Watergate and the Deep State

Posted on by charliej373

By Charlie Johnston

It was in late June of 1973 when I became, overnight, a Republican. The Watergate scandal was raging and picking up steam that summer. I had just finished my junior year in high school and was attending the National Association of Student Council’s Conference in Colorado Springs. When I arrived at the convention, I was largely a good, little lefty – but I had already shown flashes of a conservatism that disturbed at least a few of the elitists among my “cool kids” friends. I had been expected to be the editor of the school paper my senior year – and a very smart student who had just graduated took it upon himself to talk to me and explain that a good reporter had an obligation to be liberal. I respected the kid a lot, but his advice ticked me off – and I told him the only obligations I felt on the matter were to get it right and be fair. We finally just agreed to disagree. It all became moot when I was elected student body president and felt holding both posts would be unseemly.

Three major things led to my sudden conversion that week.

First, we had a lot of officials, both Democrat and Republican, speak to us at general sessions. As the week went on, I got more and more discomfited by the comportment of each. The Republicans who spoke were in real agony over the good of the country. They hated to oppose a president of their own party, but almost unanimously, they said the good of the country must come first. The Democrats, to a man, could not hide their glee over the political gains they expected the scandal to bring them. They seemed absolutely joyful over the country’s agony because it would benefit them. I was offended right down to my toes – and began wondering how I could make common cause with such lowlifes. Their glee made me contemptuous of them.

Midway through the week, I got into a debate with another student there, a fellow in ROTC, over whether or not we should give amnesty to Vietnam-era draft dodgers who had fled to Canada. It was a good, vigorous debate. More glib than he was, I seemed to be getting the better of him; I was certainly getting his goat. At one juncture, after he had made a solid argument, I started, “What you’re saying is…” Before I could say another word, he ambushed me in frustration. “Don’t tell me what I’m saying,” he snapped, “I know what I’m saying. You may not want to listen or consider it, but I know what I’m saying – so just stick to what you’re saying without trying to twist my words.” Boy, did that arrow ever find its mark! I was both stunned at and convicted by the justice of his words. “I’m an arrogant ass,” I thought. I realized that I usually did not listen to my opponent, but simply used his argument as the launch pad for my next argument. I was ashamed. I don’t remember whether I apologized to the young man. I sure hope I did. His angry rejoinder was, for me, one of the most important epiphanies of my life. I did not trim my sails in debate, but I have listened and considered the perspective of all honorable opponents since then – and vowed NEVER to lose sight of the humanity of those opponents. Thanks be to God for the well-timed barb of that ROTC sparring partner!

The last straw came near the very end of the week. The keynote speaker at the last general session was Gary Hart. He was not yet a senator from Colorado. The previous year, he had been the campaign manager for George McGovern’s failed bid for the presidency. He gave a maudlin, smarmy speech arguing that McGovern had lost because he was such a decent, honorable man that the corrupt people of this country could not abide him. I was enraged. It probably won’t surprise you to hear that I was down at the microphone to ask a question of every speaker that appeared that week. I went down to the microphone loaded for bear on this one. “Don’t you think McGovern’s poor judgment and unreliability had something to do with it?” I asked, citing McGovern’s budget-busting plan to give every man, woman and child in America $1,000 And his statement that he was ‘1,000 percent’ behind Thomas Eagleton the day before he dumped him from the ticket. Hart conceded that there were some ‘technical’ problems in the campaign but insisted that the fundamental problem was that the American people were just not good or honest enough to be governed by a man like George McGovern. I had walked into the auditorium an ambivalent Democrat that day; I walked out a nascent Republican – not formed ideologically, but furiously determined that I would not be counted among the emotional shysters who represented themselves as Democrat officials that week.

In the fall of that year, I met my Congressman, Robert McClory, who was the second-ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, which would later consider impeachment against Richard Nixon. By the next spring, I was a campaign aide to him, driving him around the district and writing some speeches for him on the weekends and during the summer. McClory was the only Republican to write an article of impeachment (The Third Article – the Contempt of Congress charge).

I am big on reading source documents on important issues rather than relying on news reports. As the scandal burgeoned, several disturbing things became clear to me. First, Nixon’s internal abuses were watered-down versions of what had been standard practice in the LBJ and FDR administrations – and about equal to those in the Kennedy administration (though it was Atty. Gen. Bobby, not Pres. John who drove the worst of the Kennedy abuses). Second, when the tapes were released, it became clear that John Dean (who is still mysteriously considered a hero) was an inveterate liar. He had lied throughout his five days of testimony to Congress to smear colleagues and clear himself. Dean had been charged with keeping Nixon apprised of what was happening with Watergate early on and whether there were actual White House employees involved in either the burglary or a cover-up. Until March 21, 1973, he had consistently lied to the president, minimizing everything. By the time Dean leveled with Nixon, it was too late to stop the attempted cover-up.

I still supported impeachment, knowing that the blowback for systemic abuses in the White House since the 1930’s was all coming down on Nixon’s head. It was unjust to act as if he were unique – or even the worst abuser (he was, perhaps, tied for third worst). I supported it, in part, because my boss did and, in part, because I thought the thing was being played on the square – that this would end a half century’s worth of abuses and that the media would be watchdogs against such abuses re-surfacing. However well-intended I was, I was a chump – a useful idiot to the left’s insatiable lust for power.

Ironically, on the domestic side, Nixon was the most liberal Republican president we ever had. His Keynesian economics and social justice prattling contributed mightily to the dislocations in the economy and society that were not re-stabilized until Reagan came. He was, however, one of the greatest geo-political thinkers to ever hold the office of president. Besides the opening of China, making it a counter-balance against Soviet ambitions, he also brought most of the Arab Middle East out of the Soviet orbit and into the American – despite having rescued Israel from annihilation in the 1972 Arab sneak attack on it. Led by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Arab Middle Eastern countries were working quietly with Israel, trusting Nixon to be an honest broker, to stabilize the region on terms acceptable to both Arabs and Israel. While Egyptian President Anwar Sadat eventually made peace publicly with Israel during the Carter administration, the vitality and movement of the broader Mideast Peace Initiative was lost after Nixon’s departure. Who knows what would have happened? – but I have come to think this was a high price to pay for making Nixon the scapegoat for at least five decades of executive abuses.

Let us review a few things: Nixon tried to weaponize the IRS to go after his powerful enemies. The IRS refused. That effort played a large role in impeachment efforts. Obama DID successfully weaponize the IRS – not just to go after his powerful enemies, but to go after ordinary people who dared to disagree with him…and the media and Democrats decided there was not a smidgen of corruption there. The Watergate burglary was a failed attempt to spy on Democrats. It was the nexus of impeachment efforts. Obama successfully spied on reporters and opponents in office – and the campaign of his successor. Staffers in the Nixon White House worked to cover-up their involvement – and to keep Nixon in the dark about it until March 21, 1973. The whole Deep State apparatus has perverted the Justice Dept., FBI and Intelligence community into a cover-up machine to protect Democrats from accountability for their abuses. Obama sent an obscure video-maker to jail for a year to prop up his cover-up of administration failures in the Benghazi tragedy. The media covered for him. The Nixon administration’s crimes were, literally, like jay-walking compared to the massive systemic abuses under Obama.

I should have drilled deeper into the insights I gleaned from that conference in 1973. Christians believe that wisdom and truth are their own justification. We believe that “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Phil 4:8) We believe this because these are the things of God – and God is the objective standard of morality – so when we find ourselves apart from God, we seek to amend ourselves and our attitude so as to align ourselves with the Author of all righteousness. The left believes that power and the pursuit of it is its own justification. Law, justice, morality…all of these things are useful only when helpful in pursuit of power for the left. When they are not, they are to be ignored. There is NO stable, objective standard of anything. In the early days of Lenin’s reign over Russia, the dictator redefined truth itself: his dialectic (paraphrased) was that any lie which helped enhance communist power was truth – and any fact which damaged communists’ hold on power was a lie. That is the ethos of modern leftist neo-fascism.

Of course, when you abandon God, the only thing left is the pursuit of transient pleasure and power. Yet these things do not give life meaning. So you have leftists struggling mightily to maintain the power that has brought all – including them – nothing but an ever-growing misery. Power is a tool to be used in the service of God and man, not an end to be sought for itself.

It is not just leftist officials and activists who have been exposed as craven, hollow men. The media clearly does not believe its job is to report facts. It believes its job is to act as offensive tackles defending Democrats and defensive ends seeking to sack Republicans – regardless of the facts. But it has entered into its “Baghdad Bob” phase – where ordinary people can see its falsehoods right before their own eyes. I can’t say I was ever a big fan of Carl Bernstein – half of the Washington Post team that brought the whole Watergate scandal to light. He was too selective in his outrage even then. But I am absolutely disgusted to watch him opine on news shows now that abuses much greater and more cynical than he once fought are no big deal – because they were committed by Democrats. Bill Maher hopes for an economic collapse so it might bring down Trump. I suspect some lefties were hoping for North Korea to nuke us so as to embarrass Trump. It is insane – but is the logical end of the belief that the pursuit of power is its own justification.

I once thought that both sides of the cultural divide ultimately wanted the same things – peace, prosperity and objective standards of justice. I was wrong. The truth is that all of the left – and a lot of the right – simply want power. If a guy they hate brings peace, prosperity and objective standards of justice, they still hate and want to bring him down, damn the consequences. Everything takes a back seat to their pursuit of power.

Now all things are being revealed, laid bare for all to see. So comes the time for choosing. Lenin’s toxic dialectic has completely taken hold of the western world. Those of us who believe in honor are in a much better situation than we were two years ago. The left can feel the ground crumbling beneath their feet and are panicked by it. Remember, though, that in their minds, power is its own justification. They are not concerned with whether things are true, or honest, or pure, or lovely. Their only concern is whether a tactic will work to preserve their power. So even as the ground crumbles beneath their feet, we should be prepared for a final assault – and the assault will be on faith, family and freedom, for those are the primary obstacles to ascendant leftist neo-fascism.

If I had it to do over again, I would oppose Nixon’s impeachment while supporting systemic reforms of long-standing executive abuses. My hopes for Donald Trump were limited: I hoped he would be a mediocre president who would, nonetheless, defend Christians and conservatives from the war of extermination the left had mounted against us. Instead, he has been a godsend. I think the campaign and the presidency have been a road to Damascus for him, both to his and our benefit.

