[Bogey78O]

From what I've been told. He's a staunch Catholic (hence the 7 children) whose dad left America in the 30s over the New Deal. He's no Ben Affleck or Tom Hanks if that's what you're looking for.

[KJMorgan]

He's a staunch Catholic (hence the 7 children)

He's a traditionalist Catholic...attends the Tridentine (Latin) Mass exclusively.

Taken all together, Mel would make most of the people on this board look like Clintonistas!

[mystery-ak]

His father uprooted his entire family from NY in the 60's to keep his older sons from going to Viet Nam.
Mel was born in NY and once aspired to the priesthood.
Mel is a staunch conservative, I've read a lot about him and have seen him interviewed several times.

[Falcon4.0]

Yea, Hollywood really hates this guy. They can't crush him like they've done so many other conservatives because he is such a box office draw.

[RightOnline]

". He's a staunch Catholic (hence the 7 children) whose dad left America in the 30s over the New Deal."

Well............no, you're off by about 30 years. Think "Vietnam" and "draft" (no, not for himself; his progeny).