Pamino, maybe I'm mistaken because I believe that the American Revolution was immoral. But in this blog entry, Prof. Edward Feser quotes popes who seem to agree with me when they condemn sedition. In the U.S., I belong to a tiny minority because I'm a monarchist and a throne and altar conservative who refuses to join any political party, For me, it's even hard to believe that the U.S. is the greatest country in the world when I remember thar in America, abortion is legal nationwide throughout pregnancy and that same-sex so-called marriage is legal, too.

I support President Trump. wnile I agree with Fr. Chad Ripperger when he says tha the country's moral and spiritual health is more important than the economy, Many Americans insist this country doesn't separate the Church from the state and that the Constitution's Establishment Clause protects religion from the State. Even if they're right, the Constitution is still religiously indofferent because it forbids Congress to adopt a State religion. So much for the social Kingshio of Christ in the USA, eh?

https://edwardfeser.blogspo...

Pamino, I'm wondering how you coined your screen name, because it reminds me of Pamina and Tamino, two characters from Mozart's opera Die Zauberflote, The Magic Flute.

Bingo, Guilelmo Yenyanyevitch (for form of имя see autograph of Così, but after some considerable thought I decided that in view of the q-Celtic Mc your family name should be treated as an отчество, the surname being in any case a later development, as the word itself suggests).
As for the rest, I must report that a woman once signed herself as tamina under writing addressed to me as pamino. That may perhaps have some bearing on the question.

You'll forgive me, I hope, when I don't understand Russian if that's the non-English language I'm seeing on the screen. Sadly, although I'm eager to devour each novel by Dostoyevsky, for me, they're hard to understand in English, the only language I understand.

Years ago, I dreamed of being a professional opera singer who would portray Sarastro in Sie Zauberflote. But my baritone voice would still be too high for that role, even if I could sing like Justino Diaz. In about 1982, Domingo, Scotto, and Diaz starred in a movie version of Verdi's Otello where a recording engineer deepened Diaz's voice probably to make that singer's Iago sound more evil during the "cruel god" aria. I woul rather have heard that singer's natural voice. But the doctored one fits the character.

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

1. Ah, that’s a new one on me; I strongly disapprove of such knavish tricks by recording engineers. But in any case, Father-Da-Ponte-and-Sir-Wolfgang-Mozart’s Italian operas are the only major ones in that genre that I’m attracted to. I hate Wagner and his disciples, but forced myself to listen to the aria; thank you.
2. Russian is a language my knowledge of which is quite rudimentary, to say the least, but your comment led me to look at your name, there right before my eyes, and bring to my consciousness something lurking behind my scenes (σκήνη ‘tent’, in which the actors changed their πρόσωπα ‘forefaces’, i. e. masks). A Russian has three names: a first name, имя; a patronymic, отчество (from отец ‘father’); and a family or surname, фамилия. This last is a comparatively recent invention, as the word ‹surname› (French surnom ‘extra name, nickname’) implies, and in fact the polite way to address someone in Russian is to use the first name plus patronymic, e. g. to address someone called Иван Иванович Иванов ‘John Johnson Johns’ – such names do exist – not as ‘Mr. Johns’ but as ‘John Johnson’, the familiar[!] form being of course ‘John’. Your surname is in fact not a ‘real’ surname but a former patronymic. the ‹M[а]c› meaning ‘son of’ (here of Enaney), so I have used it as your patronymic in the form Yenyanyevich. Why the ‹y›s ? Because our sound [ε] is not native to Russian, which represents it in borrowed words with a borrowed letter, ‹э›. My ‹Yenyanyevich›, which I think is what the Russians would say, would appear in Cyrillic letters (I think) as Еняневичь. So, с покойной ночи, Оуильям Еняневичь ‘towards a peaceful night, William Enaneyson’.
P. S. I can comment on my ‘Fr. Da Ponte’ and ‘Sir Wolfgang Mozart’ if necessary, but ‘enough's as good as a feast’ as my mother, God rest her soul. used to say, having no doubt learnt the expression from her Irish mother, courtesy of whom I am an EU as well as an AUS national.

