That's Isaiah's THE WORLD TODAY JUST NUTS' "Chump of Chumps" and it's funny.
But I'm sad because of something that happened today.
"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God."
The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, told journalists later on Monday that the late Pope's body could be transferred to St. Peter's Basilica on Wednesday morning, so that the faithful may pray before his mortal remains.
"The translation of the Holy Father's mortal remains to the Vatican Basilica, for the veneration of all the faithful, may take place on the morning of Wednesday, April 23, 2025, according to the arrangements that shall be determined and communicated tomorrow, following the first Congregation of the Cardinals," Mr. Bruni said.
The rite of the certification of death and placement in the coffin took place on Monday evening at 8:00 PM in the chapel on the ground floor of the late Pope's residence in the Casa Santa Marta.
During the rite, the declaration of death was read aloud. The act was validated by Cardinal Farrell, and the ceremony lasted just under an hour.
Seals were placed on the papal apartment on the third floor of the Apostolic Palace and on the apartment on the second floor of the Casa Santa Marta, where Pope Francis lived.
His Apostolic Ministry: A gift from the Lord
“In the faith of the Risen Christ, which we celebrate on this holy Easter day,” the Cardinal emphasized, “we know that death is not a door that closes but an entrance into the heavenly Jerusalem, where mourning is turned into dancing, and sackcloth into robes of joy.” He then invited all to “thank the Lord for the gifts He gave the entire Church through the apostolic ministry of Pope Francis, a pilgrim of hope who does not disappoint.”
The emotion of the 12,000 faithful present
As during the Pope’s hospitalization between February and March at Rome's Gemelli Hospital due to bilateral pneumonia, many faithful gathered again tonight in prayer within the embrace of the Square's Bernini colonnade. Around 12,000 people participated in person, with many more joining via digital media. “Brothers and sisters spread across the world,” the Cardinal noted, all who have offered their prayers making up “the whole flock of Christ, the Good Shepherd, who prays for Pope Francis while contemplating the glorious mysteries of our Savior.” The Vatican Basilica’s Archpriest then commended the late Pope “to the Merciful Father, in communion with Mary, Mother of the Church, Queen of Heaven, and through the intercession of the Apostle Peter.”
The icon of Mary, Mother of the Church
Before the icon of Maria Mater Ecclesiae (Mary, Mother of the Church), placed on the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica and adorned with white and pink flowers, Cardinal Gambetti led the Marian prayer, entrusting the 266th Successor of Peter to the Virgin’s intercession. The emotion in the square was palpable, following a day that saw believers from across the globe make pilgrimages to the Vatican Basilica, stunned and dismayed by the news of the Bishop of Rome’s passing. The evening breeze gently swayed the rosary beads and the flickering torches held by the faithful. Among those who took turns reading at the microphone were Sister Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, and Sister Alessandra Smerilli, Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
After meditating on the Glorious Mysteries, Cardinal Gambetti called upon God, “great in love,” and gave thanks “for the gifts He bestowed on the Church through the apostolic ministry of Pope Francis”; and he praised the late Pope himself as a witness of the Lord and His “tenderness for the small and the poor, mercy for sinners, and kindness to all.” Finally, as the Roman sky gradually darkened, the assembly sang the Salve Regina, and Cardinal Gambetti gave the blessing, followed by a respectful and heartfelt round of applause.
e find ourselves at a profound juncture in human history, where spiritual leadership intersects with the most pressing ecological challenge of our time. Pope Francis stood as a beacon in this critical moment, embodying the urgent need to transform our relationship with the planet we call home.
The significance of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio's choice of "Francis" as his papal name cannot be overstated. It was a deliberate evocation of St. Francis of Assisi, who saw all of creation as a sacred manifestation of God's love. This choice was no mere symbolic gesture — it was a declaration of intent, signaling the pope's recognition that our relationship with nature is intrinsically connected to our spiritual well-being. In choosing this name, he aligned himself with a tradition that views nature not as a resource to be exploited, but as God's inalienable creation to be cherished and protected.
This understanding crystallized magnificently in his 2015 encyclical "Laudato Si', on Care for Our Common Home," a testament to his deep awareness of the intersection between the sacred, nature and ethical behavior. The document was revolutionary — not only because it came from the leader of 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide, but because it articulated with moral clarity what science has been telling us for decades: we live in the God-given Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, and we are not taking care of it.
