The Covington Catholic Smear Campaign

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

I told myself to stay away from this story with a ten foot pole. 

My father advised me against it. My peers strongly discouraged breaching the topic. 

But here I am, nose to nose with the story that has rocked the nation in an uproar this past week: 

The Covington Catholic Incident. 

Or as I like to call it: The Media’s Dumpster Fire Smear Campaign 

CNN

Here’s the thing about this whole fiasco. 

IF – and that’s a big IF – IF what the media had reported were true: that those teenage boys were mocking that Native American and shouting at him: “Build the Wall” and other inappropriate, bigoted remarks…then absolutely all of the outrage and condemnation would be merited. 

I may be a card carrying republican — but I’m not a monster. 

Acts of hatred and intolerance are deplorable and our job as Christians is to stand up against injustices and act/speak Truth against such small-mindedness. 

However —- that is not the case here. 

This was a despicable smear campaign.

There, I said it. 

This was the liberal media machine, setting out to publicly crucify this group of children because they represented the extreme left’s ultimate enemy: White, Male, Pro-Life, Catholic, Midwestern Trump Supporters. 

It’s as though someone served them a platter of absolutely everything they’ve been seeking to destroy, so they used the power of the pen to draw and quarter these teenage boys, by drafting a narrative that is completely false. 

The gross narrative, painted by our lovely media, is not only inaccurate and fabricated, but told in a way to incite outrage. To breed hatred. They struck a match in the tinderbox of our divided American country, and set fire it did.

The 15-20 second video that went viral, yeah, it was pretty damning, when taken out of context. 

A weathered, grandfatherly Native American, playing his drum, in front of laughing teenage white boys in MAGA hats — it was like one of those “Caption This” cartoons in the New Yorker, and the extreme left absolutely had a field day, painting the most horrific narrative they could muster. 

Truth: when I first saw the articles that were circulating about the incident, I fell into the camp out outrage. I was angry. What disgusting behavior by my fellow catholic brothers. 

I felt ashamed. Because here’s the thing — this hit a little close to home for me. Literally. 

Covington Catholic…that diocese in Northern Kentucky is right across the river from my hometown in Ohio. Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are, practically speaking, one and the same. I mean, the Cincinnati airport is IN Northern Kentucky. We have friends in that diocese. 

And, let’s state the obvious here: Catholics do not need another reason for people to hate us right now. We have enough of a PR nightmare as it is, with Cardinal McCarrick and the priest sex abuse scandal, and many of the Pope’s comments. We don’t need another reason to be ridiculed.

But in those initial 24 hours after the story broke, Facebook erupted. And along with all the judgmental battlecries from the masses, I stumbled upon a few posts from friends of the boys’ parents, or diocese school board members, all shedding light on the inaccuracy of the depiction of events in the media. 

So I set aside my own judgmental thoughts for a few minutes, and began to dig into the videos and information to seek the truth. 

Turns out, these “bigoted, hateful teens” were actually in DC for the Right to Life Pro-Life march — peacefully marching to protect the lives of the unborn. Man, what a bunch of jerks, huh?

And they were just waiting on the steps for their bus, when members of the Black Hebrew Israelites – an extreme religious sect – tried to start a confrontation with the boys, calling them “crackers” and horrible homophobic slurs. They said the boys were born out of incest. And even told one black Covington Catholic student to “watch out” because his classmates were going to “harvest his organs.”

Grown men, shouting those things to children. Not even old enough to vote. Or drink. Or some of them, even drive a car. Children. 

It was at this moment, that Mr. Phillips – who yes, is a Native American activist, but who also has a history of run-ins with students – took advantage of this escalating scene, to walk into the center of the commotion, identify one student – Nick Sandmann, play his drum constantly in his face – with a video camera in tow – with the intent to start some sort of confrontation.

Reasons.com

And I get it – easy target. The boys were wearing MAGA hats. They were seemingly privileged Catholic high schoolers. And at a pro-life rally. Of course they wanted to pick a fight with them. It would have been footage gold. 

