The God who speaks is a powerful message on authority of scripture
>> Ed Vitagliano: The God who Speaks is a powerful message on the authority of scripture in the voices of some of the most respected theologians of our day. The most historic formula for the Christian church has been when the Scripture speaks, God Speaks. The God who speaks is a 90 minute documentary which can empower Christians to share our faith and defend the authenticity of the Bible. Available at thegodwhospeaks.org or visit stream.aca.net Foreign.
>> : Welcome to Today's Issues. offering a Christian response to the issues of the day. Here's your host, Tim Wildmon. M. President of the American Family Association.
>> Tim Wildmon: Hey, good morning, everybody, and welcome to Today's Issues on the American Family Radio Network. Thanks for listening to AFR. Today is Monday, August 17, 2026. Again, as always, thank you for listening to American Family Radio. Tim Wildmon here with Ed Vitagliano. Good morning, Ed.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Good morning, Tim.
>> Tim Wildmon: Krish Woodward.
>> Chris Woodward: Good morning.
>> Tim Wildmon: You guys are wearing your, navy AFA church.
>> Ed Vitagliano: We just realized we were in the story meeting this morning together and it wasn't until we were sitting next to each other here in the studio that
>> Tim Wildmon: we realized that you're both. So just for those who can't see into the studio here, watching on the video, Ed and. And Krish are wearing the same shirt.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes, Identical shirt.
>> Tim Wildmon: And you didn't nobody text each other this morning and said, hey, what are you wearing today?
>> Chris Woodward: We stopped doing that years ago.
>> Ed Vitagliano: That would be pathetic.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah. Yeah.
>> Ed Vitagliano: More pathetic than usual.
>> Chris Woodward: So what. What listeners need to do and viewers is to watch later this week to see if we wear our green shirts on the same day.
>> Ed Vitagliano: I'm wearing mine tomorrow.
>> Chris Woodward: Okay, let me write that down.
>> Tim Wildmon: All right. yeah, there. Yeah, we will. We won't deal with the psychology of a guy asking the other guy, what are you wearing?
>> Ed Vitagliano: Where.
>> Tim Wildmon: What are you wearing today?
>> Ed Vitagliano: That kind of comes out the creepy.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, it falls in that category for sure.
Pamela Lexer says her air conditioner broke last week
all right. Hope everybody had a good weekend and that your air conditioner didn't break. Did you get yours fixed?
>> Ed Vitagliano: No. Nope. now I do always want to remind everybody we have air conditioning. We need a surge protector and they sent the wrong part last week and so we're waiting this week. So at some point this week, I'm going to have to go home and meet the guy while he puts that on.
>> Tim Wildmon: So what is he. What's, what's the profession that handles that?
>> Ed Vitagliano: Just air conditioning, you know.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay. You know it's not called surge protector, man, right?
>> Ed Vitagliano: No, I don't think there's. They can sell enough of those. It's just the. The folks who put in our unit.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right.
>> Ed Vitagliano: they do the servicing and, So, and they. They're very nice. This is unusual for the people who
>> Tim Wildmon: do have their air conditioner go out. You can't. You can't stay in the house. No, in. In brittle. I'm talking about in much of the country right now.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Right.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right now. Which is. It's middle of August, so guess what? It's hot everywhere.
>> Ed Vitagliano: And pretty much it's hot everywhere. Yeah, the, the H Vac people, the heating and cooling people, they. They have to put you on a list because there's other people in exactly your same situation.
>> Tim Wildmon: So can you, Pamela Lexer, get bumped up bribery?
>> Ed Vitagliano: You, know, I have never thought
>> Tim Wildmon: of that, but hey, it's worked out through human history.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes, it has.
>> Ed Vitagliano: How about I make it worth your
>> Tim Wildmon: while it bribery, and call it the American way? you know, I don't know.
>> Ed Vitagliano: You'd have to. You'd have to, like, meet one of them, you know, just cross paths at a local convenience store or something and say, hey, here's an extra 20 if you put me at the. I'm sure they can't when they answer the phone.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right?
>> Speaker G: You.
>> Ed Vitagliano: If you say, hey, can I pay extra? Well, you get. You got.
>> Tim Wildmon: I'm just saying you can do that on an airline.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: You can buy premium seat or you can sit back there with the cattle. Either one, you pick.
>> Ed Vitagliano: My. My mom used to say money talks.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right? So I just wondered. I was just a question I had. Can you get bumped up if you pay?
>> Ed Vitagliano: I've never. You know what? I'm just gonna. I'm just gonna say I'm proud of myself. That even though I'm Italian, I've never thought about bump. Bribing the heating and cooling people. I should have. That should come naturally to me.
>> Tim Wildmon: Threatening or bribing that heat a couple days, you'll pay whatever you need to get it fixed. You go. Go with that cooling, I should say.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Oh, yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: All right.
>> Tim Wildmon: All right, Christopher. Bring forth unto us story number one.
At least seven people have died in Indiana because of flooding
>> Speaker H: All right.
>> Chris Woodward: Well, air conditioning is not a problem for people in Indiana. and I say that because flooding is their, issue this morning. We need to pray for the people of Indiana.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Indiana.
>> Chris Woodward: They've had some deadly flooding there. At least seven people have died during days.
>> Tim Wildmon: Seven people are dead. Wow. What happened?
>> Chris Woodward: They had days of heavy rain, historic flooding. There were even some tornadoes, straight line winds.
>> Tim Wildmon: was this in northern, Indiana?
>> Chris Woodward: Various parts of Indiana.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Chris Woodward: And I say that based on the fact that, if you picture the state of Indiana, my wife and in laws are all from the up, upper, northwest portion of the state, Valparaiso, Portage, Hobart, Michigan City, those places, they all had some flooding. And then you go down south, to Indianapolis and even below that they've got flooding. So it's throughout much of the state.
>> Tim Wildmon: Wow. I guess it kind of went under the radar. I saw the story yesterday and I was going, wow. I had no idea that this kind of massive flooding was taking place in Indiana. so, yeah, you're right. We do need to pray for those people. I'm sure, you know, our friends at 8 Days of Hope will probably send a team there, you know, to help out the flood victims as well. You know, when you think about flooding, you think about Louisiana or Florida or Texas, or you don't think about Indiana, or the Midwest, but here we are.
>> Chris Woodward: I talked to a guy last week from the College Fix about a completely unrelated story. One of the editors of the College Fix lives in Indiana. And I said, is this still a good time? And he said, well, we can do it now. I'm m keeping an eye on the sky for a tornado. So they've, they've had bad weather.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Chris Woodward: and you know, as somebody from Mississippi, I totally get that. We get tornadoes a lot, of
>> Tim Wildmon: people, seven people have died. That's. I didn't know, I didn't know that. That's in a lot. And then you got hundreds of people, maybe thousands displaced.
>> Chris Woodward: Right.
>> Ed Vitagliano: No power, et cetera.
>> Chris Woodward: It's going to be an issue for a while. A lot of flooded basements, flooded streets, that kind of stuff. Now, President Trump has promised aid to the state of Indiana. And somebody we have some audio from is Indiana Senator Jim Banks, who had this to say about the flooding and the aid clip.
>> Ed Vitagliano: 10:53 Counties in our state have been, have been devastated, impacted in a big way. We have rivers flowing all over, all through our state. And the flooding, is really bad. A lot, thousands of families affected. Millions of Hoosiers without power right now. President Trump called me yesterday. We talked about the flood damage and he signed the, declaration, of emergency for our state and committed to send millions of dollars here to help rebuild Indiana.
>> Tim Wildmon: That's good to know. Yeah, of course, that's standard operating procedure. Every president of every party, you know, administers, emergency help for Americans in need across the country.
>> Ed Vitagliano: And Americans are generally very good about, helping other states. You know, there's a lot of Power. Like when we had, the ice apocalypse this past, winter, there were units, from other states, power companies that came and tried to help get. I know, Northeast, Mississippi, North Mississippi back online in other states. So, yeah, Americans are generally pretty helpful.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, absolutely.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Disasters.
Chris: I think it was Virginia Tech shooting
>> Tim Wildmon: Next story. Krish?
>> Chris Woodward: Well, an unfortunate situation at Virginia Tech occurred over the weekend. We've got some coverage of this on afm.
>> Tim Wildmon: I don't think it was Virginia Tech.
>> Chris Woodward: It was Virginia Tech shooting.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay. You better check that college.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Ah, yeah, I think it was Virginia University. Anyway, go do the story and I'll, I'll check it up.
>> Chris Woodward: The Virginia Tech State University. Excuse me.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yes, I was right.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah, thank you. no, I don't, I'm just, I'll see myself out.
>> Tim Wildmon: Just if I'm wrong.
>> Ed Vitagliano: No, no, no, you're, you're right. It wasn't virgin. There is a famous Virginia Tech. There is, mass shooting.
>> Tim Wildmon: But yes, there was. So, so my apologies. This is not anything to make fun about and I didn't.
>> Chris Woodward: No, no, no, I was, I was wrong.
>> Tim Wildmon: No, I was just trying to correct the facts of the matter. But I, shouldn't have said the other part, so go ahead.
Authorities are seeking additional people who they say fired weapons during Virginia shooting
>> Chris Woodward: Authorities are seeking additional people who they say fired weapons during a weekend shooting at Virginia State university that left five people wounded. Authorities found a 19 year old suspect over the weekend. Investigators, are trying to determine if others who fired weapons did so in self defense or if they were aggressors. The shooting came just after 1:30am Saturday and students had gathered for the new school year. The suspect is not a student, but was found hiding in a dorm closet on Saturday afternoon. He faces four counts of malicious wounding and four counts of using a firearm during a felony. Only one of the victims is a student. The reason I bring this up is because it brought to mind the unfortunate situation we had at Virginia Tech many years ago where they had a shooting there and unfortunately people died. It's, it's back to school for a lot of people. So as people pray for students in their new school year, we should add these folks to the prayer list as well.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Ed Vitagliano: first of all, it's just an evil act, obviously to just shoot innocent. Well, to shoot anybody taking the law in your own hands, but to just randomly try to kill people is obviously evil. And then there just seems to be a lot of crazy in the air. we don't know anything about this particular shooting. I'm sure we'll find out.
