# 9-19-2023 - UAW Strike, Missing Stealth Jet, Hunter Biden Indictment

An episode of [Pray News](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1697158801), 19 Sep 2023, 15 min.

Audio: https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/ce9a673d-e313-4c0a-9df4-b4d6010c32c6/beae3a65-ba29-4895-9f80-b4d7000b5c78/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=992944cf-642c-431f-a11e-b4d6010c32cd

This is PrayNews, your Daily Christian news and beacon of hope in the stormy seas of current events. Sign up to receive PrayNews in your inbox every weekday: https://www.praynews.com/ Today’s Good News at a Glance: • The UAW strikes the heart of the American automotive industry. • A military stealth jet is a little too stealthy. • Hunter Biden is indicted, and the dramatic saga continues. Pray News is your number 1 source for the top conservative news given to you daily. Download the Pray.com app and make prayer a priority in your life. Watch and listen to inspiring sermons, dramatized Bible stories, and relaxing Bedtime Bible Stories at Pray.com, the digital destination for faith. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

## Transcript

[0:01] Speaker 1: A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but
[0:04] Speaker 1: accurate weights are his delight. When pride comes, then comes shame,
[0:09] Speaker 1: but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11, 1-2 Heavenly Father,
[0:14] Speaker 1: we seek to live our lives with integrity and humility
[0:17] Speaker 1: in line with your divine principles. Guide us away from
[0:21] Speaker 1: the temptation to manipulate or deceive for personal gain. Help
[0:25] Speaker 1: us to conduct ourselves honestly, reflecting the true balance of
[0:28] Speaker 1: your justice and righteousness. Also, Lord, help us to guard
[0:32] Speaker 1: against pride, which leads us away from your wisdom and
[0:35] Speaker 1: into our own folly. Instead, imbue us with the spirit
[0:38] Speaker 1: of humility that opens our hearts to your guidance and
[0:41] Speaker 1: our minds to your wisdom. Thank you for your constant
[0:45] Speaker 1: presence that helps us strive for honest and humble lives.
[0:48] Speaker 1: May we delight in you through our actions and be
[0:51] Speaker 1: instruments of your grace in this world. We pray these
[0:54] Speaker 1: things with trust that you're going to empower us with
[0:57] Speaker 1: everything needed for every day. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
[1:02] Speaker 1: Welcome to PreNews, where hope is our only bias. Today's
[1:05] Speaker 1: news at a glance, the UAW strikes the heart of
[1:09] Speaker 1: the American automotive industry, a military stealth jet is a
[1:12] Speaker 1: little too stealthy, and Hunter Biden is indicted, and the
[1:16] Speaker 1: dramatic saga continues. Today we reflect on the idea of
[1:20] Speaker 1: humility and honesty. In the increasingly divided culture we live in,
[1:24] Speaker 1: it can be far easier to criticize and critique others
[1:27] Speaker 1: then listen to the conviction of God's Spirit within our
[1:29] Speaker 1: own hearts. While it's important to have accountability in our
[1:32] Speaker 1: government and for our leaders, may we never forget to
[1:35] Speaker 1: look inward, into our own hearts and our own shortcomings,
[1:39] Speaker 1: the sins that keep us away from the Lord. May
[1:41] Speaker 1: we always be people mindful of our own shortcomings, so
[1:45] Speaker 1: that we can handle the issues of our time with humility, grace,
[1:49] Speaker 1: and empathy. We're glad you're here. We pray today's news
[1:52] Speaker 1: leaves you informed and transformed. If you've been enjoying Prey News,
[1:57] Speaker 1: make sure to give us a follow and subscribe. That
[1:59] Speaker 1: way you never have to miss an episode. Before we
[2:02] Speaker 1: get into today's first story, let's hear a word from
[2:04] Speaker 1: these sponsors. The United Auto Workers Union, a labor union
[2:08] Speaker 1: representing a wide swath of workers in various industries, has
[2:11] Speaker 1: called for a massive strike. This has led to 13,000
[2:15] Speaker 1: of its members walking off the job, affecting all three
[2:18] Speaker 1: of the Detroit 3 automotive manufacturers, General Motives, Ford, and Stellantis.
