Newsom]] (D)
* Lieutenant Governor [[Eleni Kounalakis]] (D)
* Secretary of State [[Alex Padilla]] (D)
* Attorney General [[Xavier Beccara]] (D)
* State Treasurer [[Fiona Ma]] (D)
* State Controller [[Betty Yee]] (D)
</div>

===Election fraud===
:{{See also|Democrat election fraud|Biden Putsch}}
According to [[CBS]] LA, Ellen Swensen with the Election Integrity Project California says they found that more than 277,000 questionable ballots had been mailed in the [[2020 presidential election]] in Los Angeles County before election day. That's 63% of all the questionable ballots mailed statewide. It includes more than 4,800 duplicate ballots mailed to the same person, and 728 ballots mailed to people who were likely dead. In 2016 their investigation found many dead voters still registered. Four years later, there were more.<ref>https://theredelephants.com/there-is-undeniable-mathematical-evidence-the-election-is-being-stolen/</ref>

==Economy==
The economy has been badly battered by the [[Recession of 2008]], especially by the collapse of the state's [[housing bubble]]. Unemployment in August 2009 reached 12.2%, the highest since 1940. Homebuilding this year is less than a quarter of what it was in 2005, and 500,000 of the state's job losses have been in construction, finance, real estate and industries related to construction. The state budget is in crisis, because it relied heavily on personal income taxes. The financial collapse greatly reduced personal wealth of rich Californians, and job losses related to the housing bust combined to sharply reduce that source of revenue. After bitter debate in the legislature, a budget was passed in July 2009. It closed a roughly $24 billion two-year gap with extensive cuts to social services, parks and education, which in turn reduced consumer spending among laid-off and furloughed government workers. Also greatly damaging the economy is its very [[socialist]] nature, being a state in which welfare is easy to come by, increasing mass numbers of homeless who live to drink and get high.

===Business climate===
California scores poorly in state ratings of business climate. In a CNBC survey, it ranked 32nd overall but last in "cost of business" and 49th in "business friendliness." IT (Intel, Google, Hewlett Packard, Cisco, Apple, Yahoo!) and biotechnology remain strengths, but some traditional industries are struggling. High costs, as well as tax breaks from other states, have caused movie studios to shift production from California. In 1996, feature films involved 14,500 production days in Los Angeles County; in 2008, the total had fallen in half. Businessmen both in California and those who have moved out of the state have said that California has declared war on its own economy, with Los Angeles and San Francisco taking particular delight in job-killing legislation.

===Budget Crises===
The state had two severe budget crises in 2009, caused by high spending, a plunge in tax revenue (caused by the decline in income of the wealthy who pay most of the taxes), and a refusal of enough Republicans to provide the two-thirds majority in the legislature needed to raise taxes. Long-term borrowing is not allowed—the state has to balance its budget annually, but many gimmicks are used.

With a $26 billion deficit in its $92 billion budget, the state ran out of money and issued IOUs (warrants) before the solution was reached: massive spending cuts. In February 2009, the Legislature raised the state sales tax, bringing the total—including local sales taxes—to about 9 cents or more. Top income tax rates, already among the highest in the country, were raised. So were motor vehicle registration fees. Spending cuts approved in February and July are deep. Together, the cuts equal almost 30% of the general revenue fund and will affect schools, prisons, colleges and welfare. Some welfare benefits will be cut by half. California's student-teacher ratio, now about a third above the national average, will probably go even higher. The high-prestige University of California system lost 20% of its state payments. It is raising tuition and student fees by 9.3%, imposing salary reductions of 4% to 10% on more than 100,000 workers, and postponing faculty hires until improvements occur.

Republicans claimed victory in the end, as they achieved large budget cuts and no new taxes.

===Another budget crisis===
An ugly budget crisis in 2009 was resolved after months of squabbling, with budget cuts, accounting gimmicks, and new taxes. The legislature in 2009 cut billions from education, healthcare and social services while temporarily hiking income, sales and vehicle taxes. The 2010 budget deficit is projected at $21 billion which must be closed somehow.

Suggested solutions include raising tobacco taxes; cutting pensions for retired public workers; repealing corporate tax breaks passed in 2008 and 2009; revising the tax rules for commercial and residential property; reducing the 2/3 legislative vote needed to pass a budget; and strengthening the firewall that protects local government and transportation money from being raided by the state. "There's a lot of people putting chess pieces on the board right now," said Jon Coupal, president of the anti-tax Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. "The question is which of those chess pieces will be moving."<ref>Shane Goldmacher, "California faces a projected deficit of $21 billion," [https://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-budget-deficit18-2009nov18,0,7647152.story ''Los Angeles Times'' Nov. 18, 2009]</ref>

===Green jobs===
Green environmental policies scrapped the centuries-old practice of creating firebreaks in forests between clumps of trees that would limit fire outbreaks in hot weather. By 2020, far from “protecting the trees” and wildlife, the ending of windbreak spaces instead allowed forest fires to blaze on an unprecedented scale and at record speed. At the same time, millions of people sweated even in luxury [[suburb]]s through the rolling heat waves without any air-conditioning relief because the state electric grid repeatedly collapsed, unable to generate the necessary power levels at vital times. Liberal suburbanites who have relentlessly voted for and imposed these policies over the past decades began fleeing California as property values crashed and taxes became too crushing.

==Energy==
[[File:CA-oil.jpg|thumb|375px|right]] [[File:Oil-symbol.jpg|thumb|300px|right]] California is rich in conventional and renewable energy resources. It has large crude oil and substantial natural gas deposits in six geological basins, located in the Central Valley and along the Pacific coast. Most of those reserves are concentrated in the southern San Joaquin Basin. More than a dozen of the Nation's 100 largest oil fields are located in California, including the Belridge South oil field, the second-largest oil field in the contiguous United States. In addition, Federal assessments indicate that large undiscovered deposits of recoverable oil and gas lie offshore in the federally administered Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), although Federal law currently prohibits oil and gas leasing in that area. California's renewable energy potential is extensive. The State's hydroelectric power potential ranks second in the Nation (behind Washington State), and substantial geothermal and wind power resources are found along the coastal mountain ranges and the eastern border with Nevada. High solar energy potential is found in southeastern California's sunny deserts.<ref>See [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=CA Energy Information Administration, State Report 2009]</ref>

California is the most populous state in the nation and its total energy demand is second only to Texas. Although California is a leader in the energy-intensive chemical, forest products, glass, and petroleum industries, the State has one of the lowest per capita energy consumption rates in the country. The California government's energy-efficiency programs have contributed to low per capita energy consumption. Driven by high demand from California's many motorists, major airports, and military bases, the transportation sector is the State's largest energy consumer. More motor vehicles are registered in California than any other State, and worker commute times are among the longest in the country.

===Petroleum===
California is one of the top producers of crude oil in the [[United States]], with output accounting for more than one-tenth of total U.S. production. Drilling operations are concentrated primarily in Kern County and the Los Angeles basin, although substantial production also takes place offshore in both State and Federal waters. Concerns regarding the cumulative impacts of offshore oil and gas development, combined with a number of major marine oil spills throughout the world in recent years, have led to a permanent moratorium on offshore oil and gas leasing in California waters and a deferral of leasing in Federal waters. However, development on existing State and Federal leases is not affected and may still occur within offshore areas leased prior to the effective date of the moratorium.

A network of crude oil pipelines connects production areas to refining centers in the Los Angeles area, the San Francisco Bay area, and the Central Valley. California refiners also process large volumes of Alaskan and foreign crude oil received at ports in Los Angeles, Long Beach, and the Bay Area. Crude oil production in California and Alaska is in decline and California refineries have become increasingly dependent on foreign imports. Led by Saudi Arabia and Ecuador, foreign suppliers now provide more than two-fifths of the crude oil refined in California; however, California's dependence on foreign oil remains less than the national average. California ranks third in the United States in petroleum refining capacity and accounts for more than one-tenth of total U.S. capacity. California's largest refineries are highly sophisticated; they are capable of processing a wide variety of crude oil types and are designed to yield a high percentage of light products like motor gasoline. To meet strict Federal and State environmental regulations, California refineries are configured to produce cleaner fuels, including reformulated motor gasoline and low-sulfur diesel.

Most California motorists are required to use a special motor gasoline blend called California Clean Burning Gasoline (CA CBG). In the ozone non-attainment areas of Imperial County and the Los Angeles metropolitan area, motorists are required to use California Oxygenated Clean Burning Gasoline, and the Los Angeles area is also required to use oxygenated motor gasoline during the winter months. By 2004, California completed a transition from methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) to ethanol as a gasoline oxygenate additive, making California the largest ethanol fuel market in the United States. There are four ethanol production plants in central and southern California, but most of California's ethanol supply is transported by rail from corn-based producers in the Midwest. Some supply is also imported from abroad.

Due to the relative isolation and specific requirements of the California fuel market, California motorists are particularly vulnerable to short-term spikes in the price of motor gasoline. No pipelines connect California to other major U.S. refining centers, and California refineries often operate at near maximum capacity due to high demand for petroleum products. When an unplanned refinery outage occurs, replacement supplies must be brought in via marine tanker. Locating and transporting this replacement gasoline (which must conform to the State's strict fuel requirements) can take from two to six weeks.

===Natural Gas===
California natural gas production typically accounts for less than 2 percent of total annual U.S. production and satisfies less than one-fifth of State demand. Production takes place in basins located in northern and southern California, as well as offshore in the Pacific Ocean. California receives most of its natural gas by pipeline from production regions in the Rocky Mountains, the Southwest, and western Canada. As with crude oil production, California natural gas production is in decline. However, State supply has remained relatively stable due to increasing amounts of natural gas shipped from the Rocky Mountains. California markets are served by two key natural gas trading centers—the Golden Gate Center in northern California and the California Energy Hub in southern California—and the State has nearly a dozen natural gas storage facilities that help stabilize supply. In part to help meet California's demand for natural gas, several companies have proposed building liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals in southern California.

===Coal, Electricity, and Renewables===
Natural gas-fired power plants typically account for more than one-half of State electricity generation. California is one of the largest hydroelectric power producers in the United States, and with adequate rainfall, hydroelectric power typically accounts for close to one-fifth of State electricity generation. California's two nuclear power plants account for almost one-fifth of total generation. Due to strict emissions laws, only a few small coal-fired power plants operate in California.

California leads the nation in electricity generation from nonhydroelectric renewable energy sources. California generates electricity using wind, geothermal, solar, fuel wood, and municipal solid waste/landfill gas resources. A facility known as “The Geysers,” located in the Mayacamas Mountains north of San Francisco is the largest complex of geothermal power plants in the world, with more than 750 megawatts of installed capacity. California has numerous wind farms in five major wind resource areas, and several new projects are currently under construction. The world's largest solar power facility operates in California's Mojave Desert. Two southern California utilities are planning to build new solar farms, a 500-megawatt facility in the Mojave Desert and a 300-megawatt plant in the Imperial Valley. These proposed plants would dwarf existing U.S. solar generation capacity. To further boost renewable energy use, California's Energy Action Plan includes incentives that encourage Californians to install solar power systems on their rooftops.

===Imports===
Due to high electricity demand, California imports more electricity than any other State. States in the Pacific Northwest deliver power to California markets primarily from hydroelectric sources, while States in the Desert Southwest deliver power primarily from coal- and natural gas-fired sources. Hydroelectric power comes to California primarily through the Western USA interconnection, which runs from northern Oregon to southern California. The system, also known as the Pacific Intertie, is the largest single electricity transmission program in the United States. Although the Pacific Intertie was originally designed to transmit electricity south during California's peak summer demand season, flow is sometimes reversed overnight and has occasionally been reversed during periods of reduced hydroelectric generation in the Northwest. California restricts the use of coal-fired generation within its boundaries; however, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) operates the coal-fired Intermountain power plant in Utah, which delivers three-fourths of its output to LADWP and other California municipal utilities. A recent California law forbids utilities from entering into long-term contracts with conventional coal-fired power producers. Intermountain's existing contracts with southern California cities are set to expire in 2027.

===Energy crisis===
In 2000 and 2001, California suffered an energy crisis characterized by electricity price instability and four major blackouts caused by a supply and demand imbalance. Multiple factors contributed to this imbalance, including: a heavy dependence on out-of-State electricity providers, drought conditions in the northwest that reduced hydroelectric power generation, a rupture on a major natural gas pipeline supplying California power plants, strong economic growth leading to increased electricity demand in western States, an increase in unplanned power plant outages, and unusually high temperatures that increased electricity demand for air-conditioning and other cooling uses. Following the energy crisis, the California State government created an Energy Action Plan designed to eliminate outages and excessive price spikes. To achieve these goals, the plan calls for optimizing energy conservation, building sufficient new generation facilities, upgrading and expanding the electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure, and ensuring that generation facilities can quickly come online when needed.

==Education==

The state of California has three tiers of public higher education: the California community colleges, the [[California State University]] (CSU) system, and the [[University of California]] (UC) system (which is home to [[University of California, Berkeley]] and [[University of California, Los Angeles]], both of which are world-renowned). In addition, California is also home to several notable private universities, such as [[California Institute of Technology]], [[Stanford University]] and [[University of Southern California]].

==Spectator Sports==

California has more professional sports teams than any other state.

*[[NBA]] - [[Los Angeles Lakers]], [[Los Angeles Clippers]], [[Golden State Warriors]], [[Sacramento Kings]]
*[[NHL]] - [[Anaheim Ducks]], [[Los Angeles Kings]], [[San Jose Sharks]]
*[[NFL]] - [[St. Louis Rams|Los Angeles Rams]], [[San Francisco 49ers]], and [[San Diego Chargers|Los Angeles Chargers]]
*[[Major League Baseball]] - [[Los Angeles Angels]] of Anaheim, [[San Diego Padres]], [[Oakland Athletics]], [[San Francisco Giants]], [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]
*[[Major League Soccer]] - [[Los Angeles Galaxy]], Los Angeles FC, [[San Jose Earthquakes]]

In college sports, [[UCLA]], [[USC]], [[Stanford]], [[University of California, Berkeley]] and [[Santa Clara University]] have recently had great success, in [[basketball]] and [[football]] respectively, except for Santa Clara University, which discontinued its football program in 1992.

===Other professional sports teams===

{| class="wikitable"
! Sport !! League !! Team !! City
|-
| rowspan="15" | Baseball
| rowspan="8" | California League ([[Minor League Baseball|Class A-Advanced MiLB]])
| Inland Empire 66ers || San Bernardino
|-
| Lake Elsinore Storm || Lake Elsinore
|-
| Lancaster JetHawks || Lancaster
|-
| Modesto Nuts || Modesto
|-
| Rancho Cucamonga Quakes || Rancho Cucamonga
|-
| San Jose Giants || [[San Jose]]
|-
| Stockton Ports || Stockton
|-
| Visalia Rawhide || Visalia
|-
| rowspan="5" |Pacific Association
| Napa Silverados || [[Napa]]
|-
| Pittsburg Diamonds || Pittsburg
|-
| San Rafael Pacifics || San Rafael
|-
| Sonoma Stompers || Sonoma
|-
| Vallejo Admirals || Vallejo
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Pacific Coast League]] ([[Minor League Baseball|Triple-A MiLB]])
| Fresno Grizzlies || [[Fresno]]
|-
| Sacramento River Cats || [[Sacramento, California|West Sacramento, California]]
|-
| rowspan=10 | Basketball
| rowspan=5|American Basketball Association
| California Golden Tigers || Oakland
|-
| California Sea-Kings || Marina, California
|-
| Modesto Super Kats || Modesto
|-
| Orange County Novastars || Irvine
|-
| San Diego Surf || San Diego
|-
| rowspan=4 | NBA G League
| Agua Caliente Clippers || Ontario
|-
| Santa Cruz Warriors || [[Santa Cruz]]
|-
| South Bay Lakers || El Segundo
|-
| Stockton Kings || Stockton
|-
| Women's National Basketball Association
| Los Angeles Sparks || Los Angeles
|-
| rowspan=6 | Ice hockey
| rowspan=6 | American Hockey League
| Bakersfield Condors || Bakersfield
|-
| Ontario Reign || Ontario
|-
| Palm Springs || Palm Springs
|-
| San Diego Gulls || [[San Diego]]
|-
| San Jose Barracuda || [[San Jose]]
|-
| Stockton Heat || Stockton
|-
| rowspan="7" | Soccer
| rowspan=4 | USL Championship
| Fresno FC || Fresno
|-
| LA Galaxy II || Carson
|-
| Orange County SC || Irvine
|-
| Sacramento Republic FC || [[Sacramento]]
|-
| rowspan="3" |Major Arena Soccer League || Ontario Fury || Ontario
|-
| San Diego Sockers || [[San Diego]]
|-
| Turlock Express || Turlock
|-
| rowspan=4 | Ultimate
| rowspan=4 | American Ultimate Disc League
| Los Angeles Aviators || [[Los Angeles]]
|-
| San Diego Growlers || [[San Diego]]
|-
| San Francisco FlameThrowers || [[Oakland]]
|-
| San Jose Spiders || Los Altos Hills
|}

==Places of Interest==
[[Image:California’s Peaks.jpg|right|300px]]
*[[Agua Tibia Wilderness]]
*[[Alcatraz Island]] ([[San Francisco]])
*[[Beverly Hills]]
*[[Disneyland]]
*[[Golden Gate Bridge]] ([[San Francisco]])
*[[Hollywood]] and elsewhere in [[Los Angeles]]
*[[Monterey Bay Aquarium]]
*Palomar Mountain
*[[Redwood Forest]]
*[[Yosemite]]
{{Clear}}

==Major Cities==
*[[Los Angeles]]
*[[Anaheim]]
*[[Berkeley]]
*[[Oakland]]
*[[San Diego]]
*[[San Francisco]]
*[[San Jose]]
*[[Sacramento]]

==Miscellaneous facts==
*California was the first state to remove [[school prayer]] from its [[public school]]s, legalize [[abortion]] in the later [[1960s]] (1967 for "therapeutic" reasons, "on-demand" in 1969) before the U.S. Supreme Court's ''[[Roe v. Wade]]'' in 1973 and pass the U.S.' first [[no-fault]] [[divorce]] laws, signed by Governor [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1969.
*California surpassed France in 2000 to become the fifth-largest economy in the world.
*Los Angeles hosted the Summer [[Olympics]] in [[Olympics#1932 Los Angeles|1932]] and [[Olympics#1984 Los Angeles|1984]].
*The California [[Redwood]] was named the official state tree in 1937.<ref>http://www.learncalifornia.org/doc.asp?id=678</ref>
*The [[state flower]] is the [[Golden poppy]].
*The state bird is the California quail.
*San Bernardino County is the largest county in the United States; [[Los Angeles]] is the largest by population.<ref>http://www.50states.com/facts/calif.htm</ref>
*Since 2000, California has offered [[domestic partnership]]s, which are similar to [[same sex marriage]].<ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/domestic-partnership-in-the-united-states Answers.com]</ref> and same-sex marriage was briefly legal in 2008, but this ended when Proposition 8, a voter referendum to define marriage as only being between a man and a woman, passed.
*While the [[brown bear]] is extinct in California, it is California's state mammal.

==See also==
* [[Jefferson State]]
* [[Strategic relocation]] - [[vote with your feet]] [[Free States Movement]]
* [[Left Coast]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.ca.gov Official Website]
* [https://www.ocregister.com/articles/california-330643-year-county.html]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{USstates}}

[[Category:California]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]
[[Category:Western United States]]
[[Category:Anti Second Amendment]]
[[Category:Blue States]]
[[Category:Gun Control]]
[[Category:Homosexual Agenda]]
[[Category:Liberalism]]

New York

2026-10-20T14:23:03Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved New York

{{USState
|name=New York
|flag=Flag of New York.png
|motto="Excelsior"
|nick=The Empire State
|capital=Albany
|language=None
|governor=Kathy Hochul
|gparty=Democrat
|senator2=Kirsten Gillibrand
|s2party=Democrat
|s2phone=(202) 224-4451
|s2email=no contact info
|senator1=Charles Schumer
|s1party=Democrat
|s1phone=(202) 224-6542
|s1email=http://schumer.senate.gov/new_website/contact.cfm Contact
|population=20,000,000 (2020)
|date=July 26, 1788 (11th)
}}
'''New York''' state, one of the original [[Colonial America|13 colonies]], became a state in 1776 and was the 11th state to ratify the Constitution on July 26, 1788, after receiving assurances that a [[Bill of Rights]] would be added to it. In common usage, "New York" often refers to [[New York City]], the financial, news and cultural capital of the [[U.S.]]

By 2024 New York has become a failed example of [[Leftist]] [[tyranny]], from which many residents and businesses have been fleeing. In 2023 [[New York City]] had a net loss of nearly 78,000 residents, and in 2022 its net decline in population was more than 126,000.

The state Constitution of New York, like all of the other 50 states, acknowledges [[God]] or our Creator or the ''Sovereign Ruler of the Universe''. It says:
:''We The People of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our Freedom, in order to secure its blessings, DO ESTABLISH THIS CONSTITUTION.''

==Elected Officials==

===Federal===
*Sen. [[Charles Schumer]] (D) (unseated [[Al D'Amato]] (R), 1998)
*Sen. [[Kirsten Gillibrand]] (D)
*Rep. [[Nick LaLota ]] [R, NY–01]
*Rep. [[Andrew Garbarino]] [R, NY–02]
*Rep. [[Thomas Suozzi]] [D, NY–03]
*Rep. [[Laura Gillen ]] [D, NY–04]
*Rep. [[Gregory Meeks]] [D, NY–05]
*Rep. [[Grace Meng]] [D, NY–06]
*Rep. [[Nydia Velazquez]] [D, NY–07]
*Rep. [[Hakeem Jeffries]] [D, NY–08]
*Rep. [[Yvette Clarke]] [D, NY–09]
*Rep. [[Jerrold Nadler]] [D, NY–10]
*Rep. [[Nicole Malliotakis]] [R, NY–11]
*Rep. [[Carolyn Maloney]] [D, NY–12]
*Rep. [[Adriano Espaillat]] [D, NY–13]
*Rep. [[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]] [D, NY–14]
*Rep. [[Ritchie Torres]] [D, NY–15]
*Rep. [[George Latimer ]] [D, NY–16]
*Rep. [[Mike Lawler]] [R, NY–17]
*Rep. [[Pat Ryan]] [D, NY–18]
*Rep. [[Josh Riley]] [D, NY–19]
*Rep. [[Paul Tonko]] [D, NY–20]
*Rep. [[Elise Stefanik]] [R, NY–21]
*Rep. [[John Mannion]] [D, NY-22]
*Rep. [[Nick Langworthy]] [R, NY–23]
*Rep. [[Claudia Tenney]] [R, NY–24]
*Rep. [[Joseph D. Morelle]] [D, NY–25]
*Rep. [[Tim Kennedy]] [D, NY–26]

===Statewide===
*Governor [[Kathy Hochul]] (D)
*Lt. Governor [[Brian Benjamin]] (D)
*Attorney General [[Leitita James]] (D)
*Secretary of State [[Walter T. Mosley]] (D)
*State Comptroller [[Thomas DiNapoli]] (D)

==History==
see [[History of New York State]]

==Facts==
[[File:Liberty2.jpg|thumb|Statue of Liberty.]]
* Nickname: The Big Apple.
* State Capital: [[Albany]].
* Total area: 54,471.144 square miles (47,223.839 land and 7,247.305 inland water).
* Population: Based on the 2000 census – 18,976,457; 3rd most populous US state after California and Texas. Much of this population lives in New York City. "Upstate" New York has most of the land area in the state.
* State Song: "I Love New York"
* [[State flower|State Flower]]: [[Rose]]
*There are four mountain ranges in New York State: Adirondacks, Catskill, Shawangunk and Taconic.
*The highest point in New York State is Mount Marcy in Essex County in the Adirondacks - 5,344 feet above sea level.
*The State has 70,000 miles of rivers and streams, 127 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline, 9,767 miles of shoreline, which includes 8,778 miles of lake shoreline.

==Major Cities==
* [[New York City]] (largest both in its state and the U.S.).
* [[Albany]] (capital)
* [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]]
* [[Rochester]]
* [[Schenectady]]
* [[Syracuse]]

==Politics==
New York City is the center of American liberalism. "Upstate" is much more conservative and the suburbs are split. Democrats control the State Senate and the State Assembly, with around a 2/3 majority. In 1980 the state elected 17 Republicans to the House; in 2010 it elected only 8. However, due to population loss, New York only had 29 seats in 2010 compared to 39 in 1980, so the change isn't as dramatic as it seems at first glance.

==Miscellaneous==
New York is the home and birthplace of five American presidents, [[Martin Van Buren]], [[Millard Filmore]], [[Theodore Roosevelt]], [[Franklin Roosevelt]], and [[Donald Trump]].

==External links==
*[http://www.iloveny.com/ Official New York State Tourism Web Site]
*[http://www.ny.gov/governor/ New York State]

==Further reading==
* Blond, Becca, and China Williams. ''Lonely Planet New York State'' (2004) [https://www.amazon.com/Lonely-Planet-New-York-State/dp/1741041252/ref=sr_1_8/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189477988&sr=1-8 excerpt and online search from Amazon.com], a guide book.
* Eisenstadt, Peter, Laura-Eve Moss, and Carole F. Huxley, eds. ''The Encyclopedia Of New York State'' (2005) 1900 pages of articles by experts. The best starting point.
* Jackson, Kenneth, ed. ''The Encyclopedia of New York City'' (1995), [https://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-New-York-City/dp/0300055366/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240594479&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]

{{USstates}}

[[Category:States of the United States]]
[[Category:New York]]
[[Category:Urban History]]
[[Category:Eastern United States]]
[[Category:Blue States]]

Kangaroo

2026-10-20T04:24:09Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Kangaroo

{{Taxonomy
|name=Kangaroo
|image=Redkangaroo1.png
|caption=
|domain=Eukaryota
|kingdom=Animalia
|subkingdom=Bilateria
|branch=Deuterostomia
|superphylum=
|phylum=Chordata
|subphylum=Vertebrata
|infraphylum=Gnathostomata
|microphylum=
|superdivision=
|division=
|subdivision=
|superclass=Tetrapoda
|class=Mammalia
|subclass=
|infraclass=Marsupialia
|superorder=Eometatheria
|order=Diprotodontia
|suborder=Macropodiformes
|infraorder=
|superfamily=
|family=Macropodidae
|subfamily=
|supertribe=
|tribe=
|subtribe=
|genera=
|genus=Macropus
|subgenus=
|species=
|binomialname=
|sub=
|alt=
}}
'''Kangaroo''' (Guugu Yimidhirr language: ''gang-oo-roo''<ref>http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=kangaroo</ref>), several species of large [[marsupial]] of the genus ''Macropus'' native to Australia and adjacent islands, characterized by oversized hind legs, by which they hop to move about. The ''de facto'' symbol of Australia, kangaroos have been displayed on everything from the national coat of arms to coins, airline symbols, and tourist advertisements, as well as in numerous appearances in popular culture.

==Description==
Kangaroos have large ears on top of their small heads, a long snout, and short arms with clawed fingers. Their legs are strong, powerful, and are made for leaping. Their feet have four toes at the end of elongated metatarsi that they rest on when standing. They also have a powerful, thick tail that is used as support when standing, a third leg when walking slowly, and for counterbalance while hopping. Like all marsupials, female kangaroos have a pouch on their stomachs in which they carry their young.

===Diet===
Kangaroos are [[herbivore]]s, eating grass, roots, and shrubs. They have a chambered stomach similar to [[sheep]] and [[cattle]]. They are able to regurgitate their food, chew it again as [[cud]], and then swallow it for digestion.

===Social Order===
Kangaroos travel in [[mob]]s of about ten or more males and females. The leader of the mob, called a "boomer", is a male determined by age and size. The boomer has access to females in his mob for mating and will wander around the mob intimidating any other males who try to mate with his harem.

===Reproduction===
Female kangaroos usually only have one baby kangaroo (called a "joey") at a time. The newborn joey weighs as little as 0.03 ounces when first born, after which it crawls into its mothers pouch where it will nurse, grow, and develop. Red Kangaroo joeys will stay in their mothers' pouch for about eight months and Grey Kangaroo joeys stay in there for about one year.

=== Uses ===
Kangaroos are commonly hunted for their meat, with it being exported all over the globe. Kangaroo leather is commonly used in items such as football boots and driving booties.

==Living species==
*[[Agile wallaby]] (''Macropus agilis'')
*[[Antilopine kangaroo]] (''Macropus antilopinus'')
*[[Black-striped wallaby]] (''Macropus dorsalis'')
*[[Black wallaroo]] (''Macropus bernardus'')
*[[Common wallaroo]] (''Macropus robustus'')
*[[Eastern grey kangaroo]] (''Macropus giganteus'')
*[[Parma wallaby]] (''Macropus parma'')
*[[Red kangaroo]] (''Macropus rufus'')
*[[Red-necked wallaby]] (''Macropus rufogriseus'')
*[[Tammar wallaby]] (''Macropus eugenii'')
*[[Western Brush Wallaby]] (''Macropus irma'')
*[[Western grey kangaroo]] (''Macropus fuliginosus'')
*[[Whiptail wallaby]] (''Macropus parryi'')

==Origins==

=== Creation science and Creationism===
Consistent with their view that the fossil record as a whole does not support the evolutionary position,<ref>[http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/fossils.asp "Fossils Questions and Answers"], Answers In Genesis</ref><ref>[http://members.iinet.net.au/~sejones/fsslrcrd.html Creation/Evolution Quotes: Fossil Record]</ref> creationists state that there is a lack of transitional fossils showing an evolutionary origin of kangaroos. Rebecca Driver writes:

{{QuoteBox|The Macropod family is alleged to have evolved from either the Phalangeridae (possums) or Burramyidae (pygmy-possums)... However, there are no fossils of animals which appear to be intermediate between possums and kangaroos. ''Wabularoo naughtoni'', supposed ancestor of all the macropods, was clearly a kangaroo (it greatly resembles the potoroos which dwell in Victoria’s forests). If modern kangaroos really did come from it, all this shows is the same as we see happening today, namely that kangaroos come from kangaroos, "after their kind."<ref>Driver, Rebecca, [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/755/ Kangaroos: God's amazing craftsmanship], ''Creation'' 20(3):28–31, June 1998.</ref>}}

According to the [[origins theory]] model used by [[young earth creation scientists]], modern kangaroos are the descendants of the two founding members of the modern kangaroo baramin that were taken aboard [[Noah's Ark]] prior to the [[Great Flood]]. It has not yet been determined by [[baraminology|baraminologists]] whether kangaroos form a [[holobaramin]] with the [[wallaby]], [[tree-kangaroo]], [[wallaroo]], [[pademelon]] and [[quokka]], or if all these species are in fact [[Baraminology|apobaramin]]ic or [[Baraminology|polybaramin]]ic.

After the Flood, these kangaroos were bred from the Ark passengers and then migrated to Australia. There is debate whether this migration happened over land<ref name="cab17">[http://www.creationontheweb.com/images/pdfs/cabook/chapter17.pdf "How did animals get from the Ark to places such as Australia"], Chapter 17, of ''The Creation Answers Book'', by Don Batten (Ed.)</ref> with lower sea levels during the post-flood [[ice age]], or before the super-continent of [[Pangea]] broke apart.<ref>[http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2808 "Pangea and the Flood"], Apologetics Press</ref>

=== Arguments and evidence relating to kangaroos that support a biblical creation model ===

Scientists and [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologists]] who advocate the biblical creation model have provided a number of pieces of evidence and arguments which support the creation model.

Some of the more notable articles supporting the biblical creation model are:

*[https://creation.com/images/pdfs/cabook/chapter17.pdf How did animals get from the Ark to places such as Australia?]

*[https://creation.com/kangaroos-gods-amazing-craftsmanship Kangaroos: God's amazing craftsmanship]

*[https://creation.com/skippy-surprises-scientists Skippy surprises scientists]

*[https://creation.com/practical-pouches Practical pouches]

===Evolution===
The [[evolution]]ary/[[Atheism|atheistic]] view is that kangaroos and other marsupials evolved from a common marsupial ancestor which lived hundreds of millions of years ago.<ref>[http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEPC/WWC/1995/australia.html "Australian Mammals: Evolutionary Development as a Result of Geographic Isolation"]</ref>

===Dreamtime===
Some [[Australian Aborigines]] believe that kangaroos were sung into existence by their ancestors during the [[Dreamtime]].<ref>[http://www.painsley.org.uk/RE/signposts/y8/1-1creationandenvironment/c-abor.htm "An Aborigine Creation Story"]</ref>

== See also ==

*[[Evolution]]
*[[Theory of Evolution and Cases of Fraud, Hoaxes and Speculation]]
*[[Irreligion and superstition]]

== External links ==

General:

*[http://www.exzooberance.com/virtual%20zoo/they%20walk/kangaroo/kangaroo.htm Kangaroo facts]
*[http://www.christiananswers.net/kids/kangaroos.html Answers About Kangaroos]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Marsupials]]
[[Category:Australia]]

Elephant

2026-10-20T04:23:00Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Elephant

{{Taxonomy
|name=Elephant
|image=elephant.jpg
|caption=African elephant ''Loxodonta africana''
|domain=Eukaryota
|kingdom=Animalia
|subkingdom=Bilateria
|superphylum=
|phylum=Chordata
|subphylum=Vertebrata
|infraphylum=Gnathostomata
|microphylum=
|superdivision=
|division=
|subdivision=
|superclass=Tetrapoda
|class=Mammalia
|subclass=Theria
|infraclass=Eutheria
|superorder=
|order=Proboscidea
|suborder=
|infraorder=
|superfamily=Elephantoidea
|family=Elephantidae
|subfamily=
|supertribe=
|tribe=
|subtribe=
|genera=Elephas Loxodonta
|genus=
|subgenus=
|species=E. maximus L. africana
|binomialname=
|sub=
|alt=
}}
'''Elephants''' are two species of large land mammals in the family Elephantidae, the only extant family in the order Proboscidea. Scientists currently recognize two elephant species: the African elephant (''Loxodonta africana'') and the Asian elephant (''Elephas maximus''). Centuries of hunting elephants for their ivory have reduced their populations, but renewed stewardship efforts have increased African elephant populations over the past nineteen years.<ref>IUCN African Elephant Specialist Group (2013). [http://www.elephantdatabase.org/preview_report/2013_africa/Loxodonta_africana/2012/Africa "2012 continental totals"]. ''2013 Provisional African Elephant Status Report''. Retrieved from Elephant Database on October 17, 2014.</ref>

==Description==
Elephants are the largest land animals alive today. The largest elephant ever recorded (the Fenykovi elephant, now in the [[Smithsonian Institution]]) was a male shot in [[Angola]] in 1955; it weighed about 10.7 tonnes (12 U.S. tons) and stood 13 feet 2 inches at the shoulder.<ref>http://siarchives.si.edu/history/exhibits/thisday/march.htm</ref><ref>http://www.cardcow.com/151863/african-bush-elephant-animals-elephants/</ref> The slightly smaller Asian elephant had a maximum recorded height of 11 feet 9 inches and eight tons in one individual recorded in 1985. Forest elephant bulls rarely exceed eight feet in height.

Apart from their massive size, their most striking features are a long trunk, or proboscis, and a flexible nose strong enough to lift heavy objects. Their skin is up to 1.5 inches thick and gray, with African bush elephants more heavily wrinkled than their Asian counterparts. All three species have ivory tusks, but female Asian elephants generally lack them unless they are rudimentary in size, and even then they are usually only seen when the mouth is open. The legs are columnar and massive; the feet are broad and round.

The African species differs from Asian elephants in the overall shape of the back; it is "saddle-shaped," i.e., the back is concave in the center, while the Asian species has a distinctive hump or arch. African elephants also have larger, fan-shaped ears that extend over and nearly completely cover the neck; Asian elephant ears are much smaller. African elephants have two finger-like processes at the tip of the trunk, while Asian elephants have one. Both species have five toes on the forefeet, but the African elephant has three toes on the hind feet; the Asian species has four, and sometimes five, toes on the hind feet.

===Species===
African elephants are represented by two subspecies:<ref>http://worldwildlife.org/species/african-elephant</ref>
*Bush, or savannah elephant (''Loxodonta africana africana''), of the savannahs and grasslands of sub-Saharan Africa;
*Forest elephant (''Loxodonta africana cyclotis''), of the tropical rain forests in central Africa.
Some authorities consider both animals distinct species, with the extinct North African elephant (''Loxodonta africana pharaoensis'') a subspecies of the bush elephant.

The Asian elephant has three subspecies:
*Indian elephant (''Elephas maximus indicus''), of southern and south-eastern Asia;
*Sri Lankan elephant (''Elephas maximus maximus''), of the island of [[Sri Lanka]] in the Indian Ocean;
*Sumatran elephant (''Elephas maximus sumatranus''), of the islands of Sumatra and Borneo in [[Indonesia]].

===Behavior===
Elephants live mainly in matriarchal herds, led by the oldest female. They consist of sisters, daughters, cousins, and aunts caring for each other and their young. The matriarch leads her herd to available feeding grounds or water sources; in times of drought, she leads the herd on journeys to places she remembers. When a member of the herd dies, the herd holds a funeral, caressing the body with their trunks.

Bull elephants, when inclined to mate, enter a frenzied state called ''musth''; they fight with each other for possession of the cow elephants, and become a menace to everything in their path; many humans are killed at this time. Elephants' gestation period, at 22 months, is the longest of any land mammal. At birth, an elephant calf commonly weighs 120 kg (265 lb). An elephant may live up to 70 years, sometimes longer.

==Uses of Elephants==
[[Image:Elephant2.jpg|left]]
Elephants (today generally Indian, but historically African elephants also) have been used as beasts of burden and draught animals, as mounts in processions and in war (notably by [[Hannibal]]), playing [[polo]], and as [[circus]] performers. They are also popular for tourist rides in [[Thailand]]. People often hunt elephants for the ivory in their tusks.

==Similar and related species==

From a molecular and morphological point of view, [[hyrax]]es and [[Sirenia]]ns (sea cows and manatees) are the most similar living creatures to elephants,<ref>Hidenori Nishihara et al. A Retroposon Analysis of Afrotherian Phylogeny. ''Molecular Biology and Evolution'' '''22''': 1823-1833,</ref> and these groups are hypothesized by evolutionists to have shared a common ancestor approximately 50 million years ago.
Creationists say each [[baraminology|kind]] was separately created, and that two of the elephant kind were on board [[Noah's Ark]], and that all elephants alive today descend from them.

The three extant species of elephant are the sole survivors of a much more diverse Proboscidean fauna with some 170 described [[fossil]] species, including species of [[mammoth]] from [[North America]] and the massive ''Deinotherium'', the second largest land mammal that ever lived, which sported two downward-facing tusks. According to Young Earth Creationists, some extinct elephants may represent species that did not survive the [[Great Flood]], while some other more recently extinct species represent descendants of the two on board [[Noah's Ark]]. Regardless, extinct and living elephants represent a distinct [[holobaramin]] separate from other mammals.

==Trivia==

*A ''white elephant'' (from the historical veneration of such animals in Southeast Asia) is the term for a possession whose initial and upkeep costs exceed its use (in most cases income), making it an overall liability.
*An elephant is the symbol of America's [[Republican Party]].
*Elephants are the only mammals that can't jump.

== Elephant pictures ==

[[File:Indian elephants.JPG|thumbnail|left|300px|Indian elephants in [[Kerala]], [[India]] ]]
{{clear}}

==See also==
*[[Elephant in the living room]]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Mammals]]
[[Category:Proboscidea]]

Hell

2026-10-20T04:22:11Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Hell

[[Image:Hieronymus Bosch - The Garden of Earthly Delights - Hell.jpg|right|300px|thumb|''Hell'', painted by [[Hieronymus Bosch]], part of ''The Garden of Earthly Delights''.]]
'''Hell''' is [[infinity|infinite]] distress and it is an aspect of [[Judgment (theology)|God's judgment]]. "That child of Hell had nothing human; nothing lived in him but fear and hatred." (from ''[[Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde]]'')

In the English translation of the [[Bible]]'s [[Old Testament]], the word '''Hell''' normally corresponds to the [[Hebrew]] ''sheol'', which was simply the place of the dead. But in the [[Greek language|Greek]] [[New Testament]] the word used is either ''Gehenna'' (the garbage dump outside the walls of Jerusalem where fires were kept eternally burning to consume the refuse and keep down the stench) or ''Hades'', the [[Greek mythology|Greek]]s' dark, gloomy underworld. The modern English word appears to derive most directly from "Hel", goddess of the dead in Germanic/[[Norse mythology]]. When the [[Anglo-Saxons]] later embraced [[Christianity]], the existing word in the language was reused in the new Christian concepts.

According to [[G.K. Chesterton]], Hell is God's great complement to the reality of human freedom and the dignity of human choice.<ref>{{cite web |title=Famous quotes by Gilbert Keith Chesterton |author=Gilbert Keith Chesterton |publisher=Quotes.net |url=http://www.quotes.net/authors/Gilbert+Keith+Chesterton |quote=Hell is God's great compliment to the reality of human freedom and the dignity of human choice.}}</ref> To Christians, Hell is a place where the souls of the wicked are punished eternally for all the [[sins]] they perpetrated during their lifetime on Earth. Since all have sinned (Rom 3:23), Hell cannot be avoided on one's own merits, but through the love gift of [[Jesus]] one can know, love, and serve [[God]] and share eternity with Him in [[Heaven]].

Christian and [[Muslim]] religious traditions often emphasize the ''Gehenna'' aspect: Hell is extremely hot and filled with fire and [[brimstone]]. Opinion varies on the question of whether, while Hell itself is eternal, the experience of it purges away the sins of sufferers to the point of eventual redemption. See [[purgatory]]. A minority of Christians do not believe in an eternal Hell as punishment, believing instead that the souls of the wicked are annihilated. This view, which is directly contradicted by Scripture, is referred to as [[Annihilationism]]. Other deniers of Scripture question whether Hell has a literal burning fire, or it is merely separation from God and therefore has the same torment as if there were a burning fire. This view has been supported by writers such as [[J.P. Moreland]], although the [[Bible]] clearly contradicts this view and other symbolic interpretations of Hell. In truth, Hell is a real, spiritual place where God is absent and the wicked are punished for their sins.

== Hell in the Bible ==

Although Hell is a focus and a concern in Christian theology, the Bible has an even greater focus. In the [[King James Version]] the word Hell is mentioned 54 times, but [[Heaven]] is mentioned 551 times. The quotations below are from the [[King James Bible]]:

* [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 13:41-42 - ''The [[Son of man]] shall send forth his [[angel]]s, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.''

* Matthew 25:41 - ''Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.''

* Matthew 25:46 - ''And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.''

* [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 9:43 - ''And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into Hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched.''

* 2 Thes 1:7-8 - ''And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking [[vengeance]] on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.''

* [[Book of Revelation|Revelation]] 20:10 - ''And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.''

* Revelation 20:14-15 - ''And death and Hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.''

== Atheism and Hell ==
[[File:Damned souls going to hell.jpg|thumbnail|350px|right|Last Judgment by Johann Georg Unruhe - Damned souls going to [[Hell]].]]
''See also:'' [[Atheism and Hell]] and [[Atheism and death]]

[[Atheism|Atheists]] often disagree with the [[Christianity|Christian]] belief of eternal punishment in Hell, yet they never explain how justice is accomplished relative to evildoers who escape punishment on earth (see: [[Atheism and justice]]). And rather than [[repentance|repent]] and accept the [[gospel]] message, they engage in [[denial]]ism about their [[sin]] and attempt to suppress the truth of [[God]]'s existence. See also: [[Atheism and hatred of God]]

The Christian evangelist [[Ray Comfort]] often gives atheists the [https://www.livingwaters.com/are-you-a-good-person/ good person test] in order to assist [[atheist]]s in recognizing their sinful nature.

=== The journalist and ex-atheist Peter Hitchens and fear of hell ===

The journalist and [[ex-atheists|ex-atheist]] [[Peter Hitchens]], who is the brother of the late atheist [[Christopher Hitchens]], said upon seeing an art exhibit of [[Michelangelo]]'s painting ''The Last Judgment'' he came to the realization that he might be judged, which startled him.<ref>[http://vimeo.com/10354237 Interview of Peter Hitchens] - Video at Vimeo</ref> This started a train of thought within Peter Hichens that eventually led him to become a [[Christian]].<ref>[http://vimeo.com/10354237 Interview of Peter Hitchens] - Video at Vimeo</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Judgment (theology)]]
* [[Dante's Inferno]]
* [[Mystery:What Percentage Go To Hell?|What percentage of people go to Hell?]]
* [[Mystery:Why would a loving God send people to hell for eternity?|Why would a loving God send people to hell for eternity?]]
* [[Degrees of punishment in hell]]
* [[Revelation, Book of (historical exegesis)]]

==External links==
*[http://bertschlossberg.blogspot.com/ The Gates of Hell: Assault on the Enemy Kingdom]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Abrahamic Religions]]

Conservative humor and satire resources

2026-10-20T04:21:08Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Conservative_humor_and_satire_resources

[[File:Hillary Clinton.jpg|right|thumbnail|175px|[[Hillary Clinton]] wasn't lying! [[Bosnia]] gunfire footage was recently discovered. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHVEDq6RVXc VIDEO] ]]
'''Below are some [[conservative]] [[humor]] and [[satire]] resources:'''

== General conservative humor and [[satire]] ==

*[https://townhall.com/cartoons/ Townhall Political Cartoons]
[[File:Second dog with a bone.jpg|right|thumbnail|320px|[[Liberal]]s obsessed with [[Conservapedia]] are like a [[dog]] with a bone. Their dogged persistence in thinking about Conservapedia, discussing Conservapedia and making forecasts about Conservapedia is quite prodigious and intense. See: [[Essay: Conservapedia obsessive compulsive disorder|Conservapedia obsessive compulsive disorder]] ]]
*[https://theknownothingsite.wordpress.com/ The Know Nothing]
*[https://babylonbee.com/ Babylonbee satire]
*[https://dogfaceponia.com/ DogFacePonia satire] - Satire site that focuses on Liberals and the Main Stream Media
*[https://www.facebook.com/pg/LiberalLogic101/posts/ Liberal Logic 101] - illustrates the folly of [[liberal logic]] (or lack thereof) and how said "logic" actually proves the points made by conservatives about liberals.

== Conservative humorous videos ==

''see also:'' [[Humorous conservative videos]]

'''Below are some [[conservative]] humor video resources:'''

'''YouTube conservative humor videos:'''

*[https://www.youtube.com/user/newsbusted Newsbusted]

*[https://www.youtube.com/user/shockofgod Shockofgod] - humor and [[satire]] concerning [[atheism]] by [[Shockofgod]]

*[https://www.youtube.com/user/wazooloo Ian Juby] - creationist humor concerning [[evolution]]

*[https://www.youtube.com/user/machosauceproduction AlfonZo Rachel]

*[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_voeHE6JFumgTW6juXnQXg Me Me Meme] - parodies the Left, their hive-mindedness and their insanity, as well as various leftist public figures and personality stereotypes

*[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKUWslMkI9pdEpfNACDqcPA Meme the Left] - while some videos are NSFW due to profanity, the videos from an Australian conservative YouTuber are generally humorous and cutting in their attacks on and parodies of the Left

[[File:Pam Iorio.JPG|right|thumbnail|180px|President [[Barack Obama]] humbly bowed to Pam Iorio, the mayor of [[Tampa]], [[Florida]]. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWHzM-wo5aU VIDEO] ]]
=== Obama's funniest bloopers! ===

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxXh6ZWfbDg Obama's funniest bloopers!]

'''[[Barack Obama]]'s bowing:'''

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWHzM-wo5aU Obama Bows to Tampa, Florida Mayor]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U6fL7Y4BZA&feature=player_embedded# Obama Bows to Japanese Emperor Akihito]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2NtkYOeWow Obama bows to the President of Communist China]

=== Video Satires and parodies of liberals - various sources ===

*[http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x31fsqy Mandatory volunteerism]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHVEDq6RVXc Hillary WASN'T LYING! Bosnia gunfire footage discovered]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfFX2StkACY Jimmy Carter, Killer Rabbits and UFOs]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4p6_G4gQpk Jimmy Carter vs. Killer Rabbit]

== Humorous Cartoons ==

*[http://www.mideasttruth.com/cartoons.html Cartoons about the Middle east conflict]
== Conservapedia's challenge to all leftists ==

Are you [[leftism|leftist]]? Conservapedia dares you to go [[Essay: Mr. Leftist, the rich aren't going to bail you out. Get off your butt! And marry before you have sex! Godspeed.|HERE]].

[[File:Atheism egress department.jpg|thumbnail|center|200px|Are you a [[leftism|leftists]]?
 
 
Are you ready to see leftism be totally blown out of the water?
 
 
Does the thought of seeing leftism refuted turn you into a quivering bowl of jelly?
 
 
Behold! Information that refutes leftism can be found [[Essay: Mr. Leftist, the rich aren't going to bail you out. Get off your butt! And marry before you have sex! Godspeed.|HERE]] ]]
{{Clear}}
== Every internet atheist is a pathetic, uninfluential loser that God Almighty has smited ==

''See also:'' [[Essay: Every internet atheist is a pathetic, uninfluential loser that God Almighty has smited|Every internet atheist is a pathetic, uninfluential loser that God Almighty has smited]]
 
[[File:Defeated.jpg|thumbnail|center|401px|I have a message for every [[Internet atheism|internet atheist]]: You're a pathetic, uninfluential loser who has been totally defeated by God Almighty. The facts are undeniable. The data is uncontrovertible. See: [[Internet atheism|Internet atheism is down in traffic]]
 
 
For example, the data indicates that Christendom is [[Internet evangelism|very influential on the internet]] while internet atheists largely preach to the atheist choir and are therefore uninfluential and unimportant.<ref>[https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0008429819854353?journalCode=sira ''Who is Not Afraid of Richard Dawkins? Using Google Trends to Assess the Reach of Influential Atheists across Canadian Secular Groups''] by Maryam Dilmaghani, ''Studies in Religion/Sciences Religieuses'', First Published December 13, 2019 Research Article
https://doi.org/10.1177/0008429819854353</ref> In short, a [[Mocking of atheism|defeated laughingstock on the internet]].
 
 
Online atheists, I am laughing at the "[[Atheism and intelligence|superior atheist intellects]]" who couldn't persuade and market their way out of a wet, paper bag.
 
 
And the margin of victory for Christendom over atheists is widening on the internet - not growing smaller. See: [[Internet evangelism: Christians vs. atheists]]
 
 
Oh, internet atheists! Feel the sting! You're such pathetic, uninfluential losers!
 
 
For more information, please see: [[Essay: Every internet atheist is a pathetic, uninfluential loser that God Almighty has smited|Every internet atheist is a pathetic, uninfluential loser that God Almighty has smited]] ]]

=== Atheists' defeats comedy and satire ===

See: [[Essay: Atheists' defeats comedy and satire|Atheists' defeats comedy and satire]]

== See also ==

*[[Conservative links]] and [[Conservative resources]]

* [[Essay:Best News Sources|Conservative news websites]]

* [[Conservative video]]

* [[Conservative columnists]]

* [[Conservative blogs]]

* [[Conservative jokes]]

*[[Leftism and humor|Leftism and humorlessness]]
{{Conservatism}}
[[Category:Conservative]]
[[Category:Humor]]
[[Category:Satire]]

The Daily Show

2026-10-20T04:20:29Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved The_Daily_Show

'''''The Daily Show''''' (its current incarnation is called '''''The Daily Show with Trevor Noah''''') is a [[satire|satirical]] fake news program first aired in 1996 which airs on cable network [[Comedy Central]]. The show's news team presents "news like you've never seen it before -- unburdened by objectivity, journalistic integrity or expensive graphics."<ref name=aboutdailyshow>''Comedy Central's The Daily Show''. [http://www.thedailyshow.com/about About the show]</ref> ''The Daily Show'' was created by Lizz Winstead and Madeleine Smithberg in 1996, hosted by Craig Kilborn until 1999 when [[Jon Stewart]] took over the anchor's chair.<ref name=aboutdailyshow/> The show has been recognized with a [[Peabody Awards|Peabody Award]] and nine [[Emmy]]s.<ref name=aboutdailyshow/><ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115147/awards IMDb - Awards for The Daily Show]</ref>

The show was originally hosted by Craig Kilborn, and then Jon Stewart hosted the show until 2015 when he retired to become a producer for [[Stephen Colbert]]'s late night endeavor on CBS. South African-born "comedian" Trevor Noah currently hosts the program.

== Jon Stewart on ''The Daily Show'' ==
Jon Stewart, a [[liberal]], was host of ''The Daily Show'' until he quit in mid-2015. In the past he often satirized [[George W. Bush]], the war in [[Iraq War|Iraq]], Congress, and American foreign policy.<ref>[http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/20060711_jon_stewart_bush_diplomacy/ Jon Stewart Mocks Bush’s Claims on Diplomacy], July 11, 2006.</ref> Stewart would display video clips, sound bites, and news stories in which Republicans and other conservative politicians are made to look silly, using clips which are often edited or taken out of context so that they appear to be contradicting themselves. The sound bites of clips are typically edited to make Senate speeches appear ridiculous. However, due to Stewart's political values, he has typically provided an easy ride to President [[Obama]] and most other liberals.

Jon's interviews have ranged from semi-serious policy discussions, with [[Barack Obama]] and [[John Kerry]], to comedic conversations with comedians like [[Don Rickles]] and [[Steve Martin]], to verbal "smack-downs" of those in the media such as [[Jim Cramer]] and [[Chris Matthews]].<ref>''Comedy Central''. [http://blog.indecisionforever.com/2009/03/10/cnbcs-jim-cramer-responds-to-jon-stewarts-response-to-cnbcs-jim-cramer/ CNBC's Jim Cramer Responds to Jon Stewart's Response to CNBC's Jim Cramer], March 10, 2009.</ref> Stewart occasionally analyzes upcoming or newly released [[books]] with their respective [[author]]s.<ref name=aboutdailyshow/>

== Trevor Noah ==
{{Main article|Trevor Noah}}
A new comedian from South Africa, Trevor Noah, was hired to take Jon Stewart's place as host. He was found to have told some crude sexual jokes ridiculing women with reference to their being overweight or of a particular ethnicity. Noah responded to criticism by moralizing, beginning one statement with "To reduce [someone's] views to a handful of jokes that didn't land....," applying this description of this unfair practice to his own case. One man on Twitter completed his sentence, aptly remarking "...is your new job description, pal."

== Audience ==
A study found that "Nearly half of high school students say they also get news and information from entertainment programs like ''The Daily Show'' and others at least once a week."<ref>[http://www.knightfoundation.org/news/press_room/knight_press_releases/detail.dot?id=136169 Teens Tune In to News on the Internet], September 22, 2006.</ref>

== Correspondents ==
The comedians can be seen as showing a [[liberal bias]] while performing their "news" stories. The segments are usually aimed at poking fun at and satirizing the political parties in power. Thus, Stewart began by [[mockery|mocking]] [[Republicans]], but now makes fun of [[Democrats]], as well as other topics in the news. Some argue that he demeans [[conservative]] positions, such as the [[Second Amendment|Right to Bear Arms]] and the Pro-Life Movement, or [[Christianity]].<ref>Ada Calhoun. [http://news.aol.com/newsbloggers/2008/08/28/daily-show-billboard-mocks-republicans/ 'Daily Show' Billboard Mocks Republicans], August 28, 2008.</ref> One former segment in particular, "This Week In God", satirizes [[religious]] values while mocking [[God]].<ref>http://www.comedycentral.com/sitewide/media_player/play.jhtml?itemId=72342</ref><ref>http://www.comedycentral.com/sitewide/media_player/play.jhtml?itemId=72182</ref> During the episode aired June 27, 2007, [[Lewis Black]] compared Conservapedia's "[[Homosexuality]]" article to [[Wikipedia®]]'s, sarcastically describing it as "way more interesting," mainly because Conservapedia's article described it far more graphically. In their coverage of the [[United States Presidential Election, 2008|2008 U.S. presidential election]], most of the guests have been liberal, such as former president [[Bill Clinton]], future first lady [[Michelle Obama]] and former [[British]] [[Prime Minister]] [[Tony Blair]].

When Stewart interviews his correspondents about an issue taking place at a certain place, it is often obviously done in the studio with props such as fake animals. The setting is also sometimes surreal, such as in the future.

== References ==
<references/>

==External links==
* [http://www.thedailyshow.com The official ''The Daily Show with Jon Stewart'' website]

{{Liberalism}}
{{communism}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Daily Show, The}}
[[Category:Television Shows]]
[[Category:Worst Liberal TV Shows]]
[[Category:Anti Second Amendment]]
[[Category:Hollywood Values]]
[[Category:Fake News]]

Liberal claptrap

2026-10-20T04:19:18Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Liberal_claptrap

[[File:27067022 1565197686869300 6687960957434384962 n.jpg|right|250px|thumb|[[MSM|Mainstream news]] sources put out [[fake news]] stirring up [[anti-Russian]] hysteria.]]
'''Liberal claptrap''' is pretentious nonsense promoted by [[liberal]]s. It has the wordy characteristics of [[liberal style]], typically with self-serving conclusions. Liberal claptrap is unsatisfying, and thereby leads [[addiction]] to provide satisfaction of a harmful rather than beneficial kind.

Liberal claptrap often takes the form of [[mainstream media]] [[narrative]]s.<ref>See for example [[User:Conservative%27s_essays#International_politics.2Frelations|International politics/relations]].</ref>

Liberal claptrap leaves the audience with nothing of substance, nothing that will help them personally overcome the inevitable problems of life, such as [[addiction]].

Liberal claptrap often pushes the listener toward an [[logic|illogical]] viewpoint without saying so in a direct manner. It seeks to attract attention to liberals, in a pompous style, and away from [[God]].

'''''The [[Bible]] criticizes liberal claptrap in [[1 Corinthians 1-8 (Translated)#1:17|1 Corinthians 1:17]]'''''. [[Paul]] also warns against deceit by [[atheist]]ic philosophy at {{bible ref|Colossians|2|8}}.

The style of liberal claptrap is so easily recognizable today that occasional vandalism to the [[Bible]] by [[liberals]] can be eradicated, such as the [[Essay:Adulteress Story|Adulteress Story]] and the [[Mark ending]]. Both passages can be most easily seen as fake by their [[liberal style]]: illogical, self-serving to liberals, degrading to others, unproductive, and unhelpful in overcoming [[addiction]].

== Examples ==

*That despite [[Russia]] making slow progress or even "losing" in [[Ukraine]], it somehow is going to march all the way to the [[English Channel]].<ref>[https://www.c-span.org/clip/us-senate/user-clip-schiff-fight-russia-over-there/5074148 Adam Schiff: We aid Ukraine so that we fight Russia over there, and not here], January 22, 2020. c-span.org. In exonerating [[President Trump]], the [[Republican]] [[Senate]] did not fall for the "[[Russian]] [[boogeyman]]" [[claptrap]] that the [[Democrat]] [[Congress]] did 2 years later, after President Trump was ousted in the 2020 [[rigged election]].</ref>
*In a speech to mostly teenagers in [[Berlin]] on April 6, 2019, "[[Obama]] said 'I' 240 times, 'My/Myself' 16 times, 'Me' 13 times and 'Mine' once."<ref>https://www.infowars.com/obama-refers-to-himself-270-times-during-speech-to-berlin-community-organizers/</ref>
*In brief remarks when he visited the [[White House]] on April 5, 2022, "Obama mentioned himself 33 times."<ref>https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2022/04/05/barack-obama-mentions-himself-33-times-in-white-house-speech/</ref>
*Sen. [[Bernie Sanders]] famously said his own words "mischaracterize" his thinking.<ref>https://twitter.com/MSNBC/status/1144436123122524161</ref>
*In a [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11]] remembrance speech 20 years later, [[George W. Bush]] tried senselessly to link that attack, which was by foreigners illegally in the [[U.S.]] while he was president, to domestic political protests in a veiled swipe at supporters of [[Donald Trump]].
*[[E=mc²]] - an equation promoted by [[liberal]]s purporting [[atheist|atheistically]] to unify mass with the [[speed of light]], when a century of attempts at a unified theory ("theory of everything") have wasted billions of dollars and completely failed.

== College ==

[[College]] is dominated by liberal claptrap and thus can be harmful to the unwary. Students can become [[addiction|addicted]] or [[obese]] amid a torrent of [[liberal]] falsehoods and nonsensical, [[atheist]]ic academic indoctrination.

==See also==

<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">

*[[Dialectical materialism|Marxist dialectics]]
*[[Propaganda]]
*[[Psyops]]
*[[Russia collusion hoax]]
*[[Ukraine propaganda war]]
*[[neoconservativism]]
*[[Information pollution]]
*[[Liberal AI falsehoods]]
*[[AI slop]]

</div>

== References ==

<references/>
[[Category:Rhetoric]]
[[Category:Liberals]]

PNAS Response to Letter

2026-10-20T04:18:22Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved PNAS_Response_to_Letter

The PNAS has refused to publish the [[Letter to PNAS]]. The PNAS has provided the following non-responsive explanation dated September 11, 2008.

Note how the PNAS hides behind anonymity to justify its failure to address the five errors identified in the [[Letter to PNAS]]:

:A member of the Editorial Board has evaluated the letter and concluded that PNAS cannot publish it for the following reasons:

::From what I take to be the underlying issue from the numbered points, Mr. Schlafly's main concern has to do with the fact that one experiment failed to yield a statistically significant result, and this happened to be the experiment with the largest sample size. Every experiment has limited power to detect a difference of any given magnitude, and so in a series of experiments some may yield non-significant results even when the null hypothesis is false. The non-significant experiment may even be the one with the largest sample size. There is nothing exceptional in this--it is a matter of chance. Nevertheless, from a statistical point of view, it is proper to combine the results of independent experiments, as Blount et al. did correctly in their original paper. If the overall result is significant, as it is in this case, then the whole series of tests is regarded as significant. Mr. Schlafly seems to suggest that experiments differing in sample size cannot be combined in an overall analysis, and if this is what he is suggesting, he is wrong.

::I think Letters published in PNAS should raise points that in themselves, or in conjunction with the authors' response, should be of wide interest to the readership of PNAS or should illuminate some obscure or subtle point. The issues raised by Mr. Schlafly are neither obscure nor subtle, but are part of everyday statistical analysis at a level too elementary to need rehearsal in the pages of PNAS.

::Mr. Schlafly's final comment about release of data is uncalled for. My understanding is that the authors have made the relevant materials available on their web site. This seems to me to meet the requirement that "data collected with public funds belong in the public domain." If Mr. Schlafly believes that the disclosure is incomplete, that is an issue that needs to be argued with the original funding agency, not with the readers of PNAS.

This response can be discussed at [[Talk:PNAS Response to Letter]]

== See also ==

*[[Letter to PNAS]]

Global warming

2026-10-19T04:23:07Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved reference spacing

:''See also [[Counterexamples to Global Warming|Counterexamples to global warming]]''
[[File:UAH LT 1979 thru July 2023 v6 20x9-1.jpg|thumb|Global temperatures peaked in 2016, according to the UAH satellite temperature record for 1979-2023]]
'''Anthropogenic global warming''' (AGW) is an unproven theory that insists human activity is causing the [[Earth]] to warm to catastrophic levels over time. The theory posits that [[greenhouse gas]]es, including [[carbon dioxide]], methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor, trap solar warmth on the planet. Computer models suggest that industrial and vehicular emissions could lead to catastrophic warming. [[Leftist]]s use this theory as a basis to require cuts in energy production and consumption and to promote de-industrialization.

The rate of warming predicted by AGW is far higher than what has been observed so far. Based on an average of 102 climate models, the UN's Intergovernment Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that the lower troposphere should be warming at a rate of 3.1 degrees per century.<ref name="SpencerCSP2">"[https://www.newcriterion.com//cm/images/THE%20CLIMATE%20SURPRISE%20PAMPHLET.pdf The Climate Surprise Pamphlet]", ''The New Criterion'', 2016. Taken from chart "All 3 Global Temperature Dataset Types Disagree with the Climate Model During the Period of Greatest Greenhouse Concentration."</ref> Satellite data shows that the lower troposphere warmed at a rate of 1.4 degrees per century between 1978 and 2021.<ref name="SpencerCSP">"[https://www.newcriterion.com//cm/images/THE%20CLIMATE%20SURPRISE%20PAMPHLET.pdf The Climate Surprise Pamphlet]", ''The New Criterion'', 2016.</ref><ref name=SpencerUAH>Spencer, Roy, "[https://www.drroyspencer.com/2021/ Archive for 2021]", 2019. This is data from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.</ref> Weather balloon data shows a warming trend of 1.6 degrees per century between 1958 and 2018.<ref>"[https://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/ratpac/ratpac-a/ RATPAC-A-annual-levels.txt.zip]", NOAA, National Centers for Environmental Information. Based on data for 850-300 mb.</ref>

An analysis of weather station data by U.S. climate researcher [[Roy Spencer]] shows no significant warming since 1943. Unlike the official weather station record, Spencer's data includes only those stations that recorded temperature at a consistent time of day.<ref name="Spencer" /> The heating predicted by AGW but not detected in the temperature record is sometimes said to be accumulating in the oceans. But a study by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography found that ocean temperature has risen by only 0.1 degree Celsius in the last fifty years.<ref>"[https://dailycaller.com/2018/01/05/new-study-shows-past-research-on-rising-ocean-temps-built-on-faulty-science/ New Study Shows Past Research On Rising Ocean Temps Built On Faulty Science]," ''The Daily Caller'', 01/05/2018.</ref>[[File:May, Andy, Climate history.png|thumb|right|The last 4,000 years of climate history, 2000 BC to AD 1992, by Andy May. Based on the GISP2 ice cores from central Greenland.]]

The theory that "greenhouse gases" have a greater warming effect than other gases goes back to the 19th century. The idea that carbon dioxide emissions might lead to catastrophic warming was introduced by Carl Sagan in the 1960s. He was inspired by research on the atmosphere of Venus. Around 1978, the environmental movement decided to promote Sagan's theory. The movement was already advocating energy conservation and renewables as a response to the "energy crisis." That is to say, a desired political outcome was agreed upon and then a "scientific" justification was developed.

Proponents of the global warming theory advocate for conversion to electric vehicles without expanding the electric power grid, which can only be powered by coal-burning power plants, fossil fuels, or nuclear energy. So-called renewable energy sources, solar and wind, cannot provide enough capacity to recharge hundreds of millions of electric vehicles.

==Difficulties with the theory==
*'''Carbon dioxide is insignificant as a greenhouse gas.''' The level of CO2 in the Earth's atmosphere is only 400 parts per million. Ninety to 95 percent of the greenhouse effect is due to water vapor.<ref>Friedenreich and Ramaswamy, "Solar Radiation Absorption by Carbon Dioxide, Overlap with Water, and a Parameterization for General Circulation Models," Journal of Geophysical Research 98 (1993):7255-7264</ref> The IPCC claims that water vapor acts as a "positive feedback," i.e., warming creates more humidity, which leads to additional warming. There are humidity measurements going back to 1948, and they show no upward trend.<ref>"[https://wattsupwiththat.com/global-climate/ global climate]," ''Watt's Up with That''</ref> More humidity could lead to more clouds and therefore to cooling and to negative feedback. So why assume positive feedback? AGW works only if water vapor is a positive feedback, so that is what the IPCC must claim. Although Obama has denounced elevated carbon dioxide levels as "carbon pollution," greenhouse operators commonly increase the level of CO2 to 1,000 ppm or more to enhance plant growth.<ref>"[https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151210101819.htm Plant growth enhanced by increased carbon dioxide, but food webs give rise to significant variations]", ''Science News'', December 10, 2015. Harrison H. Schmitt and William Happer, "[http://arizonaskywatch.com/article/articles/In%20defense%20of%20carbon%20dioxide.pdf In Defense of Carbon Dioxide]," ''Wall Street Journal'', May 8, 2013.</ref>
[[Image:NASA-1024x933.jpg|thumb|right|A composite map of [[Antarctica]] showing areas of greatest warming in red. The Wilkins Ice Shelf lies off the peninsula in the top left corner, and shows extensive warming. Overall, Antarctica shows little warming, and many areas to the East (right) are almost cooling.<ref>Roberts, Greg (April 18, 2009). [http://www.news.com.au/antarctic-ice-is-growing-not-melting-away/story-0-1225700043191 "Antarctic ice is growing, not melting away."] News.com.au. Retrieved on September 25, 2014.</ref>]]
*'''The Earth has warmed or cooled many times. Historically, warm periods are associated with favorable climate.''' The [[Roman Warm Period]] (250 BC to 180 AD) featured temperatures comparable to those of modern times. This was followed by the Dark Ages Cold Period (450-950 AD).<ref>"[http://www.co2science.org/subject/d/summaries/dacpeurope.php Dark Ages Cold Period (Europe) - Summary]", ''CO2 Science'', 1 June 2005.</ref> The Medieval Warm Period was even warmer than the Roman period and lasted from 950 to 1300.<ref>John P. Rafferty, "[https://global.britannica.com/science/medieval-warm-period Medieval warm period (MWP)]", ''Britannica''</ref> From the 14th century to the early 19th century, there was a Little Ice Age.<ref>John P. Rafferty, Stephen T. Jackson, "[https://global.britannica.com/science/Little-Ice-Age Little Ice Age (LIA)]", ''Britannica''.</ref><ref>See the graphs at "[http://www.climate4you.com/ Global temperatures]," Climate4you.</ref><ref>Bastasch, Michael, "[https://dailycaller.com/2013/12/13/study-earth-was-warmer-in-roman-medieval-times/ Study: Earth was warmer in Roman, Medieval times]", ''The Daily Caller''. For a peer-reviewed paper, see Moberg, A., et al. 2005 "[ftp://ftp.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/paleo/contributions_by_author/moberg2005/nhtemp-moberg2005.txt 2,000-Year Northern Hemisphere Temperature Reconstruction]", ''World Data Center for Paleoclimatology''. The Moberg data set is charted [https://i0.wp.com/i90.photobucket.com/albums/k247/dhm1353/Moberg-1.png here].</ref>
*'''Carbon dioxide can be absorbed by promoting plant growth, an angle overlooked by the mainstream media.''' In fact, the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has already resulted in an increase in plant growth. If that's not enough, iron filings can be dumped at sea to encourage the growth of marine plants.<ref>Carrington, Damian, "[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jul/18/iron-sea-carbon Dumping iron at sea can bury carbon for centuries, study shows]" ''The Guardian'', 18 July 2012.</ref> Freeman Dyson, America's top physicist, has suggested genetically engineering trees to absorb more carbon.<ref>"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiKfWdXXfIs Freeman Dyson on the Global Warming Hysteria April, 2015]." Dyson recommends ''Cool It'' (2007) by Bjorn Lomborg as the best summary of the AGW issue.</ref>
*'''If the science were in fact settled, we would see less outrage at "deniers" and greater concern for scientific integrity.''' One climate science scandal after another has been exposed. The Climategate emails show hoaxers scurrying to "hide the decline."<ref name=MISH>"[http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/11/hackers-prove-global-warming-is-scam.html#quEdWPhB8b6cs07f.99 Beware The Ice Age Cometh: Hackers Prove Global Warming Is A Scam]", ''MISH'S Global Economic Trend Analysis''</ref> The "hockey stick" view of climate history, which holds that global temperature was constant for 2,000 years and then surged in the last century, has been repeatedly debunked.<ref>Muller, Richard A., "[http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/13830/ A Global Warming Bombshell]", ''Technology Review'' , Oct. 2004; calls into question famous graph by Michael Mann.</ref> No one's reputation is tarnished by these bloopers, no one pays any price. The first response of AGW backers is name-calling and attempts to shut down the discussion. Argument is a last resort.<ref>Phil Plait, columnist for ''Discover'', is a good example. Plait has only contempt for those who express concerns about scientific integrity in climate research: "yawn," "non-event," etc. With no sense of irony, he can write, "these denialist claims are largely ad hominems." If you fail to show "the scientists" enough respect, then you are a "global warming denier." This name-calling-as-argument strategy is typical of AGW hacks. (Phil Plait, "[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/11/30/the-global-warming-emails-non-event/#.WHMkC9J97cs The global warming emails non-event]," ''Discover'', November 30, 2009.)</ref> The logical explanation is that they already know AGW is a hoax, and they don't care.
*'''For leftists, the attraction of the theory is that it supports their agenda.''' The environmentalist agenda of renewables, solar energy, conservation, and world government was put together in the 1970s in response to the energy crisis and to the overpopulation scare. At that time, most scientists thought the Earth was cooling.<ref>"[http://realclimatescience.com/the-corrupt-history-of-nasa-temperature-history/ The corrupt history of NASA temperature history]", ''Real Climate Science''.</ref><ref name="Time" /> When AGW came along, it was treated as an additional justification for this agenda. Steven Schneider, founding father of the AGW movement, was a global cooling believer in the early 1970s. "We have to offer up scary scenarios, make simplified, dramatic statements, and make little mention of any doubts we might have," he explained.<ref>This is from an article Schneider wrote for ''Discover'' magazine in 1989.[http://www.creationworldview.org/articles_view.asp?id=67]</ref> To Schneider, global cooling and global warming were just two "scary scenarios." He could offer up whichever one was expedient.

== How accurate are weather forecasts and climate forecasts? ==

In 2013, ''Scientific American'' published an article entitled ''Why Are Weather Forecasts Often Wrong?''<ref>[https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-are-weather-forecasts-often-wrong/ ''Why Are Weather Forecasts Often Wrong?''] By Lee Falin PhD on January 9, 2013, ''Scientific American''</ref>

In 2020, data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration suggests a seven-day weather forecast by a [[meteorology|meteorologist]] could accurately predict the weather about 80 percent of the time.<ref>[https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/01/02/forecast-models-keep-hinting-at-subzero-air-ahead How accurate are forecast models 1 to 2 weeks ahead?]</ref><ref>[https://www.wral.com/how-accurate-are-weather-forecasts/19645159/#:~:text=Longer%2Drange%20forecasts%20are%20less,90%20percent%20of%20the%20time. How accurate are weather forecasts?], WRAL</ref> However, beyond 10 days, a weather forecast is only right about half the time.<ref>[https://www.wral.com/how-accurate-are-weather-forecasts/19645159/#:~:text=Longer%2Drange%20forecasts%20are%20less,90%20percent%20of%20the%20time. How accurate are weather forecasts?], WRAL</ref>

The accuracy of the long-range forecasts of climate scientists that are 10 years or decades ahead of time is of dubious value (See: [[Limitations of science]]). In addition, environmentalists have a history of making alarmist statements that do not come to fruition (see: [https://www.aei.org/carpe-diem/50-years-of-failed-doomsday-eco-pocalyptic-predictions-the-so-called-experts-are-0-50/ 50 years of failed doomsday, eco-pocalyptic predictions; the so-called ‘experts’ are 0-50], American Enterprise Institute).

== A significant resistance to global warming alarmism is developing in Europe ==

News reports of Europeans becoming increasingly resistant to global warming alarmism:

*The Daily Telegraph (Ross Clark): “[https://archive.md/XbVaC The EU's Net Zero plan is in tatters - and not a moment too soon]” (29 March 2023)

*Reuters (Riham Alkousaa): “[https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/berlin-votes-tighter-climate-goals-test-germans-commitment-change-2023-03-26/ Berliners vote down referendum on tighter climate goals]” (26 March 2023)

*Politico (Nicolas Camut): “[https://www.politico.eu/article/dutch-farmers-party-bbb-mark-rutte-netherlands-big-winner-in-provincial-elections/ Dutch pro-farmers party wins big in provincial elections]” (16 March 2023)

*Express (Natalie Crookham): “[https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/1752831/petrol-diesel-car-ban-poll-result-spt Staggering poll shows 93 percent oppose 2030 petrol and diesel car ban] [UK]” (30 March 2023)

''Forbes'' reported in 2023:
{{Cquote|The editors of one leading paper put it like this: “The implausibility of a net-zero carbon energy future is becoming so obvious that even Europeans are starting to notice.” The shock news of Germany’s decision to block the EU-wide agreement on the combustion engine ban by 2035 is “threatening to unravel Germany’s three-party governing alliance, after the Green party accused its liberal coalition partners of gambling away the country’s [green] reputation…” The German government wants to replace this ban and permit combustion engine cars running on synthetic “e-fuels”. E-fuels are yet another unproven technology but, if somehow viable in the future, would at least preserve the country’s vaunted position in automobile combustion engines. That Western Europe’s reigning green ideologues could be blocked by the German car manufacturers’ lobby – one of the country’s industrial pillars and a major employer – seems to signal the victory of economic rationality over climate ideology in this instance at least.

The country’s green advocates received further bad news as voters in the Berlin referendum for a climate-neutral city by 2030 failed resoundingly as “yes” votes failed to achieve the 25% quorum of all eligible voters needed to make the referendum valid. According to critics interviewed by [[Bild]], the radical climate project pushed in the referendum is “factually impossible” and “out of the question”, noting that “even the original 2045 target timetable [is] almost impossible to meet.” Even Berlin’s uber-green elites could not swing the vote against the average city-dweller sick of hot water rationing, dimmed street lights at night and shuttered swimming pools.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/tilakdoshi/2023/04/08/climate-hysteria-in-the-dark-age-are-we-seeing-glimmers-of-light/?sh=3e1b70c14c09 Climate Hysteria In The Dark Age: Are We Seeing Glimmers Of Light?], Forbes, April 2023</ref>}}

== The Surprising Truth: Extremely Small, Almost Statistically Insignificant, Temperature Rises per Decade ==

Even mainstream sites admit the empirical fact: "For the last 50 years, global temperature rose at an average rate of about 0.13°C (around one-quarter degree Fahrenheit) per decade-almost twice as fast as the 0.07°C per decade increase observed over the previous half-century. In the next 20 years, scientists project that global average temperature will rise by around 0.2°C (about one-third of a degree Fahrenheit) per decade."<ref>https://www.climate.gov/news-features/videos/history-earths-temperature-1880</ref> This means, even at the allegedly "high" rate of temperature rise of "around 0.2°C", Global Temperatures will only rise by around 1°C in the next 50 years! Hardly a cause for Alarmism on this issue, especially in light of numerous well-documented alarmist false predictions of Climate Change Hoaxers.

== 5 of 18 Ridiculous and Spectacularly Wrong Alarmist Global Warming Predictions around 1970 that never came to pass ==

When the Holy Bible warns us to beware of False Prophets (Deut 18:17-22, [[Matthew, Chapter 7#15|Matthew 7:15-20]]), that divine injunction certainly includes the False Prophets of Global Warming.

"1. Harvard biologist George Wald estimated that “civilization will end within 15 or 30 years [by 1985 or 2000] unless immediate action is taken against problems facing mankind.”

2. “We are in an environmental crisis that threatens the survival of this nation, and of the world as a suitable place of human habitation,” wrote Washington University biologist Barry Commoner in the Earth Day issue of the scholarly journal Environment.

3. The day after the first Earth Day, the New York Times editorial page warned, “Man must stop pollution and conserve his resources, not merely to enhance existence but to save the race from intolerable deterioration and possible extinction.”

4. “Population will inevitably and completely outstrip whatever small increases in food supplies we make,” Paul Ehrlich confidently declared in the April 1970 issue of Mademoiselle. “The death rate will increase until at least 100-200 million people per year will be starving to death during the next ten years [by 1980].”

5. “Most of the people who are going to die in the greatest cataclysm in the history of man have already been born,” wrote Paul Ehrlich in a 1969 essay titled “Eco-Catastrophe! “By…[1975] some experts feel that food shortages will have escalated the present level of world hunger and starvation into famines of unbelievable proportions. Other experts, more optimistic, think the ultimate food-population collision will not occur until the decade of the 1980s.”<ref>https://www.aei.org/carpe-diem/18-spectacularly-wrong-predictions-were-made-around-the-time-of-the-first-earth-day-in-1970-expect-more-this-year/</ref>

== Who is behind the Global Warming Agenda? Communist China and [[Comsymp]]s at the UN ==

A careful analysis of the Evil Agenda behind the attempt to promote Global Warming Narratives suggests Communist Countries want to use this as a means to reduce the energy production of the Christian and Western World or to make them dependent on Communist Countries: "As evidence discredits global warming, resistance to such facts by green elites reveals their real aim is bringing socialism in through the back door. But don't take our word for it. Listen to the climate change boss at the U.N.

Christiana Figueres, with the lumpy title of executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), came right out and said it: Democracy is a poor political system for fighting global warming. The really good model is communist China."<ref>https://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/climate-change-a-back-door-to-communism-and-the-united-nations-admits-it/</ref>

==History==
The greenhouse effect was proposed by [[Joseph Fourier]] in 1827. Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius is sometimes considered the father of global warming theory because of a paper he published in 1896 on the effect of carbon dioxide emissions. Arrhenius thought of global warming as a positive thing. The idea that carbon dioxide emissions might lead to catastrophe comes from research on the Venusian atmosphere in the 1960s by Karl Sagan and other NASA scientists. In the 1970s, global cooling theories were more prominent than global warming theories. Even Steven Schneider, later a promoter of global warming, published a paper on global cooling. As a result of the energy crisis of the 1970s, the environmentalist movement adopted an agenda of conservation and renewable energy. With global warming as its flagship theory, the movement could continue promoting its 1970s agenda long after the original justifications for it had disappeared. Schneider offered up "scary scenarios," as he called them, to promote the theory.

===Origin===
In 1827, French scientist Joseph Fourier suggested that although the atmosphere allowed sunlight to pass through to warm the Earth, it blocked "dark heat" (infrared radiation) from the Earth and thus prevented energy from being transferred back into space.<ref name=Fourier>Fourier, Jean Baptist Joseph, "On the Temperatures of the Terrestrial Sphere in Interplanetary Space", Translated in ''The Warming Papers: The Scientific Foundation for Climate Change Forecast''. The relevant section is pp. 12-13.</ref> Fourier did make an unfortunate analogy between the Earth's atmosphere and a space enclosed by glass. All the same, it may not be fair to blame Fourier for the greenhouse effect meme. He also discussed convection as an alternative explanation and, as a good scientist, recommended an experiment to resolve the issue.

In 1861, Irish scientist John Tyndall measured the absorption of radiant energy by various gases in the atmosphere. He concluded that water vapor was the gas primarily responsible. It could therefore be considered the warming agent that Fourier hypothesized. Tyndall suggested that changes in humidity could bring about climate change.

The AGW theory was first presented in 1896 in an article by Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius. Arrhenius predicted that a doubling of CO2 in the atmosphere due to fossil fuel burning would lead to a temperature increase of 3 to 4 °C (about 5 to 7 °F) after 500 years. Arrhenius attributes his misunderstanding of the science to Fourier: "Fourier maintained that the atmosphere acts like the glass of a hothouse."<ref>Arrhenius, Svante, "On the Influence of Carbonic Acid in the Air on the Temperature on the Ground", ''London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science,'' April 1896. Reprinted in ''The Warming Papers'', pp. 56-77.</ref>

The use of the Swedish word ''drivbänk'' (hothouse) by Arrhenius and his colleagues is likely to be the origin of the phrase "greenhouse effect." This phrase is first recorded in English in 1907.<ref>"[http://www.easterbrook.ca/steve/2015/08/who-first-coined-the-term-greenhouse-effect/ Who first coined the term “Greenhouse Effect”?]," ''Serendipity,'' August 2015</ref>

===The skeptics strike back===
Arrhenius ignored water vapor in his calculations, leading him to overestimate the effect of CO2 by 96 percent, as Knut Ångström observed in 1901.<ref>"[https://realclimatescience.com/2016/12/climate-scientists-celebrating-115-years-of-debunked-science/ Climate Scientists Celebrating 115 Years Of Debunked Junk Science]"</ref> More controversially, Ångström questioned whether CO2 could act as a greenhouse gas at all. He took a tube of carbon dioxide, shined black-body radiation on it, and varied the pressure on the gas. Increasing the pressure led to only a slight increase in absorption. He concluded that radiation absorption by CO2 is already nearly saturated, so the emission of additional gas into the atmosphere would have little effect. Ångström thus became "the first denier."

Nils Ekholm, an associate of Arrhenius, had an answer to Ångström's point about saturation.<ref>Ekholm, Nils, "On the Variations of the Geological and Historical Past their Causes, ''Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society,'' January 1901. DOI: 10.1002/qj.49702711702.</ref> Ångström's tube was saturated because it was at ground level. High enough in the atmosphere, there must be an unsaturated layer of carbon dioxide capable of absorbing radiation. The greater the density of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the lower this layer would be. A lower layer would retransmit more radiation to the lower atmosphere and would therefore be responsible for greater warming. Ekholm's insight was lost on his fellow scientists. It was not rediscovered until the 1960s.<ref>"The Surface budget fallacy," ''The Warming Papers'', pp. 79-80.</ref>

As for Ångström's point concerning water vapor, Arrhenius insisted that CO2 rose higher in the atmosphere than water vapor could, so water vapor was not relevant. This argument never caught on. The idea that adding CO2 would change the climate, "was never widely accepted and was abandoned when it was found that all the long-wave radiation [that would be] absorbed by CO2 is [already] absorbed by water vapor," the American Meteorological Society concluded in 1951.<ref>American Meteorological Society, ''[https://www.questia.com/read/97549786/compendium-of-meteorology 1951 Compendium of Meteorology]'', p. 1016.</ref> Despite Ångström's debunking of his theory, Arrhenius won the Nobel prize for chemistry in 1903 for unrelated research. The Ångströms, meanwhile, are remembered for a minuscule unit of length named after Anders Ångström, Knut's dad.

===Disproving the greenhouse effect===
Finally performing the experiment Fourier had recommended a century earlier, Robert Wood showed in 1909 that energy is transferred from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere primarily through convection currents. In Wood's experiment, the temperature in a glass box was compared to that in a box with a top made of halite (rock salt). Halite allows sunlight to enter, but blocks infrared. Infrared re-radiation and the greenhouse effect play "a very small part," both in the atmosphere and in literal greenhouses, Wood concluded.<ref>Wood, Robert, "[http://www.tech-know-group.com/papers/Note_on_the_Theory_of_the_Greenhouse.pdf Note on the Theory of the Greenhouse]", ''Philosphical Magazine'', January—June 1909. "[http://hockeyschtick.blogspot.jp/2010/06/greenhouse-theory-disproven-in-1909.html Greenhouse Theory disproven in 1909, 1963, 1966, 1973...but still refuses to die]," June 28, 2010. Gerhard Gerlich and Ralf D. Tscheuschner, "[https://arxiv.org/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/0707/0707.1161v4.pdf Falsification Of The Atmospheric CO2 Greenhouse Effects Within The Frame Of Physics]"</ref> A greenhouse is warmer than the air outside because the roof limits convection and the walls restrict wind. "The acquired heat is concentrated, because it is not dissipated immediately by renewing the air," as Fourier himself explained.<ref name="Fourier" />

From 1909 until the 1960s, only a few additional papers on AGW were published. Research went forward as the lonely project of English scientist Guy Callendar. Callendar collected historical temperature readings and CO2 measurements and published the results in 1938.<ref>Callendar, G.S. (1938). "The Artificial Production of Carbon Dioxide and Its Influence on Climate." ''Quarterly J. Royal Meteorological Society'' 64: 223-40. Reprinted in ''The Warming Papers'', pp. 261-273.</ref>

===Sagan and Venus===
In 1932, Venus was shown to have an atmosphere of carbon dioxide.<ref>"Carbon Dioxide Discovered in Atmosphere of Venus", Astronautics, Vol. 2, No. 21 (1932), pp. 6-7. https://dx.doi.org/10.2514/8.11921</ref> This finding prompted astronomer Rupert Wildt to propose in 1940 that a greenhouse effect operated on the planet. Radio telescope observations in 1958 showed that the temperature of Venus was even higher than Wildt's theory could explain. Astronomer Carl Sagan proposed in 1960 that the planet had a “very efficient greenhouse effect,” or runaway greenhouse as it later came to be called.<ref>Weart, Spencer, "[http://history.aip.org/history/climate/pdf/venus.pdf Venus & Mars]", June 2011.</ref><ref>Sagan, Carl, "[http://science.sciencemag.org/content/133/3456/849 The Planet Venus]", ''Science'', 24 March 1961.</ref> The Mariner 2 mission in 1962 measured the temperature of Venus as 500 degrees Celsius. The planet that had been considered "Earth's twin" just a few years earlier was revealed as a sulfurous vision of hell.

Mariner's findings were sensational because they had been predicted by Immanuel Velikovsky in ''Worlds in Collision'' (1950), which argues that Venus was ejected from Jupiter in mythological times. The scientific community had denounced Velikovsky and his theory in the strongest terms, and Sagan emerged as its champion. Sagan and Velikovsky faced off at a dramatic conference in San Francisco in 1974.<ref>AAAS Symposium: "Velikovsky's Challenge to Science" held on February 25, 1974.</ref>

By portraying carbon dioxide as a doomsday chemical, Sagan put a radically new spin on the issue. Both Arrhenius and Callendar had assumed that greenhouse warming would be beneficial. With Rachel Carson's ''Silent Spring'' (1962), Paul R. Ehrlich's ''The Population Bomb'' (1968), and the Club of Rome's ''The Limits to Growth'' (1972), this was an era when the reading public had an enormous appetite for spurious theories concerning human-initiated global catastrophe.

While the Venus discoveries ignited a burst of interest in AGW, they did nothing to shore up its scientific merits. In 1971, Russian climatologist Mikhail Budyko gave a speech to a large international conference in Leningrad in which he presented an alarmist AGW scenario. Reaction was strongly negative. It was clear that AGW was very much a minority opinion among scientists at this time. A quick look at Venus reveals that the atmosphere is opaque due to globe-spanning sulfur dioxide clouds. These clouds are 30 to 40 km thick. No sunlight reaches the surface.<ref>NASA's "[http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/venusfact.html Venus Fact Sheet]" gives the planet's diurnal temperature range as zero, i.e. no difference between night and day on the surface.</ref> It follows that the planet has no greenhouse effect whatsoever.

In a runaway greenhouse, the greenhouse effect vaporizes additional water, which in turn increases the greenhouse effect. This leads to even more water vaporization and so on in a cycle of positive feedback. Venus has very little water of any kind, so Sagan's runaway greenhouse is not possible.<ref name=pierre>*Raymond T. Pierrehumbert, ''[https://books.google.ca/books?id=bO_U8f5pVR8C&source=gbs_navlinks_s Principles of Planetary Climate]'', pp. 14-15. *Anthony Watts explains why Sagan's theory is "beyond absurd" in "[https://wattsupwiththat.com/2010/05/06/hyperventilating-on-venus/ Hyperventilating on Venus]," May 6, 2010.</ref> Whatever the chemistry of the Venusian atmosphere, water vapor absorbs a wider spectrum of radiation than carbon dioxide does and remains the primary greenhouse gas in the terrestrial atmosphere, as Tyndall showed long ago.

Venus research proved to be an incubator for AGW showboaters. James “Boiling Oceans” Hansen, who emerged as the public face of AGW in the late 1980s, was a NASA Venus researcher in the 1960s. Overlooking Hansen's history of following one kook theory after another, the mainstream media treated his talk of "runaway greenhouse" and "Venus syndrome" as serious science.<ref>Sullivan, John, "[https://johnosullivan.wordpress.com/2012/05/20/top-scientists-vent-on-nasas-sub-prime-greenhouse-gas-hoaxere-optional/ Top Scientists Vent on NASA’s Sub Prime Greenhouse Gas Hoaxer]", May 20, 2012. "The oceans will begin to boil," Hansen announces in [https://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/01/12/quote-of-the-week-dr-james-hansen-of-nasa-giss-unhinged/ this video]. In his book, ''Storms of my Grandchildren'', Hansen writes: "[I]f we burn all reserves of oil, gas, and coal, there is a substantial chance we will initiate the runaway greenhouse. If we also burn the tar sands and tar shale, I believe the Venus syndrome is a dead certainty."</ref>

Hansen's claim that continued CO2 emissions will trigger a runaway greenhouse on Earth is unlikely in view of the Earth's recovery after the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), a huge natural spike in CO2 that occurred 55.5 million years ago.<ref>Kunzig, Robert, "[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/13/130729-runaway-greenhouse-global-warming-venus-ocean-climate-science/ Will Earth's Ocean Boil Away?]", ''National Geographic'', July 30, 2013.</ref> During PETM, the carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere increased by about 700 ppm over 20,000 years and the planet warmed by 5–8 degrees Celsius.<ref>McInherney, F.A..; Wing, S. (2011). "A perturbation of carbon cycle, climate, and biosphere with implications for the future". Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences. 39: 489–516. Bibcode:2011AREPS..39..489M. doi:10.1146/annurev-earth-040610-133431</ref> Plant growth accelerated and there was a return to pre-PETM conditions after 200,000 years.<ref>Gabriel J. Bowen & James C. Zachos, "Rapid carbon sequestration at the termination of the Palaeocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum", ''Nature'' Geoscience 3, 866–869 (2010) doi:10.1038/ngeo1014</ref> Although this event is sometimes presented as confirmation of the greenhouse concept, warming preceded the CO2 spike by about 3,000 years<ref>Sluijs, A.; Brinkhuis, H.; Schouten, S.; Bohaty, S.M.; John, C.M.; Zachos, J.C.; Reichart, G.J.; Sinninghe Damste, J.S.; Crouch, E.M.; Dickens, G.R. (2007). "Environmental precursors to rapid light carbon injection at the Palaeocene/Eocene boundary". Nature. 450 (7173): 1218–21. Bibcode:2007Natur.450.1218S. doi:10.1038/nature06400. PMID 18097406.</ref> and may have been initiated by a comet impact.<ref>[https://wattsupwiththat.com/tag/petm/ Study: Extraterrestrial impact preceded ancient global warming event]", October 13, 2016. Morgan F. Schaller, Megan K. Fung, James D. Wright, Miriam E. Katz, Dennis V. Kent, "[http://science.sciencemag.org/content/354/6309/225.full Impact ejecta at the Paleocene-Eocene boundary]", ''Science'', 14 Oct 2016:
Vol. 354, Issue 6309, pp. 225-229 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaf5466.</ref>

===From cooling to warming===
Despite Venus-related attention, AGW was overshadowed by a cooling scare in the 1970s. Steven Schneider, who later emerged as a key player in AGW politics, confidently predicted more cooling in 1971:
{{cquote|[I]t is projected that man's potential to pollute will increase six- to eightfold in the next 50 years. If this increased rate of injection of particulate matter in the atmosphere should raise the present background opacity by a factor of 4, our calculations suggest a decrease in global temperature by as much as 3.5 ''°K''. Such a large decrease in the average temperature of Earth, sustained over a period of few years, is '''believed to be sufficient to trigger an ice age.''' However, by that time, nuclear power may have largely replaced fossil fuels as a means of energy production.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Rasool SI, Schneider SH |title=Atmospheric carbon dioxide and aerosols: effects of large increases on global climate |journal=Science |volume=173 |issue=3992 |pages=138–41 |date=July 1971 |pmid=17739641 |doi=10.1126/science.173.3992.138 |url= }}</ref>}}

By the late 1970s, the cooling scare had tapered off and Schneider was actively promoting AGW. The energy crisis, which began in 1973, put energy policy in the center of the political debate. In response, the left adopted a platform of conservation, renewables, and solar energy. Schneider and others noticed that AGW provided an additional justification for this platform.

