"But God Meant It For Good" 

Christians and Jews are very familiar with the story of Joseph, found in the book of Genesis. Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers. Later in life, a free man, he meets with his brothers, who fear retribution. Instead they find only grace. Joseph tells them, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive as they are today." Racist Dylann Roof murdered nine black Christians after sitting with them as their welcomed guest at their church Bible study. He fervently hoped his act would ignite a race war. That did not happen. Sadly, some politicians are already exploiting the murder spree with rhetoric that is intended to further divide the country, thereby increasing the risk that Roof's sick hope comes true. 

But take heart. Across America in countless pulpits and synagogues, the people of God of all races worshipped together and called for unity. Racism was condemned. 

Many houses of worship rang their church bells nine times in honor of the dead. Hymns of redemption were sung. Our church congregation -- black, white, Hispanic, Asian -- together sang the faith-infused words of "It is well with my soul." 

America's hope today, as it has always been, resides in the hands of the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Jesus. As Ronald Reagan famously said, "If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." 


We Cannot Trust Iran 

Iran's parliament yesterday voted to ban international inspectors from Iranian military sites and from interviewing Iranian nuclear scientists. Let's be absolutely clear about something: Iran is a dictatorship. Nothing happens without the blessing of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

If the ayatollah -- recognizing how such a vote might complicate the nuclear negotiations -- didn't want that vote to happen, it wouldn't have happened. 

But just nine days before the June 30th deadline, Iran's parliament has drawn a line in the sand on one of the most essential elements of any deal, obviously with the ayatollah's blessing. Without unfettered access to Iran's military sites and scientists, any nuclear deal is meaningless.

I have written at length about all the reported problems with this proposed deal. They are enormous. Some, under other circumstances, could be finessed if there were signs that the regime was changing. 

But there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that anything is changing. Even as the negotiations are taking place, the tyrants in Tehran are stoking anti-American hatred. 

For example, Amir Taheri writes in today's New York Post that "Iran is experiencing an intensification of anti-American propaganda with public support from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei."

Taheri notes that the regime recently hosted a "Death To America" conference. One of the speakers, Dr. Hassan Abbasi, is known as the "Henry Kissinger of Islam" for his strategic thinking. 

Dr. Abbasi told the attendees of this "Death to America" conference that Iran's most important purpose is to "work tirelessly for the destruction of the United States." Dr. Abbasi added:
 

"Our fight against America is not about this or that problem. It is about the very existence of America and its economic and political and cultural systems. This fight will not cease until we have turned the United States itself into an Islamic Republic."

So let's review. Iran's leader calls us "the Great Satan." He routinely leads crowds in chants of "Death to America." 

Other leading Iranians say that Iran's most important goal is our destruction, while they vow to wipe Israel off the map. 

Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. It has the blood of American soldiers and civilians on its hands. 

And yet President Obama, who traded five Taliban leaders for one deserter, thinks he can cut a deal with Iran over its nuclear weapons program. There is no deal Iran will sign that we can ever trust. 


The Enemy Within 

Last week we reported that the FBI had launched "a broad campaign" against suspected ISIS terrorists and sympathizers involving, "hundreds of investigations . . . in all 50 states." Yesterday, Rep. Devin Nunes, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, confirmed the danger confronting us. 

Speaking on CBS's "Face The Nation," Rep. Nunes warned that the United States is now facing "the highest threat level we have ever faced in this country . . . including after 9/11."

I know it is not politically correct to talk about a "clash of civilizations," but let me connect the dots. 

The Iranian regime in Tehran is chanting "Death to America" while some inside America present the greatest terrorist threat to our homeland since 9/11. 

What do they have in common? Their devotion to radical Islam. 

At the end of the day, my friends, lower tax rates, free trade deals or naive concepts of tolerance and diversity won't save this country or the world from another dark age.