The terrible deception - Bill Wilson -
The Old Gray Lady, AKA, The New York Times, continues its downward spiral with fake news and editorializing passed off as news. It is now surfacing that the story the NYT wrote that the Bush family-the former president and his brother-were not going to vote for the reelection of President Trump is patently false, made up, fabricated. Speaking of the end of days, the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:13, "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." Christ told his disciples in Matthew 24:4, "Take heed that no man deceive you." There is deception all around us. We are in the midst of deception, living in a post-truth world where facts and truth and justice have fallen in the streets.
When the NYT story broke, a myriad of other news organizations, including Drudge, The Hill, The Independent, The Week, the mainstream media television networks, and others parroted and discussed the Times story ad nauseum without checking a single fact. These so-called reputable news organizations failed to look into the flimsy sourcing by the NYT, which quoted unnamed sources who were "familiar" with how the Bush family thinks. Ignored in the virtual trash can, was a complete denial from spokesman for former president Bush, Freddy Ford, who told the Texas Tribune, "This is completely made up. He is retired from presidential politics and has not indicated how he will vote."
As reported by The American Spectator, "Ford reiterated this statement to the Times, indicating that the former president would stay out of the election and speak only on policy issues, yet America's "newspaper of record" has yet to correct the story." A tweet from President Trump thanked George P. Bush for his endorsement posted by The Hill: "George P. Bush says he'll vote for Trump: "Only thing standing between America and socialism."" Quoting unnamed sources, and sources familiar with the situation, or knowledgeable sources may be OK for sports reporting, but it's not a good optic for politics. If someone doesn't want to put their name to it, it's probably suspect.
The problem is that when a fake news story is published and many news outlets just cut and paste and post it, it becomes fact immediately. This is when the newness of the "news" is at its peak. It circulates and settles in the minds of those who read it or hear about it. Then days later when the facts come out, the facts have far less impact and are seen or believed by far less people, so the damage is done even if there is a retraction. This is why discernment is so desperately needed. It's getting to the point that you cannot believe anything that you read from the news media, and probably not much of what you hear or see on television. These so-called "journalists" are liars and deceivers, deceiving and being deceived. Recognize the signs such as no named sources. Check things out for yourself.
Landmark Executive Order on Safe Policing - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com
Many cities in America have been ravaged by rioters in the wake of recent deaths of unarmed black citizens at the hands of police. In addition, the criticism against President Trump's law and order policies has been nonstop, even suggesting the defunding and abolishing of police in major cities. These emotional reactions illicit a chorus of support in the heat of the moment, but are, quite frankly, outrageous when considering that they would just open the doors to lawlessness akin to what is happening in Seattle, Washington. To address these complex issues with effective solutions, it takes wisdom, research, and collaborative partnership with those truly interested in positive outcomes.
In recent weeks, President Trump and his emissaries have been meeting across the country with black leaders, pastors, police, and a host of other stakeholders to identify real solutions to issues of lethal force, harassment, and other areas of police misconduct. Trump was not turning a deaf ear to anyone, irrespective of their agenda or opposition to his presidency or criticism. He and his representatives quietly went about the work of listening, hearing, developing approaches, vetting those approaches, and finally developing an Executive Order to address police misconduct while at the same time preserving the foundational function of law enforcement to protect and serve.
Trump said in issuing the Executive Order on Safe Policing for Safe Communities, "Law enforcement officers provide the essential protection that all Americans require to raise their families and lead productive lives...Unfortunately, there have been instances in which some officers have misused their authority, challenging the trust of the American people, with tragic consequences for individual victims, their communities, and our Nation. All Americans are entitled to live with the confidence that the law enforcement officers and agencies in their communities will live up to our Nation's founding ideals and will protect the rights of all persons. Particularly in African-American communities, we must redouble our efforts as a Nation to swiftly address instances of misconduct."
The executive order addresses policies and training regarding use-of-force and de-escalation techniques; early warning systems that help to identify officers who may require intervention; and best practices regarding community engagement. A database also will be created to track officers who have been fired, have criminal convictions for on-duty conduct, and/or civil judgments for improper use of force. These are steps to restore confidence and accountability in law enforcement. May the collaborative effort resulting in this executive order be as the verses in Isaiah 32:17-18, "The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places." May it be so for all Americans.
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