American History & Presidents

On Vaclav Havel—and Chris Hitchens

Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator today. Vaclav Havel is dead. Among other forces and powers, he is among the seven individuals most responsible for peacefully ending the Cold War; the great liberators who brought freedom … Continue reading

Deer Season a Half Century Ago

This week hunters across America storm the woods loaded for deer. For yet another indication of how times have changed, consider this account of Deer Season a half century ago: My mother’s family lived in Emporium, Pennsylvania, as did dozens … Continue reading

Iran: How to Lose

Once again, tensions between Iran and the international community are on the rise as the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, released a new report that warns of concealed attempts by Iran to produce an atomic bomb. … Continue reading

No Regrets: Frank Kravetz’s Story

Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “Just existing became what was important,” says 87-year-old Frank Kravetz of Pittsburgh, captive of the “hell-hole” that was Nuremberg Prison Camp. “Yet even as I struggled with … Continue reading

The Democrats’ Deadly Sin

Envy is sadness or discontent at another’s good fortune or excellence. Dante defined it as a perversion of one’s own good; a “wish to deprive” others of their own good. Augustine deemed it “the diabolical sin.” Conservative columnist George Will quips … Continue reading

Obama’s New Stimulus Czar

Obama’s selection of Alan Krueger to head the Council of Economic Advisers might be an upgrade from Austan Goolsbee, but not by much. Obama’s new economic adviser lacks the foresight to craft an economic agenda to actually put Americans back … Continue reading