“INDIA NOW REALIZES ITS LARGEST CHALLENGE IS NOT PAKISTAN, BUT CHINA.” —P. 46 EARNING YOUR TRUST, EVERY DAY. 10.10.20

VOLUME 35

NUMBER 19 KAMALA HARRIS KAMALA MIKE PENCEMIKE VS. VICE SQUAD: SQUAD: VICE .38 3 P.

FEATURES 10.10.20 VOLUME 35 NUMBER 19

46 BRAWLS IN THE HIMALAYAS A deadly border clash between Chinese and Indian troops has put relations between the two most populous countries in the world on a precipice by June Cheng

38 52 58 PROSECUTOR AND PERSECUTOR CALLING ON A FIGHTER TO FIGHT FALLING BACK WITH LOOKS Kamala Harris has a complicated record, Most pro-lifers are enthusiastic AT THE PAST but her zeal to support abortion and about President Donald Trump’s record FALL BOOKS: Twenty-five history books attack its opponents has been consistent on abortion, but some say he could be— and biographies in a trying year by Jamie Dean and should be—doing more by Marvin Olasky by Leah Hickman

CHANNI ANAND/AP 10.10.20 WORLD DEPARTMENTS 10.10.20 VOLUME 35 NUMBER 19

5 MAILBAG 6 NOTES FROM THE CEO

11 People gather at the Supreme Court on the morning after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Dispatches Culture Notebook 11 NEWS ANALYSIS THE NEW 21 MOVIES & TV 65 EDUCATION A new Supreme Court Cobra Kai, Divided Another shot for opening ratchets up COURT OPENING Hearts of America, college students the tension of a stress- The Social Dilemma, filled year IS LIKELY TO Boys State, Challenger 67 ARTS

14 HUMAN RACE MOVE THE 26 BOOKS 68 LIFESTYLE NATIONAL Are you a racist? 15 QUOTABLES FOCUS FROM 28 CHILDREN'S BOOKS Voices 16 QUICK TAKES A PHYSICAL 30 Q&A 8 Joel Belz Wayne Grudem 18 Janie B. Cheaney VIRUS TO A 36 Mindy Belz 32 Q&A 70 Andrée Seu Peterson ON THE COVER: JUDICIAL VIRUS. David French 72 Marvin Olasky ILLUSTRATION BY KRIEG BARRIE (Pence photo by Andrew Harnik/AP; Harris 34 MUSIC photo by Noah Berger/AFP Bowie and his fans via Getty Images)

2 WORLD 10.10.20 J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/AP

BIBLICALLY OBJECTIVE JOURNALISM THAT INFORMS, EDUCATES, AND INSPIRES

“THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S AND THE FULLNESS THEREOF; THE WORLD AND THOSE WHO DWELL THEREIN.” —PSALM 24:1

EDITOR IN CHIEF Marvin Olasky WORLD NEWS GROUP SENIOR EDITOR Mindy Belz CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Kevin Martin CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER Nick Eicher WORLD MAGAZINE FOUNDER Joel Belz HOW DEVELOPMENT Pierson Gerritsen, Debra Meissner, EDITOR Michael Reneau Andrew Belz, Sandy Barwick, MANAGING EDITOR Daniel James Devine HAVE YOU Whitney Williams, Ambria Collins NATIONAL EDITOR Jamie Dean FINANCE Bill Gibson SENIOR REPORTERS Emily Belz, Angela Lu Fulton, FOUND ADMINISTRATION Kerrie Edwards Sophia Lee MARKETING Jonathan Woods REPORTERS Leah Hickman, Charissa Koh, CONTENT AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT EDITOR Mickey McLean Harvest Prude WORTH ADVERTISING John Almaguer, Kyle Crimi, Kelsey Sanders STORY COACH Susan Olasky MEMBER SERVICES Amanda Beddingfield SENIOR WRITERS Janie B. Cheaney, Andrée Seu REVIEW- Peterson, Lynn Vincent CORRESPONDENTS June Cheng, John Dawson, Maryrose ING IN WORLD FOR STUDENTS Delahunty, Sharon Dierberger, Juliana Chan Erikson, Charles Horton, Arsenio MONTHS EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Rich Bishop Orteza, Jenny Lind Schmitt, Laura G. GOD’S WORLD NEWS WEBSITE gwnews.com Singleton, Russell St. John, Jae Wasson OF PAN- MANAGING EDITOR Rebecca Cochrane FILM AND TV EDITOR Megan Basham WORLD WATCH WEBSITE worldwatch.news REVIEWERS Sandy Barwick, Bob Brown, Jeff Koch, DEMIC PROGRAM DIRECTOR Brian Basham Marty VanDriel MAILBAG EDITOR Les Sillars SLOW- EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Kristin Chapman, Amy Derrick, WORLD JOURNALISM INSTITUTE Mary Ruth Murdoch, Elizabeth Russell DOWNS? ART DIRECTOR David Freeland WEBSITE wji.world ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR Rachel Beatty DEAN Marvin Olasky ILLUSTRATOR Krieg Barrie ASSOCIATE DEAN Edward Lee Pitts GRAPHIC DESIGNER Arla Eicher “The first DIGITAL PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Dan Perkins few months BOARD OF DIRECTORS after movie John Weiss (chairman), William Newton (vice chairman), WORLD DIGITAL theaters shut Mariam Bell, John Burke, Kevin Cusack, Peter Lillback, WEBSITE wng.org down and Edna Lopez, Howard Miller, R. Albert Mohler Jr., EXECUTIVE EDITOR Timothy Lamer major Russell B. Pulliam, David Skeel, David Strassner MANAGING EDITOR Lynde Langdon releases kept ASSISTANT EDITOR Rachel Lynn Aldrich Member of the Associated Press REPORTERS Mary Jackson, Onize Ohikere, getting Kyle Ziemnick delayed, I CORRESPONDENTS Julie Borg, Laura Edghill, Collin found myself Garbarino, Julia A. Seymour, Steve West at sea as to what WORLD HOW TO CONTACT US WORLD RADIO should TO BECOME A WORLD MEMBER, GIVE A GIFT MEMBERSHIP, CHANGE ADDRESS, WEBSITE wng.org/radio cover. But ACCESS OTHER ­MEMBER ACCOUNT INFORMATION, OR FOR BACK ISSUES EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Paul Butler not having AND PERMISSION: obvious The World and Everything in It EMAIL [email protected] HOSTS Nick Eicher, Mary Reichard, options has ONLINE wng.org/account (members) Myrna Brown, Megan Basham forced me to or members.wng.org (to become a member) MANAGING EDITOR Leigh Jones find interest- PHONE 828.435.2981 within the U.S. or 800.951.6397 outside the U.S. REPORTERS Kent Covington, Anna Johansen, Monday–Friday (except holidays), 9 a.m.–7 p.m. ET ing selec- Sarah Schweinsberg WRITE WORLD, PO Box 20002, Asheville, NC 28802-9998 SENIOR CORRESPONDENTS Katie Gaultney, Kim Henderson, tions I might BACK ISSUES, REPRINTS, PERMISSIONS 828.435.2981 or [email protected] Les Sillars have over- FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/WNGdotorg CORRESPONDENTS Maria Baer, Ryan Bomberger, Laura Finch, George Grant, Jill Nelson, looked in FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @WNGdotorg Bonnie Pritchett, Jenny Rough, normal FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM instagram.com/WNGdotorg Cal Thomas, Emily Whitten circum- PRODUCERS Johnny Franklin, Carl Peetz WORLD OCCASIONALLY RENTS SUBSCRIBER NAMES TO ­CAREFULLY SCREENED, Rich Roszel, Kristen Flavin stances.” LIKE-MINDED ORGANIZATIONS. IF YOU WOULD PREFER NOT TO RECEIVE THESE —WORLD PROMOTIONS, PLEASE CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ASK TO BE PLACED ON Listening In OUR DO NOT RENT LIST. Warren Cole Smith Film and TV WORLD (ISSN 0888-157X) (USPS 763-010) IS PUBLISHED BIWEEKLY (24 ISSUES) Effective Compassion Editor Anna Johansen, Charissa Koh Megan FOR $69.95 PER YEAR BY GOD’S WORLD PUBLICATIONS, (NO MAIL) 12 ALL SOULS CRESCENT, ASHEVILLE, NC 28803; 828.253.8063. PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT Basham The Olasky Interview ASHEVILLE, NC, AND ADDITIONAL MAILING ­OFFICES. PRINTED­ IN THE USA. Jill Nelson, Marvin Olasky REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION IS PROHIB- Legal Docket ITED. © 2020 WORLD NEWS GROUP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. POSTMASTER: SEND Mary Reichard, Jenny Rough ADDRESS CHANGES TO WORLD, PO BOX 20002, ASHEVILLE, NC 28802-9998.

4 WORLD 10.10.20 MAILBAG

RESCUE TEAMS NEEDED THE COMPLEXITIES OF THE PAST AUG. 29, P. 72—BARRY BERTRAM/ AUG. 29, P. 30—MONICA BENNETT FIRCHOW CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY. ON FACEBOOK I had never heard of a “Siberian Excellent interview. It’s a clear expla- Dilemma,” but it fits our situation in nation of the bigger problems with our choice for president. We must the 1619 Project. not give in since God is still on the throne! THE EVIL WITHIN AUG. 15, P. 20—BOB MCKEE/HIGH POINT, N.C. READ, LEARN, ENJOY I am struck by the need to understand AUG. 29, P. 18—PHILLIP WOECKENER/ the evil within ourselves, the rescue TALLAHASSEE, FLA. from outside of ourselves through It takes work and effort to educate Christ, and the need to extend His your children. But at the rate the grace and love to others still resisting teachers unions are going, they’ll not or in process of discovery. have to worry about having any chil- PUBLIC SCHOOL dren left to teach. UNCERTAINTIES MAILBAG THOMAS CHRISTIANSEN/SEATTLE, WASH. AUG. 29, P. 5—PHYLLIS BRUMM/HASTINGS, MICH. Via a videoconferencing app, I started The phrase “police I’m disappointed you have reduced Grandpa’s homeschool lessons for my their children” Mailbag to just one page. I find the seven grandchildren. Our daily les- during virtual letter writers insightful and helpful sons are less than five minutes on in putting topics in perspective. You random topics: classical music, how education is have pages of entertainment, books, to tie a square knot, English language misleading for and other articles I skip over. You idioms (the kids’ favorite), antonyms parents. To train up seem to lack balance. versus synonyms, etc. It helps me con- nect with my grandkids and provides a child, I suggest a needed break for their moms. “supervising” and THE SIFT AND WORLD WATCH “mentoring” offer a LINDA WEST/RANCHO BERNARDO, CALIF. I am a longtime reader of WORLD EXPANDING THE FAMILY better mindset. Magazine, and more recently I started AUG. 29, P. 8—HENRY HUIE/ AUG. 29, P. 44—DAVE EXLEY/ reading The Sift and watching World OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C. WEST MELBOURNE, FLA. Watch each morning. Because my Joel Belz’s very informative column local newspaper has grown more and omitted one bit of history that some more progressive, I had this thought: of us old-timers remember: the birth I pay for a subscription to the paper, of WORLD out of the ashes of the old so I like the idea of starting a regular Presbyterian Journal. I recall the donation to support WORLD. early struggles and am pleased to see what has evolved over the years. Keep up the good work! CORRECTIONS The documentary Uncle Tom (“On a

LETTERS AND COMMENTS lonely road,” Aug. 29) has no affilia- GUARDRAILS ON MOUNTAIN PASSES tion with the American Enterprise EMAIL [email protected] AUG. 29, P. 70—HEATHER MERRILL/ MAIL WORLD Mailbag, PO Box 20002, Institute. LITTLETON, COLO. Asheville, NC 28802-9998 Until COVID-19 arrived, Overflow WEBSITE wng.org Reading about wisdom and the hope FACEBOOK facebook.com/WNGdotorg Café hosted an open mic night every to keep trying to heal our culture TWITTER @WNGdotorg Friday, led biweekly by Levin Lewis inspired me to not give up and not INSTAGRAM instagram.com/WNGdotorg (“Overflow of love,” Sept. 26, p. 61). PLEASE INCLUDE FULL NAME AND ADDRESS. neglect to take action toward the LETTERS MAY BE EDITED TO YIELD redemption of our world. BREVITY AND CLARITY. READ MORE LETTERS AT WNG.ORG/MAILBAG

10.10.20 WORLD 5 AS WE BEGIN TO Notes from the CEO KEVIN MARTIN SEE THE BIG STORIES AS PART OF GOD’S PURPOSE, WE GAIN AN ABILITY TO SEE OUR SMALL STORIES THE SAME WAY.

now I can hardly read or hear a news story without adding that catchphrase in my mind: Coronavirus cases increasing? What- ever the news, the purpose of the Lord will stand. A tense election? Whatever the news, the purpose of the Lord will stand. A longtime justice of the United States Supreme Court passes away? Whatever the news, the purpose of the Lord will stand. A robust theology of The stock market takes a big one-day dip, or roars back without much expla- reporting news nation? Whatever the news, the purpose Current events are critical, but of the Lord will stand. As we begin to see the big stories as we exist to remind you the purpose part of God’s purpose—all within His of the Lord will stand control and according to the counsel of His will and for the good of those He loves—we can begin to see our small HATEVER THE NEWS, the purpose of the LORD will stand.” stories the same way. Sometimes it’s We close every daily episode of WORLD Watch, WORLD’s easier to trust that God has a purpose news program for students, with that Biblical catchphrase. in a global pandemic than to trust that It’s based on Proverbs 19:21, “Many are the plans in the He has a purpose in the loss of a job, or mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will the loss of a relationship, or the loss of stand.” our health. It’s much more than a catchphrase, though. Only God knows what the news will W Those few words represent the theological underpinning hold over the next few months—we can of our entire journalistic endeavor, whether the journalism shows up hope for specific outcomes, but our real here in the pages of WORLD Magazine, the pages of our student news hope is in the trustworthy promises of magazines, our podcasts, or—now—in our 10-minute daily video pro- the God who loves us and who is work- gram for teens. ing in the world to accomplish His We serve the God whom the Apostle Paul tells the Ephesians works ­purposes. all things according to the counsel of His will—and, for His children, works all things together for good, as He says in Romans. Our aim is for our student viewers to begin to see God’s hand in everything that hap- pens in the world, and in their own lives, even when they can’t discern His reasons. The daily reminder is good for them. And not just them, but all of us. I’ve heard it said nearly 100 times, because we included it for the first time in our May 21 program, and EMAIL [email protected]

6 WORLD 10.10.20 “This is a Sensational book!” — ERIC METAXAS, Bestselling author and host of Eric Metaxas Radio Show

“Richard E. Simmons’ book is the fruit of many years I have taught apologetics for many years. Of all the of thoughtful reading about the relationship of books on apologetics, Richard E. Simmons' book is theology to the issues of modern life. He brings the the best I have ever read. biblical doctrine of God into conversation with the —WALLACE HENLEY, The Christian Post columnist most basic questions about meaning and morality, science and human reason. Chapter after chapter “In this accessible read, Richard E. Simmons offers helpful insight.” offers valuable insights for those grappling with life’s —TIM KELLER, Redeemer City to City biggest questions.” — ERIC METAXAS, author and radio show host "This book provides an excellent foundation for understanding the fundamental scientific and philo- “The best book I have read in 30 years.” sophical positions concerning the existence of God." —SAM SANDUSKY, Tampa, FL —ROBERT YOE “This is one of the most com- “This book is clearly Richard’s prehensive and straightforward masterpiece.” books on Christian apologetics I —BEW WHITE, Birmingham, AL have ever read.” —HILARY, United Kingdom "An outstanding book! —ADRIANO NAZARETH, Brazil “The evidence is astonishing, great read.” —SUSAN ANDERSON, USA

Order at Amazon.com and Follow Richard on Facebook Find Richard's podcast Reliable Truth www.richardesimmons3.com & Instagram @thecenterbham on Apple, Google Play & Spotify

Reflect_Ad_WorldMag_Oct_issue.indd 1 9/22/2020 2:31:22 PM WE CHRISTIANS ARE, IN Voices JOEL BELZ THIS REGARD, VIRTUALLY INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM THE SOCIETY WE LIVE IN.

simple living. The guilt I suggest we ought to feel has less to do with enjoying the good things God has made than it does with the timing in which we are privileged to enjoy them. Like the world around us, we Christians tend to assume early enjoyment is our prerogative. But Christians, of all people, should understand that the Mastercard mentality is not the way to master life. United we spend The pattern Jesus established was one of deferring desires—not because the fulfillment of desire is wrong, Americans don’t seem at all but because “my time has not yet come.” Most of us divided when it comes to debt think our time has come five minutes after the desire first pops into our minds. Yet few concepts are more central to a Christian way FINALLY FOUND SOME “common ground.” Not of thinking than the ideal of deferring a present desire— quite what I was looking for, but as best I can in the confidence that something richer lies down the tell, it’s an issue where Republicans and Dem- road. It is a constant and unrelenting theme of Scripture. ocrats seem to have virtual agreement. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies,” They’ll do that by simply remaining silent. Jesus said, “it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much The topic is debt retirement. I may repeat fruit.” Deferral now, rich reward later. He understood myself—but it’s important to our families and the concept perfectly, and His obedience to the death of I businesses; our churches and schools; our city, the cross is, of course, the key to His and our future glory. state, and national economies; and to the world. The theme permeates our lives. Train now, win the It’s a current issue because here in the United States game later. Pull the weeds now, enjoy the sweet corn we’ve just taken on some $3 trillion in brand-new debt. later. Skip the dessert now, enjoy a trim waistline later. That’s $13,000 in new debt for every man, woman, The principle is everywhere except in our consumer and child—which has now been added to the $100,000 consciousness. There, the infection still rages. And for already owed by every individual coming into this such an infection to rage within the Christian commu- most bizarre era. nity is costly in two ways. How do we handle this? By staying silent on the First, it is costly in terms of wasted resources. In subject—like our political “leaders”? following the world’s pattern of satisfying so many of The sober fact is that we as a nation approach this our desires almost as soon as we feel them, we are tough fiscal assignment with a credit-card mentality. spending far more than we should on interest, carrying No need, we say, to tighten our belts and trim our charges, and fees. We would literally have 50 percent budgets. We’ll just borrow our way out; that’s what more to spend on what we want—maybe even more— we’ve always done. if we were patient to wait until the resources were in. Well, maybe for the last generation or so. We are Think what impact that might have on the underfi- a people unable to defer the gratification of our desires. nanced ministries of God’s kingdom. By and large, we live in homes that are nicer than what Second, it is costly in terms of a wasted witness. If our parents had at the same age. The same is true for Christians were known around the world as people who cars, clothes, use of leisure time, travel and vacations, through their patience, thrift, and keen sense of pri- and everything that drives our family budgets up, up, orities lived prosperous lives, the gospel they preach and up. and teach would have more credibility than it does now We Christians are, in this regard, virtually indistin- when so many of us spend most of our years playing guishable from the society we live in. And by blending catch-up with the finance companies. in with our surroundings, we are missing a strategic As it stands, our political leaders—from both par- opportunity for witness to a key element of the gospel. ties—have nothing but silence when it’s suggested that Make no mistake here. This is not another call to such basic principles of finance be applied to the nation’s astonishing debt. And their silence is becoming more and more deafening.

