January 2004

Editorial
What if you started a new party and nobody came?: Americans may be enthralled with their political scene but up in the Great White North, writes Jackson Murphy, Canadians are less impressed and couldn't care less who leads the right
Yet more thunder down under: An interview with Dr. John Ray: Bernard Chapin discusses the psychological differences between conservatives and liberals with former University of New South Wales professor Dr. John Ray
Evil's mouthpiece: Steven Martinovich finds Sean McMeekin's The Red Millionaire: A Political Biography of Willi Münzenberg, Moscow's Secret Propaganda Tsar a marvelous chronicle of one man's efforts to promote communism
A working holiday: Steve Martinovich was prepared to dislike the novel Mr. Golightly's Holiday but was pleasantly surprised when it overcame a weak beginning to ask serious questions of the reader
Bush should move ahead with personal retirement accounts: Although George W. Bush devoted two lines to the idea in his State of the Union address, Steven Martinovich thinks that personal retirement accounts should receive more attention
Leftism and missing history: When it comes to history, writes Bruce Walker, leftists can be quite selective about what they'll tell you. The examples of Fidel Castro and the civil rights movement prove that
Israel to Syria: Get out of Lebanon: If Syria is truly interested in talking peace with Israel, argues Ariel Natan Pasko, than they should back up their words with action over the issue of Lebanon
Kerry: Around the far left corner, ahead by a nose: Super Tuesday is still a ways off but that isn't stopping Paul Weyrich from making some predictions about what will go down that big day and who will likely be left standing
Why the Democrats still don't get it: As a Catholic writer Peter Vere wasn't surprised that Catholics for Dean tried to recuit him into their ranks. Howard Dean's position on abortion, he argues, makes it obvious why Catholics should support someone else
Liars! Liars! Green pants on fire!: Alan Caruba has had it up to here when it comes to the press, some scientists and the environmentalist movement over the issue of global warming and predictions about the future
They say Trevor made a mockery of MLK Day: Every year at Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska a student is picked to win the Distinguished African American Student Award. David M. Huntwork wonders why it's wrong to award a white student who happens to be a native of Africa
Homage to the Count: P. David Hornik has been listening to the great William "Count" Basie for decades but it was only recently that it struck him why the jazzman was one of the greatest ever in his field
Privatize the space program: Rather than spend hundreds of billions of dollars putting humans on Mars, writes Robert Garmong, George W. Bush should instead consider getting out of the space business altogether
A man's (and woman's) home is a castle: Protecting children from abuse is one of society's highest priorities, says Wendy McElroy, but the power of child welfare agencies is leading to many abuses
Reforming to preserve: An interview with Peter Brimelow: Never one to shy away from controversy, veteran conservative commentator Peter Brimelow discusses education, immigration and the death of the conservative movement with Bernard Chapin
Sauce for the goose: political convention wisdom: No matter what happens in the Iowa caucuses, writes Jackson Murphy, the media will argue that 'conventional wisdom' explains the results
Iowa is key battleground for Dean: Carol Devine-Molin is of the opinion that a Howard Dean victory in Iowa is a must if his campaign isn't to falter, especially with the other candidates breathing down his neck and a party establishment eager for him to fail
Republicans shouldn't rejoice if the Democrats go mad: W. James Antle III cautions conservatives who are praying for a Democratic meltdown: The Republicans suffered their own in 1964 and it directly led to the incredible successes of the past 20 years. That can happen for the Democrats as well
Espionage dressed up with editorial: Steve Martinovich found John Le Carré's Absolute Friends a perfectly good spy novel...until it became an out-of-control screed against the Iraq War
Paul Robeson: Singer, actor, intellectual and defender of tyranny: Steven Martinovich thinks it's appalling that the U.S. Postal Service would honour a man like Paul Robeson, a person who defended brutal tyranny to the end
End Israeli settlement activity?: Ariel Natan Pasko is more than a little tired of hearing Americans calling on Israel to give up their settlements in disputed territories. Why should Israel withdraw when the United States never withdrew from its own disputed lands?
The mouth that whined: Charles Bloomer was impressed by either Paul O'Neill or his accusations against the Bush administration over the issues of Iraq and weapons of mass destruction
Mercury: The latest green scare campaign: Science may not be one of their strengths but the environmentalist movement is expert at the scare campaign. Alan Caruba saw a recent example of that in a local newspaper
Mars or bust: Keith D. Cummings thinks it a glorious thing if man ever walked on the soil of Mars but he wonders if the federal government should really be the one spending the money to send humans there and the moon
Olly olly in free: Last week we ran one article mildly in support of George W. Bush's immigration and one solidly opposed. This week Jack J. Woehr speaks completely in favor of the plan
WTC memorial should celebrate America's producers: Dianne Durante argues that the World Trade Center Memorial should be dedicated to life and productivity, not death and destruction
Al Franken's big, fat mistake: Dena Ross is somewhat less than impressed by news that Al Franken has been tapped to host a radio program on nascent liberal network Progress Media
Jefferson on finding God: Atheists and enemies of religion love to parade quotes by Thomas Jefferson to prove he didn't believe in God. Steve Farrell argues that the evidence shows the exact opposite
Contemporary slavery: The brutal institution of slavery still exists today, says Paul Weyrich, and it will take the efforts of everyone -- you included -- to stamp out this blot on humanity's soul
Children victimized by system secrecy: Wendy McElroy argues that the structure and rules of child protective services are likely doing more harm than good for the children they are trying to protect
Welcoming the huddled masses: Some on the right are threatening to dump George W. Bush over his immigration initiative. Keith D. Cummings argues that the initiative isn't that bad even if it isn't the best solution
Amnesty by another name is still amnesty: Bush compounds an immigration disaster: W. James Antle III argues that the immigration initiative is nothing but an amnesty and will send the wrong message about America's laws and borders
Nothing verboten: An interview with Steve Sailer: Bernard Chapin discusses film and the battle between conservatives with one of ESR's first contributors and current American Conservative film critic Steve Sailer
A problem with prosperity?: Gregg Easterbrook asks a very important question with The Progress Paradox: How Life Gets Better While People Feel Worse. Steve Martinovich wishes he had answered it
Following in the footsteps of Barry Goldwater: In his latest editorial Steve Martinovich warns Howard Dean that his cult-like status may win him admiration in his party but it isn't likely to win him the election
The Senate is the race to watch: Although the media is devoting a majority of its early election coverage to the presidential race, Paul Weyrich says the real action will be in the Senate and it could be all good for the Republicans
Looking beyond 2004: Elections in 2004 don't look to bring too much good news for Democrats and Bruce Walker is of the belief that the mid-term elections in 2006 aren't going to be much better
Average Joe: Candidate: Canadian conservatives have embarked in the long road to choose a leader for their new party. Jackson Murphy compares the process to several reality shows
Israel shouldn't talk with Assad: Syrian president Bashar Assad recently announced that he's interested in dialogue with Israel but P. David Hornik argues Syria has to change radically before any discussions are possible
Reforming Israel's culture of corruption: All is not perfect in Israel, however, as Ariel Natan Pasko relates. The Jewish state is awash in a sea of corruption involving politicians, business and unions
A second look at Limbaugh's travails: Now that some time has passed Carol Devine-Molin takes another look at the recent problems of conservative icon Rush Limbaugh
The Endangered Species Act deserves extinction: The Endangered Species Act is a war against private property, argues Alan Caruba, and it's time that Americans stand up and defeat it
Panthers and taxes: tools of landgrabbers: Henry Lamb chronicles two particularly inventive ways that environmentalists are trying to drive human beings from the land they own
Liberty's Scorecard: Congress in 2003: Peyton Knight surveys some of the legislative efforts that took place last year and whether they were a win, lose or draw for liberty
Dean is liberal with the truth: If it was no problem for George W. Bush to open the records chronicling his time as Texas governor, Jill S. Farrell wants to know why Howard Dean is fighting doing the same thing
Sleeping better in Seattle: Passing the SAFE Act resolution: Steve Lilienthal hails Democrats and Republicans who worked together in Metropolitan King County to call the Bush administration to task for its excesses in the USA PATRIOT Act
Prosecutor grandstanding undermines justice: Wendy McElroy argues that the case of Kansas State football player Ell Roberson shows why the prosecutors of rape cases are losing all credibility
Will 2004 bring a second Bush term?: By any metric things are looking pretty good for George W. Bush to earn a second term in November. That said, argues W. James Antle III, it's only January and if we've learned anything over the years there is nothing guaranteed when it comes to politics
ESR's Eighth Annual Person of the Year: Enter Stage Right's readers have spoken and declared who they believed the most important personality of 2003 was. The voting wasn't even close
Blunder on the left: Howard Dean may get the nomination from the Democratic Party, writes Bruce Walker, but it will come at the cost of pushing the party to the left. That's a price many Democrats don't want to pay
Principle before party: The Republican Party was once the party of conservatism, argues Tom DeWeese, but in recent years it is more interested in maintaining the party than fighting for its treasured principles
A journey to the end of the world: In 1921 a small party ventured into the remote Arctic in search of adventure with tragic results. Jennifer Niven tells their story in Ada Blackjack: A True Story of Survival in the Arctic and Steve Martinovich found it compelling
Fixing a broken legal system: Steve Martinovich found Alan N. Young's Justice Defiled: Perverts, Potheads, Serial Killers and Lawyers -- an indictment of the Canadian legal system -- very interesting though a little low brow at times
When worlds collide: Mark Wegierski examines Robert Sawyer's Hominids, a science fiction exploration of what could have been had Neanderthal not died out
Leaderless: News from an autopilot nation: Canadians are used to the notion of government being distant but the last couple of weeks, writes Jackson Murphy, has seen their leaders completely disappear
A legacy to forget: Although not many people bring up her name these days, says Trevor Bothwell, Sen. Hillary Clinton could still play some kind of role in 2004
Move over Jeremiah!: Regardless of what kind of year 2004 turns out to be, writes Alan Caruba, there are still a number of problems that need to be addressed before they get worse
The making of a jihadist: We can take the battle to the people who want to kill us, says Carol Devine-Molin, but there are other weapons the West can employ to battle religious militants
Israel, Don't ban the bomb!: The Middle East's nearly born peaceniks, men like Muammar Gaddafi, are calling on Israel to renounce any WMD programs it may possess. Ariel Natan Pasko says the Jewish state should do no such thing
Congressman Danny Davis and special education: There are many mistaken assumptions about special education, says educator Bernard Chapin, and among the people who hold them is his congressman
Taking pulse: Can you imagine if your profession was treated by the federal government the same way as doctors are? Keith D. Cummings says you'd be outraged. So where's the sympathy for doctors?
