GENESIS 12:12-20
Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.
The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.
And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife.
And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?
Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.
And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.

Abram’s Problem

Abram feared that telling the truth would cost him something – in this case, his life. So, he decided to compromise the truth to protect himself while still trying to continue toward the calling God had given him.

God told Abram to leave his home and to trust him to show him a the land he wanted Abram and his family to possess. This command came with great promises of blessings not only for Abram but for all his decedent generations.

But along the way, fear entered the picture. Instead of trusting God, Abram turned to his own logic and strategy for self-preservation and this lack of commitment to obey and trust in God is a lesson every Christian should heed.

As they traveled there was an encounter with the Egyptian Pharoah and Abram was afraid that Pharoah would kill Abram and take his beautiful wife and so he chose to like about his relationship with Saria and tell Pharoa that she was merely his sister to preserve his life.

Not only did this preserve his life, but the Bible tells us that Pharoah gave Abram sheep, oxen, servants and all other sorts of gifts and blessing for Sarai’s sake.

But then, God sent a plague on Pharoah and his household who quickly perceived he had been lied to and then kicked Abram and Sarai and their entire household out.

I am inclined to believe that it is unlikely Pharoah would have killed Abram just to take Sarai in the first place. Not only because he let them live after all the disease and drama, but also because God had a destination in mind for Abram and he still had further to journey before he got there.

Abram’s mistake was this: Abram’s fear of losing his life directed his mistake of presuming an outcome rather than trusting that God was sufficient to preserve His own plan and purpose.

There are many lessons here:

1. There are many Christians today who play politics with the truth. They do this because they are afraid of what other people might do or say. Fear of man is one of the easiest traps to fall into, and it causes people to do and say – or refuse to do and say – things they later regret.
   
   It happens in the pews. A person leaves church bold in conviction but suddenly becomes quiet about faith at work for fear of what other people might think of them. People want to be accepted by their friends so they trade things for social comfort.
   
   It happens in the pulpits. Preachers and teachers adjust the transparency of their convictions because they rationalize that it’s just as important to be invited to that conference speak. Again, the Lord might be dealing with them on an issue that might be at odds with the prevailing thought amonsgt their crowd so it gets suppressed so as not to rock the boat with their group.
   
   In both cases above, these people don’t have the courage to be alone - you could say they are in fear for their life in a proverbial sense.
   
   In both of these instances, people also come to conclusions of what they will loose unless they trade something for it. Abram traded the truth and his wife for his life. The question we need to ask ourselves is this: Are we willing to make trades to keep our “life?” What we willing to loose our closest friends, our social media following, or our prminance if it means standing by something God is speaking to us about?
   
   The other question is to ask what might God keep from us if we decide our click or social comfort is more important than his calling?

   The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. Proverbs 29:25

   You must have the courage to stand alone. The truth is not a platform of convenience that’s for you to bend and shift for postion so you can keep standing comfortably on your own two legs.
   
   God gave you a calling, and whether you arrive or not is entirely up to God – not you. Stop thinking that whether you “arrive” is ultimately in your hands. The only thing that is up to you is whether you will be obedient in all things, even when the truth might cost you your life, or when you perceive that the truth might cost you the entire mission.
   
   For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10
   

2. You cannot leave the truth behind and still arrive in the center of God’s will for your life. It’s impossible.
   
   Was Pharaoh wrong to simply take a man’s wife, whether he believed she was another man’s wife or merely his sister? Absolutely he was. Did he deserve what God did to him? Absolutely.
   
   Might things have turned out differently if Abram had trusted God instead? I have no doubt whatsoever. It could very well have been the case that Pharaoh let them go, or that God would have used Pharaoh’s aggression against him and for the greater glory of God.
   
   So here’s the lesson in this final point: never think that you alone will bear the consequences of your sin. It is entirely possible for someone to cut short another person’s life against the will of God by breaking His commandment against murder.
   
   Therefore, we can easily deduce that our actions can have wide-ranging consequences on other people.

3. Our trade-off is often a solution in search of a problem. Abram had a solution for a problem that didn’t even exist yet. How often do we do the same thing - imagining what could go wrong and before theirs ever a hint at any conflict, we’ve already decided to forfiet the truth rationalizing that it is necessary for the “more importnat” ideals of peace or unity. Just trust God, be a vessel for Truth, and let work out the battle - He can do it better than you can anyway.

   
   “We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.” Marcus Aurelius

Bonus lesson:

If you are married, God fully intends for your spouse to be with you when he calls you somewhere. He wants her there because he wants you there and you need to trust God for both your sakes. To many men might be believing that their calling is exclusively there’s and so they never factor their family into their calling adn purpose, whatever it is – maybe even thinking God only wants them to travel the road before them. The same goes for your children.

SEGMENT 1

SEGMENT 1.1: 15 MIN__________________________

Trump opens Hormuz under fire with ‘Project Freedom’ as Iran warns of attacks

The U.S. operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is unfolding under fire, with American forces intercepting Iranian missiles and drones and destroying attack boats targeting commercial shipping as they begin moving vessels through one of the world’s most critical waterways.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said two U.S.-flagged merchant vessels have successfully transited the strait under the effort, dubbed “Project Freedom,” even as Iranian officials rejected the claim as “baseless” and warned that any foreign military presence would be attacked.

Ceasefire tested as Iran warns US the fight over Strait of Hormuz hasn’t ‘begun yet’

President Donald Trump warned Iranian forces would be ‘blown off the face of the Earth’ if they targeted US ships.

• Ceasefire tested: Iran’s parliament speaker says the US and its allies have jeopardized secure shipping after a day of attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, adding “we have not even begun yet.” President Donald Trump declined to say, when asked, whether the ceasefire remains in place, and Israel is coordinating with the US for a potential new round of strikes, a source said.

• UAE under fire: The United Arab Emirates, a US ally, defended itself against Iranian strikes for the first time since the ceasefire began in early April, with one drone attack causing a fire at a major oil port.

• Economic impact: Oil prices are falling today, but remain above $100 a barrel, amid tensions as result of actions on the waterway, but stock markets look set for a better day after losing ground yesterday.

What It Is

Trump announced Project Freedom in a Sunday post on Truth Social, saying that other countries had asked the U.S. to help free their vessels “locked up in the Strait of Hormuz.” Trump framed it as a “humanitarian gesture,” saying the ship movement was “merely meant to free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong.”

SEGMENT 1.2: 5 MIN_____________________

Markets
pril was a strong month for investors. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq each posted their best monthly performance in five years, and earnings season has been largely impressive — especially from the big tech names. That’s the kind of backdrop you want heading into summer.

Kevin Warsh was confirmed by the Senate Banking Committee to replace Jerome Powell as Fed Chair when Powell's term expires May 15th. Powell announced he'll stay on as a Fed governor. The 8-4 vote to hold rates at the last FOMC meeting — the most divided since 1992 — tells you there's real disagreement inside that building about what comes next. Warsh's first moves as Chair will be worth watching.

SEGMENT 1.3: 15 MIN ______________________

State Rep Cathy Jo Loy

SEGMENT 1.4: 5 MIN___________________________

And don’t we just love technology. 61% of us believe that having a good knowledge about today’s technology is important. Well, then how do we explain this?

• 29% of us believe that “cloud computing” involves a real cloud.

• 11% think HTML is a sexually transmitted disease.

• 27% believe a gigabyte is an insect.

• 15% think software is comfortable clothing.

• 12% believe that USB is an acronym for a country.

• 18% believe Blu-ray is a sea animal.

SEGMENT 2

SEGMENT 2.1: 15 MIN______________

NEWT GINGRICH AND RACHEL PETERSON: Washington must act to stop massive government fraud

From fake meal programs in Minnesota to Medicaid payments for the deceased, systemic failures cost taxpayers

When my team at Gingrich 360 looked into the widespread corruption in Minnesota, we were shocked by how much fraud and corruption there was. We have posted a paper on our findings.

