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The World and Everything In It
10.30.25 Debate over SNAP, Finland’s battle over Biblical views, and ranchers contending with wolves
00:31:44
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- [00:06]
Mary Reichard
Good morning. Government funding for food benefits runs out on Saturday. Will lawmakers end the shutdown to keep snap benefits going?
- [00:14]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
No child in this country ought to go to bed hungry because a bunch of politicians in Washington can't decide what they want to do.
- [00:21]
Lindsay Mast
Also, Finland takes a Christian lawmaker to that country's Supreme Court for quoting the Bible. And part two of our report on the endangered Mexican wolf threatening a way of life.
- [00:32]
Local Residents and Officials (e.g., Julie Miller, Audrey McQueen, Tracy Drummond)
Kids used to be able to play till all hours of the night. People used to go walk wherever they want. I mean, that's changed completely.
- [00:41]
Lindsay Mast
And world commentator Cal Thomas gives the over under on sports betting.
- [00:51]
Mary Reichard
It's Thursday, October 30th. This is the world and everything in it from listener supported World Radio. I'm Mary Reichard.
- [00:58]
Lindsay Mast
And I'm Lindsay Mass. Good morning.
- [01:02]
Mary Reichard
Time now for the news. Here's Kent Covington.
- [01:06]
Kent Covington
Air Force One was en route back to Washington this morning just hours after President Trump met face to face with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea looking to tamp down trade tensions. Just ahead of that meeting, Trump, standing alongside the Chinese leader, told reporters, and.
- [01:22]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
We'Re going to have a very successful meeting, I have no doubt, but he's a very tough negotiator.
- [01:27]
Kent Covington
Earlier in the week, both sides agreed on a framework for a trade deal that the two leaders would discuss while in South Korea. The reported terms of that framework would see the United States halt planned higher tariffs on Chinese goods for now and Beijing would hit the pause button on new controls on the export of rare earth minerals. President Trump also met with South Korean President Lee Jang Myung on Wednesday and.
- [01:52]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
He told reporters a lot was determined, very much determined. And we made our deal, pretty much finalized a trade deal and we discussed some other things having to do with national security, etc.
- [02:06]
Kent Covington
Related to national security. The United States will share closely held technology to allow South Korea to build a nuclear powered submarine. Lee Jeong Myung highlighted plans to increase military spending to reduce the financial burden of the military alliance on Washington. Israel is renewing its commitment to the ceasefire with Hamas after launching airstrikes in the Gaza Strip Tuesday night. Those strikes came after an Israeli soldier was killed when Palestinian militants opened fire on Israeli forces in Gaza hours earlier. Meantime, in Jerusalem, mourners gathered for the funeral of that fallen soldier, 37 year old Master Sergeant Yonah Feldbaum. Hamas denies any knowledge of the attack that killed him. And in the Gaza Strip, mourners buried some of the dead from those Tuesday night Israeli airstrikes. The Hamas controlled Gaza Health Ministry claims more than 100 people were killed in those strikes. The Israeli military says it killed 30 terrorists holding command positions. The Federal Reserve has announced its second interest rate cut of the year. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said the decision was made more difficult due to the government shutdown, as the government has not been putting out jobs in economics reports. But he said based on what the Fed can gather in this less dynamic and somewhat softer labor market, the downside risks to employment appear to have risen in recent months, and that was a major factor in the central bank's decision to cut its key rate by another quarter point. But Powell said the data available from before the shutdown did suggest that growth and economic activity may be on a better trajectory than expected. He pointed to stronger consumer spending for that, and he added that while the Fed may cut rates again in December, that is far from a sure bet. Hurricane Melissa is now taking aim at Bermuda. After tearing through the Caribbean and the Bahamas, the storm had weakened to a Category 1, but Mike Brennan with the National Hurricane center warned on Wednesday the size of the storm going to increase system could restrengthen a little bit over the next 12 to 24 hours. So we are expecting hurricane conditions in Bermuda late Thursday and Thursday night where we have a hurricane warning in place. The good news is that right now Bermuda