Category Civil Society

Oct 9 2023

An Examination of Conscience


Posted originally on the CTH on October 8, 2023 | Menagerie 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=2CkQEw5zboY%3Ffeature%3Doembed


This is not a political post. You may vigorously state and defend your opinions. Do it in a civil and respectful way, or do not comment here. If you cannot abide by this one very clear request, I’ll put you on the blacklist. I have the very strong opinion that people who cannot express themselves with respect do not need to be babysat in moderation. Keep to the topic.

Once upon a time, in the Treehouse long, long ago, this was a well practiced custom. The discourse and exchange of ideas was the better for it. Those of you who cannot give and take in this manner take something away from this fine site, and from each other.

You are not out there fighting the good fight. You are just standing on the sidelines, stomping your feet. And before getting your back up, please go back and re-read my second sentence.

If you aren’t clear on what that means, then I suggest you not only studiously read Sundance’s comments, but also our admin Stella’s. Go look for some of her posts and comments here, or go over to her blog, Stella’s Place. She is a master at clearly presenting logic and defending her position without logical fallacies or disrespect. It’s kind of like a classroom for discourse, in my opinion.

I have been intending to do a venting post. Kind of a rant, if you will, for all of us. No great ideas, or study, or thorough examination of a subject. Just a brief few sentences on things I think are wrong. But now isn’t the right time for that, if it ever is the right time.

Yesterday I did a post requesting prayer for Israel. Apparently, a lot of people had a problem with that. A lot of others made a complete mockery of the idea by praying or wishing awful things for the terrorists.

Terrorists whose actions, whose nature, whose belief system and morals are the most awful example of what a human can be. They do not deserve sympathy. We can’t  even put ourselves in their shoes, and try to see their side. They don’t have a side. Hate and evil are not a legitimate platform to examine for worth or understanding. Full on rejection of all they entail is the only logical and moral response, not only for Christians and Jews, but for anyone with a functional brain.

Some of the things I wanted to rant about have a little relevance here. They aren’t unique to me, or original in any way.

I am particularly tired of people who won’t work, who have never worked, and never intend to. Yet each year their lot gets better and mine gets worse.

I am tired of knowing that if I so much as don’t pay a parking ticket, I’ll suffer a trip to court and an expensive fine, while there are murders set free.

I am tired of paying more for goods because a whole group of people believe they are entitled to steal from everyone and suffer no consequences at all. And they don’t suffer any consequences. At all.

And, may I boldly emphasize that the topic and point of this post, and comments, is not about ranting. Maybe another day.

As I said, these few examples, and the others I’d intended to list, have nothing directly to do with my topic. Ah, but indirectly, there’s the point.

I have become so absorbed in my interior rants that I have crossed a line. I’m no longer in a place of righteous anger and seeking justice, justice grounded in God’s law and truth. I am no longer listening as I ought at all times to Christ’s voice inside me. I am no longer looking to him who taught us the both/and way of walking out our lives of faith. The Master who both turned over the moneychanger’s tables and wreaked havoc at the Temple, and rebuked the Sons of Thunder for their thirst for vengeance.

Yesterday was a stark wake up call for me. My own house in not in order. My will is not submitted to Christ. My words do not reflect his teachings. My heart has been given to passions other than that which should at all times be central in my life.

I have failed to carry my cross. I have scorned my cross. I have failed to offer my sufferings to Jesus. I have, through my fault, my most grievous fault, sinned greatly in my anger and pride.

The Confiteor

I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Dec 25 2022

British Woman Arrested for Thinking Silent Prayers Inside Perimeter of Public Area Where Only Lawful Thoughts Are Permitted


Posted originally on the CTH on December 24, 2022 | Sundance

Mrs Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, aged 45, was not doing anything except standing inside an area under what local officials call a “Public Spaces Protection Order.” [Birmingham, UK, News Link] Within these designated areas protest is not permitted. Prayer is considered an act of protesting.