A February 2025 Department of Health and Human Services audit of Colorado’s Department of Health found that the state’s Medicaid program made at least $7.3 million in payments on behalf of deceased enrollees.

The time has come for Congress and state legislators to prioritize preventing government fraud before it occurs.

Writing in code to avoid FOI Requests - Instead of writing Planned Parenthood which got $90B in cofiv loans, they would write Bhengazi.

Jon Ossoff silent on SPLC indictment after taking more than $700K from affiliate of indicted group

The DOJ charged the Southern Poverty Law Center with bank fraud, wire fraud and money laundering in April

Paying extremists groups - its a racket.
The Department of Justice brought criminal charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center in April for allegedly defrauding its donors by secretly transferring money to extremist groups with the goal of infiltrating and monitoring their activities.

Ossoff, the most vulnerable Senate Democrat running for re-election in 2026, is endorsed by the law center’s 501(c)(4) arm. The group contributed more than $700,000 to his campaign account in 2020, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings.

Between 2014 and 2023, the Alabama-based organization paid more than $3 million to informants belonging to the United Klans of America, the Aryan Nation and other neo-Nazi groups, according to the 11-count indictment, which included charges of bank fraud, wire fraud and money laundering. The group allegedly concealed the payments by setting up bank accounts under fictitious names and did not inform federal law enforcement about their activities.

One informant, who the law center paid more than $270,000, was a member of an online group that helped plan the deadly 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, according to the indictment.

SEGMENT 2.2: 5 MIN_______________________

State Rep Jeff Farnan

SEGMENT 2.3: 15 MIN______________________

Missouri

SEGMENT 2.4: 5 MIN_______________________

That’s a dangerous place to be.

How do you know you’re not forgiving somebody?

Gossip is one thing that might give away your unforgiveness. It certainly fits with the idea that you would be withholding goodness from somebody if you continually replay with other people, how somebody else has wronged you.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink… Romans 12:2

Not praying for them might also be a debt giveaway that you haven’t forgiven somebody.

Pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Matthew 5:44

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any… Mark 11:25

The bottom line is this, as Christians, we’ve been the recipient of forgiveness far greater than any forgiveness we will ever, or could ever, possibly need to give.

And if we don’t forgive EVERYBODY (Mt 18:35) who has wronged us, God is going to judge us, and punish us in a way that is nothing less than pure justice. And it terrifying.

Read this passage below.

It’s Jesus’s own words on this exact subject.

It’s a Truth so important that he had to die for it.

Matthew 18

26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

28 ¶ But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

35 ¶ So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Hour 1
s1 Tucker Carlson a foreign agent?

s2 MISSOURI ENDING THE INCOME TAX?

s3 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Hour 2

s1 Is the Fillibuster Broken?

s2 Libs of TicTok

s3 Questions and Answers

SEGMENT 1

BORDERS AND LEFTIST HYPOCRICY
Josh Shapiro sued by neighbors over alleged land seizure for fence | Fox News

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is being sued by neighbors Jeremy and Simone Mock over a 2,900-square-foot property dispute involving a fence around his home.

The lawsuit alleges:

• Shapiro wanted to build an 8-foot security fence on land owned by his neighbors.

• When negotiations failed, the neighbors claim state police blocked them from accessing the property and the governor asserted ownership.

• Shapiro countersued claiming “adverse possession,” arguing he had used the land for decades.

The case is ongoing.

Jeremy and Simone Mock allege that Shapiro effectively became a squatter by using the state police to bar them from their own property and then building an eight-foot security fence.

After the Mocks sued, Shapiro countersued, claiming that the land was now his through “adverse possession.” He basically claimed that they abandoned the land despite their repeatedly trying to gain entry and repeatedly turning down his offers to buy it.

In their complaint, the Mocks allege that the Shapiros made "previous acknowledgments that the Mock Property was owned by no one other than the Mocks." They document that the Shapiros did not want to pay the asking price, so the Mocks offered to lease the land to them. The Shapiros allegedly agreed but then backed out.
Actions related to the border

• When Pennsylvania lawmakers asked him to send the Pennsylvania National Guard to the southern border, he declined.

GOP lawmakers push bill to strip citizenship from terrorists | Fox News

Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., announced plans Thursday to introduce legislation allowing the U.S. to denaturalize and deport naturalized citizens who commit or support terrorism after a recent string of attacks involving immigrants who obtained citizenship.

On Thursday, Moore called out the “horrific pattern” of naturalized citizens committing acts of terror against the American people, saying it “must end.”

Moore announced he will be introducing a bill in Congress to denaturalize and deport any naturalized citizen who commits an act of terror, plots to unleash terror, joins a terrorist group or otherwise aids and abets terrorism.

Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a naturalized citizen from Sierra Leone, opened fire on a class of Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) students, killing Lt. Col. Brandon Shah at Old Dominion Unit=versity in Norfolk VA.

Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Lebanon, attempted to ram his vehicle into a Michigan synagogue filled with children and teachers.

Ndiaga Diagne, 53, at right, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Senegal, was identified as the suspect in Sunday's shooting outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in Austin.

SCHMITT’S RESPONSE
After this week’s attacks, Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., renewed his call to pass another bill known as the Stop Citizenship Abuse and Misrepresentation (SCAM) Act.
Top Provisions of the SCAM Act

• Allows denaturalization for terrorism-related activity
  Permits the U.S. government to revoke citizenship from naturalized individuals who commit, support, or materially assist terrorism.

• Targets fraud in the naturalization process
  Expands the ability of federal authorities to revoke citizenship obtained through fraud, concealment, or misrepresentation during the immigration or naturalization process.

• Strengthens removal and deportation authority
  After citizenship is revoked, the individual may be subject to deportation or removal proceedings under immigration law.

• Expands the legal grounds for denaturalization cases
  Provides additional statutory grounds prosecutors can use when bringing civil denaturalization actions in federal court.

• Enhances national security enforcement tools
  Gives the Department of Justice and federal agencies more authority to investigate and pursue denaturalization for individuals connected to extremist groups or foreign terrorist organizations.

One-Sentence Summary

The SCAM Act expands the federal government’s authority to revoke citizenship from naturalized individuals who obtained it fraudulently or who later engage in terrorism or national security threats.

If you want, I can also provide a very quick talk-radio explanation (10–15 seconds) you could read on air to summarize the bill clearly for listeners.

SEGMENT 2

Republicans sharply criticized former President Joe Biden over rising prices at the gas pump, but a spike in energy prices amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict in Iran threatens to scramble the party’s affordability messaging.

The Iran conflict has led to a surge in gas prices for Americans, leading to an average 50 cents a gallon increase since Operation Epic Fury began on Feb. 28.

The average price of gas reached $3.63 per gallon on Friday, according to AAA. Diesel prices have also risen to $4.89 per gallon. The increases have been mostly fueled by volatility in oil prices, which closed above $100 per barrel Thursday for the first time since 2022 as the Strait of Hormuz remained effectively shuttered from the conflict.

The president characterized the gas price hike amid the Iran conflict as “a very small price to pay” in a Truth Social post Sunday.

The surge in gas and diesel prices threatens to undermine the economic message of President Trump and congressional Republicans, who have touted low gas prices as a major win in the lead-up to November’s midterm elections. Cost of living issues are expected to be a key concern among voters as both parties claim to be laser-focused on making everyday life more affordable.

Because of Trump and congressional Republicans, there are fewer EV owners than there otherwise would be.

