Join Us for The End of the Long War in Afghanistan - National September 11 Memorial Museum

 

As we approach the milestone 20th anniversary of 9/11, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s public program season will explore a range of topics reflecting on the ongoing impacts and continued resonance of the attacks, their historical context, and their aftermath. We are pleased to present The End of the Long War in Afghanistan Monday, August 30, 2 p.m. ET The post-9/11 invasion of Afghanistan became the longest war in American history. Now with the total drawdown of American troops after nearly 20 years, the Taliban has retaken control of the country. Ronald E. Neumann, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan (2005–2007) and Edmund Fitton-Brown, coordinator of the UN Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team concerning the Islamic State, al-Qaeda, and the Taliban discuss the rapidly unfolding events in Afghanistan and what the future might hold for the country. Visit 911memorial.org/watch to attend this live, online event. Captioning will be provided.

Op-Ed: America’s Withdrawal From Afghanistan Will Open The Door For Sex Traffickers

 

QUICK DONATE Funds donated will go towards our efforts to end human trafficking and exploitation around the world. By Tim Ballard People are free to debate if it was right for the United States to invade Afghanistan in 2001, or if we should have maintained a presence in the country for over two decades, or even if the timing of our recent and hasty withdrawal was appropriate. However, one indisputable fact that is not open for debate is that the moment the United States entered Afghanistan, we accepted a moral, social, and arguably, legal obligation to care for and protect the country’s most vulnerable people, that being women and children. The United States’ rapid and slapdash departure from Afghanistan represents a complete abdication of that responsibility and obligation. We are failing the very people we are supposed to protect and, worse, we are doing so despite our own government’s admission that there was still so much work left undone. The U.S. Department of State reported just this year that Afghanistan “does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so…”  Afghanistan was also included on a list of state-sponsored governments that had a “documented ‘policy or pattern’ of human trafficking in government-funded programs, forced labor in government-affiliated medical services or other sectors, sexual slavery in government camps, or the employment or recruitment of child soldiers.” This list, in addition to Afghanistan, includes governments from Burma, China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia to name a few.  According to the U.S. Department of State in 2001, Afghanistan under Taliban rule had one of the worst human rights records in the world. The regime systematically repressed all sectors of the population and denied even the most basic individual rights.  The 2002 Trafficking in Persons report noted that “the Taliban, a Pashtun-dominated fundamentalist Islamic movement, controlled approximately 90 percent of the country. Taliban forces were responsible for disappearances of women and children, many of whom were trafficked to Pakistan and the Gulf States.” Under Taliban control, women were forced into sex slavery, largely prevented from obtaining real employment, forbidden to walk outside alone, denied access to education, and prevented from receiving appropriate health and medical care. Children were also subjected to unspeakable atrocities, including the practice of bacha bazi, where male children are sexually abused by older men and forced into combat as child soldiers, as well as into marriage and as laborers, domestic workers and in the sex trade. In an interview with The Atlantic, Manizha Naderi, a co-founder of Women for Afghan Women, said, “Before the U.S. invaded Afghanistan, there was nothing, no infrastructure, no legal system, no educational system, nothing there. And in the last 20 years, everything was re-created in the country, from education, to the legal system, to social, to economics … Women have gained everything. Not just women, but the Afghans in general have gained a lot.” The fact is today’s resurgence of the Taliban, and the ensuing fall of the Afghan government, threatens to almost instantaneously erase the strides meant to aid women and children over the past 20 years and bring the issue to light. And for this, the international community should be disgusted and embarrassed.  According to recent report from UNICEF, over the previous decade, 2.7 million Afghans left the country in the hopes of finding a better life. We know that from our experience, many individuals, especially children, who flee their homes, communities, and counties are extremely vulnerable and become targets for those who wish to force them into being trafficked for sex or forced labor. These numbers are staggering, but they are reflective of a time when the Taliban was not in control of Afghanistan. Imagine how much those numbers will increase under the oppressive rule of the new Taliban regime. And the world will never know it, as the Taliban will keep the problem in the dark, or worse, sponsor and condone these abuses.   Already, reports of fear and uncertainty are streaming out of Afghanistan now that the Taliban are on the verge of complete control. Despite the Taliban’s shallow promises that women’s rights will be honored, women are already being forced from their jobs, girls removed from schools. Some women are even going so far as to hide or destroy any evidence of their personal or professional accomplishments such as diplomas, certificates, and other documents.  One Kabul resident wrote that men are already making fun of women and girls, seemingly delighting in their terror. “It is your last days of being out on the streets,” said one man. “I will marry four of you in one day,” said another. Sadly, it was almost a forgone conclusion that this is how things would play out if the Taliban were allowed to regain unfettered power. For example, the United Nations reported that as U.S. and other military groups began their withdrawal from Afghanistan in the first six months of 2021, more women and children were killed or wounded than during any other year since 2009.  Imagine being a woman or a child in Afghanistan now faced with one of two options, both with potentially tragic outcomes. The first, stay in a country that is ruled by a regime that was known to have one of the worst human rights records in the world. The second, attempt to flee the country and risk falling prey to those who seek to victimize the vulnerable, and force them into being trafficked for sex for forced labor. We call on the United States and other governments, non-profits, and NGOs to act immediately. At the Nazarene Fund, and at its sister organization, Operation Underground Railroad, we are prepared to do our part, but we can’t do it alone. If the international community fails to step up and respond to this situation, we will see a huge influx in the number of women and children being trafficked.  The international community should not do what it has done far too often in the past — turn a blind eye to the problem and make an already-tragic situation even worse. We must address this issue head on for the sake of saving the lives of so many women and children who might otherwise be lost.  Tim Ballard is the Founder of Operation Underground Railroad and the CEO of The Nazarene Fund. QUICK DONATE Funds donated will go towards our efforts to end human trafficking and exploitation around the world.  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌  ‌

Operation Underground Railroad | 138 E 12300 S, Suite C-149, Draper, UT 84020

Was it Real?

Last week, I had a visitor. He came into my room as I lay sleeping on my back. The visitor stood at the foot of the bed and pinched my big toes, waking me. It was my brother, Casey!

He was smiling and teasing me. We talked, though I don't remember what was said. He was happy and the whole thing seemed perfectly normal and natural. (Anyone knowing Casey would know there was little “normal” about him.)

When I realized what was happening, I said something like, "Hey, but you have been dead for four years!" (Actually, it will be five, in October.)

That realization startled me and I woke up to full consciousness. He was gone and I was alone in the room. I have no idea if that was a real vision, or just a dream.

It could have been real . . .

One evening some months after Sean died, Mom said she saw him walk down the hall and up the stairs, as she read in the living room.

When my son, Mark, was 11 or so, he woke up to see what he thought was his little brother, Christopher, playing a game on the floor. There was a cat next to him and cat poop, nearby. (They had cats.)

After telling him to go back to bed several times, Mark got down from the top bunk, stepped over the cat poop and turned on the light, only to find Chris asleep in bed; and the child, game, cat and poop, gone! It seems that a young child had died in that house, many years earlier.

When I was about four or five, we went to visit Grampy Brandt, Grandma's father. I remember him giving me and Sean peppermint candies that melted almost frothily in the mouth; his big smile, and the Mickey Mouse and Goofy wind-up toys that waddled across the table.

One morning when I was about seven or so, I looked up from brushing my teeth to see Grampy in the mirror, standing behind me! Though I had only met him that one time, there was no doubt about what I saw.

Almost sixty years later, I’ve not forgotten that smile and what a kind and loving man he was.

It was years before I told anyone about this experience. Mom and Dad were quite surprised that I remembered Grampy; they thought I was too young. Until I asked why we never went to see him anymore, no one told me he had died. (Take it to heart, parents; young children are more perceptive than you might think.)

I’m glad Casey came to visit. It is comforting to know he is happy and no longer bears the burdens he carried in life!

Thwarting China on 5G Is Greatest Untold Success Story of the Trump Administration

 AMAC Exclusive by Joshua Charles

One of the greatest success stories of the Trump administration is one you have likely never heard. It’s the story of how a former business leader turned Under Secretary of State helped prevent what many had assumed was a fait accompli: the domination of the worldwide rollout of cellular 5G wireless by Communist China.

5G represents a quantum leap forward over the current generation of cellular technology—in some cases up to ten times faster.

The implications of this transformation are far-reaching, because whatever country dominates 5G will likely dominate a host of other technologies that will depend on it—technologies like autonomous vehicles, AI, quantum computing, and many others.

