Wheels Coming off the Mueller Train

Posted on by charliej373

By Charlie Johnston

Last Thursday I wrote that Rudy Giuliani’s lengthy interview with Sean Hannity on Wednesday night was the kickoff of the serious counter-attack by the Trump administration against the serial assaults of the Deep State’s coup attempt – that now the conspirators were going to be shocked to find themselves held to account for their own lies and criminal behavior. I wrote that Giuliani had loaded the interview with a lot of what I call “chump bait,” which can mask to the press and partisans how serious the message is while getting it through clearly to those it is intended for. Ha! Giuliani caught a lot of chumps!

Most of the establishment press – including conservative sites – has been going on about how badly Giuliani bungled things and how Trump had called him up short. It is now five days later. Let us survey what has happened in those five days:

1)     On Friday morning, Federal Judge T. S. Ellis III accused the Mueller team of weaponizing prosecution to get a president they don’t like. He flat-out called them liars who think they are all-powerful and unaccountable to anyone. He demanded to see the basis for the case against Paul Manafort. The language he used is not just indicative of a case getting ready to be kicked – but hints at sanctions to come for prosecutorial misconduct.

2)     All the leaks about Manafort’s supposed contacts with Russians during the campaign drove part of this Russian collusion scam. Discovery has produced NO such evidence. It was all lies – and each such lying leak is a felony – more governmental misconduct.

3)     Another Federal Judge, Dabney Friedrich, on Saturday night denied Mueller’s request to delay the arraignment of the three Russian companies and 13 Russian citizens Mueller indicted last February. The judge gave little comment on her ruling – rather tersely letting Mueller know it is time to put up or shut up.

4)     On Friday former FBI chief lawyer James Baker left the bureau. Also departing that day was Lisa Page, one of the “lovebird” texting conspirators against Trump who was a legal advisor to James Comey. It is nebulous whether they left freely or were terminated – but they are gone.

5)     James Comey has had another lie exposed. Throughout his book tour, he has insisted that he never testified that FBI agents who interviewed Michael Flynn did NOT believe Flynn lied. Newly unredacted testimony from the committee hearing shows that that is precisely what Comey said under oath in closed session.

6)     As more and more new material keeps being unredacted, it becomes more and more clear that the FBI and Justice Dept. have not been holding back material to protect “ongoing investigations or national security,” but to hide their own misconduct and lies. Andy McCarthy, the former federal prosecutor who prosecuted the blind sheikh in the first World Trade Center bombing, has written a furious piece on the subject. This is notable because, though McCarthy is one of the finest legal minds of our time, he is something of a boy scout. He is such an honorable patriot, he often defers to authorities because it is just unimaginable to him that people in public life can be so dishonorable and malicious. Many of them have been friends – and have played on his friendship. But McCarthy IS an honorable man – and exhibits a growing fury at his discovery that many of these “friends” are cheap, malicious crooks. (I feel his pain – I had friendly relations with two of the Illinois governors who went to prison.)

7)     On Saturday night, the man the media is enjoying portraying as an incompetent bumbler, did another interview on Judge Jeanine Pirro’s show. Watching it, does Giuliani strike you as a man who has been severely chastened – or a man having the time of his life? I know this movie. Shoot, I have played the Giuliani role in much smaller venues. I’ve got to tell you, it’s a lot of fun to have smug ignoramuses yammering on about how dumb you are while everything is collapsing around them – because of an initiative that you launched. Yes, much of the conservative press is saying the same thing. Once, sitting in a newsroom I ran, a bunch of reporters were talking about how dumb a particularly deft move by a local politician was. Irritated, I told them I had been a politician and I had been a journalist – and politics was a LOT harder. I went on that though I knew a lot of dumb politicians, on average, politicians were a lot smarter than journalists – who mainly want to prove how smart they are without studying anything. I then proceeded to explain why the move was quite deft – and not at all dumb. I’m sure they were upset…but I was their boss and I was angry at what shallow analysis they were doing while congratulating themselves on how clever they were. Reporters rarely think strategically or tactically. They just look at how pretty something looks. In another era, reporters spent a very long time enamored by a particularly pretty General – George McClellan at the beginning of the Civil War. McClellan did marvelously pretty-looking drills and marches – but he couldn’t win a battle (and rarely got up the nerve to fight one). Drill is pretty…battles are ugly. But it is battle that wins. I would not hold reporters in such contempt for their initial superficial take if they got smarter as they watched the results. But they just double down as the ground is caving in around them, trying to prove they were right all along. They eventually get to the untenable position of demanding of readers, listeners and viewers, “Who are you going to believe: me or your own eyes?” And they wonder why “Fake News” has such resonance.  

I will stick, then, with my original assessment. We’ll see what the next five days bring.

I was a little concerned that my original assessment might be tinged with some wishful thinking. Certainly, the Giuliani interview had all the hallmarks of how I began a serious and sustained political assault – but I might be hopefully projecting where it was not justified. The events that have followed have relieved those fears.

The reality is that May and June are critical. If we can get through these next two months without widespread violent strife breaking out, we have a chance of slowly and organically reclaiming the culture. Yet I don’t much believe it. My two big prophetic interpretive errors slightly seduced me into hoping that we would not have to undergo the full measure of scourging I saw through this Storm. Many of you have told me how ‘on edge’ you are. Over the last few weeks, I have had several unexpected bursts of temper over small, unimportant things…so I reckon I am more on edge, too, than I thought. I am taking some steps to get it back to steadiness. Under the best of circumstances, we have a long, hot summer ahead of us. Under the worst, we have already begun our journey to Mordor. Of late I have, perhaps, over-emphasized the political – both because things have been so unhinged and because, if we can re-establish in ordinary people’s minds the basic values of faith, family and freedom and show a better way before the worst strife, it strengthens us to endure that strife. The next piece I put up will be Part II of the Ballad of the Ordinary Man – The Fellowship of True Believers. But right now, it does cheer me to watch the wheels coming off this Deep State coup attempt. The truth is, it is not Trump they hate – but the very idea that we normal folks would have the nerve to govern ourselves in defiance of their edicts.

264 thoughts on “Wheels Coming off the Mueller Train”

  1. Thank you, Charlie. I’ll bet we could add twenty new verses to the favored childhood tune: “The Wheels on the Bus.”

    I think to make headway in regaining the culture, we still need a great shaking, for there are too, too many hearts in need of change, the kind of change where words and deeds are synchronized.

    In addition to those who work their fingers to the bone promoting the culture of death, there are those who ferociously cling to that way of being. Too, there are a LOT of apathetic, halfhearted believers, many of whom show up at church in these parts. “So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Rev 3:16) That said, I’ve got plenty of weeding and pruning which needs attention.

    I don’t wish for a heart-wrenching Passion time, but I go back to the purpose(s) of this Storm: *To know that God IS and to fully realize and acknowledge that all goodness comes from Him (burning out our impurities is essential in order to fully get this and, therefore, essential to walking in our true identity: children who rely completely on their Father… *To know that Jesus is Lord (surely that is foundational for His intent that we become one flock under one shepherd)… *To know and to honor and venerate the Mother of God for who She is and what She has done/is doing/will forever do for us in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

    In all that is, continuing to pray that the effusion of God’s purifying grace – however He deems best to act – brings forth a harvest of conversion with an abundance of souls crying out: “My Lord and My God! Have mercy on me a poor sinner.” From tears to joy, may we rise to build a civilization of Love.

    Liked by 17 people

    1. Ah, the indictments and exposure of Planned Parenthood (PP) and the culture of death need to come very soon. Congress needs to defund PP. I worry a lot that we are only going to focus on politics and government while neglecting to remake ourselves, and I worry that my recent focus on these subjects, while germane, could distract from the larger issue before us: will we be a moral and religious people once more? If we don’t, we will continue to sink in the mire. I love C.S. Lewis quote from The Abolition of Man; “We make men without chests and expect from them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst.”

      Liked by 23 people

      1. And I am most grateful for the sanity and steadying force you have provided in all you’ve recently written on the political and governmental topics, Charlie.

        We *need* your expertise in these things in order to keep our focus on TNRS. I see no neglect. Rather, I see the *necessity* to address the things you have that we may more clearly view, through a lens of greater knowledge, understanding and insight, what is occurring before our eyes. Because of what you have provided, I better live the faith in the public square. And because of what you’ve provided, I just know the subsequent parts of The Ballad will inspire all the more.

        Liked by 17 people

        1. “Need” might be going a bit overboard, unless I miss your meaning. Certainly everyone values well-formed insights, be it in the area of religion, politics, business, or whatever.

          I think Charlie gets concerned with potential distractions for good reason. He’s a guy that can easily recognize patterns and clusters… good and bad. That’s why I value your input, CJ. You know that in order for folks stay on their feet long enough to take that NRS, they need to keep their balance.

          That, and it’s too easy to get caught up in the daily prognostications (about as useful as trying to manage your stock portfolio by the day… or have the slightest idea what D.C. is going to do from one day to the next). I agree, B, there are more events to unfold and it’s not following our script… be it the myriad events, scope, time, etc.

          Just came in from the ridiculously hot desert where I probably spend undue amounts of time working out the “BOTOM” (Ballad of the Ordinary Man) in my head. It has sorta morphed into a pair of dueling banjos lately. Long story short, I shouldn’t have taken up the banjo.

