8.11.25 Legal Docket on regulating speech, Moneybeat on the Fed nominee, and History Book on the foundation for Mere Christianity

Summary

The World and Everything In It | Episode Released August 11, 2025

Hosted by WORLD Radio, "The World and Everything In It" is a top Apple Podcasts News program delivering essential headlines, field reporting, interviews, and expert analysis. This episode, titled "Legal Docket on Regulating Speech, Moneybeat on the Fed Nominee, and History Book on the Foundation for Mere Christianity," delves into pivotal Supreme Court cases, economic discussions, and the historical underpinnings of a seminal Christian text.

---

1. Legal Docket: First Amendment Under Scrutiny

This segment explores two landmark Supreme Court cases testing the boundaries of the First Amendment—the right to speak and the right not to speak.

a. Counselor-Client Relationship: Kaylee Chiles vs. Colorado

Case Overview: Licensed professional counselor Kaylee Chiles from Colorado is challenging a state law that restricts her ability to integrate her Christian faith into counseling sessions with minors experiencing gender dysphoria. The law prohibits what the state labels as "conversion therapy," aiming to change a minor's sexual orientation or gender identity.

Key Discussion: Jim Campbell, ADF Chief Legal Counsel, articulates the crux of the issue:

"[07:57] Jim Campbell: Counseling conversations when Kaylee Chiles sits down with one of her clients, those conversations are protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. And as a result, the government has no business telling Kaylee what she and her client can discuss."

Campbell argues that Colorado's Mental Health Practice Act exemplifies viewpoint discrimination, selectively allowing counseling that aligns with the state's pro-transition stance while barring alternative viewpoints. He emphasizes the absence of a medical consensus on conversion therapy and advocates for counselors' autonomy in setting their counseling goals.

Colorado's Stance: Mary Reichert summarizes the state's position:

"[10:07] Mary Reichert: The state contends that Chiles is engaged in conduct, not speech, thereby legitimizing regulation. Additionally, Colorado deems conversion therapy discredited, justifying its broad prohibition while permitting supportive counseling for LGBTQ identities."

b. Nonprofit Donor Privacy: First Choice Women's Resource Centers vs. New Jersey

Case Overview: First Choice Women's Resource Centers, a pro-life nonprofit in New Jersey, faces a comprehensive subpoena demanding disclosure of donor information spanning up to ten years. Executive Director Amy Huber contends that this intrusion violates the nonprofit's right to keep donor identities confidential.

Key Discussion: Jim Campbell draws parallels to a previous Supreme Court case:

"[14:23] Jim Campbell: Similar to Americans for Prosperity vs. Bonta in 2021, where mandatory donor disclosure was struck down, New Jersey's subpoena threatens the confidentiality of donor information without sufficient justification."

Huber expresses frustration over what she perceives as governmental hostility toward pro-life organizations:

"[16:52] Amy Huber: The leadership of our state has made no secret of the fact that they are supportive of abortion... Pregnancy centers like First Choice do not perform abortions or refer for abortions. So I think that's the reason for the attack."

Legal Implications: Campbell underscores the broader impact, highlighting that such state actions may extend beyond pro-life groups to other nonprofits, including gun advocacy and immigration groups, thereby potentially infringing upon their First Amendment rights.

---

2. MoneyBeat: Federal Reserve Nominee and Economic Policies

a. Stephen Mirren's Nomination to the Federal Reserve Board

Overview: President Trump has nominated Stephen Mirren, then-chairman of the President's Council of Economic Advisors, to the Federal Reserve Board. Mirren is noted for his unconventional economic views, particularly regarding tariffs and their impact on inflation.

Expert Analysis: David Bonson of The Bonson Group provides his perspective:

"[20:07] Kent Covington: Steve's view that tariffs might not be as inflationary as commonly thought aligns with some nuanced economic theories. However, the long-term effects, such as compressed economic growth due to increased costs for American manufacturers, pose significant concerns."

Bonson questions whether Mirren's appointment is a strategic move to fill multiple positions within the Fed, potentially influencing monetary policy during a critical period.

b. Firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Head

Issue: President Trump's recent dismissal of the BLS head, following the release of unfavorable jobs data, has sparked debate over the credibility of government economic statistics.

Expert Analysis: Bonson critiques the administration’s approach:

"[23:06] Kent Covington: The abrupt firing undermines the apolitical nature of economic data. Instead of addressing potential methodological issues, the move politicizes labor statistics, which requires objective reporting to accurately reflect the economic landscape."

