History Note: Death of a Dictator

Eighty years ago today.  My dad, a mechanic on a USAAF flight line, was in Aachen, on the western border of Germany, helping destroy the last remnants of Nazi power.  We must never forget the blood, tears, toil, and sweat it cost humanity to rid the world of that monstrous evil that destroyed so many millions of innocent lives.

Sic semper tyrannis.

-----

OPINIONS, 4/29/25: the first 100 days of Trumpocracy

Note:  Your Head Trucker may not agree with everything 

these folks say, but I like the way they say it.

Trae Crowder on the Tyrant's first 100 days:

 

Robert Reich gives the Tyrant a report card:

 

Former House Republican Adam Kinzinger critiques the sissified Tyrant:

 

Rachel Maddow blasts the Loser: 

 

And Bernie Sanders tells what must be done now to save democracy in America:

 

Bonus:  Mark Carney, fresh from his election victory, has a word for the Tyrant:  R-E-S-P-E-C-T!  Find out what it means to me . . . 

 Gotta love what one commenter on the above video wrote:

So which country got the better deal leader wise?
CANADA picked a Winner in MR. MARK CARNEY!

AMERICA picked a Weiner in Donald "THE FELON" Trump. 

-----

From Dachau with Hope

A couple of art collectors in Hungary recently acquired a mysteriously crafted violin that revealed a poignant story:

-----

O Canada, Vote Wisely!

Ten years ago, Americans and Canadians stood proudly together as a band of brothers - as they always should:

 

As I've mentioned several times over the years, I've long admired Canada for several reasons and have kept a friendly eye on our neighbor to the north.  Today Canadians go to the polls in what is surely the most important election in living memory. After Justin Trudeau's ten-year gig as Prime Minister, the leader of the party that gets the most votes in this election will get the job, and that will be either Liberal leader Mark Carney or Conservative leader Pierre Poillievre.

The stakes are extremely high, so I encourage all my Canadian truckbuddies to get out and vote today for a strong, united Canada.  If Canada's leadership is weak or incompetent, it may well end in disaster - at worst, an Anschluss into a Greater America regime, and at best, economic slavery on the end of a short leash.

I don't pretend to know all the ins and outs of Canadian politics, but glancing over Poilievre's career, he seems to be a typical, home-grown, ambitious politician, not outstanding, not a statesman, and not at all ready for the world stage. 

On the other hand, Carney has the education and experience, and I think the moxie, to stand up for Canada at this perilous moment and lead the way.  He has vast top-level experience in economic matters as well as international relations, and has already met many of the world's movers and shakers.  He well knows how the world machine works, and what all the levers, gears, and buttons do.

The choice between the two is a no-brainer, in my view:  the wise, experienced bank president or the nice neighbor on your bowling team -- which one will you trust to protect your life, your family, your job, and your money from the cunning crooks who want to rob you blind and even tear down your home?  That's no joke - they're doing it right now here in America.  

Of course, you can never tell exactly what any politician will do until he's actually on the job.  But all we ever have to go on in human life are probabilities.  You pays your money and you takes your chances.

Think carefully, Canadian friends - go with the best-qualified man and give him a solid majority in Parliament.  Your future and ours - and maybe the whole world's - depends on your vote today.  If Canada crumbles or caves to the American tyrant, it will boost his ego tremendously and stoke his appetite for more takeovers,  more countries to devour.  

The world is watching you, Canada.  Be strong, stick together.  Elbows up!

Latest poll results from the CBC - click to enlarge:

As in most parliamentary countries, Canadians do not vote directly for their head of government.  But here is yesterday's Globe & Mail/ CTV poll of their preferences for Prime Minister, which shows a 20-point lead for Carney:

According to the Associated Press, "A record 7.3 million Canadians cast ballots before election day."  The turnout in the last federal election, held in 2021, was 17 million (62 percent of registered voters).

Update, 4/29/25, 5 p.m., Texas Time:

The votes are in, and the Liberals won.  Carney will stay on as Canada's prime minister.  The Liberals failed to win a majority, but with support from the NDP and Greens they can easily form a government.  The Conservatives made a strong showing and will be the official opposition, but Pierre Pollievre lost his seat, ending his 20-year career in Parliament. 

