015 Pentecost 23: Gifts and Talents
Foreign talent, Epstein again, Ice Age and the world's most expensive Bible
“Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills be joyful together before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth.” ~ Psalm 98
Noise Decoder
America’s Got [no] Talent?
President Trump tested the loyalty of his strongest supporters after telling Laura Ingraham that the U.S. needs to import hundreds of thousands of Chinese students to keep the university system afloat, especially historically black colleges. If that weren’t puzzling enough, he went on to argue that the U.S. lacks the talent needed to fill certain jobs that must be filled using the H-1B visa program. That claim contradicts his first administration, which pushed to end the program—and which Trump attacked for taking American jobs. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent insisted foreign workers could come for a few years, “train Americans,” and then politely go home. But critics noted the obvious: once someone touches down in the U.S., chain migration and visa protections make them far harder to remove. Besides, they argue, importing folks for jobs that are touted to be automated away soon seems crazy, when American universities could be training Americans. Indian nationals dominate H-1B visas, yet the program doesn’t primarily bring in elite talent but rather cheap labor in all sorts of industries. President Trump may have offered expanded Chinese student access as a trade concession, but with CCP-linked networks popping up in New York and Beijing’s habit of weaponizing its diaspora, it’s not exactly reassuring. Meanwhile, China has rolled out its own skilled visa program—likely aiming to poach the same Indian workers Washington is fighting over.
Epstein Documents
After much chatter last week, President Trump has called for his own party to vote to release all government-held documents relating to late sexual abuser, Jeffrey Epstein, declaring there is “nothing to hide”. A flurry of documents was published in recent days, with Democrats hoping a tranche of Epstein’s emails would incriminate the President. But upon scrutiny, there was no cigar nor anything new. Among the disclosures are text messages showing Epstein texting a Democratic congresswoman, Delegate Stacey Plaskett, during a 2019 hearing with Michael Cohen, suggesting he might have influenced her line of questioning. While Democrats (and their media organs) have asserted that the GOP is stalling to cover for Donald Trump, who had a long friendship with Epstein, it isn’t clear why they did not take action while President Biden was in office. For that matter, it has not been clear why the GOP has been dragging its heels since they came to power. It’s clear that Epstein didn’t trust Trump but Alan Dershowitz, who defended Epstein in his 2008 sexual abuse case says Epstein was charming but a seasoned liar, warning everyone to take his testimony with a grain of salt.
Filibusting
President Trump has called for the Republican Senate majority to do away with the filibuster while they can. Critics of the idea point to the fact that minority rights have historically helped the GOP slow down aggressive progressive agendas. Yet, Justin Haskins notes at The Federalist that the filibuster has not really served conservatives: “The past 100 years have shown that under the current model, government’s size and spending have continued to grow, bureaucrats have become increasingly more emboldened to act against the will of the people, and efforts to limit the size of federal agencies have largely failed.” Professor Hunter Baker points out that the rule (which is not in the Constitution) at the very least, needs changing, citing how just the threat of filibuster allowed Democrats to needlessly drag out the recent government shut down, hurting everyday Americans. I did hear somewhere (although I can’t remember where!) the suggestion that the GOP should abolish it, ram through legislation to keep the left in check, then reinstate it.
Looking to the cross:
When you set these stories side by side—the Epstein files, the filibuster games, the visa contortions—you can’t miss the pattern. Our politics is a mess. Governing a great nation demands wisdom in a world drowning in noise. But the promised representation is diluted as enormous influence is given to those who answer to no one. We are asked to choose leaders when most won’t speak plainly. It’s no wonder people feel exhausted. We were never meant to navigate a moral wilderness without a Shepherd. Nations don’t collapse because voters picked the wrong candidate; they collapse because people forget the fear of the Lord but we can use our energies to light the path of righteousness. So, pray for leaders even when they fail you. And keep your hope anchored where it belongs—not in a government that keeps proving its frailty, but in a Kingdom that cannot be shaken.
