I attended a NO KINGS rally in my county capitol today, an extremely conservative county in south Central PA. It was the most uplifting thing I’ve done in a long long time. I didn’t see any America haters; I did see a lot of American flags. I didn’t see any violence; I did see a lot of people of all ages opposed to the current national leadership of this country. I didn’t see hundreds or even dozens of radical leftists; I did see large numbers of middle and working class people. I’m familiar with the city, and I can say with certainty that there were thousands of people attending, that in a county of approximately 550, 000. Don’t believe any of the state propaganda asserting that this was a day of hate America rallies orchestrated by Soros or Antifa or globalists or whatever; that is a complete and intentional lie to engender hatred of those who criticize and oppose Trump. The people who said these things about this day of rallies want Americans to hate other Americans; it is to their benefit. Don’t accept their lies.
Michael, I honestly don’t know if this historic rally will make any difference for the fate of our country; the current rulers will likely ignore it and all other demonstrations and just go ahead with their agenda. They hold the power in all three branches of our government, and it is clear that they intend to use it to the uttermost. But it sure is good to know that millions upon millions of Americans feel the way I do, the way you do, about what is happening, and are not afraid to say it out loud. The freedom within the human heart can never be taken away; it may be forced underground, but it cannot be extinguished, because it is God given, and it will break forth again. And, somehow, that is enough to keep hope alive, even if we are entering the worst dark night of our history.
I loved Heilig’s The Apostle and the Empire that was published a few years back. I haven’t started into Paul the Storyteller yet but a Heilig-edited volume looks promising! A free PDF also saves people money on the book budget if you can get your e-reader to read PDFs
I wasn’t able to attend any of the protests, but from what I am seeing, there was no violence and no arrests, except for a few that were harassing protesters. I support these rallies/protests. If people can protest on January 6, 2021 at the US Capital, then the No Kings Rallies should be allowed and supported too. I personally am sick of being called a Trump hater. No, I don’t hate Trump. I fear FOR him and his soul. Thank you Robert F and Michael for the posts here.
Over the last two days, the President of the US had a large portion of the East Wing of the White House demolished to clear space for the construction of his planned gargantuan ballroom. It was demolished with far less discussion and input than went into the removal from prominent public places of the statues celebrating Confederate Civil War figures. Apparently, there is no concern on the part of the Trump government to preserve history in this case, but only to remake the Capital in the image of the Oval Office’s current occupant; what a sad day, and how apt a symbol for what is being done by Trump to our country.
1857 – Greenhouse built on roof of west terrace by Pres. Burchanan’s neice
1870s-1880’s – Conservatories added by Pres. Grant and Pres. Hayes
1902 – Conservatories removed to make room for the West Wing by Pres. Theo. Roosevelt.
1910 – Pres. Taft moves tennis courts added by Pres. Theo. Roosevelt.
1913 – Rose Garden established by F.L. Wilson
1927 – Solarium built by Pres. Coolidge
1933 – Indoor swimming pool build for Pres. F.D. Roosevelt
1942 – Cloakroom converted to movie theater for Pres. F.D. Roosevelt.
1947 – Bowling alley added for Pres. Truman (moved to Exec. Office Bldg in 1955)
1954 – Putting green installed for Pres. Eisenhower; moved in 1995 by Pres. Clinton
1969 – Bowling alley built by Pres. Nixon
1970 – Bedroom in White House converted into Game Room.
1975 – Outdoor swimming pool built by Pres. Ford
1991 – Half-court basketball court installed by Pres. Bush
1993 – Jogging track installed by Pres. Clinton
1996 – F.L. Clinton converted sitting room to music room for Pres. Clinton
2009 – Tennis courts converted to basketball by Pres. Obama; F.L. Obama plants Kitchen Garden
2020 – Tennis pavilion completed by Pres. Trump
2025 – Rose Garden Lawn converted to patio by Pres. Trump; construction begins on ballroom in the East Wing.
The East Wing was built in 1902 and then expanded in 1942 as a two-story office building – not exactly historic.
Like others, I am utterly amazed that people continue to support and make excuses for Trump! His AI video of him flying a jet, wearing a crown, dropping sh#t on protesters is excused by his press secretary, and other republicans, as just fun. I teach junior high students. What a wonderful example he sets! Also, Johnson, who claims to be a Christ follower, called those protesting “America haters”! Like many of Trump’s lapdogs, he must be clueless about the Constitution, even though he has sworn to defend it. Read the First Amendment!
Yes, other presidents have made changes to the white house. But none of the changes was a gold-trimmed and lined ballroom.. I wonder if a replica of the Golden Calf will also be included?
