Christian Times Magazine Issue 43 by Christian Times Magazine

Christian Times Magazine

ISSUE 43 - JUNE 2020 ISSN:Â 2639-7730 (ONLINE) ISSN 2639-7714 (PRINT)

Dean Cheng on China and the Future

The Novel Coronavirus (COVID19) The Trade War & 5G By Katherine Schoonover

The Deep Dark Secret In America By David A. Colbert

The Curious Case of George Floyd By Chris Grahn Howard

An Unjustified Path of Violence By Katherine Daigle

Anil Anwar CEO / Editor In Chief Charles Lingerfelt Managing editor & Senior Associate Publisher Editor Matt Snape Editorial Member David Clarke Raven Youngblood

Front Cover Credit: Getty Images

CHRISTIAN TIMES MAGAZINE

ISSUE 43| JUNE 2020 Published in United States of America Copyright ÂŠ 2020 by Christian Times Magazine (CTM) All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, For permission requests, www.ctimesmag.com 214-256-4293 214-850-1541

DISCLAIMER THE VIEWS AND ARE THOS NECESSARILY POSITION

OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THE ARTICLES E OF THE AUTHORS AND DO NOT REFLECT THE OFFICIAL OPINIONS OR OF CHRISTIAN TIMES MAGAZINE.

ISSUE 43 - JUNE 2020 CONTRIBUTORS Katherine Daigle / David Colbert / Katherine Schoonover / Chirstopher Grahn Howard

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YOUR GUIDE TO ISSUE NO.43

AN UNJUSTIFIED PATH OF VIOLENCE By Katherine Daigle

DEAN CHENGON CHINA AND THEFUTURE THE NOVELCORONAVIRUS(COVID-19),THETRADE WAR, AND 5G By Katherine Schoonover

DEEP DARK SECRETIN AMERICA MYPERSPECTIVEON THEPRESENTUNRESTIN AMERICA By David Colbert

07 17

THE CURIOUS CASE OF GEORGE FLOYD MY EXPERIENCE AT MY FIRST PROTEST AS A PARTICIPANT By Chris Grahn Howard

C T I M E S M A G . C O M

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An Unjustified Path of Violence By Katherine Daigle

PHOTO SOURCE:(Elias Valverde II / The Shorthorn)

The mob gives each of its members a sense of deindividuation – a sign of strange courage that lets them unleash the beast within. It is this sight that we’re viewing on the streets today – an unhealthy mob that rages through the country, trying to play the cards of being peaceful. George Floyd’s death by the utter brutishness of an officer cannot be justified by any means; so is the case with the violent protests that are spreading through the US. To glorify it and turn a blind eye to the looting and destruction that is taking place alongside the banner-bearing is to be ludicrous in a situation that demands us to think rationally.

C T I M E S M A G . C O M

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Racist thoughts deserve to be eliminated. The anger

radicals, and extremists terrorizing residents, protests,

that

and rioting… they are the antithesis of the destruction

people

find

burning

within

themselves

upon

realizing that discrimination still persists is justified.

of our society at its core.

Nobody should meet a fate similar to that of Mr.

Floyd, President Donald Trump said on Sunday the

After the death of George

Floyd. The rage is justified, but we cannot say the

U.S. government will designate the anti-fascist group

same about the riots that have broken out. It almost

Antifa as a terrorist organization.

seems as though many got a reason to simply wreak havoc and rip others of their livelihood.

Romanticizing

this

destruction

throws

open

challenge to lives – if meeting violence with violence was the only way out of times like this, then perhaps the Civil Rights Movement wouldn’t have

Stephanie Keith/Getty Images Photo: Reuters/Lucas Jackson If truth be told, it’s really a pity Antifa seems to have materialized as a monumental feat in history back in

so much energy to oppose some thoroughly disgusting

the

but

1960s.

someone

were

express

their

ultimately

bigoted

being apathetic; of not caring enough about the system

substantive

of justice; of just being too privileged to realize these

protest

complexities in the society. But the very people who

breaking down small businesses, looting, setting fires

hurl these accusations, on reaching the ‘comfort’ of

everywhere.

their

playbook as the race war accelerationists of the 1960s.

