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!
First Word
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?
The First Word: An Chead Fhocal
There are so many things that I love about being Irish. I love the language. When I hear it spoken it touches the very essence of my being, reinforcing my connection to that ancient place called Gaeldom. I will never forget how once on holiday in Kerry, I woke to the sounds of the bean an tí (woman of the house) having an early morning chat with her son. After years abroad the … [Read more...] about The First Word: An Chead Fhocal