By the late 1980s, Schneider and his fellow activists had transformed global warming from a fringe concern to a central political issue. He explained how in a 1989 interview:
{{cquote|And like most people we’d like to see the world a better place, which in this context translates into our working to reduce the risk of potentially disastrous climate change. To do that we need to get some broad based support, to capture the public’s imagination. '''That, of course, means getting loads of media coverage. So we have to offer up scary scenarios,''' make simplified, dramatic statements, '''and make little mention of any doubts we might have'''. This “double ethical bind” we frequently find ourselves in cannot be solved by any formula. Each of us has to decide what the right balance is between being effective and being honest. I hope that means being both.<ref>The quote is from ''Discover'', pp. 45–48, October 1989. See [https://www.weeklystandard.com/climategate-part-ii/article/610926 this link].</ref>}}

After Schneider abandoned his global cooling hobbyhorse and got on the global warming [[argumentum ad populum|bandwagon]], he never looked back. He was all about offering up "scary scenarios" in order to get "loads of media coverage." He had hoped to be honest, but, let's face it, nobody's perfect. Since he presents himself here as the high priest of climate science, it should be noted that Schneider's Ph.D. is in mechanical engineering.

According to Oxfam, "climate-related disasters has tripled in the last 30 years", and "more than 20 million people a year are forced from their homes".<ref>[https://www.oxfam.org/en/5-natural-disasters-beg-climate-action Oxfam]</ref>

===The IPCC===
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a UN agency that reports on climate science, was founded in 1988. IPCC reports are often cited as the gold standard of science in this field, proof that AGW is "settled science." But few journalists read the report itself. Instead, they rely on the "Executive Summary" or "Summary for Policymakers." This document is written, not by scientists, but by UN bureaucrats under the supervision of Rajendra Pachauri, the Indian railway economist who heads the IPCC. The Climategate II emails reveal that the summary is written first, then material is added to the various chapters to support it.<ref>Hayward, Steven F., "[https://www.weeklystandard.com/climategate-part-ii/article/610926 Climategate (Part II)]," ''Weekly Standard'', Dec. 12, 2011</ref> This procedure makes a farce of the IPCC's stated mission, which is to review the published literature so as to determine the scientific consensus.

As for the main report, this is put together carelessly, according to George Filippo: "I feel rather uncomfortable about using not only unpublished but also unreviewed material as the backbone of our conclusions (or any conclusions)....IPCC is not any more an assessment of published science (which is its proclaimed goal) but production of results....I feel that at this point there are very little rules and almost anything goes." Filippo was a vice chair of the group from 2002 to 2008 and has contributed to all five IPCC reports.<ref>"[http://tomnelson.blogspot.jp/2012/01/don-miss-this-devastating-criticism-of.html Don't miss this devastating criticism of the IPCC]," January 02, 2012</ref>

===Climategate===
The AGW industry was exposed as a hoax by the release of the "[[Climategate]]" emails in 2009. The Climate Research Unit of East Anglia University in Britain prepared 156 megabytes of email by their researchers for release under the Freedom of Information Act. This database was somehow leaked, either prematurely or by a whistleblower after the institution had second thoughts.

In the most notorious message, Phil Jones, director of the unit, wrote, "I've just completed '''Mike's ''Nature'' trick''' of adding in the real temps to each series for the last 20 years (ie from 1981 onwards) amd from 1961 for Keith's to '''hide the decline'''."<ref name=MISH /> This should not be understood to mean that real temperature was declining, but rather that the researchers were attempting to cover up flaws in their tree-ring based data set. The graph in question was a version of the famous "hockey stick" that shows global temperature constant for 2,000 years, followed by a dramatic warming in the last century. ''Nature'' is considered one of the most authoritative science journals. So this quote suggests that a chart prepared for the magazine was faked with the approval of Jones as supervisor. An email by CRU researcher Tim Osborn clarifies what the ''Nature'' trick was: "Also we have applied a completely artificial adjustment to the data after 1960, so they look closer to observed temperatures than the tree-ring data actually were."<ref>"[http://tomnelson.blogspot.jp/2011/12/in-case-you-missed-it-damning.html In case you missed it, damning ClimateGate emails from Tim Osborne]", Tom Nelson, Dec. 06, 2011.</ref>

What's wrong with using tree ring data to create a climate record? The CRU researchers assumed that a tree grows faster when it's warmer. But rainfall has a stronger influence on tree growth than temperature does. Temperature is correlated to tree growth only in the sense that it tends to rain more in warm eras. Critics call the CRU's approach the "tree-o-meter" theory.<ref>"[http://tomnelson.blogspot.jp/2012/02/email-3826-feb-2001-in-email-copied-to.html Email 3826, Feb 2001]," Tom Nelson, Feb. 04, 2012. "In one go, they tossed aside dozens of studies which confirmed the existence of the MWE [Medieval Warm Era] and LIA [Little Ice Age] as global events, and all on the basis of tree rings - a proxy which has all the deficiencies I have stated above."</ref>

In another Climategate email, Jones enthusiastically demands that the IPCC review process be rigged: "I can't see either of these papers being in the next IPCC report. Kevin and I will keep them out somehow - even if we have to redefine what the peer-review literature is!" Jones also admitted that the reason he claims the Earth is warming is political: "The scientific community would come down on me in no uncertain terms if I said the world had cooled from 1998. Okay it has but it is only seven years of data and it isn't statistically significant."<ref name=steyn14>Steyn, Mark, "[http://www.steynonline.com/2697/how-the-science-got-settled How the Science Got Settled]", December 6, 2014.</ref> Jones is ignoring the fact that 1998 was an unusually warm year due to an El Niño event. All the same, it's clear that he runs the CRU to produce made-to-order results rather than as a scientist.

==The temperature record==
Global temperatures are tracked by three methods: satellites, weather balloons, and weather stations. All three methods confirm a modest amount of warming in recent decades. Satellite data shows a warming trend of 0.11 K/decade for 1978 to 2015.<ref>Roy W. Spencer, John R. Christy, and William D. Braswell, "[http://www.drroyspencer.com/wp-content/uploads/Version-61.pdf Version 6.0 of the UAH Temperature Dataset Released]", 28 April 2015.</ref> Weather balloon data shows a warming trend of 0.18 K/decade for 1970 to 2015.<ref>The figure given is for RATPAC-A, surface to 700 mb. See "[https://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/12/14/gavins-admission-about-the-satellite-record-versus-the-surface-temperature-record/ Gavin’s admission about the satellite record versus the surface temperature record]," ''Watt's Up With That''. You can find a collection of global climate charts [https://wattsupwiththat.com/global-climate/ here].</ref>

A reanalysis of weather station data for 1943 to 2012 by Roy Spencer shows that after a cooler period in the 1960s and 1970s, U.S. temperatures returned to their earlier level. Unlike CRU, NASA, and NOAA, Spencer corrects for the fact that at most stations, measurement time of day has changed over the years.<ref name=Spencer>Spencer, Roy, "[http://www.drroyspencer.com/2012/08/a-new-analysis-of-u-s-temperature-trends-since-1943/ A New Analysis of U.S. Temperature Trends Since 1943]," August 6th, 2012.</ref> So Spencer's analysis implies that the warmest year on record was 1934, the warmest year of the 1930s, not 2016 as the climate establishment maintains. Spencer is a prominent skeptic and a professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. He maintains the UAH record, one of the two major satellite temperature records. As an active researcher at the center of the climate science community, Spencer is a standing rebuke to the claim that AGW represents the scientific consensus.<ref>Spencer, Roy, "[http://www.drroyspencer.com/my-global-warming-skepticism-for-dummies/ My Global Warming Skepticism, for Dummies]"</ref> While the cause is debatable, worldwide, 2016 was the warmest year on record, 2020 was the second-warmest, and 2011–2020 was the warmest decade on record since thermometer-based observations began. Eight of the top 10 warmest years on record for the contiguous 48 states have occurred since 1998, and 2012 and 2016 were the two warmest years on record.<ref>[https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-us-and-global-temperature US and global temperatures]</ref>

The temperature records preferred by the climate establishment were built up over many years and include numerous gaps, bugs, incompatible coding, and other errors. The problems of the CRU data set are memorably documented in the "Harry read me" file, part of the Climategate trove. According to this file, the premier global temperature record contains "botch after botch after botch."<ref name=Brownlow>Brownlow, Andie, "[https://pjmedia.com/blog/climategates-harry_read_me-txt-we-all-really-should/?singlepage=true Climategate's Harry_Read_Me.txt: We All Really Should]", Dec. 11, 2009.</ref>

AGW is hardly the only explanation that has been proposed for recent warming. There are also explanations involving natural cycles such as the 11-year-sunspot cycle, the Pacific decadal oscillation,<ref>Bratcher and Giese, "Tropical Pacific decadal variability and global warming", ''Geophysical Research Letters''.</ref> and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).<ref>*72 percent of global temperature variation since 1958 reflects the influence of a Pacific Ocean weather cycle called the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (McLean, J. D., C. R. de Freitas, and R. M. Carter--2009-07-23). "Influence of the Southern Oscillation on tropospheric temperature". ''Journal of Geophysical Research'' *Spencer, R.W. & Braswell, W.D., "[http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13143-014-0011-z The role of ENSO in global ocean temperature changes during 1955–2011 simulated with a 1D climate model]", Asia-Pacific J Atmos Sci (2014) 50: 229. doi:10.1007/s13143-014-0011-z</ref>

==Summary of arguments against anthropogenic global warming==
Natural periods of global warming and global cooling are expected to occur regardless of human activity, and not long ago liberals were demanding more government control to combat an alleged cooling in temperatures, with some scientists warning of a possible ice age.<ref name="Time">"Science: Another Ice Age?" (June 24, 1974). ''Time'' magazine. Retrieved on September 25, 2014.</ref> [[Global cooling]], a theory that predates global warming, obviously occurs naturally many times throughout [[Earth|Earth's]] geological history.<ref name="dissidents">"After any given warming phase begins, thousands of years later the cyclical [[Milankovitch]] decrease in the sun's heat kicks in. The warming stops, reverses and an [[ice age]] ensues." Cockburn, Alexander (June 9–11, 2007). [http://www.counterpunch.org/cockburn06092007.html "Dissidents against dogma"]. Counterpunch. Retrieved on September 25, 2014.</ref> The ease of refutation of anthropogenic global cooling claims foretells the eventual fate of the current global warming hysteria.

Many political activists use the term "global warming" to refer to [[anthropogenic global warming theory]] (AGW), which asserts that human activity such as spewing "[[greenhouse gases]]" is causing an increase in temperature and is more significant than natural causes. The AGW theory is supported by left-leaning political parties, as well as a majority of sovereign states, national agencies, and an intergovernmental panel (see [[IPCC]]). The reality is that there is no immediate global crisis, and even dire warnings by the UN's [[Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]] (IPCC) admit that significant effects will not be manifested for at least 100 years. Predictions made by [[climate model]]s publicized by the IPCC have not come to pass in recent years. Many scientists, such as Hal Lewis, have decried global warming as a conspiracy for the purpose of securing trillions of dollars in grant money.

In November 2009, emails were disclosed that implicated a wrongful manipulation and concealment of data by scientists who have insisted that there is dangerous man-made global warming. Prior to [[ClimateGate]], both the Republican and Democratic party Platforms in 2008 suggested that global warming is happening, that it is caused by human activity, and that it should be counteracted. For example, in 2007, the Republican presidential candidate Senator [[John McCain]] called global warming "an issue we can no longer afford to ignore".<ref>"Issues" (September 1, 2007). www.JohnMcCain.com [2008 senate campaign website] quoted in [http://www.ontheissues.org/domestic/John_McCain_Environment.htm "John McCain on environment"] OnTheIssues.org. Retrieved on September 25, 2014.</ref> In 2010, an independent analysis cleared the scientists involved of any wrongdoing ''as scientists'', but remarked upon their omissions as data-presenters. Accordingly, the effects of the scandal still linger.<ref>Whiteman, Hilary (July 7, 2010). [https://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/07/07/climategate.email.review/?hpt=Sbin "'Climategate' review clears scientists of dishonesty"]. CNN World. Retrieved on September 26, 2014.</ref>

Former Vice President [[Al Gore]] won a [[Nobel Prize]] in 2007 for claiming that there is a dangerous man-made global warming that threatens the world. However, it has since been revealed that he convinced many people through inaccurate information in his "documentary," i.e., he only won the Nobel Prize by lying. [See [[#Al_Gore.27s_Claims|Al Gore's claims]] below.]

The following facts can help dissuade even the most illogical of liberals from believing in the flawed theory of anthropogenic global warming.

=== Temperature flat ===
The overall temperature has been flat for about 16 years.<ref name="Rose">Rose, David (October 13, 2012). [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2217286/Global-warming-stopped-16-years-ago-reveals-Met-Office-report-quietly-released--chart-prove-it.html "Global warming stopped 16 years ago, reveals Met Office report quietly released...and here is the chart to prove it"]. MailOnline. Retrieved on September 26, 2014.</ref>

=== Data manipulation ===
Climate data stating otherwise has been proven to be manipulated.<ref>Multiple references:
*KUSI-TV (January 14, 2010). [http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=30000 "NASA caught in climate data manipulation; new revelations headlined on KUSI-TV climate special"]. SpaceRef. Retrieved on September 26, 2014.
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jasZcNQqsw "Climategate 2-US Government involved in data manipulation"] (January 16, 2010). YouTube video, 10:00, posted by Bigone5555J. Retrieved on September 26, 2014.</ref>

=== Alternate causation ===
Even if global warming did actually exist, the overall effect of human activities on global warming is minimal, if not nonexistent.<ref>Byrne, Dennis (August 30, 2011). [http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-08-30/news/ct-oped-0830-byrne-20110830_1_cosmic-rays-aerosols-magnetic-field "The real science trashers"]. ChicagoTribune. Retrieved on September 26, 2014.</ref>

==Science of global warming==
===Presence of CO2===

One of the primary concerns of Global Warming research is the increased presence of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. Original claims stated that the increase in carbon dioxide—which is a greenhouse gas—was caused primarily through the burning of [[fossil fuels]], and that such increases were the foremost cause of global temperatures rising. Historically, Global temperature changes precede changes in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.<ref>[http://www.skepticalscience.com/co2-lags-temperature.htm "CO2 lags temperature-what does it mean?"] (2007). SkepticalScience. Retrieved on September 26, 2014.</ref>

The most obvious way that this would occur would be through the heating of ocean water. The oceans are the single largest storage unit for carbon dioxide gas on the planet, containing about 93% of the Earth's carbon dioxide.<ref>[http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Bi-Ca/Carbon-Dioxide-in-the-Ocean-and-Atmosphere.html "Carbon dioxide in the ocean and atmosphere"] (2007). Water Encyclopedia. Retrieved on September 26, 2014</ref> As the temperature rises, the [[solubility]] of carbon dioxide in ocean water is reduced,<ref>[https://science.nasa.gov/earth-science/oceanography/ocean-earth-system/ocean-carbon-cycle/ "Carbon cycle"] (2010). NASA Science. Retrieved on September 26, 2014.</ref> causing the dissolved carbon dioxide gas to enter the atmosphere, and begin trapping radiation from the sun. Scientists now believe that this cycle causes a sort of chain effect, where increased temperature causes more carbon dioxide to enter the atmosphere, which in turn causes more temperature rise.

It is also noteworthy to point out that carbon dioxide, while not as abundant in the atmosphere, has a more significant effect on global warming than water vapor does. Carbon dioxide cannot form clouds, as water vapor does. When water vapor forms clouds, those clouds actually block some of the sun's radiation from reaching the Earth, causing water vapor to both contribute positively and negatively to global temperature rise. Carbon dioxide can only act as a greenhouse gas, causing the above-mentioned cyclic effect. According to the IPCC and others, the current concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere is about 392 ppm, which is the highest it has been in about 800,000 years.<ref>Tans, Pieter and Keeling, Ralph (2010). [http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/mlo.html "Trends in atmospheric carbon dioxide"]. NOAA/Earth System Research Laboratory Global Monitoring Division. Retrieved on September 26, 2014.</ref>

But other scientists have disputed this claim of modern-day record-high carbon dioxide readings:<ref name="dissidents"/>
<blockquote>Take Warsaw-based Professor Zbigniew Jaworowski, famous for his critiques of ice-core data. He’s devastating on the IPCC rallying cry that CO2 is higher now than it has ever been over the past 650,000 years. In his 1997 paper in the Spring ''21st Century Science and Technology'', he demolishes this proposition. In particular, he’s very good on pointing out the enormous inaccuracies in the ice-core data and the ease with which a CO2 reading from any given year is contaminated by the CO2 from entirely different eras. He also points out that from 1985 on there’s been some highly suspect editing of the CO2 data, presumably to reinforce the case for the "unprecedented levels" of modern CO2. In fact, in numerous papers prior to 1985, there were plenty of instances of CO2 levels much higher than current CO2 measurements, some even six times higher. He also points out that it is highly unscientific to merge ice-core temperature measurements with modern temperature measurements.</blockquote>

===The Modern Warm Period===
According to temperature reconstruction made within an [[Old Earth]] paradigm, there have been many cycles of naturally-caused global warming and cooling over many millions of years (see [[climate cycles]]). Some scientists, including [[Richard Lindzen]] of [[MIT]], [[Sallie Baliunas]] of [[Harvard]] and [[Fred Singer]] (independent), say that the recent warming could be part of another natural cycle or random fluctuations in the atmosphere.

Recent studies of the Milankovitch Cycles, which predict Earth's climate by studying changes in its orbit and axial tilt, suggest that we are currently 18,000 years into a 150,000 year period between ice ages. This would imply that we should expect the temperature to be rising anyway. A 2002 study by Berger and Loutre suggests 50,000 years of warmer weather before Earth begins to cool again, but that model incorporated anthropogenic forces and concluded:
<blockquote>While combinations of natural forcings produce a gradual warming up to about 1960, none of them leads to a warming over the last 30 years (this period containing three major volcanic eruptions). In contrast, simulations incorporating only anthropogenic forcings reproduce the warming over the last three decades at a rate consistent with that observed, but underestimate the early 20th century warming. As a consequence, only the use of both natural and anthropogenic forcings allows to reproduce much of the observed decadal scale variations of the annual mean hemispheric temperature over the last 150 years.<ref>Bertrand, Cédric, Loutre, Marie-France et al. (May 2002). [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1034/j.1600-0870.2002.00287.x/full "Climate of the last millennium: a sensitivity study"]. ''Tellus'' [Stockholm], vol. 54, iss. 3, pp. 221-244. Retrieved from Wiley Online Library on September 26, 2014.</ref></blockquote>

It should be noted, however, that computer simulated climate models are often tweaked so they agree with the historical temperature record. There is no way to completely simulate all of the Earth's climate with a computer program.

After a major set of temperature readings was found to be an incompatible mix of older and recent data (in the Climategate II scandal) in 2010, Judith Curry, chair of the School of Earth and Atmospheric Science at America's Georgia Tech university, examined new data causing her to state (as quoted by MailOnline):<ref name="Rose"/>

<blockquote>'Natural variability [the impact of factors such as long-term temperature cycles in the oceans and the output of the sun] has been shown over the past two decades to have a magnitude that dominates the greenhouse warming effect.</blockquote>

<blockquote>'It is becoming increasingly apparent that our attribution of warming since 1980 and future projections of climate change needs to consider natural internal variability as a factor of fundamental importance.'</blockquote>

The MailOnline article continued:

<blockquote>Professor Phil Jones, director of the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia, who found himself at the centre of the ‘Climategate’ scandal over leaked emails three years ago, would not normally be expected to agree with her.... Prof Jones also admitted that the climate models were imperfect: ‘We don’t fully understand how to input things like changes in the oceans, and because we don’t fully understand it you could say that natural variability is now working to suppress the warming. We don’t know what natural variability is doing.’</blockquote>

==Polar bears==
It was announced on the news that polar bears risk going extinct by the end of the twenty-first century if current carbon emissions continue.

===Sunspots===
Sunspot activity is a factor in climate fluctuations, however, little details were known about how much of an impact these fluctuations had on the Earth's climate. During the deepest solar minimum ever recorded, from 2005 to 2010, NASA measured the Earth's energy balance, i.e. the amount of energy absorbed by the sun subtract the amount of energy lost to radiation into space. They concluded:
<blockquote>If the Sun were the only climate forcing or the dominant climate forcing, then the planet would gain energy during the solar maxima, but lose energy during solar minima. The fact that Earth gained energy at a rate 0.58 W/m2 during a deep prolonged solar minimum reveals that there is a strong positive forcing overwhelming the negative forcing by below-average solar irradiance. That result is not a surprise, given knowledge of other forcings, but it provides unequivocal refutation of assertions that the Sun is the dominant climate forcing.<ref>Hansen, James, Sato, Makiko et al. (January 2012). [http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/briefs/hansen_16/ "Earth's energy imbalance"] nasa.gov/Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Retrieved on September 26, 2014.</ref></blockquote>
But heat energy is not the only force of the Sun affecting the Earth. The Sun also produces magnetic activity, the effect of which was not measured in this study, and which could affect the Earth's climate in little-understood ways. British astrophysicist Piers Corbyn, speaking in May 2017, claimed that low sunspot activity heralds a mini ice age which could last for 20 years.<ref>https://abruptearthchanges.com/2017/06/14/mini-ice-age-is-here-to-stay-says-astrophysicist/</ref>

==Economics of global warming==
While the marriage of anti-capitalists and alleged climate science is nothing new, Rep. [[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]] has introduced legislation as part of her [[Green New Deal]], [[reparations]] for minorities, a basic income, and [[Medicare for All]] as part of her "[[climate justice]]" program.<ref>https://news.grabien.com/story-ocasio-cortezs-green-new-deal-radical-mandate-government-con</ref>

===Unnecessary expansion of government===
The idea of dangerous anthropogenic (man-made) global warming (AGW) is promoted by liberals and socialists seeking greater government control over the production and use of energy, which is a substantial percentage of the economy. In economic terms, they would like to 'internalize' the 'externality,' which is to say that they think that producers of emissions should be directly connected to the consequences of those emissions, leading syndicated columnist [[Charles Krauthammer]] to warn of an impending "environmental shakedown".<ref>Krauthammer, Charles (December 11, 2009). [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/12/11/copenhagen_shakedown.html "The environmental shakedown"]. Real Clear Politics. Retrieved on September 27, 2014.</ref>

==Public stances on global warming==
In 2021 72% of Americans believed that global warming is real and 14% believed that there was not.<ref>[https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/visualizations-data/ycom-us/]</ref> However, the ''Daily Mail'' gives a figure of 63% of Americans who believe in climate change. Another survey in March 2021 conducted in the United States, found that some 70 percent of the respondents said they believed that global warming was happening. A much smaller share, 15 percent, believed global warming was not happening.<ref>[https://www.statista.com/statistics/663247/belief-of-global-warming-according-to-us-adults/]</ref> In the UK, according to a ''Daily Mail'' poll, "the public strongly supportsc [Conservative] [[Boris Johnson]]’s bid to curb climate change – but they are not prepared to pay more than £5 extra a week in tax to fund his trillion-pound green energy plans".<ref>[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10146089/Daily-Mail-poll-shows-strong-support-PMs-bid-curb-climate-change-public-fears-Cop26-flop.html]></ref> While little is known about public opinion in Russia, the Russian government is beginning to take climate change seriously. Vladimir Putin, who was for a long time a sceptic, said in 2021 that "climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. He reiterated this in connection with the climate summit in Glasgow in November this year".<ref>[https://sciencenorway.no/climate-policy-russia-society-and-culture/have-russian,-climate-scientists-convinced-vladimir-putin-that-climate-change-is-real/1956249]</ref>

===Climate change as a cult===
The zeal of climate-change advocates and lack of objectivity have led some observers to see it as a core belief in a new eco-theology, using themes of traditional Judeo-Christian beliefs. Columnist Deon Feder warns,<ref>Feder, Don (July 31, 2007). [http://archive.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=27579 "The cult of global warming"]. GrassTopsUSA.com. Retrieved from archive at FrontPageMag.com on September 27, 2014.</ref> that following other attempts such as Marxism, overpopulation, ''[[Silent Spring]]'',
<blockquote>now we have the Church of Global Warming, under the leadership of Pope Albert I and his college of cardinals (the [[Natural Resources Defense Council]], [[Sierra Club]] and editorial board of ''The New York Times'').</blockquote>

<blockquote>Its Office for the Propagation of the Faith works overtime, churning out books, movies (from the fictional “The Day After Tomorrow” to the fictional [[An Inconvenient Truth|“An Inconvenient Truth”]]), textbooks, concerts, congressional hearings, media pleading and inquisitions.</blockquote>

Commenting on the tendency to hastily issue dire warnings of Climate Change, seen in the coming [[Ice Age]] scare of the 70s, Maurizio Morabito<ref>Morabito, Maurizio (December 5, 2009). [http://www.spectator.co.uk/features/5592803/the-cias-global-cooling-files/ "The CIA’s ‘global cooling’ file"]. ''[[The Spectator]]''. Retrieved from The Spectator website on September 27, 2014.</ref> asked, "Is the problem with the general public, who cannot talk about climate except in doom-laden terms, and for whom the sky is the last animist god?"

Mark Steyn writes in ''Macleans'',<ref name="hot">Steyn, Mark (December 24, 2009). [http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/12/24/why-climate-change-is-hot-hot-hot/2/ "Why climate change is hot hot hot"]. Macleans. Retrieved on September 27, 2014.</ref>
<blockquote>
Forty years ago conventional religious belief was certainly in decline in what we once knew as Christendom, but the hole was not yet ozone-layer sized. Once the sea of faith had receded far from shore, the post-Christian West looked at what remained and found “Gaia.”</blockquote>

And while, "When man was made in the image of God, he was fallen but redeemable", among these devotees of [[Gaia]],
<blockquote>Anti-humanism is everywhere, not least in the barely concealed admiration for China’s (demographically disastrous) “One Child” policy advanced by everyone from the ''National Post''’s Diane Francis to Sir David Attenborough, the world’s leading telly naturalist but also a BBC exec who once long ago commissioned the great series ''The Ascent of Man''. If Sir David’s any guide, the great thing about man’s ascent is it gives him a higher cliff to nosedive off.</blockquote>

===Politics of global warming and dissent===
{{main|Politics of global warming}}
[[File:Global carbon emissions.PNG|right|300px|thumb|The [[Peoples Republic of China]] is responsible for 27% of global carbon emissions, more than all other developed nations combined.]]
Christine Stewart—Canadian Environment Ministry, "'''No matter if the science is all phony''', there are collateral environmental benefits.... [C]limate change [provides] the greatest chance to bring about justice and equality in the world."<ref>Stewart, Christine (December 14, 1998). ''Calgary Herald''. Reprinted at "Match these quotes" (December 2004). ''Resource Roundup'', p. 8. Reprinted at [http://www.aim.org/wls/use-environmentalism-to-change-the-world/ "Use environmentalism to change the world"]. Accuracy in Media, "What liberals say" series. Retrieved on September 27, 2014.</ref>

'Global Warming Now World's Most Boring Topic'<ref>Sheppard, Noel (July 17, 2007). [http://newsbusters.org/node/14467 "Hysterical satire: 'Global warming now world's most boring topic'"]. MRC NewsBusters. Retrieved on September 27, 2014.</ref>

The need to fight "global warming" has become part of the dogma of the liberal conscience.<ref name="cato">Lindzen, Richard (Spring 1992). [http://www.cato.org/regulation/spring-1992 "Global warming: The origin and nature of the alleged scientific consensus"]. ''Regulation'', vol. 15, no. 2. Retrieved from Cato Institute website on September 29, 2014.</ref>

Clearly, "global warming" is a tempting issue for many very important groups to exploit.
... dealing with the threat of warming fits in with a great variety of preexisting agendas [like] dissatisfaction with industrial society (neopastoralism), ... governmental desires for enhanced revenues (carbon taxes), and bureaucratic desires for enhanced power.<ref name="cato"/>

Mark Steyn writes in "Why climate change is hot hot hot",<ref name="hot"/>
<blockquote>
What’s also changed since the seventies is the nature of the UN and the transnational bureaucracies...“Aid” is a discredited word these days and comes with too many strings attached. But eco-credits sluiced through an oil-for-food program on steroids offers splendid new opportunities for bulking up an ambitious dictator’s Swiss bank accounts.</blockquote>

The IPCC is desperate to claim the 20th century—the warmest on record. Thus, tying the progress of modern mankind to our supposed planet imbalance problem. Unfortunately for the IPCC, that point is disputed as well. In 2008, it was discovered that tree rings in Finland were more accurate record of the warmest century. The current era was not the warmest period—it was the period between 931 and 1180.<ref>Birdnow, Timothy (June 24, 2008). [http://tbirdnow.mee.nu/archive/2008/6?page=2 "The trees of Finland; temperature readings and historical reconstruction"]. Birdnow's Aviary blog. Retrieved on September 29, 2014. With links to actual data sources.</ref>

Assessments of climate science by the [[United Nations]] (see [[IPCC]] — ''Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change'') have claimed that scientists are 90% sure that over 50% of the observed global warming in recent decades is human-caused, and that continued global warming should be expected over at least the next century.

Several prominent scientists have pointed out the [[politicized science]] of the UN's assessment methods. The scientific reports are submitted to a panel of representatives appointed by each country in the IPCC. Several scientists whose research demonstrates that climate change is taking place have complained about their work being misrepresented by the U.N.

In addition, a number of the participants have testified to the pressures placed on them to emphasize results supportive of the current scenario and to suppress other results. That pressure has frequently been effective, and a survey of participants reveals substantial disagreement with the final report.<ref name="cato" />

Richard Lindzen wrote:
:Perhaps more important are the pressures being brought to bear on scientists to get the "right" results. Such pressures are inevitable, given how far out on a limb much of the scientific community has gone. The situation is compounded by the fact that some of the strongest proponents of "global warming" in Congress are also among the major supporters of science (Sen. Gore is notable among those).<ref name="cato"/>

[[Christopher Monckton]] wrote an article entitled "Climate sensitivity reconsidered" which states that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change studies are flawed.<ref>Monckton, Christopher (July 2008). [http://www.aps.org/units/fps/newsletters/200807/monckton.cfm "Climate sensitivity reconsidered"]. ''Physics & Society'' newsletter. Retrieved from American Physical Society/Forum on Physics and Society website on September 29, 2014.</ref>

:The present analysis suggests that the failure of the IPCC's models to predict this and many other climatic phenomena arises from defects in its evaluation of the three factors whose product is climate sensitivity:

::Radiative forcing ΔF;
::The no-feedbacks climate sensitivity parameter κ; and
::The feedback multiplier ƒ.

:Some reasons why the IPCC’s estimates may be excessive and unsafe are explained. More importantly, the conclusion is that, perhaps, there is no “climate crisis”, and that currently-fashionable efforts by governments to reduce anthropogenic CO2 emissions are pointless, may be ill-conceived, and could even be harmful.

This was published on a forum of the American Physical Society with the following disclaimers: "The article has not undergone any scientific peer review" and "the APS disagrees with the article's conclusions". In fact, the APS disagrees with the article without ever reviewing it.

Ryan N. Maue:
:A doctoral student at the Department of Meteorology at Florida State University did a study of global tropical cyclone activity. Its conclusions state that global warming might be greatly overblown.<ref>Tribune-Review, The (March 21, 2009). [http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/s_617111.html# "Global warming? More doubts"]. TribLive [''Pittsburgh Tribune'' website]. Retrieved on September 29, 2014.</ref> Mr. Maue found that tropical cyclone activity worldwide "has completely and utterly collapsed" during the past two to three years with energy levels sinking to those of the late 1970s.

Dr. Vincent Gray:
:A member of the IPCC’s expert reviewers’ panel asserts, "There is no relationship between warming and the level of gases in the atmosphere," and "there is no serious threat to the climate"<ref>Hendrickson, Mark W. (May 25, 2009). [https://townhall.com/columnists/markwhendrickson/2009/05/25/a_closer_look_at_climate_change "A closer look at climate change"]. Townhall.com. Retrieved on September 29, 2014. "The panic over global warming is totally unjustified" says Vice Chair, IPCC.</ref>

Joe D’Aleo: Climatologist:
:The International Climate and Environmental Change Assessment Project says new data "show that in five of the last seven decades since World War II, including this one, global temperatures have cooled while carbon dioxide has continued to rise," and "'''The data suggest cooling''', not warming, in Earth's future."<ref>[https://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=92557 "Shocker: 'Global warming' simply no longer happening"] (March 22, 2009). WND. Retrieved on September 29, 2014.</ref>

Dr. John S. Theon:
:Retired senior NASA atmospheric [[scientist]], Dr. John S. Theon, the former boss of global warming alarmist James Hansen of [[NASA]], rebukes him, declaring “climate models are useless.” “My own belief concerning anthropogenic climate change is that the models do not realistically simulate the climate system because there are many very important sub-grid scale processes that the models either replicate poorly or completely omit,” “Furthermore, some scientists have manipulated the observed data to justify their model results."<ref>Blumer, Tom (January 28, 2009). [http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tom-blumer/2009/01/28/former-boss-rebukes-nasa-global-warming-alarmist-hansen-agw-skeptic "Former boss rebukes NASA global warming alarmist Hansen, is AGW skeptic"]. MRC NewsBusters. Retrieved on September 29, 2014.</ref>

Sammy Wilson—Ireland's environment minister
:He argues that global weather patterns are naturally cooling, not warming. He calls television ads that promote global warming as "an insidious propaganda campaign" peddling "patent nonsense."<ref>Pogatchnik, Shawn (February 9, 2009). [http://cnsnews.com/news/article/belfast-environment-chief-bans-climate-change-ads "Belfast environment chief bans climate change ads"]. Associated Press. Retrieved from CNSNews.com on September 29, 2014.</ref>

After the broadcast of his movie '[[The Great Global Warming Swindle]]', filmmaker Martin Durkin's statements read<ref>Goodenough, Patrick (July 22, 2008). [http://cnsnews.com/news/article/uk-broadcaster-scolded-film-global-warming-swindle "UK broadcaster scolded for film on global warming"]. CNSNews. Retrieved on September 29, 2014.</ref>

*“Everywhere you are told that man-made [[climate change]] is proved beyond doubt,” “But you are being told lies.”
*“This is a story of how a theory about climate turned into a political [[ideology]] ... it is the story of the distortion of a whole area of [[science]].”
*“as the frenzy over man-made global warming grows shriller, many senior scientists say the actual scientific basis for the [[theory]] is crumbling.”

In late 2008, the [[AP]] published an article by its Science Writer Seth Borenstein, which is seen by skeptics as another example of one-sided, uncritical reporting on the issue by [[liberal media]]. The report stated that global warming was "a ticking time bomb that President-elect Barack Obama can't avoid", and that "We're out of time", with Al Gore calling the situation "the equivalent of a five-alarm fire that has to be addressed immediately."<ref>Borenstein, Seth (December 14, 2008). [https://web.archive.org/web/20081215162025/https://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D952LKOO1&show_article=1 "Obama left with little time to curb global warming"]. Associated Press. Reprinted at Breitbart.com. Retrieved from December 15, 2008 archive at Internet Archive on September 29, 2014.</ref> In response, Fox News (December 16, 2008) reported that scientists skeptical of anthropogenic global warming criticized the report as "irrational hysteria," "horrifically bad" and "incredibly biased", containing sweeping scientific errors and being a one-sided portrayal of a complicated issue. Geology professor [[David Deming]] stated, "If the issues weren't so serious and the ramifications so profound, I would have to laugh at it", and accused Borenstein of "writing a polemic and reporting it as fact." Deming noted that "the mean global temperature, at least as measured by satellite, is now the same as it was in the year 1980. In the last couple of years sea level has stopped rising. Hurricane and cyclone activity in the northern hemisphere is at a 24-year low and sea ice globally is also the same as it was in 1980." The AP responded to criticism by stating that, "It’s a news story, based on fact and the clearly expressed views of President-elect Barack Obama and others."<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,468084,00.html "Scientists call AP Report on global warming 'hysteria'"] (December 16, 2008). Fox News website. Retrieved on September 29, 2014.</ref>

Also in the discussion of the biased AP report, Michael R. Fox, a retired nuclear scientist and chemistry professor from the University of Idaho stated, "There is little evidence to believe that man-made carbon dioxide is causing temperature fluctuation. Other factors, including sun spots, solar winds, variations in the solar magnetic field and solar irradiation, could all be affecting temperature changes."

The year 2008 turned out to be the coolest year since 2000, yet the seventh to tenth warmest year on record, according to the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110725075133/http://news.eoportal.org/research/090127_res3.html "2008 global temperature"] (January 21, 2009). EO [Earth Observation]. Retrieved from July 25, 2011 archive at Internet Archive on September 29, 2014.</ref> According to a preliminary analysis by NOAA's National Climatic Data Center, the average June–August 2009 summer temperature for the contiguous United States was below average—the 34th coolest on record.<ref>[http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/20090910_summerstats.html "NOAA: Summer temperature below average for U.S."] (September 10, 2009). NOAA. Retrieved on September 29, 2014.</ref>

Richard S. Courtney, a U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) expert reviewer and a U.K.-based climate and atmospheric science consultant says "Rubbish! Global warming is not 'accelerating," and "...that anybody who proclaims that 'Global warming is accelerating' is a liar, a fool, or both."<ref>Brennan, Phil (December 16, 2008). [https://www.newsmax.com/brennan/global-warming-debunked/2009/12/12/id/341719/ "Global warming’s last gasp"]. NewsMax. Retrieved on September 29, 2014.</ref>

Don J. Easterbrook, Ph.D., emeritus professor of geology at Western Washington University, asked, "What does it take to ignore 10 years of global cooling....? The answer is really quite simple—just follow the money!"
==== Belief in global warming and political and religious views ====

The more religious an individual is, the more likely they are to disbelieve in global warming. In 2014, whereas 80% of Americans [[Atheism|atheists]] believed in climate change, only 56% of all very religious Americans did.<ref name="randalolson.com">[http://www.randalolson.com/2014/09/13/who-are-the-climate-change-deniers/ Statistics on belief in climate change], Randal S. Olson</ref>

In 2014, 86% of [[Democrats]] accepted climate change, whereas half of all [[Republican]]s disbelieve in global warming.<ref name="randalolson.com"/>

===== Evangelicals =====
In 2008 86 evangelical pastors, including Rev. Dr.[[Rick Warren]] signed a statement titled "Climate Change: An Evangelical Call to Action", which called on Christians to acknowledge the moral importance of action to counteract man-made climate change. the statement includes specific support for market-based CO2 reductions such as a cap-and-trade program.<ref>Evangelical Climate Initiative (2006). [https://web.archive.org/web/20140201232519/http://christiansandclimate.org/statement/ "ECI Statement"]. Climate Change: An Evangelical Call to Action. Retrieved from February 1, 2014 archive at Internet Archive on September 29, 2014.</ref> In contrast, a group of evangelical scholars, comprised of scientists, economists and theologians, contend that the liberal view of pending catastrophe caused by climate change is misleading and/or exaggerated.<ref>Vu, Michelle A. (December 4, 2009). [http://www.christianpost.com/article/20091204/evangelicals-push-back-against-climate-change-hoax/pageall.html "Evangelicals push back against global warming doom"] The Christian Post website. Retrieved on September 29, 2014.</ref>

===The Bill Nye challenge===

In April 2016 science popularizer "[[Bill Nye|Bill Nye the Science Guy]]" took the debate up to the "put your money where your mouth is" level. He issued two bets, of $10,000 each, with Joe Bastardi, a "climate change contrarian" and frequent critic of Nye. One bet was that "2016 will be in the top 10 of hottest years on record", and that "this current decade will be the warmest ever recorded".<ref>[http://time.com/4301258/bill-nye-sarah-palin-climate-change-bet/ The Bill Nye climate change bet].</ref> As of late May Mr. Bastardi has not taken up the offer.

==Inaccuracies of global warming evidence==
===Climate "science" fraud===
{{main|Climategate}}

The [[Climategate#Climategate scandal|Climategate scandal]] revealed how liberal scientists appeared to be deceiving the public with the use of fraudulent data for use as climate science. The [[liberal media]] has attempted to bury the story and discount it as the work of computer hackers illegally stealing data. However, [[FOIA|Freedom of Information]] requests are likely what led to the data being leaked — intentionally.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20091212190817/http://www.junkscience.com/ JunkScience.com] (December 12, 2009). Retrieved from December 12, 2009 archive at Internet Archive on September 29, 2014.</ref> Dr. Willie Soon, a [[physicist]], [[astronomer]] and climate researcher at the solar and stellar physics division of the [[Harvard University]]-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, said in an interview, "[The Climatic Research Unit climate scientists] are making scientific progress more difficult now. This is a shameful, dark day for science." Dr. Soon also suggested that there has been systemic suppression of dissenting opinion among scientists in the climate change community, ranging from social snubs to e-mail stalking and even threats of harm.<ref>Koprowski, Gene J. (December 1, 2009). [https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,578368,00.html "Global warming scandal makes scientific progress more difficult, experts say"]. Fox News website. Retrieved on September 30, 2014. See [[Fox News]].</ref>

[[Image:GoreFireBreathing.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Al Gore's [[Schlockumentary]] under fire; ''[[An Inconvenient Truth]]'' found to be an inconvenient [[lie]] based on [[junk science]] and digitally enhanced, totally faked scenes of polar icecaps melting.]]

===Liberal claims of "consensus"===
Reports of a scientific "consensus" among scientists are similar to their one-sided support of other [[liberal]] policies and beliefs. For example, nearly 100% of political donations from professors are to [[Democrats]] rather than to Republicans. Similarly, according to NASA, 97% of climate scientists believe that climate-warming trends over the past century are very likely due to human activities.<ref>NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory-California Institute of Technology Earth Science Communications Team (2013). [http://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus "Consensus"]. NASA website/Global Climate Change. Retrieved on September 30, 2014.</ref> These liberal scientists believe, or say they believe, that the Earth is warming overall, and that this warming, as well as other changes in climate patterns, is largely caused by human activities.<ref>Multiple references:
*Anderegg, William R. L., Prall, James W. et al. (July 6, 2010). [http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2010/06/04/1003187107.full.pdf+html "Expert credibility in climate change."] ''Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences'', vol. 107, no. 27, pp. 12107-12109. Retrieved from PNAS.org on September 30, 2014.
*[http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/spmsspm-understanding-and.html "Working group I: The physical science basis/Summary for policy makers/Understanding and attributing climate change"] (2007). ''IPCC Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007.'' Retrieved from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change website on September 30, 2014.</ref> These allegations do not necessarily make the consensus true, as discussed throughout the referenced citation. Numerous scientists, especially those outside of university faculties, have been critical of anthropogenic global warming. However, according to some researchers, scientists who do not support the anthropogenic global warming theory have a general lack of comparative credentials; proponents of man-made global warming argue that this has led to agreement that, among authorities in scientific disciplines, there is a "[[scientific consensus]]" supporting the theory for greater government control. Scientists skeptical of the theory question whether there is a financial incentive for supporting research.<ref>Chesser, Paul (October 25, 2007). [http://www.seattlepi.com/local/opinion/article/Be-wary-of-climate-policy-development-1253536.php "Be wary of climate policy development"]. Seattle Post-Intelligencer website. Retrieved on September 30, 2014.</ref> It has also been documented that on most college campuses criticism of the global warming theory is silenced or censored; evidence shows that scientists skeptical of AGW are being suppressed.<ref>Multiple references:
*O'Neill, Brendan (October 6, 2006). [http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/article/1782/ "Global warming: The chilling effect on free speech"]. Sp!ked. Retrieved on September 30, 2014.
*Schilling, Chelsea (June 24, 2009). [https://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=102031 "EPA's own research expert 'shut up' on climate change"]. WND. Retrieved on September 30, 2014.</ref>

It is well understood that most media companies do not offer balanced reporting. Many politicians have bought into the liberal claim of consensus, for example Barack Obama's views, "Few challenges facing America and the world are more urgent than fighting climate change. The science is beyond dispute and the facts are clear."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090331121618/http://www.cato.org/special/climatechange/ "Climate change reality"] (March 2009). Cato Institute website. Retrieved on September 30, 2014.</ref> In fact, many scientists disagree with the "facts," regarding their certainty, and their interpretation. Over 100 of them have signed the statement that appears in the Cato Institute's newspaper ad. Liberals have failed to back up their claims with any scientific facts.

[[File:ad.jpg|center]]

According to 80 graphs published in 58 peer-reviewed scientific papers in the first five months of 2017 alone, catastrophic anthropogenic global warming does not exist.<ref>Delingpole, James (June 6, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/06/06/delingpole-global-warming-is-myth-58-scientific-papers-2017/ DELINGPOLE: ‘Global Warming’ Is a Myth, Say 58 Scientific Papers in 2017]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 7, 2017.</ref> By October 2017, the number of peer-reviewed papers rejecting global warming had increased to 400.<ref>Delingpole, James (October 24, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/10/24/delingpole-now-400-scientific-papers-in-2017-say-global-warming-is-a-myth/ Delingpole: Now 400 Scientific Papers in 2017 Say ‘Global Warming’ Is a Myth]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 24, 2017.</ref>

===Past speculation===

Speculation and warnings of catastrophic climate change are not unprecedented. In 2001 the ''Guardian'' noted that some 70s headlines shouted, "Brace yourself for another ice age". In 1971 the journal ''Science'' reported that the subsequent cooling effect resulting from a possible eightfold increase in atmospheric aerosol concentrations, "if sustained over a period of several years—is believed to be sufficient to trigger an ice age."<ref>George, Alison (June 28, 2001). [https://www.theguardian.com/science/2001/jun/28/physicalsciences.highereducation "Breaking the ice"]. The Guardian website. Retrieved on September 30, 2014. See [[Guardian (UK)]].</ref>

[[Richard Lindzen]] wrote in 1992 on the doubtfulness of man-caused warming on Earth.
{{Cquote|Indeed, a recent Gallup poll of climate scientists in the American Meteorological Society and in the American Geophysical Union shows that a vast majority doubt that there has been any identifiable man-caused warming to date (49 percent asserted no, 33 percent did not know, 18 percent thought some has occurred; however, among those actively involved in research and publishing frequently in peer-reviewed research journals, none believes that any man-caused global warming has been identified so far).<ref name="cato"/>}}

Oddly enough, even though 82% of US climate scientists refused to support the global warming theory then, [[liberal]] activists were already claiming a scientific consensus for [[anthropogenic global warming]]. (It's hard to understand how 18 percent credence in ''any'' global warming translates into "consensus" support for ''human-caused'' global warming.)

The campaign to convince the public (and their elected representatives) that the "science is settled" began in 1988 or 1989.

By the 2008 elections both candidates for the Presidency of the United States were proposing plans to mitigate climate change.

Over 31,000 American scientists have signed the petition rejecting global warming.<ref>[http://www.petitionproject.org/ "Global warming petition project"] (2008). Global Warming Petition Project. Retrieved on September 30, 2014.</ref>

[[Image:Teller_Card_100dpi.jpg|600px|center|thumb| Global Warming Petition]]

In June, 1974, ''[[Time]]'' magazine published its front-page article, ''Science: Another Ice Age?'',<ref name="Time"/> while a report by the [[CIA]] in the same year stated that, "The western world's leading climatologists have confirmed recent reports of a detrimental global climatic change”, noting such things as that the "world's snow and ice cover had increased by at least 10 to 15 percent", and in the "Canadian area of [[Arctic]] Greenland, below normal temperatures were recorded for 19 consecutive months", which was unique during the last 100 years. A "major climatic shift" was speculated, which would threaten the "the stability of most nations.” It further warned that "Scientists are confident that unless man is able to effectively modify the climate, the northern regions, such as Canada" to "major areas in northern China, will again be covered with 100 to 200 feet of ice and snow", within the next 2500 years—or sooner.<ref>Central Intelligence Agency (August 1974). [http://www.climatemonitor.it/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/1974.pdf ''A Study of Climatological Research as it Pertains to Intelligence Problems''], pp. 1, 5, 7, 16. Retrieved from Climatemonitor [Italy] on September 30, 2014.</ref>

Also in 1974, Nigel Calder, former editor of ''New Scientist'' and atmospheric researcher, wrote in his book ''The Weather Machine'', "One might argue that there is a virtual certainty of the next ice age starting some time in the next 2000 years. Then the odds are only about 20-to-1 against it beginning in the next 100 years."

In 1975 the liberal magazine ''[[Newsweek]]'' reported that "Meteorologists disagree about the cause and extent of the cooling trend,...but they are almost unanimous in the view that the trend will reduce agricultural productivity for the rest of the century." These authorities were skeptical that political leaders would take any positive action to compensate for the [[climate change]], and they conceded that the more dramatic solutions, such as melting the arctic ice cap, might create worse problems than that which they were designed to solve.<ref>Gwynne, Peter (April 28, 1975). [http://denisdutton.com/newsweek_coolingworld.pdf "The cooling world"]. ''Newsweek''. Retrieved from DenisDutton.com on September 30, 2014. Caution: Copyrighted material; for fair educational use only.</ref>

===Natural variability of the climate system===
It is virtually universally accepted amongst secular climatologists that the earth has experienced numerous [[Ice Age|ice age]]s over two million years, during which global temperatures fluctuated, creating glacial and inter-glacial periods. The frigid temperatures allowed ice sheets to expand southward, covering much of [[Asia]], [[Europe]], and [[North America]]. The cooling associated with ice ages is gradual, while the terminations are relatively rapid. However, even the rapid terminations of ice ages take centuries to millennia.

===Natural climate change on other planets===

Since the [[Viking spacecraft]] reached [[Mars]] in the 1970s until recent readings were taken, the average temperature on Mars has risen {{temperature|0.6|1.1}} just as the average temperature on the earth has risen. Since human industrialization is clearly not to blame for the change on Mars, other causes are being considered. One possibility is that dust storms are changing the albedo of the planet, allowing it to warm, while another possibility is that solar variations from the sun are causing the warming.<ref>Multiple references:
*Than, Ker (April 4, 2007). [http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/070404_gw_mars.html "Dust storms fuel global warming on Mars"]. Space.com. Retrieved on September 30, 2014.
*Taylor, James M. (November 1, 2005). [http://www.heartland.org/Article.cfm?artId=17977 "Mars is warming, NASA scientists report"]. Heartlander Magazine. Retrieved on September 30, 2014.</ref>

Recently, it has also been found that similar to the Earth and Mars, [[Neptune]] is also undergoing global warming. Measurements taken at the Lowell observatory in [[Arizona]] have shown an increase in Neptune's brightness and temperature since 1980 following the same pattern seen on Earth and Mars. The researchers who discovered this warming suggest there may be a correlation between the warming and solar variations.<ref>Hammel, H. B. and Lockwood, G. W. (April 8, 2007). [http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2007.../2006GL028764.shtml "Suggestive correlations between the brightness of Neptune, solar variability, and Earth's temperature"]. ''Geophysical Research Letters''. Retrieved from Wiley Online Library on September 30, 2014.</ref>

[[Pluto]] has also been found to be undergoing global warming. The overall temperature increase on Pluto has been greater than that on the earth.<ref>Britt, Robert Roy (October 9, 2002). [http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/pluto_warming_021009.html "Global warming on Pluto puzzles scientists"]. Space.com. Retrieved on September 30, 2014.</ref>

On the other hand, [[Uranus]] has had no net change in temperature since 1977. A rapid increase in temperature reversed itself. The reasons for this are not understood.<ref>Young, Leslie A., Bosh, Amanda S. et al. (October 2001). [http://www.boulder.swri.edu/~layoung/eprint/ur149/Young2001Uranus.pdf "Uranus after solstice: Results from the 1998 November 6 occultation"]. ''Icarus'', vol. 153, iss. 2, pp. 236-247. Retrieved from Southwest Research Institute [Boulder, CO] website on September 30, 2014.</ref>

Global temperatures change on other planets even when there is no life, something which strongly supports the idea that humans are not necessarily the cause of earth's global warming. Moreover, the temperature on Uranus has fluctuated back and forth. There is no reason that fluctuations cannot occur on earth, too.

Although measurements have been made of the temperatures of other planets, these are by no means thorough or comparable with the measurements used for earth. The short space of time over which measurements have been taken and the very limited spatial coverage mean that reliable average figures have not been obtained. They have certainly not been taken extensively enough to produce a five-year average temperature, which is the standard when determining temperature trends on earth.

However, if accurate measurements could be made, and their accuracy and reliability are improving over time, then they may prove useful to climate science. Their different atmospheres and distances from the sun provide natural laboratories to study climatic changes without human influences. Though of course they will not be directly comparable due to the vast differences.

===Al Gore's claims===
[[File:Gore GlobalWarming.jpg|right|200px]]
The decision by the government to distribute Al Gore's film, ''An Inconvenient Truth'', became the subject of a legal challenge by [[New Party]] member Stewart Dimmock. A school governor from Dover and father of two, Dimmock charged the Government with brainwashing children with propaganda by presenting Gore's sci-fi film as science. In October 2007, Mr Justice Burton of London's High Court found that while the film was "broadly accurate", it contained nine significant errors,“in which statements were made that were not supported by the current mainstream scientific consensus”, some of which had arisen in “the context of alarmism and exaggeration”. He also found the Guidance Notes drafted by the Education Secretary's advisers only worked to exacerbate the political propaganda in the film.<ref>Multiple references:
*Sheppard, Marc (July 14, 2009). [https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/07/clearly_its_al_gore_whos_in_de.html "Clearly it's Al Gore who's in denial"]. American Thinker. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.
*Smith, Lewis (October 11, 2007). [https://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/law/article2210175.ece "Al Gore’s inconvenient judgment"]. The Times website. Retrieved on October 1, 2014. Fee required to see article.
*Smith, Lewis (October 11, 2007). [http://www.uio.no/studier/emner/matnat/ifi/MNSES9100/h11/undervisningsmateriale/literature/Al%20Gore%E2%80%99s%20inconvenient%20judgement%20times%202007.pdf "Al Gore’s inconvenient judgment"]. The Times website. Retrieved from University of Oslo/Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science website on October 1, 2014. Caution: Copyrighted; for fair educational use only.</ref>

Taken from the official transcript,<ref>Burton, Mr Justice Michael (October 10, 2007). [http://noteviljustwrong.com/images/nejw/docs/22161.pdf "Stuart Dimmock and Secretary of State for Education and Skills"]. United Kingdom of Great Britain's High Court of Justice/Queen's Bench Division/Administrative Court. Retrieved from Not Evil Just Wrong on October 1, 2014.</ref> the nine errors the judge found were:

*1. Sea level rise of up to 20 feet (7 metres) will be caused by melting of either West Antarctica or Greenland in the near future. This is distinctly alarmist, and part of Mr Gore's 'wake-up call'. It is common ground that if indeed Greenland melted, it would release this amount of water, but only after, and over, millennia, so that the Armageddon scenario he predicts, insofar as it suggests that sea level rises of 7 metres might occur in the immediate future, is not in line with the scientific consensus.

*2. Low lying inhabited Pacific atolls are being inundated because of anthropogenic global warming. In scene 20, Mr Gore states "that's why the citizens of these Pacific nations have all had to evacuate to New Zealand". There is no evidence of any such evacuation having yet happened.

*3. Shutting down of the "Ocean Conveyor". According to the IPCC, it is very unlikely that the Ocean Conveyor (known technically as the Meridional Overturning Circulation or thermohaline circulation) will shut down in the future, though it is considered likely that thermohaline circulation may slow down.

*4. Direct coincidence between rise in CO2 in the atmosphere and in temperature, by reference to two graphs. In scenes 8 and 9, Mr Gore shows two graphs relating to a period of 650,000 years, one showing rise in CO2 and one showing rise in temperature, and asserts (by ridiculing the opposite view) that they show an exact fit. Although there is general scientific agreement that there is a connection, the two graphs do not establish what Mr Gore asserts.

*5. The snows of Kilimanjaro. The film asserted that melting snows on Mount Kilimanjaro evidenced global warming. The Government's expert had to admit that this is not correct. Mr Gore asserts in scene 7 that the disappearance of snow on Mt Kilimanjaro is expressly attributable to global warming. It is noteworthy that this is a point that specifically impressed Mr Milliband (see the press release quoted at paragraph 6 above). However, it is common ground that, the scientific consensus is that it cannot be established that the recession of snows on Mt Kilimanjaro is mainly attributable to human-induced climate change.

*6. Lake Chad etc. The drying up of Lake Chad is used as a prime example of a catastrophic result of global warming. However, it is generally accepted that the evidence remains insufficient to establish such an attribution. It is apparently considered to be far more likely to result from other factors, such as population increase and over-grazing, and regional climate variability.

*7. Hurricane Katrina. In scene 12 Hurricane Katrina and the consequent devastation in New Orleans is ascribed to global warming. It is common ground that there is insufficient evidence to show that.

*8. Death of polar bears. In scene 16, by reference to a dramatic graphic of a polar bear desperately swimming through the water looking for ice, Mr Gore says: "A new scientific study shows that for the first time they are finding polar bears that have actually drowned swimming long distances up to 60 miles to find the ice. They did not find that before." The only scientific study that either side before me can find is one which indicates that four polar bears have recently been found drowned because of a storm.

*9. Coral reefs. In scene 19, Mr Gore says: "Coral reefs all over the world because of global warming and other factors are bleaching and they end up like this. All the fish species that depend on the coral reef are also in jeopardy as a result. Overall specie loss is now occurring at a rate 1000 times greater than the natural background rate." The actual scientific view, as recorded in the IPCC report, is that, if the temperature were to rise by 1-3 degrees Centigrade, there would be increased coral bleaching and widespread coral mortality, unless corals could adapt or climatize, but that separating the impacts of climate change-related stresses from other stresses, such as over-fishing and polluting, is difficult.

Dimmock's lawyer, Mr. Downes, argued that by schools making available such film to its teachers, and if teachers then showed such film to their pupils, then this would inevitably result "in the promotion of partisan political views in the teaching of any subject in the school, which is thus not only not being forbidden by the local education authority (and the DES), but being positively facilitated by them."

Mr Justice Barton stressed that the “apocalyptic vision” presented in the film was politically partisan and not an impartial analysis of the science of climate change. “It is now common ground that it is not simply a science film—although it is clear that it is based substantially on scientific research and opinion—but that it is a political film.

Justice Barton also stated that, “I conclude that the claimant substantially won this case by virtue of my finding that, but for the new guidance note, the film would have been distributed in breach of sections 406 and 407 of the 1996 Education Act.”<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7037671.stm "Gore climate film's nine 'errors'"] (October 11, 2007). BBC News website. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.</ref>

In order for the film to be shown, the Government must first amend their Guidance Notes to Teachers to make clear that

*1. The Film is a political work and promotes only one side of the argument.

*2. If teachers present the Film without making this plain they may be in breach of section 406 of the Education Act 1996 and guilty of political indoctrination.

*3. Nine inaccuracies have to be specifically drawn to the attention of school children.<ref>[http://www.newparty.co.uk/articles/inaccuracies-gore.html "Inaccuracies in Al Gore's 'An Inconvenient Truth'"] (October 2007). The New Party [U.K.]. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.</ref>

Science and Public Policy took issue with the response to the ruling by Al Gore's spokesman and environment adviser, and asserted that his film contains ''35 Inconvenient Truths''.<ref>Monckton, Christopher (October 19, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20140915002809/http://scienceandpublicpolicy.org/monckton/goreerrors.html "35 inconvenient truths: The errors in Al Gore's movie"]. The Science and Public Policy Institute website. Retrieved from September 15, 2014 archive at Internet Archive on October 1, 2014.</ref>

Regarding his claims that the snow cap atop Africa's Mt. Kilimanjaro is shrinking and that global warming is to blame, the November 23, 2003, issue of ''Nature'' magazine stated,

: "Although it's tempting to blame the ice loss on global warming, researchers think that deforestation of the mountain's foothills is the more likely culprit. Without the forests' humidity, previously moisture-laden winds blew dry. No longer replenished with water, the ice is evaporating in the strong equatorial sunshine."

Many conservatives see Al Gore as an example of [[liberals]] using [[deceit]]ful tactics in important debates, in order to make a position seem more solid than it is.

===Scientists===

[[Image:Rogerrevelle.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Roger Revelle]]

{|
| valign="top" width="35%"|
* [[Roger Revelle]]
* [[Achim Steiner]]
* [[Fred Singer]]
* [[Richard Lindzen]]
* [[Sallie Baliunas]]
* [[Lonnie Thompson]]
| valign="top" width="33%"|
* [[James E. Hansen]]
* [[Michael Mann]]
* [[Charles Keeling]]
* [[Edwin A. Hernández-Delgado]]
|}

====Hal Lewis====
[[Liberal]] claims of global warming led to the resignation in October 2010 by Professor Hal Lewis from The American Physical Society because of "the global warming scam, with the (literally) trillions of dollars driving it, that has corrupted so many scientists, and has carried APS before it like a rogue wave. '''It is the greatest and most successful pseudoscientific fraud I have seen in my long life as a physicist'''."<ref>Lewis, Hal (October 8, 2010). [https://web.archive.org/web/20140212001321/http://www.thegwpf.org/hal-lewis-my-resignation-from-the-american-physical-society/ "Hal Lewis: My resignation from the American Physical Society"]. The Global Warming Policy Foundation website. Retrieved from February 12, 2014 archive at Internet Archive on October 1, 2014.</ref>

===Critique of the "Hockey Stick" reconstruction===
::''See also: [[Climategate#Hockey Stick Graph|Climategate: hockey stick graph]]''

*Shabecoff, Philip, [https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/26/us/us-data-since-1895-fail-to-show-warming-trend.html U.S. Data Since 1895 Fail To Show Warming Trend], ''New York Times'', January 26, 1989
*[http://blogs.nature.com/climatefeedback/2007/05/the_decay_of_the_hockey_stick.html The Decay of the Hockey Stick by Von Storch] published on the journal ''Nature'''s blog, May 3, 2007.
*Stephen McIntyre and Ross McKitrick, "[http://climateaudit.files.wordpress.com/2005/09/mcintyre.mckitrick.2003.pdf Corrections To The Mann et al. (1998) Proxy Data Base And Northern Hemispheric Average Temperature Series], ''Energy & Environment'' volume 14, 2003.
*[http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/13830/ A Global Warming Bombshell] by Richard A. Muller, ''Technology Review'', Oct. 2004; calls into question famous graph by Michael Mann.
*[http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/306/5696/679 Reconstructing Past Climate from Noisy Data] by Hans von Storch, Eduardo Zorita, Julie M. Jones, Yegor Dimitriev, Fidel González-Rouco, Simon F. B. Tett, ''Science'' magazine, 22 October 2004.
*[http://www.image.ucar.edu/~boli/manuscripts/2007-LNA-TeA.pdf The ‘hockey stick’ and the 1990s: a statistical perspective on reconstructing hemispheric temperatures] by Bo Li, Douglas W. Nychka and Casper M. Ammann, ''Institute for Mathematics Applied to Geosciences''; (Manuscript received 22 March 2007; in final form 28 June 2007).
*[http://www.21stcenturysciencetech.com/2006_articles/IceCoreSprg97.pdf Ice Core Data Show No Carbon Dioxide Increase] by Zbigniew Jaworowski, Ph.D., Spring 1997; this article examines one of the main pillars of the global warming thesis.
*[http://climateaudit.files.wordpress.com/2005/09/mcintyre.ee.2005.pdf The M&M Critique of the MBH98 Northern Hemisphere Climate Index: Update and Implications] (''Energy & Environment'', vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 69–100, January 2005) - Stephen McIntyre, Ross McKitrick
*[http://climateaudit.files.wordpress.com/2005/09/mcintyre.grl.2005.pdf Hockey sticks, principal components, and spurious significance] (''Geophysical Research Letters'', vol. 32, February 2005) - Stephen McIntyre, Ross McKitrick

*Dalmia, Shikha (December 2, 2009). [https://www.forbes.com/2009/12/01/climategate-scandal-science-obama-opinions-columnists-shikha-dalmia.html "Cringing over Climategate"]. Forbes website. Retrieved on September 25, 2014.
*Taylor, James (November 23, 2011). [https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamestaylor/2011/11/23/climategate-2-0-new-e-mails-rock-the-global-warming-debate/ "Climategate 2.0: New e-mails rock the global warming debate"]. Forbes website. Retrieved on September 25, 2014.
*Bailey, Ronald (December 26, 2012). [http://reason.com/blog/2012/12/26/34-years-of-satellite-temperature-data-s "34 years of satellite temperature data show global warming is on a plateau"]. Hit & Run Blog/[[Reason.com]]. Retrieved on September 25, 2014.
*Cole, Steve and McCarthy, Leslie (January 12, 2011). [https://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/2010-warmest-year.html "NASA research finds 2010 tied for warmest year on record"]. NASA website. Retrieved on September 25, 2014.
*Tisdale, Bob (August 10, 2012). [http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/08/10/not-hot-ocean-sst-around-the-usa-not-anywhere-near-record-levels/ "Not so hot—ocean temperatures around the USA are not anywhere near record levels"]. Watts Up with That? Retrieved on September 25, 2014.</ref>


==Effects of global warming==
===Beneficial effects of global warming===
[[File:Autumn foliage.jpg|thumb|Canoing on a Colorful Day, (NY).]]
Some researchers point out that health benefits of global warming have been overlooked, or minimized. As far back as 1996, Thomas Gale Moore, Senior Fellow at Hoover Institution (Stanford University) contended that positive health and amenity effects would be a result of projected increases in temperature.<ref>Moore, Thomas Gale (May 30, 1996). [http://www.stanford.edu/~moore/health.html "Health and amenity effects of global warming"]. Stanford University/Thomas Gale Moore webpage. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.</ref>

Another source notes,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20081223011000/http://www.bionomicfuel.com/what-are-the-benefits-of-global-warming/ "What are the benefits of global warming?"] (November 3, 2008). Bionomicfuel.com. Retrieved from December 21, 2008 archive at Internet Archive on October 1, 2014.</ref>

<blockquote>In areas that see extreme cold temperatures, deaths related to colder weather would drop significantly, leading to decreased health care costs, while areas that already have hot climates will see no increase. Warmer temperatures would also mean less energy use to heat homes and buildings, helping to conserve energy as cooling is much more energy efficient. With the changes brought about by global warming more land that is not lost to desert and/or rising sea levels would become available for uses like farming and living. Forests and plants would grow stronger, healthier, and more abundant because of the warmer weather, and this would mean more oxygen being released into the atmosphere.</blockquote>

===Reported effects of global warming===

Reported past or expected/possible future environmental and societal consequences of man-made global warming include global cooling,<ref>72Jag (August 25, 2014). [https://web.archive.org/web/20090827143311/http://www.nowpublic.com/environment/global-warming-causing-global-cooling "Is global warming causing global cooling?"] NowPublic. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.</ref> decreased food production,<ref>Fred Pearce (April 26, 2005). [http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn7310-climate-change-warning-over-food-production.html "Climate change warning over food production"] Newscientist website. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.</ref> increased food production,<ref>Booth, William (May 17, 1990). [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1127111.html "Global heating could benefit U.S. farmers; prices seen rising as production falls"]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved from HighBeam Research website on October 1, 2014.</ref> shrinking forestst.,<ref>Adam, David (March 11, 2009). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/mar/11/amazon-global-warming-trees/print "Amazon could shrink by 85% due to climate change"]. Theguardian [U. K.]. Retrieved on October 1, 2014. See [[The Guardian]].</ref> increased tree foliage,<ref>[http://www.greenfingers.com/articledisplay.asp?id=1734 "Global warming causes greening"] (2008). Greenfingers.com. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.</ref> increased productivity of high-elevation forests,<ref>Oregon State University (Oct. 20, 2009). [https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019163020.htm "Global warming may spur increased growth in Pacific northwest forests"]. ScienceDaily. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.</ref> melting glaciers.,<ref>Asian News International (June 6, 2007). [http://www.andhranews.net/Intl/2007/June/6/Global-warming-causing-3633.asp "Global warming causing hundreds of Antarctic Peninsula glaciers to melt"]. AndhraNews.net. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.</ref> growing glaciers,<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/global-warming-causing-california-glacier-to-grow-scientists-say-1.749761?ref=rss "Global warming causing California glacier to grow, scientists say"] (July 9, 2008). CBCnews. Retrieved on October 1, 2014. Located by Sub-Driver of [http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2043047/posts?page=51 Free Republic].</ref> increasing landmass in Antarctica,<ref>[http://www.worldclimatereport.com/index.php/2005/05/27/antarctic-ice-a-global-warming-snow-job/ "Antarctic ice: A global warming snow job?"] (May 27, 2005). World Climate Report. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> colder winters,<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/climate-change-could-bring-colder-winters-1.363574 "Climate change could bring colder winters"] (March 13, 2003). CBCNews. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> a new ice age,<ref>McGuire, Bill (November 13, 2003). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2003/nov/13/comment.research "Will global warming trigger a new ice age?"] The Guardian website. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> prevention of an ice age,<ref>Thompson, Andrea (September 10, 2007). [https://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,296060,00.html "Global warming may cancel next ice age"]. Fox News website. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> taller mountains.,<ref>Than, Ker (August 4, 2006). [http://www.livescience.com/938-taller-mountains-blamed-global-warming.html "Taller mountains blamed on global warming, too"]. LiveScience. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> a lop-sided planet,<ref>Britt, Robert Roy (June 29, 2005). [http://www.livescience.com/3884-global-warming-create-lopsided-planet.html "Global warming might create lopsided planet"]. LiveScience. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> stronger hurricanes,<ref>Florida State University (Sep. 4, 2008). [https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903134323.htm "Global warming: Warmer seas linked to strengthening hurricanes, according to new research"]. ScienceDaily. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> weaker hurricanes,<ref>Schmid, Randolph E., AP Science Writer (April 17, 2007). [http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/weather/research/2007-04-17-globalwarming-hurricanes_N.htm "Study: Global warming may diminish Atlantic hurricane activity"]. USA Today. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> shorter days,<ref>Atkins, William (April 11, 2007). [http://www.itwire.com/science-news/climate/11220-researchers-say-global-warming-should-cause-shorter-days "Researchers say global warming should cause shorter days"]. iTWire. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> earthquakes and volcanoes, and other geological disasters. Attempts to prevent climate change may do the same,<ref>Fisher, Richard. (September 23, 2009). [http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20327273.800-climate-change-may-trigger-earthquakes-and-volcanoes.html "Climate change may trigger earthquakes and volcanoes" [preview]]. Newscientist website. Preview retrieved on October 2, 2014. Subscription required for full article.</ref> shrinking brains,<ref>[http://www.albany.edu/campusnews/releases_286.htm "Study: Global warming could be reversing a trend that led to bigger human brains"] (March 15, 2007). State University of New York at Albany. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> shrinking sheep,<ref>Connor, Steve (July 3, 2009). [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/how-global-warming-shrank-st-kildas-sheep-1729609.html "How global warming shrank St Kilda's sheep"]. The Independent [U. K.] website. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> tiger attacks.,<ref>Dhar, Sujoy (October 20, 2008). [http://southasia.oneworld.net/news/tiger-attacks-linked-to-global-warming "Tiger attacks linked to global warming"]. Reuters. Retrieved from OneWorld South Asia on October 2, 2014.</ref> shark attacks,<ref>Johnston, Bruce (August 31, 1998). [http://junksciencearchive.com/news3/shark.html "Shark attack on boat 'result of global warming'"]. Electronic Telegraph (U.K.) Retrieved from JunkScienceArchive on October 3, 2014.</ref> walrus stampede deaths,<ref>Associated Press (December 17, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20141003042107/http://6abc.com/archive/5839622/ "Global warming is blamed for walrus stampede deaths"]. 6abc Action News website. Retrieved from October 3, 2014 archive at Internet Archive on October 3, 2014. Located by digger48 of [http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1939754/posts Free Republic]</ref> imminent cannibalism,<ref>Baker, Brent (April 2, 2008). [http://newsbusters.org/blogs/brent-baker/2008/04/02/turner-iraqi-insurgents-patriots-inaction-warming-cannibalism "Turner: Global warming will cause mass cannibalism, insurgents are patriots"]. MRC NewsBusters. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> the need for a drastic reduction of the earth's population,<ref>[http://thisistheendoftheworldasweknowit.com/archives/one-less-child-environmental-extremists-warn-that-overpopulation-is-causing-climate-change-and-will-ultimately-destroy-the-earth "One less child? Environmental extremists warn that overpopulation is causing climate change and will ultimately destroy the Earth"] (November 17, 2009). The End of the World. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> a strong increase in people dying of [[AIDS]],<ref>McLean, Tamara (April 29, 2008). [https://web.archive.org/web/20110831093248/http://news.theage.com.au/national/global-warming-set-to-fan-the-hiv-fire-20080430-29eh.html "Global warming hoax set to fan the HIV fire"]. Theage.com.au. Retrieved from August 31, 2011 archive at Internet Archive on October 1, 2014. Located by
[https://web.archive.org/web/20110725075338/http://www.skepticsglobalwarming.com/?p=608 Skeptics Global Warning].</ref> increased risk of civil war in Africa,<ref>[http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/november23/climate-civil-wars-112309.html "Global warming increases risk of civil war in Africa"] (November 23, 2009). Stanford Report. Retrieved from Stanford News on October 1, 2014.</ref> child ''climate cops'',<ref>[https://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=70811 "Beware your children: They might be 'climate cops'"] (July 28, 2008). WND. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.</ref> increase in depression,<ref>Sohn, Emily (December 10, 2009). [http://www.google.com/search?q=%22Deadly+heat+waves%2C+home-wrecking+hurricanes%22&hl=en&gbv=2&oq=&gs_l= “Mental health to decline with climate change”]. Discovery.com News. Retrieved from Google Search on October 1, 2014.</ref> increase in psychiatric illness<ref>Press Trust of India (April 8, 2008). [http://www.sify.com/news/climate-change-leads-to-psychiatric-illness-news-national-jegnGhfjihasi.html "'Climate change leads to psychiatric illness'"]. Sify News. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.</ref> and increased anxiety and loss of sleep among many children.<ref>Jones, Alan (February 22, 2007). [http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/children-losing-sleep-over-global-warming-1-683217 "Children losing sleep over global warming"]. The Scotsman website. Retrieved on September 30, 2014.</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}

== See also ==
*''[[Massachusetts v. EPA]]''
*[[Liberal hysteria#Global Warming Derangement Syndrome|Global Warming Derangement Syndrome]]
*[[Socialist Environmental Disasters]]
*[[Counterexamples to Global Warming]]
*[[Winter of 2010]]
*[[Reducing carbon dioxide emissions]]
*[[Essay:Global Warming]]
*[[Essay:Parallels between evolution and global warming]]
*[[Exaggeration of global warming]]
*[[Global warming and polar bears]]
*[[Global climate disruption]]
*[[Global warming research]]
*[[Global annual average temperature]]
*[[Warm period]]
*[[Liberal lies]]
*[[War on Science]]
*[[Lysenkoism]]
*[[Failed climate change predictions]]

==External links==
*[http://www.creationworldview.org/articles_view.asp?id=67 Global Warming? Absolutely No Truth To It!]
*[http://www.aim.org/wls/category/global-warming/ What Liberals Say - Category: Global Warming], [[Accuracy In Media]]
*[http://global-warming.accuweather.com/2007/12/attempting_to_stop_global_warm_1.html Attempting to Stop Global Warming is Futile and a Mistake, says letter to the UN]
*[https://www.icr.org/creation-meteorology Climate Change] by The Institute for Creation Research
*[http://environment.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,,2032821,00.html The appliance of science] by Mike Hulme.
*[http://www.cato.org/pubs/regulation/regv15n2/reg15n2g.html Global Warming: The Origin and Nature of the Alleged Scientific Consensus] - [[Richard S. Lindzen]], Alfred P. Sloan Professor of Meteorology at the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]]
*[http://www.independent.org/publications/tir/article.asp?issueID=47&articleID=604 "Should We Have Acted Thirty Years Ago to Prevent Climate Change?", by Randall G. Holcombe].
*[http://www.independent.org/publications/tir/article.asp?issueID=25&articleID=296 "After Kyoto: A Global Scramble for Advantage," by Bruce Yandle].
*[http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_ID=2319 The physical evidence of earth's unstoppable 1,500-year climate cycle]
*[http://www.independent.org/publications/article.asp?id=1714 "Is There a Basis for Global Warming Alarm?", by Richard Lindzen]
*[http://www.independent.org/publications/policy_reports/detail.asp?type=full&id=5 "New Perspectives in Climate Change: What the EPA Isn’t Telling Us"]
*[http://www.heartland.org/Article.cfm?artId=17181 Survey Shows Climatologists Are Split on Global Warming]
*[http://www.magma.ca/~hurleyp/FightingTheHoax.htm Fighting the Hoax]
*[http://www.globalwarminghoax.com/news.php Refuting the Myth of Man-made Global Warming]
*[http://www.climateaudit.org Climate Audit], Steve McIntyre's blog
*[http://www.realclimate.org Real Climate], blog by a group of climatologists including Michael Mann
*[https://www.americanthinker.com/2009/01/co2_fairytales_in_global_warmi.html "CO2 Fairytales in Global Warming"]
*[http://www.numberwatch.co.uk/warmlist.htm A complete list of things caused by global warming]
*[http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/11/hackers-prove-global-warming-is-scam.html Hackers Prove Global Warming Is A Scam]
*[http://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/266930/i-dont-believe-science-daniel-greenfield]

{{liberalism}}
{{Climategate scandal}}

[[Category:Earth Sciences]]
[[Category:Environmentalism]]
[[Category:Liberal Bias]]
[[Category:Liberal Falsehoods]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]
[[Category:Man-Made Disasters]]
[[Category:Pseudoscience]]

Global warming

2026-10-19T04:23:04Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Global_warming

:''See also [[Counterexamples to Global Warming|Counterexamples to global warming]]''
[[File:UAH LT 1979 thru July 2023 v6 20x9-1.jpg|thumb|Global temperatures peaked in 2016, according to the UAH satellite temperature record for 1979-2023]]
'''Anthropogenic global warming''' (AGW) is an unproven theory that insists human activity is causing the [[Earth]] to warm to catastrophic levels over time. The theory posits that [[greenhouse gas]]es, including [[carbon dioxide]], methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor, trap solar warmth on the planet. Computer models suggest that industrial and vehicular emissions could lead to catastrophic warming. [[Leftist]]s use this theory as a basis to require cuts in energy production and consumption and to promote de-industrialization.

The rate of warming predicted by AGW is far higher than what has been observed so far. Based on an average of 102 climate models, the UN's Intergovernment Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that the lower troposphere should be warming at a rate of 3.1 degrees per century.<ref name="SpencerCSP2">"[https://www.newcriterion.com//cm/images/THE%20CLIMATE%20SURPRISE%20PAMPHLET.pdf The Climate Surprise Pamphlet]", ''The New Criterion'', 2016. Taken from chart "All 3 Global Temperature Dataset Types Disagree with the Climate Model During the Period of Greatest Greenhouse Concentration."</ref> Satellite data shows that the lower troposphere warmed at a rate of 1.4 degrees per century between 1978 and 2021.<ref name="SpencerCSP">"[https://www.newcriterion.com//cm/images/THE%20CLIMATE%20SURPRISE%20PAMPHLET.pdf The Climate Surprise Pamphlet]", ''The New Criterion'', 2016.</ref><ref name=SpencerUAH>Spencer, Roy, "[https://www.drroyspencer.com/2021/ Archive for 2021]", 2019. This is data from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.</ref> Weather balloon data shows a warming trend of 1.6 degrees per century between 1958 and 2018.<ref>"[https://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/ratpac/ratpac-a/ RATPAC-A-annual-levels.txt.zip]", NOAA, National Centers for Environmental Information. Based on data for 850-300 mb.</ref>

An analysis of weather station data by U.S. climate researcher [[Roy Spencer]] shows no significant warming since 1943. Unlike the official weather station record, Spencer's data includes only those stations that recorded temperature at a consistent time of day.<ref name="Spencer" /> The heating predicted by AGW but not detected in the temperature record is sometimes said to be accumulating in the oceans. But a study by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography found that ocean temperature has risen by only 0.1 degree Celsius in the last fifty years.<ref>"[https://dailycaller.com/2018/01/05/new-study-shows-past-research-on-rising-ocean-temps-built-on-faulty-science/ New Study Shows Past Research On Rising Ocean Temps Built On Faulty Science]," ''The Daily Caller'', 01/05/2018.</ref>[[File:May, Andy, Climate history.png|thumb|right|The last 4,000 years of climate history, 2000 BC to AD 1992, by Andy May. Based on the GISP2 ice cores from central Greenland.]]

The theory that "greenhouse gases" have a greater warming effect than other gases goes back to the 19th century. The idea that carbon dioxide emissions might lead to catastrophic warming was introduced by Carl Sagan in the 1960s. He was inspired by research on the atmosphere of Venus. Around 1978, the environmental movement decided to promote Sagan's theory. The movement was already advocating energy conservation and renewables as a response to the "energy crisis." That is to say, a desired political outcome was agreed upon and then a "scientific" justification was developed.

Proponents of the global warming theory advocate for conversion to electric vehicles without expanding the electric power grid, which can only be powered by coal-burning power plants, fossil fuels, or nuclear energy. So-called renewable energy sources, solar and wind, cannot provide enough capacity to recharge hundreds of millions of electric vehicles.

==Difficulties with the theory==
*'''Carbon dioxide is insignificant as a greenhouse gas.''' The level of CO2 in the Earth's atmosphere is only 400 parts per million. Ninety to 95 percent of the greenhouse effect is due to water vapor.<ref>Friedenreich and Ramaswamy, "Solar Radiation Absorption by Carbon Dioxide, Overlap with Water, and a Parameterization for General Circulation Models," Journal of Geophysical Research 98 (1993):7255-7264</ref> The IPCC claims that water vapor acts as a "positive feedback," i.e., warming creates more humidity, which leads to additional warming. There are humidity measurements going back to 1948, and they show no upward trend.<ref>"[https://wattsupwiththat.com/global-climate/ global climate]," ''Watt's Up with That''</ref> More humidity could lead to more clouds and therefore to cooling and to negative feedback. So why assume positive feedback? AGW works only if water vapor is a positive feedback, so that is what the IPCC must claim. Although Obama has denounced elevated carbon dioxide levels as "carbon pollution," greenhouse operators commonly increase the level of CO2 to 1,000 ppm or more to enhance plant growth.<ref>"[https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151210101819.htm Plant growth enhanced by increased carbon dioxide, but food webs give rise to significant variations]", ''Science News'', December 10, 2015. Harrison H. Schmitt and William Happer, "[http://arizonaskywatch.com/article/articles/In%20defense%20of%20carbon%20dioxide.pdf In Defense of Carbon Dioxide]," ''Wall Street Journal'', May 8, 2013.</ref>
[[Image:NASA-1024x933.jpg|thumb|right|A composite map of [[Antarctica]] showing areas of greatest warming in red. The Wilkins Ice Shelf lies off the peninsula in the top left corner, and shows extensive warming. Overall, Antarctica shows little warming, and many areas to the East (right) are almost cooling.<ref>Roberts, Greg (April 18, 2009). [http://www.news.com.au/antarctic-ice-is-growing-not-melting-away/story-0-1225700043191 "Antarctic ice is growing, not melting away."] News.com.au. Retrieved on September 25, 2014.</ref>]]
*'''The Earth has warmed or cooled many times. Historically, warm periods are associated with favorable climate.''' The [[Roman Warm Period]] (250 BC to 180 AD) featured temperatures comparable to those of modern times. This was followed by the Dark Ages Cold Period (450-950 AD).<ref>"[http://www.co2science.org/subject/d/summaries/dacpeurope.php Dark Ages Cold Period (Europe) - Summary]", ''CO2 Science'', 1 June 2005.</ref> The Medieval Warm Period was even warmer than the Roman period and lasted from 950 to 1300.<ref>John P. Rafferty, "[https://global.britannica.com/science/medieval-warm-period Medieval warm period (MWP)]", ''Britannica''</ref> From the 14th century to the early 19th century, there was a Little Ice Age.<ref>John P. Rafferty, Stephen T. Jackson, "[https://global.britannica.com/science/Little-Ice-Age Little Ice Age (LIA)]", ''Britannica''.</ref><ref>See the graphs at "[http://www.climate4you.com/ Global temperatures]," Climate4you.</ref><ref>Bastasch, Michael, "[https://dailycaller.com/2013/12/13/study-earth-was-warmer-in-roman-medieval-times/ Study: Earth was warmer in Roman, Medieval times]", ''The Daily Caller''. For a peer-reviewed paper, see Moberg, A., et al. 2005 "[ftp://ftp.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/paleo/contributions_by_author/moberg2005/nhtemp-moberg2005.txt 2,000-Year Northern Hemisphere Temperature Reconstruction]", ''World Data Center for Paleoclimatology''. The Moberg data set is charted [https://i0.wp.com/i90.photobucket.com/albums/k247/dhm1353/Moberg-1.png here].</ref>
*'''Carbon dioxide can be absorbed by promoting plant growth, an angle overlooked by the mainstream media.''' In fact, the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has already resulted in an increase in plant growth. If that's not enough, iron filings can be dumped at sea to encourage the growth of marine plants.<ref>Carrington, Damian, "[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/jul/18/iron-sea-carbon Dumping iron at sea can bury carbon for centuries, study shows]" ''The Guardian'', 18 July 2012.</ref> Freeman Dyson, America's top physicist, has suggested genetically engineering trees to absorb more carbon.<ref>"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiKfWdXXfIs Freeman Dyson on the Global Warming Hysteria April, 2015]." Dyson recommends ''Cool It'' (2007) by Bjorn Lomborg as the best summary of the AGW issue.</ref>
*'''If the science were in fact settled, we would see less outrage at "deniers" and greater concern for scientific integrity.''' One climate science scandal after another has been exposed. The Climategate emails show hoaxers scurrying to "hide the decline."<ref name=MISH>"[http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/11/hackers-prove-global-warming-is-scam.html#quEdWPhB8b6cs07f.99 Beware The Ice Age Cometh: Hackers Prove Global Warming Is A Scam]", ''MISH'S Global Economic Trend Analysis''</ref> The "hockey stick" view of climate history, which holds that global temperature was constant for 2,000 years and then surged in the last century, has been repeatedly debunked.<ref>Muller, Richard A., "[http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/13830/ A Global Warming Bombshell]", ''Technology Review'' , Oct. 2004; calls into question famous graph by Michael Mann.</ref> No one's reputation is tarnished by these bloopers, no one pays any price. The first response of AGW backers is name-calling and attempts to shut down the discussion. Argument is a last resort.<ref>Phil Plait, columnist for ''Discover'', is a good example. Plait has only contempt for those who express concerns about scientific integrity in climate research: "yawn," "non-event," etc. With no sense of irony, he can write, "these denialist claims are largely ad hominems." If you fail to show "the scientists" enough respect, then you are a "global warming denier." This name-calling-as-argument strategy is typical of AGW hacks. (Phil Plait, "[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/11/30/the-global-warming-emails-non-event/#.WHMkC9J97cs The global warming emails non-event]," ''Discover'', November 30, 2009.)</ref> The logical explanation is that they already know AGW is a hoax, and they don't care.
*'''For leftists, the attraction of the theory is that it supports their agenda.''' The environmentalist agenda of renewables, solar energy, conservation, and world government was put together in the 1970s in response to the energy crisis and to the overpopulation scare. At that time, most scientists thought the Earth was cooling.<ref>"[http://realclimatescience.com/the-corrupt-history-of-nasa-temperature-history/ The corrupt history of NASA temperature history]", ''Real Climate Science''.</ref><ref name="Time" /> When AGW came along, it was treated as an additional justification for this agenda. Steven Schneider, founding father of the AGW movement, was a global cooling believer in the early 1970s. "We have to offer up scary scenarios, make simplified, dramatic statements, and make little mention of any doubts we might have," he explained.<ref>This is from an article Schneider wrote for ''Discover'' magazine in 1989.[http://www.creationworldview.org/articles_view.asp?id=67]</ref> To Schneider, global cooling and global warming were just two "scary scenarios." He could offer up whichever one was expedient.

== How accurate are weather forecasts and climate forecasts? ==

In 2013, ''Scientific American'' published an article entitled ''Why Are Weather Forecasts Often Wrong?''<ref>[https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-are-weather-forecasts-often-wrong/ ''Why Are Weather Forecasts Often Wrong?''] By Lee Falin PhD on January 9, 2013, ''Scientific American''</ref>

In 2020, data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration suggests a seven-day weather forecast by a [[meteorology|meteorologist]] could accurately predict the weather about 80 percent of the time.<ref>[https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/01/02/forecast-models-keep-hinting-at-subzero-air-ahead How accurate are forecast models 1 to 2 weeks ahead?]</ref><ref>[https://www.wral.com/how-accurate-are-weather-forecasts/19645159/#:~:text=Longer%2Drange%20forecasts%20are%20less,90%20percent%20of%20the%20time. How accurate are weather forecasts?], WRAL</ref> However, beyond 10 days, a weather forecast is only right about half the time.<ref>[https://www.wral.com/how-accurate-are-weather-forecasts/19645159/#:~:text=Longer%2Drange%20forecasts%20are%20less,90%20percent%20of%20the%20time. How accurate are weather forecasts?], WRAL</ref>

The accuracy of the long-range forecasts of climate scientists that are 10 years or decades ahead of time is of dubious value (See: [[Limitations of science]]). In addition, environmentalists have a history of making alarmist statements that do not come to fruition (see: [https://www.aei.org/carpe-diem/50-years-of-failed-doomsday-eco-pocalyptic-predictions-the-so-called-experts-are-0-50/ 50 years of failed doomsday, eco-pocalyptic predictions; the so-called ‘experts’ are 0-50], American Enterprise Institute).

== A significant resistance to global warming alarmism is developing in Europe ==

News reports of Europeans becoming increasingly resistant to global warming alarmism:

*The Daily Telegraph (Ross Clark): “[https://archive.md/XbVaC The EU's Net Zero plan is in tatters - and not a moment too soon]” (29 March 2023)

*Reuters (Riham Alkousaa): “[https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/berlin-votes-tighter-climate-goals-test-germans-commitment-change-2023-03-26/ Berliners vote down referendum on tighter climate goals]” (26 March 2023)

*Politico (Nicolas Camut): “[https://www.politico.eu/article/dutch-farmers-party-bbb-mark-rutte-netherlands-big-winner-in-provincial-elections/ Dutch pro-farmers party wins big in provincial elections]” (16 March 2023)

*Express (Natalie Crookham): “[https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/1752831/petrol-diesel-car-ban-poll-result-spt Staggering poll shows 93 percent oppose 2030 petrol and diesel car ban] [UK]” (30 March 2023)

''Forbes'' reported in 2023:
{{Cquote|The editors of one leading paper put it like this: “The implausibility of a net-zero carbon energy future is becoming so obvious that even Europeans are starting to notice.” The shock news of Germany’s decision to block the EU-wide agreement on the combustion engine ban by 2035 is “threatening to unravel Germany’s three-party governing alliance, after the Green party accused its liberal coalition partners of gambling away the country’s [green] reputation…” The German government wants to replace this ban and permit combustion engine cars running on synthetic “e-fuels”. E-fuels are yet another unproven technology but, if somehow viable in the future, would at least preserve the country’s vaunted position in automobile combustion engines. That Western Europe’s reigning green ideologues could be blocked by the German car manufacturers’ lobby – one of the country’s industrial pillars and a major employer – seems to signal the victory of economic rationality over climate ideology in this instance at least.

The country’s green advocates received further bad news as voters in the Berlin referendum for a climate-neutral city by 2030 failed resoundingly as “yes” votes failed to achieve the 25% quorum of all eligible voters needed to make the referendum valid. According to critics interviewed by [[Bild]], the radical climate project pushed in the referendum is “factually impossible” and “out of the question”, noting that “even the original 2045 target timetable [is] almost impossible to meet.” Even Berlin’s uber-green elites could not swing the vote against the average city-dweller sick of hot water rationing, dimmed street lights at night and shuttered swimming pools.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/tilakdoshi/2023/04/08/climate-hysteria-in-the-dark-age-are-we-seeing-glimmers-of-light/?sh=3e1b70c14c09 Climate Hysteria In The Dark Age: Are We Seeing Glimmers Of Light?], Forbes, April 2023</ref>}}

== The Surprising Truth: Extremely Small, Almost Statistically Insignificant, Temperature Rises per Decade ==

Even mainstream sites admit the empirical fact: "For the last 50 years, global temperature rose at an average rate of about 0.13°C (around one-quarter degree Fahrenheit) per decade-almost twice as fast as the 0.07°C per decade increase observed over the previous half-century. In the next 20 years, scientists project that global average temperature will rise by around 0.2°C (about one-third of a degree Fahrenheit) per decade." <ref>https://www.climate.gov/news-features/videos/history-earths-temperature-1880</ref> This means, even at the allegedly "high" rate of temperature rise of "around 0.2°C", Global Temperatures will only rise by around 1°C in the next 50 years! Hardly a cause for Alarmism on this issue, especially in light of numerous well-documented alarmist false predictions of Climate Change Hoaxers.

== 5 of 18 Ridiculous and Spectacularly Wrong Alarmist Global Warming Predictions around 1970 that never came to pass ==

When the Holy Bible warns us to beware of False Prophets (Deut 18:17-22, [[Matthew, Chapter 7#15|Matthew 7:15-20]]), that divine injunction certainly includes the False Prophets of Global Warming.

"1. Harvard biologist George Wald estimated that “civilization will end within 15 or 30 years [by 1985 or 2000] unless immediate action is taken against problems facing mankind.”

2. “We are in an environmental crisis that threatens the survival of this nation, and of the world as a suitable place of human habitation,” wrote Washington University biologist Barry Commoner in the Earth Day issue of the scholarly journal Environment.

3. The day after the first Earth Day, the New York Times editorial page warned, “Man must stop pollution and conserve his resources, not merely to enhance existence but to save the race from intolerable deterioration and possible extinction.”

4. “Population will inevitably and completely outstrip whatever small increases in food supplies we make,” Paul Ehrlich confidently declared in the April 1970 issue of Mademoiselle. “The death rate will increase until at least 100-200 million people per year will be starving to death during the next ten years [by 1980].”

5. “Most of the people who are going to die in the greatest cataclysm in the history of man have already been born,” wrote Paul Ehrlich in a 1969 essay titled “Eco-Catastrophe! “By…[1975] some experts feel that food shortages will have escalated the present level of world hunger and starvation into famines of unbelievable proportions. Other experts, more optimistic, think the ultimate food-population collision will not occur until the decade of the 1980s.”<ref>https://www.aei.org/carpe-diem/18-spectacularly-wrong-predictions-were-made-around-the-time-of-the-first-earth-day-in-1970-expect-more-this-year/</ref>

== Who is behind the Global Warming Agenda? Communist China and [[Comsymp]]s at the UN ==

A careful analysis of the Evil Agenda behind the attempt to promote Global Warming Narratives suggests Communist Countries want to use this as a means to reduce the energy production of the Christian and Western World or to make them dependent on Communist Countries: "As evidence discredits global warming, resistance to such facts by green elites reveals their real aim is bringing socialism in through the back door. But don't take our word for it. Listen to the climate change boss at the U.N.

Christiana Figueres, with the lumpy title of executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), came right out and said it: Democracy is a poor political system for fighting global warming. The really good model is communist China."<ref>https://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/climate-change-a-back-door-to-communism-and-the-united-nations-admits-it/</ref>

==History==
The greenhouse effect was proposed by [[Joseph Fourier]] in 1827. Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius is sometimes considered the father of global warming theory because of a paper he published in 1896 on the effect of carbon dioxide emissions. Arrhenius thought of global warming as a positive thing. The idea that carbon dioxide emissions might lead to catastrophe comes from research on the Venusian atmosphere in the 1960s by Karl Sagan and other NASA scientists. In the 1970s, global cooling theories were more prominent than global warming theories. Even Steven Schneider, later a promoter of global warming, published a paper on global cooling. As a result of the energy crisis of the 1970s, the environmentalist movement adopted an agenda of conservation and renewable energy. With global warming as its flagship theory, the movement could continue promoting its 1970s agenda long after the original justifications for it had disappeared. Schneider offered up "scary scenarios," as he called them, to promote the theory.