feel

convenient

enough

blanket

themselves with the same ideas that they now oppose.

and

but

has

criticisms forcing

very

knuckle-dragging

discontentment for the riots, they’d be accused of

homes,

thugs

unrepresentative

other riots.

race

little than

Agitating

relations

meaningful

circumventing violence

using

the

and

same

But it’s coinciding with widespread unemployment, a deep

recession,

and

COVID19

pandemic-

The double standards involved in this petty game does

something that is so evil. “Introduce a little anarchy

not prove to be worthy of being inducted into the

upset the established order and everything becomes

larger political scenario. This cannot be put up with.

chaos” Dark Knight, 2008

″

Mr. Floyd’s girlfriend too couldn’t comprehend the ‘sanity’ of the riots: “I am heartbroken. Waking up

We have no leaders–no black leaders, no religious

this morning to see Minneapolis on fire would be

leaders–stepping up calming the masses only the evil

something that would devastate Floyd.”

leading these children. How to talk to your kids about the protests, police, race relations with our places of

Following violent protests and riots across the country

worship closed by the same local governments not

and

doing enough to protect our communities as President

#ANTIFA a movement that has no central tenet other

Trump grasps his Bible in front of St. John’s Church

than preventing fascism in the world. The anarchist,

after being set afire.

groups

#BLACKLIVESMATTER

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President Donald Trump stood outside St John's Church with a Bible in his hands

Burning buildings, overturning cars, or targeting random strangers are not solutions thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll undo underlying racist sentiments â&#x20AC;&#x201C; letting oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs be articulated and playing an active role in policymaking will do what these riots cannot, which is bringing about changes that are far from being ephemeral. If anything, these disruptive riots stall reforms. How can one expect families to feel safe in our communities where these mob-movements are growing by the day, endangering lives all along? Violence is violence! At a time when the country is leaving no stone unturned to lift the economy back to its prime, violent protests are only going to leave adverse economic aftermath.

CTM NEWS mission is to distinguish ourselves from those who are providing the world with fake news," We report on facts and we have a team of professional reporters and columnists and News Anchors who provide insightful analysis and accurate reporting on the breaking stories happening right now. We are a source of truth and tradition at a time when the world needs it most.

CHANNEL STORE CATEGORY: News & Weather

C T I M E S M A G . C O M

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DeanTheCheng on China and the Future Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Trade War, and 5G By Katherine Schoonover

The United States has had a complicated relationship with China over the years. We have outsourced a great deal of our manufacturing to China and as a result, have been able to buy and sell inexpensive products because of their low wages and minimal regulations.

However, China is well known for stealing our

intellectual property, preventing U.S. products from being sold in China, and using government resources to give their businesses an advantage over ours. This disproportionately beneficial association has led to the current trade war. The U.S. informed China that we would no longer turn a blind eye to the situation and then, in the middle of trade negotiations, the world was struck down by a global pandemic further complicating the matter.

As we continue

through this period of health and economic recovery, we need to consider what kind of relationship we want to have with China in the future.

Dean Cheng, the Senior Research Fellow on Chinese political and security affairs with The Heritage Foundation, graciously agreed to provide some insight into these interconnected issues .

C T I M E S M A G . C O M

Katherine

P A G E

Schoonover:

there

1 2

connection

where we are, which is a global pandemic, global

between the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the

economic shutdowns, a global loss of GDP on the

U.S.-China trade war?

order

probably

4-6%,

massive

unemployment

around the world, and massive chaos.” Dean Cheng: “It is interesting that you link these issues together because I think they are linked. I think

Katherine Schoonover:

that what we are seeing with regard to China and

world about the threat of the COVID-19?

Did the Chinese lie to the

COVID-19 is partly a byproduct of the fact that before COVID-19 you had an almost two-year-long trade

Dean Cheng:

war. That trade war did affect the Chinese economy.

Chinese version of the story has evolved. Early on the

It almost certainly contributed to the slowing down of

Chinese themselves recognized and admitted that they

growth. There were also other factors that contributed

had not fully disseminated information. But, as time

to China’s slowing growth rate and a lot of it has to do

has passed, they have altered their narrative more and

with China’s economic reforms.

more to say that they have been open, that have told

ended

2004,

long

That pretty much

predating

President

“Over the course of this pandemic, the

everyone everything, and that their hands are clean.”