[2:23] Speaker 1: The strike, known as the stand-up strike, is becoming one
[2:26] Speaker 1: of the largest in the industry's history, and its impact
[2:30] Speaker 1: is expected to ripple across states and sectors. Founded in 1935,
[2:34] Speaker 1: the UAW represents around 400,000 active members and has over
[2:39] Speaker 1: 580,000 retired members in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
[2:44] Speaker 1: While its roots are in the automotive industry, the UAW's
[2:47] Speaker 1: reach has expanded to include members in other sectors like education, healthcare,
[2:50] Speaker 1: and more. The UAW has a long history of activism
[2:54] Speaker 1: pushing for significant changes in labor rights. It has won
[2:58] Speaker 1: concessions like the first employer-paid health insurance for industrial workers
[3:03] Speaker 1: and the first cost of living allowances. This industry-wide strike
[3:07] Speaker 1: stems from a breakdown in negotiations late on Thursday night.
[3:11] Speaker 1: The union has been fighting for various demands such as
[3:14] Speaker 1: a 40% wage increase over the contract's extended life, restoring
[3:17] Speaker 1: cost of living allowance adjustments, defined benefit pensions for all workers,
[3:22] Speaker 1: and more. With contract talks failing to result in a
[3:25] Speaker 1: new agreement, the strike was called for at 11.59 p.m.
[3:29] Speaker 1: last Thursday. The UAW is striking against the Detroit Three,
[3:32] Speaker 1: which includes General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis. Strikes are taking
[3:36] Speaker 1: place at specific plants in Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri, and
[3:39] Speaker 1: could extend further if demands are not met. A strike
[3:43] Speaker 1: brings about financial challenges for both the union and for companies.
[3:47] Speaker 1: While workers are entitled to strike pay, they must wait
[3:49] Speaker 1: at least eight days for the payments to kick in.
[3:52] Speaker 1: The UAW has an estimated strike fund of $ 825 million,
[3:56] Speaker 1: financing the strike pay of $ 500 per week for each
[3:59] Speaker 1: striking worker, for the time being. The UAW is taking
[4:03] Speaker 1: a bold step by simultaneously striking at all three of
[4:06] Speaker 1: Detroit automakers, putting immense pressure on these companies. This change
[4:11] Speaker 1: in strategy reflects a new form of union activism geared
[4:14] Speaker 1: towards reversing years of concessions and gaining better working conditions
[4:18] Speaker 1: and pay for its members. Pay for many of these
[4:20] Speaker 1: workers in the auto industry have not kept pace with
[4:23] Speaker 1: the economy, with some workers only receiving 10% pay increase
[4:27] Speaker 1: in 10 years of employment. Their demands reflect their importance
[4:31] Speaker 1: to the economy and do not go much further than
[4:33] Speaker 1: wanting fair pay for their work and fair pay that
[4:36] Speaker 1: is reflected in other areas of the industry. These companies
[4:39] Speaker 1: are currently in a crucial transitional period towards electric vehicles.
[4:43] Speaker 1: A prolonged strike could not only hurt their immediate profits,
[4:46] Speaker 1: but could also affect long-term plans. Companies are also wary
[4:50] Speaker 1: of escalating costs and the potential implications for vehicle pricing
[4:54] Speaker 1: and global competitiveness. An extended strike could have a much
[4:58] Speaker 1: broader economic impact as well. Auto dealers may run short
[5:02] Speaker 1: on vehicles, thus raising prices for the consumer. and shifting
[5:05] Speaker 1: consumer preferences towards foreign, non-unionized automakers. This could also strain
[5:11] Speaker 1: an economy that is already dealing with inflation and other issues.
[5:15] Speaker 1: If you've ever tried to buy a new or used
[5:17] Speaker 1: car lately, you know exactly what I'm talking about. The
[5:20] Speaker 1: situation offers us an opportunity to reflect on the principles
[5:24] Speaker 1: of fairness, dignity in labor, and ethical responsibilities, both of
[5:28] Speaker 1: corporations and of unions. The Bible teaches us to treat
[5:31] Speaker 1: workers fairly and to give them their due wages. You
[5:34] Speaker 1: find this in several parables, as well as James 5.4.
