I had the luxury of speaking with the great Margaret Anna Alice yesterday evening. After being awake for over 24 hours she had just learned that her mom is quite ill. They have some difficult and dangerous choices to make. She is devastated. Hat in hand, I ask for yet another prayer: please pray for them both.
All of this sadness that surrounds us in this dwindling age got me thinking about love and death and life. Here is an arrangement of quotes as a thank you for your blessings and grace:
—
Once there was a boy who gave a girl twelve roses. Eleven of them were real, one was plastic. Then he told her he will love her until the last one dies.
It was a promise he never took back.
But then one horrible day she died instead, and as her absence filled his world, he begged:
If tears could build a stairway,
and memories a lane,
I'd march right up to heaven
and bring you home again.
But no matter the depth of his grief, no such stairway ever appeared. As the years trickled by ever so painfully, on occasion he would wake up feeling fine. Then he’d remember.
As the breaking wheel of time turned and his youth and hope fled him he went to her garden:
An old man kneeling all alone
Plants a plastic rose in a garden of stone
For seventy years now she's been gone
But his devotion is still going strong
She looked down and her heart was lost. She whispered:
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow
. I am diamond glints on snow.
I am sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake and greet the dawn I am the day as it is born
I am birds in circling flight
I am the soft starlight at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there.
I did not die.
He looked up with a lighter heart and sighed, “thank you”. After seventy years his loneliness finally fled him. He was no longer kneeling all alone. Her presence filled his world.
He retrieved her rose.
—-
Yesterday, after only few brief paragraphs of explanation of what she just found out her mother was facing, an exhausted and grief-stricken Ms. Alice then apologized for “unloading her problems on me”. Can you imagine? Please pray for Ms. Alice. She fights for us, let us fight for her.
What a beautiful poem and story for us all. In our grief, it is easy to forget that for God’s followers the Kingdom of Heaven is a boundless, borderless expanse where we can be free as a bird, soft as the wind, bright as the stars and as beautiful as a rose. Thank you for sharing that beautiful poem and the hope is gives when we are the ones left behind. 🙏
Wow, soft as the wind, we all have that potential, and it is never too late, thank you for your beautiful interpretation. Here is an alternate version of that poem by Ms. Harner:
Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep By Clare Harner
Do not stand at my grave and weep; I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am diamond glints on snow. I am sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die.
In your original, longer poem, I was thinking all along...How SAD that it took 70 years for this man to finally realize that his spouse was not in the cemetery !
My mother passed away a couple of years ago, she had multiple comorbidities and then caught covid as well. The visiting doctors diagnosed her but refused to treat her bc she was not hospitalized but remained at home in Mexico.
When she departed, I was sitting by her bedside... All I could think of was, "You are so blessed to be going to the Presence of Almighty God! You'll never be lonely again!"
The tears I shed were only bc I was sad she'd been lonely in her home since my father passed away. I know one day, I will see them both again... They will be full of LIFE not sick anymore, and if we cry any tears, they will be full of JOY!
"Jesus said to her, “I AM the RESURRECTION and the LIFE. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die." John 11:25-26
This poem is a family favorite of mine—-often read at the time of a loved one’s passing. Will pray for Margaret Anna Alice and her mom during this difficult time. She has been a blessing for so many and has already endured loss and pain of the worst kind. And thank you for offering her solace and a safe space to process her sorrow and difficulties. ❤️
I just lost my wonderful father in law. I look forward to reuniting with him after death. Today I dress his body in ceremonial robes with his two oldest sons. My neighbor told me it's a very solemn and wonderful occasion. I hope his sons feel the same way.
He was a joyous man, and a proud man, having grown up in a rugged part of Wyoming with an outhouse for the first decade of his life. And as I held him up in my arms with great difficulty, while my wife cleaned him up, he (as usual) expressed his apologies so profusely to us for being such a burden. We both snapped at him for apologizing so much - it's what we do for him. A few minutes later, he was on his way to the ER, to be checked out for why he couldn't stand. His breathing labored, his lungs filling, and any movement on his leg excruciating. I stayed with him for an hour or two before his oldest son took over the vigil.
He was transferred to a hospital room a day later, and to a SNF a few days after. My wife visited him twice a day (he and his wife were under our care as 90 year old twins - so lovingly close in all they did and in expressing their love towards each other through 72 years of marriage and 74 years of courtship).
My wife sensed something wrong and through an absolute series of miracles, had him transported home in record time, where he died 5 minutes later, holding the hand of his wife, and because of legal issues of removal of a body from a SNF in 4 hours vs the 7 we had from home, a large gathering of family was able to occur to pay their respects to him, and comfort his dementia addled wife - their mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
I live with my sharp snap about his apologizing so much as some of my final words. We had no idea he would be gone so fast.
I will pay my last respects to him as I dress his body in robes symbolic of purity and eternal life, confident in a future reunion with him.
I've only known him for 10 years, but he has always been so gracious to me from the first moment we met until the last.
I don't know Miss Alice, but I pray for her comfort and yours. May you have a wonderful Christmas, in memory of Him, for whom we celebrate peace and eternal life.
Your father in law is dancing and sparkling as light and circling above you in flight—grateful for every moment he had with you and all you did for him. I know you know this, but I offer it as a reminder for sharing your story with me. I hung on every word. God bless you and all those you hold dear.
Gone From My Sight
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side, spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone."
Gone where?
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast, hull and spar as she was when she left my side. And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me -- not in her.
And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone," there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"
Yesterday I and two of his two sons dressed him. And at first they're was apprehension on my part. I've never done this before, or handled a deceased person. The coldness of his body was at first a shock, and then... Feelings of missing him came flooding back. His huge hands dwarfed mine. I was surprised that his sons didn't say more, besides the coordination of moving him from side to side as we fit the clothing on him. But all were grieving in their own way. I had previously passed on my gratitude for assisting in this effort, and at the last minute before going realized he had lost so much weight before dying that his pants were too large, so I stopped at the store on the way there to get a smaller pair. The white shirt I took from my closet was still a little big, particularly around the neck - my wife often bought his shirts based on my size.
I had wanted a prayer before doing this dressing, but one brother is characteristically late and the others and the staff were waiting for him, and we immediately went in. I asked him to do so before departing, and it was a beautiful prayer. I slipped a photo of his mother always carried by his father in his wallet into the hands of another brother, who in turn put it in his father's shirt pocket, just above his heart.
Late last night, I took the trash cans to the curb and noticed the neighbors garage door open, and knocked on his door to tell him. After closing the front door, I started to leave and remembered that I forgot to say something to him. I knocked again, and expressed my thanks to him for alerting me to the solemnity of dressing our kindred dead.
I had heard stories from the past of funerals held in homes and relatives digging graves, and while doing so, sharing stories of the deceased and otherwise celebrating the life of the deceased.
It slows things down. It sharpens and focuses life for everyone as to what is important, setting the stage for a celebration that each of us hope to have in the eyes of our loved ones - reviewing our own brief lives and committing to adjustments.
It seems we've lost so much in our hustle and bustle world, and have outsourced so much of this part of life. I suppose that was part of the apprehension I faced going in.
As I positioned his large hands for the last time on his chest and stepped back to see our work, I saw a magnificent man, clothed in robes of purity and glory, which he had worn many times in his life in celebration of the lives of his ancestors in our temples.
I was so grateful for the opportunity to serve him one last time.
And I want to again thank you for the beautiful story you passed along. I'm going to copy and paste it when I get back to my computer.
Writing all this with a single thumb swiping across a very small keyboard on my phone (because my own hands are large) has made me slow down, and think more deeply on what has transpired.
I just had a prompting to look at your substack, Tritorch. I skimmed the titles and a reply or two from you and subscribed. I think I've found a kindred spirit in the battle against evil.
Brought a tear to my eyes, both the news about Margaret Anna Alice's mother, and the poem. You would think she has had enough major grief in her life these past few months, but apparently not. She is in my daily thoughts already.
Praying for her and her precious mother. May God's bountiful grace and mercy overwhelm her so much that she feels His very presence. Margaret Anna Alice, surely the Lord knows your pain and carries your sorrows. He is enough.
Prayers up for Mary Alice. "Do not stand at my grave and weep." More poignant words were never written. My Dad said as much. He wanted us to say, "Yay, Dad! You made it!" Or as Jesus told us, “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also” (John 14:19).
Thank you so, so much, TriTorch, for your extraordinary support and devastatingly beautiful words. I just read your poignant comment and the replies and am sobbing with gratitude to you and the rest of the C&C family 😭
I wanted to update everyone here on the latest as well as providing some additional details for context.
My mom has had a chronic cough for around six months. She thought it was allergies at first, then when it persisted, she thought maybe it was bronchitis. I kept needling her to make a doctor’s appointment so we could make sure it wasn’t serious, but then she’d start feeling better for a day or two, so she kept thinking it was just a chest cold or something that would go away on its own.
It didn’t, and it continued worsening, so she finally made a doctor’s appointment. The x-ray showed lung inflammation, so they did a CT scan. The good news is they ruled out cancer, which was our biggest concern. They still didn’t know what it was and thought maybe it was atypical bronchitis. This didn’t sound right to me because her symptoms are not ever-present. She does okay in the mornings, but then she starts having coughing fits in the afternoons and evenings. I knew there was something more serious and unusual going on.
Thankfully, she was able to get a pulmonologist’s appointment quickly due to a cancellation. He then scheduled her for a bronchoscopy on Monday. Yesterday, we received the results.
She has a pseudomonas infection, which her doctor described as extremely serious, and he wanted her to start on antibiotics immediately.
Pseudomonas can be life-threatening for anyone, but it’s particularly dangerous for her because she has lupus.
The pulmonologist wanted to prescribe Levofloxacin, but my mom had a severe reaction to just one pill of that previously, so that option is out. The next best option, he said, is Ciprofloxacin (Cipro).
I was extremely concerned about this choice because it has a horrible safety profile, and I have heard about numerous severe reactions to it. I called her pulmonologist’s office to express my concerns and find an alternative antibiotic with a better safety profile.
Unfortunately, he said if she doesn’t tolerate the Cipro, she would have to be hospitalized for a week while receiving intravenous injections of an antibiotic.
This was not a viable option, either, because hospitals are so dangerous, and I didn’t want her to get hospicided! Plus, he couldn’t even tell me in advance which antibiotic they would put her on because that decision would be made at the time of admission by the hospitalist, so she could just as well end up on Cipro there (when I asked about this possibility, I was told they may still use it but combine it with Benadryl if she has a reaction; this sounded like a potential nightmare of mushrooming drugs to treat cascading side effects, so I want to avoid this scenario if at all possible).
I researched all of the other antibiotics typically prescribed for this condition, and they all have horrendous potential side effects. This is such a severe infection (often antibiotic-resistant), it requires the most powerful antibiotics available, and those inevitably come with great risks.
The greater risk, however, is leaving the infection untreated as it could easily be fatal, and it clearly was not going away on its own.
So we had a Hobson’s choice and felt the only viable option was to proceed with the Cipro prescription and just hope everything goes smoothly and she doesn’t suffer severe side effects.
I did not want her to be alone while on Cipro, however, so we decided to have her stay with me during the 10-day course of treatment. That way, I can continually monitor her, and if she does have a dangerous reaction, I can get her to the hospital ASAP and pursue the IV administration as Plan B. (I pray that won’t be necessary, but if it is, I will be studying Jeff’s hospital guide! https://www.coffeeandcovid.com/p/-hospital-covid-guide-10-)
Her insurance requires her to use Walgreens, which is notoriously understaffed, so they haven’t even filled the prescription after nearly 24 hours.
This is actually helpful, though, because it gives us a day to prepare for my mom’s stay. I just got over a head cold, fever, and sore throat (the first time I’ve had anything like a cold or flu in over 20 years; thankfully, I had ivermectin on hand as well as an arsenal of supplements, so I followed the FLCCC protocol for flu along with my own additions and recovered within a week), so I need to change the sheets and clean as much as possible.
