The World According to Mr. Trump

 

“Go, and Sin no More"-A Sunday Reflection from St. Anne’s Church

Today, as I like to do when I’m off work, I attended the Sunday Vigil Mass at St. Anne’s Church. The homily struck me deeply, not only because of the Gospel reading itself, but also because of the way the priest connected it to a very real and recent event in the life of the Church.

The Gospel reading was about the well-known story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). In today’s language, we might say she was caught “red-handed.” The Pharisees dragged her before Jesus, eager to trap Him, to force Him into choosing between the strict application of their law and the mercy for which He was known.

The priest began his homily by speaking about the late former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick who was once one of the highest-ranking officials in the American Catholic Church. In fact, he was once the head of the Diocese, Newark. McCarrick also was laicized after multiple investigations found him culpable of numerous allegations in 2018, primarily of a sexual nature. He was removed from all clerical status and spent his final days in a nursing home in Missouri, where he recently died at the age of 94.

Interestingly, the priest noted that The New York Times published an extensive obituary upon McCarrick’s death. Even though he had been stripped of his title within the Church, the secular media still referred to him as a former cardinal — a reflection, perhaps, of the enduring public weight of his story.

But what moved me most was how the priest connected this news story to the Gospel.

When the woman was brought before Jesus, her accusers stood ready to stone her, a very painful punishment at the time certain that her sins warranted death according to the law. But Jesus intervened, saying, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to cast a stone.” One by one, her accusers slipped away, realizing their own sins disqualified them from passing ultimate judgment.

Then Jesus turned to the woman and asked, “Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” And Jesus responded with words that echo through the ages: “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more.”

The priest reminded us that while the consequences of sin are real, as seen in McCarrick’s removal from ministry and the damage caused, judgment belongs ultimately to God. Justice is necessary, but so is mercy. The balance between truth and compassion is at the heart of the Gospel.

He ended the homily by challenging us not to focus so much on the sins of others, public figures or otherwise, but to turn inward and confront the sin within our own hearts. Like the woman in the Gospel, we are all in need of mercy. And like her, we are all called to hear those same liberating words from Christ:

“Go, and sin no more.”

God bless you, and have a wonderful week and be a blessing to others wherever you go.

Pal Ronnie 

Markets April 4th 2025

 

Trump ‘Gold Cards’ Sold Out in 24 Hours, Generating $5 Billion in Revenue

By Ronnie Law

So this week, the U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced Thursday that a first batch of 1,000 exclusive “Gold Cards”  a Trump administration initiative offering permanent U.S. residency — sold out in just 24 hours, generating a staggering $5 billion in federal revenue.

Each card, priced at $5 million, grants the purchaser permanent residency in the United States. While recipients can eventually apply for citizenship, Secretary Lutnick noted that many may choose not to do so, due to the burdensome global taxation requirements that come with U.S. citizenship. This nuance makes the card especially attractive to ultra-high-net-worth individuals seeking the lifestyle and privileges of U.S. residency without the full financial implications of becoming a citizen.

When this was announced, most people didn't think the president was serious. It amazing to see that this is being implemented and it's at work already. 

In more context, the concept of the Gold Card originated from a discussion between the 47th President, Donald Trump and billionaire investor John Paulson. The goal was to turn immigration into a revenue-generating enterprise by selling residency to the ultra-wealthy instead of giving it away. These people being attracted to the United States would be a big win for the nation. 

To be honest, this idea was seen as bold as it is simple: monetize one of the most desirable privileges in the world — the right to live in the United States and eventually a citizen. And it's working.

If just 1 million out of the estimated 37 million people worldwide who could afford the card actually purchase one, the initiative could theoretically generate a massive $5 trillion in revenue for Uncle Sam. Not bad for a plan once dismissed as far-fetched.

By and large, this development marks a significant shift in how residency, and by extension, immigration policy is being reimagined at the highest levels of American government with the business minded Trump in charge. Whether controversial or innovative, it’s certainly... interesting and worthy of our attention. 

God bless 

Are President Trump’s Tariffs Here to Stay?

Yesterday April 2nd, 2025, Trump dropped his big tariff on the world. Is this fair play? We won't really know, honestly. Time will tell with what he got going on. Now, he unveiled all of these tariffs, and the bottom line is: 10% for practically everybody—including Israel, the great American ally in the Middle East. They're on the list. All of these allies you’d think might have carve-outs? They’re all on the list.

So pretty much every nation on Earth is on this list. Everybody’s got a baseline of 10%. That’s what we’re going to charge you to import goods into the United States.

And then there are the rest of them—some of them are higher than 10%. Many of them, in fact. It’s reciprocal. The idea is: “Look, you’re charging us a lot—so we’re going to charge you back.” said Trump.

One example is Vietnam. Trump says they charge us 90% when we import American goods into Vietnam. So he says, “We’re going to slap a 46% tariff on Vietnamese goods.” And by the way, a lot of stuff these days is manufactured in Vietnam, no longer China. It used to be “Made in China.” But if you check a lot of stuff now, you’ll see it’s “Made in Vietnam.” So this could have a big impact on the things you buy.

Trump is saying it will be 46% on Vietnamese goods. And how could you possibly be mad? It’s half the price, right? That was some back and forth with Vietnam.

So who’s telling the truth? Who’s lying? I don’t know, honestly. There are a lot of economists on this.

What we did see was that the market took a hit today because of the tariffs. This is just market reaction. It was expected. I don’t think people should panic just yet. But it fell so hard as it did in 2020 during the covid shut down. The sad irony is that Trump was the driver of the economy back then. This is so strange and worth this piece. 

