There is quite a bit of discussion in the news about Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen visiting an MS-13 gangbanger in El Salvador. Kilmar Garcia was deported from the USA under The Donald’s new policy. Senator Van Hollen says Kilmar should be returned and given, “Due process.” He was here illegally, what due process rights does he have? Under what American law can this be claimed? What alternate universe does Senator Van Hollen live in? When the Senator pulled this publicity stunt on the taxpayers dime to, “Bring Kilmar home,” the President of El Salvador told him, “He is home!” Senator Van Hollen said he’s working hard on Kilmar’s behalf. How about working on behalf of your constituents? Bet he’s working hard alright, working hard to earn his “Consulting fees” from MS-13.
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What else is going on? Won’t be long until we’ll be watching the Vatican’s chimney for white smoke. This signals that a new Pope has been selected. There was something deeply moving about Pope Francis making it through Easter, offering his final blessing to the world and then peacefully departing. No matter your denomination or beliefs, that timing feels like a divine curtain call. As a Catholic, I sometimes disagreed with Pope Francis on points which, to me, bordered on political as opposed to ecclesiastical. Regardless, his was a life of service ending on the holiest day and that speaks volumes.
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I enjoyed a phone call from Cousin Lynne Bourne this morning. She was whipping up pimento cheese sandwiches for lunch. Her recipe calls for pimento cheese with mayonnaise and something….but I forgot what the something is. Do you suppose this comes with age? Anyway, Lynne and her husband Fred just got back to Osage City, Kansas after a road trip to Branson. Lynne wondered how many people have never driven a manual transmission. This brought to mind when I learned to drive. Matthew Boring and I took off down Main Street and he kept saying, “Don’t strip the gears! Don’t strip the gears!” Once I learned how to keep my foot on the clutch just so, it wasn’t a problem anymore. By that time, the transmission had fallen out somewhere on Lay Avenue.
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Listen Old Buddy, the last weekend of April is dancing around outside the door. Run out and greet it with open arms and I plan to do the same.
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'Til Next Week:
J.M.W.
