The Pour Over Today - Israel Raids Gaza Hospital, Rep. Santos Ethics report, & More | 11.17.23

Episode Date: November 17, 2023

Today we’re talking about Israel’s raid on a Gaza hospital, Presidents Biden and Xi meeting in San Francisco, an ethics report on Rep. George Santos, and other top news for Friday, November, 17th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Sponsored by Compelled Podcast

Today we're talking about Israel's raid on a Gaza hospital, Presidents Biden and Xi meeting in San Francisco, an ethics report on Representative George Santos, and other top news for Friday, November 17th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over today. Here's the quote of the day. I'm practicing the discipline of not having to have the last word. Dallas Willard. Let's get started with some espresso shots.

Israeli Defense Forces, or IDF, have seized Gaza's main hospital, al-Shifa, in a targeted operation against Hamas. Wednesday, the IDF said they located Hamas' operational center at the hospital, releasing images of weapons and equipment allegedly belonging to Hamas, but finding no traces of the remaining 240 hostages. President Biden reiterated U.S. support for Israel, saying Hamas committed war crimes by hiding their headquarters under a hospital. Hamas denies the claims, and an al-Shifa doctor said only civilians were in the hospital, but noted that tunnels run under all buildings in Gaza. Demonstrations in support of Palestinians shut down rush hour traffic in Boston and San Francisco

yesterday morning, and law enforcement clashed with about 150 protesters, illegally and violently calling for a ceasefire outside Democratic National Committee headquarters Wednesday night. In our broken world, sin twists and distorts blessings from God, like a place of healing becoming a battleground. While wars across the world are outside our control, we can fight alongside the Lord to overcome evil with good in our corners of the world, until the day when he overcomes evil once and for all. Romans 12, 20, and 21 says, If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty,

give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. After his first interaction with Chinese President Xi in nearly a year, President Biden described their San Francisco meeting as some of the most constructive and productive discussions we've had. The two leaders warmed up their country's chilly relationship a bit, with China agreeing to crack down on fentanyl trafficking, reopen military communication with the U.S., and even potentially send back a few pandas. Taiwan, and how China might try to bring the island back under its governance, continues to be a sticky wicket. Biden reiterated

that even though the U.S. doesn't officially endorse Taiwan's independence, it's opposed to a hostile Chinese takeover. The two presidents also discussed U.S. sanctions on Chinese companies and the possibility of working together on safer AI tech, among other things. Here's a verse to consider when trying to get along with a frenemy. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 2 Timothy 2, verse 24. Uncle Sam can keep his Christmas lights on this year. Wednesday, the Senate voted 87-11 to pass a bill that funds the government. The bill, spearheaded by new Speaker Mike Johnson, the government. The bill, spearheaded by new Speaker Mike Johnson, had already passed the House 336 to 95, with near-unanimous support from Democrats, but split support from Republicans. Hardliners were, uh, more than a little bothered that it contained no spending cuts or policy

conditions. It only runs through January 19th, but buys Johnson time to negotiate a long-term solution. Meanwhile, the House Ethics Committee released a report yesterday saying they found embattled Representative George Santos blatantly stole from his campaign, pocketing donor contributions and using campaign funds on lavish trips, Botox, and adult content. and using campaign funds on lavish trips, Botox, and adult content. Santos slammed the report and maintained his innocence, but announced he won't seek re-election. Another vote on whether to expel him from the House is expected soon.

Politicians come and go, often disappointing supporters and opponents alike. Put your hope in the Lord, who has no term limit, who rules with compassion, and who executes justice perfectly. Psalm 9, 7-10 says, But the Lord sits in throne forever. He has established his throne for judgment, and he judges the world with righteousness. He executes judgment on the nations with fairness. world with righteousness. He executes judgment on the nations with fairness. The Lord is a refuge for the persecuted, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, because you have not abandoned those who seek you, Lord. Today's episode is sponsored by Compelled Podcast. If you've ever heard of Ray Comfort, then you know that he is a street preaching, gospel sharing machine.

There's nothing he is more passionate about than approaching a random group of strangers and asking them if they know who Jesus is. But he wasn't always that way. In fact, earlier in his life, Ray was a young man in New Zealand who had everything he could possibly want. A thriving business, a beautiful wife, and a successful career in front of him. But when he was confronted with the brevity of life and the finality of death, he began to despair. Listen to Ray Comfort's seldom-heard testimony of how Jesus Christ transformed his life on this week's season finale of the Compelled Podcast. Listen on your podcast app or at compelledpodcast.com.

In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. A few NBA players channeled hockey energy on Tuesday night. Warriors forward Draymond Green was suspended five games without pay for putting Timberwolves Rudy Gobert in a headlock, while three other players were fined and or ejected from the game for the basket brawl. Officials said Green's history of unsportsmanlike conduct, this was his fifth career suspension, factored into his punishment. Vroom vroom. Formula One has gone all out for its first race in Sin City, reportedly spending $500 million on the event that'll see drivers zip through the iconic Las Vegas strip.

If you want to go, buckle up. The average three-day general admission ticket is $1,667. The 50 Lab Grand Prix starts tomorrow night at 10 p.m. Yesterday was the busiest day on the coffee calendar. Starbucks patented Red Cup Day. Customers received a free, reusable, holiday-themed cup, unless their baristas were on strike. Workers United said hundreds of Starbucks employees walked off the job, demanding improved staffing and schedules. Starbucks said strikes impacted a few dozen locations, most of which remained open. most of which remained open. President Biden won't be on New Hampshire's primary ballot,

and the state's primary delegates won't be counted, after the Granite State defied the DNC's request to push back its election day to after South Carolina's. Meanwhile, judges in Michigan and Minnesota ruled that former President Trump could be on their primary ballots, ruling that January 6th hadn't disqualified him. Singer and actress Cassie filed a lawsuit against ex-boyfriend Sean Diddy Combs yesterday, accusing him of trafficking, abusing, and sexually assaulting her during their relationship. A lawyer for Diddy called the lawsuit baseless and outrageous,

saying that over the last six months, Cassie had been blackmailing him for $30 million and threatening to write a book about their relationship. And that's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening. If you're listening on the Apple Podcasts app, give us a five-star rating and drop a review. If you're listening on the Apple Podcasts app, give us a five-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 weekend. We'll see you Monday. you