Nonetheless, it is interesting to see how this will all shake out. I understand Trump is taking a chainsaw—Javier Milei Argentina-style—to the government. There’s going to be immediate pain. Nobody likes change. That’s just fundamental to anything and everything: people don’t like change. I had a conversation with my people last week and the same was said. We all must experience this short term pain. At least some people understand this move. 

So when you make a change, people kind of panic. The average American looking at their stock portfolio today will not be thrilled, guaranteed. Trump is a deal maker first, president second. I'm sure he is watching these reactions closely. But it also might not work. The whole world is not doing well economically as evidenced by the widespread outcry of economic hardships.

No worries, most MAGA supporters are also going to feel this pain in higher prices of goods. Like they said, we will all feel the weight of this.

I'm not an economist but my limited time in those classes in high school taught me that, the tariffs paid are not directed at the nation, but on the people of that nation. 

You’re charging the American people. What you're trying to do is dissuade us from purchasing imported goods. 

Goods made in America are often naturally expensive. That is why most goods are always produced elsewhere and sold here. Labor in America is not cheap.

This is definitely a game changer no matter the outcome. 

So the economic pain on Americans? I don’t see that changing. I think the pain is coming. We’re going to have to readjust. The question is: will there be more jobs? Will the jobs pay better? Will we be able to afford the new price adjustments?

Maybe if our wages go up—or if the cost of other things that are draining us, like healthcare, college tuition, real estate—if those go down, then maybe it balances out. We’ll have to wait and see. I wanted to get a graduate degree in a medical specialty, I spoke with the university and the cost of the program for me will be $41,000.00 after all discounts. The point is that the costs of everything are off the charts. 

This is going to be a shock. This is very much shock therapy for the nation as a whole. 

So how are people going to react? How are companies going to react? We will see that fully in the next few months. 

Mega companies like Apple, are they going to bring back its entire manufacturing to the U.S.? Will they bring their hoarded cash of hundreds of billions of dollars home? What will the cost of the new iPhones be if that happens? An iPhone manufactured in America will definitely cost more by factoring in labor cost alone. 

Elon Musk is probably salivating over this thought—he’s talked about launching a Tesla phone in the past. Musk gained access to the government not by accident. He definitely wanted the wealth of data from the government. People think is generous by doing pro bono for the government. Well, if he can launch Tesla phones cheaper than Apple, when Apple brings its operations back home, that would be a win for an American company that already manufactures domestically. Competition is good. 

We are all willing to wait and see how this pans out. But I do think it’s going to be painful, and I have low confidence that prices are going to go back down. I think we’re going to see prices go up. The question is: will it level out at some point?

If we can bring American manufacturing back, it will help a lot of people with employment. From a national security and sovereignty standpoint,too, it’s not wise to rely heavily on imports like we do now. We saw that during the pandemic. It’s just not a good idea. Imagine a nation who doesn't like you is making your antibiotics and other vital basic products necessary for life. Bad idea. 

If this encourages us to buy local, buy sustainable goods, buy all American made —all of those are ultimately good things for the nation. 

So we will see how this works out. Trump said April 2nd 2025 was Liberation Day. We will see.

No matter what, we have to bring American manufacturing basw back onshore. It’s going to be painful, very much so. No matter how you slice it. We just have to ride it out and see what happens.

Are you ready? 

Stay tune and God bless 🙌 

Pal Ronnie

Today Is My Day Off

It’s my day of no work. It's also Street cleaning Thursday and that meant I had to move my car, so I ended up on Paterson Plank Road near a Dunkin’ Donuts adjacent to Tamer Pharmacy in JC. Pharmacies, liquor stores, and fast-food outlets seem to be the most common businesses wherever you go around here.  

Yesterday, I met a lady who had just arrived in the U.S. the day before from India. She has a medical background, and it was nice talking to her about health. I can talk about the subject matter until “Thy Kingdom come”. 

We had a few of those easy, meandering conversations that make you pause and reflect on life itself. I can only imagine what life must be like in India—so different, yet in some ways, the same for us all. Welcome to America, my friend.

While on Paterson Plank, I sat facing the road, doing something I used to enjoy very much: watching people and trying to understand the human condition. Sophisticated stuff. But maybe that’s too lofty a desire—trying to understand humans. We’re too complex, too layered and extraordinarily dynamic. And I’m not just talking about it at the "software level," to borrow some computer science lingo.  

Looking out there, I saw people walking by, some on scooters, others on bikes. Cars passed, buses rolled through—everyone going somewhere. The question is: Where? And why? But we don’t really need to know that. That’s the beauty of free will. We are all free to gallivant, wander and stray wherever we want. At the superficial level though, that is what it likely means to be free, IMO. Yet, some people just stood by the wayside. I wanted to look around as much as possible to see if someone wasn't on their phone. I failed miserably. I wrote what you're reading on my phone too. We are all always on our phones. We are in trouble. I wrote about this and other technology in the past.

I digress, but the overall theme is that, all of us after all, want the same things: to be loved and love, free from all forms of bondage and to have our daily needs met. Nothing more, nothing less.  

Have a wonderful day and I remain your pal, 

-Ronnie

The Mercy of God: A Sunday Homily Reflection About the Prodigal Son

I attended Mass at St. Anne’s, and as always, the Scripture readings were beautifully connected—from the Old Testament to the New Testament and finally, the Gospel. The homily centered on one of the most powerful parables in Scripture: the Prodigal Son.

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." – Luke 15:20

The priest began by pointing out an all-too-common misunderstanding in modern Christianity—not necessarily in the Catholic Church alone, but across many faith traditions. Many people believe that God rewards those who do good and punishes those who do bad. However, that is not what divine mercy is about. God's love does not operate on a simple transactional basis. His mercy is beyond our human comprehension.

