Monthly Archives: July 2025

A Biblical Case for New Christian Zionism

Defending Israel’s Role Without Dispensationalism   As Christians navigate the complex intersection of theology and geopolitics, few topics spark as much debate as Zionism-the belief in the Jewish people’s right to a homeland in the land of Israel. Gerald McDermott’s article in The Federalist (July 15, 2025) offers a compelling thesis: Christians can support Zionism without adhering to dispensationalist theology, a framework often associated with end-times scenarios like the rapture. McDermott’s New Christian Zionism proposes a biblically grounded perspective that affirms Israel’s ongoing role in God’s redemptive plan, rooted in a plain reading of Scripture rather than apocalyptic speculation. This thought…

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Be Careful What You Wish For

The Epstein Files and the Perils of Hype The clamor for Jeffrey Epstein’s so-called “files” has turned X into a circus of absurdity, where the least intelligent takes peddle fantasies so outlandish they’d make a conspiracy theorist blush. Users like @SpartaJustice dream of a secret “client list” exposing a global elite cabal, as if Epstein maintained a villainous Rolodex. Others, like @Jason_Jorjani, spin tales of Mossad-orchestrated blackmail, conjuring plots straight out of a dime-store novel. These takes are pure drivel, thriving on outrage rather than evidence. They cling to the delusion of a single document unveiling a grand conspiracy, ignoring the…

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Creaturehood in a Modern Age

Rooted in Essence: Creaturehood and the Call to Stay Grounded in a Modern Age In an era where butter-making machines and self-driving cars promise efficiency, the lingering preference for churning butter by hand, pumping water from a well, or solving equations manually strikes a poignant note. This list of choices-favoring stairs over elevators, hand-grinding coffee over automatic grinders, and visiting the post office instead of emailing-whispers a deeper truth about creaturehood, a theme woven through the fabric of American literature and art. As we embrace technology to boost productivity, the literary legacy of figures like Robert Frost, Norman Rockwell, and a…

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Monday Matters

Quick Takes: Monday Matters The media landscape is dominated by a series of high-stakes developments. Without further ado, let's dive into Monday's Quick Takes. The Biden Autopen Pardon Scandal has erupted, questioning the legitimacy of over 1,500 clemency actions signed with an autopen, amid allegations of unauthorized staff decisions and cognitive decline concerns. Immigration law enforcement tensions have escalated with organized attacks on ICE agents and police, highlighted by the violent Glass House Farms raid and Rep. Salud Carbajal’s alleged doxxing, alongside John Kerry’s surprising endorsement of Trump’s border security stance. Trump’s tariff escalation continues to reshape global trade, leveraging bold…

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A Gen X Kid’s Musical Childhood

The Rhythms of My '70s Music World Whether you’re a Gen Xer like me, part of the sprawling tapestry of Millennials, one of the lively Zoomers, or even among the budding Alphas just beginning to lend an ear to my tales, gather ‘round. I’m a raconteur at heart, and today I’m spinning a story for you, drawing you into the vivid, nostalgic realm of my ‘70s music world-a time before CDs, before the Walkman, before MTV, when music was a tangible, analog treasure captured on vinyl and 8-track tapes, offering a physical connection that went beyond sound. Picture us settling in…

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The Butler Anniversary

A Day That Changed History: The Butler Anniversary One year ago, on July 13, 2024, the Butler Farm Show grounds in Butler, Pennsylvania, pulsed with the electric energy of a campaign rally. Thousands gathered under a warm summer sun, their red hats and waving flags creating a sea of fervor. The crowd’s cheers echoed across the open fields, fueled by anticipation for former President Donald Trump’s stump speech-a familiar blend of promises to secure the border, restore economic strength, and reclaim American greatness. As the crowd roared, a lone figure moved with quiet purpose, unnoticed in the chaos, toward a destiny…

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Buddy Bell Belongs in Cooperstown

From Arlington to Cooperstown: Why Buddy Bell Deserves the Hall of Fame In the scorching Texas summers of the late ’70s, Arlington Stadium was my sanctuary. Fresh from Little League in the 1980 heatwave-when 100°F was just “summertime in Texas”-I’d race to the third-base side, nachos dripping cheese, Saran wrap crinkling over my Coke. With the first pitch at 7:35 PM, Fergie Jenkins or Gaylord Perry dealing, Buddy Bell’s glove worked magic. I’d watch, awestruck, as he dove to rob a liner, his throw to first a bullet. Fast-forward to July 30, 2017, and I’m at Globe Life Park with my…

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America’s Healthcare Finance Crisis

America’s Healthcare Finance Crisis: Challenges, Costs, and Solutions America’s healthcare finance system faces a critical crisis, with Medicaid spending projected to rise from $1 trillion in 2025 to $1.4 trillion by 2034, straining budgets and threatening hospital viability. Safety-net hospitals, particularly in Medicaid expansion states, grapple with 55-65% uncompensated or low-compensated care, driven by uninsured patients, low Medicaid reimbursements, and U.S.-born children of illegal aliens (4.4 million, costing $35 billion annually). These children, granted citizenship under the 14th Amendment, inflate Medicaid costs. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA, 2025) introduces reforms-Medicaid cuts, noncitizen restrictions, work requirements, and immigration enforcement-but further…

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Defending Against Social Engineering and Ransomware

Lessons from Scattered Spider and the Moments of Security Cybercriminal groups like Scattered Spider exploit human trust and technical vulnerabilities, but they are just one of many hacking collectives threatening organizations worldwide. Known for their sophisticated social engineering and ransomware attacks, Scattered Spider’s tactics-phishing, pretexting, and leveraging legitimate tools-highlight the need for robust defenses. The Stage Four Security blog series, particularly the Moments of Security framework, provides a powerful lens to counter these threats by identifying six critical touchpoints: Talk, Talk About Doing, Do, Dream, Fear, and Challenge. This column explores social engineering and ransomware defense, using Scattered Spider as a…

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Mike Johnson’s Triumph

Mike Johnson’s Triumph: Smashing Media Myths, Powering GOP to 2026 Landslide “Events, dear boy. Events.” Harold Macmillan’s warning about political unpredictability looms, but Speaker Mike Johnson has mastered the storm. The media branded him a doomed leader, unable to unite the GOP’s 219-seat House majority amid infighting and a hostile press. Yet, Johnson stands tall, shattering these narratives with blockbuster wins like the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), which cut taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security. Fueled by a booming economy, soaring 401(k)s, plummeting crime, robust immigration enforcement, and a 3-5 point generic ballot lead, Johnson’s leadership-rooted in the…

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