Hunter Biden defied a lawful subpoena today, and we will now initiate contempt of Congress proceedings. There will be no special treatment because his last name is Biden.
.@DailyMail's @RobCrilly: "You were asked what the President — what his stance was on people who defy congressional subponeas. In 2021, he was that…and he said he believes the Justice Dept should prosecute them. Is that still his position?"
“Donald Trump doesn’t know Thomas Robertson. But the former president’s fate appears inextricably tied to that of the former Army Ranger, who was convicted last year for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021 protest at the U.S. Capitol.
That’s because the prosecutions of Trump and his supporters, including Robertson, have often depended on reimagining the law in novel ways.
To advance the narrative that Trump colluded with Russia, for example, the Department of Justice seized on the little-used Foreign Agents Registration Act to justify probes and wiretaps of Trump allies. In the Georgia election fraud case against Trump and numerous campaign advisers, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is using a law intended to combat organized crime, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act, in what even her supporters describe as a stretch.
In Washington, D.C., prosecutors are using a financial crimes statute passed by Congress in 2002 in response to the Enron scandal to bring felony charges against hundreds of Jan. 6 defendants, including Trump and Robertson. Lawyers for both and for other Jan. 6 defendants argue the law is being misapplied. The controversy could soon wind up before the Supreme Court.
Defense attorneys say the government is using the power of law enforcement to misinterpret, and even weaponize, nebulous language in the legal code.
In three separate motions filed on Oct. 23, Trump’s lawyers repeatedly raised objections based on the “vagueness” factor of the four counts in Special Counsel Jack Smith’s Jan. 6 criminal indictment against Trump. Those four charges are: conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct, conspiracy against rights, and obstruction of an official proceeding.
“President Trump’s alleged conduct — publicly and politically disputing the outcome of the election, attempting to convince Congress to act, and allegedly organizing alternate slates of electors — falls outside the plain language of the charged statutes,” John Lauro, Trump’s lead attorney in the Jan. 6 case, wrote in a motion to dismiss the charges.
One of the key statutes in question is 18 U.S. Code § 1512(c)(2), part of the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act passed by Congress to prevent fraudulent financial reporting by corporations. The statute was meant to close a loophole in other obstruction laws related to the destruction of evidence, but left open to interpretation the terms “corruptly” and “official proceeding” in the following passage – to the point where, defense lawyers claim, it can be used to criminalize political activity. The passage reads:
(c) Whoever corruptly—
(1) alters, destroys, mutilates, or conceals a record, document, or other object, or attempts to do so, with the intent to impair the object’s integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding; or
(2) otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so,
shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.
DOJ’s legal basis rests on the argument that the Joint Session of Congress held on Jan. 6 to debate and certify the 2020 election was an “official proceeding,” as opposed to a ceremonial gathering. Those who interrupted Congress, prompting a six-hour delay, or planned to disrupt it, committed that particular obstruction felony, prosecutors contend.
Federal prosecutors so far have charged more than 300 Jan. 6 defendants with obstruction under that statute. In August, Smith’s office handed down a 45-page indictment against Trump, claiming his attempts to persuade Vice President Mike Pence to reject some electoral college votes and organize alternate slates of electors, among other acts, also represented an attempt to obstruct the certification of the 2020 election.
Smith’s indictment is hardly the first time the DOJ sought to nab Trump on the obstruction count. It represents the culmination of a years-long effort dating back to 2017, when Special Counsel Robert Mueller investigated Trump for violating 1512(c)(2) as part of his probe into Russia’s role in the 2016 election.”
Hard to overstate the total humiliation of DOJ and 15 DC district court judges who upheld 1512c2. Only one—Judge Carl Nichols—dismissed the count in 3 cases.
The beauty here is that DOJ appealed Nichols. If DOJ would’ve left it alone, this wouldn’t be at SCOTUS now.
“AS TRUMP LEAD WIDENS, PROSECUTORS STEP UP PURSUIT. Two things are true today. One, former President Donald Trump’s polling, nationally, in key swing states, and in the first-voting state of Iowa, has never been better. And two, Jack Smith, the special counsel appointed by the Biden Justice Department to prosecute Trump, is taking self-described “extraordinary” measures in a rush to put Trump on trial before the 2024 presidential election. The two things are not unrelated. And nothing could more effectively illustrate the contrast between Trump’s rising political fortunes and the administration’s effort to imprison him before the election.
The Iowa polling was the subject of yesterday’s newsletter. The new Des Moines Register poll, considered quite reliable, showed Trump extending his lead to 32 points over second-place Ron DeSantis, 51% to 19%, with Nikki Haley in third place at 16%. The pollster called Trump’s lead “commanding” and noted that the shrinking GOP field, which was supposed to help Trump’s opposition, “may have made Donald Trump even stronger than he was.” The Iowa caucuses are now a little less than five weeks away.
As far as the key swing states are concerned, CNN released a new general election poll showing Trump leading President Joe Biden in head-to-head matchups in Georgia and Michigan. Biden, of course, won both states in 2020, but the CNN pollsters found Trump with a 5-point lead, 49% to 44%, in Georgia, and a 10-point lead, 50% to 40%, in Michigan. “Broad majorities in both states hold negative views of the sitting president’s job performance, policy positions, and sharpness,” CNN reported.
As far as the national polling is concerned, the Wall Street Journal released a new survey showing that Trump not only leads Biden in a one-on-one contest, 47% to 43%, but is stronger in a race that includes third-party candidates. The poll showed those third-party candidates, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., drawing a total of 17% support in a multicandidate race, while at the top, Trump led Biden by 6 points, 37% to 31%.
The really good news for Trump is Biden’s remarkable weakness. “Trump has double-digit leads on being able to best handle the economy, inflation, crime, securing the border, the Ukraine war, and the Israeli conflict,” political analyst Sean Trende noted on X. “Biden has a double-digit lead on abortion rights. Everything else is single digits, which sounds good except that things like healthcare policy and social security are supposed to be double-digit Democratic leads.”
And then there are the two candidates’ personal attributes. “Mentally up for the job of president? Trump +16,” Trende continued. “Physical stamina to be president? Trump +34.” And finally, the big question: “When they asked if a president’s policies helped or hurt, with Trump it was 49-37 helped. With Biden it was 23-53 HURT,” Trende wrote.”
To be fair to Hunter Biden, he offered to testify in a public hearing, however, the Republicans are insisting on a private hearing. Why not have a public hearing?
As I’ve said in the past, 2024 will be closer than 2020. Pennsylvania is still the key.
Although Trump has a lead in the polls; there’s a few wild cards in play. Polls are designed based on the demographics of previous elections. Abortion rights may be enough to motivate young women to vote in larger numbers than before. Since the Dobbs decision, abortion has negated Republicans advantage in polls. The current case in Texas can’t help but motivate women. Elections are won not only by convincing people you are the right choice but also motivating your usual supporters to actually vote.
Although its highly doubtful this will affect anything, I’ve been highly amused by the Florida Republican chair and his wife, founder of Moms for Liberty, apparently have threesomes and now the third wheel is accusing the chair of rape. His defence – I shouldn’t have to resign because Trump didn’t resign over Carroll’s allegations and nobody was upset. The moral compass has disappeared.
Too bad the case in TX will motivate people to abort human beings because they are not perfect. Lawyers for the cause always look for someone to use to get the laws they want, however. Nothing new there.
Kathaleena – This excerpt from today’s The Dispatch email newsletter gives us a little ray of hope that the deal may not go through.
“Nippon Steel, Japan’s largest steel company, and U.S. Steel announced on Monday a $14.1 billion deal for Nippon to acquire the iconic 122-year-old American business. U.S. Steel had been looking for buyers since this summer, and Cleveland-Cliffs, a domestic competitor, offered a $7.3 billion takeover deal that U.S. Steel rejected. It’s unclear if the Nippon deal will be completed next year as proposed; the United Steelworkers Union criticized the sale to a foreign corporation, as did Republican Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio and Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. If the deal goes through, U.S. Steel is expected to keep both its name and its Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, headquarters.”
Re. Colorado Supreme Court Disqualifies Pres. Trump From Appearing on Primary Ballot
This is yet another example of election interference. How do you take a man off the ballot when he hasn’t been convicted of anything? The Colorado SC has violated the US constitution, which is what the US SC will soon affirm. The Colorado SC has in effect taken away people like NJ’s right to vote! Why is Colorado so afraid to allow its citizens to choose who they want for president?
“The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution.” Thomas Jefferson
🔥 The UK Guardian ran an unprecedented and historic story yesterday headlined, “Why did Colorado disqualify Trump from the state’s 2024 election ballot?” The understated headline correctly explained this “Decision is the first time a presidential candidate has been deemed ineligible for election under the insurrection clause.”
It’s just the latest bizarre turn of events in the U.S. 2024 Presidential Election Season, one more shattered record for the history books as democrats continue shredding all semblance of rationality in a surreal panic to stop Trump any way they can, no matter how zany or cockamamie of an idea. This time, applying Section 3 of the 14th Amendment — called the Insurrection Clause — the Colorado supreme court beclowned itself ruling 4-3 that Donald Trump is ineligible for any office, not even county dog catcher, because of the January 6th Capitol Riot, since he’s an insurrector, or something.
In practical terms, the decision bars Trump from appearing on Colorado’s primary ballot. It only applies in Colorado, but if it sticks, it could make Trump’s election difficult if not impossible.
“We do not reach these conclusions lightly,” the Court’s majority airily and lightly wrote. “We are likewise mindful of our solemn duty to apply the law, without fear or favor, and without being swayed by public reaction,” they frivolously continued, misapplying the law and desperately hoping the liberal public would react with unhinged accolades. The decision upheld a Colorado district court’s earlier but equally deranged 102-page judgment finding Trump was an insurrectionist by “clear and convincing evidence,” after a one-week trial.
Making their decision look less like a serious ruling and more like a virtue-signaling political hand grenade, the Colorado justices stayed the effect of their own order to allow Trump’s lawyers time for an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. I’d say the Supreme Court is bound to throw out Colorado’s awful ruling, since it is commonly-known that the Insurrection Clause was passed by angry Republicans to stop Confederate military officers like General Robert E. Lee from running for office after the Civil War.
Saying that comparing the Capitol Riot to the U.S. Civil War is deranged is an insult to deranged people.
In short order, Governor DeSantis and other Republican candidates called for the Supreme Court to reverse Colorado, and Vivek Ramaswamy vowed he’d boycott the state. The Colorado GOP threatened to “withdraw from the Primary as a Party and convert to a pure caucus system if this is allowed to stand.” If that happens, Trump could still get the GOP’s nomination through a caucus even if barred from Colorado’s primary ballot.