With oil prices spiking, Trump’s policies curbing electric vehicles look even worse

My rebuttal

• Inflation Reduction Act EV Tax Credit Restrictions

• North American assembly and battery sourcing requirements limited which vehicles qualified for incentives

• Income and vehicle price caps excluded many potential buyers and models

• Union-Preference EV Credit Proposals (during Build Back Better Act debates)

• Proposed larger credits for vehicles produced in unionized factories

• Could have reduced manufacturer eligibility and consumer choice

• Emissions and EV Production Mandates

• Regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency push automakers toward higher EV production quotas

• Critics argue rapid mandates can raise vehicle prices and outpace consumer demand

• Charging Infrastructure Permitting Delays

• Environmental review requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act can slow infrastructure projects

• Delayed charging expansion can discourage potential EV buyers

• Energy Policies Affecting Electricity Costs

• Restrictions on fossil fuel energy production can contribute to higher electricity prices

• Higher power costs reduce the economic advantage of EV ownership over gasoline vehicles

SEGMENT 3

DAVID MARCUS: In an age of broken institutions, the filibuster is one relic we can’t afford

Sadly, the filibuster has become an excuse for our legislators to do nothing

By David Marcus Fox News

Under the filibuster, the Senate can only act when a piece of legislation is overwhelmingly popular, and in the current case of the Save America Act, which has widespread public support, not even then.

When the Senate abdicates this power, the power doesn’t disappear, rather it is vested in non-governmental institutions that we are meant to trust are working in the interest of the country and its people.

So, for example, without the Save America Act’s limits on mail-in ballots, non-government entities, like Mark Zuckererg and Meta back in 2020, are free to influence elections by offering mail-in ballot assistance, but only in their politically approved areas.

Today, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., would much prefer to keep the federal government out of the lives of Americans, but the institutions that do operate in their lives are broken and corrupt.

While it is the House of Representatives, not the Senate, that is meant to be the vehicle of popular will in our system, that Senate is not meant to be a perpetual roadblock to the will of the people’s house even in the face of massive popular support. UH, YEAH IT IS. THE SENATE IS LITTERALY DESIGNED TO COOL THE PASSIONS OF THE HOUSE (THE PEOPLE) JAMES MADISON FEDERALIST 42.

Sadly, that is what the filibuster has become today, an excuse for our legislators to do nothing as non-government institutions continue to firm their grip on American society. THE SECURE ACT WON’T FIX THIS UNLESS IT SCRAPS NON-GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS - WHICH IT DOESN’T.

There might have once been a time when the filibuster made sense, but now is not that time. Now is the time for the people’s government to take back power from our broken, far-left institutions.

Without the filibuster:

Policy could swing wildly every election cycle.

Example:

• One party legalizes something

• Next election repeals it

This creates instability for:

• business

• courts

• citizen

HOW DO WE NOT REGRET THIS DECISION WHEN THE SHO IS ON THE OTHER FOOT?

If the election were held today:

• Democrats likely have a small national advantage in House voting.

• Senate control remains highly competitive because of the map.

• Both parties have weak favorability ratings.

• The election could shift significantly depending on:

  • the economy

  • foreign policy crises

  • turnout differences.

These are the kinds of discussion points hosts often use:

• Midterms historically punish the president’s party.

• Polling this far out is volatile.

• Turnout differences often matter more than persuasion.

Example talking question:

SEGMENT 4

Tucker Carlson Facing ‘Foreign Agent’ Charges, He Says—’They Read My Texts’ - Newsweek

Tucker Carlson has claimed he is facing potential criminal charges stemming from his conversations with people in Iran after U.S. government agencies “read my texts.”

Posting on X, the former Fox News host said the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was preparing “a crime report” to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on the basis that he was “acting as an agent of a foreign power” by conversing with individuals from Iran. Carlson denied these alleged claims.

SEGMENT 5

LIBS OF TICTOK

SEGMENT 6

Missouri’s Plan to Eliminate the Income Tax

1. Phase Out the Individual Income Tax

• Missouri would gradually reduce the state income tax rate until it reaches zero.

• The current top rate is about 4.7%.

2. Put the Plan Before Voters

• The legislature would first pass a constitutional amendment.

• Missouri voters would need to approve the elimination of the income tax in a statewide ballot measure before it takes effect.

3. Replace Income Tax Revenue With Expanded Sales Taxes

• Lawmakers would expand the state sales tax base to more goods and services.

• Many currently exempt services could become taxable.

4. Revenue “Triggers” to Reduce Taxes

• Income tax rates would only drop when state revenue exceeds certain benchmarks.

• For example, every $20 million in new revenue could trigger a small reduction in the tax rate.

5. Final Elimination Threshold

• Once the top rate falls to about 1.4%, the income tax would be eliminated entirely.

6. Timeline

• If voters approve the amendment, lawmakers could begin implementing the plan with a potential full elimination around the early 2030s.

Context

• Missouri’s income tax currently provides about 65% of the state’s general revenue.

• Supporters argue elimination would make Missouri more competitive with states like Texas, Tennessee, and Florida, which have no income tax.

Related Recent Tax Changes in Missouri

Missouri has already taken steps toward lowering income-based taxes:

• 2025: Missouri eliminated its state capital gains tax.

• The state previously reduced the top income tax rate through revenue-triggered cuts.

Main Arguments in the Debate

Supporters say

• Eliminating income tax will attract businesses and workers.

• Workers will keep more of their paychecks.

Critics say

• Replacing income tax with sales tax may shift the burden toward lower-income households.

• Income tax funds a large share of education and state services.

Safeguards for Fixed-Income and Lower-Income Residents

• Food remains exempt from the state sales tax
  Missouri already taxes groceries at a much lower rate (about 1.225% state rate) and many proposals would maintain or fully exempt food from the broader sales-tax expansion.

• Utilities are generally excluded from the expanded tax base
  Most versions of the legislation protect electricity, natural gas, and water from the new service taxes.

• Medicine and medical devices remain tax-exempt
  Prescription drugs and many medical items are already exempt in Missouri and would remain exempt.

• Possible exemptions for hygiene and household essentials
  Some proposals specifically protect items such as diapers and hygiene products, though this can vary by bill version.

• Existing “circuit breaker” tax credit remains available
  Missouri’s Senior Property Tax Credit (Circuit Breaker) helps seniors and disabled residents offset property tax burdens, which supporters argue helps balance the shift away from income taxes.

SEGMENT 7

FACEBOOK QUESTIONS

SEGMENT 8

WHO IS ON THE BENCH FOR 2028?
VANCE 52%

RUBIO 20%

HEGSETH

RAMASWAMY

RON DESANTIS

SEGMENT 9

DHS STANDOFF
Why Democrats Are Blocking the Bill

2. Dispute over immigration enforcement (ICE and CBP)

Democrats say they will not approve funding unless reforms are added to immigration enforcement agencies.

Their demands include:

• Restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations

• New oversight requirements for enforcement agents

• Additional accountability measures after controversial enforcement incidents

One major flashpoint came after a fatal incident involving Customs and Border Protection agents, which prompted Democrats to demand reforms before approving funding.

Republican Position

Republicans want:

• A full-year funding bill for DHS, including:

  • ICE

  • Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

  • TSA

  • FEMA

• No additional immigration policy restrictions attached.

They argue border enforcement agencies cannot operate effectively without full funding.

One Democratic Proposal That Was Rejected

Democrats proposed:

• Funding DHS without funding ICE and CBP, while negotiations continue.

Republicans rejected this approach.

3. TSA workers are going unpaid

• TSA officers began missing paychecks during the shutdown.

• Over 300 TSA employees have resigned during the dispute.

In Pilgrim’s Progress, the story follows a man named Christian who becomes deeply troubled by the burden he carries on his back, a weight that represents the guilt of his sin. Realizing the danger of remaining where he is, he leaves the City of Destruction and begins a journey toward the Celestial City of the King, hoping that somewhere along the way he will finally be freed from the burden he cannot remove himself. While on his journey, he meets up with a man named Mr. Worldly Wiseman who tells Christian that he can get some relief of his burden if he relocates to the Village of Morality where there are laws that will surely make him feel better and give him relief for his burden.