But a great challenge still looms before us – between virtue and power. There is no room for compromise on this. One side must win and the other lose. Jesus used the image of leaven to illustrate how a tiny group could influence a whole society. He used it interchangeably to describe both good and bad effects (though, notably, more often for bad effects). He spoke of the leaven of the Pharisees as an example of how a small group of religious elites could corrupt an entire culture. But in Matthew 13:33 he said, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened.” This is our choice. Will we contribute to the leaven of corruption, of power, which has perverted almost the entire modern world – or the pure leaven of honesty and truth; of faith, family and freedom which can renew the world? The battle is before us, not behind us. I’ll give you a spoiler alert: God wins. Our choice will affect the trajectory, but not the outcome, of the battle. We cannot choose whether God is on our side, but only humbly choose whether we will be resolutely on His side. Be the pure leaven of truth and honesty. Use the talent God has given you to win ten more talents to His purpose. May we all work to herald the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart and all things made new in God.

 

173 thoughts on “Watergate and the Deep State”

  1. Wow, Charlie. Again, you have insightfully recapped the current rotten reality of this worldwide civil war being fought on cultural lines and set it in historical context. SO well said about the lust for power. This very point is why I have continued to come back to the thought that those who unceasingly promote and live in an anti-Gospel way will not remain on their arses no matter how many times they land there. You’re exactly right: “So even as the ground crumbles beneath their feet, we should be prepared for a final assault – and the assault will be on faith, family and freedom, for those are the primary obstacles to ascendant leftist neo-fascism.” Right now, among many such fronts, both the attack on the seal of confession in Australia and the refining of legislation concerning conscience protection in the face of the Irish abortion law are examples of the unrelenting charge against faith, family and freedom.

    Love your chosen image for this piece. “Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” (Kings 18:21)

    As relentless as the attacks have been, I know many a good soul who has been equally relentless in interceding for hearts to change. How patient is the Lord! Can’t help but wonder: How much longer before that very final assault? However long it does take and whatever the path to which each is called on this, our own via dolorosa, may we never forget the Two, with Hearts Inseparable, Who carried every iota of our pain and misery to Calvary, thus, blunting our current sorrows and suffering.

    Liked by 16 people

    1. Articles such as this one https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/dissident-priests-to-boost-homosexuality-in-santa-fe-diocese-archbishop-sil cause me to take a sobering pause while reflecting on another passage in that scene where Elijah refutes the false prophets:

      Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.” And Eli′jah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Ba′al; let not one of them escape.” And they seized them; and Eli′jah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and killed them there. (1 Kings 18:38-40)

      Spiritual leaders, prophets and people who double down exponentially in the face of all the unmasking even more desperately need us. I think there is a real burden – to pray and sacrifice for the spiritually needy – on those who strive to be faithful and realize the import of the kind of problems expressed in this article, for I just don’t see how there can be anything pretty about the consequences of persisting in grave error.

      For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

      Liked by 15 people

      2. Richard Rohr. His influence is widespread. I have heard priests quote him from the altar, recommend him during a meeting with parishioners, and link to him on Facebook. I have heard a deacon quote him during a ministry session. I have talked to the two priests of my concerns about Rohr. Beyond all the wacky thinks he’s involved with, my biggest issue with Father Rohr is his view on the Atonement. He does not believe in the substitutionary nature of the Atonement. In other words, He does not believe that Christ paid the price for our sins. Rather his Passion and Death were an identification with our suffering. He calls this at-one-ment. Yes, Jesus identifies with our pain but he also offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. His death cancels the just debt that was set against us, enabling us to become adopted sons and daughters of our loving Father. Aquinas says this is how God shows the unfathomable depth of His love for us. Denying the sacrificial nature of the Atonement minimizes God’s unsurpassable love for us. Besides, the Scriptures unequivocally support the sacrificial nature of God’s salvific plan for humanity. All of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church support it as does the Magisterium of the Church. I don’t understand why the USCCB hasn’t taken a position of Rohr’s understanding of the Atonement. The Church needs to preach Christ crucified.

        Liked by 8 people

        1. Yes, Frank. I first became aware of Fr. Rohr’s promotion of the New Age enneagram in the nineties. He surely does have far-reaching impact which says a lot about the cancer of modernism in the Church as he must be invited to parishes and dioceses to speak. Indeed, the Church does need to preach Christ crucified and I’m still pondering much on Charlie’s last piece: How CAN each of us be a voice for encouraging and/or challenging, in the best of ways, our local and diocesan clergy, religious and lay leaders to speak the truth?

          Liked by 6 people

          1. Great question, Beckita. I think we can pray and get involved in religious education in our parishes. We can share good books with parishioners and clergy. We can suggest books and courses by donating introduction kits to our DRE’s. Excellent programs can be found at Ascension Press, Ignatius Press, Augustine Institute, etc. Unfortunately, Fr. Rohr’s materials have infiltrated many parishes….but they can be be countered with good materials. We need to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us. He really works wonders with small donations like this.

            PS You can take an extra book or two to Mass and allow the Spirit to show you who to give them to. It becomes an adventure with God’s guidance and really builds our own faith as we watch Him work.
            I know of a mother in our parish who used to purchase several of Fr. Michael Gaitly’s books and simply give them to people in this way. Several parishioners then asked for group studies using those books and they had a phenomenal effect on many in the parish (including the pastor). When people get immersed in good teaching and effective spirituality….there is no room (or desire) for counterfeits. 🙂

            Liked by 6 people

      3. It took my breath away! That article is so shocking! Being from LA, I have read and known of his opposition to the truth of the Gospel…but WOW! No wonder Our Lady was crying visible tears in Albuquerque! Thank you for sharing Beckita! Praying for conversion.

        Liked by 4 people

    2. Ha Beckita…when I first started TNRS, the images I chose for a piece were often an inside joke with myself. Now, it seems everyone gets them right away. I kind of miss the old inside jokes…but I DO love it when people get me!

      Liked by 11 people

      1. That’s your finesse shining through, Charlie.

        I am SOOOO excited about words and images being pressed to the minds and hearts of my granddaughters in this week of vacation bible school. There’s a theme series flashing around the country this summer, in churches both Catholic and non-Catholic, entitled SHIPWRECKED… Rescued by Jesus.

        In every problem, Jesus rescues… when you’re lonely, when you worry, when you struggle, when you do wrong, when you’re powerless… Jesus rescues. A memorized Bible verse, a song and a particular scriptural story is woven into the activities of the day. What a great way to prepare children for the hardest of what’s to come. Me? I just don’t think it’s an accident that this inspiration came to the creators of children’s catechetical materials at this time.

        The music genre is not my fav but it’s certainly a style of kids in this era and the lyrics are dynamo! Just one tune:

        Liked by 6 people

  2. Elijah was a great saint who chose well. Thanks for the reminder of that. As for the lust for power mentioned my wife has often commented that Chastity, power and obedience are God’s tools for helping us overcome our human faults. Of course, as mostly lay Christians how we live these out is different from religious but perhaps us married folks know something about all three!

    Liked by 9 people

  4. In 1973 during the Watergate hearings that summer, I was traveling for several weeks with my brother in Europe. While walking in a park, we met an elderly German couple sitting on a park bench. They asked us what the heck was going on with the US that we would be doing this. I realized that they were saying two things, (1) that we were tearing our country apart for a very minor kind of corruption, when (2) corruption in Europe was far worse than that and they all had learned to live with it and we needed to grow up and learn to live with it, too. I came away depressed, but indeed Watergate was a relatively minor bit of corruption and lo and behold, we *have* learned to live with much worse over the past few decades.

    I hope, now that our corruption is so bad, that we can turn back and be as we should be, the leaven of truth and honesty in a healed world. Thanks, Charlie.

    Liked by 15 people

    1. Thinking of reading this article last night. With so much of the power of this present evil system against us it does take much faith to believe that God does have an answer. I must confess to feeling discouraged sometimes. God help my unbelief!

      Liked by 2 people

  6. Liberal gets equated with forward thinking open-mindedness — but also fair, discerning and orthodox? Those seem anamathea to it.
    …I love your use of the word comportment ( of politicians)- even more than the word demeanor; subtle depth of difference.
    But the part I chose to probably post in Facebook as representing my present thoughts, begin with your tenth paragraph on ‘Let us review a few things….” down to ‘ … the only thing left is the pursuit of transient pleasure and power. Yet these things do not give life meaning’.

    Liked by 5 people

  7. Thank you, Charlie, again!
    Watergate looks like child’s play in hindsight. I don’t know how Trey Gowdy has the patience to listen to some of his “esteemed” collegeaues during the questioning of Horowitz. I would probably make some snide remark about how old they are. It’s a good thing I am not there.
    Please, Lord, place a hedge of protection around President Trump and all patriots protecting us. The book of Habakkuk is helpful during this time.

    Liked by 8 people

    1. Trey Gowdy is so brilliant he makes the Dems look like infants drooling on themselves. It’s too bad he’s leaving Congress. We need many more straight-shooting, hard-hitting men like him.

      Liked by 6 people

  10. “What was so haunting, the philosopher Hannah Arendt suggested, was that ‘they (Natzis) were and still are, terribly and terrifyingly normal’.
    Of 1930s Germany, especially of the countless bureaucratic functionaries who made Nazi evil possible and powerful, what’s frightening, she wrote, was that they were so much like us: ordinary, unreflective, pliant and banal. Just like the evil which consumed them.
    Unable to recognize it, many accepted it and then served it, soon becoming evil themselves. For instance, Adolf Eichmann, a major architect of the Holocaust, when invited to join the S.S., was only able to ask himself: ‘Why not?’ Such was his capacity for moral discernment. ”
    And so we see why those who are in “power” now have lost thier ability to see truth. They just don’t care about it.

    Liked by 8 people

  11. The current mania concerning the separation of children from people who may or may not be their parents at the border is at such a fearful emotional pitch. It is the epitome of virtue signaling. The devil knows his time is short and seems to be going all in with this play.

    But it is, after all, just his fury burning up his minions like straw. I am doing my best to remain calm and cool and keep a level head. But it is not Zen, yoga or even the Force that is my strength. It is the Blood of Christ and the cooling fire of the Holy Spirit. I am thanking our good God for all of you here and especially YOU three, Charlie, Beckita and Steve. Your words, your insights, hearten me greatly. Deep breath.

    Breathe in me Holy Spirit…

    Liked by 15 people

    2. Breitbart has an article/vid about DHS Secretary Nielsen being harassed at a restaurant, (for at least 10min),by a group of open border activists. Surprised the owner didn’t come out demanding they leave as they were disrupting other patrons. I would hope if I was there with a group that we would have the nerve to start singing loudly patriotic songs,(starting with God Bless America/Battle Hymn of the Republic), to drown out their protests.

