The highly regarded Pew Research Center has released its latest analysis of the religious beliefs of Americans and consequently acquired its usual major media headlines. The Washington Post version led: “nones — nonreligious Americans — increasing in U.S.” National Public Radio announced: “nones are now the largest group in the U.S.‚” ahead of “Catholics and Evangelicals.” As usual‚ the facts were somewhat more complex than the media reported. The Pew report itself shows that most nones are not necessarily nonreligious. But as its own more detailed chapter data demonstrate‚ the nones concept has been pushed too far. And Pew’s reported percent of nones had actually declined marginally since 2019‚ (although it has increased substantially over 50 years). At 28 percent‚ nones were marginally larger than the 26 percent of Evangelicals or 25 percent of Catholics. But this is well below the 40 percent of all Protestants‚ much less the 60 percent of Christians‚ or 70 percent of all with a formal religion. (READ MORE from Donald Devine: Does Economic Recession Loom in Our Future?) Pew actually created its “nones” category by combining three separate groups even to arrive at the 28 percent total: 17 percent of this group actually defined themselves as atheists‚ 20 percent as agnostics‚ and 63 percent (or only 18 percent of the grand total) as “Nothing in Particular;” that is‚ as not affiliated with any specific religion.   But the first two groups are quite different‚ having very specific belief histories opposing religion‚ while Pew concedes that the “nothings” have extremely complex‚ not especially nonreligious ideas about it. For example‚ while atheists and agnostics mostly reject the idea of God or a higher power‚ only a third of the “nothing in particulars” do so.   In its main summary section‚ Pew reports its results for all the “nones” groups together against those “affiliated” with all traditional religions‚ which naturally became the focus for the mass media reports on it.  Actually‚ the full Pew report included eight other separate chapters with more detailed breakdowns of the separate nones groups‚ which will be discussed below. But Pew’s main summary report itself is sufficient to refute the progressive decline-of-religion theme emphasized by the mainstream media. Right at the beginning of its main report‚ Pew’s summary of results reads:  Most “nones” believe in God or another higher power. But very few go to religious services regularly.  Most say religion does some harm‚ but many also think it does some good. They are not uniformly anti-religious.   Most “nones” reject the idea that science can explain everything. But they express more positive views of science than religiously affiliated Americans do. This summary alone shows that the mainstream media substantially erred by simply headlining the nones as nonreligious. Pew did also say that “many [nones] are critical of religious institutions and are less participant in organizations generally‚” and that‚ “Most say religion causes a variety of problems in society — like intolerance or superstition.”  But many “nones” also say that religion helps give people meaning and purpose‚ and that it can encourage people to treat each other well. Overall‚ 43% of “nones” say religion does more harm than good in society‚ while 14% say it does more good than harm; 41% say religion does equal amounts of good and harm. The summary report added‚ 63% of “nones” say “there is something spiritual beyond the natural world‚ even if we cannot see it.” And 56% of “nones” say there are some things that science just can’t explain … About half of nones say spirituality is very important in their lives or say they think of themselves as spiritual.  On the claim that nones substitute rational science for religion‚ Pew reported‚  Most “nones” say science does more good than harm in American society‚ and on average “nones” are much more positive about science than are religiously affiliated people. At the same time‚ most “nones” believe there are limits to what science can do. For example‚ 44% of “nones” say there is a scientific explanation for everything‚ while 56% say there are some things science can’t possibly explain. Clearly‚ the mainstream media’s pro nones-bias led it astray. But the Pew report itself confused things by burdening the “nothings” (as we call the “nothing in particulars” by themselves) to carry the burden of the atheists and agnostics within the broader “nones” category. By adding them to the nones‚ Pew makes the “nothings” appear substantially more anti-religious and progressive-liberal than they actually are. For‚ with atheists at 17 percent of the nones category and agnostics at 20 percent‚ this represents almost 40 percent of the “nones” reported beliefs‚ which are often quite different than what the “nothings in particular” alone believe. (READ MORE: Thank Media’s Toxic Culture Wars for Today’s Universal Unhappiness) It is reported‚ for example‚ that 70 percent