HOW TO KNOW A PERSON by DAVID BRO

 David is a most sincere person who has recognized his failures in his earlier life that was involved with one problem or another. But, in due time, he saw the light and recognized the joy of being alive and able to relate with others whenever and whoever. It did not matter what color of their skin, the amount of intelligence noted in conversations, whether they were particularly attractive to men or women. The bottom line was the person!

His new book shared his personal insights that enabled him to see the beauty of every person.  Every person is unique. Enjoy any conversation that often leads to the understanding that you may appreciate an aspect of life that you were not familiar with. Every person should be treated with dignity.

While I am reading about his learning the wonder of another person, I am personally thankful of my personal life. 

Even growing up in a disturbed family, I was able to zero in on what could make a difference for me. From the start, it was sports. After a basketball hoop was placed on the telephone pole across the street, I played by myself whenever possible. I remember watching my mother call me to the stairs to drink some milk or soda. Even in the winter when I had to shovel the snow, I played even with cold hands.

I enjoyed companionship of all sorts of males and females without ever intruding on them personally. After a long history of being an altar boy, I finally decided to enter the seminary even though I had been accepted by the Holy Cross College.

During my seminary life, I started to read the writings of Fr. Pierre deTheilard Chardin. It was not part of our formal education. It gave me a better understanding of God. And then, sometime later I became aware of Sr. Ilia Delio of Marquette University. Ultimately, I then came to a full understanding of God that is present in all, humans, animals, Mother Nature. God is not divisive.  God does not discriminate. To think that Judaism, Islamist, Christianity, Muslim religions are unique and the only true understanding of God is not true. 

And so, I am happy that David came to understand that everyone is a friend, someone worthy to know, and possibly learn something new 

OUR NATION UNDER THREAT

 What a predicament our nation has! Our nation is in turmoil trying to keep Congress in session (even though when in session it is unclear that anything is getting done). There is difficulty agreeing on anything. Given that our world is in utter turmoil only exacerbates the situation.

I admit that two principal candidates are old and I so wish that there was a younger candidate. However, even when considering a younger candidate, I am frustrated that there is no obvious candidate. I do hope that Gretchen Whitmore runs in 2028 but she has not said a word about this possibility but she has not said a word because she is focused on Michigan where she is governor.

Given the situation, I have no doubts about the fact that I will vote for President Biden. While he is no longer a good articulator of his initiatives, the ones he shares are most important and helpful. His mind is focused on helping our nation do well and considering how best to contribute to other nations for their benefit.

I am saddened that so many support Trump and can only imagine what would prompt them given his antagonism to our constitution. They agree that they are not happy with Biden’s win but the alternative is a dictatorship and the end of our nation’s constitution.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!

THANKS TO Fr. PIERRE deCARDIN AND Sr. ILIA DELI0

 I have been constantly thankful for reading all the works of these authors who enabled me to experience God in all, all the time!  I often close my eyes to meditate on the reality of God’s presence in all! It seems so simple and, in a way, it is. When I travel and see the beautiful trees, flowers, and people talking happily, I experience the Divine.

This reality is also most helpful when our world and our nation is fraught with major conflicts. I live in peace in spite of reading daily international wars, bigotry and hatred, violence and killing. 

It seems so simple and obvious to me, but I know that my understanding did not happen over night. I am thankful for the literature I read and I have to live knowing that those even close to me do not understand.

FASCISM IN AMERICA

 I have been a regular consumer of Raschel Maddow’s ABC news program. I have always been impressed with her clear articulation of complicated subjects  with the ability to identify the exact details pertinent to the subject matter.

Her book at Fascism in America was so helpful, but for me, was also unbelievable that I was as ignorant of fascism in America since I read virtually everything from the Boston Globe, NY Times, Washington Post, BBC, Foreign Affairs, Economist, etc. As an 86 year old, I grew up in Brockton, MA, delivered news papers, spent 8 years in the seminary, five years in a Catholic Doctorate program, 2 years in a Master’s Program in Social Work, and years as the CEO of Mental Health in the New England Veterans Administration, and to think that I was unaware of fascism in America as reported by Rachel is amazing.

