Peace and Justice is a theme I’ve been passionate about my entire life, but particularly since September 2001. I began this blog in 2009. The intended focus of this site is Peace, Justice, Environment, Sustainability, Global Cooperation and related issues.
The intent of this site is to publish positive pieces with thoughts about building a better future for our world and everyone in it.
I believe in the value of dialogue. A lifelong mid-westerner, with deep roots in rural North Dakota, I have spent most of my adult life in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. dickDOTbernarddt1878ATicloudDOTcom

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Darkness or Light?
/1 Comment/in Uncategorized /by dickbernardRelated Post “The Generals”, October 1, 2025. (There are several comments.)
September 30 – October 1, 2025, seems to potentially be as historically as significant as January 6, 2021. The ultimate outcome is going to depend on the American Citizen, collectively, you, I, everyone else. I’d suggest that you at least take the time to read Robert Reich’s post, and the Wiki about Russell Vought, one of the chief architects of Project 2025. I’m also including for your own information some photos and information about the East Wing of the White House, which is apparently under construction as an immense formal ball room. Apparently it will not be a victim of the cuts.
You and I and our fellow citizens are the solution, period. There are millions of ways to impact. Sitting on the sidelines is not one of them. It will not be easy, to complain is not enough. You’re needed for the long haul.
Do Something.
It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
Robert Reich October 2, 2025. [Also, from Robert Reich in my inbox October 5, 2025: “A National Trauma”] And Oct. 6.
Wiki About Russell Vought, Office of Management and Budget, apparently a crucial architect of Project 2025. More from Heather Cox Richardson Oct. 6
Also take the time to get acquainted with Stephen Miller, a key leader of the deportation crowd.
Oct 7. An excellent summary of the Ku Klux Klan from National Geographic publication “Secret Societies” 2017, republished 2020. Complete Title of Publication: Secret Societies True Tales of Covert Cults and Organizations and Their Leaders.
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History: East Wing of the White House
White House Postcard view of East Terrace 1902. “East Wing” added about here in 1905 by Teddy Roosevelt. This postcard dates from 1904,
The U.S. presidents and the U.S. Capitol, 1905. All Presidents shown up to and including Theodore Roosevelt (standing second from right). Found in the basement of the North Dakota farmhouse of my grandparents, who came to North Dakota in 1905.
POSTNOTE October 3:
There’s no need to dig deep on this current disaster: Revenge against Democrats (which is people like me) is front and center in the Presidents rage; but paramount is favoring the filthy rich. Best to have “friends” who own the ship of state (whatever that happens to be) rather than help the masses who in the final analysis are always the ones who are the source of the riches in the first place: they do the work and spend their money to buy the goods which generate the profits for the lifestyle of the rich and famous.
Every Sunday I go to Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, and every Sunday we get a newsletter with an assortment of news related to the Parish.
Last Sunday, the Gospel was Luke 16:19-31 “The rich man and Lazarus”. It is not an affirmation of those who pine for the gilded age, particularly those who have fought their way into the temporal heaven (Scrooge McDuck comes to this old man’s memory – cavorting in his money bin….)
Last Sunday Fr. Gillespie had a column on the front page of the newsletter, “Mind the Gap” which was spot on, and I’d like to share it with you: Fr. Gillespie on Lazarus… 9 28 25. You don’t need to be Catholic, or Christian, or believer in any religion to relate to this story, which is even more timeless today than long ago when whoever authored Luke wrote the story.
None of us have any idea what happens with our spiritual essence when we die. There are endless beliefs.
Fact of the matter is that the idiots who are the filthy rich won’t be taking it with them, and likely the ones who win the lottery when their benefactor dies may not be dedicated to continue their commitment.
I haven’t read the book Fr. Gillespie mentions, on the “Have-Yachts”. But, anyway, take a look at his column, and maybe even read it. He is a brilliant writer.
COMMENTS (more below)
from Mary: Thanks for sending this.
from SAK:
Many thanks Mr Bernard,
Of course I am going to read Mind the Gap – having heard that so many times on the London Underground (Subway). In fact in Lego Land once I noticed a miniature train station & the speakers shouted “Mind the Gap” when the train approached.
Fr. Joseph Gillespie is indeed a good writer. I thoroughly enjoyed the article/sermon. It is loving in the sense that he does not attack this or that policy or politician but still makes a point.