[5:37] Speaker 1: Both parties have a moral obligation to come to a
[5:41] Speaker 1: just and equitable solution that respects the dignity of labor
[5:44] Speaker 1: and provides a fair wage, but also sustains the greater
[5:47] Speaker 1: good of the community. In conclusion, the UAW's strike is
[5:51] Speaker 1: a complex issue with wide-ranging implications for workers, companies, and
[5:55] Speaker 1: the economy at large. It requires balanced scrutiny and a
[5:58] Speaker 1: commitment from all parties involved to resolve the issue in
[6:01] Speaker 1: a way that is both fair and sustainable. We don't
[6:04] Speaker 1: claim to have all of the solutions, but we do
[6:07] Speaker 1: claim to worship the one who does. So let's lift
[6:09] Speaker 1: this up in prayer. Heavenly Father, we lift up all
[6:12] Speaker 1: those affected by the UAW strike, from the workers seeking
[6:15] Speaker 1: fair wages and conditions to the companies navigating this challenging period.
[6:19] Speaker 1: Grant wisdom and compassion to the negotiators on both sides
[6:23] Speaker 1: that they may arrive at a just and sustainable solution.
[6:26] Speaker 1: May this situation remind us of the dignity in labor
[6:28] Speaker 1: and the ethical responsibilities we carry in our roles, whether
[6:32] Speaker 1: as workers or employers. May we honor you in everything
[6:35] Speaker 1: that we do, never seeking to cheat anybody or take
[6:38] Speaker 1: advantage of anyone. We love you, Lord, and we pray
[6:41] Speaker 1: that you would help us in this time. In your
[6:43] Speaker 1: name we pray, for a fair and peaceful resolution. Amen.
[6:47] Speaker 1: Our second story is one of irony. The U.S. military,
[6:51] Speaker 1: ever a beacon of technology and security, has issued a
[6:54] Speaker 1: lost and found notice for their F-35B Lightning II stealth
[6:58] Speaker 1: fighter jet. Yes, a fighter jet with cutting-edge stealth technology
[7:02] Speaker 1: designed to avoid detection has done its job a little
[7:06] Speaker 1: too well, evading its own team. The advanced stealth aircraft
[7:09] Speaker 1: went missing over South Carolina. The pilot ejected safely and
[7:13] Speaker 1: is in stable condition at a local hospital. But the
[7:15] Speaker 1: $ 160 million-plus aircraft? Not so much. Search teams are scouring
[7:21] Speaker 1: Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion based on its last known coordinates.
[7:25] Speaker 1: They have even issued a notice out to the public.
[7:28] Speaker 1: and the citizens of South Carolina if they have found
[7:31] Speaker 1: the jet to notify officials immediately. Joint Base Charleston has
[7:36] Speaker 1: appealed to the public for help. They've effectively said, if
[7:39] Speaker 1: you see something, say something. But it's more like, if
[7:41] Speaker 1: you see a multi-million dollar stealth aircraft parked by the lake,
[7:44] Speaker 1: definitely say something. The aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin... is
[7:49] Speaker 1: famed for its stealth qualities. So good at its stealth that,
[7:52] Speaker 1: as one social media user quipped, the F-35 didn't just
[7:56] Speaker 1: go missing, it is in ultra-stealth mode. This isn't the
[7:59] Speaker 1: first time an F-35 has found itself in hot water,
[8:02] Speaker 1: or more literally, in South Carolina waters. Another F-35B crashed
[8:08] Speaker 1: in 2018 due to a manufacturing defect. The program itself,
[8:12] Speaker 1: the costliest U.S. weapon project ever, has faced numerous setbacks
[8:17] Speaker 1: and criticisms. It's projected to cost a staggering $ 1. 7 trillion
[8:22] Speaker 1: to develop, operate, and maintain over its life cycle. The
[8:26] Speaker 1: internet has had a field day with this one. From
[8:29] Speaker 1: mocking missing jet flyers on lampposts to dude where's my
[8:33] Speaker 1: F-35 movie posters, the memes write themselves. This incident once
[8:38] Speaker 1: again has shown a spotlight on the Pentagon's perennial problem
[8:42] Speaker 1: with accountability and oversight. When a $ 75 million asset goes missing,
[8:47] Speaker 1: some serious questions need to be asked. The F-35 was
[8:51] Speaker 1: sold as a sort of Swiss army knife of the skies,
[8:53] Speaker 1: capable of vertical takeoff, stealthy combat, and so much more.
[8:57] Speaker 1: But it's of no use if Cletus towed it to
[9:00] Speaker 1: his lakeside cabin in the woods. To add to the irony,
[9:03] Speaker 1: the jet's transponder, designed to help locate the aircraft in
[9:06] Speaker 1: the first place, was also not functioning. It's like losing
[9:10] Speaker 1: your phone and realizing you never turned on the find
[9:12] Speaker 1: my phone feature. except your phone didn't cost $ 160 million
[9:16] Speaker 1: and wasn't funded by taxpayers. From a faith standpoint, the
[9:20] Speaker 1: story of the missing F-35 reminds us that technology, for
[9:23] Speaker 1: all its wonder and promise, is still fallible. As Psalm
[9:29] Speaker 1: 20 verse 7 says, While it's easy to become enamored
[9:34] Speaker 1: by technological marvels, let's not forget where our true strength lies.
[9:38] Speaker 1: God grants wisdom and understanding qualities no machine can replicate
[9:42] Speaker 1: or replace. In a world captivated by advanced gadgets and
[9:45] Speaker 1: militaristic prowess, the missing F-35 serves as a divine comedic
[9:49] Speaker 1: reminder to place not our trust in machines, but in
[9:53] Speaker 1: the eternal and unfailing nature of God's providence. So, if
[9:56] Speaker 1: you happen to stumble across the F-35 during your weekend
[9:59] Speaker 1: fishing trip, make sure to call it in. But also
[10:01] Speaker 1: take a moment to appreciate the irony and the reminder
[10:04] Speaker 1: that sometimes the things we create to go unnoticed can
[10:06] Speaker 1: end up capturing our full attention in the most unexpected ways.
[10:10] Speaker 1: Lord Jesus, we thank you for the safe ejection of
[10:12] Speaker 1: the pilot and ask for your guidance in the recovery
[10:14] Speaker 1: of the missing aircraft. May this event serve as a
[10:17] Speaker 1: humbling reminder that even our most advanced creations are fallible.
[10:21] Speaker 1: Grant us the wisdom to place our ultimate trust, not
[10:24] Speaker 1: in the government and in their oversight of things, but
[10:27] Speaker 1: in your eternal and unfailing providence. We love you, Lord.
[10:30] Speaker 1: In Jesus' name. Amen. Our last story of today is
[10:34] Speaker 1: another chapter in the never-ending saga of Hunter Biden. Hunter Biden,
[10:39] Speaker 1: son of President Joe Biden, was indicted last week on
[10:42] Speaker 1: three federal charges. The indictment accuses Hunter of providing false
[10:46] Speaker 1: information about his drug use when purchasing a firearm in 2018.
[10:50] Speaker 1: This marks a first for the child of a sitting
[10:53] Speaker 1: president and adds another layer of complexity to an already
[10:56] Speaker 1: turbulent political landscape as America gears up for the 2024
[11:00] Speaker 1: presidential elections. The indictment, filed in U.S. District Court in Delaware,
[11:05] Speaker 1: charges Hunter Biden with three criminal counts related to lying
[11:08] Speaker 1: about his use of illegal drugs at the time of
[11:10] Speaker 1: purchasing a Colt Cobra handgun in October 2018. Hunter Biden
[11:15] Speaker 1: has publicly acknowledged his struggles with substance abuse, including an
[11:18] Speaker 1: addiction to cocaine. Interestingly, the indictment does not mention any
[11:23] Speaker 1: of the tax violations that were part of the previous
[11:25] Speaker 1: plea deal that collapsed in July, raising eyebrows among a
[11:29] Speaker 1: lot of legal experts and scrutiny. Both sides of the
[11:33] Speaker 1: aisle had immediate reactions to this, as you could expect.
[11:36] Speaker 1: Hunter Biden's lawyer, Abe Lowell, criticized the indictment, describing it
[11:40] Speaker 1: as a consequence of MAGA Republicans' improper and partisan interference.
[11:44] Speaker 1: On the other side, Senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa,
[11:47] Speaker 1: saw the indictment as a starting point for justice. While
[11:50] Speaker 1: the criminal charges against Hunter Biden remain his own legal battle,
[11:54] Speaker 1: the case is widely expected to play a significant role
[11:57] Speaker 1: in President Biden's reelection campaign, which could feature a rematch
[12:00] Speaker 1: against former President Donald Trump, who, as we all know,
[12:03] Speaker 1: faces a slew of his own legal battles. Some legal
[12:06] Speaker 1: experts suggest that the firearms-related charges against Hunter Biden could
[12:09] Speaker 1: be subject to constitutional challenge. Last year, the Supreme Court
[12:13] Speaker 1: expanded gun rights under the Second Amendment in a landmark ruling.
[12:16] Speaker 1: This development could play into the legal proceedings, though it
[12:19] Speaker 1: remains to be seen how it will actually influence the case.
[12:23] Speaker 1: It would certainly be interesting to see gun laws advocated
[12:26] Speaker 1: for by Republicans to ultimately be what helps Hunter Biden's case.
[12:30] Speaker 1: That would be a grand sweeping bit of irony. It's
[12:34] Speaker 1: also worth mentioning that the tax investigation into Hunter Biden
[12:37] Speaker 1: remains active, but prosecutors have not brought charges at this time. Moreover,
[12:41] Speaker 1: the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden opened by House
[12:44] Speaker 1: Republicans also clouds the current political atmosphere, though the White
[12:48] Speaker 1: House has denounced these actions as unsubstantiated and politically motivated.
[12:53] Speaker 1: Hunter Biden has been the focus of intense scrutiny by
[12:56] Speaker 1: political opponents for years, particularly concerning his business dealings in
[13:00] Speaker 1: Ukraine and China. Although lawmakers have collected testimony suggesting that
[13:04] Speaker 1: President Joe Biden at times had joint calls with his
[13:07] Speaker 1: son's business associates, evidence indicating the president's personal benefit remains absent.
[13:14] Speaker 1: From a Christian standpoint, this unfolding drama serves as a
[13:17] Speaker 1: stark reminder of the biblical principle that leaders should be
[13:21] Speaker 1: held accountable for their actions, irrespective of their positions of power.
[13:25] Speaker 1: Proverbs 11.1 says, This speaks to the need for justice
[13:31] Speaker 1: and integrity at all levels of society, including the highest
[13:34] Speaker 1: echelons of leadership. If Hunter Biden is indeed found guilty
[13:38] Speaker 1: of one or several of these charges brought against him,
[13:41] Speaker 1: that means at some point he leveraged his status to
[13:44] Speaker 1: dodge legal trouble. Nobody should operate under the assumption that
[13:47] Speaker 1: their actions are without consequences. As this case moves through
[13:51] Speaker 1: the legal system, it serves as a significant touchstone for
[13:53] Speaker 1: society's values, reminding us that even those in power are
[13:56] Speaker 1: not exempt from facing the consequences of their actions. With
[14:00] Speaker 1: that being said, nothing has been proven yet, and so
[14:02] Speaker 1: may we not throw stones prematurely. In fact, may we
[14:06] Speaker 1: not throw stones at all, ever aware of our own shortcomings,
[14:09] Speaker 1: our own proclivity to lie, and perhaps our own relationship
[14:12] Speaker 1: with substance abuse, addiction, and familial dysfunction. In these turbulent times,
[14:17] Speaker 1: as we navigate complex social, political, and ethical questions, it's
[14:20] Speaker 1: essential for us to look inwards, not only keeping leaders accountable,
[14:24] Speaker 1: but keeping ourselves accountable, lest we also stumble. Like everyone else,
[14:29] Speaker 1: we must be held to a higher standard of conduct. For,
[14:32] Speaker 1: as the Bible reminds us, justice, truth, and integrity are
[14:35] Speaker 1: are values that stand the test of time. So, let's
[14:39] Speaker 1: close our time together in prayer. Heavenly Father, we pray
[14:42] Speaker 1: for justice and truth to prevail in this case and
[14:45] Speaker 1: in all matters of public concern. Grant wisdom to those
[14:47] Speaker 1: in positions of authority as they navigate these complex legal
[14:51] Speaker 1: and ethical situations. May our leaders remember that they too
[14:54] Speaker 1: are held to your standards of integrity and accountability. We
[14:57] Speaker 1: love you, Lord, and it's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
[15:01] Speaker 1: Thank you for joining us today on Pray News. It
[15:03] Speaker 1: is our aim to be informed and transformed We prayed
[15:05] Speaker 1: today you would proceed with hope, love, and determination to
[15:08] Speaker 1: be a force for good. If you've enjoyed this take
[15:10] Speaker 1: on the news, consider writing us a review and share
[15:12] Speaker 1: your experience. You can sign up for our newsletter at PrayNews.com,
[15:15] Speaker 1: and there you'll find sources to all of our reporting.
[15:18] Speaker 1: Be sure to download the Pray.com app to make prayer
[15:20] Speaker 1: a priority in your life and experience the Bible in
[15:22] Speaker 1: new and exciting ways. God bless.

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