the attitude with arnie arnesen the Tues edition Dec 23

[Arnie Arnesen]

The Attitude with Arnie Arnesen

opening thoughts: the BBC's Christmas message

opening thoughts 2: Barbra Streisand

producers: Dave Scott and Stephanie Collins

Chloé LaCasse (the best of the attitude)

streaming live at wnhnfm.org noon & 7pm EST on the dial-94.7FM Concord NH

podcasts available at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/attitude-with-arnie-arnesen/id1634055179

opening thought:  

The BBC has invited Bishop Mariann Budde – who made headlines for challenging Donald Trump over LGBTQ+ rights in January 2025 – to deliver a Christmas message on Radio 4.

The Bishop of Washington will broadcast a 14-minute seasonal reflection on December 26, reflecting on the past year, faith and hope amid division.

During a sermon attended by Trump post-inauguration in January 2025, Budde said: “In the name of God, I ask you to have mercy on the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic and Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives.”

In its publicity for the broadcast, the BBC notes, “At the start of the year, at the U.S. President's inauguration, Bishop Budde preached a sermon that made an impact around the world.”

part one:

Yes, you should look up your home’s disaster risk How one community figured out how to reduce fire threats — and their insurance rates. https://www.vox.com/climate/471758/zillow-climate-risk-score-real-estate-wildfire-tahoe

Umair Irfan is a correspondent at Vox writing about climate change, energy policy, and science. He has written about universal vaccines, the environmental paradox of air conditioning, and the mysterious rise of food allergies. 

part two: 

opening thoughts 2:

https://triforce247.com/a2-breaking-barbra-streisand-stuns-hollywood-and-the-world-with-a-bold-call-to-action-billionaires-left-speechless/?fbclid=IwY2xjawO2IIlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF3c2U2OHlpT0FQd1ZYS3ZTc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvBJaK--Z5ZJi8e4UWM7JnY8WfV7fVZrvVl_rQ4X2vDhXX_I35dqlfFhYMPw_aem_amCRglnt_lrDoZNyuuK_NQ

Barbra Streisand, a legendary icon of music and cinema, has left even the world’s richest and most powerful figures stunned—not just with her words, but with decisive action.

At a glamorous red-carpet gala in Los Angeles on December 20, attended by film moguls, tech billionaires, and Hollywood’s most elite stars, Barbra Streisand took the stage to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. But instead of offering a conventional acceptance speech, she chose a moment of truth—direct, fearless, and deeply human.

Read more: https://triforce247.com/a2-breaking-barbra-streisand.../

She did not thank the Academy. She did not reminisce about Broadway or her chart-topping albums. Instead, Streisand looked straight into the audience of wealth and influence and declared:

“We sit here surrounded by diamonds and artistic glory while the world outside is falling apart. If your voice can move millions and you choose not to use it for those who have no voice, then you are not creating change—you are creating noise.”

The room fell into complete silence. Film executives and invited guests sat motionless, struck by the weight of her words. She continued, unwavering:

“If you have more than you need, it no longer belongs only to you. Your responsibility is to lift up those who are still beneath you.”

And she did not stop at words.

That very night, Streisand announced that all profits from her archived albums and future music releases—estimated at 160 million USD—will be donated to fund women’s health research, climate action initiatives, and arts education for underprivileged children.

Her message was unmistakable:

“Legacy is not built on what you earn. It is built on what you give.”

In an era when celebrities are often dismissed as fallen idols, Barbra Streisand delivered a powerful reminder to the world:

true impact is not created by applause, but by easing the suffering of others.

Trump Officials Celebrated With Cake After Slashing Aid. Then People Died of Cholera.  https://www.propublica.org/article/usaid-cholera-deaths-trump-humanitarian-aid-cuts-south-sudan

Brett Murphy Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter on ProPublica’s national desk, Brett writes about the government, companies and power.