Respect the Sacrifice

"Honor to the Soldier and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause." ~ Abraham Lincoln

We live in a (mostly) free country. People are allowed to criticize the actions of political leaders. Public figures can speak out against military action without being dragged off in handcuffs.

In some cases, that's a shame.

The California Gov. Gavin Newsom, always reliable for a ridiculous quote, calls Israel "an apartheid state." Hey Gov'ner, who claims he can't read but is on tour promoting the book he wrote: The Arabs who live in Israel not only have equal voting rights, but it is also one of the only places in the Mideast where women can vote.

Podcasters Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly are blaring their discontent with the US-Israel operations against Iran. Carlson calls it "Israel's war," ignoring the 47 years of radical Islamist terrorist attacks against the United States that began with the seizing of American hostages in 1979.

Kelly, obviously considering herself profoundly wise, gravely announces that no American should die "for a foreign country." It prompts one to wonder if Megs has ever heard of D-Day or the bloody battles throughout the Pacific theatre in World War II.

Such strident negativity while our troops are in harm's way is, to me, inexcusable. Doubts can be expressed in a respectful manner while honoring the enormous sacrifice that our military families--families! --are making at this crucial time. Our troops' job is to keep us all safe in the homeland, including the naysayers who denigrate their mission. Gratitude and prayers to each and every US service member, especially those now serving in the Mideast.

US Army Soldier saying goodbye to his toddler son.

For Our Deployed Military

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, 
defend us in battle. 
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. 
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, 
and do thou, 
O Prince of the heavenly hosts, 
by the power of God, 
thrust into hell Satan, 
and all the evil spirits, 
who prowl about the world 
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

St. Michael the Archangel overcomes Evil
Patron of Military Personnel & First Responders

Adventures in Lent

"The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

~ Matthew 26:41 

This Lenten season, which began with Ash Wednesday (February 18) and ends on Easter Sunday (April 5), I decided to try pursuing an aggressive fasting protocol. Fasting is not limited to food. It also pertains to leisure time and entertainment.

The key word is "try." How hard could it be, I reasoned in advance. HA! Nothing will prove how human we are than attempting to forego our favorite refreshments and pastimes.

For example, podcasts. For many months I had been wondering how to address my obsessive reliance on numerous podcasts. Then, presto! Lent arrived and presented me with the perfect opportunity to stop listening to all except Battle Ready with Fr. Dan and The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike. Yes, I thought, this routine would be manageable. Silly me.

It was a good thought, indeed a worthy aim. Although not a complete failure, I've already slipped nearly daily. At least I'm down to one or two pods a day, instead of constant streaming. Progress, not perfection, seems to be achievable. Thank God for small favors, as Mom would've said.

I must say that giving up podcasts has been harder than not drinking wine. I haven't had a glass since Fat Tuesday, but I don't miss that nearly as much as The Shawn Ryan Show or The Nerve (which I admit, I have cheated once or twice to listen to). And Victor Davis Hanson? Well, he's an exception. Whenever he's on air in the midst of his ongoing recovery, I think God understands that I just have to listen to VDH: In This Own Words.

I'm sharing all this holy angst as a reminder that it's not too late to choose a simple pleasure to forego this Lenten season. If you're not already doing so, I challenge you to test yourself. It's a healthy and revealing exercise in self-control. As I did, you may find yourself amazed at how very human we are.

My Lenten Challenge 2026

Our Yearly Reminder

Genesis 3:19 ~ "...for dust you are and to dust you will return."

Saving States

"The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations..."

~ Article 4, Section 1, Clause 1 of the US Constitution

As the US Senate fumbles its way around the SAVE Act, passed last week by the House of Representatives, a majority of states have not wasted time waiting for the federal government. In 36 states, voter identification is required to cast a ballot.

It's no surprise that the 14 states without voter ID laws are Democratic areas. In fact, in my home state of deep blue California, there is a law forbidding voter identification. Think about that for a minute.

I fail to see why voter ID presents such an agonizing hurdle for the Senate to clear. More than eight in ten Americans approve of requiring voter ID. It makes me wonder about ulterior motives of the senators, but I'm one of a huge crowd in that camp. What is comforting is that so many states, in accordance with the U.S. Constitution, have taken it upon themselves to protect the voting process within their own state borders--and to heck with the inert federal government.

If the Senate approves the SAVE Act, President Trump will approve it; the federal law will then take authority over the state laws, advancing the restoration of voter integrity nationwide. But with this bunch of senators, I'm not holding my breath. I'm just grateful for proactive states and their concerned voters.

The lefties love to talk about "Democracy"--well, in 36 states, there it is.

RED: States without voter ID laws.

Historical Obsession

To be ignorant of the past is to be forever a child.

 ~ Cicero

I've fallen captive to another favorite podcast. This one takes deep dives, most often in multiple episodes, into ancient and modern world history. The Rest is History (TRIH) features Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, two historians from the United Kingdom who have a talent for turning ancient history into a current cliffhanger.

I stumbled across TRIH in recent months and, upon scrolling through the content, was immediately hooked. Since the podcast debuted in late 2020, it's impossible for me to catch up on everything. But with careful selections, I've already learned a great deal more about Irish history, from medieval times to the 19th century famines to the 1916 Rebellion and its tragic aftermath. I've been further educated on The Beatles, St. Joan of Arc, and Hannibal.

