Living in Hell (Formerly Known as America)

Saturday morning, 4/4/26 (via Joe.My.God.):

Sunday morning, 4/5/26 (via Joe.My.God.):

Paul Krugman:

Your Head Trucker asks:  Why are there not millions in the streets right now, all over this country, demanding an end to these evil threats?  Destroying a whole country?  Killing millions of people?  If that isn't the Devil talking, what is it?

And you know, what goes around, comes around.  Don't think this country or its leaders are invulnerable.  And there would be a chain reaction of events, probably, that just might devastate the whole world.  Is there anyone in Washington with enough guts to stand up and say NO to that maniac?

Time's a-wasting.  We're standing on the edge of a bottomless abyss.

BTW:  There's a lot of talk online about invoking the 25th Amendment.  But that would only make J.D. Vance president.  How do you feel about that?

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Easter Sunday 2026

 He is not here; for he is risen, as he said.

R E J O I C E !

The Choir of King's College Cambridge:

Sylvia McNair exquisitely performs the much-loved aria from Messiah:

The Lessons Appointed for Use on

Easter Day

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Bonus:  Rick Steves takes us on a fascinating tour of unusual European Easter customs:

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Today's Meditation

Paul Krugman:

Matthew 7:15-23:

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

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Good Friday 2026

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Murillo, The Crucifixion, circa 1675.
Click to enlarge.

Fernando Ortega gives a deeply moving performance of the well-known hymn from Bach's St. Matthew Passion.

The Lessons Appointed for Use on

Good Friday

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Maundy Thursday 2026

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;

Therefore let us keep the feast.

Agnus Dei by Zurbaran, circa 1635.

Agnus Dei by Samuel Barber as performed by Voces8:

The Lessons Apppointed for Use on

Maundy Thursday

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Palm Sunday 2026

Hippolyte Flandrin, The Entry of Christ into Jerusalem, 1844.
Click to enlarge,

The Lessons Appointed for Use on the

Sunday of the Passion:  Palm Sunday

Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race, you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Addendum, 3/20:  In his Palm Sunday homily, Pope Leo said God does not listen to the prayers of those who claim to wage war in the name of the Prince of Peace, quoting from the first chapter of Isaiah:

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Waitin' for the Weekend

"Dance with Me" by Vintage Photomontage - a lovely thing:

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Sunday Drive: Vivaldi, Spring, Movement 1

Joyful spring returns with its unending message of new life:

And yet, in the midst of life we are in death.  The Guardian reports:

Pope Leo on Sunday said death and suffering caused by the war in the Middle East are a “scandal to the whole human family”, as he once again pleaded for an immediate ceasefire.

As the US-Israeli war on Iran enters its fourth week, the first U.S. pope said that he continues to follow with “dismay” the situation in the Middle East and in other regions torn apart by war and violence.

“We cannot remain silent in the face of the suffering of so many people, the defenceless victims of these conflicts. What hurts them hurts the whole of humanity,” Leo said at his weekly Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square.

“I strongly renew my appeal for us to persevere in prayer, so that hostilities may cease and the way may finally be paved for peace,” he added.

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Waitin' for the Weekend

"Beefcake Sampler #7" by Clint Collide:

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The 80-Year-Old Crybaby Is Wrecking the World

Three commentaries on the latest Oval Office tantrum by observers who need no introduction here:

Adam Kinzinger:

Paul Krugman:

The George Orwell essay that Krugman quotes from can be found here.

Mary Trump:

And finally, a Pennsylvania voter puts the blame squarely on herself:

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The Pork Boys Do St. Patrick's Day, 2026

This was our Sunday dinner, held on Monday night because . . . we're old and retired and we don't have to follow a schedule.  Main dish was slow-cooked corned beef, with boiled cabbage, carrots, and little white potatoes, and some beef gravy.  M.P. made Irish soda bread to go with dinner. 

Dessert was chocolate cake covered with a dark chocolate ganache and decorated with some icing made of chocolate and Guinness stout.  Everything was scrumptious!  And notice the "pot of gold" centerpiece M.P. fixed up, ringed with artificial shamrocks.These simple photos are mainly just for our future reference.

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