There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true. —Soren Kierkegaard. "…truth is true even if nobody believes it, and falsehood is false even if everybody believes it. That is why truth does not yield to opinion, fashion, numbers, office, or sincerity–it is simply true and that is the end of it" – Os Guinness, Time for Truth, pg.39. “He that takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely trust to God’s providence to lead him aright.” – Blaise Pascal. "There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily" – George Washington letter to Edmund Randolph — 1795. We live in a “post-truth” world. According to the dictionary, “post-truth” means, “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” Simply put, we now live in a culture that seems to value experience and emotion more than truth. Truth will never go away no matter how hard one might wish. Going beyond the MSM idealogical opinion/bias and their low information tabloid reality show news with a distractional superficial focus on entertainment, sensationalism, emotionalism and activist reporting – this blogs goal is to, in some small way, put a plug in the broken dam of truth and save as many as possible from the consequences—temporal and eternal. "The further a society drifts from truth, the more it will hate those who speak it." – George Orwell “There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.” ― Soren Kierkegaard
17:11 The Bereans exemplify the ideal stance of disciples: They were of more noble character and open to biblical instruction. They examined the Scriptures daily to see if the teachings were true.[1]
17:11 This is a comparison of the citizens of Berea to those of Thessalonica. It stems from the fact that Paul had just left Thessalonica, a city in which he received very bitter treatment despite a positive reception of the gospel by many. “And a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women” were evidences of missionary success (v. 4). The Thessalonican opposition, however, was strong; the Hebrews who did not believe took to them “evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar” (v. 5). Thinking that Paul was in the house of Jason, they took Jason “and some brethren to the rulers of the city” (v. 6), and after taking security (a sum of money apparently obligating them to guarantee the presence of Paul ultimately), they let them go (v. 9). Paul would continue to be plagued by this Thessalonican opposition (cf. 21:27). The Bereans, on the other hand, “were more fair-minded” in that they: (1) “received the word with all readiness,” (2) “searched the Scriptures daily,” (3) apparently had the true spirit of open-mindedness for religious thought, and (4) in the spirit of truth sought to understand “whether these things were so” which Paul had spoken.[2]
17:11 examining the Scriptures daily. The Bereans compared Paul’s teaching with God’s written Word, setting a good example for the church throughout history.[3]
17:11open-minded Originally, the Greek term used here denoted noble birth. It later came to refer to anyone who had royal bearing—people who were more refined.
examining In nonjudicial contexts, the Greek term used here, anakrinō, often deals with questioning and discernment (compare 1 Cor 2:15; 10:25).[4]
17:11Noble translates the Greek eugenēs, which originally meant “of noble birth” or “well born.” The word was also applied to people who exhibited noble behavior, in that they were open-minded, fair, and thoughtful. Thus Luke saw the Bereans as “more noble” in their receiving Paul’s message with all eagerness, and then in looking to the written words of the OT as their final authority, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. By commending this activity, Luke encourages this searching of the Scriptures as a pattern for all believers and also gives support to the doctrine of the clarity of Scripture, the idea that the Bible can be understood rightly, not only by scholars but also by ordinary people who read it eagerly and diligently, with conscious dependence on God for help.[5]
17:11 — … they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
The Bereans didn’t take Paul’s word for it about how the Old Testament Scripture prophesied the ministry, sufferings, and resurrection of Christ. They looked for themselves—and God commended them for their diligence.[6]
17:11. At the synagogue of Berea they discovered that these Jews were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica. They welcomed the Word of God with all readiness and searched the Scriptures daily to validate whether these things were so. These Jewish unbelievers (many of whom came to faith) model key principles of interpretation: openness, eagerness, and searching the Scriptures.[7]
17:11. Paul could not have known that the Bereans would become a model for how to study the Bible. Luke gave a threefold description of the Bereans’ response to Paul’s preaching. First, they approached Paul’s teaching with some open-mindedness. The expression more noble-minded than the Thessalonians means that the Bereans were objective in their evaluation of Paul’s message. They judged his message by the standard of Scripture rather than their preconceived prejudices. Second, they also received the Scriptures with great eagerness. They had an appetite to learn. Finally, they examined the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so. They carefully evaluated Paul’s message to determine for themselves if it was true.[8]
17:11 “these were more noble-minded” This term was used for wealthy, educated, upper class people (cf. LXX Job 1:3; Luke 19:12). This literal definition does not fit the Jews of Berea; therefore, it is metaphorical for someone more willing to hear new ideas and evaluate them. This open attitude may have been characteristic of the leading citizens of the city who worshiped at the synagogue (cf. v. 12).
“examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” This is the way to determine truth. Paul’s preaching method was to quote the OT and then show how it applied to Jesus.
