A Chilling Read

This week I finished reading Jonah Goldberg's book, Suicide of the West. Published in 2018, just a heartbeat in time ahead of the pandemic and current breakdown of our society, Suicide is remarkably prescient in detailing where all the wearying decades of political correctness was actually going. The book does a chillingly accurate job of explaining the origins and meaning of our current national and cultural crisis.

I've followed Goldberg for many years. He's a conservative "Never-Trumper" who can be brilliantly smart and laugh-out-loud humorous at the same time. Suicide of the West is thoroughly researched and annotated; although it is completely absorbing and endlessly interesting, it is not a fast read. There is so much data and history, so many facts and examples provided, that this reader had to maintain a slower pace in order to process all of the information being presented. But I found it to be well worth the time investment. I recommend it to any thoughtful American seeking to better understand just why it seems apparent that the wheels are coming off our society.

The book leaves us at our present destination. The final chapter, "Decline is a Choice," is where this nation stands today. I have been continuously shocked at the rapid deterioration in our political and societal health during the past year. After reading Suicide of the West, I don't believe that Jonah Goldberg has been at all surprised.

A Year for St. Joseph

Since I've been watching Sunday mass online for a year and a quarter now, I'm behind the times on Church news. I just found out we're more than halfway through the Year of St. Joseph that was proclaimed in December 2020 by Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde. That title translates to "With a Father's Heart." 

The letter is a beautiful analysis of St. Joseph's many important roles, virtues and qualities. I wish I had learned about it in time for Father's Day, but better late than never.

St. Joseph was my father's favorite saint, and he's mine, too. I (almost) always say a quick St. Joseph prayer at bedtime. To celebrate the remainder of his officially designated year, I'll be spending a bit more time talking to the most significant dad in human history. It's been my experience that he's an attentive listener.

Honoring Dads

“The power of a dad in a child’s life is unmatched.” – Justin Ricklefs

Living in the Now

 Yesterday is a canceled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is cash.

If you've recovered from whiplash, then welcome to our new national holiday, Juneteenth. There will be very little waiting for "effective next calendar year" this time. The bill was passed by the Senate on Tuesday, by the House on Wednesday, signed by the president Thursday, and many Federal workers had Friday off. This just proves government can move fast when speed serves its political purposes.

I've got no problem with Juneteenth. I had never heard of it until last year, but after I learned about it I agree that it's important. However, I'd feel better about adding a new Federal holiday if Columbus Day could be left alone. That's our history, too.

Slavery in America ended almost two centuries ago. Show me another country that ever fought such a long and bloody battle to end it. Our Civil War was followed a century later by the Civil Rights movement and the heroic efforts of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to achieve equal rights for all Americans regardless of race. Look at the stature of our Black leaders today, including a former president--who is actually half-White, a salient fact that always remains background noise. Black Supreme Court justices, national security advisors, military leaders and heroes, senators, congressmen, professors, writers, sports legends are among our most renowned national figures.

To say that Blacks in America today are oppressed is outright ridiculous. Furthermore (take note, BLM activists), the American people--including Black people--know it's ridiculous.

As I was channel-jumping on my car radio this week, I heard a brilliant proposal put forth. The speaker (name unknown) was talking about the reparations controversy. He offered this resolution: "Every slave owner in America today should pay every slave in America." I laughed, but the preposterous nature of that concept proves how far we as a nation have traveled on the road to progress.

We are not a perfect union; we are only a "more perfect union" than we had been in the distant past. Slavery has been in our rear view mirror for many generations. Let's learn and remember the hard lessons from it, of course. But let's live now, today, in our current day and time, and keep trying to do better as a nation. Happy Juneteenth.

The Necessary Quality

Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities...because it is the quality which guarantees all the others. 

~ Winston Churchill

D-Day Landing ~ Normandy, France ~ June 6, 1944

 

Parental Control, Demonstrated

Andrea Widburg has a terrific piece in American Thinker about a mother, Tatiana Ibrahim, who lit up her town's school board meeting over the nihilist indoctrination being forced upon their children. Read There is a lioness in Carmel, New York who is fighting for the children, and be sure to watch the video that's included in the article.

I first heard the audio of this parent's scathing and fearless takedown of her town's school board on Mark Levin's radio program, and it was riveting. A search for the video led to Widburg's report. I think it must be seen and heard to be fully appreciated; Ms.Ibrahim is breathtaking.

Tatiana Ibrahim is speaking the same message that Andrew Gutmann was recently writing. This link will take you to Gutmann's website, Speak Up For Education. His website provides definitive action items for concerned parents who want to fight back on behalf of their children.

I wish more mothers and fathers--unknown numbers of whom undoutedly agree with both of these brave parents--would find the courage to stand together and speak out for their kids, also.

