Dog receives communion - people outraged

NOTE TO SELF: SOME PEOPLE CAN BE SO UNCHARITABLE

So a man and his 5-year old pooch, Trapper, walk into an Anglican church in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and the man wants communion. Nothing wrong with that - right? Think so? The priest welcomed the pair and when it was time for the human to receive communion, his dog followed him. The priest, Margaret Rea, didn't see anything wrong with giving both human and pooch communion, an act which is causing an uproar.

Rea said she had nothing to add to the apology she has already offered to her congregation.

"The incident is done, it's over and I have no more comment about it," she told AFP. "I am not going to discuss anything about it."

Thing is, presumably, the offense is giving a non-human communion. One wonders if the Higher Power finds it as equally offensive as some church members. The whole incident has made some people smile but one parishioner took it further and filed a complaint with the Toronto Diocese.

There's a nice photo of Trapper who is luckily oblivious over the stir he caused here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100728/wl_canada_afp/canadareligionanimaloffbeat_20100728141055

SCHOOL BANS HOODED SWEATSHIRT

NOTE TO SELF: EDUCATORS SHOULD STICK TO...EDUCATION


Here we go again. There used to be a time when schools and educators relegated themselves to expanding student's knowledge. It appears that they're also getting involved in fashion choices.

School officials at Lincoln Middle School in Meridien, Conn. have banned hooded sweatshirts, citing that they violate the dress code policy. While the district's Board of Education dress code policy does not specifically ban this piece of clothing, it does now allow head gear, which presumably includes sweat shirt hoods.

"The hooded sweaters, and some of the hooded shirts that are out, all those are excluded. If you're in the stores shopping, that's all there is -- everything is hooded," said parent Cheryl Tomassetti.

School officials said they decided to ban the shirts after some students were spotted wearing hoods over their heads in school hallways and classrooms. Officials said that hoods are sometimes used by students hiding headphones.

Makes a person wonder how far the arm of educators should extend, especially when it comes to the choice of clothing. If it was for safety purposes officials would be justified but headphones?

The ban will go into effect after winter break.

ROSIE O'DONNELL BIDS ADIEU TO "THE VIEW"

NOTE TO SELF: "The View" won't be the same without Rosie

Never was a big fan of "The View" that is until Rosie O'Donnell stopped by and stayed for a year. Although some would say she's over-opionated and abrasive, I found her refreshing and a definite asset to the show.

Although Meredith Vieira was 'okay', once she moved on, the show just kind-of was...there, period. No spark and bordering on blechy.

As a former watcher of O'Donnell's talk show, it was personally very uplifting to note her addition to the show. Never shying away from controversy her squabble with "The Donald" for example, made the show that much more watchable and fun. The fact that Trump responded so quickly and negatively to her comments made Rosie's presence a "must watch," reflected in the high ratings she brought to the show.

Can I get excited when Barbara Walters et al voice their opinions about...stuff? Not really. Will I continue to watch the show? Unlikely.

Now Rosie is bidding adieu in June. Too bad but then maybe - just maybe - she'll go back to doing her own talk show and The View will be a distant or pale memory for most of us.


Writers & Friends
www.jrslater.com/forum