The priest then delved into the Prodigal Son’s story with a fresh perspective. He reminded us that the son did not return home out of a sudden change of heart, a heart of penitence. He was driven by hunger, desperation, and the realization that even his father’s servants lived better than he did in this far away land. It was not a pure act of repentance but rather a practical decision born from necessity. Yet, despite this imperfect motive, the moment the father saw his son from a distance coming, he did not wait for him to arrive, kneel, or beg for forgiveness. Instead, he ran to embrace him, rejoicing at his return. Then He celebrated his Prodigal Son. It could be considered undignifying for the father to go after the son like He did. But that is how the mercy of God works. 

If God’s mercy were based on rewarding the good and punishing the bad, the prodigal son would have faced severe consequences for squandering his inheritance and disrespecting his father. But God’s mercy does not operate like human justice. Instead, it overflows with love, ready to embrace us even when we return out of need rather than perfect contrition.

This ties deeply into the Sacrament of Reconciliation which is often first to come to mind in relation to this Gospel reading. Too often, we think of confession as a place where we go to ask God for forgiveness, as if He has been withholding forgiveness until we repent. But in reality, God’s mercy has already been at work in us, and eventually drawing us back to Himself. It's possible that the father knew that this son was going to mess up in a matter of time and would end up coming back home.  

Confession therefore is not about earning His (the father's) forgiveness—it is about celebrating the forgiveness that has already been freely poured out to us.

God’s mercy to us is a mystery. It is beyond our human logic and fairness. Like the brother who was angry when he came home to a big celebration of his brother's return because he didn't understand. That is the mercy of God. It is bigger than our sins, bigger than our doubts, bigger than our failures and we will never fully grasp it. We may never fully understand it, but we are called to trust in it. To come home. To believe.

Amen.

Pal Ronnie 

Library Time

 

On Water: I Met a Patient Who Told Me She Doesn’t Drink Water 🚰

 

The other day at work, I had a patient who told me she doesn’t drink water, ever. And she wasn’t kidding. Her room was filled with different kinds of juices and sodas or soft drinks, and that’s all she drank. I asked her if she was serious, and she confidently said yes. Given her multiple health conditions, it wasn’t surprising. Don't forget by virtue of my professional training, I can be critical with my eyes aka assessment. 

While I was there, she accidentally knocked over one of her open bottles, spilling her juice on the table and the floor. The aide grabbed some paper napkins and tried to clean it up, but the drink left stains on the table and the floor. I pointed it out to the patient and it was a subject of education. I hope she paid attention. We can only always educate, but in the end, patients will always do what they want.  

Have you ever met someone who doesn’t drink water? For me, it was my first. I know people dont like to drink water but they do so with the knowledge of the benefits of water. Please let me know in the comments if you know anyone like this patient. I would love to hear it.

Live free, healthy and happy. 

I remain your pal,

Ronnie Law 

Food at Work: A Reflection on Diet and Health

Food is always a topic of conversation, and work is no exception. Recently, I found myself reflecting on this while a work with my patients, all of whom were diabetics. The youngest among them was a 46-year-old woman. That meant they were all living with type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes.  

We know that diabetes is directly linked to endocrine dysfunction, particularly when the pancreas struggles to produce enough insulin to meet the body's demands. In cases of type 2 diabetes, this dysfunction is often the result of dietary choices and lifestyle factors. In other words, what we eat or, perhaps more accurately, what we are fed, plays a major role in our health outcomes.  

Living in a consumer-driven society, many of us find comfort in food. Unfortunately, the cheapest and most accessible foods are often those with the lowest nutritional value and the highest potential for harm. Capitalism thrives on supply and demand, and the food industry is no exception. 

Producers ensure that there is always more than enough of what people crave. The problem? The body does not work the same way—it cannot endlessly produce insulin to keep up with excessive sugar intake.  

I am reminded of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly around March 18th, 2020, when stores were stripped bare, everything from groceries to toilet paper had vanished overnight. I remember telling a friend, "Just wait a week, and you'll see the shelves restocked beyond demand." Sure enough, I was right. The market is designed to ensure constant overproduction, whether it’s toilet paper or processed food.  

The food industry operates in a similar way. People are encouraged to eat and eat and eat, until they are sick. And that’s why I feel the need to talk about food today. Food can be medicine, but it can also be poison. 

It always bothers me to walk into a diabetic patient's room and see them feasting on pancakes drenched in syrup, bacon, coffee, and a banana—only to receive a tray of rice and other high-carb foods just a few hours later. It’s frustrating because I know how much diet affects their condition, yet the system continues to serve meals that worsen their health. To do my part, I just educate. 

My educated advice? Eat Mindfully.  

->Choose vegetables, lean proteins, and low-glycemic carbohydrates like quinoa over processed starches.  

->Avoid fruit juices—they are nothing but sugar water with chemicals that most people don’t even understand.  

->Remember this simple rule: If it doesn’t rot, it’s not real food.  

Not everything labeled as food is good for you. As always, I remain your favorite clinician and pal,  

God bless you 

Ronnie Law 

St. Anne’s On Transfiguration Sunday

Today, I went to Mass at St. Anne's again. It was a beautiful Mass said by the pastor. Most of the homily was centered on the Gospel reading where Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the mountain where He was transfigured. A voice from the cloud said:  

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” (Matthew 17:5)  

Peter, overwhelmed by the moment, suggested:  

“Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will put up three tents—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (Matthew 17:4)  

It was a beautiful day. Peter didn't want them to leave the mountaintop, but the mission was not there. They had to descend, for the will of God was to be fulfilled in Jerusalem.  

