I’m laughing hysterically listening to this. High me thinks sober me made this sh!t up because this is the stupidest reality I’ve EVER seen and I reside in a fairytale. C’mon, humans. Do better. Yours truly, Grandma Pixie 🧚 P.S. Soon 🔜 to be Great-Grandma Pixie. She’s scheduled to arrive on Cinco de Mayo so I made a taco/burrito baby blanket (because of course I did). Photos and video on instagram. 🌮 🌯 🫏 ⬅️ also a burrito (muy pequeño) or as I prefer, Francis the Talking Mule. Thank you Pineapple Express 🍍🚬🚂💨
Roy Cohn died in infamy, broke, bereft, and without a single actual friend. Because he was evil. To continue to credit "the Roy Cohn playbook" is to perpetuate the myth of a vile man whom history should learn from about how NOT to behave, but should never give him a shred of credit. He had zero humanity and certainly no decency whatsoever. And Trump hoovered all of that up like French fries smothered in ketchup. I hope to live long enough to forget Donald Trump. Not because my old brain is defective, but because better people took over the running of our nation. If I were to pray, that would be my prayer.
Hope the work on the book is over soon so that you and your very tolerant wife can enjoy that absolutely spectacular view and the peace that comes from a job well done, sitting with the person you love, feeling grateful for all that life has given you. Will miss reading the Friday Brief, but totally understand. Take care, Rick!
FTR, I don't think Trump gives religion, any religion, enough thought to even decide whether he's a believer or not. He's happy to use those who are believers, but it's as irrelevant to his life as the ants on his golf courses.
Mr. Ward tells a story about growing up Catholic. His dad, a survivor of the Bataan Death March and 42 months as a POW, took his six children to mass every Sunday. Until he didn’t. They arrived one Sunday in the late sixties to find the priests speaking in English (not Latin) and facing the congregation instead of the alter and -- worst of all -- guitars playing folk music. He never went back.
Rick, loyal subscriber here. I read all your Substack posts. But I have to turn off the podcasts bcz you replay too much of that bloviating boob. Would you consider limiting, or better yet, eliminating it?
Thanks for taking time out from your book efforts for this. Deeply felt.
Remember, Donald the Deceiver has said in reply to a question "I don't think I've ever done anything I'd need to ask forgiveness for". smh
There are few, if any of the Hebrew Laws that Trump hasn't broken, and he mocks all that Jesus held sacred. Those who argue that an 'imperfect vessel' can do great good for the Lord might as well claim that Lucifer, another imperfect vessel, acts for the greater good of G-d. I don't think so.
Nothing in the treatise by Augustine regarding a just war applies to what Trump has done. He started out belligerent and worked hard to bully the Iranians before launching a stealth strike. It's his modus operandi. Ask Venezuela. Ask the poor souls who were on those boats that no one will ever know if they had drugs on or not. Trump is Kabuki Theatre on steroids. He's manipulated by even worse men to do ugly things he thinks are making him a great man, yet diminish our country to a point of irrelevance.
I grew up around religious fanatics that were oh so wrong in understanding their faith. I have no use for their kind. But the right will speak of how 'their' Christianity is being persecuted while far too many of them persecute any and all religions that aren't theirs.
I don't attend services for many reasons, but I have my beliefs. I live my life according to my middle of the road working class Christian upbringing, believing that humility and respect for all and the act of doing for others to the extent of your physical and financial capabilities is far more important than proselytizing in an empty sing-song manner to others. Am I anywhere near to perfect? Not hardly. But I've done less damage in a lifetime than that 'empty vessel' (not just imperfect) residing in the WH does in a single day.
Religious faith is a path to provide meaning and purpose to one's life. Trump had everything the US could provide: all the wealth a person could ever use; healthy children and grandchildren; luxurious homes; unlimited recreation; the finest meals; adoring fans; the power to help millions of people; and he chooses to do evil. He is the most tormented, unhappy person in the US. He had everything, and squandered it all. He will either die miserably or be legally pursued for the rest of his life, or both. What a wasted life.
First of all, I'm a practicing Catholic. Have been for 74 years. I don't understand Trump Catholics.
I don't understand Trump followers at all.
I hope it's not the abortion issue, because Catholicism is a lot more than being Pro Life.
I love babies, they are my favorite people, but some people don't feel the same way.
Forcing women to carry a baby to term without a safety net and not imposing responsibility on the father is absurd. A woman doesn't get pregnant alone, but the man get's a pass? Where is his responsibility?
Christ preached care for the poor, the hungry, prisoners. He threw the money changers out of the temple and kept church and state separate when he said "to give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."