>> Tim Wildmon: let me ask you this question. Yeah, there were some Other shootings too, over the weekend, a couple of other places, where similar type things took place. You know, you see these stories, but then you go, well, you know, is this some kind of trend or is this, you know, are we becoming more violent or something like that? But I just know that we also live in a country of 330 million people or something like that.
>> Ed Vitagliano: That's true.
>> Tim Wildmon: So these things are going to happen, you know, sadly, and tragically these things are going to happen. but immediately, the left wing people in this country immediately blame guns, right? They're going to say gun violence. They never have an answer outside of taking up guns, confiscating guns, which is against the second Amendment. That's what they're going to say. But they blame guns. Instead of holding the people who use the guns to shoot people accountable. That isn't their, they wouldn't necessarily say, no, don't hold them accountable. But they defer immediately to, they'll say gun violence if you listen to them. Meaning I'm talking about the left wingers and as if there's not a person behind the gun, right, that gets it out of the drawer or whatever and goes and uses it.
>> Ed Vitagliano: and then a lot, a lot of times these guns are used illegally and I'm not just talking about trying to take a life. They are guns that don't belong to the person. They're stolen or they're taken from a family member who doesn't know it and they're. So you, it becomes a convoluted argument because the response from second Amendment people is millions of people in our country use guns legally every day to protect themselves every day. And it's not the fault of the gun. It is. The responsibility for these actions falls squarely on the people who misuse the guns. And if you take those, all of those guns away, you're depriving law abiding citizens of a way to defend themselves.
>> Tim Wildmon: Why do you think the, again the left wing people do that? Why don't they immediately say gun violence instead of.
>> Ed Vitagliano: I just, I, personally think that too much of our political discussion is a zero sum game. We've used that term a number of times, which means you cannot admit anything, any of the truth of your opponent's views because to admit that that person is right, and I'm talking about both sides, if that person is right about anything, you lose the whole argument. I, I think, I, I don't, I personally don't have a problem with people, you know, maybe having some lessons on Proper use of weapons. I don't mind the fact that you have to, you know, I'm probably opening a can of worms here. that, that there is a, a. You have to. When you try to buy a gun, there's a federal database to make sure that terrorists or criminals aren't trying to purchase a gun from Walmart or whoever's got it. So I just think that, you know, the other side wants to win this argument and they can't admit that people, millions of people, use guns legally because it destroys their argument.
>> Tim Wildmon: Also, isn't killing people with a gun already illegal?
>> Ed Vitagliano: It is.
>> Tim Wildmon: Well, so the person.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Under certain circumstances.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, yeah.
>> Ed Vitagliano: It's not a legal.
>> Tim Wildmon: But I mean, I'm quite frankly a little amused. News is probably not the right word. When I see signs like gun free zone. Right. A building. I'm going like, you really think a sign he's going to stop a criminal. Oh, I came to start shooting people. But look, it's, it's illegal.
>> Ed Vitagliano: It's illegal, it's illegal.
>> Tim Wildmon: There's a sign here saying I can't bring the gun in the mall. I guess I have to walk away.
>> Ed Vitagliano: The only one who's. Only people who will follow the sign are law abiding citizens.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right. Which puts them at a disadvantage. Right. because, so anyway, again, I've never, I do understand, but I don't. It's illogical. The blame the gun, blame the gun for the act of violence. I've never understood that question. As I've mentioned before, the left wingers apply that unless it involves a police officer.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: If it's a police officer using a gun, they don't stay stop gun violence.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Right.
>> Tim Wildmon: They say stop the individual from using a gun.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah. Because he's a racist.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right. So they typically logic. The logic flips right there. So. All right. You're listening to today's issues on American Family Radio. Thanks for listening, Tim. Ed and Krish. Krish, next story.
The 60 day cease fire with Iran is set to expire today
>> Chris Woodward: The 60 day cease fire with Iran is set to expire today and some in the Iranian regime are ramping up their violent rhetoric.
>> Tim Wildmon: We've had a ceasefire on paper.
>> Chris Woodward: On paper.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Chris Woodward: That I can say is 60 days.
>> Tim Wildmon: And it's about to run out.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah, it's about to run out.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Chris Woodward: in today's update on this ongoing conflict, Iran's army's chief, has announced a bounty on U.S. soldiers. And I've got some audio here from a guy named Will Tebow. He's an army veteran and director of the American Military Project. He told Fox that you don't put a bounty on American soldiers if you want peace, like we're being told Iran wants.
>> Speaker G: Clip 4 One thing that is, I think, very different even from 30 days ago is Iran is starting to feel a lot of economic pressure, that is resulting from President Trump's, I think, wise decision to blockade access to Iranian ports for traffic that navigates through the Strait of Hormuz. And in many ways, I see this rhetoric, this announcement of a bounty as, you know, an increasing act of desperation. I think there is a sign and some reason to believe that Iran knows it can't go on like this forever. And, you know, that should, I think, provide a path out of this war.
>> Chris Woodward: The bounty is $30,000, although it could be more, depending on who, might be killed.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Well, I, I describe this war as being like, Groundhog Day. The movie Groundhog Day just kind of goes on and on and on. somebody else had a better metaphor this morning. in our story meeting. I forget what it was that I'm just getting older. I can't remember.
>> Tim Wildmon: It's been an hour and a half ago.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Thank you.
>> Chris Woodward: I'll let you know when I call you tonight to coordinate.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yes.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Okay.
>> Ed Vitagliano: so, listen, this. The, the Trump administration is dealing with a regime that is run by violent religious fanatics, and they are not going to ever, ever want to make a deal. They don't want peace. And this is proof, as this gentleman was saying, they don't want peace. They believe in bloodshed. They believe in a religious. And zealously hold to it a religious view that demands before God that America and Israel perish. And that's, that's what they live, eat and breathe. So you either have to kill those people, forcibly remove them in some other way, or they're going to continue doing this. And I think the Trump administration and the Israeli government thought that regime could be overthrown when we started this war. But, Iran has proved more resilient, and that regime doesn't look like it's going anywhere. And I think that's the reality m of the situation.
>> Chris Woodward: I think even if the administration is successful in getting positive regime change and they have free and fair elections, you're still going to have rogue actors, in various parts of the world, not just in the US but maybe in Western Europe, big cities there, where some Iranian person who was devoted to the current regime engages in terrorism. I think we'll probably face that for
>> Tim Wildmon: years, but we already have been. I mean, that's Islamic terrorism against the US how long do you want to go back?
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah, yeah, it goes into the 90s. The USS Cole.
>> Tim Wildmon: well, how about the Iranian, Take it to Iranians taking our hostages.
>> Ed Vitagliano: That's true. 1979.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. And it even preceded that. But Pan Am.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah. Remember the Israeli, at the Olympics? Yeah, the Israeli, athletes taken hostage. That was in the 70s.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. It's been going on a long time. It's been going long. A long time. But this story that the Islamic revolutionary. What do you call themselves?
>> Ed Vitagliano: The Islamic Revolutionary, Guard.
>> Tim Wildmon: They publicly issued a announcement about. Of a bounty on American soldiers, right?
>> Chris Woodward: Yes. The headline is $30,000, but stripes.com, which is a military publication, says it's actually up to 60, depending on who might be killed.
>> Tim Wildmon: Hey, like you said, Ed, this has become. This war has become like Groundhog Day. I mean, it's, ah, every day it's like rinse and repeat. Seems like, but so where do we go? Do you think anything will happen in the next. we've got a blockade underway. That blockade's been going on a few months now, Right.
>> Ed Vitagliano: I'm not even sure the blockade is still operational. Well, I think we just have, assets in the region that are attacking when a target pops up.
>> Tim Wildmon: But we've stopped attacking Iran with missiles and bombs?
>> Chris Woodward: For the most part, yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: Now, does that mean we've run out of targets, you think, or run out of weaponry?
>> Ed Vitagliano: No, I don't think we've run out of weaponry yet. I think we just have run out of military targets. And unless we want to start bombing civilian infrastructure like bridges or desalination plants, then we wait for someone, someone within the country of Iran to launch a missile, and we can locate them and hit it.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay, so we've stopped. by the way, I agree with that. If that's the reason President Trump has stopped, I know people listening may say, well, war is you got to be all in to win. I understand that. But if Trump started bombing water plants and electrical grid, and first of all, the time it would take to rebuild those things would be enormous. And you've got summertime in Iran, it's hot like here, and you would have a humanitarian crisis for millions of people that would get worldwide attention. It would be a complete, total condemnation from everybody around the world for if President Trump did something like that. So I know some people may say disagree with me, but I don't. I, think. I think that's the consequences of putting all these millions of people. These are people who are. Yes, they're held hostage, basically their hostages, the Iranian regime. So it's a, it's a, it's a hard call on how far you go with punishing Iran while not trying to make the millions of people who are in, basically in bondage to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, you know, suffer. Right, Makes sense.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah.
Ed Vitagliano: Eventually we will run out of missiles
And by the way, the blockade is ongoing despite the fact that we had the ceasefire.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes. So Trump did say that over the weekend as well.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: but do you. So you think that's sort of the dilemma. President Trump may not say that out loud, although there isn't much he doesn't say out loud. But, maybe that's. That. That seems to me be where we are. We're out of military targets. Now. You can respond if drones are sent from here or missiles launched from there. You can spot it and go in and try to do something. But other than that, it seems to be out of. We seem to be. Because remember we did that ten day, bombing mission that was relentless night after night and it seemed like we've run out of places to bomb short of what you're talking about.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Unless you're targeting individuals, you know, political leaders or people you think are leading the IRGC and. Yeah, but I just. Eventually we will run out of missiles. and if your goal is to over overthrow the regime, I don't think that's going to happen. I think Iran realizes that. I think everybody else realizes that Iran is getting supplied, from what I've read by China, probably Russia as well. So I don't think the IRGC is going anywhere and we're going to have to in a sense make peace with the idea that we not going to get everything we hope to accomplish. And at some point we got to leave.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. All right, we'll be back momentarily, after this timeout with more of today's issues on the American Family Radio Network. Tim, Ed and Krish.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Hello, I'm Ed Vitagliano. Did you know that this show is listener supported? Without people like you, this show would not exist. That's why we need you. A generous monthly gift of any amount will help sustain American Family Radio, specifically this show as we reach thousands of
>> Ed Vitagliano: people each week with biblical truth.
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>> : This is Today's Issues. Email your comments to commentsfr.net Past broadcasts of today's issues are available for listening and viewing in the [email protected] now back to more of, today's issues.
