A Miracle & A Warning
 
It's nothing short of a miracle that the edifice of Notre Dame largely survived yesterday's catastrophic fire.  Not everything could be saved, but much of the cathedral's historic artwork and its most precious relics were evacuated.  Predictably, ISIS is celebrating the disaster.
 
Yet, as I watched the news of the fire, heartbroken at what was happening to this iconic cathedral, and hearing from devastated Catholic friends, I couldn't help but think about this fact: Secular elites across Europe and here in the United States have been torching the fundamental values of Western Civilization, of Judeo-Christian Civilization, for decades.
 
Thankfully, a number of wealthy individuals are offering extremely generous donations to restore the cathedral.  Rebuilding Notre Dame will be a massive undertaking.  But that will be easy compared to what it will take to rebuild and restore the West. 
 
How do we restore the fundamental belief of Western Civilization -- that all human beings are made in the image of God, and that each one, from the moment of conception until their final breath, has dignity and worth?
 
Our country was founded on the belief that our liberty comes from the God of Abraham, not any government.
 
This civilization has brought more opportunity and freedom for women and minorities than any civilization in the history of the world.
 
We are not only abandoning our history, we are destroying our future by failing to instill these building blocks of civilization in the hearts and minds of our children.
 
As the West declines, a decline due in part to the fact that we have barbarians inside the gates, what is the great civilization that will replace it and do a better job?  Does anyone really believe that a future run by the Chinese communists will give us a better, freer world?
 
As European women stop giving birth, and the nurseries are filled with babies named Mohammad, does anyone believe that Muslim Europe will be a freer, more tolerant place for women and children than the Europe Christendom created?
 
The burning of Notre Dame, with all the culture and history that it represents, was a warning to the West.  We must preserve and defend what we cherish. 
 
 
 
Not Just Notre Dame
 
French authorities say they are preparing for a "long and complicated" investigation regarding the cause of the inferno.  For now, they insist there is no sign of arson. 
 
While it is certainly true that accidents do happen during construction and renovation projects, Notre Dame is not the only French church to suffer extensive damage lately.
Here's a sample of recent headlines:
 
"800-Year-Old Church Heavily Vandalized In French No-Go Suburb"
 
"Eucharist Desecrated, Statues Smashed In Series Of French Church Attacks"
 
"Vandals Cause Serious Damage In Attack On A French Church"
 
"Twelve French Churches Attacked, Vandalized In One Week"
 
"Macron's France:  Average Of Three Church Attacks Per Day"
 
The media in Europe and America are uncomfortable discussing this reality.  Yesterday, Fox News twice hung up on guests who attempted to expose it.
 
Regardless of what caused the fire at Notre Dame, French authorities and the French people should be asking serious questions about why so many churches are being attacked day after day. 
 
 
 
2020 Update
 
We're still more than 560 days away from the 2020 elections, but the campaign is already in high gear.  First quarter fundraising reports are in and there are new polls too.  Here are the top five leaders in the Democrat money chase:
 

• Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) $21 million.
• Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) $16.5 million.
• Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) $13.2 million.
• Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) $12.6 million.
• Former Rep. John Delaney (D-MD) $12.1 million.

 
President Trump raised $30.3 million in the first quarter.
 
While money is important, it's votes that win the race, and two new polls suggest the Democrat primary is a two-man contest. 
 
An Emerson College poll found Bernie Sanders leading former Vice President Joe Biden 29% to 24%.  No other candidate received double-digit support.
 
A Morning Consult poll found Biden at 31% and Sanders at 23%.  No other candidate received double-digit support.