is not expected to take a direct hit, but the storm has already left catastrophic destruction in its wake. It slammed Jamaica on Tuesday as a monstrous Category 5 storm, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded. One resident described the devastation it got terrible because all the fruits, fruit tree, the food and everything wash away. 185 mile per hour winds. Storm surge and flooding also washed out roads and destroyed the power grid in some places. The storm also lashed Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Melissa is blamed for at least 30 deaths in the Caribbean. In Sudan, officials say hundreds of people were killed inside a maternity hospital. World's Benjamin Eicher has more. The World Health Organization or WHO says more than 460 patients and their companions were killed at the Saudi Maternity Hospital in Al Fashr, but exactly how it happened remains unclear. Local witnesses told reporters that shelling and gunfire struck the hospital repeatedly over the past week. The city has been under siege for months, and the killings occurred shortly after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces seized control last weekend. Doctors in Sudan have accused RSF fighters of executing patients and staff inside the hospital, but the HWO has not confirmed who carried out the attack or whether the hospital itself was being deliberately targeted. For World I'm Benjamin Eicher. I'm Kent Covington. And straight ahead, feeling the pinch from the partial government shutdown. Plus, we head back to New Mexico to hear how the successful reintroduction of wolves into the wild comes with some challenges. This IS the WORLD and Everything in it.
- [06:33]
Lindsay Mast
It's Thursday, the 30th of October. This is World Radio and we thank you for listening. Good morning. I'm Lindsay Mast.
- [06:40]
Mary Reichard
And I'm Mary Reichard. First up on the World and Everything in it, hitting pause on food stamps. With no agreement for government funding in sight after a nearly month long shutdown, federal programs are sounding alarms.
- [06:55]
Lindsay Mast
The U.S. department of Agriculture says that by Saturday it won't have the money to help buy groceries for families enrolled in SNAP or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. So what happens if lawmakers don't make a deal before the deadline? Washington bureau reporter Carolina Lumeta has the story.
- [07:13]
Carolina Lumeta
Food banks in Washington, D.C. and across the country are expecting a surge in demand after this weekend.
- [07:19]
Local Residents and Officials (e.g., Julie Miller, Audrey McQueen, Tracy Drummond)
Our pantry is a non perishable emergency style pantry.
- [07:23]
Carolina Lumeta
That's Julie Miller. She's the director of operations at Lutheran Church of the Reformation on Capitol Hill. The church runs a food pantry only a few blocks from the U.S. capitol building.
- [07:33]
Local Residents and Officials (e.g., Julie Miller, Audrey McQueen, Tracy Drummond)
So because it's an emergency style pantry, it's meant to be a stopgap as folks find other regular food pantries that operate more frequently than we do.
- [07:45]
Carolina Lumeta
While food pantries are a helpful resource, Miller told World's Josh Schumacher, they aren't designed to feed the public at large.
- [07:52]
Local Residents and Officials (e.g., Julie Miller, Audrey McQueen, Tracy Drummond)
They are supposed to, you know, provide help in gaps of life if, you know, something were to happen. Our bag of food that we hand out is created to be able to support a family of four for about like two days. As they say, look for other resources.
- [08:12]
Carolina Lumeta
Long term public assistance is where programs like snap, better known as food stamps, come in. Families in the program get electronic benefit transfer cards that work like debit cards to buy groceries. SNAP deposits money onto the cards each month for recipients to buy certain kinds of food. Audio here from a USA Facts video online.
- [08:32]
Kent Covington
It's gotta be groceries and can't be items such as alcohol, tobacco or foods that are hot at the point of sale.
- [08:42]
Carolina Lumeta
Republican lawmakers updated eligibility rules earlier this year to set more strict work requirements. They also made sure illegal immigrants aren't allowed to enroll. Roughly 42 million people used the program last year. That's 12% of the U.S. population.
- [08:58]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
No child in this country ought to go to bed hungry because a bunch of politicians in Washington can't decide what they want to do and they're intent on Blaming each other.
- [09:06]
Carolina Lumeta
Last week, Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri proposed legislation that would keep SNAP funded without ending the shutdown. Vermont Senator Peter Welch is the lone Democrat to co sponsor Hawley's bill. I asked him about his support.
- [09:21]
Kent Covington
Our whole point is to protect health care for people who have it. It's not to take food from people who need it. So that's why I'm co sponsoring.
- [09:33]
Carolina Lumeta
Are you concerned it might prolong the shutdown?
- [09:37]
Kent Covington
I'm really concerned about people not getting fed.
- [09:40]
Carolina Lumeta
But other Senate Democrats say it isn't that simple. In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rawlins, 46 Senate Democrats say that the USDA has money in reserve that could fund SNAP. It's just refusing to use it. 25 state governments and the District of Columbia have sued making that same argument. So far, the agency insists that is not the case. Democratic Senator Chris Coons from Delaware told me that if SNAP funding is cut off, it will be the Republicans fault.
- [10:08]
Kent Covington
I think that Republicans should be negotiating.
- [10:10]
Local Residents and Officials (e.g., Julie Miller, Audrey McQueen, Tracy Drummond)
With us about reopening the government so.
- [10:13]
Kent Covington
That millions of Americans aren't hungrier, less healthy and poorer.
- [10:19]
Carolina Lumeta
And he said that the blame goes all the way to the top.
- [10:22]
Kent Covington
President Trump ran on reducing people's costs.
- [10:25]
Local Residents and Officials (e.g., Julie Miller, Audrey McQueen, Tracy Drummond)
And making America healthy again.
- [10:26]
Kent Covington
His decisions so far as an administration have gone in the wrong direction on both.
- [10:31]
Carolina Lumeta
Every Democrat in the Senate has thrown their support behind a different bill also aimed at funding SNAP through the shutdown. But on the Senate floor yesterday, Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he won't bring this bill up for a vote.
- [10:43]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
This bill is a cynical attempt to provide political cover for Democrats to allow them to carry on their government shutdown even longer.
- [10:51]
Kent Covington
And we're not going to let them.
- [10:52]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
Pick winners and losers.
- [10:53]
Carolina Lumeta
Meanwhile, Republicans say they've been trying to get SNAP funded and it's Democrats who aren't cooperating with them. Here's what Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma told me.
- [11:03]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
So we've literally tried three different ways to be able to get onto something. The cross, just to be able to make sure it happens. The full year appropriations bill that was blocked and then Senator Hawley's proposal. But right now it's why can't we get resolution on this?
- [11:20]
Carolina Lumeta
Debate over the dueling bills got heated yesterday as Majority Leader Thune and Democrat New Mexico Senator Ben Ray Lujan yelled at each other across the chamber.
- [11:29]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
SNAP recipients shouldn't go without food. People should be getting paid in this country. And we've tried to do that 13 times. You voted no 13 times. When you have to negotiate when you.
- [11:44]
Kent Covington
Hold power, when you're the majority, you meet people, you pull them in. You always tell folks, you know where my office is.
- [11:52]
Carolina Lumeta
While lawmakers wrangle over funding, private sector food banks are bracing for the shortfall. Here's Julie Miller from the Lutheran Church of the Reformation's food pantry.
- [12:01]
Local Residents and Officials (e.g., Julie Miller, Audrey McQueen, Tracy Drummond)
Again, you know, the need is definitely going to increase. So we're trying to figure out how we can best support those who, you know, may need to come more frequently or, you know, come up with other resources that folks can use in addition to us. So hunger is something that affects everything and should not be taken lightly.
- [12:25]
Carolina Lumeta
Reporting for world, I'm Carolina Lumeta in Washington.
- [12:33]
Mary Reichard
Coming up next on THE WORLD and everything in it, freedom of religious expression in Scandinavia. Today, the Supreme Court of Finland will hear a case of an outspoken Christian lawmaker named Paivi Rasannan. The charges against her criminal agitation against a minority group.
- [12:51]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
When the police interrogated me altogether 13 hours, it was the questions were very theological.
- [13:00]
Lindsay Mast
In 2019, Rasanen criticized the nation's Evangelical Lutheran Church for its celebration of LGBT pride. She posted a photo of a page from the Bible with verses from Romans 1 about God's judgment for homosexuality.