On the Radar
Life
A new study from Live Action shows more American babies are now lost to IVF than those killed by abortion. (Live Action)
Tinder is trying to grow its shrinking base of paying users by offering an AI feature that scans a customer’s camera roll to learn more about them. The idea is that your pics will help suggest better matches. (TechCrunch)
U.S. Marshals deployed to Memphis by President Trump have helped local authorities locate and recover more than 100 missing children. (Epoch Times)
Politics
A former chief of staff for California’s governor faces multiple fraud charges after it was discovered she had used leftover campaign funds for lavish purchases. The expenses were billed to a former staffer of then state attorney-general, Xavier Becerra. The rules for what happens to unspent campaign funds are quite strict. (Fox, Investopedia)
Forty-seven members of Congress have announced they will not seek reelection next year. (Epoch Times)
President Donald Trump met privately at the White House last week with President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The Syrian leader once had a $10 million bounty on his head and was linked to Al Qaeda but since coming to power last year after the fall of the Assad regime, has looked to encourage ties with Washington. The leaders reportedly discussed potential U.S. investment in Syria as the U.S. moves to lift sanctions on the country. (AP)
Border encounters are at a 50 year low, according to a new report. (WNG)
Last week’s Watches:
Crime and Policing
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says that despite Governor Newsom’s assurances that California truckers are great drivers, the state will revoke 17,000 commercial driving licenses after criticism from the White House. California says the drivers with revoked permits were supposed to leave the US before their licences expire. (AP)
Antifa protestors have thrown smoke bombs and fireworks, shouting Charlie Kirk taunts and expletives to disrupt a TPUSA event at UC Berkeley. A few protestors clashed with police, and at least one attendee was injured in a scuffle after a rioter reportedly ripped off his cross necklace. A communist-affiliated group appears to be funding the violence. (New York Post, Hot Air)
Tucker Carlson says he received files from an anonymous tipster who obtained online posts and other materials from Butler shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks. The documents reportedly portray a young man who grew increasingly radicalized during COVID, shifting from despising Democrats to hating Trump leading Carlson to wonder out loud if he had been doing someone’s bidding. The FBI has reportedly told Carlson they want to verify the authenticity of the material and released a statement saying Crooks acted alone. (ZeroHedge, WNG)
The Church
Muslims in Texas seem determined to build their own city, pursuing plans for a self-contained Sharia law community under a new name after the project came under investigation by state attorney general Ken Paxton. (Not the Bee)
A 1,000-year-old manuscript of prayers “created by medieval women for medieval women” has been discovered at Chicago Theological Seminary, where it had been stored for nearly a century. Researchers only recently realized the text was medieval, and it will now be auctioned. (WNG)
An opulent two-volume 15th-century Bible has gone on display in Rome as part of a year-long celebration by the Vatican. The illuminated volumes, rarely shown publicly, include artwork made with gold and lapis lazuli. (AP)
Business, Markets and Work
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told a news program that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program needs a full overhaul. She claimed fraud is widespread, including benefits sent to deceased individuals and some people receiving double payments. She indicated all recipients will eventually need to reapply but did not provide a timeline. (New York Post)
The U.S. Mint has pressed its final penny. Ending the 230-year run will save taxpayers an estimated $56 million annually.(WNG)
Science and Tech
A new ice age is coming? Oceanographers say the Atlantic’s Gulf Stream current that moves warm water from the tropics northward is weakening as Greenland’s ice sheet melts. All that may lead to European winters that are more “Arctic” in nature. Iceland has declared the potential failure a national security threat enabling contingencies to be drawn up. (New York Post, Reuters)
Anthropic says Chinese hackers have used its Claude bot to carry out the “first cyberespionage operation largely carried out using AI.” (CBS)
From the archive:
Culture
The battle of the storm kings: a fascinating tale of 19th-century weathermen. (Nautilus)
