267 Lent 3: Hidden Things
“I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints” ~ Psalm 85
On the Radar
JFK Files
The Trump administration released a trove of documents last week related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy Jr. However, those hoping for groundbreaking revelations may be disappointed, as initial reports suggest little new information was uncovered. The files confirm that Lee Harvey Oswald was already on the CIA’s radar for his pro-Soviet and pro-Cuban views—and for being a poor shot. The documents also suggest that U.S. intelligence have ignored warnings that Oswald was plotting to kill the president. Online speculation also focused on CIA agent, Gary Underhill, who reportedly told a friend the CIA was behind the assassination before he took his own life. While there’s still plenty to sift through, analysts caution that not everything classified is part of a conspiracy—a point long made by critics of the U.S. intelligence community’s overclassification problem. Additionally, concerns over diplomatic fallout may have influenced the timing and scope of the document release. As the Brief History of Power podcast has noted in its current series on JFK, he had no shortage of powerful enemies who wanted him out of office.
A thought: The release of the JFK documents reminds us of an uncomfortable truth—governments conceal things, narratives are shaped, and the full story is often buried. This is nothing new. As Christians, we are called to seek truth, but not be ruled by fear or cynicism. Men plot and scheme, but no cover-up, conspiracy, or corruption can stop the purposes of God. One day, all things will be revealed, and Christ alone will reign. Until then, we walk by faith, not by fear.
NGOs on Notice
A jury in North Dakota has found Greenpeace liable for $660 million in damages to an energy company, ruling against the activist group for its role in violent protests against a gas pipeline project in 2016. The verdict holds Greenpeace responsible for defamation, accusing the group of spreading false claims about the project and sabotaging the company’s financial backing. Journalist James Meigs compares this style of progressive protest activism to hybrid warfare, where “masses of peaceful demonstrators are joined by smaller groups of trained agitators”—often backed by “a vast web of progressive nonprofits, NGOs, foundations, and dark-money groups.” Greenpeace has vowed to appeal the ruling, framing it as a free speech violation. while also admitting that the financial blow could bankrupt its U.S. chapter. Meigs notes that if the verdict stands, “the era of the untouchable NGO may be coming to an end.”
The Blitz
Life
Birth, Death and Marriage
Maine lawmakers have rejected efforts to reconsider the censure of Republican Representative Laurel Libby, who remains banned from speaking on the floor or voting until she apologizes for a social media post about a trans-identified boy competing in girls’ sports. All of Maine’s federal judges recused themselves from hearing her case, which has now been assigned to a Rhode Island judge known for her progressive views. The censure reportedly stems from Libby including the minor’s name in her post, though she maintains that both his name and photo were already widely published on other platforms. She has refused to apologize. (Maine Morning Star, Fox News, The Federalist)
A Republican state senator has been arrested for attempting to solicit sex from a 16 year-old girl. Minnesota police have arrested a number of men as part of an underage prostitution sting. (Not the Bee, Fox)
Though influential economist Daniel Kahneman died last year, it was made public last week that his death was by euthanasia. Al Mohler discussed the sad state of a culture that observes an expert on decision making treat death as one more decision. (The Briefing)
Learning
Homeschooling, Education and Classrooms
President Trump has signed an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the Department of Education. The order acknowledges that a full shutdown would require an act of Congress, but Trump argues that education decisions should return to state control. Under the plan, key functions—such as grants and disability programs—would be transferred to other government agencies. (The Hill) | A potted summary of how large chunks of the Education Department’s budget makes it way back to progressive Democrat causes. (Not the Bee)
People aren’t necessarily getting less intelligent, but they are getting worse at critical thinking, focus, and execution—or so a new study suggests. Researchers found that teenagers' attention spans, problem-solving skills, and numerical ability are all in decline. The likely culprits? we’d guess internet summaries, excessive phone use, and failing schools—plenty of blame to go around. (Futurism, Not the Bee)
Knowledge
Science and Data
SpaceX has successfully returned NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to Earth after an extended nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station. They were joined by fellow astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov on the journey home. Wilmore and Williams’ mission was originally unplanned, but they took on various projects during their extended stay.(Reuters) | Wilmore, unfazed by the delay, remarked that his faith reminds him that God knows what He’s doing. (CrossWalk) See footage from the landing here. With dolphins!
