1.23.25 Protection for female athletes, humanitarian aid to Gaza residents, and overcoming addiction

Summary

Podcast Summary: The World and Everything In It Episode: 1.23.25 Protection for Female Athletes, Humanitarian Aid to Gaza Residents, and Overcoming Addiction
Host: Mary Reichert
Release Date: January 23, 2025

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1. Protection for Female Athletes

House Passes the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act

In a landmark move, the House of Representatives passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 (HR 28) aimed at safeguarding women's sports from male participation. The bill, which received a vote of 218 in favor to 206 against, now heads to the Senate for further consideration before reaching President Donald Trump's desk for signature.

Key Provisions and Debates:

• Biological Criteria: The legislation mandates that an individual's sex must be determined by reproductive biology and genetics at birth, prohibiting males from participating in female sports within federally funded schools.

• Legislative Pushback: Critics, including Democratic Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, labeled the bill the "Child Predator Empowerment Act," arguing it lacks clear enforcement mechanisms and could lead to invasive procedures to verify biological sex.

• Support and Opposition:

  • Supporters' Viewpoint: GOP Congressman Mark Alford condemned the current situation, stating, “It is an insult and utter disgrace to have them robbed of the triumph. By a biological male” (12:13).
  • Opponents' Concerns: Democratic representatives raised alarms about potential violations of privacy and the logistical challenges of enforcing biological verification.

Personal Stories and Advocacy:

Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer who competed against a transgender female athlete, became a vocal advocate for protecting women's sports. She emphasized the fairness and safety concerns, highlighting the real-life implications of the bill. Gaines praised the bipartisan support, noting, “We have hope that this bill will become law to prevent future presidents from tampering with Title IX in the name of what some call progress” (15:48).

Impact on Title IX:

The bill emerges amid broader debates over Title IX regulations. A federal court in Kentucky recently struck down the Biden administration's reinterpretation of Title IX to include gender identity protections. Conservative groups argue this reset allows schools to uphold traditional definitions of gender, avoiding what they perceive as ideological overreach.

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2. Humanitarian Aid to Gaza

Ceasefire and Reconstruction Efforts

For the first time in over a year, Palestinians are beginning to return to their homes in Gaza to assess the extensive damage and begin the rebuilding process. This follows a ceasefire agreement where aid influx has increased, and Israel has pledged to halt attacks on Hamas, provided the group does not re-enter governmental roles.

Challenges in Rebuilding:

• Infrastructure Devastation: The United Nations estimates that up to 90% of homes in Gaza are rubble, and 60% of all structures are either damaged or destroyed.

• Aid Delivery Issues: Sean Carroll, President and CEO of Anera American Near East Refugee Aid, highlighted the logistical hurdles as aid trucks face delays and security challenges. “Most of that was backlogged trucks that have been waiting and delayed for a long time” (18:10).

UNRWA’s Potential Shutdown:

A significant threat to the aid efforts is the impending ban of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) by the Israeli government. Knesset member Boaz Bismuth justified the ban by accusing UNRWA members of involvement in the October 7 massacre, although UNRWA denies widespread wrongdoing.

• Consequences of the Ban: Without UNRWA, alternative aid organizations struggle to fill the void, potentially crippling humanitarian efforts. Jonathan Fowler, UNRWA spokesperson, expressed grave concerns: “We face potentially massive risks to our work” (20:53).

• Diverging Opinions: While some, like Luke Moon of the Philos Project, support the ban, arguing it perpetuates Palestinian refugee status and delegitimizes Israel, others worry about the humanitarian fallout and the capacity of existing organizations to compensate.

Humanitarian Outlook:

The cessation of UNRWA’s operations could lead to a severe reduction in essential services such as education, healthcare, and job training for Palestinians, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

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3. Overcoming Addiction

Terry Burrell’s Journey from Addiction to Redemption

Terry Burrell shares his personal struggle with alcoholism, a battle he fought for 16 years before seeking help. His story underscores the broader public health issue of increased alcohol consumption during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Path to Recovery:

• Initial Struggles: Burrell turned to alcohol to cope with the traumatic experiences of his job in law enforcement, which strained his relationships and personal well-being. “I was sick a lot when I wasn't sick because I didn't show up because I was drinking instead of doing things I should have done” (25:24).

• Breaking the Cycle: It wasn't until Burrell reached out to a recovery group that he began his journey toward sobriety. “It may have been the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, but it was the best thing that's ever happened to me” (28:54).

