muslim victims of radical Islamic terrorism

"11 million muslims have been killed by the hands of muslims themselves since 1948."
https://www.facebook.com/notes/knowledge-is-power/290-million-victims-of-islamic-terror/416083148469556/

So, the "honor student", who ran his car into and slashed innocent American students at OSU, who said “I am sick and tired of seeing my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters being killed and tortured EVERYWHERE", wasn't so smart after all. 
Somali refugee ranted about being 'sick of seeing my Muslim brothers being killed' hours before injuring 11 in Ohio uni machete frenzy

File:Boston Marathon explosions (8652971845).jpg - Wikimedia Commons

straightening our left-leaning country

http://ijr.com/wildfire/2016/11/741334-trump-delivers-heartfelt-message-to-nation-about-exactly-what-he-wants-to-achieve-his-first-100-days/

pouty

who can blame Trump? the media excoriates Trump, and then goes all "pouty" when Trump tells the media to "go fly a kite". 

Trump Slips The Press Pool (Again) And Shows He Won't Play By The Media's Rules

extreme partisanship is ruining the country

The root of the problem is with our two party system of government and the extremism and shrillness of national, state and local representatives from both sides. Trump, Bannon, Clinton, Warren, et al.--all shrill and divisive agents of discord.  

It isn't working. It's time to put an end to our two party system of government.

File:Two party system diagram.png - Wikimedia Commons

soft?

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20161115_Villanova_urges_faculty_to_discuss_racist_attacks_in_class.html

Back a million years ago (1964) during my first week (orientation) at Villanova, we were told: "If you get your name in the newspaper in an unflattering way, then pack your bags and go. You don't need to wait around for us to come tell you that you're expelled."

Has Villanova, like the Catholic Church, gone soft? Are faculty-led "classroom discussions" the way to deal with a group of white male bullies who knock a fellow female black student to the ground while chanting "Trump! Trump!"? Or, is the old-fashioned way--tell the bullies to go, and let the police investigation and criminal prosecution process take its course--better? 

When priests sexually abusing children, and bishops covering it up, became public, the Catholic Church began a sexual abuse "education" program (Virtus) for those working with children and the elderly. Meanwhile, the problem of priests abusing children and bishops covering it up has not been completely eradicated. Had abusive priests and clueless bishops been expelled from the Church, and reported to the proper government authorities instead, would the problem still persist? I think not.

I hope that Villanova does the right thing. I've lost hope that the Catholic Church will. 

st. john of the cross

St. John of the Cross - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online

John left us many books of practical advice on spiritual growth and prayer that are just as relevant today as they were then. These books include:

Ascent of Mount Carmel

Dark Night of the Soul

and A Spiritual Canticle of the Soul and the Bridegroom Christ

Since joy comes only from God, John believed that someone who seeks happiness in the world is like "a famished person who opens his mouth to satisfy himself with air." He taught that only by breaking the rope of our desires could we fly up to God. Above all, he was concerned for those who suffered dryness or depression in their spiritual life and offered encouragement that God loved them and was leading them deeper into faith.

"What more do you want, o soul! And what else do you search for outside, when within yourself you possess your riches, delights, satisfaction and kingdom -- your beloved whom you desire and seek? Desire him there, adore him there. Do not go in pursuit of him outside yourself. You will only become distracted and you won't find him, or enjoy him more than by seeking him within you." -- Saint John of the Cross

In His Footsteps:

John of the Cross believed it was just as dangerous to get attached to spiritual delights as worldly pleasures. Do you expect to get something -- a good feeling, a sense of God -- from prayer or worship? Do you continue to pray and worship when you feel alone or dry?

Prayer:

Saint John of the Cross, in the darkness of your worst moments, when you were alone and persecuted, you found God. Help me to have faith that God is there especially in the times when God seems absent and far away. Amen

blame

If she had used government email to do government business, as all government employees are required to do, then she wouldn't have anyone to blame.

Hillary Clinton blames one Comey letter for stopping momentum and the other for turning out Trump voters - The Washington Post

How Christians Can Respond to Election 2016

good counsel--ALL of it.

Empathy and Charity: How Christians Can Respond to Election 2016 | J.D. GREEAR

perseverance

While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, “All that you see here--
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”

Then they asked him,
“Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?”
He answered,
“See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’
Do not follow them!
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end.”
Then he said to them,
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.

“Before all this happens, however,
they will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

Luke 21: 5-19

atkinson

Father Bill Atkinson Guild — The Augustinians

centurion

When he had finished all his words to the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die, and he was valuable to him. When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and save the life of his slave. They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying, “He deserves to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us.” And Jesus went with them, but when he was only a short distance from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof. Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him and, turning, said to the crowd following him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” When the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

Luke 7: 1-10

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/1f/27/f6/1f27f6730a534fcb20635ad085ccf670.jpg

blessed

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me."

Matthew 5: 3-11

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3012/2978912658_190d557f35.jpg

love

1 Though I command languages both human and angelic -- if I speak without love, I am no more than a gong booming or a cymbal clashing.

