Three Things You Need to Know - November 13, 2017

November 13, 2017

WRITER

The NFL Tries to Make Up for Protests With Giant Flags on Veterans Day

The NFL did their best yesterday to try and make their fan base forget the past two months. Giant flags were draped across the field during the national anthem, players that had previously sat or kneeled were now standing - well, besides two members of the 49’ers - and pre-game tributes were kicking off all over the country.

Officially, the NFL hasn’t changed their policy during the national anthem, and Commissioner Roger Goodell made that clear in a statement on Saturday:

“There has been no change in the current policy regarding the anthem. The agenda will be a continuation of how to make progress on the important social issues that players have vocalized.”

The NFL has been locked in a PR battle for over two months. How could they reconcile allowing their players to disrespect the entire country, but somehow remain receptive to their employees, the players. The solution was to let their national anthem and flag protest continue, but sneak in a little patriotic imagery whenever possible. Yesterday’s Veterans Day displays were the culmination, but they’ve been working on this for weeks. Maybe you’ve noticed the NFL camouflage gear that players and coaches have been wearing on the sidelines. The use of that apparel mysteriously increased as NFL ratings were going down and calls for boycotts increased. One Facebook page, called Boycott the NFL, had over a quarter of a million fans vowing to watch something else on Veterans Day. Ask nearly any veteran, they’re not fooled by any of this.

Newsflash to the NFL, you can’t defecate all over the flag on every other day leading up to Veterans Day, and all of a sudden pretend all is well. You can’t fix this with a parade, theatrics and camouflage clothing. Want to fix the problem for real? Change your policy. Require your employees to show a little respect. They can protest their country all they want, just not during working hours. Encourage them to use their fame at the local levels. Go to police departments and engage in actual conversations. That would do some good, and the premise wouldn’t be crapping all over the men and women that have died to keep them safe. Men and women that have died to ensure they can make millions of dollars chasing an oval shaped pigskin ball around a field.

Now, I don’t believe these players actually intended to insult veterans and the country when they began this protest, but I do think they just didn’t think it all the way through. There’s so many better ways they could get their point across. Most football fans are just sick and tired of this. They want to watch football again without all the politics. Yesterday’s tribute was a good start, but if a change in policy doesn’t follow, they’re not fooling anyone.

YouTube Blocks Alwaki's Jihadist Videos

YouTube needs to get its priorities straight.

The company is finally taking steps to block the late Anwar al-Awlaki’s videos that preached jihad against Americans. After receiving complaints for nearly a decade, YouTube is taking away this major recruitment tool for terrorists. This is a very good thing. But why are they just now doing it?

Tech giants Facebook, Twitter and Google (which is YouTube’s parent company) got called into the principal’s office last week on Capitol Hill where they got reprimanded for allowing Russia to exploit their services to mess with the U.S. election. But the problem of jihadist videos on YouTube has been around much longer. Awlaki’s jihad propaganda influenced the terrorists who attacked Fort Hood, the Boston Marathon, San Bernardino, Orlando and many attacks in Europe.

Six years after Awlaki was killed in a U.S. drone attack in Yemen, his videos remain the top English-language jihadist recruitment tool. Just a few weeks ago, a search for Awlaki turned up 70,000 results on YouTube. Now it returns just 18,600 videos that are supposedly mostly news reports and commentary about him, rather than his rants about killing Americans.

YouTube is using its “video fingerprinting technology” to find and block Awlaki’s videos. This could be a major turning point in policy because YouTube and other social media companies have usually argued that they’re just neutral platforms with no responsibility for what users’ post.

For a technology company, YouTube was seriously slow to get to this point. They first made a public commitment to block videos like Awlaki’s in 2010. Yet, even Awlaki’s famous 12-minute “Call to Jihad” sermon was available on YouTube until 2016.

Recently, YouTube restricted several Prager University videos that inform viewers about Islamic extremism, as if they contained controversial views. Ironically, YouTube is now blocking Awlaki’s jihadist messages, the very kind of extremism that the Prager U videos expose. It’s just another example of how the Left trips on its own shoelaces a lot.

North Korean Radio Station Hacked

Europe has the secret weapon against North Korea’s threats.

No, not the continent. The band.

Over the weekend, a brave soul hacked Radio Pyongyang and played Swedish rock band Europe’s 1986 hit “The Final Countdown” on loop.

Needless to say, 80’s hair metal isn’t regular programming on Radio Pyongyang.

The North Korean regime usually uses the station to broadcast coded messages ahead of provocations.

For example, North Korea made broadcasts on the station two days before conducting a nuclear test, one day before a ballistic missile test, and one day before Japanese flyovers.

You can imagine it was probably quite a shock to hear Joey Tempest’s vocals instead of super serious coded announcements.

This heroic act comes on the heels of President Trump meeting with Chinese leaders to reaffirm their stance against North Korea’s attempts to obtain nuclear weapons. Trump said, “All nations must come together to ensure that this rogue regime cannot threaten the world with its nuclear weapons.”

In a world where everyone is constantly afraid of North Korea’s raging instability, it’s nice to sit back and laugh at them every once in a while.

Especially when it feels like every day dealing with Kim Jung Un is going to result in…the final countdown. Sorry I had to do it.

MORE 3 THINGS

The Woodrow Wilson strategy to get out of Mother’s Day

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I’ve got a potentially helpful revelation that’s gonna blow the lid off your plans for this Sunday. It’s Mother’s Day.

Yeah, that sacred day where you’re guilt-tripped into buying flowers, braving crowded brunch buffets, and pretending you didn’t forget to mail the card. But what if I told you… you don’t have to do it? That’s right, there’s a loophole, a get-out-of-Mother’s-Day-free card, and it’s stamped with the name of none other than… Woodrow Wilson (I hate that guy).

Back in 1914, ol’ Woody Wilson signed a proclamation that officially made Mother’s Day a national holiday. Second Sunday in May, every year. He said it was a day to “publicly express our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” Sounds sweet, right? Until you peel back the curtain.

See, Wilson wasn’t some sentimental guy sitting around knitting doilies for his mom. No, no, no. This was a calculated move.

The idea for Mother’s Day had been floating around for decades, pushed by influential voices like Julia Ward Howe. By 1911, states were jumping on the bandwagon, but it took Wilson to make it federal. Why? Because he was a master of optics. This guy loved big, symbolic gestures to distract from the real stuff he was up to, like, oh, I don’t know, reshaping the entire federal government!

So here’s the deal: if you’re looking for an excuse to skip Mother’s Day, just lean into this. Say, “Sorry, Mom, I’m not celebrating a holiday cooked up by Woodrow Wilson!” I mean, think about it – this is the guy who gave us the Federal Reserve, the income tax, and don’t even get me started on his assault on basic liberties during World War I. You wanna trust THAT guy with your Sunday plans? I don’t think so! You tell your mom, “Look, I love you, but I’m not observing a Progressive holiday. I’m keeping my brunch money in protest.”

Now, I know what you might be thinking.

“Glenn, my mom’s gonna kill me if I try this.” Fair point. Moms can be scary. But hear me out: you can spin this. Tell her you’re honoring her EVERY DAY instead of some government-mandated holiday. You don’t need Wilson’s permission to love your mom! You can bake her a cake in June, call her in July, or, here’s a wild idea, visit her WITHOUT a Woodrow Wilson federal proclamation guilting you into it.

Silent genocide exposed: Are christians being wiped out in 2025?

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Is a Christian Genocide unfolding overseas?

Recent reports suggest an alarming escalation in violence against Christians, raising questions about whether these acts constitute genocide under international law. Recently, Glenn hosted former U.S. Army Special Forces Sniper Tim Kennedy, who discussed a predictive model that forecasts a surge in global Christian persecution for the summer of 2025.

From Africa to Asia and the Middle East, extreme actions—some described as genocidal—have intensified over the past year. Over 380 million Christians worldwide face high levels of persecution, a number that continues to climb. With rising international concern, the United Nations and human rights groups are urging protective measures by the global community. Is a Christian genocide being waged in the far corners of the globe? Where are they taking place, and what is being done?

India: Hindu Extremist Violence Escalates

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In India, attacks on Christians have surged as Hindu extremist groups gain influence within the country. In February 2025, Hindu nationalist leader Aadesh Soni organized a 50,000-person rally in Chhattisgarh, where he called for the rape and murder of all Christians in nearby villages and demanded the execution of Christian leaders to erase Christianity. Other incidents include forced conversions, such as a June 2024 attack in Chhattisgarh, where a Hindu mob gave Christian families a 10-day ultimatum to convert to Hinduism. In December 2024, a Christian man in Uttar Pradesh was attacked, forcibly converted, and paraded while the mob chanted "Death to Jesus."

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommends designating India a "Country of Particular Concern" and imposing targeted sanctions on those perpetrating these attacks. The international community is increasingly alarmed by the rising tide of religious violence in India.

Syria: Sectarian Violence Post-Regime Change

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Following the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024, Syria has seen a wave of sectarian violence targeting religious minorities, including Christians, with over 1,000 killed in early 2025. It remains unclear whether Christians are deliberately targeted or caught in broader conflicts, but many fear persecution by the new regime or extremist groups. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a dominant rebel group and known al-Qaeda splinter group now in power, is known for anti-Christian sentiments, heightening fears of increased persecution.

Christians, especially converts from Islam, face severe risks in the unstable post-regime environment. The international community is calling for humanitarian aid and protection for Syria’s vulnerable minority communities.

Democratic Republic of Congo: A "Silent Genocide"

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In February 2025, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an ISIS-affiliated group, beheaded 70 Christians—men, women, and children—in a Protestant church in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, after tying their hands. This horrific massacre, described as a "silent genocide" reminiscent of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, has shocked the global community.

Since 1996, the ADF and other militias have killed over six million people, with Christians frequently targeted. A Christmas 2024 attack killed 46, further decimating churches in the region. With violence escalating, humanitarian organizations are urging immediate international intervention to address the crisis.

POLL: Starbase exposed: Musk’s vision or corporate takeover?

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Is Starbase the future of innovation or a step too far?