-----

Sunday Drive: Peace Prayer

To honor the memory of Pope Francis

 

John Michael Talbot is a Grammy-award-winning Catholic musician and some kind of Franciscan monk.  His rendition of the Peace Prayer, which appears at the top of the sidebar of this blog, is a great favorite of your Head Trucker's.

In his funeral sermon for Pope Francis yesterday at the Vatican, Cardinal Re recalled the late pope's persistent concern for the poor, the suffering, and the outcasts of the world, on the model of his namesake saint.  This concern is at the heart of the Christian faith, as Jesus expressed it in Matthew 25:31-46, and is neatly summarized in what Catholics call the Seven Works of Corporal Mercy:

1. Feed the hungry
2. Give drink to the thirsty
3. Clothe the naked
4. Shelter the homeless
5. Visit the sick
6. Visit the prisoners
7. Bury the dead

(This Episcopalian thinks it would not be amiss to add "and comfort the living" to that last point.)

Whether you are a Christian or not, this is a handy checklist if you find yourself wondering just what you can do to make a difference in the world.  You don't have to save the whole world; just do what you can for those nearest you.  I believe that the smallest act of sincere kindness - even just a friendly smile - counts for something in the scheme of the universe. 

And God needs workers in other areas besides those seven.  Your Head Trucker thinks He would be better pleased if you spent just an hour a week on the phone with your lonely old Aunt Sally, who always talks your ear off, than sitting and squirming for an hour in a church service you can't wait to get away from.  Aunt Sally has a real hunger for human company, and it costs you nothintg but a little time and patience to give a needed lift to her spirits.  That is the sort of service with which God is best pleased.  But who am I to say?

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

-----

Herb Alpert is 90

Alpert's fiftieth album, entitled 50, was released last fall.
From 1962 to 1969, he had 12 gold albums in a row,
5 of them reaching #1 on the Billboard chart.

Would you believe that at age 90, Herb Alpert is still touring around and blowing a horn?  Wow.  My truckbuddies of a certain age will recall that the TJB sound was the bright, breezy background to the 1960ts, the sound of youth having fun in the sun  - at least, until everything turned ugly and went to pot.  This CBS report catches us up on the man with the golden horn:

BTW, I wrote about that album cover here a couple of months ago.

-----

Now They're Arresting Judges

Judge Hannah Dugan.

The dictatorship is here, and it's real. Whatever the issue is in this case, it will be something else next time.  Finally, it will be whatever the Tyrant wishes, and nobody will be safe, undocumented aliens or natural-born Americans.  

NOW do you understand what your boring old civics teacher meant by "separation of powers" -- ??

 

Read more about it here: Congress Erupts over FBI Arrest of Wisconsin Judge

See also First Letter to All Judges - about the court system in Nazi Germany.  Excerpt from the commentary:

On October 1, [1942,] less than six weeks after his appointment, [Reich Minister of Justice] Thierack issued the first in a series of so-called Letters to All Judges, which served as official guidelines to be used in sentencing. Dealing with such varied cases as divorce, legal determination of Jewish descent, treatment of antisocial elements, refusal to give the Nazi salute, and looting, these letters presented the state's position on political questions and on the legal interpretation of Nazi laws. In practice, Thierack's letters pressured judges, who were under public threat of removal from office, to choose the path of least resistance and decide a case according to the examples set out in them, although no judge was ever removed from office for the explicit reason of having failed to do so.

The letters were classified as state secrets because the Security Service (Sicherheitsdienst, or “SD”) of the SS was convinced that the public would protest the intensification of state control over the judicial system. In a report on May 30, 1943, the SD declared, “The people want an independent judge. The administration of justice and the state would lose all legitimacy if the people believed judges had to decide in a particular way.”

-----

Todd and Rob Do Spring Planting

Another day in the life of two husbands in the North Georgia mountains.  Nothing exciting, but it's pleasant to see another gay couple living life openly and happily - impossible in my youth, but a commonplace now, even in Georgia.  (I hope it stays that way.)

I envy their strength and stamina.  My get-up-and-go got up and went a long while back.

-----

Touch Up Time

No comment.

Click to enlrage.

-----

OPINIONS, 4/23/25

Note:  Your Head Trucker may not agree with every word these fellas say; but I like the way they say it.