          Not to distract further, but as the smallest matter of balance, here’s a little thing I shot on Sunday that might give you a smile. 106 degrees (smashing a 73-year-old record) came on to fast this season, so I had to sit under a tree for a spell. I guess I was pretty well hidden, because when this desert family came by my spot… well, take a look.

          http://sweetwaterhaven.com/spiritual_adventures_video_26.html

          Liked by 20 people

          1. Better said, *I* need. And I need Charlie’s input in the sense of understanding better about things for which I have not, previously, had a lot of schema. Need in the sense of maintaining the better balance, which I called by a different name: the “steadying” force Charlie provides. Need in the way of, then, being better able to respond to the chaos and confusion, including how I focus my prayer intentions, based on what Charlie teaches and fosters. And it’s all good. Deo Gratias!

            As ever, beautiful video, MP.

            Liked by 11 people

          3. What lovely, magnificent creatures, MP! Thank you for sharing another marvelous video with us. (I was chuckling over Audie; when I was expecting and was as big as a horse, I lumbered about just the way Audie did.) 🙂

            Liked by 9 people

            1. You’ll note that she was slogging along under the weight of carrying until she inched past the tree, at which point she stood tall… a blessed, dignified, magnificent mother, as are all mothers.

              Liked by 5 people

          4. Loved your video, MP! What a treat for you to be acknowledged by each family member. I had to watch it several times. Just what I needed today. Thank you and God bless you.

            Liked by 5 people

            1. Glad you all enjoyed it. Honestly, it’s bittersweet for me. I both grin and sigh when I cross paths with desert families of all varieties, witnessing these relatively ignorant creatures that consistently show what families should be, while so many (my family included) struggle to be the families God wants us to be.

              It takes time, patience and great energy, but there is such HOPE!

              It usually takes at least a couple of years to gain the trust of these bands, and there’s no telling which member is going to take to you first. Old Gold snorted at me and stomped the ground for a year and a half before showing a little docility. Red trusted me from the get-go. Often the curiosity of the little ones is the catalyst. Without a doubt, one has to win over the herd stallion at some point.

              After strutting around, you’ll note that Titus gives a little nod. Generally, it’s a sign of submission. The deeper the nod, the greater the gesture. I say ‘a little nod,’ which could be nothing more than Titus acknowledging the now familiar and relatively harmless fella sitting under a tree. That, and the head movement also helps a horse to better focus and gauge distances.

              So far I’ve gotten within about 10 feet of a handful of wild mustangs. When I finally get close enough to reach out and touch one, you can bet I’ll post the video. In the mean time, I hope the repetition of this theme serves a purpose. That it’s uplifting. Also, in case we ever find ourselves fleeing to the ‘desert,’ whether a mystical flight and/or more literal situation, that you can recall the imagery from these little ‘treks’ and not feel lost in the unknown and afraid… much less alone.

              Sure it’s painful sometimes and we all sigh, but just think of your buddy sitting under that tree amidst all the horse manure, with a big ‘ole grin winning the day. The desert can be harsh, but you can all clearly see the immense beauty of God’s work… all wrapped in His loving care. Gosh, there’s just no better place to be.

              Liked by 13 people

              2. I’ve adopted and join in your prayer…”Praying for all with challenging and even impossible family situations.” I thought your post read, “Jesus came in from the ridiculously hot desert…” It works : )

                Liked by 3 people

          7. Oh that was so cute.
            It was like they were all walking across the stage, but had to stop to have their pictures taken.
            They certainly noticed you. That’s for sure.

            Liked by 9 people

          9. When I was on my pilgrimage, cows would often stare at me as I walked through the middle of nowhere – almost as if they were wondering, “What in heavens name is this guy doing.” Horses, though, were so cool. They, too, would stare at me as I passed…but about one out of every three would look at me a bit, then give me a friendly nod of the head, then go back to their business. I like horses.

            Liked by 8 people

            1. Ha, I’ve had my many encounters with free range cattle too with mixed results. I’d like to think they’re formulating a good “Far Side” quip when sizing me up, but it’s probably just a “Gaah!” as they’re bolting for cover. Good thing God didn’t call me to ‘cow whispering’ as I’d be a miserable failure.

              I like horses too. Not just the impressive build, but those eyes.

              Whatever we encounter, I really like what the American poet, Mary Oliver, had to say:

              “Pay attention.
              Be astonished.
              Tell about it.”

              Liked by 6 people

              1. As an avid deer hunter I can’t help but notice similarities in behavior of deer and horses.
                Being pray to similar predators it’s not surprising that they react similarly to your presence with surprised caution/curiosity.
                You being out in their home range gives you a unique perspective on animal behavior. Living within an animals territory and seeing them this way (like in your backyard) elicits a different behavior compared to those who live in “people free zones”. It can be astonishingly different when an animal is fully at ease especially when they do not know you are there. When they do, they seem to always keep one eye on you.
                Surprisingly, cows seem to be the best of all three at spotting hunters hidden in the woods in my experience.

                Liked by 2 people

                1. Yep, I too find them similar when encountered, but I find that the deer here (mostly mule deer) never seem to range in the same spots like the horses. Always on the move. They’re also much better at going unseen, although that’s offset by their scent being much stronger (smellier) than horse scent.

                  Just to give you an idea how the mustangs behave before the painstaking process of gaining some familiarity and trust, check out this young herd stallion, Espiritu, in the below video. This was really out there, well beyond where other folks tread. I’ve been trying to get near him for a long time to no avail. This time I had the benefit of being downwind, creeping along silently like an Apache tracker on powdery, soft pack sand. The second he caught sight of me, he bolted! Don’t blink when watching, because I barely had time to capture him on video.

                  http://sweetwaterhaven.com/spiritual_adventures_video_27.html

                  Liked by 2 people

      2. This headline I just read and I listed below just made me chuckle:

        [“NY AG Schneiderman Accused Of Assaulting 4 Women”]

        Liked by 2 people

      4. I think defunding PP is the one thing to be done that would help mitigate what appears to be in the air these days.

        Liked by 7 people

      5. As we may be approaching a1789 moment, as much as a 1776 one, you Charlie should get in contact with Seething Frog over on YouTube, You both live in what was once the Old Wesst.

        Like

  2. Hi Charlie! (it’s a little difficult to remember to call you Charlie and not Larry)
    It can be incredibly frustrating for me, an ordinary guy, to watch all of this take place and see no real resolution. Anyone with any small grip on reality can easily see the rampant dysfunction and utter corruption of the political class. I watch an endless stream of verifiable criminal activity and yet still…..nothing. This type of recurring theme played out over and over and over dulls my senses, creates anxiety and results in irrational fear that cannot be identified. There is daily, relentless attacks upon not only this president and his administration but on our very system of government by…..our own government!! If any of us, the ordinary citizen , had perpetrated these crimes we would be utterly destroyed and yet all of this seems to go un-punished when it concerns the people that we have entrusted with the leadership of our nation. What gives?
    I say the Lords will is being carried out and not one stone will remain unturned, not one lie will remain unexposed and not one evil deed will go unpunished. This house is being torn down to the foundation and it will require ordinary people of goodwill and principle to stand and deliver once again as always is the case.
    As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

    Liked by 20 people

      1. Hi Beckita. Thank you for sharing this. I just came from Scotland and this spoke to my soul and renewed my strength

        Liked by 6 people

        1. Hey Dave! Happy to meet you here. Did you happen to visit any cities along the River Clyde while in Scotland? My Scottish lineage is maternal and can be traced back to Greenock, Scotland. As the ancestors descend the line, they include the man behind the caricature of Uncle Sam, named after Samuel Wilson who was a descendant of one of the oldest families of Boston, Massachusetts. Sam was a meat packer from Troy NY who provided meat for our troops in the War of 1812. God bless you.

          Liked by 3 people

    2. Hey Dave…hope you had a great time in Scotland. Your frustration (which is something I sometimes share) is the very reason not to let frustration guide your decisions. Had Trump done the “right” thing from the start and fired these conspirators while beginning prosecution, it would have created a lot of controversy and fallen apart. The thing is you have some who are unshakeable partisans on either side – but the people who make it possible to end this are in the middle, honest but trying to figure out what’s going on. By taking it piece by piece, step by step, it has become increasingly clear to those folks that this, indeed, is a witch hunt. So you develop the political consensus in the country that will both allow this to end AND the conspirators to be charged, tried, and punished.

      I have talked to more than a few “liberals” the last few weeks – one who told me she was almost embarrassed to admit it. I asked why and she said she has been horrified to see how vicious and ugly people on her side have gotten – and that she keeps her second thoughts about all this to herself lest they turn on her. The left is losing honest liberals left and right – and because of their shrieking viciousness to anyone who does not toe the line, they do not even know how badly they are losing. It is shaping up to be as epic as the Fall of the House of Usher.

      I always pushed back hard against any efforts of any campaign I was involved in to “muscle” dissident supporters into line – for a very practical reason: when you muscle people, your intel gets very bad and you do not see the doom that, even at the moment you begin, starts to stalk you. Deal with problems – don’t punish people for speaking of them.