Expert Insights:

Andrea Brandt, an addiction counselor, highlights the pandemic’s role in exacerbating alcohol dependency, noting that isolation and trauma led many to increase their drinking. Studies cited include the Annals of Internal Medicine and research from the Pew Center, indicating a sustained rise in alcohol consumption post-pandemic.

Societal Impact:

The episode discusses the broader implications of alcohol addiction, including economic costs and the ripple effects on families and communities. Brandt emphasizes that addiction not only affects the individual but also their support networks, advocating for reliance on faith and community support for healing.

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4. Analysis of President Trump's Inaugural Speech

Contrasting Leadership Styles and Policy Directions

World commentator Cal Thomas provides an in-depth analysis of President Donald Trump's second inaugural address, highlighting a shift from his previous rhetoric to a more optimistic tone.

Policy Highlights:

• Economic Promises: Trump pledged to enforce border laws, deport criminal immigrants, and reduce costs, echoing the platform that secured over 77 million votes in the previous election.

• Cultural and Social Policies: A strong stance on gender identity laws, aiming to solidify the definition of male and female based on biology, aligns with the recently passed HR 28.

• Foreign Policy: Ambitious statements like reclaiming the Panama Canal were met with skepticism, reflecting ongoing debates about international control and historical ownership.

Public Reaction and Political Implications:

Thomas notes a divide in public perception, where many Americans may align more with Trump's policy proposals despite personal dislike of his character. A recent New York Times Ipsos poll indicates broad support for his solutions to national issues, even among those critical of his leadership.

Challenges Ahead:

Trump's promises face significant hurdles, including addressing the national debt and achieving bipartisan support in the Senate. The commentary underscores the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of these policies and their long-term impact on the nation.

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5. Additional Topics

Unusual Weather Patterns:

The episode briefly touches on the unprecedented snowfall in southern states like Florida and Australia, highlighting the global climate anomalies that have left both locals and tourists astonished.

Upcoming Stories:

Teasers were provided for future segments, including discussions on alcohol consumption trends post-pandemic and the cultural landscape of 2025, indicating the program's comprehensive coverage of current events and societal issues.

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Conclusion

Episode 1.23.25 of The World and Everything In It navigates through significant socio-political and humanitarian issues, offering listeners a detailed analysis of the protection of female athletes, the complexities of humanitarian aid in Gaza, and personal narratives of overcoming addiction. Through engaging discussions, expert insights, and compelling personal stories, the episode provides a nuanced understanding of these multifaceted topics.

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Generated by WORLD Radio’s summarization based on the transcript provided.

Transcript

[Mary Reichert]

Good morning. The House has passed a bill that takes males out of female sports and private spaces.

[Mark Alford]

It is an insult and utter disgrace to have them robbed of the triumph.

[Kent Covington]

By a biological male.

[Myrna Brown]

Also, humanitarian aid in Gaza and one man's journey from addiction to redemption.

[Terry Burrell]

I can't be one of those people. I was thinking that up to the day that I finally went to ask for help.

[Myrna Brown]

And world commentator Count Thomas on the optimistic tone of this week's inauguration.

[Mary Reichert]

It's Thursday, January 23rd. This is the world and everything in it. From listener supported World Radio. I'm Mary Reichert.

[Myrna Brown]

And I'm Myrna Brown. Good morning.

[Mary Reichert]

Now the news. Here's Kent Covington.

[Kent Covington]

The Pentagon has begun deploying about 1500 active duty troops to the US southern border. Thad Cleveland is sheriff of Terrell County, Texas, on the US Mexico border. He points out that the military cannot make arrests on US Soil.

[Terry Burrell]

But what we will see is we will see military helping us in support roles, not actually getting out there and enforcing the law.

[Kent Covington]

Acting Defense Secretary Robert Solesis said the troops will fly helicopters to assist Border Patrol agents and help in the construction of barriers. Defense officials say the department is prepared to provide many more troops if asked. National Guard troops from Texas and other states have been supporting the Border Patrol for several years. Meantime, President Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, says Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE for short, is wasting no time executing what the president has called a mass deportation effort. Homan said on Wednesday, we're concentrating on the worst.

[Terry Burrell]

First, the public safety threats and national security threats.

[Mark Alford]

And just yesterday in the, in the.