I was clear about the Nazis in WWII, the problems associated with the destructive anger and killing of the Jews. I was aware of Pearl Harbor. But I was unaware of fact that Nazism continues even in the United States. It surely is a good example of why there is a need to read.

I am thankful that I live in an area of Massachusetts that is all friendly and helpful to one another. But I am concerned that our present political is prone to being a bed for the likes of fascism and other political groups that are angered by political dialogue seeking what is possible for the many.

DISTURBING BUT HOPEFUL

What a predicament our nation has! Our nation is in turmoil trying to keep Congress in session (even though when in session it is unclear that anything is getting done). There is difficulty agreeing on virtually anything. Given that our world is in utter turmoil only exacerbates the situation.

i admit that the two principal candidates for the 2024 election are old and I so wish that there was a younger candidate. However, even when considering a younger candidate, I am frustrated there is no obvious potential candidate (I do hope that Gretchen Whitmore runs in 2028 but she has not said a word about this possibility because she is focused on Michigan where she is the governor).

Given the situation, I have no doubts about the fact that I will vote for President Biden. While he is no longer a good articulator of his initiatives, the ones that he shares are most helpful. His mind is focused on helping our nation do well and considering how best to contribute to other nations for their benefit.

I am saddened that so many support Trump and can only imagine what would prompt them given his antagonism towards our constitution. They are agree that they are not happy with Biden’s win but the alternative is a dictatorship and end of our nation’s constitution.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

THANKSGIVING WITH MY NEW ORLEANS FAMILY

Joan and I always appreciate being with our family. This year we are at our son Sean’s second house in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Weather wise it is clearly much warmer than Scituate, MA. However, the major reason is we are celebrating Thanksgiving with family.  Surely, Joan and I are so thankful for our children, Sara, Sean, and Neal. They have given us the gifts our six grandchildren.

Even when we are living in a disturbed national divide, a world at war, a world where one’s color, wealth, and power make a significant difference in their lives. 

We are thankful that our children have been well educated and are providing their family financial and loving support. It is exciting to watch our grandchildren merge into the time of entering college.

I am personally thankful for my health, education and a career that serviced the needs of others.

And how could I not be thankful for all of our canine friends, most recently MaggieMae and now Sean’s canine friend, Husk.

Sitting with Alan

 There are nit many times that Alan comes to visit us. We enjoy this presence and always am hoping that his days go well. As today, we sit on the couch and look out to the beautiful ocean.

JUSTICE by means of DEMOCRACY

 Danielle Allen is an American political scientist. She is the James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University. She is also the former Director of the Edmond & Lily Center for Ethics at Harvard University.

Her book essentially on the inequalities among people. People are inherently unequal in their brain power, their basic health, their family life, and their participation in public life. She focuses on justice, democracy, and democratic aspirations. She references the basic elements of our democracy: Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Federalist Papers.  None of  these spells out specifics, but serve to guide citizens in how they deal with reality which, by definition, is constantly changing. The book zeroes in on the need to understand and respond to the problems that will be consistent with these documents.

Human interaction varies dependent on their understanding of the problems in their home, neighborhood, nation, and the world at large. Regardless of the problems, she emphasizes the principles that will address them. She focuses on social and economic issues and stresses the need to bridge the divide.

She has the ability to address issues that help to understand the basic needs and challenges while seeking answers that will heal the differences and keep our democracy alive!

THE AUDACITY OF HOPE by BARACK OBAMA

 Barack Obama was always special to me. During me adult life I experienced several presidents. While they had some positive contributions to our nation, they made many serious mistakes. I recall being happy when as a child Franklin Roosevelt was a hero of WWII. When a military returned home, I as a 8 year old recall my home city (Brockton, MA) celebrated and the city made many houses for the veterans.  When President Reagan was elected, I recall how well he appeared. At the time, his major change in taxation seemed understandable until years later when it became apparent that the reduction of the taxes for the rich was counterproductive. As it is today, the very rich pay 2-4% of their gain while the majority pay proportionally much more. And then his homogeneous decision to make on Afghanistan when New York’s high rise buildings were destroyed with the loss of so many people that resulted in an endless war with so many deaths and no happy ending. President Obama was perfect!

