Transitions

Posted on by charliej373

By Charlie Johnston

Our community lost one of its charter supporters and friends to begin Lent. Anne Baker passed away at 101 in the assisted living facility where she had been in Florida for the past couple of years on the morning of Ash Wednesday. Anne was the mother of our dear friend and chief science consultant, Steve Baker.

A long-time resident of Hyannisport, Massachusetts, Anne was the quintessential Yankee woman: shrewd, sharp, wryly funny, lively, and a superb conversationalist. She was the four-time women’s champion at Hyannisport Country Club – and played golf well into her 90’s. She taught me how to eat a whole lobster – and taught me that the “c” in “Quincy” (both the Massachusetts city and the sixth president, is properly pronounced with a “z” sound, not an “s” sound.

Their home looked right out over Nantucket Sound and was barely a block from the late President John Kennedy’s home. When I was there, I usually set up by a bay window looking out on the sound. The pier where President Kennedy held court with the locals (and where he was often photographed) was just to the right in my view. It was my favorite makeshift “office” in the country.

Anne’s son, our Steve BC, was with her and supervised her care full time these last few years. He is assessing now what projects he will emphasize going forward. He was an important contributor during my terrible bout of Covid a few years back and was one of the people I consulted with most closely in developing the protocol that knocked back the aggressive prostate cancer I discovered I had last June. Though he does not have a medical degree, he comes up with therapeutic approaches that work. I trust his judgment on medical matters more than any but one very prominent doctor I knew in the Midwest.

Steve saw and felt the presence of God profoundly in his mother’s final days. Anne and I took such delight in each other and our banter, that Steve touchingly told me that, “we had lost our mother.” I know this much: we have a passionate new advocate in the next life – and the level of conversation in that life has recently been nicely elevated.

*********

The big news from the weekend is the attack on Iran after it ignored the deadline President Trump set for foreswearing nuclear weapons. Of course the left (and the Vichy Republicans) are screaming to high heaven that we are taking out yet another murderous dictator. They talk about starting another “forever” war. Man, these guys are slow on the uptake. Trump does not do forever wars…but he has been mighty good at decisively ending forever wars that others started and allowed to fester for years or decades.

I was 23 years old when the late Jimmy Carter helped push the Shah of Iran aside to make way for the Islamic takeover of Iran. Forty-seven years of fecklessness later, we finally have a president who decided to put the premier sponsor of anti-American terrorism out of business. Makes me proud to be an American, pure and simple.

I am a fan of a lot of things Harry Truman did as president, but I think his worst mistake was developing the concept of “limited” war for Korea. It is, I believe, the primary cause of all the “forever” wars that have been mounted since. I do not believe in limited war. I believe we should use diplomatic means as much as we can. When they fail and war is necessary to protect American interests, then I believe it should be with overwhelming force that insists on unconditional surrender as the only acceptable outcome. I do not believe in proportional responses. Avoid war assiduously…and when it cannot be avoided, strike with decisive, overwhelming force. If a war is decided quickly, that saves a lot more lives than letting it drone on for years and years for fear of acting decisively, lest it be considered mean.

I am happy to see, in the last chapters of my life, a hideous offense that erupted in the first chapters being put to rest – but not near as happy as all the Iranians who can finally see liberation after a long, national nightmare.

*********

Pope Leo has called for peace in the Middle East – for Israel and the US to back down. He did not offer any serious suggestions on how to effectively stop the violent oppression, torture, murder and international terrorism of the Islamic regime in Iran except to suggest more of what has failed for 47 years: more diplomacy. (Read the first two paragraphs in the “After the Angelus” section).

I am wearied and embarrassed by the Catholic hierarchy’s feckless and truly immoral approach to these serious issues of war and peace. Effectively, they would empower murderous tyrants. They define “peace” as allowing those tyrants to oppress, torture, and murder with impunity while good people do nothing effective. How is that peace?

Peace, in the Christian sense, is NOT just the absence of open conflict, anymore than love is just the absence of enmity. Peace, like love, is a positive, active virtue that nurtures and gives hope, warmth, freedom, and room for growth. This business of never disturbing a murderous tyrant on his rounds except to plead uselessly for negotiation is not a call for peace. It is pathetic and embarrassing. And I am sick to death of hearing ignorant virtue signalers proclaim that, “violence never solved anything.” The heck it didn’t! The violent resolve of good people stopped the Nazis and, in fact, about four-fifths of every murderous tyrant who has ever been stopped. So, naturally, the hierarchy, which pretends to moral enlightenment, condemns subjects and opponents of these murderous tyrants to unending brutality – and call it peace. It is absolutely immoral.  It disgusts me. Unless these hierarchs repent, they are going to face a bitter accounting when they stand before God.

Of course, the hierarchy has NO authority on matters of political policy, economics, or science. They have authority over matters of faith and morals. So, naturally, they speak in thundering tones on matters they have no authority over and even less knowledge about – and are ambiguous and timid about the things they are actually responsible to God and man for. It seems the modern hierarchy aspires to be the left-wing, globalist, ideology at prayer. For their efforts, the actual left-wing globalists still hold them in deep contempt and they forfeit the respect of people like me, who desperately wish to be able to respect them.