[Kent Covington]

Last 24 hours, ISIS arrested over 308, 308 serious criminals.

[Mark Alford]

Some of them were murderers, some of them were rapists.

[Kent Covington]

And the Department of Justice is directing its federal prosecutors to investigate potential criminal charges against any state or local officials who stand in the way of immigration enforcement. The Trump administration is also doing away with policies that limit migrant arrests at sensitive places like churches. Democrats are blasting that move. Congressman Pete Aguilar Many states have taken positions on immigration in order to protect their communities. And one of the first steps Donald.

[Travis Kircher]

Trump does is allow raids in churches, workplaces, community centers.

[Kent Covington]

The Department of Homeland Security says the change is designed to stop criminals from hiding in churches and other places to avoid arrest. On Capitol Hill Wednesday, this vote, the yeas are 263 and the nays are 156. The bill passed and with that vote, the House sent the Lake and Riley act to President Trump's desk for his signature. The BIPARTISAN bill had already cleared in the Senate. The bill was named after a Georgia nursing student who was murdered last year by a Venezuelan man in the country illegally. GOP Congressman Brandon Gill the Lake and.

[Travis Kircher]

Riley act would have saved Lake and Riley's life. It merely directs DHS to detain illegal aliens who are burglarizing American citizens on American territory.

[Kent Covington]

This will almost certainly be the first bill President Trump signs into law in the coming days, potentially as soon as today. The Trump administration has moved up the suspension of the Refugee Resettlement Program. Refugees who had been approved to come to the United States before its scheduled suspension next week just found out their travel plans were canceled. Some Christian aid groups had urged President Trump to reconsider the suspension. Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters, what the.

[Terry Burrell]

President is trying to do right now.

[Riley Gaines]

Is a reset, and I don't second.

[Kent Covington]

Guess his decisions on that.

[Riley Gaines]

He's using his executive authority because desperate times call for desperate measures.

[Kent Covington]

Refugees stranded, at least for now, include more than 1600 Afghans who assisted America's war effort. In another executive order, President Trump has directed all federal agencies to shut down divisions focused on diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI for short. They're also putting all DEI staff on paid leave and shutting down websites for associated programs. The administration says DEI programs have divided Americans by race, wasted taxpayer dollars and resulted in shameful discrimination. Trump's order declares that from now on, jobs and promotions will be awarded based on hard work and results. Snow covered palm trees have been swaying in some southern states with a winter front shattering snowfall records. One Australian tourist in New Orleans says he was definitely not expecting the snow.

[Terry Burrell]

In Australia we don't get much snow at all and just to see this much snow, it is quite a treat.

[Kent Covington]

In Destin, Florida, the weather created the rare spectacle of snow covered beaches against almost Caribbean clear turquoise waters. And in Tallahassee, students at Florida State University were among those enjoying the views.

[Terry Burrell]

So excited.

[Travis Kircher]

I'm so excited.

[Terry Burrell]

I didn't think it was going to actually happen.

[Cal Thomas]

I mean everyone was saying it, but the fact that it's actually it's snowing right now in Florida.

[Kent Covington]

In Florida's panhandle near Pensacola, almost 10 inches of snow fell, shattering the state's all time record for snowfall dating back to 1954. 10 inches also fell in the New Orleans area. I'm Ken Covington and straight ahead, changes to Title 9 and protections for both Christian schools and women's sports. Plus relief efforts in Gaza as a United nations relief agency prepares to leave. This is the world and everything in it.

[Mary Reichert]

It's Thursday, the 23rd of January. This is World Radio and we're so glad you've joined us today. Good morning. I'm Mary Reichert.

[Myrna Brown]

And I'm Myrna Brown. First up on the world and everything in it, a win for women's sports. Last week, the House passed a bill to protect women's sports. We'll have more on that story in a few minutes. But first, a look at what's happening on the state level.

[Mary Reichert]

That's right. A federal court in Kentucky this month struck down the changes the Biden administration made to Title 9 of the Civil Rights Act. That's a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in schools that receive financial aid. Last year, the Biden administration interpreted Title 9 to include protections for so called gender identity. Now that the regulations have been reset, how will schools be affected?

[Myrna Brown]

When Title IX was reinterpreted by the Biden administration last year, it raised questions about how schools should address privacy, restroom use, athletic programs and even what teachers can say.

