This anachronistic perspective is enforced by the “guardians of knowledge”—the mainstream media, academia, and political activists and apologists —who have made the ugly truths of persecution unknowable, all in the name of “multiculturalism” and “political correctness.”
For example, aside from the fact that it is so rare for the major media actually to report on Christian persecution, when it is reported, it is almost always in the context of “sectarian strife” and other neutral phrases that conflate victim with persecutor.
Likewise, far from being content with relaying objective facts concerning the Muslim world, Western academia often puts the best spin on things—forcing facts to conform to the prevailing multicultural ideologies and not vice-versa.
The situation is fundamentally exacerbated by the fact that the majority of Western Christian leaders, whether fearful of “offending” Muslims or eager to appear “tolerant,” are reluctant to speak openly about persecution. If expected from secular journalists, the silence of so many church leaders is far more perplexing.
Today, in light of the so-called “Arab spring,” the West needs to acknowledge the crisis of survival facing Christians in the Middle East. We have already seen the fruits of democracy in Muslim nations like Iraq, where, since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, Christians have been brutally persecuted to the point that more than half of them have fled their homeland, where they are nearing extinction; and in Afghanistan, a decade after the West overthrew the Taliban—committing billions of dollars and thousands of lives—the last public church was just destroyed, even as Christians suffer under blasphemy and apostasy laws enforced by the government installed by the West.
Now, as Muslims in Arab countries begin to elect Islamist parties—which make no secret of their bigotry against Christians—the future of the latter looks especially grim.
The first step to ameliorate this situation is simple awareness—to get Western people to learn of it. To do this, the establishment first needs to be jarred from complacency, needs to reassess its politically-correct narrative.
Accordingly, next month, when President Obama gives his State of the Union address, he has an opportunity to include some measured words—for instance, that aid to Muslim nations is contingent on the protection of religious minorities. Along with holding these nations accountable, such words might further cause some in the West to reassess the established narrative, creating a trickle-down effect of knowledge.
Through CSI’s Petition to the President, you have the chance to encourage him to do so.
Freedom Center pamphlets now available on Kindle: Click here.
Pages: 1 2
After Islam, they will reclaim their ancient homelands. Until then, may Hashem give them strength.
Christians persecuted the natives as they stole north america. Millions of natives lost thier lives, the remaining were rounded up like animals and put on reserves. Christians are scum.
Dandy is only concerned by atrocities that fit into his ideology. Other victims can go hang on a cross for all he cares.
Give it a rest, Randy. My family seemed to have done pretty well, once it left the Comanche reservation and assimilitated …
"Christians are scum."
Marxists are traitors; in any sane nation-state, they would tried before the high court and sentenced to sway on the end of a rope.
You do know that most Xians are not white westerners? Should one group of Xians be punished for what another group did?
thats a looad of crap. perhaps you should stop reading walt disney pokahantas and lib talking pointsfor your history and realize that while not perfect, the indians you so desperatly try to pretend are victims are far from not. they engajed in everything from theft to rape to genocide themselves. mayans committed human sacrafice as did many native cultures thousands of years befor thoes 'scum' ever showed up so explain that kemosabi? do you actually (and foolishly) believe that indians were lil brown skinned people talking to birds and never hurting a fly until white christians showed up? next for all the problems that DID come up. they dont exist anymore except by indians who WANT to stay on thoes reservations and live in alchoholic desperation. not our problem. hate to tell ya, but the planet is small sooner or later someone would have come a knockin and did the same thing. and the indians did exactly the same things you cry about to other tribes.Sorry homey the only thing you can claim is that the indian violent culture got beaten fair and square at their own game.
What else could be expected from some poor loser, hard left or victim of islam, so lacking in intelligence, that even a spell checker is beyond his grasp??
Off you go back to Pakistan, retareded Mohammedan savage, and give an upward nudge to the average I.Q of the West. in the process.
Satan has been fighting God from before he was cast out of heaven. God authored the Bible http://jc.does-it.net and it is blatantly obvious that Satan authored the Koran to war against what God loves, created, and had His Son die for. Satan’s battle includes the destruction of Israel and the USA which was established as a haven for the persecuted Bible believers from Europe and as a Bastian for missionaries during the last century.
