I was quite saddened late last evening to learn of the death of my friend Michael Reagan, the oldest son of Ronald Reagan. Mike was adopted by Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman (their first child was daughter Maureen) shortly after … Continue reading
I was quite saddened late last evening to learn of the death of my friend Michael Reagan, the oldest son of Ronald Reagan. Mike was adopted by Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman (their first child was daughter Maureen) shortly after … Continue reading
For thousands of years if you asked who the two greatest teachers of all time were, the answer would be Jesus and Socrates. Tragically, these celebrated instructors share another trait: they were both executed by their societies, perhaps particularly for … Continue reading
These are trying times for American colleges and universities. They face rising costs, a potential reduction in federal funding, grade inflation, the challenge of AI, alleged liberal political and social bias, claims that a college degree is not worth the … Continue reading
One hundred years ago this month, the United States and even the world turned its attention to Dayton, Tennessee, to witness a trial purported to be a showdown between modern science and backwards religion. Despite the widespread media coverage, or … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. Growing up in Butler, Pennsylvania in the 1970s and 1980s, I surely at some point must have encountered a book titled Butler, but it would have been at the town … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. The eyes of the world are focused on Rome right now because of the death of the pope, but they should also be directed at Italy’s increasingly influential prime minister, … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. I was saddened to learn of the unexpected death of Tony Dolan, who passed away at age 76. Tony was the chief speechwriter to President Ronald Reagan in a “speechwriting … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. Our 2024 Reagan film received widespread acclaim from moviegoers (albeit not from ideologically motivated critics) for the roles rendered by several key actors. They included Dennis Quaid as Reagan, David Henrie as young Reagan, Penelope Ann Miller as … Continue reading
As the end of the year approaches, professional movie reviewers are publishing their lists of the year’s best movies. I am at a stage of life where I don’t go to the movies often enough to presume to name my … Continue reading
As Americans mourn the death of the nation’s oldest ex-president and celebrate his life, they will disagree about the effectiveness of his presidency and the impact of many of his policies. One fact, however, is undisputable: Jimmy Carter’s robust Christian … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. The conservative movement this week lost an elder statesman, its dean. He was Lee Edwards, 92 years old. Edwards was so very important and dear to both the conservative movement … Continue reading
“Today we must reckon with the harsh reality that authoritarianism has arrived in America, that it’s broadly popular and that millions of our fellow citizens have given it their votes.” LA Times “This was a conquering of the nation not … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. We win, they lose.” That Reagan statement was a declaration for the ages, a denouement to the 20th century, encapsulating what Ronald Reagan did to defeat the Soviet Union and win … Continue reading
On October 1, Jimmy Carter will celebrate his 100th birthday, becoming the first former president to reach this milestone. This occasion provides a fitting time to consider Carter’s life and legacy. He is one of the nation’s most outspoken Christian … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. One of the cool things about being a biographer with special expertise on a specific subject — in my case, Ronald Reagan — is that readers come to you with … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. The Declaration of Independence was, of course, just that. It was an official declaration of independence by the “United Colonies” (upper case), as they were thus described by Thomas Jefferson, … Continue reading
On July 9, 1943, Dwight David Eisenhower knelt in prayer on a mountaintop overlooking the island of Malta to ask for God’s help as the Allies began their all-out assault on Sicily. As the weather rapidly worsened, the American general … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. I think often of my late good friend Charles Wiley. I was introduced to Charlie by my Grove City College colleague David Ayers. Dave knew Charlie way back, and the … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Crisis Magazine. On April 25, EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo did an exclusive, hour-long interview with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Kudos to both Arroyo and Kennedy for sitting down to dialogue in a civil, thoughtful manner that’s … Continue reading