But the boys just stood there, and tried to keep the peace – by simply smiling.

I mean, what would you have done? 

Watch the videos. The entire video. Not just the 15 second sound bite that MSNBC wants you to see. 

We’ve become a culture that is so quick to condemn. So trigger happy on social media to cast judgment and join the mob of public opinion, even when it is based on lies. 

These boys and their families are receiving death threats. Covington Catholic cancelled school this week, for fear of the safety of the children, after all the death threats that they, the faculty, the principal, the principal’s family received. 

I have just one word for all of this: disgusting. 

The liberal media should be absolutely ashamed of themselves for knowingly painting a narrative that falsely vilified children. Yes, they were catholic. Yes, they were pro-life. Yes, they were Trump supporters. And white teenage midwestern boys. But that does not deem them “worthy” of a targeted, smear campaign, with the intent to destroy.

I demand to see apologies for spreading lies. From the media. From celebrities. From those bullies like Kathy Griffin, who not only passed judgement, but encouraged her followers to harm those boys. Just despicable.

This is not news. It is libel. And it’s tearing our country apart. 

We need to demand an ethical media that reports on truth. And for the love, stop with the hate-driven agenda. 

A country that breeds hate will succumb to it. 

Love your neighbor. End of story.


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290 thoughts on “The Covington Catholic Smear Campaign”

  1. I’m so glad you decided to post this. I applaud your bravery. I am so sick of the liberal media I can barely stand it. I don’t believe anything they say and I’m amazed at those who believe everything they say. They are willfully blind. This is a sign of the times in that people will only hear what they want to hear. They have no regard for truth and no interest in knowing the truth. Those who do will appreciate your post. Those who don’t wouldn’t listen to Jesus if he stood face-to-face with them. Bless you Caralyn.

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    1. Thank you Dee. I so appreciate your support. I know I’m right there with ya. I can’t even turn on the tv any more it makes me so angry. Where’s the truth anymore?! Hugs and love xox

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  2. Yeah. Wow. I’ve been following the story too, and it’s disturbing that our media is so zealous to destroy people in ways that don’t even make sense.

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    1. Thank you Meg. It is just disgraceful the way it’s been handled. Zealous. That’s the exact right word! Hugs and love xox

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  4. 100% agree with you on this – it’s disgraceful. some of those hateful comments were clearing inciting violence and imho are worthy of law enforcement investigation. News outlets like CNN..I have no words.. And the very worst aspect of it is the immediate deflection and justification of those that made the most nasty comments seems to be almost a robot like response of ‘well we only hate like this cos Orange Man bad so it’s your own fault’ That’s messed up and shows how the modern left really isn’t interested in truth – so blinded by their own hatred, they have lost sight of their humanity. That’s a very real problem.

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    1. Thank you Charlie. Disgraceful is absolutely the word. Blinded by hatred. Amen. It needs to stop. Hugs and love xox

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  5. The hard left hate machine runs 24/7 from sources such as CNN and others. They detest President Trump because he’s not a Socialist. He still believes in America as a great nation. The devil never stops.

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    1. You’re so right about that John. It’s really disgusting. Thanks for stopping by. Ugh – it’s his playground right now. Hugs and love xox

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  6. What a bizarre week it has been. The Covington story, then the vote Tuesday night in New York to remove any and all restrictions to abortion. Satan is laughing, and for the first time I find myself a bit worried about the kind of world my granddaughters will face as they grow up.
    We are voices crying out in the wilderness, and we must continue to cry out. I hope someone is listening. Come, Lord Jesus. Hugs and love—- Mike

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    1. Thank you Mike for sharing your thoughts on this. Ugh yeah I wanted to write about the NY vote tonight too. Something is churning in the water right now and it’s not good. We need Jesus! Hugs and love xox

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  7. Actually, I am pretty liberal, but like a conservative, I can be sensible. You note something in your article that I agree with wholeheartedly: these boys were minors. In any other situation, those that confronted them would be in trouble with the law. Adults surrounded kids? Adults harassed kids. They are teens. Maybe they did say something. Videos do not catch everything, but they are teens. What is an adults excuse to act in such a way.

