[Decided maybe I should be a list of topics at the top here. It’s called a “teaser” folks. Google it.]
Republicans Back Away From Pro-Life Position
Biden Continues in Race
New York Bans Shampoo
NATO Officially Reprimands China
Pastor Claims He in Not Elvis Presley
Christian Homeless Charity Receives Grant
Bill Hwang Found Guilty of Fraud
Senators Propose Bill to Ban Stock Trading
Impeachment Articles Against Supreme Court
Astronauts Return after Year on “Mars”
Biden Administration Award 2 Billion for Electric Cars
Marathon Oil fined $250 Million for violations in North Dakota
Bullet Vending Machines
IRS Recovers $1 Billion from Tax Cheats
Crocodiles and Politics : Hurricane Beryl
Cheating Scandal at Hot Dog Contest
REPUBLICANS BACK AWAY FROM PRO-LIFE POSITION
For the first time since 1972, the GOP has removed any reference to “unborn” from their party platform, and removing calls for a national abortion ban. Additionally, the new platform removes GOP support for traditional marriage. Let me give you a couple quotes here.
“GOP officials say is a document that aligns with political reality and the beliefs of presumptive nominee Donald Trump.”
“In years past, we’d get [the platform text] in orientation,” Scott said. “You’d spend the night in your hotel room, reading it through, scouring it, coming up with ideas to improve it or correct it. This week we were not given that opportunity. It was written by Trump’s campaign…”
Kev Note: So here’s my question – I was told repeatedly that conservative Christians WEREN’T voting for Donald Trump, they were voting the Republican Platform, especially the social issues. Ok. So, now the Republican Platform doesn’t have those social issues. Moreover, the reason they are gone is BECAUSE of Trump.
So now what? Does this mean you’ll stop voting for Republicans? Will you stop supporting Trump? Somehow I doubt it.
I will say the same thing I always say – character in leadership matters.
[Also, I find it amusing that the Platform was reduced from almost 70 pages to just over 15. And that’s probably all in caps. ]
BIDEN CONTINUES IN RACE
I wrote a longer post on this earlier this week, so I’ll just link it here, but essentially there are growing calls for Biden to step aside. No one questions his debate sucked, and though he’s done “OK” with press conferences since then, I don’t think he’s really established himself as a vigorous candidate. At the same time, I don’t see a lot of better options for the Democrats. So, we’ll see. I’d go 60-40 they stay with Biden, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried to change it at the convention.
But I would like to address something that Biden said that got me thinking. He made the comment that “what I get done is better than how I say it.” Which of course a lot of conservative news agencies laughed at, but here’s the thing: this is the exact same argument they make about Trump. It doesn’t matter if he has “mean tweets” or he’s personally terrible, as long as the policies are good.
So, why is that a good argument for Trump and not for Biden? Why is Trump slurring his words and missing names “just speaking plainly,” and Biden is categorically disqualified for it?
Without going too far out on a limb, I’m gonna say that people are hypocritical doofuses. But that’s just my historical analysis.
NEW YORK BANS SHAMPOO
When I saw the headlines for this, it piqued my curiosity so much, I had to see what was going on. The story is that New York (following California) is banning the use of the little shampoos and soap bottles at hotels. Why? To reduce waste. You might think that’s ridiculous, but apparently something like 500 million of those little bottles end up in landfills every year. I was unaware.
Kev take: Environmental issues are always weird for me, because so many of my conservative friends see ANYTHING about environmentalism, climate change, conservation, saving species, or alternative fuels as liberal, and therefore evil. For me, I see caring for the environment as…you know…the MAIN job God gave Adam. Caring for the earth and animals is kinda our thing.
So I’m in favor. Less trash = good. I’m not sure on alternatives. The different articles talk about options of having large “pump” dispensers instead, and I’ve been in hotels that have those already. Or, might just skip it altogether. Bring your own shampoo, you lazy travelers.
NATO OFFICIALLY REPRIMANDS CHINA
For years, NATO has been somewhat careful of directly confronting China, but this week they officially called them out for supporting Russian aggression in Ukraine. Essentially, they are identifying China as a threat to NATO, which has been kind of “understood,” but they’ve tread lightly until now.
I have some concerns with this, not because I disagree with it, but because I see this as another step towards a greater division in the world, somewhat like the divisions leading up to the world wars, which wasn’t awesome.
There has been this trend of authoritarian governments grouping together, and another grouping opposing them. So, you have Russia, China, Turkey, and North Korea on the authoritarian side, for example, and they try to get others to join them: Syria, Hungary, Brazil and so forth. On the other side, you have Nordic countries, much of Western Europe and so forth. It’s somewhat similar (though not exact) to the Cold War.
Why is this important? Because this is kind of what our election is about: Trump is more on the side of the authoritarians, Biden is more on the other side. Both of these groups are trying to get the US on their side (that’s what happens when you have 10 of the 12 aircraft carriers in existence). Which is why Russia tries to sway our elections, it’s why people like Kim and Erdogan try to impress Trump personally, it’s why NATO invites Biden to speak to “help” his election, and so on.
For me, I think authoritarianism is anti-Biblical, unless that authority is Jesus (and no, I don’t mean Christian nationalism, I mean actually Jesus himself). So, I am not in favor. More importantly, I think people in “certain” campaigns either are unaware of this issue, or don’t care. Either way, it’s a problem. Whichever way the US goes can have profound impacts not just on us, but on the world.
PASTOR CLAIMS HE IS NOT ELVIS PRESLEY
Robert Joyce, a pastor in Arkansas, shared a video of himself singing on TikTok, and it’s gotten the attention of Elvis fans. Apparently he has some similarities to King himself, and fans are demanding that he come out and admit he’s really Elvis in hiding. Pastor Bob has denied this, but isn’t that what Elvis would do? Case closed.
It’s currently unclear why Elvis would be pastoring a small church in Arkansas, but the man is an enigma.
CHRISTIAN HOMELESS CHARITY WINS GRANT
Hope in Action is a charity that n operates a network of 116 houses, each partnered with a local church, and last year provided housing for 486 people. The were recognized with the Homeless Link’s National Excellence Award for 2024.
I bring this up because so often we hear stories about megachurches that don’t help the poor, or churches are just in it for money. I like to illustrate that the impression one might get from the news is not always accurate. There are good ministries out there doing good things to help people, and we should celebrate that instead of focusing on the negative.
BILL HWANG FOUND GUILTY OF FRAUD
Ok, here’s the thing on this one: I have no idea who this guy is or what he actually did that’s criminal. I’ve read like 5 articles on him, talking about market manipulation and lying to banks, but I can’t figure out what he actually did. I’m apparently too dumb about investing to understand the big ole words.
So why include it on this prestigious news roundup list, you ask? Simple: Because just about every Christian news feed I follow has him listed. It’s talking about a “Christian investor,” and what not. So apparently I should know this guy. If someone out there can explain to me what he did, and why it’s newsworthy for Christian sites, let me know. Other than that, feel free to google like I did.
SENATORS PROPOSE BILL TO PREVENT LAWMAKERS FROM TRADING STOCKS
Keeping with the criminal investment theme, the Senate has a new Bill that would require people in the House of Representatives and Senate (and other Government officials, like Presidents) to not own any stocks. The issue has been that there have been accusations that these people are using insider information at hearings, or in proposed legislation, and trading stocks based on that.
So, for example there were people who sold stock right before the government shut down business for COVID, indicating they knew that a stock collapse was coming (as it did). Even worse, some of these senators/congresspeople invested in companies producing masks or ventilators, right before the government starting requiring everyone to wear masks. I think you see the problem.
There are also indications that certain presidents (*cough*) made certain decisions based on what would benefit his companies.
So this Act basically says if you want to serve in government, you have to sell all your stock and investments, so you aren’t influenced by that consideration. (there appears to be a provision for a blind trust, but I think even that might be sketchy). Spouses and dependent children would also be banned from buying or selling stocks.
Kev take: I heartily endorse this. There’s already a law that makes it illegal for government officials to trade based on “non-official” knowledge, but I think that is far too weak. If Jimmy Carter can sell his peanut farm to be President, then Trump can sell Trump Tower. If you don’t want to do that, then you don’t run for President. That’s the sacrifice.
AOC FILES IMPEACHMENT ARTICLES AGAINST SUPREME COURT
Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez has filed impeachment artiles against Justices Alito and Thomas, alleging that they should have recused themselves from cases involving January 6, as they both had conflicts of interest in the case. They both refused, of course, so here we are.
The short take here is that this has pretty much no chance of going anywhere, but it appears to be more like a message-sending move. It’s true that there has been growing concern in the Democratic Party for the slew of heavily conservative rulings in the last few weeks from the Court. Personally, I’m not convinced it’s impeachable (though the “gifts” to Thomas are pretty close). I still think it won’t move past preliminary stages, but maybe it’ll make the Justices think twice in the future.