Curing disease is better than fighting over it: Amy Ridenour argues that lawsuits over treatment and medical drugs only makes it harder for everyone to receive the treatment that they need
Criminals owe debt to victims, not society: Wendy McElroy argues that criminals only owe a debt to their victims and not society. The real victims deserve to be the focus of law
Farmers for Freedom
Site of the Month
Earth is Flat Award/Vinegar in Freedom Award
Lingua Publicus
Letters to the Editor

February 2004

Editorial
Why do people hate Bush?: Alan Caruba is surprised by the amount of dislike that conservatives -- never mind liberals -- have for George W. Bush but he wants to know if they believe the alternative -- likely Sen. John Kerry -- is any better
Dean was sure to disappoint either liberals or libertarians: Libertarians and liberals flocked to Howard Dean in the hopes that they would have their dreams fulfilled. W. James Antle III says logic clearly indicated that coalition wasn't rooted in reality
A better use for American elections: Bruce Walker argues that elections in the United States should mean something higher than simply airing partisan grievances
The moral approach to Iran: Given how many of its principals subscribe to a Straussian view of foreign policy it's not surprising that the Bush administration injects morality into its decision making. In his editorial Steve Martinovich wonders why that doesn't apply to Iran
How Bill W. saved others by saving himself: Steve Martinovich thought Susan Cheever's My Name is Bill: Bill Wilson: His Life and the Creation of Alcoholics Anonymous is an excellent overview of a man who saved millions of lives by saving himself from the scourge of alcohol
Welcome to Bush country: John Podhoretz's Bush Country: How Dubya Became a Great President While Driving Liberals Insane is an amusing and insightful look at the hatred of George W. Bush, says Carol Devine-Molin
Quick words with R. Emmett Tyrrell: Bernard Chapin chats with the author of Madame Hillary: The Dark Road to the White House, a look at the former First Lady's life and what a Hillary! presidency could entail
Principle over party: When it comes to casting your ballot, Steve Farrell writes, what should motivate you are principles, not political parties
Kerry's green machine: Why is the League of Conservation Voters such a big fan of Sen. John Kerry? Henry Lamb says all you have to do is follow the money...or to be more accurate, Theresa Heinz's money
Clinton he ain't: Allegations of adultery already have Republicans trying to compare Sen. John Kerry to Bill Clinton. Keith D. Cummings says that Kerry, regardless of what you think of him, doesn't deserve that
George S. Schuyler and Black History Month: George S. Schuyler is a giant in the field of American journalism. Why then, do you never hear of him during Black History Month? Nicholas Stix explains that Schuyler's conservatism is to blame
RS 2477 reform is needed to protect private property: If RS 2477 -- an 1866 piece of legislation designed to allow public access to public lands -- ever did any good, argues Mark Boslough, it doesn't these days. Now its used as a weapon against private property owners
Fake war heroes: Sen. John Kerry earned his medals in Vietnam but there are thousands of men out there who claim accomplishments in battles that aren't theirs. George S. Kulas has met a couple of them
Israel has already held a referendum: Ariel Natan Pasko says that Israelis don't have to vote on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to remove settlements from Gaza. That vote was taken a long time ago
A promising post-Soviet Russia: Many people are nervous about the direction that Russia is taking under Vladimir Putin. Paul M. Weyrich says that the West shouldn't worry and that things there are much better than they were just a few years ago
No one has the right to prevent businesses from expanding to new locations: Edwin A. Locke argues that attempts to block Wal-Mart's expansion into new markets is an attack on liberty itself
Censorship is not solution for trashy TV: Regardless of what you think of Janet Jackson's "performance" during the Super Bowl, writes Wendy McElroy, don't use it as an excuse to attack freedom of speech
The real John F. Kerry: For the past week his critics have demanded that George W. Bush explain his record during the Vietnam War. As David T. Pyne illustrates, John Kerry would have a harder time answering some questions about his post-Vietnam record if those same critics applied an equal standard to past conduct
A lone voice in the primetime wilderness: If you like John Stossel's reporting, says Steve Martinovich, you'll love him in convenient book form with his part-biography, part-polemic Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media...