The pastor also reflected on the Old Testament reading, where God made a covenant with Abram, later named Abraham. God called him to leave his homeland and journey to a foreign land, promising:  

“Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them. Then he said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’” (Genesis 15:5)  

Astrophysics tells us that there are billions of stars in one galaxy alone, and we are just one of many galaxies—likely making trillions of stars in the universe. This helps us grasp the vastness of God's promise to Abraham. Unlike human promises, which can be easily forgotten or broken, God's word is steadfast and true. And did God fulfill His promises to Abrah? Resounding yes. 

There was a story of a young man who, after visiting his doctor and being diagnosed with a serious illness, pleaded and promised to donate a significant portion of his wealth to build a hospital if he was healed. The doctor did everything he could, and the man recovered and was healed. He had forgotten and years later, when the doctor reminded him of his promise, the man dismissed it, saying he would never have made such a commitment under normal circumstances. In short, I never made that promise. 

But “God is not like humans, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19)  

We must be people of integrity. We must honor our promises and obligations to others. 

As we journey through this season of Lent, we, too, need transfiguration, not just in appearance, but in our way of life. Are we too attached to TV shows, gossiping, smoking substances that can have a negative impact on our health, drinking, gambling? Whatever it is, we need transformation. Like Peter on the mountaintop, we may be tempted to stay in our comfort zones, away from the world's troubles. But God calls us to come down from the mountain and fulfill His purpose.  

May we embrace true transformation, trusting in the promises of God.  

God bless, and have a blessed Sunday.  

Pal Ronnie 

Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover

We are all guilty of this, perhaps, every single one of us.  

Years ago, I was working in a hospital in Connecticut. One morning, I went into a patient's room for rounds, and during our conversation, the patient asked me why I was not out there protesting. This was during the time when the George Floyd protests erupted across major cities in America. George Floyd was killed by Derek Chauvin publicly.  

I responded to the patient, "Well, if I were out there protesting, who would be taking care of you here?"

The patient looked at me and smiled. I then added,"Protest is not for everybody. It is for people who have money, time, and privilege. Many of those out there don’t have to worry about next month's bills because they have enough, and they also have time. Most of us have to work—if we don’t work, we don’t eat. We literally eat what we kill." 

She looked at me again, surprised by what I said. She later admitted that she hadn’t expected that response from me. But I was happy to share my perspective with her.  

I have never been to a protest. I had people invite me to a few, but I always used work as an excuse.  

Personally, I believe that many of the people who protest professionally are getting paid to do so.  

So, do you judge a book by its cover? Just because I look like a protester doesn’t mean I am one.  

Events & Timeline Related to This Piece: 

- George Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020, by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. 

- Chauvin was convicted on April 20, 2021, of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. He was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison.  

- In Connecticut, numerous peaceful protests occurred in response to Floyd's death, including events in cities like Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, New Haven, Meriden, and Hartford.  

- As of March 2025, discussions have emerged about pardoning Derek Chauvin. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro has urged President Trump to pardon Chauvin for his federal crimes related to Floyd’s death, arguing that Chauvin was unjustly convicted due to societal pressures and political influence that tainted his trial.  

- However, President Trump has stated that he is not considering such a pardon.  

Ben Shapiro’s proposal to have Chauvin pardoned brought this memory back to me. I don’t think such a pardon would be a good idea, it would cause a major racial divide or rift in America. But people like Shapiro tend to capitalize on racial tensions, and I hope nobody pays attention to the bait he’s throwing out there.  

God bless, and have a great evening.

Pal Ronnie

Mass Reflection St. Anne’s March 9th 2025

 

The Mass was beautiful at St. Anne's on JFK Boulevard. They opened the main church after renovating it. It is beautifully designed inside, and the Mass was said by a visiting Nigerian priest. The Gospel was taken from the three Temptations of Jesus Christ after His baptism. This, by the way was the first Sunday of Lent.

Remember, after Jesus’ baptism, He was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert, where He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. After His 40th day of fasting, He was being tempted by the devil.

The First Temptation

"If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." (Matthew 4:3)

Because of the fasting, Jesus was very hungry and could have used something to eat. Imagine the timing of this temptation, very important. But He responded:

"It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’"(Matthew 4:4)

This temptation signifies the desires of the flesh—our cravings for personal comfort, indulgence, greed and self-satisfaction. However, Jesus' fasting was not about Himself or His physical needs; it was about fulfilling the will of God the Father. He remained focused on His divine mission: the salvation of mankind. Jesus resisted the temptation for instant gratification and kept His eyes on the bigger picture—God's Divine plan for salvation of man.

The Second Temptation

"If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands, they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’" (Matthew 4:6)

This temptation was rooted in the desire for power. Satan wanted Jesus to prove His divinity by performing a miraculous act, but Jesus recognized this as a distortion of true power. He responded:

"It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’" (Matthew 4:7)

True power comes from God, and Jesus had already received spiritual strength through His fasting. Satan wanted to divert that power for self-glorification, but Jesus refused. This temptation reflects humanity’s constant hunger for power—whether political, financial, or academic. Many people seek power not to serve others but to control, manipulate, and insulate themselves from vulnerability. It's not hard to find this in our fallen world. However, power should be a responsibility, not a tool for oppression. Power in the hands of bad people is lethal. 

The Third Temptation

"All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." (Matthew 4:9)

Satan was being transactional, offering Jesus all the material wealth and glory of the world in exchange for worship. But Jesus rebuked him, saying:

"Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’" (Matthew 4:10)

This temptation highlights the human desire for wealth, status, and material possessions. Many people, in their pursuit of success, compromise their values and even "sell their souls" to achieve their worldly goals. But Jesus knew that nothing Satan offered could compare to the eternal glory of God. 