In early 2019, the situation was grim for the United States and the western allies. Chinese companies like Huawei were preparing to roll out 5G networks around the world. Like many Chinese companies, Huawei is essentially a corporate arm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and is subject to its National Intelligence Law, which means the government can demand Huawei hand over any data it has at any time. That means that the CCP could potentially access the personal, private, and sensitive data of people, companies, and governments around the world just like it does with its own citizens. In China, Huawei’s technology has become the backbone of the CCP’s surveillance state and “social credit system.” If they built the world’s 5G networks, they’d essentially be extending that surveillance state around the world. And yet, since the CCP was heavily subsidizing Huawei, the Chinese technology giant was able to outbid most of the competition. That’s to say nothing of the CCP’s theft of US technology and know-how. For decades, they had been using our openness against us, while restricting our access to their markets.

But then President Trump signed an executive order to crack down on Huawei equipment, empowering the federal government to block American companies from purchasing foreign made telecommunications equipment deemed to be a national security risk. In addition, President Trump nominated Keith Krach to be Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment to help carry out his policy of standing up to China. Secretary of State Pompeo gave Krach the specific charge “to develop and operationalize a global economic security strategy that drives economic growth, maximizes national security, and combats Chinese economic aggression.” Krach was unanimously confirmed by the Senate in the summer of 2019.

Read the rest of the story, here:  AMAC

Roots in Ripon - Let's Celebrate!

Roots in Ripon

Chuck Roots
6 August 2018
www.chuckroots.com

Editor's Note:  Roots in Ripon was once a regular feature, here.  Unfortunately, Chuck has not done anything new for some time and this is the last post on his blog.

           One of the prime focal points we find in the Bible is the intentional act of engaging in celebration. This means we are to participate in celebrating every aspect of life as God has ordained it.

           We often run into difficulty when life roles us up in troubles of every kind. We lose perspective on our lives and how Jesus wants us to walk with him. We focus on the problem, the fear, the loss, the pain, or any other difficulty you would like to add. I would recommend you take some time to look through the Bible and see what it says about rejoicing. It will challenge you, trust me!

           In Philippians 4 we are admonished by the Apostle Paul, who was no stranger to physical ailments, beatings, stonings, ship wreck, and the like, to, “Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: Rejoice!”

           As a minister and chaplain for forty years, I have witnessed the attitudes of Christians who had failed to connect with rejoicing. It was so clear that those who made it a point of rejoicing, especially in the hard times, had a completely different temperament than those who found it difficult to live out the command to rejoice.

           This attitude of rejoicing is never more critical than when the death of a loved one, or close friend occurs. On August 27th, my mother-in-law, Alda Cabral, passed away at age 85. For the past number of years, she has been dealing with a number of physical ailments. Her body had finally given up.

Trump Rallies for Republican Candidates in Ohio

Read more about the rally at The Epoch Times.  Photo and video essay, follows.

Ohio Patriots Alliance (6/4/21) - News and Upcoming Events

 

Fellow Patriots, I hope you all had a great Memorial Day Weekend. Alicia and I attended the Memorial Day Tribute put on by Muskingum County Patriots. Kudos to Stephanie, Shelby, and the organizers of the event. We must remember and honor the fallen. The Patriots that are rising up across the land are preserving our heritage and rebuilding our traditions when all our institutions are under attack, and many of supposed civic leaders cower in fear, and are all about compliance, instead of patriotism. A true American Patriot has in his heart and soul a spirit of Defiance, not compliance. We fear God only, and defy tyrants. God Bless all who have lost loved ones in defense of the Nation, and all the Patriots who stop to honor their sacrifice. Then we visited my Aunt on Sunday. She is 97--I think. Her only son was a Navy pilot killed in action in Vietnam. We also visited cemetery and decorated his grave, and also my father's grave. He was a veteran of WW II. And we also had family over, grilled out, and sat around a little bonfire. It was a good weekend. Now back to the battle... [If you have a group in our Alliance, send us your schedule of regular meetings or upcoming events. We are looking for County leaders to start a patriot group in those Counties not on board yet. If you would like to be that person contact us. See the CONTACT page of our website to check if there is a group in your County yet.]

WE HAVE NOT YET BEGUN TO FIGHT!

Now it is our turn — all of us — to fight to save the Republic. Here are some upcoming events in Central Ohio.

