Aside from the litany of crises I have been subjected to lately, I resolve one and another appears ( I must have done something terrible in a former life...lol)...the politics aren't helping...I am trying to find things that don't upset or depress me any more than I am; it is affecting my health for sure.
Today, I stumbled on his clip of Whitney Houston singing the Star-Spangled Banner at a football game in FL I believe...in 1991, I either didn't see it or don't remember it...but, boy, did it make me nostalgic for how it used to be...she was perfect and awesome...and look at all the flags and the peoples faces....please, can we go back to that?
Today it was devotions with Matt. Sometimes I read Jeremiah, this morning I read Matt. Potato, potahto... both of 'em are weeping for their nation. Even though Matt hides his lament in a healthy dose of humorous cynicism. I do appreciate the h/t on the Christ Coffee- although I prefer something dark and smoky- perhaps they'll come out with a "Judas Kiss" blend, or a "Peter's Rooster" blend (I was going to write "Peter's Cock,"- but having subscribed to Slack Tide for several years now, I know what Matt would do with that...).
Speaking of betrayal, thank you for linking to the USA today article, documenting the USDA's billion dollar cut to students, foodbanks and farmers. This administration might say, "Let them eat eggs!" but those of us who are part of communities of hopeful redeemed sinners will need to get ahead of this, and collaborate with each other in either volunteering and supporting already existing food banks, or developing new ones- and working creatively with local school districts and farmers to see that kids- both students, and farmers kids- are able to eat at least two squares a day. Matthew 25 is a terrifyingly convicting passage... its easy to begin believing the carnival barking, over the voice of the good shepehrd.
Thank you for writing Matt. I will use *some * of your words and links, to highlight the dystopian cloud which darkens the horizon for our parishioners. I say some, because- honestly, you serve your readers white lighting in many of your pieces... and for most of God's people, Emily Dickinson's wisdom is, well- wisdom...
Tell all the truth but tell it slant —
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind —
Thank you again for sharing your incisive wit and moral clarity with your subscribers.
I’m on social media so I can keep up with family (kids, grandkids, great grandkids) and distant friends. More than several of them are extreme MAGA but I never respond to their ridiculous posts. I once enjoyed a vigorous discussion (argument?) about politics or history, but no more. What I have noticed lately that there are little to no MAGA screeds on Facebook any more. In it’s place are posts like Occupy Democrats. Are the MAGA folks too embarrassed to post anymore? Are more people willing to speak their mind about our current insanity in government? I don’t know but I hope so.
That’s been my theory lately. I know the market is not the “economy” but it’s hard to pretend it is all going swimmingly for millions in the market as their 401ks have declined by 7% in 7 weeks, tens of thousands have been laid off in DC, and threats to those entitlements we’ve spent years or decades paying into are prominent even as some of these low-iq MAGA posters claim 70 million more social security recipients exist than our entire population headcount (which has been debunked time and again by non-MAGA).
Though a practicing Christian, ( Lusters and Backsliders, Reformed, Iowa Synod) I am not a bible literalist. It's clear to me the hodge-podge of frequently transcribed oral traditions, stories , parables, fantasies , allegories etc. were written for their time and situation , for the people of the Bronze and Iron ages, not necessarily every Jot and Tittle applicable for the people of Microchip, Morbid Obesity and Thermoplastic Age. Still, timeless wisdom exists in Ye Olde Book:
Luke 16:10-14 ERV
Whoever can be trusted with small things can also be trusted with big things. Whoever is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in big things too. If you cannot be trusted with worldly riches, you will not be trusted with the true riches.
Character matters, and while every President has had "issues" as we all do, Trump is obviously mentally ill and morally bankrupt. Mary Trump , Trump's niece, professional psychologist, and lifetime observer of the Mango Menace, believes her uncle is suffering from "untreated psychiatric disorders".
Now, that Trump does not need them, the MAGA cult will learn the hard way that he will treat them with the same regard as he has every woman or business agreement he has ever encountered; i.e. NONE. He will be in your corner, just as he was for Rudy Giuliani, Pillow Guy, and Krazy Kraken Lady.
And Matt, please don't forget "If you give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. TEACH him to fish, and he'll eat for life."