The phrase (“whether these things were so”) contains a FOURTH CLASS CONDITIONAL sentence (i.e. ei with the OPTATIVE MOOD, cf. 17:27; 20:16; 24:19; 27:12), which denotes that which is farthest removed from reality (less likely). Some responded; some did not (the mystery of the gospel).[9]
Ver. 11.—Now these for these, A. V.; examining for and searched, A. V.; these for those, A. V. Note the immense advantage which the preachers and the hearers had in the previous knowledge of the Scriptures gained by the Berœans in the synagogue. Note also the mutual light shed by the Old and New Testaments the one upon the other.[10]
11 The Western text (as represented by some minuscules and reflected by various recensions of the Old Latin, Vulgate, and Syriac versions) adds καθὼς Παῦλος ἀπαγγέλλει (kathōs Paulos apangellei, “even as Paul was proclaiming”) at the end of the verse after οὕτως (houtōs, “so”).[11]
[1] Porter, S. E. (2017). Acts. In E. A. Blum & T. Wax (Eds.), CSB Study Bible: Notes (p. 1750). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Criswell, W. A., Patterson, P., Clendenen, E. R., Akin, D. L., Chamberlin, M., Patterson, D. K., & Pogue, J., eds. (1991). Believer’s Study Bible (electronic ed., Ac 17:11). Thomas Nelson.
[4] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ac 17:11). Lexham Press.
[10] Spence-Jones, H. D. M., ed. (1909). Acts of the Apostles (Vol. 2, p. 59). Funk & Wagnalls Company.
[11] Longenecker, R. N. (2007). Acts. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Luke–Acts (Revised Edition) (Vol. 10, p. 978). Zondervan.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Did you know the Bible is the best-selling book of all time? According to the Guinness Book of World Records, there have been roughly 5 to 7 billion copies of the Bible printed. And yet, no book is the subject of more ridicule, more criticism, and more hatred. But there’s a reason why the Bible is the best-selling book of all time.
Holy Scripture is not like any other book. It’s not one book among many. It’s not even as if it sells hundreds of thousands of copies one year then is forgotten the next. The Bible is the book, the Word of God. It wasn’t written by mere men, “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21).
More than anything, however, the Bible is so unique because it is God-breathed. By “God-breathed,” Scripture means it is the very words from God Himself. The Greek word used for “God-breathed” is theopneustos, which points to Scriptures divine inspiration.
The Word of God written is identical to God’s speech. It is exactly what He intended us to have as the revelation of His will and how to please Him. At the same time, this does not take away from the Bible’s human character. God breathed out His Word, but He did so through the instrumentality of His prophets and Apostles.
The practicalities of God’s breath on the Bible is found in the four qualities named in the above verse: teaching, reproof, correction, and training for righteousness. The Bible as God’s voice directly to us doesn’t hold much weight if we don’t comprehend what it means practically.
Teaching
Perhaps this is a “duh” point, but it’s still a true: the Bible is used to teach. We learn many things in Scripture, but the most important thing is learning about God. And not just learning about God, but knowing God. We teach the Bible so God’s people can know their God. The Bible is taught in conferences, events, small groups, Sunday school, sermons, and so much more.
There are many who teach the Bible but do so with ill intent or for their own agenda. The Bible calls such people false teachers. Not just anyone should teach God’s Word, but those who are well-equipped and have godly character. In fact, Scripture gives a laundry list of qualifications for those who teach. Teaching Scripture is not something to be taken lightly or to do flippantly. It must be with reverence, with fear of the Lord, with focus on the glory of God.
Moreover, though there are parts of the Bible that appear, on face value, to contradict other passages, it is simply untrue. Point is, the Bible can be taught with clarity, with efficiency, and is sufficient for a godly life. God communicates to us through His Word, and He’s given us preachers and teachers to help.
Reproof
The Bible is used for reproof, that is, to show us our sin, in simple terms. Though we are in Christ, beloved children of God, we still remain sinners because we still reside in our fleshly bodies. As such, we still sin. And Scripture is the source God uses, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to reprove us.
If we’re going to be healthy Christians, we’re going to need God’s treatment of our lives, some spiritual surgery, perhaps, dealing with the malignancies in our lives. So God’s Word is like a surgeon’s scalpel, whether He holds it in His hand or operates it by some providential means. And that’s the kind of healing that causes pain before it brings cure. So, God’s Word can hurt in order to heal.
Ferguson has a way with words. “God’s Word can hurt in order to heal.” That’s what reproof is—hurts in order to heal. We need that “spiritual surgery” in our lives because we’re always messing up, always sinning, always failing. Thank God for the righteousness of Christ.
Correction
The Bible is used to correct, as we all need correcting. The Greek word used for correction is epanórthōsis, which, in this context, refers to the ability of Scripture to make straight our spiritual deformities.
