No one can deny the phenomenal positive strides made between Catholic and Jewish leaders in the theological realm in recent decades. Hopefully, the relationships forged will help us weather the coming storm – the one politely and conveniently pushed off for the past five or six years, but which has now returned.

Last week at an interfaith symposium in Rome, Pope Benedict XIV defended the legacy of Pope Pius XII, reports the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (http://www.jta.org). The comments are likely meant to help prepare the theological world for the bombshell of the Vatican’s pushing to declare Pius XII – whose name is cursed by many Jews of the World War II generation – a saint.

Now Pope Benedict noted that his predecessor “spared no effort” to help Jews during World War II. Pius, he said, had undertaken “many interventions, made secretly and silently, precisely because given the concrete situation of that difficult historical moment, only in this way was it possible to avoid the worst and save the greatest number of Jews.”

Wait a minute. As is documented, the Pope did indeed help shelter Jews in Rome during the Nazi push to round up the cities Jews and send them to an unquestioned death in concentration camps. He also helped individual Jews whom he knew and their families. However, the truth is that the record is mixed. One simply cannot say that Pius “spared no effort” to help Jews. That’s because he and the rest of the world failed during this era, which brings a permanent stain to the human record. But as an influential leader whose words and orders were repeated by priests all over the continent – particularly in Poland – he had a heightened responsibility as well as opportunity to help stem the slaughter.

The Pope – and President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill, and General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the Zionist movement, and so many others – did not do enough. How can anyone say otherwise?

It’s the Catholic Church’s business as to who it wants to make a saint. It’s the obligation of the Jewish community to comment on their choices and remind our friends that in this ever-connected world, we’re going to need much more than platitudes and press releases to buy the words.

Sen. Barack Obama is an honorable man whose personal story embodies much that is great about this complex country.

Sen. John McCain has given his adult life to serving this nation with great honor and distinction; he personally understands what war means.

In short, that’s why both are excellent candidates to run for the U.S. presidency. Yes, like many I wish we could wrap them into one – McCain’s experience (because it does matter) and Obama’s intellect and charisma (because that too matters a great deal).

And no, I’m not going to tell you who’s the better choice. But I am tired of both the kooks on the left and the whackos on the right telling me who should sit in the Oval Office in an era of Iranian lust for nuclear power, increasing economic disparity at home and – God forbid – the return of “Beverly Hills 90210” to TV. (I really don’t care about that last one, but I didn’t make it up.)

Of late we’ve had Obamanik Madonna calling McCain a new Hitler and hardcore conservatives finding ways to applaud the teenage pregnancy of GOP VP pick Sarah Palin’s daughter. Yes, it shouldn’t be a campaign issue – but the Republicans are the ones who are whipping out that “family values” card all the time.

Meanwhile, the general kooks on the left – whom the Democratic party has never done a good enough job of silencing – grossly mis-characterize McCain’s support of U.S. involvement in Iraq. It’s quite bizarre to do so as the troop surge pays off, a move that McCain long-ago advocated. (As did I.)

Meanwhile, the general whackos on the far right think that Obama is a secret Muslim who will put a veil on the Statue of Liberty (and I don’t mean a figurative one). Likewise, the Republicans do far too little to silence them and their Internet innuendo campaign.

So let’s have both leaders of the political parties stand up to their radical fringes. How? Why not sign a contract for civil debate, one that includes making a donation to each other’s campaign when their surrogates go out and do the dirty work. Who would judge the violations? Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush – both of whom actually get along well – come to mind. If that doesn’t work, some pre-school teacher would do just as well because he or she is experienced in such baby behavior.

This is the best Italian food in town. We have tried many others and nothing can top Fazzini’s. Everything is fresh, homemade and delicious.

The pizza here was undercooked and really doughy.
entrees on other tables looked good though.

we like fazzini italian kitchen because of good wait staff and consistently good italian food. everything there is homemade; pasta, sauce,bread,pizza dough,etc.  large portions and reasonable prices and no ambiance!