    As a boy, I faced abuse, but that was discarded because I was a male. If these boys were girls the sky would have fallen.

    I don’t listen to Fox News or CNN. I do not listen to liberal or conservative media because one cannot find the truth in either. Facts do not play favorites. The right thing does not have a political party.

    I follow you not because I agree with everything you write. I follow you because you seem like a good person, and I wanted to confront my own bias against religious people. I had a horrible experience with my former faith. Liberal and conservative need to get along. We have to find common ground and respect one another’s differences. I am happy you had the courage to write this.

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I’m so sorry to hear that you faced abuse. That breaks my heart. You did not deserve that. You bring up some really powerful points. Amen – they need to get along. And the media is certainly doing no favors to help facilitate that. Hugs and love xox

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      1. Hello BeutyBeyondBones and DropOut Professor , I nominated you both for The Sunshine Blogger Award- I hope you dont mind -if You go to my last post you will see your name and link to your site – Happy Sunday and Have a Great Week

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    2. Thank You dropoutprofessor-

      “I don’t listen to Fox News or CNN. I do not listen to liberal or conservative media because one cannot find the truth in either. Facts do not play favorites. The right thing does not have a political party.” dropoutprofessor

      and I will add ‘this quote from the post

      “We need to demand an ethical media that reports on truth. And for the love, stop with the hate-driven agenda.” -beautybeyondbones

      I know in order to heal we have to hear others and understand their side as well, for me this how we find the common ground to build upon. There is too much hate in this world period from all sides towards all genders and this is what we have to fairly address.

      And I send Love and Healing towards your abuse, no one deserves to be mistreated

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  8. I vetted on another post on this topic. . .it drains me. Where has unbiased, informative, just-the-facts-jack reporting gone? The American left is emitting way too much evil against the innocent. Blessings to Covington and to you as well.

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  9. But you speak a language the news organizations do not understand: truth. Keep the faith sister. And for your own sanity when confronted with evil like this remember, in the end God wins!!!

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  10. Wonderfully said, I’m personally so ashamed of the “yellow journalism” spewed out everyday as “news.” Where is their shame? What has happened to true, investigative reporting? I’m afraid too many have succumbed to “wanna be celebrities” rather than serious news professionals.

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  11. I agree with you totally, good for you for being willing to stand up and tell it like it is! All too many don’t want to get involved in things like that. It is so true that the liberal media just can’t wait to start an uproar about something that they are willing to push lies and try to convince people they are telling the truth! And it’s not just in your country, it happens here too. Keep up the good work, be willing to always stand for truth no matter what!
    Steve.

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    1. Thanks so much Steve, yes we have to stand for the truth! so glad this resonated with you. thanks for your support. hugs xox

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  12. I have followed you for awhile, and never thought it necessary to comment, but this post has me angry. I do not know the facts of this situation, and I am ok with that. The facts of the situation are not why I am commenting. I do know bias when I see it and read it, and it is all over your post. Regardless of the facts of this situation, or who is right and who is wrong, most of what I read in this post is anti liberal media. And I do not disagree with you that there is biased liberal media, but there is also biased conservative media, and I am bothered by both. But I am more bothered at the moment by you being so one-sided. I do not follow people who I find so very biased that hatred continues. Regardless of our beliefs about politics and social issues, we can be respectful in stating our opinions. I do not read that here.

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    1. Hi Patti, thank you for sharing your thoughts and joining the conversation. I invite you to watch the videos and decide for yourself. The news biases, you’re correct — they’re on both sides. I’m definitely open to a dialogue. Respect and listening are the keys to coming to an understanding and positive cooperation. Glad you stopped by. big hugs xo

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    2. Patti, if you do not know the facts as you state, then you can not call this post bais. One needs the facts of a story to declare if the story is tipped to one side or the other.

