Old year 2024

On this last day of the year 2024, there are probably many lists of 2024's memorable events and they will differ wildly depending on whose point of view was used. Here are a few events from a list I like:

• Spectacular catching of a 250-ton rocket in free fall, the first ever
• A NYC subway rider defended the lives of his fellow passengers of multiple races, then those passengers told the court that he was a hero
• A pro-football player stood up publicly for family and faith, then stood strong against being cancelled and earned a new contract
• A female university volleyball team took a stand against biologically male players

What a year this has been.

from Stream

Nouvel an 2

Car burning, as the protest of angry and violent people, is an awful annual tradition (photo) in France on New Year's Eve. It declined about 10% last year because of the coming Olympics, so only 745 vehicle fires were reported by authorities. Hopefully some restraint will be exercised tomorrow.

I posted about the recurring event in January of 2018:

A French "tradition" of intentional car burning takes place every New Year's Eve. In just the Ile de France region of Paris this year there were 250 cars burned, plus 75 to the east in Strasbourg, and some in other cities.

It's bad, but it's been worse. NYT reported that 1067 cars were torched in France in 2013, and 940 in 2014.

New Year's weekend was also observed by assaults on police and firefighters. First to arrive at an apartment building fire in Saint-Denis, police went inside to rescue screaming children. Exiting the building with kids in their arms, they were stoned by "a bunch of young people."

New media 3

Follow-up to these posts here and here

 "2024 was arguably the year of the meteoric rise of the independent creator and the calamitous fall of the so-called legacy media." Jeff Bezos was just one of the many who noticed.

Independent writers can publish their own content on the Substack platform and earn their own following, even earning income if readers subscribe to it. Essentially, it's self-publishing so that they can move past the gatekeepers of old legacy media.

Bari Weiss was working for the New York Times but quit her job in 2020. She believed the NYT had abandoned important journalistic values by censoring ideas they didn't like. She and her wife, Nellie Bowles, started a newsletter on Substack that turned into a "new media company" which they call The Free Press.

In contrast to NPR (National Public Radio), they still try to search for the truth. They say "Free people deserve a Free Press."

Bari is the one who interviewed Tom Holland in yesterday's post.

 from Mind Matters

Changed 2

Atheists of today have been loud in their rejection (and here) of Christianity. I welcome the change of mind some of them have had (here, here). 

Historian, atheist, and author Tom Holland (Dominion) changed his mind a few years ago from disdain of Christianity to surprised admiration. Now it seems like he has gone a step further, from admiration to something like faith. His understanding grows and grows.

He explains to this Jewish-and-open-minded interviewer (photo) how powerfully the life and crucifixion of Jesus changed the world. He says that even woke American ideologues are drawing from Christian values, but "they have cut themselves off from the scripture." 

He even says that the doctrine of original sin is important. Without it, we may think we have the ability to be good on our own, that we're sinless. 

He goes to church sometimes. Things about Christianity are really making sense to him. As in the theme of yesterday's post ("Lux Venit"), he says "the idea of light in the darkness is very vivid for me." Praying he goes the rest of the way.

from The Free Press

Lux venit

 Built into us by the Creator is a longing to understand God and eternity, to believe there is really hope for humanity:

"By sword, by flame
In death solemn ages passed,
And voices young grow old & weary
Holding fast - hope for the dawning"

The Christian good news is that God sought out humanity by sending Jesus Christ, who brings light to us:

"Lux venit, Sursum corda." Arise, shine! For your light has come!

Those lyrics are from the song below. It's years old, but "Lux Venit" from this album by Michael W. Smith moves me every time I hear it. Enjoy.

The Shepherd

The first Christmas didn't have much to do with the way we celebrate this national holiday today. Over two thousand years ago, the good news of the birth of a "Savior who is Christ the Lord" was announced by angels to ordinary shepherds in the hills around Bethlehem.

No glamorous costumes were involved. The grand, angelic announcement took place in a gritty setting. 

A short film by the director of "The Chosen" realistically presents that gritty setting:

Changed

Is "A Christmas Carol" by Dickens one of your Christmas traditions? Watching the animated Disney version starring Jim Carrey is one of my favorites.

There are a number of different productions. But the foundational text is the same, a story written by Charles Dickens and published in 1843. 

Set in London during the Victorian age, the cranky main character is the self-centered Scrooge. He's persuaded late in life (by ghosts) to give up his selfishness for a joyful life of loving others. 

To get more out of it than ever before, you might want to take the short course Hillsdale College makes available:

Foreign aid 2

 (cont'd from yesterday's post)

Reports are coming that Millennium Challenge Corporation, an agency of the U.S. government, doesn't entirely "respect" the values of native peoples as much as they claim. 

MCC agreed last September to give Sierra Leone (image) $480 million so long as they comply with "rigorous standards for good governance, fighting corruption and respecting democratic rights." All these seem consistent with the agency's mission to reduce poverty.

