The Vanities are Hitting the Bonfire

By Charlie Johnston

Louisville, Kentucky – Whoa! The establishment press is in a lather over losing its ability to decide who gets to sit where for White House briefings. Perhaps it would not have come to this if the White House Correspondents’ Assn. (WHCA) had not used its power to keep organizations out it did not like rather than see that Americans were informed. Podcaster Joe Rogan, alone, has about as many listeners as the entire legacy media combined – yet his show did not measure up, according to the snooty popinjays at the WHCA.

I’m reminded of the situation I had in the mid-80’s as a columnist and managing editor of a group of local weeklies. I started in the advertising department and supposedly, would never get into the newsroom at all because I did not have the journalism degree the papers required for getting a job as a reporter. BUT, I broke several scoops on even the nearby Chicago dailies and had an exhaustive list of contacts – who would and DID talk to me. I like to think it is because of my obvious talent that the papers made an exception for me, but more than a few folks suggested it was more fear that I would end up at one of the regional dailies if they didn’t.

Mirabile dictu! Within a couple months of being brought on as a reporter, I was promoted to managing editor of all the papers. Though the publisher and I had more than a few political disagreements, it began a good run for both of us. The papers were in the midst of a five-year drought of awards, winning not even so much as a third place in the Illinois Press Assn. Contests. In my first two years, we won nine, including several Best in the State awards. Only three or four of those were for my stories, so I was not only doing well, but elevating the performance of those who worked with me.

All articles had to go through me for my approval before hitting any paper. Touchingly, despite our occasional disputes, the publisher even started putting his articles in my inbox for approval and editing, rather than directly giving them to the composition department. Our main point of contention was that he and another family member decided that the papers could be a political powerhouse, a mover and shaker to make what they wanted happen rather than reporting on what actually did happen. I would have had no problem if they had worked through traditional channels to build their personal political influence, though as I often told aspirants and small-time office-holders, serious politics is a LOT harder than it looks. On the one hand, it offended my sensibilities to use our press to try to create a narrative rather than just report the news. From a more practical standpoint, whatever early success such an effort might have, I was convinced it could only end in a drastic collapse of the paper’s credibility and influence entirely.

They tried targeting a couple of officials they did not like. Fortunately, I was able to blunt the attacks and keep the efforts relatively suppressed. But the publisher’s closest political ally was a man who was becoming my biggest political enemy. Eventually, I left the paper after being courted by a radio station (which worked out fabulously). I took a sabbatical from the radio station to run for the county board – against the chairman – who was my old publisher’s biggest political ally. Suddenly I was the guy being slandered and reviled by the paper – with no one there to ameliorate things. It went on for over a year – and I sued over some of the more libelous charges they had made against me. At that time, there had been only two suits by a public figure (legal definition – which I was) against publications in the entire state in which the public figure prevailed over the course of a decade. I became number three. The attacks had a dire impact on the paper. Its libel insurance skyrocketed almost an order of magnitude. Just over a decade after my suit was concluded, this mid-century group of newspapers was sold to another media group and became a group of local shoppers. You know – the sort of paper that is all ads they hand out for free in grocery store racks.

When you abuse the trust the public has invested in you to try to become a political powerhouse, however much success you get early on, you have already begun the process of your own demise.

The WHCA can reform themselves and begin the hard road back to credibility and relevance down the road…or they can stomp their feet and clutch their pearls over the hoi polloi invading what they thought was their exclusive, sacred space.

Don’t be surprised to find Jake Tapper hosting a Saturday morning “Swap Shop” program on a local radio station a few years down the road.

*********

Like the establishment press in America, feckless western European leaders have long loved to sniffily lecture Americans about how we should conduct our affairs. They arrogantly want us to enact their policy preferences on our dime.

In the Jimmy Carter years, I bristled as European leaders constantly told us how we should manage our economic affairs…and we just took it, sometimes even shame-facedly. I thought it was particularly arrogant puffery because we paid the entire cost of our own defense AND paid at least half of the cost of the rest of the western world’s defense, as well. I fumed as people who chose to be our dependents and, thus, had ample money because we were covering their tab, told us how to manage our money. Even worse, while we were carrying the bulk of their load on our backs, they couldn’t even manage to do much better than the, admittedly, terrible Carter economy. I cheered loudly when Ronald Reagan, at his first western economic summit, effectively told these sniffy countries to get back to him after they started paying for their own defense. They didn’t start paying their own way, but they got a lot less mouthy while Reagan was at the helm.

Insufferable as all this was, watching as much of the western world has retreated from guaranteeing basic human rights, targeting and sometimes jailing their own people for speech critical of their governments, and canceling elections in which far leftists do not win has been an order of magnitude more infuriating. President Trump has apparently appointed Vice-President Vance to be his Ambassador of Reality. Vance spoke bluntly to western European leaders at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month, telling them that the greatest threat to Europe was not from Russia or China, “but a threat from within, the retreat of Europe from its most fundamental values.”

Most European leaders are merely snobs without portfolio. Unable to do things that matter, they turn their withering contempt on anyone who can, in order to defend their own neglect of their citizens and their rank incompetence. Naturally, the European glitterati has squealed like a White House reporter who just lost his press pass. (I call them glitterati rather than intelligentsia because no actual intelligence is involved in their bleating.)

I have no problem with situational security treaties with nations that do not fundamentally share our values. It’s a dangerous and unpredictable world. It would be foolish to eliminate any effective implements from our tool chest. But permanent collective security agreements, such as NATO, are based on the defense of shared values. As European countries get increasingly authoritarian and jail people for bad Facebook posts or praying silently in front of abortion clinics, we don’t share many values anymore.

For me, Vance’s takeaway line was, “If you’re running in fear of your own voters, there is nothing America can do for you nor, for that matter is there anything you can do for the American people…” Vance’s speech in Munich will ultimately trigger the revival of European democracy or the death knell of NATO.

