Establishment Media Hagiography and the Defense of Atrocity

https://www.npr.org/2023/06/20/1183140547/road-to-surrender-revisits-the-final-weeks-of-world-war-ii

Once again a mainstream reporter appeals to narratives that are hardly Left-wing or 'woke' but instead belong on FOX or Newsmax. The divide appealed to by so many on the Right is blurry at best and artificial at worst. And keep in mind this is Evan Thomas who spent decades working at supposedly Left-wing magazines like Time and Newsweek. Apparently it's Left-wing these days to produce an apologia for Truman's use of atomic bombs, for that in the end is the real purpose of his work. He defends their use, tries to argue that their use was moral, and that those who made the choice to use them are in fact heroes.

Bureaucratic Persecution in Italy

https://evangelicalfocus.com/features/22760/the-harassment-of-italian-evangelical-churches

Some of the events reported here are limited to the city of Rome as the article acknowledges. I remember back in the 1990's when I spent a fair bit of time there that Protestant churches couldn't ring bells and so forth – orders from the Vatican, or so it was said. The Pope does indeed possess a degree of unofficial leverage within the larger city.

A Non-Aligned Movement for a New World Order

https://consortiumnews.com/2023/06/19/emergence-of-a-new-non-alignment/

A New World Order is emerging but it's not the one predicted by George HW Bush in the early 1990's. In fact this is the order he was trying to prevent, the nightmare scenario US power-brokers have been trying to stave off since that time. Ironically, they brought it on themselves but that's a long story - one that cannot be explored here.

An Ugly Christian Life

https://www.beautifulchristianlife.com/blog/3-things-a-christian-should-consider-before-serving-in-the-military

Fesko begs many questions in this piece. From his adoption of the culture's language of 'service' to the tacitly endorsed feminism in speaking of a military career, he simply assumes in good Kuyperian fashion that the military is a viable option for the Christian.

Christian Kids in State Colleges: Postscript

This is a postscript to the Christian Kids in State Colleges piece even though these comments are largely restricted to primary and high school settings.

http://proto-protestantism.blogspot.com/2023/06/inbox-christian-kids-in-state-colleges-i.html

Self-Subversion: Evangelical and Right-wing Feminism

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65428204

By all accounts, there is a spectrum to modern feminism. Some feminists hate men and turn toward androgyny or ironically to an emulation of masculinity. Other forms of feminism celebrate femininity but it is recast and breaks with older forms and understandings of what that meant – often in forms of libertine expression – a certain conception of womanhood turned up a few notches as it were. Sometimes as a concept it begins to breakdown and blur and even poses as being anti-feminist – and yet ultimately is part of the same cultural subversion that has dismantled the older understandings of womanhood that once prevailed in society and certainly within the Church.

A Historical and Hypocritical Curiosity

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/06/far-right-politics-hitler-d-day

The son of former CIA director Richard Helms is alarmed at the present political climate in the United States and as a result has pulled out a historical curiosity to make his point. He is in possession of a letter written by his father in 1945. The future CIA director was part of the OSS and wrote his infant son a letter on the recently defeated Hitler's stationary warning him about the evils in the world and his witnessing of them.

Loyalty Among Thieves

At the end of May there was a telling episode that reveals something of Trump's character. He railed against Kayleigh McEnany his former press secretary and one of his staunchest allies when she proved unwilling to distort poll numbers in Trump's favour. The result was that it gave his rival Florida governor Ron DeSantis a needed boost as he is far behind in the polls.

The Questions that Arise with Syria's Re-emergence

https://thecradle.co/article-view/26056/syria-intends-to-join-brics-sco

Now that Assad has his foot back into the door of the international community, he's looking to join institutions that will promote stability, growth, and security. This is hardly surprising though it will continue to outrage his critics in the West – the individuals, entities, and governments that attempted to overthrow him and fomented a civil war in his country that resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and millions of refugees.