In reading his autobiography book, THE AUDACITY OF HOPE, we walk through his childhood in Africa, migration to the United States, dealing with his Negro blood and taking one step at a time. He was clearly a good student in Chicago, his new hometown, who made the most of his experiences. 

What made Obama relatively unique and successful is his insight that the truth is not dictated by politics. Truth is what it is, but humans often struggle to perceive this. People discriminate because they think that it what they believe is true, e.g., people of color are less that those who are white. He was able to rise above all this and proclaim an understanding of humanity as being all of us, regardless of race, status or money. Values were the key!

His constant reference to the Constitution is important because he saw all laws had to be consistent with the rights incapsulated in the document.  He references the litany of presidents from George Washington on to establish his position.

As a politician, he was most aware of the issues that lead to differences.  He was not, however, one sided as a recent former president. He would read  and listen to the views to ensure that he did not miss on understanding the problems addressed by the legislation.  A most mature understanding of truth in politics.

His role required traveling to get support for his positions but he was relatively unique in searching for what those who were opposed thought was wrong in his perspective.  As opposed to a recent president, he did not assume that he would be always right. It ultimately helped his role when he became president.

Barack was a person of faith. He wanted the world to be aware that we are blessed by God and the need to respond appropriately in how we share our information and wealth with others. As God does not see humans divided by race, age or wealth, he wanted to share that he wanted to help everyone.

Reading his autobiography was a true honor.

Kellen Rose's Life

Dec 26, 2011
Kellen Rose became an active member of our family at 4:03 am. We were so delighted that she was healthy and, in fact, beautiful. She so quickly wanted to nurse. It was such a great experience.

Later in the morning, my parents came in to share the joy, followed later by the Toomey delegation. They all fitted into half of the room I was in. Everyone was visibly happy to see Kellen. All the grandparents had a chance to hold the new baby.

Nora's happiness was palpable. She held Kellen with our help and radiated
Nursing went so well that it was unbelievable.

Dec 27, 2011
Some concerns were raised about well-being of Kellen. But in short order, all was straightened out and they let us go home. It was so great to be home and Kellen made herself quite comfortable.

Dec 28, 2011
Kellen is making things relatively easy. She nurses so well. During this night, she slept from midnight to 3 and then after her feeding, until 7. Wouldn't it be great if this was a pattern that could continue!

Dec 29, 2011
Kellen met her pediatrician today. All went well. The baby's weight had increased.

Dec 30, 2011
We all went to see my physician today. It was great to think that Kellen has put on 5 oz in no time at all. She is already at her birth weight.

AMAZING MAN: Israel Del Toro

 Senior Master Sergeant of US Air Force as special ops paratrooper,  Israel Del Toro, wrote a mind blogging autobiography of his history. His history of his tour in Afghanistan resulted is his Humvee rolling over a buried roadside land mine and exploded. More than 80 percent of his body was severely burned and he lost of his fingers on his left hand. Doctors gave him a grim prognosis: they said that he would never walk or breathe properly on his own. He would likely spend the rest of his life on a respirator. 

Not only did he leave the hospital in record time, not only did he learn to walk and breathe on his own, but he became the first airman to reenlist in the military after being deemed 100 percent disabled. He is the recipient of the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and Pat Tillman Award for Service. He has broken world records in javelin, shot put, and discus, and he won both gold and silver medals when he represented Team USA in the Invictus Games.

While reading this horrible but heroic life of Israel, I could not help myself from not having tears. To think that he went through hell and high water and yet never gave up. Not only that, he even has become an inspiration for so many who for whatever reason have suffered a casualty that has seriously compromised their lives.

DISTRAUGHT BY WORLD AFFAIRS

There have been so many problems in our nation emerging from such political differences, but they seem so minor when trying to digest the homogeneous conflict in Jerusalem and its neighbors. The brutality of the conflict makes tears.

