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Anil Anwar CEO / Editor In Chief Charles Lingerfelt Managing editor & Senior Associate Publisher Editor Matt Snape Editorial Member David Clarke Raven Youngblood
CHRISTIAN TIMES MAGAZINE
ISSUE 35 / OCT Published in United States of America Copyright Š 2019 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 972 - 533- 3804
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ISSUE 35 - SEPTEMBER 2019
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Inside
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YOUR GUIDE TO ISSUE NO.35
SAVIOR OR VILLAIN DONALD TRUMP THE SYMBOL OF THE DEBATE BY KATHERINE SCHOONOVER
16
INTERVIEW WITH CAPT. ALLEN CLARK(U S ARMY RETIRED) Interview Conducted by Charles Lingerfelt
MY MESSAGE TO THE SYRIAN KURDS By Charles Lingerfelt
24
08 20
HOW CAN WE RESOLVE THE VENEZUELAN CRISIS By Matt Snape
Inside
www.ctimesmag.com
YOUR GUIDE TO ISSUE NO.35
IT'S HIGH TIME FOR CHANGE IN THE DEMOCRAT PARTY
28
By David Colbert
REGRESSIVE RHODE ISLAND By Paul McCabeÂ
GUN CONTROL By Chris Grahn Howard
31 35
IS LINDSEY GRAHAM ABOUT TO RESCUE TRUMP'S SYRIAN POLICY
37
IS DEMOCRATS TO STRATEGY TO DEFEAT TRUMP'S FALLING APART
39
By Matt Snape
By Matt Snape
CREDIT: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/
PAGE 8
GETTY IMAGES
Savior or Villain
DONALD TRUMP The Symbol of the Debate By Katherine Schoonover
C T I M E S M A G . C O M
P A G E
November the 5th is only a few weeks away and everyone
is
busy
working
hard.
With
each
election, particularly elections held during critical times
for
thought
the
of
nation
losing
to
as the
a
whole,
comes
opposition,
all
the
of
the
factors that could contribute to a potential loss, and
the
impact
that
the
should they get elected. factor
everyone
is
most
opposition
will
have
Donald Trump is the concerned
with
at
the
moment, and no one knows for sure how public opinion will impact the elections. All anyone is thinking about is how many of the voters love or hate Trump and whether it will help or hurt their chances. It
is
particularly
difficult
for
those
involved with state and local races in years like this,
that
can
be
significantly
impacted
by
national issues and factors beyond their control.
This year, everyone in both parties is on edge as the nation creeps closer towards the precipice that is November 3, 2020.
Every election between
now and then is seen as a potential bellwether for the
upcoming
presidential
election
and
the
potential direction of the nation, whether that is true or not. Politicians running this year will be caught up in the national storm not knowing whether the wind will be at their backs or if they will be blown aside by the oncoming hurricane barreling down on them from DC.
It is incredibly frustrating to know that what you do
and
who
you
are
personally
could
be
completely ignored in your own race, and a vote for or against you could be determined entirely by the actions of others, and a tiny letter next to your name.
Everyone
is
pointing
the
finger
at
everyone and everything around them not sure who or what to praise or blame.
9
C T I M E S M A G . C O M
P A G E
“all eyes are on
1 0
“The whole
President Trump” dispute is pretty However, one thing is certain, and that is that all eyes are on President Trump who has become the
much out of the
symbol of the national debate and the linchpin that will determine the direction of the United States and the Western World. Although Trump is seen as the most critical factor, and at this point, he may be, he is not the reason that the nation or the parties are in the
position
that
they
are
in.
His
presence
closet at this point”
in
politics is the result of the failures and successes of both
parties
and
their
elected
officials.
Interestingly enough, he is representative of the best and
worst
of
both
parties,
as
well
as
the
public
itself, and as a result, is rallying support from all corners of the United States from those unwilling to walk,
or
lemmings
in
this
case,
mindlessly
sprint
hurling
over
the
cliff
themselves
to
like their
President
Trump
position
of
is
in
being
the
both
critical the
and
symbolic
savior and villain in the drama that is unfolding.
He
is the man who has stepped forward to try to lead the nation back towards Americanism and away from the specter of Socialism that has destroyed nations and caused the murders of millions of people. slowly
own destruction.
Donald
unenviable
undoing
the
complex
web
of
Trump is
policies
that
have been incrementally transforming the nation over time and at an ever-increasing rate.
No One Knows What to Expect
In spite of all of the posturing that we see, no one is sure what will happen this November, and definitely not November 2020. and we all know it. edge
as
American
we
Everything is on the line now We have been teetering on the
consider
Experiment
abandoning
and
the
stakes
the
Great
are
high.
Hardly anyone is even bothering to whisper about or deny the attempts at a socialist takeover or a
Most Republicans have been desperate for someone with the strength, guts, and knowledge to do this, and are
ecstatic
to
finally
see
someone
directly
addressing the problems they have been concerned about. They see Trump as the savior of the Republic and are unconcerned by the hypocritical attacks on his character by those seen as even more corrupt, and out to dismantle the nation that they value.
desire to dismantle the U.S. Constitution one article and amendment at a time.
The whole dispute is
pretty much out of the closet at this point and the Democratic Party candidates, their policy positions, and
the
support
abundantly clear.
that
they
have,
has
made
that
Some
Republicans,
Trump’s
however,
imperfections,
can
seem
barely
blinded
disguise
by their
disdain for what they see as his coarse and common behavior,
and
seethe
at
the
idea
that
an
outsider
walked in and almost effortlessly did what the insider ivy
league
gentlemen
been unable to do.
they
had
been
backing
had
Their loathing almost equals the
loathing of the Democrats who are livid at being beaten and seeing all their hard work being undone as they had gotten so close to their goal that they could taste it
C T I M E S M A G . C O M
P A G E
“all eyes are on
1 1
“The whole
President Trump” dispute is pretty However, one thing is certain, and that is that all eyes are on President Trump who has become the
much out of the
symbol of the national debate and the linchpin that will determine the direction of the United States and the Western World. Although Trump is seen as the most critical factor, and at this point, he may be, he is not the reason that the nation or the parties are in
closet at this point”
the position that they are in. His presence in politics is the result of the failures and successes of both parties
and
their
elected
officials.
Interestingly
enough, he is representative of the best and worst of both parties, as well as the public itself, and as a result, is rallying support from all corners of the United States from those unwilling to walk, or in this case, sprint over the cliff like lemmings mindlessly
President
Trump
is
in
the
critical
and villain in the drama that is unfolding.
and
He is the
man who has stepped forward to try to lead the nation back towards Americanism and away from the specter of Socialism that has destroyed nations and caused the murders
hurling themselves to their own destruction.
Donald
unenviable position of being both the symbolic savior
of
millions
of
people.
Trump
is
slowly
undoing the complex web of policies that have been incrementally transforming the nation over time and
No One Knows What to Expect
at an ever-increasing rate. In spite of all of the posturing that we see, no one is sure what will happen this November, and definitely not November 2020. and we all know it.
Everything is on the line now We have been teetering on the
edge as we consider abandoning the Great American Experiment and the stakes are high. is
even
bothering
attempts
at
dismantle
a
the
to
socialist U.S.
out
of
the
about
takeover
Constitution
amendment at a time. much
whisper
Hardly anyone
or
or
deny
a
desire
one
article
the to and
the
support
abundantly clear.
that
with the strength, guts, and knowledge to do this, and are ecstatic to finally see someone directly addressing the problems they have been concerned about. see
Trump
as
unconcerned
the
by
savior
the
of
the
Republic
hypocritical
attacks
They
and
are
on
his
character by those seen as even more corrupt, and out to dismantle the nation that they value.
The whole dispute is pretty
closet
at
this
point
and
the
Democratic Party candidates, their policy positions, and
Most Republicans have been desperate for someone
they
have,
has
made
that
Some
Republicans,
Trump’s
however,
imperfections,
can
seem
barely
blinded disguise
by their
disdain for what they see as his coarse and common behavior,
and
seethe
at
the
idea
that
an
outsider
walked in and almost effortlessly did what the insider ivy league gentlemen they had been backing had been unable loathing
to of
do. the
Their
loathing
Democrats
who
almost are
equals
livid
at
the
being
beaten and seeing all their hard work being undone as they had gotten so close to their goal that they could taste it
C T I M E S M A G . C O M
P A G E
1 2
“They have been The Fears of the Democrats
The Democrats are at their wits end over Donald Trump and the loss of the 2016 presidential election. They do not understand why the man they cast as the villain won, why anyone would support him, why their policies were rejected, why their attacks have had little to no impact, and whether there is any way that they can attack him that would result in a loss of support for “Teflon Don,” his removal from office, or his loss in 2020. One of the biggest mistakes that you can make in politics is to believe your own propaganda and that is precisely what has happened to the Democrats. They never bothered to ask themselves what it was about them and their ideas that made people not want to vote for them. They falsely vilified their opposition as a bunch of bigots and Nazis in order to win the election and they did such a good job promoting it that they began to believe it themselves, and lost all sense of reality and proportion in the process. They slapped a bunch of pictures of famous Republicans up on the walls at the DNC convention, tried to pass off the Republican Party’s history as their own, and then tried to bully and insult their way into the hearts of the voters. The people they were vilifying knew that it was not true, and the Democrats lost support because of it. It is incredibly hard to win an election when you do not understand the voters. It is also rather difficult to convince people to vote for you when you insult and falsely accuse them of immorality that they themselves would consider deplorable were they true. All these issues played a significant role in their loss in 2016 and will likely play a role in 2019 but to a lesser degree.
trying to remove President Trump from office since before he was even sworn in” Their subsequent behavior has only made it worse. Their desperation to remove President Trump from office began before he was even sworn in as they tried
everything
from
insulting
his
supporters,
to
protests, to endless investigations, to even trying to have him declared insane and removing him from office using the 25th Amendment.
When asked about the elections in November hardly any of them are even thinking about the 2019 races. They are almost entirely focused on Donald Trump and
2020.