Moldovan Intrigues and Russian Threats

https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/in-moldova-europes-leaders-strive-to-send-message-of-unity-towards-russia/

This article has been in the queue for a few weeks and I might have tossed it aside other than it struck me today (24 June) of how absurd it is in many respects even as NATO continues to push the narrative about the threat of Russia. Russia has been exposed today as a nation in a state of instability and peril. Not only did Putin's forces fail to take Kyiv in 2022, he has now faced a very threatening mutiny and this is even in light Ukraine's failed spring 2023 offensive. Putin looks weak in the eyes of the world.

The Violence in Colombia Ignored by Western Media

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/17/ex-paramilitary-leader-testifies-about-assassinations-in-colombia

When Western and even Christian media cover the situation in Colombia they invariably focus on the terror and violence perpetrated by the Leftist guerilla groups – such as the FARC. This is true enough but they consistently misrepresent the story. There are cycles of violence and terror and the reason many among the rural poor gravitate toward the Left is due to the violence of Right-wing paramilitary groups which are often unofficial arms of the state and in other cases are effectively private armies funded and backed by Western corporations. And it must be remembered that groups like the CIA are always in the background pulling strings and attempting to manage the situation.

A Mega-Church Mess

https://www.christianpost.com/news/lawsuit-against-david-platts-megachurch-revived-by-appeals-court.html

This sort of article leaves one exasperated. Where to begin?

A Most Dangerous Deceit

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/the-greatest-crime-against-humanity-in-history-naomi-wolfs-11-revelations-from-pfizer-vaccine-documents/

It's fascinating and perhaps even a little sad to reflect on how the entire Covid episode could have played out in such different terms – especially for the Christian Church in the United States.

Persecution in Uzbekistan

https://evangelicalfocus.com/world/21528/police-raid-baptist-easter-service-and-detain-10-church-members-in-uzbekistan

This reporting relies on Forum 18 which as I contended last year is problematic, as the organisation is a little too cozy with the European Establishment. That said, (as with the Mariupol pastor story from October 2022), this is not to say the story isn't true. It's more of a warning to be sceptical of the source and to realize that despite their claims – they're not neutral or apolitical observers.

Violence in Kosovo

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2023/05/29/clashes-northern-kosovo/

There are statements from multiple entities such as the EU and NATO condemning these events and yet everyone knows the key player here is the United States. Washington created Kosovo and its government is completely beholden to the United States.

BBC: Foxes Guarding the Hen House

In recent years a number of mainstream outlets have produced watchdog shows that attempt to navigate the larger media world and its increasingly conflicting and contradictory presentation of facts and narratives. These shows are meant to help one discern the truth and of course it is assumed that whatever the said outlet is, (such as the BBC) – it is in fact a guardian of it.

A Ukraine Miscellany XVIII: A New Phase in the War?

It's clear that Kyiv is basically unable to mount the much vaunted spring offensive – at least not anything of significance within the spectrum of conventional artillery-infantry oriented combat expected by its Western sponsors. Spring is more or less over at this point and for months the NATO Establishment has debated its next set of moves. It was determined some time ago that a general escalation was in order. The question was not if but when and how. There will an offensive but it is likely to change the very character and scope of the war.

Bellingcat and the NED

https://mate.substack.com/p/elon-musk-is-right-bellingcat-is

Even blind squirrels get acorns on occasion. Musk is certainly repugnant in every respect but as Aaron Mate points out – this time he was right.

Harry Truman is Not Fun

https://www.npr.org/2023/05/11/1175403633/truman-committee-became-the-model-for-scrutinizing-giant-public-expenditures

This interview was absurd and offensive and belies the claims by the Right that NPR is 'Left-wing' or somehow anti-American. The interview is a whitewash of Truman's record. The notion that somehow he was an anti-corruption fighter – while failing to mention his well-established record of corruption back in Missouri (and later during at least his first term in the US Senate) reveals the farcical nature of the interview and NPR's role in reporting history.

Orban's Mouth, the Fourth Reich, and The European Union (EU)

https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/czechia-fumes-after-orban-compares-eu-with-hitlers-plans/

The European Union has always been a secularized attempt at rekindling the Holy Roman Empire – and as time has made clear, the 'of the German Nation' is probably more apropos than many would care to admit.

