When asked to identify the “founding fathers,” Americans typically name a few prominent political leaders and military heroes—figures like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton. A more difficult question is: Who are America’s intellectual founding fathers? That is, whose … Continue reading
“Force is only justifiable in extremes. When we have the upper hand, justice is preferable.” –Napoleon Bonaparte In the cold reality of international relations, the boldness exhibited by President Donald Trump in his first 100 days is far preferable to … Continue reading
Nate Mills ’16, of the National Review Institute, speaks on “Representing a New Constellation: The Overlooked Role of David Rittenhouse” during the March 7, 2017 American Founders Luncheon in Pittsburgh. The Center for Vision & Values lost a dear friend. … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at Stream.org. Last year, “socialism” was the most looked-up word at Merriam-Webster.com. That is hardly a surprise. It clearly reflects growing interest, especially with the remarkable surge of lifetime socialist Bernie Sanders, who won … Continue reading
During Lent, the 46 days from Ash Wednesday to the day before Easter, many Christians focus on giving up or doing without something. Not eating a favorite food or drinking a preferred beverage is common. So is not participating in … Continue reading
“Always mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy.” –Stonewall Jackson The ousting of Steve Bannon from the National Security Council (NSC) staff is part of a reorganization initiated by President Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor, Army Lt. General H.R. McMaster. This … Continue reading
Last month, while interviewing former senator Jim Webb, “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd labeled Webb “a rare and dying breed. A centrist and a moderate.” Todd also suggested that “The center’s been hollowed out.” Intense emotions are pervasive on … Continue reading
Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared at National Catholic Register. In a stunning moment in the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Neil Gorsuch, Senator Dianne Feinstein, a staunch supporter of so-called “abortion rights,” took umbrage with one … Continue reading
The Republican-proposed American Health Care Act (AHCA) that the House of Representatives is expected to vote on this Thursday has been called a bill that everybody dislikes for one reason or another. Democrats are hoping that the AHCA will be … Continue reading
Editor’s note: The following is a Q&A with Professor Gary S. Smith and his wife, Jane Smith, about their new book, “Suffer the Children: How We Can Help Improve the Lives of the World’s Impoverished Children.” If you would like … Continue reading
Observing Hollywood’s posturing poseurs deliver their goods at the Oscars, as they ooze self-righteousness and narcissism, triggers a pesky thought that no doubt erupts in the minds of normal people. That is, few of those luminaries strutting across the stage … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. The ability of the communist left to consistently mislead and use an ever-wider group of people never ceases to amaze. I wrote a few weeks ago about the Women’s March, … Continue reading
Have you ever struggled with what to do when you encounter a person on the sidewalk of a major city or standing at a busy traffic intersection with a cup in hand? Have you given such individuals money or been … Continue reading
Since the 2016 election, much ink has been spilled trying to pinpoint the cause of the collapse of the Democratic Party, both in Congress and state legislatures, during Barack Obama’s presidency. Among the most important was the deep antipathy to … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at Crisis Magazine. One of the most brilliant, influential Catholic intellectuals of the past half century has died at age 83. He was Michael Novak, theologian, philosopher, and gentleman—truly, a gentle man. I had … Continue reading
In fictionalized accounts of historical events, writers inevitably project incomplete portraits of characters or recast the characters for dramatic purposes. Historical fiction can be a creative and rewarding means of storytelling and thought-provoking historical commentary. One recent case in which … Continue reading
Don’t get me wrong. Churches are much more than just social clubs. Yet the evidence suggests that our churches need to be social clubs. One of our concerns as Christian leaders and role models is the secularization of America. We … Continue reading
President Donald Trump has selected the best possible person to serve as his national security advisor. Army Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster epitomizes the warrior-scholar in the tradition of Carl von Clausewitz. The U.S. Army was out of Vietnam for 11 … Continue reading
Editor’s note: This article first appeared at The American Spectator. I’ve been getting emails from bewildered colleagues asking about a survey of presidential scholars that determined that Barack Obama is the 12th best president in the history of the United … Continue reading
Only 16 percent of recent college graduates state that their career services office was very helpful. What a devastating statistic! Brandon Busteed, the executive director of education and workforce development at Gallup, stated, “We are stunned to see the perceptions … Continue reading