Man Mows Lawns Free of Charge for Elderly and Vets—Then Hundreds Join in ‘50 Yard Challenge’

(Courtesy of Raising Men Lawn Care Service Huntsville)

LIFE & TRADITION

BY EMG INSPIRED STAFF

 

May 26, 2021 Updated: May 30, 2021

biggersmaller 

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Editor's Note:  This story appeared in the Epoch Times and was "borrowed".

Kids aged 7 to 17 can join Raising Men and take part in the 50 Yard Challenge. If you or your child are interested in taking the challenge, you can sign up at: https://weareraisingmen.com.

A Huntsville, Alabama, man started mowing lawns for free for those in need in his locale. But it soon turned into a movement with kids from across the country, and beyond, joining in to give back to their communities—one lawn at a time.

Rodney Smith founded Raising Men Lawn Care Service in 2015 to mow lawns, free of charge, for the elderly, the disabled, single parents, and veterans.

The idea was conceived when he came across an elderly man struggling to mow his lawn one day, and Rodney stopped to help him.

(Courtesy of Raising Men Lawn Care Service Huntsville)

An Open Letter from "Flag Officers 4 America"

“Flag Officers 4 America" is a group of retired military leaders who pledged to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic”.  Although retired from active service, they feel bound by that oath to do what they can, in their capacity today, to protect our nation from the threats to her freedom.

Our Nation is in deep peril. We are in a fight for our survival as a Constitutional Republic like no other time since our founding in 1776. The conflict is between supporters of Socialism and Marxism vs. supporters of Constitutional freedom and liberty.

 During the 2020 election an “Open Letter from Senior Military Leaders” was signed by 317 retired Generals and Admirals and, it said the 2020 election could be the most important election since our country was founded. “With the Democrat Party welcoming Socialists and Marxists, our historic way of life is at stake.” Unfortunately, that statement’s truth was quickly revealed, beginning with the election process itself.

 Without fair and honest elections that accurately reflect the “will of the people” our Constitutional Republic is lost. Election integrity demands insuring there is one legal vote cast and counted per citizen. Legal votes are identified by State Legislature’s approved controls using government IDs, verified signatures, etc. Today, many are calling such commonsense controls “racist” in an attempt to avoid having fair and honest elections. Using racial terms to suppress proof of eligibility is itself a tyrannical intimidation tactic. Additionally, the “Rule of Law” must be enforced in our election processes to ensure integrity. The FBI and Supreme Court must act swiftly when election irregularities are surfaced and not ignore them as was done in 2020. Finally, H.R.1 & S.1, (if passed), would destroy election fairness and allow Democrats to forever remain in power violating our Constitution and ending our Representative Republic.

 Aside from the election, the Current Administration has launched a full-blown assault on our Constitutional rights in a dictatorial manner, bypassing the Congress, with more than 50 Executive Orders quickly signed, many reversing the previous Administration’s effective policies and regulations. Moreover, population control actions such as excessive lockdowns, school and business closures, and most alarming, censorship of written and verbal expression are all direct assaults on our fundamental Rights. We must support and hold accountable politicians who will act to counter Socialism, Marxism and Progressivism, support our Constitutional Republic, and insist on fiscally responsible governing while focusing on all Americans, especially the middle class, not special interest or extremist groups which are used to divide us into warring factions.

 Additional National Security Issues and Actions:

Does this sounds abusive?

Image courtesy of cbc.ca

My friend's husband won’t let her visit any friends or family.  He has made her stop all contact with them, unless it’s on the phone or computer.  He reads and censors her comments on social media. He makes her feel like she's going crazy for thinking he’s controlling, and that she is being ungrateful. (After all, he’s only doing this because of how much he cares about her.)

He doesn’t want her going to the gym anymore, so she doesn’t go.  He also doesn’t let her go to work anymore (he told her to only rely on him for income and that he will take care of her).  She's not really allowed to go out anymore, unless it’s for necessities, and when she does, he makes sure to have people guilt-trip her about it and shame her for it.

He wants her to have this medical procedure done and tells her that if she does it, he will allow her more freedoms.  He constantly says he's only doing all of this because he cares . . . he is just doing it for her own good!

Oh wait....did I say husband?  I meant the government.  My bad.  You have been conditioned to be outraged if another person did this to their spouse, but be passive & compliant when it comes to our government does it to us.

Please wake up!

(Source unknown)