War and elections: Critical decisions: George W. Bush may not be perfect but voting for him casts a ballot in favor of continuing the war against terrorist activity, says Alan Caruba
Truth falls victim in nursing home tragedy: The death of Lillie Gardner in a Queens, New York nursing home earlier this month is an example of there being more to the story than what the headlines suggest, writes Nicholas Stix
Criminal justice?: The kidnapping and murder of Carlie Brucia earlier this month has put Scott Shore in what could charitably be called a very bad mood
Ample justification for war in Iraq: The Democrats running for president continue to bring up the invasion of Iraq in the hopes of taking George W. Bush off his game. Carol Devine-Molin says they have no case to make
Cloning is moral: News last week that South Korean scientists created a cloned human embryo provoked outrage from many. Alex Epstein argues that human cloning technology is a moral good
The kinder-transport of Israel: Ariel Natan Pasko imagines a not too far away future when Jews are herded out of Gaza because of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's attempt to buy peace
Replacing colleges with hope: Bruce Walker is of the opinion that universities have perhaps outlived their usefulness as centers of higher knowledge
The political heritage of modern environmental thought: The environmental movement may only date back a few decades but David Rothbard and Craig Rucker say its intellectual origins date back much further
Can Canada's teflon Liberal Party strike back?: Canada's Liberal Party has lived through some pretty serious scandals before but Jackson Murphy wonders if the past week will spell the doom of the party in the next election
Do or die: Jason Hayes realizes that Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin is busy dealing with a huge scandal but he believes that doesn't mean Martin can't implement some of the reforms he's promised
How to stop exporting jobs: Henry Lamb argues that jobs are being exported out of the United States not because American workers are inefficient but due to economic and social obligations that the country was signed up for
Cooling down the abortion debate: That abortion is a socially divisive issue isn't debatable but Wendy McElroy says that doesn't mean that it should have to be that way
Is Bush a conservative?: It's a question that an increasing number of Republicans are asking themselves and it's showing in the polls. Tom DeWeese says in November at the ballot box how conservatives answer that question may cost George W. Bush the election
Courage, not denial: An interview with Dr. David Buss: If evolutionary psychology has a star it's Dr. David Buss. He sits down with Bernard Chapin to discuss his work and the reactions he's received to some of his theories
The war for our survival: Steve Martinovich believes that Civilization and its Enemies: The Next Stage of History ranks as one of the most important books written in the post-September 11 era
Vermont's fight over same sex civil unions: He thought it was more than a little biased but Steven Martinovich found Civil Wars: The Battle for Gay Marriage an interesting account of the legal and political fight to establish civil unions in Vermont
It's time to something about North Korea: As you read these words there are human beings dying in concentration camps. Steve Martinovich asks in his editorial if we want our children to ask us one day why we didn't do anything
A stark choice: A look at the foreign policy of Sen. John F. Kerry: Why would Sen. John Kerry be bad for America? Jackson Murphy says his record when it comes to foreign policy alone should make Americans think twice before voting for him
Kerry out-of-sync with mainstream America: Democrats may love Sen. John Kerry but Carol Devine-Molin is of the opinion that his popularity won't translate with ordinary Americans
The war on the war on terror: Have the courage to fight a war and you know that regardless of how it turns out you'll be facing a lot of questions. George W. Bush and Tony Blair are merely the latest victims, writes P. David Hornik
Gifts to soldiers reap many returns: Linda A. Prussen-Razzano relates how the employees at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport helped America's soldiers coming home from Iraq
Impoverishing everyone. Educating no one: The more the federal government becomes involved in education, argues Alan Caruba, the more the system breaks down. George W. Bush's administration is no different
President's Council on Sustainable Freedom: Henry Lamb believes the creation of a presidential council to promote American freedoms would be a marvelous step for George W. Bush to take
Islam and the West: Buzzwords will not fill the gap: Multiculturalists like to proclaim that critics of Islam are nothing more than racists but they never answer charges like the appalling treatment of women in the Islamic world, says Paul M. Weyrich
Great art doesn't need the NEA: Dana Gioia is doing a fine job in curbing the excesses of National Endowment for the Arts but Steven Fantina believes it will still never produce great art
The banality of bias: AP reporter injects anti-white racism, corruption, into Miss. election story: There were many examples of journalistic scandals in 2003, writes Nicholas Stix, but one of the most egregious was completely ignored
Love and selfishness: Remember this on Valentine's Day later this week: Gary Hull argues that the false view of love as selfless and unconditional destroys its sublime value
Four-tiered judicial crisis: When it comes to the judicial crisis in the United States, says David Almasi, there is plenty of blame for both sides of the political fence
Did a false condition lead to false abuse charges?: Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy has long been used by the state to separate mothers from their children but Wendy McElroy says parents are beginning to fight back
Kerry and Dean are out of step with America about Israel: John Kerry and Howard Dean may think they know how to resolve the Israel-Palestinian morass -- with Israel getting the short end of the stick -- but Ariel Natan Pasko argues that Americans clearly disagree with them
Why Kerry is winning the Democratic nomination: Super Tuesday turned out to be super for Sen. John Kerry. Rachel Alexander explains why she believes he went from a dark horse to the man likely to win his party's nomination
Promises promises: Jason Hayes says Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin promised a lot during his first Speech from the Throne, but he knows which promises are going to be kept
The practice of eminence: An interview with Charles Murray: Charles Murray sits down with Bernard Chapin and discusses his recent book Human Accomplishment, the concepts of genuis and intelligence
Saving the world from itself the American way: Steve Martinovich thinks that David Frum and Richard Perle's An End to Evil: How to Win the War on Terror is very ambitious. Perhaps a little too ambitious
Forcing change in Saudi Arabia: Recent troubles in Saudi Arabia, says Steve Martinovich, is an opening to force some real changes on the Saudi royal family and government
Finlandization of the planet: "Finlandization" has long been a dirty word to describe a nation but Bruce Walker argues that the United States should promote the concept as widely as possible
Deadly Islamic fantasies: We have been declared an enemy by radical Islamists, argues Alan Caruba, and the West's only response can be strong and forceful.
Medicare redux. Bring back gridlock!: Say what you will about the Clinton era, writes Keith D. Cummings, but it did have at least one positive aspect: Congressional gridlock which stopped spending of the kind George W. Bush is engaged in
What part of "illegal" don't Americans understand?: For Tom DeWeese the debate over George W. Bush's recently announced immigration initiative revolves around a single word: illegal
Choppers down in Iraq: One of the most dangerous jobs in Iraq is helicopter pilot. David H. Hackworth says that Iraqi insurgents are getting better every day at bringing down choppers, not surprising given the weapons they have access to
It's time for Tenet to go: Paul Weyrich says George W. Bush's loyalty to CIA Director George Tenet is admirable but the agency's failure concerning Iraq's phantom WMD programs means it's time for him to go
A not very funny valentine: Valentine's Day is just around the corner and you know what that means! That's right, says Wendy McElroy, another taxpayer funded performance of The Vagina Monologues
Farmers for Freedom
Site of the Month
Earth is Flat Award/Vinegar in Freedom Award
Lingua Publicus
Letters to the Editor

March 2004

April 2004

Editorial
Outsource this!: It's an election year but even that's not enough to explain the distortion of reality when it comes to how Democrats are describing the American economy and George W. Bush's record on jobs, says James Ruhland
Identifying the true North Korean threat: Everyone's attention may be on Iraq, writes Trevor Bothwell, but that doesn't mean we should take our eyes off the brutal regime enslaving North Korea
Israel, ban the bomb: Updated: Last week's release of Mordechai Vanunu has once again put Israel's nuclear program under international scrutiny. Once again Ariel Natan Pasko urges the Jewish state never to give up its nuclear weapons
How to bring accountability to health care: How can you tell there's an election coming soon to Canada? Steve Martinovich believes its when politicians start talking about reforming the Canadian health care system
The courage to raise taxes: In Virginia the battle doesn't seem to be over whether to raise taxes, says Peter J. Lynch, but rather how much to raise them. The higher taxation you advocate, the more courage you apparently possess
Traditionalist conservatism and the dignity of labor: With May Day coming up in just a few days Mark Wegierski has some thoughts about conservatism and the Marxist notion of the dignity of labour
Conservation or confiscation?: Government is fond of referring to 'conservation efforts' when it regulates how land is used -- including private property -- but these days, says Alan Caruba, it's more confiscation than anything else
Grover Norquist, prophet: On Sunday Americans for Tax Reform president Grover Norquist once again proved why he's so important to the American conservative movement opines Bernard Chapin
