Trump’s July 16 Speech: The Big Picture

When alphabet networks don’t broadcast the president’s speech, they are signaling that “they have lost control of the narrative” and they don’t want to “expose failures.”

 

President Trump’s speech last Thursday, a few months before the 2026 midterms, was dull and boring, a disappointment to political enthusiasts. It paled before President Biden’s flaming red pre-midterm speech of September 1, 2022, Battle for the Soul of the Nation, given right in front of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, as it should be.

All President Trump did was inform us of a few minor items, such as vulnerabilities in electronic voting, China getting access to the records of hundreds of millions of U.S. voters — information that our devoted intelligence professionals thoughtfully redacted from presidential intelligence briefings — and the curious case of non-citizens on the voter rolls. Nothing to see here, move right along.

It is good to learn that by 2020 our intelligence professionals had re-professionalized themselves. In 2016, you will recall, they were unprofessionally eager to back the Russia, Russia narrative cooked up by the Clinton campaign.

Of course, it is easy to see that the point of Trump’s speech was to drum up more support for his explosive SAVE Act, which Senator Thune, whose state is close to Canadian wildfires, has sensibly put on the back burner.

But I wonder if Sen. Thune will succeed. I suspect that the whole point of the president’s speech was to ignite a wildfire of prosecutions and executive actions over the next few months related to election security. Presumably he and his aides, staffers, and allies in Congress imagine that, confused by the thick smoke of election cheating, Congress will finally pass the SAVE Act and/or Republican voters will be motivated to go to the polls.

I understand the instinctive reluctance of the alphabet TV networks to broadcast the president’s speech live. Although experts agree that the legacy media deploys the best minds in the business yet, like every human social institution, our beloved media magnates hesitate to do anything that might advance the cause of the racist-sexist-homophobe armed-insurrectionist supporters of President Trump and harm the glorious achievements of the administrative state and its worthy practitioners that have delivered so much to this nation over the last century.

What is happening? Where is America going? What does it mean? Where will it all end up?

  • Industrial-age institutions (governments, political parties, media, academia, etc.) relied on a near-monopoly over information to maintain authority and legitimacy.
  • The internet and social media created a tsunami of information, empowering ordinary people (the “public”) to access, share, and scrutinize data that was once controlled by elites.

Grok analysis:

This shift has led to a crisis of authority: Elites and hierarchical institutions have lost control of the narrative, while a networked public can now rapidly expose failures, contradictions, and hypocrisies.

Do you see the point? When alphabet networks don’t broadcast the president’s speech, they are signaling that “they have lost control of the narrative” and they don’t want to “expose failures.”

No, Ashik Siddique. You are desperately — or willfully — ignorant, because you know nothing except what you were carefully taught. And what you were carefully taught in a ruling-class seminary was the ideological orthodoxy of the educated ruling class.

Now I am in the middle of reading Julius Evola, whom some have branded a fascist. And it´s curious how his rendition of “The World of Tradition,” with its notion of “Regality” and “The Mystery of the Rite,” maps against the regality of Commie dictatorship and the sacred rite of the protest.

No doubt as The Revolt of the Public battles against the domination and hegemony of the educated class here and in Europe, there will be ups and downs.

Then there is the other little problem. Back in 1963, a year or so after President Kennedy fired Allen Dulles, head of the CIA, JFK was assassinated and the intelligence community had nothing to do with the case. In 1974, President Nixon was removed from office, and the fact that Woodward and Bernstein were communicating with W. Mark Felt at the FBI had nothing to do with the case. In the Iran-Contra scandal that threatened President Reagan, the IC had nothing to do with the case. In the Russia, Russia scandal, the Obama administration had nothing to do with the case. In the question of removing data from the presidential intelligence briefing in 2020 about Chinese access to voter records in 2020, the intelligence community had nothing to do with the case.

Do you understand yet?