      Liked by 10 people

      1. Hey Charlie, Scotland was extraordinary! The time we spent exploring the land of our heritage was magical. I can’t wait to share the experience with you.
        As for the frustration, I am becoming more and more aware of the need to have all of this occur as it is occurring. It is mind boggling to witness the complete unmasking of the corrupt and wicked. You have repeatedly stated that all hearts will be revealed. All these things are being placed in full view. The work of the Lord is underway and these things must come.

        Liked by 8 people

      2. Charlie, I’ve seen something similar. A conservative on Twitter mentioned recently that it seemed there were far fewer left-leaning trolls bothering conservative people on Twitter. On TV the left-leaning commentators seem more subdued. Someone her (I think) pointed out that left-leaning Facebookers were saying they wanted to stick to family themes and not discuss politics. Kanye West and others on Twitter helped shift a large number of blacks to being Trump supporters, according to recent polls.

        Intense cognitive dissonance and resultant processing can be displayed this way or by more stridency. Something is up in the Land of the Left.

        I believe Trump and crew are keeping track of this and helping create it. Once they see it has reached a certain point, I believe they will drop the hammer. Soon.

        Liked by 5 people

    3. Dave, your comment, together with Charlie’s last paragraph, brought to mind a Kurt Schlichter article that I read this morning. I hope and pray that there be a not-too-traumatic way out of the mess that we are in, but I’m not optimistic (and I am an optimist by nature). As I read the article, I didn’t feel fear; I felt an increased resolve to “stand and deliver,” as you said. I hope and pray that it not come to that–that it not come to the point at which my family and I must take up arms to defend our country, our family, and our faith–but if it does, I pray that we all TNRS… and that we all have true aim:

      https://townhall.com/columnists/kurtschlichter/2018/05/07/why-science-and-experience-command-that-you-buy-an-assault-rifle-n2478108

      (P.S. I am not implying that everyone should in fact buy an AR or an AK or whatever; I just found this article to be incredibly thought-provoking… especially coming from someone who attained the rank of Colonel in the army.)

      Liked by 6 people

      1. Ha Mick, now you post that article. Dang it. Anyways I recently gave my sons my assortment of AR’s,and Sig pistols and I sold many other guns including my prized mint condition Colt Python. This sale included many many thousands of rounds of ammo. I did this because I realized my preparations were getting too heavily weighted towards material preps instead of Spiritual. I didn’t completely disarm as I kept my Glocks and my venerable Marlin 336. Oh and maybe a shotgun and an old mint condition Walther PP. 😉

        This advise is not for everyone but was right for me. Next up, more Rosaries.

        Liked by 6 people

        1. BD, your sons have a very good papa who has not only taught them to respect guns and use them wisely, but who has also set them up with their own collection. And, knowing you, I bet you also taught them to “pray as if everything depended on God, and work as if everything depended on you.” 🙂

          I’ve always wanted a Sig. I was hoping for one for our 25th anniversary in a couple of years. But it looks like my husband may be leaning toward getting me a Glock 17 Gen5 (long story, but I shoot right-handed although I am actually a southpaw). I’d love an H&K VP9 (a few months back, the guy next to us at the indoor range let me fire his), but who’s got that kind of money?

          And I’m 100% with you: “Next up, more Rosaries.”

          Liked by 5 people

          1. Thank you Mick and congrats for looking to Team Glock for your future go to piece. I like the Glock 19 and prefer the gen 3 RTF style. Just a matter of preference of course. My favorite is the one I have with a scalloped slide. I understand the gen 5 as you may be looking more towards handle flexibility or having an ambidextrous model. Don’t be afraid to look at used as most people never shoot their guns very much. Triple ditto on the Rosary. Our best protection!

            Liked by 4 people

            1. Thanks for the tips, BD. I’m already a huge fan of Team Glock, as my current go-to piece is a Glock 17 Gen4 (I used to have a Kahr CM9, but I didn’t like it that much). I’m fairly certain that my husband got it used, and that he’ll be looking for a used Gen5 when the time comes.

              And quadruple ditto on the Rosary… as Padre Pio so aptly said, “The Rosary is THE weapon.” 🙂

              Liked by 4 people

          2. It tickles me that you are such a gun afficianado, Mick. If people here knew you – and the kind of bubbly, cheery, ‘suburban, pom-pon, Barbie’ glow you project, they would know to never judge a book by its cover…that sweet little gal has some bite to her!

            Liked by 7 people

            1. Oh my goodness, Charlie! I just almost choked on my breakfast when I read what you wrote. “Suburban, pom-pon, Barbie”: I can’t stop laughing! 🙂

              Liked by 6 people

              1. 2 years ago I added a glock and a rifle to round out my arms booty and keep my little derringer with the pearl handle company, but my husband couldn’t handle having all that in our home……so I asked the gun dealer to buy the glock and rifle back.

                My derringer stays with me–a present from my Dad when I married 50 years ago. 😉

                Liked by 2 people

                1. Mick was asking earlier about some more squirrel cartoons, but I lost heart after YD’s long absence. Just not the same without the green kung fu squirrel. Maybe you’ve given me a better idea. I think the gun toting gals need their very own special ops logo. Give me a mo’, and while you’re waiting, why not get up trail ahead of us on point. Pom-pom Barbies indeed.

                  Liked by 4 people

          3. Mick, I smiled all through reading your comment. You see, I am (was?) deathly afraid of guns but recently my husband took me shooting. I didn’t do half bad! As we were leaving the club, what I took to be a mother-daughter duo showed up. They set down their pretty pink and blue purses and each pulled out a pistol. They then began filling their magazines with ammo like pros. I thought, you never know who is carrying and the far left will never succeed in taking guns away from law abiding Americans. I also smiled at your anniversary gift request. My husband once got me his favorite fishing rod for Mother’s Day. 😊👍

            Liked by 6 people

            2. Kris, wait… he got you HIS favorite fishing rod? Haha! I like the way he thinks! Years ago, I gave my husband as a birthday gift a book that I dearly wanted to read (I knew he’d like it, too). I was a bad girl and read it before I gave it to him, but I was very careful to make sure it looked like it hadn’t been read. I probably got an extra decade or two of Purgatory, but it was a really good book.

              Incidentally, my dream firearm will be pink and have Hello Kitty on the grip. Perhaps when I am forced to draw it, the unjust aggressor will just die laughing and I won’t have to shoot him.

              Liked by 10 people

                    1. You’re absolutely right, Phillip Frank. 🙂

                      And that reminds me… last summer, my in-laws gave us a hilarious book called Bad Kitty (there’s a whole series of them now, but this is the first one–an alphabet book). Everybody from the 4-year-old up through my college senior loved that book; and it got read so many times that it finally fell apart after just a few months. I need to get on Amazon and find another copy, this time in hardcover. Thanks for jogging my memory! 🙂

                      Liked by 3 people

    4. Dave, that’s exactly the frustration I’ve been feeling and I bet a whole lot of other people too. Lots of tension, as Charlie/Larry said, and I’ve had a couple eruptions myself. The end of your post is uplifting and I thank you for that also. God bless you.

      Liked by 3 people

  3. President Trump News from the Ohio Front Lines

    Over the weekend, two incidents occurred.

    1. Firstly, at a small, family-style restaurant where I went for lunch on Saturday, I was handed a newspaper to read while I waited, given to me by the restaurant owner who speaks English with a thick European accent. Taking a look at the page on top of the stack, I saw it was an anti-Trump hit piece with a blaring baleful headline and a ghastly political cartoon. So I took out a trusty pen from my purse, scribbled over the most offensive part of the cartoon, drew a slash line across the article, and wrote. Near the headline, I wrote in big letters: “FAKE NEWS !!” And alongside the cartoon, I wrote “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”

    Didn’t care if I ended up getting in trouble over it. I set the paper aside, in plain sight, so the restaurant owner would not be able to miss it. Sure enough, she came over and noticed it … frowned a bit, shook her head, sighed, and said …

    “I don’t get why everybody is always attacking Trump.” She then went on to explain how she grew up in a Communist country where you weren’t allowed to go to Church, how she had become a citizen of the United States … LEGALLY … and how she couldn’t understand why Americans were acting the way they are, letting into America people who are breaking the law. She had been friendly enough in the beginning, now she was even friendlier. I bet I’ll get wonderful service the next time I go to her restaurant.

    2. Secondly, I’ve been trying to discern whether to switch parishes from a big, unfriendly parish to a small, friendly parish … what’s been holding me back is that the big parish has a Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel.

    As part of my discernment effort, I decided to wear a MAGA T-shirt to Mass. Here’s a photo of it. I hand-painted the shirt myself. I had hoped that the Mass would be said by the associate priest rather than the pastor, but getting there early, the pastor was there. Normally, he tries to subtly avoid me … I’ve wondered whether it’s because I’m single, or because I receive Communion on the tongue which makes me distinctly different from 99% of the Mass-goers there, or because I once tried to ask this pastor to host our very own Charlie as a speaker.

    Let’s just say that the T-shirt experience helped me discern … Bigly.

    * You will note that the T-shirt did not say “Trump” nor did it say “Make America Great Again” … but wow, it definitely made an impact!

