The Pour Over Today - Hunter’s Pardon Criticism, Martial Law in South Korea, Holiday Spending, & More | 12.04.24

Episode Date: December 4, 2024

Today, we’re talking about backlash to President Biden pardoning his son Hunter; the President of South Korea declaring martial law; holiday spending numbers; and other top news for Wednesday, December 4th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Please support our TPO sponsors! LMNT: https://links.thepourover.org/LMNT_Podcast TPO Gift Guide: https://thepourover.org/gift-guide-2/ Upside: https://links.thepourover.org/Upside CCCU: https://www.mycccu.com/tpo/ The Voice of the Martyrs: vom.org/TPO CSB Gift Guide: https://links.thepourover.org/CSBGiftGuide HelloFresh: hellofresh.com/freepourover

Today, we're talking about backlash to President Biden pardoning his son Hunter, the president of South Korea declaring martial law, holiday spending numbers, and other top news for Wednesday, December 4th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the pour-over today. Here's the quote of the day. Friendship demands attention. Thomas More. Let's get started with some espresso shots.

President Biden's pardon of his son Hunter is drawing criticism from both sides of the aisle. The announcement came after months of Biden insisting he wouldn't use executive powers to intervene in Hunter's federal gun and tax evasion cases. Both carried potentially lengthy prison sentences and were scheduled for sentencing later this month. The sweeping pardon shields Hunter from all federal crimes he committed or may have committed

between January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024. Some Democrats said No. 46's flip-flop erodes Americans' faith in a fair justice system and damages the party's no-one-is-above-the-law message. Others support the president's decision, saying that Hunter was investigated solely because of his last name. President-elect Trump called the pardon an abuse and miscarriage of justice,

a sentiment echoed by other Republicans. Being peaceable, gentle, and open to reason in the face of culturally hot topics is a sign of God's wisdom in us. Believing your right is not an excuse to be harsh or disrespectful. James 3 verse 17 says, But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering without pretense. South Korea went for a wild ride Tuesday night. President Yoon Seok-yul declared martial law when the military rules temporarily in a time of emergency, but reversed course after Parliament unanimously rejected the declaration less than three hours later.

Here's what you missed. Yoon has been at odds with Parliament since the opposition party won the last election in a landslide. Yoon's opponents have been moving to slash the government's budget and investigate corruption allegations against the First Lady. So Yoon went big, claiming martial law would restore order from pro-North Korean communist forces trying to paralyze the country. Large crowds of protesters gathered outside of Parliament, chanting, no martial law, as helicopters and law enforcement swarmed the area. With 190 of 300 members present,

South Korea's Parliament quickly and unanimously moved to lift Yoon's illegal, unconstitutional order. illegal, unconstitutional order. Christians live as strangers in exiles in our home countries, whether that temporary home is peaceful, disorderly, or somewhere in between. Seek the good of the land you're passing through while eagerly anticipating the advent of your permanent home. Jeremiah 29, 4-7 says, This is what the Lord of armies, the God of your permanent home. Jeremiah 29, 4-7 says,

This is what the Lord of armies, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles I deported from Jerusalem to Babylon. Build houses and live in them. Plant gardens and eat their produce. Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the Lord on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive. It was a lucrative cyber week for Uncle Sam. Shoppers were feeling festive, dropping a record $10.8 billion online on Black Friday,

up 10% from last year, and another estimated $13.2 billion on Cyber Monday, up 6%. The biggest loser was in-store shopping, down 8%, while the biggest winners were retail behemoths Walmart and Amazon, obviously. But they've got competition. TikTok Shop is not so secretly eyeing Amazon's throne, winning over sellers by offering lower fees and catching customers through live stream shopping events, offering fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products to the possibly banned soon platforms 170 million users.

Meanwhile, in a theater near you, sales defied gravity. Alongside Glict, Wicked, and Gladiator 2, Moana 2 sales sailed $100 million past expectations, contributing to a record-shattering $420 million Thanksgiving weekend for box offices. Here's a verse to consider when you're fighting an insatiable desire for more. I've learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot.

In any and all circumstances, I have learned the secret of being content. Whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need, I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4 verses 11 through 13. Hey, Zan here with the pour over. There's one thing about me, it's that I love a warm, cozy drink. And just in time for blankets and mug season, elements chocolate medley is back.

With chocolate mint, chocolate chai, and chocolate raspberry, these flavors are the best way to stay toasty and hydrated. They're chock full of perfectly balanced electrolytes. Stir one pack into hot water for instant hot cocoa vibes or try my personal fave chocolate chai mixed with some hot water and a splash of cream as a little bedtime treat. TPO readers get eight single serve packs free with any purchase. Check out the element link in the show notes. In other bros, here's a rapid round of updates. Elon Musk lost a request to have his $56 billion 2018 pay package reinstated. The same judge who blocked Musk's payday earlier this year denied Tesla's appeal, saying the approval process for the largest compensation package in history was deeply flawed.

Musk, whose net worth is north of $300 billion without the pay package, called the ruling absolute corruption. Violent protests continued for a fifth night in the capital of Georgia, the country, not the Peach State, after the ruling party paused its bid to join the EU. Protesters accuse the government of abandoning its European future in favor of ties with Russia. Police report that 100 officers have been injured.

Lawyers claim detained protesters have endured beatings. California is proactively lawyering up. Governor Newsom convened a special legislative session asking state legislators to prepare for four years of hostility with President-elect Trump's second administration. Newsom is requesting a $25 million litigation fund to help defend California from unconstitutional federal overreach, challenge illegal federal actions in court, and take administrative actions to reduce potential harm. President-elect Trump warned there will be serious repercussions in the Middle East if

hostages in Gaza are not released prior to his inauguration in January. This follows the announcement that American Israeli hostage Omer Nutra, who had been serving in the Israeli military, was killed by Hamas on October 7, 2023. His body is still being held in Gaza. And that's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening. If you're listening on the Apple Podcast app, give us a 5-star rating and drop a review. If you're listening on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to never miss a new episode. We appreciate your support and hope you have a great day. courageous faith, look no further.

The Voice of the Martyrs is offering TPO listeners free access to a film called Sabina, Tortured for Christ, the Nazi Years. It tells the powerful, true story of a woman's journey to faith in Christ, and the risks she took to share the gospel with soldiers from the army that killed her family. Visit vom.org slash tpo to claim your free copy today.