170 Easter 2: Reject Modernity
"Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted." ~ Psalm 148
Reject Modernity
(Part 3 in the multipart series "Against All Odds")
Reject modernity.
Do it.
You can keep the electricity, too. You’ll just want to use it differently. But the central tenet to a not-modern life is not getting off the grid. It is remembering that the future will never be better than the present.
That is the lie that callouses so deeply. “We have it better now,” is a twisted truth. It denies the fact that things go on as they have from beginning. It asserts that the present is better than the past, and in so doing forgets that suffering always seems unbearable while you are in it.
The principle that would cripple your rebellion against the world is this: overt, daily focus on tomorrow ingrains a mental train of thought that is hard to get off. When the future is always a place you need to get to – and soon – then your spirit must always chase “progress". The result will be a wholly dissatisfying ”now.” Believing earnestly in a better tomorrow is the psychological pitfall of despising the present.
Wisdom is the capacity to see what is actually going on. Sometimes what is actually going on doesn’t look so good. Sometimes it calls for a change in direction. Sometimes it calls for repentance.
Most times, those are the same thing.
You are immortal now. Live like it.
Till angel cry and trumpet sound,
The Mad Christian
Clickbait Paradise
In this edition of Mad Mondays:
Bud Light falls flat
The Discord leaks
A Kennedy enters the race
Plus more headlines than you can poke a stick at..
Beer wars
We mentioned last week that the maker of Bud Light beer is facing a backlash after its decision to include a trans-identified influencer in its commercials. As political action, boycotts are a mixed bag (here and here), some work, some fail. These days, if companies are truly wedded to the views they espouse in their branding, they might happily take a monetary hit to make their point. Often, victory is in the eye of the beholder as both sides will say they were the ones taking a bold stand and consequently claim some sort of win.
In this case, Matt Walsh, with his considerable influence amongst conservatives, called for his audience to focus their attention on Bud. The concerted effort by angry customers reportedly drained $5bn off the company's value (although fact-checkers were not convinced). The message that the promotion of transgenderism was not popular with a key customer base must have reached the executive, with parent company Anheuser-Busch issuing a "flat apology".
These "David and Goliath"-type struggles are always intriguing, watching what a bunch of little people standing together can do. Even if we can't intimidate monster corporations out of directing the moral course of our society, being thoughtful about where we put our time, attention and money is a valuable way to live. Supporting businesses who stand for the same things we do is a great opportunity for Christian stewardship. Even better if we can practice depending on Christian brothers and sisters, our church family, for things we need, as Dr Koontz has recommended a couple of times on the Brief History podcast.
Progressives remain puzzled by what they see as silly culture wars. Why are you bothered by a trans TikToker promoting beer? He isn't hurting anyone... They fail – or choose not – to see the results of their godless standards, so we need to keep our heads in the game, making the case and not growing weary in doing good or speaking truth. Meanwhile, stepping out of the white noise every now and again to meet each other's needs shows the world that we follow Jesus Christ, not the dictates of the zeitgeist.
In a related note, a Moravian church has used a clever scheme to purchase millions of dollars of medical debt. Acting like a debt collecting agency, the church was able to forgive the debts for folks in the community.
All of the above
Authorities have arrested 21-year-old Jack Teixeria, a Massachusetts Air National Guardsman, in connection with sensitive documents leaked on an online server. The story is a strange one and there are still plenty of questions. The Washington Post focused on how a "'very serious risk to national security' could have been caused by such a young, low-ranking service member." The Post also asked how it was possible for Teixeira to have printed documents, which he took home with him.
Journalist Glenn Greenwald noted the speed with which authorities moved after finding out about the leak. If they can find this source so swiftly, why don't we know who leaked the Dobbs Supreme Court opinion last year? Fair point. Socialist website WSWS thoughtit was a bit odd that corporate media outlets had tracked Teixeira down even before intelligence operatives did. Are our alphabet security agencies that incompetent? Maybe don't answer that..
Other sources wrote about possible motives for posting the intel, describing Teixeira as "lonely", seeking connection as many did during the pandemic via internet. Current reporting paints a picture not of an ideologue, whistleblower, or Russian stooge, but of a young man who cared more about impressing his friends and winning arguments about the Ukraine war than about how his actions would endanger others.
More details will likely be revealed, depending on what we are allowed to know. A lot of the leaked information is said to be time-specific and will therefore fade in its importance, but not before it raises questions about media coverage of the Ukraine war, America's relationship with particular allies and security protocols at military bases.
Maybe the answer to "How did this happen?" is actually "All of the above". We know that friendlessness is on the rise in the US. We know that young people are less patriotic than previous generations. We know that our government works in mysterious [and self-serving] ways. We know that our media is selective about what it covers and how it covers it. So keep praying for our nation, for its leaders, for people in media and for our young men.
Contenders
2024 seems a long way off, but the list of hopefuls running or hoping to run for president is growing, mostly on the GOP side. However, Robert Kennedy, nephew of JFK has filed his paper work to run on the Democrat ticket. Kennedy ran afoul of Democrat establishment after he spoke out against covid vaccines and mandates.
During a recent speech at Hillsdale College, RFK received loud applause for his closing remarks in which he spoke about the power of the state: "Any power that government takes from the people, it will never return voluntarily. Every power that government takes, it will ultimately be abused to the maximum extent possible. Nobody ever complied their way out of totalitarianism. The only thing we can do is resist.”
We're not sure whether he has a chance against but any candidate willing to bring the Democrats back from the mouth of madness is one we'll be watching.
In related news, Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) has all but declared his intention to run. Supporters say his positive vision for the future is something conservatives should be emulating.
