Dear Readers:
This week, I have been taking stock of the blog, and realized that I do not think I have much to offer on it. My reasoning is that, for the most part, I feature the same other blogs, posts from those blogs, etc. Were a reader to simply add the blogs I read to their feeder, they would find the same articles I do. In short, I do not have much of a "value-add." This is particularly true as I do not have time (or inclination, at this point) to attempt much original writing, which was part of the purpose of this blog in the first place. For the time being, therefore, I am suspending the blog. Thank you for your interest and occasional comments.
Below, I am going to list below the blogs I regularly follow, so that you may add them to your own feeder. These are in no particular order of importance.
The Imaginative Conservative - http://www.theimaginativeconservative.org/
The Weekly Standard - http://www.weeklystandard.com/
National Review - http://www.nationalreview.com/
What's Wrong with the World - http://whatswrongwiththeworld.net/
American Catholic - http://the-american-catholic.com/
Brain Pickings - http://www.brainpickings.org/
Dean Clancy - https://deanclancy21.wordpress.com/
The Catholic Thing - http://www.thecatholicthing.org/
Mises Institute Daily - https://mises.org/library/mises-daily
AEI Ideas - http://www.aei.org/publication/blog/
Mirror of Justice - http://mirrorofjustice.blogs.com/mirrorofjustice/
NRO PoMoCon - http://www.nationalreview.com/postmodern-conservatism
Library of Law and Liberty Blog - http://www.libertylawsite.org/blog/
The American Conservative: Dreher - http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/
Cato@Liberty - http://www.cato.org/blog
New Geography - http://www.newgeography.com/
University Bookman - http://www.kirkcenter.org/index.php/bookman/
The Federalist - http://thefederalist.com/
The Volokh Conspiracy - https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/
Acton Powerblog - http://blog.acton.org/
The City Journal - http://www.city-journal.org/index.html
Intercollegiate Review - http://www.intercollegiatereview.com/
Nomocracy in Politics - http://nomocracyinpolitics.com/
Heritage Reports - http://www.heritage.org/research/reports
The Daily Signal - http://dailysignal.com/
NYT Ross Douthat - http://douthat.blogs.nytimes.com/
Hoover Institute: Defining Ideas - http://www.hoover.org/publications/defining-ideas
Human Events - http://humanevents.com/
First Things: Web Exclusives - http://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives
July 31, 2015
July 30, 2015
CathCon Daily - 7/30/2015
Freedom has appeared in the world at different times and under various forms; it has not been exclusively bound to any social condition, and it is not confined to democracies. Freedom cannot, therefore, form the distinguishing characteristic of democratic ages. The peculiar and preponderating fact which marks those ages as its own is the equality of conditions; the ruling passion of men in those periods is the love of this equality. - Alexis de Tocqueville
Conservatives and Transgenderism - Gregory Brown, Public Discourse
Why Yankees Won’t...Leave the South Alone - Forrest McDonald, Imaginative Conservative
What’s a Nice Girl Like You Doing in a Movie Like This? - Eve Tushnet, American Conservative
Segregated Sunday Mornings - Patrick Brown, First Things
Rich Corporate Elites and Gay Marriage - Ryan T. Anderson, Daily Signal
After Planned Parenthood...? - Editors, National Review
The Right Time To Marry Is… - Rachel Lu, The Federalist
10 Quick, Important Developments On P.P. - Mollie Hemingway, The Federalist
A Reply to Zmirak and Cooke - Daniel Klein, Intercollegiate Review
The Pope’s Wisest Warning - Chad Pecknold, Pope in D.C.