Elon Musk’s ambitious Starbase project in South Texas is reshaping Boca Chica into a cutting-edge hub for SpaceX’s Starship program, promising thousands of jobs and a leap toward Mars colonization. Supporters see Musk as a visionary, driving economic growth and innovation in a historically underserved region. However, local critics, including Brownsville residents and activists, argue that SpaceX’s presence raises rents, restricts beach access, and threatens environmental harm, with Starbase’s potential incorporation as a city sparking fears of unchecked corporate control. As pro-Musk advocates clash with anti-Musk skeptics, will Starbase unite the community or deepen the divide?

Let us know what you think in the poll below:

Is Starbase’s development a big win for South Texas?

Should Starbase become its own city?

Is Elon Musk’s vision more of a benefit than a burden for the region?

Shocking truth behind Trump-Zelenskyy mineral deal unveiled

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President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have finalized a landmark agreement that will shape the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations. The agreement focuses on mineral access and war recovery.

After a tense March meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy signed a deal on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, granting the U.S. preferential mineral rights in Ukraine in exchange for continued military support. Glenn analyzed an earlier version of the agreement in March, when Zelenskyy rejected it, highlighting its potential benefits for America, Ukraine, and Europe. Glenn praised the deal’s strategic alignment with U.S. interests, including reducing reliance on China for critical minerals and fostering regional peace.

However, the agreement signed this week differs from the March proposal Glenn praised. Negotiations led to significant revisions, reflecting compromises on both sides. What changes were made? What did each leader seek, and what did they achieve? How will this deal impact the future of U.S.-Ukraine relations and global geopolitics? Below, we break down the key aspects of the agreement.

What did Trump want?

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Trump aimed to curb what many perceive as Ukraine’s overreliance on U.S. aid while securing strategic advantages for America. His primary goals included obtaining reimbursement for the billions in military aid provided to Ukraine, gaining exclusive access to Ukraine’s valuable minerals (such as titanium, uranium, and lithium), and reducing Western dependence on China for critical resources. These minerals are essential for aerospace, energy, and technology sectors, and Trump saw their acquisition as a way to bolster U.S. national security and economic competitiveness. Additionally, he sought to advance peace talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war, positioning the U.S. as a key mediator.

Ultimately, Trump secured preferential—but not exclusive—rights to extract Ukraine’s minerals through the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, as outlined in the agreement. The U.S. will not receive reimbursement for past aid, but future military contributions will count toward the joint fund, designed to support Ukraine’s post-war recovery. Zelenskyy’s commitment to peace negotiations under U.S. leadership aligns with Trump’s goal of resolving the conflict, giving him leverage in discussions with Russia.

These outcomes partially meet Trump’s objectives. The preferential mineral rights strengthen U.S. access to critical resources, but the lack of exclusivity and reimbursement limits the deal’s financial benefits. The peace commitment, however, positions Trump as a central figure in shaping the war’s resolution, potentially enhancing his diplomatic influence.

What did Zelenskyy want?

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Zelenskyy sought to sustain U.S. military and economic support without the burden of repaying past aid, which has been critical for Ukraine’s defense against Russia. He also prioritized reconstruction funds to rebuild Ukraine’s war-torn economy and infrastructure. Security guarantees from the U.S. to deter future Russian aggression were a key demand, though controversial, as they risked entangling America in long-term commitments. Additionally, Zelenskyy aimed to retain control over Ukraine’s mineral wealth to safeguard national sovereignty and align with the country’s European Union membership aspirations.

The final deal delivered several of Zelenskyy’s priorities. The reconstruction fund, supported by future U.S. aid, provides a financial lifeline for Ukraine’s recovery without requiring repayment of past assistance. Ukraine retained ownership of its subsoil and decision-making authority over mineral extraction, granting only preferential access to the U.S. However, Zelenskyy conceded on security guarantees, a significant compromise, and agreed to pursue peace talks under Trump’s leadership, which may involve territorial or political concessions to Russia.

Zelenskyy’s outcomes reflect a delicate balance. The reconstruction fund and retained mineral control bolster Ukraine’s economic and sovereign interests, but the absence of security guarantees and pressure to negotiate peace could strain domestic support and challenge Ukraine’s long-term stability.

What does this mean for the future?

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While Trump didn’t secure all his demands, the deal advances several of his broader strategic goals. By gaining access to Ukraine’s mineral riches, the U.S. undermines China’s dominance over critical elements like lithium and graphite, essential for technology and energy industries. This shift reduces American and European dependence on Chinese supply chains, strengthening Western industrial and tech sectors. Most significantly, the agreement marks a pivotal step toward peace in Europe. Ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which has claimed thousands of lives, is a top priority for Trump, and Zelenskyy’s commitment to U.S.-led peace talks enhances Trump’s leverage in negotiations with Russia. Notably, the deal avoids binding U.S. commitments to Ukraine’s long-term defense, preserving flexibility for future administrations.

The deal’s broader implications align with the vision Glenn outlined in March, when he praised its potential to benefit America, Ukraine, and Europe by securing resources and creating peace. While the final agreement differs from Glenn's hopes, it still achieves key goals he outlined.

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