A response to Kelly Scoles’ letter:

Hi Kelly,

My first distraction, as I write tonight, has nothing to do with politics. It has to do with mosquitoes, in particular the
one that bit my arm a while ago causing redness, swelling, and infernal itching. It’s a maddening thing. So, I’m going to
make this thing shorter than usual.

I’ve mentioned that I am not obsessed with the Epstein scandal. I would like to see the guilty parties indicted, tried,
convicted and sentenced to long terms in solitary confinement. As outrageous as that is, life-threatening issues of national
defense take priority. However, renaming the Dept. of Defense to War Department is appropriate since “The Department of War
was established by George Washington, and he knew what he was doing.”

*****

I’m also sick to death and embarrassed with all this blather about the Nobel Peace Prize. This sort of ambition is
unbecoming a US president, and his sycophantic friends should not encourage it.

*****

As for that Venezuelan narco boat, they can retrieve the pieces, pile them ashore, and blow them up again. I am confident
that the Navy had ample prima facie evidence leading to probable cause to take deadly defensive action. I just feel sorry
for the fish that must now swim through that lethal soup. “As little as 2 mg of fentanyl—the amount of a few grains of salt—
can be fatal.” Hundreds of thousands of Americans have discovered this, too late. You might assuage your grief, Kelly, over
the death of the 11 Venezuelan drug pirates because their deaths were mercifully quick.

*****

On the issue of ostentatious displays of gold objects in the White House, I happen to agree. It makes our President look too
much like Putin in his gold-slathered Kremlin, including the twin 40-foot doors dramatically guarded by two military
Munchkins “a race of small, childlike beings from the Land of Oz” with chins in the air. I have to laugh every time I see
them.

You worry about “federal military intervention.” It’s foolishly dangerous federal policies that have made extreme action
necessary. You say Trump is “encouraging civil war” and “a need for martial law, … just as the rest of the world grows
stronger against us.” Trump should prepare for a probable civil war, Democrats will see to that event - so will Zohran
Mamdani, their resident communist. You say Trump’s military move into cities “is not meant to “fight crime,” but to subdue.”
I agree, it’s meant to subdue rampant crime facilitated by crazy Democratic anti-police and sanctuary cities and state
policies. And you say, “And many of us are asleep.” That’s certainly true, and I believe we will only awaken in an explosive
environment due to decades of defense unpreparedness.

A quick response to Pat Collins’ letter:

Hi Pat,

You seem to rejoice at discovering another “story…that tells us exactly who Donald Trump is.” You then reference a story
alleging Trump used 29-day deployment of National Guard and Army to avoid paying Guard members a stipend or pay for hotel
rooms”

This is just another example of liberal Democrat fake news. Since this is an intentional falsehood it must also be
identified as a lie. The following is what the Gazette found with a little research, which makes further response
unnecessary:

What We Found (and What We Didn’t)

• One social media claim on Fishbowl suggests Trump did “specifically call up the National Guard for 29 days instead of 30—
so that they won’t have to pay them a stipend or pay for their hotel rooms.” Fishbowl - Your Professional Community

• However, there are no reputable news reports or government documents confirming that this was an intentional strategy or
policy directive.

• It’s common in military practice to issue orders lasting fewer than 30 days simply because different pay and benefits
processes apply once a service member hits 30 days of active duty—not necessarily out of cost avoidance. Instagram

*****

Why the Claim Seems Suspect

Claim: Trump used 29-day deployment to avoid paying Guard members

Verified?: No reliable evidence

Notes: Only appears in unverified social/digital anecdotes

Claim: 29-day activations are standard military practice

Verified?: Yes

Notes: Widely used for administrative simplicity—not exclusive to any administration

Claim: Financial reasons alone motivated such scheduling

Verified?: Unproven

Notes: No documentation supports this claim as policy

Claim: Financial reasons alone motivated such scheduling

Verified?: Unproven

Notes: No documentation supports this claim as policy

*****

Bottom Line

The claim appears to be based on rumor or hearsay. While 29-day orders are indeed common in military logistics—primarily
for administrative convenience—it’s misleading to present that as a deliberate cost-saving tactic specific to one
president. There’s no credible evidence that Trump—or any administration—used this as a formal strategy to avoid pay or
benefits.

*****

A response to Kelly Scoles’ letter:

Hello again, Kelly,

I’ve harped a lot on the importance of logic in debate. Its absence or distortion can make accurate communication with
others impossible. Athenians and their neighbors around 400 B.C. understood this. They also clearly understood that
abortion was evil by demanding in their Hippocratic oath “First do no harm” and “I will not give to a woman a destructive
pessary [means of abortion]”. This was an ethical issue 2,500 years ago. This has been Judeo-Christian Gospel for more than
5,000 years. I guess even the pagan Greeks thought their unborn babies too “precious” to kill.

Kelly, you seem to be fixated on my alleged use of the word “precious”. I’m not aware of my frequent use of this word, but
it certainly is appropriate when referring to preborn human children. Why this preoccupation, I don’t know, especially
since you and I and the rest of humanity once lived in precisely the same stage of life.

But more to the point, our debate difficulty lies in the fact that we are using two different logics, different languages,
trying to reach a single truth. Over the years I have come to approach such debates beginning with a few red lines. First,
I draw the critical religious line – between atheists-agnostics and Christians. It’s difficult (as a Christian) to convince
anyone who rejects the Supreme Being Who made all things, most of which are spiritual, of eternal realities. Materialists’
beliefs are limited to things they can see, feel, or touch, or what imagination can provide, like aliens, transgender
beings, or Bigfoot. When I introduce God into the debate as the Supreme Being Who made all things they are stymied. In
Christian theology His (God’s) attributes being inherently, Infinite, Omnipotent (all-powerful), Omniscient (all-knowing),
Omnipresent (everywhere present), Omnibenevolent (all-good), and Omnificent (all-creating). “These attributes describe
God’s supreme, unchanging nature, which allows for all miracles, dominion, and strength in the world and in believers’
lives.” Leave God out of the discussion and reality disappears. Leave faulty logic in - and conclusions whimper to be
corrected.

So, where can we go from here? If atheists deny eternity, i.e. no afterlife, they remain ignorant of who they are, where
they came from, why they’re here, or where they’re going. But as Judeo-Christians we have 5,000 years-worth of answers. So,
before we can engage in meaningful debate here, something has to give. A fundamental understanding of these spiritual facts
will reveal just why the unborn child is immediately “precious and worthy of saving”; it’s because we humans are uniquely
made in the “image and likeness of God” (no aliens). Maybe the solution here is to limit the discussion to politics?

You ask about the problem of evil. You can’t understand this without understanding Biblical history, which includes angels,
rebellion, demons, creation, Adam and Eve, the Fall, Noah, the flood, Abraham, Jesus, redemption, and eternal aggressive
(fruitless) defiance against God. Whether or not you believe this longest of stories or not, you cannot comprehend the
answers without accepting this story which leads ultimately into Heaven or Hell.

As usual, Kelly, there’s neither time nor space to get into firearms issues, etc. However, the problem of evil should keep
you busy enough.

Lastly, you seem to disparage “Originalist doctrine” which belittles one of my heroes, the late, great Justice Antonin
Scalia. Let me just recommend a great book, The Essential Scalia – foreword by none other than supreme Court Justice Elena
Kagan.

I’m praying for you, Kelly, whether you like it or not!

I did not publish my Realities this week after I received the horrible news of this Minneapolis shooting. My topic would have been grossly inappropriate.

An hour before deadline we received a KFI report; “During the Mass, a gunman approached on the outside [of the Catholic church] on the side of the building and began firing [a] rifle through the church windows towards the children sitting in the pews at Mass.”

“The two deceased victims were aged eight and ten. Fourteen of the injured victims were children. Dr. Thomas Wyatt, chair of emergency medicine for Hennelpin Healthcare, said that two adults and nine children were being treated at the Hennepin County Medical Center. Seven of the victims are in critical condition. The suspect, who has not been identified, opened fire from outside the church, firing through the windows. He was found deceased in the back of the church with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. O’Hara said that the shooter was armed with a shotgun, a rifle, and a pistol.” The suspect was later identified as Robert “Robin” Westman, 23, “identifying” as a female. His mother was an employee of the Annunciation Catholic School.

“Investigators are trying to determine a motive for the shooting. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI are assisting with the investigation.”

“Wednesday’s shooting follows another one in which one person was killed and six others were injured when a man with a rifle opened fire on a crowd of people across the street from a high school on Tuesday.”

This shooting took place while the children were attending Mass.

Pray for the innocent victims.

The Gazette schedule was shortened one day this week, and my article was finished too early for a full response to Kelly’s letter. My apologies, Kelly.

****

I’m preoccupied with the results of the Alaska meeting between Trump and Putin. I expected a farce, I wasn’t disappointed.

In short, Putin gave up nothing to Trump, while continuing to slaughter Ukrainian civilians. Trump gave up everything to
Russia, using promises written to dupe only severely naïve people. The sandy foundation of these promises is structured
with “just trust us” sentiments. These phantoms of NATO-Article -5 -type protections for Ukraine defense insult the
intelligence of anyone with basic knowledge of communist history. I hope the European leaders who followed Zelenskyy to the
White House after the Alaska fiasco will convince Trump to apply testicular sanctions to Putin’s oil market, thus shaking
off the president’s emerging Ruso-patsy image. Mr. President, you are dealing with an indicted war criminal, not a banana
republic bandit. We shouldn’t have to remind you of this; maybe if you chose an envoy other than your golfing buddy, Steve
Witkoff, you would improve your tactics. He’s just a genial, inexperienced ignoramus. But I would give you a mulligan here
for replacing him with Commanding General Ben Hodges, United States Army Europe, Ret. He knows Ukraine and the unique place
of Crimea, the heart of Ukraine which you would blithely toss to the hyenas.

Alaska in short: Putin demands Ukraine give Russia all Ukrainian territory occupied thus far, and more. Russia also wants
Crimea and demands Ukraine essentially demilitarize. What does Russia give Ukraine in exchange? Russia “promises” to stop
its murderous destruction of the Ukraine it has invaded for three and a half years. Trump is inexplicably siding with
Putin, again. Serious people are asking if Putin is blackmailing Trump.

We must remember Russia has now lost one million forty thousand soldiers, and hundreds of thousands more Ukrainian civilian
men, women, and children, with a battle kill rate of 1,200 per day. Trump needs to understand Putin is not only a war
criminal, he’s also a psychopathic killer. We must also remember Putin has kidnapped 30,000 children and transported them
to Russia to be raised as Russians with a new language.

Trump makes pathetic post Alaska comments like,

“The agreement will protect them.” [Ukrainians]. J. D. Vance says, “Engagement in diplomacy” is the way to go.” I ask both
of them, when did Russia ever in its history abide by an agreement? Viable agreements demand that magical stuff – TRUST. As
the saying goes, I wouldn’t trust a communist to water my dog.

The most important thing to understand about the Alaska farce is this: Putin gave up nothing, while Trump gave away
everything to Putin, including the necessity for a ceasefire– all with a smile!

I find myself in a dilemma: I support Trump’s domestic policies but strongly reject all his Ukrainian policies. Can I
remain MAGA when his foreign policies, in my opinion, are about to spark war? Trump’s esteem of Putin is like that “dilemma
wrapped in a paradox.” I can’t believe Trump doesn’t understand that Putin is a virtual stand-in for Antichrist on one
side, yet finds him praiseworthy on the other. Putin has a lot in common with the “Father of Lies, who was also a murderer

from the beginning.” Maybe a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a closer match.

By the way, Putin rejected that central idea of ceasefire. How long did Trump spend on that? Another fake Potemkin
settlement to fool Trump. A waste of time when time means 1,200 deaths per 24 hours!

My spiritually gifted friends in the Catholic community provide trustworthy information about the otherwise confusing
realities of this global battlefield. While I have neither fear nor anxiety about the near future, I do have some clarity
about its catastrophic nature. For me, the answer cannot be found in technology, AI, voodoo, or Democratic Party politics.
Those of us who do not believe in God and His Divine Will might do well to reconsider. Of course, it does no harm to give
prayer a chance as well. End of sermon.

****

Response to Kelly Scoles’ letter.

Sorry so little space remains, Kelly.

As you can see, I was more disgusted with the Alaska meeting than you, but I’ll refrain from some of your space-taking
hyperbole.

Kelly, something wrong with paterfamilias? This is the most cynical letter I’ve ever received from you. He
(paterfamilias), though diminished in status today, is and has been responsible for maintaining the family’s well-being,
reputation, and moral standing within Roman (then western) society.

Romans structured their nation on this understanding. He was the oldest living male of the Roman family. His primary duty
has always been to support and defend his family, recognized as its head. The system worked well for a thousand years of
Roman Republic and Empire – then 2,000 years of Christianity. Feminists despise the thought of male authority and have paid
the price. Despising male authority in a family context doesn’t change the necessity of protecting the most vulnerable of
our species, females. Every normal male has a duty of protecting the distaff side of his species in his DNA. It is a primary duty of good men to protect the female side from evil men. I invite you to view the American military graveyards in
France and the US for evidence of male sacrifices made to this end. Most of all, the absence of the paterfamilias father
figure from the home today is the prime reason for the pandemic of juvenile crime!

Just one more reflection on your diatribe against male protection. You say “Obviously, women will forever be unwilling objects of your paterfamilias veneration and ‘protection’.” Your sarcasm is clear, but your understanding is dark and
selfish. Do you feel venerated? That was not my intention. Both species are today about to be shaken like a terrier shakes
a rat. Both stand near that eternal dock. However, be glad so many men still risk their lives to “protect” women. I regret
that that offends you. But otherwise, the lives of our female species would be pure Hell and the paterfamilias would be
guilty of criminal negligence.

Send your thanks to 408 Orchard St., Fillmore, CA. I can forward it to a military hospital.

First things first: Glad to announce the keys lost last week were retrieved by owner. That’s worth at least one Yippee! Also, I’ve received another silver disk! The FBI is on it.

*****
Now for a comment I’ve needed to make for a long time about the management of the Ukrainian war, then to a response to Kelly Scoles’s letter.

I make no mystery of my opinions on President Trump’s bad (foreign) policies, and the domestic which I mostly praise. I also admit I’m not a “yes-man.” When the President makes serious mistakes (sometimes egregious, again mostly foreign policy) I have to sound off (because I’m sure he reads the Gazette). Even the most gifted leaders need to hear from their loyal troops. Otherwise, he’s doomed by uncontrolled hubris, and having listened to those yes-men.

Trump’s greatest weakness lies in his need for recognition of his global leadership, and reluctance to take advice from even loyal contrary sources. This causes him to miss out on the invaluable experience and advice of others. For example, he ignores trustworthy military luminaries like Mike Pompeo, Gen. David Petraeus, Gen. Christopher Caroli, Gen. Jack Keane, and Gen. Ben Hodges. There are several others. Most of the best seem to be retired. I am especially impressed with Ben Hodges and Jack Keane. These are rich military resources largely wasted on Trump, many on purely personal grounds. Had these men been retained from the beginning I believe Ukraine would have defeated Russia by now. Also, had the U.S., Europe, NATO, the EU and the rest of the Free World seen the danger clearly and provided ALL necessary munitions and financial assistance QUICKLY, Russia would have exhausted itself.

We were timid and cowardly, and acted reluctantly, and squeamishly. We all gave some, some a lot, but not what we knew was ENOUGH.

We have been too late in acknowledging our mutual enemies, Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. Now we scramble to meet that enemy at the gate. This meeting of Trump with Putin in Alaska is a farce! Trump is an easy target for Putin. Putin should not be rewarded for his murders and the demolition of Ukraine, a sovereign democracy. He should take NOTHING. He is in a panicked race to take a part of Ukraine before his robber fiefdom goes bankrupt – like the Soviet Union. An invincible full press was needed yesterday.

