It has not been a happy week. We began the week looking at the negative effects the advance of some Islamic expressions is having. We turned to looking at how our politics rob us of our happiness and our mourning. We looked at the apparent poor mental health of so many and then – California. To put a cherry on that sundae, Dolly Parton died – and where I live, where she grew up, that is simply a bright light extinguished. As I have reflected on this week just passed, a Psalm came to mind and I reflect on how the psalmist seems to have something for every time and place.. . .
Not everything that is “golden” glitters – California. The great debate is whether it is incompetence or corruption that lies at the heart of the problem. Sadly, it’s both. The real question is which one is worse. Anyway, here is this week’s batch of California headlines.. . .
There are very sick people in this world – very sick. It used to be they lived in dark corners and you had to go looking for them. Even if you heard their stories, you had to imagine the worst parts. But now, in the internet age, even when the story is told by an outlet intended to bless people, it provides access to the sickness via link. I refused to follow the link in the story I just linked and I hesitated to include the link I just did. The material covered is pure hatred and celebrates the ritualization of some extraordinarily ugly stuff. Stuff like this has been around forever, but never has it been so easy to access. And that is a big part of the problem.. . .
On Tuesday I wrote of politicians seeking to steal our joy and happiness. Apparently, those with political agendas are willing to steal our pain and suffering and loss as well.. . .
She entertained, well, everybody. She is one of the most accomplished and awarded song writers of the modern age. But around these parts Dolly Parton was much, much more. The two-room cabin she shared with eleven siblings and two parents sat just about 25 miles from my home here is East Tennessee. The story of her upbringing did not flow from her publicist’s pen – it is truth. That is where the story of her greatest legacy starts,. . .
Things certainly seem bleak right now. Democrats have apparently fallen off a cliff and are nominating people that are more than moving the Overton window – they are blowing it up altogether. The news media is relentless in its reporting of bad news. I go to church and I hear about the poor, starving and homeless, but nary of word of blessing. It stands in sharp contrast to the world I live in day-to-day – surrounded by friends, living in natural splendor. It is as if our politicians and our media are conspiring to prevent me from enjoying my life.. . .
People bristle when the United States of America is referred to as a Christian nation. Technically, it is not. There is freedom of religion baked into the Constitution. Yet, the American ethos is decidedly Christian. “Ethos” is defined, “the distinguishing character, sentiment, moral nature, or guiding beliefs of a person, group, or institution.” That’s not religion, but it can and generally does draw from the prevailing religious sentiment of the person, group or institution. It would only be natural for such to be the case.. . .
While I was in California last week I wrote about how the average Californian lives in a constant state of resignation. Once the place of hopes and dreams it has become a place where another day through without disaster or unhappy complication is a win. They are resigned to a situation that while not awful, is far from wonderful. No one dreams anymore and those that dare, hope only to leave. But under the necessary coping skill that is that resignation lies worry. What disaster, poorly handled, will next beset them?. . .
Or, are normie Dems just losing? At this juncture Donald J. Trump has permanently changed the Republican Party. His second term is one of the greatest achievements in political history and places his stamp on the party indelibly. He has defined a new issue set for the party to focus on and he has changed the way elections will be fought for a long time to come. He was, in no small part, elected on a wave of dissatisfaction with business as usual for Republicans in a “throw the bums out” sort of way. Dissatisfaction with business as usual is a common theme amongst all voters and I wonder if it accounts for the DSA wave that is sweeping the Democratic Party as well.. . .
Sponsored Links
Stay Connected With Us!
Choose which email subscriptions interest you most.
Salem Media, our partners, and affiliates use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyze site traffic, personalize site content, and deliver relevant video recommendations. By using this website and continuing to navigate, you consent to our use of such technologies and the sharing of video viewing activity with third-party partners in accordance with the Video Privacy Protection Act and other privacy laws.Privacy Policy
