The Pour Over Today - Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Episode Date: May 17, 2023

Today, we’re bringing you international news, talking about the Durham Report, digging into debt, and other top news for Wednesday, May 17th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. Sponsored by TUVU

Today, we're bringing you international news, talking about the Durham Report, digging into debt, and other top news for Wednesday, May 17th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. Here's the quote of the day. The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation. Corrie Ten Boom. Let's start with some espresso shots. Ever heard of a political earthquake?

It's how experts are describing Thailand's recent elections. Voters overwhelmingly supported a democracy-focused coalition promising major reforms, rejecting the current government's two military-aligned parties. Experts say it's a clear shift away from current Prime Minister Cano Çağ, who took office in 2014 after a military coup, and who has remained close to the military since. In Turkey, voters will head back to the polls in two weeks for a runoff election after President Erdoğan failed to garner the 50% required to win. He will face a reform candidate, Kemalal Kilikdur-Ilu, who has criticized Erdogan's increasing authoritarian tendencies. Finally, Ukraine

says it shot down six hypersonic Russian missiles that Russia had claimed were all but unstoppable. Ukraine says its expected counteroffense will focus on its own territory held by Russia and not on Russia itself. It's remarkable to consider all of the millions of ways, many that we'll never know about, that God is working in the world right now. Take a moment to pray for God to move in power in Thailand, Turkey, and Ukraine, and ask Him to allow you to be a light in your corner of the world today. Matthew 5 verse 16 says, In the same way, let your light shine before others,

so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Special Counsel John Durham's long-awaited report is here. In 2016, the FBI opened Crossfire Hurricane, an investigation into alleged links between Russian officials and Trump's presidential campaign. In 2019, Durham was appointed to review the origins of Crossfire Hurricane in an investigation of the investigators. Released Monday, Durham's 300-page report concluded that the FBI failed to effectively work through raw intelligence data and shouldn't have launched the 2016 Trump-Russia collusion probe. It was particularly critical of past FBI leadership, specifically former Director

James Comey and former Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. The FBI responded by saying it has new leadership and has made necessary reforms since 2016. Durham says there is a continuing need for the FBI to recognize apparent confirmation bias, claiming the agency failed to act with appropriate objectivity in a politically charged instance. Discussing theories of what really happened can be engaging, but Paul encourages us to avoid endless discussion that leads to meaningless speculations. Focus instead on pointing people to Christ. 1 Timothy 1, verse 4 says, don't let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees.

These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don't help people live a life of faith in God. President Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy met again yesterday in an attempt to break the debt ceiling stalemate. Though they didn't strike a deal, both sides seem optimistic they'll reach one before June 1st, avoiding a $31.3 trillion default. On the negotiating table, work requirements for some benefit programs, changes to energy permitting, and caps on spending. President Biden plans to return early from his trip to Asia to hammer out the rest. National debts aren't the only debt piling up. Total consumer debt hit an unprecedented $17 trillion in the first quarter of 2023, and student loan repayments will return later this year,

according to Education Secretary Miguel Cordona. Some companies are dealing with debt using the Michael Scott method, declaring bankruptcy. Vice Media filed for Chapter 11 on Monday, ahead of its planned sale. Here's a verse to consider when balancing your budget spreadsheet. I know how to make do with a 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, verse 12 through 13. This episode of the podcast is brought to you by Tuvu. Social media platforms are amazing.

The problem is they're amazing at things that aren't necessarily good for us. Tuvu. Social media platforms are amazing. The problem is they're amazing at things that aren't necessarily good for us. Tuvu is trying to do it right. Tuvu is a wholesome social media for the whole family. Tuvu does not collect or sell or rent members' personal data. Posts are chronological, not curated to reinforce biases or fear. And there are zero ads, 42% of content on other platforms. Tuvu costs $2.99 a month, but the pour-over subscribers get one year free. Claim your free one-year subscription. Go to 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. 81-year-old Martha Stewart is now the oldest woman to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue. The magazine noted that Stewart, who is featured on one of four covers, is the very definition of influencer. In a wide-ranging interview, Stewart discussed her evolution into a lifestyle icon and her unlikely friendship with Snoop Dogg. President Trump's former attorney, Rudy Giuliani,

is the target of a new civil lawsuit, a woman who has accused the former New York City mayor of sexual assault and harassment. She says she was an off-the-books employee and was never paid a promised roughly $2 million. She's also accused him of offering to sell presidential pardons for $2 million. Giuliani vehemently denied the allegations. Not a deep fake.

AI appeared in court, at least Sam Altman, CEO of ChatGPT's parent company OpenAI, did. Altman testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday to urge the governmental oversight of the new tech, particularly leading up to the 2024 presidential election. The need for AI regulations appear to have bipartisan support. The U.S. Virgin Islands have subpoenaed Elon Musk in their lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase. The U.S. territory alleges that the bank enabled and benefited from Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking operation, and they're claiming that Epstein may have referred Musk to JPMorgan. In response, Musk tweeted,

The Cretan never advised me on anything whatsoever. Start spreading the news. The Tony Awards are back on. The producers of the June 11th CBS broadcast reached a deal with the Writers Guild of America that will allow them to proceed with a no-picket-line ceremony, a crucial marketing opportunity for Broadway shows still struggling to regain momentum post-COVID. That's all the time 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 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. We'll see you on Friday.