Explaining the Rationale Behind Trump’s Success

Trump Aftershock:
The President's Seismic Impact on Culture and Faith in America

Author: Stephen E. Strang

Publisher: Frontline, Charisma Media/House Book Group, Lake Mary, Florida, 2018

Full disclosure: I am a big supporter of President Trump and I am a person of faith. This book covers both the President and his impact on faith.  Stephen E. Strang is no stranger to both book publishing and book writing.  He knows his craft well. He has a slew of editors and researchers that help make his books most informative. I noted that this one included no fewer than 536 reference notes backing up his comments and quotations.

For me, Trump Aftershock read like a “this was your radio and TV life” account covering the period from June 16, 2015, when Trump announced his candidacy up to the middle of August 2018 when Strang sent his book to print.

The list of topics covered is very extensive.  And Strang knows how to give you the background to the issue as well as how it was or is being resolved. But he goes beyond that, explaining how we got to where we are and why, and then clearly provides the possible implications.

There is considerable information on the matter of how Trump’s administration was impacted by conservative religious America and also how the two camps (his and theirs) are getting along, or not. The book will definitely please conservatives and Christians, but I contend (although I hate to admit it here) it’s a must read for liberals, atheists, and Democrats if they really want to know why Clinton lost in 2016, and why over 80% of Evangelicals are sticking with Donald Trump. Strang explains very convincingly (with his team’s research) the political, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of just what went down and why.

This book will round out any reader’s knowledge with respect to American politics. Here are just a few examples of what I learned. Strang writes:

·     “the faithful have not sold their souls; rather, they have taken a calculated position based on the political alternatives and their understanding that all men are sinners” in a great section explaining how and why people of faith can vote for a so-called sinner like Trump.

·     Typically, “America’s policymakers tend to respond more to their activist base than to the voters who elected them” in explaining why Trump, doing the opposite, is maintaining his support.

·     “The terms Left and Right, and the institutional divide between parties, actually date back to the French Revolution of 1789, when members of the anti-royalist faction, including the Jacobins, in the French Assemblée Nationale moved to the left side of the chamber to express disdain for the loyalist defenders of the king, who were seated on the right.”

·     “Dennis Prager recently observed that the number one fear in America today is the fear of violence from the Left.”

·     There are most interesting sections on:

o  the Christian upbringing of Kim Il-Sung, the grandfather of the current dictator Kim Jong-Un

o  the national debt and Trump’s incredible gamble

o  the Davos meeting(s)

o  George Soros – his upbringing, organizations he funds, his hatred of anything Godly, and his impact

o  the most liberal investment portfolio of Warren Buffett, not to mention the foundation in memory of his wife (discover that one – it’s worth the purchase of the book)

o  the battle for Jerusalem and the Iran Nuclear Deal

o  and many more

·     Policymakers say, “weak productivity remains a major concern for economies with aging populations and a need to provide higher levels of support for seniors and other segments of society.”

·     “Some of the battles that would have been settled with a Clinton win will now continue for the next four to twenty years.”

·     On the issue of a split America: “There is no question that the United States is engaged in a war of worldviews. . .. Many conservatives . . . are convinced America has gone off the tracks and may be headed for a major split, or possibly even a civil war. . .. Why? For one thing. . .liberals no longer believe in the Constitution. . . the idea of a ‘living Constitution’ is all about . . . (making) it up as you go.”

·     “The secular media only seems interested in Evangelicals if they can find evidence of hypocrisy or bigotry.”

Strang is convinced that God is using Donald Trump today for America as He did Winston Churchill and General George Patton to keep the Nazis from taking control of Europe and possibly, ultimately the world. You can decide for yourself. Highly recommended.

