11.13.25 Reporting child abuse, updating hormone therapies, and reviewing Crash Rickshaw’s Big Sir

Summary

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The World and Everything In It — Episode Summary

Date: November 13, 2025
Host: WORLD Radio
Main Theme: This episode covers reporting of child abuse in religious confessions, updates on hormone replacement therapy for women, upheaval at a major conservative think tank over anti-Semitism, a review of Crash Rickshaw’s new EP, and commentary on reining in a dysfunctional U.S. Congress.

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1. Reporting Child Abuse in Religious Confessions

[06:02–11:09]

Key Discussion Points

• Legislative Backdrop:
  • Washington state recently proposed a law mandating clergy to report child abuse learned of in confession, but later allowed clergy to maintain confidentiality after lawsuits.
• Diverging Church Policies:
  • Evangelical Lutheran Church in America considers requiring clergy to report abuse confessed privately, prompting debate.
  • Catholic stance: Oppose mandatory reporting, citing risk of deterring confessions.
  • Expert Perspective (Victor Vieth):
    • “Most churches don't have any policies. Those that do, they're pretty weak…they fall below the standards that I and other experts would recommend.” (08:00–08:08)
    • [On Lutheran policy:] “We want to keep confidence…but it must give way to the teachings of Jesus. And if keeping a confidence forces me to sin, then I break that confidence.” (08:15–08:27)
  • Catholic Perspective (Josh Mercer, Catholic Vote):
    • “If that priest had to turn around and said, 'oh, by the way, I'm going to go tell the sheriff…' well, why would you confess those sins? You would keep tight lipped.” (08:53–09:02)
• Legal Landscape: 28 states require clergy to report abuse but often include “clergy penitent privilege”.
• Case Example:
  • A Kansas pastor contacted authorities after a confession, resulting in the conviction of Charles S. Bell. (10:47–11:05)
• Guidance to Churches (Chris Motz, First Liberty):
  • “Understand your own theology…then understand if there's a conflict between where you stand and state law.” (10:30–10:43)

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2. FDA Updates on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

[11:09–18:07]

Key Discussion Points

• Historical Context:
  • Since a 2002 study linked synthetic estrogen HRT to breast cancer, the FDA had applied severe warning labels.
• New FDA Action:
  • Dr. Marty Makary: “The FDA is taking action to remove the black box warnings from estrogen-related products.” (11:46)
  • Research shows low-dose vaginal estrogen posed minimal risk.
  • Dr. Rachel Rubin (Georgetown):
    • “The warning label on the box falsely says vaginal estrogen causes cancer, stroke, blood clots, heart attacks and probable dementia.” (12:41)
• Impact of Warnings:
  • Dr. Kelly Casperson: “Only about 1 in 20 women get a prescription. If a patient…brings it home, nearly one in three will never use it because of fear created by the incorrect warning label.” (13:15–13:25)
• New Research/Benefits:
  • HRT shows benefits in reducing fractures and heart disease.
  • Dr. Makary:
    • “Statins have up to a 35% reduction…and these studies are showing up to a 50% reduction. What are we doing?” (13:38–13:48)
• Remaining Concerns:
  • Dr. Lauren Stryker (Northwestern):
    • Advocates for revising labels “on a product by product basis” instead of blanket removals. (15:23–15:29)
    • Raises worries about FDA expertise after large staff cuts.
• Expert Panel Critique:
  • Stryker concerned about “medical influencers” on the FDA’s expert panels, leading to possible bias. (16:31–16:49)
• Broader Take:
  • Dr. Marguerite Duane sees progress but urges continued research and caution:
    • “Like everything in medicine, we need to continue to study and do the research…to optimize health for women and minimize the risk.” (17:25–18:03)

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3. Heritage Foundation, Tucker Carlson, and Antisemitism Controversy

[18:48–24:21]

Key Discussion Points

• Catalyst Event:
  • Tucker Carlson interviewed controversial figure Nick Fuentes, downplaying anti-Semitic remarks.
  • Carlson further described Christian Zionism as “heresy” and criticized pro-Israel views.
• Heritage Foundation Fallout:
  • President Kevin Roberts publicly defended Carlson, calling attacks on Carlson a “venomous coalition” and saying, “That includes Tucker Carlson, who remains and as I have said before, always will be, a close friend of the Heritage Foundation.” (20:02–20:21)
  • Internal backlash: several staffers and the National Task Force to Combat Antisemitism resigned.
• Wider Context:
  • Ongoing mainstreaming of anti-Semitism on the political right; references made to Kanye West and Candace Owens.
  • Mark Goldfedder (National Jewish Advocacy Center):
    • "This is really, really bad because what we are seeing is the mainstreaming of anti Semitism from the far right fringes.” (21:00–21:09)
  • Ted Cruz (Senator):
    • “If Tucker had had [Fuentes] on and then cross-examined and vigorously challenged his hateful and bigoted views, that would have been one thing. But he didn’t.” (22:46–23:07)
• Subsequent Developments:
  • Roberts apologized for his comments and pointed to a miscommunication within Heritage.
  • National Task Force to Combat Antisemitism merged with the Conference of Christian Presidents for Israel to take on right-wing antisemitism.
  • Cruz warns about rise in antisemitism:
    • "In the last six months, I’ve seen more anti-Semitism on the right than at any time in my life…” (24:02–24:12)

