Kids Say the “Darndest” Things

When I was a little girl, one of my favorite afternoon programs on television was House Party , hosted by television icon, Art Linkletter. I would watch and wait with anticipation for that one segment that kept me tuning in all through the long summer months.

It came near the end of the program and featured four young school children, seated on child-sized chairs elevated on a  platform. The host, Mr. Linkletter himself, would interview the children one-by-one and ply from them honest, humorous, often unexpected answers laced with wisdom.

This popular segment of his program led to his best-selling book, Kids Saythe Darndest Things, illustrated by Charles Schultz and printed well over 50 years ago.

Last evening as I sung “goodnight songs” to my four year old granddaughter, I had an “Art Linkletter” moment.

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Church Releases Statistics on Catholics in Jordan, Holy Land and Palestinian Territories

By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer

Even though most Papal visits take place amidst huge throngs of thousands of the faithful, the Pope’s upcoming trip to Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories will present a much different picture because of the tiny populations of Catholics in these predominantly Muslim areas.

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Homeland Security’s Other “ Extremist” List

By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer

While the nation was focused on a controversial document that categorized veterans as potential terrorists, the Department of Homeland Security also issued a “Lexicon” of extremism that included everything from black power activists to abortion foes. The list was reportedly nixed within hours and recalled from state and local law enforcement officials.

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“Holy War” Erupts in DC Over Same-Sex Marriage Bill

by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
 
Enraged citizens stormed the halls of Washington D.C.’s City Hall yesterday after the Council pushed through a measure to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere without hearings or giving constituents an opportunity to have their voices heard on the issue.

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Filmmaker Accuses Vatican of Obstructionism

By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer

Ron Howard, director of the new Dan Brown movie, Angels & Demons, is accusing the Vatican of interfering with the production company’s effort to obtain permits to shoot certain scenes during filming. The Vatican is calling these claims a publicity stunt.

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Notre Dame Alumna Exposes Pro-Abortion Mentality on U.S. Campuses

By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer

An alumna of the University of Notre Dame, who received no help in 1999 when she experienced an unplanned pregnancy just months before graduating, says the Obama invitation encourages Catholics to reduce the abortion issue to nothing more than “dining-room talk.”

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