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William Kevin Stoos

Copyright © 2020 William Kevin Stoos William Kevin Stoos (aka Hugh Betcha) is a writer, book reviewer, and attorney, whose feature and cover articles have appeared in the Liguorian, Carmelite Digest, Catholic Digest, Catholic Medical Association Ethics Journal, Nature Conservancy Magazine, Liberty Magazine, Social Justice Review, Wall Street Journal Online and other secular and religious publications. He is a regular contributing author for The Bread of Life Magazine in Canada. His review of Shadow World, by COL. Robert Chandler, propelled that book to best seller status. His book, The Woodcarver (]And Other Stories of Faith and Inspiration) © 2009, William Kevin Stoos (Strategic Publishing Company)—a collection of feature and cover stories on matters of faith—was released in July of 2009. It can be purchased though many internet booksellers including Amazon, Tower, Barnes and Noble and others. Royalties from his writings go to support the Carmelites. He resides in Wynstone, South Dakota.

“His newest book, The Wind and the Spirit (Stories of Faith and Inspiration)” was released in 2011 with all the author’s royalties go to support the Carmelite sisters.”

Most Recent Articles by William Kevin Stoos:

A Clear, Cold Night

For me, Christmas has always been a clear, cold night.

I grew up in a small Midwestern town during the 50s and 60s. There was never a better place or time to grow up. Of that I was certain. And my perfect childhood was never more perfect than at Christmas. I had a Peter Billingsley, Christmas Story Christmas every year.

- Sunday, December 24, 2023

A Christian Carol-- The Subtle Christianity of Charles Dickens

A Christian Carol, The Subtle Christianity of Charles Dickens

"Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance and benevolence were, all, my business." -- [The Ghost of Jacob Marley, A Christmas Carol]

Of all the Christmas stories, nothing is to me more enduring and inspiring than Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Whether the tale itself or the 1951 black and white film version starring Alastair Sim—the scary old coot who Dickens himself would have cast for the role—the wonderful story of Scrooge's haunting and ultimate redemption is indelibly seared into my memory and inspires me still.

- Wednesday, December 20, 2023

The Christmas Candle

“Candle wicks, like memories, flicker faintly at times, and burn brightly at others.”

Dickens could have been writing about my father, William Christian Stoos, when he said of Scrooge that he knew how to keep Christmas well. Dad was the Spirit of Christmas in our household. Each year he anticipated the holiday with a childlike glee. Although a stoic man, and deeply spiritual , he became a child at Christmas time—his favorite time of the year.

- Saturday, December 16, 2023

One More Year of Santa

One More Year of Santa

There is one in every class. You know--that one 6 year old smart aleck who takes sadistic pleasure in being the first to announce to his naïve classmates that “There is no Santa!” Sometimes, unfortunately, it is the teacher who decides to burst their bubble and announce the secret. It is apparently politically incorrect nowadays to believe in the jolly old elf who travels the world delivering presents to young children.

- Saturday, December 2, 2023

Bittersweet Woods

As surely as tulips meant spring, green grass summer, and Christmas trees winter, bittersweet meant fall.”

Wild plants are treasures—not simply for their beauty alone, but also for the memories they bring. Sometimes they remind us of who we are, where we have been and of wonderful times past.

Some of my fondest childhood memories were of late fall Sunday afternoon trips to the country. We packed into the family car with our buckets and sacks and drove to the country in search of hickory nuts, walnuts and bittersweet vine.

- Saturday, September 9, 2023

The Myth of Hedge Balls

I love the things of fall--my favorite season. The chill in the air, the colorful foliage, the harvest; apples, squash and pumpkins. The golden sunsets, the Indian summers and the squawk of the blue jay, the squirrel rustling in the leaves and burying the nuts he will soon forget. And, next to the American Bittersweet--my favorite fall plant (See, Bittersweet Woods, Canada Free Press)--I love the ugly, curious and wonderfully wrinkled yellow-green oddity known as the “hedge ball” a/k/a “hedge apple”.

- Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Biden and Cackles Doing a Good Job of Not Protecting the Border

In an effort to explain his refusal to protect the southern border of the United States from the torrent of illegal immigrants, drugs, and the spread of violence that has cost the lives of United States citizens, President Biden summoned “The Most Trusted Name in the News 2023,” Canada Free Press’ own Hugh Betcha, for an exclusive interview in the Oval Office. Hugh, Chief of the International Desk of the Stoos Views worldwide media conglomerate, a man who walks with kings and princes (but bowing to none), caught a quick flight from Wynstone, South Dakota--where the air is clean, the crime rate low, the people vote red, and the centre still holds--and flew into Foggy Bottom. Ushered into the President’s office after a short ride in the Presidential limousine, Hugh settled down for a frank discussion with the President on the troublesome issue of illegal immigration and Texas’ attempt to stanch the flow of illegals, drugs and violence that has plagued the state and the country.

