Tomorrow, Tuesday April 22, is Earth Day: here’s what I wrote last week. Yesterday was Easter Sunday, thoughts about community.  Finally, some thoughts on immigrants on Good Friday.

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Pope Francis died overnight.  I’d like to briefly share some tiny bits and pieces from my perspective, the first from a post I wrote on March 31, 2013,  about two weeks after his election as Pontiff.  You can read that post here.

It is no secret: I was and I am a fan of this Pope.  He walked the talk, a positive example for us.

Regarding what’s ahead, for anyone interested, I’d recommend looking up the recent film “Conclave” which gives a peak behind the curtain of the process for selecting the next Pope.  It is worth your time to at least learn a little about the College of Cardinals who will be the electors.  It is said that roughly 1 1/2 billions are Catholic world-wide, perhaps one-sixth of the worlds population.  Just considering the number, it is obvious that it a population of great diversity in all ways.  The Pope is more the image of the Church, than commander.  It is an important position.

Last night, hours before I heard Pope Francis had died, I’d leafed through Francis’ autobiography which I purchased a short while ago, but have not yet read.  The cover is pictured below, copyright 2025.  It comes highly recommended.  It will be my post-Easter project.

We were at Easter Sunday Mass at Basilica yesterday. and there was no inkling that the Pope was near death.  Later in the afternoon I happened across the last in a series about Christianity and Constantine and the Catholic Church.  I wasn’t looking for it – I don’t remember for certain whether PBS or History or other channel.  But it drew me in and was informative.

In the evening news, was a still alive Pope giving a brief message to the throngs at the Vatican, and taking a last ride in the Popemobile through the crowd – something I’ve witnessed personally, one time, in 1998 with Pope John Paul II.  It was very impressive.  I think we’re seven time zones west of Rome.

This morning, before leaving home, came a photo from my brother, taken yesterday at the Cathedral in Salt Lake City.

Salt Lake City Cathedral Apr 20 2025

This is a big world and there are lots of opinions.  I think this particular Pope made a big difference by his personal example.

COMMENTS

from Jeff:  I guess i find a photo of a full  Roman Catholic cathedral in Salt Lake City kind of funny…  having lived out west for a few years and the understanding that SLC is base camp central for the LDS…one wouldnt guess that many Catholics live there…but my guess is lots of Hispanics?

response from Dick: my brother has lived in SLC for over 50 years so the place called Utah is not unknown to me.  When he sent family members this photo last night, I had to use it.  Definitely, the census numbers belong to the LDS in Utah, nonetheless it seems that the Diocese of Salt Lake City, which comprises the entire state of Utah, counts about 10% of Utah’s population as Catholic.  I have been to this Cathedral and it is close to the downtown area, and a welcoming place.

from Carol: My cousin who lives in Central Europe sent this  Crol’s Cousin April 2025] out today to I think around 70 people.  Mike teaches American history and political science at a university.  Back in Bush’s run-up to invading Iraq, Mike sent out an alarmed e-mail that really impacted me.  I think he was very reluctant to do that again – but said that some things I had forwarded him  pushed him into doing so.

from Georgine: in below comments, Georgine attached a letter from Pope Francis to American Bishops 10 Feb 2025 relating to the migrant question.  It is a powerful letter, three pages.

three comments came about the same time today from people who don’t know each other: Carol:  I’m not Catholic, of course.   But Pope Francis was the most decent, genuine, humble and impactful Pope of my lifetime.  I love it that he hung on until after Easter.  Almost like he had some final business to take care of.  Flo: Thanks for sharing your views on Pope Francis. He had many positive beliefs, but I am still saddened by the Catholic Church’s view of women. Carter and I joined the United Methodist Church when we moved to Park Rapids in 1974.  Three years ago Carter decided to live his faith at Skunk Lake. I like it there too, but continue to attend services at Riverside UMC, walking there from home when the weather is good or otherwise getting rides to and from church by Carter or friends.   Peggy and Dale: out of the blue a comment from one of them, they attend what would be considered a ‘lefty’ Catholic Church, and were noting that their kids were raised Catholic but unchurched and that the hometown pastor where she grew up in very conservative in point of view.