The Word of God is used to spiritually heal the people of God. Correction, though similar to reproof, speaks more to making incorrect things correct. To making crooked sticks straight. Correction might make us wince a little, but it’s an important piece.
Training in Righteousness
The Bible is used, most importantly, to train us in righteousness. We see this not only in the sinless life of Jesus, as our perfect righteousness, but in the imperatives given to us.
The more we’re in our Bibles—and in them genuinely—the more godly we ought to become. To be sure, it’s possible to read our Bibles and not grow in godliness, but that’s because we are reading our Bibles incorrectly or not sincerely. When we stick our noses in the Bible and pray for guidance—and correction and reproof—then God will use that to make us more godly.
Friend, the Bible is a beautiful book. And it’s beautiful, ultimately, because it’s God’s direct word to us, His people (and the rest of the world).
His heavens shall drop down dew. (Deuteronomy 33:28)
What the dew in the East is to the world of nature, that is the influence of the Spirit in the realm of grace. How greatly do I need it! Without the Spirit of God I am a dry and withered thing. I droop, I fade, I die. How sweetly does this dew refresh me! When once favored with it I feel happy, lively, vigorous, elevated. I want nothing more. The Holy Spirit brings me life and all that life requires. All else without the dew of the Spirit is less than nothing to me: I hear, I read, I pray, I sing, I go to the table of Communion, and I find no blessing there until the Holy Ghost visits me. But when He bedews me, every means of grace is sweet and profitable.
What a promise is this for me! “His heavens shall drop down dew.” I shall be visited with grace. I shall not be left to my natural drought, or to the world’s burning heat, or to the sirocco of satanic temptation. Oh, that I may at this very hour feel the gentle, silent, saturating dew of the Lord! Why should I not! He who has made me to live as the grass lives in the meadow will treat me as He treats the grass; He will refresh me from above. Grass cannot call for dew as I do. Surely, the Lord who visits the unpraying plant will answer to His pleading child.
“Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36
Thoughts on today’s verse
Boy there are some tough times in life! They’re inescapable. That’s when our confidence in the Lord’s salvation and our relationship with him get tested! It is one thing to sing “it is well with my soul” at the end of a peel-the-paint worship service, but it is quite another to be able to sing it when they auction your house off at the courthouse steps or you’ve lost a child to death. That’s when the commitment to be who we want to be overrides the weakness of what we feel. Faith can’t take a holiday when we travel through the suburbs of hell or we’ll never find our way out. So don’t throw it away. Be like Job or Jeremiah who both argued and complained to God. Just don’t quit.
Prayer:
Holy and Almighty God, today is a good day. But I am profoundly aware that some of those I love are wrestling with throwing away their confidence in your love, mercy, grace, peace, and deliverance. Please use me, but even more I pray that you use your Holy Spirit to renew their hearts. I pray that you intervene directly to change the course of events and give them relief. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Use this prayer as a guide to pray for whatever is concerning you to day.
He is the God of the impossible, and He is near.
Lord, I choose to do whatever it takes to be able to pray the following prayer in complete surrender to Your perfect will regarding (this person, situation, or problem).
Lord, help me to learn everything You are trying to teach me in (this), and please don’t stop until I have learned everything You want me to receive.
Help me to seek You and not just relief from (this). I pray that You and only You will be glorified and that I will know You better as You give me greater revelation of who You are.
Holy Spirit, I humble myself before You and ask You to search my heart and convict and cleanse me of pride and any other spiritual darkness that might hinder me from repenting of my sins. I relinquish myself to You and ask You to do whatever it takes so that I might walk in the light of truth. I want to pray effectively for (this); therefore, expose to me my sins, so that I can confess, repent of them, and cover them with the blood of Jesus.
Lord, do what it takes to get my complete attention. I put on the altar my entire family and those you have knit me together with in the Spirit. I surrender myself and all those you have brought close to me and dedicate them to You. In Jesus name, I ask You to bring revival to my life and theirs.
Remove from me all bitterness, resentment, and anger. Give me Your total love even if (this) should never change. Help me to confess, repent, and make restitution where necessary for Your honor and glory and my release from all bondage.
Lord, help me to obey you completely. As You direct me to pray and fast, speak to my spirit clearly concerning (this).
As I stand against the enemy, I am clothed in Your full armor covered with the blood of my Redeemer in whom resides all power and authority. I thank You, Father, that You defeated Satan and all the powers of darkness when Jesus died for me on the cross.
I plead Your promises and character over (this). I acknowledge that Your Word never comes back void, and I stand on the following Scriptures and promises to which Your Spirit has lead me. (Make note of the Scriptures God leads you to pray).
I offer up to You my sacrifice of praise and acknowledge by faith that You have already won the victory. I choose to rest in You whatever the outcome, however You choose to answer. Thank You that You never change and that Your goodness and mercy are everlasting. I ask You in faith to do Your will, to reveal Yourself, to turn hearts and put a godly fear in all concerned about (this) and to bring Your Word to bear on all involved.