 

But it's "common knowledge among nongovernmental organizations" in the country that MCC is now quietly threatening to withhold the money unless Sierra Leone . . loosens its abortion policy. What does abortion have to do with economic growth?

They deny it, of course, because that would go against its mission and stated "core values." But it would be consistent with the politics of the current administration. And it would be neo-colonialism.

from Life News

Foreign aid 1

A lot of nations in the world don't have the blessings we take for granted ("Blind to it") in America. Just one of them is the strength of our economy and its abundance of wealth. We'd like to see the whole world more prosperous, with every material need satisfied. 

So that's how "foreign aid" is justified and how Americans generally see it. 

Maybe you wonder how it works. Some of it goes through Millennium Challenge Corporation, which the U.S. congress initiated in 2004. Here's why it exists: "MCC’s mission is to reduce poverty through economic growth."

Their core values sound truly great: creativity, teamwork, high standards, measurement of outcomes, accountability, respect, and more. 

How much does this agency give away? Here's a list of 52 nations it has helped through what they call "compacts," five-year agreements about what the poorer nation will receive from us if they agree to certain requirements.

Some examples: Uganda $45 million, Peru $36 million, Nepal $500 million, Mongolia $350 million, Indonesia $600 million, Niger $443 million. 

(cont'd tomorrow)

Self-censors

A survey was taken of over six thousand faculty across 55 colleges and universities across the U.S. to see how they feel about expressing themselves in that environment.

You probably know that the vast majority of university professors are left-wing and donate to those political causes, so they must feel pretty secure to speak freely, right? Of course, non-leftist faculty may be afraid to speak their minds, but that's a very small number. 

So the number of those who fear speaking up must be small, right? On the contrary, many are afraid they will pay a price if they say what they believe (image).

Key findings in this survey by Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE): 

35% of faculty say they recently toned down their writing for fear of controversy 

27% of faculty feel unable to speak freely for fear of how students, administrators, or other faculty would respond

 23% of faculty worry about losing their jobs because someone misunderstands something they have said or done

NPR funding $

(cont'd from yesterday's post)

If National Public Radio is more concerned with its elitist goals than with reporting true information, is it right to fund it with taxpayer money? Do we want our own money going there when it's biased in favor of only about half the country?

NPR defended itself when it claimed that just a mere 1% of its funding comes from government. But that's inaccurate when you look at the money trail. This article illuminates the complexity of their government funding:

"NPR may receive little direct federal funding, but a good deal of its budget comprises federal funds that flow to it indirectly by federal law." If you're interested in the complicated details, go here to see how that works.

Personally, I don't want my taxes going to NPR. There's an inherent problem when my taxes go to a news source committed to a point of view I don't support.

from The Hill

What's important?

National Public Radio (NPR) proudly announced its new CEO last January. Katherine Maher is an experienced executive who has "tackled the issues around reliable and accessible information for all."

"Reliable" ? Well, not exactly . . not if you really need to know the reality about a situation. True information is not her goal in leading this news-gathering organization. She says:

"I think our reverence for the truth might have become a bit of a distraction that is preventing us from finding consensus and getting things done."

So her goal for NPR is to get everybody to agree, presumably with their point of view. She probably has nothing against true information . . but only if it helps them get more important things done.

Americans don't trust news media, as Jeff Bezos said. This helps explain why.

(cont'd tomorrow)

Robot dog

Boston Dynamics says that they: "Discover practical robotics solutions designed to tackle today's and tomorrow's toughest automation challenges"

They've created a robot dog, about 70 pounds and 3' high, named "Spot."

DEI effect 2

(cont'd from yesterday's post)

Yesterday's video made the point that construction projects are not the government's purview ("the range or limit of authority, competence"). Its DEI policies impede accomplishment, but that's just a small part of the damage DEI does in government or any organization.

What's the effect of the movement on people? Instead of preventing racial bias against people of color (POC), its supposed goal, it raises suspicion and interpersonal conflict. By that thinking, every person of the white race is guilty of racism and every POC is a victim.

It should be obvious that thinking that way is unhealthy for everyone. Now there's even a university study to show it. Its conclusion: "while purporting to combat bias, some anti-oppressive DEI narratives can engender a hostile attribution bias and heighten racial suspicion, prejudicial attitudes, authoritarian policing . . "

If you worry that DEI is too entrenched in the federal government to root out, here is a plan to do just that, proposed to the incoming administration by a credible source.

from Stream

DEI effect

When the federal government wanted to put a huge amount of money into high-speed internet access for all Americans, they first chose satellite-based Starlink to do it, but then as you know withdrew that decision. They chose instead to lay fiber optic cable.

But three years later, this video says "not a single project is underway." In spite of all that money pushed toward this goal, no one has been connected yet.

 

Why? "Government officials are obsessed with giving broadband to the right people. Any company that wants funds to build broadband has to hire certain people." Companies that could do the work are so bound with restrictions that they walk away from the opportunity.

Who are the "right people?" DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) policies will define that, and they're all over the government. Allowing government to pick the "right" people, "certain" people, is inherently dangerous. We shouldn't be doing that. And it's just one reason why the government is bad at building things (the point of the video).