The actual Magisterium of the Catholic Church is noble and inspiring. Modern hierarchs’ pronouncements are largely efforts to distract from it and undermine its clear language. I am an absolutely committed Catholic because of that Magisterium (which includes the Holy Bible), not because I am impressed by the feckless clowns who run the Church these days. If you use refined, Scholastic language to prop up an idiocy, you are not refined. You have just slapped lipstick on your ignorant, piggish, buffoonery.

I do NOT believe my Christian conscience requires me to sit on the sidelines and impotently wring my hands while my neighbors are being brutalized with impunity. And no Bishop or Pope will ever persuade me otherwise.

How long, O Lord?

*********

I turned 70 last week. It doesn’t feel any different than 69 did. But it feels a LOT different than 25 or 40 did.

I was very touched by the outpouring of good wishes from old high school friends, CORAC members, political friends and so many others. I have known people who were desperately lonely as they reached 70. I am often desperately tired, but thanks be to God, loneliness is not a problem for me.

What was most touching is the open, deep and earnest regard and affection my children and grandchildren showed me on the occasion. Family dynamics are an epic saga. There are more than a few rough patches along the way. But boy, it sure is good to enter into the evening years of my life and feel that affection radiating from those I raised – people who have seen me both at my best and my worst. I am profoundly thankful. My son joked that, when he is 70, he hopes to be able to call and wish me a happy 100th birthday, I laughed and said that I hoped to be lucid enough to understand what he is saying then. My daughter did a Facebook collection of photos and videos, including my son’s kids singing Happy Birthday to me.

I know some of you have been worried that I have been sick, it has been so long since I last posted. Healthwise, all is normal. But I have been in the last few weeks of managing a very hard-fought closely contested campaign. Today, thank goodness, is primary election day in Texas. So I will rapidly get back to normal and balance all things well, God willing.

 

 

Not Colonel Sanders, but me on the last day I was 69

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

69 thoughts on “Transitions”

  2. Deepest condolences have been expressed to you already, Steve. I simply wish for every aging person the kind of love and care you faithfully gave your dear mother. Praying for the repose of her precious soul as well as praying for comfort for all who love her.

    Liked by 7 people

  6. Steve, I pray that Jesus and our Blessed Mother have brought you consolation. May your sweet mother rest in peace. I agree with Beckita about wishing every mother a faithful, loving son as you!

    Charlie, praying for your candidate to win!! Perhaps a belated birthday present for you? 😊

    Liked by 6 people

  7. Steve,Your mom was(is) a gift.  I am honored to know both you and her!Doug—- Sent from Doug’s Back PackYou can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of ignoring reality.” – Ayn Rand

    Liked by 5 people

  8. Omgosh Stevebc I just read the first paragraph and I’m so so so very sorry for your loss!!! I had to write right away before reading the rest of Charlie’s newest piece!!! May God give you great graces while you go though the grief I’m sure you’re feeling!!! Hang in there kiddo! We’ll be praying for you and mom!!!🥰🥰🤗🤗👼👼🙏🙏❤️❤️

    Liked by 3 people

  9. Steve, prayers have been offered for your mother’s soul. May she rest in peace.

    Great to hear you’re in good health, Charlie, and you’re looking wonderful – très distingué, even 😄

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you so much, JayKay. I am certain she is indeed in much more caring and capable hands than mine now, and that very much reassures me.

      Liked by 2 people

  10. Charlie, your words about my mother have deeply affected me. I so appreciate them and that you would explain to everyone here the same.

    To all here: On the night before my mother died, I had an aha! moment when I saw the events of the last year and a half of her life as a unit, where the beginning events and our decisions made then affected the decisions made at the end a couple weeks ago. Because of this insight, I knew what was wrong with her, how to fix it (easily) starting the next day, and that if I did, she would likely live another few years. So I also understood how the events of the previous few weeks had kept me from this understanding until that evening and that it was very likely that my mother was choosing that night to go Home.

    I had to stay late that night and left a little after midnight. Knowing what I then understood, I leaned over her as she was sleeping, and I said, “I love you, Mom. It’s OK to leave.” And I went to my home and to sleep.

    My mother’s favorite caregiver arrived at her normal time at 8 am the next morning. My mother was still sleeping but woke up as her caregiver bustled about, setting up for the day. This caregiver had given my mother 4-5 years of unconditional love, and my mother loved her. My mother waited all night, waited while her caregiver bustled about and then came over to begin the day’s activities. At that moment my mother looked at her caregiver, smiled, and breathed out her last breath. From my message the night before, my mother chose to wait 8 hours until she could see her caregiver and say goodbye with that loving smile. And she was gone.

    God’s hand was clearly in the mix throughout the past few weeks and the year and a half prior, and in the two weeks after.

    I’m doing very well now. It’s so clarifying and calming to see how God was there for us throughout. I have no regrets, nothing left undone. And now I am looking forward to addressing all the myriad of tasks and projects that I have had to set aside over the past six years while I cared for my mother. A chapter in my life has closed, while a new one is opening. God – and life – are good. 🙂

    I welcome any and all good wishes, I thank all who send their condolences either here in writing or by simple thought, and to those who send prayers for my Mom my deepest appreciation.

    Liked by 10 people

    1. Oh Steve, what a grace! I’m so happy for you – that you can now see God’s hand in all of it! Sobbing!!!!

      Love to you and prayers for your mama – and her prayers for us!