He emphasizes the importance of maintaining reliable and unbiased economic data for informed policymaking and public trust.

c. US Tariffs and North American Trade Relations

Overview: With increasing tariffs affecting trade relations, Canada is seeking to strengthen ties with Mexico ahead of the USMCA review.

Expert Insights: Bonson analyzes the strategic maneuvers:

"[27:04] Kent Covington: While Canada and Mexico are fostering closer cooperation, it's unclear if this signals a realignment of trade alliances or a temporary strategy to gain leverage in negotiations with the US. The impact of tariffs on American manufacturers, particularly in the steel and aluminum sectors, raises concerns about reciprocal economic harm."

He remains hopeful for a balanced resolution that safeguards American interests without disproportionately affecting North American partners.

---

3. History Book: The Foundation of "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis

This segment revisits London in August 1941, amidst the Blitz, where C.S. Lewis's radio broadcasts laid the groundwork for his influential work, "Mere Christianity."

Narrative Overview: Amidst relentless German bombing, Lewis delivers a series of radio talks on the BBC, notably crafting arguments central to Christian apologetics. These broadcasts later coalesced into "Mere Christianity," a cornerstone of modern Christian literature.

Key Highlights:

• Moral Law and Lawgiver:

  "[32:13] C.S. Lewis: What is the sense in saying the enemy is in the wrong unless right is a real thing which the Germans at bottom know as well as we do."

  Lewis argues that the existence of a universal moral law implies a moral lawgiver, reinforcing the necessity of belief in God.

• Practical Christianity:

  "[35:04] C.S. Lewis: Give up yourself and you will find your real self. Lose your life and you will save it."

  These profound statements encapsulate the essence of selflessness and the paradoxical path to true fulfillment through surrender.

Impact and Reception: Michael Ward, a leading Lewis scholar, notes the global influence of "Mere Christianity," now translated into approximately 40 languages. Despite mixed public reactions, with listeners either highly praising or dismissing Lewis, the work remains a pivotal text in Christian thought.

Behind the Scenes: Lewis's dedication is evident as he balances his academic responsibilities at Oxford, hosts refugee children, serves in the Home Guard, and continues his broadcasting efforts. His ability to interweave personal sacrifice with intellectual rigor underscores the depth and resilience that characterize his work.

---

Conclusion

This episode of "The World and Everything In It" masterfully intertwines critical legal battles over free speech and privacy, insightful economic analysis amidst shifting political landscapes, and a historical exploration of a literary masterpiece that continues to shape Christian discourse. Through expert interviews, compelling narratives, and authoritative commentary, WORLD Radio delivers a comprehensive and engaging overview of the pressing issues shaping our world today.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Jim Campbell on Viewpoint Discrimination (09:53):

  "They tell a counselor that you can help a child down the so called path of transition, but you can't help a child become comfortable with their bodies."

• Amy Huber on Government Hostility (16:52):

  "The leadership of our state has made no secret of the fact that they are supportive of abortion... So pregnancy centers like First Choice do not perform abortions or refer for abortions. So I think that's the reason for the attack."

• C.S. Lewis on Selflessness (35:04):

  "Give up yourself and you will find your real self. Lose your life and you will save it."

---

For more in-depth coverage and analysis, subscribe to "The World and Everything In It" on Apple Podcasts and stay informed with WORLD Radio's listener-supported journalism grounded in God's Word.

Transcript

[Mary Reichert]

Good morning. The Supreme Court will hear two cases this term testing both sides of the First Amendment, the right to speak and the right not to. One of the cases begins in the counselor client relationship.

[Jim Campbell]

They tell a counselor that you can help a child down the so called path of transition, but you can't help a child become comfortable with their bodies.

[Nick Eicher]

That's ahead on Legal docket. Also today, the Monday Money beat with David Bonson and Lyn later, the world history book give up yourself and you.

[Kent Covington]

Will find your real self.

[Nick Eicher]

Lose your life and you will save it. A series of radio addresses during World War II becomes one of the greatest books of the 20th century.

[Mary Reichert]

It's Monday, August 11th. This is the world and everything in it from listener supported World Radio. I'm Mary Reinkert.

[Nick Eicher]

And I'm Nick Eicher. Good morning.

[Mary Reichert]

Now the news. Here's Kent Covington.

[David Bonson]

President Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin are slated to meet in Alaska on Friday to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. Trump has suggested that some exchange of territories could be part of a peace deal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, says his country will not acknowledge Russia's annexation of any of its regions. U.S. state Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, no.

[Mary Reichert]

One'S going to be happy.

[Nick Eicher]

That would have to be considered when.

[Kent Covington]

You think about how do we get to a ceasefire.

[Mary Reichert]

But the point is that the killing has to end.