That
is
of
course
not
true
of
those
working on the 2019 races, but even they are focused on 2020 and how it could impact 2019.
Now they have a lineup of candidates for President, each
one
more
extreme
than
the
next,
and
are
terrified that they might have made a mistake as they are blindly betting it all on the hope that the public is ready
to
embrace
Socialism,
by
name,
at
knowing that it could cost them everything.
last, They
might make it through 2019 but their strategy does not bode well for 2020 as the rising concern among business
leaders
and
becoming apparent.
the
voters,
in
general,
is
C T I M E S M A G . C O M
In addition, they are looking slightly deranged having gone off the deep end over the now debunked Russia collusion investigation and their other mad schemes to remove the President of the United States from office. With each attempt to destroy Trump over increasingly fantastic accusations unendingly dragging out in the media resulting in dismal failures only diminishing the potency of their maniacal and incessant bleats to stop the wolf that never seems to materialize.
P A G E
1 3
Democrats are not likely to vote for Republicans as a rule and while they may have crossed over to vote for Trump in 2016, and might again in 2020, that does not
mean
that
they
Republicans in 2019.
will
cross
over
for
other
Running for election in 2019 is
a bit riskier than usual. The same can
Sadly, if all Republicans had jumped on board with Donald
Trump
in
the
beginning,
shored
up
each
other’s failings with strengths, and gotten more done, it is likely that the benefits of being associated with
Fortunately for them, they have a pretty substantial election machine that kicks in every year and have clearly been importing money to target Republicans in state and local elections after Republicans quietly took over a significant number of state legislatures all around the United States. If they are able to win enough state and local elections in 2019, they hope the momentum will be enough to carry them through in 2020, but I do not think it will.
Trump and the Republican Party would be less risky this year.
Fortunately for the Republicans, they have gotten a lot done and what they did not get done together, due to one roadblock or another, Trump has been busy trying to create workarounds for.
The “Never Trumpers” are still creating obstacles for Trump and his supporters to overcome but the sky did not
The Fears of the Republicans
fall,
the
economy
is
booming,
unemployment
numbers are at record lows, and no nuclear buttons have been pushed, so they should be able to safely
The Democrats are not the only ones panicking. The Republican Party is still torn over support for Donald Trump and struggling with the longstanding issues that have been at the heart of Republican failures since Ronald Reagan left office. They are deeply concerned that public opinion of Trump will hurt them in the 2019 elections. They are not sure whether being associated with him, because they have an “R” next to their names, will help or hurt them. They are not sure whether they should be seen as supporters or adversaries of Trump and the truth is that both positions will help and hurt them.
turn out in 2019 and maybe even 2020.
It does not hurt that the Democrats have taken such a dramatic leap to the left, so far in fact that the old left looks like the right in comparison, striking fear in the hearts of rational adults. That just might be enough to
offset
the
anti-Trump
sentiment
by
some
Independents and Republicans who do not like Trump and whose votes could be influenced just enough by the behavior of the national Democrats to carry the day this November. It is hard to say though as people are hunkering down and keeping their real opinions to themselves just as they did in 2016.
C T I M E S M A G . C O M
P A G E
1 4
Unfortunately, the GOP is still struggling with many of the same old PR and branding problems that they have been for decades. Thanks to Trump, Limbaugh, D’Souza, the Daily Wire, PragerU, Tucker Carlson, and a handful of former and current legislators the tide is turning, and the party finally has some ammunition.
Savior or Villain? Is Donald Trump the savior or the villain? He may or may not be the savior, but he is not the villain either. If you are a Republican, it is time to admit that he just might be the savior you have hoped for. He has been a net gain for the GOP as well as the nation and you had better do your part in this fight or you may not have another chance to fix what you are convinced that you can live through and fix later. If you are a Democrat, you had better wake up to the fact that he and his followers are not the villains you have convinced yourselves that they are, or you will not stand a chance. You cast too wide a net when you tried to catch half the nation.
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C T I M E S M A G . C O M
P A G E
1 6
Interview With Capt. Allen Clark(U S Army - Retired) Â Interview Conducted By: Charles Lingerfelt, CTM Associate Publisher
CHARLES:
Capt.
Clark,
Please
Give
us
a
Brief
Summary of Your life.
south Texas in the early 1900s. My father was orphaned at age 2 due to his father's accident as an employee of a railroad. and his mother's death in the 1918 Spanish Flu
CAPT ALLEN: Raised in Texas, Arkansas, Japan, and
epidemic.
Virginia. Family genealogy has its roots in Scotland,
Great Britain in the mid-1650s. One of his ancestors was
Northern
a
Ireland,
England,
Spain,
and
Germany.
His
family
Revolutionary
entered
War
the
United
Minuteman,
one
States
was
from
in
the
Educated at Gonzaga Jesuit High School in Washington,
Revolutionary Army as a soldier at the Battle of Eutaw
D.C.,
New
Springs, South Carolina in 1781, and one was a soldier in
Hampshire, the United States Military Academy at West
Phillips
Exeter
Academy
in
Exeter,
the Revolutionary Army who was at the British Surrender
Point, NY, and Southern Methodist University in Dallas,
at Yorktown. My father retired in 1962 after twenty years
TX.
service as an Army officer, serving mainly in intelligence assignments.
CHARLES: As you know, you and I have been friends for almost 20 years. How would you characterize our
CHARLES:
relationship over the past 20 years?
deciding factor which led you to Join the Military?
CAPT through
ALLEN: the
years
Our
paths
in
patriotic,
have
crossed
frequently
You
characterize
as
a
CAPT ALLEN: My youth was spent as an Army "brat." My parents' friends were mainly military. When I began
events and activities. Our connection with each other has
to read on my own, I was always drawn to biographies of
always
our
famous Americans, many of whom had served in our
appreciation for the gift of eternal life from our common
military forces. At age eight I was a collector of military
faith in our Lord Jesus and our love for this great country
patches, one of which was of West Point. My father
of the United States of America. It has been a pleasure for
explained to me that Army officers were trained at West
me to observe the dynamic and creative life lived by
Point. I set my goals early as a young boy to attend that
Charles Lingerfelt in all the various endeavors in which
prestigious military academy. I lived in Japan for the first
he has been involved.
two years of the Korean War and knew many soldiers,
very
close
as
we
have
and
would
political
been
religious,
What
shared
who went to fight in that conflict. I was raised in a family CHARLES:
Where
were
You
born?
Were
Your
committed to military service to our country.
parents ever involved in the U S Military? CHARLES:
Capt.
Clark,
You
are
an
Honored
CAPT ALLEN: My birthplace was in McAllen, TX. just
Veteran of The Vietnam War. Please Share with our
a short distance from the Rio Grande River. My mother
readers anything you want to share about your time in
was a product of a family wherein she was raised by a
Vietnam.
mother, Elizabeth Nielsen, who had been a resident of Matamoros, Mexico, where her German father was a
CAPT ALLEN: My Vietnam story must begin a year
businessman. Her German heritage reached back to a
before my deployment in August 1966 to the war. My
German diplomat. Her father, Placido de la Fuente, and
wife at the time desired to have me resign my officer
his brother migrated from Asturias Province in Spain to
commission and become a civilian. I transferred from
C T I M E S M A G . C O M
the
combat
Engineer
P A G E
branch
to
the
supposedly
less
1 7
the New York Times. Subsequent to that assignment I
dangerous branch of Army Intelligence. I had been a
trained
junior aide-de-camp to a division commander at Fort
helicopter insertions into a thick jungle area for spying on
Hood
division
the enemy. My final work was at the isolated Special
commander to accompany him as his aide to the relative
Forces camp named Dak To, where I was posted to
safety
attempt to recruit local Montagnards, mountain people, to
and
of
was
an
resignation
invited
assignment
would
by
in
shortly
be
an
assistant
Korea
after
granted.
which
my
Necessarily
an
enter
young
the
Cambodian
enemy
areas
to
anti-Communists
collect
for
intelligence
two
on
our
assignment in Korea would preclude a tour in Vietnam.
enemy. It was at Dak To on June 17, 1967 that I was
Recognizing that what would become an escape from
severely wounded in an enemy mortar attack in the early
wartime service before entering civilian life, was a plague
morning before sunrise. I sustained injuries that caused
for
had
amputation of both my legs below the knee. My actions
already been serving there and several had already been
during the attack were recognized with the award of a
killed in action. My sense of personal pride compelled me
Silver Star, our military's third highest award for what is
to volunteer for service in Vietnam. It is important to note
described
that my decision was not done in consultation with my
fulfilled my duty during the attack.
my
conscience.
My
West
Point
classmates
as
"Gallantry
in
Action."
I
believe
I
just
wife. It was kept from here and created an issue of unforgiveness by her that lasted 25 years. I was trained
CHARLES: Our readers need to know that You are a
originally to be an interrogator of Prisoners of War at Nha
Graduate of The U S Military Academy at West Point.
Trang, a beautiful seacoast town in Vietnam. As it so
If
happened for my first month there were no prisoners to
Schoolers, what would it be? And Tell us about Your
interrogate.
time at West Point:
CHARLES:
Tell
us
about
Your
time
as
a
Green
Beret:
you
have some
advice
for
some
young
High
CAPT ALLEN: If a high schooler believes they would be committed to service as an officer in the U.S. Army, West Point may be an institution to which they could aspire for
CAPT ALLEN: It is important for me to clarify my
admission. It is not a place for the faint-hearted. It is
service
A
full-fledged
tough,
and
challenging
challenging. A solid academic college preparatory course
training to wear the beret and become a Green Beret.
of education is essential as well as being at least in top
Their history in many classified and arduous assignments
physical
is perhaps without equal in the annals of our military
Participation in extracurricular activities, especially with
service. The principal requirement to be assigned to a
leadership positions always proves helpful for admission.