      Becky

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Ha, Becky, I would have had to have deliberately turned away from all the signs not to see them. We’re so used to thinking of God as that “still, small voice” inside us that almost always is so faint we can’t hear what is said. These were right out in front of us. Hammers on thick steel plates!

        That’s why I knew to say my final message to my mother, among other things. May God bless you, Becky. 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

    2. My deepest sympathy to you Steve, in the loss of your loving Mother. I wish I had met her. May she intercede for you and for all of us here below. God Bless You Always.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you, Diane. 🙂

        Charlie will confirm to you that there were times in her life when my mother was more like a force of nature. For example, in the early 1960s when she was a newbie member of the village’s golf club, she found out that the Club would not let her best friend in because they didn’t let Jews in. Hoo, boy, that didn’t last long. She changed a 70-year-old stodgy institution in about two months, then went on to be a four-time Women’s Club Champion golfer there, worked to create with a friend the Club’s most important annual women’s golf tournament, eventually the first and only Member Emeritus (the Club created that status just for her), and was an honorary member of the Donald Ross Society.

        Just to play golf with her friends!

        Liked by 5 people

    3. Steve – Please accept my sincerest condolences and sympathy on the passing of your mother. My thoughts and prayers 🙏 are with you, and may God have mercy on her soul … may she rest in peace.

      Liked by 3 people

  13. God bless your mom Steve.

    I had a tough two weeks myself with my youngest daughter loosing her pregnancy (at 14 weeks) last week and my oldest and best friend dying today in the ICU at 71.

    The scriptural passage of Job has been heavy on my mind:

    “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

    Liked by 6 people

  14. Happy belated birthday, Charlie. Glad you’re feeling well. My condolences, Steve, but what a wonderful life your mother lived with a fantastic son! I have valued your advice many times and am grateful that you’re here with us all.

    I so agree, Charlie, with your comments about the Church. May we soon have the Pope who will declare the title of Mother Mary that will bring her Triumph! The world surely did change over the weekend. I hope enough humans are praying!

    Liked by 5 people

  15. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! .. Happy Day 😉 ..  Pray for The USA & Prepare!!

    I’m saddened by your loss, Steve, but your Mom is not ill/old anymore. You are quite fortunate to have kept Mom in your Life for so long. I lost my Folks before I was 40 but think about, pray for/thru them every day 😉

    This Iran War is just part of a Trump/MAGA shift to counter China, disengage from National suicidal/godless WEF EU/NATO and “Take Care of Business” in Our Hemisphere! Address Narco States, Drug/Human Trafficker Cartels, Energy Independence plus rectify the damage caused by Obama’s Three DC Terms!

    “If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without blood shed; if you will not fight when your victory is sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves.”― Winston S. Churchill

    https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/indigenous-tribe-admits-search-has-found-no-graves-or-bodies-at-former-residential-schools/

    https://www.vigilantfox.com/p/the-four-overlooked-drivers-of-autoimmune

    https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/the-year-in-review-mahas-wins-dmso

    https://townhall.com/columnists/kurtschlichter/2026/02/23/when-the-law-is-optional-you-have-tyranny-n2671687

    https://amgreatness.com/2026/02/22/the-lefts-elastic-principles-on-judicial-authority/

    https://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2026/02/23/florida-gop-pushes-to-allow-churches-to-use-volunteer-security-rather-than-pay-for-licensed-guards/

    https://www.markmallett.com/blog/the-line-in-the-sand/

    I voted/did my Civic Duty in the AR Primary Today. Nothing too important as in TX Primary but ALL USA Citizens of Faith & Old Time Civic Principles MUST be involved or …… ? ;-(

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/02/28-voter-verifications-have-no-match-social-security/

    There has been Voter Fraud in the USA since the ink was drying on The Constitution in 1787! …. but how do we know, these past 70 years, that the VAST majority of Voter Fraud is perpetrated by the DemonRat (formerly Democrat) Party? It’s quite elementary my dear friends and countrymen! If there is significant GOP Fraud, the DemonRat Party controlled “Media” would be hootin’ & hollerin’ 24/7 about Fraud ….. but …. “Crickets” ….!??

    https://catholicvote.org/read

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/

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

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/

    htps://thedailybs.com/news/

    https://www.zerohedge.com

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 1 person

  16. These wars seem more like chickens coming home to roost. In 2014 our CIA overthrew the legitimately elected government of Ukraine. In 1953 our CIA overthrew the legitimately elected government of Iran. I see a pattern developing.

    Liked by 2 people

  17. I would like to offer my condolences to Steve for the loss of his dear Mother , Ann.

    Steve is a very generous person, to whom I owe my gratitude.

    Steve, I embrace you

    Liked by 2 people

  19. Charlie! Great piece!!! Are you allowed to say which candidate you were helping?

    Personally, I thank God Jasmine Crocket got ousted!!! 😬🤗🤪🙏🥳

    Liked by 3 people

    1. AND Dan Crenshaw! He really lit up a room – with disdain and hatred. Seemingly nothing like when we first elected him.

