← The World and Everything In It
The World and Everything In It
9.16.25 Russia breaches NATO airspace, Apple’s negligence in protecting kids, and Mathew West’s new hymn of comfort
00:36:59
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- [00:06]
Mary Reichert
Good morning. Russian drones are shot down over Poland. Is the NATO alliance next in Moscow's sight?
- [00:12]
NATO Secretary General Mark Ruda
As a defensive alliance, we are always ready to defend.
- [00:17]
Lindsay Mast
And with children spiraling in despair, World Opinions contributor Brad Littlejohn says big tech must step up. And Downton Abbey fans got their grand finale over the weekend.
- [00:28]
Colin Garberino
They trusted me and I wasn't worthy of that trust.
- [00:30]
Lindsay Mast
You're worthy of my. And that won't change. Arts and culture editor Colin Garbarino will tell us about it. And singer songwriter Matthew west invites the hurting to draw close to the Savior.
- [00:51]
Mary Reichert
It's Tuesday, September 16th. This is the world and everything in it from listener supported World Radio. I'm Mary Reichert.
- [00:58]
Lindsay Mast
And I'm Lindsay Mast.
- [00:59]
Colin Garberino
Good morning.
- [01:03]
Mary Reichert
Now the news. Here's Kent Covington.
- [01:05]
Kent Covington
President Trump says the US Military again targeted a boat running drugs out of Venezuela, killing three aboard the vessel. The president told White House reporters last night that there was zero doubt about what the boat was carrying.
- [01:18]
Brad Bowman
We have proof.
- [01:19]
Matthew West
All you have to do is look.
- [01:19]
Brad Bowman
At the cargo that was like it.
- [01:22]
Matthew West
Spattered all over the ocean.
- [01:23]
Brad Bowman
Big bags of cocaine and Fenton all over the place. And it was.
- [01:29]
Matthew West
Plus, we have recorded evidence that they were leaving.
- [01:32]
Kent Covington
The operation comes two weeks after another military strike on what the administration says was a drug carrying speedboat from Venezuela, killing 12 aboard that boat. In the past, the US military or coast guard might have boarded such boats and detained drug runners. But with cartels and violent gangs now designated as terrorist groups, the rules have changed.
- [01:53]
Matthew West
You know, when the first one we.
- [01:54]
Brad Bowman
Went, there were hundreds of boats.
- [01:58]
Colin Garberino
Now there are no boats.
- [02:00]
Brad Bowman
I wonder why.
- [02:01]
Matthew West
Meaning no drugs are coming across.
- [02:03]
Kent Covington
The US Military's mission in the Caribbean is to disrupt drug running out of Venezuela. The president, speaking to reporters last night, also addressed the diplomatic firestorm over Israel's recent airstrike against Hamas leaders in Qatar. Trump reportedly spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about that strike.
- [02:22]
Brad Bowman
You said that you don't want to see Qatar hit again. Are there any guarantees that Qatar, well, he won't be hitting in Qatar.
- [02:30]
Kent Covington
That comes after Netanyahu said Israel will strike Hamas leaders wherever they are. And Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday said there are only two ways for Israel's war with Hamas to end.
- [02:42]
NATO Secretary General Mark Ruda
Every single hostage is released, all 48.
- [02:44]
Matthew West
Including those that are deceased. Hamas no longer exists as an armed group that's threatening Israel. If it's not going to end that.
- [02:50]
NATO Secretary General Mark Ruda
Way, then it's going to have to.
- [02:51]
Matthew West
End through a military operation.
- [02:53]
Kent Covington
Rubio is meeting with leaders in Qatar today, working to smooth things over with the US Ally. His visit comes on the heels of a stop in Israel to reaffirm US Support for the Jewish state, though not for last week's airstrike in Doha. Leaders in Qatar slammed that Israeli strike, calling it an attack on Qatar's sovereignty. FBI Director Cash Patel says evidence is mounting against the man suspected of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
- [03:20]
NATO Secretary General Mark Ruda
The DNA hits from the towel that was wrapped around the firearm and the DNA on the screwdriver on the are positively processed for the suspect in custody.
