Brigid’s old homestead in York, England

 The Dent family has occupied 87 Stockton Lane in York, England for 56 years. Currently only Brigids sister Kate is there, as Brigid’s Mother died four years ago at age 91. I love York and have fond memories of my visits there, going all the way back to the summer of 1978, when I was … Read more

I sent this Church some money

There are 12 or 13 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. most of the upstanding, hardworking  people. I agree we have to control our borders, but the answer isn’t mass arrests. On Religion – Immigrants Find Solace After Storm of Arrests – NYTimes.com Then came the morning of May 12, when both satisfaction and retirement ended … Read more

The England trip; Brigid and Kate

The last night we were at Brigid’s sister’s house in York – last Wednesday – we took Kate to dinner at an Italian place, “Luigi’s Restaurant.” Here’s a medley of pix of the two sisters, as they look at pictures, order from the menu, eat (and drink) – St. Francis rules at “Luigi’s”

Bobby Murcer

Another sad situation as the ex-Yankee player and broadcaster has died of brain cancer after a two year struggle. Murcer joined the Yanks in the late 1960’s, touted as the successor to Mickey Mantle – they were even both from Oklahoma. While never achieving Mantle’s level, he had an excellent career and then became a … Read more

Tony Snow

Gone at 53 after a three year fight with colon cancer. What a pity. A very humorous and good-natured pundit both before and after his stint as press secretary. Former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow Dies at 53 – washingtonpost.com When Bob Woodward of The Washington Post disclosed internal White House maneuvering to push … Read more

Archbishop Burke, new head of Church Court, imposes sanctions on a Sister of Charity

This is off ZENIT, a Catholic news service. The Archbishop is leaving the Archdiocese of St. Louis to assume the role of the new prefect of the Apostolic Signature, the Church’s supreme court, based in Rome. Archbishop Burke Disciplines Sister of Charity She Participated in Attempted Ordination of Women ST. LOUIS, Missouri, JUNE 27, 2008 … Read more

Follow-up to the 5-4 Supreme Court ruling that the Second Amendment exists

As I wrote Thursday here Tom Faranda’s Folly: Today’s 2nd Amendment Supreme Court decision on handguns, “I have no interest in guns … but I do have an interest in the constitiution.” I sent the above posting around to a small email group I correspond with, and the only gun owner on the list (an ardent Democrat) … Read more

Catholic Bishops on the death penalty

This is off the Catholic news service ZENIT, from a few days ago. Florida Bishops Urge Rethinking of Death Penalty Ask Governor to Halt Execution of Child Murderer TALLAHASSEE, Florida, JUNE 26, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Nine bishops of Florida sent a letter to Governor Charlie Crist urging him to stop executions in Florida, beginning with the … Read more