Category Archives: Politics and Economics

Hidden History of the Puritans

Posted on July 28, 2019 by Fenster

Fenster writes: Rogers Smith, in his paper “Beyond Tocqueville”, argues that America has a hidden history of illiberalism that has been papered over by the generally victorious pro-Enlightenment side. Analysts of American politics since Tocqueville have seen the nation as … Continue reading →

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Right, Left, Center

Posted on July 2, 2019 by Fenster

Fenster writes: The political terms “right”, “left”, and “center” mean different things depending on the context.  In a world where liberal–indeed neoliberal–values dominate these political categories have meant one thing, generally familiar to us.  In what has been termed a … Continue reading →

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Anti-Anti-David French-ism

Posted on June 8, 2019 by Fenster

There has been quite a dust-up in conservative circles over Sohrab Ahmari’s article “Against David French-ism” in First Things.  As my doppelganger wrote in that other site: You may have heard of the recent dust-up over who has proper ownership … Continue reading →

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Walls and Bridges, Bridges and Walls 3

Posted on May 22, 2019 by Fenster

Fenster writes: I have been writing about walls.  I first described my reaction to David Frye’s book Walls, then took a rough turn to the poetic and considered Robert Frost’s poem “Mending Wall”.  Here I will finish by discussing James … Continue reading →

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Juxtaposin’: Rage

Posted on May 9, 2019 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Rage–Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus’ son Achilles, murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses, hurling down to the House of Death so many sturdy souls, great fighters’ souls, but made their bodies carrion, feasts for the … Continue reading →

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Clown World Watch: Notre Dame Edition

Posted on April 20, 2019 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: What did I say.

Posted in Architecture, Philosophy and Religion, Politics and Economics | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Clown World Watch: Notre Dame Edition

Posted on April 17, 2019 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Despite only beginning their investigation, French officials do not suspect arson. That is strange considering that France has seen a rash of church desecrations over the preceding weeks, including Saint-Sulpice, and the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem caught fire … Continue reading →

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Advance to Barbarism, A Continuing Series

Posted on April 16, 2019 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: As soon as I heard about the fire at Notre Dame, I said to friends that two things would happen: 1) this would kick off a decade of political wrangling over what to do about the damaged structure, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Politics and Economics | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The View from the Back of the Theater, Further.

Posted on April 14, 2019 by Fenster

Fenster writes: I wrote here of Andrew McCarthy’s analysis of the current political situation that while McCarthy sticks to the facts and builds hypotheses carefully on the basis of what is actually known, he is left hanging, unable to come … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Economics | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The View from the Back of the Theater, Con’t.

Posted on April 5, 2019 by Fenster

Fenster writes: Former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy once again delivers a clear-headed and legally meticulous analysis of the current mess. If you can find fault with his reasoning or facts have at it. If not and you prefer to just … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Economics | 8 Comments