    Liked by 12 people

      1. Thanks, Jlynnbyrd,

        As for the impact I made, I think I had better not wear the MAGA shirt to that particular parish anymore lest it become a near occasion of sin to my mischievous side. And that said, yes, it seems a bit clearer where I stand in that parish now, in particular with the pastor. … (Actually, the odd thing is, the parishioners in the pews seemed to have no trouble with my wearing the controversial T-shirt.)

        … Thinking about it after this weekend, when I simply go about my normal business as a Catholic at Mass … kneeling at the Consecration, receiving Communion on the tongue, kneeling after Communion to pray … it’s likely this signals to the people around me that I’m a Conservative. Because “boy howdy” (as they say on The Conservative Treehouse website), wearing the MAGA shirt was Clearly a dead giveaway … the pastor certainly was up on his politics enough to know the meaning of those letters of the alphabet when put together.

        Nothing was said to me about it, it’s just that the reaction was plain to see by the facial expression and body language.

        Liked by 3 people

        1. Thanks for sharing Phoenix. I get *the looks* too for taking Communion on the tongue. I am sometimes surprised that the look sometimes is of regard, rather than contempt. ❤

          Liked by 4 people

          1. I’m glad you’re pleasantly surprised sometimes, Jlynnbyrd … what you are seeing in those who express regard … now that’s a hopeful sign. 🙂

            Liked by 4 people

        2. Phoenix, do you mean others DON’T kneel at the Consecration or after Communion? If not, I’m sorry you’re in that situation. I believe that is disobedient to the rubrics of the Mass, if I’m not mistaken. How sad that people would not want to honor Our Lord. I love the Consecration, for me such an intimate time with Jesus. Keep up the good work!!

          Liked by 5 people

          1. It’s complicated in Northeast Ohio, Annie W. … and of course, it shouldn’t be. Depending on the parish and sometimes on the mood of the parishioners, people either kneel or they don’t at various times during the Mass. I’m glad to find that here on A Sign of Hope, people are in favor of kneeling. Thank you for the compliment … I don’t consider kneeling work though, I consider it indulging in a privilege that I don’t want taken away from me. It’s the way I know to pray best. Thank you for your kind encouragement! 🙂

            Liked by 4 people

        3. No need to feel apologetic, Phoenix (although the noun “apologetics”, as opposed to the adjective, has a vibrant positive sense, in its true Catholic meaning). Catholics, I reckon, are true “conservatives”, not in the corrupted political sense that adjective has taken on. Because we “conserve” the best, (sorry, the “Best”), in order to pass it on and pass it down to the coming generations. It’s capital “T” Tradition, from the Fathers, right back to the Apostles themselves.

          It’s what we do. Catholicism – the real thing. Since 33 A.D. 😎

          Liked by 4 people

    3. Gee..Phoenix, i have 4 different scenerios going around in my head now cuz you left us dangling! NOW that’s worse than pretending i like my husband’s Chinese medicine!

      Liked by 5 people

      1. Well, LEEL004,

        Hmmm, 004, you’re almost 007, eh? Anyways, I could always respond by saying “Ancient Chinese Secret …” which would make some sense if you remember the TV commercial … but in a few minutes, I’ll post more of a response about it to Jlynnbyrd … stay tuned!

        Liked by 2 people

            1. Yeah, probably; but so would Bing Crosby’s blackface number in Holiday Inn. That’s why I’m glad that I don’t really care what the PC Forces of Perpetual Offense think about anything. 🙂

              Liked by 2 people

    4. “2. Secondly, I’ve been trying to discern whether to switch parishes from a big, unfriendly parish to a small, friendly parish … what’s been holding me back is that the big parish has a Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel.”

      Just my thoughts…
      Stay with the big, unfriendly parish since they have the Perpetual Adoration Chapel. Forgo the MAGA t shirt n stuff. People will know your intent through you love of God Jesus withinin Eucharist. If you want to display a theme: God, County (USA) and Eucharist Adoration.
      Or mess with people’s heads alittle:
      MEAGA
      Make Eucharist Adoration great again

      Liked by 10 people

      1. Hi Sean Sullivan,

        Thank you for your thoughts regarding my discernment. Yeah, the Perpetual Adoration Chapel is hugely important. One thing my mother brought up: I could always continue to visit the Adoration Chapel even if I switch parishes.

        As for people knowing my intent, they are welcome to think what they want … especially those who show absolutely no interest in wanting to get to know me in any way, shape, or form before judging. And apparently I was judged long before wearing the controversial T-shirt, that was just the thing that made what was happening perfectly clear to me.

        That said, I used to wear a very Catholic T-shirt which featured the Eucharist. It listed “10 Good Reasons to Stay Catholic” and the Eucharist was #1. Basically, I wore it all the time to Masses and different religious events and even one wonderful day out hiking in the woods … until finally, I outgrew the shirt. But thanks for reminding me … I think I still have the shirt somewhere, and it’s time I find it and give it to my godchild. Thanks for reminding me, I would have totally forgot about this! 🙂

        Liked by 3 people

  4. Charlie, you are the Mouthpiece of God in this political demonical scene! I have been with You for a long time, and this is the reporting we all need to hear. Our prayers are with you, keep helping Pres. Trump to clean the swamp. We are with you, keep it coming!! Blessings to you, Marilyn McG.

    >

    Liked by 8 people

  5. Charlie, I have hardly ever left a comment (I am one of the silent ones), but I have to say I very much look forward to every new email I receive with the newest article from you. I always (despite the topic matters) feel uplifted and “led” in a good direction. Thank you!

    Liked by 9 people

  6. To bring about an era of peace from the ashes of demonic chaos let us not bring upon ourselves an error of peace such as at the close of 1789 in Paris.

    Liked by 6 people

  7. Phoenix, can you join the small, friendly parish and do Adoration at the large, unfriendly parish? When my parish stopped 24 hour exposition, I checked for other Eucharistic Adoration chapels and found three in my part of town that had it. ( I admit that exposition is important to me, but I would have continued adoration at my parish if exposition was not available anywhere else.)
    I signed up for a weekly hour at one of the three and was never told when I signed up that I couldn’t because I wasn’t a member of that parish. Instead, I find that adorers come from all over the city.
    There are often open hours in the summer or holiday times so I think that parishes would appreciate anyone who volunteers to keep Him company.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Thank you very much for your comment Nancy,

      Especially because I bet you’re helping other people as well as me. Yeah, my mom pointed out that I could switch parishes and still go to adoration.

      With all the chapels available to you, it sounds like you live in an awesome town! 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  8. Charlie, i agree with you that IF congress wants to show good faith in wanting to turn our country back to a country worth protecting, the FIRST Next step in DEFUND Planned Parenthood. There is no good of our money funding it…none. And the “ leadership” of mcconnell and ryan has been less than pathetic.
    Keep bringing those articles to us. They motivate as reminders to be pray’n and say ‘n the right stuff. The gift to analyze and write are treasures in this lost world. And the comments lead us to the 3 stepping stone….God center, acknowledge, do the next right step. God bless

    Liked by 5 people

  9. Riders on the bus go ….whoa is me….

    Comey on the bus said…well i didn’t know……

    Billary on the bus say …they voted wrong……

    Taxpayers say…i got crumbs in my pocket….

    Readers of this site say…FI NAL LY……⛱🏖🏝🌋

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Ha, Leel004! 🙂

      Say, I hope you and yours are all OK, what with the earthquakes and volcano issues in Hawaii right now.

      Liked by 5 people

      1. Yes, so far. The volcano is on the Hawaii island southern coast, which is far from the most populated island of oahu. Prayfully people will humble ourselves and turn to God. “Ironically” the week before our imfamous governor signed into law a suicide bill. Thank you for your concern. God bless with aloha

        Liked by 5 people

  10. “…7) On Saturday night, the man the media is enjoying portraying as an incompetent bumbler, did another interview on Judge Jeanine Pirro’s show. Watching it, does Giuliani strike you as a man who has been severely chastened – or a man having the time of his life? …”

    This video is unavailable via youtube…{they don’t learn, do they}

    *******

    As I interiorly gloat, I continue to remind myself to ‘grab’ all the Indulgences, reconciliation-penance opportunities and almsgiving I can… somethings coming 🙂

    Pass onto your friends (& enemies;)

    Liked by 9 people

    1. Thanks Sean. I pulled the old link and put up a fresh one that works. Let me know, folks, if this one is killed, too. Ha…these corporate sites are going to go down with the conspirators. I wish everyone would start using Vimeo for this stuff…but it is nice to know we’re keeping the censors at YouTube busy.

      Liked by 10 people

      1. Took your advice, Charlie, in anticipation of Mother’s Day, found a tribute on Vimeo: to mothers on either side of the veil, the acclaimed quartet, IL Divo singing, ‘Mama’.

        Liked by 1 person

  11. What on earth!:

    Headline from theHill.com:

    “Connecticut state Senate passes bill giving electoral votes to presidential candidate who wins popular vote”

    …some kind of pact between now 11 states. I first saw it today on “Stop the Scalpings”.