- [03:31]
Kent Covington
That screwdriver was recovered from the rooftop where the fatal shot was fired. Authorities in Utah are preparing to file murder charges against 22 year old Tyler Robinson as early as today. Cash Patel also added he had a.
- [03:45]
NATO Secretary General Mark Ruda
Text message exchange he the suspect with another individual in which he claimed that he had an opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and he was going to do it because of his hatred for what Charlie stood for.
- [03:57]
Kent Covington
Law enforcement is investigating to determine if others connected to the accused shooter committed any crimes. Meantime, thousands across the country are paying tribute to Charlie Kirk and what he stood for. On Capitol Hill, Speaker Mike Johnson led a prayer vigil in Statuary Hall.
- [04:13]
Brad Bowman
Principles that Charlie stood for were faith.
- [04:15]
Kent Covington
And freedom and family and virtue and patriotism and America. And in Phoenix, Arizona, many have been paying their respects outside of the headquarters of Turning Point USA, an organization Kirk founded in 2012 when he was just 18 years old.
- [04:29]
Matthew West
A creator, he created all this from scratch and he was passionate about his his movement and what he believed in. He was passionate about it.
- [04:38]
Colin Garberino
I don't want what Charlie died for to die with him.
- [04:43]
Brad Bowman
I want it to be carried by the people that have come here in.
- [04:47]
Colin Garberino
Droves to say we've had enough.
- [04:50]
Kent Covington
A vigil was also held last night on the campus of Arizona State University. And this coming Sunday, State Farm Stadium in Phoenix will host a public memorial service for Kirk. President Trump is expected to be among the speakers. The popular social media platform TikTok could soon have new American owners, at least within the United States, Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said Monday.
- [05:14]
Colin Garberino
We do have a framework for a deal with TikTok.
- [05:18]
Kent Covington
Lawmakers last year, citing national security concerns, passed a law giving TikTok's Chinese parent company an sell its US operations to a new owner, one that is not under the thumb of the Chinese Communist Party or any other US Adversary, or face a nationwide ban. And Secretary Besant said the framework does involve US Controlled ownership.
- [05:39]
Brad Bowman
President Trump and Party Chair Xi will speak on Friday to complete the deal. But we do have a framework for a deal with TikTok, the deadline for.
- [05:51]
Kent Covington
The sale actually passed back in January, but President Trump has provided several waivers, effectively extending that deadline to keep the app operational until a deal could be struck. I'm Kent Covington. And straight ahead, Russian drones and the NATO response. Plus holding tech giant Apple accountable for what's available to miners in the App Store. This is the world and everything in it.
- [06:36]
Lindsay Mast
It's Tuesday, the 16th of September. This is World Radio, and we're so glad you've joined us today. Good morning. I'm Lindsay Mast.
- [06:44]
Mary Reichert
And I'm Mary Reichard. Up first, Russia tests NATO. Last week, Dutch fighter jets shot down Russian drones deep inside Poland. This marks the first time since the Ukraine war began that NATO forces have directly engaged with Russian drones. Since then, NATO has moved forces closer to the east in an operation called Eastern Sentry. Here's NATO Secretary General Mark Ruda.
- [07:10]
NATO Secretary General Mark Ruda
Eastern Sentry will add flexibility and strength to our posture and make clear that as a defensive alliance, we are always ready to defend.
- [07:21]
Lindsay Mast
Is Russia picking a fight? Europe is ready to resist. Joining us now is Brad Bowman. He previously advised Congress on national security issues. He now leads the center for Military and Political Power at the foundation for Defense of Democracies.
- [07:35]
Mary Reichert
Brad, good morning.
- [07:36]
Brad Bowman
Good morning. Thank you.
- [07:38]
Mary Reichert
Well, what do we know about these Russian drones that flew into Poland? Were they just lost? Were they testing the defenses? Were they armed or just reconnaissance?