Specter is not worthy of GOP support: Doug Patton believes that the White House is making a big mistake in supporting Arlen Specter over a committed conservative like Pat Toomey
Stopping time for future generations: One day future generations will look back and wonder why we thought we could turn back time and restore nature to some idealized version of the past, writes Henry Lamb
U.N. crime-fighting treaty spells disaster for America: Cheryl K. Chumley argues that the UN's Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime is yet another attack on American freedoms
Rape scandal turns sympathy into skepticism: The sex scandal at the University of Colorado at Boulder has yet to play out but Wendy McElroy says questions are being raised about the type of atmosphere at the university, namely one that would promote 'false awareness'
The contemporary American jury: Confusion, chaos, corruption: The American jury system, argues Marion Edwyn Harrison, is broken and it's about time that all stakeholders -- and that includes all Americans -- begin fixing it
The threat of the paternalistic state: When the government decides what's good for you -- whether that means seat belt laws or lawsuits against the tobacco and fast food industries, writes Peter Schwartz, it means your freedom to make decisions for yourself is eroded
Searching for history: When there's a military setback involving the American military, writes Jackson Murphy, you can be sure some journalist or politician posing as an armchair general will race to compare it to Vietnam or some other historical calamity
One year toward freedom: Democracy isn't easy. That's one of the lessons that Elbegdorj Tsahkia, the first democratic Prime Minister of Mongolia, learned firsthand. In an extensive interview with Helen and Peter Evans he discusses the past, present and future of his nation
The days that saved the United States: It wasn't perfect but Steve Martinovich thinks David Hackett Fischer's Washington's Crossing, the story of the early days of the American Revolution, is an impressive bit of scholarship and writing
More Republican veepstakes musings: A few weeks back Bruce Walker blue skyed some potential Republican vice presidents if Dick Cheney wasn't available. This week he touts one potential ticket mate for George W. Bush that will either have you outraged or nodding in agreement
Guerrilla theater of the absurd in Hebron: Ariel Natan Pasko has been watching a real life play taking place in Kiryat Arba, an Israeli settlement near Hebron, where Israeli are trying to 'evacuate' a settlement
The destruction of American education: No matter how you look at it, says Alan Caruba, the American education system is broken and there is no quick fix. Ever more money is being spent and children are graduating with fewer skills
Mel Gibson for president?: If the Constitution Party wants to promote itself, writes Samuel L. Blumenfeld, it could do far worse than nominate actor-director Mel Gibson as its presidential candidate
Woe Canada!: Watching hundreds of hockey games from a Canadian television feed this season has given Bernard Chapin a perspective into Canadian life, particularly the pronounced love of government
Dodd displays a Lott of hypocrisy: Conservatives and liberals ran Trent Lott out of town after some questionable praise of Strom Thurmond a few years back. Doug Patton wants to know why Christopher Dodd isn't receiving the same treatment
Scare America: Why is liberal radio network Air America already floundering? James Ruhland argues it's because the left-wing in the United States only ever tries to sell bad news to the the public
If environmentalism succeeds, it will make human life impossible: Earth Day is just days away and Dr. Michael S. Berliner wants you to remember that if the environmentalist movement ever got its way, human life on Earth would be very unpleasant
UN plan for Internet control tiptoes forward: Quietly and behind the scenes, writes Cheryl K. Chumley, the United Nations works to put its vision of the Internet into reality and its the free world that will pay the bill
A tale of two budgets: Colorado and Virginia are two contrasting examples of how states can handle the budget process. Keith D. Cummings says Virginia could learn a lot from its western counterpart
Redefining sovereignty: Politicians today apparently believe that their constituents can't read. Henry Lamb says that's the only reason they think they can sell people on agreements like the Law of the Seas Treaty
Parental rights and the pledge: Michael Newdow's battle to prevent his daughter from reciting the Pledge of Allegiance is more than just about the battle over church and the state, argues Wendy McElroy. It also raises questions about the role of parental rights
Kerry the slow: Democrats like to bill Senator John Kerry as "the smart one", the man who knows the answers to the all questions but Bruce Walker is beginning wonder if Kerry is as ignorant as his former opponent Howard Dean proved to be
Kerry's budget gap: Recent poll numbers show that more Americans believe John Kerry has the solutions for the problems that plague the American economy. Trevor Bothwell believes, however, the senator's numbers just don't add up
Ways to make April 15 just another day: That most painful of events is just a few days away. W. James Antle III has five simple suggestions that will take the sting out of April 15...though we don't expect the federal government will seriously consider any of them
Politicizing the war: James Ruhland argues that it's fairly obvious that Democrats aren't interested in debating the Iraq war. Rather, he says, they only seem eager to turn the issue into a political football
How neoconservatives are ruining the world: Steve Martinovich doesn't agree with a lot of what the authors of Bush League Diplomacy: How the Neoconservatives Are Putting the World at Risk had to say but he's willing to allow they do make some interesting points
The Nazi connection to Islamic terrorism: Samuel L. Blumenfeld says that Charles Morse's The Nazi Connection to Islamic Terrorism: Adolf Hitler and Haj Amin al-Husseini does a solid job in telling the story of how Islamism and Nazism became bedmates
A poem for the West: G. K. Chesterton's newly reissued masterpiece Lepanto, writes Robert Bové, is the story of a heritage that the Spanish have turned their backs on
Mission impossible: The crisis of Canada's military: Canada's military isn't dying on the battlefield, but rather from a lack of funding. Jackson Murphy argues that the Canadian government must start adequately funding its moribund armed forces
Bush had no advance warning of 9/11 attacks: So what has all this "damaging" testimony at the 9/11 Commission told us so far? Contrary to what the conspiracy fans would have you believe, says Carol Devine-Molin, we've learned that the administration had no advance warning of the attacks
Iraq is not Vietnam: Alan Caruba marched against the Vietnam War in the 1960s and he wants those who keep linking Iraq with that earlier conflict to realize that there are big differences between the two wars
American appeasement in Iraq: Peter Schwartz argues the way to avoid a disaster in Iraq is to stop apologizing for our presence, and to start forcefully asserting our principle of individual freedom
Is this a Mogadishu moment in Iraq?: Is the unrest American troops are witnessing in Iraq Mogadishu redux? Carol Devine-Molin says it's a different United States today
Don't worry America, Hamas is at war with Israel too: Dr. Abdel Aziz Rantisi, the new leader of Hamas, is an ambitious man. Ariel Natan Pasko reports that not content with trying to destroy Israel he now wants to go after the United States
U.S. backs U.N. plan to control land: Back in 1976 -- of all years -- most Americans wouldn't believe that the government was out to control as much land as possible. Henry Lamb says a growing number today realize that's exactly what's happening
"No Child Left Behind" and UNESCO: People claiming that the U.N. may one day play a role in the American education system are dismissed as wearers of tinfoil hats. Tom DeWeese wants to know if you'll believe it when a member of the Bush administration says the same
Break the law -- or else!: In the recent scuffle over gay marriage in New York, writes Nicholas Stix, the New York Times irresponsibly called on Mike Bloomberg to openly flout the law
Willpower: Losing weight the responsible way?: Paul M. Weyrich says that if Americans want to lose weight the best way to do it is to follow the example of Tommy Thompson, not sue the fast food industry
Lies of faux victims cast doubt on real ones: Several high profile cases, Wendy McElroy writes, has a lot of people becoming cynical about any claims of the victims of rape and assault
The 9/11 Commission: Could'a, would'a, should'a: Alan Caruba isn't terribly impressed by the work of the commission investigating the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. It's just an opportunity for people on all sides to promote their agenda
The GOP returns fire on Clarke: If Richard Clarke thought he could simply write a book and attack the Bush Administration with impunity, says Carol Devine-Molin, he thought wrong
Kerry on economics: A kinder, gentler Mondale: About the best thing that you can say about John Kerry's recently unveiled economic plan, writes W. James Antle III, is that we've seen it all before
Democratic commonwealth: In an attempt to reform the United Nations some have bought into the idea of a "democratic caucus." James Ruhland says it's a nice idea but certain guarantees are necessary to make sure it works as intended
Dark horse Republican veepstakes: If, and he's emphasizing "if", George W. Bush needs a new right hand man, Bruce Walker says that there are a number of qualified Republicans who would be a solid vice president
Hiibel v. Nevada: Last week the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of Hiibel v. Sixth Judicial Court of Nevada, a case that brought together a disparate collection of organizations defending Larry Hiibel. Allan Bormel examines the issues behind the case
Blame the right people for gas prices: Henry Lamb argues that if you want to blame someone for high gas prices, the most appropriate targets would be Senate Democrats
The vertical separation of powers: Good for all: If you believe in the separation of powers between the federal and state levels of government then Robert S. Sargent Jr. believes you should be behind the Unborn Victims of Violence Act