Do not get overly exercised about this ridiculous sideshow. It’s nearly inconceivable that the Supreme Court will allow this travesty of a sham to stand. I’m not the only one who thinks that. Last night, the Hill ran a headline predicting that Colorado’s logic is so bad that even the liberal Justices on the Supreme Court would vote to overturn in a unanimous pro-Trump decision, which would essentially ask the Colorado supremes to board the short judicial bus:
It seems inevitable we’ll soon have a whole lot more clarity about what the Insurrection Clause, which has never been used this way, does or doesn’t say. And that should finally shut up a bunch of crazed leftists, at least about this insane idea, and annoy the Supreme Court, which has to deal with all this nonsense.
Vivek Ramaswamy has now vowed to withdraw from the GOP primary ballot in Colorado and urged other Republican candidates to do likewise if the court fails to reinstate President Trump. Vivek seems to be the only candidate besides Pres. Trump who has any courage or convictions.
Colorado Trump Ban Puts Supreme Court in Hot Seat
Justices will likely have to rule on whether 14th amendment’s banning insurrectionists from office applies to former president
U.S. Steel’s Sale Is Industrial Policy Boomerang
Protectionists paved the way for Nippon’s takeover of U.S. Steel.
~ We have to admit to a smile as Washington’s protectionists howl about Japanese steel manufacturer Nippon Steel’s $14.1 billion deal to buy U.S. Steel. They apparently miss the irony that their tariffs and industrial policy have resulted in the foreign takeover of an iconic U.S. manufacturer.
U.S. Steel put itself on the auction block this summer and sought to strike a deal while the irony is hot. Trillions of dollars in Washington spending on public works and green energy are goosing domestic demand for steel while tariffs protect U.S. manufacturers against foreign competition. U.S. Steel’s best assets are political creations.
President Trump in 2018 slapped 25% tariffs on foreign steel under the pretense of protecting national security. Domestic steel producers lobbied for the tariffs, which they said would protect American workers from cheap foreign imports. Yet U.S. Steel’s workforce had shrunk to 22,740 at the end of 2022 from 29,000 in 2018.
The evidence shows that the tariffs have resulted in fewer downstream manufacturing jobs and raised prices for consumers, all while padding the bottom line of domestic steel makers. Washington’s industrial policy is also helping to boost demand for domestic steel and U.S. manufacturers’ profits.
Federal spending in the 2021 infrastructure bill includes conditions requiring contractors to use U.S.-made steel. The Inflation Reduction Act provides additional tax credits for wind producers that use domestic steel. Both laws are also spurring construction of new factories, at least for a time.
The U.S. iron-and-steel-mill order backlog is currently at a 15-year high. Because U.S. steel makers can’t meet demand, projects will be delayed or contractors will have to pay higher prices for foreign steel. That’s bad for consumers. But the cosseted U.S. steel makers will benefit from higher prices and profits.
You can understand why Nippon wanted to get in on the Washington spending action, especially as manufacturing flags in Europe and much of the world. Nippon’s $14.1 billion bid is roughly double what Cleveland-Cliffs offered to pay for U.S. Steel this summer, which underscores the economic value of tariff avoidance.
The U.S. Steel Workers supported Cleveland-Cliffs’ courtship, but it was opposed by auto makers worried about the potential behemoth’s pricing power. The combined company would have controlled 100% of blast furnace production in the U.S. and 65% to 90% of domestic steel used in vehicles.
U.S. Steel rejected Cleveland-Cliffs’ offer, and it may have been smart to hold out for a better deal. Nippon’s offer doesn’t appear to present antitrust concerns. Although the acquisition would make Nippon the world’s second largest steel maker after China’s Baowu, it has a relatively small footprint in the U.S.
The deal could even provide an American-Japanese counterweight to China’s steel powerhouse. Yet the same politicians who support higher tariffs and industrial policy to counter China now are raising doubts about the deal for purported national security reasons.
“Steel is always about security,” Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman declared. Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance chimed in: “Rest assured that I will interrogate the long-term implications for the American people, and I will do everything in my power to protect the future of our nation’s security, industry, and workers.” Do they think the Japanese are going to bomb Pearl Harbor?
U.S. steel making has been declining for decades owing to the higher labor costs of unionized production. American human and financial capital have been put to better work elsewhere such as advanced manufacturing. There are nearly one million more U.S. manufacturing jobs than a decade ago, and there probably would be more if not for Mr. Trump’s tariffs.
Some politicians, including presidential front-runners from both parties, want to take the U.S. back to the days of 1930s protectionism and industrial policy. But if the Japanese want to invest in the U.S., shouldn’t Washington welcome them with open arms? ~
Good message from The Gospel Coalition as we head into what will likely be a tumultuous new year that will impact some (evangelical) churches:
~ Sixty years ago in his landmark 1963 book Honest to God, Anglican Bishop John A. T. Robinson argued it was time to discard the outdated concept of God. Liberal theologians hailed Robinson as a prophet for his times. A few years later, Time magazine asked, “Is God Dead?” on its April 8, 1966, cover.
They were wrong about God. But they were right that something had died.
Looking back we can now see that membership in the mainline Protestant denominations peaked in the mid-1960s. More than 20 years into the 21st century the decline continues. By “keeping up with the times,” the Protestant mainline became a relic of history.
Not long before Tim Keller died this year, TGC launched The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics in part to address this “great dechurching.” But today it’s not just Protestant liberals who think we must “keep up with the times.” Some who ask “What time is it?” beat the drums of culture war. Too often the result is fearing our neighbors as enemies.
Instead, we empathize with sinners. As Paul told the Corinthians, “such were some of you” before “you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11). We must not fight with worldly means! “When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat” (1 Cor. 4:12–13).
As another year ends, let all who long for Christ’s return fasten the belt of truth as falsehoods spread. Let us put on the breastplate of righteousness, that we might be above reproach in public and private. Slip on shoes and take the gospel of peace to the ends of our war-torn world. In all things wield the shield of faith against the Enemy’s whispers of doubt. Guard your mind against deceitfulness by wearing the helmet of salvation. Pick up the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, where we find Jesus Christ.
In a world that feels like it’s accelerating without brakes, Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever (Heb. 13:8). Because we have been united to him, we pray “at all times” in the Spirit, so that we will persevere to the end of the age—whatever the times may bring (Eph. 6:13-18). ~
Collin Hansen
Vice President of Content and Editor in Chief
______________________
I’d add one word regarding all the chaotic “news,” true and false, that will be coming at us, including via social media: Discernment
Clarification: The last graph of that — starting with In a world that feels like it’s accelerating without brakes — the author has that word as “breaks,” which also works, of course; but I, acting as “editor” thought ‘oh, he must mean brakes.’
The hubris of editors, real and self-appointed/only ‘acting as,’ perhaps — so to clarify, I probably should not have made that change. lol
An interesting (but biased) essay on the Colorado decision and the Supreme Court. Although one could argue the court already has a crisis of legitimacy.
Thanks for the Christmas greetings. My daughter is still living in Berlin so she went to Poland to see her mom, grandma, and great grandma (turning 100 next month). I spent Christmas with my brother and parents (my dad is 96). Now I’m home with just Sasha my 10 year old German Shepherd to keep me company.
Well Merry Christmas to Sasha, too, then. German shepherds are such great dogs, my mom had one — “Queenie.” So sweet, but one night she gave chase to someone who had opened the side gate. My mom got up to see her running after some guy down the street.
Good dog.
Meanwhile, Abby got her own Christmas ornament this year, they make them at one of the drug stores, you just submit a photo and, voila, an ornament you can pick up within 24 hours. -dj
Things aren’t normal. We don’t trust one another, and the country doesn’t quite recognize itself.
By Lance Morrow (a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and author of “The Noise of Typewriters: Remembering Journalism.”)
~ America feels like an alcoholic household—crazy with grievance, accusation, irrational rage, screaming in the middle of the night. The children lie in the dark, wide-eyed, listening. In the morning, the family comes downstairs trying to pretend that everything is normal. There’s a lot of pretending: The southern border isn’t wide open; unpunished crime is social justice; the president of Harvard deserves her job.
Things aren’t normal. Everyone knows it. The country doesn’t quite recognize itself. America has gone astray in a strange new landscape. It’s a different America all right.
In an alcoholic household, the one you thought you could trust becomes a stranger—suddenly dangerous. Trust is the first casualty. A baffled country can neither grasp nor admit what it has become.
The left denounces the evil of what it claims the country has always been: racist, oppressive, toxically male, transphobic. The right rages against the evil of what the country has become: perverse, perverted, Marxist, sniveling, woke. Each side does its part to make the country infinitely worse than it needs to be.
What’s going on? For one thing, Americans have grown addicted to their loathings. There’s a touch of sadomasochism in all this. Hate can be oddly stimulating for the hater and the hated. The bystander, too. Politics and culture wars are almost as satisfying as shooting wars. Human nature craves a certain amount of mayhem and carnage.
On the other hand, the Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump rematch seems especially stupid. It’s the wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time. Politics doesn’t have to be this dumb. At the end of 2023, the country bounces along like Custer on the way to the Little Big Horn: So far, so good. The regimental band plays “Garryowen.”
Republicans persist in the charade of their debates, though Mr. Trump doesn’t show up. Why should he? Instead he itinerates from one MAGA rally to another, his rhetoric growing more baroque and feral. His enemies are “vermin,” he says, using Joseph Goebbels’s term for Jews. He promises, if elected, to unleash on his enemies—meaning about half the country—the shock and awe of his wrath.
The Democrats, increasingly divided, sleepwalk toward their own disaster. They pretend, but don’t believe, that their 81-year-old president and his vice president—a pressing existential problem in her own right—have performed so brilliantly during their first engagement that they should be booked for another four years.
This isn’t quite American democracy but the 21st century’s travesty of it. All three branches of the federal government have one way or another become disreputable. The president’s approval rating is down in the 30s. Congress is almost picturesque in its dysfunction. More than three dozen members of the House have decided not to run for re-election. Not worth it. Less than half of Americans, polls say, trust the Supreme Court. …
… The secret of leadership—and of demagoguery—is to draw the public imagination into its projections. In the 21st century’s universe of screens, the effect is hypertrophied: Fantasy replaces reality. Technology empowers hallucination. It turns politics into a Marx Brothers nightmare: clowns tossing sticks of dynamite around. Mr. Trump is good at this. He is Dr. Seuss’s Cat in the Hat. The surreal novelty of the moment calls forth a tumble of images—like a rapid scroll down TikTok.