      Liked by 3 people

    3. Current mania it is, Marisa. Notice how uniform and coordinated it is! No one should think for a minute that these nationwide protests of various kinds are spontaneous. Nope, orchestrated and planned for sure.

      So much meat to chew on, as usual, Charlie! We are all glad that you were so perceptive at that young age! Every day, week, month, etc. I just have to focus on prayer and putting everything in the hands of the Lord, and Mama too, who helps me so much. How do people live without the Lord in their lives?!

      I shed my tears for today, Beckita, watching the scene from The Passion movie. That music is so moving; I love the whole sound track.

      Liked by 4 people

  12. Each person will have to make a decision, to go or stay.

    It was a beautiful cool, sunny day here in the foothills of the Adirondacks. I attended morning mass offered for a man whom I knew, (whom was responsible) for my career job. Our Pastor offered this days mass for: persecuted Christians.

    I was contemplating a hike but something captured my attention and I found myself watching the latest movie “Paul, Apostle of Christ” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7388562/ released on cable.

    wow. how timely. Each person will have to make a decision, to go or stay. {Rome- Nero’s perecution of followers of the way- Christians}

    I recommend everyone watch & read Acts of the Apostles again.
    The phrase: “…sheep among wolves…” I am discerning now. I have been a sheepdog (retired) for so long;
    it is a challenge… not to be.

    Liked by 11 people

    1. Hi Sean, just finished watching Paul, Apostle of Christ tonight before seeing Charlie’s new post. I thought the very same things as you posted here.

      Liked by 2 people

        1. Yes, I agree. Saranac Lake is a beautiful area, especially canoeing on the Fulton Chain. We host many visitors from across the Country and World, notably of recent infamously personage.

          https://poststar.com/news/local/former-president-obama-visits-adirondacks/article_ae0433c0-0bd2-592e-b869-39e7c4659342.html#tracking-source=home-trending

          He’s probably visiting our nYs Gov. Cuomo who has a house in Saranac Lake. Well, Cuomo’s girlfriend Sara Lee really. I wonder what ‘new enterprising projects’ are being developed 😦

          Liked by 3 people

  13. What keeps Christians from despair? We know God wins. So I am wondering what keeps the Godless left from despair? They must believe they will win, just like they thought they would win the election. Won’t they be surprised.

    Liked by 6 people

    1. They are supported and contained by a bubble of un-questioned conclusions, one-sided FACTS, and distorted TRUTHS. They unquestionably believe they are the good guys, and we are evil and will lose. But the bell is tolling if they just open a little and listen.

      Liked by 5 people

      1. I might add that at least some of the Left’s reaction to Trump’s election and work since has been driven exactly by despair. Whereas we perceive events as good since then and our situation improving (which is reality for us), they are perceiving the world as falling apart, their situation deteriorating at a great rate, and generally operating under what I’ve called the Dark Delusion. I think this drives some but not all of their behavior. Many are waking up from that, though, which is heartening to see.

        Liked by 9 people

        3. A very useful perspective to consider, Steve, about the position our opponents are in. Trump’s election from the eyes of the Left is perhaps not unlike how 9/11 was perceived by most Americans: we were surprised, stunned, disoriented, terrified, angry, and maybe even hopeless. Of course, after the 9/11 attacks and the smoke cleared, we slowly recovered and reality came back into focus.

          Unfortunately for our liberal brothers and sisters (God bless them), they will have to weather unrelenting attacks on their precious beliefs (LOTR) and way of life for several years. And they are losing badly to boot. Trump has essentially erased much of the Obama presidency while plowing forward with the Right. That has GOT to be traumatic for them. All that they have built up — “torn down” from our point of view — is crumbling or imploding. It makes sense that some on the Left feel desperate and may take drastic or irrational measures to mitigate this damage, if you will.

          “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”
          —Sun Tzu, “The Art of War”

          Liked by 7 people

    3. This morning, I have been pondering this piece of scripture:

      Catholic Study Bible

      1 Corinthians 13:4-7

      4 Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful;
      5 it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
      6 it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right.
      7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

      1 Corinthians 13:13

      13 So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

      Liked by 7 people

    4. Kris,
      I do not think that the Godless despair, think they just keep digging in their heals and throw as much crap on the wall and hope something sticks. The Godless are led by a different force than a people that fears God because God is righteous and good and holy, the Godless have no incentive to be a moral, virtuous and right minded person, they have no fear of consequences. The left’s ideology has become a “grab whatever you can” and run with it, no matter how bizarre it is. Quite honestly all this noise out there only increases my faith and strengthens my hope. It seems to me that the left cannot get anymore laughable than they already are and lo and behold they do. If I didn’t have Christ I would be left with no hope whatsoever. Love. I do. Diane

      Liked by 2 people

      1. The sad part about the left is that they have seduced soooooo many to ” think” as they do. To accomplish this their victims (sorry for using that over used word, but I do believe some are)must forfeit their critical thinking skills ( if they have them). For the most part though they rely on their laziness (mental, emotional and spiritual).
        I have a few family members and friends who accept without question whatever the left tells them. When confronted with actual facts they are either stunned into silence or I get the
        ” anyway,I don’t care, Trump is evil” response.
        I really don’t understand how deeply they hate him. I mean they get enraged.Where did it come from…its downright irrational.

        Liked by 6 people

        1. My daughter went to a liberal arts university. She tells how they were taught to think for themselves and not just accept everything they hear and read. What I saw is that they were taught not to accept truth or any absolutes. Truth must be questioned and argued. For the most part, anything but the truth is accepted because they are taught that true history is a bunch of lies. When conservative views are presented, we (I ) am just regurgitating what we (I) have been fed. We don’t argue these points anymore since she graduated decades ago and busy lives keep us from going down those roads. We are always there for each other, loving, living, helping. These things are truth in action and at some point I pray she has an ah ha moment and understands. Love, Trust, Do.

          Liked by 4 people

        2. I believe that the source of that kind of hate is demonic. I also believe that, because they have turned their backs on God, they are all following a delusion ….as is stated in Scripture.

          Liked by 2 people

          1. Demonic? Case in point. June in the USA is dedicated to Pride month. Gay pride that is. https://www.loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/about/

            The reason is a ‘stonewall’ riot in nYc whereupon nypd raided a gay bar (stonewall tavern) in lower manhattan. The gay populace choose to believe it was due to their lifestyle choice. In reality, the location was owned and operated by the local mafia mob who allowed the bar to exist while they ran operations upstairs. The nypd had to gain entry through the bar. The gay populace inside took issue and fought, hindering the police from raiding the mafia mob office.

            June is devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, so this is quite the demonic ‘tongue in cheek’ moment against Humans. Satan is full of pride refusing the best example of humility through our Lord Jesus.

            Liked by 4 people

      2. Diane, that was my original thought, that the Godless don’t appear to despair and I was wondering why not. But Steve has a point too. So perhaps what I see is this… the elite left do just as you say, “they just keep digging in their heals and throw as much crap on the wall and hope something sticks.” They don’t even consider they might have reason to despair. The everyday lefty, however, was driven to despair at the mere thought of a Trump presidency as witnessed by university students being given coloring books to calm themselves.

        Liked by 4 people

    5. What keeps Christians from despair?
      Hope.
      The drive of faith is in the hope of its fruition.
      What drives the enemy? His nature.
      Mary of Agreda was told by Our Lady that the enemies very nature is relentlessness despite his knowledge of loosing it all in the end. He cannot stop himself for his very nature is to war against God and His followers,
      “…I will put emnity between you and her seed”(Gen 3:15).
      So since the followers of the enemy reflect his very nature they too become relentless dispite every conceivable reality and truth to the contrary of what they say and do. It makes no difference. It has become their very nature to be relentless in this passion of evil.
      Fortunatly, it is not a fixed nature like that of the fallen ones. But as long as they reject truth, they are attached to and relentlessly driven by their fathers infernal relentlessness.

      Liked by 4 people

  14. Whoa! Great post Charlie. I just saw it on FB after also just viewing a post by Father Heilman. The post was a video of a recent Freemasons world conference with the Grand Master, none other than the current “King” of England……..it made me sick.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Sansan, A good book of reference is “The AntiChrist and a Cup of Tea” by Tim Cohen. Cohen displays the relationships, hierarchy of the ‘British Empire’ throughout Europe & the Middle East. Prince Charles, as you may surmise, is of direct, blood lineage to Mohammed and may at his pleasure take the Throne of several European Kingdoms, now. Another author who ties this ‘Nation’ is Joan Veon. Her research in the United Nations (UN) is superb and enlightening. We live in the times she describes.

      “THE ANTICHRIST AND A CUP OF TEA presents the fascinating saga of the British Monarchy’s centuries-long endeavor to establish a “New World Order,” and for the first time, gives hard evidence to suggest the identity of the AntiChrist.”

      https://www.amazon.com/Antichrist-Cup-Tea-Tim-Cohen/dp/0966279301

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Just going back over old posts, I decided to look into this book. First of all, it’s selling for over $90 on Amazon, even used. But more importantly, reading reviews, there and elsewhere, it appears to be a horribly blasphemous book against the Holy Catholic faith. I really don’t think anyone should read it. Here’s just one review example:

        0 out of 5 stars Don’t agree with Tim Cohen? Then you must be going to hell
        Byseaohon February 26, 2013
        Format: Paperback

        A long time ago I had written an extensive review of this steaming pile of rubbish, it, like so many other one star reviews, magically disappeared some time ago.
        Basically, according to this book, If you belive Tim Cohen, Prince Charles and his family run the entire world, and if you don’t belive that, and agree with Tim cohen then you are a heretc, pagan, ingnorant and are headed to hell, especially if your a Catholic.

        Cohen leaves no one with a different opinion unslandered:
        Mother Terrresa: Pagan, Heretic, demonic, misguided blah blah blah
        Pat Roberton: heretic, false prophet (well okay even a broken clock is right twice a day)
        TBN network: Heretics, yes apperently the entire network… and on and on.
        And of course ALL CATHOLICS are just destined for hell.

        At one point in the book he somehow connects the Virgin Mary to unicorns and implies that Catholics who recite the hail Mary are praying to a unicorn! LOL I am not kidding!