Father, I give You all praise, honor, and glory for what You are doing and are about to do. I thank You for the blessings of obedience and acknowledge that every answer I receive is from You, through You, and for Your glory alone. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
Australian Intelligence Agency Funding Research To Merge Human Brain Cells With AI A team of researchers collaborating with Melbourne-based startup Cortical Labs received a $600,000 grant to merge biology with AI. The team has already demonstrated how roughly 800,000 brain cells in a Petri dish is capable of playing a game of “Pong.”
Was the mass poisoning of Russian officers part of the Ukrainian counter-attack? An official in Ukraine reported that two Russian officers were killed and 15 others were hospitalized in serious condition after a poisoning incident during a festive event that took place in the city of Mariupol. Was this part of the Ukrainian counterattack? An official in Ukraine reported tonight (between Thursday and Friday) that two Russian officers were killed and 15 other servicemen were hospitalized after a “mass poisoning attack” that occurred during a festive event in the city of Mariupol.
Hebrew Media Claims Christians Brought Red Heifer to Israel to Establish Antichrist “The Antichrist, the ‘Satan’ one might say, needs to come here and defile the Temple,” notes Persico. “Then the war of Gog and Magog begins, in which two-thirds of the Jews die, and one-third of them convert to Christianity. The world doesn’t exactly last either.
Iran and Belarus increase military cooperation, may produce drones together The agreements were announced after the visit of Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin to Tehran on July 31 and could potentially be a step toward the production of Iranian-designed drones in Belarus, ultimately benefiting Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Massive Solar Eruption Cuts Across Earth, the Moon, and Mars Simultaneously A significant solar eruption has recently struck Earth, the moon, and Mars simultaneously, marking an unprecedented event in history. The eruption occurred on August 2, 2023, and had far-reaching effects across the celestial bodies. The eruption originated from our Sun … .
Archaeologist Excited by Recent Finds in Ancient Shiloh, Biblical Site of Ark, Tabernacle The book of Judges in the Bible tells us Shiloh was a significant place in the history of the Israelites when they came into the Promised Land. He continued, “Jerusalem remains a pagan city for another three hundred years. The Ark is here. The Tabernacle is here, and this where you came to connect with God.”
2 US Navy sailors arrested for alleged Chinese-linked nat’l security crimes U.S. Navy Sailor Jinchao Wei, 22, assigned to the San Diego-based USS Essex, was arrested on Wednesday for alleged espionage. U.S. Navy servicemember, Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, 26, was arrested after a federal grand jury indictment “charging him with receiving bribes in exchange for transmitting sensitive U.S. military information to an individual posing as a maritime economic researcher, but who was actually an intelligence officer from the PRC.”
AI flies Air Force plane with no human on board The U.S. Air Force successfully completed its first unmanned flight with the use of artificial intelligence, marking a significant breakthrough in the Air Force’s advancement of military technology. The three hour sortie by an XQ-58A Valkyrie conducted using algorithms programmed by artificial intelligence took place on July 25 at the Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, according to the Air Force Research Lab. .. the successful sortie was the result of a four-year partnership with Skyborg Vanguard and the Autonomous Aircraft Experimentation programs.
Cyberattack hits multiple US hospitals; emergency rooms closed, ambulances rerouted A cyberattack has caused major disruptions at hospitals in multiple U.S. states, forcing emergency rooms to close and ambulances to be rerouted. The attack targeted Calif.-based Prospect Medical Holdings, which has healthcare facilities in California, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Texas. “Upon learning of this, we took our systems offline to protect them
2 US military veterans killed in Ukraine Army officer Andrew Irvin Webber and former Marine Corps machine gunner Lance Lawrence were killed during an operation in eastern Ukraine, Stars and Stripes reported. Lance Lawrence was killed during fighting recently on our last operation.
Pope Francis says new council unnecessary as Vatican II ‘has not yet been implemented’ the 86-year-old pontiff downplayed such a suggestion, arguing instead that the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) had yet to be enacted. But there is always that fear that we all have been infected, unseen, by the “old Catholics” who, already at Vatican I, claimed to be “depositaries of the true faith.” All these proposals of “bad lactose” must be brought down with clear arguments. It is important to go out to meet the sophisms.
Biden admin pressured Big Tech to suppress criticism of COVID mandates, new ‘Facebook files’ reveal Joe Biden’s administration worked closely with Facebook to censor dissent about COVID and related policies, according to the latest set of emails released by Congressman Jim Jordan. The emails provide further evidence that Big Tech works not as an independent, private company, but as an extension of the federal government.