Trae, Bernie, and Robert tell it like it is.

Trae Crowder irreverently "pontificates" on Pope Francis, whom he admired, and lambastes the rightwing Catholics who despised him:

 

Bernie Sanders finds out why Republicans are coming to his rallies:

 

And Robert Reich tells a Berkeley crowd why not to feed the Tyrant:

-----

In Memoriam: Pope Francis, 1936-2025

 

Pope Francis has died, aged 88, the Vatican announced this morning.  He made his last public appearance yesterday, in obviously frail condition, to bless the crowds in St. Peter's Square.  Like his namesake, he will be remembered as a humble, compassionate champion of the poor and powerless of the world who tirelessly promoted peace among nations as well as respect for the environment.  He also on several occasions expressed support for the work of an American gay rights group founded by a Catholic nun and a priest, New Ways Ministry.  Francis lived the faith that he preached; he was an inspiration to many, a fine Christian man and a fine pope. 

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine; et lux perpetua luceat ei.

The Priests perform Andrew Lloyd Webber's poignant "Pie Jesu":

-----

Easter 2025: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today

Christus Consolator, Bloch, 1881

The Lessons Appointed for Use on

Easter Day 

After two gray, drizzly days, today we awoke to high blue skies, puffy white clouds, soft breeezes, and brilliant sunshine,  Perfect.

+     +     +     +     + 

M.P. enjoyed these sermons very much.

In his Easter sermon, Father David has an unusual take on Jesus's appearance to Mary Magdalene:

And the Bishop of Washington, the Right Reverend Mariann Budde, recounts what she told a Dutch TV crew about the meaning of Easter:

-----

The King's Easter Message

Continuing a tradition he started as Prince of Wales, HM the King has released a message to mark Easter:

One of the puzzles of our humanity is how we are capable of both great cruelty and great kindness. This paradox of human life runs through the Easter story and in the scenes that daily come before our eyes — at one moment, terrible images of human suffering and, in another, heroic acts in war-torn countries where humanitarians of every kind risk their own lives to protect the lives of others. A few weeks ago, I met many such people at a reception in Buckingham Palace and felt a profound sense of admiration for their resilience, courage and compassion.

On Maundy Thursday, Jesus knelt and washed the feet of many of those who would abandon Him. His humble action was a token of His love that knew no bounds or boundaries and is central to Christian belief.

The love He showed when he walked the Earth reflected the Jewish ethic of caring for the stranger and those in need, a deep human instinct echoed in Islam and other religious traditions, and in the hearts of all who seek the good of others.

The abiding message of Easter is that God so loved the world — the whole world — that He sent His son to live among us to show us how to love one another, and to lay down His own life for others in a love that proved stronger than death.

There are three virtues that the world still needs — faith, hope and love. “And the greatest of these is love”.

It is with these timeless truths in my mind, and my heart, that I wish you all a blessed and peaceful Easter.

Charles R

Beautiful.  Just right.  This is the Christian faith.

-----

Good Friday, 2025

Cristo Crucificado, Velazquez, 1632

The Lessons Appointed for Use on

Good Friday

See Father David's Good Friday talk "Why Did Jesus Die?" here.

-----

Maundy Thursday, 2025

The Last Supper, Pascal Dagnan-Bouveret, 1896

The Lessons Appointed for Use on

Maundy Thursday

To me this is the most sacred and most moving service of the church year.

From the Book of Common Prayer, here is the Eucharistic prayer said at most celebrations of Holy Communion in the Episcopal Church, recalling the great sacrifice Christ made of himself, and the institution of the Sacrament to nourish and remind us believers week by week, year by year, in all times and places, of God's immeasurable love for all mankind (emphasis mine): 

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us

for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become

subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus

Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human

nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the

God and Father of all.

He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself,

in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole

world.

At the following words concerning the bread, the Celebrant is to hold it,

or to lay a hand upon it; and at the words concerning the cup, to hold or

place a hand upon the cup and any other vessel containing wine to be

consecrated.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our

Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks

to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take,

eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the

remembrance of me."

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given

thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you:

This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you

and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink

it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Celebrant and People

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

The Maundy service broadcast live from the Washington National Cathedral tonight. I find the stripping of the altar after Communion profoundly poignant:

In Memoriam:  the victims of the senseless, disgusting shooting at Florida State University today.

Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.

-----

UK Supreme Court: Women Are Born That Way

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom yesterday ruled unanimously that biological sex is the determining principle in the Equality Act 2010.  Lord Hodge, Deputy President of the court, read out the ruling to a packed chamber:

The Court made a very thorough review of all the applicable laws in its carefully reasoned 88-page ruling, which you can read here if you have a couple of hours to spare.  Or you can read a much shorter W\ikipedia summary here.  I am no lawyer, but despite some banner headlines in the world's press, it seems to me that the Court has confined its ruling to the interpretation of the law as it stands right now, and has not set a sweeping change in stone. 

But what do I know.  This ruling will have far-reaching effects in British law.  However, my fellow Americans should understand that Britain has no written constitution as we do; instead, the fundamental legal principle over there is parliamentary supremacy - meaning, Parliament can pass any law it wants to, on any subject, at any time.  However, in actual practice, British lawmakers are effectively restrained by custom, tradition, political opposition, and public opinion.  

(The King is technically part of Parliament, but he has no say-so.  Contrary to what you may think, he does not run the government; the government runs him. He pretty much has to do whatever the Prime Mininster "advises.")

The Guardian provides an explainer of today's ruling here.

-----

In-Posset-Bowl Things Are Happening

Sometimes M.P. and I watch old movies while we eat our supper at the kitchen bar.  And other times, we watch all sorts of factual or how-to shows, often having to do with cookery -- like this fascinating one from Townsends that tells you all you ever wanted to know about posset, but were afraid to ask. Don't worry, it doesn't bite.

P. S. -- Don't forget to check out the live update to the Protest March of the Penguins I just posted.

-----

OPINIONS, 4/15/25

Bernie slams the Tyrant at a rally in Idaho yesterday:

 

At another rally, location not given, Bernie says "We are the 99 percent" and "we're scaring the hell out of Trump and Musk":

 

And Trae Crowder recommends empathy to all the rightwing voters who just don't give a fuck if innocent people are "disappeared" and sent to hell on earth: 

 

Look who's sporting a new beard and stache.  I'm lovin' it:

-----

Protest March of the Penguins

Penguins before profits!  Brought to you by - no joke - a non-profit group called Penguins International:

 

Penguins International will be live-streaming the march on Wednesday, April 16, at 4 p.m. Texas time. I'll post it then.

Will they have a gay contingent, I wonder?

Update, 4/16/25:  Get your head out of the snow!  Waddle for freedom!

-----

Palm Sunday 2025: All Glory, Laud, and Honor

The Entry of Christ into Jerusalem, by Hippolyte Flandrin.

The Lessons Appointed for Use on the

Sunday of the Passion:  Palm Sunday

The ancient hymn very prettily sung by the choir of St. John's Episcopal Church, Portsmouth, New Hampshire:

-----

Bernie: Stand Together and Fight Back

Bernie Sanders reports on the progress and purpose of his Fighting Oligarchy tour:

A real American hero.  Makes me think of Horatius at the Bridge.  God bless Bernie.

-----

That Look

A delicious flashback from a movie I'd forgotten, featuring my beau ideal of a man.

 

They don't make 'em like that anymore.

*     *     *     *     *

Another flashback:  Not in the same league, but I like pipes too.

-----

Waitin' for the Weekend: Richard Chamberlain

Clint Collide has compiled this tribute to sexy Richard Chamberlain, who died a couple of weeks ago at age 90.

-----

Father David: Prophetic Voices

Our faith is not about being nice -- it's about being real.

Wow.  Father David tells it like it is:

-----

Liberal Redneck: Tariff Talk

Trae Crowder breaks it all down for us:

-----

Millions Protest Trumpocracy Nationwide

I'm a little late posting this, but here's Rachel Maddow with scenes from across the country of the "Hands Off" protests that occurred on Saturday.  She adds some encouraging words at the end of the report.

-----

Cavalcade of Food: Vintage Percolators

Appetizer: For us folks of a certain age, this happy little tune has always been stuck in our heads:

 

Main course:  Kevin shows off his huge collection of coffee pots in his private museum up in Michigan.  He also demonstrates how to use them.