    It appears to me they at least hope to give last election losers some hope; at worst, to have it work for them in the next election before SCOTUS can speak.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Ah, they’ve been trying to pass that agreement for ages. A few states have signed on. I think it will pass Constitutional muster – as the states are permitted to select whichever electors they want – and those electors are Constitutionally allowed to cast their votes for any candidate they want. The fallout will be political. Let us say a state votes for the Republican by a 15-point advantage…and the Democrat wins the popular vote through vote fraud, illegals and such in Los Angeles, Chicago, and/or New York. If the legislature tries to cast the votes of that Republican state for the Democrat…ooo, I would love to write the tv and radio spots for the next state election – at which the Republicans would take firm control of the state and repeal that law (which IS unenforceable as far as forcing electors how to vote.)

      Liked by 7 people

      1. Charlie, after I cited you and your posting someone ( whose posts seem sound so far) replied:

        It is violation of the compact clause. States are prohibited from entering into compacts with other states to circumvent the Constitution.

        ….

        Liked by 2 people

        1. Certainly many would come up with reasonable theories – and your friend’s is reasonable. I don’t think it applies, because states have the absolute right to appoint whichever electors they want. That is not a compact to circumvent the Constitution, I do not think, but simply a means of exercising their Constitutional authority. The real issue is that it is unenforceable. Electors have the absolute right to vote for who they please, once seated. A state could NOT actually bind an elector to vote the way the state wanted. Electors generally do so now, as the tradition of voting for whoever won the popular vote in the state is a deeply-engrained tradition. Even so, there are occasionally “faithless electors,” who vote contrary to the way the state did. So your friend may have a point that a state attempting to order its electors to vote against how the state voted, and joining a compact with other states to do so, could fall on that ground – but the reality is that, without a Constitutional Amendment, any such agreement is unenforceable. It would sow chaos, as it is an invitation to faithless electors, even making such mandatory – in a way that can’t be enforced. Like so many leftist schemes, it fails in many particulars.

          Liked by 4 people

          1. Thanks Charlie. Any comments on especially the last two sentences of poster’s other comment, here?
            ( I’ll try to put it together better myself after recovering from my telltale stress holder: Shingles:(

            “Chief concerns of the founding fathers were state sovereignty, the freedoms and rights of the individual, and minority representation. This is a punch in the face to all three. Incidentally, they would have found “winner-take-all” to be equally offensive because it disfranchises the vote of the state’s minority. It was intended that each Elector represent their district’s constituents.”

            Liked by 2 people

  12. Looking forward to your upcoming Part II of your article. Ditto on the wheels coming off the deep state. Double ditto on the sense of uneasiness in the air. I can’t describe the sense of angst I’ve been feeling. Things could unravel very quickly and most people are not aware nor prepared. Thank God my upcoming trip out west to the mountains is right around the corner.

    God’s Plan Moves Full Steam Ahead.

    Liked by 7 people

  13. Thanks Charlie. I’ve been reluctant to link to ZeroHedge here because it can be, as you say, a little lurid at times. But since you did in this piece, here’s something that caught my eye this morning.
    https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-05-04/saudi-arabia-will-build-christian-churches-after-striking-deal-vatican
    I’m skeptical by nature so I’m wondering if there’s a catch here. In any case, the idea of Christian churches in Saudi Arabia is pretty mind blowing to me. I have a relative who worked there for 30+ years. He lived on a compound for expats and the Saudis allowed a priest to say masses in a school gym. Funny thing about the Saudis is that they sit on all that oil but apparently never had the know-how to extract it profitably. They hired Americans, Brits, and assorted Europeans to manage the state-run oil company. They give a wink and a nod to Christian employees so long as they practice their faith completely out of sight and never discuss it openly.
    Keep praying for conversions on a massive, massive scale.

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Christopher. ZeroHedge posts many articles that are hard to find or are buried in the mainstream media. Most times their analysis is spot on. You do get idiots sometimes posting on their sight but that is beyond their control. I saw that article today myself and was not sure what to think. Time will tell.

      Liked by 4 people

        2. Yes, Mick, we need alternatives for news. Here’s an example from our local TV news. There’s one independent channel and last night had an interview with someone from our District Attorney race. I don’t think anyone else in town has brought up the fact that a candidate backed by GEORGE SOROS is challenging our D.A. He has done this all over the country; easy to figure out why.

          Liked by 1 person

  15. Love your perspective Charlie. I feel we are over the precipice and starting our ride. When a spoiled child begins to realize the game is lost, he tries to destroy the board, crashes the pieces, blows the economy so everyone can be punished for rigging the game against him.

    Liked by 7 people

    1. I would seem prudent to act in a feign of failure for as long as possible to delay the revelation, until the board can be preserved, then quickly to preserve as many of the pieces as possible to prevent collapse.

      Liked by 6 people

  16. It’s Primary Election Day here in Indiana. The biggest race on our ballot is determining who will run against Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly in November. Donnelly is a lifelong Catholic who graduated from Notre Dame Law School. His home parish is about 20 minutes from me. I have family members who are members there.

    He calls himself pro-life and I believe Right To Life has endorsed him in the past when he was a Congressman from the 2nd Congressional District. They no longer endorse him. He proved to be one of the two final votes needed to pass Obamacare. For a white, he objected to Obamacare because it lifted the protection against tax money being used to pay for infanticide (aka abortion). He bent to the pressure and voted in favor of Obamacare. Sadly, he credited then-Notre Dame President, Fr. Ted Hesburgh for encouraging him to vote yes. Several years later, University of Notre Dame found itself having to file suit against the government because the HHS mandate in Obamacare forced them (the most high-profile Catholic university in the US) to pay for contraception and abortion-inducing drugs for their employees.

    The popular narrative is that Donnelly is a centrist, middle of the road, pro-life Catholic. The problem is, whenever his vote is of any consequence, he votes with the liberal Democrats every time. Donnelly was not expected to win the Senate seat he holds. Six years ago, he won an upset victory when he twisted and misquoted an awkward answer to an abortion question his opponent, Richard Mourdock made during their debate.

    In the debate, Mourdock was asked if he favors abortion in cases of rape. He answered, “I struggled with it myself for a long time, but I came to realize life is that gift from God. And I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen.” He later explained he meant the life created was what God intended, not the rape.

    Donnelly (assisted by the activist press) attacked him 24/7 as saying God intends women to be raped. The good Catholic had no problem breaking the 8th Commandment when an election could be won by bearing false witness against a Republican. In two weeks time, Donnelly went from five points behind and certain defeat to a five-point victory.

    Early polls right now seem to show Donnelly running about 5 points behind a generic Republican opponent. Indiana, as a whole, has proven pretty conservative and traditionalist. Trump won this state handily. Currently, every other state-wide elected office in Indiana is held by Republicans. We have three seemingly pretty good candidates to choose from today. Each of them has vulnerabilities. I’m a bit torn as to whom I will choose. I pray for wisdom to choose the right candidate here and for those around the country to vote for candidates consistent with God’s will for our country.

    Liked by 5 people

    2. Praying along with you, Jayman. By the way, which part of Indiana do you live in (northern, central, or southern)? I was born in Indianapolis. 🙂

      Liked by 4 people

          1. I’ve always wondered: Why, in everyplace but Indiana, is “Hoosiers” considered a derogatory term; but to those of us blessed to have been born there, it’s a badge of honor?

            Liked by 4 people

                  1. Phillip Frank. I’m sure Beckita’s and Charlie’s heads are spinning around on their shoulders as they read our posts but heck, at least we’re having some fun. 😉

                    Liked by 2 people

                2. You take BD, MP; I’ll handle Phillip Frank.

                  But be he forewarned: We Hoosier chicks are armed and dangerous:

                  Took liberty to edit your image, Mick

                  Liked by 3 people

                  1. Mick,
                    I married a red-headed countryfied, gun-totin gal so I’m used to it!
                    Bring it!
                    (I hope your “handle” is mother-of-pearl)😀!

                    Liked by 2 people

                    1. Ha, Phillip! Aren’t countryfied, gun-totin redheads grand? (I married one, too.)

                      And, I guess your wife wins because my handle is made of yellow Walmart plastic. 🙂

                      Liked by 3 people

                  2. Thanks ever so much, Beckita. The image plays a lot better than my clunky link saying “Walmart Classic Squirt Gun.” 🙂

                    Liked by 4 people

                  3. Ahh, water pistols! Every small boy’s weapon of choice, and elastic slingshots, back in the day. 5 shillings ( this was pre-decimal Ireland) in Woolworths. Shoved in your school blazer pocket – and confiscated by the teacher if she felt in a bad mood. They usually did, it seems to me, being invariably ladies of a certain age, Nuns in my first 2 school years. But not to be messed with. Ever. Parental sanction was always in the background also. Or, come to think of it, sanction from any adult whom we might, even, tangentially, have offended. Happy days. Sort of.

                    Liked by 4 people

                    1. Hey, Jaykay… I was flipping through my husband’s latest issue of a magazine called National Review (it’s a politically conservative magazine that also has a pretty good website). I happened to see an article on Save the Eighth. Lots of people in this country read National Review, so I’m sure that the article will help rustle up some more prayers and good wishes for your countrymen’s just cause. I just wanted you to know that tons of people here in the States are behind you! 🙂

                      Liked by 5 people

                2. Hi Mick – hope this appears in the right place, as there was no “reply” option under yours above. It’s truly good to know we have so many people of goodwill who have our backs!

