The Gazette schedule was shortened one day this week, and my article was finished too early for a full response to Kelly’s letter. My apologies, Kelly.

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I’m preoccupied with the results of the Alaska meeting between Trump and Putin. I expected a farce, I wasn’t disappointed.

In short, Putin gave up nothing to Trump, while continuing to slaughter Ukrainian civilians. Trump gave up everything to
Russia, using promises written to dupe only severely naïve people. The sandy foundation of these promises is structured
with “just trust us” sentiments. These phantoms of NATO-Article -5 -type protections for Ukraine defense insult the
intelligence of anyone with basic knowledge of communist history. I hope the European leaders who followed Zelenskyy to the
White House after the Alaska fiasco will convince Trump to apply testicular sanctions to Putin’s oil market, thus shaking
off the president’s emerging Ruso-patsy image. Mr. President, you are dealing with an indicted war criminal, not a banana
republic bandit. We shouldn’t have to remind you of this; maybe if you chose an envoy other than your golfing buddy, Steve
Witkoff, you would improve your tactics. He’s just a genial, inexperienced ignoramus. But I would give you a mulligan here
for replacing him with Commanding General Ben Hodges, United States Army Europe, Ret. He knows Ukraine and the unique place
of Crimea, the heart of Ukraine which you would blithely toss to the hyenas.

Alaska in short: Putin demands Ukraine give Russia all Ukrainian territory occupied thus far, and more. Russia also wants
Crimea and demands Ukraine essentially demilitarize. What does Russia give Ukraine in exchange? Russia “promises” to stop
its murderous destruction of the Ukraine it has invaded for three and a half years. Trump is inexplicably siding with
Putin, again. Serious people are asking if Putin is blackmailing Trump.

We must remember Russia has now lost one million forty thousand soldiers, and hundreds of thousands more Ukrainian civilian
men, women, and children, with a battle kill rate of 1,200 per day. Trump needs to understand Putin is not only a war
criminal, he’s also a psychopathic killer. We must also remember Putin has kidnapped 30,000 children and transported them
to Russia to be raised as Russians with a new language.

Trump makes pathetic post Alaska comments like,

“The agreement will protect them.” [Ukrainians]. J. D. Vance says, “Engagement in diplomacy” is the way to go.” I ask both
of them, when did Russia ever in its history abide by an agreement? Viable agreements demand that magical stuff – TRUST. As
the saying goes, I wouldn’t trust a communist to water my dog.

The most important thing to understand about the Alaska farce is this: Putin gave up nothing, while Trump gave away
everything to Putin, including the necessity for a ceasefire– all with a smile!

I find myself in a dilemma: I support Trump’s domestic policies but strongly reject all his Ukrainian policies. Can I
remain MAGA when his foreign policies, in my opinion, are about to spark war? Trump’s esteem of Putin is like that “dilemma
wrapped in a paradox.” I can’t believe Trump doesn’t understand that Putin is a virtual stand-in for Antichrist on one
side, yet finds him praiseworthy on the other. Putin has a lot in common with the “Father of Lies, who was also a murderer

from the beginning.” Maybe a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a closer match.

By the way, Putin rejected that central idea of ceasefire. How long did Trump spend on that? Another fake Potemkin
settlement to fool Trump. A waste of time when time means 1,200 deaths per 24 hours!

My spiritually gifted friends in the Catholic community provide trustworthy information about the otherwise confusing
realities of this global battlefield. While I have neither fear nor anxiety about the near future, I do have some clarity
about its catastrophic nature. For me, the answer cannot be found in technology, AI, voodoo, or Democratic Party politics.
Those of us who do not believe in God and His Divine Will might do well to reconsider. Of course, it does no harm to give
prayer a chance as well. End of sermon.

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Response to Kelly Scoles’ letter.

Sorry so little space remains, Kelly.

As you can see, I was more disgusted with the Alaska meeting than you, but I’ll refrain from some of your space-taking
hyperbole.

Kelly, something wrong with paterfamilias? This is the most cynical letter I’ve ever received from you. He
(paterfamilias), though diminished in status today, is and has been responsible for maintaining the family’s well-being,
reputation, and moral standing within Roman (then western) society.

Romans structured their nation on this understanding. He was the oldest living male of the Roman family. His primary duty
has always been to support and defend his family, recognized as its head. The system worked well for a thousand years of
Roman Republic and Empire – then 2,000 years of Christianity. Feminists despise the thought of male authority and have paid
the price. Despising male authority in a family context doesn’t change the necessity of protecting the most vulnerable of
our species, females. Every normal male has a duty of protecting the distaff side of his species in his DNA. It is a primary duty of good men to protect the female side from evil men. I invite you to view the American military graveyards in
France and the US for evidence of male sacrifices made to this end. Most of all, the absence of the paterfamilias father
figure from the home today is the prime reason for the pandemic of juvenile crime!

Just one more reflection on your diatribe against male protection. You say “Obviously, women will forever be unwilling objects of your paterfamilias veneration and ‘protection’.” Your sarcasm is clear, but your understanding is dark and
selfish. Do you feel venerated? That was not my intention. Both species are today about to be shaken like a terrier shakes
a rat. Both stand near that eternal dock. However, be glad so many men still risk their lives to “protect” women. I regret
that that offends you. But otherwise, the lives of our female species would be pure Hell and the paterfamilias would be
guilty of criminal negligence.

Send your thanks to 408 Orchard St., Fillmore, CA. I can forward it to a military hospital.