As to Trump’s unfathomable remarks about Ukraine, to Zelenskyy, “You should have never started the war, you could have given up land” (BBC News) “Trump Says Ukraine “Should Have Never Started” War With Russia.” (10 News First.) “I’m disappointed [with Ukraine]. If I were President, it would never have happened.” “You don’t start a war with someone 20 times your size.” (YouTube). I can’t stand to find more of these false, stupid quotes. They are so revoltingly ignorant they almost turn me away from MAGA, saved only by domestic wins. We (US, NATO, EU. et al) will pay dearly for letting Ukraine slip away into the criminal communist hands of that demonic Federation – at infinitely greater cost.

*****
Mr. President: Don’t confuse the victim with the killer! You have done a great job of halting illegal immigration but have utterly failed to stop Putin. Statistics tell us “1,200 men are killed in combat today.” “More recently, Ukraine has reported even higher numbers, with over 1,270 Russian troops lost in a single 24-hour period, according to (The National Interest).”

You gave 30 days to get a ceasefire, then 10 days. At 30 - we lose 36,000 men. At 10 days we lose 12,000. Do you see any urgency here? Do you think Putin does?

*****
Well, I got carried away and lost a lot of space. Sorry, Kelly.

Kelly, I’m confronted with a crisis of logic as I read your letter. The very high status in which I hold women is only magnified by my condemnation of abortion. It is not an “absurd claim”, its honorable, it is profoundly Christian, it is to protect uniquely eternal human souls, the tinniest, most beautiful preborn boys and girls. Only the female human being is capable of generating new life. It is her greatest human distinction of which men must be forever in awe and a perpetual state of protection. Human life is the first and greatest gift of God, without which no other is possible. Far from “denying their humanity in the control of their own bodies” as you say, Christians rejoice in the exquisite glory of a newborn baby – because it is made “in the image and likeness of God.” And, “Blessed art thou [Mary] among women… and blessed is the fruit of thy womb [Jesus]. “Holy Mary, Mother of God….”

God bless all mothers with their newborn babies; keep them safe.

Before my article today, a public notice: On Tuesday, August 6, while exiting our Post Office, I found a key ring on the
pavement near to the sidewalk. It has several keys including what looked like a PO box key. I gave the keys to the young
woman at the front desk. I’m just trying to find the owner of the key ring by telling everyone where it is now located. So,
I would appreciate everyone putting out the hue and cry to find the owner. Thank you. (St. Anthony of Padua help us out.)

A reply to Kelly Scoles’ letter:

Hi Kelly, Nice try! First you take my suggestion about restricting the movie “A Face in the Crowd” from anyone until I see
it, then you send me a strange silver disk (called a DVD) entitled “A Face in the Crowd”, forcing me to find some kind of
machine to run it on, knowing all along it is of extraterritorial origin. You expect me to believe this has you in a state
of “verklempt” or even “farklempt”. I think this is all just a load of “Mishegoss”.

About my experience with the study of our Constitution, it was adequate but not really satisfying. Today it’s mostly about
feelings. Law schools don’t pay much attention to our founding document these days, or basic American history for that
matter, according to the most distinguished Professor Emeritius John M. Ellis (UC Sana Cruz). Most of what I know today
I’ve picked up with personal study, but I’m certainly not a scholar.

More seriously, Kelly, I should have thought that four years with the Jebbies (Jesuits) would have answered the questions you raised, about the Holocaust, Crusades, Epstein, etc. Whether intentional or not, your letter this week is strewn with
curious angry innuendo – am I witnessing a touch of resentment? You say, “If God were involved in our day-to-day issues,
how do you explain” [the above issues]? Explaining evil is one of mankind’s oldest challenges, which comes with the oldest
answers, the rebellion of free will, people choosing the dark side against our Creator Who is all Light. Ignorance of these
answers may not be a “defense” but can be explained. “Ignorance” can be “invincible” when our free will rejects truth as
revealed in Holy Scripture, 2000 years of Christian tradition, the reality of God, Good versus Evil, eternity, the
supernatural, etc. Christianity says those refusing to acknowledge God don’t know who they are, where they came from, what
there’re doing here, or where they’re going. In short, they’re lost. In the end the Church says we will be either in
eternal joy with God, or in eternal perdition without bail. I know, I know, this all causes you verklempt.

I don’t want to be a sidewalk theologian, though I very much enjoy religious discussion, this is getting a little too thick
for something which needs respectable preparation. You are absorbed with Epstein. I am not. He is where he chose to be. I’m
satisfied to see justice run its course. I must reject one especially egregious statement you made: “The creation of the
human animal armed with intelligence and free will was a curiously risky venture…” As the Supreme Being Who made all things
(the Creator) nothing is “risky”. All is in his Divine Will. The Church identifies anything to the contrary as blasphemous.
It is this sort of hubris that sparked the first rebellion against God – and created eternal Hell (of course, according to
Biblical truth). I doubt whether your own rebellion will have any more success than those Angels had when St. Michael drove
them from the Beatific Vision. They were the first eternal losers. I’m tempted here to quote from that Baltimore Catechism
you read in first grade – but that would blow the circuits with truthful simplicity – maybe the whole grid as well.

You accuse me: “You, who justify retribution genocide in Gaza, dispatch God to take care of the Epstein atrocities without
investigation because”…? This is a false statement attributing to me sympathy for the heinous crimes of Hamas. This is
gross leftist propaganda. Are you aware that, in the case of Gaza, Hamas steals humanitarian food supplies that Israel
delivers? Kelly, you are victim of your own naivete which deprives you of acknowledging the truth. You seem driven by
emotional bias rather than facts. All this Epstein stuff you cite is mostly Mishegoss confetti.

A response to Kelly Scoles’ letter:

Hi Kelly,

Whether or not you see “an audience for Catholic Church history” shouldn’t dissuade you from hearing opinion which
contradicts your own. I listen to and evaluate opinions, most of which dispute my own. It’s my hope that you will at least
understand what the Church actually teaches before condemning it.

The “Church” I know you remember, is not the Pope, Cardinals, Bishops or priests. They are only the administration. The
“Church” is the 1.4 billion lay members who follow Jesus Christ as its head, with the Pope its earthly leader acting “In
Persona Christi” (in the person of Christ). It has been that way for more than 2,000 years. Everyone has absolute free will to accept or reject the faith. You chose to reject it, with multi-billions of others. So, we can debate this greatest of
human issues with peaceful respect – something we cannot do in Russia, China, or North Korea. My faith imbues my thinking
about everything, including the existence of God, aliens, UFOS, and artificial intelligence. The difficulty here is that
you no longer share my faith, while without it, for me, truth could no longer be recognized. Life would have no meaning for
me without my faith, and living in God’s will is the only perfect goal. Simplistic as it may appear, all the questions you
challenge me with are immediately answered, whether by “medieval mysticism” or traditional theology (nothing wrong with the
Church Fathers’ or historic theology). Saints Augustine and Aquinas are still universally venerated by today’s Christines.
You and I have very different belief foundations, which makes discussion interesting.

The point I want to make here is that Catholicism has no “versions” or “mixes”, its core is well defined in dogma. Billions
may strongly disagree on that dogma, which to Catholics means God will show his Divine Will without confusion in His time.
His Will reveals, as you say, “who good, who bad,” also “why we exist,” “how to honor the pilgrimage of others”, “how to
support our human experience”, “how to invoke God’s Will”, “how to detect God’s whisper, (Holy Spirit),” “how to find
“refuge in “reality”, “how and why we “exist on planet earth”, “why Marian prophecies are a significant resource for most
people” [once heard], “why Trump should not be fooled by Putin”, “why Epstein (not judging) is, in all probability, in
Hell”, “why we should not “cozy up to Putin” who may also, in all probability end in Hell”, “no megalomaniacal president
should spasmodically or otherwise, destroy our government”, “no citizen should view the movie “A Face in the Crowd” until I
have seen it, “no deviant politician should take chicken fertilizer and sell it to anyone as caviar” Only a Democrat would
have a scheme like that.

*****

Without trying to live in God’s Will, Kelly, some clever atheist is going to sell you a load of fake chicken caviar, though
I question the idea of chicken fertilizer itself.

My scribbling is starting too late for a reasonable response to Kelly Scoles’ letter. My apologies, Kelly. Old age is always
a suspect excuse for missing a deadline. It also permits me to wear white socks with anything. Such are my dubious
privileges.

