Author Archive

Hey, ladies, turnabout is fair play. I refer to the Wall Street Journal report on an interesting trend: As more women excel in the workplace, more ex-husbands are winning juicy divorce settlements. As it goes, the Supreme Court ruled, 30 years ago, against gender discrimination in divorce settlements. A man, if he earns less than his... »

Ah, the giving season – the best time of the year to be American. We’re the most charitable people on the planet, after all. I learned this from John Stossel’s recent 20/20 report, “Are Americans Cheap?” Stossel explored the myths and facts about American charity and giving, and, as... »

“That’s it, I’m moving to Australia.” “Australia? “Yep. If liberals move to Canada when Democrats get creamed by Republicans, then why can’t a conservative move to Australia?” “Relax. What happened last Tuesday could produce some good.” “Good! What can be good about Democrats taking control of the House and the Senate?” “Because Republicans, as a whole,... »

“Ban Halloween from public schools?” “That’s right. No costumes. No parades. No parties. It’s happening at school districts all over America.” “But it’s autumn. There’s a chill in the air. The leaves are a brilliant orange and gold. This is when kids are supposed to celebrate Halloween at school.” “Supposed... »

Liberals are dreamers. I have proof. According to the Ottawa Citizen, a dream researcher from John F. Kennedy University in California studied the dream sequences of self-described liberals and conservatives. The researchers name is Kelly Bulkeley, Bulkeley found, in a nutshell, that liberals are... »

The devil was in the bar, drunk and giddy as hell. “Enjoying yourself?” I said, sitting on the barstool next to him. “Like I haven’t in years, buddy. I’m on a roll.” His breath was rank, his flesh crawling with bugs. “A roll?” “Look at the past week. I directed a madman to kill innocent children in... »

There’s a reason Middle Eastern men riot and even kill people every time somebody says or does something they don’t like: testosterone. There’s a solution, too: “wussification.” Maybe I better explain. Testosterone has long been a problem for civil society. Most violent crimes are caused by it. Most car wrecks,... »

It’s Labor Day weekend, and that got me to thinking: I wish I were French. The French are a wonderful people. Their food is excellent. Their cities are filled with remarkable architecture and an abundance of culture. And, boy, do they have the free time to enjoy it all. Back in 2000, French politicians, trying to... »

I worry that we’re not up to the challenge. Those who wish us ill certainly are. Two of the suspects in the British airline-bombing plot, a young married couple, allegedly planned to use a baby bottle to conceal bomb-making materials. They were willing to blow up their own child... »

The world’s in desperate need of more fellows like Father Tom Kram.    He arrived at my childhood parish, St. Germaine’s, in 1967, one year before I began the first grade. The old neighborhood was booming then because of the church. Families wanted their children to master solid values and receive an excellent education.    And Father Kram... »

I don’t know what I was thinking. Nonetheless, in 1974, I flushed an apple core down the toilet, an action I would come to regret.   As it went, my father the Big Guy had remodeled our basement into a family room. He installed the inexpensive pine paneling common to the times. He also built a... »

Hey, pallie, what the heck happened to romance?   I use the word “pallie” in deference to the great Dean Martin, whose birthday was celebrated last Wednesday, and whose music will be celebrated at the Dean Martin Festival in Steubenville, Ohio next weekend – in the town of his birth.   I ask because I just looked at... »

I can’t believe we’re talking about it again. I can’t believe we’re talking about the Clinton marriage. A few weeks ago, the New York Times interviewed 50 people who know Bill and Hillary. The report attempted to get a “grab” – a poor choice of words, I know – on the married life of the... »

I had no idea who he really was until his life was complete. I’d met him at an event in 1994. He was 72 then, the father of a friend. He told me he was a retired carpenter. As we talked, it was clear he loved his wife, his children, his grandchildren. He defined himself by... »

Ted Pace served his country during World War II. Now 81, he and 21 other veterans are serving more than ever. Four years ago, Pace, a member of American Legion Post 760 in Pittsburgh, saw a problem. With Second World War veterans dying in increasing numbers, he felt more needed to be done during their... »

If I was their PR man, I’d take a different approach. Many immigrants, millions of them not here legally, appear to loathe America as much as America’s left does. Why else would they parade the Mexican flag, boycott American products and decry American capitalism – all while demanding their rights? The truth is most Americans sympathize... »

By Tom Purcell Ah, spring is in the air. The sun is shining and the birds are singing. The trees are beginning to bud and the flowers are beginning to blossom. But I’m not feeling as cheerful as I usually do this time of the year. Perhaps it has to do with one of our more disruptive... »

By Tom Purcell Well, the blond-haired, blue-eyed teacher got off. Debra Lafave had relations with a 14-year-old student – what we refer to as rape, particularly when male teachers do such things – but she’ll not do any jail time. She was charged in two separate counties. The first sentenced her to three years of home detention... »