‘Is It Safe To Go Outside?’ The Media Say No. A series of recent news articles suggests that it may no longer be safe to go outside due to climate change.Why do the media seem intent on scaring Americans into staying home? Everyday activities like working, commuting, and exercising should be reconsidered amid high temperatures, smokey air, and rising waters, according to leading newspapers and news networks.
They Voted for it: Situation in New York City is starting to look apocalyptic… The scene in New York City is becoming increasingly apocalyptic, with hundreds of illegals sleeping on the streets. Instead of addressing the issue by sending these people back home, because the US is unable to care for then, we are allowing them to take over our cities and sidewalks. Joe Biden’s America and Eric Adams’ New York City are descending into dystopian hellholes.
Study Huge Numbers Of Kids Permanently Damaged By Lockdowns Yet another study has found that the pandemic lockdowns had devastating effects on the development of children, with half of all parents in the UK reporting serious deterioration in emotional and social skills of their kids.
Next On the Agenda Towards Totalitarianism…..Climate Lockdowns! …Now that the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) scamdemic is over, the World Health Organization (WHO) is busy plotting its next tyrannical scheme in the form of another round of lockdowns, this time to stop “climate change.”
Pandemic….What Pandemic? As recently as yesterday the 3rd of August 2023, over three and a half years after its first utterance “Covid is Airborne” was trending on Twitter! The hashtag fills most of us with despair. However, even within the “truther” community there is divided opinion on the origins of this so-called “novel virus
HAARP is of global concern because of its far-reaching impact …One of the most far-reaching accusations against HAARP is that the organisation deliberately creates destruction on a global scale, causing earthquakes, cyclones, flooding, snowstorms, and other disasters, around the world.
QUOTES The BIG Lies “My predecessor presided over historic job losses. Thanks to Bidenomics, we’ve presided over historic job growth.” —Joe Biden “By the way, all the stuff we did in the economy, all these programs that we’ve put forward — in the process, I cut the federal debt by $1.7 trillion in two years.” —Joe Biden “I commit that we’ll never raise federal taxes on anybody making less than $400,000.” —Joe Biden “This is a president that has done more in the first … two and a half years when it comes to the economy, when it comes to really giving the American people a little bit of breathing room, than any other president.” —White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre “Student loan debt is a racial justice issue.” —Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) “You can’t even say slavery was bad now in the Republican Party. That’s how far it’s gone.” —MSNBC’s Joy Reid “You’ve got young teachers … in Florida in their 20s who are afraid to put up a photograph of themselves with their life partner, with their spouse for fear that if they do, they might be fired from a job they love, which is one of the most noble professions: to teach other people’s children.” —Kamala Harris “Well, there are polls that also say I have great approval ratings.” —Kamala Harris “We have dispelled those fears [of being overwhelmed] through a very thoughtful, comprehensive approach to irregular migration to our southern border.” —DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas “President Biden has restored the integrity of the Department of Justice.” —Congressman Dan Goldman (D-NY) “I think that whatever happens in the Hunter Biden case, we can rest assured that it was done based solely on the facts and the evidence and that there was nothing else to it.” —Dan Goldman “There’s been a five-year investigation … by a Trump-appointed U.S. attorney. … And they’ve come forward with not one shred of evidence tying President Biden to any of this.” —Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) “I don’t have any concerns. I think this is a witch hunt. … There has never been any evidence that Joe Biden has compromised his office.” —Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) “They seem to be an impeachment inquiry in search of a subject and certainly in search of evidence.” —Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) “Have they pointed to anything to suggest that Joe Biden engaged in corrupt behavior? No!” —Congressman Jim Himes (D-CT) “They have found no evidence whatsoever that there are impeachable crimes.” —Jim Himes Spin Doctor “What is happening in terms of sending these migrants … across the country for the sake of some political showmanship, it’s just irresponsible. If you wanna deal with the problem, then do it if you are a leader by participating in the solution.” —Kamala Harris “You look at what’s happening with these so-called leaders who are trying to say that ‘diversity’ and ‘equity’ and ‘inclusion’ is somehow a bad thing. Let us not let them get away with that. They’re trying to get rid of DEI programs.” —Kamala Harris Hot Air “Republicans may have to find something else to criticize me for now that inflation is coming down. Maybe they’ll decide to impeach me because it’s coming down. I don’t know.” —Joe Biden “At a time when millions of families and Americans are experiencing the impacts of climate change, Republicans in Congress continue to try to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act.” —Karine Jean-Pierre “Climate anxiety — [young people] are concerned about their future in almost a doomsday fear about what might be within a couple of decades of now. They’re concerned about whether they should have children, whether they should even try to buy a home, because what does the future hold for that prospect?” —Kamala Harris “There’s no doubt that climate represents an existential challenge