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4. Crash Rickshaw: ‘Big Sur’ Review

[25:48–32:28]

Key Discussion Points

• Band Background:
  • Crash Rickshaw, a Christian punk side project by members of Project 86, had been inactive for 20 years.
• Return with 'Big Sur':
  • Four-song EP, described as intense, energetic, addressing faith and social issues.
  • Lead singer Joby Harris reflects on the Huntington Beach Christian scene:
    • “Orange County, Huntington beach…was just nothing but youth groups and shows and churches…anytime you went down, there was a beautiful girl in Huntington Beach.” (27:02–27:23)
• Song Themes:
  • Johnny Law critiques legalism in Christianity.
  • Angry Sunset draws from Ephesians 4:26.
  • Thank God I’m an Atheist challenges atheist reasoning.
  • Newport about social media addiction:
    • Harris: “It’s a sociopathic platform that pulls us…we attach our value to it…” (31:46–32:10)
• Band’s Message:
  • Harris on album title:
    • “Big voices, big people can easily take over your narrative if you let them. We have a responsibility to reclaim our narrative and write it ourselves.” (32:14–32:27)
• Legacy:
  • Crash Rickshaw’s music remains both musically and thematically bold, returning at a time when honest, loud commentary is needed.

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5. Commentary: Reining in Congress with a Convention of States

[33:34–37:17]

Key Discussion Points

• Cal Thomas on Government Dysfunction:
  • In light of the record government shutdown, Thomas argues for invoking Article 5 of the Constitution to convene a Convention of States.
• Quotables:
  • “We need a second American revolution. Not with guns or violence, but by a provision in the Constitution the founders thought necessary.” (33:50–33:56)
  • “Arguments in favor of a convention of states include that if Congress is not curbed now, it will only get worse, including the $38 trillion debt.” (35:15–35:23)
  • “We're teetering on the edge of a tall building. If we don't reconsider…we will ultimately regret the consequences.” (36:35–36:43)
• Call to Action:
  • Emphasizes grassroots push; only 15 more state legislatures needed for a Convention.
  • Urges listeners to consider the lessons of history and necessity for reform.

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6. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Confession and Reporting Abuse:

  • Victor Vieth: “We want to keep confidence…but it must give way to the teachings of Jesus.” (08:15)
  • Josh Mercer: “If that priest had to…tell the sheriff…why would you confess those sins? You would keep tight lipped.” (08:53–09:02)

• On HRT Warnings:

  • Dr. Rachel Rubin: “The warning label…falsely says that vaginal estrogen causes cancer, stroke, blood clots, heart attacks and probable dementia.” (12:41)

• On Christian Punk’s Relevance:

  • Joby Harris: “We have a responsibility to reclaim our narrative and write it ourselves.” (32:14)

• On Conservatism and Antisemitism:

  • Kevin Roberts: “We will always defend truth, we will always defend America, and we will always defend our friends against the slander of bad actors…” (20:02–20:21)
  • Ted Cruz: “If Tucker had…challenged his hateful and bigoted views, that would have been one thing. But he didn’t.” (22:46–23:07)

• On Need for Reform:

  • Cal Thomas: “We're teetering on the edge of a tall building…If we wait much longer to address reform, it will be too late and the time for repair will have passed.” (36:35–36:48)

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[Timestamps For Key Segments]

• Reporting Child Abuse in Confession: 06:02–11:09
• Hormone Therapy FDA Update: 11:09–18:07
• Heritage Foundation & Antisemitism Debate: 18:48–24:21
• Crash Rickshaw 'Big Sur' Review: 25:48–32:28
• Cal Thomas Commentary: 33:34–37:17

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Tone:
Balanced, investigative, reflective, drawing on both expert analysis and personal testimony. The hosts maintain a journalistic yet conversational style, particularly when addressing sensitive cultural and religious issues.

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For Listeners:
This episode provides in-depth coverage on controversial church practice, women’s health policy change, political rifts in conservatism, a notable Christian band’s return, and bold calls for governmental reform. The discussions explore both principle-driven and pragmatic perspectives, equipping listeners with context and insight on these culturally pivotal topics.

Transcript

[Mary Reichert]

Good morning. The Evangelical Lutheran Church is considering mandated reporting of certain confessions.

[Caller or Interviewee]

If that priest had to turn around and said, oh, by the way, I'm.

