The recent revelation of a trove of top secret and confidential files related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the defense department assessment of the war situation is a concerning matter. Of course. We cannot be comfortable in this world if bad actors know what we are planning, and what we see as weaknesses. …
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The Catholic Church
I was born to parents who had converted to Catholicism. They had done so for practical purposes, as the small mining town they moved to, which had just been built to mine the taconite of the Mesabi Iron Range, only had a catholic church. I was christened by Father Crispin, who was a friend and …
What We Can Learn From Messaging
What Messaging Says About The USA And Russia There is little doubt about the reality of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The attack, called a Special Military Operation by the Russians, is a war of conquest intended to advance the geopolitical ambitions of the Russian dictator Vladamir Putin. (I say dictator because it is more accurate …
Drinking Fascist Whine
It is March 31, which marks the one day anniversary of the news that a Manhattan, New York Grand Jury has voted to indict former President Donald John Trump for upwards of thirty felony charges relating to fraud committed in the furtherance of his political career. The crimes took place when he arranged for payment …
Low Light Brushing
The fire in the wood stove and a small oil lamp are enough light to run a brush over the boots I wore today. This is a pair of casual dress boots. They extend just above the ankle, and have a split reverse welt joining the upper to the insole, midsole, and sole, which makes …
A Century Ago
It is now 2023, and I started thinking about the changes in a century. These are my notes. In the year 1923 Less than 40% of homes had electricity. 1% had a radio. About one-third had a phone. Letters by postal delivery was the primary form of communication over any distance, even within the same …
Election 2022
The Presidency of Donald Trump was terrible for our country. We came within an eyelash of losing the Republic to an authoritarian cult leader, who went out the door trying to overthrow the country – an effort that he continues today. Frequently Trump failed to execute the duties of his job and the oath to …
Migrants And Asylum
Recently Florida Governor Rod DeSantis and Texas Governor Greg Abbott conspired to trick migrants from Venezuela and fly them unannounced to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. No one in Martha’s Vineyard was informed of this, and there are no available facilities to receive unhoused migrants there. The people of that small community rose to the moment …
Have The Fascists Already Won?
The answer is no. At least I think it is. And I get that partly from my unwillingness to surrender to their rule. But I ask the question because I am not certain, and I am concerned that too few Americans recognize how close we are to losing control of this country to fascism. I …
The International Picture
For all that’s going on in United States politics, courts, and civil turmoil, there is also an international picture. Oh, yeah. The Russian invasion of Ukraine goes on, and will likely go on for a long time. If something surprising doesn’t happen, this grinding war will go through this year and maybe the next. We, …