In the controversy over President Obama's commencement address at Notre Dame (approaching this weekend) and his pro-choice views in relation to this Roman Catholic institution, there has been surprisingly little if any reference to the precedent of Mario Cuomo's Notre Dame speech a quarter of a century ago.

Then governor of New York, Cuomo gave this September 13, 1984 speech, "Religious Belief and Public Morality: A Catholic Governor's Perspective."  (text courtesy of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life)

Early on, Cuomo asked, “Must politics and religion in America divide our loyalties? Does the ‘separation between church and state’ imply separation between religion and politics? Between morality and government? Are these different propositions? Even more specifically, what is the relationship of my Catholicism to my politics? Where does the one end and other begin? Or are the two divided at all? And if they're not, should they be?”  He continued, “To most of us, the manipulative invoking of religion to advance a politician or a party is frightening and divisive.”

Such excerpts don’t do justice to Cuomo’s remarks, which should be considered in their entirety.

On the current controversy, see also:

May 15, 2009, by Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times
On Abortion, Obama Is Drawn Into Debate He Hoped to Avoid  
“The president's delicate balancing act over the explosive issue is being put to the test with the confluence of two coming events.”

May 14 NPR story: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104107546

April 6, 2009, by Dirk Johnson, New York Times
South Bend Journal:  Invitation to Obama Stirs Up Notre Dame
“The president's planned commencement speech at the fabled Catholic institution has pitted abortion opponents against students excited about the high-profile speaker.”

April 12, 2009, by Richard V. Allen
Op-Ed Contributor:  Degrees of Acceptance at Notre Dame  
“Let President Obama deliver the Catholic institution's commencement address, but don't overlook his policies on abortion by giving him an honorary degree.”

With our young son’s having had a few asthma episodes, my wife and I are planning to attend a June 3 lunchtime presentation on pediatric asthma by Dr. Douglas Idelson, who heads pediatrics for the Yale Health Plan.

Ashika Brinkley, who directs the New Haven Health Department’s asthma initiative, is quoted in this May 8 Allan Appel article on Asthma Awareness Month.

She was earlier featured in this December 9, 2008 Melinda Tuhus article on asthma.

This New York Times video addresses asthma.

Asthma is also among the concerns of Environment and Human Health, Inc.  

Following on the April 27 post below, here's word of a study from the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven:

"Some Nonprofits Feeling Pinch," April 30, 2009 New Haven Register article by Mary O’Leary:
 
“In general, nonprofits are having a hard time raising money, but arts organizations and youth groups seem to be particularly challenged, according to a recent local study.  The Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, in a report issued this month, said it found that funding is the main concern of agencies, particularly larger organizations who are dependent upon state grants.”