to all of us.” —Secretary of State Antony Blinken Grand Delusions “We have more work to do, which we are doing, which is to inform people about what we have achieved.” —Kamala Harris “We’re beginning to see the results, and I think as those results become more evident to the American people and as we talk about how consequential this president has been, his [poll] numbers will improve.” —Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) “There is really zero evidence that Joe Biden can’t do this job.” —Chris Murphy “No one’s ever questioned the heart and integrity of Joe Biden as a family man and as a human being.” —former Jill Biden Press Secretary Michael LaRosa Theater of the Absurd “The Weaponization Committee … is, one, floating conspiracy theories that are not based in facts that are eroding Americans’ confidence in the American system, but also really continuing to put pressure on the Department of Justice as well as the FBI, which leaves them vulnerable.” —Delegate Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands) Non Compos Mentis “When I first learned about the [Trump] indictment, I had a long conversation with a friend of mine … and I told him how proud I felt to be an American at that moment. Much in the way that I did when I learned that our military had killed Osama bin Laden. I just felt incredibly proud. … I believe they’re comparable. … Osama bin Laden was a terrorist who committed a horrific act against American people and against our republic. And I believe that Donald Trump is a terrorist who committed horrific acts against the American people.” —CNN analyst Michael Fanone “Apparently, the XX/XY chromosomes are insufficient because when we wake up in the morning, we exaggerate whatever feature we want to portray the gender of our choice. Either the one you’re assigned, the one you choose to be — whatever it is. … Suppose no matter my chromosomes today, I feel 80% female, 20% male. I’m gonna put on makeup. Tomorrow, I might feel 80% male. I’ll remove the makeup and I’ll wear a muscle shirt. Why do you care? What businesses is it of yours to require that I fulfill your inability to think of gender on a spectrum?” —astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson NBC News Discovers Reality “Inside the online world of people who think they can change their race.” —NBC News headline Belly Laugh of the Week “[Biden] really wants to unify this country. He wants to bring people together. … That’s who he is as a person.” —Ro Khanna
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York on November 25, 2008.REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
Some Wall Street analysts are sounding the alarm for a coming sell-off in stocks.
That comes as the S&P 500 enjoys its best year since 1927, gaining 18% from January.
But a closer look at inflation and the hype for AI shows a grim outlook, experts say.
Stocks so far have blown past investors’ expectations for 2023 – but some analysts are bracing for a sell-off as the market approaches new highs.
That comes as the S&P 500 enjoys one of its best years since 1927, largely thanks to Wall Street’s excitement for artificial intelligence. After sliding 20% last year, the benchmark index is now up 18% from the start of 2023, and is just 6% away from retouching its all-time-high of 4,796, which it notched in January 2022.
But some forecasters warn inflation, though cooled from highs last summer, could produce more surprises while the recent stock run-up is showing signs of a bubble.
Four Wall Street experts explain why the market’s gains are at risk:
In a recent note, the top quant strategist pointed to the high concentration of stocks in the S&P 500, with the top seven firms making up 25% of the benchmark index. That’s a strong indicator of a bubble that could easily be threatened by headwinds beating down on the current macro environment.
“We remain of the view that the delayed impact of the global interest rate shock, steady erosion of consumer savings and post-COVID pent-up demand, and deeply troubling global geopolitical context will result in market declines and re-emergence of market volatility,” he warned.
REUTERS/ Shannon Stapleton
Wells Fargo
There’s too big of a risk that inflation could rebound, according to Well Fargo’s chief global market strategist Scott Wren, who believes the risk-to-reward tradeoff of entering the market at this point is poor.
Though prices have cooled dramatically from last year, inflation could easily heat up again due to lingering pressures in the economy, like the strong labor market.
“If inflation’s descent flattens out and reverses as interest rates rise higher, we believe the sectors that have driven this rally should be vulnerable to sharp pullbacks,” Wren said in a note this past week.
But he sees the overall S&P 500 ending the year at 4,600-4,800, above current levels.
Brendan McDermid/Reuters
BlackRock
The world’s largest asset manager sees “rollercoaster inflation” ahead as prices enter a period of volatility. That’s bad news for stocks: High inflation raises costs for firms, weighing on profits. But falling inflation lowers prices that firms charge, which is also a negative for profits.
“We expect a squeeze on corporate margins if inflation stays high — and an even larger squeeze if it falls,” the note added. “So good economic news like falling inflation is not necessarily good news for markets.”
Screenshot via Bloomberg TV
Rosenberg Research
David Rosenberg, the head of Rosenberg Research, pointed to the Dow’s recent 13-day winning streak, which was the longest since 1987.
Back then, the Dow gained 28% over a period of 13 days, Rosenberg noted, before the index then plummeted 19% in October later that year. He dismissed the current uptrend in stocks as another short-lived “FOMO-based” rally.
“The giddiness was omnipresent as is the case today and the bears were laughed at … but look at how the year ended … FLAT!” Rosenberg said in a recent note to clients.