Kiliçdaroglu: Running to the Right of Erdogan

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-elections-opposition-candidate-kilicdaroglu-refugees-expel

To the surprise of many, Erdogan not only did better than expected in the first round of the election, he now stands all but poised to win another term. This is despite the crushing economic troubles the country faces and the scandal surrounding the response to the February 2023 earthquake and subsequent questions surrounding corruption, building codes, and the like.

The Habsburg Way of Lying

https://taylormarshall.com/2023/04/981-habsburg-way-interview-eduard-habsburg-dr-taylor-marshall-podcast.html

Listening to Taylor Marshall interview Eduard Habsburg I was struck by many things. In many respects the interview was a waste of time as it had nothing to do with the Christianity of Scripture but was instead an attempt to create an amalgam – to join modern Catholic Integralism (with Throne and Altar Ideology) with modern Liberalism and its democratic regime of rights, the individual and capitalist economics. It doesn't work and the contradictions were on display during this interview – for those paying attention.

A Travesty in London

https://www.christianpost.com/news/rick-warren-appointed-first-ever-chancellor-of-spurgeons-college.html

Aside from the fact that Rick Warren has a less than robust view of Scripture and is rapidly drifting into theological liberalism, and aside from the fact that he's a corrupt political operative who befriends millionaires and dictators, the truth is he's built his entire clerical career based on a repudiation of Spurgeon's model of preaching and pastoral work.

Expanding NATO into the Indo-Pacific

https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/eu-to-press-south-korea-to-provide-ukraine-with-ammunition/

https://www.reuters.com/world/nato-open-japan-office-enable-indo-pacific-consultation-report-2023-05-03/

Led by the United States, NATO is attempting to expand into the Asian theatre in preparation for war with China. NATO is opening an office in Japan, and the US in addition to strengthening ties with Australia, the Philippines and other nations, is preparing to negotiate for new bases in Papua New Guinea.

The Symbolism of Miller Chapel

https://religionnews.com/2022/01/27/princeton-theological-seminary-renames-chapel-titled-after-slaveholder/

It is commonly voiced within the circles of American Confessional Presbyterianism that Old Princeton ended when they carried BB Warfield out of Miller Chapel.

The Italian Debate over BRI

https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2023/05/10/no-decision-on-new-silk-road-says-meloni_860265bd-722e-4898-9a26-7b168bec0453.html

Meloni publically states that she's against Italian participation in the Beijing-sponsored Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Her administration has attempted to patch-up differences with EU/NATO members France and with the Washington Establishment – which has not been always thrilled with the trajectory of the Italian Right, especially the Salvini-led Lega Party, which is part of Meloni's coalition.

The Scam that is Angie's List

I sincerely don't mean this in any kind of sense of bitterness but something struck me today – it's instructive one might say. I caught the headline that Bill Oesterle, the founder of Angie's List died of ALS at the age of 57. It's a national story.

Resistance to AUKUS

https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/unions-protest-aukus-nuclear-sub-base-plans-at-port-kembla

This is certainly a story that will not make it into mainstream US media – as the US Establishment doesn't even want such questions raised about the AUKUS alliance. And if the story emerges in other venues you can be certain that operatives and 'commentators' will spin the story and make transform these protestors into 'China stooges' or something along those lines. They might even find a way to blame Putin for it.

The Information Gatekeepers and Assange

Western Mainstream Media continues to largely ignore the situation with Julian Assange. He has now spent more than a decade effectively (and actually) imprisoned without ever facing any kind of trial or due process – the bogus charges being used as a pretense to seize him being found without merit and dropped. But by then he was caught in a series of legal traps and in order to avoid the snares laid for him by the CIA – he became a fugitive and asylum seeker.

Shameless Evangelical Liars and The Squad

https://www.christianpost.com/voices/the-squad-shamefully-tries-to-inflame-another-summer-of-riots.html

Are these serious people – or merely actors and clowns? The Squad is trying to start riots?

Dividing Nigeria to Protect Christians

Recently I've heard rumblings from within the Christian community that US foreign policy should support (or foster) the break-up (or division) of Nigeria in order to protect the persecuted Christians that live there. They want a new state carved out for the Christian community to protect them from the various Islamic threats.