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  13. I watched the interviews and wholeheartedly agree with you. And I am not Catholic. I am certainly not privileged. And I don’t always agree. I have worked to bring awareness to our native tribes’ issues. But dang this is a ridiculous mess. That man straight up lied on national TV this morning. I saw it with my own two eyes. This country makes me embarrassed to be a human sometimes. I thought the student exhibited great restraint. All of them, in the video I saw. I would have felt extremely high levels of anxiety and been completely violated had someone been in my face like that for any reason, much less pounding a drum inches from my body. Would ANY of us let our child go through that experience??? I certainly wouldn’t, and I don’t care who you are or what you represent. Deplorable and irresponsible behavior of an adult is what I see.

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    1. Thank you Amily, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. It’s so true – deplorable to say the least. hugs xox

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  14. We must speak the truth. We must be soldiers – and never be afraid – and never question this. Christ asks us to carry His cross and be martyrs for His Truth and Light – whether in body or in reputation. We’re in a war now, and we have to choose sides for good. “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” – Matthew 12:30
    Good job.

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    1. Thank you friend. I love that verse – it’s so true. And how difficult it is to live that out these days. Thank you for stopping by. hugs xo

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  15. All we can do is hope that these young men learned a valuable lesson that the haters are going to hate and be one up on them. I think for a child ​h​e did​ w​e​l​​l with a man in his face. Then you have Savannah Guthrie a Mom herself giving this young man the evil eye with smoke coming out of her ears. I just keep listening to Elvis radio on Sirius XM, too much stress

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    1. Thank you Alice, hah – Elvis radio. i may have to start listening. tune out the craziness with a little Heartbreak Hotel 🙂 hehe hhugs xo

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  16. We should be able to call a spade a spade. I do agree with many of the things that you raise in this article but also is troubled by the recruitment of minors for political rallies. I know you may say that Pro Life rally is not political but that’s a point of debate. A MAGA hat is a political symbol, whether you like it or not.
    For whatever it is worth, CNN seems to retract its first reporting. We live in a sad world where every issue is being looked through the glasses of right or left politics, pro life or pro choice. We are dehumanizing ourselves.

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this. Yeah, I definitely agree about the hats – they are a symbol for sure. As far as the rally goes, I think children are the most pure response to what abortion actually is. And I’ve found that children aren’t being forced to attend, but usually are the ones who want to go and stand up for the unborn babies. I know that’s a point of debate for sure, and I respect everyone’s viewpoint on that. Amen – dehumanizing ourselves. Thanks for stopping by. hugs xox

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      1. Yes, that’s certainly a point of debate. For me personally, I will live that to the mother, her doctor and her faith. We have seen what horrific results abstinence has produced. Without proper birth control education, world can not bear the results of population explosion. I know many religion espouse “go forth and multiply” without thinking the results of that multiplication ( is it because exploding population has a direct impact on their coffers – just a thought).

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  17. I find it interesting that whenever it is white people, it’s a disgrace that they are so “smeared”… I wonder what the outcome would have been if it would have been an African American Teenager staring an older white man in the face like that… I assume they would have hauled him away with attempted murder charges…. I don’t need context for this scene, for a young man to grin an elder in the face like that is utter disrespect, no matter their skin color or affiliation. Manners and morals should not be partisan… Jesus was respectful towards everybody but maybe even more so towards the “undeserving” of his respect… Thank God, HE is the One on the highest throne.. 🙂

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    1. Thank you so much Michelle, that’s an interesting thought. It makes me sad to think about. HE is the One, amen! hugs xox

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  19. By the way, I liked your father’s advice. The two main players seem to have found a common ground and moved with their lives. Reminds me of a story of Leo Tolstoy that I read in my childhood where the playground fight between two little kids erupted into a full blown fight and shouting match between the families who were ultimately shamed to see that the youngstars, unknown to their parents, were busy having fun playing together.

