6 May, 2009

Not in the cards

No bailout for newspaper industry: White House

The White House on Monday expressed "concern" and "sadness" over the state of the ailing US newspaper industry, but made clear that a government bailout was not in the cards.

"I don't know what, in all honesty, government can do about it," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters. "That might be a bit of a tricky area to get into given the differing roles."

Gibbs was responding to a reporter who asked what the White House thought about the recent closure of several US newspapers and a threat to shut down the venerable Boston Globe.

"Obviously (President Barack Obama) believes there has to be a strong free press," the spokesman said. "I think there's a certain concern and a certain sadness when you see cities losing their newspapers or regions of the country losing their newspapers."

US newspapers have been grappling with a steep drop in print advertising revenue, steadily declining circulation and the migration of readers to free news online.

A US senator recently introduced legislation aimed at helping US newspapers by giving them tax breaks as non-profit organizations, an arrangement similar to that enjoyed by public broadcasting outlets, which survive on tax-deductible contributions from listeners.  Advertising and subscription revenue would be tax exempt and contributions to support coverage or operations would be tax deductible.

story & photo courtesy of - breitbart.com

Col 1:13-14 (NLT)

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about bailouts?

In the Kingdom of the Son we all get a bailout, in the kingdoms of the world politicians pick and choose who is shown grace and who is not.  God's grace is universal and unconditional, the grace of governments is narrow and conditional.  The borders of God's Kingdom are always open to anyone seeking rescue, governments build walls, fences, and protect their borders with armored tanks and attack dogs.  God sent his son Jesus to set captives free, heal the sick, care for the widow and orphan, show love to tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners, while governments favor the wealthy, healthy, and powerful.   God gave up his own Son for our salvation and redemption, governments have never and will never be capable of such profound sacrifice.

To which Kingdom would you rather belong?

If you are a citizen of the Kingdom of God, if you've been rescued from the kingdoms of darkness that rule this world, than you are an ambassador of God's holy nation in a world of sinful empires.  May we all embrace this opportunity, may we share with others the same freedom and forgiveness that has been given to us by God.

 

  • Bailout someone today.  Forgive a wrong, show love to an enemy, bring God's grace to life.
  • Ask your friends, "which businesses or organizations would you bailout if you were president?"
  • Talk with your friends about the differences between the "Kingdom of the Son" and the kingdoms of the world.
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