- Monday, March 20, 2023

The Simple Faith of Humble Men

The Simple Faith of Humble Men, Thanksgiving 2022“Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand. And as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone to many. Let the glorious name of Jehovah have all the praise.” (William Bradford, Governor of Plymouth County, 1621)
Thankful they assembled there, A humble Pilgrim band, To praise their God in silent prayer That He should bless their land.
- Wednesday, November 23, 2022

The Hard Left Turn: We Did Not Leave the Democrat Party…It Left Us

The Hard Left Turn: We Did Not Leave the Democrat Party…It Left Us“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”John F. Kennedy 
“Free health care, free college, free medical for illegal aliens, open borders, no bail, no oil, reparations, and guaranteed income for all Americans.”Democrat Platform 2024?The candidate was a man of great courage. A decorated war hero, he was nearly killed in combat. He risked life and limb to save his comrades and never left their side. He was a true patriot in every sense of the word. After his military service, he devoted his life to public service. He stood for strong national defense, a vigorous economy, and promotion of free enterprise. He vowed to fight socialism and believed with all his heart in the principles of freedom and capitalist democracy—which made the United States the most powerful country on earth. He knew how to salute the flag—you know, with the hand over the heart.
- Saturday, October 29, 2022

PUTIN—THE BASS WHO TRIED TO SWALLOW UKRAINE

PUTIN—THE BASS WHO TRIED TO SWALLOW UKRAINEVladimir Putin is like a largemouth bass trying to swallow his smaller neighbor—which reminds me of a story. Years ago my friend John and I were fishing for largemouth bass. They are impressive fish, whose hinged jaws open wide enough to allow them to swallow a victim nearly half their size. They don’t just bite their prey—they inhale it. I was using a lure. But John was using a method that was new to me. He was hooking medium sized bluegills by the tail, dangling them from a hook and bobber and catching more bass than I. Why was he fishing this way?
- Monday, May 23, 2022

IVAN’S RED STAR STATION

IVAN’S RED STAR STATION“Biden nixes Keystone pipeline, approves Russian pipeline.” 2021 Wolfgang drove up to The Sign of the Star And a smiling attendant Leaned into his car. (He wore a Red Star On his fuzzy brown cap And a Misha-Bear patch Over each pocket flap.)
- Friday, December 10, 2021

Biden to Texas: 'I Will Not Protect Our Borders And Neither Should You!'

'I Will Not Protect Our Borders And Neither Should You!'-- Satire In an effort to explain his refusal to protect the southern border of the United States from the torrent of illegal immigrants, drugs, and the spread of violence that has cost the lives of United States citizens, President Biden summoned “The Most Trusted Name in the News 2021,” Canada Free Press’ own Hugh Betcha, for an exclusive interview in the Oval Office. Hugh, Chief of the International Desk of the Stoos Views worldwide media conglomerate, a man who walks with kings and princes (but bowing to none), caught a quick flight from Wynstone, South Dakota--where the air is clean, the crime rate low, the people vote red, and the centre still holds--and flew into Foggy Bottom.
- Monday, November 1, 2021

Sleepy Joe Biden's Wagon of Economic Happiness

Sleepy Joe Biden's Wagon of Economic HappinessHe was a Democratic Socialist—whatever that is—who offered the people free stuff—free education, free medical care, free welfare benefits to all who crossed over the border, reparations for anyone who was a victim of anything,  and many other free things. His promises flowed like honey and his cult like following were captivated by his words.  "The State," he said, "will take care of you." His message was alluring and they wanted to believe. His name was Sleepy Joe and his partner was Camel-a "Cackles" Harris. But to his followers, Sleepy Joe was, affectionately, Uncle Sugar
- Monday, May 3, 2021

I Just Simply Want to be A Good Hu-Person Being

I Just SimplyWant to be A Good Hu-Person BeingCopyright © 2021 William Kevin Stoos I remember law school lecturers With choice of words meticulous Who strained to speak so gender-free They sounded quite ridiculous. They never said just “him” or “her,” “Him/her” was always used; Nor said they “he,” they used “he/she,” Lest they became abused By a group of vocal students (Of the feminist persuasion) Who hung upon their ev’ry word And hissed on each occasion When that poor ‘ole harried law School prof dared to slip and render Any noun or pronoun of the solely male gender.
- Saturday, January 16, 2021

