Light in Peru

 From Artnet:

The Chachapoya remain one of the lesser known pre-Hispanic cultures of South America. This is partly down to geography. As suggested by their epithet “people of the cloud forest,” the Chachapoya occupied a rugged, jungled pocket between the Andes and the Amazon. Even today, their settlements can be tricky to reach. Conquest by the Inca in the second half of the 15th century furthered their obscurity, dramatically altering the Chachapoya population and way of life that had existed for roughly 800 years. Over the past five years, however, researchers in Peru equipped with the latest technologies have greatly expanded the archaeological record, shedding light on Chachapoya’s circular architecture, cliffside tombs, and complex agricultural systems. Most recently, a team from the World Monuments Fund has uncovered more than 100 previously unknown buildings at Gran Pajatén, a hilltop archaeological site in Río Abiseo National Park, which is located 300 miles north of Lima. (Read more.)

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Illegal Migrant Commits Terror Attack

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Meanwhile, in Montgomery County....

 From Direct Line:

We’re living in a place where graffiti that says “Kill the Jews” is normalized, but if you say “illegal immigration is a problem,” you’re the extremist. If you believe in border enforcement, you’re a bigot. If you worry about violent crime from undocumented gangs, you’re the one being investigated. Somehow, we’ve reached a point where those who call for the destruction of an entire nation get a pass, while those who want to uphold our nation’s borders are publicly shamed.

To the officials of Montgomery County: If you think this will just blow over, think again. The poison is spreading. And history tells us exactly how this ends if we ignore it.

To my Jewish neighbors and friends: I see you. I hear you. And even though I am not Jewish, I refuse to be one of those silent Germans in the 1930s who “didn’t want to get involved.” I will speak up. I will call out hate when I see it, even if it makes me unpopular. Especially then.

To those who think spray-painting “From the river to the sea” is brave or edgy: you’re not part of some noble resistance. You’re repeating the first chapter of a very old story. One that has never ended well.

And to the rest of Montgomery County: ask yourself what kind of place we are becoming. If we can’t stand up against anti-Semitism—real, ugly, old-fashioned Jew hatred—then all the yard signs, slogans, and speeches about tolerance mean nothing. (Read more.)

 

Which companies will leave Maryland next? From Baltimore City Republican Party:

Maryland has long leaned on its proximity to Washington, D.C., and federal employment. But that well is running dry. As remote work becomes the norm and federal job opportunities stagnate or shift elsewhere, one big question remains: what incentive do businesses have to stay?

Wes Moore’s administration seems to be betting that high taxes and big promises are a good business model. Unfortunately, private enterprise doesn’t operate on press conferences and poetry.

Instead, Maryland is becoming a warning label for companies. High corporate taxes. Skyrocketing energy costs. Environmental regulations that shut down major power plants like Brandon Shores. And now, a new digital tax aimed at the very sector that was poised to lead Maryland into a competitive 21st-century economy. (Read more.)

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“Hell Pig”

 Looks like a creature from Tolkien. From All That's Interesting:

The species had the long wide jaw of a crocodile replete with a mouth full of teeth. It had a face studded with thick bones for protection in a fight and a stocky frame often rounded into a hump — not to mention demonic cloven hooves. The largest genus of entelodont, known as the Daeodon, could grow up to 2,000 pounds. Aptly named, Daeodon comes from the Greek word <daiso, for “hostile” or “dreadful.”

Despite their nickname, “hell pig,” the entelodont has no relation to modern pigs as evolutionarily, they’re closer to hippos or whales. Not that this makes their appearance any less fearsome. (Read more.)

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Weekend at Bernie's

 From Tierney's Real News:

Tapper is now making the media rounds saying that Biden, and Biden alone, was responsible for the open border, the inflation and all the failed policies. What a perfect way to let Biden be the fall guy for all the failures of the Democrat party so you can now “rebuild anew” for 2026 and 2028?

Yet, we all know now that Biden didn’t even know what was going on most of the time and key Obama-led staffers were signing his executive orders and pardons with the “autopen” and allegedly even taking pay-offs for doing so.

The timing of all these things is no coincidence.

WHERE IS THE REAL JOE BIDEN? (Read more.)

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How to Talk to Men

 From Direct Line:

Democrats try to “speak bro” with American men using a $20 million strategy plan — hilarity (and confusion) ensues. (see https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dems-drop-20m-bizarre-american-men-strategy-plan-study-effort-dig-out-2024-political-hole )

As a senior economics major at American University, hailing from Oak Park, Illinois, I find myself reflecting deeply on the recent political strategies employed by the Democratic Party. Born in October 2004, my family’s political journey took a significant turn that same year. After years of aligning with Democratic values, the 2004 election marked a pivotal moment when we decided to vote Republican—a decision that has since become a defining aspect of our political identity.

Fast forward to 2025, the Democratic Party has announced a $20 million initiative titled “Speaking with American Men: A Strategic Plan” (SAM), aiming to reconnect with male voters, particularly young men, after noticeable losses in the 2024 election. This initiative seeks to study the language and content that resonates with male voters, even suggesting outreach through platforms like video games. San Francisco Chronicle

A Disconnect Between Strategy and Substance

The SAM initiative, while well-intentioned, seems to underscore a broader issue: a disconnect between the Democratic Party’s strategies and the substantive concerns of male voters. Rather than addressing core issues such as economic stability, job opportunities, and educational access, the focus appears to be on modifying messaging tactics. This approach risks overlooking the fundamental reasons why many men feel alienated from the party. ( https://nypost.com/20265/05/27/opinion/the-secret-to-saving-democrats-20-million-stop-trashing-men/

Critics within the Democratic Party have also expressed concerns. Former campaign staffers have labeled the approach as out-of-touch and patronizing, emphasizing the need for genuine engagement over superficial strategies.

Economic Realities and Political Choices

From an economic standpoint, young men today face numerous challenges: rising student debt, a competitive job market, and concerns about long-term financial security. These issues demand comprehensive policy solutions rather than targeted advertising campaigns. The emphasis should be on creating tangible opportunities and addressing systemic barriers that hinder economic advancement.

In the 2024 election, data indicated a significant shift among male voters towards Republican candidates, with many citing economic concerns as a primary factor. This trend suggests that policy positions, more than messaging strategies, influence voting behaviors.Wikipedia. (Read more.)

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John Singer Sargent and the American ‘Dollar Princesses’

From Artnet:

They were known as the “dollar princesses.” American heiresses who married into the British aristocracy, swapping their new wealth for titles and the chance to rub shoulders with nobility. Think the Countess in Downton Abbey or most of the cast of The Buccaneers. Between 1870 and 1914, 102 American women kept many of England’s Dukes, Earls, and Lords financially afloat. And in those days, the surest way to signal your high status was to have your portrait painted by John Singer Sargent.

A new exhibition dedicated to the celebrated society painter at London’s Kenwood House puts the spotlight on this phenomenon. “Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits,” on view through October 5, not only brings our attention to some of the artist’s most magnificent masterpieces, it also lifts the veil on his subjects. Though these American heiresses have long been dismissed as fashionable socialites, they made significant contributions to society, politics, and the arts.

Nonetheless, these transatlantic unions were controversial on both sides of the pond. In 1906, Theodore Roosevelt wrote to Whitelaw Reid, the American ambassador to Britain, of how he “thoroughly disliked” the marriages, “which are not even matches of esteem and liking, but which are based on the sale of the girl for her money and the purchase of the man for his title.” (Read more.)

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The Five Stages of Liberal Grief

 From Direct Line News:

There’s been a lot of talk lately in my very blue, very cardigan-draped political theory classes about how “fragile” our democracy is. (Side note: the term “our democracy” is now basically code for “we didn’t win.”)

As we once again prepare for the distinct possibility that Donald J. Trump—yes, that Trump—could waltz back into the Oval Office like it’s Mar-a-Lago with better lighting, the Left has entered a well-documented, thoroughly dramatic existential spiral. Having spent the last eight years cycling through yoga, vegan charcuterie, and impeachment fan fiction, Democrats now find themselves trapped in a loop eerily similar to the Five Stages of Grief.

Let’s walk through it together. I’ve taken the liberty of renaming the stages for 2025 reality.

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1. Denial (a.k.a. “Not my president 2.0”)

This is the early meltdown phase. It begins around 10:32 PM on Election Night, right after CNN’s John King zooms into Wayne County, Michigan, like he’s directing a Christopher Nolan film and realizes—too late—that this isn’t going the way his therapist said it would.

Liberal Twitter goes full Broadway:

“If Trump wins again, I’m moving to Sweden and taking my dog, my air fryer, and my gender-neutral sourdough starter with me!”

Celebrities release moody acoustic covers of “This Land Is Your Land” with ukuleles and tears. Democracy is declared dead before Trump even finishes his Diet Coke.

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(Read more.)

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To Tell the Truth

 From Mater et Magistra:

As Catholic parents, one of our greatest responsibilities is forming the moral character of our children. We don’t just teach them right from wrong—we help shape their consciences, train their hearts, and cultivate their moral imagination. Integrity, perseverance, and honesty are virtues that must be modeled and intentionally nurtured within the home. If we want our children to be truthful, hardworking, and morally upright, we must lead by example.

Children learn far more from what we do than from what we say. If we want them to be honest, they must see us being honest. If we want them to persevere, they must watch us push through difficulty with patience and grace. If we want them to act with integrity, they must witness us making hard but right choices.

• Do we admit when we are wrong?

• Do we follow through on our promises, even when it’s inconvenient?

• Do we speak honestly, even when a small lie would make life easier?

• Do we persevere in prayer and daily duties, or do we grumble when things get hard?

Our example forms the foundation of our children’s understanding of virtue. If they see us striving for holiness, they will learn to do the same. (Read more.)

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