Beyond Measure

Arlington National Cemetery ~ AFA

Further to His Letter

I know where I stand on these questions. But what say you, America?

~ Andrew Gutmann

One month ago I posted a piece about one brave father in New York City. His brilliant letter detailing his decision to pull his daughter out of her left-wing private school was gripping, and it went viral on social media.

Today Andrew Gutmann published his follow-up article in The Hill. Not surprisingly, it's another home run. This man is not only a highly intelligent critical thinker and exquisite writer; he is also one brave and fearless hero. To be willing to step forward and stand before the myriad forces of evil that are innundating our country, and to face the ensuing consequences and personal price, takes enormous courage. 

Gutmann is right to point out that it's not just school systems that are pushing division through critical race theory. I have family members who have been "strongly encouraged" to attend "white privilege" seminars at their place of business. In these classes they are taught how inherently racist they have always been, although they may not even be aware of it. In fact, they are told, this obliviousness confirms their racism.

This "re-education" of adults and indoctrination of children is beyond propaganda. It is what all Marxists do, tear down and destroy at another's expense in order to achieve their selfish ends. It is, quite simply, evil. Our nation will not long survive the determined efforts to divide Americans against each other. Unless, of course, we Americans begin to speak out and fight back as this one courageous father has done.

He ends his article with a challenge to his fellow countrymen. Where do we stand? Today the United States needs an army of Andrew Gutmanns. I know I'd like to enlist. But what say you, America?

Educated News

It's been a while since I recommended that you check in with Victor Davis Hanson on a regular basis. I think the present is a good time for a reminder.

VDH's website now contains an impressive array of audio, podcasts and interviews along with his incisive written works. Today's "Feet of Clay" article about Americans losing trust in our institutions is alarming in its truthfulness. If you want to be well informed about current events and hone your critical thinking skills in the process, check out the professor's online content. His podcast, The Classicist, is a healthy addiction for me. It's available at all the usual podcast sources as well as his website. I've linked to his Private Papers here, and you can also find this link in my homepage's sidebar. 

Over the years there have been edits to which websites I've linked to, but I'm proud that VDH has been included from the beginning. If you'd like to raise the quality of your news consumption up a notch--and these days, who doesn't?--give Dr. Hanson a try. He never makes an assertion that is not immediately backed up by hard facts and/or vivid examples. Fair warning: you'll find yourself being educated as much as informed.

Travel Notes

For anyone emerging from Covid exile who might be eager to travel again, be prepared to check your carry-on luggage. The planes are jam-packed, just as they were in olden days. The big difference now is that you're suffocating in a face mask for five or six hours. Also, don't forget to pack a lunch unless you can live all day on one tiny pack of minature toy pretzels.

A few days ago I completed my third cross-country trip during the Covid-19 pandemic. My first trip was almost exactly one year ago, in mid-May 2020. I flew from West to East coast for my mother's burial (the word "funeral" is completely inaccurate). Flight options were extremely limited in those early days of pandemic hysteria. Most planes were sparsely populated. I had to take what I could get, on an airline I had rarely used before, and stay buckled up for constant changes.

Among the dizzying array of travel changes pinging my text and email were departure times, arrival gates, terminals, and connecting flights and cities. Not even airline employees could explain what was going on. Had it not been for one blessed airport employee who whisked me (via speeding wheelchair) to my connection at a far-flung terminal, I would have missed my mother's burial. I still wonder if Mom sent him my way.

My second trip was at Christmas time, to visit grandchildren I hadn't seen in more than one year. Again, flights were few and changes were many. There were still not many people traveling at Christmas, and middle seats were blocked empty, but that is no longer the case. On this most recent trip I took a total of five flights, traveling to family visits in two states, and all the planes were fully loaded. I've noticed that a flight attendant's voice never sounds happier than when it is announcing, "We have a completely full flight today! Every seat will be occupied."

There is an upside. I have never seen planes so sparkling clean in my life. Before Covid, I used to get strange looks when I whipped out my wipes and started cleaning my tray table, armrests, light bulb button and seat belt buckle. Nowadays I'm more likely to be asked if I can spare one or two for my seatmates.

Cross-country travel has always been somewhat daunting to me, but in these days of Covid it's especially rugged. The surprises never seem to stop. When I returned home and dragged my bags to the ride share area, my phone app informed me that there were "few drivers" and I would need to wait one hour for a pickup. That's a new wrinkle. I hailed a taxi instead, gladly forking over a few extra bucks just to get home before midnight.

Despite such challenges, it's worth it to make the effort, take the trip, and tolerate the logistical turbulence. It's a small price to pay for reconnecting with family. As a new summer stretches out before us, I wish safe and happy travels to you and yours. Remember to pack some patience.