Right-Wing Extremists Unite: The Boise Tea Party

The organizers of today's Tea Party estimated over a thousand in attendance, including your humble correspondent, her aunt and her cousin. A pretty sizable mob of right-wing rabble, headed by a bunch of flag-waving bikers, marched from the Boise Depot, down Capitol Boulevard and gathered at Capitol Park to listen to music and speakers. It wasn't as big a crowd as the one that gathered in Washington, D.C., but attendance far outpaced anything liberal protest organizers have ever been able to drum up in Boise since I've lived here. Nevertheless, although there was some press coverage, I didn't see any news crews at Capitol Park.

Unfortunately, the Statehouse is under renovations, and fenced off, so there weren't any really good vantage points to take pictures from; but I did get lots of good shots. The hardest part was to choose from among them.

Some dangerous extremists.

Veterans in the crowd.


Davy Crockett and Benjamin Franklin pose for the cameras.

From across the centuries, Patrick Henry addresses the rally: his famous "Give me liberty or give me death" speech before the Second Virginia Convention, March 23, 1775.

Patriotic pooch.

Protesters sign the Declaration of Independence. See a familiar signature at top left of the signature sheet, big enough for the Messiah to see without corrective lenses?

Here it is again, just in case you can't.


Next installment: dangerous right-wing extremists exercise their First Amendment rights.

Boise Tea Party: Right-Wing Extremists Exercise their First Amendment Rights

Every protest rally has its cranks, and the Boise Tea Party was no different. But, as Zombietime out of the Bay area documents, a liberal rally is almost all cranks. The vast majority of the protest signs at their shindigs are either pre-printed and mass-produced by liberal/anarchist attack groups, or homemade by illiterates, full of obscenities, incoherent phrases and copious spelling errors. By contrast, nearly all the signs I saw at the Tea Party -- most of which were homemade -- were pretty good, and some were quite clever. I saw a couple of rambling and hard-to-read signs (not including those of two counterprotesters that I saw) but no obscenities, and nothing that looked like it was executed by a kindergartner on crack.

Some samples:

This guy must have a pretty high tolerance level if his first time being ashamed of his President wasn't the Clinton era -- making Obama REALLY bad.

Violating the separation of Church and state on public property by citing to the Bible. Incidentally, the rally opened with a prayer in which -- horror of horrors -- Jesus Christ was invoked in a public park!!!

One of many signs calling for term limits:

The "Don't Tread on Me" symbol -- the one the Obama administration thinks is a banner of domestic terrorism -- was everywhere.

Almost all the bikers -- all of whose bikes, incidentally, were all shined up and in excellent condition -- had "Don't Tread on Me" flags.

There were quite a few signs calling for no government funding of abortion. Here was one of the best:


The Obama logo was widely lampooned:

ACORN was also targeted. The sign on the right below: "The Liberty Tree Did Not Grow from an ACORN."

Next to the "ACORNS ARE NUTS" sign: "HONK If I'm Paying Your MORTGAGE!"

The mainstream Obamabot media, weighed down with its many offenses against republicanism (with a small "r") did not escape notice:

Three of my personal favorites:

Liberals -- especially those with power and influence -- are always saying that "speaking truth to power" is an act of virtue, and that dissent is the highest form of patriotism and the greatest act of love for one's country. On this occasion at least, they have a point.

New English Translation of the Roman Missal

I haven't been hearing much about it, but it looks like the advent of the new English translation of the Roman Missal is just around the corner. The link I provided to the revised text about a year ago doesn't work anymore, but the USCCB website has samples of the changes, with handy side-by-side comparisons.

Overall, these changes look to me to be a huge improvement. The texts we have gotten used to are pretty rinky-dink, pedestrian in style, shorn of many Scriptural allusions, and seem calculated to help keep us firmly rooted in our drab earthly existence. The changes will take some getting used to, but I for one look forward to them.

I hope one of these days they also get around to renovating the English translation of the Liturgy of the Hours. That would be a massive undertaking, so I won't be holding my breath; but it really needs to be done.

September 3, 1939: The Conflagration Spreads

The failure of appeasement continues its course. Here is Neville Chamberlain's broadcast announcing Britain and France's declaration of war on Germany on September 3, 1939. This video does not contain the entire broadcast, but the complete text follows.

