The Native Iowan

A chilled, still Sunday morn here in the valley. The sun is muted. The skies pastel. The greenery shines and shows off its green-ness.

One can feel the change of the seasons. Smell the change, the soon to come cold morns and dry days, the migration of birds, the movement of the herds of deer.

It has been rut-season lately. The deer have been bellowing and fighting. We watched one old buck get his antlers ripped off and chased away by a young-stud. Survival of the fittest played out as a drama on the front lawn.

The world continues on its confused, violent, angst filled trajectory.

One topic from this past week… Pope Leo, AKA Bob from Chicago, has decided it’s his job to discuss war and death in the Middle East. He condemns it all. Says… “Pope Leo has repeatedly condemned violence on both sides while advocating a two-state solution as the “only solution” that respects the legitimate aspirations of both Israeli and Palestinian peoples. He has openly noted that the current Israeli government does not accept a Palestinian state, but the Vatican continues to push for it as the path to justice and lasting peace.”

But Bob from Chicago has little to say about the genocide of christians in parts of Africa… “Pope Leo XIV has addressed the situation of Christians in Sudan in the context of the ongoing civil war (which began in April 2023 and marked its third anniversary in April 2026). His comments focus on the broader humanitarian catastrophe affecting the Sudanese people, including Christians, while specifically highlighting persecution and discrimination against Christians in the country.”

And in regards to Somalian christians being targeted by Islam… Pope Leo XIV has not made highly specific or frequent public statements focused exclusively on Christians in Somalia. Somalia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for Christians, where the tiny underground community (mostly Muslim-background converts) faces extreme risk from Al-Shabaab, which hunts down and executes suspected Christians.

I find it interesting that Bob from Chicago has more to say about Israel, Palestine and Iran than the disappearing Christians in Africa and the world. I do believe he is playing politics too much. Thats not his job.

Speaking of disappearing Christians… Christianity overall is being eradicated from many traditionally Christian lands:

Country. Decline in Christian % (points)
Australia. –20 Dropped below 50% (to ~47%)
Chile. –18. Sharp secularization
Uruguay –16 Now ~44%; first in Americas to lose majority
United States. –14 To ~64% (later stabilized around 62%)
Canada. –14
United Kingdom Lost majority now 49%
France Lost majority now 46%

I have been saying that I do not understand why Allan does not like dogs, so I ask Grok… Allan does not “dislike” dogs in the sense of hating the animal itself as an evil or immoral creature. Islam teaches kindness and mercy toward all animals, including dogs. The negative associations come almost entirely from hadith (sayings attributed to Prophet Muhammad), not the Quran, and center on ritual purity (tahara) rather than moral condemnation.

So all I can say is Praise be to Allan. Allan is good and great.

speaking of dogs…