July 29, 2015
CathCon Daily - 7/29/2015 (Extra)
A nation can survive its fools and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and he carries his banners openly against the city. But the traitor moves among those within the gates freely, his sly whispers rustling through all alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears no traitor; he speaks in the accents familiar to his victim, and he wears their face and their garments and he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation; he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of a city; he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to be feared. The traitor is the plague. —Marcus Tullius Cicero
Dodd Frank’s Frankenstein Creeps Forward - Michael Greve, Liberty Law Blog
Pollard: He is Not the Victim his Supporters Portray - Allan Brownfeld, Human Events
Tocqueville Predicted the Tyranny of the Majority - Arthur Milikh, Daily Signal
Of Lions and the Limbs of Babies - Rod Dreher, American Conservative
Racists Return to the Mainstream - Jim Harper, Cato
In Praise of the Peer-to-Peer Economy - James Pethokoukis, AEI
Women and Men Share Why They Oppose Planned Parenthood - Samantha Reinis, Daily Signal
CathCon Daily - 7/29/2015
Governed by Zealots - John Stossel, Human Events
Toleration Is Postmodern-Speak For Bigotry - Richard Samuelson, The Federalist
School Voucher ‘Got Me My Son Back’ - Kelsey Harkness, Daily Signal
How I Realized I’m A Conservative - Dana R. Casey, The Federalist
Martyrdom Then and Now - Randall Smith, The Catholic Thing
The Pride of Harvard Law - Bruce Frohnen, Nomocracy in Politics
Cure for Racial Dishonesty - Walter Williams, Human Events
4 Reasons The GOP Needs Donald Trump - Nicole Russell, The Federalist
It’s Time For Conservatives To Reject Donald Trump - Patrick Hedger, The Federalist
Response from Pew to Wuthnow - Cooperman & Smith, First Things
Wuthnow Replies - Robert Wuthnow, First Things
Only the Beginning of the PP Protests - Kate Scanlon, Daily Signal
Telling Lies - Eva Brann, Imaginative Conservative
The War On Cash: Why Now? - Charles Hugh Smith, Mises
The Party Can’t Comb Over Its Problems - Richard Samuelson, Liberty Law Blog
Paglia on Trump, Stewart, Etc. - David Daley, Salon
Do Families in Red or Blue States Have Greater Stability? - Diana Stancy, Daily Signal
Code Fetishists and Normolaters - Alan Jacobs, American Conservative
On Not Stealing Linguistic Scraps - Charles C.W. Cooke, Imaginative Conservative
The Great Teen Sex Decline? - Kay Hymowitz, City Journal
Memphis City Council Tries to Dig Up the Past - Will Brewbaker, Weekly Standard
Toleration Is Postmodern-Speak For Bigotry - Richard Samuelson, The Federalist
School Voucher ‘Got Me My Son Back’ - Kelsey Harkness, Daily Signal
How I Realized I’m A Conservative - Dana R. Casey, The Federalist
Martyrdom Then and Now - Randall Smith, The Catholic Thing
The Pride of Harvard Law - Bruce Frohnen, Nomocracy in Politics
Cure for Racial Dishonesty - Walter Williams, Human Events
4 Reasons The GOP Needs Donald Trump - Nicole Russell, The Federalist
It’s Time For Conservatives To Reject Donald Trump - Patrick Hedger, The Federalist
Response from Pew to Wuthnow - Cooperman & Smith, First Things
Wuthnow Replies - Robert Wuthnow, First Things
Only the Beginning of the PP Protests - Kate Scanlon, Daily Signal
Telling Lies - Eva Brann, Imaginative Conservative
The War On Cash: Why Now? - Charles Hugh Smith, Mises
The Party Can’t Comb Over Its Problems - Richard Samuelson, Liberty Law Blog