VCY's Lamech Solution

https://www.vcyamerica.org/crosstalk/2023/04/13/growing-violence-in-society/

I'm not going to waste a great deal of time interacting with what is effectively John Birch Radio – or at least its Fundamentalist-Evangelical arm. It is spiritually bankrupt and while there are bits of gospel truth to be found on CrossTalk, the deception and error far outweigh it and expose the show as a dangerous font of heresy and disinformation.

Persecution in Pakistan

https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2023/4/9/how-death-and-despair-haunt-pakistans-christian-minority

When it comes to the Subcontinent, most in the West are likely to think of the troubles that Christians face under Narendra Modi's BJP government in India. And indeed, Christians continue to face threats and harassment by his administration and its paramilitary proxies such as the RSS.

Answered Prayers: A Final Update on My Son

Once again I wish to thank all those who have prayed for my son's recovery from a broken back. Nine months after the accident, months in a brace, and weeks of physical therapy, he was finally able to return to his job. And after a few months of office work and other temporary tasks, he just recently started driving again.

He's still dealing with some pain and awkwardness which is to be expected. As a flatbed truck driver there's a lot of climbing up and down, strapping, cranking, and slinging heavy chains. This is causing him some difficulty. There are days where one makes multiple short runs which involve more of this 'on the trailer' sort of work – securing and dismantling each load. He's not as keen on that at present (as those are days of considerable pain) and he does better with longer drives and less fuss. It's still going to take some time and it may be in the end that he decides to pursue something else. Time will tell.

Therefore, please keep praying if it comes to mind. But be assured that prayers have been answered. God be praised and thanks to all of you again. My son can not only walk but it would seem he's slowly returning to a normal life.

A Harbinger of US Decline

https://consortiumnews.com/2023/04/11/saudis-arent-afraid-of-us-anymore/

These are noteworthy developments to say the least. Riyadh still maintains close ties with Washington and yet it's clear as the linked author indicates – the Saudis are no longer afraid of America or of earning its displeasure.

Almost Blacklisted by Google

I recently had an interesting experience with Google. An article from 2016 was flagged by the Blogger platform as violating their community terms of use. It wasn't removed, but it was censored in that you have to agree that you were an adult to read it – and sign in via a Google log-in.

Dominionism and its Bestial Theologians

https://billmuehlenberg.com/2023/01/17/douglas-macarthur-christianity-and-japan/

All I can say is 'wow'.

The way that Bill Muehlenberg manages to distort both history and Scripture is nothing short of remarkable.

The Ghost of Woodrow Wilson

https://apnews.com/article/russian-interference-florida-elections-americans-charged-32324ddc67b2f32b0cdab13db6f6acb4

During World War I, the Wilson administration targeted dissenters and critics of America's war policy and in many cases jailed and deported them. Even suggesting that someone shouldn't register for the draft was enough to warrant an investigation and possible arrest. It was also a time of vigilante groups, and unofficial 'shadow' units within police and sheriff's departments. Groups like the American Legion also played a part in pursuing and harassing critics of the war.

The Woke Fantasies of a Dominionist Fool and His Blind Pursuit of Fascism

https://theaquilareport.com/wokism-and-silent-preachers-a-redux-of-hitlers-germany/

The fool speaks again. We have certainly wasted some ink responding to the likes of retired PCA minister Larry Ball, but given that his material is published at The Aquila Report it's evident that someone finds it to be noteworthy and intelligent. It's hard to imagine someone might find it edifying but given that there are still people walking around with Newsmax and Trump hats on – anything is possible.

Deceit and Delusion at American Family Radio (AFR)

American Family Radio (a subsidiary of the American Family Association) recently sent out emails for its spring fund raiser. I call on readers to note the confusion expressed in their statements and evaluate their claims.

The email begins:

Through the years, AFA has developed a broad range of resources, strategies, and media outlets aimed at promoting Christian values in all areas of our public life. Perhaps you are already a listener to our broadcast division called American Family Radio, where, right now, we are engaged in our Spring “Living Water” Share-a-thon.