Jinping. But, as a result, we are watching the Chinese economy become slower and creakier.

Katherine Schoonover:

Is Chinese investment in

U.S. ports and infrastructure concerning? “The other piece is China’s demographics.

China’s

population is aging and aging rapidly. Its workforce

Dean Cheng:

stabilized around 2016 and 2017. Because of the one-

ports, for example, for years. I remember hearing the

child policy and the previous baby boom, you are

head or deputy head of the China Ocean Shipping

seeing China’s labor advantage steadily shrink.

Company,

So,

“Well, they have been investing in our

talking

about

working

with

the

these were factors that were already starting to take

longshoremen in Boston to get Boston Harbor turned

shape

preceded

into a very modern containerized port facility, as well

COVID-19. “I think that the trade war and its

as in meetings with New Jersey longshoremen. China

impending

has been investing in American ports, along with ports

even

before

end

the

with

trade

Phase

war,

which

the

trade

deal

January may have actually contributed to the Chinese policies

COVID-19,

because

COVID-19

about towards the end of 2019.

“The problem here is that COVID-19 would have been hitting right as Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year was about to begin. It is the biggest holiday on the Chinese calendar. It is also a significant family event and one of the biggest human migration events. So, shutting down the country at that point would have had

economic

impact,

family

all around the world, for many years. “

came

impact,

and

“The reality is that what has changed is not the Chinese investments, but how we look at those”

therefore would have had a political impact. “Now, I think that we do need to recognize that U.S.“I suspect that there may have been a number of

China relations have also been evolving.

motivations.

was acceptable in 2007 or 1997 is perhaps a lot more

Do we tell the world that there is an

2020.

The

reality

that

So, what

emergency? Do we tell Chinese officials that there is

problematic

an emergency, or do we sort of hope for the best and

changed is not the Chinese investments, but how we

what

has

keep things tamped down? And from there we are

look at those investments.”

C T I M E S M A G . C O M

Katherine Schoonover: about

Chinese

ownership

P A G E

Should we be concerned of

U.S.

debt

and

1 3

“The other point to consider is that because of our

their

spending, we have the largest bond market. We can

ownership and control of U.S. Ports and other critical

handle the sheer amount of money that the Chinese

infrastructure?

were chucking around in a way that not even the Europeans could. reasonable

American debt. The American people, including the

credibility? Who has the capacity? We have never

U.S.

largest

missed a bond payment or a T-bill payment. The U.S.

holders of our debt. China holds about $1 trillion of

is almost the only game in town. “How would China

our debt of (pre-COVID) $24 trillion. They are the

hurt the United States on bonds? Well, for example,

second largest holder (after Japan). This is about 5%

let's say the Chinese have a trillion dollars of U.S.

of our debt, as of 2018 or so.“China owns our debt,

bonds to sell, and choose to get rid of $250 billion as a

not because they want to be able to use it as leverage,

start.

not

but

going to sell $250 billion worth of bonds, and other

because of the reality that China 1) generates huge

people buy those bonds. Why does the United States

trade surpluses, which are typically denominated in

care if it's bought by China? We don’t care. Option

dollars, and 2) there is no place for that money to go.

2) So, China is going to flood the market, and nobody

If you keep it in China, the money is not convertible

is going to want to buy those bonds because it is just

because you can’t use the dollar in China. If you keep

too much.

because

the

Treasury,

generosity

are

their

the

hearts,

return?

Who

Who has a

Dean Cheng: “China is the largest foreign holder of

Department

rate

So, who is reliable?

has

absolute

Option 1) they go out there and say they are

it in China, you might as well build the world’s largest mattress

and

just

stuff

all

those

dollar

bills

underneath.

“Okay, so if you can’t sell a dollars’ worth of bonds at a dollar, and you really want to hurt us, then what do you do? You are probably going to lower the price.

