Stories From Women Who Walk

60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday: Fishhooks McCarthy Was a Corrupt & Praying Man

Episode Summary

Maybe there's an honest lesson we can take from the life of Fishhooks McCarthy.

Episode Notes

Hello to you listening in McHenry, Illinois!

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga.

Maybe it’s true and maybe it isn’t but once there was a corrupt politician in the 1920's named John A. McCarthy; but he was known as Fishhooks McCarthy. He lived and worked on the Lower East Side of New York City. Being a devout man every morning he stopped at a little Catholic Church, St. James Church on Olive Street, to pray. Same prayer every day: “O Lord, give me health and strength. We’ll steal the rest.”  

Fishhooks sounds like one of those politicians you shouldn’t trust; but people remembered him as a Robin Hood who used graft and corruption to redistribute money to his unemployed and working class poor constituents.

Let me be very clear! I am not advocating for theft, bribery, corruption, immorality, stepping outside the law, and all the rest. What I am saying is that in these historic times we have an opportunity to examine our core values, our moral code, ask ourselves: What will I stand for and what won’t I stand for?

Story Prompt: While you have health and strength what can you do to shape and share creative and compassionate ways for us to come together? Write that story! 

You’re always invited: “Come for the stories - stay for the magic!” Speaking of magic, would you subscribe and spread the word with a generous 5-star review and comment - it helps us all - and join us next time!

Meanwhile, stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website to:

✓ Check out Services I Offer,

✓ For a no-obligation conversation about your communication challenges, get in touch with me today

✓ Stay current with Diane as “Wyzga on Words” on Substack and on LinkedIn

Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team

Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

All content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.