[David Bonson]

Zelensky says he also will not agree to Moscow's demands that Ukraine give up any future in the NATO alliance. The Ukrainian president will not be a part of this week's meeting between Trump and Putin. But Vice President J.D. vance says Zelensky could be a part of another meeting soon.

[Stephen Mirren]

Vladimir Putin said that he would never.

[Jim Campbell]

Sit down with Zelensky, the head of Ukraine.

[Stephen Mirren]

And the president has now got that to change at a point now where we're now trying to figure out frankly scheduling and things like that, around when these three leaders could sit down and discuss and end to this conflict.

[David Bonson]

And Ukrainian ambassador to the US Oxana Makarova said Zelensky is ready to have.

[Amy Huber]

That meeting and we have shown that.

[Kent Covington]

He is ready to be anywhere to advance the agenda of peace.

[David Bonson]

Vice President Vance met Saturday with European and Ukrainian officials in England to discuss bringing peace to Ukraine. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is defending a new military offensive in Gaza that is more sweeping than previously announced in the face of growing criticism from world leaders. Netanyahu said Sunday, look, maybe some choose.

[Kent Covington]

To forget October 7th. We will not forget what happened and.

[C.S. Lewis]

We will do whatever it takes to.

[Kent Covington]

Defend our country and defend our people, defend our future.

[David Bonson]

He said his country, quote, has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas. And he said Israel will do that with or without the support of others. Netanyahu said his security cabinet last week instructed the dismantling of Hamas strongholds not only in Gaza City but also in the central camps of Mossi.

[C.S. Lewis]

Our goal is not to occupy Gaza. Our goal is to free Gaza, free.

[Kent Covington]

It from Hamas terrorists. The war can end tomorrow if Gaza, or rather if Hamas, lays down its arms and releases all the remaining hostages.

[David Bonson]

His remarks come after UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned Israeli military preparations to establish security control throughout Gaza, saying that runs contrary to international law and the right of Palestinians to self determination. And several US Lawmakers are coming to Israel's defense against growing criticism over a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer joined a bipartisan delegation from the House Intelligence Committee. The group recently visited a humanitarian aid staging site at the southern tip of Gaza. Gottheimer said Sunday Hamas won't let the.

[Stephen Mirren]

Aid get from Gaza.

[Kent Covington]

The border from the Karam Shlom crossing.

[Stephen Mirren]

Where we were, it's stuck there because they keep looting the trucks, the UN.

[Kent Covington]

Trucks, they're stealing the aid.

[David Bonson]

He added that he believes Israel must, his words, crush Hamas to get humanitarian aid into the territory and establish a new governing structure. Republican Congressmen Rick Crawford and Ronny Jackson joined Gottheimer on the trip. The group met with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other leaders, as well as families of Hamas captives. The Texas House of Representatives is expected to try again today to reach a quorum to hold a vote on a new Republican drawn congressional map. But as of Sunday, more than 50 Democratic lawmakers were still camping out in places like Chicago in order to block that vote. Democratic Illinois Governor J.B. pritzker the Texas Democrats that are here are welcome. We're providing them a safe haven, a place for them to visit and stay. Breaking quorum because they're heroes But Republicans note that Illinois has what is considered to be one of the most thoroughly gerrymandered congressional maps in the country, heavily favoring Democrats and gop. Texas Governor Greg Abbott says that by fleeing the state, those Democratic state House members have former forfeited their seats.

[Nick Eicher]

Lawmakers are violating the law in Article 3 of the Texas Constitution, where they are required to act on bills because they're violating that constitutional mandate. That means they are not fulfilling their oath of office and they can be.

[David Bonson]

Removed from office And Abbott's administration wants the Texas Supreme Court to declare the seats of those absent lawmakers vacant on the grounds of, quote, abandonment from office. Four astronauts are back on Earth after a five month stay at the International Space Station. Their SpaceX capsule parachuted into the Pacific off the California coast. Over the weekend.

[Kent Covington]

SpaceX copies flash down.

[David Bonson]

The crew consisted of two Americans, one Japanese and one Russian. They launched in March as the replacements for the NASA astronauts that had been stuck on the space station for more than nine months due to a problem with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. I'm Kent Covington. And straight ahead, a preview of a couple of cases heading to the Supreme Court. Plus, the Monday Money beat with David Bonson. This is the world and everything in it.

[Mary Reichert]

It's the world and everything in for this 11th day of August 2025. Thank you for joining us today. Good morning. I'm Mary Reichert.

[Nick Eicher]

And I'm Nick Eicher. Time now for Legal docket. We begin with 10 key words from the text of the First Amendment. Congress shall make no law. That's five abridging the freedom of speech. That makes 10. Ten words that protect far more than public speeches. They cover political advocacy, art, even private conversations in the office of a counselor. Sometimes they protect the right not to speak, to keep certain information private. This term, the Supreme Court will hear two cases that test those boundaries.

[Mary Reichert]

One of them comes from Colorado. Licensed professional counselor Kaylee Chiles works with teens on trauma, addiction, sexuality and gender identity. She integrates her Christian faith into her sessions, but she's challenging a state law that stops her from doing that. She says it violates her right to free speech. Alliance Defending Freedom is representing her. Here's ADF Chief legal counsel Jim Campbell.

[Jim Campbell]

Counseling conversations When Kaylie Childs sits down with one of her clients, those conversations are protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. And as a result, the government has no business telling Kaylee what she and her client can discuss.

[Nick Eicher]

When someone challenges a law under the First Amendment, the first question is what's being regulated? Is it speech itself or is it conduct that just happens to involve speech? The answer to the question matters because the court uses different standards to decide whether the law is constitutional.

[Mary Reichert]

Laws that target speech have to clear the highest bar, called strict scrutiny. The government must prove that a law serves a compelling interest and does so in the narrowest way possible. If the law mainly regulates conduct and only incidentally affects speech, then the bar is much lower. Think health and safety regulations or requirements for professional licensing. The state only needs to show the law is reasonable. That's called rational basis review. Easy to meet and most any reason will do.

[Nick Eicher]

So back to Kaylee Chiles Six years ago, Colorado passed the Mental Health Practice Act. It bans certain counseling for minors with gender dysphoria, what the state dismissively terms conversion therapy. And the law defines the term in only one direction, Campbell explains.

[Jim Campbell]

So Colorado says that Kaylee can't help these kids, that if she is going to help a child dealing with these issues of gender confusion, she has to counsel them in a way that she thinks is irresponsible and she wants to be free to counsel them consistent with their faith.

[Nick Eicher]

Campbell says the law is a textbook case of viewpoint discrimination. When the government allows only one side of a debate but bans the other, that's a serious First Amendment problem.

[Jim Campbell]

They tell a counselor that you can help a child down the so called path of transition, but you can't help a child become comfortable with their bodies. And that kind of viewpoint discrimination is directly in conflict with the First Amendment.

[Mary Reichert]

I called the office of the Colorado Attorney General but didn't hear back. So I'll summarize Colorado's view by what the state has said in its court filings. One key contention Colorado makes is that Chiles the counselor is engaged in conduct, not speech, and therefore the state has legitimate authority to regulate her. That has been persuasive to lower courts which have ruled against her. Another key contention of the state is related to the first that conversion therapy is a discredited practice, which is why it's banned. Colorado's law defines conversion therapy broadly, banning any counseling for minors that aims to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. But it makes exceptions for counseling that affirms LGBTQ identity or supports a gender transition. In other words, it's a one way street. Counseling toward transition is allowed, but counseling away from it is not.

[Nick Eicher]

Campbell says that definition sweeps in a kind of counseling far removed from the coercive or shaming practices many people associate with the term conversion therapy. He's talking instead about voluntary non coercive talk therapy, the kind where a CL wants help living according to a traditional sexual ethic.

[Jim Campbell]

Well, there isn't true medical consensus. There are many pockets of the medical community that agree that providing this kind of counseling conversation with a minor is actually in their best interest. Certainly there are many professional associations that take a different view, but they're simply wrong. And in fact, when you read what they say, they acknowledge there's a dearth of evidence and that there still needs to be some assessment. And so at the end of the day, people should be free to set their own counseling goals, and they should be free to select counselors that will help them achieve those goals. And the government shouldn't be sticking its nose in the counseling room.

[Mary Reichert]

It's not just counseling. Conversations under scrutiny this term, another case asks whether the government can force nonprofits to open their donor rolls to state officials, in effect sticking its nose into private giving.

[Nick Eicher]

That dispute comes from New Jersey and centers on the right not to speak, to keep certain information confidential. This case is about the privacy of people who donate money to pregnancy care centers. First Choice Women's Resource Centers is a pro life nonprofit that serves women in crisis. It offers free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, counseling and baby supplies.

[Mary Reichert]

Amy Huber is executive director of First Choice. She says she was blindsided last November when the state attorney general's office served her with a sweeping subpoena. The state's demand for records went far beyond routine oversight.

[Amy Huber]

It commanded us to produce up to 10 years of documentation on our donor communications, our identities of our donors and advertising, and basically everything you could think of. You can imagine that when you're a small nonprofit and you usually have open staff positions and you're busy and serving a lot of people, that just the thought of producing that much information for up to 10 years is completely overwhelming and daunting. So every hour that we would be using to produce documentation would be an hour that would be taken away from serving our women.

[Mary Reichert]

The New Jersey attorney general did not respond to my request for comment. So again, I'm left to summarize the state views based on public court filings. New Jersey has argued that its subpoena is part of legitimate oversight to ensure compliance with state laws and not engage in misleading advertising. Huber doesn't think so. Her view is that the demand is driven by hostility to her group's pro life stance.

[Amy Huber]

Pregnancy centers like First Choice do not perform abortions or refer for abortions, so I think that's the reason for the attack.

[Nick Eicher]

Lawyer Jim Campbell says this kind of pressure has become more common over the last three years.

[Jim Campbell]

Ever since the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade in the Dobbs decision, there has been an onslaught of harassment, discrimination and vandalism against pro life pregnancy centers. And one of the forms in which that harassment is taken is certain. State attorney generals have been going after them through lawsuits and also through overbearing subpoenas and other demanding requests for their internal documents. And that's exactly what this case involves.

[Nick Eicher]

Campbell points to a 2021 Supreme Court precedent out of California, Americans for Prosperity versus Bonta. That case struck down a law requiring nonprofits to turn over their donor list to the state. The court made two key holdings in that case. One, the mandate violated freedom of and two, it wasn't narrowly tailored to serve a state interest. What precipitated that case was that then attorney general Kamala Harris and later Rob Bonta required nonprofits to disclose donors to the state that information leaked. A challenge to the law then followed, and the Supreme Court ruled against California.

[Jim Campbell]

Similarly, in this case, the state of New Jersey should have to answer in federal court for its efforts to dig into the private donor information of pregnancy centers.

[Mary Reichert]

As is so often the case, the first question for the court to answer is a basic one. Which court should hear the case?

[Jim Campbell]

Ultimately, it is a jurisdictional question. Everyone that has their constitutional rights violated should have the right to go to federal court, and that's what this case is about.

[Mary Reichert]

Campbell says the decision will matter beyond the pro life movement.

[Jim Campbell]

What we see around the country is lots of state officials that are using their very broad powers under the law to issue these demands for confron confidential internal documents to groups that not just include pregnancy centers, but these are going to groups on the right, like gun advocacy groups and groups on the left that like immigration advocacy groups. And so there are a lot of private entities, both in the for profit and nonprofit sector, that have an interest in ensuring that whenever they receive these kinds of requests, if they believe those requests are violating their federal rights, they should be able to go to federal court and get a ruling.

[Mary Reichert]

For Amy Huber, the executive director of First Choice, the fight has been exhausting.

[Amy Huber]

The leadership of our state has made no secret of the fact that they are supportive of abortion and in fact, promoting abortion. We are a sanctuary of state for abortion. We have money in our state budget to actually bring abortionists from other states to New Jersey to provide more abortions for women. So pregnancy centers like First Choice do not perform abortions or refer for abortions. So I think that's the reason for the attack.

[Mary Reichert]

The aggression she's seen still surprises her.

[Amy Huber]

I would hope that government and leadership would be supportive of nonprofits that provide free services to women. So I have been surprised by how long our legal battle has continued and the aggression really by our state leadership.

[Nick Eicher]

On the surface, these two disputes could not be more different. In one, a counselor's private conversation with clients. In the other, a nonprofit's right to keep its donor list confidential.

[Mary Reichert]

But the core of each is the same constitutional question. How far can the government go in controlling speech, whether by dictating what can be said or by discouraging certain viewpoints through exposure. And that's this week's legal docket.

[David Bonson]

Additional support comes from Covenant College. Rigorous academics grounded in Reformed theology lived out in Christ centered community. Covenant from Dort University where pre med students gain knowledge through undergraduate research and hone skills through hands on simulations. Dort. Edu and from Water's edge, Kingdom Investments personal investments that build churches 5.05% APY on a three month term. Watersedge.com invest.

[Mary Reichert]

Next up on the world and everything in it. The Monday Money beat.

[Nick Eicher]

Time now to talk business markets and the economy with financial analyst and advisor David Bonson. David heads up the wealth management firm the Bonson Group. He is here now. And good morning to you, David. It's been too long. Good to talk with you.

[Kent Covington]

Well, good morning, Nick, and welcome back.