*********

Pope Francis has condemned America for working to secure its borders and allow only legal immigration, while still maintaining generous terms for it. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have filed suit against the Trump administration for the cancellation of funds to help resettle illegal aliens. There is all sorts of virtue-signaling to justify our broken – and absolutely immoral immigration system.  – and I have added my share as well. I wrote a piece on it, myself, in the last issue of the CORAC Newsletter. But the finest, most thoughtful piece I have seen comes from Bishop Joseph Strickland on his Substack.

I am reprinting it below in its entirety:

Immigration: The importance of both charity and justice

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As I have watched the situation unfold with Catholic Charities and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), I feel I must speak out as a shepherd in concern for the flock. Our new Vice President, Vice President J.D. Vance, stated that he was heartbroken over the response of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops regarding immigration and this Administration’s policies. As many of the American bishops have attacked this new administration which has so far made immense strides in protecting life, I am also heartbroken at the bishops’ response.

As I am sure you have all seen, President Trump took steps to freeze the funds of grant, loan, and federal financial assistance programs which run contrary to the Administration’s Executive Orders in certain areas such as the elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, as well as ensuring the US immigration infrastructure was facilitating lawful and legal immigration. This funding freeze included funding for many organizations including Catholic Charities. Regarding Catholic Charities specifically, we are not talking about a small amount of money that has been received by this organization and these bishops. Today, about two thirds of Catholic Charities’ annual spending comes from government sources, which totals more than half a billion dollars of federal grants alone. Spokespersons for the organization as well as various bishops are protesting this freeze, stating that Catholic Charities does good work and performs many works of charity. However, the fact is that it has been known for some time that Catholic Charities is involved in funding immoral and even potentially illegal activities as far as the immigration laws of this country are concerned, and that in fact their activities have in many cases hurt rather than helped vulnerable populations.

Many might ask, though, does not the Church teach that we should help those who are less fortunate? And many might point to Scripture, “And the king answering shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40). However, behind this mask that many of the bishops wear that seems to broadcast caring for the “least brethren” are the true issues that motivate them that they do not want you to see.

The Church has always taught and advocated for the sanctity and dignity of every human life and has always advocated for compassion in the treatment of migrants and refugees. However, Catholic doctrine also emphasizes the importance of both charity and justice, with respect always for just laws. One of the greatest concerns about these funds having been used for illegal immigration resettlement activities is that not only has this served to bring many criminals into our country who have the potential to harm citizens, but in many cases these activities have served to place very vulnerable people, especially a great number of children, at risk to be abused and exploited. As we learn more about this situation with the bishops and Catholic Charities, it is becoming evident that in many cases children have not been adequately safeguarded from potential exploitation including human trafficking. In fact, many bishops—and in some cases the very bishops who are protesting the freezing of funds—have had a very poor record of safeguarding children in recent times. And as much as it fills with me dismay to have to say this, there is good reason to suspect that some of the American bishops have contributed to, rather than safeguarded against, the exploitation of these children who have been brought into our country illegally.

Something else that can easily be overlooked is that all of this is happening in an atmosphere in the Church which, in the name of social justice, has brought in the Marxist and non-Catholic movement of Liberation Theology. I like Dr. Taylor Marshall’s definition of liberation theology – he called it “Marxism with a blanket of Catholicism over it” and that is an apt description. Liberation Theology has been pushed forward in the Church in great measure by the Order of the Society of Jesus (also known as the Jesuits). I will remind you also that Pope Francis is a Jesuit, and he has many friends and professional contacts who are open supporters of Liberation Theology. This theology focuses on class struggle and reforming unjust earthly systems, and a key tenet of that is the redistribution of wealth. Sadly, this branch of theology has also been used by many of its proponents even to justify violence. This pernicious theology is now firmly entrenched within the Church, including within the current Vatican hierarchy. In this climate, Catholic doctrine falls by the wayside, and instead a religion that worships man is heralded. Instead of proclaiming Jesus Christ as King, the current Vatican mindset seems to be that man is king, as we see reflected in the Vatican’s push for the so-called “Synodal” church where instead of trying to hear God’s voice, we are encouraged to listen to one another and devise man-made solutions to all the world’s problems.

How this figures into the situation with Catholic Charities and the American bishops is that many in the current climate in the Church would argue that bringing poor immigrants into the country and allowing them access to services funded by American taxpayers is a just way to “redistribute the wealth.” However, although social justice is indeed an integral part of Catholic doctrine, the Church’s social doctrine is rooted in Scripture, and does not mean what many in the Church have redefined it to mean, which is in fact socialism. The term social justice has in essence been hijacked. I would encourage you to read an article by Deacon Keith Fournier entitled: “Social Justice: Take Back the Term from the Thieves and Build a New Catholic Action” (October 4, 2010) if you want to understand this subject better.

The truth is that having a secure border and an orderly and lawful immigration process is indeed the most compassionate approach for migrants, and it helps to safeguard against the chaos and mass suffering that is happening at our borders now. However, it is a fact that bringing illegal foreign nationals to the country and the attempts to resettle them while sidestepping immigration law has brought great sums of money into the hands of these many bishops who now protest so loudly, and who are in reality present-day Judases who stand with outstretched hands for the thirty pieces of silver.

We find also as more and more of this situation comes to light that in many cases the money received has been routed to organizations that are pro-abortion, anti-family, and indeed, anti-Catholic. And now, when our recently elected President steps in to stop these illegal activities, many bishops verbally attack him, and yet these same bishops spoke not a word against President Biden, who claimed to be Catholic, as he supported abortion and gender ideology, both opposed to Catholic teaching. What is especially telling is the finding that the USCCB used 90% of the collected federal funds for immigration resettlement, and less than 1% for pro-life activities. Although claiming that abortion is their preeminent priority, the USCCB has never collected money for pro-life activities. For example, we find that one Texas bishop funneled millions of dollars into organizations and activities to incentivize illegal immigration while actively working to squelch pro-life activities in his diocese.