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    1. thank you 🙂 haha yeah – my father is always right on the money about everything. He’s my hero 🙂 Parents are such blessings. hugs xox

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  20. This story will fade away as soon as it can be replaced by a story of a mass shooting by a white man, proving the latest social disease of “toxic masculinity”. Don’t expect the media to be introspective, apologetic or contrite.

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      1. Makes me sad too. If their advertising revenues hit rock bottom and shareholders demand a better return on investment, then maybe, somebody will figure out that it is folly to attempt selling a product no one will buy.

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      3. Yes. Absolutely. This is what we expect. You work in media. Public relations run a lot of political, business, and news decisions. Public relations and propaganda are synonymous. Unprincipled propagandists think they can sell a falsehood as the truth if they repeat it enough. The Big Lie. We think that notion died with the collapse of the Berlin Wall. Wrong. It has to be re-learned by every generation. I am afraid the Millennials are behind in the learning curve. (Sorry to take up too many replies on your blog.)

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  21. This one is especially difficult for me (and people like me). I’m disappointed that this event occurred (even if the public doesn’t know the entire story). It’s sad that the media may have slanted the reality, but it’s also sad that the alternative narrative doesn’t make ANY of this better. It’s sad that regardless of who provoked whom, both sides claim to be victims. It frightens me to see an organization that has historically been battered in the spot light AGAIN. It’s also painful to see a group of children wield their victimization so poorly. As this nation becomes more an more divided, it will be increasingly difficult to garner empathy from a nation that historically does NOT empathize.

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    1. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. Yeah it’s an ugly situation all the way around. I really appreciate you joining the conversation. Hugs and love xox

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  22. Here’s the thing Carolyn. When it comes to the media I think I have more representation in Merritt in dealing with the situation like this because I was a journalist for 12 years. I bet you didn’t know that. Like so many in the beginning we kind of all fell in the vacuum venom towards teenage boys. In the beginning stages of the first video the media painted this encounter as an old west-style shootout or who would blink first. Admittedly most of the world got it wrong. Even I did. However through further examination and we’re laying on my senses as a journalist the professor once said Anthony the most important thing you can do is look at both sides of the story. So yes the boys can sue each and every celebrity that ripped on social media. Start with Kathy Griffin please.

    And that’s the way I see it. Ciao for now.

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    1. Thank you for sharing this interesting perspective. Look at both sides of the story – that would be a great place to start for sure! Hugs and love xox

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  24. I don’t hate the media at all. My understanding is this story was on SOCIAL media first and went viral, and was picked up by the major news sources. Once the whole story became clear the news sources starting playing clips from the young men and fully discussed the issues, providing the other side of it. I saw several stories on this topic. Then there were stories, on how did this get started? Who started this? Why do we get so hysterical? The original person – her name is actually out there now. Please be careful when you direct your anger. Fox News is not the only valid news source.

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    1. Yeah the social media of it all is what really ignited the fire. Which is so problematic in and of itself. Thanks for the powerful perspective. Very true. There’s bias on both sides of the line. I watched the videos and that was the conclusion I drew, regardless of Fox. So glad you stopped by. Hugs and love xox

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  25. I absolutely understand your need to comment through your blog. Today I am having such a difficult time staying clear of political issues on Twitter. I do know that because someone politician’s statements make me want to cry because they are actually running America, does not mean I ought to bash this person on line. But I want to. I’m glad you chose to share your thoughts on this incident. I believe the adults could have diffused this situation. And those Black Hebrew Isrealites have a years long history of bad-mouthing Whites, for what purpose I do not know. They go to the Beach, or stand at Metro Bus Stops and shout out their beliefs. They just show up everywhere supposedly to “teach” the truth. And yes they will say anything. It is sad. I’m glad I follow you.