Hugh Betcha Obtains Leaked Confirmation Questions of Senator Mazie Moron-o Of Hawaii

Hugh Betcha Obtains Leaked Confirmation Questions of Senator Mazie Moron-o Of Hawaii-- Satire Ace Reporter Hugh Betcha of the Canada Free Press has obtained through confidential sources close to the Senator a partial list of questions which Senator Moron-o of Hawaii intends to ask at the confirmation hearing of Amy Coney Barrett . In the interest of the public’s right to know, these are set forth in part here. It is clear that the Senator had planned some more hard hitting follow up questions after grilling the nominee yesterday about such relevant matters as to whether the good judge has ever sexually harassed or assaulted anyone, to wit:
- Saturday, October 17, 2020

Good Catholic Joe Biden Vows to Trounce Little Sisters of the Poor  

Good Catholic Joe Biden Vows to Trounce Little Sisters of the Poor-- Satire For over 150 years an international group of Catholic nuns and other religious have taken a vow to minister to the elderly poor in dozens of countries around the world. They believe in the worth and sanctity of every person including, most of all, those who are considered by others to be weak and worthless. However these godly and humble women who devoted their whole lives to providing love, comfort and support to the poor elderly whom they serve are, unfortunately, politically incorrect. They believe in the sanctity of life from the womb to the grave. And they do not believe in abortion or contraception.
- Sunday, October 11, 2020

Hugh Betcha Interviews Former Dixie Twits Ditzy Twits/Twits

Hugh Betcha Interviews Former Dixie Twits Ditzy Twits/Twits-- Satire After suffering self-inflicted wounds by gratuitously declaring that they were ashamed of President Bush while performing overseas in 2003, the ever politically-correct country all girl group the Twits were interviewed by Ace Reporter Hugh Betcha of the Mighty Canada Free Press this week. In an effort to remain relevant they explained their recent name changes. “We used to be the Dixie Twits as you know,” explained Hattie Lea Bumfus, leader of the group, “but someone suggested that being from Dixie was not cool or politically correct, so we immediately decided to try to remain relevant and cool by changing our name to Ditzy Twits. We sure do not want people to think we are racist, so we dropped ‘Dixie’. “Ditzy” seemed appropriate because we are all air heads and ditzes anyway, “she giggled.
- Saturday, August 1, 2020

National Peanut Growers Association Saves Washington Redskins Franchise!

National Peanut Growers Association Saves Washington Redskins Franchise!-- Satire Lance LeGume, President of the National Redskin Peanut Growers Association, in a recent exclusive interview with Ace Reporter Hugh Betcha of the Canada Free Press, announced a stunning new development: the Washington Redskins football franchise will be soon be purchased by the National Redskin Peanut Growers Association for an undisclosed sum which will allow the franchise to retain the franchise name and change the team logo slightly to remove any suggestion of political incorrectness.
- Wednesday, July 22, 2020

WHEN A.O.C. RUNS THE EPA….

WHEN A.O.C. RUNS THE EPA….-- Satire Hugh Betcha, Ace Reporter for the Mighty Canada Free Press and winner of the 2020 Environmental Reporter of the Year Award by Greenpeace, interviewed AOC, who will head the EPA after President [God Help Us] Biden takes office in 2021. AOC shared her proposed radical regulations to take effect on the day of the election.  In an effort to curb methane emissions from livestock who shamelessly pollute the air with their gaseous exhaust, endanger the ozone layer, melt the polar icecaps and raise the average ambient temperature of the planet by one one-thousandth of a degree per decade, AOC has proposed that the federal government  impose a per head gas tax on cattle and other livestock.  Until the E.P.A. implements such a rule, livestock remain free to pass gas without fear of federal intervention
- Saturday, July 4, 2020

Pelosi and Schiff to Impeach Dead Presidents

Pelosi and Schiff to Impeach Dead Presidents-- Satire When the Speaker of the House wants to announce something momentous, her first call goes to Hugh Betcha, Ace Reporter of the Mighty Canada Free Press. Hugh, winner of the coveted Rachael Maddow “Conservative Reporter I Hate Most 2020 Award” and a man respected by both sides of the aisle in Foggy Bottom, was only too happy to oblige. Within two hours of her call, the reporter flew his private jet from Wynstone, South Dakota to Washington D.C. and was pressed into service by the Speaker who was removing paintings from the halls of Congress. “Here, grab this,” Pelosi told him as she handed down a portrait of a former Speaker of the House from atop a ladder. Hugh obliged.
- Saturday, June 27, 2020

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