NASA MARS SIMULATOR
A team of astronauts has emerged from their year-long ‘mission to Mars,’ a simulated environment in which they were cut off from the outside world for a year in order to mimic what people on Mars might go through.
The thing that struck me was this quote:
“Why go to Mars?” asks the crew’s science officer Anca Selariu. “Because it’s possible. Because space can unite and bring out the best in us. Because it’s one defining step that ‘Earthlings’ will take to light the way into the next centuries.”
This is very similar to the sentiments JFK talked in preparing for the moon landings. Why do it? Because it’s hard, but possible. Because we can explore. Because we were made for discovery, and joy, and adventure.
I don’t know. To me, I think we forget this sometimes, in the day to day drudgery. We were meant for more, individually and a created image of God. Let’s do that. Let’s plant potatoes on Mars.
Because it’s possible.
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AWARDS 2 BILLION IN GRANTS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
The idea here is to support companies as they convert factories to producing electric vehicles, in an attempt to boost sales and accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. (this goes along with about 15 billion the companies themselves are investing).
As I’ve said, I’m a fan. Besides the immediate pay off, which is that this will create or sustain thousands of union jobs, I think the switch to electric cars overall is an important step for the US. I’m not against oil, I just think we should use it for plastics and lubrications and so forth, and not just burn it. I think we can use other sources for that, and be less reliant on foreign suppliers.
If we have oil, solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, hydro, biodiesel, and other sources of energy producing electricity, and cars in particular run on electricity, we have the flexibility to switch between sources of energy whenever needed without major disruption. I think that’s a good thing. So bring on electric minivan.
MARATHON FINED ALMOST $250 MILLION FOR POLLUTING NORTH DAKOTA
I had to share this one for the ND connection. The EPA fined Marathon Oil for pollution violations at the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. It’s the largest fine ever under the Civil Air Act. You can see my comments about Environmentalism on the shampoo article.
BULLETS IN VENDING MACHINES
American Rounds, an ammunition sales company, has installed vending machines to dispense bullets in Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas (because of course that’s where you would install this sort of thing). I’ll admit, my eyebrows went up an inch or two on this one, but they claim they use identification checks and facial recognition software to ensure proper checks. They argue it’s more secure than a retail store, where ammunition could be shoplifted, and safer than online sales.
What do I know. Still seems kinda weird to be like “I’ll take a king size Skittles and a box of .38 Specials.”
IRS RECOVERS OVER $1 BILLION IN BACK TAXES FROM WEALTHY TAX EVADERS
As part of the 2022 Budget, the Biden administration allocated extra funds for the IRS to pursue people who owed more than 250,000 in back taxes. This announcement is meant to show a return on that investment. Seems like not a bad tradeoff.
This comes at a time when Trump is promising to cut funding and staff for the IRS. For some reason he doesn’t like when people are investigating wealthy people who don’t pay their taxes. It’s inexplicable.
CROCODILES AND POLITICS – HURRICANE BERYL
Hurricane Beryl has caused massive damage in Texas after making landfall, and part of the cleanup has caused a political divide in the US (big surprise). Apparently, the President can send additional aid to help stricken areas, but he needs an official request from the governor. Biden says he tried to reach Texas governor Greg Abbot, who has been in Asia. When he couldn’t reach him, Biden tried Lt Governor Dan Patrick, who also didn’t make the formal request. The Texas politicians have blamed Biden for not acting quickly enough.
If you want my guess, I think Biden probably asked his people to call Abbot, and couldn’t reach him. So he called Patrick, who was reluctant to either a) ask the White House for help, or b) was a little reluctant with his authority for such a major ask. And then Texas started blaming the White House.
Here’s an idea. How about we stop looking for blame, and just start moving the aid. End of story.
In related news, at least 200 crocodiles have moved into cities in Northern Mexico due to the flooding caused by the storm. If you’re curious, that’s right across from Texas. So, you like croc hunting, looks like you might have an opportunity here.
CHEATING SCANDAL AT HOT DOG EATING CONTEST
In a scandal sure to rival Watergate, Nick Wehry has been accused of illicitly elevating his weiner total from 47 to 52 frankfurters. So, I had to research this to get the full scoop, but apparently during the content, there are plates of 5 dogs each, and you snarf the 5, and the put your plate on your victory pile. In this case, the accusation was that Nick took an EXTRA plate from his neighbor competitor, made it look like he 5-dogs more a glutton than he actually was. Nick claims that if he did, it was unintentional. In a display of ultimate sportsmanship, he voluntarily lowered his total to 47.
He finished 4th.