Paglia on Trump, Stewart, Etc. - David Daley, Salon
Do Families in Red or Blue States Have Greater Stability? - Diana Stancy, Daily Signal
Code Fetishists and Normolaters - Alan Jacobs, American Conservative
On Not Stealing Linguistic Scraps - Charles C.W. Cooke, Imaginative Conservative
The Great Teen Sex Decline? - Kay Hymowitz, City Journal
Memphis City Council Tries to Dig Up the Past - Will Brewbaker, Weekly Standard
July 28, 2015
CathCon Daily - 7/28/2015
Phony GOP Conservatism Worn Out - David Limbaugh, Human Events
Questions For Libertarians Who Support Privatizing Marriage - Stella Morabito, The Federalist
Why Read Christopher Lasch? - Matthew Harwood, American Conservative
New Economy vs. Old Politics - Robert Tracinski, The Federalist
Why Are So Many College Students Depressed? - Gracy Olmstead, American Conservative
Could Trump Win? - Patrick Buchanan, American Conservative
Dr. Krauthammer's Passionate Muddle - Matthew J. Franck, First Things
Is “Paradise Lost” a Christian Poem? - Michael Davis, Imaginative Conservative
The Death of Satire - Ted Gioia, Daily Beast
The Recovery of Human Nature - James Kalb, Crisis
Science Contra Hubris - Edward R. Dougherty, Public Discourse
How Close Was Donald Trump To The Mob? - David Marcus, The Federalist
Why the Church Can't Change Her Teaching - Fulton Sheen, Catholic Gentleman
Atticus Finch and American Aristocracy - Peter Lawler, The Federalist
You Can’t Wash the Taint Off “Liberalism” - John Zmirak, Intercollegiate Review
Why a Flat Tax Is the Right Way to Go on Taxes - Stephen Moore, Human Events
Why is Religious Freedom at Risk? - Ryan T. Anderson, First Things
Catholic Social Work and Religious Freedom - Frances Robinson, First Things
Fetal Heartbeat and the Judicial Imagination - Hadley Arkes, The Catholic Thing
Satanic Group Playing with Fire - James J. Martin, S.J., America
Enforcing Outcome Equality Makes Everyone Miserable - Georgi Boorman, The Federalist
Questions For Libertarians Who Support Privatizing Marriage - Stella Morabito, The Federalist
Why Read Christopher Lasch? - Matthew Harwood, American Conservative
New Economy vs. Old Politics - Robert Tracinski, The Federalist
Why Are So Many College Students Depressed? - Gracy Olmstead, American Conservative
Could Trump Win? - Patrick Buchanan, American Conservative
Dr. Krauthammer's Passionate Muddle - Matthew J. Franck, First Things
Is “Paradise Lost” a Christian Poem? - Michael Davis, Imaginative Conservative
The Death of Satire - Ted Gioia, Daily Beast
The Recovery of Human Nature - James Kalb, Crisis
Science Contra Hubris - Edward R. Dougherty, Public Discourse
How Close Was Donald Trump To The Mob? - David Marcus, The Federalist
Why the Church Can't Change Her Teaching - Fulton Sheen, Catholic Gentleman
Atticus Finch and American Aristocracy - Peter Lawler, The Federalist
You Can’t Wash the Taint Off “Liberalism” - John Zmirak, Intercollegiate Review
Why a Flat Tax Is the Right Way to Go on Taxes - Stephen Moore, Human Events
Why is Religious Freedom at Risk? - Ryan T. Anderson, First Things
Catholic Social Work and Religious Freedom - Frances Robinson, First Things
Fetal Heartbeat and the Judicial Imagination - Hadley Arkes, The Catholic Thing
Satanic Group Playing with Fire - James J. Martin, S.J., America
Enforcing Outcome Equality Makes Everyone Miserable - Georgi Boorman, The Federalist
July 27, 2015
CathCon Daily - 7/27/2015 (Extra)
A Plea Regarding “Liberal” - Daniel B. Klein, Intercollegiate Review
Lukewarmers, Consensus, and Personal Attacks - Mike Rappaport, Liberty Law Blog