We know our current path is unsustainable. We are engaged in unchecked extractive behavior that is leading us to consume Mother Earth at a pace increasingly beyond her capacity to regenerate. The greed that has taken root in our minds has led to a polluted environment that is toxic for our lungs, destructive for our economy and society, and — let us not mince words — suicidal for our future.
When Francis spoke of "ecological sin," he was not introducing some new theological concept disconnected from reality. He was naming the moral dimension of our collective failure to honor the covenant between humanity and the divine gift of creation. This is not peripheral to either faith or human well-being — it is central to both.
Our wounded Earth needs us to provide restorative capacity for it to heal, and in so doing, ensure a future of human well-being. This is not mere environmentalism; it is recognition of our profound responsibility as stewards of creation. We are all ancestors of future life on this planet. Ours is the responsibility to safeguard the rights of the unborn children of the future who want to thrive on a thriving planet.
Francis embodied the kind of leadership we desperately need in this decisive decade. He combined profound spiritual insight with practical urgency, reminding us that climate action is not separate from our moral and ethical obligations — it is a direct expression of them. His voice has been clear and unwavering: the ecological crisis is a cry of the Earth and a cry of the poor, inextricably linked and demanding our immediate attention.
He really was the People's Pope. I know I shouldn't be surprised. He was sick for weeks and weeks. And I would note here how I was praying for him. When he got released from the hospital, I had so much hope. He did so much good. He cared about the people. He fought for the people who were not in power and who sometimes had no power at all. He was the embodiment of the best that the Church offers.
SignalGate continues and gets worse. As with the first revelation that Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, was leaking and sharing details of the US attack on Yemen before and as it happened on a non-secure Signal chat, this new information again involves Pete and Signal but a different group chat. Signal, AP reminds, "is a commercially available app not authorized to be used to communicate sensitive or classified national defense information" And this one again begs the question, "Was he drunk?"
Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart (REUTERS) report, "U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared details of a March attack on Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis in a message group that included his wife, brother and personal lawyer, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Sunday. The revelations of a second Signal chat raise more questions about Hegseth's use of an unclassified messaging system to share highly sensitive security details and come at a particularly delicate moment for him, with senior officials ousted from the Pentagon last week as part of an internal leak investigation."
For any who have forgotten the first non-secure Signal chat on the attack on Yemen was a chat involving Pete, Vice President JD Vance, Diretor of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabar, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, NSA advisor Mike Waltz, CIA Director John Ratcliffe (who named an undercover CIA agent in the non-secure chat) and, by accident, journalist Jeffrey Goldberg who wrote about it here.
Natasha Bertrand, Jake Tapper, Haley Britzky and Zachary Cohen (CNN) explain:
The chat was set up during Hegseth’s tumultuous confirmation hearing process as a way for his closest allies to strategize, two of the people familiar with the matter said. But Hegseth continued using the chat, which had more than a dozen people in it, to communicate after he was confirmed, the people said.
The revelation comes as some of Hegseth’s closest advisers have begun sounding the alarm about the secretary’s judgment, including his former press secretary, John Ullyot, and three former senior officials Hegseth fired last week — his top adviser Dan Caldwell, deputy chief of staff Darin Selnick, and Colin Carroll, who served as chief of staff to the deputy secretary of defense.
“It’s been a month of total chaos at the Pentagon. From leaks of sensitive operational plans to mass firings, the dysfunction is now a major distraction for the president — who deserves better from his senior leadership,” Ullyot said in a statement obtained by CNN.
Was he drunk? This newly revealed chat includes his wife and his brother who have both already raised eye brows. Robert Mackey (GUARDIAN) notes, "Hegseth has previously been criticized for including his wife, Jennifer, a former Fox News producer, in sensitive meetings with foreign leaders, including a discussion of the war in Ukraine with British military leaders. Phil Hegseth, the secretary’s younger brother, was hired as a senior Pentagon adviser and is the defense department’s liaison to the Department of Homeland Security. It is unclear why either would need to know about the details of strikes plans in advance." It's also unclear, at this point, who Hegseth didn't share war plans and deatils with regarding the US strike on Yemen.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Tweeted, "The details keep coming out. We keep learning how Pete Hegseth put lives at risk. But Trump is still too weak to fire him." Too weak. Weak on national defense Chump. Christopher Wiggins (THE ADVOCATE) notes:
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Sunday publicly condemned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, calling him “unfit to lead.” New revelations showed Hegseth shared classified U.S. military plans—including details of a Yemen airstrike—with his wife, brother, personal lawyer, and others in an encrypted Signal group chat. The disclosure comes weeks after Hegseth was revealed to have discussed plans for a military strike in an unsecured Signal chat to which The Atlantic’s editor Jeffrey Goldberg had been added.
“Of course, advance information on US combat operations is classified,” Buttigieg, a Navy veteran who served as an intelligence officer, wrote on Facebook. “Pretending otherwise is an insult to our troops, who all know this. The Secretary is unfit to lead.”
Pete's an Afghan War veteran, Senator Tammy Duckworth is an Iraq War veteran.
Senator Michael Bennett Tweeted, "Pete Hegseth’s continuing contempt for our intelligence community and abdication of his duty to our armed forces and the American people are completely unacceptable – and dangerous. President Trump must remove him immediately."
US House Rep Sydney Kamlager-Dove posted to BLUESKY:
These calls join earlier ones. Dan Lamothe (WASHINGTON POST) reminds, "In the aftermath of the first error coming to light, President Donald Trump supported Hegseth, but the top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sens. Roger Wicker (Mississippi) and Jack Reed (Rhode Island), requested that the Defense Department inspector general’s office scrutinize the situation. A review is underway." Yash Nitish Bajaj (THE HINDUSTAN TIMES) notes, "After The Atlantic disclosed the first Signal chat, Hegseth said: 'Nobody was texting war plans, and that’s all I have to say about that.' At a Senate hearing, Tulsi Gabbard asserted the same claim." Yes, they lied. And they will most likely lie again. In the meantime, Chas Danner (INTELLIGENCER) observes, "Hegseth’s 100th day as defense secretary will be May 4 — if he’s still the defense secretary."
A crowd returned to Colorado’s Capitol and downtown Denver on Saturday for the latest in a nationwide series of “Hands Off!” rallies opposing the Trump administration.
Videos and images posted on social media by rally attendees show the group holding signs denouncing what they described as the threat to American democracy posed by President Donald Trump and his associates, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who leads the newly created Department of Government Efficiency.
The event was scheduled to last from noon to 4 p.m. and was organized by Colorado 50501 Chapter, Women’s Strike and Raise Her Voice.
Colorado 50501 Chapter also helped organize the “Hands Off!” rally that brought a crowd and speakers to the Capitol on April 5.
Around 100 people gathered outside of the New Orleans ICE Field Office on Saturday, rallying for the freedom of Mahmoud Khalil and others detained in immigration enforcement operations.
The case of Khalil, a Colombia University graduate student detained at a facility in Louisiana, has garnered national attention. A week ago, a federal judge ruled that Khalil could be removed from the country. His lawyers are expected to appeal and a federal judge in New Jersey has temporarily barred his removal.
Saturday's protest began with a rally on Poydras Street. Then, the group began marching toward the French Quarter. The demonstration is scheduled to end at the Moon Walk, a park across from Jackson Square.
Over a thousand people gathered in Old City to protest against President Donald Trump and his administration.
The demonstration was part of another National Day of Action opposing the president's policies. People throughout the country also gathered for protests earlier this month.
"We need to wake up. We can't take this for granted. Democracy dies in silence," said Lip Spector.
The protest, called "No Kings," is part of a nationwide demonstration denouncing the policies and actions of the White House that protesters say are anti-democratic.
"This is a sign from the grassroots up," said Margaret Ralph. "Americans are saying this is not who we are."
Emily Neil (WHYY) notes, "Philadelphia's rally leaned heavily into the city’s lore and history. A person dressed in a Gritty suit held up a QR code with information on speakers’ names, and the Positive Movement Drumline accompanied rally-goers when they marched several blocks around Old City. With Independence Hall as a backdrop, several attendees came in colonial attire as speakers drew parallels to the Founding Fathers’ fight against the British monarchy and what many people described as the 'lawlessness' of the Trump administration."
Sounds pretty impressive. Good for Philadelphia. Too bad that their crap ass newspaper, PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, couldn't be bothered to file a report -- but, hey, they're jazzed that Mark Levin's joining the Chump administration. Priorities, you understand.
Baltimore
and DC now (Baltimore and DC now)
Emma Bowman and Juliana Kim (NPR) report, "In Washington, D.C., hundreds of protesters gathered in Lafayette Square outside the White House on Saturday morning to voice their opposition to the Trump administration. Demonstrators cited a range of concerns, including the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia and the administration's moves to cut funding for research and higher education." Philip Marcelo (AP) notes, "Bob Fasick said he came out to the rally by the White House out of concern about threats to constitutionally protected due process rights, as well as Social Security and other federal safety-net programs." Kanishka Singh (REUTERS) notes, "Some demonstrators carried symbols expressing support for Ukraine and urging Washington to be more decisive in opposing Russian President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine." and Everyone should have due process. No one should be just taken away and locked up. I don’t care if he is a murderer, he still should get due process. That's what this country is based on. Laws."
Yeah, don't forget the Motor City (can't forget the Motor City)
Darcie Moran and Liam Rappleye (DETROIT FREE PRESS) notes:
Protesters across metro Detroit spent another Saturday rallying and protesting against the Trump administration.
A handful of protest movements, ranging from Oakland County to Detroit, and farther south into Trenton, took place April 19 as a follow-up to the nationwide “Hands Off! Day of Action" protests on April 5, which saw thousands of Michiganders rally against President Donald Trump, his administration and tech billionaire Elon Musk.
Thousands turned out, but the shouts of the crowds across Michigan stood in contrast to how the state voted in 2024. President Donald Trump won the state by a bit over 80,000 votes, earning 49.7% of the vote to then-Vice President Kamala Harris’ 48.3%.
Also in Michigan, Sarah Atwood (LANSING STATE JOURNAL) reports:
Hundreds of people gathered at the Michigan Capitol Saturday afternoon to protest President Donald Trump's administration on the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
The rally, held by Stand Against Extremism in "solidarity" with the 50501 movement, began at noon with a march around the Capitol. Afterward, the crowd stood in front of the steps of the Capitol to hear from local organizers, politicians and community members.
Way down in L.A., California (way down in L.A., California)
Tim Pulliam (ABC 7) reports, "At City Hall in downtown L.A. Saturday, demonstrators said Trump and wealthy members of his administration, like billionaire Elon Musk, are attacking working people and democratic policies. Other protesters there denounced the administration's effort to conduct mass deportations."
MSNBC offers this video report of protests around the country.
In Columbia, South Carolina.
In Miami.
In Indiana
In Atlanta.
In Austin, Texas.
In Dallas.
In Boise, Idaho.
MOTHER JONES' Clara Jeffery has a number of BLUESKY posts about protests around the country.
Tyler, Texas turned out.
Hilo, Hawaii.
Kansas City.
Monterey.
Columbus, Ohio.
Protesting in Boston.
They turned out in New Hampshire.
It was a nation wide rebuke to Donald Chump, a rejection of the Convicted Felon's efforts to destroy the country. The participation increases nd more people become aware. Rachel Maddow's stated courage is contagious and we're seeing it spread as more and more people refuse to cower before Chump, refuse to bow and scrape and kiss the ring. Joe and Mika embraced cowardice and they are useless for that reason and forevermore. But the American people are standing up and speaking out.
I've seen many good things on BLUESKY but think this may be the most important post of the day.
Donald Chump is practicing The Politics of Destruction. Paul Krugman covers that in his latest column that just went up:
If you want a model for what’s happening to America, think of Mao’s Cultural Revolution.
But wait, wasn’t Mao hard left while America has been taken over by the hard right? Well, why do you think there’s a big difference between the two? I’m a believer in horseshoe theory, which says that the extreme left and the extreme right are more like each other than either is like the political center. For example, among Britain’s unions there is a hard-left faction that has no counterpart in the United States. Some of its positions, notably making apologies for Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, look a lot like MAGA.
And in America some leftist commentators have effectively become spokesmen for the tech-bro right.
Once you’ve seen the parallel between what MAGA is trying to do and China’s Cultural Revolution, the similarities are everywhere. Maoists sent schoolteachers to do farm labor; Trumpists are talking about putting civil servants to work in factories.
The Cultural Revolution was, of course, a huge disaster for China. It inflicted vast suffering on its targets and also devastated the economy. But the Maoists didn’t care. Revenge was their priority, never mind the effects on GDP.
The Trumpists are surely the same. Their rampage will, if unchecked, have dire economic consequences. Right now we’re all focused on tariff madness, but undermining higher education and crippling scientific research will eventually have even bigger costs. But don’t expect them to care, or even to acknowledge what’s happening. Trump has already declared that the inflation everyone can see with their own eyes is fake news.
Isaiah's THE WORLD TODAY JUST NUTS' "Chump of Chumps" went up yesterday. The following sites updated:
