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Bill Kassel's Blog

Occasional reflections on things that come into my mind — plus links to episodes of my radio show / podcast, “Free Expression”

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Radio Days

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A PIPELINE FOR TRUTH
AND A DEFENSE OF RIGHTS

I hope that you, dear readers, can forgive my laxity in tending this blog.

Since my radio show, “Free Expression,” moved from a monthly to a weekly schedule, my days are kept pretty full arranging, conducting, and editing interviews, then compiling episodes.

A definite shift in my priorities has taken place. But the way things are going in post-Trump America, I think my energies are directed usefully.

This country has entered a very uneasy period in its history.

Skepticism about the Biden presidency persists. And it’s getting worse, with Joe’s incapacities fully on display, and impacting our everyday lives (think inflation).

Also, questions multiply about motives for continuing to promote the infamous “jab,” as stories of deaths and debilitating effects leak out through the media gates.

And if all this isn’t unsettling enough, the specter of nuclear war has returned — calling up those old nightmares that haunted childhood back in the days of duck-and-cover drills in 1950s classrooms.

Is it any wonder folks are a little on edge?

Perhaps most disturbing is the accelerating erosion of constitutional safeguards, especially the assaults on freedom of speech, assembly and religion taking place.

The Left has not succeeded in pulling the nation into ideological line, even with legions of agitated wokesters calling anyone who questions the approved narrative a “racist,” “white supremacist,” or “QAnon conspirator.” So now the challenge to our First Amendment rights is coming directly from government.

Jim Hoft of the Gateway Pundit blog recently drew attention to the Department of Homeland Security’s guidelines on “extremist behavior,” that are aimed at…

“those who question the fraud in the 2020 election and anyone who question[s] the regime’s talking points on COVID and its treatments including the mandates.”

He highlighted a DHS threat assessment, recently declassified, that focuses on “domestic violent extremists” who are…

“…motivated by a range of ideologies and galvanized by recent political and societal events in the United States…” claiming that these individuals and groups “pose an elevated threat to the Homeland…”

Hoft pointed out, quite accurately, that…

“Over half of the US population question the results of the 2020 presidential election.

“Another half of the public questions the ever-changing COVID talking points coming from the medical elites including Dr. Fauci who lied under oath about his funding of gain of function research in Chinese labs.”

And Hoft warned ominously…

“If you mention this you may end up on [a DHS] list.”

It’s outrageous that criticism of government should now be considered treason or sedition by those whose responsibility is to defend the Constitution. In the past, restrictions on political speech have been tolerated, to a limited degree, only during periods of war.

Gee, do you suppose that’s why we’ve been playing nuclear chicken with Vladimir Putin?

My little radio show, “Free Expression,” is a modest effort to provide a small pipeline through which truth may flow.

It’s all about communication. I interview a wide variety of people engaged in seeking and conveying spiritual, scientific and literary insights into our rights, our nature, and our dignity as human beings and children of God.

We discuss books, media (both traditional and online), education, evangelization, legal and moral concerns, our Judeo-Christian heritage, and more. Even music. As the name would suggest, one of our main concerns is defense of First Amendment rights to freedom of speech, assembly and religion.

The show is produced by EWTN-affiliated Good Shepherd Catholic Radio. And it’s “catholic,” both in an upper-case (doctrinal) sense, and in a lower-case (universal) sense.

In fact, it illustrates how Catholic Radio is becoming increasingly important as an alternative information source. Many people are discovering Catholic Radio stations and online sites — even people who aren’t Catholics, aren’t Christians, or aren’t actively involved in worship life.

One of the things I try to do on my show is direct you to other important, useful knowledge resources. My hope is to help you circumvent the obstacles of political correctness that might otherwise keep you from knowing and acting on your rights.

I invite you to listen to “Free Expression.” If you’re located in the south-central Michigan broadcast area, catch the show Saturday and Sunday evenings at 9:00 p.m., or Mondays at 12:30 p.m. on FM-93.3 or AM-1510.

Anywhere else in the world — and any time of the day or night — you can access our full archive of episodes at:

https://goodshepherdcatholicradio.org/radio-show/free-expression/

____________

 

Busy as I am these day, I still love scanning the web for memes. Here’s a handful of graphics that suggest the strangeness of our time, and require no comment…

 

 

Well, the last one probably requires a comment for the benefit of younger readers. That’s the late Senator Joe McCarthy. “McCarthyism.” Get it? He’s taken a lot of flack for his staunch anti-Communism back in the 1950s. Time is a great clarifier.