I am speaking to you from the Cabinet Room at 10, Downing Street. This morning, the British Ambassador in Berlin handed the German Government a final note stating that unless we heard from them by 11 o'clock that they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland, a state of war would exist between us. I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received, and that consequently this country is at war with Germany.

You can imagine what a bitter blow it is to me that all my long struggle to win peace has failed.

Yet I cannot believe that there is anything more or anything different that I could have done and that would have been more successful. Up to the very last, it would have been quite possible to have arranged a peaceful and honorable settlement between Germany and Poland.

But Hitler would not have it. He had evidently made up his mind to attack Poland whatever happened; and although he now says he put forward reasonable proposals which were rejected by the Poles, that is not a true statement. The proposals were never shown to the Poles nor to us; and though they were announced in the German broadcast on Thursday night, Hitler did not wait to hear comments on them, but ordered his troops to cross the Polish frontier next morning.

His action shows convincingly that there is no chance of expecting that this man will ever give up his practice of using force to gain his will. He can only be stopped by force; and we and France are today, in fulfillment of our obligations, going to the aid of Poland, who is so bravely resisting this wicked and unprovoked attack upon her people.

We have a clear conscience. We have done all that any country could do to establish peace, but a situation in which no word given by Germany's ruler could be trusted and no people or country could feel themselves safe had become intolerable. And now that we have resolved to finish it, I know that you will all play your part with calmness and courage.

This is the remaining part of the speech, not heard on this video.

At such a moment as this, the assurances of support that we have received from the Empire are a source of profound encouragement to us.

When I have finished speaking, certain detailed announcements will be made on behalf of the Government. Give them your close attention. The Government have made plans under which it will be possible to carry on the work of the nation in the days of stress and strain that may be ahead. But these plans need your help.

You may be taking part in the Fighting Services or as a Volunteer in one of the branches of Civil Defense. If so, you will report for duty in accordance with the instructions you receive. You may be engaged in work essential to the prosecution of war or to the maintenance of life of the people—in factories, in transport, in public utility concerns or in the supply of other necessaries of life. If so, it is of vital importance that you should carry on with your jobs.

Now may God bless you all and may He defend the right. For it is evil things that we shall be fighting against, brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression and persecution.

And against them I am certain that the right will prevail.

And in the end, the world would be rid of the Nazi menace. But Poland would only exchange one brutal conqueror for another.

September 1, 1939: Outrage against Poland

Seventy years ago today, Nazi Germany invaded Poland. World War II was on.

Here, in three parts, is a 1943 War Department film about the Blitzkrieg in Poland, using captured Nazi footage of the invasion. (H/T Lightning and Ashes)

And the Polish struggle:

July 13, 1917: The Secrets of Fatima

It was 92 years ago today, amid the raging turmoil of the First World War and the Bolshevik revolution, that the Blessed Mother revealed a three-part secret to Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco in the Cova da Iria at Fatima. The secret was a message of hope, but also a warning that -- if it had been heeded -- might have averted the unprecedented horrors of the 20th century.

This was Mary's third appearance to the children. The first time, May 13, 1917, when she promised the children that they would go to heaven, they were alone. The second time, when she foretold that Francisco and Jacinta would go to heaven soon, but Lucia would have to remain on earth for some time (i.e., 88 years!), they were accompanied by a few dozen curious onlookers. This time, five thousand people came to see what there was to see.

When the Lady came, there was something for the crowd to see, and to feel: though they could not see what the children saw, they did see a small cloud came to rest over the holm oak where the Lady had previously appeared, and feel the scorching July heat suddenly cool. Ti Marto, the father of Francisco and Jacinta, could hear what he described as a buzzing like a horse-fly in a bottle.

But the children saw the Lady herself. She asked them to sacrifice themselves for sinners, and taught them a prayer to say whenever they made a sacrifice. Then the first part of the secret:

Our Lady showed us a great sea of fire which seemed to be under the earth. Plunged in this fire were demons and souls in human form, like transparent burning embers, all blackened or burnished bronze, floating about in the conflagration, now raised into the air by the flames that issued from within themselves together with great clouds of smoke, now falling back on every side like sparks in a huge fire, without weight or equilibrium, and amid shrieks and groans of pain and despair, which horrified us and made us tremble with fear. The demons could be distinguished by their terrifying and repulsive likeness to frightful and unknown animals, all black and transparent. This vision lasted but an instant. How can we ever be grateful enough to our kind heavenly Mother, who had already prepared us by promising, in the first Apparition, to take us to heaven. Otherwise, I think we would have died of fear and terror.