[Nick Eicher]

Hey, good to be back. Well, President Trump has nominated Stephen Mirren to the Federal Reserve Board. Mirren, currently the chairman of the President's Council of Economic Advisors. Meeran is an economist who has an unconventional view for the Fed. He suggested tariffs might not be the inflation drivers most economists think they are and in some cases could even justify cutting interest rates. So David, how do you appraise the nomination of Stephen Mirren?

[Kent Covington]

Well, I guess, full disclosure, I've known Steve for quite some time and spent a lot of time with him, in fact, actually interviewed him several times about possibly joining our firm. He was in the Treasury Department in the first Trump administration and came back to New York to try a hedge fund startup that didn't really go and thought highly of his work and considered bringing him on into an analytical role at my firm. Steve's a very nice guy and a thoughtful guy. I confess to being disappointed in the Trump 2.0 reign in which Steve has served as the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. This is a significant role. And I think some of the things he has said about tariffs and particularly about trade deficits have been really mystifying to me. And I give anyone working in the administration a lot of leeway because I think there is a fine line between being supportive of the administration and keeping yourself in a position of influence and yet at the same time holding the line on certain principles. I will say this, I don't mind what he said about tariffs potentially not being inflationary and potentially warranting interest rate cuts because with the right nuance, it's actually a view I have that tariffs can push prices up in the first order Effect, which is inflationary. But in the second, third and fourth order effects become disinflationary as companies have to then respond to potentially lost market share or lost profit margin. And it's those follow on effects of tariffs that I think compress economic growth. I'm not sure if that's what Stephen was getting at or not, but I don't mind that. The question for us, Nick, is whether or not the President appointed him just to fill out this term because he's appointed him to nominate nominated him rather to fill out the term for Adriana Kugler, which ends and then Stephen would theoretically be done. Or is his goal here that he'll have another spot to fill? Because remember, Chairman Powell's chairmanship ends in May, but his term does not end for two more years. Though there is to my knowledge no precedent of a chairman staying as a Fed governor non chairman when the chairmanship ends and particularly this chairman who obviously is in, you know, can't possibly be enjoying this, this run. So I would assume that what President Trump is doing is appointing Stephen with the intent that he would take one of the two seats available and then would be nominating someone else for chairman. That I think is a more interesting question. And it's important because the President having to fill two federal governorships, both of which happen to be voting members of the open market Committee, that's a significant monetary policy issue in front of us.

[Nick Eicher]

Well, David, speaking of personnel issues, it's been more than a week now since President Trump fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the federal agency that publishes the monthly jobs report and other key economic data that we pay attention to here. So David, what is your take on the potential fallout from that move a week or so ago? From the standpoint of the credibility of government economic statistics, are those stats, to your mind credible and this move undermines them, or are they not credible and this might be a needed corrective?

[Kent Covington]

I think that if there was a desire to improve the statistical quality of the labor data, this is the worst possible way to do do it because nobody can objectively say that what they believe the President is doing is trying to improve the statistical quality. There was no conversation about technology, about poor survey response time. There was never a meeting with the head of BLS saying why aren't more small businesses responding or responding quicker? It was purely the data came out, it was bad. An hour later, he fired her and said she made the data good for Biden. So what I've spent the week doing in various interviews explaining to people what I'm talking about. And then we can make a choice as to how we want to handle it. And then I'll get to an important answer to the heart of your question, Nick. What they do every month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is survey. I believe it's 122,000 businesses for their labor data, and then they true it up once a year with actual claims. But there is a question we have to answer, which is do we want the BLS to not provide monthly estimates on survey, knowing that they're imperfect, or do we want them to not true it up when it does become finalized? Both of those strike me as very bad solutions. But if what we want is to figure out how to get the data to be more reliable along the way, I first of all would point out that there is other sources of data that we should be using. There's four or five different data points that we can use to formulate a sort of global view of US Job status. And then there is a need to use technology to improve the accuracy of the numbers. The irony here is where the inaccuracies coming are all places that make things look worse. It's small business jobs that are deteriorating. It is small business respondents that have dropped off. They're not responding as much or they're responding late, and that's what's creating the delay. So, yeah, that could be made to be more accurate, but that's not going to improve what President Trump said. He said it was rigged and meaning it's actually good, but they're making it look bad. And I'm sorry, there's just no support for that viewpoint. And I understand that President Trump uses hyperbole, and he has a lot of paranoia about where there have been things done unfairly against him. And some will talk about the Fed, and we can certainly talk about the excessive lawfare that was used against him. But this jobs data has had some dispersion of results in it, up and down, blue and red, for some time. So I think we need a more sober conversation about how to improve it. But I think that immediately turning it into a political retaliatory event an hour after a revision came does the opposite. It doesn't depoliticize it, it repoliticizes it. Labor data, economic data, this needs to be apolitically presented. And so I'm concerned about where this is headed.

