The Spiritual Journey: Finding the Right Path

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

Letter to the Editor

The Cottonwood 4-H Club and the Morrison Chamber of Commerce would like to express our sincere appreciation to all of the sponsors, businesses, organizations, and individuals who donated their time, services, and money to make this year’s Halloween Parade and Costume Contest a success. Nearly 300 children participated in the

Political Ads = Nonsense

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  Congress repealed provisions that were a giveaway to insurance companies, for so-called Medicare Advantage

Would You Please Take This Survey?

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

Use of the Term Terrorist Makes a Difference

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

St. Thomas Aquinas Would Support Women Priests!

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

Why They’re Not Smiling in the Land of Smiles!

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

We Need to Rescue the GOP

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

Isn’t Christmas About Forgiveness?

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

A Look at the World Through Their Eyes

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

Pope Francis Strikes Again!

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. 

A Holiday to Celebrate a Genocidal Murderer!

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

Syria: Is Force the Only Option?

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

Humpty Dumpty and the Brotherhood

Nursery rhymes are more instructive than many people are willing to acknowledge, although I don’t know if today’s generation is all that familiar with them. So, I will include this one:  “Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall; Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the king’s horses and all the

GOP and Muslim Brotherhood: Two Peas in a Pod

One might be inclined to think that the Republican Party (GOP) and the Muslim Brotherhood are about as opposite as any two entities could be.  However, that certainly is not the case.  They are so alike!  Let me count the ways. Both consider themselves to be “conservatives.”  However, their definition of