Satan uses pride, greed, lust, power, and more to sway and blind leaders to do and accept wrong while thinking it is right. How many are blinded to say or believe they are Christians but never accepted what God declares to be ‘one of His’ now and for eternity.
Make this personal; every person will spend eternity with God’s adversary if they do not belong to God’s family. Eternity is a long time and if it is not in heaven, then where is it? It will be with those persecuting Judeo-Christians!
Yes, but history says it was the Muslim slave traders, not the Christians. Your schooling is in error. May be too much attention from the Imams in a sexual light? Too many beatings? Can you understand the Koran? You are weak brained Muzzie. I can tell by the raw uncontrolled hate you radiate…
Please explain how I can have sex with young boys, and I am particularly interested in attending 7th century rituals with farm animals. Please assist!
Comments like yours randy are getting tiresome. Bring yourself to present times and consider the following facts:
Taught in the Koran (chapter and verse given for proof):
047.004 – Beheadings
008.067 – Treason (and that's putting it mildly)
033.061 – Genocide "without mercy"
005.041 – Racism
Why is it randy……………you NEVER address those facts? Why is it randy….you are so compelled to point in some other direction………..any direction…………when presented with those facts?
Why won't you address those brutal teachings of the koran randy?
Why?????????????????
033.052 – Gang Rape of female 'infidels'
005.033 – Crucifixions (yes, it actually promotes "crucifixions")
Last Commands of the Bible:
Rom 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Rom 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Yeah, only "scum" would follow those commands randy (sarc/off)
Ignore this Randy fool. He's just another example of why many don't care about Christian persecution by Muslims: they, like this Randy, simply hate Christians, and likely get pleasure out of their suffering.
exactly, notice Randy has no intention of giving back and leaving his "stolen land' or specifying where they would go concindering there is not a single spot on the planet that has not been conquored and re concored a gagillion times before 'evil christians' ever came about. DO YA RANDY? DOES IT NOT FIT THE LIBERAL DELUSION OF INNOCENCE?
He's just a Mohammedan savage who sponges off those infidels he despises. But its time the money, food, welfare and medicines were cut off from savages like him. Nothing is more guaranteed to end Islam than the withdrawal of aid of every kind to Muslims and to tell thre truth about that evil cult. Through our misplaced 'goodness' and the brain rot of political correctness, we have enabled these savages to thrive.
I wouldn't hold my breath
if I were you
about Obama's state of the union speech protecting Christian minorities.
But you never know…
He speaks with forked tongue.
From the left it is apparent they believe in inherited guilt. If a white man committed an evil act against a black man 200 years ago the left want to hold white people today responsible for that past bad act. The lecture also want to hold Christians today responsible for past bad acts allegedly committed by Chritians against Muslims during the Crusades. The left is in fact using past dead history to justify acts of pure evil committed by Muslims today against Christians and Jews.
"The left is in fact using past dead history to justify acts of pure evil committed by Muslims today against Christians and Jews."
Yep… but dare to suggest on lefty forums that the Muslims shorten their memories a bit for the sake of peace and drop all those references to Al Andalus, the Crusades, Hulagu Khan etc., and the cries of "RAAAAAACIST!" hit the roof.
Christians are in TROUBLE in Iraqi Kurdistan and Egypt !!!
And pretty soon in France, Belgium, Holland and Sweden.
Can anything be done to help them escape?
If you think Christians have got it bad, take a peek at what's happened to Jews, Hindus, Sikhs and Budhists and sundry other believers under Muslim and Christian rule.
Both Christians and Muslims are the same: intolerant, murdering cults. The world will be a better place without these two cults.
Have your world, True Christians get heaven,,,,Eternal life is not your choice, where you spend it is. I am not in a muderous cult, no other christians I know are either. You are decieved and need Jesus we all do.
Christians are not currently engaged in a program of Imperialist Expansion complete with a steady stream of persecution and atrocities.
program Comment(output);
begin
Writeln('Good post!');
end.
/geekhumor
If Hindu, you should look back and realize that the British outlawed sutee, brought the parliamentary and educational systems to India and created many other advances in India. Were the Brits angels, not very bigoted, but they did modernize India.