It’s no way to run a republic for grown-ups. In innocent, primitive days of yore, the political circus was entertaining. Maybe that’s what got us into trouble. Lately, the audience has lost the faculty of laughter.
The deepest fear is that the show has barely started. …
… Are things that bad? Drunks can get sober. Countries can change. But not without brains and faith, not without abandoning the compulsion to lie and the weird self-righteousness that addiction begets. The failures have been complex—spiritual, social and otherwise. Maybe nothing can be done. … ~
~ Is such incoherence inevitable? Is it a byproduct of the immense changes that have swept away the previous America? We live in the aftermath of the old country, wondering what happened to it and waiting nervously for the new America to emerge. With luck, such moments call forth great leaders—Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Is some such figure waiting in the wings? Maybe a country is entitled to only so much luck. A period of great change also brings out charlatans and warlords and false messiahs. Politics becomes a little medieval. ~
One of the controversial discussions in our state is the new state flag and seal design. One could not get anymore generic and utterly simple in design. Such is the state of our country and state. Meaninglessness is celebrated, less anyone is offended. The millions of dollars that will be spent to change these things is beyond belief. What a waste of time and money.
I remember the flag wars here a number of years ago. Now we have the Public Safety Training Center war going on. I recently heard the name changed by the news channel to the First Respondrrs Traing Center. Like pulling a fast one to not refer to it as anything related to law enforcement would make it be okay! Crazy world we live in!
The perils of an election year: Christians should avoid giving in to crippling fear about political outcomes
~
~ …
If we do face Trump v. Biden 2.0 in November—a prospect few Americans want to see—the contest will take place amongst even more fraught conditions than those of pandemic-era 2020. These include a Republican candidate facing multiple grave criminal charges, a Democrat facing a revolt from his base over conflict in the Middle East, and at least one serious third-party campaign to wreak havoc on the polls. Not to mention widespread doubt among voters over the integrity of the voting system.
How should Christians respond?
Above all, with fearless unflappability. We speak often of “freedom” in America, especially in election years, all the while betraying our bondage to the worst unfreedom of all: the crippling weight of fear, from which Christ offers to set us free. In an age of epidemic anxiety, there is no stronger witness that Christians can offer the watching world than a refusal to give in to worry, a refusal to let our confidence be shaken or our happiness dimmed by political outcomes.
Such serenity is often misunderstood as pietistic withdrawal or false complacency. It is neither. …
…
… there is no question that American society is in the midst of profound and unsettling disruptions that are likely to leave our children and children a considerably more dangerous and unhappy world. But most of the key trends have been unfolding for decades, often largely unaffected by who inhabits the White House or which party controls Congress. Such things matter, to be sure, and we must vote wisely, but we should also keep our eye on the bigger picture. For Christians, the biggest picture of all is the perspective of eternity, and the confidence it affords that God will work His purposes out for our good no matter what happens in November.
Given these considerations, one of the most practical things we can and must do this year is learn to exercise charity and forbearance toward fellow Christians. To be sure, we should not fall into moral relativism or fashionable false equivalence. …
… Whatever happens in November, it is unlikely to cause a national revival. However, the way that we approach November, the witness of faith and charity we offer an anxious world, could plant the seeds of the revival we so desperately need.
I haven’t participated in a caucus per se, K, but I remember going with my parents to at least one. That was when I was fairly young, so I didn’t absorb a lot about the process (or don’t recall now what I learned). Interesting question. Looking forward to hearing if others have been at or participated in one. I take it you have?
i never have, Kathaleena. Like Kizzie, we don’t have those here.
Governor Kemp gave the State of the State address this week. We have a large state budget surplus. He intends to give teachers, law enforcement workers, correctional officers, mental health workers, and some others raises. Also a new dental school will be started at my first undergraduate school, Georgia Southern. It was fun to watch the Georgia Gang (two Democrats and two Republicans with a Moderator) dicusss the address on Georgia Public Broadcasting. Feeling good about Kemp as far as his leading of state government.
I’ve also never participated in or witnessed a caucus — in 2024 it is only Iowa, Nevada, North Dakota and Wyoming that have them, the rest of the states are all on the primary system. Caucuses are dwindling.
Yes, I have been involved in caucuses several times. They are at the precinct level, so it is with those who live fairly close to you. It is quite a process with a whole lot of lobbying for people to join your group and cast a vote for your candidate. It is much more personal than a primary. I have been at them for the Democratic Farmer Labor party, never the Republican, so cannot say how there’s went, other than that I imagine the same format. Other business is taken care of before the process begins.
There are only so many votes that go forward to the next higher level (district) so if one group does not have enough people, they must gather more in or compromise and join with another group. It can take quite a while.
It will be interesting to see how things work out in Iowa.
Our govenor is determined to take away the 4 day school week for rural schools, increase abortions, cripple the oil and gas industry, take away our 2nd ammendment rights, and sell more Marijuana. I am still in confusion that she received a single re election vote, considering all the damage she has done to this state.
Around 65,000 young people, many on Christmas break from college, attended the Passion conference here. I am feeling encouraged by that much interest in Jesus.
California primary is March 5, that month is loaded with most of the primaries from what I recall?
I’ve been registered as a “non-partisan” for some time now so I can request only a Dem or 3rd party ballot in advance; GOP has closed primaries so I can’t request one of those. And I’ll likely just not request any of the other party lineups and will just vote for whatever is on the vanilla ballot, mainly propositions and local nonpartisan elections, if I remember right.
By March, the GOP presidential contest will likely be decided already. Nearly half of our country’s voters now are registered as non-partisans, an interesting trend that’s been ongoing for some time now.
The answer to political anxiety isn’t political surrender. Christians should engage in the political process for the common good, but under the condition found in the immediately preceding (and lesser-known) verse: “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone” (v. 5). Political anxiety in the church declines in response to the rise of reasonableness. More reasonableness, less anxiety.
“Reasonableness” is the fair, equitable, and impartial thinking required of a good and wise judge. It was originally an expression for a “balanced, intelligent, decent outlook . . . a considerate, thoughtful, attitude in legal relationships.” A reasonable person is judicious—not given to extreme opinions, carried away by passions, abusive in leadership, harsh in speech, or reactionary to personal insults. If anxiety is the disease, reasonableness is the cure.
This trait is essential for church unity (v. 2), but it’s also essential for managing the mountains of divisive political messages assailing us every election cycle. Here are four traits of reasonableness from Philippians.
1. Reasonable people do the right thing and trust God with the outcome. …
…
… Our nation’s current political turmoil might tempt us to compromise our ethics to win. If “they” lie, insult, slander, boast, break oaths, and cheat, so will we. Instead of trusting God, we’ll trust in political expediency. The circumstances are so dire—doesn’t a good end justify evil means? With so much at stake, can’t we practice consequentialism for a season?
We’re enticed by doctrinal compromise. Pastors, whose primary calling is the ministry of the Word, may be persuaded to enter political alliances with false prophets to increase access to political power. Is it reasonable to break the commands of Christ with the goal of shaping a government that makes it easier to keep them?
Writing in a period of intense political anxiety 1,600 years ago, Augustine asked,
There’s some bad person you don’t like? Don’t let there be two. You criticize him and you join him. You swell the ranks that you’re condemning. Are you trying to overcome evil with evil? To overcome hatred with hatred? Can’t you hear the advice your Lord gave the apostle Paul? “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”? …
…
2. Reasonable people accept the outcome as God’s sovereign plan.
The angry mob that attacked Paul in Philippi with the sanction of the magistrates exemplifies what our nation’s founders tried to avoid (Acts 16:22). Momentary passions like anger, fear, greed, and lust compel us to justify the action we prefer—even when it goes against reason, justice, and truth. James Madison understood the danger of passion-driven politics, arguing that the Constitution tends to guard citizens from the “tyranny of their own passions.” Unreasonable people ruled by emotion take the short view.
Paul warns against the moral reasoning of people whose “god is their belly” (Phil. 3:19). Reasonable people won’t trust their gut on any issue—ethical, theological, or political. Rather, they let the apostles’ teaching inform their moral choices while taking the long view.
That’s why reasonable people see God’s hand in adversity. He daily permits what doesn’t please him, even the passion-driven sin of our political opponents. He causes our present losses to contribute to our ultimate joy. Yes, by doing the right thing, Paul ended up in prison. But because prison prevented a personal visit then, we have the book of Philippians now. And becoming a loser in the world’s eyes “served to advance the gospel” as he shared the good news with Caesar’s household (1:12; 4:22). People went to heaven because Paul went to prison.
Maybe the upcoming election will go the way you want. But even if it doesn’t, “our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Ps. 115:3). This doesn’t mean we give up on the political process. But it does mean we play by the rules, even if that loses votes. No matter the outcome, we “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4)—and thereby show our neighbors the true object of our worship. …
The answer to political anxiety isn’t political surrender. Christians should engage in the political process for the common good, but under the condition found in the immediately preceding (and lesser-known) verse: “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone” (v. 5). Political anxiety in the church declines in response to the rise of reasonableness. More reasonableness, less anxiety.
“Reasonableness” is the fair, equitable, and impartial thinking required of a good and wise judge. It was originally an expression for a “balanced, intelligent, decent outlook . . . a considerate, thoughtful, attitude in legal relationships.” A reasonable person is judicious—not given to extreme opinions, carried away by passions, abusive in leadership, harsh in speech, or reactionary to personal insults. If anxiety is the disease, reasonableness is the cure.
This trait is essential for church unity (v. 2), but it’s also essential for managing the mountains of divisive political messages assailing us every election cycle. Here are four traits of reasonableness from Philippians.
*** 1. Reasonable people do the right thing and trust God with the outcome. …
…
… Our nation’s current political turmoil might tempt us to compromise our ethics to win. If “they” lie, insult, slander, boast, break oaths, and cheat, so will we. Instead of trusting God, we’ll trust in political expediency. The circumstances are so dire—doesn’t a good end justify evil means? With so much at stake, can’t we practice consequentialism for a season?
We’re enticed by doctrinal compromise. Pastors, whose primary calling is the ministry of the Word, may be persuaded to enter political alliances with false prophets to increase access to political power. Is it reasonable to break the commands of Christ with the goal of shaping a government that makes it easier to keep them?