Then the second part of the secret:

We then looked up at Our Lady, who said to us so kindly and so sadly:

“You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace. The war is going to end: but if people do not cease offending God, a worse one will break out during the Pontificate of Pius XI. When you see a night illumined by an unknown light, know that this is the great sign given you by God that he is about to punish the world for its crimes, by means of war, famine, and persecutions of the Church and of the Holy Father. To prevent this, I shall come to ask for the consecration of Russia to my Immaculate Heart, and the Communion of reparation on the First Saturdays. If my requests are heeded, Russia will be converted, and there will be peace; if not, she will spread her errors throughout the world, causing wars and persecutions of the Church. The good will be martyred; the Holy Father will have much to suffer; various nations will be annihilated. In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she shall be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world.”

In 1929, Lucia, now Sr. Lucia, experienced another apparition during a nocturnal Holy Hour, in which the Blessed Mother asked for the Holy Father, in union with all the world's bishops, to consecrate Russia to her Immaculate Heart.

As for the third part of the secret, Sr. Lucia committed it to writing under obedience in 1944, and put it in an envelope on which she wrote that the secret should not be revealed before 1960. She later said that the Blessed Mother had not told her to do this; she had done it on her own on account of an intuition that the secret would not make sense until after 1960. The Third Secret, as it came to be known, was finally revealed in 2000, at the beatification of Francisco and Jacinta Marto.

After the two parts which I have already explained, at the left of Our Lady and a little above, we saw an Angel with a flaming sword in his left hand; flashing, it gave out flames that looked as though they would set the world on fire; but they died out in contact with the splendour that Our Lady radiated towards him from her right hand: pointing to the earth with his right hand, the Angel cried out in a loud voice: ‘Penance, Penance, Penance!'. And we saw in an immense light that is God: ‘something similar to how people appear in a mirror when they pass in front of it' a Bishop dressed in White ‘we had the impression that it was the Holy Father'. Other Bishops, Priests, men and women Religious going up a steep mountain, at the top of which there was a big Cross of rough-hewn trunks as of a cork-tree with the bark; before reaching there the Holy Father passed through a big city half in ruins and half trembling with halting step, afflicted with pain and sorrow, he prayed for the souls of the corpses he met on his way; having reached the top of the mountain, on his knees at the foot of the big Cross he was killed by a group of soldiers who fired bullets and arrows at him, and in the same way there died one after another the other Bishops, Priests, men and women Religious, and various lay people of different ranks and positions. Beneath the two arms of the Cross there were two Angels each with a crystal aspersorium in his hand, in which they gathered up the blood of the Martyrs and with it sprinkled the souls that were making their way to God.

Today, two controversies still swirl around the secrets of Fatima: one, based on the idea that the Third Secret has still not been revealed (and that Rome's interpretation of the Secret is therefore bogus); and two, based on the idea that the Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart has still not been done as asked. As to the first controversy, Sr. Lucia herself stated categorically that the secrets have all been revealed, and confirmed the interpretation.

As to the second controversy, it is certain that the collegial consecration took decades to accomplish; but Sr. Lucia stated categorically that the collegial consecration has been accomplished. On October 31, 1942, Pope Pius XII consecrated the whole world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Sr. Lucia, stated that although this act of consecration would result in the war being shortened, it was not what the Blessed Mother had asked for. Ten years later, Pius explicitly consecrated Russia to the Immaculate Heart, but not in union with all the world's bishops. It was not until March 25, 1984* that Pope John Paul II consecrated the whole world to the Immaculate Heart, in union with all the world's bishops. Although the act of consecration did not specifically mention Russia by name -- one of the reasons some take issue with it -- it does entrust those nations and persons most in need of consecration. It also incorporates by reference the consecrations of Pius XII, one of which does mention Russia by name.

It is further alleged that the consecration was not effective because evil still has so much sway in Russia. This of course ignores the fact that the Soviet Union was dead within five years of the consecration. It also ignores the fact that the Blessed Mother never promised that evil would be totally eradicated before the Last Judgment. Most of all, it ignores the fact that the Blessed Mother asked for people to amend their lives and say the Rosary every day in order to avert disaster. Her requests were not heeded in 1917, and disaster was not averted. They must not have been heeded afterward either, since it the collegial consecration took so long to accomplish. Perhaps the long delay is also the reason the results of the consecration, though quite dramatic, were not dramatic enough to impress the skeptics. By 1984, Russia had had many years to spread her errors throughout the world, and there is still much damage to be undone.