If you want a return, then you’re probably going to

So, you are going to take 95 cents on the dollar bond.

have to put it somewhere else, other than in China. “If

Okay, China takes a loss, and we still don’t care

you go outside of China, where do you put it? Well,

because the Brits bought it. Okay but the Brits say we

first you go to the world stock markets. But nobody is

are full. Okay, 90 cents, 85 cents, 80 cents, at some

going to let China put the hundreds of billions of

point, it will be worth it for the U.S. government to

dollars that you have into stocks, because that would

say I will buy those bonds then we can retire those

mean

minority

same bonds at 80 cents on the dollar. You, China, just

ownership, of a company. The Japanese won’t let you

owning,

having

substantial

gave us a 20% discount on the bonds that you bought

own Mitsubishi.

from

The Germans are not going to let

you own Siemens.

The UK is not going to let you

us.

bonds?

Finally,

how

would

pay

for

those

We would give them dollars which put us

own British Aerospace. We are not going to let you

right back at step one. “All of which is to say that this

own Google.

whole financial system is much more complex than

So, stock ownership is very limited.

“What about bonds?

‘China owns our debt, and they can call in those bills.’ It's not like a mortgage.

American government bonds and T-bills are the only ones paying a positive rate of interest at this point. Although, I think we are about zero now, but, as of say two years ago, or a year ago, we were the only ones paying a positive interest rate. So, if you bought a € 1,000,000 bond you are going to get € 990,000 back when all was said and done. That’s not a great deal.

“It's not like China can foreclose on Yosemite Park or the Port of Boston.”

C T I M E S M A G . C O M

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1 4

“That is not to say that Chinese investment is not a

‘look, we are going to have to live with this guy for

problem, especially in key infrastructure where they

four more years.

can do other bad things.

They could gain a lot of

make those future four years more difficult.’ So, part

intelligence, shut down a port facility in the middle of

of the question of ‘will there be a Phase 2 before

a crisis, or maintain awareness of where shipments are

November’

going. There are lots and lots of reasons why Chinese

Donald Trump destined to win?’

goes

Antagonizing him now will only

the

Chinese

calculation

‘is

investments need to be carefully monitored, and why Chinese

certainly

“So, the other things that I think are important to note

introduce a lot of chaos in the short-term. “If they

sale

bond

here are 1) do the Chinese have a global view, and 2)

went on the market tomorrow and said: ‘I’m going to

are they thinking about COVID-19?

sell $250 billion of U.S. bonds,’ that is going to have

very important because while almost all of the West is

an impact. It will have an impact in terms of views, in

focused on COVID-19, I think the Chinese have been

terms of people's confidence in the U.S. economy,

actively trying to put together a number of issues

etc. At a moment like this, that would be a bad thing

relating to COVID-19. “One issue that they must deal

to do. “I don’t want to give the impression that there

with

are no problems with Chinese investments. There are

issue. Why did China claim to send aid to a number

problems.

of countries, when in fact they were merely sending

relatively delineated lanes, recognizing that they are

things that had already been bought and paid for?

interconnected. But, the issue is the intelligence issue

They were trying to shape the international narrative

and the strategic issue, not necessarily the financial

with the message that China is a good supply chain

issue of purchasing U.S. debt.”

partner; China is a reliable partner; China does a lot of

However,

holdings

prefer

could

keep

things

the

Personal

Protection

I think this is

Equipment

(PPE)

things out of the goodness of its own heart. Katherine

Schoonover:

How

does

COVID-19 Most of this is nonsense. The second issue is the steel

impact the trade war?

fist inside the velvet glove: rely on us, you need us, Dean Cheng: “First of all, does Phase 1 of the trade

don’t make us angry.

The third issue, which goes

deal still apply? Both President Trump and President

back to the first, is that China is a good and reliable

Xi Jinping made comments that almost sound like

partner for 5G.”

they want to pull out, and both have made comments suggesting that they shouldn't pull out. “It’s quite likely that the Chinese will miss their targets for Phase 1. How much of that is due to COVID-19 and their

Katherine

Schoonover:

Should

the

U.S.

concerned about China and the future of 5G, and will COVID-19 have an impact?

economic slowdown, and how much of that is due to

Dean Cheng: “And why does 5G tie back to COVID-

them not living up to their commitments is unclear. If

19? Bandwidth. A lot of people have been using a lot

matter

them

not

living

their

video

conferencing

over

the

course

this

commitments, it is certainly going to make Phase 2

lockdown. 5G has gone from ‘You know this will be

moot.