8 WORLD 10.10.20 EMAIL [email protected] CAN YOU HELP FEED HUNGRY CHRISTIANS?

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News Analysis Human Race Quotables Quick Takes

Heading toward Agincourt A new Supreme Court opening ratchets up the tension of a stress-filled year

by Marvin Olasky

HE WEEKEND THAT BEGAN AT DUSK on Friday, Sept. 18, brought us Rosh Hashana, the Signs and Jewish New Year’s Day, and one more hard twist in a year, 2020, that already looks flowers pay tribute to like three years—COVID-19 year, racial tensions year, and a knife’s-edge presidential Ruth Bader election campaign—rolled into one. Ginsburg The weekend began with the news of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death. President outside the Donald Trump’s initial response to the Supreme Court justice’s passing was gracious: Supreme Court. “Whether you agree or not ... she led an amazing life.” Ginsburg did. If you live in a T conservative bubble, either of two recent films that turned her into a pop culture OLIVER CONTRERAS/FOR THE WASHINGTON POST/GETTY IMAGES 10.10.20 WORLD 11 DISPATCHES News Analysis

celebrity—RBG and On the Basis of Sex—is worth watching to learn how the other half thinks. Ginsburg also had an amazing friend, the late Antonin Scalia. They were opposites ideologically, but hours after Ginsburg died, Scalia’s son Chris- topher tweeted a story about Scalia buying her two dozen roses for her birthday. Asked if the gift softened her up so she voted with him on a 5-4 deci- sion, Scalia said, “Some things are more important than votes.” Saturday, Sept. 19, brought another milepost on this memorable weekend: the 100th birthday of America’s greatest writer on baseball, Roger Angell. He’s lost much of his sight but can still follow games. Angell centered his greatest arti- cle on what seems to me the greatest Ginsburg (left) speaks to Georgetown Uni- versity law students in 2017; Scalia (right) game ever, the sixth game of the 1975 speaks at ­Wesleyan University in 2012. World Series on Oct. 21, 1975. When Carl- ton Fisk ended it with a 12th inning home run, Angell visualized Red Sox happy few, we band of brothers; for he fans all over “dancing and shouting and today that sheds his blood with me shall kissing and leaping about like the fans be my brother.” at Fenway—jumping up and down in Even before Ginsburg’s death this their bedrooms and kitchens and living coming presidential election looked like rooms.” an Agincourt contest, with Donald I I imagine that will be the reaction of trying to rally his forces against Demo- millions of Christians and others some crats more numerous in polling and in day when the Supreme Court reverses the House of Representatives. The Roe v. Wade. Angell continued his Supreme Court opening ratchets up the description: “And on back-country tension. Concerned Women for America roads, a lone driver getting the news head Penny Nance says, “Our happy ESTEEM over the radio and blowing his horn over warrior women are battle-tested.” Mar- LEADERS WHO and over, and finally pulling up and get- jorie Dannenfelser, president of the ting out and leaping up and down on the Susan B. Anthony List, calls on Trump KNOW GOD’S cold macadam, yelling into the night, and GOP leaders to “move swiftly to fill IN CHARGE. and all of them, for once at least, utterly this vacancy.” joyful and believing in that joy—alight How swift is swift? Eight months with it.” Pro-lifers await that moment. before the 2016 election Barack Obama Angell titled his essay “Agincourt nominated Merrick Garland for the and after.” The Battle of Agincourt in Supreme Court seat suddenly vacant via 1415 was a smashing English victory over Scalia’s death. Republicans refused to a far more numerous French army. It vote on it. Now, six weeks before the 2020 became grist for William Shakespeare’s election, Republicans are in a hurry. eloquence. He has one noble, Westmor- True, in 2016 the White House and the land, complain of having not enough Senate were in opposing hands: Now they soldiers. Henry V replies, “The fewer are both in GOP control. True, Democrats men, the greater share of honour. … But have also switched positions: “Just do it” if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the in 2016 and “no, no, no” now. Neverthe- most offending soul alive. … We few, we less, the switches supplement the Critical

12 WORLD 10.10.20 GINSBURG: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/GETTY IMAGES; SCALIA: JESSICA HILL/AP hand … on the other hand.” Harry Tru- So I have only three pieces of advice. man, complaining about the conflicting The first is to read a variety of views, advice economists offered him, said he not just those that confirm what you’ve was looking for a one-handed economist. already decided. Here’s centenarian Some WORLD members may be Roger Angell’s favorite joke: A beat-up looking for the same, but our editors worker after a hard day comes into a and reporters are unlikely to comply. diner and says, “Give me a cup of coffee, Our operating principle of Biblical a piece of pie, and a few kind words.” objectivity means that we present clear The waitress serves him the coffee and views where the Bible is clear, as it often pie. He says, “Hey—where are the kind is, but we don’t pretend to say “God words?” She leans over and says, “Don’t saith” when God hasn’t saith whether it eat the pie.” is wiser to push for a Supreme Court Second, read what the Bible says vote before the election or wait. We all about people confident that they know have our opinions, but we should exactly what “the smart play” is in judi- acknowledge they are just opinions. cial nominations or theology. For exam- On Aug. 14 and Sept. 1, I interviewed ple, Psalm 2 offers one of God’s favorite two Christian conservatives, pro-Trump jokes: “The nations rage and the peoples Wayne Grudem and anti-Trump David plot in vain. … He who sits in the heavens French. You’ll see their arguments on laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.” pages 30-33. The new court opening is Third, esteem leaders who know likely to move the national focus from a God’s in charge. A millennium ago King physical virus to a judicial virus, which Canute’s kissing-up courtiers said he Theory view that everything is a matter probably increases the pressure on pro- could control the ocean tides. Storyteller of power, not principle. Evangelicals who life people who oppose Trump, but I’ve Henry of Huntingdon described Can- have already abandoned the previous seen no indication of French modulating ute—king of Denmark, England, and insistence that “presidential character his criticism. Instead, he noted on Sept. Norway—setting his throne at the sea- matters” may gain more disdain. 20 that we are in for “another sharp shore and saying, as the incoming tide Adding to the complexity: Scalia escalation in the culture war, and this wet the bottom of his robe, “Let all men rightly said, “Some things are more escalation could well lead to a cascading know how empty and worthless is the important than votes,” but some votes series of events that could strain the power of kings, for there is none worthy are life and death. Shouldn’t we seize the constitutional and cultural fabric of this of the name, but He whom heaven, opportunity to throw Roe v. Wade into nation.” earth, and sea obey by eternal laws.” the dumpster of inhumane decisions next to Dred Scott v. Sandford and Plessy v. Ferguson (“separate but equal”)? Yes, a Roe v. Wade reversal that would empower state legislatures won’t come close to ending abortion—New York, California, Illinois, and other blue states would still be magnet murderers—but it would probably save 100,000 lives per year. On the other hand, Republicans can’t act in a vacuum. If Mitch McConnell pushes an affirmative vote on Trump’s nominee and finds a way to have his caucus hang together, the Democrats have an obvious response if they win the White House on Nov. 3 and gain a Senate majority: Expand the court and add two more liberal justices. (Or if the radicals have their way, add six.) And yet, as our Jewish brothers and sisters celebrated Rosh Hashana, it was all too easy in thinking through moves and counter-moves to sound like Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof: “On the other

EMAIL [email protected] TWITTER @MarvinOlasky 10.10.20 WORLD 13 DISPATCHES Human Race ACCUSED U.S. Attorney General William Barr accused New York City, Seattle, and Portland, Ore., of “permitting violence and destruction of property” while fail- ing to support the police and protect their citizens. A memo President Donald Trump sent earlier this month would allow the federal government to desig- nate the cities as “anarchist jurisdic- tions,” which could cost them federal grant money. Barr noted that New York cut its police department budget by $1 billion despite a rise in shootings over the past three months. He also cited Portland’s refusal to accept federal law enforcement support during more than 100 days of violent protests and Seattle’s failure to shut down the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest quickly in June.

REPORTED A UN investigative team has accused the Venezuelan government of “serious human rights violations,” according to the mission chairperson’s public state- ment. Marta Valiñas went on to describe crimes including arbitrary killings, the use of torture, and violent government response to opposition protests. The A man kayaks to his house in floodwaters caused by Tropical Depression Beta. team concluded that these actions were part of a coordinated government pol- icy to terrorize and control the Venezu- FLOODED AND BURNED elan people. The report cites 223 specific cases and nearly 3,000 witnesses against President Nicolás Maduro’s socialist Disasters strike government. The report will be pre- sented to the UN Human Rights Council Flooding hits Texas, and wildfires continue before further action. to scorch California SPIKED The 53 countries that make up the World TREETS IN HOUSTON AND GALVESTON, TEXAS, flooded on Sept. 22 Health Organization’s European region after Beta, a tropical depression, made landfall near Port O’Connor. confirmed more than 300,000 new By that afternoon, Beta had dumped up to a foot or more of rain in COVID-19 cases in the second week of areas south and east of Houston, on top of storm surges. Forecasters September. More than half of the coun- started calling storm systems for letters of the Greek alphabet after tries reported a 10 percent or greater going through their predetermined seasonal list of names based on jump in new infections in the past two the English alphabet for the second time since the 1950s. weeks. Of those, seven saw a more than Meanwhile, the Bobcat fire, which began Sept. 6 in northeast Los twofold increase. Dr. Hans Kluge, the S Angeles, continued to spread, scorching more homes and structures WHO’s European director, called it “a in the mountainous area. The blaze had burned through 156 square wake-up call for all of us.” The United miles, and many surrounding communities remained on evacuation Kingdom, meanwhile, reimposed a alert. Firefighters in late September were still battling more than six-person limit on indoor or outdoor two dozen major wildfires throughout California. groups in an effort to avoid another nationwide lockdown as COVID-19 cases increased.

14 WORLD 10.10.20 STUART VILLANUEVA/THE GALVESTON COUNTY DAILY NEWS VIA AP DISPATCHES Quotables

“These battles are going to rage no matter what the Supreme Court decides to do.” ANDREW BATH of the Thomas More Society on how the reversal of Roe v. Wade won’t mean the end of the abortion debate in America.

“Every week we gather to worship a Savior who died for the whole world, not one part of it. What we call ourselves should make that clear.” J.D. GREEAR, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, speaking in favor of changing the name of the Southern Baptists to “Great Commission Baptists.”

“Instead of us doing business with China and China becoming more free, what has happened is a place like China has bought our silence with their money.” Flimmaker JUDD APATOW on Hollywood’s censoring of movies so as not to offend China’s Communist government.

“It was 30 feet of flames on one side, 40 feet on the other side, and I’m the piece of toast in the middle.” Caretaker RON JARRIE, whose cabin was destroyed after he escaped the North Complex fire in California.

“That’s definitely a MiG-29. I’m glad to see it’s supporting our troops.” PIERRE SPREY, who helped design both the F-16 and A-10 planes for the U.S. Air Force, on an ad from the Trump campaign that urges readers to “support our troops” but pictures a Russian jet in the background.

10.10.20 WORLD 15 DISPATCHES Quick Takes A FINE MESS Italian authorities say 2 they have fined a French tourist who attempted to smuggle valuables out of Sardinia. The fine: $1,200. The valuables: about 4½ pounds of beach sand. A 2017 law prohibited stealing sand from Sar- dinia’s beaches. A regional authority passed the law after discovering the unique pink or white sand for sale on the internet. The Sept. 1 heist wasn’t the first. “The bottle was confiscated and is now in our operating room where we hold these confiscated items,” a spokes- man for Sardinia’s Forest Rangers told CNN. “At the end of the year we usually have many bottles of sand accumulated.” Last year, authorities caught another French tourist trying to pilfer 88 pounds of sand.

GETTING HER GOAT A Georgia 3 police officer has a good excuse for not finishing her paperwork. The uniden- tified Douglas County Sheriff’s deputy returned to her car after serving papers at a residence only to find a goat had jumped in the opened door and was eat- ing paperwork that had been left in the passenger seat. The deputy struggled with the animal, alternating between trying to pull it out from the passenger side and pushing the goat out from the driver side of the cruiser. Finally, the deputy was able to force the goat out of the car. The goat managed to knock the 1 officer down during the ruckus, but nei- LOST AND FOUND ther the goat nor the officer was hurt. A LESSON IN OVERKILL A French- 4 man in Parcoul-Chenaud was trying AFTER FOUR DAYS OF SEARCHING, the family of Harry Harvey planned to kill a housefly when he destroyed a a press conference at a pub near Harvey’s last known location near portion of his home. Local French media a national park. On Sept. 6, Harvey, 80, became separated from his reported the unidentified octogenarian hiking partner during a hailstorm while walking in the Yorkshire was disturbed by the fly as he sat down Dales National Park in northern England. Emergency crews searched for dinner. He grabbed an electric fly for Harvey for days to no avail. Finally, his family called for a Sept. swatter and began swinging at the fly. 9 press conference at the Tan Hill Inn on the outskirts of the park. The swatter then ignited a leaking gas As the family prepared for the event, a nature photographer spotted canister in the home, leading to an Harvey walking in the park and called for help. The 80-year-old explosion that damaged his kitchen and stunned his family and the assembled press when he walked in with the roof. The man escaped the explosion a bandage on his head. Harvey said he lost his compass and tempo- with a burn to his hand. The fly’s fate is rarily lost his glasses in a fall. He quickly found his orange-framed unknown. glasses and was able to establish a campsite in the park with a tent he had carried. Said Harvey: “I had three really good wild camping THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE Officials nights where I was on my own and had all the kit I needed.” 5 in Bristol, U.K., have shut down a recurring silent dance party. The prob- lem? It was causing too much noise.

16 WORLD 10.10.20 PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY KRIEG BARRIE (HARVEY PHOTO BY PETER HARBOUR/MIRRORPIX/NEWSCOM; PARK PHOTOS BY KREUZSCHNABEL/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS, LICENCE: CC-BY-SA-3.0) According to neighbors, revelers gath- Scotch whisky to finance a down pay- ered in Owen Square Park on Sept. 5 in ment on his first home. Each of the bot- order to dance communally to music tles of Scotch has been a gift from his blasted through headphones. And father, a native of Milnathort, Scotland. though neighbors didn’t hear the music, Father Pete Robson purchased the first they did hear the screaming—and the bottle of Scotch shortly after his son’s gas-powered generators. After com- birth in 1992. Every year since, Robson plaints to local police, local authorities bought another bottle for his son, leav- issued an order giving officers the ability ing strict instructions not to open the to shut down gatherings if they get too bottles. Now 28 years later, the younger loud. Robson says he thinks he can fetch more than $50,000 for the entire collection. CALLING IT OFF Fool me once, NGUYEN Broker Mark Littler says buyers in New 6 shame on you. Fool me 1,171 times, ASKED 911 York and Asia have shown interest in shame on me. Police in Memphis, Tenn., purchasing the bottles. have arrested a local man accused of DISPATCHERS placing 1,171 phone calls to 911 since July IF THEY WAVE OF THE PAST? For the first 15. On Sept. 1 alone, police say Huu WOULD LIKE 9 time since the 1980s, vinyl records Nguyen dialed emergency services 241 outsold CDs in the United States. The times. The next day, police say Nguyen TO PURCHASE Recording Industry Association of called 911 an additional 32 times. During EGG ROLLS. America reported $232 million in vinyl one of the Sept. 2 calls, Nguyen asked sales during the first half of 2020, which 911 dispatchers if they would like to pur- made up “62 percent of total physical chase egg rolls. In Tennessee, an aggra- revenues.” But this didn’t mean vinyl vated nonemergency 911 call is a Class was all that popular: Even as vinyl A misdemeanor offense. bested CDs, it only made up 4 percent of total revenue for recorded music. SENT THROUGH TIME The United Streaming music, on the other hand, 7 States Postal Service delivered a made up 85 percent of revenue from postcard to an address in Michigan just recorded music. Digital downloads a few weeks shy of 100 years after its accounted for 6 percent of recorded initial postmark. Brittany Keech of Beld- music revenue. ing, Mich., discovered the Halloween postcard in her mailbox on Sept. 8. After observing the wear and tear of the mail- ing, she noticed a George Washington 1-cent stamp and a postmark that read Oct. 29, 1920. The cursive writing on the back is from a child named Flossie Bur- gess and is addressed to her cousins. According to a USPS spokesman, letters and postcards sometimes get lost while at the post office. Whenever an old letter is found, the agency attempts to deliver it to the address listed or the addressee. As for Flossie’s postcard, Keech says she hopes to find and give it to a relative of Flossie’s who will remember her. If she can’t find a relative, then she’ll find out whether the museum in Belding would like to display it.

BOTTLED BONANZA In order to 8 buy his first house, an Englishman is hoping to liquidate his savings. Mat- thew Robson of Taunton, U.K., is seeking to sell 28 bottles of Macallan single malt

10.10.20 WORLD 17 Voices JANIE B. CHEANEY Gender, and Identity—and Why This Harms Every- body. According to the authors, it began in the 1960s— like so much else—with the broad acceptance of post- modernism as an academic philosophy. “Po-Mo” asserts that objective truth can’t be determined, that knowledge is socially constructed, and that dominant forms of knowledge always favor the dominant. So, for example, it’s pointless to read Shakespeare for his insight into humanity; the only purpose in studying Shakespeare is to “deconstruct” him, to determine how he privileges his own class and identity as a white male. A pervasive theory The problem with postmodernism was that, by rejecting absolutes and objective truth, it had no moral core. But beginning in the 1980s, academics seized the with no moral core limp philosophy and repurposed its main tenets. If Postmodernist dogma is knowledge was a social construct benefiting the pow- everywhere now erful, we must make room for other “ways of knowing.” If science was a tool of the white patriarchy, it couldn’t be trusted. If indigenous groups, people of color, READ ABOUT IT TWO YEARS AGO on The College LGBTQs, and the disabled had been kept down, it was Fix. An academic article called “Human reac- time for them to step up. tions to rape culture and queer performativity That’s how theory became Theory—not a disci- at urban dog parks in Portland, Oregon” had pline, but a dogma. After destroying literature, it been published in a feminist journal. It was marched through the social sciences and eventually about “dog rape,” apparently. Were college invaded the STEM fields as well. And now, after two professors actually writing—and publishing— decades of indoctrinating graduates whose diplomas I stuff like this? Right-wing education sites grant them access to high ranks of culture, corpora- buzzed about it for days until the punchline hit: the tion, and government, Theory is everywhere. The doggy piece was a hoax. Motion Picture Academy unveils diversity guidelines But what a hoax—the brainchild of three liberal for Oscar-nominated movies. Corporations sponsor professors who set out to test the limits of academic retreats for white males only, where participants con- credulity. Of the 20 spurious papers they wrote (with fess “I am a racist” or write apology letters to female titles like “An Ethnography of Breastaurant Masculin- colleagues. American schoolchildren learn that their ity”), four were published, three were awaiting pub- country was built on racism and owes its wealth to lication when the whistle blew, and five were under slavery. consideration. President Trump has issued an executive order The serious purpose behind the high jinks was to meant to purge diversity training, based on Critical expose the sophistry of “grievance studies,” in which Race Theory, from federal agencies. That’s a step in all social problems came down to oppression by white the right direction, but compared with the depth of males. Stated the hoaxers, “[A] culture has developed the problem it looks like the tortoise just crawled off in which only certain conclusions are allowed … and the starting line. It took decades for an inert academic put social grievances ahead of objective truth.” philosophy to rise to rowdy life as activism and will The university crowd was not amused. One of the take decades more to defeat it. Lindsay and Pluckrose, three, philosophy teacher Peter Boghossian, imme- both agnostics, wistfully hope for a return to liberal diately went under investigation for research mis- progressivism, of the kind that welcomes all opinions conduct. Another, Helen Pluckrose, now declares to the public square and privileges none. herself “an exile from the humanities” and resides But humans don’t operate that way. Societies need in England with her family. The third, mathematician absolutes and moral standards. The spinelessness of James Lindsay, has been promoting the book he wrote postmodernism is exactly what allowed activists to with his colleague Pluckrose, Cynical Theories: How hijack it and now prevents them from moderating Activist Scholarship Made Everything About Race, their own radicalism. The blunt narrative of oppressor and oppressed won’t stand the test of time but can wreak a lot of havoc before it falls.

