Topic: Bethlehem

Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem were canceled in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where the UN reports half the population is starving. Reports from the Egyptian border at Rafah describe desperate crowds rushing aid trucks as diseases spread through displaced populations.

The hosts read various birthday dedications and a letter from a producer in Wyoming regarding the absurdity of the FDA extending expiration dates for COVID-19 rapid test kits. Another letter from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, describes a wife's journey from thinking the show was "corrupting" her husband to becoming a dedicated listener herself.

Amy Goodman of "Democracy Now" reports on President Biden's visit to Bethlehem and his meeting with Mahmoud Abbas. The report highlights the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh and Biden's refusal to meet with her family, contrasting his rhetoric on media freedom with his administration's actions.

A 67-year-old retired chemist shared his story of having his Bethlehem Steel pension cut in half after the company went through Chapter 11 and was liquidated. He now works as a grantee for the EPA, where senior professionals are paid $12 an hour to perform the work of regular employees. The hosts warned this is a precursor to a wider pension crisis in the U.S. economy.

The upcoming astronomical conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on December 21st is discussed. Some observers compare it to the "Star of Bethlehem," leading to lighthearted speculation about its significance for current political events.

A donor's note clarifies misconceptions regarding travel to Israel and the impact of Israeli passport stamps on visiting Muslim countries. The contributor shares experiences of traveling through Jordan, the UAE, and Kuwait with an Israeli stamp, debunking the "wives' tale" that such a stamp results in an automatic ban from other Middle Eastern nations.