*****

Hello again, Kelly,

I am curious to learn whether you credit Trump for anything. Was his creation of the Abraham Accords a good thing? How about
closing the border? How about destroying Iran’s nuclear threat? How about stopping men from entering women’s sports? How
about no more tax on tips and Social Security? How about $3 trillion in new foreign trade? But naming the number of his
successes quickly becomes boring.

Frankly, Kelly, the future of America, in my view, is neither peaceful nor safe according to those numerous acclaimed
mystical Catholic authorities I trust and find worthy of belief. I believe our future can be modified for the better but can
no longer avoid what is called the Chastisement or purification, changing the game completely. My Church, like others, is
critically divided on this issue (prophesy). But that doesn’t change the fact that I am leaning into eternity myself,
preparing with neither fear nor anxiety, and would rather be right and prepared than wrong and unprepared. Of special
interest is a phenomenon called “The Warning”, which is decreed and much discussed in sermons, books (“Revelations” by
Xavier Ayral, also Christi Watkins) with numerous others. The Warning is also referred to as “the Illumination of
Conscience”, said to be universally mandated. Those expected to scoff at the whole idea might at least refer to the hundreds
of most highly regarded religious and secular leaders who support these prophecies, from Popes and exorcists to Biblical
scholars and mystics from centuries past to this day. That’s pretty good provenance and current acceptance. One thing is
certain; if these “mandated” events do not happen, the whole thing is an elaborate fraud. Thus saith me. I’m tired and I’m
calling it a morning.

*****

Good morning!

A brief response to Pat Collins:

Hi, Pat,

Like the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland: I’m late, I’m late … no time to say hello, goodbye, I’m late, I’m late’ I’m
late.

News flash! Despite his numerous human flaws (I hope you don’t deny his humanity) Donald Trump is by far the most
“transparent” president in American history. How many press conferences did Biden “the Big Guy” hold? Why hasn’t Mr.
Bobulinski’s laptop testimony been acted upon? I’m getting a headache just thinking about that era of super lies. Let’s just
fight it out over the Epstein scandal, we have three wars to fight.

I’m sorry to see Rite Aid leaving town. Its pharmacy will be closing July 15. Rite Aid filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May. The company is closing all its stores, either through outright closures or sales to other companies. CVS, Walgreens, and Albertsons have purchased prescription files and some physical locations.

I hope it doesn’t get too crowded in our small Fillmore CVS pharmacy.

*****

A response to Kelly Scoles’ letter:

Hello again, Kelly,

I understand that you hate that Big Beautiful Bill. I have serious doubts that we will ever balance the budget. I’m not optimistic despite America’s improving fiscal condition. In ordinary times I would cheer what I believe to be fresh prosperity – new green shoots. But these are not ordinary times, and I believe “The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men sometimes go awry”, or “Gang aft agley” (Robert Burns knew this). Simply stated, our schemes of peace and reconciliation with communist, totalitarian, and theocratic bullies, must always fail. Only fools trust such enemies and Trump should get on with the business of providing Ukraine with everything it needs in armaments to defeat Russia.

Trump has scored extraordinary victories, including the destruction of Iran’s nuclear adventures with awesome precision. Also, the Abraham Accords may be back on track. Our southern border is closed; not the fictitious closing by Biden’s Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, remember him? But I’m embarrassed with all this talk of a Nobel Prize. Let’s get the job done first of neutering Putin, giving Xi Jinping notice of immediate destruction in the event of any Taiwan attack. China did not conquer Taiwan in the revolution; Chiang Kai-shek successfully defended and built Taiwan! China does not own the South China Sea. Israel will have to play an essential part in the coming Islami-Rusia war against the west. It is far better equipped to do so than Europe with its unprepared patchwork of under-financed NATO mini-armies.

On one issue I do agree with you, Kelly, which is the outrageous Trump administration treatment of Ukraine. This most outrageous recent pullback of weapons (already off-loading from Poland to Ukraine) may just now been reversed when Ukraine is under the greatest missile, drone, and artillery attack! These weapons were provided in the Biden administration. Trump should immediately reverse this devilish order (may have been done) and Trump should condemn whoever launched it (Secy. of Defense Pete Hegseth), so our allies will stop referring to our president as “That treacherous bastard!”

V.P. Vance disfigured his character in my view with his insulting behavior towards the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in the oval Office, in view of the world. It was Vance who recently admonished Ukraine for daring to understand the war as a fight of Good v. Evil. And I fear sometimes both he and the president truly seem not to understand this underlying Judeo-Christian raison d’être. The basics of war are spiritual with eternal consequences. Until we address these facts war will remain perpetual. Memo to Pete: Good versus Evil is what it’s all about!

I remain a strong supporter of MAGA, and of Israel and Ukraine. They represent the Good.
My time has run out again, Kelly. Thanks for the letter.

A few words in response to Kelly Scoles’ letter:

Hi Kelly,

You don’t like my statement which accuses the world of choosing war. As usual, one can interpret this literally or
metaphorically. Most people would understand the words “world chooses war” as a figure of speech. I did not intend to mean
8 billion human beings had somehow met in a galactical world parliament and decided that it should go to war. I just meant
that evil decided to go to war against good.

But I did intend to identify the fact that we humans have entered World War III. Judeo-Christians (the good) understand
that they are eternally confronted by the evil side. It has always been the same. It’s the job of the good to defeat the
evil and obtain eternal freedom. I would argue that this defense of the good is mandated in the struggle for freedom. The
book of Ecclesiastes (3-7-8) tells us, “There is a time for war and a time for peace.” Judeo-Christians are guided by
Biblical scriptures in determining the proper time. Both Ukraine and Israel proclaim a justified time for war. Those who
reject Judeo-Christian tenets are a cause of unjustified war.

At the risk of drifting too philosophically - every human is created with a unique eternal soul and conscience, which
discerns good from evil, if the conscience is healthy. Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea have a conscience problem –
they have all chosen evil. For that reason, they will be shown to be eternal losers.

Here I go again sounding like a preacher and it’s too late to scrub this religious stuff (2:00 a.m.).

I have personally found worthy of belief the works of many Catholic mystics, exorcists, distinguished Biblical scholars,
and religious historians which warn of chastisements. The Church is split on these non-dogmatic prophecies. They are
extraordinarily detailed, both provisional and mandated, and pertain to each of Kelly’s comments.

All the talk about “negotiating”, arms control, and peace, is just blather to me. The older I get the stronger is my
appreciation of the unseen reality of eternal things, which Christians are required to believe. The good side humbles
itself, saying, "Thy Will be done”, while the evil side demands, “Non Servant” – I will not serve. Unfortunately, most
people reject this whole idea of an eternal, omnipresent, omniscience, and omnipotent God. Invincible ignorance may
interject itself here; mere stubbornness.

I’ve strayed far off course. Let me swing back in.

Kelly, you say Trump and Netanyahu can’t justify their attacks upon Iran. I suggest you review history more diligently. I
think my religious references above justify all such attacks. The only legitimate complaint should be that they came too
late. But the effectiveness of attack has healed that defect.

Maybe a quick statement of personal beliefs, according to those I find “worthy of belief” will help you understand this
week’s Realities a little better.

We are already in World War III. There will be a nuclear exchange. America will be attacked, as will Europe. Both Divine
(celestial) and man-made (natural) chastisements will be combined. “The Warning” will affect every human on earth –
regardless of class, race, believer, atheist, or location. The purpose is to urge a moral conversion. The list can hardly
be exaggerated. Some chastisements are now definite; others are still conditional. Global failures in electrical and
financial systems are inevitable. And, no one is obliged to believe, in or out of the Church.

Please note: These events are alleged by eminent Catholic persons, who I find “worthy of belief”, to be imminent. They are
NOT prognostications of my own and can be found online in abundance. I am certainly NOT a priest, preacher, or prophet, and
I’m not selling insurance. I wish exact times were available, but none have ever been mentioned.

Kelly, sorry this is so abrupt but it’s very late.

A few words in response to Kelly Scoles’ letter:

Hi Kelly,

You don’t like my statement which accuses the world of choosing war. As usual, one can interpret this literally or
metaphorically. Most people would understand the words “world chooses war” as a figure of speech. I did not intend to mean
8 billion human beings had somehow met in a galactical world parliament and decided that it should go to war. I just meant
that evil decided to go to war against good.

But I did intend to identify the fact that we humans have entered World War III. Judeo-Christians (the good) understand
that they are eternally confronted by the evil side. It has always been the same. It’s the job of the good to defeat the
evil and obtain eternal freedom. I would argue that this defense of the good is mandated in the struggle for freedom. The
book of Ecclesiastes (3-7-8) tells us, “There is a time for war and a time for peace.” Judeo-Christians are guided by
Biblical scriptures in determining the proper time. Both Ukraine and Israel proclaim a justified time for war. Those who
reject Judeo-Christian tenets are a cause of unjustified war.

At the risk of drifting too philosophically - every human is created with a unique eternal soul and conscience, which
discerns good from evil, if the conscience is healthy. Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea have a conscience problem –
they have all chosen evil. For that reason, they will be shown to be eternal losers.

Here I go again sounding like a preacher and it’s too late to scrub this religious stuff (2:00 a.m.).

I have personally found worthy of belief the works of many Catholic mystics, exorcists, distinguished Biblical scholars,
and religious historians which warn of chastisements. The Church is split on these non-dogmatic prophecies. They are
extraordinarily detailed, both provisional and mandated, and pertain to each of Kelly’s comments.

All the talk about “negotiating”, arms control, and peace, is just blather to me. The older I get the stronger is my
appreciation of the unseen reality of eternal things, which Christians are required to believe. The good side humbles
itself, saying, "Thy Will be done”, while the evil side demands, “Non Servant” – I will not serve. Unfortunately, most
people reject this whole idea of an eternal, omnipresent, omniscience, and omnipotent God. Invincible ignorance may
interject itself here; mere stubbornness.

I’ve strayed far off course. Let me swing back in.

Kelly, you say Trump and Netanyahu can’t justify their attacks upon Iran. I suggest you review history more diligently. I
think my religious references above justify all such attacks. The only legitimate complaint should be that they came too
late. But the effectiveness of attack has healed that defect.

Maybe a quick statement of personal beliefs, according to those I find “worthy of belief” will help you understand this
week’s Realities a little better.

We are already in World War III. There will be a nuclear exchange. America will be attacked, as will Europe. Both Divine
(celestial) and man-made (natural) chastisements will be combined. “The Warning” will affect every human on earth –
regardless of class, race, believer, atheist, or location. The purpose is to urge a moral conversion. The list can hardly
be exaggerated. Some chastisements are now definite; others are still conditional. Global failures in electrical and
financial systems are inevitable. And, no one is obliged to believe, in or out of the Church.

Please note: These events are alleged by eminent Catholic persons, who I find “worthy of belief”, to be imminent. They are
NOT prognostications of my own and can be found online in abundance. I am certainly NOT a priest, preacher, or prophet, and
I’m not selling insurance. I wish exact times were available, but none have ever been mentioned.

Kelly, sorry this is so abrupt but it’s very late.

Fillmore residents should note a resent massive local tragedy. A house on Mountain View was destroyed by fire yesterday. The
alleged suspect, Brandy Hollis of Fillmore, has been charged with arson. Fortunately, her three small children were away at
the time. Their father had committed suicide a short time ago. In all probability they will now also lose their mother. I
urge the residents of Fillmore to assist the children in every way possible. Not only will they have lost their parents but
have now lost their home as well, and all earthly belongings. It’s time for works of mercy and prayer.

Thank you for your anticipated assistance.

****

A few responses to Kelly Scoles’ letter:

Hi Kelly,

To avoid too much repetition on the same old issues, I’ll cut this short.

As for regime change, it surely can take time; on the other hand, it came quickly enough for Muammar Gaddafi in Libya. No
one deserves to die as he did, bloody terrorist though he was. Please remember it was the Democratic Party minions that did
that deed (without Congressional approval).

Trump rejected advice from his Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, because Tulsi doesn’t have enough command
experience to direct a Girl Scout troop on parade. She is the weakest cabinet appointment of the Trump administration, and a
dangerous embarrassment to the nation. On the issue of trusting our intelligence community, the situation speaks for itself.
The destruction of Israel is in Iran’s constitution and has guided its terrorist activities since the takeover in 1979.They
were building a nuclear weapon and are now alleged to have secreted 90 pounds of highly enriched Uranium days before the
destruction of their underground nuclear bomb factory. Designated a sponsor of terror by the U.S. government in 1984, Iran
is considered the “foremost state sponsor of terrorism,” providing “a range of support for its proxies, Hamas, Hezbollah,
and the Houthis in Yemen”, and have been killing Americans for decades. Why should I continue this list when you don’t seem
to recognize its importance? Do you, with Tulsi, deny Iran was building a nuclear weapon, and being mere weeks from success?

Of all your conclusions, Kelly, I find the following nearly stupefying: “Israel was the military aggressor and Iran
retaliated, and we supported the aggressor.” For me, this statement constitutes a historiological mortal sin, demanding
confession. Do you remember that “On October 7, 2023, the militant group Hamas launched what would become the deadliest
terrorist attack in Israeli history”? Do you recall Hamas raping and butchering women and burning babies alive in front of
their parents? Guess who provided the money, arms, and planning for this satanic bloodbath; look to Iran. We can also go
back to the sixth century, the beginning of the command to subdue all “unbelievers.”

It’s difficult to compare notes here, Kelly, when our logic and historical references are incompatible.

****

This world has again decided to go to war. Evidence of this can be seen at two levels, the visible and invisible, or more
precisely, earthly and heavenly. We’re well passed the planning stage and into significant homicidal confrontations (a
million casualties in Russia alone, with little alarm). As always, it’s evil attacking the good. God was so generous in His
distribution of free will to His human creatures that He permitted rebellion against His commandments. Whether or not you
believe the Biblical (Judeo-Christian) history of creation, no other explanation is meaningful.

My church, Roman Catholic, is divided on the question of prophesy and apparitions, which no one is bound to believe. A
locution is a form of private revelation, similar to an apparition, but rather than being seen, a locution is heard or
received internally. At no time in my life have mystical communications been so prolific, and challenging. This mystical
messaging today focuses on the negative dynamics of our modern world, which is quickly leading to calamity. According to
these prophetic revelations and apparitions, unparalleled world catastrophe is due to the wretched moral condition of the
world “worse than the time of the Flood” and is imminent.

These revelations are uniformly dire, which cause many Judeo-Christians to reject them as specious nonsense, even
fraudulent. Thoughts of celestial collisions, earthquakes, atomic fire, plague and famine are discomforting.

I find it interesting to compare the apparitions and locutions to news events to determine the truth and accuracy of
expectations for the 21st century. It’s a contest between the material world and the spiritual world. Judeo-Christians are
obliged to believe in both the seen and unseen, time and eternity, earthly and spiritual realities, God and man. The
spiritual reality today proclaims an emergency, a call to return to God and repent. I know many (most) people are still
repelled by these injunctions, but they remain eternal truths which will soon be dynamically confirmed – or not! We will
soon witness the truth or falsity of these predictions. It’s a Zero-Sum conflict which the Judeo-Christian side will win. If
these teachings fail to occur, we will be exposed as frauds.

I have to shorten my comments to affirm predictions which I find worthy of belief in pronouncements by present day
traditional Catholic mystics, stigmatics, and greatly respected biblical scholars. These predictions are not my own because
I have no such gifts. I will just refer a couple of books: REVELATIONS, by Xavier Reyes-Ayral; Luisa Piccarreta and the
Divine Will, Teachings of Jesus, by Susanne James; and An Introduction to Living in the Divine Will, 33 Lessons from Luisa
Piccarreta, by Daniel O’Connor. Also recommended, Xavier, Monique, and luz de Maria, mystic.

I know my references will anger some as an imposition on their own religious beliefs, or lack thereof. But I am simply
giving my personal beliefs and opinions, take them or leave them. I’m always glad to hear from the other side.