As it is, other non-economic issues such as

cool when we have it, to ‘Wow, we really need 5G

Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the South China Sea, all of

yesterday. “Meanwhile, Huawei is just sitting there

these, are going to make Phase 2 delayed at best. The

waiting to pounce because they already have a lot of

Chinese know that we have elections coming up.

the technology, and they are more than willing to sell

doubt that they like Mr. Trump very much so they are

it at a fraction of the cost of anybody else. It’s called

probably not going to want to give him any kind of

subsidies from the Chinese government. Why are the

victory,

Chinese willing to do that?

which

what

Phase

could

seen

It is because 5G is an

doing. So, if the Chinese calculation is that Donald

enormous intelligence collection opportunity. It is a

Trump is going to win anyway, then they might be

chance to create dependency. This is a chance to do a

willing to give him a victory on the grounds that,

lot of other things. So, the Chinese have made a play

C T I M E S M A G . C O M

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toward various European countries. They have made very nice pitches to less developed countries. ‘Look at all of the aid we are sending you. All of this is to help generate a positive opinion that will help shape the thoughts of decisionmakers when they ask, ‘Should we let Huawei build our 5G network?’ “Now, this cuts both ways. Arguably, the UK’s bad experience with the Chinese on COVID-19 PPE is part of why the UK seems to be pulling back on letting Huawei build out their 5G network.

All of this feeds into how China wants the world to view it when we come out of

lockdown. They would like to see a world marked by two things: a China that has a better reputation and a world that is willing to keep Taiwan in a box.”

Katherine Schoonover:

The U.S. does not appear to have plans to develop its own 5G network.

Should we be

concerned about any national security concerns if we allow China to build our 5G network?

Dean Cheng: The Chinese advantage that Huawei provides, is that it is ‘soup to nuts.’ Huawei makes cell phones. Huawei makes tablets.

Huawei makes computers.

They make the base stations (the 5G equivalent of cell phone

towers), and they make servers and routers, which in the early days, they blatantly stole from Cisco Corporation. But, these days, they actually make them on their own. So, you have, very broadly speaking, the three big pieces. Huawei makes all of them. The U.S. has Cisco. That’s pretty much it. That’s servers and routers, but Cisco does not make cell phones. You have T-Mobile and folks like that, so we have the physical networks. Samsung makes tablets and phones. Samsung is the most likely rival to Huawei because they are working on the other pieces of the system. So, you can imagine a Samsung network rivaling Huawei. You can cobble together something, but anytime you have different manufacturers you have the possibility that maybe the stuff won’t work perfectly coherently. That’s Huawei’s current advantage.

Katherine Schoonover Columnist at CTM

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DeepMy Perspective DarkOnSecret in America The Present Unrest In America By David Colbert

A person holds a banner reading "Justice for George Floyd", as crowds gather to protest after the death of George Floyd in Washington D.C. Yasin Ozturk—Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Looters carry out merchandise from the Minneapolis Target on Wednesday. PHOTO BY RICHARD TSONG-TAATARII/STAR TRIBUNE VIA GETTY IMAGES

It has always amazed me how things happen in this

country. It takes a long time to enact laws here,

especially the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Martin Luther

King Jr. and many others gave their lives for the cause

of racial inequality. Unfortunately there are many who

did not support this act and raise their children not to

support the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Sadly a lot of

those who were taught the old ways run multi-billion

dollar companies, serve in politics and are on various

police forces around our great country.

The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a landmark civil rights

I am in no way bashing those charged to protect and

and labor law in the United States that outlaws

serve the citizens of our great country. I am however

discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or

calling

national origin. It prohibits unequal application of voter

President Donald J. Trump and his Administration. I

registration requirements, and public accommodation.

am hopeful and confident that these issues will finally

There were other additions in later years. Those you

be dealt with under this administration.

can research for yourself.

for

these

gross

injustices

end,

our

C T I M E S M A G . C O M

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I want to share a statement made by Randel Clemons,

arrested while being black. Believe it or not when I

Formerly of the Department of Veteran Affairs at the

went to school in the 1970’s police were at the door

V.A. Hospital in Tulare, California.

with metal detectors.