Writing in a period of intense political anxiety 1,600 years ago, Augustine asked,
There’s some bad person you don’t like? Don’t let there be two. You criticize him and you join him. You swell the ranks that you’re condemning. Are you trying to overcome evil with evil? To overcome hatred with hatred? Can’t you hear the advice your Lord gave the apostle Paul? “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”? …
…
2. Reasonable people accept the outcome as God’s sovereign plan.
The angry mob that attacked Paul in Philippi with the sanction of the magistrates exemplifies what our nation’s founders tried to avoid (Acts 16:22). Momentary passions like anger, fear, greed, and lust compel us to justify the action we prefer—even when it goes against reason, justice, and truth. James Madison understood the danger of passion-driven politics, arguing that the Constitution tends to guard citizens from the “tyranny of their own passions.” Unreasonable people ruled by emotion take the short view.
Paul warns against the moral reasoning of people whose “god is their belly” (Phil. 3:19). Reasonable people won’t trust their gut on any issue—ethical, theological, or political. Rather, they let the apostles’ teaching inform their moral choices while taking the long view.
That’s why reasonable people see God’s hand in adversity. He daily permits what doesn’t please him, even the passion-driven sin of our political opponents. He causes our present losses to contribute to our ultimate joy. Yes, by doing the right thing, Paul ended up in prison. But because prison prevented a personal visit then, we have the book of Philippians now. And becoming a loser in the world’s eyes “served to advance the gospel” as he shared the good news with Caesar’s household (1:12; 4:22). People went to heaven because Paul went to prison.
Maybe the upcoming election will go the way you want. But even if it doesn’t, “our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Ps. 115:3). This doesn’t mean we give up on the political process. But it does mean we play by the rules, even if that loses votes. No matter the outcome, we “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4)—and thereby show our neighbors the true object of our worship. …
i’ve written on my ladies’ Bible study thread only yesterday about anxiety and depression being brought on by our faulty sense of thinking we are in control. Anxiety is a winding up in circles of feeling in and out of control and doing everything to maintain that sense of control, but it’s never enough. Depression is when the person gives up finally and says I am unable to be in control so I give up entirely, go to bed, and pull thr covers over my head, and remain in darkness. That is my conclusion after considering it for a number of years. The cure for it all rests in focusing on Jesus and looking to God as the true One in Control.
I don’t feel anxiety over the election. I am waiting for God to revral who will be on the ticket for me to vote for. It appears from a human perspective that it will be a certain person, but we don’t know that until it happens. God knows.I can pray for His best that suits His purposes. It is interesting to watch from the sidelines and see how people in different parts of the nation choose. They typically do choose based on who best serves their interests, and if Christian, they often choose who best aligns with their Christian values. It is reasonable for people to do that. Some pepple vote on short term selfish gains and others who think of future generation’s needs vote based on long-term gains for the future.
I am thankful I have only the responsibily to wait, watch, gather info to make an informed choice, pray, and finally vote and accept the outcome even if God should allow the election to be handled dishonestly for His ultimate good purposes.
But this will be a stress-filled year generally in our nation, for our neighbors and fellow brothers and sisters at church, in Bible studies and home groups and blogs (and yeah, you and me personally, here and there, I’m guessing).
Some bits and pieces from the Gospel Coalition link: ~
The anxiety in churches is partly fueled by Christianity’s declining influence in America. The church at Philippi knew something about living in a spiritually hostile environment. Yet Paul’s letter to them is optimistic and joyful, containing some of our favorite verses, such as Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything.”
Anything. Even politics.
The answer to political anxiety isn’t political surrender. Christians should engage in the political process for the common good, but under the condition found in the immediately preceding (and lesser-known) verse: “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone” (v. 5). Political anxiety in the church declines in response to the rise of reasonableness. More reasonableness, less anxiety.
…
… Many knees bow to Caesar now, but every knee will bow to Jesus then. Knowing he’ll share Christ’s future victory motivates Paul to share Christ’s present sufferings (3:10).
Throughout Scripture, success is doing the right thing (politically we do and may differ on that – dj) and trusting God with the outcome. …
… Our nation’s current political turmoil might tempt us to compromise our ethics to win. If “they” lie, insult, slander, boast, break oaths, and cheat, so will we. Instead of trusting God, we’ll trust in political expediency. The circumstances are so dire—doesn’t a good end justify evil means? With so much at stake, can’t we practice consequentialism for a season?
Writing in a period of intense political anxiety 1,600 years ago, Augustine asked,
There’s some bad person you don’t like? Don’t let there be two. You criticize him and you join him. You swell the ranks that you’re condemning. Are you trying to overcome evil with evil? To overcome hatred with hatred? Can’t you hear the advice your Lord gave the apostle Paul? “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”?
… The angry mob that attacked Paul in Philippi with the sanction of the magistrates exemplifies what our nation’s founders tried to avoid (Acts 16:22). Momentary passions like anger, fear, greed, and lust compel us to justify the action we prefer—even when it goes against reason, justice, and truth. James Madison understood the danger of passion-driven politics, arguing that the Constitution tends to guard citizens from the “tyranny of their own passions.” Unreasonable people ruled by emotion take the short view. …
… Reasonable people won’t trust their gut on any issue—ethical, theological, or political. Rather, they let the apostles’ teaching inform their moral choices while taking the long view. …
… That’s why reasonable people see God’s hand in adversity. He daily permits what doesn’t please him, even the passion-driven sin of our political opponents. He causes our present losses to contribute to our ultimate joy. …
… Maybe the upcoming election will go the way you want. But even if it doesn’t, “our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Ps. 115:3). This doesn’t mean we give up on the political process. But it does mean we play by the rules, even if that loses votes. No matter the outcome, we “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4)—and thereby show our neighbors the true object of our worship. …
… Paul warned them to check the facts as they consumed the news. Since Eden, falsehood has increased anxiety by fostering division. To experience the peace of God, we should consistently think about “whatever is true” (Phil. 4:8), and this assumes we work to discern the truth. …
… Today, breaking news and political ads travel at 50 miles a millisecond. But the duty to check facts remains. We’ll need a new skill set. And reasonable people will wisely judge the information they receive.
Paul urges us to replace anxiety with prayer (Phil. 4:6) …
… Before God’s throne, we ought to intercede “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life” (1 Tim. 2:1–2). In effect, that life describes the religious freedom protected by the First Amendment, and we pray that our freedoms endure. …
… consider the apostles receiving those final instructions from the Lord to carry his message from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Here is the grand reversal of the Roman Empire’s information highway. For years, couriers carried decrees from the lord in Rome to Jerusalem. Now, couriers will carry the decrees from the Lord in Jerusalem to Rome. The Roman roads of the proud Caesars are sovereignly seized by the humble Christ. …
Was trying to post some things from the article, but unsuccessful, probably too long — but it’s a very good piece and I think we’ll all feel the stress (personally and around us) in this coming year.
By March? The Rep. presidential candidacy is virtually already locked up – the only real questions are who will be the VP pick, and who will be the Dem candidate.
I found the Georgia Gang is on You Tube. It shows that Democrats and Republicans can have good discussions with each other about the issues. They have an interesting take on the Fani Willis situation with the prosecuting attorney in the Trump case.
During each election cycle, a myriad of op-eds insist the fate of the nation—even the world—hinges on the outcome. Politics has taken on an outsize role in our collective mindset.
As religion wanes in the public consciousness, people have turned elsewhere to find purpose, morality, and hope. Politics is a terrible substitute, but because many have eliminated God from the equation, it can seem the best option available. Once we strip away the sovereign God “who works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Eph. 1:11), how can we be sure the long arc of history will bend toward justice? How can we lift the poor, protect our freedoms, or uphold the rights of the oppressed? Absent God, getting the best people elected to the best seats of power does seem like our only hope.
The cultural mindset that removes God and elevates politics dominates both the media and casual interactions. It can infect the thoughts and actions of Christians too. Political obsession is the water we swim in, and we’d be fools to think we won’t get wet.
In a politically obsessed world, Christians must elevate praying politics above playing politics. … -dj
Jay Seculow’s legal team is seeking information (Freedom of Information Act) on the Fed’s keeping record of people who buy Bibles as being extremists. Hmm . . . I bought Art that Bible for Christmas and did not pay cash so I guess I am on a list.😀
oops, posted this on the wrong (earlier news) thread – Just some down-the-line, early NH primary day horserace analysis – no sides implied or pushed – dj https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jaed5G0wg7Q&t=210s
“Carroll has accused multiple men of sexually assaulting or raping her throughout her life, including a babysitter’s boyfriend, a dentist, a camp counselor, an unnamed college date, an unnamed boss, and CBS chief executive Les Moonves.”
Wandering Views 
Of course.
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Well Joe?
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Corrupt, water carrying media.
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It’s about time.
“This is a day so many J6ers have been waiting for.
Lives destroyed, people rotting in prison. All bc Biden’s DOJ abused a post-Enron evidence tampering statute.
And what will Jack Smith do now? 2 of 4 counts in his indictment in jeopardy. This is potentially more impactful than immunity issue.
Will he drop the 1512c2-related counts? Will he seek a superseding indictment with other charges?
Trump’s lawyers presumably will file a motion to dismiss those counts.
Never a boring day!”
https://www.realclearinvestigations.com/articles/2023/11/01/untested_legal_imagination_is_the_mother_of_prosecution_vs_trump_and_the_january_sixers_989276.html
“Donald Trump doesn’t know Thomas Robertson. But the former president’s fate appears inextricably tied to that of the former Army Ranger, who was convicted last year for his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021 protest at the U.S. Capitol.
That’s because the prosecutions of Trump and his supporters, including Robertson, have often depended on reimagining the law in novel ways.
To advance the narrative that Trump colluded with Russia, for example, the Department of Justice seized on the little-used Foreign Agents Registration Act to justify probes and wiretaps of Trump allies. In the Georgia election fraud case against Trump and numerous campaign advisers, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is using a law intended to combat organized crime, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act, in what even her supporters describe as a stretch.
In Washington, D.C., prosecutors are using a financial crimes statute passed by Congress in 2002 in response to the Enron scandal to bring felony charges against hundreds of Jan. 6 defendants, including Trump and Robertson. Lawyers for both and for other Jan. 6 defendants argue the law is being misapplied. The controversy could soon wind up before the Supreme Court.
Defense attorneys say the government is using the power of law enforcement to misinterpret, and even weaponize, nebulous language in the legal code.
In three separate motions filed on Oct. 23, Trump’s lawyers repeatedly raised objections based on the “vagueness” factor of the four counts in Special Counsel Jack Smith’s Jan. 6 criminal indictment against Trump. Those four charges are: conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct, conspiracy against rights, and obstruction of an official proceeding.
“President Trump’s alleged conduct — publicly and politically disputing the outcome of the election, attempting to convince Congress to act, and allegedly organizing alternate slates of electors — falls outside the plain language of the charged statutes,” John Lauro, Trump’s lead attorney in the Jan. 6 case, wrote in a motion to dismiss the charges.