Christopher Chantrill @chrischantrill blogs at The Commoner Manifesto and runs the go-to site on US government finances, usgovernmentspending.com. Also get his American Manifesto and his Road to the Middle Class.

 

 

Source: Trump’s July 16 Speech: The Big Picture – American Thinker

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Not Fair!

 

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Surely God will never do wickedly, nor will the Almighty pervert justice.
Job 34:12

Recommended Reading: Job 34:10-15

Kendra Thomas, professor of psychology, listens when children cry, “It’s not fair!” She wrote, “Every experience shapes a kid’s worldview. In childhood, injustice comes with the sense of powerlessness; it is both outraging and demoralizing.” She said that children need adults in their lives to “teach them how to cope with it…. Perhaps they are handling a minor injustice and need a listening ear and some perspective.”1

When Job was going through his trials, he and his friends often questioned whether justice was being served. Job’s friends thought that he deserved punishment, but Job could not understand why God let him suffer so greatly. However, the great points of the book of Job are that God will never do wickedly and the Almighty will never pervert justice.

You may be going through some situations that are not fair, not just. But as time goes by, it’s amazing how we can look back and see God’s hand of goodness and justice. We can trust Him with hard days. Remember the wise saying: When you cannot trace God’s hand, you can trust His heart.

Sometimes when we get overwhelmed, we forget how big God is.
A. W. Tozer

  1. Kendra Thomas, “Why You Should Listen When Your Child Cries, ‘Not Fair!’” Scientific American, March 18, 2024.

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread – Prepared to Help

 

We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. Ephesians 2:10

Today’s Scripture

Ephesians 2:1-10

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

My friend needed to practice parallel parking before her driving test that was coming up soon. I was prayerfully looking for a safe place to teach her when the idea came to go to a neighborhood church with an ample parking lot. After we set up what turned out to be a less-than-ideal practice parking space using folding chairs, she made her first attempt to back into the spot between the chairs.

Then the pastor came out with orange cones in hand, similar to the kind used in a driving test. He introduced himself and asked, “Could you use these cones?” He explained that just last week their church family had discussed ways to help neighbors new to the community. “We talked about letting people use these cones in our parking lot for parking practice.” They had prepared to help others, and what a blessing they were for my friend.

Prepared to help others. That’s exactly what God did for us and in us. He “prepared in advance” for us to do good works and care for others (Ephesians 2:10). The apostle Paul says, “We are God’s handiwork” (v. 10), so we serve under His direction and for His purposes. Salvation is a gift from God (v. 8), who is “rich in mercy” (v. 4). Our good works are a work of God through us. He’s prepared us and will give us the compassion and wisdom we need to reach out to others.

Reflect & Pray

How has God gifted you? In what ways could you join with others to serve people in your community?

 

Dear God, please help me to see others’ needs and know what You want me to do so You may be seen.

 

For further reflection, read The More Excellent Way.

Today’s Insights

The creation account in Genesis says that “God created mankind in his own image” (1:27). Ephesians 2:10 also declares that “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Jesus set the example for us during His earthly ministry by doing “many good works from the Father” (John 10:32). Peter elaborates and says: “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, . . . he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him” (Acts 10:38). The fruit of the Spirit’s work in us is “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). As believers in Christ, the Spirit will provide the opportunities and empowerment to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and do good works.

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum – Pilot helps load luggage after flight delay

 

A Delta pilot was spotted helping load luggage into his plane after a flight delay in Atlanta. He clearly didn’t know he was being caught on video and thus did not do this for the attention he is now receiving.

To act with humility and then be rewarded for humility is the best of both worlds, it seems to me.

We’ve probably all been there: someone recognizes us for something we did without expecting to be recognized. If we had sought attention, our ego would have been in control. When we received it unsought, our ego was gratified without being exposed.

This is a fact pattern worthy of some attention today.