Christian listens to Mr. Worldly Wiseman but he later discovers that the city is built alongside a dangerous hill that John Bunyan uses to illustrate the law. This hill though leans so far over everyone that they all stand in danger of being crushed. This causes Christian to be in a constant state of fear — as long as he decides to remain under this hill, he will never have peace.

Here’s some thoughts about the grace and the law Jesus came to fulfil and why - I hope this is a blessing to you.

You are not the problem for noticing that there is a problem. The problem is all around us. Lies, wickedness, confusion. This world is in trouble.

But to those who choose willful blindness, and who refuse to see what must change, you will always be the problem.

Why? Because discernment and clarity take effort.

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Many would rather assume everything is right than confront what is wrong in an effort to make it right. So when you point out what is broken, they will accuse you of being divisive. They will say you are disturbing the peace. They will suggest you are the source of tension, because acknowledging the real issue would require them to confront it.

And they just can’t confront it. It makes them uncomfortable. It brings back uncomfortable memories. Confronting what is wrong might cause other people to dislike them and just thought of that alone terrifies them. Comfort feels safer than correction. Quiet feels safer than the truth. Unity feels better than accountability.

And for that reason, blindness is their strategy of survival.

These people exist everywhere. The highest echelons of power in Washington, in church pews, homes, boardrooms, and in groups of friends. It would be a mistake to believe that just because somebody holds a position of authority that they have the courage to do what is right.

Overtime, less people are willing to openly pursue the truth because truth tellers often pay a price. The willfully ignorant can be brutal toward those who expose what they would rather ignore.

And as time passes, fewer people fail to pursue the truth because they don’t have the courage to be alone - they need to be with people. And so, they exchange the truth for the crowd.

Jesus Christ isn’t it just somebody who told the truth, he IS the Truth.

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:14

Few there be.

You are not the problem because you noticed the problem with yourself, with your fallen condition, and with the world around you. Desperately pursue the Truth at all costs. And when you do find Him, you will never be alone again.

…I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:20

Over the years, I've worked with men who want to pursue something so badly that they put their family’s needs and comforts on the back burner. I had a man ask me one time about how he should go about to get started in politics. I asked him what he did for a living and he told me he was unemployed.

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I asked him how his family was getting by and he said they were living off a few months worth of savings in the bank. His hope was that he could run a campaign over the next year, get elected and live off the salary of the position. In the meantime, his plan was to figure out a living along the way.

I told him that was a terrible plan. I told him his family needed him to be a provider more than his town needed him to be a mayor and it would be better if he secured a job before putting his family at risk of losing everything because he didn’t have reliable income to provide for them.

This was sound advice, but he already had ideas of where his political career would be taking him and I quickly learned there wasn’t anything I could say to get him to consider his family first. He wasn’t strong enough to do his duty as a husband and a father – he was crippled by his own ego and his family was feeling the pain as they limped along month to month.

Don't be that guy. In the Marines I learned a very valuable principle "Leaders Eat Last." It’s also the title of a good book by Simon Sineck about the principle of leadership that requires you put the welfare, moral, and comfort of the people following you ahead of your own. In a family, someone is always carrying the weight. Sometimes it is equally distributed but when it gets heavy, usually someone bears more of the load than others. When there is an imminent burden to bear, such as, how are we going to pay for groceries, or the next months rent, don't allow your ego and ambition to compete with the needs of your family. Rather, your family should be your ambition and your ego should be used to satisfy their needs long before you use it to satisfy your own appetites.

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Have you ever been in the presence of something miraculous? I mean there was no doubt about it - you’ve seen God move, and you’ve seen people respond. There’s no confusion about what just happened, God was here. Maybe it was a little less pronounced, but nevertheless, it got you thinking.

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For too long, you begin to think that you have some things figured out. You think you know exactly what’s going on, and at some point you tell yourself something along these lines: “OK, it’s time for me to talk now, everyone needs to here what I’m thinking. I can’t deprive people of my great idea.”

Matthew 17:1–8

1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

Imagine Peter seeing Jesus glorified the way he was on the Mount of Transfiguration. And standing there with Jesus are Moses and Elijah - there’s no doubt Peter surely must’ve felt blessed to be in the presence of such a mighty work of God. But then Peter has an idea. He thinks he has an answer everybody needs to hear, to a question nobody has asked, only to be interrupted by God the Father, who continues speaking right over Peter as if he wasn’t even there at all.

Have you been there? A moment when you thought everyone should take notice of your big idea and appreciate your deep insight.

Fortunately, for Peter, in that moment, he heard the voice of God and it reminded him that what was going happening. This moment wasn’t about him or his ideas. It wasn’t Moses, and it wasn’t Elijah. The focus was on Jesus Christ alone. Peter quickly adjusted himself, and by “adjusted himself”, I mean, he changed his entire posture. He wasn’t standing up trying to get everybody’s attention anymore. He was on his face, acknowledging and who he was in the presence of God Almighty.

And then, after Peter got himself and his thinking right, he looked up, and all he could see was Jesus.

What about you? Are you relying on your own insights instead of listening to the voice of God? Is God trying to get your attention while you’re busy speaking up because you want to everyone focused on you? Pay attention, God may be calling your attention to someone more important than you in this very moment - Jesus.

If you think you’re just trying to get God’s attention, maybe it’s time to close your mouth, set aside your own ideas, and be still for a little while.

And when you hear God’s voice, don’t lift your eyes until you’re sure that when you do, you won’t see anything in front of you - except Jesus.

Here’s some extra food for thought:

The ideas you think are so important, are probably not near as important as you think they are.

Do you think politics are so important that it should take all your time and attention? Do you think your political skills come in handy in heaven? Or that we will get to debate over who should be in charge or whose ideas should move forward? Somebody tried that once and it didn’t turn out well.

“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world…” - John 18:36

Do you think your career is the most important thing? Who do you think gave you your career? Where do you think opportunity comes from?

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights…” James 1:17

Does an education take center stage in your thought thoughts? What’s the point of your education? What do you plan to do with it? Do you want it to serve yourself? Your community? Or is your main objective to use it to serve God?

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…” Proverbs 1:7

“As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom…” Daniel 1:17

Do you think the main thing right now is keeping some kind of score? What are you playing for? How long are you going to be able to hold on to your winnings?

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth… But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” Matthew 6:19–20

“But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth…” Deuteronomy 8:18

Your flesh is a more sinister enemy to your spiritual life than you realize. In fact, it is the enemy. Your desires, your cravings, your ego - all these things are competing for the control of your mind. It’s so hard to do what we know is right. And the very things we tell ourselves we hate because they are wrong, we find ourselves doing anyway. (Romans 7:15-20)

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The flesh and the spirit cannot both be full and healthy in your life. If you feed one you’ll starve the other. That’s just the way it works. But in this life, we have to contend with our bodies and flesh - our mind will drift into what naturally feels right, satisfying our physical desires and our ego.

Do not minimize what’s happening here, or rationalize your behavior, simply to avoid dealing with it. There’s a battle raging for the dominance of your mind. It’s an all out war.

Your mind is life’s steering wheel - whatever pulls your attention in this direction or that determines the path. And all along the way you’ll be forced to make choices that keep you on that path or redirect it.

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Romans 8:5,6)

You don’t owe your fleshly cravings or your ego anything, they are not entitled to be fed by you or anyone else (Romans 8:12). We are however bought with a price and told to glorify God in our spirit and our body (1 Cor 6:19-20) Here’s the rule Paul is teaching us: you cannot offer your fleshly cravings, your ego, and the Holy Spirit a seat at the same table. They are hostile toward each other so you have to chose who gets your company. Scripture is unambiguous about this hostility:

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:7,8)

Now, you might be thinking, you e been asked to accomplish an impossible task. But how often do you say these words: “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

Did it ever occur to you that if you put God first, even you cannot be against yourself? In other words, the flesh and ego you carry in life cannot work against you because you’re putting God first in everything.