Mrs. Vaughan-Spruce was standing alone, in silence.  However, she was thinking prayerful thoughts without speaking. As a consequence, her cognitive state -thinking about prayer- was in violation of the protection order.

A police officer arrived and questioned Mrs. Vaughan-Spruce about her thoughts. Mrs. Vaughan-Spruce told the police officer the truth, she was thinking about prayers. The police officer arrested Mrs. Vaughan-Spruce for violating the Public Spaces Protection Order with her thoughts.

Mrs. Vaughan-Spruce appeared on the Tucker Carlson show to explain what happened. {Direct Rumble link} – WATCH:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=2Td5GHNQIgY%3Ffeature%3Doembed

A longer video of the entire event is also below.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=wXURFRSUS9U%3Ffeature%3Doembed

.

Dec 25 2022

Christmas Eve Cold Weather Brings Rolling Electricity Blackouts Along East Coast


Posted originally on the CTH on December 24, 2022 | Sundance 

If you visit a local library, you may discover there was a time when the focus of electricity companies was to generate and provide the most dependable, efficient, lowest cost and critical power to customers who need electricity to live.   Alas, those were in the olden days, when service providers were generally focused on improving the quality of life of their customers.

In the modern era, the horrible carbon emitters, aka customers, have become the parasite to manage.  People are now a problematic encumbrance blocking the high-minded climate and financial aspirations of the energy corporations.

Heating, cooling and comfort?  Get a grip Boomers and GenXer’s, those insufferably selfish indulgences were the priorities of yesteryear.

Yes Alice, as we try to peer through the looking glass, we discover it’s a mirror now.  The reflection is the opposite of normal, the reflection is the world of pretending.  Say hello to the modern Christmastime when you pray for coal in your stocking.

From Pennsylvania and New Jersey, westward to Illinois and Ohio and all the way south into South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and beyond, power companies are turning off the electricity to preserve and equally distribute the minimal amount of energy they are able to generate.

This my friends, is the “equitable distribution of misery.”  How weird does it feel to see that generational prediction turning into reality?

TENNESSEE – […] The TVA began instructing local power companies to reduce power usage on Friday night, and some have instituted rolling blackouts in some cities such as Nashville, Tennessee. Some local power companies have also started using rolling blackouts after the TVA asked them to reduce power usage.

PJM Interconnection, based in Pennsylvania, also asked companies within its system to conserve energy. The company asked residents to turn off non-essential lights, set their thermostats lower than usual, and not use major appliances like dishwashers and laundry machines, the AP reported.

PJM covers areas in Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C, according to the AP. (read more)

Aug 8 2022

President Trump CPAC Introduction Video


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on August 7, 2022 | sundance 

This was the introduction video for President Donald Trump before his CPAC speech. {Direct Rumble Link} Enjoy

Aug 8 2022

It’s the Family You Remember


Armstrong Economics Blog/Opinion Re-Posted Aug 7, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

COMMENT: GREAT idea to take the family to Yellowstone!!

I am 79 yrs old and my dad took the family there when I was in secondary school. He and mom were school teachers so they had all summer off. Not that far a drive from the east side of New Mexico.

Strongly urge everyone to take the time for holiday adventures with the family to create some memories. On our death bed we will not recall a list of work-related events, but family memories.

UD

REPLY: Yes. The family trips were the memories that endure. Even before my mother died, I had taken all the old 8mm films my father took and converted them to disk. She wanted to see them to relive her life before she passed. I remember the family trip to Europe for the summer. This was me watching an artist painting St Mark’s Square in Venice. That is what endures when all else fades away.

Aug 7 2022

Nature v Humans


Armstrong Economics Blog/Opinion Re-Posted Aug 7, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

Sorry, I took a break with the family and went to Yellowstone National Park. My father took me there 60 years ago and it was so spectacular. I always remembered being there as a kid. So I suppose it is a family tradition now knowing that probably my grandchildren will take their children there. So, while empires, nations, and city-states rise and fall throughout history, despite the climate zealots that blame everything on humans as if we are a plague that should be exterminated, nature endures.

