Name calling has always been a part of American politics. One merely need consult the newspaper battle between Presidential candidates President John Adams and his Vice-President Thomas Jefferson. The election of 1800 is often considered the...
As I noted several years ago, the United States has been suffering from an epidemic of hypersensitivity. Unfortunately, the problem seems to be growing worse. Manifestations can be found in schools, the workplace, at home, and in virtually every...
After reading the Gospel of Luke (2:22-40), we should close our eyes and imagine how gently, how tenderly Mary and Joseph took turns holding Baby Jesus in their arms on the way to the Temple for the prescribed rituals of the Law. Then, once more, we...
Just as George Orwell used a farm of animals to allegorize the invidious Communist philosophy, I see a farm of animals in a completely different light. While I have never really liked animals very much, except maybe to eat, my life seems to have...
I have written before about the insanity of people who become unhinged over the naming of athletic teams at various levels of sport. Two years ago, Utah students who were about to attend a new school were asked to name the team mascot. A majority...
Years ago, an agnostic accused me of being a zealot. After considering his accusation, I responded: “If being a zealot means that I am willing to publicly speak out on behalf of the teachings of Jesus Christ and my Catholic faith, I am guilty...
An old Scottish nursery rhyme suggests that names or in a more general sense, words can never hurt anyone. It misses the point that language can be carefully crafted to control and manipulate an entire population into a state of social conformity...
Donald Trump ate a taco on Cinco de Mayo and some of his critics took great offense, calling his action “cultural appropriation.” That was a new term to me, and I couldn’t help wondering how it applied to my Irish/Italian American heritage. I’ve...