I will never forget what a Hindu wrote. He compared Jesus, with huge slave trader Mohammad, who barbarically murdered huge numbers of innocents.
The Hindu wrote with great respect, gentle Jesus died on a cross.
Yeah right! As if you lot here, an in particluar the Americans, ever needed an excuse to hate Hindus. Go sponsor your friends and ally Pakistan to murder Indians, there's a good chap.
My gosh, Kali, you remind me of my fellow co-religionists in America—the majority (lamentably) of American Jews. They too suffer from the problem of not focussing on their real enemies.
Like my country, Israel, yours has Islamic states for neighbors plus the problem of Muslims residing within its borders, yet you're up in the arms about Christians?! Please. People you have a theological dispute with are a far cry from those who want to murder your entire nation in the name of the political program that comes with their religion.
Dear Kali,
Your comment is very strange. I'm American. My friend and ally is NOT Pakistan. Not now. Not ever! I think it is horrible and unforgivable that the American government has given billions of American tax dollars to jihadi Pakistan!
Hindus and other non-Muslims are severely persecuted and suffer barbaric atrocities and murders by Muslims in Pakistan and Bangladesh and Kashmir, India.
I am very concerned about the Muslim goal to re-conquer all India. Hindus have suffered horribly from Muslims. HUGE genocides and atrocities.
India has always been very special to me. My whole life I have always regarded Hindus with respect. I love the Hindu people! Hindus are my friends!
God bless you dear Kali.
God bless and protect India forever!
yeah and hindus with their caste system are no better either. or did you forget the 'untouchables' you harmed throughout the centuries. yeah your real tolerant. you should learn of your own religion. you and islame are closer than we are to them. we at least are in the 21st century, you still exist in 1st century hovels and filth. when you stop washing your hair in cow urine and start eating them, then you can call christianity a "cult" . and im athiest
And another loon seeks to rewrite history to match his ignorance and bigotry. Boring.
It’s almost funny, the way this loon tried to compare light and dark….. Almost, it being sickening tends to blunt the humour.
Obama's NOT A CHRISTIAN — SORRY — he does not follow the Bible at all— some of the commandments of G-D is not to lie,steal,AND TO PUT G-D BEFORE YOURSELF!!! HE'S NOT A CHRISTIAN — MORE LIKE A MUSLIM!!!
Ruling elites and media are silent about the horrendous atrocities and barbaric murders of Christians and other non-Muslims.
SILENCE IS CONSENT
Yes Linda they are complicit and it is just a matter of time before we are
next, sending the evil back to where it came from is one answer but the
fact that so many in American life are selling this poison to Americans
is absolutely outrageous and must be condemned and prosecuted.
Regards…………………………………………………William
America's EXTREME CRUELTY to Christians is very frightening. It did not start with Obama. Iraq's Christians were ruthlessly disarmed by America rendering Christians defenseless prey for barbaric Muslim killers.
A war against Muslim terrorists? NEVER. It has always been a
WAR AGAINST CHRISTIANS. The question is, when will the war against Christians (and Jews), come to America?
Last week, in a three day, closed to the public conference, Clinton met with the OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference) and others, to work on CRIMINALIZING the defamation of religion (Islam). If, and when, this becomes law, this country will have been conquered by Islam at the invitation of the Clinton/Obama administration.
FRONTPAGEMAG: The Plight of Christians in Iraq By: Jamie Glazov
FrontPageMagazine.com | Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Murray: More than half of the Christian population has been forced to flee their homes in Iraq because of Islamic violence against them. Their churches have been burned and bombed.
The official position of the Administration has been that “Coalition Forces assisting the Christians would cause them to be identified with the United States and have even more problems.” As a result they receive no assistance in defending themselves at all.
Immediately after the American invasion of Iraq, the Christian militias were disarmed. They were the only militias to be disarmed. American forces allowed both the Sunnis and Shiites to keep their armed militias.
Christians first fled from Baghdad to the Nineveh Plains, and then to Jordan and Syria. In Jordan and Syria the American embassies told Iraqi refugees to go to the United Nations because their plight “was not an American problem.” Excuse me?
