Sara Carter uncovers plight of Christians in the Middle East ignored by Obama

October 29, 2015

Editor

Programming Alert: Watch For the Record tonight for a special report with Sara Carter at 8pm ET on TheBlaze TV.

Having recently returned from the Middle East assessing the front lines of ISIS, investigative journalist Sara Carter joined Glenn's radio program Thursday to report on the situation from the perspective of persecuted Christians and other minorities in the region.

"It started last year, for me. When the Sinjar situation escalated, it was when the Islamic State was already inside Iraq and then made an advance into the Sinjar region, which is mainly home to many Yazidi people that have lived there for thousands of years," Carter said.

She went on.

"Everything that they had been promised by the administration to help the Yazidi people and the Christians that were in the region being slaughtered by the Islamic State failed to come through. They were left on their own," she said.

Listen to the full interview or read the transcript below. Here's a preview of the Special Report:

8pm ET on TheBlaze: ‘For the Record' Special Report: Journey t...
One year after the rescue mission on Mt. Sinjar, For The Record contributor Sara Carter traveled to Kurdistan for an update. What she discovered was a tragic truth that the American people were never told.
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TheBlaze on Thursday, October 29, 2015

Below is a rush transcript of this segment, it might contain errors.

GLENN: Sara Carter is just an unbelievable reporter. She's the one who has broken so many stories. She's worked for TheBlaze. She's doing some work for For the Record. And I have to say on the outset, thanks to American Media Institute for their assistance in helping us produce an episode of For the Record.

I'm going to have her tell you what this episode is tonight. But she went on a -- well, I'll let her tell you. Sara, welcome to the program.

SARA: It's great to be on, Glenn. Thank you so much.

GLENN: You bet. Tell me why you went on this trip.

SARA: It started last year, for me. When the Sinjar situation escalated, it was when the Islamic State was already inside Iraq and then made an advance into the Sinjar reason, which is mainly home to many Yazidi people that have lived there for thousands of years. Rumors started spreading that they were mass executing, that then was validated. We were on the sidelines. Nobody was in the region. Nobody was stopping them at that point in time. And I had received an email from somebody that was there in August. And they were devastated. They were assessing the region. They were an American. And they said it was an absolute slaughter, that everything that they had been promised by the administration to help the Yazidi people and the Christians that were in the region being slaughtered by the Islamic State failed to come through. They were left on their own. And it wasn't until the situation escalated to such a point where, by that time, mass graves were discovered. People were up on the mountain. Sinjar mountain is very stark. You know, I was just there. And it wasn't at all as I expected.

There's no life. It's a desert area. Jagged rocks. Very hot, desolate. And there's no water. So these people were escaping for their lives. Those that made it out of Sinjar village and the other surrounding villages near the mountain, went up the mountain to escape from the Islamic State and were just devastated. They were left on the mountain. They were abandoned. Promises were made to them. And then promises were broken.

And I don't know if you remember the president finally -- President Obama on August 7th said that he was going to be conducting some airdrops. And by that time, the Islamic State had really stepped to the doorstep of Erbil, which is the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region, Kurdistan, which is part of Iraq.

And at that point, the president realized there was nothing they could do. They would have to launch some strikes against the Islamic State or they would infiltrate the capital of Kurdistan. So at the very last second, there were some airstrikes.

And then after August 7th, some airdrops came in on the mountain. But there was no Noncombatant Evacuation Operations. This is what they were promised. They're called NEOs, Glenn. NEOs are when you try to rescue people out of a situation that are noncombatant, and you're taking them out of a war zone. And that was what was promised to them.

GLENN: Okay. We were told --

SARA: And they never showed up. They never showed up. In fact, on the 14th, the president said, "Hey, they've already made their way out. We sent a team there to assess it. We did our job. The Yazidi people are fine. And they're going to be okay." And I think everybody just bought the story. But the problem was, they were so many elderly. So many children. So many women. And people with disabilities that weren't able to make it over the mountain. And they were just abandoned. Some of them didn't get food because, of course, the young and the strong get the food first, right? Once it drops. People are starving. They grab what they can. So I think that there was this enormous sense of failure among the people that were there. That they wanted to help the people. And even the Peshmerga fighters who were up on the mountain, they were tough. I mean, they stood up against the Islamic State. But they really had no backup support. So the whole place just fell apart.

