Sunday, Sept. 5 marks the start of National Waffle Week. How appropriate that it comes right before the Wisconsin primary. As the wafflers will be out in full force between now and Nov. 2, expect frequent outbreaks of waffling. Think of it as a way to build up your immune system for the 2012 presidential campaigns.

Catholic quote of the week: In an interview with the Spokane Spokesman-Review shortly before he was installed as bishop of Spokane on Sept. 3, Bishop Blase Cupich said: “It’s very easy in today’s world of polarization to leave civility behind. But we must be able to speak of difficult issues in ways that don’t tear apart our communities.”
You probably figured out that earlier in his priesthood Bishop Cupich worked at the Vatican embassy in Washington, DC.

Sports as religion: Since the Packers' opener is more than a week away, I can devote attention to my other football denomination -- the Purdue Boilermakers. May you be victorious in South Bend on Saturday. St. Purdue Pete, patron of engineers, pray for us.