“The pull of fascist politics is powerful. It simplifies human existence, gives us an object, a 'them' whose supposed laziness highlights our own virtue and discipline, encourages us to identify with a forceful leader who helps us make sense of the world, whose bluntness regarding the 'undeserving' people in the world is refreshing. Fascism thrives under conditions of economic uncertainty, where fear and resentment can be mobilized to set citizens against one another.
When you legitimize yourself entirely by inventing enemies, the truth ceases to matter, normal restraints of civilization and decency cease to matter, the checks and balances of normal politics cease to matter. It dehumanizes segments of the population. It limits the capacity for empathy among other citizens, leading to the justification of inhumane treatment, from repression of freedom, mass imprisonment, and expulsion to, in extreme cases, mass extermination."
Jason Stanley, How Fascism Works
"Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, in all their magnificence, and he said to him, 'All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.'”
Matthew 4:8-10
"In the present state of the world, a virile and strong Christianity must go to the point of being a heroic Christianity. This heroism will not consist of speaking constantly of heroism, and of being delirious about the virtue of power–which would perhaps prove that one was submitting to the influence of power, and that one was beginning to fall away.
Gentleness and goodness, delicacy toward the humble and weak, pity–yes, pity –toward those who suffer, the rejection of perverse means, the defense of the oppressed, humble devotion, resistance to lies, the courage to call evil by its name, the spirit of peace and concord, openness of heart, the thought of heaven, that is what Christian heroism will save. This [Nietzsche's] whole 'morality of slaves' will make it obvious that it is a morality of free men, that it alone makes man free.
Christianity will never have any real efficacy, it will never have any real existence and will never make any real conquests, except by the power of its own spirit, by the power of love."
Henri de Lubac, Spiritual Warfare, 1943
“Each day we are becoming a creature of splendid glory, or one of unthinkable horror.”
C. S. Lewis
Today marked the end of the first half of 2022.
And just about everything moved lower.
Stocks were down.
The Dollar was down, slipping back to the 104 handle.
Gold and silver were down.
Let's see what the second half brings.
Probably more bear market, and geopolitical turmoil.
Standing firm on the high ground still seems like the place to be.
The trick will be to remain firm and standing, even if all around you lose their way.
Have a pleasant evening.