18 WORLD 10.10.20 EMAIL [email protected] TWITTER @jbcheaney

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WAX ON, WAX OFF ... AGAIN Cobra Kai is a clever reboot winning over audiences

by Megan Basham

JACE DOWN/YOUTUBE RED/SONY PICTURES TELEVISION 10.10.20 WORLD 21 CULTURE Movies & TV students, a confused Johnny wonders if it’s a prank call. Is it only nostalgia and weariness with a world that suddenly feels overrun with hall monitors that’s won Cobra Kai T’S A CINDERELLA STORY worthy of any cheesy sports movie. A few years legions of fans? No doubt that’s a signif- ago, YouTube made a late, halfhearted attempt to enter the streaming icant factor. But the show isn’t politically game. Most of its scripted series were flops. But it gambled with a reboot incorrect just for political incorrectness’s of the 1984 filmThe Karate Kid with the original two stars (whom Amer- sake. Cobra Kai weighs what it means to ica had barely heard from in decades). The show became a sleeper hit and be a man in a world that no longer seems eventually landed a lucrative Netflix sale. to have any use for them. It looks at how Once Cobra Kai hit that platform, it officially became the most popu- fathers, both biological and adopted, lar show in the United States. shape their sons, and how growing up I It would be hard to find another ’80s update that’s even half as clever. without them is leading to extremes of We catch up with Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), the high-school bully who aggression and helplessness. inspired a thousand tousled-blond copycats, in middle age. He might’ve been the Take the scene where an athlete at big man on campus at 17, but at 50 he spends his days in an alcoholic haze, zoning a martial arts competition feels he has out on Reagan-era macho movies, trying to block out the fact that his nemesis, Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), now owns a successful car dealership. About as elegant and introspective as the heavy metal he blares from the subwoofers of his cherry Pontiac Fire- bird, Johnny couldn’t be a further cry from Mr. Miyagi. Yet when a nerdy immigrant teen moves into the run- down apartment next door, he starts to think he may still have something to offer and decides to resurrect Cobra Kai dojo. Living well may be the best revenge, but the Karate Kid isn’t content to let his opulent house, beautiful wife, and thriving business speak for themselves. When he gets wind of Johnny’s plans, he, too, decides to return to the ring. Then it’s on like Godzilla vs. King Kong. Daniel-san isn’t the bad guy by a long shot, but he’s a lot less lovable than has- been Johnny, who makes us laugh out to give a virtue-signaling speech con- loud with his throwback attitude. Unlike demning toxic masculinity before he Daniel, who’s the very model of a mod- can compete. A viewer can’t miss the ern major-domo, Johnny didn’t get the irony that the woke adults in these memo that it’s no longer acceptable to young men’s lives demand a conformity call women “babes” or hang massive and submission far more pitiless than American flags on his wall. He’s today’s IT WOULD BE HARD anything a high-school clique could underdog—a working-class junkyard TO FIND ANOTHER come up with. mutt who gets kicked around by his ’80S UPDATE The most frustrating thing about (supposed) intellectual and ethical bet- Cobra Kai is that for a series so well ters, yet still has enough spirit to haul THAT’S EVEN tailored to watch with tweens and teens, himself out of a tangle of greasy sheets HALF AS CLEVER. it includes a hefty amount of language every morning and snarl in the face of and crude humor. Thankfully, VidAngel safe spaces. When someone phones ask- has the show on its service too, so fam- ing if he accepts gender-nonconforming ilies have the option to enjoy the fun and thoughtful themes while filtering out what’s truly toxic.

22 WORLD 10.10.20 SONY PICTURES TELEVISION - 23

tell all in the new all in the new tell 360 million 360 Twitter: million 330 Pinterest: 322 million LinkedIn: million 310 Facebook: billion monthly 2.45 (MAUs) users active Instagram: 1 billion Reddit: million 430 Snapchat: WORLD    5 3 4 6 7 BIGGEST SOCIAL SOCIAL BIGGEST MEDIA PLATFORMS 1 2 . The practices that have have that . The practices

10.10.20 - - - - - by Bob Brown by DATA The Social Dilemma MONSTERS Former social decry Data Big media execs Former Social media services record “every single [online] action” and [online] action” single “every Social media services record pop-up annoying exceeds harm The through also sit must viewers But FORMER SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANY EXECUTIVES EXECUTIVES COMPANY MEDIA SOCIAL FORMER an intermittent fictional story about a story fictional an intermittent online routines. with wrestling family PG-13) doesn’t (rated The docudrama in the respon share users that consider Three choices. their own for sibility for suggestions (and obvious) modest cred end the during conveyed parents 12:2. Romans include don’t its Netflix documentary Netflix powerful and wealthy platforms other and Google, Facebook, made ethi design Google former in society,” out the worst “bringing are Harris alleges. Tristan cist Twitter former to according algorithms, complex run them through internet people’s predict formulas these better Seibert. The Jeff exec pay. advertisers the more habits, “manip These companies employ ads. to techniques psychological ulative” For data. more generating users keep Palihapi VP Chamath mer Facebook then conflate users that explains tiya and truth. The value with “likes” leaves that popularity “brittle a result: Some empty.” and vacant more you their former fault interviewees spike decade’s the past for employers among girls. in suicide and six expletives, malarkey, evolution

“WE HAVE TO HOLD EVERYTHING TO THE LENS OF SCRIPTURE AND REALIZE THAT GOD’S IN CONTROL, AND WE’RE NOT.” Benjamin Watson in 2016 ------

began in 2019. began in 2019. by Leah Hickman Leah by Glimpses of abortion’s dividesabortion’s But the documentary has strengths: But the documentary has strengths: Watson delivers in production value. value. production in delivers Watson His 80-minute documentary, stream documentary, His 80-minute Former NFL athlete and current father and current NFL athlete Former WATSON: FACEBOOK; THE SOCIAL DILEMMA: NETFLIX DILEMMA: SOCIAL THE FACEBOOK; WATSON: moves beyond punditry to glimpse the beyond moves behind. hearts abortionwounded leaves tionist grabbed the baby’s remains and remains the baby’s tionist grabbed a it was know, so you announced, “Just In these moments, the documentary girl.” solution she soaked in for five days in her days five for in soaked solutionshe the shares A woman womb. mother’s abortion: abor Her heartbreak of her own A former abortionist recounts the preg abortionist recounts A former changed her mind. An abor that nancy about the saline talks tion survivor secret that will unite us”—a secret that, that, secret will unite us”—a that secret in the film, is too vague when revealed good. to do any But the script attempts too much. The But the script attempts too much. The the film. and topics crowd voices many the tagline is “Discovering The film’s than 30 thinkers on both sides of the on both sides of the thinkers than 30 issue to find a solution. ing on SalemNOW, addresses the history addresses ing on SalemNOW, state of the American abor and current more interviewed Watson tion debate. taking center stage in 2020, Watson says says Watson taking center stage in 2020, center the at issue” abortion “core is the of all others. last year. Filming for his documentary documentary his for Filming year. last Divided Hearts America of issues and social justice with race Even of seven Benjamin Watson started asking Watson Benjamin seven of these thinkers questions of prominent When is a person a person? Who deter Who person? a person a is When hap What quality of life? mines a child’s pens in an abortion procedure? - - - - APPLE TV+ APPLE was a The New Boys State contains bad language language bad contains , René describes encounter describes René , Ben’s mature introspection and and introspection mature Ben’s Since the film’s August release on on release August film’s Since the I’ve reflection hopeful the most But Amid the chaos, McBaine and Moss and Moss McBaine chaos, Amid the Boys State came out, my first instinct was, let’s let’s was, instinct first my out, came … smear him on it. it on reflect to opportunity wonderful been, it’s how that’s because just and say, should be.” it how not that’s shocking in our almost feels repentance some hope offers And it today. culture our these boys—or with done God isn’t yet. country—just Progressive Steven talks with the boys the boys with talks Steven Progressive represent and tries to the aisle across In con his own. as well as their views con Reagan–loving the Ronald trast, with his opponents Ben smears servative ahead, get To find. can he dirt whatever on stance Steven’s he misrepresents of part just is lying mind, Ben’s In guns. the game. have media outlets many TV+, Apple progressive with on the boys focused for piece an opinion In views. Times York the the camp and suggests at ing racism behav such rewards system political U.S. America is to love to that “I believe ior. system political our about cynical as be is made,” change real until necessary as he writes. fan. Reagan the Ben, from comes seen with face to face him The film brought in an he explains as his shortcomings, “You the Aspen Institute: with interview issue gun control Steven’s when know, in-cheek. At other times it bursts with with bursts it times other At in-cheek. more testosterone—as excitement—and and rowdy raucous than a thousand on Austin. converge 17-year-olds Robert, boys—Steven, four on focus the time they of and Ben. Much René, three-dimensional as the boys portray choices. moral real make who people ahead get lie to to whether Choices like Robert As ambitions. political their in not on abortion would stance “My says, at out there the guys with line up well stance.” pick a new to all. So I chose see we here politics, in grown-up Unlike in really what’s to behind the curtain and minds. their hearts also we But models. role and negative servant between difference see a clear politicians. and self-serving leadership

CAMP CORRECTIVE According to the American Legion, Boys State was founded in 1935 to counter socialism-inspired Young Pioneer camps. Boys

American

feels relaxed or tongue- or relaxed feels Boys State by Emily Whitten Emily by PLAYING 10.10.20 POLITICS offers a look at the political at political the look a offers , filmed in Texas in 2018. in 2018. Texas , filmed in WORLD You could summarize the award-winning film this way: way: film this the award-winning could summarize You instincts of young Americansinstincts young of VERY SUMMER, THE VETERANS ORGANIZATION VETERANS THE SUMMER, VERY Two liberal documentary-makers crash a conservative a conservative crash documentary-makers liberal Two filmmakers bias, Democratic clear despite Yet camp. boys style cinéma vérité a use and Amanda McBaine Moss Jesse viewers giving themselves, speak for boys the lets that times, At insight. real mock political office (or did before COVID-19, at least), least), at COVID-19, (or did before office mock political a not if you’re Even governor. of spot including the top fun, of a lot seems like the experience junkie, political documentary in the new presented as especially State Legion hosts nearly 20,000 teens in weeklong camps camps in weeklong teens 20,000 nearly Legion hosts for run state each in boys of Hundreds State. Boys called Movies & TV & Movies

Boys State

24 E CULTURE GETTING AROUND NASA’s five space shuttles flew 135 missions from April 1981 to July 2011, traveling 542 million miles.

was the third shuttle built, and by 1986, launches had become routine. BOX OFFICE Or so it seemed. June Scobee Rodg- ers, widow of flight commander Dick TOP 10 Scobee, recalls her husband wondering if he should tell civilians “this is a risky

WEEKEND OF SEPT. 18-20, ACCORDING TO business, [when] they were being told BOX OFFICE MOJO. QUANTITY OF SEXUAL it’s like a commercial aircraft.” (S), VIOLENT (V), AND FOUL-LANGUAGE (L) CONTENT ON A 0-10 SCALE, WITH 10 HIGH, A subcontractor company, Morton FROM KIDS-IN-MIND.COM Thiokol, built the booster rockets that fired up and returned to Earth after each S V L launch. Thiokol engineers noticed that 1 Tenet* PG-13 . . . . . 1 6 5 the O-ring seals between sections of the 2 The New solid rocket boosters were damaged Mutants PG-13 . . . . 2 6 5 after some launches, especially during 3 Infidel R ...... not rated cold weather. Despite damage to redun- 4 Unhinged R . . . . . 1 8 7 dant systems—and seemingly in viola- 5 The Broken Hearts tion of safety protocols—NASA kept the Gallery PG-13 . . . . .4 3 5 schedule rolling. 6 The SpongeBob “They had 16 flights scheduled in Movie: Sponge on the Run PG ...... not rated 1986, and nine the previous year,” states one reporter. “They had promised this 7 Bill & Ted Face the Music* PG-13 . . . 2 4 2 to Congress, and they were … deter-

8 Alone R...... not rated PRESSURE mined to pull it off.” Challenger’s 10th mission was sched- 9 The Personal History of David TO LAUNCH uled from Cape Canaveral during a Jan- Copperfield* PG. . . 1 4 2 Challenger: uary cold spell. Thiokol employees 10 Words on Bathroom raised concerns about the O-ring seals Walls* PG-13. . . . . not rated The Final Flight in an emergency meeting the day before *REVIEWED BY WORLD examines the origin the launch. But seemingly under pres- of a NASA disaster sure from NASA managers, Thiokol gave the go-ahead for launch. Interviewed 34 by Marty VanDriel years later, these engineers still feel ter- rible guilt for signing off on the decision. Crowds gathered to watch Chal- THE U.S. SPACE PROGRAM has been a lenger take off. As the craft cleared the source of pride to Americans and an tower, spectators cheered and hugged. inspiration to millions around the globe. Then, 73 seconds after liftoff, the shut- But these missions into space have come tle exploded, killing all aboard. TOP 10 FOCUS with a cost—both financially and in In subsequent investigations, NASA human lives. officials were not forthcoming in The four-part Netflix documentary acknowledging they knew about prob- In Tenet, someone has hidden Challenger: The Final Flight tells the lems with the O-ring seals. But today, a device that reverses an story of the space shuttle disaster of William Lucas, former director at object’s trajectory through 1986. Producers use original footage of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, space and time. Nasty villain, flight crew training and interviews with concedes, “My engineers knew that the chill hero, the fate of the world NASA officials, subcontractor employ- joint should be redesigned, and that was in the balance: standard ees, and journalists to paint a picture of in the process.” thriller stuff with largely blood- an agency rushing to complete missions Still, he stands by his decisions: less violence, little sensuality, to justify its massive budget. “Going into space is something that great and PG-13 language. —from NASA began planning the space countries do. … They want to advance WORLD’s review of Tenet shuttle program in the 1970s to provide technology. They want to learn. It’s also transport into orbit and launch satellites risky. … It’s regrettable, but costs some- and exploratory missions. Challenger times are very difficult.”

TENET: WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT; CHALLENGER: THE FINAL FLIGHT: NETFLIX 10.10.20 WORLD 25 CULTURE Books response.” Fascinating: The Taliban blew up statues of Buddha, and to be fully anti-racist Americans should also be Bookmarks destructive. Famed artist Elisabet Ney lived in Austin and sculpted slave own- Are you ers and slavery defenders including Stephen F. Austin, Confederate Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, and Confeder- a racist? ate Postmaster General John Reagan: Should her work be destroyed? My own preference: Move statues to a museum. In a book setting out to show the omnipresence of racism, it’s manip- ulative to include as evidence a question to which 91 percent of Americans don’t give the author’s preferred Talibanesque answer. Other questionable analysis sets up “a stunning contradiction,” as Jones puts it: “White evangelical Protestants report the warmest attitudes toward Katharina Bonzel’s National Critical thinking African Americans while simultaneously Pastimes: Cinema, Sports, about deceptive polling registering the highest score on the Rac- and Nation (University of ism Index.” In other words, these whites Nebraska, 2020) provides by Marvin Olasky personally like blacks but support sys- provocative analysis of temic racism. Chariots of Fire, the Rocky It’s not a contradiction but an ideo- series, and other films. White Too Long by Robert P. Jones logical difference. Most evangelicals are Jonathan Tepper’s The Myth (Simon & Schuster, 2020) was No. 3 conservatives who criticize the systemic of Capitalism (Wiley, 2019) among Amazon’s “history of Christian- racism that keeps many black kids shows we have too much ity” books on Sept. 6. That’s both good trapped in terrible public schools, even crony capitalism and should and bad news: Jones provides useful though educational choice programs in develop a reinvigorated anti- information on white several large cities have shown excellent trust policy. Ron Sider’s supremacy but builds results. Many also criticize the systemic Speak Your Peace (Herald, a sinkhole too far by racism that for a half century has 2020) makes the case for constructing a 15- encouraged single parenting by offering pacifism. question test and welfare to single moms and imprison- If you think fascism is claiming the answers ing dads for minor drug offenses. (One right-wing, you might benefit show white evangeli- out of 5 black kids grew up in a single-­ from socialist-turned-liber- cals are racists. parent home in 1960: Now it’s 2 out of tarian David Ramsay Steele’s Try question No. 2 3.) The Mystery of Fascism (St. yourself: “What should be done with Liberals, though, rarely admit that Augustine’s Press, 2019). Confederate monuments that are cur- their liberal programs have contributed Steele’s essays are creative, rently standing on public property such to systemic racism. They rightly lay out politically incorrect analyses as statehouses, county courthouses, the brutality of slavery and the semi-­ of many political and cultural public universities or city parks?” One slavery that continued even after the issues. His 2001 essay on fas- in 5 said “left in place just as they are.” Civil War, but often ignore the analysis cism identifies fascism as the One in 4 said “removed but allowed to of black economists like Thomas Sowell refuge of socialists disap- be reinstalled in a museum or on private and black journalists like Jason Riley, pointed to find workers inter- property.” Almost half said “left in place whose book title offers a good request ested in reform rather than but have a plaque added that explains to liberals: Please Stop Helping Us. revolution: Fascism was a their historical context.” Only 9 percent Some common right-left ground on leftist variant in Italy and wanted to destroy the statues. prison reform exists, and the COVID-19 deserves a spot at that What do you think? shake-up may open up common ground ­dictatorial end of the spec- I wrote to Jones to ask how he scored on the need for radical changes in pub- trum, with liberty at the other the answers. He courteously responded, lic schools. But why turn conservative/ end. —M.O. “the ‘removed and destroyed’ response liberal differences of opinion into a option is scored as the less racist ­racist/nonracist divide?

26 WORLD 10.10.20 approaches miss the point. God made emo- tions intricately connected to body and Spiritual guidance soul, and people should engage their emo- tions as a way to grow. This means identi- fying the emotion, examining its cause and in a confusing world whether it is a valid response, and then Four counseling books acting accordingly. The authors give excel- by Charissa Koh lent illustrations from their counseling experiences, and the clear writing and practical points make this book a pleasure to read. They speak about emotions pre- cisely. For example, our culture values feel- ing good, but sometimes feeling grieved or angry is a godly response and will come more deeply with spiritual maturity.

Safe and Sound: Standing Firm in Spir- itual Battles by David Powlison: With characteristically clear and gracious writ- ing, Biblical counselor David Powlison deliv- ers his final book, published posthumously. He explains what spiritual warfare looks like in the Bible, contrasting that with much of what we give that label today. One of his main points: Jesus cast out demons in the Bible as a subset of healing, but the Apostles modeled and taught that people should repent of sin and trust Christ, no matter what sins are in their past. Counselors will find Powlison’s section on spiritual warfare in counseling particularly helpful, but this book can also serve as a God-focused primer on how Christians should fight their spiritual enemies.