- [07:47]
Brad Bowman
It's a great question. And details are still emerging, even though this is several days in the rearview mirror. But what appears to have happened? We've had at least 19 Russian drones violate Polish airspace, some of them flying deep into Poland. Many of them were near the border with Ukraine. Some flew deeper in. The ones that were retrieved were what we call decoy drones, and that is drones that didn't have explosives on them that are used to either collect intelligence or information for targeting purposes for others or just are used to consume finite air defense assets of the Ukrainians or others. So these are shahed style drones. Shahed, referring to the types of drones that Iran produced and provided to Vladimir Putin early in the war that Russia now has replicated with Iran's help and started to build within Russia. And then we saw a similar Shahed style Garand 2 style drone violate Romania's airspace, and that one was not shot down, whereas some of the ones that violated Poland's airspace were shot down. Mm.
- [08:56]
Mary Reichert
You know, I'm wondering about NATO's response to the drones using multimillion dollar jets and weapons to shoot down relatively cheap drones. Is that a sustainable thing? To do if Russia were to keep doing it.
- [09:08]
Brad Bowman
It's a great question. It's something I've dealt with through the years and I talked with two US Air Force F15 pilots about this on a podcast who were in the air on the night of April 13 last year shooting down Iranian drones, very similar to these type of drones and cruise missiles that were headed toward Israel. And we got into this question, they said, you know, that's not really something I need to be worrying about when I'm in the cockpit because you know, if I don't shoot those things down, you're going to have people dying. And so what you save by shooting these things down in terms of not only lives saved but also a property damage is well worth the even if the costs of the interception are quite expensive. But I take the point behind your question, and that is when you look at the type of air launched munitions that were used to shoot down some of these drones in Poland, it's roughly a 10 to 1 cost ratio when you look at the cost of the drone versus the cost of the interceptor. So if we're going to have more, not fewer of these in the future, we need to make sure that the United States and our allies have effective means to shoot them down. That's the most important thing. But also things that are where we're not wasting money when they could be shot down more economically. And there's individual systems like the advanced precision kill weapons system, there's ground based systems that are less expensive that should be employed because unfortunately Russia is building these in large quantities. And if you look at the attacks that we've seen in Ukraine over the last year, we're not talking about a few dozen drones. We're starting to see hundreds of drones per attack. And the NATO alliance needs to be ready for that, both in terms of capability, what you can do and, and capacity, how much you can do of it.
- [10:49]
Mary Reichert
Let's talk about NATO's charter. Now. After all the dust settled, Poland invoked Article 4 of NATO's charter to call allies to consider their response. So tell us, if you would, what is Article four and what does it require of members such as the U.S.
- [11:05]
Brad Bowman
A lot of people have heard the term Article 5, but they're not quite sure about the larger context. Let's be clear what we're talking about. We're talking about the North Atlantic Treaty which was signed in 1949 right there in Constitution Avenue in Washington D.C. and Article 5 of that treaty is really the heart of the alliance. And Article 5 says that the parties agree that an armed attack against one or more shall be considered an attack against all. And Article four is really simple. It's one sentence. It says basically the parties will consult together whenever in the opinion of any of them the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the parties is threatened. That's Article four. That's it. And so that's what's happened here. Poland has obviously asked for Article 4 proceedings. Those consultations have occurred. And that's all within the context of a potential Article 5 determination.
- [11:56]
Mary Reichert
The only time Article 5 of the NATO treaty was invoked was after 9 11, when NATO did come to the aid of the US during the war on terror. So what level of Russian action would need to happen to trigger Article 5 in a country like Romania or Poland?