Kids...Need a Mom and Dad - Ryan Anderson, Daily Signal
Fleeting American Public Support for Murky Wars - Ted Galen Carpenter, Cato
Recent Trends in Teen Sexual Activity - Valerie Huber, Daily Signal
A Victim of our Cultural Politics - Rod Dreher, American Conservative
If We Boost Minimum Wage, What Happens? - James Pethokoukis, AEI
Corporate Welfare Over Defunding Planned Parenthood - Jim DeMint, Daily Signal
Increased Rate of Teenage Girls Use Morning-After Pill - Diana Stancy, Daily Signal
Lukewarmers, Consensus, and Personal Attacks - Mike Rappaport, Liberty Law Blog
Kids...Need a Mom and Dad - Ryan Anderson, Daily Signal
Fleeting American Public Support for Murky Wars - Ted Galen Carpenter, Cato
Recent Trends in Teen Sexual Activity - Valerie Huber, Daily Signal
A Victim of our Cultural Politics - Rod Dreher, American Conservative
If We Boost Minimum Wage, What Happens? - James Pethokoukis, AEI
Corporate Welfare Over Defunding Planned Parenthood - Jim DeMint, Daily Signal
Increased Rate of Teenage Girls Use Morning-After Pill - Diana Stancy, Daily Signal
CathCon Daily - 7/27/2015
What Militarism Means - William Lind, American Conservative
The Errors of Liberation Theology - William Doino, Jr., First Things
Contracting for Sex - Bruce Frohnen, Imaginative Conservative
The Contemporary Quest for Immortality - Joseph Simmons, Public Discourse
The Memification of Planned Parenthood - Robert Tracinski, The Federalist
Why Immigrants Vote for Democrats - Luma Simms, The Federalist
Local Governments Are The Source Of Housing Inequality - Chuck DeVore, The Federalist
The State GOP Wave - Stephen Malanga, City Journal
Zoning Out the Poor - Ilya Somin, Volokh
Good Boys v. Nice Boys in “Tom Sawyer” - Mitchell Kalpakgian, Imaginative Conservative
Terry Castle: The Anti-Paglia - Helen Andrews, University Bookman
Our Potemkin Life - Brandon McGinley, First Things
Reflections on the Revolution in America - Brad Miner, The Catholic Thing
The 4 Most Embarrassing Things Cecile Richards Said - Mollie Hemingway, The Federalist
The Errors of Liberation Theology - William Doino, Jr., First Things
Contracting for Sex - Bruce Frohnen, Imaginative Conservative
The Contemporary Quest for Immortality - Joseph Simmons, Public Discourse
The Memification of Planned Parenthood - Robert Tracinski, The Federalist
Why Immigrants Vote for Democrats - Luma Simms, The Federalist
Local Governments Are The Source Of Housing Inequality - Chuck DeVore, The Federalist
The State GOP Wave - Stephen Malanga, City Journal
Zoning Out the Poor - Ilya Somin, Volokh
Good Boys v. Nice Boys in “Tom Sawyer” - Mitchell Kalpakgian, Imaginative Conservative
Terry Castle: The Anti-Paglia - Helen Andrews, University Bookman
Our Potemkin Life - Brandon McGinley, First Things
Reflections on the Revolution in America - Brad Miner, The Catholic Thing
The 4 Most Embarrassing Things Cecile Richards Said - Mollie Hemingway, The Federalist
July 26, 2015
7/26/2015 - Weekend Extra
God, Good, and Good-Enough Fathers - Ellen Wilson Fielding, The Catholic Thing
Is There a Patron Saint of Teachers? - James V. Schall, Imaginative Conservative
School Vouchers are a Victory for Liberty - John O. McGinnis, Liberty Law Blog
Are We an Evil Empire? - John O. McCloskey, The Catholic Thing
Looking Away from Abortion - Ross Douthat, NYT
Is There a Patron Saint of Teachers? - James V. Schall, Imaginative Conservative
School Vouchers are a Victory for Liberty - John O. McGinnis, Liberty Law Blog
Are We an Evil Empire? - John O. McCloskey, The Catholic Thing
