Republicans like Bryan McGrath are sick of this crap, too.

Bryan McGrath describes himself as “a Russell Kirk, Edmund Burke, William F. Buckley conservative” who has written his blog,

The Conservative Wahoo

, since 2008. After 21 years in the Navy, culminating in the command of the guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley, he currently works as an author, speaker, and national security consultant.

Bryan has always embraced his macro political firebrand-ery, but after the election re-elevated that guy, whom he has never liked or supported, he’s wondering what influence he’s ever had, and whether ballooning his blood vessels is worth it anymore. He might do better to focus more locally and “swim in that wonderful pool of what is.”

This introspection comes near the end of a very tough year, during which he lost his father and three of his dogs. And 17+ years after he fell in love with a 9-11 widow with two small daughters, he knows the best use of his time is to be the best partner, father figure, son, parishioner, and friend he can be.

We also talk about how the military helped offset his chaotic childhood, why Christianity has no place in Christian nationalism, and the powerful allure of a good giggle.

Other links:

• Follow Bryan on Twitter (even though we’re long gone off that POS site)

• Once More to the Lake, by E.B. White

• The best of Serenity Now!

• Marcus Aurelius and Eckhardt Tolle

• Jesus and John Wayne, by Kristin Kobes Du Mez

• Knotweed and Johnson grass