      Charlie, did your guy win? I have to admit, I have been trying to figure it out, but am in the dark.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Steve, I am so sorry for your loss and so happy for heavens gain! I pray for you to take an appropriate time off and then jump into your life once again with both feet.
    Gosh! Your mom sounds so delightful! When I wrote the obituary for my mom I was so surprised at all she had done. When we look back I wonder what opportunities I have missed. God bless your endeavors.

    Charlie, I wished you a happy birthday on Facebook, but not sure I said, “Many more!” I do wish you many more birthdays, Charlie, you youngster!😄

    God bless us all ~ katey in OR🌦️🌹🪻🙏🏽✝️

    Liked by 2 people

  21. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! .. Happy Day 😉 ..  Pray for The USA & Prepare!!

    https://www.catholicleague.org/church-invasions-are-nothing-new/

    https://catholicexchange.com/salesian-spirituality-for-lent-prayer-sacraments/

    https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/flores-birthright/

    https://afn.net/legal-courts/2026/03/04/high-court-ruling-on-parental-rights-blew-up-californias-trifecta-of-harm

    https://www.ncregister.com/news/anthropic-pentagon-ai-ethics

    https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/trans-tide-turning

    https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/beyond-iran-deal-why-trumps-refusal-kick-can-just-saved-generations

    https://amgreatness.com/2026/03/03/trumps-way-of-war/

    https://patriotfetch.com/2026/03/arab-nations-coalition-against-iran-geopolitical-shift/

    https://www.dailysignal.com/2026/03/02/virginias-largest-public-school-district-is-unraveling/

    ttps://allenwest.substack.com/p/american-story

    https://www.coffeeandcovid.com/p/fraud-and-outreach-wednesday-march

    https://patriotpost.us/digests/125620-mid-day-digest-2026-03-04

    https://links.glennbeck.com/view/55d278157d0973635efe6258qhir1.14sf/0db34e4d

    https://www.americanthinker.com/

    https://thedailybs.com/news/

    https://www.zerohedge.com

    https://townhall.com/

    https://amgreatness.com/

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

    https://hotair.com/

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Deepest condolences, Steve. Belated happy birthday, Charlie…

    Not sure about Iran, all I know is if gas prices keep skyrocketing, and they rose 70 cents per gallon since invasion, Republicans are done in the upcoming midterms.

    Also, tv stations mourning lives of 4 adult American soldiers, yet nobody says sorry for killing over one hundred school girls aged 7-12 in that recent US strike in Minab. Zero shame.

    IDF recently shared that they were able to eliminate over 70K civilians in Gaza, that is mostly women, children and the elderly. They sometimes call the process “lawn mowing.”

    So now most likely Democrats regain power midterms and presidency due to skyrocketing gas prices and consequently of all goods and services, then Israel will lose full support of USA and Israel with population of 9 million will find itself surrounded by tens of millions of enraged muslims. It does not look good long-term for Israel…

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Watching the wrong news, Pawel. 1. School strike reported by IRGC – always be skeptical! Actually, not us, not IDF, probably IRGC! 2. School on military base. 3. School not in session. = NO schoolgirls harmed! All this has been reported per Toulsi TV; Dr Turley; and Pete Hegseth.

      Like

  24. I’m most definitely skeptical about this war. For one, I’m not sure what the overall end game strategy is. Is it regime change? If so I don’t think the chances of this happening are very high. It’s likely that a new regime is worse, or that we have civil war and no regime at all. Based on past Middle East experience, a quagmire can develop and go in many unpredictable and dangerous directions. Often it means more terrorist attacks and destruction, not less. Changing regime and maintaining it will almost certainly require a ground invasion but I don’t consider that likely or if tried, successful. If done it’s definitely a long war, not a short one.

    Second, do we have enough missile defense projectiles to sustain a defensive shield over the region? I don’t think the numbers are in our favor, based on what I’ve heard thus far. We really really have to stop their missile firing capacity, and it will have to be done pretty quickly.

    Third: can we reopen the Strait of Hormuz and protect Gulf state oil and gas production and export? If we can’t then we have a massive economic/energy crisis on our hands that may spiral into a food crisis.

    Fourth, does this risk greater China retaliation and what would that mean?

    Hopefully these things don’t go south but it’s a huge gamble.

    Lake

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Re the war…….Steve Witcoff claims that Iranian negotiators told him and Jared Kushner that they possessed enough highly enriched uranium to produce 11 nuclear bombs in 10 days. That is how they started the negotiations and they were proud of this. Of course, this does not sound like a peaceful intent.

      My understanding is that the goal of the war is to destroy Iran’s ability to attack any state. Trump says his intent is not regime change though that would be a welcome outcome. I doubt that this is probable since there are many people appointed in every level of Iran’s government that were fully loyal to the deceased leader.

      Apparently Ukraine has successfully countered Iran-designed Shahed drones with rather inexpensive methods and the U.S and other nations are seeking assistance in replicating their method.

      It is interesting that this whole situation results in a China that is much weaker since it will no longer get oil from either Iran or Venezuela. China was an ally of both counties and was building spheres of influence.

      We all see the risks: The closing of the Strait of Hormuz. rising oil prices and possible shortages in various countries that will affect the world economy, food production and prices (due to required fertilizer), possible sleeper cells motivated to attack the U.S., and more.

      The girl’s school that was destroyed was adjacent to an Iranian guard station/barracks. It is possible that it was hit in error. Reports are that this is being investigated.