Special Forces unit in Vietnam is that one is airborne-
I attained admission to West Point after my eleventh
qualified, which I was without all the stateside training.
grade without a high school diploma and entered the
Very soon after my arrival in Vietnam I transferred from
academy
my intelligence detachment to the Green Beret unit, the
approximately
Fifth Special Forces Group. I was immediately assigned
served me in good stead. The disciplinary system was
to a clandestine unit that was targeting Cambodia for
always very demanding. Intramural athletics were fun,
intelligence on the North Vietnamese Army troops, who
but my major endeavor my last two years was as a
were entering South Vietnam from that country to attack
member of the Academy debate team, which allowed me
our forces. Although I was not in what one would define
great pleasure to complete against students at many other
as a ground combat assignment, I experienced a very
institutions as well as to be absent many days off campus
"Green
in
Special
Beret"
Forces
endures
in
very
Vietnam. tough
grueling
and
condition,
as
the 740
if
academically
not
youngest cadets.
and
necessarily
man My
in
physically
an
my
academic
athlete.
class
of
preparation
challenging position, wherein I assumed an undercover name and assignment. My duties entailed debriefing over
CHARLES: Upon Your return from Vietnam, You
several weeks a Cambodian officer, who had defected
endured some difficult times with "Post Traumatic
from Cambodia. After I returned from the war he was
Stress Disorder." Would you mind speaking directly
killed in a celebrated case that was on the front page of
to our readers about those times?
C T I M E S M A G . C O M
P A G E
healing
from
PTS
is
CAPT ALLEN: My wounds required fifteen months of
about
hospitalization at Brooke Army Medical Center in San
website
Antonio, where my time was spent healing from my
consider going to that site, which is the product of many
wounds and being rehabilitated to use artificial legs. It
years of personal experience and discussion with many
was candidly a horrendous time of pain and medications
professionals and other warriors.
www.combatfaith.com.
contained Your
in
1 8
readers
my may
and many surgeries. The time was highlighted by my inability not to be able to adjust immediately to a life as a
CHARLES: We are losing 22 Veterans per day to
disabled
uncertainty
suicide following their return from the Battlefield!
caused me after eight months to suffer a severe case of
What advice can You give to all of us on 'How We
emotional trauma that required a fourteen week residence
May Help' these Veterans before suicide occurs?
person.
My
sadness,
anger,
and
in a closed psychiatric ward with frequent psychiatric counseling
and
heavy
medication.
The
official
CAPT ALLEN: There must be personal alarms that go
designation of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
up
when
someone
was not used until after the war for combatants. From the
exhibited in uncontrolled anger, substance abuse, frequent
beginning of history any person experiencing warfare or
job
serious situations of stress as first responders or victims
another veteran, who has "been there and done that" will
of physical or emotional abuse can be diagnosed with
have any credibility to discuss issues with a troubled
PTSD. Current descriptions of the condition attempt to
veteran. Suggest they attend sessions at Veterans Affairs
designate it in other ways than PTSD.
Vet Centers, which are located in most areas. They may
changes,
and
in
our
circles
possible
has
multiple
the
challenges
marriages.
Only
need to recognize that psychotherapy may be helpful, but CHARLES:
How
would
You
characterize
your
"methods" of how You dealt with PTS?
they must also work hard to exert maximum commitment to
avoid
regular CAPT ALLEN: For me it was after eight or so years of individual
psychotherapy
and
antidepressant
antidepressants
church
as
attendance
soon with
as a
feasible.
Bible
Suggest
Study
being
critical.
medicine
before I believe I got my "faith act" together to allow me
CHARLES: In Your first book, 'Wounded Soldier,
to forego any medicine and return to a stable life. One
Healing Warrior,' You wrote all about Your life and
day at a church service the pastor spoke about the real
your experiences. Tell us about that Book and why
war of all time is between our Lord God and Satan. They
You felt the need to write it.
are in a conflict for our very hearts and souls each and every day. I teared in that service as I instantly grasped
CAPT ALLEN: The first of three books I have written
that I had dedicated my life to the flag and my country,
is Wounded Soldier Healing Warrior A Personal Story of
but had neglected to grasp that my real fight was spiritual
a Vietnam Veteran Who Lost His Legs but Found His
in nature. I joined a couples Bible study and moved from
Soul with a Foreword by the late Ross Perot. It was my
head knowledge of Jesus to heart and soul knowledge of
opinion that the evolution of the life of a young patriot,
Jesus as Savior, who died on a cross at Calvary two
dedicated
thousand years ago so that through faith in Jesus being
horrendous
Who He said He was, I could be forgiven my sins and
others as a witness to what a person, healed by the grace
have eternal life. I decided that was for me. It has been a
of God, could accomplish once healed emotionally and
journey for my physical, emotional, and soulful healing,
proceeded on to other arenas of service to
but I have been in constant movement forward.
veterans and his community and country. The book has
to
military
wounds
in
service, a
war,
but
one
would
who
have
suffered
interest
to
his fellow
brought me many comments relative to its value in the CHARLES: Do You have any Information to share
healing process by veterans and family members.
with us about other Warriors and how they have/have not dealt with PTS?
CHARLES: Since Your recovery, You have begun a ministry for The Lord that is known all around the
CAPT ALLEN: The entirety of what I have learned
world. Tell us about Your ministry.
C T I M E S M A G . C O M
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My lay ministry is called Combat Faith Ministry. I speak
Elites. The ultimate cause of our wars goes back to that
extensively
my
previously-discussed war of all time, that between God
testimony of faith in God the Father, the Son, and the
and Satan. Combatants have become the pawns in a long-
Holy Spirit. I speak about the importance of confession of
lasting chess game. What I believe eventually will happen
sin,
is
the
at
churches
importance
of
and
youth
forgiveness
groups
and
about
the
power
of
prayer with specific examples of answered prayer in my life.
The
web
site
as
mentioned
that
our
Lord
God
will
proclaim
to
Satan,
"Checkmate."
previously
is www.combatfaith.com.
CHARLES: Please tell our readers how they may contact You for Speaking engagements?
CHARLES: Your wife has begun a ministry as well and as a terrific 'woman of God' she reaches out to
CAPT
ALLEN:
My
capture the hearts of women and Bless them. Speak to
is allenbclark@aol.com.
address
us about your wife's ministry? CHARLES: Capt. Clark, We want to Thank-you for CAPT
ALLEN:
My
wife
Linda
performs
dramatic
this
Interview
with
Us
at
CTM
(Christian
Times
presentations of Women of the Bible, such as Sarah,
Magazine). If there is anything else You want to share
Esther, Ruth, Claudia, the wife of Pontius Pilate, and
with our readers, Please feel free to do so now:
Lydia in period costumes, sewed and accessorized by Linda
personally.
gathering
across
She the
has
been
country
to
a
guest
at
present.
numerous
Her
website
is http://www.voices.name. Typically her programs last 30-40 minutes.
CHARLES: Capt. Clark, You recently wrote another book that is available now. I am reading this Book now and I know that you did a terrific amount of research for the Book. Please tell us about this Book and why You felt the need to write it?
CAPT ALLEN: My second book was titled Valor in Vietnam, nineteen personalized stories about service in the
Vietnam
Foreword
War.
was
The
LTG
gentleman, Dave
who
Palmer,
wrote a
this
former
Superintendent of West Point. My study of what so may of us experienced in that war led me to study wars and warfare back through history. My studies with research in over one hundred books caused me to recognize and realize that the blood shed by combatants in wars as well as the collateral damage to civilians was a result of a myriad of sometimes seldom known or discussed true causes of the wars that were for monetary greed and acquisition
of
power.
Whatever
caused
our
different
conflicts always resulted in the shed blood of the young who fought, while others profited from the wars. My research from books as old as 150 years ago led me to spend the last four years researching and writing Soldiers' Blood and Bloodied Money Wars and the Ruling
All three of my books are available at Amazon.
C T I M E S M A G . C O M
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My Message to The Syrian Kurds By Charles Lingerfelt, CTM Associate Publisher On 7 October 2019, the American Troops began to pull
poolside and those two families told me who they and
out of Northern Syria at the request of their Commander-
their ancestors were. I listened, and I learned. I was “all
in-chief, President Donald Trump of the United States.
ears.”
There had been a small contingency of troops there for a number of months, and the President felt that it was time
In all my travels to Kurdistan: ‘the land of The Kurds,’ I
to “bring the troops home.”
have traveled to and through the Southeastern parts of Turkey. Cizre is one of those places I’ve gone through,
At first, it disturbed me quite a bit; and it did many
including the province in which it exists. I have seen
thousands of American citizens as well. We felt that it
hundreds of Kurds who live there, and have talked with
was not a good move for the president at this time,
many of them. And I have always been
especially while we are in an election period. And then
treatment they have received from the Turks. For much of
too, it would be viewed by The Kurds around the world
the time, the Turks do not even treat the Kurds with
as
human dignity and care. It’s shameful how the Kurds are
“just
another
backstab!”
Backlash
followed
his
decision and the Troop “pullout” almost instantly and
shocked at the
treated in that part of the world.
even many Democrats came aboard to ‘gang-bang’ the president; although we Americans believe the Democrats
All of the above is presented so that you, the reader, may
don’t give him credit for ANYTHING he does!
know and understand who The Kurds really are – and from whence they have come.
As many of our readers know, I have worked among the Kurds for many years and have established very good
The Ottoman period of time has always been of keen
relationships with them around the world.
interest to me because my paternal Grandfather fought in Turkey during World War I and used to talk with us
I have traveled extensively to the Middle East since June
grandkids about his time in the U S Army. He had a few
1980
black and white photos of him and his buddies while they
-
building
relationships
with
people
in
Israel, and
were in Turkey with British troops “pulling down” the
Dubai. I have been a close friend to the Kurds for more
Ottoman empire. When Sultan Selim I, after defeating
than 32 years and I have made 24 trips(as of 2018) to
Shah Ismail I in 1514, annexed Western Armenia and
Kurdistan since 2006. All of these trips have been to
Kurdistan, he entrusted the organization of the conquered
build
the
territories to Idris, the historian, who was a Kurd of Bitlis.
people in the Middle East. By so doing, there could be a
He divided the territory into sanjaks or districts, and,
development of greater understanding of the people in
making
America. It is my opinion that there could be an ongoing,
heredity, installed the local chiefs as governors. He also
viable foreign relationship to prevent misunderstandings.
resettled the rich pastoral country between Erzurum and
It has become my pleasure to know and be friends with
Erivan, which had lain in waste since the passage of
many hundreds of people from The Middle East; and
Timur, with Kurds from the Hakkari and Bohtan districts.
thousands of Kurds around the world.