        My original review cited pages and quoted directly, I got rid of this “book” as quickly as I could so don’t have it to reference directly today. Mr Cohen also loads up on ridiculous so called “facts”; one of my favorites, the Queen’s Net worth was/is (at the time the book was written in 1998) something like NINE TRILLION DOLLARS, yes trillion with a T, about four times the entire budget for the United States at the time.
        He got that figure from, Anglophobe, and convicted fraudster, Lydon La Rouche, a guy that makes Alex Jones’ conspiricy theories look main stream. Cohen quoting Larouche to prove how evil the Queen is, is like David Duke quoting Ahmadinejad to prove the Jews are apes and pigs, zero credibility.
        Cohen also claims the Royal family still gets royalties on The King James versions of the Bible; AHH no the Copyright royalties only ran out about 400 years ago.
        In short this “book” isn’t worth the paper its printed on unless your a, mind numbed evangelical, predisposed to hating anything Catholic and or the British royal family.

        Liked by 1 person

        2. “THE ANTICHRIST AND A CUP OF TEA” ?
          “Cohen leaves no one with a different opinion unslandered:
          Mother Terrresa: Pagan, Heretic, demonic, misguided blah blah blah
          Pat Roberton: heretic, false prophet (well okay even a broken clock is right twice a day)
          TBN network: Heretics, yes apperently the entire network… and on and on.
          And of course ALL CATHOLICS are just destined for hell.”

          wow! It has been a few years since I read this book. First, if anyone wants to purchase for half the price, let me know… just kidding. I’ll wait until it rises to exorbitant proportions (jk).

          Ann, not to spend too much time in this but could you send page numbers citing the above quotes? I would love to see where I missed that. Then again, I am not losing sleep over it. It doesn’t affect us in the grand sceme of things.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Sean, Sorry, I don’t have the book. The reviewer I copied above said he had published the page numbers but, as he stated, that review mysteriously disappeared. He had already discarded the book so no longer had it for reference, but thought it was important to write another review anyway even without the references. After reading through a number of glowing reviews on various sites, I started to realize that some of the reason they recommended the book so highly was because it supported their preexisting anti-Catholic bias. Since the book was linked on this site, I thought people should be aware of that. Besides, it seems his so-called extensive research is questionable, to say the least, and possibly outright fabricated from his own subjective opinions.

            Liked by 1 person

  15. Sitting securely in the bark of Peter with my legs and arms wrapped around the mast. Ready to serve wherever and whenever the Lord calls.

    Liked by 7 people

  16. On the Canadian side of the boarder, the media here has always villainized Trump, as our media has become “fake news” to control public opinion, and our current Prime Minister is a globalist lap dog.

    The current outcry is over children being separated from their illegal immigrant families, being portrayed only negatively by leftist media. I know the trade situation between America & Canada would be much better if we didn’t have a globalist Prime Minister.

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Hey, Al. Sounds like there is little difference from our fake news or the European fake news….they all get identical leftist talking points.

      Namaste! I bet Trudeau prays he could take this one back. Can we chalk this up to Canadian humor? Well, our own ex-globalist-lap-dog didn’t do much better out there during his stint, giving away the American farm every chance he had.

      https://www.votoenblanco.com/photo/art/grande/21089841-24273962.jpg?v=1521882272

      The hardline positions on trade is mostly just show at this point, even the trade “war” with China which is just getting warmed up. Countries naturally don’t want to lose their advantage over us and are obliged to put up a fight, but the resistance is most likely because Trump is Trump.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. I understand… Our more pressing issue at the moment is the legalization of marijuana; contrary to Trudeau’s arguments of stopping the drug dealers & teen usage, it’s going to do neither, but it will increase social acceptance of marijuana and increased it’s usage by society.

        I know I bring up a lot of tough questions & points, but when a critical hour is upon us, is there going to be internet to seek guidance here? I feel like student trying to pick the instructor’s brain for possible scenarios of test questions for the ministry certification exam. Though I may not look it, I’m the farthest thing from calm and at ease, are we’re going to physiologically & spirituality ready for what lies ahead when the darkest hour comes upon us?

        Liked by 4 people

        1. That very question came to my mind yesterday. Some are optimistic, believing the Internet will be down just a few days. I’m planning to be without for a lot longer. Of course, if power goes down, so goes the Internet. What a painful test that will be for many if it does happen.

          Charlie gave us the advice and tools we need for the worst of the Storm; hopefully when the time comes you and I will rise to the challenges that present themselves. Can only try our best. But we are graced with the great foundation of Faith plus what we’ve learned here and especially at TNRS. We may have to rely on that exclusively for a time.

          I’m also far from being a calm individual, Al. I’m pretty tightly wound-up, I fret a lot, easily slip into a flight of ideas, and have a hair trigger emotionally. I have to constantly remind myself to pray, hope, and not worry. (Much easier said than done, though.) At this point, the only way to prepare is to pray for wisdom and fortitude, and to foster relationships with those around us. To that end, I’ve increased my involvement with my local parish.

          Liked by 5 people

  17. Hi Beckita and others.

    I am not sure who Light of Mary is but I’ve come across her messages many times. I remember i googled this one time and it linked me to Luz De Maria.

    As for Mark Taylor i don’t buy his narrative that the government is under judgment it has more to do with the mass believing in anti Christian and atheist secular values. but I found his words about obama would not finish his term and his explaining of misinterpretation of prophecy to be quite good. Also Glenda Jackson said the same thing that obama would not finish his second term and that was that last of her public appearances.

    Now the moment they tend to attack the Catholic church it tends to go downhill from there for me and i just cant believe in God contradicting himself. Here is something from the message of light of Mary.

    http://afterthewarning.com/messages-from-heaven/light-of-mary/2018/06/06-06-msg-from-our-lord.aspx

    “Beloved People of Mine, pray: you will see a star standing out in the sky, pray firmly, do not forget that a celestial body will approach Earth, causing Humanity to panic.”

    Then I looked up Luz De Maria today and found more references to sun CME blast, 2 suns, comets etc..

    not really sure of who is Light of Mary and Luz De Maria and what to make of it!

    As far as the Obama deep state conspiracy vs Trump Russia collusion story we now have irrefutable evidence in writing of the extent of bias involved vs evidence of entrapment. Once again as usual we have the big distraction event pulled out by the left and supported by MSM. Yet another coincidence?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I know a good theologian who believes the Luz de Maria messages are authentic, Josh. A major challenge with the website, I think, is the inclusion of messages from numerous alleged receivers. Vetting each alleged message receive would take serious time and effort. Even if all were the real deal, authentic words of prophecy, most often, present the challenge of correct interpretation. Added to this is an ever-present temptation to walk past the fine line of contemplating into being overly attached to knowing what is going to happen. Perhaps there will be geological events which will accompany the hardest days of purification. Certainly, the seismic activity around the world in recent times has increased a great deal. I often think of how we were given dominion over every living thing on the earth and God granted us every kind of plant for food. Looking at the gravity and number of sins, in our times, causes me to ponder: How DO our sins negatively impact, not only, our souls and all other souls, but also, the living things on the earth without souls as well as the God-ordained processes He set in motion for our whole and holy living? Psalm 104 comes to mind.

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Thanks Beckita,
        I found this website and the messages are quite nice. Not that they are pleasant but it appears (in my unqualified mind) true. Rosary, prayer, sacrafice are encouraged. The most recent messages are very fitting and uplifting.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. well I may have goofed… I see this site is a compiliation of sites, so it may not be the best resource. I read messages from (website link deleted) which look good to me. Dunno. Praying my rosary as requested.

          Liked by 2 people

          1. Sean, I responded to your previous comment explaining the current status of the purpoted Holy Love messages. United with you in praying the Rosary as I head to Mass now. God bless us all.

            Liked by 3 people

        2. Sorry, Sean, I deleted the link to the site. I know for certain the Holy Love messages have been condemned by the previous local ordinary, Bishop Lennon, and that official church statement has not been overturned. The group then morphed to call themselves an ecumentical association so they could continue. John Leary’s messages are at the site and his bishop declared the messages he receives to be of human origin. There are just too many never-before-heard of alleged messeage bearers included at the site to be properly vetted. I especially apologize because I earlier cleared Josh’s inclusion of a website filled with unvetted sources as well. I’ll do better and be consistent in the future.

          Liked by 2 people

      2. You might want to be careful with that link. In addition to Luz de Maria, it has prophecies by condemned or questionable mystics, e.g., Christina Gallagher and Rosa Quattrini (Mama Rosa).

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Welcome to commenting, Eric. Thanks for this link. Doesn’t Victor Davis Hanson get to the heart of the matter with intelligent, erudite and insightful analysis?! As a reminder to us all, we have a policy of asking those who comment to add to the link a few lines with their own thoughts as to why it’s presented to the community. God bless us all.

      Liked by 3 people

  19. Not sure if anyone is interested in this but it fascinates me. In my early years of teaching I taught biology, chemistry and earth science. My intent in passing this along is that if you live in these areas you have enough time to prepare. I have been aware and watching a fella, Dutchsinse, who is an earthquake geek at https://youtu.be/OYrKxuHY1QE. His ending usually consists of don’t be scared, be prepared. I think the message even though it is secular is appropriate.

    Liked by 5 people

    2. HTTP, I think Dutchsinse really has something going with his analysis. I looked into his material a while back and was quite intrigued and impressed. If he wrote more and spoke less, I’d check in on his work more often. I just don’t have time for his videos. I monitor his RSS feed, but he hasn’t written any new posts for the past couple months. I guess he’s too busy reporting on all the increasing earth events!

      Liked by 4 people

    2. Wait, what!? P. Fonda is advocating the murder of innocent children because he doesn’t like how the government is trying to protect other innocent children? How sick is that?!!!!

      Liked by 2 people

  21. SteveBC-I just kind of fast forward on YouTube. When I see the US pop up let in run at regular speed. I can watch one shows in about 5 minutes. Hope this helps.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. HTTP, that’s a good idea. My problem is that (as you can probably see from my avatar pic) I am a scholarly fellow. I like to know *everything*! 😀

      To me, the big revelation from Dutchsinse was that deep earthquakes in the west and south Pacific drive almost all earthquake and even volcanic activity there and throughout the rest of the world. That was astounding to me. So if I watch a video of his, my first desire is to see how the deep earthquake activity is going. That’s usually at the beginning of the videos. And then I’m lost to other work because I want to follow him as he lays out the rest of the world – ah, the scholar in me, alas!