Mass for the twisted and remedial: Protestors in Chicago: In the end all Bernard Chapin could do during recent anti-war marches in Chicago was shake his head at the oddness of the event and make sure his friend didn't get assaulted by anarchists
The benefits of outsourcing: Outsourcing is being portrayed as an evil by Democrats -- and not a few Republicans -- but Samuel L. Blumenfeld argues that it shows the American economy is stronger than ever
Do you Yahoo? Al-Qaida does!: Millions of people use Yahoo! every day. Jeremy Reynalds says among them are supporters or members of terrorist organizations
Did 3/11 = 9/11? Spain's surrender and the destiny of Europe: Nicholas Stix argues that Americans should learn from the example of Europe -- both the continent's positive and negative aspects -- if it's to avoid the same fate
Israel don't listen to the chirping hypocrites: Number of U.N. resolutions condemning Hamas terrorist attacks: 0. The world shouldn't be surprised, writes Ariel Natan Pasko, when Israel was unconcerned about world reaction over the killing of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin
Reading between the numbers: You can use a statistic to "prove" almost anything and there are a lot of people doing just that. Wendy McElroy says that any time you read a statistic there are five questions you should be asking
The government vs. your doctor: A true story: How does Christina Rizza know the dangers of government intrusion in the health care field? For a year she got a look close up when the government turned against her
Military service costs some men their children: When a soldier goes off to war he accepts that he may lose his life. Jeffery M. Leving and Glenn Sacks argue that they shouldn't have to also lose their children
Farmers for Freedom
Site of the Month
Earth is Flat Award/Vinegar in Freedom Award
Lingua Publicus
Letters to the Editor

May 2004

Editorial
Tax and spend vs. borrow and spend: McCain and the GOP's false choices: W. James Antle III argues that today's Republicans seem to believe you can either tax and spend or borrow and spend. No one is interested in cutting taxes and spending
Reflections on the Great Experiment: An interview with Michael Novak: In an interview with Helen and Peter Evans, author, theologian and philosopher Michael Novak argues that the Great Experiment known as the United States can only survive with hard work
The buck stops where?: Everyone is falling over themselves to lay blame for the events at the Abu Ghraib prison but Terry Graves believes some people may be going a bit far with their efforts
In defense of our personnel at Abu Ghraib: We're ready for the inevitable email over this one. Not only is Samuel L. Blumenfeld defending the soldiers charged with allegedly abusing Iraqi prisoners, he believes that we should be apologizing to people like Jeremy Sivits
Ahmad Chalabi, spy or scapegoat?: Ahmad Chalabi claims he's being targeted by the CIA in the wake of news he's been spying for the Iranians but Carol Devine-Molin isn't convinced by his denials
Banishing words: Words give meaning to life, argues Bruce Walker, which explains why the literature of the political left is soulless and not meant for the ages
A writer's life: Bernard Chapin may not earn his living as a writer but he says that the craft of creating something out of words adds a lot to his life
Victoria Day and the life and death of traditional Canada: For most people in Canada Victoria Day is a statutory holiday that gives them an extra day at camp. For Mark Wegierski it's a day to mourn the lost of what Canada used to be
Vote, but don't ask questions: Steven Martinovich isn't very pleased that Canada's Supreme Court upheld a ruling that limits how much lobby groups and special interests can spend on advertising during federal elections
John Kerry, Hunter?: John Kerry has been portraying himself as a friend of hunters -- a visit to his web site will confirm that -- but Harold Hough isn't impressed by the senator's hunting credentials
Bad science, bad movie: Environmentalists are looking at the $125 million global warming disaster extravaganza 'The Day After Tomorrow' to promote their agenda. Alan Caruba says you should avoid for several reasons
Winning the war on terrorism: Henry Lamb has a message to Americans: Don't go wobbly on the war against terrorism. Now more than ever Americans have to be united against a common threat
A little reality is a good thing: In California several teachers have been suspended for daring to show children what the real world is all about. Paul Weyrich says that they should be congratulated, not condemned
The time of truth for the Temple Mount: It was a miracle when Israeli forces regained Temple Mount during the 1967 Six-Day-War and Ariel Natan Pasko believes that Jews should fight to ensure they never lose it again
Render therefore to the United Nations?: Cheryl K. Chumley isn't impressed by a new effort that seems to demand that compassion -- specifically those who are disabled -- should be internationalized
A feminist version of 'Joe Millionaire'?: The latest problem plaguing women -- according to experts -- is a lack of educated men. Wendy McElroy says this is just another fabricated social issue
Our bad guy: Michael Moriarty says whether you like what he's doing or not, and there are plenty who disagree with his decisions, U.S. President George W. Bush is our horse in the race against the people who want to destroy Western society
Will the sky fall in Massachusetts?: Gay marriage has arrived in Massachusetts, writes W. James Antle III, but the effects that it will have on society isn't something we'll be able to gauge anytime soon
Hard America, great America: Michael Barone's Hard America, Soft America: Competition Vs. Coddling and the Battle for the Nation's Future is a fantastic book on the value of hard work and competition, judges Bernard Chapin
When sisterhood goes wrong: If you want an insightful look at the world of sororities, writes Steven Martinovich, then Alexandra Robbins' Pledged: The Secret Life of Sororities isn't the book for you
Do fraternities deserve their bad reputations?: Thanks to a series of scandals and regrettable behavior, fraternities have a sordid reputation with the public. Wendy McElroy says that's not the real reason that frats are under attack these days
Chickenhawk: As you read this, author James Ruhland is enduring his first week of the U.S. Army's basic training. It's caused him to think about the 'chickenhawk' slur that the left likes to throw around
The curious case of Nick Berg: Although she mourns his murder, Carol Devine-Molin has some questions that the life and death of Nick Berg have prompted. Was he just an innocent American killed for being a Jew or was he in Iraq for other reasons?
The nature of the enemy: If it hadn't been already, writes David Huntwork, then the murder of Nick Berg in Iraq by al-Qaida should have clearly communicated the nature of the beast that we're facing in the war against terrorists
Toronto Star editor should resign now: The Toronto Star recently called on Donald Rumsfeld to resign over the controversy at Abu Grhaib but Nicholas Stix thinks the letter of resignation should come from a member of the newspaper's staff instead
The world and the Middle East: The future of the Middle East, and the world, depends on the infusion of democratic and capitalist ideals, says Alan Caruba
Progressive Conservative or Reactionary?: An interview with Joe Hueglin of the Progressive Canadian Party: Canadian conservatives have more than simply one choice when it comes to who they will vote for in the next federal election. Peter Vere sits down with Joe Hueglin, a founder of of the Progressive Canadian Party
The 17th Amendment and federalism: A few weeks ago Robert S. Sargent, Jr. stated that he believes it was the U.S. Supreme Court that killed federalism. He's not backing off that assertion but he is open to the idea that the 17th Amendment has also played a role
Does liberalism equal anti-Americanism?: We don't want to generalize but Trevor Bothwell says some days you have to wonder if being a liberal means you have to hate the United States
When a government doesn't believe in its own laws: It seems the Government of Canada has little faith in the validity of its gun control laws. How can we tell? Christopher di Armani says it's because they refuse to charge anyone openly disobeying Bill C-68
Who has a right to your property?: Henry Lamb responds to a concerned reader who believes that no one can truly own property, that the Earth belongs to us all
U.N. sea treaty supporters feel the heat: If Sen. Richard Lugar thought he could slip the Law of the Seas Treaty by without anyone noticing he was very wrong. Cheryl K. Chumley reports that the House decided last week to make its feelings known
The battle against right-wing media bias!: The left is launching a campaign against the right's few strongholds in the world of media, says Lisa Fabrizio. Well, they're trying to launch a campaign
Protect us from terrorists not pilots: These days it seems that the Transportation Security Administration is more interested in protecting the traveling public from pilots then targeting terrorists, argues Steve Lilienthal
Defending the initiative process: If you have the power to vote on initiatives in your state, says Paul M. Weyrich, then you should be on guard: politicians are beginning to fight to take that ability away from you
America: A nation of prudes?: Anyone who believes that prudes are determining what can air on America's radios and televisions must also believe they are big fans of sex, violence and profanity. America isn't prudish, argues W. James Antle III
The American king: The Man Who Would Be King: The First American in Afghanistan tells the absolutely true story of a 19th century American who decided to become a king in Afghanistan and Steve Martinovich thought it was a thrilling story
Hitler's final victims: Steve Martinovich isn't sure if he buys Joachim Fest's of why Adolph Hitler did what he did those last days of the Third Reich but Inside Hitler's Bunker: The Last Days of the Third Reich is still an interesting read
Exploring the Mediterranean with muddy boots: Jackson Murphy was captivated by Robert Kaplan's Mediterranean Winter: The Pleasures of History and Landscape in Tunisia, Sicily, Dalmatia, and Greece