[Kent Covington]

Gonna go tell the sheriff you just.

[Caller or Interviewee]

Did that, then why would you confess those sins?

[Myrna Brown]

Also, the FDA changes its warnings on hormone replacement therapy. And upheaval at a conservative think tank over anti Semitism on the right. And a Christian punk ban is back after 20 years. And they're not afraid to speak up.

[Arsenio Orteza]

Big voices, big people can easily take over your narrative if you let them. We have a responsibility to reclaim our narrative and write it ourselves.

[Myrna Brown]

And world commentator Cal Thomas on what it will take to rein in a dysfunctional Congress.

[Mary Reichert]

It's Thursday, November 13th. This is the world and everything, everything in it. From listener supported World Radio. I'm Mary Reichert.

[Myrna Brown]

And I'm Myrna Brown. Good morning.

[Mary Reichert]

Time for news. Here's Kent Covington.

[Kent Covington]

After six weeks, the House last night cast the final vote to end the longest ever government shutdown. On this vote, the yeas are 222. The nays are 209. The bill is passed. And with that, the bill went to President Trump's desk for signature, with the Senate having approved it earlier in the week. Hours before that vote, White House press secretary Caroline Levitt told reporters President Trump.

[Carolina Lumeta]

Looks forward to being to finally ending this devastating Democrat shutdown.

[Kent Covington]

With his signature, the spending package will reopen the government and fund it through the end of January. Senate Democrats held up the funding for weeks, demanding that Republicans agree to extend expiring Obamacare tax credits until eight Democrats crossed the aisle to break a filibuster this week. The Trump administration says Beijing is now taking real steps to help curb the flow of deadly fentanyl into the United States. FBI Director Kash Patel met with his Chinese counterpart following a recent summit between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. That was the sole purpose of my trip to China, to eliminate these precursors. The flow of fentanyl precursors from China has been a major flashpoint between Washington and Beijing. President Trump earlier this year hit Chinese goods with additional tariffs, accusing China of allowing chemical makers to supply Mexican cartels. But Secretary of State Marco Rubio says things are now moving in the right direction. The Chinese have agreed to schedule 13 key precursors.

[Steve Dale]

So for the first time, if they can cut back on that being shipped.

[Arsenio Orteza]

To Mexico, that will certainly have an impact on the.

[Kent Covington]

On the manufacturing of fentanyl inside of Mexico. In response to the announcement from China, the White House is reducing tariffs on Chinese products by 10%. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released emails on Wednesday from Jeffrey Epstein about President Trump. In one 2019 message, Epstein wrote that Trump knew about the girls, though what he meant was unclear. The White House says Trump banned Epstein from Mar A Lago years ago, and Press secretary Caroline Levitt called the release a smear campaign and she said it is an attempt to distract Americans as Trump signs a bill ending the Democrats government shutdown.

[Carolina Lumeta]

And this entire thing again, it's not a coincidence. To the American people at home, there are no coincidences.

[Kent Covington]

In Washington, D.C. one alleged Epstein victim, Virginia Giuffre, repeatedly said under oath that Trump was never involved in wrongdoing and could not have been friendlier. But House Democrats, joined by a handful of Republicans, are attempting to force a vote to compel the full release of any and all files the Justice Department has related to the late billionaire and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. President Trump is renewing his earlier call for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be pardoned. Trump, speaking to Israel's parliament last month, asked Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Mr. President.

[Arsenio Orteza]

Why don't you give him a pardon?

[Kent Covington]

Netanyahu has been facing a long running corruption trial that has bitterly divided the nation. Trump this week reiterated his position. He said he sent a letter to Herzog characterizing the case against Netanyahu as political and unjust. Meanwhile, tensions in the west bank authorities say several dozen masked Israeli settlers attacked a pair of Palestinian villages in the region, which the Israeli government refers to as Judea and Samaria. Both Israeli and Palestinian officials say the attackers set fire to vehicles and other property before clashing with Israeli soldiers sent to stop those attacks. The US Mint struck its final penny on Wednesday, ending more than two centuries of production. The $0.01 coin, once a symbol of thrift, now costs nearly $0.04 to make. Treasurer Brandon beach pressed the button for the last batch at the Philadelphia Mint.

[Caller or Interviewee]

Given the rapid modernization of the American wallet, the Department of the treasury and President Trump no longer believe the continued production of the penny is fiscally responsible.

[Kent Covington]

He said the move will save taxpayers $56 million. President Trump ordered the change earlier this year. It is the first US coin discontinued since the half cent in 18 billions of pennies will stay in circulation, but no new ones will be made. I'm Kent Covington and straight ahead, a Christian denomination wrestles with what to do next when someone confesses abuse. Plus changes in women's health care during menopause. This is the world and everything in it.

[Mary Reichert]

It's Thursday 13th November. Glad to have you along for today's edition of the world and everything in it. Good morning. I'm Mary Reichard.

