February 2012
13 posts
T.S. Eliot on Ash Wednesday
Here is a link to T.S. Eliot’s poem, “Ash Wednesday”: http://bit.ly/DMdic
And President Obama offered these words:
Statement by the President on Ash Wednesday
Today, Michelle and I honor Ash Wednesday with Christians around the country and across the world. This is at once a solemn and joyous occasion, an opportunity to remember both the depths of sacrifice and the height of...
Not so bad after all
If you’re feeling down about life, a visit to a homeless shelter might be just what you need.
Last night, a small group from my church went to the Sparrow’s Nest, a homeless shelter for women that is operated by Cherry Street Mission Ministries. I brought my guitar and stumbled through a few songs, then my colleagues led a few short devotionals. We passed out candy, cookies, hot...
Jesus looking in the window?
I received a phone call at work yesterday from a kindly old man who said he had a big story for me: the moment his wife died in a hospital, he looked up at the window and saw the face of Jesus, clear as day, looking in. “I think the world should see this, to know that Jesus is alive today and cares for us today,” the 89-year-old caller said. His son, who was with him at the time, raced out to...
Not quite the same, is it?
This photo doesn’t quite work like the one we all know from The Beatles’ Abbey Road album.
This website shows some other outtakes from the photo shoot for the album cover, and explains that the photographer caught the Fab Four in their now famous pose as they were just casually strolling across the street, returning to the studio.
Scandal at Duke
“60 Minutes” tonight reported that one of Duke University’s star cancer researchers, Dr. Anil Potti, fabricated the data in his highly publicized work developing cancer treatment linked to each individual’s DNA.
Dr. Potti also forged credentials that he was a Rhodes scholar.
The exposé is painful for all Duke associates and alumni, including me, but while it is a black...
A lesson in tragedy
The tragic death of Whitney Houston should serve as a reminder that wealth and fame don’t bring happiness. She was one of the greatest singers of our generation, and deserved the accolates and earned her fame and fortune. I still get goosebumps when I hear her majestic voice on “I Will Always Love You.”
But too many people think that if they make it big, if they win the lottery,...
New name for Gulf of Mexico?
If a Mississippi lawmaker gets his way, the Gulf of Mexico will become the “Gulf of America.” Mississippi State Rep. Steve Holland, a Democrat, has introduced a bill calling for the part of the Gulf of Mexico that is bordered by Mississippi to be renamed the “Gulf of America.” The measure, known as HB 150 and introduced to the state House Marine Resources Committee, says the body of water will...
'Who knows what's good or bad?'
Taoist story, from Ravi Zacharias’ new book, “Why Jesus?”:
A farmer’s horse bolted from the barn and took off. He went to his neighbor, who said, “Oh, that’s too bad.” The farmer stoically replied, “Who knows what’s good or bad?” The next day, the horse returned and brought six wild horses with it. When the farmer told his neighbor the news, the neighbor said, ‘Oh, that’s so good!” “Who knows...
Bruce Wilkinson's Toledo visit
I went to see author Bruce Wilkinson give a talk tonight at Westgate Chapel, a benefit for the Pregnancy Center of Greater Toledo.
Dr. Wilkinson is a gifted speaker and a sharp theologian, and he is devoting this year to supporting pregnancy centers cross the country, seeking to raise $100 million for the pro-life cause.
Wilkinson, who has written 68 books including the phenomenally popular...
Storm is still brewing over HHS mandate
Obama admin. defends birth control order as Boehner calls for broader conscience exception
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — On the defensive, the White House scrambled Thursday to explain its requirement that church-affiliated employers cover birth control after House Speaker John Boehner called it unconstitutional and demanded immediate reconsideration.
Under...
Busy but interesting day
Head of Jesus by Rembrandt van Rijn
First, a little trivia question, courtesy of National Geographic, to shake those cobwebs from your brain (answer will be at the end of this blog):
What Saharan country bordering on Mali and Chad has a population growth rate of more than 3.5 percent a year?
First thing I did today was jump into a story about the national Susan G. Komen Foundation cutting...