The beginning of the end or the end of the beginning?: The disgusting incidents at the Abu Ghraib prison deserve nothing but the strongest condemnation but Jackson Murphy argues that story shouldn't divert your attention away from the good that is also happening in Iraq
Propaganda value: The controversy over Abu Ghraib gives America's enemies a minor propaganda victory, writes James Ruhland, one that should be answered very clearly by the United States
Iraqi prison probe dominates news: What happened at Abu Ghraib is appalling, argues Carol Devine-Molin, but what's also important is how the situation will be dealt with. The right moves are being made to punish those responsible
Allah is still hunting you, Osama!: Just in case he thought we forgot about him, Michael Moriarty has a message for Osama bin Laden: You're still a wanted man
Just not interested: Jason Hayes wants to know why the media isn't investigating how al-Qaida came into the possession of the chemical weapons they were going to use in recently foiled attacks
Paul Martin's Suez moment?: Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin has promised to help the United States as best he could when it came to Iraq. Nic Boisvert says Martin doesn't have a lot of time to live up to that pledge
Thank you Ariel Sharon, et al.: Ariel Natan Pasko has nothing but thanks to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for trying to expel Jews from their historic home of Gaza
John Kerry: Catholic warrior: As with his Vietnam record, John Kerry believes he can trot out his Catholicism without anyone having the right to question him on the subject, writes Lisa Fabrizio
Deconstructing construction: Bernard Chapin isn't saying that roads and highways shouldn't be maintained but he is sick and tired of the incompetent and expensive ways that the job is being done
Wasting billions on the Green Agenda: Despite the small victories we enjoy against the environmentalist movement, says Alan Caruba, the government continues to spend billions every year on their pet projects
Building resistance to government control: It used to be that government could do whatever it wanted when it came to land use but Henry Lamb says people all over the world are beginning to fight back
RS 2477: Archaic law imperils private property: A.J. Chamberlin knows first hand what can happen when old land use and public access statutes are used against property owners in the western United States
Gun-proof your child: Both pro- and anti-gun control protests were held yesterday on Mother's Day. Wendy McElroy says no matter what side of the issue you're own, the marches prompted a question that every mother should try to answer
Is a pool more important than a dad?: The California Supreme Court issued a ruling last week that Jeffery M. Leving and Glenn Sacks argue damages the rights of non-custodial parents
China: Few changes since Tiananmen: When it comes to China, writes Paul M. Weyrich, the more things change, the more they stay the same. It's been almost 15 years since Tiananmen Square and we're still facing the same China
Is CAPPS II our ticket to better aviation security?: CAPPS II seems to be based on the wrong premise, says Steve Lilienthal, and Americans are owed more than simple promises that the system is actually going to do what the government is telling Americans it will do
A future worth creating: An interview with Dr. Thomas P.M. Barnett: U.S. Naval War College professor Dr. Thomas P.M. Barnett believes he has the key to creating a permanent peace around the world. What it will take, he tells Steve Martinovich, is a decades long commitment to changing the world
A vision for the future: Steve Martinovich found Dr. Thomas P.M. Barnett's The Pentagon's New Map: War and Peace in the Twenty-First Century to be an engaging and remarkable call for a new grand vision for the United States
Competing gotcha politics keep campaign an idea-free zone: There are some serious issues that need to be debated this year, says W. James Antle III, but instead we have two political parties arguing about things that would have been relevant in 1976
Let's elect Specter: Plenty of conservatives were disappointed when Arlen Specter won in last week's Pennsylvania senatorial primary but Bruce Walker says it's time to remember what Ronald Reagan famous admonishment
Is it time to get out of Iraq?: Recent events have tested America's resolve when it comes to the war in Iraq and Alan Caruba says it's now gut check time for the nation
Keep the U.N. out of Iraq: If recent events have proven anything, writes Henry Lamb, it's that the United Nations shouldn't be taking control of Iraq
The long, slow, sad, oil-for-food ridden death of the United Nations: If the Oil for Food scandal has proven anything, argues Jackson Murphy, that if the United Nations and certain nations in Europe had their way, Saddam Hussein would still be in power
Questions of war and politics: James Ruhland doesn't have a problem with people asking legitimate questions about the war on terrorism but its opponents are clearly not interested in a debate, rather it's an opportunity to fight their own wars
Torture of Iraqi prisoners raises many questions: Carol Devine-Molin is as disgusted as anyone else by allegations that American soldiers have tortured Iraqi prisoners. It raises some serious questions including how far is America willing to go to win this war
A nation divided: Do you want a good reason for the nation being divided into two antagonistic ideological camps? Robert S. Sargent, Jr. argues that the blame can be laid at the feet of one institution
Who is a conservative?: During the recent Chicago Conservative Conference Bernard Chapin had plenty of time to ponder the definition of what truly constitutes conservatism
When "consumer advocates" attack: The war against fast food has nothing to do with healthier lifestyles, writes Nicholas Stix, and everything to do with waging a battle against capitalism and free choice
Return of the CARA monster: Bad things never die and CARA is proof of that. Tom DeWeese says Congressman Don Young is back with another version of Conservation and Reinvestment Act
Israeli art is in the eye of the beholder, good taste is not: If you want a good indication that Israel is losing its way, says Ariel Natan Pasko, the recent award that artist Yigal Tumarkin received is one reason why
Facts or propaganda? Deconstructing advocacy: When it comes to advocacy groups -- no matter their political stripes or their pet projects -- says Wendy McElroy, always check their facts
Lingua Publicus
Letters to the Editor

June 2004

Editorial
Conservatives and Bill Clinton: Absence makes the heart grow fonder: Don't get him wrong, W. James Antle III was never going to become a fan of Bill Clinton but since he's left office it was easier to begin to like him. Until last week, that is, and the release of My Life...then all those unpleasant memories came back
Ronald Reagan and America's Alzheimer's: Ronald Reagan's greatest legacy -- in stark contrast to Bill Clinton's -- may have been a nobility that both Republicans and Democrats once embodied, argues Bruce Walker
Defending the sublime: An interview with Roger Kimball: The New Criterion managing editor Roger Kimball has a new book coming out, reason enough for Bernard Chapin to sit down for another interview with the prolific writer
The sacredness of human imperfection: Michael Moriarty believes that there is a strain that runs through every time of tribulation for humanity: the pursuit of purity. Accepting a little imperfection saves many lives
The politics of "economic isolationism": George W. Bush has been talking a good talk about free trade during the past few months, writes Christopher Coyle, but his actions have spoken louder than those words
The dilemma of Canada and Québec: When it comes to Canadian elections, says Mark Wegierski, Quebec always plays a prominent role in who gets elected and that's rarely good news for conservative political parties
Bush's "God thing": Divine providence and liberal Jewish hatred: Marcus J. Goldman argues that liberal Jews are making a mistake if they reject George W. Bush simply because of his strong religious beliefs
Israeli government kosher on the outside only: Ariel Natan Pasko says a recent court decision allowing the sale of pork in some Israeli neighbourhoods speaks to the wrong direction that the country is taking
Cheney takes on the New York Times: In the credibility battle between Dick Cheney and the New York Times, Carol Devine-Molin falls firmly on the side of the vice president
The author of liberty or not?: Steve Farrell wonders why people automatically brush aside the notion that the concept of liberty might have evolved from a higher source
The life of the mother: Most people believe that a mother's sacrifices begin when the child is born. Linda A. Prussen-Razzano knows first hand that's not always the case
UN Law of the Sea Treaty threatens US sovereignty: If you thought the battle over the Law of the Sea Treaty would be a cakewalk you were wrong. The people supporting the treaty, says Tom DeWeese, are fighting back hard
Thanks for nothing, SCOTUS: Cheryl K. Chumley believes that last week's U.S. Supreme Court decision concerning Michael Newdow's fight against the Pledge of Allegiance did no one any favours
Conflict over Pledge of Allegiance illustrates both the right and the left's hostility to freedom: Robert Garmong argues that government shouldn't be in the business of promoting the ideals of the left or the right
Repeal the Endangered Species Act: What happens with the Endangered Species Act protects an animal that isn't even endangered and your business is harmed? Henry Lamb says the Shealy family know all about it
"Endangered species" cost USA billions: Negative impacts by ESA aren't isolated incidents, argues Alan Caruba. Environmental regulations are costing Americans tremendous money and problems everywhere
Carnivorous and proud: Say it loud! We love a good steak and we're proud! William Dusty believes that eating meat is an almost religious experience
Short leash on discretionary grants: Paul M. Weyrich thinks it's a good idea to monitor the spending of organizations like the EPA but he wonders why few are targeting the executive branch to make sure taxpayer dollars are spent properly
The economic transition in Iraq: The world is focused on the political transformation that is occurring in Iraq but Christopher Coyle is just as concerned about the economic transformation and whether a free market economy can survive