- [12:15]
Brad Bowman
Some people treat Article 5 like it's this automatically self implementing mechanism. It's not, if you actually read it, everyone, you know, everyone starts with the attack against one is attack against all. But they don't read the rest of that same paragraph and where it says they will determine how to respond as each member, quote, deems necessary, including the use of armed force. So that's why discussions about whether these particular drone attacks were deliberate or an accident is relevant. Right? Because it's in it was an accident. That's not an armed attack. And even if it is right, each nation's going to decide how to respond. And so the Supreme Allied Commander would say, well, we respond very effectively. We shot a lot of them down. And we're, and we're starting this new eastern century where Denmark, France, uk, Germany and others are going to be beef up the defenses along the eastern flank. But Article 5 in the end comes down to a political decision in each capital about how they're going to respond. And that's why the statements of the President, United States are so important. Because Even if Article 5 is invoked, how we respond can be everything from a harshly worded communique out of the State Department. It can be a vote at the UN Security Council, or it can be sending the United States military to war against Russia, something we avoided during the entire Cold war. And Article 5 doesn't implement itself.
- [13:33]
Mary Reichert
Is there anything else you're seeing in the region you think we should note?
- [13:37]
Brad Bowman
Well, my main point would be that this is the worst invasion what we're seeing in Ukraine. This is the worst invasion in Europe since World War II. This is a brazen naked aggression, a war of conquest by Vladimir Putin. And the longer the war goes, the more we're going to see stuff like this happening, it's in our interest to help Ukraine defend itself. And if we don't do that, we're going to see more problems, I predict along NATO's eastern flank. And if we want to avoid a war between NATO and Russia, we better help Ukraine and we better make clear to Vladimir Putin that we're prepared to defend every inch of the alliance, just as the leaders of NATO have been saying.
- [14:13]
Mary Reichert
Brad Bowman researches military strategy for the foundation for Defense of Democracies. Brad, thanks so much.
- [14:18]
Brad Bowman
Thank you.
- [14:23]
Mary Reichert
Coming up next on the WORLD and everything in it. Holding Big Tech's feet to the Fire earlier this year, the House Energy Committee held a hearing on app store regulations and child safety.
- [14:35]
Kent Covington
It's vital to make sure that we hold our virtual stores to the same standards that we hold our physical stores when it comes to material that is adult or addictive.
- [14:48]
Lindsay Mast
That's Michigan Representative John James. He criticized Big Tech for putting children at risk, adding that online stores should require the same age verification laws that brick and mortar stores do.
- [14:59]
Kent Covington
We don't rely on Marlboro or Budweiser to ensure kids aren't purchasing their products. We look at CVS, we look at 7 11, we look at the supermarkets to agegate. The app ecosystem should be no different than what is currently established in the United States of America. These app stores are out of touch and they need to come to reality.
- [15:16]
Mary Reichert
We've all heard the line that with great power comes great responsibility. But the big tech companies say easier said than done. World Opinions contributor Brad Littlejohn says it's time they were forced to accept responsibility, and a new effort is underway to do just that.
- [15:34]
NATO Secretary General Mark Ruda
Last month, a new organization launched an assault on Apple's digital fortress in an attempt to force them to change their ways. The Digital Childhood Institute submitted a 55 page formal complaint to the Federal Trade Commission documenting more than a decade of the tech giant's callous violations of child safety and parental rights. The complaint could very well provoke a formal investigation by the ftc, as Chairman Andrew Ferguson has shown a fierce commitment to rein in Big Tech and empower parents. Apple is certainly not the worst offender when it comes to digital threats to childhood. Apps like Snapchat and TikTok have been meticulously designed to addict adolescents and feed them age inappropriate content. Some apps are virtual playgrounds for child sex predators. More recently, other apps have been specifically designed and marketed for their nudify capabilities, allowing students to generate deepfake pornography of their classmates. Apple has attempted to wash its hands of the problem by posing as Primarily a hardware company, yet it is no innocent bystander to this digital crime scene. It has aggressively marketed smartphones to teens with great success. Nearly nine out of 10 now own an iPhone, despite overwhelming evidence that few of them are ready for the dangers and addictive impulses of these devices. Semi smartphones like the Gab Phone or Wise Phone are designed with the interests of kids and parents in mind. There's no reason that the design