But on July 13, 1917, the Blessed Mother reminded us of the remedies for this damage that are within easy reach: prayer and penance. This message is as timely now as it was 92 years ago.

*It occurs to me, as I write this, that this was the very day I received the Sacrament of Confirmation.

July 6th: Anniversary of St. Thomas More's Martyrdom

A reader has reminded me that today is the date St. Thomas More was actually martyred, even though we celebrate his feast on the 22nd of June. I thought I'd observe the anniversary of his martyrdom with pictures .

St. Thomas More's cell in the Tower of London. From these arrow slits, the saint and his daughter witnessed the first of the Carthusian Martyrs being led out to Tyburn Tree to be hanged, drawn and quartered.

How's this for a second-class relic: St. Thomas More's hat.

A saint pays homage to a saint. St. Josemaria Escriva had a great devotion to St. Thomas More. Here he is at St. Dunstan's, Canterbury, before the Roper vault, where Thomas' head was buried in the arms of his daughter Margaret.

June 4, 1944: A Forgotten Anniversary

At any rate, it was certainly forgotten by me the other day. We tend to forget all about the anniversary of the Allies' capture of Rome, because it is overshadowed by D-Day, which took place only two days later.

Lt. General Mark Clark, who led the liberation of Rome, visited Pope Pius XII and apologized for disturbing him with the noise of his tanks. The Holy Father's smiling response: "General, any time you come to liberate Rome, you can make just as much noise as you like!"

June 6, 1944: The Longest Day

Would you ever guess, at first glance, that war's white-hot fury had ever touched this place? But a close look reveals the scars of the battle that took place here sixty-five years ago, where tens of thousands of British and American soldiers and their allies poured out their blood in the largest amphibious assault in all of history -- the assault that breached Fortress Europe and led to the downfall of Hitler and his murderous regime.

This 65th anniversary may be the last big anniversary that will be attended by D-Day veterans -- although there are still one surviving American and three British veterans of World War I, 95 years after that war began. In commemoration of The Longest Day, here are three classics that are becoming D-Day traditions in this space -- none the worse for having been posted before.

Ike's D-Day Address to the Allied Expeditionary Force

Click on the picture for a link to an image of the original document, in which -- like FDR in his address to the nation above -- Ike shamefully tears down the "wall" between church and state.

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!

You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the german war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of hte world are marching together to Victory!

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!

Good luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Happy Belated Earth Day!

Damn, I forgot all about Earth Day, the present-day incarnation of the birthday of Lenin, who, in this 1895 mugshot, looks every inch the punk kid brother of Satan.

I'll have to burn some extra light bulbs and run my internal combustion engine a little longer than usual today as a belated celebration. But I wish I could do more to expand my carbon footprint to truly Al Gore-esque proportions. I'd like to be a business tycoon, so I could build some oil refineries, or maybe even a nuclear power plant. I'd like to own all the Sonic franchises, so I could distribute thousands and thousands of drinks every hour in styrofoam cups. I'd like to be married, so I could have a big bunch of kids and contribute to overpopulation.

For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens (He is God!), Who formed the earth and made it (He established it; He did not create it a chaos, He formed it to be inhabited!): "I am the LORD, and there is no other. I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, 'Seek me in chaos.' I the LORD speak the truth, I declare what is right.

Isaiah 45:18-19

The Cowboy of God Turns 82

Lincoln's Birthday

Also the birthday of my grandmother, Lisa Botti, who died 32 years ago tomorrow. R.I.P.

December 8, 1941: America Declares War on Japan

Herewith the Day of Infamy Speech, delivered 67 years ago today. Despite all the ruinous policies and practices that FDR has to answer for, even an unreconstructed conservative like myself has to admit he could deliver a stirring speech -- and this one is a fine specimen of the kind of powerful, straightforward rhetoric that is practically extinct in our present mealy-mouthed age.

Yesterday, December 7, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that Nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to the Secretary of State of form reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government had deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our Nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces -- with the unbounded determination of our people -- we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

Remember Pearl Harbor!