My World of Religion, Politics, Entertainment and Social Issues

  David Fetler passed away yesterday afternoon at the age of 96. He was a prominent figure in the classical music world both locally and nationally. He, his siblings, and his parents were predecessors of the famous Von Trapp Family Singers. The Fetler Family Band began performing concerts in their native Latvia and later throughout Europe. The photos I am providing of the Fetlers are from 1934, where you can see David on the conducting podium at age 7 (one photo has been colorized). Locally, David Fetler was a legend. He spent many decades as a conductor and teacher. His teaching years were at the Eastman School of Music. He was most prominently known locally as long-time music director at St. Paul's Episcopal Church and as music director of the Rochester Chamber Orchestra for over fifty years. (I was privileged to serve as the orchestra's board president and treasurer during its final stretch.) In addition, David was music director of the Greece Symphony Orchestra for ...

  R.I.P. Bishop Matthew Clark. I paid tribute to him on Facebook a couple days ago, because I knew his death was imminent. I will simply add that in addition to having been a mentor and friend, I will always think of him as having been a humble servant. In both politics and religion, there are leaders who either draw attention to themselves via a quest for power, or leaders whose primary interest is being of service to those they serve. Bishop Clark was never drawn to the authority aspect of being a church leader. Instead, he represented a pastoral mode, whereby he provided encouragement to all he represented. In brief, Matthew Clark was a very kind man, and that is a good legacy to leave behind. Jesus warned against the excesses of power, and instead tried to model pastoral leadership to his disciples: healing the sick, welcoming the disenfranchised, and placing the value of serving others over being served. Bishop Clark was faithful to the pastoral model.   One of the...

  My New Year resolution for 2023 is to keep my promise of bowing out of political commentaries. These have taken up a lot of my time during the past few years, and life is short. I predict the immediate political future of our country will be dreary and bordering on a fine line between fascism and democracy. My hope is that younger generations will run for public office for the right reasons, and not for the purpose of fulfilling inflated egos. My political predictions for the next two years are as follows: 1.) Donald Trump will fade from the political landscape. We probably won't see him land in jail. However, he will be carrying too much baggage to become the GOP's presidential nominee in 2024. 2.) I predict Ron DeSantis will be the GOP's presidential nominee in 2024 if he decides to enter the race. On the Democratic side, I expect that despite his age, Joe Biden will run for reelection, even though I would like to see a younger candidate, especially if Ron DeSanti...

  I recently wrote a lengthy review of the movie, TAR. My focus was primarily on the performances, the narrative of the story, and my expectation that there will be Oscar nominations for best film and best actress (Cate Blanchett). Since I have studied the art of conducting in the past, in addition to the fact that I continue to follow the careers of conductors I admire (wanted to be one once-upon-time), a musician friend asked me what I thought of Cate Blanchett's character and how I felt about the manner in which classical music is treated in this film. So, I will address these issues now. It is important to state that Lydia Tar is a fictitious conductor. Cate Blanchett carries the role very well, and I guarantee she will send chills up and down the spines of viewers. That said, from a musical standpoint, I felt that the movie did an injustice to conductors in general, especially women conductors. The best conductors know how to collaborate well with orchestra musicians. I...

I won't be making any political comments after election results are finalized. My hope is that younger generations will build a better future for themselves, beginning with preparations for 2024. This does not mean becoming Trumpers and tearing down all the democratic values our country stood for before he entered the political stage. It rather means ensuring that our country returns to its reputation as a beacon of hope for those who worry that our good standing in the world is slipping away. I am somewhat comforted by the fact that the far-right represents only perhaps one-third of the GOP. Hopefully, the other two-thirds won't engage themselves in supporting revenge tactics being planned the far-right, such as impeaching Democrats, investigating the current Congressional January 6 Committee, and overturning election results they don't like. I am finding that I want to enjoy whatever time I have left in this world. The political climate has become too toxic for me to...

  As we celebrate Independence Day, it is not unreasonable to question whether or not our independence is being eroded. Would our founding fathers be pleased with our republic today? Most likely NOT. I watched some Sunday talk shows yesterday, because of what is occurring politically, economically, and socially in the United States, in addition to world affairs we are currently engaged in. Much of yesterday's panel discussions eventually turned to the 2024 presidential election, because that could prove to be a consequential year for the future of our country. Liz Cheney was interviewed on ABC yesterday morning. I continue to admire her courage for exposing Donald Trump for who is really is, and she rightly believes he should never be allowed to run for public office again. In fact, she hasn't ruled out running in the Republican presidential primary in 2024, even though radical wings of the GOP are attempting to punish her for her role in the January 6 investigative commit...

