A Friendly Letter

Quakerism was born in a terrible civil war. Could it survive another one?

[NOTE: This review does not mention that amid the spreading devastation of the English Civil War, which in 1649 led to the execution of the defeated Charles I, a new radical religious group, derisively called Quakers, was coming into being. The earliest Friends were at least in sympathy with Cromwell’s anti-monarchical “Commonwealth,” and not a … Continue reading Quakerism was born in a terrible civil war. Could it survive another one? →

Best Photo from the Queen’s Big Shindig Is a Picture-Within-the-Picture

Okay, pop quiz: Why is THIS the most memorable photo from the Big Royal Platinum bash in London? Can you see it? Most people, especially Brits (I expect) will see prime minister and convicted flagrant Coronavirus scofflaw Boris J, with wife Carrie, arriving for one of the many platinum photo ops — and recall that … Continue reading Best Photo from the Queen’s Big Shindig Is a Picture-Within-the-Picture →

Here’s a Great Look at the Quaker “Good Old Days.” Beautiful — But a Lot of Work

[Note: It’s rare that blog material turns up in the real estate section, especially the mainly rather upscale version in the Washington Post, and particularly in the rather very upscale horsey parts of Loudoun County, Virginia, out near where the Shenandoah Valley begins. But for many decades once upon a time, much of Loudoun was … Continue reading Here’s a Great Look at the Quaker “Good Old Days.” Beautiful — But a Lot of Work →

The Front Lines May be In Doubt, But Putin’s War on Dissenters is Going Great

[NOTE: Repression of dissent is a communicable disease. How many variants are loose in our own atmosphere? And are we preparing to resist their spread?] New York Times Thousands Swept Up as Kremlin Clamps Down on War Criticism The arrests are a stark gauge of how the Kremlin has intensified repression of critics. At least … Continue reading The Front Lines May be In Doubt, But Putin’s War on Dissenters is Going Great →

“Religious (Anti-Abortion) Liberty” for ME But Not for THEE! Roe Reversal Likely to Spark Many Faith-Legal Clashes

[NOTE: First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion . . .” Banning abortion will be to “establish” one set of religious notions. Doing it via the Supreme Court rather than Congress won’t make it any less contrary to the Constitution’s plain meaning. And Such Supreme Court usurpation will by no … Continue reading “Religious (Anti-Abortion) Liberty” for ME But Not for THEE! Roe Reversal Likely to Spark Many Faith-Legal Clashes →