Trump is the most un-religious person on the planet. He has no morality, no rules that he follows, no worship of anything but money and himself.
How anyone of any religion that they consistently practice can even call him a "good" person is beyone me.
I no longer am a practicing Catholic, don’t “…believe in the Catholic Church…” and yes, mostly because of male-run religion dictating female health care, with obviously no basic understanding of the female body and reproductive system.
I love babies as well but I don’t want to be around them anymore. My choice!
So thank you for acknowledging that sentiment. I don’t understand why people believe this issue is up for public debate.
Anyway, You outline numerous points and I completely agree!!!
What I wonder is why the Democrats don’t respond to the “no abortion” legislation with “baby daddy gonna pay” legislation, providing $$ to hunt down daddy if necessary and since the government wants to dictate family planning, they can pay for healthcare, preK, basic needs testing and cover financial assistance. Democrats consistently fail to call maga’s bluff.
For a group of people calling themselves “Christians” then continue to quote the Old Testament is confusing to me. I seem to recall Jesus saying something about giving us a new commandment, “love one another.” Sounds pretty simple to me.
Your comment and quote about church and state is brilliant!
I’m grateful Pope Leo is reminding his flock of Jesus’ teachings.
There’s a lot of gold idol worshipping, the one Old Testament story trump catholics/christians should focus on!
Hey Rick! My family is still in Tally - what lake are you on? Beautiful.
I’m laughing hysterically listening to this. High me thinks sober me made this sh!t up because this is the stupidest reality I’ve EVER seen and I reside in a fairytale. C’mon, humans. Do better. Yours truly, Grandma Pixie 🧚 P.S. Soon 🔜 to be Great-Grandma Pixie. She’s scheduled to arrive on Cinco de Mayo so I made a taco/burrito baby blanket (because of course I did). Photos and video on instagram. 🌮 🌯 🫏 ⬅️ also a burrito (muy pequeño) or as I prefer, Francis the Talking Mule. Thank you Pineapple Express 🍍🚬🚂💨
You have gators??? With dogs? How do you keep the dogs out of the water? 😬
https://bearswire.usatoday.com/story/news/state/2026/04/17/florida-wildfires-map-wildfires-near-where-you-live-air-quality-drought-burn-bans/89656433007/ It was burning here on 18Apr. Kat was exposed in sunroom very smokey. I still smell it burning. News difficult to find. 0621 on 19Apr. 2026. Birds nervous nesting season. Parrot colony quiet . Abandoned area temporarily. Long flight range. Multi nests in yard. Kat birds, Doves, RavenKat thinks he is also Mockingbird has no flock
He is so full of 💩
I worked the polls in Wisconsin in 2020 and since. Our elections are safe and secure. Trump is a lying, rotting piece of 💩!
Roy Cohn died in infamy, broke, bereft, and without a single actual friend. Because he was evil. To continue to credit "the Roy Cohn playbook" is to perpetuate the myth of a vile man whom history should learn from about how NOT to behave, but should never give him a shred of credit. He had zero humanity and certainly no decency whatsoever. And Trump hoovered all of that up like French fries smothered in ketchup. I hope to live long enough to forget Donald Trump. Not because my old brain is defective, but because better people took over the running of our nation. If I were to pray, that would be my prayer.
😺👏🏼
Hope the work on the book is over soon so that you and your very tolerant wife can enjoy that absolutely spectacular view and the peace that comes from a job well done, sitting with the person you love, feeling grateful for all that life has given you. Will miss reading the Friday Brief, but totally understand. Take care, Rick!
FTR, I don't think Trump gives religion, any religion, enough thought to even decide whether he's a believer or not. He's happy to use those who are believers, but it's as irrelevant to his life as the ants on his golf courses.
Mr. Ward tells a story about growing up Catholic. His dad, a survivor of the Bataan Death March and 42 months as a POW, took his six children to mass every Sunday. Until he didn’t. They arrived one Sunday in the late sixties to find the priests speaking in English (not Latin) and facing the congregation instead of the alter and -- worst of all -- guitars playing folk music. He never went back.
A poem for the Lord of The Word:
Mere mortals know not what Gods do.
These my words, an offering to You.
I live in prayerful sacred wonder
of Divine timing and human blunders.
I pray for peace in hearths and homes.
I pray wars cease and sacred tomes
are read for wisdom, Love and kindness.
Find the Joy, let human minds rest.
Find a home with the sacred above
that leads to Truth and Peace and Love.
✨By sward 🏵️🗡️🛡️🔪💫
Will there be “behind the numbers with the Wilsons” this week? It the highlight of my Friday!
Rick, loyal subscriber here. I read all your Substack posts. But I have to turn off the podcasts bcz you replay too much of that bloviating boob. Would you consider limiting, or better yet, eliminating it?
Totally agree. I don’t like so much of your shows being trump warmed over either. I enjoy hearing your views — not trump’s.
Donald trump talking about legislative approval. Irony, anyone?
Thanks for taking time out from your book efforts for this. Deeply felt.
Remember, Donald the Deceiver has said in reply to a question "I don't think I've ever done anything I'd need to ask forgiveness for". smh
There are few, if any of the Hebrew Laws that Trump hasn't broken, and he mocks all that Jesus held sacred. Those who argue that an 'imperfect vessel' can do great good for the Lord might as well claim that Lucifer, another imperfect vessel, acts for the greater good of G-d. I don't think so.
Nothing in the treatise by Augustine regarding a just war applies to what Trump has done. He started out belligerent and worked hard to bully the Iranians before launching a stealth strike. It's his modus operandi. Ask Venezuela. Ask the poor souls who were on those boats that no one will ever know if they had drugs on or not. Trump is Kabuki Theatre on steroids. He's manipulated by even worse men to do ugly things he thinks are making him a great man, yet diminish our country to a point of irrelevance.
I grew up around religious fanatics that were oh so wrong in understanding their faith. I have no use for their kind. But the right will speak of how 'their' Christianity is being persecuted while far too many of them persecute any and all religions that aren't theirs.
I don't attend services for many reasons, but I have my beliefs. I live my life according to my middle of the road working class Christian upbringing, believing that humility and respect for all and the act of doing for others to the extent of your physical and financial capabilities is far more important than proselytizing in an empty sing-song manner to others. Am I anywhere near to perfect? Not hardly. But I've done less damage in a lifetime than that 'empty vessel' (not just imperfect) residing in the WH does in a single day.
Religious faith is a path to provide meaning and purpose to one's life. Trump had everything the US could provide: all the wealth a person could ever use; healthy children and grandchildren; luxurious homes; unlimited recreation; the finest meals; adoring fans; the power to help millions of people; and he chooses to do evil. He is the most tormented, unhappy person in the US. He had everything, and squandered it all. He will either die miserably or be legally pursued for the rest of his life, or both. What a wasted life.
So true, so tragic, Greg. But I would observe: most likely not either, but both.
I think that if you:re looking to get God's backing in a war, your rationale must be fact-based. God cannot be buying the hokey nuke in 2 weeks story.
First of all, I'm a practicing Catholic. Have been for 74 years. I don't understand Trump Catholics.
I don't understand Trump followers at all.
I hope it's not the abortion issue, because Catholicism is a lot more than being Pro Life.
I love babies, they are my favorite people, but some people don't feel the same way.
Forcing women to carry a baby to term without a safety net and not imposing responsibility on the father is absurd. A woman doesn't get pregnant alone, but the man get's a pass? Where is his responsibility?
Christ preached care for the poor, the hungry, prisoners. He threw the money changers out of the temple and kept church and state separate when he said "to give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."
Trump is the most un-religious person on the planet. He has no morality, no rules that he follows, no worship of anything but money and himself.
How anyone of any religion that they consistently practice can even call him a "good" person is beyone me.
😺
Hi Christine,
Enjoyed reading your comments!
I no longer am a practicing Catholic, don’t “…believe in the Catholic Church…” and yes, mostly because of male-run religion dictating female health care, with obviously no basic understanding of the female body and reproductive system.
I love babies as well but I don’t want to be around them anymore. My choice!
So thank you for acknowledging that sentiment. I don’t understand why people believe this issue is up for public debate.
Anyway, You outline numerous points and I completely agree!!!
What I wonder is why the Democrats don’t respond to the “no abortion” legislation with “baby daddy gonna pay” legislation, providing $$ to hunt down daddy if necessary and since the government wants to dictate family planning, they can pay for healthcare, preK, basic needs testing and cover financial assistance. Democrats consistently fail to call maga’s bluff.
For a group of people calling themselves “Christians” then continue to quote the Old Testament is confusing to me. I seem to recall Jesus saying something about giving us a new commandment, “love one another.” Sounds pretty simple to me.
Your comment and quote about church and state is brilliant!
I’m grateful Pope Leo is reminding his flock of Jesus’ teachings.
There’s a lot of gold idol worshipping, the one Old Testament story trump catholics/christians should focus on!
😺😸