God, You, and Sex: A Profound Mys- tery by David White: Sex pervades the You’re Not Enough (And That’s Okay) by Allie Beth Stuckey: culture but is rarely understood rightly, Sometimes worldly lies can sneak into churches and books labeled even in the church. Pastor David White Christian. Stuckey takes on five common lies women hear, including starts with the basics of God’s design, then “You are enough,” “You determine your truth,” and “You’re perfect applies it to numerous areas of life, includ- the way you are.” Stuckey explains where to look for these lies and ing marriage, singleness, and sexual sins. the Biblical truth that corrects them. But she also explains the grain Throughout the book, he continually returns of truth in each lie—why they sometimes seem to resonate but leave to the picture of Christ and the Church: Sex women feeling empty. Her willingness to address the heart and keep is a sweet gift, but ultimately it pictures the God central makes her corrections very useful. At certain points, even better reality of God’s intimate and the author goes on tangents not directly related to the chapter topic, loving relationship with His people. White but the content is all good. addresses topics like pornography and what should and shouldn’t be allowed within marriage. He also devotes a chapter to how Untangling Emotions by J. Alasdair Groves and Winston T. parents can shepherd their children in a Smith: Some people steamroll their emotions with truth, while sex-saturated world. This book could be an others let their emotions run wild. Groves and Smith write that both excellent discipleship tool or resource for a Christian trying to understand what God says about sex.

10.10.20 WORLD 27 CULTURE Children’s Books Afterword Voices of the past Nonfiction reads for all ages by Kristin Chapman

Saving the Countryside by Linda Elovitz Marshall: In this book, Marshall chronicles the experiences that shaped Beatrix Potter into the artist and author best known for her beloved books about Peter Rabbit and friends. With Greta Eskridge wrote perseverance and savvy business skills, Potter published Adventuring Together 23 little books and sold them at lower prices so families (Thomas Nelson, 2020) to could afford to buy them. Later in her life she grew con- help parents learn How to cerned about the growing urbanization of the idyllic countryside that inspired so Create Connections and much of her work. To protect it for future generations, she amassed more than Make Lasting Memories With 4,000 acres and bequeathed them to the U.K.’s National Trust. (Ages 4-9) Your Kids. She urges par- ents to be “diligent about carving out consistent time Wood, Wire, Wings by Kirsten W. Larson: Larson’s picture to adventure” with their book biography tells the story of Emma Lilian Todd, an inventor children while cautioning who used ingenuity and perseverance to design a better airplane. them from filling up their Growing up during a time of great technological progress, Todd schedules with lots of extra- was fascinated particularly with the Wright flyer, but she thought curriculars that prevent it was an impractical model. “Imagine,” Larson writes, “if pilots families from spending today still lay on their stomachs and slid their hips back and quality time together. As forth to help control the plane.” Todd’s efforts centered on creating an airplane she shares about her strug- that could be flown and steered like a car or bike.(Ages 4-9) gles to pursue adventures with her kids, Eskridge chal- lenges families to embrace My Survival: A Girl on Schindler’s List by Rena Finder with new or hard experiences as Joshua M. Greene: Inside the walls of Plaszow concentration a way to build confidence camp, Rena Finder’s future looked bleak. But when Rena and her and grow empathy. She also mother start working at Oskar Schindler’s factory, they and hun- offers encouragement and dreds of other Jewish workers receive food and protection. As advice to moms who may Finder recounts her experiences, she notes that although Schin- feel overwhelmed or ill- dler was not a saint, he took a stand against evil at great personal equipped for solo adventur- cost. Finder encourages young readers to do the same and have ing with their little ones. “the courage to stand up for the innocent. Be an upstander, not a bystander.” An In the vein of Dr. Seuss’ excellent book for introducing more sensitive readers to the horrors of the Holo- Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, caust. (Ages 9-13) Melissa Kruger’s Wherever You Go, I Want You to Know (The Good Book We Had to Be Brave by Deborah Hopkinson: Hopkinson intro- Company, 2020) encour- duces middle-grade readers to the World War II Kindertransport ages kids to dream big that rescued Jewish children from the Nazis and brought them about their futures while to England. The book focuses on the stories of three children but remembering their most incorporates the voices of many others to capture the courage it important call: loving Jesus took them to say goodbye to families and face an uncertain future with all of their hearts. The in a country where they didn’t even speak the language. The rhyming text pairs well with chapters feature numerous historical photographs, and endnotes Isobel Lundie’s whimsical tell what happened to the children after the war. (Ages 9-14) illustrations. —K.C.

28 WORLD 10.10.20 DNA Ad_8.25x10.75.indd 1 9/2/20 9:11 PM CULTURE Q&A THE CASE FOR DONALD TRUMP A positive assessment of Trump’s tenure and future outlook

OVER THESE NEXT FOUR PAGES we decades saying “character matters.” Now offer contrary views of President we rarely say that. What kind of testi- MARVIN Donald Trump from two people I mony is that before the watching world? OLASKY greatly respect. First, Wayne Grudem, I recognize, and evangelicals in general INTERVIEWS professor of Theology and Biblical who support Donald Trump recognize, WAYNE Studies at Phoenix Seminary, offers that he has character flaws. But they do GRUDEM a positive perspective. Grudem is the not seem to us to be disqualifying. Char- author of Christian Ethics, Politics— acter matters, but policy also matters. According to the Bible, and 20 more books and was general editor for the ESV Study Bible. Here are Can we separate character from policy, edited excerpts from our Sept. 1 interview. especially during a crisis? You partly judge a person’s character by the actions Christian journalist and lawyer David French says Christians spent he takes. President Trump has made wise decisions regarding the coronavi- rus pandemic in the midst of misleading,

30 WORLD 10.10.20 ILLUSTRATION BY JOHN JAY CABUAY lying information from China and con- Israel, select more judges who legislate flicting advice from scientific and eco- from the bench, weaken religious free- nomic experts. On racial issues, his dom. We’ll have more crime, a complete leadership led to an economy with the federal takeover of our healthcare sys- lowest black unemployment since we’ve tem, and much more that looks like the been keeping records, with great gains withdrawal of God’s blessing. among lower-income workers. He pushed for greater school choices in How much power does the president minority neighborhoods and stronger have over abortion? The influence the law enforcement to bring more safety president has on abortion, right now, is to inner cities. through the appointment of judges who will undo the protection that Roe v. Former Secretary of Defense James Mat- Wade in 1973 gave to abortion. President tis said, “Donald Trump is the first person CHARACTER Trump has appointed two Supreme in my lifetime who does not try to unite MATTERS, BUT Court justices who indicate they are the American people. … He tries to divide willing to overturn Roe, which would us.” Mistaken evaluation? It’s bearing POLICY ALSO allow the American people through state false witness against President Trump MATTERS. legislatures and through Congress to to say he seeks to divide us. He isn’t make laws restricting the practice of responsible for the rioting, the burning abortion that the American public in of cars, the blocking of public roads and general would support. sidewalks that began on day one of his presidency. No Americans legitimately What do you think about the Trump have a fear of physical violence … for administration dropping the number of putting a Biden sticker on their car or refugees allowed in the United States to wearing a Joe Biden campaign shirt or an all-time low? We should allow more hat. But I know many evangelicals, legal refugees to come into the United including myself, who fear being phys- States, but we don’t have the national ically attacked or shouted at if I were to will to do that until we have a sense that put a Trump bumper sticker on my car there’s a secure border. Once that bor- or wear a MAGA or Trump-supporter der wall is completed in all the major hat in public. areas where it needs to be to have a written an ethics textbook. I believe it’s secure border, it will be a calmer, more The political left certainly has a lot to never right to affirm X when you believe thoughtful atmosphere on the part of answer for, but what about the respon- X is false. If someone wants to point out the American people to provide a just sibility of Christian leaders? When to me some actual Trump lies that fit and humane solution. Barack Obama made untruthful claims, that definition, I’d be happy to look at he received a lot of criticism; but have them. We’re probably agreed that President we seen similar criticism regarding Pres- Trump has faced a hostile media. The ident Trump? I’ve publicly criticized his Will America in 2024 be in better or Media Research Center evaluated the previous marital infidelity and his vin- worse shape if Biden is elected, or if evening news broadcasts of NBC, CBS, dictiveness at times, and his brash, con- Trump is reelected? The Trump presi- and ABC for all of June and July. It found frontational behavior at times. I looked dency has resulted in a stronger econ- for every negative comment about Joe at The Washington Post’s list of what it omy, stronger national defense, positive Biden there were 158 negative evalua- calls 16,000-some “lies” Trump has spo- steps toward achieving border security, tions or statements about President ken and examined 20 or 30 of them. standing up to China and Russia, nego- Trump. That’s led to popular misimpres- They’re what I’d call conclusions drawn tiating new trade agreements, advocat- sions. by a hostile interpreter of words that a ing educational freedom, standing with sympathetic listener would understand Israel, strengthening our military, and I’m not critical at all of people who look in a positive way. President Trump is reforming our judicial system. Those at the Trump-Biden race and vote for often not careful in some of the things are all what seem to me to be evidence Trump as the lesser evil. I do wonder he says. He is given to exaggeration. of God’s blessing on the nation with about those who call Trump the “Great- Sometimes he’s made a statement after President Trump. If he wins again, I est Christian President” ever. I have not being given inaccurate information. I’m expect there will be more blessing on done that. He’s a good president with not sure he’s ever intentionally affirmed our nation. If Biden is elected, he’ll sup- some flaws. It’s a choice between two something he knows to be false, which port abortion, cripple the economy, flawed candidates, and it boils down to is how I define a lie. As you know, I have weaken our military, largely abandon an issue of what policies he will enact.

10.10.20 WORLD 31 CULTURE Q&A THE CASE AGAINST DONALD TRUMP A negative assessment of Trump’s tenure and future outlook

DAVID FRENCH IS SENIOR EDITOR of munity spent decades saying character The Dispatch, a conservative web- mattered. It was right. The separation MARVIN site, and a member of Christ Com- of character from policies is impossible. OLASKY munity Church in Franklin, Tenn. Look at the terrible course of the pan- INTERVIEWS He served in the Iraq War, was a demic through the USA. The ability of DAVID senior counsel at the Alliance a president to respond to a pandemic FRENCH Defending Freedom, and was a staff was not a policy issue in the 2016 elec- writer for National Review from tion, but almost every president deals 2015 to 2019. Here are edited with unexpected crises, in a way often excerpts from our Aug. 14 interview. determined by their character.

Theologian Wayne Grudem acknowledges problems with President How has President Trump dealt with the Trump’s character, but he likes the policies. The Christian com- pandemic? Early on he was extremely focused on minimizing the impact of this virus in large part because he

32 WORLD 10.10.20 ILLUSTRATION BY JOHN JAY CABUAY wanted to inflate artificially the Amer- You’d want affluent conservatives to help ican economy to aid in his reelection. Republican senatorial candidates? If That is a sign of very low character that they’re conservative like me and typically deeply influenced the course of the way donate to a Republican president, I would the United States reacted to this virus. say do not donate to this Republican president. Spend your money to save Has he helped or hurt regarding our racial good Republicans on down-ballot races division? The extraordinary racial divi- who now face long odds for reelection. sion in the United States is not just dealt with by policy. That is dealt with through So you want a narrow Democratic win? character, personality, leadership, and No, I want a decisive loss for Trump, charisma. The core of former Secretary because if the loss is very narrow you’re of Defense James Mattis’ critique is that going to have extraordinarily divisive Trump by pattern and practice inten- TRUMP IS A forces in the U.S. calling into question tionally tries to divide the United States SYMPTOM OF the legitimacy of the election. A decisive of America. I think that critique is right. A DISEASE THAT win is the only way Americans are going A president of good character doesn’t to have confidence in the legitimacy of try intentionally to divide the United MAKES THE the election, sad to say. The margin will States of America. All of this stuff is DISEASE WORSE. matter a lot. My hope is that a resound- super basic. You ask Christians about ing rejection of Donald Trump doesn’t this in 2015, and they say, “Of course.” carry with it a resounding rejection of But Christians have joined with Trump Republicans who are not like Trump. and look for a rationalization. That’s what I’m pessimistic about. I sus- pect the resounding rejection of Trump What success has Trump had on policy will also lead to resounding rejection of matters? He has had essentially one sig- Republicans who are not like Trump. nificant legislative achievement, a tem- That outcome is not best for the country. porary tax cut. He has had marginal effects on American foreign policy, some A decisive win would lead to triumphal- good, some bad, but no fundamental ism? It always does. Even relatively nar- transformation. He has appointed good row wins lead to triumphalism. There judges—but if you look back at the last was a lot of GOP triumphalism when Supreme Court term, would you say Trump won on the strength of about a conservatives are ascendant and trium- want to enhance the ability of the post 75,000-vote margin in three states. phant in the American judiciary? These office to deal with mail-in balloting in things are very, very complicated. Does a pandemic, would make things worse We’re hanged either way? We’re not in this president’s control over policy quickly. Regarding Joe Biden, a lot a good position. The Trump nomination trump his own incompetence and poor remains to be seen based on the ambi- was the product of forces building for character? The plight of the country tion of his administration and the way some time, including negative partisan- now says that’s not just wrong, but his administration would treat disagree- ship. Trump is a symptom of a disease laughably and tragically wrong. There ment and dissent. that makes the disease worse, like a hack- is nothing MAGA about where we are ing cough can break a rib. now. There is an enormous amount of So, you are cheering for Joe Biden? I do heartbreak, misery, death, division. That not want Donald Trump to win reelec- How do you answer the charge that a vote Donald Trump had a better platform tion. Absolutely not. I want Trump to for Biden is a vote for abortion? The power than Hillary Clinton did not spare us lose to Biden and the Republican Party of the president over abortion is pro- from any of that. His character made it to retain the Senate. That would prevent foundly limited. American abortion all worse. a triumphalist sweeping away of insti- peaked in the 1980s and has gone down tutions like the filibuster. It would check since then regardless of whether the pres- In 2024, will America be in better or any temptation to pack the courts, for ident is pro-life or pro-choice. The federal worse shape if Biden is elected or if example. It would remove from the field judiciary has time and time again been a Trump is reelected? America will be in the worst-case scenarios at the same source of pain, anguish, and frustration. much worse shape if Donald Trump is time that you remove from the field a reelected. A second consecutive victory president who has done more than any We’ve had repeated disappointments. by an intentionally divisive president single human being in my lifetime to It’s like Lucy with the football. People with a popular vote minority, especially divide this country—and governed have said for 40 years, Vote on this one when he is on the record saying he didn’t incompetently while he did it. issue. It hasn’t worked.

10.10.20 WORLD 33 ------BRIAN RASIC/GETTY IMAGES RASIC/GETTY BRIAN . Recorded when when . Recorded The Soul Tour 74 Tour Soul The “You might actually enjoy this mate enjoy actually might “You be might it when know never “You He comes off generous too, especially especially too, generous off comes He ’95 for the form vocal in fine was He Interestingly, the most ameliorating ameliorating most the Interestingly, fameof surge Whether riding his first a seem like may banter Admittedly, latest moderately selling albums, ren albums, selling moderately latest vulnerable endearingly himself dering in the process. only “if saying, be to seemed he rial,” a chance. it give the chance to have you So offering. I’m is what chance That it. take please last.” your weak foundation on which to base argu base to on which foundation weak qual redeeming star’s a rock for ments become the fore-, has what given But ities. norm—a and ’tween-song-banter aft-, pushing, button of combination tired and grandstanding—Bowie profanity, gentlemanly. even debonair, comes off on a lengthy for road been on the he’d He voice. ragged finds him in it stretch, in “Changes” of the refrain sing to has the climax of and blows octave a lower like But altogether. Americans” “Young the that he knows trouper an old-school on. go must show his reputation (Despite concerts. and ’99 was Bowie chameleon, roll ’n’ a rock as skin.) He in his own comfortable clearly on honoring a promise also intent was tour 1990 his of end the at made he’d sim jukebox be a human to again never he So while out the hits. churning ply he “classic,” the occasional includes his from and songs cuts on deep focuses ameliorate their dismissal of Bowie as as Bowie of dismissal their ameliorate charlatan. a showbiz has albums live the to common quality (unless music Bowie’s with do to nothing the keyboardist century of a quarter bands Bowie’s holding Garson’s Mike do to has it Rather, counts). together and in general manner his onstage with in particular. manners his onstage (1995), a comeback endeavoring (1974), a comeback endeavor to or continuing between can be heard Bowie (1999), self-deprecating friendly, making songs in atten the thousands small talk with and arenas) fill dance (he could always expressions brief but sincere offering their having them for to gratitude of his show. to tickets buy to chosen

AN ACTOR, TOO David Bowie acted in several movies, including Labyrinth in 1986.

- - ), should at least least should at the high-culture the high-culture Is It Any Wonder? Is It Any I’m Only Dancing

) aren’t substantial enough to to enough substantial ) aren’t Ouvrez Le Chien (Live Dallas 95 Ouvrez ), (“a newspaper directed at the most highly highly the most at directed newspaper (“a 10.10.20 ChangesNowBowie Something in the Air (Live Paris(Live 99) Air the in Something WORLD As if picking up Dalrymple’s gauntlet, Parlophone Parlophone gauntlet, As if picking up Dalrymple’s HORTLY AFTER DAVID BOWIE’S DEATH, BOWIE’S DAVID AFTER HORTLY full-length live albums. And if the EPs ( EPs And if the albums. live full-length and skeptics, Bowie the minds of change 74 (The Soul Tour and tion of such a person as David Bowie, and why his activity his activity and why Bowie, David as a person such tion of veneration.” awed breathlessly such with should be treated circu putting into years four the last spent has Records This recordings. Bowie rare of editions special lation three and EPs studio two includes crop bumper year’s aesthete Theodore Dalrymple published an essay titled titled essay an published Dalrymple Theodore aesthete daily the British why he pondered in which a Fan” “Not The Guardian population”) a large portion of and intellectual educated adula the posthumous to space so much devote “should Music

34 Albums show the celebrated the celebrated Albums show star’s gratitude Orteza Arsenio by

CULTURE and his fans Bowie S and prog-rock multidimensionality Encore sound like the missing link between Love, life, Masque and Leftoverture. What also doesn’t hurt: the vocal similarities between Ronnie Platt and Steve Walsh, and mercy and the demi-philosophical concerns common to both Brislin and the pre-con- version Kerry Livgren.

Noteworthy new First Rose of Spring by Willie Nelson: or recent releases For his first marijuana-free album, Wil- by Arsenio Orteza lie Nelson hasn’t exactly knocked him- self out writing. Critics are calling Dan Only two cuts bear Penn’s Living on Mercy his name, and he (The Last Music Co.) his Talking About the Love of God by the composed those first new album in 26 Harvesters: The only readily available with his producer years. And not counting a information on this charming, just-re- Buddy Cannon. So live album with Spooner issued album of Southern-gospel songs assume that Nelson Oldham, a live bootleg is that it was initially released in 1977 on exhausted himself deciding which songs with Allen Toussaint, and the Irish label Emer- by other people to record, and conclude two “demos collections” ald Gem. And even that it was energy well spent. Not only (Penn’s term), it is. There then it must have do the nine covers crystallize crucial was also, however, a new seemed anachronis- facets of his ornery-old-cuss-with-a- “old” Penn album in tic—not because of heart-of-gold persona, but they also find 2012: an Ace Records its material (songs him emoting with tender loving care. compilation called The such as “One Day That he’s not getting any younger we FAME Recordings. Too Late,” “More Than Just a Swear knew. That he was squirreling away Named after the Muscle Word,” and the “There Goes My Every- definitive interpretations of Toby Keith’s Shoals studio in which thing” rewrite “He Is My Everything” “Don’t Let the Old Man In,” Roy Clark’s Penn cut the tracks, the were more or less contemporary at the “Yesterday When I Was Young,” and compilation makes the time) but because of its style: a throw- Beathard, Sampson, and Cannon-Good- strongest case to date back to the well-mannered coffeehouse man’s “Stealing Home” we didn’t. for Penn’s outsize role in folk of the ’60s, replete with acoustic the development of guitars, dulcet vocal harmonies, and Southern soul. just enough harmonica and steel guitar Living on Mercy by Dan Penn: At 78, Recorded during the to suggest that the Byrds’ Sweetheart Penn no longer has the voice to make mid-’60s, The FAME of the Rodeo was waiting in the wings. the Southern soul in Recordings is, techni- which he specializes cally speaking, a demos sound as special as collection as well. But The Absence of Presence by Kansas: it is. But Will McFar- neither Penn nor his If you still have a soft spot for the 1970s lane, Clayton Ivey, Alabama accompanists Kansas, you’re perfectly within your Michael Rhodes, and approached the material rights to pass on this effort from the Milton Sledge as if they were merely current lineup if only on principle. With (Penn’s band) could almost be the Mem- minting blueprints. just Phil Ehart and Rich Williams on phis Boys. And whether the songs are Instead, they sound as if hand from the original band, exactly new, 15 to 20 years old (Penn’s estimate they intended to take the how “Kansan” can it of the title track’s vintage), or over 50 songs to the bank them- be? As it turns out, (“I Do”), they’re of a piece with the hits selves, whereupon they plenty. Composed that he co-wrote for Aretha Franklin, would’ve almost cer- exclusively by the the Box Tops, James Carr, and James & tainly cashed in. Sam four-year veteran Bobby Purify. Mind you, “of a piece Cooke, after all, was Zak Rizvi (six songs) with” doesn’t mean “on par with.” Then dead, Otis Redding soon and the two-year again, Penn’s par is pretty high. And he to be—and, believe it or veteran Tom Brislin (three), the music’s does go out of his way to specify that not, Penn sang like a FM-friendly lengths, hard-rock brawn, the mercy that he’s living on is God’s. mixture of the two. —A.O.