The takeaway from myself, a lifelong Catholic: nothing that was said was unusual to me.  The church, regardless of what one thinks of it, is huge, and what is even more important is a creature of endless diversity which commenters try to interpret to others.  For myself, who often is ‘in the pew’ I see the diversity every time I’m in my church, which is very large.  For me, Francis gift to everyone was his ability to set a positive tone for all of us, regardless of where we are at on our own personal journey..

from Ellen:  He is a vibrant part of our human tapestry. I have gained a much clearer warmer understanding of our soul and everyone’s essence since Gary died. He and Mom were quintessentially Catholics. Gary called himself a Recovering Catholic. I am completely fascinated by the number of Catholics that I come accross. I have found my sense of belonging in Al-Anon, the 12 Steps and near death experiences. Quantum physics is also part of my tapestry. And of course the base beliefs of Catholisim.

He was a fine human being.

All best wishes to everyone on this Easter weekend.

250 years ago was a momentous moment is the history of the United States.  On the 250th anniversary, at the Old North Church in Boston, Heather Cox Richardson talked about the events leading later to the United States of America.  I am a subscriber to her commentary (I highly recommend subscribing) and I share here what she had to say on April 18, 2025.

Below is a snapshot I took of Old North Church in June, 1972.

Old North Church Boston, June 1972 (Dick Bernard)

The google map link of the church and area (which includes a panoramic overhead view centered on Old North Church, is here (caution and suggestions: go to this link last as you may be unable to go back to the post; also, to have the panoramic tour of the area, hover your cursor over the red marker showing Old North Church),

Personal Privilege: my father’s ancestry was 100% French-Canadian which means I’m 50%.  His last French ancestor to arrive in Quebec was Francois Collet, who arrived in Quebec in 1757 (St. Vallier), and as a 16 year old was likely attached to the French military.  The military connection was short.  In 1759, the British defeated the French at Plains of Abraham, Quebec City, thus beginning the English regime in Canada.  Only 18 years later came the events in Boston which led to the United States of America.

At the time I visited Boston in 1972 I really had no idea of my own French ancestry, or how inter-connected were the events in Quebec and in New England.  and didn’t actually visit my ancestral home country of Quebec until a 1982 visit there with my Dad and four others.  (My first French ancestor in Canada was Jean Nicolet, who arrived in 1618, 157 years before 1775.)

POSTNOTE: There is plenty more to write about, concerning current events and their implications.  These can wait till after Easter.    If you want an early start, I did posts on April 15 (Taxes) and 18 (Watch).  There are several more in the works in the next few weeks, and probably others not yet in mind.  A reflection piece is planned for Easter Sunday.

COMMENTS (more at end)

from Fred: I read it earlier and also endorse it. She did a terrific job.  We all know the story but she reconstructed so well. Actually, it brought tears to my eyes.

Today is tax day,   Ours is not yet filed – an extension because one piece of paper remains to be received.  There is no worry.  We file our taxes with no complaint.  We are ordinary people.  We feel taxes are the reasonable dues for a livable society.

I think my attitude is representative of the vast majority of my fellow citizens.  Taxes are shared responsibility for community debts for things we need, individually and collectively.  The closest-to-home taxes we pay are homeowners association dues.  They are not called “taxes” but in a real sense they are – for mowing grass in the summer, and shoveling show in the winter and repairing roofs and common elements after a storm; and taking care of garbage….  There are 24 buildings, 96 dwelling units in our association.  There is an Association Board.  As you know, even in smaller units, disagreements happen, and rules are necessary.  In short, Association, too, are conversations about ‘government’ and ‘taxes’, with neither word really ever uttered.

We want police and fire protection, and good streets, and parks.  And good schools for our children and those of our neighbors and relatives and friends.  And we live in a still United States (the concept is constantly at risk), where most of us have relatives and friends who live in many different states in all parts of the country.

Everyone of us could make a long list of why we choose to share responsibilities for many things.  And which things we pay for that we personally don’t use, but are important to someone else.

We are an immense world, with near 200 countries and billions of people, of which the U.S. is a relatively small part with an immensely disproportionate share of the worlds wealth.  I’ve previously shared a table illustrating this, which is several years old but basically still current I believe: Wealth of UN Countries.  I knew the creator of this table, and he was extraordinarily careful in use of data.  When he did his chart we had less than 5% of the world’s population and controlled near one-fourth of the world’s wealth.  What’s more is the huge disparity between the low and high wealth persons in the United States.

The real visible public debate seems to be about the issue most distant (seemingly) from our day to day life: The Federal Level, as in Income Taxes.  The Internal Revenue Service.  On an on.  Easy to throw stones at.

This issue has come out of the shadows: DOGE, chain saw, eliminating non-productive people, slash and burn….  You’ve heard of all of these.  If you can’t get rid of taxes, make it more difficult to enforce the rules – cut staff, etc.