[Nick Eicher]

All right, David. Well, before we go, with US Tariffs now ramping up in countries from Europe to Asia, Canada is now looking to Mexico to strengthen trade ties. Canadian leaders saying that they want to deepen cooperation ahead of the review of the current North American Trade Agreement, the usmca. So, David, what do you make of this Canada, Mexico, economic courtship? Does it say anything about shifting trade alliances in North America?

[Kent Covington]

Well, not yet, although that's certainly what I would do if I were Mexico or Canada. But the indications we have are that Mexico is staying on President Trump's good side more than Canada is. And I don't blame Canada. I think that they are really, if I were them, I'd be incredibly confused about what it is the end run is here. And so I assume that the new prime minister in Canada is working his own way towards a negotiation with the president and that some form of alliance with Mexico would provide him a bit more leverage. But we know that the president of Mexico has been granted an extension and that they're still operating within usmca. And President Trump has spoken publicly favorably about where talks are headed with Mexico, but not so with Canada. This is something that really does need to be worked out in a reasonable way for American interest. Again, I can't stop saying for all the talk about how, oh, they're going to stick it to Canada or stick it to Mexico, there's no scenario that sticks it to Canada or Mexico that doesn't stick it to America. There is still going to be an additional cost. And it's true that what we do that hurts America may also hurt Canada and Mexico, which is the leverage. But there's no one sided pain. And especially based on the USMCA deal that President Trump himself did in the first term, I really don't understand where a lot of this is coming from, especially on the steel and aluminum side, which is just an incredible comparative advantage is vitally important for American importers who use steel and aluminum. Aluminum. And I want to point this out, Nick, it undermines the deal the president made with Japan for American automakers that now there's a 15% tariff on American auto imports from Japan. But companies like Ford trying to make cars domestically, which is what we were told was the point, would be paying a 50% tariff on imported steel and aluminum. So we're basically making it more expensive for American manufacturers to make things than the tariffs are that we're supposed to be creating an advantage for American manufacturers. So I'm hopeful that the Canada and Mexico side is headed to a better ending here. And I think this is going to take at least a few more weeks, maybe longer to play out.

[Nick Eicher]

All right, David Bonson, founder, managing partner and chief investment officer of The Bonson Group. He writes regularly for World opinions [e-mail] David, thanks.

[Kent Covington]

Thanks so much, Nick. See you next week.

[Nick Eicher]

Today is Monday, August 11th. Good morning. This is the world and everything in it from listener supported World Radio. I'm Nick Eicher.

[Mary Reichert]

And I'm Mary Reichard. Up next, the world history book. We return to London. August 1941.

[Nick Eicher]

Thick smoke hangs over the heart of Britain as a choking dawn reveals the.

[Kent Covington]

Terrors of the night.

[Mary Reichert]

The Germans have dropped 700 tons of bombs, hitting a million homes. The Luftwaffe attack at night, not just under the COVID of darkness, but for effect. A week into the bombings, Hitler confidant Joseph Goebbels writes in his diary. We are leading a war against sleep. Then the devil will really be let loose.

[Nick Eicher]

The BBC has been hit. British Broadcasting Corporation, but it continues to broadcast. The program director invites a new guest to speak to the nation. A relatively unknown professor of English. World's Caleb Weldy picks up the story from here.

[Stephen Mirren]

On August 6th, CS Lewis walks into the BBC headquarters. The building has already been hit twice by bombs.

[Nick Eicher]

Preceded by a shower of flares.

[Kent Covington]

German bombers, rain fire and high explosive.

[Nick Eicher]

Bombs in their most savage attack on London.

[Stephen Mirren]

The head of the religious broadcasting department has just read Lewis's book the Problem of Pain. The department head insists Lewis message must be shared. He tells Lewis more than a million people will be listening. John Gager as the voice of Lewis.

[C.S. Lewis]

Good evening. Everyone has heard people quarreling.

[Stephen Mirren]

Lewis doesn't mention God in his first talk. Instead he argues everyone, whether they know it or not, believes in a moral law.

[C.S. Lewis]

What is the sense in saying the enemy is in the wrong unless right is a real thing which the Germans at bottom know as well as we do.

[Stephen Mirren]

Britain responded to the London bombings by bombing Berlin.

[C.S. Lewis]

Ever since the war began, one important question has been are we going to bomb Berlin? Now we know the answer. As for decent behavior in ourselves, I suppose it's pretty obvious that it doesn't mean the behavior that pays.

[Nick Eicher]

London calling in the home, overseas and.