It is a fact that most migrants who come to the United States illegally do not have a right to be in this country and are not in reality fleeing persecution. At least 80 percent would not qualify for asylum or refugee status. Preventing migrants from coming here illegally is not a rejection of any migrant’s humanity, but instead it is a matter of justice and prudence in supporting the rule of law and the proper order of immigration. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions.” (CCC #2241). Therefore, Catholic doctrine teaches that not only can a nation justly enforce its borders, but it can impose consequences on those who break its laws. Therefore, regarding the millions of illegal aliens who have come into the U.S, for the government to send them home is a perfectly acceptable method of enforcing the law, as long as it is done humanely. We can recognize though that returning migrants to countries where they would be unjustly subjected to persecution is of course not in keeping with Catholic doctrine. However, in the current situation, where human trafficking is estimated to be a billion-dollar industry, and drugs such as fentanyl are flooding into American communities, illegal immigration is without a doubt causing more human suffering than the alternative which is secure borders and strong protection against illegal immigration. The current situation in which Catholic Charities is involved regarding illegal immigration is most assuredly not compassionate.

In summary, I want to emphasize that the Church has always taught the sanctity and dignity of every human being and has always advocated for compassion in the treatment of migrants and refugees, but the Church has also always taught that nations have the right to regulate immigration in a just and humane manner. Catholic doctrine emphasizes the importance of both charity and justice, with respect always for just laws. And I want to also emphasize that the Church does not promote illegal activities but instead calls for just immigration policies and legal pathways for those seeking a better life.

By aiding and abetting illegal immigration activities and failing to protect vulnerable migrants, Catholic Charities, the USCCB and, by and large, a great number of the American bishops, have been directly or indirectly complicit in harming rather than helping many of the most vulnerable human beings, including a great number of migrant children. I would urge the faithful to contact their bishop and to speak out about the role of Catholic Charities in their diocese.

Yours In Christ,

Bishop Joseph E. Strickland

Bishop Emeritus

You should go to the link, as well. That way you can sign up for Bp. Strickland’s Substack.

*********

This morning I woke up to a continuous ping, ping, ping from my Facebook Page. It was a whole heap of birthday wishes. I have been accused – and will admit – that I am usually indifferent about my birthday. For whatever reason, I just never much cared about birthdays. It’s stupid, I know. I care a lot about my kids’ and grandkids’ birthday. I get excited about Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and the Fourth of July. I also get excited about the celebrations of Fatima from May through October, the apparition at Lourdes (I began my pilgrimage on that day – and it was not an accident). I love the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and of Our Lady of Guadalupe/Tepeyac. Otherwise, I’m pretty blasé.

But I went through all the wishes on my timeline and, it turns out, they were pretty cool. I heard from family, old school friends, political comrades – and even a few opponents, old media friends, and of course, so many of you. In the midst of my workday, it made me pause and think, “Wow! It really has been a wonderful life!”

Thank you to all of you.

If communication goes out for any length of time, meet outside your local Church at 9 a.m. on Saturday mornings. Tell friends at Church now in case you can’t then. CORAC teams will be out looking for people to gather in and work with.

Find me on X at @JohnstonPilgrim

Donate to CORAC!

Join the Conversation!

The Corps of Renewal and Charity (CORAC)

18208 Preston Rd., Ste. D9-552

Dallas, Texas 75252

37 thoughts on “The Vanities are Hitting the Bonfire

  1. Love your stories, Charlie. And that sweet squirrel! Happy to see that you enjoyed reading your birthday wishes. I can only imagine the greatest of joys your mom and dad must be feeling as they look upon their first born, ever interceding for you and your work.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. “Liberation Theology–This theology focuses on class struggle and reforming unjust earthly systems, and a key tenet of that is the redistribution of wealth. Sadly, this branch of theology has also been used by many of its proponents even to justify violence. This pernicious theology is now firmly entrenched within the Church, including within the current Vatican hierarchy. In this climate, Catholic doctrine falls by the wayside, and instead a religion that worships man is heralded. Instead of proclaiming Jesus Christ as King, the current Vatican mindset seems to be that man is king, as we see reflected in the Vatican’s push for the so-called “Synodal” church where instead of trying to hear God’s voice, we are encouraged to listen to one another and devise man-made solutions to all the world’s problems.”

      (Bishop Joseph E. Strickland)

      Sounds like this:

      “Before Christ’s second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers. The persecution that accompanies her pilgrimage on earth will unveil the “mystery of iniquity” in the form of a religious deception offering men an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the truth. The supreme religious deception is that of the Antichrist, a pseudo-messianism by which man glorifies himself in place of God and of his Messiah come in the flesh.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church)

      Liked by 2 people

  2. Hello, great post today!!! I tried to leave a comment on the last post but I’m apparently doing something wrong. It’s non intuitive for me.

    Here is a great talk about the actual church teachings on immigration, given by Fr Chris Alar. He clearly did a lot of research in writing this. This is very parallel in this post here! To summarize: , immigrants are supposed to follow all the laws of the country they are going into. Fr Chris gives several examples of sources. He talks kinda slow and you can easily increase playback speed.