I am also going to make bone broth, turkey breast, and turkey soup to aid with her healing, so I have a lot of cooking and cleaning to do before she arrives!
Once we had a plan of action in place, we both felt better. I still have concerns about Cipro and wanted to make sure this was the best course of action, so I consulted a natural pharmacist friend and the husband of a longtime friend. We just happened to have met in person last week and had struck up a correspondence because we learned we have a shared passion for not only health but also the COVID injection harms (thanks to our mutual friend, Bill Kauth, for raving to him about my Substack; Bill attended Michael’s service, and I talked about him and share a pic of us in the eulogy post: https://margaretannaalice.substack.com/p/eulogy-for-the-patron-saint-of-insects). I decided to consult him because I know he is knowledgeable about Big Pharma corruption, the dangers of most drugs, and natural alternatives. He agreed with our decision and said it is very important for her to start on antibiotics because pseudomonas is such a dangerous infection. He also recommended she take Dr. Ohhira’s probiotics, which he has published papers on and considers the best probiotic in the world. Even though he and his wife were about to hop on a plane this morning to visit their family for Christmas, he took the time to mail a box of those probiotics to me (at no expense) before they departed. He also provided instructions and offered to do a Facetime once they arrive so he can walk us through the process (need to make sure they’re not in the stomach at the same time as the antibiotics, etc.). That should protect her gut health while she takes the Cipro and help her recover afterward. Having that as well as his availability to advise us gives additional comfort during this experience.
Apologies for the lengthy post, but since everyone here was so exceptionally kind and supportive, I wanted to give you the full picture and let you know things are progressing as well as possible under the circumstances.
We have many blessings to count, including:
1) we finally know the cause of her cough;
2) she doesn’t have cancer;
3) it is treatable;
4) 10 days on antibiotics isn’t as bad as the year and a half on antibiotics she was warned about if it was another kind of infection they had feared;
5) it will be gone in a couple of weeks if all goes to plan;
6) the best probiotics in the world and availability of one of the best natural pharmacists in the world (I would name him but don’t want to do so without his permission; I did encourage him to join Substack to share his life-saving knowledge, though, and will introduce him later when he gives the okay and is ready); and
7) the prayers, love, and support of the C&C community and countless friends, readers, and other compassionate individuals around the world 🙏
Thank you, everyone, for your amazingly wonderful support, and please excuse my relative unavailability in the coming days in advance. And now, I need to get busy cooking and cleaning!
MAA bless your Mom. I hope she tolerates the Cipro and I'm interested in knowing if Dr. Ohhiro's probiotics help. I've never heard of him but the few times I've taken antibiotics [Penicillin being one] I've not tolerated them very well. So that seems logical to have that available. Trying to stay prepared can be daunting but it sounds like you and your family have a plan. Merry Christmas.
Bing Crosby singing What Child is this- beautiful.
"If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd march right up to heaven, and bring you home again." Sums up the power of the human soul and experience. Thank you Tri.
As requested TriTorch, prayers offered up for Ms. Alice and her mom. The Lord knows what they need, and He will provide the Graces. In Jesus' Holy Name I pray.
Wow! Tritorch! That made me cry. I am praying for Ms. Alice and her mother. I want to also say thank you to the wonderful crew at C&C for praying for my husband's surgery yesterday! I was so touched to see so many respond. Surgery went well and he appears on the road to recovery, God's Will be done! God will hear all those of us praying for Ms. Alice and her mother. I pray that He takes both of these women in His loving arms, holds them close, comforts them, heals them and gives them both what they need as He Wills it. Amen
It saddens me to learn about MAA & her mom. She has had much to deal with of late. Prayers for comfort & healing, in it's many forms, for each of them. May they each have all that they need today & each day of this new life's journey. ❤️🙏
Lots of great news. excellent job on the pork bill story. It is disgusting how they trot these things out with 1600 pages days before a deadline, when they have been put together for who knows how long ago. It is disgracefully disrespectful to citizens.
Anyone who votes yes the next day on a 1600 page bill deserves to be removed…… and worse. Enough! Thanks to Elon……and Jeff. :)
Think of this in terms of a Monty Python sketch and how much fun they would have with this. And they wouldn’t have to re-write it to get laughs. I’m laughing on the outside and crying on the inside.
A group that should get credit, and maybe it’s a blessing that it doesn’t, is those of us who knew about the monstrosity on Tuesday night and immediately dialed our Congressperson’s office to remind them about the recent election.
We knew and were mobilized by the very capable Natalie G Winters in her withering blast on Tuesday afternoon War Room (man, she was firing on 200%, giving no quarter); this call to action continued that evening and the next day with Bannon’s typically bombastic yet powerful presentation of what it would mean for our economic (thus national security) future and our justice system if the damn CR/omnibus actually passed - let alone the kneecapping of the incoming administration.
Elon and Vivek unquestionably advanced the ball much further; and President Trump’s Truth Social posts killed the deal.
Without ordinary people hollering, who knows if the result would have been the same.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have the same effort against the recently passed, nearly $1T NDAA.
And now: Axios reported the Senate is “secretly” negotiating an “immigration” bill. Given the fundraising off that subject for decades, I suspect performative only…but can’t figure out the play, other than another obstructive move against the Trump/Vance agenda.
Thanks to all of you for your efforts. The msm is portraying us objectors as sheep following Elon. I know our success was a combination of all you described above.
Waiting for the Dems to claim that all the critics are insurrectionists and trot out a committee to investigate him and Musk & all commenting on this grift.
MTG is polling her constituents for a change of the Speaker of the House to go to Elon Musk... I'd vote YES bc we NEED someone who doesn't NEED to grow a retirement golden egg but Musk is already super busy
How can anyone "READ" that monstrosity unless it's done through AI???
Things are changing alright, and AI is certainly welcomed for cases like these. They will not be able to drop 1500 or 2700 pages on the floor for a vote 2 or 3 days before the Christmas break...
I tried to read the 116 page CR but became dazed and confused. I don't speak legislature-ease and neither do most normal humans. I guess that's the point.
His team would have to be massive to get through it in just hours. Remember, it was out less than 24 hours before they wanted to bring it to the floor for a vote
It’s the first time I can remember they actually didn’t just go ahead and pass the sick demented piece of excrement. What else can we do I need to be home for Christmas. Well guess what. I have worked (as a pharmacist) as many or more Christmas days than I have spent with my family. I do this so that if you or someone you love is very sick, or in an accident on Christmas Day (it happens every year) they have somewhere to go to get the medication they need to get well or feel better. As a member of the governing body of our country, who by the way makes way more money a year just in salary than I ever will, your responsibilities are imminently more important than mine when it comes to the safety and welfare of our country. Why is it ok for THEM to just sign an evil piece of paper so they can go home while others are in soup kitchens feeding the poor, in emergency rooms taking care of the sick and at the corner store selling gas? It’s their job. Suck it up.
Anyone see the video circulating on X of Thomas Massie speaking to the House in September, predicting this very thing? "It happens every year, you all wait until the weekend before the holidays and hold us hostage and say, 'If you want to go home to your families . . . ' and you force our hands and we pass something we all hate."
That's like an army defending their country and the enemy attacks on Christmas Eve.....and the army goes home because the timing isn't convenient. It's takes a true Patriot to call the enemy's bluff and confront him instead of doing the EASY thing! Congress....DO YOUR JOB AS EMPLOYEES OF U.S. TAXPAYERS!!!
Holiday, what holiday? I work in medicine too, and have worked many holidays.
No sympathy for members of congress. They know what they’re doing. There was also a raise for them in that bill… well, if you can’t control (lower) spending and debt (not just decrease rate of increase), then no raise. I don’t care how long ago your last raise was, you don’t deserve it.
To all who work in 24/7/365 professions, I salute you and your families! My former husband was in operations at a nuclear power plant. Holidays were just another day.
Did anyone else hear about the pay rise they wrote for themselves? Or how they basically gave themselves "right of refusal" in any House investigations thereby cutting off any real investigation into J6 shenanigans?
They also wanted to allow the members of Congress to opt out of Obamacare, while still requiring regular schmucks to stay in it. They really are a pack of scumbags.
My daughter's friend actually works for one of the ranking House members and according to him, it is frequently the staffers of the reps who put together these bills.
Slash congressmen’s bugets and ban staffers… problem solved. They can hire one person to answer phones. And if a bill requires too much research that is overwhelming to the member of congress to write, then it shouldn’t be written
That is definitely true. I've done some citizen lobbying in DC and it's easy to tell that the staff does all the work. They are usually a lot smarter than the Rep or Sen they work for, and if they want to slip their nefarious personal priorities into one of these bloated omnibus bills they can do it without their Member even knowing. Or caring, to tell the truth.
AND those staffers constantly get invited to lobby fests. Lee Fang wrote a substack of one of those nefarious get togethers. And he was kicked out because they didn’t want him to see how things really work in “congress” …!
They used the Satanic Napoleon Hill, ‘Think And Grow Rich’ book to be where they are. In the MLM “business” we were ‘talked/lied’ into by an Elder at church, by saying,”Want to diversify your income?” it was used as required reading. I was already uneasy with the book with what I’d read in the book, but I believe it would have been in Chapter 14 that the author stated that “he got his information from disembodied spirits in his office on every Thursday night.” Of course we went straight to the couple and asked how this could be required reading since Satan wrote it? They said just treat it like a smorgasbord, take what you like an leave the rest. We said we refused to eat from the Devil’s table and never returned to that ‘business’ and reported the elders. Just to prove the connection, we were “required” to have our meetings on Thursday nights starting at 8:00 pm. Same time of the Satanic meetings that Napoleon received his visits. And yes, I had a book burning!
And limits on the number of topics. OR how about handling like a board meeting and voting on the individual bills?! Time consuming, I know but otherwise we get stuck with stinkers!
Follow Mike Benz on X, listen to his conversations with Joe Rogan, Tucker Carlson and others to gain a glimpse at the blob behind the curtain. Pray. Also if on X use Grok to review the Porkulous monster bill that failed. Be aware we may need to push against yet another one before the end of tomorrow, 12/20/24 when Congress goes into holiday recess. Pray more.
Seems like Congress should not be going into holiday recess until they finish the bill. They only work 123 to 144 days per year. Unlike the rest of us.
We need to demand of each and every one of them a precise explanation of WHY they refuse to do that....one topic, one bill. Of course we all know why....but they should have to answer that one.
In the reformed government that We The People create, the people that re-present for us are hired/elected primarily to negotiate said bills. Bills are no longer than about a half dozen pages in length, and written in plain English. The People, after the secure system is built - not my territory, lots and lots of figuring out that I am not equipped for - vote on bills in a timely manner from the comfort of their own home, via computer connection, a technological development the founders could never, ever have envisioned, thus their creation of the system where electeds vote re-presenting themselves for their constituents. We live in a different age. Time for reform. One admittedly unrefined proposal among many to come for sure. 2¢
*edit - The educational system has also been reformed, civic duty in the forefront. Voting frequency records are kept, and non-participation carries a "penalty" even if in social support, like AA for non-participant voters. Pollyanna maybe on that one, but we know from birth that it's up to Us, The People, to see to the best interests of society through government. Something like that. Lots of reforming on our plates for the balance of the century - and beyond. A lot of us will be dead by century's end, but, so now are the founders.
Franken-pork and bean counters. How appropriate would it be for Congress to work on Christmas Eve like the construction workers, machinists, sales clerks, nurses, waiters, and emergency responders Congress is supposed to “represent”?
Has anyone put it through a plagiarism and AI check? We should hold them to the same standards they hold us. I would appreciate AI if you wouldn’t be able to program it to be so biased.
A question...did the 1600 page blob include provisions to exempt any member of Congress or the executive from producing subpeonaed emails? I had read thru Taibbi and others they were trying to basically nullify FOIA to keep the past 4 to 6 years of actions unavailable and out of the courts.
