It’s impossible to start this week’s newsletter without focusing on the Olympics, as the fallout over the opening ceremony’s Last Supper-inspired drag show continues. If you missed it, here’s a primer on what some see as lies and manipulation surrounding the ordeal. Plus, here’s why comedian Rob Schneider is boycotting the Olympics.
But, in other news, the International Olympic Committee allowed two boxers who failed gender tests at last year’s women’s world championships to compete at the Paris Games. The issue hit a fever pitch Thursday when Italy’s Olympic boxing hopeful Angela Carini conceded her match to Algerian fighter Imane Khelif, one of two boxers who failed those gender tests.
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Terrifying Hamas influence network
There’s also an alarming report surrounding the terror group Hamas. John D. Guandolo, a former FBI agent and former Pentagon counterterrorism strategist, says Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood are involved in “ideological attacks on the American system.”
“Hamas influence operations can be seen throughout the United States in the spate of anti-Israel protests following the group’s Oct. 7 terrorist attack in Israel that killed some 1,200 people and ignited a deadly Israeli-Palestinian clash in the Gaza Strip,” The Washington Times’ Bill Gertz reports. Read more.
Senate’s big move on kids’ safety
The Senate passed a pair of bipartisan bills aimed at protecting children from “potentially harmful social media content, like posts promoting suicidal behavior, eating disorders and substance abuse,” The Times’ Lindsey McPherson reports.
The two bills, the Kids Online Safety Act and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act, were combined into one package. The legislation passed 91-3 and could head to the House in September.
Not everyone supports KOSA
But while proponents believe these bills would protect children while using technology, not everyone agrees. Former presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum told Higher Ground’s Billy Hallowell that allowing the government to take a role in parenting our children is problematic.
Watch him explain why he believes there’s a better and simpler alternative to the proposed legislation.
Elon Musk’s Christianity warning
Elon Musk took to X recently to issue a warning about Christianity: “Unless there is more bravery to stand up for what is fair and right, Christianity will perish,” he posted.
But is he right? Higher Ground contributor Alex Murashko explores the issue.
Pandemic pandemonium
Leaders of a Missouri church have been charged with what prosecutors call a “$1.2 million pandemic fraud scam.” The individuals are accused of stealing congregants’ identities and applying for government loans in their name. Read the full story here.
Biden’s Title IX rule limps into effect
The Biden administration’s Title IX overhaul went into effect Thursday. But it is currently blocked in all 26 states that challenged the final rule, which adds “gender identity” to the law that bans sex discrimination in education, Ms. Richardson reports.
“The state tally rose from 22 to 26 after the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a preliminary injunction late Wednesday blocking the rule from taking effect in Alabama, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, overturning a lower-court decision from the previous day,” she writes. Read the full story here.
In our opinion
Election fears. Mr. Hallowell breaks down four reasons many Christians are terrified of a Kamala Harris presidency.
How to respond to Olympic controversy. Everett Piper in his “Ask Dr. E column” breaks down an important response to a powerful question: “How should Christians respond to the mockery of the ‘Last Supper’ at the Olympics?”
Abortion warning. Emily Erin Davis warns that, with Ms. Harris at the helm, Democrats will become the “shout your abortion” party.
Read more commentary on “Higher Ground” here.
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