If you want total security, go to prison. There you’re fed, clothed, given medical care, and so on. The only thing lacking…is freedom. - DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
If you want to get rid of somebody, just tell him something for his own good. - FRANK MCKINNEY “KIN” HUBBARD
Good Morning Digital Neighbors & Friends! I hope everyone had a great weekend! Nothing spectacular about mine, but it was very good. Next week I will shift into some Christmas quotes. poems, prose and the like, but another week of quotes and commentary seems worthwhile.
Regarding President Eisenhower - If society mirrors prison life, will we be afforded the same (limited and almost non-existent) freedoms? Perhaps the bane of excessive prosperity is the desire to preserve it above all else and we shift from growth and risk to security and diversion. Eisenhower comes up a lot about his final speech warning about the military industrial complex. It seems to come up every few weeks from various podcasters. Unheeded warnings of the past have consequences that may take as long to remedy. Just listened to Dave Rubin playing the remarks of Marian Turski about the slow creep of oppression of the Jews in Germany, step by step transformation. It happens in the loss of rights, it happens in the insanity that is mainstreamed and normalized.
Almost anyone we thought was in need of help mentally, emotionally or socially near the last half of the previous century we now celebrate and honor. I exaggerate, but not by much. For instance, the Trans-revolution will herald a new chapter for women-non-women making great strides in the name of women who were just held back by not previously being men. Pronouns? - Ask El Conquistador about his pronouns? I can indulge the name changes with no problem, I will happily call you whatever name you want, but insisting that I patriciate in your madness will not garner my empathy or understanding. We (Or at least I) want an expansion of rights and liberty not a constriction. It is hard to distinguish between good reform and slow creep. For example, the evolution of same sex marriage - while not something I am in favor in my Catholic world, I don't have a problem with in society. I am still not happy that the Supreme Court interfered, but I am not losing sleep over it. I think it was a good reform for rights & liberties for same sex couples, but as soon as that hill was climbed, the next one was sought.
The problem with Cultural Crusaders is that they can never win and lay down their weapons, they must pivot to the next cause because that was really what it was all about. Causes matter more than reality. Let that sink in and ask how much happiness or contentment you will find when you are a Cause Crusader vs a person trying to discern & accept reality? Sadly when the causes worth consideration are accomplished, the list turns to the marginal and insane. I have all kinds of questions, concerns and doubts about trans-evangelism and the push for it as something that everyone must adjust to in the new world unfolding for us. TRANS-PHOBE!!!! I'd prefer a nuance of Mentally-ill-Phobe, (not all trans issues are mentally-ill, there are individuals with actual diagnosed genetic issues, the REAL {Is that an acceptable word anymore} Trans-issues among us) but maybe I'm just closed minded because I am repressing my trans-species aspirations. I have always wanted to be Blue Jay. 👀😉 Well enough of this before I alienate people who once thought I was a reasonably tolerable chap and an open-minded dude.
Regarding the Hubbard quote - Whenever someone tell you something for your own good, know that they have a real PRONOUN problem. They are telling it to you for THIER own good. Offers to help with skin the game are easy to assess as authentic, but advice with no involvement or offer to help is much more difficult to assess. Free advice is seldom cheap. Happy Monday my friends!
Historic Thomas Farm Barn Caribou Maine
Today marks the three hundred and thirtieth birthday of the Frenchman François-Marie Arouet, better known by his nom de plume, Voltaire (1694-1778).
Born into a bourgeois family during the reign of Louis XIV, the “Sun King” (r. 1643-1715), Voltaire suffered tragedy at a young age when his mother died. Never close with his father or brother, Voltaire exhibited a rebellious attitude toward authority from his youth. His brilliant mind was fostered in the care of the Society of Jesus, who introduced him to the joys of literature and theater. Despite his later criticisms against the Church, Voltaire, throughout his life, fondly recalled his dedicated Jesuit teachers.
Although he spent time as a civil servant in the French embassy to the Hague, Voltaire’s main love was writing—an endeavor where he excelled in various genres, including poetry, which led to his appointment as the royal court poet for King Louis XV. Widely recognized as one of the greatest French writers, and even hyperbolically referred to by ...
Padre - Tom Miller invites you to a Coffee Talk, Speakeasies, Schmoozes, Tea Times, Afterhours and other gatherings.
https://teams.live.com/meet/93792382189049?p=DiBHsYfuECPgDrG7vO
2026 Coffee Talk with the ADD Irregulars
Thursday, January 1, 2026
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Occurs every day starting 1/1 until 12/31/2027
Coffee Talk - Daily beginning at 6:00 AM Central Time Zone - USA
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Re-read it while traveling this week
Definitely worth the time/effort
https://www.amazon.com/Screwtape-Letters-C-S-Lewis/dp/0060652934/ref=sr_1_1?crid=110HP1IAHNL3