Just because something is a struggle does not mean it’s impossible. It is only a struggle because it is possible. The Bible says specifically to this issue, “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37). It’s not just a cliché or a charming sign you hang in your living room - It’s a promise of God to all those that mind themselves to put Him first.

Christianity was never meant to be lived in isolation. We should seek to strengthen ourselves in the Lord and we should actively strengthen one another in the Lord.

This isn’t a one or the other proposition, these two ideas work together for the good of the individual and for the good of the whole body of Christ - and in so strengthening the whole body, it strengthens us individually.

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Without the strength of my legs, back, and abdomen, my arms are substantially weaker. The point and undeniable truth is this: The church is built and made stronger when each member receives edification and gives it freely because this this both strengthens the individual and the church as a whole. The stronger the one, the stronger the other.

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This truth is illustrated mathematically in the movie “A Beautiful Mind” which tells the story of the brilliant mathematician John Nash. Nash challenged the idea in Adam Smith’s book “Wealth of Nations,” that the people as a whole are best served when each person acts purely in his own self-interest. Instead, Nash was able to demonstrate mathematically that people are actually better off when each person consider what is both good for themselves and good for the group. We see this principal carry forward in economics as well because it is in the best interest of both the producer in consumer to acquire value. Both producer and consumer should offer honesty and integrity to each other to ensure everything from sound prices, quality, products, and the propagation of economic and industrial progress

This principal mirrors, Paul’s instruction perfectly. The body of Christ grows strong, not when each believer focuses only on his own spiritual life, but when we invest in one another by encouraging, comforting, correcting, and building up those around us. When we do this, we’ll soon realize that edifying the brothers and sisters around us is far more important to our own greater spiritual growth than we might have otherwise realized.

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“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” Matt 19:26

Right now, you might be thinking you’re facing something that is practically impossible to overcome. However, as a Christian, deep down you know that nothing is actually impossible with God. But do you know where that struggle comes from?

You have an imperfect fallen nature.

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Galatians 5:17

You are a spiritual being, but at this moment, you are limited to a human dimension and naturally you struggle as we sinful humans do. The world, Satan, and your own flesh all are competing against the Holy Spirit for the attention of your heart and your mind. Now, if you are in this position, take just a moment to think about all your doubts that you’ve had - think about each one. Now think about the mightiest things that God has done. You can find these in the Bible and in the testimony of that’s people. And if you are a child of God, you should be able to point your own salvation.

Now unpacked those doubts and lay them down at the feet of Jesus.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28–30

“Oh, but Paul, I do believe! I have given Jesus everything but I still have these doubts and fears. “

Listen to yourself! When you give Jesus everything, you are supposed to have nothing left. If you gave Jesus everything why do you still have something in your hands? You’re still holding onto your doubts and fears, so clearly, you have not given those to God.

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If you want a peace that passes all understanding, even your own understanding, you have to let go of everything and give God full control of your circumstances in your life.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

Proverbs 3:5–6

You need to consider right now before you work yourself up and let a dark spirit get an advantage, that God might have a greater purpose than what you think is the main effort right now.

No matter how emotionally difficult or physically tough what you’re going through is right now, learn to understand that God sees a bigger picture than you do. And if that’s too difficult, focus on your faith and your trust in him that His will might be made known and glorified and submit yourself to His will no matter the outcome- get back to the simple but deeply meaningful and ever so important place of full surrender.

Jesus was once under pressure too, more than you will ever know. It was at this moment that he personally demonstrated what absolute surrender looks like - and he left us His very words from His personal experience in the garden and he did it all for you - for this every moment you would be facing right now when more than anything else on this earth, you need to completely surrender to His will, no matter the pain - no matter the cross you have to carry.

“… Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42

Let it go - give it to God.

#christianlife #unashamed

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” — Ephesians 6:17

Have you ever been given a promise by a doctor that encouraged you to set higher expectations for the recovery of your loved one? Maybe you’ve received a message from an old friend you’ve fallen out with and suddenly you’re anticipating reconciliation and reuniting with them. There’s something wonderful about hope and the possibilities that exist on the other side of a fulfilled promise or the bright destination of the hope that we carry.

Sometimes we stake our whole future on nothing more than hope even if it feels like vague optimism..

Jesus made a promise too - a promise to save all who would turn their hearts from this world of darkness to him.

If you are a follower of Christ, have you ever felt like that Hope was being attacked relentlessly? You start wondering why God hasn’t done for you what you’ve seen Him do for others. Maybe that’s where doubts start to creep in. Maybe you’ve experienced a loss so painful that the question of if God is even real has actually flashed across your mind, or maybe your doubts come from seeing so many terrible things happening in the world around you.

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You don’t have to look very far to see how the darkness of this world works. Just scroll through social media. Turn on the TV. Flip through the radio. Darkness is always looking for those vulnerable places in our life, the soft spots, and it aims its arrows center mass, hoping to destroy your hope in Christ.

But the object of our salvation is not vague optimism, it’s a promise given to us by Jesus Christ himself. Our hope is anchored firmly in the gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news that he did not come to condemn the world, but to save it. The knowledge that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever, believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Hope that God did all this because his intention is not to condemn us, but just save us. (John 3:16 & 17)

This is where things get practical. Let’s say a doctor tells you your loved one is going to recover. But days turn into weeks, and weeks into months - and your loved one is still lying in the hospital bed and has shown hardly any improvement. Doubts starts to creep in - you remember what the doctor said months ago, but you’re wondering if it’s true. After all, you only heard him say it that one time months ago and so much has happened since you heard him say it. Could it still be true?

What would you do?

Do you just sit there hoping it all works out? OR, do you go find that doctor and ask for some assurances? I’ve been in that situation more than once, and I can tell you, it seemed my hope for mu loved one rested on every syllable out of that doctor’s mouth.

So how do we protect the helmet of salvation - the hope that we have in Christ?

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” — Hebrews 4:12

If your Hope is under attack, you need to defend yourself and go on the offense. And that’s what swords are for. So what you need to do is hear from God. So put your phone on silent, get away from the noise, and pick up your Sword - your Bible. And when you do, start reading the gospels and hang on every last syllable.

And then go back and do it again, day after day. Whether you only get a few minutes or a few hours, you need to get face-to-face with God in His word and let Him speak Truth to you.

#Christian #unashamed-

Whether you’re entrenched in current political drama or you’re searching for spiritual guidance, take this as something that you can use to orientate yourself on anything you face.

Truth does not originate in our feelings. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17)

Rather, truth rests on what can be known and demonstrated, and it is meant to be shared so others can see it clearly as well.

The vibes you get from someone might be right, or, you could totally be misreading somone and missing out on something important. The behavior you think is weird might even be weird to the person you’re judging because even they don’t know what to think or how to act in strange or traumatic circumstances.

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Seeking the truth always means asking questions but just because someone is asking questions doesn’t mean they’re seeking the truth.

Much like lawyers, arguing in a courtroom, sometimes the opposing team will ask a question not because they want an answer, but because they have an agenda and they’re trying to steer the thinking of the jury right or wrong.

Some people are not interested in getting an answer, they’re interested in getting what they want.

“A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.” (Proverbs 18:2)

You have to be very discerning. It’s a good rule for anyone to follow the wisdom from the Bible to be wise as a serpent and harmless as doves, and if you don’t know enough to insinuate or make outright claims, it would be wise to emphasize the “harmless as doves” part otherwise you might wind up doing irreparable damage to people’s lives.