“In the Marines we have “dark green” & “light green”.

This article I am writing from my perspective, your

Everyone is green! NO Black, White, Hispanic, Asian

experiences may well have been different if you are

etc. (only for application purposes). From what I’ve

Black, Negro, Afro-American or African American. I

seen in my years of service. People do bring their

often wondered why we were called all these different

biases

names. I am just a person with darker pigments in my

with

them,

doubt.

But

all

biases

differences goes out the door in Boot Camp & when

skin. In the immortal words of Michael Jackson “

bullets

Don’t Matter If You’re Black or White.

are

exploding.

coming We

down

care

less

range about

bombs

your

are

race/ethnic

background & where you grew up. We rely on those

I am going to share some of my experiences being

people to our left, right & the team undoubtedly with

black looking for work in this country. I remember

our lives! No matter your skin complexion. I wish the

one time calling a job and requesting an interview.

world was like this. Semper Fi brothers & sisters”

Those of you who are Black will understand this. I talked

properly

without

slang

any

kind.

The

Thank you Randel Clemons for your service to these

gentlemen that called me for the interview told me

United States. I want to share something of a personal

when I arrived that I must have been mistaken and that

nature about growing up in the African American or

there is no job. He was the same man, he told me who

Black

to ask for, but he suddenly forgot everything when he

neighborhoods

America’s

inner

city

Baltimore, Maryland.

saw I was black. So if you think you know what blacks have been through, believe me you have no

I was taught by my mom and my dad to take and

idea. I am an optimist and I remembered what mom

judge people on an independent value regardless of

and dad said, to take people on an individual basis. I

race, creed or color. My best friend in high school was

could go on and on, but I don’t want to bore you.

a guy who was a 6’2” for lack of a better term, “White Guy”. I loved him like a brother and we went

Many times as African American we find ourselves

everywhere

Southwestern

being the last hired and the first laid off or fired. I was

Senior High in Baltimore Maryland. I am proud of my

hired one time on a job in Maryland and got there and

dear friend. He served as a Baltimore City Police

they had hired the guy back who quit. I was hired

Officer for over 40 years and retired and the became a

several times in transition, once when Chase Bank

U.S. Marshall. His named was Bruce Neill.

became J.P. Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo bought

together

high

school,

out Wachovia Bank in San Antonio, Texas, and both I was raised in a culture that for years called police

times I was fired in the transition. To be fair a lot

officers “Pigs”. I must confess, as a kid although I

of others lost their jobs as well, but many of those

never got into trouble with the law. It frightened me to

were Hispanic workers.

have someone around who I knew did not likes blacks carrying a gun. In those days there were no laws

I just wanted to share with you, my readers, why some

against stopping and frisking anyone and they abused

blacks are upset. I believe that there is factions that

us in my neighborhood. I had several family members

seek opportunities to cause unrest and riots. I will not

who were arrested for just being near crime.

go into why at think were targeted in the Covid-19 pandemic. I believe the virus is real, but I also believe

I was an angry and afraid young man at the time.

it was created by China. We have a President Trump

People would ask sometimes why are you angry. I

that

said I didn’t know, but I was just afraid I would be

represent.

cares

about

all

Americans

charged

C T I M E S M A G . C O M

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I can’t say too much about the death toll with Covid-19, but that I believe that it was engineered to have a more devastating effect on African- Americans and the elderly.

The problem we have in this country is that we believe the hype of the fake news. Do some research and you find that this universal health they want so desperately to be passed as law will determine if you are too old for treatment? If you don’t believe me check out the countries like Canada who have universal healthcare or what Democrats are calling Medicare for All.

As Black Americans and allother Americans, this is not the time to be uninformed or miss informed. I research and find out for myself. I believe we live in a Great Nation. We still have free enterprise which the Democratic Party would love to take away from you. The states with Democratic Governors want to keep you locked up indefinitely, but we revolted in the past and we are revolting again.