    Blessings, -kevin-

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Keven, I love it! “He talks kinda slow.” Me, I was born and raised way down South, and mostly I cannot process fast-talkers! Fr. Chris, I understand totally,

      Father Mike Schmidt with his Bible in a Year, I have to find an IT guy (a son) to make Mike slower! It will probably take me a year and a half! Praise God for drawlers!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. How I wish we had someone like you here in Ireland Charlie. We have so many illegal refugees being brought in to our country by our government. They are now recruiting them into our police force. Our churches are getting emptier. Please pray for Ireland. God bless President Trump and JD Vance

    Bernadette

    Liked by 6 people

  4. Nice post Charlie!  I would like to see more teaching on subsidiarity.  I went skiing yesterday with my Brother and a couple who are friends with my brother.  The husband of the couple asked, “what is the best part of life?”  My first reply was, “it is not money.”  My second reply was, “life itself.”  I think that surprised him a bit, but after thinking a bit, he shook his head in acknowledgement.  He expected to hear something like good health.  I think good health runs a close second or third place.  Being alive to me means we have the opportunity for eternal life and every good or bad thing that happens to us cannot stop us from eternal life in Christ.  What a gift!  Ok.  I also admit, I have also had a wonderful life here too.  I could not have had better parents, siblings and friends.  Happy birthday (a little belated).—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

    Liked by 4 people

  5. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! … PS    😉

    https://catholicexchange.com/confession-for-the-anxious-caryll-houselanders-advice-part-i/

    Sadly! I expect Smoke, Mirrors & Whitewash  ..  https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2025/02/27/dont-get-stuck-in-the-epstein-weeds-instead-ask-why-is-the-united-states-attorney-general-on-fox-news-every-day/  ..  BUT! Hope Springs Eternal that THEY, godless Pervert Global DeepState, will be exposed!

    HullyGee! I wonder why Monica has picked this time to emerge from the “Closet”? I’m sure it has nothing to do with a Trump DOJ + news cycles/Epstein File release or Ol’ Blue Dress looking for another Pay-Day? Right!??  ..  https://townhall.com/tipsheet/madelineleesman/2025/02/27/lewinsky-n2652875

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2025/02/26/the-eu-and-nato-collective-face-indefatigable-will-of-godzilla-trump/

    https://www.declassified.live/p/deranged-jack-smith-takes-down-his

    https://nypost.com/2025/02/26/media/fired-cbs-news-reporter-catherine-herridge-reveals-photos-of-files-on-hunter-biden-covid-origins-seized-by-network/

    https://charleshughsmith.substack.com/p/housing-the-foundations-of-the-middle

    https://www.theburningplatform.com/2025/02/27/10-hard-facts-about-ukraine-and-nato/

    https://www.theburningplatform.com/2025/02/27/kennedy-hits-pause-on-covid-vaccine-project-worth-hundreds-of-millions/#more-361792

    https://floppingaces.net/

    https://links.glennbeck.com/view/55d278157d0973635efe6258n3cz3.1obg/97bb6ac3

    https://www.frontpagemag.com/

    https://dailycaller.com/

    https://newsbusters.org/

    https://patriotpost.us/digests/114945-mid-day-digest-2025-02-27

    GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!

    Like

  6. Regarding illegal immigration, Pope Francis should have set an example by tearing down the gigantic walls around the Vatican City and also by living in his apartment with a bunch of illegal immigrants.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Charlie, you said, ” Vance’s speech in Munich will ultimately trigger the revival of European democracy or the death knell of NATO.” I suspect a false dichotomy.

    If they don’t revive their own democracy, we will walk away from NATO, and rightfully so. If they do revive their democracy, they will regain their self-respect and their sanity, and walk away from NATO themselves.

    I think, either way, NATO will be dead.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. You misunderstand, Steve. Of course, NATO is a dead man walking whatever happens. This was just my pithy way of saying that if European democracy does not revive, we may have situational treaties with various countries there, but we will no longer have any collective security agreements with nations that oppose what were once our shared values – and are, in fact, the highest aspirations for human values.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks for the clarification, Charlie. Like you, I would like to see Europe recover the correct values and then choose to stand on their own because they have also recovered their self-respect. There are a few green shoots, but they have a long way to go.

        Liked by 1 person

  8. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! .. Happy Day!!  😉

    https://www.ncregister.com/blog/grondelski-st-gregory-of-narek

    https://onepeterfive.com/if-francis-is-not-pope-will-the-next-conclave-elect-a-true-pope/  ..  Let  US PRAY!!  ..  https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/the-coming-trumpian-pope  ..  I have NO DOUBT that PF & his Globalists Rainbow Pals @ Vatican/Diocese have caused any number of The Faithful to Vote with Their Feet ;-(

    https://catholicexchange.com/hope-its-about-more-than-the-future/

    https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/the-higher-things-budget

    https://ethicscenter.nd.edu/news/remembering-and-celebrating-w-david-solomon-founding-director-of-the-center/

    https://www.osvnews.com/pew-us-christianity-downturn-leveling-but-catholics-suffer-greatest-net-losses/

    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/26/altgov-elon-musk-doge-federal-workers

    Time to re-institute Privateers and Congress of Red State Guard Units?  ..  https://news.usni.org/2025/02/27/report-to-congress-on-letters-of-marque-and-reprisal

    https://amuseonx.substack.com/p/contempt-and-consequence-the-case

    https://www.glennbeck.com/radio/epstein-list-years-need-transparency  ..  https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/02/27/ag-bondi-tells-fbi-director-patel-rogue-new-york-fbi-office-withholding-epstein-files/

    Fifty years ago, I could walk into any Bank & get a Silver Dollar for a paper one. Then Gold was $35.50 oz & Silver was $1.30 oz. During frequent “Gas Wars” you could get five gallons for $1. Now gas is considered “cheap” @ $2.70 per gallon and Gold/Silver, Today, goes for $2,850.00/$31.20 per oz. The Chinamen & Russkies did NOT do this to US! ;-(  ..   https://mises.org/mises-wire/gold-fort-knox-was-stolen-americans

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/

    https://thefederalist.com/

    https://www.americanthinker.com/

    https://townhall.com/

    https://thedailybs.com/news/

    https://www.zerohedge.com

    https://newsbusters.org/

    https://links.glennbeck.com/view/55d278157d0973635efe6258n3r86.1rej/4863d76e

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!!