Jazz great gets a lot of love, help in time of...
Claude Black says a few words of appreciation to friends, fans and colleagues who attended a fund-raiser Tuesday night to help pay his medical bills.
The jazz world is like a family — everybody knows and cares about each other, especially in a city the size of Toledo.
And like a family, there is a lot of love, for both the people and the music that brings them together.
Tonight,...
January 2012
6 posts
Anonymous asked: David: thanks for your reporting on the Robinson trials. I have read that people heard him blaring black sabbath albums while washing his car. Is there any truth to this? If so, it certainly adds fuel to his conviction as it is not exactly the type of music one would expect a priest to listen to. Also, has anyone ever been able to verify that the so-called secret files did indeed document...
True or false?
I got a mailing today from the magazine Mother Jones that had this curious trivia question on the cover:
In law school, Barack Obama applied to model for a pinup calendar, but was turned down by the all-female committee.
True or False?
* * *
According to MJ, “the factoid” is true. “While he was at Harvard Law School, Obama was rejected by a committee of female students when...
Extreme bargaining
As a newspaper union worker, I’ve been through some painful and demoralizing labor disputes in the last decade or so. But I can honestly say that none of our union reps ever mentioned using the threat of mass suicide as a negotiating tactic.
The Chinese apparently really know how to play hardball, if the reports cited below are accurate.
Beijing (CNN) — Microsoft is investigating a...
Life with Archie
Somehow I missed the news that Archie, the comic book character from Riverdale High whose stories I read regularly as a youngster, recently got married — to both Betty and Veronica. Maybe he’s a Mormon?
Now Archie’s back in the news with a cover of a gay wedding of two male characters.
Here’s a link.
Life with Archie apparently has taken a few twists and turns in the...
Robinson denied new trial
Photo taken from screen shot of Gerald Robinson’s TV interview with Paula Zahn, broadcast on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012. Photographer said the photo was taken the moment Father Robinson described getting a phone call telling him that Sister Margaret Ann Pahl had been murdered.
* * *
I’ve been waiting for Judge Gene Zmuda’s ruling on the Gerald Robinson case for many months, since...
End of a 123-year era
On Sunday, the congregation of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Toledo’s Old West End will celebrate its last service, after which the congregation will merge with that of Trinity Episcopal Church.
I wrote about the church’s transition for tomorrow’s paper. It’s sad to see such a beautiful old church close its doors, but St. Mark’s demographics and financial...
December 2011
13 posts
Odds and ends
Things I learned in the last couple of days:
The Chevy HHR stands for “Heritage High Roof.” Found out a little late — when reading an article announcing the demise of that model. Sadly, the article also reported that Honda will stop making the Element. That is such a cool vehicle, although the last time I shopped for a car I passed because it didn’t get very good mileage.
...
525,600 Minutes...
525,600 minutes…
As that profound lyric from the musical Rent song, “Seasons of Love” asks, how do you measure a year?
“In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights
In cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.”
As we stand at the exit ramp of 2011, preparing to merge into 2012, what do we see?
In the rear-view mirror, most Americans will be glad...
A little verbal joyride
Christmas dinner at the Yonke house.
I’ve been on vacation for five days already, and I haven’t even taken the time to write a blog. Blame it on the holidays!
This hasn’t been your normal laid-back stay-cation.
Our home was brimming with family and friends for most of the week, and it was a real joy to have everyone together for the holidays. A little chaotic, but a...
Rock royalty
Next month, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will announce their inductees for the class of 2012.
As a lifelong music fan and a former music critic who attended 120 or so concerts a year and listened to tens of thousands of CDs, here is how I would vote on this year’s nominees:
Beastie Boys: Yes. Pioneering rap group worthy of the hall of fame. Favorite BB story is the Rolling Stone...
Man's bff?
An interesting poll was conducted this week by Levine Breaking News (an e-alert newsletter I receive daily that often beats the major news agencies to the punch).
If you faced a situation where you had to choose between saving your dog from drowning OR saving a drowning human stranger, which one would you save?
