Pity the poor ‘Christians’

It is time to discuss some religion now that  we are in the Hanukah, Mubarek and Christmas Seasons. When I immigrated I was surprised that in my new country (having grown up physically in a Communist country of Yugoslavia) church and state were separated. I remember a US Supreme Court decision dealing with a Catholic school, and the highest court in the land ruled against this religious school. How can that be when even US $ has  “In God We Trust” written on, I asked?

When I came I only knew five words of English: cowboy, rope, love, ok. and twist, because twist dance was becoming popular overseas. Regular dancing is person to person touching physically and I was wondering why the new American dance separated the couples while dancing?

Later, after finishing Minor Seminary and transferring to University of Minnesota, I learned more about our history and system of government. I am convinced that the constitution authored by the founders did the right thing. Let us go back to the origins of Christianity when Jesus said that people should give to Cesar what is his and to God what is His. Why then are our so many US "Christians" insisting that our political system should be run by religious people? These "Christians" have inundated our system and even ele-cted a president with the almost 100% of their and 50% of Catholic votes. I saw a T-shirt that has "Jesus is Coming and He is Real Pissed" on it. Even the commercial people realize how damaging our political system has become and they are making money off it! 

When I served in the legislature I attended some of the Wednesday Bible Study sessions sponsored by "The Christian Caucus," because I am interested in the Bible et cetera, and I remember that same day in the afternoon we were discussing the Omnibus Health and Human Services Finance bill and my fellow "Christians" voted against  the bill which had funding for food, housing and healthcare of the poor people in Minnesota!  I still can not figure out why, because Jesus’ public life was mostly about teaching and helping the poor and the sick! In fact, I believe that He was the First Socialist in the AD (Annum Dei) or the Year of the Lord. The word Socialism came from Latin and it means People-ism not Communism.

Too many people get  it confused because Communist Parties used/use this term to describe their systems, which they are not, because government owned/owns  and ran/runs the whole system - socialist and capitalist. I am a social capitalist, because I believe in socialism where it belongs and capitalism where it works.

Mike Jaros
Duluth, Minnesota

Cook in the Kitchen

The cook is in the kitchen,
And he won’t get out.
Although across the land
There is a great big shout.
“The votes count Time to go”

Some like what you made
More don’t.
The way you cooked
Made some sick.
And let’s face it
You aren’t the pick.

The truth can hurt,
and kitchen tricks can’t hide,
When the dish,
People can’t abide.
So don’t you know?
It’s time to go.

C.L. Miner
Portland, Oregon (native Duluthian)

The Deposing of Trump

Trump can’t open his mouth without uttering lies. That’s been true for four years. More than 22,000 since taking office, last I heard. 

Before the election, the real reason he didn’t want people to die is so they’d be alive to vote for him. Other than that, he didn’t give a “rat's ass” about the American public, and hasn’t since he started campaigning more than four years ago.

The fact that Trump has mishandled this presidency since he was elected, and the pandemic from the start of 2020 is made abundantly clear in many ways. For instance, firing Obama’s pandemic response team, downplaying the severity of the outbreak for two months when it first showed up, going golfing five times, and holding eight rallies in the first two months of 2020, then blaming the pandemic on everyone from Hilary, to China, to the media. (Nothing’s ever his fault.)

The pandemic is the primary cause of the worst downturn in an economy since the 1930s depression, and has ended up causing many businesses to shut down or fold, as well as causing massive unemployment and food insecurity, all this while having a hand in the deaths of close to 330,000 people in America – tops in the world.  (At least we’re #1 in something.)

Trump has been incapable of creating an inclusive federal response, leaving states to figure it out on their own.  He created doubt about the advice of medical experts.  All the while, he’s been spreading misinformation, and holding many close quarter events without masks. Since losing the election, Trump has basically given up any pretense of being a functioning president. Not that he was much of one before this latest episode of narcissism and incompetence.

All this tells me, that, for Trump’s base, the election was not about leadership, skills, competence, or ability; it was about “hero” worship.  The fact that he is a consummate liar, a hate-monger, and a bully, doesn’t make them pause. There appears to be nothing that can turn away his fanatical, co-dependent supporters, confirming what he said about shooting someone on 5th Avenue, and not losing any votes or support.  It’s a tossup as to who’s more dysfunctional - Trump or his enablers.

Gail Matthews (former Duluthian)
Kellogg, Idaho

‘Threats’ to America!

As of this writing, we hear that many of our Government’s computer systems have been hacked. The Secretary of State, Pompeo, stated it was the Russians! A “Threat” to America! Over the past 1-2 weeks we have also heard that Hunter Biden is under 2 Federal investigations due to taxes (yeah, right). The truth is that Hunter’s illegal dealings are with the Ukraine and China! A “Threat” to America. On top of those “Threats” we also have heard about Congressional Representative, Eric Swalwell, dating a spy from China! He sits on the Intelligence Committee. A “Threat” to America!

However, with all of the current “Threats” to America mentioned above, the greatest threat to America is our very own homegrown “mainstream” media and “social” media! Their total non-reporting (intentional) and censorship of the Hunter Biden (and other Bidens) story prior to the election is by far the greatest “Threat” to American democracy! Even the Twitter CEO, Jack Dorsey, when testifying before the Judicial Committee in Congress, admitted that was a mistake!

 For those of you who may remember the comic strip POGO, the very famous saying “we have met the enemy and he is us” now applies to America’s media!

Chuck Bracken
Cannon Falls, Minnesota

Vaccine rules, Trump drools

The stench of the Trump presidency becomes less noticeable as the days go on. His time in the Frighthouse is limited now. Thank God!

How can people continue to support his sorry ass? It’s beyond me.

I wonder how young kids view this monster in Washington, D.C.? He is certainly not one they would or should emulate.

Father Time is Trump’s enemy and his days are numbered. His blind followers call him a “leader.” Hell’s bells! He couldn’t lead a line of ants to a broken bag of sugar!

On Jan. 21 we’ll all be able to stand again and look to the future with hope and glad anticipation. The tyrant will be NO MORE!

Ken Bracken
St. Paul, Minnesota

A real loser

Our latter-day czar is exhibiting maniacal ravings of imagined insults and paranoia. His combative mode is on “Red Alert” and he takes no prisoners.

His vindictive obsession reminds me of a General Patton remark: “Show me a good loser and I’ll show you a real loser.”

Gerald Norrgard
Duluth, Minnesota