Barack Obama – Madison Catholic Herald

Since 1945, the New York Archdiocese has hosted the Al Smith dinner, a black-tie event named in honor of Alfred E. Smith, the first Catholic presidential candidate.

Millions have been raised through the dinner to support charities in New York City. Speakers have included Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy, Bob Hope, and, during election years, presidential candidates invited as the guests of honor.

It’s a break from debate. It’s not an endorsement and no awards are given. Candidates’ speeches take on a humorous tone. As described by the Al Smith Foundation Web site: “In the days before Saturday Night Live, the Al Smith dinner served as a kind of ‘proving ground for the candidate as entertainer,’ as one reporter described it.”

On January 25, 2012

Jane Tarrell

Right of conscience not protected in health care act

To the editor:

The Affordable Care Act, funded by half the Medicare budget, offers free condoms, free birth control, and free abortion for all ages. The right of conscience is not protected as it was before the legislation.

Medicare defunding will not be felt until after 2012. The Independent Advisory Board of 15 appointed by our president makes all decisions about who gets what and at what age without input from seniors or politicians. The board is also delegated to defund Medicare by another $200 billion in the next decade.

On December 15, 2010May 20, 2021

Fr. Tad Pacholczyk

Humans in ‘frozen orphanages’ need protection

A key argument in the embryonic stem cell debate — widely invoked by scientists, patient advocacy groups, and politicians — involves the fate of frozen embryos.

Barack Obama put it this way in 2008: “If we are going to discard those embryos, and we know there is potential research that could lead to curing debilitating diseases — Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s disease — if that possibility presents itself, then I think that we should, in a careful way, go ahead and pursue that research.”

The head of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Francis Collins, embraced this same line of reasoning by

On December 4, 2008October 4, 2023

Deacon Jack Fernan, Madison

We must work to end ‘slaughter of the innocents’

To the editor:

In our Christ the King Sunday Gospel, Jesus proclaims: “Amen I say to you. What you did NOT do for one of these least ones, you did NOT do for me.” And these will go off to eternal punishment.

On November 27, 2008October 4, 2023

Barbara L. Lyons, Milwaukee

Stopping FOCA is of utmost importance to our nation

To the editor:

Grateful thanks to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops who, at their recent meeting, recognized the dangers of the so-called Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) and spoke passionately in opposition. Stopping FOCA is of the utmost priority and necessity. Why? Because FOCA places women and unborn babies in peril, silences your voices, and ignores your values.

On October 2, 2008October 4, 2023

Bill Checovich, Madison

Try a different strategy to make abortion rare

To the editor:

Douglas Kmiec, former constitutional legal counsel to Presidents Reagan and Bush, architect of Reagan’s pro-life policies, and arguably the nation’s brightest conservative Catholic legal mind, recently argued that Catholics concerned about the sanctity of life and social justice are best served by an Obama presidency.