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Buckeye Bushwa View in browser If you don’t live in Ohio, you’ve probably been blissfully free from thinking about Vivek Ramaswamy since the 2024 Republican presidential primary, which he left after arousing the visceral dislike of pretty much all of his rivals, as well as many voters. Ramaswamy, who’s now running for Ohio governor, is back in the national spotlight this week, once again in extremely unflattering fashion, because of a campaign ad targeting the Democratic candidate Amy Acton. Acton, a first-time candidate, has leaned heavily on her inspiring biography: She has spoken about experiencing homelessness as well as being raped by her stepfather as a child; she later waited tables and delivered newspapers to put herself through medical school, eventually becoming the director of the Ohio Department of Health. Most recent polls have shown Acton with a small advantage over Ramaswamy, which may be why his campaign resorted to the appalling commercial. The spot features Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, accusing her of being an inveterate liar. “She’s lied her entire life,” Arthur says. “My daughter needs help, and she can’t help you if she needs help herself.” The ad immediately drew both outrage and debunkings. “It’s not surprising that Vivek Ramaswamy has stooped to such a despicable low as to attempt to turn the sexual abuse Amy endured at 12 years old from our birth mother’s husband into a political talking point,” Acton’s brother said in a statement. National Review, the conservative magazine, pointed out that court documents provide extensive backup for Acton’s claims, as does contemporary press coverage. She was removed from her mother’s custody at the time; her mother’s husband, Cledith Arthur, whom she accused, left the state after being indicted for sexual assault. He pleaded not guilty and died in 2004. For a campaign to cast doubt on a rival’s account of childhood sexual abuse is shocking; to do so despite such evidence is despicable. For years, influential MAGA figures insisted that a conspiracy of pedophiles was running the government and other influential institutions. Now some of them treat pedophilia as no big deal. The Trump administration has tried to downplay the case of Jeffrey Epstein, the late sexual predator who was at one time a close friend of the president’s and maintained ties to other administration officials as well. Ramaswamy is opting to dismiss allegations of pedophilia and use them to smear an opponent. At an event earlier this year, he said that Acton has no vision “other than to complain about what someone else did to her.” Despite his previous willingness to mock Acton’s abuse, Ramaswamy’s campaign didn’t initially claim the ad. It first became public on Monday via the colorful Buckeye State political blogger D. J. Byrnes, known as the Rooster. The version he posted, received from a tipster, didn’t feature any explanation of who had paid for it. But Ramaswamy has since gone all-in. “It is an ad from our campaign,” Ramaswamy said at an event last night. “I would love for this race and this election to be about the substantive issues that impact Ohioans. And unfortunately, Amy Acton has been hiding from those issues.” Axios reports that Ramaswamy (who recently loaned his own campaign $5 million) will spend $4 million airing it. “This is a campaign-ending moment for Amy Acton,” his campaign manager, Jonathan Ewing, said. “The people who know her best keep warning Ohioans about her.” This is bold, if not wise: The ad has generated widespread condemnation. Even some right-wing influencers who initially spread it, such as Jackie Chea, have had second thoughts: “I have no idea if Amy’s abuse allegations are true, but if they are, then her mother is the monster … I regret framing the post as if Amy was lying about her mother when I can’t be sure about that.” Another, Dan Bostic, wrote, “I’ve never in my life seen someone do something so stupid. It’s hard to even wrap my brain around how someone could possess such horrible political instinct.” (Laura Loomer continues to endorse it, which is telling in its own way. Vice President Vance, meanwhile, was “disgusted”—but by Republican doubters, not by the commercial. He suggested that anything is justified in the name of winning elections. “Whether the ad was appropriate or not is not really my concern,” he said in Cincinnati today, telling his “fellow elected Republicans” to “stop whining about an advertisement.”) On the other side of the aisle, liberals see the ad as suicidal. “I am very confident that this ad will backfire and blow up in Ramaswamy’s face,” Dan Pfeiffer, a former aide to Barack Obama, wrote. Any predictions now are premature: Knowing how convincing the ad will be, compared with the backlash, is impossible. But the ad is another example of how Ramaswamy’s obnoxious personality has turned a race that should have been a safe GOP win into a toss-up. The candidate’s favorability rating is deeply negative. His fellow Republicans continue to dislike him. The outgoing governor, Mike DeWine, whose occasional pangs of conscience make him a profile in near-courage, clearly dreaded endorsing his fellow Republican. And although the national environment is friendly to Democratic candidates this year, no Democrat has won a governor’s race in Ohio since 2006; Donald Trump won the state three times. Acton is a first-time candidate most famous for her association with COVID public-health measures, neither of which is an obvious asset. If Ramaswamy loses, there will be no question about who was responsible. Related: The 2026 midterms must-watch list Vivek Ramaswamy’s truth (From 2023)

Many states deciding control of the Senate are seeing a big boost in early voting, AP analysis shows WASHINGTON (AP) — Voter turnout is soaring compared with the last midterm election in many of the states that are expected to decide control of the U.S. Senate, according to an Associated Press analysis of early voting two weeks before Election Day. https://apnews.com/article/election-2026-midterms-voting-early-turnout-44df2c18b387d28022dbb480e99feaba?

Cryptocurrency companies can keep paying interest-like rewards, say federal bank regulators Cryptocurrency companies can continue to pay interest-like rewards to customers, federal regulators said Wednesday, despite warnings from banks that such programs could drain trillions of dollars in deposits from the banking system. Read More.

Malaysia bans civil servants from using navigation app Waze, citing data risks over Israeli links Malaysia on Wednesday banned civil servants from using the navigation application Waze, citing data security concerns due to its Israeli links. Read More.

Trump brings a last-minute rally boost to Darline Graham in South Carolina's US Senate race President Donald Trump will visit South Carolina on Wednesday to boost U.S. Sen. Darline Graham, whose stumbles in her first campaign since replacing her late brother have Democratic voters hopeful — but not necessarily optimistic — that their candidate can break Republicans' grip on the state. Read More. Maine Sen. Collins enlists ex-Democratic colleague Manchin in effort to highlight her independence Maine Republican Susan Collins has promoted her reputation as one of the most independent U.S. senators and she is using the waning days of the election season to sell that message to voters by campaigning with a former Democratic colleague who has endorsed her. Read More.

Africa CDC calls an Ebola crisis summit as Nigeria records its first case African health ministers were invited Wednesday to an “extraordinary virtual meeting” to discuss the spread of Ebola after Nigeria reported its first case of the disease that has claimed thousands of lives and has spread rapidly since an outbreak began in Congo in May. Read More.

How the Mecca defense agreement between Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will work Turkey’s government has asked parliament to ratify a mutual defense agreement it signed with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, bringing the country closer to bolstering Saudi defenses as it faces attacks from Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Read More.

Ebola has spread from Congo to 4 other countries. A look at where things stand Ebola disease from the fast-moving outbreak in Congo has now spread to four other countries, including two where it's active. It has spread farther across Africa than any previous Ebola outbreak, reaching three regions. Read More.

Nvidia CEO encourages Europe's lagging AI sector and offers tools to accelerate data center buildout Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang urged players in Europe's lagging artificial intelligence industry to get going and touted a modular system to quickly build AI data centers with the massive computing capacity the continent's developers need but currently lack. Read More.

Google DeepMind Engineer Resigns in Protest of Pentagon Contract Sofia Liguori, a research engineer working at DeepMind, resigned in protest this week from Google’s pioneering artificial intelligence laboratory. Unlike a wave of other AI researchers who have quit over fears AI might someday turn against humanity, Liguori stepped down over concern about her employer’s current practices. https://theintercept.com/2026/10/21/google-deepmind-resign-ai-military-gaza/? Mike Rogers Spent $100K on Private Jets and Luxury Travel Last Quarter The Republican candidate for Senate in Michigan spent more than $40,000 to cover a single private jet bill last month, according to campaign finance records reviewed by The Intercept. The five-figure ticket was part of over $100,000 worth of campaign cash Rogers spent on luxury travel last quarter, most of it on private jet trips. https://theintercept.com/2026/10/19/michigan-senate-mike-rogers-spending-private-jets/? The Army Wants to Sic AI Agents on Its Enemies. What Could Go Wrong? As global governments and tech giants reckon with widespread revelations of autonomous AI agents unexpectedly breaking into computer systems, documents obtained by The Intercept show the U.S. Army is looking to harness that exact technology to seek and destroy. https://theintercept.com/2026/10/19/army-autonomous-ai-agents-arcyber/? Trump’s Obsession With Somalia Isn’t Just Racist. It’s Been Lethal. The Trump administration is waging a multi-pronged war on Somali people, painting them as criminals, murderers, and terrorists and using multiple federal agencies to target them at home and abroad. The campaign includes military attacks in Somalia, as well as arrests, deportations, and the weaponization of federal law enforcement agencies against immigrants and the Somali American community in the United States, including the recent use of Homeland Security agents as a goon squad to target Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar. https://theintercept.com/2026/10/21/trump-ilhan-omar-somalia-war/? Kohen Wiley’s Family Says Investigators Didn’t Contact Them Before Concluding Cops Did No Wrong For months, the residents of Senatobia, Mississippi, have waited with a mix of dread and anticipation for state authorities to decide what, if anything, they plan to do about the killing of Kohen Wiley. Ever since the 1-year-old child was shot by a white police officer outside a local Walmart in June, organizers have held protests and press conferences outside the town’s city hall to call for accountability — or even a simple acknowledgment — for the loss of the Black toddler. https://theintercept.com/2026/10/20/kohen-wiley-police-shooting-mississippi/? Yemenis Unable to Reach Hospital Are Part of the Iran War Death Toll SANA’A, Yemen — For more than two weeks, Abdullah laid at home in al-Silw district, in Yemen’s besieged southwestern governorate of Taiz, as his body slowly failed. https://theintercept.com/2026/10/20/yemenis-dialysis-houthi-blockade-iran-war/?

