Ulysses:  Death and Duty

Ulysses: Death and Duty

The ancients, lacking the light of Christ, imagined the abode of the dead to be grim and shadowy, with some sort of terrestrial paradise reserved, perhaps, for great heroes and great sages.  In Ulysses (1954), we see Ulysses (Kirk Douglas) tempted by Circe, portrayed by the same actress Silvana Mangano who also plays Penelope, with […]

Saint of the Day Quote:  Saint Lawrence of Brindisi

Saint of the Day Quote: Saint Lawrence of Brindisi

All things are possible for him who believes, more to him who hopes, even more to him who loves.   Saint Lawrence of Brindisi

Nixon Boomlet

Nixon Boomlet

A lot of positive posts on Twitter the past few weeks about Nixon, attempting to give the impression that he is a favorite among young conservatives.  Not buying it myself.  It has the feel of an astro-turfed  effort, and not a true grass roots phenomenon.  Nixon was not a conservative.  Domestically he was a liberal […]

July 21, 1861:  Battle of Bull Run-Lessons to Learn

July 21, 1861: Battle of Bull Run-Lessons to Learn

  The First Battle of Bull Run, or First Manassas as the Confederates called it, was the first major battle of the Civil War.  A Confederate victory, it gave lessons to those paying attention: 1.    It amply demonstrated the hazards of sending half-trained troops into combat.  Both the Union and Confederate armies were green, and […]

Burn of the Day

Burn of the Day

There is a reason why the Romans ranked actors socially with prostitutes.

Saint of the Day Quote:  Saint Margaret of Antioch

Saint of the Day Quote: Saint Margaret of Antioch

You may tear my body to pieces and burn my limbs, but my soul belongs to God forever.   Said by Saint Margaret of Antioch shortly before her martyrdom.

Young Washington:  A Review

Young Washington: A Review

    We at last have a film worthy of the Father of our country.  The film follows Washington from young boyhood, under the mentorship of his half brother Lawrence Washington, to Commander of the Virginia regiment in the French and Indian War.  His role in that war made him famous around the globe long […]

Reputation

Reputation

I can’t recall who, but someone said to aspiring attorneys during my time at the University of Illinois more than four decades ago that the most important professional thing an attorney had was a reputation for honesty.  Once that was lost, it was lost for good.  I would note that Johnston is a Republican elected […]

Pope Ha Ha

Pope Ha Ha

I have wondered on occasion if the Francis pontificate was perhaps a huge practical joke by God, but that strikes me as near blasphemy and to involve God in a process easily explained by human folly and hubris.

If Only All Political Ads Were This Entertaining

If Only All Political Ads Were This Entertaining

  Language advisory to the above video.  The only reason we don’t have national voter ID is because Democrats routinely cheat in close elections and everyone knows it.

Saint of the Day Quote:  Saint Macrina the Younger

Saint of the Day Quote: Saint Macrina the Younger

O Lord, You have freed us from the fear of death. You have made the end of life here the beginning of a true life for us… Let not the dreadful abyss separate me from your chosen ones… You who have on earth the power to forgive sins, forgive me, so that I may draw […]

Art for the Day

Art for the Day

Human nature hasn’t changed much since Adam and Eve.

Ulysses 1954

Ulysses 1954

  House guests who have overstayed their welcome can raise some ire.

Fifty-Seven Years of Mary Jo Kopechne Being Unavailable for Comment

Fifty-Seven Years of Mary Jo Kopechne Being Unavailable for Comment

Over half a century with no Earthly justice done.  Here is Ted Kennedy’s non-mea culpa, notable for how little of the details of the incident he could recall, and an example of how to appear to take responsibility while not taking responsibility. Kennedy was helped by all this occurring while the attention of the nation […]

Young Washington

Young Washington

  My Bride and I and our son saw Young Washington (2026) yesterday.  We all loved the film and I strongly recommend it.  It is a very good movie and true to history.  Full review to follow when I have time.  In the meantime, here is a decent review by Ben Shapiro.

Saint of the Day Quote:  Saint Pambo

Saint of the Day Quote: Saint Pambo

I go to the Lord as one who has not yet begun to serve Him. Said by Saint Pambo to his monks as he lay dying at age 70 after a lifetime of service to God.

Ballad of the Green Berets

Ballad of the Green Berets

  Something for the weekend.  Dolly Parton singing a variant of The Ballad of the Green Berets (1966). Bonus:

Art for the Day

Art for the Day

Observer and observed, the essence of Art.

Open Thread

Open Thread

  Contemporary education, with honorable exceptions, has little to do with education.   The usual Open Thread rules apply:  be concise, be charitable and, above all, be amusing!

Saint of the Day Quote:  Saint Charbel

Saint of the Day Quote: Saint Charbel

    You exist in this world to give and to serve. Saint Charbel

1381 The Great Peasants’ Revolt

1381 The Great Peasants’ Revolt

Now reigneth pride in prize and covetousness is held wise, and lechery without shame and gluttony without blame. Envy reigneth with treason and sloth is taken in great season. God do boot, for now is time. Amen. John Ball, Priest and one the leaders of the Peasants Revolt Medieval Europe rested upon the work of […]

July 17, 1969:  Halfway to the Moon

July 17, 1969: Halfway to the Moon

Fifty-six years ago Apollo XI was traveling 5000 miles per hour on its journey to the Moon, the gravity of the Earth gradually slowing the velocity of the spacecraft from the initial 25,000 miles per hour.  The total distance of the trip, one way, was 238, 900 miles. Columbia’s engines were fired for about three […]

Saint of the Day Quote:  Saint Mary Magdalen Postel

Saint of the Day Quote: Saint Mary Magdalen Postel

I want to teach the young and to inspire them with the love of God and liking for work.  I want to help the poor and relieve them of some of their misery.  These are the things I want to do.   Saint Mary Magdalen Postel

Burn of the Day

Burn of the Day

However he is not a devotee of the traditional Mass, so all is well in the eyes of the Vatican. Go here for some background on the award he was given.

July 16:  Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

July 16: Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

    HE was descended of a good family in Kent. From his infancy he turned all his thoughts and affections to attain to the most perfect love of God, and studied to devote all his moments to this glorious pursuit. In this earnest desire, in the twelfth year of his age, he retired into […]

Saint of the Day Quote:  Saint Bonaventure

Saint of the Day Quote: Saint Bonaventure

Any old woman can love God better than a doctor of theology can.   Saint Bonaventure

July 15, 1870:  Georgia Readmitted to the Union

July 15, 1870: Georgia Readmitted to the Union

Georgia was the last of the former Confederate States to be readmitted to the Union.  Congress refused to sit Georgia representatives or senators in Congress in 1869 due to the action of the Georgia legislature in expelling black members of that body.  This was followed by an attack by a white mob in the town […]

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