thoughts in and out of season
James Kalb What is conservatism? Is it simply keeping things the same, so that Brezhnev was “conservative?” Or is there a more principled basis for it, one that can support enduring positions that deepen rather than collapse when attacked, and on occasion even call for radical change?
Traditionalist conservatism takes its stand on principle. It opposes philosophical … More ...
A Massachusetts state representative has indicted Chief Justice Marshall for violations of the Massachusetts Code of Judicial Conduct in connection with the “gay marriage” case. The story of how Mrs. Lewis acted out her judicial ideals is worth reading. I’m told that such an indictment is the first step in an impeachment proceeding.
In fact, … More ...
One to keep for reference: a survey of political attitudes among journalists. Some evident points:
It’s good to know the basic principles of the legal order under which one lives. One principle that’s so self-evidently persuasive that it applies even when the only relevant legal provisions anyone ever agreed to are to the contrary, is that there’s a fundamental right to wait until a child is almost born, puncture its … More ...
This story is absolutely routine, so the Irish Examiner doesn’t bother with any discussion: EU tells Ireland to reform childcare and gender equality. The basic point is that in accordance with EU standards and initiatives the Irish government is to provide almost half a billion Irish pounds for childcare and place a renewed emphasis … More ...
As the cultural Left consolidates its control over public life, it’s going to be more and more difficult for people who object to leftist goals to look like good Americans as officially defined. So I think we’re likely to see more stories like these:
No doubt the natural reaction to the incineration of part of the Saatchi art collection is that it’s a good thing, but the downside is that it creates a market for replacement pieces. So be smart, obey the law, and leave the gasoline at home next time you visit London.
So far as I can tell, “human rights” has become another name for compulsory PC managerial liberalism, with horror stories mixed in to stir the emotions and show how bad opponents are. I’ve commented recently on the ACLU view that “civil liberties” mean forcing a printer to suport a cause he finds appalling, and … More ...
Looks like the short New York Times knockoff of Pat Buchanan’s Death of the West I mentioned recently is only one of several. Daniel Pipes has an article in Jewish World Review (a Jewish writer in a Jewish publication, although both perhaps atypical) deploring the “hollowing out of Christianity” in Europe, the low birthrates there, … More ...
A friend commented on the Massachusetts “gay marriage” business:
… More ...Gay “marriage” is a lost cause; on the scale of mortal sin, it ranks less than abortion (though its overall civilizational effect may be just as great), so the furor it arouses seems to be less; and no one seems able to articulate any persuasive argument