Fourth Friday of Advent 2023

 At the center of the endeavors of the coming culture will loom this problem of power. The solution of it will remain crucial. Every decision faced by the future age--those determining the welfare or misery of humanity and those determining the life or death of humankind itself--will be decision centered upon the problem of power. Although it will increase automatically as time moves on, the concern will notbe its increase but first the restraint and then the proper use of power.

--Romano Guardini

With the newspaper in the other:

“I’m the only candidate, and I think you know this, that can make this very important promise,” he said. “I think the world is in more danger than it’s ever been because of the power of weaponry, and I will be the only one that can say this with great surety: I will prevent World War III. World War III, we’re very close. I don’t know if you feel it. I don’t know, madam attorney general, if you feel it, but we’re very close to World War III when you see these discussions taking place.”

Throughout his hour-long speech, Trump credited himself for rebuilding the military to “tippy top” condition, saving the ethanol industry in Iowa, and restoring the ability of people to wish each other “Merry Christmas.” He also reiterated his disproven claim that the 2020 election was “rigged.”

In the process, he described America as a country that has “gone to hell” and as “a nation in decline,” which he blamed on the policies of Democrats and the Biden administration.

“With your vote in this election, together we’re going to save America and we’re going to bring our country back from hell,” he said. “As long as Joe Biden is in the White House, the American dream is dead. There is no American dream. But all of that will change the minute the polls close on Election Night in 2024. It’s gonna all change.”

He said that “by Christmas next year” – which would predate his taking office, should he win the general election – “the economy will be roaring back, energy prices will be plummeting and the hordes of people charging across our border will have totally ended and the invasion will have stopped.”

" ‘Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!’ And ‘Merry and Christmas,’ if you’re lucky!”

The problem of power.

The cat has the right attitude.