    Like

  9. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! .. Happy Day!!  😉

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2025/02/28/the-still-hour-part-5/#more-269659

    https://www.catholicexorcism.org/post/exorcist-diary-329-seven-ways-demons-harass-us

    https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/soul-garden-catholic-mothers-collective-book-review/

    https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/not-breaking-necessary-vulgarity

    https://catholicexchange.com/confession-for-the-anxious-caryll-houselanders-advice-part-ii/

    https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/pivotal-moment-for-both-state-and-church/

    https://www.catholicleague.org/michigan-ag-report-on-lansing-diocese-is-flawed/

    https://stpaulcenter.com/why-are-protestant-bibles-smaller/

    https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2025/02/28/a-pilgrims-guide-to-sodom/

    https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/setting-st-augustine-on-fire

    https://www.glennbeck.com/radio/treason-glenn-feds-epstein-coverup

    https://x.com/i/status/1895647270336602463

    I hope/pray that Sundance is being too pessamistic!? ;-(   ..  https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2025/02/28/reminder-be-practical-with-doj-fbi-expectations/#more-269635

    https://mrctv.org/blog/craig-bannister/rep-ogles-provides-impeachathon-update-exposing-rogue-anti-trump-judges

    I want to know if this Slimy Rainbow Toad is/was an Agent of the ChiCom PLA!??.  THEIR LawFare 10 year persecution of Trump has opened the Door to the Investigation, Prosecution of Traitors and Corrupt Politicians of the highest Ranks. No One is above the Law …. Right!?? I do Hope, this term, that Trump Team is playing 3D Chess?  ..  https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/02/27/tim-walz-claims-america-was-stolen-by-fascists-and-nazis/

    https://hotair.com/

    https://thedailybs.com/news/

    https://www.zerohedge.com

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!!

    Like

  10. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! .. Happy Day!!  😉

    https://onepeterfive.com/colligite-fragmenta-quinquagesima-sunday/

    https://catholicexchange.com/jesus-call-to-self-examination-eighth-sunday-of-ordinary-time/

    https://media.benedictine.edu/this-sunday-jesus-says-to-fight-three-kinds-of-pride-this-lent

    https://www.denvercatholic.org/why-we-need-lent-advice-from-st-benedict

    https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/vance/

    https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/meet-jerusalems-jesus-guy

    https://aleteia.org/2025/03/01/the-best-thing-our-family-ever-did-for-lent

    https://spiritdaily.org/blog/news/us-diocese-of-columbus-sees-number-of-seminarians-double

    https://spiritdailyblog.com/news/grace-comes-when-we-stop-complaining

    https://reclaimthenet.org/the-biden-administration-helped-the-uk-undermine-encryption

    https://www.lifenews.com/2025/02/28/vance-president-trump-has-reversed-bidens-abortion-agenda

    https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/03/01/10-bad-takeaways-from-the-zelenskyy-blowup/

    I’d  like to think/hope that these slimy Prosecutors have kept a Gubmint Job because THEY have agreed to “Turn” and become WhistleBlowers to “exterminate” THEIR former Corrupt Masters!?  ..  https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/02/us-attorney-ed-martin-transfers-crooked-biden-doj/

    https://x.com/paulsperry_/status/1894918689134104851

    https://alexberenson.substack.com/p/special-guest-piece-a-former-fda

    https://floppingaces.net/2025/02/28/the-week-in-radical-leftism-more-from-the-economist/

    https://www.americanthinker.com/

    https://amgreatness.com/

    https://thedailybs.com/news/

    https://www.zerohedge.com

    https://newsbusters.org/

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!!

    Like

  11. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! .. Happy Day!!  😉

    https://praymoreretreat.org/

    https://catholicexchange.com/5-ways-to-fortify-your-prayer-life/

    https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/mar/2/jimmy-carter-jesus-homosexuality/

    https://catholicexchange.com/dont-settle-using-your-god-given-talents-in-the-workplace/

    https://www.ncregister.com/blog/grondelski-march-2-wanda-boniszewska

    https://onepeterfive.com/sir-guy-of-warwick-the-lenten-journey-of-a-christian-knight/

    https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/geopolitics-and-papal-elections

    https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/liturgy-redemption-and-contemplation

    It appears that DemonRats & NeoCon RINO’s put Z-Man “Up to It”. HATE & Destroy Trump is ALL THEY have!  .. https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2025/03/02/did-democrats-sabotage-zelenskyys-meeting-with-trump-before-it-even-started-n4937485   ..  https://www.declassified.live/p/zelensky-temper-tantrum-on-tape  ..  https://gellerreport.com/2025/03/traitors-ukrainevictoria-nuland-susan-rice-alexander-vindman-told-zelensky.html/  ..  https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/victor-davis-hanson-10-bad-takeaways-from-zelenskyy-blow-up  ..  OH!! Where did all OUR $$$ & Weapons go?   EH!!??

    https://townhall.com/columnists/derekhunter/2025/03/02/some-questions-for-our-democrat-enemies-n2653070

    https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4086111/dod-gender-dysphoria-incompatible-with-military-service-members-must-serve-in-a/

    https://spectator.org/why-are-liberal-women-so-unhappy/

    https://thedailybs.com/news/

    https://straightlinelogic.com/2025/03/01/the-turnaround-by-robert-gore/

    https://floppingaces.net/2025/03/02/sunday-funnies-835/

    https://catholicvote.org/read

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/

    https://www.zerohedge.com

    https://newsbusters.org/

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! .. Happy Day!!  😉

    https://catholicexchange.com/the-heart-of-lent-is-change/

    https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/keep-ringin-those-bells

    https://www.catholicleague.org/st-pats-nyc-milestone-march-ten-years-of-betrayal/

    https://catholicexchange.com/is-it-right-to-say-that-we-are-only-human/

    https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/262515/more-gains-for-school-choice-across-the-country

    https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/08/990803073154.htm

    https://notthebee.com/article/someone-is-putting-little-jesus-figurines-all-over-the-us-capitol-?