·     Ken B. Godevenos, President, Accord Resolutions Services Inc., Toronto, Ontario, January 29, 2019, www.accordconsulting.com

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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PRESENTS: JERUSALEM

When Laura Steen of the Toronto office of Allied Integrated Marketing offered me an opportunity to attend the Canadian advance media screening of Jerusalem, at the Ontario Science Centre, I readily accepted.  Jerusalem is big in our life – my wife has gone twice, I once with http://fifthgospelencounters.com/.  In many respects, the trip galvanized my love for the city.  I regret not having done a similar trip many years earlier.  However, better late than never.

I knew the film, as advertised to the press, was not going to be about Jerusalem’s pivotal role in my Christian faith.  I could not expect that of the key players that made it possible – very capable people like Director, Producer, and Writer Daniel Ferguson who has done excellent work on previous IMAX movies (yes, the film is delivered to us courtesy of four different cameras – an IMAX 15-perf 65mm; a Sony F65; a RED Epic; and a Nikon D800E); Producer George Duffield; Executive Producer Jake Eberts (who has 65 Oscar nominations, 27 of which he won; films include Gandhi, The Killing Fields, Driving Miss Daisy, Dances with Wolves, A River Runs Through It, and more); National Geographic; local film Patrons Mohammad & Najla Zaibak and Mark & Suzanne Cohon; and of course, the very public Ontario Science Centre.  No, this film was clearly going to challenge my ‘ownership’ perspective of this much-coveted part of the world that at one time was seen and acted as the centre of the known world, being well-situated geographically where Africa, Asia, and Europe meet.

The city is presented through the eyes, thoughts, lives, and hopes of three very real lovers of Jerusalem with strong ties to their beloved place of residence as well as their respective faiths – Christian, Jewish, and Muslim.

Through these brilliant and forthright young women, the film aims to change the way people think about Jerusalem.  It certainly does that.  It is evident, as one of the ladies said in the press conference after the screening, “the beautiful ancient wall around the Old City of Jerusalem is not the only wall in the place; while that one needs to remain, the social walls inside need to be torn down.”  The reference was to the fact that all three of the residents felt their people lived alone in the city, not knowing much about their neighbors who held two other religious and cultural perspectives.  But although the need was recognized as to what had to change, all agreed this was not “yet the time”.

Ferguson also wanted the viewer to feel he/she had actually been to Jerusalem.  He wanted to achieve that in a unique way, trying to capture over 5,000 years of history in 45 minutes by putting the camera into very special places and giving us glimpses of Jerusalem most of us would never see on our own or in groups.  Getting permission for some of those shots – low aerials over the city, underground tunnels and tombs, and even the now closed to non-Muslims Dome of the Rock – took years to obtain.  But it was indeed worth the wait.

 

It took me very little time to declare the film a success from a cinematic perspective.  It took me much longer to determine just how I felt about its purpose.  I noted a couple of things in the script.  When an American archaeologist shares some of the events that took place on the famous “rock” over which the Islamic Dome of the Rock now stands, she was very careful to state that “here Abraham was tested when he was asked to sacrifice his son” with no mention the son’s name.  For the Christian and Jew it was Isaac; for many Muslims it was Ishmael.  (You can read more on this at: http://www.answering-islam.org/Shamoun/sacrifice.htm.)  I also noticed that even where all three religions were in agreement on a historical event that had significant religious, and often Christian implications such as the aspects of Christ’s existence and ministry, the script, otherwise handled excellently by all, including narrator Benedict Cumberbatch (you’ll remember him from his portrayal of Stephen Hawking, as well as the movie War Horse, The Hobbit Trilogy, Sherlock, and Star Trek into Darkness) often simply introduced it by saying “it is believed” or something similar.  The film could have benefitted both in its credibility as being capable of handling a religious topic – for as much as Jerusalem is a physical place, there is global agreement that it has spiritual significance – and in its purpose of trying to help us see it differently by not taking the “politically correct” or “scientific defense” of such facts.

In the Gospels, Jesus asks one of His close disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”  That’s a question that everyone ultimately answers, even by totally refusing to answer it or ignoring it.  As I watched Jerusalem I wondered how many might be facilitated in their attempt to provide an answer if they first considered the question, “What then is Jerusalem?”  The film goes a long way to answer that comprehensively.