Satan’s tactics are still the same today, he tempts us with the flesh, power, and material wealth in the world. However, Jesus' victory over these temptations reminds us that we must remain steadfast in our faith, especially during Lent. This season of fasting and prayer should redirect our focus from worldly desires to God, just as Jesus did in the wilderness. He won this on our behalf. God will never leave us or be away from us because of our sins, but our sins can keep us away from Him.

The priest also shared a reference he watched online that was powerful using the image of tree roots during Lent. He explained that during this season, tree roots grow deeper into the soil, gaining nutrients, strengthening the tree and preparing it for new growth in spring. Similarly, Lent should be a time for us to build our spiritual roots, deepening our faith and drawing closer to God.

Interestingly, he noted that in the Germanic language, the word "Lent" means "spring"—a time of renewal and transformation. Additionally, "Lent" is the past tense of "lend," reminding us that everything we have in this life is temporarily lent to us by God. One day, we will have to account for how we used the gifts He has given us.

Lent is also slow in French, a time to slow down from our pursuit of materialism to reflect and grow our spiritual life. 

It was a profound and beautiful Mass, and I pray that this reflection on the three Temptations of Christ will help guide us through these 40 days of Lent. May our spiritual roots grow deeper, and may our faith in God become stronger and magnified.

Amen

Pal Ronnie 

Trump’s Tariffs Tuesday

Hi Everybody,

Today is Tuesday, March 4th, 2025. Today marks the first day of Trump's tariff kicking in.  I wrote about this in the past. 

Remember when Trump was imposing a 25% tariff on Mexico, Canada, and 10% on China? Well, that takes effect today. The market didn’t have a good day. The reaction was very steep. All the indices dropped significantly, and while most recovered some of their losses, they still ended the day deep in the red.  

Tonight at 9:00 p.m., Trump will be addressing Congress in a joint session.  

I just got home from work. I wasn’t able to follow the news today or listen to anything about world affairs, so hopefully, I will have time to catch up tonight. Or maybe I will just go to sleep and ignore it all.  

Stay tuned, and if anything noteworthy comes from the speech, I will be happy to write about it.  

Have a great and wonderful evening. God bless you.  

I remain your pal, 

Pal Ronnie 

Breaking News: Trump Administration is Halting All U.S. Military Aid to Ukraine

In a major shift in foreign policy, the Trump administration has officially halted all military aid shipments to Ukraine. This decision marks a significant turning point in the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, which began in February 2022.  

For the past three years, the United States has been Ukraine’s most crucial ally, providing billions of dollars in military hardware and support to help defend that nation against Russian aggression. However, tensions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky came to a head during their Oval Office meeting last Friday, which reportedly did not go well. I wrote about that earlier. 

Following the breakdown in talks, Zelensky left the U.S. and immediately traveled to Europe, meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other European leaders. While Ukraine may now look to the UK and other NATO allies for additional support, America’s withdrawal from the effort raises serious questions about the future of the conflict.  

With the U.S. stepping back, how long can Ukraine sustain its fight against Russia? Will Europe be able to fill the gap left by America? We will be watching closely to see how this unfolds.

Stay tuned, 

Pal Ronnie

Tiktok Fame Gone Wrong: A Flight Attendant Fired After Viral Twerking Video

A friend and I often discuss the impact of social media in our time, and today, she sent me a video that perfectly illustrated our ongoing conversation. The video showed an air hostess or flight attendant twerking in an empty plane with the Alaskan Airline, which quickly went viral. Unfortunately for her, it also reached her superiors attention, resulting in her immediate termination.  

This incident was so unfortunate. The young woman was later interviewed on a local TV channel, crying as she explained that she had just completed her six-month probation at a job she loved. She never imagined that making the video would lead to her being fired.  

The lesson here is clear, how on Earth could someone use company property, while in uniform, to create inappropriate content? Whether the plane was empty or not, the lack of professionalism was unbelievable.  

I hope all the TikTok enthusiasts and other platforms take this as a lesson, don’t risk your job for viral fame. Now, she will have more online attention at home than ever, but at what cost?  

I remain your friend.

Ronnie Law 

Mr. Zelensky Didn't Get His Expected Blank Check

I think Zelensky came to Washington expecting a blank check, as he had been used to receiving these past few years.

 Unfortunately for him, this time he got a reality check. Remember, America is running a deficit of around $37 trillion, and when Trump ran again, one of his biggest emphases was "America First." Somebody should have reminder Mr. Zelensky before he came to Washington with his expectations. In fact, people in government are losing their jobs left and right so the country can save money. Remember DOGE?

Trump also wanted to make everything transparent, setting things up in the White House so the American people could see in real-time how their tax dollars were being spent on a country that has consumed billions and billions of U.S. taxpayer money.  

So, there you have it. Was the meeting in the Oval Office last Friday nice and diplomatic? No. But I think both leaders got their messages across, even if they clashed.  

What do you think?

I remain your pal 

Ronnie Law

Pope Francis: Please Continue to Pray for Him

Sunday, March 2nd, 2025

Pope Francis remains in the hospital, and his condition is still considered serious. He has been hospitalized for about three weeks now, so please continue to keep him in your prayers. We remembered him at Mass. 

One of the most memorable moments of my time in New York was in 2015 when I attended Mass at Madison Square Garden during the Pope’s visit to America. It was the first time I had ever been in such a large crowd at MSG. I vividly remember him celebrating Mass, and I loved every moment of it. At the end of the mass, he spoke in English and said, "Please don't forget to pray for me." That moment has stayed with me ever since.