One of the key statutes in question is 18 U.S. Code § 1512(c)(2), part of the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act passed by Congress to prevent fraudulent financial reporting by corporations. The statute was meant to close a loophole in other obstruction laws related to the destruction of evidence, but left open to interpretation the terms “corruptly” and “official proceeding” in the following passage – to the point where, defense lawyers claim, it can be used to criminalize political activity. The passage reads:
(c) Whoever corruptly—
(1) alters, destroys, mutilates, or conceals a record, document, or other object, or attempts to do so, with the intent to impair the object’s integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding; or
(2) otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so,
shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.
DOJ’s legal basis rests on the argument that the Joint Session of Congress held on Jan. 6 to debate and certify the 2020 election was an “official proceeding,” as opposed to a ceremonial gathering. Those who interrupted Congress, prompting a six-hour delay, or planned to disrupt it, committed that particular obstruction felony, prosecutors contend.
Federal prosecutors so far have charged more than 300 Jan. 6 defendants with obstruction under that statute. In August, Smith’s office handed down a 45-page indictment against Trump, claiming his attempts to persuade Vice President Mike Pence to reject some electoral college votes and organize alternate slates of electors, among other acts, also represented an attempt to obstruct the certification of the 2020 election.
Smith’s indictment is hardly the first time the DOJ sought to nab Trump on the obstruction count. It represents the culmination of a years-long effort dating back to 2017, when Special Counsel Robert Mueller investigated Trump for violating 1512(c)(2) as part of his probe into Russia’s role in the 2016 election.”
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It’s the only tool they have left. 🙂
“As Trump lead widens, prosecutors step up pursuit”
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/as-trump-lead-widens-prosecutors-step-up-pursuit
“AS TRUMP LEAD WIDENS, PROSECUTORS STEP UP PURSUIT. Two things are true today. One, former President Donald Trump’s polling, nationally, in key swing states, and in the first-voting state of Iowa, has never been better. And two, Jack Smith, the special counsel appointed by the Biden Justice Department to prosecute Trump, is taking self-described “extraordinary” measures in a rush to put Trump on trial before the 2024 presidential election. The two things are not unrelated. And nothing could more effectively illustrate the contrast between Trump’s rising political fortunes and the administration’s effort to imprison him before the election.
The Iowa polling was the subject of yesterday’s newsletter. The new Des Moines Register poll, considered quite reliable, showed Trump extending his lead to 32 points over second-place Ron DeSantis, 51% to 19%, with Nikki Haley in third place at 16%. The pollster called Trump’s lead “commanding” and noted that the shrinking GOP field, which was supposed to help Trump’s opposition, “may have made Donald Trump even stronger than he was.” The Iowa caucuses are now a little less than five weeks away.
As far as the key swing states are concerned, CNN released a new general election poll showing Trump leading President Joe Biden in head-to-head matchups in Georgia and Michigan. Biden, of course, won both states in 2020, but the CNN pollsters found Trump with a 5-point lead, 49% to 44%, in Georgia, and a 10-point lead, 50% to 40%, in Michigan. “Broad majorities in both states hold negative views of the sitting president’s job performance, policy positions, and sharpness,” CNN reported.
As far as the national polling is concerned, the Wall Street Journal released a new survey showing that Trump not only leads Biden in a one-on-one contest, 47% to 43%, but is stronger in a race that includes third-party candidates. The poll showed those third-party candidates, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., drawing a total of 17% support in a multicandidate race, while at the top, Trump led Biden by 6 points, 37% to 31%.
The really good news for Trump is Biden’s remarkable weakness. “Trump has double-digit leads on being able to best handle the economy, inflation, crime, securing the border, the Ukraine war, and the Israeli conflict,” political analyst Sean Trende noted on X. “Biden has a double-digit lead on abortion rights. Everything else is single digits, which sounds good except that things like healthcare policy and social security are supposed to be double-digit Democratic leads.”
And then there are the two candidates’ personal attributes. “Mentally up for the job of president? Trump +16,” Trende continued. “Physical stamina to be president? Trump +34.” And finally, the big question: “When they asked if a president’s policies helped or hurt, with Trump it was 49-37 helped. With Biden it was 23-53 HURT,” Trende wrote.”
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To be fair to Hunter Biden, he offered to testify in a public hearing, however, the Republicans are insisting on a private hearing. Why not have a public hearing?
As I’ve said in the past, 2024 will be closer than 2020. Pennsylvania is still the key.
Although Trump has a lead in the polls; there’s a few wild cards in play. Polls are designed based on the demographics of previous elections. Abortion rights may be enough to motivate young women to vote in larger numbers than before. Since the Dobbs decision, abortion has negated Republicans advantage in polls. The current case in Texas can’t help but motivate women. Elections are won not only by convincing people you are the right choice but also motivating your usual supporters to actually vote.
Although its highly doubtful this will affect anything, I’ve been highly amused by the Florida Republican chair and his wife, founder of Moms for Liberty, apparently have threesomes and now the third wheel is accusing the chair of rape. His defence – I shouldn’t have to resign because Trump didn’t resign over Carroll’s allegations and nobody was upset. The moral compass has disappeared.
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Gives “Moms for Liberty” a whole new meaning, eh?
-dj
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Too bad the case in TX will motivate people to abort human beings because they are not perfect. Lawyers for the cause always look for someone to use to get the laws they want, however. Nothing new there.
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US Steel has been acquired by a Japanese company. I never thought I would see the day. https://www.wdio.com/mining-news/japanese-company-nippon-steel-to-acquire-u-s-steel-in-14-9-million-dollar-deal/
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Kathaleena – This excerpt from today’s The Dispatch email newsletter gives us a little ray of hope that the deal may not go through.
“Nippon Steel, Japan’s largest steel company, and U.S. Steel announced on Monday a $14.1 billion deal for Nippon to acquire the iconic 122-year-old American business. U.S. Steel had been looking for buyers since this summer, and Cleveland-Cliffs, a domestic competitor, offered a $7.3 billion takeover deal that U.S. Steel rejected. It’s unclear if the Nippon deal will be completed next year as proposed; the United Steelworkers Union criticized the sale to a foreign corporation, as did Republican Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio and Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. If the deal goes through, U.S. Steel is expected to keep both its name and its Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, headquarters.”
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Re. Colorado Supreme Court Disqualifies Pres. Trump From Appearing on Primary Ballot
This is yet another example of election interference. How do you take a man off the ballot when he hasn’t been convicted of anything? The Colorado SC has violated the US constitution, which is what the US SC will soon affirm. The Colorado SC has in effect taken away people like NJ’s right to vote! Why is Colorado so afraid to allow its citizens to choose who they want for president?
“The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution.” Thomas Jefferson
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Yep I live in the state of loony toons!!
🔥 The UK Guardian ran an unprecedented and historic story yesterday headlined, “Why did Colorado disqualify Trump from the state’s 2024 election ballot?” The understated headline correctly explained this “Decision is the first time a presidential candidate has been deemed ineligible for election under the insurrection clause.”
It’s just the latest bizarre turn of events in the U.S. 2024 Presidential Election Season, one more shattered record for the history books as democrats continue shredding all semblance of rationality in a surreal panic to stop Trump any way they can, no matter how zany or cockamamie of an idea. This time, applying Section 3 of the 14th Amendment — called the Insurrection Clause — the Colorado supreme court beclowned itself ruling 4-3 that Donald Trump is ineligible for any office, not even county dog catcher, because of the January 6th Capitol Riot, since he’s an insurrector, or something.
In practical terms, the decision bars Trump from appearing on Colorado’s primary ballot. It only applies in Colorado, but if it sticks, it could make Trump’s election difficult if not impossible.
“We do not reach these conclusions lightly,” the Court’s majority airily and lightly wrote. “We are likewise mindful of our solemn duty to apply the law, without fear or favor, and without being swayed by public reaction,” they frivolously continued, misapplying the law and desperately hoping the liberal public would react with unhinged accolades. The decision upheld a Colorado district court’s earlier but equally deranged 102-page judgment finding Trump was an insurrectionist by “clear and convincing evidence,” after a one-week trial.
Making their decision look less like a serious ruling and more like a virtue-signaling political hand grenade, the Colorado justices stayed the effect of their own order to allow Trump’s lawyers time for an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. I’d say the Supreme Court is bound to throw out Colorado’s awful ruling, since it is commonly-known that the Insurrection Clause was passed by angry Republicans to stop Confederate military officers like General Robert E. Lee from running for office after the Civil War.
Saying that comparing the Capitol Riot to the U.S. Civil War is deranged is an insult to deranged people.
In short order, Governor DeSantis and other Republican candidates called for the Supreme Court to reverse Colorado, and Vivek Ramaswamy vowed he’d boycott the state. The Colorado GOP threatened to “withdraw from the Primary as a Party and convert to a pure caucus system if this is allowed to stand.” If that happens, Trump could still get the GOP’s nomination through a caucus even if barred from Colorado’s primary ballot.
Do not get overly exercised about this ridiculous sideshow. It’s nearly inconceivable that the Supreme Court will allow this travesty of a sham to stand. I’m not the only one who thinks that. Last night, the Hill ran a headline predicting that Colorado’s logic is so bad that even the liberal Justices on the Supreme Court would vote to overturn in a unanimous pro-Trump decision, which would essentially ask the Colorado supremes to board the short judicial bus:
It seems inevitable we’ll soon have a whole lot more clarity about what the Insurrection Clause, which has never been used this way, does or doesn’t say. And that should finally shut up a bunch of crazed leftists, at least about this insane idea, and annoy the Supreme Court, which has to deal with all this nonsense.
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Now trending: Removal from ballot.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/texas-lt-guv-threatens-to-take-biden-off-states-ballot-after-colorado-ruling
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Vivek Ramaswamy has now vowed to withdraw from the GOP primary ballot in Colorado and urged other Republican candidates to do likewise if the court fails to reinstate President Trump. Vivek seems to be the only candidate besides Pres. Trump who has any courage or convictions.
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A good overall piece of what will be a political and legal minefield going forward:
https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/colorado-ruling-knocking-trump-off-ballot-puts-supreme-court-in-hot-seat-de07e8f5?st=jeoq8gwdttbja36&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink
Colorado Trump Ban Puts Supreme Court in Hot Seat
Justices will likely have to rule on whether 14th amendment’s banning insurrectionists from office applies to former president
-dj
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WSJ editorial regarding US Steel:
U.S. Steel’s Sale Is Industrial Policy Boomerang
Protectionists paved the way for Nippon’s takeover of U.S. Steel.
~ We have to admit to a smile as Washington’s protectionists howl about Japanese steel manufacturer Nippon Steel’s $14.1 billion deal to buy U.S. Steel. They apparently miss the irony that their tariffs and industrial policy have resulted in the foreign takeover of an iconic U.S. manufacturer.
U.S. Steel put itself on the auction block this summer and sought to strike a deal while the irony is hot. Trillions of dollars in Washington spending on public works and green energy are goosing domestic demand for steel while tariffs protect U.S. manufacturers against foreign competition. U.S. Steel’s best assets are political creations.
President Trump in 2018 slapped 25% tariffs on foreign steel under the pretense of protecting national security. Domestic steel producers lobbied for the tariffs, which they said would protect American workers from cheap foreign imports. Yet U.S. Steel’s workforce had shrunk to 22,740 at the end of 2022 from 29,000 in 2018.
The evidence shows that the tariffs have resulted in fewer downstream manufacturing jobs and raised prices for consumers, all while padding the bottom line of domestic steel makers. Washington’s industrial policy is also helping to boost demand for domestic steel and U.S. manufacturers’ profits.
Federal spending in the 2021 infrastructure bill includes conditions requiring contractors to use U.S.-made steel. The Inflation Reduction Act provides additional tax credits for wind producers that use domestic steel. Both laws are also spurring construction of new factories, at least for a time.
The U.S. iron-and-steel-mill order backlog is currently at a 15-year high. Because U.S. steel makers can’t meet demand, projects will be delayed or contractors will have to pay higher prices for foreign steel. That’s bad for consumers. But the cosseted U.S. steel makers will benefit from higher prices and profits.
You can understand why Nippon wanted to get in on the Washington spending action, especially as manufacturing flags in Europe and much of the world. Nippon’s $14.1 billion bid is roughly double what Cleveland-Cliffs offered to pay for U.S. Steel this summer, which underscores the economic value of tariff avoidance.
The U.S. Steel Workers supported Cleveland-Cliffs’ courtship, but it was opposed by auto makers worried about the potential behemoth’s pricing power. The combined company would have controlled 100% of blast furnace production in the U.S. and 65% to 90% of domestic steel used in vehicles.
U.S. Steel rejected Cleveland-Cliffs’ offer, and it may have been smart to hold out for a better deal. Nippon’s offer doesn’t appear to present antitrust concerns. Although the acquisition would make Nippon the world’s second largest steel maker after China’s Baowu, it has a relatively small footprint in the U.S.
The deal could even provide an American-Japanese counterweight to China’s steel powerhouse. Yet the same politicians who support higher tariffs and industrial policy to counter China now are raising doubts about the deal for purported national security reasons.
“Steel is always about security,” Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman declared. Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance chimed in: “Rest assured that I will interrogate the long-term implications for the American people, and I will do everything in my power to protect the future of our nation’s security, industry, and workers.” Do they think the Japanese are going to bomb Pearl Harbor?
U.S. steel making has been declining for decades owing to the higher labor costs of unionized production. American human and financial capital have been put to better work elsewhere such as advanced manufacturing. There are nearly one million more U.S. manufacturing jobs than a decade ago, and there probably would be more if not for Mr. Trump’s tariffs.
Some politicians, including presidential front-runners from both parties, want to take the U.S. back to the days of 1930s protectionism and industrial policy. But if the Japanese want to invest in the U.S., shouldn’t Washington welcome them with open arms? ~
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Anyone familiar with NewsNation on cable? Comes recommended as a good non-biased source of news. I haven’t watched it yet.
https://www.newsnationnow.com
-dj
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Because of EU Data Protection laws, we don’t yet have access to Newsnation.
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Ty, hearing about the shooting on the news at U of Prague, prayers for all in that part of the world who are affected. -dj
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I came here to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hope AJ is okay.
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Merry Christmas, hwesseli.
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Hi HRW, I was thinking about you today, I’m glad you saw the news about AJ. Thanks for your well-wishes, he’s on all our minds and hearts right now.
A joyous Christmas to you and your daughter. Such a wonderful time of year. Joy to the World …
-dj
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Good message from The Gospel Coalition as we head into what will likely be a tumultuous new year that will impact some (evangelical) churches:
~ Sixty years ago in his landmark 1963 book Honest to God, Anglican Bishop John A. T. Robinson argued it was time to discard the outdated concept of God. Liberal theologians hailed Robinson as a prophet for his times. A few years later, Time magazine asked, “Is God Dead?” on its April 8, 1966, cover.
They were wrong about God. But they were right that something had died.
Looking back we can now see that membership in the mainline Protestant denominations peaked in the mid-1960s. More than 20 years into the 21st century the decline continues. By “keeping up with the times,” the Protestant mainline became a relic of history.
Not long before Tim Keller died this year, TGC launched The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics in part to address this “great dechurching.” But today it’s not just Protestant liberals who think we must “keep up with the times.” Some who ask “What time is it?” beat the drums of culture war. Too often the result is fearing our neighbors as enemies.
Instead, we empathize with sinners. As Paul told the Corinthians, “such were some of you” before “you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11). We must not fight with worldly means! “When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat” (1 Cor. 4:12–13).
As another year ends, let all who long for Christ’s return fasten the belt of truth as falsehoods spread. Let us put on the breastplate of righteousness, that we might be above reproach in public and private. Slip on shoes and take the gospel of peace to the ends of our war-torn world. In all things wield the shield of faith against the Enemy’s whispers of doubt. Guard your mind against deceitfulness by wearing the helmet of salvation. Pick up the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, where we find Jesus Christ.
In a world that feels like it’s accelerating without brakes, Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever (Heb. 13:8). Because we have been united to him, we pray “at all times” in the Spirit, so that we will persevere to the end of the age—whatever the times may bring (Eph. 6:13-18). ~
Collin Hansen
Vice President of Content and Editor in Chief
______________________
I’d add one word regarding all the chaotic “news,” true and false, that will be coming at us, including via social media: Discernment
– dj
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Clarification: The last graph of that — starting with In a world that feels like it’s accelerating without brakes — the author has that word as “breaks,” which also works, of course; but I, acting as “editor” thought ‘oh, he must mean brakes.’
The hubris of editors, real and self-appointed/only ‘acting as,’ perhaps — so to clarify, I probably should not have made that change. lol
– dj
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https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/26/ohio-jury-woman-miscarriage-abuse-corpse
Another case which will motivate young women to the polls. A criminal investigation and charge is not the right response to a miscarriage.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/dec/26/trump-us-supreme-court-crisis
An interesting (but biased) essay on the Colorado decision and the Supreme Court. Although one could argue the court already has a crisis of legitimacy.
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Thanks for the Christmas greetings. My daughter is still living in Berlin so she went to Poland to see her mom, grandma, and great grandma (turning 100 next month). I spent Christmas with my brother and parents (my dad is 96). Now I’m home with just Sasha my 10 year old German Shepherd to keep me company.
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Well Merry Christmas to Sasha, too, then. German shepherds are such great dogs, my mom had one — “Queenie.” So sweet, but one night she gave chase to someone who had opened the side gate. My mom got up to see her running after some guy down the street.
Good dog.
Meanwhile, Abby got her own Christmas ornament this year, they make them at one of the drug stores, you just submit a photo and, voila, an ornament you can pick up within 24 hours. -dj
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A rather chilling opinion piece, courtesy of the WSJ:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/america-feels-like-a-codependent-household-division-polarization-politics-303c8c9a?st=aigu3twdexofd6d&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink
____________________
America Feels Like a Codependent Household
Things aren’t normal. We don’t trust one another, and the country doesn’t quite recognize itself.
By Lance Morrow (a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and author of “The Noise of Typewriters: Remembering Journalism.”)
~ America feels like an alcoholic household—crazy with grievance, accusation, irrational rage, screaming in the middle of the night. The children lie in the dark, wide-eyed, listening. In the morning, the family comes downstairs trying to pretend that everything is normal. There’s a lot of pretending: The southern border isn’t wide open; unpunished crime is social justice; the president of Harvard deserves her job.
Things aren’t normal. Everyone knows it. The country doesn’t quite recognize itself. America has gone astray in a strange new landscape. It’s a different America all right.
In an alcoholic household, the one you thought you could trust becomes a stranger—suddenly dangerous. Trust is the first casualty. A baffled country can neither grasp nor admit what it has become.
The left denounces the evil of what it claims the country has always been: racist, oppressive, toxically male, transphobic. The right rages against the evil of what the country has become: perverse, perverted, Marxist, sniveling, woke. Each side does its part to make the country infinitely worse than it needs to be.
What’s going on? For one thing, Americans have grown addicted to their loathings. There’s a touch of sadomasochism in all this. Hate can be oddly stimulating for the hater and the hated. The bystander, too. Politics and culture wars are almost as satisfying as shooting wars. Human nature craves a certain amount of mayhem and carnage.
On the other hand, the Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump rematch seems especially stupid. It’s the wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time. Politics doesn’t have to be this dumb. At the end of 2023, the country bounces along like Custer on the way to the Little Big Horn: So far, so good. The regimental band plays “Garryowen.”
Republicans persist in the charade of their debates, though Mr. Trump doesn’t show up. Why should he? Instead he itinerates from one MAGA rally to another, his rhetoric growing more baroque and feral. His enemies are “vermin,” he says, using Joseph Goebbels’s term for Jews. He promises, if elected, to unleash on his enemies—meaning about half the country—the shock and awe of his wrath.
The Democrats, increasingly divided, sleepwalk toward their own disaster. They pretend, but don’t believe, that their 81-year-old president and his vice president—a pressing existential problem in her own right—have performed so brilliantly during their first engagement that they should be booked for another four years.
This isn’t quite American democracy but the 21st century’s travesty of it. All three branches of the federal government have one way or another become disreputable. The president’s approval rating is down in the 30s. Congress is almost picturesque in its dysfunction. More than three dozen members of the House have decided not to run for re-election. Not worth it. Less than half of Americans, polls say, trust the Supreme Court. …
… The secret of leadership—and of demagoguery—is to draw the public imagination into its projections. In the 21st century’s universe of screens, the effect is hypertrophied: Fantasy replaces reality. Technology empowers hallucination. It turns politics into a Marx Brothers nightmare: clowns tossing sticks of dynamite around. Mr. Trump is good at this. He is Dr. Seuss’s Cat in the Hat. The surreal novelty of the moment calls forth a tumble of images—like a rapid scroll down TikTok.
It’s no way to run a republic for grown-ups. In innocent, primitive days of yore, the political circus was entertaining. Maybe that’s what got us into trouble. Lately, the audience has lost the faculty of laughter.