[Kent Covington]

The big issue for Christian schools who have a traditional understanding of marriage, traditional understanding of gender and sexuality is if that is redone, then that opens up Pandora's box to gender and sex being something that is self interpreted and it becomes a whole different category.

[Myrna Brown]

John Mark Yates is the president of Corbin University, a private Christian school in Salem, Oregon. Corbyn challenged the rules and won exemption from the Biden rules. Meanwhile, 26 states have blocked the ruling with court injunctions. One of eight lawsuits went all the way to the federal district court in Kentucky. Conservative legal defense group Alliance Defending Freedom represented the plaintiffs. Here's ADF attorney Matt Sharp.

[Riley Gaines]

In fact, in this specific case, the client we're representing, this is a middle school girl. Not only did she lose a spot on the team to a male, but that male was allowed into the restrooms and locker rooms where this young girl faced sexual harassment by this male individual in there.

[Mary Reichert]

Christian Educators is an association of teachers with some 15,000 members. It also joined the lawsuit. Its director, David Schmus, says changing Title IX to include gender identity violated the rights of educators.

[Kent Covington]

These rules would have said that K to 12 teachers in schools across the nation would have to use preferred pronouns. They would have to oversee locker rooms and bathrooms that would be able to be used by students inconsistent with their biological sex. They would have to potentially oversee overnight field trips in which accommodations would be reserved and assigned not according to biological sex.

[Mary Reichert]

In his court opinion, Chief U.S. district Judge Danny Reeves clearly defined sex as referring to biology. Attorney Sharp says that's good news for schools.

[Riley Gaines]

They don't have to worry about the federal government knocking on their door and telling them that they have to embrace radical gender ideology or to contradict clear scriptural teachings on what it means to be male and female and other core teachings.

[Myrna Brown]

So court rulings and the Trump administration's commitment to interpret the law according to biology and not ideology means that gender ideology will not be enforced via Title ix. But the battle isn't over in many.

[Riley Gaines]

States, but we're still going to have places where they're going to pass bad local laws and policies.

[Myrna Brown]

For example, as of January 1st, California school districts can no longer require staff to inform parents if a child wants to be called by a different name or pronoun. Twenty states and Washington, D.C. have laws listing gender identity and sexual orientation as protected from discrimination, and state laws will likely continue to vary.

[Mary Reichert]

Corbin University President Yates says the confusing legal environment will require Christian leaders to exercise a lot of wisdom.

[Kent Covington]

We cannot, in our Christian universities operate in a spirit of fear. We operate in a spirit of wisdom. We operate in a spirit of understanding that our God is sovereign and he's called us to serve our communities of faith at such a time as this.

[Mary Reichert]

While states consider their options to protect women's spaces and sports in the future, lawmakers in Washington are taking action. World's Travis Kircher has that story.

[Kent Covington]

The House will be in order.

[Riley Gaines]

The House gaveled into session last Tuesday, with GOP Congressman Tim Wahlberg bringing up the next piece of legislation for debate.

[Mark Alford]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 5, I call up the bill HR 28.

[Kent Covington]

The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports act of 2025.

[Riley Gaines]

House Resolution 28 would prohibit males from participating in female sports at any school that receives federal funding. It would also require that an individual's sex be determined by their reproductive biology and genetics at birth. Here's bill sponsor GOP Congressman Greg Stube.

[Kent Covington]

Parents don't want biological men in locker rooms with their daughters, nor do they believe it's fair that a male can compete with women in female athletics. This is why Title IX protections were implemented in the first place.

[Riley Gaines]

Supporters of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports act say the legislation was prompted by a Title IX rule change. The Biden administration announced last year. That change redefined Title IX to prohibit sex discrimination based on so called gender identity. Earlier this month, the federal court struck down that rule change nationwide, but some Republicans say protections are still needed. GOP Congressman Mark Alford said forcing women to play against men is patently unfair.

[Mark Alford]

It is an insult and utter disgrace to have them robbed of the triumph.

[Kent Covington]

By a biological male.

[Riley Gaines]

But critics of the bill had their own name for it. Democratic Congresswoman Joyce Beatty.

[Myrna Brown]

When we think about this bill being proposed, it is really the Child Predator Empowerment Act.

[Riley Gaines]

Democrats say the bill doesn't explain how it will be enforced or how a person's biological sex will be verified. They say that means it will ultimately lead to invasive physical inspections of children by non medical school employees.

