To My Very Reclusive Sister

     This is yours so you are free to use it as you please. Save it for the future or spend it on yourself on nothing but your own comfort and pleasure. Do not give it away. I don't want it to be of any benefit to anybody but you. I have been collecting this money for you for a long time. You have a large bank account waiting for you - a considerable sum. I am holding it in your name and will turn it over to you when the time comes. - Anonymous

The Many Mansions

     "In my Father's house are many mansions." - John 14:2  ... "It is very little worth the while for us to pursue after honor in this world, when the greatest honor is but a bubble, and will soon vanish away. And death will level all. Some have more stately houses than others; some are in higher offices than others; and some are richer than others and have higher seats in the meetinghouse than others. But all graves are upon a level. One rotting, putrefying corpse is as ignoble as another. The worms are as bold with one carcass as another. But the mansions in God's house above are everlasting mansions. Those that have seats allotted them there, whether of greater or lesser dignity, whether nearer or further from the throne, will hold them to all eternity. This is promised.

     If it be worth the while to desire and seek high seats in the meetinghouse, where you are one day in a week, and where you shall never come but a few days in all; if it be worth the while to prize one seat before another in the house of worship, only because it is the pew or seat that is reckoned first in number, and to be seen here for a few days; how well it is worth the while to seek a high mansion in God's temple above, and in that glorious palace that is the everlasting habitation of God and all His children. You that are pleased with your seats in this house, because you are seated high; or in a place that is looked upon as honorable by those that sit around about, and because many sit behind you; consider how short a time you will enjoy this pleasure.

     And if there be any that be not seated in their seats, because they are too low for them, let them consider that it is but a very little while before it will be all one to you, whether you have sat high or low here. But it will be of infinite and everlasting concern to you, where your seat is in another world. Let your great concern be while in this world, so to improve your opportunity in God's house in that world, whether you sit high or low, as that you may have a glorious and distinguished mansion in God's house in heaven, where you may be fixed in your place in that eternal assembly in everlasting rest. Let the main thing that you prize in God's house be not the outward ornaments of it, or a high seat in it, but the word of Christ, and God's ordinance in it. And spend your time here in seeking Christ, that He may prepare a place for you in His Father's house; that so, when He comes again to this world, He may take you to Him; that where He is, there you may be also."  -  Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

America First

     "In a new term as president, we will again build the greatest economy in history, quickly returning to full employment, soaring incomes, and record prosperity. ... We will defeat the virus and the pandemic and emerge stronger than ever before. ... At no time before have voters faced a clearer choice between the parties, two visions, two philosophies or two agendas. This election will decide whether we save the American dream or whether we allow a socialist agenda to demolish our cherished destiny ... whether we desire to defend the American way of life or whether we allow a radical movement to completely dismantle and destroy it. America is a country blessed by God and has a special purpose in this world. In the left's backward view, they do not see America as the most free, just, and exceptional nation on Earth. Instead, they see a wicked nation that must be punished for its sins."  -  President Donald Trump

The Fixation Of Belief

      "When an ostrich buries its head in the sand as danger approaches, it very likely takes the happiest course. It hides the danger, and then calmly says there is no danger; and, if it feels perfectly sure there is none, why should it raise its head to see? A man may go through life, systematically keeping out of view all that might cause a change in his opinions, and if he only succeeds — basing his method, as he does, on two fundamental psychological laws — I do not see what can be said against his doing so. It would be an egotistical impertinence to object that his procedure is irrational, for that only amounts to saying that his method of settling belief is not ours. He does not propose to himself to be rational, and, indeed, will often talk with scorn of man’s weak and illusive reason. So let him think as he pleases."  - Charles Peirce, 1877

On November 3, 2020 ...

"I’m deeply concerned. Donald Trump poses an existential threat to our standing in the world and continues to threaten the decades of diplomatic progress we had made. It is easy to forget from the comfort of our homes that for many people, America is a beacon of hope and opportunity. We're known as a country that keeps our promises and upholds justice and democracy, and that didn’t just happen overnight. We’ve spent decades building our nation's reputation on the world stage through careful, strategic diplomacy -- but in just under four years, Trump has done unspeakable damage to those relationships and has insulted even our closest allies. Our only hope for reversing this damage is to elect Democrats nationwide in November, and that requires significant support from people like you. I know that Joe Biden has what it takes to restore our country's standing in the world because I've seen him do it. I’ve been in public service for decades. This moment in our country is among the most troubling I've lived through, but I’m confident that Democratic leaders at every level will make significant progress in undoing the damage done by Trump and his reckless appointees abroad. The situation we find ourselves in demands a complete reckoning with our current political leadership. We must elect Democrats from the top of the ticket to the bottom in November. Thank you." - Madeleine Albright, 64th United States Secretary of State & 20th United States Ambassador To the United Nations

The Presidential Election 2020

    The election of Donald Trump has been an utter disaster for our nation. He is both a symptom and a cause of many of the most pressing issues we’re facing today, and we cannot afford four more years of a president who fans the flames of racism, devastates our economy, and amplifies conspiracy theories over Twitter. We need Joe Biden in the White House and Democrats in control of the House and Senate.

    If we come together in support of a strong Democratic Party, we have a chance to take back the White House, flip the Senate, and expand our Democratic majority in the House. But that’s only possible if we get to work now. It’s the support of Democrats like you and I that will translate directly to training organizers, hiring voter protection directors in vulnerable states, and upgrading our tech and data infrastructure. There’s still so much work to be done, and it’s going to require early commitments from all of us. We have a chance to get America back on track. - Barbara Streisand