Pamino, I didn't need you to make yourself to listen to Diaz's Iago. So thank you for that favor.

Like you, I wish the recording engineer hadn't tampered with the singer's voice. In fact, my friend Paul, a former opera singer, tells me that Diaz lipsynced that aria, so he could walk farther or longer than usual during the aria.

Although I don't care for the tamplering, I love to hear black basso sing Sarastro in Die Zauberflote. Franz Crass plays him in my favorite recording of that opera, the one with Wunderlich, Lear, Fisher-Dieskau(sp.?), Peters and Bohm.

I wish I understood many spoken languages, but computer programming languages are the only ones I learn easily. I would to be fluent in Latin, too, like my friend John. Sadly, though, the book I studied was hard to learn from because rote memorization is hard for me. The book was also copyright about 1935, which may help explain why I gave up. Some books about classical Greek taught me some words first to give me some hope and I quit again.

Brace yourself for another shock because Verdi is my favorite composer. I enjoy some Wagner, too, an aria called "Winterstrume," I think. Does that mean "winter storms," my linguist friend?

It would if it read ‹Winterstürme›.
Computer programming languages, my goodness, I’m completely out of my depth there, the very idea makes me slightly hysterical. Still, cuique suum ‘to each his own’, or, as the Colonials say, jeder Jeck es anders ‘every clown is different’.

Oops, I forgot to add the "ü" to the German word.

Computer programming languages are much simpler than spoken ones partly because programming languages need to be unambiguous. For me, they're fun to write in, especially when they let you write very concisely. Though I may never reach my goal, I strive to write mathematically beautiful programs and elegant prose. Sadly, my programs often seem more readable than my prose. I've always prefferred prose by English authors to prose by American ones. I'm an aspiring artist, but I doubt that I have any artistic talent.

Since you don't care for Wagner's music, please feel free to ignore this aria. I'm linking this post to the a video where Jon Vickers turned me into a Wagner fan.

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

You may enjoy this Ave Maria. But please don't tell Miss Garanca about my crush on her. :)
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Radicals have overtaken the Democratic party, which now resembles the Nazi socialist party of years ago. They are actually shaming people who do not agree with their identity politics, and this "pandemic" has been a total roos.

Watching the fatuous hypocrisy of US and UK politicians simultaneously banning and celebrating different types of gatherings, I am reminded of the old British Army joke: If one man retreats, it is called running away. If a regiment runs away, it is called a retreat.

It all depends on who you think you can bully. UK politicians have been vocal in support of BLM demonstrations which blatantly breeched social distancing rules - when all places of worship were shut. Our fatuous Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmers has been conspicuously photographed down on one knee. Yes, this is the same buffoon who at one point called for the whole UK population to be confined to their homes without even outside exercise.

Very best of luck, Chris. I have joined in sponsoring the crowdfunded lawsuit brought in the British courts by Simon Dolan challenging the ludicrous lockdown. It breaks so many basic rights that the Government is facing many bad days in court.

At least someone's taking up the cudgels for the right to worship over there. Here in the Philippines, supposedly the only predominantly Catholic country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, nary a peep from any of the clergy and hierarchy against the shuttering of churches and other places of worship. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has not uttered one word questioning the government's continued denial of the right to worship, but hey, when the Anti-Terrorism Bill made it through Congress, the whole circus came to town -- not that opposition to that bill doesn't matter. It most certainly does, especially when practically untrammeled police powers are arrogated unto the State. It's a duty to conscience to speak up against it especially when it can be used arbitrarily against anyone who so much as tweets or posts against the president or his policies.

But shouldn't our bishops' primordial concern be to secure the faithful's right to worship first and foremost? If they could speak so boldly -- and rightly -- on a secular matter, I would expect that they could so even more boldly, and rightly, and more stridently, on an eternal, spiritual matter.

The situation is in good hands.

And let's pray Mr Ferrara and Father Robinson are able to by personal witness and/or by direct word bring the Gospel to these courageous Jewish leaders, too.