So that was the reason why I went. I made a promise that I would take this trip, even if I had to fund it myself. That I would get to Iraq and I would see with my own eyes what actually happened, and I was grateful that I was able to get there with TheBlaze and For the Record and with American Media Institute because I think it changed my life.

GLENN: In what way, Sara? In what way?

SARA: And I know it did. You know, it's easy to turn a blind eye to the atrocities when they're so far away from you, when you don't have to put yourself in the shoes of -- of those that are suffering.

But when you go there and when you realize -- I'm a mother, and when I stood -- I stood in this mass grave, Glenn, and there was just some tattered clothing, some shoes left, somebody's finger -- a bone of a finger -- a human finger left, after they had already taken the bodies out when they discovered it early in February. In this desolate desert.

And I saw this little girl's blouse. And no more than maybe two years old, just sitting there. Knowing that she and a relative, maybe a mother, maybe an aunt, were standing there, knowing that their death was on the way, that this is it. This was the last day they were going to live. Imagining that if I was that mother holding my child in my hands and knowing there was nothing I could do for her and wondering where the rest of the world was, when is someone going to come save us and that feeling of utter hopelessness, that feeling of utter hopelessness and doom just swept over my body. And I thought to myself, "You know, we're better than this. We need to tell these stories. We need to be the voice of those who have no voice." And I was so grateful that despite all of the horror that I felt I could witness -- and just -- I mean, telling you, I could see the Islamic State from Mount Sinjar. I could see their vehicles. I could see their flags down below in Shingal Village, Sinjar Village. Knowing that they were right there at the door. And that they were ready to make a move any time. That the only reason they were being held off was from a few airstrikes right now in the Peshmerga forces. But knowing how many people died at their hands and that nobody was there to save them, I felt like this was -- this was a story that needed to be told. That we can't forget. We cannot forget what happened to these wonderful people.

GLENN: Sara Carter is on For the Record tonight. A special report. Journey to the Front Lines. You don't want to miss it. 8:00 p.m. tonight. Only on TheBlaze. Go to TheBlaze.com/FortheRecord.

Sara, as always, good to talk to you. Thank you so much.

And, again, thank you to American Media Institute for partnering with us on this important story. That is tonight, only on TheBlaze.

'Rage against the dying of the light': Charlie Kirk lived that mandate

PHILL MAGAKOE / Contributor | Getty Images

Kirk’s tragic death challenges us to rise above fear and anger, to rebuild bridges where others build walls, and to fight for the America he believed in.

I’ve only felt this weight once before. It was 2001, just as my radio show was about to begin. The World Trade Center fell, and I was called to speak immediately. I spent the day and night by my bedside, praying for words that could meet the moment.

Yesterday, I found myself in the same position. September 11, 2025. The assassination of Charlie Kirk. A friend. A warrior for truth.

Out of this tragedy, the tyrant dies, but the martyr’s influence begins.

Moments like this make words feel inadequate. Yet sometimes, words from another time speak directly to our own. In 1947, Dylan Thomas, watching his father slip toward death, penned lines that now resonate far beyond his own grief:

Do not go gentle into that good night. / Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Thomas was pleading for his father to resist the impending darkness of death. But those words have become a mandate for all of us: Do not surrender. Do not bow to shadows. Even when the battle feels unwinnable.

Charlie Kirk lived that mandate. He knew the cost of speaking unpopular truths. He knew the fury of those who sought to silence him. And yet he pressed on. In his life, he embodied a defiance rooted not in anger, but in principle.

Picking up his torch

Washington, Jefferson, Adams — our history was started by men who raged against an empire, knowing the gallows might await. Lincoln raged against slavery. Martin Luther King Jr. raged against segregation. Every generation faces a call to resist surrender.

It is our turn. Charlie’s violent death feels like a knockout punch. Yet if his life meant anything, it means this: Silence in the face of darkness is not an option.

He did not go gently. He spoke. He challenged. He stood. And now, the mantle falls to us. To me. To you. To every American.