Looking Away from Abortion - Ross Douthat, NYT
July 25, 2015
CathCon Daily - 7/25/2015 (Weekend Edition)
I've Got A Crush On You, Baby - Mark Steyn, SteynOnline
The Connection Between Economic and Cultural Policies - Jim DeMint, Daily Signal
IRS: Shoddy? Corrupt? Both? - Geoffrey Norman, Weekly Standard
The New “Marriage Equality”? - Ryan T. Anderson, Daily Signal
Is Medicare Doomed? - Editors, AEI
Senate Conservatives Seek to Rein In the Court - Roger Pilon, Cato
Don’t Delay Defunding Planned Parenthood - Kelsey Harkness, Daily Signal
Humanae Vitae after Obergefell - Luma Simms, First Things
Terrorists Use Social Media to Win War of Ideas - James Carafano, Daily Signal
The Myth of Privilege - Nikita Chirkov, Imaginative Conservative
What’s Driving the Downturn in Number of Abortions - Charmaine Yoest, Daily Signal
The Connection Between Economic and Cultural Policies - Jim DeMint, Daily Signal
IRS: Shoddy? Corrupt? Both? - Geoffrey Norman, Weekly Standard
The New “Marriage Equality”? - Ryan T. Anderson, Daily Signal
Is Medicare Doomed? - Editors, AEI
Senate Conservatives Seek to Rein In the Court - Roger Pilon, Cato
Don’t Delay Defunding Planned Parenthood - Kelsey Harkness, Daily Signal
Humanae Vitae after Obergefell - Luma Simms, First Things
Terrorists Use Social Media to Win War of Ideas - James Carafano, Daily Signal
The Myth of Privilege - Nikita Chirkov, Imaginative Conservative
What’s Driving the Downturn in Number of Abortions - Charmaine Yoest, Daily Signal
July 24, 2015
CathCon Daily - 7/24/2015
They’re Not Baby Parts, They’re ‘Products Of Conception’ - D.C. McAllister, The Federalist
The Equality Act: Bad Policy that Poses Great Harms - Andrew Walker, Public Discourse
The Big Gay Marriage Lie - Daniel Payne, The Federalist
Why Are We Having a Culture War Right Now? - Robert Tracinski, The Federalist
A Medieval Cure for Road Rage - Dwight Longenecker, Imaginative Conservative
Cities Leading a U.S. Manufacturing Revival - Kotkin & Shires, New Geography
Increasingly Divided Democrats - Michael Barone, Human Events
Could the Sleeping Giant Be Awakening? - David Limbaugh, Human Events
Owen Chadwick - David Warren, The Catholic Thing
What is the Role of Leo Strauss in Conservative Thought? - Peter Lawler, Imaginative Conservative
Planned Parenthood Pulls Names of Corporate Donors - Chelsea Scism, Daily Signal
NYT Moves Cruz Behind Jimmy Carter - Daniel Halper, Weekly Standard
We Asked Companies About Their Donations to Planned Parenthood - Kate Scanlon, Daily Signal
Gap Between Worker Pay and Productivity a Myth? - James Pethokoukis, AEI
The Unconstitutionality of Social Security and Medicare - Mike Rappaport, Liberty Law Blog
Ditching Drug Prohibition: A Dissent - Theodore Dalrymple, Liberty Law Blog
The Empty Bromide of Religious Neutrality - Marc DeGirolami, Liberty Law Blog
How Drones Encourage Dumb Wars - Benjamin Friedman, Cato
Tesla Gets $295M in Green Subsidy Credits - Tori Richards, Human Events
Preventing Another Chattanooga - Greg Archetto, Human Events
Hackers Remotely Kill a Jeep - Jim Harper, Cato
The Dominican Option and the Common Good - C.C. Pecknold, Ethika Politica
The Equality Act: Bad Policy that Poses Great Harms - Andrew Walker, Public Discourse
The Big Gay Marriage Lie - Daniel Payne, The Federalist
Why Are We Having a Culture War Right Now? - Robert Tracinski, The Federalist
A Medieval Cure for Road Rage - Dwight Longenecker, Imaginative Conservative
Cities Leading a U.S. Manufacturing Revival - Kotkin & Shires, New Geography
Increasingly Divided Democrats - