The Pour Over Today - Monday, September 25, 2023

Episode Date: September 25, 2023

Today, we’re talking about the indictment of a New Jersey senator, more autoworkers on the picket line, negotiations in Ukraine, and other top news for Monday, September 25th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. Sponsored by Tuvu

Today we're talking about the indictment of a New Jersey senator, more autoworkers on the picket line, negotiations in Ukraine, and other top news from Monday, September 25th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over today. Here's the quote of the day. Christ, having sacrificed himself once, is to eternity a certain and valid sacrifice for the sins of all faithful. Holdrick Zwingli. Let's get started with some espresso shots. Gold bars and luxury cars in exchange for political favors? Sounds like a screenplay, but it's the subject of Capitol Hill's latest indictment.

Senator Robert Menendez was charged with three corruption-related federal counts Friday. Menendez, his wife, and three other co-defendants are accused of accepting bribes like gold bars and mortgage payments in exchange for supporting Egypt and various New Jersey businessmen. Maintaining his innocence, Menendez said his case will be successfully resolved once all of the facts are presented. He stepped down as the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee in accordance with his party's self-governing rules, though he can regain his post if found not guilty. New Jersey's governor, Phil Murphy, a close ally of Menendez, called for his resignation, saying the alleged facts are

so serious that they compromise his ability to lead. We shouldn't allow turmoil in Washington, D.C. to direct our emotions or dull our hope. Government may change, but our mission remains the same. Love God and love others. Mark 12, verses 29-31 say, The most important is, Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

The second is this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. Another 5,600 auto workers set down their car parts to pick up pickets on Friday. The newest strikers come from 38 General Motors and Stellantis parts distribution centers across 20 states, which provide parts to dealerships for vehicle repairs. The move cranks up the heat for two reasons. One, car parts are very profitable, and two, drivers will notice and be upset when their cars can't be repaired. The United Auto Workers president said Ford was spared from the new round of strikes because of

progress in negotiations. Ford noted that significant gaps remain while GM and Stellantis were more openly frustrated, calling the union's demands untenable and accusing them of ignoring competitive offers. President Biden plans to join a picket line in Michigan on Tuesday, becoming the first sitting president to do so. Former President Trump plans to visit on Wednesday. It's easy to become angry and indignant over world events, but much more difficult to live with the tension of desiring change while simultaneously loving everyone involved. Followers of Christ are called to live in that tension, loving the very people they work against.

Philippians 2 verses 3-4 say, Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important Peace seems a long way off in Ukraine as the 19-month war with Russia stretches on. Last week, Ukrainian President Zelensky landed in D.C. to make a deal with his nation's largest financial supporter, the U.S. During the meeting, President Biden announced a $325 million military aid package, which includes sorely needed air defense capabilities, artillery and ammunition, and anti-tank weapons. Zelensky also lobbied Congress for an additional $24 billion in aid. Polls indicate that may be a tough sell among Americans, 51% of whom think Uncle Sam has already done enough to help Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia is saying no deal to

Ukraine's 10-point peace plan. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed the plan and the UN's proposal allowing for Ukrainian food exports, promising to settle the conflict on the battlefield if the West won't offer better terms. Peace comes at a high price. Whatever conflicts are raging in our world and in our communities, believers can rejoice that Christ has paid the price to buy us peace with God. May His peace reign in our world. Romans 5 verses 1-3 says,

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Today's episode is sponsored by Tuvu. grace in which we stand, and we AI moderated with the whole family in mind. There's no technically okay, but definitely questionable photos. Tuvu is a social media platform designed for connection, not addiction. See what family and friends are up to, then hop off and carry on with your day. Claim your free one-year subscription at tuvu.com slash tpo. That's

t-u-v-u dot com slash t-p-o, or find the link in our show notes. In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. Dallas's mayor made headlines for party hopping Friday, but we're not talking piñatas and ice cream. Mayor Eric Johnson is leaving the Democratic Party to serve out his final term in the GOP, driven by his desire to see law and order and fiscal conservatism get bigger in Texas. His switcheroo makes Dallas the largest Republican-run city in America. His switcheroo makes Dallas the largest Republican-run city in America. After a string of unprofitable years, Rite Aid has announced a proposal to shut down about 25% of its stores.

Unable to keep up with Walgreens and CVS, the drugstore has billions of dollars of debt and is facing over a thousand federal lawsuits alleging Rite Aid oversupplied opioids, which the company denies. With Azerbaijan now in control of previously autonomous Nagorno-Karabakh, the region's 120,000 ethnic Armenians are leaving for Armenia. Azerbaijan, a predominantly Muslim nation, said it would guarantee the rights of the Armenians. However, the Christian Armenians began a mass exodus by car on Sunday, fearing prosecution and genocide.

Karabakh leaders said Russian peacekeepers would escort the immigrants. Should we just get cable again? In the latest episode of streaming services vying for increased revenue, Amazon announced that commercials are coming to Prime Video in early 2024 for the U.S., U.K., Germany, and Canada. An ad-free option will be available for an extra $2.99 per month. During Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning's viral pregame speech Saturday, he said Colorado's Cinderella story is over. And then the Ducks blew Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes out of the water,

beating them 42-6. In other football news, Usher was asked to headline the Super Bowl in February. He said, yeah. 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 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 we hope you have a great day. We'll see you on Wednesday.