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─────── February 3, 2025 ───────
Happy Monday!
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
“We all long for Eden, and we are constantly glimpsing it: our whole nature at its best and least corrupted, its gentlest and most human, is still soaked with the sense of exile.”
J.R.R. Tolkien
ESPRESSO SHOTS
U.S. NEWS
Two Crashes
Just two days after a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet collided near Washington, D.C., a small plane crashed in Philadelphia.
What do we know about the Philadelphia crash?
On Friday night, a medical transport plane carrying a six-year-old patient, the child’s mother, two medical personnel, and two pilots crashed near a shopping center shortly after takeoff. Everyone on board was killed; on the ground, one person in a car was killed, and at least 22 others were injured.
The child had traveled from Tijuana, Mexico, to the U.S. for medical treatment and was headed back home.
What happened?
A director from Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, which operated the flight, said there was “absolutely no indication” of issues before takeoff. Investigators have recovered the aircraft’s two engines, but the cockpit voice recorder––commonly called a black box––remains missing.
Any updates on the other crash?
Investigators are still determining what led to Wednesday’s deadly collision in D.C., but publicly available data shows the military helicopter was flying above the 200-foot altitude limit meant to keep military and commercial aircraft safely separated.
Separately, a preliminary FAA report found the Reagan National control tower was understaffed (along with 91% of all air traffic facilities in the U.S.), with one air traffic controller handling two positions when the collision occurred.
Anything else?
The political finger-pointing has been fierce in D.C. and on social media. Republicans are (generally) blaming controller shortages on DEI programs, while Democrats are (generally) blaming recent actions by the Trump administration.
(We’re also covering this story on Thursday in Decaf, The Pour Over for Families. Sign up—for free—here.)
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RADIATE HOPE
Christians don’t need to tune out tragedy or downplay the heaviness of this world to hold onto joy and hope. Our Savior Jesus confronted darkness directly and triumphed over it through his death and resurrection.
“So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you. In that day you will not ask me anything. Truly I tell you, anything you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.… I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
John 16:22–23, 33 (CSB) (read full passage)
POLITICS
Trading Goods Tariffs
Uncle Sam is trading fewer goods and more tariffs with his top three trade partners: Canada, Mexico, and China. Combined, the three countries account for ~40% of U.S. trade.
In an executive order signed Saturday, President Trump said the tariffs—25% on imports from Mexico and Canada (10% on Canadian energy products) and 10% on imports from China—are to hold the countries “accountable to their promises of halting illegal immigration and stopping poisonous fentanyl” from entering the U.S.
The order includes provisions for hiking the import tax if the countries impose retaliatory tariffs… which happened almost immediately. Canada and Mexico promised their own 25% tariffs within hours, while China promised legal action against the taxes.
Supporters say the tariffs will boost American manufacturing industries; critics warn the levies could lead to higher inflation.
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Verse to consider whether you’re negotiating with a global power, a difficult coworker, or a cranky toddler… “Seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry for help.”
Psalm 34:14–15 (CSB) (read full passage)
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IN OTHER BREWS…
Hamas released three hostages Saturday, including American citizen Keith Siegel. The North Carolina native was taken from his home in Israel with his wife, Aviva, who was released in November 2023. There remain 79 hostages in Gaza, including six American hostages, four of whom are presumed dead. Roughly 180 Palestinian prisoners were released in Saturday’s exchange.
Venezuela released six imprisoned Americans on Friday. The men, called “hostages” by President Trump, were accused of terrorism and espionage by Venezuela. Securing their release was only half of Special Envoy Richard Grenell’s mission; he also spoke with President Maduro, who agreed to receive deported migrants—including members of a notorious Venezuelan gang—from the U.S.
The Treasury’s looping in DOGE. Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent granted Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency “read only” access to the payment system used for 88% of all federal payments, including Social Security and Medicare. The Treasury will monitor DOGE’s activity while it reviews the payment system’s efficiency. Democrats are raising alarms about non-federal employees gaining access to sensitive information.
The NBA got a big shakeup yesterday when the Dallas Mavericks unexpectedly traded point guard Luka Dončić for L.A. Lakers’ center Anthony Davis. Dončić—who led Dallas to the Finals last season and was expecting a five-year, $345 million contract extension this summer—was reportedly traded over injury concerns; L.A. now hopes to build a new dynasty with the young star.
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter, so… bundle up! (Or don’t; ‘ol Punx is only right about 39% of the time.) Yesterday’s holiday dates back more than a century, but much of America’s obsession with the woodchuck’s weather forecast can be credited to Bill Murray’s 1993 movie Groundhog Day. Thanks, Bill!
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TPO PICKS
Where We’re Taking the Gospel
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What We’re Learning in 2025
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