It is not only a disgrace but illegal. Bills must be comprehensible so people can understand them and not contain a mixed bunch of other sneaky stuff in them but this is how it is done. Then you have these mega rich lobbyists controlling our representatives to represent their agenda and NOT the people. THEN, they get to make even MORE money with insider trading. JD Vance is likely one of them if you check out his portfolio. He has big investments in lithium... Maybe that is not true but I did read it from a good source. It is worth looking into, but I don't have the time to keep up with all the corruption and what would it help? The government disgusts me. At this point, let them eat their cake now and serve their evil master reaping rewards now. I prefer my rewards later.
The effort to stop that horrible omnibus bill was headed by Elon, but it was the the people behind him using their voice on the x.com platform that was the real power.
I expect other efforts like this from the DOGE team for upcoming congressional hijinks.
Is substack likewise helping to push back the covid and medical tyrants?
Trump, Musk and America First Activists are currently the most powerful political force on Earth. Stopping the evil Omnibus Bill in its tracks. The Globalist Governments of Canada, France and Germany are crumbling.
This is the take home indication. A powerful force underpins. We have never seen stuff like this before in all of my 75 years. Not in such a concentrated presence. The House is shaken from without like never before.
Going forward, ALL bills need to be "clean" singularly focused, written in plain English with ample time for public review. No more "emergency" appropriations.
Yes! Like posted on the door of the TownHall. We deserve to see all of it. Every part of the bill should also have a footnote explaining who drafted that portion, names and who pays their salary and whether they have a FARA….
They actually are. Go to https://www.congress.gov/ If you create an account, you can get email updates when there are changes to bills that you ask to be notified on.
But when they post the bill with so little time before the vote and the bill is 1600 pages long, it’s kind of hard for most people to read it in time 😕 (purposely I’m sure!)
Oh I agree, thank goodness for those who put all the snippets up on X and for all the talk radio hosts that were sharing the worst parts. But it does come in handy for some of those bills you either like or hate and want to keep up with.
Congress doesn't vote on bills, The People do, in a timely manner from the convenience of their own computer. Many, many kinks to be worked out on the security front, but the folks who re-present for us have a limited role, primarily as negotiators. We The People are too many to get into that soup. But we can vote on the outcome. In the 18th century, we needed folks to re-present for us; no computers, no internet, yadda. Time for reform. Similar thoughts posted above on this board today, so a repeat but maybe worth making a bother of myself to get us thinking along different lines for reform? Or maybe y'all'll run me off the board. Yikes.
It’s only an “emergency” because they waited until the last minute to reveal the bill. They have been working on it for the last year at least. We need more government shut downs. Stand up to the fraudsters and compromised Congress.
Especially now that we've learned most of them are not even at their desks anyway. They are home doing zoom meetings from their bubble baths. Shut 'er down, we won't miss them.
DOGE has a site called Policies For The People where they are crowd-sourcing ideas for changes that DOGE should pursue. The Number One suggestion at the moment is for single-issue bills only. Listen to the People! https://forum.policiesforpeople.com/top
The rules of the game have changed. The situation makes me think of Gus Malzohn, American football coach recently departed from University of Central Florida. His claim to fame as an offensive coach was the "hurry up" offense, a no huddle option where the defense didn't have time to make adjustments or substitutions. It was great (national champ and national runner up when coaching at Auburn). However the rules changed and now any time the offense subs a player the refs now slow play to let the defense make similar adjustments. Gus' offense aren't doing so well anymore (UCF was 4-8 this year). Let's hope X, Substack and the Musk effect do the same thing to Congress that College football did to Gus.
Johnson promised this when he was promoted to Speaker.
He speaks with forked tongue. He blatantly lied on Fox & Friends, leading viewers to believe Musk and Vivek were supportive. Bannon played the clip multiple times on War Room.
They should have NO benefits different than any other federal employee. There is no reason they should have different health care or be able to give themselves raises. They should use the federal pay charts for them too.
I don't think the Dems in modern time have passed appropriations using the regular order process, especially not Nancy in 2007. I know that Newt Gingrich in the mid 90's did it multiple times. Not sure about Dennis Hastert and Boehner. For sure RINO Ryan didn't (although that was what he pledged to do yet failed miserably when he got his chance). Newt also passed the last "balanced" budget. Before that, I believe it was when Kennedy was president.
“The last Federal Budget that passed through “regular order” was for Fiscal Year 2008, signed by President George W Bush in September of 2007. Every budget since has been outside regular order; a series of continuing resolutions, omnibus spending packages and short-term funding mechanisms. {CITATION https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/budget/2009}
That is correct. In the past 17 years, all federal spending has been ‘short-term’ or ‘stop-gap’ spending measures, generally known as “Continuing Resolutions,” where the govt (House and Senate) continue to perpetually resolve to fund the government. The CRs as they are known, punt the spending debate by accepting a baseline of prior spending and tweaking around the edges.”
The real issue that is little noticed in legacy and many alternative media outlets is the overspending and the accumulation of debt at $1T every 100 days. Servicing the debt now exceeds the “defense” budget. At the current rate, our present $37T debt is likely to hit $40T in just over a year.
I was never cognizant of just what one trillion meant until I was given this example:
If I was awarded $1T at the rate of $1 per second, every minute of every hour, of every day, it would take me roughly ***37,000 years*** to realize the full award.
How about reducing their pay to the median annual income ($38K)? they already get a per diem for their expenses over and above their salaries, right? And free medical, dental and vision? Why are they paid such a lavish amount? And please don't tell me that to attract the best candidates, we need to outbid the private sector. If the best candidates are the ones currently in office, then our country is in worse shape than I thought possible.
They need to have a job for the lion’s share of their income as did the congressmen of old. They only work less than half a year so a primary income producing job could work. Most of us citizens have to work two or sometimes three jobs to just get by. How did they become so elite and arrogant? They represent us, not their special interest groups.
The investigation-blocking provisions were mind blowing and infuriating! Don’t you just want to march up to the Congress and do a Greta impersonation? “HOW DARE YOU?!?!”
Our dear Congress critters should be made to endure a rotten tomato and compost heap barrage/gauntlet as they enter the Crapitol Bldg....and cue the Hag from Princess Bride, calling it as we all see it: "Garbage! Refuse! Putrescence! BOOOO! BOOOOOOO!"
Their raises should reflect those of their constituents, who, if they're lucky will get a 1-2% raise based upon performance. 40%...??? WHO do they think they are???
I'm going to swim against the tide on this one. Congress hasn't gotten a raise in 10 years, and $175K doesn't go far when you have to maintain two homes, one of which is in a high cost of living area.
So he rose up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet, and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let us eat and celebrate, for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.
The death of this porkulous bill is almost as important as November 5th. It marks the end of an error (era). I would love to learn how it was negotiated, and I would love to see heads roll on the R side of the aisle.
Could you imagine your professor letting you know 5 min before class ends that you have a mid term tomorrow on chapters 1- 100, and you just got your text book that day? The tides are turning and the moon is laughing.
How is it Mike Johnson has been present with President Trump at all these campaign events and in the post-victory phase and yet still shepherded this bill through Congress. I don't get it.
He must have something he really needs to hide that the deep state / dems are holding over his head. I could see the weasel voting yes and not saying anything about it, but to go on the NEWS and fight for its passage took my breath away! He must be a crooked Epstein client...
I think kompromat is a prerequisite to house leadership. They only install people they can control. Remember Denny Hastert? He was a long-time pedo. That had to be known and was likely leveraged
Mike Johnson appears to lack testicles. Shut the government down. Eliminate all the funding for all the unconstitutional federal agencies. He won’t do it and neither will Trump. Don’t be surprised when version two is not much better. Because of a lack of testicular fortitude it’s a dilemma. There’s a couple of Republicans who have the courage and conviction to reign in the federal bureaucracy and they will vote “No” on any spending for unconstitutional spending. But Johnson needs those couple of votes for the passage of any spending bill, thus he is stuck with conceding to the Democrats demands or he could do the right thing and shut the government down. We would all be better off.
As a retired federal employee who has worked in D.C., I say shut the government down. Here's the thing: D.C. is an intensely federal town but the rest of the U.S. isn't. I went on a long-time scheduled personal trip to the midwest one time during a shutdown and the shutdown was not even noticed by those residents. No one said a word about it. People were relaxed. (Even the news media continues to say that 85% of federal employees have to continue to work anyway due to nature of their work so critical services don't stop).
coincidentally with Dr Bay getting his licence back - this happened in Canada at (I believe University of Guelph) https://substack.com/home/post/p-153279139. Dr Brydle allowed back in his research office for the first time since 2021 when he told the truth.
Dr. Brydle, Dr. Bay and other truth telling doctors are heroes in my book. Another brave doctor who lost his career for speaking out (and now hosts his own podcast) is Doc Malik. He recently interviewed Dr. Bay.
You just can't hate Congress enough, the monster bill yesterday wasn't a mere slap in the face to the public, it was a giant FU to the public. It tells you everything you need to know about the Democrats obviously, but also the Republicans and especially Speaker Johnson and where their allegiances lie. Now for the posturing by the Propagamedia on how the Republicans and Trump shut down the country... Leave it to Republicans to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Thank God for Elon Musk, if he didn't buy and free X, not to mention his tweet yesterday, this would be looking a lot different. Lesson should be, don't expect your Representatives and Senators to do the right thing, you'll have to hold their feet to the fire every single day - and this is your opportunity!
Johnson needs to go because it is obvious, especially when you look at his face, that he has been compromised in some way. They have dirt on him as leverage. He is doing exactly as he has been told to do, instead of standing up as citizens expect him to do. He looks spineless and they want him that way.
Yes. Something happened to Johnson shortly after becoming Speaker. He made an about face after a security briefing, one of which was also attended by Massie, who heard the same stuff and concluded there was nothing that should have influenced a complete turnaround.
Tucker made a comment recently that Johnson became a different person after becoming Speaker. And he speculated that Johnson is like a great many other congresspeople with something that can be used as leverage against him.
That's CORRECT! The look of a weasel who got CAUGHT!!! I've never felt comfortable with his "appointment".... our pastor specifically asked for prayer for him while he was being considered, but I didn't feel right about him from the get-go!
Didn't we all learn in the last two weeks that the vast majority of federal workers aren't even going into their offices? Shut it down. Who would notice?
Right?? I always laugh when I hear the wailing about a government shutdown, there should be a few key functions that are always funded but most of it is so unnecessary and superfluous that no one would notice or care.
The raise for congress should be tied to the social security cola raise. Poor seniors are much more affected by the economy than congressional millionaires are. They get 40% while I get 2.9%? Bullocks!
Obedience is way higher than sacrifices before The Lord, do not twist it.
“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, He hath also rejected thee from being king.”
Ed, this is timely for me on a personal level, and there are no coincidences.
In recent days, I had been contemplating the following passages from Exodus and Leviticus. They are not about fat in one's diet. They are a shadow of something else:
Exodus 3:18 (ESV)
“You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with anything leavened, or let the fat of my feast remain until the morning."
Leviticus 3:16 (ESV)
"And the priest shall burn them on the altar as a food offering with a pleasing aroma. All fat is the Lord's."
And then this passage that you have shared today confirms what was shown to me in scripture:
1 Samuel 15:22 (KJV)
". . . Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams."
God wants us to accept forgiveness immediately, and he wants us obey immediately. We are not to accept forgiveness today with the leaven of a hidden desire to put off obedience until tomorrow.
It's by His grace that we can turn from sin (repent) the moment we are tempted, and only in turning to His Son, can we obey. This is an attitude, not a work, and is the fruit of salvation. And this fruit has been given to us undeserved, it is not our own doing!
"Citing patient confidentiality" is public health's special trick. They can tell you enough to scare you, but not enough to give you real information (which might actually alleviate your fears).
Here's an experience I had with the health department using confidentiality as a cover-up.
Our entire school district was informed that there was a "possible" case of measles in a student, and the health department urged everyone who was not "up-to-date" to get the MMR.