Mayor Mamdani cannot arrest Benjamin Netanyahu

I shared with my coffee-drinking wife the news that up to five cups of coffee per day may potentially lower the risk of heart disease. She was glad to learn that she should keep doing what she was going to keep doing anyway.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani has been calling Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal and claiming that he wanted to arrest the Israeli prime minister when he comes to New York City in September. Now he tells us that his city does not have “independent legal authority” to do so. He gets the affirmation of his antisemitic supporters without having to act on their behalf.

Continue reading Denison Forum – Pilot helps load luggage after flight delay

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – Intervention

 

 Won’t you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation. 

—Psalm 85:6–7

Scripture:

July 2026 is an ideal time for reflection, for looking back at the 250-year history of our nation, and for celebrating God’s work in bringing us to this point. But it’s also a time to look forward and ask some sobering questions. So, here goes.

What is the future of the United States of America? Are we doomed to go the way that so many other once-great nations have gone? Is America headed to the ash heap of history? Are our greatest days behind us, or could they still be ahead? Is there any hope for America?

None of us can answer these questions with any certainty, but we know this much: America is not the superpower of the last days. The greatest nation on earth is conspicuous in its absence from the world stage in the end-times scenario given to us in the Bible. America is not the first, nor will it be the last, nation to rise and fall. Every nation’s days are numbered; America is no exception.

The Bible introduces us to several formidable empires, countries, and cities. Egypt reigned supreme in the book of Exodus. Assyria played a key role in the history of Israel and Judah. Babylon led the people of Judah into captivity. Persia allowed them to return. Greece left an indelible mark on the world. Yet all these empires eventually learned the same lesson: There is no such thing as too big to fail.

Perhaps the biggest cautionary tale from history is the Roman Empire, which provides the backdrop for the Gospels. Rome was once the mightiest empire on the face of the earth. But it collapsed internally before it was conquered externally. Historian Will Durant, in his book on Rome’s history, Caesar and Christ, said, “A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself within. The essential causes of Rome’s decline lay in her people, her morals….”

That’s where the alarm bells start to sound for the United States. We as a country are diligent in guarding against our enemies on the outside, but we should be just as diligent in guarding ourselves from within.

One stark difference between Rome and the United States is that our country was founded on Judeo-Christian values. Unfortunately, we’ve strayed from the original vision of our founding fathers, the vision that produced our nation. What was once “freedom of religion” has now become “freedom from religion.” We’ve succeeded in removing God from our schools, sporting events, public venues, and workplaces.

And now we need God’s intervention. We saw many turn to the Lord after 9/11. Remember those packed churches and prayer vigils on street corners? Remember the members of Congress spontaneously singing “God Bless America”? These memories give me hope that there could be at least one more great revival in America’s future.

The psalmist wrote, “Won’t you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation” (Psalm 85:6–7 NLT).

If we don’t have revival, I believe that judgment is inevitable. Peter Marshall, former chaplain to the U.S. Senate, once said, “The choice before us is plain: Christ or chaos, conviction or compromise, discipline or disintegration.”

Let’s pray that our nation chooses wisely.

 

Reflection question: What is your prayer for our nation? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise – Our Advocate in Heaven

 

by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.” (Job 16:19)

It is significant that here, in what is probably the oldest book in the Bible, two vitally important New Testament truths are anticipated. Job somehow knew that he (and, by implication, every other person as well) has a “record” in heaven. This is the only occurrence of this word (sahed) in the Bible, but it basically means that our works, good or bad, have been recorded by God in heaven concerning how we have used or abused our stewardship here on Earth.

And the record inevitably testifies against us, “for there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). At God’s throne of judgment, when “the dead [are] judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works,” then “whosoever [is] not found written in the book of life [is] cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:12, 15).

But how can we know that our names will be in God’s book of life in that day? Thankfully, even Job knew, in his long-ago time, that “my witness is in heaven.” Here the word (Hebrew ed) speaks of a formal personal witness who can testify on our behalf, one who “might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbor” (Job 16:21).