For the next few centuries, from the Peace of Amasya
Lebanon,
and
Jordan,
Syria,
establish
Iraq,
Iran,
long-lasting
Doha,
Qatar,
relationships
with
no
attempt
to
interfere
with
the
principle
of
until the first half of the 19th century, several regions of I first became friends with The Kurds in the summer of
the wide Kurdish homelands would be contested as well
1987 when I met two Kurdish families right here in North
between
Dallas. Prior to that, I had never met Kurds and I didn’t
successive Iranian dynasties (Safavids, Afsharids, Qajars)
know who The Kurds were. That day we sat by the
in the frequent Ottoman-Persian Wars.
the
Ottomans
and
the
neighboring
rival
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The Ottoman centralist policies in the beginning of the
Today in 2019, The Turks yet have not learned to relate
19th
to
century
aimed
to
remove
power
from
the
The
Kurds
very
well
and
The
Turks
still
feel
principalities and localities, which directly affected the
‘threatened’ and intimidated by them. The relationship is
Kurdish emirs. Bedirhan Bey was the last emir of the
not very good between the two of them at all. To put it
Cizre Bohtan Emirate after initiating an uprising in 1847
lightly, The Turks have for years maintained a HATE
against the Ottomans to protect the current structures of
against the Kurds, and really want to “wipe them out!”
the Kurdish principalities. Although his uprising is not classified
as
a
nationalist
one,
his
children
played
In 1987, when I met the two Kurdish families, which I
significant roles in the emergence and the development of
spoke about earlier, they carefully took time with me and
Kurdish nationalism through the next century.
educated
me
a
great
deal
about
the
Kurds
and
the
traditions of the Kurds. I walked away that day with a The first modern Kurdish nationalist movement emerged
great love and appreciation in my heart for the people,
in 1880 with an uprising led by a Kurdish landowner and
their traditions and culture. I have never forgotten them,
head
and never will; because it was on that day that God
of
the
Ubeydullah, outright
powerful
who
Shemdinan
demanded
independence
for
family,
political Kurds
Sheik
autonomy
as
well
as
or
‘opened my eyes’ and gave me a love and appreciation
the
for these people who have endeared themselves to me and
recognition of a Kurdistan state without interference from
my family – and me to them.
Turkish or Persian authorities. The uprising against Qajar Persia
and
the
Ottoman
Empire
was
ultimately
As we talked together, the two Kurdish families and me,
suppressed by the Ottomans and Ubeydullah, and along
they
with other notables, were exiled to Istanbul.
happening in The Middle East at that time. There was a
communicated
to
me
more
clearly
what
was
war going on then, between Iraq and Iran. To me, it was Kurdish nationalism emerged after World War I with the
just another “Middle Eastern war;” or so I thought up
dissolution of the Ottoman Empire which had historically
until that time. The Kurdish families were able to give to
successfully integrated (but not assimilated) the Kurds,
me a different perspective of what was happening.
through use of forced repression of Kurdish movements to gain independence. Revolts did occur sporadically, but
In
only in 1880 with the uprising led by Sheik Ubeydullah
conversations I have had with many hundreds of Kurds
did
since
the
Kurds
as
an
ethnic
group
or
nation
make
my
own
2006,
personal
I
believe
opinion,
there
were
based
upon
all
WMDs(Weapons
the
of
demands. Ottoman sultan Abdul Hamid responded with a
Mass Destruction) and were secretly moved into Syria
campaign of integration by co-opting prominent Kurdish
just before the beginning of The Iraq War(2003).
opponents to strengthen Ottoman power with offers of prestigious positions in his government. This strategy
If you truly want to know, without any doubt whatsoever,
appears
loyalty
IF
during
Iraq, just ask a Kurd.
to
displayed
have
by
been
the
successful
Kurdish
given
Hamidiye
the
regiments
there were “Weapons of Mass Destruction,” found in
World War I. Further yet, allow me to take you to my dear young The Kurdish ethno-nationalist movement that emerged
Kurdish friend, whose family was gassed at Halabja, but
following
she survived the attack, and You can ask her if there were
World
War
I
and
the
end
of
the
Ottoman
Empire was largely a reaction to the changes taking place in
mainstream
secularization, abhorred,
to
threatened
the
Turkey, which
the
primarily
the
strongly
centralization local
‘weapons of Mass destruction’ in Iraq.
radical
Muslim
Kurds
She was less than 10 years old at the time of the gassing
authority,
which
and only survived because she lay on the ground, in a
Kurdish
hiding position – and the wind blew the smells of the gas in an opposite direction from her. Her family perished
nationalism
that day at Halabja.
the
of
the
autonomy. And it threatened as well the rampant Turkish in
power
of
to
new
chieftains
Turkish
and
Republic,
obviously threatened to marginalize them.
which
C T I M E S M A G . C O M
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In March 2003, on the Saturday after the Wednesday of
On the one hand, I am so very proud of our troops, who
the
I
constantly have paid a terrific price for their dedication
founded in 1998, NORTH TEXAS FREEDOM RALLY,
and constant service to this nation and our Commander-
conducted a rally in downtown Dallas. It was a “Support
in-chief. Too, our troops are constantly helping other
the
people and their quest for liberty and freedom. In that
start
of
Troops
The
Iraq
Rally”
War,
and
the
was
organization
attended
by
which
over
3,000
persons who came to show support for our Troops who
search, they have always remained true!
were ‘called up’ to war in Iraq. It was attended by more than 1,500 Kurds, mostly coming from all over North
Then on the other hand, I feel this tug in my spirit: a “pull
Texas. It was a great day of support for our troops and
at the strings of my heart,” which has been loyal to my
was covered by every TV/NEWS outlet in DFW. An
sweet friends, my loving friends in the Middle East - The
AP(Associated Press) reporter came up to me afterwards
Kurds. They’ve been my friends for many years! And
to interview me and said, “Mr. Lingerfelt, are you aware
when you have friends, devoted as they are and loving as
that there were over 3.000 people here today in your
they are, you just don’t ”give up on them!”
Rally?” And I said, “No, I wasn’t aware of the number – but I knew we had many here.” He finished his interview
I have had this deep love for the Kurdish people for such
and told me he would be posting his article later in the
a long period of time that you just don’t “turn your backs
afternoon.
on your friends!“ My friends are Kurdish families, their children and youth, and the Peshmerga: Generals, officers
During the rally, it rained on us, but no one cared, and we
and all. I have worked with their Kurdish Education
all remained there standing in the rain in support of our
Department, their colleges and universities; and it is so
Troops who were enduring much more than rain in Iraq.
difficult to write and speak these words right now because my emotions have been so raw!
The Kurds know me and trust me – and I know them and Trust them as well. They are our friends in the Middle
But I awoke this morning with a new faith and vigor, a
East. They love us – They love America, and they love
new hope that God was leading our president, and that
Americans. They helped our Troops in the fight against
God was yet in control in the Middle East!
ISIS. They actually became “Our Boots on the ground” in
how you feel about the current situation, and no matter
the fight against ISIS! They are a reasonable and open-
what you think - our trust just Has to be in God and in
minded people. They are dependable people and I have
Him alone.
found
it
easily
to
build
relationships
with
the
No matter
Kurds
through the years.
We
absolutely
MUST
TRUST
HIM
with
every
circumstance and each situation! We have said for many When the modern Middle East was carved out, following
❤
years, ‘In God We Trust!’ Now, Let’s Do It!
the fall of the Ottoman Empire and mapped anew at the end
the
I am reminded of a verse of Scripture I learned many
mountainous Kurdish region was divided by the borders
of
World
War
I
by
the
British
and
French,
years ago as a teenager: “Some trust in chariots and some
of Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. The Kurds lost out on
in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our
those nation-stakes. There is no Kurdistan on the map,
God.”(Psalm 20:7)
and this is a continuing factor in Middle Eastern politics, as the Kurds have been rebelling against this status now
There is a Prophecy in The Old Testament of The Bible,
for nearly a century.
in
Isaiah
17,
which
speaks
of
‘The
Destruction
of
Damascus.’ I believe that destruction is very soon “at the What I specifically want to say to The Syrian Kurds now
door.”
That’s
why
I’m
calling
on
You,
My
Syrian
is this: “Get out of Damascus and get as far away from it
Kurdish friends, to “Get Out of Damascus, and take all of
as you possibly can!” It is for Your very own safety that I
your families with You.”
tell you this! I have mixed emotions as I view this photo below. It is a photo of our American troops departing
I believe the vengeance of The Turks and Erdogan is
from northern Syria on 7 October 2019.
about to be unleashed against Northern Syria. And when
C T I M E S M A G . C O M
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that happens, our president, President Donald Trump is NOT going to like it and he is going to react with anger – and “all Hell is going to break loose!” It is best for You, my dear friends to leave Damascus and get totally away from ‘The Hellfire.’
My love for You ALL is real and intact. I Love you with the Love of God. We are
Praying for You and Your safety! Please take care of yourselves and your families. Remember, God Loves You and I Love You too!