Last chance to win the war in Iraq: David T. Pyne -- who was adamantly opposed to the war in Iraq -- says the U.S. may have won the war but it will lose the peace unless it makes some changes to its post-war policy
A general's resume: Gen. Anthony Zinni served his nation honourably for over three decades in the U.S. Marine Corps. Steve Martinovich thinks Battle Ready is his advertisement that he wouldn't mind being the next Colin Powell
Achieving victory in the war on terror: Carol Devine-Molin thinks that Thomas McInerney and Paul E. Vallely make a convincing argument for how to achieve victory in Endgame: The Blueprint for Victory in the War on Terror
How life and death transform each other: Rainer Maria Rilke's Sonnets to Orpheus can be a tough read but Steve Martinovich thought Edward Snow's translation does the German poet proud
The case for a Reagan dime: We're pretty sure that Ronald Reagan would have brushed aside the notion that his face should be on the dime -- replacing one of his heroes Franklin D. Roosevelt -- but Bruce Walker makes the case that's exactly what should happen
Our very own Tom Sawyer: If there was a polar opposite to the greatness of Ronald Reagan it surely must have been Bill Clinton. Michael Moriarty remembers the days when he was a fan of the 42nd president
A nation grieves; a group blamed: Ronald Reagan had been dead for only a few days when the first attacks started on his reputation, says Cheryl K. Chumley
The Times' love letter to France: Bernard Chapin could do little more than roll his eyes at a recent New York Times editorial celebrating France's dislike of George W. Bush. Well, that and write an essay about it
Bush's barriers to the White House: There are a lot of people arguing that John Kerry is the lesser of the two evils in the race for president but Henry Lamb thinks that's a lot of bunk
The other terrorists: Law enforcement has been concentrating its efforts on preventing terrorist attacks from abroad, writes Alan Caruba, but lately they've realized there is a homegrown threat as well
Dirty bombs don't kill people, dirty people do...maybe: Dr. Marcus J.Goldman isn't impressed by the argument that Jose Padilla's defense team has been arguing: that a uranium dirty bomb wouldn't kill very many people
Booth Tarkington and Penrod: Booth Tarkington has largely been forgotten by modern readers and Robert S. Sargent, Jr. thinks that could change
Israel should put Arafat on trial like Barghouti: Is it possible that one day we might see Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat in a courtroom arguing for his life? Ariel Natan Pasko hopes so
Bush could never lie as well as Democrats: The Democrats have accused President George W. Bush about lying about everything surrounding the war in Iraq but Trevor Bothwell argues it's the other way around
School choice equals opportunity for America's children: Millions of children aren't reaching their potential because of public education and Brad Jewitt says it's time that America moves to a school choice/voucher system
Thank you, Harry Potter!: Dianne L. Durante argues that the Harry Potter stories, by depicting a world in which good triumphs over evil, give us strength to face real enemies
How to form an informed opinion: These days everyone has an opinion when an accusation is made. Wendy McElroy has some guidelines for you to ensure that your opinion actually has some meat on the bone
Gas and gripes: What price self-restraint?: Marion Edwyn Harrison says if Americans want to know why the price of gas has risen so sharply, they should take a long look in the mirror
Ronald Reagan: Communicator of great things: W. James Antle III argues that Ronald Reagan proved that politics were more than just about elections; they were also about the great things that The Gipper stood and fought for
God bless Ronald Reagan: Carol Devine-Molin believes that Ronald Reagan's legacy is the United States that he left behind for future generations
Mark Steyn's beautiful body: Nothing makes Steve Martinovich happier than a new book by Mark Steyn and with From Head to Toe: An Anatomical Anthology he's very happy
The mandate of Heaven passes with Reagan: For libertarian Jack J. Woehr, the Reagan legacy -- which he wasn't a big fan to begin with -- is already rapidly fading
A house divided: No matter how you cut it, says Henry Lamb, a president's political opponents showed more deference during wartime in the past then today's Democrats
June 6, 1944-June 6, 2004: Yesterday's anniversary of D-Day and the example of men like Dwight D. Eisenhower, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill should be our inspiration in the War on Terror, writes Alan Caruba
World opinion be damned: Alex Epstein argues that America's attempts to appease "world opinion" are depraved and suicidal and must stop
On Israel, neoconservatism, and its discontents: Ariel Natan Pasko says to understand why neoconservatives want to change the world you have to understand the history behind the movement
The world must stop the genocide in Sudan: It's Rwanda all over again, argues Steve Martinovich in a new editorial, and the world sits idly by and thousands are being slaughtered in a remote part of Africa
Liberty in law: Essential to liberty, writes Steve Farrell, is the exercise of responsibility and a belief in morality. America's courts and schools seem to have forgotten that basic principle
U.S. military active duty retirees: Valuable assets: As America's military is being stretched ever thinner in the war on terrorism many are fretting about a shortage of personnel. George S. Kulas says there is a huge pool of men reading, willing and able to serve
Not a cure, but but a good start: Ontario has the potential to kick the Liberal habit in the same way a smoker crumples up that last cigarette when they quit, says Jason Hayes
The Liberal regime in Canada today: A social-scientific critique: Mark Wegierski argues that the real advantage that the federal Liberal Party holds is the ability to define the debate, making it very difficult for others to express their opinions without being attacked
Communist chic for chicks: If you want to know where the babes are, says Bernard Chapin, just head for the book table with the 'revolutionary' literature and you'll find them impressed by books written by Edward Said and Michael Moore
Geriatric brats and noble men: Bruce Walker argues that many on the left behave little better than spoiled children, unable to understand the sacrifices made so that they could live their lives in comfort
The speech they wouldn't let me finish: Tom DeWeese was recently invited to speak to CFOs for some Fortune 500 companies and he decided to inform them of the greatest risks they faced. The problem? Some didn't want to hear the truth
An evening with a baroness: Last month marked the 25th anniversary of Margaret Thatcher's election as prime minister and J.K. Baltzersen says her legacy continues to inspire millions across Europe
The seventeen year itch: The cicadas are back, writes Lisa Fabrizio, and as always the world is a very different place from the last time they came for some tree sap
Down with diapers?: There's plenty of silliness in the environmentalist movement but there's a line that when you cross it you turn into a nut job. Kimberley Jane Wilson believes the diaperless movement is one of those lines
Same-sex "marriage": Divisive issues require real leadership: Same sex marriage is an issue that requires -- if not demands -- people who aren't afraid to get in front of it and lead, writes Brad Jewitt
Pervasive societal decline: Bill Cosby's recent excoriating the black community for failing its children didn't go far enough, says Paul M. Weyrich. He believes that society is failing all of its children
Father's rights groups must avoid violent protest: Wendy McElroy is in full agreement with the father's rights movement but she cautions them to choose the right tactics when they protest to bring attention to their agenda
Three factors which can swing the election to Bush: The polls say that George W. Bush is in for a tough fight this year but Bruce Walker believes that can change at the drop of a hat
Frat boy hijinks at the New York Times: Nicholas Stix was very entertained by a recent New York Times op-ed that argued George W. Bush is turning university students off of conservatism
Leading immigration reform website hits bookshelves: VDARE.com has made the transition from web page to book with Unity Review -- A 2004 VDARE.com Anthology and W. James Antle III proclaims it a success
The legend of Dresden: Dr. John W. Nelson finds Frederick Taylor's Dresden: Tuesday, February 13, 1945, a look at the devastation brought on that city by Allied bombers, to be a first-rate piece of work
In search of Canadian identity: The National Question in Canada and Quebec: Nations often use elections in order to explore who they are but in Canada's case, argues Mark Wegierski, most of the country really doesn't have an answer to the question of national identity
Reflections on the Great Experiment: An interview with Rebecca Hagelin: Helen and Peter Evans discuss the state of the United States, the battle over culture and the war on terrorism with Heritage Foundation vice president Rebecca Hagelin
The Ninth Circuit Court (gasp) got one right: It was bound to happen sooner or later: The Ninth Circuit Court actually made the right decision when it ruled on State of Oregon v. Ashcroft. Unfortunately, writes Robert S. Sargent, Jr., they used the wrong reasoning
Mind and morals: Freedom's best team: It isn't enough just for a nation that wants to be great to be free. Steve Farrell says that morality is just as important to a nation's health
Sustainable development; unsustainable freedom: You can have sustainable development or you can have freedom, but you can't have both. Henry Lamb says that many people are learning that the hard way
Democrat Party treads close to treason: Alan Caruba has no problem with reasonable dissent but he believes that the Democratic Party is moving into perilous territory with some of their criticism of George W. Bush
Iraq: Mission Impossible?: Regardless of your stance on the war all can agree that there have been some problems that need to be addressed. Dr. Saul B. Wilen has some suggestions
If it bleeds, it leads: Brad Jewitt is completely exasperated by the utter failure of the mainstream media to report what's really going on in Iraq. Hint: the news is better than you've been hearing