- [13:15]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
The police asked, what is the message of the Book of Romans? What is the message of its first chapter? And to explain the words sin and.
- [13:24]
Mary Reichard
Shame, the state prosecutor took Rosadan to court. The case included her comments on social media and in a radio show appearance, as well as a pamphlet that she wrote on biblical sexuality.
- [13:35]
Lorcan Price
What we're focusing on is whether or not it's possible for a Christian to express their views in public life.
- [13:43]
Lindsay Mast
Lorcan Price is an attorney with the Alliance Defending Freedom International, representing Resonan. He told World's Liz Likens the case is about more than a single person's freedom of speech.
- [13:54]
Lorcan Price
She happens to be a member of Parliament, a former government minister. But it's also applicable to anybody who wants to take on the orthodoxy of our time on sexual morality and to give an authentically Christian perspective.
- [14:08]
Mary Reichard
Challenging Finland's cultural orthodoxy has been a six year legal battle. After the District Court of Helsinki unanimously ruled in 2022 that Rasanen was not guilty, the state prosecutor appealed. Here's Rosanen again.
- [14:23]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
I hoped that it would have ended to the court of Appeal, but the prosecutor has been very eager to continue the case.
- [14:34]
Lindsay Mast
The appeals court also ruled unanimously that Rossanen was not guilty. While that might have ended the case in many countries, Price says Finland's unique legal system allows the state to appeal to the Supreme Court.
- [14:47]
Lorcan Price
So at each stage, the prosecution has been able to appeal not the sentence, but the fact that she was found not guilty.
- [14:53]
Mary Reichard
That is not the only oddity.
- [14:55]
Lorcan Price
The court normally deals with things what lawyers call on the papers.
- [15:00]
Mary Reichard
That means the justices typically read the legal submissions and make their decisions with no oral arguments required. Rasanen's case is different.
- [15:08]
Lorcan Price
This is an actual hearing, so it'll be an oral hearing where Hivey will be in the Supreme Court. Bishop Johanna will be there as well. And as far as I understand, they will be called to testify. So that's extremely rare.
- [15:20]
Lindsay Mast
Rasanen is not a stereotypical social crusader. She is soft spoken and deferential, but she has a quiet boldness.
- [15:28]
Kent Covington
And when Paivi gives an interview, she always looks for an opportunity to testify about Jesus and his blood.
- [15:37]
Mary Reichard
Davert van Vlachtun is the Netherlands based chief editor of CNE News, a Christian network covering continental Europe. He says Rosanen's kindness, professionalism has kept the case focused on the legality of biblical witness in public.
- [15:53]
Kent Covington
In some other cases that might be comparable, there is more doubt, more noise, so to say, in the case, and that is not there. In Paivi's case. He has always been very friendly to people with other convictions.
- [16:11]
Lindsay Mast
Vlashtun's organization will be covering oral arguments today with the live blog at CNE News. He says if the court hands Rasan.
- [16:20]
Kent Covington
A third win, then the case is settled. Then it's clear to all judges in Finland what the legal space is for Christians with regards to sexuality and homosexuality.
- [16:33]
Lindsay Mast
But if the court rules against Rosanen, she's not quite out of options.
- [16:37]
Kent Covington
If she loses, she can go as a citizen of one of the European countries, to the European Court of Human Rights. That's in Strasbourg.
- [16:49]
Mary Reichard
Rosanen's attorney, Lorcan Price, is no stranger to the Strasbourg court and is prepared to go again. While this case could have been concluded years ago, Price says it has given Rasanen a broader witness.
- [17:02]
Lorcan Price
In the Finnish media, it's called the Bible trial. So if you want to know more about the Bible trial, why not read the Bible? And so it's backfired on the prosecution.
- [17:10]
Lindsay Mast
Rasanen's commitment to sharing the whole gospel of sin and salvation is as strong as when she posted her concern about the church celebrating Pride Month six years ago.
- [17:20]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
If people lose their trust on the Bible, then it is not only about such issues as sexuality or gender or marriage, but it is also about eternal life. Because if you do not trust God's word, what he speaks for example about sin. Your trust on the gospel will be threatened.