Jerusalem opens March 7^th at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto (http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/imax/film/40/), but hopefully will be seen elsewhere in Canada soon.  It has already opened in other countries.  See it.  Go there.  Better late; never is not an option.

 

-- Ken B. Godevenos, Toronto.   February 26, 2014

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What's So Special About Jerusalem to Islam? Maybe Not That Much Unless . . .

Okay I know this is from an Israeli newspaper.   And I know this is based on the thinking of a Jewish panel.   But it lays the topic on the table.  It takes a position using the Koran / Qur'an and it begs the Muslims to argue with it.  I'll be waiting.  In the meantime, compare the importance of Jerusalem to the Jews, and even the Christians, with its importance to the Muslims.  Take a look. 

Panel: J'lem of incidental importance in... JPost - National News

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Did You Ever Think You'd See a Day When Jews & Christians Can't Go UP to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem?

Well, it's happening now -- but hopefully only temporarily. The background to this story is most complex. But the fact remains, not only is the main structure on top of the Temple Mount where the old Jewish Temple was now a Muslim Mosque, but for the first time in history, I believe, we now have a situation due to construction safety that Jews and Christians can't go up there at all. Or is it political safety? Radical Jews have been barred for years of going up, but now all Jews are barred and with them, Christians. Not wise at all.

If you think you're going to Jerusalem to climb the Temple Mount in the next little while, forget it.

'Mugrabi Bridge closure is religi... JPost - Diplomacy & Politics

 [Are you looking for a speaker at your church, your club, school, or organization? Ken is available to preach, teach, challenge, and/or motivate. Please contact us.]

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Clinton, in trouble, now says Jerusalem is not in Israel. Give me The Three Stooges anytime.

This is so ridiculous, I can't believe it is happening. Hilary Clinton fighting off a lawsuit where she is charged with not upholding an American law she helped pass, is now arguing that there is no way the Americans should even hint that Jerusalem is in Israel. Really?

I mean when I went to Israel last year, I needed to be accepted by the Israeli government into the country who made sure my papers were in order.

Then I visited Jerusalem, and the Temple Mount, and while I was searched for dangerous items as I am at an airport, I was never questioned about my documents for entering another 'sovereign state' -- I was already in Israel, and Jerusalem has always been and will always be in Israel.

In her utter stupidity, bias, liberalism, despair (yes, things get messy if you don't stick to one position) and love for a one-world government that can only be facilitated by siding with radical Islamists, Hilarious Clinton is single-handedly (well almost, she does have help from the Obama gang at the WH, not to mention Jumbling Juggler Joe Biden, their top clown) is changing the map of the world. If I were Oxford or Rand-McNally, I'd sue.

How anyone in their right mind could vote for this troop of lost political and foreign policy dwarfs for another four-year term, I just do not understand. Give me Curly, Larry, and Moe any day.

Clinton, in a Sharp Turnaround, Warns Against Even Symbolically Recognizing Jerusalem as Capital of Israel - September 27, 2011 - The New York Sun

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Armageddon being delayed again: 3 U.S. Presidents Have Used Waiver Right to Delay move of U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

In 1995 (16 years ago) the U.S. passed the authorization of the move of the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. But it had a clause in it which allowed a President to delay such action every six months in the interests of National Security. Three presidents have used this waiver approximately 32 times in the last sixteen years.

The significance of this delay is huge to Christians.  They see the naming of Jerusalem as the unchallenged capital of Israel as a critical prerequisite to the rebuilding of the Temple on the Temple Mount.  So, in one respect, three presidents have interfered with this goal.   In another, all three may be simply doing their part to prevent the battle of Armageddon.   So, I understand their relunctance to implement this authority the Congress has given them.

But here's the interesting part of the situation.  When God says it's time, there will not be a single president, or all of them combined, that will delay the decision to declare Jerusalem as the official capital of Israel.

In the meantime, read their rationale and the implications, and be glad you have faith in the God of your Bible.

US: bill to move embassy to Jerus... JPost - Diplomacy & Politics

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The Temple Mount: Finally the 'Heradim' Are Visiting, But Why Now?

Here is what Wikipedia says about the Haredim Jews or the Haredi, complete with more links to Wikipedia information:


Haredi or Charedi/Chareidi Judaism is the most conservative form of Orthodox Judaism, often referred to as ultra-Orthodox.  A follower of Haredi Judaism is called a Haredi (Haredim in the plural).
Haredi Jews, like other Orthodox Jews, consider their belief system and religious practices to extend in an unbroken chain back to Moses and the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. As a result, they regard non-Orthodox, and to an extent Modern Orthodox, streams of Judaism to be deviations from authentic Judaism. Haredi Judaism comprises a diversity of spiritual and cultural orientations, generally divided into Hasidic and Lithuanian-Yeshiva streams from Eastern Europe, and Oriental Sephardic Haredim. Its historical rejection of Jewish secularism distinguishes it from Western European-derived Modern Orthodox Judaism.

Well, it appears that for years Haredim were not allowed, by their own authorities to visit the Temple Mount.  More recently their visits were frowned upon by other Israeli factions, fearing they being extra-conservative, might also be extreme in their thinking and possible actions -- which in turn could result in trouble for those trying to keep the 'peace' up on the Temple Mount.

But more recently the Haredi authorities have stopped preaching against such visits, although still not encouraging them.  In addition, the authorities are treating such visitors much better when they do visit.

The link below provides us with some great insight into life in modern Israel today, especially Jerusalem.  For those of you that are Christians, well, you'll have to work this into your own thinking and understanding of history, the present, and the future.

Visits to Temple Mount by h... JPost - Jewish World - Jewish News

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Muslims Stopped From Taking Over King Saul's Palace and the Capital of the Tribe of Benjamin

It's amazing what you can find if you look hard enough. Here's a story of how Muslims were hoping to take over the ownership of a Biblical archeological site. Thankfully they were stopped. At least the Jews are looking after the preservation of Old Testament sites in Israel. But who's doing it elsewhere in the region?

And who's protecting historical Christian sites in North America? Something to think about.

Work halted on King Hussein's old summer v... JPost - Middle East: "King Saul’s ancient palace and the capital of the tribe of Benjamin"

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Obama Raises Stakes on Jerusalem

Here's more proof that this POT-US is no friend of Israel. He now speaks out against Israel's right to build in their own neighborhoods -- on land that has not been, and will not be, in dispute no matter what the peace outcome is. But yet, the B.O. is showing his own favorite color -- bright and 'islamic green'.  Color me angry red and the fate of the world blue.   Take a look at the link for more details.

Obama Has Raised the Stakes on Jerusalem � Commentary Magazine

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Epistoli Updates On Issues We're Following (approx. 6 p.m. EST on 11/4/4)

Jerusalem -- The Washington Post reported today that an Israeli panel expected to approve 942 new apartments in contested east Jerusalem.  While construction won't likely start for years, the move is significant as it comes at a time when there are only a few months left for negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.  And there's a U.N. vote on declaring a Palestinian state looming as well.  Clearly, this move will upset the Palestinians even further.  Palestinians have said they will refuse to negotiate if Israel keeps building in areas Obama, the Palestinians and others to be illegal settlements by the Israelis -- namely the West Bank and east Jerusalem.  Get the details here.

Goldstone Report -- Israel seems to be resigned to the fact that the U.N. will not rescind the Goldstone Report which blamed Israel for certain actions during the 2008-09 war in Gaza, according to Haaretz.  This after the author of the report wrote a opinion-editorial saying he regrets blaming Israel for some things.   Get the details here. 