Joshua Baez hits three home runs in his major league debut
>> Tim Wildmon: Hey, welcome back everybody, to today's Issues on the American Family Radio Network. Tim, Ed and Krish. Hey, we have some a good news story finally, don't we, Krish? Doesn't involve the war or shootings or anything like that?
>> Ed Vitagliano: Or the economy or anything like that.
>> Tim Wildmon: No. What does it involve, Krish?
>> Chris Woodward: I'm so honored to be able to talk about this. it's not doom and gloom. so the Cardinals, the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, they've got a rookie named Joshua Baez who in his major league debut hit not one, not two, but three home runs in his major
>> Tim Wildmon: league debut in his first three at bats.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yes, it's never been done.
>> Chris Woodward: Never been done. Probably won't be done again.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Tim, you said this morning, even though Krish is trying to take credit for it, you said this morning that it'll probably never be done again.
>> Tim Wildmon: It won't be.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah, I'll see myself out again.
>> Tim Wildmon: No, no, no, no.
>> Ed Vitagliano: You keep coming back in.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay, so what we're talking. I hope people maybe who are non baseball fans fully appreciate this. Yeah, this, Fella, he's 23 years old.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Young kid.
>> Tim Wildmon: Young kid. He, grew up his first few years like in the Dominican and then they moved to the Boston area. His family, he had to learn English. Yeah, he had to learn English while in school. Said he was Using like Google Translate or something like that. I was reading this story, anyway, 23 years old and he he wasn't a really high draft pick. So he's here he is. He gets called up from Memphis, which is the Triple A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. He gets called up to the big leagues and I think they're in Chicago playing the Cubs, right? Yes, Wrigley Field.
>> Chris Woodward: Which only makes this that much more of a story. epic rivals the Cubs and the Cardinals.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right. And think about this for a minute. How long has Major League Baseball been going on? One hundred and something years.
>> Chris Woodward: Since the 1800s.
>> Ed Vitagliano: 1800s, late 1800s.
>> Tim Wildmon: I've got some cards from that era. I think I've got some guy's 1899 card at home.
>> Chris Woodward: If it's invented.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Honus somebody.
>> Chris Woodward: Ah, Wilbur Honus Wagner.
>> Ed Vitagliano: you think I should try to sell this thing? Yeah, you sell it and buy yourself an island.
>> Tim Wildmon: Anyway, so Major League Baseball has been going on, let's say 100 plus years, right? With probably a million games played. I don't know what the total is. maybe more than that, I don't know. But I'm just saying in all that time, what happened with this young man, his name is what? Joshua Baez, has never happened in the history of Major League Baseball. Think about that. Of course, you can only have one opportunity for that to happen, right? Because we're talking, this is his first game, his debut, as you said, in the major leagues. And his first pitch he hits over the center field wall. He comes up again and he hits another home run and then another home run. So back to, back to back home runs in his first three at bats as a Major league baseball player. And now his, the expectation for him is going to doom him.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes. It will follow him for the rest of his career.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right, right, right. So now everybody's going to be going, well, hey, you hit a home run two games. What's wrong? You know, so anyway, congratulations to him. I saw the smile on his face.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Well, we have all asked, yes, our crack, AFN news team to get the audio for this.
>> Tim Wildmon: Let's do it.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Such a great story. And folks, if you can find it, watch it. I found it easily on YouTube. You just type in, Joshua Baez, B, A, E Z, his name in. And you see this great big smile on this kid's face, right?
>> Chris Woodward: Clip 11.
>> Ed Vitagliano: And here comes Baez as a big leaguer for the first time.
>> Speaker H: Swing and a high fly belted first pitch in the show. Baez homers look at that Cardinal dugout. It is not supposed to be that easy. Swag and a drive down the line. Did he do it again? That ball is gone. He's got two homers. Swing, drive, well hit right. Suzuki back. And it's gone. It is gone. It is gone. Three homers for Baezy. Major league history at Wrigley Field.
>> Chris Woodward: I didn't think about this until just now, but the very excited announcer there is Chip Carey, who is the grandson
>> Tim Wildmon: of Harry Carey, longtime Skip Gary's son.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes.
>> Ed Vitagliano: He.
>> Chris Woodward: He was the announcer for the Braves for a while, but he's since moved.
>> Ed Vitagliano: This. This young man, Baez, he not only hit three home runs, first three times a Batman.
Chris Evans grew up a huge Cardinals fan
It was one to each field.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Like center, left and right.
>> Chris Woodward: The mathematical odds of that are. That's a lot of.
>> Tim Wildmon: The only thing he could do more is column.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Call your shot, raise your baby.
>> Chris Woodward: Your bat.
>> Tim Wildmon: raise your. But, yeah. Where. Where's this ball go even if you're
>> Ed Vitagliano: not a baseball fan? Okay, folks, that's. That's a good news story.
>> Chris Woodward: I would go ahead and retire then. You could retire with, like, a flawless batting average. You could be talked about.
>> Ed Vitagliano: I think he's got a lot of money still to make.
>> Tim Wildmon: 23 years old.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. He stays healthy. Yeah. He's on his way to a nice little,
>> Ed Vitagliano: He can buy the Dominican Republic.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, exactly. All right. He plays for the St. Louis Cardinals. I grew up a huge Cardinals fan.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah, you've been a Cardinals fan. You used to go to bed. You told me. Go to bed listening to your transistor radio.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Listening to Cardinals.
>> Tim Wildmon: Like a lot of boys in the 70s, 60s with the red Sox. Did you? Yeah. You know what I'm talking about.
>> Speaker H: Yep.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, I used to listen to
>> Ed Vitagliano: the Cardinals on warm summer nights.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Those were the days.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah.
>> Chris Woodward: I lucked into the greatest era of the Braves.
>> Tim Wildmon: Tv.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: They were on the superstation.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes. Oh, man, that was so great. I wish they would go back to it now, but I was nine years old when they went from worst to first. And so literally, like, Murphy, was it? Or that after Dale, they had already gotten rid of Dale. Okay, we don't talk about that.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Right.
>> Chris Woodward: But anyway, from 91 on was just epic. I was born into the greatest era they had. Oh, yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: That was the greatest pitching staff threesome ever assembled. You may find one as good in history of baseball, but not better.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Right.
>> Tim Wildmon: Thom Glavin, Jon Smoltz. And who's, the other? Greg Maddox.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Matt Oak.
>> Chris Woodward: Who Also played for the Cups.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Forgot Maddox.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, those three.
>> Chris Woodward: The first game I ever saw was at Wrigley Field. my mom grew up north of Chicago in a town called Zion, Illinois. My aunt.
>> Tim Wildmon: You left Zion?
>> Chris Woodward: my aunt did.
>> Tim Wildmon: Your family did.
>> Chris Woodward: But, it's. If you've hit Kenosha, Wisconsin, you've gone just a bit too far. But anyway, we went to visit relatives up there and saw the Braves and the Cubs in 1998, during the Sosa home run years. at Wrigley Field, it was. I sat in the nosebleeds in June and wished I had a jacket.
>> Tim Wildmon: There's nosebleeds at Wrigley?
>> Chris Woodward: well, it's kind of sorta in the, Left.
>> Ed Vitagliano: The cheap seats.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah, between third and left field, there's some cheap seats.
>> Tim Wildmon: I do want to go to Wrigley Field sometimes. I've been to Fenway, the Fenway, and that's. Fenway's older than Wrigley, but that Wrigley is the second oldest baseball in Major League in the, in professional baseball. All right, you're listening to today's issues on American Family Radio. Enough of feel good stories, Krish. We want to go back to the sin of man. Okay, give us some more sinful man stories.
Most U.S. voters say they are worse off under Trump, poll shows
>> Chris Woodward: All right, well, let's go back and talk about something the Trump administration is having to deal with. While it deals with how to bring about a positive end to the situation in Iran. The president here is really underwater when it comes to his approval rating. As a matter of fact, in this midterm election year, President Trump's not on the ballot, but his agenda and policies are. Most U.S. voters say they are worse off under Trump. after the 2024 election. Here. This is a Financial Times poll, and again, the headline is, most U.S. voters say they are worse off under Trump. This comes at a time in which we're less than 90 days to the midterm election year. And the. I can't believe I'm even saying this, but about a year from now is when we're going to be talking about people rumored to be running for president. So this is not the headline you want going into a midterm election year in which it looks like the opposing party.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Chris Woodward: Gonna take one chamber easily.
>> Tim Wildmon: Listen, like most conservatives, I'm always skeptical of, headlines about Republicans. or. Because the liberal news media bias.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Right.
>> Tim Wildmon: or especially, you know, they want to say, well, Trump is suffering in the polls because of, in this case, the economy. the only reason I give credence to this. It is the Financial Times and they are a reputable news agency. And it does make sense, quite frankly. We've had, everybody knows that. We've had inflation and we had prices of cost, of living has gone up like exponentially beyond what it maybe normally does, which is like, what is it, 3% a year annually cost of living increases that are normal. And so with the war and with the price of gasoline and all these things. So, I do think that a lot of Americans, maybe a majority, if you say, are you better or worse off since President Trump, took over in terms of your economic situation, they're probably going to say worse. Now, do I think all the blame belongs to President Trump? No, but I'm telling the psychology of the American people. They don't care whether you're a Democrat or a Republican. If the economy at home is not going well, they're going to, blame. I put that in quotations. Whoever's in the White House, that's just the way things are and how he's
>> Ed Vitagliano: happy and that person's party.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. Yes. And it's not fair necessarily, but that's just the way it is.
>> Ed Vitagliano: It's also probably not accurate to give credit to a person, whoever's in the White House, when the economy is doing well. I don't know what the percentage of impact, policies do matter. pouring lots of money like, Joe Biden did into the economy, that does ramp up inflation. The war in Iran certainly have some, has impact, but it's not fair. And it's probably not accurate to always blame or praise the person in the way.
>> Tim Wildmon: So it's going to be, it's going to be, as they say, interesting to watch what happens on election day. Do the Republicans lose the House of Representatives because they only have like a three.
>> Ed Vitagliano: It's a very slim, like, what
>> Tim Wildmon: is it, three or four vote margin.