“Pray without ceasing.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Sometimes you loose sight of things you don’t take time to meditate on. The Bible tells us to stir up our pure minds by way of remembrance. If you aren’t praying like you should, here’s 4 reasons to get before God and talk to him.

It may be easier said than done, but think about these 4 simple reasons and as your lying in bed tonight let your last thoughts of the day be given to God. When you wake up, give him your first few minutes of the day. When you first sit down at your desk at work, take a few moments to connect with God and share your burdens and ask for wisdom. When you sit down for a meal, thank him for the blessings in your life and name a few.

1. Prayer is how we invite God to move and intervene for us

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3

Listen, God has already promised you that when you call on Him in prayer, He will answer you and reveal things you didn’t yet know or understand. Prayer is what connects you to the wisdom and insight that God wants to show you. But God wants to know that you want Him to show you. Because He loves you, He won’t force you to know His will if you don’t want to know it. But if you do want to know Gods will and purpose for you, all you need to do is ask and listen because he will reveal it.

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2. Prayer forces you to reflect on your relationship with God

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23–24

When’s the allay time you’ve come to God asking for Him to reveal where you stand in His sight?  David’s prayer here is self-examining; he wants to be as close to God as he can but to do that, he needs to know where he stands with God right now and what sin in his life he is holding to that’s holding him back from a new closeness to God. When we pray like this, we pause and invite God to show us what we need to repent of, where we need to grow, and how to further deepen our relationship with Him.

3. When you pray to know God’s will, He will show you

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5–6

It might sound cliche, but letting go and letting God is a very real thing to people who have faith. And if you want to have more faith, you have to ask God for his divine guidance.

4. Praying invites God deeper into your life, and if you talk to Him often, He stays within earshot.

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

A life of continual prayer keeps God’s presence near. The more often you speak with Him, the more you experience His nearness and guidance moment by moment.

A famous boxer once said, “I stay ready so I don’t have to get ready.” How often have you come to God in prayer knowing it’s been too long since you last talked to him? Awkward right? You almost feel like you do with a friend you ignored but then need to ask their help to load a moving truck - you start with small talk and hope it’s enough to restore enough kinship to find approval for your request.

Praying continuously keeps God near and the relationship close.

SEGMENT 1.1

CLIP 1

CLIP 2 Kimmel Suspended

Jimmy Kimmel has been suspended indefinitely from his late-night talk show for comments he made about the public assassination of Charlie Kirk. The FCC Chairman stated yesterday on The Benny Johnson Show that the FCC could take action against ABC for Kimmel's comments. And within hours, ABC and Disney decided to pull Kimmel from the air.

This brings up, once again, the concept of cancel culture — something you’ve heard me and others talk about for years.

Cancel culture is a tool used primarily by the political and cultural left to silence dissenting views, especially conservative and Christian viewpoints. Through public pressure — or through the institutional power of universities, corporations, media outlets, or social media mobs — people are punished or shut down simply for expressing ideas that challenge progressive ideology. It doesn’t punish truly egregious actions. Instead, it targets speech that promotes alternative political or cultural beliefs.

So is Jimmy Kimmel’s cancellation a form of cancel culture?

Well, he's certainly being canceled — but not necessarily because of social pressure. Maybe ABC and Disney heard the comments made by the FCC and decided to preempt any action the commission might take. But to my knowledge, the FCC didn’t make any calls to Disney or ABC. Those two media companies acted without any direct contact from the government.

Maybe they saw the disturbing trend — a segment of Americans actually celebrating Charlie’s death — and decided they didn’t want to be associated with anyone even remotely pandering to that crowd.

Or maybe… they’re just as sick and tired of Jimmy Kimmel as the rest of us are, and they saw this as their chance to cut him loose.

Honestly? That’s what I’m inclined to believe.

Now, as much as I hate cancel culture, let me break this down into two distinct types — because they’re not the same.

First: Cancel Culture as a Product of Social Consequences

This happens when someone says something controversial, and people rise up in protest — loudly. As a result, others — including businesses — decide to distance themselves. Maybe they unfollow your social media. Maybe they end a professional relationship. Maybe they stop selling your products or buying what you’re offering.

That’s the marketplace of ideas in action. Sometimes one side is just louder. Sometimes the market feels the need to respond — not out of morality, but out of brand preservation or protecting the bottom line.

Think about Nike. They took positions that many Americans — myself included — considered to be un-American. They recalled sneakers featuring the colonial Betsy Ross flag because Colin Kaepernick claimed it was racist. They’ve promoted men competing in women’s sports to support the transgender agenda. They made Kaepernick one of their key celebrity endorsements — not for athletic achievement, but because he refused to stand for the national anthem.

I haven’t bought a Nike product in years — and I’m not alone.

Or look at Cracker Barrel. Just recently, they waded into the cultural waters with ideas their customers didn’t appreciate — and the backlash was so loud, they did a complete 180 in just a few days.

People vote with their pocketbooks.

At the end of the day, whether it’s Nike, Cracker Barrel, or Disney and ABC — companies will either double down and suffer the consequences of unpopular decisions, or they’ll change course and realign themselves with mainstream America.

So how do you keep your side from being canceled in the marketplace or the marketplace of ideas?

You speak up. You get louder. You get more persuasive.

Not with more laws. Not with more regulations. You win the argument. You convince people that the voices being silenced are actually worth listening to.

Second: Institutional Cancellation — the Real Danger

This is the most clear and present danger to a free society — when the cancellation comes from institutions.

For example, when a university cancels a scheduled speaker because a quarter of the student body protested.

A university is supposed to be the very place where controversial ideas are debated. Shutting out that debate is like a surgeon banning scalpels from the operating room because they might cut someone. It defeats the entire purpose of the institution.

And when a university — especially a publicly funded one — censors debate, their request for more tax dollars becomes laughable. You can’t demand public money while suppressing public discourse.

Right now, people are posting online — for the entire world to see — their demonic, uncontrollable laughter and excitement over Charlie Kirk’s public execution.

And they’re not hiding. They’re doing this in their cars, in their offices, in their homes — voluntarily. They’re recording themselves. They’re typing comments. They’re hitting “post.” And many of them have their employer’s name right there in their bio, next to the video or post celebrating Charlie’s death.

Others have taken it upon themselves to catalog those posts and notify employers.

And many employers, in order to protect their brand, have decided to distance themselves from these people — by letting them go.

That’s social consequence. That’s how the marketplace works.

SEGMENT 1.2

State Representative Justin Sparks

• Redistricting because the MO Consitituion does not prohibit when they can redraw congressional lines although it does say they have to redraw them after the census.
  League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) v. Perry, 548 U.S. 399 (2006)
  Issue settled - Texas has similar constitutional language.
  
  In that movie, an opposing team objects to Buddy, a basketball-playing golden retriever, subbing into a game. Buddy’s coach points out that while there is no rule explicitly stating that a dog can play basketball, there is no rule saying that a dog cannot play basketball. The referee then allows Buddy to play.
  
  In similar fashion, defenders of the new map have argued that the lack of a specific prohibition on mid-decade redistricting in the Missouri Constitution is effectively an authorization for the legislature to redraw congressional lines when they want to.
  
  “I guess it could be an example of a real-world example of the 'Air Bud' rule, and maybe that's what they should call this congressional redistricting the 'Air Bud' clause,” said Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins.

  
  When reminded of the scene from the film earlier this month, state Rep. Bill Hardwick, R-Pulaski County, said the "Air Bud" premise is based on a concept known as exclusio unius – a Latin phrase that “if you omit the mention of one thing, it means that you're not authorized to that thing.”

  
  “If I say the legislature has the power to legislate about desks and couches and chairs and doors, then that would imply the legislature doesn't have the authority to legislate about windows,” said Hardwick.

