[BLACKJACK]

EARLY ONE THURSDAY MORNING THREE RELIGIOUS LEADERS WERE OUT ON A BOAT FISHING.

FATHER O'MALLEY, REVEREND JONES AND RABBI GOLDSTEIN HAVE BEEN "FISHING BUDDIES" FOR YEARS AND HAD DISCUSSED MANY ISSUES OF THEOLOGY TOGETHER.

THIS PARTICULAR THURSDAY THE SUBJECT WAS "EXACTLY" WHEN DOES LIFE BEGIN???

WELL - - FATHER O'MALLEY, STICKING TO THE "PARTY LINE", INFORMED HIS FRIENDS THAT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH BELIEVES THE LIFE BEGINS AT THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION. REVEREND JONES CHIMED IN THAT THE PROTESTANTS DON'T "CUT IT QUITE THAT CLOSE". WE BELIEVE THAT LIFE BEGINS AT THE MOMENT OF BIRTH. RABBI GOLDSTEIN LEANS BACK IN THE BOAT AND IN HIS MOST PROFOUND VOICE SAYS, "FELLAS, LET ME TELL YOU - AND THIS COMES FROM EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS OUR RELIGIOUS DOCTRINE. LIFE BEGINS - - - WHEN THE LAST KID LEAVES HOME AND THE DAMN DOG DIES.

Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY.

BLACKJACK