>> Ed Vitagliano: It is. And I think somebody's retired. It may be even smaller.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay. And so in the United States Senate, the Republicans have a bigger, margin. They have 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats are Democrat. I think Bernie Sanders is an independent who caucuses with the Democrats. So. But in all practical purposes, it's 5347. So I, I genuinely hope that the Republicans can hold on to the Senate. I sort of resign myself to the fact they're going to lose the House. That's just my opinion. That may not happen.
>> Chris Woodward: I think they will.
>> Tim Wildmon: But, if you can hold on to the Senate, then you can get Federal judges, passed. Because the president appoints federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, and the Senate confirms them or denies them. so they do. So you have to go through the Senate to get federal judge, federal judge nominees passed. And to me, as I've said many times before, I rank appointing federal judges, including Supreme Court justices. There's hardly anything I can think of maybe than being commander in chief that is more important than that.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Right.
>> Tim Wildmon: Because these federal judges, you know, as I've said before too, if you look at the universe, and I'm talking about the universe out there, the galaxies, and is the universe galaxies fall under Universe.
>> Speaker I: yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: So the universe is everything, right?
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
Chris: The importance of appointing federal judges ahead of November elections
Who controls the universe?
>> Ed Vitagliano: God.
>> Tim Wildmon: God Almighty. Right, Right. Okay. Then you come down to planet Earth. Right. Underneath God are federal judges. Right, Right. Okay. Now they're not sovereign except for their own jurisdiction. They are. So the, importance of appointing federal judges whose legacy. I don't know if that's the right word. Whose, decisions, affect all of the country and they're going to be there long after whoever the president that appointed them is. So, I'm just saying, if you want to say what to pray about, I'm saying pray that, that we're able to see constitutional judges appointed for the next two years and not rejected because we have a liberal, Senate. Does that make sense?
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yes, absolutely.
>> Tim Wildmon: Is that okay to pray for that?
>> Ed Vitagliano: Absolutely.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Ed Vitagliano: We need to pray for our leaders.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay. Yeah.
>> Ed Vitagliano: And that means not just people who are in office, right? I think not. And not only pray for the ones who could be in office, but folks, go vote. I'm looking at an article on AFN that says, Ohio's GOP candidates warned of turnout problem in November. So folks, you got to get out
>> Tim Wildmon: there and vote and get your friends and family and church members get registered.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Because usually in an, in an off year, that is not, a presidential year, there is a drop in, in voting numbers. So a lot of it, so a lot of whoever wins, especially in close races, just depends on turnout. Right, Right.
>> Ed Vitagliano: This is how, by the way. And this was actually a genius move, but it's sinister as well. All right. This is the way that a lot of these liberal, America hating, God hating district attorneys got into office in big cities and cities across the country. they got in because turnout for local elections is so small M. That leftist money poured into these races and these leftist individuals took positions of power we're talking about. They won't charge, they won't charge Criminals.
>> Tim Wildmon: They're George Soros.
>> Ed Vitagliano: George Soros. Money poured into these races because turnout's so low. You don't have to have much money to get elected to those positions. You can. If you don't participate in the republic, you can lose it. Yeah, you can lose the republic.
>> Chris Woodward: Our I Voter Guide. a few years ago, Debbie what now@ivoterguide, wrote a piece, called A Vote that Really Matters. And she talked about the importance of down ballot voting. And she pointed out that, look, I know there are local elections that might not make headlines, but you need to vote for everything. Because tomorrow, today's school board members might be tomorrow's state representative or state senator. And then they run for the Congress and they run for the Senate. That's how most people, move up the ranks. So you do need to vote for down, ballot races. And to go back to the Ohio story, there are polls out that show Vivek Ramaswamy losing this governor's race. And that's big because no Republican ever gets elected to the White House without winning Ohio. So you're looking at the potential of Ohio going from red or something for governor. Yeah, I'm just saying they could change the political landscape ahead of the 28 election.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Chris Woodward: in this midterm.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, Republicans have to win Ohio or they can't win a presidential election, a national election.
>> Ed Vitagliano: And by the way, we, we don't probably mention this enough on this show. AFA has a division called named I Voter Guide. You probably have heard, some spots on the air for it. But if you go to ivoterguide.com all lowercase I voter Guide. That's the letter I, I voterguide.com you can find your state, you can find your voter guide. You can find out about big state elections. And the candid are covered in terms of their voting record, the amount, who gives them money, whether they're conservative, all the way to very conservative, very liberal. All that information is available you can find about when your elections are, how to get registered. All that information is provided for you, folks. I mean, we've made it easy. I voterguide.com I voterguide.com all right, you're
>> Tim Wildmon: listening to Today's issues on American Family, American Family Radio Network. Thanks for joining us. And we've got a few minutes left on the show. What's next, Krish?
There are Democratic socialists running for various offices in Florida this year
>> Chris Woodward: Ohio is not the only state we should watch. There's a Florida primary tomorrow for all kinds of seats. The Republican primary, is one that a lot of people are watching because they're going to find out who voters want to be on the ticket this November to try to replace, Governor DeSantis, who was termed limited. Florida is a big state to watch because in recent years it's kind of, adopted the motto of the free state of Florida. And unfortunately, there are Democratic socialists running for various offices, including congressional seats there. And here is a guy named Oliver Larkin who wants to put even more free stuff in the, free state.
>> Tim Wildmon: Oliver Larkin? Yes, that's his name.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: I'm writing this down.
>> Chris Woodward: Clip, five.
>> Speaker G: Why are you out here advocating for
>> Tim Wildmon: socialism in a state where capitalism does work well when it seems like you haven't really tried it yourself?
>> Speaker I: Well, we have a higher cost of living in the Miami metropolitan area now than NewSong York City. And we've had 30 years of Republican rule in Tallahassee. So, this stark income and wealth inequality where we see my district, the 25th congressional district, having the highest concentration of billionaires in the country. At the same time, we see the poverty rate going up.
>> Chris Woodward: He's out there pushing things like universal healthcare and quote, unquote, free college. So he's wanting to have even more free stuff in the free state of Florida.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah, well, listen, NewSong York City is already getting a rude awakening. Other cities around the country are getting rude awakenings, in terms of these kinds of political leaders. it can get worse. Let me tell you something.
>> Tim Wildmon: Those kinds of things he just mentioned right there. now, as part of the. These Democrat socialists, you may say, what is their appeal? Are they for communism? Are they. When what is communism? and they have, they have whack a doodle ideas on a lot of things like crime, like not punishing crime. No borders, basically. No. No ice to enforce immigration law. I mean, they are. They wouldn't have any military. They had their way.
>> Ed Vitagliano: They want to defund the Pentagon.
>> Tim Wildmon: Pentagon. Defund the police. That's part of their. But you may. But you have to ask yourself, why are they gaining traction? So I think. I think, to ignore the reasons why they are gaining traction in some states. Look at Michigan. Yeah, look at Michigan. Michigan's, you know, Midwestern state. Now, I know it's been blue, but, not deep blue, but I'm saying that that's the gentleman who's the, Senate candidate. Senate candidate. He's a Democrat Socialist.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah.
>> Chris Woodward: He says that he's not a Democratic socialist, but he is.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay, well, anyway, that they, the, that they're. They're gaining traction. They're not taking over America Okay. But you have to say their appeal, which is the Bernie Sanders message for the last 173 years that he's been alive.
>> Ed Vitagliano: that's pretty good.
>> Tim Wildmon: One day he'll use a comb. I don't know when. but he's.
>> Ed Vitagliano: He.
Christian: Democrat socialists are appealing to average people on economics
I think he's forgotten his comb in one of his four houses.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: I would go, either comb your hair or do like me. Just shave it off. I didn't have to shave mine off. Mine came off by itself.
>> Chris Woodward: I'm getting there.
>> Tim Wildmon: It came off by itself. I'm just saying that, the ideas being expressed by these Democrat socialists, the economic ideas, are the same message that Bernie Sanders has been using for the last 30 years.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay. And maybe even further to the left than Bernie Sanders on some issues.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Thank you.
>> Tim Wildmon: So I say that. To say this, you say, well, who could vote for a person like that with these kind of ideas? Their appeal is to the, to average people on economics. Okay? The average person out there is not going to go sign me up for no cops.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Right?
>> Tim Wildmon: But if you say universal health care, you're going to get the attention of a lot of people who can't afford health care.
>> Chris Woodward: Right? And they say that every time they're asked about it.
>> Tim Wildmon: And they. And the appeal is, well, have the government pay for your health care. Why? Because we got all these billionaires over here and they're not paying their fair share. So it appeals to a sense of, yeah, stick it to the rich guy sort of. Sort of what? You know what I'm saying?
>> Ed Vitagliano: Right.
>> Tim Wildmon: that human jealousy instinct, they appeal to that. And so,
>> Ed Vitagliano: And fear.
>> Tim Wildmon: And fear.
>> Ed Vitagliano: People are afraid.
>> Tim Wildmon: So if you want to know. And then they offer, okay, free college for everybody. Well, who doesn't want to hear that? Sign me up for that. I got three kids about to go to college. Sign me up for free college for everybody. This is the appeal that they're making, which is gaining some traction. We'll be back momentarily. The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
The God who speaks is a powerful message on authority of scripture
>> Ed Vitagliano: The God who Speaks is a powerful message on the authority of scripture in the voices of some of the most respected theologians of our day. The most historic formula for the Christian church has been when the Scripture speaks, God Speaks. The God who speaks is a 90 minute documentary which can empower Christians to share our faith and defend the authenticity of the Bible. Available at thegodwhospeaks.org or visit stream.aca.net Foreign.
>> : Welcome to Today's Issues. offering a Christian response to the issues of the day. Here's your host, Tim Wildmon. M. President of the American Family Association.
>> Tim Wildmon: Hey, good morning, everybody, and welcome to Today's Issues on the American Family Radio Network. Thanks for listening to AFR. Today is Monday, August 17, 2026. Again, as always, thank you for listening to American Family Radio. Tim Wildmon here with Ed Vitagliano. Good morning, Ed.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Good morning, Tim.
>> Tim Wildmon: Krish Woodward.
>> Chris Woodward: Good morning.
>> Tim Wildmon: You guys are wearing your, navy AFA church.
>> Ed Vitagliano: We just realized we were in the story meeting this morning together and it wasn't until we were sitting next to each other here in the studio that
>> Tim Wildmon: we realized that you're both. So just for those who can't see into the studio here, watching on the video, Ed and. And Krish are wearing the same shirt.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes, Identical shirt.