In my opinion, briefly, the real issue in the U.S. now is whether the already wealthy will continue to have huge tax breaks, and if so, how to pay for them.

In December, 2017, the end of the first year of #45’s administration, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was passed by Republican House and Senate and signed into law by the President.  It is very complex – even the Wikipedia version runs to 45 printed pages.  But probably worth a scroll through.

From Wiki, here are the generalized tax tables carrying pre and post 2018 tables.:

Now, as any tax filer knows, the chart is just the framework.  The crucial parts of the 2017 Act were that corporate tax cuts were ‘permanent’, while the lower rates for the wealthy were set to expire in 2025.  In addition, every taxpayer got a ‘bonus’ check of $1,000 in 2018, the check signed by the President.  Supposedly this was ‘free money’.  Of course, nothing is free.  I remember complaints that the tax breaks for the corporations weren’t used to improve products or working conditions or more employment, rather they tended to be folded into other uses to make money for the corporation such as stock buybacks and the like.  The wealthy liked the lower taxes for the highest income, and don’t want to lose that largesse when the 2018 rates. expire in a few months.  In my opinion, that is the entire battle.

The results of #45’s term was a massive increase in the national debt.  Taking the chainsaw to things like medicaid for the disadvantaged doesn’t yield enough to make a difference, and brings out the protestors. Nobody knows how the sausage making will end up this year.  The Republicans again have the advantage, but it is closer this time.

I decided to look up the National Debt.  Investopedia has an interesting year by year data which seems credible.  Of course, the debt is huge – $36 Trillion which comes out to about $100,000 a person.  But then I looked up personal debt in the United States and that was about $18 Trillion.  My cynical view is that debt is essential to a very large sector of our population – mortgages, new car notes,  access to credit,etc., etc., etc.  Debt has fueled prosperity, in a sense.  But it has to be monitored carefully, both personally and politically.

Here’s a couple of more links I found which you may find of interest: How the $1,000 bonus in 2018 affected American Workers, from Los Angeles Times Feb. 9, 2018 ; and U.S. Personal Debt

COMMENTS:

from Jeff:  I think the Repubs have no choice but to pass the extension….so expect it.  The real battle is in the cuts…personally I suspect that Medicaid will be cut, but at less than the House wants…because there seem to be about 3 to 4 Republicans who are not happy about the steep cuts. (they realize they will hit Republican voters in Red states and rural areas, and they will, probably be the most impacted)  That means that the hole in the deficits and the national debt will continue.

POSTNOTE April 12, 2025:  This afternoon I went to a community meeting including my state representative and state senator.  There were about 75 of us in attendance.  The purpose of the open meeting was to update us on the Minnesota Legislature now in session.

The meeting was remarkable in its civility.  The two legislators did an outstanding job.  There is no doubt that the state budget will be extremely adversely impacted and that “the cloud of federal stuff” causes daily uncertainty.  The obvious chaos at the federal level bedevils every level of government outside of Washington DC.  We in the audience were listening respectfully.

I got to thinking back to a blog I published right before the inauguration of the 47th President: “A House Divided” (Jan 18, 2025), which included these words: “Two days from now will be the inauguration of the U.S. President.  It feels, today, much like being in the eye of a hurricane.  All seems calm.  But no one knows for sure exactly when the chaos of the hurricane will resume and who it will damage worst or how.  The prudent persons have prepared for the worst, but if they’re unlucky the preparation will be in vain.  The hurricane is all of us.  We will determine it’s strength or weakness.  We’re all in the path of the storm.  I will not predict what the incoming President will say, though the temptation is strong.”

Added January 25: “…a tsunami, intended to demoralize and defeat – call it “shock and awe”.  Thus far, it has been worse than expectations.  This is a madman with a wrecking ball and the building permit to destroy.  On Jan 31: “a blitzkrieg, intended chaos” was added.

I review these words now 82 days into the 100 days,  and I was being very restrained.

In times of chaos, the temptation is to crawl into some hiding place and pretend the consequences can be avoided if you just don’t see them head-on.  My suggestion to myself, and to you if you wish: keep your mind and your heart fixed on the positive that you can be as an antidote.  It won’t make the task any easier, but you’ll be part of the solution.  The U.S. is you and I, after all.

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If you can still access it, watch Cory Booker on Stephen Colbert last week.

Bruce Peterson authored an excellent column on the protest in St. Paul on April 5: Star Tribune Bruce peterson Apr 2025

Join Indivisible.  Minnesotans, I think the two main organizers of Indivisible are graduates of Carleton College.