Meanwhile the official position of the State Department under Condi Rice is that Christians are harassed by “criminal elements” in Iraq and that no persecution exists. That attitude has caused even greater persecution and led our embassies and other nations to be unhelpful. http://archive.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?…
Clinton is a muslim. Shocker, I know. But……….. "You will will know what is in the heart by what comes from the mouth".
The clintons (the both of them) told the whole world that they were muslims with that unrighteous fiasco in Yugoslavia.
Just ask the Albanians about it…..who have name their streets after the clintons
Great post (as usual) Linda. Thumbs up
To Ann:
Obama tripped up and declared he was a Muslim. The media was quick to cover up for Obama.
Obama: “My Muslim Faith” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKGdkqfBICw
In the Judeo-Christian nation that is America, President Obama makes no attempt to hide his rabid hate for G-D, the Bible, Judaism and Christianity:
Obama Mocks & Attacks Jesus Christ And The Bible
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi-V_ilJu0w&NR…
Is Obama really like a Muslim? Come on, do you really think the President is a Muslim?
Lets examine his own words for the answer. It is October 2008, just before the election, in an interview with George Stephanaoplis he is assked about his faith. BHO comments, "my Muslim faith." After Gerorge regains his composure he says to BHO, "don't you mean your Christian faith?" BHO says, "Yes my Christian faith." A Muslim would NEVER make the mistake of saying "my Muslim faith," nor would a Christian mis-speak about his faith being Muslim. Point #2. On his first trip after the election, BHO visited the University of Cairo. One of his statements was, as he pointed his finger (arm extended) at the throng of students, was,"I AM ONE OF YOU." Unles he was enrolled as a student at the University (he was not) he could have been only refering to the Muslim religion.
What a laugh and waste of time. BHO is as corrupt as moohammed was. No way will a muzlim express outrage about Christians being persecuted. BHO just won't stoop that far away even for the taqia benefit.
What chance does a Christian or any non Muslim have in a land under the
control of Islam, if you do not know, it is none, nada, zilch. The best that
can be if the non-person in Islam want's to stay alive is to convert or to
pay the tax to stay around and hope to be killed last and wish for not to much
physical and mental abuse before the sword lops off their head. With Barak
Hussein Obama, his name tells it all, get a prayer rug and be prepared to
be ridden like a dog………………………………………………………..William
How can we restore America as a Christian nation?(Which it was well into the 20th Century; some might argue up until the Presidency of Jimmy Carter) A hostile news media, and instant electronic mass communication, and the leftist views of many churches, militate against such a restoration. However, defeating Obama will be the first step. A second step would be to prosecute him, for crimes against the American people, and against the Constitution; and to prosecute the criminal cabal that got him elected.
Meanwhile, if Israel hits Iran, and disables their nuclear capability….
We are in an impossible position during a perfect storm. Since we are fed the pablum that there are some "moderate" muslims like the happy folks jes' playing football and getting ready for the prom here in America, and the misinformation that Islam is a religion (not an agressively deadly octopus-cult of terror and acquisition), and since America has freedom of religion, we must continue to "tolerate" their presence and incursion into our society. Now Minnesota has an Islamic school that receives tax money and the tolerant simps there were moronic enough in their good nature to elect a muslim representative, aaaand since the muslims have infiltrated the CIA and the military, then just keep up the voyeuristic fix on that tube, because one day very soon now, you will be forced to comply with sharia law…and dhimmitude. No one will attack muslims in America today. They would go to prison, not be lauded as patriots. Herein lies the dilemma and our future defeat.
Islam is the only religion on earth that blows up people, buildings, planes, trains, buses, restaurants, markets, etc. And attacks and murders little children as at Beslan.
and the only religion that gets away with such acts……thanks to the powers that be:
politicians
media giants
education department
lawyers
judges
certain self-proclaiming Christians (take that Wright character – obama's 'religious' teacher – for example)
These are the leaders (who are sitting on seats that belong not to them, but to ALL members of this nation) who are either ignorant about what the koran teaches (and therefore have no right to decide on any matters concerning islam) or are complicit . I'd rather the reason be they're ignorant. At least in that case – there's still hope for a rude awakening amongst them.