- [18:04]
Kent Covington
Additional support comes from Asbury University, where students are known, supported and prepared to leave. Customized visits available asbury. Edu visit from the Issues Etc. Podcast expert guests, expansive topics extolling christ more@issuesetc.org and from Cedarville University, equipping students for professional excellence and gospel impact. Cedarville.
- [18:55]
Mary Reichard
Well, chunky is hunky down in Texas, where the state just wrapped up its first annual Fat Squirrel Week. It's the brainchild of park ranger Carol Ann Brannon at Meridian State Park. Audio from CBS the public is eating it up. I bet she was inspired by Alaska's Fat Bear Week, in which the public votes on which brown bear bulked up the Most to hibernate 16 squirrels with names like Chunk Norris, Nutella and Stanley the Texas tank competed. What'll the victor get?
- [19:27]
Local Residents and Officials (e.g., Julie Miller, Audrey McQueen, Tracy Drummond)
Bragging rights. First of all, I they get to survive winter. Always a good thing.
- [19:34]
Mary Reichard
And the winner is Chunkasaurus Rex from Dinosaurs Valley State Park.
- [19:39]
Lindsay Mast
Hey, we all gotta work on that winter bod. Mary.
- [19:42]
Local Residents and Officials (e.g., Julie Miller, Audrey McQueen, Tracy Drummond)
Tell me about it.
- [19:43]
Mary Reichard
It's the world and everything in it.
- [19:57]
Lindsay Mast
Today is Thursday, October 30th. Thank you for turning to World Radio to help start your day. Good morning, I'm Lindsay Mast.
- [20:04]
Mary Reichard
And I'm Mary Reichard. Coming next on THE WORLD and everything in it, Mexican wolves. They've been on the endangered species list since 1976, but in the nearly five decades since, their numbers have grown and.
- [20:18]
Lindsay Mast
Now the wolves are causing problems for both people and livestock. World senior writer Kim Henderson went to New Mexico to find out what's happening. Here's the second of her two reports.
- [20:32]
Local Residents and Officials (e.g., Julie Miller, Audrey McQueen, Tracy Drummond)
We are headed just south of Dadle to a rancher's place who's been hit really hard this year with the wolves.
- [20:41]
Kim Henderson
That's Audrey McQueen. She's a big game hunting guide and nine time world champion elk caller. McQueen is also a New Mexico rancher through and through. She's as comfortable driving a gooseneck trailer loaded with tons of feed as she is this brand new Suburban.
- [20:56]
Local Residents and Officials (e.g., Julie Miller, Audrey McQueen, Tracy Drummond)
I love the mountains, I love the people, I love the wildlife. Just our way of life is very simple and so I love it.
- [21:06]
Kim Henderson
But McQueen says her way of life is being threatened by Mexican wolves, an endangered species. That's why she's come to this meeting between a group of ranchers and Officials from the U.S. fish and Wildlife Service. The meeting is outdoors, smack dab in the middle of a dry, dusty pasture. Two too many things are getting a bit contentious.
- [21:29]
Kent Covington
All I want is the freedom to.
- [21:31]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
Tend to my private land without looking over my shoulder.
- [21:34]
Kim Henderson
Ranchers are in the business to feed people, but they're losing cattle to Mexican wolves right now.
- [21:40]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
We are the, like, the epicenter right here. Seven had in five months. Not even five months.
- [21:47]
Kim Henderson
Historically, Christian conservationists have viewed the endangered species act as a tool for protecting God's creation. But in this case, it's an apex predator we're talking about, not a spotted owl or a minnow. The government's effort to increase the number of wolves in the wild has succeeded. Packs have increased, and now cattle and horses are dying from wolves. And there's another issue. The wolves don't seem to have a natural fear of people. Audrey McQueen says they've become bold. Residents are afraid.
- [22:18]
Local Residents and Officials (e.g., Julie Miller, Audrey McQueen, Tracy Drummond)
Where kids used to be able to play till all hours of the night, people used to go walk wherever they want. I mean, that's changed completely.