  As I reflected on last Friday's Supreme Court decision, I thought about the year I was one of the website moderators for a national organization called 'Catholics for Kerry.' At the time, John Kerry, a Catholic, was running for the presidency. His critics often referred to him as being "pro-abortion." I repeatedly stated at the time there is a distinct difference between pro-abortion and pro-choice. (Kerry was pro-choice, as am I.) I don't personally know anyone who can properly be referred to as pro-abortion. The whole matter is rather about allowing a woman to have a choice, and I am 100% for that. I don't know where the Supreme Court is headed next. Clarence Thomas suggested the court could tackle such issues as contraception and same-sex marriage. Hopefully, the justices will leave these matters alone. Enough damage was done last Friday, which now permits individual states to administer draconian laws that in some cases won't even allow a...

Performing arts organizations are facing tough decisions when it comes to Russian conductors, soloists, composers, etc. I personally don't feel their performances should be canceled in the U.S., unless they are openly supporting Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine. I have noticed that a few symphony orchestras have canceled or postponed the appearances of Russian guest conductors. The latest such decision was made by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. My sense is that if Russian performers were allowed to speak openly, most would condemn Putin's actions. They are often placed in difficult situations when they travel, especially when they leave family members behind. When I was an Eastman student in the 1960's, famous composer and conductor Khachaturian came to the school for a week to work with students. He was accompanied by Soviet security, which prevented him from either defecting or speaking politically. When Dmitri Shostakovich composed, he was under extre...

Unlike the past couple years, I don't expect to comment on much politically in 2022. Sadly, the political environment around the country is expected to be sharply divided and perhaps violent in some areas. I would simply urge both Democrats and Republicans to vote for candidates with good character and with the intent of serving the best interests of their constituents, rather than the type of self-serving behavior we witnessed with Donald Trump and elected officials who supported his big election lie. I am hoping Congress will pass a voting rights bill that would potentially override some of the draconian laws that were passed in a few red states. Currently, Republicans have an edge in the 2022 House and Senate races, due to redistricting in red states, and highly restrictive voting laws that will make it difficult for voters in those states who voted for Joe Biden in 2020. Fair and safe elections must be normative in all states. This is why a voting rights bill is needed at ...

Over the years, I have worn many hats: classical music, broadcasting, banking, government, politics, serving on non-profit boards, ministry, etc. I have made a decision to retire from ministry this year. It has been a privilege to be an officiant at multiple weddings, funerals and baptisms over the past 15 years. I now look forward to a quiet life, with the exception of my presence on social media.

Gun violence has become an out-of-control epidemic. Defunding police departments is not the way to go. Police are currently stretched to the limit. Each shooting requires a rapid response, and lengthy investigations are needed when suspects are not immediately identified. I propose a six-step plan toward ending escalating violence that threatens every community across America: 1.) Increase the number of counselors in our nation's schools. (Addressing violent tendencies early is important.); 2.) Increase the size of community service bureaus within police departments to meet with individuals/families and address neighborhood safety concerns; 3.) Implement a nationwide ban of assault rifles, including stiff fines and jail sentences for violations of the ban; 4.) Increase the level of investigations done by the FBI and the Bureau of Tobacco and Firearms to stop the flow of illegal gun trafficking. (Trafficking illegal guns across state lines is a federal offense.) 5.) Continue to m...

I received my Ancestry DNA results today. I am 50% European Jewish, 32% Irish Catholic, 7% Norwegian, 5% English, 4% Scottish, and 2% Swedish. I have over 1,000 cousins worldwide to explore. I already knew which part of Europe my paternal ancestors lived. However, I never knew until now which part of Ireland most of my maternal ancestors resided (Munster Province, Ireland, which included the counties of Clare, Limerick & Tipperary). I wrote an extensive family history for my relatives a few years ago. I will now have other avenues to explore.

I have always been intrigued with the idea of time-travel, which Albert Einstein thought was possible. If I could travel back fifty-four years, I would hit a restart button and correct mistakes I made in my late teens and twenties. Here are the changes I would make if it were possible: If I could return to the fall of 1967, I would work harder on my studies at the Eastman School of Music. My ambition was to become a symphony orchestra conductor. However, I made the mistake of hanging out at bars designed for college crowds when I should have been practicing my instruments. As I look back, I remain appreciative that two of my professors at Eastman saw my conducting potential, namely Milford Fargo and Donald Hunsberger. (Dr. Hunsberger enrolled me in a graduate conducting course, even though I was an undergraduate.) So, my advice to my younger self would be, "stay out of bars and study hard, or your musical career will vanish." As I moved onto my twenties, minus a musical...

I was reminded today that it has been close to five years since I have posted any writings to this blog.  My New Year resolution for 2020 is to get back to writing.  In the meantime, I continue to post regular comments on my Facebook page. Happy New Year to All!