    https://www.themedjugorjewitness.org/shorts-16

    https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/apostle-happy-death/

    https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/catholics-are-rapidly-losing-ground

    Will the Canuck Catholic Hating Hoaxmongers be held accountable!??  ..  https://thecatholicherald.com/failure-to-find-bodies-ends-canadas-inquiry-in-mass-burials-at-church-run-schools/

    Long Past Time to Dump the EU Freeloaders and give the UN six months to Get Outta de USA!  ..  https://reclaimthenet.org/germany-advice-compass-conspiracy-theories-reporting

    The DemonRat Party of Death … Abortion, Blind Eyes to Drugs/Human Trafficking, Illegal Gangs/Urban Crime & ChinaPlague Hoax-n-VAXX Genocide … ,Of course!!, THEY are ALL in on Child Trans Surgery!  😦  ..  https://modernity.news/2025/03/02/trans-surgeries-increase-risk-of-suicidal-ideation-oxford-study/

    https://catholicvote.org/read

    https://stream.org/category/us/

    https://newsbusters.org/

    https://links.glennbeck.com/view/55d278157d0973635efe6258n4icp.1xkt/c48c18f2

    https://www.zerohedge.com

    https://newsbusters.org/

    https://townhall.com/

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! .. Happy Ash Wednesday!!  😉

    https://catholicmissionarydisciples.com/news/8-ways-to-share-your-catholic-faith-on-ash-wednesday

    http://blog.newadvent.org/2025/03/seven-last-words-are-you-ready-for-40.html

    https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2025/2/brazilian-couple-have-been-married-for-record-84-years-and-have-over-100-grandkids

    https://catholicexchange.com/from-hunger-to-holiness-my-desert-journey-with-spiritual-fasting/

    https://www.markmallett.com/blog/russia-instrument-of-purification/

    https://catholicexchange.com/the-mercy-of-christ-the-meek-and-christ-the-rebuker/

    https://www.ncregister.com/news/msgr-james-shea-national-catholic-prayer-breakfast

    https://www.catholicleague.org/vatican-finally-does-right-by-accused-priests/

    https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/a-people-defined-by-sacrifice-ukraine-weigel

    https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/baby-cakes-the-news-and-saving-lives

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2025/03/04/happy-mardi-gras-3/  ..  https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2025/03/05/ash-wednesday/

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2025/03/04/seven-ways-from-sunday-group-select-one-of-their-own-to-deliver-state-of-the-union-rebuttal/  ..  https://sashastone.substack.com/p/congratulations-democrats-you-disgusted  .. 

    https://www.theburningplatform.com/2025/03/04/fake-gay-3/

    https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2025/03/04/the-dems-contempt-for-a-little-kid-with-cancer-was-beyond-deplorable-n2653276

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/

    https://www.frontpagemag.com/

    https://justthenews.com/

    https://www.zerohedge.com

    https://newsbusters.org/

    https://www.newsmax.com/

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 1 person

  14. OOPS, what I wanted to post was Jeff Childers Coffee & Covid‘s take down of this NYT post. But I’m not a paid subscriber and can’t seem to get the link. So this is copy and pasted from my email this morning.   LITTLE RED HENS ☙ Thursday, March 6, 2025 ☙ C&C NEWS SCOTUS outmaneuvers Judge Ali. Maybe y’all can do it.

    🌍

    🔥
    🔥
    🔥

    Yesterday afternoon, the New York Times raced to run a top-of-page story headlined, “Supreme Court Rejects Trump’s Bid to Freeze Foreign Aid.” This morning, it was all but missing, shrunk to a small-font trailer on the Times’ home page. They figured out that it wasn’t good news for them.

    image 3.png

    So far as I can tell, the phrase “waiting for the other shoe to drop” reportedly first appeared in a joke printed in Tacoma, Washington’s Evening News in 1902. It went something like this:

    “What was that?” A lodger in a New York apartment house had just gone to bed when he heard a shoe fall on the floor in the room above.

    A minute later, he was still wide awake, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Finally, unable to stand the suspense, he shouted at the top of his lungs: “For heaven’s sake, drop the other shoe!”

    For perfectly understandable reasons, conservatives these days are overwhelmed with all the good news. It is almost too much. We can’t believe our good fortune. And one side effect of all this relentless blessing has made us nervous as sheep before a shearing. We keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. At the first sign of stormy weather, some of us are far too quick to start pointing the bony finger of blame and forecasting falling skies.

    It happened again yesterday, after a minor Supreme Court setback stirred the conservative-sphere into furious anger. Corporate media piled on, of course, and inflated the tiny scrap of good news (for them) into one of those wavy-armed marketing balloon men. But as I have counseled many times, we must learn to ignore the hot takes and await calmer waters before engaging our emotions.

    image 5.png

    👨‍⚖️ The news was that, on procedural grounds, in a brief (one page) 5-4 split decision, the Court denied President Trump’s request to stay Judge Ali’s bizarre TRO ordering the Administration to pay out $2 billion in totally wasteful (or worse) USAID money. The four justices in the minority signed a scathing seven-page dissent, which fueled even more conservative angst. Conservative commenters eagerly discarded stare decisis in favor of reams of posts analyzing Justice Coney Barret’s stares of death at Tuesday night’s presidential address.

    image.png

    Maybe. I have no idea what anti-Trump motives may lurk in Justice Coney Barrett’s mind, or whether she was just thinking about how, if her husband asks her one more time to find the spicy pickles when they were literally right there on the top shelf, that’s it, she’s getting a divorce. Same face.