                  I’m quite familiar with NR, as it happens, through the online version, NRO. Some favourite authors there would be Victor Davis Hanson (whose ancient history books I’ve been reading for a long time), Conrad Black, George Weigel. Jonah G – well, maybe not so much any more 😦

                  The only equivalent on this side of the pond would perhaps be The Spectator (UK), but even that can be dodgy at times. There is nothing really like NR in Ireland – too small a pool, and far too many of the educated class wholly embracing the spirit of the age, in what they imagine to be cutting-edge progressivism but in reality is docile conformism of the worst sort. They would be horrified to be so characterised, of course, but then there are none so blind as those…

                  We’re holding another pro-life rally in Dublin tomorrow, our final one before Decision-Day on 25th May. Meanwhile, Google has outdone itself in showing what side it’s on – as if we didn’t know:

                  https://loveboth.ie/google-decision-an-outrageous-interference-in-the-democratic-process-loveboth/

                  Go bless all, J.

                  Liked by 1 person

                3. Hi Mick – hope this appears in the right place, as there was no “reply” option under yours above. It’s truly good to know we have so many people of goodwill who have our backs!

                  I’m quite familiar with NR, as it happens, through the online version, NRO. Some favourite authors there would be Victor Davis Hanson (whose ancient history books I’ve been reading for a long time), Conrad Black, George Weigel. Jonah G – well, maybe not so much any more 😦

                  The only equivalent on this side of the pond would perhaps be The Spectator (UK), but even that can be dodgy at times. There is nothing really like NR in Ireland – too small a pool, and far too many of the educated class wholly embracing the spirit of the age, in what they imagine to be cutting-edge progressivism but in reality is docile conformism of the worst sort. They would be horrified to be so characterised, of course, but then there are none so blind as those…

                  We’re holding another pro-life rally in Dublin tomorrow, our final one before Decision-Day on 25th May. Meanwhile, Google has outdone itself in showing what side it’s on – as if we didn’t know:

                  https://loveboth.ie/google-decision-an-outrageous-interference-in-the-democratic-process-loveboth/

                  God bless all, J.

                  Liked by 3 people

                  2. Jaykay, Google is disgusting. I’m not surprised by their take, but it’s still maddening. Praying and hoping that good may triumph over evil on May 25. God bless Ireland and the Irish–especially the Irish unborn.

                    Liked by 5 people

                    1. Great turnout in Dublin on Saturday for the rally. We had a full bus from my town, 50 miles away. It wasn’t a march this time, just a rally, but thousands there, and the weather was good. Great speakers, plenty of young people – our hope! God defend the right! Deus vult!

                      Liked by 3 people

            3. The US Secret Service has designated the code name “Hoosier” for US Vice President, former Indiana Governor, and Indiana native Mike Pence.
              I guess your in good company guys!

              Liked by 2 people

          1. Ha, Diane! My grandmother and the ladies in her women’s club used to take day-trips from the Indianapolis area to Brazil. I remember, when I was maybe 8 or 9, Grandma telling my mother that the club had gone to Brazil. I remember being amazed that she’d gone to a foreign country.

            Liked by 3 people

            1. Yeah, Bill, that might count enough to make you an honorary Hoosier. 🙂

              I’ve got relatives in Atlanta and in Lithonia. In which part of Georgia is your family?

              Liked by 1 person

  17. Mainstream media continues to dig it’s own grave as Washington Post foolishly attacks Melania Trump. Even many Trump haters greatly admire her. Another sign of hope.

    Liked by 5 people

  18. Some good new President Trump goes against msm and does what is right, yes back out of Iran deal. This is one of Obamas actions which lead me to believe he was for strengthening the advisory while weakening the west besides late into his term in Dec 2016 what he did to Israel.

    Liked by 7 people

  19. Charlie, you’re right, I have also been feeling short-tempered and see it in others around me. I was in Foster City, CA, in 1989 when the World Series earthquake hit in the San Francisco Bay Area. Through the morning and afternoon of that day, I felt ‘stretched’ physically and on edge and irritable. Everyone around me felt or acted the same. Then the quake hit around 5pm, and all of our internal stresses dissolved as we handled the aftermath. Before 9/11 I dreamed for three months about armed men in a desert setting, including CIA types and Marine SpecOps and a bunch of other guys in robes, 90 days of dreams almost every night, often for many hours each night. I had no idea what it meant. Then 9/11 happened, and Bush sent people into Afghanistan, and I realized that that action was what I had been dreaming. The Institute of Noetic Sciences was measuring people’s precognitive ability at that time with games on their website. I later found out that the average is normally slightly precognitive but during those three prior months, the same period I was dreaming, the results of their testing fell *below* average, coming back on the morning of 9/9 (Sunday), when the attack apparently went “live” and fates were sealed.

    People do see things coming before those things arrive, and either suppress it because it is too terrible to contemplate, or they ‘see’ it and get out of temper. That we are possibly able to see this coming, rather than suppressing it as most everyone did before the 9/11 attack, may indicate that what is coming is something we worry about but will handle when it arrives.

    Like you, Charlie, I will have to pay more attention to these feelings so that I don’t harm my relationships with others, even as I view the appearance of these stresses as indicating something significant may finally be coming. Everyone here might pay a little more attention to their own needs and unusual emotions, if any, and work to “enhance your calm,” as one of my nephews used to say. 😀

    Liked by 11 people

  21. Sadly, another inexplicable “performance” from Cdl. Dolan … & the Sistine Chapel Choir? … and The Church!!?… a Celebration of The Faith!???.. ;-(:

    “Met Gala’s 2018 Catholic Church theme stirs up controversy on social media”

    http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/05/07/met-galas-2018-catholic-church-theme-stirs-up-controversy-on-social-media.html

    https://cruxnow.com/vatican-at-the-met/2018/05/08/for-some-celebs-catholic-themed-red-carpet-was-a-homecoming/

    GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Last night while doing some reading, my wife turned to me and asked, “did you read about this Met Gala business?”

      “Yep.”

      After a long pause she continued, “What in God’s name is going on? It feels like the end of the world or something.”

      Understand, there have been a a handful of topics my wife has NEVER wanted to discuss with me including signs of the times/end times.

      “No, we’re not there yet,” said I, “but we’ve sure got some work ahead of us.”

      Many years prior to this discussion I had a dream that I was in a cellar inspecting a broken furnace and some leaky plumbing. There were webs everywhere, and I couldn’t help but notice a bunch of cricket carcasses caught up in those webs. This bothered me terribly, so I started gently trying to pull what was left of the crickets out of the webs. Fiddling with those filaments caused the spiders to come out from the shadows and start moving towards me at which point I got fearful. Understand that spiders are one of the representations of satan/evil in my dreams for some time.

      At that point I suddenly felt a strong presence behind me and turned to see Our Mother. She gently pulled my hand away from the webs and I’ll never forget Her face. Next, she moved to the other side of the room where my wife was sleeping on a cot. She sat down and gently began waking my wife. Then I woke up.

      Not entirely sure why I wanted to share this, but I couldn’t shake it so did.

      On the upside, I was happy to see that the Mormon’s booted the Boy Scouts of America. Go, Mormons!

      We see Jesus cast out the demon lickety split in Matthew 17, where the apostles had failed. “This kind can’t only come out by fasting and prayer.”

      I’m with you on this. Would definitely like to see more fasting and praying, less hobnobbing with the culture that wants to crucify The Church. When it bothers me terribly though, I only need to think of Her face again.

      Liked by 14 people

      2. “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17) Thanks for sharing your dream, MP. I am struck by our Mother’s tenderness. This reminds me that while we DO have a lotta work to do, She, our tender and powerful Stella Maris, promised to be our Safe Refuge in the Storm. Thus, your dream reminds me that we have recourse to Her. All the better to fulfill Her command: “Do whatever He tells you.”

        Liked by 8 people

        1. Yes, tenderness is one of Her strengths that we don’t always fully appreciate. And it’s virtually impossible for me to contemplate Our Mother without Jesus… always being directed to Him.

          Also, was there a subtle something about me being old in there? You rascal.

          Liked by 9 people

      3. MP, thank you, thank you, thank you! for sharing this🙂😊🤗✝! I know exactly why you shared it! And Thank God for the Blessed Mother, St. Michael and St. Rafael who can so easily squash the nasty🕷s !!! ✝

        Liked by 9 people

        1. PS… 🤠 notice that little cross- it’s purple! 🙃 I wish I could post the little green squirrel face you posted here once! But I can’t-(insert upside down green silly squirrel face!) Haha 🕊🙏💜

          Liked by 5 people

            1. MP, 🤗😊 I do have it! Two sizes, one larger one tiny. I have it saved in my files but I can’t post it because I don’t know how. Doesn’t it have to have a link or be on a website or somewhere online? Anyway- there he be!

              Liked by 3 people

      4. Hi MP
        Your comment made me think of several things – the old song The First Ever I Saw Your Face, It made me think of an old and holy confessor Fr Woodd who used to hear confessions in his slippers and dressing gown and who suggested to me that that when I see Jesus my first thought will be “why did I not love Him more”. It made me think of St Maximillan Kolbe whose ministry was driven by the utter beauty of Mary. It made me think of Fr Andreu of Garabandal who saw Mary and a preview of The Great Miracle, and who proclaimed just before he died of joy “how fortunate we are to have such a mother in heaven – there is nothing to fear in the afterlife.” The day after the Great Miracle his body will be found fully restored as on the day he died. That in itself will be a great miracle although minor to the main event. Right now all that is left of him is bones. Nothing is impossible with God. Thanks for sharing your dream Michael.
        “I only need to think of Her face again.” How fortunate you are.