Dear Blog Visitors: Since word got out that my 2-year term as president of the Rochester Chamber Orchestra came to an end, I have been gratified and honored by offers I have received from various arts organizations to join their boards. As much as I appreciate these offers, I am looking forward to some fun and relaxation, at least for a few months. I am very pleased that the Rochester Chamber Orchestra will continue under a new board. It has been part of the Rochester community for 52 years, a nd despite the challenges arts organizations face today, this is a first-class professional orchestra deserving of a new life. These are indeed challenging times for arts organizations, not only in the Rochester community, but throughout the country as well. With government subsidies and private grants shrinking, new ways must be found to sustain various non-profit organizations that provide audiences with classical music, dance, opera, staged plays, contemporary genres, etc. I can atte...

On this Christmas Day, I am delighted that Pope Francis has chosen the occasion to focus on the need for change in the Roman Catholic Church's hierarchy. He is also rightly focusing on what has gone wrong in recent decades and he has drawn attention to the fact that what we are witnessing within the ranks of the church hierarchy is much different than the ministries Jesus tried to model for us. I spent twenty years of my life working with Catholic reformers, trying to bring change to a church embroiled in several scandals during the papacies of John Paul II and Benedict XVI. One of my biggest hopes for 2015 is that Pope Francis will convene Vatican III. It has been 52 years since the Vatican II council, and much has changed since then. When Pope John XXIII announced to the world that he was convening Vatican II, he stated: "It is time to open the windows to let some fresh air in." It has been rightly argued that succeeding popes squashed what could have been several de...

Dear Blog Visitors: I have reached a milestone today, in that I am now 65-years-old. I actually enjoyed using my Medicare Advantage card for the first time today. I used to dread turning 65. However, Medicare Advantage is just one of the benefits of being an official senior. I am also grateful for my government pension after 23 years in City Hall, and a small pension  from my ten years at a bank. After Brenda retires, we are looking forward to having some fun in our golden years. I find that when I analyze my 65 years, there were many highs and lows. I regret not having taken my creative skills to the highest level. For example, I spent more time partying than practicing while a student at the Eastman School of Music. I also probably foolishly turned down a job offer at Paramount Movie Studios that could have perhaps led to an acting career. However, there were some fun years, such as my three years as 'The Wizard of Pun' at a local radio station, many years of free-lance wr...

Dear Blog Visitors: As a follow-up to Father's Day, I did something yesterday that I contemplated for many years. I visited the resting place of Charles Nawrocki (1917-1936) who died following a one-car crash on April 12, 1936 (Easter Sunday). My father was driving, but the accident was not his fault, as confirmed by police and newspaper accounts. As I thought about the accident, I would not be here today if there hadn't been a dramatic turn in my father's condition. He was initially reported in very critical condition and not expected to survive. However, he did manage to pull through. When he returned home following the accident, he had to remain flat on a gurney for six months to heal his broken back. HIs siblings took turns rotating the gurney every six hours. He remained in back pain for most of his life, despite multiple medical interventions, and he often related feeling badly about the death of his friend. As I went through police and newspaper account...

Dear Blog Visitors: The Washington Post's revelation of the full extent of what occurred in Catholic work houses in Ireland run by nuns was shocking to say the least. What was portrayed in motion pictures PHILOMENA and THE MAGDALENE SISTERS was just the tip of the iceberg. As described in yesterday's Washington Post article, a mass grave was found at the former site of an Irish work house, with the bones of 800 discarded babies. For many years, the public was led to believe that babies born out of wedlock were given up for adoption by nuns who ran various work houses in Ireland. Indeed, some babies were adopted. However, we now know the full extent of the story, whereby babies and young children were starved, tortured, allowed to suffer horrible diseases without treatment, and the list goes on. Ever since I was ordained a married priest by a married archbishop in 2006, I have officiated at many weddings. In quite a few situations, brides have been unwed mothers. Wh...

Dear Blog Visitors: I am often asked what movies I would recommend during the Easter season that give us a fairly accurate account of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Making a motion picture about Jesus has always proven to be a daunting task when one considers that we actually know very little about what occurred during most of his life. In Mark, the first Gospel, the focus is on the public ministry of J ... esus, which lasted around three years, followed by his death and resurrection. The next two Gospels (Matthew and Luke) added a birth narrative, and John (fourth Gospel) expanded on the public ministry of Jesus, in addition to giving us theological explanations as to the meaning of events in the life of Jesus. Concerning the movies that have been made over the years, I liked some better than others. I would highly recommend KING OF KINGS, JESUS OF NAZARETH (TV miniseries), and SON OF GOD (edited from TV series, THE BIBLE). I would not recommend THE PASSION OF TH...