Today I completed a four-part series on Iran, which for me filled in many gaps about the Shah and the hostage crisis. At the time all those dramas were unfolding, I was in the process of moving across country and having my second child. All that personal upheaval was somewhat distracting, so it's nice to finally get a full grip on events in 1979.

The two hosts, being British, do take occasional veiled, chuckling shots at the USA when we are part of the narrative. Although their remarks in that vein are often humorous, I'm always ready with a snarky "You're welcome for the WWII victory." The irony cuts both ways, fellas.

Aside from that one small beef, I say scroll through, pick your topic, and give TRIH a listen. Right now, for my next choice, I'm deciding between stories of The Titanic or The Rolling Stones. Whichever one I choose first, I'm sure I'll get to both. 

Hosted by Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook

A Class Act

Since I've been reading critics trashing it conflicting with rave reviews from moviegoers, I went to see Melania for myself today. It was well worth the time.

Melania Trump doesn't need anyone's money, but she certainly could use some public support. The things that are said about her--from people who supposedly deplore "haters"--are absolutely horrific. The First Lady has done nothing to deserve such venomous attacks. On the contrary, as filmgoers will learn, she has already accomplished more than many previous first ladies.

Melania is a behind-the-scenes look at the 20 days in January leading up to Inauguration Day. The film's production is high quality, the unfolding scenes hold attention, and the soundtrack is a stellar match for the accompanying scenes. The fashion sequences are captivating, showing Melania's meticulous attention to detail in various fittings for her Inauguration Day wardrobe. It's obvious she was a successful professional model. She is decisive and firm about the necessary alterations to her daytime suit and evening ball gown. As the Irish might say, this woman knows what she is about.

There are poignant scenes involving Melania's loss of her mother, who died in January 2024, almost exactly one year before Donald Trump's second presidential inauguration. Her father, who attended Inauguration Day 2025, still films his daughter with his movie camera, and there are some flickering home movie reels occasionally spliced in that lend a nostalgic aura to the present-day coverage of Melania in action.

In short, Melania is worth a watch. She is a busy, beautiful, charming, and very classy lady. Aside from rising above the constant snark and vitriol with poise and grace, for her to be able to stroll around in those stiletto heels for all of Inauguration Day and night, I've concluded that Melania Trump must be the real Wonder Woman. Lucky USA!

Making Budweiser Great Again

After a few years wandering in the woke wilderness, Budweiser is making a noble effort to win back Americans' support with this year's Super Bowl ad. Click the link and enjoy the preview.

Budweiser's "Free Bird" Ad for Super Bowl LX 

Proving God

"God does not play dice." ~ Albert Einstein

We're not that far from Ash Wednesday, so a few weeks ago I was shopping for my annual spiritual reading. For many years I have read at least one such book during the 40 days of Lent. (It's much easier than giving up two cookies with afternoon tea.)

At the very bottom of my weekly email Kindle sales, I spotted an interesting choice: God, The Science, The Evidence. It was offered for an enticing 99 cents, so I downloaded it. Then I started skimming the first few pages. As you can guess, I'm now a third of the way through reading the book. 

It's an engrossing education in many ways. For example, I was not aware that both Stalin and Hitler persecuted scientists for teaching that the universe had a beginning. I was vaguely aware that the famous scientist Albert Einstein had escaped a dangerously anti-Semitic Germany during the early years of the Third Reich. (Hitler called Einstein's work "Jewish physics.") But I had no clue that Einstein was one among many dozens of brilliant physicists, mathematicians, and other esteemed scientists who were hunted down, stripped of their professional status, imprisoned, tortured, and executed for their teachings.

As the book explains in depth, Marx and Engel's dialectical materialism required belief in an eternal universe--no beginning, no end. Both Nazism and Communism demanded a godless mindset. No dissent from atheism was tolerated by the murderous dictators of either regime, not even from their most prestigious intelligent minds. It was a heartbreaking chapter, to read of so much genius destroyed.

God, The Science, The Evidence often presents its information in scientific form. I'll admit the various equations are eye-glazing, but I realize they have to be presented to support the conclusions the authors are explaining. If you're not mathematically inclined, as I am not, skip ahead. But the mathematical proofs offered, as explained in the accompanying text, are staggering in their implications in support of a Creator God.

The book is a gripping history of how the "Big Bang" theory came to be and the modern advances in scientific research that support its validity. If you enjoy learning, I highly recommend God, The Science, The Evidence. I'll need a new "God book" for Lent, but that is a small price to pay.

New Year, News Overload

If you're in search of a topic for discussion on current events, there's an embarrassment of riches to choose from in just the first week of 2026.

But where is one to begin? Go ahead, pick a subject. Here's a fast dozen for consideration: Venezuela? Cuba? Colombia? Greenland? Iran? Nigeria? Somalia? Russia? Ukraine? Washington D.C.? New York City? Minnesota? It's information overload in every direction. I'm exhausted just scanning the headlines. 

This could be a good time to take a break from news to concentrate on finishing the 900-page novel I'm halfway through. By the time I'm done reading it, there will be at least a dozen more major news stories to absorb. With any luck, maybe a few of today's hot topics will be old news by then. We can only hope.

Welcome to 2026. Please consume information responsibly.