Writer, retired history teacher, lecturer for Knights of Columbus--Bremerton WA (c. 1379), author of new & as yet unpublished book, "Rekindling the Spirit of 1776: Insurrectionary Solutions for Postmodern Maladies."
The older the script, the more likely it is that Hollywood will produce a good and uplifting film. The newest version of the Jackie Robinson saga, entitled simply “42,” is well worth viewing twice. I took my wife the 2nd time, and she loved it too. Living as we do in times dominated by the [...]
The two terrorists (two at least) who attacked the Boston Marathon in April put the power of distorted ideals on display. At some point these promising young men let youthful idealism get twisted and diverted to the dark side. Evidently both looked with anguish upon the troubled history of Chechnya, their oppressed homeland. Yearning to [...]
In 1961, three months before Barack Obama’s birth, President John F. Kennedy gave a speech to members of the media. There is, said he, “little value in ensuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it.”[1] Does JFK’s assertion bear scrutiny today? In my judgment it is both pertinent and [...]
Obama on Secession Something of a clamor for secession followed President Obama’s reelection in 2012. And the elections strengthened his ominous social agenda, with wins for same sex marriage in four out of five States. After election day, some half a million citizens signed petitions to have 13 States withdraw from postmodern America. The [...]
Farewell to Apostate America Some terms ring untrue, like songless birds, Whose yakking do lovers loath and rue. Under God,” and “Republic,” now voided words, To which pupils pledge, “indivisible” too. When grand lady’s turned to ruse and scorn, Gone hussy in hulk with virtue shorn, Willingly deflowered by Sodom and porn, Then must beauteous [...]
Go to Part 1. Tentative Exit Plan What an exceptional nation America was! In 1945 Germany’s foremost rocket scientist, 34 year old Wernher von Braun, led his team of scientists and engineers along a war ravaged route from Peenemunde to Bavaria, where they surrendered to U.S. forces. His team of rocket scientists (developers of the [...]
For the sequels to this article, follow these links: Farewell to Apostate America, part 2 Poem: Farewell to Apostate America Obama on Secession: Farewell to Apostate America, part 3 Union vs. Constitution: Farewell to Apostate America, part 4 President Obama has already appointed two Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court[1], and he is poised to [...]
God did not send the Savior to a pacifist society in Nepal, or to some remote place eschewing military preparedness (like an ancient version of today’s Costa Rica). Instead he chose the world’s greatest and most literate empire at “the fullness of time.”[1] The Pax Romana, the Roman Peace, was maintained by training, equipping and [...]
Soon citizens in Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington State will vote on whether to redefine marriage. Perhaps the following article will help deter some voters from playing an accessory role in waging war against “the laws of nature and of nature’s God.” In proportion as people plunge into practices which are, as the Catechism indicates, [...]
History offers insightful comparisons and contrasts between past and present. A generation or so before the birth of Christ, Rome lost her republic to political and cultural decadence. Although reformers emerged in the political and literary spheres, their efforts failed and ancient democracy faded into oblivion. Whereas in America, the game is not quite up. [...]
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 In late Spring, AD 312, Constantine’s victories at Susa and at Turin in northwestern Italy liberated Roman domains as far east as Milan, much to the joy of Christians and also of many pagans alienated from the co-Emperor, Maxentius. Misrule by Maxentius in the Roman diocese of Italia had [...]
It is said that Planned Parenthood usually wins in court. But not always. Last month, thanks to a display of courage by Michael Ferman, abortion “rights” did not, for once, trump all other considerations. Ferman, age 34, is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a former student of mine. I have known him [...]
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 It’s a bit disenchanting to suppose that the Christian revolution of the fourth century originated in just another contest between ambitious pagan rulers. But was that really the case? Today, many historians tend to think so. They follow Eusebius (Vita Constantini 1.27) the fourth century Roman citizen [...]
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 Prose Introduction to My Poem, Constantine’s Flight to Constantius Diocletian had been governing the Roman Empire since 284, eventually establishing his headquarters at Nicomedia in western Asia Minor. Nine years into his reign, Diocletian set up the First Tetrarchy (293-305), dividing the Empire into four huge [...]
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 The air of centuries ago is healthful to inhale, especially when it blows balmy and pristine. Wafting from the past, the great Christian revolution of the 4th century has the capacity to ennoble modern hearts and uplift minds that have sunk like stones into what is seen [...]
Independence Day, USA Fourth of July Emblazoned so high, That children may see By history. And for young and old Of most every mold Who want to learn, Who can discern How the past does sing That freedom may spring From the muskets’ fumes When tyranny looms; How to fight for right Lest darkness and [...]
In 32 States We the People of the United States have managed to bring the issue of traditional marriage to a vote. So far we’re batting 1000. But if a State exists in the USA where same-sex-marriage might win approval from a majority of the voters, that electorate is out west in Washington. The culture [...]
Prayer for a Prodigal Daughter (I composed this poem to the melody of “My Bonny Lies Over the Ocean.”) Hu-man-i-ty ne’r had an era, When kids all acquired moral aims. But this age has scorched like Sahara, With passion that sears and inflames. In childhood our daughter was lovely, In soul she was strong for [...]
“Never, ever, ever give up.” Thus said Winston Churchill in October 1941, in the shortest of his speeches. As the WW II statesman applied this maxim famously to political life, so too might we apply the principle of perseverance to our personal lives when the warfare is spiritual in form. Perseverance works in tandem [...]
By reason of ineligibility, I had to decline a friend’s well meaning invitation to vote. I cannot participate in the GOP caucus this weekend because I’m not a Republican. In 2007 I left the GOP over the issue of torture and have been an independent ever since. At the time, I made a public resignation [...]
Need a little dose of humility? Try testifying before a legislative committee in Olympia, Washington chaired by condescending Senator, Karen Keiser. Want to be humbled? Get reprimanded by this same pro-abortion Senator calling herself a Lutheran Christian, who co-sponsored the redefinition of marriage bill, and who has been homesteading in the legislature for 16 [...]
The Easter Rising, 1916 A Poem for the 90th year of Irish Independence, 1922-2012 Rebelling led by Patrick Pearse, No more to smell the tyrant’s breath, Though fighting went from bad to worse, Men steeled their hearts to dreadful death. None would back down, nor turn to run. From such “suicide,” none did quail. Outgunned [...]
I pulled the car off to the side Got out to see the sky’s ebb-tide. Beheld the best I ever saw, A sunset psalm-like, full of awe. The clouds’ clean lines were all aglow, A crimson scene viewed from below. It ended the trip fittingly, And the year, magnificently. South of Ephrata, on the road, [...]
During their brief existence, the Occupy movement has already yielded some benefits on the economic front. As Fr. Thomas Massaro of Boston College puts it: My gratitude to the Occupy movement grows directly out of my identification with Catholic social teaching…. In these years of high unemployment, blocked opportunity, crushing debt, anxieties about future economic [...]