I think I or someone in my extended family owned all or most of those at some point across the decades.  What a trip to see them all together.  There's actually nothing wrong with percolators except that the Mr. Coffee machine is slightly less messy to empty and refill.  And you see can at a glance how much coffee is left in the pot.

But I miss the perka-perka sound!

-----

Nearer, My God, To Thee

An old favorite of your Head Trucker's -- as sung by Nathan Pecheco:

The Lessons Appointed for Use on the

Fifth Sunday in Lent

Bonus:  The service of Evening Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer as used in England.  This service of prayers and readings (no Eucharist) has been used daily for centuries in the Church of England and throughout the Anglican Communion.  It seems particularly fitting now, in the season of Lent, in this frightful modern world.

When hymns are sung, especially by a choir, at this service, it is known as Evensong:  a lovely thing on a tranquil Sunday evening.

Tip:  Turn the playback speed down to 90 or 85 percent for a more thoughtful pace.

-----

Where Do We Go from Here?

Revolting, absurd, utterly childish.  Like something out of a cartoon or a cheesy sitcom - but this is the filthy, despicable reality of the new America.

Bernie Sanders tells it like it is. I wish this was required viewing for everyone in America.

And here is an excerpt from former President Obama's remarks on democracy, during a visit to Hamilton College in upstate New York two days ago:

-----

Waitin' for the Weekend

"Love for Them All" by Clint Collide:

Tip:  Use your right arrow key to skip ahead and pause on the ones you like.

-----

Trans Texas Teacher Resigns

This just happened. 

I will tell my truckbuddies frankly that I am of two minds about this uproar.  And I'll leave it at that.

-----

The History of Homosexuality, Part 4

Sir Noel Malcolm concludes his lecture series with a discussion of gay life in the Age of Enlightenment (broadly speaking, 1660-1800), including the differences between Mediterranean cultures and northern European societies.

 

From the video description:

In this lecture, Sir Noel Malcom makes the case that there was not a sudden surge in homosexuality after The Enlightenment, instead it was a continuation of practises which had always existed. Historians should consider the history of Europe and sexual exploration outside of Florence, as the focus on this area to the determent of others has led to many having been misled.

The book upon which these lectures are based, Forbidden Desire in Early Modern Europe: Male-Male Sexual Relations, 1400-1750, is available at all major online booksellers.

Sir Noel Malcolm is a British historian and author, known for his work in early modern history and the relationship between Europe and the Islamic world. He is a Senior Research Fellow at All Souls College, Oxford, and has written extensively on Thomas Hobbes, among other subjects. Knighted in 2014, he's also a Fellow of the British Academy and the Royal Society of Literature.

-----

England: Man-Hating Hawk Terrorizes Village

ITV reports from Flamstead, about 30 miles north of London: 

The Guardian reports today that the hawk has been captured by an exasperated victim who managed to drop a cage over it in his garden.

I don't know what the game laws are over here, but I can promise you that bird wouldn't have lasted five minutes in any Texas town.  The men would have been reaching for their guns, not their hats.

Enough is too much!

-----

Save the Bees!

Something is killing hundreds of millions of bees, and nobody knows why.  CBS News reports:

 

What CBS does not report is that last year, there were a record 3.8 million bee colonies in the United States.  So why the big die-out?  Scientists are on the case, but since the Tyrant just shut down research at the USDA, Cornell University is picking up the work.

I recall that ten or twenty years ago, the bee decline was in the news, and after a long interval of research, it was determined that a certain pesticide was responsible.  So I thought that had been taken care of - but here we are again.

This massive die-out is really bad news.  If the bees die, we die.  No bees, no crops, no food - result, famine and starvation.  Then goodbye, human race and life as we know it on Planet Earth.

But do you think the circle jerks now in power give a fuck?

-----

Senator Booker Tells It Like It Is

 

One for the history books, and straight out of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) began a marthon speech on the Senate floor last night, and at the time of this post he is still continuing after 20 hours of speaking, with help from Democratic colleagues.  What good it will do, I don't know.  But at least he is one Democrat who isn't staying quiet.  Here's the live feed from PBS:

Bonus:

WATCH: Moment when Cory Booker ended his more than 25-hour speech, the longest in Senate history

-----