[Myrna Brown]

And I'm Myrna Brown. First up, reporting confessions that mention child abuse. Earlier this year, Catholic priests sued the state of Washington after the legislature passed a law requiring clergy to call authorities if someone confessed to committing child abuse. Eventually, the state backed down, allowing clergy in the state to keep all confessions secret.

[Mary Reichert]

But not all Christians agree with this view. Here's World Marriage and Family reporter Juliana Chan Erickson.

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

At the close of worship on December 31, 2023, a praise and worship leader at a church in Overland Park, Kansas, invited anyone who wanted to speak to a pastor to come forward.

[Steve Dale]

Let me just say this.

[Kent Covington]

Do you need God's grace in your life today? If you do, then I want to invite you to give your life to Jesus Christ.

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

A man walked up and asked to speak to a pastor once they'd found a quiet place in the church. The man confessed to the pastor that he had sexually abused children years ago. The more on his story in a moment. But first, the episode highlights a question that has divided churches and denominations. This how to deal with child abuse when it's shared during a private confession. Yesterday, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America met to consider a church policy about child protection. The policy, if the denomination passes, it would direct Lutheran clergy to inform authorities about child abuse heard during confession or pastoral counseling. Child abuse experts applaud the denomination's move.

[Victor Vieth]

My hope is that this message will be read and contemplated by all of Christendom. Well, wait a minute. Why haven't we engaged theologically with the issue of child abuse?

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

Victor Vieth is the director of the center for Faith and Child Protection at the Zero Abuse Project. He says this should be a model for other churches.

[Victor Vieth]

Most churches don't have any policies. Those that do, they're pretty weak policies. They fall below the standards that I and other experts would recommend.

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

Lutheran Church doctrine views private confession of sin as useful but limits how private it can be.

[Victor Vieth]

We want to keep confidence as we respect the confessional, but it must give way to the teachings of Jesus. And if keeping a confidence forces me to sin, then I break that confidence. And I think other Protestants in the Jewish community are We've never said there was absolute confidentiality when you're talking to your pastor.

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

Roman Catholics take a different view. Josh Mercer is the co founder of Catholic Vote. He told me in an interview back in May that Catholics are concerned that adding limits would deter sinners from confessing all of their sins.

[Caller or Interviewee]

Catholics know right now they can go.

[Kent Covington]

To a priest and they can say anything.

[Caller or Interviewee]

If that priest had to turn around and said, oh, by the way, I'm going to go tell the sheriff you.

[Kent Covington]

Just did that, then, well, why would.

[Caller or Interviewee]

You confess those sins? You would keep tight lipped.

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

The Bible seems to encourage both public and private confessions. James 5:16 says we should confess sins to one another. But 1 John 1:9 promises that if we confess our sins to God, he promises forgiveness. What Catholics and Protestants agree on, though, is the need for the guilty party to turn from and accept the consequences of both the sin and the crime.

[Kent Covington]

The priest would then counsel that person, you know what, you need to go.

[Caller or Interviewee]

Make this right and you need to go to the authorities.

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

Still, the law protects the right for a person to discuss his sins in a private meeting with a priest or pastor. Currently, 28 states require clergy to report child abuse, but most allow what's called a clergy penitent privilege for such meetings. Lawyers say all of this gives churches freedom to decide what to do if a child abuser confesses.

[Steve Dale]

There's also a lot of room for different approaches within the American tradition.

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

Chris Motz is senior counsel with First Liberty Institute.

[Steve Dale]

I think that's been a good thing for us as Americans that churches kind of get to figure out their own doctrine and their own governance without this sort of undue pressure from the state, you know, telling them how they have to to regulate their own members.

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

It's rare for someone to confess child abuse to a pastor, but it does happen. And Mott says churches should be proactive and prepared.

[Steve Dale]

Part one is understand your own theology and like what you feel called or to do by your denomination, by God, the reading of scripture, your own tradition. Part two is understand if there's a conflict between where you stand and state law.

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

So what happened to the Kansas man who confessed to child abuse? After the man admitted it, the pastor contacted authorities. In September, Charles S. Bell was found guilty of child sexual abuse. He will be sentenced tomorrow. Reporting for world I'm Juliana Chan Erickson.

[Myrna Brown]

Coming up next on THE WORLD AND everything in it. Menopause. It's a stage in most every woman's life, marking the end of childbearing years and bringing major shifts in hormones. And for decades, women have faced those changes with limited medical attention or research.

[Mary Reichert]

In recent years, scientists have developed hormone therapies to treat symptoms like hot flashes and to stave off osteoporosis. But the Food and Drug Administration dampened demand for those therapies with warning labels. On Monday, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary announced a change.

[Arsenio Orteza]

The FDA is taking action to remove the black box warnings from estrogen related products.

