A Bit of This And a Bit of That

 

Do you get emotional at funerals? I do, despite officiating at hundreds or even thousands of them over the years. That said, you're no use to the grieving party if you're some kind of weepy emotional wreck, you have to be strong for them. And so it was this morning as we buried a friend and Christian brother at Mission #2. He died too young, at 61. Rest in peace and rise in glory.

That in mind, take note, all you pastors, you're no use if you're a teary-eyed nightmare. Sure, empathy and emotion are very fine things and we applaud your sensitivity. Well done, you have a heart. But what possible use in, say, the hospital room are you if the people you're there to console have to console you? None whatsoever. You're there to be a rock instead of a soggy mess of tofu and soy.

Judging by the current crop of hospital chaplains this isn't taught in seminary. Admonishment aside, the funeral went well and I drove to Dallas to check on Ma LSP, who's recovering well and should be home tomorrow.

not utterly corrupt, not for a second

In other news, Democrat mayors are all upset that Texas is sending them busloads of migrants, New York City's received some 57,000 over the last year and Eric Adams doesn't like it, at all. This "behavior (is) morally bankrupt and devoid of any concern for the well-being of asylum seekers," fulminated NYC's Eric Adams. NYC's mayor went on to accuse Abbott of racism because targeting "black run cities."

Uh huh. All the world thought your city was a sanctuary city for immigrants, Eric, so shouldn't you be welcoming them with open arms? Or are you so morally bankrupt as to be an utter, total, racist hypocrite. Ah, but what happens when Latinos move into areas like South Dallas? The blacks are driven out, notoriously.

so completely not corrupt

The Democrats, when you think on it for a second, have executed cruel calculus. Viz. We'll replace the failing, useless, unproductive, criminal black demographic, who we're aborting and gaoling, with immigrants from across the Rio Grande, all in the name of tolerance and, well, votes. Bad news for Eric Adams, Lightfoot and associates, your hold on power and money is about to be reset, by people who speak Spanish.

Bold LBJ call, DNC, immigrate your way to everlasting power. But here's the thing, do Spanish speaking people automatically vote Rainbow Communist? I leave you with Chile.

how very Latinx

Cheers,

LSP

Where is the Kaiser's Army? Oh, it's in Chile

 

Where is it, that goose stepping machine of Edwardian military precision. In Germany? No, please don't laugh and cough into your drink. England? Don't be silly, the UK doesn't even have an army, despite its bellicose posturing. No, the Kaiser's Army is alive and well in Chile, that'd be South America, check it out:

Zu Befehl,

LSP

PS. why are any of these people wearing medals? Have they fought in some war we're unaware of? Ah, the Great War of life itself. Waged against the Weather? And transphobia?

Tales of Brave Uysses

 

Such is our path. And for me that meant Mr. JM sending his crew around the vicarage today and yesterday. No kidding, those Mexicans worked day and night to make the Compound presentable. Thanks, guys. So here we go, JWTS (Jungle Warfare Training School) cleared and room to breathe, don't even think of fast talking outta this one.

JM, landowner: "So what's happening here, fella?"

LSP, "We're standing strong for the Red Wave and, in the meanwhile, I gotta learn Spanish."

JM, "You're pretty savvy."

And there you have it. Immediate objective's to learn Spanish, then we'll go from there. By the way, Democrats, have you stopped to consider Spanish speaking people don't necessarily vote commie?

Your Old Pal,

LSP

A Bit of This And a Bit of That

Everyone knows the Germans gave up their signature spiked helmets years ago but the tradition lives on, in South America. So if you're in the mood to see the infamous pickelhaube (point cap) in action, head over to Colombia or Chile.

Likewise, you're probably wondering about Imperial Roman standards, their Signa and famous Eagles. None of these have survived fully intact, though a gilded eagle (aquila) has been found in Romania. 

Remarkably, a cloth standard (vexillum) has come down to us. This square flag was discovered in Egypt and dates from the third century AD. It features the Goddess Victory but lacks unit designation. 

Vexillum experts tell us the flag would have represented a cavalry or auxiliary force or possibly the subdivision of a Legion, and was a significant if lesser emblem than the illustrious Signum or Aquila.

Speaking of which, it's said that the imperial standards lost at the disastrous battle of Adrianople (378 AD) were recovered by general Belisarius in his war against the Vandals. They were then paraded before Emperor Justinian in 534 AD at Constantinople's Hippodrome during the last Roman Triumph. So too were the treasures of the Jerusalem temple, looted by Titus and Vespasian and brought to Rome, only to be looted again by the Vandal King Gaiseric in the mid fifth century.

As Gaiseric's defeated son Gelimer was led in shame around the Hippodrome under the gaze of thousands of cheering Romans, he quoted scripture, "Vanity, vanity, all is vanity." But Gelimer wasn't strangled per the custom of old Rome, instead the vanquished Vandal was awarded estates in Galatia. He died in 553 AD.

I find this interesting unlike, say, the bogus impeachment spectacle taking place in the Senate.

Cheers,

LSP