      I read all his RSS posts, so I’m disappointed that he seems to have stopped doing those a couple months ago. Out of sight, out of mind, so I haven’t followed him lately. Perhaps I’ll recheck his work sometime in the next few days. Thanks for the heads-up.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. This guy Sundance, who runs CTH, has it Right, I Hope/Pray, and I trust this Cold Anger Theory is at work within the Church … Catholic & Protestant!
    Another Pervert Prelate has been outed, retired DC Cardinal, and this 20 year & never ending Scandal in the Church has done incalculable damage! Damage that will take decades to repair … unless Divine Intervention …… ?

    “Do Not Look Away – Hollywood “Celebrities”, Deviants and Predators, Continue Showcasing Democrat Ideology…”

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2018/06/20/do-not-look-away-hollywood-celebrities-deviants-and-predators-continue-showcasing-democrat-ideology/

    GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 8 people

  23. It seems to me the real reason the fake Russian collusion continues is to occupy the space, time and resources that would otherwise be used to pursue the real crimes.

    Liked by 6 people

  24. The below letter came to my in-box this morn from a neighbor. It is one of those e-letters claiming to be posted by so-n-so but the true author and add-ons by others is .. Who Knows?
    Anyway!! I think the letter is essentially sound in it’s points and dovetails with the Cold Anger Theory of The Conservative Tree House article in my last post here.
    Is there any doubt that the USA, Old Christendom and The Church are in at critical crossroad know? We have been speaking of it for months … have we not? Europe needs some Trumps. So does our Church!! Guys who speak the truth, say what they mean and do what they say and Fight …… and don’t run and hide when the going gets tough!!:

    “My Leftist friends (as well as many ardent #NeverTrumpers) constantly ask me if I’m not bothered by Donald Trump’s lack of decorum. They ask if I don’t think his tweets are “beneath the dignity of the office.”
    Here’s my answer: We Right-thinking people have tried dignity. There could not have been a man of more quiet dignity than George W. Bush as he suffered the outrageous lies and politically motivated hatreds that undermined his presidency.
    We tried statesmanship.
    Could there be another human being on this earth who so desperately prized “collegiality” as John McCain?
    We tried propriety – has there been a nicer human being ever than Mitt Romney?
    And the results were always the same. This is because, while we were playing by the rules of dignity, collegiality and propriety, the Left has been, for the past 60 years, engaged in a knife fight where the only rules are those of Saul Alinsky and the Chicago mob.
    I don’t find anything “dignified,” “collegial” or “proper” about Barack Obama’s lying about what went down on the streets of Ferguson in order to ramp up racial hatreds because racial hatreds serve the Democratic Party.
    I don’t see anything “dignified” in lying about the deaths of four Americans in Benghazi and imprisoning an innocent filmmaker to cover your tracks.
    I don’t see anything “statesman-like” in weaponizing the IRS to be used to destroy your political opponents and any dissent.
    Yes, Obama was “articulate” and “polished” but in no way was he in the least bit “dignified,” “collegial” or “proper.”
    The Left has been engaged in a war against America since the rise of the Children of the ‘60s. To them, it has been an all-out war where nothing is held sacred and nothing is seen as beyond the pale.. It has been a war they’ve fought with violence, the threat of violence, demagoguery and lies from day one – the violent take-over of the universities – till today.
    The problem is that, through these years, the Left has been the only side fighting this war. While the Left has been taking a knife to anyone who stands in their way, the Right has continued to act with dignity, collegiality and propriety.
    With Donald Trump, this all has come to an end. Donald Trump is America ’s first wartime president in the Culture War.
    During wartime, things like “dignity” and “collegiality” simply aren’t the most essential qualities one looks for in their warriors. Ulysses Grant was a drunk whose behavior in peacetime might well have seen him drummed out of the Army for conduct unbecoming.
    Had Abraham Lincoln applied the peacetime rules of propriety and booted Grant, the Democrats might well still be holding their slaves today.
    Lincoln rightly recognized that, “I cannot spare this man. He fights.”
    General George Patton was a vulgar-talker.. In peacetime, this might have seen him stripped of rank. But, had Franklin Roosevelt applied the normal rules of decorum then, Hitler and the Socialists would barely be five decades into their thousand-year Reich.
    Trump is fighting. And what’s particularly delicious is that, like Patton standing over the battlefield as his tanks obliterated Rommel’s, he’s shouting, “You magnificent bastards, I read your book!”
    That is just the icing on the cake, but it’s wonderful to see that not only is Trump fighting, he’s defeating the Left using their book and their own tactics. That book is Saul Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals” – a book so essential to the Liberals’ war against America that it is and was the playbook for the entire Obama administration and the subject of Hillary Clinton’s senior thesis. Hillary’s mentor was Saul Alinsky.
    It is a book of such pure evil, that, just as the rest of us would dedicate our book to those we most love or those to whom we are most indebted, Alinsky dedicated his book to Lucifer.
    Trump’s tweets may seem rash and inconsiderate but, in reality, he is doing exactly what Alinsky suggested his followers do. First, don’t go after “the fake media” but embrace them. (The mainstream media outlets are so fake that they have literally gotten every single significant story of the past 60 years not just wrong, but diametrically opposed to the truth, from the Tet Offensive to Benghazi, to what really happened on the streets of Ferguson, Missouri) Trump isolated CNN.. He made it personal.
    Then, just as Alinsky suggests, he employs ridicule which Alinsky described as “the most powerful weapon of all.”… Most importantly, Trump’s tweets have put CNN in an untenable and unwinnable position. … They need to respond.
    This leaves them with only two choices. They can either “go high” (as Hillary would disingenuously declare of herself and the fake news would disingenuously report as the truth) and begin to honestly and accurately report the news or they can double-down on their usual tactics and hope to defeat Trump with twice their usual hysteria and demagoguery. The problem for CNN (et al.) with the former is that, if they were to start honestly reporting the news, that would be the end of the Democratic Party they serve. It is nothing but the incessant use of fake news (read: propaganda) that keeps the Left alive.
    Imagine, for example, if CNN had honestly and accurately reported then-candidate Barack Obama’s close ties to foreign terrorists (Rashid Khalidi), domestic terrorists (William Ayers & Bernardine Dohrn), the mafia (Tony Rezko) or the true evils of his spiritual mentor, Jeremiah Wright’s church.
    Imagine if they had honestly and accurately conveyed the evils of the Obama administration’s weaponizing of the IRS to be used against their political opponents or his running of guns to the Mexican cartels or the truth about the murder of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and the Obama administration’s cover-up.
    So, to my friends on the Left — and the #NeverTrumpers as well — do I wish we lived in a time when our president could be “collegial” and “dignified” and “proper”? Of course I do.
    These aren’t those times. This is war. And it’s a war that the Left started and has been fighting without opposition for the past 50 years.
    So, say anything you want about this president – I get it – he can be vulgar, he can be crude, he can be undignified at times. I don’t care. I can’t spare this man. He fights for America! It will take many years to defeat the lies and hatred started by the Saul Alinsky followers in our country.”

    GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 13 people

    3. President Trump is trying to save our Republic. He’s been working practically 24/7 (does he ever sleep?) I feel confident that he is the best thats out there right now to deal with the crazies. I’ve been reading the 132 page reorganization of governmental departments. Very clear and concise. It’s really going to downsize the bloat we have……maybe someday the federal government won’t be the #1 employer in the U.S.

      Liked by 2 people

  25. I viscerally despised Richard Nixon. It was not until I had a dream where I saw him in bad psychological shape that I finally had some sense of charity in my heart for him. It was not until much later that I realized that other presidents of the last 75 years were just as equally despicable.

    He was a social progressive and more or less supported abortion. That was his undoing. He signed
    into law many protections for workers, but those agencies became perverted. The devil is in the details.

    I voted democrat until Ronald Reagan and under the influence of Bill Buckley who for me was a light bulb or reason. I thought it was time for conservatives to run the county after 40 years of democrat control and the devolving of moral principles.

    Paul VI’s Humae Vita was a prophetic message but came too late. Many Catholic woman were encouraged by the clergy to use their conscience rather than Church dogma regarding chemical birth control. The fight for sexual morality was already lost and so we find ourselves at this point in history:

    “We have no government armed with the power capable of contending with human passions,
    unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the
    strongest cords of our constitution, as a whale goes through a net. Our constitution was made
    only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the governing of any other.”

    The Catholic vote was compromised by Kennedy when he was able to compartmentalize his faith and
    his brother Ted fell in line with I am personally against abortion but I will not impose my morality on others. Of course liberals ALWAYS impose their morality on the rest of the nation.

    This may seem disjointed but it follows the course of the devils attack on the Catholic Church and the degradation of Catholics who had the great influence on society for the greater good, because they had the truth. The leftist no longer say ask what you can do for your country but state what the country will do for them.

    We now have Catholic hierarchy preaching about how one’s conscience is supreme. Of course in their failure they never mention that a well formed conscience always leads to the Catholic dogma and truth.
    This fundamentally leads the rest of the populace to believe that morality is what ever they want it to be. The merging of anti-God secular liberals and a compromised Catholic hierarchy is nearly complete
    and the Church will suffer much. They will herald the New World Order and President Trump is an existential threat to their plans.

    Liked by 5 people

  26. Charles Krauthamer died. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/06/21/charles-krauthammer-conservative-commentator-and-pulitzer-prize-winner-dead-at-68.html

    He is an example for all of us who “woes n me’s” in our life. His advice (on tv) i always looked for; he exhibits Pope Francis’s speech today on “walking” as Charles did exactly by venturing into the public sphere, meeting others and living…while speaking his mind, politefully.

    http://m.vatican.va/content/francescomobile/en/speeches/2018/june/documents/papa-francesco_20180621_pellegrinaggio-ginevra.html

    Pope Francis’s homily was excellent, enlightening and (very) stirring up emotions…

    Liked by 2 people

  27. I was a tot when Watergate went down, and to say that I have a hole in my education concerning modern history would be an understatement. It’s the size of a crater. When I started homeschooling my kids, I realized my education was awful, and I started at the beginning, the ancients. I’ve made it to the founding of the US. I have a lot to still yet cover. So this was fascinating reading, thank you! I’m looking forward to reading about those things with my ‘Charlie” glasses on.

    As far as the immigration/Carrick subjects… I really need to stop saying, “Well, it can’t get much worse…”

    It’s like we’re in the spin cycle.

