Say That Again III? ( An Occasional Series)

Of course it is difficult to select one particular comment out of the mouth of the current occupant of the Whitehouse. I mean…..Where does one start? It bears repeating if he was to say the Earth was round, I would at least do the various Flat Earth proponents the common courtesy of reading their arguments.

Anyway this week…..
My wife and myself like many millions of fellow Catholics were shaken (though not surprised) by the sudden death of Pope Francis. The passing of such a figure of renown would naturally bring world leaders to the funeral, a quite sparse one by papal standards.
Of course Trump will be there and no doubt unhappy that he has to sit behind, firstly catholic royalty and then other royalty. (Sorry kiddo…them’s the breaks)
Even on this solemn occasion (bear in mind even a representative of the Iranian government sent its sympathies) Trump of course demonstrated a lack of style, class and of course taste.   Quote:
“Melania and I will be going to the funeral of Pope Francis, in Rome. We look forward to being there,
We look forward to being there…..??????????????
I repeat: We look forward to being there,
The fellow is looking forward to attending a funeral??? A funeral a solemn occasion in which someone who is dead is as the term goes ‘laid to rest’. Yes we know there are some folk who have made it known they do not want sorrow at their funeral, and there are some cultures who do have an element of celebration. Fine. But a for someone who represents a nation on this very solemn world stage event to say he is looking forward to it?????

I did hear the comment a few days ago, but held off to make sure it was not just some items misquoted or misheard and denied…..but having check this morning….Nope!…There it is. He posted up those very words. Vanity Fair that journal of fashion, latest trends and taste picked up on this and revealed in addition to other displays of crassness he never lets a little thing like the solemnity of a funeral get in the way of his mouth and moods,
https://www.vanityfair.com/style/story/donald-trump-trots-out-his-worst-manners-for-funerals-what-can-we-expect-at-the-popes?srsltid=AfmBOorQS3z4Gxu1rEmCKgNsPDnJxxugUw9QwbJuBbqOpk9TacUiyDqI.

Giving him the due that he got the city right, I was wondering just what was behind the phrase ‘looking forward’. Was it his signature sheer inane stupidity? Or was he looking forward to another photo op, another ‘hit’ of publicity, not quite aware in that ego filled brain it is not about him?  Or maybe he is looking forward to a tourist junket where he and Melania can buy lotsa swell souvenirs?
Who knows? One thing though….Trump’s antics are not funny. They are the displays of a person born of white privilege who learnt at an early stage in this position he does not have to account for his actions or learn humility much less dignity and maturity. Please, do not laugh at Trump, he does not deserve that level of civility. Even mocking laughter suggests you can see something positive in the object of the laughter.

In conclusion, yes I was a bit slow off of the mark in writing this post. I even thought ‘Why bother. It will be covered by others’. There again, should we remain silent in the wake of such a monstrous action as one large nation actually voting this creature of appetites, ego and vindictiveness back into the Whitehouse. Is it not our duty, each of us to voice their disapproval of his actions, whenever, wherever we can?

Maybe, just maybe one of his followers might read this. They might simply trot one a one word insult, since they are generally short on eloquence. They might even reply (normally that’s a tirade not a case for).
If you happen to be one of those. Message:
Sorry folks, some of us here have read our histories. We know how the script goes when a character like Trump gets into the driving seat. It’s all happened before. The second word in ‘Storm’, and a lot of you poor folk are going to receive it right in the face. And the ones who did not vote. You’ll suffer to.
Sad to say…There is something very, very unpleasant in the United States of America.

Holy Saturday Message For Those Troubled, Oppressed and Suffering

Introduction: In many parts of the Christian Faith Holy Saturday is remembered or celebrated as the day that Christ descends into Hell to rescue those souls held captive there since ‘the beginning of the World’ and in my own interpretation to say to Satan ‘They are not all yours. No matter what you do, there will always be My Father’s Mercy and Love’.
The day marks Jesus’ triumph by His Sacrifice on the Cross.
For further information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Saturday.

