Welcome back in for Al’s Afternoon Tea, our chance to stop and sample the latest news while asking the age-old question: What tea goes best with Chicago-style deep-dish pizza? For that matter, could I eat a deep-dish pizza without having my New Jersey relatives and in-laws disown me?

Storming the DNC, Calling for Genocide Against Israel … and Biden Says “They Have a Point”

The party that doesn’t like walls put some up around the Democratic National Convention venue this week to fend off the mobs. Before the sun set on the first day of the meeting, the pro-Hamas protesters and other radicals who descended on Chicago had broken through the first barrier. The DNC was so concerned about delegates being individually targeted for trouble that they advised them to register in hotels under assumed names. All day long Monday, the hordes chanted the genocidal rant, “From the river to the sea,” waved the banners of terrorists, and threatened to bring the Gaza war to our shores.

And then Joe Biden got up on stage last night and said on national TV, “Those, those protesters out there, they have a point.”

What point is that? That Israel should be wiped off the map and terror should rule our own streets?

Biden declared, “We’re working around the clock to end the civilian suffering of the Palestinian people and finally, finally, finally deliver a ceasefire and end this war.” He didn’t mention that Hamas, so loved by the protesters outside who are screeching for a ceasefire agreement, had rejected a new ceasefire agreement.

Meanwhile, overnight Israeli forces recovered the bodies of six more of the hostages Hamas had been holding since October 7. But those supporting the killers, Biden said, “have a point.”

As for “working around the clock,” Biden jetted off to California for yet another vacation as soon as he was finished lecturing America.

With Kamala Harris in Chicago, any idea who is holding down the fort back in the District of Columbia? 

Meanwhile at the White House… pic.twitter.com/h1jiQ4MtX6

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) August 15, 2024

On deck for Day 2 of the convention is  former President Barack Obama.

You Can’t Make This Up

Hillary Clinton also spoke last night. “Kamala cares,” she said, “cares about kids and families.”

She said this while Planned Parenthood is giving away abortions and vasectomies outside the convention arena like they are bumper stickers, and an 18-foot plastic IUD rises up above the street like the Sears Tower.

Clinton also boasted about the lawfare against Trump, declaring, “We have Trump on the run now,” which led to chants of “Lock him up!”

She said this after another speaker warned that Trump would use the Department of Justice to go after his political opponents.

“Donald Trump would be able to weaponize the Department of Justice to go after his political opponents! He could even turn the FBI into his own personal police force!”

Ummm who wants to tell her?? pic.twitter.com/QnQBlpxbEp

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 20, 2024

Can anyone say “projection”?

Also, those who spoke on Night One didn’t seem at all interested in addressing the concerns of the American people — only in attacking the Orange Man.

Check the transcript. At the Democratic National Convention on day one, these were key topics and the number of times mentioned by speakers:

Border: 8 times

Crime: 6 times

Inflation: 3 times

Trump: 147 times

— Tim Murtaugh (@TimMurtaugh) August 20, 2024

Hoaxes and More Hoaxes

Earlier in the day, vice presidential nominee Tim Walz was introduced as “Command Sergeant Major.” This despite the fact that he never fully earned the position, and was demoted when he abandoned his unit to run for Congress. Once again, Walz did not correct the error.  

We’re surprised they didn’t brag about how Walz singlehandedly rescued dozens of wounded soldiers from Hacksaw Ridge under heavy Japanese fire. Such are the fictions these people tell.

Biden himself repeated so many debunked Trump hoaxes last night that even Jussie Smollett was saying, “Ease up, Big Guy.” He brought ’em all out. The Charlottesville hoax, the “suckers and losers” hoax, the “bloodbath” hoax. He even claimed he wasn’t mad at those who forced him out of the race. 

He also said this, which we leave you without any comment necessary: “Donald Trump and the Republican friends, they not only can’t think, they can’t read very well.” 

Yet Biden also had a moment of clarity.

BIDEN: Kamala and I are committed to strengthening illegal immigration. pic.twitter.com/RKSOOHIAnS

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 20, 2024

Most hysterical of all, Biden bellowed that “democracy has prevailed, democracy has delivered, and now democracy must be preserved!”

Joe Biden says Democracy has prevailed and Democracy must be preserved after his own party forced him out of the Democrat nomination. pic.twitter.com/O0rf4FxZf9

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) August 20, 2024

This from the man who won the Democratic nomination, earned the vote of 14 million Americans, only to have those votes nullified and the nomination taken from him in order to give it to a woman who hasn’t even undergone the proper process.

Elon Musk to the Cabinet? Says He’s “Willing to Serve”

Donald Trump said this week he would like to have Elon Musk in his Cabinet or in some position in his administration. Last night, Musk posted his response.

I am willing to serve pic.twitter.com/BJhGbcA2e0

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 20, 2024

Heading a “Department of Government Efficiency”? Do you like the idea?

We’d love to hear your thoughts on that. Our [email protected] address is still on the fritz, but you can always drop a comment on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheStream.org/

Illusion of Momentum: Harris’s Own Fundraiser Says ‘Don’t Believe the Poll Numbers’

Where does the race currently stand? National poll results released over the past couple of days show Kamala Harris has between a two- and four-point advantage over Donald Trump. Swing state polling shows Trump holds a scant lead.

According to the media, Harris has the Big Mo, the momentum. However, a Harris Super PAC founder admitted Monday her numbers are being fluffed up.

Reuters reports that Chauncey McLean, president of the Future Forward Super PAC, told the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, “Our numbers are much less rosy than what you’re seeing in the public.”

Zero Hedge shows an example of this from a few weeks back. Harvard/Harris had a poll that showed Trump with a three-point lead. The poll oversampled Democrats over Republicans by 35%, 883 to 654.

Now imagine if the poll wasn't ridiculously skewed and oversampled to Democrats:

Republican respondents: 654
Democrat respondents: 883 https://t.co/eB4iV282EO pic.twitter.com/WMzfcll4H3

— zerohedge (@zerohedge) July 30, 2024

Everything Woke Turns to Rubbish in a Galaxy, Far Far Away: The Acolyte Canceled After One Season

Good news for old-school Star Wars fans: The Acolyte, the unabashedly woke new Star Wars series on Disney+, has been canceled after just one season.

The Acolyte’s lesbian director and nonbinary star were happy to accept the show being called the “gayest” Star Wars ever — until the backlash started. The show also messed with the ethos of the originals by challenging the goodness of the Jedi. Not that Disney would care about that; calling good evil and evil good has become a regular practice with Disney. However, according to Variety, the show’s viewership tailed off as the season went on, leading to the decision not to renew it.

Still, you have to feel a little for fans of the show. Season One ended on a cliffhanger. And if you’ve ever had a favorite show canceled after a cliffhanger, you know the feeling. (Hallmark Mystery’s Mystery 101, anybody? “Whataya mean Amy and Travis aren’t together and she’s engaged to someone else?!?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!”) So some sympathy is in order for those few who actually watched The Acolyte. 

We end with some news from the galaxy of faith-based entertainment. 

Trailer Out for Average Joe, New Movie About Coach Joe Kennedy’s Fight for Prayer

Grab the popcorn and Milk Duds, this looks like a good one. A new full trailer just dropped for Average Joe, about the amazing, true-life battle of Coach Joe Kennedy, the Washington high school football coach who fought all the way to the Supreme Court to preserve his right to pray on the field after games. (SPOILER ALERT: He won.)

WATCH: Exclusive first look at “Average Joe,” the true story of how coach Joe Kennedy won at the Supreme Court after he was fired for praying at games. In theaters October 11: pic.twitter.com/CYsfq2AFvV

— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) August 20, 2024

If the trailer is any indication, the film is a touchdown. Though with all due respect to actor Eric Close in the title role, it looks like actress Amy Acker of Angel and Person of Interest fame steals the movie as Kennedy’s wife Denise.

Average Joe hits screens October 11.  

On the Stream Menu

While we’re in a cinematic mood, Nancy Flory has “Q&A: Kendrick Brothers’ Latest Film The Forge Shows the Importance of Discipleship.” 

John Zmirak’s latest is also up, “How to Reach Out Winsomely to Family and Friends Who Lean Democrat (Nah, Just Kidding.)” 

Al Perrotta is The Stream’s Washington bureau chief, coauthor with John Zmirak of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration, and coauthor of the counterterrorism memoir Hostile Intent: Protecting Yourself Against Terrorism.