I interpret this behavior as another indication that humans have a LONG, LONG way to evolve. We initially evolved from gorillas and pygmies and have evolved into humans. Our brains too have evolved, but clearly as a human race, we have a LONG WAY to go. How we treat one another with such anger and hatred clearly demonstrates how far away from realizing that the Divine is not partial to specific religions . The Divine loves all creatures. If we could love another, we only do whatever to show our love and concerns. Brutality is such a omen of our status.

ELON MUSK

Walter Isaacson wrote a 615 page book on Elon Musk that captures the essence of his life. I cannot say that I learned much more than I knew, but it was amazing that he could detail so much of his brilliant mind  and his personality that was shaped by a most difficult family history in South Africa, compounded by his Asperger’s syndrome. His brain worked in and out, but generally with incredible intelligence and great success even though it required some losses that only made him more preservative in achieving his goals.

For me, the most successful aspect of his intelligence was his persistence, demonstrated by the failures of his rockets that only energized him more. The most difficult aspect was his failure to tolerate others who were not helpful.

What ended up with my admiration of Walter Isaacson’s ability to not only report the history but the inclusion of so many quotes of actual discussion he had. Where he got the quotations implies that he was incredibly intelligent.

His conclusion was incredibly simple but most pertinent.”Do the audacious and hubris that drive him to attempt epic feats excuse his bad behavior, his callousness, his recklessness? The times he’s an asshole? The  answer is no, of course.One can admire a person’s good traits and decry the bad ones. But it is also important to understand how the strands are woven together, sometimes tightly. It can be hard to remove the dark ones without unraveling the whole cloth. As Shakespeare teaches us, all heroes have flaws, some tragic, some conquered, and those we cast as villains can be complex.Even the bast people, he wrote, are “molded out of faults”.

A World of an Old Man

All of my life has been very busy. I have been well educated by virtue of 14 years of higher education. I have gifted to have served as a priest, then a social worker, followed by the amazing experience of being one of the  first employees of the Veterans Administration to know how to use a computer. I eventually became the CEO of Mental Health in New England. It went very well until my data continuously stated that we were not doing justice to veterans injured in the Iraq War. When I persisted to share my data, the COO told that I could not talk anymore. So I retired (history proved that my data was correct.

In retirement, I started to volunteer for Hospice programs and Meals on Wheels. Now that has ended, I fully retired and will see my 86th birthday in good health.

HOW AMERICA GOT MEAN by DAVID BROOKS

It is not often that a writer expresses views that I totally agree with, but David Brooks clearly accomplished this in the Atlantic Magazine article.  He had a well thought out understanding of moral formation which he identified in four steps: (1) helping people to restrain their selfishness, (2) teaching basic social and ethical skills, (3) helping people find a purpose in life.

He identifies opportunities for contributing to these goals: e.g., education, guiding principles, e.g., justice right and wrong are not just matters of personal taste.  Wise accounting would focus on what is life for. He rightfully noted the need to focus on what is life for! He explained that the increase in suicide, divisiveness between people of different color, etc. is indicative of a serious problem. He indicated that psychology zeros in on mental health, not moral growth. Being raised in a culture without ethical structure, you become internally fragile. Building moral character by focusing on: (1) What is the ruling passion of your soul, (2) What are my moral obligations, (3) What will it take for my life to be meaningful, (4) What does it mean to be a good human in today’s world, (4) What are the central issues we need to engage with concerning new technology and human life.

I surely agree with his long article that explains the predicament of human behavior. The issue I have is how to transfer this knowledge to the population at large, not just those well educated, not those who are active in churches, not just those with parents devoted to their children and not tending towards anger, punishment and use of liquids intending to make them happy in spite of the consequences. 

The short of it is that we live in a world so divided with one another and with other nations that it is difficult to make progress to a more healthy nation and world. 

I personally live in a world bolstered by the Jesuit Pierre Theilhard deChardin and Sr. Ilia Delio who understand the Divine as ever present in all, not just humans, but animals, flowers and all of existing Cosmos. This has taken time to understand this and live with it, given the atrocities throughout the world. But I surely would encourage people to access their literature as simply through Amazon so that you can start a different experience. However, it does not explain how we will live in such a world given the divisions among human beings.  But for me, every moment is a Moment with the Divine! 