- [22:27]
Kim Henderson
McQueen is a commissioner in Catron County. Catron county is a hot spot for the Mexican wolf reintroduction program. It's home to more than 100 wolves.
- [22:36]
Local Residents and Officials (e.g., Julie Miller, Audrey McQueen, Tracy Drummond)
But in our commission meetings, it's usually always an hour of time ate up with the wolf stuff. And it's really. Catron county has really got a plague right now that. That's hurting us.
- [22:53]
Kim Henderson
Catron county extension agent Tracy Drummond agrees.
- [22:57]
Kent Covington
If it's so important for the wolf to be here for, you know, somebody.
- [23:01]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
Else from somewhere else, why, you know.
- [23:03]
Kent Covington
Why do the people here have to carry the brunt of that burden?
- [23:06]
Lindsay Mast
That resolution is to declare an emergency in Catron county.
- [23:10]
Kim Henderson
In April, Catron county declared a disaster because of the wolves.
- [23:14]
Local Residents and Officials (e.g., Julie Miller, Audrey McQueen, Tracy Drummond)
We listened to, like, three hours of testimony from the people, and after hearing that, we decided even we do have a livestock issue, but we have a huge, huge human safety issue.
- [23:29]
Kim Henderson
But wolf advocate Brian Byrd thinks the declaration was a political move.
- [23:33]
Kent Covington
Unfortunately, the masking gray wolf has kind of become a litmus test for your politics, your value system. Due to the current administra presidential administration being more sympathetic, There's a movement to sort of gin up this fear of the wolves and make it.
- [23:53]
Kim Henderson
Some of the ranchers have banded together to push a media campaign against the wolves.
- [23:58]
Kent Covington
The way we live is changing now. With nearly 300 wolves roaming these lanes at night, the tree line, the dead silence, all means something new.
- [24:09]
Kim Henderson
The ranchers say they just want the right to protect themselves and their property. But killing a Mexican wolf is strictly forbidden. But with criminal penalties of up to $50,000 and a year in jail.
- [24:22]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
We're not going to work outside your guidelines. This is something that's never been tried before.
- [24:27]
Kim Henderson
Back at the meeting in the middle of the dusty pasture, something unexpected has happened. The federal official agreed to provide a removal order for the rancher who's lost so many cattle. Those orders are rare. They give the rancher the right to take care of the problem causing water. Audrey McQueen is surprised and encouraged.
- [24:46]
Local Residents and Officials (e.g., Julie Miller, Audrey McQueen, Tracy Drummond)
We'll see. I mean, we'll see if it gets done. I think it will, but that was a win.
- [24:51]
Kim Henderson
But even a removal order can't solve the problem. The rancher has spent weeks trying to find the wolves that killed his calf. He hasn't seen them again. So the battle continues between ranchers and the Mexican wolf. And the question remains, who's right should prevail. Reporting for world, I'm Kim Henderson in Dadle, New Mexico.
- [25:20]
Lindsay Mast
To read the full print feature story on Mexican wolves, look for the November issue of World magazine. We'll post a link to the digital version of the story in the transcript of this episode.
- [25:33]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
Foreign.
- [25:49]
Lindsay Mast
Today is Thursday, October 30th. Good morning, this is the world and everything in it from listener supported World Radio. I'm Lindsay Mast.
- [25:57]
Mary Reichard
And I'm Mary Reichard. Up next, we World commentator Kal Thomas says it's time to do something about sports gambling.
- [26:07]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
In 2018, the Supreme Court voted 6 to 3 to strike down a federal law banning sports gambling. That decision permitted individual states to decide whether to allow it or not. It didn't take a genius to predict what might happen, especially when politicians can find new sources of revenue beyond income, property and sales taxes. Last week, more than 30 people were indicted as part of a national sports betting scandal involving high profile figures. FBI Director Cash Patel admitted some will be upset by the arrests.
- [26:37]
Kent Covington
It's not popular to go after some of the defendants that we went after today, but justice is served blindly.