And while markets have cheered falling inflation, that mean lower profits for businesses, which could also weigh on stocks, he warned. Inflation fell sharply during the early 1980s, early 2000s, and in 2008, he said, periods that recessions when the S&P 500 posted hefty losses.
The treasonous regime has declared war on America.
Biden’s Department of Justice has urged a federal judge to issue a protective order against former President Donald Trump, seeking to prevent him from disclosing “sensitive” details about his criminal case linked to the 2020 presidential election.
Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz said Friday the prosecution of former President Donald Trump over contesting the 2020 election “looks like banana republic land” following reports President Joe Biden pressed for Trump’s indictment.
BIRMINGHAM, AL — In an extraordinary display of efficiency and ruthlessness, the FBI’s crack tactical team descended upon a sleepy suburban neighborhood after receiving reports of an active incandescent light bulb.
A deafening sound of helicopters filled the air as the FBI’s Tactical Light Bulb Unit (TLBU) descended upon the home of Mark Johnson and his family. The elite team, clad in full tactical gear, executed a precision landing on the Johnsons’ roof, then repelled down and smashed their way through every window of the house.
Neighbors watched in bewilderment as Special Agent Lark, leader of the TLBU, commanded his highly trained team to secure the perimeter. “This is a Code Edison! I repeat, a Code Edison! We have an incandescent situation here!” he shouted into his radio. “If met with the slightest resistance shoot first and ask questions later, men. The stakes are too high!”
The team moved with lightning speed, taking positions around the dining table and assessing the situation. After a tense standoff with the active burning bulb, the TLBU deployed Agent Patterson, the most experienced incandescent technician on the bulb squad, to delicately diffuse the volatile, slightly less energy-efficient incandescent bulb. As the nation held its breath, Patterson successfully unscrewed the bulb, triggering a round of applause from neighbors nearby.
At publishing time, Agent Rodriguez tactically dismantled the chandelier to prevent any future incandescent light bulb situations from ever occurring again.
Is your wife being hysterical again? Do you need a sandwich ASAP, but the Mrs. is unreasonably upset? Watch this video for all the best techniques for calming her down.
According to the full transcript of his testimony obtained by DailyMail.com on Thursday, Archer said that the Biden ‘brand’ acted as protection for Ukrainian oil company Burisma because ‘people would be intimidated to mess with them.’
Hunter’s presence on Burisma’s board and access to his father – then vice president – led to the company’s ‘longevity’ because they had the ‘capabilities to navigate D.C.,’ Archer said according to the transcript.
According to the full transcript of his testimony obtained by DailyMail.com on Thursday, Archer said that the Biden ‘brand’ acted as protection for Ukrainian oil company Burisma because ‘people would be intimidated to mess with them.’
Hunter’s presence on Burisma’s board and access to his father – then vice president – led to the company’s ‘longevity’ because they had the ‘capabilities to navigate D.C.,’ Archer said according to the transcript.
Hollywood writers and actors have been on strike for weeks now. Have you even noticed? You’re not alone.
New polling from the Los Angeles Times indicates that the vast majority of Americans don’t really care about the strikes or are ambivalent to them at best.
A majority of people in the poll understand the reasons why these people are striking, but it doesn’t really matter to them.
Poll: Most Americans Either Don’t Care or Are Undecided About the Hollywood Strikes
A new poll shows that while Americans support the striking Hollywood writers and actors more than the studios, a clear majority of Americans either do not care or feel ambivalent about the situation.
Surveying 1,002 adult Americans between July 28-30, the Los Angeles Times/Leger poll showed that the striking writers and actors do not have majority support, even though 60 percent of those polled admitted they had “somewhat” of an understanding of the grievances due to mass media coverage. Only 38 percent of Americans polled sympathized with the strikers while just 7 percent sympathized with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).
However, well over 50 percent of those polled said they either sympathized with both sides or did not know where they stood. Per The Messenger:
Most respondents actually stated they were either ambivalent or unsure about their opinion on who’s on the right side of things; with 29 percent saying they sympathize with both sides equally and 25 percent said they don’t know which side they favor.
Two things are happening here.
First, people have way more options for entertainment than they did just ten years ago, so people are not noticing a lack of shows or movies to watch while Hollywood has stopped working.
Second, millions of Americans now know that the leftist, woke entertainment industry hates most of America and have already deserted Hollywood. There is no goodwill left from most of the public.
If Hollywood completely collapsed tomorrow, it would make absolutely no difference to most Americans.
The summer blockbuster “Barbie” has met its match.
On Tuesday, the entertainment magazine Variety reported that officials likely will exclude the hit movie from major Middle Eastern markets.
Countries expected to opt out of the “Barbie” experience include Saudi Arabia, the region’s largest market. The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Egypt, Qatar and Bahrain also indicated they plan to defer.