      There has never been a war without loss of life. Sometimes this includes innocent life. And we surely mourn this loss.

      Let’s pray that our leaders may have discernment and wisdom granted by the Holy Spirit in all the decisions they make. Let’s pray for the best outcome and an early end.

      Like

      1. Judy, Benjamin Netanyahu keeps saying that Iran will have the nuclear weapons ready to use within few weeks/months since …. 1995, it is on record. Also, last year when Israel and USA bombed Iran, Tulsi Gabbard, the head of US intelligence agencies,said that according to the US intelligence Iran was not working on nuclear bombs. Despite that, Trump apparently pushed by Netanyahu did what he did last year and doing what he’s doing now. And as a consequence Republicans are pretty much done.

        Like

        1. Pawel, if you haven’t figured out yet that nobody pushes Trump around, I don’t know what to say. It is true that Trump will act in response to other players, but he’s just taking another route to his same goal. As far as I can tell, Trump’s support is holding just fine.

          If Trump and the military can combine with the Iranian people who want to return to being Persia,, we may see something that will absolutely shock the Middle East far more than this war. Iran is approaching almost 50% Christian, according to what I see and hear. Those who want to return to being Persian, if given the chance, will announce their previous conversion or make the shift after they achieve their freedom. Persia will be a majority Christian nation by 2030 at the latest and possibly much earlier now, if the war succeeds in freeing their people.

          Consider the impact of that on other Muslim nations, where Jesus and Mary have also been appearing to many for the past 2-3 decades.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. I do not envision regime change happening, Steve. I do not believe the civilian population is armed. We just saw that the Iranian Guard killed from 7,000 to 36,000 brave protesters this year.

            Khameni placed people loyal to him in every level of government and there is likely someone who will be appointed to the highest seat of power who has shown himself to be a loyalist to Khameni.

            Trump’s goal was to eliminate Iran’s ability to use an atomic bomb and wage war against those they consider to be their enemies. He may accomplish this. (Maybe he has already.) They still have the enriched uranium ( to 60 per cent) and it could eventually be a problem. He would like to get it out of there, but how? I think boots on the ground are a horrible idea and the American public would not accept it. It would lead to a long, long expensive war with loss of American lives.

            The Strait of Hormuz remains a huge concern. They could wage an economic war against the whole world by continued disruptions. Iran has a very large coastline on the Strait of Hormuz. Even if the mine laying ships are destroyed, we have seen today that they can still attack ships with projectiles of “unknown origin”. No, the ships were not sunk but I believe that one’s engine was disabled. It only takes one oil ship to be sunk to disrupt the Strait for months.

            Today FBI has warned California to be alert for possible attacks. Is this possible at this point in time? Then there is the probability of sleeper cells in the U.S. It is unlikely that our homeland will not be left unscathed. I mean when Trump calls an end to hostilities and bombing, will it truly be the end?

            I am sure we are all praying for the best outcome. May Christ have mercy on us all.

            Like

            1. I wouldn’t downplay any of your concerns, Judy. However, let me point out a few things.

              1. Trump knows what his goals are. We do not. His *stated* goal is the nuke one, but I have long since given up assuming what he says is his goal is his only goal. Ultimately, this isn’t about Iran. It’s whatever is required to get Venezuela, Iran, Cuba and the Ukraine settled and removed as tools of the Deep State. He’s operating at a level we simply don’t have enough information to see.
              2. My comment about the Christian population in Iran stands. It is nearing 50% of the current population, and *if* the regime falls, that percent will rise significantly in a short period of time. However, whether the regime remains or falls, the fact on the ground is that by 2030 Iran *will* be a majority Christian country. That will come out at some point in an unmistakable way that will shock and galvanize the populations of other muslim countries nearby where similar trends are occurring but less sizably and less obviously.
              3. I have learned one thing about Donald Trump and that is *never* to bet against him. Nobody pushes him around. He is a brilliant strategist five or more steps ahead of everyone else. I have never seen him make a powerful move and not win at the end of the day. Like you, I hope and pray that the outcome of this campaign against Iran will ultimately work out positively on every dimension, but as you say, and correctly so, there is always risk.

              Liked by 1 person

        2. Pawel, I certainly do not know more than I read in the news and blogs.

          I just read today that a lot of Christians are suffering in Lebanon because of this war and probably in other counties. It has become Muslims against Jews and Christians in some areas, or so I have read. A lot of people are suffering. Anger, fear, and hatred are being stirred up.

          We certainly face some risks on U.S. soil. No one knows what could happen with sleeper cells. And since Homeland Security is not funded, this is a bigger problem. It is absurd not to fund the TSA and Homeland security at a time like this.

          War is horrible. There are often unforeseen consequences. We all hope and pray that this ends soon. We also hope that some good comes out of this, if at all possible. (As Steve BC points out.)