wizards in Silicon Valley could not have created such devices many years ago. No reason, that is, except the immense profits to be reaped from selling apps to teens. As the complaint from the Digital Childhood Institute documents, Apple bears heavy responsibility for today's youth pornography and mental health crisis. Most fundamentally, Apple has displayed gross negligence in its vetting and rating of apps. For instance, teens are more likely to find pornography on X than on mainstream porn sites, yet the App Store lists it as having, in its words, infrequent mild sexual content or nudity. Apps like TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram are rated safe for 12 year olds, even though they're well known for feeding children adult content and connecting them with sexual predators. Grok is also no better, yet it is still widely available for minors, even with its new, widely touted sexual companion feature. Many far more dangerous but less well known apps have proliferated on the App Store for years without legal pressure. Apple has every incentive to do minimal vetting, as it is very expensive and Apple's bottom line is maximized by the number of apps downloaded regardless of what they are. Apple has also consistently deceived parents about the efficacy of its so called parental controls. Numerous apps operate with in app browsers that serve as backdoors to explicit content even when parental controls are turned on. Some of these apps even suppress third party controls, as the complaint writes. Taken together, these practices reveal a pattern of deception and misleading advertising. Perhaps worst of all, the entire premise of the App Store is on legally shaky ground, since every app download comes with a contract, a legally binding agreement between the user and the developer. Miners, of course, cannot enter binding contracts without parental consent. And yet Apple has consistently allowed and encouraged anyone 13 or older to enter into these contracts, which usually involve long pages of legalese agreeing to a systematic collection and monetization of their personal data. Unfortunately, parents are not entirely passive victims of this exploitation. Many have lined up to buy these phones and download these apps for their kids, buying into the lie that their children will be left behind in a digital world otherwise. In fact, the children who are flourishing most today are those who have kept their feet firmly anchored in the analog world. But parents need help in the battle against $3 trillion companies. If the FTC will take firm action on this complaint, millions more children may be able to enjoy childhood again rather than being dragged prematurely into digital adulthood. I'm Brad Littlejohn.
- [19:37]
Kent Covington
Additional support comes from Planted Gap Year, where young adults combine Bible classes, hands on farming and an outdoor adventure. More@plantedgapyear.org From Pray More, a new app for churches to share prayer requests with members and send reminders to pray. Free trial available@praymore.com World and from eyewitness Powerful audio dramas bringing faith, courage and history to life in unforgettable ways. At the letter I witnesspod.com.
- [20:23]
Lindsay Mast
Be Prepared is the Scout's motto. And a good thing, too. A Boy Scout troop bike ride in Virginia turned life or death when Scout leader Laurent Lee collapsed from a heart attack. But 12 year old Rafael Lucen knew what to do. Audio from WTOP News I said I.
- [20:40]
Brad Bowman
Got this because I learned it like the week before that in school.
- [20:45]
Lindsay Mast
Lucin stepped up with the CPR he'd just learned. Fellow Scouts and parents rotated in keeping Lee alive until paramedics arrived. And then Lee paid tribute.
- [20:55]
Colin Garberino
I wouldn't be here without you guys.
- [20:56]
Brad Bowman
I'm so forever grateful.
- [20:58]
Lindsay Mast
Doctors found a 90% block in his artery, but he's back on his feet, determined to get CPR certified himself and then finish that ride. It's the World and Everything In It Today is Tuesday, September 16th. Thank you for turning to World Radio to help start your day. Good morning. I'm Lindsay Mast.
- [21:34]
Mary Reichert
And I'm Mary Reichard. Coming up next on the World and Everything In It. Saying goodbye to the Crawley family after 15 years, six seasons, two movies and countless cups of Earl Grey, the final installment of the acclaimed British drama Downton Abbey hit theaters over the weekend. The film pulled in $18 million at the US box office, well below the first movie's 2019 debut.
- [21:59]
Lindsay Mast
Arts and culture editor Colin Garberino saw Downton the Grand Finale and says the film gives audiences what they expect, but not much more.
- [22:09]
Colin Garberino
Downton Abbey the Grand Finale wants to be, well, a grand finale for Julian Fellows highbrow soap opera. This installment doesn't stray from the franchise's regular themes familial scandal, financial woes and changing social customs, all of which threatened Britain's ruling class in the early 20th century. The Crawley family story has now made it to the year 1930, and the latest scandal has to do with the family's eldest daughter, Lady Mary A rather.
