Return to Ireland

At Christmas time in 2006, my grown children and I visited Ireland. It was a return trip for both of them, but it was my first time on the "Ould Sod." We spent close to two magical weeks in the western and southern regions of Ireland, exploring such wonders as the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, and Blarney Castle. 

In late October, I returned to Ireland for a family event. This time I was on the east coast, spending several exciting days in the capital city of Dublin and then continuing south to County Wicklow for the festivities and a subsequent vacation with family and friends.

This is not our grandparents' Ireland. Dublin is truly an international city now, bustling with industrial development and people from all over the world. In our whirlwind travels around town, we had cab drivers from Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, as well as Irishmen. The hotel coffee shop was staffed by a Polish manager and a French barista. Everyone we met and talked with was warm, welcoming, and interesting.

The countryside of County Wicklow is stunning in its natural beauty. In two widely differing visits to the land of my ancestors over the expanse of two decades, I reached the same conclusion both times--Ireland remains magical.

View from Tinakilly Country House - Co. Wicklow, Ireland

Town of Howth - North Dublin

Powerscourt Gardens - Co. Wicklow, Ireland

In the Aftermath

I've heard reports that pedestrians in New York City are now walking the streets wearing MAGA hats. That's believable, and I hope it's true.

There is a feeling of confidence now among Trump supporters that was previously hidden. It's a collective sigh of relief, an aura of "Yay, we did it!" that surrounds conservatives in the aftermath of the November 5 election.

President-elect Donal Trump made gains with young voters. He also made inroads among Jewish, Muslim, and Catholic voters. None of these results should be surprising to people who were paying attention to world events in the days leading up to Election Day.

My opinion throughout the campaign was that, were it not for Democrat cheating, Trump would walk away with the election. Election results show that I was too fearful of vote rigging; "oh ye of little faith." The American voters turned out for Trump in full force, and it was enough to blunt the effectiveness of any cheating. Trump did indeed walk away with it.

While I have some reservations about a couple of his choices, Trump's rapid action to fill his cabinet posts has my full support. He's got only four years to mop up the current mess, and the clock is ticking. Let's get going.

Reflections After Elections

"...the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth--that God governs in the affairs of men."

~ Benjamin Franklin, in the Constitutional Convention Address on Prayer

I was out of the country during the week of our presidential election. It was something of a relief to be removed from the intensity of media coverage. It also afforded an interesting opportunity to observe the deep interest with which foreign citizens follow our political events. There were many questions from drivers, waiters, and many other service personnel. Most of them supported the Democrat; having watched some of their media coverage, I understand why. Their "news" made MSNBC seem conservative.

Being several time zones ahead of the USA, I went to bed Tuesday night with a restless feeling that led me to awaken every hour or so to check the electoral college map on my phone. It was nearly dawn before I saw that Donald Trump's total had hit the necessary 270 mark. At that point I could sleep peacefully.

It was comforting and exhilarating to know that, as I had done, my fellow countrymen had voted overwhelmingly to change course. The change was not limited to the presidency but showed up in the Senate races results. The House of Representatives is still counting some races but has a whisper-thin lead for Republicans and looks promising to complete the sweep.

It has been less than a week since Election Day, and already so much has been said and written about the results that nothing new or noteworthy could be added here. There are two outstanding articles that I would direct you to for some of the most thorough and rational reasons why Trump's resounding victory unfolded as it did. Victor Davis Hanson provides his usual incisive forensic analysis in American Greatness, and in UnHerd, David Samuels offers a fascinating and insightful explanation of how Obama's hubris proved to be his undoing. Both pieces are well worth reading. 

Today is Veterans Day. Thank you once again to all who have served in our military. I believe that you especially, along with every American, will be safer now. 

Shifting Seasons

Can I sail through the changin' ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?

~ Fleetwood Mac

Early this month I began retirement. Leaving the working world was long planned for and anticipated, but there is a feeling of unreality to the event when it finally arrives. It is exciting, though, and quite fun--so far, so good.

It's delicious to wake up and not have to leap out of bed. I can loll for a while, listen to the news, and only get up when my internal coffee meter tells me it's time. There has been a lengthy round of festivities celebrating this new life chapter with family and friends, which has kept my days and nights wonderfully busy. Now there's upcoming travel and special occasions crowding the calendar.

So, I'll be taking a break from posting and hope to resume next month with reports of new adventures and experiences. After all, it's time to make way for a brand-new season.

Our People

Dolly Parton has donated one million dollars to Hurricane Helene relief efforts. Her Dollywood Foundation is matching that amount, for a total of $2,000,000 in hurricane relief. As Dolly said, "these are my people."

And in the spirit of giving that is built into our national DNA, millions of Americans are donating what they can to help their neighbors in need after this overwhelming disaster. When donating, it's best to verify that your money is going to a reputable charity. I'm partial to The Salvation Army (low overhead costs), but most of us have our own favorite charity(s) that can be relied upon to deliver the most relief to disaster victims for the amount that is donated.

