Three Things You Need to Know - December 5, 2017

Finally Banned... Maybe?

The US Supreme Court has finally, definitely, possibly… ok maybe temporarily Greenlit the travel ban. Are we ever going to get some kind of finality on this? This version of the ban - the third if anyone’s still counting - was issued FOUR months ago. It’s currently facing ongoing opposition from two lower courts in two separate challenges. Those cases will be heard this week, so that temporary win for the administration might end up be a short celebration.

You’ve really gotta give it to the Social Justice Warrior activists, media AND politicians. It’s pretty impressive how they can take any issue AT ALL, and turn it into Social Justice jihad. Are you Pro-Life? Well then you somehow hate women. Are you pro-religious liberty? Wow… what a fascist bigot you are. I would’ve loved to be a fly on the wall at the strategy table for when they began to strategize how to spin the travel ban.

“Quick guys what do all these countries have in common?”

Nerdy guy in the back raises his hand… “umm, they all have a lot of sand? Trump hates desert climates!”

“Nice thought! Maybe we could spin a climate change argument here. Quick! More ideas!”

Brainy girl with glasses stands up… “Uh, all these areas are conflict zones?”

“YOU IDIOT! That’s the stupidest idea we’ve heard. You can’t just say that and not follow it up with an agenda. Here, let me do the work for you… ‘these are unstable areas. A prime example of the effects of global colonialism.’ Boom.”

“Wait a minute. Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and Chad. There’s a lot of Muslims in these areas! Change the wording from ‘Trump’s Travel Ban’ to ‘A Travel Ban On Muslim Majority Countries.’ Of course there is that small issue of North Korea and Venezuela, but screw it. Done and done!”

Back to reality here for a second. If this truly were a Muslim ban then why the addition of North Korea and Venezuela? Why wouldn’t you add in the most populous Muslim countries in the world? Indonesia has 13% of the world’s Muslim population and thus the largest. India’s number 2 and Pakistan is number 3. The only country in the travel ban the breaks the top 10 is Iran.

Why are people so comfortable with putting a false Social Justice agenda ahead of National Security? Maybe it’s because the people pushing this will never have to live with the consequences? How many of them live in neighborhoods that will be overrun by illegal immigrants or refugee resettlements? I’m going to wager very few. Look at Hawaii. The state that has become famous for overruling the Travel ban. Since 2010 Hawaii has accepted a grand total of TEN refugees. That’s less than 1%. And non of their legal immigrants come anywhere close to the conflict areas listed on the Travel Ban… oh, but they’re all about allowing North Korea to stay on the ban list. So here’s to a little safety...well, for the next few days at least.

Conservative Principle Put Into Practice

After eight years of progressivism gone wild under President Obama, it’s startling when something conservative actually happens in government.

Yesterday, President Trump was in Utah to sign proclamations that reduce the size of two National Monuments – Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. The monuments were created by Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Keep in mind, all that Trump did yesterday was reduce the size of these monuments, he did not abolish them altogether.

However, Trump clearly hates the environment. At least that’s the predictable mainstream media take on his action. He doesn’t care about nature, he just wants to open protected lands so evil developers can swoop in and build condos.

The kind of national monument I’m talking about isn’t a statue, it’s land that Congress, or a president, is allowed to set aside and protect as a “historic landmark” of some kind. Once the land is declared a national monument, it’s closed to ranching, mining, recreation, or development of any kind – even if the local community doesn’t want the land to be protected as a national monument. In fact, often the local community actually needs the land for things like making a living.

This power to create national monuments comes from a provision in the 1906 Antiquities Act. That kind of provision is like giving crack to a Progressive. Bill Clinton, and then especially Barack Obama went crazy during their presidencies, scooping up ridiculous amounts of land for the federal government as national monuments. Obama declared more national monuments than any president in history. Congress has only declared 30 monuments in the 111 years since the Act – Barack Obama and Bill Clinton declared 41 monuments just between the two of them.

Trump has already been criticized for his “unprecedented use of presidential power” yesterday to reduce the size of Bears Ears by 85% and Grand Staircase by 50%. But where was the criticism of Barack Obama’s “unprecedented use of presidential power” to create 265 million acres of new National Monuments? The Left didn’t care, they thought it was heroic.