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    1. Thank you so much friend for sharing this powerful perspective. Yeah – I wish we could have more peace and tolerance. It really is sad. So glad you stopped by. Big hugs xox

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  26. The media, at one time, was an important part of the political system in this country, informing the populace so the ones who vote had something to go on. Now, however, their agenda takes precedence over the truth and they are bent on misinforming the populace. I am only dismayed that more don’t just turn them off. That’s what I do. You are shouldering the role the media should have, telling the truth – whatever the personal risk. Thanks!

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  29. This is one reason why I slowed down watching mainstream news .If I do the big ones I keep in mind they all have agendas . I hadn’t watched the video. You’ve encouragde me to look objectively

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    1. Thank you so much for taking the time to read. Yeah that’s so true. Agendas across the board! Hugs and love xox

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  30. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. You are 100% correct. It is so frustrating watching our ever growing, incompetent “so called” news media. I watch many mainstream sources and I find it so difficult to watch. They leave me either rolling my eyes, or shaking my head. I read a previous comment and must respectfully disagree. I find FOX News is the most valid news source we have right now. God bless you.

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  33. Jesus said,” let the little ones come to me”
    It is really sad that things are sometimes unnecessarily drawn out of proportions.
    Must it always be skin color, racial line,political parties and what have you. Kids will be kids,they have inquisitive minds they want to explore,to know,they want to see and there is nothing wrong with ‘ that.
    Instead of looking at the incident negatively why don’t we look at it positively.
    Let us make the world a better place because we are all in this together. Here is a test for you.If you see a stranger smile and he or she will smile back at you.Our culture might be different but our needs are the same.It is good to love and receive love.
    As a middle class citizen I cannot drink tea with Bush,Obama, or Trump.But inspite of their political differences they can drink tea or attend wedding or funeral together.In which the masses cannot.So what is our problem?.Why are we hating ourselves unnecessarily.
    As for the News Media,they are good and they also have bad aspect of the reporting.

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this. Lots of powerful points to mull over. Amen – let’s make the world a better place. hugs xo

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  34. We have to know when to speak up and when to stay silent. With all things going on, this wasn’t something big enough for me to comment about. For you, it was different and I applaud you for sharing how you feel.

    All battles aren’t worth fighting, especially if nothing is gained! I saw that quote a few days ago. It reminded me alot that’s going on in this country right now!

    This issue wasn’t a left or right issue, it was a people issue! A sign of hope divided our county is and it’s sad.

    At the end of the day, what was gained from this? The government is still shutdown, employees still aren’t paid, and we haven’t moved any closer to getting along.

    This is exhausting. I wish everyone could just try to work together and get along.

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    1. Thank you so much Lane. It really is sad. Our country needs to figure out a way to come together, set aside differences, offer respect and get along indeed! Hugs and love xox

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  35. Caralyn,

    I applaud your bravery to step into this pit of hatred. I understand why your father advised you to stay away from it. And I’m sure you do too. You and many of us have ‘platforms’ that we try to protect. Plus the vile responses and push back isn’t worth the trouble. You have an excellent online image and you rightly want to protect that, but, you are also right that this has been and continues to be disgusting. I feel terrible for the boys, their families, and the school.

    The media is now doubling down on the attacks as of today.

    It’s probably going to continue but its an ugly sign of the condition of the hearts of so many people now.

    Social media gives everyone a voice but little connection to the real people in the stories. God, and His Son Jesus have been kicked to the curb and the result is the ugliness we are seeing.

    Thanks for using your brave voice.

    Doug

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    1. Thank you so much Clay. Yeah it is so disappointing. And even more so to see how the progression of the story is continuing. Makes me so sad. Thanks again Doug for this powerful food for thought. Hugs and love xox

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  36. Shows your courage and character to write about this media-driven hype designed to keep a narrative alive. Agree with your description of “the extreme left’s enemy”, although I would substitute Christian with catholic & blue-collar with Midwestern. But I get what you are saying…because it’s true.