It is easy for us to assume that someone like the Pope does not need prayers, but just like all of us, flawed and human, he does. Now, as he faces serious ill-health, it is even more important that we remember to pray for him daily.

May God's will be done.

Dear Lord, we commend our Pope Francis into Your hands. Heal him, strengthen him, and keep him. Amen.

Wishing you all a blessed and peaceful Sunday.

Pal Ronnie

St. Ann's in Hoboken NJ

 

Today, March 1st, 2025, I went to 5:00 p.m. Mass at St. Ann’s in Hoboken. It’s a beautiful parish. The mass was wonderful.  

The Gospel reading was from the parable where Jesus tells His disciples that a blind person cannot lead the blind. He also speaks about noticing the splinter in someone else’s eye while ignoring the plank in our own. We like to judge orders without knowing everything that is going on in their lives. 

See here Gospel: Luke 6:39-45 

I found it very fascinating. It’s always been one of those Gospel readings that make you think, especially when it comes to judging others. Just like when we point fingers at others. The majority of those fingers are always pointing back at us. 

Mother Theresa once said, it's hard to love people we judge. That is true. Try it out. In my line of work, finger pointing is always the order of the day. 

That’s why I usually don’t concern myself much with pointing out other people’s faults. When I feel tempted to criticize someone, I remind myself of my own innate shortcomings that I might be overcoming. We all have faults. I think that’s something we can all benefit from, self-reflection before judgment.  

Mass ended, and I headed back home. While going down the stairs, a woman in front of me introduced her pregnant daughter to the priest saying, “my baby is having a baby”. That got everyone laughing. 

Off to make a phone call. 

Have a great evening, and God bless you and don’t forget, always examine yourself before pointing out others’ faults.  

God bless you, 

Pal Ronnie

Trump, Vance and Zelensky in the White House

 

The Power of Joy in Simplicity

 

JFK BOULEVARD IN JERSEY CITY

A few weeks ago, while heading to an appointment, I encountered a woman by the name Tamim, she gave me the permission to use her name in this piece whose kindness left a lasting impression on me. She was a crossing guard, and as I approached the street, she stopped oncoming vehicles to help me cross safely. Her warmth was so striking that I felt compelled to strike up a conversation.  

To my delight, I learned that she was from St. Thomas. As we chatted, I noticed something remarkable, nearly every passing vehicle honked to greet her. It was as if she knew everyone in the community, and in return, they genuinely appreciated her presence.  

What stood out the most wasn’t just her friendly demeanor, but the sheer joy she radiated while performing her duty. A simple job, one that doesn’t require extensive cognitive effort, yet she embraced it with such enthusiasm and care. It made me reflect on the true essence of work, it’s not about what we do, but how we do it and the impact it has on others.  

Watching her made me think: joy and kindness can transform even the simplest tasks into something extraordinary. Her smile and warmth were contagious, spreading positivity to everyone she encountered. It even made me consider what it would be like to be a crossing guard myself, just to experience that kind of fulfillment.  

This experience served as a powerful reminder: whatever we do, no matter how big or small, we should do it with joy and sincerity. People are watching, and our attitude makes a difference in ways we may never realize.  

God bless you.

Pal Ronnie

An Evening in the Park of Jersey City

 

A Late-Night Observation and Reflection from a Nice Parking Spot

I wanted to write this last night, but after a long and hectic day at work, exhaustion got the best of me. I had just eaten and was settling down to put my thoughts together, but before I knew it, I was out like a light out with no pun intended. 

So, what was on my mind yesterday?  

As many of you, my frequent readers, know, I’m on the road for work, and currently, I’m in a city where finding a parking spot is like searching for a needle in a haystack. It’s a daily struggle. But yesterday was different. I got home around 9 PM and, miraculously, there was an open parking spot right in front of the building I reside, if it had my name on it, marked "Reserved for Ronnie." I thanked my guardian angels and parked.  

Before heading inside to shower, I decided to sit in my car for a few minutes to unwind. That’s when I made an interesting observation.  

Yes, Mr. Critical Eye on the Streets. Those who know me well understand that I always deploy my observational skills wherever I go. In fact, I’ve recently embraced the nickname "The Critical Eye." Last night was no different.  

It was Tuesday night—garbage collection night. Around here, the city collects trash late at night on Tuesdays, usually around midnight. I suppose it makes sense, less traffic, fewer disruptions, and faster pickups. As I sat there, I noticed piles of garbage and cardboard boxes lining the streets, ready for collection. It happens twice a week, yet the sheer volume of trash we produce never ceases to amaze me.  

Then, something caught my attention.  

A man, wearing a headlamp, the kind miners use when working in the belly of the earth, he was digging through the garbage. Was this dumpster diving for survival?

At first, I wondered what he was doing. Then I saw him untying carefully secured trash bags, searching for bottles to recycle.  

I was deeply moved.  

Think about it, those garbage bags could contain anything. While most people don’t discard human excrement in regular trash, there’s no shortage of filth: rotting food, broken glass, dirty napkins, and all sorts of unpleasant waste. Yet, this man was out there, in the cold winter night, searching for recyclables.

At that moment, my mindset shifted. I had just come from a grueling shift at work, feeling drained and frustrated about what to eat for dinner. But seeing this man at work changed my entire perspective. Suddenly, my exhaustion no longer felt overwhelming. In fact, it vanished. 

Instead of heading inside for a shower and bed, I cooked a meal and spent the evening reflecting.  

I don’t know how many bottles this man could manage to collect in a single night. But let’s break it down:  

->Each bottle is worth 5 cents to recycle.

->To make $20, he would need to collect as many as 400 bottles.  

And to make $30, he would need at least 600 bottles.

Now, imagine trying to survive in the Tri-State area in the United States on that kind of money. The thought alone is enough to send someone into despair. But this man wasn’t sitting at home feeling sorry for himself. He was out there, doing what he could to make ends meet. I don’t know his story, but I deeply respect him.

This experience reinforced something important: there’s always something happening around us if we take the time to notice among us. It’s easy to get caught up in our own struggles, but sometimes, observing someone else’s reality can completely shift our perspective. It did just that to me.

I encourage you to stay alert to the world around you. You never know what lessons life is waiting to teach you. It doesn't matter where and what I'm doing, my eyes are always wide open as I'm always hungry to learn from what other people are going through. 

Have a great evening. 

God bless.

Pal Ronnie

A Patient’s Near-Death Experience: A Lesson in Gratitude

During my shift at the hospital, I met a patient whose joy was highly infectious and upbeat, he laughed at everything and radiated positivity. As we talked, I learned that he had survived a near-fatal gunshot wound years ago. His doctors had given him only a 5% chance of survival, yet he defied the odds.  

That experience changed his entire outlook on life. He no longer took anything for granted and found happiness in the simplest moments. His story reminded me how much we stress over things that, in the grand scheme of life, don’t truly matter.  

His resilience was a lesson in gratitude and faith. No matter what we face, choosing joy can be a powerful act.  

Be happy.  

God bless.  

Happy Sunday.

Pal Ronnie

The Future of Work: A Bleak Outlook

I have observed a troubling pattern in the workplace. As someone who likes to pay attention to details wherever I go, today’s experience at the post office reinforced my growing concerns about the future of work.

Before noon, I went to the post office to mail something. When I arrived, there was no one at the front desk. I called out, "Hello, anybody here?" but received no response. I repeated myself three times and then simply stood there, waiting. Soon, an older woman arrived, followed by another. The first woman took over from me, calling out “Hello!” in a loud voice, and the next person was even louder. This finally caught the attention of a man, who appeared to be a supervisor.

As he emerged, a young woman also appeared. Rolling her eyes, she muttered to the supervisor, "I had to use the bathroom." But this was untrue. She had been behind a partition the entire time I was there. My guess is she was either listening to something or engaged in a conversation via her headset and had not heard us. When she finally assisted me, she scanned my mail, confirmed it was good to go, and I left.

Why am I writing about this? Because it’s a trend I see everywhere, including at work. People are more eager to get off work to browse their phones than to actually do the jobs they applied for. It’s frustrating to see employees glued to TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or other attention-consuming platforms, even when someone desperately needs their help.

This phenomenon is especially concerning in fields where attentiveness is crucial. If someone cannot focus on a simple customer service role at the post office, how much worse is it in places where people's lives depend on attentiveness, such as in healthcare? I’ve seen it firsthand: patients in distress while staff remain distracted by their phones.

The woman at the post office displayed an attitude when we called for assistance, as though we were inconveniencing her. But when we arrived, there was no sign that she had just gone to use the restroom. Instead, it was clear she had been preoccupied with something else right behind the front desktop. Perhaps something that diverted her attention away from her paid responsibility to serve customers.

This is why I believe the concept of work is in trouble, especially with the newer generation. While I have reservations about technology, the idea of robots replacing inefficient workers and providing consistent, attitude-free service is becoming increasingly appealing.

What do you think? How are things at your workplace? Are you seeing the same trends?

I remain your observing friend.

Ronnie Law

Reflection on Today’s Mass Readings from the Old Testament and the Gospel

I was able to make it to the 12 noon Mass at St. Anne’s in Jersey City. We had a lot of snow this weekend and it was a big mess with parking. The Priest started mass by acknowledging the nature of the weather and how people still came out. Whether rain, shine or snow, our spirits are desperate for the Lord, I thought to myself after he acknowledged our commitment to the Lord. 

The First Reading: Isaiah’s Vision

"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple." (Isaiah 6:1, NIV)  

This moment came at a time of transition and uncertainty. King Uzziah’s death marked the end of an era, and Isaiah, likely filled with anxiety about the future, was granted a vision of God's glory. It was a reminder that no earthly leader, no matter how powerful, is greater than the sovereign Lord.  

The Gospel: 

"When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" (Luke 5:8, NIV)  

Peter’s response reflects a deep awareness of his own flaws in the presence of divine holiness. Yet, instead of rejecting him, Jesus calls Peter to something greater, discipleship and transformation. Come and follow me and I'll make you fishers of men. Profound. 

These passages then reminded us that divine encounters often happen in moments of crisis or self-awareness. In today’s world, many of us feel lost in times of political change, social upheaval, or personal failure, daily struggles with life. Like Isaiah, we may fear the uncertainty of leadership changes or societal shifts, yet God remains sovereign and we must always be willing to stand up and go when He wants us to. I wrote a piece about this earlier before mass. The challenges we are facing as a people cannot be fixed by mere mortals. It's bigger than any one political figure of our time. 

And like Peter, we may feel unworthy due to our sins, mistakes, yet Jesus calls us not to despair but to follow Him.  

These readings encourage us to recognize God's presence even in our brokenness and to trust that He calls imperfect people for His perfect mission.

May your will be done, Lord!

God bless you

Ronnie Law

Super Bowl Sunday 2025: The Game, The Spectacle, and the Shadow of Mass Gambling

Today is Super Bowl Sunday in America, a day that has become as much about culture as it is about sports. Every February, millions of Americans gather to watch the biggest game of the year: American football. Unlike the football known in Ghana and the rest of the world, which Americans call soccer, this version of the game is more hands-on, relying less on the feet and more on brute force. It’s a game of strategy, strength, and, unfortunately, high-impact collisions.  