OUR TRIP TO IRELAND THANKS TO SARA

I have been to Ireland several times which have all been wonderful. This trip was unique because our daughter, Sara, not only organized our routes, she was able to share the history of the various towns we visited.

 She drove remarkably well on the roads, often so narrow that she would have to pull way over to allow another car to pass. We were close but avoided the dreaded ditch many times!

Nien-he was most helpful and Mika and Emi gave us the pleasure of their youth. Being next to Joan all the way has always been such a pleasure and I appreciated every moment we were seated together.

Ireland was beautifully green. So many pastures with cows, sheep, or horses that I could well imagine another life with animals, apart from dogs. As smart as MaggieMae is, we experienced a smarter dog who on the order of his master got many sheep over a very large field to go a certain way so that they could be fenced in to enable their owners an opportunity to explain the process of shearing sheep so that we could wear warm sweaters.

Sara was able to identify so many restaurants with most tasty food. I always loved hearing music while enjoying the food. Occasionally the music was live with a person playing a guitar and the other a banjo. 

From the sheep herding demonstration to the girls surfing in the Atlantic Ocean to an ecology foraging tour on a river inlet to a walking tour on the Cliffs of Moher, it was all perfect!

Ireland has always been historically a mixed bag for me. My mother never talked to me about Ireland even though she often took me to her relatives in my home town. She never had me sit at the table with those relatives. When she died when I was 13, I never celebrated St. Patrick’s Day until after one of our visits to a movie in Dedham, “Out of Ireland”, that answered my problem. If you were not the first born male or married the first born male, you had to leave. But the word used was not “immigration” but “exile”. The only way to not cry about leaving Ireland was to never talk about Ireland. It surely answered the problem I had, but it surely only saddened me more that I was never as “Irish” as I could have been.

With gratitude to Joan, Sara, Nien-he, Mika and Emi, I appreciated every moment.

OUR POLICAL NIGHTMARE

 It is virtually impossible to read or listen to news without their being events and discussions regarding the upcoming 2024 election. You would think that one would so a sick of listening to voices of those for or against candidates. Even candidates within the same party disagree on much. Yet, I am one of those that persists in knowing what is happening.

One could well understand differences of strategies to address real problems, e.g., inflation, global warming, poverty, homeless, migration, Russia’s attack on Ukraine. I admittedly think that answers require those who have should agree to give, e.g., those making $X above a certain amount would pay proportionately more taxes. The underlying problem that is not generally addressed is the inherent biases shared by political leaders and viewers. I, for one, am clearly a Democrat. However, I can clearly recall from my young years when our political system was reflected by general Senate votes of 98-2. Now, each party struggles for 51.

The dichotomy is also demonstrated by religions. One struggles to comprehend how one could love the Divine while hating those who share other or no religious views. To think that the Divine is bigoted seems absurd.

I admit to having no answer. I appreciate that I will be dead before how this dichotomy works itself out. My concern is for our children, grandchildren and their descendants. 

WAR AND PUNISHMENT

Reading WAR AND PUNISHMENT by Mikhail Zygar was a difficult to read. Essentially  it focused on Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky and the struggles between Russia and Ukraine. However it was more than worthwhile. Amazingly the author captured quotes between the leaders and others who were in their nations. 

I continue to read the news coming out of the current conflict. Admittedly, I am one of those who considers Putin a disaster not only for the Ukrainians but also for the Russians. I am impressed that Putin is apparently losing support among his peoples, displayed most recently by his need to gather with real people on the street. He usually sits at a homogeneously long bureau with his person of interest seated on the other edge. 

There are so many conflicts throughout the world. China and its twisted approach to Taiwan, North Korea and its approach to South Korea, many African conflicts, e.g., Niger today makes the news constantly. But I am also fretful of what potentially is happening to our nation.  Our dichotomy is extreme. We seem to be so divided on political issues that it is not hard to think what would happen if the 2024 election resulted in a win by Donald J. Trump! We could then experience conflict comparable to what Ukraine is experiencing with Russia.