Former Windows Lead Says Windows 11's Best Upgrade Is 'Not Usable Yet' Ex-Windows chief Mikhail Parakhin took to social media to call out Microsoft over missing taskbar features. https://www.pcmag.com/news/former-windows-lead-says-windows-11s-best-upgrade-is-not-usable-yet?

Ancient Cyprus in Florida This head of a colossal male statue, which once may have stood nearly 15 feet tall, reportedly comes from the site of Golgoi in the central lowlands of Cyprus. Dated to the late seventh or early sixth century BCE, the limestone statue was among several hundred such pieces and other ritual objects excavated in the 1870s by the then-U.S. consul at Larnaka, Luigi Palma di Cesnola. During the first millennium BCE, Golgoi was a religious and artistic hub with a temple dedicated to Apollo. As votive statues kept accumulating at the sanctuary, many had to be ritually buried to make room for new dedications. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/exhibits-events/ancient-cyprus-in-florida/? Paul’s First Missionary Journey through Perga and Pisidian Antioch Paul’s first missionary journey took him from Cyprus into the heart of Anatolia. Why did Paul and Barnabas choose the treacherous path through Perga to Pisidian Antioch? In “Why Perga? Paul’s Perilous Passage through Pisidia” in the November/December 2013 issue of BAR, Mark R. Fairchild explores archaeological evidence of the likely presence of Jewish communities on the way. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/new-testament/pauls-first-missionary-journey-through-perga-and-pisidian-antioch/?

* For many years, clergy have been alloed to opt out of Social Seclulrity tax payments. Doing so also meant tlhat the person could not recieve such paylments. The decision to opt out could not be changed. Currently about 2,000 clergy each year opt out. * On October 20, 2026. President Trump signed a new law that has given such clergy a 2-year window to join Social lSecurityl. that window occurs in 2029 ad 2030.. * Clergy who participate in Social Secuirity pay a 15.5% self-emploed tax, instead of the 7.75% employed tax. * To recieve Social Seculrity benefits, one must generally have paid the taxes for 40-quarters, or 10-years. * This means that it may be of no benefit to older clergy to begin paying the social security tax. * Thanks to SDA Attorney Michael for proving me with this information.

A central issue is tithing. Many people have been taught that we are obliged to tithe to avoid the curse of Malachi 3. Our responsibility is to tithe; then it is the responsibility of the conference to handle the tithe. We were taught to trust God to see that the tithe is responsibly dispersed. If the conference decides to use the money to pay women or homosexuals to pastor churches, it is not our problem. What the administration decides is what God wants, more or less. As long as we give, we are OK, so we are taught. I guess anyone foolish enough to believe that would be fine having a female or homosexual pastor. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis does not admit women into the ministerial track. They can become deaconesses, not pastors. If I remember correctly one of the rationales for admitting women into the pastorate was that the SDA seminary had taken their money for professional training. It would be unjust to deprive them of the opportunity to use the education they paid for. Midwestern Baptist seminary has an MDiv program for women; however, it plainly states that this cannot lead to a pastoral position The SDA denomination has simply been poorly managed or cleverly so, on this issue. These t wo major denominations recognize what SDA do not. Women should not be overseers of congregations

I agree with you, the Chick publications were offensive. It looks like they have not changed. https://www.chick.com/information/article-listing?subject=catholicism I am sure some were converted from those publications, however, how many were deeply offended? I live in a Catholic country. I have met MANY deeply devoted Catholics here. These people are doing what they think is right and what God wants from them. It is not our job to convert those people. It is the job of the Holy Spirit. It seems to me that the Chick publications are trying to do the work of the Holy Spirit.

I also watched some of these sessions on the GC YouTube channel. It's wonderful that the membership can view this process for themselves. He has an office at the GC too. I am sure P. Wilson has many powerful friends. I suspect they are treating him well so to soften the blow of being replaced. Almost all of these people are pastors and very considerate of peoples feelings. His opinions can be valuable. His point on the completely revised church manual, was well received. He advised caution, otherwise the GC session could go from 10 days to 30 days. I am very excited with our new leadership. However, I still want to hear what P. Wilson has to say.