Trump et al are not just cutting food for the poor - they're also stripping away any chances for education and improvement. How many food banks would be needed if people had enough education to get themselves better paid jobs?
Thanks, Matt, you are right on the money. It’s really up to the courts now, since Congress has abdicated its authority. And as everyone knows the endgame we’re looking for is if a depressingly biased Supreme Court sides with our new Monarch on too many things, and/or he simply ignores the rulings he doesn’t like. John Stewart said it well a few weeks ago, and I’m paraphrasing here: if you want a King, OK, just don’t pretend that you don’t. And do me a favor, wear the right effing color coats. After which he featured a painting showing a British red coat soldier in combat…during that war we had to get rid of kings a few hundred years ago.
I had the opportunity last evening to attend at a diverse Iftar gathering at a local Mosque. We had leaders from Islam, Judaism, Christian (Southern Baptist and Episcopalian), Sikh, Baha'i and Native American spiritual faiths contemplate on the word "compassion". All gave the same message of our God calling us to share what we have with those less fortunate, to care for immigrants, to give grace to people who err. We were a group of public servants (nonprofits, electeds, law enforcement officers, and business leaders), multi politics, race, faith, age and gender. The Sheriff sitting next to me said,"I feel a sense of hope that together we can get through this time." I was so glad I went. This was the 10th one I've attended, and there was a sense of both need and solidarity that I had not felt before. We have to be willing to talk with people about the things we're afraid of, and not prejudge (a bad habit of mine). And we have to get out to demonstrate peaceably, and lead the way.
Matt, It is worse than what you portray. Remember Brooksley Born head of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in 1998? She wanted to introduce the concept of regulating over-the-counter swaps. These are trades between counter parties to exchange financial instruments (that are opaque and completely unregulated). Just having the conversation brought out the Heavy Hitters (also the name of THC gummies) to oppose the thought of regulation. Fed Chair Alan Greenspan and Treasury Secretaries Robert Rubin and Lawrence Summers were a force in stopping the conversation before Congress.
Congress passed legislation to prohibit her agency from regulating derivatives in 1999.
So now we have an annual $600 TRILLION marketplace that is opaque and unregulated. Having a 0.5% tax on U.S. traded dollars would add $1.2 Trillion annually to the Treasury.
But no, what we get is Musk axing the proletariat. A weak man indeed. We just might be f’d.
Search Brooksley Born PBS on YouTube for a good explanation of what transpired.
Peter - I think your comment is a good example of one of the major problems the country has. I am reasonably well educated, but reading it I thought "Whoa! Wha. .what?"
When a country's organisation get to that level of complexity, your average Joe has no choice but to rely on the "experts."
Which is fine - as long as there are experts regulating the experts. "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?"
Unfortunately right at the moment the American public is in the position of a wildebeest calf surrounded by lions.
As I said, wildebeest surrounded by lions . . you ever seen nature film of a wildebeest herd? They graze peacefully while the lions close in, panic when attacked - then go back to grazing once the lions have eaten.
W.C. Fields also spent his last months or so, in a nursing home. One day, a friend of his came by, and saw he was reading a Bible. His friend said: "Bill, What are you doing?" to Which W.C. Fields replied, "Looking for loopholes.". Thought you might appreciate it.
I watched a PBS show celebrating Kris Kristofferson’s song writing recently and found “Under the Gun” relevant to today. Expect you are familiar with it, but felt it was worth mentioning.
St Matthew and Skip James in one! This is another great one. I have to go easy on the Labash diet lately tho cuz I get agitated and I am trying not to get so agitated. Not much I can do about it. I’ll be checking on the food bank need for volunteers tho. Thank you for being the last sane person left.
After animals do their business, they don't look at it - ever. Humans do, probably always. I never thought I'd see our country swirling the bowl, with Trump's TP in tow.
Great piece, Matt. Awesome music, as always...
Aside from the litany of crises I have been subjected to lately, I resolve one and another appears ( I must have done something terrible in a former life...lol)...the politics aren't helping...I am trying to find things that don't upset or depress me any more than I am; it is affecting my health for sure.
