Pope Leo XIV

Marco Rubio Rises As JD Vance Falls In Image

Ronald 3 Comments

This author and blogger has never been overly impressed or thrilled with former Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who is now Secretary of State and National Security Adviser for President Donald Trump.

But I have also said to my friends that Rubio is the “best” person surrounding Donald Trump in his second term, whether one agrees with everything he says or has done.

Rumors are spreading that Rubio may gain the backing of Trump to be his successor, which is a double edged sword, over Vice President JD Vance.

Of course, if Trump leaves office during this term, and his physical and mental health are questionable, Vance would become the 48th President.

But the fact that Rubio held a comparatively impressive press conference with the news media, and came across as rational and reasonable, something not seen in this second Trump Presidency, is going to fuel rumors about the future.

Rubio came across as more forthcoming and pleasant, unlike the hostility of other Trump Cabinet members, and President Trump, toward the press.

Regarding personality and public presence, Rubio wins out easily over the awkward, often unpleasant, stilted Vance.

Rubio is going off to see Pope Leo XIV and the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, after recent disputes between both leaders and Donald Trump, seen by many as “fence mending”.

In the world of Donald Trump, Marco Rubio seems to have risen in esteem, but of course, if Rubio gains too much positive reputation, it could also backfire.

There has been a sense that Rubio, who has been very quiet publicly until now, has been uncomfortable about many issues, at least if one observes and analyzes body language.

It will be interesting to see what occurs after Rubio has visited Italy later this week.

If Only Pope Leo XIV OR King Charles III Could Be President Now!

Ronald 21 Comments

It is a sad state of affairs that in the present political climate in America, this author and blogger, and I am sure, many other Americans, wish for a scenario that, of course, cannot occur.

That is, that either Pope Leo XIV (a native Chicagoan), or King Charles III of the United Kingdom, could be our President at this difficult time.

One does not have to be Catholic or British to feel that both of these world leaders are inspirations and demonstrate common decency, empathy, and intelligence to be spokesmen for what is best in the human condition.

Both are recent leaders, with the Pope just for the past year, and King Charles III only the reigning King for three and a half years.

But both have expressed and demonstrated that they are statesmen, and in the case of Charles III, his recent visit to the United States has, for the first time, demonstrated what a “jewel” he is on the world scene, while Leo XIV has already made clear that he is a great spokesman for the best elements of Christianity, and a worthy successor to Pope Francis.

Compared to the unhinged behavior of Donald Trump as he nears 80, the King in his late 70s, and the Pope in his early 70s, stand out for true, dignified leadership.

One Week Away, And So Much News Occurring!

Ronald 124 Comments

This blogger, author, and scholar has been away in Philadelphia for the past week, first time since 2008, visiting all of the historic sites and museums in that city, and also enjoying the musical “1776”, at the Walnut Theater, the oldest theater in America, going back to 1809 (the year of Abraham Lincoln’s birth), so now celebrating its 217th year.

While on vacation, so much news occurred, as one can never escape from reality, so we saw, among other news events the following:

Exposure of the abuses perpetrated by California Democratic Congressman Eric Swallwell, a leading candidate for Governor, forcing his withdrawal from that race, and resignation from Congress, a totally stunning event.

The continued conflict between Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV, including Trump being depicted as Jesus, or being blessed by Jesus, a true blasphemy of the true teachings of Christianity. It has alienated millions of American Catholics from Donald Trump.

The surprising overwhelming defeat of Hungarian right wing leader Viktor Orban in national elections, a real blow to the Fascist orientation of both Orban, and of Donald Trump and JD Vance, who campaigned to save him, and failed massively, undermining both Trump’s image, and the future of JD Vance.

Growing indications that with the Iran War continuing,

and with growing criticism of many of Donald Trump’s Cabinet members,

and with higher prices affecting tens of millions of Americans,

and also the clearcut enrichment of Trump and his family against the emoluments clause of the Constitution,

that Republicans are on the road to massive losses in the upcoming midterm elections of 2026.

Pope Leo XIV Vs Donald Trump: No Match!

Ronald 46 Comments

One does not have to be Catholic to see clearly that Pope Leo XIV is a moral, decent, compassionate religious figure, who promotes tolerance and condemns promotion of racism, nativism, bloodshed and violence.

So this new Pope, the first American Pope, has his hands full dealing with the reckless, dangerous, unstable President of the United States, Donald Trump, and his reckless Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth.

The unforgivable Truth Social posting of Donald Trump, threatening the destruction of Iranian civilization, has, therefore, be rightfully condemned in a forthright manner by Pope Leo XIV, and the Pope clearly will NOT return to the nation of his birth while Donald Trump is President.

The idea that the Pope and the Catholic Church in Rome could be threatened, and the outrage of the Avignon Papacy of the Middle Ages be invoked by anyone around Donald Trump, is beyond the pale.

The misuse of religion by Trump, Hegseth, and others around the US government, is an obscenity, as nothing that they represent has anything to do with the teachings and beliefs of Jesus Christ.

And to claim that right wing white supremacist Christianity will be promoted, when there are so many alternative views of Christianity, plus other world religions, including Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, is defying the basic belief of the American Revolution and the Constitution of the United States, which promotes separation of church and state.