        Liked by 5 people

  22. I did some research on this and it appears to be an authentic article from TX Rep. Gohmert … who has been a vocal opponent of the entire Get Trump DC Coup. Gohmert is a former TX Judge.
    It’s a long read and if just 70% is true there is are a bunch of the corrupt/powerful that should be jailed or worse …. but most here already know this ;-(

    MONUMENTAL: The Naked Truth About Robert Mueller
    By Rep. Louis Gohmert

    https://directorblue.blogspot.com/2018/05/monumental-naked-truth-about-robert.html

    GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Thank you Crewdog for posting this…IT’S AMAZING!…so detailed, thorough, tragic and scary! Everyone should read this…maybe in a couple of sittings… but WOW…mind-blowing! It reads like a battle cry for heroic prayer in these times of injustice and insanity.

      Liked by 4 people

    2. CrewDog, I read… and read… and read this article. I knew it was bad but was absolutely astonished at how bad. Even one percent of that article should be enough to put Mueller in jail. God Save All Here!

      Liked by 5 people

  23. I work in a house providing care to the handicapped. Lately, I spend a good chunk of time when I am at work filling in reports describing just exactly what care I provided, and then reviewing all my staff’s reports — we actually have to stop interacting and helping our folks so we have enough time to do these things, as they want them very detailed.

    Yesterday I got an email from one of my supervisors who complained that one of my staff had typed down in his report for 2 days in a row the phrase “I applied Mr. X’s toothpaste on his toothbrush for him”. He said that my staff should word it a little differently each day so it doesn’t look the staff is using “copy and paste”.

    How many darn ways using different words can you come up with to describe helping 6 different handicapped folks with brushing their teeth in the morning after working a 16 hour shift?? … Not to mention actually helping with all the rest of the their morning hygiene (shave, shower, getting dressed, etc.) then having to type that up too?

    Please keep all of our caregivers in your prayers.
    At this rate I’m not sure what staff I will have left after I have to explain to them all about having to come up with new flowery ways to describe tooth-brushing each day at the next staff meeting.

    Liked by 8 people

    2. Go’Shen, I will keep you and the staff in my prayers. ❤

      It would seem a checklist might be the way to go to uncomplicated things. My sister and goddaughter are nurses and the burdensome paperwork sadly takes precedence over the care itself most times.

      Liked by 5 people

      1. Oh, we have asked if there isn’t some sort of a checklist we could use, and the higher ups have told us no.

        This weekend, the website we use will be coming down for an 18 hour maintenance.
        The bosses want us to write our reports down on paper, and then when the site comes back up, our staff will have to type in those past reports as well as the ones from their current shift.

        If the Apocalypse hits between now & then, be assured I shall be praising God that at least he has spared us all from typing out another thrilling daily hygiene and tooth-brushing adventure report.

        Liked by 5 people

    4. Hi Go’shen,

      I’m a writer. So here are seven different ways of saying
      “I applied Mr. X’s toothpaste on his toothbrush for him”.

      1.) “It was a dark and stormy night. Suddenly, toothpaste slid from its tube onto Mr. X’s toothbrush, quicker than a lightning flash.”

      2.) “Four score and seven years ago, Mr. X was born. Tonight, I applied toothpaste on his toothbrush and wished him a happy birthday.”

      3.) “Once upon a time, after all the other times, I applied toothpaste onto Mr. X’s toothbrush, so he could visit his dentist happily ever after.”

      4.) “Call me Ishmael. Just got back from my quest for a great white tube of toothpaste. It was sighted floating in the bathtub, and seemed to hide for a moment behind a rubber ducky, but at last I seized hold of it and applied toothpaste onto Mr. X’s toothbrush.”

      5.) “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the time for brushing one’s teeth, so I applied toothpaste onto Mr. X’s toothbrush.”

      6.) “Somewhere in la Mancha, in a place whose name I do not care to remember, a gentleman lived not long ago, one of those who has a lance and ancient shield on a shelf. Well, now Mr. X, who likes to call himself Don Quixote, lives here, so I applied toothpaste onto his toothbrush for him. He then began waving the toothbrush around as if it were a sword.

      7.) “Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself. Well unfortunately, the store was out of toothpaste, so I ended up having to go buy some during my break time. I later applied said toothpaste onto Mr. X’s toothbrush.”

      … “All’s well that ends well, and to all a good night!” 🙂

      …..

      Liked by 16 people

      1. Oh, Phoenix! My stomach hurts, I’m laughing so hard! I lost it at “It was a dark and stormy night”: All I could envision was Snoopy at his typewriter. By #4, I had actually rolled over onto my back and was laughing uncontrollably (so, I guess ROFL is actually a thing). By #7, I could barely breathe and had tears streaming down my face. Thank you for making my evening a lot more fun; and thank you for making me appreciate, for the very first time, having been forced to read literature and history in my younger days. 🙂

        Liked by 12 people

        1. Well Mick, consider yourself lucky that you never accidentally set your Christmas tree on fire while reading Moby Dick … I once did. Decided to light some rain-scented candles so that my living room would smell like the sea while I was reading … Glad you liked the list, thank you! 🙂

          Liked by 4 people

          1. Yes, Phoenix, I am indeed lucky never to have torched the family tree. Unfortunately, when I was 6 months old, I did topple one. Apparently, I was learning to pull to a stand; and I tried to stand by holding onto one of the Christmas tree’s branches. I fell over and pulled the tree down on top of myself. Given that almost all the tree ornaments in 1968 were made of glass, the crashing tree must’ve made a tremendous ruckus. As my older brothers tell it (they were 7 and 6 at the time), my mother ran into the room screaming, “My baby! My baby!” My brothers ran into the room screaming, “Our presents! Our presents!” Dad was probably too engrossed in the morning paper to notice that anything was amiss. 🙂

            Liked by 6 people

            3. New team: “The Christmas tree blunder gang”.
              What’s with the Christmas tree assaults?
              Christmas trees matter! (For you guys it must be “Christmas tree batter!)
              Dad has the right idea Mick. We’re only there for the “Big” problems that mom can’t handle on her own (like sweaping up the broken ornaments cause she refuses to wear shoes in the house). And to think of all those important newspapers we used to wrap them up so they WOULDNT break!
              Crying shame…..

              Liked by 2 people

      2. I also work in healthcare and struggle with “the powers that be” coming up with new hoops for us to jump through while juggling patient care. Phoenix, you have no idea how tempting it is to use some of your suggestions!

        Liked by 5 people

      3. If the sun never came out again, and birdsong went quiet, and I never heard another joke in my life, I could still die with a big fat grin on my face if I was assured that Go’shen and her staff actually used these lines in their reports. Please use these in your reports, Go’shen.

        Liked by 8 people

      5. Phoenix, LOL!!
        Thanks for the laugh, it was much appreciated!

        I am getting ready to go to mass for the feast of Ascension Day, and shall keep you all in my prayers. Keep praying for me and all my co-workers, and for the whole nation!

        May there soon be an end to all of the useless paperwork, and an even swifter end to all of the shenanigans Mueller team and all the rest of them have gotten up to in the government!

        Liked by 8 people

            1. Bing! May all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

              And stay with us, Holy Souls, interceding for us in every next right step. Amen.

              See? Bings are G-O-O-D.

              Liked by 6 people

    5. Go’Shen, I will carry you and ALL caregivers in my prayers.
      I have not participated in “corporate” heath care for a couple of decades but I saw even then [early ’90s] that the focus was more on the process rather than the patient. It has only gotten worse. I’ve seen it myself as a inpatient in recent years, and, thankfully, my nursing knowledge and experience has seen me through some testy situations. I say this with the full knowledge that Our Lord and Our Lady have carried me through this life’s journey.
      Praying for the needs of all here. Be Blessed and especially all Mommas.

      Liked by 2 people

      2. Hi Phillip Frank,

        A most logical question … Now that you mention it, the Christmas tree fire (it was only a small, plastic artificial table-top tree around 2 feet tall and is still usable) was par for the course. “The phoenix” nickname started out symbolic in college, but shortly after I graduated from grad school, I survived a car fire.

        Sending you “warm” greetings, (but not TOO warm),
        ~~ the phoenix

        Liked by 7 people

        1. I hope we all “arise” from the flame of love one day.
          I have a gift on my bedside table, a painting of Our Lord with His Sacred Heart all aflame. He has a serious but gently concerned look in His eyes like He is intently contemplating me and my condition here in this vale of tears. As I look into those eyes a most complex array of feelings rush through me, all different but all at once in an instant. It is quit indescribable, like a fine wine on a clean palate who’s bokay, flavor, and sweetness all hit you at once but also swirl around your mouth sparking emotions and influences and memories both old and new. I looking at Him and He looking at me, His gaze reminding me of a line from the Lorica of St. Patrick;
          “I arise today
          Through the strength of heaven;
          Light of the sun,
          Splendor of fire,
          Speed of lightning,
          Swiftness of the wind,
          Depth of the sea,
          Stability of the earth,
          Firmness of the rock.
          Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
          Through a belief in the Threeness,
          Through confession of the Oneness
          Of the Creator of creation.”