Sincerely,
Mr. Charles Lingerfelt Dallas, Texas On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charles.lingerfelt1
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How can we resolve the Venezuelan crisis? Giammarco Greci citizen of Venezuela talks to CTM's Matt Snape about the Venezuelan crisis and what can be done to resolve it:
MATT:
What
is
your
position
n
the
way
Donald
Trump and his allies are trying to do in Venezuela?
decisions for the past 20 years. Maduro likes to say that everyone
else
is
sabotaging
his
government,
but
explaining your political failure through your opponents' GRECI: Without going into details, I think it’s fair to say
lack of cooperation is a bit like explaining losing a sports
Venezuelan people feel mostly positive towards Donald
match by saying your opponent was trying to sabotage
Trump’s intentions on this particular issue, and recent
your
poll results seem to reflect this. Of course, there is a
supportive
complicated question regarding the viability and long-
vision coming from chavismo, but that’s just part of what
term healthiness of this kind of geopolitical pressure, with
chavismo should have factored into their planning from
some experts favoring different approaches than what we
the start. Just as sports teams assume their opponents will
have seen so far. I believe there is room for a legitimate
try
debate here, regarding what is the best long term solution
especially
for Venezuela to recover a minimally viable political
debunked- economic vision, shouldn’t rely on everyone
consensus from which we may rebuild our institutions
being willing to foolishly jump on board an experiment
according to a democratic process. In these matters, every
which threatens the fate of millions. Maduro’s party has
case sui generis, and general strategies cannot be relied
failed in almost every possible way that an administration
upon as much as people like to believe.
can fail. It’s like watching your home team lose miserably
strategy.
to
of
keep
Sure, the
-at
them
ones
the
opposition
best-
from
with
an
highly
wining,
has
never
dubious
political
unorthodox
-and
been
economic
projects, generally
every game, every year. Eventually, people would want There are, however, certain things that need to be very
new management, new visions, and new players. Maybe
clear in this debate, and which are particularly prone to be
fans decide to boycott ticket sales until the team admits
confused
I’m
that change is necessary, that’s sort of what sanctions
of
mean to a Venezuelan citizen. Our economic crisis has
thinking
in
America’s
specifically
current
about
the
political
climate.
economic
impact
sanctions and the narratives surrounding these. While it is
been
certainly true that sanctions place economic pressure on
corner of political life for years, and things have generally
the
are
developed in line with these predictions. It would be
translated, via Maduro’s regime, into economic burdens
irresponsible to pretend that this was unforeseen, or that it
for vulnerable parts of our population, it would be a
has
terrible
decisions.
Maduro
regime,
mistake
humanitarian
to
crisis
as
and
that
think being
of
those
our
caused
pressures
economic by
and
predicted
its
cause
ad
nauseam
somewhere
by
else,
economists
in
on
someone
every
else’s
international
economic sanctions. This is the narrative that Maduro’s
MATT: What could they do better to improve the
regime pushes, and for obvious reasons. In truth, the
situation?
structural causes behind our economic collapse are quite deep, and at this point, responsibility must surely be
GRECI: What we are calling “the situation” is a series of
placed on those who have been making and executing
rather complex and interconnected problems. Some of
C T I M E S M A G . C O M
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those problems may have short term fixes, and some of
initiatives as a matter of fact. In this particular case,
them, unfortunately, will require more time. What an
Donald Trump seems to be doing the kind of thing that
overwhelming
agreed
Venezuelans had hoped someone could do. By imposing
upon, and this is perhaps the single most unifying view
sanctions on extremely corrupt politicians that had until
across our nation, is that Maduro needs to step aside.
recently been enjoying a life of extreme wealth without
There is an understanding that even if our crisis manifests
any legal repercussions, for example, Venezuelans regain
itself in economic or humanitarian terms, for example, it
some faith in justice.
majority
of
Venezuelans
have
nevertheless remains primarily a political crisis, requiring first and foremost a political solution. The solution that
MATT: How do you think Venezuela entered this
everyone seems to agree upon is, unsurprisingly, that we
crisis?
generate the conditions to hold free and fair elections. GRECI: There are several ways to answer this question, The problem with this is that, while it sounds simple,
depending on what one considers the scope of the crisis.
holding free and fair elections in a country like Venezuela
There are flaws in our political culture that could be cited
is not that straightforward. It is impossible to contest, at
as partly responsible for this crisis that go back decades,
this stage of the game, that Maduro’s regime has violated
and there are decisions taken or not taken just a year ago
democratic principles over and over again: government
that could have helped avert some of the worst aspects of
institutions cannot act independently, dissidents are not
the crisis we are facing today.
tolerated,
media
is
threatened
and
censored,
and
opposition leaders are imprisoned, exiled, or banned from
We have to remember, however, that the people who are
running in elections. In this kind of scenario, just holding
illegitimately holding on to power today have been in
an election doesn’t quite cut it. Venezuelans want to feel
power
that our votes will be respected, and for that, we need to
structural
make sure the playing field is fair before we decide to
comparison to the problems they have generated since.
play. Part of what makes that playing field fair is Maduro
They were launched into power with widespread support,
stepping down.
had more resources at their disposition than any other
for
the
last
flaws
20
they
years.
might
Whatever
have
underlying
inherited
pale
in
government in the history of our nation, controlled every It is in this sense that Donald Trump is perceived, in
branch of government, were able to form strong regional
Venezuela, as a supportive world leader. He has added
alliances, and yet lead us to the worst crisis in the history
pressure to the Maduro regime in hopes that they are
of our nation. They can talk about sabotage all they want,
forced to move towards a solution for our political crisis.
but the truth is their incompetence as political leaders has
He has done this at times, however, by engaging in the
been
kind of rhetoric that makes some people immediately
shown to be nonsensical, their corruption exposed, their
think of the Cold War, of past cases of unwarranted
human
interventionism, etc, which in turn- and especially in
recently
America’s
Bachelet) and their capacity to inspire political change
currently
hyper-polarized
public
sphere-
tried
and
tested,
rights
makes some people believe they are standing besides the
has
historically oppressed by siding with Maduro. I do think
rejection.
by
violations
the
morphed
their
U.N.
over
macroeconomic
amply
Human
the
years
planning
documented
Rights
into
Chief,
outright
(most
Michelle
visceral
we could save ourselves a lot of trouble by cutting down on some of the polarizing rhetoric. It might make the
Any explanation about how we got here that fails to put
conversation less about an old Cold War debate, and
the Maduro regime and their actions at the center are
more about the real challenges facing the Venezuelan
intellectually
people in 2019.
serious analysis and our experience as Venezuelans.
Hard as it may be, these matters ought to be looked at on
MATT: What can the nation do to remedy its own
a case by case basis, understanding how specific political
situation?
actors are hindering or helping politically legitimate
dishonest
and
flies
in
the
face
of
both
C T I M E S M A G . C O M
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Speaking of “the nation” as a whole muddles these kinds
\MATT: What hopes do you have for the opposition if
of question a little. Our nation is made up of people in
they win power?
radically different life situations, and it would be foolish to
try
to
prescribe
a
general
solution
without
GRECI: The
opposition
is
made
up
of
very
diverse
understanding what different people are going through.
perspectives that are sometimes hard to reconcile every
Working class Venezuelans, for example, are suffering
step of the way. I’m sure anyone familiar with opposition
the most. They have spent years watching their salaries
dynamics would admit that it has been a long and hard
thin out through inflation, their savings vanish, public
process
services collapsing, and their families migrating in hopes
between different groups that you see today. I think this
of finding a better future. What these Venezuelans can
happens for a very good reason, and it’s that regardless of
and are doing to help the nation is survival, because
who you support, there is one thing that currently unites
survival,
almost every Venezuelan on earth: the need to hold free
in
today’s
Venezuela,
is
almost
a
form
of
resistance.
to
get
to
the
kind
of
unity
and
cooperation
and fair elections and to turn the page on this chapter of our
history.
Of
course,
there
is
a
great
deal
of
well
Upper class Venezuelans have largely left and found
developed consensus regarding what would happen if the
better
opposition
opportunities
elsewhere,
even
if
most
remain
wins
who have often had the privileged opportunity to receive
humanitarian crisis head on and alleviate the very harsh
high quality education and training across various fields,
conditions imposed on the vast majority of Venezuelans,
it
and (2) lay the foundations for a medium term economic
be
far
preferable
to
be
working
in
the
broad
two
strokes,
agrees
programs
on
In
everyone
about
focus
begin.
but
members that are here. For most of these Venezuelans,
would
to
elections,
somewhat tied to Venezuela through friends and family
development of our own economy, living in the spaces
where
those
objectives:
(1)
government tackle
the
recovery.
they grew up in, and enjoying the proximity of friends and family. If the right conditions were to be created,
MATT: Do you think Western interventionism helps
there is a large potential for some of these Venezuelans to
matters in South America?
come
back
and
participate
in
the
rebuilding
of
our
productive capabilities.
First of all I would like to point to this interesting way of phrasing the question, for it supposes that South America
In the short term, however, it is important for people
is not part of the western world. This is not the time for
living in Venezuela to resist the normalization of the
such a debate, but I think it is important to keep in mind
crisis. Maduro’s regime has only one objective: to stay in
that these narratives of west vs not-west might not apply
power at all costs, and the more we get used to situations
to
South
America
as
much
as
some
people
assume.
that would have been unfathomable just a few years ago,
Regarding interventionism, here again I would try to
the easier it is for the crony elite to tighten their grip on
resist the urge to speak in generalities. It is not easy to
power. One of the most important ways in which we can
draw the line between cooperation and interventionism,
all fight against this is to help keep our social circles
especially in complicated situations such as ours. In order
accurately
and
to conceive of an action as an unwanted intervention you
propaganda passing as information are an essential part of
need have a way of interpreting the will of the people. If
how Maduro’s government tries to keep people confused
the people don’t want it, then it’s a violation of national
and demobilized. We can resist these tactics together by
sovereignty
being careful about what we share with others and by
country
supporting local, independent journalists who risk their
government
lives
by
informed
simply
and
be
made
officials.
called
up In
of a
an
its
intervention.
ruling
elites
functioning
But
and
a its
democracy,
trying to rebuild our democracy, we should begin by
legitimacy. It is because a government embodies the will
rebuilding
of its people that they have authority over matter of
in
well
not
can
the common interests of all citizens: therein lies their
sphere
A
is
and
government bodies are supposed to accurately represent
public
jobs.
news
informed
healthy
their
Fake
population is a prerequisite for democracy, and if we are
a
doing
interested.
which
information is what’s guiding our social debates.
accurate
national sovereignty. This authority lies ultimately on the
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people who elect them, and it is only temporarily delegated to a political party in government. In Venezuela, where polling data has shown for years that an overwhelming majority of the population reject Maduro as their president, where the executive power has not been legitimized through free and fair elections, where judicial power acts in clear subordination to the usurpers of executive power, can we say that Maduro’s circle acts in the interest of national sovereignty? Is it indeed an act of intervention to help the majority of the population achieve their expressed desire to hold free and fair presidential elections? This is why I don’t like to talk about interventionism in general, as if there were a quick and easy way to judge a political situation. People tend to look for quick formulas: intervention = bad. In reality, our world has become so interconnected and complex that speaking of interventionism tout court is not very useful at all.