President Trump is not a true conservative, but this should be applauded for the rare thing it is – a conservative principle actually put into practice. Local control of land usage makes sense. Obama’s federal land grabs were an absolute overreach. There’s nothing wrong with Trump trying to fix those abuses.

Charitable Slushfund

A $750 birthday cake.

$13,582 for a Beyonce concert.

$15,000 on a Jaguars box.

And $89,852 on a bus trip from Jacksonville in 2013 for President Barack Obama's second inauguration.

Those are just some of the ways former U.S. Representative Corrine Brown used the funds from her charity “One Door for Education.”

The $800,000 that was donated to the charity under the pretense that it would be used for scholarships was actually used as Brown’s personal slush fund.

Of the $800,000, only two scholarships were ever awarded. They amounted to a paltry $1,200.

After serving nearly 25 years in Congress, Brown received her punishment for this disgusting fraud. On Monday, a federal judge sentenced her to five years in prison.

During sentencing, the federal judge called Brown actions “especially shameless.” He continued, “This was a crime born out of entitlement and greed committed to ensure a lifestyle that was beyond her means.”

Just think of the good that Corrine Brown could have been done with that money instead of throwing lavish parties and going shopping. Think of all the children she could have helped. Now, Brown’s legacy is one of avarice and greed and unnecessary Beyoncé concerts. A legacy far worse than that of even Ebenezer Scrooge.

MORE 3 THINGS

In the quiet aftermath of a profound loss, the Christian community mourns the unexpected passing of Dr. Voddie Baucham, a towering figure in evangelical circles. Known for his defense of biblical truth, Baucham, a pastor, author, and theologian, left a legacy on family, faith, and opposing "woke" ideologies in the church. His book Fault Lines challenged believers to prioritize Scripture over cultural trends. Glenn had Voddie on the show several times, where they discussed progressive influences in Christianity, debunked myths of “Christian nationalism,” and urged hope amid hostility.

The shock of Baucham's death has deeply affected his family. Grieving, they remain hopeful in Christ, with his wife, Bridget, now facing the task of resettling in the US without him. Their planned move from Lusaka, Zambia, was disrupted when their home sale fell through last December, resulting in temporary Airbnb accommodations, but they have since secured a new home in Cape Coral that requires renovations. To ensure Voddie's family is taken care of, a fundraiser is being held to raise $2 million, which will be invested for ongoing support, allowing Bridget to focus on her family.

We invite readers to contribute prayerfully. If you feel called to support the Bauchams in this time of need, you can click here to donate.

We grieve and pray with hope for the Bauchams.

May Voddie's example inspire us.

Loneliness isn’t just being alone — it’s feeling unseen, unheard, and unimportant, even amid crowds and constant digital chatter.

Loneliness has become an epidemic in America. Millions of people, even when surrounded by others, feel invisible. In tragic irony, we live in an age of unparalleled connectivity, yet too many sit in silence, unseen and unheard.

I’ve been experiencing this firsthand. My children have grown up and moved out. The house that once overflowed with life now echoes with quiet. Moments that once held laughter now hold silence. And in that silence, the mind can play cruel games. It whispers, “You’re forgotten. Your story doesn’t matter.”

We are unique in our gifts, but not in our humanity. Recognizing this shared struggle is how we overcome loneliness.

It’s a lie.

I’ve seen it in others. I remember sitting at Rockefeller Center one winter, watching a woman lace up her ice skates. Her clothing was worn, her bag battered. Yet on the ice, she transformed — elegant, alive, radiant.

Minutes later, she returned to her shoes, merged into the crowd, unnoticed. I’ve thought of her often. She was not alone in her experience. Millions of Americans live unseen, performing acts of quiet heroism every day.

Shared pain makes us human

Loneliness convinces us to retreat, to stay silent, to stop reaching out to others. But connection is essential. Even small gestures — a word of encouragement, a listening ear, a shared meal — are radical acts against isolation.