    As I’ve said in much commentary about this pop culture pictorial sensation, this could serve as a teachable moment about how pre-conceived notions about Trump supporters are not accurate, as well as instructing the masses on how clever the media is at framing a story to control the narrative they want us to believe. Unfortunately, it won’t. Mostly because our nation is partisan on the whole. And most are much too proud to admit that they might have been wrong about how they depict Trump supporters and people on the right.

    But this is the problem with partisanship:
    they each want the other side to fail so badly that the truth doesn’t really matter much. Just so long as the other guy loses.

    In the meantime, keep doing what you’re doing. You are making a difference with your independent voice and caring approach.

    Chris Gaines

    Patriot Gaines
    patriotgaines.com

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    1. Thank you Chris. Yeah i think those substitutions definitely ring true as well, sadly. I appreciate your support. Hugs and love xox

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  37. We can now expect the type of reaction from the msm.
    However, what was Most disappointing was the reaction of the Diocese, Covington Catholic and, yes, the organizers of the Right to Life March. Each of these Catholic organizations condemned their own before knowing or even attempting to learn the true facts. What a lesson for these kids and their families.

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  39. “In Franciscan theology, truth is always for the sake of love—not an absolute end in itself. In other words, any good idea that does not engage the body, the heart, the physical world, and the people around us will tend to be more theological problem solving than any real healing of people and institutions.” Richard Rohr identifies times that the Christian message has been taken over by power and ideology, too often keeping our understanding of Jesus’ teaching in a very small box. It can be hard for us to respond to an abstract or overly-exalted image of Christ; instead, “humanity needs a Jesus we can imitate in practical ways and who sets the bar for what it means to be fully human.”

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  41. I totally agree that the media and facebook and liberals are out of control and I’m glad you wrote this, but I can’t wait to see what you have to say about the New York abortion/live baby murder law that just passed. I’ve been discussing it on my facebook page, but I haven’t posted about it. It is time to speak out !

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  43. That’s the whole point. We always need to outraged because this gives the media something to report. Whether it is only 10 or 1000 people the media will say everyone. Kinda like in real life.if one person ask you something it catches your attention, but if three people ask you the same thing it suddenly becomes everyone.

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  44. Honestly I feel when it comes to anything in the media, regardless of source, the information needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Unfortunately, often times that does not happen. As a self defined liberal I would have been a lot more open to reading the content of your post and the message you were trying to convey had there not been so many references to “the liberal media” as a monstrous lie machine. Words are powerful. Labels such as that only serve to distance us further apart. So while I hear your message I am reading that it comes from your reference point (a Christian Conservative) rather than an objective opinion. If you are in fact living what you wrote (Love your neighbor and Live in love) than perhaps you should more thoughtfully consider your word choice. As far as this particular story is concerned- I would bet the real truth lies somewhere in the middle and only the parties present will ever know it. There is some real insight on stereotyping in Brene Brown’s book “Braving the Wilderness”. You may want to check it out.

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    1. That’s such a great and important point. A grain of salt for sure – there are biases on both sides of the line. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. will def check out Braving the Wilderness. hugs xo

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  45. Wowza! Preach it, sister!
    I absolutely agree, and I admit my immediate reaction was much the same: “How sad.” “What stupid, silly kids.” etc. Seriously, I should know by now not to rush to judgment based on the first news reports – they are all just first impressions these days, at best, and it never helps to form an opinion based on first impressions!
    There was, in reality, so much nuance to the incident, as it actually happened. And I’m praying hard that the reactions to it will calm down and even lead to reconciliation.
    And, yep: A lot of people need to apologize!