Beth, I don't believe they are ignorant.
let me share a thought on that reply:
How many of them (even including the so-called 'moderate' muslims) if made to understand p-e-r-f-e-c-t-l-y the utter sickness of the koran (and somehow taking away the brain-washing that – islam 'is a religion of peace')….
beheadings, gang rape of female infidels (after the male members of their families have been slaughtered, of course), crucifixions…the cutting off of hands and feet etc….
and any logical thinking person would know…..that after all of the 'infidels' are gone…they'd turn on each other because that's just the nature of the teachings of that book.
To get people to understand that the so-called peaceful teachings of the koran (there are none…but i digress)……can NEVER justify such brutal teachings…..is where the problem begins.
Linda, I honestly believe that there are many who would leave islam (more importantly, would stop calling it a 'religion of peace' – would stop supporting it)…if made known the actual truth about their koran.
My brain refuses to accept that all supporters of islam would continue doing so if they knew the sickening facts.
Of course there are those, such as that Wright character who knows perfectly what the koran teaches (he's a muslim calling himself a Christian). In that case – one could call him a murderer….and not be lying.
But I do believe that there are many who are supporting islam….who have no idea of what islam is really about. Many muslims understand fully that it is their duty to lie to non-muslims…and I believe they have done a superb job on that end.
With all of that said – I will hold out hope that a rude awakening will come.
I love your posts Linda. Keep them coming!
Beth, Happy New Year!
You are right. There are Muslims who don't know what is in the Koran. Most certainly, large numbers of Muslims would NOT carry out violent Islamic religious acts. Some Muslims have risked their lives to save non-Muslims who were in danger. They are true heroes to be admired. The problem is, the significant numbers who have made life a living hell for non-Muslims who live in daily fear in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt and other places. What a nightmare.
I spoke to an Egyptian Christian lady many months ago. She told me that in the area where she lived here in the USA, there was both Christians and Muslims and that some of the Muslims wanted to convert to Christianity but they did not convert out of FEAR. So tragic.
http://www.politicalislam.com/tears/pages/tears-o…
Tears of Jihad.
These figures are a rough estimate of the death of non-Muslims by the political act of jihad.
For 25 million slaves delivered to the market, we have an estimated death of about 120 million people. Islam ran the wholesale slave trade in Africa.
120 million Africans
60 million Christians
The country of India today is only half the size of ancient India, due to jihad. The mountains near India are called the Hindu Kush, meaning the “funeral pyre of the Hindus.”
80 million Hindus
In jihad only Christians and Jews were allowed to survive as dhimmis (servants to Islam); everyone else had to convert or die. Jihad killed the Buddhists in Turkey, Afghanistan, along the Silk Route, and in India.
10 million Buddhists
This gives a rough estimate of 270 million killed by jihad.
http://www.politicalislam.com/tears/pages/tears-o…
And the infidel death toll would have been at least double that 270 million figure were it not for the ability of men like Charles Martel, Pelayo, Richard the Lionheart, Janos Hunyadi, Jean Parisol de la Valette, Jan Sobieski and Prince Eugene of Savoy to fight back against the Muslim hordes.
Yes, indeed. Charles Martel and the other men were real men. It was unthinkable for them not to protect Europeans and fight back with all their might against the extremely cruel Muslim invaders. If only we had such men for leaders today!
The “cruel” muslim invaders pale to the christian invasion of north america.
To randy,
Enormous sins against God and dreadful crimes against our special and wonderful Native American people were committed by some of the leaders of the new European immigrants. Huge crowds of white people demonstrated in the streets to protest the government forcibly moving the precious Native Americans off their land and walking the "Trail of Tears', to another place. Heartbreaking. But this does not even begin to compare to the one thousand, four hundred years of suffering, genocides and land appropriations inflicted by Muslims on non-Muslims.
I just read about and saw horrifying pictures on the horrors inflicted on the peaceful Hindus of Kashmir by Muslims. Recent and ongoing. Enormous CRUELTY that is NEVER repented of. NEVER. God help the beautiful Hindu people!
http://www.politicalislam.com/tears/pages/tears-o…
Tears of Jihad.
These figures are a rough estimate of the death of non-Muslims by the political act of jihad.
For 25 million slaves delivered to the market, we have an estimated death of about 120 million people. Islam ran the wholesale slave trade in Africa.