          Liked by 6 people

  27. bit of topic but a refreshing joke.

    http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/05/10/fox-news-first-trump-welcomes-home-three-americans-released-by-n-korea-mccain-has-no-regrets-about-dossier.html

    John McCain confirms in excerpts of his new forthcoming memoir that he gave a copy of the much-discredited Trump-Steele dossier to then-FBI Director James Comey – and that he has no regrets

    Disgusting people have no conscience knowingly participated in a coup to take down a man who was innocent of this charge now he seems to want to help comey out as comey must have pleaded help! I’ve dug myself deep here! youre going anway!

    Also another joke was stormy attorney accusing the wrong Cohen based on fraudulent leaks of some other Cohen. Who is leaking Adam schiff?

    left seems running out of ideas, i found this on CTH badgering an old conscious trump supporter being harassed https://youtu.be/sMzAbtBzt9Y pathetic leftist media harasses elderly lady for thought crimes.

    ah yes here comes the super intelligence assertion on Facebook by another leftist fake friend.

    ‘His base loves craziness, incompetence, and contempt for reason because sanity, competence, and the patient accumulation of evidence are things that allow educated people to pretend that they are superior.’

    https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/orwells-1984-and-trumps-america/amp

    Liked by 4 people

  28. sorry I meant to say elderly passionate trump supporter. please correct my comment as its a genuine mistake was careful to use the correct word in the subsequent link to CTH. my bad 😦

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Oops, Josh. I already cleared your last comment to the joy of the Holy Souls. I love our tradition of teasing about holy souls being released. It actually evokes an honest: May their souls rest in peace and may Christ’s Perpetual Light shine upon them.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Well Beckita as we offer up “our prayers, works , joys and sufferings of this day….”
        I think this can include our (sic)ness here too?
        😇

        Liked by 3 people

  31. Charlie, is eliminating the Electoral College as destructive of our country as I think it is? I realize that there are all kinds of other evils that fall into that sort of category but my sense is that it would really split the country. How can they do this?

    Liked by 2 people

  33. Another earthquake and volcanic activity i think there is more to it as I’ve said before. The best I could find is expitaly i did notice the correlation of her observations was statistically significant for me. not sure if has any bearing to the event discussed by Charlie way back but i did notice some possible reference to it by Q?

    Also as i said had the dream about announcement from Father Petar Ljubicic so let’s see what happens as God always seems to surprise us. Maybe God is communicating i need a retreat to medujorge. So far I was expecting something big it always fizzled out.

    Liked by 2 people

  34. I was reading psalm 73 again yesterday on the psalmist’s lament on the seemingly good lives the wicked seem to be living until he was reminded of “How Suddenly” God can change things. Let us pray for patience while we wait for God to act and for wisdom to know what part God want’s us to pray in this matter.

    Liked by 7 people

  35. Hello everybody
    Just a little greeting from Tiberius by the Genesareth Sea. I have seen so many scared places and heard a lot of stories from the history of Jesus, the judeans, romans and reasent history. It is a amacing country. The Nature is fantastic

    Liked by 5 people

  36. Oops
    It was sent to early.
    The Nature is fantastic, the people is nice and the food is healty and very tasty.

    You TNRS’s are whith me on some parts of my trip. Lilia, I have remebered you.

    Love Mona

    Liked by 6 people

  37. Mona, that sounds so nice! I enjoy reading about your travels to these holy places. Enjoy your journey! God bless you and thank you for remembering us here on your trip too.

    Liked by 4 people

  38. “The reality is that May and June are critical. If we can get through these next two months without widespread violent strife breaking out, we have a chance of slowly and organically reclaiming the culture. Yet I don’t much believe it. My two big prophetic interpretive errors slightly seduced me into hoping that we would not have to undergo the full measure of scourging I saw through this Storm.”
    Serious question: are you jumping back into the realm of prophecy here? And is the above referenced “Storm” the same meaning as it was pre failed prophecies?
    Thanks in advance.

    Like

    1. I am doing analysis and prediction, Joe. I did THAT my entire life for political clients and in media. And, to be frank, I was awfully good at it. I will continue to do analysis and prediction – as I have continued to do privately for friends in govt. and such all along.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Charlie, thanks for your response. I’m not quite sure if I got an affirmative or denial in your response, but given you have been in the political scene your whole life I guess that is expected 😉
        It seems like you are trying to stir up headlines for clicks, by resorting to maybe or maybe not “visions”. Things seem to be getting better politically, but you had to come back after 4 months off, because they fit some arbitrary definition you set to come back after your failed predictions.
        I’m game to hear your political commentary, but let’s not evoke them under the same thought process at your previous “visions” of “The Storm”.
        Fair enough?

        Like

        1. Well, no, Joe. The “arbitrary” definition you speak of after the Inauguration was, indeed, vague with some wiggle room. But there was one specific criteria I stated that would bring me back – and that was if there was a coup attempt. Lo and behold, here we are in the midst of the only serious coup attempt in American history. The bureaucratic and judicial coup attempt is unraveling, but it is not over.

          I said I would publicly announce no new prophecies. I did not say I would completely repudiate my whole life. I candidly acknowledge my two serious misinterpretations, but I never said I would not reference what has gone before. I think a difficulty some folks have is that while I candidly acknowledge my errors, they cannot candidly acknowledge that on the large sweep of things my interpretation has been almost dead on.

          Back before I went public, some of the predictions I made were based on “inside” information. I just didn’t tell people that. In fact, I went to some effort to embed plausible normal possibilities for how accurate I was. It surprised me after I went public that many who had known me for a long time told me that that explained a lot of things. My interior life has not changed. I remain under obedience to my Archbishop and under the guidance of my Director Priests. I am back to what I consider my default setting. I speak boldly about how I see things, take full responsibility, and let the chips fall where they may. That is comfortable for me. The only difference is that now the general public knows something about the interior “thought process” by which I come to my conclusions. I did not know nor was I told that there would be a massive coup attempt supported by the largest conspiracy of high government officials ever – but I DID know that that unprecedented situation could explain, internally, how badly I misinterpreted. So I listed that specifically. I was not told that Rudy Giuliani’s Sean Hannity interview marked the beginning of the serious counter-attack by the administration against this witch hunt. I recognized that purely from my political experience – and I have already been proved right on that while almost every media outlet and commentator at the time proved wrong.

          I recognize that the ambiguity of the situation proves uncomfortable for some. People (including me) would rather it be all right all the time or dismiss it as all wrong. But that is not how it is. So, if you find some value here, I am glad to have you here. But my internal process is my internal process – and so I shall continue along the same path, barring intervention by legitimate authority. Perhaps the Lord intends all of us to know that, while His Word is always altogether true, our correct interpretation is not guaranteed. If, looking at my startlingly accurate depiction of the big sweep including many of the details – combined with two huge errant misinterpretations – persuades people to look with more skepticism at their own absolute certainties of how they have interpreted, then, in the grand scheme of things, my errors will have proven to be a great boon to many as we enter the most difficult times.

          Liked by 6 people

        2. Thank you for the detailed reply, Charlie.
          The coup attempt seems to be commonplace in American politics at this point:
          -Obama had his Birth Certificate issue to try to oust him in 2008 for a couple of years
          -W had the hanging Chad fiasco down in Florida back in 2000.
          -Republicans tried to get Clinton out, but only got him on a sex scandal in the 90’s.
          But you know all this.
          At first you said no election and Obama doesn’t finish his term, then no inauguration, now it’s a coup attempt and watch out for the probably of violent strife in May and June. Sorta sounds similar to the summer of discontent from 2014 “great will be the fall” and the last normal Christmas of 2015. Also sounds like some goal post moving, too.
          Here is the issue that is really hanging me up:
          Your “angel” was adamant about a late 2017 rescue, of which a ton of things needed to happen first, then we get rescue. But while some maybe sorta kinda close situations happened (which any doomsday political / media personality could throw out there to see what sticks) you are going to call it a W. The one major thing that you were to proclaim, “the rescue”, and were adamant about the date, didn’t come true. All the other stuff is meaningless, as you have said. It was Rescue that was your mission, and either you are a serious deceiver or have been seriously deceived.
          Therefore, talk of “Storms” and “Rescues” as if nothing happened a year and a half ago seems to me to seriously lower your credibility.
          Thanks for taking the time to listen, as this has weighed heavily on my heart since 1/20/17

          Like

  39. I don’t know any where else to get particular truths of particular things than here.
    …right, try to discern the truth; leave the rest.
    Or put it on hold. Give it the benefit of the doubt.

    Liked by 2 people

Comments are closed.

Published by charliej373

Charlie Johnston is a former newspaper editor, radio talk show host and political consultant. From Feb. 11, 2011 to Aug. 21, 2012, he walked 3,200 miles across the country, sleeping in the woods, meeting people and praying as he went. He writes on cultural, global and political issues from an orthodox Catholic perspective. He emphasizes that we find God most surely through the ordinary, doing the little things we should with faith and fidelity. His constant refrain is that, to live real joy, we must acknowledge God, take the next right step, and be a sign of hope to those around us. He lives in the Archdiocese of Denver in the United States.