Yes, it’s disturbing that a solid 45% of the US would apparently be cool with Santa Clause being shot dead with an AR-15, but that means 55% still believe in common decency. So believe in America (still).

Ultimately, freedom/independence is the right to be left alone. But does the exercise of one’s freedom of speech/expression necessarily preclude a person’s ability to be left alone? I say no, it shouldn’t & doesn’t have to, & here’s why.

There is nothing unkind or lacking in civility in wanting or even praying that COVID-19 kills Trump. You do not need to feel guilty or afraid if you feel this way. In fact, here is why you need to be praying for Trump to die from this virus.

In today’s gospel, Jesus rebukes Peter as Satan for thinking like a man. But in the passage just prior, he praised Peter for thinking like God, even handing him the keys to the kingdom. So if even Peter was capable of two very different aspects in one — 2 halves in one man — in Trump’s chaotic, violent America, which half of Peter are you today? And what can you & I do each day to think more like God & less like men? PS I reversed the Defcon numbers. 1 is worst, 5 safest.

America’s politics are flawed, as are its churches, banks, schools, etc. However, America is reduced to madness, to nothingness, without its history of institutionalism. The American Way. The Constitution. Hope, itself. Save America, sure; save its institutions.

Just say no to Patreon, OnlyFans, etc. Don’t pay for nudity online. Online models are a dime a dozen & only after your money. Go for face-to-face intimacy. Nudity is way more exciting when she’s sharing it because she likes you.

Bill Maher took on Jesus again last night, comically shaming him for not taking on slavery during his time. But your Chancellor says Jesus took on an even more oppressive form of slavery afflicting everyone. And on this day of Mary’s assumption into Heaven — Mary, who humbly accepted the terrifying obligation of being the mother of God — let’s recognize that beauty can be born out of challenging times, be it from the oppression of slavery or the ugly times of today.

Contrary to popular spin, & despite Clint Eastwood’s best attempts to slant things to the right, the movie Richard Jewel is not really a story of media gone wrong. It’s time to stop hating on and start standing up for journalists. They are not enemies of the people, but our first line of defense against tyranny.

What we are seeing today in America is an overabundance of bad people on both sides. Selfishness leads to a lack of ethics. What we need is more sacrifice, more commitment to the greater good.

Things aren’t as simple as “tell the truth to everyone or shut up.” All of us tell some of the truth to some people, and more or less of it to others, all the time. And that’s as it should be. Honesty is still a choice.