A diamond brooch, nabbed from Napoleon’s abandoned carriage after he fled Waterloo, is going to auction. (Sotheby’s)
Researchers have proposed new theories about mysterious holes discovered on ‘serpent mountain’ in the Andes. (University of Sydney)
Mind and Body
The FDA announced that hormone therapies for menopause will no longer carry black box warnings. Commissioner Marty Makary said prior concerns, including cancer links, were based on an outdated study. (NBC)
New research suggests the bacteria that causes Lyme disease may be influenced by manganese levels in the host’s system. (North Western)
Researchers are examining how the color of food alters the eating experience. “Before food gets to us, our eyes have already seasoned it,” one study author says. (Nautilus)
Doritos and Cheetos will soon be release “naked” versions of some of their popular products without artificial colors or flavors. (ABC News)
The good and the bad of stress. (Nice News)
War
Venezuela says it is deploying a mass of soldiers, saying it is ready for anything after President Trump sent the largest US aircraft carrier into the region. (The Hill)
World News
🇨🇳 China has announced the discovery of a large but low-grade gold deposit worth an estimated $190 billion. Gold prices continue to climb, and analysts suspect there is more to the timing of the announcement than meets the eye. (EuroNews) | Chinese banks are reportedly offering “phantom” loans in an effort to hit performance targets, a sign the country may be experiencing a “balance sheet recession.” (Straits Times)
🇲🇽 Young people have rioted in Mexico City over corruption and drug-related violence. The unrest was sparked by the assassination of a city mayor who had attempted to crack down on cartels. President Claudia Sheinbaum claims the violence is being fueled by right-wing groups abroad. Earlier this month, she said fighting drug cartels would amount to a fascist violation of their rights. (The Guardian, Louder with Crowder)
🇬🇧 The BBC has apologized to President Trump for editing his January 6th speech but says it will not pay the compensation he is demanding. Trump says he is considering legal action, and one legal expert noted that while he may have a strong case, it could set a troubling precedent. (ABC, New York Post, Unherd via YouTube)
🇬🇧 Also in the United Kingdom.. The government has tweaked immigration rules, meaning asylum seekers will no longer receive benefits automatically. The duration of refugee status will be educed and those seeking citizenship will need to wait 20 years. The Home Secretary rejected criticism that she was repeating “right wing talking points” saying illegal immigration is “tearing our country apart”. (France 24)
🇺🇦 Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, announced new accountability measures for the nation’s energy sector after massive kickback scheme run by a criminal gang was discovered. Two government ministers resigned in connection with the fraud. (The Guardian, Euractiv)
🇫🇷 Parisians have marked ten years since 90 people were murdered in the Bataclan theater by Islamic terrorists. (Front Page)
🇨🇱 Chileans face a run off election next month, after failing to elect a clear winner. The race contenders are a conservative and a communist. (Hot Air, ABC)
🇦🇺 Qantas has unveiled its new ultra-long-range aircraft capable of flying 22 hours non-stop. The airline will take the title for the world’s longest direct flight with its planned Sydney–New York route. (CNBC)
🇰🇷 Quiet airspace: South Koreans take their education seriously. Flights were banned while students were sitting for university entrance exams. (Reuters)
Quickhits
🇩🇪 A side-by-side comparison of Berlin streets, 1945 and 2015
🦆 One fella makes realistic duck decoys
🐙 Man teaches an octopus to play piano
🌘 The US Cold War plan to nuke the moon
🎲 SoundFX for your table top RPG..
🏎️ How F1 pitstops are so fast
🤠 The top country song in the US right now was written by a bot
⛰️ Skiing down Mt Everest (and without oxygen, just to make it extra hard..)
…And what every Scot thrills to hear this. A record-breaking 374 pipers gathered in Melbourne, Australia, to play a solo from AC⚡DC’s “It’s A Long Way to the Top”. The troupe included two veterans who appeared in the band’s original 1976 video. Reportedly, a wonderfully ear-ringing time was had by all!
Let us pray. O Lord, almighty and ever-living God, You have given exceedingly great and precious promises to those who trust in You. Rule and govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may live and abide forever in Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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