A Friendly Letter

Twofer Thursday: Garrison Keillor at (almost) 80; and the Decline of Religion in the U.S.

There’s not a direct connection between the two items excerpted here. Garrison Keillor is definitely religious, in his low-key, often self-mocking way. But like others of his (& my) generation, he’s watched in bemusement as the generations behind him have been mostly quietly, but steadily dumping religion. Following Keillor, pastor-researcher Ryan Burge takes a look … Continue reading Twofer Thursday: Garrison Keillor at (almost) 80; and the Decline of Religion in the U.S. →

Kirill’s & Putin’s Anti-LGBT Crusade, in Ukraine, Russia & Everywhere

Garrison Keillor: In the Doubter’s Section

Garrison Keillor: There was a small epiphany in church last week when we sang the recessional “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded,” a German chorale in which we basses must jump around more limberly than we may be used to. A tough part compared to “When the Roll Is Called up Yonder” and I stood in … Continue reading Garrison Keillor: In the Doubter’s Section →

Finland, Sweden, NATO, Mud, Macron & Putin?

Ukraine might yet repel the Putin invasion. Or it may be ground under by Russian forces, then snuffed out as a nation and culture. Either way, the Ukraine war appears to be redrawing the strategic map of northern Europe, with implications reverberating far beyond Scandinavia. A double strategic earthquake is underway, without a shot having … Continue reading Finland, Sweden, NATO, Mud, Macron & Putin? →

Ukraine: Cut the Crowing: It’s Far From Over

There’s been way too much cork-popping among American pundits about the stunning Ukrainian resistance to the Putin invasion. Yes, the Russian forces have performed badly, while the Ukrainians have come through horrors to push them back again and again. Their campaign thus far has been the stuff of epic and will be a gold mine … Continue reading Ukraine: Cut the Crowing: It’s Far From Over →