    Liked by 9 people

    1. Hi Brianna. I love your expression of wearing your “Charlie Glasses.” After learning all I have from Charlie plus the words of those he’s inspired here, I can never see the world, the Church, politics, human history, or even other people in the same way. And I would never take these glasses off even if I could. 🤓 (Jn 9:25)

      Liked by 3 people

    2. I don’t know, but the left sure has turned it a lot closer to violent confrontation, what with publishing ICE officers names and addresses, recommending that people kidnap their kids, chasing cabinet secretaries from restaurants, urging people to kidnap the president’s son. Right now, the vicious left is parading and shouting around Kirsten Nielsen’s home. As more evidence gushes forth showing that they are brownshirts who have contempt for the law, they do not retreat in shame, but get more violent and combative. Confrontation is coming. I don’t know how long it will last or who will prevail politically…but I know that in the end, God wins and the Immaculate Heart will Triumph. But it sure is a scary ride.

      Liked by 10 people

      1. Thank you Charlie for lifting our spirits with hope in the promise of “God wins” and
        The Immaculate Heart of Mary will Triumph.” The Storm we are experiencing brings to mind when the apostles were on a boat in a fierce storm about to destroy them while Jesus was asleep. When they woke Him with, “Lord save us! We are perishing!” Then He said, “Why are you terrified O you of little faith?” Then He got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm.

        St. Augustine was quoted as saying words to the effect, In this world we are as it were in the mystical womb of Mary and we are not born until we are brought forth to eternal life in Heaven. How comforting is that? I need to repeat these verses to myself at least 100 times an hour as the Storm winds become more and more fierce to a category 5! God bless and keep us all with trust in His unconditional love and mercy!

        Liked by 5 people

      3. Watch this video of these lunatics screaming at Florida AG Pam Bondi. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2018/06/pam-bondi-three-huge-guys-were-screaming-at-me-and-cursing-me-one-inch-from-my-face-one-spit-on-my-head-video/

        As Police Officers were present, minor crimes of Harrassment could have been called out, at least if Florida has similar harrassment, stalking charges as NYS. The guys she was talking about, yikes! Apes. Huge guys in close vicinity. At the conclusion of the video, one ‘braces’ himself against a uniformed Cop. As the cop redirects his attention, another like sized man (with backpack) stategically moves in to hinder/block any action the Police Officer might take. It seems innocent, but a choreograph move. Thankfully, it did not esculate.

        For us, look up your home state criminal statues regarding 1) Harrassment, 2) Stalking 3) menacing 4) reckless endagerment 5) tresspass etc. In NYS harrassment is a violstion and must be observed by a Police Officer, the others are crimes. If you know the law (print copies) you may be able to quench a violator or two but it will take a steadfast determination if personally involved.

        Liked by 3 people

  29. The peuples of the Americas have fractured roots, follow neither the Pharisees nor the Sadducees as they are both evil & corrupt only in different ways. Remember that on Holy Thursday night it was both Pharisee & Sadducee alike who condemned God, one for fear of Rome & the other for the quest for power. There are others who pull the strings of both groups so as to ensnare you. As the world will soon once again profess the misguided ideals of the Paris revolt & the Bolshevik revolution the satanic darkness begins to envelop the world in a serpentine grip. None of the present nations will exist in their present form when all is said & done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi RSM. It’s very tempting to get preoccupied with the battles among political parties. I heard somewhere that we should not consider ourselves primarily oriented as Republican or Democrat, Union pour un Mouvement Populaire or Parti Socialiste, but first and foremost as Christians.

      I agree that no nation on earth will be the same after the Storm…they will be better! “We’ll always have Paris,” but it will be more beautiful than ever.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Perhaps not Paris itself since one who was quite the mystic in their day seemed to imply otherwise when referring to land that is on the east side of my little chateau, nonetheless still the Holy Imperial Kingdom of France & all Christendom in union with the undivided Holy Catholic & Apostolic Church.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. I think it important to understand that Jesus was only under the “power” of the authorities because He removed His “restraining” hand from them not only allowing them the power to seize Him but also allowed the power and influence of the enemy to seize them!
        In Pope Leo XIII vision , the enemy specifically asked God for “more power over those who would give themselves over to him.” This statement concludes that even those who have given themselves over to the enemy are still not fully under his power. Plus recognise he asked for “more power” and not “full power” over them as God still restrains the full power of the enemy in every age.
        But the night of the Holy Passion which the church is going through in this hour gives us a special insight into what we can expect to go through ourselves. Remember when the Shepherd was stuck, the sheep scattered and so our prelates too must scatter for a time and we, like Peter, when (the body of Christ) have recovered, we too must restrengthen our brothers.

        Liked by 7 people

  30. (Removed the link, Josh, only because I just cannot spend the hour to responsibly vet it for accuracy before clearing it. I have appreciated the analysis of Dan Bongino whenever I have heard him speak, so let’s point people to You Tube if they wish to have a listen. Simply search for Episode 747 with Mr. Bongino’s name.)

    I found this gem from Dan Bongino on the msm blaming president Trump for the Illegal Immigrant Crisis. They lied that it was his law but turns out it wasn’t. Charlie should know better. But listen to the 15.01 mark when Obama starts speaking against South Americans sending their children to America and his stern warning on the same subject. Dan suggest that Trump was toying with the media allowing them to spray at him and then goes on to sign an executive order but stayed clearly “There will be litigation!”.

    Thank God I found this since i was confronted on this subject and honestly it’s controversial and I didn’t know. He and Melania speak of much needed immigration reform. I just hope with this and the latest grilling of Horowitz they now know it’s no longer delusion conspiracy theories.

    Atleast I have some friends now very worried that they will be converted to Chritianity and they are very worried about this. 😂

    Liked by 3 people

  31. Thanks Beckita/Steve

    Yes I think many messages are mixed up. To be honest I am disapointed this is a slow drawn out process cause I believe more souls are lost by waiting and also some faithful give up hope. However as Job did I can only express my frustration but God knows I do love him with all my heart and soul and every time over consciously i will always choose him. I have learned to accept that the prophecies will never unfold in the matter we interpret them or conveyed but we will look back and say ok this is what God meant. However I do hope for the big ones like Noah, parting of the red sea or the Arc.

    God Bless

    Liked by 6 people

    1. It IS a long slog, Josh. 2 Peter 3:9 comes to mind: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” The additional gift in the seemingly slow process of fulfillment, when we patiently and humble submit to it, is the added time to ponder just how horrific sin really is. When we consider whatever keeps us from God, such as any idols – and we all have pet sins with which to contend – we are given opportunity to toss the dross. Doing so brings mitigation and the most powerful mitigating factor is the conversion of souls who are far from the Lord. Lots to offer in this excruciatingly slow waiting period. God bless us all in this process.

      Liked by 7 people

      2. You inspired me with your “toss the dross!” Let me add a few more rhyming particular examens.
        Let us seek to be meek.
        Always be sure to remain pure.
        Dare to public prayer.
        Find ways to be kind.
        Thirst to put God first.
        Pursue the true. Test the rest.
        Don’t wait on fate. Contemplate.

        Liked by 3 people

  32. My conversion into full-blown conservatism was a slow process. But I credit Bill Clinton personally for starting it. When he came into office, I remember thinking “Hooray, we need some fresh, young blood in Washington! No more of these old, stiff fuddy-duddy Republicans. Clinton is cool.” I was excited about his election which came right at the time I joined the military. Later, I realized that my like of Slick Willie and dislike of Republicans was because the media told me to think this way — not because of any research I had done or any original idea I had developed. I falsely assumed that Cronkite, Jennings, Rather, Brokaw and the whole lot were objective and honest men without agenda.

    Not completely ignorant, though, I started to notice that no matter what President Clinton did, the media always fawned over him. He could do no wrong, even when he clearly did something wrong. The news would also replay sound bites of him nearly every day or every other day during hourly updates. That started to get tiring.

    But it was when I noticed that the liberals working at Armed Forces Network (AFN) in Germany were actually censoring a “fat, bag-of-wind Republican” named Rush Limbaugh that really got my attention. (They played his daily broadcasts at 9pm weekdays when listenership was low). On several occasions, right when Rush was about to say something particularly damning about Clinton, the airwaves would go silent with white noise for a few moments. Funny, I thought, this doesn’t happen with any of the other programs. So I suspect that perhaps Rush was saying something that some at AFN didn’t want me to hear, and THAT prompted me to listen to Rush closer. And so it began…

    Because some liberals went too far in their effort to silence a conservative voice, they tipped their hand.

    Once I realized that the media had been lying, twisting, omitting, and covering-up legitimate truths that I gleaned from other sources, I then became bitter. For the next several years, I went overboard with family and friends trying to point out how they were being deceived. I lost a lot of friends that way. I’ve since apologized to my siblings.

    Today, I simply and confidently know that I am right. 😁 I’ve got God and the Constitution on my side.

    Liked by 8 people

    1. Great story, Patrick! I always enjoy a good conversion story. There is that moment when you are angry at discovering that you have been had…and the shock of realizing that many people have been intentionally lying for their own gain. I am often baffled at how some people can knowingly live a lie in exchange for transient power – to trade eternal truth for what invariably fades away. Now I am baffled at how very many can do this. I knew the road to hell was paved with good intentions: I am shocked to find it lined with boisterous crowds simultaneously cheering those on that road and trying to lynch anyone who tries to turn back…society as angry lemmings.

      Liked by 10 people

  33. Sadly, Voris is Right On de Money with this piece. The majority of USA Bishops seem to support the Democrat Party Agendas … Publicly!! … and think that no one will notice. Just like the Democrat Party, these Prelates and their “Disciples” live in a Left Field Dream World consisting of Chardonnay & Quiche Parties and ABCNNBCBS-NPR “News”…… and in complete denial of the growing power of Talk Radio, the internet and FOX News……… and the growing Cold Anger of The Faithful. Yes!! I know there are good Bishops Out-There! Ya Know? Kind gentle souls who have become intimidated by the vocal and intolerant Lavender Left that has infiltrated the highest levels of The Church … Smoke of Satan is how Pope Paul VI described it 50 years ago! Silent gentle souls, These Days, ain’t worth the powder to blow them away. Too bad we can’t raise from the grave some Crusader Warrior Saints and their comrades in the Monastic Military Orders of Old. We need them NOW ……. badly!!

