Parallel of Putin and Franco

Now I know many people think Gen. Franco of Spain was not a good guy, but for purposes here I just wanted to note an interesting development and the similarity.

Both Putin and Franco are seen by many as tyrants, but it looks like Putin is following the same path as Franco in looking to restore the Romanov monarchy in Russia. As to what role it would have that cannot be said yet, but it is a worthwhile development that would have lasting and perhaps good consequences.

It is also interesting in terms of how it might be related to the Fatima prophecy as well as the prophecies of Vladimair Solovyov on the Russian reunion with Peter in the future. (Note: Solovyov was Russian Orthodox so its a bit odd he would think such was to come)

"Absent from Western reports of ‘re-Stalinization’ is the evidence for a much wider shift in Russians’ views on their country’s history. Particularly striking has been the rehabilitation of the pre-revolutionary regime. The same survey that showed an increase in favorable perceptions of Stalin also revealed that since 1999 the number of Russians believing the reign of Nicholas II (1894-1917), Russia’s last tsar, ‘brought more good than bad’ had risen from 18% to 30%. Also, the number believing the 1917 Revolution to have been a good thing fell from 27% in 1999 to 19% in 2016, while those believing it to have been for the worse rose from 38% to 48%...

Unthinkable 25 years before, in 2013 an obelisk originally erected in 1914 outside the Kremlin walls was cleansed of its Soviet-era transformation into a monument to the workers’ struggle, and rededicated to its original commemoration of the Romanov tercentenary (1613-1913), Imperial Russia’s last great national celebration...

Putin, he says, 'isn't interested in being remembered as some kind of Communist Party general secretary. He thinks of himself as a Russian De Gaulle or a Franco', head of a self-consciously 'transitional regime' aimed at restoring a semi-traditional political and social order...

That may even include the monarchy...

'The return of the Romanovs would be part of his historical role, a way of knitting the country's history together again, of declaring that at last the revolution is over.'...

He claims he was once present when Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the firebrand nationalist that heads Russia's Liberal National Democratic Party, compared Putin to Franco in Putin's presence. The Russian president didn't object.
Of Putin's three 'favorite' philosophers (Vladimir Solovyov, Nikolai Berdyaev and Ivan Ilyin) it's Ilyin who is thought to have exercised the greatest influence over Putin's understanding of Russia's political and spiritual history..."

The whole article is worth reading and you can look at it HERE

On cash, war and architecting

A few days ago I was in my car and listening to the radio (which is a rarity outside of listening to talk radio because the music of today is infested with modernism and ear pornography.

I willingly admit that I got caught up in listening to such music for a while, and from time to time find myself whistling something stupid like “tainted love” when at work.  But praised be Jesus Christ for his slow prodding, helping me to find more meaningful music, something to make the gears in my head turn and lift my spirit up to God.  Specifically speaking when my cousin introduced me to Johnny Cash.  Now he doesn’t hold a candle to Gregorian Chant or a classical work by Bach or Mozart, but I would specifically put his music from his “American Recording” days in the worthwhile pile.  The music is spiritual, hard hitting and smells of a life of hard knocks.  You really cant go wrong with any of these records, but I want to recommend two of them specifically.  First is Unchained, which was released in 1996 (the year of Brett Favre's Super Bowl run…but lets continue).  He was backed on this album by many familiar faces like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and took on many songs that were written as anthems with a less than uplifting intent.  In typical Cash style he takes lemons, adds some sugar and water and makes lemonade flavored with his Baptist leaning (note I don’t hold this against his music).  I would recommend Southern Accents and I never picked cotton to anyone!

In 2002 he released American IV: The Man Comes around.  These songs were heart wrenching.  His voice and his character drive is fleeting on this album, but this album made me sit up and take notice of the importance of faith.  Everyone knows his now famous rendition of “Hurt”, but the album is littered with music that will pull your heart out and set you on your knees.  I would recommend his covers of “Bridge over troubled water” and “The first time ever I saw your face”, along with Hurt which won quite a few awards, shocking many with his obvious religious overtones. 

In other news looks like Thursday might as well be D-Day for us sticking our nose into the Syrian conflict.  So while Russia, China and Iran are warning us to but out of the conflict we are just giddy to get in….Lord Help Us (and the US in general)!  I am so tired of the world seeking peace through the sword…may I suggest a consecration of Russia to Mary's Immaculate heart specifically?  I mean a Bishop is consecrated to the world but specifically given a consecration to his diocese…just saying…Lords will I pray!

photo credit

When I was out in DC we went to the two Latin Mass communities out there, and even got to see the great Monsignor Wadsworth at St. Thomas the Apostle for the Feast of the Assumption which was a real grace.  On Sunday we were blessed to go from the beautiful Mother of Mary Church for the Latin mass to the

National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  It was gorgeous and absolutely astounding.  At every turn you could see another altar and another fantastic work of art giving glory to God.  This is not to mention the building itself which was awe inspiring.  The architecture was mesmerizing, and draws me to move closer to God.  Here's a hint, beauty converts, stop building boxes and start doing the work necessary to keep the beautiful old Churches erect.

+JMJ+