of nones believe in God or a higher power. But 77 percent of atheists do not believe in either‚ suppressing the fact that 83 percent of nothings by themselves do believe‚ putting nothings right at the U.S. national average. Or‚ when asked if there is “something spiritual beyond the natural world even if we cannot see it‚” or‚ instead‚  whether “the natural world is all there is‚” 75 percent of atheists say there is only this world. But 75 percent of nothings say there is a world beyond. When asked if humans have a soul or spirit beyond their bodily existence‚ the nones total is misleadingly increased by the fact 69 percent of atheists say humans do not have such a spirit — while 78 percent of nothings say they do. Only 4 percent of atheists and 18 percent of agnostics believe in Heaven compared to 51 percent of nothings who do.  Even 41 percent of nothings believe in a Hell‚ compared to merely 13 percent of agnostics and 3 percent of atheists. In evaluating the overall effect of religion‚ 73 percent of atheists say religion does more harm than good‚ as do 51 percent of agnostics. But only 33 percent of nothings choose religion “does more harm than good.” Nones views on science replacing religion are similarly distorted. When asked to choose between the belief that “there is a scientific explanation for everything even if we do not understand how everything works‚” and the statement that “there are some things science cannot possibly explain” — 78 percent of atheists and 54 percent of agnostics but only 31 percent of nothings choose the science explanation for everything. Actually‚ 68 percent of nothings chose the more religious‚ limited-science ability to explain everything. The Pew Center and its impressive surveys represent an invaluable resource for understanding world and U.S. public opinion. Its reports have been essential for my own understanding as a longtime political scientist writing on policy and public opinion. Pew’s “nones” concept has been incredibly successful in attracting popular media to its resources and conclusions. But as its own more detailed chapter data demonstrate‚ the nones concept has been pushed too far. The term “nothings” is probably not the answer either but the conceptual separation of atheists and agnostics from whatever might replace it is essential. As an old survey data analyst‚ I understand the desire to increase the size of public opinion subset categories; but Pew’s own chapter data make the case that they should be separate categories. Earlier Pew analysis had shown that “nothings” may even switch back and forth to religion over time‚ suggesting some dynamic between them‚ while atheism and agnosticism clearly deserve their own separate designations.  (READ MORE: The FBI’s Own History Exposes the Often-Rogue Agency) In the meantime‚ thank you Pew Center for providing sufficient data to understand how the three separate groups responded and how they differ more than they agree on religion. Donald Devine is a Senior Scholar at the Fund for American Studies in Washington‚ D.C. He served as President Ronald Reagan’s civil service director during the president’s first term in office. A former professor‚ he is the author of 11 books‚ including his most recent‚ The Enduring Tension: Capitalism and the Moral Order‚ and Ronald Reagan’s Enduring Principles — and is a frequent contributor to The American Spectator. The post Apples and Oranges: Atheists‚ Agnostics‚ and Nothings appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.

The Coca-Cola Company‚ the quintessential American multinational that is the world’s largest non-alcoholic beverages enterprise‚ is in the process of addressing the most consequential force majeure political risk it faces for the remainder of this century: China—U.S. geostrategic tension that very likely will lead to economic warfare and possibly military confrontation.  Coca-Cola was blindsided by the U.S. government’s overwhelming response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022: comprehensive economic warfare against Russia and extensive military support for Ukraine. The U.S. and India … have converging vital geostrategic interests in seeking to counterbalance China. The Company was forced to completely exit from the Russian market and recognize a loss of $96 million‚ which fortunately was not significant.  If the adage‚ “once bitten‚ twice shy” is a truism‚ then it is reasonable to assume that Coca-Cola has a strategy to immunize itself against China political risk.  Surprisingly‚ investment analysts have not exhibited any curiosity as to what such a strategy might be and‚ not surprisingly‚ the company has refrained from discussing it.  Consequently‚ one must connect the dots of publicly available information to decode Coca-Cola’s strategy to address its China challenge.  The picture that emerges is quite reassuring. The China Challenge in Context Simply put‚ China matters.  Although Russia may be characterized as a 1 percent problem‚ China is a 10 percent plus problem.  