I’ve learned this personally. Years ago, a caller called me “Mr. Perfect.” I could have deflected, but I chose honesty. I spoke of my alcoholism, my failed marriage, my brokenness. I expected judgment. Instead, I found resonance. People whispered back, “I’m going through the same thing. Thank you for saying it.”

Our pain is universal. Everyone struggles with self-doubt and fear. Everyone feels, at times, like a fraud. We are unique in our gifts, but not in our humanity. Recognizing this shared struggle is how we overcome loneliness.

We were made for connection. We were built for community — for conversation, for touch, for shared purpose. Every time we reach out, every act of courage and compassion punches a hole in the wall of isolation.

You’re not alone

If you’re feeling alone, know this: You are not invisible. You are seen. You matter. And if you’re not struggling, someone you know is. It’s your responsibility to reach out.

Loneliness is not proof of brokenness. It is proof of humanity. It is a call to engage, to bear witness, to connect. The world is different because of the people who choose to act. It is brighter when we refuse to be isolated.

We cannot let silence win. We cannot allow loneliness to dictate our lives. Speak. Reach out. Connect. Share your gifts. By doing so, we remind one another: We are all alike, and yet each of us matters profoundly.

In this moment, in this country, in this world, what we do matters. Loneliness is real, but so is hope. And hope begins with connection.

This article originally appeared on TheBlaze.com.


Russell Vought’s secret plan to finally shrink Washington

Bloomberg / Contributor | Getty Images

Trump’s OMB chief built the plan for this moment: Starve pet programs, force reauthorization, and actually shrink Washington.

The government is shut down again, and the usual panic is back. I even had someone call my house this week to ask if it was safe to fly today. The person was half-joking, half-serious, wondering if planes would “fall out of the sky.”

For the record, the sky isn’t falling — at least not literally. But the chaos in Washington does feel like it. Once again, we’re watching the same old script: a shutdown engineered not by fiscal restraint but by political brinkmanship. And this time, the Democrats are driving the bus.

This shutdown may be inconvenient. But it’s also an opportunity — to stop funding our own destruction, to reset the table, and to remind Congress who actually pays the bills.

Democrats, among other things, are demanding that health care be extended to illegal immigrants. Democratic leadership caved to its radical base, which would rather shut down the government for such left-wing campaign points than compromise. Republicans — shockingly — said no. They refused to rubber-stamp more spending for illegal immigration. For once, they stood their ground.

But if you’ve watched Washington long enough, you know how this story usually ends: a shutdown followed by a deal that spends even more money than before — a continuing resolution kicking the can down the road. Everyone pretends to “win,” but taxpayers always lose.

The Vought effect

This time might be different. Republicans actually hold some cards. The public may blame Democrats — not the media, but the people who feel this in their wallets. Americans don’t like shutdowns, but they like runaway spending and chaos even less.

That’s why you’re hearing so much about Russell Vought, the director of the United States Office of Management and Budget and Donald Trump’s quiet architect of a strategy to use moments like this to shrink the federal bureaucracy. Vought spent four years building a plan for exactly this scenario: firing nonessential workers and forcing reauthorization of pet programs. Trump talks about draining the swamp. Vought draws up the blueprints.

The Democrats and media are threatened by Vought because he is patient, calculated, and understands how to leverage the moment to reverse decades of government bloat. If programs aren’t mandated, cut them. Make Congress fight to bring them back. That’s how you actually drain the swamp.

Predictable meltdowns

Predictably, Democrats are melting down. They’ve shifted their arguments so many times it’s dizzying. Last time, they claimed a shutdown would lead to mass firings. Now, they insist Republicans are firing everyone anyway. It’s the same playbook: Move the goalposts, reframe the narrative, accuse your opponents of cruelty.

We’ve seen this before. Remember the infamous "You lie!” moment in 2009? President Barack Obama promised during his State of the Union that Obamacare wouldn’t cover illegal immigrants. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) shouted, “You lie!” and was condemned for breaching decorum.

Several years later, Hillary Clinton’s campaign platform openly promised health care for illegal immigrants. What was once called a “lie” became official policy. And today, Democrats are shutting down the government because they can’t get even more of it.

