I have always believed that with very few exceptions, the public’s business should be transacted in public. The very few exceptions are when doing so would result in damage to the public. For instance, if a public body is wanting to acquire land for a park, the owners could unreasonably
Editor’s note: This panel from a 4th century sarcophagus is one of the earliest Nativity images. Christmas as a holiday and, as a Christian feast day, is a time of giving, of gift exchanges, and parties. It is also a time when fund raisers badger everyone they think they can
This has been in the news time and time again. It is a political issue with a lot of money riding on it. How much money? That’s hard to tell. For starters, TransCanada Corporation is a major North American energy company based in Calgary, Alberta, developing and operating energy infrastructure
While it is true that fewer people are choosing to attend religious services of any kind, the majority of people still believe in a God. They are on a spiritual journey, whether they realize it or not. In fact, those who question whether or not there is a God and
With unlimited election spending by PACS [political action committees], we are saturated with political advertising–much of it being false or deliberately misleading. We are reminded that “So-and-so voted to cut Medicare.” That is not what happened. Congress repealed provisions that were a giveaway to insurance companies, for so-called Medicare Advantage
This will only take a few minutes of your time. Thank you. The following questions can be answered with a simple “Yes” or “No.” Do you favor cutting food stamps so the lazy S. O. B.’s will get off their butts and get a job? Do you favor land mines
It has been said that one Nation’s “terrorist” is another Nation’s “freedom fighter.” Unfortunately our government and others use this label without a great deal of thought. Our government accuses other governments of “supporting terrorists,” and other governments accuse us of doing the same. The accuracy of these claims depends
Rev. Jim Wallis wrote a very moving piece called, “What I Learned by Marrying a Priest,” (Sojourners, April 2014). Unfortunately, we in the Roman Catholic Church are not likely to have this experience any time soon. However, the importance of this question cannot be overstated because of its impact on
We visited Thailand in the summer of 2000 and lived there from 2001 through October 2006. Fran, my wife, taught at International schools, starting with Rose Marie’s Academy. I taught at a Thai public school called Preasertislam. When I wasn’t teaching, I was writing articles for the Bangkok Post. Virtually
Perhaps that’s not accurate. Perhaps I should have said, “We need to rescue our Democracy.” However, one party at a time. So, I suggest starting with the GOP. I had been a Democratic activist and Precinct Committeeman until I was elected Republican Precinct Committeeman in South Beloit, WI. I ran
I retired as a Roman Catholic Deacon in June of 2011 after 27 years serving the Church, mostly in Clinton, IA, but also for about five years in Thailand. About three years before retiring, I was eliminated from the preaching schedule because of a homily I had given on the
As to be expected, Charles Krauthammer rips President Barack Obama’s agreement with Iran in Sunday’s [November 24, 2013,]Quad City Times article, “A Rescue Package for the Mullahs.” Opposite is the column by David Ignatius, “Deal Makes Allies of Saudis and Israelis,” where he worries our old allies may not share
In an article by Joshua J. McElwee, published on Thursday, October 31, 2013, by The National Catholic Reporter titled “Vatican Asks for Parish-Level Input on Synod Document,” he reports that Pope Francis is asking the world’s Catholic bishops to survey the Catholics in their diocese and report back to him.
What would you think if Germany decided to create a holiday to celebrate its great World War II leader, Chancellor Adolph Hitler? What would the world think? Perhaps Uganda should have an Idi Amin Day. What do they have in common? Genocide. No one in their right mind would propose
I remember well General Colin Powell presenting his charts and irrefutable evidence, proof positive, that Saddam Hussein’s Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and must be “taken out.” Yes, he was a ruthless dictator. However, he was [also an] ally, our friend. Our Government did not object when he gassed