• A Missouri Democrat state representative is in hot water after texting an obscene message to a Republican colleague Sept. 4

.

SEGMENT 1.3

• Turning Point USA announced Thursday it "unanimously elected" Charlie Kirk's widow Erika Kirk as the new CEO and chair of the board of the organization.
  "In prior discussions, Charlie expressed to multiple executives that this is what he wanted in the event of his death," the organization said in a post on X.

• President Donald Trump on Thursday said his administration is "trying" to get the former U.S. Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan "back" from the Taliban.

  In remarks to the press while standing alongside U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the president criticized the handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan under President Joe Biden and said he had "a little breaking news."

  "We're trying to get it back," Trump said. "We're trying to get it back because they need things from us."

• CNN lists Trumps critic of Jimmy Kimmel in July as being the next to go after Colbert because he is not talented on the the timeline leading up to Kimmel’s suspension

SEGMENT 2.1

• Dr. Randy Tobler
  A quarter of respondents who identified as “very liberal” said violence can sometimes be justified to achieve political goals, along with 17 percent of those who identified as “liberal,” 9 percent of moderates, 6 percent of those who said they’re “conservative” and 3 percent of those who identified as “very conservative.”

• Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is getting blasted on social media after posting a picture supporting American Federation of Teachers (AFT) chief Randi Weingarten’s new book that suggests her political opponents are "fascists."
  "Congratulations to my friend [Weingarten] on ‘Why Fascists Fear Teachers.’

Medical ethics call for treating every patient equally, regardless of political affiliation. But when you see fellow medical professionals publicly celebrating a political assassination, does it shake your faith in the neutrality of your field??

Would you feel confident referring a visibly conservative patient to a colleague who has openly celebrated Charlie Kirk’s death on social media??

Is it time for professional medical associations to adopt policies that reaffirm a nonpartisan commitment to care — and publicly discipline those who promote violence or gloat over death based on political views??

SEGMENT 2.2

1. Story Time:
   If your going to stand up, prepared to get hit.
   Courage is a choice. Standing up in the face of fear of the unknown or maybe worse yet the known.

   1. Know your Convictions.
      Know what you believe and why you believe it. Get out f the echo chamber and away from the confirmation bias. Let yourself be challenged and see if you can overcome the obstacle.

   2. Opposition confirms the value of your cause.
      Peo don’t attack what doesn’t matter. (Easter Bunny vs Christ)

2. Expect the hit. Count the potential cost so when it hits you, you’re not rattled wondering what just happened - you already know what happened and your ready to continue the fight.

3. Condition yourself for the impact.
   How do you absorb the blow? What answer do you give to strike back and advance.

4. Find your people:
   Ponder for a long time whether you shall admit a given person to your friendship; but when you have decided to admit him, welcome him with all your heart and soul. Speak as boldly with him as with yourself…Regard him as loyal and you will make him loyal. - Senneca
   Two are better than one…for if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.

Stay in the fight.

This matters because your family needs a defender.
Because America needs some heros on the home front right about now.
These are men and women who fight for their family.
Who knowing the potential fallout still decide to stand up in front of the school board meeting, in front of oth3er parents at gathering, to the city council, and speak the truth becuase they know the truth matters and they can’t let it die because their children need it.

CLIP 1. PRESS CONFRENCE - HE’S AN AMERICAN

CLIP 2. MONTAGE

The problem with the governors statement is that he assumes that everyone should be upset that because an American was killed.
The issue here is that the left has created a culture of anti-American, anti-white, anti-free speech, anti-flag, anti-national anthem, and the list goes on.

They have done this not by disagreement and debate, but by a marketing campaign to align the minds of the American people so that as soon as they think of a particular conservative or the conservative movement, they immediately think of them as fascists and Nazis - the worst supper villains to have existed in in the last thousand years.

You can’t have a conversation about issues when the people on the other side have already decided you’re Hitler.

You know how I know this? because no one ever discuss they hypothetical ability to back in time to find baby Hitler and have a discussion with him.

So for all the people who have repeatedly used the word fascist, or other extreme rhetoric to now be calling for a national discussion, I want to know what that looks like to you? Does it involve creating an organization to host townhalls across the country and engage in debate? Because we tried that. For years, you tried to cancel speakers at colleges and universities and now you finally killed one. So what exactly do you mean by we need to “have a conversation?”
I think what you want is total control. And if you don’t get to shut people up, you kill them.

SEGMENT 1.2

Virginia Kruta from the Daily Caller

Virginia Kruta’s Column

SEGMENT 1.3

Economic Update.
1️⃣ Big Picture Market Movement

“Last week we saw the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit new records even as job creation was revised sharply lower. How do you explain the market’s ability to keep climbing when the employment data looked so weak?”

“Investors seemed encouraged by the drop in wholesale inflation and are still hoping for a Fed rate cut later this year. Based on the latest data, how realistic do you think those expectations are?”

“With stocks at all-time highs and the Fed poised to speak, what practical steps should long-term investors consider right now—stay the course, rebalance, or look for new opportunities?”

SEGMENT 2.1

Mike McClary from Intervine AI and Big Tech Expert

• We’ve seen a new wave of AI model releases this fall. What breakthroughs are you most excited about right now, and why do they matter for everyday users and businesses?

• Many companies are talking about ‘AI agents’ and fully autonomous systems. How close are we to seeing those in real products, and what hurdles remain?

• Where do you see the next big frontier—healthcare, robotics, education, or something we aren’t even talking about yet?

• Lawmakers in the U.S. and Europe are debating new AI regulations and data-privacy standards. Which proposals on the table today could most impact innovation or user privacy?

• Antitrust pressure on Big Tech seems to be heating up again, with new lawsuits and hearings this month. What does that mean for the big AI players?

• AI infrastructure—from GPUs to data centers—is in high demand and affecting supply chains. How is that shaping the market for semiconductors and cloud services?”

• “Misinformation and deepfakes are already shaping politics and social media. How well are current detection and security measures keeping up?”

SEGMENT 2.3

Babylon Bee is sharing excess revenue from their heightened web traffic and sending proceeds to the Kirk Family and Turning Point USA.

There are prayer vigils for the Kirk family and for peace.

Not a single building has been boarded up.
Not a single bullet has been fired back.

What you believe matters. What you do and how you behave and respond will matter more.

Napoleon and his army celebrated lots of small victories when he invaded Russia - they even threw a party in Moscow after some hard fought battles. But by the time the war was over, what remained of his army limped and staggered back to France, broken and nearly starved to death from a military campaign against enemy forces in a climate they weren’t prepared for - clearly, these victories were short live and proved to be far less meaningful than the necessary to hold their ground.

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Carrying their wounded with them, they scavenged for food and water all the while endure constant attacks by Russian troops. Of the 600,000 combat troops that invaded, less than 30,000 made it back to France in one of the largest most catastrophic military defeats in history.

Napoleon’s troops continued to celebrate the conquest and expansion of Napoleon’s empire, meanwhile, the  Russians, beat up and bruised as they were, weren’t abandoning the fight. Instead, they set out to play the long game.

While Napoleon took a lot of territory, he was only able to hold it as long as he continued winning every subsequent battle.

Napoleon’s problem was that he failed to win ground he could defend over the course of the war and once the Russian troops got back on their feet and started returning fire, the pendulum began to swing and the ground Napoleon won in the short term changed hands yet again.

The long game looks beyond the immediate win/loss. The long game mentality works to establishes wins that help hold your position no matter how the next battle plays out. It focuses on lasting victories - wins that secure your position matter how the next fight turns out.

If you think America is in some kind of MAGA heaven for all eternity because we have Trump and JD Vance in the Oval Office, and the left will never again take the White House—you may want to consult your history books. You’ll learn how quickly the shoe can be on the other foot.

