ICYMI

New presidential polls; the trial over Jordan Neely’s death on a NY subway in 2023; Russia hosts world leaders; and other top news for Wednesday, October 23rd. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over.

Read Time: 5 min 49 sec | Listen to Podcast

─────── October 23, 2024 ───────

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QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Having faith, beliefs, and convictions is a great thing, but your life is measured by the actions you take based upon them.”
Nick Vujicic

ESPRESSO SHOTS

POLITICS

13 Days

ICYMI, there’s an election coming up.

New national polls show VP Harris with a one-point lead over former President Trump in national polls, an effective tie; presidential polls have been off by an average of 2.3 percentage points since 1988. Harris’s lead has narrowed since August’s DNC, when she was ahead by five points. 

Over the weekend, Trump served fries at a Philadelphia McDonald’s after publicly questioning Harris’ claims that she worked under the Golden Arches in college. On Monday, Harris teamed up with former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) in key battleground states to court moderate suburban women.

As November 5th approaches, both campaigns are suiting up for legal battles, with dozens already filed over mail-in ballots and voter eligibility, setting the stage for a potential post-election battle over results.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
If all the election news coming from every direction is overwhelming to you, remember that your mission remains the same regardless of what’s new in the news cycle: love God and make disciples. 

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 
Matthew 28:19-20 (CSB) (read full passage)

U.S. NEWS

Jordan Neely and Daniel Penny

The trial over the death of Jordan Neely began Monday

In May 2023, Jordan Neely—a Black 30-year-old Michael Jackson impersonator—entered a New York City Subway and began acting aggressively, reportedly saying he was homeless, hungry, and didn’t care if he went to jail. 

Neely died after Daniel Penny, a White former Marine, pinned him to the ground and put him in a chokehold. Penny faces charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. Neely’s death was met with backlash and protests over concerns that Penny’s actions were racially driven.

Prosecutors argue that Neely had the free-speech right to say what he wanted, and Penny’s actions were unwarranted. The defense plans to center on the threat posed by Neely, who had a criminal record and a history of mental illness, emphasizing that Penny was acting in self-defense. 

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Verse to consider when responding to a case that’s bound to divide people… “The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.” 
James 3:18 (CSB) (read full passage)

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WORLD NEWS

BRICSEEIU

Mother Russia is feathering her nest for global allies.

President Putin is hosting more than 20 heads of state from emerging economies for one of the Kremlin’s “largest-scale foreign policy events ever.” It’s an extension of the BRICS alliance (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), which has recently welcomed Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the U.A.E. (they don’t get letters because BRICSEEIU is a terrible acronym). The nations represent 45% of the global population and 28% of the world’s economy. 

The summit––which shows the West has not exactly made Putin a global pariah––includes plans to discuss an alternative to the U.S. dollar for global trade, a recurring gripe of developing countries. 

Meanwhile, Ukraine just got $400M in military aid from Uncle Sam but is still waiting on a NATO invitation.

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
Governments have different things on their agenda than God’s kingdom does. As global powers maneuver to have their way, God’s agenda is clear and unchanging. 

“‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’”
Revelation 1:8 (CSB) (read full passage)

IN OTHER BREWS…

Sixth time’s the charm? Walt Disney said it would announce a(nother) replacement for CEO Bob Iger in early 2026. Iger has attempted retirement six times, but circumstances like COVID, poor performance by successors, and negative earnings have kept him on the Magic Kingdom’s throne. Mickey named Wall Street veteran James Gorman to chair Disney's board and lead the CEO search.
 

Field trips to Pennsylvania Avenue got an upgrade! First Lady Jill Biden unveiled a “reimagined” White House tour, allowing visitors to explore the once-off-limits Diplomatic Reception Room, where FDR recorded his famous “fireside chats,” along with other once-exclusive spaces. New displays share history and encourage engaging all the senses as guests venture through the presidential stomping grounds.
 

The assassination attempt against former President Trump was “preventable,” according to the bipartisan House task force’s investigation. The 53-page preliminary report chastised the Secret Service for “inadequate planning and coordination,” the most egregious example being the breakdown in the chain of communication between local law enforcement—who saw Thomas Crooks on the roof with a gun—and the Secret Service.
 

There’s gold lithium in them thar hills brines. Researchers at the United States Geological Survey announced Monday that they believe Arkansas has 5M-19M tons of lithium—enough to meet all of the world’s growing demand—in an underground brine reservoir. The key now: attracting companies (Exxon Mobil is already in the mix) to extract the battery ingredient from the salty water.
 

Abercrombie & Fitch’s former CEO was arrested yesterday on sex trafficking charges. The indictment alleges that, while CEO, Mike Jeffries preyed upon the clothing brand’s young male models, abusing them while promising career advancement. Meanwhile, Sean “Diddy” Combs faces seven additional lawsuits alleging that the music mogul drugged and sexually assaulted men, women, and minors—the youngest of whom was thirteen—at parties.

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