The Pour Over Today - Friday, September 3, 2021

Episode Date: September 3, 2021

The Supreme Court allows Texas abortion ban to take effect, the Sacklers settle opioid lawsuit, Ida floods the Northeast, and other top news for September 3. Stay informed, while remaining focused on Christ, with The Pour Over.

Happy Friday, it's September 3rd and you're listening to The Pour Over. We aim to keep Christians informed on what's happening in the world while staying focused on Christ. Here's the quote of the day, Man cannot live without joy. Therefore, when he is deprived of true spiritual joys, it is necessary that he become addicted to carnal pleasures. St. Thomas Aquinas Let's get started with some espresso shots. St. Thomas Aquinas. Let's get started with some espresso shots.

The Sackler family owns Purdue Pharma, which declared bankruptcy after drowning in lawsuits for manufacturing and shilling out the highly addictive opioid OxyContin. This week, Judge Drain approved a $4.3 billion settlement paid out of the Sacklers' personal fortune, but with a few key features. The Sackler family will, one, admit no wrongdoing, and two, receive complete immunity from future lawsuits. The judge described this outcome as bitter, expressing frustration that the family will retain $11 billion of their allegedly ill-gotten fortune, but closed by saying it was the best deal the negotiators could get. The settlement money will be used to help communities combat the opioid epidemic, and the Sacklers will lose control of Purdue Pharma. Several appeals have already been filed. We live in a sinful, unfair, and broken world. But as Christians, we have the privilege of

knowing that this isn't our home. Even as we work and pray for peace and justice, we can take comfort knowing that all things will ultimately be made right. Revelation 21.4 says, He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. The remnants of Hurricane Ida blew through the Northeast yesterday, causing tornadoes, power outages, and historic flooding throughout large parts of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. This wasn't like, grab your galoshes flooding. This was more like, grab your chest-high waders flooding. Parts of New York City and New Jersey saw more than three inches of rain in an hour,

which broke a 94-year record in Central Park. The flooding prompted the first-ever official flash flood warning in New York City and led to some incredible footage. Train and subway services had to be suspended throughout the region, and both New York and New Jersey have declared states of emergency. Tragically, the storms led to the deaths of at least 42 people in the region, and officials expect that number to rise. As your neighbors around the country face the challenges 42 people in the region, and officials expect that number to rise. As your neighbors around the country face the challenges of rebuilding after the storm, seek ways to show them that they aren't alone. If you can't be there to lend a hand,

consider giving to organizations that are aiding in the relief effort. Hebrews 13 16 says, do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. It just became a lot harder to get an abortion in the Lone Star State. Yesterday, in a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court allowed a Texas law that bans all abortions where a fetal heartbeat is present, which is around six weeks. This is the earliest stage abortion ban to take effect since the passing of Roe v. Wade. Most controversially, the law offers $10,000 to anyone who wins a lawsuit that can prove someone performed, aided, or abetted an illegal abortion in Texas. Advocates say the provision is forcing abortion clinics to take the law seriously, but critics have been calling it an immoral bounty program. The ruling allows the ban to take effect while other appeals play out, but it does not comment on whether the law itself is constitutional.

When discussing divisive topics such as abortion, remember that both your stance and how you take your stance reflect on Christ. Ephesians 4.29 says, Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as good for building up as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. In other brews, we've got a rapid round of updates. High school football isn't usually newsworthy,

but what about a match between the best team in the country and a team from a school that isn't real? Bishop Sycamore, a school without students, staff, or building, played IMG Academy last week on ESPN. How this all happened? We're just as confused as you are. A student was killed Wednesday in a shooting at Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The suspect, who was believed to also be a student, fled the scene and evaded capture. After four hours, the police took him into custody without incident.

29 students from Sacramento, California, are stranded in Afghanistan following the United States' withdrawal. They are among many who still wish to leave the country, including 150,000 vulnerable Afghan citizens who assisted the U.S. Army over the last two decades. If you're Team Moderna, a recent study suggests your vaccine created twice as many antibodies as members of the Pfizer fam. Both companies are seeking FDA approval for a third booster shot. Regardless of which vaccine you got or didn't get, there's some good news. Brazilian scientists say that COVID-19 can now be treated with viper venom.

Well, thank you so much for joining us today. We hope you have a great weekend and we'll see you back on Monday.