Although I was raised Catholic and did all those Catholic boy things growing up like being an altar boy and sneaking a taste of the sacramental wine when the priest wasn’t looking, I am not an especially religious person today.

But even though I’m not that religious, I respect people who are, as long as they are not trying to use their religion to hurt other people.

I’m going to have to choose my words very carefully. I know that even if I do there’s a very good chance that someone might accuse me of being something I’m not.

But here goes….

Just because you criticize or condemn the actions of the Israeli government doesn’t mean you are antisemitic. It doesn’t mean you hate the Jewish people.

Now I won’t deny that there are those who are antisemitic who condemn what the government is doing in Gaza, Lebanon, or getting us involved in Iran. But that certainly isn’t everyone. It certainly isn’t me.

Governor Pillen’s political consultant fired him after his gift of a no-bid 2.7-million-dollar contract to a personal friend became public.

Now I don’t know if Jessica Flanagan left the Pillen campaign because of that. It does seem suspicious, since it was announced the day after the Lincoln Police Department said it was investigating that contract.

Ms. Flanagan and Axiom Strategies are also consulting Pete Ricketts’ campaign, so maybe they left to concentrate on the tough road the Senator has ahead of him.

Who knows why she no longer wanted to work with Pillen?

Memorial Day has always meant more to me than just the unofficial start of summer.

Of course, I enjoy the bar-b-ques, the baseball games and the extra day off. But I also take time to remember those who sacrificed their lives for this country. I take the time to reflect on what the day really means.

This Memorial Day felt a little different than those I remember from years past. Instead of the respect and appreciation that I normally feel for those who died. I felt a sense of deep sadness.