After several years studying this subject I can say that I believe the world is headed into a supreme crisis which only
Jesus Christ can avert, if a profound moral conversion occurs – which seems unlikely. The above referenced chastisements
(purifications) man-made and Divine, include nuclear war and a total confusion of our earthly organization.

There, I’ve said it again. If all this talk of treaties and peace comes true, I’m at best a rabblerouser, at worst a liar.

A few words in response to Kelly Scoles’s letter:

If you would have used the word “fecal” instead of “feculent”, valuable time could have been saved researching. I believe I
have never had the opportunity to use that form for the word “fecal.” Anyway, I see this word has to do with dirt and waste
matter: foul with impurities: fecal. The English word "feculent" derives from the Latin word faeculentus. In English,
"feculents" also translates to “starchy foods or starches” “Féculent is an adjective for starchy [adjective] like or
containing starch cake, biscuits, and other starchy foods.” (Merriam-Webster) I guess appropriate usage here depends upon
which way the wind is blowing. Between Trump and Musk, it’s an ill wind, deserving of your malodorous interpretation.

So, Musk was said to be a “big time drug user" and the “biggest feculent voice in Trump II.” Well, my wandering research
diverted me all the way back to Chaucer, who enjoyed a few spicy words himself, putting you in very exalted company.

Anyway, from the beginning I had questions about Musk, if simply because he’s the richest man in the world. From the
world’s point of view that makes him a demigod, a minor deity, which atheists and those who reject the reality of eternity
will worship. However, those Judeo-Christian’s who believe in the four last things (death, judgement, Heaven and Hell) must
question his spiritual beliefs, if he has some. Whether a genius (like Musk) or a downtrodden halfwit, the law applies to
every unique, eternal soul. Those who disagree with my last statement should begin a dialogue with believers, instead of
starting a riot.

Before placing Musk in a position of such extraordinary power Trump should have known of Musk’s temperament and moral
reputation. It appears that the vice of instability dominates the virtue of trustworthiness in his character. Trump’s
judgement is swayed too easily by personality.

*****

Kelly, you condemn Trump “for creating a chaotic spectacle of a ‘city out of control”. Trump “created” the chaos? We are
now entering the fifth day of growing riots. Did you think of LA as a benevolent sanctuary city, where the bulldogs all
have rubber teeth and the hens lay soft boiled eggs (like the Big Rock Candy Mountain)? The truth is that LA is a liberally
governed sanctuary city where crime is protected under the guise of civil rights. Rape, murder, drug and human trafficking
is headquartered there, and its cartel leaders are all billionaires. And you say Trump “created” this chaos? It’s more
truthful to admit the Democrat Party is to blame.

How well did the delay of police and military crowd-control work out for us during the BLM and Capitol riots? Rioters
demand to be exempt from police power, even if that power alone keeps normal citizens safe from violence. The City of LA is
indeed “a city out of control”, by choice.

“Something like 40 police units have already been destroyed” – and you will pay for replacing them with your tax dollars.
The rioters (instigators) are mostly paid professionals. We need to know who the paymasters are and punish them with long
prison sentences. With hundreds of thousands of terrorists having infiltrated with that ocean of 21 million illegal aliens
that flooded the border during Biden’s four-year betrayal, we need many more federal and state police officers for
protection, because we are beginning to hear from those terrorists now!

Kelly, unbelievably, you say “The arrest count, as of Monday morning, was 56 people, not good, but by no means a
“rebellion.” We’re going into day 5 – The Capitol “riot” lasted 4-hours, and you called it an insurrection!! Also, only
one person was killed at the Capitol – by a negligent Capitol police officer, with a questionable record for safety! That
is the official record.

Kelly, you have launched far too many inaccuracies and misrepresentations for me to respond to them all. We must continue
to agree to disagree until the approaching emergencies which seek us out descend in full force – soon. Then we will all
know the truth. We might even anticipate a blackout of great consequence.

Be well.

It’s been a long time since I’ve heard any good news from Ukraine in its war with Russia. But information from beyond the front, deep into Russia, is music to my ears today. The reports are almost unbelievable. We are told that the Ukraine military’s special units have destroyed a third of the Russian strategic air force, including 41 heavy bombers, among those that have launched bombs, hypersonic missiles and drones into civilian Ukrainian homes, apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, and playgrounds for years. Millions of Ukrainian citizens are now homeless; hundreds of thousands have been killed. On the other hand, the Ukrainian military targets only military assets, not civilian.

What’s more spectacular is the fact that some of Russia’s bombers were successfully destroyed up to 2,700 miles from the Ukrainian border! This should cause every Ukraine supporter to cheer, but all of this is only part of the story (I’m running out of superlatives). This triumph was not caused by Ukrainian missiles; it was caused by small, modified drones, to be bought for $400 in sports shops. These drone swarms took out $7 billion dollars-worth of enemy aircraft, proving, almost unthinkably, that a $400-dollar drone can destroy a $350-million aircraft, like the AEW&C, and do it remotely. Now that’s what I call efficiency. This particular plane (of which Russia has only a few left) is like our AWAC (equipped with a large radar dome that provides long-range air surveillance, command, and control capabilities). Most of the bombers cannot be replaced due to their age.

The plan of attack was positively ingenious, something that will be celebrated in history books for generations. Ukraine officials say that the complex strategy was being worked out for a year and a half. The result was not just the destruction of approximately 41 bombers, but their destruction designed to be staged by unsuspecting Russians who placed the drone-filled trucks near strategic Russian airports.

Most rational Judeo-Christian patriots are no doubt rejoicing this violent embarrassment to Vladimer Putin, but not all. I find it incredible that former Trump strategist Steve Bannon attacked Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC) for supporting Ukraine’s recent destruction of so much of the Russian bomber fleet. Bannon is terribly worried that the extent of this Ukrainian success will rouse Putin to start another world war. This is liberal foolishness, not traditionally conservative, and diminishes my respect for Bannon. Bannon thinks Graham, visiting Ukraine, should be arrested and jailed for his support of Ukraine. My greatest disappointment, and disgust with Republicans today is for their half-hearted attempts to give Ukraine all that it needs to WIN this war. When I hear that US Vice President JD Vance tells the world that Ukraine “cannot win the war” it tells me that another Trump trooper has lost my respect. They share an ignorance of human nobility and moral determination in the face of attacks on family and homeland. I just feel anger and disgust, wondering what these people would (will?) do in the event America is attacked. I believe loudmouth often hides cowardice.

Russia is exhausting itself because of its choice to annihilate its sovereign Christian neighbor. It is teetering on the brink of financial insolvency, its military exposed as third rate, its nuclear weapons alone saving face with its few demonic fellow travelers.

Bannon is right to believe Putin has been made more dangerous after these massive bomber losses; this requires a quick upgrade of intelligence and material preparation by the free world. Putin is in panic mode, in fear for his life. But he is not acting out of paranoid delusions. Paranoia is defined as an UNREASONABLE fear, and his fear is not unreasonable at this time.

It’s time for full support for Ukraine!

Thank you, Kelly Scoles and Jean McLeod, for your letters. I’m afraid I’ll write less than usual this week. After starting
the column, I was called to a 5-car accident on Hwy. 126, sailed back to the office, late for the regular Fillmore City
Council meeting, then back to the office for a brief meeting with PIO Angel Esquivel who covered the accident. So, I’m a
little disorganized at this late hour.

Jean, I’ll let your letter speak for itself from a loyal, conservative point of view.

Hi Kelly,

There’s little point in talking about the criminal activity of Joe Biden (the “Big Guy”) and his clan (see Bobulinski
testimony), his son Hunter, Uncle Jim, and the tens of millions in foreign bribes, if you don’t admit that reality. If you
don’t admit that the boxes of classified documents the Big Guy had tucked away in his garage (after so much publicity) you
must suffer from some sort of invincible ignorance. Do you understand that Joe Biden stole many of those documents when he
was in the Senate, when he was not entitled to have them, and that this was a crime? Of course, he will never be indicted,
because he was classified as a dignified elderly gentleman with a weak memory, too sympathetic to expect a jury to convict.
Hillary did much worse with 30,000 classified documents from an illegal personal system, but who wants to go through that
charade again?

