Category: Spiritual Life

Bound to Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Liberal International Order 

John J. Mearsheimer, Author.International Security (2019) 43 (4): 7–50. Abstract. The liberal international order, erected after the Cold War, was crumbling by 2019. It was flawed from the start and thus destined to fail. The spread of liberal democracy around the globe—essential for building that order—faced strong resistance because of nationalism, which emphasizes self-determination. Some targeted… Read More Bound to Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Liberal International Order 

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September 1963. JFK on Tax Cuts, Tariffs, So. Vietnam Advisors, and Civil Rights

Two Takes. President John F. Kennedy’s interview with NBC anchors Chet Huntley and David Brinkley. They sat down with the President in the White House for an exclusive interview for their program, The Huntley-Brinkley Report. In the interview the President discusses various topics including the nuclear test ban treaty, South Vietnam advisors, tax cuts, and… Read More September 1963. JFK on Tax Cuts, Tariffs, So. Vietnam Advisors, and Civil Rights

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Why Does Tudor History Matter— (& not Just for Britain)?

Suzannah Lipscomb “The decision to exercise the rights of his royal supremacy to decide theological doctrine and practice, despite Anne Boleyn’s fall and Henry’s remarriage to Jane Seymour (who was rumoured to be conservative in religion) came as a surprise to some European commentators, who had hoped for Henry’s return to the Catholic fold once… Read More Why Does Tudor History Matter— (& not Just for Britain)?

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Catholic Teaching on Proportionality in War

Justice and War. The Catholic Church distinguishes between two types of justice concerning war: jus ad bellum and jus in bello. Most of the time, when people discuss just-war theory, they mean jus ad bellum (justice before the war). Jus ad bellum refers to those four conditions described by Saint Augustine through which we determine whether a war is just before we… Read More Catholic Teaching on Proportionality in War

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Time Out.

A Gorgeous Concept (one story) Album by Sinatra: ‘Watertown.’ Read more about it in Wikipedia. More importantly, give yourself a break and hear it. (Click the cover image) My feelings about Sinatra are similar to my feelings about The Beatles.  James K. Fitzpatrick put it very well, “I think Sinatra was a musical genius…” “But…” … Read More Time Out.

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Sexual Abuse Coverup. Not Just Epstein: A Global Phenomenon

We all know about the reported Christian sexual abuse cases which shamefully contradict the heart of our faith. But this phenomenon goes way beyond what the news media so often highlights. This problem is truly a global one involving both religious and secular individuals.  Since Christians, Jews and Moslems are derivative of Abrahamic religion, over… Read More Sexual Abuse Coverup. Not Just Epstein: A Global Phenomenon

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Artificial World? “End Time Fascism?” Third Temple?

Environmental Socialist Naomi Klein says Elon Musk and some “fascist” Maga friends have “given up on this world” and given in to a secular “Apocalyptic Fever”. In consequence they are using this planet, she says, to extract from this world  fossil fuels, critical minerals, water…”anything that can be used for energy and money with a… Read More Artificial World? “End Time Fascism?” Third Temple?

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The Successful, Proud, and Conflicted Traditionalist

You may be a traditional Catholic with ten beautiful home-schooled children who are each proficient in academics and in the arts. You may contribute substantially to both your church’s financial soundness and, to all appearances, to her reputation for spiritual integrity and growth . You may work hard, have a secure financial portfolio of stocks,… Read More The Successful, Proud, and Conflicted Traditionalist

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Camille Paglia, conservatives and classical liberals

Camille Paglia: Pedophile Sex Revolutionary. Why is Camille Paglia being promoted by self-described conservatives and classical liberals? Paglia says “Contemporary gays who try to distance themselves from this issue of boy-love are in effect committing cultural suicide. They’re cutting themselves from all the highest achievements of gay men….. Because I am a woman, and therefore… Read More Camille Paglia, conservatives and classical liberals

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A.I. Garbage In, Garbage Out.

Artificial Intelligence: Garbage In, Garbage Out? New Oxford Review. Christopher M. Reilly, Fredericksburg, Virginia, New Oxford Review, Letters. November 2024. I greatly appreciated Bob Weil’s article “Wrestling for Truth with ChatGPT” (Sept.). He describes the inherent flaws of generative artificial intelligence (AI) with a deft hand. He also suggests a crucial element of responsibly managing… Read More A.I. Garbage In, Garbage Out.

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Let No One Despair! Forgiveness is risen! St. John Chrysostom. St. Francis de Sales.

“Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave.” Are there any who are devout lovers of God? Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival! Are there any who are grateful servants? Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord! Are there any… Read More Let No One Despair! Forgiveness is risen! St. John Chrysostom. St. Francis de Sales.