Even the Bisen are not afraid of cars. If they decide to eat the grass on the side of the road and block traffic, they have the right of way. Yellowstone is off the grid. Cell phone reception is very spotty and if you stay at the famous Old Faithful Inn, there is no air conditioning or Wi-Fi. So prepare to ruff it. You are really disconnected from the world.

Aug 6 2022

Candidate Joe Kent Pulls to Within 257 Votes in Washington State, With 30,000 Ballots Remaining to Be Counted


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on August 5, 2022 | Sundance

As each batch of ballots is counted in Washington State’s 3rd congressional district, MAGA candidate Joe Kent has gained significant ground.

Republican Joe Kent is now within striking distance of primarying Jaime Herrera Beutler, with approximately 30,000 ballots remaining to be counted.

[New York Times Link]

Jamie Herrera Beutler, who voted to impeach President Trump and is one of the MAGA targets for 2022, now has 41,603 votes.  Trump-endorsed Joe Kent has moved from a several thousand vote deficit, into the latest result of 41,346 votes.  The difference is now down to 257 votes.

Washington State has that jungle primary voting system where the top two candidate’s face-off in the general election. According to Kent on Twitter, there are 30,000 ballots left to be counted.  Prayers up!!  Joe Kent might just pull off this victory.

If the next batch of 30,000 ballots, carries the same ratio as today’s batch of 22,000 ballots, Joe Kent will take the lead.

Aug 5 2022

Unborn Babies May be Filed as Dependents in Georgia


Armstrong Economics Blog/USA Current Events Re-Posted Aug 5, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

Georgia law states that life begins at conception. Aside from cases of rape and incest, or if the mother’s life is in danger, abortions are prohibited in the state. The Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) has stated that the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling sees the unborn as “natural persons.”

Therefore, under that logic, the unborn child has Constitutional rights. Georgia’s tax department will now allow taxpayers to claim unborn children as dependents. “Department will recognize any unborn child with a detectable human heartbeat … as eligible for the Georgia individual tax dependent exemption,” the DOR stated. Tax exemptions may reach $3,000 per unborn child. A heartbeat may be detected as early as six weeks into pregnancy via ultrasound.

Even some liberal voices are praising this new law as it will help low-income families who need the extra money. Other states strongly opposed to the practice of abortion may follow suit. Let’s just hope the government doesn’t find a way to tax unborn persons.

Aug 2 2022

Missouri Primary Election Tomorrow, President Trump to Endorse Republican Senate Candidate Today


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on August 1, 2022 | Sundance 

The Missouri primary election is tomorrow.  President Trump announced on Truth Social, that he will be making an endorsement today.

Republican Senator Roy Blunt is retiring and the top three candidates to replace him are former Governor Eric Greitens, Attorney General Eric Schmitt and U.S. Representative Vicky Hartzler.

The field of candidates also includes Congressman Billy Long, attorney Mark McCloskey and state Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz.  However, Schmitt, Greitens and Hartzler are considered the frontrunners.   It’s late in the race, but the endorsement from the great MAGA king will likely determine the winner.

Jun 5 2022

Pentecost, The Birth of the Church


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on June 5, 2022 | Menagerie

Jn 20:19-23

On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit gave the Apostles all the gifts they needed to go out and preach the Gospel to the world. Ultimately, all of them except John would die as martyrs.

Pentecost occurs 50 days after Easter Sunday, ten days after the Ascension. Mary and the Apostles prayed together continuously after the Ascension, and this is where we Catholics get our tradition of the novena, nine days of dedicated prayer.

Once, when I was struggling with an especially difficult spiritual battle, a wise priest reminded  me to call upon the Spirit when I prayed, to guide me and help me, but also to deliver my prayers perfected to God. Those words helped me to see the might, power, love and completeness of the Advocate, and truly brought home to me all the gifts God makes available to us.

Too often we forget to use them.