Donald Trump’s Cruelty And Lunacy Challenged By Pope Leo XIV!

Ronald 38 Comments

The United States and the world at large is living through tumultuous times with a cruel, inhumane President who issues lunatic utterances on a regular basis, undermining American Democracy, the rule of law, international stability, and threatening American National Security and World Peace.

The rant and hate promoted by Donald Trump on Easter, apparent willingness to commit war crimes on the people of Iran, and using the most obscene, foul language, should be an alarm bell, that leads to use of the 25th Amendment to remove Donald Trump from the White House.

At the same time, the world is inspired by the first American in the Papacy, Pope Leo XIV, who is promoting a humane, compassionate, sane view of Christianity, wishing to promote tolerance, open mindedness, and international peace.

It is clear that tens of millions of Americans, whether Catholic or not, are saluting the Pope, and wishing that he could restore the faith of Americans and foreign nations in the stability, morality, ethics, and common sense of the American Presidency, which has suffered massively in its reputation through the actions and statements of the President of the United States.

The idea that right wing Christian pastors promote the idea that Donald Trump can be compared to Jesus Christ is a totally crazy and dangerous concept. And the idea that such pastors justify the lack of compassion and tolerance of immigrants primarily of color from outside Europe is a clear indication of the crisis that exists in Christianity.

Instead of saluting political leaders such as Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock for their true depiction of the teachings of Jesus Christ, we see instead promotion of hate and division, and even ridicule of other religions, a true cancer on the idea of interfaith dialogue.

Trump Attack On Legal Immigrants And Naturalized Citizens After Attack On National Guard In DC: Outrageous!

Ronald 13 Comments

Donald Trump is now inciting greater nativism, utilizing ICE, and targeting legal immigrants and naturalized citizens, some here for decades, and undermining the security of various ethnic groups that have settled in America, specifically Afghan nationals and Somali nationals in recent years.

Trump also has said he wants the end of immigration from “third world nations”, displaying his racism, considering only “white” immigrants from Europe and elsewhere, including whites who have been allowed to migrate from South Africa, to be acceptable.

This is all part of a plan that the Ku Klux Klan, and the American Nazi Party historically, and many recently formed hate groups, as outlined by the Southern Poverty Law Center and the American Civil Liberties Union, and all other past and present white supremacist Christian groups and advocates, such as Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes, as examples, are celebrating.

But it also threatens those of Jewish and Muslim religions, so is also an attack on religions outside of right wing Christianity.

Even Pope Leo XIV has promoted compassion, empathy, decency, and an open attitude toward immigration, reminding us that true Christianity and true democracy puts out its arms for the downtrodden, the oppressed, the victimized, totally opposite what Donald Trump is espousing and implementing.

The Accession Of Pope Leo XIV A Moment To Have Hope About The Future!

Ronald 2 Comments

The accession of Pope Leo XIV on the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, the end of World War II in Europe, and defeating the evil of Nazi Germany, is a moment to have hope for the future, at a time when there are so many gloomy realities that have occurred in 2025.

Not only the continuation of the Russia-Ukraine War and the Israel-Gaza War, and the possible war between India and Pakistan, but also the unrelenting gloom and negativism of the first nearly 16 weeks of the second Trump Presidency, has made for a very difficult few months for those people who have a sense of compassion, decency, empathy, morality and ethics!

This author and blogger is Jewish, but had tears of joy at the accession of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost to the Papacy, as he is truly a man of the people, of ordinary citizens of all nations, and stands out as a totally different mentality than Donald Trump, JD Vance, and the rest of the criminal crowd governing America in these times.

It is already clear that Pope Leo XIV will become “controversial” in his utterances and actions, and will cause the American government to lash out against him, but he will be a beacon against the evil of Trump and his minions.

The Pope is not just for Catholics, but for people of all religions, nationalities, races, and genders, and he will be an advocate for the poor, the disadvantaged, the marginalized, the needy, and promote dialogue and build bridges for all mankind!

The 80th Anniversary Of End Of World War II In Europe, And The Inspiration Presented By Pope Leo XIV To The Challenge Of Trump, Vance, And Authoritarian Fascism!

Ronald 6 Comments

Today marks the 80th Anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, although the war against Japan lasted until the surrender ceremony on September 2, 1945.

The war against Fascism caused more death and destruction than any war in human history, and yet, today, in 2025, we face new threats from a domestic Fascism that allies itself with authoritarian dictators around the world.

And it is not just Donald Trump who is a threat, but his whole administration from JD Vance downward through the Cabinet and other advisers, all of whom are dedicated to the destruction of the Constitution, as we approach the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, based on rebellion against a King!

Harry Truman was the right person to be President 80 years ago, but the thought of JD Vance as a “backup” to Donald Trump, as Truman was to Franklin D. Roosevelt, is enough to undermine one’s mental and physical state.

Even in his so called conversion to Catholicism, Vance has demonstrated that he is a phony Catholic, and the new Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, has already, three months ago, called out Vance on his despicable view of Christianity!

Pope Leo XIV will, clearly, be a challenge to the Fascism of Trump and Vance, and an inspiration to those who despair over what is happening to the American Republic!