[Myrna Brown]

In a press conference in Washington, Makary explained those particular warnings are rooted in research from 2002. The Women's Health Initiative by the National Institutes of Health reported a link between the synthetic estrogen and hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer.

[Arsenio Orteza]

Some of us looked at it and said, this is interesting. There's no statistical significance in the increase in breast cancer. If we don't have statistics, then we don't have science.

[Mary Reichert]

Significant or not. Headlines warning that hormone therapies could cause cancer pushed the FDA to add the strongest safety alert to every estrogen drug, even ones with different formulas and chemical pathways. Dr. Rachel Rubin, a urologist at Georgetown University Hospital, explains.

[Carolina Lumeta]

The warning label on the box falsely says that vaginal estrogen causes cancer, stroke, blood clots, heart attacks and probable dementia.

[Myrna Brown]

Vaginal estrogen is usually prescribed in low doses to treat genitourinary symptoms and has been clinically proven to not have those scary side effects. But research from February found the FDA's warning label has scared off many doctors and patients. Urologist Dr. Kelly Casperson says only about 1 in 20 women get a prescription.

[Carolina Lumeta]

If a patient does get a prescription from her doctor and brings it home, nearly one in three will never use it because of the fear created by the incorrect warning label.

[Mary Reichert]

Dr. Makary also touted new research showing the added benefits of hormone replacement therapy for combating bone fractures and coronary heart disease.

[Caller or Interviewee]

We talk about statins all the time.

[Arsenio Orteza]

We never talk about HRT. Statins have up to a 35% reduction and these studies are showing up to a 50% reduction. What are we doing?

[Myrna Brown]

Dr. Makary and others on stage blamed groupthink for the unwarranted blanket warning and promised to give more attention to women's health. They also announced two new drugs for treating menopausal symptoms. That got a warm response from many in the audience of reporters, policymakers and medical practitioners in the room.

[Mary Reichert]

I mean, I'm just really excited that we recognize that the female body is, while complex, is unique and still understandable, especially when we learn to better understand and monitor women's hormones. Marguerite Duane is associate professor of restorative reproductive medicine at Duquesne University in Pennsylvan. She told World that while menopause is a stage of life, like puberty or pregnancy, there are unique challenges with which doctors can help. There can be dysfunction that leads to an unhealthy transition. And so in that case, we do want to provide the appropriate support.

[Myrna Brown]

So are women who do not get hormone replacement therapy in menopause.

[Victor Vieth]

Missing out Hormone therapy is safe and beneficial for many women. Not all women need to take it or will be in trouble if they don't take it.

[Myrna Brown]

Dr. Lauren Stryker is a clinical obgyn professor at Northwestern University in Chicago. She's excited to see the Strongest Safety Alert label removed from hormone therapies, but is concerned the FDA's tone and approach could undermine their credibility.

[Victor Vieth]

The answer is not to remove the label altogether, from my point of view and other experts, but to do this on a product by product basis.

[Mary Reichert]

Stryker points out that the possible side effects of swallowing a pill differ from applying a skin patch, and it's not yet clear how the range of estrogen products will be labeled. She's also concerned that staffing cuts at the FDA could affect the review process.

[Myrna Brown]

Earlier this year, the FDA's center for Drug Evaluation and Research cut nearly 400 employees as part of a restructuring effort. Commissioner Makary says the agency is also bringing in more expert panels to work with the advisory committees required by law.

[Arsenio Orteza]

Because ADCOMs are bureaucratic, long, often conflicted, and very expensive. So we can have an active, robust discussion as a group of medical experts spontaneously, and so we're doing more of that.

[Mary Reichert]

In July, Dr. Stryker was invited to participate in the expert panel on estrogen product labeling, but after attending several preliminary meetings, she dropped out.

[Victor Vieth]

There definitely were some academic experts who've been in this space for a very long time and are very knowledgeable. And then there were people who are, quite frankly, more in the what I would call, you know, the medical influencer space, who are physicians, but who do not necessarily have the kind of expertise in this world that we see in some of the experts who've been doing this for a long time.

[Myrna Brown]

She acknowledges that the traditional process is cumbersome and led to decades of mislabeling for hormone therapy. But she worries the approach could introduce more bias into how medical policies are reviewed.

[Victor Vieth]

We've seen this with Tylenol, with acetaminophen and autism. We've seen this with the vaccines. We've seen this with a lot of other things that they have basically decided who their experts are, and that's biased, and it's highly problematic.

[Mary Reichert]

Back at the press conference, Dr. Duane says she has her own concerns about synthetic estrogen drugs compared to bioidentical hormones used in natural medicine. But she is encouraged the administration is willing to challenge the medical status quo when it fails to tell the whole story. You know, like everything in medicine, we need to continue to study and do the research and make sure we are monitoring for any adverse effects to optimize health for women and minimize the risk.