MATT: Who would you support to replace Venezuela's current President?
I support what has emerged as the most viable alternative for Venezuela at this juncture: interim president Juan GuaidĂł. The political project that has organized around him has the best chance of leading Venezuela to free and fair elections for a healthy political transition.
AFP/GETTY
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It’s High Time for Change in The Democrat Party Pastor David Colbert Columnist & News Anchor person, CTM News Channel
I have watched for many years as the Democratic Party has broken their promises to their constituents. It is high time for them to show integrity in leading this nation.
they do nothing to take the focus off the Republican Party and get the American public looking at them again. They get an opportunity to make a difference and they spend it on seeking to impeach the sitting Republican President.
I have some advice for the Democratic Party, go after the ones whose hearts you really want; the American people. You must win the hearts of the American people. Focus on us before it is too late for you. If I want to steal a girl’s I
lure
her
with
something
that
will
gain
always vote for the one who wants to take care of me and put money in my pocket; not tax me and my family to death.
They whine and complain about the Republican Party, yet
heart,
observation. I am talking about human nature. I will
her
affections.
President Trump knows how to wine and dine the people. He gets the dates as you see with his huge rallies. Just an
I am a Conservative Republican.
The Democratic Party once again are attempting a Coup on President Trump and his Administration. We call it a coup because these impeachment articles have no basis in fact. The Democrats have once again found a way to circumvent the activities of President Trump’s Amazing Administration.
When Democratic President Obama could not get his way,
he
abused
the
Executive
Order
to
force
things
through. In my opinion President Trump should fight back, but that would be illegal like what the Democratic Party has been doing in trying to disguise a coup and call it Impeachment.
C T I M E S M A G . C O M
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I am excited to see despite all the hoopla the Dems are
your usual quote unquote, Politician. He is a whole new
trying to dig up. President Trump is doing well in the
animal.
Presidential Election bid. Joe Biden is losing ground in
President Trump. He is one of the people and that is why
the polls I have also heard. President Trump is doing a
he is different.
I
have
never
known
anyone
in
office
like
great job with our government. The present spin is Trying to distract the American people from the good
The people we see coming into office these days are
work President Trump is doing.
trained
to
jump
through
hoops
just
like
every
other
politician before them. President Trump on the other hand Newsweek says Trump approval rating climbs to 2019
is a savvy businessman who knows what he wants and
record in new survey on October 3rd to 49% of registered
blazes a trail to it.
voters. They also say support for Pres. Trump Amid an accelerating
impeachment
inquiry
and
unraveling
We have long needed a President of this type to take us
domestic crises has reached its highest level this year
off the consumer train and get us back onto the producer
according to Hill-Harris tracking poll.
track. I want to share a humorous note on President Trump. A linguistics professor from Columbia University
These are quotes from Ivanka Trump on Fox Business
said President Trump always speaks in a casual way, the
Network.
professor says his position should require. I say great I
"I
think
everything's
a
question
of
priorities,"
Ivanka
Trump said in an exclusive
interview with Fox Business Network Friday. "We have our priorities in the White House," she continued. "We're fighting every day for the American worker, we're fighting every day to improve the quality of life for every single person in this country and we're delivering in that fight and on that promise.
get tired of listening to stuffed shirts trying to impress the American people. President Trump is happy being one of the people of America. God bless President Trump.
It
makes
me
laugh
to
see
the
Democratic
Party
still
promising the same old same old things. They are beating the education horse again and trying to pass more gun control legislation. I have a question for the Dems, why is it that we only hear about gun control in the liberal media when a mass shooting occurs? I will answer that question for you. It is because we don’t really need it. The right to
We have a White House that is finally working, and the Democrats want to take it Away from the American people. You must be blind not to see the good President Trump is doing.
keep
and
bear
arms
is
as
old
as
our
country’s
Constitution.
The real problem is illegal gun sales, and an internet run amuck. We need to find a way to curb illegal gun sales.
It is one thing to fight fair and lose gracefully, but the Democrat Party have proven, time and time again that they are sore losers.
We need to increase our domestic intelligence in that area.
I noticed that the Democratic candidates are still focusing
Nancy Pelosi runs the majority leadership like the Boss Baby cartoon, using anything she can to make a point regardless if it be true or false.
on what they will do when they get into office. The problem
is
they
are
saying
myself”
or,
like
the
competition
Harris
I am going to speak a little on Democratic campaign promises made by politicians. Most Politicians will promise all kinds of things when they are running for office both Democrat and Republican alike. The problem they see with President Trump he is not
and
Joe
Biden.
Joe
things
Biden
like
“I
between is
will
do
Kamala
promising
it D.
triple
funding under Title 1- to low income area schools. This is socialism plain and simple, the government will do it. I believe these kinds of things should be handled on the State Government Level.
C T I M E S M A G . C O M
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Harris on the other hand wants to give educators both Federal and State Monies to the tune of an average raise of $13,500 for Teachers per year. I believe that Teachers should be given raises on merit just like everyone else. I believe simply that some Teachers are being paid for just teaching a test. We need to start preparing children for the real world in the beginning. We need to teach them about finances, the markets and investing. What is the process in general for purchasing a home? These things are very useful. There are millions of students going out into the world unprepared for real life. I want to see our Republican Party draw up legislation along these lines and see if the Dems really care about real education issues. In the race for the power of the executive order Elizabeth is catching up to Joe, not that it matters, because they will lose in 2020. I personally do not like Elizabeth Warren. She is full of herself, and we will not hear about her again after the 2020 Elections. Well, that is part of my take on the news. This is David Colbert saying God Bless America and the World
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Regressive Rhode Island By Paul McCabe
Gaspee. marked
This the
event
first
and
acts
of
others
in
violent
Narragansett
uprising
Bay
against
the
British crown's authority in America. On May 4, 1776 Rhode Island was the first of the thirteen colonies to declare its absolute independence from England.
Two and a half centuries later, the outlook is much less glorious. After decades of control by the D party there is a long record of mismanagement, failure, and corruption.
The world’s most famous chicken and official state bird: the Rhode Island Red
In one of the saddest examples the local Pawtucket Red Sox, the Triple-A affiliate team for the Boston Red Sox,
After recent articles discussing the disastrously-run blue
announced last year that it was moving across the state
states of New York and California, my attention now
line to Worcester. This happened after years of botched
turns to my home state of Rhode Island and Providence
negotiations
Plantations. It is the smallest state but has the longest
stadium and incentives. In 1981, the Paw Sox played in
name.
and
Texas
Republican
is
221
times
Presidential
larger.
candidate
The
won
last
the
time
state
a
was
won
history,
with
the
a
the
longest
33-inning
state
government
game
affair
in
about
professional
against
the
a
new
baseball
Rochester
Red
1972. (It was Nixon’s landslide against McGovern when
Wings. But now it’s bye-bye baseball, a RI hometown
the President took 49 states.)
feature for fifty years.
This little portion of America has a long and glorious
Since
history. A Protestant minister in 1636 rebelled against
Raimondo, plagued by allegations of financial misdeeds
Puritan orthodoxy in the new Massachusetts Bay colony.
in the state pension fund, at Point Judith Capital where
Soon he walked 30 miles with his flock and found a
she was on the board, at the Ocean State Investment Pool,
felicitous
and at investment company Oaktree.
spot
where
two
rivers
joined.
There
Roger
2015
the
first
female
Governor
has
been
G.
Williams said “It is Providence which has brought us here.”
Thus
right
from
the
start
RI
was
a
center
of
In
June
2019
she
succeeded
in
passing
one
of
the
religious tolerance. Williams established the first Baptist
country’s most radical abortion laws. This is the most
church
Catholic state in the country, whose immigrants came
on
the
continent.
His
principles
concerning
separation of church and state were enshrined in the US Constitution
more
than
a
century
after
his
death.
from
Italy,
Providence
Ireland, Bishop
Portugal, Thomas
France, Tobin
and
called
Poland. the
bill's
America’s first synagogue was established at Newport in
passage "profoundly disappointing, a very dark day in the
1763 and still functions there.
history of our state." Planned Parenthood applauded the new
law.
Raimondo
eagerly
signed
the
bill
within
the
minutes of approval by state legislators and claimed it
Continental Army, Nathanael Greene, was a native son
was “about protecting and providing health care.” Both
whose statues stand in Washington DC, Savannah GA,
the Senate and House leaders voted against the new law.
George
Washington’s
deputy
commander
of
Greensboro NC, and of course Providence. In 1772, more than a year before the Boston Tea Party, Rhode Islanders
Her predecessor L. Chafee got his start in politics when
attacked and burned a British navy ship called HMS
the D governor appointed him to the Senate seat vacated
C T I M E S M A G . C O M
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by his well-known father, who died in office in 1999.