===Origin===
In 1827, French scientist Joseph Fourier suggested that although the atmosphere allowed sunlight to pass through to warm the Earth, it blocked "dark heat" (infrared radiation) from the Earth and thus prevented energy from being transferred back into space.<ref name=Fourier>Fourier, Jean Baptist Joseph, "On the Temperatures of the Terrestrial Sphere in Interplanetary Space", Translated in ''The Warming Papers: The Scientific Foundation for Climate Change Forecast''. The relevant section is pp. 12-13.</ref> Fourier did make an unfortunate analogy between the Earth's atmosphere and a space enclosed by glass. All the same, it may not be fair to blame Fourier for the greenhouse effect meme. He also discussed convection as an alternative explanation and, as a good scientist, recommended an experiment to resolve the issue.

In 1861, Irish scientist John Tyndall measured the absorption of radiant energy by various gases in the atmosphere. He concluded that water vapor was the gas primarily responsible. It could therefore be considered the warming agent that Fourier hypothesized. Tyndall suggested that changes in humidity could bring about climate change.

The AGW theory was first presented in 1896 in an article by Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius. Arrhenius predicted that a doubling of CO2 in the atmosphere due to fossil fuel burning would lead to a temperature increase of 3 to 4 °C (about 5 to 7 °F) after 500 years. Arrhenius attributes his misunderstanding of the science to Fourier: "Fourier maintained that the atmosphere acts like the glass of a hothouse."<ref>Arrhenius, Svante, "On the Influence of Carbonic Acid in the Air on the Temperature on the Ground", ''London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science,'' April 1896. Reprinted in ''The Warming Papers'', pp. 56-77.</ref>

The use of the Swedish word ''drivbänk'' (hothouse) by Arrhenius and his colleagues is likely to be the origin of the phrase "greenhouse effect." This phrase is first recorded in English in 1907.<ref>"[http://www.easterbrook.ca/steve/2015/08/who-first-coined-the-term-greenhouse-effect/ Who first coined the term “Greenhouse Effect”?]," ''Serendipity,'' August 2015</ref>

===The skeptics strike back===
Arrhenius ignored water vapor in his calculations, leading him to overestimate the effect of CO2 by 96 percent, as Knut Ångström observed in 1901.<ref>"[https://realclimatescience.com/2016/12/climate-scientists-celebrating-115-years-of-debunked-science/ Climate Scientists Celebrating 115 Years Of Debunked Junk Science]"</ref> More controversially, Ångström questioned whether CO2 could act as a greenhouse gas at all. He took a tube of carbon dioxide, shined black-body radiation on it, and varied the pressure on the gas. Increasing the pressure led to only a slight increase in absorption. He concluded that radiation absorption by CO2 is already nearly saturated, so the emission of additional gas into the atmosphere would have little effect. Ångström thus became "the first denier."

Nils Ekholm, an associate of Arrhenius, had an answer to Ångström's point about saturation.<ref>Ekholm, Nils, "On the Variations of the Geological and Historical Past their Causes, ''Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society,'' January 1901. DOI: 10.1002/qj.49702711702.</ref> Ångström's tube was saturated because it was at ground level. High enough in the atmosphere, there must be an unsaturated layer of carbon dioxide capable of absorbing radiation. The greater the density of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the lower this layer would be. A lower layer would retransmit more radiation to the lower atmosphere and would therefore be responsible for greater warming. Ekholm's insight was lost on his fellow scientists. It was not rediscovered until the 1960s.<ref>"The Surface budget fallacy," ''The Warming Papers'', pp. 79-80.</ref>

As for Ångström's point concerning water vapor, Arrhenius insisted that CO2 rose higher in the atmosphere than water vapor could, so water vapor was not relevant. This argument never caught on. The idea that adding CO2 would change the climate, "was never widely accepted and was abandoned when it was found that all the long-wave radiation [that would be] absorbed by CO2 is [already] absorbed by water vapor," the American Meteorological Society concluded in 1951.<ref>American Meteorological Society, ''[https://www.questia.com/read/97549786/compendium-of-meteorology 1951 Compendium of Meteorology]'', p. 1016.</ref> Despite Ångström's debunking of his theory, Arrhenius won the Nobel prize for chemistry in 1903 for unrelated research. The Ångströms, meanwhile, are remembered for a minuscule unit of length named after Anders Ångström, Knut's dad.

===Disproving the greenhouse effect===
Finally performing the experiment Fourier had recommended a century earlier, Robert Wood showed in 1909 that energy is transferred from the Earth's surface to the atmosphere primarily through convection currents. In Wood's experiment, the temperature in a glass box was compared to that in a box with a top made of halite (rock salt). Halite allows sunlight to enter, but blocks infrared. Infrared re-radiation and the greenhouse effect play "a very small part," both in the atmosphere and in literal greenhouses, Wood concluded.<ref>Wood, Robert, "[http://www.tech-know-group.com/papers/Note_on_the_Theory_of_the_Greenhouse.pdf Note on the Theory of the Greenhouse]", ''Philosphical Magazine'', January—June 1909. "[http://hockeyschtick.blogspot.jp/2010/06/greenhouse-theory-disproven-in-1909.html Greenhouse Theory disproven in 1909, 1963, 1966, 1973...but still refuses to die]," June 28, 2010. Gerhard Gerlich and Ralf D. Tscheuschner, "[https://arxiv.org/PS_cache/arxiv/pdf/0707/0707.1161v4.pdf Falsification Of The Atmospheric CO2 Greenhouse Effects Within The Frame Of Physics]"</ref> A greenhouse is warmer than the air outside because the roof limits convection and the walls restrict wind. "The acquired heat is concentrated, because it is not dissipated immediately by renewing the air," as Fourier himself explained.<ref name="Fourier" />

From 1909 until the 1960s, only a few additional papers on AGW were published. Research went forward as the lonely project of English scientist Guy Callendar. Callendar collected historical temperature readings and CO2 measurements and published the results in 1938.<ref>Callendar, G.S. (1938). "The Artificial Production of Carbon Dioxide and Its Influence on Climate." ''Quarterly J. Royal Meteorological Society'' 64: 223-40. Reprinted in ''The Warming Papers'', pp. 261-273.</ref>

===Sagan and Venus===
In 1932, Venus was shown to have an atmosphere of carbon dioxide.<ref>"Carbon Dioxide Discovered in Atmosphere of Venus", Astronautics, Vol. 2, No. 21 (1932), pp. 6-7. https://dx.doi.org/10.2514/8.11921</ref> This finding prompted astronomer Rupert Wildt to propose in 1940 that a greenhouse effect operated on the planet. Radio telescope observations in 1958 showed that the temperature of Venus was even higher than Wildt's theory could explain. Astronomer Carl Sagan proposed in 1960 that the planet had a “very efficient greenhouse effect,” or runaway greenhouse as it later came to be called.<ref>Weart, Spencer, "[http://history.aip.org/history/climate/pdf/venus.pdf Venus & Mars]", June 2011.</ref><ref>Sagan, Carl, "[http://science.sciencemag.org/content/133/3456/849 The Planet Venus]", ''Science'', 24 March 1961.</ref> The Mariner 2 mission in 1962 measured the temperature of Venus as 500 degrees Celsius. The planet that had been considered "Earth's twin" just a few years earlier was revealed as a sulfurous vision of hell.

Mariner's findings were sensational because they had been predicted by Immanuel Velikovsky in ''Worlds in Collision'' (1950), which argues that Venus was ejected from Jupiter in mythological times. The scientific community had denounced Velikovsky and his theory in the strongest terms, and Sagan emerged as its champion. Sagan and Velikovsky faced off at a dramatic conference in San Francisco in 1974.<ref>AAAS Symposium: "Velikovsky's Challenge to Science" held on February 25, 1974.</ref>

By portraying carbon dioxide as a doomsday chemical, Sagan put a radically new spin on the issue. Both Arrhenius and Callendar had assumed that greenhouse warming would be beneficial. With Rachel Carson's ''Silent Spring'' (1962), Paul R. Ehrlich's ''The Population Bomb'' (1968), and the Club of Rome's ''The Limits to Growth'' (1972), this was an era when the reading public had an enormous appetite for spurious theories concerning human-initiated global catastrophe.

While the Venus discoveries ignited a burst of interest in AGW, they did nothing to shore up its scientific merits. In 1971, Russian climatologist Mikhail Budyko gave a speech to a large international conference in Leningrad in which he presented an alarmist AGW scenario. Reaction was strongly negative. It was clear that AGW was very much a minority opinion among scientists at this time. A quick look at Venus reveals that the atmosphere is opaque due to globe-spanning sulfur dioxide clouds. These clouds are 30 to 40 km thick. No sunlight reaches the surface.<ref>NASA's "[http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/venusfact.html Venus Fact Sheet]" gives the planet's diurnal temperature range as zero, i.e. no difference between night and day on the surface.</ref> It follows that the planet has no greenhouse effect whatsoever.

In a runaway greenhouse, the greenhouse effect vaporizes additional water, which in turn increases the greenhouse effect. This leads to even more water vaporization and so on in a cycle of positive feedback. Venus has very little water of any kind, so Sagan's runaway greenhouse is not possible.<ref name=pierre>*Raymond T. Pierrehumbert, ''[https://books.google.ca/books?id=bO_U8f5pVR8C&source=gbs_navlinks_s Principles of Planetary Climate]'', pp. 14-15. *Anthony Watts explains why Sagan's theory is "beyond absurd" in "[https://wattsupwiththat.com/2010/05/06/hyperventilating-on-venus/ Hyperventilating on Venus]," May 6, 2010.</ref> Whatever the chemistry of the Venusian atmosphere, water vapor absorbs a wider spectrum of radiation than carbon dioxide does and remains the primary greenhouse gas in the terrestrial atmosphere, as Tyndall showed long ago.

Venus research proved to be an incubator for AGW showboaters. James “Boiling Oceans” Hansen, who emerged as the public face of AGW in the late 1980s, was a NASA Venus researcher in the 1960s. Overlooking Hansen's history of following one kook theory after another, the mainstream media treated his talk of "runaway greenhouse" and "Venus syndrome" as serious science.<ref>Sullivan, John, "[https://johnosullivan.wordpress.com/2012/05/20/top-scientists-vent-on-nasas-sub-prime-greenhouse-gas-hoaxere-optional/ Top Scientists Vent on NASA’s Sub Prime Greenhouse Gas Hoaxer]", May 20, 2012. "The oceans will begin to boil," Hansen announces in [https://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/01/12/quote-of-the-week-dr-james-hansen-of-nasa-giss-unhinged/ this video]. In his book, ''Storms of my Grandchildren'', Hansen writes: "[I]f we burn all reserves of oil, gas, and coal, there is a substantial chance we will initiate the runaway greenhouse. If we also burn the tar sands and tar shale, I believe the Venus syndrome is a dead certainty."</ref>

Hansen's claim that continued CO2 emissions will trigger a runaway greenhouse on Earth is unlikely in view of the Earth's recovery after the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), a huge natural spike in CO2 that occurred 55.5 million years ago.<ref>Kunzig, Robert, "[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/13/130729-runaway-greenhouse-global-warming-venus-ocean-climate-science/ Will Earth's Ocean Boil Away?]", ''National Geographic'', July 30, 2013.</ref> During PETM, the carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere increased by about 700 ppm over 20,000 years and the planet warmed by 5–8 degrees Celsius.<ref>McInherney, F.A..; Wing, S. (2011). "A perturbation of carbon cycle, climate, and biosphere with implications for the future". Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences. 39: 489–516. Bibcode:2011AREPS..39..489M. doi:10.1146/annurev-earth-040610-133431</ref> Plant growth accelerated and there was a return to pre-PETM conditions after 200,000 years.<ref>Gabriel J. Bowen & James C. Zachos, "Rapid carbon sequestration at the termination of the Palaeocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum", ''Nature'' Geoscience 3, 866–869 (2010) doi:10.1038/ngeo1014</ref> Although this event is sometimes presented as confirmation of the greenhouse concept, warming preceded the CO2 spike by about 3,000 years<ref>Sluijs, A.; Brinkhuis, H.; Schouten, S.; Bohaty, S.M.; John, C.M.; Zachos, J.C.; Reichart, G.J.; Sinninghe Damste, J.S.; Crouch, E.M.; Dickens, G.R. (2007). "Environmental precursors to rapid light carbon injection at the Palaeocene/Eocene boundary". Nature. 450 (7173): 1218–21. Bibcode:2007Natur.450.1218S. doi:10.1038/nature06400. PMID 18097406.</ref> and may have been initiated by a comet impact.<ref>[https://wattsupwiththat.com/tag/petm/ Study: Extraterrestrial impact preceded ancient global warming event]", October 13, 2016. Morgan F. Schaller, Megan K. Fung, James D. Wright, Miriam E. Katz, Dennis V. Kent, "[http://science.sciencemag.org/content/354/6309/225.full Impact ejecta at the Paleocene-Eocene boundary]", ''Science'', 14 Oct 2016:
Vol. 354, Issue 6309, pp. 225-229 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaf5466.</ref>

===From cooling to warming===
Despite Venus-related attention, AGW was overshadowed by a cooling scare in the 1970s. Steven Schneider, who later emerged as a key player in AGW politics, confidently predicted more cooling in 1971:
{{cquote|[I]t is projected that man's potential to pollute will increase six- to eightfold in the next 50 years. If this increased rate of injection of particulate matter in the atmosphere should raise the present background opacity by a factor of 4, our calculations suggest a decrease in global temperature by as much as 3.5 ''°K''. Such a large decrease in the average temperature of Earth, sustained over a period of few years, is '''believed to be sufficient to trigger an ice age.''' However, by that time, nuclear power may have largely replaced fossil fuels as a means of energy production.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Rasool SI, Schneider SH |title=Atmospheric carbon dioxide and aerosols: effects of large increases on global climate |journal=Science |volume=173 |issue=3992 |pages=138–41 |date=July 1971 |pmid=17739641 |doi=10.1126/science.173.3992.138 |url= }}</ref>}}

By the late 1970s, the cooling scare had tapered off and Schneider was actively promoting AGW. The energy crisis, which began in 1973, put energy policy in the center of the political debate. In response, the left adopted a platform of conservation, renewables, and solar energy. Schneider and others noticed that AGW provided an additional justification for this platform.

By the late 1980s, Schneider and his fellow activists had transformed global warming from a fringe concern to a central political issue. He explained how in a 1989 interview:
{{cquote|And like most people we’d like to see the world a better place, which in this context translates into our working to reduce the risk of potentially disastrous climate change. To do that we need to get some broad based support, to capture the public’s imagination. '''That, of course, means getting loads of media coverage. So we have to offer up scary scenarios,''' make simplified, dramatic statements, '''and make little mention of any doubts we might have'''. This “double ethical bind” we frequently find ourselves in cannot be solved by any formula. Each of us has to decide what the right balance is between being effective and being honest. I hope that means being both.<ref>The quote is from ''Discover'', pp. 45–48, October 1989. See [https://www.weeklystandard.com/climategate-part-ii/article/610926 this link].</ref>}}

After Schneider abandoned his global cooling hobbyhorse and got on the global warming [[argumentum ad populum|bandwagon]], he never looked back. He was all about offering up "scary scenarios" in order to get "loads of media coverage." He had hoped to be honest, but, let's face it, nobody's perfect. Since he presents himself here as the high priest of climate science, it should be noted that Schneider's Ph.D. is in mechanical engineering.

According to Oxfam, "climate-related disasters has tripled in the last 30 years", and "more than 20 million people a year are forced from their homes".<ref>[https://www.oxfam.org/en/5-natural-disasters-beg-climate-action Oxfam]</ref>

===The IPCC===
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a UN agency that reports on climate science, was founded in 1988. IPCC reports are often cited as the gold standard of science in this field, proof that AGW is "settled science." But few journalists read the report itself. Instead, they rely on the "Executive Summary" or "Summary for Policymakers." This document is written, not by scientists, but by UN bureaucrats under the supervision of Rajendra Pachauri, the Indian railway economist who heads the IPCC. The Climategate II emails reveal that the summary is written first, then material is added to the various chapters to support it.<ref>Hayward, Steven F., "[https://www.weeklystandard.com/climategate-part-ii/article/610926 Climategate (Part II)]," ''Weekly Standard'', Dec. 12, 2011</ref> This procedure makes a farce of the IPCC's stated mission, which is to review the published literature so as to determine the scientific consensus.

As for the main report, this is put together carelessly, according to George Filippo: "I feel rather uncomfortable about using not only unpublished but also unreviewed material as the backbone of our conclusions (or any conclusions)....IPCC is not any more an assessment of published science (which is its proclaimed goal) but production of results....I feel that at this point there are very little rules and almost anything goes." Filippo was a vice chair of the group from 2002 to 2008 and has contributed to all five IPCC reports.<ref>"[http://tomnelson.blogspot.jp/2012/01/don-miss-this-devastating-criticism-of.html Don't miss this devastating criticism of the IPCC]," January 02, 2012</ref>

===Climategate===
The AGW industry was exposed as a hoax by the release of the "[[Climategate]]" emails in 2009. The Climate Research Unit of East Anglia University in Britain prepared 156 megabytes of email by their researchers for release under the Freedom of Information Act. This database was somehow leaked, either prematurely or by a whistleblower after the institution had second thoughts.

In the most notorious message, Phil Jones, director of the unit, wrote, "I've just completed '''Mike's ''Nature'' trick''' of adding in the real temps to each series for the last 20 years (ie from 1981 onwards) amd from 1961 for Keith's to '''hide the decline'''."<ref name=MISH /> This should not be understood to mean that real temperature was declining, but rather that the researchers were attempting to cover up flaws in their tree-ring based data set. The graph in question was a version of the famous "hockey stick" that shows global temperature constant for 2,000 years, followed by a dramatic warming in the last century. ''Nature'' is considered one of the most authoritative science journals. So this quote suggests that a chart prepared for the magazine was faked with the approval of Jones as supervisor. An email by CRU researcher Tim Osborn clarifies what the ''Nature'' trick was: "Also we have applied a completely artificial adjustment to the data after 1960, so they look closer to observed temperatures than the tree-ring data actually were."<ref>"[http://tomnelson.blogspot.jp/2011/12/in-case-you-missed-it-damning.html In case you missed it, damning ClimateGate emails from Tim Osborne]", Tom Nelson, Dec. 06, 2011.</ref>

What's wrong with using tree ring data to create a climate record? The CRU researchers assumed that a tree grows faster when it's warmer. But rainfall has a stronger influence on tree growth than temperature does. Temperature is correlated to tree growth only in the sense that it tends to rain more in warm eras. Critics call the CRU's approach the "tree-o-meter" theory.<ref>"[http://tomnelson.blogspot.jp/2012/02/email-3826-feb-2001-in-email-copied-to.html Email 3826, Feb 2001]," Tom Nelson, Feb. 04, 2012. "In one go, they tossed aside dozens of studies which confirmed the existence of the MWE [Medieval Warm Era] and LIA [Little Ice Age] as global events, and all on the basis of tree rings - a proxy which has all the deficiencies I have stated above."</ref>

In another Climategate email, Jones enthusiastically demands that the IPCC review process be rigged: "I can't see either of these papers being in the next IPCC report. Kevin and I will keep them out somehow - even if we have to redefine what the peer-review literature is!" Jones also admitted that the reason he claims the Earth is warming is political: "The scientific community would come down on me in no uncertain terms if I said the world had cooled from 1998. Okay it has but it is only seven years of data and it isn't statistically significant."<ref name=steyn14>Steyn, Mark, "[http://www.steynonline.com/2697/how-the-science-got-settled How the Science Got Settled]", December 6, 2014.</ref> Jones is ignoring the fact that 1998 was an unusually warm year due to an El Niño event. All the same, it's clear that he runs the CRU to produce made-to-order results rather than as a scientist.

==The temperature record==
Global temperatures are tracked by three methods: satellites, weather balloons, and weather stations. All three methods confirm a modest amount of warming in recent decades. Satellite data shows a warming trend of 0.11 K/decade for 1978 to 2015.<ref>Roy W. Spencer, John R. Christy, and William D. Braswell, "[http://www.drroyspencer.com/wp-content/uploads/Version-61.pdf Version 6.0 of the UAH Temperature Dataset Released]", 28 April 2015.</ref> Weather balloon data shows a warming trend of 0.18 K/decade for 1970 to 2015.<ref>The figure given is for RATPAC-A, surface to 700 mb. See "[https://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/12/14/gavins-admission-about-the-satellite-record-versus-the-surface-temperature-record/ Gavin’s admission about the satellite record versus the surface temperature record]," ''Watt's Up With That''. You can find a collection of global climate charts [https://wattsupwiththat.com/global-climate/ here].</ref>

A reanalysis of weather station data for 1943 to 2012 by Roy Spencer shows that after a cooler period in the 1960s and 1970s, U.S. temperatures returned to their earlier level. Unlike CRU, NASA, and NOAA, Spencer corrects for the fact that at most stations, measurement time of day has changed over the years.<ref name=Spencer>Spencer, Roy, "[http://www.drroyspencer.com/2012/08/a-new-analysis-of-u-s-temperature-trends-since-1943/ A New Analysis of U.S. Temperature Trends Since 1943]," August 6th, 2012.</ref> So Spencer's analysis implies that the warmest year on record was 1934, the warmest year of the 1930s, not 2016 as the climate establishment maintains. Spencer is a prominent skeptic and a professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. He maintains the UAH record, one of the two major satellite temperature records. As an active researcher at the center of the climate science community, Spencer is a standing rebuke to the claim that AGW represents the scientific consensus.<ref>Spencer, Roy, "[http://www.drroyspencer.com/my-global-warming-skepticism-for-dummies/ My Global Warming Skepticism, for Dummies]"</ref> While the cause is debatable, worldwide, 2016 was the warmest year on record, 2020 was the second-warmest, and 2011–2020 was the warmest decade on record since thermometer-based observations began. Eight of the top 10 warmest years on record for the contiguous 48 states have occurred since 1998, and 2012 and 2016 were the two warmest years on record.<ref>[https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-us-and-global-temperature US and global temperatures]</ref>

The temperature records preferred by the climate establishment were built up over many years and include numerous gaps, bugs, incompatible coding, and other errors. The problems of the CRU data set are memorably documented in the "Harry read me" file, part of the Climategate trove. According to this file, the premier global temperature record contains "botch after botch after botch."<ref name=Brownlow>Brownlow, Andie, "[https://pjmedia.com/blog/climategates-harry_read_me-txt-we-all-really-should/?singlepage=true Climategate's Harry_Read_Me.txt: We All Really Should]", Dec. 11, 2009.</ref>

AGW is hardly the only explanation that has been proposed for recent warming. There are also explanations involving natural cycles such as the 11-year-sunspot cycle, the Pacific decadal oscillation,<ref>Bratcher and Giese, "Tropical Pacific decadal variability and global warming", ''Geophysical Research Letters''.</ref> and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).<ref>*72 percent of global temperature variation since 1958 reflects the influence of a Pacific Ocean weather cycle called the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (McLean, J. D., C. R. de Freitas, and R. M. Carter--2009-07-23). "Influence of the Southern Oscillation on tropospheric temperature". ''Journal of Geophysical Research'' *Spencer, R.W. & Braswell, W.D., "[http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13143-014-0011-z The role of ENSO in global ocean temperature changes during 1955–2011 simulated with a 1D climate model]", Asia-Pacific J Atmos Sci (2014) 50: 229. doi:10.1007/s13143-014-0011-z</ref>

==Summary of arguments against anthropogenic global warming==
Natural periods of global warming and global cooling are expected to occur regardless of human activity, and not long ago liberals were demanding more government control to combat an alleged cooling in temperatures, with some scientists warning of a possible ice age.<ref name="Time">"Science: Another Ice Age?" (June 24, 1974). ''Time'' magazine. Retrieved on September 25, 2014.</ref> [[Global cooling]], a theory that predates global warming, obviously occurs naturally many times throughout [[Earth|Earth's]] geological history.<ref name="dissidents">"After any given warming phase begins, thousands of years later the cyclical [[Milankovitch]] decrease in the sun's heat kicks in. The warming stops, reverses and an [[ice age]] ensues." Cockburn, Alexander (June 9–11, 2007). [http://www.counterpunch.org/cockburn06092007.html "Dissidents against dogma"]. Counterpunch. Retrieved on September 25, 2014.</ref> The ease of refutation of anthropogenic global cooling claims foretells the eventual fate of the current global warming hysteria.

Many political activists use the term "global warming" to refer to [[anthropogenic global warming theory]] (AGW), which asserts that human activity such as spewing "[[greenhouse gases]]" is causing an increase in temperature and is more significant than natural causes. The AGW theory is supported by left-leaning political parties, as well as a majority of sovereign states, national agencies, and an intergovernmental panel (see [[IPCC]]). The reality is that there is no immediate global crisis, and even dire warnings by the UN's [[Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]] (IPCC) admit that significant effects will not be manifested for at least 100 years. Predictions made by [[climate model]]s publicized by the IPCC have not come to pass in recent years. Many scientists, such as Hal Lewis, have decried global warming as a conspiracy for the purpose of securing trillions of dollars in grant money.

In November 2009, emails were disclosed that implicated a wrongful manipulation and concealment of data by scientists who have insisted that there is dangerous man-made global warming. Prior to [[ClimateGate]], both the Republican and Democratic party Platforms in 2008 suggested that global warming is happening, that it is caused by human activity, and that it should be counteracted. For example, in 2007, the Republican presidential candidate Senator [[John McCain]] called global warming "an issue we can no longer afford to ignore".<ref>"Issues" (September 1, 2007). www.JohnMcCain.com [2008 senate campaign website] quoted in [http://www.ontheissues.org/domestic/John_McCain_Environment.htm "John McCain on environment"] OnTheIssues.org. Retrieved on September 25, 2014.</ref> In 2010, an independent analysis cleared the scientists involved of any wrongdoing ''as scientists'', but remarked upon their omissions as data-presenters. Accordingly, the effects of the scandal still linger.<ref>Whiteman, Hilary (July 7, 2010). [https://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/07/07/climategate.email.review/?hpt=Sbin "'Climategate' review clears scientists of dishonesty"]. CNN World. Retrieved on September 26, 2014.</ref>

Former Vice President [[Al Gore]] won a [[Nobel Prize]] in 2007 for claiming that there is a dangerous man-made global warming that threatens the world. However, it has since been revealed that he convinced many people through inaccurate information in his "documentary," i.e., he only won the Nobel Prize by lying. [See [[#Al_Gore.27s_Claims|Al Gore's claims]] below.]

The following facts can help dissuade even the most illogical of liberals from believing in the flawed theory of anthropogenic global warming.

=== Temperature flat ===
The overall temperature has been flat for about 16 years.<ref name="Rose">Rose, David (October 13, 2012). [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2217286/Global-warming-stopped-16-years-ago-reveals-Met-Office-report-quietly-released--chart-prove-it.html "Global warming stopped 16 years ago, reveals Met Office report quietly released...and here is the chart to prove it"]. MailOnline. Retrieved on September 26, 2014.</ref>

=== Data manipulation ===
Climate data stating otherwise has been proven to be manipulated.<ref>Multiple references:
*KUSI-TV (January 14, 2010). [http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=30000 "NASA caught in climate data manipulation; new revelations headlined on KUSI-TV climate special"]. SpaceRef. Retrieved on September 26, 2014.
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jasZcNQqsw "Climategate 2-US Government involved in data manipulation"] (January 16, 2010). YouTube video, 10:00, posted by Bigone5555J. Retrieved on September 26, 2014.</ref>

=== Alternate causation ===
Even if global warming did actually exist, the overall effect of human activities on global warming is minimal, if not nonexistent.<ref>Byrne, Dennis (August 30, 2011). [http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-08-30/news/ct-oped-0830-byrne-20110830_1_cosmic-rays-aerosols-magnetic-field "The real science trashers"]. ChicagoTribune. Retrieved on September 26, 2014.</ref>

==Science of global warming==
===Presence of CO2===

One of the primary concerns of Global Warming research is the increased presence of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. Original claims stated that the increase in carbon dioxide—which is a greenhouse gas—was caused primarily through the burning of [[fossil fuels]], and that such increases were the foremost cause of global temperatures rising. Historically, Global temperature changes precede changes in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.<ref>[http://www.skepticalscience.com/co2-lags-temperature.htm "CO2 lags temperature-what does it mean?"] (2007). SkepticalScience. Retrieved on September 26, 2014.</ref>

The most obvious way that this would occur would be through the heating of ocean water. The oceans are the single largest storage unit for carbon dioxide gas on the planet, containing about 93% of the Earth's carbon dioxide.<ref>[http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Bi-Ca/Carbon-Dioxide-in-the-Ocean-and-Atmosphere.html "Carbon dioxide in the ocean and atmosphere"] (2007). Water Encyclopedia. Retrieved on September 26, 2014</ref> As the temperature rises, the [[solubility]] of carbon dioxide in ocean water is reduced,<ref>[https://science.nasa.gov/earth-science/oceanography/ocean-earth-system/ocean-carbon-cycle/ "Carbon cycle"] (2010). NASA Science. Retrieved on September 26, 2014.</ref> causing the dissolved carbon dioxide gas to enter the atmosphere, and begin trapping radiation from the sun. Scientists now believe that this cycle causes a sort of chain effect, where increased temperature causes more carbon dioxide to enter the atmosphere, which in turn causes more temperature rise.

It is also noteworthy to point out that carbon dioxide, while not as abundant in the atmosphere, has a more significant effect on global warming than water vapor does. Carbon dioxide cannot form clouds, as water vapor does. When water vapor forms clouds, those clouds actually block some of the sun's radiation from reaching the Earth, causing water vapor to both contribute positively and negatively to global temperature rise. Carbon dioxide can only act as a greenhouse gas, causing the above-mentioned cyclic effect. According to the IPCC and others, the current concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere is about 392 ppm, which is the highest it has been in about 800,000 years.<ref>Tans, Pieter and Keeling, Ralph (2010). [http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/mlo.html "Trends in atmospheric carbon dioxide"]. NOAA/Earth System Research Laboratory Global Monitoring Division. Retrieved on September 26, 2014.</ref>

But other scientists have disputed this claim of modern-day record-high carbon dioxide readings:<ref name="dissidents"/>
<blockquote>Take Warsaw-based Professor Zbigniew Jaworowski, famous for his critiques of ice-core data. He’s devastating on the IPCC rallying cry that CO2 is higher now than it has ever been over the past 650,000 years. In his 1997 paper in the Spring ''21st Century Science and Technology'', he demolishes this proposition. In particular, he’s very good on pointing out the enormous inaccuracies in the ice-core data and the ease with which a CO2 reading from any given year is contaminated by the CO2 from entirely different eras. He also points out that from 1985 on there’s been some highly suspect editing of the CO2 data, presumably to reinforce the case for the "unprecedented levels" of modern CO2. In fact, in numerous papers prior to 1985, there were plenty of instances of CO2 levels much higher than current CO2 measurements, some even six times higher. He also points out that it is highly unscientific to merge ice-core temperature measurements with modern temperature measurements.</blockquote>

===The Modern Warm Period===
According to temperature reconstruction made within an [[Old Earth]] paradigm, there have been many cycles of naturally-caused global warming and cooling over many millions of years (see [[climate cycles]]). Some scientists, including [[Richard Lindzen]] of [[MIT]], [[Sallie Baliunas]] of [[Harvard]] and [[Fred Singer]] (independent), say that the recent warming could be part of another natural cycle or random fluctuations in the atmosphere.

Recent studies of the Milankovitch Cycles, which predict Earth's climate by studying changes in its orbit and axial tilt, suggest that we are currently 18,000 years into a 150,000 year period between ice ages. This would imply that we should expect the temperature to be rising anyway. A 2002 study by Berger and Loutre suggests 50,000 years of warmer weather before Earth begins to cool again, but that model incorporated anthropogenic forces and concluded:
<blockquote>While combinations of natural forcings produce a gradual warming up to about 1960, none of them leads to a warming over the last 30 years (this period containing three major volcanic eruptions). In contrast, simulations incorporating only anthropogenic forcings reproduce the warming over the last three decades at a rate consistent with that observed, but underestimate the early 20th century warming. As a consequence, only the use of both natural and anthropogenic forcings allows to reproduce much of the observed decadal scale variations of the annual mean hemispheric temperature over the last 150 years.<ref>Bertrand, Cédric, Loutre, Marie-France et al. (May 2002). [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1034/j.1600-0870.2002.00287.x/full "Climate of the last millennium: a sensitivity study"]. ''Tellus'' [Stockholm], vol. 54, iss. 3, pp. 221-244. Retrieved from Wiley Online Library on September 26, 2014.</ref></blockquote>

It should be noted, however, that computer simulated climate models are often tweaked so they agree with the historical temperature record. There is no way to completely simulate all of the Earth's climate with a computer program.

After a major set of temperature readings was found to be an incompatible mix of older and recent data (in the Climategate II scandal) in 2010, Judith Curry, chair of the School of Earth and Atmospheric Science at America's Georgia Tech university, examined new data causing her to state (as quoted by MailOnline):<ref name="Rose"/>

<blockquote>'Natural variability [the impact of factors such as long-term temperature cycles in the oceans and the output of the sun] has been shown over the past two decades to have a magnitude that dominates the greenhouse warming effect.</blockquote>

<blockquote>'It is becoming increasingly apparent that our attribution of warming since 1980 and future projections of climate change needs to consider natural internal variability as a factor of fundamental importance.'</blockquote>

The MailOnline article continued:

<blockquote>Professor Phil Jones, director of the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia, who found himself at the centre of the ‘Climategate’ scandal over leaked emails three years ago, would not normally be expected to agree with her.... Prof Jones also admitted that the climate models were imperfect: ‘We don’t fully understand how to input things like changes in the oceans, and because we don’t fully understand it you could say that natural variability is now working to suppress the warming. We don’t know what natural variability is doing.’</blockquote>

==Polar bears==
It was announced on the news that polar bears risk going extinct by the end of the twenty-first century if current carbon emissions continue.

===Sunspots===
Sunspot activity is a factor in climate fluctuations, however, little details were known about how much of an impact these fluctuations had on the Earth's climate. During the deepest solar minimum ever recorded, from 2005 to 2010, NASA measured the Earth's energy balance, i.e. the amount of energy absorbed by the sun subtract the amount of energy lost to radiation into space. They concluded:
<blockquote>If the Sun were the only climate forcing or the dominant climate forcing, then the planet would gain energy during the solar maxima, but lose energy during solar minima. The fact that Earth gained energy at a rate 0.58 W/m2 during a deep prolonged solar minimum reveals that there is a strong positive forcing overwhelming the negative forcing by below-average solar irradiance. That result is not a surprise, given knowledge of other forcings, but it provides unequivocal refutation of assertions that the Sun is the dominant climate forcing.<ref>Hansen, James, Sato, Makiko et al. (January 2012). [http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/briefs/hansen_16/ "Earth's energy imbalance"] nasa.gov/Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Retrieved on September 26, 2014.</ref></blockquote>
But heat energy is not the only force of the Sun affecting the Earth. The Sun also produces magnetic activity, the effect of which was not measured in this study, and which could affect the Earth's climate in little-understood ways. British astrophysicist Piers Corbyn, speaking in May 2017, claimed that low sunspot activity heralds a mini ice age which could last for 20 years.<ref>https://abruptearthchanges.com/2017/06/14/mini-ice-age-is-here-to-stay-says-astrophysicist/</ref>

==Economics of global warming==
While the marriage of anti-capitalists and alleged climate science is nothing new, Rep. [[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]] has introduced legislation as part of her [[Green New Deal]], [[reparations]] for minorities, a basic income, and [[Medicare for All]] as part of her "[[climate justice]]" program.<ref>https://news.grabien.com/story-ocasio-cortezs-green-new-deal-radical-mandate-government-con</ref>

===Unnecessary expansion of government===
The idea of dangerous anthropogenic (man-made) global warming (AGW) is promoted by liberals and socialists seeking greater government control over the production and use of energy, which is a substantial percentage of the economy. In economic terms, they would like to 'internalize' the 'externality,' which is to say that they think that producers of emissions should be directly connected to the consequences of those emissions, leading syndicated columnist [[Charles Krauthammer]] to warn of an impending "environmental shakedown".<ref>Krauthammer, Charles (December 11, 2009). [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/12/11/copenhagen_shakedown.html "The environmental shakedown"]. Real Clear Politics. Retrieved on September 27, 2014.</ref>

==Public stances on global warming==
In 2021 72% of Americans believed that global warming is real and 14% believed that there was not.<ref>[https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/visualizations-data/ycom-us/]</ref> However, the ''Daily Mail'' gives a figure of 63% of Americans who believe in climate change. Another survey in March 2021 conducted in the United States, found that some 70 percent of the respondents said they believed that global warming was happening. A much smaller share, 15 percent, believed global warming was not happening.<ref>[https://www.statista.com/statistics/663247/belief-of-global-warming-according-to-us-adults/]</ref> In the UK, according to a ''Daily Mail'' poll, "the public strongly supportsc [Conservative] [[Boris Johnson]]’s bid to curb climate change – but they are not prepared to pay more than £5 extra a week in tax to fund his trillion-pound green energy plans".<ref>[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10146089/Daily-Mail-poll-shows-strong-support-PMs-bid-curb-climate-change-public-fears-Cop26-flop.html]></ref> While little is known about public opinion in Russia, the Russian government is beginning to take climate change seriously. Vladimir Putin, who was for a long time a sceptic, said in 2021 that "climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. He reiterated this in connection with the climate summit in Glasgow in November this year".<ref>[https://sciencenorway.no/climate-policy-russia-society-and-culture/have-russian,-climate-scientists-convinced-vladimir-putin-that-climate-change-is-real/1956249]</ref>

===Climate change as a cult===
The zeal of climate-change advocates and lack of objectivity have led some observers to see it as a core belief in a new eco-theology, using themes of traditional Judeo-Christian beliefs. Columnist Deon Feder warns,<ref>Feder, Don (July 31, 2007). [http://archive.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=27579 "The cult of global warming"]. GrassTopsUSA.com. Retrieved from archive at FrontPageMag.com on September 27, 2014.</ref> that following other attempts such as Marxism, overpopulation, ''[[Silent Spring]]'',
<blockquote>now we have the Church of Global Warming, under the leadership of Pope Albert I and his college of cardinals (the [[Natural Resources Defense Council]], [[Sierra Club]] and editorial board of ''The New York Times'').</blockquote>

<blockquote>Its Office for the Propagation of the Faith works overtime, churning out books, movies (from the fictional “The Day After Tomorrow” to the fictional [[An Inconvenient Truth|“An Inconvenient Truth”]]), textbooks, concerts, congressional hearings, media pleading and inquisitions.</blockquote>

Commenting on the tendency to hastily issue dire warnings of Climate Change, seen in the coming [[Ice Age]] scare of the 70s, Maurizio Morabito<ref>Morabito, Maurizio (December 5, 2009). [http://www.spectator.co.uk/features/5592803/the-cias-global-cooling-files/ "The CIA’s ‘global cooling’ file"]. ''[[The Spectator]]''. Retrieved from The Spectator website on September 27, 2014.</ref> asked, "Is the problem with the general public, who cannot talk about climate except in doom-laden terms, and for whom the sky is the last animist god?"

Mark Steyn writes in ''Macleans'',<ref name="hot">Steyn, Mark (December 24, 2009). [http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/12/24/why-climate-change-is-hot-hot-hot/2/ "Why climate change is hot hot hot"]. Macleans. Retrieved on September 27, 2014.</ref>
<blockquote>
Forty years ago conventional religious belief was certainly in decline in what we once knew as Christendom, but the hole was not yet ozone-layer sized. Once the sea of faith had receded far from shore, the post-Christian West looked at what remained and found “Gaia.”</blockquote>

And while, "When man was made in the image of God, he was fallen but redeemable", among these devotees of [[Gaia]],
<blockquote>Anti-humanism is everywhere, not least in the barely concealed admiration for China’s (demographically disastrous) “One Child” policy advanced by everyone from the ''National Post''’s Diane Francis to Sir David Attenborough, the world’s leading telly naturalist but also a BBC exec who once long ago commissioned the great series ''The Ascent of Man''. If Sir David’s any guide, the great thing about man’s ascent is it gives him a higher cliff to nosedive off.</blockquote>

===Politics of global warming and dissent===
{{main|Politics of global warming}}
[[File:Global carbon emissions.PNG|right|300px|thumb|The [[Peoples Republic of China]] is responsible for 27% of global carbon emissions, more than all other developed nations combined.]]
Christine Stewart—Canadian Environment Ministry, "'''No matter if the science is all phony''', there are collateral environmental benefits.... [C]limate change [provides] the greatest chance to bring about justice and equality in the world." <ref>Stewart, Christine (December 14, 1998). ''Calgary Herald''. Reprinted at "Match these quotes" (December 2004). ''Resource Roundup'', p. 8. Reprinted at [http://www.aim.org/wls/use-environmentalism-to-change-the-world/ "Use environmentalism to change the world"]. Accuracy in Media, "What liberals say" series. Retrieved on September 27, 2014.</ref>

'Global Warming Now World's Most Boring Topic' <ref>Sheppard, Noel (July 17, 2007). [http://newsbusters.org/node/14467 "Hysterical satire: 'Global warming now world's most boring topic'"]. MRC NewsBusters. Retrieved on September 27, 2014.</ref>

The need to fight "global warming" has become part of the dogma of the liberal conscience.<ref name="cato">Lindzen, Richard (Spring 1992). [http://www.cato.org/regulation/spring-1992 "Global warming: The origin and nature of the alleged scientific consensus"]. ''Regulation'', vol. 15, no. 2. Retrieved from Cato Institute website on September 29, 2014.</ref>

Clearly, "global warming" is a tempting issue for many very important groups to exploit.
... dealing with the threat of warming fits in with a great variety of preexisting agendas [like] dissatisfaction with industrial society (neopastoralism), ... governmental desires for enhanced revenues (carbon taxes), and bureaucratic desires for enhanced power.<ref name="cato"/>

Mark Steyn writes in "Why climate change is hot hot hot",<ref name="hot"/>
<blockquote>
What’s also changed since the seventies is the nature of the UN and the transnational bureaucracies...“Aid” is a discredited word these days and comes with too many strings attached. But eco-credits sluiced through an oil-for-food program on steroids offers splendid new opportunities for bulking up an ambitious dictator’s Swiss bank accounts.</blockquote>

The IPCC is desperate to claim the 20th century—the warmest on record. Thus, tying the progress of modern mankind to our supposed planet imbalance problem. Unfortunately for the IPCC, that point is disputed as well. In 2008, it was discovered that tree rings in Finland were more accurate record of the warmest century. The current era was not the warmest period—it was the period between 931 and 1180.<ref>Birdnow, Timothy (June 24, 2008). [http://tbirdnow.mee.nu/archive/2008/6?page=2 "The trees of Finland; temperature readings and historical reconstruction"]. Birdnow's Aviary blog. Retrieved on September 29, 2014. With links to actual data sources.</ref>

Assessments of climate science by the [[United Nations]] (see [[IPCC]] — ''Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change'') have claimed that scientists are 90% sure that over 50% of the observed global warming in recent decades is human-caused, and that continued global warming should be expected over at least the next century.

Several prominent scientists have pointed out the [[politicized science]] of the UN's assessment methods. The scientific reports are submitted to a panel of representatives appointed by each country in the IPCC. Several scientists whose research demonstrates that climate change is taking place have complained about their work being misrepresented by the U.N.

In addition, a number of the participants have testified to the pressures placed on them to emphasize results supportive of the current scenario and to suppress other results. That pressure has frequently been effective, and a survey of participants reveals substantial disagreement with the final report.<ref name="cato" />

Richard Lindzen wrote:
:Perhaps more important are the pressures being brought to bear on scientists to get the "right" results. Such pressures are inevitable, given how far out on a limb much of the scientific community has gone. The situation is compounded by the fact that some of the strongest proponents of "global warming" in Congress are also among the major supporters of science (Sen. Gore is notable among those).<ref name="cato"/>

[[Christopher Monckton]] wrote an article entitled "Climate sensitivity reconsidered" which states that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change studies are flawed.<ref>Monckton, Christopher (July 2008). [http://www.aps.org/units/fps/newsletters/200807/monckton.cfm "Climate sensitivity reconsidered"]. ''Physics & Society'' newsletter. Retrieved from American Physical Society/Forum on Physics and Society website on September 29, 2014.</ref>

:The present analysis suggests that the failure of the IPCC's models to predict this and many other climatic phenomena arises from defects in its evaluation of the three factors whose product is climate sensitivity:

::Radiative forcing ΔF;
::The no-feedbacks climate sensitivity parameter κ; and
::The feedback multiplier ƒ.

:Some reasons why the IPCC’s estimates may be excessive and unsafe are explained. More importantly, the conclusion is that, perhaps, there is no “climate crisis”, and that currently-fashionable efforts by governments to reduce anthropogenic CO2 emissions are pointless, may be ill-conceived, and could even be harmful.

This was published on a forum of the American Physical Society with the following disclaimers: "The article has not undergone any scientific peer review" and "the APS disagrees with the article's conclusions". In fact, the APS disagrees with the article without ever reviewing it.

Ryan N. Maue:
:A doctoral student at the Department of Meteorology at Florida State University did a study of global tropical cyclone activity. Its conclusions state that global warming might be greatly overblown.<ref>Tribune-Review, The (March 21, 2009). [http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/s_617111.html# "Global warming? More doubts"]. TribLive [''Pittsburgh Tribune'' website]. Retrieved on September 29, 2014.</ref> Mr. Maue found that tropical cyclone activity worldwide "has completely and utterly collapsed" during the past two to three years with energy levels sinking to those of the late 1970s.

Dr. Vincent Gray:
:A member of the IPCC’s expert reviewers’ panel asserts, "There is no relationship between warming and the level of gases in the atmosphere," and "there is no serious threat to the climate" <ref>Hendrickson, Mark W. (May 25, 2009). [https://townhall.com/columnists/markwhendrickson/2009/05/25/a_closer_look_at_climate_change "A closer look at climate change"]. Townhall.com. Retrieved on September 29, 2014. "The panic over global warming is totally unjustified" says Vice Chair, IPCC.</ref>

Joe D’Aleo: Climatologist:
:The International Climate and Environmental Change Assessment Project says new data "show that in five of the last seven decades since World War II, including this one, global temperatures have cooled while carbon dioxide has continued to rise," and "'''The data suggest cooling''', not warming, in Earth's future." <ref>[https://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=92557 "Shocker: 'Global warming' simply no longer happening"] (March 22, 2009). WND. Retrieved on September 29, 2014.</ref>

Dr. John S. Theon:
:Retired senior NASA atmospheric [[scientist]], Dr. John S. Theon, the former boss of global warming alarmist James Hansen of [[NASA]], rebukes him, declaring “climate models are useless.” “My own belief concerning anthropogenic climate change is that the models do not realistically simulate the climate system because there are many very important sub-grid scale processes that the models either replicate poorly or completely omit,” “Furthermore, some scientists have manipulated the observed data to justify their model results." <ref>Blumer, Tom (January 28, 2009). [http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tom-blumer/2009/01/28/former-boss-rebukes-nasa-global-warming-alarmist-hansen-agw-skeptic "Former boss rebukes NASA global warming alarmist Hansen, is AGW skeptic"]. MRC NewsBusters. Retrieved on September 29, 2014.</ref>

Sammy Wilson—Ireland's environment minister
:He argues that global weather patterns are naturally cooling, not warming. He calls television ads that promote global warming as "an insidious propaganda campaign" peddling "patent nonsense." <ref>Pogatchnik, Shawn (February 9, 2009). [http://cnsnews.com/news/article/belfast-environment-chief-bans-climate-change-ads "Belfast environment chief bans climate change ads"]. Associated Press. Retrieved from CNSNews.com on September 29, 2014.</ref>

After the broadcast of his movie '[[The Great Global Warming Swindle]]', filmmaker Martin Durkin's statements read <ref>Goodenough, Patrick (July 22, 2008). [http://cnsnews.com/news/article/uk-broadcaster-scolded-film-global-warming-swindle "UK broadcaster scolded for film on global warming"]. CNSNews. Retrieved on September 29, 2014.</ref>

*“Everywhere you are told that man-made [[climate change]] is proved beyond doubt,” “But you are being told lies.”
*“This is a story of how a theory about climate turned into a political [[ideology]] ... it is the story of the distortion of a whole area of [[science]].”
*“as the frenzy over man-made global warming grows shriller, many senior scientists say the actual scientific basis for the [[theory]] is crumbling.”

In late 2008, the [[AP]] published an article by its Science Writer Seth Borenstein, which is seen by skeptics as another example of one-sided, uncritical reporting on the issue by [[liberal media]]. The report stated that global warming was "a ticking time bomb that President-elect Barack Obama can't avoid", and that "We're out of time", with Al Gore calling the situation "the equivalent of a five-alarm fire that has to be addressed immediately."<ref>Borenstein, Seth (December 14, 2008). [https://web.archive.org/web/20081215162025/https://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D952LKOO1&show_article=1 "Obama left with little time to curb global warming"]. Associated Press. Reprinted at Breitbart.com. Retrieved from December 15, 2008 archive at Internet Archive on September 29, 2014.</ref> In response, Fox News (December 16, 2008) reported that scientists skeptical of anthropogenic global warming criticized the report as "irrational hysteria," "horrifically bad" and "incredibly biased", containing sweeping scientific errors and being a one-sided portrayal of a complicated issue. Geology professor [[David Deming]] stated, "If the issues weren't so serious and the ramifications so profound, I would have to laugh at it", and accused Borenstein of "writing a polemic and reporting it as fact." Deming noted that "the mean global temperature, at least as measured by satellite, is now the same as it was in the year 1980. In the last couple of years sea level has stopped rising. Hurricane and cyclone activity in the northern hemisphere is at a 24-year low and sea ice globally is also the same as it was in 1980." The AP responded to criticism by stating that, "It’s a news story, based on fact and the clearly expressed views of President-elect Barack Obama and others."<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,468084,00.html "Scientists call AP Report on global warming 'hysteria'"] (December 16, 2008). Fox News website. Retrieved on September 29, 2014.</ref>

Also in the discussion of the biased AP report, Michael R. Fox, a retired nuclear scientist and chemistry professor from the University of Idaho stated, "There is little evidence to believe that man-made carbon dioxide is causing temperature fluctuation. Other factors, including sun spots, solar winds, variations in the solar magnetic field and solar irradiation, could all be affecting temperature changes."

The year 2008 turned out to be the coolest year since 2000, yet the seventh to tenth warmest year on record, according to the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110725075133/http://news.eoportal.org/research/090127_res3.html "2008 global temperature"] (January 21, 2009). EO [Earth Observation]. Retrieved from July 25, 2011 archive at Internet Archive on September 29, 2014.</ref> According to a preliminary analysis by NOAA's National Climatic Data Center, the average June–August 2009 summer temperature for the contiguous United States was below average—the 34th coolest on record.<ref>[http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/20090910_summerstats.html "NOAA: Summer temperature below average for U.S."] (September 10, 2009). NOAA. Retrieved on September 29, 2014.</ref>

Richard S. Courtney, a U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) expert reviewer and a U.K.-based climate and atmospheric science consultant says "Rubbish! Global warming is not 'accelerating," and "...that anybody who proclaims that 'Global warming is accelerating' is a liar, a fool, or both."<ref>Brennan, Phil (December 16, 2008). [https://www.newsmax.com/brennan/global-warming-debunked/2009/12/12/id/341719/ "Global warming’s last gasp"]. NewsMax. Retrieved on September 29, 2014.</ref>

Don J. Easterbrook, Ph.D., emeritus professor of geology at Western Washington University, asked, "What does it take to ignore 10 years of global cooling....? The answer is really quite simple—just follow the money!"
==== Belief in global warming and political and religious views ====

The more religious an individual is, the more likely they are to disbelieve in global warming. In 2014, whereas 80% of Americans [[Atheism|atheists]] believed in climate change, only 56% of all very religious Americans did.<ref name="randalolson.com">[http://www.randalolson.com/2014/09/13/who-are-the-climate-change-deniers/ Statistics on belief in climate change], Randal S. Olson</ref>

In 2014, 86% of [[Democrats]] accepted climate change, whereas half of all [[Republican]]s disbelieve in global warming.<ref name="randalolson.com"/>

===== Evangelicals =====
In 2008 86 evangelical pastors, including Rev. Dr.[[Rick Warren]] signed a statement titled "Climate Change: An Evangelical Call to Action", which called on Christians to acknowledge the moral importance of action to counteract man-made climate change. the statement includes specific support for market-based CO2 reductions such as a cap-and-trade program.<ref>Evangelical Climate Initiative (2006). [https://web.archive.org/web/20140201232519/http://christiansandclimate.org/statement/ "ECI Statement"]. Climate Change: An Evangelical Call to Action. Retrieved from February 1, 2014 archive at Internet Archive on September 29, 2014.</ref> In contrast, a group of evangelical scholars, comprised of scientists, economists and theologians, contend that the liberal view of pending catastrophe caused by climate change is misleading and/or exaggerated.<ref>Vu, Michelle A. (December 4, 2009). [http://www.christianpost.com/article/20091204/evangelicals-push-back-against-climate-change-hoax/pageall.html "Evangelicals push back against global warming doom"] The Christian Post website. Retrieved on September 29, 2014.</ref>

===The Bill Nye challenge===

In April 2016 science popularizer "[[Bill Nye|Bill Nye the Science Guy]]" took the debate up to the "put your money where your mouth is" level. He issued two bets, of $10,000 each, with Joe Bastardi, a "climate change contrarian" and frequent critic of Nye. One bet was that "2016 will be in the top 10 of hottest years on record", and that "this current decade will be the warmest ever recorded".<ref>[http://time.com/4301258/bill-nye-sarah-palin-climate-change-bet/ The Bill Nye climate change bet].</ref> As of late May Mr. Bastardi has not taken up the offer.

==Inaccuracies of global warming evidence==
===Climate "science" fraud===
{{main|Climategate}}

The [[Climategate#Climategate scandal|Climategate scandal]] revealed how liberal scientists appeared to be deceiving the public with the use of fraudulent data for use as climate science. The [[liberal media]] has attempted to bury the story and discount it as the work of computer hackers illegally stealing data. However, [[FOIA|Freedom of Information]] requests are likely what led to the data being leaked — intentionally.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20091212190817/http://www.junkscience.com/ JunkScience.com] (December 12, 2009). Retrieved from December 12, 2009 archive at Internet Archive on September 29, 2014.</ref> Dr. Willie Soon, a [[physicist]], [[astronomer]] and climate researcher at the solar and stellar physics division of the [[Harvard University]]-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, said in an interview, "[The Climatic Research Unit climate scientists] are making scientific progress more difficult now. This is a shameful, dark day for science." Dr. Soon also suggested that there has been systemic suppression of dissenting opinion among scientists in the climate change community, ranging from social snubs to e-mail stalking and even threats of harm.<ref>Koprowski, Gene J. (December 1, 2009). [https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,578368,00.html "Global warming scandal makes scientific progress more difficult, experts say"]. Fox News website. Retrieved on September 30, 2014. See [[Fox News]].</ref>

[[Image:GoreFireBreathing.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Al Gore's [[Schlockumentary]] under fire; ''[[An Inconvenient Truth]]'' found to be an inconvenient [[lie]] based on [[junk science]] and digitally enhanced, totally faked scenes of polar icecaps melting.]]

===Liberal claims of "consensus"===
Reports of a scientific "consensus" among scientists are similar to their one-sided support of other [[liberal]] policies and beliefs. For example, nearly 100% of political donations from professors are to [[Democrats]] rather than to Republicans. Similarly, according to NASA, 97% of climate scientists believe that climate-warming trends over the past century are very likely due to human activities.<ref>NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory-California Institute of Technology Earth Science Communications Team (2013). [http://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus "Consensus"]. NASA website/Global Climate Change. Retrieved on September 30, 2014.</ref> These liberal scientists believe, or say they believe, that the Earth is warming overall, and that this warming, as well as other changes in climate patterns, is largely caused by human activities.<ref>Multiple references:
*Anderegg, William R. L., Prall, James W. et al. (July 6, 2010). [http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2010/06/04/1003187107.full.pdf+html "Expert credibility in climate change."] ''Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences'', vol. 107, no. 27, pp. 12107-12109. Retrieved from PNAS.org on September 30, 2014.
*[http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/spmsspm-understanding-and.html "Working group I: The physical science basis/Summary for policy makers/Understanding and attributing climate change"] (2007). ''IPCC Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007.'' Retrieved from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change website on September 30, 2014.</ref> These allegations do not necessarily make the consensus true, as discussed throughout the referenced citation. Numerous scientists, especially those outside of university faculties, have been critical of anthropogenic global warming. However, according to some researchers, scientists who do not support the anthropogenic global warming theory have a general lack of comparative credentials; proponents of man-made global warming argue that this has led to agreement that, among authorities in scientific disciplines, there is a "[[scientific consensus]]" supporting the theory for greater government control. Scientists skeptical of the theory question whether there is a financial incentive for supporting research.<ref>Chesser, Paul (October 25, 2007). [http://www.seattlepi.com/local/opinion/article/Be-wary-of-climate-policy-development-1253536.php "Be wary of climate policy development"]. Seattle Post-Intelligencer website. Retrieved on September 30, 2014.</ref> It has also been documented that on most college campuses criticism of the global warming theory is silenced or censored; evidence shows that scientists skeptical of AGW are being suppressed.<ref>Multiple references:
*O'Neill, Brendan (October 6, 2006). [http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/article/1782/ "Global warming: The chilling effect on free speech"]. Sp!ked. Retrieved on September 30, 2014.
*Schilling, Chelsea (June 24, 2009). [https://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=102031 "EPA's own research expert 'shut up' on climate change"]. WND. Retrieved on September 30, 2014.</ref>

It is well understood that most media companies do not offer balanced reporting. Many politicians have bought into the liberal claim of consensus, for example Barack Obama's views, "Few challenges facing America and the world are more urgent than fighting climate change. The science is beyond dispute and the facts are clear." <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090331121618/http://www.cato.org/special/climatechange/ "Climate change reality"] (March 2009). Cato Institute website. Retrieved on September 30, 2014.</ref> In fact, many scientists disagree with the "facts," regarding their certainty, and their interpretation. Over 100 of them have signed the statement that appears in the Cato Institute's newspaper ad. Liberals have failed to back up their claims with any scientific facts.

[[File:ad.jpg|center]]

According to 80 graphs published in 58 peer-reviewed scientific papers in the first five months of 2017 alone, catastrophic anthropogenic global warming does not exist.<ref>Delingpole, James (June 6, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/06/06/delingpole-global-warming-is-myth-58-scientific-papers-2017/ DELINGPOLE: ‘Global Warming’ Is a Myth, Say 58 Scientific Papers in 2017]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 7, 2017.</ref> By October 2017, the number of peer-reviewed papers rejecting global warming had increased to 400.<ref>Delingpole, James (October 24, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/10/24/delingpole-now-400-scientific-papers-in-2017-say-global-warming-is-a-myth/ Delingpole: Now 400 Scientific Papers in 2017 Say ‘Global Warming’ Is a Myth]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 24, 2017.</ref>

===Past speculation===

Speculation and warnings of catastrophic climate change are not unprecedented. In 2001 the ''Guardian'' noted that some 70s headlines shouted, "Brace yourself for another ice age". In 1971 the journal ''Science'' reported that the subsequent cooling effect resulting from a possible eightfold increase in atmospheric aerosol concentrations, "if sustained over a period of several years—is believed to be sufficient to trigger an ice age." <ref>George, Alison (June 28, 2001). [https://www.theguardian.com/science/2001/jun/28/physicalsciences.highereducation "Breaking the ice"]. The Guardian website. Retrieved on September 30, 2014. See [[Guardian (UK)]].</ref>

[[Richard Lindzen]] wrote in 1992 on the doubtfulness of man-caused warming on Earth.
{{Cquote|Indeed, a recent Gallup poll of climate scientists in the American Meteorological Society and in the American Geophysical Union shows that a vast majority doubt that there has been any identifiable man-caused warming to date (49 percent asserted no, 33 percent did not know, 18 percent thought some has occurred; however, among those actively involved in research and publishing frequently in peer-reviewed research journals, none believes that any man-caused global warming has been identified so far).<ref name="cato"/>}}

Oddly enough, even though 82% of US climate scientists refused to support the global warming theory then, [[liberal]] activists were already claiming a scientific consensus for [[anthropogenic global warming]]. (It's hard to understand how 18 percent credence in ''any'' global warming translates into "consensus" support for ''human-caused'' global warming.)

The campaign to convince the public (and their elected representatives) that the "science is settled" began in 1988 or 1989.

By the 2008 elections both candidates for the Presidency of the United States were proposing plans to mitigate climate change.

Over 31,000 American scientists have signed the petition rejecting global warming.<ref>[http://www.petitionproject.org/ "Global warming petition project"] (2008). Global Warming Petition Project. Retrieved on September 30, 2014.</ref>

[[Image:Teller_Card_100dpi.jpg|600px|center|thumb| Global Warming Petition]]

In June, 1974, ''[[Time]]'' magazine published its front-page article, ''Science: Another Ice Age?'',<ref name="Time"/> while a report by the [[CIA]] in the same year stated that, "The western world's leading climatologists have confirmed recent reports of a detrimental global climatic change”, noting such things as that the "world's snow and ice cover had increased by at least 10 to 15 percent", and in the "Canadian area of [[Arctic]] Greenland, below normal temperatures were recorded for 19 consecutive months", which was unique during the last 100 years. A "major climatic shift" was speculated, which would threaten the "the stability of most nations.” It further warned that "Scientists are confident that unless man is able to effectively modify the climate, the northern regions, such as Canada" to "major areas in northern China, will again be covered with 100 to 200 feet of ice and snow", within the next 2500 years—or sooner.<ref>Central Intelligence Agency (August 1974). [http://www.climatemonitor.it/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/1974.pdf ''A Study of Climatological Research as it Pertains to Intelligence Problems''], pp. 1, 5, 7, 16. Retrieved from Climatemonitor [Italy] on September 30, 2014.</ref>

Also in 1974, Nigel Calder, former editor of ''New Scientist'' and atmospheric researcher, wrote in his book ''The Weather Machine'', "One might argue that there is a virtual certainty of the next ice age starting some time in the next 2000 years. Then the odds are only about 20-to-1 against it beginning in the next 100 years."

In 1975 the liberal magazine ''[[Newsweek]]'' reported that "Meteorologists disagree about the cause and extent of the cooling trend,...but they are almost unanimous in the view that the trend will reduce agricultural productivity for the rest of the century." These authorities were skeptical that political leaders would take any positive action to compensate for the [[climate change]], and they conceded that the more dramatic solutions, such as melting the arctic ice cap, might create worse problems than that which they were designed to solve.<ref>Gwynne, Peter (April 28, 1975). [http://denisdutton.com/newsweek_coolingworld.pdf "The cooling world"]. ''Newsweek''. Retrieved from DenisDutton.com on September 30, 2014. Caution: Copyrighted material; for fair educational use only.</ref>

===Natural variability of the climate system===
It is virtually universally accepted amongst secular climatologists that the earth has experienced numerous [[Ice Age|ice age]]s over two million years, during which global temperatures fluctuated, creating glacial and inter-glacial periods. The frigid temperatures allowed ice sheets to expand southward, covering much of [[Asia]], [[Europe]], and [[North America]]. The cooling associated with ice ages is gradual, while the terminations are relatively rapid. However, even the rapid terminations of ice ages take centuries to millennia.

===Natural climate change on other planets===

Since the [[Viking spacecraft]] reached [[Mars]] in the 1970s until recent readings were taken, the average temperature on Mars has risen {{temperature|0.6|1.1}} just as the average temperature on the earth has risen. Since human industrialization is clearly not to blame for the change on Mars, other causes are being considered. One possibility is that dust storms are changing the albedo of the planet, allowing it to warm, while another possibility is that solar variations from the sun are causing the warming.<ref>Multiple references:
*Than, Ker (April 4, 2007). [http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/070404_gw_mars.html "Dust storms fuel global warming on Mars"]. Space.com. Retrieved on September 30, 2014.
*Taylor, James M. (November 1, 2005). [http://www.heartland.org/Article.cfm?artId=17977 "Mars is warming, NASA scientists report"]. Heartlander Magazine. Retrieved on September 30, 2014.</ref>

Recently, it has also been found that similar to the Earth and Mars, [[Neptune]] is also undergoing global warming. Measurements taken at the Lowell observatory in [[Arizona]] have shown an increase in Neptune's brightness and temperature since 1980 following the same pattern seen on Earth and Mars. The researchers who discovered this warming suggest there may be a correlation between the warming and solar variations.<ref>Hammel, H. B. and Lockwood, G. W. (April 8, 2007). [http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2007.../2006GL028764.shtml "Suggestive correlations between the brightness of Neptune, solar variability, and Earth's temperature"]. ''Geophysical Research Letters''. Retrieved from Wiley Online Library on September 30, 2014.</ref>

[[Pluto]] has also been found to be undergoing global warming. The overall temperature increase on Pluto has been greater than that on the earth.<ref>Britt, Robert Roy (October 9, 2002). [http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/pluto_warming_021009.html "Global warming on Pluto puzzles scientists"]. Space.com. Retrieved on September 30, 2014.</ref>

On the other hand, [[Uranus]] has had no net change in temperature since 1977. A rapid increase in temperature reversed itself. The reasons for this are not understood.<ref>Young, Leslie A., Bosh, Amanda S. et al. (October 2001). [http://www.boulder.swri.edu/~layoung/eprint/ur149/Young2001Uranus.pdf "Uranus after solstice: Results from the 1998 November 6 occultation"]. ''Icarus'', vol. 153, iss. 2, pp. 236-247. Retrieved from Southwest Research Institute [Boulder, CO] website on September 30, 2014.</ref>

Global temperatures change on other planets even when there is no life, something which strongly supports the idea that humans are not necessarily the cause of earth's global warming. Moreover, the temperature on Uranus has fluctuated back and forth. There is no reason that fluctuations cannot occur on earth, too.

Although measurements have been made of the temperatures of other planets, these are by no means thorough or comparable with the measurements used for earth. The short space of time over which measurements have been taken and the very limited spatial coverage mean that reliable average figures have not been obtained. They have certainly not been taken extensively enough to produce a five-year average temperature, which is the standard when determining temperature trends on earth.

However, if accurate measurements could be made, and their accuracy and reliability are improving over time, then they may prove useful to climate science. Their different atmospheres and distances from the sun provide natural laboratories to study climatic changes without human influences. Though of course they will not be directly comparable due to the vast differences.

===Al Gore's claims===
[[File:Gore GlobalWarming.jpg|right|200px]]
The decision by the government to distribute Al Gore's film, ''An Inconvenient Truth'', became the subject of a legal challenge by [[New Party]] member Stewart Dimmock. A school governor from Dover and father of two, Dimmock charged the Government with brainwashing children with propaganda by presenting Gore's sci-fi film as science. In October 2007, Mr Justice Burton of London's High Court found that while the film was "broadly accurate", it contained nine significant errors,“in which statements were made that were not supported by the current mainstream scientific consensus”, some of which had arisen in “the context of alarmism and exaggeration”. He also found the Guidance Notes drafted by the Education Secretary's advisers only worked to exacerbate the political propaganda in the film.<ref>Multiple references:
*Sheppard, Marc (July 14, 2009). [https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/07/clearly_its_al_gore_whos_in_de.html "Clearly it's Al Gore who's in denial"]. American Thinker. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.
*Smith, Lewis (October 11, 2007). [https://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/law/article2210175.ece "Al Gore’s inconvenient judgment"]. The Times website. Retrieved on October 1, 2014. Fee required to see article.
*Smith, Lewis (October 11, 2007). [http://www.uio.no/studier/emner/matnat/ifi/MNSES9100/h11/undervisningsmateriale/literature/Al%20Gore%E2%80%99s%20inconvenient%20judgement%20times%202007.pdf "Al Gore’s inconvenient judgment"]. The Times website. Retrieved from University of Oslo/Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science website on October 1, 2014. Caution: Copyrighted; for fair educational use only.</ref>

Taken from the official transcript,<ref>Burton, Mr Justice Michael (October 10, 2007). [http://noteviljustwrong.com/images/nejw/docs/22161.pdf "Stuart Dimmock and Secretary of State for Education and Skills"]. United Kingdom of Great Britain's High Court of Justice/Queen's Bench Division/Administrative Court. Retrieved from Not Evil Just Wrong on October 1, 2014.</ref> the nine errors the judge found were:

*1. Sea level rise of up to 20 feet (7 metres) will be caused by melting of either West Antarctica or Greenland in the near future. This is distinctly alarmist, and part of Mr Gore's 'wake-up call'. It is common ground that if indeed Greenland melted, it would release this amount of water, but only after, and over, millennia, so that the Armageddon scenario he predicts, insofar as it suggests that sea level rises of 7 metres might occur in the immediate future, is not in line with the scientific consensus.

*2. Low lying inhabited Pacific atolls are being inundated because of anthropogenic global warming. In scene 20, Mr Gore states "that's why the citizens of these Pacific nations have all had to evacuate to New Zealand". There is no evidence of any such evacuation having yet happened.

*3. Shutting down of the "Ocean Conveyor". According to the IPCC, it is very unlikely that the Ocean Conveyor (known technically as the Meridional Overturning Circulation or thermohaline circulation) will shut down in the future, though it is considered likely that thermohaline circulation may slow down.

*4. Direct coincidence between rise in CO2 in the atmosphere and in temperature, by reference to two graphs. In scenes 8 and 9, Mr Gore shows two graphs relating to a period of 650,000 years, one showing rise in CO2 and one showing rise in temperature, and asserts (by ridiculing the opposite view) that they show an exact fit. Although there is general scientific agreement that there is a connection, the two graphs do not establish what Mr Gore asserts.

*5. The snows of Kilimanjaro. The film asserted that melting snows on Mount Kilimanjaro evidenced global warming. The Government's expert had to admit that this is not correct. Mr Gore asserts in scene 7 that the disappearance of snow on Mt Kilimanjaro is expressly attributable to global warming. It is noteworthy that this is a point that specifically impressed Mr Milliband (see the press release quoted at paragraph 6 above). However, it is common ground that, the scientific consensus is that it cannot be established that the recession of snows on Mt Kilimanjaro is mainly attributable to human-induced climate change.

*6. Lake Chad etc. The drying up of Lake Chad is used as a prime example of a catastrophic result of global warming. However, it is generally accepted that the evidence remains insufficient to establish such an attribution. It is apparently considered to be far more likely to result from other factors, such as population increase and over-grazing, and regional climate variability.

*7. Hurricane Katrina. In scene 12 Hurricane Katrina and the consequent devastation in New Orleans is ascribed to global warming. It is common ground that there is insufficient evidence to show that.

*8. Death of polar bears. In scene 16, by reference to a dramatic graphic of a polar bear desperately swimming through the water looking for ice, Mr Gore says: "A new scientific study shows that for the first time they are finding polar bears that have actually drowned swimming long distances up to 60 miles to find the ice. They did not find that before." The only scientific study that either side before me can find is one which indicates that four polar bears have recently been found drowned because of a storm.

*9. Coral reefs. In scene 19, Mr Gore says: "Coral reefs all over the world because of global warming and other factors are bleaching and they end up like this. All the fish species that depend on the coral reef are also in jeopardy as a result. Overall specie loss is now occurring at a rate 1000 times greater than the natural background rate." The actual scientific view, as recorded in the IPCC report, is that, if the temperature were to rise by 1-3 degrees Centigrade, there would be increased coral bleaching and widespread coral mortality, unless corals could adapt or climatize, but that separating the impacts of climate change-related stresses from other stresses, such as over-fishing and polluting, is difficult.

Dimmock's lawyer, Mr. Downes, argued that by schools making available such film to its teachers, and if teachers then showed such film to their pupils, then this would inevitably result "in the promotion of partisan political views in the teaching of any subject in the school, which is thus not only not being forbidden by the local education authority (and the DES), but being positively facilitated by them."

Mr Justice Barton stressed that the “apocalyptic vision” presented in the film was politically partisan and not an impartial analysis of the science of climate change. “It is now common ground that it is not simply a science film—although it is clear that it is based substantially on scientific research and opinion—but that it is a political film.

Justice Barton also stated that, “I conclude that the claimant substantially won this case by virtue of my finding that, but for the new guidance note, the film would have been distributed in breach of sections 406 and 407 of the 1996 Education Act.”<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7037671.stm "Gore climate film's nine 'errors'"] (October 11, 2007). BBC News website. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.</ref>

In order for the film to be shown, the Government must first amend their Guidance Notes to Teachers to make clear that

*1. The Film is a political work and promotes only one side of the argument.

*2. If teachers present the Film without making this plain they may be in breach of section 406 of the Education Act 1996 and guilty of political indoctrination.

*3. Nine inaccuracies have to be specifically drawn to the attention of school children.<ref>[http://www.newparty.co.uk/articles/inaccuracies-gore.html "Inaccuracies in Al Gore's 'An Inconvenient Truth'"] (October 2007). The New Party [U.K.]. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.</ref>

Science and Public Policy took issue with the response to the ruling by Al Gore's spokesman and environment adviser, and asserted that his film contains ''35 Inconvenient Truths''.<ref>Monckton, Christopher (October 19, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20140915002809/http://scienceandpublicpolicy.org/monckton/goreerrors.html "35 inconvenient truths: The errors in Al Gore's movie"]. The Science and Public Policy Institute website. Retrieved from September 15, 2014 archive at Internet Archive on October 1, 2014.</ref>

Regarding his claims that the snow cap atop Africa's Mt. Kilimanjaro is shrinking and that global warming is to blame, the November 23, 2003, issue of ''Nature'' magazine stated,

: "Although it's tempting to blame the ice loss on global warming, researchers think that deforestation of the mountain's foothills is the more likely culprit. Without the forests' humidity, previously moisture-laden winds blew dry. No longer replenished with water, the ice is evaporating in the strong equatorial sunshine."

Many conservatives see Al Gore as an example of [[liberals]] using [[deceit]]ful tactics in important debates, in order to make a position seem more solid than it is.

===Scientists===

[[Image:Rogerrevelle.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Roger Revelle]]

{|
| valign="top" width="35%"|
* [[Roger Revelle]]
* [[Achim Steiner]]
* [[Fred Singer]]
* [[Richard Lindzen]]
* [[Sallie Baliunas]]
* [[Lonnie Thompson]]
| valign="top" width="33%"|
* [[James E. Hansen]]
* [[Michael Mann]]
* [[Charles Keeling]]
* [[Edwin A. Hernández-Delgado]]
|}

====Hal Lewis====
[[Liberal]] claims of global warming led to the resignation in October 2010 by Professor Hal Lewis from The American Physical Society because of "the global warming scam, with the (literally) trillions of dollars driving it, that has corrupted so many scientists, and has carried APS before it like a rogue wave. '''It is the greatest and most successful pseudoscientific fraud I have seen in my long life as a physicist'''."<ref>Lewis, Hal (October 8, 2010). [https://web.archive.org/web/20140212001321/http://www.thegwpf.org/hal-lewis-my-resignation-from-the-american-physical-society/ "Hal Lewis: My resignation from the American Physical Society"]. The Global Warming Policy Foundation website. Retrieved from February 12, 2014 archive at Internet Archive on October 1, 2014.</ref>

===Critique of the "Hockey Stick" reconstruction===
::''See also : [[Climategate#Hockey Stick Graph|Climategate: hockey stick graph]]''

*Shabecoff, Philip, [https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/26/us/us-data-since-1895-fail-to-show-warming-trend.html U.S. Data Since 1895 Fail To Show Warming Trend], ''New York Times'', January 26, 1989
*[http://blogs.nature.com/climatefeedback/2007/05/the_decay_of_the_hockey_stick.html The Decay of the Hockey Stick by Von Storch] published on the journal ''Nature'''s blog, May 3, 2007.
*Stephen McIntyre and Ross McKitrick, "[http://climateaudit.files.wordpress.com/2005/09/mcintyre.mckitrick.2003.pdf Corrections To The Mann et al. (1998) Proxy Data Base And Northern Hemispheric Average Temperature Series], ''Energy & Environment'' volume 14, 2003.
*[http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/13830/ A Global Warming Bombshell] by Richard A. Muller, ''Technology Review'', Oct. 2004; calls into question famous graph by Michael Mann.
*[http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/306/5696/679 Reconstructing Past Climate from Noisy Data] by Hans von Storch, Eduardo Zorita, Julie M. Jones, Yegor Dimitriev, Fidel González-Rouco, Simon F. B. Tett, ''Science'' magazine, 22 October 2004.
*[http://www.image.ucar.edu/~boli/manuscripts/2007-LNA-TeA.pdf The ‘hockey stick’ and the 1990s: a statistical perspective on reconstructing hemispheric temperatures] by Bo Li, Douglas W. Nychka and Casper M. Ammann, ''Institute for Mathematics Applied to Geosciences''; (Manuscript received 22 March 2007; in final form 28 June 2007).
*[http://www.21stcenturysciencetech.com/2006_articles/IceCoreSprg97.pdf Ice Core Data Show No Carbon Dioxide Increase] by Zbigniew Jaworowski, Ph.D., Spring 1997; this article examines one of the main pillars of the global warming thesis.
*[http://climateaudit.files.wordpress.com/2005/09/mcintyre.ee.2005.pdf The M&M Critique of the MBH98 Northern Hemisphere Climate Index: Update and Implications] (''Energy & Environment'', vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 69–100, January 2005) - Stephen McIntyre, Ross McKitrick
*[http://climateaudit.files.wordpress.com/2005/09/mcintyre.grl.2005.pdf Hockey sticks, principal components, and spurious significance] (''Geophysical Research Letters'', vol. 32, February 2005) - Stephen McIntyre, Ross McKitrick

*Dalmia, Shikha (December 2, 2009). [https://www.forbes.com/2009/12/01/climategate-scandal-science-obama-opinions-columnists-shikha-dalmia.html "Cringing over Climategate"]. Forbes website. Retrieved on September 25, 2014.
*Taylor, James (November 23, 2011). [https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamestaylor/2011/11/23/climategate-2-0-new-e-mails-rock-the-global-warming-debate/ "Climategate 2.0: New e-mails rock the global warming debate"]. Forbes website. Retrieved on September 25, 2014.
*Bailey, Ronald (December 26, 2012). [http://reason.com/blog/2012/12/26/34-years-of-satellite-temperature-data-s "34 years of satellite temperature data show global warming is on a plateau"]. Hit & Run Blog/[[Reason.com]]. Retrieved on September 25, 2014.
*Cole, Steve and McCarthy, Leslie (January 12, 2011). [https://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/2010-warmest-year.html "NASA research finds 2010 tied for warmest year on record"]. NASA website. Retrieved on September 25, 2014.
*Tisdale, Bob (August 10, 2012). [http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/08/10/not-hot-ocean-sst-around-the-usa-not-anywhere-near-record-levels/ "Not so hot—ocean temperatures around the USA are not anywhere near record levels"]. Watts Up with That? Retrieved on September 25, 2014.</ref>


==Effects of global warming==
===Beneficial effects of global warming===
[[File:Autumn foliage.jpg|thumb|Canoing on a Colorful Day, (NY).]]
Some researchers point out that health benefits of global warming have been overlooked, or minimized. As far back as 1996, Thomas Gale Moore, Senior Fellow at Hoover Institution (Stanford University) contended that positive health and amenity effects would be a result of projected increases in temperature.<ref>Moore, Thomas Gale (May 30, 1996). [http://www.stanford.edu/~moore/health.html "Health and amenity effects of global warming"]. Stanford University/Thomas Gale Moore webpage. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.</ref>

Another source notes,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20081223011000/http://www.bionomicfuel.com/what-are-the-benefits-of-global-warming/ "What are the benefits of global warming?"] (November 3, 2008). Bionomicfuel.com. Retrieved from December 21, 2008 archive at Internet Archive on October 1, 2014.</ref>

<blockquote>In areas that see extreme cold temperatures, deaths related to colder weather would drop significantly, leading to decreased health care costs, while areas that already have hot climates will see no increase. Warmer temperatures would also mean less energy use to heat homes and buildings, helping to conserve energy as cooling is much more energy efficient. With the changes brought about by global warming more land that is not lost to desert and/or rising sea levels would become available for uses like farming and living. Forests and plants would grow stronger, healthier, and more abundant because of the warmer weather, and this would mean more oxygen being released into the atmosphere.</blockquote>

===Reported effects of global warming===

Reported past or expected/possible future environmental and societal consequences of man-made global warming include global cooling,<ref>72Jag (August 25, 2014). [https://web.archive.org/web/20090827143311/http://www.nowpublic.com/environment/global-warming-causing-global-cooling "Is global warming causing global cooling?"] NowPublic. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.</ref> decreased food production,<ref>Fred Pearce (April 26, 2005). [http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn7310-climate-change-warning-over-food-production.html "Climate change warning over food production"] Newscientist website. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.</ref> increased food production,<ref>Booth, William (May 17, 1990). [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1127111.html "Global heating could benefit U.S. farmers; prices seen rising as production falls"]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved from HighBeam Research website on October 1, 2014.</ref> shrinking forestst.,<ref>Adam, David (March 11, 2009). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/mar/11/amazon-global-warming-trees/print "Amazon could shrink by 85% due to climate change"]. Theguardian [U. K.]. Retrieved on October 1, 2014. See [[The Guardian]].</ref> increased tree foliage,<ref>[http://www.greenfingers.com/articledisplay.asp?id=1734 "Global warming causes greening"] (2008). Greenfingers.com. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.</ref> increased productivity of high-elevation forests,<ref>Oregon State University (Oct. 20, 2009). [https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019163020.htm "Global warming may spur increased growth in Pacific northwest forests"]. ScienceDaily. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.</ref> melting glaciers.,<ref>Asian News International (June 6, 2007). [http://www.andhranews.net/Intl/2007/June/6/Global-warming-causing-3633.asp "Global warming causing hundreds of Antarctic Peninsula glaciers to melt"]. AndhraNews.net. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.</ref> growing glaciers,<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/global-warming-causing-california-glacier-to-grow-scientists-say-1.749761?ref=rss "Global warming causing California glacier to grow, scientists say"] (July 9, 2008). CBCnews. Retrieved on October 1, 2014. Located by Sub-Driver of [http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2043047/posts?page=51 Free Republic].</ref> increasing landmass in Antarctica,<ref>[http://www.worldclimatereport.com/index.php/2005/05/27/antarctic-ice-a-global-warming-snow-job/ "Antarctic ice: A global warming snow job?"] (May 27, 2005). World Climate Report. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> colder winters,<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/climate-change-could-bring-colder-winters-1.363574 "Climate change could bring colder winters"] (March 13, 2003). CBCNews. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> a new ice age,<ref>McGuire, Bill (November 13, 2003). [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2003/nov/13/comment.research "Will global warming trigger a new ice age?"] The Guardian website. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> prevention of an ice age,<ref>Thompson, Andrea (September 10, 2007). [https://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,296060,00.html "Global warming may cancel next ice age"]. Fox News website. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> taller mountains.,<ref>Than, Ker (August 4, 2006). [http://www.livescience.com/938-taller-mountains-blamed-global-warming.html "Taller mountains blamed on global warming, too"]. LiveScience. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> a lop-sided planet,<ref>Britt, Robert Roy (June 29, 2005). [http://www.livescience.com/3884-global-warming-create-lopsided-planet.html "Global warming might create lopsided planet"]. LiveScience. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> stronger hurricanes,<ref>Florida State University (Sep. 4, 2008). [https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080903134323.htm "Global warming: Warmer seas linked to strengthening hurricanes, according to new research"]. ScienceDaily. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> weaker hurricanes,<ref>Schmid, Randolph E., AP Science Writer (April 17, 2007). [http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/weather/research/2007-04-17-globalwarming-hurricanes_N.htm "Study: Global warming may diminish Atlantic hurricane activity"]. USA Today. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> shorter days,<ref>Atkins, William (April 11, 2007). [http://www.itwire.com/science-news/climate/11220-researchers-say-global-warming-should-cause-shorter-days "Researchers say global warming should cause shorter days"]. iTWire. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> earthquakes and volcanoes, and other geological disasters. Attempts to prevent climate change may do the same,<ref>Fisher, Richard. (September 23, 2009). [http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20327273.800-climate-change-may-trigger-earthquakes-and-volcanoes.html "Climate change may trigger earthquakes and volcanoes" [preview]]. Newscientist website. Preview retrieved on October 2, 2014. Subscription required for full article.</ref> shrinking brains,<ref>[http://www.albany.edu/campusnews/releases_286.htm "Study: Global warming could be reversing a trend that led to bigger human brains"] (March 15, 2007). State University of New York at Albany. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> shrinking sheep,<ref>Connor, Steve (July 3, 2009). [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/how-global-warming-shrank-st-kildas-sheep-1729609.html "How global warming shrank St Kilda's sheep"]. The Independent [U. K.] website. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> tiger attacks.,<ref>Dhar, Sujoy (October 20, 2008). [http://southasia.oneworld.net/news/tiger-attacks-linked-to-global-warming "Tiger attacks linked to global warming"]. Reuters. Retrieved from OneWorld South Asia on October 2, 2014.</ref> shark attacks,<ref>Johnston, Bruce (August 31, 1998). [http://junksciencearchive.com/news3/shark.html "Shark attack on boat 'result of global warming'"]. Electronic Telegraph (U.K.) Retrieved from JunkScienceArchive on October 3, 2014.</ref> walrus stampede deaths,<ref>Associated Press (December 17, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20141003042107/http://6abc.com/archive/5839622/ "Global warming is blamed for walrus stampede deaths"]. 6abc Action News website. Retrieved from October 3, 2014 archive at Internet Archive on October 3, 2014. Located by digger48 of [http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1939754/posts Free Republic]</ref> imminent cannibalism,<ref>Baker, Brent (April 2, 2008). [http://newsbusters.org/blogs/brent-baker/2008/04/02/turner-iraqi-insurgents-patriots-inaction-warming-cannibalism "Turner: Global warming will cause mass cannibalism, insurgents are patriots"]. MRC NewsBusters. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> the need for a drastic reduction of the earth's population,<ref>[http://thisistheendoftheworldasweknowit.com/archives/one-less-child-environmental-extremists-warn-that-overpopulation-is-causing-climate-change-and-will-ultimately-destroy-the-earth "One less child? Environmental extremists warn that overpopulation is causing climate change and will ultimately destroy the Earth"] (November 17, 2009). The End of the World. Retrieved on October 2, 2014.</ref> a strong increase in people dying of [[AIDS]],<ref>McLean, Tamara (April 29, 2008). [https://web.archive.org/web/20110831093248/http://news.theage.com.au/national/global-warming-set-to-fan-the-hiv-fire-20080430-29eh.html "Global warming hoax set to fan the HIV fire"]. Theage.com.au. Retrieved from August 31, 2011 archive at Internet Archive on October 1, 2014. Located by
[https://web.archive.org/web/20110725075338/http://www.skepticsglobalwarming.com/?p=608 Skeptics Global Warning].</ref> increased risk of civil war in Africa,<ref>[http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/november23/climate-civil-wars-112309.html "Global warming increases risk of civil war in Africa"] (November 23, 2009). Stanford Report. Retrieved from Stanford News on October 1, 2014.</ref> child ''climate cops'',<ref>[https://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=70811 "Beware your children: They might be 'climate cops'"] (July 28, 2008). WND. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.</ref> increase in depression,<ref>Sohn, Emily (December 10, 2009). [http://www.google.com/search?q=%22Deadly+heat+waves%2C+home-wrecking+hurricanes%22&hl=en&gbv=2&oq=&gs_l= “Mental health to decline with climate change”]. Discovery.com News. Retrieved from Google Search on October 1, 2014.</ref> increase in psychiatric illness<ref>Press Trust of India (April 8, 2008). [http://www.sify.com/news/climate-change-leads-to-psychiatric-illness-news-national-jegnGhfjihasi.html "'Climate change leads to psychiatric illness'"]. Sify News. Retrieved on October 1, 2014.</ref> and increased anxiety and loss of sleep among many children.<ref>Jones, Alan (February 22, 2007). [http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/children-losing-sleep-over-global-warming-1-683217 "Children losing sleep over global warming"]. The Scotsman website. Retrieved on September 30, 2014.</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}

== See also ==
*''[[Massachusetts v. EPA]]''
*[[Liberal hysteria#Global Warming Derangement Syndrome|Global Warming Derangement Syndrome]]
*[[Socialist Environmental Disasters]]
*[[Counterexamples to Global Warming]]
*[[Winter of 2010]]
*[[Reducing carbon dioxide emissions]]
*[[Essay:Global Warming]]
*[[Essay:Parallels between evolution and global warming]]
*[[Exaggeration of global warming]]
*[[Global warming and polar bears]]
*[[Global climate disruption]]
*[[Global warming research]]
*[[Global annual average temperature]]
*[[Warm period]]
*[[Liberal lies]]
*[[War on Science]]
*[[Lysenkoism]]
*[[Failed climate change predictions]]

==External links==
*[http://www.creationworldview.org/articles_view.asp?id=67 Global Warming? Absolutely No Truth To It!]
*[http://www.aim.org/wls/category/global-warming/ What Liberals Say - Category: Global Warming], [[Accuracy In Media]]
*[http://global-warming.accuweather.com/2007/12/attempting_to_stop_global_warm_1.html Attempting to Stop Global Warming is Futile and a Mistake, says letter to the UN]
*[https://www.icr.org/creation-meteorology Climate Change] by The Institute for Creation Research
*[http://environment.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,,2032821,00.html The appliance of science] by Mike Hulme.
*[http://www.cato.org/pubs/regulation/regv15n2/reg15n2g.html Global Warming: The Origin and Nature of the Alleged Scientific Consensus] - [[Richard S. Lindzen]], Alfred P. Sloan Professor of Meteorology at the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]]
*[http://www.independent.org/publications/tir/article.asp?issueID=47&articleID=604 "Should We Have Acted Thirty Years Ago to Prevent Climate Change?", by Randall G. Holcombe].
*[http://www.independent.org/publications/tir/article.asp?issueID=25&articleID=296 "After Kyoto: A Global Scramble for Advantage," by Bruce Yandle].
*[http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_ID=2319 The physical evidence of earth's unstoppable 1,500-year climate cycle]
*[http://www.independent.org/publications/article.asp?id=1714 "Is There a Basis for Global Warming Alarm?", by Richard Lindzen]
*[http://www.independent.org/publications/policy_reports/detail.asp?type=full&id=5 "New Perspectives in Climate Change: What the EPA Isn’t Telling Us"]
*[http://www.heartland.org/Article.cfm?artId=17181 Survey Shows Climatologists Are Split on Global Warming]
*[http://www.magma.ca/~hurleyp/FightingTheHoax.htm Fighting the Hoax]
*[http://www.globalwarminghoax.com/news.php Refuting the Myth of Man-made Global Warming]
*[http://www.climateaudit.org Climate Audit], Steve McIntyre's blog
*[http://www.realclimate.org Real Climate], blog by a group of climatologists including Michael Mann
*[https://www.americanthinker.com/2009/01/co2_fairytales_in_global_warmi.html "CO2 Fairytales in Global Warming"]
*[http://www.numberwatch.co.uk/warmlist.htm A complete list of things caused by global warming]
*[http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/11/hackers-prove-global-warming-is-scam.html Hackers Prove Global Warming Is A Scam]
*[http://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/266930/i-dont-believe-science-daniel-greenfield]

{{liberalism}}
{{Climategate scandal}}

[[Category:Earth Sciences]]
[[Category:Environmentalism]]
[[Category:Liberal Bias]]
[[Category:Liberal Falsehoods]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]
[[Category:Man-Made Disasters]]
[[Category:Pseudoscience]]

Communism

2026-10-19T04:14:01Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved reference spacing

{{see also|Democratic Party}}
[[File:Antifa DC.jpeg|right|350px|thumb]]
'''Communism''' is a [[left-wing]] anti-democratic and violent ideology dedicated to overthrowing [[capitalism]], replacing it with an unelected "[[dictatorship of the proletariat]]" by [[technocrat]]s and an [[atheist]] elite. Under Communism, the [[political]] system replaces [[private property|private ownership]] of the means of production with a supposed "collective ownership" of the [[economy]], but really maintained for the benefit and profit of a corrupt elite. [[Freedom of speech]] is suppressed in every communist regime.

These elites empower [[criminal]] gangsters and hoodlums to keep opposition in check. Because private ownership is illegal in favor of a [[collective]], prisons are emptied of anyone convicted of a property crime. This criminal element is the base of the communists' political power to destroy [[democracy]]. Political opposition is outlawed. Having rejected the culture and habits of the old regime as unjust, many of the worst violent offenders are released from prison to become enforcers for the corrupt ruling elite.<ref>Although the [[Nazi]] regime was not a communist regime, it borrowed much from the [[Bolshevik]]s. The [[Einsatzgruppen]] or mobile death squads were recruited from convicted murderers and mental hospitals.</ref>

In [[Karl Marx]]'s theory, Communism is the final phase of societal evolution that begins with [[socialism]]. Marxist theory alleges that [[feudalism]] evolved into [[capitalism]], and capitalism evolves into socialism, and eventually the highest order of societal evolution is achieved when socialism evolves into communism. Marx's ''Communist Manifesto'' proposes the establishment of a "[[classless society]]" when human society reaches this ultimate perfection, minus any resisters or counterrevolutionaries. Communist societies, however, do maintain a [[class structure]] with the corrupt elite on top, scientists, technicians, and skilled workers recruited from schools who are afforded special privileges, thugs and mobsters who now become the enforcers and police, and everyone else with no political rights.

Communists distinctly despise anyone who holds a [[moral]] code that [[worship]]s or teaches loyalty to anything other than the [[state]] and [[government]]. [[Religious]] believers, particularly, are singled out for persecution and "re-education." The [[Gospels]] are pro-[[private property]], see [[Matthew, Chapter 25#14|Matthew 25:14-30]].

Communist societies that have survived into the [[21st century]], including [[China]], [[Cuba]], and [[North Korea]], have reverted to a feudal order of inherited privilege run by the descendants of the original revolutionaries who murdered all opposition and stole the wealth of the rich and powerful of their day. To manage government and society, the party trains and recruits "experts" from government schools who are promised party membership, which brings special privileges not afforded to the [[proletariat]]. Students who do not go along with the party agenda are doomed to a life of limited career opportunities, limited career advancement, or poverty. All live in terror, both party members and non-party members, of running afoul of the party's secret police, which enforces the party's ever-changing, contradictory dictums and agenda. Communist parties are essentially [[criminal]] organizations built on murder and theft, and maintain their power by murder and theft.

Communism supposedly is "[[democratic]]";<ref>http://www.marxists.org/archive/mandel/1968/11/workersdem.htm</ref> however, a "democratic" election in a communist system has candidates from only one party, nominated by higher-ups in the organization. A communist system is intolerant of opposing views and outlaws political opposition. The lack of a political opposition leads to a lack of accountability.