The physical toll on players is undeniable. Head injuries, concussions, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) are well-documented issues in the sport. The collisions are relentless, and while fans cheer for their teams, there’s an underlying reality that many of these players will suffer long-term neurological consequences.  

Yet, beyond the game itself, the biggest spectacle is often the halftime performance. The artist chosen for this coveted moment receives the undivided attention of an entire nation and beyond. For many musicians, performing at the Super Bowl halftime show is a career-defining achievement, a moment of peak global visibility and prestige.  

But the true elephant in the room, the one that inspired this piece, is sports gambling. Over the years, gambling has crept into America’s collective consciousness, growing at an astonishing rate. This year, legal betting on the Super Bowl alone is expected to exceed $1.4 billion. That’s just the money tracked by regulators, what about the underground gambling operations, the wagers made outside the legal system?  

Gambling is not just a game of chance; it’s a dangerous addiction. The losses are staggering, over $240 billion disappears annually in America due to gambling addiction. Yes, it’s an addiction, as real and destructive as any drug. Think of Las Vegas, the gambling mecca of the U.S., or Macau, the world’s leading gambling hub. Some believe that America is fast becoming the global capital of gambling, a place where fortunes are lost in an instant and where some people never recover.  

President Donald Trump is expected to make an appearance at the game, adding another layer of spectacle to an already eventful night. He will be the first sitting U.S. president to have attended the game. The man makes history anytime he breathes-not exaggerating. You know what Raph Nader thinks about the man, a failed Gambling Czar. There are a lot of brilliant things about Raph Nader. Try to check out some of his works. Regardless of political affiliations, Trump's presence at the game is bound to generate headlines and more talks for a while. 

As you enjoy the game with friends and family, I urge you to keep gambling at a safe distance. It has the power to destroy lives, and anything that has the potential to kill should be relegated to the back bench, permanently.  

I remain your concerned friend,  

Ronnie Law

Our Modern World of Crisis: Greed, Struggle, and a Reflection from Work

Yesterday, during a coffee break, I ran into a secretary I had worked with before. As we caught up, I learned that she also works another job with Northwell Health. “Small world,” I thought. But before long, our conversation shifted to the state of healthcare, specifically, its excesses.  

We talked about how these massive health systems are always on a mission to expand. Then, we zoomed in on the ordinary employees, the nurses, the techs, the secretaries, the custodians, who seem perpetually unhappy. Everyone feels overworked and yet, underpaid, and or undervalued. Noticed I didn't include the managers, administrators and medical doctors.They belong to what Karl Marx called the managerial class in his seminal work, the Communist Manifesto. 

So I asked the question: What is going on?

If hospitals claim they can’t afford to pay their workers livable wages, how are they financing their constant expansions? This year alone, all of Northwell Health is migrating its various electronic medical record (EMR) systems to EPIC, a system that already dominates the market yet continues to swallow up more and more hospitals nationwide. Epic is doing that too. This by the way is not unique to healthcare but across all industries. 

Then she gave me a one-word answer: Greed.

I laughed and said, “Good answer.” Because in the name of greed, nobody is ever satisfied. Just like the grave, it is never full. Why is enough never enough for the greedy? Even EPIC, which dominates that market, is still growing

We laughed, but beneath the humor was a sobering truth: greed may be the symptom, but something deeper is at play.  

The average person working two or three jobs isn’t necessarily complaining because their pay is unfair. In another time, in another place, that income might have been enough to live comfortably. But in today’s America, things are far from normal.  

Inflation is out of control. People are losing their homes. The cost of living is skyrocketing. Winter is here, and for many, staying warm isn’t a given. These are serious, daily struggles. I was just talking to a young lady out there. She looked distressed, you could see it on her face like the dress she had on. The brief encounter I had with her revealed that she is losing her Indian roommate as their lease was up and she doesn't know what to do as she cannot afford one on her own. The trouble with being me is that when I learn of other people's problems, it instantly becomes mine . Now I'm burdened with just the thoughts of it. But that is to make the point. 

And the coworker who shows up miserable at work every day? They might be drowning in these very issues. But the real question is: How many of us actually care? Let's be kind to each other at work and out there in the world. 

Of course, when times get hard, people turn to the government. They place their hopes in political leaders, believing that the right person in office will fix everything. No politician has that power regardless of what we might be tempted to think.

Right now in America, those who voted for Kamala Harris, who lost to Trump, believe that if she had won, things would have been better. At least those working at USAID would have still been employed and everything would be business as usual. Meanwhile, Trump’s voters, who celebrated his victory since his inauguration, are beginning to see that their lives haven’t magically improved as they had wished. Some of them are already starting to criticize him for favoring the billionaire class, of which he belongs to, over the working class.  

It doesn’t matter that he has been in office for less than a month. This cycle never changes. Politicians make promises, then step into office, and wake up to the harsh reality that the problems before them are far bigger than they imagined.  

So is there an invisible force somewhere pulling the strings as many had asked? Running the system in a way that serves a hidden agenda? We may never know. 

And no matter who I talk to at work, there is a shared sense of struggle, exhaustion, and disillusionment among everyday people. 

That secretary told me our biggest problem is greed. But I believe it’s deeper than that. Our problem is spiritual. We are a people disconnected from what truly matters. I heard a priest recently said that this generation is the most sinful generation since the Biblical flood. Sad!

My recommendation? We need to do what the people of Nineveh did. When faced with destruction, they humbled themselves, repented, and sought God’s mercy.  

"When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it". -Jonah 3:10

If we, too, fall on our knees and seek the mercy of the Maker of this universe, perhaps we can begin to turn things around for us.  

God bless you, and Happy Sunday.

I remain your friend, 

Ronnie Law