He called his wife "Dingbat." He called his daughter a "weepy Nellie atheist." Puerto Ricans "spics"; Jews "yids." He was terrified of African Americans, homosexuals, feminists and evolutionists. But most of all Archie Bunker was afraid of change. He sat in his mangy armchair amidst peeling wallpaper and dingy windows and preached his sermon to whoever stopped by. And … [Read more...] about Carroll O’Connor
Those we Lost
Passings
John Joseph Moakley Irish America lost a skilled and big-hearted leader with the death on May 28 of Massachusetts Congressman John Joseph Moakley, the South Boston Representative raised in a housing project who became one of the most influential leaders in Congress during his 15 terms there from 1973 to 2001. In January of this year he was diagnosed with incurable leukemia – … [Read more...] about Passings
Those We Lost: Al McGuire
On January 26 the sports and television world lost one of its true champions. Known as "the James Joyce of the airwaves," sportscaster Al McGuire passed away in his Milwaukee home surrounded by his loved ones. McGuire's renown as former coach of the Marquette Warriors basketball team, and later NBC then CBS commentator for the NCAA basketball tournament, was matched only by his … [Read more...] about Those We Lost: Al McGuire
Steve Allen (1921 – 2000)
If the stars are twinkling a bit more lately, it's because one of Earth's brightest has taken his place in their midst. On November 1, Steve Allen passed away in his sleep and into the realm of legend. His wife, actress Jayne Meadows, once described him as "a good Irish Catholic boy. One of the true, clean wits around." He was that, and much more -- a comic genius, musician, … [Read more...] about Steve Allen (1921 – 2000)
News from Ireland: Ulster Unionists Lose Party Leader
Pro-Agreement and anti-Agreement Unionists were united recently at the funeral of Sir Josias Cunningham, a leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, the largest Unionist party in Northern Ireland. Cunningham was killed on August 9 in a two-car collision in Belfast. He was 66.Cunningham was elected president of the Ulster Unionist Council in 1991. The Council is the governing body of … [Read more...] about News from Ireland: Ulster Unionists Lose Party Leader