10.10.20 WORLD 35 out on oil reserves but not substantial U.S. aid, have squandered their advantage: Egypt’s per capita GDP Voices MINDY BELZ is $3,000. Jordan’s is $4,000. These are the pedestrian undercurrents carrying Arab leaders to Israel’s doorstep. What Israel stands for in 2020 is less a pariah in the Middle East and more of an answer—to decades of terrorism and instability that for too long have characterized the region. The Sept. 15 ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House marking peace between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain is the first such moment since 1988. Each leader signed a bilateral agreement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opening the countries to trade, travel, and diplomacy. All three signed the “Abraham Accords,” a brief declaration “to A Middle East advance a culture of peace among the three Abrahamic religions and all humanity.” moment President Donald Trump and senior adviser Jared Kushner, his son-in-law, along with envoy Avi Berko­ New Arab-Israeli deal makes witz, saw an opening where other presidencies have peace possible failed. By delaying Israel’s plans for further West Bank annexation, they brought the Gulf states into a rela- tionship with Israel that may lead to a two-state solu- OR MANY AMERICANS the prospect of travel tion for Palestinians. to the Holy Land is reason enough for an Israel Trump leaned into a reality recent administrations at peace with its neighbors. And that’s no triv- pushed against: that Palestinian leadership repeatedly ial thing. Religious sites for Jews, Christians, shunned peace deals in Palestinians’ interest. He didn’t and Muslims helped bring 4.5 million visitors wait to bring along the Palestinian Authority, a side- to Israel in 2019, pilgrimages driven by Israel’s lining that may be good news for Palestinian people history and its Western-style welcome. held hostage by leadership aligned with Hamas. F Street-level perspective helps to under- For Christians, the Arab thaw also is an opening stand the geopolitics driving the Arab world’s move to toward the Jewish state. Armenia upgraded diplomatic normalize relations. It’s an issue as important as Arab relations, opening an embassy in Tel Aviv in Septem- worry over Iranian aggression and falling oil prices. ber. The move helps secure the Armenian Apostolic On a sunny day in Tel Aviv, which is most days, you Church’s continued presence in Jerusalem and gives can find a brunch spot between the Jaffa art galleries new impetus to once-estranged relations—all over the or join a fitness class just off the boardwalk. Freedom objections of Iran, a long-standing Armenian ally. of movement. Christian leaders in Lebanon, too, are rethinking On a Saturday at the city’s beach, you’ll see biki- hostile relations with Israel. Maronite Church Patriarch ni-clad Israeli women next to Orthodox Jews in long Bechara Al-Rai welcomed the UAE and Bahrain deals, dresses and Muslims draped in swim burkas, all dab- even though Lebanon is far from such an arrangement. bling in the waves and laughing as they go. Freedom The deals say nothing about wars in Syria and of expression. Yemen but suggest the region is realigning its compass When the rocket sirens blare, as happened 18 and ready to do business with Israel on new footing. months ago when Hamas launched two long-range That’s good news, because Israel has much to offer. missiles from Gaza toward Tel Aviv, Israelis head In the Negev last month scientists harvested and tasted indoors and wait for anti-missile defense system Iron the first Judean dates, a species of the fruit celebrated Dome to kick in. Afterward, they return to the restau- in the Bible, the Quran, and other ancient texts but rants, art galleries, and beaches. Freedom of security. extinct for centuries. Scientists germinated seeds col- Israel is a country hemmed by those who want to lected at an archaeological dig at Masada. They used wipe it out, yet it brims with prosperity. Decades of the latest in microsatellite genotyping to date and unstinting U.S. aid no doubt have helped, but the geolocate the six seeds, then coaxed them to germi- engine of commerce driving its $43,000 per capita nation. They gave them the Biblical names Adam, GDP is largely self-determined. Jonah, Uriel, Boaz, Judith, and Hannah. The seeds’ Other Middle East countries, that like Israel missed resurrection is a tangible gift to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and a sign of what determined prosperity makes possible.

36 WORLD 10.10.20 EMAIL [email protected] TWITTER @mcbelz

KAMALA HARRIS HAS A COMPLICATED RECORD, BUT HER ZEAL TO SUPPORT ABORTION AND ATTACK ITS OPPONENTS HAS BEEN CONSISTENT BY JAMIE DEAN

38 WORLD 10.10.20 ALEX EDELMAN/BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY IMAGES

the state’s Department of Justice—and it included a raid on Daleiden’s home. It’s a lesser-examined but revealing chapter in Harris’ criminal justice record. That record includes efforts that some progressive activists have criti- cized and that some conservatives have applauded. But it also reveals a focused determination on certain issues, includ- ing defending abortion and undermin- POLITICAL CONSULTANT ing religious liberty. Given Democratic Ace Smith kept an amusing presidential nominee Joe Biden’s advanced age and concerns about his souvenir from his time health, the record of Harris, his running working on Kamala Harris’ mate, rises in importance. campaign for attorney gen- BY THE TIME HARRIS, now 55, took over eral of California. A framed as California’s attorney general in 2011, copy of a San Francisco she was already well known in San Fran- cisco: Harris had served as the city’s Chronicle headline hung in district attorney since 2004. his office: “Cooley beats Harris to win attorney Harris focused on winning cases, and when she ran for reelection as district general race.” The website clipping was amus- attorney in 2007, she touted raising the ing because it proved untrue. city’s felony conviction rate from 52 percent to 68 percent in three years. She also considered how to prevent more crimes: Harris established a Back Though Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley declared on Track program that offered pretrial victory in a close contest on election night in 2010—and the Chron- diversion for certain offenders ages 18 icle initially ran with the news—a full count of the votes rendered a to 30. (The program required commu- different verdict three weeks later: Harris prevailed over Cooley by nity service, weekly meetings with case less than 1 percent. managers, and signing up for job train- The episode echoed the famous 1948 headline in the Chicago ing.) Daily Tribune: “DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN.” An exuberant Harry The program was small but appar- Truman hoisted a newspaper with the errant headline after it became ently successful: The cost of the program clear he had defeated Thomas Dewey in a close presidential contest. was less than the cost of incarceration, In the decade since Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., clinched the and the recidivism rate among gradu- attorney general’s job in her home state of California, she’s run a ates was less than 10 percent. (It was successful Senate race, and now she’s running in what could be a close about 53 percent among most drug contest for the White House as the Democratic vice presidential nom- offenders in the state.) inee. Some critics thought Harris was too And she’s still contending with Steve Cooley. tough an attorney general: During her Cooley—still a California attorney—has spent the last four years inaugural address, Harris told parents detailing what he calls Harris’ mishandling of one of the most dra- of public school students the city would matic pro-life cases of the last decade: David Daleiden’s undercover penalize them if their children were videos showing Planned Parenthood’s practice of charging fees for chronically absent. Critics noted the providing aborted baby parts to research companies. policy could disproportionately affect Cooley is one of the lawyers defending Daleiden against 15 felony low-income and minority parents, but counts related to his undercover journalism for the Center for Med- Harris said stemming absenteeism was ical Progress. One of the group’s earliest videos showed a Planned an important way to keep kids on track Parenthood official in California describing how an abortionist in school and out of the criminal justice strategically crushes an unborn baby to preserve his or her organs system themselves. intact. In other cases, critics said Harris Prosecutors allege Daleiden recorded the videos illegally. Current wasn’t tough enough: During her tenure California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced the criminal as district attorney, she refused to pur- charges in 2017, but the investigation began in 2015 while Harris led sue the death penalty for an assailant

40 WORLD 10.10.20 Harris gives her first news conference as with Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., to reform the cash bail system for criminal California’s attorney general on Nov. 30, 2010. defendants, and she worked with Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., on anti-lynch- ing legislation. In 2018, she voted for a bipartisan criminal justice bill called the First Step Act. Republican attorney Holly Harris of the who killed a police officer. Sen. Dianne Justice Action Network called Harris “one of our most zealous advo- Feinstein, D-Calif., received a standing cates on the Hill.” ovation at the officer’s funeral after giv- But bipartisanship hit its limits earlier this year, when Harris ing a speech that included criticism of strongly opposed a police reform package introduced by Scott. The Harris’ decision. South Carolina senator expressed disappointment in Democrats’ Years later, Harris told voters she refusal to debate the bill after the death of George Floyd during a would enforce capital punishment as police encounter in Minneapolis. the state’s attorney general. She Harris denied accusations that her vice presidential aspirations appealed a judge’s decision deeming the had gotten in the way of working with Republicans. But her devotion state’s death penalty system unconsti- to a range of Democratic policies was already well established, along tutional. with her longtime advocacy for positions once considered extreme But in another case, Harris chose not by her own party. to defend a new law: She refused to defend Proposition 8, the successful WHEN HARRIS ASSUMED HER ROLE as attorney general of California, California voter referendum that defined abortion-related issues weren’t foreign to the office, but they took marriage as an institution between a center stage after Daleiden began releasing his undercover videos man and a woman. Harris said the ref- regarding research companies paying fees to Planned Parenthood erendum violated the Constitution. for aborted baby parts. In 2016, Harris won a U.S. Senate seat In July 2015, the Center for Medical Progress released its first and continued with efforts on criminal undercover videos, showing California Planned Parenthood officials justice reform: She sponsored legislation discussing how to obtain the optimal specimens from abortions.

DAMIAN DOVARGANES/AP 10.10.20 WORLD 41 One official mentioned being willing to ask an abortionist to use Harris speaks during a NARAL Pro-Choice a “less crunchy” method to preserve an aborted baby’s body parts America luncheon commemorating the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade in 2011. for later use by medical researchers. The official said she wasn’t in it for the money, but she did negotiate potential fees for specimens. She joked: “I want a Lamborghini.” Federal law prohibits the sale-for-profit of fetal tissue. It also Daleiden’s attorneys say Harris and prohibits abortionists from altering an abortion method in order to other political appointees in her office obtain human tissue for the purpose of medical research. Planned should have recused themselves from Parenthood denies both charges, but the videos raised searing the deliberations over an investigation questions about the abortion provider’s practices. related to Planned Parenthood. Still, the questions quickly turned on Daleiden and whether his The attorneys also note the argu- method of recording the videos violated California privacy laws. ment that Daleiden violated state law Daleiden’s attorneys say emails show that Planned Parenthood offi- by recording conversations without the cials reached out to the attorney general’s office and a March 2016 knowledge of Planned Parenthood meeting included Harris and Planned Parenthood officials. Two didn’t seem to apply when other activists weeks later, agents from Harris’ office raided Daleiden’s apartment and journalists conducted undercover and seized computer equipment with videos and other work-related investigations that included video material. recordings. Cooley and Daleiden’s other attorneys contend Harris likely In 2013, the group Mercy for Animals greenlighted the investigation at least in part because of her polit- published videos of an undercover ical connections to Planned Parenthood. investigation into animal cruelty at a The group’s PAC had donated to her Senate campaign, and during California farm. In 2015, Harris’ office the same week that agents raided Daleiden’s home, a page on Harris’ appealed a California judge’s decision Senate campaign website urged supporters to sign a petition to to allow farmers to continue the practice “Defend Planned Parenthood” against a loss of federal funds. of force-feeding ducks to produce foie

42 WORLD 10.10.20 KRIS CONNOR/GETTY IMAGES to determine whether or when to bear a child or end a pregnancy.” Among other provisions, the bill would invalidate any law pro- hibiting an abortion “after fetal viability when, in the good-faith medical judgment of the treating physician, continuation of the pregnancy would pose a risk to the pregnant woman’s health or life.” The provision doesn’t specify whether mental health could be a reason to allow a late-term abortion. During her bid for the Democratic nomination, Harris unveiled a plan to require some states to obtain preclearance from the fed- eral government before enacting new abortion laws. “We cannot tolerate a perspective that is about going backward “WE CANNOT and not understanding that women have agency, women have value, TOLERATE A women have the authority to make decisions about their own lives PERSPECTIVE THAT and their own bodies,” Harris said at an MSNBC town hall. “On this issue, I’m kind of done.” IS ABOUT GOING The issue spilled over into the acrimonious confirmation hearings BACKWARD. … ON for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018. Harris, who THIS ISSUE, I’M sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, asked Kavanaugh, “Can you think of any laws that give the government power to make KIND OF DONE.” decisions about the male body?” (Kavanaugh said no.) Harris’ work on the same committee brought up questions about her views on religious liberty later the same year. During hearings on the nomination of Brian Buescher as a district judge in Nebraska, Harris questioned the nominee about his par- ticipation in the Knights of Columbus, a charitable Catholic orga- nization. Harris specifically asked whether Buescher knew about the group’s opposition to gay marriage when he joined, and she inquired about whether he had ever opposed abortion. The Senate eventually confirmed Buescher, and Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., successfully urged fellow senators to vote to affirm the constitutional clause forbidding religious tests for public office- holders. gras. The animal rights group heralded Early last year, Harris reintroduced the Do No Harm Act—leg- Harris’ move. islation that would strip religious liberty protections in the Religious A few months later, Daleiden Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). Harris said “the freedom to released his first videos showing Planned worship” is a fundamental right, but that the First Amendment Parenthood officials discussing how shouldn’t be used to “undermine other Americans’ civil rights or abortionists determine where to crush subject them to discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexual an unborn baby in order to kill the child orientation, or gender identity.” but preserve his or her organs. Daleiden Thomas Jipping of the Heritage Foundation noted that the Con- still faces 15 felony charges brought by stitution protects the “free exercise” of religion, and the Do No Harris’ successor. Harm bill “seeks to dilute the substance of religious freedom to As Daleiden’s criminal case winds its nothing more than speech or private worship and to reduce its way through the courts, he’s filed a civil significance to nothing more, and often less, than other political lawsuit naming Harris and other Cali- priorities.” fornia officials he says violated his civil Jipping noted that RFRA doesn’t settle conflicts between the rights by conducting “a brazen, unprec- government and how people exercise religion in their daily lives, edented, and ongoing conspiracy to but the law dictates that courts must sort out such disputes. He said selectively use California’s video record- the Do No Harm bill would “deny anyone the chance to argue that ing laws as a political weapon to silence the government ever goes too far. The government would always disfavored speech.” win.” Heading into the final stretch of the election season, Harris will HARRIS’ DISFAVOR FOR PRO-LIFE VIEWS try to introduce herself to more voters who are starting to pay closer isn’t a secret in Washington. In the Sen- attention to the contests. She may also lean into her past record ate, she co-sponsored the Women’s and into the L.L. Cool J song her campaign played when she walked Health Protection Act—legislation into earlier campaign events: “Don’t call it a comeback / I’ve been designed “to protect a woman’s ability here for years.”

10.10.20 WORLD 43 FOLLOWING THE CHAIN OF COMMAND MIKE PENCE HAS BROUGHT A LOW-KEY BUT ACTIVE APPROACH TO THE VICE PRESIDENCY BY JAMIE DEAN

LESS THAN SIX MONTHS AFTER MIKE PENCE became vice president of the United States, he offered intriguing advice to the graduating class of Grove City College. “Servant leadership, not selfish ambition, must be the animating force of the career that lies before you,” he told graduates of the Christian school. “Don’t fear criticism. Have the humility to listen to it. Learn from it. And most importantly, push through it. Persistence is the key.” It’s good counsel, but hard to mesh with Pence’s own boss: Humil- ity and acceptance of criticism haven’t been hallmarks of President Donald Trump’s tenure. The contrast is hard to miss: Critics have ridiculed Pence for his unwillingness to dine alone with any woman who’s not his wife and pointed out that Trump has bragged about past promiscuousness, had three wives, and faced multiple sex scandals. How does Pence persist? Part of the answer lies in Pence’s belief that the president is pursuing good policy. Another part might be found in a commence- ment speech he gave to the U.S. Naval Academy during the same month he visited Grove City College. He told the graduates that “an orientation to authority” was critical to good leadership: “Follow the chain of command without exception.” Pence did criticize Trump during the 2016 Republican primaries, and he endorsed Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, ahead of the contest in Pence’s home state of Indiana. But after Trump tapped Pence as his running mate later that year, Pence followed the chain of command. Overt criticism of Trump by Pence has been rare. The most seri- “DON’T FEAR ous criticism Pence leveled came just before the 2016 election when CRITICISM. HAVE an Access Hollywood tape from 2005 revealed Trump making sex- ually lewd and aggressive comments about women. THE HUMILITY TO Pence reportedly considered dropping out. LISTEN TO IT. He publicly said he was offended by Trump’s remarks and that LEARN FROM IT. he could not condone or defend them. After Trump offered a public apology (calling the statements “locker room talk”), Pence contin- AND MOST ued in the race, and his public support for the president has been IMPORTANTLY, unwavering. PUSH THROUGH IT. It’s an interesting relationship and an interesting contrast: While Trump relishes Twitter battles and campaign rallies, Pence has PERSISTENCE IS remained low-key and understated in his work. THE KEY.” After widespread rioting erupted in June following the death of George Floyd, Trump made a high-profile walk to St. John’s Church in Washington, D.C., where authorities had dispersed demonstrators in a chaotic scene before the president’s appearance.

44 WORLD 10.10.20 JOSHUA ROBERTS/GETTY IMAGES Pence speaks after leading a White House their experiences and giving their suggestions. He told them: “We Coronavirus Task Force briefing on June 26. are here with ears to hear.” On other issues, Pence has listened to an admittedly surprising source: Joe Biden. In her 2018 book First in Line, Kate Andersen Two days later, Pence made a quiet Brower reported that during the first year of the Trump adminis- visit to a mostly black church in Maryland tration, Biden and Pence talked at least once a month. to listen to a small group of men and Biden told Brower that Pence has asked for his advice on the women discuss their concerns about race office and that they often discussed foreign policy. He acknowledged and other issues. The group expressed the pair disagree on plenty of issues, “but Mike’s a guy you can talk support for some of Trump’s policies but with, you can deal with, in a traditional sense.” also told Pence of the struggles they face. A final motivation for Pence’s loyalty to Trump may be embedded Derek McCoy, a black Christian who with an obvious question: If Trump wins a second term, does Pence works for Compassion International, told want to run for the presidency in 2024? the vice president he sometimes has to Pence, 61, mostly refuses to talk about presidential prospects advise his adult sons about where it’s safe publicly. And speculation has already swirled around other potential to go and asks them to check in with him. Republican hopefuls, including former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley McCoy said he wasn’t bitter, but that it and Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C. was important to acknowledge the strug- But it’s hard to imagine it’s not on Pence’s mind. Democratic vice gles in the country: “America is listening, presidential nominee Kamala Harris seemed to show accidentally how and we have to have the right tone.” much the prospect can occupy even a potential vice president’s mind Pence sat quietly in the circle as oth- when she recently started a sentence: “In a Harris administration …” ers in the group took turns talking about She quickly added, “with Joe Biden as the president.”