Governments under the banner of Communism have caused the death of somewhere between 40 million and 260 million human lives.<ref>Multiple references:
*Anticommunist (April 14, 2004). [https://web.archive.org/web/20130607125427/http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/04/289239.html "The Human Cost of Communism - 100 million"]. UK Indymedia. Retrieved from June 7, 2013 archive at Internet Archive.
*[http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~hpcws/lelivrenoir.htm "''The Black Book of Communism''"]. Harvard University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences website: Cold War Studies.
*Rummel, R. J. (November 1993). [http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/COM.ART.HTM "How many did communist regimes murder?"] University of Hawaii website; Freedom, Democracy, Peace; Power, Democide, and War.
*White, Matthew (February 2011). [http://necrometrics.com/20c5m.htm "Source list and detailed death tolls for the primary megadeaths of the twentieth century"]. Necrometrics.
*Higgins, David (June 22, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20071008035420/http://www.sarasotamagazine.com/blog/template_permalink.asp?id=365 "Memory and ideology: Washington's newest statue is the Victims Of Communism Memorial"]. Sarasota Magazine website. Retrieved from October 8, 2007 archive at Internet Archive
*Radosh, Ronald (February 2000). [http://www.firstthings.com/article.php3?id_article=2526 "''The Black Book of Communism: Crimes, Terror, Repression''"]. First Things [journal] website.
*Satter, David (November 6, 2017). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/100-years-of-communismand-100-million-dead-1510011810 100 Years of Communism—and 100 Million Dead]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved January 15, 2019.</ref> Dr. R. J. Rummel, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Hawaii, is the scholar who first coined the term [[democide]] (death by government). Dr. R. J. Rummel's mid estimate regarding the loss of life due to Communism is that it caused the death of approximately 148,286,000 people between 1917 and 1987.<ref>Rummel, R. J. (November 1993). [http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/COM.ART.HTM "How many did communist regimes murder?"] University of Hawaii website; Freedom, Democracy, Peace; Power, Democide, and War.</ref>

President [[Ronald Reagan]] in an address before the British [[House of Commons]] said,
{{Cquote|'''What I am describing now is a plan and hope for the long term — the march of [[freedom]] and [[democracy]] which will leave Marxism-Leninism on the ash heap of history as it has left other tyrannies which stifle the freedom and muzzle the self-expression of the people.'''<ref>President Ronald Reagan [http://www.iri.org/history_ReaganSpeech.asp Speech to the British Parliament], June 8, 1982. Retrieved from International Republican Institute 05/24/07.</ref>}}

Today, Communism continues to rule over at least one-fifth of the world's people,<ref>[http://www.victimsofcommunism.org/history_communism.php Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation], Documenting Communism's Crimes Against Humanity.</ref> and has infiltrated the [[Democratic Party|Democrat Party]] of the United States since at least the World War II era, more so since the 1960s, and has fully shown itself since the year 2020.
__TOC__
{{clear}}

==Modern communism==
The first false dichotomy of communism is the notion that capitalism and communism are competing ideologies. While communism is built on an [[ideology]] that justifies murder and theft, capitalism is built upon the [[natural law]] that you cannot consume that which has not been not been first produced. Author Lee Smith explains:
{{quotebox-float|"Communism has nothing to do with ideology. Ideology (lifting the masses out of [[poverty]], making all people [[equal]], etc.) is just cover for [[class war]]. But the class war is not, as Marxists describe it, between the [[proletariat|proletarian]] masses and the [[bourgeoisie]]. Rather, the proletariat is simply the instrument that the [[oligarch]]ic elite—known in the Soviet Union, for instance, as the [[nomenklatura]]—uses to keep the [[middle class]]es at bay while they steal their wealth.<ref>https://www.theepochtimes.com/americas-top-general-reads-marx-but-does-not-understand-how-its-destroying-america_3874251.html</ref>}}

===Maoism===
[[File:Wmr1a.jpg|right|259px|thumb|Burnt remains of victims were 'hosed down the drains'<ref>https://archive.is/6nzNI</ref><ref>http://www.cnd.org/HYPLAN/yawei/june4th/</ref>]]
{{See also|Maoism|Rectification}}
In China, the [[Chinese Communist Party]] retains an autocratic regime controlled by the party, which allows no democracy or dissent. However, it does allow capitalism, and has experienced a very rapid growth of the private sector and the middle class. Observers expect that the regime's efforts to control public opinion and forestall the will of the people will be more and more difficult.

The Maoist strategy for world revolution is based on the global version of the strategy employed by the [[Chinese Communist Party]] (CCP) which led to Mao's victory in 1949. The analogy went like this: through "people's war" the CCP forces who controlled the countryside of China encircled the cities of China, isolated the foe, and destroyed it piecemeal. The logic followed that the countryside of the world as a reaction to the super-exploitation suffered at the hands of the city of the world would become united and defeat the latter, and in the process establish a world socialist order. This grand design would come about not through the struggles of working classes in revolutionary fervor inside the advanced capitalist countries as prescribed by Marx, but through the vehicle of [[national liberation struggle]]s of the colonial and former colonial peoples of the [[Third World]].

Maoism inspired students and other young people who looked to the Chinese [[Red Guards]] as a model of [[activism]].<ref>Paul Costello, U.S. Anti-Revisionism [http://marxists.architexturez.net/history/erol/1960-1970/index.htm Third Wave, 1960-1970,] Encyclopedia of Anti-Revisionism On-Line. Marxist Internet Archive. Retrieved March 16, 2010.</ref> While some of these young activists were drawn to the Progressive Labor Party (PLP), the full flowering of American Maoism would not come until the proliferation of new groups such as the [[Students for a Democratic Society]] (SDS), [[Weather Underground]] (WUO), [[Black Panthers]] (BPP) and the Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist) (CP-ML) after 1969.

[[North Korea]] remains a brutal dictatorship controlled by the same family. [[Laos]], and [[Vietnam]] are also run by the old Communist cliques.

===Xi Jinping Thought===
In October 2017, an amendment including [[Xi Jinping]]'s name was added to the CCP's party constitution, marking the first time a living leader's name was added since [[Mao Zedong]], reflecting Xi's standing within the Communist Party. The amendment was approved by all 2,300 delegates attending the party congress, and is called "Xi Jinping Thought for the New Era of Socialism With Chinese Special Characteristics."

The move placed Xi on the same level as Mao and [[Deng Xiaoping]], whose names also appear in the party constitution in articles reflecting their principles. The political principles of [[Jiang Zemin]] and [[Hu Jintao]], Xi's predecessors, were added to the party constitution, but their names were not.

''[[The New York Times]]'' Chris Buckley notes that Xi's authority "is not directly comparable to the almost godlike influence Mao commanded," but, at the same time, "the Chinese economy, state and military are much more powerful now than they were under Mao, or even under Deng, which gives Mr. Xi far more global influence than his predecessors."<ref>https://www.businessinsider.com/china-xi-jinping-and-chinese-economy-2017-10</ref>

Xi Jinping Thought is an effort to avoid the demise of Communist party power such as happened in the [[Soviet Union]] as the result of ''[[Perestroika]]'' and ''[[Glasnost]]'' reform movements instituted by Soviet General Secretary [[Mikhail Gorbachev]].

Jin Canrong, a professor and associate dean of the School of International Studies at Beijing's Renmin University of China, laid out a multi-pronged strategy involving a range of malign actions to subvert the United States while strengthening the communist regime.<ref>https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_breakingnews/xi-jinpings-adviser-outlines-plan-for-ccp-to-defeat-us-including-manipulating-elections_3748196.html</ref> Jin emphasized that Xi was unlike his predecessors in his ambitions. Previous CCP leaders, such as Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, and Hu Jintao worked hard to develop the regime's power but didn't dare to use it, he said. “No matter how much power you have, it’s nothing if you don’t dare to use it,” Jin said. “Chairman Xi dares to use it. [Xi’s authorities] have the power, dare to use that power, and all of its attacks make the other party bleed.”

Xi's global strategy to bolster the regime's global power has two pillars, according to Jin. One is the [[Belt and Road Initiative]] (BRI); the other is the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).

Xi's ambitions, however, cannot be revealed to the outside world, the professor said. When Xi took power in 2012, he urged the country to realize the “Chinese dream.” This meant becoming a “moderately well-off” country by 2021, and then a “strong, democratic, civilized, harmonious, and modern socialist country” by 2049. Jin explained that Xi's target is actually to replace the United States as the world's only superpower by 2049. “[Chinese] Ministry of Foreign Affairs keeps on saying [at press briefings] that China loves peace. But no reporters at the press briefings believe this,” Jin said.

===Communism in the United States===
{{see also|Democratic party|Green New Deal|Medicare for All|Obamacare}}
Author Linda Goudsmit described American communism at America's self-inflicted moment of crisis in 2020:
{{QuoteBox|Marxist political predators have been seducing American children with leftist anti-American indoctrination in [[public schools]] since 1979 when [[Jimmy Carter]] established the [[Department of Education]]. Political predators launched their [[Culture War]] war on America with a [[disinformation]] campaign promising [[social justice]] and income equality that begins in kindergarten.

[[Barack Obama]], political predator-in-chief, escalated the [[propaganda]] campaign against American children with [[Common Core]] and its [[anti-American]] leftist [[narrative]] of [[moral relativism]], [[historical revisionism]], and [[political correctness]]. During his [[seditious]] two terms, Obama aligned himself with the equally anti-American [[Islamist]] [[Muslim Brotherhood]].

The longer the [[radical]] leftist [[Democrat Party]] aligns itself with the [[antisemitic]], [[sharia]]-compliant, [[Jihad]]i narrative of submission, the closer the radical Democrat party platform resembles the [[tyranny]] of Islamist rhetoric and supremacist sharia law. The word Islam means submission.

Islamists deny [[Israel]]'s [[right to exist]] as a sovereign country. Today, the leftist Democrat party and its colluding Muslim Brotherhood Islamists in Congress deny not only Israel's right to exist, they also deny [[America]]’s right to exist as a [[sovereign]] [[constitutional republic]]. The leftist/Islamist/[[globalist]] axis of political predators is attempting to take power in November and force America to submit to axis domination.

Aspirations for world domination and the creation of a [[New World Order]] are nothing new. English [[aristocrat]] [[Lord Bertrand Russell]] articulated the plan for the globalist elite’s New World Order in his 1952 classic, ''The Impact of Science on Society''.

After [[World War II]] it was obvious that America could not be defeated militarily. Our enemies did not quietly fade into the night, they reconstituted themselves as [[social justice warrior]]s with [[Long march through the institutions|a plan for educational indoctrination]] that would subvert American culture and destroy America from within. It was Bertrand Russell who explained the value of educational propaganda in the disinformation war:
[[File:Obama domestic terrorists.png|right|300px|thumb|[[Soros]]-trained lawyer tosses a Molotov cocktail into a police vehicle. The Progressive terrorist was bailed out of jail by a former [[Obama administration]] intelligence official.<ref>https://freebeacon.com/latest-news/former-obama-intelligence-official-helps-secure-bail-for-molotov-cocktail-throwing-nyc-lawyer/</ref>]]
:''page 27-28 (Routledge Classics 2016 edition):

:''It may be hoped that in time anybody will be able to persuade anybody of anything if he can catch the patient young and is provided by the State with money and equipment.

:''[[Education]] should aim at destroying [[free will]] so that pupils thus schooled, will be incapable throughout the rest of their lives of thinking or acting otherwise than as their schoolmasters would have wished. . . . Influences of the home are obstructive; not much can be done unless indoctrination begins before the age of ten; in order to condition students, verses set to music and repeatedly intoned are very effective. . . . It is for a future [[scientist]] to make these maxims precise and to discover exactly how much it costs per head to make children believe that snow is black. When the technique has been perfected, every government that has been in charge of education for more than one generation will be able to control its subjects securely without the need of armies or [[police]]men.

The leftist educational indoctrination launched by Jimmy Carter in 1979 and amplified by Barack Obama, fully enacted the sinister plan of weaponizing education described by Bertrand Russell. The radical leftist Democrat war on America that begins in K-12 ends in [[anarchy]] on the streets of America today. The political predators are exploiting indoctrinated Americans and supplying them with financing, bricks, and [[Molotov cocktail]]s to [[riot]] and burn America to the ground.

Political predator-in-chief, Barack Obama, sits in the shadow of the White House directing the 30,000 propagandized members of his [[Organizing for Action]] (OFA) “resistance” movement. From his bunker he orchestrates the movements of his shock troops against America-first President Trump. [[OFA]], [[Antifa]], [[Black Lives Matter]], all indoctrinated with the forty-year lie of “[[institutional racism]]” are now demanding submission to their black supremacist demands.

The political predators of 21st-century America use the [[Internet]] for mass [[social engineering]] to foment anarchy, race riots, and submission internationally. Anarchy is never the path to peace. It is the tyrannical weapon of political predators who instigate and finance it.<ref>https://www.trevorloudon.com/2020/06/political-predators-threaten-america-with-extinction/</ref>}}

====Democratic Socialism: 1992 - present====
[[File:America Under Communism.jpg|thumb|200x200px|Is This Tomorrow - America Under Communism]]
{{see also|Committees of Correspondence of Democratic Socialism}}
With the collapse of Soviet Communism and the conversion of Chinese Communism to "state-run capitalism," the spiritual and ideological center of the world of Communism and the [[Marxist-Leninist]] tradition shifted to the [[United States]]. Several prominent American Communists, rudderless without [[Moscow]] direction, formed a new organization in 1992 called the [[Committees of Correspondence for Democratic Socialism]].
[[File:Socialist International logo.png|left|100px]]
The initial organizational conference was held in [[Berkeley]], [[California]], July 17–19, 1992. Charlene Mitchell, a former leader of the California Communist Party, speaking at the conference said, "the collapse of [[socialism]] in [[Central Europe]] and the [[Soviet Union]] left the [[United States]] in a near unchallenged position of world leadership." Mitchell continued,
{{Cquote|What began as a moment to take stock and ponder where to go from there has now become a very different entity. People from the Communist Party, from CrossRoads, from the [[Democratic Socialists of America]], from NCIPA [National Committee for Independent Political Action], from Solidarity, from the Socialist Organizing Network and many others, including independent leftists and independent socialists, have come together here in Berkeley.}}
Criticizing U.S. actions in the [[First Gulf War]], Mitchell stated,
{{Cquote|[[progressive]] forces were nearly powerless in the face of an onslaught of demagogic, [[patriotic]] [[jingoism]] and yellow ribbons. This war, fought for no legitimate reason, was the crowning height of [[George H.W. Bush|President [George H.W.] Bush]]'s [[New World Order]]. Previously, the Soviet Union helped to provide a certain balance to rein in the crazies in this country. Now, that balance is no longer there. It is now up to us, the American people, to rein in our own crazies. The [[left]] must take a major responsibility in organizing this task.}}

====Biden junta====
[[File:Tremmell.png|right|350px|thumb|Bernell Tremmell was murdered by Marxists in Milwaukee in July 2020 for his outspoken beliefs in freedom, justice, and racial equality.<ref>https://100percentfedup.com/prominent-black-trump-supporter-shot-to-death-in-milwaukee-hours-after-pro-trump-interview/</ref>]]
{{see also|Biden junta}}
Lee Smith explains:
{{quotebox-float|"After watching the serial operations destroy the leadership of the [[America First]] movement—from [[Russiagate]] through the [[Impeachment 2.0|second impeachment]] of Donald Trump—the [[COVID-19 lockdown]]s, the [[George Floyd riots]], and now the effort to categorize [[Biden_junta#Attack_on_civil_liberties|Trump voters as domestic terrorist]]s, we don’t need a theory to understand the nature of what has historically been called “communism” to obscure the fact that it’s nothing but the power grab of an oligarchic elite. We’re living it."}}

====2020 left wing riots====

{{see also|2020 Leftist insurrection|Defund the Police}}
2020 left wing riots were an effort by the [[DNC]] and [[mainstream media]] to spark a race war in the [[United States]] in advance of the [[2020 presidential election]].<ref>https://creativedestructionmedia.com/analysis/2020/05/28/the-last-7-days-media-and-the-reckless-push-for-race-war/</ref> On the [[BLM]] homepage, which features a “[[Defund The Police]]” petition front and center, if a user chooses to donate, they're rerouted to a site hosted by ActBlue, the [[DNC]]'s official payment portal.<ref>https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/expenditures.php?cmte=C00401224&cycle=2020</ref> ActBlue claims to be a tax-exempt organization and all donations to it are tax-deductible. The terms and conditions also link to ActBlue and mention "Campaign Finance Laws".<ref>https://secure.actblue.com/content/fineprint</ref> [[Joe Biden]] is a top beneficiary of ActBlue's fundraising efforts.<ref>https://thenationalpulse.com/politics/biden-black-lives-matter-defund-the-police/</ref>

=====Antifa No go zones=====
{{see also|Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone}}

====Obamunism====
[[File:OFA logo.png|right|150px]]
{{see also|Obamunism|Obamagate|Obamagate timeline}}
Former NSC staffer Michael Doran described what is at stake as "a core principle of our [[democracy]]: that elected representatives control the government, and not vice versa." [[National security]] expert [[Chris Farrell]] characterized the Obamagate scandal as "a titanic struggle for America's future," and warned that if "Communications Intelligence is used as a [[partisan]] political weapon without people going to jail, we will have crossed the point of no return for institutional [[corruption]] in our government, our intelligence services and [[law enforcement]]. This is illegal domestic political [[espionage]] on a scale never before imagined. It is, however, totally consistent with the [[Obama Administration]]’s weaponizing of the [[IRS]], as well as other unlawful manipulations of government programs to fund the operations of political allies and non-governmental organizations."<ref>https://youtu.be/CHzIw27Jn70</ref>

=====Press censorship and control=====
On September 21, 2010, an internal email entitled “Obama Leak Investigations” at the “global intelligence” company [[Stratfor]] claimed Obama's White House adviser [[John Brennan]] was targeting [[journalist]]s.

{{QuoteBox-float|"Brennan is behind the [[witch hunt]]s of investigative journalists learning information from inside the beltway sources,” writes one Stratfor official to another. The email continues: “Note —There is specific tasker from the [White House] to go after anyone printing materials negative to the Obama agenda (oh my.) Even the FBI is shocked. The Wonder Boys must be in meltdown mode…”}}
:“The Wonder Boys” reportedly refers to the [[National Security Agency]] (NSA).<ref>Credit:Sharyl Attkisson. https://wikileaks.org/gifiles/docs/12/1210665_obama-leak-investigations-internal-use-only-pls-do-not.html</ref>

=====Repressive measures against a CBS News anchor=====
On October 31, 2014, [[CBS News]] anchor [[Sharyl Attkisson]] revealed to the world videographic evidence<ref name=video>[http://bcove.me/9pousb3w Cellphone video by Sharyl Attkisson] of actions of a remote-access program on her computer, a program she did not install. Accessed 1 November 2014.</ref> that some person or persons unknown installed keylogging and remote-access software and used it to interfere with her work and compromise several sensitive personal passwords. Worse yet, someone tampered with the router that provides her with high-speed Internet service.<ref name=Godfather>Cronn T., "Big Brother videotaped hacking reporter's computer," ''Godfather Politics'', posted 1 November 2014. <http://godfatherpolitics.com/18151/big-brother-videotaped-hacking-reporters-computer/></ref><ref name=CNAV>Hurlbut T, "Sharyl Attkisson meets Orwell", ''Conservative News and Views'', posted 1 November 2014.<https://www.conservativenewsandviews.com/2014/11/01/firstamendment/sharyl-attkisson-meets-orwell/></ref>
[[File:AttkissonB52.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Sharyl Attkisson reporting from a combat mission over [[Kosovo]].]]
In her Best Seller, ''Stonewalled: One Reporter's Fight for Truth Against the Forces of Obstruction, Intimidation, and Harassment in Obama's Washington'',<ref name="NYT Best Stonewalled">{{cite news|title=Best Sellers: Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2014-11-23/combined-print-and-e-book-nonfiction/list.html|accessdate=|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=November 23, 2014}}</ref> Attkisson tells how her work and personal computers had been hacked for more than two years after she began filing stories about the Benghazi massacre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/21/sharyl-attkisson-computers-compromised-cbs_n_3313199.html|title=CBS' Sharyl Attkisson: My Computers Were Compromised, 'Could Be Some Relationship' To DOJ Scandals|last=Mirkinson|first=Jack|date=May 21, 2013|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|accessdate=}}</ref> CBS News investigated and found evidence of multiple unauthorized accesses by a third party in late 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/14/sharyl-attkisson_n_3442019.html|title=CBS News Confirms Sharyl Attkisson's Computer Breached|date=June 14, 2013|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|accessdate=}}</ref> The hackers were identified by experts as a US Government intelligence agency.<ref>{{Citation|last=|first=|author-link=|last2=Golding|first2=Bruce|title=Kyle Smith, Ex-CBS reporter: Government agency bugged my computer|newspaper=[[New York Post]]|date=October 27, 2014|url=http://nypost.com/2014/10/27/ex-cbs-reporter-government-related-entity-bugged-my-computer|accessdate=}}</ref> In March 2015, Attkisson and her family initiated suit against Eric Holder, Patrick R. Donahoe and unnamed agents of the [[US Department of Justice]], the US Postal Service and the United States claiming to have been subjected to illegal surveillance activities.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2015/01/05/attkisson-sues-government-over-computer-intrusions Attkisson sues government over computer intrusions], ''Washington Post''; Retrieved March 6, 2015.</ref><ref>to [https://www.washingtonpost.com/r/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2015/01/05/Editorial-Opinion/Graphics/attkisson-lawsuit.pdf Editorial Opinion re Attkisbson], ''Washington Post''; Retrieved March 6, 2015.</ref>

On March 19, 2017, a federal judge denied a motion to dismiss the case brought by former CBS anchor Sharyl Attkisson against [[Eric Holder]] and other Obamagate conspirators. Attkisson reported on [[Operation Fast and Furious]], the [[Benghazi massacre]] cover-up, and exposed the [[hoax]] reporting of Hillary Clinton landing under sniper fire. For this she was wiretaped and resigned from CBS. In her Best Seller, ''Stonewalled: One Reporter's Fight for Truth Against the Forces of Obstruction, Intimidation, and Harassment in Obama's Washington'',<ref name="NYT Best Stonewalled"/> Attkisson details her story. The judge transferred the case allowing it to go forward.<ref>In his ruling the judge stated: "In 2011--at the same time that Ms. Attkisson was conducting investigations and issuing certain of her high-profile news reports--the Attkissons 'began to notice anomalies in numerous electronic devices at their home in Virginia.' These anomalies included Ms. Attkisson's work-issued laptop computer and a family desktop computer 'turning on and off at night without input from anyone in the household,' 'the house alarm chirping daily at different times,' and 'television problems, including interference.' All of these electronic devices used 'the [[Verizon]] FiOS line installed in [the Attkissons'] home,' but Verizon was unable to stanch the anomalous activity despite multiple attempts. In January 2012, the Attkissons' residential internet service 'began constantly dropping off'." "In February 2012, 'sophisticated surveillance spyware' was installed on Ms. Attkisson's work-issued laptop computer. A later forensic computer analysis revealed that Ms. Attkisson's laptop and the family's desktop computer had been the 'targets of unauthorized surveillance efforts.' That same forensic analysis revealed that Ms. Attkisson's mobile phone was also targeted for surveillance when it was connected to the family's desktop computer. The infiltration of that computer and the extraction of information from it was 'executed via an IP address owned, controlled, and operated by the United States Postal service.' Additionally, based on the sophisticated nature of the software used to carry out the infiltration and software fingerprints indicating the use of the federal government's proprietary software, the infiltration and surveillance appeared to be perpetrated by persons in the federal government." "An independent forensic computer analyst hired by CBS subsequently reported finding evidence on both Ms. Attkisson's work-issued laptop computer and her family's desktop computer of 'a coordinated, highly-skilled series of actions and attacks directed at the operation of the computers.' Computer forensic analysis also indicated that remote actions were taken in December 2012 to remove the evidence of the electronic infiltration and surveillance from Ms. Attkisson's computers and other home electronic equipment." "As Ms. Attkisson's investigations and reporting continued, in October 2012 the Attkissons noticed 'an [[escalation]] of electronic problems at their personal residence, including interference in home and mobile phone lines, computer interference, and television interference.' In November of that year, Ms. Attkisson's mobile phones 'experienced regular interruptions and interference, making telephone communications unreliable, and, at times, virtually impossible'." "Additionally, in December 2012, a person with government intelligence experience conducted an inspection of the exterior of the Attkissons' Virginia home. That investigator discovered an extra Verizon FiOS fiber optics line. Soon thereafter, after a Verizon technician was instructed by Ms. Attkisson to leave the extra cable at the home, the cable disappeared, and the Attkissons were unable to determine what happened to it. In March 2013, the Attkissons' desktop computer malfunctioned, and in September of that year, while Ms. Attkisson was working on a story at her home, she observed that her personal laptop computer was remotely accessed and controlled, resulting in data being deleted from it. On April 3, 2013, Ms. Attkisson filed a complaint with the Inspector General of the Department of Justice. The Inspector General's investigation was limited to an analysis of the compromised desktop computer, and the partially-released report that emerged from that investigation reported 'no evidence of intrusion,' although it did note 'a great deal of advanced mode computer activity not attributable to Ms. Attkisson or anybody in her household'." "The Attkissons allege that the 'cyber-attacks' they 'suffered in [their] home' were perpetrated by 'personnel working on behalf of the United States.' Accordingly, they have asserted various claims against the United States and against former Attorney General Eric Holder, former Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, and unknown agents of the Department of Justice, the United States Postal Service, and the United States, all in their individual capacities. Those claims include claims against the United States under the FTCA and claims against the individual federal officers for violations of constitutional rights under Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Fed. Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971)..." https://sharylattkisson.com/attkisson-v-eric-holder-department-of-justice-et-al/ </ref>

=====Repressive measures against Associated Press reporters=====
[[File:Full-spectrum-cyber-effects-final-p4-large.gif|right|300px|thumb|US Government document from 2010 part of the Snowden leaks and sharing agreements with the [[UK]]. The [[Five Eyes]] program of the English speaking world (United States, United Kingdom, [[Canada]], [[Australia]], and [[New Zealand]]) use [[social media]] for “[[propaganda]],” “[[deception]],” “mass messaging,” “pushing stories”, and "discrediting” the intelligence agencies' enemies with false information spread online.<ref>https://theintercept.com/document/2014/04/04/full-spectrum-cyber-effects/</ref> Like the [[atomic bomb]], this technology was created during the [[Cold War]] to defeat Communism and was expropriated by the American left to destroy America and enslave its people.]]
In May 2013 the [[Associated Press]] announced that telephone records for 20 of their reporters had been subpoenaed by the Justice Department. News sources reported the US Attorney's office for the District of Columbia was conducting a criminal investigation into publication of a foiled May 2012 terrorist plot. While journalists are protected, leakers in the government are subject to prosecution. The Justice Dept. subpoenaed the phone records of AP from [[Verizon]] and other service providers.<ref name=verizonslate>{{cite web|last=Gallagher|first=Ryan|title=Verizon Wireless Secretly Passed AP Reporters' Phone Records to Feds|publisher=www.slate.com|date=May 16, 2013|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2013/05/16/verizon_wireless_passed_ap_reporters_phone_records_to_the_feds.html|accessdate=}}</ref> The AP claimed these acts were a "massive and unprecedented intrusion" into news-gathering.<ref name=TTSanchez>{{cite web|last=Sanchez|first=Raf|title=US Justice Department secretly seizes Associated Press phone records|publisher=The Telegraph|date=May 13, 2013|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/us-politics/10055318/US-Justice-Department-secretly-seizes-Associated-Press-phone-records.html|accessdate=}}</ref><ref name=TG130513>{{cite web|author=Washington (AP)|title=US government secretly obtained Associated Press phone records|publisher=The Guardian|date=May 13, 2013|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/13/america-government-associated-press-phone-records|accessdate=}}</ref> The "intrusion" is the frightening off of government sources, the bread and butter of the Washington news gathering industry. CEO Gary Pruitt of AP stated: "These records potentially reveal communications with confidential sources across all of the newsgathering activities undertaken by the AP during a two-month period, provide a road map to AP's newsgathering operations and disclose information about AP's activities and operations that the government has no conceivable right to know;"<ref name=CNNJohns>{{cite web|author=Matt Smith and Joe Johns|title=AP blasts feds for phone records search|publisher=CNN|date=May 14, 2013|url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/05/13/us/justice-ap-phones/?hpt=hp_t2|accessdate=}}</ref><ref name=holder>{{cite web|author=Gary B. Pruitt|title=AP letter to Eric Holder on seizure of phone records|publisher=USA Today|date=May 13, 2013|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2013/05/13/doj-seizes-ap-phone-records/2156819/|accessdate=June 1, 2013}}</ref> a "conceivable right to know" would be a hunt for leakers of FISA information within the administration.

=====Repressive measures against the American people=====
In 2013 the [[Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court]] secretly approved an FBI request to continue obtaining daily telephone records of millions of Verizon customers.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/interactive/2013/jun/06/verizon-telephone-data-court-order</ref> The judge ordered Verizon to turn over the information to the National Security Agency (NSA). This directly contradicted Obama [[DNI]] [[James Clapper]]’s Congressional testimony.<ref>https://youtu.be/nsmo0hUWJ08</ref>

=====Data collection and privacy rights=====
In August 2009, it was reported that the White House was soliciting bids to outsource a technology vendor to conduct a massive, secret effort to harvest personal information on millions of Americans from social networking websites of Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, Flickr and others – any space where the White House “maintains a presence.” The information to be captured includes comments, tag lines, emails, audio, and video.

Critics have charged the emerging pattern of information management and control as "yet another sign that this Administration is at best indifferent to privacy rights and at worst prepared to violate [[civil liberties]] for [[political]] purposes."<ref>[http://nlpc.org/stories/2009/08/31/obama-white-house-has-secret-plan-harvest-personal-data-social-networking-website Obama White House Has Secret Plan To Harvest Personal Data From Social Networking Websites], Ken Boehm, 08/31/2009.</ref>

=====4th Amendment abuses=====
{{See also|Patriot Act|Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act}}
[[File:Fisa-2.jpg|left|300px|thumb|The FISA court ruled the [[Obama administration]]'s improper access of [[FISA]] data granted to contractors "seems to have been the result of deliberate decision making."]]
The Obama [[Justice Department]] has been accused of being "secretive, tyrannical, and oppressive" and compared with [[President George W. Bush]], "even worse."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090924001648/http://donedems.com/2009/04/14/holy-crap-obama-actually-manages-to-make-the-patriot-act-worse-than-under-bush Obama Actually Manages to Make the Patriot Act WORSE than Under Bush], DONE, April 14, 2009,</ref> As a candidate, Senator Obama lamented that the Bush Administration "invoked a legal tool known as the 'state secrets' privilege more than any other previous administration to get cases thrown out of civil court," however in a motion to dismiss ''Jewel v. NSA'', the Electronic Frontier Foundation litigation against the National Security Agency for the warrantless wiretapping, the [[Obama Administration]] argued that the state secrets privilege requires the court to dismiss the issue out of hand. The Obama administration argued that simply allowing the case to continue "would cause exceptionally grave harm to national security." As in the past, this is a blatant ploy to dismiss the litigation without allowing the courts to consider the evidence.

The Obama Justice Department then argued that the U.S. Government is completely immune from litigation for illegal spying — that the Government can never be sued for surveillance that violates federal privacy statutes. Birch Bricker writing in the ''Auburn Journal'' then points out, "This is a radical assertion that is utterly unprecedented. No one — not the [[White House]], not the Justice Department, not any member of Congress, and not the [[Bush Administration]] — has ever interpreted the law this way....The Obama Administration goes two steps further than Bush did, and claims that the [[US PATRIOT Act]] also renders the U.S. immune from suit under the two remaining key federal surveillance laws: the Wiretap Act and the Stored Communications Act. Essentially, the Obama Administration has claimed that the government cannot be held accountable for illegal surveillance under any federal statutes."<ref>[http://my.auburnjournal.com/detail/111477.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=Patriot+Act&user_id=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&event_ts_to=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=2&sub_type=&town_id= It's Actually Possible... The Patriot Act Gets Worse], ''Auburn Journal'', 4/12/09.</ref>

[[File:Mass beheading of Christians in Libya.jpg|350px|thumb|[[Libya]] was an ally of the US against the jihadis until Obama armed the jihadis to overthrow the government. One of their first acts was the mass beheading of [[Christian]]s.]]

=====Discrimination against dissident groups=====
{{main|IRS scandal}}
During the Obama Administration, the [[Internal Revenue Service]] discriminated against conservative organizations by making them wait for years just to gain [[Nonprofit organization|tax-exempt status]]. At the same time, other groups received the same status in a very short period of time, such as a [[satanic]] group which received nonprofit status in only ten days.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/03/20/irs-granted-satanic-cult-tax-exempt-status-in-10-days-report-says.html IRS granted Satanic cult tax-exempt status in 10 days, report says]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved March 25, 2017.</ref><ref>Ernst, Douglas (March 20, 2017). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/mar/20/obama-irs-gave-satan-club-creator-fast-tax-exempt-/ Obama’s IRS gave ‘Satan Club’ creator fast tax-exempt status]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved March 25, 2017.</ref> In 2017, the [[Trump Administration]] ended the scandal by settling with the affected organizations and apologizing,<ref>Multiple references:
*Mason, Ian (October 26, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/10/26/doj-settles-with-tea-party-groups-on-lois-lerner-irs-scandal/ DOJ Settles with Tea Party Groups on Lois Lerner IRS Scandal]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
*[https://www.voanews.com/a/tea-party-groups-settle-lawsuits-over-irs-mistreatment/4087069.html Tea Party Groups Settle Lawsuits Over IRS Mistreatment]. ''Voice of America'' (from the ''Associated Press''). October 26, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
*Singman, Brooke (October 26, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/26/trump-doj-settles-lawsuits-over-tea-party-targeting-by-obama-irs.html Trump DOJ settles lawsuits over Tea Party targeting by Obama IRS]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
*Adams, Becket (October 27, 2017). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/conservatives-were-targeted-by-a-weaponized-irs-all-they-got-was-this-lousy-apology/article/2638837 Conservatives were targeted by a weaponized IRS; all they got was this lousy apology]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved October 28, 2017.</ref> but it still declined to prosecute IRS official Lois Lerner for her major role in the scandal.<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/09/08/doj-declines-to-charge-lois-lerner-in-irs-scandal.html Trump DOJ: No plans to charge Lois Lerner in IRS scandal]. ''Fox News''. September 8, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
*Dinan, Stephen (September 8, 2017). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/sep/8/donald-trumps-doj-wont-pursue-charges-against-lois/ Justice Department won’t pursue charges against Lois Lerner, former IRS senior executive]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
*Munro, Neil (September 8, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/09/08/jeff-sessions-doj-will-not-investigate-irs-suppression-tea-party-groups/ Jeff Sessions’ DoJ Will Not Investigate IRS Suppression of Tea Party Groups]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
*Bowden, John (September 8, 2017). [https://thehill.com/homenews/house/349846-gop-lawmakers-furious-after-doj-declines-to-prosecute-lois-lerner GOP lawmakers furious after DOJ declines to prosecute ex-IRS official Lois Lerner]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved October 28, 2017.</ref>

=====Warrantless wiretaps=====
{{see also|Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act}}
The Cybersecurity Act of 2009 would give the administration authority to conduct warrantless spying and dictatorial power over the Internet.<ref>[https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2009/04/should-obama-control-internet Should Obama Control the Internet?], ''Mother Jones'', April 2, 2009.</ref>

*Section 215—drastically broadens the kinds of information the government can demand under Foreign Intelligence Security Act to "any tangible thing" while lowering the burden of proof to obtain such an order. According to the ''[[Washington Post]]'' this measure "allows investigators probing terrorism to seek a suspect's records from third parties such as financial services and travel and telephone companies without notifying the suspect. The American Civil Liberties Union has criticized the provision, saying it violates the First Amendment rights of U.S. citizens."

*Section 206—grants the authority to use secret "roving wiretaps." "In the past, authorities had to seek court approval for each electronic device carried by a suspect, from a cellphone and a BlackBerry to a home computer," writes the ''Post'', "But under the provision, one warrant can cover all of those machines." "Unlike roving wiretaps authorized for criminal investigations," the ACLU explains, "section 206 does not require the order to identify either the communications device to be tapped nor the individual against whom the surveillance is directed, which is what gives section 206 the Kafkaesque moniker, the " John Doe roving wiretap provision."

*Section 6001—or the "lone wolf" provision, which allows for secret FISA surveillance orders against people who have no connections to a terror group or foreign nation. "The government justified this provision by imagining a hypothetical " lone wolf, " an international terrorist operating independently of any terrorist organization," explains the ACLU, "but there is little evidence to suggest this imaginary construct had any basis in reality."

Rod Beckstrom, formerly in charge of coordinating the US government's cyber-security operations, in a resignation letter to Secretary of Homeland Security [[Janet Napolitano]],<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/BeckstromResignation.pdf Letter from Rod Beckstrom to Janet Napolitano], [[Wall Street Journal]], March 9, 2009.</ref> cited that the expanded control over the nation's computer security efforts poses “threats to our democratic processes.”<ref>''[https://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2009/03/11/US-cybersecurity-head-quits-citing-growing-role-of-spy-agencies/UPI-64411236692969/ U.S. cybersecurity head quits, citing growing role of spy agencies]'', Shaun Waterman, [[UPI]], March 11, 2009.</ref>

=====Persecution of dissidents=====
:{{See also|1/6 insurrection hoax}}
In September 2014 [[Dinesh D'Souza]] was arrested and sentenced to 5 years' probation.[http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/dinesh-souza-5-years-probation-campaign-donations-article-1.1949769]

[[Andrew McCarthy]] noted this about D'Souza's indictment:

:"Yet there were patent mitigating circumstances, starting with the fact that few people actually get prosecuted at all for this offense. Even in the case of gargantuan violations, such as the Obama 2008 campaign’s own millions of dollars in illicit contributions, the Justice Department allows cases to be settled with an administrative fine. Furthermore, in the few cases that are pursued criminally, there is unvaryingly a corruption angle — the donor is dodging the limits in the expectation of a ''quid pro quo''.

:"In D’Souza’s case, there was nothing of the kind: He was trying to be supportive of a friend who had no chance to win."<ref>Andrew C. McCarthy (December 19, 2015). "How Dinesh D'Souza became a victim of Obama's lawless administration", National Review website.</ref>

President Trump gave D'Souza a full pardon on May 31, 2018, citing D'Souza's mistreatment by the Obama Justice Department.<ref>Multiple references:
*Singman, Brooke (May 31, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/05/31/trump-to-give-full-pardon-to-dinesh-dsouza.html Trump pardons Dinesh D'Souza]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
*Kugle, Andrew (May 31, 2018). [https://freebeacon.com/politics/trump-issues-full-pardon-conservative-activist-dinesh-dsouza/ Trump Issues Full Pardon for Conservative Activist Dinesh D’Souza]. ''The Washington Free Beacon''. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
*Caplan, Joshua (May 31, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/31/trump-pardon-conservative-filmmaker-dinesh-dsouza/ Donald Trump to Pardon Conservative Filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 31, 2018.</ref>

=====Misuse of intelligence agencies=====
[[File:31D66D0A-82A4-40E7-A1C2-EBA55EEB357D.jpeg|thumb|350px|Prime movers in the [[Deep State coup]] against American democracy: Comey (first left) a man with a warped and perverted sense of [[justice]] and the role of [[law enforcement]] in a free society; Brennan (second left) an admitted Communist and mastermind of the coup against American democracy; and Clapper (third from left) who lied under oath to Congress about spying on the American people.]]
President Obama's agreement to approve the illegal actions taken against [[Donald Trump]] and the [[2016 Trump campaign|Trump campaign]] were primarily motivated by a wish to destroy his candidacy and, after Trump's election, delegitimize the Trump presidency in much the same way Obama felt Trump delegitimized Obama's presidency with Trump's involvement with the [[Birther movement]].

The [[FISA Act]] was passed in 1978 on recommendation of the Church Committee specifically to protect the civil rights of people such as Obama's mentor [[Frank Marshall Davis]] and Obama's neighbors who got Obama started in politics, [[Bill Ayers]] and [[Bernardine Dohrn]]. Both regaled Obama with tales of FBI surveillance and harassment in the pre-FISA age, which had thwarted the communist revolution in America. On becoming president, Obama was determined to seize control of the institutions and apparatus that had frustrated generations of communist revolutionaries and turn them against Obama's imaginary enemies.

Not since the election of [[Abraham Lincoln]] has an outgoing administration sought to undermine and sabotage an incoming president.

=====Justice Department corruption=====
{{see also|FBI scandal|FISA abuse}}
Throughout its entirety, the Obama administration attempted to [[criminal]]ize political opposition,<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbasile/2014/01/31/obamas-weaponization-of-government/#41198a711b92 Obama's Weaponization of Government], Tom Basile, ''Forbes'', Jan 31, 2014.</ref><ref>[https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/273552/lefts-march-one-party-state-frontpagemagcom The Left's March to a One-Party State], April 24, 2019. Frontpagemag.com</ref> first by an illegal misuse of the [[IRS]] targeting conservative groups, and when they were caught began misusing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act database in 2012 to spy on American citizens.<ref>[https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2020/03/08/doj-political-surveillance-from-the-irs-in-2011-to-the-fisa-court-in-2016/ *DOJ Political Surveillance – From the IRS in 2011 to the FISA Court in 2016], Posted on March 8, 2020 by sundance. theconservativetreehouse.com</ref><ref>[https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2019/04/23/the-obama-use-of-fisa-702-as-a-domestic-political-surveillance-program/ The Obama Use of FISA-702 as a Domestic Political Surveillance Program], Posted on April 23, 2019 by sundance. theconsevativetreehouse.com</ref><ref>[https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/field_document/2016_Cert_FISC_Memo_Opin_Order_Apr_2017.pdf United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, Memorandum Opinion and Order], April 26, 2017, p. 82.</ref>

By 2015 and 2016, the Obama administration interfered in American elections. It scuttled the investigation into [[Hillary Clinton]]'s [[felon]]ious violations of the National Records Act and Espionage Act,<ref>[https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/fbi-rewrites-federal-law-let-hillary-hook/ FBI Rewrites Federal Law to Let Hillary Off the Hook], By Andrew C. McCarthy, ''[[National Review]]'', July 5, 2016.</ref> paving the way for her nomination as the [[Democratic Party]] presidential candidate, while conducting illegal spying on Republican presidential candidate [[Donald Trump]],<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/02/us/politics/fbi-government-investigator-trump.html F.B.I. Sent Investigator Posing as Assistant to Meet With Trump Aide in 2016], By Adam Goldman, Michael S. Schmidt and Mark Mazzetti, ''The New York Times'', May 2, 2019</ref><ref>[https://thefederalist.com/2019/05/02/new-york-times-admits-multiple-spies-deployed-against-trump-campaign/ New York Times Admits Obama Admin Deployed Multiple Spies Against Trump Campaign In 2016], [[Mollie Hemingway]], ''The Federalist'', May 2, 2019.</ref> falsely accusing him of colluding with [[Russia]].<ref>[https://dailycaller.com/2019/05/01/barr-trump-russia-treason-agent/ Barr: Trump Was ‘Falsely Accused’ Of Being A Treasonous Russian Agent], Chuck Ross, ''Daily Caller, 05/01/2019.</ref> In doing so, the Obama administration colluded with foreign actors in an effort to [[subversion|subvert]] American [[democracy]].<ref>[https://spectator.org/confirmed-john-brennan-colluded-with-foreign-spies-to-defeat-trump/ Confirmed: John Brennan Colluded With Foreign Spies to Defeat Trump], George Neumayr, ''American Spectator'', April 19, 2017.</ref><ref>[https://consortiumnews.com/2019/05/07/how-us-and-foreign-intelligence-agencies-interfered-in-a-us-election/ How US and Foreign Intel Agencies Interfered in a US Election], By Larry C. Johnson, May 7, 2019. consortiumnews.com</ref>

Amendments to the [[Patriot Act]] in 2008 loosened regulations governing domestic spying;<ref>[https://projects.propublica.org/graphics/surveillance-timeline Mass Surveillance in America: A Timeline of Loosening Laws and Practices], by Cora Currier, Justin Elliott and Theodoric Meyer, ''ProPublica'', June 7, 2013.</ref> Obama took rules intended for targeting [[al Qaeda]] to protect [[national security]] and applied them against political opponents and administration critics.<ref>[https://newrepublic.com/article/145474/chance-control-domestic-spying-trump-era-opportunity-reform-nsa-surveillance-program A Chance to Control Domestic Spying], By Elizabeth Goitein, ''New Republic'', October 26, 2017.</ref> Under Barack Obama's leadership, an Inspector General appointed by Obama discovered, for the first time in history, that the top two personnel appointed by Obama to head the FBI had both violated the law.<ref>https://sharylattkisson.com/2019/09/indicting-a-sandwich/</ref>

=====Forced abortion=====
In March 2009 the [[Obama administration]] announced it would send $50 million to the United Nations Population Fund, or UNFPA. UNFPA actively promotes abortion and is working closely with Chinese population control officials to implement China's forced abortion policy. The Chinese Communist Party's coercive one-child rule has resulted in forced abortions, involuntary sterilizations and other [[human rights]] abuses.<ref>[https://www.lifenews.com/int981.html Group Confirms Obama Would Fund Forced Abortions if UNFPA Money Restored], by Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com Editor, November 12, 2008.</ref>

UNFPA officials work side-by-side with their Chinese colleagues and even share the same offices.<ref>[https://www.lifenews.com/int1138.html Obama Administration Announces $50 Million for Pro-Forced Abortion UNFPA], by Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com Editor, March 26, 2009.</ref>

===Secular Leftism in the 21st century===
{{see also|Decline of the secular left}}

Historically, the largest advances of the [[secular left]] have been through utilizing the power of the state (see: [[State atheism]] and [[Atheism and communism]]). For example, secular leftists use the power of the state to promote [[evolution]]ary ideology and to censor [[creationism|creationist]]/[[intelligent design]] models of origins (See: [[Suppression of alternatives to evolution]] and [[Atheist indoctrination]]).

The historian Martin Van Crevel points out that sovereign states are losing power/influence due to technology democratizing access to information, welfare states increasingly failing, [[fourth-generation warfare]] being waged against countries and sovereign states increasingly losing their ability to maintain internal order.<ref>[The Fate of the State] by MARTIN VAN CREVELD</ref><ref>[https://www.sonshi.com/martin-van-creveld-interview.html Martin van Creveld interview]</ref>

===Covid global pandemic===
{{Main article|Covid global pandemic}}
The [[CCP]] malevolently allowed the [[Chinese plague]] to spread as a result of human-to-human transmission beginning in [[Wuhan, China]]. As it metastasized, the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) parroted the [[Chinese Communist Party]] line that the [[Wuhan virus]] could not be passed from one human to another, and that it was “racist” to refer to the virus by its place of origin.<ref>https://thefederalist.com/2020/03/26/5-major-paradigm-shifts-the-wuhan-flu-crisis-has-revealed-americans-need/</ref>

===Cuban Communism===
[[Cuba]] remains a Communist state controlled by the Castro brothers since 1960, and is under United States economic sanctions.

==Communism in the Cold War era==
===Communist goals of 1963===
Nearly all of these goals are still being used by communists to date when taking over a country or local areas.

#U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.
#U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.
#Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.
#Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.
#Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.
#Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.
#Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.
#Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.
#Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.
#Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.
#Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.)
#Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.
#Do away with all loyalty oaths.
#Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.
#Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.
#Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.
#Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.
#Gain control of all student newspapers.
#Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.
#Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policy-making positions.
#Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.
#Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."
#Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."
#Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.
#Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.
#Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."
#Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch."
#Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."
#Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.
#Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."
#Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.
#Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture—education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.
#Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.
#Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.
#Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.
#Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.
#Infiltrate and gain control of big business.
#Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand or treat.
#Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.
#Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.
#Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.
#Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems.
#Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.
#Internationalize the Panama Canal.
#Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=MgqXNaL-2gwC&pg=PA31 Birthing The Phoenix Vol. III], A copy of the goals as entered into Congressional Record by Albert S. Herlong</ref>

===Collapse of Soviet communism===
[[File:Timecommiecover.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Time magazine]] from 1989]]
The shooting down by the Soviets on September 1, 1983, of [[Korean Airlines Flight 007]] may have been a contributing factor for the downfall of the Soviet Union as well as for the whole Soviet block. It being a catalyst for the collapse of the Soviet Union may be inferred from the fact that NATO had decided, under the impetus of the U.S. administration, to deploy Pershing II and cruise missiles in Europe, primarily West Germany. This deployment would have placed missiles just 6–10 minutes' striking distance from Moscow. But support for the deployment was wavering and many doubted that the missile deployment would find enough support to effect it. When the Soviet Union shot down Flight 007 with 269 people aboard, including conservative Democratic Congressman [[Larry McDonald]] —an act which U.S. President Ronald Reagan characterized as a "massacre"—enough support was galvanized for the deployment. The deployment caused great resources of the Soviet Union to be diverted from inner economic use to military expenditures to counter the U.S. and NATO missile deployment.

Between 1989 and 1991, many Communist governments fell. The [[Berlin Wall]] in [[Germany]], which had become a symbol for the division between the Communist states and the rest of Europe, was torn down largely in response to Ronald Reagan in 1989, and there was also a large revolution against Romanian dictator [[Nicolaie Ceausescu]] which led to Ceausescu's arrest on December 22 that year and his subsequent execution on December 25 following a quick trial. In 1991, the USSR broke up into several countries - each of which reformed to capitalism. Some of these remained under autocratic governments, but some have embraced democracy. With the collapse, the remnants of Communist parties have dropped their old names and ideologies, but still operate on the left of the political spectrum.

In 1992 President Boris Yeltsin announced that the Russian people had been liberated and that Communism in the former Soviet Union was dead. [http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/BorisY] Pres. [[George H. W. Bush]] imagined the global threat had passed by telling Congress, "Communism died this year."<ref>[https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=20544 Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress on the State of the Union] - January 28, 1992</ref> Liberal historians called the death of the Soviet Union, "the end of history," when in fact the Communist disease only went into remission. The seat of the global Marxist revolution relocated from Moscow to [[Berkeley]], [[California]], under the [[vanguard party]] name, [[Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism]].

[[Russia]]n President [[Vladimir Putin]] stated "If we consider the Code of the Builder of Communism that was widely published in the Soviet Union, it strongly resembles the [[Bible]]. This is not a joke; it was actually an excerpt from the Bible. It spoke of good things: equality, fraternity, happiness. However, the practical implementation of these ideals in this country had little in common with what the [[utopian socialist]]s [[Saint-Simon]] or [[Robert Owen|Owen]] spoke about. This country had little resemblance to their Sun City. Everyone accused the [[Imperial Russia|tsarist regime]] of repressions. However, what did Soviet power begin with? With mass repressions."<ref> http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/transcripts/51206</ref>

Communism has remained in the world despite the fall of the Soviet bloc in the late 1980s.<ref>Akan, Emel (November 6, 2019). [https://www.theepochtimes.com/communism-is-still-with-us-30-years-after-fall-of-the-berlin-wall_3139454.html Communism Is Still With Us 30 Years After Fall of the Berlin Wall]. ''The Epoch Times''. Retrieved November 7, 2019.</ref>

==Historical Communism: Theory and Practice==
Communism is based upon [[Marxism]], a philosophy which uses [[materialism]] to explain all physical and social phenomena. The theory of [[evolution]] influenced the thinking of the Communists, including Marx, [[Friedrich Engels|Engels]], [[Vladimir Lenin]], and [[Joseph Stalin]].<ref name="icr.org">https://www.icr.org/index.php?module=articles&action=view&ID=276</ref> Marx wrote, "[[Charles Darwin|Darwin]]'s book is very important and serves me as a basis in natural science for the [[class struggle]] in history." Marx offered to dedicate the second German edition of his polemic ''[[Das Kapital]]'' to [[Charles Darwin]], but Darwin declined the "honour."<ref name="icr.org"/><ref>Karl Marx's Social and Political Thought, Bob Jessop, ISBN 0415193265 (pg 476)</ref>
[[Image:Captive-nations-01b----07-19-06.jpg|thumbnail|180px|right|[[Victims of Communism Memorial|A monument to the Captive Nations stands at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in Washington, D.C.]]]]
Economically, Communism advocates a [[socialist]] economy in which the [[government]] owns the means of production. In countries where Communism has been imposed, the government has taken ownership of farms, factories, stores and so on in the name of the people; see "[[dictatorship of the proletariat]]". This drives all [[free market|market-based]] economic activity underground and leads to inefficiencies and shortages. In both the Soviet Union and Red [[China]], the number of people who starved to death when the government confiscated their farm products (animals and grain) is estimated in the tens of millions.

Even more important, one party controls every organization from the local labor union to the army to the national government. The party is not elected. Its top officials (the "Politburo") select replacements when there is a vacancy. Usually a dictator (like Stalin, Mao or Castro) controls the Politburo, but sometimes power is shared among five or six people. No dissent is allowed—all [[news]] media are controlled, and the Internet is heavily censored.

Elites do not disappear. Members of the ruling party (see [[Nomenklatura]]) have special stores in which ordinary people are barred, stores which are immune to the shortages which the lower class must endure.

Various Communist doctrines have evolved or been adapted to the time and place they have been implemented. [[Marxism]], developed by [[Karl Marx]], and its modifications under [[Vladimir Ilyich Lenin|Vladimir Lenin]], [[Joseph Stalin]], and [[Mao Zedong]], advocates the overthrow of the existing order by a [[revolution]] of the proletariat, the social group which does not control the means of production. The goal of Marxism is supposedly to create a classless society which would result in no longer the need for any [[government]] (Communism).

The most famous government to label itself "Communist" is the former [[USSR]] or the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; the Communist Party controlled its government from 1918 to 1991. This government was officially atheist and attempted to suppress all [[religion]] until [[World War II]], when it discovered religion was needed to rally the people against the [[Nazi]] invaders. Like all authoritarian regimes, it tried to cultivate reverence for the state as a psychological substitute for religion.

Marxist theory is intended to appeal to its adherents with the phrase, "from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs", which essentially states point blank a worker does not get paid according to his abilities, and there is no [[incentive]] within the economic theory. Another quote by Marx was, "The theory of the Communism may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of [[private property]]," or as some have phrased it, legalized theft.

Lying, [[deceit]] and [[hypocrisy]] play major roles in Communism and advancing its goals.<ref>[https://fosterspeak.blogspot.ca/2011/10/lying-essence-of-communism.html Lying, the Essence of Communism]</ref> According to then-[[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] director [[J. Edgar Hoover]]:
{{cquote|The basic premise of Communism is deceit and hypocrisy. The Communist philosophy teaches that every available means must be utilized to achieve the final end—world revolution. For this reason the Communist will lie, cheat and resort to any tactics which will gain his end. He will advocate today exactly what he denounced yesterday. And with a straight face! Has he lied? No, he will say, he's only carrying out party policy. The concept of morality and fair play, as practiced in our democracy, is alien and repugnant to him. Moreover, the Communists employ a purposive double-talk, roundabout style, known as "Aesopian language," in their literature and speeches, designed to deceive and evade to clothe their true thoughts. This technique, utilized by Lenin, is the very epitome of deceit.<ref>[https://www.usnews.com/news/national/articles/2008/05/16/how-communists-operate-an-interview-with-j-edgar How Communists Operate: An Interview with J. Edgar Hoover] at US News & World Report</ref>}}
Pope Pius IX spoke of how Communism operates, including its use of lies and deceit and its attacks on religion, in his condemnation of the ideology in his 1846 encyclical ''Qui Pluribus'':
{{cquote|A very bitter and fearsome war against the whole Catholic commonwealth (is) being stirred up by men bound together in a lawless alliance. … They are experienced and skillful in deceit, which they use to set in motion their plans to quench peoples’ zeal for piety, justice and virtue, to corrupt morals, to cast all divine and human laws into confusion, and to weaken and even possibly overthrow the Catholic religion and civil society. They teach that the most holy mysteries of our religion are fictions of human invention, and that the teaching of the Catholic Church is opposed to the good and the prerogatives of human society. They are not even afraid to deny Christ Himself and God.<ref>[https://catholicinsight.com/communism-and-the-popes/ Communism and the Popes] at Catholic Insight</ref>}}
Apologists claim Communism is a system created by people with good intentions who failed to recognize that their idealistic system was inconsistent with human nature. As a result, they caused more harm than good.<ref>[https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjVjOWX_6LYAhVQYt8KHbjaCrQQFggwMAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgenius.com%2FRay-dalio-principles-annotated&usg=AOvVaw2eSCwhXQ9WZ5Wt_rmrFmuY Principles] by [[Ray Dalio]]</ref> In reality, successful communist revolutionaries and leaders have historically been common criminals and murderers.

===Communism and militant atheism===
{{see also|Atheism and communism}}
According to the [[University of Cambridge]], historically, the "most notable spread of [[atheism]] was achieved through the success of the 1917 Russian Revolution, which brought the [[Marxism-Leninism|Marxist-Leninists]] to power."<ref name="Marxism-Leninism">{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728215151/http://www.investigatingatheism.info/marxism.html|title=Investigating atheism: Marxism|publisher = [[University of Cambridge]]|quote=The most notable spread of atheism was achieved through the success of the 1917 Russian Revolution, which brought the Marxist-Leninists to power. For the first time in history, atheism thus became the official ideology of a state.|year=2008|accessdate=July 17, 2014}}</ref>

Karl Marx believed atheism to be a key part of Communism. He is often very famously quoted as saying, "Religion ... is the opium of the masses."<ref>Marx, K. [http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/31765.html Introduction to A Contribution to the Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right] (Classic Quotations) (Standard translation from the original German).</ref> His full quote was: "Religious suffering is, at one and the same time, the expression of real suffering and a protest against real suffering. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people."<ref>http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1843/critique-hpr/intro.htm#05</ref> He believed it was part of the "superstructure," a false culture built to maintain the status quo. Thus he denigrated Christianity as a "fictional" religion. Instead, Marx was an avowed atheist, as he wrote, "Communism begins from the outset with [[atheism]]; but atheism is at first far from being communism; indeed, that atheism is still mostly an abstraction."<ref>Marx, Karl, [http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1844/manuscripts/comm.htm Private Property and Communism], 1944.</ref>

[[Vladimir Lenin]] similarly wrote: "A Marxist must be a materialist, i. e., an enemy of religion, but a dialectical materialist, i. e., one who treats the struggle against religion not in an abstract way, not on the basis of remote, purely theoretical, never varying preaching, but in a concrete way, on the basis of the class struggle which is going on ''in practice'' and is educating the masses more and better than anything else could."<ref>Lenin, Vladimir Ilyich, ''Proletary'', No. 45, May 13 (26), 1909, translated by Andrew Rothstein and Bernard Issacs, quote from [http://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1909/may/13.htm].</ref>

In 1955, Chinese communist leader Chou En-lai declared, "We Communists are atheists".<ref>Noebel, David, The Battle for Truth, Harvest House, 2001.</ref> In 2015, the [[Communist Party of China]] reaffirmed that members of their party must be atheists.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/02/china-communist-party-atheism-zhejiang-ban-religious-members-christianity_n_6599722.html China's Communist Party Bans Believers, Doubles Down On Atheism]</ref>

The atheism in Communist regimes has been and continues to be accompanied by [[militant atheism]] and various acts of repression including the razing of thousands of religious buildings and the killing, imprisoning, and oppression of religious leaders and believers.<ref>http://www.academia.org/campus_reports/2000/March_2000_4.html</ref><ref>http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/frroman1.aspx</ref><ref name="nysun.com">https://www.nysun.com/article/23082?page_no=1</ref><ref name="newsmax.com">http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/5/7/120250.shtml</ref><ref name="findarticles.com">http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_26_116/ai_56249447</ref><ref name="worldnetdaily.com">http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=35818</ref><ref name="theworldnow.wordpress.com">http://theworldnow.wordpress.com/tag/around-the-world/asia/china/</ref>

Marxists' justification for its persecution of the Russian Orthodox Church was based upon the claim that the Church was a "willing tool of Tsarism."<ref>http://www.marxist.com/religion-soviet-union170406-6.htm</ref>

The clergy openly stated its support for the counter-revolution (White Revolution). Lenin proclaimed that a Communist regime must show itself to be merciless toward the question of religion. There was no place for the church in Lenin's regime. This led to anti-religious decrees and propaganda. All church property was expropriated by the new Soviet government.<ref>http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-42047/Union-of-Soviet-Socialist-Republics#277888.hook</ref>

During the late 1930s and later 1940s the restrictions on church activity were loosened as Stalin needed all the support he could get for the war. This doctrine of co-operation between the church and state continued throughout the existence of the Soviet republics and the other Warszawa pact nations. Though never going as far as a leader of the Soviet Union asking [http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/simon_barrow/2007/03/hiding_behind_god.html god to bless the country], the clause in the Soviet Union's constitution addressing the separation of church and state was rendered useless.

Dr. [[Martin Luther King]] said, "for the Communist there is no divine government, no absolute moral order, there are no fixed, immutable principles; consequently almost anything - force, violence, murder, lying - is a justifiable means."<ref>''Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story'', Martin Luther King, Jr., Harper and Rowe, New York, 1958, p. 92.</ref>

====Atheistic Communism and torture of the religious====
[[Image:HammerAndSickle.png|right|175px]]
{{see also|Atheistic communism and torture}}
The website Victimsofcommunism.org declares concerning atheistic Communism and the use of torture:
{{cquote|Significantly, communists did not merely try to block or halt religious faith but to reverse it. This was particularly true for [[Romania]], even before the Nicolai Ceausescu era. This meant not just forbidding religious practice and jailing ministers and believers but employing torture to force them to renounce their faith. It was not enough to contain, silence, even punish believers in prison; it was decided they must be tortured in truly unimaginably degrading ways to attempt to undo religious faith.<ref>[http://victimsofcommunism.org/the-war-on-religion/ The War on religion]</ref>}}

For additional information please see: [[Atheistic communism and torture]]

====Social gospel====
Some Communist ideology has made its way into the Church as a [[Social Gospel]], interpreting the Gospel as less redemptive of sin and more of a public works campaign and activism. They often cite Jesus feeding the masses and warnings to the wealthy who believed self-seeking was all this world had to offer. Communists often cite the Acts of the Apostles, as early Christians practicing some form of sharing for the common good:
{{Cquote|And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (Acts 2:44-45, KJV)

Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.(Acts 4:34-7, KJV)}}

But as Arnold Toynbee has pointed out, this Marxist view denies the most crucial points,
{{Cquote|The passage in the Acts represents the philanthropy of the primitive Christian Society as flowing from a God-given grace which was the fruit of a belief in the divinity of Jesus. In other words, the charity which is here depicted as moving the primitive Christians to go—in their mutual concern for one another's welfare—to the extreme length of sharing all their worldly goods is not a mere love of Man for Man (which is the limited literal meaning of the word ‘philanthropy’), but is a spiritual relation to which God is a party as well as His human creatures. In fact, this Christian Socialism is a practical application, on the economic surface of life, of the fundamental religious truth that the brotherhood of man is a consequence of the fatherhood of God - a truth which is driven home with special force by a religion which teaches that God is not only the Father and Creator of man, but also his Savior, Who has been incarnate in human shape and has suffered, and triumphed over, death.<ref>Arnold Toynbee, ''A Study of History'', Annex II to Vol. V, Part C (i) (c) 2, p. 585, ''Marxism, Socialism, and Christianity''.</ref>}}

====Sloth in atheistic Communist countries vs. Protestant work ethic====
[[File:Flag of the PRC.png|thumbnail|right|250px|In [[China]], the growth in religion has accompanied China's fast economic growth over the last twenty years.<ref name="blog.tifwe.org">[http://blog.tifwe.org/the-protestant-work-ethic-alive-well-in-china/ The Protestant Work Ethic: Alive & Well…In China] By Hugh Whelchel on September 24, 2012</ref>]]
''See also:'' [[Atheism and sloth]] and [[Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism]]
Atheism is a part of Marxist-Leninist and [[Mao Zedong|Maoist]]/Chinese Communist ideology (See: [[Atheism and communism]]).

Widespread sloth in the former [[Soviet Union]] helped cause much poverty.<ref>[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255693/Last-pictures-life-iron-curtain-collapse-USSR.html Poverty, prostitutes and the long, slow death of the Soviet Union: Haunting pictures show desperate struggle to survive in last days of USSR, ''The Daily Mail'']</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/29/world/soviet-openness-brings-poverty-out-of-the-shadows.html?_r=0 Soviet Openness Brings Poverty Out of the Shadows], ''New York Times''</ref> A study performed in the former Soviet Union found that over 50% of the workforce admitted to drinking alcohol while on the job (See also: [[Atheism and alcoholism]]).<ref>[http://cs.stanford.edu/people/eroberts/cs201/projects/communism-computing-china/workethic.html Communism and computer ethics]</ref> In the former [[Soviet Union]], a popular joke was that the workers pretended to work and the Soviet Union pretended to pay them.<ref>[http://ipezone.blogspot.com/2015/08/you-pretend-to-work-putin-pretends-to.html You Pretend to work and Putin pretends to pay you]</ref>

On the other hand, [[Harvard University]] historian Niall Ferguson declared: "Through a mixture of hard work and thrift the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] societies of the North and West Atlantic achieved the most rapid economic growth in history."<ref name="blog.tifwe.org"/>

In China, the growth in religion has accompanied China's fast economic growth over the last twenty years.<ref name="blog.tifwe.org"/> Christianity is seeing rapid growth in China and the historian Niall Ferguson attributes this recent economic growth to the Protestant work ethic being more incorporated into Chinese society.<ref name="blog.tifwe.org"/> See also: [[Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism|Protestant work ethic]] and [[Growth of Christianity in China]]

===Similarities between Communism, Nazism and liberalism===
{{see also|Similarities between Communism, Nazism and liberalism}}
[[Adolf Hitler]] noted that Communists made excellent converts to [[National Socialism]] (a.k.a. [[Nazi]]sm), because the same personality type was attracted to both. "[T]here is more that binds us to [[Bolshevik|Bolshevism]] than separates us from it. There is, above all, genuine, revolutionary feeling, which is alive everywhere in Russia except where there are Jewish Marxists. I have always made allowance for this circumstance, and given orders that former Communists are to be admitted to the party at once. The petit bourgeois [[Social democracy|Social-Democrat]] and the trade-union boss will never make a [[National Socialist]], but the Communists always will."<ref>quoted in Hermann Rauschning, ''Hitler Speaks''</ref> [[Josef Stalin]] also recognized that ex-Nazis and ex-[[fascist]]s were natural recruits for post-war Communist regimes. As Stanley Payne notes in his ''A History of Fascism: 1914-1945'', "All over Soviet-occupied eastern Europe (should be: Central and Eastern Europe), most rank-and-file former fascist party members, together with many lower-level leaders, were welcomed to fill the ranks of the initially exiguous local Communist parties. The psychological transition seems to have been an easy one, for obvious reasons."<ref>http://www.lietuvos.org/istorija/communism/</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!
!Communist Manifesto
![[Nazi]] Party Platform
!Analysis
|-
|1
|"Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public purposes."
|"We demand an agrarian reform in accordance with our national requirements, and the enactment of a law to expropriate the owners without compensation of any land needed for the common purpose. The abolition of ground rents, and the prohibition of all speculation in land."
|The stripping away of land from private owners. [[Liberalism]] today demands "eminent domain" on property.
|-
|2
|"A heavy progressive or graduated income tax."
|"We demand the nationalization of all trusts...profit-sharing in large industries...a generous increase in old-age pensions...by providing maternity welfare centers, by prohibiting juvenile labor...and the creation of a national (folk) army."
|The points raised in the [[Nazi]] platform demand an increase in taxes to support them. Liberalism today demands heavy progressive and graduated income taxes.
|-
|3
|"Abolition of all rights of inheritance."
|"That all unearned income, and all income that does not arise from work, be abolished."
|Liberalism today demands a "death tax" on anyone inheriting an estate.
|-
|4
|"Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels."
|"We demand that all non-Germans who have entered Germany since August 2, 1914, shall be compelled to leave the Reich immediately."
|The Nuremberg Laws of 1934 allowed Germany to take Jewish property.
|-
|5
|"Centralisation of credit in the hands of the state, by means of a national bank with State capital and an exclusive monopoly."
|"We demand the nationalization of all trusts."
|Central control of the financial system.
|-
|6
|"Centralisation of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the State."
|"We demand that there be a legal campaign against those who propagate deliberate political lies and disseminate them through the press...editors and their assistants on newspapers published in the German language shall be German citizens...Non-German newspapers shall only be published with the express permission of the State...the punishment for transgressing this law be the immediate suppression of the newspaper..."
|Central control of the press. Liberals today demand control or suppression of talk radio and Fox News.
|-
|7
|"Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children’s factory labour in its present form. Combination of education with industrial production, &c, &c."
|"In order to make it possible for every capable and industrious German to obtain higher education, and thus the opportunity to reach into positions of leadership, the State must assume the responsibility of organizing thoroughly the entire cultural system of the people. The curricula of all educational establishments shall be adapted to practical life. The conception of the State Idea (science of citizenship) must be taught in the schools from the very beginning. We demand that specially talented children of poor parents, whatever their station or occupation, be educated at the expense of the State. "
|Central control of education, with an emphasis on doing things their way. Liberals today are doing things ''their way'' in our schools.
|-
|}

===Atrocities and Repression===
[[File:Stalin-kill.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Exhumed skeletons of [[class war]] victims murdered by Communists.<ref>[http://www.mega.nu/ampp/rummel/rm1.stalin.kill.htm.]</ref> Apologists frequently claim Communism has "never really been tried".]]
Communist regimes have engaged in mass killings on a scale of millions of individuals.<ref>http://www.gmu.edu/departments/economics/bcaplan/museum/comfaq.htm#part3</ref> A work entitled ''[[The Black Book of Communism]]'' published by the [[Harvard]] Press focuses on the crimes, terror, and repression of modern Communist regimes over a 70-year period.<ref>http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog/COUBLA.html</ref> This book is fairly controversial partly due to the various estimates regarding the millions of people who died under communist regimes.<ref>Multiple references:
*Anticommunist (April 14, 2004). [https://web.archive.org/web/20130607125427/http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/04/289239.html "The Human Cost of Communism - 100 million"]. UK Indymedia. Retrieved from June 7, 2013 archive at Internet Achive.
*[http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~hpcws/lelivrenoir.htm "''The Black Book of Communism''"]. Harvard University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences website: Cold War Studies.
*White, Matthew (February 2011). [http://necrometrics.com/20c5m.htm "Source list and detailed death tolls for the primary megadeaths of the twentieth century"]. Necrometrics.
*Higgins, David (June 22, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20071008035420/http://www.sarasotamagazine.com/blog/template_permalink.asp?id=365 "Memory and ideology: Washington's newest statue is the Victims Of Communism Memorial"]. Sarasota Magazine website. Retrieved from October 8, 2007 archive at Internet Archive
*Radosh, Ronald (February 2000). [http://www.firstthings.com/article.php3?id_article=2526 "''The Black Book of Communism: Crimes, Terror, Repression''"]. First Things [journal] website.</ref>

Similarly, an influential book which concerns itself with Russian Communist torture, repression and atrocities is [[Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn]]'s ''[[The Gulag Archipelago]]'' which won Solzhenitsyn a [[Nobel Prize]].<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/books/98/03/01/home/solz-gulag.html</ref> In 1983, Alexander Solzhenitsyn gave his explanation of the cause of why millions of people died under Russian Communism:
{{Cquote|Over a half century ago, while I was still a child, I recall hearing a number of old people offer the following explanation for the great disasters that had befallen Russia: "Men have forgotten God; that's why all this has happened. Since then I have spent well-nigh 50 years working on the history of our revolution; in the process I have read hundreds of books, collected hundreds of personal testimonies, and have already contributed eight volumes of my own toward the effort of clearing away the rubble left by that upheaval. But if I were asked today to formulate as concisely as possible the main cause of the ruinous revolution that swallowed up some 60 million of our people, I could not put it more accurately than to repeat: "Men have forgotten God; that's why all this has happened.}}
In Communist [[North Korea]], abuse and killing in prison camps are occurring today.<ref>http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=5596</ref><ref>http://www.kimsoft.com/korea/nkdefec3.htm</ref> In addition, the North Korean government practices brutal repression and atrocities against North Korean Christians.<ref name="nysun.com"/><ref name="newsmax.com"/>

In 1999, the publication [[Christian Century]] reported that "China has persecuted religious believers by means of "harassment, prolonged detention, and incarceration in prison or `reform-through-labor' camps and police closure of places of worship."<ref name="findarticles.com"/> In 2003, owners of Bibles in China were sent to prison camps and 125 Chinese churches were forced to close.<ref name="worldnetdaily.com"/> China continues to practice religious oppression today.<ref name="theworldnow.wordpress.com"/>

==Fostering Revolution==
Communists require a revolution to complete their ideological objectives, and if a revolution is not currently happening they will foster and agitate situations in which a revolution can be created and leveraged. [[Ezra Taft Benson]] noted that going back as far as 1928, agents of Marxism believed they could use race to foster a race war in America. He wrote:<ref>An Enemy Hath Done this, by [[Ezra Taft Benson]], 1969, page 192</ref>

<blockquote>As far back as 1928, the communists declared that the cultural, economic, and social differences between the races in America could be exploited by them to create the animosity, fear, and hatred between large segments of our people that would be necessary beginning ingredients for their revolution.

Briefly, the three broad objectives were - and are - as follows:

#Create Hatred
#Trigger Violence
#Overthrow Established Government

1. Create Hatred. Use any means to agitate blacks into hating whites and whites into hating blacks. Work both sides of the split. Play up and exaggerate real grievances. If necessary, don't hesitate to manufacture false stories and rumors about injustices and brutality. Create martyrs for both sides. Play upon mass emotions until they smolder with resentment and hatred.

2. Trigger Violence. Put the emotional masses into the streets in the form of large mobs, the larger the better. It makes no difference if the mob is told to demonstrate "peacefully" so long as it is brought into direct confrontation with the antagonist. Merely bringing the two emotionally charged groups together is like mixing oxygen and hydrogen. All that is needed is one tiny spark. If the spark is not forthcoming from purely spontaneous causes, create it.

3. Overthrow Established Government. Once mob violence becomes widespread and commonplace, condition those who are emotionally involved to accept violence as the only way to "settle the score" once and for all. Provide leadership and training for guerrilla warfare. Institute discipline and terrorism to insure at least passive support from the larger inactive segment of the population. Train and battle-harden leadership through sporadic riots and battles with police. Finally, at the appointed time, launch an all-out simultaneous offensive in every city.</blockquote>

==Notable communists==
The following are well known communists, all of whom are notorious:
<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
*[[Xi Jinping]]
*[[Kim Jong Un]]
*[[Fidel Castro]]
*[[Che Guevara]]
*[[Salvador Allende]]
*[[Raul Castro]]
*[[Hugo Chavez]]
*[[Bernie Sanders]]
*[[Jim Jones]]
*[[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]]
*[[Occupy Democrats]]
*[[William Ayers]]
*[[Bernardine Dohrn]]
*[[Carl Davidson]]
*[[Frank Marshall Davis]]
*[[Barack Obama]]
*[[Van Jones]]
*[[Mao Zedong]]
*[[Hu Jintao]]
*[[Ho Chi Minh]]
*[[Pol Pot]]
*[[Kim Jong Il]]
*[[Kim Il Sung]]
*[[Choummaly Sayasone]]
*[[Karl Marx]]
*[[Friedrich Engels]]
*[[Vladimir Lenin]]
*[[Joseph Stalin]]
*[[Leon Trotsky]]
*[[Genrikh Yagoda]]
*[[Lazar Kaganovich]]
*[[Yakov Sverdlov]]
*[[Yakov Yurovsky]]
*[[Paul Robeson]]
*[[Noam Chomsky]]
*[[George Soros]]
*[[Henry Wallace]]
*[[Joe Biden]]
*[[Kamala Harris]]
*[[Mark Milley]]
</div>

==Further reading==
* Pipes, Richard. ''Communism: A History'' (2003), by a leading conservative historian
** Pipes, Richard. ''History of Communism: A Brief History'' (2002)
* Priestland, David. ''The Red Flag: A History of Communism'' (2009)
*[http://www.archive.org/stream/100thingsyoushou1949unit#page/n3/mode/2up 100 Things You Should Know About Communism'']

==See also==
<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
* [[Communist origins of Nazism]]
* [[Bernie Sanders]] and [[Democratic socialism]]
* [[Congressional Progressive Caucus]]
* [[Far Left]]
* [[List of Communist States]]
* [[List of Socialist States]]
* [[Communist Party of the United States of America]]
* [[Cold War]]
* [[List of atheist and agnostic pseudosciences]]
* [[Capitalism]]
* [[Iron Curtain]]
* [[Progressives for Obama]]
* [[Socialism]]
* [[Dirigisme]]
* [[Social Effects of the Theory of Evolution]]
* [[Korean Airlines Flight 007]] for the connection of the shootdown by the Soviets of KAL 007, with 269 people aboard, on Sept. 1, 1983 with the heightened U.S./Soviet confrontations of 1983–4.
* [[The Soviet/ U.S naval confrontation]] over KAL 007
* [[KAL 007 and the Soviet Top Secret Memos]]
* [[Communist Racism]]
* [[National Bolshevik Party]]
* [[The Soviet Story]]
* [[Communism and feminism]]
* [[American Anti-Communist Alliance]]
* [[Big government]] [[Welfare state]] leads to [[Nanny state]], leads to [[Police state]]
* [[Liberal totalitarianism]]
* [[Big government]] [[liberal]] [[Welfare state]] leads to [[socialist]] [[Nanny state]], leads to [[communist]] [[Police state]] - Don't think Communism is incompatible with [[Islam]].
* [[Gun control]] - [[Ammunition control]] - [[Gun free zone]]s - key elements to create a police state
* [[Anti-Americanism]]
* [[Nazi Party|National Socialist German Workers' Party]] (Nazi Party)
* [[National Socialism]] - the Nazis were elitist [[Police state]] [[liberals]] not [[conservative]]s
* [[Communism and cannibalism]]
* [[Mass killings under Communist regimes]]
</div>

==Notes and references==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://www.gotquestions.org/communism-Bible.html Does the Bible support Communism?], at [[GotQuestions]]
*[http://www.aim.org/wls/category/communism/ What Liberals Say - Category: Communism], [[Accuracy In Media]]
*[https://archive.org/details/IsThisTomorrowAmericaUnderCommunismCatecheticalGuild Is This Tomorrow - America Under Communism], Catechetical Guild
*[https://www.theepochtimes.com/c-how-the-specter-of-communism-is-ruling-our-world How the Specter of Communism Is Ruling Our World]. ''The Epoch Times''.
**[https://www.theepochtimes.com/the-dark-origins-of-communism-part-1-of-3_2249661.html The Dark Origins of Communism, Parts 1], [https://www.theepochtimes.com/the-dark-origins-of-communism-part-2-of-3_2251602.html 2], and [https://www.theepochtimes.com/the-dark-origins-of-communism-part-3-of-3_2251601.html 3], The Epoch Times.

{{Historic Communism}}
{{Coronavirus}}
[[Category:Communism]]
[[Category:Oppression]]
[[Category:Marxist Terminology]]
[[Category:Forms of Government]]
[[Category:Anti-American]]
[[Category:Atheism]]
[[Category:Liberalism]]
[[Category:Deceit]]
[[Category:Police State]]
[[Category:Chinese Politics]]
[[Category:Chinese History]]
[[Category:Welfare State]]
[[Category:Man-Made Disasters]]
[[Category:Coronavirus]]
[[Category:Globalism]]
[[Category:Threats]]
[[Category:Anti Second Amendment]]
[[Category:Anti-Free Speech]]
[[Category:Censorship]]

Communism

2026-10-19T04:13:58Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Communism

{{see also|Democratic Party}}
[[File:Antifa DC.jpeg|right|350px|thumb]]
'''Communism''' is a [[left-wing]] anti-democratic and violent ideology dedicated to overthrowing [[capitalism]], replacing it with an unelected "[[dictatorship of the proletariat]]" by [[technocrat]]s and an [[atheist]] elite. Under Communism, the [[political]] system replaces [[private property|private ownership]] of the means of production with a supposed "collective ownership" of the [[economy]], but really maintained for the benefit and profit of a corrupt elite. [[Freedom of speech]] is suppressed in every communist regime.

These elites empower [[criminal]] gangsters and hoodlums to keep opposition in check. Because private ownership is illegal in favor of a [[collective]], prisons are emptied of anyone convicted of a property crime. This criminal element is the base of the communists' political power to destroy [[democracy]]. Political opposition is outlawed. Having rejected the culture and habits of the old regime as unjust, many of the worst violent offenders are released from prison to become enforcers for the corrupt ruling elite.<ref>Although the [[Nazi]] regime was not a communist regime, it borrowed much from the [[Bolshevik]]s. The [[Einsatzgruppen]] or mobile death squads were recruited from convicted murderers and mental hospitals.</ref>

In [[Karl Marx]]'s theory, Communism is the final phase of societal evolution that begins with [[socialism]]. Marxist theory alleges that [[feudalism]] evolved into [[capitalism]], and capitalism evolves into socialism, and eventually the highest order of societal evolution is achieved when socialism evolves into communism. Marx's ''Communist Manifesto'' proposes the establishment of a "[[classless society]]" when human society reaches this ultimate perfection, minus any resisters or counterrevolutionaries. Communist societies, however, do maintain a [[class structure]] with the corrupt elite on top, scientists, technicians, and skilled workers recruited from schools who are afforded special privileges, thugs and mobsters who now become the enforcers and police, and everyone else with no political rights.

Communists distinctly despise anyone who holds a [[moral]] code that [[worship]]s or teaches loyalty to anything other than the [[state]] and [[government]]. [[Religious]] believers, particularly, are singled out for persecution and "re-education." The [[Gospels]] are pro-[[private property]], see [[Matthew, Chapter 25#14|Matthew 25:14-30]].

Communist societies that have survived into the [[21st century]], including [[China]], [[Cuba]], and [[North Korea]], have reverted to a feudal order of inherited privilege run by the descendants of the original revolutionaries who murdered all opposition and stole the wealth of the rich and powerful of their day. To manage government and society, the party trains and recruits "experts" from government schools who are promised party membership, which brings special privileges not afforded to the [[proletariat]]. Students who do not go along with the party agenda are doomed to a life of limited career opportunities, limited career advancement, or poverty. All live in terror, both party members and non-party members, of running afoul of the party's secret police, which enforces the party's ever-changing, contradictory dictums and agenda. Communist parties are essentially [[criminal]] organizations built on murder and theft, and maintain their power by murder and theft.

Communism supposedly is "[[democratic]]";<ref>http://www.marxists.org/archive/mandel/1968/11/workersdem.htm</ref> however, a "democratic" election in a communist system has candidates from only one party, nominated by higher-ups in the organization. A communist system is intolerant of opposing views and outlaws political opposition. The lack of a political opposition leads to a lack of accountability.

Governments under the banner of Communism have caused the death of somewhere between 40 million and 260 million human lives.<ref>Multiple references:
*Anticommunist (April 14, 2004). [https://web.archive.org/web/20130607125427/http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/04/289239.html "The Human Cost of Communism - 100 million"]. UK Indymedia. Retrieved from June 7, 2013 archive at Internet Archive.
*[http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~hpcws/lelivrenoir.htm "''The Black Book of Communism''"]. Harvard University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences website: Cold War Studies.
*Rummel, R. J. (November 1993). [http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/COM.ART.HTM "How many did communist regimes murder?"] University of Hawaii website; Freedom, Democracy, Peace; Power, Democide, and War.
*White, Matthew (February 2011). [http://necrometrics.com/20c5m.htm "Source list and detailed death tolls for the primary megadeaths of the twentieth century"]. Necrometrics.
*Higgins, David (June 22, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20071008035420/http://www.sarasotamagazine.com/blog/template_permalink.asp?id=365 "Memory and ideology: Washington's newest statue is the Victims Of Communism Memorial"]. Sarasota Magazine website. Retrieved from October 8, 2007 archive at Internet Archive
*Radosh, Ronald (February 2000). [http://www.firstthings.com/article.php3?id_article=2526 "''The Black Book of Communism: Crimes, Terror, Repression''"]. First Things [journal] website.
*Satter, David (November 6, 2017). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/100-years-of-communismand-100-million-dead-1510011810 100 Years of Communism—and 100 Million Dead]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved January 15, 2019.</ref> Dr. R. J. Rummel, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Hawaii, is the scholar who first coined the term [[democide]] (death by government). Dr. R. J. Rummel's mid estimate regarding the loss of life due to Communism is that it caused the death of approximately 148,286,000 people between 1917 and 1987.<ref>Rummel, R. J. (November 1993). [http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/COM.ART.HTM "How many did communist regimes murder?"] University of Hawaii website; Freedom, Democracy, Peace; Power, Democide, and War.</ref>

President [[Ronald Reagan]] in an address before the British [[House of Commons]] said,
{{Cquote|'''What I am describing now is a plan and hope for the long term — the march of [[freedom]] and [[democracy]] which will leave Marxism-Leninism on the ash heap of history as it has left other tyrannies which stifle the freedom and muzzle the self-expression of the people.'''<ref>President Ronald Reagan [http://www.iri.org/history_ReaganSpeech.asp Speech to the British Parliament], June 8, 1982. Retrieved from International Republican Institute 05/24/07.</ref>}}

Today, Communism continues to rule over at least one-fifth of the world's people,<ref>[http://www.victimsofcommunism.org/history_communism.php Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation], Documenting Communism's Crimes Against Humanity.</ref> and has infiltrated the [[Democratic Party|Democrat Party]] of the United States since at least the World War II era, more so since the 1960s, and has fully shown itself since the year 2020.
__TOC__
{{clear}}

==Modern communism==
The first false dichotomy of communism is the notion that capitalism and communism are competing ideologies. While communism is built on an [[ideology]] that justifies murder and theft, capitalism is built upon the [[natural law]] that you cannot consume that which has not been not been first produced. Author Lee Smith explains:
{{quotebox-float|"Communism has nothing to do with ideology. Ideology (lifting the masses out of [[poverty]], making all people [[equal]], etc.) is just cover for [[class war]]. But the class war is not, as Marxists describe it, between the [[proletariat|proletarian]] masses and the [[bourgeoisie]]. Rather, the proletariat is simply the instrument that the [[oligarch]]ic elite—known in the Soviet Union, for instance, as the [[nomenklatura]]—uses to keep the [[middle class]]es at bay while they steal their wealth.<ref>https://www.theepochtimes.com/americas-top-general-reads-marx-but-does-not-understand-how-its-destroying-america_3874251.html</ref>}}

===Maoism===
[[File:Wmr1a.jpg|right|259px|thumb|Burnt remains of victims were 'hosed down the drains'<ref>https://archive.is/6nzNI</ref><ref>http://www.cnd.org/HYPLAN/yawei/june4th/</ref>]]
{{See also|Maoism|Rectification}}
In China, the [[Chinese Communist Party]] retains an autocratic regime controlled by the party, which allows no democracy or dissent. However, it does allow capitalism, and has experienced a very rapid growth of the private sector and the middle class. Observers expect that the regime's efforts to control public opinion and forestall the will of the people will be more and more difficult.

The Maoist strategy for world revolution is based on the global version of the strategy employed by the [[Chinese Communist Party]] (CCP) which led to Mao's victory in 1949. The analogy went like this: through "people's war" the CCP forces who controlled the countryside of China encircled the cities of China, isolated the foe, and destroyed it piecemeal. The logic followed that the countryside of the world as a reaction to the super-exploitation suffered at the hands of the city of the world would become united and defeat the latter, and in the process establish a world socialist order. This grand design would come about not through the struggles of working classes in revolutionary fervor inside the advanced capitalist countries as prescribed by Marx, but through the vehicle of [[national liberation struggle]]s of the colonial and former colonial peoples of the [[Third World]].

Maoism inspired students and other young people who looked to the Chinese [[Red Guards]] as a model of [[activism]].<ref>Paul Costello, U.S. Anti-Revisionism [http://marxists.architexturez.net/history/erol/1960-1970/index.htm Third Wave, 1960-1970,] Encyclopedia of Anti-Revisionism On-Line. Marxist Internet Archive. Retrieved March 16, 2010.</ref> While some of these young activists were drawn to the Progressive Labor Party (PLP), the full flowering of American Maoism would not come until the proliferation of new groups such as the [[Students for a Democratic Society]] (SDS), [[Weather Underground]] (WUO), [[Black Panthers]] (BPP) and the Communist Party (Marxist-Leninist) (CP-ML) after 1969.

[[North Korea]] remains a brutal dictatorship controlled by the same family. [[Laos]], and [[Vietnam]] are also run by the old Communist cliques.

===Xi Jinping Thought===
In October 2017, an amendment including [[Xi Jinping]]'s name was added to the CCP's party constitution, marking the first time a living leader's name was added since [[Mao Zedong]], reflecting Xi's standing within the Communist Party. The amendment was approved by all 2,300 delegates attending the party congress, and is called "Xi Jinping Thought for the New Era of Socialism With Chinese Special Characteristics."

The move placed Xi on the same level as Mao and [[Deng Xiaoping]], whose names also appear in the party constitution in articles reflecting their principles. The political principles of [[Jiang Zemin]] and [[Hu Jintao]], Xi's predecessors, were added to the party constitution, but their names were not.

''[[The New York Times]]'' Chris Buckley notes that Xi's authority "is not directly comparable to the almost godlike influence Mao commanded," but, at the same time, "the Chinese economy, state and military are much more powerful now than they were under Mao, or even under Deng, which gives Mr. Xi far more global influence than his predecessors."<ref>https://www.businessinsider.com/china-xi-jinping-and-chinese-economy-2017-10</ref>

Xi Jinping Thought is an effort to avoid the demise of Communist party power such as happened in the [[Soviet Union]] as the result of ''[[Perestroika]]'' and ''[[Glasnost]]'' reform movements instituted by Soviet General Secretary [[Mikhail Gorbachev]].

Jin Canrong, a professor and associate dean of the School of International Studies at Beijing's Renmin University of China, laid out a multi-pronged strategy involving a range of malign actions to subvert the United States while strengthening the communist regime.<ref>https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_breakingnews/xi-jinpings-adviser-outlines-plan-for-ccp-to-defeat-us-including-manipulating-elections_3748196.html</ref> Jin emphasized that Xi was unlike his predecessors in his ambitions. Previous CCP leaders, such as Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, and Hu Jintao worked hard to develop the regime's power but didn't dare to use it, he said. “No matter how much power you have, it’s nothing if you don’t dare to use it,” Jin said. “Chairman Xi dares to use it. [Xi’s authorities] have the power, dare to use that power, and all of its attacks make the other party bleed.”

Xi's global strategy to bolster the regime's global power has two pillars, according to Jin. One is the [[Belt and Road Initiative]] (BRI); the other is the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).

Xi's ambitions, however, cannot be revealed to the outside world, the professor said. When Xi took power in 2012, he urged the country to realize the “Chinese dream.” This meant becoming a “moderately well-off” country by 2021, and then a “strong, democratic, civilized, harmonious, and modern socialist country” by 2049. Jin explained that Xi's target is actually to replace the United States as the world's only superpower by 2049. “[Chinese] Ministry of Foreign Affairs keeps on saying [at press briefings] that China loves peace. But no reporters at the press briefings believe this,” Jin said.

===Communism in the United States===
{{see also|Democratic party|Green New Deal|Medicare for All|Obamacare}}
Author Linda Goudsmit described American communism at America's self-inflicted moment of crisis in 2020:
{{QuoteBox|Marxist political predators have been seducing American children with leftist anti-American indoctrination in [[public schools]] since 1979 when [[Jimmy Carter]] established the [[Department of Education]]. Political predators launched their [[Culture War]] war on America with a [[disinformation]] campaign promising [[social justice]] and income equality that begins in kindergarten.

[[Barack Obama]], political predator-in-chief, escalated the [[propaganda]] campaign against American children with [[Common Core]] and its [[anti-American]] leftist [[narrative]] of [[moral relativism]], [[historical revisionism]], and [[political correctness]]. During his [[seditious]] two terms, Obama aligned himself with the equally anti-American [[Islamist]] [[Muslim Brotherhood]].

The longer the [[radical]] leftist [[Democrat Party]] aligns itself with the [[antisemitic]], [[sharia]]-compliant, [[Jihad]]i narrative of submission, the closer the radical Democrat party platform resembles the [[tyranny]] of Islamist rhetoric and supremacist sharia law. The word Islam means submission.

Islamists deny [[Israel]]'s [[right to exist]] as a sovereign country. Today, the leftist Democrat party and its colluding Muslim Brotherhood Islamists in Congress deny not only Israel's right to exist, they also deny [[America]]’s right to exist as a [[sovereign]] [[constitutional republic]]. The leftist/Islamist/[[globalist]] axis of political predators is attempting to take power in November and force America to submit to axis domination.

Aspirations for world domination and the creation of a [[New World Order]] are nothing new. English [[aristocrat]] [[Lord Bertrand Russell]] articulated the plan for the globalist elite’s New World Order in his 1952 classic, ''The Impact of Science on Society''.

After [[World War II]] it was obvious that America could not be defeated militarily. Our enemies did not quietly fade into the night, they reconstituted themselves as [[social justice warrior]]s with [[Long march through the institutions|a plan for educational indoctrination]] that would subvert American culture and destroy America from within. It was Bertrand Russell who explained the value of educational propaganda in the disinformation war:
[[File:Obama domestic terrorists.png|right|300px|thumb|[[Soros]]-trained lawyer tosses a Molotov cocktail into a police vehicle. The Progressive terrorist was bailed out of jail by a former [[Obama administration]] intelligence official.<ref>https://freebeacon.com/latest-news/former-obama-intelligence-official-helps-secure-bail-for-molotov-cocktail-throwing-nyc-lawyer/</ref>]]
:''page 27-28 (Routledge Classics 2016 edition):

:''It may be hoped that in time anybody will be able to persuade anybody of anything if he can catch the patient young and is provided by the State with money and equipment.

:''[[Education]] should aim at destroying [[free will]] so that pupils thus schooled, will be incapable throughout the rest of their lives of thinking or acting otherwise than as their schoolmasters would have wished. . . . Influences of the home are obstructive; not much can be done unless indoctrination begins before the age of ten; in order to condition students, verses set to music and repeatedly intoned are very effective. . . . It is for a future [[scientist]] to make these maxims precise and to discover exactly how much it costs per head to make children believe that snow is black. When the technique has been perfected, every government that has been in charge of education for more than one generation will be able to control its subjects securely without the need of armies or [[police]]men.

The leftist educational indoctrination launched by Jimmy Carter in 1979 and amplified by Barack Obama, fully enacted the sinister plan of weaponizing education described by Bertrand Russell. The radical leftist Democrat war on America that begins in K-12 ends in [[anarchy]] on the streets of America today. The political predators are exploiting indoctrinated Americans and supplying them with financing, bricks, and [[Molotov cocktail]]s to [[riot]] and burn America to the ground.

Political predator-in-chief, Barack Obama, sits in the shadow of the White House directing the 30,000 propagandized members of his [[Organizing for Action]] (OFA) “resistance” movement. From his bunker he orchestrates the movements of his shock troops against America-first President Trump. [[OFA]], [[Antifa]], [[Black Lives Matter]], all indoctrinated with the forty-year lie of “[[institutional racism]]” are now demanding submission to their black supremacist demands.

