by Mike MorleyPressing Priorities Age (cane)In case you've wondered about James Francis "Frank" O'Neill, the legendary Irish publican (and Republican): the chieftain of O'Neill's, the pub hub of the West Side and Oak Park Irish for decades, is currently relaxing at the Berkeley Rehab Center on North Ave. in Oak Park. The legs that served him well in the ring are in need of a rest.
At least three generations of Irish enjoyed the best of camaraderie and hospitality at O'Neill's under Frank's friendly but firm management. Cop, cabbie or congressman, Frank treated humble and elect with equal respect. Many a lawyer or judge made a habit of O'Neill's. The Brennan Brothers ugg boots black friday were frequent guests before ascending those twin peaks of merchandising, Montgomery Ward and Sears.
There were no scuffles or disturbances inside or outside the bar. Frank had a keen eye, and could spot a toe over the line. Be it businessman, broker, barrister or bricklayer, a slurred word or glazed eye would bring a glass of water for the next round. Some were indignant at the treatment, but they'd always be in the next day to thank the boss for looking after them. Neighborhood parents felt secure knowing their kids were headed to Frank's place.
It's understandable that Frank, most comfortable on the black friday uggs front lines of battle or barroom throughout his life, helping the Irish raise a flag or a glass, might sometimes stand eyeballtoeyeball with "the screws," be they at Berkeley or Portlaoise, rather than seeing eyetoeye with them. But he surely does delight in seeing and hearing from his old friends. He misses their good company. You can hook up with Frank at the Berkeley Center, 6909 North Avenue, (east of Harlem Ave.) Oak Park, 60302. The phone is: (708) 3861112. Send a wee note, or call and drop in to say hello.
Before Beauty (Keane)As I was writing, I made myself take time out Sunday so as not to miss Kathleen Keane's new show. Jim Conway opened up with a fine tonguetwisting performance of country blues harmonica, joined by Rick "Cookin" Sherry. It augured well.
As for Ms. Keane, it's crystal clear: Kathleen, ever the virtuoso, has evolved. Besides looks, brains and talent, Kathleen has soul. Accompanied by master guitarist William Coulter, Kathleen shared her stage with champion Irish step dancer Marieke Van Der Maelen and made sure to give her young niece Colette Kathleen Staunton and her violin a moment in the limelight.
Had the performance been simply a live jukebox of tunes, it would have been great. Instead the show gave at least this audience member the feel of being included in a perfect evening at someone's home, or a small pub in Ireland, able to savor the craic and the storiesbeing privy to heartfelt feelings brought home by music touching strings deep inside. Like any art involving lots of hard work and inspiration, it appeared effortless, seamless. It was not balladry, but lifesharing. Paddy Cloonan tells me there's a word for it in the Irishsomething like "naya"but, call it what you will, 'tis soul.
And Sex (Kane)We've written quite a lot of copy in this space since 2007 on the Catholic Church's "scandal." And I've said that trying to contradict what the press decides the public should know is like tossing pits in the wind. Even if they don't come back to whack you, it's a waste of time who's listening? The reading/viewing public is like the prisoners watching that picture show described over two millennia past by Plato in his allegory of the cave. Ruling out psychosis, reality is what presents itself to our eyes and ears daily. And what you read in "your" newspapers and see on "your" ever more expensive TV and movie screens IS reality. Like the viewers chained in Plato's cave, we are indeed a captive audience. And the role of the projectionists is to not so much to inform as to form public opinion to their theory and vision of the ideal society.
Are we to accept the media's image that Catholicism or its Church is an exclusive breeding ground for pedophilia? Because we see very few if any reports of such abuses within the ranks of other organizations, religious or not, do we accept that those who control the information industry have no agenda and are presenting a true picture? Do you think for a minute that the public, you and I, have any say in such an agenda? How about the Church? How about a politician, even a president? Think the Church, or a president for that matter, can stand up to the information industryHollywood, the news conglomeratesand force them to present a more balanced, thoughtful reality?
The wife of the fictional Citizen (Charles Foster) Kane admonishes him: "Really Charles, people will think" Kane cuts in: "what I tell them to think." And told by his correspondent: "There is no war in Cuba," Kane cables back: "I'll provide the war."
The fictional Kane was modeled on media king William Randolph Hearst, who may (or may not) have told his famous illustrator Frederic Remington, who felt conditions in Cuba did not warrant a war: "Youfurnish the pictures and I'll furnish the war." But he did once say: "You can crush a man with journalism." Hearst could easily have said: "You can crush an institution with journalism."