Added April 10:  Add this to your required reading list.  In addition, pay special attention to Patsy’s comment in the comments section of this post.

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My intention was to attend the demonstration at the state capitol last Saturday.  It almost happened.  What I wrote afterward: I drove over to the State Capitol area in St. Paul late Saturday morning.  The crowd was incredible and orderly with lots of signs.  Parking was an impossibility.  I managed to drive around the Capitol area before I headed home.  I would suspect the same report comes from other places as well.  The “proof of the pudding” will be the long term.  A large percentage of people engaged is less necessary than sustained effort – doing something every day wherever one lives.

I took a single photograph from my car, below

Bruce Peterson, who was there, writes perceptively on the event and the issue and public participation.  Do take the time to read his thoughts.  I know Bruce, and he is a reflective thinker and long experience as a Judge.  At the end of his column is a short bio about him.

I spent most of my work and retired life as an “organizer.”  To be an organizer is very simple: you just want to get people to show up, as those five people in the cross-walk were doing last Saturday.  Showing up they became part of a movement to make a difference.

But as any organizer knows, whether amateur or professional, this action, certainly essential, is only the beginning.  To act without followthrough diminishes the possibility of results.  It depends not only on what those five people above did by showing up at the gathering (and likely the nurturing of new relationships), but what they do afterwards back home, day after day for the long term.

The essence of organizing – I think all organizers would agree with this – is relationships.  I once heard relationships described as the greatest -“referent” – power, really the most relevant and perhaps most elusive power, eclipsing the common ones, as Money, Position, and the like.  In the end, people working and working together make all the difference.  Years back I did a little graphic about this.

When I couldn’t find a place to park on Saturday I decided to go home and find the local Tesla dealership.  I did.  Nothing going on there, and I did nothing.  Which accomplished nothing either.

Monday, I went back to the same place, same results, but this time I took a picture of the same scene I’d seen two days earlier.  I share the picture with you to at least demonstrate that sharing the experience is the greater part of the value of showing up….

Yes, I have lots of opinions about the immense number of issues we face, all of them.  But that’s for another time.  Time to get to work on your issue at your place and in your way.

Back to you, wherever you are, whatever your opinion.

Tesla Woodbury April 7. 9800 Hudson Road

COMMENTS (more at end):

from Lindsay:  I wanted to share some photos of the demonstrations that have taken place in Denver thus far. I have participated in all three and will continue to do so. I have a myriad of reasons for my personal upset. Not only has this administration been the antithesis of a great deal of what matters most to me on a personal level, my work in non-profit (supporting survivors, victims of violent crime, and their families) was briefly on the chopping block…and the outlook for the important work that we do continues to be a grim one.

Colorado demo, one of photos from Lindsay

The others are here: Lindsay, Denver Spring 2025(first photo includes Bernie Sanders)

from SAK:

Of course there will be protests after the fiasco that was caused by Trump’s favourite word, tariffs.

In the UK Liz Truss was the UK prime minister (PM) the reason she was the shortest serving PM was that the markets thought her economic policy was disastrous, the bond yield shot up & she was shown the exit. The bond yield in the US also went up significantly meaning the US would have to pay a lot more to finance its huge debt – & issue more debt. This was what made Trump reverse course.

According to Scott Galloway, the tariff fiasco was the definition of stupid.

Previous treasury Secretary & Berkeley economics prof, Yelen said:

Trump’s economic policies are ‘worst self-inflicted wound’ by any administration on an otherwise well-functioning economy.

In the picture you posted of a demonstration [see above] I noticed the placard:

That is fine but the foxy James Carville who coined the famous campaign slogan ‘It’s the economy stupid’, is still around & clever as ever. I read a short article by him, 25 February,  advising Democrats to basically sit still, giving Trump & co enough rope to hang themselves & then pounce when the time is ripe. I quote:

“roll over and play dead. Allow the Republicans to crumble beneath their own weight and make the American people miss us”

&

“when they’ve pushed themselves to the brink and it appears they could collapse the global economy, come in and save the day. Be the competent party and not the chaos party”

So yes to people in the street demonstrating but there will come a time for Democrats & others in Congress to pounce, “ripeness is all” – as Edgar says in Shakespeare’s King Lear.

from Dick: Tim Snyder offers a brief and powerful video about leveraging anti-semitism.  Here is his “Thinking About…,”It’s 7 1/2 minutes.