The political predators of 21st-century America use the [[Internet]] for mass [[social engineering]] to foment anarchy, race riots, and submission internationally. Anarchy is never the path to peace. It is the tyrannical weapon of political predators who instigate and finance it.<ref>https://www.trevorloudon.com/2020/06/political-predators-threaten-america-with-extinction/</ref>}}

====Democratic Socialism: 1992 - present====
[[File:America Under Communism.jpg|thumb|200x200px|Is This Tomorrow - America Under Communism]]
{{see also|Committees of Correspondence of Democratic Socialism}}
With the collapse of Soviet Communism and the conversion of Chinese Communism to "state-run capitalism," the spiritual and ideological center of the world of Communism and the [[Marxist-Leninist]] tradition shifted to the [[United States]]. Several prominent American Communists, rudderless without [[Moscow]] direction, formed a new organization in 1992 called the [[Committees of Correspondence for Democratic Socialism]].
[[File:Socialist International logo.png|left|100px]]
The initial organizational conference was held in [[Berkeley]], [[California]], July 17–19, 1992. Charlene Mitchell, a former leader of the California Communist Party, speaking at the conference said, "the collapse of [[socialism]] in [[Central Europe]] and the [[Soviet Union]] left the [[United States]] in a near unchallenged position of world leadership." Mitchell continued,
{{Cquote|What began as a moment to take stock and ponder where to go from there has now become a very different entity. People from the Communist Party, from CrossRoads, from the [[Democratic Socialists of America]], from NCIPA [National Committee for Independent Political Action], from Solidarity, from the Socialist Organizing Network and many others, including independent leftists and independent socialists, have come together here in Berkeley.}}
Criticizing U.S. actions in the [[First Gulf War]], Mitchell stated,
{{Cquote|[[progressive]] forces were nearly powerless in the face of an onslaught of demagogic, [[patriotic]] [[jingoism]] and yellow ribbons. This war, fought for no legitimate reason, was the crowning height of [[George H.W. Bush|President [George H.W.] Bush]]'s [[New World Order]]. Previously, the Soviet Union helped to provide a certain balance to rein in the crazies in this country. Now, that balance is no longer there. It is now up to us, the American people, to rein in our own crazies. The [[left]] must take a major responsibility in organizing this task.}}

====Biden junta====
[[File:Tremmell.png|right|350px|thumb|Bernell Tremmell was murdered by Marxists in Milwaukee in July 2020 for his outspoken beliefs in freedom, justice, and racial equality.<ref>https://100percentfedup.com/prominent-black-trump-supporter-shot-to-death-in-milwaukee-hours-after-pro-trump-interview/</ref>]]
{{see also|Biden junta}}
Lee Smith explains:
{{quotebox-float|"After watching the serial operations destroy the leadership of the [[America First]] movement—from [[Russiagate]] through the [[Impeachment 2.0|second impeachment]] of Donald Trump—the [[COVID-19 lockdown]]s, the [[George Floyd riots]], and now the effort to categorize [[Biden_junta#Attack_on_civil_liberties|Trump voters as domestic terrorist]]s, we don’t need a theory to understand the nature of what has historically been called “communism” to obscure the fact that it’s nothing but the power grab of an oligarchic elite. We’re living it."}}

====2020 left wing riots====

{{see also|2020 Leftist insurrection|Defund the Police}}
2020 left wing riots were an effort by the [[DNC]] and [[mainstream media]] to spark a race war in the [[United States]] in advance of the [[2020 presidential election]].<ref>https://creativedestructionmedia.com/analysis/2020/05/28/the-last-7-days-media-and-the-reckless-push-for-race-war/</ref> On the [[BLM]] homepage, which features a “[[Defund The Police]]” petition front and center, if a user chooses to donate, they're rerouted to a site hosted by ActBlue, the [[DNC]]'s official payment portal.<ref>https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/expenditures.php?cmte=C00401224&cycle=2020</ref> ActBlue claims to be a tax-exempt organization and all donations to it are tax-deductible. The terms and conditions also link to ActBlue and mention "Campaign Finance Laws".<ref>https://secure.actblue.com/content/fineprint</ref> [[Joe Biden]] is a top beneficiary of ActBlue's fundraising efforts.<ref>https://thenationalpulse.com/politics/biden-black-lives-matter-defund-the-police/</ref>

=====Antifa No go zones=====
{{see also|Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone}}

====Obamunism====
[[File:OFA logo.png|right|150px]]
{{see also|Obamunism|Obamagate|Obamagate timeline}}
Former NSC staffer Michael Doran described what is at stake as "a core principle of our [[democracy]]: that elected representatives control the government, and not vice versa." [[National security]] expert [[Chris Farrell]] characterized the Obamagate scandal as "a titanic struggle for America's future," and warned that if "Communications Intelligence is used as a [[partisan]] political weapon without people going to jail, we will have crossed the point of no return for institutional [[corruption]] in our government, our intelligence services and [[law enforcement]]. This is illegal domestic political [[espionage]] on a scale never before imagined. It is, however, totally consistent with the [[Obama Administration]]’s weaponizing of the [[IRS]], as well as other unlawful manipulations of government programs to fund the operations of political allies and non-governmental organizations."<ref>https://youtu.be/CHzIw27Jn70</ref>

=====Press censorship and control=====
On September 21, 2010, an internal email entitled “Obama Leak Investigations” at the “global intelligence” company [[Stratfor]] claimed Obama's White House adviser [[John Brennan]] was targeting [[journalist]]s.

{{QuoteBox-float|"Brennan is behind the [[witch hunt]]s of investigative journalists learning information from inside the beltway sources,” writes one Stratfor official to another. The email continues: “Note —There is specific tasker from the [White House] to go after anyone printing materials negative to the Obama agenda (oh my.) Even the FBI is shocked. The Wonder Boys must be in meltdown mode…”}}
:“The Wonder Boys” reportedly refers to the [[National Security Agency]] (NSA).<ref>Credit:Sharyl Attkisson. https://wikileaks.org/gifiles/docs/12/1210665_obama-leak-investigations-internal-use-only-pls-do-not.html</ref>

=====Repressive measures against a CBS News anchor=====
On October 31, 2014, [[CBS News]] anchor [[Sharyl Attkisson]] revealed to the world videographic evidence<ref name=video>[http://bcove.me/9pousb3w Cellphone video by Sharyl Attkisson] of actions of a remote-access program on her computer, a program she did not install. Accessed 1 November 2014.</ref> that some person or persons unknown installed keylogging and remote-access software and used it to interfere with her work and compromise several sensitive personal passwords. Worse yet, someone tampered with the router that provides her with high-speed Internet service.<ref name=Godfather>Cronn T., "Big Brother videotaped hacking reporter's computer," ''Godfather Politics'', posted 1 November 2014. <http://godfatherpolitics.com/18151/big-brother-videotaped-hacking-reporters-computer/></ref><ref name=CNAV>Hurlbut T, "Sharyl Attkisson meets Orwell", ''Conservative News and Views'', posted 1 November 2014.<https://www.conservativenewsandviews.com/2014/11/01/firstamendment/sharyl-attkisson-meets-orwell/></ref>
[[File:AttkissonB52.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Sharyl Attkisson reporting from a combat mission over [[Kosovo]].]]
In her Best Seller, ''Stonewalled: One Reporter's Fight for Truth Against the Forces of Obstruction, Intimidation, and Harassment in Obama's Washington'',<ref name="NYT Best Stonewalled">{{cite news|title=Best Sellers: Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2014-11-23/combined-print-and-e-book-nonfiction/list.html|accessdate=|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=November 23, 2014}}</ref> Attkisson tells how her work and personal computers had been hacked for more than two years after she began filing stories about the Benghazi massacre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/21/sharyl-attkisson-computers-compromised-cbs_n_3313199.html|title=CBS' Sharyl Attkisson: My Computers Were Compromised, 'Could Be Some Relationship' To DOJ Scandals|last=Mirkinson|first=Jack|date=May 21, 2013|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|accessdate=}}</ref> CBS News investigated and found evidence of multiple unauthorized accesses by a third party in late 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/14/sharyl-attkisson_n_3442019.html|title=CBS News Confirms Sharyl Attkisson's Computer Breached|date=June 14, 2013|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|accessdate=}}</ref> The hackers were identified by experts as a US Government intelligence agency.<ref>{{Citation|last=|first=|author-link=|last2=Golding|first2=Bruce|title=Kyle Smith, Ex-CBS reporter: Government agency bugged my computer|newspaper=[[New York Post]]|date=October 27, 2014|url=http://nypost.com/2014/10/27/ex-cbs-reporter-government-related-entity-bugged-my-computer|accessdate=}}</ref> In March 2015, Attkisson and her family initiated suit against Eric Holder, Patrick R. Donahoe and unnamed agents of the [[US Department of Justice]], the US Postal Service and the United States claiming to have been subjected to illegal surveillance activities.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2015/01/05/attkisson-sues-government-over-computer-intrusions Attkisson sues government over computer intrusions], ''Washington Post''; Retrieved March 6, 2015.</ref><ref>to [https://www.washingtonpost.com/r/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2015/01/05/Editorial-Opinion/Graphics/attkisson-lawsuit.pdf Editorial Opinion re Attkisbson], ''Washington Post''; Retrieved March 6, 2015.</ref>

On March 19, 2017, a federal judge denied a motion to dismiss the case brought by former CBS anchor Sharyl Attkisson against [[Eric Holder]] and other Obamagate conspirators. Attkisson reported on [[Operation Fast and Furious]], the [[Benghazi massacre]] cover-up, and exposed the [[hoax]] reporting of Hillary Clinton landing under sniper fire. For this she was wiretaped and resigned from CBS. In her Best Seller, ''Stonewalled: One Reporter's Fight for Truth Against the Forces of Obstruction, Intimidation, and Harassment in Obama's Washington'',<ref name="NYT Best Stonewalled"/> Attkisson details her story. The judge transferred the case allowing it to go forward.<ref>In his ruling the judge stated: "In 2011--at the same time that Ms. Attkisson was conducting investigations and issuing certain of her high-profile news reports--the Attkissons 'began to notice anomalies in numerous electronic devices at their home in Virginia.' These anomalies included Ms. Attkisson's work-issued laptop computer and a family desktop computer 'turning on and off at night without input from anyone in the household,' 'the house alarm chirping daily at different times,' and 'television problems, including interference.' All of these electronic devices used 'the [[Verizon]] FiOS line installed in [the Attkissons'] home,' but Verizon was unable to stanch the anomalous activity despite multiple attempts. In January 2012, the Attkissons' residential internet service 'began constantly dropping off'." "In February 2012, 'sophisticated surveillance spyware' was installed on Ms. Attkisson's work-issued laptop computer. A later forensic computer analysis revealed that Ms. Attkisson's laptop and the family's desktop computer had been the 'targets of unauthorized surveillance efforts.' That same forensic analysis revealed that Ms. Attkisson's mobile phone was also targeted for surveillance when it was connected to the family's desktop computer. The infiltration of that computer and the extraction of information from it was 'executed via an IP address owned, controlled, and operated by the United States Postal service.' Additionally, based on the sophisticated nature of the software used to carry out the infiltration and software fingerprints indicating the use of the federal government's proprietary software, the infiltration and surveillance appeared to be perpetrated by persons in the federal government." "An independent forensic computer analyst hired by CBS subsequently reported finding evidence on both Ms. Attkisson's work-issued laptop computer and her family's desktop computer of 'a coordinated, highly-skilled series of actions and attacks directed at the operation of the computers.' Computer forensic analysis also indicated that remote actions were taken in December 2012 to remove the evidence of the electronic infiltration and surveillance from Ms. Attkisson's computers and other home electronic equipment." "As Ms. Attkisson's investigations and reporting continued, in October 2012 the Attkissons noticed 'an [[escalation]] of electronic problems at their personal residence, including interference in home and mobile phone lines, computer interference, and television interference.' In November of that year, Ms. Attkisson's mobile phones 'experienced regular interruptions and interference, making telephone communications unreliable, and, at times, virtually impossible'." "Additionally, in December 2012, a person with government intelligence experience conducted an inspection of the exterior of the Attkissons' Virginia home. That investigator discovered an extra Verizon FiOS fiber optics line. Soon thereafter, after a Verizon technician was instructed by Ms. Attkisson to leave the extra cable at the home, the cable disappeared, and the Attkissons were unable to determine what happened to it. In March 2013, the Attkissons' desktop computer malfunctioned, and in September of that year, while Ms. Attkisson was working on a story at her home, she observed that her personal laptop computer was remotely accessed and controlled, resulting in data being deleted from it. On April 3, 2013, Ms. Attkisson filed a complaint with the Inspector General of the Department of Justice. The Inspector General's investigation was limited to an analysis of the compromised desktop computer, and the partially-released report that emerged from that investigation reported 'no evidence of intrusion,' although it did note 'a great deal of advanced mode computer activity not attributable to Ms. Attkisson or anybody in her household'." "The Attkissons allege that the 'cyber-attacks' they 'suffered in [their] home' were perpetrated by 'personnel working on behalf of the United States.' Accordingly, they have asserted various claims against the United States and against former Attorney General Eric Holder, former Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, and unknown agents of the Department of Justice, the United States Postal Service, and the United States, all in their individual capacities. Those claims include claims against the United States under the FTCA and claims against the individual federal officers for violations of constitutional rights under Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Fed. Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971)..." https://sharylattkisson.com/attkisson-v-eric-holder-department-of-justice-et-al/ </ref>

=====Repressive measures against Associated Press reporters=====
[[File:Full-spectrum-cyber-effects-final-p4-large.gif|right|300px|thumb|US Government document from 2010 part of the Snowden leaks and sharing agreements with the [[UK]]. The [[Five Eyes]] program of the English speaking world (United States, United Kingdom, [[Canada]], [[Australia]], and [[New Zealand]]) use [[social media]] for “[[propaganda]],” “[[deception]],” “mass messaging,” “pushing stories”, and "discrediting” the intelligence agencies' enemies with false information spread online.<ref>https://theintercept.com/document/2014/04/04/full-spectrum-cyber-effects/</ref> Like the [[atomic bomb]], this technology was created during the [[Cold War]] to defeat Communism and was expropriated by the American left to destroy America and enslave its people.]]
In May 2013 the [[Associated Press]] announced that telephone records for 20 of their reporters had been subpoenaed by the Justice Department. News sources reported the US Attorney's office for the District of Columbia was conducting a criminal investigation into publication of a foiled May 2012 terrorist plot. While journalists are protected, leakers in the government are subject to prosecution. The Justice Dept. subpoenaed the phone records of AP from [[Verizon]] and other service providers.<ref name=verizonslate>{{cite web|last=Gallagher|first=Ryan|title=Verizon Wireless Secretly Passed AP Reporters' Phone Records to Feds|publisher=www.slate.com|date=May 16, 2013|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2013/05/16/verizon_wireless_passed_ap_reporters_phone_records_to_the_feds.html|accessdate=}}</ref> The AP claimed these acts were a "massive and unprecedented intrusion" into news-gathering.<ref name=TTSanchez>{{cite web|last=Sanchez|first=Raf|title=US Justice Department secretly seizes Associated Press phone records|publisher=The Telegraph|date=May 13, 2013|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/us-politics/10055318/US-Justice-Department-secretly-seizes-Associated-Press-phone-records.html|accessdate=}}</ref><ref name=TG130513>{{cite web|author=Washington (AP)|title=US government secretly obtained Associated Press phone records|publisher=The Guardian|date=May 13, 2013|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/13/america-government-associated-press-phone-records|accessdate=}}</ref> The "intrusion" is the frightening off of government sources, the bread and butter of the Washington news gathering industry. CEO Gary Pruitt of AP stated: "These records potentially reveal communications with confidential sources across all of the newsgathering activities undertaken by the AP during a two-month period, provide a road map to AP's newsgathering operations and disclose information about AP's activities and operations that the government has no conceivable right to know;"<ref name=CNNJohns>{{cite web|author=Matt Smith and Joe Johns|title=AP blasts feds for phone records search|publisher=CNN|date=May 14, 2013|url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/05/13/us/justice-ap-phones/?hpt=hp_t2|accessdate=}}</ref><ref name=holder>{{cite web|author=Gary B. Pruitt|title=AP letter to Eric Holder on seizure of phone records|publisher=USA Today|date=May 13, 2013|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2013/05/13/doj-seizes-ap-phone-records/2156819/|accessdate=June 1, 2013}}</ref> a "conceivable right to know" would be a hunt for leakers of FISA information within the administration.

=====Repressive measures against the American people=====
In 2013 the [[Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court]] secretly approved an FBI request to continue obtaining daily telephone records of millions of Verizon customers.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/interactive/2013/jun/06/verizon-telephone-data-court-order</ref> The judge ordered Verizon to turn over the information to the National Security Agency (NSA). This directly contradicted Obama [[DNI]] [[James Clapper]]’s Congressional testimony.<ref>https://youtu.be/nsmo0hUWJ08</ref>

=====Data collection and privacy rights=====
In August 2009, it was reported that the White House was soliciting bids to outsource a technology vendor to conduct a massive, secret effort to harvest personal information on millions of Americans from social networking websites of Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, Flickr and others – any space where the White House “maintains a presence.” The information to be captured includes comments, tag lines, emails, audio, and video.

Critics have charged the emerging pattern of information management and control as "yet another sign that this Administration is at best indifferent to privacy rights and at worst prepared to violate [[civil liberties]] for [[political]] purposes."<ref>[http://nlpc.org/stories/2009/08/31/obama-white-house-has-secret-plan-harvest-personal-data-social-networking-website Obama White House Has Secret Plan To Harvest Personal Data From Social Networking Websites], Ken Boehm, 08/31/2009.</ref>

=====4th Amendment abuses=====
{{See also|Patriot Act|Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act}}
[[File:Fisa-2.jpg|left|300px|thumb|The FISA court ruled the [[Obama administration]]'s improper access of [[FISA]] data granted to contractors "seems to have been the result of deliberate decision making."]]
The Obama [[Justice Department]] has been accused of being "secretive, tyrannical, and oppressive" and compared with [[President George W. Bush]], "even worse."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090924001648/http://donedems.com/2009/04/14/holy-crap-obama-actually-manages-to-make-the-patriot-act-worse-than-under-bush Obama Actually Manages to Make the Patriot Act WORSE than Under Bush], DONE, April 14, 2009,</ref> As a candidate, Senator Obama lamented that the Bush Administration "invoked a legal tool known as the 'state secrets' privilege more than any other previous administration to get cases thrown out of civil court," however in a motion to dismiss ''Jewel v. NSA'', the Electronic Frontier Foundation litigation against the National Security Agency for the warrantless wiretapping, the [[Obama Administration]] argued that the state secrets privilege requires the court to dismiss the issue out of hand. The Obama administration argued that simply allowing the case to continue "would cause exceptionally grave harm to national security." As in the past, this is a blatant ploy to dismiss the litigation without allowing the courts to consider the evidence.

The Obama Justice Department then argued that the U.S. Government is completely immune from litigation for illegal spying — that the Government can never be sued for surveillance that violates federal privacy statutes. Birch Bricker writing in the ''Auburn Journal'' then points out, "This is a radical assertion that is utterly unprecedented. No one — not the [[White House]], not the Justice Department, not any member of Congress, and not the [[Bush Administration]] — has ever interpreted the law this way....The Obama Administration goes two steps further than Bush did, and claims that the [[US PATRIOT Act]] also renders the U.S. immune from suit under the two remaining key federal surveillance laws: the Wiretap Act and the Stored Communications Act. Essentially, the Obama Administration has claimed that the government cannot be held accountable for illegal surveillance under any federal statutes." <ref>[http://my.auburnjournal.com/detail/111477.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=Patriot+Act&user_id=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&event_ts_to=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=2&sub_type=&town_id= It's Actually Possible... The Patriot Act Gets Worse], ''Auburn Journal'', 4/12/09.</ref>

[[File:Mass beheading of Christians in Libya.jpg|350px|thumb|[[Libya]] was an ally of the US against the jihadis until Obama armed the jihadis to overthrow the government. One of their first acts was the mass beheading of [[Christian]]s.]]

=====Discrimination against dissident groups=====
{{main|IRS scandal}}
During the Obama Administration, the [[Internal Revenue Service]] discriminated against conservative organizations by making them wait for years just to gain [[Nonprofit organization|tax-exempt status]]. At the same time, other groups received the same status in a very short period of time, such as a [[satanic]] group which received nonprofit status in only ten days.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/03/20/irs-granted-satanic-cult-tax-exempt-status-in-10-days-report-says.html IRS granted Satanic cult tax-exempt status in 10 days, report says]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved March 25, 2017.</ref><ref>Ernst, Douglas (March 20, 2017). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/mar/20/obama-irs-gave-satan-club-creator-fast-tax-exempt-/ Obama’s IRS gave ‘Satan Club’ creator fast tax-exempt status]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved March 25, 2017.</ref> In 2017, the [[Trump Administration]] ended the scandal by settling with the affected organizations and apologizing,<ref>Multiple references:
*Mason, Ian (October 26, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/10/26/doj-settles-with-tea-party-groups-on-lois-lerner-irs-scandal/ DOJ Settles with Tea Party Groups on Lois Lerner IRS Scandal]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
*[https://www.voanews.com/a/tea-party-groups-settle-lawsuits-over-irs-mistreatment/4087069.html Tea Party Groups Settle Lawsuits Over IRS Mistreatment]. ''Voice of America'' (from the ''Associated Press''). October 26, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
*Singman, Brooke (October 26, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/10/26/trump-doj-settles-lawsuits-over-tea-party-targeting-by-obama-irs.html Trump DOJ settles lawsuits over Tea Party targeting by Obama IRS]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
*Adams, Becket (October 27, 2017). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/conservatives-were-targeted-by-a-weaponized-irs-all-they-got-was-this-lousy-apology/article/2638837 Conservatives were targeted by a weaponized IRS; all they got was this lousy apology]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved October 28, 2017.</ref> but it still declined to prosecute IRS official Lois Lerner for her major role in the scandal.<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/09/08/doj-declines-to-charge-lois-lerner-in-irs-scandal.html Trump DOJ: No plans to charge Lois Lerner in IRS scandal]. ''Fox News''. September 8, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
*Dinan, Stephen (September 8, 2017). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/sep/8/donald-trumps-doj-wont-pursue-charges-against-lois/ Justice Department won’t pursue charges against Lois Lerner, former IRS senior executive]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
*Munro, Neil (September 8, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/09/08/jeff-sessions-doj-will-not-investigate-irs-suppression-tea-party-groups/ Jeff Sessions’ DoJ Will Not Investigate IRS Suppression of Tea Party Groups]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
*Bowden, John (September 8, 2017). [https://thehill.com/homenews/house/349846-gop-lawmakers-furious-after-doj-declines-to-prosecute-lois-lerner GOP lawmakers furious after DOJ declines to prosecute ex-IRS official Lois Lerner]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved October 28, 2017.</ref>

=====Warrantless wiretaps=====
{{see also|Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act}}
The Cybersecurity Act of 2009 would give the administration authority to conduct warrantless spying and dictatorial power over the Internet.<ref>[https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2009/04/should-obama-control-internet Should Obama Control the Internet?], ''Mother Jones'', April 2, 2009.</ref>

*Section 215—drastically broadens the kinds of information the government can demand under Foreign Intelligence Security Act to "any tangible thing" while lowering the burden of proof to obtain such an order. According to the ''[[Washington Post]]'' this measure "allows investigators probing terrorism to seek a suspect's records from third parties such as financial services and travel and telephone companies without notifying the suspect. The American Civil Liberties Union has criticized the provision, saying it violates the First Amendment rights of U.S. citizens."

*Section 206—grants the authority to use secret "roving wiretaps." "In the past, authorities had to seek court approval for each electronic device carried by a suspect, from a cellphone and a BlackBerry to a home computer," writes the ''Post'', "But under the provision, one warrant can cover all of those machines." "Unlike roving wiretaps authorized for criminal investigations," the ACLU explains, "section 206 does not require the order to identify either the communications device to be tapped nor the individual against whom the surveillance is directed, which is what gives section 206 the Kafkaesque moniker, the " John Doe roving wiretap provision."

*Section 6001—or the "lone wolf" provision, which allows for secret FISA surveillance orders against people who have no connections to a terror group or foreign nation. "The government justified this provision by imagining a hypothetical " lone wolf, " an international terrorist operating independently of any terrorist organization," explains the ACLU, "but there is little evidence to suggest this imaginary construct had any basis in reality."

Rod Beckstrom, formerly in charge of coordinating the US government's cyber-security operations, in a resignation letter to Secretary of Homeland Security [[Janet Napolitano]],<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/BeckstromResignation.pdf Letter from Rod Beckstrom to Janet Napolitano], [[Wall Street Journal]], March 9, 2009.</ref> cited that the expanded control over the nation's computer security efforts poses “threats to our democratic processes.” <ref>''[https://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2009/03/11/US-cybersecurity-head-quits-citing-growing-role-of-spy-agencies/UPI-64411236692969/ U.S. cybersecurity head quits, citing growing role of spy agencies]'', Shaun Waterman, [[UPI]], March 11, 2009.</ref>

=====Persecution of dissidents=====
:{{See also|1/6 insurrection hoax}}
In September 2014 [[Dinesh D'Souza]] was arrested and sentenced to 5 years' probation.[http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/dinesh-souza-5-years-probation-campaign-donations-article-1.1949769]

[[Andrew McCarthy]] noted this about D'Souza's indictment:

:"Yet there were patent mitigating circumstances, starting with the fact that few people actually get prosecuted at all for this offense. Even in the case of gargantuan violations, such as the Obama 2008 campaign’s own millions of dollars in illicit contributions, the Justice Department allows cases to be settled with an administrative fine. Furthermore, in the few cases that are pursued criminally, there is unvaryingly a corruption angle — the donor is dodging the limits in the expectation of a ''quid pro quo''.

:"In D’Souza’s case, there was nothing of the kind: He was trying to be supportive of a friend who had no chance to win."<ref>Andrew C. McCarthy (December 19, 2015). "How Dinesh D'Souza became a victim of Obama's lawless administration", National Review website.</ref>

President Trump gave D'Souza a full pardon on May 31, 2018, citing D'Souza's mistreatment by the Obama Justice Department.<ref>Multiple references:
*Singman, Brooke (May 31, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/05/31/trump-to-give-full-pardon-to-dinesh-dsouza.html Trump pardons Dinesh D'Souza]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
*Kugle, Andrew (May 31, 2018). [https://freebeacon.com/politics/trump-issues-full-pardon-conservative-activist-dinesh-dsouza/ Trump Issues Full Pardon for Conservative Activist Dinesh D’Souza]. ''The Washington Free Beacon''. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
*Caplan, Joshua (May 31, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/31/trump-pardon-conservative-filmmaker-dinesh-dsouza/ Donald Trump to Pardon Conservative Filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 31, 2018.</ref>

=====Misuse of intelligence agencies=====
[[File:31D66D0A-82A4-40E7-A1C2-EBA55EEB357D.jpeg|thumb|350px|Prime movers in the [[Deep State coup]] against American democracy: Comey (first left) a man with a warped and perverted sense of [[justice]] and the role of [[law enforcement]] in a free society; Brennan (second left) an admitted Communist and mastermind of the coup against American democracy; and Clapper (third from left) who lied under oath to Congress about spying on the American people.]]
President Obama's agreement to approve the illegal actions taken against [[Donald Trump]] and the [[2016 Trump campaign|Trump campaign]] were primarily motivated by a wish to destroy his candidacy and, after Trump's election, delegitimize the Trump presidency in much the same way Obama felt Trump delegitimized Obama's presidency with Trump's involvement with the [[Birther movement]].

The [[FISA Act]] was passed in 1978 on recommendation of the Church Committee specifically to protect the civil rights of people such as Obama's mentor [[Frank Marshall Davis]] and Obama's neighbors who got Obama started in politics, [[Bill Ayers]] and [[Bernardine Dohrn]]. Both regaled Obama with tales of FBI surveillance and harassment in the pre-FISA age, which had thwarted the communist revolution in America. On becoming president, Obama was determined to seize control of the institutions and apparatus that had frustrated generations of communist revolutionaries and turn them against Obama's imaginary enemies.

Not since the election of [[Abraham Lincoln]] has an outgoing administration sought to undermine and sabotage an incoming president.

=====Justice Department corruption=====
{{see also|FBI scandal|FISA abuse}}
Throughout its entirety, the Obama administration attempted to [[criminal]]ize political opposition,<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbasile/2014/01/31/obamas-weaponization-of-government/#41198a711b92 Obama's Weaponization of Government], Tom Basile, ''Forbes'', Jan 31, 2014.</ref><ref>[https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/273552/lefts-march-one-party-state-frontpagemagcom The Left's March to a One-Party State], April 24, 2019. Frontpagemag.com</ref> first by an illegal misuse of the [[IRS]] targeting conservative groups, and when they were caught began misusing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act database in 2012 to spy on American citizens.<ref>[https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2020/03/08/doj-political-surveillance-from-the-irs-in-2011-to-the-fisa-court-in-2016/ *DOJ Political Surveillance – From the IRS in 2011 to the FISA Court in 2016], Posted on March 8, 2020 by sundance. theconservativetreehouse.com</ref><ref>[https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2019/04/23/the-obama-use-of-fisa-702-as-a-domestic-political-surveillance-program/ The Obama Use of FISA-702 as a Domestic Political Surveillance Program], Posted on April 23, 2019 by sundance. theconsevativetreehouse.com</ref><ref>[https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/field_document/2016_Cert_FISC_Memo_Opin_Order_Apr_2017.pdf United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, Memorandum Opinion and Order], April 26, 2017, p. 82.</ref>

By 2015 and 2016, the Obama administration interfered in American elections. It scuttled the investigation into [[Hillary Clinton]]'s [[felon]]ious violations of the National Records Act and Espionage Act,<ref>[https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/fbi-rewrites-federal-law-let-hillary-hook/ FBI Rewrites Federal Law to Let Hillary Off the Hook], By Andrew C. McCarthy, ''[[National Review]]'', July 5, 2016.</ref> paving the way for her nomination as the [[Democratic Party]] presidential candidate, while conducting illegal spying on Republican presidential candidate [[Donald Trump]],<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/02/us/politics/fbi-government-investigator-trump.html F.B.I. Sent Investigator Posing as Assistant to Meet With Trump Aide in 2016], By Adam Goldman, Michael S. Schmidt and Mark Mazzetti, ''The New York Times'', May 2, 2019</ref><ref>[https://thefederalist.com/2019/05/02/new-york-times-admits-multiple-spies-deployed-against-trump-campaign/ New York Times Admits Obama Admin Deployed Multiple Spies Against Trump Campaign In 2016], [[Mollie Hemingway]], ''The Federalist'', May 2, 2019.</ref> falsely accusing him of colluding with [[Russia]].<ref>[https://dailycaller.com/2019/05/01/barr-trump-russia-treason-agent/ Barr: Trump Was ‘Falsely Accused’ Of Being A Treasonous Russian Agent], Chuck Ross, ''Daily Caller, 05/01/2019.</ref> In doing so, the Obama administration colluded with foreign actors in an effort to [[subversion|subvert]] American [[democracy]].<ref>[https://spectator.org/confirmed-john-brennan-colluded-with-foreign-spies-to-defeat-trump/ Confirmed: John Brennan Colluded With Foreign Spies to Defeat Trump], George Neumayr, ''American Spectator'', April 19, 2017.</ref><ref>[https://consortiumnews.com/2019/05/07/how-us-and-foreign-intelligence-agencies-interfered-in-a-us-election/ How US and Foreign Intel Agencies Interfered in a US Election], By Larry C. Johnson, May 7, 2019. consortiumnews.com</ref>

Amendments to the [[Patriot Act]] in 2008 loosened regulations governing domestic spying;<ref>[https://projects.propublica.org/graphics/surveillance-timeline Mass Surveillance in America: A Timeline of Loosening Laws and Practices], by Cora Currier, Justin Elliott and Theodoric Meyer, ''ProPublica'', June 7, 2013.</ref> Obama took rules intended for targeting [[al Qaeda]] to protect [[national security]] and applied them against political opponents and administration critics.<ref>[https://newrepublic.com/article/145474/chance-control-domestic-spying-trump-era-opportunity-reform-nsa-surveillance-program A Chance to Control Domestic Spying], By Elizabeth Goitein, ''New Republic'', October 26, 2017.</ref> Under Barack Obama's leadership, an Inspector General appointed by Obama discovered, for the first time in history, that the top two personnel appointed by Obama to head the FBI had both violated the law.<ref>https://sharylattkisson.com/2019/09/indicting-a-sandwich/</ref>

=====Forced abortion=====
In March 2009 the [[Obama administration]] announced it would send $50 million to the United Nations Population Fund, or UNFPA. UNFPA actively promotes abortion and is working closely with Chinese population control officials to implement China's forced abortion policy. The Chinese Communist Party's coercive one-child rule has resulted in forced abortions, involuntary sterilizations and other [[human rights]] abuses.<ref>[https://www.lifenews.com/int981.html Group Confirms Obama Would Fund Forced Abortions if UNFPA Money Restored], by Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com Editor, November 12, 2008.</ref>

UNFPA officials work side-by-side with their Chinese colleagues and even share the same offices.<ref>[https://www.lifenews.com/int1138.html Obama Administration Announces $50 Million for Pro-Forced Abortion UNFPA], by Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com Editor, March 26, 2009.</ref>

===Secular Leftism in the 21st century===
{{see also|Decline of the secular left}}

Historically, the largest advances of the [[secular left]] have been through utilizing the power of the state (see: [[State atheism]] and [[Atheism and communism]]). For example, secular leftists use the power of the state to promote [[evolution]]ary ideology and to censor [[creationism|creationist]]/[[intelligent design]] models of origins (See: [[Suppression of alternatives to evolution]] and [[Atheist indoctrination]]).

The historian Martin Van Crevel points out that sovereign states are losing power/influence due to technology democratizing access to information, welfare states increasingly failing, [[fourth-generation warfare]] being waged against countries and sovereign states increasingly losing their ability to maintain internal order.<ref>[The Fate of the State] by MARTIN VAN CREVELD</ref><ref>[https://www.sonshi.com/martin-van-creveld-interview.html Martin van Creveld interview]</ref>

===Covid global pandemic===
{{Main article|Covid global pandemic}}
The [[CCP]] malevolently allowed the [[Chinese plague]] to spread as a result of human-to-human transmission beginning in [[Wuhan, China]]. As it metastasized, the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) parroted the [[Chinese Communist Party]] line that the [[Wuhan virus]] could not be passed from one human to another, and that it was “racist” to refer to the virus by its place of origin.<ref>https://thefederalist.com/2020/03/26/5-major-paradigm-shifts-the-wuhan-flu-crisis-has-revealed-americans-need/</ref>

===Cuban Communism===
[[Cuba]] remains a Communist state controlled by the Castro brothers since 1960, and is under United States economic sanctions.

==Communism in the Cold War era==
===Communist goals of 1963===
Nearly all of these goals are still being used by communists to date when taking over a country or local areas.

#U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.
#U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.
#Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.
#Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.
#Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.
#Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.
#Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.
#Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.
#Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.
#Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.
#Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.)
#Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.
#Do away with all loyalty oaths.
#Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.
#Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.
#Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.
#Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.
#Gain control of all student newspapers.
#Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.
#Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policy-making positions.
#Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.
#Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."
#Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."
#Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.
#Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.
#Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."
#Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch."
#Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."
#Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.
#Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."
#Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.
#Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture—education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.
#Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.
#Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.
#Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.
#Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.
#Infiltrate and gain control of big business.
#Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand or treat.
#Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.
#Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.
#Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.
#Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems.
#Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.
#Internationalize the Panama Canal.
#Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=MgqXNaL-2gwC&pg=PA31 Birthing The Phoenix Vol. III], A copy of the goals as entered into Congressional Record by Albert S. Herlong</ref>

===Collapse of Soviet communism===
[[File:Timecommiecover.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Time magazine]] from 1989]]
The shooting down by the Soviets on September 1, 1983, of [[Korean Airlines Flight 007]] may have been a contributing factor for the downfall of the Soviet Union as well as for the whole Soviet block. It being a catalyst for the collapse of the Soviet Union may be inferred from the fact that NATO had decided, under the impetus of the U.S. administration, to deploy Pershing II and cruise missiles in Europe, primarily West Germany. This deployment would have placed missiles just 6–10 minutes' striking distance from Moscow. But support for the deployment was wavering and many doubted that the missile deployment would find enough support to effect it. When the Soviet Union shot down Flight 007 with 269 people aboard, including conservative Democratic Congressman [[Larry McDonald]] —an act which U.S. President Ronald Reagan characterized as a "massacre"—enough support was galvanized for the deployment. The deployment caused great resources of the Soviet Union to be diverted from inner economic use to military expenditures to counter the U.S. and NATO missile deployment.

Between 1989 and 1991, many Communist governments fell. The [[Berlin Wall]] in [[Germany]], which had become a symbol for the division between the Communist states and the rest of Europe, was torn down largely in response to Ronald Reagan in 1989, and there was also a large revolution against Romanian dictator [[Nicolaie Ceausescu]] which led to Ceausescu's arrest on December 22 that year and his subsequent execution on December 25 following a quick trial. In 1991, the USSR broke up into several countries - each of which reformed to capitalism. Some of these remained under autocratic governments, but some have embraced democracy. With the collapse, the remnants of Communist parties have dropped their old names and ideologies, but still operate on the left of the political spectrum.

In 1992 President Boris Yeltsin announced that the Russian people had been liberated and that Communism in the former Soviet Union was dead. [http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/BorisY] Pres. [[George H. W. Bush]] imagined the global threat had passed by telling Congress, "Communism died this year."<ref>[https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=20544 Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress on the State of the Union] - January 28, 1992</ref> Liberal historians called the death of the Soviet Union, "the end of history," when in fact the Communist disease only went into remission. The seat of the global Marxist revolution relocated from Moscow to [[Berkeley]], [[California]], under the [[vanguard party]] name, [[Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism]].

[[Russia]]n President [[Vladimir Putin]] stated "If we consider the Code of the Builder of Communism that was widely published in the Soviet Union, it strongly resembles the [[Bible]]. This is not a joke; it was actually an excerpt from the Bible. It spoke of good things: equality, fraternity, happiness. However, the practical implementation of these ideals in this country had little in common with what the [[utopian socialist]]s [[Saint-Simon]] or [[Robert Owen|Owen]] spoke about. This country had little resemblance to their Sun City. Everyone accused the [[Imperial Russia|tsarist regime]] of repressions. However, what did Soviet power begin with? With mass repressions."<ref> http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/transcripts/51206</ref>

Communism has remained in the world despite the fall of the Soviet bloc in the late 1980s.<ref>Akan, Emel (November 6, 2019). [https://www.theepochtimes.com/communism-is-still-with-us-30-years-after-fall-of-the-berlin-wall_3139454.html Communism Is Still With Us 30 Years After Fall of the Berlin Wall]. ''The Epoch Times''. Retrieved November 7, 2019.</ref>

==Historical Communism: Theory and Practice==
Communism is based upon [[Marxism]], a philosophy which uses [[materialism]] to explain all physical and social phenomena. The theory of [[evolution]] influenced the thinking of the Communists, including Marx, [[Friedrich Engels|Engels]], [[Vladimir Lenin]], and [[Joseph Stalin]].<ref name="icr.org">https://www.icr.org/index.php?module=articles&action=view&ID=276</ref> Marx wrote, "[[Charles Darwin|Darwin]]'s book is very important and serves me as a basis in natural science for the [[class struggle]] in history." Marx offered to dedicate the second German edition of his polemic ''[[Das Kapital]]'' to [[Charles Darwin]], but Darwin declined the "honour." <ref name="icr.org"/><ref>Karl Marx's Social and Political Thought, Bob Jessop, ISBN 0415193265 (pg 476)</ref>
[[Image:Captive-nations-01b----07-19-06.jpg|thumbnail|180px|right|[[Victims of Communism Memorial|A monument to the Captive Nations stands at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in Washington, D.C.]]]]
Economically, Communism advocates a [[socialist]] economy in which the [[government]] owns the means of production. In countries where Communism has been imposed, the government has taken ownership of farms, factories, stores and so on in the name of the people; see "[[dictatorship of the proletariat]]". This drives all [[free market|market-based]] economic activity underground and leads to inefficiencies and shortages. In both the Soviet Union and Red [[China]], the number of people who starved to death when the government confiscated their farm products (animals and grain) is estimated in the tens of millions.

Even more important, one party controls every organization from the local labor union to the army to the national government. The party is not elected. Its top officials (the "Politburo") select replacements when there is a vacancy. Usually a dictator (like Stalin, Mao or Castro) controls the Politburo, but sometimes power is shared among five or six people. No dissent is allowed—all [[news]] media are controlled, and the Internet is heavily censored.

Elites do not disappear. Members of the ruling party (see [[Nomenklatura]]) have special stores in which ordinary people are barred, stores which are immune to the shortages which the lower class must endure.

Various Communist doctrines have evolved or been adapted to the time and place they have been implemented. [[Marxism]], developed by [[Karl Marx]], and its modifications under [[Vladimir Ilyich Lenin|Vladimir Lenin]], [[Joseph Stalin]], and [[Mao Zedong]], advocates the overthrow of the existing order by a [[revolution]] of the proletariat, the social group which does not control the means of production. The goal of Marxism is supposedly to create a classless society which would result in no longer the need for any [[government]] (Communism).

The most famous government to label itself "Communist" is the former [[USSR]] or the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; the Communist Party controlled its government from 1918 to 1991. This government was officially atheist and attempted to suppress all [[religion]] until [[World War II]], when it discovered religion was needed to rally the people against the [[Nazi]] invaders. Like all authoritarian regimes, it tried to cultivate reverence for the state as a psychological substitute for religion.

Marxist theory is intended to appeal to its adherents with the phrase, "from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs", which essentially states point blank a worker does not get paid according to his abilities, and there is no [[incentive]] within the economic theory. Another quote by Marx was, "The theory of the Communism may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of [[private property]]," or as some have phrased it, legalized theft.

Lying, [[deceit]] and [[hypocrisy]] play major roles in Communism and advancing its goals.<ref>[https://fosterspeak.blogspot.ca/2011/10/lying-essence-of-communism.html Lying, the Essence of Communism]</ref> According to then-[[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] director [[J. Edgar Hoover]]:
{{cquote|The basic premise of Communism is deceit and hypocrisy. The Communist philosophy teaches that every available means must be utilized to achieve the final end—world revolution. For this reason the Communist will lie, cheat and resort to any tactics which will gain his end. He will advocate today exactly what he denounced yesterday. And with a straight face! Has he lied? No, he will say, he's only carrying out party policy. The concept of morality and fair play, as practiced in our democracy, is alien and repugnant to him. Moreover, the Communists employ a purposive double-talk, roundabout style, known as "Aesopian language," in their literature and speeches, designed to deceive and evade to clothe their true thoughts. This technique, utilized by Lenin, is the very epitome of deceit.<ref>[https://www.usnews.com/news/national/articles/2008/05/16/how-communists-operate-an-interview-with-j-edgar How Communists Operate: An Interview with J. Edgar Hoover] at US News & World Report</ref>}}
Pope Pius IX spoke of how Communism operates, including its use of lies and deceit and its attacks on religion, in his condemnation of the ideology in his 1846 encyclical ''Qui Pluribus'':
{{cquote|A very bitter and fearsome war against the whole Catholic commonwealth (is) being stirred up by men bound together in a lawless alliance. … They are experienced and skillful in deceit, which they use to set in motion their plans to quench peoples’ zeal for piety, justice and virtue, to corrupt morals, to cast all divine and human laws into confusion, and to weaken and even possibly overthrow the Catholic religion and civil society. They teach that the most holy mysteries of our religion are fictions of human invention, and that the teaching of the Catholic Church is opposed to the good and the prerogatives of human society. They are not even afraid to deny Christ Himself and God.<ref>[https://catholicinsight.com/communism-and-the-popes/ Communism and the Popes] at Catholic Insight</ref>}}
Apologists claim Communism is a system created by people with good intentions who failed to recognize that their idealistic system was inconsistent with human nature. As a result, they caused more harm than good.<ref>[https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjVjOWX_6LYAhVQYt8KHbjaCrQQFggwMAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fgenius.com%2FRay-dalio-principles-annotated&usg=AOvVaw2eSCwhXQ9WZ5Wt_rmrFmuY Principles] by [[Ray Dalio]]</ref> In reality, successful communist revolutionaries and leaders have historically been common criminals and murderers.

===Communism and militant atheism===
{{see also|Atheism and communism}}
According to the [[University of Cambridge]], historically, the "most notable spread of [[atheism]] was achieved through the success of the 1917 Russian Revolution, which brought the [[Marxism-Leninism|Marxist-Leninists]] to power."<ref name="Marxism-Leninism">{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728215151/http://www.investigatingatheism.info/marxism.html|title=Investigating atheism: Marxism|publisher = [[University of Cambridge]]|quote=The most notable spread of atheism was achieved through the success of the 1917 Russian Revolution, which brought the Marxist-Leninists to power. For the first time in history, atheism thus became the official ideology of a state.|year=2008|accessdate=July 17, 2014}}</ref>

Karl Marx believed atheism to be a key part of Communism. He is often very famously quoted as saying, "Religion ... is the opium of the masses."<ref>Marx, K. [http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/31765.html Introduction to A Contribution to the Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right] (Classic Quotations) (Standard translation from the original German).</ref> His full quote was: "Religious suffering is, at one and the same time, the expression of real suffering and a protest against real suffering. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people."<ref>http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1843/critique-hpr/intro.htm#05</ref> He believed it was part of the "superstructure," a false culture built to maintain the status quo. Thus he denigrated Christianity as a "fictional" religion. Instead, Marx was an avowed atheist, as he wrote, "Communism begins from the outset with [[atheism]]; but atheism is at first far from being communism; indeed, that atheism is still mostly an abstraction."<ref>Marx, Karl, [http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1844/manuscripts/comm.htm Private Property and Communism], 1944.</ref>

[[Vladimir Lenin]] similarly wrote: "A Marxist must be a materialist, i. e., an enemy of religion, but a dialectical materialist, i. e., one who treats the struggle against religion not in an abstract way, not on the basis of remote, purely theoretical, never varying preaching, but in a concrete way, on the basis of the class struggle which is going on ''in practice'' and is educating the masses more and better than anything else could."<ref>Lenin, Vladimir Ilyich, ''Proletary'', No. 45, May 13 (26), 1909, translated by Andrew Rothstein and Bernard Issacs, quote from [http://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1909/may/13.htm].</ref>

In 1955, Chinese communist leader Chou En-lai declared, "We Communists are atheists".<ref>Noebel, David, The Battle for Truth, Harvest House, 2001.</ref> In 2015, the [[Communist Party of China]] reaffirmed that members of their party must be atheists.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/02/china-communist-party-atheism-zhejiang-ban-religious-members-christianity_n_6599722.html China's Communist Party Bans Believers, Doubles Down On Atheism]</ref>

The atheism in Communist regimes has been and continues to be accompanied by [[militant atheism]] and various acts of repression including the razing of thousands of religious buildings and the killing, imprisoning, and oppression of religious leaders and believers.<ref>http://www.academia.org/campus_reports/2000/March_2000_4.html</ref><ref>http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/frroman1.aspx</ref><ref name="nysun.com">https://www.nysun.com/article/23082?page_no=1</ref><ref name="newsmax.com">http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/5/7/120250.shtml</ref><ref name="findarticles.com">http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_26_116/ai_56249447</ref><ref name="worldnetdaily.com">http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=35818</ref><ref name="theworldnow.wordpress.com">http://theworldnow.wordpress.com/tag/around-the-world/asia/china/</ref>

Marxists' justification for its persecution of the Russian Orthodox Church was based upon the claim that the Church was a "willing tool of Tsarism."<ref>http://www.marxist.com/religion-soviet-union170406-6.htm</ref>

The clergy openly stated its support for the counter-revolution (White Revolution). Lenin proclaimed that a Communist regime must show itself to be merciless toward the question of religion. There was no place for the church in Lenin's regime. This led to anti-religious decrees and propaganda. All church property was expropriated by the new Soviet government.<ref>http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-42047/Union-of-Soviet-Socialist-Republics#277888.hook</ref>

During the late 1930s and later 1940s the restrictions on church activity were loosened as Stalin needed all the support he could get for the war. This doctrine of co-operation between the church and state continued throughout the existence of the Soviet republics and the other Warszawa pact nations. Though never going as far as a leader of the Soviet Union asking [http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/simon_barrow/2007/03/hiding_behind_god.html god to bless the country], the clause in the Soviet Union's constitution addressing the separation of church and state was rendered useless.

Dr. [[Martin Luther King]] said, "for the Communist there is no divine government, no absolute moral order, there are no fixed, immutable principles; consequently almost anything - force, violence, murder, lying - is a justifiable means." <ref>''Stride Toward Freedom : The Montgomery Story'', Martin Luther King, Jr., Harper and Rowe, New York, 1958, p. 92.</ref>

====Atheistic Communism and torture of the religious====
[[Image:HammerAndSickle.png|right|175px]]
{{see also|Atheistic communism and torture}}
The website Victimsofcommunism.org declares concerning atheistic Communism and the use of torture:
{{cquote|Significantly, communists did not merely try to block or halt religious faith but to reverse it. This was particularly true for [[Romania]], even before the Nicolai Ceausescu era. This meant not just forbidding religious practice and jailing ministers and believers but employing torture to force them to renounce their faith. It was not enough to contain, silence, even punish believers in prison; it was decided they must be tortured in truly unimaginably degrading ways to attempt to undo religious faith.<ref>[http://victimsofcommunism.org/the-war-on-religion/ The War on religion]</ref>}}

For additional information please see: [[Atheistic communism and torture]]

====Social gospel====
Some Communist ideology has made its way into the Church as a [[Social Gospel]], interpreting the Gospel as less redemptive of sin and more of a public works campaign and activism. They often cite Jesus feeding the masses and warnings to the wealthy who believed self-seeking was all this world had to offer. Communists often cite the Acts of the Apostles, as early Christians practicing some form of sharing for the common good:
{{Cquote|And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (Acts 2:44-45, KJV)

Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.(Acts 4:34-7, KJV)}}

But as Arnold Toynbee has pointed out, this Marxist view denies the most crucial points,
{{Cquote|The passage in the Acts represents the philanthropy of the primitive Christian Society as flowing from a God-given grace which was the fruit of a belief in the divinity of Jesus. In other words, the charity which is here depicted as moving the primitive Christians to go—in their mutual concern for one another's welfare—to the extreme length of sharing all their worldly goods is not a mere love of Man for Man (which is the limited literal meaning of the word ‘philanthropy’), but is a spiritual relation to which God is a party as well as His human creatures. In fact, this Christian Socialism is a practical application, on the economic surface of life, of the fundamental religious truth that the brotherhood of man is a consequence of the fatherhood of God - a truth which is driven home with special force by a religion which teaches that God is not only the Father and Creator of man, but also his Savior, Who has been incarnate in human shape and has suffered, and triumphed over, death.<ref>Arnold Toynbee, ''A Study of History'', Annex II to Vol. V, Part C (i) (c) 2, p. 585, ''Marxism, Socialism, and Christianity''.</ref>}}

====Sloth in atheistic Communist countries vs. Protestant work ethic====
[[File:Flag of the PRC.png|thumbnail|right|250px|In [[China]], the growth in religion has accompanied China's fast economic growth over the last twenty years.<ref name="blog.tifwe.org">[http://blog.tifwe.org/the-protestant-work-ethic-alive-well-in-china/ The Protestant Work Ethic: Alive & Well…In China] By Hugh Whelchel on September 24, 2012</ref>]]
''See also:'' [[Atheism and sloth]] and [[Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism]]
Atheism is a part of Marxist-Leninist and [[Mao Zedong|Maoist]]/Chinese Communist ideology (See: [[Atheism and communism]]).

Widespread sloth in the former [[Soviet Union]] helped cause much poverty.<ref>[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255693/Last-pictures-life-iron-curtain-collapse-USSR.html Poverty, prostitutes and the long, slow death of the Soviet Union: Haunting pictures show desperate struggle to survive in last days of USSR, ''The Daily Mail'']</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/29/world/soviet-openness-brings-poverty-out-of-the-shadows.html?_r=0 Soviet Openness Brings Poverty Out of the Shadows], ''New York Times''</ref> A study performed in the former Soviet Union found that over 50% of the workforce admitted to drinking alcohol while on the job (See also: [[Atheism and alcoholism]]).<ref>[http://cs.stanford.edu/people/eroberts/cs201/projects/communism-computing-china/workethic.html Communism and computer ethics]</ref> In the former [[Soviet Union]], a popular joke was that the workers pretended to work and the Soviet Union pretended to pay them.<ref>[http://ipezone.blogspot.com/2015/08/you-pretend-to-work-putin-pretends-to.html You Pretend to work and Putin pretends to pay you]</ref>

On the other hand, [[Harvard University]] historian Niall Ferguson declared: "Through a mixture of hard work and thrift the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] societies of the North and West Atlantic achieved the most rapid economic growth in history."<ref name="blog.tifwe.org"/>

In China, the growth in religion has accompanied China's fast economic growth over the last twenty years.<ref name="blog.tifwe.org"/> Christianity is seeing rapid growth in China and the historian Niall Ferguson attributes this recent economic growth to the Protestant work ethic being more incorporated into Chinese society.<ref name="blog.tifwe.org"/> See also: [[Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism|Protestant work ethic]] and [[Growth of Christianity in China]]

===Similarities between Communism, Nazism and liberalism===
{{see also|Similarities between Communism, Nazism and liberalism}}
[[Adolf Hitler]] noted that Communists made excellent converts to [[National Socialism]] (a.k.a. [[Nazi]]sm), because the same personality type was attracted to both. "[T]here is more that binds us to [[Bolshevik|Bolshevism]] than separates us from it. There is, above all, genuine, revolutionary feeling, which is alive everywhere in Russia except where there are Jewish Marxists. I have always made allowance for this circumstance, and given orders that former Communists are to be admitted to the party at once. The petit bourgeois [[Social democracy|Social-Democrat]] and the trade-union boss will never make a [[National Socialist]], but the Communists always will."<ref>quoted in Hermann Rauschning, ''Hitler Speaks''</ref> [[Josef Stalin]] also recognized that ex-Nazis and ex-[[fascist]]s were natural recruits for post-war Communist regimes. As Stanley Payne notes in his ''A History of Fascism: 1914-1945'', "All over Soviet-occupied eastern Europe (should be: Central and Eastern Europe), most rank-and-file former fascist party members, together with many lower-level leaders, were welcomed to fill the ranks of the initially exiguous local Communist parties. The psychological transition seems to have been an easy one, for obvious reasons."<ref>http://www.lietuvos.org/istorija/communism/</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!
!Communist Manifesto
![[Nazi]] Party Platform
!Analysis
|-
|1
|"Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public purposes."
|"We demand an agrarian reform in accordance with our national requirements, and the enactment of a law to expropriate the owners without compensation of any land needed for the common purpose. The abolition of ground rents, and the prohibition of all speculation in land."
|The stripping away of land from private owners. [[Liberalism]] today demands "eminent domain" on property.
|-
|2
|"A heavy progressive or graduated income tax."
|"We demand the nationalization of all trusts...profit-sharing in large industries...a generous increase in old-age pensions...by providing maternity welfare centers, by prohibiting juvenile labor...and the creation of a national (folk) army."
|The points raised in the [[Nazi]] platform demand an increase in taxes to support them. Liberalism today demands heavy progressive and graduated income taxes.
|-
|3
|"Abolition of all rights of inheritance."
|"That all unearned income, and all income that does not arise from work, be abolished."
|Liberalism today demands a "death tax" on anyone inheriting an estate.
|-
|4
|"Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels."
|"We demand that all non-Germans who have entered Germany since August 2, 1914, shall be compelled to leave the Reich immediately."
|The Nuremberg Laws of 1934 allowed Germany to take Jewish property.
|-
|5
|"Centralisation of credit in the hands of the state, by means of a national bank with State capital and an exclusive monopoly."
|"We demand the nationalization of all trusts."
|Central control of the financial system.
|-
|6
|"Centralisation of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the State."
|"We demand that there be a legal campaign against those who propagate deliberate political lies and disseminate them through the press...editors and their assistants on newspapers published in the German language shall be German citizens...Non-German newspapers shall only be published with the express permission of the State...the punishment for transgressing this law be the immediate suppression of the newspaper..."
|Central control of the press. Liberals today demand control or suppression of talk radio and Fox News.
|-
|7
|"Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children’s factory labour in its present form. Combination of education with industrial production, &c, &c."
|"In order to make it possible for every capable and industrious German to obtain higher education, and thus the opportunity to reach into positions of leadership, the State must assume the responsibility of organizing thoroughly the entire cultural system of the people. The curricula of all educational establishments shall be adapted to practical life. The conception of the State Idea (science of citizenship) must be taught in the schools from the very beginning. We demand that specially talented children of poor parents, whatever their station or occupation, be educated at the expense of the State. "
|Central control of education, with an emphasis on doing things their way. Liberals today are doing things ''their way'' in our schools.
|-
|}

===Atrocities and Repression===
[[File:Stalin-kill.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Exhumed skeletons of [[class war]] victims murdered by Communists.<ref>[http://www.mega.nu/ampp/rummel/rm1.stalin.kill.htm.]</ref> Apologists frequently claim Communism has "never really been tried".]]
Communist regimes have engaged in mass killings on a scale of millions of individuals.<ref>http://www.gmu.edu/departments/economics/bcaplan/museum/comfaq.htm#part3</ref> A work entitled ''[[The Black Book of Communism]]'' published by the [[Harvard]] Press focuses on the crimes, terror, and repression of modern Communist regimes over a 70-year period.<ref>http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog/COUBLA.html</ref> This book is fairly controversial partly due to the various estimates regarding the millions of people who died under communist regimes.<ref>Multiple references:
*Anticommunist (April 14, 2004). [https://web.archive.org/web/20130607125427/http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/04/289239.html "The Human Cost of Communism - 100 million"]. UK Indymedia. Retrieved from June 7, 2013 archive at Internet Achive.
*[http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~hpcws/lelivrenoir.htm "''The Black Book of Communism''"]. Harvard University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences website: Cold War Studies.
*White, Matthew (February 2011). [http://necrometrics.com/20c5m.htm "Source list and detailed death tolls for the primary megadeaths of the twentieth century"]. Necrometrics.
*Higgins, David (June 22, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20071008035420/http://www.sarasotamagazine.com/blog/template_permalink.asp?id=365 "Memory and ideology: Washington's newest statue is the Victims Of Communism Memorial"]. Sarasota Magazine website. Retrieved from October 8, 2007 archive at Internet Archive
*Radosh, Ronald (February 2000). [http://www.firstthings.com/article.php3?id_article=2526 "''The Black Book of Communism: Crimes, Terror, Repression''"]. First Things [journal] website.</ref>

Similarly, an influential book which concerns itself with Russian Communist torture, repression and atrocities is [[Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn]]'s ''[[The Gulag Archipelago]]'' which won Solzhenitsyn a [[Nobel Prize]].<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/books/98/03/01/home/solz-gulag.html</ref> In 1983, Alexander Solzhenitsyn gave his explanation of the cause of why millions of people died under Russian Communism:
{{Cquote|Over a half century ago, while I was still a child, I recall hearing a number of old people offer the following explanation for the great disasters that had befallen Russia: "Men have forgotten God; that's why all this has happened. Since then I have spent well-nigh 50 years working on the history of our revolution; in the process I have read hundreds of books, collected hundreds of personal testimonies, and have already contributed eight volumes of my own toward the effort of clearing away the rubble left by that upheaval. But if I were asked today to formulate as concisely as possible the main cause of the ruinous revolution that swallowed up some 60 million of our people, I could not put it more accurately than to repeat: "Men have forgotten God; that's why all this has happened.}}
In Communist [[North Korea]], abuse and killing in prison camps are occurring today.<ref>http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=5596</ref><ref>http://www.kimsoft.com/korea/nkdefec3.htm</ref> In addition, the North Korean government practices brutal repression and atrocities against North Korean Christians.<ref name="nysun.com"/><ref name="newsmax.com"/>

In 1999, the publication [[Christian Century]] reported that "China has persecuted religious believers by means of "harassment, prolonged detention, and incarceration in prison or `reform-through-labor' camps and police closure of places of worship."<ref name="findarticles.com"/> In 2003, owners of Bibles in China were sent to prison camps and 125 Chinese churches were forced to close.<ref name="worldnetdaily.com"/> China continues to practice religious oppression today.<ref name="theworldnow.wordpress.com"/>

==Fostering Revolution==
Communists require a revolution to complete their ideological objectives, and if a revolution is not currently happening they will foster and agitate situations in which a revolution can be created and leveraged. [[Ezra Taft Benson]] noted that going back as far as 1928, agents of Marxism believed they could use race to foster a race war in America. He wrote:<ref>An Enemy Hath Done this, by [[Ezra Taft Benson]], 1969, page 192</ref>

<blockquote>As far back as 1928, the communists declared that the cultural, economic, and social differences between the races in America could be exploited by them to create the animosity, fear, and hatred between large segments of our people that would be necessary beginning ingredients for their revolution.

Briefly, the three broad objectives were - and are - as follows:

#Create Hatred
#Trigger Violence
#Overthrow Established Government

1. Create Hatred. Use any means to agitate blacks into hating whites and whites into hating blacks. Work both sides of the split. Play up and exaggerate real grievances. If necessary, don't hesitate to manufacture false stories and rumors about injustices and brutality. Create martyrs for both sides. Play upon mass emotions until they smolder with resentment and hatred.

2. Trigger Violence. Put the emotional masses into the streets in the form of large mobs, the larger the better. It makes no difference if the mob is told to demonstrate "peacefully" so long as it is brought into direct confrontation with the antagonist. Merely bringing the two emotionally charged groups together is like mixing oxygen and hydrogen. All that is needed is one tiny spark. If the spark is not forthcoming from purely spontaneous causes, create it.

3. Overthrow Established Government. Once mob violence becomes widespread and commonplace, condition those who are emotionally involved to accept violence as the only way to "settle the score" once and for all. Provide leadership and training for guerrilla warfare. Institute discipline and terrorism to insure at least passive support from the larger inactive segment of the population. Train and battle-harden leadership through sporadic riots and battles with police. Finally, at the appointed time, launch an all-out simultaneous offensive in every city.</blockquote>

==Notable communists==
The following are well known communists, all of whom are notorious:
<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
*[[Xi Jinping]]
*[[Kim Jong Un]]
*[[Fidel Castro]]
*[[Che Guevara]]
*[[Salvador Allende]]
*[[Raul Castro]]
*[[Hugo Chavez]]
*[[Bernie Sanders]]
*[[Jim Jones]]
*[[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]]
*[[Occupy Democrats]]
*[[William Ayers]]
*[[Bernardine Dohrn]]
*[[Carl Davidson]]
*[[Frank Marshall Davis]]
*[[Barack Obama]]
*[[Van Jones]]
*[[Mao Zedong]]
*[[Hu Jintao]]
*[[Ho Chi Minh]]
*[[Pol Pot]]
*[[Kim Jong Il]]
*[[Kim Il Sung]]
*[[Choummaly Sayasone]]
*[[Karl Marx]]
*[[Friedrich Engels]]
*[[Vladimir Lenin]]
*[[Joseph Stalin]]
*[[Leon Trotsky]]
*[[Genrikh Yagoda]]
*[[Lazar Kaganovich]]
*[[Yakov Sverdlov]]
*[[Yakov Yurovsky]]
*[[Paul Robeson]]
*[[Noam Chomsky]]
*[[George Soros]]
*[[Henry Wallace]]
*[[Joe Biden]]
*[[Kamala Harris]]
*[[Mark Milley]]
</div>

==Further reading==
* Pipes, Richard. ''Communism: A History'' (2003), by a leading conservative historian
** Pipes, Richard. ''History of Communism: A Brief History'' (2002)
* Priestland, David. ''The Red Flag: A History of Communism'' (2009)
*[http://www.archive.org/stream/100thingsyoushou1949unit#page/n3/mode/2up 100 Things You Should Know About Communism'']

==See also==
<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
* [[Communist origins of Nazism]]
* [[Bernie Sanders]] and [[Democratic socialism]]
* [[Congressional Progressive Caucus]]
* [[Far Left]]
* [[List of Communist States]]
* [[List of Socialist States]]
* [[Communist Party of the United States of America]]
* [[Cold War]]
* [[List of atheist and agnostic pseudosciences]]
* [[Capitalism]]
* [[Iron Curtain]]
* [[Progressives for Obama]]
* [[Socialism]]
* [[Dirigisme]]
* [[Social Effects of the Theory of Evolution]]
* [[Korean Airlines Flight 007]] for the connection of the shootdown by the Soviets of KAL 007, with 269 people aboard, on Sept. 1, 1983 with the heightened U.S./Soviet confrontations of 1983–4.
* [[The Soviet/ U.S naval confrontation]] over KAL 007
* [[KAL 007 and the Soviet Top Secret Memos]]
* [[Communist Racism]]
* [[National Bolshevik Party]]
* [[The Soviet Story]]
* [[Communism and feminism]]
* [[American Anti-Communist Alliance]]
* [[Big government]] [[Welfare state]] leads to [[Nanny state]], leads to [[Police state]]
* [[Liberal totalitarianism]]
* [[Big government]] [[liberal]] [[Welfare state]] leads to [[socialist]] [[Nanny state]], leads to [[communist]] [[Police state]] - Don't think Communism is incompatible with [[Islam]].
* [[Gun control]] - [[Ammunition control]] - [[Gun free zone]]s - key elements to create a police state
* [[Anti-Americanism]]
* [[Nazi Party|National Socialist German Workers' Party]] (Nazi Party)
* [[National Socialism]] - the Nazis were elitist [[Police state]] [[liberals]] not [[conservative]]s
* [[Communism and cannibalism]]
* [[Mass killings under Communist regimes]]
</div>

==Notes and references==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://www.gotquestions.org/communism-Bible.html Does the Bible support Communism?], at [[GotQuestions]]
*[http://www.aim.org/wls/category/communism/ What Liberals Say - Category: Communism], [[Accuracy In Media]]
*[https://archive.org/details/IsThisTomorrowAmericaUnderCommunismCatecheticalGuild Is This Tomorrow - America Under Communism], Catechetical Guild
*[https://www.theepochtimes.com/c-how-the-specter-of-communism-is-ruling-our-world How the Specter of Communism Is Ruling Our World]. ''The Epoch Times''.
**[https://www.theepochtimes.com/the-dark-origins-of-communism-part-1-of-3_2249661.html The Dark Origins of Communism, Parts 1], [https://www.theepochtimes.com/the-dark-origins-of-communism-part-2-of-3_2251602.html 2], and [https://www.theepochtimes.com/the-dark-origins-of-communism-part-3-of-3_2251601.html 3], The Epoch Times.

{{Historic Communism}}
{{Coronavirus}}
[[Category:Communism]]
[[Category:Oppression]]
[[Category:Marxist Terminology]]
[[Category:Forms of Government]]
[[Category:Anti-American]]
[[Category:Atheism]]
[[Category:Liberalism]]
[[Category:Deceit]]
[[Category:Police State]]
[[Category:Chinese Politics]]
[[Category:Chinese History]]
[[Category:Welfare State]]
[[Category:Man-Made Disasters]]
[[Category:Coronavirus]]
[[Category:Globalism]]
[[Category:Threats]]
[[Category:Anti Second Amendment]]
[[Category:Anti-Free Speech]]
[[Category:Censorship]]

Texas

2026-10-19T04:06:09Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Texas

{{USState
|name=Texas
|flag=Flag of Texas.png
|motto="Friendship"
|nick=The Lone Star State
|capital=Austin
|language=English
|governor=Greg Abbott
|gparty=Republican
|senator2=John Cornyn
|s2party=Republican
|s2phone=(202) 224-2934
|s2email=http://cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm Contact
|senator1=Ted Cruz
|s1party=Republican
|s1phone=(202) 224-5922
|s1email=http://hutchison.senate.gov/contact.cfm Contact
|population=30,000,000 (2020)
|date=December 29, 1845 (28th)
}}
'''Texas''' became the 28th state to join the union on December 29, 1845. As of 2024, Texas has the 9th largest economy in the world, with a $32.7 billion budget surplus. Texas is a bastion of [[free enterprise]], religious liberty, and [[conservative]] outspokenness. '''''Beginning in fall 2025, the [[Bible]] is part of its [[public school]] curriculum'''''.

Texas was a territory of [[Mexico]] from 1821–1835, before [[Texas War of Independence|gaining independence]] from [[Mexico]] as the [[Republic of Texas]] from 1836–1845. This state is the largest [[conservative]] state in population (in 2020 it was the only state to gain more than one new seat in Congress; it gained two new seats) and is predicted to surpass [[California]] in population within a few decades (due in part to Californians moving to the state, causing it to lose a Congressional seat for the first time in its history). Texas is the second-largest in population after California (in 2020, its population was estimated at over 29.1 million) and has the second-largest land area after [[Alaska]]. Texas has long been the biggest grower of [[cotton]] in the [[U.S.]]

The capital of Texas is [[Austin]], and its largest city is [[Houston]]. Texas was a solidly [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] state from the end of [[Reconstruction]] in the early 1870s until the 1970s, when [[Republican Party]] started gradually taking control, until it dominated the political atmosphere of the state (although, during the shift, the state maintained a generally conservative approach to governing). Nevertheless, Democrats control the largest cities of Houston, [[San Antonio]], Austin, [[Dallas]], and [[El Paso]] (and the respective counties in which they reside), along with the counties along the Mexican border. Austin is one of the most [[liberal]] cities in [[The South|the South]].

Up until the 1980s, Texas had a booming [[oil]] industry, starting with the Spindletop oil gusher. For many years Texas was one of the largest oil producers in the world, with the Permian Basin and East Texas oilfields being famous around the globe. Currently, Texas is shifting from the oil industry (though still a significant component of the state economy) to the service sector. It has a growing tech industry and is home to many well-known corporations such as [[Dell]], [[Texas Instruments]] and [[Hewlett Packard]]. The North Texas area also has a large concentration of defense contractors: Bell Helicopter, Lockheed Martin, L3Harris Technologies, and [[Raytheon]] all have a large presence in the area. Texas has a world-renowned health care system, particularly in [[Houston]].

The state Constitution of Texas, like all of the other 50 states, acknowledges God or our Creator or the ''Sovereign Ruler of the Universe''. It says:
:''Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas, do ordain and establish this Constitution.''

==History==
:{{main|History of Texas}}

Six national flags have flown over Texas. Spain, France (which had a small brief settlement), Mexico, the [[Republic of Texas]], the [[Confederate States of America]], and the [[United States of America]] have ruled Texas.<ref name="txonlinehandbook">http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online
</ref>

===Spain: 1519–1821===
Spain sent in several exploration teams, but they found no gold and gave negative reports that warned about the arid land and the hostile Indian tribes. Spanish settlers moved to [[New Mexico]] instead.

Spain opened a mission at San Antonio in 1718 along with several small missions and military outposts, primarily to keep France from expanding from its base in Louisiana. Spain began issuing permission for American settlement, but was replaced by Mexico in 1821.

===France: 1685–1690===
France was looking to expand its new colony in the Louisiana area, and French nobleman Robert de La Salle led an expedition looking for the mouth of the [[Mississippi River]]. However, he got lost and shipwrecked on the coast of Texas, and founded the colony Fort St. Louis in 1695. However, the colony was beset with many problems, including famine, disease, and attack from Native Americans. After five years, many of the inhabitants were dead, La Salle was murdered by his own crew, and the survivors had abandoned the colony.

===Mexico===
In January 1821, the Spanish authorities in Mexico City granted American [[Moses Austin]] permission to settle 300 families in Texas. After the death of Austin and after Mexico's successful revolt against Spain, the Mexican provisional government confirmed this concession to [[Stephen F. Austin]], the "Father of Texas." The younger Austin obtained contracts to settle 900 additional families, most of whom arrived by 1833. Austin's colonies formed the nucleus of the American settlements in Texas.

===Republic of Texas===
'''''See Also''''': [[Republic of Texas]] and [[Texas Independence Day]]
:''March 2, 1836 – December 29, 1845''
[[Image:Texas1835.jpg|thumb|550px|Texas in 1835]]

Texas leaders gathered at Washington-on-the-Brazos to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. Four days later the [[Alamo]] fell after a 13-day siege by Mexican troops led by [[Antonio López de Santa Anna|Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna]]. The massacre of all the defenders gave rise to the rallying call "Remember the Alamo". Santa Anna's Mexican troops were defeated on April 21 at the Battle of [[San Jacinto]] near present-day Houston. Mexico, however, refused to recognize the independence and when Texas joined the U.S. in 1845, the [[Mexican-American War]] became inevitable.

Texas was a favorite destination of German immigrants in the 1840s and 1850s. The state grew rapidly because of cattle herds and cotton farming; there were few cities.

===Confederate States of America===
Texas joined the [[Confederate States of America]] on March 2, 1861, and remained firmly in it until March 15, 1865. The coast was blockaded, and after the fall of Vicksburg in 1863, it became almost impossible to send men, horses or cattle to the east. Texas became a backwater with little military action, though the actual last battle of the war (fought well after the Confederacy had officially surrendered) was fought in the state (a Texan victory under the Confederacy that had no impact on the outcome).

===United States of America===
:''December 29, 1845 – March 2, 1861, March 15, 1865 – present''

Texas' [[Reconstruction]] experience was similar to other rebel states. Texas was hardly damaged by the war, and attracted a large number of immigrants from the deep South after 1865, while few Europeans arrived. Cotton and cattle continued as the dominant economic base, with [[cattle drives]] used to move the cattle to railheads in Kansas and Missouri before the railroads reached Texas. The Republican Party in [[Texas]] was founded on the 4th of July 1867 in [[Houston, Texas]] by 150 [[African American]]s and 20 [[white]]s. Two of the first three statewide Republican chairman were African American.

Beginning around the mid-20th century, Texas began to transform from a rural and agricultural state to one that was urban and industrialized.<ref name="TSHAsince">{{cite web | last1=Calvert | first1= Robert A. | title=Texas Since World War II | url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/npt02 | publisher=Texas State Historical Association | accessdate=January 19, 2017}}</ref> The state's population grew quickly during this period, with large levels of migration from outside the state.<ref name="TSHAsince"/> As a part of the [[Sun Belt]] Texas experienced strong economic growth, particularly during the 1970s and early 1980s.<ref name="TSHAsince"/> Texas's economy diversified, lessening its reliance on the [[petroleum]] industry.<ref name="TSHAsince"/> By 1990, [[Hispanics]] overtook blacks to become the largest minority group in the state.<ref name="TSHAsince"/>

==Government==
As with the Federal government and all other state governments, Texas government has three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

The governing documents for the state are the [[Texas Constitution]], the Texas Statutes and the Texas Administrative Code.

The Texas Constitution is one of the longest such documents in the world as it severely restricts the power of government (the government only has the specific powers granted therein -- there is no equivalent of the Federal "Necessary and Proper Clause" -- and has severe restrictions on the power to issue debt and pledge the state's credit, thus necessitating numerous amendments to allow for such).

===Legislative===
The Texas Legislature is a bicameral body, consisting of 150 members in the House of Representatives (the lower chamber) and 31 members in the Senate (the upper chamber). The House is presided over by the Speaker who is elected from among the House members (and who, by tradition, does not vote on legislation other than major items such as the General Appropriations Act), while the Senate is presided over by the Lieutenant Governor who is elected by the voters (separately from the Governor, and who votes only in cases of a tie vote).

The Legislature meets every other year (in odd-numbered years) for only 140 days, beginning on the second Tuesday in January. Notably, unlike other states, the Legislature cannot call itself into special session; only the Governor can do so (and can do so as often as desired). As such, the budget/appropriations act covers a two-year period beginning on September 1 of the year passed and ending August 31 two years thereafter.

From time to time, a large number of legislators (enough to deny a quorum) have left the state to "protest" a planned bill; in every case it has been Democrats who have done this.

===Executive===
The executive branch in Texas is handled on what is called a "plural executive" system, in that the major cabinet heads (excluding the Secretary of State) and some agency boards are elected by popular vote rather than appointed. Because of this, the Governor is generally considered organizationally weak by comparison to other states (while the Lieutenant Governor, in his role as President of the Texas Senate, has considerable power over legislation). However, a Governor with a long tenure (such as [[Rick Perry]] and [[Greg Abbott]]) will eventually be able to appoint people to all open positions.

The Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected on separate ballots, which has occasionally resulted in the officeholders being of different political parties. The other positions which are popularly elected statewide are the Attorney General, the Comptroller of Public Accounts, the Agriculture Commissioner (this is the only position where the popular vote is based on statute as opposed to state Constitutional requirement), the Commissioner of the General Land Office, and the three members of the Railroad Commission (which, despite its name, no longer handles railroad matters; its main function is the regulation of fossil fuel production and transport). In addition, the members of the State Board of Education are elected from 15 single-member districts.

In terms of real power, the Comptroller of Public Accounts may have the most of any executive branch member, due to a statutory role contained within the state's constitution: the Comptroller is required (prior to the start of each regular legislative session) to provide an estimate of funds that will be available (from all sources including Federal funds, whether available for general revenue or restricted to specific uses) for the next "biennium" (two year period beginning on September 1 of the odd-numbered year following the end of the regular session, and ending on August 31 of the next odd-numbered year afterwards; the period is broken into annual fiscal years). The state's constitution restricts spending more than the certified amount except by 4/5ths vote in both chambers of the Texas Legislature. In addition, nearly all revenue is received through the Comptroller's office, nearly all expenses are paid through the office as well, and the office handles most statewide contracts which other agencies must use.

All agencies of the state (except public universities and agencies mandated by the Constitution) are subject to the state's Sunset Law, which encompasses a periodic review of the agency (generally every 12 years) and recommendations on whether to keep it (and any changes in its function) or to abolish it (and either transfer its responsibilities to another agency or abolish the function completely).

===Judicial===
With the exception of municipal court judges (which are appointed by city councils), all judges in Texas are popularly elected on partisan ballots.

The court system in Texas is quite complex, featuring numerous trial courts of concurrent and overlapping jurisdiction, intermediate appellate courts which overlap geographical jurisdiction in some cases, and a bifurcated final appellate court structure found in only one other state (neighboring [[Oklahoma]]).

The four levels of trial courts are:
*Municipal Courts, which handle violations of city ordinances and traffic offenses issued by local police officers (frequently these courts are not "courts of record", thus any appeal essentially becomes a new trial),
*Justice of the Peace courts, which handle "Class C" misdemeanors (these offenses carry no jail time, only fines) along with "small claims" civil matters (the top limit for a claim is $20,000, but these courts have exclusive jurisdiction over [[eviction]] cases),
*County Courts, which handle "Class A/B" misdemeanors (these offenses carry jail time), medium-sized civil matters, and probate cases; in addition, these courts also hear appeals from municipal and justice of the peace courts and are the final appellate level barring a constitutional issue (the term "County Court at Law" is used to designate County Courts which do not hear appeals), and
*District Courts, which handle all level of felony cases, divorce cases, civil matters (and can hear cases with an amount in controversy as low as $200), probate cases, and in a catch-all provision all other cases where jurisdiction doesn't lie in another court.
**In some of the larger counties, the Legislature has established separate Probate Courts to hear [[probate]] matters, eminent domain cases, and mental illness commitments.
**The Legislature may designate a specific County or District Court to hear specific issues, either exclusively or preferentially over other matters. This is most common in the larger counties where a court may be designated to hear criminal or family law cases.
**Texas has also added a specialized Business Court; to hear certain matters involving business disputes not pertaining to the ordinary course of business (an example would be a dispute between owners of a closely held corporation).

The three levels of appellate courts are:
*Courts of Appeals, which hear appeals from County Courts and District Courts (except for capital felony cases where a death sentence was imposed),
**The structure of these courts is confusing in some areas. The 1st and 14th Courts of Appeals cover the same counties, both are seated in Houston, and appeals from the County and District Courts are randomly assigned between them. Also, five counties within the 6th Court of Appeals are also within the geographical boundaries of other Courts (Hunt County is also in the 5th Court, the others are also in the 12th Court). The 15th Court of Appeals handles specified matters (appeals from the Business Court and matters involving actions by a state agency).
*Court of Criminal Appeals, which hears criminal case appeals from the Courts of Appeals as well as any death sentences that are automatically appealed, and
*Supreme Court, which hears civil case appeals from the Courts of Appeals (this includes any juvenile cases even when a criminal act is involved; in those cases, the Supreme Court will defer to prior rulings of the Court of Criminal Appeals).

==Recent politics==
Texas is a mostly conservative state. It has consistently voted [[Republican]] in presidential elections since 1980, last favoring the [[Democrats]] in 1976 when [[Jimmy Carter]] won the state. As of the beginning of the 99th Legislature in January 2023, the Texas Senate has 19 Republicans and 12 Democrats, and the State House consists of 86 Republicans and 64 Democrats (though in May 2023 Republican [[Bryan Slaton]] was expelled, temporarily reducing the Republican count to 85). Republicans also have a 25-13 edge in the federal House delegation, and both Senators are Republicans. All statewide elected positions are held by Republicans, as well as a majority on the elected State Board of Education.

Historically, Texas was a [[Democratic Party (USA)|Democratic Party]] stronghold.<ref name="TSHA">[https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/wap02 Political Parties - Handbook of Texas Online]. ''Texas State Historical Association''. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref> This was the case until the 1960s, and was especially the case in the early 20th Century.<ref name="TSHA"/> Due to the Dominance of the Democrats, the Democrat primaries were considered "the real election", during this time.<ref name="TSHA"/> In the party however, there were competing factions, and during the [[New Deal]], a conservative-liberal divide within the Democratic Party emerged.<ref name="TSHA"/> As the Democratic Party became more liberal (in a conservative state), and as different changes occurred in the state, conservative voters switched to the growing, more conservative Republican Party,<ref>Sirois, Francis (November 8, 2016). [http://www.newschannel10.com/story/33661247/history-of-texas-voters History of Texas voters]. ''KFDA''. Retrieved November 9, 2016.</ref> until it took the Democrats' place as the dominant party in Texas.<ref name="TSHA"/><ref>[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/architect/texas/realignment.html How Texas Became a "Red" State - Frontline]. ''PBS''. April 12, 2005. Retrieved August 16, 2016.</ref> However, Democrats maintain liberal strongholds in Austin (the state capital), most of the large cities (and the counties in which they are located, as most first-ring suburbs have trended Democrat as well), and along the Texas-Mexico border.

In the 2014 Texas elections, the [[Tea Party Movement]] made large gains, with numerous Tea Party favorites being elected into office, like [[Dan Patrick]] as lieutenant governor,<ref name="Holdssway">{{cite news | last1=Fernandez | first1=Manny | title=Lieutenant Governor Loses Texas Runoff as Tea Party Holds Sway | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/28/us/politics/tea-party-favorite-beats-lieutenant-governor-in-texas.html | date=May 27, 2014 | publisher=[[The New York Times]] | accessdate=April 2, 2015}}</ref><ref>Koppel, Nathan (January 21, 2015) - [https://www.wsj.com/articles/texas-lt-gov-dan-patrick-moves-quickly-to-advance-conservative-agenda-1421883867 "Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Moves Quickly to Advance Conservative Agenda"]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved April 2, 2015.</ref> [[Ken Paxton]] as attorney general,<ref name="Holdssway"/><ref name="Grissom">Grissom, Brandi. [http://www.texastribune.org/2014/05/28/tea-party-conservatives-win-top-gop-runoff-contest/ Tea Party Conservatives Win Top GOP Runoff Contests], ''Texas Tribune'', May 28, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2015.</ref> in addition to numerous other candidates<ref name="Grissom"/> including conservative Republican [[Greg Abbott]] as governor.<ref>Fernandez, Manny (January 20, 2015). [https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/21/us/politics/new-texas-governor-greg-abbott-expected-to-continue-on-perrys-path.html Texas’s New Governor Echoes the Plans of Perry]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved October 1, 2016.</ref>

However, as Texas's economy was performing very well – unlike states with liberal economic policies – many non-Texans from those liberal states moved into the state. Although many were conservative, more were liberal; this caused the political left-wing to grow in power, and political analysts continually predict that Texas would soon become a swing state.<ref>Wilson, Reid (November 18, 2018). [https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/417140-rise-of-big-cities-push-texas-to-swing-state-territory-maybe-by-2020 Rise of big cities push Texas to swing-state territory — maybe by 2020]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved November 18, 2018.</ref>

The continued tension between Texas conservative leaders and Washington has led to several groups suggesting that Texas once again become an independent country; the groups range from the "Republic of Texas" organization (which has engaged in violent tactics) to the [[Texas Nationalist Movement]] (which seeks a peaceful secession -- popularly known as "[[Texit]]" -- via a voter-approved statewide referendum, similar to those held by Scottish Independence groups and the one which ultimately led to [[Brexit]]).

Uniquely Texas is the only state to operate [[Texas Bullion Depository|its own bullion depository]].

===Texas cities among the most conservative in American===
The most conservative Texas cities among the most conservative American cities are #2 [[Lubbock]], #3 Abilene, #5 [[Plano]], and #14 [[Arlington, Texas|Arlington]].<ref>[http://americancityandcounty.com/content/study-ranks-americas-most-liberal-and-conservative-cities 2005 study rankings on liberal and conservative cities]. Posted Oct 27, 2014. Accessed March 18, 2015</ref> However, Plano, located almost entirely in Collin County, has become increasingly liberal along with many suburban areas in the state due to an influx of left-wing Californians. So, too, has Arlington, which has always had a sizeable international population due to the presence of a major public university.

===Biden Border invasion===
{{See also|Biden border crisis}}
In December 2023, over 300,000 migrant encounters were recorded by the US Border Patrol, not counting “gotaways.”

The Texas state government tried to ameliorate the immediate, local impact by transporting approximately 100,000 migrants to other states of their choice in most cases. In particular, Texas sent thousands of migrants at taxpayer expense to self-proclaimed "[[sanctuary cities]]" such as [[New York City]], [[Washington, DC]], [[Los Angeles]], and [[Chicago]].

Texas also tried to install impediments to migrant passage into the state and country, such as floating buoys in the middle of the river and shipping containers arranged along the banks of the [[Rio Grande river]] that separates the US from Mexico. In 2023, Texas installed razor wire on top of the shipping containers and at ground level to prevent migrants from climbing over the barriers. The measures had some success in limiting entry.

The floating buoys were deemed hazardous, so they were mostly removed. The wire, however, remained. The [[Biden regime]] ordered the Border Patrol to remove the wire, and the work began in 2023. Texas objected and blocked Border Patrol from removing the wire by obtaining an injunction from a Federal court. That ruling was appealed, but the Federal appellate court affirmed it.

The Biden regime then made an expedited appeal to the [[United States Supreme Court]], which ruled that the Border Patrol could continue cutting the wire. Note that the Supreme Court ruled very narrowly: Border Patrol can still cut the razor wire that Texas installs. They did not rule that Texas is prohibited from installing the wire.

{{Anchor|Eagle Pass}}

Texas Governor [[Greg Abbott]] ordered the Texas National Guard to reinstall razor wire on the border. They also built a wire fence around Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas, a relatively small patch of land that the [[Biden regime]] used as a gathering ground for migrant processing.

Gov. Abbott filed a suit to enjoin the federal government from obstructing Texas's efforts to secure the border. Abbott uses the [[United States Constitution]] to buttress his claim:
*First, Abbott relies on [[Full_Text_of_the_United_States_Constitution#Section._4._3|Article IV, Section 4]] to describe the Federal government's duty: ''“The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and '''shall protect each of them against Invasion'''…”''<ref>[https://www.texaspolicy.com/the-meaning-of-invasion-under-the-compact-clause-of-the-u-s-constitution/ The Meaning of Invasion Under the Compact Clause of the U.S. Constitution], By Joshua Treviño, Texas Public Policy Foundation, November 29, 2022. www.texaspolicy.com</ref> He describes the failure of the Federal government to protect the states.

*Abbott then articulates the recourse taken by Texas in [[Full_Text_of_the_United_States_Constitution#Section._10.|Article 1, Section 10, Clause 3]]: ''“No State shall, without the Consent of Congress,… engage in War, '''unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay'''.”''

Abbott argues that the state of Texas, in light of the fact that the Federal government has failed in its duty to protect the states, has the right to enforce the laws to control immigration into the United States.

==Elected Officials==
As of 2023:

===Federal===
*Sen. [[Ted Cruz]] (R)
*Sen. [[John Cornyn]] (R)
*Rep. [[Nathaniel Moran]] [R, TX–01]
*Rep. [[Dan Crenshaw]] [R, TX–02]
*Rep. [[Keith Self]] [R, TX–03]
*Rep. [[Pat Fallon]] [R, TX–04]
*Rep. [[Lance Gooden]] [R, TX–05]
*Rep. [[Jake Ellzey]] [TX-06]
*Rep. [[Lizzie Fletcher]] [D, TX–07]
*Rep. [[Morgan Luttrell]] [R, TX–08]
*Rep. [[Al Green]] [D, TX–09]
*Rep. [[Michael McCaul]] [R, TX–10]
*Rep. [[August Pfluger]] [R, TX–11]
*Rep. [[Kay Granger]] [R, TX–12]
*Rep. [[Ronny Jackson]] [R, TX–13]
*Rep. [[Randy Weber]] [R, TX–14]
*Rep. [[Monica De La Cruz]] [R, TX–15]
*Rep. [[Veronica Escobar]] [D, TX–16]
*Rep. [[Pete Sessions]] [R, TX–17]
*Rep. [[Sheila Jackson Lee]] [D, TX–18]
*Rep. [[Jodey Arrington]] [R, TX–19]
*Rep. [[Joaquin Castro]] [D, TX–20]
*Rep. [[Chip Roy]] [R, TX–21]
*Rep. [[Troy Nehls]] [R, TX–22]
*Rep. [[Tony Gonzales]] [R, TX–23]
*Rep. [[Beth Van Duyne]] [R, TX–24]
*Rep. [[Roger Williams (Texas)|Roger Williams]] [R, TX–25]
*Rep. [[Michael Burgess]] [R, TX–26]
*Rep. [[Michael Cloud]] [R, TX–27]
*Rep. [[Henry Cuellar]] [D, TX–28]
*Rep. [[Sylvia Garcia]] [D, TX–29]
*Rep. [[Jasmine Crockett]] [D, TX–30]
*Rep. [[John Carter]] [R, TX–31]
*Rep. [[Collin Allred]] [D, TX–32]
*Rep. [[Marc Veasey]] [D, TX–33]
*Rep. [[Vicente Gonzalez]] [D, TX–34]
*Rep. [[Greg Cesar]] [D, TX–35]
*Rep. [[Brian Babin]] [R, TX–36]
*Rep. [[Lloyd Doggett]] [D, TX–37]
*Rep. [[Wesley Hunt]] [R, TX–38]

===Statewide===
*Governor [[Greg Abbott]] (R)
*Lt. Governor [[Dan Patrick]] (R)
*Attorney General [[Ken Paxton]] (R)
*Agriculture Commissioner [[Sid Miller]] (R)
*Land Commissioner [[Dawn Buckingham]] (R)
*State Comptroller [[Glenn Hegar]] (R)

In addition, all three members of the Texas Railroad Commission (which, despite its name, doesn't deal with railroads; its main function is oil and gas), as well as all nine members of both the Texas Supreme Court (the court of final appeal for civil cases) and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (the court of final appeal for criminal cases) are elected statewide; all elected officials of the three groups are Republicans. The state also has a majority of Republicans on the State Board of Education, which is elected from 15 single-member districts.

==Energy==
[[File:Texas-oil.jpg|thumb|350px|right]] [[File:Oil-symbol.jpg|thumb|300px|right]]

Texas leads the Nation in fossil fuel reserves and in non-hydropower renewable energy potential. Texas crude oil reserves represent almost one-fourth of total U.S. oil reserves, and Texas natural gas reserves account for almost three-tenths of total U.S. natural gas reserves. Although Texas's oil reserves are found throughout the State in several geologic basins, the largest remaining reserves are concentrated in the Permian Basin of West Texas, which contains more than 20 of the Nation's top 100 oil fields. Similarly, deposits of natural gas are found in abundance in several Texas production basins, with the largest fields heavily concentrated in the East Texas Basin in the northeastern part of the State. Texas's fossil fuel reserves also include substantial deposits of lignite coal, found in narrow bands in the Gulf Coast region, and bituminous coal, found in north central and southwestern Texas.<ref>See [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=TX Energy Information Administration, State Report 2009]</ref>

Texas is also rich in renewable energy potential, including wind, solar, and biomass resources. Wind resource areas in the Texas Panhandle, along the Gulf Coast south of Galveston, and in the mountain passes and ridgetops of the Trans-Pecos offer Texas some of the greatest wind power potential in the United States. Solar power potential is also among the highest in the country, with high levels of direct solar radiation (suitable to support large-scale solar power plants) concentrated in West Texas. Due to its large agricultural and forestry sectors, Texas has an abundance of biomass energy resources. Although Texas is not known as a major hydropower State, substantial untapped potential exists in several river basins, including the Colorado River of Texas and the Lower Red.

Due to its large population and an energy-intensive economy, Texas leads the Nation in energy consumption, accounting for more than one-tenth of total U.S. energy use. Energy-intensive industries in Texas include aluminum, chemicals, forest products, glass, and petroleum refining.

===Petroleum===
The State's signature crude oil type, known as West Texas Intermediate (WTI), remains the major benchmark of crude oil in the Americas.

Texas leads the United States in both crude oil production and refining capacity. Texas's first major oil boom began in 1901 with the discovery of the Spindle Top oil field in the upper Gulf Coast basin. Since then, major discoveries have been made in East Texas, West Texas, and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Texas oil production increased until 1972, when it peaked at more than 3.4 million barrels per day. Afterward, production declined rapidly, and in recent years Texas crude oil output has fallen to less than one-third of its 1972 peak.

Although Texas oil production is in decline, the State's signature crude oil type, known as West Texas Intermediate (WTI), remains the major benchmark of crude oil in the Americas. Because of its light consistency and low-sulfur content, the quality of WTI is considered to be high, and it yields a large fraction of gasoline when refined. Most WTI crude oil is sent via pipeline to Midwest refining centers, although much of this crude oil is also refined in the Gulf Coast region.

Texas's 26 petroleum refineries can process nearly 4.8 million barrels of crude oil per day, and they account for more than one-fourth of total U.S. refining capacity. Most of the State's refineries are clustered near major ports along the Gulf Coast, including Houston, Port Arthur, and Corpus Christi. These coastal refineries have access to local Texas production, foreign imports, and oil produced offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the U.S. government's Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which operates two large storage facilities in Bryan Mound and Big Hill, Texas. Many of Texas's refineries are sophisticated facilities that use additional refining processes beyond simple distillation to yield a larger quantity of lighter, higher value products, such as gasoline. Because of this downstream capability, Texas refineries often process a wide variety of crude oil types from around the world, including heavier, lower value varieties.

Refineries in the Houston area, including the Baytown refinery, the Nation's largest refinery, make up the largest refining center in the United States. From Houston, refined product pipelines spread across the country, allowing Texas petroleum products to reach virtually every major consumption market east of the Rocky Mountains. This network includes the Colonial Pipeline system (Koch), which is the largest petroleum product pipeline system in the United States and is vital for supplying markets throughout the South and East Coast.

Texas's total petroleum consumption is the highest in the Nation, and the State leads the country in consumption of asphalt and road oil, distillate fuel oil, jet fuel, liquefied petroleum gases (LPG), and lubricants. Texas LPG use is greater than the LPG consumption of all other States combined, due primarily to the State's active petrochemical industry, which is the largest in the United States. Four separate motor gasoline blends are required in Texas to meet the diverse air quality needs of different parts of the State, including reformulated motor gasoline blended with ethanol required in the metropolitan areas of Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth. The agriculture-rich Texas Panhandle has several corn- and milo-based ethanol plants that are operational or under construction.

===Natural Gas===
Texas is the Nation's leading natural gas producer, accounting for more than one-fourth of total U.S. natural gas production. In the early days of Texas oil production, natural gas found with oil was largely considered a nuisance and was often flared (burned off) at the wellhead. Although some Texas cities and towns located near oil fields began using natural gas for energy, it was not until the State banned flaring after World War II that oil producers began to find new markets for natural gas. Two pipelines that once carried crude oil to the East Coast were converted to carry natural gas, and a new natural gas pipeline to California was built, setting the stage for strong natural gas production growth in the 1950s and 60s. Texas natural gas production reached its peak in 1972 at more than 9.6 billion cubic feet of annual production. Since then, output has declined steadily to less than three-fifths of that level.

Today, an expansive network of interstate natural gas pipelines extends from Texas, reaching consumption markets from coast to coast, including those in California, the Midwest, the East Coast, and New England. Texas has 10 natural gas market hubs located in both East and West Texas, more than any other State, and its natural gas storage capacity is among the highest in the Nation. Most of Texas's 34 active storage facilities are depleted oil and gas fields converted for storage use, although many sites have also been developed in salt dome formations. These storage facilities allow Texas to store its natural gas production during the summer when national demand is typically lower and to ramp up delivery quickly during the winter months when markets across the country require greater volumes of natural gas to meet their home heating needs. However, due to the growing use of natural gas for electricity generation in the United States, Texas has occasionally withdrawn natural gas from storage during the summer months to help meet peak electricity demand for air-conditioning use.