EU States Continue to Reject Kosovo Independence

https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/greek-position-on-kosovos-independence-unchanged/

Though it aggravates the United States and even Brussels to no end, there are still multiple states within the European Union that refuse to recognize Kosovo as a state. It's telling just how much the media refuses to engage this issue because of course the Russian annexation of Crimea is effectively no different than what the US did with Kosovo in the late 1990's. In fact there's a much larger (and pernicious) story concerning the break-up of Yugoslavia and the American role in it that to this day is largely unknown.

The Azerbaijan Proxy

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/8/analysis-will-azerbaijan-iran-tensions-lead-to-war

This is a story that I've been following for years – the fact that Azerbaijan has become a platform for Israeli military and espionage operations directed against Iran. Azerbaijan itself is a divided land – the Turkic-speaking region was carved out of Persia first by the Tsars in the nineteenth century and then under Stalin the northern portion of the territory became part of the USSR. Apart from a brief episode in the context of the Russian Revolution and Civil War, Azerbaijan only became truly independent in 1991. And while the population is mostly Shiite (orienting them toward Iran), being Turkic they also retain close cultural ties to Ankara and share the general Turkish hostility toward the Armenians – with whom they have fought two wars since the break-up of the Soviet Union.

The Counsels of Mammon (II)

https://churchandfamilylife.com/podcasts/6390cc89fad8bafe3a9ec787

At about the twelve minute mark we come to:

5. Be on a Budget

Budgets are very helpful, but contrary to the narrative being provided, there are people who spend years trying to get that money set aside for tires or whatever and can never get there. Life keeps happening and because the margins are too tight, they can't meet those goals. Others have volatile incomes – shift workers whose hours change every week, or those who are self-employed. A sickness can throw everything off and then while you're trying to get it back on track – a car repair comes up that you can't pay for. Sometimes it can take months to get back on track, but by then something else has likely happened. These people are not necessarily doing anything wrong – they're simply struggling.

The Counsels of Mammon (I)

https://churchandfamilylife.com/podcasts/6390cc89fad8bafe3a9ec787

Contrary to its claims, this podcast seemingly exists to proclaim the insufficiency of Scripture because not only is the doctrine of the New Testament ignored when it comes to money, its applications and attitudes about mammon, possessions, and worldliness are rejected and replaced by an opposite set of values.

The False Church Baptising the World's Wisdom

Listening to American Family Radio (AFR) I was struck by something 'Bishop' EW Jackson said. When I'm down in a certain area I can pick up AFR and it seems like his show comes on while I'm in the car eating my lunch.

Germany's LNG Infrastructure Pains

https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/is-germanys-lng-gold-rush-coming-to-an-end/

This article demonstrates the internal conflict that plagues modern Western capitalist economies. Germany needs Liquefied Natural Gas, all the more since the Nordstream pipelines were blown up and the gas supply from Russia has been cut off.

The Dismemberment of Russia

https://www.asianews.it/news-en/'Regionalists'-want-Russia-dismembered-and-under-international-control-57911.html

The US media and Washington's political mouthpieces can downplay this question all they want but the discussions are happening and at a greater pace than seen before.

Evangelisation and the American Right's Allies in Israel

https://www.asianews.it/news-en/Msgr.-Shomali:-anti-evangelisation-law-in-the-Knesset-violates-'freedom-of-conscience'.-58028.html

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who is a centrist when compared to his coalition partners, understands the critical need for US Evangelical support and while he undoubtedly views his American backers as useful idiots and does not want to see their brand of Christianity flourish in his country, he doesn't want to unnecessarily antagonize them – and thus has (since this initial writing) made moves to counter this legislation which would block their missionary work. Besides given the near uprising over his proposed reform of the judiciary, he's got much bigger problems and needs his American backers at a time like this.

Charging Admission for Worship

It's one thing for Christian musicians to compose works that are informed or influenced by the faith and the ideas associated with it. But when such music is labeled 'Christian' then several important lines are blurred. It becomes a form of 'sacred' music in the minds of many and as such its performance can be associated with worship.