Foreword:
Even the most phlegmatic, the most relativistic, the most casual, the most un-theological, the most occasional reader of The Bible, Christian can ‘get the message’ and feel the need to testify. ‘Holy Saturday’- now here’s a day when it is likely to happen.

Without Fear and Complete Trust in God, The Father; God The Son and God The Holy Spirit I affirm.

To those of the LGBT+ community who are vilified and slurred
We, The Christians of True Messages of The Gospels are with You

To those of different races who are discriminated against because of the colour of their skin or culture
We, The Christians of True Messages of The Gospels are with You

To those who have journeyed to new lands and now face persecution, expulsion or imprisonment.
We, The Christians of True Messages of The Gospels are with You

To those whose gender is not Male and are mocked and told they are lesser folk
We, The Christians of True Messages of The Gospels are with You

To those who because of the inequalities of Societies suffer poverty and maybe without homes
We, The Christians of True Messages of The Gospels are with You

To those who risk their own well being, even lives in the pursuit of Compassion, Respect and Intolerance.
We, The Christians of True Messages of The Gospels are with You

To those women who live under the threat or burden of unexpected pregnancies and suffer myriad fears and doubts of their own and those imposed upon them.
We, The Christians of True Messages of The Gospels are with You

To those who seek paths to God along different paths to our own while embracing Compassion, Respect and Tolerance.
We, The Christians of True Messages of The Gospels are with You

To those who live in fear and doubt of The Present and The Future and feel their Hope slipping away.
We, The Christians of True Messages of The Gospels are with You

To those who have no faith in a Supreme Being but believe and work for in Compassion, Respect and Tolerance and do not mock or revile others for their beliefs.
We, The Christians of True Messages of The Gospels are with You

To those vulnerable and who in these days are suffering violence, abuse and cruelty in all their many forms
We, The Christians of True Messages of The Gospels are with You

We, The Christians of True Messages of The Gospels, acknowledging our own flaws, weaknesses, sometimes waywardness and yes sins, We are with You. Our efforts at times may seem insufficient and there will be times when we fall short. But in our hearts We Are Always With You.
(If you do feel I have left a group or community important to you. My apologies)

I hope these messages will be of some measure of comfort. I now must away to a far harder task. To pray for the souls of those who have fallen into the snares of those groups who use Biblical Teachings and images of Our Lord Jesus Christ to promote their agendas of Intolerance, Cruelty, Suffering, Impoverishment, Prejudice, Ignorance and Greed.
For Our Lord Jesus Christ even in His agony on the Cross said (in the English Translation)
‘Father Forgive Them. They Know Not What They Do,’     

Take care and my best wishes to you all.

Roger (UK)

Say That Again II? (Once a just post now a ‘Whenever It Happens’ Series)

I understand that one of the many initiatives the current US administration is considering is a home-made iPhone industry.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/09/trump-apple-iphones-made-in-usa 
Which Apple reckon is a non-starter. 

Undeterred by these nay-sayers who are only a…what a company that made a mere $93.74 billion in 2024-25 and …..

“The biggest issue with Uncle Sam’s iPhone is that the U.S. doesn’t have the same workforce as China – though the massive number of workers needed to build iPhones is one of the attractions for the Trump administration.” ****Quote from CNBC website Published Fri, Apr 11 20258:00 AM EDT

The current Whitehouse administration represented by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick boldly and confidently said on CBS no less…..

“The army of millions and millions of human beings screwing in little screws to make iPhones, that kind of thing is going to come to America,” 

Aside from the fact that it doesn’t sound like a high-wage job, his statement seems to indicate this particular piece of strategy relies on lots of Americans screwing around.

Just sayin’…. That’s all. I’m only a Brit.

For reference purposes….First of the series:
Say That Again?

PS: I don’t know what this looks like to you, but on my ‘view’ of the post, after ‘Com.Sec’ s words there is an advert for Optimism Tips for what seems to be times of adversity…You gotta love the Irony.

Hands Off ! 5th April 2025 – A Message From Across ‘The Pond’

To all those taking part or supporting these protests tomorrow the 5th of April 2025.

Best wishes to you all. You True Patriots of America.

 

Make me proud of America again.