THE LAST SHOTS OF THE CIVIL WAR WERE FIRED IN ALASKA

THE LAST SHOTS OF THE CIVIL WAR WERE FIRED IN ALASKA

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Did you know that last shots of the American Civil War did not take place in the continental United States but rather in Alaska? It's true. http://www.nps.gov/cwindepth/StateByState/Alaska.html It was about hundred and 50 years ago that supposedly neutral Great Britain secretly transferred to the Confederate Navy at a rendezvous off the coast of Africa a ship, the Sea King, that was renamed the Shenandoah. Built in Great Britain as a supposed troop transport, Great Britain, who claimed to be neutral in the war, constructed…

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MUSINGS OF AN IDLE MIND

MUSINGS OF AN IDLE MIND

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I was reading a passage from the journal of the great saint of the Church, Theresa of Lisieuz, "the little flower." She wrote: "As I meditated, I saw how imperfect was my love for the other nuns and I knew I did not love them as Jesus loves them. But now I realize that true charity consists in putting up with all ones neighbor's faults, never being surprised by their weakness and being inspired by the least of their virtues."  I…

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SECRECY – THE CANCER OF DEMOCRACY

SECRECY – THE CANCER OF DEMOCRACY

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The struggle between the public's right to know and concealment of wrong claiming secrecy is not just an isolated problem, but rather one which is pervasive and growing. The government of the UK has asked for a law which would operate in civil proceedings involving a case against the government where it claims national security is involved. In defending these cases the government wants a law which would allow it to put evidence before a judge in the absence of…

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THE SEATTLE TIMES & THEIR BIASED JOURNALISIM

THE SEATTLE TIMES & THEIR BIASED JOURNALISIM

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Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2012 3:28 PM To: 'kriley@seattletimes.com' Editoral Page Editor Subject: Sunday Editorial  Ms. Riley:  I couldn’t believe the Times would run an editorial on Sunday “Some advice for Gov. Jay Inslee” after the Times  has  demonstrated unrestrained bias during the election in its attempt to elect his opponent. The paper abandons its ethical, if not moral, obligation of objective journalism by running full page ads on its own for Inslee’s republican opponent as well as slanted reporting…

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IN FLANDERS FIELDS

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

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I was coming out of a store in my home town of Gig Harbor when I was stopped by middle-aged man who was with a couple of other men selling poppies to support veterans. I told him I would contribute if he could tell me why we celebrated Veterans Day with poppies. He paused and told me that he thought it had to do something with flowers during the Civil War. I gave him money and told he had failed the test. I said it…

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PAUL NICHOLAS LUVERA, SR. 1898 – 1990

PAUL NICHOLAS LUVERA, SR. 1898 – 1990

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Today is the anniversary of the death of my father, Paul Nicholas Luvera Sr. Born on March 25, 1898, he died in Anacortes, Washington on November 4, 1990 at the age of 92. I've published several accounts of his memories from his youth over the past couple of weeks. My sister Phyllis is the historian of our family  and has written a book about this extraordinary man which will be published soon. This is a brief outline of dad's accomplishments…

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SKYSCRAPERS

SKYSCRAPERS

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Our law office is on the 67th floor of the Columbia Center (formerly Bank of America Tower and Columbia Sea First Center). The building has 76 floors and is the tallest building in the Pacific Northwest region. It is 932 feet in height. Yet,it is dwarfed by the ten tallest buildings in the world. In Dubai the tallest skyscraper is 2717 feet. In Saudi Arabia the tallest building is 1,971 feet. Malaysia has two twin skyscrapers both 1,483 feet high. Number nine on…

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CATHOLIC BISHOPS, POLITICS AND VATICAN II

CATHOLIC BISHOPS, POLITICS AND VATICAN II

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As  a cradle Catholic born before World War II I am greatly disturbed by the changes in my church since Vatican II and John 23rd. I am chiefly bothered by the positions taken by Church leadership  starting with Rome and the apparent effort to return the Church to the pre Vatican II status. Here are some examples of leadership action which is very troubling.  In some European countries like Germany, traditionally there is no separation between church and state. In these countries, in addition to paying a…

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THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE & THE ELECTION

THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE & THE ELECTION

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I have written about vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan and Republican hypocrisy before https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2012/09/cbs-news-norah-odonnell-put-paul-ryans-feet-to-the-fire-for-criticizing-president-obama-for-defensespending-cuts-after-he-sup.html The debate between the vice presidential candidates the other  night only confirmed my negative viewpoint of Congressman Ryan. What strikes me is the reluctance of Gov. Romney and Congressman Ryan to acknowledge the truth about the Republican agenda, particularly the budget plan of Mr. Ryan. They distance themselves from the truth in that regard  and instead are claiming a moderate, cooperative, plan if elected. The truth is that…

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VENICE AGAIN & HOME

VENICE AGAIN & HOME

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On Monday October 1st, the feast day of St Theresa, one of the best known saints, we arrive in Venice. The sky is black as we enter the harbor and there is a light rain. By the time we dock there is some blue trying to make it's way through, but it is cool outside. Now for the hard work of packing. We spend the night here and leave the ship in the morning so today we have to pack. We…

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