[Kent Covington]

Additional support comes from Cedarville University Equipping students for professional excellence and Gospel impact. Cedarville. Edu World from his words Abiding in you, a Bible memorization podcast designed for truck drivers. His Words Abiding in you on all podcast apps and from Asbury University's Honors Program where rigorous academics meet, deep thinking and spiritual growth. Asbury. Edu Honors.

[Mary Reichert]

And now Damage Control at the Heritage Foundation A recent interview between conservative commentator Tucker Carlson and far right provocateur Nick Fuentes stirred up divisions on the right. It's prompted many to ask who truly speaks for conservatism these days.

[Myrna Brown]

Days into the social media debate, the president of America's largest conservative think tank took a position that surprised many and led some to resign in protest. Washington bureau reporter Carolina Lumeta has the story.

[Carolina Lumeta]

Two weeks ago, many conservatives were outraged to watch Tucker Carlson welcome Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes to his show for a friendly conversation. Instead of asking challenging questions, Carlson said that Christian Zionism, a belief that the modern state of Israel has a right to the land based on biblical promises, is a heresy. Then he called out high ranking US Officials for their Zionist views, which he described as a mind disease. While many criticized Carlson for the interview, others came to his support, including Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts.

[Kent Covington]

We will always defend truth, we will always defend America, and we will always defend our friends against the slander of bad actors who serve someone else's agenda. That includes Tucker Carlson, who remains and as I have said before, always will be, a close friend of the Heritage Foundation. The venomous coalition attacking him are sowing division. Their attempt to cancel him will fail.

[Carolina Lumeta]

That video posted to X sparked internal backlash, with many concerned Roberts was defending antisemitism. Two Heritage scholars have since quit the organization, and the foundation's own National Task Force to Combat Antisemitism has left. The task force was created in 2023 to address left wing antisemitism cropping up at Ivy League universities. After Roberts video task force members realized the problem was also in their own house. Mark Goldfedder, CEO of the National Jewish Advocacy center, withdrew last week.

[Victor Vieth]

This is really, really bad because what we are seeing is the mainstreaming of anti Semitism from the far right fringes, goldfedder says.

[Carolina Lumeta]

Right wing antisemitism is Nothing new. In 2022, rapper Kanye west repeated tropes that Jews control the media and the banks, and he praised Adolf Hitler on the infowars show with conservative talk show host Alex Jones. Since then, conservative podcaster Candace Owens has defended the rapper and has claimed that Jewish people support pedophilia. Goldfedder is worried that outlandish claims conservatives once rejected are now gaining traction.

[Victor Vieth]

They went from Kanye to Candace to Tucker and now to Heritage and I.

[Cal Thomas]

Think we need to draw a red.

[Victor Vieth]

Line before it becomes mainstreamed in conservative politics that a little anti Semitism here and there is okay, or even worse.

[Carolina Lumeta]

Roberts has since apologized for his wording and clarified that he abhors the views Fuentes espouses over Jews, women and race relations. In an all staff town hall last week, Roberts said his chief of staff misled him into thinking that the script for the video had been approved by the organization. That chief of staff has resigned, but Roberts maintains that he will not leave. Here's Roberts in a message he posted to social media after video footage of.

[Kent Covington]

The town hall leaked Everyone has the responsibility to speak up against the scourge of antisemitism, no matter the messenger.

[Caller or Interviewee]

Heritage and I will do so even.

[Kent Covington]

When my friend Tucker Carlson needs challenging.

[Carolina Lumeta]

But in the rest of that video, Roberts does not challenge Carlson for his handling of Fuentes. Roberts clarified that he is personally friends with Carlson, but he also does not agree with everything the podcaster says. I asked Texas Senator Ted Cruz about the situation last week.

[Caller or Interviewee]

I have no interest in befriending someone who embraces Nazis and understand the debate is not about platforming Nick Fuentes. If Tucker had had him on and then cross examined and vigorously challenged his hateful and and bigoted views, that would have been one thing. But he didn't.

[Carolina Lumeta]

Other Republican senators condemned the Carlson interview but have not said whether they've lost trust in the Heritage Foundation. Florida Senator Rick Scott told me that opposition to Israel is a feature of the Democratic Party, not the Republicans.

[Steve Dale]

We don't support anti Semitism.

[Kent Covington]

We don't support boycotting Israel. So I'm going to and that's where and I'm going to continue to be that way.

[Carolina Lumeta]

So where do you land on the Heritage foundation then?

[Caller or Interviewee]

Do you think that I've had a.

[Victor Vieth]

Good working relationship with them?

[Carolina Lumeta]

Think about it. Other partners have abandoned the think tank. The National Task Force to Combat Anti Semitism has now moved on from the Heritage foundation to join the Conference of Christian Presidents for Israel, which was founded last year to address right wing antisemitism. Co Chair Luke Moon told me that the two groups will join forces to take on Carlson and his influence in the conservative movement. Senator Cruz says that type of work is essential to the future of the coalition.

[Caller or Interviewee]

In the last six months, I've seen more anti Semitism on the right than at any time in my life. And I believe Republicans and conservatives have an obligation to stand up and speak out against it or the same thing that happened to the Democrat party can happen to ours. And I for one, am going to do everything I can to stop that from happening.

[Carolina Lumeta]

Reporting for world, I'm Carolina Lumeta in Washington.

[Mary Reichert]

Well, here's something you don't hear every day. Hundreds of bagpipers piping AC DC rock and roll classic. It's a long way to the top. It happened this week in Melbourne, Australia's Federation Square, the very spot featured in the Aussie band's film clip from 1976. Thousands came out to witness the world record attempt.

[Carolina Lumeta]

Wow.

[Cal Thomas]

Yes.

[Mary Reichert]

374 pipers all together, setting a new national record for the most pipers piping together. This piper endorsed the challenge.

[Victor Vieth]

Well, I haven't been in a pipe.

[Kent Covington]

Band for about 30 years, so it.

[Mary Reichert]

Inspired me to practice.

[Victor Vieth]

So I learned the tune.

[Cal Thomas]

Huh.

[Myrna Brown]

Sounds like they really killed it.

[Mary Reichert]

Oh, it's the world and everything in it.

[Myrna Brown]

Today is Thursday, November 13th. Thank you for turning to world radio to help start your day. Good morning, I'm Myrna Brown.

[Mary Reichert]

And I'm Mary Reichard. Coming next on the world and everything in it, the return of the band crash rickshaw. 24 years ago, its debut album pushed the envelope for Christian rock.

[Myrna Brown]

Years later, the group's second release barely saw date. But now the band is back with a strong new ep. World's Arsenio Arteza has a review.

[Steve Dale]

Big Sur that's Sir is the new EP by Crash Rickshaw and the first new music from the quartet in approximately 20 years. Its four songs only last 13 and a half minutes, but the band makes those minutes count. This is Sugar Shack. The lead singer, Joby Harris, says the song is a chance for the band to savor fond memories of the Huntington beach scene in which it got its start. A scene that included cute Christian girls.

[Arsenio Orteza]

That's why you'd want to drive an hour every weekend to go hang out, right? So, yeah, Orange County, Huntington beach. Very Christian. I think it kind of still is. But back then it was. It was just nothing but youth groups and shows and churches and yeah, absolutely. Anytime you went down, there was a beautiful girl in Huntington Beach.

[Steve Dale]

In 2001, guitarist Randy Torres, bassist Steve Dale and drummer Alex Albert were enjoying popularity as 3/4 of the alternative metal post hardcore band Project 86. It was a group whose audience was part Christian, part mainstream. But Project 86 was between albums. So Torres, Dale and Albert hooked up with Harris and recorded an album as Crash Rickshaw. I asked Dale why he and his Project 86 bandmates had felt the need for a side project.

[Caller or Interviewee]

I think just do something a little different. Just sounded like a fun thing to do, you know. And at the time, like you said, we were doing well and we were pretty locked in with Tooth and Nail and Brandon Ebel, Tooth and Nail said, oh, if you want to do a side project, I'll put it out. And so we're like, okay, let's do it.

[Steve Dale]

Brandon Ebel's Tooth and Nail Records was at the time the go to label for high quality indie Christian rock. It had already helped put acts such as MCPX, Stavesaker and the OC Supertones on the map. Crash Rickshaw was a perfect fit. The group's music snarled with a punk energy so intense that at times it almost obscured the big topics its songs were addressing.

[Kent Covington]

What if I'm dead.

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

Would you befriend me?

[Mary Reichert]

How would you.

[Steve Dale]

Johnny Law is a song calling out Christians whose legalism drives away the lost. And it's not the only Crash Rickshaw song shouting to the choir. Angry Sunset is an energetically noisy meditation on Ephesians 4:26. The song thank God I'm an Atheist, on the other hand, confronts atheists with the irony that it takes infinite knowledge to know that there's no God that holds you. Crash Rickshaw was well received, but Project 86 remained Dale, Torres and Albert's primary commitment. Joby Harris says by the time Crash Rickshaw convened for its second album, the Unknown Clarity, a few years later, the environment that had once nurtured indie Christian music had begun to change.

[Arsenio Orteza]

At that point, the entire Christian punk rock hardcore scene that was in Orange county was slowly starting to fade. People in that scene, we were all the same age, we were all from like 18 to 25. And suddenly you had families. You couldn't just hang out and do nothing. You had to find a job. So that was what a lot of people in the bands had to do as well. Hey, I can't tour anymore. I gotta take care of my family. I gotta get a job.

[Steve Dale]

Steve Dale remembers the recording of the Unknown Clarity as a rather diffuse process.