Texas consumes more natural gas than any other State and accounts for about one-fifth of total U.S. natural gas consumption. Texas natural gas demand is dominated by the industrial and electric power sectors, which together account for more than four-fifths of State use. Because Texas demand is high, and because the State's natural gas infrastructure is well connected to consumption markets throughout the country, several companies have proposed building liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals along the Gulf Coast in Texas.

===Coal, Electricity, and Renewables===
Natural gas-fired power plants typically account for about one-half of the electricity produced in Texas and coal-fired plants account for much of the remaining generation. Although Texas produces a substantial amount of coal from 13 surface mines, including five of the 50 largest in the United States, the State relies on rail deliveries of subbituminous coal from Wyoming for the majority of its supply. Nearly all of the coal mined in Texas is lignite coal, the lowest grade of coal, and all of it is consumed in the State, mostly in arrangements where a single utility operates both the mine and an adjacent coal-fired power plant. Although lower in energy content than other varieties of coal, lignite coal is also low in sulfur, an important consideration in the State's efforts to lower emissions. Texas consumes more coal than any other State and its emissions of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide are among the highest in the Nation.

Texas is a major nuclear power generating State. Two nuclear plants, Comanche Peak and South Texas Project, typically account for about one-tenth of the State's electric power production. Until the recent uprating (capacity improvement) of the Number 2 reactor at Palo Verde in Arizona, the two South Texas Project nuclear reactors were the largest in the Nation.

Commentators have described Texas as a "green energy giant."<ref>Lindquist, Nick (August 14, 2019). [https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/457353-deregulated-energy-markets-made-texas-a-clean-energy-giant Deregulated energy markets made Texas a clean energy giant]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved August 14, 2019.</ref> Although renewable energy sources contribute minimally to the Texas power grid, Texas leads the Nation in wind-powered generation capacity, and substantial new wind generation capacity is under construction in Texas. Texas surpassed California as the country's largest wind energy producer in 2006. Currently, there are over 2,000 wind turbines in West Texas alone, and the numbers continue to increase as development costs continue to drop and wind turbine technology improves. At 736 MW, the Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center in central Texas is the largest wind power facility in the world.

Texas produces and consumes more electricity than any other State. Despite large net interstate electricity imports in some areas, the Texas Interconnect power grid is largely isolated from the integrated power systems serving the eastern and western United States, and most areas of Texas have little ability to export or import electricity to and from other States; this was a major contributor to the near-collapse of the power grid during extremely cold weather in mid-February 2021. Texas per capita residential use of electricity is significantly higher than the national average, due to high demand for electric air-conditioning during hot summer months and the widespread use of electricity as the primary energy source for home heating during typically mild winter months.

==Education==
The weakness of education in Texas has always been (and still is) an important priority. The Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico included the following grievance against the government of Mexico pertaining to education:

<blockquote>''It has failed to establish any public system of education, although possessed of almost boundless resources, (the public domain,) and although it is an axiom in political science, that unless a people are educated and enlightened, it is idle to expect the continuance of civil liberty, or the capacity for self government.''</blockquote>

Even today, Texas is considered in the forefront of education in the country as the [[No Child Left Behind|No Child Left Behind Act]] was implemented. The administration of George W. Bush used Texas as a model for many of the reforms in the NCLB Act because of his previous experiences as governor of Texas. Further, Texas has never implemented [[Common Core]] officially (though many urban and highly liberal school districts have adopted it in stealth form).

In 2006 Texas ranked #25 out of 50 states on a composite index of public education.<ref>[http://www.morganquitno.com/edrank.htm See "Which State Is Smartest?" (2007) at]</ref>
Texas ranks:<ref>see Carol Keeton Strayhorn, Texas State Comptroller, "Major Challenges Facing Texas Education Today" at [http://www.window.state.tx.us/comptrol/wwstand/wws0512ed/]</ref>
* #49 in verbal SAT scores in the nation (493) and #46 in average math SAT scores (502).
* #36 in the nation in high school graduation rates (68%).
* #33 in the nation in teacher salaries. Teacher salaries in Texas are not keeping pace with the national average. The gains realized from the last state-funded across-the-board pay raise authorized in 1999, which moved the ranking from 33 to as high as 26th in the nation, have disappeared over the last five years.
* Texas was the only state in the nation to cut average per pupil expenditures in fiscal year 2005, resulting in a ranking of #40 nationally, down from #25 in fiscal year 1999.
* #6 in the nation in student growth. The general student population in Texas public schools grew by 11.1% between school years 1999 and 2005, with the largest percentage of growth seen among low income and minority children.

===Public Education===
The Texas public education system consists of 1,033 independent and common school districts. There are an additional 190 [[charter school]] districts. Public school enrollment has continued to increase at a rapid pace. In the 2000-2001 school year, public school enrollment was at 4,059,619 students. By the 2006-2007 school year, the public school enrollment had increased by over 500,000 students to a mark of 4,594,942 students.

See also: [[Texas schools]]

===Higher Education===
The University of Texas System and the Texas A&M System are two of the largest higher education systems in the nation, with numerous branch campuses. The [[University of Texas at Austin]] is the largest institution in the UT System, while [[Texas A and M University|Texas A&M]] is the flagship of the rival system. Thanks to ownership of oil fields, their endowments in 2006 reached $13.2 billion and $5.6 billion.

The best endowed private schools were [[Rice University]] in Houston with $4.0 billion, [[Southern Methodist University]] in Dallas ($1.1 billion); Baylor College of Medicine ($1.0 billion; despite its name it is no longer affiliated with [[Baylor University]]), and [[Texas Christian University]] in Ft. Worth ($1.0 billion). [[Baylor University]], the largest Baptist university in the United States (and possibly the world), is located in Waco.

==Notable Texans==
[[File:Texascapbuilding.JPG‎|thumb|370px|The Texas capitol building in [[Austin]].]]
*[[Harry McLeary Wurzbach]], Republican representative from the 14th congressional district during the early 1900s
*[[Greg Abbott]], prominent Texas politician who served as Attorney General from 2002 to 2015 and as Texas governor since 2015
*[[Lance Armstrong]], who held the record for most consecutive [[Tour de France]] victories before being stripped of his titles, was born in Plano.
*[[Minnie Bradley]], woman rancher.
*[[George Herbert Walker Bush]], former U.S. President and Vice President
*[[George W. Bush]], 43rd President of the United States, former Governor of Texas.
*[[Dan Crenshaw]], Texas Republican congressional nominee in 2018 who lost an eye in the Afghanistan War
*[[Ted Cruz]], Texas Solicitor General, U. S. Senator, and Republican presidential candidate
*[[Rick Perry]], a prominent Texas politician, served as Texas Governor and U.S. Secretary of Energy
*[[Ron Paul]], U.S. Representative, physician, and notable libertarian-conservative activist, lived and worked in Texas
*[[Lou Dobbs]], television/radio host and conservative commentator, born and raised in Texas
*[[Henry Morris]], hydrologist and prominent [[creation scientist]], born and raised in Texas
*[[Chuck Norris]], actor, producer, and conservative/Christian activist, lives in Texas
*[[Bill Engvall]], standup comedian
*[[Pat Garrett]], the policeman who shot [[Billy the Kid]], lived in multiple locations in Texas.
*[[Sam Houston]], the first president of the Republic of Texas; the large city of [[Houston, Texas|Houston]] is named in his honor.
*[[Lyndon B. Johnson]], former president, lived and died in Stonewall.
*[[Alex Jones]], [[libertarian]] and [[paleoconservative]] commentator
*[[George Jones]], deceased country, rock, and gospel singer
*[[W. Lee O'Daniel]], governor and U.S. senator; radio broadcaster
*[[Dan Patrick]], conservative talk radio host and radio station owner and Texas lieutenant governor
*[[Angela Paxton]], state senator
*[[Ken Paxton]], Texas attorney general since 2015
*[[Ross Perot]], former presidential candidate who lived in Dallas until he died in 2019

==See also==
*[[History of Texas]]

==Bibliography - Further Reading==
*[http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/ The Handbook of Texas Online] ''- Published by the Texas State Historical Association'': thousands of scholarly articles on every aspect of Texas history
* [http://www.texasalmanac.com/ ''texas Almanac'', annual compendium of statistics]
* Bailey, Alvin R., Jr. and Light Townsend Cummins, eds. ''A Guide to the History of Texas.'' 1988. [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=71910759 online edition]
* Campbell, Randolph B. ''Gone to Texas: a History of the Lone Star State'' (Oxford University Press, 2003, 500 pages), standard scholarly survey [https://www.amazon.com/Gone-Texas-History-Lone-State/dp/0195138430/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190683778&sr=8-3 excerpt and text search]; also [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=103945805 complete online edition]
* Fehrenbach, T. R. ''Lone Star: A History of Texas and the Texans'' (2007), popular survey [https://www.amazon.com/Lone-Star-T-R-Fehrenbach/dp/1579125379/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190683778&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]
* [[Archie P. McDonald|McDonald, Archie P.]] ''Texas: A Compact History'' (2007) [https://www.amazon.com/Texas-Compact-Archie-P-McDonald/dp/193333715X/ref=pd_bbs_4/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190683778&sr=8-4 excerpt and text search]
*Wooster, Ralph A. and [[Robert A. Calvert]], eds. ''Texas Vistas'' (1987), reprinted scholarly essays

==External links==
* [https://www.texas.gov/ Official State of Texas website]
* [https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/48,54,00 Demographic profile] on [[U.S. Census Bureau]] official website
* [https://www.tshaonline.org/home/ Texas State Historical Association]
* [http://www.city-data.com/city/Texas.html Texas Cities] via ''city-data.com''

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{USstates}}

[[Category:Texas| ]]
[[Category:Red States]]

NFL values

2026-10-19T04:02:02Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved NFL values

{{See also|Unplug the NFL}}
{{See also|Lifespan of NFL players and fans}}
'''NFL values''' are the [[demonic]] values of [[NFL]] owners and employees who harm players and fans, and loot the Nation for the enrichment of a few.

Far from being pro-athlete or [[charity|charitable]], NFL values are full of jealousy of talented, intelligent players and opposed to anyone who espouses [[Christian]] values.

NFL values include the following:

*Only after [[Taylor Swift]] donated to the family of the woman murdered at the [[Super Bowl]] victory parade did the [[NFL]] also contribute something -- perhaps less than Swift's donation as part of a joint donation -- to a victims' fund.
*As reported on Dec. 31, 2023, "Panthers owner David Tepper appears to throw drink toward Jaguars fans from luxury box during 26-0 Carolina loss."<ref>https://www.aol.com/sports/panthers-owner-david-tepper-appears-235644958.html</ref>
*In an example of [[demonic]] behavior, fans at the Dec. 15, 1968 [[NFL]] game started pelting with snowballs a young man dressed up as [[Santa Claus]], including one that hit him in the face, and this became known as the "Snowball Game."<ref>https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/sports/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/eagles-fans-santa-snowballs/3729526/</ref>
*Star NFL player Aaron Hernandez committed murder (as convicted at trial) and later hanged himself in prison when serving a life sentence, while his team, the New England Patriots, covered up for it by giving outspokenly [[Christian]] [[Tim Tebow]] an [[NFL sham tryout]] to deflect from the scandal.
*Using astroturf even though players prefer grass, which many feel is less injury-prone. Four-time MVP QB [[Aaron Rodgers]] suffered a season-ending tear of his Achilles Heel on his very first drive for the NY Jets on astroturf on Sept. 11, 2023.
*Doing nothing to protect society from [[NFL]] veterans who then allegedly commit heinous crimes, such as the NFL veteran Sergio Brown arrested in [[Mexico]] in October 2023, who is expected to be charged with murdering his mother.<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/police-say-former-nfl-player-sergio-brown-will-face-murder-charges-in-the-killing-of-his-mother-here-s-what-we-know/ar-AA1i5bDy</ref>
*NFL player Travis Kelce was photographed in October 2023 by paparazzi smoking something in his car (tobacco seemed unlikely since very few pro athletes smoke cigarettes), while a few months earlier he stated that about “50-80%” of NFL players use [[marijuana]].<ref>https://atlantablackstar.com/2023/10/12/travis-kelce-was-smoking-in-his-ride-chiefs-tightend/</ref>
*Shamelessly promoting [[Taylor Swift]] due to her relationship with the aforementioned, apparently drug user Travis Kelce. Even longtime NFL fans were upset by the constant promotion of Swift.
*Violent fights among NFL fans at games leave blood on the floor, and even result in death, which the league does nothing to prevent.<ref>https://www.altoonamirror.com/sports/2023/09/nfl-needs-to-address-fan-violence/</ref>
*Superstar Bubba Smith persuasively and persistently alleged that the 1969 [[Super Bowl]], in which he played, was fixed to enable the heavy underdog Jets to win while the favored Colts' owner wagered against his team, yet the NFL apparently never investigated Smith's allegations.<ref>https://www.ibtimes.com/bubba-smith-always-alleged-69-super-bowl-was-fixed-823441</ref> A play-by-play of that game, which includes the quarterback ignoring the wide-open primary receiver on a trick flea-flicker play and instead tossing an interception, is provided in detail by ''[[USA Today]]''.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20110211184638/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nfl/super/superbowl-iii-plays.htm</ref>
*The NFL promoted Tom Brady ceaselessly over two decades, despite the fact that Brady was never able to succeed without four different factors being tilted in his favor. First, Brady relied on having his opponents' practices videotaped and relayed to him prior to the game. [[Spygate]] Second, Brady never succeeded without having the football inflated to less than the regulation pressure. Indeed, he was suspended for relying on improperly inflated balls during a game against the Colts; few of his successes came after the revelation of this fact. Third, Brady's failures were consistently masked by NFL officials' invoking obscure and hitherto unenforced rules, such as the so-called "tuck game", where Brady had been clearly defeated. Finally, Brady played over quarterbacks of superior ability on the roster such as Tim Tebow. Tebow's unfair exclusion from the NFL is compelling evidence against the idea, espoused by liberals, that the NFL is meritocratic.

== References ==
{{reflist}}
[[category:NFL]]

RINO

2026-10-18T23:56:29Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved RINO

[[File:RINO.PNG|right|300px|thumbnail|Symbol for a RINO.]]
A '''RINO''' ('''R'''epublican '''I'''n '''N'''ame '''O'''nly) is an officeholder or candidate who is a member of the [[Republican Party]], but holds views contrary to the [[Politics|political]] [[leftism|left]] of most Republican voters, or simply does whatever the [[liberal media]] wants. Since elected GOP officials tend to be less [[conservative]] than the party base, a relatively large number of RINOs are entrenched members of the party organization. They also tend to resort to [[cronyism]] to fill key government positions, and are often career politicians. Some conservative commentators have also referred to them as '''RUNTs''' ('''R'''epublican '''U'''nder '''N'''ominal '''T'''erms),<ref>Kassam, Raheem (September 27, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/09/27/size-matters-9-point-alabama-win-forced-corker-out-others-follow/ Size Matters: The 9-Point Alabama Win Is What Forced Corker out, Others May Follow]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 30, 2017.</ref> while another, less frequently used term for them is a '''[[DIAN]]''' ('''D'''emocrat '''I'''n '''A'''ll but '''N'''ame) because of their embracing of most of the [[Democrat Party]]'s social and fiscal platforms while operating nominally as a Republican.<ref>[https://www.commdiginews.com/politics-2/democrat-cochran-dian-mississippi-20274/ In bed with Democrats, Cochran now a DIAN: Democrat In All But Name] at Communities Digital News</ref> RINOs have been said to be "controlled opposition" to the Democrats - with the Democrats doing the controlling.<ref>[https://www.quora.com/What-is-a-RINO-republican What is a RINO Republican?]</ref>

In the [[Trump]] era, RINOs hold two conflicting doctrines - the post-[[Cold War]] [[neocon]] [[Wolfowitz Doctrine]] of American [[unipolar]] supremacy at all costs, and the Trump Doctrine of America First, recognizing American global [[hegemony]] had bankrupted the country [[economic]]ally, [[moral]]ly, and [[spirit]]ually.

In 2022, a prominent [[RINO]] was Rep. [[Liz Cheney]] (R-WY), who lost by a landslide in her own [[Republican]] primary and could not prevail even with cross-over Democrat voters supporting her.

RINOs are often Republican only to the extent it serves their own interests, and will abandon conservative principles as soon as it is in their own political interests to do so. RINOs often provide support for raising [[tax]]es, [[abortion]] as [[Pro-choice|a "right"]], [[homosexual rights|homosexual "rights"]] and [[gun control]]. Some RINOs have connections with [[Planned Parenthood]] or corporations that support goals of [[population control]]; other RINOs pay lip service to [[pro-life]] values while in practice not advancing those values. Examples include [[John Kasich]] and [[Chris Christie]].

Another common brand of RINOs appears to be somewhat conservative on social and fiscal policy, but supports unrestricted [[immigration]] and [[open borders]] policies, usually in an attempt to pander to Hispanics and Asians who they claim are socially conservative. These groups continue to vote [[Democrat]] in large numbers anyway despite the pandering.

RINOs often confuse [[jingoism]] for [[patriotism]] and support [[neoconservative]] [[foreign policy]], [[perpetual war]]s, and the [[military industrial complex]] at the expense of the American people. Examples include [[Lindsey Graham]], [[Nikki Haley]], [[Jeb Bush]], [[Dan Crenshaw]], [[Jeff Flake]], and [[Marco Rubio]].

[[Double standard]]s by RINOs are common: a birther comment by [[Romney]] during his campaign was supposedly a "nothing", but [[Todd Akin]]'s [[pro-life]] comment would somehow "absolutely" cost RINOs control of the [[U.S. Senate]]!<ref>http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2012/08/todd-akin-rape-missouri-senate-race-reince-priebus-/1#.UDpUhNZlQ7s</ref>

RINOs typically come from [[Democrat]] strongholds in [[New England]], the Mid-Atlantic, or states on the [[Left Coast]] where local GOP organizations are weak or nonexistent. Many are Reform-Democrats who cannot advance in corrupt Democrat political machines. A less-used term is '''cafeteria conservative''', for a person who picks and chooses which [[conservative]] principles to believe, as a person might choose foods in a cafeteria instead of ordering the full-course ''menu'' selected by the chef at most restaurants.<ref>[http://www.manp.org/association-spotlight/archives/james-carville-mary-matalin-he-said-she-said James Carville & Mary Matalin: He Said, She Said]</ref> In contrast to RINOs and cafeteria conservatives, [[movement conservative]]s understand that since conservative philosophy is a coherent whole, it is untenable to discard part of it without discarding all of it.
[[File:McConnell.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Mitch McConnell]] the Republican Senate Minority Leader, is a RINO.]]
A majority of the [[Young Republicans]] leadership are also RINOs and use the [[Twitter]] hashtag #RINOsUnite and #YRMafia.

The RINO targets of attack argue they follow [[middle of the road]] policies and are not liberals; they claim they get results, and insist that without them the [[United States Congress|Congress]] would be totally controlled by liberal Democrats and Republicans would rarely have any success. Conservatives respond that in the heyday of "[[Liberal Republican|Rockefeller liberalism]]" in the GOP the Democrats always controlled Congress, and the GOP only took power when [[Newt Gingrich]] launched a national conservative "Contract with America" in 1994, ending 40 years of Democrat control of the [[United States House of Representatives|House]]. The notion that we need to elect Democrat-lite types of politicians is false. The election cycles of 2010 and 2012 proved that many RINO candidates are unelectable. RINO candidates wasted millions of dollars; Meg Whitman, Scott Brown, Linda McMahon, and many others could not connect with the people in liberal blue states.

In recent Republican [[Primary election|primaries]], voters have been rejecting establishment RINOs in favor of those with stronger conservative principles. Their commitment to self and not party is evident in their refusal to endorse the candidate that beats them. In some instances, they refuse the will of the voters and their party by running for office on an [[Independent candidate|independent ticket]]. It is important to vote for someone who's more conservative on the issues rather than for a Republican because anyone can join a party and be they can be RINOs.
In Presidential primaries, however, RINOs are often heavily favored. In 2008 and 2012, RINO [[warmonger]]s [[John McCain]] and [[Mitt Romney]] were nominated, respectively and RINOs such as [[Chris Christie]] were considered for 2016. President Trump has since worked to expose the RINOs, accurately calling them 'the lowest form of human life.<ref>https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-calls-rinos-lowest-form-human-life-six-days-out-election-1543080</ref>

[[Mitch McConnell]], the Republican Senate Minority Leader, is a RINO.

==Former RINOs who have since left the Republican Party==
[[File:Specter-0.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Arlen Specter]], author of the "magic bullet" theory.<ref>https://twitter.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1700688502826938588</ref> ]]
* Former [[New Mexico]] Governor [[Gary Johnson]] supports same-sex "marriage" and abortion (although he opposes abortion once the fetus becomes viable outside the mother's body). After switching to the [[Libertarian Party]] in 2012 to run for President, he openly admitted that he governed New Mexico for eight years as a RINO, even using the phrase "Republican in name only" on multiple occasions. The Libertarian Party is [[liberal]] on social issues (with the exception that they support [[gun rights]]) but is fiscally very conservative.

* Former Senator [[Arlen Specter]] of [[Pennsylvania]] supported ObamaCare and switched from the Republican Party to the Democrat Party to give the latter a 60-40 edge in the Senate and allow them to enact [[cloture]] on the Republican [[filibuster]]. He had also been a Democrat until he switched to Republican affiliation in 1965 in his successful race for district attorney in [[Philadelphia]].

* Former [[New York City]] [[Mayor]] [[John V. Lindsay]] in 1969 won reelection on the Liberal Party slate and two years later switched to Democrat and fared poorly in a bid for his new party's presidential nomination.

* Former Senator [[Lincoln Chafee]] of [[Rhode Island]], who became an Independent in 2007 and Turned Democrat in 2013.<ref>https://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/lincoln-chafee-to-switch-parties-sources-say-91994.html</ref>

* Former Senator Lowell Weicker of [[Connecticut]], who left the party and formed his own local one in 1990, then became an Independent in 1995.

* Former New York City Mayor [[Michael Bloomberg]] became an Independent in 2007. As it is not possible to campaign as an Independent in New York State, Bloomberg ran on the line of the [[Independence Party of New York]]. In 2020, he emerged as a failed candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.

* Former Senator [[Jim Jeffords]] of [[Vermont]], who left the Party and became a Democrat in 2001, giving control of the [[United States Senate|Senate]] to the Democrats.

* Former Governor [[Charlie Crist]] of [[Florida]], who became an independent in 2010, after it was clear he would lose his Senate bid. Crist joined the [[Democrat Party]] in 2012, and is now running for Florida Governor once again, this time as a Democrat.

* Former Representative [[John Anderson]] of [[Illinois]], who became an Independent after losing his party's presidential primary in 1980.

* Former Governor [[Buddy Roemer]] of [[Louisiana]], who became an Independent after losing his party's presidential primary in 2012.

*Disgraced former [[FBI]] Director [[James Comey]], who became an Independent in 2016.

*Representative [[Justin Amash]] supported [[impeachment and removal|impeachment]] of President [[Donald Trump]] and left the Republican Party in 2019 to become an Independent, before joining the [[Libertarian Party]] soon afterward.

==RINO John McCain==

[[File:McCain Tyahnybok2.PNG|right|300px|thumb|RINO [[John McCain]] with [[neo-Nazi]] [[Oleh Tyahnybok]]<ref>[https://rumble.com/vwytea-u.s.-backed-svobodas-oleh-tyahnybok-overthrows-ukrainian-government.html?mref=6zof&mrefc=2 U.S.-Backed Svoboda's Oleh Tyahnybok Overthrows Ukrainian Government], KanekoaTheGreat, March 2022. Rumble.</ref> during the [[Obama]]-backed [[Maidan coup]].]]

A majority of conservatives distrusted the late RINO [[John McCain]] even though some of his policies were those of a true conservative. Key RINO principles rejected by McCain included support for [[homosexual "rights"]], [[abortion]], and [[earmark]]s. He positioned his career as a bipartisan moderate, reaching across the aisle whenever possible. This was also his downfall. The era of reaching across the aisle passed when [[statist]], [[socialist]] Democrats became Senators. His major political blunders mostly came during the 21st-century political period. He was against both the Reagan and Bush [[tax cuts]], and employed [[class warfare]] rhetoric in trying to stop the tax cuts from taking effect. His support for amnesty was the complete opposite of what conservatives wanted. During non-election years, he liked to trash conservative positions and icons in order to get the approval of the [[Establishment]]. However, during the election, he refused to go after [[Barack Hussein Obama]]'s associations with [[Jeremiah Wright]]. He believes in the junk science known as [[global warming]], and has supported cap-and-trade programs. McCain supported more [[Middle East]]ern wars, without goals, without full commitment to win, and without Congressional approval. McCain personally participated and influenced the [[illegal]] 2014 [[Maidan coup]] which overthrew the [[democracy|democratically]] elected government of [[Ukraine]] and brought a [[neo-fascist]] puppet regime to power. McCain authored the first [[Russian sanctions]] bill that destabilized the global [[economy]]. During the 2016 election, McCain [[Never Trump movement|refused to support President Trump]] and in 2018, he stated that he regretted picking populist patriot [[Sarah Palin]] as his 2008 running mate.

John McCain's late-night thumbs-down vote halted the Republican Party's most promising effort to overturn [[ObamaCare]].<ref>[https://www.c-span.org/video/?431873-13/senator-mccain-votes-health-care-repeal Senator McCain Votes Against Health Care Repeal], C-Span</ref>

== See also ==

<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">

*[[RINO Backers]]
*[[Never Trump movement]]
*[[Conservative Inc.]]
*[[Opposition to Donald Trump]]
*[[Token conservative]]
*[[Republicans for Obama]]
*[[PLINO]] - [[pro-life]] in name only
*[[XINO]] - [[Christian]] in name only
*[[Catholic in name only]]
*[[Registered Republican]]
*[[Moderate Republican]]
*[[Conservative Democrat]]
*[[Blue Dog Democrat]]
*[[Reagan Democrat]]
*[[O’Sullivan’s First Law]]
*[[Steve Schmidt]]
*[[A.J. Delgado]]
*[[Republican Atheists]]
*[[Nancy Landon Kassebaum Baker]]
*[[Jacob Javits]]
*[[Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.]]
*[[Rockefeller Republican]]
*[[Ukraine aid]]
</div>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==

* [https://politicaldictionary.com/words/rino/ RINO], Political Dictionary
* [http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/05/1615233/in-senate-primary-california-republicans.html In Senate primary, California Republicans run away from RINO label]
* [http://www.commieblaster.com/RINO/index.html CommieBlaster RINO Index]

{{Republican establishment}}
{{globalism}}
{{Liberalism}}
[[Category:Establishment|*]]
[[Category:Conservative]]
[[Category:RINOs|*]]
[[Category:Threats]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]
[[Category:Acronyms]]
[[Category:Government incompetence]]
[[Category:Neoconservativism]]
[[Category:Globalism]]

Greg Abbott

2026-10-18T23:04:46Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Greg Abbott

{{Officeholder
|name=Greg Abbott
|image=Greg Abbott.jpg
|party=[[Republican Party|Republican]]
|spouse=Cecilia Phalen
|religion=[[Roman Catholic]]
|offices=
{{Officeholder/governor
|number=48th
|state=Texas
|terms=January 20, 2015 – present
|lieutenant=[[Dan Patrick]]
|preceded=[[Rick Perry]]
|succeeded=
|former=n
}}
{{Officeholder/attorneygeneral
|jurisdiction=Texas
|number=50th
|deputy=n
|governor=[[Rick Perry]]
|terms=December 2, 2002 – January 5, 2015
|preceded=[[John Cornyn]]
|succeeded=[[Ken Paxton]]
}}
{{Officeholder/misc
|office=Associate Justice of the Texas Supreme Court
|terms=1996–2001
|preceded=Jack Hightower
|succeeded=Xavier Rodriguez
}}
}}
'''Gregory Wayne "Greg" Abbott''' (born November 13, 1957<ref name="Directory"/>) is the increasingly moderate [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[governor]] of [[Texas]], a position which he has held since January 2015. Previously, he was an associate justice of the Texas Supreme Court from 1995 to 2001 and the [[attorney general]] of his state from 2002 to 2015. Gov. Abbott governs in a petty way for the [[liberal agenda]] of the [[Texas oligarchy]], which includes vindictively vetoing good bills based on which Republican sponsored it<ref>https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/14/greg-abbott-veto-threat-property-taxes/</ref> and deceptively pushing for the [[Paxton Impeachment]] (which later failed), without even giving voters proper notice. On June 16, 2023, Abbott continued his vindictive rampage of vetoing bills simply because they were sponsored by [[conservative]] senators opposed to him on the [[Texas oligarchy|oligarchs]]' demand for property tax cuts to benefit them.<ref>https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/15/greg-abbott-dan-patrick-veto-property-tax/</ref>

Abbott is a puppet for [[dark money]], as illustrated by his surprise trip to [[Israel]] during the last week of a contentious special legislative session that he called, which must have been paid for in connection with undisclosed actual or potential donors: "Abbott traveled to the [[Middle East]]ern country as his priority legislation over school vouchers was stalling and with less than a week before the special legislation session he called is set to conclude."<ref>https://www.texastribune.org/2023/11/02/greg-abbott-travels-israel-legislature/</ref>

Formerly [[conservative]], Abbott is largely under the influence of billionaire, corporate lobbyist donors to his campaign, in a state that has no campaign contribution limits. The [[Koch brothers]] network, to whom Abbott has made presentations and from whom he has received large contributions, induced Abbott to push as one of four "emergency items" for the biennial legislative session the [[Convention of States]] resolution in 2017<ref>https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor_abbott_delivers_state_of_the_state_address</ref> and to shy away from meaningful socially conservative legislation during his tenure. That resolution passed only with a compromise to include an 8-year sunset provision, but in 2023 Abbott was apparently quietly supporting repeal of that sunset, again to appease [[dark money|dark-money]] [[globalist]]s. In 2019 and again in 2021, the Texas legislature did not enact any significant conservative bills, and instead in 2019 Governor Abbott pushed unsuccessfully for an increase in the sales tax and advocated for banning businesses from asking for the criminal histories of potential employees.<ref>Horowitz, Daniel (August 20, 2019). [https://www.conservativereview.com/news/needs-leftists-gop-texas-gov-greg-abbott-endorses-radical-ban-box-pro-criminal-mandate-employers/ Who needs leftists? GOP Texas Gov. Greg Abbott endorses radical “ban the box” pro-criminal mandate on employers]. ''Conservative Review''. Retrieved August 20, 2019.</ref> '''''Meanwhile, Abbott does nothing meaningful to stop a flood of [[illegal alien]]s from pouring into the [[U.S.]] across the [[Texas]]-[[Mexico]] border''''', and was silent about the sham ambush [[impeachment and removal|impeachment]] of conservative [[Ken Paxton]] on May 27, 2023.

Abbott says that he's open to legalizing [[casino]]s in [[Texas]], while accepting a $1 million campaign contribution for reelection in 2022 from [[Las Vegas]] billionaire casino owner Miriam Adelson (wife of the late Sheldon Adelson).<ref>https://www.texastribune.org/2023/12/08/miriam-adelson-dallas-mavericks-legalize-casinos/</ref>

Abbott won a third term by prevailing in the Republican primary election held on March 1, 2022. With 1,270,401 votes (66.4 percent), Abbott turned back six opponents.<ref>Abbott ran 310,463 votes ahead of O'Rourke in their respective primaries. The total Republican gubernatorial turnout was 1,937,543 votes compared to the Democrats' 1,057,637, a difference of 879,906 votes in favor of the GOP. O'Rourke, meanwhile, polled 959,938 votes (91 percent) in his primary contest.</ref> The runners-up were two strong conservatives, former [[Florida]] [[U.S. Representative]] and former Texas state Republican chairman [[Allen West]], with 12.3 percent, and the well-financed former state Senator [[Don Huffines]] of [[Dallas]], who finished third with 12 percent of the primary ballots cast. In the general election on November 8, Abbott will face off against a determined bid by the Democrat former U.S. Representative [[Beto O'Rourke]] of [[El Paso]], who ran a strong but losing race in 2018 against Republican U.S. Senator [[Ted Cruz]]. Though he uses the [[Spanish]] nickname "Beto," O'Rourke is of [[Ireland|Irish]] descent.

==Background==
Abbott was born in [[Wichita Falls]], Texas, on November 13, 1957, and was reared in Longview, Texas<ref name="Directory"/> before graduating high school in [[Duncanville, Texas]]. He earned an undergraduate degree in finance from UT-Austin and a law degree at [[Vanderbilt University]].<ref name="Directory"/>

Abbott served from 1993 to 1995 as a trial judge on the 129th District Court.<ref name="Directory"/> In 1995, Texas governor [[George W. Bush]] appointed him to the Texas Supreme Court, and Abbott would remain a member of the court until he resigned in 2001.<ref name="Directory"/>

==Attorney General==
Abbott was first elected Texas AG in 2002.<ref name="Directory"/> He had a mostly conservative record and is known for successfully arguing before the [[Supreme Court]] in ''[[Van Orden v. Perry]]''.<ref name="Directory"/> Abbott sued the federal government 27 times during his tenure as Attorney General, and he served in that position until he began his term as Texas governor in 2015.<ref name="Directory"/>

==Texas governor==
===2014 election===
[[File:Texas Governor Election Results by County, 2014.svg.png|thumb|200px|left|Abbott won the 2014 election in a landslide, along with numerous other conservative Republicans.]]
Abbott won the 2014 general election with over 59 percent of the vote,<ref name="Directory">[https://www.texastribune.org/directory/greg-abbott/ Governor Greg Abbott]. ''The Texas Tribune''. Retrieved October 1, 2016.</ref><ref>Root, Jay (November 4, 2014). [https://www.texastribune.org/2014/11/04/abbott-crushes-wendy-davis-gop-sweep/ Abbott Crushes Davis in GOP Sweep]. ''The Texas Tribune''. Retrieved April 21, 2018.</ref><ref>Hoppe, Christy (November 5, 2014). [https://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-politics/2014/11/05/greg-abbott-tops-wendy-davis-in-texas-governor-s-race Greg Abbott tops Wendy Davis in Texas governor's race]. ''The Dallas Morning News''. Retrieved April 21, 2018.</ref> in an election that was a disaster for [[Democratic Party (USA)|Democrats]].<ref>Thorburn, Wayne (November 17, 2016). [https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/11/how-the-democrats-lost-texas-112956 How the Democrats Lost Texas]. ''Politico Magazine''. Retrieved October 1, 2016.</ref><ref>Hamilton, Reeve (November 5, 2014). [https://www.texastribune.org/2014/11/05/little-show-battleground-texas-fights/ What Went Wrong With Battleground Texas?] ''The Texas Tribune''. Retrieved April 21, 2018.</ref> In the same election, the [[Tea Party Movement|Tea Party]] made large gains in the state.<ref name="Grissom">Grissom, Brandi (May 28, 2014). [https://www.texastribune.org/2014/05/28/tea-party-conservatives-win-top-gop-runoff-contest/ Tea Party Conservatives Win Top GOP Runoff Contests]. ''The Texas Tribune''. Retrieved October 1, 2015.</ref> Abbott's campaign was praised for its effectiveness.<ref>Carney, Dave (February 6, 2015). [https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/02/greg-abbott-texas-114972 How We Won Texas]. ''Politico Magazine''. Retrieved October 1, 2016.</ref>

===2018 election===

In the Republican primary held on March 6, 2018, Abbott polled 1,392,294 votes (90.4 percent) over two minor intra-party rivals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://enrpages.sos.state.tx.us/public/mar06_325_state.htm?x=0&y=1394&id=142|title=Election Returns|date=March 6, 2018|publisher=Texas Secretary of State|accessdate=March 7, 2018}}</ref>

In the November 6 general election, Abbott defeated the [[liberal]] [[Lupe Valdez]], the former sheriff of Dallas County and an open lesbian, Abbott outpolled Valdez by nearly 956,000 votes in their respective party primaries.

===Gubernatorial tenure===
Abbott took office as governor on January 20, 2015.<ref name="Echoes">Fernandez, Manny (January 20, 2015). [https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/21/us/politics/new-texas-governor-greg-abbott-expected-to-continue-on-perrys-path.html Texas’ New Governor Echoes the Plans of Perry]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved October 1, 2016.</ref> Abbott called a special session in 2017, ordering the legislature to focus on conservative priorities.<ref>Price, Bob (June 6, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2017/06/06/texas-governor-calls-legislative-special-session-bathroom-bill-others/ Texas Governor Calls for Legislative Special Session for ‘Bathroom Bill’, Others]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 7, 2017.</ref> Despite Abbott's conservative views, some conservative commentators voiced their concerns that Texas bureaucrats were increasing Texas regulations and making it more like California.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2017/06/28/lennon-texas-bureaucrats-becoming-regulation-friendly-obama/ LENNON: Texas Bureaucrats Are Becoming More Regulation-friendly Than Obama]. ''Breitbart News''. June 28, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2017.</ref> However, the Trump Administration nominated several conservative judges who once were employees of Abbott,<ref>Platoff, Emma (April 3, 2018). [https://www.texastribune.org/2018/04/03/greg-abbott-andrew-oldham-fifth-circuit-judicial-appointees/ "A friendly vote on the court": How Greg Abbott's former employees could help Texas from the federal bench]. ''The Texas Tribune''. Retrieved May 17, 2018.</ref> and Abbott appointed several conservatives to the courts himself.<ref>Vertuno, Jim (March 7, 2019). [https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/texas/article/Texas-governor-fills-courts-with-GOP-judges-13670767.php Texas governor fills courts with GOP judges voters rejected]. ''Houston Chronicle'' (from the ''Associated Press''). Retrieved March 8, 2019.</ref>

====Abortion====
In late November 2016, Texas, under Abbott, approved new rules that would require aborted babies to receive a burial or cremation, proper for a real human being, rather than be disposed of in a sanitary landfill.<ref>Stack, Liam (November 30, 2016). [https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/30/us/texas-burial-aborted-fetuses.html Texas Will Require Burial of Aborted Fetuses]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved December 1, 2016.</ref><ref>Perchick, Michael (December 1, 2016). [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/12/01/new-texas-provisions-require-burial-cremation-aborted-fetuses/94721914/ New Texas provisions require burial or cremation of aborted fetuses]. ''USA Today'' (from ''KVUE-TV''). Retrieved December 1, 2016.</ref> Despite the common sense on protecting human life, a federal judge ruled against the law in late January 2017.<ref>Marissa Evans (January 27, 2017). [https://www.texastribune.org/2017/01/27/fetal-remains-ruling/ Federal court blocks Texas fetal remains burial rule]. ''The Texas Tribune''. Retrieved February 2, 2017.</ref>

In June 2017, Abbott signed a major [[pro-life]] bill into law banning dismemberment abortions, banning the sale of the body parts of aborted babies, and requiring the remains of the babies be either buried or cremated rather than disposed of in an inhumane manner.<ref>Multiple references:
*Price, Bob (June 7, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2017/06/07/texas-governor-inks-dismemberment-abortion-sale-body-parts-ban/ Texas Governor Inks Dismemberment Abortion, Sale of Body Parts Ban]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
*Mekelburg, Madlin (May 26, 2017). [https://www.dallasnews.com/news/texas-legislature/2017/05/26/sweeping-anti-abortion-bill-heads-gov-greg-abbotts-desk Sweeping anti-abortion bill heads to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk]. ''Dallas News''. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
*Gryboski, Michael (June 7, 2017). [http://www.christianpost.com/news/texas-governor-signs-abortion-dismemberment-ban-law-186867/ Texas Governor Signs Abortion Dismemberment Ban Into Law]. ''The Christian Post''. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
*Chretien, Claire (June 7, 2017). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/breaking-texas-governor-signs-law-banning-dismemberment-abortion Texas bans mutilating babies in abortion, selling their body parts]. ''LifeSite News''. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
*Russell, Nicole (July 6, 2017). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/texas-law-recognizes-human-life-critics-rage/article/2627828 Texas law recognizes human life, critics rage]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved July 6, 2017.</ref>

In June 2019, Abbott signed a bill into law banning local governments from funding abortion providers.<ref>Berry, Susan (June 11, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/06/11/texas-gov-greg-abbott-signs-bill-banning-funding-abortion-providers/ Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Bill Banning Funding of Abortion Providers]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 11, 2019.</ref><ref>Freiburger, Calvin (June 11, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/texas-bill-bans-cities-from-doing-business-with-planned-parenthood Texas prohibits cities from doing business with abortion providers like Planned Parenthood]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved June 11, 2019.</ref> Shortly afterward, he signed a bill protecting babies who survive abortions.<ref>Clabough, Raven (June 18, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/32632-texas-gov-signs-bill-to-protect-babies-born-alive-during-abortions Texas Governor Signs Bill to Protect Babies Born Alive During Abortions]. ''The New American''. Retrieved June 18, 2019. See also:
*Freiburger, Calvin (July 19, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/texas-gov-signs-bill-making-it-illegal-to-kill-a-child-who-survives-abortion Texas gov. signs bill making it illegal to kill babies who survive abortion]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
*Ertelt, Steven (July 18, 2019). [https://www.lifenews.com/2019/07/18/texas-gov-greg-abbott-signs-bill-to-stop-infanticide-care-for-babies-born-alive-after-abortion/ Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Bill to Stop Infanticide, Care for Babies Born Alive After Abortion]. ''LifeNews''. Retrieved July 19, 2019.</ref>

Gov. Abbott failed to make the [[Heartbeat Bill]] a priority in 2019 and it did not pass in the Texas House of Representatives. Abbott's spokesman issued an ambiguous statement claiming that Abbott is [[pro-life]], yet not explaining why he allowed this bill to be blocked by Republicans.<ref>https://thetexan.news/texas-heartbeat-bill-on-life-support-stalled-in-the-house/</ref> In 2021, the legislature did pass the Heartbeat Act, which Abbott signed into law. The measure is being challenged before the [[United States Supreme Court]], which has permitted implementation of the law pending judicial review.

====Religious liberty====
On June 11, 2015, Abbott signed an act into law that gives pastors the right to refuse to "marry" homosexual couples if it violates their conscience.<ref>Crampton, Liz (June 11, 2015). [https://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/11/gov-abbott-signs-pastor-protection-act/ Abbott Signs "Pastor Protection Act" Into Law]. ''The Texas Tribune''. Retrieved October 1, 2016.</ref>

On May 21, 2017, Abbott signed Senate Bill 24 into law, preventing state or local governments from subpoenaing pastors' sermons.<ref name="SvitekSubpoenas">{{cite web | last1=Svitek | first1=Patrick | title=Abbott Signs Bill Protecting Sermons from Subpoenas | url=https://www.texastribune.org/2017/05/21/abbott-signs-bill-protecting-sermons-subpoenas/ | date=May 21, 2017 | publisher=''The Texas Tribune'' | accessdate=May 22, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Abbott Signs Bill Preventing Government From Subpoenaing Sermons | url=http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/05/21/abbott-signs-bill-preventing-government-subpoenaing-sermons/ | date=May 21, 2017 | publisher=CBS DFW | accessdate=May 22, 2017}}</ref> This bill was inspired by an [[Homosexual Agenda|pro-homosexual]] "anti-discrimination" ordinance in [[Houston]], where five sermons were subpoenaed.<ref name="SvitekSubpoenas"/>

On June 15, 2017, Abbott signed H.B. 3859 into law, which gave adoption agencies to refuse to let homosexual couples adopt the children under their care due to religious reasons.<ref>Multiple references:
*Gryboski, Michael (June 16, 2017). [http://www.christianpost.com/news/texas-governor-greg-abbott-bill-protecting-faith-based-adoption-188222/ Texas Gov. Signs Bill Protecting Religious Freedom of Faith-Based Adoption Groups]. ''The Christian Post''. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
*Evans, Marissa (June 15, 2017). [https://www.texastribune.org/2017/06/15/abbott-signs-religious-protections-child-welfare-agencies/ Abbott OKs religious refusal of adoptions in Texas]. ''The Texas Tribune''. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
*Gill, Joshua (June 16, 2017). [https://dailycaller.com/2017/06/16/religious-adoption-agencies-can-reject-lgbt-parents-in-texas/ Religious Adoption Agencies Can Reject LGBT Parents In Texas]. ''The Daily Caller''. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
*LaBarbera, Peter (June 16, 2017). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/new-law-christian-adoption-agencies-wont-be-forced-to-give-kids-to-gay-coup New law: Christian adoption agencies won’t be forced to give kids to gay couples in Texas]. ''LifeSite News''. Retrieved June 25, 2017.</ref> This law caused [[California]], a left-wing Democrat state, to add Texas to its governmental travel ban list.<ref>Multiple references:
*Watkins, Matthew (June 22, 2017). [https://www.texastribune.org/2017/06/22/citing-religious-refusal-adoption-rule-california-bans-state-travel-te/ Citing religious refusal of adoption rule, California bans state travel to Texas]. ''The Texas Tribune''. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
*Price, Bob (June 22, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2017/06/22/california-attacks-texas-travel-ban-alleged-lgbt-discrimination/ California Attacks Texas with Travel Ban over Alleged LGBT Discrimination]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 26, 2017.</ref>

On June 11, 2019, Abbott signed a bill into law which protected private organizations from any type of punishment for actions they took because of their religious beliefs.<ref>Multiple references:
*Tennant, Michael (June 13, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/32581-texas-governor-signs-save-chick-fil-a-bill Texas Governor Signs “Save Chick-fil-A” Bill]. ''The New American''. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
*Bowden, John (June 11, 2019). [https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/448065-texas-governor-signs-save-chick-fil-a-bill Texas governor signs 'Save Chick-fil-A' bill]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
*Kaplan, Talia (June 11, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/texas-governor-save-chick-fil-a-bill-law Texas governor signs controversial 'Save Chick-fil-A' bill into law]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
See also:
*Axelrod, Tal (July 19, 2019). [https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/453978-texas-governor-holds-ceremonial-signing-of-save-chick-fil-a Texas governor holds ceremonial signing of 'Save Chick-fil-A' bill]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
*Halaschak, Zachary (July 20, 2019). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/texas-governor-ceremoniously-signs-chick-fil-a-bill Texas governor ceremoniously signs 'Chick-fil-A bill']. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
*Berry, Susan (July 20, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/07/20/gov-greg-abbott-signs-chick-fil-a-bill-into-law-protect-religious-liberty/ Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Chick-fil-A Bill into Law to ‘Protect Religious Liberty’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
*Freiburger, Calvin (July 23, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/texas-governor-signs-save-chick-fil-a-bill-protecting-religious-businesses-from-discrimination Texas governor signs ‘Save Chick-fil-A’ bill protecting religious businesses from discrimination]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
*Russell, Nicole (July 19, 2019). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/chick-fil-a-inspires-new-religious-liberty-law-in-texas Chick-fil-A inspires new religious liberty law in Texas]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved July 19, 2019.</ref>

====Gun rights====
On June 13, 2015, Abbott signed the campus carry (SB 11) and the [[open carry]] (HB 910) bills into law.<ref name="OpenAndCampus">{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.kvue.com/story/news/state/2015/06/12/gov-abbott-open-carry-campus-carry/71160338/ |title=Gov. Abbott signs open carry, campus carry into law |website=Kvue.com |date=2015-06-13 |accessdate=2016-01-02}}</ref> The campus carry law went into effect on August 1, 2015, and allows the licensed carrying of a concealed handgun on public college campuses, with private colleges being able to opt out.<ref name="OpenAndCampus"/><ref name="Open">{{cite web|url=http://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/13/abbott-signs-open-carry-bill/ |title=At Shooting Range, Abbott Signs "Open Carry" Bill |publisher=The Texas Tribune |date=2015-06-13 |accessdate=2016-01-02}}</ref> The open carry bill went into effect on January 1, 2016, and allows the licensed carrying of handguns openly in all locations that allow concealed carry.<ref name="OpenAndCampus"/><ref name="Open"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/01/us/-2016-01-01-texas-open-carry-gun-law.html|title=Texas Open Carry Gun Law|newspaper=''[[The New York Times]]''|accessdate=January 2, 2016}}</ref> Texas is the 45th state to have open carry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abc13.com/news/texas-becomes-45th-state-to-pass-open-carry-law/1143146/ |title=Texas becomes 45th state to pass open carry law |website=Abc13.com |date=2015-06-08 |accessdate=2016-01-02}}</ref> Later, in May 2017, Abbott signed a bill into law massively reducing handgun carry license fees.<ref>Price, Bob (May 28, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2017/05/28/texas-governor-signs-law-reducing-handgun-carry-license-fees/ Texas Governor Signs Law Reducing Handgun Carry License Fees]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 28, 2017.</ref><ref>Samuels, Alex (May 26, 2017). [https://www.texastribune.org/2017/05/26/texas-gov-greg-abbott-signs-measure-reduce-handgun-license-fee/ Texas governor jokes about shooting reporters after signing gun bill]. ''The Texas Tribune''. Retrieved May 28, 2017.</ref>

In 2018, Abbott caved to the gun control lobby by canceling a shotgun giveaway for a contest after left-wing gun control activists criticized him fort.<ref>Folley, Aris (May 21, 2018). [https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/388646-texas-governor-cancels-plans-of-shotgun-giveaway-days-after-school Texas governor cancels shotgun giveaway days after school shooting]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved May 21, 2018.</ref>

On June 6, 2019, Abbott signed a bill into law removing the state cap on the number of armed teachers allowed in school districts.<ref>Hawkins, Awr (June 6, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/06/06/greg-abbott-signs-bill-allowing-more-armed-teachers-texas-schools/ Greg Abbott Signs Bill Allowing More Armed Teachers in Texas Schools]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 7, 2019.</ref><ref>Barton, Regina (June 6, 2019). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/texas-governor-signs-bill-allowing-more-armed-teachers Texas governor signs bill allowing more armed teachers]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved June 7, 2019.</ref> To the consternation of left-wingers, Abbott signed several other pro-gun bills in 2019.<ref>Multiple references:
*Pearce, Tim (August 8, 2019). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/texas-will-allow-guns-in-churches-schools-after-el-paso-shooter-targeted-low-security-walmart Texas will allow guns in churches, schools after El Paso shooter targeted 'low security' Walmart]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
*Vertuno, Jim (August 8, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/a69166e1f1074a0196deb70ef6e7f8b4 Texas relaxed gun laws after recent mass shootings]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
*Fernandez, Marisa (September 1, 2019). [https://www.axios.com/texas-gun-laws-loosening-mass-shooting-19989b8a-3ece-4ac7-9cc4-f8c75fc419a8.html New Texas laws loosening gun restrictions officially go into effect]. ''Axios''. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
*Wise, Justin (September 1, 2019). [https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/459549-looser-gun-restrictions-go-into-effect-in-texas-after-deadly-mass Looser gun restrictions go into effect in Texas after deadly mass shootings]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
*Hawkins, Awr (September 1, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/09/01/texas-firearm-laws-change-benefit-self-defense-gun-use/ Texas Firearm Laws Change to Benefit Self-Defense Gun Use]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
*Fung, Esther; Findell, Elizabeth (September 1, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-texas-deals-with-recent-violence-looser-gun-laws-in-state-take-effect-11567379542 As Texas Deals with Recent Violence, Looser Gun Laws in State Take Effect]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
*Bufkin, Ellie (September 2, 2019). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/new-texas-law-allows-residents-to-flee-emergency-with-legally-owned-guns New Texas law allows residents to flee emergency with legally owned guns]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
*Ozimek, Tom (September 3, 2019). [https://www.theepochtimes.com/texas-gun-laws-change-to-make-it-easier-to-carry-guns-for-self-defense_3066498.html Texas Gun Laws Change to Make it Easier to Carry Guns for Self-Defense]. ''The Epoch Times''. Retrieved September 3, 2019.</ref>

However, Abbott signed a bill into law in 2019 that created a $1 million gun storage safety campaign that Second Amendment supporters opposed because of the high potential of the program being used to promote gun control.<ref>Chamberlain, Samuel (June 16, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/texas-governor-greg-abbott-budget-gun-storage-safety-nra-opposed Texas governor approves budget with gun storage safety effort opposed by NRA]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved June 16, 2019.</ref> Additionally, Abbott undermined the freedom to conduct firearm sales without government interference,<ref>Silber, Clarice; Weber, Paul J. (August 22, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/f0c1ce26cf104ba897ac205c9d5b91a1 Texas governor expresses concern about private gun sales]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved August 22, 2019.</ref> among some other actions.<ref>Wolverton, Joe (January 2, 2020). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/item/34498-texas-gov-abbott-calling-for-new-fusion-centers-to-end-armed-violence Texas Governor Calling for New Fusion Centers to End Armed Violence]. ''The New American''. Retrieved January 2, 2020.</ref>

In the broader issue of self-defense, Abbott signed a bill into law legalizing brass knuckles for self-defense.<ref>Folley, Aris (August 14, 2019). [https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/457394-brass-knuckles-to-soon-be-legal-to-carry-in-texas-for-self-defense Texas set to end ban on brass knuckles]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved August 14, 2019.</ref>

====Illegal immigration and refugees====
Abbott signed the 2015 Texas state budget into law, which provided for a record amount of spending for border security and enforcement.<ref>Shadwick, Lana (June 10, 2015). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2015/06/10/texas-gov-signs-toughest-border-security-plan-of-any-state-and-seeks-fed-reimbursement/ Texas Gov. Signs Toughest Border Security Plan of Any State, and Seeks Fed Reimbursement]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved October 1, 2016.</ref> Abbott vetoed almost $300 million in discretionary spending from the budget despite that.<ref>[http://gov.texas.gov/news/press-release/21105 Governor Abbott Signs State Budget Into Law]. ''Office of the Governor''. June 20, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2015/06/20/gov-abbott-cuts-300m-vetoes-bills-on-spousal-loopholes-prostitution/ Gov. Abbott Cuts $300M, Vetoes Bills On Spousal Loopholes, Prostitution]. ''CBS DFW''. June 20, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2016.</ref> The Texas legislature did not pass a bill to end "[[Sanctuary City (Immigration)|sanctuary cities]]", so Abbott took matters into his own hands and established a plan to "strip state grant funding from county sheriff's" who do not enforce the law.<ref>Price, Bob (January 1, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/01/01/2015-texas-new-governor-attacks-sanctuary-cities-expands-border-security/ 2015: Texas’ New Governor Attacks Sanctuary Cities, Expands Border Security]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved October 1, 2016.</ref>

In September 2016, Abbott withdrew Texas from a federal refugee resettlement program after the [[Barack Hussein Obama|Obama Administration]] rejected "specific security conditions" from the state.<ref>Price, Bob (September 30, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2016/09/30/texas-withdraws-federal-refugee-resettlement-program/ Texas Withdraws from Federal Refugee Resettlement Program]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved October 1, 2016.</ref>

On February 1, 2017, Abbott blocked funding to Travis County after its left-wing sheriff introduced illegal [[Sanctuary City (Immigration)|"sanctuary city"]] policies to the county.<ref>Svitek, Patrick (February 1, 2017). [https://www.texastribune.org/2017/02/01/sanctuary-fight-abbott-cuts-funding-travis-county/ In "sanctuary" fight, Abbott cuts off funding to Travis County]. ''The Texas Tribune''. Retrieved February 2, 2017.</ref><ref>Price, Bob (February 1, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2017/02/01/texas-governor-suspends-funding-sanctuary-county/ Texas Governor Cuts Cash for Sanctuary County]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved February 2, 2017.</ref> On May 7, 2017, Abbott signed a bill into law which would criminally charge city or county officials who refuse to cooperate with federal officials in enforcing immigration laws and which gives the police the right to choose to check the immigration status of individuals if they choose, effectively banning "sanctuary" cities.<ref>Carter, Brandon (May 7, 2017). [https://thehill.com/latino/332317-texas-governor-signs-law-banning-sanctuary-cities Texas governor signs law banning sanctuary cities]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved May 7, 2017.</ref><ref>Price, Bob (May 7, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2017/05/07/live-video-texas-governor-signs-toughest-sanctuary-city-law-usa/ Texas Governor Signs Toughest Sanctuary City Law in U.S.A.]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 7, 2017.</ref><ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/05/07/texas-governor-signs-bill-targeting-sanctuary-cities.html Texas governor signs bill targeting sanctuary cities]. ''Fox News''. May 7, 2017. Retrieved May 7, 2017.</ref> While a federal judge blocked portions of the law, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the ruling.<ref>Price, Bob (September 25, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2017/09/25/texas-anti-sanctuary-city-law-can-enforced-appeals-court-rules/ Texas’ Anti-Sanctuary City Law Can Be Enforced, Appeals Court Rules]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.</ref> In March 2018, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals again ruled in favor of the law.<ref>Multiple references:
*Dedaj, Paulina (March 13, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/03/13/us-appeals-court-upholds-texas-law-targeting-sanctuary-cities.html US appeals court upholds Texas law targeting sanctuary cities]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
*Price, Bob (March 13, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2018/03/13/texas-sanctuary-city-law-survives-fifth-circuit-appeal/ Texas Sanctuary City Law Survives Fifth Circuit Appeal]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
*Aguilar, Julián (March 13, 2018). [https://www.texastribune.org/2018/03/13/texas-immigration-sanctuary-cities-law-court/ Federal appeals court's ruling upholds most of Texas' "sanctuary cities" law]. ''The Texas Tribune''. Retrieved March 14, 2018.</ref>

In April 2018, Abbott pledged to send 250 [[National Guard]] troops to the U.S.–Mexico border in accordance with President [[Donald Trump]]'s order to send troops there,<ref>Multiple references:
*Zwirz, Elizabeth (April 6, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/04/06/arizona-governor-announces-plans-to-send-150-national-guard-members-to-border.html Arizona, Texas announce plans to send National Guard members to border]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
*[https://www.voanews.com/a/arizona-texas-prepare-send-guard-troops-united-states-mexico-border/4336285.html Arizona, Texas Sending National Guard to US-Mexico Border]. ''Voice of America''. April 6, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
*Price, Bob (April 7, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2018/04/07/250-texas-national-guard-members-heading-border/ 250 Texas National Guard Members Heading to Border]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 9, 2018.</ref> and he defended the actions.<ref>Key, Pam (April 9, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/video/2018/04/09/tx-gov-abbott-mathematical-need-national-guard-secure-u-s-mexico-border/ TX Gov Abbott: ‘Mathematical Need’ for National Guard to Secure U.S.-Mexico Border]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 9, 2018.</ref> A few days later, Abbott increased the number of pledged troops to at least 1,000.<ref>Multiple references:
*Chamberlain, Samuel (April 9, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/04/09/texas-arizona-new-mexico-pledge-hundreds-national-guard-troops-for-us-mexico-border.html Texas, Arizona, New Mexico pledge hundreds of National Guard troops for US-Mexico border]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
*Sanchez, Luis (April 9, 2018). [https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/382370-arizona-hikes-number-of-national-guard-troops-its-sending-to-the-border Texas, Arizona hike number of troops heading to border]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
*[https://www.breitbart.com/news/texas-to-send-up-to-1400-troops-to-u-s-mexico-border/ Texas to send up to 1,400 troops to U.S.-Mexico border]. ''Breitbart News'' (from ''UPI''). April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
See also:
*Price, Bob (April 10, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2018/04/10/texas-national-guard-troops-will-armed-says-governor/ Texas National Guard Troops Will Be Armed, Says Governor]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 11, 2018.</ref>

On January 10, 2020, Abbott announced Texas would reject the importation of refugees in the state.<ref>Multiple references:
*Murphy, James (January 12, 2020). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/immigration/item/34598-texas-governor-state-will-refuse-new-refugees-in-accordance-with-trump-executive-order Texas Governor: State Will Refuse New Refugees in Accordance With Trump Executive Order]. ''The New American''. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
*Horowitz, Daniel (January 13, 2020). [https://www.conservativereview.com/news/texas-gov-greg-abbott-chooses-taxpayers-truth-special-interests-virtue-signaling/ Texas Gov. Greg Abbott chooses his taxpayers and truth over special interests and virtue-signaling]. ''Conservative Review''. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
*Binder, John (January 10, 2020). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/01/10/texas-governor-greg-abbott-first-in-u-s-to-halt-refugee-flow-into-his-state/ Texas Governor Greg Abbott First in U.S. to Halt Refugee Flow into His State]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
*Dinan, Stephen (January 10, 2020). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/jan/10/texas-becomes-first-state-to-reject-refugees-under/ Texas becomes first state to reject refugees under new Trump veto]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
*Pearce, Tim (January 10, 2020). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/gov-greg-abbott-says-texas-will-no-longer-accept-refugees Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas will no longer accept refugees]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
*Axelrod, Tal (January 10, 2020). [https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/477755-texas-governor-says-state-will-not-accept-new-refugees Texas governor says state will not accept new refugees]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
*Merchant, Nomaan (January 10, 2020). [https://apnews.com/7329dbc3dcbf32534689831455fa4246 Texas governor to reject new refugees, first under Trump]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
*Cuthbertson, Charlotte (January 12, 2020). [https://www.theepochtimes.com/texas-is-first-state-to-opt-out-of-accepting-refugees-in-2020_3201721.html Texas Is First State to Opt Out of Accepting Refugees in 2020]. ''The Epoch Times''. Retrieved January 12, 2020.</ref>

Jan 24, 2024 report: Abbott, defiantly, continued laying razor wire around migrant-engulfed border city despite recent Supreme Court ruling.<ref>https://nypost.com/2024/01/24/news/texas-gov-greg-abbott-laying-razor-wire-despite-court-order/</ref> As he is genuinely concerned about security, declaring invasion at the border invokes [[constitutional]] 'right of self-defense'.<ref>https://dailycaller.com/2024/01/24/texas-greg-abbott-border-fence-supreme-court/</ref>

====Israel====
Abbott signed three bills in 2017, one of which condemns the anti-[[Israel]] [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions]] movement and requires that every business that contracts for any Texas governmental unit not to boycott Israel,<ref>Hope, Merrill (May 2, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2017/05/02/texas-governor-signs-anti-bds-bill-law/ Texas Governor Signs Anti-BDS Bill into Law]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 9, 2017.</ref> and the other two ban government contractors from doing business with [[Iran]], [[Sudan]], or "designated foreign terrorist organizations"; and expand anti-Iran restrictions.<ref>Hope, Merrill (June 9, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2017/06/09/texas-governor-israeli-pm-reaffirm-strong-ties-call/ Texas Governor, Israeli PM Reaffirm Strong Ties During Call]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 9, 2017.</ref>

====State and national sovereignty====
On June 14, 2017, Abbott signed a bill into law prohibiting the use of any foreign law, including [[Sharia Law]], in Texas courts.<ref>Hope, Merrill (June 16, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2017/06/16/texas-enacts-anti-sharia-law/ Texas Enacts ‘Anti-Sharia’ Law]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 16, 2017.</ref>

====Voter fraud====
On June 2, 2017, Abbott signed a bill into law reinstating and modifying Texas's voter ID law.<ref>Wilson, Reid (June 2, 2017). [https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/336093-texas-gov-signs-new-voter-id-plan Texas gov signs new voter ID plan]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved June 2, 2017. See also:
*Hope, Merrill (September 18, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2018/09/18/texas-declares-final-victory-in-voter-id-lawsuit/ Texas Declares ‘Final Victory’ in Voter ID Lawsuit]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 18, 2018.</ref> Also in June 2017, Abbott vetoed a bill that would have allowed mail-in-ballot-only elections in some elections in rural counties because he thought the risk of [[voter fraud]] was too high for such a bill.<ref>Svitek, Patrick (June 15, 2017). [https://www.texastribune.org/2017/06/15/gov-greg-abbott-vetoes-50-bills-passed-texas-legislature/ Abbott vetoes 50 bills passed by Legislature]. ''The Texas Tribune''. Retrieved June 25, 2017.</ref> On August 11, 2017, Abbott signed a bill into law increasing the penalty for mail-in ballot fraud.<ref>Hope, Merrill (August 14, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2017/08/14/texas-inks-stiffer-penalties-mail-ballot-voter-fraud/ Texas Inks Stiffer Penalties for Mail Ballot Voter Fraud]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 27, 2018.</ref>

====Other issues====
A few days later, he signed a bill into law cracking down on sexual teacher-student relationships.<ref>Hope, Merrill (May 25, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2017/05/25/texas-governor-signs-law-crackdown-teacher-sex-misconduct/ Texas Governor Signs Law to Crackdown on Teacher Sex Misconduct]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 25, 2017.</ref> He also signed a bill into law expanding Texas's [[hate crime]] law to include crimes against police officers and judges.<ref>Price, Bob (June 17, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2017/06/17/texas-makes-killing-cops-hate-crime/ Texas Makes Attacking Cops a Hate Crime]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 17, 2017.</ref><ref>Blake, Andrew (May 25, 2017). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/may/25/texas-legislature-broadens-hate-crime-law-protect-/ Texas legislature broadens hate crime law to protect police officers, judges]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved May 25, 2017.</ref> On June 6, 2017, Abbott signed a bill into law banning texting while driving in Texas.<ref>Platoff, Emma (June 6, 2017). [https://www.texastribune.org/2017/06/06/abbott-signs-texting-while-driving-ban/ Gov. Abbott signs statewide ban on texting while driving]. ''The Texas Tribune''. Retrieved June 7, 2017.</ref><ref>Hope, Merrill (June 8, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2017/06/08/texting-driving-ban-coming-texas/ Texting While Driving Ban Coming to Texas]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 8, 2017.</ref>

On June 9, 2017, Abbott signed a bill into law expanding Texas's ban on [[female genital mutilation]].<ref>Hope, Merrill (June 14, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/texas/2017/06/14/texas-expands-ban-female-genital-mutilation/ Texas Expands Ban on Female Genital Mutilation]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 15, 2017.</ref>

Polls in April 2018 showed Abbott "highly vulnerable" to the challenge of either of his two Democratic opponents, Lupe Valdez (the lesbian Dallas County Sheriff, who failed to pay her property taxes until late June 2018) or Andrew White (son of former Governor Mark White). Valdez and White competed in the May 22 runoff election for their party's nomination to contest Abbott's re-election bid; Valdez won. However, Abbott handily won re-election.

On June 1, 2019, Abbott signed a bill into law banning red light cameras.<ref>Multiple references:
*Price, Bob (June 2, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/border/2019/06/02/new-texas-law-bans-red-light-cameras-statewide/ New Texas Law Bans Red Light Cameras Statewide]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
*Fedschun, Travis (June 2, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/us/red-light-cameras-texas-governor-greg-abbott-new-law Red light cameras banned in Texas]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved June 2, 2019.</ref> He also signed a bill protecting free speech rights on college campuses.<ref>Multiple references:
*Marshall, Victoria (June 10, 2019). [https://townhall.com/tipsheet/victoriamarshall/2019/06/10/texas-governor-signs-law-protecting-free-speech-on-college-campuses-n2547867 Texas Governor Signs Law Protecting Free Speech on College Campuses]. ''Townhall''. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
*Schow, Ashe (June 10, 2019). [https://www.dailywire.com/news/48229/texas-gov-greg-abbott-signs-bills-protecting-free-ashe-schow Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Bills Protecting Free Speech, Allowing Beer Delivery, And Banning Red Light Cameras]. ''The Daily Wire''. Retrieved June 10, 2019.</ref>

On November 4, 2019, Abbott began clearing up homeless camps in the state capital of Austin.<ref>Multiple references:
*Givas, Nick (November 4, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/media/homeless-cleanup-austin-texas-greg-abbott As homeless camps continue to spring up in Austin, Gov. Abbott orders cleanup effort]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
*Findell, Elizabeth (November 5, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/texas-begins-clearing-homeless-from-austin-underpasses-11572993078 Texas Begins Clearing Homeless From Austin Underpasses]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
See also:
*Findell, Elizabeth (November 7, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/texas-governor-to-establish-campground-for-homeless-in-austin-11573153372 Texas Governor to Establish Campground for Homeless in Austin]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
*Daugherty, Owen (November 7, 2019). [https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/469541-texas-governor-says-state-will-open-shelter-for-homeless-outside-austin Texas governor says state will open shelter for homeless outside Austin after camps in the city cleaned up]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
*Weber, Paul J.; Silber, Clarice (November 7, 2019). [https://apnews.com/5764ea4721574bf3b4d346cd5486ab5f Texas governor opens homeless campsite amid feud with Austin]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
*Phillips, Morgan (November 7, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/texas-greg-abbott-homeless-campsite-austin-state-land Texas Gov. Abbott opens homeless campsite on state land in fight with Austin]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved November 8, 2019.</ref>

Abbott signed a pro-police pledge in late October 2020.<ref>Morris, Kyle (October 29, 2020). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/10/29/gop-texas-gov-greg-abbott-signs-back-the-blue-pledge/ GOP Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Back-the-Blue Pledge]. ''[[Breitbart News Network]]''. Retrieved October 31, 2020.</ref>

In March 2021, Abbott accused free speech platform [[Gab]] of being an "[[anti-Semitic]] platform."<ref>https://twitter.com/GovAbbott/status/1369822393678594061</ref>

==Personal life==
Abbott is married to Cecilia Phalen Abbott, the first Latina first lady of Texas.<ref name="Echoes"/> He is the first Texas governor to use a wheelchair, having used it since being paralyzed in 1984, when an oak tree fell on him while he was jogging.<ref name="Echoes"/> The Abbotts have an adopted daughter.<ref name="Directory"/>

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}

==External links==
*[https://ballotpedia.org/Greg_Abbott Profile] on Ballotpedia

{{DEFAULTSORT:Abbott, Greg}}
[[Category:Attorneys]]
[[Category:Judges]]
[[Category:Texas Governors]]
[[Category:Republican Governors]]
[[Category:Conservatives]]
[[Category:Pro Second Amendment]]
[[Category:Pro-Life]]
[[Category:Koch Puppets]]
[[Category:Catholic Politicians]]
[[Category:Republican Establishment]]
[[Category:The 100 Americans The Left Hates Most]]

Karl Rove

2026-10-18T23:02:02Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Karl Rove

{{Officeholder
|name=Karl Rove
|image=Karl Rove.jpg
|party=[[RINO]]
|spouse=Valerie Mather Wainwright (div.) Darby Tara Hickson (div.) Karen Johnson
|religion=
|offices=
{{Officeholder/misc
|office=Senior Advisor to the President ([[George W. Bush]])
|terms=January 20, 2001 – August 31, 2007
|preceded=[[Sidney Blumenthal]]
|former=y
|succeeded=Barry Jackson
}}
}}
'''Karl Christian Rove''' (born December 25, 1950, age {{age|1950|12|25}}) is a [[RINO Backer]] known for losing the [[Congress]] to a [[Democrat]] takeover in 2006 and pursuing policies that caused the [[Republican Party]] to suffer landslide defeats in the 2008 elections. Rove has enriched himself while interfering, sometimes in unfair or [[liberal]] ways, with [[conservative]]s who try to help the country. [[Trump]] has repeatedly observed that Rove is a "loser",<ref>https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/loser-trump-rages-karl-rove-000530848.html</ref> while [[globalist]] ''[[Fox News]] has long promoted Rove like other [[RINO]]s.

Defeated by [[Ken Paxton]] when he won the primary and general election for [[Texas]] Attorney General, Karl Rove was apparently part of the cabal behind an ambush [[Paxton Impeachment|sham impeachment]] of Paxton merely a few days before the end of the legislative session in May 2023. Rove immediately published a one-sided article in the ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' praising this (sham) impeachment, while including insider details not widely known. But [[conservative]]s rallied behind Paxton, and he won acquittal by a landslide in the Texas Senate on September 16, 2023, in a repudiation of the power and credibility of Karl Rove and his group. On December 6, 2024, Rove's lackey on the failed impeachment, Texas House Speaker [[Dade Phelan]], withdrew from the race for reelection as Speaker in further illustration of Rove's declining influence.<ref>https://www.breitbart.com/border/2024/12/06/dade-phelan-withdraws-from-bid-to-remain-texas-house-speaker/</ref>

Perhaps to cater to [[Liberalism|socially liberal]] donors to his [[Super PAC]], in August 2012 Rove made vicious remarks against [[conservative]] [[Todd Akin]] in an unsuccessful attempt to force him to give up his nomination for the [[U.S. Senate]]. Furthering Rove's downward spiral, less than 2% of candidates backed by Rove's Super PACs succeeded in the 2012 General Election.<ref>http://reporting.sunlightfoundation.com/2012/return_on_investment/</ref> Since leaving the White House in 2007, Rove has worked as a political analyst and contributor for [[Fox News]], ''[[Newsweek]]'' and ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''. Rove is part of the [[Establishment]] as a crony of [[George W. Bush]].

In March 2022, Rove pathetically criticized a charismatic, [[conservative populism|conservative populist]] freshman congressman, Rep. [[Madison Cawthorn]] (R-NC), for Cawthorn's criticism of the regime in [[Ukraine]].<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/maddow-blog-after-condemning-ukraine-madison-cawthorn-faces-gop-pushback/ar-AAUWd5i</ref> Cawthorn seemed unfazed by Rove's attack, but [[globalist]]s (and perhaps Rove) engineered a primary defeat of Cawthorn.

Rove was outspokenly critical of a [[pro-life]] law in [[Texas]].<ref>https://www.texastribune.org/2022/09/24/robert-gibbs-karl-rove-texas-tribune-festival/</ref> Rove sided with [[Planned Parenthood]] when [[Komen for the Cure]] temporarily stopped funding it, according to Karen Handel, who was an executive at Komen for the Cure at the time.<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/wp/2012/09/11/rove-told-komen-back-off-planned-parenthood/</ref>

[[Conservative]] columnist [[Robert Novak]] famously observed that Rove had become "part of the problem" as he was hurting the Republican Party towards the end of the [[George W. Bush Administration]].

By 2012, Rove had reinvented himself with funding by [[Las Vegas]] casino billionaires for Rove's [[Super PAC]], [[American Crossroads]], and its sister Super PAC, "American Crossroads GPS". Rove married for the third time and was flown on his honeymoon in a private jet owned by a [[Las Vegas]] casino mogul. This resulted in his being satirized by [[Stephen Colbert]] as "Ham Rove" the political consultant to the Colbert SuperPAC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/clpvpj/colbert-super-pac---the-ham-rove-memorial-fund|title=The Colbert Report|date=December 13, 2012|accessdate=January 8, 2015}}</ref>

[[Liberal]] ''[[Newsweek]]'', the ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'', and [[Fox News Channel|Fox News]] promote Rove heavily, although it is unclear whether his political advice and the ads run by his [[American Crossroads]] had any positive effect. In the 2012 presidential election cycle, American Crossroads "spent $325 million on a disappointing 2012 presidential election."<ref>https://www.politico.com/story/2015/05/jeb-bush-vs-karl-rove-george-117835</ref>

==Trump==
A frequent critic of [[Donald Trump]], Rove described the [[White House]] in April 2017 as "unhealthy" and having "three tribes":<ref>https://www.rawstory.com/2017/04/karl-rove-three-tribes-in-the-unhealthy-white-house-have-been-leaking-info-on-each-other-for-weeks/</ref>
{{cquote|“There is a group around Jared Kushner and his supporters and allies. There is one around Steve Bannon and a sort of alt-right in the White House. And one sort of around Reince Priebus and everybody else,” Rove remarked. “And while I think there is a tendency to exaggerate a little bit in the press, I think there’s a lot behind this that’s real.”}}

According to a report in May 2020, Rove was advising Trump's re-election campaign.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/2020-election/2020/05/21/report-karl-rove-advising-trumps-reelection-campaign/ Report: Karl Rove Advising Trump’s Reelection Campaign]</ref> Following this, the left-wing [[Salon]] was none too quick to attack Rove, calling him “Turd Blossom”.<ref>[https://www.salon.com/2020/05/22/turd-blossoms-big-comeback-is-gop-legend-karl-rove-riding-to-donald-trumps-rescue/ Turd Blossom's big comeback: Is GOP legend Karl Rove riding to Donald Trump's rescue?]</ref>

== Background ==
Rove was the Deputy Chief of Staff in the [[Bush administration]]. Rove's longtime partnership with [[George W. Bush]] dates back to Bush's terms as [[governor]] of [[Texas]]. Rove ran all of Bush's campaigns for governor and for president. Rove was credited as the "architect" of these elections.

Rove started his political career early, attending the [[University of Utah]] but dropping out in July 1971 to work in the [[College Republican National Committee]]. Often called "the brains behind Bush" or "the Architect," Rove is credited as the chief architect of the 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns.

===Resignation===
On August 13, 2007, the ''Wall Street Journal'' published an interview with Rove in which he announced that he would be resigning from his position of deputy Chief of Staff at the end of the month.<ref>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118698747711695773.html?mod=hpp_us_whats_news</ref> Rove explained the move as motivated by his dedication to his family.

==References==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rove, Karl}}
[[Category:Political Operatives]]
[[Category:RINOs]]
[[Category:Neoconservatives]]
[[Category:Republican Establishment]]

Christianity

2026-10-18T20:53:43Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Christianity

{{Christianity}}
'''Christianity''' is the world's largest [[religion]], having approximately 2.6 billion followers in 2024.<ref>[https://www.gordonconwell.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/01/Status-of-Global-Christianity-2024.pdf Status of Global Christianity, 2024, in the Context of 1900–2050]</ref> In terms of its [[Geography|geographic]] distribution, Christianity is the [[Global Christianity|most globally]] diverse religion.<ref>
*[https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/08/27/many-religions-heavily-concentrated-in-one-or-two-countries/ Many religions heavily concentrated in one or two countries]
*[http://wwwgordonconwell.com/netcommunity/CSGCResources/ChristianityinitsGlobalContext.pdf Christianity in its global context]</ref> Christianity has always been the best way to turn one's life around, to [[achievement|achieve]] more, to overcome [[addiction]] and [[anxiety]], and to enjoy life to a much greater extent. Christianity originated [[faith]] and [[eternal life]].

Christianity brings God closest to mankind through [[Jesus]] as the Son of [[God]]. Literally, Christianity means "of Christ," or "belonging to Christ," or "being like Christ."<ref>[http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=2661&dict=CALD Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary]</ref><ref>https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/christian-means-like-christ-bruce-ball-sermon-on-apologetics-general-84109</ref><ref>The early Christian faith was sometimes called ''That Way'' (Acts 19:1,9,23; 24:22), and its adherents were also called ''Nazarenes'' (Acts 24:5), evidently after the city of [[Nazareth]] where Jesus lived.</ref> The [[Acts of the Apostles|Book of Acts]] ({{bible ref|Acts|11|26}}) records that "the disciples were called Christians first in [[Antioch]]." The title ''Christian'' is also used in Acts 26:28 and 1 Peter 4:16. Christians believe in [[God]], the [[virgin birth|virginal conception and the virginal birth of Jesus Christ]], the bodily [[resurrection of Jesus Christ]], [[Heaven]], survival of the [[soul]] after death, the [[Parousia|Second Coming of Jesus]], the [[resurrection]] of the dead, the [[Last Judgment]], the reality of [[Hell]], and the teachings of [[Jesus Christ]] as written in the [[Bible]].

== History of Christianity ==

''See also:'' [[History of Christianity]] and [[Historicity of Jesus]] and [[Evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ]]

Christianity's teachings are derived from the life, teachings, death and resurrection of [[Jesus Christ]] in the 1st century A.D.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christianity Christianity], Britannica</ref>

The [[historicity of Jesus]] focuses on whether [[Jesus Christ]] existed as a real historical person, or whether he is simply a mythological imagination. The evidence for the existence of Jesus is overwhelming, as is agreed upon by every professor in every academic institution in every relevant field in the world.<ref>Ehrman, Bart D. Did Jesus exist?: The historical argument for Jesus of Nazareth. Harper Collins, 2012. Second introductory page.</ref> In other words, for someone to argue that Jesus never existed (and thus is merely a [[Mythology|myth]]) is to place himself against not only the field of scholarship and the historical record, but even against reason and common sense.

There is strong evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ (See: [[Evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ]]).

== Main Christian Divisions ==

'''The three largest self-governing bodies of Christians are:'''

* The [[Roman Catholic Church]] (approx. 1.1 billion baptized members) traces its roots back to [[Saint Peter]] whom Catholics believe was appointed as the first leader of the church by [[Jesus Christ]] and the succession of [[Pope]]s as the spiritual leaders of Christendom.

* The [[Orthodox Church]]es (approx. 300 million baptized members) trace their roots back to the Apostles, in the five ancient patriarchates of the undivided Church of the first millennium of her history, known as the [[Pentarchy]],<ref>[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Pentarchy Pentarchy (orthodoxWiki.org)]</ref> and are organized in [[Autocephalous]] national or regional churches in communion with each other. The Pentarchy consisted of the Church of [[Rome]], first in dignity of honor, [[Constantinople|Church of Constantinople]], [[Alexandria|Church of Alexandria (Coptic)]], [[Antioch|Church of Antioch]], and [[Jerusalem|Church of Jerusalem]]. Differing theological perspectives and the growing development of the doctrine of [[Petrine Primacy|Petrine primacy]] in the Church of Rome led to the [[Great Schism]] between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches in A.D. 1054.
[[Image:Anglican Christ Church.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Anglican Christ Church in Western Australia]]
* [[Protestantism]]: the largest Communions are the [[Anglican Church|Anglicans]] (approx. 115 million baptized members) and the [[Lutheran]] World Federation (approx. 68 million baptized members). Protestantism has its origins in the European [[Reformation]]. The Protestant movement broke from the Roman Catholic Church under [[Martin Luther]] when differences over the nature of [[faith]] and works in the role of [[Christianity#salvation|salvation]], as well as other practices of the Catholic Church that Luther saw as unBiblical, were raised. Within Protestantism are four major branches:
**[[Mainline]], which comprise many of the major denominations outside of the [[Baptist]]s. These denominations usually have [[high church]] services and have increasingly become liberal in their theology and ecumenical in their dealings with other churches, even outside Protestantism.
**[[Pentecostal]], these groups are generally conservative in their theology, and are known primarily for their emphasis on the [[Baptism in the Holy Spirit]] as a separate event from salvation, and [[speaking in tongues]].
**[[Fundamentalist]], these groups are very conservative theologically, but are better known for their emphasis on "separation" from both the world (bordering on, if not crossing over, into [[legalism]]) and groups who do not believe as they do (which often includes other fundamentalist groups).
**[[Evangelical]], this term tends to be a catch-all for a church or denomination not falling into one of the other three categories, but generally also holding to traditional Christian theology. Most [[non-denominational church]]es are generally evangelical, as well as the largest Protestant denomination, the [[Southern Baptist Convention]]. As the name suggests, they have a major emphasis on Christian evangelism. They are also known for their belief that Christians should be active in the political arena, opposing such political views as abortion and homosexual marriage; in this arena they will work with any group—Protestant or otherwise—who will work with them.

== Christian Beliefs ==
Christian [[belief]]s [[Christian apologetics|are well supported via a large body of compelling evidence]]. [[Theology|Theologians]], over two millennia, have debated a definitive summary of the Christian faith. While its interpretations vary drastically, probably the most commonly accepted statement of the faith is the [[Nicene Creed|Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed]].

Christians and Christian denominations agree on many points of doctrine while disagreeing on some. According to an online Harris poll from 2003, 99% of all American Christians believe in [[God]], 96% in the [[resurrection of Jesus Christ]], 93% in [[Heaven]], 93% in the virgin birth, 92% in the survival of the soul after death, 82% in [[Hell]], 50% in ghosts, 27% in astrology and 21% in reincarnation.<ref>http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=359</ref> Note that the latter two beliefs are in opposition to the religious tenets of most Christian denominations.

Nonetheless, the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed offers a general overall picture of what Christian theology looks like, and serves as a useful outline and historic standard. Other creeds may prove helpful in research. See the [[Apostles' Creed]] and the [[Athanasian Creed]].

===God===
[[File:Dove blue background.jpg|thumbnail|350px|right|In the Bible, a dove is often a symbol of the Holy Spirit.<ref>[https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holy-spirit/why-is-the-dove-often-a-symbol-for-the-holy-spirit.html Why Is the Dove Often a Symbol for the Holy Spirit?], Christianity.com</ref>]]
''See also:'' [[God]] and [[Trinity]] and [[God the Father]] and [[Jesus|God the Son]] and [[Holy Spirit]]

God is a [[Trinity|triune being]]. Though there is only one Divine nature there are three Divine Personages: [[God the Father]], [[Jesus|the Son]], and the [[Holy Spirit]]. The three Persons are collectively called the [[Trinity]] or the Holy Trinity. While God is tripartite, this does not imply that Christians are polytheists. The doctrine of the Trinity is central to Christian theology, although several denominations that usually are considered Christian are non-Trinitarian. The God of the Christian is the creator of all things, is everywhere present, exists in all times, is [[Transcendence|transcendent]], all-knowing ([[Omniscience|omniscient]]), just, and all-powerful ([[Omnipotence|omnipotent]]).

A major theme of the Bible is [[love]]. In the Hebrew [[Old Testament]] the idea is expressed in the Hebrew word ''hessed'', which is variously translated as loyal love, tender mercy, steadfast love, mercy, goodness, etc., in the [[New Testament]] the same idea is expressed in the Greek word ''[[agape]]'', which translates to love, compassion and charity.

===Jesus===
[[Image:Jesus' Baptism.jpg|180px|left]]
During the reign of [[Augustus Caesar|Caesar Augustus]] the Son (i.e. the second Person of the Trinity) took flesh from a virgin woman and was incarnated as a man. He was born in the town of [[Bethlehem]] and was given the name [[Jesus]]. At approximately the age of thirty he was baptised by his cousin [[John the Baptist]] and began to preach in the area of [[Judea]] and [[Galilee]]. About three years later, his teachings and works of mercy prompted the Jewish authorities to plot Jesus' death. Jesus was [[crucified]]. He rose from the dead and was seen by over 500 people. He ascended to Heaven. The four [[Gospels]] contain the basic account of what Jesus did and said.

Jesus summarized his moral teachings in two commandments from the Old Testament:

"'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets". ([[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 22:37-39; [[Book of Deuteronomy|Deuteronomy]] 6:5; Leviticus 19:18)

The night he celebrated his [[Last Supper]] with the Twelve Apostles before he suffered, he gave a new commandment:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." ([[Gospel of John|John]] 13:34)

===Morality===
[[File:Fra Angelico Lamentacion por la muerte de Cristo.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|[[Jesus Christ]] and his apostles taught a gospel of love.<ref>[http://www.orthodoxchristian.info/pages/Gospel.htm ''The Triumph of the Gospel of Love''] by Monk Themistocles (Adamopoulo)</ref> ]]
The fundamental principle in Christian moral teaching is [[love]] and forgiveness, as expressed by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the New Testament.<ref>[http://www.orthodoxchristian.info/pages/Gospel.htm ''The Triumph of the Gospel of Love''] by Monk Themistocles (Adamopoulo)</ref> In the Hebrew [[Old Testament]] the idea is expressed in the Hebrew word ''hessed'', which is variously translated as loyal love, tender mercy, steadfast love, mercy, goodness, etc. in the [[New Testament]] the same idea is expressed in the Greek word ''agape'', which is variously translated as love, compassion, charity, etc.

There has been endless debate over how a person should express love for God in his or her moral behavior. This moral dialogue found expression in the New Testament, where the [[Apostle Paul]] addressed such controversies as [[circumcision]] ([[Epistle to the Romans|Romans]] 2:25-29), eating meat that was sacrificed to [[pagan]] deities (1 Corinthians 8), speculating about myths and genealogies (1 Timothy 1:3-5), and observing ceremonial dates and seasons (Galatians 4:9-11).

Regardless of a person's ethical interpretations, adherents commonly point to New Testament passages John 3:16 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 as scriptural depictions of love. The former states that <blockquote>"God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life".</blockquote> The latter characterizes love, saying <blockquote>"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things".</blockquote>

Jesus Christ affirmed, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another". (John 13:35). In trying to understand the reason for the growth of Christianity in a pagan culture, it has been noted that while love of one's neighbor is not an exclusively Christian virtue, it appears that the primitive Christian church practiced it much more effectively than any other group.<ref>E.R. Dodds, 1970:136-137</ref>

In addition to sacrificially showing care for those within the community as well as to those without (cf. Gal. 6:10), the Christians elevated the sanctity of life, opposing abortion, infanticide, child abandonment, suicide, and gladiatorial contests.<ref>Kenneth Scott Latourette, ''A history of Christianity'' p. 244</ref><ref>Ted Cabal, Chad Owen Brand, Paul Copan, The Apologetics Study Bible, 274</ref> While the primitive church tolerated the existing and pervasive cultural economic institution of slavery in the [[Roman Empire]], the mandate of equal pay and just treatment (Col. 4:1; Eph. 6:9) greatly ameliorated the treatment of slaves, while advising them to seek freedom if possible, (1 Cor. 7:21) and requiring that the escaped slave Onesimus be received back not "as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved". (Philemon 1:6) The Christian ethos of love also motivated a great expansion in the building of hospitals.<ref>Albert John Ochsner, Meyer Joseph Sturm, ''The organization, construction and management of hospitals'', p. 17</ref><ref>Roderick E. McGrew, ''Encyclopaedia of Medical Care'', p. 135</ref> By A.D. 500, most large towns in the Roman Empire had erected them.<ref>George D. Pozgar, ''Legal aspects of health care administration', p. 2</ref>

===Atonement===
[[Image:Dalí The Christ of St. John of the Cross.jpg|thumb|The Christ of St. John of the Cross by [[Salvador Dalí]], 1951.]]
Christians believe with the New Testament that the death of Jesus, in conjunction with His resurrection, is an indispensable event for the reconciliation of lost sinners with God. There are three elements they see to the understanding of His death on the cross.

- Jesus having the knowledge that His path would lead to his own death, desired and willed that that take place, and persevered in that path though there was opportunity for Him to avoid it. "I have power to take my life and I have power to lay down my life. I lay down my life for the sheep".

- Jesus saw that in His death there would be a way for people to be brought back to God from whom they were alienated and lost because of their sins. This would involve a substitution of Himself to effect, i.e., atone for, that development. "For the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many". How this would take place was not new to the Jews of His day from their understanding of contemporary everyday practice of substitute payment - as in redemption of the first-born (Pidyon Ha Ben), or in the understanding of what aggadic stories such as the Binding of [[Isaac]] implied (see [[Midrash]]), but it was not the prevalent view that the Messiah was to be that payment. Though while alive on earth, he had hinted at it in sayings such as "unless a seed falls and dies, it remains alone, but when it dies, it brings forth."; it was only after He had risen from the dead that He explained Scripture (the Old Testament) clearly about the necessity of His death to have taken place. The disciples would henceforth preach, and Peter among them, that the death of Jesus the Messiah and His resurrection was for-planned and for-ordained by God the Father, and foretold in the Scripture (Isaiah 53).

- Christians of all generations have looked to the perfect [[Atonement]], and the hope for reconciliation, accomplished by Jesus on the cross, to provide the means of understanding the solution to the vexing problems of the mind and of life itself.

===Salvation===
The Bible teaches that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God". (Romans 3:23). This is often interpreted to mean that everyone has displeased God and is now separated from him in a kind of alienation and enmity that results from the fundamental conflict between selfish human interests and God's interests (Romans 8:5-8; James 4:4). Jesus offered a solution to this Biblical dilemma in that, by [[repentance]] of sins and faith in him (Jesus), their sins would be forgiven. He said that "...the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins" ([[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 2:10). Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life" (John 5:24).

Jesus Christ taught that "unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" ([[Gospel of John|John]] 3:3). [[Repentance]], or a turning away from sin and toward God is necessary. Protestant Evangelical Christianity often uses the terms "saved" and "born again" to mean conversion, with conscious acknowledgment of immediate divine juridical exoneration of all guilt, complete amnesty and full eternal pardon issued on acceptance of the redemptive, saving sacrifice of Jesus dying on the cross in the place of each guilty sinner (Hebrews 1:3; 7:25-27), while other Christians, such as the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, use the phrase ''born again'' as a synonym for [[baptism|baptized]], referring to the [[sacrament]] of baptism through which the divine life of God in the blood of Jesus is actually infused by the power of his grace directly into the soul of the baptized by the washing of water with the word (Ephesians 5:25-27) and is entirely healed of the eternal deadly effect of all past sins, effecting an ontological change of spiritual birth by washing away the defect of sin, the power of God unto salvation flowing abundantly through the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, through whom the baptized is united to Him and actually partakes of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).

Christians are expected to continue living by Christ's teachings (John 8:31), as is appropriate for "children of Light". (Ephesians 5:8-10). Some believe that this is necessary in order to be saved. Others say that this is a common misconception of the text, that it refers instead to the "fruits" of saving faith. Still others say that the free, unmerited gift of salvation from sin and death in hell must be maintained or retained by actively producing the fruits of [[corporal and spiritual works of mercy]] according to ability, or it will be lost (Ephesians 2:8-10; Hebrews 6:4-8), unless before death the fallen away believer repents and returns (James 5:19-20; 1 John 5:16-17). Christians in the [[Reformed]] tradition (following the teaching of the 16th century French lawyer and theologian [[John Calvin]]) say that salvation [[Eternal security (salvation)|cannot be lost]]. One Bible passage often cited is John 10:28-29 in which Jesus said of his own Apostles that they could not be snatched from his hand.

== Resurrection of Jesus Christ ==

''See also:'' [[Resurrection of Jesus Christ]] and [[Christian Apologetics and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ]]

[[Image:Jesus resurrected.jpg|thumb|right|300px|"The Resurrection" by Carl Heinrich Bloch]]
The [[resurrection of Jesus Christ]] is critical to the Christian faith. The Apostle Paul wrote, "if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain" (I Cor:15:14). Traditionally, Christianity has believed in a physical resurrection of Jesus Christ.<ref>http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/crj0056a.txt</ref>

In recent history, [[Gary Habermas]] is considered a leading [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologist]] for defending the resurrection of Jesus.<ref>Habermas, Gary, [http://www.garyhabermas.com/articles/dialog_rexperience/dialog_rexperiences.htm Experiences of the Risen Jesus: The Foundational Historical Issue in the Early Proclamation of the Resurrection], ''Dialog: A Journal of Theology'', Vol. 45; No. 3 (Fall, 2006), pp. 288-297.</ref><ref>"Wildcat" and Holding, J.P., [http://www.tektonics.org/books/lichabrvw.html Book review of "The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus"], 22nd June, 2004 (Tektonics)</ref><ref>Habermas, Gary, [http://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/Ted_Hildebrandt/NTeSources/NTArticles/CTR-NT/Habermas-Resurrection1-CTR.pdf Jesus' Resurrection and Contemporary Criticism: An Apologetic] ''Criswell Theological Review'' 4.1 (1989) 159-74.</ref><ref>Habermas, Gary, [http://www.garyhabermas.com/articles/crj_explainingaway/crj_explainingaway.htm Explaining Away Jesus' Resurrection: The Recent Revival of Hallucination Theories], Christian Research Journal / vol. 23, no. 4, 2001.</ref><ref>Habermas, Gary, [http://www.apologetics.com/default.jsp?bodycontent=/articles/historical_apologetics/habermas-nt.html Why I Believe The New Testament Is Historically Reliable] (Apologetics.com)</ref>
Other notable defenders of the resurrection include: [[William Lane Craig]],<ref>Craig, William Lane, [http://www.leaderu.com/offices/billcraig/menus/historical.html Articles: Historical Jesus]</ref> [[Lee Strobel]], [[Josh McDowell]],<ref>McDowell, Josh, [http://www.leaderu.com/everystudent/easter/articles/josh2.html Evidence for the Resurrection], 1992.</ref> Edwin M. Yamauchi,<ref>Jamauchi, Edwin M., [http://www.leaderu.com/everystudent/easter/articles/yama.html Easter: Myth, Hallucination, or History?]</ref> [[N.T. Wright]]<ref>Wright, N.T., [http://www.ntwrightpage.com/Wright_Early_Traditions.htm Early Traditions and the Origins of Christianity], ''Sewanee Theological Review'' 41.2, 1998.</ref> and Michael Horner.<ref>Horner, Michael, [https://web.archive.org/web/20070304155623/http://www.michaelhorner.com/articles/resurrection/index.html Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?]</ref>

===The Meaning of the Resurrection for Christians===
The fact of the Resurrection of Christ is also believed to produce certain effects on the lives of Christians.

1. It is because Jesus rose from the dead that believers now can resort to a living Savior to help and deliver them from sin and from situations overwhelming for them by their own powers.

2. The New Testament sees in the resurrection of Christ a certain vindication of what apparently to the world and to all beings was a failure and an overcoming of Him by His crucifixion.

3. The coming of Jesus back to life means to the believer that, indeed, his sins are totally forgiven. This is because believers know that His death was a payment for sins - a "wage of death" for our sins that He received in our stead. If He remained dead, believers would know that the wage had not been fully paid.

4. It is a now-living Savior that Christians know can go before them, can closely lead them through life — as He did when He was on earth. This makes following Him practical and real.

5. The New Testament reveals that it is the Risen Christ who received from the Father the Holy Spirit and He, through Himself, ascended to the Father, has given the Holy Spirit to us. This gives the believer in Christ both the knowledge and the power to live a godly life and live a life that can be an intimately and personally directed one.

6. The resurrected Christ was no mere reassembling of the molecules and particles of the Body that had been crucified. It was, indeed, a physical body, but one that was fully glorified. It was a "spiritual body". Christians know that likewise, they will one day be granted the nature of a spiritual body, and be full of health. They therefore are full of hope and consolation, and consider that, even now in this life, there is an overcoming through Him.

==Worship and the Sacraments==
Christians normally attend worship services once a week, typically on Sundays. Some denominations, such as the [[Seventh Day Adventist]]s, worship on Saturdays. Commonly, [[megachurch]]es often hold services on both Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings to accommodate growing crowds. More conservative denominations, such as independent Baptists and churches of Christ, hold services on Sunday evenings and Wednesday evenings as well.

The [[Catholic]] and [[Eastern Orthodox]] denominations have seven sacraments: [[baptism]], [[eucharist]], [[confirmation]], [[Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation|confession]], [[Anointing of the Sick|anointing of the sick]], [[marriage]], and [[Holy Orders|holy orders]]. Of these, Protestants observe only baptism and eucharist as sacraments,<ref>The term "eucharist" is rarely used within Protestant circles; common terms include Communion (often used in more traditional denominations) and The Lord's Supper (more frequent in conservative denominations who consider Communion to be a Catholic term).</ref> which are the only two for which they find Scriptural support.<ref>Although Protestants, especially conservative ones, hold to high views of marriage and believe it is taught in the Bible, they do not consider it to be a sacrament.</ref>

==Evangelism==
In what is called the [[Great Commission]], Jesus sent his disciples out into the world to preach the Gospel (literally "good news") and make disciples.
:'''Great Commission'''
:''But the eleven disciples proceeded to [[Galilee]], to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in [[heaven]] and on [[earth]]." Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the [[#God the Father|Father]] and the [[#God the Son|Son]] and the [[#God the Holy Spirit|Holy Spirit]], teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."'' --[[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 28:16-20 [[New American Standard Bible|NASB]]
[[Image:Gleyre The Departure of the Apostles.jpg|thumb|240px|The Departure of the Apostles by [[Charles Gleyre]].]]
 

==Internet Evangelism==

{{See also|Internet evangelism}}

Campus Crusade for Christ International (CCCI) is one of the world's largest evangelism organizations within Christendom and has over 25,000 full-time missionaries. In 2006, Alan Beeber of CCCI predicted that internet evangelism will result in more conversion than all other forms of evangelism for CCCI combined.<ref>http://www.lausanneworldpulse.com/pdf/issues/LWP0206.pdf</ref> [[Eternal Word Television Network]] (EWTN) is a worldwide broadcast and internet online and Facebook ministry proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord 24 hours a day with [[Christian apologetics]] programs, News Nightly news broadcast from a Catholic Christian perspective, The World Over with Raymond Arroyo, and daily broadcast worship and prayer seven days a week four times a day.<ref>https://www.ewtn.com https://www.facebook.com/ewtnonline</ref> EWTN claims to be the largest religious media network in the world.

== Growth of worldwide Christianity ==
[[File:Hong Kong Christians at Gateway Camp.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|[[Hong Kong]] Christians at Gateway Camp. In 2005, there were four times as many non-Western World Christians as there were [[Western World]] Christians.<ref>https://www.wnd.com/?pageId=30077</ref>]]
''see also:'' [[Growth of Christianity]] and [[Historical examples of the exponential growth of Christianity]] and [[Global Christianity]] and [[Internet evangelism]] and [[Evangelical Christians]] and [[Resources on becoming a Christian]]

Christianity has seen tremendous growth over its 2000-year history (See: [[Growth of Christianity]]).<ref>http://users.adam.com.au/bstett/BChristianIncrease12.htm</ref> Christianity has recently seen explosive growth outside the [[Western World]].<ref>
*[http://pewforum.org/Christian/Faith-and-Conflict-The-Global-Rise-of-Christianity.aspx The global rise of Christianity - Pew Forum]
*[https://www.wnd.com/?pageId=30077 Is Christianity taking over the planet?]
*[http://pewforum.org/Religion-News/The-stunning-growth-of-Christianity-in-China.aspx The stunning growth of Christianity in China]
*[http://gratefultothedead.wordpress.com/2009/12/16/the-african-apostles-how-christianity-exploded-in-20th-century-africa/ The African apostles: How Christianity exploded in 20th century Africa]</ref> In 2000, there were twice as many non-Western Christians as Western Christians.<ref>[https://www.wnd.com/?pageId=30077 Is Christianity taking over the planet?]</ref> In 2005, there were four times as many non-Western Christians as there were [[Western World]] Christians.<ref>https://www.wnd.com/?pageId=30077</ref> There are now more non-Western missionaries than Western missionaries.<ref>https://www.wnd.com/?pageId=30077</ref>

In 2023, the [[Center for the Study of Global Christianity]] at [[Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary]] reported that there are over 2.6 billion Christians worldwide and this number will increase to 3.3 billion Christians by 2050.<ref>*[https://www.brnunited.org/news/good-news-christianity-is-growing-around-the-world/#:~:text=The%20population%20growth%20rate%20is,top%203%20billion%20before%202050! Good news! Christianity is growing around the world!], Baptist Resource Network</ref><ref>[https://www.gordonconwell.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/01/Status-of-Global-Christianity-2023.pdf Status of Global Atheism/Christianity/other religions, 2023, in the Context of 1900–2050], [[Center for the Study of Global Christianity]] at [[Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary]]</ref>

In 2011, the ''American Spectator'' declared concerning research published in the ''International Bulletin of Missionary Research'': "The report estimates about 80,000 new Christians every day, 79,000 new [[Islam|Muslims]] every day, and 300 fewer [[atheism|atheists]] every day. These atheists are presumably disproportionately represented in the [[Western World|West]], while religion is thriving in the Global South, where [[Charismatic movement|charismatic Christianity]] is exploding."<ref>http://spectator.org/archives/2011/02/28/thriving-christianity</ref>

Despite strong persecution in the [[Middle East]], thousands of [[Muslims]] are turning to Christ.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/01/11/thousands-muslims-reportedly-turning-to-christ-in-middle-east.html Thousands of Muslims reportedly turning to Christ in Middle East]. ''Fox News'' (from ''The Christian Post''). January 11, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2017.</ref>

=== Growth of Christianity ===

''See also:'' [[Growth of Christianity]]

In March 2024, Frontier Partners International reported:
{{Cquote|The [[Center for the Study of Global Christianity]] at [[Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary]] recently reported that global Christianity is experiencing remarkable growth, defying expectations and surpassing population rates.

Contrary to the anticipated slowdown, the Christian population is projected to climb from over 2.52 billion to 2.63 billion, representing a 1.08 percent growth, and is expected to surpass 3 billion by 2050.

Within Christianity, certain denominations are witnessing even more rapid expansion. Notably, [[Protestant]]s (1.63 percent), independents (1.96 percent), [[evangelicals]] (1.66 percent), and [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal]]/[[Charismatic movement|charismatics]] (1.48 percent) are identified as the fastest-growing groups, showcasing the diverse nature of the faith’s evolution.

The growth of Christianity is particularly pronounced in the global south, with Africa and Asia emerging as the fastest-growing regions.

Africa, in particular, has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from having less than 10 million Christians at the turn of the 20th century to now being home to 734 million Christians, growing at a rate of 2.64 percent.

By 2050, Africa is projected to host more Christians than Asia and Latin America combined.

Intriguingly, the report indicates that Christianity is not only growing in numbers but is also expanding geographically.

In 1900, 95 percent of the world’s Christians lived in predominantly Christian countries. However, the trend is shifting, with a decline of 0.17 percent between 2020 and 2024, indicating that more Christians are residing in diverse, non-Christian majority nations.<ref>[https://www.frontierpartners.org/global-christianity-surges Global Christianity surges beyond projections in 2024], LiCAS.news • Mar 15, 2024, Frontiers Patners Intertnational, 2024</ref>}}

=== Where Christianity is growing the most ===

*[https://www.patheos.com/blogs/geneveith/2024/04/where-christianity-is-growing-the-most/ Where Christianity Is Growing the Most], 2024

=== Center for Global Christianity - Annual statistics - including projected growth of Christianity statistics ===

''See also:'' [[Center for the Study of Global Christianity]] and [[Growth of Christianity]]

The [[Center for the Study of Global Christianity]] (CSGC) declares about their organization that it is "an academic research center that monitors worldwide demographic trends in Christianity, including outreach and mission. We provide a comprehensive collection of information on the past, present, and future of Christianity in every country of the world."<ref>[http://www.gordonconwell.edu/ockenga/research/About-Us.cfm Center for the Study of Global Christianity - About]</ref>

Every year in the ''International Bulletin of Mission Research'' the Center for the Study of Global Christianity publishes an annual snapshot of global Christianity which includes projected [[growth of Christianity]] statistics.

'''Center for the Study of Global Christianity, annual snapshot of Christianity in the world:'''

*[https://www.gordonconwell.edu/center-for-global-christianity/resources/status-of-global-christianity/ Center for Global Christianity - Annual statistics]

=== Christianity by continent ===

''See also:'' [[Christianity by continent]]

Below are articles on Christianity in the seven continents:

*[[Christianity in Africa]]
*[[Christianity in Antarctica]]
*[[Christianity in Asia]]
*[[Christianity in Australia | Christianity in Australia, Oceania, New Zealand]]
*[[Christianity in Europe]]
*[[Christianity in North America | Christianity in North America, Caribbean]]
*[[Christianity in South America | Christianity in South America, Central America]]

=== Projected growth of Christianity graph ===

''See also:'' [[Growth of Christianity]] and [[Future of Christianity]]

[[File:Growth of Christianity.png|thumbnail|center|400px|Projected [[growth of Christianity]] graph.<ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/figure/shows-the-growth-of-the-total-number-of-Christians-worldwide-25-At-first-glance-it-may_fig5_301560058 Total Christian population graph]</ref>]]
{{Clear}}

==Early Church Community and Commitment: The Biblical Period==
[[File:Hoffman Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane.jpg|thumb|left|110px|[[Jesus Christ]] ]]

The Bible records that, at least initially, the church saw itself as united. In the community:

"...they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. {43} And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. {44} And all that believed were together, and had all things common; {45} And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. {46} And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common."(Acts 2:42-47; 4:32)

This community was soon "scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles," due to determined persecution which resulted in the dispersed disciples going "every where preaching the word." (Acts 8:1,4). Christian communities were primarily to be found in two separate cultural and liguistic entities—the Greek and Latin-speaking empires of Europe and the mid-east, and the Aramaic speaking sphere of the Parthian empire of the mid-east and far-east. This latter sphere encompassed not only the eastern portions of Syria, the Arabian peninsula, and Persia, but also extended to portions of southern India and even China. To this day there are many [[Aramaic Church]] members in the Kerala province of south India.

==Early Church Community and Commitment: the Post-Biblical Period==

[[Image:Orthodox churches icon artwork.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Orthodox Church's icon artwork.]]
'''Justin martyr 100 A.D. - 165 A.D. From the "First Apology" (Defense)
'''

<blockquote>
But we, after we have thus washed him who has been convinced and has assented to our teaching, bring him to the place where those who are called brethren are assembled, in order that we may offer hearty prayers in common for ourselves and for the baptized [illuminated] person, and for all others in every place, that we may be counted worthy, now that we have learned the truth, by our works also to be found good citizens and keepers of the commandments, so that we may be saved with an everlasting salvation. Having ended the prayers, we salute one another with a kiss. There is then brought to the president of the brethren bread and a cup of wine mixed with water; and he taking them, gives praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and offers thanks at considerable length for our being counted worthy to receive these things at His hands. And when he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all the people present express their assent by saying Amen. This word Amen answers in the Hebrew language to genoito [so be it]. And when the president has given thanks, and all the people have expressed their assent, those who are called by us deacons give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced, and to those who are absent they carry away a portion. (Chapt. LXV - administration of the sacraments)</blockquote>

<blockquote>
And this food is called among us Eukaristia [the Eucharist = the Thanksgiving], of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined. For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh. For the apostles, in the memoirs composed by them, which are called Gospels, have thus delivered unto us what was enjoined upon them; that Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, said, "This do ye in remembrance of Me, this is My body;" and that, after the same manner, having taken the cup and given thanks, He said, "This is My blood;" and gave it to them alone... (Chapt. LXVl - of the Eucharist)
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead...(Chapt.LXVll - weekly worship of the Christians)
</blockquote>

'''Tertullian (A.D. 160 -220), an Early ecclesiastical leader and writer, in his ''Apology'' (response to pagan charges) in describing the early church community wrote, ca. AD 197: '''

:We are a body knit together by one faith, one discipline and one hope. We meet together as a congregation, uniting together to offer prayer to God. We pray for the emperors and all in authority, for the welfare of the world, for peace and for the delay of the final end. We read our holy scriptures to nourish our faith, hope, steadfastness and good habits. We hear exhortations and rebukes. We take such judging very seriously – as befits those who believe they are in the sight of God – especially seriously when anyone sins so grievously we have to cut them off from our prayer, our congregation and all sacred things. Our elders preside over us, obtaining that honor not by money, but by their established character. There is no buying and selling in the things of God. Though we have a fund, but not because people can buy religion. Once a month, anyone who wants to make a small donation – but only he who is able and willing; there is no compulsion. It is not spent on feasts, but to support and bury poor people, to provide for orphans, the elderly, old persons, victims of shipwreck and those in prison for their faith.<ref>Defense by Tertullian (39), Trans. Rev. S. Thelwall. Modernized, abridged and introduced by Stephen Tomkins. Edited and prepared for the web by Dan Graves.</ref>

'''Pliny the Younger, the Roman governor of Pontus & Bithynia (northern Turkey) from A.D. 111–113, reporting to emperor Trajan of Christians, whom such pagan rulers found intolerable:'''

:... Those who denied that they were or had been Christians, when they invoked the gods in words dictated by me, offered prayer with incense and wine to your image, which I had ordered to be brought for this purpose together with statues of the gods, and moreover cursed Christ--none of which those who are really Christians, it is said, can be forced to do--these I thought should be discharged. Others named by the informer declared that they were Christians, but then denied it, asserting that they had been but had ceased to be, some three years before, others many years, some as much as twenty-five years. They all worshipped your image and the statues of the gods, and cursed Christ.

:They asserted, however, that the sum and substance of their fault or error had been that they were accustomed to meet on a fixed day before dawn and sing responsively a hymn to Christ as to a god, and to bind themselves by oath, not to some crime, but not to commit fraud, theft, or adultery, not falsify their trust, nor to refuse to return a trust when called upon to do so. When this was over, it was their custom to depart and to assemble again to partake of food — but ordinary and innocent food.<ref>Pliny the Younger Letters, 10.96</ref>

=== Implications of the growth of worldwide Christianity ===

''see also:'' [[Global Christianity]] and [[Internet evangelism]]

Given the increase in the public's access to global communications, it is thought that the more [[theology|theologically]] [[conservative]] non-Western Christian churches could influence Western Christianity to move in a more theologically [[conservative]] direction.<ref>http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=18774</ref> For example, non-Western [[Anglican]]s are exerting influence within the worldwide Anglican Communion against the stance of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican Communion's North American provinces with regard to [[homosexual]] practices.<ref>http://www.maravipost.com/malawi-politics/district/5751-bishop-mw-anglicans-totally-against-homosexuality.html</ref><ref>https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2156406/Anglican-church-schism-declared-over-homosexuality.html</ref>

== History of Christianity timeline ==

[[File:Branches of Christianity.jpg|center|900px]]
{{Clear}}
=== Early Christianity ===

See: [[Early Christianity]]

== Positive effects of Christianity on societies ==
[[Image:Stbasil.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Saint Basil|St. Basil]] of Caesarea founded the first hospital. Christian hospitals subsequently spread quickly throughout both the East and the West.<ref>[http://biblemesh.com/blog/the-christian-origins-of-hospitals/ The Christian origin of hospitals]</ref> See: [[Christianity and hospitals]] ]]
''See also:'' [[Christianity statistics]]

Historically, Christianity has had a positive effect on societies and there are a number of statistics which demonstrate this matter (see: [[Christianity statistics]]).

=== Christianity and social stability ===

See: [[Christianity and social stability]]

=== Christianity and hospitals ===

See: [[Christianity and hospitals]]

== Atheism vs. Christianity ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism vs. Christianity]]

In the latter half of the 1600s, there was [[French atheism#Clandestine French atheism in the 1600s and 1700s|an increase]] in the degree of ideological conflict between [[atheism]] and Christianity in the [[Western World]]. At first the conflict was of a secretive nature via the use of clandestine tracts.<ref>[http://fivebooks.com/interview/jonathan-israel-on-the-enlightenment/ Jonathan Israel on The Enlightenment]</ref><ref>The material was formerly at the University of Cambridge's Investigation Atheism website. A website which closed down. The material has been transferred to [http://www.mmfase.com/18th-century.html 18th Century History], Investigating Atheism</ref>

As a result of [[militant atheism]] in the 20th century, there was widespread persecution against Christians in [[Communist]] countries such as the former [[Soviet Union]]. various Communist countries such as China continue to persecute Christians (see: [[Communism and religious persecution]]).

The 21st century is projected to be a century of [[desecularization]] and atheists are expected to lose influence in the West (and the world as a whole) as a result of religious immigration and the religious conservatives having a much higher fertility rate (see also: [[Growth of global desecularization]]).

In 2011, the ''American Spectator'' declared about the global population:
{{cquote|The report estimates about 80,000 new Christians every day, 79,000 new [[Islam|Muslims]] every day, and 300 fewer atheists every day. These atheists are presumably disproportionately represented in the [[Western World|West]], while religion is thriving in the Global South, where [[Charismatic movement|charismatic Christianity]] is exploding."<ref>[http://spectator.org/archives/2011/02/28/thriving-christianity Thriving Christianity]</ref>}}

In 2022, the left-leaning Pew Research Center projected that Christianity would lose its majority in the [[United States]] by 2070, but that assumes a lack of renewed [[evangelism]].<ref>https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/09/14/christian-population-minority-2070-model-pew/10380295002/</ref>

== Resources related to becoming a Christian ==

''see also:'' [[Essay: Resources on becoming a Christian|Resources on becoming a Christian]]

'''Below are some resources on becoming a [[Christian]]:'''

*[https://creation.com/good-news Are you a good person?]

*[http://www.newchristian.org.uk/ New Christian - UK]

*[http://www.thewordfortoday.org/?page=C2000 Free audio Bible and Bible audio streaming]

*[http://www.allaboutgod.com/ AllAboutGod.com]

*[[Christian apologetics|Evidence for Christianity]]

*[[Christian video testimonies]]

*[https://www.gotquestions.org/repentance.html Repentance]

* [https://reasonsforhopejesus.com/what-if-you-die-today/ What Must You Do To Be SAVED?]

'''Tips on choosing a Christian church:'''

*[http://www.allaboutreligion.org/choosing-a-christian-church-faq.htm Choosing a Christian Church]

=== Books ===

*''The Complete Book of Discipleship: On Being and Making Followers of Christ'' by Bill Hull. ‎NavPress; Annotated edition (November 6, 2006)
*''The Pursuit of Holiness'' by Jerry Bridges. NavPress; Enlarged edition (November 3, 2016)
*''The Practice of Godliness'' by Jerry Bridges. NavPress (June 1, 2016)

==See also==
[[File:1024px-Pentarchy 565 CE.png|thumbnail|700px|[[Pentarchy]] in 565 AD.]]
'''Denominations or branches of Christianity'''
*[[Roman Catholic Church]]
*[[Pentarchy]]
*[[Eastern Orthodoxy|Eastern Churches -- Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Church of the East]]
*[[Protestantism|Protestant]]
**[[Anglican]] ([[Church of England]])
***[[Episcopal Church]] (USA affiliate)
**[[Baptist]]
**[[Congregationalist]]
**[[Disciples of Christ]] and [[Churches of Christ]]
**[[Evangelical Christianity]]
**[[Religious Society of Friends|Friends (Quaker)]]
**[[Fundamentalism]]
**[[Lutheran]]
**[[Mennonite]]
***[[Amish]]
**[[Messianic Judaism]]
**[[Methodist]]
**[[Pentecostal]]
**[[Plymouth Brethren]]
**[[Presbyterian]]
**[[Reformed]]
*[[Coptic_Church | Coptic Church]]
*[[Ethiopian_Orthodox_Tewahedo_Church | Ethiopian Church ]]
*[[Indian_Orthodox_Church | Indian Orthodox Church]]
*[[Independent_Catholic_churches |Independent Catholic Churches]]
'''Disputed'''
*[[Christian Science]]
*[[Jehovah's Witnesses]]
*[[Latter-day Saints]]
*[[Unitarian]]
*[[Seventh-day Adventist]]
*[[Society_of_St._Pius_X |SSPX traditionalist Catholicism Latin mass]]
*[[Liberal Catholic Church]]
*Oneness [[Pentecostalism]]
*[[Liberal Christianity]]
'''Christianity in the World'''

*[[Global Christianity]]
*[[List of countries by number of Christians]]

'''American Christianity:'''

*[[American Christianity]]
'''Christianity by continent'''
*[[Christianity in Africa]]
*[[Christianity in Asia]]
*[[Christianity in Australia | Christianity in Australia, Oceania, New Zealand]]
*[[Christianity in Europe]]
*[[Christianity in North America | Christianity in North America, Caribbean]]
*[[Christianity in South America | Christianity in South America, Central America]]

'''Other articles'''
[[File:All Souls College, Oxford.jpg|thumbnail|right|300px|The prominent historian Sir Diarmaid MacCulloch, professor of the History of the Church at [[Oxford University]], indicates that he believes Christianity faces a "bright future" worldwide (See also: [[Global Christianity]]).
 
 
According to MacCulloch, "Christianity, the world's largest religion, is rapidly expanding – by all indications, its future is very bright."<ref>[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/10/catholic-schism-diarmaid-macculloh-silence-in-christian-history_n_1663231.html Historian predicts 'bright future' for Christianity]</ref>
 
 
See also: [[Future of Christianity]] ]]
*[[Future of Christianity]]
*[[Christianity and social stability]]
*[[Resurrection Sunday | Easter]]
*[[Christmas]]
*[[Adiabene]]
*[[Essay: The earliest Christian Church, a prison in Armageddon]]
*[[Aramaic Church]]
*[[Cathedral]]
*[[Catholicism]]
*[[Apostolic Tradition]]
*[[Christian apologetics]] (Defense of Christianity)
*[[Christians and the Law of Moses: an essay]]
*[[Christianity and Science]]
*[[Christianity and women's rights]]
*[[Christian marriage]]
*[[Church]]
*[[Conservative Christianity]]
*[[Eucharist]]
*[[Evangelical Apostolic Church of North America (Syro-Chaldean)]]
*[[Ex opere operato and ex opere operantis]]
*[[Christian apologetics|Evidence for Christianity]]
*[[Gospel reading in the Church: the Turgama]]
*[[Infant baptism]]
*[[Inspiration of Holy Scripture: An Eastern Christian and Jewish Perspective]]
*[[Jesus Christ]]
*[[Judaism]]
*[[Messiah]]
*[[Head covering (Christianity)]]
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
*[[New Testament understanding through the Jewish perspective]]
*[[Jewish Biblical way of interpretation: a solution for New Testament understanding]]
*[[Early Aramaic Jewish Christian prophesying]]
*[[First Century Aramaic Jewish Christian Gospel and poetry]]
*[[Aramaic Judaism, Jewish Aramaic Christianity, and John 1:1]]
*[[God on earth, the original!: an essay]]
*[[Passover Seder]]
*[[Persecution of Christians]]
*[[Revelation, Book of (historical exegesis)]]
*[[Red-letter Christian]]
*[[Sign of the Cross]]
*[[The Sign of the Cross: of Jewish Origin]]
*[[Essay: The Way of Salvation]]
*[[Gates of Hell]]
*[[Anti Abortion activism: a personal essay]]
*[[Transmigration of Words in Religion: an essay]]
*[[Singing the Hebrew Scriptures]]
*[[Christmas in the Holy Land: an essay]]
*[[Essay: How to "get" a church]]
*[[Essay: How to choose a Bible]]
*[[Essay: Water baptism cannot save, the Church cannot save, Born again by faith alone]]
*[[Bible translations]]
*[[Essay: The superiority of the King James Bible: Looking through!]]
*[[Essay:Christianity Needs Conservatism]]
*[[Essay:Christian First, Conservative Second]]
*[[Essay:How Many Christians In The World]]
*[[Essay:How Conservatism Is Essential to the Future of Christianity]]
*[[Essay:Important Christian Cities]]
*[[Essay:Virtue: Christian vs secular]]
*[[Essay:Counter-cultural Christianity]]
*[[Essay:Why Christianity is incompatible with Liberalism]]
</div>

==Further reading==
===Encyclopedias===
* Bodensieck, Julius, ed. ''The Encyclopedia of the Lutheran Church,'' (3 vol 1965), ECLS perspective
* Brauer, Jerald C. ''The Westminster Dictionary of Church History'' (1971), 880pp
* [http://newadvent.org/cathen/index.html ''The Catholic Encyclopedia'' (1907-1913)], old but highly detailed and online
** ''New Catholic Encyclopedia'', edited by the Catholic University of America, 17 vol. 1967–1979.
*Cross, F. L., and E. A. Livingstone, eds. ''The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church'' (3rd ed. 1997), 1840pp; [https://www.amazon.com/Oxford-Dictionary-Christian-Church/dp/0192802909/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b excerpt and text search]; online at [[OUP]]
* Elwell, Walter A., ed. ''Evangelical Dictionary of Theology‎'' (2001) 1312 pages; articles by over 200 Evangelical or Fundamentalist scholars
*Hastings, Adrian et al. eds. ''The Oxford Companion to Christian Thought'' (2000) 808pp; 600 articles by 260 Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox scholars; [https://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0198600240/ref=sib_dp_pt/105-4292297-2766841#reader-link excerpt and text search]; online at [[OUP]]
*''New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge'' (1911), major sources of older scholarly articles; mainline Protestant perspective
**[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc01.toc.html Vol. 1: Aachen - Basilians]
**[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc02.toc.html Vol. 2: Basilica - Chambers]
**[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc03.toc.html Vol. 3: Chamier - Draendorf]
**[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc04.toc.html Vol. 4: Draeseke - Goa]
**[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc05.toc.html Vol. 5: Goar - Innocent]
**[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc06.toc.html Vol. 6: Innocents - Liudger]
**[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc07.toc.html Vol. 7: Liutprand - Moralities]
**[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc08.toc.html Vol. 8: Morality - Petersen]
**[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc09.toc.html Vol. 9: Petri - Reuchlin]
**[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc10.toc.html Vol. 10: Reutsch - Son]
**[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc11.toc.html Vol. 11: Son of Man - Tremellius]
**[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc12.toc.html Vol. 12: Trench - Zwingli]
**[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc13.toc.html Vol. 13: Index]

===Histories===
*Briggs, J. H. Y., Robert D. Linder, and David F. Wright. ''Introduction to the History of Christianity: First Century to the Present Day'' (2006) [https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-History-Christianity-Century-Present/dp/0800638123/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200823548&sr=8-4 excerpt and text search]
*Gonzalez, Justo L. ''A History of Christian Thought: Volume 1: From the Beginnings to the Council of Chalcedon'' (2nd ed. 1987); [https://www.amazon.com/History-Christian-Thought-Beginnings-Chalcedon/dp/0687171822/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200823941&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search vol 1]; ''A History of Christian Thought: Volume 2: From Augustine to the Eve of the Reformation'' (2nd ed. 1987) [https://www.amazon.com/History-Christian-Thought-Augustine-Reformation/dp/0687171830/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200823941&sr=8-3 excerpt and text search vol 2]; ''A History of Christian Thought: Volume 3: From the Protestant Reformation to the Twentieth Century'' (1987) [https://www.amazon.com/History-Christian-Thought-Protestant-Reformation/dp/0687171849/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200808706&sr=8-12 excerpt and text search vol 3]
*Horsley, Richard A. ''Christian Origins: A People's History Of Christianity, Vol. 1'' (2006), 318pp [https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Origins-Peoples-History-Christianity/dp/080063411X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200886474&sr=1-2 excerpt and text search]
*Latourette, Kenneth Scott. ''A History of Christianity'' (2 vol 1975) [https://www.amazon.com/History-Christianity-Beginnings-1500-Revised/dp/0060649526/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200823548&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search vol 1, to 1500], by leading Baptist scholar
*Latourette, Kenneth Scott. ''A history of the expansion of Christianity'' (7 vol 1939–1970), monumental history of missionary work worldwide
*MacCulloch, Diarmaid. ''The Reformation'' (2005), influential recent survey [https://www.amazon.com/Reformation-Diarmaid-MacCulloch/dp/014303538X/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200808706&sr=8-2 excerpt and text search]
*McGonigle, Thomas D., and James F. Quigley. ''A history of the Christian Tradition: From Its Jewish Origins to the Reformation'' (1988); ''A History of the Christian Tradition, Vol. II: From the Reformation to the Present'' (1996) [https://www.amazon.com/History-Christian-Tradition-Vol-Reformation/dp/0809136481/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200808706&sr=8-15 excerpt and text search vol 2]
*Pelikan, Jaroslav. ''Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine'' (5 vol 1975–91) [https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Tradition-Development-Doctrine-Medieval/dp/0226653757/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201083460&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search v. 3, 600 AD - 1300]; [https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Tradition-Development-Reformation-1300-1700/dp/0226653773/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201083460&sr=8-4 excerpt and text search vol 4, 1300-1700]; [https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Tradition-History-Development-Doctrine/dp/0226653803/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201083460&sr=8-3 excerpt and text search vol 5, 1700-present] This is the standard history of Christian doctrine.
*Ward, Keith. ''Christianity: A Beginner's Guide'' (2008), 195pp

===United States===
* Ahlstrom, Sydney E. ''A religious history of the American people‎'' (1979) 1192 pages; classic history from broad perspective [https://books.google.com/books?id=5kFF6a1viGcC&dq=inauthor:ahlstrom&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=30&as_brr=0&as_pt=ALLTYPES excerpt and text search]
* Balmer, Randall. ''Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism'' (2nd ed. 2004), 655pp [http://www.questia.com/library/book/encyclopedia-of-evangelicalism-by-randall-balmer.jsp ''Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism'' online edition]
* Lippy, Charles H. and Peter W. Williams, eds. ''Encyclopedia of the American religious experience: studies of traditions and movements'' (3 vol 1988) 1872 pages; standard reference work; long essays by scholars
* Noll, Mark A. ''A history of Christianity in the United States and Canada‎'' (1992), by leading Evangelical historian [https://books.google.com/books?id=VGF3wbzzy9QC&dq=intitle:christianity+inauthor:noll&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=30&as_brr=0&as_pt=ALLTYPES excerpt and text search]
* Queen, Edward L. et al., eds. ''Encyclopedia of American Religious History'' (3rd ed. 2 vol. 2009) 1200pp
* Reid, Daniel G. et al., eds. ''Dictionary of Christianity in America'' (199)
* Wooley, Davis C. ed. ''Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists‎'' (5 vol 1958–1982; 2565 pages)

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.aim.org/wls/category/christians/ What Liberals Say - Category: Christians], [[Accuracy In Media]]
*[http://www.churchbud.com Christian Social Network]
*[http://bertschlossberg.blogspot.com/2012/11/jesus-through-fabric-of-our-lives.html Jesus through the Fabric of our Lives]
*[http://bertschlossberg.blogspot.com/ Real Life and Death: the interplay of Bible, Israel, America]
*[http://bertschlossberg.blogspot.de/2013/05/who-can-be-saved-who-can-not-be-saved.html Who can be saved? Who can not be saved?]

[[Category:Christianity| ]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theory scapegoats]]
[[Category:Worldviews]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]
[[Category:Churches]]
[[Category:Christian Denominations]]
[[Category:Christian Organizations]]

Conservative Bible Project

2026-10-18T20:06:49Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved reference spacing

{{ConservativeBible}}
The '''Conservative Bible Project''' renders [[God]]'s word without [[liberal denial]]. A ''Colbert Report'' interview featured this project.<ref>[http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/258144/december-08-2009/andy-schlafly The Colbert Report Videos: Andy Schlafly], ColbertNation.com, December 8, 2009.</ref> Achievements include these 50 insights:
#the [[Epistle to the Hebrews]] is an absolute masterpiece authored by [[Jesus]] himself, confirmed in [[Mystery:Did_Jesus_Write_the_Epistle_to_the_Hebrews%3F#Evidence_that_Jesus_wrote_it|52 ways]], yet [[liberal denial]] hides this;<ref>This Epistle was probably Jesus's sermon on the [[road to Emmaus]] mentioned in [[Luke 17-24 (Translated)#24:13|Luke 24:13-35]] with foreshadowing of the surprise revelation at the end of the journey with {{Bibleref|Hebrews|13|2}}: be hospital to strangers because one might be an [[angel]].</ref>
#the four [[Gospels]] were written by ethnic rivals: a [[Jew]], a [[Gentile]], a [[Greek]], and [[Mystery: Was John a Samaritan|probably a Samaritan]] ([[John]]), which proves their authenticity because they verified each other's accounts despite their underlying conflict;
#[[liberal]]s lack [[God]]'s playful [[Mystery:Does God Have a Sense of Humor|sense of humor]], and thus often fail to appreciate [[humor in the Bible]], as in "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares";<ref>Hebrews 13:2 ([[ESV]]); ''see also'' Hebrews 2:3, which is probably a humorous, playfully hidden reference by Jesus (as the [[Mystery:Did Jesus Write the Epistle to the Hebrews|undisclosed author of the Epistle to the Hebrews]]) back to himself: "It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard." ([[ESV]]).</ref>
#scribes were [[liberal]], like most professors today, and scribes tacked on their own cheap endings to the Gospels of [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] and [[Gospel of John|John]] to dilute the inspiring originals, as when women were overjoyed at seeing an [[angel]] as a young man at the [[Tomb]];<ref>''See'' [[Mark ending]] and the first half of {{bibleref|Mark|16|8}}; ''see also'' [[John ending]].</ref>
#[[Samaritan]]s were as numerous as [[Judean]] [[Jew]]s at the time of [[Christ]], and parts of the [[Gospels]] (such as the [[Good Samaritan]]) can be understood as a brilliant emphasis for converting quickly the Samaritans, who were in a bitter rivalry with the Judean Jews;
#the Gospels of [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] and [[Gospel of John|John]], and the [[Epistle to the Hebrews]], were written at the time of [[Jesus]], as proven in 40 ways,<ref>''See'' [[Date of Hebrews|16 confirmations that the Date of Hebrews was just after the Resurrection]], [[Date of John|10 reasons that the Gospel of John was contemporaneous with Jesus]], and [[date of the Gospel of Mark|14 proofs that the Gospel of Mark was contemporaneous]] too.</ref> and yet [[liberal denial]] asserts absurdly late dates and causes [[AI]] to mislead everyone;
#the [[Gospel of John]] is breathtakingly powerful in its logic -- "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us"<ref>{{bibleref|John|1|14}} ([[ESV]]).</ref> -- which overcomes [[anxiety]] by emphasizing [[eternal life]], and yet [[liberal]]s dilute and hide this;
#the [[Bible]] reveals that [[God]] told [[Jesus]] the universe "wears out like a garment" but "you remain" eternally,<ref>{{Bibleref|Heb|1|11}} and {{Bibleref|Psalms|102|26}}</ref> in spectacular [[Biblical scientific foreknowledge]] of the [[Second Law of Thermodynamics]] ([[entropy]] increase and decay);
#the stunning originality in the [[Bible]] is beyond human imagination and thereby confirms its truth, as in the [[Son of God]] [[washing the feet|washing the grimy feet]] of the [[Apostles]] at the [[Last Supper]];
#the [[New Testament]] is a terrific handbook against [[addiction]], which afflicts everyone: the original uses the [[Greek]] root "adikia" 25 times in 24 verses, yet modern translations fail to translate it as addiction;<ref>See [[addiction etymology]].</ref>
#the [[Bible]] is tremendously helpful for healing, and "healing" is a better translation than the overused term "peace" with its military connotation;<ref>The Hebrew שָׁלוֹם (shalom) is typically translated as peace, but really means completeness and soundness. See Strong's 7965 and 7999.</ref>
#correction of a mistranslation of the Greek term for "wrist"<ref>The same Greek term is used in Acts 12:7 ([[NIV]])- "the chains fell off Peter’s wrists."</ref> confirms that the [[Shroud of Turin]] is correct in showing the nail wounds in Jesus' wrists rather than his hands, and thus was not a medieval forgery when all mistakenly felt the nails went through his hands;
#The [[Bible]] can be translated into [[mathematical]] expressions to enrich understanding of it and of math: {{bibleref|John|1|1}} can be translated as "∃ Word(t=0) ∧ Word(t0) ∼ God ∧ Word(t0) ≡ God"; also, the ending of {{bibleref|James|1|17}} can be translated as "''d(God)/dt'' = 0 ('no variation') and ''d2(God)/dt2'' = 0 (second derivative - no 'shadow of turning')";
#tantalizing historical mysteries exist in the [[Bible]], such as whether [[Jesus]]'s disciples had a "[[Mole (espionage)|mole]]" trusted by the high priestst,<ref>''See'' [[John_the_Apostle#.22another_disciple.22_mystery_at_John_18:15|"another disciple" mystery at John 18:15]].</ref> which makes Bible analysis today as fascinating as any mysteries in science, math, and forensics;
#the [[liberal media]] dilutes and corrupts the connotations of key [[English]] words over time, such that the true power and benefits of the [[Bible]] require constantly updating the English terminology to convey;
#[[Greek language|ancient Greek]] was underdeveloped as to certain concepts, such as [[infinity|infinite]] and [[pro-life]], and translation of the [[New Testament]] is more enlightening, beneficial, and complete when it utilizes [[Best New Conservative Words|modern conservative terminology]];
#powerful political terminology like "lobbying" can enhance the understanding of what effective "prayer" (500 times in Bible) means, as in "lobbying [[God]]" to intervene for good rather than merely holding a [[liberal]] moment of silence as [[secularization]] connotes for "prayer";
#most modern translations are entirely by linguist professors without input by those having mathematical, scientific, writing, legal, artistic, or poetic skills, causing a more one-dimensional and antiquated rendition than it should be;
#[[political correctness]] causes [[liberal denial]] that the [[Apostles]] were ethnic rivals, by including [[Samaritan]]s, a [[Greek]], and a mixture of [[Jewish]] and [[Gentile]] followers of [[Jesus]] - their extraordinary unity amid their ethnic conflicts corroborates Jesus's divinity;<ref>[[Mystery:Unsolved_Gospel_Mysteries#What_ethnicity_was_John_the_Apostle.3F|What ethnicity was John the Apostle?]]</ref>
#[[The Lord's Prayer]] is unjustifiably diluted by the monarchical term "[[kingdom]]" (better: "[[paradise]]") and the [[globalism|globalist]] "[[earth]]" (better: "here");
#the [[Gospel of Mark]] is a tremendous text for teaching a child how to read with the superior method of [[phonics]], its content has simplicity and entertaining surprises without any discouragingly tedious passages, and the special translation [[Phonics and Gospel of Mark|here]] is freely available;
#the term "world" is overused in translations, incorrectly connoting [[globalism]] and nature rather than people, and a better translation in many contexts is "[[God]]'s [[creation]]" rather than "world";
#the [[Bible]], and particularly the [[New Testament]], are [[pro-life]] works, but professors in control of [[English]] translations are predominantly [[pro-abortion]] and thus dilute their versions;
#[[liberal]]s hide disparaging references to [[Greek]] and [[Hebrew]] slang for "homosexuals" in [[Deuteronomy 18-25 (Translated)#23:18|Deuteronomy 23:18]], [[Epistle to the Philippians (Translated)#3:2|Philippians 3:2]], [[Psalms 21-30 (Translated)#22:20|Psalms 22:20]], and [[Revelation 16-22#22:15|Revelation 22:15]] by mistranslating it as "dogs";<ref>"Dogs" as pets is represented by a completely different Greek word: κυνάριον (kunarion) [https://biblehub.com/greek/strongs_2952.htm].</ref>
#[[Papyrus 66]] is the oldest existing copy of the [[Gospel of John]] as discovered in [[Egypt]] in 1952, but professors largely ignore it because later versions with added verses were already used for all modern translations;
#the archaic word "disciple" (used 261x by [[ESV]]) is better translated as "student" today, as the meaning of the Greek term is "learner",<ref>https://biblehub.com/greek/3101.htm</ref> and today "student" captures and conveys that meaning the best;
#"[[God's paradise]]" should be used rather than "[[kingdom of God]]" (used 69x by [[KJV]]) and "infinite life" rather than "[[eternal life]]" (26x by [[KJV]]), in order to fully convey the immediate benefits intended by the original text;
#"[[Theophilus]]", the named recipient of 27% of the [[New Testament]] as written by [[Luke]], is the same word "loved by [[God]]" referenced independently by {{bibleref|John|3|16}}, and all the [[Gospels]] were written for everyone contrary to [[liberal denial]] concerning intended audiences;
#the expression "[[harden not your hearts]]" (3x by [[KJV]]) is better translated for [[liberal]]s today as "close not your minds," as the original [[Greek]] also means "stubbornness of mind" which is common among university-indoctrinated liberals;
#the [[Gospel of Mark]] was the fearless work of the outsider [[Gentile]] eyewitness [[Mark]], whose mother [[Salome]] was among the first to see the empty tomb after the [[Resurrection]]; [[liberal denial]] conceals this history to discourage conversion by Gentiles to [[Christianity]];<ref>[[Salome]], mentioned by {{bible ref|Mark|16|1}}, was likely [[Mark]]'s [[Aramaic]] mother who made Mark an eyewitness who initiated [[the Gospels]].</ref>
#"the [[Son of Man]]" is a [[liberal]] distortion to downplay the divinity of [[Jesus]]; it should be translated into "'''''The''''' Son, '''''as''''' Man";
#modern insights of science and mathematics help improve the precision of the translation of some enigmatic [[Bible]] verses, such as {{bibleref|Genesis|19|11}} - see "[[struck with blindness]]";
#a few verses were inserted into the [[Bible]] as vandalism, and they are easily identified by how [[liberal]]s over-quote them, such as the [[Essay:Adulteress Story|Adulteress Story]] and [[Luke 17-24 (Translated)#23:34|Luke 23:34]] (purporting that [[God]] forgives unrepentant people "for they do not know what they are doing”<ref>[[NIV]] translation.</ref>);
#[[liberal]]s have been erasing references to [[Hell]] in translating the [[Bible]]. ''See'' [[Disputed_Biblical_Translations#Disappearing_Hell|Disappearing Hell]];
#[[Paul]]'s principled writings and positions were similar to those of [[movement conservative]]s, and Paul relied on the [[Gospel of Mark]] in a speech Paul gave in AD 48;<ref>Paul quoted [[Mark]]'s quotation of [[John the Baptist]] at {{bibleref|Acts|13|25}} (quoting {{bibleref|Mark|1|7}}). This confirms that the Gospel of Mark was written and circulated quite early, contrary to [[liberal denial]].</ref>
#Paul's observation that the "wages of sin is death" at {{bibleref|Romans|6|23}} is one of the finest statements against [[addiction]] anywhere;
#the modern purging of references in the [[New Testament]] to "[[corn]]" -- a [[miracle|miraculous]] crop of unknown origin and superior to [[wheat]] -- which is used 14 times by the [[King James Version]] yet not once by the modern [[ESV]];<ref>Modern [[English]] translators of the [[Bible]] are academic professors misled by [[evolutionist]]s who insist that [[corn]] never existed in the wild or outside of [[America]] prior to [[Christopher Columbus]], and thus they purged all references to "corn", but modern molecular analysis has virtually disproven that implausible, [[atheistic]] theory.</ref>
#[[liberal bias]] is uncovered by doing an online word analysis of different versions, such as the underuse of "life" (only 189 times in [[NKJV]]) in translations of the [[New Testament]], while the powerful, beneficial term "[[infinite]]" is never used in the entire [[ESV]] and only rarely used in other translations;
#the disparaging phrases translated as an archaic, imprecise "cast lots" should instead be translated as "[[gambling]]", to more precisely convey the meaning and help overcome the [[addiction]];
#the nasty-sounding, almost racist use of the term "dogs" to refer to a different ethnic group is a mistranslation that instead should be "puppies", and interpreted as colonial paternalism rather than the racist manner, as only a few versions do for {{bibleref|Matthew|15|26}} and {{bibleref|Mark|7|27}};
#the [[ordering the Gospels|ordering of the Gospels]] is based on [[liberal denial]] that [[Mark]] was an eyewitness of [[Jesus]]; the [[Gospel of Mark]] would be a stronger, simpler, and more [[evangelical]] first [[Gospel]], or the [[Gospel of John]] would be a very effective choice to rank first;
#modern translations flag likely vandalism to the text only when verses are not in the oldest discovered texts, while there are additional powerful ways to identify non-authentic verses like [[Epistle to the Hebrews (Translated)#13:22|Hebrews 13:22-25]] and [[Mark 9-16 (Translated)#14:49|Mark 14:49]];
#the translations of [[faith]] at {{bibleref|Hebrews|11|1}} are diluted, as it is not merely confidence or assurance, but reality (''see [[defining faith]]'');
#the term "little children" is archaic and overused in modern translations when the reference is to adults, as repeatedly done in 1 John and {{bibleref|Galatians|4|19}}, and the phrase "children of God" has a misleading connotation in English of young children rather than adults such that "sons and daughters of God" would be a preferable translation;
#the [[Apostles]] and the public did not know why [[John the Baptist]] was executed until [[Mark]] explained it in the [[Gospel of Mark]], ''see'' [[Mystery:Unsolved_Gospel_Mysteries#How_did_Mark_learn_why_John_the_Baptist_was_executed.3F|Gospel Mysteries]];
#translation committees are biased by their secret deliberations without public input, without insights from anyone having a [[STEM]] background, and without the perspective of [[Amish]] and other independent perspectives;
#the [[Gospel of John]] is incredibly powerful and life-changing, and even more so when occasional [[liberal]] "[[Editorial Comments in the Gospel of John|asides]]" that were later inserted into it are recognized as not part of the original;<ref>''See'' [[Undiluted Gospel of John]].</ref>
#John 1:5 is an immensely powerful verse, but diluted in most translations with a past tense and weak negative "did not overcome": "That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it,"<ref>This quotation is from the [[HCSB]]. The Greek uses the Aorist Indicative Active (simple past tense - literally, "not overcame"), despite using the Present Indicative Active for "shines". https://biblehub.com/john/1-5.htm#lexicon</ref> When a stronger rendition would be "That light shines in the darkness, and the darkness succumbed to it." This wonderful verse also facilitates a greater appreciation of the interplay between physical light and darkness.
#the innovative, mind-bending, and powerful use of the logic of [[infinity]] in [[the Gospels]], which [[liberal]] translators today downplay or hide - e.g., "the unsearchable riches of [[Christ]]" should be "the infinite riches of Christ";<ref>{{Bibleref|Ephesians|3|8}} ([[ESV]]). As an illustration from the [[Old Testament]], in 1599 the [[Geneva Bible]] correctly translated {{bibleref|Psalms|147|5}} as the "infinite" wisdom of [[God]], but most modern English translations fail to use "infinite" there.</ref> and
#[[O’Sullivan’s First Law]]: any endeavor that is not actually [[conservative]] will inevitably be distorted and ruined by [[liberal]]s, including [[Bible]] translation by [[college]] professors.

[[Isaac Newton]], who was merely an average student, worked on translating the [[Bible]] and that gave him the inspiration and insight for inventing [[calculus]], developing mechanics, and discovering gravity. Going beyond reading the Bible to translating it also enables the eradication of liberal distortions that have crept in, such as pro-[[abortion]] bias against references to the unborn child. Just as [[Shakespeare]]'s works are losing interest in the West due to their increasingly archaic language, liberal language in Western Bible translations loses people. Conservative insights, as part of the ''[[lingua franca]]'', enlighten translation.<ref>A superb online source that has the Hebrew and Greek text with clickable links to English translations is the [http://study.interlinearbible.org/ Interlinear Bible]. Another terrific source is the [http://www.blueletterbible.org/ Blueletter Bible], where anyone can click on "SHOW STRONG'S" at the top right to obtain the Greek, and then edit a book in the chart here (upper right). A third resource, which has the original Greek, is the [http://www.greekbible.com/ Greek Bible]. Conservapedia welcomes the "[[best of the public]]" in this project.</ref>

[[Liberal bias]] has become the single biggest distortion in modern [[Bible]] translations, among three forms of imprecision:

*lack of precision in the original language, which lacked terms such as modern "[[infinity]]" to describe new concepts introduced by [[Christ]]<ref>[https://conservapedia.com/Infinity#Mistranslated_as_.22unsearchable.22 Infinite is mistranslated as "unsearchable" in many Bible translations.</ref>
*lack of precision in modern language
*translation bias, mainly of the [[liberal]] kind, in converting the original language to the modern one.

Experts in ancient languages help reduce the first type of error above, which is a vanishing source of error as scholarship advances understanding. English language linguists are helpful in reducing the second type of error, which also decreases due to an increasing vocabulary. '''But the third—and largest—source of translation error requires conservative principles to reduce and eliminate'''.<ref>The committee in charge of updating the bestselling version, the [[NIV]], is dominated by professors and higher-educated participants who can be expected to be [[liberal]] and [[feminist]] in outlook. As a result, the revision and replacement of the [[NIV]] will be influenced more by [[political correctness]] and other [[liberal]] distortions than by genuine examination of the oldest manuscripts. As a result of these political influences, it becomes desirable to develop a [[conservative]] translation that can serve, at a minimum, as a bulwark against the liberal manipulation of meaning in future versions.</ref>

There is no other fully conservative translation of the [[Bible]] that satisfies the following ten guidelines:<ref>Additional less important guidelines include (1) adherence to a concise and dignifying style, such as the use of "who" rather than "that" when referring to people and also use glorifying language for the remarkable achievements and (2) recognizing that Christianity introduced powerful new concepts that even the Greek and Hebrew were inadequate to express, but modern conservative language can express well.</ref>

:# '''Framework against Liberal Bias''': providing a strong framework that enables a thought-for-thought translation without corruption by liberal bias. For example, the ''Living Bible'' translation has liberal [[evolution]]ary bias;<ref>[http://www.cai.org/bible-studies/evolutions-influence-modern-bible-translations Evolution's Influence on Modern Bible Translations] (Historically, most of the ardent advocates of evolution have been [[atheism|atheists]] or [[agnosticism|agnostics]])</ref> The widely used ''NIV'' translation has a pro-[[abortion]] bias.<ref>''See'' [[Feminist Bible]]</ref>
:# '''Not Emasculated''': avoiding unisex, "gender inclusive" language, and other feminist distortions; preserve many references to the unborn child (the [[NIV]] deletes these).
:# '''Not Dumbed Down''': not dumbing down the reading level, or diluting the intellectual force and logic of Christianity;<ref>English translations fail to use the word "illogical" where appropriate, and under-utilize the term "mind".</ref> The [[NIV]] is written at only the 7th-grade level.<ref>The [[NIV]] has supplanted the [[KJV]] in popularity.</ref>
:#'''Utilize Terms that better capture original intent''': using powerful new [[Essay:Best New Conservative Terms|conservative terms]] to capture better the original intent;<ref>For example, in 1611 the [[conservative]] concept of "accountability" had not yet developed, and the [[King James Version]] does not use "accountable to God" in translating Romans 3:19; good modern translations do.</ref> Defective translations use the word "comrade" three times as often as "volunteer"; Similarly, updating words that have a change in meaning, such as "word", "peace", and "miracle". Use powerful [[mathematics|mathematical]] concepts such as "[[infinity|infinite]]" to convey true meaning, as the number of [[angel]]s mentioned in Hebrews 12:22.
:# '''Combat Harmful Addiction''': combating addiction<ref>See [[Bible on Addiction]].</ref> by using modern terms for it, such as "gamble" rather than "cast lots";<ref>For example, the [[English Standard Version]] (2001) does not use the word "gamble" anywhere in translating numerous references to the concept in the [[Bible]].</ref> using modern political terms, such as "register" rather than "enroll" for the census
:# '''Accept the Logic of Hell''': applying logic with its full force and effect, as in not denying or downplaying the very real existence of [[Hell]] or the [[Devil]].
:# '''Express Free Market Parables'''; explaining the numerous economic parables with their full free-market meaning
:# '''Exclude Later-Inserted Inauthentic Passages''': excluding the interpolated passages that liberals commonly put their own spin on, such as the [[adulteress story]]
:# '''Credit Open-Mindedness of Disciples''': crediting [[Essay:Quantifying Openmindedness|open-mindedness]], often found in youngsters like the eyewitnesses Mark and John, the authors of two of the Gospels
:# '''Prefer Conciseness over Liberal Wordiness''': preferring conciseness to the liberal style of high word-to-substance ratio; avoid compound negatives and unnecessary ambiguities.

Thus, a project began among editors at [[Conservapedia]] to translate the Bible in accordance with these principles. The translated Bible can be found [[Conservative Bible|here]].

Benefits include:

*mastery of the Bible, which is priceless
*mastery of the English language, which is valuable
*thorough understanding of the differences in Bible translations, particularly the historically important [[King James Version]]
*benefiting from activity that no [[public school]] would ever allow; a Conservative Bible could become a text for public school courses
*political issues can become a pathway to evangelizing liberals
*liberals will oppose this effort, but they will have to read the Bible to criticize this, and that will open their minds
*this project has a unifying effect on various [[Christian]] denominations and serves as an important counterweight to liberal efforts to divide conservative candidates based on religion

== Helpful Approaches ==

Here are helpful approaches to creating a conservative Bible translation:

*identify faulty pro-liberal terms used in existing Bible translations, such as "government", and suggest more accurate substitutes
*identify the omission of liberal terms for vices, such as "gambling", and identify where they should be used
*identify conservative terms that are omitted from existing translations, and propose where they could improve the translation
*identify terms that have lost their original meaning, such as "word" in the beginning of the [[Gospel of John]], and suggest replacements, such as "truth"

== Building on the [[King James Version]] ==

In the [[United States]] and much of the world, the immensely popular and respected [[King James Version]] (KJV) is freely available and in the [[public domain]]. It could be used as the baseline for developing a conservative translation without requiring a license or any fees. Many consider the Conservative Bible Project, as well as any other Bible translation projects, to be heretical and in opposition to Matthew 5:18, which was fulfilled in the King James Bible. Though based on younger manuscripts, the KJB is based on the near consensus of 5,700 manuscripts preserved by Christians, while modern versions are based on three manuscripts kept by monks (two if you consider the Sinaiticus a fake), which came from Alexandria, Egypt, where heretics thought they could "correct" the Bible. All three of the Alexandrian manuscripts contain the Apocrypha.

There are 66 books in the [[KJV]], comprised of 1,189 chapters, 31,102 verses, and 788,280 words.<ref>http://www.biblebelievers.com/believers-org/kjv-stats.html</ref> The project began with a translation of the [[New Testament]], which is only 27 books, 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, and less than 200,000 words.

Retranslation at a rate of 20 verses a day would complete the entire [[New Testament]] in about a year. With 5 good retranslators, that would be an average of only 4 verses a day per translator. At a faster rate of 20 verses per day by 5 good translators, the entire [[New Testament]] could be retranslated in less than 3 months.

== First Example - Liberal-Promoted Falsehood ==

The earliest, most authentic manuscripts of the Gospel According to Luke lack this verse fragment set forth at the start of Luke 23:34:<ref>[http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=23&v=34&t=NIV#34 Quoted] here from the [[NIV]].</ref>

:Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

Is this a corruption of the original, perhaps promoted by [[liberal]]s without regard to its authenticity? This does not appear in any other Gospel, and the simple fact is that some of the persecutors of Jesus '''''did''''' know what they were doing.<ref>It can be counter-argued, though, that although the persecutors knew what actions they were taking and why they believed them to be proper, they may have not realized the ramifications of such, such as their role in fulfilling Biblical prophecy.</ref> This quotation is a favorite of liberals, although it does not appear in the earliest and best manuscripts of the Gospel of Luke. It should not appear in a [[conservative]] Bible, because in point of fact Jesus might never have said it at all.

== Second Example - Dishonestly Shrewd ==

At Luke 16:8, the [[NIV]] describes an enigmatic parable in which the "master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly." But is "shrewdly", which has connotations of dishonesty, the best term here? Being dishonestly shrewd is not an admirable trait.

The better conservative term, which became available only in 1851, is "resourceful". The manager was praised for being "resourceful", which is very different from dishonesty. Yet not even the [[ESV]], which was published in 2001, contains a single use of the term "resourceful" in its entire translation of the Bible.

== Advantages to a Conservative Bible Online ==

There are several striking advantages to a conservative approach to translating the Bible online:

* participants learn enormously from the process
* liberal bias - and lack of authenticity - become easier to recognize and address
* by translating online, this utilizes the growing online resources that improve accuracy
* supported by conservative principles, the project can be bolder in uprooting and excluding liberal distortions
* the project can adapt quickly to future threats from liberals to biblical integrity
* access is free and immediate to the growing internet audience, for their benefit
* the ensuing debate would flesh out—and stop—the infiltration of churches by liberals/[[Atheism|atheists]] pretending to be Christian, much as a vote by legislators exposes the liberals
* this would bring the Bible to a new audience of political types, for their benefit; Bible courses in college Politics Departments would be welcome
* this would debunk the pervasive and hurtful myth that Jesus would be a political liberal today
* an unbiased and truthful Bible is of immeasurable value to society

==Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books==
Starting in July 2017, additional Old Testament books regarded as canonical in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions will be added to the CBP's translation efforts. This will be of benefit to conservative-minded individuals who belong to those traditions, as well as others, since Protestant reformers have regarded these books as "good to read," even if these Reformers did not consider them canonical due in part to their absence from the Hebrew Bible.

== See also ==
* [http://www.greekbible.com/ Nestle-Aland 26th edition Greek Bible (the source for all modern translations except the [[NKJV]]])
* [http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/ets/efts/Greek.html Liddell-Scott-Jones Greek Lexicon and Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary]
* [[Bible Translations]]
* [[Bible Translation Issues]]
* [[Bible Retranslation Project]]
* [[Word Analysis of Bible]]
* [[Inspiration of Holy Scripture: An Eastern Christian and Jewish Perspective]]
* [[Best of the public]]
* [http://bertschlossberg.blogspot.com/2012/11/jesus-through-fabric-of-our-lives.html Jesus through the Fabric of our Lives] - the continual need for contextualization and re-translation for the original's meaning.

{{Conservatism}}
{{Conservapedia}}

== References ==

<references/>

[[Category:Bible]]
[[Category:Bible Versions]]
[[Category:Conservative Bible|*]]
[[Category:Wikiprojects]]

Conservative Bible Project

2026-10-18T20:06:47Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Conservative_Bible_Project

{{ConservativeBible}}
The '''Conservative Bible Project''' renders [[God]]'s word without [[liberal denial]]. A ''Colbert Report'' interview featured this project.<ref>[http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/258144/december-08-2009/andy-schlafly The Colbert Report Videos: Andy Schlafly], ColbertNation.com, December 8, 2009.</ref> Achievements include these 50 insights:
#the [[Epistle to the Hebrews]] is an absolute masterpiece authored by [[Jesus]] himself, confirmed in [[Mystery:Did_Jesus_Write_the_Epistle_to_the_Hebrews%3F#Evidence_that_Jesus_wrote_it|52 ways]], yet [[liberal denial]] hides this;<ref>This Epistle was probably Jesus's sermon on the [[road to Emmaus]] mentioned in [[Luke 17-24 (Translated)#24:13|Luke 24:13-35]] with foreshadowing of the surprise revelation at the end of the journey with {{Bibleref|Hebrews|13|2}}: be hospital to strangers because one might be an [[angel]].</ref>
#the four [[Gospels]] were written by ethnic rivals: a [[Jew]], a [[Gentile]], a [[Greek]], and [[Mystery: Was John a Samaritan|probably a Samaritan]] ([[John]]), which proves their authenticity because they verified each other's accounts despite their underlying conflict;
#[[liberal]]s lack [[God]]'s playful [[Mystery:Does God Have a Sense of Humor|sense of humor]], and thus often fail to appreciate [[humor in the Bible]], as in "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares";<ref>Hebrews 13:2 ([[ESV]]); ''see also'' Hebrews 2:3, which is probably a humorous, playfully hidden reference by Jesus (as the [[Mystery:Did Jesus Write the Epistle to the Hebrews|undisclosed author of the Epistle to the Hebrews]]) back to himself: "It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard." ([[ESV]]).</ref>
#scribes were [[liberal]], like most professors today, and scribes tacked on their own cheap endings to the Gospels of [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] and [[Gospel of John|John]] to dilute the inspiring originals, as when women were overjoyed at seeing an [[angel]] as a young man at the [[Tomb]];<ref>''See'' [[Mark ending]] and the first half of {{bibleref|Mark|16|8}} ; ''see also'' [[John ending]].</ref>
#[[Samaritan]]s were as numerous as [[Judean]] [[Jew]]s at the time of [[Christ]], and parts of the [[Gospels]] (such as the [[Good Samaritan]]) can be understood as a brilliant emphasis for converting quickly the Samaritans, who were in a bitter rivalry with the Judean Jews;
#the Gospels of [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] and [[Gospel of John|John]], and the [[Epistle to the Hebrews]], were written at the time of [[Jesus]], as proven in 40 ways,<ref>''See'' [[Date of Hebrews|16 confirmations that the Date of Hebrews was just after the Resurrection]], [[Date of John|10 reasons that the Gospel of John was contemporaneous with Jesus]], and [[date of the Gospel of Mark|14 proofs that the Gospel of Mark was contemporaneous]] too.</ref> and yet [[liberal denial]] asserts absurdly late dates and causes [[AI]] to mislead everyone;
#the [[Gospel of John]] is breathtakingly powerful in its logic -- "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us"<ref>{{bibleref|John|1|14}} ([[ESV]]).</ref> -- which overcomes [[anxiety]] by emphasizing [[eternal life]], and yet [[liberal]]s dilute and hide this;
#the [[Bible]] reveals that [[God]] told [[Jesus]] the universe "wears out like a garment" but "you remain" eternally,<ref>{{Bibleref|Heb|1|11}} and {{Bibleref|Psalms|102|26}}</ref> in spectacular [[Biblical scientific foreknowledge]] of the [[Second Law of Thermodynamics]] ([[entropy]] increase and decay);
#the stunning originality in the [[Bible]] is beyond human imagination and thereby confirms its truth, as in the [[Son of God]] [[washing the feet|washing the grimy feet]] of the [[Apostles]] at the [[Last Supper]];
#the [[New Testament]] is a terrific handbook against [[addiction]], which afflicts everyone: the original uses the [[Greek]] root "adikia" 25 times in 24 verses, yet modern translations fail to translate it as addiction;<ref>See [[addiction etymology]].</ref>
#the [[Bible]] is tremendously helpful for healing, and "healing" is a better translation than the overused term "peace" with its military connotation;<ref>The Hebrew שָׁלוֹם (shalom) is typically translated as peace, but really means completeness and soundness. See Strong's 7965 and 7999.</ref>
#correction of a mistranslation of the Greek term for "wrist"<ref>The same Greek term is used in Acts 12:7 ([[NIV]])- "the chains fell off Peter’s wrists."</ref> confirms that the [[Shroud of Turin]] is correct in showing the nail wounds in Jesus' wrists rather than his hands, and thus was not a medieval forgery when all mistakenly felt the nails went through his hands;
#The [[Bible]] can be translated into [[mathematical]] expressions to enrich understanding of it and of math: {{bibleref|John|1|1}} can be translated as "∃ Word(t=0) ∧ Word(t0) ∼ God ∧ Word(t0) ≡ God"; also, the ending of {{bibleref|James|1|17}} can be translated as "''d(God)/dt'' = 0 ('no variation') and ''d2(God)/dt2'' = 0 (second derivative - no 'shadow of turning')";
#tantalizing historical mysteries exist in the [[Bible]], such as whether [[Jesus]]'s disciples had a "[[Mole (espionage)|mole]]" trusted by the high priestst,<ref>''See'' [[John_the_Apostle#.22another_disciple.22_mystery_at_John_18:15|"another disciple" mystery at John 18:15]].</ref> which makes Bible analysis today as fascinating as any mysteries in science, math, and forensics;
#the [[liberal media]] dilutes and corrupts the connotations of key [[English]] words over time, such that the true power and benefits of the [[Bible]] require constantly updating the English terminology to convey;
#[[Greek language|ancient Greek]] was underdeveloped as to certain concepts, such as [[infinity|infinite]] and [[pro-life]], and translation of the [[New Testament]] is more enlightening, beneficial, and complete when it utilizes [[Best New Conservative Words|modern conservative terminology]];
#powerful political terminology like "lobbying" can enhance the understanding of what effective "prayer" (500 times in Bible) means, as in "lobbying [[God]]" to intervene for good rather than merely holding a [[liberal]] moment of silence as [[secularization]] connotes for "prayer";
#most modern translations are entirely by linguist professors without input by those having mathematical, scientific, writing, legal, artistic, or poetic skills, causing a more one-dimensional and antiquated rendition than it should be;
#[[political correctness]] causes [[liberal denial]] that the [[Apostles]] were ethnic rivals, by including [[Samaritan]]s, a [[Greek]], and a mixture of [[Jewish]] and [[Gentile]] followers of [[Jesus]] - their extraordinary unity amid their ethnic conflicts corroborates Jesus's divinity;<ref>[[Mystery:Unsolved_Gospel_Mysteries#What_ethnicity_was_John_the_Apostle.3F|What ethnicity was John the Apostle?]]</ref>
#[[The Lord's Prayer]] is unjustifiably diluted by the monarchical term "[[kingdom]]" (better: "[[paradise]]") and the [[globalism|globalist]] "[[earth]]" (better: "here");
#the [[Gospel of Mark]] is a tremendous text for teaching a child how to read with the superior method of [[phonics]], its content has simplicity and entertaining surprises without any discouragingly tedious passages, and the special translation [[Phonics and Gospel of Mark|here]] is freely available;
#the term "world" is overused in translations, incorrectly connoting [[globalism]] and nature rather than people, and a better translation in many contexts is "[[God]]'s [[creation]]" rather than "world";
#the [[Bible]], and particularly the [[New Testament]], are [[pro-life]] works, but professors in control of [[English]] translations are predominantly [[pro-abortion]] and thus dilute their versions;
#[[liberal]]s hide disparaging references to [[Greek]] and [[Hebrew]] slang for "homosexuals" in [[Deuteronomy 18-25 (Translated)#23:18|Deuteronomy 23:18]], [[Epistle to the Philippians (Translated)#3:2|Philippians 3:2]], [[Psalms 21-30 (Translated)#22:20|Psalms 22:20]], and [[Revelation 16-22#22:15|Revelation 22:15]] by mistranslating it as "dogs";<ref>"Dogs" as pets is represented by a completely different Greek word: κυνάριον (kunarion) [https://biblehub.com/greek/strongs_2952.htm].</ref>
#[[Papyrus 66]] is the oldest existing copy of the [[Gospel of John]] as discovered in [[Egypt]] in 1952, but professors largely ignore it because later versions with added verses were already used for all modern translations;
#the archaic word "disciple" (used 261x by [[ESV]]) is better translated as "student" today, as the meaning of the Greek term is "learner",<ref>https://biblehub.com/greek/3101.htm</ref> and today "student" captures and conveys that meaning the best;
#"[[God's paradise]]" should be used rather than "[[kingdom of God]]" (used 69x by [[KJV]]) and "infinite life" rather than "[[eternal life]]" (26x by [[KJV]]), in order to fully convey the immediate benefits intended by the original text;
#"[[Theophilus]]", the named recipient of 27% of the [[New Testament]] as written by [[Luke]], is the same word "loved by [[God]]" referenced independently by {{bibleref|John|3|16}}, and all the [[Gospels]] were written for everyone contrary to [[liberal denial]] concerning intended audiences;
#the expression "[[harden not your hearts]]" (3x by [[KJV]]) is better translated for [[liberal]]s today as "close not your minds," as the original [[Greek]] also means "stubbornness of mind" which is common among university-indoctrinated liberals;
#the [[Gospel of Mark]] was the fearless work of the outsider [[Gentile]] eyewitness [[Mark]], whose mother [[Salome]] was among the first to see the empty tomb after the [[Resurrection]]; [[liberal denial]] conceals this history to discourage conversion by Gentiles to [[Christianity]];<ref>[[Salome]], mentioned by {{bible ref|Mark|16|1}}, was likely [[Mark]]'s [[Aramaic]] mother who made Mark an eyewitness who initiated [[the Gospels]].</ref>
#"the [[Son of Man]]" is a [[liberal]] distortion to downplay the divinity of [[Jesus]]; it should be translated into "'''''The''''' Son, '''''as''''' Man";
#modern insights of science and mathematics help improve the precision of the translation of some enigmatic [[Bible]] verses, such as {{bibleref|Genesis|19|11}} - see "[[struck with blindness]]";
#a few verses were inserted into the [[Bible]] as vandalism, and they are easily identified by how [[liberal]]s over-quote them, such as the [[Essay:Adulteress Story|Adulteress Story]] and [[Luke 17-24 (Translated)#23:34|Luke 23:34]] (purporting that [[God]] forgives unrepentant people "for they do not know what they are doing”<ref>[[NIV]] translation.</ref>);
#[[liberal]]s have been erasing references to [[Hell]] in translating the [[Bible]]. ''See'' [[Disputed_Biblical_Translations#Disappearing_Hell|Disappearing Hell]];
#[[Paul]]'s principled writings and positions were similar to those of [[movement conservative]]s, and Paul relied on the [[Gospel of Mark]] in a speech Paul gave in AD 48;<ref>Paul quoted [[Mark]]'s quotation of [[John the Baptist]] at {{bibleref|Acts|13|25}} (quoting {{bibleref|Mark|1|7}}). This confirms that the Gospel of Mark was written and circulated quite early, contrary to [[liberal denial]].</ref>
#Paul's observation that the "wages of sin is death" at {{bibleref|Romans|6|23}} is one of the finest statements against [[addiction]] anywhere;
#the modern purging of references in the [[New Testament]] to "[[corn]]" -- a [[miracle|miraculous]] crop of unknown origin and superior to [[wheat]] -- which is used 14 times by the [[King James Version]] yet not once by the modern [[ESV]];<ref>Modern [[English]] translators of the [[Bible]] are academic professors misled by [[evolutionist]]s who insist that [[corn]] never existed in the wild or outside of [[America]] prior to [[Christopher Columbus]], and thus they purged all references to "corn", but modern molecular analysis has virtually disproven that implausible, [[atheistic]] theory.</ref>
#[[liberal bias]] is uncovered by doing an online word analysis of different versions, such as the underuse of "life" (only 189 times in [[NKJV]]) in translations of the [[New Testament]], while the powerful, beneficial term "[[infinite]]" is never used in the entire [[ESV]] and only rarely used in other translations;
#the disparaging phrases translated as an archaic, imprecise "cast lots" should instead be translated as "[[gambling]]", to more precisely convey the meaning and help overcome the [[addiction]];
#the nasty-sounding, almost racist use of the term "dogs" to refer to a different ethnic group is a mistranslation that instead should be "puppies", and interpreted as colonial paternalism rather than the racist manner, as only a few versions do for {{bibleref|Matthew|15|26}} and {{bibleref|Mark|7|27}};
#the [[ordering the Gospels|ordering of the Gospels]] is based on [[liberal denial]] that [[Mark]] was an eyewitness of [[Jesus]]; the [[Gospel of Mark]] would be a stronger, simpler, and more [[evangelical]] first [[Gospel]], or the [[Gospel of John]] would be a very effective choice to rank first;
#modern translations flag likely vandalism to the text only when verses are not in the oldest discovered texts, while there are additional powerful ways to identify non-authentic verses like [[Epistle to the Hebrews (Translated)#13:22|Hebrews 13:22-25]] and [[Mark 9-16 (Translated)#14:49|Mark 14:49]];
#the translations of [[faith]] at {{bibleref|Hebrews|11|1}} are diluted, as it is not merely confidence or assurance, but reality (''see [[defining faith]]'');
#the term "little children" is archaic and overused in modern translations when the reference is to adults, as repeatedly done in 1 John and {{bibleref|Galatians|4|19}}, and the phrase "children of God" has a misleading connotation in English of young children rather than adults such that "sons and daughters of God" would be a preferable translation;
#the [[Apostles]] and the public did not know why [[John the Baptist]] was executed until [[Mark]] explained it in the [[Gospel of Mark]], ''see'' [[Mystery:Unsolved_Gospel_Mysteries#How_did_Mark_learn_why_John_the_Baptist_was_executed.3F|Gospel Mysteries]];
#translation committees are biased by their secret deliberations without public input, without insights from anyone having a [[STEM]] background, and without the perspective of [[Amish]] and other independent perspectives;
#the [[Gospel of John]] is incredibly powerful and life-changing, and even more so when occasional [[liberal]] "[[Editorial Comments in the Gospel of John|asides]]" that were later inserted into it are recognized as not part of the original;<ref>''See'' [[Undiluted Gospel of John]].</ref>
#John 1:5 is an immensely powerful verse, but diluted in most translations with a past tense and weak negative "did not overcome": "That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it,"<ref>This quotation is from the [[HCSB]]. The Greek uses the Aorist Indicative Active (simple past tense - literally, "not overcame"), despite using the Present Indicative Active for "shines". https://biblehub.com/john/1-5.htm#lexicon</ref> When a stronger rendition would be "That light shines in the darkness, and the darkness succumbed to it." This wonderful verse also facilitates a greater appreciation of the interplay between physical light and darkness.
#the innovative, mind-bending, and powerful use of the logic of [[infinity]] in [[the Gospels]], which [[liberal]] translators today downplay or hide - e.g., "the unsearchable riches of [[Christ]]" should be "the infinite riches of Christ";<ref>{{Bibleref|Ephesians|3|8}} ([[ESV]]). As an illustration from the [[Old Testament]], in 1599 the [[Geneva Bible]] correctly translated {{bibleref|Psalms|147|5}} as the "infinite" wisdom of [[God]], but most modern English translations fail to use "infinite" there.</ref> and
#[[O’Sullivan’s First Law]]: any endeavor that is not actually [[conservative]] will inevitably be distorted and ruined by [[liberal]]s, including [[Bible]] translation by [[college]] professors.

[[Isaac Newton]], who was merely an average student, worked on translating the [[Bible]] and that gave him the inspiration and insight for inventing [[calculus]], developing mechanics, and discovering gravity. Going beyond reading the Bible to translating it also enables the eradication of liberal distortions that have crept in, such as pro-[[abortion]] bias against references to the unborn child. Just as [[Shakespeare]]'s works are losing interest in the West due to their increasingly archaic language, liberal language in Western Bible translations loses people. Conservative insights, as part of the ''[[lingua franca]]'', enlighten translation.<ref>A superb online source that has the Hebrew and Greek text with clickable links to English translations is the [http://study.interlinearbible.org/ Interlinear Bible]. Another terrific source is the [http://www.blueletterbible.org/ Blueletter Bible], where anyone can click on "SHOW STRONG'S" at the top right to obtain the Greek, and then edit a book in the chart here (upper right). A third resource, which has the original Greek, is the [http://www.greekbible.com/ Greek Bible]. Conservapedia welcomes the "[[best of the public]]" in this project.</ref>

[[Liberal bias]] has become the single biggest distortion in modern [[Bible]] translations, among three forms of imprecision:

*lack of precision in the original language, which lacked terms such as modern "[[infinity]]" to describe new concepts introduced by [[Christ]]<ref>[https://conservapedia.com/Infinity#Mistranslated_as_.22unsearchable.22 Infinite is mistranslated as "unsearchable" in many Bible translations.</ref>
*lack of precision in modern language
*translation bias, mainly of the [[liberal]] kind, in converting the original language to the modern one.

Experts in ancient languages help reduce the first type of error above, which is a vanishing source of error as scholarship advances understanding. English language linguists are helpful in reducing the second type of error, which also decreases due to an increasing vocabulary. '''But the third—and largest—source of translation error requires conservative principles to reduce and eliminate'''.<ref>The committee in charge of updating the bestselling version, the [[NIV]], is dominated by professors and higher-educated participants who can be expected to be [[liberal]] and [[feminist]] in outlook. As a result, the revision and replacement of the [[NIV]] will be influenced more by [[political correctness]] and other [[liberal]] distortions than by genuine examination of the oldest manuscripts. As a result of these political influences, it becomes desirable to develop a [[conservative]] translation that can serve, at a minimum, as a bulwark against the liberal manipulation of meaning in future versions.</ref>

There is no other fully conservative translation of the [[Bible]] that satisfies the following ten guidelines:<ref>Additional less important guidelines include (1) adherence to a concise and dignifying style, such as the use of "who" rather than "that" when referring to people and also use glorifying language for the remarkable achievements and (2) recognizing that Christianity introduced powerful new concepts that even the Greek and Hebrew were inadequate to express, but modern conservative language can express well.</ref>

:# '''Framework against Liberal Bias''': providing a strong framework that enables a thought-for-thought translation without corruption by liberal bias. For example, the ''Living Bible'' translation has liberal [[evolution]]ary bias;<ref>[http://www.cai.org/bible-studies/evolutions-influence-modern-bible-translations Evolution's Influence on Modern Bible Translations] (Historically, most of the ardent advocates of evolution have been [[atheism|atheists]] or [[agnosticism|agnostics]])</ref> The widely used ''NIV'' translation has a pro-[[abortion]] bias.<ref>''See'' [[Feminist Bible]]</ref>
:# '''Not Emasculated''': avoiding unisex, "gender inclusive" language, and other feminist distortions; preserve many references to the unborn child (the [[NIV]] deletes these).
:# '''Not Dumbed Down''': not dumbing down the reading level, or diluting the intellectual force and logic of Christianity;<ref>English translations fail to use the word "illogical" where appropriate, and under-utilize the term "mind".</ref> The [[NIV]] is written at only the 7th-grade level.<ref>The [[NIV]] has supplanted the [[KJV]] in popularity.</ref>
:#'''Utilize Terms that better capture original intent''': using powerful new [[Essay:Best New Conservative Terms|conservative terms]] to capture better the original intent;<ref>For example, in 1611 the [[conservative]] concept of "accountability" had not yet developed, and the [[King James Version]] does not use "accountable to God" in translating Romans 3:19; good modern translations do.</ref> Defective translations use the word "comrade" three times as often as "volunteer"; Similarly, updating words that have a change in meaning, such as "word", "peace", and "miracle". Use powerful [[mathematics|mathematical]] concepts such as "[[infinity|infinite]]" to convey true meaning, as the number of [[angel]]s mentioned in Hebrews 12:22.
:# '''Combat Harmful Addiction''': combating addiction<ref>See [[Bible on Addiction]].</ref> by using modern terms for it, such as "gamble" rather than "cast lots";<ref>For example, the [[English Standard Version]] (2001) does not use the word "gamble" anywhere in translating numerous references to the concept in the [[Bible]].</ref> using modern political terms, such as "register" rather than "enroll" for the census
:# '''Accept the Logic of Hell''': applying logic with its full force and effect, as in not denying or downplaying the very real existence of [[Hell]] or the [[Devil]].
:# '''Express Free Market Parables'''; explaining the numerous economic parables with their full free-market meaning
:# '''Exclude Later-Inserted Inauthentic Passages''': excluding the interpolated passages that liberals commonly put their own spin on, such as the [[adulteress story]]
:# '''Credit Open-Mindedness of Disciples''': crediting [[Essay:Quantifying Openmindedness|open-mindedness]], often found in youngsters like the eyewitnesses Mark and John, the authors of two of the Gospels
:# '''Prefer Conciseness over Liberal Wordiness''': preferring conciseness to the liberal style of high word-to-substance ratio; avoid compound negatives and unnecessary ambiguities.

Thus, a project began among editors at [[Conservapedia]] to translate the Bible in accordance with these principles. The translated Bible can be found [[Conservative Bible|here]].

Benefits include:

*mastery of the Bible, which is priceless
*mastery of the English language, which is valuable
*thorough understanding of the differences in Bible translations, particularly the historically important [[King James Version]]
*benefiting from activity that no [[public school]] would ever allow; a Conservative Bible could become a text for public school courses
*political issues can become a pathway to evangelizing liberals
*liberals will oppose this effort, but they will have to read the Bible to criticize this, and that will open their minds
*this project has a unifying effect on various [[Christian]] denominations and serves as an important counterweight to liberal efforts to divide conservative candidates based on religion

== Helpful Approaches ==

Here are helpful approaches to creating a conservative Bible translation:

*identify faulty pro-liberal terms used in existing Bible translations, such as "government", and suggest more accurate substitutes
*identify the omission of liberal terms for vices, such as "gambling", and identify where they should be used
*identify conservative terms that are omitted from existing translations, and propose where they could improve the translation
*identify terms that have lost their original meaning, such as "word" in the beginning of the [[Gospel of John]], and suggest replacements, such as "truth"

== Building on the [[King James Version]] ==

In the [[United States]] and much of the world, the immensely popular and respected [[King James Version]] (KJV) is freely available and in the [[public domain]]. It could be used as the baseline for developing a conservative translation without requiring a license or any fees. Many consider the Conservative Bible Project, as well as any other Bible translation projects, to be heretical and in opposition to Matthew 5:18, which was fulfilled in the King James Bible. Though based on younger manuscripts, the KJB is based on the near consensus of 5,700 manuscripts preserved by Christians, while modern versions are based on three manuscripts kept by monks (two if you consider the Sinaiticus a fake), which came from Alexandria, Egypt, where heretics thought they could "correct" the Bible. All three of the Alexandrian manuscripts contain the Apocrypha.

There are 66 books in the [[KJV]], comprised of 1,189 chapters, 31,102 verses, and 788,280 words.<ref>http://www.biblebelievers.com/believers-org/kjv-stats.html</ref> The project began with a translation of the [[New Testament]], which is only 27 books, 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, and less than 200,000 words.

Retranslation at a rate of 20 verses a day would complete the entire [[New Testament]] in about a year. With 5 good retranslators, that would be an average of only 4 verses a day per translator. At a faster rate of 20 verses per day by 5 good translators, the entire [[New Testament]] could be retranslated in less than 3 months.

== First Example - Liberal-Promoted Falsehood ==

The earliest, most authentic manuscripts of the Gospel According to Luke lack this verse fragment set forth at the start of Luke 23:34:<ref>[http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=23&v=34&t=NIV#34 Quoted] here from the [[NIV]].</ref>

:Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

Is this a corruption of the original, perhaps promoted by [[liberal]]s without regard to its authenticity? This does not appear in any other Gospel, and the simple fact is that some of the persecutors of Jesus '''''did''''' know what they were doing.<ref>It can be counter-argued, though, that although the persecutors knew what actions they were taking and why they believed them to be proper, they may have not realized the ramifications of such, such as their role in fulfilling Biblical prophecy.</ref> This quotation is a favorite of liberals, although it does not appear in the earliest and best manuscripts of the Gospel of Luke. It should not appear in a [[conservative]] Bible, because in point of fact Jesus might never have said it at all.

== Second Example - Dishonestly Shrewd ==

At Luke 16:8, the [[NIV]] describes an enigmatic parable in which the "master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly." But is "shrewdly", which has connotations of dishonesty, the best term here? Being dishonestly shrewd is not an admirable trait.

The better conservative term, which became available only in 1851, is "resourceful". The manager was praised for being "resourceful", which is very different from dishonesty. Yet not even the [[ESV]], which was published in 2001, contains a single use of the term "resourceful" in its entire translation of the Bible.

== Advantages to a Conservative Bible Online ==

There are several striking advantages to a conservative approach to translating the Bible online:

* participants learn enormously from the process
* liberal bias - and lack of authenticity - become easier to recognize and address
* by translating online, this utilizes the growing online resources that improve accuracy
* supported by conservative principles, the project can be bolder in uprooting and excluding liberal distortions
* the project can adapt quickly to future threats from liberals to biblical integrity
* access is free and immediate to the growing internet audience, for their benefit
* the ensuing debate would flesh out—and stop—the infiltration of churches by liberals/[[Atheism|atheists]] pretending to be Christian, much as a vote by legislators exposes the liberals
* this would bring the Bible to a new audience of political types, for their benefit; Bible courses in college Politics Departments would be welcome
* this would debunk the pervasive and hurtful myth that Jesus would be a political liberal today
* an unbiased and truthful Bible is of immeasurable value to society

==Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books==
Starting in July 2017, additional Old Testament books regarded as canonical in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions will be added to the CBP's translation efforts. This will be of benefit to conservative-minded individuals who belong to those traditions, as well as others, since Protestant reformers have regarded these books as "good to read," even if these Reformers did not consider them canonical due in part to their absence from the Hebrew Bible.

== See also ==
* [http://www.greekbible.com/ Nestle-Aland 26th edition Greek Bible (the source for all modern translations except the [[NKJV]]])
* [http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/ets/efts/Greek.html Liddell-Scott-Jones Greek Lexicon and Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary]
* [[Bible Translations]]
* [[Bible Translation Issues]]
* [[Bible Retranslation Project]]
* [[Word Analysis of Bible]]
* [[Inspiration of Holy Scripture: An Eastern Christian and Jewish Perspective]]
* [[Best of the public]]
* [http://bertschlossberg.blogspot.com/2012/11/jesus-through-fabric-of-our-lives.html Jesus through the Fabric of our Lives] - the continual need for contextualization and re-translation for the original's meaning.

{{Conservatism}}
{{Conservapedia}}

== References ==

<references/>

[[Category:Bible]]
[[Category:Bible Versions]]
[[Category:Conservative Bible|*]]
[[Category:Wikiprojects]]

United States Department of State

2026-10-18T04:00:33Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved United States Department of State

The '''United States Department of State''' (or '''State Department''') is a Cabinet-level agency of the [[United States]] government that deals with foreign affairs. The DoS falls under the [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]]'s administration. Their headquarters is located in the Harry S Truman Building in Washington, DC, and this is a central part of the [[Deep State]] particularly with respect to foreign policy.

Its nickname is '''Foggy Bottom,''' a reference to its neighborhood and the name of its Metro stop in [[Washington, D.C.]], with a hint of muddled fogginess.

==History==
{{see also|American foreign policy}}

Shortly after the [[U.S. Constitution|Constitution]] was created, it became clear that the President would need an executive department to support his foreign affairs.

On July 21, 1789, the House of Representatives and the Senate established a '''Department of Foreign Affairs'''. On July 27 of that year, President [[George Washington]] signed the legislation into law, making the Department of Foreign Affairs the first federal agency. Later that year, the name was changed to the present name of Department of State.

==Executive control==
The history of [[American foreign policy]] shows periods of presidential control and periods where the State Department shaped policy.

The White House ran policy under [[Theodore Roosevelt]] (1901-1909), [[Woodrow Wilson]] (1913–21), [[Franklin Roosevelt]] (1933–45),<ref>During the war Roosevelt worked through [[Harry Hopkins]]. In 1939, Secretary Cordell Hull complained, "Roosevelt …doesn't consult me or confide in me and I have to feel my way in the dark." Hull ''Memoirs of Cordell Hull'', (1948), pg. 1227.</ref> [[Lyndon Johnson]] (1963–69), [[Richard Nixon]] (1969-74), and [[Ronald Reagan]] (1981–89).

The State Department was in charge during the presidencies of [[Warren Harding]] (1921–23), [[Calvin Coolidge]] (1923–29), [[Herbert Hoover]] (1929–33), [[Harry Truman]] (1945-53)<ref>[[Dean Acheson]] was the main policy maker.</ref> and [[Dwight Eisenhower]] (1953–61).

==Modern State Department==

Sundance of The Conservative Treehouse describes the modern State Department as such:
[[File:Biden Afghan experts.PNG|right|350|px|thumb|Masterminds of the [[Fall of Kabul|Afghan crisis]]: (immediate right} [[Antony Blinken]]; (left, unmasked) [[Joe Biden]]; (far side of table) [[Jake Sullivan]], [[Lloyd Austin]], [[Mark Milley]], unknown.]]
{{quotebox-float|"The modern U.S. State Dept. is an independent, [[bureaucrat]]ic, and massive [[foreign policy]] institution that does not accept any oversight. They are able to accomplish their independent position by partnering with intelligence agencies. The Dept. of State uses the U.S. Intelligence Branch as a weapon against any individual or entity who would attempt oversight.

When a [[Secretary of State]] is appointed to the role as head of the agency, the arbitrary nature of the institution around them is accepted. In the modern political dynamic, the Secretary of State position is customarily given to a key political figure by the President as a payback or compensation for support. The SoS then uses their position for leisure, personal graft, a life of indulgence and a position to repay the interests of their tribe.

During any [[Democrat]] term in office, and in addition to funding the family of the President who appointed them, as long as the Secretary of State appropriately and adequately funds the members, families and friends of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, then they are perceived to be doing their job correctly. The SoS keeps that institutional mechanism working, and in return the [[unilateral]] operations of the department are supported."<ref>https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2021/08/22/sunday-talks-secretary-of-state-anthony-blinken-gets-afghanistan-crisis-assist-from-chris-wallace/</ref>}}

===Sanctions and the homosexual agenda===
Since the [[Obama administration]], the State Department has used sanctions against foreign countries to promote the [[homosexual agenda]]. A sanctioned nation can be labelled as a "human rights violator" for not adopting US laws such as [[gay marriage]]. These sanctions, together with the threat to withhold aid, can be used to pressure and [[blackmail]] nations to de-criminalize [[homosexuality]] and legalize [[same-sex marriage]].

Sanctioned nations:
* Afghanistan: Homosexuality illegal, punishable by death [https://www.humandignitytrust.org/lgbt-the-law/map-of-criminalisation/]
* Belarus: Homosexuality legal, no same-sex marriage [http://ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf] [http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/bo00000_.html]
* China: Homosexuality legal; expression restricted in the Mainland; unregistered co-habitation permitted except in Macau (reserved for resident aliens in Beijing and Hong Kong); no same-sex marriage [http://ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf] [http://www.balglobal.com/News/NewsDetail/tabid/266/id/976/CHINA--New-Regulations-for-Foreigners-in-Beijing-Starting-July-1-2013.aspx] [https://www.newlandchase.com/immigration-insights/latest-news/china-changes-to-immigration-laws/] [https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/2164692/breakthrough-lgbt-rights-hong-kong-recognise-same-sex] [https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/08/06/same-sex-couples-china-name-legal-guardians/] [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2022-02-17/being-gay-in-china-has-gotten-harder-under-xi-jinping]
* Cuba: Same-sex marriage [https://www.npr.org/2022/09/27/1125344835/cuba-approves-same-sex-marriage]
* Eritrea: Homosexuality illegal, punishable by imprisonment [https://www.humandignitytrust.org/lgbt-the-law/map-of-criminalisation/]
* Iran: Homosexuality illegal, punishable by death [https://www.humandignitytrust.org/lgbt-the-law/map-of-criminalisation/]
* Iraq: Homosexuality illegal, punishable by imprisonment [https://www.humandignitytrust.org/lgbt-the-law/map-of-criminalisation/]
* Myanmar: Homosexuality illegal but rarely enforced [http://ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf]
* Nicaragua: Homosexuality legal, no same-sex marriage [http://ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf]
* North Korea: Homosexuality ''de facto'' legal, no same-sex marriage
* Russia: Homosexuality legal but expression restricted, no same-sex marriage [http://community.middlebury.edu/~moss/RGC2.html] [http://ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf] [https://base.garant.ru/71859804/53f89421bbdaf741eb2d1ecc4ddb4c33/] [https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/11/25/russia-expanded-gay-propaganda-ban-progresses-toward-law]
* Syria: Homosexuality illegal, punishable by imprisonment [http://ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf]
* Turkey: Homosexuality legal, no same-sex marriage [http://ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf]
* Venezuela: Homosexuality legal, no same-sex marriage [http://ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf]
* Zimbabwe: Homosexuality illegal, punishable by imprisonment [https://www.humandignitytrust.org/lgbt-the-law/map-of-criminalisation/]

===Biden regime===
{{See also|U.S. Color Revolution}}
[[File:KabulHasFallen.png|right|350px|thumb|The Biden regime cancelled the Trump-era crisis evacution planning.<ref>https://www.bizpacreview.com/2021/08/19/biden-dismantled-trumps-crisis-evacuation-agency-nixed-plan-months-before-the-fall-of-afghanistan-1120984/</ref>]]
During the [[Rape of Afghanistan]], with numerous public pronouncements from the [[Biden]] White House, State Department, Pentagon, and the Kabul Embassy to contact the State Department for instructions and documents to exit [[Afghanistan]], the State Department's email inbox overflowed and nobody bothered to respond to frantic citizens and refugees wanting to flee the [[Taliban]] terror.<ref>https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/sorry-the-u-s-state-departments-afghan-evacuation-e-mailbox-is-full/</ref>

With 40,000 Americans stranded,<ref>https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/08/breaking-afghanistan-hannity-reports-10000-many-40000-americans-trapped-inside-afghanistan-taliban-blocking-access-airport-video/</ref> Blinken's State Department demanded $2,000 for a ride out of the country while Afghans rode for free.<ref>https://twitter.com/JerryDunleavy/status/1428449620997414919</ref> The U.S. Embassy consular services department sent a document with instructions to assist Americans and eligible Afghans claiming Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) status. The document looks exactly like an approved VISA document except there is no filled-in name, no serial number and no barcode. The document is easily able to be forged.<ref>https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2021/08/21/u-s-embassy-in-kabul-sends-out-thousands-of-blank-visa-documents-which-are-easy-to-falsify-and-makes-things-worse/</ref>

American embassy staff in Afghanistan were apprised by the State Department to leave the embassy and make their way to Kabul airport. Staffers reported being jostled, hit, spat on and cursed at by Taliban fighters at checkpoints near the airport. Some staff members reported that they were almost separated from their children, while others collapsed in a crush of people and had to be taken to hospitals with injuries. Others said they had collapsed on the road because of heat exhaustion. “It would be better to die under the Taliban’s bullet” than face the crowds again, a staff member was quoted as saying in a State Department cable. “Happy to die here, but with dignity and pride," according to ''[[NBC News]]''.<ref>https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/afghan-staff-u-s-embassy-losing-faith-evacuation-efforts-diplomatic-n1277397</ref> A heart-wrenching audio clip of a stranded American woman in fear for her life was posted to social media.<ref>https://therightscoop.com/heartbreaking-audio-of-american-woman-trapped-in-afghanistan-begging-for-biden-to-help-her/</ref>

On August 25, 2021, the State Department and U.K. officials issued a warning to American and British citizens to leave the vicinity of the Kabul airport immediately.<ref>https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2021/08/25/u-s-and-u-k-embassies-issue-a-security-alert-get-away-from-the-kabul-airport-leave-immediately-and-do-not-come/</ref> At least 24 students from [[San Diego]] school district and 16 parents had tickets to fly out but were not able to get to the airport.<ref>https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-08-24/students-from-cajon-valley-school-district-stranded-in-afghanistan?utm_id=36108&sfmc_id=4509190</ref>

On August 28, 2021 it was reported that the Biden regime was refusing to help Americans stranded in Afghanistan.<ref>https://www.dailywire.com/news/u-s-lawmakers-biden-not-helping-americans-trapped-outside-kabul-airport-gates-get-inside</ref> The Biden regime ordered the airport gates closed, and refused to allow Americans outside the gate fleeing Taliban terror to escape the Taliban terror.
Rep. [[Ronny Jackson]] of [[Texas]] reported, “They have been beaten by the Taliban at check points and told to leave and come back with large sums of money. Biden is going to get them killed!"<ref>https://twitter.com/RonnyJacksonTX/status/1431801057689100295</ref> Rep. [[Andy Kim]] of [[New Jersey]] (D-NJ), tweeted,
{{quotebox-float|"They were outside one of the airport gates. They begged for someone to come out and get them. … They have little kids and were concerned by the chaos surrounding them. But they didn’t want to leave because they were mere feet from reaching safety on the other side of the airport wall. Within minutes of receiving this request, I happened to be meeting in person with one of the most senior officials at the State Dept. … I asked directly for a phone number American citizens can call if in an emergency like this family stuck at the gate. If I could get a number I planned to excuse myself from the meeting and immediately send it to the family at the gate. I was told no such number exists....Many people I talk to also legitimately fear the airport won’t be operational after the last US flight departs. The family gets contacted time to time by someone from US gov asking if they are still safe, but no mention yet about any evacuation plans. I reiterate, this is a family of US citizens and green card holders. I ask State Dept to please contact them immediately and tell them someone is on the way or get them instructions on where to travel. There are more citizens/residents that I am hearing from, as well as thousands of Afghans – including those who served alongside our military that are reaching out in desperation in these final hours.<ref>https://archive.is/wip/khUBE</ref>}}

==Past Responsibilities==
*Management of the [[United States Mint]] - now under the [[Department of the Treasury]]
*Keeper of the [[Great Seal of the United States]] - now directly under the Secretary of State
*Taking census - now under the [[Department of Commerce]]

==Current Responsibilities==
The Department of State is supposed to develop and implement the [[President of the United States of America|President]]'s foreign policy around the world. The DoS also supports other U.S. Government agencies that are active in foreign affairs, such as the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the [[intelligence community]].

The purpose of the Department of State should include:
*Protecting and assisting U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad
*Assisting U.S. businesses in the international marketplace
*Coordinating and supporting U.S. agencies in the international activities and official overseas visits
*Keeping the public informed about U.S. foreign policy

==Further reading==
* Dorman, Shawn. ''Inside a U.S. Embassy: How the Foreign Service Works for America'' (2nd ed. 2005) [https://www.amazon.com/Inside-U-S-Embassy-Foreign-Service/dp/0964948826/ref=pd_cp_b_1 excerpt and text search]
* Findling, John E. ed. ''Dictionary of American Diplomatic History'' 2nd ed. 1989. 700pp; 1200 short articles.
* Flanders, Stephen A., and Carl N. Flanders. ''Dictionary of American Foreign Affairs'' (1993) 835 pp, short articles
* Herring, George C. ''From Colony to Superpower: U.S. Foreign Relations Since 1776'' (Oxford History of the United States) (2008), 1056pp; the latest survey. [https://www.amazon.com/Colony-Superpower-Foreign-Relations-History/dp/0195078225/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1238879749&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]
* Plischke, Elmer. ''U.S. Department of State: A Reference History'' (1999) [http://www.questia.com/library/book/us-department-of-state-a-reference-history-by-elmer-plischke.jsp online edition], a comprehensive history to the present
* Plischke, Elmer. ''United States diplomats and their missions: A profile of American diplomatic emissaries since 1778'' (1975)

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*U.S. State Department [http://www.state.gov/s/inr/ Bureau of Intelligence and Research]
*U.S. State Department [http://www.state.gov/ homepage]
{{Deep State}}
[[Category:United States of America]]
[[Category:United States History]][[Category:USAID]]
[[Category:International Relations]]
[[Category:Alger Hiss]]
[[Category:United States Cabinet]]
[[Category:United States Government Agencies]]

Leftist

2026-10-18T01:39:11Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved reference spacing

{|class="infobox" style="float:right; font-size:85%; width:1ex; line-height:17px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 50px" cellpadding="1"
|[[File:Nghfuyr.png|350px]]
|-
|[[File:Oregon KKK March 1920s.jpg|350px]]
|-
|<hr/>In the 1920s, the Oregon legislature passed a [[KKK]]-supported measure which prohibited [[public school]] teachers from wearing religious clothing;<ref>February 7, 2010. [https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/18589/coalition-seeks-repeal-of-klan-era-ban-on-religious-garb-in-oregon-schools Coalition seeks repeal of Klan-era ban on religious garb in Oregon schools]. ''Catholic News Agency''. Retrieved September 25, 2021.</ref> the [[ACLU]] opposed repealing the law in the 2010s.<ref>Brell, Alexandria (March 8, 2010). [https://sundial.csun.edu/22460/opinions/oregon-repeals-religious-clothing-ban-amen-to-that/ Oregon repeals religious clothing ban, amen to that.]. ''Daily Sundial''. Retrieved September 25, 2021.</ref>
|}
'''Leftist''' refers to someone on the Left side of the [[political spectrum]], such as a particularly [[liberal]] member of the [[American]] [[Democrat Party]], a member of the [[British]] [[Labour Party]], a member of the Canadian [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] or [[New Democratic]] parties, a [[progressive]], [[socialist]], [[Democratic Socialist]], or (to the far Left) a [[Communist]]. A Leftist supports collectivism, more government control of the economy, direct government control over social policy (although there were some leftists, such as [[Jean-Paul Sartre]], [[Michel Foucault]], and [[Noam Chomsky]] who adhered to a purely [[anarchism|anarchistic]] view of the world), including federal control over education at all levels, lower [[military]] spending, censorship of religion, a [[Living Constitution|living constitution]], [[same-sex "marriage"]], a more unisex society, [[globalism]], [[transnationalism]], [[feminism]], the [[homosexual agenda]], [[anti-Semitism]], [[racism]], support for [[Islam]], genital mutilation of children,<ref>https://www.dailysignal.com/2021/02/25/rand-paul-is-right-transgender-interventions-dor-kids-can-include-genital-mutilation/</ref> taxpayer-funded [[abortion]], and sometimes even taxpayer-funded [[terrorism]]<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/your-taxes-are-funding-terrorists-demand-that-this-stops</ref> and [[censorship]] of [[Christianity]] and [[social media]] in the public arena. Some leftists even want a totalitarian one-party world government.{{citation needed}}

==Origins of leftist ideology==
===French Revolution===
[[Image:Prise de la Bastille.jpg|thumb|200px|Capture of the [[Bastille Day|Bastille]] ]]
{{see also|Secular left|History of Atheism|French Revolution}}

During the French [[Reign of Terror]] of the early [[Enlightenment]], the Left attempted a de-Christianization movement to replace the "reactionary" worship of God and replace it with the worship of national patriotism, or the ''Patrie''. Many churches were closed and either converted into Temples of Reason,<ref>John Hall Stewart, ''A Documentary Survey of the French Revolution'' (Macmillan, New York, 1963).</ref> or otherwise demolished outright under the order of Jacobin leader [[Maximilien de Robespierre]] under the pretense that their design was "undemocratic."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050309031846/https://culturewars.com/CultureWars/Archives/Fidelity_archives/parricide.html Operation Parricide: Sade, Robespierre & the French Revolution]</ref> The Left even formed a new calendar [[Liberal censorship|secularizing Christian holidays]]. This calendar was short-lived though and was never accepted in the rural, more religious parts of France.

The term Left has its origins in the 1790s, when in the French revolutionary parliament the representatives for the socialists sat to the presiding officer's left.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/left Left Ideology], Encyclopedia Britannica</ref> In addition, it was also stated that the left-wing had some origins in the [[Book of Revelation]] when [[Jesus Christ]] transfigured people on his right and left as sheep and goats, respectively.<ref>https://www.theculturewatch.com/the-french-revolution</ref><ref>James Billington, Fire in the Minds of Men: Origin of the Revolutionary Faith.</ref>

==19th century European leftists ==
===Marx===
[[File:KarlMarx.jpg|left|thumb|[[Karl Marx]]]]
[[Karl Marx]] (May 5, 1818<ref>[http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/letters/misc/1818-bc.htm Birth Certificate of Karl Marx], Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, ''Collected Works'', Vol. 1 (Moscow: Progress Publishers, 1975), p. 635</ref> – March 14, 1883) was a [[bourgeois]]<ref>Francis Wheen, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=3KOyuSakn80C Karl Marx: A Life]'' (W.W. Norton & Company, 2001) ISBN 0393321576, pp. 8, 278</ref> political pamphleteer,<ref>George Bernard Shaw, “Trotsky, Prince of Pamphleteers,” ''The Nation'' (ISSN 0027-8378) Vol. 1922 No. 30 (June 7, 1922), pp. 560-561, reprinted in Brian Tyson, ed., ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=Ui6sNgX5vfQC Bernard Shaw's Book Reviews: Volume Two,1884-1950]'' (University Park, PA.: Penn State Press, 1996) ISBN 0271015489, pp. 440-450. Cf. Terrell Carver, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=HgbPEM0A4ksC The Postmodern Marx]'' (University Park, PA.: Penn State Press, 1998), p. 160</ref> polemicist<ref>Chris Matthew Sciaberra, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=D7z2ACODvLkC Marx, Hayek and Utopia]'' (SUNY Press, 1995) ISBN 0791426165, p.6. Cf. Michael Grenfell and Cheryl Hardy, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=ao6emzDlvIAC Art Rules: Pierre Bourdieu and the Visual Arts]'' (Berg Publishers, 2007) ISBN 1845202341, p.17</ref> and [[propagandist]],<ref>Baron John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=ItJmAAAAMAAJ The Cambridge Modern History]'' (New York: The MacMillan Company, 1910), p. 758. Cf. Milorad M. Drachkovitch and Sidney Hook, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=MJkLqIlu-q4C Marxist Ideology in the Contemporary World: Its Appeals and Paradoxes]'' (Ayer Publishing, 1973) ISBN 0836981545, p. 113</ref> credited as co-founder (with [[Friedrich Engels]]) of communism<ref>Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=am7G9xBmlXAC The Communist Manifesto and Other Writings]'' (Barnes & Noble, 2005) ISBN 1593081006, p. vi</ref> and specifically of Marxism. Although Marx always considered himself an economist,<ref>Charles H. Powers, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=cw8nRx08ix0C Making Sense of Social Theory: A Practical Introduction]'' (Rowman & Littlefield, 2010) ISBN 1442201193, p. 115</ref> "the Marxist system as a whole is not regarded as economics by the mainstream," according to Don Ross, co-editor of ''[http://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/oso/public/content/oho_philosophy/9780195189254/toc.html The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Economics]''.<ref>Don Ross, "[http://uct.academia.edu/documents/0095/6341/Economics__anti-economics_and_ideology.pdf Economic theory, anti-economics, and political ideology]," p. 10</ref> Ex-Marxist<ref>"'I was a Marxist when I went to the University of Chicago, and I was still a Marxist after I took [[Milton Friedman]]’s course. ... But just one summer as an economics intern in Washington got rid of all of that.' Sowell worked in the Labor Department, in the Wage and Hour Division. He was interested in whether minimum wages helped the poor by raising their pay or hurt them by denying them jobs. He found that the personnel around him were interested in other things: namely, the preservation of their own jobs, and the perpetuation of government programs." Jay Nordlinger, "[https://www.nationalreview.com/nrd/article/?q=NTQ5ZjNhNzE5MjhmOGY5MjYwNGFjNmEwYWNmZjNmNTk= A Lion in High Summer]," ''National Review'', Vol. LXIII, No. 3 (February 21, 2011)</ref> economist [[Thomas Sowell]] agrees:
{{cquote|[T]he Marxian contribution to [[economics]] can be readily summarized as virtually zero. Professional economics as it exists today reflects no indication that Karl Marx ever existed... [T]he development of modern economics has simply ignored Marx. Even economists who are Marxists typically utilize a set of analytical tools to which Marx contributed nothing... In professional economics, ''Das Capital'' was a detour into a blind alley...<ref>Thomas Sowell, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=TVkVAAAAIAAJ Marxism: Philosophy and Economics]'' (Taylor & Francis, 1985) ISBN 0043201717, p. 217.</ref>}}
William Coleman of the Australian National University actually goes so far as to identify Marx as an "anti-economist."<ref>William Coleman, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=jMipPwAACAAJ Economics and its Enemies: Two Centuries of Anti-Economics]'' (London: Palgrave as Macmillan, 2002) ISBN 1403941483, p. 234. As economics concerns human prosperity and thriving, "anti-economics" may be understood as an anti-human project of death and destruction.</ref> Ross concurs, labeling Marx "the most influential anti-economist of all."<ref>Don Ross, "[http://uct.academia.edu/documents/0095/6341/Economics__anti-economics_and_ideology.pdf Economic theory, anti-economics, and political ideology]," p. 10</ref> Even Michael Harrington, a well-known Marxist,<ref>Wayne Price, "[http://www.utopianmag.com/files/in/1000000043/wayne_utopia.pdf Anarchism: Utopian or Scientific?]" ''The Utopian'' Vol. 5, p. 62</ref> in his book, ''The Twilight of [[Capitalism]]'', devoted an entire chapter to Marx "The anti-economist."<ref>Michael Harrington, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=__ROAAAAMAAJ The Twilight of Capitalism]'' (Simon and Schuster, 1976) ISBN 0671227599, chapter 5</ref> Nevertheless, men and women of zeal, often well-meaning but without understanding<ref>"The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well meaning but without understanding." [http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0277_0438_ZD.html Brandeis, J., Dissenting], ''Olmstead v. United States'' 277 US 438 (1928)</ref> of economics, ravaged the 20th century reifying Marx's anti-economics—in the process killing more people than all the century's wars combined.<ref>R.J. Rummel, [http://democraticpeace.wordpress.com/2008/11/30/what-only-35000000-killed-in-20th-century-war/ What? Only 35,000,000 Killed in 20th Century War?], Democratic Peace Blog, November 30, 2008. In 1918, [[Grigory Zinoviev]], first head of the [[Comintern]], announced: "To overcome our enemies we must have our own socialist [[militarism]]. We must carry along with us 90 million out of the 100 million of [[Soviet Russia]]'s population. As for the rest, we have nothing to say to them. They must be annihilated." (George Leggett, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=NRUFAQAAIAAJ The Cheka: Lenin's Political Police]'' [Oxford University Press, 1986] ISBN 0-19-822862-7, p. 114) Zinoviev's estimate that the Soviets would murder 10 million people was far too low: Mid-range academic estimates of the number of civilians murdered by Marxists range from 94 million (Stéphane Courtois, ed. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=H1jsgYCoRioC The Black Book of Communism: Crimes, Terror, Repression]'' [Harvard University Press, 1999] ISBN 0-674-07608-7, p. 4) to 148 million. Margaret Cox, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=xMvOoPN58CoC The Scientific Investigation of Mass Graves: Towards Protocols and Standard Operating Procedures]'' [Cambridge University Press, 2008] ISBN 0521865875, p. 8; Cf. Rudy Rummel, [http://h-net.msu.edu/cgi-bin/logbrowse.pl?trx=vx&list=H-Genocide&month=0511&week=d&msg=kbHvcYM/g2BcFyVBXdoRew&user=&pw= Reevaluated democide totals for 20thC. and China], H-Genocide Discussion Logs, H-Net (Humanities and Social Sciences Online), Center for Humane Arts, Letters, and Social Sciences Online (Michigan State University), November 28, 2005; T. Matthew Ciolek, [http://www.ciolek.com/SPEC/rummel-on-democide-2005.html R.J. Rummel: Reevaluated democide totals for 20th C. and China], Asia Pacific Research Online, Internet Publications Bureau, Research School of Asian and Pacific Studies, National Institute for Asia and the Pacific (Australian National University), November 29, 2005</ref>

===Bakunin===
Anarchist thinker Mikhail Bakunin critiqued prominent leftist theoretician [[Karl Marx]] in 1873 with these words,

:"..if the [[proletariat]] is to be the ruling class, over whom is it to rule? ...the peasant "rabble" who, as it is known, does not enjoy the sympathy of the Marxists who consider it to represent a [[Racism|lower level of culture]], will probably be ruled by the factory proletariat of the cities. Or, if this problem is to be approached [[Nationalism|nationalist]]ically, the [[Slavs]] will be placed in the same subordinate relationship to the victorious German proletariat in which the latter now stands to the German bourgeoisie."<ref>Michael Bakunin, ''Statism and Anarchy'', (1873), in Sam Dolgoff, ''Bakunin'' On Anarchy, (Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1972), p. 330.</ref>

It should be noted that Bakunin was also a leftist, and in fact, the only difference he had with Marx was the exact extent to which they should get rid of government. In addition, he also declared regarding anarchism: "Let us put our trust in the eternal spirit which destroys and annihilates only because it is the unsearchable and eternally creative source of all life--the passion for destruction is also a creative passion!"<ref>''Reaction in Germany'', 1842</ref> Richard Wagner also noted of Bakunin that “The annihilation of all civilization was the objective on which he had set his heart…. It was necessary, he said, to picture the whole European world - transformed into a pile of rubble.”<ref>https://www.heritage.org/political-process/report/understanding-tyranny-and-terror-the-french-revolution-modern-islamism</ref><ref>Richard Wagner, quoted in Bryan Magee, The Tristan Chord: Wagner and Philosophy (New York: Henry Holt, 2000), p. 39.</ref>

==United States leftists ==
:''Main article: [[American liberalism]]''
===State planning===
{{See also|Economic planning}}
In the United States men such as [[Eugene Debs]], Maurice Hilquit and [[Norman Thomas]] believed they could, by a gradual series of alterations in the structure of society, create a truly democratic world in which all people would enjoy not merely freedom, but prosperity. They believed this could not be achieved under the system of [[private property]] and [[profit]]. They advocated a gradual acquisition by the State of all the great utilities, transportation, communication, and basic industries such as coal, oil, and steel.
[[Image:1904SO.JPG|thumb|200px|[[Eugene Debs|Debs]] for President poster, 1904]]
The dream of a cooperative commonwealth in which all would share equally in the prosperity created by an economic system owned by the people was the vision of [[Socialist]]s. This in theory would end [[poverty]], [[ignorance]] and [[crises]]. The idea was to [[Nationalization|nationalize]] banks, railroads, all means of transport, mines, and a few basic industries, but leave some factories, stores, farms, entertainment industries, etc., in the hands of private owners. The government would assume responsibility for making the economy work, for the well-being of all the citizens, their protection from the hazards of life, poverty, sickness, and old age. To make the whole economy work continuously without occasional [[Great Depression#Boom or Bust Cycles|boom-bust]] cycles, the government would create [[economic planning]] boards staffed by a bureaucratic class which would continuously study and observe the functioning of the economic system and make plans covering production, prices, distribution, financing, profits, [[wages]], hours, etc. Thus there would be Planned Capitalism, with the State responsible for the planning and for ensuring the carrying out of its plans through great government bureaus armed with the necessary powers to enforce compliance.

===Borrowing from fascism===
[[File:Benito Mussolini Roman Salute.jpg|left|thumb|200px|[[Benito Mussolini]] after gaining power]]
In the 1920s [[Benito Mussolini]] had adopted the Planned Capitalist State and gave it the name "[[fascism]]". [[Adolf Hitler]] adopted the same idea and called it [[National Socialism]]. Mussolini and Hitler both realized that a system which imposes a vast complex of decrees upon a people while subjecting them to confiscatory [[tax]]es to support the immense activities of the government cannot be operated except by an [[Absolutism|absolute]] government that has the power to enforce compliance. Prior to [[World War II]], this type of system had spread all over Europe. For nearly 70 years all the countries in Europe, with Germany in the lead, had been experimenting with the idea of the [[welfare state]], the State which attempts to provide its people with jobs and protection from all the hazards of life.

This system is the direct opposite of [[classical liberalism]]. It is the negation of the classical liberal philosophy which for decades has been fighting to [[Emancipation|emancipate]] the people from the [[tyranny]] of the all-powerful State. During the [[New Deal]] this doctrine became known in America as "liberalism". Liberals did not admit that it implied the restoration to the State those very powers which had been stripped from the State as the means of giving people [[freedom]]. They called it the [[planned economy]]. But it was and is fascism by whatever name it is known. Incrementally the government must be made stronger, and the rights of the citizens reduced.

==Modern leftists==
{{see also|Cultural Marxism|Long march through the institutions}}
Modern leftists in the United States have come under increasing criticism as advocates of thought control.<ref>[http://www.humanevents.com//article.php?id=20562 Leftist Thought Control], David Limbaugh, ''Human Events'', 05/04/2007.</ref> Author David Limbaugh cites, "Consider the subjects of [[evolution]], [[global warming]], [[homosexual agenda|special rights for homosexuals]] and [[abstinence]] education. Consider efforts of the Left to [[Fairness Doctrine|silence conservative talk radio]]. Consider the mainstream media's arrogant denial of its transparent [[liberal bias]], pronouncing itself to be above politics and inherently objective and its critics somehow skewed....Consider the leftist refrain that [[red state]] conservatives do not merely possess a different world view, but are not part of the 'reality-based community.'"

===Gramsci===
[[File:Gramsci.png|thumb|150px|right|[[Antonio Gramsci]] ]]
[[Antonio Gramsci]] was a lieutenant of [[Joseph Stalin]] who headed the [[Italian]] branch of the International Communist movement ([[Comintern]]). After several failed assassination attempts on Mussolini, Gramsci was imprisoned in 1926 until his death in 1937. While in prison, Gramsci wrote his ''Prison Notebooks'', speculating on the failure of [[violent]] [[revolution]] to materialize in [[Western Europe]] as [[Karl Marx]] had predicted. Gramsci's works are considered by [[Socialists]] to be foundational to modern [[public education]] and [[Cultural Marxism]].<ref>https://www.jstor.org/stable/23768314?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents</ref><ref>https://www.marxists.org/archive/gramsci/prison_notebooks/problems/education.htm</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdTTr4iYT0M</ref>

Gramsci's theory of "cultural hegemony" states that the ruling capitalist "oppressor" class uses cultural institutions, such as "traditional marriage," to maintain power. The "oppressors" develop a "hegemonic culture" using [[ideology]] unlike Socialists who use [[violence]], economic force, and coercion. "Hegemonic culture" propagates its own values and norms so that they become "[[common sense]]" values and thus maintain the [[status quo]]. According to [[Wikipedia]], this "Hegemonic power is therefore used to maintain consent to the capitalist order, rather than coercive power using force" is used as Marxism does "to maintain order. This cultural hegemony is produced and reproduced" by the dominant Christian oppressor class "through the institutions that form the superstructure."

Joseph A. Buttigieg, [[Pete Buttigieg]]'s father, was a founding member of the International Gramsci Society and served as the executive secretary<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20100616163619/http://english.nd.edu/faculty/profiles/joseph-a-buttigieg/</ref>

== Leftism: Use of condemnation/mockery rather than reasonable argumentation ==

In a ''BloombergView'' article, Stephen L. Carter wrote about the Left:
{{Cquote|But the left has work to do, not only on policy and organization but also on attitude. Too many of my [[progressivism|progressive]] friends seem to have forgotten how to make actual arguments, and have become expert instead at condemnation, derision and mockery. On issue after issue, they’re very good at explaining why no one could oppose their policy positions except for the basest of motives. As to those positions themselves, they are too often announced with a zealous solemnity suggesting that their views are Holy Writ -- and those who disagree are cast into the outer political darkness. In short, the left has lately been dripping with hubris, which in classic literature always portends a fall.<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-11-11/trump-and-the-fall-of-liberalism Trump and the Fall of Liberalism] by Stephen L. Carter, BloombergView</ref>}}

==Leftism and violence==
{{See also|2020 Leftist insurrection|Left-wing violence in the Trump era}}
Leftist ideology is known for its propensity to induce and inspire some of the most heinous and mindless acts of senseless violence, hate and [[murder]].

*A Leftist deliberately swerved his pick-up truck to kill a [[Harley-Davidson]] motorcycle rider.<ref>https://www.wbay.com/2020/07/09/fdl-sheriff-man-to-make-initial-court-appearance-following-fatal-crash-on-winnebago-drive/</ref>
*Leftists defaced the [[Lincoln Memorial]] in [[Washington, D.C.]].<ref>https://thefederalist.com/2020/06/11/social-justice-warriors-deface-statues-of-actual-social-justice-warriors/</ref>
*Leftists tore down a statue to [[Frederick Douglass]], a runaway slave.<ref>https://nationalfile.com/black-lives-matter-rioters-topple-statue-of-black-abolitionist-legend-frederick-douglass/</ref>
*Leftists vandalized statues of [[Mahatma Gandhi]] in Washington, [[London]] and [[Manchester]].
*Leftists defaced the statue of [[Winston Churchill]] in London who defeated [[Adolf Hitler]] and the [[Third Reich]].
*In keeping with [[San Francisco values]], leftists tore down the statue of [[Ulysses S. Grant]] who accepted the surrender of [[Confederate]] General [[Robert E. Lee]].
*In [[Madison, Wisconsin]], leftists tore down the statue of Col. Christian Heg, an [[abolitionist]] who gave his life to free [[Black]]s from slavery. The same leftist [[homophobe]]s nearly beat to death a [[homosexual]] [[Democrat]] state senator who witnessed the violence.
*In [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]], leftists defaced the 54th Regiment Memorial to Black soldiers in the [[Civil War]].<ref>https://www.westernjournal.com/rioters-deface-monument-black-civil-war-veterans-served-union/</ref>
*In [[Seattle]]'s [[CHOP]] zone, leftists shot three Blacks, killing two, one of them a child. The third survivor was also a child.
*In [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]], leftists murdered an 8-year-old Black girl and a Black male adult as part of the [[Black Lives Matter]] protests.
*In [[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]], leftists murdered a 77-year-old retired Black police captain in retaliation for the death of [[George Floyd]].
*In [[Oakland, California]], leftists murdered a Black federal security policeman to protest police brutality against Blacks.
*In Washington, D.C., leftists defaced the [[World War II]] memorial to commemorate the soldiers who defeated [[fascism]].
*Leftists are church burners.<ref>https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/paula-bolyard/2020/06/01/breaking-rioters-burn-historic-st-johns-church-in-d-c-deface-monuments-across-the-city-n474820</ref><ref>https://www.redstate.com/brandon_morse/2020/05/21/mississippi-church-that-refused-to-closed-burned-down-by-arsonist-who-leaves-message/</ref>

==See also==

*[[War on Freedom]]
*[[Peoples Temple Agricultural Collective]]
*[[Leftist chants]]
*[[Alliance for Global Justice]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}

==External links==
*[https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2016/09/the_imploding_leftist_establishment.html The Imploding Leftist Establishment], ''American Thinker''
*[http://www.marx2mao.com/Lenin/LWC20.html V. I. Lenin, ''"Left-Wing" Communism, An Infantile Disorder''] (1920) V. I. Lenin, Selected Works, English edition, Foreign Languages Publishing House, Moscow, 1952, Vol. II, Part 2.
*[http://jonjayray.tripod.com/leftism2.html John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.), ''THE MOTIVATIONS OF POLITICAL LEFTISTS'']

{{Liberalism}}
{{Democrat establishment}}
[[Category:Leftism]]
[[Category:Liberalism]]

Leftist

2026-10-18T01:39:09Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved Leftist

{|class="infobox" style="float:right; font-size:85%; width:1ex; line-height:17px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 50px" cellpadding="1"
|[[File:Nghfuyr.png|350px]]
|-
|[[File:Oregon KKK March 1920s.jpg|350px]]
|-
|<hr/>In the 1920s, the Oregon legislature passed a [[KKK]]-supported measure which prohibited [[public school]] teachers from wearing religious clothing;<ref>February 7, 2010. [https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/18589/coalition-seeks-repeal-of-klan-era-ban-on-religious-garb-in-oregon-schools Coalition seeks repeal of Klan-era ban on religious garb in Oregon schools]. ''Catholic News Agency''. Retrieved September 25, 2021.</ref> the [[ACLU]] opposed repealing the law in the 2010s.<ref>Brell, Alexandria (March 8, 2010). [https://sundial.csun.edu/22460/opinions/oregon-repeals-religious-clothing-ban-amen-to-that/ Oregon repeals religious clothing ban, amen to that.]. ''Daily Sundial''. Retrieved September 25, 2021.</ref>
|}
'''Leftist''' refers to someone on the Left side of the [[political spectrum]], such as a particularly [[liberal]] member of the [[American]] [[Democrat Party]], a member of the [[British]] [[Labour Party]], a member of the Canadian [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] or [[New Democratic]] parties, a [[progressive]], [[socialist]], [[Democratic Socialist]], or (to the far Left) a [[Communist]]. A Leftist supports collectivism, more government control of the economy, direct government control over social policy (although there were some leftists, such as [[Jean-Paul Sartre]], [[Michel Foucault]], and [[Noam Chomsky]] who adhered to a purely [[anarchism|anarchistic]] view of the world), including federal control over education at all levels, lower [[military]] spending, censorship of religion, a [[Living Constitution|living constitution]], [[same-sex "marriage"]], a more unisex society, [[globalism]], [[transnationalism]], [[feminism]], the [[homosexual agenda]], [[anti-Semitism]], [[racism]], support for [[Islam]], genital mutilation of children,<ref>https://www.dailysignal.com/2021/02/25/rand-paul-is-right-transgender-interventions-dor-kids-can-include-genital-mutilation/</ref> taxpayer-funded [[abortion]], and sometimes even taxpayer-funded [[terrorism]]<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/your-taxes-are-funding-terrorists-demand-that-this-stops</ref> and [[censorship]] of [[Christianity]] and [[social media]] in the public arena. Some leftists even want a totalitarian one-party world government.{{citation needed}}

==Origins of leftist ideology==
===French Revolution===
[[Image:Prise de la Bastille.jpg|thumb|200px|Capture of the [[Bastille Day|Bastille]] ]]
{{see also|Secular left|History of Atheism|French Revolution}}

During the French [[Reign of Terror]] of the early [[Enlightenment]], the Left attempted a de-Christianization movement to replace the "reactionary" worship of God and replace it with the worship of national patriotism, or the ''Patrie''. Many churches were closed and either converted into Temples of Reason,<ref>John Hall Stewart, ''A Documentary Survey of the French Revolution'' (Macmillan, New York, 1963).</ref> or otherwise demolished outright under the order of Jacobin leader [[Maximilien de Robespierre]] under the pretense that their design was "undemocratic."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050309031846/https://culturewars.com/CultureWars/Archives/Fidelity_archives/parricide.html Operation Parricide: Sade, Robespierre & the French Revolution]</ref> The Left even formed a new calendar [[Liberal censorship|secularizing Christian holidays]]. This calendar was short-lived though and was never accepted in the rural, more religious parts of France.

The term Left has its origins in the 1790s, when in the French revolutionary parliament the representatives for the socialists sat to the presiding officer's left.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/topic/left Left Ideology], Encyclopedia Britannica</ref> In addition, it was also stated that the left-wing had some origins in the [[Book of Revelation]] when [[Jesus Christ]] transfigured people on his right and left as sheep and goats, respectively.<ref>https://www.theculturewatch.com/the-french-revolution</ref><ref>James Billington, Fire in the Minds of Men: Origin of the Revolutionary Faith.</ref>

==19th century European leftists ==
===Marx===
[[File:KarlMarx.jpg|left|thumb|[[Karl Marx]]]]
[[Karl Marx]] (May 5, 1818<ref>[http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/letters/misc/1818-bc.htm Birth Certificate of Karl Marx], Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, ''Collected Works'', Vol. 1 (Moscow: Progress Publishers, 1975), p. 635</ref> – March 14, 1883) was a [[bourgeois]]<ref>Francis Wheen, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=3KOyuSakn80C Karl Marx: A Life]'' (W.W. Norton & Company, 2001) ISBN 0393321576, pp. 8, 278</ref> political pamphleteer,<ref>George Bernard Shaw, “Trotsky, Prince of Pamphleteers,” ''The Nation'' (ISSN 0027-8378) Vol. 1922 No. 30 (June 7, 1922), pp. 560-561, reprinted in Brian Tyson, ed., ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=Ui6sNgX5vfQC Bernard Shaw's Book Reviews: Volume Two,1884-1950]'' (University Park, PA.: Penn State Press, 1996) ISBN 0271015489, pp. 440-450. Cf. Terrell Carver, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=HgbPEM0A4ksC The Postmodern Marx]'' (University Park, PA.: Penn State Press, 1998), p. 160</ref> polemicist<ref>Chris Matthew Sciaberra, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=D7z2ACODvLkC Marx, Hayek and Utopia]'' (SUNY Press, 1995) ISBN 0791426165, p.6. Cf. Michael Grenfell and Cheryl Hardy, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=ao6emzDlvIAC Art Rules: Pierre Bourdieu and the Visual Arts]'' (Berg Publishers, 2007) ISBN 1845202341, p.17</ref> and [[propagandist]],<ref>Baron John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=ItJmAAAAMAAJ The Cambridge Modern History]'' (New York: The MacMillan Company, 1910), p. 758. Cf. Milorad M. Drachkovitch and Sidney Hook, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=MJkLqIlu-q4C Marxist Ideology in the Contemporary World: Its Appeals and Paradoxes]'' (Ayer Publishing, 1973) ISBN 0836981545, p. 113</ref> credited as co-founder (with [[Friedrich Engels]]) of communism<ref>Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=am7G9xBmlXAC The Communist Manifesto and Other Writings]'' (Barnes & Noble, 2005) ISBN 1593081006, p. vi</ref> and specifically of Marxism. Although Marx always considered himself an economist,<ref>Charles H. Powers, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=cw8nRx08ix0C Making Sense of Social Theory: A Practical Introduction]'' (Rowman & Littlefield, 2010) ISBN 1442201193, p. 115</ref> "the Marxist system as a whole is not regarded as economics by the mainstream," according to Don Ross, co-editor of ''[http://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/oso/public/content/oho_philosophy/9780195189254/toc.html The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Economics]''.<ref>Don Ross, "[http://uct.academia.edu/documents/0095/6341/Economics__anti-economics_and_ideology.pdf Economic theory, anti-economics, and political ideology]," p. 10</ref> Ex-Marxist<ref>"'I was a Marxist when I went to the University of Chicago, and I was still a Marxist after I took [[Milton Friedman]]’s course. ... But just one summer as an economics intern in Washington got rid of all of that.' Sowell worked in the Labor Department, in the Wage and Hour Division. He was interested in whether minimum wages helped the poor by raising their pay or hurt them by denying them jobs. He found that the personnel around him were interested in other things: namely, the preservation of their own jobs, and the perpetuation of government programs." Jay Nordlinger, "[https://www.nationalreview.com/nrd/article/?q=NTQ5ZjNhNzE5MjhmOGY5MjYwNGFjNmEwYWNmZjNmNTk= A Lion in High Summer]," ''National Review'', Vol. LXIII, No. 3 (February 21, 2011)</ref> economist [[Thomas Sowell]] agrees:
{{cquote|[T]he Marxian contribution to [[economics]] can be readily summarized as virtually zero. Professional economics as it exists today reflects no indication that Karl Marx ever existed... [T]he development of modern economics has simply ignored Marx. Even economists who are Marxists typically utilize a set of analytical tools to which Marx contributed nothing... In professional economics, ''Das Capital'' was a detour into a blind alley...<ref>Thomas Sowell, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=TVkVAAAAIAAJ Marxism: Philosophy and Economics]'' (Taylor & Francis, 1985) ISBN 0043201717, p. 217.</ref>}}
William Coleman of the Australian National University actually goes so far as to identify Marx as an "anti-economist."<ref>William Coleman, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=jMipPwAACAAJ Economics and its Enemies: Two Centuries of Anti-Economics]'' (London: Palgrave as Macmillan, 2002) ISBN 1403941483, p. 234. As economics concerns human prosperity and thriving, "anti-economics" may be understood as an anti-human project of death and destruction.</ref> Ross concurs, labeling Marx "the most influential anti-economist of all."<ref>Don Ross, "[http://uct.academia.edu/documents/0095/6341/Economics__anti-economics_and_ideology.pdf Economic theory, anti-economics, and political ideology]," p. 10</ref> Even Michael Harrington, a well-known Marxist,<ref>Wayne Price, "[http://www.utopianmag.com/files/in/1000000043/wayne_utopia.pdf Anarchism: Utopian or Scientific?]" ''The Utopian'' Vol. 5, p. 62</ref> in his book, ''The Twilight of [[Capitalism]]'', devoted an entire chapter to Marx "The anti-economist."<ref>Michael Harrington, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=__ROAAAAMAAJ The Twilight of Capitalism]'' (Simon and Schuster, 1976) ISBN 0671227599, chapter 5</ref> Nevertheless, men and women of zeal, often well-meaning but without understanding<ref>"The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well meaning but without understanding." [http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0277_0438_ZD.html Brandeis, J., Dissenting], ''Olmstead v. United States'' 277 US 438 (1928)</ref> of economics, ravaged the 20th century reifying Marx's anti-economics—in the process killing more people than all the century's wars combined.<ref>R.J. Rummel, [http://democraticpeace.wordpress.com/2008/11/30/what-only-35000000-killed-in-20th-century-war/ What? Only 35,000,000 Killed in 20th Century War?], Democratic Peace Blog, November 30, 2008. In 1918, [[Grigory Zinoviev]], first head of the [[Comintern]], announced: "To overcome our enemies we must have our own socialist [[militarism]]. We must carry along with us 90 million out of the 100 million of [[Soviet Russia]]'s population. As for the rest, we have nothing to say to them. They must be annihilated." (George Leggett, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=NRUFAQAAIAAJ The Cheka: Lenin's Political Police]'' [Oxford University Press, 1986] ISBN 0-19-822862-7, p. 114) Zinoviev's estimate that the Soviets would murder 10 million people was far too low: Mid-range academic estimates of the number of civilians murdered by Marxists range from 94 million (Stéphane Courtois, ed. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=H1jsgYCoRioC The Black Book of Communism: Crimes, Terror, Repression]'' [Harvard University Press, 1999] ISBN 0-674-07608-7, p. 4) to 148 million. Margaret Cox, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=xMvOoPN58CoC The Scientific Investigation of Mass Graves: Towards Protocols and Standard Operating Procedures]'' [Cambridge University Press, 2008] ISBN 0521865875, p. 8; Cf. Rudy Rummel, [http://h-net.msu.edu/cgi-bin/logbrowse.pl?trx=vx&list=H-Genocide&month=0511&week=d&msg=kbHvcYM/g2BcFyVBXdoRew&user=&pw= Reevaluated democide totals for 20thC. and China], H-Genocide Discussion Logs, H-Net (Humanities and Social Sciences Online), Center for Humane Arts, Letters, and Social Sciences Online (Michigan State University), November 28, 2005; T. Matthew Ciolek, [http://www.ciolek.com/SPEC/rummel-on-democide-2005.html R.J. Rummel: Reevaluated democide totals for 20th C. and China], Asia Pacific Research Online, Internet Publications Bureau, Research School of Asian and Pacific Studies, National Institute for Asia and the Pacific (Australian National University), November 29, 2005</ref>

===Bakunin===
Anarchist thinker Mikhail Bakunin critiqued prominent leftist theoretician [[Karl Marx]] in 1873 with these words,

:"..if the [[proletariat]] is to be the ruling class, over whom is it to rule? ...the peasant "rabble" who, as it is known, does not enjoy the sympathy of the Marxists who consider it to represent a [[Racism|lower level of culture]], will probably be ruled by the factory proletariat of the cities. Or, if this problem is to be approached [[Nationalism|nationalist]]ically, the [[Slavs]] will be placed in the same subordinate relationship to the victorious German proletariat in which the latter now stands to the German bourgeoisie." <ref>Michael Bakunin, ''Statism and Anarchy'', (1873), in Sam Dolgoff, ''Bakunin'' On Anarchy, (Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1972), p. 330.</ref>

It should be noted that Bakunin was also a leftist, and in fact, the only difference he had with Marx was the exact extent to which they should get rid of government. In addition, he also declared regarding anarchism: "Let us put our trust in the eternal spirit which destroys and annihilates only because it is the unsearchable and eternally creative source of all life--the passion for destruction is also a creative passion!"<ref>''Reaction in Germany'', 1842</ref> Richard Wagner also noted of Bakunin that “The annihilation of all civilization was the objective on which he had set his heart…. It was necessary, he said, to picture the whole European world - transformed into a pile of rubble.”<ref>https://www.heritage.org/political-process/report/understanding-tyranny-and-terror-the-french-revolution-modern-islamism</ref><ref>Richard Wagner, quoted in Bryan Magee, The Tristan Chord: Wagner and Philosophy (New York: Henry Holt, 2000), p. 39.</ref>

==United States leftists ==
:''Main article: [[American liberalism]]''
===State planning===
{{See also|Economic planning}}
In the United States men such as [[Eugene Debs]], Maurice Hilquit and [[Norman Thomas]] believed they could, by a gradual series of alterations in the structure of society, create a truly democratic world in which all people would enjoy not merely freedom, but prosperity. They believed this could not be achieved under the system of [[private property]] and [[profit]]. They advocated a gradual acquisition by the State of all the great utilities, transportation, communication, and basic industries such as coal, oil, and steel.
[[Image:1904SO.JPG|thumb|200px|[[Eugene Debs|Debs]] for President poster, 1904]]
The dream of a cooperative commonwealth in which all would share equally in the prosperity created by an economic system owned by the people was the vision of [[Socialist]]s. This in theory would end [[poverty]], [[ignorance]] and [[crises]]. The idea was to [[Nationalization|nationalize]] banks, railroads, all means of transport, mines, and a few basic industries, but leave some factories, stores, farms, entertainment industries, etc., in the hands of private owners. The government would assume responsibility for making the economy work, for the well-being of all the citizens, their protection from the hazards of life, poverty, sickness, and old age. To make the whole economy work continuously without occasional [[Great Depression#Boom or Bust Cycles|boom-bust]] cycles, the government would create [[economic planning]] boards staffed by a bureaucratic class which would continuously study and observe the functioning of the economic system and make plans covering production, prices, distribution, financing, profits, [[wages]], hours, etc. Thus there would be Planned Capitalism, with the State responsible for the planning and for ensuring the carrying out of its plans through great government bureaus armed with the necessary powers to enforce compliance.

===Borrowing from fascism===
[[File:Benito Mussolini Roman Salute.jpg|left|thumb|200px|[[Benito Mussolini]] after gaining power]]
In the 1920s [[Benito Mussolini]] had adopted the Planned Capitalist State and gave it the name "[[fascism]]". [[Adolf Hitler]] adopted the same idea and called it [[National Socialism]]. Mussolini and Hitler both realized that a system which imposes a vast complex of decrees upon a people while subjecting them to confiscatory [[tax]]es to support the immense activities of the government cannot be operated except by an [[Absolutism|absolute]] government that has the power to enforce compliance. Prior to [[World War II]], this type of system had spread all over Europe. For nearly 70 years all the countries in Europe, with Germany in the lead, had been experimenting with the idea of the [[welfare state]], the State which attempts to provide its people with jobs and protection from all the hazards of life.

This system is the direct opposite of [[classical liberalism]]. It is the negation of the classical liberal philosophy which for decades has been fighting to [[Emancipation|emancipate]] the people from the [[tyranny]] of the all-powerful State. During the [[New Deal]] this doctrine became known in America as "liberalism". Liberals did not admit that it implied the restoration to the State those very powers which had been stripped from the State as the means of giving people [[freedom]]. They called it the [[planned economy]]. But it was and is fascism by whatever name it is known. Incrementally the government must be made stronger, and the rights of the citizens reduced.

==Modern leftists==
{{see also|Cultural Marxism|Long march through the institutions}}
Modern leftists in the United States have come under increasing criticism as advocates of thought control.<ref>[http://www.humanevents.com//article.php?id=20562 Leftist Thought Control], David Limbaugh, ''Human Events'', 05/04/2007.</ref> Author David Limbaugh cites, "Consider the subjects of [[evolution]], [[global warming]], [[homosexual agenda|special rights for homosexuals]] and [[abstinence]] education. Consider efforts of the Left to [[Fairness Doctrine|silence conservative talk radio]]. Consider the mainstream media's arrogant denial of its transparent [[liberal bias]], pronouncing itself to be above politics and inherently objective and its critics somehow skewed....Consider the leftist refrain that [[red state]] conservatives do not merely possess a different world view, but are not part of the 'reality-based community.'"

===Gramsci===
[[File:Gramsci.png|thumb|150px|right|[[Antonio Gramsci]] ]]
[[Antonio Gramsci]] was a lieutenant of [[Joseph Stalin]] who headed the [[Italian]] branch of the International Communist movement ([[Comintern]]). After several failed assassination attempts on Mussolini, Gramsci was imprisoned in 1926 until his death in 1937. While in prison, Gramsci wrote his ''Prison Notebooks'', speculating on the failure of [[violent]] [[revolution]] to materialize in [[Western Europe]] as [[Karl Marx]] had predicted. Gramsci's works are considered by [[Socialists]] to be foundational to modern [[public education]] and [[Cultural Marxism]].<ref>https://www.jstor.org/stable/23768314?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents</ref><ref>https://www.marxists.org/archive/gramsci/prison_notebooks/problems/education.htm</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdTTr4iYT0M</ref>

Gramsci's theory of "cultural hegemony" states that the ruling capitalist "oppressor" class uses cultural institutions, such as "traditional marriage," to maintain power. The "oppressors" develop a "hegemonic culture" using [[ideology]] unlike Socialists who use [[violence]], economic force, and coercion. "Hegemonic culture" propagates its own values and norms so that they become "[[common sense]]" values and thus maintain the [[status quo]]. According to [[Wikipedia]], this "Hegemonic power is therefore used to maintain consent to the capitalist order, rather than coercive power using force" is used as Marxism does "to maintain order. This cultural hegemony is produced and reproduced" by the dominant Christian oppressor class "through the institutions that form the superstructure."

Joseph A. Buttigieg, [[Pete Buttigieg]]'s father, was a founding member of the International Gramsci Society and served as the executive secretary<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20100616163619/http://english.nd.edu/faculty/profiles/joseph-a-buttigieg/</ref>

== Leftism: Use of condemnation/mockery rather than reasonable argumentation ==

In a ''BloombergView'' article, Stephen L. Carter wrote about the Left:
{{Cquote|But the left has work to do, not only on policy and organization but also on attitude. Too many of my [[progressivism|progressive]] friends seem to have forgotten how to make actual arguments, and have become expert instead at condemnation, derision and mockery. On issue after issue, they’re very good at explaining why no one could oppose their policy positions except for the basest of motives. As to those positions themselves, they are too often announced with a zealous solemnity suggesting that their views are Holy Writ -- and those who disagree are cast into the outer political darkness. In short, the left has lately been dripping with hubris, which in classic literature always portends a fall.<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-11-11/trump-and-the-fall-of-liberalism Trump and the Fall of Liberalism] by Stephen L. Carter, BloombergView</ref>}}

==Leftism and violence==
{{See also|2020 Leftist insurrection|Left-wing violence in the Trump era}}
Leftist ideology is known for its propensity to induce and inspire some of the most heinous and mindless acts of senseless violence, hate and [[murder]].

*A Leftist deliberately swerved his pick-up truck to kill a [[Harley-Davidson]] motorcycle rider.<ref>https://www.wbay.com/2020/07/09/fdl-sheriff-man-to-make-initial-court-appearance-following-fatal-crash-on-winnebago-drive/</ref>
*Leftists defaced the [[Lincoln Memorial]] in [[Washington, D.C.]].<ref>https://thefederalist.com/2020/06/11/social-justice-warriors-deface-statues-of-actual-social-justice-warriors/</ref>
*Leftists tore down a statue to [[Frederick Douglass]], a runaway slave.<ref>https://nationalfile.com/black-lives-matter-rioters-topple-statue-of-black-abolitionist-legend-frederick-douglass/</ref>
*Leftists vandalized statues of [[Mahatma Gandhi]] in Washington, [[London]] and [[Manchester]].
*Leftists defaced the statue of [[Winston Churchill]] in London who defeated [[Adolf Hitler]] and the [[Third Reich]].
*In keeping with [[San Francisco values]], leftists tore down the statue of [[Ulysses S. Grant]] who accepted the surrender of [[Confederate]] General [[Robert E. Lee]].
*In [[Madison, Wisconsin]], leftists tore down the statue of Col. Christian Heg, an [[abolitionist]] who gave his life to free [[Black]]s from slavery. The same leftist [[homophobe]]s nearly beat to death a [[homosexual]] [[Democrat]] state senator who witnessed the violence.
*In [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]], leftists defaced the 54th Regiment Memorial to Black soldiers in the [[Civil War]].<ref>https://www.westernjournal.com/rioters-deface-monument-black-civil-war-veterans-served-union/</ref>
*In [[Seattle]]'s [[CHOP]] zone, leftists shot three Blacks, killing two, one of them a child. The third survivor was also a child.
*In [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]], leftists murdered an 8-year-old Black girl and a Black male adult as part of the [[Black Lives Matter]] protests.
*In [[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]], leftists murdered a 77-year-old retired Black police captain in retaliation for the death of [[George Floyd]].
*In [[Oakland, California]], leftists murdered a Black federal security policeman to protest police brutality against Blacks.
*In Washington, D.C., leftists defaced the [[World War II]] memorial to commemorate the soldiers who defeated [[fascism]].
*Leftists are church burners.<ref>https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/paula-bolyard/2020/06/01/breaking-rioters-burn-historic-st-johns-church-in-d-c-deface-monuments-across-the-city-n474820</ref><ref>https://www.redstate.com/brandon_morse/2020/05/21/mississippi-church-that-refused-to-closed-burned-down-by-arsonist-who-leaves-message/</ref>

==See also==

*[[War on Freedom]]
*[[Peoples Temple Agricultural Collective]]
*[[Leftist chants]]
*[[Alliance for Global Justice]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}

==External links==
*[https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2016/09/the_imploding_leftist_establishment.html The Imploding Leftist Establishment], ''American Thinker''
*[http://www.marx2mao.com/Lenin/LWC20.html V. I. Lenin, ''"Left-Wing" Communism, An Infantile Disorder''] (1920) V. I. Lenin, Selected Works, English edition, Foreign Languages Publishing House, Moscow, 1952, Vol. II, Part 2.
*[http://jonjayray.tripod.com/leftism2.html John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.), ''THE MOTIVATIONS OF POLITICAL LEFTISTS'']

{{Liberalism}}
{{Democrat establishment}}
[[Category:Leftism]]
[[Category:Liberalism]]

United States of America

2026-10-17T19:45:26Z

RoadtoEmmaus2: improved reference spacing

{{Country
|map =US map.PNG
|map2 =Loc of United States.png
|established =1776
|flag =50 star flag.png
|arms =United States arms.png
|capital =Washington, D.C.
|government =federal and constitutional republic
|language =English
|official =n
|president =Donald Trump
|vice-president =JD Vance
|conservative-leader=Donald Trump
|area =3,796,742 sq mi
|pop =331,449,281 (2020)
|gdp =$22.675 trillion (2021)
|gdp-year =
|gdp-pc =$68,309 (2021)
|currency =[[U.S. Dollar|United States Dollar (USD)]]
}}
The '''United States of America'''<ref>(''conventional short form'': '''United States'''; ''abbreviation'': '''US''' or '''USA'''; sometimes also referred to as '''the States''' or simply as '''America''')</ref> is a [[federal republic|federal]] and [[Constitutional Republic|constitutional]] republic<ref name="NotDemocracy">Multiple references:
*Snowball, Timothy (October 29, 2018). [https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/413142-the-united-states-is-not-a-democracy-and-it-wasnt-meant-to-be-one The United States is not a democracy — and it wasn't meant to be one]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
*Humphrey, Clifford (February 7, 2018). [https://thefederalist.com/2018/02/07/sorry-liberals-america-not-democracy-better-way/ Sorry, Liberals, But America Is Not A Democracy, And It’s Better That Way]. ''The Federalist''. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
*Williams, Walter E. (January 16, 2018). [https://www.cnsnews.com/commentary/walter-e-williams/us-not-democracy The US Is Not a Democracy]. ''CNS News''. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
*Behreandt, Dennis (January 17, 2021). [https://thenewamerican.com/democracy-that-word-does-not-mean-what-you-think-it-means/ Democracy — That Word Does Not Mean What You Think It Means]. ''The New American''. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
*Welch, Robert (May 14, 2013). [https://thenewamerican.com/republics-and-democracies/ Republics and Democracies]. ''The New American''. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
*Williams, Walter E. (January 29, 2020). [https://thenewamerican.com/democracy-and-tyranny/ Democracy and Tyranny]. ''The New American''. Retrieved July 24, 2021.</ref> of fifty states, a capitol district, and fifteen territories. It is a prosperous, generally [[conservative]] and mostly [[Christian]] nation, having the second longest-running [[Constitution]] in history (behind only [[San Marino]]). Located on the [[North American]] continent, it is bound by [[Canada]] to the north, [[Mexico]] to the south, the [[Pacific Ocean]] to the west, and the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the east. Founded originally as 13 colonies in the [[British Empire]], Britain's American colonies formally broke with the mother country on July 4, 1776, with the [[Declaration of Independence]].<ref>IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776. [http://www.ushistory.org/Declaration/document/index.htm The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America], ushistory.org, (Accessed August 2010).</ref> Britain recognized the independence of the new nation, the United States of America, in the 1783 Treaty of Paris, which ended the [[American Revolutionary War]]. Shortly thereafter, in 1787, the [[United States Constitution]] was written in 1787 and subsequently ratified the following year, as grounded on [[Republican form of government|republican]] political principles.

The [[United States Constitution]] remains in effect today, albeit with several amendments since then. The Americans created political parties and, since abolishing [[slavery]] in a bloody [[American Civil War|civil war]] (1861–65), instituted a form of government guided by the rule of law rather than the desires of a majority of voters. According to the U.S. Constitution written by America's [[Founding Fathers]], the United States is a [[Constitutional Republic]] that functions as a representative [[democracy]]. America derives many of its policies from Christian principles and the logic behind the [[Bible]], including [[unalienable rights]] and [[natural law]] (see the section on ''Natural Law'', below). Many people view America as holding a special place among nations, due to its foundations in liberty and justice. Contrary to [[globalist]] and [[open borders]] talking points, the [[United States]] is not a "nation of immigrants", but a "nation of citizens".<ref>Multiple references:
*Gonzalez, Pedro (July 8, 2018). [https://amgreatness.com/2018/07/08/america-is-not-a-nation-of-immigrants/ America Is Not a Nation of Immigrants]. ''American Greatness''. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
*Sutherland, Howard (November 18, 2002). [https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/the-nation-of-immigrants-myth/ The Nation of Immigrants Myth]. ''The American Conservative''. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
See also:
*Binder, John (November 11, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2017/11/11/steve-bannon-were-a-nation-of-citizens-were-not-a-nation-of-immigrants/ Steve Bannon: ‘We’re a Nation of Citizens; We’re Not a Nation of Immigrants’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 18, 2019.</ref>

America's [[free market]] economy grew rapidly, becoming the largest in the world by the late 1800s, and gaining global influence. [[New York City]] became the largest city in the world at that time. Between 1791 and 1959, 37 new states were added to the original 13 as the nation expanded across the North American continent and acquired a number of overseas possessions. After defeating the Soviet Union in the [[Cold War]], the U.S. emerged as the world's only [[superpower]], having the world's largest economy and the world's most powerful military. It exerts enormous cultural and intellectual influence worldwide, and in return is the target of the enemies of democracy and [[capitalism]].

The capital of the United States of America is [[Washington, D.C.]], and the largest city is [[New York City]].

== People ==
[[File:Php3sfokfPM.jpg|225px|right|thumb|[[March for Life]], Washington, DC.]]
Population: 331,449,281 (2020)

Literacy: 79%<ref>https://www.thenationalliteracyinstitute.com/post/literacy-statistics-2024-2025-where-we-are-now</ref>

Ethnic groups: white 79.96%, black 12.85%, Asian 4.43%, Amerindian and Alaska native 0.97%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 0.18%, two or more races 1.61% (July 2007 estimate) note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean persons of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin including those of Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican Republic, Spanish, and Central or South American origin living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group (white, black, Asian, etc.); about 15.1% of the total US population is Hispanic<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html CIA - The World Factbook.]</ref>

In 2010, around 400,000 [[illegal immigrants]] were deported. The Pew Hispanic Center, a nonpartisan research organization in Washington, estimates 11.5 million to 12 million "unauthorized migrants" live in the US today.<ref>[https://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0516/p01s02-ussc.html Illegal immigrants in the US: How many are there?]</ref> This total vastly expanded to approximately 20 million [[illegal aliens]] due to the [[open border]] policy of the [[Biden Administration]] from 2021 to 2024.

Although the diverse group of immigrants that have come to the U.S. speak many languages, [[English]] is the traditional unifying language of the United States and is necessary for full civic and cultural participation.

"U.S. Catholic population shows growth, trends southward".<ref>[https://www.thecatholictelegraph.com/u-s-catholic-population-shows-growth-trends-southward/84645 U.S. Catholic population shows growth, trends southward]</ref> See: [[United States, immigration and the growth of religion in the USA in the latter part of the 21st century]]

The religious affiliation of the United States is summarized in the following table.<ref>2016 ''Britannica Book of the Year''.</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Religion
!Percentage
|-
|Independent Christian
|23.2%
|-
|[[Roman Catholic]]
|19.6%
|-
|[[Protestant]] (including Anglican)
|18.9%
|-
|unaffiliated [[Christian]]
|16.5%
|-
|[[Mormon]]/[[Jehovah's Witnesses]]
|3.3%
|-
|Jewish
|1.9%
|-
|Orthodox
|1.8%
|-
|Muslim
|1.6%
|-
|Buddhist
|0.9%
|-
|Other
|12.3%
|}

==Geography==

[[File:Colorado.jpg|thumb|[[Colorado]].]]
Forty-eight of the fifty United States form a regional grouping known as the contiguous United States, bordering both the North [[Atlantic Ocean]] and the North [[Pacific Ocean]] and lying between [[Canada]] and [[Mexico]]. Two of the fifty states, Alaska and Hawaii, are not contiguous with any of the other states. Alaska is located to the northwest of [[Canada]] and lies across the [[Bering Strait]] from the Russian Federation. [[Hawaii]] is an [[archipelago]] located in the North Pacific Ocean. Puerto Rico, which is largely self-governing, is a commonwealth and is considered part of the U.S., as are several smaller territories in the Pacific Ocean, such as Guam. Each of the 50 states has a large degree of sovereignty, but the boundaries are debated and shift slightly every year.

At over 3.7 million square miles (over 9.6 million km2), the U.S. (including its non-contiguous and overseas states and territories) is the third largest country by total area (after Russia and Canada). It is the world's third most populous nation, with over 350 million people (after China and India).

Mt. McKinley, Alaska, is the highest point in North America and Death Valley, California, is the lowest point on the continent.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html CIA World Factbook], ''North America:: United States'', Updated on February 23, 2011, (Accessed on February 23, 2011).</ref>

Most American cities, such as [[Los Angeles]] or [[New York City]], are ugly, partly due to the massive inner-city crime within their boundaries and their failed leftist leadership, which has ruined the quality of life.

==History==
{{See also|History of the United States}}
===Natural Law===
Many people familiar with the American Revolution do not realize that America is based on [[Natural Law]]. As [[Cleon Skousen]] points out: "Most modern Americans have never studied Natural Law. They are therefore mystified by the constant reference to Natural Law by the Founding Fathers.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Skousen|first1=Cleon|title=[[The Five Thousand Year Leap]]|date=1981|pages=33}}</ref>

[[Natural Law]] recognizes that certain laws are natural; that is, these laws naturally exist prior to the existence of governments. Natural Law[s] generally indicate the existence of natural rights as well, which [[John Locke]] writes about in his book [[Two Treatises of Government]]. The writings of John Locke are mentioned several times in both the [[Constitutional Convention]] and the [[The Federalist Papers]]. Natural Law is not only something that was very well understood by the generation that would become the [[Founding Fathers]], but it was also well recognized by the generations preceding the founding generation. Those generations landed on the shores of America; most were seeking religious liberty. The relationship between Liberty, Natural Law, and God can be seen in many of the documents preceding the founding, such as the dedication given at the [[Liberty Tree]] by a [[Sons of Liberty|son of liberty]] named [[Silas Downer]], as well as the first written constitution of the 13 colonies, [[Connecticut]]'s [[Fundamental Orders of Connecticut|Fundamental Orders]]

===American Revolution===
{{main|American Revolution}}
[[File:Washington-deleware.jpg|thumb|right|Washington, Chief of the Continental Army, is shown crossing the Delaware River.]]
The American Revolution exploded from fears the British Empire was trying to restrict the historic rights and liberties of Americans. The British victory in the French and Indian War ended the threat that foreign powers might attack the colonies; Britain's protection was no longer needed. At the same time, Britain decided to assert its powers by imposing [[taxes]]. The taxes (as on stamps, sugar, and tea) were not large, but the principle was simple: Americans insisted their own [[legislature]]s could impose taxes but not [[Parliament]], because Americans were not represented there. "No taxation without representation!" and "[[Don't tread on me]]" became common phrases in America by the American people, but the British refused over and over again to accept it. London sent in troops when Boston protested vehemently, and Americans organized shadow governments in every colony.

The Americans were adopting a new political philosophy, called [[republicanism]], which stressed civic virtue, fear of corruption, and disdain for [[aristocracy]] (there were no aristocrats in America apart from occasional British visitors). Republicanism alerted Americans to their constitutional rights as Englishmen – one right was that the people, through their elected officials, set the taxes and upheld the law. Constitutionally, to Americans, their "elected officials" were not represented in the British Parliament; it meant having their own colonial legislatures. The British replied haughtily to this desire from the Americans, going so far as to suggest America was "virtually represented" by the British Parliament in some way or form.
{{clear}}
====Boston Tea Party====
{{main|Boston Tea Party}}

The British Parliament's idea of representation in America fueled their desire to increase taxes on Americans. The tax on stamps in 1765 incited near rebellion, as the 13 separate colonies began meeting together and sharing their grievances. The stamp tax was repealed, but others followed, especially the tax on tea. In response, Americans boycotted tea and merchants refused to order it, except in Boston. There, a well-organized group of patriots dumped the tea in the harbor, historically known as the [[Boston Tea Party]]. These events infuriated London, so they sent troops to North America and stripped [[Massachusetts]] of its self-government and suspended the historic rights the colonists were so proud of.

====Thirteen Colonies====
{{main|Thirteen Colonies}} [[File:Pop1750.jpg|thumb|400px|Population of 13 colonies in 1750]]

The thirteen original colonies began organizing shadow governments, called "Committees of Correspondence," which prepared the Americans for the day "patriots" (or "Whigs," as they called themselves) could assume all functions of local government. That day came when the British sent troops from Boston to seize gunpowder in an attempt to dismantle a potential revolt, and the American patriots gathered there to defend their liberty. These patriots were known as the American "Minutemen," and were a well-trained militia, and had planned for this day at Lexington and Concord. When the militia clashed with the elite British troops, they soundly defeated them, prompting a historic backlash from Britain. The American Revolution had begun.

The thirteen colonies organized as the "[[First Continental Congress]]," became a national government as the shadow governments in each colony took control and ousted all royal officials. Congress set up a [[Continental Army]] and gave the command to an American hero and Virginia's leader, [[George Washington]]. George Washington took charge in Boston, and he forced the British to leave in the spring of 1776. All 13 colonies were at this point in control of the American Patriots, and they listened as [[Tom Paine]] explained ''Common Sense'' principles, proudly boasting of America's strength and its power as a new nation. America, in its own right as an individual nation, no longer needed nor wanted a foreign [[King]]. Congress called on the colonies to become States and to write new State constitutions. On July 4, 1776, Congress unanimously declared the independence of a new nation, the United States of America. Up until this time, the colonies were known as the "United Colonies". On September 9, 1776, the Continental Congress voted to change the name of the country to the "United States of America".

====France in the American Revolutionary War====
[[File:Marquis de Lafayette.jpg|thumb|[[Marquis de Lafayette]].]]
King [[George III]] could not abide the insolent Americans and he sent his small army and large navy to America in an attempt to reconquer his lost colonies. They were able to recapture [[New York City]], but the King's failure to spread elsewhere greatly outweighed this small victory. The powerful Royal Navy gave the British command of the seas and the ability to land troops anywhere and capture any specific place, but the shortage of British soldiers, and the very long 3,000-mile supply line, meant that the British could only hold a few points at any one time. Hiring German soldiers (Hessians) was necessary, but they were not enough, for the Patriots always had more available soldiers. The British expectations that Loyalists would rise up and overthrow the Patriots were a [[chimera]]; the Loyalists did provide some help to British invasion forces but were never strong enough to operate on their own or control any territory.

[[France]], humiliated by Britain in the 1760s, was stronger in the late 1770s than it was a decade earlier and wanted revenge against the British for their past woes. Thus, the French secretly armed and financed the Americans. Lafayette, a French general in the American Revolutionary War, served in the Continental Army under George Washington. He convinced France to send its first naval and land forces to the Americas and participated in defending Richmond, Virginia, from Benedict Arnold and in the battle of Yorktown, Virginia; Lafayette contributed in no slight degree toward the grand result.

In 1777, the British sent a large army to invade [[New York]] and cut off the revolutionary states of [[New England]]. The plan was a disaster as the American militia captured the entire British invasion force at Saratoga. Encouraged by diplomat [[Benjamin Franklin]], the French recognized the United States as an independent nation, signed a treaty of alliance, and entered the war against Britain. Later, the treaty extended to [[Spain]] and the [[Netherlands]] as allies to America; Britain's diplomacy was so disjointed that it had no allies at all and was militarily matched or surpassed by America and its new allies. The British invasion of the South in 1780-81 was designed to bring out Loyalist support, but it failed and the second major British army was captured at the [[Battle of Yorktown]]. The British Parliament revolted against their reckless king and his incompetent government and sued for peace, which was achieved on terms favorable to the U.S. in 1783. About 20% of the Loyalists moved to [[Canada]], but many stayed in America, and the new peaceful nation resumed its rapid growth.

===New Nation===
[[File:Bierstadt Looking Down Yosemite-Valley 1865.jpg|thumb|[[Albert Bierstadt]], ''Looking Down Yosemite-Valley'', 1865.]]
In 1783, when the Treaty of Paris concluded the War of Independence, the American population totaled some three million citizens and slaves living on about one million square miles of land. Tens of thousands of [[Native Americans]] also lived in the [[Northwest Territory]] and the Southwest.

The Thirteen original states are [[Connecticut]], [[Delaware]], [[Georgia]], [[Maryland]], [[Massachusetts]] (including [[maine]]), [[New Hampshire]], [[New Jersey]], [[New York]], [[North Carolina]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[Rhode Island]], [[South Carolina]] and [[Virginia]]. In 1790, an agreement between supporters of Jefferson and those of [[Alexander Hamilton]] resulted in the creation of the [[District of Columbia]] from part of [[Maryland]]; it has served as the national capital since 1800. The remainder of the 1783 territory was eventually organized as the states of [[Ohio]], [[Indiana]], [[Michigan]], [[Illinois]], [[Wisconsin]], [[Kentucky]], [[Tennessee]], [[Mississippi]] and [[Alabama]].

===Westward Expansion===
[[File:U.S. Territorial Acquisitions PD WC.jpg|thumb|left|Territorial acquisitions such as the Thirteen Colonies, the Louisiana Purchase, and British and Spanish Cession.]]
In 1803, [[French]] first consul [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] took advantage of a lull in his war with Great Britain to sell the [[Louisiana Territory]] to the United States, more than doubling the nation's land area. This territory would later be organized as the states of [[Minnesota]], [[North Dakota]], [[South Dakota]], [[Montana]], [[Wyoming]], [[Nebraska]], [[Iowa]], [[Missouri]], [[Arkansas]], [[Kansas]], [[Oklahoma]], and [[Louisiana]] proper. President Jefferson commissioned [[Lewis and Clark]] to explore the new territory from 1802 to 1804.

The U.S. seized, then purchased [[Florida]] from Spain in 1819. [[Texas]] joined the United States in 1845 after winning its revolution against Mexico.
[[File:Map Leading Group by County US.jpg|thumb|Map Leading Group by County, 2000.]]
After the victory in the [[Mexican-American War]] of 1846–48, the U.S. purchased via the [[Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo]] territory that became the states of [[California]], [[Nevada]], [[Utah]], [[Colorado]], [[New Mexico]] and [[Arizona]]. In 1846 the U.S. and Britain agreed that the 49th Parallel (degree of latitude) would serve as the boundary between the U. S. and [[British Columbia]] (now part of Canada). The American portion became the states of [[Washington]], [[Oregon]] and [[Idaho]].

===Civil War===
{{main|American Civil War}}
An issue that had been left unresolved at the [[Constitutional Convention]] was [[slavery]]. The South's largely agricultural economy depended on slave labor to work its cotton and tobacco plantations. The North was more heavily industrialized, and slavery was outlawed in northern states. After a series of failed compromises, the South broke away to form the [[Confederate States of America]], following the election of President [[Abraham Lincoln]] of the new [[Republican Party]] in the election of 1860. Four long years of war ended in the spring of 1865 with the surrender of Confederate generals [[Robert E. Lee]] at Appomattox, [[Virginia]] and [[Joseph E. Johnston]] at Durham, [[North Carolina]].

===America Acquires an Empire===

In 1867, the U.S. purchased [[Alaska]] from [[Russia]]. It became a state in 1959.

Hawaii became an independent republic in 1894 and voluntarily joined the U.S. in 1898, becoming a state in 1960.

As a result of the [[Spanish-American War]], the United States took control of the [[Philippines]] and annexed [[Puerto Rico]] and [[Guam]]. The Philippines became independent in 1946 after the U.S. reconquered the islands from Japan in World War II. [[Puerto Rico]] has occasionally held a referendum that ratified its continuing unique "Commonwealth" status as part of the United States. The residents of Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens. Guam continues as a U.S.-owned territory with full citizenship for its inhabitants. The people of Puerto Rico and Guam have a vote in presidential primaries and a voice, but not a vote, in Congress; they can travel to U.S. cities without a passport.

===20th century===
[[File:Service-pnp-ppmsca-23900-23988r.jpg|right|250px|thumb|1942 American [[World War II]] [[propaganda]] poster designed to build support for the [[Soviet]] ally. The poster was part of a [[U.S. Office of War Information]] series aiming to foster positive views of Allied nations. ''Source: [[Library of Congress]]''<ref>https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2009634186/</ref>]]
The [[Lend-Lease Act]] was the system to oppose [[Nazism]] by which the U.S. gave away $50 billion in military aid in 1941-45 (during [[World War II]]) so that the Allies could better fight [[Nazi Germany]] and [[Imperial Japan]].<ref>The U.S. GDP was about $200 billion a year.</ref> There was no repayment required. $31 billion went to Britain, $11 billion to the [[Soviet Union]], $3 billion to the [[French National Committee]], and $1.6 billion to the [[Republic of China]].

The official [[Soviet]] position and that of its [[Comintern]] allies prior to [[Operation Barbarossa]] on June 22, 1941, was in direct and vocal opposition to Lend-Lease aid to the [[French]] and [[British Empire]]s. Once the German Chancellor [[Adolf Hitler]] violated the terms of the [[Molotov-Ribbentrop pact]] with the invasion of the Soviet Union, opposition ceased.
{{clear}}

===Unipolar moment===
{{See also|Unipolar moment}}
In the immediate post-[[Cold War]] period, no one contested the global supremacy of the United States. In effect, [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]] presided over a global [[sphere of influence]] that excluded only [[China]], [[Iran]], [[North Korea]], and [[Russia]] in which it was able to act as it wished without regard for the [[UN Charter]], [[international law]], or other norms of [[international relations]] it had earlier helped prescribe. Meanwhile, the [[liberal]]ization and [[globalization]] of [[trade]] and [[investment]] brought new [[wealth]] to the world [[economy]], including China and the [[global South]].

But a combination of [[liberal triumphalism]] and [[ADHD|attention deficit]] [[diplomacy]] derived from resource-intensive "[[forever wars]]" and [[counterterrorism]] campaigns deprived the United States of any [[strategy]] for crafting a cooperative relationship with the newly reemerged [[Russian Federation]]. Instead, the traditional [[Western alliance|Western]] view of Russia as a latent enemy prevailed. Under pressure from [[Moscow]]'s [[Russophobic]] neighbors and their American [[diaspora]]s, a [[Military-industrial complex|military-industrial-congressional complex]] disoriented by enemy deprivation syndrome, diehard veterans of the Cold War, and force of habit, fear of Russia remained the guiding spirit of [[NATO]].

==The Constitution and Politics in the United States==

[[File:Declaration of Independence by Trumbull.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The drafting committee presenting the [[Declaration of Independence]] to the [[Continental Congress]], painted by John Trumbull 1817–1819.]]

Between 1776 and 1788, the United States was governed according to the [[Articles of Confederation]]. The Founding Fathers formally established the current structure of the United States by ratification of the [[U.S. Constitution]] in 1788. Since 1789, that constitution has been the basic governing document. America's Founding Fathers understood that a democracy is always in flux and given to “mob rule,”<ref>[[Michelle Malkin]]. [http://michellemalkin.com/2009/03/27/the-coming-g20-riots-the-spread-of-mob-rule/comment-page-1/ The coming G20 riots & the spread of mob rule], ''Michelle Malkin'', March 27, 2009.</ref> while a republic is fixed and stable, resting on “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.” because of the uncertainty of democracy, [[Benjamin Rush]] — a signer of the Declaration of Independence — wrote: “A simple democracy is one of the greatest of evils.”<ref>AWR Hawkins. [http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/america-a-republic-not-a-democracy/ America: A Republic, Not a Democracy], ''Pajamas Media'', September 03, 2009.</ref>

[[Sovereignty]] in America comes from the citizenry ([[self-governance]]), and the basic political values are called "[[republicanism]]," (not to be confused with the [[Republican Party]]) especially the commitment to civic virtue and civic duty, and opposition to corruption and aristocracy. Popular political parties emerged in the United States in the 1790s; currently, the two major political parties are the [[Democratic Party]] and the [[Republican Party]]. Minor parties are of little importance overall but can be useful in pushing certain topics to the public eye.

States within the United States must have their own individual Constitutions as well, which usually adhere to that individual State's understanding of Natural Law; however, the supreme rule of the United States Constitution takes precedence.<ref>[http://newmexico.heavensentgaming.com/lexicon/american-modern-culture/ American modern culture] on the [[New Mexico Cultural Encyclopedia, Lexicon, and News]]</ref>

Contrary to popular belief, especially among [[liberal]]s, the United States is not a [[democracy]] and was never intended to be one.<ref name="NotDemocracy"/>

=== The Role of Religion in Government ===
{{main|Religion and U.S. Government}}

The Role of Religion in Government, more commonly known as Separation of Church vs State, or just simply Church vs State, is the issue of whether church and state should be separated. Liberals want the Church and State completely separated, but Conservatives want the Church and State to interact. The Supreme Court was in favor of separating church and state (4 liberals + John Roberts, thus a 5-majority), but, because of the confirmation of [[Amy Coney Barrett]], the Court would be against it, as Barrett is not in favor of the separation of church and state,<ref>https://twitter.com/BryanDawsonUSA/status/1308088838108086272</ref> One of the possible reasons is that Barrett is a devout Catholic.

==Government==
{{main|United States Federal Government}}

=== Branches ===

The U.S. government has three branches, the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch.

====Legislative Branch====

The United States legislative branch of government is a [[bicameral]] Congress, which consists of the [[United States Senate|Senate]] (100 seats, 2 members are elected from each state by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third are elected every two years) and the [[House of Representatives]] (435 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms).

====Executive Branch====

*Chief of state: The [[President of the United States]] is both the chief of state and head of government.
*Head of government: President of the United States; [[Vice President of the United States]].
*Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval.
*Elections: The president and vice president serve four-year terms (eligible for a second term).

=====Foreign policy=====
{{See also|American foreign policy}}
Prior to [[NATO expansion]] beginning in the 1990s, [[John Quincy Adams]] laid out the specifics of American [[foreign policy]], saying America does not go "abroad in search of monsters to destroy."<ref>https://www.theamericanconservative.com/repository/she-goes-not-abroad-in-search-of-monsters-to-destroy/</ref> if the US had stayed neutral in the [[Ukraine war]] and refrained from sending any [[Ukraine]] [[weapon]]s, the war would have ended in April 2022 with a full Russian withdrawal under the terms of the [[Istanbul 1.0|Istanbul Agreement]]. This peace deal was initialed by representatives of Russia and Ukraine on March 29, 2022, and was scheduled to be signed on April 9, 2022, in Istanbul by Putin and Zelensky before [[Joe Biden]] and UK Prime Minister [[Boris Johnson]] persuaded Zelensky not to sign it and continue the war indefinitely with disastrous results for Ukraine.

The charge that [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]] cannot be relied upon to honor its commitments has become a recurring theme in [[Russian]] [[diplomacy]] and increasingly resonates beyond [[Moscow]]. Over the past two decades, the United States has withdrawn from a remarkable number of [[international]] agreements, raising questions about American credibility, the future of [[multilateral]] cooperation, and whether the United States can be treated as a reliable partner on the international stage.

The pattern began in earnest in 2001 when [[President George W. Bush]] withdrew the United States from the [[Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty]], a 1972 arms control accord with the [[Soviet Union]] that had been in force for three decades. The withdrawal, citing purported risks of [[nuclear]] [[blackmail]] from rogue states, led Russia to declare it would no longer abide by the [[START II treaty]]. Russian [[President Vladimir Putin]] ordered a buildup of Russia's nuclear capabilities designed to counterbalance American [[missile defense]] systems.

In May 2018, the [[Trump 1.0]] administration withdrew from the [[Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action]], the [[Iran nuclear deal]] negotiated by the [[Barack Obama]] administration alongside the [[United Kingdom]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Russia]], and [[China]]. [[Europe]]an [[allies]] stayed in the agreement and ignored Washington's requests to reimpose [[economic sanctions|sanctions]] on [[Tehran]]. [[Iran]] responded by resuming [[uranium]] enrichment.

In August 2019, the United States formally exited the [[Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty]], a [[Reagan]]-era [[arms control]] pact with Russia. In May 2020, [[Secretary of State Mike Pompeo]] announced the United States would withdraw from the Open Skies Treaty, a thirty-four nation confidence-building measure that permitted unarmed reconnaissance flights over member states’ territories. The withdrawal became effective November 2020 despite opposition from [[NATO]] [[allies]] and members of [[Congress]] who argued the administration had violated [[legal]] requirements for notification.

=====Military=====

The [[NATO war in Ukraine]] exposed the weakness of the U.S. and European military industrial base.<ref>[https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/return-industrial-warfare The Return of Industrial Warfare], Alex Vershinin, [[RUSI]], 17 June 2022. rusi.org</ref> The United States and NATO have lost their ability to produce essential [[ammunition]] and armored vehicles required to sustain combat.<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-07-14/eu-us-nato-don-t-have-enough-weapons-for-ukraine-to-fight-russia Europe Is Pledging Ukraine Weapons It Can’t Make], By Max Hastings, ''[[Bloomberg News]]'', July 13, 2023,</ref><ref>[https://www.newsweek.com/nato-allies-would-run-out-ammunition-within-days-war-russia-report-says-1780851NATO Allies Would Run Out of Ammo Within Days of War With Russia: Report], By Jon Jackson, ''[[Newsweek]]'', Feb 13, 2023.</ref><ref>[https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-ammunition-manufacturing-ukraine-west-officials-2023-9 Russian manufacturers are making up to 7 times as much ammunition as Western arms makers, Estonian defense official says], Erin Snodgrass, ''Business Insider'', Sep 13, 2023.</ref> While the United States has the most expensive military in the world, it is totally unprepared to fight a peer-to-peer first-world power.<ref>[https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/us-not-ready-peer-peer-fight-europe The US is not Ready for a Peer to Peer Fight in Europe], By Keith Nightingale. ''Small Wars Journal'', February 15, 2023.</ref> The U.S. is no longer the industrial behemoth that churned out tanks, planes, [[aircraft carrier]]s, destroyers and bombs in the Second World War.<ref>[https://sonar21.com/americas-delusional-military-fantasy/ AMERICA’S DELUSIONAL MILITARY FANTASY], by Larry Johnson, 24 February 2023.</ref>

The US military lost in [[Vietnam]], [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]], and hasn't won a major war since 1945.<ref>[https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/three-reasons-why-military-recruitment-crisis Three Reasons Why Military Recruitment Is In Crisis], Ryan McMaken, SEP 15, 2023. Originally published at the [[Mises Institute]]. zerohedge.com</ref> The United States military is not designed to win wars;<ref>[https://nypost.com/2022/10/18/us-military-rated-as-weak-may-not-be-able-to-win-one-war-as-tensions-grow-with-china-russia/ US military rated as ‘weak,’ may not be able to win one war, as tensions grow with China, Russia], Caitlin Doornbos, ''New York Post'', Oct. 18, 2022. nypost.com</ref> rather, it is designed to make [[profit]]s for the [[military industrial complex]] out of the pockets of U.S. taxpayers.<ref>[https://orientalreview.su/2023/10/23/bidens-world-war-iii-innuendo-aims-to-maintain-the-military-industrial-complexs-profits/ Biden’s World War III Innuendo Aims To Maintain The Military-Industrial Complex’s Profits], [[Andrew Korybko]], ''Oriental Review'', 23/10/2023. orientalreview.su</ref> American [[national security]] is in the hands of [[private sector]] [[corporation]]s.<ref>[https://time.com/6315670/big-tech-national-security/ What Happens When Tech Bros Run National Security], BY HENRY FARRELL AND ABRAHAM NEWMAN, ''[[Time magazine]]'', SEPTEMBER 20, 2023. time.com</ref><ref>[https://consortiumnews.com/2021/05/24/a-peoples-guide-to-the-war-industry/ A People’s Guide to the War Industry], By Christian Sorensen, ''[[Consortium News]]'', May 24, 2021. consortiumnews.com</ref> This likely is the legacy of the ideological struggles of the [[Cold War]].<ref>[https://www.newsmax.com/johnwhitehead/deep-state-democracy-military-industrial-complex-trump/2017/05/23/id/791910/ The Deep State in America Is Driven by Profit], By John W. Whitehead, ''[[Newsmax]]'', 23 May 2017. www.newsmax.com</ref><ref>[https://medium.com/@abstract.expression/perils-of-the-military-industrial-complex-a-profit-driven-war-machine-aee476032e06 Perils of the Military-Industrial Complex: A Profit-Driven War Machine], Andy Wilson, August 1, 2023. medium.com</ref>

The Pentagon did not determine in advance who, how, when and with what forces would repair armored vehicles damaged in battle in Ukraine. Pentagon General Robert Storch revealed that planning in relation to military equipment supplied to Ukraine was totally inadequate. No provision was made for maintenance and spare parts. Continued operation of [[Patriot missile]] systems or Bradley Fighting Vehicles could not be guaranteed. According to Storch, the lack of such planning: "jeopardized Ukraine's ability to fight effectively using US-provided equipment" For its normal maintenance, trained specialists had to be in the field, but there is no information in the documents that the equipment given to the [[Ukrainian Armed Forces]] units completed a full course of engineering training for these types of equipment. Discharged American soldiers, fighting in Ukrainian [[mercenary]] units, operated the systems.

The Pentagon reported that the United States military missed its recruiting goal by a combined total of 41,000 personnel across its various branches in 2023.<ref>[https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3616786/dod-addresses-recruiting-shortfall-challenges/ DOD Addresses Recruiting Shortfall Challenges], By David Vergun, ''DOD News'', Dec. 13, 2023. defense.gov</ref> The [[U.S. Army]] had an 8.4% reduction in its ranks, the [[U.S. Navy]] a 3% reduction, the [[U.S. Air Force]] a decrease of 4%, and the [[U.S. Marine Corps]] a decrease of 5%. The Defense Dept blames the failures on [[obesity]] and a lack of [[patriotism]] among [[Gen Z]]ers.<ref>[https://nypost.com/2023/09/07/military-faces-recruitment-crisis-as-unpatriotic-gen-z-fails-to-join-up/ NEWS Military faces recruitment crisis thanks to ‘unpatriotic’ Gen Z, obesity, therapy ban], Rikki Schlott, Sep. 7, 2023. nypost.com</ref> Active duty personnel have taken to [[social media]] in what has been described at the "[[TikTok]] [[mutiny]]" to discourage enlistment by complaining about “no privacy," "the pay sucks," "sh*tty food," "disrespectful leadership", being pushed to stay in shape, and their freedoms being “suppressed".<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2023/12/17/gen-z-us-army-soldiers-throwing-tiktok-mutiny-discouraging-recruits/ Gen Z U.S. Soldiers Engaged in ‘TikTok Mutiny,’ Discouraging Army Recruits], OLIVIA RONDEAU, ''[[Breitbart]]'', 17 Dec 2023.</ref>

======Nuclear primacy doctrine======

American military planners have quietly disposed of the Doctrine of [[Mutual Assured Destruction]] and now believe they can win a [[nuclear war]] with a nuclear first strike. The doctrine of America, or at least the [[deep state]], initiating, surviving, and "winning" nuclear war is known as the doctrine of "Nuclear Primacy".<ref>[https://archive.is/TR1qG America’s Secret Planned Conquest of Russia], December 29, 2016 by Eric Zuesse.</ref> American military planners believe they can perform a [[decapitation strike]] on [[Moscow]]'s command and control center before [[Russia]]n leadership has an opportunity to react. While in most scenarios [[military]] planners understand the [[North America]]n homeland and [[civilian]] [[population]] will take a hit and the become uninhabitable, they believe portions of the US can ultimately survive. Russia's [[dead hand]] program insures much of [[America]] would be destroyed in the case of an American [[nuclear first strike]].<ref>https://ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu/olj/fa/fa_marapr06/fa_marapr06d.html</ref>

Of course, destroying Russian territories with a thousand nuclear weapons would also destroy much of the world's [[food]] production, alter the [[climate]] and cause a [[refugee]] crisis worldwide, but the [[Deep State]] would survive.

In November 2024, the head of plans for Strategic Command, Rear Admiral Thomas Buchanan, told the [[Washington, DC]] [[think-tank]] [[CSIS]] that the [[Biden regime]] was ready to fight and win a nuclear exchange with [[Russia]], and in early December 2024 the [[CIA]] under [[Bill Burns]], responding to an announcement by the regime that it would greenlight the use by the [[Kyiv regime]] of [[ATACMS]] [[missile]]s to strike targets inside Russia, briefed members of [[Congress]] that there was a greater than 50% chance there would be a [[nuclear war]] between Russia and the [[US]] before year's end.

====Judicial Branch====
{{main|Supreme Court of the United States}}

The United States [[Supreme Court]] consists of nine justices, nominated by the president and confirmed with the advice and consent of the Senate. The judicial branch also includes the United States Circuit Courts of Appeal and the United States District Courts. Article III, Section 1, of the U.S. Constitution, provides that judges serve "during good Behavior," ''i.e.'', until they resign, die, or are impeached. The Supreme Court's decision in ''Marbury v. Madison'' established judicial review, whereby the federal courts have the power to declare federal and state laws and actions of the executive branch of the federal or state government unconstitutional.

== Economy ==

The US has the largest and [[United States and innovation|most technologically powerful economy]] in the world, with a very high GDP per capita of $68,309 (2021). In this market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace. American business firms enjoy greater flexibility than their counterparts in [[China]], [[Europe]], and [[Japan]] in decisions to expand capital plants, lay off surplus workers, and develop new products. At the same time, they face higher barriers to entering their rivals' home markets than foreign firms face entering US markets. US firms are at or near the forefront of technological advances, especially in computers and in medical, aerospace, and military equipment; their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II, mostly due to the economic explosion of China.

In terms of the quality of its labor, the U.S. labor market is in line with those of other developed countries.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States/Transportation United States - Strengths and weaknesses]</ref> See: [[Labor productivity rate of the United States]]

The onrush of technology largely explains the gradual development of a "[[Two-tier system|two-tier labor market]]" in which those at the bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. Unfortunately, China remains both the banker and salesman to the United States' role as a buyer and debtor. This will not end well for the United States, a Republican president or not. Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households. The war in March–April 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq, and the subsequent occupation of Iraq, required major shifts in national resources to the military. Soaring oil prices between 2005 and the first half of 2008 threatened [[inflation]] and [[unemployment]], as higher gasoline prices ate into consumers' budgets. Imported oil accounts for about 60% of US consumption. Long-term problems include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, sizable [[trade deficit]]s and [[budget deficit]]s, and stagnation of family income in the lower economic groups. [[War]] and [[war propaganda]] are two of America's chief industries and exports.
[[File:Gast1872.jpg|thumb|"American Progress," painting by John Gast, 1872.]]
The merchandise trade deficit reached a record $840 billion in 2008 before shrinking to $506 billion in 2009, and ramping back up to $630 billion in 2010. The global economic downturn, the subprime mortgage crisis, investment bank failures, falling home prices, and tight credit pushed the United States into a [[recession]] by mid-2008. [[GDP]] contracted until the third quarter of 2009, making this the deepest and longest downturn since the [[Great Depression]]. To help stabilize financial markets, the US Congress established a $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) in October 2008. The government used some of these funds to purchase equity in US banks and other industrial corporations, much of which had been returned to the government by early 2011.

In January 2009 the US Congress passed and President [[Barack Obama]] signed a bill providing an additional $787 billion fiscal stimulus to be used over 10 years - two-thirds on additional spending and one-third on tax cuts - to promote a more government-regulated economy. Approximately two-thirds of these socialist funds were injected into the economy by the end of 2010. In March 2010, President Obama signed the [[Patient Protection and the Affordable Care Act]], in order to promote government-controlled healthcare. In July 2010, the President signed the DODD-FRANK Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, a bill designed to promote a government-controlled [[Wall Street]], ending taxpayer bailouts of financial firms, taxing the troubled banks that are "too big to fail," and promoting accountability and transparency against the financial system - in particular, by requiring certain financial derivatives to be traded in markets that are subject to government regulation and oversight.

In November 2010, in an attempt to keep interest rates from rising and snuffing out the nascent recovery, the US Federal Reserve Bank (The Fed) announced that it would purchase $600 billion worth of US Government bonds by June 2011.

However, in November 2017, President Trump signed the [[Tax Cuts and Jobs Act]], promoting in-nation jobs, lowering the sky-high tax rate of 35% to a moderate rate of 20%, and less government regulation of the economy, allowing the US economy to flourish.

The United States is the leading industrial power in the world, highly diversified and technologically advanced; [[petroleum]], [[steel]], motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, [[electronics]], food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining.
<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html CIA - The world Factbook]</ref>

=== Economic History ===
[[File:Lawrence The Migration of the Negro.jpg|thumb|200px|The Migration of the Negro by [[Jacob Lawrence]], 1940–1941.]]
In 1820, the United States had the ninth-largest economy. In only 50 years, the US economy was the world's fourth-largest. In 1900, the United States had the world's largest economy. In 1929, during the [[Great Depression]], the US economy crashed, but no country overtook the U.S., since America was way ahead of five countries fighting for the 2nd place, the Soviet Union, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and China. In 1959, according to [[IMF]] data,<ref>https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/SPROLLs/world-economic-outlook-databases</ref> the US economy hit $500 billion. In just 10 short years, the US economy reached $1 trillion. It doubled again in 8 years, getting to $2 trillion in 1979. Under the [[Reagan administration]], the US got to $4 trillion in just 5 years, in 1984. It took 12 years to get to $8 trillion in 1996, but the major $10 trillion milestone was reached in 2000. The US slowed down dramatically, taking 11 years to just multiply by 1.5, getting to $15 trillion in 2011. The $20 trillion milestone was reached in 2018, but it stayed stuck in 2020, due to the [[CCP virus]]. It is projected to reach $30 trillion by 2030, but will get bumped down by most forecasts, due to the economic explosion from [[China]], which is being cheered on by the [[mainstream media]].<ref>https://tennesseestar.com/2020/03/21/commentary-corrupt-mainstream-media-defends-red-china-attacks-trump/</ref>

Decoupling refers to restricting and terminating certain trade relationships with the [[Chinese Communist Party]]. Decoupling, however, is not limited merely to commerce. It will affect student exchange programs as students from China are hand-selected by the Chinese Communist Party and expected to serve the party upon graduation without becoming infected with ideas such as [[democracy]], [[justice]], and [[religion]] while in the United States. American students studying in China likewise are targeted for compromise, blackmail, and ideological subversion.

=== Growth of the national debt of the United States ===

The United States is consistent in the growth of the [[money supply]] reflected in its GNP over decades and its recovery from [[stimulus]] spending has occurred largely as a result of [[Keynesian economics]], printing money, and piling on the [[national debt]].<ref>[https://www.fff.org/explore-freedom/article/the-follies-and-fallacies-of-keynesian-economics/ The Follies and Fallacies of Keynesian Economics], by Richard M. Ebeling, Future of Freedom Foundation, February 16, 2016.</ref><ref>[https://www.freedomworks.org/keynesian-economics-still-failing-after-all-these/ Keynesian Economics: Still Failing After All These Years, Freedom Works, 04/30/2013.]</ref><ref>[Peak Debt – Why The Keynesian Money Printers Are Done], by [[David Stockman]], ''The Millennium Report'', September 28, 2014.</ref>

==Flag Description==
[[File:United States flag in the wind.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The United States flag]]
{{main|Flag of the United States of America}}

Thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the design and colors might have been the basis for a number of other flags, including [[Chile]], [[Liberia]], [[Malaysia]], and [[Puerto Rico]].
{{Clear}}

== See also==
[[File:Weir, Afternoon by the Pond, ca. 1908-1909.jpg|thumb|Julian Alden Weir, Afternoon by the Pond, ca. 1908–1909.]]

*[[Pledge of Allegiance]]
*[[Famous American artists]]
*[[List of 50 states]]
*[[Americas]]
*[[America (continent)]]
*[[Columbia]]
*[[Gallery of American Masterpieces]]
*[[Christian Nation]]
*[[American conservatism]]
*[[Sociology of "atheism is un-American" view]]
*[[Adair v. United States]]
*[[Americana]]
* [[Daylight Savings Time | Daylight Savings Time in the United States of America]]

{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[[CIA]] - [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html The World Factbook]
*[https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/616563/United-States United States.]
*[http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/america.htm America]
*[http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/flags_of_us_states.htm Flags of the U.S. States]
*[http://www.pibmug.com/files/map_test.swf Interactive map test of the 50 U.S. states]
*[http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h445.html U.S. History]
*[http://www.theroot.com/buzz/who-owns-united-states Who Owns the United States?]
*[http://sociology.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/wealth.html Wealth, Income, and Power.] by G. William Domhoff, University of California Santa Cruz.
*[http://bertschlossberg.blogspot.com/ Real Life and Death: the Bible, Israel, and America interplay]

[[Category:United States of America]]
[[Category:North American Countries]]
[[Category:United States of America]]
[[Category:NATO Members]][[Category:Russia-Ukraine War]]
[[Category:United States History]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]
[[Category:Christian-Majority Countries]]
{{USstates}}