Let us pray for them all!

I pray for my Jews brothers, and for Catholics, too. For this abuse has far exceed the reasonable expectations of public safety. this an absolute abuse of power. specially of my brother Jews who, in the past were abused by many peoples. And this abuse is no longer acceptable under th excuse of public safety issues. my prayers goes to all of you.

‘Both suits involve an unusual alliance between priests of the Society of Saint Pius X—the only Catholic priests willing so far to challenge the lockdowns in court—and Orthodox Jews, who likewise are the only willing Jewish plaintiffs in suits against this tyranny.’
Good on them!
N.B.: the FSSPX is not any old secret society, but a priestly fraternity.

First - thank you SSPX for remaining true to The Faith and Mission. I attend SSPX Chapels. I also was raised in Brooklyn NY - I simply love the Orthodox Jewish community and view them as spiritual brothers and sisters - they practice as they believe. God Bless them all.

Why does is seem the SSPX are the ONLY ones to not stop offering the public Mass and the sacraments? Why do they seem to be the ONLY ones to file lawsuits on behalf of the faithful? Why do they seem to be the ONLY ones to actually fight for the faith? God bless the SSPX, Attorney Chris Ferrara and the St Thomas More Society! We truly live in a backwards world (some van may call it clown world) where the Churches are closed as non essential but liquor stores aren't, where business are closed and you get arrested for trying to earn a living, but can riot, loot and burn businesses. Good is now being called evil and evil good. We are seeing the inversion of values Nietzsche spoke of...

Oh, my! This is terribly unfair. Diocesan traditional priests made news all across the country in defying bishops and governors during the lock down. Here's one who led the charge: https://www.youtube.com/wat...

I stand corrected. But it seems the diocesan priests who do so are few and far in between.

No one is taking anything away from the brave and faithful Diocesan priests who celebrated Traditional Masses during the lock down. The point is that the FSSPX priests are taking the Governors,of New York and New Jersey to court along with Chris Ferarra's TMS and the Orthodox Jews.
Our Lady of Good Remedy and Good Success Pray for them.

Thank you for the F for Fraternitas in FSSPX, Gildaswiseman; Mgr Lefebvre knew better than to call his priestly liberté-égalité-Fraternity a society, but some people, unfortunately including some icons of the back-to-the-Old-Mass movement, considered (or, as the case may be, consider) themselves qualified to know better.

I agree! I would have to add that the wise and holy Mgr, Lefebvre, knew better than most about everything that is wrong with the Conciliar movement infecting the Church. And, that fact becomes clearer by the day.

No, you missed the point. "Why does is seem the SSPX are the ONLY ones to not stop offering the public Mass and the sacraments?" This simply is NOT true. The SSPX were ordered by Father Wegner to stop offering public Masses during the pandemic. These comparisons are odious, so let's stop making them and just thank God for the good priests we have who are ALL doing the right thing.

Have you actually digested what I have written? I never said that it was true that the SSPX didn't obey Government directives and close their Mass Centres. Some did and others didn't. It depends where they are in the world. Our SSPX Mass Centre in the UK has regular visits from patrolling Police Officers after someone complained that the pesky Cathoilcs were gather for their Masses. The Mass public has now stopped.I in fact said: No one is taking anything away from the brave and faithful Diocesan priests who celebrated Traditional Masses during the lock down. My praise for the Society was that they are not taking it lying down. They are taking the Government to court along with others.

He did not cancel all public masses. There were still SSPX Chapels that continued to offer public masses through out this whole pandemic. None of the diocesan priests where I live offered public mass, even the FSSP (God bless them) where shut down. But the SSPX continued, even under threat of arrest. I am not knocking anyone, but seek to praise those faithful priests continued to feed the sheep and were willing to stand up to the Wolfe.

The FSSPX are the fathers, the FSSP the babies.

In my state the FSSP offered the parking lot Mass every Sunday. The SSPX closed down and, eventually, offered a weird communion service but no Mass.

Can we stop this now?