When a car starts and begins to move forward the friction causes heat. America is led by a race car driver his name is Donald J. Trump. A car that stands still will eventually breakdown from lack of use namely sleepy Joe Biden. I am excited to get behind our President Donald J. Trump. I like to see things happening.

I want to see African-Americans protect our businesses, and not allow them to be destroyed by opportunist like ANTIFA, BLM many others who want to see America fall.

My Black brothers and sisters stand strong but stand in peace and support President Trump. We will win the battle, that, I am very confident of Be At Peace.

Thank you for reading my perspective on the present unrest. God Bless America and the World

David A. Colbert

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The Curious Case of George Floyd My Experience at my first Protest as a participant By Chris Grahn Howard

Having said that, I am not suffering from white guilt. I Allow me to start this off by saying this â&#x20AC;&#x201C; These are complex issues and I ask in advance for some grace as I try to get through them. A longer read than usual too complex for shortcuts. This journey is through my eyes and my effort to see these issues through the eyes of others. You may wonder why I say the curious case of George Floyd? Well there are many similarities to other such sad events, and yet this one is so clearly different. Please keep an open mind and heart, no

did not do these things, and, as you will read I do not support them. The idea that all white people are racist is ridiculous. Some blacks do have racist attitudes toward whites does exist. One does not justify the other and never will. That this has happened in an election year will exacerbate and frustrate this process. Not to mention the silly games that will be played at the expense of both sides. I say both sides because, as I write this, we are dividing back up. We should all be on the side of condemning the murder of George

matter what side you see yourself.

Floyd. First, I want to define a few items on the discussion list. Geoge Floyd did not die at the hands of the police. George Floyd was murdered at the hands of a man who

was

policeman

and

the

other

officers

who

allowed him to do so. Mr. Floyd was a flawed man, as all people are in some or even many ways. There is no pretense that he was a threat to others that fateful day, yes he was breaking the law and was being arrested for that. Make no mistake; he was murdered. Being a low-level,

non-violent

criminal

excuse

for

murder. He was murdered by a police officer who

The police â&#x20AC;&#x201C; I am a pro-police person; I believe that the overwhelming majority of officers are good and decent people. They take on, in some aspects, the most challenging task with almost unattainable standards. Think of it this way the police/sheriffs are the living breathing embodiment of what is supposed to be the best of our society and are the physical manifestation of our ordinances laws and our beloved Constitution. No pressure there at all. Each officer holds with them the hopes and fears of every American every day.

could care less for the life he was in control of and responsible for, once in his custody. Mr. Floyd was not a child molester or rapist, and he was stopped for allegedly

passing

counterfeit

bills.

Not

offense, if he had been found guiltyâ&#x20AC;Śif.

capital

The idea that solving this crisis by disbanding police departments is a dangerous plan. Essentially, what will happen is complete lawlessness and then a federal policing action. The effects of which are the basis for many a dystopian novel. Creating this reality will drive people from the major cities and leave only the criminal

and

vulnerable

behind.

Disbanding

local

police departments go against everything our founding father's warned us about by giving up local control. Ironically I believe that those asking for this new world order will be those hurt most by that very order.

These United States have a long history of challenging and checking authority. Protesting is a part of our cultural DNA.

C T I M E S M A G . C O M

Every

teacher

P A G E

ever

had

taught

2 1

question

Racism in America exists still and continues to be the

everything, search for the truth of a thing. Lawful and

national punishment for the national sin of slavery.

righteous and most of all peaceful protests are as

Living in the St. Louis region, I can tell you that

American as apple pie. I support everyone's right to

structural, by design racism exists. Unwrapping that

protest whether I agree with the reason or method or

alone could take a book. The effects of egregious acts

not.

redlining,

educational

and

other

mechanics

racism are evident here like few other places. I point Conversely, Rioting, and looting are despicable acts of

this out because until you have seen these mechanisms

criminal

at work well you would not believe it. Racism is real,

opportunism

that

should

punished

severely. There is no room for this in our society and,

alive and still hurting people.

the harshest possible measures need to be taken to protect life and property. A very distinct line needs to