[Kent Covington]

Republicans are passing a bill that allows any adult in a school to inspect the genitals of our kids before they're allowed to play sports. What is wrong with you people?

[Riley Gaines]

But Congressman Wahlberg said those claims were nothing short of fear mongering and that the bill provides no such mandate.

[Kent Covington]

We in this bill offer no requirement for any type of invasive checks on women or men. They simply have to go to the.

[Mark Alford]

Birth certificate that will give the answer.

[Riley Gaines]

After an hour's worth of intense debate.

[Kent Covington]

On this vote, The A's are 218. The nays are 206.

[Mary Reichert]

One voted president.

[Kent Covington]

The bill is passed.

[Riley Gaines]

The House advanced the bill with two Democrats breaking with their party to vote in favor of it.

[Cal Thomas]

And I'm thrilled with the passage of HR 28, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. But truthfully, I'm mad.

[Riley Gaines]

That's Riley Gaines, a former member of the University of Kentucky NCAA swim team. She spoke last Tuesday at a GOP news conference. After the bill's passage in 2022, Gaines was forced to compete against a man who identified as a transgender fe. She also had to share a changing room with him. She now advocates for protecting women's sports and private spaces from intrusion by male athletes. She hosts a podcast called Gaines for Girls and is director of the Riley Gaines center at the Leadership Institute. World spoke with Gaines a few days ago. She says she's thankful for the two Texas Democrats who voted for the bill, Representatives Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar. She says she tried to talk to.

[Cal Thomas]

Others, but no one on the other side wants to have this conversation in a private setting or public setting for that matter, because they know it's wrong, too. They know that men on average are taller, faster, stronger, can throw further, can jump higher. I mean, they know that.

[Riley Gaines]

When Gaines spoke with World in September, she called on women and girls teams to forfeit any games where they were forced to compete against a male player. Since then, she says, there's been results like the Boise State women's volleyball team forfeiting their shot at the Mountain West Conference championship, prematurely ending their season.

[Cal Thomas]

I mean, that is a huge consequence that they face for doing it. But even still, they said it's worth it because, number one, we don't want to be hurt. We don't want to have to be on the receiving end of a kill or a spike to the face. And they said some things matter more than victory, and some of those things include the integrity of sport and in this case, objective reality.

[Riley Gaines]

For now, HR28 heads to the Senate. If it passes, it will be sent to President Trump's desk for signature.

[Cal Thomas]

The Senate is a lot more so it seems on these, especially these hot button topics. They seem to be a lot more bipartisan. Do I think it has the 60 votes that that might be a stretch to get, you know, 10 or so senators, Democrats to sign on to this. But I think there's hope, especially in.

[Riley Gaines]

Those swing states, hope, she says, that this bill will become law to prevent future presidents from tampering with Title IX in the name of what some call progress.

[Cal Thomas]

It's not progress. It's regressive. And it's utterly misogynistic. To tell women they're not worthy of calling themselves champions, to tell women that we have to essentially beg for privacy in areas of undressing, it's taking us back at least 50 years in time, and I would love to be able to communicate that to anyone who voted nay on ATR 28.

[Riley Gaines]

Reporting for World, I'm Travis Kercher.

[Mary Reichert]

Earlier this week, President Trump signed an executive order reaffirming the legal recognition of only two sexes, male and female, determined solely by biology. We will be watching in the weeks ahead to determine how this will will affect the legislative debate.

[Kent Covington]

Additional support comes from Pensacola Christian College Academic Excellence, Biblical Worldview, Affordable Cost, Go pcci. Edu World and from chosengen Ministry, Outfitting Family Discipleship through resources such as the Discipleship Parenting podcast. [e-mail].

[Myrna Brown]

Up next, Rebuilding after ceasefire. For the first time in over a year, Palestinians are returning to their homes in Gaza to learn what's left of them.

[Mary Reichert]

As part of the ceasefire agreement, aid is pouring into Gaza and Israel has agreed to stop trying to destroy Hamas, though for its part, Hamas must not be part of any future government in the area. What will it take for Gaza to rebuild and who will do it? World's Mary Muncie reports.

[Travis Kircher]

On Sunday, Palestinians ran after hundreds of aid trucks as they crossed the border and started distributing food, medicine and other supplies.

[Terry Burrell]

Most of that was backlogged trucks that have been waiting and delayed for a long time.