I have just received a notice that you have again written to me “Can we stop this now?” (only without repetition of the rest). Having arrived back here where I am and lacking your technical knowledge and power, I can only assume that what you have done is firstly to use your position of technical superiority in order to add to your letter above and then to disguise the fact. But that is by the way. The point is as follows: It is very far from unimportant that you habitually and correctly acronymise the child FSSP, but equally habitually deprive the parent FSSPX of its F and so perpetuate the idea, present in many people’s minds, that the senior fraternity is some sort of secret society, a collection of carbonari, a caterpillar of the Catholic commonwealth, to mix multiple metaphors.
Obiter dictum : The official language of the Catholic Church is not English!

In your position you know perfectly well that the FSSPX is not a Society, secret or otherwise, but a Fraternity OF PRIESTS. No one can stop you from disapproving of Mgr Lefebvre’s name-giving, but it is high time you were ordered by your superiors to stop running with the dogs when writing in their – the former’s – name.

Orthodox Jews are our allies now. I lived in New York for 17 years. They deserve our support and, yes, our love in this time of constitutional persecution.

Just printed the donation form for the Thomas More Society. Will have check in the mail tomorrow. On this Feast of Corpus Christi, may our Lord and Blessed Mother grant Mr Ferrara and The TMS victory in this and all their cases. God Bless.

Thank you God for raising up fighters in these dark days; Michael Matt , Archbishop Viganò, Christopher Ferreira, our President snd so many more as those who comment here. I will keep up my Rosaries

me, too!

The Rosary is the most powerful weapon in our hands right now! Our Lady did ask that we pray the Rosary and we have faith and confidence in her intercession that God will hear our prayers.

Good luck and God bless, Chris. If it goes this far, remember that you have four "Obama judges" against you regardless of law, evidence or common sense; and four "Trump judges" supporting the Constitution. The only one to be concerned with is #9 who denied that they exist. A good rule of thumb on his swing vote is how recent his attendance at the last wine and cheese soirée with the social set in DC. Try flattery, lots and lots.😘💋💕

Will pray for your success and that the UK may have a similar challenge - the frightening thing throughout this has been the ease at which civil liberties have been removed and God s Rights ignored - without question - it is astounding - how public health has been used to instill such fear into the public's lives and minds and everyone else. The Church here have bowed down to the great god - secular government. God first .

Those of the Romish persuasion as well, or just the Anglicans??

What a joke! All this is happening in this world. There is no respect for anybody, riots "defending" civil rights of an ex-con while a Rabi is taking prisoner as if he was delinquent.
God give us strength to continue serving the Holy Trinity and not the world!

With all due respect, isn't it morally questionable to support the Jews supposed 'right to worship" in court?

This is a case of civil, not canon law; so it seems a coalition both justified and prudent, as when pro-life activists of many religions picket an abortuary together.
And a case of "He who is not against me is for Me."

Error has every right except that to be right.

Fair question. I thought that too. Genuinely interested in the answer.
On the other hand... is it the Jews who are supporting us Catholics?

I think I remember reading that in some of the early "hushed-up abuse cases" it was Jewish lawyers who took pro bono cases against the diocese, when Catholic lawyers didn't.

As a child (neighbours) and later as a student, I always found the Jews friendly towards Catholics, perhaps as companions in suffering disadvantageous discrimination.