>> Tim Wildmon: And you didn't nobody text each other this morning and said, hey, what are you wearing today?
>> Chris Woodward: We stopped doing that years ago.
>> Ed Vitagliano: That would be pathetic.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah. Yeah.
>> Ed Vitagliano: More pathetic than usual.
>> Chris Woodward: So what. What listeners need to do and viewers is to watch later this week to see if we wear our green shirts on the same day.
>> Ed Vitagliano: I'm wearing mine tomorrow.
>> Chris Woodward: Okay, let me write that down.
>> Tim Wildmon: All right. yeah, there. Yeah, we will. We won't deal with the psychology of a guy asking the other guy, what are you wearing?
>> Ed Vitagliano: Where.
>> Tim Wildmon: What are you wearing today?
>> Ed Vitagliano: That kind of comes out the creepy.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, it falls in that category for sure.
Pamela Lexer says her air conditioner broke last week
all right. Hope everybody had a good weekend and that your air conditioner didn't break. Did you get yours fixed?
>> Ed Vitagliano: No. Nope. now I do always want to remind everybody we have air conditioning. We need a surge protector and they sent the wrong part last week and so we're waiting this week. So at some point this week, I'm going to have to go home and meet the guy while he puts that on.
>> Tim Wildmon: So what is he. What's, what's the profession that handles that?
>> Ed Vitagliano: Just air conditioning, you know.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay. You know it's not called surge protector, man, right?
>> Ed Vitagliano: No, I don't think there's. They can sell enough of those. It's just the. The folks who put in our unit.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right.
>> Ed Vitagliano: they do the servicing and, So, and they. They're very nice. This is unusual for the people who
>> Tim Wildmon: do have their air conditioner go out. You can't. You can't stay in the house. No, in. In brittle. I'm talking about in much of the country right now.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Right.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right now. Which is. It's middle of August, so guess what? It's hot everywhere.
>> Ed Vitagliano: And pretty much it's hot everywhere. Yeah, the, the H Vac people, the heating and cooling people, they. They have to put you on a list because there's other people in exactly your same situation.
>> Tim Wildmon: So can you, Pamela Lexer, get bumped up bribery?
>> Ed Vitagliano: You, know, I have never thought
>> Tim Wildmon: of that, but hey, it's worked out through human history.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes, it has.
>> Ed Vitagliano: How about I make it worth your
>> Tim Wildmon: while it bribery, and call it the American way? you know, I don't know.
>> Ed Vitagliano: You'd have to. You'd have to, like, meet one of them, you know, just cross paths at a local convenience store or something and say, hey, here's an extra 20 if you put me at the. I'm sure they can't when they answer the phone.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right?
>> Speaker G: You.
>> Ed Vitagliano: If you say, hey, can I pay extra? Well, you get. You got.
>> Tim Wildmon: I'm just saying you can do that on an airline.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: You can buy premium seat or you can sit back there with the cattle. Either one, you pick.
>> Ed Vitagliano: My. My mom used to say money talks.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right? So I just wondered. I was just a question I had. Can you get bumped up if you pay?
>> Ed Vitagliano: I've never. You know what? I'm just gonna. I'm just gonna say I'm proud of myself. That even though I'm Italian, I've never thought about bump. Bribing the heating and cooling people. I should have. That should come naturally to me.
>> Tim Wildmon: Threatening or bribing that heat a couple days, you'll pay whatever you need to get it fixed. You go. Go with that cooling, I should say.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Oh, yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: All right.
>> Tim Wildmon: All right, Christopher. Bring forth unto us story number one.
At least seven people have died in Indiana because of flooding
>> Speaker H: All right.
>> Chris Woodward: Well, air conditioning is not a problem for people in Indiana. and I say that because flooding is their, issue this morning. We need to pray for the people of Indiana.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Indiana.
>> Chris Woodward: They've had some deadly flooding there. At least seven people have died during days.
>> Tim Wildmon: Seven people are dead. Wow. What happened?
>> Chris Woodward: They had days of heavy rain, historic flooding. There were even some tornadoes, straight line winds.
>> Tim Wildmon: was this in northern, Indiana?
>> Chris Woodward: Various parts of Indiana.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Chris Woodward: And I say that based on the fact that, if you picture the state of Indiana, my wife and in laws are all from the up, upper, northwest portion of the state, Valparaiso, Portage, Hobart, Michigan City, those places, they all had some flooding. And then you go down south, to Indianapolis and even below that they've got flooding. So it's throughout much of the state.
>> Tim Wildmon: Wow. I guess it kind of went under the radar. I saw the story yesterday and I was going, wow. I had no idea that this kind of massive flooding was taking place in Indiana. so, yeah, you're right. We do need to pray for those people. I'm sure, you know, our friends at 8 Days of Hope will probably send a team there, you know, to help out the flood victims as well. You know, when you think about flooding, you think about Louisiana or Florida or Texas, or you don't think about Indiana, or the Midwest, but here we are.
>> Chris Woodward: I talked to a guy last week from the College Fix about a completely unrelated story. One of the editors of the College Fix lives in Indiana. And I said, is this still a good time? And he said, well, we can do it now. I'm m keeping an eye on the sky for a tornado. So they've, they've had bad weather.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Chris Woodward: and you know, as somebody from Mississippi, I totally get that. We get tornadoes a lot, of
>> Tim Wildmon: people, seven people have died. That's. I didn't know, I didn't know that. That's in a lot. And then you got hundreds of people, maybe thousands displaced.
>> Chris Woodward: Right.
>> Ed Vitagliano: No power, et cetera.
>> Chris Woodward: It's going to be an issue for a while. A lot of flooded basements, flooded streets, that kind of stuff. Now, President Trump has promised aid to the state of Indiana. And somebody we have some audio from is Indiana Senator Jim Banks, who had this to say about the flooding and the aid clip.
>> Ed Vitagliano: 10:53 Counties in our state have been, have been devastated, impacted in a big way. We have rivers flowing all over, all through our state. And the flooding, is really bad. A lot, thousands of families affected. Millions of Hoosiers without power right now. President Trump called me yesterday. We talked about the flood damage and he signed the, declaration, of emergency for our state and committed to send millions of dollars here to help rebuild Indiana.
>> Tim Wildmon: That's good to know. Yeah, of course, that's standard operating procedure. Every president of every party, you know, administers, emergency help for Americans in need across the country.
>> Ed Vitagliano: And Americans are generally very good about, helping other states. You know, there's a lot of Power. Like when we had, the ice apocalypse this past, winter, there were units, from other states, power companies that came and tried to help get. I know, Northeast, Mississippi, North Mississippi back online in other states. So, yeah, Americans are generally pretty helpful.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, absolutely.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Disasters.
Chris: I think it was Virginia Tech shooting
>> Tim Wildmon: Next story. Krish?
>> Chris Woodward: Well, an unfortunate situation at Virginia Tech occurred over the weekend. We've got some coverage of this on afm.
>> Tim Wildmon: I don't think it was Virginia Tech.
>> Chris Woodward: It was Virginia Tech shooting.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay. You better check that college.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Ah, yeah, I think it was Virginia University. Anyway, go do the story and I'll, I'll check it up.
>> Chris Woodward: The Virginia Tech State University. Excuse me.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yes, I was right.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah, thank you. no, I don't, I'm just, I'll see myself out.
>> Tim Wildmon: Just if I'm wrong.
>> Ed Vitagliano: No, no, no, you're, you're right. It wasn't virgin. There is a famous Virginia Tech. There is, mass shooting.
>> Tim Wildmon: But yes, there was. So, so my apologies. This is not anything to make fun about and I didn't.
>> Chris Woodward: No, no, no, I was, I was wrong.
>> Tim Wildmon: No, I was just trying to correct the facts of the matter. But I, shouldn't have said the other part, so go ahead.
Authorities are seeking additional people who they say fired weapons during Virginia shooting
>> Chris Woodward: Authorities are seeking additional people who they say fired weapons during a weekend shooting at Virginia State university that left five people wounded. Authorities found a 19 year old suspect over the weekend. Investigators, are trying to determine if others who fired weapons did so in self defense or if they were aggressors. The shooting came just after 1:30am Saturday and students had gathered for the new school year. The suspect is not a student, but was found hiding in a dorm closet on Saturday afternoon. He faces four counts of malicious wounding and four counts of using a firearm during a felony. Only one of the victims is a student. The reason I bring this up is because it brought to mind the unfortunate situation we had at Virginia Tech many years ago where they had a shooting there and unfortunately people died. It's, it's back to school for a lot of people. So as people pray for students in their new school year, we should add these folks to the prayer list as well.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Ed Vitagliano: first of all, it's just an evil act, obviously to just shoot innocent. Well, to shoot anybody taking the law in your own hands, but to just randomly try to kill people is obviously evil. And then there just seems to be a lot of crazy in the air. we don't know anything about this particular shooting. I'm sure we'll find out.
>> Tim Wildmon: let me ask you this question. Yeah, there were some Other shootings too, over the weekend, a couple of other places, where similar type things took place. You know, you see these stories, but then you go, well, you know, is this some kind of trend or is this, you know, are we becoming more violent or something like that? But I just know that we also live in a country of 330 million people or something like that.
>> Ed Vitagliano: That's true.
>> Tim Wildmon: So these things are going to happen, you know, sadly, and tragically these things are going to happen. but immediately, the left wing people in this country immediately blame guns, right? They're going to say gun violence. They never have an answer outside of taking up guns, confiscating guns, which is against the second Amendment. That's what they're going to say. But they blame guns. Instead of holding the people who use the guns to shoot people accountable. That isn't their, they wouldn't necessarily say, no, don't hold them accountable. But they defer immediately to, they'll say gun violence if you listen to them. Meaning I'm talking about the left wingers and as if there's not a person behind the gun, right, that gets it out of the drawer or whatever and goes and uses it.
>> Ed Vitagliano: and then a lot, a lot of times these guns are used illegally and I'm not just talking about trying to take a life. They are guns that don't belong to the person. They're stolen or they're taken from a family member who doesn't know it and they're. So you, it becomes a convoluted argument because the response from second Amendment people is millions of people in our country use guns legally every day to protect themselves every day. And it's not the fault of the gun. It is. The responsibility for these actions falls squarely on the people who misuse the guns. And if you take those, all of those guns away, you're depriving law abiding citizens of a way to defend themselves.