Can any of those who continue to support and make excuses for Trump call these actions wrong? Do any of you listen to Trump? I know, he is difficult to follow and understand, but really!!! As a Republican for over 50 years, I may be embarrassed by what is taking place!
They had a golden statue of Trump back at CPAC (which has not been conservative at all since about 2025 – it is the TPAC (Trump Cult Action Committee).
Everstudy,
I don’t see a single renovation to the White House that you listed involving the kind of demolition of an entire section of the complex — we now know that he intends to completely raze the East Wing, in contradiction to his false claim (a euphemism for lie) in the summer that the building project would not effect the current White House structure — like what Trump is doing, with the possible exception of the 1902 renovation by T. Roosevelt, which really does not seem on the same scale. You might have mentioned the complete renovation of the White House interior done by Truman for structural safety reasons, but you didn’t, and I think that the omission was wise since it would just have been another example of comparing apples and oranges, like the rest of your list. He’s building it because he wants Mar-a-logo on the Potomac; he wants all of DC, and the whole country, remade in his own image.
Did you get your talking points from the MAGA Party?
I wonder: if Trump has the right to demolish and rebuild an entire wing of the White House on a capricious dictatorial whim, does that mean that he would have the right to demolish the entire White House as well, and for the same reason? I mean, if a part, why not the whole? Where’s the limit? Who would stop him? I guarantee the same “donors” paying for the ballroom would pay even more in a heart beat if he wanted to redo the entire White House complex. The sky’s the limit. The idea just might occur to him.
It’s all yours today…
Happy NO KINGS! day! Let freedom ring!
I attended a NO KINGS rally in my county capitol today, an extremely conservative county in south Central PA. It was the most uplifting thing I’ve done in a long long time. I didn’t see any America haters; I did see a lot of American flags. I didn’t see any violence; I did see a lot of people of all ages opposed to the current national leadership of this country. I didn’t see hundreds or even dozens of radical leftists; I did see large numbers of middle and working class people. I’m familiar with the city, and I can say with certainty that there were thousands of people attending, that in a county of approximately 550, 000. Don’t believe any of the state propaganda asserting that this was a day of hate America rallies orchestrated by Soros or Antifa or globalists or whatever; that is a complete and intentional lie to engender hatred of those who criticize and oppose Trump. The people who said these things about this day of rallies want Americans to hate other Americans; it is to their benefit. Don’t accept their lies.
RobertF,
We had a good turnout here.
I’m still not able to participate but I was there in spirit…
Michael, I honestly don’t know if this historic rally will make any difference for the fate of our country; the current rulers will likely ignore it and all other demonstrations and just go ahead with their agenda. They hold the power in all three branches of our government, and it is clear that they intend to use it to the uttermost. But it sure is good to know that millions upon millions of Americans feel the way I do, the way you do, about what is happening, and are not afraid to say it out loud. The freedom within the human heart can never be taken away; it may be forced underground, but it cannot be extinguished, because it is God given, and it will break forth again. And, somehow, that is enough to keep hope alive, even if we are entering the worst dark night of our history.
HT to Jim West for this one …
https://zwingliusredivivus.wordpress.com/2025/10/19/empire-criticism-of-the-new-testament-new-approaches/
https://www.mohrsiebeck.com/en/book/empire-criticism-of-the-new-testament-9783161643897/
I loved Heilig’s The Apostle and the Empire that was published a few years back. I haven’t started into Paul the Storyteller yet but a Heilig-edited volume looks promising! A free PDF also saves people money on the book budget if you can get your e-reader to read PDFs
I wasn’t able to attend any of the protests, but from what I am seeing, there was no violence and no arrests, except for a few that were harassing protesters. I support these rallies/protests. If people can protest on January 6, 2021 at the US Capital, then the No Kings Rallies should be allowed and supported too. I personally am sick of being called a Trump hater. No, I don’t hate Trump. I fear FOR him and his soul. Thank you Robert F and Michael for the posts here.
Only fourteen arrests in LA, mostly brats pointing lasers at cops.
This is erunner from some time back hello michael
hope you are all well in
Dan,
Well said…
Clyde A,
Good to see you again…hope you are doing well, old friend.
erunner!!!!!
Erunner!!!
Erunner!!!! How are you?
So much to say I miss you all so much good grief. I am 71
I’m having surgery soon for kidney stones.
Clyde A.,
We were all much younger back in the day…glad you’re still with us…
please pray. hope your heart is okay Michael. Xenia. still raise chickens
hard to navigate site for me go dodgers
you too Michael
Over the last two days, the President of the US had a large portion of the East Wing of the White House demolished to clear space for the construction of his planned gargantuan ballroom. It was demolished with far less discussion and input than went into the removal from prominent public places of the statues celebrating Confederate Civil War figures. Apparently, there is no concern on the part of the Trump government to preserve history in this case, but only to remake the Capital in the image of the Oval Office’s current occupant; what a sad day, and how apt a symbol for what is being done by Trump to our country.
He had said that the White House would not be touched. But no one believed him, did they? Why would anyone believe anything he says?
Clyde
I still have the same email. Let’s catch up.
1857 – Greenhouse built on roof of west terrace by Pres. Burchanan’s neice
1870s-1880’s – Conservatories added by Pres. Grant and Pres. Hayes
1902 – Conservatories removed to make room for the West Wing by Pres. Theo. Roosevelt.
1910 – Pres. Taft moves tennis courts added by Pres. Theo. Roosevelt.
1913 – Rose Garden established by F.L. Wilson
1927 – Solarium built by Pres. Coolidge
1933 – Indoor swimming pool build for Pres. F.D. Roosevelt
1942 – Cloakroom converted to movie theater for Pres. F.D. Roosevelt.
1947 – Bowling alley added for Pres. Truman (moved to Exec. Office Bldg in 1955)
1954 – Putting green installed for Pres. Eisenhower; moved in 1995 by Pres. Clinton
1969 – Bowling alley built by Pres. Nixon
1970 – Bedroom in White House converted into Game Room.
1975 – Outdoor swimming pool built by Pres. Ford
1991 – Half-court basketball court installed by Pres. Bush
1993 – Jogging track installed by Pres. Clinton
1996 – F.L. Clinton converted sitting room to music room for Pres. Clinton
2009 – Tennis courts converted to basketball by Pres. Obama; F.L. Obama plants Kitchen Garden
2020 – Tennis pavilion completed by Pres. Trump
2025 – Rose Garden Lawn converted to patio by Pres. Trump; construction begins on ballroom in the East Wing.
The East Wing was built in 1902 and then expanded in 1942 as a two-story office building – not exactly historic.
Robert, your sheer hatred is showing again.
No comment 🙄
Like others, I am utterly amazed that people continue to support and make excuses for Trump! His AI video of him flying a jet, wearing a crown, dropping sh#t on protesters is excused by his press secretary, and other republicans, as just fun. I teach junior high students. What a wonderful example he sets! Also, Johnson, who claims to be a Christ follower, called those protesting “America haters”! Like many of Trump’s lapdogs, he must be clueless about the Constitution, even though he has sworn to defend it. Read the First Amendment!
Yes, other presidents have made changes to the white house. But none of the changes was a gold-trimmed and lined ballroom.. I wonder if a replica of the Golden Calf will also be included?
Can any of those who continue to support and make excuses for Trump call these actions wrong? Do any of you listen to Trump? I know, he is difficult to follow and understand, but really!!! As a Republican for over 50 years, I may be embarrassed by what is taking place!
Bob,
They had a golden statue of Trump back at CPAC (which has not been conservative at all since about 2025 – it is the TPAC (Trump Cult Action Committee).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY9tZL1F-4g
Back when the Babylon Bee didn’t go all in on Trump and jump the shark (back when it didn’t suck) they had this gem:
https://babylonbee.com/news/first-baptist-dallas-members-melt-golden-jewelry-towering-donald-trump-statue
Bob,
Correction: Not conservative since about 2015 (or even earlier).
Everstudy,
I don’t see a single renovation to the White House that you listed involving the kind of demolition of an entire section of the complex — we now know that he intends to completely raze the East Wing, in contradiction to his false claim (a euphemism for lie) in the summer that the building project would not effect the current White House structure — like what Trump is doing, with the possible exception of the 1902 renovation by T. Roosevelt, which really does not seem on the same scale. You might have mentioned the complete renovation of the White House interior done by Truman for structural safety reasons, but you didn’t, and I think that the omission was wise since it would just have been another example of comparing apples and oranges, like the rest of your list. He’s building it because he wants Mar-a-logo on the Potomac; he wants all of DC, and the whole country, remade in his own image.
Did you get your talking points from the MAGA Party?
I wonder: if Trump has the right to demolish and rebuild an entire wing of the White House on a capricious dictatorial whim, does that mean that he would have the right to demolish the entire White House as well, and for the same reason? I mean, if a part, why not the whole? Where’s the limit? Who would stop him? I guarantee the same “donors” paying for the ballroom would pay even more in a heart beat if he wanted to redo the entire White House complex. The sky’s the limit. The idea just might occur to him.
https://theonion.com/parents-ask-detained-nanny-if-shes-still-free-to-watch-kids-friday/