Written by Jason Montoya. Posted in Content Roundup.

September 2023 Content Roundup: Unmasking Truths and Riding the Storm for a World in Flux

In light of a wild 2024 to come, I'm reviving the content roundup blog, that I began in 2014, where I share links and quotes. I'm rounding up worthwhile content from 2023. I started with August here. This post is focused on resources I shared on Facebook in September 2023.

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You can view past content roundups here. Here's why I share resources.

Articles & News

Abortions Have Increased Significantly Since Roe v. Wade Was Overturned
“But for me, the most powerful aspect of forgiveness was the realization that I must choose, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to live with the consequences of another person’s sin. This is what Christ did for me on the cross. It is what God teaches me to do towards others. It is “forgiving as God, in Christ, has forgiven me.” This was the deep expression of mercy that is the characteristic of life in God’s kingdom.” - Dianne B. Collard, An Impossible Forgiveness: When the Words Become True
“It’s time to invoke our Second Amendment right it’s time to put a bullet in the treasonous Chinese [Official A]. Then we work our way down to [Official B] the local and federal corrupt judges. It’s our duty as American Patriots to put an end to the lives of these traitors and take back our country by force. . . . If we want our country back we have to exterminate these people. One good loyal Patriot deer hunter in camo and a rifle can send a very clear message to these corrupt governors.. militia up Georgia it’s time to spill blood…. we need to pay a visit to [Official C] and her family as well and put a bullet her behind the ears. Remember one thing local law enforcement the key word being local….. we will find you oathbreakers and we’re going to pay your family to visit your mom your dad your brothers and sisters your children your wife… we’re going to make examples of traitors to our country… death to you and all you communist friends.” - Texas man pleads guilty to threatening Georgia officials after 2020 election

Podcast Episode

A terrific Podcast series from the Bible Project; The Chaos Dragon. "Chaos Dragon: The Bible is full of words that describe a strange creature—a monster of the deep. But what exactly does this dragon represent? In this podcast series, Tim and Jon explore the theme of the chaos dragon and the human struggle to win power over it."
- "we live in a world of chaos, death, and disorder. The authors of the Bible use a common ancient image to depict to this reality; the sea dragon. In the story of the Bible, humans are deceived and align themselves with the power of chaos and death. And when they do, they come themselves, sea dragons; snaky monsters." - David & Goliath: Chaos Dragon Episode 7

Book Quotes

“In an ever-changing, incomprehensible world the masses had reached the point where they would, at the same time, believe everything and nothing, think that everything was possible and that nothing was true... Mass propaganda discovered that its audience was ready at all times to believe the worst, no matter how absurd, and did not particularly object to being deceived because it held every statement to be a lie anyhow. The totalitarian mass leaders based their propaganda on the correct psychological assumption that, under such conditions, one could make people believe the most fantastic statements one day, and trust that if the next day they were given irrefutable proof of their falsehood, they would take refuge in cynicism; instead of deserting the leaders who had lied to them, they would protest that they had known all along that the statement was a lie and would admire the leaders for their superior tactical cleverness.” - Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism

Micro-Blogs

Kemp Has Lost My Vote

A micro-commentary on this article, Brian Kemp on why he’ll back Donald Trump if he wins the GOP nod

I’m shifting my voting practice from party allegiance (voting down the ballot because there is an R next to them) to character and issue collaboration. If the person is worthy or I have a strong reason to vote for them, I will vote for that person. Otherwise, no vote for them.

That which we reward will be what we get more of. So we should reward the things we want like telling the truth and challenging corruption. And we need to not be ideologically driven or fearful as those are two ways we’re manipulated.

In 2022, I voted for Brian Kemp because he pushed back against Trump’s election lies. While Democrats are always going to oppose Trump in the election, that’s not the case with Republicans. It’s important for as many Republicans to push back against lies and corruption, in their own party, as possible. It’s part of what’s necessary to prevent hostile radicals from taking over the party and corruption running rampant.

Brian Kemp has come out to say he will support Trump if he is the Republican nominee. And thus, he has removed my reason for voting for him. And, he’s joined most of the Republican nominees in their willingness to support a convicted criminal for president. Yikes!

If someone is willing to challenge their own party, I take note of it. It’s especially noteworthy if it costs them something.

Another Terrible Thing Trump Said

This is a micro-commentary on Trump's social post insinuating Mark Milley she be executed.

This is a good example of how terrible things Trump says are taken, embraced, and propagated by Trump loyalists and domestic terrorists.

Trump: "This is an act so egregious that, in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH!"

Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar: "In a better society, quislings like the strange sodomy-promoting General Milley would be Hung."

Gosar's broader argument also indicates that his ultimate allegiance is not to the constitution but to Donald Trump. This is the type of allegiance signaling we see in Russia now, with Putin (who is with him to the end).

I suspect this rhetoric will get more explicit too.

Now = "We would have hung Mark Milley in a better past"

Later = "Milley must be hung for his crimes today"

We saw this end-state shift when they chanted "Hang Mike Pence" on Jan 6 with a working gallows.

Those who do not have ultimate allegiance to Trump will be villainized. Calls for death will be made upon those villains with power.

Evil stuff. If you are participating or providing cover for it, I encourage you to stop.

Books I'm Reading

Note: These book links are affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you buy from using them.

New Share Life Podcast Episodes

The following episodes of the Share Life podcast dropped in this month.

New Blog Posts

New Interviews

[Interview] The Future of Work is Freelancing [On the Innovation Meets Leadership Podcast]

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