    Thanks for your perspective! If I didn’t make it a rule to never (ever!) talk politics on social media…

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    1. Thank you so much! I so appreciate your thoughts on this. I will join you in that prayer. Reconciliation – wouldn’t that be amazing. Hugs and love xox

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  47. As someone who attended this year’s March for Life (I think next year’s will be my 10th), I’ve seen the absolute bullying nastiness of the liberal counter-protesters repeatedly.
    They usually surround and harass the youth groups at the March. What they did with the kids from Covington is nothing new.
    If any of us said hateful things about certain groups, as was said against these youths, it would be a hate crime. I think the Black Israelites and some of these celebrities should be brought up on hate-crime charges.
    Some of the media outlets should be charged with libel. I forget which network first broke this story, but at first they said it occurred at an immigrant’s rights rally–talk about incompetence in journalism.
    If these boys had even done what they were accused of, then maybe they would deserve some kind of normal school discipline (in-school suspension; kicked off of extracurricular activities or teams), not have their lives destroyed.
    I may be ranting a bit, but it grieves me to see how far our society has fallen. God, have mercy upon us.

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    1. Thank you so much Michael for sharing your thoughts on this. And wow 10 marches, that’s awesome!! Ugh that bullying makes me sick. Grieves me too. Hugs and love xox

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  48. I’m a liberal and don’t like the stereotyping about us being out of control. I think we need to come together and stop bashing each other and blaming each other, but “tribe” takes priority as we continue to fear loss of something…. our economic security…. We are in huge competition with each other because the wealth has gone to the 1%, who benefit from dividing us. Creating fear and mistrust is one way to control others. We need to turn to love and stop bullying groups who are not of our tribe. This goes for all of us, not just the evil liberals, not just the evil right, not just the evil media, etc. The thing is, everyone has faults and makes mistakes. Everyday, mistakes are revealed, and we just need to talk it out instead of freaking out and singling out one group or another, like targeting gays or the under served. We always seem to want to deflect our own responsibility onto someone else. We all have made this world the way it is right now, and we are all to blame. And the only answer is to do what Christ did, love everyone. That’s why we are on this earth, to cocreate this universe with love.

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    1. Thank you so much for joining the conversation and sharing your thoughts on this. I agree: we need to turn to love and come together in respect and understanding. Thank you for putting that so beautifully and eloquently. Hugs and love xox

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  49. You know that you were top of mind with me when I wrote my entry on this very charged matter. Or, if you don’t know that, then I want you to know!
    I’m a lefty.
    That doesn’t take a black paint brush to my rose colored glasses, though. I was raised Catholic and went to parochial school.
    I don’t blame these kids.
    I don’t blame the Native Americans.
    I don’t even blame the media.
    Kinda blame the adult blacks, even though they were out way numbered.
    I blame the parents.
    I blame the school – particularly their chaperones.
    If the chaperones were wrangling kids instead of – maybe? – buses, that Native American guy and his few associates wouldn’t have gotten anywhere near these kids.
    If the parents – and again, the chaperones – were protecting these kids, those MAGA hats wouldn’t have been in their suitcases or on their heads.
    Talk about putting a literal target on your child.
    “Hey, kids, we’re here representing our school, as such we can’t display our individual politics, even if we are all in agreement.”
    Period.
    No hats, no story. I promise.
    The adults failed these kids. Sure, kids are jerks sometimes, but that’s when we – as adults – need to remind them most of who’s “in charge” and teach them about the high road.
    I feel bad for the kids.
    But only just a little.
    I feel less bad for them than the kids from Stoneman High in Florida who were shot at and called “crisis actors” by the WH.
    At least these kids didn’t get literally shot at. Something tells me that the Stoneman kids weren’t standing in a group 150 strong shouting their school song at their attacker.
    These Covington kids just failed to survive an old man with a drum.

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this. And wow – thank you for thinking of me! Interesting perspective. Definitely some powerful food for thought! And any time there is violence against children, my heart shatters. Hugs and love xox

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  50. Thank you for being brave enough to post this. It gives me great hope that there are people of your generation who still recognize and stand for, and on, truth! I pray those young men steel there resolve to do the same as a result of this, seeing it for what it truly is, another attempt by the enemy of our souls to extinguish the light. Keep shining my beautiful friend!

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    1. Thank you so much Dan for your support and for taking the time to read. Yes, i will join you in that prayer. hugs xo

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