The public started gossiping on social media that the student must have been unvaccinated, and how dare they put other families at risk. A friend of the family stepped in to assure the public that the child was, in fact, vaccinated.
A few days later, the health department said that it wasn't measles, after all, but people should still get their shots if they didn't have them yet, to be protected in the future.
I contacted the health department to ask whether the method of determining the child did not have measles was doctor opinion only, or if a test had been performed. They said that "confidentiality" prevented them from giving me that information.
How was it my business that a kid "might" have the measles, to the point the health department had to announce it to everyone, but not my business how measles was ruled out?
This is what happened during the pandemic hysteria. The school would mention cases and then nobody had any idea of the severity, leaving everyone to fill the gap with whatever imagined scenarios that propaganda offered.
Also, if there were few cases, they would use percentage increase because 400% increase in cases reported (which could mean no one sick and just positive test results) sounds way scarier than last week there was one case, and now there are 5. But if everyone was testing a lot (which they were for jobs and school, even if they knew the tests were fraudulent), they might use percent positive, unless number of cases sounded even worse.
Gee, why am I not worried about measles? Oh right, everyone had them when I was a kid. Somehow I don’t remember all the dead bodies lining the street from the illness.
Another well-researched and written post, thank you Jeff! Just to clarify, as a small farmer, there is not, to my knowledge, cash available from the farm bill for “Hollywood celebrities and democrat politicians” to start small farms. The Farm Bill is a behemoth but not for small farmers - 75% is for SNAP funding, and most of the rest goes to the giant factory farming businesses like Tyson and Cargill. It is a disgrace. https://x.com/i/grok/share/9rxPYroa8iHxx3wUcvKx6Jvoq
Agree, the farm bill is a behemoth and sh be thoroughly understood before passing another 5 year funding. Our family-owned farmers are the ones today at risk. Let’s ensure RFK Jr has a say in this as the organic, clean food industry takes over the soon slain Goliath.
Thank-you. None of the small farmers I know benefit. They are all currently struggling to keep head above water with the insane regulations (here in CA) designed to get them to need loans form the state/feds, or, the only way to get grant money is to sign up for some "green" program and start having--that's right--"experts" telling them how to farm. Farm Bill is always to be understood as about Big Ag and entitlements.
Didn't read today's post but wanted to quickly put it out there that the DHHS had a commercial on the season finale of Survivor last night for the COVID vaccines. The commercial did say that if you were 65 or older, you wouldn't get as sick. Still, this is unbelievable to me. But maybe it shouldn't be?
I loathe "reality" TV. It's all scripted, unnecessary, drama. I had a buddy that worked on reality shows and Survivor was one of them.
(Spoiler alert!)
He said they don't stay out in the wild. They all sleep in hotels, houses, or RV's. There are a slew of medics and support standing by and no one is going without food.
He said the same about MTVs "real" world. There was a big room in the middle of the house where the crew operated from. He said there was a whiteboard with dates and notes for the actors. xx/xx/xx - kim fights with jim. It doesn't say about what or when, just that they need to experience drama.
I worked a ‘cooking contest’ reality show for a couple of days. I was shocked at how scripted it was —- even telling the ‘winner’ of the show what their dialogue needed to be!
Mine is Amazing Race. On cable tv anyway. Too much undermining and skulduggery on Survivor (like Congress). Amazing race has a bit but if they miss a flight or get lost it’s a more honest loss. Nicer people.
What a pack of ghouls, eh? Covid’s supposed “none to severe” symptoms were my first clue that something was off, that and it was a gift from China. Telling me I could be dying when I felt fine seemed mighty psyopty, like I shouldn’t believe my lying vigor. The win for Doctor William Bay should not be the last chapter. Making sure his antagonists pay a price would be the happiest ending. I’ll “stand by for the ‘retributive justice’ phase,” but I won’t hold my breath.
On the subject of Dr Bay: I am in Queensland Oz, where this was decided. We recently had a State election in which the hideous controlling Labor Party (think US Democrats) was finally voted out. We are also due for a Federal election earlyish next year, and that’s not looking promising for federal Labor either.
Given that up until now, courts across Australia have been denying standing to almost anything Covid related, I have to wonder if this was simply fortuitous timing, that those responsible for the entire Stasi exercise that was Covid, are no longer in power, freeing the court to rule in favour.
I remember watching a black fella being dragged away from his Country and forced to have the C19 shot, and all his family were looking for him and couldn't find him. I though, shit, it's the 1800's all over again. I'm from Auckland.
Sadly yes. It's only a matter of time before the whole deceptive covid virus and covid shot are out in the open. I've lost friends back home, where it was mandated and forced. My best friend has terminal cancer now.
Here’s my favorite “discovery” in that giant spending bill… credit to El Gato Malo for this lil tidbit… they were going to give themselves congressional immunity! How about that… the ultimate pardon! In a spending bill no less. Crafty and shady I’d say! 🤨
I had the luxury of speaking with the great Margaret Anna Alice yesterday evening. After being awake for over 24 hours she had just learned that her mom is quite ill. They have some difficult and dangerous choices to make. She is devastated. Hat in hand, I ask for yet another prayer: please pray for them both.
All of this sadness that surrounds us in this dwindling age got me thinking about love and death and life. Here is an arrangement of quotes as a thank you for your blessings and grace:
—
Once there was a boy who gave a girl twelve roses. Eleven of them were real, one was plastic. Then he told her he will love her until the last one dies.
It was a promise he never took back.
But then one horrible day she died instead, and as her absence filled his world, he begged:
If tears could build a stairway,
and memories a lane,
I'd march right up to heaven
and bring you home again.
But no matter the depth of his grief, no such stairway ever appeared. As the years trickled by ever so painfully, on occasion he would wake up feeling fine. Then he’d remember.
As the breaking wheel of time turned and his youth and hope fled him he went to her garden:
An old man kneeling all alone
Plants a plastic rose in a garden of stone
For seventy years now she's been gone
But his devotion is still going strong
She looked down and her heart was lost. She whispered:
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow
. I am diamond glints on snow.
I am sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake and greet the dawn I am the day as it is born
I am birds in circling flight
I am the soft starlight at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there.
I did not die.
He looked up with a lighter heart and sighed, “thank you”. After seventy years his loneliness finally fled him. He was no longer kneeling all alone. Her presence filled his world.
He retrieved her rose.
—-
Yesterday, after only few brief paragraphs of explanation of what she just found out her mother was facing, an exhausted and grief-stricken Ms. Alice then apologized for “unloading her problems on me”. Can you imagine? Please pray for Ms. Alice. She fights for us, let us fight for her.
The ability to cope with our total losses in this life of truly loving others,
is no doubt the greatest of human challenges.
In God we trust. Honor it. Seek it.
Our creation is the splendor and glory each waking day.
To share it is eternal.
If I could be any part of you, i'd be your tears.
To be conceived in your heart, born in your eyes,
live on your cheeks, and die on your lips.
What a beautiful poem and story for us all. In our grief, it is easy to forget that for God’s followers the Kingdom of Heaven is a boundless, borderless expanse where we can be free as a bird, soft as the wind, bright as the stars and as beautiful as a rose. Thank you for sharing that beautiful poem and the hope is gives when we are the ones left behind. 🙏
Wow, soft as the wind, we all have that potential, and it is never too late, thank you for your beautiful interpretation. Here is an alternate version of that poem by Ms. Harner:
Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep By Clare Harner
Do not stand at my grave and weep; I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am diamond glints on snow. I am sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die.
In your original, longer poem, I was thinking all along...How SAD that it took 70 years for this man to finally realize that his spouse was not in the cemetery !
My mother passed away a couple of years ago, she had multiple comorbidities and then caught covid as well. The visiting doctors diagnosed her but refused to treat her bc she was not hospitalized but remained at home in Mexico.
When she departed, I was sitting by her bedside... All I could think of was, "You are so blessed to be going to the Presence of Almighty God! You'll never be lonely again!"
The tears I shed were only bc I was sad she'd been lonely in her home since my father passed away. I know one day, I will see them both again... They will be full of LIFE not sick anymore, and if we cry any tears, they will be full of JOY!
"Jesus said to her, “I AM the RESURRECTION and the LIFE. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die." John 11:25-26
Love you, my brother in Christ.
Same, good sir
Troll/bot...do not click on link.
Reported.
No one here wastes time with your annoying posts.
You are developing into the wonderful stages of major enlightenment.
Thanks for the sweet awakenings TT.
Gut punch to the feels right there TT. ❤️
Thank you for some leavening of the day. God be with you.
This poem is a family favorite of mine—-often read at the time of a loved one’s passing. Will pray for Margaret Anna Alice and her mom during this difficult time. She has been a blessing for so many and has already endured loss and pain of the worst kind. And thank you for offering her solace and a safe space to process her sorrow and difficulties. ❤️
Thank you for sharing all of this. She has had a rough time, significantly more than a rough time.
I am sorry more has been added.
Job.
Like
I just lost my wonderful father in law. I look forward to reuniting with him after death. Today I dress his body in ceremonial robes with his two oldest sons. My neighbor told me it's a very solemn and wonderful occasion. I hope his sons feel the same way.
He was a joyous man, and a proud man, having grown up in a rugged part of Wyoming with an outhouse for the first decade of his life. And as I held him up in my arms with great difficulty, while my wife cleaned him up, he (as usual) expressed his apologies so profusely to us for being such a burden. We both snapped at him for apologizing so much - it's what we do for him. A few minutes later, he was on his way to the ER, to be checked out for why he couldn't stand. His breathing labored, his lungs filling, and any movement on his leg excruciating. I stayed with him for an hour or two before his oldest son took over the vigil.
He was transferred to a hospital room a day later, and to a SNF a few days after. My wife visited him twice a day (he and his wife were under our care as 90 year old twins - so lovingly close in all they did and in expressing their love towards each other through 72 years of marriage and 74 years of courtship).
My wife sensed something wrong and through an absolute series of miracles, had him transported home in record time, where he died 5 minutes later, holding the hand of his wife, and because of legal issues of removal of a body from a SNF in 4 hours vs the 7 we had from home, a large gathering of family was able to occur to pay their respects to him, and comfort his dementia addled wife - their mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
I live with my sharp snap about his apologizing so much as some of my final words. We had no idea he would be gone so fast.
I will pay my last respects to him as I dress his body in robes symbolic of purity and eternal life, confident in a future reunion with him.
I've only known him for 10 years, but he has always been so gracious to me from the first moment we met until the last.
I don't know Miss Alice, but I pray for her comfort and yours. May you have a wonderful Christmas, in memory of Him, for whom we celebrate peace and eternal life.
Your father in law is dancing and sparkling as light and circling above you in flight—grateful for every moment he had with you and all you did for him. I know you know this, but I offer it as a reminder for sharing your story with me. I hung on every word. God bless you and all those you hold dear.
Gone From My Sight
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side, spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone."
Gone where?
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast, hull and spar as she was when she left my side. And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me -- not in her.
And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone," there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"
And that is dying...
—Henry Van Dyke
Wow. That is beautiful! Thank you!
Yesterday I and two of his two sons dressed him. And at first they're was apprehension on my part. I've never done this before, or handled a deceased person. The coldness of his body was at first a shock, and then... Feelings of missing him came flooding back. His huge hands dwarfed mine. I was surprised that his sons didn't say more, besides the coordination of moving him from side to side as we fit the clothing on him. But all were grieving in their own way. I had previously passed on my gratitude for assisting in this effort, and at the last minute before going realized he had lost so much weight before dying that his pants were too large, so I stopped at the store on the way there to get a smaller pair. The white shirt I took from my closet was still a little big, particularly around the neck - my wife often bought his shirts based on my size.
I had wanted a prayer before doing this dressing, but one brother is characteristically late and the others and the staff were waiting for him, and we immediately went in. I asked him to do so before departing, and it was a beautiful prayer. I slipped a photo of his mother always carried by his father in his wallet into the hands of another brother, who in turn put it in his father's shirt pocket, just above his heart.