This is progressivism in action: Deny it, inch toward it, then demand it as a moral imperative. Anyone who resists becomes the villain.

SAUL LOEB / Contributor | Getty Images

Stand firm

This shutdown isn’t just about spending. It’s about whether we’ll keep letting progressives rewrite the rules one crisis at a time. Trump’s plan — to cut what isn’t mandated, force programs into reauthorization, and fight the battle in the courts — is the first real counterpunch to decades of this manipulation.

It’s time to stop pretending. This isn’t about compassion. It’s about control. Progressives know once they normalize government benefits for illegal immigrants, they never roll back. They know Americans forget how it started.

This shutdown may be inconvenient. But it’s also an opportunity — to stop funding our own destruction, to reset the table, and to remind Congress who actually pays the bills. If we don’t take it, we’ll be right back here again, only deeper in debt, with fewer freedoms left to defend.

This article originally appeared on TheBlaze.com.

U.K. forces digital IDs on workers—Is the U.S. next in line?

OLI SCARFF / Contributor | Getty Images

From banking to health care, digital IDs touch every aspect of citizens’ lives, giving the government unprecedented control over everyday actions.

On Friday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stood at the podium at the Global Progressive Action Conference in London and made an announcement that should send a chill down the spine of anyone who loves liberty. By the end of this Parliament, he promised, every worker in the U.K. will be required to hold a “free-of-charge” digital ID. Without it, Britons will not be able to work.

No digital ID, no job.

The government is introducing a system that punishes law-abiding citizens by tying their right to work to a government-issued pass.

Starmer framed this as a commonsense response to poverty, climate change, and illegal immigration. He claimed Britain cannot solve these problems without “looking upstream” and tackling root causes. But behind the rhetoric lies a policy that shifts power away from individuals and places it squarely in the hands of government.

Solving the problem they created

This is progressivism in action. Leaders open their borders, invite in mass illegal immigration, and refuse to enforce their own laws. Then, when public frustration boils over, they unveil a prepackaged “solution” — in this case, digital identity — that entrenches government control.

Britain isn’t the first to embrace this system. Switzerland recently approved a digital ID system. Australia already has one. The World Economic Forum has openly pitched digital IDs as the key to accessing everything from health care to bank accounts to travel. And once the infrastructure is in place, digital currency will follow soon after, giving governments the power to track every purchase, approve or block transactions, and dictate where and how you spend your money.

All of your data — your medical history, insurance, banking, food purchases, travel, social media engagement, tax information — would be funneled into a centralized database under government oversight.

The fiction of enforcement

Starmer says this is about cracking down on illegal work. The BBC even pressed him on the point, asking why a mandatory digital ID would stop human traffickers and rogue employers who already ignore national insurance cards. He had no answer.

Bad actors will still break the law. Bosses who pay sweatshop wages under the table will not suddenly check digital IDs. Criminals will not line up to comply. This isn’t about stopping illegal immigration. If it were, the U.K. would simply enforce existing laws, close the loopholes, and deport those working illegally.

Instead, the government is introducing a system that punishes law-abiding citizens by tying their right to work to a government-issued pass.

Control masked as compassion

This is part of an old playbook. Politicians claim their hands are tied and promise that only sweeping new powers will solve the crisis. They selectively enforce laws to maintain the problem, then use the problem to justify expanding control.

If Britain truly wanted to curb illegal immigration, it could. It is an island. The Channel Tunnel has clear entry points. Enforcement is not impossible. But a digital ID allows for something far more valuable to bureaucrats than border security: total oversight of their own citizens.

The American warning

Think digital ID can’t happen here? Think again. The same arguments are already echoing in Washington, D.C. Illegal immigration is out of control. Progressives know voters are angry. When the digital ID pitch arrives, it will be wrapped in patriotic language about fairness, security, and compassion.

But the goal isn’t compassion. It’s control of your movement, your money, your speech, your future.

We don’t need digital IDs to enforce immigration law. We need leaders with the courage to enforce existing law. Until then, digital ID schemes will keep spreading, sold as a cure for the very problems they helped create.

This article originally appeared on TheBlaze.com.