I am not black and cannot truly internalize what my

be made between these two acts. Sadly the press tends

friends of color must live with every day. However I

to use these terms interchangeably they should not.

have eyes that can see and a brain that can understand

The saddest elements of these acts are twofold. One

(to a point) what is happening. The case of George

the majority of the actions are committed in the very

Floyd is clear cut undeniable and other than in court

communities that need businesses to flourish. Often,

uncontested. Mr. Floyd was murdered by a man who

minority

violatedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;only

represented our shared values and the embodiment of

communities.

our Constitution. What angered me so about this was

deepening

businesses the

are

despair

what

these

is very

These rioters and looters are frequently coming into

that

these communities from elsewhere to create anarchy

government is to reflect in all of us killing one of us

They

without cause.

should

arrested

and

tried

domestic

image

the

expression

everything

our

terrorism and treason charges. Rightly or not many of the other national cases have The so-called Antifa is not a pro-American anything.

questions and doubts swirling around them. Not the

The arguments that Antifa=anti-fascist is laughable as

case

their tactics and message are just that fascist. Defacing

overwhelming

our monuments and attacking police stations is never

streets to say Enough. Maybe just maybe we can have

going

this long-overdue national discussion. Sadly I doubt it.

solve

this

any

other

problem.

Not

here.

Floyd

number

given

Americans

the

problematic. The greatest obstacle will be those who

to resort back to sides rather than the coming together

wish to profit or try to force unrealistic demands on

we have now. This group and ones like it has no place

the conversation. Not to mention the same old and

in the marketplace of ideas.

very tired voices no one hears anymore.

communities for

any

neighborhoods,

that

are

business

companies

attackedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;creating to that

move create

into

these

jobs,

tax

revenue for local municipalities, and of course, the food products. Food deserts are an issue because more impoverished people often do not have a car people in poor

health

cannot

take

long

trips

public

transportation. It is forcing people already suffering to pay higher prices for fewer options within a limited reach.

year

rise taking

2020

incentive

election

has

from the discussion. Groups like this will allow people

same

mention that these acts will drive many people away

It is not uncommon for "food deserts" to exist in these

being

Mr.

which

makes

that

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The tougher issue here is how actually to have the conversation. Just sit down and talk, sounds simple enough. What we lack believe it or not is a common vocabulary to have that discussion. I have a friend who is a black minister and we do not agree on a bunch of issues. However, we have, over time, made our way through to a language and understanding.

I will never forget one time I was going off on something, and he said, "OK, Chris, can you say that again and not sound so racist?" I was shocked, to me, I had not said or even though anything of the sort. He

knew that but was

making a point about how others hear things. Communication 101- seek first to understand, then be understood. It is not as easy as it sounds. Our shared dialogue took time. Both of us had to be willing to seek the other's true meaning. Those conversations are more comfortable now, but we/I still fall into the old traps. Another fantastic example, during the Protest I attended, I met a black couple, and we started talking, not about race, not about the protestâ&#x20AC;Śwe just started talking. The vast majority of people around us were not Republicans. For reasons passing even my understanding, I felt the need to mention that I was a republican, and please don't hate me for that. The wife smiled great big and said, "you shouldn't assume we aren't republicans" Touche! We all laughed at that. Her well-taken point being made, we went on discussing the day. We can all learn from that exchange.

So, how was my local Protest? According to the Ballwin Police Dept., there were roughly 1000 people who very peacefully walked through our park. There was no violence, no looting, Rioting, no spitting on police. Many, myself included, thanked the officers we came into contact with. The next morning I walked my dogs down the same path, and one could not tell that a thousand people had been marching through there. I was moved by the number of people I knew who were there. I am not one prone to participate in any protest.

I pray that George Floyd did not die for nothing, that we can finally find the path forward to having that long-overdue conversation. My fervent hope that the people will see the distinct line between protestors and rioters. Most of all that we find that path for the atonement of our national sin. The trail is not an easy one, it is fraught with peril and error, but it is worth the effort if we will just take on that mantel. The good news is that our history is one of taking the tough road, following the hard trail, and making our country greater for that effort. I also pray that President Trump finds the words to speak and help clear the path going forward to start the healing. I pray you will all join me in those prayers.

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