Today, I stumbled on his clip of Whitney Houston singing the Star-Spangled Banner at a football game in FL I believe...in 1991, I either didn't see it or don't remember it...but, boy, did it make me nostalgic for how it used to be...she was perfect and awesome...and look at all the flags and the peoples faces....please, can we go back to that?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_lCmBvYMRs
Chills watching that - thank u
Yep, you are welcome, I even teared up a bit
Looks I’ve been shadow banned by Fox News for my anti-Trump and Israel criticism!
Today it was devotions with Matt. Sometimes I read Jeremiah, this morning I read Matt. Potato, potahto... both of 'em are weeping for their nation. Even though Matt hides his lament in a healthy dose of humorous cynicism. I do appreciate the h/t on the Christ Coffee- although I prefer something dark and smoky- perhaps they'll come out with a "Judas Kiss" blend, or a "Peter's Rooster" blend (I was going to write "Peter's Cock,"- but having subscribed to Slack Tide for several years now, I know what Matt would do with that...).
Speaking of betrayal, thank you for linking to the USA today article, documenting the USDA's billion dollar cut to students, foodbanks and farmers. This administration might say, "Let them eat eggs!" but those of us who are part of communities of hopeful redeemed sinners will need to get ahead of this, and collaborate with each other in either volunteering and supporting already existing food banks, or developing new ones- and working creatively with local school districts and farmers to see that kids- both students, and farmers kids- are able to eat at least two squares a day. Matthew 25 is a terrifyingly convicting passage... its easy to begin believing the carnival barking, over the voice of the good shepehrd.
Thank you for writing Matt. I will use *some * of your words and links, to highlight the dystopian cloud which darkens the horizon for our parishioners. I say some, because- honestly, you serve your readers white lighting in many of your pieces... and for most of God's people, Emily Dickinson's wisdom is, well- wisdom...
Tell all the truth but tell it slant —
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind —
Thank you again for sharing your incisive wit and moral clarity with your subscribers.
Peace and Grace to you and yours
Thanks so much, Dave. Really appreciate it. And love me some Emily Dickinson, besides.
Musk Watch: The man puts me in mind of Gallagher and his Sledge-O-Matic.
I’m on social media so I can keep up with family (kids, grandkids, great grandkids) and distant friends. More than several of them are extreme MAGA but I never respond to their ridiculous posts. I once enjoyed a vigorous discussion (argument?) about politics or history, but no more. What I have noticed lately that there are little to no MAGA screeds on Facebook any more. In it’s place are posts like Occupy Democrats. Are the MAGA folks too embarrassed to post anymore? Are more people willing to speak their mind about our current insanity in government? I don’t know but I hope so.
That’s been my theory lately. I know the market is not the “economy” but it’s hard to pretend it is all going swimmingly for millions in the market as their 401ks have declined by 7% in 7 weeks, tens of thousands have been laid off in DC, and threats to those entitlements we’ve spent years or decades paying into are prominent even as some of these low-iq MAGA posters claim 70 million more social security recipients exist than our entire population headcount (which has been debunked time and again by non-MAGA).
Though a practicing Christian, ( Lusters and Backsliders, Reformed, Iowa Synod) I am not a bible literalist. It's clear to me the hodge-podge of frequently transcribed oral traditions, stories , parables, fantasies , allegories etc. were written for their time and situation , for the people of the Bronze and Iron ages, not necessarily every Jot and Tittle applicable for the people of Microchip, Morbid Obesity and Thermoplastic Age. Still, timeless wisdom exists in Ye Olde Book:
Luke 16:10-14 ERV
Whoever can be trusted with small things can also be trusted with big things. Whoever is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in big things too. If you cannot be trusted with worldly riches, you will not be trusted with the true riches.
Character matters, and while every President has had "issues" as we all do, Trump is obviously mentally ill and morally bankrupt. Mary Trump , Trump's niece, professional psychologist, and lifetime observer of the Mango Menace, believes her uncle is suffering from "untreated psychiatric disorders".
Now, that Trump does not need them, the MAGA cult will learn the hard way that he will treat them with the same regard as he has every woman or business agreement he has ever encountered; i.e. NONE. He will be in your corner, just as he was for Rudy Giuliani, Pillow Guy, and Krazy Kraken Lady.
Yup.
And Matt, please don't forget "If you give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. TEACH him to fish, and he'll eat for life."