Americans don't often sit back and wait for the government agencies to lurch into action following a national disaster or tragedy. We can--and do--take care of our own. This is the USA. The victims of Hurricane Helene are our people, too.

The United States Constitution

Fighting Evil

By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes.

~ Macbeth, 4:1

Today the Catholic Church observes the feast of archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. These are biblical figures, all appearing in Holy Scripture. Gabriel is presented as the messenger, Raphael as the healer, and Michael as the defender against evil. 

In my opinion, Michael has the busiest agenda these days. I've often heard news and opinion commentators, local as well as national, describe the USA's current internal and global struggles as "spiritual warfare." I find myself agreeing. We are certainly in the days when the dominating cultural trend is to "call evil good, and good evil" (Isaiah 5:20). 

St. Michael is the patron of the military, police, first responders, Israel and Ukraine, plus all defenders against evil. It's safe to say he's got his hands full these days.

Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle...

Predicting Humor

 "In America, anyone can become president. That's the problem."

~ George Carlin        

The comedian George Carlin (1937-2008) truly was ahead of his time. Reading his sharply relevant quips today can make one wonder if he was a kind of funny Nostradamus, predicting the challenges of our current events decades ago. But I think he was just a very intelligent, perceptive person who could see the freight train--and the ensuing inevitable trainwreck--coming a long way down the tracks.

My favorite routine is his hilarious diatribe on Earth Day and the world's imperviousness to humanity's impact upon it. He actually suggests Earth might use a virus to rid itself of humans! There are other monologues, equally prescient--like the one in which he discusses our "Owners." Even two decades ago, our present situation was obvious to Carlin.

Carlin's standup material contained so many topics that remain keenly relevant today. YouTube is a good source to find his performances. He was one smart cookie. If he was still with us, despite our national troubles, I have no doubt George would still make us laugh.

Constitutionally Unsound

Free speech is my right to say what you don't want to hear.

~ George Orwell

Today is Constitution Day. This might be an appropriate occasion to read that founding document, particularly the First Amendment guaranteeing freedom of speech. This is especially true since we now have political candidates claiming there's "no guarantee to free speech" when it comes to "misinformation" or "hate speech."

Actually, that's exactly what the First Amendment guarantees. The Founders knew we didn't need a law to protect speech we agree with; we need to protect opposing, even offensive, speakers. Look up the case of Skokie, Illinois in 1977. The Supreme Court ruled that the Nazi party did have the right to march peacefully in a largely Jewish community.

Less than a half century later, censorship has crept into every area of public discourse. That in itself is frightening. But who are the shadowy gatekeepers appointed to decide what is "misinformation" or "hate speech"? That question has become truly terrifying. The reality of government agencies, educational institutions, and media outlets curtailing our right to free speech is evidence that our republic is in a very bad way.

The free exercise of religion is also protected in the First Amendment. While it's still permitted, a daily prayer for America may be in order.

 

A Win for the Good

On September 11, 2001, the Vigiano family lost both of their sons--one was a police officer, the other a firefighter. 

Speaking as a parent, it's impossible to comprehend the enormity of this family's grief. Yet anyone who has suffered a great loss knows that life goes on, one way or another, regardless of tragedy or sorrow. The young first responders who died left families behind to face the coming years without them. Several of those orphaned children have stepped onto their fathers' career path, including Joe Vigiano Jr. Joe Vigiano Jr. is a newly graduated NYC police officer.

The Bible tells us that in the end, God wins the war against evil. We may still have a long time to wait for that joyous outcome. But there are ongoing quiet battles being waged in the meantime by uncounted courageous individuals who are fighting to bring light out of darkness. The brave Vigiano family can proudly claim one of those victories.

September 11, 2001 ~ Never Forget

Honoring Grandparents

Tomorrow is Grandparents Day. Since becoming a grandparent myself, I've become more tuned in to this often-overlooked holiday, probably because of the artwork I receive from my grandkids in honor of the occasion.

My own grandparents are models of the previous generations that built our country. All of them were teenaged immigrants, fleeing their impoverished childhoods in Ireland for the promise of a better life in America. A century ago, immigrants needed their checklist in order before entering the USA. From their firsthand accounts, I know that my grandparents were sponsored into the country by relatives already established here, who met them at the dock and served as escorts and witnesses to their identity. They needed to prove a place of residency and a job awaiting them, as well as pass a health exam, before being allowed off Ellis Island or out of any other US port of entry.

Sad to say, that's not quite our current immigration system.

I never met my firefighter grandfather. He died young, in the line of duty at the scene of a fire during the Great Depression. My other grandparents are vivid in my memory, especially my two grandmothers. It seems the older I become, the more I remember them, their inner strength, and the wisdom of their ways.

I can only hope and pray that I may hold a similar sweet spot in the memories of my own grandchildren.