The long and short of it all is that we humans are still evolving. We can hope for the future, if not on this planet, but another.

One of My Most Favorite Politicians

  Nancy Pelosi is one of my heroes in the House of Representatives. Politically she clearly a true blue Democrat. I was always amazed how she was able to round up the votes necessary to pass a piece of legislation.  But there was never a moment that crystallized my attention more than when President Trump was making his inauguration speech. Protocol requires that as the President comes to the podium that he hands his speech to the Speaker of the House. Her response was captured in a photo when she openly rips the speech with open arms. 

In addition to her success as a politician, I have every reason to believe that she was a great wife and mother. The attack rather recently on her husband at their San Fransisco home was heart breaking and yet she put in first foot forward to continue business while attending to the needs of her husband.

I have been distressed by the political dichotomy impacting our nation. While remaining hopeful, I am looking for more Nancy Pelosi!!

Synderesis

There are few words in the vocabulary that I do not know. Part of my graduate education was learning all the words in the Webster Dictionary. However, every once in awhile,  I need to look up a word, such as, synderesis. According to Merriam-Webster, (1) inborn knowledge of the primary principles of moral action, or (2) the essence, ground, or center of the soul that enters into communion with God: the spark or emanation of divinity in the soul. 

The reason for the relevancy of the word relates to my understanding of God or the Divine. The Divine, according to evolution as understood by Pierre deTheilard, S.J. & Sr. Ilia Delio, is present in all, humans, birds, animals, plants and, in fact, the entire universe. 

My “problem” has been trying to understand the presence of the Divine in the likes of Valdimir Putin. Now, I can acknowledge “a spark or emanation of divinity in the soul. In the case of Putin, it may a minute spark, but it at least gives some meaning to a spark of divinity in all.

BALANCE BETWEEN SELF AND OTHERS

 David Brooks is clearly one of favorite writers. His NYT columns and opinions on PBS NewsHour are always welcome. His book, Second Mountain, is surely well versed that deals with the balance between self and others, balance between nations, and a commitment to others. 

There is no question that his perspective is accurate. However, I view these matters from a different perspective.

When I was in the seminary, I personally got clued to the writings of Pierre Theilhard deChardin,  a Jesuit paleontologist. While exploring fields of coal, he experienced the Divine.  He wrote several books, all of which I read, but they were not published until after his death. The Jesuit society did not agree with his vision to the point that he was buried in Jesuit cemetery without any sign to the public. Later, I read all the literature of Sr. Ilia DeLio, a Professor at Marquette University. Her writings further advanced the view the Divine is present in all.

Admittedly, this literature is difficult to summarize. I am able only to point out the essential components of this understanding.

In contrast to religions (Christianity, Islam, Hebrew, Buddhism), “God” is no longer referenced since the word is used as a “person” as known generally. In contrast, the ultimate is now understood as the Divine without any embodiment known to humans. The Divine is present in all (humans, plants, animals, the entire cosmos). Thus, I only need to be consciously aware of the presence of the Divine which I do often during the day and, at night, when I am waiting to fall asleep.

Knowing that the Divine is present in all humans (admittedly complicated when considering such persons as Putin), it is then meaningful to talk to others (family, friends, neighbors, persons in nursing homes) with love.

Knowing that the Divine is present in all, it becomes possible to experience the Divine in animals, as in our dog (MaggieMae). 

This understanding of the Divine enables a person to see the world with a perspective that enables love.

DO WE OBEY THE RULE OF LAW

The United States has been a beacon within the  world that signifies a nation can abide by its constitution that establishes the rule of law once agreed to by Congress and signed by the president. Our pledge to comply to such actions historically made us a community of all sorts of nationalities.

Historically this nation evolved with all sorts of issues led by those who immigrated to our portion of Mother Earth. George Washington and those following him struggled to develop a constitution. For me, the epitome of this evolution was during the administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In fact, until the election of Ronald Reagan, the Senate usually passed legislation by a vote of 98-2. 