Tough question for dog lovers.
The newsletter said more than 3,000 readers, from...
Pricey bender for a pricey fender
Did you see the sad story of David Dopp, who won a dream car that turned into a nightmare?
Mr. Dopp won $300,000 Lamborghini Murcielago in a convenience store’s “Joe Schmo to Lambo” contest and took home this exotic beauty (still an awesome sight despite the obnoxious lime green color.)
Mr. Dopp, a 34-year-old truck driver from Santaquin, Utah, with 6 kids, was showing off...
WatchA little bit of Christmas caroling — done on a professional level — at Greenfield Village, Dearborn, Mich.
Message from behind bars
The city desk at my paper received a handwritten letter from an inmate this week. It was not addressed to me but since it was chock full of religious content it was forwarded to my desk.
This is not that unusual. A lot of inmates, who, let’s face it, have lots of time on their hands, mail letters to newspapers, usually asserting that they are innocent (ever notice that nobody in prison is...
Chess champ and the need to thrive
New world chess champ: The New York Times reports that Awonder Liang of Wisconsin is the new world chess champion — for players age 8 and under.
Seems like Awonder is a fitting name for the young chess phenom, who won his first 7 games at the World Youth Championship in Brazil before drawing his eighth and then losing in the last round (he won on tie-breakers).
I still love chess...
Church-state separation
Many churches across the country got their start by renting a school auditorium, eventually moving into other facilities. This provides income to cash-strapped school systems and gives the religious groups a viable place to meet while they are just getting started.
If yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling is a new precedent, it appears that any churches or religious groups will be barred from...
GOP name game
The scariest thing about Herman Cain dropping out of the presidential race is that pundits are now calling it a two-man race, and that means the Republican candidate will likely be named either Mitt or Newt.
Osteen plans Reality TV show
HOUSTON (Reuters) — The Rev. Joel Osteen, who leads the largest U.S. church congregation, said he has signed an agreement to develop a reality television show. “What I’m excited about is that it’s another way to take our message of hope and inspiring people to another venue,” Osteen said at a press conference this week. The series, which is still in the formative stages, would be based on the...
November 2011
13 posts
Extreme unsportsmanlike conduct
Pikeville, Kentucky, Independent Middle School beat Kimper Elementary and Middle School by a score of 100 to 2. It was 70 to 0 at halftime.
Officials are considering canceling the rest of Pikesville’s season for perpetrating such a humiliating drubbing on the young athletes.
Some kind of penalty needs to be imposed on the school or it’s coach for allowing the game to get so out of...
A spin around the news block...
On Saturday and Sunday, the first weekend of Advent, Catholics in 11 English-speaking nations switched to the new Roman Missal, Third Edition. From what I heard at the water cooler today, the changes in the language of the liturgy caused a few notable stumbles from the pulpits to the pews.
It’s going to take time for people to “unlearn” the words they have been reciting for 40...
A new career choice?
Someone mentioned Lauren Conrad, and being the curious journalist I am and since I had never heard of this woman, I did a Google search.
According to Wikipedia, Lauren Conrad is a “celebutante.”
What exactly is a celebutante? Must be someone who is famous for being famous, like Paris Hilton or the Kardashians.
The fact that I had never heard of Lauren Conrad before today shows...
WatchThis is hilarious! Not sure but I think the guy in the video is Tom Mabe. Does anybody know for sure? UPDATE: I see that it is indeed Mr. Mabe. I love his “Revenge of the Telemarketers” routines, although the telemarketing profession is virtually obsolete now.
My atheist phone and other concerns
I love my Droid Incredible but I’m starting to think it’s a Wall Street-sympathizing atheist.
Every time I type the word “praying,” the phone’s autocorrect feature changes it to “paying.”
I don’t know how many times I’ve sent a text message to tell someone I’m praying for them, only to find after hitting “send” that my phone...
How to sing the blues
Reposting this classic from Woodshed Forum
Most blues begin “woke up this morning.”