[Travis Kircher]

Sean Carroll is the president and CEO of Anera American near east refugee aid. They've had an office in Gaza for Near east nearly 40 years, and Carol visited last month.

[Terry Burrell]

It's kind of hard to fathom exactly how much work is needed.

[Travis Kircher]

The UN estimates as much as 90% of homes are rubble and that 60% of all the structures in the region are damaged or destroyed.

[Kent Covington]

There's a need first and foremost for.

[Travis Kircher]

Food, then medical care and shelter and.

[Kent Covington]

Taking care of orphans.

[Terry Burrell]

There are an estimated somewhere around 20,000 orphans.

[Travis Kircher]

Carroll says there's a lot of catching up to do. Before the war, several hundred trucks of aid crossed the border daily. But after October 7, that number fell to barely 50 trucks a day, many of them only half full. And then once in, many of the trucks were looted before aid got to the people.

[Terry Burrell]

So it's going to take everyone.

[Travis Kircher]

But starting next week, they may not have everyone. Last fall, the Israeli Parliament passed a law banning one of the largest aid organizations to Gaza. And the grace period is coming to an end.

[Kent Covington]

We have nothing against international community, against foreigners, against the idea of humanitarian aid. This is what Israel is providing.

[Travis Kircher]

After the law passed, Knesset member Boaz Bismuth defended banning unwra, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees in the Near East.

[Kent Covington]

It's about the fact that UNRWA participated in the massacre of 7 October.

[Travis Kircher]

Earlier this year, the Israeli government announced investigations into over 100 UNRWA staff members. They accused those members of participating in the terrorist attack on October 7. They said UNRWA did not cooperate with them and never answered their requests for investigations.

[Kent Covington]

An organization or an agency that calls.

[Travis Kircher]

Itself humanitarian and participates in a massacre.

[Terry Burrell]

Will not function in my country.

[Travis Kircher]

UNWRA says it took the accusations seriously and investigated them, but didn't find any evidence of wrongdoing in most cases, and in the 10 cases they did, they took action.

[Riley Gaines]

We do not know where we stand.

[Kent Covington]

After the end of this month.

[Travis Kircher]

Jonathan Fowler is the spokesperson for unrwa. The law may be challenged by human rights agencies before it's implemented, or it could be implemented in a way that doesn't completely disrupt UNRWA's work. But it's likely that starting Tuesday, UNRWA will stop operating.

[Kent Covington]

We face potentially massive risks to our work.

[Travis Kircher]

UNRWA was set up in 1949 to support Palestinians, and the UN has renewed it every three years since. Right now, the UN officially views what it calls Palestine as an occupied territory, which means it believes Israel should fulfill its duty as an occupier, namely to maintain law and order and uphold public life right Now, Fowler believes UNRWA is doing that job for them, but if.

[Kent Covington]

We'Re not here, then it falls upon the Israeli authorities.

[Travis Kircher]

UNRWA's charter says they're to provide things like education, job training and basic health care.

[Kent Covington]

We provide services directly in the absence of a functioning state.

[Travis Kircher]

Carol with Anhra said working in Gaza would be much harder without unrwa. But not everyone agrees.

[Kent Covington]

There's a lot of us that are very happy to see this go.

[Travis Kircher]

Luke Moon is the executive director of the Philos Project.

[Kent Covington]

The Palestinians need to be treated like every other refugee in the world.

[Travis Kircher]

Moon says UNWRA has perpetuated Palestinians refugee status instead of allowing them to be taken in by another country or be repatriated.

[Kent Covington]

And the whole point of that special.

[Riley Gaines]

Status was to delegitimize Israel and not.

[Kent Covington]

Allow Israel to be free from the obligation to take these people back.

[Travis Kircher]

Moon agrees with the Israeli government, which says there are enough neutral aid organizations to fill the gap. On the other hand, Carol with Anara worries that the hole UNRWA would leave would be too hard to fill.

[Terry Burrell]

And it's not clear who can take up that work because the only way to really take up the work is to take over all of the staff and the facilities.

[Travis Kircher]

Israel has not announced any specific plans to fill any holes UNWRA might leave, though the Israeli organization in charge of tracking aid has publicized Israeli aid deliveries to the region on social media. Carol says that if UNRWA is banned, UNERA will continue doing its work work, though some aspects may be harder.

[Terry Burrell]

It's not looking good right now, but I think if we, each of us look into our own humanity and urge everyone to do the same, then we can get there.

[Travis Kircher]

Reporting for World, I'm Mary Muncie.

[Myrna Brown]

Today is Thursday, January 23rd. 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, alcohol consumption after the pandemic. A recent study found that during the height of the pandemic, Americans turned to alcohol in increasing numbers. But even as life returned to normal, the rates of drinking did not return to the previous level. The researchers call it an alarming public health issue.

[Myrna Brown]

World's Lindsay Mass has the story of one man who understands the challenges of quitting alcohol.

[Terry Burrell]

This was the main entry. Back in the day, it would have been here.

[Andrea Brandt]

Terry Burrell was an alcoholic for 16 years before he first sought out a recovery group. He came three different times before he actually went all the Way in to.

[Terry Burrell]

The meeting, and they came over to talk to me and said, oh, are you interested in sobriety recovery? And I go, no, no, I'm just looking. I'm just looking.

[Andrea Brandt]

Burrell's heavy drinking happened long before the pandemic. But the challenges he faced apply to many people who struggle with addiction. Burrell turned to alcohol to cope with his job in law enforcement. He saw some terrible things and started drinking when he was off duty. At first, he could manage it, but over time, that changed. His relationship with his parents and brothers eroded, even though they didn't know the extent of his drinking.

[Terry Burrell]

I was sick a lot when I wasn't sick because I didn't show up because I was drinking instead of doing things I should have done, instead of being there to help.

[Andrea Brandt]

He tried to quit but would relapse. He didn't want to ask for help.

[Terry Burrell]

Being the police officer, which is a man's man kind of thing, that you got to look tough and you got to be sort of hard and all those things, it was. It took a lot to get me to ask for help.

[Andrea Brandt]

He wasn't married at the time. Alcohol filled the holes where close relationships would have been. Isolation often coexists with addiction, which might be why a recent study in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that both overall and heavy drinking increased during the pandemic.

[Cal Thomas]

They were separated from their church groups. They were separated from their social support system.

[Andrea Brandt]

Andrea Brandt is an addiction counselor with a faith based counseling group in the Atlanta area. They didn't know what was happening. They were fearful of getting sick, which it was all traumatic.

[Cal Thomas]

And alcohol provides a way to get out of that.

[Andrea Brandt]

But the study also found that once the pandemic waned, many people kept drinking, sometimes heavily. Research from the Pew center in 2019 found that Christians tend to drink at rates lower than the general population. Still, Brant says she's seen evidence of the uptick in drinking, and believers aren't immune to addiction.

[Cal Thomas]

People experience pain, right? It's a fallen world.

[Travis Kircher]

And substance use.

[Cal Thomas]

Alcohol is a very effective substance in helping people to numb pain and to feel better.

[Andrea Brandt]

Alcohol is big business.

[Kent Covington]

Wazza waza.

[Andrea Brandt]

In 2018, the American Beverage Licensees association reported that the alcohol industry had a total economic impact of more than $350 billion annually. And the Wall Street Journal reported this week that just one fifth of adults account for 90% of alcohol sales. But there are costs, too. An article in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine estimated that in 2010, binge drinking cost the United States more than $190 billion. That's due to premature deaths, lost productivity and other factors. And it's not just binge drinking that's problematic. Brandt says any amount of alcohol changes a person's brain.

[Cal Thomas]

It does brain damage, even just a little bit. And nobody is immune from becoming addicted to a substance if they have access to it.

[Andrea Brandt]

During the pandemic, alcohol became easier to access, options for delivery and to go. Alcohol increased dramatically. And as heavy drinking has become more prevalent, more people may find that quitting can be challenging. Doing it too quickly can even be dangerous for someone who's addicted. For Terry Burrell, overcoming denial was key.

[Terry Burrell]

I remember thinking inside going, I can't be one of those people, you know, it can't be me in my family, you know, it can't be me. I was thinking that up to the day that I finally went to ask for help.

[Andrea Brandt]

Burrell says he went to church growing up, but it was only when he finally walked into his first 12 step group meeting that he allowed himself to fully rely on Christ.

[Terry Burrell]

It may have been the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, but it was the best thing that's ever happened to me in my life. And no one looked down on me. Everyone accepted me. Everyone just cared about me and loved me and took care of me and wanted to help.

[Andrea Brandt]

Burrell says those 16 years he spent as an alcoholic feel like a void. He's married now, but his kids have an older dad.

[Terry Burrell]

For my entire experience with drinking, I can't think of one positive thing that comes from drinking, you know, but I can see a lot of negative, you know, it's just such a slippery slope.

[Andrea Brandt]

Andrea Brandt, the counselor, has a number of clients who have had alcoholic family members. She says heavy drinking can have effects beyond the person who's addicted.

[Kent Covington]

I think that everybody is impacted by.

[Cal Thomas]

Alcohol, whether it's through a friend or somebody that they interact with at church.

[Travis Kircher]

Or, you know, somebody in the community.

[Cal Thomas]

Right.

[Andrea Brandt]

Addiction impacts entire communities, but healing can come through Christ and connection and reaching out for help. Seventeen years after getting sober, Terry Burrell says for all the pain that his drinking caused, he wouldn't trade it for the relationship he now has with the Lord.

[Terry Burrell]

It really made me depend upon him in a way that I never would have come to know him the way that I. The way that I know him.

[Andrea Brandt]

Now reporting for World, I'm Lindsay Mast in Johns Creek, Dr. georgia.

[Mary Reichert]

Today is Thursday, January 23rd. Good morning. This is the World and everything in it. From Listener supported World Radio, I'm Mary.

[Myrna Brown]

Reichert and I'm Erna Brown. World commentator Kal Thomas assesses the policies and pitfalls from President Trump's inaugural speech.

[Mark Alford]

According to Frank Sinatra, love is lovelier the second time around. We'll see how that works out in the second term of Donald J. Trump, following his four year intermission. The two terms will be a contrast in policy, personnel and persistence. This time the Republican Party is unified. If they can keep it, Trump will also not be constrained by a pandemic. In his second inaugural address, the old and new president decided to mostly turn from the dark side, displayed and disliked by many in his first address. This time, Trump apparently listened to advisors who encouraged optimism over malaise, saying the golden years are ahead of us. He called for a revolution of common sense, the definition of which is sound, practical judgment. He promised a new era of national success. He has also spoken of a return to normalcy. The problem is that at least two generations have been raised and educated, some would say indoctrinated, to believe what was once called abnormal is now to be considered normal. Some of Trump's promises, including a promise to end wars, smack of hyperbole. But others about enforcing border laws, deporting criminal immigrants and bringing down costs are what he ran on and what more than 77 million Americans voted for. His threat to deprive sanctuary cities of federal funds is overdue, as too many mayors and governors have ignored our immigration laws enacted by Republican and Democrat politicians, and by doing so have encouraged more migrants to come and receive benefits some Americans don't get. Will the next four years be a golden age or a new Gilded Age in which the rich got richer and the poor got poorer? Trump seemed to be suggesting that his economic policies would lift all boats. Unfortunately, Trump said nothing about our massive debt, possibly leaving that to the now official Department of Government Efficiency. This will require massive cuts and reforms in spending, something members of both parties in Congress have been reluctant to do. Trump's pledge to take back the Panama Canal is problematic at best, despite claims that China has operational control of the passageway, claims Panama's president denies. Didn't we already have this debate in the 1970s about who owns it? Anti Trumpers who have boosted their careers opposing the president on his character will be doubly isolated should he achieve his policy goals. Trump has also pledged to protect women's sports from transgender athletes, declaring there are only two genders, male and female. Having to state the obvious tells you a lot about the state of the culture. A New York Times Ipsos poll published over the weekend shows a majority have come to terms with Trump's character versus his policies. The poll concluded that many Americans who otherwise dislike Trump share his bleak assessment of the country's problems and support some of his most contentious prescriptions to fix them. Every new president is welcomed by most Americans with an attitude of optimism about the future. President Trump concluded his address by saying, in America, the impossible is what we do best. It won't take long to see how that plays out. I'm Cal Thomas.

[Myrna Brown]

Tomorrow Culture Friday with Katie McCoy and world's arts and culture editor Colin Gamarino previews the likely Blockbuster films of 2025 plus your listener feedback. That and more tomorrow. I'm Myrna Brown.

[Mary Reichert]

And I'm Mary Reichard. Our thanks today to World's Becca McCollum for writing our first story on Christian schools in Title ix. 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 Bible records that when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth. Verses 50, 56 and 57 of Genesis chapter 41 go now in grace and peace.