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POLITICS

From the Windy City

The Democratic National Convention kicks off today in Chicago.

Party organizers have been updating the programming and swapping out the “Biden-Harris” signage for “Harris-Walz.” Following a summer of division amongst Democrats over then-candidate Biden, the party plans to focus on unifying behind Harris with a convention theme of “For the People, For Our Future.” 

President Biden is speaking tonight, former President Obama tomorrow, former President Clinton & VP nominee Walz on Wednesday, and VP Harris will close out the week on Thursday. Events will be streamed on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok in an effort to reach younger voters.

Meanwhile, Chicago police are expecting tens of thousands of protestors outside the convention bearing signs about abortion rights, economic injustice, and (primarily) the war in Gaza. Protest organizers want the U.S. to cut off aid to Israel.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
The names on the ballot this election may feel monumental, but in the scope of eternity, they’re but a speck of dust. Viewing our lives in light of eternity doesn’t mean we don’t care about present issues, but it reminds us to keep our focus on Christ and live as citizens of his kingdom.  

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for the day of God and hasten its coming.”
2 Peter 3:10-12 (CSB) (read full passage)

POLITICS

Policy and Politics

On Friday, VP Harris unveiled her economic plan. 

It’s her first major policy proposal and includes: millions of new starter homes, $25,000 downpayment assistance for some first-time homebuyers, raising child tax credits ($3,600 per child per year, $6,000 for newborns), and––most controversially––a ban on price gouging for food producers and grocers.

An editorial in the typically Harris-friendly Washington Post said it’s “hard to exaggerate how bad” the anti-price-gouging policy is, while Former President Trump compared the plan to “SOVIET style price controls.”

Trump also took some heat Friday after saying receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom (highest civilian award) is “much better” than receiving the Medal of Honor (highest military award) because soldiers who get it are “in bad shape” or dead. Trump’s campaign said the comments were misconstrued.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Politicians come and go, often disappointing supporters and opponents alike. Put your hope in the Lord, who has no term limit, who rules with compassion, and who executes justice perfectly. 

“But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for judgment. And he judges the world with righteousness; he executes judgment on the nations with fairness. The Lord is a refuge for the persecuted, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you because you have not abandoned those who seek you, Lord.”
Psalm 9:7–10 (CSB) (read full passage)

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WORLD

Give and Take

Ukraine’s burning bridges with Russia, but there’s hope for bridges between Israel and Gaza.

Over the weekend, President Zelenskyy’s forces downed two key Kursk-region bridges to disrupt Russian supply lines, pressed further into Putin’s territory, and reportedly captured 100+ Russian soldiers to replenish Ukraine’s “exchange fund.” Still, Russia’s forces are making their own progress in Ukraine’s east; they’re marching steadily toward Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub for Ukraine. 

Ukraine’s surprise offensive apparently derailed secret talks between the nations to stop targeting energy and power infrastructure, a limited ceasefire that negotiators hoped would lead to a comprehensive one.

Meanwhile, mediators in Qatar are still working on a last-ditch “bridge proposal” to bring Israel and Hamas nearer to a ceasefire and hostage release deal. Friday, President Biden said negotiations were “far from over” but “much, much closer.”

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Verse to consider whether you’re negotiating from a position of strength or weakness… “Now I know that the LORD gives victory to his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories from his right hand. Some take pride in chariots, and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand firm.” 
Psalm 20:6-8 (CSB) (read full passage)

Hackers might have stolen the Social Security Numbers of… every American. According to a recent class-action lawsuit, National Public Data—which aggregates data for background checks—was breached in April, putting 2.9 billion records (names, SSNs, birthdays, and emails) into hackers’ hands. The company confirmed the breach, and authorities are investigating. Learn if you were impacted (and what to do) here.
 

Medicare has negotiated down the price of 10 common medications, including diabetes drugs and blood thinners. The Biden administration says the price reductions (which range from 38%-79%) will save taxpayers $6 billion and Medicare recipients $1.5 billion; the new prices kick in on January 1, 2026. Price negotiations on another 15 drugs are set to begin next year.
 

“Ewww Yay David!” Eugene Levy and son Dan will become the first father-son duo to ever host the Emmys. The Canadian co-creators of Schitt’s Creek, which pulled off a historic sweep of the comedy category in the 2020 Emmys, will emcee ABC’s September 15 broadcast. Eugene himself is up for an Emmy for the Apple TV+ series The Reluctant Traveler. 
 

People in India are protesting after a young female doctor trainee was raped and murdered at a Kolkata medical college last week. Hospitals have turned away non-emergency patients as 1+ million doctors were expected to join a 24-hour strike demanding increased security and “safe spaces for women” at hospitals. Protests began August 9th, intensifying as more incidents of assault made headlines.
 

NBC announced a daily average of 30.6 million Americans watched the Olympics, way up from the 2020 2021 Tokyo Games (16.9 million). NBC saw a surge in viewership on its streaming platform, Peacock, and increased interest in women’s sports (even without Caitlin Clark); 35 million Americans watched Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky, and Sha’Carri Richardson win medals.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Some truly amazing astronomy photos…

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