- [22:37]
Mary Reichert
Tricky situation has arisen.
- [22:39]
Brad Bowman
Why?
- [22:40]
Lindsay Mast
What's happened? My maid just told me. Your maid just told you what? The Lady Mary is divorce?
- [22:49]
Colin Garberino
Lady Mary's race car driving husband, whom she married in season six, has abandoned her. I can only assume the actor who played him wasn't available for this sequel anyway. Mary, once again played by Michelle Dockery, has become something of a social pariah.
- [23:03]
Brad Bowman
You're chucking my daughter out of your house?
- [23:05]
Lindsay Mast
Most reluctantly, I assure you. But their Royal Highnesses would be badly compromised if anyone found out.
- [23:11]
NATO Secretary General Mark Ruda
I've never heard anything so ridiculous.
- [23:13]
Brad Bowman
Papa.
- [23:13]
Lindsay Mast
It's all right.
- [23:14]
Mary Reichert
I'll go.
- [23:15]
Colin Garberino
Troubles compound when the family finds out part of their fortune has evaporated because Lady Grantham's American brother, played by Paul Giamatti, has made some poor investments. I'm the one who's let everyone down. You trusted me and I wasn't worthy of that trust.
- [23:30]
Lindsay Mast
You're worthy of my love. And that won't change.
- [23:34]
Colin Garberino
The plot, such as it is, revolves around extricating the family from these twin disasters of losing its good name and its money. But the movie doesn't possess a tight narrative. Instead, Fellowes has given us a vague impression of a story. People do and say things that are meant to drive toward a resolution, but upon reflection, you realize the challenges and the consequences seem fabricated. For example, Mary, reeling from her divorce, abandons morality in a scene that should carry some emotional ramifications. But she carries on, stoic and self centered as ever. The family continually praises her as she pushes her far from infirm father out of his role as head of the family. And don't get me started on Mary's nonsensical plan for restoring the lost fortune. She says the family needs to keep its wealth and real estate to weather the impending economic downturn. But then she forces her father to sell a beloved piece of real estate to weather the impending economic downturn. And then there's the film's progressivist moralizing. But I admit this theme that the social customs of the upper classes need to give way to more up to date ideas was baked into the series from the very beginning.
- [24:43]
Matthew West
I suppose you think Lady Mary's lost.
- [24:45]
Colin Garberino
Her moral compass, Mr. Carson.
- [24:48]
Brad Bowman
Perhaps we should all have a different compass.
- [24:51]
Mary Reichert
These days.
- [24:52]
Colin Garberino
The movie feels preachy when you hear characters repeat the same tiresome statements about how the world would be better if we just all loosened up a little bit. There's always been some irony at the heart of this series that glorifies the British aristocracy while simultaneously resenting their beliefs. At its core. The most important lesson of Downton Abbey is that every problem can be solved if you invite the right guests to a dinner party.
- [25:16]
Mary Reichert
This really is the night that shook the world.
- [25:19]
Colin Garberino
Because the story is such a mess, I can't in good conscience call this a good movie, but I have to admit that I enjoyed it nonetheless. Fellows, dialogue doesn't sparkle like it used to, but there are some amusing scenes. Like the one in which Lord Grantham and Lady Mary go hunting for an apartment.
- [25:36]
Brad Bowman
The family upstairs.
- [25:38]
NATO Secretary General Mark Ruda
What about downstairs?
- [25:40]
Brad Bowman
Is a family there too?
- [25:41]
Lindsay Mast
I don't know if it's a family.
- [25:43]
Brad Bowman
How peculiar. A sort of layer cake of strangers.