After all‚ according to the World Bank‚ China is the world’s largest economy with a 2022 GDP (in terms of purchasing power parity or PPP) of $30 trillion‚ which completely dwarf’s Russia’s GDP of $5 trillion and is ahead of America’s GDP of $25 trillion.  From the perspective of Coca-Cola‚ addressing its China political risk challenge has three facets: (1) purchase of investments of Chinese-controlled entities in U.S. bottlers of Coca-Cola‚ (2) sale of the Company’s investments in Coca-Cola bottlers in China and surrounding countries within China’s sphere of influence‚ and (3) developing alternatives to Coca-Cola sales of concentrates to bottlers in China and to Chinese-controlled bottlers outside China. Bottom line: Coca-Cola has yet to address the first facet but may be preparing to make a move‚ while it has made considerable progress on the other two fronts. So‚ let’s connect the dots. Acquisition of Chinese Investments in US Bottlers of Coca-Cola The Swire Group‚ which has extensive business interests and deep roots in China since the 1860s‚ is among the top five Coca-Cola bottlers world-wide. Swire Coca-Cola‚ wholly owned by the Swire Group‚ is a key Coca-Cola bottler in the western United States‚ with a franchise area covering 13 states.  The Swire Group is also a major Coca-Cola bottler in Greater China‚ including 11 provinces‚ plus Shanghai‚ Hong Kong‚ and Taiwan. From a China political risk perspective‚ the Swire Group as a practical matter is a Chinese entity.  Ultimately‚ the only way Coca-Cola can eliminate Chinese political risk within its U.S. bottling system is to acquire the Swire Group’s U.S. bottling franchises and‚ at an appropriate time‚ refranchise them to a suitable non-Chinese partner.  In September 2023‚ in an intragroup restructuring involving the cash sale of Swire Coca-Cola’s U.S. operations by Swire Pacific (Hong Kong) to its controlling shareholder‚ John Swire &; Sons Ltd (UK)‚ the U.S. bottling business was valued at about $4 billion.  There is now a clear path‚ including a valuation benchmark‚ for a possible Coca-Cola transaction to acquire the U.S. bottling operations of the Swire Group that helps address a key facet of the company’s China political risk challenge.  The critical importance of such a potential transaction is manifest‚ so the company is likely to make a decisive move sometime in 2024. Coca-Cola Divestments in China‚ Cambodia‚ and Vietnam In 2022‚ Coca-Cola divested its minority interest in the Coca-Cola bottling operations in China to the majority owner‚ COFCO (a Chinese state-owned enterprise)‚ and sold its wholly owned Coca-Cola bottling operations in Vietnam and Cambodia for an aggregate amount of about $1.3 billion cash to Swire Pacific (HK)‚ part of the Swire Group.  As a consequence‚ Coca-Cola has successfully eliminated its exposure as a shareholder in the manufacturing‚ bottling‚ and distribution operations of its local franchisees in China and the two major countries within China’s sphere of influence.  Coca-Cola can now focus on selling its concentrates to local franchisees in these countries‚ and reducing its China political risk exposure by diversifying away from China and expanding in other markets such as India.  India: Coca-Cola’s Future Crown Jewel? If mushrooming political risk is eclipsing the future growth potential of the Greater China market for Coca-Cola‚ what is the alternative?   India is the obvious answer.  The U.S. and India (which has an unresolved border dispute with China that has been festering for 65 years) have converging vital geostrategic interests in seeking to counterbalance China‚ so from a political risk perspective‚ ultimately India is a lower risk than China. Per the World Bank‚ India has the world’s third largest economy‚ with a 2022 GDP (PPP basis) of $12 trillion‚ and the largest population of 1.42 billion. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is bullish on India and expects India’s economy to grow at about 6.3 percent annually in 2023 and 2024.  (READ MORE from Samir Tata: Cold War With China Requires Mercantilism 2.0) The U.S. government projects that India’s economy will be larger than that of the U.S. within a generation — by 2043. In terms of annual per capita consumption of nonalcoholic beverages (as measured by the number of 8-ounce servings) India has one of the lowest at 95 compared to China at 337 and the U.S. at 1‚447 — clearly there is huge upside growth potential for Coca-Cola.  There is every indication that the company is determined to seize the opportunity to make India its crown jewel. If the India pivot succeeds‚ and the next five years will be crucial in this regard‚ Coca-Cola will have knocked out its threat of China political risk. READ MORE: The US Learns China’s Lessons on Elitism China Is One Giant Corporation … And It Cheats  The post Coca-Cola Faces a Challenge in Its China Market appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.

WASHINGTON — How bad is the situation at the Southwest border? I attended a hearing Thursday of the House Subcommittee on National Security‚ the Border‚ and Foreign Affairs on the consequences of the current “catch and release” policies to observe how members of both parties address an issue that troubles American voters. Apparently it is gauche to worry about the millions of unauthorized people entering the country. The situation at the border is so downright scary‚ Jessica Vaughan of the pro-enforcement Center for Immigration Studies testified‚ that Mexican cartels are now making more money from human trafficking than drug trafficking. From when President Joe Biden took office until Sept. 30‚ 2023‚ at least 3.3 million illegal migrants — or 99.7 percent — have been released into the country‚ according to a House Judiciary Committee study. A mere 10‚522 were removed. (READ MORE from Debra J. Saunders: Putin Wants It All. NATO Stands in His Way) Subcommittee Chairman Glenn Grothman‚ R-Wisc.‚ observed that with Biden in the Oval Office‚ violations of immigration laws “will seldom be met with consequences. Certainly not‚ in most cases‚ detention and removal.” Democrats don’t have a good argument for the record number of illegal migrants who have entered and remained in America under Biden. So they resorted to ridicule. Democrat Jamie Raskin of Maryland berated Senate Republicans for failing to pass a bipartisan compromise measure because they couldn’t stand up to pressure from former President Donald Trump. Yes‚ he had a point. But then Raskin‚ who so many times has called for civility in politics‚ flashed a grin that showcased his utter disdain as one GOP member spoke about the problem. Apparently it is gauche to worry about the millions of unauthorized people entering the country. Democrat Rep. Robert Garcia of California mocked the GOP approach by prompting an aide to display a graphic of some of Trump’s more outlandish spit-balling on the situation — alligator moats with electrified fences‚ and shooting migrants in the legs. (READ MORE: After Border Security Fails‚ Biden Faults Trump) According to a 2019 New York Times story‚ Trump entertained those ideas. “I may be tough on Border Security‚ but not that tough‚” Trump replied on Twitter. “The press has gone Crazy. Fake News!” For her part‚ Vaughan recommended Washington spend more money “removing criminal aliens.” Grothman said he wants to learn more about how much taxpayers must pay for unauthorized migrants who have access to welfare benefits‚ housing‚ and Medicaid. In the back of the room sat Kurt Leptich and his wife‚ Sheila‚ of the California border town Brawley. They were visiting family and read about the hearing‚ and figured they’d stop by. Leptich told me he’s seen local hotels‚ even a country club‚ turned into housing for migrants in recent years. Leptich doesn’t think it’s fair that outsiders can break American laws and be rewarded with a “motel room with a flat-screen TV and a telephone.” The newcomers did not match Leptich’s expectations. “If they’re escaping persecution‚ I would think they would arrive destitute‚” Leptich told me. He did not expect to see people who looked well-fed and carried working cellphones. I ask: Were things different under former President Donald Trump than they are under Biden? Yes‚ Leptich responded. “I wish we had some of Trump’s policies with a person that could be normal.” Contact Review-Journal Washington columnist Debra J. Saunders at dsaunders@reviewjournal.com. Follow @debrajsaunders on X. COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM The post Chaos at the Border‚ Finger-Pointing in Congress appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.

When mimicking a dish called Moons Over My Hammy‚ you might expect the part that stands out the most to be the ham. However‚ the cheeses are crucial‚ too.

