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10 Things That Make People Fight — And How to Win With Self-Control

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10 Things That Make People Fight — And How to Win With Self-Control Why do people fight? Most fights don’t start “out of the blue.” They happen when something precious—our pride, our family, our money, or our beliefs—feels threatened. By recognizing the common triggers of anger, we can learn to pause, practice self-control, and avoid destructive outcomes. The Bible doesn’t shy away from these struggles—it shows us both the dangers of uncontrolled anger and the power of self-control. 1. Disrespect or Insults Words cut deep. Public humiliation often leads to conflict. Nabal insulted David’s men, and David prepared for revenge until Abigail’s wisdom cooled his anger (1 Samuel 25). “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1) 2. Jealousy and Rivalry Romantic jealousy or envy of others often sparks violence. Cain killed Abel when God accepted Abel’s offering and not his (Genesis 4:3–8). “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confus...

Nuclear Fusion: Where We Stand in Turning the Power of the Stars into Electricity

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  Nuclear Fusion: Where We Stand in Turning the Power of the Stars into Electricity For decades, nuclear fusion has been described as the  “holy grail of clean energy” —a virtually limitless power source that could one day light up our cities, power our industries, and reshape our energy future. Unlike fossil fuels, fusion does not emit carbon dioxide. Unlike nuclear fission, it does not generate long-lived radioactive waste or carry the same risk of catastrophic accidents. Fusion, in essence, is the process that powers the Sun and all the stars. If we can replicate and control it here on Earth, we could revolutionize the way humanity produces energy. But where do we stand today? Are we truly close to harnessing fusion for practical electrical power plants, or is it still decades away? Let’s take a deep look at the science, progress, challenges, and current outlook of nuclear fusion. What Is Nuclear Fusion? At its core, nuclear fusion is the process of  fusing light atomi...

Look and Live: The Bronze Serpent and the Cross of Christ

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Look and Live: The Bronze Serpent and the Cross of Christ A Camp in Crisis The wilderness journey in  Numbers 21  tells one of the most dramatic stories in the Bible. The people of Israel were tired, discouraged, and angry as they wandered through the desert. They complained against God and Moses, saying they hated the manna from heaven and feared they would die in the wilderness. In response, God allowed  venomous serpents  to enter the camp. Their bites brought burning pain and death. Everywhere, families were crying, people were collapsing, and the nation realized their sin had led to judgment. The poison spread quickly, and there was no cure. A Strange Cure The people begged Moses to pray for deliverance, and God gave him an unusual instruction: "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live." (Numbers 21:8, NKJV) Moses fashioned a  bronze serpent  and lifted it high on a pole wh...

Texas vs. California: Gerrymandering, Redistricting, and the Law

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Content:  In recent weeks, both Texas and California have moved aggressively on redistricting—each in very different ways. Texas: Mid-Decade Redistricting Texas lawmakers pushed through a mid-decade redistricting plan that increases Republican representation in Congress by roughly five seats. Supporters argue the map is legal under state law, but critics say it dilutes minority voting strength and violates the Voting Rights Act. Courts are expected to decide its fate. California: Counter-Redistricting via Proposition 50 In response, California approved a ballot measure (Proposition 50) to let voters decide on a new congressional map favoring Democrats. If passed this November, the map would be temporary—lasting through 2030—before reverting back to the state’s independent redistricting commission. Though controversial, this path is legally defensible because it comes through a voter-approved constitutional amendment. The Bigger Picture: Gerrymandering in America Both cases highligh...

The FairTax: It's Not What You Think It Is

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The FairTax: It's Not What You Think It Is Setting the Record Straight on America's Most Misunderstood Tax Reform Proposal If you think you know what the FairTax is, there's a good chance you're wrong. Despite being around for decades and detailed in HR 25 (the Fair Tax Act), this comprehensive tax reform proposal is consistently mischaracterized—even by people who claim to understand it. The most common mistake? Thinking it's just another flat tax. It's not. Not even close. What the FairTax Actually Is The FairTax, as outlined in HR 25 and extensively detailed in "The FairTax Book" by Neal Boortz and John Linder, is a complete replacement of our current federal tax system with a single national retail sales tax. But here's what makes it revolutionary: It's a Consumption Tax, Not an Income Tax Unlike a flat tax (which is still an income tax with a single rate), the FairTax completely eliminates: Federal income taxes Payroll taxes (Social Securi...

Can ranked-choice voting (RCV) be manipulated or “stacked”?

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Yes —  ranked-choice voting (RCV)  can be  manipulated or “stacked” , though it is more resistant to traditional forms of election rigging than plurality voting. However,  strategic behavior ,  ballot design choices , and  candidate coordination  can still influence outcomes. Here are  ways the “deck can be stacked” in RCV : 1.  Candidate Cloning or "Crowding the Field" A group can  run multiple similar candidates  to dominate the ranked preferences of their voter base. If those candidates are eliminated, the votes transfer to another preferred candidate from the same faction. This is a subtle way of  amplifying one ideology or group’s influence  across the rankings. Example:  A progressive bloc could run three similar candidates, knowing that their base will rank all three at the top. If the first two are eliminated, their votes naturally go to the third. 2.  Strategic Ranking Recommendations Campaigns can ...

Is Ranked-Choice Voting: A Better Way to Elect Leaders?

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Ranked-Choice Voting: A Better Way to Elect Leaders? Introduction Ranked-choice voting (RCV) is gaining momentum across the United States as a reform aimed at making elections more fair, inclusive, and representative. In a political landscape often dominated by divisive campaigns and strategic voting, RCV offers voters more power and more voice. But what exactly is ranked-choice voting, and how does it work? What are its advantages and drawbacks? And can it truly improve American democracy? What Is Ranked-Choice Voting? Ranked-choice voting, sometimes called  instant-runoff voting , allows voters to  rank candidates in order of preference  rather than choosing just one. On the ballot, voters mark their  first-choice candidate , then their  second choice ,  third , and so on (usually up to 5 candidates, depending on the jurisdiction). Here's how the process works: First-choice votes  are counted. If a candidate receives more than  50% of first-choi...