The detection of oxygen in a galaxy far, far away is challenging the common theory about the beginnings of the universe. (Phys)
Saturn is now the mooniest planet with dozens of new moons found orbiting the ringed gas giant in the last few years. (PopSci)
China’s EV leader BYD has unveiled very fast flash chargers which they say can charge a vehicle in 5-8 minutes. (AP)
Tribes and Tongues
Immigration and Race
Three men, including one recently extradited from Guatemala, have been found guilty of running a people smuggling operation which resulted in 53 illegal immigrants being left to die in a tractor trailer in Texas in 2022. (WNG)
President Trump and the judiciary might be heading for a showdown:
Madsplaining: The Justiciability Debate
Treasure
Money, Markets and Jobs
The Federal Reserve remained in its wait-and-see posture, keeping interest rates unchanged, despite uncertainty over tariffs. (Wall Street Journal)
How are farmers feeling about the President’s tariffs? It depends what they’re growing. (Ambrook Research)
Reality Bytes
Digital Technology
Google is betting that the future of robotics and AI will be intertwined, integrating its Gemini language model in small robots. In its press release, Google also noted that its robots are learning from the physical world, presumably because the amount that can be learned from text will soon max out. The company says it is training its robots for real world responsiveness and how to apply appropriate pressure to “carefully manipulate objects.” (Deep Mind)
AI assistants are touted to replace humans in certain knowledge work, but so far, the industry can’t seem to agree on what an AI agent is. (TechCrunch)
Heritage
Arts, History and Sport
A federal judge has ruled that an AI-generated poem does not qualify to be considered for copyright, according to the Copyright Act. (ArsTechnica)
Hoi toider: the last British accent in the US. (BBC)
This week in the Mad Tank:
The pandemic, fiver years on..
Hearts and Minds
Philosophy, Hacks and Human Connection
"There's actually never been a period in recorded history when Americans have spent so little time doing face-to-face socializing and so much time being alone." (CBS) | We are a nation of homebodies. (The Conversation)
Cursing should be saved for special occasions. (The Federalist)
The beauty of hobbies is that they “do not have to be politically charged.” (Plough)
You can let your “no” be “no”: wordsmiths may find it hard to keep it simple when turning down a request but, “brevity is the soul of politeness.” (LitHub)
Some really great life hacks. (Upworthy)
Your worry problem might be a planning problem. Either way, you can repent and trust Jesus! (Psyche)
The Bride And The Counterfeits
Religion and the Church
Chess.com asked social media users to suggest a replacement name for the bishop. Apparently, the website has asked for updated names for various pieces over the years, but a bunch of folks seem to be sick of the constant upending of tradition, for no other reason than that it triggers the irreligious. (Not the Bee)
A Kansas Catholic archbishop has accused satanists of stealing consecrated bread and wine to use in a “black mass”. The satanists say they got the elements online. (New York Post)
Pope Francis has returned to the Vatican after more than a month in hospital. The pontiff briefly appeared in public, greeting well-wishers from a hospital balcony. (National Catholic Reporter)
War and Rumors of War
Conflict and Weaponry
President Trump spoke with Russia’s President Putin once again last week, reporting that Russia was moving toward peace. Trump posted that Putin had agreed to stop attacking Ukraine’s “energy and infrastructure” but experts said that what Russia heard was “energy infrastructure”. At any rate, strikes have continued, with Russia hitting Odesa and Ukraine retaking a small village in Luhansk. Ukraine has agreed to a ceasefire, but Russia insists all foreign aid and intelligence-sharing must stop before they would consider a pause. (WNG, International Intrigue, EuroNews, BBC) | President Trump has suggested that America should take ownership of Ukrainian power stations to help deter future Russian aggression. (PBS)
Israel has resumed its strikes in Gaza after Hamas refused to agree to an extended ceasefire in exchange for remaining 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive. (Times of Israel, BBC)
Stories From Far Away
World News
Mass protests have erupted in Serbia against what demonstrators call the corruption and growing authoritarianism of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević’s government. Media reports claim that government-sponsored counter-protesters have driven cars into crowds and that masked men are attacking peaceful marchers. Disturbing videos posted online allegedly show a sonic weapon being used to disperse protesters, though the government denies the allegation. The unrest comes as Serbia continues its bid to join the European Union. (EuroNews, Not the Bee)
Britain’s Office of Communications will have the power to fine social media companies millions of pounds if they fail to quickly remove content deemed illegal under the newly activated Online Safety Act. Content includes child abuse, incitement of terrorism and fraud, but also the fuzzier category of hate crimes, which has at times extended to include Christian speech against homosexuality and deviance. (WNG)
Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul and widely seen as President Erdoğan’s top political challenger, has been arrested by Turkish police, along with around 100 other opposition politicians. In response, masses of protesters have taken to the streets, clashing with police. (International Intrigue, Reuters, ABC)
A Peruvian fisherman, who survived eating cockroaches and birds has been rescued after 95 days at sea. (Not the Bee)
Quickhits For The Eyebuds
🛰️ Can you shoot a gun in space?
🚪 Why the ancients loved huge doors
🪳 How cockroaches are virtually bomb-proof
🚐 A weird minivan concept from 1992
🪲 Slow-motion bugs and their flight sequences
🖌️ Artist imagines movie titles as old, worn book covers
Good Word: Starfall 2029
There was a Starfall update from Rev Fisk this week – YouTube or Rumble, or listen here. If you’re willing to brave TikTok, you can also find Rev Fisk’s video scratch pad here.
Sweetness YouMay Have Missed:
This Week Preached:
Podcast Release:
Let us pray. O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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