I just found this beautiful and stirring speech by Archbishop John Ireland of St. Paul, MN. With the Fourth of July approaching, it seems an appropriate time to present it before the public. Would that we had more pastors today who possessed his power of words, clarity of ideas, and confidence of convictions. Of course, … Continue reading Speech by Archbishop John Ireland to the New York Commandery of the Loyal League, April 4, 1894
The Good
TCM Remembers and a Tribute to Two Lost Masters
I always enjoy TCM’s in memoriam videos. Well, enjoy might not be the right word, but they’re fitting tributes to those lost in the entertainment world. Retrospectives like this are important: they help us to remember both the achievements of those who’ve gone before us and deserve our respect, and they also remind us of … Continue reading TCM Remembers and a Tribute to Two Lost Masters
Introspection with Statler and Waldorff
One of the great things about the Muppets is that, at their best, they don't shy away from sincere emotion. This clip is a beautifully bittersweet combination of humor, music, and sadness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ArFSoYHSxs
Ross’s Game Dungeon
I have a fondness for the obscure and original, which is something I seem to share with Ross of Ross’s Game Dungeon, which is one of the reasons why it’s one of my favorite YouTube series. Ross was introduced to me through his hilarious Freeman’s Mind series, which was just a play-through of the original … Continue reading Ross’s Game Dungeon
The Gods of the Copybook Headings
Mr. Rudyard Kipling found himself dealing with many of the same idiocies and insanities in his day as we are today. Only in his time they were on the margins of society and today they are enshrined in law and policy. His poem, The Gods of the Copybook Headings, remains as succinct and devastating an assessment … Continue reading The Gods of the Copybook Headings
The Ballad of the White Horse
Before the gods that made the gods Had seen their sunrise pass, The White Horse of the White Horse Vale Was cut out of the grass. So opens G.K. Chesterton's poetic masterpiece, The Ballad of the White Horse, the tale of King Alfred and his war against the invading Norsemen. The ballad is a glorious celebration … Continue reading The Ballad of the White Horse
Bogatyrs
Here is a rather famous painting by the Russian artist Viktor Vasnetsov of three famous bogatyrs: characters from Russian literature akin to knight errants. On the right of the painting is Alyosha Popovich, the youngest of the three, who is known for killing a monster named Tugarin for insulting him at a feast. On the left is Dobrynya … Continue reading Bogatyrs
Heavy Metal Goes to War
My tastes in music, as I’ve mentioned before, are very eclectic. I love Country, but I also enjoy some rock and heavy metal (I’m particularly a fan of Mr. Alice Cooper, but that’s a story for another day). Sabaton is a Swedish heavy metal group that I particularly enjoy. Their shtick is songs about war … Continue reading Heavy Metal Goes to War
On the Extinction of the Venetian Republic
In recent years, I've often found myself returning to this poem by William Wordsworth, especially the last two lines. "Once did she hold the gorgeous east in fee; And was the safeguard of the west: the worth Of Venice did not fall below her birth, Venice, the eldest Child of Liberty. She was a maiden … Continue reading On the Extinction of the Venetian Republic
The Last Plane Out
So, I stumbled on this song earlier this week by a music group from the 1990s called 'Toy Matinee,' whom I've never heard of, but that's not a surprise, since I'm no expert on 1990s rock groups. Anyway, I really liked it; I thought it was a catchy tune, with actually really good lyrics and … Continue reading The Last Plane Out
Serpent's Den 