(RICO), normally used to indict members of organized
Since
crime.
then
he
has
changed
from
Republican
to
He
favors
the
radical
“green
new
deal,”
Independent to Democrat to Libertarian. Chafee briefly
Obamacare, abortion, and a commission to “uncover the
ran for President in 2016 before vanishing from view.
war crimes” of the Bush administration. In September 2019 he published another bizarre op-ed in the same
His
Through
leftist newspaper with the ludicrous title “The Supreme
Peace”. During TV debates he emphasized the adoption
oddball
Court Has Become Just Another Arm of the GOP.” He
of the metric system. He voted against funding the war in
seems too young to be senile. So the explanation must lie
Iraq
elsewhere: a D driven to ridiculous levels of partisanship
in
platform
2003
and
was
called
endorsed
“Prosperity
Obama
in
2008.
Local
reporters called him “Governor Gump” and “Governor
by
Trump
Derangement
Syndrome
Grinch”. Before entering politics he trained in Montana
many in the nation’s capital.)
(which
afflicts
so
and pursued a career as a farrier. “I think I put shoes on 5,000 horses,” he said. (No, I am not making this up.)
My
own
Congressman
1995-2011
used
to
be
Patrick
Kennedy, son of the notorious Teddy Kennedy (D-Mass.) The senior Senator now is J. Reed, in office since 1997
I always voted for that blithering nitwit for sentimental
and in the House before that since 1991. Despite years in
reasons: once upon a time I worked for his uncle Bobby.
the US Army, he now takes leftist positions on issues like
Eventually he left Congress following a scandal in 2006
abortion,
and
where he crashed his car at 2:45 am on Capitol Hill after
unionization,
unemployment
funding,
increased gun
Medicare
and
he had taken sleeping pills. Two days later Kennedy got a
illegal immigration. Like his colleague Chafee he voted
control,
energy
use,
show of support when the RI Democratic Party officially
against funds for the invasion of Iraq. In 2010, he turned
endorsed
down Obama’s offer to become the Secretary of Defense.
program at the fancy and expensive Mayo Clinic. He
Apparently Obama sought a dove like Reed to head up
went to rehab again in 2009 and did not run in 2010.
him.
Then
he
entered
a
drug
rehabilitation
the huge Defense Department. In 2014, Reed won reelection 71% to 29%.
He must run again next year or he
can retire at age 71.
The junior Senator S. White House has a name that sounds like it is from a political satire but it isn’t. To enter the Senate he defeated “Governor Gump” Chafee in 2006
by
national
27,000 TV
Kavanagh’s
votes.
White
year
during
last
nomination
to
House the
the
got
himself
hearings
Supreme
on
on
Brett
Court.
As
thousands of his voters watched, he used his time to discuss school
flatulence yearbook
with he
Judge
closely
Kavanagh,
examined
whose
and
high
excoriated.
This jaw-dropping drama enthralled none who saw it. White House embarrassed himself, the Senate, and his home state by such weird questions and behavior. Shame
This vacancy allowed the ex-mayor of Providence, D. Cicilline, to succeed Kennedy in the 1st district seat. The new
Congressman
had
become
mayor
following
the
arrest and conviction of the colorful and criminal mayor
on him.
V. “Buddy” Cianci on a racketeering conspiracy charge In 2007 the National Journal ranked him as the 2nd most left-leaning senator. Since then he has veered further left, like
much
of
the
Washington
leadership
Post
of
the
editorial
D
party. in
In
a
2015,
WhiteHouse advocated prosecution of members of the energy
industry
under
the
Corrupt Organizations Act
Racketeer
Influenced
and
in 2002. Eight others also were convicted then on various Federal charges. Originally Cianci had run claiming to be the “Anti-Corruption Candidate” after more than 30 years of corrupt Irish mayors. Of course in RI both Italians and Irish are leaders of the D party. While Cicilline was still mayor in 2008, his brother John pled guilty to Federal charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and making
C T I M E S M A G . C O M
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false statements. He went to prison. John was indicted along with J. Bevilaqua Jr., son of the infamous ex-Judge.
In 2011, Providence City Council Finance Chairman John Igliozzi accused the previous mayor of raiding the city’s cash reserves without the approval of the city council. He said Cicilline hid the scope of the city’s fiscal woes through “illusory revenues, borrowing, and other tricks.” But
Mayor
Congress
Cicilline
in
already
Washington.
had
Others
escaped were
to
stuck
the
US
with
the
municipal financial wreck he left behind.
jerk “populist-leaning liberal”. With no background in foreign affairs, he loudly criticized President Trump’s historic meeting with the North Korean Kim and opposed John Bolton as National Security Adviser. (Under the Constitution the House has nothing to do with either of these
matters.)
supports
He
is
“sanctuary”
a
strong
cities,
anti-gun
advocate
government
funding
and of
abortions, and open borders.
a
motley
collection
of
about
100
whiny
left
wingers who regularly howl their unrealistic proposals about raising taxes, climate change, abolishing the Patriot Act, increasing welfare payments, etc., ad nauseum. In fact the group is made up of retromingents disguised as progressives.
Local
TV
station
WPRI
reported
that
“On
policy,
as well as a relentless and caustic critic of President Trump.” His other D leadership positions include co-chair the
LGBT
Equality
Caucus
and
vice-chair
of
the
House Gun Violence Task Force. He has been a strident and unreasonable voice calling for impeachment of the President. In September 2019 he criticized the President’s “obstruction of justice, abuses of power, and corruption” and insisted that his “voters care” about this.
since 1793 that RI would have just a single seat in the House of Representatives. Good job, Democrats!
“Ye
are
a
factious
crew,
and
enemies
to
all
good
government. . . Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation. You were deputed here by the people to get grievances redressed, are yourselves become the greatest grievance. . . Go, get you out! Make haste! . . . -- Oliver Cromwell to the
Rump Parliament in London, 1653
To be fair, corruption in the state did not start with the D party. For decades the regional boss of the New England mafia
was
Rhode
Islander
R.
Patriarca,
whose
reach
covered all six states. A real-life Godfather, he had a wide influence in organized crime nationally too. In 1970 he was convicted of conspiracy to murder and sentenced to 10 years. Patriarca continued to run his “family” while in
My home state also distinguished itself in another way. In 1986 the Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court J. Bevilaqua resigned under pressure during impeachment proceedings. Numerous problems centered on his long association with “Nicky” Bianco, successor to Ray “The Man” Patriarca as crime boss, and with other organized
representation
in
Congress
following
in the state House of Representatives where he was a lifelong member of the D party. No doubt Rhode Island gets Olympic gold in graft, fraud, payoffs, and extortion. No
other
state
can
challenge
this
level
of
official
corruption.
What is the outlook for the future of this little state of about a million people? A survey in August this year by the Princeton Review ranked the University of RI as the 3rd from the top nationally in terms of marijuana use by students and faculty. A recent CBS News story said that
Like other highly-taxed blue states, RI is in danger of losing
representative instead of two. It would be the first time
crime figures. Judge Bevilaqua rose in politics as a leader
Cicilline has carved out a reputation as a leader on the left
of
is coming up fast. Voters may have to elect a single U.S.
prison.
He is the Vice Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus,
will decline too, from four to three. The election of 2022
In the name of God, go!”
Cicilline has established himself in Congress as a knee-
3 3
the
2020
census. Recent press reports indicate that it is likely that RI will lose one House seat due to declining population. Now it ranks 44th in population and the numbers are trending down. In that case its number of electoral votes
RI has among the highest consumption rates of cannabis (more than 14% of the population). Governor Raimondo (D) will call for legalization in her next budget proposal, according to the local Providence Journal. Moreover, the National Institute of Drug Abuse reported on its website that in 2017 RI had almost double the national rate of opioid-involved overdose deaths (mainly due to fentanyl).
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In July this year, CNBC released its annual ranking list called Top States for Business. RI was last (50th) for both business climate and infrastructure.
In the category of economy, it was ranked at 48. These rock-bottom numbers
represent a new low achieved after several decades of D control.
Taxpayers and voters are fleeing the messes created by the job-killing D party and its endless congeries of tax-and-spend policies. The economy and the population are shrinking. But many of those staying behind will be too intoxicated to notice the state sinking into debt, drug use, financial problems, and unemployment. On the lovely state flag the optimistic motto says HOPE. But today in 2019 the place, badly led by dozens of Ds, seems to be declining deeper into a dreary quagmire. Reluctantly I am reminded of the stark and somber images in Dante’s famous Purgatorio.
Gun Control
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By Chris Grahn Howard
Yet another mass shooting in America. A sad and troubling event. I am a Christian Conservative and if you have read any of my previous articles you already know that. My heart breaks for the families and students who have gone through this tragic event. Such a waste of our youth and the burdens that will follow for the families and friends. Despite the ridicule and mocking from liberals. I do pray for those involved, all of them. The real question remains, what can be done to prevent these types of tragedies from happening in the future? Gun Control: Part One
Here we go again…again. I am angry, frustrated and most
response to something beyond one’s control. Killing in a
of all saddened. Why is this happening? Are guns the
premeditated manner is not just a random thought, it is
issue? This is still best country to live in. Opportunities
the result of many thoughts that have accumulated over
are
What
time. No matter if there is one planned victim or many.
causes the anger, despair and lack of moral strength?
abounding
These thoughts that can become an act are the result of
What has been lost in our culture? How is it that our
mental illness and/or missing a moral compass. I believe
society has devolved into this present reality? Have we as
that in many cases there is a matter of the missing moral
a
compass leading to the mental illness.
country
meaningful
everywhere
reached gun
a
and
tipping
control?
Or
for
everyone.
point? is
this
Is
it
about
time
for
something
deeper? While there are many popular theories, music,
The absence of moral instruction, training and faith leads
video games, movies as influencers. I dare say it really
to the path that travels to a mass shooting. When, we, the
comes down to two things. God, or the lack of him and
collective…we
the destruction of the family.
shooting?” Ask, what has led to the moral decay of our
ask,
“what
can
we
do
about
these
society? I am not talking about the usual suspects. No, I have an idea... If banning works.... Let’s ban theft,
what I am referring to is the bigger decay. The decay that
let's ban bigotry, let's ban violence, let’s ban murder,
has
and let’s ban rape, incest, abuse…. If only banning
fatherless. I am referring to the decay that has stated there
worked! How about we admit that it is all a head and
is no objective Truth. That there is not one absolute
heart problem? How about looking to the root causes of
Truth.
destroyed
families.