Trump et al are not just cutting food for the poor - they're also stripping away any chances for education and improvement. How many food banks would be needed if people had enough education to get themselves better paid jobs?
Thanks, Matt, you are right on the money. It’s really up to the courts now, since Congress has abdicated its authority. And as everyone knows the endgame we’re looking for is if a depressingly biased Supreme Court sides with our new Monarch on too many things, and/or he simply ignores the rulings he doesn’t like. John Stewart said it well a few weeks ago, and I’m paraphrasing here: if you want a King, OK, just don’t pretend that you don’t. And do me a favor, wear the right effing color coats. After which he featured a painting showing a British red coat soldier in combat…during that war we had to get rid of kings a few hundred years ago.
I had the opportunity last evening to attend at a diverse Iftar gathering at a local Mosque. We had leaders from Islam, Judaism, Christian (Southern Baptist and Episcopalian), Sikh, Baha'i and Native American spiritual faiths contemplate on the word "compassion". All gave the same message of our God calling us to share what we have with those less fortunate, to care for immigrants, to give grace to people who err. We were a group of public servants (nonprofits, electeds, law enforcement officers, and business leaders), multi politics, race, faith, age and gender. The Sheriff sitting next to me said,"I feel a sense of hope that together we can get through this time." I was so glad I went. This was the 10th one I've attended, and there was a sense of both need and solidarity that I had not felt before. We have to be willing to talk with people about the things we're afraid of, and not prejudge (a bad habit of mine). And we have to get out to demonstrate peaceably, and lead the way.
Matt, It is worse than what you portray. Remember Brooksley Born head of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in 1998? She wanted to introduce the concept of regulating over-the-counter swaps. These are trades between counter parties to exchange financial instruments (that are opaque and completely unregulated). Just having the conversation brought out the Heavy Hitters (also the name of THC gummies) to oppose the thought of regulation. Fed Chair Alan Greenspan and Treasury Secretaries Robert Rubin and Lawrence Summers were a force in stopping the conversation before Congress.
Congress passed legislation to prohibit her agency from regulating derivatives in 1999.
So now we have an annual $600 TRILLION marketplace that is opaque and unregulated. Having a 0.5% tax on U.S. traded dollars would add $1.2 Trillion annually to the Treasury.
But no, what we get is Musk axing the proletariat. A weak man indeed. We just might be f’d.
Search Brooksley Born PBS on YouTube for a good explanation of what transpired.
Peter - I think your comment is a good example of one of the major problems the country has. I am reasonably well educated, but reading it I thought "Whoa! Wha. .what?"
When a country's organisation get to that level of complexity, your average Joe has no choice but to rely on the "experts."
Which is fine - as long as there are experts regulating the experts. "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?"
Unfortunately right at the moment the American public is in the position of a wildebeest calf surrounded by lions.
The government relies on public forgetfulness.
As I said, wildebeest surrounded by lions . . you ever seen nature film of a wildebeest herd? They graze peacefully while the lions close in, panic when attacked - then go back to grazing once the lions have eaten.
Perfect analogy.
I wish it wasn't. I wish the only analogy I could use was the reaction of a Momma Bear when you try to touch her cubs. . .
W.C. Fields also spent his last months or so, in a nursing home. One day, a friend of his came by, and saw he was reading a Bible. His friend said: "Bill, What are you doing?" to Which W.C. Fields replied, "Looking for loopholes.". Thought you might appreciate it.
I watched a PBS show celebrating Kris Kristofferson’s song writing recently and found “Under the Gun” relevant to today. Expect you are familiar with it, but felt it was worth mentioning.
Have it on now. Thanks, Hank. I really miss that guy. He was a prophet.
beautiful lede paragraph.
thank you for Skip James.
St Matthew and Skip James in one! This is another great one. I have to go easy on the Labash diet lately tho cuz I get agitated and I am trying not to get so agitated. Not much I can do about it. I’ll be checking on the food bank need for volunteers tho. Thank you for being the last sane person left.
Warning to the squeamish:
After animals do their business, they don't look at it - ever. Humans do, probably always. I never thought I'd see our country swirling the bowl, with Trump's TP in tow.
They do, however, come and sniff at other animals poo - and often eat it.
Which is kinda like what the Republicans do with trump. . .