          Like

  25. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! .. Happy Day 😉 ..  Pray for The USA & Prepare!!

    https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/what-are-churchs-top-priorities/

    https://catholicexchange.com/fostering-christian-discipleship-in-our-kids/

    https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/englands-most-dangerous-catholic/

    https://onepeterfive.com/first-friday-reminder-crusade/

    https://catholicexchange.com/quantum-physics-in-the-search-for-truth/

    https://zeale.co/news/articles/new-documentary-makes-case-that-science-points-to-the-existence-of-god

    https://catholicexchange.com/why-the-family-is-the-human-habitat-the-need-for-a-place-where-life-can-grow/

    https://www.catholicleague.org/playing-the-religion-card/

    https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/is-conclave-secrecy-dead-and-does

    https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/europes-battlefronts

    https://www.markmallett.com/blog/the-explanation-for-our-hope

    https://www.catholicleague.org/who-are-these-lgbtq-people-anyway/

    https://floppingaces.net/2026/03/05/joe-dan-gorman-the-80-year-global-order-is-collapsing-and-america-is-finally-taking-its-power-back/

    https://redstate.com/ben-smith/2026/03/05/congress-loves-transparency-just-not-the-bill-to-expose-sexual-misconduct-n2199866

    https://defendingtherepublic.substack.com/p/good-news-friday-223

    https://zeale.co/

    https://catholicvote.org/read

    https://www.newoxfordreview.org/daily-news/

    https://thefederalist.com/

    https://www.westernjournal.com/

    https://thedailybs.com/news/

    https://www.zerohedge.com

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 1 person

  26. A very Happy and Blessed Birthday to YOU Charlie!!!

    You look great and still have a mind like a steel trap!

    So good to read this post. Keep them coming please.

    Shalom!

    Bren

    >

    Liked by 3 people

  27. Dear Charlie,

    I am so sorry I missed your birthday. I sure hope to have you over for dinner again before I leave this good earth (77 yrs old and closer to finishing this race than you, Charlie.). I loved your speaking about your children knowing you at your worst and your best, and in your later years all is well. So also, it seems with my children and grandchildren, having seen them for the first time in many years last summer. My daughter and son-in law provided a train trip for me to UT for that 77th birthday. (I will not fly).

    Anyway, blessings to you, Charlie. Thank you for all you do.

    Appreciatively,

    Judy Silhan

    Liked by 3 people

  28. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! … PS:

    https://hotair.com/headlines/2026/03/05/the-death-valley-superbloom-is-underway-n3812536

    https://youtu.be/W44udFkHMhg  ..  YEP! When de “Paper” Silver & Gold “Investments” become worthless … Ya better have Beans, H2O & Bullets On-Hand!  ..  https://www.zerohedge.com/precious-metals/mr-gold-warns-system-reset-silver-lights-fuse-derivatives-time-bomb

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2026/03/06/strange-cnn-found-a-war-to-cover-again/

    https://substack.com/@vigilantfox/note/c-220635175

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/03/outrageous-nancy-mace-confirms-rinos-teamed-up-democrats/  ..  Oh! The DC Swamp ain’t Coming-Clean on de Pay-Offs that YOU paid for either!  ..  https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/house/4480724/house-sinks-nancy-mace-push-sexual-harassment-records-public/

    https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/02/it_s_time_for_chief_justice_roberts_to_resign.html

    https://glennbeck.com/watch/videos/was-trumps-attack-on-iran-legal-jonathan-turley-says-this

    https://theacru.org/2026/03/04/america-security-first

    https://patriotpost.us/digests/125685-mid-day-digest-2026-03-06

    https://www.frontpagemag.com/

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/

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

    GOD SAVE ALL HERE!

    Liked by 1 person

  29. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! .. Happy Day 😉 ..  Pray for The USA & Prepare!!

    https://catholicexchange.com/how-the-cross-was-transformed-from-a-murder-device-to-a-banner-of-peace/

    https://www.catholicleague.org/irish-queers-exploit-st-pats-parade/

    https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/pronechen-st-longinus

    https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/a-confession-of-the-legendary-lou-holtz/

    https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/why-being-rather-than-nothingness-part-vii

    https://spiritdaily.org/blog/iran-and-the-virgin-mary/

    https://allthatsinteresting.com/real-sword-in-the-stone

    Yep! DJT & Co. be playing 3D Chess  ..  https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2026/03/07/right-now-russia-is-like-amazon-during-covid/#more-281304   ..  LONG Past Time to cut-loose the EU Freeloaders and bring “The Legions” Home to defend Our Hemisphere from the Barbarians!

    https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/the-obama-administrations-1-7-billion-iranian-deception

    https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/03/an_update_on_somali_fraud_in_minnesota.html

    https://floppingaces.net/2026/03/06/the-week-in-radical-leftism-03-06-2026-lets-keep-celebrating-the-death-of-the-washington-post/

    https://catholicvote.org/read

    https://thedailybs.com/news/

    https://www.zerohedge.com

    https://hotair.com/

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/

    https://spectator.org/

    https://citizenfreepress.com/

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!!

    Liked by 1 person

  30. Charlie, would you please look into the topic of Christian Zionism in the USA? Here is probably most currently respected and prolific Polish Catholic intellectual and publicist, Pawel Lisicki, sort of Polish version of Charlie Johnston :), who wrote a book on this matter as well. Please if you have time listen to his take on this matter and the war with Iran. I am curious what your view is. For English, please click in “Audio Track” and switch from Polish to English. Thank you.

