Ray Glennon OFS

The Arrogance of Ignorance. What I have learned in 45 years of interviewing experts about peace and war, and how it applies to the tumult of these past nine days.

Of everything you could read today? I bet this is more important.

"...that together make me view the past nine days as the most wantonly self-destructive for the United States in my long life time."

For James Fallows, that's saying something.

Heed the warning. Now. It will only get worse.

In interview, Cardinal McElroy says U.S. entry into war with Iran ‘not morally legitimate,’ citing Catholic just war teaching - Catholic Standard

Day 215—Said my Our Father for our country. Every day until…

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Cardinal Robert McElroy today on Iran war: "...our entry into this war was not morally legitimate.” See why: www.cathstan.org/us-world/in-...

Final remanent of winter snow

73 degrees in Columbia Md

Last remnant of this winter’s snow-crete winter storm on a beautiful day in Columbia, MD.

Trump Confounded by the War He Started It’s now clear: There was no plan.

"The Ukrainians have become the world’s experts in counter-drone warfare. After withstanding more than a year of American pressure to accede to Russia’s demands and essentially surrender, it’s not obvious Ukraine would still want to help us. We’re grateful they do." open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...

Who are you going to listen to? A Catholic Cardinal from the Church that’s developed Just War Theory over centuries, has a Ph.D. in political science, & is a leading expert on JWT, or Trump’s biggest political supporters?

I think the bigger problem is that there are probably millions of people in this country that don't know we've gone to war, or don't care, as long as the WiFi is on and there's something good on TV.

The Desire for Terror And the defense of democracy

A purpose of the war on Iran might well be to provoke a terrorist attack inside the United States. This would provide Donald Trump with a pretext to try to cancel or “federalize” the coming Congressional elections.
snyder.substack.com/p/the-desire...

Now comes the ritual humiliation of NFL players. Just a few people speaking out in defense of their own dignity would make a big difference here.

Trump has made billions from the presidency and he is now using the services for our military dead as an opportunity to sell his branded merchandise (the cap). He should not be wearing headwear of any kind at this moment, let alone something he sells on the internet. This is indecent.

My grandson was the lighting designer for this world premiere show at The Theatre School at DePaul.

My grandson was the lighting designer for this world premiere show at The Theatre School at DePaul.

Day 214—Said my Our Father for our country. Every day until…

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On the Indiana Turnpike returning to MD from Chicago after watching show at DePaul for which my grandson was the lighting designer.

This is an astounding and irresponsible and obvious lie by the Commander in Chief. This feels like another unthinkable red line crossed.

Lakefront at Diversity Harbor in Chicago.

Me at lakefront at Diversity Harbor in Chicago.

Day 213—Said my Our Father for our country. Every day until…

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Lakefront at Diversity Harbor in Chicago.

"War is mankind's most tragic and stupid folly; to seek or advise its deliberate provocation is a black crime against all men. Though you follow the trade of the warrior, you do so in the spirit of Washington -- not of Genghis Khan. For Americans, only threat to our way of life justifies resort to conflict." Graduation Exercises at the United States Military Academy, 6/3/47 "Possibly my hatred of war blinds me so that I cannot comprehend the arguments they adduce. But, in my opinion, there is no such thing as a preventive war. Although this suggestion is repeatedly made, none has yet explained how war prevents war. Worse than this, no one has been able to explain away the fact that war creates the conditions that beget war." Remarks at Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 10/19/50 [DDE's Pre-Presidential Papers, Principal File, Box

Was browsing the Eisenhower Library site this morning trying to find a quote I remembered.

President Eisenhower, WW2 military hero:

“In my opinion, there is no such thing as a preventive war… none has yet explained how war prevents war.”

To Mrs. Bixby
I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours, very sincerely…
A. Lincoln

graphic with the quote, "When a few drones get through or tragic things happen, it's front-page news. I get it, the press only wants to make the president look bad."

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's response to US troops dying

The administration just kicked off an illegal regional war across the Middle East.

Meanwhile, POTUS and SecState:

Thanks for reply. Keep up the great work.

Truman fired Gen. MacArthur. When will we fire (impeach) Trump? Can’t be soon enough.

James, You’re from CA…Is this what a caricature of a disturbed valley girl might say in your worst nightmare?

Thank you.

Sarah, What is the MLB record for RBI by single player in an inning.

Day 212—Said my Our Father for our country. Every day until…

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Heading to Chicago today to watch a performance at DePaul where my grandson did his first lighting design on the main stage. Blessed.

Day 211—Said my Our Father for our country. Every day until…

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Pete Hegseth Treats Fallen American Soldiers as a PR Problem His use of the Iran war dead to attack the media was disgraceful.

In his press conference today, Pete Hegseth "used the deaths of U.S. military personnel to air his own grievances with the press," @radiofreetom.bsky.social argues in The Atlantic Daily:

'If states were to be recognized as having a right to "preventive war," according to their own criteria and without a supranational legal framework, the whole world would risk being set ablaze. This erosion of international law is truly worrying: justice has given way to force; the force of law has been replaced by the law of force, with the conviction that peace can arise only after the enemy has been annihilated'

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin has spoken out on the conflict in Iran:

Day 210—Said my Our Father for our country. Every day until…

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I plan to do just that.

Self parody

Frighteningly, similar words might have been said by Bovino in Minnesota. And such illegal and immoral actions led to a (righteous) insurgency in Minnesota by American citizens that has caused the administration to alter course. Which is what will happen in Iran and Middle East too. Horrific.

Day 209—Said my Our Father for our country. Every day until…

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In these dangerous and difficult times may the prayer of St. Francis become our own, “May the Lord give you peace.”