It’s estimated that 33 million people and 1 in 13 children in the United States have a food allergy, according to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE). Although any food can cause an allergy, the Food and Drug Administration suggests that nine foods account for 90%Trusted Source of allergic reactions. Like a tree nut allergy, peanut allergies are very common and can cause severe and potentially fatal allergic reactions. The two conditions are considered distinct because peanuts are legumes. However, up to 40% of people with peanut allergies are also allergic to at least one tree nut. It’s estimated that over 6.2 million people in the United States have a peanut allergy, according to FARE. It’s the most common allergy in people ages 18 years and younger. However, 20%Trusted Source of children who develop a peanut allergy may find it resolves as they move into their teenage years. A tree nut allergy is an allergy to some of the nuts and seeds that come from trees. It’s a common food allergy that may affect up to 3%Trusted Source of people worldwide. Some examples of tree nuts include: Brazil nuts almonds cashews macadamia nuts pistachios pine nuts walnuts An allergy to cow’s milk is one of the most common childhood allergies, affecting 2–3%Trusted Source of babies and toddlers. Around 90% of children will outgrow the condition by the time they’re 3 years old, making it much less common in adults. Allergic reactions to cow’s milk may occur within minutes of consuming milk or up to several hours later. The only treatment for a cow’s milk allergy is to avoid it altogether. This includes foods and drinks that contain cow’s milk, such as: milk powder cheese butter margarine yogurt cream ice cream An egg allergy is the second most commonTrusted Source cause of food allergy in children. However, 68% of children allergic to eggs outgrow their allergy by the age of 16 years. It’s possible to be allergic to egg whites but not the yolks, and vice versa. This is because the proteins in egg whites and egg yolks differ slightly. Like other allergies, the treatmentTrusted Source for an egg allergy is an egg-free diet. However, you may not have to avoid all egg-related foods. A 2019 study found that nearly 67%Trusted Source of children with an egg allergy could tolerate eating muffins containing a cooked egg component. Heating eggs may change the shape of the allergy-causing proteins, which could stop your body from seeing them as harmful. ResearchTrusted Source also suggests that introducing baked goods to children with an egg allergy can shorten the time it takes for them to outgrow the condition. However, the results are conflicting, and more data is needed to confirm this. Speak with a healthcare professional before eating egg-containing foods if you’re allergic to eggs, as the consequences of ingesting eggs when you’re allergic to them can be severe. A wheat allergy is an allergic response to one of the proteins found in wheat. It’s more common in children, but they’ll often outgrow it by age 10 yearsTrusted Source. Wheat allergies may cause symptoms similar to celiac disease and food intolerances like non-celiac gluten sensitivity. However, a wheat allergy causes an immune-mediated response to one of the hundreds of proteins found in wheat. Celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity are caused by an abnormal reaction to glutenTrusted Source, which is one specific protein that also happens to be found in wheat. Allergic reactions to protein can be severe and sometimes even fatal. Celiac disease may also be fatalTrusted Source if left undiagnosed, though this is rare as most can successfully avoid gluten. Soy allergies are triggered by a protein in soybeans or soybean-containing products. They affect up to 0.5% of children and are most commonly seen in infants and children under 3 years old. Around 70% of children eventually outgrow the allergy. Symptoms can range from an itchy, tingly mouth and runny nose to a rash and asthma or breathing difficulties. In rare cases, a soy allergy can also cause anaphylaxis. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/common-food-allergies#faq

Women in The Church (III) - LCMS

They had a son. Also a preacher of sorts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eahyI8z2R_Q 2 minute video about his church.

There are two YouTube channels by some younger guys. They look like late twenty or early thirties. Their channels are about the christian church and how they have driven the men out. How the church has been feminized. It seems to me that they are talking about mainline Baptists, but the things they say can also apply to Adventist's. Although even the Baptists will not allow Ordained women. Imagine that. A day when the Baptists are more strict than the Adventist's.

Well as an old man, I have seen the change in American women. They have been fighting American men for 30-40 years. That fight has spilled into the church. Women's attitude toward men has changed completely in that time. I am not surprised by their need to assert themselves in the church.

I remember that video.

I read Jim Bakker's book "I was Wrong." While in prison, he was harassed by a "Big Black Bubba" sort of guy. "Bubba" would drop by Bakker's cell, compliment him, tell him he was "cute," and make subtle and overt sexual remarks. Bakker described his absolute fear of being raped. Ultimately, he found the grit to stand up to "Bubba." He told him that he would never submit to his abominations, would fight with every ounce of his strength. "Bubba" sensed he meant it. "Bubba" stopped coming 'round. Jim left prison "intact." Good on him!

Fighting words French President Emmanuel Macron had some choice words for foreign leaders after President Donald Trump weighed in on the country’s unrest. See what prompted his sharp response.