John Locke reminds us that the Latin rebellare means to “bring back again the state of war.” War, as Locke usefully defines it, is a state that ensues “when someone declares by word or action,” “as a matter of calm settled design,” “that he intends to end another man’s life,” or to “get another manContinue reading “The Real Rebels”
Tag Archives: tyranny
Badges of Shame, and of Honor
Decades ago, a six-year sojourn in Canada acquainted me with the awe in which the denizens of that snowy realm hold the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Many a northern lad could dream no grander dream than growing up to join the ranks of these bravest of all servants of Queen and Country. In one fatefulContinue reading “Badges of Shame, and of Honor”
Out of Season
Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:2 To be out of season, in these days of darkness, means among other things to get on the wrong side of YouTube. What that takes, in the present moment, is to speak the truthContinue reading “Out of Season”
Who’s Afraid of the Latin Mass?
To their credit, many of the world’s bishops, addressed in Francis’s recent missive as “Guardians of Tradition,” are scratching their head at its apparently senseless venom. “Upon reflection,” one faithful shepherd of souls observed, “it seems that in addressing the ‘problems’ of the traditional Latin Mass community—real or perceived—Pope Francis used a chainsaw when onlyContinue reading “Who’s Afraid of the Latin Mass?”
Singing What’s True
In my dazed and confused youth, listening to classic rock as I traversed the rural roads of New England, several of Van Morrison’s ubiquitous hits were etched into my soul. Apart from that, I never gave the fellow a second thought, until reading several years ago that the title of his popular tune, “Domino,” isContinue reading “Singing What’s True”
Reset This!
The New York Times would like you to think that the Great Reset is a conspiracy theory cooked up by disgruntled right-wing deniers of whatever the masses are being programmed to believe in this news cycle. This is the same paper that, in the 1930s, solemnly dismissed “rumors” of the (very real) Soviet-orchestrated famine responsibleContinue reading “Reset This!”
Asking Questions
I appreciate Ohio Representative Jim Jordan’s exposure of the arbitrary nature of the repressive policies currently foisted upon the American people in the name of “public health.” In this exchange, Representative Jordan stumps Dr. Anthony Fauci by asking when, and on what objective basis, Americans can expect to get our liberty back: As we canContinue reading “Asking Questions”
Public Opinion & Propaganda
In this seminal essay, Robert Nisbet explains how our contemporary obsession with popular opinion constitutes a deadly distortion of the logic of genuine republican government. Though good government rests on the consent of the governed, and public policy ought to be based on a refinement of public views, this does not mean that rulers oughtContinue reading “Public Opinion & Propaganda”
Brewing the Truth
As Václav Havel notes, contemporary despotism attempts to conscript each citizen as an agent as well as a victim of oppression. To the extent that we get along by going along with approved untruths, we increase the pressure on others to join us in our retreat from human dignity. On the other hand, Havel warns,Continue reading “Brewing the Truth”
Not in Our Stars
Several years ago, Carson Holloway published an insightful essay, describing the election of Donald Trump as a (well deserved) slap across the face of America’s governing elites. Holloway’s argument focuses on a series of policy gaffes, stretching back to the presidency of George W. Bush and extending through that of Barack Obama. Together, by 2016,Continue reading “Not in Our Stars”
"His Tongue shall Speak Judgment" 