Plus, de Blasio's latest blunder and Happy Independence Day. Wednesday, April 29, 2020 To: Friends & Supporters From: Gary Bauer Confronting China & Iran Yesterday's release of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom's annual report is generating a lot of news. I am pleased to see that the report is drawing significant attention to the rampant human rights abuses of communist China and to the virulent anti-Semitism of the Iranian regime. I was interviewed yesterday by several news outlets, and quoted extensively in this Daily Caller report. I want to reiterate that while international trade is a good thing for American industries and agriculture, trade with China is not automatically a good thing. In fact, quite often it is a very bad thing that comes with a very steep price. Far too many of our corporate, cultural and political elites have forgotten that we're dealing with "communist China." And that fact makes a huge difference. Communist China is a growing threat to our national security, both in terms of espionage and military power. And it should surprise no one that a regime that persecutes Christians and puts millions of Muslims in concentration camps would lie about a deadly virus outbreak. Why would anyone think we should do business with such a regime? The same goes for Iran. The Islamic Republic of Iran persecutes religious minorities, suppresses political dissent, is the leading state-sponsor of terrorism and routinely denies the first Holocaust while repeatedly promising a second Holocaust through the "annihilation" of the Jewish state of Israel. Why would anyone reward such a regime with billions of dollars and trust it to keep its word regarding nuclear weapons? Speaking Of Anti-Semitism. . . What is wrong with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio? Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, the city was making headlines for a wave of anti-Semitic attacks. Well, yesterday the mayor threatened the grieving Jewish community of Williamsburg. De Blasio tweeted that he was sending police officers to break up the funeral of Rabbi Chaim Mertz, and "even arrest those who gather in large groups." The mayor blasted the funeral as "absolutely unacceptable," and even personally showed up to disperse the crowd. This is exactly the kind of extremism that Attorney General Barr warned about. And I have to wonder whether the mayor has ordered the NYPD to enforce social distancing at mosques during Ramadan. Non-Essential & Still Getting Paid House liberals made a stunning but revealing reversal yesterday. They announced that they would not return to Washington, D.C., next week. The Senate is coming back to do the people's business, including confirming more conservative judicial nominees. I guess Speaker Pelosi is enjoying her premium ice cream too much. But it is also revealing for another reason. Just look at the divide across the country today: Conservative governors are moving to reopen their states and get people back to work, while liberal governors are looking to keep things locked down for as long as possible, prolonging the economic pain and misery. Here's a thought: If House progressives are so non-essential that they don't need to return to Washington, why are they still being paid when 26 million Americans are out of work? America Isn't Broken There was an incredible event at the White House yesterday celebrating America's small businesses. These businesses are the backbone of our economy, and they have borne the brunt of the hardships imposed by the pandemic restrictions. But as more and more states begin to reopen, these businesses will also lead our economic revival. One of the businesses highlighted at the White House event was Bitty & Beau's Coffee Shops, founded by Amy Wright. Thanks to the Paycheck Protection Program, Wright was able to continue paying her 120 employees, all of whom have some intellectual and developmental disability. Wright was joined at the White House by one of her employees, Michael Huep, who said this: "I love my job, and I'm excited about going back to work. At Bitty & Beau's, we like to use a phrase called 'Not Broken.' That means me and all my amazing coworkers are not broken, and we have lots to offer. I know the great country of the United States isn't broken either." Something else struck me about Michael's remarks. They were a moving reminder that every human being has dignity and worth. And that the compassion and love we show to people with disabilities is a reflection of the compassion and love that our Creator shows for us despite our flaws. Sadly, many on the left don't see it that way. The entire abortion culture is based on the notion that some people are broken, too much of a burden and therefore expendable. It's people with disabilities like those working at Bitty & Beau's who are most often the victims of "choice" and the abortionist's knife. But as Michael Heup says, people with disabilities aren't broken — and America isn't broken either. America rejected the scourge of slavery, and America is better than abortion-on-demand. I promise to keep working for the day when all our children are welcomed into the world and protected under the law. Happy Independence Day Beginning last night and into today, Israelis are celebrating their 72nd Independence Day. And millions of Americans are celebrating with them. In recognizing the modern state of Israel in 1948, President Harry Truman said, "I had faith in Israel before it was established, I have faith in it now." Israel was promptly attacked by virtually all of its Arab neighbors. Yet Israel prevailed, only to be attacked again and again and again. To this day, many Muslim states refuse to officially recognize Israel. Iran's leaders repeatedly vow to destroy the Jewish state. But in the midst of this hatred, Israel has thrived. It has done so because of God's blessing, because of the determination of the Jewish people and with the strong support of the United States of America. MAKE YOUR TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION NOW As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, donations to American Values are tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. Contributions may be mailed to the following address: American Values PO Box 1223 Merrifield, VA 22116-1223 Phone: 703-671-9700 SIGN UP FOR GARY BAUER'S "END OF DAY REPORT"  VISIT END OF DAY ARCHIVES EMAIL GARY BAUER FOLLOW GARY ON ALL SOCIAL American Values | ouramericanvalues.org ‌ ‌ American Values | PO Box 1223, Merrifield, VA 22116-1223 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | About Constant Contact Sent by [email protected]