120 million Africans
60 million Christians
The country of India today is only half the size of ancient India, due to jihad. The mountains near India are called the Hindu Kush, meaning the “funeral pyre of the Hindus.”
80 million Hindus
In jihad only Christians and Jews were allowed to survive as dhimmis (servants to Islam); everyone else had to convert or die. Jihad killed the Buddhists in Turkey, Afghanistan, along the Silk Route, and in India.
10 million Buddhists
This gives a rough estimate of 270 million killed by jihad. http://www.politicalislam.com/tears/pages/tears-o…
its extermination. Call the OIC, they support religious freedom (to kill Christians and Jews)
Remember Pastor Nadarkhani! http://bit.ly/sKs6yu
The Christians or Jews who don't care about persecution of Christians and Jews under Islam especially the greedy politicians blinded themselves to such evil (in Germany here we have many Christian leaders who're defending Islam like crazy!) – because they try to justify it through highly manipulative Socialist-constructed propagandas that Christianity/Judaism also promotes 'violence' such as in the Bible/Torah or through the Crusades. It's like they couldn't even read the enlightening truth behind such 'violence' where it's about self-defence mostly against evil predators such as in the freedom struggle by the continously attacked and enslaved Jews, and also including the Crusade as against evil Arabic-led Islamic predators. How can these Jews and Christians (mostly those Socialist or liberal Jews/Christians especially the Islam-loving Hussein Obama's supporters) not defend Judeo-Christianity that founded modern civilized laws such as based on the Ten Commandments, is beyond any rational understanding – whilst they fell down on their knees pathetically like cowards to ever defend the evil and most savage predatory Islam!
In the article:
"Yet, because only one out of every few hundred or so cases ever receives major attention, few in the West have any idea that it exists."
"So why is there such a lack of awareness concerning this matter in the otherwise “humanitarian” West?"
Media and Education.
The 'media giants' (as I like to call them) and the things that the Education Department has been up to (which that awareness goes back to the media giants) are to blame for society being in such a deep darkness when it comes to other peoples' plights.
Until that is corrected…nothing else will be corrected.
To believe that Obama is capable of caring about it?……is a waste of one's energy.
"How do the apologists – Muslim and dhimmis – spin the Muslim persecution of Christians throughout Darul Islam?"
See Randy's post below for a fine specimen. "Comeuppance for Western colonialism," as perennial an excuse as the Race Card, to which it is closely related.
True
Chez, I'm 1/2 Comanche, and 1/2 German (with dual citizenship)! Although my family has not lived on the reservation since the early 20th Century, I have a Comanche name … Tsa Hinu Supanuitu Isa … roughly translated as "Wolf that knows all" (there isn't a word for "wise" in the language).
My father and all of his brothers (5 in all) served in WWII, and one continued to serve, being killed in Korea. My brother and I both served in Vietnam, and all of my sons have served their country in the military. I also have a daughter who just joined the Army (she wants to be an MP, leading to service as a police officer). One of my sons is a battalion commander in A-stan, and has done service in the Pentagon.
Three of my sons paid the ultimate price for their devotion to country and family. My pride in them cannot be measured.
All of us are Chistians of various "stripes", and are concerned about the increasing verbal and physical abuse of Christians throughout the world, and in the United States, and all of us support Israel against its Muslim neighbors.
" I'd be proud to call you friend."
I thought that's what we were!
Anyway, thanks very much for your sentiments. It means a lot to us, out here. This is why I keep fighting the war on the internet … it means a lot to my wife and I, and the future our remaining children and grandchildren will face.
When I think of what has happened in Iraq, since Obama pulled the troops out … well, you know what I mean.
Good comment, though if the international slaughter of Christians (Buddhists and Hindus) is not enough to shake Americans out of their screen daze, then I suppose it must happen here, on our shores. Alas, our civilization is now a frog in a slowly boiling pot.
"Every mosque will require 3 or 4 FBI or civil monitors to make sure Islam stays within the bounds of living in a country where freedom is honored."
The koran is the supreme auhtority of all of islam….and with laws that are already 'on the books'……islam is illegal. Period.
Freedom of religion NEVER included the right to incite the masses into violence.
The problem is………..not having the power to hold authorites responsible for not upholding the laws that are already in place.