Late last night, I took the trash cans to the curb and noticed the neighbors garage door open, and knocked on his door to tell him. After closing the front door, I started to leave and remembered that I forgot to say something to him. I knocked again, and expressed my thanks to him for alerting me to the solemnity of dressing our kindred dead.
I had heard stories from the past of funerals held in homes and relatives digging graves, and while doing so, sharing stories of the deceased and otherwise celebrating the life of the deceased.
It slows things down. It sharpens and focuses life for everyone as to what is important, setting the stage for a celebration that each of us hope to have in the eyes of our loved ones - reviewing our own brief lives and committing to adjustments.
It seems we've lost so much in our hustle and bustle world, and have outsourced so much of this part of life. I suppose that was part of the apprehension I faced going in.
As I positioned his large hands for the last time on his chest and stepped back to see our work, I saw a magnificent man, clothed in robes of purity and glory, which he had worn many times in his life in celebration of the lives of his ancestors in our temples.
I was so grateful for the opportunity to serve him one last time.
And I want to again thank you for the beautiful story you passed along. I'm going to copy and paste it when I get back to my computer.
Writing all this with a single thumb swiping across a very small keyboard on my phone (because my own hands are large) has made me slow down, and think more deeply on what has transpired.
Thank you for assisting me on that journey.
You just made me cry. Thank you Justin.
Me too! This is truly a beautiful tribute of love.
I just had a prompting to look at your substack, Tritorch. I skimmed the titles and a reply or two from you and subscribed. I think I've found a kindred spirit in the battle against evil.
Thank you for all you do and share.
Yes, Tritorch is a warrior poet with the heart of a lion. I am regularly encouraged and strengthened by his resolve and I pray for him every day.
God bless you and your house, Justin.
I forgot to add a quote I found long ago, and I've asked that it be included in any memorial held for myself.
"Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come." - Rabinadrath Tagore (1861-1941)
Thank you Justin for sharing the circumstances and your heartfelt thoughts at the loss of your fsther-in-law. May he RIP🙏🏼
I'm so very sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon him.
Beautiful tribute to a well-loved man. Few in-laws are ever described as “wonderful”. You, and he, are truly blessed.
Beautifully said.
Brought a tear to my eyes, both the news about Margaret Anna Alice's mother, and the poem. You would think she has had enough major grief in her life these past few months, but apparently not. She is in my daily thoughts already.
Thank you for letting me know.
Praying for her and her precious mother. May God's bountiful grace and mercy overwhelm her so much that she feels His very presence. Margaret Anna Alice, surely the Lord knows your pain and carries your sorrows. He is enough.
Prayers up for Mary Alice. "Do not stand at my grave and weep." More poignant words were never written. My Dad said as much. He wanted us to say, "Yay, Dad! You made it!" Or as Jesus told us, “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also” (John 14:19).
Thank you so, so much, TriTorch, for your extraordinary support and devastatingly beautiful words. I just read your poignant comment and the replies and am sobbing with gratitude to you and the rest of the C&C family 😭
I wanted to update everyone here on the latest as well as providing some additional details for context.
My mom has had a chronic cough for around six months. She thought it was allergies at first, then when it persisted, she thought maybe it was bronchitis. I kept needling her to make a doctor’s appointment so we could make sure it wasn’t serious, but then she’d start feeling better for a day or two, so she kept thinking it was just a chest cold or something that would go away on its own.
It didn’t, and it continued worsening, so she finally made a doctor’s appointment. The x-ray showed lung inflammation, so they did a CT scan. The good news is they ruled out cancer, which was our biggest concern. They still didn’t know what it was and thought maybe it was atypical bronchitis. This didn’t sound right to me because her symptoms are not ever-present. She does okay in the mornings, but then she starts having coughing fits in the afternoons and evenings. I knew there was something more serious and unusual going on.
Thankfully, she was able to get a pulmonologist’s appointment quickly due to a cancellation. He then scheduled her for a bronchoscopy on Monday. Yesterday, we received the results.
She has a pseudomonas infection, which her doctor described as extremely serious, and he wanted her to start on antibiotics immediately.
Pseudomonas can be life-threatening for anyone, but it’s particularly dangerous for her because she has lupus.
The pulmonologist wanted to prescribe Levofloxacin, but my mom had a severe reaction to just one pill of that previously, so that option is out. The next best option, he said, is Ciprofloxacin (Cipro).
I was extremely concerned about this choice because it has a horrible safety profile, and I have heard about numerous severe reactions to it. I called her pulmonologist’s office to express my concerns and find an alternative antibiotic with a better safety profile.
Unfortunately, he said if she doesn’t tolerate the Cipro, she would have to be hospitalized for a week while receiving intravenous injections of an antibiotic.
This was not a viable option, either, because hospitals are so dangerous, and I didn’t want her to get hospicided! Plus, he couldn’t even tell me in advance which antibiotic they would put her on because that decision would be made at the time of admission by the hospitalist, so she could just as well end up on Cipro there (when I asked about this possibility, I was told they may still use it but combine it with Benadryl if she has a reaction; this sounded like a potential nightmare of mushrooming drugs to treat cascading side effects, so I want to avoid this scenario if at all possible).
I researched all of the other antibiotics typically prescribed for this condition, and they all have horrendous potential side effects. This is such a severe infection (often antibiotic-resistant), it requires the most powerful antibiotics available, and those inevitably come with great risks.
The greater risk, however, is leaving the infection untreated as it could easily be fatal, and it clearly was not going away on its own.
So we had a Hobson’s choice and felt the only viable option was to proceed with the Cipro prescription and just hope everything goes smoothly and she doesn’t suffer severe side effects.
I did not want her to be alone while on Cipro, however, so we decided to have her stay with me during the 10-day course of treatment. That way, I can continually monitor her, and if she does have a dangerous reaction, I can get her to the hospital ASAP and pursue the IV administration as Plan B. (I pray that won’t be necessary, but if it is, I will be studying Jeff’s hospital guide! https://www.coffeeandcovid.com/p/-hospital-covid-guide-10-)
Her insurance requires her to use Walgreens, which is notoriously understaffed, so they haven’t even filled the prescription after nearly 24 hours.
This is actually helpful, though, because it gives us a day to prepare for my mom’s stay. I just got over a head cold, fever, and sore throat (the first time I’ve had anything like a cold or flu in over 20 years; thankfully, I had ivermectin on hand as well as an arsenal of supplements, so I followed the FLCCC protocol for flu along with my own additions and recovered within a week), so I need to change the sheets and clean as much as possible.
I am also going to make bone broth, turkey breast, and turkey soup to aid with her healing, so I have a lot of cooking and cleaning to do before she arrives!
Once we had a plan of action in place, we both felt better. I still have concerns about Cipro and wanted to make sure this was the best course of action, so I consulted a natural pharmacist friend and the husband of a longtime friend. We just happened to have met in person last week and had struck up a correspondence because we learned we have a shared passion for not only health but also the COVID injection harms (thanks to our mutual friend, Bill Kauth, for raving to him about my Substack; Bill attended Michael’s service, and I talked about him and share a pic of us in the eulogy post: https://margaretannaalice.substack.com/p/eulogy-for-the-patron-saint-of-insects). I decided to consult him because I know he is knowledgeable about Big Pharma corruption, the dangers of most drugs, and natural alternatives. He agreed with our decision and said it is very important for her to start on antibiotics because pseudomonas is such a dangerous infection. He also recommended she take Dr. Ohhira’s probiotics, which he has published papers on and considers the best probiotic in the world. Even though he and his wife were about to hop on a plane this morning to visit their family for Christmas, he took the time to mail a box of those probiotics to me (at no expense) before they departed. He also provided instructions and offered to do a Facetime once they arrive so he can walk us through the process (need to make sure they’re not in the stomach at the same time as the antibiotics, etc.). That should protect her gut health while she takes the Cipro and help her recover afterward. Having that as well as his availability to advise us gives additional comfort during this experience.
Apologies for the lengthy post, but since everyone here was so exceptionally kind and supportive, I wanted to give you the full picture and let you know things are progressing as well as possible under the circumstances.
We have many blessings to count, including:
1) we finally know the cause of her cough;
2) she doesn’t have cancer;
3) it is treatable;
4) 10 days on antibiotics isn’t as bad as the year and a half on antibiotics she was warned about if it was another kind of infection they had feared;
5) it will be gone in a couple of weeks if all goes to plan;
6) the best probiotics in the world and availability of one of the best natural pharmacists in the world (I would name him but don’t want to do so without his permission; I did encourage him to join Substack to share his life-saving knowledge, though, and will introduce him later when he gives the okay and is ready); and
7) the prayers, love, and support of the C&C community and countless friends, readers, and other compassionate individuals around the world 🙏
Thank you, everyone, for your amazingly wonderful support, and please excuse my relative unavailability in the coming days in advance. And now, I need to get busy cooking and cleaning!
MAA bless your Mom. I hope she tolerates the Cipro and I'm interested in knowing if Dr. Ohhiro's probiotics help. I've never heard of him but the few times I've taken antibiotics [Penicillin being one] I've not tolerated them very well. So that seems logical to have that available. Trying to stay prepared can be daunting but it sounds like you and your family have a plan. Merry Christmas.
Bing Crosby singing What Child is this- beautiful.
https://youtu.be/kYUljI4Skjw?si=nU9d4N2PKxGWknbZ
God bless you and your mother. Prayers have been said and will be again.
"If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd march right up to heaven, and bring you home again." Sums up the power of the human soul and experience. Thank you Tri.
As requested TriTorch, prayers offered up for Ms. Alice and her mom. The Lord knows what they need, and He will provide the Graces. In Jesus' Holy Name I pray.
🙏
Prayers for her and her mom. Life is so hard but we can make it alittle easier by lifting each other up.
Amen!
Prayers for Margaret Anna Alice. She's had a tough year.
Praying for MAA and her mom 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️
Wow! Tritorch! That made me cry. I am praying for Ms. Alice and her mother. I want to also say thank you to the wonderful crew at C&C for praying for my husband's surgery yesterday! I was so touched to see so many respond. Surgery went well and he appears on the road to recovery, God's Will be done! God will hear all those of us praying for Ms. Alice and her mother. I pray that He takes both of these women in His loving arms, holds them close, comforts them, heals them and gives them both what they need as He Wills it. Amen
So relieved to hear such great news Karmy, thank you for the update and best to your husband’s swift recovery
It saddens me to learn about MAA & her mom. She has had much to deal with of late. Prayers for comfort & healing, in it's many forms, for each of them. May they each have all that they need today & each day of this new life's journey. ❤️🙏
Lots of great news. excellent job on the pork bill story. It is disgusting how they trot these things out with 1600 pages days before a deadline, when they have been put together for who knows how long ago. It is disgracefully disrespectful to citizens.
Anyone who votes yes the next day on a 1600 page bill deserves to be removed…… and worse. Enough! Thanks to Elon……and Jeff. :)
Vivek deserves much credit. He ACTUALLY READ the monstrosity, and summarized the lowlights on X. And the chaos (well deserved) commenced.
Amazing
He did the job of every congress member…..
We really need to fix this problem
Enough of, if you want to know what is in it, you going to have to pass the bill.
That is what Crazy Nancy will be remembered for ever.
Think of this in terms of a Monty Python sketch and how much fun they would have with this. And they wouldn’t have to re-write it to get laughs. I’m laughing on the outside and crying on the inside.
Ministry of Silly Walks?
A group that should get credit, and maybe it’s a blessing that it doesn’t, is those of us who knew about the monstrosity on Tuesday night and immediately dialed our Congressperson’s office to remind them about the recent election.
We knew and were mobilized by the very capable Natalie G Winters in her withering blast on Tuesday afternoon War Room (man, she was firing on 200%, giving no quarter); this call to action continued that evening and the next day with Bannon’s typically bombastic yet powerful presentation of what it would mean for our economic (thus national security) future and our justice system if the damn CR/omnibus actually passed - let alone the kneecapping of the incoming administration.
Elon and Vivek unquestionably advanced the ball much further; and President Trump’s Truth Social posts killed the deal.
Without ordinary people hollering, who knows if the result would have been the same.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have the same effort against the recently passed, nearly $1T NDAA.
And now: Axios reported the Senate is “secretly” negotiating an “immigration” bill. Given the fundraising off that subject for decades, I suspect performative only…but can’t figure out the play, other than another obstructive move against the Trump/Vance agenda.
Thanks to all of you for your efforts. The msm is portraying us objectors as sheep following Elon. I know our success was a combination of all you described above.
Wow mad props to Vivek!!
like, (button doesn't work)
Mee too!
Waiting for the Dems to claim that all the critics are insurrectionists and trot out a committee to investigate him and Musk & all commenting on this grift.
Some Rs are claiming that!
RINOs all. Ignore.
Dems are claiming that Musk is cosplaying being President. It has begun.
MTG is polling her constituents for a change of the Speaker of the House to go to Elon Musk... I'd vote YES bc we NEED someone who doesn't NEED to grow a retirement golden egg but Musk is already super busy
Vivek for Speaker.
PBD foresaw them attempting to drive a wedge between Trump and Elon at least a month ago.
How can anyone "READ" that monstrosity unless it's done through AI???
Things are changing alright, and AI is certainly welcomed for cases like these. They will not be able to drop 1500 or 2700 pages on the floor for a vote 2 or 3 days before the Christmas break...
I tried to read the 116 page CR but became dazed and confused. I don't speak legislature-ease and neither do most normal humans. I guess that's the point.
Yea. Used AI or broke it into sections and assigned a “team” to each. No one read 1600 pages and summarized on one day.
Did he say he actually read it? I’m not in that loop so share if he did.
I’d think it was his “team”.
His team would have to be massive to get through it in just hours. Remember, it was out less than 24 hours before they wanted to bring it to the floor for a vote
Yea I figured they divide it up into sections and assign to different people and roll it up onto a summary. We’ve done that at work.
It’s the first time I can remember they actually didn’t just go ahead and pass the sick demented piece of excrement. What else can we do I need to be home for Christmas. Well guess what. I have worked (as a pharmacist) as many or more Christmas days than I have spent with my family. I do this so that if you or someone you love is very sick, or in an accident on Christmas Day (it happens every year) they have somewhere to go to get the medication they need to get well or feel better. As a member of the governing body of our country, who by the way makes way more money a year just in salary than I ever will, your responsibilities are imminently more important than mine when it comes to the safety and welfare of our country. Why is it ok for THEM to just sign an evil piece of paper so they can go home while others are in soup kitchens feeding the poor, in emergency rooms taking care of the sick and at the corner store selling gas? It’s their job. Suck it up.
Me too, as a nurse. I worked many holidays (and was happy to do so, but please, Congress critters, spare us your laments).
And for those of us who were in the military, we all missed plenty of holidays away from our families.
As a retired florist, I can assure you that there is no time off during the holidays!
Anyone see the video circulating on X of Thomas Massie speaking to the House in September, predicting this very thing? "It happens every year, you all wait until the weekend before the holidays and hold us hostage and say, 'If you want to go home to your families . . . ' and you force our hands and we pass something we all hate."
One of the few Congressmen in DC, I have the utmost respect for. Tucker did a wonderful interview with him.
While you're at it, see the video of Massie saying he (and other Reps) will not be voting for Johnson for Speaker come January...
That's like an army defending their country and the enemy attacks on Christmas Eve.....and the army goes home because the timing isn't convenient. It's takes a true Patriot to call the enemy's bluff and confront him instead of doing the EASY thing! Congress....DO YOUR JOB AS EMPLOYEES OF U.S. TAXPAYERS!!!
I read at The Conservative Treehouse that the last time a budget passed through regular order was 2007.
https://youtu.be/XFyc3kKpN7E?t=774
At the end of this video here
Me too, as a flight attendant. I grew up with Christmas on different days—my father was a commercial airline pilot.
Holiday, what holiday? I work in medicine too, and have worked many holidays.
No sympathy for members of congress. They know what they’re doing. There was also a raise for them in that bill… well, if you can’t control (lower) spending and debt (not just decrease rate of increase), then no raise. I don’t care how long ago your last raise was, you don’t deserve it.
Same… as a former F/A, I worked every Christmas Day for 20 years!
To all who work in 24/7/365 professions, I salute you and your families! My former husband was in operations at a nuclear power plant. Holidays were just another day.
Former barista and grocerystore worker here--yep, worked every holiday, for many years.
Did anyone else hear about the pay rise they wrote for themselves? Or how they basically gave themselves "right of refusal" in any House investigations thereby cutting off any real investigation into J6 shenanigans?
They also wanted to allow the members of Congress to opt out of Obamacare, while still requiring regular schmucks to stay in it. They really are a pack of scumbags.
You are too kind with your moniker, "scumbags", but I hear you!! These "scumbags" MAKE ME VOMIT!!!
Wow!!!
J20 can’t come soon enough!
https://cdn.fbsbx.com/v/t59.2708-21/470677311_916140850666641_6318410820381153392_n.pdf/CR.pdf?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=2b0e22&_nc_ohc=Dw6wJNKKqYsQ7kNvgFL48_t&_nc_zt=7&_nc_ht=cdn.fbsbx.com&_nc_gid=AnsTPpBsFQnxlKIB8aEi7S9&oh=03_Q7cD1gHr3Pafp2SUjKLYdCi9y6z2IYO8C9afJu3wm3aKraPwzw&oe=67666C7A&dl=1
We also have no idea who writes these things
It’s K street. Congress stopped writing long ago. The corporate backers/lobbyists write everything.
Precisely. They write, Congress approves, commission checks flow.
So why do they need staffers? Rhetorical question of course. I’m against them having staffers also because bills should not be so complicated
Vomit, Angry, Vomit emojees...
My daughter's friend actually works for one of the ranking House members and according to him, it is frequently the staffers of the reps who put together these bills.
Slash congressmen’s bugets and ban staffers… problem solved. They can hire one person to answer phones. And if a bill requires too much research that is overwhelming to the member of congress to write, then it shouldn’t be written
That is definitely true. I've done some citizen lobbying in DC and it's easy to tell that the staff does all the work. They are usually a lot smarter than the Rep or Sen they work for, and if they want to slip their nefarious personal priorities into one of these bloated omnibus bills they can do it without their Member even knowing. Or caring, to tell the truth.
AND those staffers constantly get invited to lobby fests. Lee Fang wrote a substack of one of those nefarious get togethers. And he was kicked out because they didn’t want him to see how things really work in “congress” …!
Here’s the substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/leefang/p/anheuser-busch-lobbyists-sell-access
Reeks of the same schemes of Hunter selling access to his daddy
Politicians are the “face”. They talk and travel. They don’t draft language in documents. That work is for smart people.
Could it be..............SATAN!
They used the Satanic Napoleon Hill, ‘Think And Grow Rich’ book to be where they are. In the MLM “business” we were ‘talked/lied’ into by an Elder at church, by saying,”Want to diversify your income?” it was used as required reading. I was already uneasy with the book with what I’d read in the book, but I believe it would have been in Chapter 14 that the author stated that “he got his information from disembodied spirits in his office on every Thursday night.” Of course we went straight to the couple and asked how this could be required reading since Satan wrote it? They said just treat it like a smorgasbord, take what you like an leave the rest. We said we refused to eat from the Devil’s table and never returned to that ‘business’ and reported the elders. Just to prove the connection, we were “required” to have our meetings on Thursday nights starting at 8:00 pm. Same time of the Satanic meetings that Napoleon received his visits. And yes, I had a book burning!
What day does all congress leave their jobs?
Give me Mike from Dirty Jobs any day!!
most definitely, or his manifestation Bel-Zebub
I never thought I’d turn into Dana carveys church lady but alas - I am her
LOL...all hail the Church Lady! 😜
I’d prefer the name Christ Follower.
Could you tell I was not fond that book?
There should be limits on the length of these bills! And also transparency as to who writes them!
And limits on the number of topics. OR how about handling like a board meeting and voting on the individual bills?! Time consuming, I know but otherwise we get stuck with stinkers!
Running & Peace: Term limits, 8 years any office. Not eligible for lobbing job for 4 years. Those limits would prevent public strokes and broken hips.
Follow Mike Benz on X, listen to his conversations with Joe Rogan, Tucker Carlson and others to gain a glimpse at the blob behind the curtain. Pray. Also if on X use Grok to review the Porkulous monster bill that failed. Be aware we may need to push against yet another one before the end of tomorrow, 12/20/24 when Congress goes into holiday recess. Pray more.
Seems like Congress should not be going into holiday recess until they finish the bill. They only work 123 to 144 days per year. Unlike the rest of us.
Schumer and McConnell did.
I asked the same question and my hubby said lobbyists?
And anyone else that suffered through the 1600 pages saving hundreds of billions of our money. One topic, one bill.
We need to demand of each and every one of them a precise explanation of WHY they refuse to do that....one topic, one bill. Of course we all know why....but they should have to answer that one.
In the reformed government that We The People create, the people that re-present for us are hired/elected primarily to negotiate said bills. Bills are no longer than about a half dozen pages in length, and written in plain English. The People, after the secure system is built - not my territory, lots and lots of figuring out that I am not equipped for - vote on bills in a timely manner from the comfort of their own home, via computer connection, a technological development the founders could never, ever have envisioned, thus their creation of the system where electeds vote re-presenting themselves for their constituents. We live in a different age. Time for reform. One admittedly unrefined proposal among many to come for sure. 2¢
*edit - The educational system has also been reformed, civic duty in the forefront. Voting frequency records are kept, and non-participation carries a "penalty" even if in social support, like AA for non-participant voters. Pollyanna maybe on that one, but we know from birth that it's up to Us, The People, to see to the best interests of society through government. Something like that. Lots of reforming on our plates for the balance of the century - and beyond. A lot of us will be dead by century's end, but, so now are the founders.
I am so sick of these pork-festooned omnibus spending bills! Please DOGE members, make it stop!
I second this!!
Looks like Elon and Vivek have already started on it....
"Scumbags" would be a compliment to these criminal-slime "Legislators", self-serving savants to Satan
Public SERPENTS. Grifters. It turns out that, for the most part, only the lowest of the low work in DC
“Public SERPENTS” Dead on target!
Franken-pork and bean counters. How appropriate would it be for Congress to work on Christmas Eve like the construction workers, machinists, sales clerks, nurses, waiters, and emergency responders Congress is supposed to “represent”?
And "construction workers, machinists, sales clerks, nurses, waiters, and emergency responders" cannot vote themselves a raise!
That dish you just described, RH, is just about all we citizens can afford after 4 years of LGB mismanagement! Franken-pork & Beans (counting) 🔥🔥🔥
It ius disrespectful to even have been written/created
Agree. But "they" as a whole, do not care. A handful of individuals do, but they are the exception, not the rule.
No, they do NOT. Simply about the money, the benefits? No care for the people, the country? Money. prestige, control?
Has anyone put it through a plagiarism and AI check? We should hold them to the same standards they hold us. I would appreciate AI if you wouldn’t be able to program it to be so biased.
I thought it was going to be business as usual with the R's getting Charlie Brown'd again by the D's.
Such a pleasant surprise to see the power of the People bring this sh*tshow to a stop!
A question...did the 1600 page blob include provisions to exempt any member of Congress or the executive from producing subpeonaed emails? I had read thru Taibbi and others they were trying to basically nullify FOIA to keep the past 4 to 6 years of actions unavailable and out of the courts.
It's criminal, is what it is.
How can a "representative" be expected to represent, under such circumstances?
Truly - criminal.
It is not only a disgrace but illegal. Bills must be comprehensible so people can understand them and not contain a mixed bunch of other sneaky stuff in them but this is how it is done. Then you have these mega rich lobbyists controlling our representatives to represent their agenda and NOT the people. THEN, they get to make even MORE money with insider trading. JD Vance is likely one of them if you check out his portfolio. He has big investments in lithium... Maybe that is not true but I did read it from a good source. It is worth looking into, but I don't have the time to keep up with all the corruption and what would it help? The government disgusts me. At this point, let them eat their cake now and serve their evil master reaping rewards now. I prefer my rewards later.
The effort to stop that horrible omnibus bill was headed by Elon, but it was the the people behind him using their voice on the x.com platform that was the real power.
I expect other efforts like this from the DOGE team for upcoming congressional hijinks.
Is substack likewise helping to push back the covid and medical tyrants?
Trump, Musk and America First Activists are currently the most powerful political force on Earth. Stopping the evil Omnibus Bill in its tracks. The Globalist Governments of Canada, France and Germany are crumbling.
This is the take home indication. A powerful force underpins. We have never seen stuff like this before in all of my 75 years. Not in such a concentrated presence. The House is shaken from without like never before.
I commented in another thread about another group shaking up the House: those of us who watch War Room.
Yes, I think so. People know more. They see more, hear more and pass it on.
They were also hiding expansion of “pandemic” style tyranny in new and improved grab for more control…. https://x.com/glennbeck/status/1869498519641292964?s=46
Going forward, ALL bills need to be "clean" singularly focused, written in plain English with ample time for public review. No more "emergency" appropriations.
Musk suggested that ALL Bills should be publicly posted for everyone to read, before Congress votes on them. Great idea!
Yes! Like posted on the door of the TownHall. We deserve to see all of it. Every part of the bill should also have a footnote explaining who drafted that portion, names and who pays their salary and whether they have a FARA….
Ooh I like that! Add limits on the length of the bills too!
One page could get the job done.
They actually are. Go to https://www.congress.gov/ If you create an account, you can get email updates when there are changes to bills that you ask to be notified on.
But when they post the bill with so little time before the vote and the bill is 1600 pages long, it’s kind of hard for most people to read it in time 😕 (purposely I’m sure!)
Oh I agree, thank goodness for those who put all the snippets up on X and for all the talk radio hosts that were sharing the worst parts. But it does come in handy for some of those bills you either like or hate and want to keep up with.
The text of legislation that's up for a vote is usually posted at congress.gov, but it can be hard to navigate. It should be a lot easier than it is.
https://cdn.fbsbx.com/v/t59.2708-21/470677311_916140850666641_6318410820381153392_n.pdf/CR.pdf?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=2b0e22&_nc_ohc=Dw6wJNKKqYsQ7kNvgFL48_t&_nc_zt=7&_nc_ht=cdn.fbsbx.com&_nc_gid=AnsTPpBsFQnxlKIB8aEi7S9&oh=03_Q7cD1gHr3Pafp2SUjKLYdCi9y6z2IYO8C9afJu3wm3aKraPwzw&oe=67666C7A&dl=1
Congress doesn't vote on bills, The People do, in a timely manner from the convenience of their own computer. Many, many kinks to be worked out on the security front, but the folks who re-present for us have a limited role, primarily as negotiators. We The People are too many to get into that soup. But we can vote on the outcome. In the 18th century, we needed folks to re-present for us; no computers, no internet, yadda. Time for reform. Similar thoughts posted above on this board today, so a repeat but maybe worth making a bother of myself to get us thinking along different lines for reform? Or maybe y'all'll run me off the board. Yikes.
Make sure we see how each individual voted on it. Can’t stand when they hide who voted. Cowards.
It’s only an “emergency” because they waited until the last minute to reveal the bill. They have been working on it for the last year at least. We need more government shut downs. Stand up to the fraudsters and compromised Congress.
I agree, shut'er down. This is a criminal syndicate at work.
Especially now that we've learned most of them are not even at their desks anyway. They are home doing zoom meetings from their bubble baths. Shut 'er down, we won't miss them.
so Citizen Initiatives in States to require a No Vote by their legislators in these instances...DEMOCRACY in Action
DOGE has a site called Policies For The People where they are crowd-sourcing ideas for changes that DOGE should pursue. The Number One suggestion at the moment is for single-issue bills only. Listen to the People! https://forum.policiesforpeople.com/top
Thanks for that info. I tried to go to the site, after 5 minutes I gave up. I'll keep trying.
Hear, hear!!!
🎯
The rules of the game have changed. The situation makes me think of Gus Malzohn, American football coach recently departed from University of Central Florida. His claim to fame as an offensive coach was the "hurry up" offense, a no huddle option where the defense didn't have time to make adjustments or substitutions. It was great (national champ and national runner up when coaching at Auburn). However the rules changed and now any time the offense subs a player the refs now slow play to let the defense make similar adjustments. Gus' offense aren't doing so well anymore (UCF was 4-8 this year). Let's hope X, Substack and the Musk effect do the same thing to Congress that College football did to Gus.
Johnson promised this when he was promoted to Speaker.
He speaks with forked tongue. He blatantly lied on Fox & Friends, leading viewers to believe Musk and Vivek were supportive. Bannon played the clip multiple times on War Room.
Yes! been saying that for years!
There was also a 40% pay raise for legislators in that bill which is crazy!! Thank God this bill was trashed!
And they were exempted from Obama Care.
And from Covid "vax" mandate.
As they are for most "laws" that they pass. The laws are for us, not them.
That should be unconstitutional under equal protection I should think???
Yes, I think so too. But, they just write their exemptions right into the "law". Insanity at its best.
They should have NO benefits different than any other federal employee. There is no reason they should have different health care or be able to give themselves raises. They should use the federal pay charts for them too.
Pay raises should be tied to their ability to balance the budget.
There should be a limit of 10% attached to their raises.... When was the last time anyone received a 10% raise lately?
10% ? Are you kidding? That barely covers the inflation they caused when they flushed away all the money during the covid party.
Exactly, if the American worker is not seeing any kind of raise, why should Congress get one???
No I didn’t. I had my Nueralink turned off this morning.
It’s my understanding that the last time a budget was passed using regular order, the appropriations process, was in 2007.
I don't think the Dems in modern time have passed appropriations using the regular order process, especially not Nancy in 2007. I know that Newt Gingrich in the mid 90's did it multiple times. Not sure about Dennis Hastert and Boehner. For sure RINO Ryan didn't (although that was what he pledged to do yet failed miserably when he got his chance). Newt also passed the last "balanced" budget. Before that, I believe it was when Kennedy was president.
Not just Dems. Last regular order appropriation process 2007:
From post dated 12/6/2024 https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/category/budget/
“The last Federal Budget that passed through “regular order” was for Fiscal Year 2008, signed by President George W Bush in September of 2007. Every budget since has been outside regular order; a series of continuing resolutions, omnibus spending packages and short-term funding mechanisms. {CITATION https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/budget/2009}
That is correct. In the past 17 years, all federal spending has been ‘short-term’ or ‘stop-gap’ spending measures, generally known as “Continuing Resolutions,” where the govt (House and Senate) continue to perpetually resolve to fund the government. The CRs as they are known, punt the spending debate by accepting a baseline of prior spending and tweaking around the edges.”
The real issue that is little noticed in legacy and many alternative media outlets is the overspending and the accumulation of debt at $1T every 100 days. Servicing the debt now exceeds the “defense” budget. At the current rate, our present $37T debt is likely to hit $40T in just over a year.
I was never cognizant of just what one trillion meant until I was given this example:
If I was awarded $1T at the rate of $1 per second, every minute of every hour, of every day, it would take me roughly ***37,000 years*** to realize the full award.
What? Pay raises need a vote of the public.
How about reducing their pay to the median annual income ($38K)? they already get a per diem for their expenses over and above their salaries, right? And free medical, dental and vision? Why are they paid such a lavish amount? And please don't tell me that to attract the best candidates, we need to outbid the private sector. If the best candidates are the ones currently in office, then our country is in worse shape than I thought possible.
Patrice. Definitely. Believe you have not even listed all the benefits. I sadly believe our country IS in the worst shape possible
They need to have a job for the lion’s share of their income as did the congressmen of old. They only work less than half a year so a primary income producing job could work. Most of us citizens have to work two or sometimes three jobs to just get by. How did they become so elite and arrogant? They represent us, not their special interest groups.
Exactly!!
https://thenewamerican.com/us/politics/continuing-resolution-a-big-waste-would-block-probe-of-j6-committee-other-records-on-capitol-hill/
The investigation-blocking provisions were mind blowing and infuriating! Don’t you just want to march up to the Congress and do a Greta impersonation? “HOW DARE YOU?!?!”
Given the number of things which were objectionable in this monstrosity, I think it is the investigation provisions which ticked me off the most.
Our dear Congress critters should be made to endure a rotten tomato and compost heap barrage/gauntlet as they enter the Crapitol Bldg....and cue the Hag from Princess Bride, calling it as we all see it: "Garbage! Refuse! Putrescence! BOOOO! BOOOOOOO!"
Wouldn't it be awesome to be in that gathering? 🏆
Eerily similar to how NGO “Shelter Execs Make Huge Salaries and Hire Family Members.” It's a well-worn 21st century theme. We answered with Trump.
Their raises should reflect those of their constituents, who, if they're lucky will get a 1-2% raise based upon performance. 40%...??? WHO do they think they are???
I'm going to swim against the tide on this one. Congress hasn't gotten a raise in 10 years, and $175K doesn't go far when you have to maintain two homes, one of which is in a high cost of living area.
So he rose up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet, and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let us eat and celebrate, for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.
— Luke 15:20-24 LSB
I am frequently reminded in life that I have been both sons in this story.
Humbling, yes.
The death of this porkulous bill is almost as important as November 5th. It marks the end of an error (era). I would love to learn how it was negotiated, and I would love to see heads roll on the R side of the aisle.
Could you imagine your professor letting you know 5 min before class ends that you have a mid term tomorrow on chapters 1- 100, and you just got your text book that day? The tides are turning and the moon is laughing.
That is a powerful analogy. Now watch us all have revisions of that horrible nightmare.
How is it Mike Johnson has been present with President Trump at all these campaign events and in the post-victory phase and yet still shepherded this bill through Congress. I don't get it.
He must have something he really needs to hide that the deep state / dems are holding over his head. I could see the weasel voting yes and not saying anything about it, but to go on the NEWS and fight for its passage took my breath away! He must be a crooked Epstein client...
He does seem compromised.
I think kompromat is a prerequisite to house leadership. They only install people they can control. Remember Denny Hastert? He was a long-time pedo. That had to be known and was likely leveraged
After this —- do not trust Johnson ever!
Mike Johnson appears to lack testicles. Shut the government down. Eliminate all the funding for all the unconstitutional federal agencies. He won’t do it and neither will Trump. Don’t be surprised when version two is not much better. Because of a lack of testicular fortitude it’s a dilemma. There’s a couple of Republicans who have the courage and conviction to reign in the federal bureaucracy and they will vote “No” on any spending for unconstitutional spending. But Johnson needs those couple of votes for the passage of any spending bill, thus he is stuck with conceding to the Democrats demands or he could do the right thing and shut the government down. We would all be better off.
As a retired federal employee who has worked in D.C., I say shut the government down. Here's the thing: D.C. is an intensely federal town but the rest of the U.S. isn't. I went on a long-time scheduled personal trip to the midwest one time during a shutdown and the shutdown was not even noticed by those residents. No one said a word about it. People were relaxed. (Even the news media continues to say that 85% of federal employees have to continue to work anyway due to nature of their work so critical services don't stop).
Mike needs to listen to those Republicans who will NOT be voting for him come January....
The deep state must have a portfolio on him. These fools enter public life and fall for all the cash and bimbos.
Honestly, I'm not sure any of them are what they appear or pretend to be!
Yes! I want the names of all who voted in favor.
The list of those who voted NAY will be shorter ... much shorter.