We cannot drift into the shadows. We cannot sit quietly while freedom fades. This is our moment to rage — not with hatred, not with vengeance, but with courage. Rage against lies, against apathy, against the despair that tells us to do nothing. Because there is always something you can do.

Even small acts — defiance, faith, kindness — are light in the darkness. Reaching out to those who mourn. Speaking truth in a world drowning in deceit. These are the flames that hold back the night. Charlie carried that torch. He laid it down yesterday. It is ours to pick up.

The light may dim, but it always does before dawn. Commit today: I will not sleep as freedom fades. I will not retreat as darkness encroaches. I will not be silent as evil forces claim dominion. I have no king but Christ. And I know whom I serve, as did Charlie.

Two turning points, decades apart

On Wednesday, the world changed again. Two tragedies, separated by decades, bound by the same question: Who are we? Is this worth saving? What kind of people will we choose to be?

Imagine a world where more of us choose to be peacemakers. Not passive, not silent, but builders of bridges where others erect walls. Respect and listening transform even the bitterest of foes. Charlie Kirk embodied this principle.

He did not strike the weak; he challenged the powerful. He reached across divides of politics, culture, and faith. He changed hearts. He sparked healing. And healing is what our nation needs.

At the center of all this is one truth: Every person is a child of God, deserving of dignity. Change will not happen in Washington or on social media. It begins at home, where loneliness and isolation threaten our souls. Family is the antidote. Imperfect, yes — but still the strongest source of stability and meaning.

Mark Wilson / Staff | Getty Images

Forgiveness, fidelity, faithfulness, and honor are not dusty words. They are the foundation of civilization. Strong families produce strong citizens. And today, Charlie’s family mourns. They must become our family too. We must stand as guardians of his legacy, shining examples of the courage he lived by.

A time for courage

I knew Charlie. I know how he would want us to respond: Multiply his courage. Out of this tragedy, the tyrant dies, but the martyr’s influence begins. Out of darkness, great and glorious things will sprout — but we must be worthy of them.

Charlie Kirk lived defiantly. He stood in truth. He changed the world. And now, his torch is in our hands. Rage, not in violence, but in unwavering pursuit of truth and goodness. Rage against the dying of the light.

This article originally appeared on TheBlaze.com.

Glenn Beck resurrects the 9-12 Project to support Charlie Kirk's family

Glenn Beck is once again calling on his loyal listeners and viewers to come together and channel the same unity and purpose that defined the historic 9-12 Project. That movement, born in the wake of national challenges, brought millions together to revive core values of faith, hope, and charity.

Glenn created the original 9-12 Project in early 2009 to bring Americans back to where they were in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. In those moments, we weren't Democrats and Republicans, conservative or liberal, Red States or Blue States, we were united as one, as America. The original 9-12 Project aimed to root America back in the founding principles of this country that united us during those darkest of days.

This new initiative draws directly from that legacy, focusing on supporting the family of Charlie Kirk in these dark days following his tragic murder.

The revival of the 9-12 Project aims to secure the long-term well-being of Charlie Kirk's wife and children. All donations will go straight to meeting their immediate and future needs. If the family deems the funds surplus to their requirements, Charlie's wife has the option to redirect them toward the vital work of Turning Point USA.

This campaign is more than just financial support—it's a profound gesture of appreciation for Kirk's tireless dedication to the cause of liberty. It embodies the unbreakable bond of our community, proving that when we stand united, we can make a real difference.
Glenn Beck invites you to join this effort. Show your solidarity by donating today and honoring Charlie Kirk and his family in this meaningful way.

You can learn more about the 9-12 Project and donate HERE

The critical difference: Rights from the Creator, not the state

Bloomberg / Contributor | Getty Images

When politicians claim that rights flow from the state, they pave the way for tyranny.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) recently delivered a lecture that should alarm every American. During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, he argued that believing rights come from a Creator rather than government is the same belief held by Iran’s theocratic regime.

Kaine claimed that the principles underpinning Iran’s dictatorship — the same regime that persecutes Sunnis, Jews, Christians, and other minorities — are also the principles enshrined in our Declaration of Independence.

In America, rights belong to the individual. In Iran, rights serve the state.