 

 

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Filed Under: Faith & Religion, Ideology & Politics Tagged With: Catholic Radio, defense of rights, First Amendment, free expression

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My Brother’s Keeper — Comments from Readers…

From the opening words of Bill Kassel’s novel we are drawn into the complex and colorful world of first century Israel. The reader is caught up in the drama of Christ through the eyes of Jesus’ natural family. Kassel’s work is unconventional, exciting and controversial, offering fresh insights and inspiration for believers and non believers alike.
—Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Blogger and Author

My Brother’s Keeper was, for me, a most gratifying reading experience. The book is beautifully written. And even with my limited early Christian history knowledge, I could tell that it had been exhaustively researched. I consider it a significant literary achievement. It was a privilege to read it.
—Gordon Boardman
Kalamazoo, MI

It makes the Gospels come alive in a new way. I loved it.
Frank Berkemeier
Jackson, MI

This was a fascinating book! It was not what I thought it was going to be. I thought the main character, James the Just, was going to turn out to be one of Jesus’ Apostles and the book would describe what it was like to spread the Good News. Instead, it came from the perspective of a family member who was not 100% sure that Jesus was the Messiah. Not only that: James the Just had a sort of friendship with Pontius Pilate. The entire book put you in the Holy Land while Jesus walked. It was a fascinating read. I would recommend it, and already have!
—Carol McHale
Reviewer for
Good Reads

Bill Kassel has taken a very different approach to the Christian story. His is not the conventional Christmas card portrait of the Holy Family. Rather, he has delved deeply into the earliest writings in Church Tradition and offered some compelling suppositions about what was going on around Jesus and how the people closest to him might have been effected by it. He has crafted a plot that’s engaging to the modern reader and, surprisingly, doesn’t contradict Scripture.”
—Fr. Joe Krupp
Columnist
Faith Magazine

If I lived in the time of Jesus, who would I think He was? What would I have believed about Him? Would I have espoused His teachings? It wasn’t like being raised Catholic in the 20th century. My Brother’s Keeper made me realize in a fresh new way how hard it was, in Jesus’ time, for many people — especially Jews — to believe in Jesus and how amazing His mission really was.
—Cheryl Nael
Ave Maria Radio

This book is one of my favorites. My Brother’s Keeper, from page one, invites you to go deeper into the daily life and time of Christ. Most of us are very familiar with the scriptures that give us an account of his life. This book takes you to a personal level that creates a very real image of not only the people but how Christ’s relationships and decisions created a life outside of themselves. How Jesus related to his family, and how his family saw him, bring a very realistic aspect to his life, and created the beginnings of a more personal understanding of Christ in my own life.
—Chris Hoyt
Osseo, MI

Well worth reading. Kassel Takes Biblical facts, Historic facts, Jewish facts and traditions, and weaves them into a compelling narrative. The dialogue is believable and enlightening. You really feel like you are there it is so well written and believable. I honestly couldn’t put it down even though I know the end as the Bible tells it. Kassel captures the emotions of the characters and they are believable. A very compelling and enjoyable read.
—D. Clark Wonderland
Reviewer for
Amazon.com

Bill Kassel has created a vivid landscape for his characters that can be clearly seen felt and almost touched. The Interaction between the characters is understated and dutiful with silent respect. The reader can almost hear their thoughts in humble reverential tones. The relationships between the characters comes across as genuine and the narrative moves along smoothly. And the storyline in engaging. All in all a very good read.
—Al Ferber
Poet & Author

The subject matter and historical period are interesting to me so I find this a good read. I am Catholic but I think the book would be of interest to any Christian who would like to read a fictionalized rendering of what life might have been like for Jesus’ brother, James.
—M.D. Garnett
Reviewer for
Amazon.com

Read this book. ’Tis a very interesting speculation about the family of Joseph, James and Jesus as the Jewish foundation to the Catholic faith.
—Ralph Wasche
White City, OR

“…a book of history, and, yes, entertainment. Even though we all know how it will end, I can’t put it down! It’s one of those stories you find yourself thinking of when you go about your daily routine …. Whether you are a Christian or not, this is an awesome read.”
—Nancy Ryan
Book Reviewer
Simply Hers
Magazine

Bill Kassel explores the impact Jesus’s birth and ministry had on his family, specifically Joseph and Joseph’s son James. Diligent research vividly describes the geography of the region and portrays the culture and politics of Judaism at that time. Not the typical retelling of the story of Jesus. Kassel poses questions that challenge the reader to rethink basic premises and meditate on new perspectives and their impact on the reader.
—Christine DeNuccio
Reviewer for
Amazon.com

Fantastic! Transported me back to Jesus’ time. And a new perspective on James. Great read.
—“Book Bug”
Reviewer for
Barnes & Noble

Reading “My Brother’s Keeper” is like being part of the part of the crowd at the crucifixion. Mr. Kassel transports you into the Word. I was there and understood the life of Jesus and his family situation.
I am a Protestant, and there are a few things I can’t agree with, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book and Mr. Kassel’s grasp of the English language. I was there with my Savior.
—Gail Gioia
Upper Black Eddy, PA

Kassel relates the life and ministry of the Savior of the world through an inspired, historical, and personable lens… His faith, research, and talent shine through the portrayals of the characters James the Just, Simon Peter, Joseph of Arimathea, Mary the Mother of our Lord, Pontius Pilate, and various others. I commend his authorship and recommend “My Brother’s Keeper” to any seeking to kindle a love for those who shared in the Master’s mortal life and ancient Israel. Kassel adheres to the biblical accounts of Christ’s life, expounding with full creative license potential causes, emotions, and situations that might have occurred among the ancient Jews. I pray that you enjoy the story of James the Just, and join him in discovering a greater love for the Son of God, and our fellow men.

—Drew Hooper
Reviewer for
Amazon.com

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