The deepest fear is that the show has barely started. …
… Are things that bad? Drunks can get sober. Countries can change. But not without brains and faith, not without abandoning the compulsion to lie and the weird self-righteousness that addiction begets. The failures have been complex—spiritual, social and otherwise. Maybe nothing can be done. … ~
-dj
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One more graph from that piece:
~ Is such incoherence inevitable? Is it a byproduct of the immense changes that have swept away the previous America? We live in the aftermath of the old country, wondering what happened to it and waiting nervously for the new America to emerge. With luck, such moments call forth great leaders—Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Is some such figure waiting in the wings? Maybe a country is entitled to only so much luck. A period of great change also brings out charlatans and warlords and false messiahs. Politics becomes a little medieval. ~
_________________________
-dj
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One of the controversial discussions in our state is the new state flag and seal design. One could not get anymore generic and utterly simple in design. Such is the state of our country and state. Meaninglessness is celebrated, less anyone is offended. The millions of dollars that will be spent to change these things is beyond belief. What a waste of time and money.
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I remember the flag wars here a number of years ago. Now we have the Public Safety Training Center war going on. I recently heard the name changed by the news channel to the First Respondrrs Traing Center. Like pulling a fast one to not refer to it as anything related to law enforcement would make it be okay! Crazy world we live in!
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https://wng.org/opinions/look-out-theyre-coming-1704802870?fbclid=IwAR2BDBV8iavTstURgypDaHbN8pFiVHmvVGEyc6201l03eAgO9L2j5NApIF4
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Good article, Kathaleena!
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This is also good, from World Opinions: https://wng.org/opinions/the-perils-of-an-election-year-1704936941?fbclid=IwAR087qCVsu38ZzVTYRc2HUMUVrXQVrhKLRuLSahP3SgRxTExZsnVEqFWliM
The perils of an election year: Christians should avoid giving in to crippling fear about political outcomes
~
~ …
If we do face Trump v. Biden 2.0 in November—a prospect few Americans want to see—the contest will take place amongst even more fraught conditions than those of pandemic-era 2020. These include a Republican candidate facing multiple grave criminal charges, a Democrat facing a revolt from his base over conflict in the Middle East, and at least one serious third-party campaign to wreak havoc on the polls. Not to mention widespread doubt among voters over the integrity of the voting system.
How should Christians respond?
Above all, with fearless unflappability. We speak often of “freedom” in America, especially in election years, all the while betraying our bondage to the worst unfreedom of all: the crippling weight of fear, from which Christ offers to set us free. In an age of epidemic anxiety, there is no stronger witness that Christians can offer the watching world than a refusal to give in to worry, a refusal to let our confidence be shaken or our happiness dimmed by political outcomes.
Such serenity is often misunderstood as pietistic withdrawal or false complacency. It is neither. …
…
… there is no question that American society is in the midst of profound and unsettling disruptions that are likely to leave our children and children a considerably more dangerous and unhappy world. But most of the key trends have been unfolding for decades, often largely unaffected by who inhabits the White House or which party controls Congress. Such things matter, to be sure, and we must vote wisely, but we should also keep our eye on the bigger picture. For Christians, the biggest picture of all is the perspective of eternity, and the confidence it affords that God will work His purposes out for our good no matter what happens in November.
Given these considerations, one of the most practical things we can and must do this year is learn to exercise charity and forbearance toward fellow Christians. To be sure, we should not fall into moral relativism or fashionable false equivalence. …
… Whatever happens in November, it is unlikely to cause a national revival. However, the way that we approach November, the witness of faith and charity we offer an anxious world, could plant the seeds of the revival we so desperately need.
-dj
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I am wondering how many of you have participated in a caucus in the past.
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I haven’t participated in a caucus per se, K, but I remember going with my parents to at least one. That was when I was fairly young, so I didn’t absorb a lot about the process (or don’t recall now what I learned). Interesting question. Looking forward to hearing if others have been at or participated in one. I take it you have?
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We don’t have those here.
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i never have, Kathaleena. Like Kizzie, we don’t have those here.
Governor Kemp gave the State of the State address this week. We have a large state budget surplus. He intends to give teachers, law enforcement workers, correctional officers, mental health workers, and some others raises. Also a new dental school will be started at my first undergraduate school, Georgia Southern. It was fun to watch the Georgia Gang (two Democrats and two Republicans with a Moderator) dicusss the address on Georgia Public Broadcasting. Feeling good about Kemp as far as his leading of state government.
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I’ve also never participated in or witnessed a caucus — in 2024 it is only Iowa, Nevada, North Dakota and Wyoming that have them, the rest of the states are all on the primary system. Caucuses are dwindling.
https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/caucus-states
From 2020:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_gA766lT3c
-dj
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Yes, I have been involved in caucuses several times. They are at the precinct level, so it is with those who live fairly close to you. It is quite a process with a whole lot of lobbying for people to join your group and cast a vote for your candidate. It is much more personal than a primary. I have been at them for the Democratic Farmer Labor party, never the Republican, so cannot say how there’s went, other than that I imagine the same format. Other business is taken care of before the process begins.
There are only so many votes that go forward to the next higher level (district) so if one group does not have enough people, they must gather more in or compromise and join with another group. It can take quite a while.
It will be interesting to see how things work out in Iowa.
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Janice, MN had a huge surplus. The Democrat dominated legislature and governor blew through it all and just made for more ongoing spending.
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Our govenor is determined to take away the 4 day school week for rural schools, increase abortions, cripple the oil and gas industry, take away our 2nd ammendment rights, and sell more Marijuana. I am still in confusion that she received a single re election vote, considering all the damage she has done to this state.
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i feel very fortunate to have a conservative governor.
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Around 65,000 young people, many on Christmas break from college, attended the Passion conference here. I am feeling encouraged by that much interest in Jesus.
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Great job, Iowans!
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Kathleen, our primary is so late (june) that I feel our state has absolutely no say in the primaries.
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The first presidential election to have a primary vote instead of caucus system in MN was in 2020. This year will be on Super Tuesday.
There is a challenge in the Supreme Court about the agencies essentially making laws. This is one to watch as it affects us all in many ways.
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California primary is March 5, that month is loaded with most of the primaries from what I recall?
I’ve been registered as a “non-partisan” for some time now so I can request only a Dem or 3rd party ballot in advance; GOP has closed primaries so I can’t request one of those. And I’ll likely just not request any of the other party lineups and will just vote for whatever is on the vanilla ballot, mainly propositions and local nonpartisan elections, if I remember right.
By March, the GOP presidential contest will likely be decided already. Nearly half of our country’s voters now are registered as non-partisans, an interesting trend that’s been ongoing for some time now.
-dj
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Excellent piece on “political anxiety” at The Gospel Coalition:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/prescription-political-anxiety/
_______________
~ Paul’s Prescription for Political Anxiety in 2024
Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything.”
Anything. Even politics.
The answer to political anxiety isn’t political surrender. Christians should engage in the political process for the common good, but under the condition found in the immediately preceding (and lesser-known) verse: “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone” (v. 5). Political anxiety in the church declines in response to the rise of reasonableness. More reasonableness, less anxiety.
“Reasonableness” is the fair, equitable, and impartial thinking required of a good and wise judge. It was originally an expression for a “balanced, intelligent, decent outlook . . . a considerate, thoughtful, attitude in legal relationships.” A reasonable person is judicious—not given to extreme opinions, carried away by passions, abusive in leadership, harsh in speech, or reactionary to personal insults. If anxiety is the disease, reasonableness is the cure.
This trait is essential for church unity (v. 2), but it’s also essential for managing the mountains of divisive political messages assailing us every election cycle. Here are four traits of reasonableness from Philippians.
1. Reasonable people do the right thing and trust God with the outcome. …
…
… Our nation’s current political turmoil might tempt us to compromise our ethics to win. If “they” lie, insult, slander, boast, break oaths, and cheat, so will we. Instead of trusting God, we’ll trust in political expediency. The circumstances are so dire—doesn’t a good end justify evil means? With so much at stake, can’t we practice consequentialism for a season?
We’re enticed by doctrinal compromise. Pastors, whose primary calling is the ministry of the Word, may be persuaded to enter political alliances with false prophets to increase access to political power. Is it reasonable to break the commands of Christ with the goal of shaping a government that makes it easier to keep them?
Writing in a period of intense political anxiety 1,600 years ago, Augustine asked,
There’s some bad person you don’t like? Don’t let there be two. You criticize him and you join him. You swell the ranks that you’re condemning. Are you trying to overcome evil with evil? To overcome hatred with hatred? Can’t you hear the advice your Lord gave the apostle Paul? “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”? …
…
2. Reasonable people accept the outcome as God’s sovereign plan.
The angry mob that attacked Paul in Philippi with the sanction of the magistrates exemplifies what our nation’s founders tried to avoid (Acts 16:22). Momentary passions like anger, fear, greed, and lust compel us to justify the action we prefer—even when it goes against reason, justice, and truth. James Madison understood the danger of passion-driven politics, arguing that the Constitution tends to guard citizens from the “tyranny of their own passions.” Unreasonable people ruled by emotion take the short view.
Paul warns against the moral reasoning of people whose “god is their belly” (Phil. 3:19). Reasonable people won’t trust their gut on any issue—ethical, theological, or political. Rather, they let the apostles’ teaching inform their moral choices while taking the long view.
That’s why reasonable people see God’s hand in adversity. He daily permits what doesn’t please him, even the passion-driven sin of our political opponents. He causes our present losses to contribute to our ultimate joy. Yes, by doing the right thing, Paul ended up in prison. But because prison prevented a personal visit then, we have the book of Philippians now. And becoming a loser in the world’s eyes “served to advance the gospel” as he shared the good news with Caesar’s household (1:12; 4:22). People went to heaven because Paul went to prison.
Maybe the upcoming election will go the way you want. But even if it doesn’t, “our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Ps. 115:3). This doesn’t mean we give up on the political process. But it does mean we play by the rules, even if that loses votes. No matter the outcome, we “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4)—and thereby show our neighbors the true object of our worship. …
There’s more at the link …
-dj
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https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/prescription-political-anxiety/
_______________
~ Paul’s Prescription for Political Anxiety in 2024
Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything.”
Anything. Even politics.
The answer to political anxiety isn’t political surrender. Christians should engage in the political process for the common good, but under the condition found in the immediately preceding (and lesser-known) verse: “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone” (v. 5). Political anxiety in the church declines in response to the rise of reasonableness. More reasonableness, less anxiety.