- [25:48]
Colin Garberino
Fundamentally, Downton, the grand finale isn't so much a film as an excuse to hang out with old fashioned friends. Mr. Carson, the gruff but lovable butler. Mrs. Hughes, the wise housekeeper. Ms. Padmore, the formidable cook. Daisy, the meek yet steely kitchen maid. And most Importantly, Anner and Mr. Bates, whose romance was the only thing that kept me watching the series after the first season. Of course, the absence of the late Maggie Smith's Lady Violet looms over the entire film. Getting to see these enduring characters in opulent settings and luxurious costumes one last time will undoubtedly delight most fans of the franchise. But the only beautiful things in this film are its atmospherics and vibes. For the most part, this grand finale relies on our cravings for nostalgia to impart pleasure rather than offering any merit of its own.
- [26:38]
Matthew West
So this is how the world ends.
- [26:42]
Brad Bowman
Not with a bang, but with a whimper.
- [26:44]
Colin Garberino
I'm Colin Garberino.
- [26:46]
Sam
SAM.
- [27:12]
Mary Reichert
Today is Tuesday, September 16th. Good morning. This is the World and everything in it from listener supported World Radio. I'm Mary Rankard.
- [27:20]
Lindsay Mast
And I'm Lindsay Mast. On Friday, we heard Pastor Kevin DeYoung encourage parents and mentors not to feel pressured to say everything about Christian conservative Charlie Kirk's death all at once. That's our approach here, too.
- [27:33]
Mary Reichert
Since Wednesday's assassination, prayer vigils and memorial services have sprung up around the world. Some planned, some spontaneous. Our reporters will cover several of those later this week. But for now, we turn to a moment of reflection.
- [27:47]
Lindsay Mast
Singer songwriter Matthew west has written a new song in response to Charlie Kirk's death. World's Myrna Brown spoke with west earlier and brings us part of that conversation.
- [27:58]
Myrna Brown
Good morning, Matthew.
- [27:59]
Matthew West
Hey, good morning. It's great to be with you.
- [28:01]
Brad Bowman
As always.
- [28:02]
Myrna Brown
Thank you for being here.
- [28:04]
NATO Secretary General Mark Ruda
Thank you.
- [28:04]
Myrna Brown
Many of us, Matthew, are still coming to terms with Charlie Kirk's assassination. Everyone, as you know, processes grief and pain in different ways. You chose to write a Song. Would you tell me about how that helps you?
- [28:23]
Matthew West
Yeah, absolutely. I woke up early in the morning the day after we had found out about what happened to Charlie Kirk. And I literally woke up in the morning with the verse of Psalm 34:18 in my mind, and I. I had a melody right off the bat. It was like, jesus, be close to the brokenhearted, Save those who are crushed in spirit. And I just started singing that to myself and just singing God's promise over myself. And. And. And I just sat down and I thought, okay, you know, this is just how I process. Because you know what my other option is, if I'm being honest, is to be angry. It's to go down rabbit holes and. And to be obsessed by the news and. And just to watch the news 24 7. And I think it's great to be educated and aware of what's going on, but that can be all consuming. And so I found solace in God's word. And I was also comforted by the thought that, like, in my confusion, in my anger, in the feelings that I was feeling as I was watching the news and then having to, you know, try to shield my daughters from what they might see on social media, it was God's word came back to me. And it wasn't. I didn' Bible and read it. It was God's word that I had hidden in my heart that returned to my heart and to my memory in a moment when I needed to be reminded exactly where God is when. Guess what? A lot of us were asking that very question. God, where are you in times like this? Well, he. He tells us he's close. He is close.
- [29:52]
Myrna Brown
Yeah. Yeah. What a testament to Bible memorization. You know, hiding the word in your heart so you can call it up when you need it. You mentioned the lyric is based on Psalm 34:18. As you said, the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Why should we meditate on that scripture right now?