Clearly since the time of Reagan’s administration, our nation are slid continually into a deep divide. At this moment (2023), we have a House that is sharply divided to the point that its leader, Kevin McCarthy, barely achieved his position due to the divide within the Republican Party and his leadership is constantly threatened as noted by the passage of the debt ceiling bill.

The Democrats has barely control the Senate. They achieve their legislation when the Independents, e.g., Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona.

As of 2023, then, legislation has been difficult to pass.

From my perspective, the divisions in the Republican Party is the major problem. Some of their members support initiatives that are so extreme that their members fight constantly, e.g., cutting funding for securing our border, our research facilities, wanting to reduce veteran, federal state, and local police funding.

Our nation has grown to be strong, but has been weakened by internal divide. Where this all ends up is a question that will only be answered by history. 

A MOMENT IN HISTORY

No one would argue that we live in a political dichotomy.  For years, the Republican Party has geared further and further to the right to the point that the congressional leader, Kevin McCarthy, is one step away from his role due to the archconservative caucus. He only achieved the role after fifteen series of votes due to so many were convinced that he was not conservative enough! That experience was a moment in history since that many series of voting were needed.`

At the same time, the Democratic Party continues to lean left, with some supporting extreme views that will never be politically acceptable.

However, we are now experiencing a MOMENT IN HISTORY!

From the time of our education in high school, undergraduate and graduate education, we took history courses to learn how our world functioned in various situations. There have been leaders who promoted  liberal policies, others promoting conservative policies and, in all cases, there were those leaning further to the left (Democrats) or the right (Republicans). 

This education enabled students to understand the thinking involved is such decisions.  We learned how a view that seemed wrong was understood as the best route for the nation (N.B., this is not unique to our nation). The education on the history of slavery was impressive, realizing the sharp consensus that the Black Slaves should never become citizens. But thanks to President Abraham Lincoln, our nation rose to a new outlook. Granted, it did not cure bigotry! Today we read constantly about how badly minorities are treated (not only in our nation!). 

Today, June 13, 2023, former President Donald J. Trump will make history by becoming the first president ever to be indicted for a federal crime. He will undergo the ritual of appearing in court where he will only respond to the judge, to give his hands to be fingerprinted, photo taken, and then respond to the alleged crimes.  

It is difficult for some of us not to be focused on this moment in history. Generations to come will surely read about it. I have experienced other “moments in history”. But, this is truly a MOMENT IN HISTORY!

Thank you, President Biden!

President Joseph Biden

US White House

Washington, DC

There have been so many instances when you have promoted objectives that are positive for our nation. Your steady approach to the congressional process proved again that your leadership is priceless. The struggle over the debt ceiling was most serious with devastating economic impacts.

Your public announcement was idealistic in that you were able to congratulate both parties in their abilities to overcome the disagreements of some.

You are clearly a leader who only works for the good of all.

Edward Toomey

45 Glades Rd

Scituate, MA 02066

RELIGION

April 6: Hanuman Jayanti (Hinduism)

April 9: Easter (Christianity)

March 22-April 20: Ramadan

April 5-13: Passover (Judaism)

Various religions are celebrating their holy days during April. They clearly identify with the beliefs that they believe are singular to the point that they deny brotherhood with the other religions. I can recall my young days as a Catholic altar boy feeling sad for those who are not Christians. Over time, there have been wars between groups based on their religious identity as today’s battle between Israel and Palestine. 

Thanks to the Jesuit Paleontologist, Pierre deTheilard Chardin and Sr. Ilia Delia, Ph.D. At Marquette University, I see the world in terms of evolution. As our Cosmos exploded into a huge universe that is 92 billion years in diameter, the ends of which have yet to be seen.  We humans evolved from animals, but there is every reason to consider that humans have reasons to consider that they have not evolved as far as one may anticipate. 

With this understanding, I surely no longer identify with organized religion even though I was a Catholic priest for six years. I now understand that Divine in the context of evolution. The Divine is not “God” as a person but as the reality supporting all! 

With this understanding, I am aware that the Divine is present in the universe always. The Divine is present in all, humans, animals, plants, etc. All that I have to do is being aware of the presence of the Divine always. I simply focus of this reality and experience peace and happiness.