    Like

    1. Pawel, Charlie has given us profoundly sobering thoughts about the situation in the Mideast.

      This piece is foundational to understanding the scope of what we are confronting: https://asignofhope379.com/2023/10/23/welcome-to-armageddon/

      Additionally, these three pieces cannot be missed: https://asignofhope379.com/2025/05/26/beyond-the-pale/

      The Vine and the Branches

      A Year of Reckoning for Islam

      Like many, I take in written text much more swiftly than recorded talks. I wonder how these pieces Charlie has written compare to what you heard in the video, Pawel?

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I also take in written texts much more swiftly than video, and it is good and easy to read them again when one wants to do so.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. What is not clear to me is exactly what we are trying to accomplish with this war, as it’s not being explained at all. Regime change? Capturing Iran and controlling its oil? Destroying its ability to project power? The first two are very unlikely to happen, despite some hints at it being the goal. If there was some chance of getting Iranians to mobilize and topple the regime, that was probably ended when Israel or we started bombing their oil storage tanks, refineries, desalination plants. Creating a toxic waste zone in their capital is not going to motivate protests. Destroying power projection is more possible but I’m afraid the cost will be extremely high. If the strait of Hormuz stays closed and Gulf states shut in oil and natural gas production, oil can top $200 a barrel and start crippling supply chains. I know it’s early but this is not encouraging so far.

        Like

        2. USNLT76yahoocom, I am ashamed to think that the U.S. would cut off water supplies by hitting a desalination plant. And you are correct about all the rest. Well said.

          Like

        3. Another concern: Even if the U.S decides its goals are met, will Israel back off? Are the goals of the U.S. and Israel the same?

          Like

  31. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! .. Happy Day 😉 ..  Pray for The USA & Prepare!!

    https://onepeterfive.com/in-illo-tempore-3rd-sunday-in-lent/

    https://stpaulcenter.com/posts/striking-the-rock-scott-hahn-reflects-on-the-third-sunday-of-lent

    https://catholicexchange.com/receive-the-living-water-third-sunday-of-lent/

    https://media.benedictine.edu/this-sunday-jesus-meets-us-at-the-well-to-give-us-what-we-are-missing

    https://www.complicitclergy.com/2026/03/07/open-borders-bishop-goes-bust/

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/

    https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2026/03/08/that-jesse-jackson-memorial-service-was-a-gathering-of-the-worst-people-n2672444

    https://www.dailywire.com/news/whos-really-embracing-political-violence

    https://www.coffeeandcovid.com/p/gentlemens-agreements-sunday-march

    https://thedailybs.com/news/

    https://www.zerohedge.com

    https://redstate.com/

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

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!!

    Like

  32. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! .. Happy Day 😉 ..  Pray for The USA & Prepare!!

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/03/woke-christian-leaders-issue-letter-rise-white-christian/

    https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/the-mass-we-understand-and-the-faith-we-dont

    https://catholicexchange.com/the-evangelizing-force-of-the-catholic-family/

    https://www.catholicleague.org/what-qualifies-as-being-moralistic/

    https://www.praymorenovenas.com/st-joseph-novena

    https://catholicexchange.com/what-happens-to-our-strayed-loved-ones/

    https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/death-as-same-day-service/

    Did Rainbow Cupich Call-Out The Mullahs when they slaughtered 30K+ Iranian Patriots weeks ago?… or is it Just Trump Derangement syndrome? …. Eh!!??  ..  https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/03/unbelievable-liberal-chicago-archbishop-attacks-patriotic-white-house/

    Old Blighty is more likely to be Muslim if they keep importing “The Religion of Peace” types!  ..   awfulhttps://crisismagazine.com/opinion/could-england-be-catholic-again

    https://amgreatness.com/2026/03/07/how-meet-the-press-harms-our-democracy/

    https://www.coffeeandcovid.com/p/shadow-men-monday-march-9-2026-c

    https://patriotpost.us/digests/125744-mid-day-digest-2026-03-09

    https://defendingtherepublic.substack.com/

    https://thedailybs.com/news/

    https://www.zerohedge.com

    https://www.frontpagemag.com/

    https://townhall.com/

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!!

    Like

  33. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! .. Happy Day 😉 ..  Pray for The USA & Prepare!!

    https://www.catholicexorcism.org/post/exorcist-diary-386-st-joseph-in-an-exorcism

    https://catholicexchange.com/how-to-conquer-loneliness/

    https://www.aleteia.org/2024/02/12/satan-is-gaslighting-you-make-him-stop/

    https://zeale.co/news/articles/illinois-right-to-life-says-governors-office-violated-foia-withheld-records-on-possible-abortion-ame

    https://stpaulcenter.com/posts/why-does-jesus-weep-at-the-tomb-of-lazarus

    https://catholicexchange.com/providence-law-charity-and-the-moral-limits-of-political-violence/

    https://onepeterfive.com/the-sspx-hope-or-tragedy/

    https://thepathlesstaken7.blogspot.com/2026/03/on-death-of-heroic-father-michael.html?m=1

    https://spiritdaily.org/blog/nun-blasts-epstein-deniers/

    https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/eat-yourself-healthy

    Maddening! Swamp DC…In-Action ;-(  ..  https://joehoft.com/gop-senate-wont-pass-save-america-act-instead/  ..  https://justthenews.com/government/federal-agencies/trump-targeted-four-consecutive-fbi-counterintel-probes-ensnaring

    https://amgreatness.com/2026/03/10/our-long-road-to-war-with-iran/  .. 

    https://www.christianpost.com/news/hegseth-explains-religious-aspect-of-iran-amid-eschatology-debate.html

    https://www.declassified.live/p/the-president-has-both-statutory?

    https://patriotpost.us/humor/125743-all-it-took-2026-03-09

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/

    https://thedailybs.com/news/

    https://www.zerohedge.com

    https://www.westernjournal.com/

    https://thefederalist.com/

    https://hotair.com/

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!!