Middle Eastern officials have demanded changes to the Warner Bros. film. Censors seek edits to “alleged LGBTQ-related narration and dialogue in ‘Barbie,’” according to Variety.
Since its domestic release on July 21, “Barbie” has been a box-office juggernaut.
In fact, “Barbie” cleared the $400 million domestic box-office threshold on Thursday, its 14th day of release and was closing in on the $1 billion mark globally at that time. This makes it the fastest Warner Bros. movie ever to surpass that mark, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
I have not seen the movie and therefore have nothing to add on the subject of its content or message. If “Barbie” strikes non-woke viewers as insufferably woke, that impression will be more than enough to keep me away from a movie I had no intention of seeing in the first place.
Woke or otherwise, the producers of “Barbie” no doubt spent little time thinking about how to attract the middle-aged conservative male demographic.
On the other hand, they clearly do want to attract viewers in the Middle East. And therein we find the real story.
In fact, this story involves one of the most ironic aspects of the current woke assault on Western culture.
At the core of woke ideology lies the oppressor-victim narrative, an updated version of Marxism’s bourgeoisie-proletariat dichotomy. This simplistic woke worldview divides all human beings into one group or the other, based on factors unrelated to an individual’s character.
As a general rule, non-Westerners and non-Christians fall safely into the woke ideologue’s “victim” group.
Muslims, however, seem not to have received the message. They have not behaved like good non-Western victims of oppression should. They certainly have not shown the deference due to their woke liberators.
Furthermore, in some instances, Muslims and Christians have united against the woke LGBT agenda.
No true American endorses censorship. Better that individuals should reject a movie than that officials should ban it.
Still, if Middle Easterners wish to shield themselves from Western cultural rot, who can blame them?
For several years, The Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City was a hot spot for liberal fans to absorb the latest Trump headlines through what’s been dubbed as “clapter,” a term that meshes “clapping” and “laughter” to describe the Democrat pep rally-like atmosphere that has taken over late-night audiences.
The theater is the home of CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” which became must-watch television for anti-Trump audiences, overtaking NBC’s “Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” as the most-watched late-night program.
Today, however, the Ed Sullivan Theater is collecting dust. That’s because the writers strike that began in early May has now reached the three-month mark with no end in sight.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., said this week she is “livid” New York City got a massive injection of federal funding to tackle its migrant crisis while her home state and Texas have been bearing the “brunt” of the migrant surge for years.
“I want you to know that I am continuing to fight this, and I am livid that the administration is sending money to a part of the country that, while it has a lot of folks showing up in their shelter, they don’t have folks wandering the streets of our small towns and communities or facing heat exhaustion showing up without basics like formula, people coming across the border with chickenpox,” she said at a roundtable Wednesday.
New York lawmakers announced in June the city would receive $104.6 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding for its Shelter and Services Program.
Joe Biden and Democrats are not campaigning this year and don’t seem worried. This tells you everything.
The fix is in for 2024. Democrats will use the same game plan they used in 2020. Nominate an unpopular candidate, campaign from the basement, hold few rallies with 20-30 people, mail out millions of ballots, insert ballot drop boxes, use voting machines and make sure they are never investigated, late night ballot deliveries after the deadline, keep adding votes to the totals for days after the election, block GOP workers from the counting rooms, and several states use systems that store data in China…
and Democrats can pull off tricks like this…switching ballots.
And then keep counting ballots in the swing states until Joe Biden takes the lead and then declares victory.
Joe Biden is the worst president in US history. The economy sucks, inflation is skyrocketing, the border is wide open, his family runs an international crime ring, the White House has cocaine, he sniffs kids and babies, he can’t finish a sentence, he’s shipping illegal cluster bombs to kill more people in Ukraine, he surrendered to the Taliban and lost US soldiers at the same time. Politico reported last month:
Joe Biden is running his reelection bid on the cheap.
The president has hired fewer than 20 campaign aides. His team hasn’t yet announced a 2024 headquarters. His first political rally this year was paid for by other organizations.
In an interview with POLITICO, Biden campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg said the frugality is no accident. And it isn’t going to change anytime soon, either.
“Right now, we have a fine-tuned race car here. At some point, we will build out a big, substantial, competitive organization and enterprise,” he said. “We don’t need to do that today. It literally would be a waste of money.”
Biden’s approach, while designed to save money, carries the risk of keeping his approval ratings at the low level where they are today. It also could limit his ability to better define the contours of the campaign at a time when the Republican field is bludgeoning each other in their own primary. Twelve years ago, his former boss, Barack Obama, moved swiftly in anticipation of facing off against Mitt Romney during the summer before the election year.
Joe Biden finally announced a campaign headquarters after our report in mid July.
But none of this worries Democrats.
The fix is in and Republicans are too weak and worthless to see it.
This could be the end of America and no one is concerned.
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