>> Tim Wildmon: Why do you think the, again the left wing people do that? Why don't they immediately say gun violence instead of.
>> Ed Vitagliano: I just, I, personally think that too much of our political discussion is a zero sum game. We've used that term a number of times, which means you cannot admit anything, any of the truth of your opponent's views because to admit that that person is right, and I'm talking about both sides, if that person is right about anything, you lose the whole argument. I, I think, I, I don't, I personally don't have a problem with people, you know, maybe having some lessons on Proper use of weapons. I don't mind the fact that you have to, you know, I'm probably opening a can of worms here. that, that there is a, a. You have to. When you try to buy a gun, there's a federal database to make sure that terrorists or criminals aren't trying to purchase a gun from Walmart or whoever's got it. So I just think that, you know, the other side wants to win this argument and they can't admit that people, millions of people, use guns legally because it destroys their argument.
>> Tim Wildmon: Also, isn't killing people with a gun already illegal?
>> Ed Vitagliano: It is.
>> Tim Wildmon: Well, so the person.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Under certain circumstances.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, yeah.
>> Ed Vitagliano: It's not a legal.
>> Tim Wildmon: But I mean, I'm quite frankly a little amused. News is probably not the right word. When I see signs like gun free zone. Right. A building. I'm going like, you really think a sign he's going to stop a criminal. Oh, I came to start shooting people. But look, it's, it's illegal.
>> Ed Vitagliano: It's illegal, it's illegal.
>> Tim Wildmon: There's a sign here saying I can't bring the gun in the mall. I guess I have to walk away.
>> Ed Vitagliano: The only one who's. Only people who will follow the sign are law abiding citizens.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right. Which puts them at a disadvantage. Right. because, so anyway, again, I've never, I do understand, but I don't. It's illogical. The blame the gun, blame the gun for the act of violence. I've never understood that question. As I've mentioned before, the left wingers apply that unless it involves a police officer.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: If it's a police officer using a gun, they don't stay stop gun violence.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Right.
>> Tim Wildmon: They say stop the individual from using a gun.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah. Because he's a racist.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right. So they typically logic. The logic flips right there. So. All right. You're listening to today's issues on American Family Radio. Thanks for listening, Tim. Ed and Krish. Krish, next story.
The 60 day cease fire with Iran is set to expire today
>> Chris Woodward: The 60 day cease fire with Iran is set to expire today and some in the Iranian regime are ramping up their violent rhetoric.
>> Tim Wildmon: We've had a ceasefire on paper.
>> Chris Woodward: On paper.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Chris Woodward: That I can say is 60 days.
>> Tim Wildmon: And it's about to run out.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah, it's about to run out.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Chris Woodward: in today's update on this ongoing conflict, Iran's army's chief, has announced a bounty on U.S. soldiers. And I've got some audio here from a guy named Will Tebow. He's an army veteran and director of the American Military Project. He told Fox that you don't put a bounty on American soldiers if you want peace, like we're being told Iran wants.
>> Speaker G: Clip 4 One thing that is, I think, very different even from 30 days ago is Iran is starting to feel a lot of economic pressure, that is resulting from President Trump's, I think, wise decision to blockade access to Iranian ports for traffic that navigates through the Strait of Hormuz. And in many ways, I see this rhetoric, this announcement of a bounty as, you know, an increasing act of desperation. I think there is a sign and some reason to believe that Iran knows it can't go on like this forever. And, you know, that should, I think, provide a path out of this war.
>> Chris Woodward: The bounty is $30,000, although it could be more, depending on who, might be killed.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Well, I, I describe this war as being like, Groundhog Day. The movie Groundhog Day just kind of goes on and on and on. somebody else had a better metaphor this morning. in our story meeting. I forget what it was that I'm just getting older. I can't remember.
>> Tim Wildmon: It's been an hour and a half ago.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Thank you.
>> Chris Woodward: I'll let you know when I call you tonight to coordinate.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yes.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Okay.
>> Ed Vitagliano: so, listen, this. The, the Trump administration is dealing with a regime that is run by violent religious fanatics, and they are not going to ever, ever want to make a deal. They don't want peace. And this is proof, as this gentleman was saying, they don't want peace. They believe in bloodshed. They believe in a religious. And zealously hold to it a religious view that demands before God that America and Israel perish. And that's, that's what they live, eat and breathe. So you either have to kill those people, forcibly remove them in some other way, or they're going to continue doing this. And I think the Trump administration and the Israeli government thought that regime could be overthrown when we started this war. But, Iran has proved more resilient, and that regime doesn't look like it's going anywhere. And I think that's the reality m of the situation.
>> Chris Woodward: I think even if the administration is successful in getting positive regime change and they have free and fair elections, you're still going to have rogue actors, in various parts of the world, not just in the US but maybe in Western Europe, big cities there, where some Iranian person who was devoted to the current regime engages in terrorism. I think we'll probably face that for
>> Tim Wildmon: years, but we already have been. I mean, that's Islamic terrorism against the US how long do you want to go back?
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah, yeah, it goes into the 90s. The USS Cole.
>> Tim Wildmon: well, how about the Iranian, Take it to Iranians taking our hostages.
>> Ed Vitagliano: That's true. 1979.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. And it even preceded that. But Pan Am.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah. Remember the Israeli, at the Olympics? Yeah, the Israeli, athletes taken hostage. That was in the 70s.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. It's been going on a long time. It's been going long. A long time. But this story that the Islamic revolutionary. What do you call themselves?
>> Ed Vitagliano: The Islamic Revolutionary, Guard.
>> Tim Wildmon: They publicly issued a announcement about. Of a bounty on American soldiers, right?
>> Chris Woodward: Yes. The headline is $30,000, but stripes.com, which is a military publication, says it's actually up to 60, depending on who might be killed.
>> Tim Wildmon: Hey, like you said, Ed, this has become. This war has become like Groundhog Day. I mean, it's, ah, every day it's like rinse and repeat. Seems like, but so where do we go? Do you think anything will happen in the next. we've got a blockade underway. That blockade's been going on a few months now, Right.
>> Ed Vitagliano: I'm not even sure the blockade is still operational. Well, I think we just have, assets in the region that are attacking when a target pops up.
>> Tim Wildmon: But we've stopped attacking Iran with missiles and bombs?
>> Chris Woodward: For the most part, yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: Now, does that mean we've run out of targets, you think, or run out of weaponry?
>> Ed Vitagliano: No, I don't think we've run out of weaponry yet. I think we just have run out of military targets. And unless we want to start bombing civilian infrastructure like bridges or desalination plants, then we wait for someone, someone within the country of Iran to launch a missile, and we can locate them and hit it.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay, so we've stopped. by the way, I agree with that. If that's the reason President Trump has stopped, I know people listening may say, well, war is you got to be all in to win. I understand that. But if Trump started bombing water plants and electrical grid, and first of all, the time it would take to rebuild those things would be enormous. And you've got summertime in Iran, it's hot like here, and you would have a humanitarian crisis for millions of people that would get worldwide attention. It would be a complete, total condemnation from everybody around the world for if President Trump did something like that. So I know some people may say disagree with me, but I don't. I, think. I think that's the consequences of putting all these millions of people. These are people who are. Yes, they're held hostage, basically their hostages, the Iranian regime. So it's a, it's a, it's a hard call on how far you go with punishing Iran while not trying to make the millions of people who are in, basically in bondage to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, you know, suffer. Right, Makes sense.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah.
Ed Vitagliano: Eventually we will run out of missiles
And by the way, the blockade is ongoing despite the fact that we had the ceasefire.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes. So Trump did say that over the weekend as well.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: but do you. So you think that's sort of the dilemma. President Trump may not say that out loud, although there isn't much he doesn't say out loud. But, maybe that's. That. That seems to me be where we are. We're out of military targets. Now. You can respond if drones are sent from here or missiles launched from there. You can spot it and go in and try to do something. But other than that, it seems to be out of. We seem to be. Because remember we did that ten day, bombing mission that was relentless night after night and it seemed like we've run out of places to bomb short of what you're talking about.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Unless you're targeting individuals, you know, political leaders or people you think are leading the IRGC and. Yeah, but I just. Eventually we will run out of missiles. and if your goal is to over overthrow the regime, I don't think that's going to happen. I think Iran realizes that. I think everybody else realizes that Iran is getting supplied, from what I've read by China, probably Russia as well. So I don't think the IRGC is going anywhere and we're going to have to in a sense make peace with the idea that we not going to get everything we hope to accomplish. And at some point we got to leave.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. All right, we'll be back momentarily, after this timeout with more of today's issues on the American Family Radio Network. Tim, Ed and Krish.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Hello, I'm Ed Vitagliano. Did you know that this show is listener supported? Without people like you, this show would not exist. That's why we need you. A generous monthly gift of any amount will help sustain American Family Radio, specifically this show as we reach thousands of
>> Ed Vitagliano: people each week with biblical truth.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Please consider becoming a monthly financial partner today by visiting afr.netgive that's afr.net give friend.
80% of abortion vulnerable women choose life after seeing baby on ultrasound
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>> : This is Today's Issues. Email your comments to commentsfr.net Past broadcasts of today's issues are available for listening and viewing in the [email protected] now back to more of, today's issues.
Joshua Baez hits three home runs in his major league debut
>> Tim Wildmon: Hey, welcome back everybody, to today's Issues on the American Family Radio Network. Tim, Ed and Krish. Hey, we have some a good news story finally, don't we, Krish? Doesn't involve the war or shootings or anything like that?
>> Ed Vitagliano: Or the economy or anything like that.
>> Tim Wildmon: No. What does it involve, Krish?
>> Chris Woodward: I'm so honored to be able to talk about this. it's not doom and gloom. so the Cardinals, the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, they've got a rookie named Joshua Baez who in his major league debut hit not one, not two, but three home runs in his major
>> Tim Wildmon: league debut in his first three at bats.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yes, it's never been done.
>> Chris Woodward: Never been done. Probably won't be done again.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Tim, you said this morning, even though Krish is trying to take credit for it, you said this morning that it'll probably never be done again.
>> Tim Wildmon: It won't be.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah, I'll see myself out again.
>> Tim Wildmon: No, no, no, no.