- [26:44]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
Those defendants include Portland Trailblazers coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rosier. Billups was charged in a scheme involving rigged poker games and Rosier was charged for allegedly providing insider information to an illegal sports betting ring. A former player, Damon Jones, was also indicted for sharing inside information. The FBI said arrests were made in 11 states. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch reported this investigation has been ongoing for some time.
- [27:14]
Mary Reichard
What we're announcing today is not just another takedown.
- [27:17]
Lindsay Mast
It's the result of more than two.
- [27:19]
Local Residents and Officials (e.g., Julie Miller, Audrey McQueen, Tracy Drummond)
Years of coordinated investigative work by the NYPD's Joint Organized Crime Task Force and the FBI.
- [27:26]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
What may have surprised many were allegations that these schemes are linked to three different Mafia families. Isn't the Mafia the stuff of movies like Goodfellas and the Godfather. People may have thought crime families had been put out of business years ago by federal agents like Elliot Nest, then leader of a Chicago team known as the Untouchables that took on Al Capone. Three of the five crime families allegedly involved in sports betting and rigged poker games are familiar to people with long memories. The Gambinos, the Bonanno's and the genovese families.
- [27:58]
Kent Covington
With FanDuel Sportsbook, you can make every tip off feel like a buzzer beater.
- [28:04]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
The National Basketball association, which has FanDuel and DraftKings as its official sports betting partners, issued a statement following the indictments. It read in part quote, we take these allegations with the utmost seriousness and the integrity of our game remains our top priority. Unquote. The integrity of our game was the first thing to go. The 7 foot 1 analyst and former center Shaquille O' Neal says. It will be difficult to get that back.
- [28:33]
Kent Covington
All these guys knew what was at.
- [28:35]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
Stake and I'm just ashamed that they.
- [28:38]
Kent Covington
Put themselves and put their family and put the NBA in this position.
- [28:42]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
One wonders how people making millions of dollars would be enticed by offers of a few hundred thousand dollars to do something they had to know was against the law. Perhaps it was the thrill one can get from such behavior. Perhaps it was the instant cash delivered to their doorsteps. Former power forward Charles Barkley is now a sports commentator and FanDuel spokesman. He thinks it was something else.
- [29:04]
Kent Covington
This ain't got nothing to do with addiction. These dudes are stupid.
- [29:08]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
Not all vices can be regulated. Prohibition is usually presented as the worst example. While not everyone conforms to every law, it does set a standard which tells people what history and societies have shown is best for them and the nation. Gamblers like the poor we have always had with us. But when gambling becomes the norm, and especially when it is advertised during breaks in NBA and NFL games, it sends a message that this vice is acceptable, even recommended. Changing its name to Gaming doesn't help. Neither does the on screen gambling problem message for those who can't afford to lose the rent or food money. The late Cincinnati Red Star player Pete Rose was banned from baseball in 1989 for betting on games when he managed the club. After denying the allegation for years, Rose eventually admitted the charge, which ended his eligibility for hall of Fame consideration. A special committee is meeting in December 2027 to reconsider the ban. In today's climate, Rose may finally be granted admission to Cooperstown. But given the scandal involving the NBA with possibly more indictments to come. Congress needs to step in and consider more regulation of the gambling industry, controls that can pass Supreme Court muster. But I wonder what the odds are of that happening. I'm Cal Thomas.
- [30:34]
Lindsay Mast
Tomorrow, John Stonestreet will be with us for Culture Friday, and a new Netflix movie imagines how the US Might handle the threat of nuclear war. Colin Garbarino will review A House of Dynamite, that and more tomorrow. I'm Lindsay Matt and I'm Mary Reichardt.
- [30:51]
Mary Reichard
The world and everything in it comes to you from World Radio. World's mission is biblically objective journalism that informs, educates and inspires. The Apostle Paul wrote, I appeal to you brothers to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles. Contrary to the doctrine that you've been taught, avoid them, for such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. And by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good, and innocent as to what is evil. Verses 17 through 19 of Romans 16 go now in grace and peace.
- [31:40]
Various Senators and Commentators (e.g., Josh Hawley, John Thune, Ben Ray Lujan, James Lankford)
Sat.