Dear Reader, It's Top 100 time again and don't for a minute think that comedian Bill Murray is back aboard just because he complained in Premiere magazine that we dropped him last year. Bill is back 'cause we were only joking last year, for God's sake, Bill, lighten up! This year Mickey Rourke missed out. I just want you to know that it wasn't me who dropped you, Mickey! I … [Read more...] about First Word: The Top 100!
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First Word: We Are Now 44.3 Million Strong
Good news! The 1990 U.S. Census has reported that Irish Americans now number 44.3 million, a 3.6 million increase over the 1980 census figure of 40.7 million. The new figure is equivalent to 17.9 percent of the total U.S. population. Coincidentally, 3.6 million closely correlates to the population of the Irish Republic. There are just five million people on the whole island … [Read more...] about First Word: We Are Now 44.3 Million Strong
First Word: The Bishops at the Bat
There are far worse offenses for a Bishop than falling in love and having a baby as Galway's Eamonn Casey did. Far less forgivable is the appropriation of diocesan funds for child support payments. Whatever the ultimate truth of the matter, Casey's ordeal cast Ireland into the world headlines in a manner unseen in recent times. That, combined with the recent splurge of … [Read more...] about First Word: The Bishops at the Bat
First Word: Making a Difference
Did you ever panhandle? Ask for money on the street? One day, too hot and lazy to walk 12 blocks, I decided to see if I could bum the price of a subway token, my wallet being back in the desk of my nice air-conditioned office. So in New York's Grand Central Station I hesitantly approached an average-type woman, someone like myself, who would surely empathize. Or so I thought. … [Read more...] about First Word: Making a Difference
First Word: Break-up of an Empire?
The British general election, set for April 9, could be the most crucial contest in the modern era, one which could redefine terms such as "Britain" and the "United Kingdom." At stake is the future of Scotland as an integral part of the British mainland. Devastated in the Thatcher era by huge unemployment, the rising tide of Scottish nationalism threatens to force a withdrawal … [Read more...] about First Word: Break-up of an Empire?