    Either way, it is far too soon to throw the Supreme Court baby out with the TRO bathwater. Nor should Amy give up on her marriage, either, since any replacement husband will be just as helpless when it comes to locating condiments. It’s a biological imperative.

    👨‍⚖️ Let’s dial down the burners of outrage and seek understanding of the decision itself. It was unsigned. It did not order Trump to pay anybody anything. Both Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Coney Barrett joined. (Which is another reason to ignore all the “Coney Barrett hates Trump” memes— remember, Chief Justice Roberts was who originally stayed the TRO that required Trump to pay the $2 billion by midnight. He joined the Majority, and nobody’s analyzing his body language. Let the libs think Coney Barrett hates Trump.)

    The motion had arrived at the Supreme Court in an odd procedural posture. The DC Circuit had refused to hear the appeal, since it was an appeal from an “unappealable” short-term TRO. So one of the confusing issues was … exactly which order was on appeal to the Supremes? Judge Ali’s TRO order? Or the DC Circuit’s order refusing to hear the case? If the latter, which makes much more procedural sense, then the Supremes’ only option was to reverse the DC Circuit, uselessly bouncing the case back down so that hostile bench could performatively render an opinion that everybody knows would have upheld the TRO anyway.

    I get it; we were all frustrated that the Court didn’t break the chain of command by reaching right over the lower appellate court and slapping Judge Ali’s TRO order right out of his hand, and that’s unfortunate. For its own reasons, the Court decided not to break several standing protocols. But … did it really toss President Trump under the bus and burn two billion dollars? Or did it throw Judge Ali under the bus?

    image 4.png

    The Court’s weapon is brains, not brawn. And if we stop to read the Court’s order, we find it slyly pulled Ali’s fangs, pushed him onto procedural quicksand, and invited Trump to appeal again as soon as Ali overreaches. Despite corporate media’s fondest wish, this was not a ‘whee! Trump just lost!’ moment.

    It was a temporary strategic defeat teeing up a win. I’ll prove it.

    The brief order included one long sentence that threw Trump several lifelines. Since, given all the conservative black-pilled hysteria over the decision, my analysis will be considered controversial, let’s carefully examine the order’s text:

    image 2.png

    Every single word has meaning. “The deadline in the challenged order has now passed” reinforced that Trump is no longer under any deadline at all. It’s gone. Judge Ali must now issue a new order setting a new deadline, all in the context of the looming March 10th date when his TRO expires four days from now. Ali’s new deadline-resetting order could be appealed again.

    More significantly, Judge Ali must soon hold a full preliminary injunction hearing, providing even more opportunities for Trump to appeal— this time on the merits, such as on his argument for sovereign immunity (strongly endorsed in the Dissent), rather than appealing on much weaker procedural grounds.

    Second, the Majority said “the District Court should clarify what obligations the Government must fulfill.” In other words, the Court, in effect, partially granted Trump’s appeal. The phrase suggested that Judge Ali’s original order requiring the government to pay all the contracts by midnight was simply too broad and lacked a good reason.

    This places Judge Ali in a diabolical judicial minefield— his next order clarifying the original order has to provide more words, increasing the chances the inexperienced jurist will stumble on a buried appellate landmine.

    The third requirement, that Ali’s next order must include “due regard for the feasibility of any compliance deadlines,” means that the Court told Judge Ali, “no more same-day deadlines.” It’s bigger than it look. Ali now must hold a hearing to allow argument over the government’s needs for time, to ensure that payments are feasible. This is all while the clock is ticking on holding the emergency preliminary injunction hearing.

    If Judge Ali must have a hearing anyway, why not just go ahead and hold the preliminary injunction hearing, rather than a separate hearing to find out what should be in the next intermediate TRO order?

    The bottom line is, it’s probably impossible for Judge Ali to satisfy those three reasonable-sounding conditions in the time remaining before the substantive hearing on the preliminary injunction.

    Am I just seeing a glass half-full? Let’s discuss that next.

    👨‍⚖️ Your first question should be, if they wanted to help, why not just grant Trump’s appeal? By issuing a conditional order rather than outright overruling the TRO, the Court wins at least two ways. First, overruling the TRO required changing the law to the Court’s detriment. TRO’s are normally considered unappealable. This rule significantly reduces the work all federal appellate courts have to do, and normally it isn’t a big deal, because TRO’s are intended to be of very limited scope and duration.

    If the Court did change the non-appealability rule for President Trump, it would create precedent, it would be much more controversial, and it would create LOTS more future work for itself and for the Circuits.

    Second, this way the Supreme Court scored a major political win by ruling against Trump, which shows “independence,” non-king-making, and adherence to the black-letter “rule of law.” But with a single scalpel-sharp sentence, the one-page order stripped Ali of any realistic way to revive his pay-now order—without either violating the Court’s conditions or tripping another appeal.

    Here is where the Dissent’s hammer struck the Majority’s nail. We’ll now answer your second question— if the Majority order actually helped Trump without helping him, why was the Dissent so harshly written?

    I’d hoped you’d ask that.

    👨‍⚖️ Supreme Court certioari — its agreement to hear a case — needs four Justices. In this case, fully four (4) Justices signed the barn-burning dissent that was seven times longer than the Majority opinion itself. This was a signal to Judge Ali roughly comparable to a baseball bat with the word “stop” painted on the end. The muscular Dissent signaled that, if Judge Ali strays even a little over the line, Trump will be right back in front of the Supremes, tout de suite, courtesy of the furious four.

    Furthermore, with the current 5-4 split, and with four already fired up, even inexperienced Judge Ali knows he has zero margin for error— he’s riding a banana peel down a razor’s edge. If he stretches at all, such as by short-shrifting any of the Majority’s three requirements, and loses a single judge — either Roberts or Coney Barrett — he’ll be a dead skunk.

    Find, there’s even more.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Glad I finally found all of you again! Beckita or anyone else, how can I find out why I stopped receiving the emails for these new posts from Charlie?