That claim exposes either a profound misunderstanding or a reckless indifference to America’s founding. Rights do not come from government. They never did. They come from the Creator, as the Declaration of Independence proclaims without qualification. Jefferson didn’t hedge. Rights are unalienable — built into every human being.

This foundation stands worlds apart from Iran. Its leaders invoke God but grant rights only through clerical interpretation. Freedom of speech, property, religion, and even life itself depend on obedience to the ruling clerics. Step outside their dictates, and those so-called rights vanish.

This is not a trivial difference. It is the essence of liberty versus tyranny. In America, rights belong to the individual. The government’s role is to secure them, not define them. In Iran, rights serve the state. They empower rulers, not the people.

From Muhammad to Marx

The same confusion applies to Marxist regimes. The Soviet Union’s constitutions promised citizens rights — work, health care, education, freedom of speech — but always with fine print. If you spoke out against the party, those rights evaporated. If you practiced religion openly, you were charged with treason. Property and voting were allowed as long as they were filtered and controlled by the state — and could be revoked at any moment. Rights were conditional, granted through obedience.

Kaine seems to be advocating a similar approach — whether consciously or not. By claiming that natural rights are somehow comparable to sharia law, he ignores the critical distinction between inherent rights and conditional privileges. He dismisses the very principle that made America a beacon of freedom.

Jefferson and the founders understood this clearly. “We are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights,” they wrote. No government, no cleric, no king can revoke them. They exist by virtue of humanity itself. The government exists to protect them, not ration them.

This is not a theological quibble. It is the entire basis of our government. Confuse the source of rights, and tyranny hides behind piety or ideology. The people are disempowered. Clerics, bureaucrats, or politicians become arbiters of what rights citizens may enjoy.

John Greim / Contributor | Getty Images

Gifts from God, not the state

Kaine’s statement reflects either a profound ignorance of this principle or an ideological bias that favors state power over individual liberty. Either way, Americans must recognize the danger. Understanding the origin of rights is not academic — it is the difference between freedom and submission, between the American experiment and theocratic or totalitarian rule.

Rights are not gifts from the state. They are gifts from God, secured by reason, protected by law, and defended by the people. Every American must understand this. Because when rights come from government instead of the Creator, freedom disappears.

This article originally appeared on TheBlaze.com.

POLL: Is Gen Z’s anger over housing driving them toward socialism?

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A recent poll conducted by Justin Haskins, a long-time friend of the show, has uncovered alarming trends among young Americans aged 18-39, revealing a generation grappling with deep frustrations over economic hardships, housing affordability, and a perceived rigged system that favors the wealthy, corporations, and older generations. While nearly half of these likely voters approve of President Trump, seeing him as an anti-establishment figure, over 70% support nationalizing major industries, such as healthcare, energy, and big tech, to promote "equity." Shockingly, 53% want a democratic socialist to win the 2028 presidential election, including a third of Trump voters and conservatives in this age group. Many cite skyrocketing housing costs, unfair taxation on the middle class, and a sense of being "stuck" or in crisis as driving forces, with 62% believing the economy is tilted against them and 55% backing laws to confiscate "excess wealth" like second homes or luxury items to help first-time buyers.

This blend of Trump support and socialist leanings suggests a volatile mix: admiration for disruptors who challenge the status quo, coupled with a desire for radical redistribution to address personal struggles. Yet, it raises profound questions about the roots of this discontent—Is it a failure of education on history's lessons about socialism's failures? Media indoctrination? Or genuine systemic barriers? And what does it portend for the nation’s trajectory—greater division, a shift toward authoritarian policies, or an opportunity for renewal through timeless values like hard work and individual responsibility?

Glenn wants to know what YOU think: Where do Gen Z's socialist sympathies come from? What does it mean for the future of America? Make your voice heard in the poll below:

Do you believe the Gen Z support for socialism comes from perceived economic frustrations like unaffordable housing and a rigged system favoring the wealthy and corporations?

Do you believe the Gen Z support for socialism, including many Trump supporters, is due to a lack of education about the historical failures of socialist systems?

Do you think that these poll results indicate a growing generational divide that could lead to more political instability and authoritarian tendencies in America's future?

Do you think that this poll implies that America's long-term stability relies on older generations teaching Gen Z and younger to prioritize self-reliance, free-market ideals, and personal accountability?

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