The Offensive Nature of Missile Defense Systems

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2023/03/06/south-korea-kill-web/

This ship has long sailed and the situation between North and South Korea is a bit different due to the geopolitics, unresolved conflict, and sheer proximity, but the systems outlined in this article demonstrate what must be called the offensive nature of missile defense systems.

When Criminal Trespass is Legal

https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/greenpeace-protesters-cleared-of-charges-for-blockading-russian-ship

This story from back in January never gained any traction. It was but one of many of a similar type that seems omnipresent within the news but never subject to analysis or question.

The Rotten Harvest of a Popular Homeschool Ethos

https://www.christianpost.com/news/austin-bomber-was-christian-homeschooled-opposed-gay-marriage-abortion-221869/

A recent conversation led me to revisit the Austin Bombings back in 2018. In some respects I'm surprised there hasn't been more of this sort of thing – more Christian Terrorism as it were.

There are many people of similar mindset and developing in the same matrix of ideas. Some can't deal with all the implications and pressures and become radicalized.

A New App in China

https://www.christianpost.com/news/chinese-christians-must-register-to-attend-church-service-report.html

No, this isn't about TikTok but about a state sponsored registry app for Christians within China and the reporting failures of the Evangelical infotainment, tabloid, and spin factories that try to pass themselves off as news.

The Witherspoon-Princeton Controversy

https://www.christianpost.com/voices/should-john-witherspoons-statue-remain-at-princeton.html

The Capitalist decadence masquerading as Cultural Revolution is now targeting the statue of John Witherspoon at Princeton University. Witherspoon was a pivotal figure in the school's history and is considered one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. As a slaveholder, the activists of the hour want his statue (or monument) removed and his legacy tarred.

The Dynamics of Perseverance

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/preserved-god

Leaving aside the misguided (though not unexpected) use of a Winston Churchill quote, the problem with Parsons' argument is that he doesn't define what saving faith is. And interestingly if you get a half-dozen Confessional theologians into a room and ask this question, you'll likely end up with a heated debate and a lack of consensus.

The Meaning of Blinken's Trip to Central Asia

https://eurasianet.org/blinken-strikes-reassuring-tone-in-dialogue-with-central-asian-partners

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken made a recent trip to Central Asia and despite attempts by Western media to spin the visit in a positive light – it is being almost universally acknowledged as a failure. The Central Asian states refuse to back US-sponsored resolutions in the UN that would condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine and they clearly rejected Blinken's overtures – recognizing them for what they are, an attempt at warmongering.

More Just War Lies

https://issuesetc.org/2022/06/29/1802-just-war-dr-jonathan-shaw-6-29-22/

The fact that Jonathan Shaw is a retired military chaplain already discredits him and identifies him as one sold out to the military machine, and one that was willing to make endless compromises in order to do so. Military chaplains are not worthy of any regard or respect. They are to be rebuked.

That said, let's consider some of his points with regard to the Just War tradition.

The Ethics of Cobalt

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/02/01/1152893248/red-cobalt-congo-drc-mining-siddharth-kara

Listening to this sad and disturbing but already well documented story of Cobalt mining in the Congo, I found myself frustrated on multiple levels.

An Encounter with Mr. Covid

We finally found a church that we want to attend. Unfortunately it's an over an hour away and in a direction that we almost never go and has never appealed to us. We don't like the drive and the culture changes a bit over that way. Our entire area could be characterised as Trump country, with some areas voting for him in the seventy and eighty percentile range, but this town has always been on the extreme. Even during the peak of Covid, the town in question always had the highest counts and was the most recalcitrant to any kind of mitigation efforts. We just don't like the place much but we found this church that (all things considered) has been somewhat encouraging.

Western Finance: Feeding on the Chaos

https://scheerpost.com/2023/02/16/zelensky-signs-agreement-with-jp-morgan-on-ukraines-reconstruction/

Profits are on the rise. The railroad industry is booming and Norfolk Southern is buying back stocks to increase their value even as they throw crumbs at the people in East Palestine, Ohio.  Utility companies across the United States and the world are raising prices even amid what are in some cases record profits.