The Cost of Resisting the Empire

https://www.democracynow.org/2026/7/31/ecuador_boat_strikes_prosecutor_killed

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/may/20/forced-disappearances-torture-ecuador-war-on-drugs-us-troops

https://thegrayzone.substack.com/p/was-ecuadorian-activist-monika-silva  

Whether direct US agents or through proxies, whether by direct order or by an insinuation, someone in Washington ordered this hit. Traditionally it would have been CIA, but the Pentagon has its own intelligence special operations forces. The Pentagon has the most to lose from a prosecution, but at the same time there would be some caution before they just sent in special ops to assassinate someone.

That would be the conventional thinking but of course under the Trump-Hegseth Pentagon, some of that thinking no longer applies.

Would Pete Hegseth give such an order? Do you doubt it?

Another Deceitful Commentary From a Theonomist Pretending to be a Patriot

https://theaquilareport.com/who-will-stop-the-democratic-socialists-of-america-dsa/    

It's been awhile since we've heard from Larry Ball. He posted this back in August and I've refused to look at it again until now.

We find that he's still living on another planet - in another dimension born of his own dream visions regarding reality, history, and Biblical teaching.

The Theonomic Thirst for Killing

https://www.npr.org/2026/10/15/nx-s1-6001794/fort-hood-execution-hegseth-christian-nationalist

As we would expect, religious reporting coming from Mainstream outlets is not always going to get everything right. That said, in the broad-strokes, this article is accurate.

Unbounded Hubris and the Pastoral Office

https://byfaithonline.com/sjc-issues-decision-in-te-burk-parsons-appeal/   

Reading about Burk Parsons and his disciplinary issues with the PCA, I'm reminded again as to why I rejoice in the fact that I escaped Presbyterianism. To be fair, it's not just Presbyterianism but largely a question of denominations and their politics. The Presbyterian system is particularly odious to me as its bureaucratic labyrinthine way of doing things is galling, made doubly so in that they absurdly insist that it's all Biblical. In reality it's as degenerate as the worst forms of episcopacy - the very point John Milton tried to make.

A Potential Right-wing and Eurosceptic Political Bloc in Romania

https://www.politico.eu/article/romania-siegfried-muresan-political-deadlock-risks-handing-power-far-right/    

Romania and Spain were the last of the European nations to avoid a return to Right-wing politics. Spain spent decades under Franco and only returned to democracy in the late 1970's and early 1980's. Romania had been under fascist rule during World War II and then fell under communism for the duration of the Cold War. Since then it has emerged and while always battling corruption and other issues, the Right was kept at bay.

The Biblical Sacred-Secular Distinction - Its Necessity and the Danger Posed by its Loss

https://www.ilfordipc.co.uk/the-bible-teaches-the-sacred-secular-distinction/   

This was a refreshing read to say the least. It exhibits the very rare case in which someone seems to be able to grasp that while every aspect of our lives is shaped by our faith, there is nevertheless still a critical distinction between the sacred and secular and that it's something explicitly taught in Scripture.

The Sanctified Gods of Christendom

https://breakpoint.org/a-theology-of-idolatry-for-the-twenty-first-century-part-1/    

The Family Life Network (FLN) has replayed this BreakPoint commentary more than once and after hearing it again, I felt compelled to comment. It is a very rare occasion indeed that I find myself agreeing with these commentaries. In fact it's remarkable to me how one organisation can so consistently be wrong, how even when some truth is arrived at or spoken about it is immediately thrust into a theological, ethical, or other interpretative framework that turns it all on its head.

Craig Murray's Portrait of Russia

https://consortiumnews.com/2026/09/27/craig-murray-four-days-in-ekaterinburg/     

Craig Murray is certainly a controversial figure that raises hackles in some quarters. He's perceived as being pro-Russian and he upset many by standing close to Julian Assange through his many struggles. Murray is also tied in with the Scottish Independence movement and has clashed with the Crown judiciary over leaked information resulting in a short jail sentence. In other words, he's a polarizing figure.

American Gas, the Balkans, and Brussels

https://www.politico.eu/article/us-push-to-flood-balkans-with-american-gas-sparks-concerns-in-brussels/ 

Albania, Kosovo, and Bosnia are all deeply indebted to Washington which in turns exerts considerable influence within their systems. In other words they are client states - Kosovo being more akin to satrapy. This gas deal is a case of reciprocity. It's wanted in Washington and Wall Street, which creates political pressure in these countries. The people who implement it locally (often connected to if not sponsored by American institutions and interests) will in turn profit from it as well. Everyone in the circle is happy, but in this case it's an issue that is not a private business deal with limited impact but one that profoundly affects society at large and from the standpoint of Brussels - the entire European Union will be impacted.

The Humanist Gospel of CCM, the Definition of Grace, and the Inward Turn

After forcing myself to listen to the local Evangelical station, I was again struck by the constant refrain found in the latest CCM songs - themes that were not present in the music back in the 80's. Over and over again the singers talk about believing lies about themselves and how now they understand they are wanted, special, etc.

To understand the shift I thought of some questions or statements and how today's theology (expressed in music) understands and answers them.