    “THEY WON’T STOP – And someone needs to tell them to.”

    https://www.churchmilitant.com/video/episode/vortex-they-wont-stop?mc_cid=0eb5514e32&mc_eid=2a0b6c7ef6

    GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 8 people

    1. We’re it, Crew Dog! WE are those Crusader Warrior Saints-in-the-making. All the “little ole me” persons all over this country and all around the world, mostly hidden while striving to live out our days acknowledging God, taking next right steps and allowing God to make of us a sign of hope. A rich prayer life is an integral part of acknowledging God. And.every.prayer.from.the.heart.matters. No wonder Our Lady, unceasingly, has asked for prayer for Her priest sons – which, of course, includes every member of the hierarchy.

      Liked by 9 people

    2. Ah Crewdog! ‘Where sin abounds, Grace abounds the more.’ The time lies yet ahead, only a bit, and we will see some of the greatest saints since the beginning of the Church. I feel it in my bones, in my soul. The tipping point is very near. +++

      Liked by 4 people

    1. Hi CD
      The following prayer of St Thomas More is on my old dad’s memorial card.
      “Thank you dear Lord for all you have given me, for all you have taken away from me, for all you have left me.”

      Liked by 3 people

    2. “All which I took from thee I did but take,
      Not for thy harms,
      But just that thou might’st seek it in My arms.
      All which thy child’s mistake
      Fancies as lost, I have stored for thee at home”

      The St Thomas prayer also makes me think of these lines from “The Hound of Heaven”

      Liked by 4 people

  35. Ok asking for help here…I’m still hearing family and friends doubling down, blinded by anti-Trump hatred and I’m struggling with how much to engage with it. On one hand, I feel like it’s futile to try and converse or challenge folks whose ego has become so wrapped up in what they see is the “battle.” I want to assume their best intentions, even while seeing how badly they’ve been duped and how their insistance on disobedience has bound them. On the other hand, I’ve been contemplating moral courage, and agree with Matt Walsh’s assessment that we would not be in this societal position if the “silent majority” was less silent! Do I delete my Facebook account because it tends to disturb my inner peace, and I certainly don’t need it 😉? Or do I keep the platform so that I may share an (unpopular) opinion now and then? Do I try to graciously challenge inlaws who have become absolutely unhinged from the truth, or do I stay quiet to maintain a level of civility that allows us to continue to function at a certain, shallow level? May the answer is case by case, person by person. These are difficult times and I pray so much for fortitude. Also, it’s pretty clear that a dividing line between Christians (Catholics, at least) has formed between those who accept and live the church’s teachings on sexual morality and those who don’t. It’s like that choice alone enables one to see clearly in these times. And sadly, I realize some have been so poorly catechized that they don’t even realize the detrimental choices they are making. By the grace of God my husband and I were taught by a courageous couple who told us the truth, and we have since embraced it. I’m thankful for this mercy every day! It is heart breaking to see people go down this way. In God’s time, may all be revealed, and may we have the humility and courage to accept His truth. Ok that’s all…any wise advice would be welcome! Maranatha, Lord!!

    Liked by 10 people

    1. It’s tough, isn’t it, momma? I have been, more consistently than ever before in my lifetime, calling down the Holy Spirit to guide me in my decision-making, great and small. I’m a firm believer that honing this practice will be critical to making our way through the most difficult things yet to come.

      Among my family and friends, I have adopted the, as you say, case by case or person by person approach. I try to go at it gently and firmly because, at this juncture, the doubling down has cemented a pretty closed attitude… although, I am surprised from time to time by some of my lefty buds expressing doubt about that which they were previously so sure.

      What also comes to mind is a passage from one of Charlie’s old pieces, a right fine way to discern “on your feet” when to continue engaging others and when to bow out of the futility that can arise:

      “Vanity is, by far, your deadliest enemy – and the means by which the noblest souls are taken captive by the devil. Whenever you get caught in a sterile argument seeking simply to prove you are right, step back. If your conversational partner merely wants to prove he is right – ignoring or evading those key points that must be considered, step back. In the first case, you are not arguing honestly. In the second, you are not arguing with an honest opponent. In neither case can good come – and in both cases it leaves opening for the devil. Yes, you must vigorously seek to find the truth, but when you have decided, you must cast your bread upon the water with both humility and fortitude. Not all discussion leads to truth – and discussion that can only lead to a brawl is best left behind as soon as it is indisputable that this is where it is headed. If you are charged with making the decision for a group, seek counsel. When you are satisfied you have heard all you can without going into vain repetition, make the decision firmly and without malice. To fail to make a decision leaves those associated with you rudderless and paralyzed. To make a decision without seeking counsel makes you an autocrat. Act with justice and prudence always – and when a decision must be made quickly, do so without looking back. Having made a habit of both taking counsel and acting decisively when you do have time, you will find those decisions you have to make when you don’t have the luxury of time are much better because of your habitual discipline. Now one could argue that I am often hot-tempered and combative. True enough, but those who know me best know that while I am often bold, I am rarely brash. Plus, there is another factor that most do not know. When it comes to my own interpretations or preferences, I am always willing to consider – and even eager – to get fresh insight. When it comes to something I am directed to from above, I do not cede anything. Often, when it appears that I am defending my own opinion, I am actually vigorously protecting those things that are prime directives.”

      Most of all, take great heart, mommacarmella. These types of current challenges which you present are coming to a head and, then, coming to an end. Maranatha!

      Liked by 10 people

      1. Thank you so much for the heartening ❤️ I have been working on honing my attentiveness to the Spirit’s promptings as well so I’m glad you mentioned that. And thanks for the TNRS reboot; I remember really appreciating that the first time I read it as well. Claiming one more for Christ today as we baptize our sixth! Deo gratias. Have a blessed day 😇

        Liked by 4 people

        1. Congratulations on the baptism of your new baby, momma! How exciting! Prayers for this new wee one to give glory to God… prayers for you and all your family.

          Liked by 4 people

    2. Mommacarmella: So many of us are in the same boat. I have actually deleted my FB page. I strongly suspect that many “friends” had blocked my anyway. I do go on my husband’s FB page and leave some defenses of the unborn and truths on behalf of Trump every so often. I figure they have to read the headlines at least. I found commenting on other web sites just left me angry and sad and often attacked. None of it was healthy for me. I have to fight the temptation to comment often but I find solace here. It seems to me commenting on those other sites just adds to the noise and division. I know over several years I have “enlightened” a whole group of friends but they are all practicing Catholics in my age bracket and pro life, so maybe it was inevitable that they would get it sooner or later. I find the Surrender Novena indispensable. You can google it. I introduced it to my best friend @2 years ago and since then she has given it out to many, many people. She’s a talker and engages women wherever she is and carries multiple Surrender Novenas in her purse, ready to go. There is much silent suffering out there. Better to help people to the truth through prayer and let that illuminate their souls. There heads will follow.

      Liked by 9 people

      2. Here is an article I printed for distribution at my local coffee house: http://www.lifenews.com/2018/06/22/mom-shares-photo-of-premature-twins-who-died-at-20-weeks-to-celebrate-their-short-lives/

        It is a picture and article of a young couple holding their twin babies who miscarried (twenty weeks). It is a heartwarming ‘seed of truth’ for one and all. {As described in another commentary.} Also, I viewed a Catholic answer tv show on EWTN last evening, The lecturer (Priest) stated to evangalize, but as Jesus said if it is not accepted to ‘shake the dust off your feet” and leave. He briefly added it is better to go than to argue. Thus, a seed of truth remains…

        Liked by 2 people

    3. Momma,
      I read a story that solidified my resolve to speak the truth any chance I can get. It does not mean we go outside our duty in life as distractions of our own duty are never from God and are a way the enemy can get at us as the authority of our duty is from above and this affords us protection.
      The story was about a psychiatrist who is used by excorcist to rule out mental/physical illness before proceeding with an exorcism.
      On one occasion, the possessed person, when asked questions- either spoken or written- about faith, was unable to hear or see the questions! Interestingly, even though this person was “possed” by a demon, the demon feared them hearing the questions because of the “seed” of truth which would be introduced into them.
      So, upon this enlightenment, your question (do I keep the platform so that I may share an (unpopular) opinion now and then? ) shows why you receive so much blowback when quoting truth- because the enemy is afraid of its effect.
      The psychiatrist noted other demonic behaviors that you may notice from those that “attack” you on these sites: Threats of violence, hatred, personal shots, foul language, denigration of your intelligence, rightous indignation, superiority and sob stories. All are efforts to defraud or change the discussions goal and “smoke screen” the effort. (pun intended).
      If these attacks are causing you grief, you might be a bit outside of your “duty” and vocation. It may be more prudent for you to strengthen yourself spiritually before you resume this and you may find that your not ready to go back to it for many years but God’s timing is not our timing.
      Pray about it and pray for those who you feel need your “words of encouragement that if not you- someone else will “tell them true”.

      Liked by 4 people

  36. There was a brilliant diplomat, political scientist and historian who visited America in 1831 at the grand old age of 25. As a result of his observations, four years later, he published a book called “Democracy In America”, an epic description of the strengths and weaknesses of our Constitutional system that is still regarded as the best book on its subject of the 19th Century. It’s author? A Frenchman, Alexis de Tocqueville. He came to the absolute conviction that our system of government would stand or fall upon our continued belief and practice of the Christian religion.

    Here are three of his more famous quotes;

    1 – “Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.”

    2 – “The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of the functions performed by private citizens.”

    3 – “The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public’s money.”

    Are they not as valid today, as they were when Tocqueville first wrote them, 183 years ago? The truth is unchanging. I found this modern day story in an Atlantic article that perfectly represents his views on American values and the strength that underlies all that we are fighting to maintain. I hope that you are touched by it, just as I was;

    “Tocqueville is always tacking from anxiety to optimism and back again. Last month, Nadia Bloom, an eleven-year-old girl who had been missing for four days, was found, unhurt, in alligator-infested Florida swampland. A local church congregation had mobilized teams of searchers, but the man who discovered her, James King, was on his own. Well, not quite, because he had divine assistance. Armed with a machete, a G.P.S.-equipped BlackBerry, trail mix, and a Bible, the devout father of five let the Lord guide him to Nadia. As he slogged through the marshes, quoting Scripture and calling out Nadia’s name, he wonderfully heard a response. “God sent me and pointed me directly to her,” he said later. The local police chief told reporters that if he had not believed before in miracles he certainly did now.”

    For those of a mind and an interest in reading “Democracy In America”, the two volume epic is available without charge at;

    https://www.gutenberg.org/files/815/815-h/815-h.htm

    Dave

    Liked by 9 people

    1. Dave, thank you for sharing that truly touching story of the rescue of Nadia Bloom. God is good, and so are the people who tirelessly searched for that little girl.

      Liked by 8 people

    2. I’m with Mick, Dave, in thanking you for sharing the inspirational story of Nadia Bloom. On more than a few occasions, at TNRS site, Charlie promoted the reading of Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy In America.

      Liked by 1 person

    3. DD, love those quotes from de Tocqueville! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this kind of material were studied in our schools these days? I fear for the younger generation, and hope that the Lord shows up soon to open all minds to the Truth. God strengthen us all!

      Liked by 3 people

  37. Thanks, Charlie, for a wonderful trip down memory lane as I knew it (I am quite a bit older than you!) You are right on all counts, and right in your final takeaway. Blessings on you and on all of us as we engage in the spiritual warfare with good heart and hope and love.

    Liked by 7 people

  38. Charlie and Beckita, this is off the current topic but relates to another on the previous blog. If readers would like to go to Dan Lynch’s http://www.jkmi.com site they will find that he is promoting the work of Fr Joseph LoJacono pastor of St Veronica’s Church in Philadelphia. Father is having a Mission with Rosary Marches, Procession, and Hours of Adoration with Sisters for Life, to combat the troubles in his area and he is looking for Gideon’s Army – helpers, as well as long distance Marian prayer warriors. We all know of Fr Richard Heilman’s similar mission – imagine if this caught on around the whole world! If anyone thinks that they cannot take on any more prayer projects please have a look into the Gift of Living in the Divine Will. It is so true – the saying that ‘with God all things are possible’.

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Hmmm…I just sent a note out to Fr. Lojacono. I visited with him for a few days when he was at Our Lady of Peace Shrine in Santa Clara, California. He wrote a little book about St. George and the Dragon that I finished and enjoyed recently. Of course, Dan Lynch is a good friend…and I have become friends with Fr. Heilman, who is doing some great work – so I like all the company you mention in this comment, Karen!

      Liked by 5 people

    2. Thanks for these thoughts, Karen. Love it all! Especially taken with Fr. Lojacono’s NRS after being touched through Bishop Oliver Dashe Doeme’s mystical experience. Signs of Hope for sure.

      Liked by 1 person

  39. Beckita,

    Can you put a link on the side for those novenas/prayers which ASOH/TNRS family is participating in? I want to unite my prayers with all of yours.
    Thank you!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Liitle one, it’s not that we’re officially doing novenas together, rather, readers have commented on various prayer initiatives in which people can participate of they wish to do so. Two website to check are Fr. Richard Heilman’s: https://www.romancatholicman.com/ and, now that Karen has alerted us to the spiritual work of Fr Joseph LoJacono, as she said, that information can be found at Dan Lynch’s site: http://www.jkmi.com/.

      Liked by 2 people

  40. Sorry Bekita will be careful next time with the long links but I was excited to show others what Obama did say and that there was existing law so it was a lie again blaming Trump.

    Charlie this just post hit me so hard defending secular/liberal Catholics who see us as Racist and are on the Trump bashing bandwagon. Their answer is shut up thinking your smarter than majority’s of us you cannot change everyone that is Gods job so first try changing yourself and quit trying to change what only God can do.

    Now I do agree as Beckita pointed out God is giving us this time for us to change by working towards purity. But if we just shut up wouldn’t planned parenthood continue to go unchecked and the biggest lie which is abortion. shut up and accept the lies as Truth is communism that Mary has been referring too.

    I am no smarty pants making statements based on fake news and joining the crowd cheering in frenzy at the site of crucifixion. Even if it’s a crowd doesnt make it true then or now. All I have done is expose lies with evidence.

    Then for some reason God bought me back to read your last part about the parable and I found consolance.

    Liked by 3 people

  41. Speaking of Novenas:

    Divine Mercy (official)’s photo.
    Pray4USA Campaign starts June 25 – July 4
    https://www.thedivinemercy.org/pray4USA/?source=tdm-homepage
    and from the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/events/172020140133344
    “Please join us in praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for the nine days leading up to July 4, specifically imploring God’s mercy on our country.
    And, on July 4, join the Marian Fathers for Holy Mass at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.”
    ps the video doesnt seem to work

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Admin/Moderator;
        Off topic, but a friend forwarded a pretty heavy piece that Charlie posted on the leaders forum. Will this be published here? It would seem to me that the whole ASOH family should read this. Presumably you got it. Right? I don’t want to arouse too much curiosity if these posts are not for public dissemination so edit/delete this question at your discretion (as is always your prerogative).
        Thanks

        Like

        1. Hey Christopher, I will adapt it into a public piece midweek. There are some personal asides that I share more casually with key leaders that I will excise – and I want to give them some time to contemplate it before putting something up publicly.

          Liked by 3 people

          1. Thanks, Charlie. Thank you for everything-past, present, and future.
            Things are indeed scary. I see more and more stories about calls to violence from the lunatics. This from ZH just hours ago:

            https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-06-24/maxine-waters-orders-if-you-see-anybody-trump-cabinet-create-crowd-and-push-back

            This incitement to riot and conspiracy to commit assault is not coming from some B list Hollyweird type. This woman is a member of the House of Representatives.

            You know, when I first started following TNRS in mid 2015 I had a sense of bravado. Like I would be the last guy in my block who was standing strong, the one who people could lean on. Now…not so much. I’ll admit to everyone here that I’m getting nervous. Going wobbly so to speak. There is a mass-psychosis afoot and it would seem to have a preternatural component to it. I don’t claim to be immune from it either. I need prayers people!

            Liked by 4 people

            1. Aw shucks! I just noticed HTTP linked to the same story directly below. Scratch the ZH link. Sorry to be a pest. 😦

              Liked by 1 person

              1. No worries, Christopher; it never hurts to have two links to the same article, as someone might miss the first comment but catch the second. 🙂

                Liked by 3 people

            2. All of us here need prayers, Christopher. That’s the wonderful thing about this wonderful TNRS-ASOH family: we can ask for prayers and trust that everyone here prays for us just as we pray for everyone here. So, praying for you and for all here, and thanking everyone here for their prayers for me and for all of us.

              Liked by 3 people

  42. Ok, now this is getting scary. http://www.theamericanmirror.com/maxine-waters-orders-more-public-harassment-of-trump-aides-god-is-on-our-side/.
    Waters is screeching that God is on their side. Boy, there doesn’t seem to be any way to disagree with these people. Is this what it is like for soldiers in war?

    And this too, http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/06/24/scott-adams-republicans-need-to-vote-to-save-themselves/. And this guy doesn’t even vote but thinking about it to make sure republicans win in November.
    I know God wins but I need some encouragement.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. It IS uglier and uglier, HTTP, day by day. Added to your links, among additional outrageous actions, is this horrific “cartoon” with its step by step instructions for killing ICE agents. Some encouragement is on its way in a review of sage advice and exhortation to steady ourselves by relying totally on the Lord.

      Liked by 5 people

    2. Handtotheplow, when my youngest was in the NICU recovering from gastric surgery and still facing heart surgery, there were four things that really helped me get through each day: (1) a holy card of Our Lady of Mount Carmel that I put in a tiny frame, (2) a framed holy card of the Divine Mercy image, (3) the verse 1 Corinthians 10:13, and (4) the story of St. Peter’s walking on the water and then sinking. This last one was very important, because I realized that as long as St. Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he was safe; but as soon as he started focusing on the wind and waves around him, his faith failed and he risked drowning. I don’t know if my experience will encourage you or not (I hope so); but I found so much help and comfort in daily seeking Our Lady’s intercession, in repeating “Jesus, I trust in you,” in focusing on Jesus rather than on “the wind and the waves,” and in the realization that God will ALWAYS give me the necessary strength if I seek His will and try my best to follow it with trust and love.

      And in the midst of that storm, I discovered (rediscovered, really) that Philippians 4:6-7 really is true.

      God bless you and yours, HttP. I will keep all of you in my prayers.

      Liked by 4 people

  43. And i was just thinking the other day when I prayed the “Hail Mary” that we always pray for her to “Pray for us sinners NOW and at the hour of our death, Amen”. I have often thought of the “hour of our death” part but have not often thought of the “Now” part. But I need her prayers Now, and every time I pray that prayer it is Now!

    Liked by 4 people

  44. We seem to be on a determined march to political violence. Why? What are the reasons?

    Events seem to be tending us in this direction. Here is a kid at the University of Wyoming who was worried about this trend in the Spring of 2016. Did his Undergraduate Honors Thesis on the subject:

    Polarization in American Politics: A Legislative Hindrance or Precursor to Violence?

    http://repository.uwyo.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1042&context=honors_theses_15-16

    His review of the literature covers some interesting hypotheses for the reasons for the trend to the violent in American politics. He omits any spiritual side to this alarming trend either in politics or in the Church.

    These trends may also be seen in the Church. The Left and the Right are becoming more ideological, demagogic and rigid. Elites in both the Political sphere and in the Church are “Elite Queuing” opinion among the political electorate and among the faithful in the pews in a similar manner.

    All in all it’s not a good development. I am more concerned about the Elite Queuing in the Church than I am in American politics.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Well Ed, here is a good article for them to read: http://www.lifenews.com/2011/02/28/bernard-nathanson-a-life-transformed-by-truth-on-abortion/

      Bernard Nathanson, MD (R.I.P.) was a pioneer in both ‘Choice’ and Life movements. A Lighthouse Catholic CD portrays his personal testimony which is quite invigorating. I purchased quite a few and have handed out.

      https://www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org/store/title/aborting-america-the-story-of-an-ex-abortionist-and-ex-atheist

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Ed,
      I do not know if you know that kid in Wyoming, but a novel on George Washington’s life should be an eye opener: Sacred Fire. It may be purcased for as little as three bucks (used) and would be the best investment any generation millennial will make.

      I have a copy and gave a copy to family. Without question, President George Washington was a man of faith, action and love for God. The Providential events throughout the book clearly evoke ALL to pray and act with God the Almighty assisting. It is quite the description of:

      “Acknowledge God, take the next right step and be a sign of hope.”

      Case in point: the Battle of Brooklyn.

      PS. I have been praying on asking God to help me first to acknowledge Him then ‘do’… before mass this morning I specifically prayed this request. During my Pastors homily, he said Love is the answer. Any action without Love is not from God (paraphrase) but if an action taken with Love, it is from God.

      In our times of turmoil, think of the times you have acted purely out of compassion/love for another then later realized you were…’crazy’ or not thinking straight.
      God was truly present assisting you in the endeavor.

      Cheers!

      Liked by 2 people

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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.