“Reasonableness” is the fair, equitable, and impartial thinking required of a good and wise judge. It was originally an expression for a “balanced, intelligent, decent outlook . . . a considerate, thoughtful, attitude in legal relationships.” A reasonable person is judicious—not given to extreme opinions, carried away by passions, abusive in leadership, harsh in speech, or reactionary to personal insults. If anxiety is the disease, reasonableness is the cure.
This trait is essential for church unity (v. 2), but it’s also essential for managing the mountains of divisive political messages assailing us every election cycle. Here are four traits of reasonableness from Philippians.
*** 1. Reasonable people do the right thing and trust God with the outcome. …
…
… Our nation’s current political turmoil might tempt us to compromise our ethics to win. If “they” lie, insult, slander, boast, break oaths, and cheat, so will we. Instead of trusting God, we’ll trust in political expediency. The circumstances are so dire—doesn’t a good end justify evil means? With so much at stake, can’t we practice consequentialism for a season?
We’re enticed by doctrinal compromise. Pastors, whose primary calling is the ministry of the Word, may be persuaded to enter political alliances with false prophets to increase access to political power. Is it reasonable to break the commands of Christ with the goal of shaping a government that makes it easier to keep them?
Writing in a period of intense political anxiety 1,600 years ago, Augustine asked,
There’s some bad person you don’t like? Don’t let there be two. You criticize him and you join him. You swell the ranks that you’re condemning. Are you trying to overcome evil with evil? To overcome hatred with hatred? Can’t you hear the advice your Lord gave the apostle Paul? “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”? …
…
2. Reasonable people accept the outcome as God’s sovereign plan.
The angry mob that attacked Paul in Philippi with the sanction of the magistrates exemplifies what our nation’s founders tried to avoid (Acts 16:22). Momentary passions like anger, fear, greed, and lust compel us to justify the action we prefer—even when it goes against reason, justice, and truth. James Madison understood the danger of passion-driven politics, arguing that the Constitution tends to guard citizens from the “tyranny of their own passions.” Unreasonable people ruled by emotion take the short view.
Paul warns against the moral reasoning of people whose “god is their belly” (Phil. 3:19). Reasonable people won’t trust their gut on any issue—ethical, theological, or political. Rather, they let the apostles’ teaching inform their moral choices while taking the long view.
That’s why reasonable people see God’s hand in adversity. He daily permits what doesn’t please him, even the passion-driven sin of our political opponents. He causes our present losses to contribute to our ultimate joy. Yes, by doing the right thing, Paul ended up in prison. But because prison prevented a personal visit then, we have the book of Philippians now. And becoming a loser in the world’s eyes “served to advance the gospel” as he shared the good news with Caesar’s household (1:12; 4:22). People went to heaven because Paul went to prison.
Maybe the upcoming election will go the way you want. But even if it doesn’t, “our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Ps. 115:3). This doesn’t mean we give up on the political process. But it does mean we play by the rules, even if that loses votes. No matter the outcome, we “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4)—and thereby show our neighbors the true object of our worship. …
-dj
(and there is more at the link)
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Getting anxious about politics? There’s a cure for that. 🙂
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/prescription-political-anxiety/
-dj
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i’ve written on my ladies’ Bible study thread only yesterday about anxiety and depression being brought on by our faulty sense of thinking we are in control. Anxiety is a winding up in circles of feeling in and out of control and doing everything to maintain that sense of control, but it’s never enough. Depression is when the person gives up finally and says I am unable to be in control so I give up entirely, go to bed, and pull thr covers over my head, and remain in darkness. That is my conclusion after considering it for a number of years. The cure for it all rests in focusing on Jesus and looking to God as the true One in Control.
I don’t feel anxiety over the election. I am waiting for God to revral who will be on the ticket for me to vote for. It appears from a human perspective that it will be a certain person, but we don’t know that until it happens. God knows.I can pray for His best that suits His purposes. It is interesting to watch from the sidelines and see how people in different parts of the nation choose. They typically do choose based on who best serves their interests, and if Christian, they often choose who best aligns with their Christian values. It is reasonable for people to do that. Some pepple vote on short term selfish gains and others who think of future generation’s needs vote based on long-term gains for the future.
I am thankful I have only the responsibily to wait, watch, gather info to make an informed choice, pray, and finally vote and accept the outcome even if God should allow the election to be handled dishonestly for His ultimate good purposes.
It’s so sweet to rest in the peace of Jesus.
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Janice gets it.
But this will be a stress-filled year generally in our nation, for our neighbors and fellow brothers and sisters at church, in Bible studies and home groups and blogs (and yeah, you and me personally, here and there, I’m guessing).
Some bits and pieces from the Gospel Coalition link: ~
The anxiety in churches is partly fueled by Christianity’s declining influence in America. The church at Philippi knew something about living in a spiritually hostile environment. Yet Paul’s letter to them is optimistic and joyful, containing some of our favorite verses, such as Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything.”
Anything. Even politics.
The answer to political anxiety isn’t political surrender. Christians should engage in the political process for the common good, but under the condition found in the immediately preceding (and lesser-known) verse: “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone” (v. 5). Political anxiety in the church declines in response to the rise of reasonableness. More reasonableness, less anxiety.
…
… Many knees bow to Caesar now, but every knee will bow to Jesus then. Knowing he’ll share Christ’s future victory motivates Paul to share Christ’s present sufferings (3:10).
Throughout Scripture, success is doing the right thing (politically we do and may differ on that – dj) and trusting God with the outcome. …
… Our nation’s current political turmoil might tempt us to compromise our ethics to win. If “they” lie, insult, slander, boast, break oaths, and cheat, so will we. Instead of trusting God, we’ll trust in political expediency. The circumstances are so dire—doesn’t a good end justify evil means? With so much at stake, can’t we practice consequentialism for a season?
Writing in a period of intense political anxiety 1,600 years ago, Augustine asked,
There’s some bad person you don’t like? Don’t let there be two. You criticize him and you join him. You swell the ranks that you’re condemning. Are you trying to overcome evil with evil? To overcome hatred with hatred? Can’t you hear the advice your Lord gave the apostle Paul? “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”?
… The angry mob that attacked Paul in Philippi with the sanction of the magistrates exemplifies what our nation’s founders tried to avoid (Acts 16:22). Momentary passions like anger, fear, greed, and lust compel us to justify the action we prefer—even when it goes against reason, justice, and truth. James Madison understood the danger of passion-driven politics, arguing that the Constitution tends to guard citizens from the “tyranny of their own passions.” Unreasonable people ruled by emotion take the short view. …
… Reasonable people won’t trust their gut on any issue—ethical, theological, or political. Rather, they let the apostles’ teaching inform their moral choices while taking the long view. …
… That’s why reasonable people see God’s hand in adversity. He daily permits what doesn’t please him, even the passion-driven sin of our political opponents. He causes our present losses to contribute to our ultimate joy. …
… Maybe the upcoming election will go the way you want. But even if it doesn’t, “our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Ps. 115:3). This doesn’t mean we give up on the political process. But it does mean we play by the rules, even if that loses votes. No matter the outcome, we “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4)—and thereby show our neighbors the true object of our worship. …
… Paul warned them to check the facts as they consumed the news. Since Eden, falsehood has increased anxiety by fostering division. To experience the peace of God, we should consistently think about “whatever is true” (Phil. 4:8), and this assumes we work to discern the truth. …
… Today, breaking news and political ads travel at 50 miles a millisecond. But the duty to check facts remains. We’ll need a new skill set. And reasonable people will wisely judge the information they receive.
Paul urges us to replace anxiety with prayer (Phil. 4:6) …
… Before God’s throne, we ought to intercede “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life” (1 Tim. 2:1–2). In effect, that life describes the religious freedom protected by the First Amendment, and we pray that our freedoms endure. …
… consider the apostles receiving those final instructions from the Lord to carry his message from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Here is the grand reversal of the Roman Empire’s information highway. For years, couriers carried decrees from the lord in Rome to Jerusalem. Now, couriers will carry the decrees from the Lord in Jerusalem to Rome. The Roman roads of the proud Caesars are sovereignly seized by the humble Christ. …
-dj
__________________________
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Was trying to post some things from the article, but unsuccessful, probably too long — but it’s a very good piece and I think we’ll all feel the stress (personally and around us) in this coming year.
-dj
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By March? The Rep. presidential candidacy is virtually already locked up – the only real questions are who will be the VP pick, and who will be the Dem candidate.
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I found the Georgia Gang is on You Tube. It shows that Democrats and Republicans can have good discussions with each other about the issues. They have an interesting take on the Fani Willis situation with the prosecuting attorney in the Trump case.
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Yuge.
Time for Haley to do the same. She won’t of course, too much Dem donor money to spend left in her coffers.
Aj
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https://erlc.com/resource-library/articles/why-sogi-laws-violate-the-spirit-of-the-civil-rights-act/
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From The Gospel Coalition:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/pray-dont-play-politics/
During each election cycle, a myriad of op-eds insist the fate of the nation—even the world—hinges on the outcome. Politics has taken on an outsize role in our collective mindset.
As religion wanes in the public consciousness, people have turned elsewhere to find purpose, morality, and hope. Politics is a terrible substitute, but because many have eliminated God from the equation, it can seem the best option available. Once we strip away the sovereign God “who works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Eph. 1:11), how can we be sure the long arc of history will bend toward justice? How can we lift the poor, protect our freedoms, or uphold the rights of the oppressed? Absent God, getting the best people elected to the best seats of power does seem like our only hope.
The cultural mindset that removes God and elevates politics dominates both the media and casual interactions. It can infect the thoughts and actions of Christians too. Political obsession is the water we swim in, and we’d be fools to think we won’t get wet.
In a politically obsessed world, Christians must elevate praying politics above playing politics. … -dj
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Jay Seculow’s legal team is seeking information (Freedom of Information Act) on the Fed’s keeping record of people who buy Bibles as being extremists. Hmm . . . I bought Art that Bible for Christmas and did not pay cash so I guess I am on a list.😀
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No doubt lots of us are on a list. Disgusting, however.
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oops, posted this on the wrong (earlier news) thread – Just some down-the-line, early NH primary day horserace analysis – no sides implied or pushed – dj https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jaed5G0wg7Q&t=210s
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Justice?
I think not. Take the time to watch the video. This is what a corrupt justice system looks like.
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But the corrupt judge refused to allow this evidence to be shown to the jury.
“Carroll has accused multiple men of sexually assaulting or raping her throughout her life, including a babysitter’s boyfriend, a dentist, a camp counselor, an unnamed college date, an unnamed boss, and CBS chief executive Les Moonves.”
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Sorry about that DJ.
It wasn’t the length, just way too many links. 2 per post or it gets flagged as spam.
They’re up now.
Aj
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