Kennedy Controversy: Rhode Island State Rep. Patrick...

Kennedy Controversy: Rhode Island State Rep. Patrick Kennedy, 22, has had a run-in with the Catholic Church over the abortion issue, just as his father, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), did. Kennedy was to speak at Prout Memorial High School in South Kingstown, R.I., last Sunday, but the engagement was canceled because of Kennedy’s abortion rights’ stance. Kennedy said he planned to urge students to get involved and “make a difference.” He did not plan to discuss abortion. Almost a year ago, the St. Vincent de Paul Society canceled an appearance by Sen. Kennedy in Providence. Both Kennedys favor abortion rights.

McCycle: About 60 fifth- and sixth-graders at Four Mile Elementary school in Des Moines, Iowa, say they will boycott McDonald’s until it becomes more environmentally aware. The pupils, who complain that the burger firm uses environmentally damaging plastic foam packages, did some grilling of their own this week when they invited two local McDonald’s executives to meet with their class. Although the execs argued McDonald’s is using thinner foam packages and has started a recycling project, students remained unconvinced.

Royal Delight: Just to show you how much things have changed in the East Bloc, Britain’s Prince Charles and Princess Diana spent part of Thursday floating on a boat down the Danube in Budapest. It was the end of their first visit to a Warsaw Pact country, a trip that delighted Hungarians and made front-page news there. Diana drew kudos for her charm, her smiles and her elegant clothes.

She Likes Ike: Susan Eisenhower and her new husband, Soviet scientist Roald Sagdeev, returned Wednesday night from a European trip to honor the centennial anniversary of the birth of her grandfather, former President Dwight David Eisenhower. The couple were part a of a delegation that included Vice President Dan Quayle and his wife, Marilyn.