Category Archives: history
How the Vatican Became a State – a Re-Post
A Re-Post on the Visit of Pope Francis We all know that the Roman Catholic Church is a “church” and that it is headquartered in the Vatican, which is a “state” – all 110 acres with a current population of … Continue reading
Remembering One Girl From Minsk – October 26,1941
An annual Re-Post. We cannot remember them all; but each year we can remember one. The Minsk Ghetto – 1941 “For God’s sake child! Flee Minsk before it’s too late!” the wounded Red Army Major she tended urged her. “Be still!” Anya said. “I’m … Continue reading
Banker To The Resistance – Walraven van Hall
y One doesn’t normally think of bankers or financiers as resistance leaders. Usually we picture them on the other side, always siding with power. Certainly not on the side of people and liberty. Wealthy and privileged, they usually work to … Continue reading
Remembering the Sixth South Africa – October 1944
It was early in October, 1944 and German troops in Italy had retreated to the Gothic Line deep in the heart of the Apennine Mountains between Bologna and the Po Valley. Hitler himself had ordered that the line be … Continue reading
The Busboy
It was the day before the 1968 California Democratic primary election and 18 year old Juan Romero was working as a bus boy at the Ambassador Hotel. The primary itself was a heated race between Senator Robert F, Kennedy, Senator … Continue reading
“God’s Banker” and the Fall of Ambrosiano – A Re-Post
Pope Paul VI and Roberto Calvi . Everyone loves a good conspiracy theory. I do. Don’t you? And everyone loves a conspiracy involving all the big players – bankers, the mafia, the Vatican, the C.I.A., murder. I mean, how juicy … Continue reading
Needles
* Those of you who have spent time in Rome or in many other cities in the world have seen them. Needles. Egyptian obelisks. Those four sided monuments topped by a pyramid shaped point. The Washington Monument is an American … Continue reading