- [30:16]
Matthew West
Well, quite frankly, I think we have to push away the lies of the enemy that, you know, who gets the final say. You know, like a lot of times we start to get discouraged and say, lord, I know that we have victory in Jesus. We sang that hymn the other night at a vigil in Tennessee last night, actually. Victory in Jesus, My Savior forever. But we were singing it from broken hearts and really trying to believe that we do have victory, because some days it looks like the devil's winning. And it's so important to make sure that our house is built on a solid foundation of the truth of God's word so that when the storms come, our faith will be able to stand strong and secure. And I'll tell you what, as guilty as anybody of going to every other resource in times like this, you know, I'll be obsessed with social media and what every news network's saying and what he said and she said and they said, man, I just. My parents always taught me to come back to God's word, and now I'm trying to teach my kids the same thing. Like, let's return, let's go back. And I love seeing all these people picking up their Bibles for the first time in a long time or for the first time ever and finding their way back to church and realizing that God really is close to us in times like these.
- [31:29]
Myrna Brown
Yes, he is our ever present help in times of trouble. Yep. Yep. Let's listen to just a bit of the song that you wrote. Let's listen right now.
- [31:42]
Sam
I can unsee what I've just seen I can't make sense of one more senseless tragedy Another light put out by dark this wicked world Just makes me wonder where you are, Jesus Be close to the brokenhearted Save those who are crushed in spirit we know that you've always been our Our only hope Be near where our minds are flooded with fear Be the hand that's wiping our tears and the voice that whispers weary so be still and know I'll always be close.
- [32:47]
Myrna Brown
So, Matthew, you have written so many songs and you shared earlier about how you woke up with that verse on your heart and even a melody. And I want to know what's been the response so far?
- [33:05]
Matthew West
I mean, it's been unbelievable. Just like the people just saying they needed that reminder that, you know, that Jesus is close. And the song closes with. I mean, the second verse talks. It's really a challenge to me. It says, we're. There is hate, let there be peace. And when I don't see a change, let change begin with me. Where there is evil. Be not dismayed. Give me the strength to stare that evil in the face, you know, and so hopefully it turns into a prayer. But I even hesitated to get on and do this interview with you when they asked me. And it wasn't because I don't love talking to you, but it's honestly because I. I'm struggling to, like, formulate responses to what's going on right now. Maybe that's why it was easier to put my heart in a song than it is to do an interview. Just going like, I Don't know what to think right now. You know what I mean? And struggle with that. But. And then when you read the comments and there's positive comments and there's negative comments and there's people who will unfollow you because you honored the life of somebody who. Whose life was taken and, you know, so I guess if I could sum anything up, it's like I just feel a stirring. And it's that stirring that made me go to my guitar and write this song. And now I feel like that stirring is turning into a stirring to be bold and. And to be a light where there's dark and. And try to meet people who are coming at us with hatred. Try to meet them with love, but also with truth.
- [34:23]
Myrna Brown
Yes. And amen. Yes. Me too. Matthew west, your songs bring healing and encouragement. So thank you for that. Matthew west is a singer, songwriter and recording artist with provident label group and Sony Music. Thank you so much for being with us today, Matthew.
- [34:46]
Matthew West
Well, thanks for what you do. Thanks for being a bright light and encouraging all who are listening and to everybody who's listening right now, maybe you resonate with how I'm wrestling and questioning and all the things and just know, like, man, there is one place you can go, a safe place you can go with every question, with every tear, with every broken heart. And you can come to Jesus. You run into his arms and he says, come unto me all who are weary and I will give you rest. And. And I just am so thankful for the promise that we can turn to a savior no matter what our world is facing. And I'm praying that our nation will turn to Jesus like never before. And I believe we're seeing it happen.
- [35:24]
Sam
Oh Jesus, be close to the broken hearted. Save those who are cursed in spirit. We know that you've always been our own only hope. Be near when our minds are flooded with fear Be the hand that's wiping our tears in the voice that whispers weary. So be still and I'll always be close.
- [36:12]
Lindsay Mast
Tomorrow, Washington Wednesday with Hunter Baker and we head back to Georgia where Savannah bananas players share their faith without getting lost in the show. That and more tomorrow. I'm Lindsay Mast.
- [36:23]
Mary Reichert
And I'm Mary Reichert. The world and everything in it comes to you from world radio world. The world's mission is biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires. The Bible says every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart. Verse 2 of Proverbs 21. Go now in grace and peace.
- [36:54]
Sam
Sam.