(cont'd tomorrow)

Notre Dame

A magnificent icon of medieval Christianity which was consecrated in Paris over 800 years ago, Notre Dame Cathedral went up in flames in April of 2019. Two thirds of the roof burned, including its central wooden spire.

Today it is restored. Heads of state and celebrities came from all around the world to its grand re-opening last Saturday, and masses resumed on Sunday.

When I saw it in October of 2018, it was dark inside. Grime from the centuries and soot from the fire have been cleaned up. Now it seems filled with light, a return to its original character according to the French president. The man he appointed in charge of the project (costing about $737 million) expects it to last another 800 years. 

Craftsmen were found to restore arches and gargoyles. One of the carpenters said “I felt so much recognition to those who came before us, the architects and carpenters of the past. We rebuilt it, but they imagined it.”

Trans suit

In October of 2023, a surgeon decided not to publish the results of her own study on puberty blockers. The problem? It didn't support her gender transition therapies. The study found that blockers did not improve the mental health of children with gender distress.

Author J.K. Rowling, publicly opposed to transgenderism, tweeted about this surgeon's irrational decision to withhold the study's findings:

"We must not publish a study that says we're harming children because people who say we're harming children will use the study as evidence that we're harming children, which might make it difficult for us to continue harming children."

As it turns out, this surgeon is now being sued by a former patient of hers. The patient, a girl, was given puberty blockers at the age of 12, then received testosterone at the age of 13 and a double mastectomy at the age of 14. At the current age of 20, she now wants to de-transition.

Maybe this madness is starting to end.

Free debate 2

(cont'd from yesterday's post)

C.S. Lewis was a proponent of civil liberty, for much the same reason that I am: who is to say that one person (or some group) will make better decisions for your life than you? Who is so superior that we should trust them to run our lives for us?

He's talking about oppressive government, socialism/dictatorship - power seized by "a small, highly disciplined group of people  . . I do not think any group good enough to have such power. They are men of like passions with ourselves."

image of King James VI of Scotland

"For every Government consists of mere men."  Think of some past European monarchs who claimed a "divine right" to their throne, their rule over other men and women. No one thinks today that they were superior beings. They were at least as flawed as me and you.

The traditional American way is the way of free and civil debate, grounded in personal virtue and a conscience trained by churches that teach the Bible. Note to my global readers - as you may know, this is less and less a description of today's America.

Free debate?

While my laptop is freed of a virus, enjoy this re-post from 2018:

 "Free debate" will not continue to be the American way if Christianity loses much more of its influence and moral authority in American society. 

There's a movement in the U.S. to replace the traditional American way with more coercive government. Voluntary virtue and faith are widely derided today. As they lose public support, something else will have to suppress bad behavior for society's sake - and that something else will be the government. 

China's government sets itself in that role of moral authority. As the enemy of religion, it destroys churches, captures believers, forcibly changes speech - until the religion submits itself to the rule of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party). 

At the very beginning of America, John Adams said: "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people." This founding father of America knew that it would work only for a people whose Christian faith was their primary influence.

Bonhoeffer

If you would like to see a movie in theaters this week, I recommend to you the true story of a Christian hero living during World War II. 

Made by Hollywood professionals, it's not directly based on Erik Metaxas' well-known biography of the man, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy. But he's promoting the movie because:

"This is the kind of film you hope someone will make, but they never do. It’s a miracle that it exists. So the fact that it’s not based on my book makes no difference to me. It’s a brilliant film about Bonhoeffer, and I’m simply amazed it exists and want everyone to see it."

New media 2

(cont'd from yesterday's post)

Like the Washington Post says, "It's a grim time to be a member of the news media." Read that as, "old media." TV and newspapers may say that they investigate, that they do fact-checking, but most of us have found their claims of truthful neutrality unconvincing.

Yes, most of us. According to this recent Gallup Poll, 69% of Americans have little or no trust in the old mass media.

"Old media" tells us that social media is unreliable and X (Twitter) is failing, but as of last August X users had grown 22% over the previous year. In a Pew Research report, 54% of U.S. adults get news from social media often or sometimes (image).

Elon Musk says, "You are the new media."

New media

Legacy media is in decline (see Jeff Bezos' opinion about his Washington Post). Since the election on November 5, both MSNBC and CNN have lost about half their audience. Newspapers in general speak to only half of the audience they had back in 2000.

Newsweek says "traditional media's institutional collapse" came from "a growing sense among Americans that the media cannot be trusted to tell them the news they believe is fair," plus a failing business model.

It's not just one side of the political landscape which doesn't trust big media. "It actually transcends party," says one pollster. "Young people in particular are very distrusting of the media."

So where do people, especially young people, go for their news? Podcasts are popular. Joe Rogan's conversation with the president-elect had 40 million views. And what does Joe say? "X is the most reliable and most popular news source in the world."

 

from Newsweek 

(cont'd tomorrow)