from Health Ranger Report:  TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/

by Matt Agorist‚ The Free Thought Project: As the BRICS+ nations rise to challenge the supremacy of the Western geopolitical bloc a false dichotomy is quickly being established between unipolar world domination and multipolar world domination. In reality they are both authoritarian. (Off-Guardian) I am among a relatively small group of independent researchers and journalists who […]

DISCLAIMER: this is comedy! We all know the left can’t meme… But some of the funniest people in the world are Team MAGA baby! And they prove it over and over. I have shown these before but this new one just came out and it gave me such a laugh I had to share it with you. There are so many ultra serious things happening in our world right now‚ and those are important of course‚ but equally important is to take a moment every once in a while and just laugh. If you don’t know the setup to this‚ you won’t find it nearly as funny so let me explain first… There’s a Meme Template that was created a while back where the video footage of Trump stepping off Air Force One and going to meet with a reporter who tells him Ruth Bader Ginsburg just died. Trump hadn’t been briefed yet‚ so he’s learning this live on the spot. His reaction is what you see in the Meme‚ but then that’s super-imposed over some ridiculous claim that Trump violated some stupid law and has been Indicted again. It’s comedy gold. Enjoy this newest one and then scroll down for a ton more: These always crack me up! Solid gold. Keep them coming! We have the funniest people in MAGA! pic.twitter.com/c4H9ukGkuX — DailyNoah.com (@DailyNoahNews) October 13‚ 2023 I’ve watched it a dozen times and it keeps cracking me up! They only get better as you go. The music‚ the visuals‚ the perfectly-delivered line….it’s genius. A ton more below HILARIOUS New Trump Meme Videos Are Cracking Me Up! Yes‚ I know things are very serious in our Country right now. I get it‚ I am fully aware. We are quite literally on the edge of the precipice and we either pull this Country back down off the edge or we go tumbling over it‚ likely to never recover. I know all that very well. But SOMETIMES you just have to pause for a moment and deploy some humor. Sometimes you just have to laugh! Because there’s no better weapon against the evil and the insanity sometimes than just laughing right at it! Why? Because there is big truth in comedy. In fact‚ without an underlying flow of truth‚ comedy quickly loses its humor. It’s even in the Bible‚ Ecclesiastes Chapter 2‚ the wisest man to ever live‚ King Solomon‚ says there is nothing better for a person than finding happiness and enjoyment and contentment‚ not constant strife and toil — sometimes we have to just sit back in the “joy” of knowing God does indeed have things under control: 24 There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also‚ I saw‚ is from the hand of God‚ 25 for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? 26 For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy‚ but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting‚ only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. And so with that‚ I give you something that is really cracking me up. Maybe you’ve seen it‚ but they make me laugh every time a new one comes out. The meme comes from the evening Ruth Bader Ginsburg died. Trump had just gotten off Marine One and didn’t know. The reporters tell him and he is reacting and processing in the moment‚ and says “wow‚ I didn’t know that‚ you’re telling me now for the first time.” So what people have hilariously done is taken that reaction clip and overlaid it into preposterous situations that Trump is getting indicted for‚ and then he says that in response. SO FUNNY! This is one of my favorite ones‚ Trump indicted for not using his blinker once back in ’82: @the.crystal.queen I didnt know that. #capcut#trump #biden #foryou #Viral #trumptrain ♬ original sound – Samantha Lee Indicted for bringing 11 items to the 10 item or less aisle: @shaunamamabearuo #CapCuti didntknowthat#trump #indictment #CapCut ♬ original sound – Shauna Bearup So you see what I mean when I say there is truth in humor‚ right? We are using humor and satire to point out the ABSURDITY of the things Trump has already been indicted for by comparing them to even more absurd things. And the music they overlay in the background is PERFECT. They get better as they go…. Here is his Indictment for sinking the Titanic: @leiyabrewer #CapCut #trump #trump2024 #wowididntknow #fyp ♬ original sound – Leiya Brewer For removing the Dollar Menu at McDonalds: @dustiestspider0 #CapCut #fyp #foryou #foryoupagee #donaldtrump #trump #mcdonalds #indicted #dollarmenu #mcdonaldsdollarmenu #wow #meme #ididntknowthat ♬ original sound – Dustiestspider0 Indicted for the extinction of the dinosaurs: @aliensandscience nonpolitical just for jokes #trump #maga #mrtrump #trump2024 #ididntknowthat #trumpmeme #trumpelection #trumpindictment ♬ original sound – Aliens and Science Indicted for not liking Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain: @cletusbor #trump #indicted #wowididntknowthat ♬ original sound – Cletus B Indicted for Faking the Moon Landing: @krossi0314 #CapCut #trending #trump2024 #trumpmeme #maga #fyp #ididntknowthat #padreisland ♬ original sound – Karen Rossi And my personal favorite….a little different format‚ but the response you give when the cop pulls you over for having too dark of window tint (this one hits too close to home! )….this is EXACTLY the response everyone has‚ it’s so perfect: @pwrstrkshrek7.3 #trump #powerstrokeparadise #toodeep #commentifyougetit #powerstroke #tint 5% ♬ original sound – Nick Schreck Someone make this one next Come on folks‚ we are in the right! We have truth on our side! We have God on our side! So let’s take a moment to laugh and to fight back with satire! FINALLY Back In Stock! Want one? Check availability here.