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The Authority of Christ v. The Power of Pontius Pilate

“In an enlightening and profound episode, Michael Knowles sits down with the esteemed Bishop Barron to explore the deep spiritual significance of Easter Sunday and the solemn observances of Holy Week. This interview delves into the heart of the Christian faith, unpacking the mysteries and traditions that define this pivotal time in the Christian calendar.… Read More The Authority of Christ v. The Power of Pontius Pilate

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Fulton J Sheen. Holy Week. Sign of Contradiction: Good Friday and Beyond

4 hrs 34 mins. Unlike so many today, Archbishop Fulton Sheen was biblically-centered. He explicitly rejected Modernistic reinterpretations of Sacred Scripture(1). Here for 4 1/2 continuous hours Bishop Sheen expounds with great erudition on Christ’s Passion and death and beyond, What God has done for us…This is an incomparable Sheen gift for Holy Week —and… Read More Fulton J Sheen. Holy Week. Sign of Contradiction: Good Friday and Beyond

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You or I

The hollowest sunken-eyed 90 poundforsaken waif, kicking papers under the night’s dim street lamps, is looking for repose, every bit as much as you or I, loaded with sins and hope. It is wrong. It’s wrong, to walk by without a look at him or her who could have been you or I, servicing another… Read More You or I

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Eugenics Isn’t Dead—It’s Thriving in Tech

A new book takes on the throughline from the rise of 20th-century eugenics to Silicon Valley. JULIA MÉTRAUX, Mother Jones. “Elon Musk’s calls for a so-called “efficient” US government—including wanting to end the already endangered right to work from home, a disability accommodation for many—are less surprising when you view him as a techno-eugenicist. The eugenicists of the early 20th… Read More Eugenics Isn’t Dead—It’s Thriving in Tech

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Proposed Senate Resolution Recognizes Persecution of Christians 

3/7/2025 United States (International Christian Concern) — The United States Senate could soon pass S.Res.52, a resolution that reaffirms religious freedom as a fundamental human right globally. Introduced in early February by Senator James Lankford (R-OK), the legislation expresses concern over the escalating global threats to religious liberty. Unfortunately, Christians have faced the brunt of this persecution, with an average of 13 believers… Read More Proposed Senate Resolution Recognizes Persecution of Christians 

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Where J.D. Vance Gets His Weird, Terrifying Techno – Authoritarian Ideas. [Opinion].

Who or What is Preparing to Take Over After Donald Trump? Courtesy, The New Republic | Photo NY Times. Top. | July 22, 2024 | Opinion. Yes, Peter Thiel was the senator’s benefactor. But they’re both inspired by an obscure software developer who has some truly frightening thoughts about reordering society. In 2008, a software… Read More Where J.D. Vance Gets His Weird, Terrifying Techno – Authoritarian Ideas. [Opinion].

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Goal of Mass Islamicization of Europe: Destroy Christian Past

Finishing off what the French Revolution began. Athanasius Schneider, O.R.C. (born Anton Schneider on 7 April 1961) is a Catholic prelate, serving as the Auxiliary Bishop of Astana in Kazakhstan. Schneider is known for his traditionalism. He has criticized clergy members who he believes do not fully adhere to the faith and instead surrender to what he calls a “cruel pagan world.” In 2014, he… Read More Goal of Mass Islamicization of Europe: Destroy Christian Past

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A Time of Trouble. Cardinal Robert McElroy.

Dr. Ralph Martin: “How can someone be appointed Archbishop of Washington, DC, after expressing views contrary to the Catholic faith? This is the question being raised by many within the American Catholic Church after Cardinal Robert McElroy’s recent appointment as Archbishop of Washington, DC. Appointments like this are causing many Catholics to wonder what is… Read More A Time of Trouble. Cardinal Robert McElroy.

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Undocumented Migrants. Pope John Paul II.

Message of Pope John Paul II for World Migration Day, 1996 Dear Brothers and Sisters, 1. The phenomenon of migration with its complex problems challenges the international community and individual States today more than ever. The latter generally tend to intervene by tightening migration laws and reinforcing border control systems. Thus migration loses that dimension… Read More Undocumented Migrants. Pope John Paul II.

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JFK Founded USAID & Peace Corp to Draw World Away From Communism.

… After His Murder, Aims Changed. What Changed on November 22, 1963 Besides Everything? After JFK’s assassination USAID essentially became a money-laundering operation for new powers. “Records of the Agency for International Development (RG 286) “On November 3, 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed the Foreign Assistance Act reorganizing the structure of U.S. foreign assistance… Read More JFK Founded USAID & Peace Corp to Draw World Away From Communism.

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Ohio AG backs pastor convicted of fire code violation for housing homeless at church

Note: I’ve personally seen the frozen corpse of a man who died in sub-zero temperatures under a bridge in Lowell, Massachusetts. Needless to say it was a haunting sight. Whatever his issues were he should not have had to try to shield himself from the freezing cold and wind under that bridge. State and local… Read More Ohio AG backs pastor convicted of fire code violation for housing homeless at church

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