I believe President Trump is in a greater position to secure the long game win because he has the boldness and brains that it would take - but he needs to follow the constitution if we want to take ground that can’t be used against us when the pendulum swings and positions of power changed hands yet again.

The constitution is the law of the land and it has outlived every president and will hopefully continued to outlive every president we have. The victory isn’t who the president is, the victory has everything to do with what the president does to reinforce our checks and balances in the rule of law.

I love President Trump’s aggressive posture on border security and law and order however, I am 100% against the federal government taking an ownership of any percentage of a public or private company like we’ve just done with Intel.

The idea that we purchased $11 billion of Intel stock for free is just not true

Giving subsidies grants or tax credits in exchange for equity stakes in the private sector is incredibly dangerous and Hhonestly, the Democrats are probably kicking themselves for not thinking of doing this sooner. Instead they’ve tried to do this the hard way through E.S.G. investing policies. But once the shoe is on the other foot, the Democrats will move it lightning speed to extort companies to give a percentage of company ownership an exchange for tax credits, grants, and subsidies - all of which are paid for by US taxpayers.

If we’re gonna achieve any long lasting political or policy victories, we need to ensure that they’re rooted in the defensibility of our constitution, that way we can take ground that we can defend and not just immediately be on the run from the tyranny of the left if/when they get some authority.

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I think Americans are probably some of the best daydreamers in the world. We play out drama in our heads with imaginary conversations between ourselves, and the people that have hurt us or we think might hurt us. We imagine what the world would be like if we had a different job, drove a different car, fit in with a different social class, or had some status and respect. And then, we open our eyes and get back to real life.

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Even when it comes to doing good deeds for people, we might daydream and fantasize about the congratulations we will get from others or the promotion we would get if everybody just knew how special we were. But we’re only fooling ourselves into thinking we are better people than we really are.

Instead of leaving a potential good deed to an imaginary focus group, we should instead accept the fact that no one will ever know about our goodness and do a good deed for someone anyhow.

If you need the spotlight to do a good deed, in other words, if you feel the need to let at least one person know, directly or indirectly, of your good deeds, it immediately taints your intentions.

Listen to the wise words of Marcus Aurelius, and the divine inspired words of Luke.

“There are three kinds of men in this world the first when he helps someone out, makes it known that he expects something in return.

The second would never be so bold, but in his mind, he knows what he has done and considers the other person to be in his debt.

The third somehow doesn’t realize what he has done, but he’s like a vine that bears its fruit and ask for nothing more than the pleasure of producing grapes.

A horse gallops, a dog hunts, a bee makes honey, one man helps another and the vine bears fruit in due season. You ought to be like the third fellow, who does good without giving it a second thought.”

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 5.6.

If your intentions are not as good as the deed you are hoping to do, then it is probably better that nobody knew you were involved with it anyway.

SEGMENT 1.1

Texas Democrats Drama

Texas redistricting fight: Gov. Abbott pushes to vacate Democratic seats - CBS HOUSTON (43 SECONDS)

Calls to Redraw MO Congressional Districts

Democrats attempt to create 4 new Democrat senators?

James Carville - Democrats must unilaterally save democracy by packing the court and creating statehood.

Democrats have 218 congressional seats - they need 3 more to have a majority.
The need 4 seats in the Senate.

TX Attorney General Investigating Bribes that may have enticed the Texas D’s to flee.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton opened an investigation Wednesday into potential “unlawful activity” undertaken by former Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s political group to help state Democratic lawmakers stay away from the capital amid a Republican-led effort to redraw congressional maps.

Paxton is probing whether Powered by People, a political action committee founded by O’Rourke in 2019, may have violated bribery and other state laws by “bankrolling” the more than 50 Texas House Democrats who have stalled a special legislative session by fleeing the state.

“Any Democrat coward breaking the law by taking a Beto Bribe will be held accountable,” Paxton said in a statement. “Texas cannot be bought. I look forward to thoroughly reviewing all of the documents and communications obtained throughout this investigation.”

SEGMENT 1.2

State Representative Justin Sparks (District 110) St. Louis Co.

CLIP: Call to Redistrict MO Congressional maps

SPECIAL SESSION: 2 Issues - Redistricting and Initiative Petition Reform?
JEFFERSON CITY — A possible bid by Missouri Republicans to give President Donald Trump one additional GOP vote in the U.S. House may not be the only item on the agenda if state lawmakers return for a special session in September.

Some members of the House and Senate want to make citizen-led initiative petitions more difficult to enact, particularly after Missouri voters approved a laundry list of progressive changes at the ballot box in recent years.

“Whether it’s requiring a higher threshold to amend the constitution or mandating that ballot measures receive support from multiple regions across the state, the legislature must be called back to address this issue, as well,” Sen. Nick Schroer, R-Defiance, said in a statement Tuesday.

• Anti-Semitism in MO

• Other calls for Special Session Issues or Veto Overides?

SEGMENT 1.3

Mike McClary

What is expected with GPT-5?
Verified Quotes from Sam Altman on GPT‑5:

• “GPT‑3 felt like talking to a high school student. GPT‑4 was like a college student. GPT‑5 is the first time it feels like talking to a PhD‑level expert in your pocket.”
  — Attributed to Sam Altman during a press briefing on GPT‑5

• “This idea of software on demand will be one of the defining features of the GPT‑5 era.”
  — Another authentic quote from Altman, highlighting GPT‑5's ability to generate software on the fly

• “I felt useless relative to the AI.”
  — Altman reflected this sentiment after GPT‑5 answered a question he himself couldn’t solve

What is at stake in terms of the AI race with China?
Does whoever control this race actually control the world or the technology?

SEGMENT 2.1

Dr. Randy Tobler

JB Pritzker claims republicans are headed for defeat during the mid-terms.

Are republicans headed for defeat?

Marco Rubio says Trump meeting with Zelensky and Putin will be opportunity to broker peace but demand concessions from both sides.

SEGMENT 2.2

Wrap up:

Headlines.

Trump orders 'new and highly accurate' census not counting illegals

(The U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 2) mandates a count of “the whole number of persons in each state” every 10 years to determine representation in Congress.)
The president — who has made immigration enforcement a top policy priority — ordered the Commerce Department to begin efforts on a new census based on figures that exclude the illegal migrant population and information gleaned from the 2024 presidential election. While estimates vary, some experts believe more than 18 million illegal migrants currently live in the U.S.

"I have instructed our Department of Commerce to immediately begin work on a new and highly accurate CENSUS based on modern day facts and figures and, importantly, using the results and information gained from the Presidential Election of 2024," Trump posted Thursday morning on his Truth Social account.

Army Honors Unarmed Soldiers Who Took Down Fort Stewart Shooter

The U.S. Army awarded medals to six soldiers who subdued an active shooter and quickly aided their wounded colleagues after a sergeant opened fire at Fort Stewart in Georgia on Wednesday.
(Shooter: Sgt. Quornelius Samentrio Radford, 28, armed with a personal handgun.)

Protests held across Israel as cabinet votes on full reoccupation of Gaza

Protests were held across Israel on Thursday as the country’s security cabinet votes on whether to expand its military campaign and fully reoccupy Gaza.

Rapper Latto, a Planned Parenthood supporter who backed Stacey Abrams’ political campaigns in the past, is getting roasted for not being able to answer a simple question in a video that has gone viral on social media.

The 26-year-old recording artist, whose legal name is Alyssa Stephens, can be seen in the clip in a jewelry store as a salesman offers her a $2,000 discount if she can solve a small riddle…..

“So $2,000 off if you can give me [the] right answer,” the salesman says. “The 45th president of [the] USA and the 47th president of the USA, they both have the same parents. How is that possible?”

“They got the same parents because… God made us all,” Latto replies. “And we all got the same parents.”

Book to read.
Business.
Socials.