Rather than debate the issues in P2025, let’s just let the Supreme Court identify and deal with those alleged
unconstitutional issues you find so obvious.

Secure, timely overseas military voting should be a primary concern! That system requires only honest, competent oversight.
Trump has said that “only he can determine what the Law is”. He has also said that Ukraine started the war, and that
Zelenskyy is a “dictator”. He tends to make frequent inaccurate statements when shooting from the hip. I give him high marks
on most domestic issues, and low marks on many foreign policy issues. And I give myself zero marks as an “influencer”.

Kelly, considering the global calamity we are about to experience, the issues we debate here are comparatively minuscule. I
can’t escape focusing on what appears to me both inevitable and imminent – war that may well set our civilization back
several centuries. Including, for example, a blackout affecting most of North, Central, and South America, accompanied by a
host of apocalyptic horrors. But this belief of mine is founded upon personal religious convictions which perhaps should be
kept to myself. On the other hand, I may have a duty to share. If I’m wrong the world can soon have a good laugh. If right,
and I remain silent (about current threats to humanity), I would be guilty, if silence means I consented, almost like a
coverup.

I know this sort of stuff can be insufferable to those who reject the reality of God and eternal life. I can only say it may
be time to suffer the insufferable. But I will continue to follow the most prominent, honorable and traditionally faithful
leaders of my church. It’s great to have the power to reject, accept, or ignore all beliefs, it’s called free will.

As to my old friend Bill Buckley, Jr. – he deserves more respect. Many people remember his reminding us, with good humor, of
that important proposition: “Don’t immanentize the eschaton.” I don’t see where he was “snotty, elitist, nasal, prissy, or
condescending”. However, all these derogatory characterizations clearly apply to Buckley’s contemptable nemesis, Gore Vidal.
In a famous 1960s TV debate, Vidal continually referred to Buckley as a “crypto Nazi.” Finally, Buckley responded, “Now
listen you queer, stop calling me a crypto-Nazi or I’ll sock you in the god*amn face, and you’ll stay plastered”. That
doesn’t sound “snotty”, “prissy”, or “condescending” to me.

Rest in peace, Bill.

A response to Kelly Scoles and Pat Collins. Thank you both for your contributions.

Hi again, Kelly,

At my age, “whataboutism”, if it’s “an adolescent’s defense” as you claim, instead of mere comparison, it’s a compliment.
I’m all for detailed public discussion of issues. I very much miss quality debates like the old William F. Buckley TV
program, Firing Line. Truly critical issues like our president’s physical and mental health should be thoroughly
investigated.

Are you aware of the extraordinary, permanent damage the Biden presidency has done to our nation? I find your statement
about “Countless hours of rabid Republican accusations and hearings provided no presidential criminal issue, except as
against Hunter Biden who was not president” utterly astonishing. Have you so quickly forgotten the crimes of “the Big Guy”
and his greedy family? Ordinarily, he would have been indicted on the theft of top-secret federal documents (going back to
senatorial days), except that his Department of Justice found him to be too old and mentally impaired to bother with.

Let’s not forget those 20-million illegal aliens encouraged to flood through his “closed” southern border, as well as the
deadly outrage in Afghanistan – at least criminal negligence. If you will acknowledge just these two Biden crimes, I will
admit Trump has terribly managed dealings with Russia during the Ukrainian War.

I’ve already stated that among those federal agencies being pruned, some deserve special care, including FEMA, which did a
great job in Fillmore during the aftermath of the Northridge quake. Voice of America is another deserving special care. Some
companies don’t have the stomach for “eating the tariffs” and should be excused from the table. As for the Department of
Education, the report card on its efficiency demonstrates colossal failure, deserving of elimination.

*****

Hello, Pat Collins,

You bring up a heavy issue of exceptional importance.

Human life is God’s greatest gift, without which no other gift is possible under His Will. This being true, the only answer
this Christian can provide is to protect the sanctity of that human life as the priority, His Will. Those billions who deny
the existence of God disagree, and choose the ultimate of fatal decisions, which God also permits through the gift of free
will. But the decision to reject two souls should not be made for another. From a commonsense standpoint, Blaise Pascal,
(1600s) French mathematician, physicist, inventor, philosopher, and theologian, provides his famous wager: He argues: “The
potential reward of eternal happiness in heaven (if God exists) outweighs the potential loss of a finite life (if God
doesn’t exist).” As always, the choice is to obey God or the world.

So, my argument is religiously based and possibly repugnant to you for that reason. This world of some 8-billion human
beings will never agree on everything, so Judeo-Christians have been given unambiguous rules to guide their decisions.
Christians must believe that tiny fetus “growing inside her [which is] less than an inch long” has an innocent eternal soul
which demands protection. You describe one of the rarest and most tragic situations possible. The pain it inflicts upon the
family is unimaginable. It should be the moral responsibility of government, and or, private organizations, to help bear the
enormous financial costs.

We were all that small size developing in our mother’s womb. “The world’s most premature surviving baby is thought to be
Curtis Zy-Keith Means from the USA, born at 21 weeks and one day…” Mar 10, 2023. From the moment of conception every human
embryo lives by virtue of its eternal soul. It has eternal value because it “is created in the image and likeness of God.”
Nothing else in creation enjoys that conferred dignity. Here, both the mother and her fetus are still alive, two souls,
however tenuis their mortal status is. Their dignity is not diminished.

The world clamors to end both lives. Christians must say “God’s Will (life) be done on earth as it is in Heaven” and embrace
the assured condemnation.

God bless this mother, child, and family

First a response to Kelly Scoles’ letter:

Hi again Kelly.

I have to squeeze my answers this week, Kelly, to make it all fit.

Too much “late into the night” and smoke-filled room stuff for me. I can think best when solid facts are exposed and
clearly stated. Talking about “Set-ups for assaults on Medicare and Social Security” is meaningless speculation. DOGE
investigations of critically important federal agencies should be undertaken with reasonable care. I’m against eliminating
Voice of America, for instance, without efforts to correct alleged problems, because it has served the world exceedingly
well for generations following WWII. We should not risk throwing the baby out with the bathwater as the saying goes. It’s
not impossible to act with speed and caution at the same time. I would apply this policy across the board for all agencies
you mention. An honest, objective review of all federal policies is fundamental to good government. Too bad it was ignored
in the Hunter-Biden reign.

Do Democrats really want to allege money laundering against Republicans for creating bogus non-profits? From the Clintons
through to the Bidens the stench of billions in laundered cash is overwhelming on the Democrat side.

Let’s scrutinize those tariffs you question. Let’s encourage open debate and investigation as usual. This week it sounds
like Trump is finally getting serious about China, Russia, Iran, as well as North Korea. Since N. Korea has officially
entered the Ukraine war, it’s time to begin sinking its submarine fleet. Start by finding its one nuclear powered ballistic
missile sub and destroy it. China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are each economically and demographically fragile. Maximum
pressure by sanctions on oil alone would halt aggressions. Let’s disable Russia’s “dark fleet” of several hundred
unseaworthy, illegal tankers (sanction dodgers). Let’s attack Iran’s Kharg and Siri Islands oil terminals; that would
neuter its aggressiveness. Of course, we would have to get serious to do this.

Russia is portraying its Potemkin face to a naïve world. It is not the same Soviet military celebrated in Russia this past
week. Though 10-times the size and strength of its victim Ukraine, Russia has not been able to defeat Ukraine limping into
the fourth year of this war! Placed on a wartime economy by Putin, its finances are rapidly collapsing, possibly looking at
bankruptcy this year.

As to the gift of that airliner from Qatar to Trump, it has apparently been cleared by the Attorney General. However, I
still have questions about the wisdom of this transaction.

My main concern remains America’s erratic support for Ukraine – which could defeat Russia and save Europe from a full
global war. Trump has to stop facilitating Putin’s non-stop criminal aggression. We have all the might we need. What has
been lacking is the will to act. I believe the year 2025 will clearly show the cost of Western unpreparedness. Those of us
who believe in Catholic mysticism today are preparing for impending selective mayhem. Yeah, I know, we’ve heard it all
before, and we seem dammed if we speak out, and dammed if we don’t. Oh well, what’s a little ridicule?

