Jumping Without A Chute

Last Phase

See you in a couple of weeks. Upon my return I'll have a new rank and a new job. I'll also start to post more frequently again, I promise. As always, your prayers are appreciated.

Baltimore's Loss is Wilmington's Gain

Today I found out that Bishop Francis Malooly, auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore, has been named the Bishop of the Wilimington Diocese. This is truly the end of an age for Baltimore. In a year the youth of Baltimore have lost the only Archbishop they  knew, Cardinal Keeler and now they loose an auxiliary bishop, Francis Malooly. I just want to relate one story about Bishop Malooly to express to you the type of Bishop that he is. Before each Confirmation he celebrates, he has the confirmandi candidates write him a letter expressing what they got out of the confirmation process and a little bit about themselves. He does this so when he meets them for the first time, it's like meeting them for the second time because he memorizes the letters. I ask that you please keep both the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Diocese of Wilmington in your prayers.

Thanks & God Bless,

Steph

More Than A Birthday

232 years ago today, the ideas of men like Locke, Hume, and Hobbes were brought to fruition in a document that established a Republic the likes of which had not been seen since the early days of Rome and the city-state of Athens before that.

145 years ago, on a rainy day in Pennsylvania, the final act of the tragedy of our civil war began as Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia began a withdrawal from the north leaving behind death, destruction, misery, and any hope for a confederate victory. In Washington, a relieved Abraham Lincoln reviewed the after action reports from Gettysburg and the newly won confederate stronghold of Vicksburg. Perhaps our union would be preserved.

So, where are we now?

Today, less than one third of one percent our citizens currently wear the uniform of one of the branches of our nations military, the remainder often pass by nervously when they see a soldier, sailor, marine, or airman on the street. Others assume a smug demeanor of superiority and look down their noses at those charged with their defense. People complain about Blackwater but, at the same time will not stand up and take an interest in their own defense.

A large majority of our citizens have no idea what our founding documents say and believe that they have the right to do anything they want courtesy of an agenda driven media and politicians who know that holding people accountable is no way to get elected. If  you asked what amendments are in the Bill of Rights or who wrote the Federalist Papers, you'd probably be met with blank stares and sometimes even hostility.

Many of the same people who will gather and watch fireworks and be happy for a day off today are the same ones who will be the first to blame this nation for the ills of the world tomorrow.  There is this mistaken belief reinforced by second rate thinkers like Howard Zinn  and Noam Chomsky that patriotism and dissent are one and the same. This fallacy is what leads to the death of Republics.

Happy Fourth, and if you don't know what you're celebrating, go learn.