My Morning Joe

• They got Osama bin Laden. Here's what makes me glad: I am glad that our troops once again showed the world what they are made of. They sparkled and shone through years of what began to look like a quagmire. They proved that the American soldiers, when determined, and un-hamstrung, can pull off a spectacular operation as this. It gives me hope amid a global chorus singing the decline and unprecedented weakness of the United States.
• It also gives me somewhat ironic satisfaction, to see the President, finding himself in dire need of a ratings boost, knew exactly where to get it. It seems that in his heart of hearts, he knows what REALLY works when the rubber meets the road,  and it is exactly the sort of thing which he despises, such as military might. This is why he hasn't closed Gittmo, this is why he has kept in place all those national security policies put in place by his predecessor, President George W. Bush, the man he ceaselessly, classlessly maligns. 
• I am sick and tired of those so-called Trad Catholics, who hungrily grab attention in the comp boxes in the Catholic bloggersphere by attacking the Blessed Pope John Paul II. It's not the content of their criticism that bugs me, it's their smugness and hardly-concealed pride. I often remember what Blaise Pascal said about some heretic nuns of his times, that they were "pure like angels, proud like the devil."
• Just to get a couple of things off my chest, so to speak, this morning. 
• Also, get over to Ree Drummond's (Pioneer Woman) place. She's giving away $500 donations to your favorite charity. All you do is leave comment for a chance. She's also giving $.25 for each comment left to help the tornado victims in Alabama, who are virtually forgotten by media amid the royal wedding and the death of bin Laden.
• KDM and I have a field trip date today: we are headed to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to see this golden painting at the Philbrook Museum by my very favorite American painter, Fairfield Porter:

October Interior, Fairfield Porter

• Basking in the painting's golden light, I will surely feel blessed.