[Kent Covington]

European services of the BBC.

[Stephen Mirren]

A million and a half people tune in to Lewis's third broadcast.

[C.S. Lewis]

It means things like being content with 30 shillings you might have got three pounds. Staying in dangerous places when you could go somewhere safer, keeping promises you'd rather not keep and telling the truth even when it makes you look a fool.

[Stephen Mirren]

In Talk 5, Lewis argues if there's a moral law, there must be a lawgiver and that it's no use ignoring him or saying you don't like him.

[C.S. Lewis]

The Trouble is, one part of you is on his side and really agrees with his disapproval of human greed and trickery and exploitation.

[Stephen Mirren]

February 1, 1942, Sunday evening. Lewis sits down again at the mic. Pearl harbor is fresh on the minds of the allies. 30,000 London families are grieving loved ones killed. Closer to home in the Blitz.

[C.S. Lewis]

If a thing is free to be good, it is also free to be bad.

[Stephen Mirren]

Louis isn't the only one speaking. Two days earlier in Berlin, Hitler declared, the result of this war will be the complete annihilation of the Jews.

[C.S. Lewis]

Free will is what has made evil possible. Why then did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy.

[Stephen Mirren]

While Lewis speaks across the English Channel, a Dutch woman named Corrie Ten Boom is risking her life to find safe houses for hunted Jews.

[C.S. Lewis]

You must make your choice. Half of you already want to ask me. I wonder how you'd feel about forgiving the Gestapo if you were a Pole or a Jew. So do I. I wonder very much. I can do precious little. I'm telling you what Christianity is.

[Stephen Mirren]

Lewis closes his eighth broadcast talking about a man who chose to die for his enemies.

[C.S. Lewis]

Either this man was and is the son of God, or else a madman or something worse. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher.

[Stephen Mirren]

The talks are intensely practical. Lewis asked listeners to imagine they are a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first it makes sense what he's doing. He's patching the holes in the roof, etc.

[C.S. Lewis]

But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that makes no sense. What on earth is he up to? The explanation is that he is building quite a different house from the one you thought of. Throwing out. A new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage. But he is building a palace.

[Stephen Mirren]

Lewis gives 25 talks from 1941 to 1944. After the war, the talks become one of his most well known books. Mere Christianity, you know, it's been fantastically influential. Michael Ward is a leading CS Lewis scholar in Oxford.

[Kent Covington]

It's been translated into about 40 languages. I think it's almost impossible to measure.

[Stephen Mirren]

Its influence at the time. The public generally responded in one of two ways. A BBC producer tells Lewis, either everybody.

[Kent Covington]

Thinks you are the bee's knees or they think you are beneath contempt.

[Stephen Mirren]

Lewis responds, well, I don't know.

[Kent Covington]

That says very much about me, but perhaps it says something about my subject matter, namely Christianity and Christ Jesus himself.

[Stephen Mirren]

Behind the scenes, Lewis is doing his best to respond to every serious letter from listeners. He also hosts several refugee children, works nights in a Home Guard unit, and speaks on weekends to pilots defending London.

[Kent Covington]

And some of the RAF chaplains who invited Lewis to give talks were very impressed by him because he didn't try to sugarcoat what these men were facing.

[Stephen Mirren]

Lewis is also still teaching at Oxford and writing the Screwtape letters, the abolition.

[Kent Covington]

Of Mandra, that hideous strength, a great divorce, and any number of addresses and sermons and articles for newspapers.

[Stephen Mirren]

Lewis does all this while regularly appearing on the BBC. He ends his last wartime talk with this. It's the only known surviving recording from the presentations.

[Kent Covington]

Give up yourself and you will find your real self.

[Nick Eicher]

Lose your life and you will save it.

[Kent Covington]

Submit to death, submit with every fiber of your being, and you'll find eternal life. Look for Christ and you will get him, and with him everything else thrown in.

[Nick Eicher]

Look for yourself and you will get only hatred, loneliness, despair and ruin.

[Stephen Mirren]

For World, I'm Caleb Weldy.

[Nick Eicher]

Tomorrow, the US and Russian presidents prepare to meet this week against the backdrop of a deepening conflict, from clashes over territory and nuclear tensions to the fate of Ukrainian children taken from their families, and how a nationwide doctor shortage and shifting work expectations are making it harder to get some kinds of care. That and more tomorrow. I'm Nick Eicher.

[Mary Reichert]

And I'm 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 Gospel of Luke starts by explaining why he's writing it, inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word have delivered them to us. It seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. Verses 1 through 4 of Luke, chapter 1. Go now in grace and peace.

[Kent Covington]

Sat.