EMAIL [email protected] TWITTER @deanworldmag 10.10.20 WORLD 45 BRAWLS IN THE HIMALAYAS BRAWLS IN THE HIMALAYAS A DEADLY BORDER CLASH BETWEEN CHINESE AND INDIAN TROOPS HAS PUT RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO MOST POPULOUS COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD ON A PRECIPICE by JUNE CHENG

A member of India’s border security force keeps vigil inside a bunker next to the ­highway leading toward Ladakh. IDREES ABBAS/SOPA IMAGES

10.10.20 WORLD 47 Conflict between the two countries could have worldwide implications. China and India are the world’s two most populous countries, the second- and fifth-largest economies, and two nuclear powers that share a more than 2,100-mile- long border. The border clash, the dead- liest in 45 years, sparked a fierce backlash in India against its neighbor, leading the government to deny contracts to Chinese companies and ban Chinese apps. Talks between the two countries have resolved little, and the conflict opens the door to India’s greater cooperation with the United States and the formation of a larger anti-China alliance. “I would say that the Chinese have lost the trust of 1.3 billion Indians in one go,” said Nitin Gokhale, founder of India’s Strategic News Global. “India CHINA HAS HAD AN EVENTFUL 2020. It now realizes its largest challenge is not stoked theC world’s ire with its initial Pakistan, but China.” cover-up of the coronavirus. It reneged After the skirmish, Indians took to on its promise to grant Hong Kong the streets, stomping on pictures of Chi- autonomy. It aggressively combated any nese President Xi Jinping, burning Chi- international inquiry into its detention nese flags, and smashing Chinese-made of more than a million Uighurs in reed- televisions. ucation camps. Economic espionage, “India wants peace,” Indian Presi- intellectual property theft, and territo- dent Narendra Modi said in a televised rial claims in the South China Sea have address June 17. “But if provoked, India tanked U.S.-China relations. is capable of giving a befitting reply.” Yet the only international conflict involving China that has caused the loss INDEPENDENT INDIA and the People’s of life this year occurred in the remote, Republic of China formed only two years snow-capped Himalayas between China apart and fought a war over disputed and longtime “frenemy” India. On the borders in 1962. Today there are 23 dis- soured as China blamed India for sup- ridges of Galwan Valley in eastern puted and sensitive areas along the Line porting the violent 1959 Tibetan upris- Ladakh, 14,000 feet above sea level, of Actual Control (LAC), the de facto ing and allowing the Dalai Lama and Indian and Chinese soldiers fought boundary. Tibetans to escape to the Indian city of hand-to-hand and with archaic weap- British negotiator Henry McMahon Dharamshala. China began constructing ons: Indian soldiers said the Chinese proposed the border between Tibet and roads and infrastructure to transport used boulders, rocks wrapped in barbed the northeast region of India—known troops to the border, while India initi- wire, and wooden logs covered with as the McMahon Line—at the 1914 Simla ated the Forward Policy in 1960, setting nails. Many soldiers died after being Convention. Tibet and Britain agreed up outposts along the border. On Oct. pushed off ledges and falling into the to the border, but China’s government 20, 1962, as the United States was caught Galwan River in subzero temperatures. didn’t. The border became an increas- up with the Cuban Missile Crisis, the The June 15 clash—which remained ingly contentious issue after the People’s Chinese began artillery barrages along gunless because of a 1996 agreement— Republic of China occupied Tibet in the McMahon Line along the disputed left 20 Indian soldiers dead and at least 1950, ridding the two countries of a de area of Arunachal Pradesh in the east 76 injured. China did not announce its facto buffer. China’s territorial claims as well as in the west by Aksai Chin. casualties, but Indian sources estimate also expanded in the west as it built a Chinese troops easily overtook small about 40 were seriously injured or road connecting Tibet and its Xinjiang Indian outposts lacking supplies and killed. It came a month after China province through the disputed area of ammunition. The rocky roads up to the began enforcing its claim to disputed Aksai Chin by Ladakh in Kashmir. border and India’s poor infrastructure land and claiming as its own the Galwan Although India was one of the first in the region meant supply lines were Valley, which had previously been non-communist countries to recognize dangerous and soldiers poorly equipped. acknowledged as Indian territory. the People’s Republic of China, relations In contrast, the well-prepared People’s

48 WORLD 10.10.20 Indians protest against the Chinese in becoming the new leader of the Third agree on a definitive border. The ambi- incursion on June 15. World. India’s defeat humiliated Nehru, guity has led to skirmishes through the feeling tricked by the Chinese friend- years. ship, and he died two years later. In May, China began to enforce its Liberation Army easily pushed south The war was not fought over “control presence in the disputed zones and build into Indian-administered territory, lead- of some remote mountaintops in the structures. By Pangong Tso, a high-alti- ing then–Prime Minister Jawaharlal Himalayas,” Lintner wrote in his book. tude lake between India and Tibet, Nehru to call on U.S. and Russian aid. Rather, it was a “clash of civilizations” Indian and Chinese soldiers engaged in Before aid arrived, Chinese Premier between a growing democracy that had fistfights and stone-throwing. Skir- Zhou Enlai told the Indian ambassador taken on the British system of gover- mishes continued, culminating in the that the Chinese had agreed to a cease- nance and an authoritarian system that Galwan Valley clash on June 15. fire and would withdraw all its troops had little regard for international law. The skirmish didn’t surprise Vara- to 12 miles north of the LAC. The war prasad Dolla, professor of Chinese stud- was over. China had not captured any THE CURRENT BORDER CONFLICT echoes ies at Jawaharlal Nehru University in new land, and none of the territory dis- the earlier war—a power play by China Delhi, India. But the timing did surprise putes were resolved. rather than any real desire to occupy him, he said. Indian President Narendra Bertil Lintner, author of China’s barren landscapes. Since the 1980s, Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping India War, noted that at the time China China and India have met more than 20 had a good relationship, holding several wanted to dethrone India as the leader times for border talks. To prevent esca- summits in both countries. of newly independent Asian and African lation, the two sides promised not to So why now? Experts point to a few nations, and the 1962 Sino-Indian war engage each other’s patrols or to open reasons: First, India’s move in 2019 to had attained its goal. China succeeded gunfire or use explosives. But they didn’t revoke the limited autonomy granted

DEBARCHAN CHATTERJEE/ABACA/SIPA VIA AP 10.10.20 WORLD 49 Ceded to China from Pakistan CHINA Gilgit- Baltistan

Siachen Glacier Aksai Chin PAKISTAN KASHMIR Galwan Valley Kashmir Line of Actual Control Jammu and Kashmir Pangong Ladakh Tso Lake

Jammu Tibet Azad Kashmir INDIA

to Jammu and Kashmir state, which eral trade relations, as its trade deficit investigations into the origins of the includes the disputed area in the Ladakh with China was around $50 billion in virus and China’s complicity in covering region, caused an angry backlash from 2019. Meanwhile, India is increasing up the outbreak during the crucial early China. China believes that changed the trade with the United States and pur- days. The clash also came as most Indi- status quo of territorial claims along the chasing U.S. defense equipment. During ans were stuck inside their homes border. President Donald Trump’s visit to Modi’s during COVID-19 lockdowns, and India Also, India had been constructing home state of Gujarat in February 2020, faces an economic downturn caused by roads and rail lines and updating airfields the Indian president called the United the pandemic. More than 64,000 Indians along the LAC, and it had just completed States its most important partner. have died from the coronavirus. a new 140-mile road to the high-altitude China is also concerned about the Daulat Beg Oldi airbase in Ladakh. This informal Quadrilateral Security Dia- SOON AFTER THE JUNE border skirmish, would allow the quick transportation of logue (known as the Quad) between Indian officials called for a boycott of soldiers and equipment into the area. India, Japan, Australia, and the United Chinese goods, a tall order as China is Some believe China acted more aggres- States. The Quad shares information and India’s largest trading partner and has sively because it felt threatened by India’s holds summits and military drills. This invested millions in Indian tech startups. infrastructure buildup. summer India indicated it would allow Over the next two months, India But India said it was just catching up Australia to join the annual trilateral banned more than 100 Chinese apps in with China, which has already built a Malabar naval exercise with the other retaliation, claiming they pose a threat network of air bases, an extensive rail- three countries in the Indian Ocean. to national security. The most notable road network, and physical infrastruc- India avoided inviting Australia in past app on the list was TikTok, which had ture along the border. India’s years to avoid upsetting China. 200 million users in India, its largest construction has hit numerous delays “The recent attempts at strengthen- overseas market. Local Indian apps com- due to difficult terrain, budget con- ing relations is one issue … causing the peting with TikTok such as Roposo and straints, land acquisition problems, and Chinese to send a signal to both the West Bolo Indya saw a large number of down- bureaucracy, according to the BBC. and India to make sure that your bon- loads. Facebook has also benefited from Meanwhile, international alliances homie, your cooperation, doesn’t the ban: Its own app and Instagram— are shifting. Dolla noted China is con- become successful,” Dolla said. which launched a TikTok-like platform cerned about India’s growing relation- The India-China border clash also called Reels—saw a 30 percent surge in ship with the United States, which India distracts from the negative attention user engagement after the ban, accord- sees as a way to counter China’s growing China has received over its handling of ing to research firm Kantar. threat. China has not responded to the coronavirus. The United States and India’s quality control agency has India’s demands for more balanced bilat- other Western countries have called for also delayed the approval of goods from

50 WORLD 10.10.20 MUKHTAR KHAN/AP along the line of actual control to a min- imum level compatible with the friendly and good neighborly relations between the two countries.” As talks continue, tens of thousands of troops along the border have a new hostile enemy to contend with: the harsh winters in the Himalayas, where tempera- tures can drop to minus 70 degrees Fahr- enheit. Gokhale said that’s an advantage for India: More of its troops are acclima- tized to the weather. There are hints that the troops may decide to withdraw for the winter on humanitarian grounds. Gokhale noted that the clash has in one fell stroke undone 40 years of engagement between China and India and will have a “chilling effect” on how the border is managed. “Galwan Valley has shown us that Chinese forces can’t be trusted,” Gokhale said. “They lost the opportunity to settle the border.” The recent crisis has also aligned India closer to the United States, where suspicions toward Chinese influence and An Indian army convoy heads to Ladakh return to its pre-May positions. In late security concerns have grown. The following the deadly confrontation. August, India’s Ministry of External Trump administration has recently Affairs acknowledged gaps remained taken similar steps in banning Chinese between the two sides, but they both apps such as TikTok and investigating Chinese companies such as electronics “will continue to sincerely work towards Chinese ties to U.S. campuses. India-U.S. companies Xiaomi and Oppo, according complete disengagements of troops.” relations are at their best in years, to Reuters. These two brands make 80 The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gokhale noted, as the two countries percent of the smartphones sold in agreed, saying it hoped the discussions strengthen their defense cooperation. India. It also restricted Chinese invest- would “further cool down the border But India doesn’t want to simply do ments in India’s technology, power, and situation.” the United States’ bidding in trying to critical infrastructure sectors, including In early September, tensions heated contain China in Asia. It also desires to in 5G. Visas for Chinese businessmen, up again as India and China accused maintain strategic autonomy in foreign academics, industry experts, and advo- each other of provocative incursions by policy: The United States and India have cacy groups will require security clear- Pangong Tso and firing warning shots, differing views on countries such as ances, reported Bloomberg. The the first exchange of fire in 45 years. Russia, Iran, and Pakistan. government is also reviewing Indian Days later the two countries’ foreign Gokhale said China’s plan to prevent universities’ relationships with Chinese ministers met for the first time and India from getting closer to the United institutions to reduce Chinese influence. agreed in principle on a five-point plan States and other like-minded countries The Indian public has been largely to end a standoff at the border, though seems to have backfired. Instead it has supportive of these moves. An August they admitted they still hadn’t reached strengthened India’s partnership with Mood of the Nation poll by the India final agreement as several differences Quad members and led to New Zealand, Today Group found that 84 percent of still remain. South Korea, and Vietnam joining the Indians believe India cannot trust China Satellite images by Stratfor, a U.S.- Quad in the Economic Prosperity Net- because Xi betrayed Modi. A whopping based intelligence platform, show China work. While the latter is an economic 91 percent said it was the right move for has continued to build, adding 50 new alliance, Gokhale noted it could turn the government to ban Chinese apps and encampments, support bases, and heli- into a military alliance if China contin- deny contracts to Chinese companies. ports on the Chinese side of the LAC in ues its aggression in the region. Ladakh. India sees this as violating a “It’s showing a lot of aggression AFTER MORE THAN 10 ROUNDS of high- commitment to maintain peace, accord- toward all countries big and small,” level talks, China has withdrawn in some ing to The Hindu: A 1993 agreement Gokhale said. “The ball is in China’s parts of Galwan Valley and Pangong Tso between the two countries vowed to court to stop progress toward an anti- yet has not agreed to India’s demand to “keep its military forces in the areas China alliance in Asia.”

EMAIL [email protected] TWITTER @WORLD_mag 10.10.20 WORLD 51 52 WORLD 10.10.20 CALLING ON A FIGHTER TO

Most pro-lifers are enthusiastic about President Donald Trump’s record FIGHTon abortion, but some say he could be—and should be—doing more BY LEAH HICKMAN

AC NEWSPHOTO/ALAMY 10.10.20 WORLD 53 NBORN CHILDREN Penny Nance of Concerned Women A participant in the 47th annual have never had a for America is one of these supporters. March for Life in Washington stronger defender in “He’s done everything that he could the White House,” possibly do to be a pro-life president,” mainly over disappointing nominations said President Don- she said. “I can’t think of anything that for the Supreme Court, Trump’s pro-life U ald Trump to thou- we’ve asked him to do that he hasn’t record seems impressive. But Trump sands of pro-lifers tried to do.” She and others note his pro- also has critics in the pro-life movement. filling the National Mall at the annual life makeover of the Department of They say that, when compared with his March for Life in January. To many lis- Health and Human Services (HHS) and own pro-life campaign promises and his tening, it didn’t seem like a bold claim. the establishment of a new Conscience willingness to fight on other issues, Pro-life leaders and other politicians and Religious Freedom Division of the Trump’s pro-life track record contains had been saying the same thing for Office of Civil Rights that protects preg- notable absences. Concerns about his months, pointing to the pro-life suc- nancy centers and pro-life medical pro- character have also kept some pro-lifers cesses of his presidency. Even his speech fessionals. from supporting him fully. at the march was historic: He was the Compared with the long-term pro- Many in the pro-Trump camp first president to speak at the event in life letdowns of the presidencies of Ron- emphasize Trump’s appointment of person. ald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch

54 WORLD 10.10.20 AMANDA VOISARD FOR THE WASHINGTON POST VIA GETTY IMAGES and Brett Kavanaugh. This summer they into his mind—especially into his polit- in the House Chamber of the United both supported Louisiana’s pro-life law ical goals. In the 22 months between States Capitol. His hourlong address in the first abortion-related case to come Trump’s inauguration and the day the before both houses of Congress touched before the court. Trump has also nom- Republicans lost the House, Trump on some pet campaign topics: lowering inated 200 state and federal judges: tweeted more than 5,500 times, averag- taxes, creating jobs, repealing Pro-lifers believe most of them will rule ing about eight per day. But during that Obamacare, and securing the border. in favor of pro-life laws. time, Trump tweeted about “life” in the He spoke of his plans for a southern But that’s the only one of the four context of abortion fewer than 10 times, border wall. All three pieces of pro-life pro-life commitments he made in a let- mostly in reference to a candidate’s polit- legislation sat in Congress at the time, ter to pro-lifers during the 2016 cam- ical stance or the annual March for Life. and yet he made no mention of them. paign that he has fulfilled. The other He used the word “abortion” once, and A year later, Trump addressed the three were to sign into law the Pain-Ca- “unborn” never appeared. joint houses of Congress for a second pable Unborn Child Protection Act, Trump mentioned “Planned Parent- time. The day before, the Senate fell defund Planned Parenthood, and make hood” only twice in those 22 months, in nine votes short of the 60 needed to the Hyde Amendment permanent law complaints about Republican opposition break the filibuster and bring the to prevent taxpayer-funded abortions. to the repeal-and-replace Obamacare Pain-Capable bill to a vote. In his speech, Many pro-life leaders I talked with plan, which would have defunded the Trump called on Congress to give gov- said that three-fourth’s failure is not abortion giant. (Some pro-life leaders ernment agencies the ability to fire fed- Trump’s fault. The Defund Planned Par- eral employees. He called on Congress enthood Act, which would have withheld to revamp the country’s infrastructure. federal funds from Planned Parenthood He told the story of an Albuquerque for a year, never received a vote in the police officer agreeing to adopt a home- Republican-controlled House during less woman’s unborn child. the 115th Congress. The No Taxpayer Trump, though, made no mention of Funding for Abortion Act would have his pro-life promises or of his disap- made the Hyde Amendment permanent. pointment in the Pain-Capable bill’s It passed the House four days after “I THINK THE failure. Still, Ryan Bomberger of the Trump’s inauguration but never TRUMP SUPPORTER pro-life Radiance Foundation says the received a vote in the Senate. The president was not the problem in 2017 Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection BASE EXPECTS and 2018: “I was very publicly frustrated Act, also introduced in January 2017, TO SEE BOLD AND with the Republican Party. Republicans passed in the House nine months later. DECISIVE ACTION.” had control of both houses, and they That next January, the Senate version were spineless.” of the bill fell nine votes short of the 60 In 2019, when Republicans were in needed to break the filibuster. Each bill the minority in the House of Represen- failed again during the following con- tatives, Trump did include in his 2019 gressional term, after Republicans lost State of the Union address a call to action the House. on pro-life policies: “I am asking Con- Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of gress to pass legislation to prohibit the the Susan B. Anthony List and the late-term abortion of children who can national co-chair of the Pro-Life Voices today say that repealing Obamacare feel pain in a mother’s womb. Let us for Trump coalition, defends Trump, through the filibuster-proof budget rec- work together to build a culture that noting that in each Congress he’s issued onciliation process was the administra- cherishes innocent life.” In his 2020 State a statement in support of the No Tax- tion’s best chance of defunding Planned of the Union speech, Trump again called payer Funding for Abortion Act. Trump Parenthood.) He did not mention other on Congress to pass the legislation. has also issued three statements in sup- pro-life legislation. Meanwhile, in that The only explicitly pro-life legislation port of the Pain-Capable bill. Dannen- timespan Trump tweeted about “immi- Trump has signed into law during his felser said Trump used his presidency gration” more than 100 times. He men- presidency was a Congressional Review to promote the legislation to the public tioned the southern border wall more Act in 2017. It revoked an Obama-era at rallies, through tweets, and “even than 70 times. On Twitter, pro-life pol- rule requiring states to give Title X funds putting it in the State of the Union mes- icies were clearly not his priority. to abortion providers like Planned Par- sage.” What about his speeches? The annual enthood. The filibuster-proof bill passed Trump’s use of Twitter in his admin- State of the Union address is the presi- both the House and the Senate, with Vice istration is certainly unprecedented. He’s dent’s opportunity to state his legislative President Mike Pence casting the tie- fired officials, started foreign disputes, goals for the year. On Feb. 28, 2017, Pres- breaking vote. Unlike the other rule and proposed policy through the plat- ident Trump stood for the first time changes to HHS programs Trump made form. His tweets have become a window before hundreds of politicians and VIPs during his presidency, this one came