[Caller or Interviewee]

We started recording that on our own, like way back. Like, I think it was like 2002 somewhere in there, and just kind of started piecing it here and there and just. It just kind of went on forever. Right. And like we just never quite finished it. Everybody was busy and finally finished, you know, what we thought was acceptable record at the time. But it never materialized into anything.

[Steve Dale]

Well, it materialized into something. 10 vinyl copies to be exact. But essentially the album vanished and with it crashed Rickshaw. That is until this year when the group reconvened for Big Sur. Mixed by the Grammy nominated JR McNeely. The EP is what kids today might call a banger.

[Arsenio Orteza]

Faces are an occupation idolizes our calibration.

[Steve Dale]

That's Newport. Joby Harris told me that he called it that because like the cigarettes after which it's named, it's about something that can slowly kill you over a long period of time.

[Arsenio Orteza]

The whole song is about social media and the, you know, that it's, that it's a sociopathic platform that it pulls us and we attach our value to it and then we're on it and four hours go by and we've just lost a moment. So it's about being present, you know, that now is all that life gives us and how do we be fully here and now, you know, be a little bit more detached from the pressures of all that.

[Steve Dale]

So why is the EP called Big Sur?

[Arsenio Orteza]

The theme of the album, which is talking about big voices, big people that can easily take over your narrative if you let them. We have a responsibility to reclaim our narrative and write it ourself.

[Steve Dale]

Appropriately enough, the EP's title track speaks truth to power in a pretty big voice itself. I'm Arsenio Orteza.

[Mary Reichert]

You do.

[Juliana Chan Erickson]

I don't know him like you do.

[Mary Reichert]

I never love you like I do I never love you like I do. Today is Thursday, November 13th. Good morning. This is the world and everything in it from listener supported world Radio. I'm Mary Reichert.

[Myrna Brown]

And I'm Erna Brown. World commentator Cal Thomas says it's time for the states to to do something constructive to rein in Congress.

[Cal Thomas]

Had enough of the consequences reverberating from the record setting government shutdown, ready to do something about it. This is an ideal time to recall a slogan from the 1960s. Power to the people. We need a second American revolution. Not with guns or violence, but by a provision in the Constitution the founders thought necessary. Should we arrive at a moment like this, that would be the state legislatures calling a convention of states to take back the power from Washington and put the government behind its original boundaries. In its first paragraph, the Declaration of Independence gives permission for such a revolution. It says when in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them. A decent respect to the opinion of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation now granted. That was originally about a separation from our British overlords. Today it should mean a separation from the dysfunctional Congress leading to a reformation of the federal government which has betrayed the intentions of the founders. Article 5 of the Constitution allows for a constitutional convention of states with the approval of three quarters of state legislatures. One grassroots nonprofit organization that advocates for a convention of states reports that 19 state legislatures have passed resolutions calling for a convention. Eight more have passed a resolution in at least one legislative chamber. The approval of 34 state legislatures is required. The arguments against a convention include it might get out of control and damage the Constitution and the country. That is easily dealt with by limiting the convention to a short list of reforms, such as requiring a balanced budget and term limits. Arguments in favor of a convention of states include that if Congress is not curbed now, it will only get worse, including the $38 trillion debt. Members of the House and Senate are not going to voluntarily relinquish their powers and perks. They're like a child with tooth decay who needs to have candy withheld from him. So too must the candy of spending and debt be removed from the hands of politicians before the country decays beyond repair. As I wrote in America's Expiration Date, the history of great nations is replete with examples that caused their decline. Massive national debt is one of them. We can't escape the lessons of history any more than we could escape the consequences of gravity after jumping from a tall building halfway down. We might regret our decision, but that won't change the consequences. The street below remains a certainty. We're teetering on the edge of a tall building. If we don't reconsider, turn around and come down, we will ultimately regret the consequences. If we wait much longer to address reform, it will be too late and the time for repair will have passed. A convention of states appears to be the only answer. Looking at the liberal groups who oppose, it may be reason enough to persuade 15 more legislatures to follow the example of the 19 that have already given their approval. It will be difficult, as many of the remaining legislatures that must approve a resolution promote more government, not less. But the first revolution wasn't easy either, and look how that turned out. I'm Cal Thomas.

[Mary Reichert]

Tomorrow. Culture Friday with Katie McCoy and reviewer Max Bells on two classic films about the allure of fame. That and more tomorrow. I'm Mary Reichardt.

[Myrna Brown]

And I'm Myrna Brown. 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 this to the Christian church in Corinth and other believers in Greece, make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one. We have corrupted no one. We have taken advantage of no one. I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are are in our hearts to die together and to live together. I am acting with great boldness toward you. I have great pride in you. I am filled with comfort in all our affliction. I am overflowing with joy. Verses 2 through 4 of Second Corinthians, chapter 7. Go now in grace and peace.