Bill O'Reilly: "The traditions of Catholicism are important to me

To this day, I find my Catholic elementary school education exceeds what is taught in either Catholic or public school.

Absolutely. Though I left the Church years ago, I credit my 12 years of Catholic school as forming the core of my intellect and my morality. I also went to grade school with 60-odd kids a class, 1 little nun, and a bunch of kids divided into 2 groups - the ones sister was going to bean with an eraser thrown across the room, and the ones who paid attention and did their work.

Interestingly, both groups learned how to read, write, and do math. We learned about art and music and poetry even though we didn't have instruments, art books or even a school library. My last year in a Catholic prep school was more taxing than my first year in the honors program at a top-ranked university.

I'm not sure the same is true today. My son went to several years of Catholic grade school. The schools, while still better than the public schools, didn't seem as rigorous as my experience had been.

BOR is still a jerk, but he's right about the positive influence of parochial schools on many of us boomers.

I am 60 (ack!). In my public school classroom, third grade, there were 49 kids.

I remember that number well because I had to do 49 Valentines for the class. My mom had to buy two packages.

Every kid by the third grade could read and write.

That's nothing! Sr. Margaret Henry had us all reading by the time we left Kindergarten! Four feet, ten inches of fiesty Irish determination and unshakable faith! God bless her.

His Dad had a white collar job like many who commuted into NYC did. While we weren't as rich as the Kennedy's, Long Island was considered a huge leap from city apartment living.

It's what Florence King referred to as the "forgotten middle-class: lower-middle." No one went hungry or shoeless but dear ol' dad sweated every day at work could be his last.

"forgotten middle-class: lower-middle." No one went hungry or shoeless but dear ol' dad sweated every day at work could be his last.

If growing up on Long Island (particularly Nassau County) was lower middle class what is upper middle class? Bill's dad was an accountant. If he lost his job, he could apply to thousands of other companies, banks, etc. all a train/car ride away. Also keep in mind Long Island's schools, both public and private, could match those anywhere in the country. O'Reilly also attended a private Catholic boys high school. He wore a jacket and tie everyday to high school. I grew up in the same neighborhoods and attended Catholic schools. The whole experience epitomized middle to upper middle class.

Bill O needs to travel outside the Boston, NY, DC corridor to see real hard scrabble.

Bill O'Reilly sucks.

Agreed. I resent him referring to himself as a Catholic.

Did you see when that hoser sand bagged FR on his show?

I will never watch that lying bastard again.

Did you see when that hoser sand bagged FR on his show?

I did. That's why I am more than happy to say he sucks in each BOR thread. He's so egotistical he probaby has staff monitoring this site to see what we say about him.

I'd liked to have seen him go down when his former producer exposed his pervertd harrassment against her.

He is one sleazy bastard.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.