Odds and Ends
Marriage, family and life
You may remember that a 59-year old trans-identified man from Finland created a bit of a commotion when he joined a showcase of women's figure skating earlier this year. Another large and ungainly man has blown up the internet after videos of him dressed as a ballerina circulated on Twitter. Sophie Rebecca, as he is known, was awarded a scholarship to learn dance with Britain's prestigious Royal Academy of Dance a few years ago, as part of its push for inclusivity. While men competing in women's sports have proven a danger to females, this situation may present an occupational hazard for the men – at 6ft 3", good luck finding a bloke to dance with. (Post Millennial, Not the Bee, Daily Mail)
High-profile female athletes support men playing on their teams (Intellectual Takeout)
Popular children's YouTuber MrBeast now has a transgender co-host. (The Federalist)
An LGBT activist group based in Florida has issued a "travel advisory" to gay and transgender people, warning that "the state may not be safe to live in or visit". As one Twitter user suggested, "Go west, trans man?" California ain't full yet. (The Blaze)
Correction: We linked the wrong page last week when mentioning violence against transgender people. This is where it should have gone!
Oxford University study shows that progestin-only hormonal contraceptives increase breast cancer risk. (The Federalist)
A Democratic lawmaker lied about the abortion pill. As a protest of the ruling against mail-order abortifacient pills, Ted Lieu (D-CA) tried to make a point that "pregnancies" are not human at the gestational age that mifepristone kills a baby. Thankfully the internet gave him a biology lesson. While the Dobbs decision at the Supreme Court scattered the fight for life further afield, skirmishes continue and we must wield the truth as a weapon. The other side needs to lie to support their position – we need to continue showing it for the evil that it is. (Not the Bee)
Visualizing the world's plummeting fertility rate. (Visual Capitalist)
Visualizing China's projected aging population. (Visual Capitalist)
Good news: Florida legislature approves 6 week abortion ban. (Orlando Sentinel)
Politics
New York City has appointed a "rat czar." (ABC News)
Delaware judge may sanction Fox News for withholding evidence in Dominion voting machine case. (Delaware Online)
President Biden has signed a bipartisan resolution officially bringing the covid emergency to an end. (WNG)
Minneapolis is set to let Muslim calls-to-prayer be broadcast throughout the city, five times daily. (Not the Bee)
Congress is the oldest its ever been. (FiveThirtyEight)
The Missouri House has approved a bill that allocates zero funding for public libraries. As we understand it, Dems and Republicans have been arguing about which books should be in libraries, especially when it comes to material aimed at children. Since the rules weren't clear, funding will be withheld. (KCUR)
Technology
The FBI has warned Americans against using public phone charging stations, especially in "travel friendly" locations such as hotels and airports. Hackers have worked out ways to introduce malware to your phone through USB ports. The Bureau recommends carrying a power-bank type battery or finding an electrical outlet to use with your own charger. (The Hill)
In this week's edition of "The unnerving things you can do with AI": An Arizona mother has been left traumatized after being hit with a "voice cloning" scam. Extortionists used a computer-generated copy of her daughter's voice to give the impression they had abducted her. The article contains some tips for what to do in such a situation. (WKYT)
And...A cybersecurity firm has used an A.I.-powered program to crack passwords. It worked out half within a minute and 80% within a month. Long passwords with no patterns are still the best. (Hustle)
Money, jobs and markets
Walmart announced the planned closing of half of their Chicago stores. While the stores have not been profitable for 17 years, a statement said losses had doubled in the last five years. (Not the Bee)
In a growing number of American households, husbands and wives earn about the same amount. (Pew)
The US Federal Reserve is treading carefully after data shows inflation slowing in the last twelve months. While the slowdown is welcome, tinkering by the Fed could still tip the economy into a recession. (CNBC)
The price of a first-class stamp in the US will rise to 66c. (CBS)
JP Morgan Chase has posted record profits. (CNBC)
Headlines from far away
Myanmar's military junta has reportedly bombed a village, killing many, according to the shadow government. (CNN)
Romanian and Bulgarian farmers are protesting an influx of grain from Ukraine. (WNG)
Girl's schools in Iran are facing a fresh spate of poisonous gas attacks. (Bloomberg)
Iranian officials have installed cameras in public places to identify women not wearing head coverings properly. (WNG)
The French constitutional court largely agrees with President Macron's pension reform. (France24)
Alarms sound in Japan during North Korean missile drill. (WNG)
Assailant threw explosive device at Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (Japan Times)
John Michael Jones Gets a Life is produced for Mad ⳩ Mondays by E. Darwin Hartshorn. Episodes can also be found on Tuesday, along with previous episodes, on Bunny Trail Junction at bunny-trail.com.
Quick Hits for the Eyebuds
🍬 What happens to your body when you quit sugar?
🦴 A real-life Snoopy dog?
🔲 Reinventing the wheel: guy makes bike with square tires
🗿 Unusual gargoyles and grotesques
↔️ What it's like to have a flight all to yourself
😍 Little guy and his toy truck help out
🥪 World's most expensive sandwich is a grilled cheese. With gold.
👑 Details of King Charles' coronation
🔔 "Woke alerts" to notify you when companies turn progressive
💻 Processor sockets and the problem of upgradability
A Good Word: Where are the Show Notes?
What? A Mad Monday Special? Stop the White Noise will return! Jonathan and Meridith will be live on YouTube, Deo Volente, tonight (Monday) at 7 PM CST.
Promo of Friends
Next up: Men's Muster!
Who: Sons of Solomon and other men (families are welcome)
What: Consolation of the brethren, visiting Hebron, reading the BIble, etc.
Where: Rockford, IL
When: Memorial Day weekend, May 28-29, 2023
Sweetness You May Have Missed
Let us pray: Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the Lord’s resurrection may by Your grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.