    I just saw a previous comment by you, Sister Bear, about “DataRepublican”, and happened to watch an interview with her today. Jaw dropping is all I can think of! Not that we’re surprised that there really is a “shadow government”. These people Elon is using to work with DOGE are brilliant, probably genius level! May the Lord protect them all.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, Annie, DataRepublican is a remarkable, intelligent, and brave woman. She is also a woman of faith.

      God bless,

      Sister Bear

      Like

  16. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! .. Happy Day!!  😉

    https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/a-forgotten-defender-of-tradition

    https://catholicexchange.com/lessons-from-my-wardrobe-for-lent/

    https://www.lifenews.com/2025/03/07/wyoming-legislature-overrides-governor-gordon-passes-key-pro-life-bil

    https://mailchi.mp/jkmi/all-souls-day-4306024?e=b654649ef1

    https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/when-will-we-fully-embrace-council/

    https://www.catholicleague.org/celebrating-abortionists-is-sick/

    https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/262593/new-movie-the-last-supper-depicts-jesus-last-days-told-through-the-eyes-of-his-followers

    https://stpaulcenter.com/posts/biblical-hope-in-the-face-of-suicide

    https://www.newoxfordreview.org/documents/heaven-a-stumbling-block/

    https://firstthings.com/hide-the-crucifix-or-lose-your-job/

    https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/in-defense-of-fr-ripperger

    https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/genetic-therapy-brings-life-changing-vision-improvements-for-infants

    How Nice!!  ;-(  . https://chicago.suntimes.com/religion/2025/03/08/pope-francis-blase-cupich-cardinal-chicago-wilton-gregory-robert-prevost-vatican-catholic-church

    https://theacru.org/2025/03/04/the-modern-day-redcoats/

    https://reclaimthenet.org/skypes-demise-the-best-open-source-alternatives-for-secure-communication

    https://floppingaces.net/2025/03/08/the-week-in-radical-leftism-more-from-the-washington-post-2/

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/

    https://www.americanthinker.com/

    https://thedailybs.com/news/

    https://www.zerohedge.com

    https://www.wnd.com/category/front-page/

    https://newsbusters.org/

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!!

    Like

  17. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! .. Happy Day!!  😉

    https://catholicexchange.com/the-desert-mission-first-sunday-of-lent/

    https://spiritdaily.org/blog/commentary/mediating-on-temptations

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2025/03/09/first-sunday-of-lent-2/

    https://onepeterfive.com/the-universal-authority-of-st-thomas-aquinas/

    https://onepeterfive.com/nicaraguas-imprisoned-bp-alvarez-echoes-cdl-pell-what-sustained-me-was-prayer/

    https://spiritdaily.org/blog/news/american-priest-emil-kapaun-one-step-closer-to-sainthood

    https://spiritdailyblog.com/afterlife/the-other-side-glimpses-at-the-moment-of-death

    https://www.dailywire.com/news/catholic-advocacy-group-praises-trump-for-crackdown-on-anti-christian-attacks

    https://catholicfamilynews.com/blog/2025/03/08/father-michael-mcmahon-sspx-on-father-faheys-controversial-vision-of-church-and-state-catholic-family-news-2025-conference/

    https://onepeterfive.com/canada-canzuk-and-mr-trump/

    The DC Swamp Uni-Party Criminal Grifters are VERY afraid of Trump and his Musk Team of Corruption Busting Computer Geeks! …. and why Trump and Friends should be VERY afraid of Assassins of ALL Varieties!  ..  https://www.foxnews.com/politics/meet-sandra-whitehouse-whose-husbands-votes-funneled-millions-ngo-pays-her .. https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2025/03/scandals_the_bubblegum_pink_resistance_and_lawfare.html .. https://x.com/CitizenFreePres/status/1898724379258650986

    https://www.theburningplatform.com/2025/03/08/its-progress-dummy/

    https://floppingaces.net/2025/03/09/sunday-funnies-836/

    https://www.frontpagemag.com/

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/

    https://newsbusters.org/

    https://thedailybs.com/news/

    https://www.zerohedge.com

    https://www.wnd.com/category/front-page/

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!!

    Like

  18. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! .. Happy Day!!  😉

    https://www.renewamerica.com/columns/abbott/210816

    https://catholicexchange.com/how-prayer-began-in-the-early-church-just-being-with-god/

    https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/starting-a-schism-so-easy-its-not-funny

    https://catholicexchange.com/make-jeremiah-your-spiritual-companion-this-lent/

    https://www.ncregister.com/blog/9-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-mysterious-temptation-of-jesus

    https://spiritdailyblog.com/news/a-mysterious-painting

    https://catholicexchange.com/overcoming-laziness/

    https://survivethenews.com/wayne-root-the-criminal-case-against-barack-obama-part-3-direct-from-a-cia-insider-the-gateway-pundit/

    I’m thinking (hoping) that in next few months we will be hearing about scores of DC Swamp Creatures losing THEIR Memories along with the “Memories” on THEIR Phones/PCs … OH! Lots of mysterious fires, thefts, disappearances and accidents too..  https://townhall.com/tipsheet/saraharnold/2025/03/10/democrats-make-wild-claims-about-the-continuing-resolution-n2653515

    Let Us Pray that the Saints are guiding the Global Leaders of Good Will and St Michael is thwarting THEM that are not!  ..  https://responsiblestatecraft.org/us-grand-strategy/

    https://genflynn.substack.com/p/enough-is-enough

    https://crisismagazine.com/

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/

    https://www.newsmax.com/

    https://thedailybs.com/news/

    https://www.zerohedge.com

    https://links.glennbeck.com/view/55d278157d0973635efe6258n6h2p.1s69/4a8fd53e

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/

    https://www.wnd.com/category/front-page/

    https://www.westernjournal.com/

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.