Job somehow knew that such a witness was there, for he could also say, “I know that my redeemer liveth” (Job 19:25). In light of the New Testament record, we know that this Redeemer and Witness is none other than the Lord Jesus. “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 2:1–2). That is, He was the sacrifice for our sins and thus can redeem us from sin’s penalty and thereby serve as our defense witness in heaven. Our record of sin and guilt has been washed clean with the precious blood of Christ. HMM

 

 

 

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

Joyce Meyer – Abide in Christ

 

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5 (ESV)

To abide in Christ means to live, dwell, and remain in Him. Abiding with someone is not an occasional get-together, or even a short daily visit, but a continuous dwelling with that person. Dave and I abide (live, dwell, and remain) together and have for nearly 60 years. We know everything about each other, and our lives are intricately intertwined to the point where it would be hard to separate them. This is the kind of relationship that Jesus wants to have with you.

Today’s scripture says that if you abide in Christ, you will bear much fruit. Also, if you abide in Christ, you can ask what you wish, and it will be done for you (John 15:7). As we abide in Christ, we come to know Him more deeply and intimately, and His continual influence changes us into His image.

True change does not come from struggling to modify your behavior, but from abiding so deeply in Christ that you become like Him and begin to bear the same good fruit He bears. Do everything you do with and for Him, and you will be amazed at the positive changes in your life.

Prayer of the Day: Father, teach me to abide in You at all times. I desire You more than any other, and apart from You, I can do nothing. I ask for the gift of Your manifest presence. In Jesus’ name, thank You, amen.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado – His Higher Purpose – July 23, 2026

 

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No moment, event, or detail falls outside of God’s supervision. God is the one who “causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45 NIV). He isn’t making up this plan as he goes along. Daniel 5:21 (NKJV) says, “The most high God rules the kingdom of men, and sets over it whom he will.”

So if God is in charge, why does he permit challenges to come our way? Wouldn’t an almighty God prevent them? Not if they serve his higher purpose. The ultimate example is the death of Christ on the cross. Everyone thought the life of Jesus was over. Jesus was dead and buried, but God raised Him from the dead. God took the crucifixion of Friday and turned it into the celebration of Sunday. Can he not do a similar reversal for you?

 

 

 

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Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – The Sin of Judgmentalism

 

Read Matthew 7:1–6

One day, the religious leaders brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus (John 8:1–11). They said, “In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” Jesus responded, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” The crowd dispersed as each person realized his own sinfulness. Only Jesus was worthy to cast the first stone, and He chose not to do so.

That same spirit is behind today’s teaching. “Do not judge” does not mean to “never judge,” as it’s often misinterpreted (vv. 1–2). After all, we’re instructed to judge or evaluate fellow believers when accountability is needed (1 Cor. 5:12). Instead, “do not judge” means that we should not judge self-righteously or hypocritically. We will be judged by the same standard we use on others.

Judgmental hypocrisy means, among other things, to criticize others when we are actually guilty of the same thing ourselves (vv. 3–5). Jesus uses a humorous but tragic image to drive His point home: It’s like a man with a wooden plank in his eye criticizing a man who has only a speck of sawdust in his. Having a judgmental spirit can warp our perspective! Notice that Jesus didn’t say to ignore the problem or to pretend everything’s okay. Rather, we should fix our own problem before we help someone else.

The next verse implies that we should pick the right time to do so (v. 6; Prov. 13:10). If we choose the wrong time, the person won’t listen. It will be like throwing pearls before swine. They’ll simply trample on our advice or reproof. Something valuable is bound to be wasted in this case, and the original speaker might even be harmed as well.

Go Deeper

Are you eager to judge others, or afraid to do so? How can we hold one another accountable in biblical ways that are discerning, loving, and humble?

Pray with Us

Holy Lord, forgive us for judging others self-righteously or hypocritically. Change our judgmental spirit into one of discernment and humility. Give us the grace and mercy that You model.

Do not throw your pearls to pigs.Matthew 7:6

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/