Yes! This is a must have list please!! How do we get this?
No doubt the moron Moran from Kansas voted for it.
coincidentally with Dr Bay getting his licence back - this happened in Canada at (I believe University of Guelph) https://substack.com/home/post/p-153279139. Dr Brydle allowed back in his research office for the first time since 2021 when he told the truth.
Rooting for Dr makis too , in Canada
in a very small way I stepped up to help him.
Dr. Brydle, Dr. Bay and other truth telling doctors are heroes in my book. Another brave doctor who lost his career for speaking out (and now hosts his own podcast) is Doc Malik. He recently interviewed Dr. Bay.
https://open.substack.com/pub/docmalik/p/268-dr-william-bays-historic-victory?r=18g9d1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Meryl Nass as well.
So glad to hear this!
Oh my goodness!!
You just can't hate Congress enough, the monster bill yesterday wasn't a mere slap in the face to the public, it was a giant FU to the public. It tells you everything you need to know about the Democrats obviously, but also the Republicans and especially Speaker Johnson and where their allegiances lie. Now for the posturing by the Propagamedia on how the Republicans and Trump shut down the country... Leave it to Republicans to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Thank God for Elon Musk, if he didn't buy and free X, not to mention his tweet yesterday, this would be looking a lot different. Lesson should be, don't expect your Representatives and Senators to do the right thing, you'll have to hold their feet to the fire every single day - and this is your opportunity!
Johnson needs to go because it is obvious, especially when you look at his face, that he has been compromised in some way. They have dirt on him as leverage. He is doing exactly as he has been told to do, instead of standing up as citizens expect him to do. He looks spineless and they want him that way.
Yes. Something happened to Johnson shortly after becoming Speaker. He made an about face after a security briefing, one of which was also attended by Massie, who heard the same stuff and concluded there was nothing that should have influenced a complete turnaround.
Tucker made a comment recently that Johnson became a different person after becoming Speaker. And he speculated that Johnson is like a great many other congresspeople with something that can be used as leverage against him.
Certainly makes you wonder... WHAT do they have on him???
I would bet they have something on virtually every one of them. The second they enter Congress someone somewhere is trying to compromise them.
Yeah, it’s sad that the politics in the swamp seems to be based on blackmail and threats.
This 2019 article by a trusted researcher Whitney Webb is eye opening….
https://stateofthenation2012.com/?p=125916
That's CORRECT! The look of a weasel who got CAUGHT!!! I've never felt comfortable with his "appointment".... our pastor specifically asked for prayer for him while he was being considered, but I didn't feel right about him from the get-go!
Didn't we all learn in the last two weeks that the vast majority of federal workers aren't even going into their offices? Shut it down. Who would notice?
Right?? I always laugh when I hear the wailing about a government shutdown, there should be a few key functions that are always funded but most of it is so unnecessary and superfluous that no one would notice or care.
The raise for congress should be tied to the social security cola raise. Poor seniors are much more affected by the economy than congressional millionaires are. They get 40% while I get 2.9%? Bullocks!
Dan is a disgrace. As a Veteran, I wanted to believe in him but he has failed every single time. There is no honor in him.
Crenshaw’s war with Catturd on X is epic right now.
Obedience is way higher than sacrifices before The Lord, do not twist it.
“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, He hath also rejected thee from being king.”
1 Samuel 15:22-23 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.15.22-23.KJV
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6 ESV)
Ed, this is timely for me on a personal level, and there are no coincidences.
In recent days, I had been contemplating the following passages from Exodus and Leviticus. They are not about fat in one's diet. They are a shadow of something else:
Exodus 3:18 (ESV)
“You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with anything leavened, or let the fat of my feast remain until the morning."
Leviticus 3:16 (ESV)
"And the priest shall burn them on the altar as a food offering with a pleasing aroma. All fat is the Lord's."
And then this passage that you have shared today confirms what was shown to me in scripture:
1 Samuel 15:22 (KJV)
". . . Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams."
God wants us to accept forgiveness immediately, and he wants us obey immediately. We are not to accept forgiveness today with the leaven of a hidden desire to put off obedience until tomorrow.
It's by His grace that we can turn from sin (repent) the moment we are tempted, and only in turning to His Son, can we obey. This is an attitude, not a work, and is the fruit of salvation. And this fruit has been given to us undeserved, it is not our own doing!
All glory to God, and His Son, Christ Jesus!
I love this! Thank you for sharing.
I’d love to share something with you.
DM you email and I’ll send it.
Check out this Christmas-decorated subway car in Moscow. Can you imagine this in the US?
https://x.com/RadioGenoa/status/1869163390968774815
I suspect that Russia is experiencing the pent-up joy following 70 years of Leninist/Stalinist suppression of Christian belief and worship.
The Moscow subway is beautiful!
...with the some of the fastest escalators in the world.
The subway stations in Moscow and St. Petersburg are beautiful.
Once upon a time maybe
I’ve gotten used to it and it’s common place to them
"Citing patient confidentiality" is public health's special trick. They can tell you enough to scare you, but not enough to give you real information (which might actually alleviate your fears).
Arkmedic describes how pharma/IT uses that to its advantage to synthesize data sets:
https://open.substack.com/pub/arkmedic/p/pharma-hell-on-earth-the-odyssey?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=3iv6q
Here's an experience I had with the health department using confidentiality as a cover-up.
Our entire school district was informed that there was a "possible" case of measles in a student, and the health department urged everyone who was not "up-to-date" to get the MMR.
The public started gossiping on social media that the student must have been unvaccinated, and how dare they put other families at risk. A friend of the family stepped in to assure the public that the child was, in fact, vaccinated.
A few days later, the health department said that it wasn't measles, after all, but people should still get their shots if they didn't have them yet, to be protected in the future.
I contacted the health department to ask whether the method of determining the child did not have measles was doctor opinion only, or if a test had been performed. They said that "confidentiality" prevented them from giving me that information.
How was it my business that a kid "might" have the measles, to the point the health department had to announce it to everyone, but not my business how measles was ruled out?
This is what happened during the pandemic hysteria. The school would mention cases and then nobody had any idea of the severity, leaving everyone to fill the gap with whatever imagined scenarios that propaganda offered.
Also, if there were few cases, they would use percentage increase because 400% increase in cases reported (which could mean no one sick and just positive test results) sounds way scarier than last week there was one case, and now there are 5. But if everyone was testing a lot (which they were for jobs and school, even if they knew the tests were fraudulent), they might use percent positive, unless number of cases sounded even worse.
Gee, why am I not worried about measles? Oh right, everyone had them when I was a kid. Somehow I don’t remember all the dead bodies lining the street from the illness.
Great example and spot on questions and analysis!
Another well-researched and written post, thank you Jeff! Just to clarify, as a small farmer, there is not, to my knowledge, cash available from the farm bill for “Hollywood celebrities and democrat politicians” to start small farms. The Farm Bill is a behemoth but not for small farmers - 75% is for SNAP funding, and most of the rest goes to the giant factory farming businesses like Tyson and Cargill. It is a disgrace. https://x.com/i/grok/share/9rxPYroa8iHxx3wUcvKx6Jvoq
Ah, so even worse than I proposed
Agree, the farm bill is a behemoth and sh be thoroughly understood before passing another 5 year funding. Our family-owned farmers are the ones today at risk. Let’s ensure RFK Jr has a say in this as the organic, clean food industry takes over the soon slain Goliath.
Thank-you. None of the small farmers I know benefit. They are all currently struggling to keep head above water with the insane regulations (here in CA) designed to get them to need loans form the state/feds, or, the only way to get grant money is to sign up for some "green" program and start having--that's right--"experts" telling them how to farm. Farm Bill is always to be understood as about Big Ag and entitlements.
Could you explain SNAP to me please? I don’t understand what that entails. I grew up in farm country.
SNAP is the new fancy name for food stamps.
I’m old enough to remember Newsom, during the Covid emergency 🙄, dining out with friends at a luxurious restaurant not for peasants— again🙄
Didn't read today's post but wanted to quickly put it out there that the DHHS had a commercial on the season finale of Survivor last night for the COVID vaccines. The commercial did say that if you were 65 or older, you wouldn't get as sick. Still, this is unbelievable to me. But maybe it shouldn't be?
The irony of a jab ad on a show called "Survivor" ....
LOL!! I was thinking the same thing Roger!
Seeing commercials for rsv jabs. Instilling fear. Florida.
On hold for babies….
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/moderna-pauses-its-rsv-vaccine-trial-for-children-after-5-infants-are-hospitalized-in-latest-challenge-of-preventing-disease/ar-AA1vYB7z
Yup! They had them last week on Survivor. (Survivor is the only show I watch.)
I loathe "reality" TV. It's all scripted, unnecessary, drama. I had a buddy that worked on reality shows and Survivor was one of them.
(Spoiler alert!)
He said they don't stay out in the wild. They all sleep in hotels, houses, or RV's. There are a slew of medics and support standing by and no one is going without food.
He said the same about MTVs "real" world. There was a big room in the middle of the house where the crew operated from. He said there was a whiteboard with dates and notes for the actors. xx/xx/xx - kim fights with jim. It doesn't say about what or when, just that they need to experience drama.
I worked a ‘cooking contest’ reality show for a couple of days. I was shocked at how scripted it was —- even telling the ‘winner’ of the show what their dialogue needed to be!
Mine is Amazing Race. On cable tv anyway. Too much undermining and skulduggery on Survivor (like Congress). Amazing race has a bit but if they miss a flight or get lost it’s a more honest loss. Nicer people.
I thought Florida had put a definite stop to all Covid jabs.....?
What a pack of ghouls, eh? Covid’s supposed “none to severe” symptoms were my first clue that something was off, that and it was a gift from China. Telling me I could be dying when I felt fine seemed mighty psyopty, like I shouldn’t believe my lying vigor. The win for Doctor William Bay should not be the last chapter. Making sure his antagonists pay a price would be the happiest ending. I’ll “stand by for the ‘retributive justice’ phase,” but I won’t hold my breath.
On the subject of Dr Bay: I am in Queensland Oz, where this was decided. We recently had a State election in which the hideous controlling Labor Party (think US Democrats) was finally voted out. We are also due for a Federal election earlyish next year, and that’s not looking promising for federal Labor either.
Given that up until now, courts across Australia have been denying standing to almost anything Covid related, I have to wonder if this was simply fortuitous timing, that those responsible for the entire Stasi exercise that was Covid, are no longer in power, freeing the court to rule in favour.
It feels and looks like a reckoning is coming. Armies of us are praying it comes soon.
I remember watching a black fella being dragged away from his Country and forced to have the C19 shot, and all his family were looking for him and couldn't find him. I though, shit, it's the 1800's all over again. I'm from Auckland.
Good Lord. That's nothing short of assault.
It was absolutely criminal.
They can say that because they know that there is no way to disprove it.
A good friend of mine just died...2-3 weeks after getting the covid booster.
Cannot hit the like button on that one, Kathleen...so very sorry to hear that another life has been taken by a jab. 💔💔💔
I tried to warn him...I spoke to him on 25 August and he said he received the covid booster. He died on 9 September 2024.
Oh, that's shocking. So sorry Kathleen.
I fully believe the shot caused his death. Too close with the timing of the shot and his death.
Sadly yes. It's only a matter of time before the whole deceptive covid virus and covid shot are out in the open. I've lost friends back home, where it was mandated and forced. My best friend has terminal cancer now.
I’m so sorry Kathleen 😞
Thanks...I am still reeling from his death.
It’s heartbreaking and also infuriating so there’s a lot to deal with 😞
Here’s my favorite “discovery” in that giant spending bill… credit to El Gato Malo for this lil tidbit… they were going to give themselves congressional immunity! How about that… the ultimate pardon! In a spending bill no less. Crafty and shady I’d say! 🤨
https://boriquagato.substack.com/p/congressional-immunity?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=323914&post_id=153323211&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=bnb0n&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
Love that bad cat!