Smokers beware: Global legislation on the horizon: If the war against tobacco wasn't bad enough as an American phenomenon, writes Cheryl K. Chumley, just wait for the global version
The blockbuster choice for John Kerry's VP is…: John Kerry is reportedly having trouble deciding on who he wants as his vice presidential nominee so Paul M. Weyrich has come up with some interesting suggestions
Powder attack on Tony Blair done in service of a just cause: The battle for father's custodial rights isn't just an American phenomenon, writes Glenn Sacks, as British Prime Minister Tony Blair learned earlier this month
News not "fit to print": America's media outlets talk a good talk about defending America's freedoms so Steve Lilienthal interested to know why few newspapers bothered to cover a hearing on H.R. 3179
Death by theory?: For decades feminists and Dr. John Money argued that gender was all due to environment. Wendy McElroy argues that the suicide of Bruce Reimer earlier this month proved them wrong
Lingua Publicus
Letters to the Editor

July 2004

Canada, Nortel and China: Dancing with the Devil?: It might surprise Canadians, Bill King writes, that one of their high-tech darlings -- Nortel Networks -- is helping in the high-tech control of over a billion human beings
The war after the war: In an exclusive interview with Steve Martinovich, The American Enterprise editor in chief Karl Zinsmeister argues that post-war Iraq has significant problems but nowhere near as bad as the media is making them out to be
The other side of post-war Iraq: The media is filled with negative stories about post-war Iraq so that makes Karl Zinsmeister's Dawn over Baghdad: How the U.S. Military Is Using Bullets and Ballots to Remake Iraq important to get the other side of the story out, says Steven Martinovich
When friendships go bad: If you hate the United Nations and Old Europe then Steve Martinovich says Jed Babbin's Inside the Asylum: Why the UN and Old Europe Are Worse than You Think is right up your alley
I dunno: Confessions of a know-it-all columnist: W. James Antle III is about to do what very few columnists ever do: He's going to admit that there are just somethings he doesn't know
NBC's homage to Reagan: It's far from perfect but Steve Martinovich says there is enough to keep you watching in NBC News Presents: Ronald Reagan
One step forward, two steps back: Most were pleased by the report of the 9/11 Commission but in an interview with ESR's Steve Martinovich, Dr. Ivan Eland says its recommendations would do very little good
Iran is no surprise: Suspicions about Iran's possible involvement in the September 11, 2001 attacks hardly surprises Michael D. Evans
When two plus two equals maybe: It's not a slam dunk but Steve Martinovich thinks The Connection: How al Qaeda's Collaboration with Saddam Hussein has Endangered America builds a reasonably persuasive case
Let George be George: There is a lot of pressure on George W. Bush to declare victory and concentrate on other matters but Michael Moriarty urges the Republican Party and America to let the man be who he is
BVDgate: All the ex-president's men: All Nicholas Stix can do over the controversy surrounding Sandy Berger is roll his eyes...and blast a whole range of Clinton-era officials
Berger probe intriguing: Carol Devine-Molin says that the Berger scandal raises some interesting questions and wonders if he was the only one involved
Strengthen the two-party system: Henry Lamb understands why some people flock to third parties on other side of the political spectrum but he argues that they've been nothing but a waste of time
A funny thing happened on the way to the Kerry election: Many are beginning to believe that George W. Bush will lose in November but Bruce Walker thinks that Americans will wake up the morning of November 2 and make the right choice
Kerry's role model: If you want to know how a John Kerry presidency would tackle the deficit, argues Christopher Coyle, the example has been set by Virginia Governor Mark Warner
Aspartame Productions presents: The Democratic Front Porch Tour 2004: The media may be buying it, writes Kerry L. Marsala, but no real aficionado of front porch living thinks much of the Kerry-Edwards attempt at folksy campaigning
Dear John: John Edwards may be impressed by John Kerry's military career but Vietnam veteran Russ Vaughn counsels him to be more skeptical
Taking sex differences seriously: The feminist movement may not like to admit it but Bernard Chapin knows that there are big differences between the two genders
A lack of character: Steve Martinovich thinks Mexico's Ignacio Padilla is a talented writer but he wishes the writer's collection of short stories, Antipodes, showed a little more character
U.N. breathes new life into Kyoto: You have to admire the United Nations. Even though the Kyoto Protocol is all but dead, says Cheryl K. Chumley, efforts to enact its requirements continue unabated
No panic over school child abuse: A recent study claiming that as much as 10 per cent of students suffer sexual abuse or misconduct by school employees is incredibly flawed and should be taken with a huge grain of salt, writes Wendy McElroy
John Kerry's Europe: Europe isn't just the home of charming, intelligent and sophisticated people, says Rabbi Aryeh Spero, it's also the home of some of the ugliest behavior on the planet
Political grapevine: There are a lot of rumours on the Beltway grapevine and Paul M. Weyrich has taken it upon himself to answer a few of them
Abolish the FCC: In the rush to grant the FCC greater control over broadcasters, no one has noticed that the FCC's very existence is a violation of free speech, argues Robert Garmong
The advocates of technophobia: Modernity has always had its enemies, writes Alan Caruba, and today the leaders of the technophobia cult are environmentalists. For many in the movement the ultimate goal is to roll back human progress
Surviving the most dangerous game: What does it feel like to be hunted for simply being who you are? Steve Martinovich says you gain an appreciation of the answer in Hiding in Plain Sight: The Incredible True Story of a German-Jewish Teenager's Struggle to Survive in Nazi-Occupied Poland
An English tutorial: Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation is selling like hot cakes but Bernard Chapin says it's not the best grammar guide you can purchase
Traditionalists must revise gay marriage lexicon: Being successful in cultural battles relies heavily on how effectively language is used and W. James Antle III says marriage traditionalists are losing the war
Quiet victories in the democracies: It may not look like it, says Bruce Walker, but politicians who appeal to anti-Americanism aren't doing quite as well as they used to
Why George W. Bush will win in 2004 -- Part II: A few months ago Trevor Bothwell argued that George W. Bush was a lock to win in November. He's back again with even more reasons why it will happen
Why sizzle may replace steak: Scott Shore isn't as confident at Bothwell. He thinks the combo of John Kerry, John Edwards and some big issues could cause George W. Bush and Dick Cheney some serious problems
Who should be our next money manager?: Who will be the next chairman of the Federal Reserve? Eddie Willers is of the opinion that America doesn't even need one
NIMBYS, BANANAS and greens: Why are gas prices skyrocketing? Tom DeWeese argues you can place much of the blame on people and groups that fight against any economic development
How treaties trump the Constitution: Where did America's federal government get the power to regulate private property and manage wildlife? Henry Lamb explores when these powers were "discovered"
U.N. environmental agenda infiltrates Boy Scouts: It was bad enough with politically correct jihads launched against the Boy Scouts but now the United Nations is making use of the organization, reports Cheryl K. Chumley
Pass the condoms and let's forget ideology: For advocates of safer sex the condom is the beginning and the end of their appeal. Kerry L. Marsala argues that may be one the reasons so many people have gotten into very bad trouble
Michael Moore vs. the Third World: Michael Moore presents himself as a friend to the Third World but Bill King believes that Fahrenheit 9/11 reveals the filmmaker's real feelings
Let freedom reign: Despite what the media is telling you, says Brad Jewitt, Iraq is turning out to be a success story. And yet there are those who still won't admit it
Paternity: Innocence is now a defense: Do you believe that if you're accused of fathering a child you can you prove you didn't, that you can avoid paying child support? Wendy McElroy says that may come to pass soon
Control profligate spending: Paul Weyrich argues that federal spending could easily be controlled if every politician were like Maryland's Roscoe Bartlett
A possible alternative to the federal marriage amendment: Conservatives often respond to a decision by an activist judiciary by calling for a constitutional amendment. W. James Antle III says there might be an easier way to reign one of the branches of government
What real Iraqis are saying: If you want to know what the average Iraqi is thinking these days, writes Alan Caruba, then ignore the mainstream media. Many Iraqis will be perfectly happy to tell you directly
Messenger from Fort Alamo: Michael Moriarty has some bad news for you and some worse news. Lest all of this negativity depress you, he also has some very good news
Cleaning up clean elections: Arizona's Clean Elections initiative was supposed to encourage new voices and remove the alleged taint of money. Mark Brnovich says it's been a total failure
The utter waste of recycling: Alan Caruba reports that many Americans have come to the same conclusion: recycling is a waste of both time and money
Headline news you will never see: As conservatives we know there are just some things that we'll never see in our morning newspaper. Marcus J. Goldman puts together a collection of some of those headlines
Dead cat bounce and the squirming Democrats: Democrats were no doubt hoping for a big splash to accompany the announcement that John Edwards was tapped to be John Kerry's running mate but Carol Devine-Molin argues that hasn't happened
The challenger for Edwards: The selection of John Edwards, argues Bruce Walker, shows that the Democrats have relatively few stars in their party