“I got a good woman” is a bad way to begin the blues, unless you stick something nasty in the next line:
I got a good woman— “with the meanest dog in town”.
Blues are simple. After you have the first line right, repeat it. Then find something that rhymes. Sort...
Catholic Crystal Cathedral?
BC-US—Crystal Cathedral,3rd Ld-Writethru/532 Eds: Adds details. Will be updated from hearing under way. With AP Photos. Catholic diocese ups offer for Crystal Cathedral AMY TAXIN,Associated Press
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — A Roman Catholic diocese raised its offer for the financially ailing Crystal Cathedral, home of the long-running televangelist show “Hour of Power,” as a...
Today in Beatles history
From the Fest for Beatles Fans newsletter…
NOVEMBER 9, 1961:
On this day 50 YEARS AGO, NEMS store manager BRIAN EPSTEIN and his assistant Alistair Taylor went to a lunch time concert down the street from the store in Liverpool, to see what the commotion was about. Brian was so impressed by what he saw and heard, he decided he wanted to manage them and get them a recording contract. Brian...
Survey finds candidates' religious beliefs...
From Reuters news service:
Two-thirds of Americans believe it is important for a presidential candidate to have strong religious beliefs, even if those beliefs are different than their own, a survey released on Tuesday found.
The survey of Americans’ attitudes by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute found only one in five Americans would object to a candidate whose beliefs...
Miscellaneous Monday musings
First of all, Happy Birthday to two of my favorite VIPs: My wife, Janet, and evangelist Billy Graham. Billy’s 93 today. Janet is a LOT younger, but I won’t begin to quantify that comparison.
* * *
Congratulations to Bishop Rance Allen, the Toledo pastor and gospel music star who was consecrated a bishop today in the Church of God in Christ at the denomination’s Holy...
About Schmidt
From an interview with Timothy B. Schmit, of Eagles fame, now on a solo tour:
To this day, it still amazes me that this has actually all worked out for me. What it has brought me emotionally, spiritually and financially—all of it amazes me. I get to travel the world and have many adventures. There are so many people that want to do this and it’s not just talent, there are other things...
72 must be the magic number
Just wondering out loud:
A local farming couple recently was honored by the Catholic Church for 72 years of marriage. Didn’t get a whole lot of publicity.
Kim Kardashian, whose only claim to fame is being famous, as far as I can tell, gets a divorce from her husband Kris Humphries after 72 days of marriage… and it’s all over the media and Internet.
October 2011
20 posts
Happy 7 Billion Day
The United Nations named today, Oct. 31, as “Seven Billion Day,” a way to highlight the world’s growing population.
A Filipina baby, Danica May Camacho, was chosen to symbolically mark the population milestone. Danica was born just before midnight Sunday, weighing 5.5 pounds.
What have I been doing?
What have I been up to lately? Besides raking a zillion leaves and climbing on the roof to clean out gutters and walking my dogs and teaching a Sunday School class and going to church and watching the World Series and Michigan football and reading several books, you can tell a lot about my week by what ends up in print.
Here are links to the articles I wrote that were published last week —...
Steve Jobs' last words
After looking at his family and then looking over their shoulders past them:
“OH WOW. OH WOW. OH WOW.”
As reported by his sister, Mona Simpson, in her eulogy, printed in the New York Times.
Wonder what he saw.
There ought NOT to be a law
Some offbeat Texas laws, courtesy of the Rev. Stephen Sprinkle, a Texas minister who spoke in Toledo this week:
When two trains meet each other at a railroad crossing, each shall come to a full stop, and neither shall proceed until the other has gone.
A city ordinance states that a person cannot go barefoot without first obtaining a special five-dollar permit.
You can be legally married by...
Things I didn’t care to know about Steve Jobs
In her New York Times column, Maureen Dowd writes about the late Steve Jobs, the black-turtleneck-wearing Apple genius, citing the new bio by Walter Isaacson and comments from Jobs’ associates:
He often sobbed uncontrollably.
He was distant with his two daughters, but not his son.
The stigma of having been put up for adoption made him “full of broken glass,” according to...