    Like

  34. Has anybody else watched/listened to this? All my Catholic friends are talking about it! I had to clean a house today 4 hours and that’s how long this podcast is 😂

    Liked by 1 person

  36. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! .. Happy Day 😉 ..  Pray for The USA & Prepare!!

    https://zeale.co/news/articles/catholicvote-launches-zeale-for-america-250-patriotic-prayer-campaign-led-by-cardinal-burke

    https://catholicexchange.com/st-pauls-defense-of-the-true-presence/

    https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/refreshing-and-shocking-realism-about-marital-bond/

    https://catholicexchange.com/do-catholics-favor-war-the-urgent-task-of-praying-for-peace/

    https://www.catholicleague.org/st-pats-nyc-parade-still-bans-pro-lifers/

    Oh! NBC Poll … Ya can take that to de Bank!…Right!?…Hello!!!!?  ..  https://www.ewtnnews.com/world/us/nbc-poll-pope-leo-xiv-held-in-highest-esteem-among-public-personalities

    https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/fernandes-faith-and-science

    https://onepeterfive.com/the-little-way-of-beauty/

    https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/four-great-films-for-your-lenten-journey

    Is there any doubt!?  ..  https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/03/are-iranian-operatives-entering-u-s-through-cartels/  ..  Dost thou doubt that Hatred for Trump & his Deplorables (like me) is so vast in the DemonRat Party that elements within are happily consorting with Cartels, Iranians, Chinamen & ???? to destroy Trump and The Republic as founded!? How many DC Swamp UniParty politicians do you figure are “Owned” by The Above? The massive Voter, Medicare/Medicaid, Welfare, Immigration”, Green & DOJ/FBI/CIA Fraud being exposed NOW plus the public pressure for passage of The Save America Act tells me that THEY are poised to Trigger a SHTF Event ;-(  Ya Ready!?

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/

    https://justthenews.com/

    https://catholicvote.org/read

    https://zeale.co/

    https://www.newoxfordreview.org/

    https://www.coffeeandcovid.com/p/malum-prohibitum-wednesday-march

    https://thedailybs.com/news/

    https://www.zerohedge.com

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!!

    Like

  37. JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU! .. Happy Day 😉 ..  Pray for The USA & Prepare!!

    https://catholicexchange.com/a-star-and-the-moon-part-4-the-lives-of-alicja-lenczewska-and-st-faustina-kowalska/

    https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/men-need-men-to-lead-them

    https://www.catholicleague.org/rhode-islands-selective-interest-in-sexual-abuse/

    https://catholicexchange.com/a-poor-womans-parting-lesson-to-us/

    https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/regis-martin-death-is-not-the-end

    https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/the-truth-the-whole-truth-and-nothing-but-the-truth

    https://onepeterfive.com/the-sspx-consecrations-an-eastern-catholic-view/

    https://spiritdaily.org/blog/where-else-but-the-bible/

    https://www.aleteia.org/2026/03/12/st-carlos-life-and-miracles-theres-an-app-for-that/

    https://notthebee.com/article/lets-talk-about-the-tomahawk-missile-that-hit-the-school-in-tehran

    https://www.declassified.live/p/denial-of-executive-privilege-is

    https://www.thomasmore.org/press-releases/exclusive-video-clip-of-coach-lou-holtzs-personal-plan-to-restore-americas-moral-values/

    https://defendingtherepubliclawsplainer.substack.com/p/this-weeks-lawsplainer-features-three

    https://www.newoxfordreview.org/

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/

    https://thedailybs.com/news/

    https://www.zerohedge.com

    https://patriotpost.us/digests/125855-mid-day-digest-2026-03-12

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/

    https://hotair.com/

    https://www.westernjournal.com/

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

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!!

    Like

  38. The March 23 (48-hour) deadline Trump has issued feels like the JFK Cuban missile crisis. But this time the President is dealing with a religious Shiite faction that wants to usher in the Mahdi, the 12th imam, and they believe that this will only happen when the world is in tremendous conflict. Hence, I do not envision that the Iranian Guard (or whoever is running that country now) will back down re the Strait of Hormuz.

    This situation does not at all resemble what happened in Venezuela. The Iranians have basically said it will be an eye for an eye. And they still have drones, at the very least, and some of these are getting through.

    I hope that the whole world is praying right now. May Christ have mercy on us and may the Holy Spirit guide the leaders of the world.

    Like

    1. Thank you, Judy. I think too many forget that for the Jihadis this is a spiritual war! They want everyone who isn’t Muslim to die. “Death to America!” is not some feeble chant, but a deeply installed one from their youth! This is the war that Trump is really fighting, but so many either don’t realize it, or don’t believe it. A nuclear bomb in the hands of Jihadis can mean “death to America.”

      Like

Comments are closed.

Unknown's avatar

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.