10.10.20 WORLD 55 with a level of permanence: Congressio- nal Review Act resolutions prohibit the federal agency in question from reissu- ing any future rule that is “substantially the same” as the nullified rule. With this Congressional Review Act and the subsequent Title X rule change in 2019, Trump explored two avenues for partially fulfilling his promise to defund Planned Parenthood. The 2019 change was successful, but it only cut around $60 million (about 10 percent) of the abortion giant’s government fund- ing. Trump had other avenues to cut larger portions of the funding. In Sep- tember 2018, five pro-life leaders sent him a letter suggesting one of them. Nance, Peggy Hartshorn of Heart- beat International, Tom McClusky of March for Life, Lila Rose of Live Action, and Kristan Hawkins of Students for Life referenced Trump’s campaign promise to defund Planned Parenthood: “Due to congressional inaction, getting taxpay- ers out of the abortion business remains one of your key promises that remains unfulfilled. Since Congress will not lead, we are asking you to do so. … We ask that you send this bill back to Congress without your signature and continue to do so until it stops funding abortion providers with our taxpayer dollars.” Trump signed the bill anyway. Nance said she was disappointed with Trump’s decision: “I wouldn’t have signed the letter if I didn’t want him to do it.” But she has since praised Trump’s other crackdowns on Planned Parenthood— the administration could divert taxpayer “Here we are years later and they mainly through the Title X grants: “To dollars from Planned Parenthood, with- have not announced the findings of that be fair, he found other ways to reach the out going through Congress, through investigation,” said Terrisa Bukovinac same conclusion by going after Title X.” the process of “debarment.” That means from Democrats for Life. “In the mean- It wasn’t exactly the same conclu- disqualifying the organization from time, the Trump administration has sion, though. Defunding Planned Par- participating in the Medicaid program allowed Native Americans to be prose- enthood completely at the federal level since it has shown itself to be a bad cuted for selling eagle body parts.” would have meant a loss nine times the agent by participating in the trafficking Trump’s apparent unwillingness to size of the Title X change, leaving only of baby body parts. use his political capital to meet his pro- the estimated 10 percent that comes The Department of Justice investi- life legislative goals suggests his prom- from state coffers. The bottom line: gation into Planned Parenthood’s ises about abortion aren’t a priority to Planned Parenthood’s overall govern- alleged misconduct—launched in him. On other issues Trump has repeat- ment funding during 2016, the last year response to activist David Daleiden’s edly proven himself capable of pushing of the Obama administration, was undercover videos in 2015—has contin- the limits. In 2018 Trump was willing to $554.6 million. Last year, before losing ued for nearly three years. Hawkins said let the federal government go into the Title X money, it took in $616.8 million. concluding that investigation could longest shutdown in the nation’s history Hawkins said continued funding of speed up Planned Parenthood’s reckon- over the issue of immigration. He spent the abortion giant was not inevitable, ing and that Trump should hasten the Christmas Eve tweeting demands for even after Republicans lost control of conclusion by pressing the attorney border wall funding from the Oval the House of Representatives. She said general to wrap it up. Office.

56 WORLD 10.10.20 OLIVIER DOULIERY/GETTY IMAGES One pregnancy center staff member, Weeseetsa Maeding at Alternatives Pregnancy Center in Sacramento, Calif., said having Trump as a spokesperson for the pro-life cause has not helped the movement: “We get lumped in with Donald Trump, and I don’t know if that is going to have a positive, long-lasting effect for people who are going to out- last Donald Trump for fighting for the pro-life movement.” Longtime pro-life activist John Cava- naugh-O’Keefe criticized Trump’s lack of repentance for his past and his con- tribution to current divisiveness: “If you’re going to end abortion in the United States and around the world, you do need to build a national consensus.” In June, Stephanie Ranade Krider resigned as executive director of Ohio Right to Life, citing similar concerns. She told Christianity Today, “All … peo- ple matter to God. My greatest fear is that in the pro-life movement and the evangelical church, we’ve become so tied to the Republican Party and Presi- dent Trump, they don’t all matter to us.” The administration in August released Trump’s second-term agenda. The original version made no mention of abortion-related goals. The promise to “protect unborn life through every means available” didn’t appear on the 54-point list until five days later, after complaints from some pro-lifers. Trump’s September campaign letter to pro-lifers made the same commitments A rally in 2015 opposing government enthusiasm. She said the “dehumanizing as in his 2016 campaign letter and added funding of Planned Parenthood tone” that colors some of his statements the goal of signing the Born-Alive Abor- “goes against what we’re fighting for as tion Survivors Protection Act. a movement.” This concern is typical, Meanwhile, the Biden campaign has Similar action on Planned Parenthood even among pro-lifers who express made its plans clear. In July, it released would have shown a definitive commit- strong support for his policies. But it’s “The Biden Agenda for Women,” a ment to his campaign promises. “I think often not enough to overshadow what 23-page document that includes a sec- the Trump supporter base expects to see they see as a staunchly pro-life presi- tion on Biden’s “Reproductive Health” bold and decisive action,” said Lila Rose. dency. promises. Pledges include: Require states She was one of the leaders I spoke with I spoke with more than a dozen to fund Planned Parenthood through who was most vocal about Trump’s grassroots pro-lifers across multiple Medicaid. Reverse the Title X rule that missed opportunities. “Refusing to sign generations to get their perspective on pushed the abortion giant out of the a spending bill that funds the abortion Trump. Some are political activists; most program. Rescind the Mexico City policy. industry would be bold and decisive work at pregnancy centers. Most who It’s that agenda that has most pro-lif- action, and we haven’t seen that. … Ulti- talked to me expressed discomfort with ers solidly behind Trump, even though mately the hard work is doing what can Trump’s public persona but said he has a second Trump term doesn’t guarantee cost you politically, and that’s where we overall helped build a culture of life by more pro-life victories. Said Hawkins: want to see actual creative leadership.” protecting unborn babies through his “I know with 100 percent certainty what Rose added that Trump’s public per- policies and emboldening pro-lifers will happen if Donald Trump doesn’t sona contributes to her lack of Trump through his support of the movement. get reelected.”

EMAIL [email protected] TWITTER @WORLD_mag 10.10.20 WORLD 57

FALL BOOKS FALLING BACK WITH LOOKS AT THE PAST Twenty-five history books and biographies in a trying year

by Marvin Olasky / illustration by Krieg Barrie

10.10.20 WORLD 59 Where have you gone, Dwight Eisenhower? A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

Based on mail from WORLD members, many are reading up like cords of wood, hastily dug trenches, and ema- more during coronavirus time—and history books plus ciated survivors who looked like walking cadavers.” biographies or autobiographies remain their favorites. Tough Gen. George Patton refused to enter some rooms, So as we spiral toward the Nov. 3 presidential election, saying he would get sick if he did so, but Eisenhower three new biographies of the mid-20th-century general visited “every nook and cranny” and came out saying and president are worth a look. In this 75th year since “he had never seen anything equal to what they had the end of World War II I’m also recommending five seen that day; that no punishment was too great for a more books connected to the war and 17 other well-­ people who could do things like that.” written histories. Eisenhower’s reaction should be kept in mind as we First, the Eisenhower books, which show that the read Sinclair McKay’s The Fire and the Darkness: The 34th president is thrice-blessed in biographers. Grand- Bombing of Dresden, 1945 (St. Martin’s Press, 2020). daughter Susan Eisenhower is a good McKay, like Kurt Vonnegut before him, suggests that writer, and her How Ike Led: The the firebombing of the German city (an attack as deadly Principles Behind Eisenhower’s as the atomic destruction that would soon come to Hiro- Biggest Decisions (Thomas Dunne, shima and Nagasaki) grew out of a brutal bureaucracy 2020) shows his strong character and at work, killing because it could. But work ethic. I didn’t expect the whole with Germany reeling in February 1945, truth from a family member, so Jerry Americans and Brits wanted to make Bergman’s God in Eisenhower’s Life, sure World War II would not end as Military Career, and Presidency World War I did, with a future dictator (Wipf and Stock, 2019) provides interesting detail about able to claim the German defeat was a religious beliefs. Paul Johnson’s Eisenhower: A Life stab in the back. The Allies understood (Penguin, 2014) is a good, brief account. that their enemy was not only Hitler Susan Eisenhower is particularly powerful in detail- but an entire society given over to evil— ing her grandfather’s visits to concentration camps as much like ancient Israelites saw the Canaanites. the war was ending: “Eisenhower was unprepared for And how did it all begin? Peter Fritzsche’s Hitler’s both the sights and the smells of these hellholes. Even First Hundred: When Germans Embraced the Third miles outside the camp, the stench of rotting flesh was Reich (Basic, 2020) is a cautionary tale: Hitler gained overpowering. As they entered, they saw corpses piled power early in 1933 through backroom political maneu-

60 WORLD 10.10.20 vering, but 100 days later his mass political support was thorough account of what happened to the worst evident. Saddest of all: Hitler during the first radio emperor. Hitler should have had a chapter in another address to the German people as leader vowed his new of this year’s Regnery books, Scott Rank’s sadly enter- government would “take Christianity under its firm taining History’s 9 Most Insane Rulers. Among Rank’s protection,” for it is “the basis of our entire morality.” subjects: Caligula, Kim Jong Il, and King Charles VI of His atheism later became evident, but some “German France (who thought he was made of glass). Christians” went along with a plan to replace the Old Turning from the ridiculous to the sublime, I learned Testament with “100% German mythology—Wotan for a lot from Gerald Bray’s Preaching the Word With Moses, Siegfried for Saul.” Frederick Taylor’s 1939: A John Chrysostom (Lexham, 2020), which humanizes People’s History of the Coming of the Second World the fourth-century preacher. In one of his sermons, War (Norton, 2019) details the war’s start. Chrysostom noted that God cursed the I also recommend Last Letters: The Prison Corre- serpent and the ground, not the man. spondence, 1944-45 by Freya and Helmuth James von God thus gave Adam a chance to Moltke (New York Review Books, 2019). Hitler’s minions regain spiritual health: “When we hanged resistance leader Helmuth, 37, in January 1945. judge the guilty, we should not berate A sympathetic prison chaplain helped him exchange them harshly or display the savagery letters with his wife during the last of wild beasts toward them, but four months of his life, when every day employ as much long-suffering and brought possible execution and the mercy as we can, because we are dis- prisoner wrote with understated pensing justice to our fellows, and out of a sense of prose, “There is a great deal of stress kinship with them we should temper justice with love.” involved if you can be taken away at But Chrysostom didn’t do that in regard to Jews, whom any minute between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. he attacked in harsh terms that anti-Semites in succeed- to be executed.” His last letter: “I’m ing centuries imitated. ready and willing to entrust myself to Another provocative book, Peter Thuesen’s Tornado God’s guidance. … Farewell, my love. May the Lord watch God (Oxford, 2020), shows how theologians and others over you and us.” over the centuries have thought about God’s providen- Tough-minded readers might pair those books with tial control in the light of unpredictable twisters. Puri- Brian Reid’s The Scourge of War: The Life of William tan divine Cotton Mather emphasized Tecumseh Sherman (Oxford, 2020). President Ruth- God’s sovereignty but also man’s erford B. Hayes called Sherman “the most interesting responsibility, saying, “If Adam had and original character in the world,” and Reid details not Sinned, there had been no hurtful the intellectual general’s rare combination of thought storms known on the earth.” Eliphalet and action that made him both a military innovator and Adams told his congregation that a hater of what he had to do to win. Sherman did not “even when Storms and tempests are exactly say “war is hell,” but he told raised by Satan … they are still under the mayor of Atlanta in 1864, “War is God’s Ordering and Government. And cruelty and you cannot refine it.” He no more Damage shall be done thereby than he is pleased repeated that observation before a to permit.” crowd of veterans and their family Nineteenth-century pastors tended to emphasize members in 1880: “There is many a education by tornado: God sent one in 1821 “to teach boy here today who looks at war as all man his impotence,” and another in 1840 because “Never glory, but boys, it is all hell.” does man more deeply realize his utter helplessness.” While we’re on biographies: Nearly Similarly, the St. Louis “Great Cyclone” in 1896 served two millennia ago the Roman essayist Suetonius acidly “to teach man that in his fallen condition he is a creature profiled emperors like Nero and Caligula in Lives of the incapable of self-government.” One St. Louis pastor said Twelve Caesars, available in many editions—but I like the “tornado has done more to make the people of this the abridged version, in a new translation, cleverly titled city think upon the serious problems and duties of life How To Be a Bad Emperor (Princeton, 2020). Robert than anything else that has happened in years.” Sadly, Hutchinson’s The Death of Hitler (Regnery, 2020) is a when Thuesen near his book’s close turns from historian

10.10.20 WORLD 61 to pundit, he complains about the “evangelical shibbo- Cather wrote about McClure’s young reporters, “You leth of biblical inerrancy.” often thought them a little more able than they really And what of the human tornado, Karl Marx, and his were, but those who had any stuff in them at all tried to followers? Paul Kengor’s The Devil and Karl Marx (TAN be as good as you thought them, to come up to your Books, 2020) explores Satanic fascinations from Karl expectations.” Marx to the Frankfurt School to radical feminist Kate McClure, though, also inspired con- Millett, author of Sexual Politics. Others left a better fusion: Tarbell found “his editorial legacy: Clare Carlisle’s Philosopher of the Heart: The direction could be frustratingly vague, Restless Life of Søren Kierkegaard (FSG, 2020) shows as when he shot her a request for ‘some- how the Danish philosopher wrestled with the Bible. thing startling.’” But Steffens under- And others were and are confused. John Kaag’s Sick stood investigative reporting. When one Souls, Healthy Minds: How William James Can Save corporate executive declined an inter- Your Life (Princeton, 2020) mixes personal confession view by saying, “I don’t care for write- with a thoughtful look at James, author in 1903 of The ups,” Steffens replied, “I don’t propose to write you up Varieties of Religious Experience. That book is fasci- … I want to write you down.” Most people, though, wanted nating for its secular equivalent of a Christian’s born- to be known, as a writer nicknamed “the Cynic” under- again experience: James wrote of sick souls hitting stood a century before selfies became fashionable: “Click! rock-bottom, at which point they had to be “twice born” Click! Click! / … Everybody posing, smirking, attitudiniz- to avoid committing suicide. ing! / Trying to look their best while being photographed, Tim Tran’s American Dreamer: How I Escaped / Trying to look intellectual unconscious, beautiful!” Communist Vietnam and Built a Successful Life in Nancy Cott’s Fighting Words (Basic, 2020) tells of America (Pacific University Press, journalism’s next generation through portraits of four 2020) shows how he left his homeland leading foreign correspondents in the 1920s and 1930s: with 350 others on a rickety boat, sur- Dorothy Thompson, John Gunther, Vincent Sheean, and vived pirate attacks, and finally Rayna Raphaelson. It was a great time to be a magazine reached Oregon. Tran summarizes freelancer, since with radio an infant, television unborn, “many people’s last hope: that no mat- and the internet hardly imagined, 2,500 newspapers ter who else rejected them, the United and dozens of national magazines were hungry for sto- States would take them in.” Two his- ries. Cott fluently describes career-making scoops and tories examine the history and politi- propagandistic swoops, but also mar- cal leanings of our largest group of recent immigrants. riage-breaking stoops into adultery Geraldo Cadava’s The Hispanic Republican (Harper- and homosexuality. Collins, 2020) shows how Republicans alienated His- Finally, here are quick mentions of panics, George W. Bush won back many, but the GOP four history books that will be short- has again lost most. Benjamin Francis-Fallon’s The Rise listed on our Books of the Year (Dec. of the Latino Vote (Harvard University Press, 2019) 5) issue. I’ll review Christopher Cald- provides the backstory through a detailed examination well’s The Age of Entitlement: Amer- from Viva Kennedy to Ronald Reagan. ica Since the Sixties and include a I can’t resist mentioning two journalism histories I full Q&A with Daniel Chirot, author of You Say You really enjoyed. Stephanie Gorton’s Citizen Reporters: Want a Revolution? Radical Idealism and Its Tragic S.S. McClure, Ida Tarbell, and the Magazine That Consequences. Our Aug. 1 issue included a Q&A about Rewrote America (Echo, 2020) shows how early in the War Fever, a book on the 1918 pandemic. I’ll also have 20th century McClure’s 400,000 readers learned about a full review of Tracy Campbell’s The Year of Peril: big city corruption and corporate power grabs through America in 1942 (Yale, 2020): Hitler did not think Amer- the enterprise of editor McClure and star reporter Tar- icans could pull together as we did. If we think 2020 a bell. Gorton captures the excitement: “McClure’s keen- hard year, it’s good to remember that Franklin Roo­ ness for stories that helped readers imagine the future sevelt’s first name for World War II was the “Survival and understand the present was infectious.” McClure War,” since the U.S. was fighting for “the survival of our helped make famous many writers he hired, including civilization, the survival of democracy, the … survival Willa Cather, Rudyard Kipling, and Lincoln Steffens. of what we have all lived for.”

62 WORLD 10.10.20 WOLFGANG SUSCHITZKY/POPPERFOTO VIA GETTY IMAGES H.G. WELLS, HISTORIAN

The year 2020 is the 100th anniver- an ordered and coherent purpose.” there is no redemption, and the sary of one of the most influential That sounds pretty mellifluous, whole theory and meaning of the books of the 20th century, The and Wells clearly had learned to Pauline system is in vain.” But 18 Outline of History by H.G. Wells. It write bestsellers: Who’s against years later he merely complained was a huge bestseller in 1920 and “serenity and salvation”? But I read how “foolish attempts were made to still popular in 1964, when I read it during days of social isolation his suppress Darwinian literature. … In and declared myself an atheist. first major work as a social and politi- the end men may discover that reli- Wells, who was also a skillful science cal commentator, Anticipations gion shines all the brighter for the fiction writer, appealed to my sense (1902). In that he did not hide what loss of its doctrinal wrappings.” that children might believe in God, he felt about the “swarms of black, The greater success of Wells in but at age 14 I thought: “Time to and brown, and dirty-white, and yel- 1920 than in 1902 demonstrated grow up and believe in Darwinian low people. … The world is a world, once again that you can subvert evolution and socialism.” not a charitable institution, and I take more minds with honey than with The Wells doctrine is now more it they will have to go. … It is their vinegar. A century later, professors popular than ever at schools and col- portion to die out and disappear.” in some Christian colleges sell a mild leges in both the United Kingdom Similarly, in 1902 Wells truthfully version of Darwinism (under the and the currently Disunited States. argued that, for those who read and label “theistic evolution” or even His is the evolutionary vision of man- believed, “Darwin destroyed the “evolutionary creationism,” a PR kind “at first scattered and blind and dogma of the Fall upon which the genius term) and claim that it will utterly confused, feeling its way whole intellectual fabric of preserve faith in Christ, rather than slowly to the serenity and salvation of Christianity rests. For without a Fall kill it. —M.O.

