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POLITICS

Debatable

Last night, President Biden and former President Trump squared off in the first general election debate of 2024. 

The format and timing were unusual. This debate—hosted by CNN—was months earlier than normal, and both candidates agreed to forgo opening statements, notes, and an audience. There were commercial breaks, and microphones were muted when a candidate’s time expired.

Going into the evening, polls suggested the race was close and could be decided by “double-haters,” the 25% of Americans who have unfavorable views of both Biden and Trump. Many in this group are concerned Biden is mentally unfit, and Trump is too volatile.

The Trump Campaign quickly claimed he won the debate, criticizing President Biden for being “unintelligible” and losing his train of thought while discussing tax rates early in the night. The Biden Campaign says he has a cold and criticized former President Trump for “nonstop lying.”

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
Followers of Christ are not identified by who they vote for but by their love for others. And yes, that means loving people that you believe have un-loving beliefs/stances.

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Jesus in John 13:35 (CSB) (read full passage)

SCOTUS

Decisions Decisions

It’s crunch time for Uncle Sam’s High Court. 

Here are (a few) of this week’s Supreme decisions:

• A 6-3 decision allows the government to request social media companies remove alleged misinformation—a win for the Biden Administration.

• A 6-3 decision allows Idaho hospitals to perform abortions when a woman’s health is endangered (state law previously only allowed abortion when a woman’s life was endangered). The procedural decision sends the case back to the lower courts to consider the merits.

• A 5-4 decision rejects OxyContin-maker Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy settlement plan due to a provision that would have shielded the company’s former owners, the Sackler family, without them having to declare personal bankruptcy.

They have six more decisions this term, including a highly-anticipated ruling on presidential immunity.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Our hope is never contingent on a court’s decision; it’s much more secure than that. Regardless of whether things get worse or better during your lifetime, everything eventually ends well for followers of Christ.

“On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.” - Edward Mote, 1863 (Scriptural basis: Heb 13:8, Matt 7:24, Psalm 18:2)

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WORLD NEWS

Failed Coup

It’s back to business as usual in Bolivia after a quick coup attempt.

On Wednesday, army chief Juan José Zúñiga attempted to oust President Luis Arce and “restore democracy” in the South American country. Security forces in riot gear occupied the capital square in La Paz, crashed a tank into the presidential palace, and attempted to storm the building. 

President Arce arrested Zúñiga and named a new army commander, who ordered troops to stand down; they did. After three chaotic hours, the rebellion ended, and the top military brass was replaced.

Zúñiga later told reporters that Arce told him to stage the whole thing to boost the president’s popularity. The administration responded that Zúñiga and his co-conspirators “have lost all credibility.”

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Christians don’t need to be swayed by the passing panics of the world around us. God’s throne is occupied; he can’t be unseated, and his good plans for creation are assured.

“Lord, God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven, and do you not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in your hand, and no one can stand against you.”
2 Chronicles 20:6 (CSB) (read full passage)

The votes are in from Tuesday’s primaries. In New York, Progressive Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) lost reelection to his moderate, pro-Israel challenger George Latimer in the most expensive House Primary race in history ($25 million in combined ad spending). In Colorado, conservative firebrand Lauren Boebert (R-CO) won her six-way primary after switching to a redder district.
 

Kenya’s President backed down on controversial tax hikes after protests Tuesday killed 23. Gen-Z-led demonstrations in Nairobi saw parts of Parliament set on fire over a bill intended to cut Kenya’s debt burdens. President Ruto agreed not to sign the law Wednesday, but protests continued Thursday, demanding his resignation. Former President Obama’s half-sister was tear-gassed alongside other protesters.
 

The NFL suffered a hard hit yesterday. A jury ruled the league violated antitrust laws by inflating the price of its Sunday Ticket package from 2011-2022, awarding customers $4.8 billion in damages. The league said it was “disappointed” and promised to appeal. Worse, the NFL could actually be liable for $12.3 billion under federal laws that triple penalties in antitrust cases. 
 

The wait(list) is over. Waymo’s autonomous ride-hailing service is available to everyone 24/7 in San Francisco—a major milestone as hailing a driverless ride used to require weeks or even months of approvals. Google’s sister company says 300,000 people were previously waitlisted. The journey has included speedbumps, including open investigations into 17 collisions caused by “unexpected behavior.”
 

The two-day NBA draft concluded last night. Zaccharie Risacher, a 6’9” forward from France, was picked first (just like in grade school). Bronny James, 19, was picked in the second round by the Lakers, where he’ll be teammates with his dad. Speaking of 19-year-old athletes, the NCAA announced this week that cannabis will no longer be banned for Division 1 athletes.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Check out the effect of light pollution on the night sky…

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