Cold or Allergy?  Here's a great article that will help you decide whether you or your child has an allergy or just a cold this spring and summer.  It also gives you some good leads in what you can do about it.   Get the details here as provided by Newswise.


Iran's New Film: "The Coming Is Near" --  has been recently released, is being shared with all Iran's military personnel, being translated for use throughout the Middle East, AND says that Jesus will return soon as a Deputy to the Twelfth Iman.  Joel Rosenberg lists the implications and what Christians need to do about it.  Get the details here.

Unilateral Palestinian State  -- the Jerusalem Post says the U.S. is firmly committed to a negotiation deal, not a declaration of Statehood by the U.N. and they would never let such a resolution pass.  Get the details here.

B.O.'s Approval Rating -- in the red again.  Take a look, he's at -0.8 (more disapprove than approve).  Get all the details here.

Remember "Travels With Charley" by John Steinbeck? -- I sure do,   I had to read it for something along with millions of others.  Well, somebody has gone to the trouble of checking good old John and Charley out using newspaper accounts, distances, dates, etc. and guess what -- it appears that none of it was true.  Lots of fabrication taking place even 50 years ago in the business.   Think of the kind of money Steinbeck would have made on talk shows.   Get all the details here.

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'If Blacks Can Live Anywhere in the U.S., Jews Can Live Anywhere In Jerusalem' Jew Tells Obama

An incredible two minute video clip on the fact that only outsiders believe there is an "East Jerusalem" and that no U.S. president will tell Jews where they can and can't live. Fascinating part of an interview.

'How can a US President tell a Jew where to live?'

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The Palestine Papers, the Old City of Jerusalem, and The Temple Mount

Yesterday, in the Toronto Star, I was able to find some references to the Old City of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, and what the Palestine Papers, recently released by Al-Jazeera television station documenting ten years of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, had to say about them.  These are the sites that are of most interest to Christians and our belief of what lies ahead in the future, and possibly, the 'end times' as some of us understand them.   Here's what I found.

On the Old City: The Palestinian negotiators reportedly relinquished any Palestinian claim to the Old City's Jewish and Armenian quarters.  Up to that point, Palestinians had wanted the Old City reverted to Palestinian sovereignty since Israel only captured it in 1967, 44 years ago.

On the most sacred part of the Old City, the Temple Mount (as the Jews know it):  This part is known as Haram al-Sharif to the Arabs.  According to the Toronto Star writing about the Palestine Papers, "Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat even went so far as to offer a creative solution to its status.  He proposed that a joint body made up of the Palestinians, Israel, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan would administer the site until Israel and the Palestinians could work out a permanent arrangement."  These offers were made in 2008-09 while Ehud Olmert was Israel's PM.  And Erekat is recorded as having told the Israelis: "This is the first time in Palestinian-Israeli history in which such a suggestion is officially made."  Now, of course, Erekat denies making that statement and arguing that the proposal actually came from Israel, not the Palestinians.

What exactly are the Palestine Papers?  Wikipedia says this:  "Thousands of pages of diplomatic correspondence detailing the inner workings of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, documents—memos, e-mails, maps, minutes from private meetings, accounts of high level exchanges, strategy papers and even power point presentations—date from 1999 to 2010."  So you can judge who has it right and who has it wrong.  More of them are still awaiting release.


But here's the interesting part.  There is no way that the proposal regarding the Temple Mount works for the Israelis.  First of all, they want it.  Many are ready to rebuilt a temple on the site to replace the last one that was there before.  Secondly, the idea of having so many Arab countries be involved in administering the property is unacceptable.  Thirdly, since this would be a temporary arrangement, the chances of ever getting a permanent one would be as slim as getting a temporary one, if not less.

What should be noted, however, is what the parties were discussing as a possible solution, and knowing where at least one of them stood (since the content of the proposal was not in dispute, only the source).   Again, all of which leads me to believe, there will not be peace in Israel or the Middle East any time soon.

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