I have made it a point to subscribe to many independent media sites. Even if I don’t have time to read them I feel it’s important they have the wherewithal to speak the truth which mainstream media fails to do. Instead of donating to random Democrats running for federal offices I support groups funding local legislative races. This I believe is the best use of my money.
BTW I love this Substack and make time to read it every day!
It is truly astonishing to see “conservatives” and even some people who call themselves “Christian” argue that basic morality, constitutionality, and the law should just be discarded if the populace is impatient for “results.” Of course, it is not even a majority of the populace, so there’s that.
For a non-Christian, you did a really good job of articulating a basic Christian ethic! You do the right thing because it’s right. And because what you do reflects and shapes who you are.
I remember back in the day when I was a Rush-listener, and he would speak reverently of his grandfather, who often said, “Character is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” I also remember him saying how important it is NOT to tell others what to do or how to live, but to live your life in such a way that others will say, “Yes! That’s who I want to be, too!” Now I’m a recovered Republican, an unenrolled voter who continues to believe those two pieces of advice, even though most Republicans have ground them into dust.
The best boss I ever had once gave me some advice. I had just moved from a rank and file position to a first line supervisor, and she said, “Someone is sure to complain about whatever you do, so do what you think is right and you’ll always be able to defend your decisions.” Shortly after that she resigned to start a new career. Eventually she ran for office and became Parish President (a parish being the Louisiana equivalent of a county). She’s the only Republican I’ve ever been excited to vote for.
Not a Catholic, but I walk the grounds of a nearby convent every day with my dog and find so much peacefulness in the daily ritual.
Separately, the pic of JD Vance and Pope Francis reminds me so much of the last pic of Queen Elizabeth with Liz Truss. The humble, lifelong dedication of a true leader vs the flash-in-pan.
Did some people forget that Trump wanted to run on the immigration problem and even without being president had control of Congress so it couldn't be fixed?
I don't know how many times people need to see theft, treason, tyranny, fraud, cruelty, cowardice, indecency, and profound idiocy... before growing disgusted by their support of them.
As an agnostic who tries to live my life by the Golden Rule, it makes my head explode to see all these "Christians" in the trumplican party ignoring every fucking teaching of Jesus to honor their Golden calf cult leader. I was raised Lutheran until I wised up in my later years, but I firmly believe in doing what's right because it's the right thing to do, not because someone wearing a backwards collar says to do it or I'll go to hell. I'll continue doing what's right and back it up with my 2nd Amendment rights if necessary. Fuck all these right wing fascists. My Dad fought them in WWII and I'll continue the fight if needed.
I hope that the conferring cardinals agree to follow Francis, a true and noble populist pope, with a similar choice -- after witnessing what depths the authoritarian mindset degrades itself to in our dear America the Beautiful, top-loaded with conservative Catholics and wannabes.
I have made it a point to subscribe to many independent media sites. Even if I don’t have time to read them I feel it’s important they have the wherewithal to speak the truth which mainstream media fails to do. Instead of donating to random Democrats running for federal offices I support groups funding local legislative races. This I believe is the best use of my money.
BTW I love this Substack and make time to read it every day!
It is truly astonishing to see “conservatives” and even some people who call themselves “Christian” argue that basic morality, constitutionality, and the law should just be discarded if the populace is impatient for “results.” Of course, it is not even a majority of the populace, so there’s that.
For a non-Christian, you did a really good job of articulating a basic Christian ethic! You do the right thing because it’s right. And because what you do reflects and shapes who you are.
I remember back in the day when I was a Rush-listener, and he would speak reverently of his grandfather, who often said, “Character is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” I also remember him saying how important it is NOT to tell others what to do or how to live, but to live your life in such a way that others will say, “Yes! That’s who I want to be, too!” Now I’m a recovered Republican, an unenrolled voter who continues to believe those two pieces of advice, even though most Republicans have ground them into dust.
This quote ordains my study.
The best boss I ever had once gave me some advice. I had just moved from a rank and file position to a first line supervisor, and she said, “Someone is sure to complain about whatever you do, so do what you think is right and you’ll always be able to defend your decisions.” Shortly after that she resigned to start a new career. Eventually she ran for office and became Parish President (a parish being the Louisiana equivalent of a county). She’s the only Republican I’ve ever been excited to vote for.
Hello, Pete, good to see you again.
What happened to doing the right thing ?
Not a Catholic, but I walk the grounds of a nearby convent every day with my dog and find so much peacefulness in the daily ritual.
Separately, the pic of JD Vance and Pope Francis reminds me so much of the last pic of Queen Elizabeth with Liz Truss. The humble, lifelong dedication of a true leader vs the flash-in-pan.
Did some people forget that Trump wanted to run on the immigration problem and even without being president had control of Congress so it couldn't be fixed?
I don't know how many times people need to see theft, treason, tyranny, fraud, cruelty, cowardice, indecency, and profound idiocy... before growing disgusted by their support of them.
🇺🇲
JD Vance visits Pope.
Pope dies.
Coincidence?
Just asking questions.
Good Boy Pete. We still think of you all the time. Until we meet again. Run happy and free😚
RIP to Pope Francis. Sad that he spent his last weekend on earth meeting with irredeemable asswipe JD Vance. The Pope had the patience of Job.
As an agnostic who tries to live my life by the Golden Rule, it makes my head explode to see all these "Christians" in the trumplican party ignoring every fucking teaching of Jesus to honor their Golden calf cult leader. I was raised Lutheran until I wised up in my later years, but I firmly believe in doing what's right because it's the right thing to do, not because someone wearing a backwards collar says to do it or I'll go to hell. I'll continue doing what's right and back it up with my 2nd Amendment rights if necessary. Fuck all these right wing fascists. My Dad fought them in WWII and I'll continue the fight if needed.
“Do it anyway.” An excellent motto to live by, if taken as you have, in the positive sense of doing the right thing.
Thank you for the column today, part devotional and part acerbic. Both parts true and valuable.
And as always, thanks for "snuggle Pete," who had nosed his way into all our hearts. I'm sure that he considered himself as Alpha of the Pack.
The Guardian had an interesting article today about the Pope's possible successors:
<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/21/who-next-pope-francis-potential-candidates-succeed>
I hope that the conferring cardinals agree to follow Francis, a true and noble populist pope, with a similar choice -- after witnessing what depths the authoritarian mindset degrades itself to in our dear America the Beautiful, top-loaded with conservative Catholics and wannabes.