Catholics in NJ should know that the reason why the churches have remained closed is because the Bishops are complicit with Murphy. It is my belief that the Bishops, through Francis' appointed Tobin, made a deal with the devil, both literally and figuratively.
It should first be noted that the Bishops forced the closure of churches before any unconstitutional orders were issued.
Tobin first cancelled masses on March March 12th. The first order that wss issued that referencef social distancing and made distinctions between so called essential and non essential businesses was signed on March 16. Neither this or any subsequent order makes any direct reference to churches. This first order limited "gatherings" to 50 persons or less, but excluded nomal operations of such facilities as airports, bus and train stations, offices, factories and stores.
Last time I checked, attending mass does not constitute a gathering of people.
Murphy issues Order 107 which was the beginning on the stay at home order. Again no reference to churches. In fact there is an express exclusion to the stay at home, which is "leaving the home for ... religious reason" Hence recognition that people would be attending mass ... if being offered.
The Trenton Diocese ceased massed on March 16/17. Order 107 was signed on March 21.
As such, as Catholics, the issue of being able to sue for violation of Constitutional right to worship was voluntarily abdicated by the Bishops. Since they voluntarily agreed to close, rather than pursue the right to have a mass or at a minimum argue that churches were "essential" directly undercut any valid constitutional arguement to the contrary.
If you also recall, Murphy appeared on Tucker Carlson on April 15th, when Murphy also made himself a Bishop and declared that he consulted "with his fellow bishops" and that he consulted with Tobin frequently.
It is clear to me that the Bishops made a deal. Just not sure which are the devils.

Cardinal Tobin and the other Bishops in NJ have been complicit with the idiot Murphy. They determined to close the churches BEFORE Murphy issued his tyrannical order closing churches. Thus preventing individual Catholics from pursuing their right to sue. Traditional Catholics must and should be outraged at the Church's corrupt Bishops. You may recall that Murphy exclaimed on Tucker Carlson that he had "consulted with his fellow Bishops" in denying our God guven and Constitutionally protected right to practice our religion. While recognizing that Murphy is corrupt, the real Charlatans are the Bishops being led by Tobin. And we know where his allegiance lies and it is not with Traditional Catholics.

I feel so sorrowful for the Rabbi in the video - the whole community who had to go through this horrible arrest. I will be praying for all involved in these court cases/lawsuits. Lord have mercy!

Our parishes are open in Florida.

We have opened the hall and gymnasium so between the three 75% seating capacity. I feel bad for you guys.

The only thing the constituents must do is vote these evil Democrats out of office. They are destroying the moral fabric of American society.

Ms. Amoroso, I believe that if you're right, democracy deserved part of the blame when they get reelected. After all, you know something is wrong when the majority vote outweighs the common good. My friend Dr. Jason Sorens, a former professor of political science, suggested a book called "Demcracy for Realists" because it shows that democratic elections produce nonresponsive governents. They do that, the authors say, because how people vote depends on what groups they belong to, not on the issues. Do we want uninformed voters to elect our representatives? I don't. That's partly why I'm a hereditary monarchist. Maybe you remember Brian McCall's Remnant aricle about what happened to Grand Duke Henri when he opposed a bill that would allow euthahasia. His parliament passed that bill and demoted him to a figurehead because he couldn't nullify the majority's vote.

Here's Amazon's information about the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Demo...

Here's how Amazon describes the book:
"Democracy for Realists assails the romantic folk-theory at the heart of contemporary thinking about democratic politics and government, and offers a provocative alternative view grounded in the actual human nature of democratic citizens.

Christopher Achen and Larry Bartels deploy a wealth of social-scientific evidence, including ingenious original analyses of topics ranging from abortion politics and budget deficits to the Great Depression and shark attacks, to show that the familiar ideal of thoughtful citizens steering the ship of state from the voting booth is fundamentally misguided. They demonstrate that voters―even those who are well informed and politically engaged―mostly choose parties and candidates on the basis of social identities and partisan loyalties, not political issues. They also show that voters adjust their policy views and even their perceptions of basic matters of fact to match those loyalties. When parties are roughly evenly matched, elections often turn on irrelevant or misleading considerations such as economic spurts or downturns beyond the incumbents' control; the outcomes are essentially random. Thus, voters do not control the course of public policy, even indirectly.

Achen and Bartels argue that democratic theory needs to be founded on identity groups and political parties, not on the preferences of individual voters. Now with new analysis of the 2016 elections, Democracy for Realists provides a powerful challenge to conventional thinking, pointing the way toward a fundamentally different understanding of the realities and potential of democratic government."

I missed that with Grand Duke Henri. Don’t the laws of that surviving outpost of the Holy Roman Empire begin with ‘Be it enacted by the Grand Duke's Most Excellent Grace, by and with the consent of the […]’?