This is the man who spoke before President Obama at Notre Dame University’s commencement exercises yesterday.
Judge Noonan agreed to speak in lieu of Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon. Out of principal, she declined to accept the University’s Laetare Medal because a pro-abortionist was to speak at the ceremony (President Obama).
When Judge Noonan agreed to speak in Mrs. Glendon’s stead, I anticipated a subtle, invigorating talk. I thought to myself: This man just might have the moxy–the spretzaturra–to outman and outfox the orator-in-chief.
…Would that the disease really were the “swine” flu, in the imprecatory sense of the word ‘swine.’ Then only the most low-down, dirty, rotten scoundrels could contract it.
Please refrain from throwing tomatoes: For my money, of the three orators (Obama, Glendon, Noonan), Noonan promises to be the most interesting.
I am not claiming that he is correct in all his opinions. I do not even know what all his opinions are. I am simply saying that he is a very smart man, with a subtle, penetrating mind. His Power to Dissolve is one of the more illuminating books I have ever read. (It is about ecclesiastical marriage law.)
…The number seven subway in New York City is a delightful line.
You can ride it between Times Square and Grand Central in lieu of the tedious “Shuttle.” You can ride it out to Shea Stadium and the site of the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fairs, which is where one of the wonders of the world is kept: the New York City Panorama.
The day after I ran the New York Marathon, I parked at a Queens diner, ate an omelette, and paid the owner ten dollars to keep an eye on my car for a few hours. Then I rode the Seven to Manhattan for a wonderful day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, lunch with my brother, etc. Basically, the number seven is sweet.
What a world we live in, dear brothers and sisters in Christ! There is hardly time to take it all in. Can you believe that, on top of all this, the weekend will feature:
Father Mark White Blog 