Many
of
these
killers
were
sin and defilement? The problem with banning the tools of
sin.
One of my favorite movie quotes – “The greatest trick the
America banned alcohol through the Volstead Act. We
sin
is
that
Devil ever played, was convincing people that he did not
all know how well that worked out. That act of banning
exist.” My friends, Evil exists and has an author. Evil has
alcohol
a name. To deny that is to be trapped in the abyss of
created
it
never
more
addresses
criminals
the
and
desire
more
to
criminal
empires. Gun Control: Part One
human
secularists.
An
abyss
with
no
hope
beyond
yourself, no faith beyond yourself and no standard on The essence of Gun control is a matter of external control
which to stand beyond yourself. That philosophy will lead
versus internal control. The desire to kill, other than for
to tyranny and despair every time.
self-preservation, is an internal thought, an irrational
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A despair that leads to the thoughts mentioned above. Internal. The problem here is that those who clamor for gun control or even gun elimination have only one option…to control the external tools that a very few mentally ill people want to use. Why the one option? Because those same people advocate for policies that have destroyed families, destroyed morality and have attempted to negate God have no desire to discuss the internal. After all, it is what is in the hear and mind that control actions. Despite advances in so many ways; we have an increasingly broken society, broken hearts and minds…most of all broken souls.
Broken souls lead to what ails our society, our country and our world. Yes, we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God almighty. Yes, we can all do better. There is a freedom in knowing that one is not perfect, not sinless and in need of redemption. Counter intuitive I know, but it is real. Salvation comes first from knowing that you can be saved and by what means.
The liberals who want to take away guns have a growing dilemma. I would like to site an ongoing case right here in the St. Louis region. Just recently, a 23-year-old man was killed by police after he allegedly drew a weapon. He was seen in a shopping mall with a pistol with an extended clip. He was approached and fled, prompting a chase and a call to police. Turns out this individual was a felon.
So, a felon carrying a weapon in a shopping mall was chased and drew on an officer. I county three crimes/violations of existing gun laws. How many more gun laws would have stopped this young man from carrying a weapon? With the threats of mass shootings and continued gang/drug violence with accidental victims…Why are we upset about this death? Right now, there have been protests at the mall over this young man’s death. At the very same time there are protests to take guns off the streets, from everybody even the law-abiding ones. Honestly, they can’t really expect to have it both ways?????? Can they?!
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Is Lindsey Graham about to rescue Trump’s Syrian policy? By Matt Snape, Columnist CTM
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) questions U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen during a hearing with the Senate Judiciary Committee on "Oversight of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security" on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 16, 2018. Reuters/Joshua Roberts
President Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from
military is now partnering with Assad in a move which
Syria has been met with a mixed reception as political
will likely please Moscow and Tehran. Both Russia and
figures on both sides of the spectrum have condemned his
Iran are two of the Syrian President’s most loyal allies
choice. US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell,
and without American support, there is little the Kurds
who
can do to resist Damascus’s military grip.
has
been
administration, Carolina
very joined
Senator
supportive fellow
South The SDF is regarded by Ankara as a terrorist group. Since Trump made his choice to quit supporting the Kurds, they
Hillary Clinton, also could not resist referring to Trump’s
are
withdrawal
because they face two scenarios: either be wiped out by
troops
from
in
Trump
like
the
US
Graham
the
President’s decision. His former 2016 Democrat rival,
of
Lindsey
towards
Republicans
criticizing
northern
Syria
as
a
“sickening betrayal” of America’s allies.
relying
American
troops
support
instead.
This
is
Middle
whose
influence
over
the
Middle
East
is
increasing: Russia. The Turkish President has vowed to
country, Turkey has unleashed a military offensive into
finish what he started, but because of the agreement the
northeastern Syria. Since 9 October, the operation has
SDF has reached with the Putin-friendly Assad regime,
displaced at least 130,000 people. Chloe Cornish et al of
Damascus
the Financial Times argued that the biggest winner of the
against
President’s decision so far has been Syrian President
Kurdish
Bashar
preserved. This has the potential of shattering Erdogan’s
The
the
for
Eastern
al-Assad.
vacated
Moscow
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan or depend upon another nation
After
on
Kurdish-dominated
Syrian
Democratic Forces (SDF) being targeted by Turkey’s
would
only
defend
the
north-east
Turkey’s
advance
into
Syria
control.
Kurdish
institutions
rather would
region
than also
plans of using north-east Syria to resettle refugees.
end be
C T I M E S M A G . C O M
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Trump stressed repeatedly that US troops were not in the region, but on 11 October reports emerged of armed forces coming under fire. This also contradicts what US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said about all troops being withdrawn from Syria. Despite all the criticism he has received from opponents, it seems like the President is hopeful that he can achieve a peaceful settlement to this conflict. This is consistent with the Republican’s foreign policy approach since he took office.
The President has not abandoned Syria and he is resorting to using sanctions to cripple Turkey’s economy to bring them to the negotiating table. Steel tariffs would be increased to 50 per cent and discussions over a $100 billion trade deal would be delayed. This is an approach both the Republicans and the Democrats have encouraged Trump to adopt and he has listened to them to a certain extent.
Although the President has vowed to destroy Turkey’s economy in response to their Syrian invasion, the sanctions he has imposed on Ankara so far have been too timid. They target the ministers of defense, energy and interior. Erdogan can use these sanctions as a means to strengthen his support and blame Turkey’s economic woes on Trump. The Graham-Van Hollen Bill, being proposed by Senators Graham and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) would issue more effective sanctions against the Turkish President and the Vice President on top of the officials already targeted by Trump’s sanctions. It will also prohibit all military transactions with Ankara and impose visa restrictions.
Trump’s foreign policy approach has shattered the US’s image abroad. The Kurds have fought alongside American forces in defeating ISIS and now they have been left vulnerable to Erdogan’s troops. The President may be trying to end “pointless wars” to appeal to his base, but if his strategy is to replace conflict with sanctions, they need to be tougher. Now he must depend upon Graham to rescue his foreign policy, and with bipartisan support for the Republican’s bill in both Houses of Congress, the South Carolina Senator may just do that.
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Is the Democrats’ strategy to defeat Trump falling apart?
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gestures while speaking during a news conference on Capitol Hill on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP)
Once
considered
Democratic
to
be
the
nomination,
favorite
to
win
2020
the
President
for
asking
the
Ukrainian
Biden’s son, Hunter, have tarnished his campaign. His
now appears that impeachment might be the only solution
poll
for the Democrats to remove a president they despise to
asked former
the
Ukrainian
vice
announced
look
President
Trump
had
to
investigate
the
its
top
Government
president’s major
son
after
corruption
Joe was once regarded as the candidate who could beat Trump. He was Obama’s former vice president and his
Fifteen
those
review
the
former boss is considered to be one of the US’s most popular leaders. Obama’s approval average is 47.9 per
company’s
cent. But Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have both
in
involve
2014
the
past
Ukrainian gas firm Burisma. Hunter was appointed to the board
cases
of
ensure that they win the 2020 general election.
prosecutor
investigations that had either been cancelled or split up. of
a
weary.
against
impeach
Government to conduct this investigation into Hunter. It
now
allegations
the
Joe
numbers
the
whilst
his
founder
father
of
was
still
Obama’s number two.
out-raised him in the third quarter by $10 million. With Sanders recovering from a heart attack, Warren may gain
The New York Times believes that Joe is torn between
support
his instinct to protect his family from what he believes to
thereby preventing the Vermont senator from splitting the
be an unjustified attack against his character to presenting
left-wing vote. This means Warren’s chances of clinching
himself
the 2020 Democratic nomination from the former vice
as
politically
decisive.
His
speech
in
Reno,
Nevada, which launched a scathing attack at the way the Trump
administration
behaved
on
this
issue,
from
many
progressives
in
the
Democrats,
president have increased.
was
overshadowed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s threat to
The Democrats are in trouble. Veteran GOP strategist
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Colin Reed believes Warren should not be underestimated. But one Democrat strategist said her policies could alienate many marginal voters she needs to win, rather like Michael Dukakis did in 1988. The Hill produced a poll showing every other Democratic candidate beat Trump in a popularity poll except Warren. Compared to Biden, this leads many to doubt that she could defeat the President in an election. With impeachment emerging as Pelosi’s last resort to unseat their Republican rival, it also appears unlikely that this strategy will work too.
The White House Counsel’s Office is preparing to formally object to the Democrats’ impeachment inquiry on Friday, saying it will not cooperate with the probe because it was launched without a vote of the House of Representatives. They will send a letter to Pelosi objecting to the form of the impeachment investigation. But when Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton were both threatened with impeachment, the House voted before an inquiry was conducted, despite House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy arguing the US Constitution does not state a vote is required before an impeachment inquiry.
Impeachment is likely to burst into a lengthy legal battle between the Oval Office and the Democrats, which The Daily Telegraph argues could only animate the President’s supporters ahead of the 2020 election. Pelosi has sought to avoid a vote on the impeachment probe because it would force moderate House Democrats to make a politically risky move. Courts have generally required congressional oversight requests to demonstrate a legitimate legislative purpose into impeachment requests.
Pelosi
is
playing
a
dangerous
game.
During
the
2006
mid-term
elections,
she
threatened
President
Bush
with
impeachment over the 2003 Iraq War, and that strategy quickly collapsed. She also failed to impeach Trump over allegations of Russian collusion in 2016. Rudy Giuliani, the President’s attorney, will argue that Trump was investigating political corruption in Ukraine. If the White House wins this legal argument, it could humiliate Pelosi further.
The New York Times‘ Christopher Buskirk joked that so far, Trump is winning the Democratic debates. He could be right. Every candidate has significant flaws that mean they do not present a credible threat to the President, and impeachment looks increasingly unlikely every day.
By Matt Snape Columnist CTM