2 And though I have the power of prophecy, to penetrate all mysteries and knowledge, and though I have all the faith necessary to move mountains -- if I am without love, I am nothing.

3 Though I should give away to the poor all that I possess, and even give up my body to be burned -- if I am without love, it will do me no good whatever.

4 Love is always patient and kind; love is never jealous; love is not boastful or conceited,

5 it is never rude and never seeks its own advantage, it does not take offence or store up grievances.

6 Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but finds its joy in the truth.

7 It is always ready to make allowances, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes.

8 Love never comes to an end. But if there are prophecies, they will be done away with; if tongues, they will fall silent; and if knowledge, it will be done away with.

9 For we know only imperfectly, and we prophesy imperfectly;

10 but once perfection comes, all imperfect things will be done away with.

11 When I was a child, I used to talk like a child, and see things as a child does, and think like a child; but now that I have become an adult, I have finished with all childish ways.

12 Now we see only reflections in a mirror, mere riddles, but then we shall be seeing face to face. Now I can know only imperfectly; but then I shall know just as fully as I am myself known.

13 As it is, these remain: faith, hope and love, the three of them; and the greatest of them is love.

1 Corinthians chapter 13

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=58527&picture=faith-christian-bible-verse-love

American Fall

The Arabs had their Spring--https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Spring. Americans have had their Fall. As opposed to other countries around the world, America's Fall was nonviolent. 

I would have preferred two different candidates for president in our two-party system of government. Future candidates from the two major parties for all elected positions--local, state and national, including president--need to be better candidates. Perhaps this also will result from this American Fall. Let's hope so.

The majority of those who voted have spoken--they expect positive change. For the time being President Elect Donald Trump and Congress have the reins. Let's hope that history will record this American Fall as the start of positive change for our country. 

abortion

God bless America, land that I love

Stand beside her and guide her

Through the night with the light from above

On January 22, 1973 the U.S. Supreme Court deemed abortion a fundamental right under the United States Constitution. Since then more than 58 million babies have been legally aborted in the U.S.--18% of the current population.

Does God bless a country where babies can be killed right up to when they're about to be born? Does God "stand beside her and guide her"?

I think not.

God help us.

O beautiful for patriot dream 

That sees beyond the years 

Thine alabaster cities gleam 

Undimmed by human tears! 

America! America! 

God shed his grace on thee 

Till nobler men keep once again 

Thy whiter jubilee!

It's time to fix our two-party system of government

If 50% or more of voters in the upcoming election were to vote for a third-party or write-in candidate, then a POWERFUL message would be sent to BOTH the Democratic and Republican parties. Even if Clinton or Trump is elected, the outlook for Democratic and Republican party control of future elections would be seriously diminished.

Seth Meyers lists the differences between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton - YouTube

Hillary Clinton's Thug Life Exposed by Dinesh D'Souza - YouTube

http://peretiredgoodbadugly.blogspot.com/2016/10/end.html

it's a sad day for the U.S.

http://peretiredgoodbadugly.blogspot.com/2016/10/end.html

perfect for taking the bad taste out of your mouth

"An overwhelming majority of voters are disgusted by the state of American politics, and many harbor doubts that either major-party nominee can unite the country after a historically ugly presidential campaign, according to the final pre-election New York Times/CBS News Poll."

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/04/us/politics/hillary-clinton-donald-trump-poll.html

Hope is fading...

http://peretiredgoodbadugly.blogspot.com/2016/10/solution.html

"mute picture" button for the TV remote

what we need now for the TV remote is a "mute picture" button to go with the "mute sound" button.

Donald Trump--mute.

Hillary Clinton--mute.

Barbara Comstock--mute.

LuAnn Bennett--mute.

http://peretiredgoodbadugly.blogspot.com/2016/10/solution.html

Hope is fading.

James Elliott "Willie" Williams, the most decorated enlisted man in U.S. Navy history

The most decorated enlisted man in U.S. Navy history: James Elliott "Willie" Williams.

WILLIAMS-JAMES | The United States Navy Memorial

what has happened to Jesus' church?

From the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) we learn that Jesus:

• spoke to people in their, and His, native language
• didn't dress differently from ordinary people
• physically, didn't appear to be different from ordinary people
• prayed, sometimes in synagogues, but often alone
• said that He came for "sinners"
• criticized "scribes and pharisees" for adding to the burdens of people
• said "render to Cesar what is Cesar's, and to God what is God's".

Jesus impressed ordinary people (sinners) by His words and by His example. A commander in the occupying army in Jesus' country said to Jesus "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof; but, only say the word, and my servant will be healed." 

Jesus was relevant in His time on earth; and Jesus is still relevant today.

Today the "ordained" in Jesus' church:

• celebrate masses in Latin, a dead language that Jesus' people today neither speak nor understand
• dress differently 
• tell Jesus' people how to vote

What has happened to Jesus' church?

It's a sad day for the U.S.

http://peretiredgoodbadugly.blogspot.com/2016/10/american-fall.html

Hope is fading.