>> Ed Vitagliano: You keep coming back in.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay, so what we're talking. I hope people maybe who are non baseball fans fully appreciate this. Yeah, this, Fella, he's 23 years old.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Young kid.
>> Tim Wildmon: Young kid. He, grew up his first few years like in the Dominican and then they moved to the Boston area. His family, he had to learn English. Yeah, he had to learn English while in school. Said he was Using like Google Translate or something like that. I was reading this story, anyway, 23 years old and he he wasn't a really high draft pick. So he's here he is. He gets called up from Memphis, which is the Triple A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. He gets called up to the big leagues and I think they're in Chicago playing the Cubs, right? Yes, Wrigley Field.
>> Chris Woodward: Which only makes this that much more of a story. epic rivals the Cubs and the Cardinals.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right. And think about this for a minute. How long has Major League Baseball been going on? One hundred and something years.
>> Chris Woodward: Since the 1800s.
>> Ed Vitagliano: 1800s, late 1800s.
>> Tim Wildmon: I've got some cards from that era. I think I've got some guy's 1899 card at home.
>> Chris Woodward: If it's invented.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Honus somebody.
>> Chris Woodward: Ah, Wilbur Honus Wagner.
>> Ed Vitagliano: you think I should try to sell this thing? Yeah, you sell it and buy yourself an island.
>> Tim Wildmon: Anyway, so Major League Baseball has been going on, let's say 100 plus years, right? With probably a million games played. I don't know what the total is. maybe more than that, I don't know. But I'm just saying in all that time, what happened with this young man, his name is what? Joshua Baez, has never happened in the history of Major League Baseball. Think about that. Of course, you can only have one opportunity for that to happen, right? Because we're talking, this is his first game, his debut, as you said, in the major leagues. And his first pitch he hits over the center field wall. He comes up again and he hits another home run and then another home run. So back to, back to back home runs in his first three at bats as a Major league baseball player. And now his, the expectation for him is going to doom him.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes. It will follow him for the rest of his career.
>> Tim Wildmon: Right, right, right. So now everybody's going to be going, well, hey, you hit a home run two games. What's wrong? You know, so anyway, congratulations to him. I saw the smile on his face.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Well, we have all asked, yes, our crack, AFN news team to get the audio for this.
>> Tim Wildmon: Let's do it.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Such a great story. And folks, if you can find it, watch it. I found it easily on YouTube. You just type in, Joshua Baez, B, A, E Z, his name in. And you see this great big smile on this kid's face, right?
>> Chris Woodward: Clip 11.
>> Ed Vitagliano: And here comes Baez as a big leaguer for the first time.
>> Speaker H: Swing and a high fly belted first pitch in the show. Baez homers look at that Cardinal dugout. It is not supposed to be that easy. Swag and a drive down the line. Did he do it again? That ball is gone. He's got two homers. Swing, drive, well hit right. Suzuki back. And it's gone. It is gone. It is gone. Three homers for Baezy. Major league history at Wrigley Field.
>> Chris Woodward: I didn't think about this until just now, but the very excited announcer there is Chip Carey, who is the grandson
>> Tim Wildmon: of Harry Carey, longtime Skip Gary's son.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes.
>> Ed Vitagliano: He.
>> Chris Woodward: He was the announcer for the Braves for a while, but he's since moved.
>> Ed Vitagliano: This. This young man, Baez, he not only hit three home runs, first three times a Batman.
Chris Evans grew up a huge Cardinals fan
It was one to each field.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Like center, left and right.
>> Chris Woodward: The mathematical odds of that are. That's a lot of.
>> Tim Wildmon: The only thing he could do more is column.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Call your shot, raise your baby.
>> Chris Woodward: Your bat.
>> Tim Wildmon: raise your. But, yeah. Where. Where's this ball go even if you're
>> Ed Vitagliano: not a baseball fan? Okay, folks, that's. That's a good news story.
>> Chris Woodward: I would go ahead and retire then. You could retire with, like, a flawless batting average. You could be talked about.
>> Ed Vitagliano: I think he's got a lot of money still to make.
>> Tim Wildmon: 23 years old.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. He stays healthy. Yeah. He's on his way to a nice little,
>> Ed Vitagliano: He can buy the Dominican Republic.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, exactly. All right. He plays for the St. Louis Cardinals. I grew up a huge Cardinals fan.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah, you've been a Cardinals fan. You used to go to bed. You told me. Go to bed listening to your transistor radio.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Listening to Cardinals.
>> Tim Wildmon: Like a lot of boys in the 70s, 60s with the red Sox. Did you? Yeah. You know what I'm talking about.
>> Speaker H: Yep.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, I used to listen to
>> Ed Vitagliano: the Cardinals on warm summer nights.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Those were the days.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah.
>> Chris Woodward: I lucked into the greatest era of the Braves.
>> Tim Wildmon: Tv.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: They were on the superstation.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes. Oh, man, that was so great. I wish they would go back to it now, but I was nine years old when they went from worst to first. And so literally, like, Murphy, was it? Or that after Dale, they had already gotten rid of Dale. Okay, we don't talk about that.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Right.
>> Chris Woodward: But anyway, from 91 on was just epic. I was born into the greatest era they had. Oh, yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: That was the greatest pitching staff threesome ever assembled. You may find one as good in history of baseball, but not better.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Right.
>> Tim Wildmon: Thom Glavin, Jon Smoltz. And who's, the other? Greg Maddox.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Matt Oak.
>> Chris Woodward: Who Also played for the Cups.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Forgot Maddox.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, those three.
>> Chris Woodward: The first game I ever saw was at Wrigley Field. my mom grew up north of Chicago in a town called Zion, Illinois. My aunt.
>> Tim Wildmon: You left Zion?
>> Chris Woodward: my aunt did.
>> Tim Wildmon: Your family did.
>> Chris Woodward: But, it's. If you've hit Kenosha, Wisconsin, you've gone just a bit too far. But anyway, we went to visit relatives up there and saw the Braves and the Cubs in 1998, during the Sosa home run years. at Wrigley Field, it was. I sat in the nosebleeds in June and wished I had a jacket.
>> Tim Wildmon: There's nosebleeds at Wrigley?
>> Chris Woodward: well, it's kind of sorta in the, Left.
>> Ed Vitagliano: The cheap seats.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah, between third and left field, there's some cheap seats.
>> Tim Wildmon: I do want to go to Wrigley Field sometimes. I've been to Fenway, the Fenway, and that's. Fenway's older than Wrigley, but that Wrigley is the second oldest baseball in Major League in the, in professional baseball. All right, you're listening to today's issues on American Family Radio. Enough of feel good stories, Krish. We want to go back to the sin of man. Okay, give us some more sinful man stories.
Most U.S. voters say they are worse off under Trump, poll shows
>> Chris Woodward: All right, well, let's go back and talk about something the Trump administration is having to deal with. While it deals with how to bring about a positive end to the situation in Iran. The president here is really underwater when it comes to his approval rating. As a matter of fact, in this midterm election year, President Trump's not on the ballot, but his agenda and policies are. Most U.S. voters say they are worse off under Trump. after the 2024 election. Here. This is a Financial Times poll, and again, the headline is, most U.S. voters say they are worse off under Trump. This comes at a time in which we're less than 90 days to the midterm election year. And the. I can't believe I'm even saying this, but about a year from now is when we're going to be talking about people rumored to be running for president. So this is not the headline you want going into a midterm election year in which it looks like the opposing party.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah.
>> Chris Woodward: Gonna take one chamber easily.
>> Tim Wildmon: Listen, like most conservatives, I'm always skeptical of, headlines about Republicans. or. Because the liberal news media bias.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Right.
>> Tim Wildmon: or especially, you know, they want to say, well, Trump is suffering in the polls because of, in this case, the economy. the only reason I give credence to this. It is the Financial Times and they are a reputable news agency. And it does make sense, quite frankly. We've had, everybody knows that. We've had inflation and we had prices of cost, of living has gone up like exponentially beyond what it maybe normally does, which is like, what is it, 3% a year annually cost of living increases that are normal. And so with the war and with the price of gasoline and all these things. So, I do think that a lot of Americans, maybe a majority, if you say, are you better or worse off since President Trump, took over in terms of your economic situation, they're probably going to say worse. Now, do I think all the blame belongs to President Trump? No, but I'm telling the psychology of the American people. They don't care whether you're a Democrat or a Republican. If the economy at home is not going well, they're going to, blame. I put that in quotations. Whoever's in the White House, that's just the way things are and how he's
>> Ed Vitagliano: happy and that person's party.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah. Yes. And it's not fair necessarily, but that's just the way it is.
>> Ed Vitagliano: It's also probably not accurate to give credit to a person, whoever's in the White House, when the economy is doing well. I don't know what the percentage of impact, policies do matter. pouring lots of money like, Joe Biden did into the economy, that does ramp up inflation. The war in Iran certainly have some, has impact, but it's not fair. And it's probably not accurate to always blame or praise the person in the way.
>> Tim Wildmon: So it's going to be, it's going to be, as they say, interesting to watch what happens on election day. Do the Republicans lose the House of Representatives because they only have like a three.
>> Ed Vitagliano: It's a very slim, like, what
>> Tim Wildmon: is it, three or four vote margin.
>> Ed Vitagliano: It is. And I think somebody's retired. It may be even smaller.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay. And so in the United States Senate, the Republicans have a bigger, margin. They have 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats are Democrat. I think Bernie Sanders is an independent who caucuses with the Democrats. So. But in all practical purposes, it's 5347. So I, I genuinely hope that the Republicans can hold on to the Senate. I sort of resign myself to the fact they're going to lose the House. That's just my opinion. That may not happen.
>> Chris Woodward: I think they will.
>> Tim Wildmon: But, if you can hold on to the Senate, then you can get Federal judges, passed. Because the president appoints federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, and the Senate confirms them or denies them. so they do. So you have to go through the Senate to get federal judge, federal judge nominees passed. And to me, as I've said many times before, I rank appointing federal judges, including Supreme Court justices. There's hardly anything I can think of maybe than being commander in chief that is more important than that.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Right.
>> Tim Wildmon: Because these federal judges, you know, as I've said before too, if you look at the universe, and I'm talking about the universe out there, the galaxies, and is the universe galaxies fall under Universe.
>> Speaker I: yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: So the universe is everything, right?
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
Chris: The importance of appointing federal judges ahead of November elections
Who controls the universe?
>> Ed Vitagliano: God.
>> Tim Wildmon: God Almighty. Right, Right. Okay. Then you come down to planet Earth. Right. Underneath God are federal judges. Right, Right. Okay. Now they're not sovereign except for their own jurisdiction. They are. So the, importance of appointing federal judges whose legacy. I don't know if that's the right word. Whose, decisions, affect all of the country and they're going to be there long after whoever the president that appointed them is. So, I'm just saying, if you want to say what to pray about, I'm saying pray that, that we're able to see constitutional judges appointed for the next two years and not rejected because we have a liberal, Senate. Does that make sense?
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yes, absolutely.
>> Tim Wildmon: Is that okay to pray for that?
>> Ed Vitagliano: Absolutely.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Ed Vitagliano: We need to pray for our leaders.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay. Yeah.
>> Ed Vitagliano: And that means not just people who are in office, right? I think not. And not only pray for the ones who could be in office, but folks, go vote. I'm looking at an article on AFN that says, Ohio's GOP candidates warned of turnout problem in November. So folks, you got to get out
>> Tim Wildmon: there and vote and get your friends and family and church members get registered.
>> Chris Woodward: Yeah.
>> Tim Wildmon: Because usually in an, in an off year, that is not, a presidential year, there is a drop in, in voting numbers. So a lot of it, so a lot of whoever wins, especially in close races, just depends on turnout. Right, Right.
>> Ed Vitagliano: This is how, by the way. And this was actually a genius move, but it's sinister as well. All right. This is the way that a lot of these liberal, America hating, God hating district attorneys got into office in big cities and cities across the country. they got in because turnout for local elections is so small M. That leftist money poured into these races and these leftist individuals took positions of power we're talking about. They won't charge, they won't charge Criminals.
>> Tim Wildmon: They're George Soros.
>> Ed Vitagliano: George Soros. Money poured into these races because turnout's so low. You don't have to have much money to get elected to those positions. You can. If you don't participate in the republic, you can lose it. Yeah, you can lose the republic.
>> Chris Woodward: Our I Voter Guide. a few years ago, Debbie what now@ivoterguide, wrote a piece, called A Vote that Really Matters. And she talked about the importance of down ballot voting. And she pointed out that, look, I know there are local elections that might not make headlines, but you need to vote for everything. Because tomorrow, today's school board members might be tomorrow's state representative or state senator. And then they run for the Congress and they run for the Senate. That's how most people, move up the ranks. So you do need to vote for down, ballot races. And to go back to the Ohio story, there are polls out that show Vivek Ramaswamy losing this governor's race. And that's big because no Republican ever gets elected to the White House without winning Ohio. So you're looking at the potential of Ohio going from red or something for governor. Yeah, I'm just saying they could change the political landscape ahead of the 28 election.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay.
>> Chris Woodward: in this midterm.
>> Tim Wildmon: Yeah, Republicans have to win Ohio or they can't win a presidential election, a national election.
>> Ed Vitagliano: And by the way, we, we don't probably mention this enough on this show. AFA has a division called named I Voter Guide. You probably have heard, some spots on the air for it. But if you go to ivoterguide.com all lowercase I voter Guide. That's the letter I, I voterguide.com you can find your state, you can find your voter guide. You can find out about big state elections. And the candid are covered in terms of their voting record, the amount, who gives them money, whether they're conservative, all the way to very conservative, very liberal. All that information is available you can find about when your elections are, how to get registered. All that information is provided for you, folks. I mean, we've made it easy. I voterguide.com I voterguide.com all right, you're
>> Tim Wildmon: listening to Today's issues on American Family, American Family Radio Network. Thanks for joining us. And we've got a few minutes left on the show. What's next, Krish?
There are Democratic socialists running for various offices in Florida this year
>> Chris Woodward: Ohio is not the only state we should watch. There's a Florida primary tomorrow for all kinds of seats. The Republican primary, is one that a lot of people are watching because they're going to find out who voters want to be on the ticket this November to try to replace, Governor DeSantis, who was termed limited. Florida is a big state to watch because in recent years it's kind of, adopted the motto of the free state of Florida. And unfortunately, there are Democratic socialists running for various offices, including congressional seats there. And here is a guy named Oliver Larkin who wants to put even more free stuff in the, free state.
>> Tim Wildmon: Oliver Larkin? Yes, that's his name.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: I'm writing this down.
>> Chris Woodward: Clip, five.
>> Speaker G: Why are you out here advocating for
>> Tim Wildmon: socialism in a state where capitalism does work well when it seems like you haven't really tried it yourself?
>> Speaker I: Well, we have a higher cost of living in the Miami metropolitan area now than NewSong York City. And we've had 30 years of Republican rule in Tallahassee. So, this stark income and wealth inequality where we see my district, the 25th congressional district, having the highest concentration of billionaires in the country. At the same time, we see the poverty rate going up.
>> Chris Woodward: He's out there pushing things like universal healthcare and quote, unquote, free college. So he's wanting to have even more free stuff in the free state of Florida.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah, well, listen, NewSong York City is already getting a rude awakening. Other cities around the country are getting rude awakenings, in terms of these kinds of political leaders. it can get worse. Let me tell you something.
>> Tim Wildmon: Those kinds of things he just mentioned right there. now, as part of the. These Democrat socialists, you may say, what is their appeal? Are they for communism? Are they. When what is communism? and they have, they have whack a doodle ideas on a lot of things like crime, like not punishing crime. No borders, basically. No. No ice to enforce immigration law. I mean, they are. They wouldn't have any military. They had their way.
>> Ed Vitagliano: They want to defund the Pentagon.
>> Tim Wildmon: Pentagon. Defund the police. That's part of their. But you may. But you have to ask yourself, why are they gaining traction? So I think. I think, to ignore the reasons why they are gaining traction in some states. Look at Michigan. Yeah, look at Michigan. Michigan's, you know, Midwestern state. Now, I know it's been blue, but, not deep blue, but I'm saying that that's the gentleman who's the, Senate candidate. Senate candidate. He's a Democrat Socialist.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Yeah.
>> Chris Woodward: He says that he's not a Democratic socialist, but he is.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay, well, anyway, that they, the, that they're. They're gaining traction. They're not taking over America Okay. But you have to say their appeal, which is the Bernie Sanders message for the last 173 years that he's been alive.
>> Ed Vitagliano: that's pretty good.
>> Tim Wildmon: One day he'll use a comb. I don't know when. but he's.
>> Ed Vitagliano: He.
Christian: Democrat socialists are appealing to average people on economics
I think he's forgotten his comb in one of his four houses.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: I would go, either comb your hair or do like me. Just shave it off. I didn't have to shave mine off. Mine came off by itself.
>> Chris Woodward: I'm getting there.
>> Tim Wildmon: It came off by itself. I'm just saying that, the ideas being expressed by these Democrat socialists, the economic ideas, are the same message that Bernie Sanders has been using for the last 30 years.
>> Chris Woodward: Yes.
>> Tim Wildmon: Okay. And maybe even further to the left than Bernie Sanders on some issues.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Thank you.
>> Tim Wildmon: So I say that. To say this, you say, well, who could vote for a person like that with these kind of ideas? Their appeal is to the, to average people on economics. Okay? The average person out there is not going to go sign me up for no cops.
>> Ed Vitagliano: Right?
>> Tim Wildmon: But if you say universal health care, you're going to get the attention of a lot of people who can't afford health care.
>> Chris Woodward: Right? And they say that every time they're asked about it.
>> Tim Wildmon: And they. And the appeal is, well, have the government pay for your health care. Why? Because we got all these billionaires over here and they're not paying their fair share. So it appeals to a sense of, yeah, stick it to the rich guy sort of. Sort of what? You know what I'm saying?
>> Ed Vitagliano: Right.
>> Tim Wildmon: that human jealousy instinct, they appeal to that. And so,
>> Ed Vitagliano: And fear.
>> Tim Wildmon: And fear.
>> Ed Vitagliano: People are afraid.
>> Tim Wildmon: So if you want to know. And then they offer, okay, free college for everybody. Well, who doesn't want to hear that? Sign me up for that. I got three kids about to go to college. Sign me up for free college for everybody. This is the appeal that they're making, which is gaining some traction. We'll be back momentarily. The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
Tim and Ed talk with Chris on top news headlines of the day including a discussion on the Indiana flooding and the latest with the U.S. and Iran war.
Chapters:
(00:00) The God who speaks is a powerful message on authority of scripture
(02:22) Ed says his air conditioner broke last week
(04:55) At least seven people have died in Indiana because of flooding
(08:20) Chris: I think it was Virginia State shooting
(09:06) Authorities are seeking additional people who they say fired weapons during Virginia shooting
(15:32) The 60 day cease fire with Iran is set to expire today
(22:49) Ed Vitagliano: Eventually we will run out of missiles
(25:31) 80% of abortion vulnerable women choose life after seeing baby on ultrasound
(27:15) Joshua Baez hits three home runs in his major league debut
(32:39) Chris grew up a huge Cardinals fan
(35:31) Most U.S. voters say they are worse off under Trump, poll shows
(40:35) Chris: The importance of appointing federal judges ahead of November elections
(45:43) There are Democratic socialists running for various offices in Florida this year
(49:12) Christian: Democrat socialists are appealing to average people on economics
Tim and Ed talk with Chris on top news headlines of the day including a discussion on the Indiana flooding and the latest with the U.S. and Iran war.
Chapters:
(00:00) The God who speaks is a powerful message on authority of scripture
(02:22) Ed says his air conditioner broke last week
(04:55) At least seven people have died in Indiana because of flooding
(08:20) Chris: I think it was Virginia State shooting
(09:06) Authorities are seeking additional people who they say fired weapons during Virginia shooting
(15:32) The 60 day cease fire with Iran is set to expire today
(22:49) Ed Vitagliano: Eventually we will run out of missiles
(25:31) 80% of abortion vulnerable women choose life after seeing baby on ultrasound
(27:15) Joshua Baez hits three home runs in his major league debut
(32:39) Chris grew up a huge Cardinals fan
(35:31) Most U.S. voters say they are worse off under Trump, poll shows
(40:35) Chris: The importance of appointing federal judges ahead of November elections
(45:43) There are Democratic socialists running for various offices in Florida this year
(49:12) Christian: Democrat socialists are appealing to average people on economics
Live
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