READY… SET ….

As I begin this column, I learn that India has attacked Pakistan with ballistic missiles. “’All-out war’ is shouted, two
planes shot down, 31 dead, including a child, with 12 others wounded.” As it seems forever, the dispute is over of Kashmir’s
borders. Both nations are nuclear armed.

What’s an accurate assessment of the world’s temperament right now? Here are some of the moving parts:

We’re into the fourth year of the Russian-Ukraine war (one million dead) with China, Iran, North Korea, actively
facilitating Russian aggression. The United States, England, France, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Italy, 3 Baltic states,
Poland, and numerous smaller states backing Ukraine. Nine nations have nuclear weapons, and NATO or CSTO members are nuclear
weapons-sharing states (Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, Belarus, top off the fellowship).

The Free World nations are now frantically attempting to restore their defense industries and equipment, long neglected due
to a falsely perceived “peace dividend”. The perennial predator nations exhibit that lean and hungry look as they crouch at
the ready and boast of their strength. Even Dog Patch North Korea’s submarine fleet, among the world’s largest, from 70 to

90 diesel-powered submarines, and one nuclear-powered submarine, capable of launching ballistic missiles, is a major player now.

Another recent evaluation: “China at ‘rapid boil’ for military action, admiral warns...”

I give high marks to Trump for his handling of issues such as immigration, securing women’s sports, and blocking transgender
people from military service. On tariffs, we’ll have to wait and see. However, on foreign policy, specifically defense of
Ukraine, until today I give him an “F”.

Things are getting better on Ukraine assistance just recently. When Trump tells the world he wants Ukraine to WIN the war,
I’ll give him an “A.” But, until this point, Putin has played Trump for a fool and I give him an “F.”

*****

I have my own ideas about how our world will try to solve its problems. As a race of humans, we are too proud to ask our
Creator for help, and too weak to survive by ourselves. We, however, are blessed by a perfectly just and forgiving God Who
waits with open arms to welcome us back to eternal safety. Of the two “eternals” we should accept the good one and reject
the bad.

As I grow older (if that’s possible) I understand that choosing the good way will see us through the bad and into the
reality of eternal joy. Other options only bring despair and destruction.

I refuse to apologize for a little preaching as long as it’s based on reality.

*****

Kelly Scoles: In general Trump has made too many foolish statements. But his domestic actions speak louder than words for
good.

Pat Collins: It is good indeed to have friends, loyal friends. And, they should not be abused. Constitutional issues abound,
as practical ones do as well. Question: How would it be possible to apply traditional due process to a group of 20 million
criminal illegal aliens? Such an attempt would stymy the entire judicial system – if we could find them all.

*****

World war? Are there any democracy-hating, Judeo-Christian culture-hating nations left who haven’t joined Russia, China, and
Iran? My friends, that’s global enough for me.

I must admit I’m getting tired of commenting on the Ukraine war, though I am convinced that it is leading us into the initial phase of WWIII.

I am surprised that White House events in the last couple of months have also caused me to recoil from several Trump-J. D.
Vance negotiating tactics. I recently replayed the Oval Office conference video between President Trump, V.P. Vance,
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and various press personnel. Once again it was an appalling attack on Zelenskyy, the president of a
free, democratic, Christian nation in the midst of a defensive war for its life against Russia, a notorious perennial
aggressor. I found it shameful. This was a deliberate effort to dishonor Zelenskyy, a friend and ally, while the president’s
guest was repeatedly admonished to express his thanks to the U.S. for billions in war material. No one remembered the grants
of assistance though the Marshall Plan, grants, not loans, nor the 200,000 dead Ukrainian soldiers and devastated hospitals,
schools, orphanages, homes, power plants, and businesses, nor his many expressions of gratitude. This behavior, in the minds
of many Free World citizens, amounts to a reprehensible shakedown by both the President and Vance for aid and minerals.
Let’s remember Ukraine, under Zelenskyy, has held Russia (10-times its size) at bay for going on four years! Maybe we should
thank him.

The greatest shame of all is Trump’s announcement that he intends to “walk away” from Ukraine if he fails to make peace with
Putin. But let’s look at this U.S. proposed peace deal, a laundry list of Russian demands, with nothing for Ukraine: give up
25 percent of the country, including US to formally recognize Crimea as Russian. Cannot join NATO. Power plants to U.S.
Ukraine cannot rearm. No American defense. Russia keeps all land taken so far. No arms or intelligence from U.S. One good
thing for Ukraine in the “deal”: Russia must return the 30,000 Ukrainian children they kidnapped and are incorporating into
Russia by force.

Watching that Oval Office ambush, and the insults that followed, my approval of both Trump and Vance has been diminished.
What truly galls me is the fact that Trump will do nothing at all to punish Putin for this war or even admit that he started
it. For now, I remain a Trump supporter.

The Free World is shocked by Trump’s treatment of Zelenskyy and Ukraine. It is rejecting the so-called American peace plan
and finally preparing for war. The Free World is shocked and disappointed with Trump for this betrayal of Ukraine in its
time of greatest need.

I believe America will inherit the winds of war from Europe and East Asia this year. And, as usual, we remain unprepared,
psychologically, and materially.

Pope Francis has died. May he rest in peace.

His papacy leaves a controversial, less than peaceful legacy, righteous on the liberal side, “disastrous” on the
conservative side. I agree with the late Cardinal Pell, finding it “disastrous.” Liberals often compliment Francis by
acknowledging his efforts to modernize the Catholic Church. Conservatives reject this, believing the World has nothing to
teach the Church, and some of Francis’ teachings are flawed, even labeled “heresy.”

When I think of Pope Francis I can’t escape recalling too many shocking statements and actions. At the top of the list is
his betrayal of the Chinese Catholic Church. “The claim that the Catholic Church in China has been betrayed by Rome is a
complex one rooted in the 2018 agreement between the Vatican and the Chinese government concerning the appointment of
bishops. Critics argue this agreement, which recognized bishops appointed by Beijing without Vatican approval, effectively
legitimizes China’s control over the church and is a betrayal of the underground Catholic Church, which remains loyal to
the Vatican.” A great deal of money was paid by Beijing to Rome to secure control of the underground church in China.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, is seen as the architect of that 2018 agreement. Liberal Cardinal
Parolin is feared by conservatives, being part of the College of Cardinals who will elect the next pope.

“His election in 2013 will be seen as a kind of tectonic shift in the life of the Church,” Michael Sean Winters, National
Catholic Reporter told Newsweek. Conservatives see such “shifts” as schismatic and often heretical.

I have often seen Pope Francis as a WOKE figure, criticizing Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, offering questionable ways
to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war, and condemning Trump on his immigration methods. Despite promises to clean-up the sexual
abuse scandal he did not excommunicate abusers – policies sometimes making things worse.

“Gay men will be allowed into Roman Catholic seminaries to train to be priests but they must observe celibacy according to
Catholic doctrine …the Italian Bishops Conference (CEI) said in new guidelines Friday. To be admitted to the seminary, one
must show from the beginning “an orientation towards celibate life”, the CEI guide said. “In this perspective, there will
not be a barrier to homosexuals as such but to those who “practice” homosexual acts.” Concerned persons should remember
that 90 percent of the Catholic Church’s sexual scandal was perpetrated by adult homosexuals, not pedophiles. This WOKE
attitude facilitates more such abuse!

Profoundly ignorant statements will continue from the liberal side of the Church.

“Pope Francis’ mandate was seen as revamping the Church, demonstrating that it could be a dynamic institution capable of
adapting to the imperatives of modern society.” “Francis’ headlining changes were a softening of the Church’s stance on
homosexuality and contraception…”

Francis’ “mandate” may well stumble on its way after his death, through the auspices of the controversial proposals to
end priestly celibacy, allow women’s priestly ordination, broadly approve blessings for same-sex couples…” propagated in
the German church Synodality movement.

Francis may have been benevolent, but in structural moral church matters he lacked common sense which will soon ignite a
full schism. Only the “remnant” may remain. His advancement of the worst of bishops to the College of Cardinals was
intended to elect one of his followers.