EMAIL [email protected] TWITTER @MarvinOlasky 10.10.20 WORLD 63 Notes from the Very Beginning

Over the years, I kept hearing from a number of di erent people who thought we needed a Christian counterpart to Time or Newsweek. So we went to work. And we discovered that God’s Word is full of foundational truth, but it doesn’t express an opinion on every single little thing.

I like to keep one of John’s epistles in mind, where he says, ‘That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands . . . that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you.’ From its start in 1986, WORLD has striven to exemplify that.

We are not here to repeat or regurgitate stories that other people have researched and written about. Our goal is to do our own research so that we can come to our readers and say we actually went to the scene, and our reporting reŠ ects that. This concept is essential to what we consider to be sound journalism.

Our reporters must be trained in pursuing biblical principles in the midst of their reporting. We have to be there, and we have to be asking questions in terms of biblical truth. JOEL BELZ Founder of WORLD in 1981

Sound journalism, grounded in facts and biblical truth wng.org/about

Notes-From_Field.indd 10 9/22/20 3:25 PM NOTEBOOK

Education Arts Lifestyle

Ohio State University

ANOTHER SHOT FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS Universities write student vaccinations into this year’s COVID-19 plans

by Esther Eaton

JOSHUA A. BICKEL/THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH/AP 10.10.20 WORLD 65 NOTEBOOK Education percent of college students think an annual flu vaccine is important, but only 46 percent usually get one, according to a 2017 survey by the National Foun- HEN STUDENTS AT DORDT UNIVERSITY, a Christian liberal arts dation for Infectious Diseases. Cedar- school in Iowa, read the school’s COVID-19 behavior agreement ville provides free flu shots for students this year, they found standard precautions: mask-wearing, and says it vaccinates 20-25 percent of hand-washing, social distancing. But the four-page document, its students each year. This year the which students must sign before returning to campus, included an school has emailed and texted students unusual paragraph. By signing below, it said, students agreed Dordt reminders to get vaccinated at the could require them to get an influenza vaccine—and a COVID-19 school health center or a local phar- vaccine when one became available. macy. W The paragraph launched Dordt into a brewing debate about Others go further: The University of schools and COVID-19 vaccinations. Often, universities rely on national and state Tennessee announced in June it would regulations to set their vaccine policies, but the potential benefit of an effective require all students to get the flu shot COVID-19 vaccine may tempt some to require it on their own. With such a vaccine before January. The school also said it likely months away, though, many schools remain focused on ensuring students might require a COVID-19 vaccine, get the flu shot. A May poll from the Associated Press and the University of Chicago found about half of Americans said they would get a COVID-19 vaccine when one became available. Another 20 percent said they would not, mostly citing con- cerns about side effects. That month the American College Health Association advised college health centers to budget for providing COVID-19 vaccinations for students. After fielding questions about its vaccine requirement, Dordt emailed students a clarification kicking the issue down the road. “At present,” the email said, “the best information we have is that an effective vaccine will most likely not be available until after the spring 2021 semester.” Dordt removed the mention of COVID-19 vac- cines from its behavior agreement but left open the possibility of a mandatory flu shot. Unlike Dordt, Cedarville University in Ohio specified it would not mandate any COVID-19 vaccine unless required by state or federal regulations. Univer- sity representative Janice Supplee said the college’s reopening plan mentioned vaccines in case students already had questions, but it did not state a compre- A GROWING NUMBER OF COLLEGES hensive policy decision: “We don’t have HAVE EMBRACED THE FLU VACCINE, HOPING a vaccine yet, so it’s not really on our radar.” TO PREVENT A DOUBLE OUTBREAK. Few schools mentioned COVID-19 vaccines in their reopening plans. But like Dordt, a growing number have embraced the flu vaccine, hoping to prevent a double outbreak. About 70

66 WORLD 10.10.20 DORDT UNIVERSITY; CEDARVILLE: SCOTT HUCK, COURTESY OF CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY NOTEBOOK Arts

A SYMBOLIC MAKEOVER The Oscars get new diversity standards for the best picture category

by Collin Garbarino

HE ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES suffered embarrassment in 2015 when critics pointed to a lack of diversity in film nominations and #OscarsSoWhite­ started trending on social media. April Reign, the activist A theology professor at Dordt who started the hashtag, noted that the academy’s mem- University conducts class outside (left); Cedarville University (above) bership at the time was 92 percent white and 75 percent male. In response to the criticism, the film trade association though, like Dordt, it doesn’t expect one T announced this summer it had inducted 819 new members, to arrive before the school year ends. In doubling the number of women and people from under- August, the University of California sys- represented ethnic groups. A more diverse group of nom- tem announced its students must get a inators could result in a more diverse group of film flu shot by Nov. 1. nominees. Also in August, Massachusetts But the academy also decided to change the selection became the first state to require flu shots criteria for its best picture award. Starting in 2024, a film for students from kindergarten to grad- must meet at least two of four new diversity standards to uate school, with religious and medical be considered for the Oscars’ top prize. exemptions. The move sparked protests, The first criteria, or Standard A, requires a film to but Vermont’s health department said have a lead actor of nonwhite ethnicity or an ensemble it’s considering following suit. cast with at least 30 percent of its members from two Ben Thomas, a junior studying pharmaceutical sciences at Cedarville, has to get a flu shot to shadow at hos- pitals, required for his degree. Thomas said he understands why other schools have mandated flu shots, but that in his opinion, Cedarville would face resistance. “There are a lot of Cedarville stu- dents who are against vaccines in gen- eral, by choice or by parental guidance,” Thomas said. He says he’s had the flu twice and sees getting vaccinated as a way to pro- tect more vulnerable people who might catch the virus from him, such as his immunosuppressed friend and pneu- monia-prone grandfather. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine could be another safeguard for them. Two Oscar winners from 2015: Julianne Moore and Eddie Redmayne “I’ll probably get it when it comes out,” he said, “just as a protection.”

MOORE AND REDMAYNE: JORDAN STRAUSS/INVISION/AP 10.10.20 WORLD 67 or more of the following groups: women, NOTEBOOK Lifestyle LGBT individuals, or people with a dis- ability. The movie could also have a storyline that focused on one of those groups. To fulfill Standard B, a film must have LIVES a certain level of diversity in its creative leadership. Standard C asks whether a IN SYNC studio offers paid internships to under- Despite his blindness, Smokey Nevins represented groups, and Standard D and his wife Patty raised a large family and promotes diversity in marketing and distribution. learned to care for each other

For all the fanfare, the criteria won’t by Charissa Koh require sweeping changes of the film industry. Major studios can easily meet 17TH IN A SERIES ON LONG MARRIAGES Standards C and D. Vanity Fair noted all of the best picture nominees in the last 15 years have satisfied either A or B. “Without even mandating it, the industry is going toward diversity,” said Andrei Constantinescu, who owns a casting company in Dallas. He recalled uncomfortable conver- sations from his early days in the busi- ness, when producers would ask that 90 percent or more of the extras on set be white “because if there’s too many peo- ple of color on screen, then the audience is distracted.” He believes things have changed for the better—now he gets asked for more diversity on set rather than less. Jesse GrothOlson, an independent filmmaker who teaches cinema at Hous- ton Baptist University, hopes some of his minority students will feel that the world wants to hear their stories. “At best I see this as a way to initiate good trickle-down that will move stan- dards at all levels of execution in the industry,” he said. “At worst, it could initiate a kind of industry overhaul that puts workers into positions for reasons that have nothing to do with their skills OBERT “SMOKEY” NEVINS met his future wife at California’s and everything to do with their sexual Sacramento State University. Smokey, born blind, needed identity or racial makeup.” someone to drive him to a music appreciation class, so Some worry the diversity initiative he checked the school’s list of assistant readers for, he will harm the Oscars’ reputation for said, “girls with pretty names.” He decided to call Patricia. honoring the best in artistic achieve- Patty remembers how, the first time she came to pick ment. In January, author Stephen King, up Smokey, his father invited her to watch football. “So a voting member of the academy, I instantly passed the test with his parents,” she said. After tweeted, “I would never consider diver- R dating, breaking up, and getting back together, the cou- sity in matters of art. Only quality. It ple had a 10-day engagement and a 14-person wedding seems to me that to do otherwise would in January 1980. (“We’re both … extremely lazy about be wrong.” But moviemaking isn’t just wanting to do big production things,” explained Patty.) an art form. It’s a business, and diversity is big business these days.

68 WORLD 10.10.20 HANDOUT Smokey and Patty spent the next decades raising a family and learning to love and care for one another, but health problems, Smokey’s disability, and the uncertainties of life were a con- stant challenge. The Nevinses settled down in Sacra- mento: Patty did clerical work, and RELYING ON HIS PEOPLE TO Smokey played jazz guitar at coffee SUSTAIN US, HIS WORD TO SUSTAIN US, lounges. The couple got creative to find things they could enjoy together. Some HIS SPIRIT TO SUSTAIN US. of their go-to hobbies were braille Scrabble and Monopoly and riding a tandem bicycle. “When you ride bikes separately, it’s hard to connect and talk,” said Patty. “We had a great time riding around and having conversation.” Soon after they married, Patty pointed out that husbands are respon- sible to provide for the family. Smokey care for him and the kids. A church mem- also works at a local library. The couple was surprised: He dreamed of one day ber took Smokey to his house and read celebrated 40 years of marriage in Jan- becoming a pastor but hadn’t had many Scripture to him, waiting for the seizures uary. “The success of our life … is job opportunities growing up. With Pat- to stop. Smokey has not had a seizure because of the Lord being true to His ty’s encouragement, he started working for a year, but the challenge of trusting Word,” said Patty. “Relying on His peo- in telemarketing and eventually became God with his health continues: Earlier ple to sustain us, His Word to sustain an analyst for the state. His 31-year this year, he had open-heart surgery. us, His Spirit to sustain us.” career allowed Patty to stay home and Smokey, 62, retired last year and Smokey’s health problems now pre- raise their children—all nine of them. serves as an elder at the couple’s vent him from balancing on the tandem Their first baby came five years into church. He loves doing ministry, though bike. But the Nevinses have gotten cre- the marriage, and after that Patty was Patty says he still envies young men ative about that problem too: For his 60th “changing diapers for 20 years straight.” going to seminary. Patty is the facilities birthday, Patty bought a two-person The Nevinses tried to follow advice they care coordinator at their church and tricycle for them to ride side by side. heard in the Christian world to raise their children right: homeschooling, Scripture memorization in the car, nightly family devotions, church activ- ities. But as the children grew up, they realized parenting methods alone couldn’t guarantee spiritual life. Today, the couple says, some of the kids are following Jesus, some are unbelievers, and some they aren’t certain about. They have determined to trust God to save the children. One of the biggest challenges of their marriage has been health issues. Since age 17, Smokey has suffered from epi- lepsy. During seizures, Smokey would lose consciousness, sometimes yelling or cursing, and then become sick and disoriented as he recovered. The couple endured treatments and drugs with pain- ful or personality-altering side effects. Both say the prayers and support from their small church have been essential. Patty remembers one day when Smokey had a flurry of seizures and she couldn’t

10.10.20 WORLD 69 TRY FOR A MOMENT TO Voices ANDRÉE SEU PETERSON IMAGINE NOTHING, AND YOU WILL FIND THAT YOU INVARIABLY CHEAT.

Nothing experiencing all these sparkling lakes and starry nights and golden fields. Nothing is like drawing a The fact that we exist should circle that is empty inside, and then erasing the circle. trouble those who say there is Annihilation! no ultimate meaning But back to the task at hand: How do you predicate anything about nothing for two pages (front and back) for the unappeasable Valois? Now that I think of it, Y FATHER GAVE ME my first tip on writing. Seinfeld was a TV show about nothing, and it ran for His own writing was limited to the jotting nine seasons. And there are politicians who say noth- of room measurements for the installation ing but say it convincingly enough to get reelected for of carpets and linoleum. While all he did longer than that. There is an art to milking nothing. was run a furniture store, I, at the tender You can overdo the art, though. As when the age of 10, was being asked to return to reputed greatest orator of his time, Edward Everett, school the next morning with a composi- bellowed for two hours in 1863 what is now considered M tion. I understand they don’t call them the “other” Gettysburg speech, the memorable one compositions anymore. of that day being Abe Lincoln’s 272 words. I like Ever- Sometimes I wish my editors would assign me a ett, however. Behold his graciousness to the president specific topic to talk about on this penultimate page in oratorical defeat: “I should be glad if I could flatter of the magazine, but they don’t, and neither did Soeur myself that I came as near to the central idea of the Jeanne de Valois. Hence my terror, then and now. occasion in two hours as you did in two minutes.” So as I complained bitterly over the unfairness of Makes me want to read his speech. life and uncertainty of survival of the morrow’s English Let us not forget that God created out of nothing. class, my father stepped into my brother’s room (which Or ex nihilo, as college people like to call it. Note that had a desk), knelt on one knee, as is still his habit, and He did not create nothing, but something. I see that suffered with me in a camaraderie of silence over a as a repudiation of nothingness and a thumbs up to blank paper. somethingness, the state of which is problematic to After enough of this, he came out with what may any thinking philosopher. For as German philosopher have been an excuse to beat a retreat, or may have Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz said (here I show my own been genius, and said to me, “Why don’t you write college credentials), the problem is not that there is about nothing!” nothing: The problem is that there is something. “Nothing?” I said incredulously as he tiptoed away, That is to say, no explanation would be needed for then found myself alone again, a gauntlet thrown at there being nothing. Indeed, there would be no one my feet. around to raise the question. But it should trouble Try for a moment to imagine nothing, and you will stubborn atheists and evolutionists alike who still insist find that you invariably cheat: You smuggle in some- there is no God and no ultimate meaning in the uni- thing. People who think there is nothing after death, verse. Why, then, sirs, is there anything at all? for example, probably are picturing sleep, which is But I digress again. Back to the empty page, let us very different. If they thought harder about it, I wager dip our pen and begin: “Any fool can write about many would fear and come to Christ. “Nothing” is something. But I propose for this writing assignment not something you want for your future—not after to write about nothing …” May it be judged by Soeur Jeanne de Valois that I have succeeded in honoring my father’s instructions.

70 WORLD 10.10.20 EMAIL [email protected] Son or daughter questioning the faith? The Case for Evangelical Christianity: Why Biblical Christianity Still Makes Sense in the 21st Century, by Robert W. Wheeler, offers clear, concise answers to life’s important questions, ranging from “Why Religion?” to “Why Church?” In between it offers an explanation of the nature of morality and of the Christian gospel. This could make an ideal birthday, Christmas or graduation present for the college age son or daughter who is faced with the challenges of today’s secular environment. Also by the same author: The Road to Heaven: A Practical Guide to the Faith of Our Fathers (Second Edition). BOTH BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM IN BOTH PAPERBACK AND KINDLE FORMATS. I CONTINUE TO THANK GOD Voices MARVIN OLASKY AND JOEL BELZ FOR CALLING ME INTO WORLD AND MENTORING ME.

after directing the Free Market Project at the Media Research Center. He makes sure our reporters empha- size street-level Biblical objectivity rather than suite- level opinionizing. Along with taking responsibility for our online content, he’ll oversee news on the podcast. Next come two managing editors. Daniel James On the personal Devine worked until 2012 for the family construction business, Devine HomeKrafters: He then began con- glide path structing WORLD stories and building magazine issues. Lynde Langdon exerts day-to-day website leadership. But WORLD will go higher She joined WORLD in 2013 with experience at the University of Missouri journalism school, a local news- paper, and a healthcare company. HERE’S A MILLION THINGS I haven’t done / And two more vital staffers: Leigh Jones, formerly But just you wait, just you wait.” Those lines a Galveston Daily News reporter, is The World and in the great musical Hamilton are ones Everything in It’s news editor. Rachel Lynn Aldrich many of us feel, but at some point in God’s joined WORLD from the Discovery Institute and is choosing our time runs out, and we get to assitant editor of the website. She is also in charge of experience greater things. It’s no contra- our Saturday Series—wng.org/saturday-series—where diction for Christians to look forward to we run Books of the Year chapters and essays from T heaven but to be in no hurry to get there: John “Hank the Cowdog” Erickson and me. Major league starting pitchers know that these days When our pages look good, you should thank David complete games are rare, but they still want to get Freeland, who has been WORLD’s art director since through seven or eight innings. 1995. He came our way after designing Tabletalk That’s how I feel this October. At our WORLD staff (among other things) for Ligonier Ministries. If you retreat last October I said I’d retire as editor in chief have either praise or criticism, you can communicate in three years but continue with my column, book with our writers—their email addresses are at the reviews, and occasional interviews, God willing. My bottoms of feature articles and columns—or with David goal was to give lots of advance notice so we could get and editors by writing to [email protected]. We try to the right editors in the right seats on the bus. You’re respond personally to every letter. probably aware of editors who also write regularly in Many of you will receive responses from Mickey the magazine: Mindy Belz and Jamie Dean. You hear McLean, now in charge of Mailbag and other commu- frequently on The World and Everything in It podcast nications with WORLD members. He joined us in 2008 Nick Eicher and Paul Butler, who is now its executive after editing Delta’s inflight magazine,Sky . Mickey producer. Nick, as chief content officer, also thinks will help us roll out more terrific email roundups of a through our long-term strategic direction. But I’d now week’s news in areas like science and family issues. like to introduce you to eight editors whose names or Right now you can go to wng.org/newsletters and sign voices probably aren’t familiar to you. up for our daily news updates along with weekly feeds First, Michael Reneau is the new editor of WORLD of news about education, abortion, arts and culture, Magazine. He’s been deputy editor during the past poverty-fighting, religious liberty, and politics. They’re year and has shown himself to be a tough-minded, all free. warmhearted staff leader. He’s a World Journalism After 28 years of editing, I continue to thank God Institute graduate, as is virtually every Worldling under and Joel Belz for calling me into WORLD and mentoring age 45, and learned the trade in Tennessee as editor me. I hope to help others. At a time when many Amer- of The Greeneville Sun. Tim Lamer is now executive icans read and listen only to news that confirms exist- editor of WORLD Digital. He joined WORLD in 1999 ing biases or creates new ones, WORLD will continue to be often surprising and sometimes annoying, with allegiance not to human leaders but only to God.

72 WORLD 10.10.20 EMAIL [email protected] TWITTER @MarvinOlasky U S E A P P L I C A T I O N F E E W A I V E R C O D E : U S E A P P L I C A T I O N F E E W A I V E R C O D E : W M 1 O C T 2 0 W M 1 O C T 2 0

W W W . P R O V I D E N C E C C . E D U W W W . P R O V I D E N C E C C . E D U e l i t , s e d d o e i - u s m o d t e m p o r u s mEox pdl o tr e m• Vpios irt i n c iAd i dPuPn t Lu tY l a b Ao r eP ePt L Y

G R O U N D E D i n b i b l i c a l t r u t h E D U C A T E D i n t h e c l a s s i c a l l i b e r a l a r t s P R E P A R E D t o b e v i r t u o u s c i t i z e n s P a s a d e n a , C a l i f o r n i a P a s a d e n a , C a l i f o r n i a N O W A C C E P T I N G A P P L I C A T I O N S F O R N O W A C C E P T I N G A P P L I C A T I O N S F O R S P R I N G & F A L L 2 0 2 1 I t i s s t i l l p o s s i b l e t o g e t a g r e a t e d u c a t i o n o n2 t h e0 l e f t2 c o a1s s . I t i s s t i l l p o s s i bWl e wt oo ng ’ett raa dg irceaalti zeed uycoautri okni dosn. t h e l e f t c o a s s . W e w o n ’ t r a d i c a l i z e y o u r k i d s . Sound journalism, grounded in facts and Biblical truth

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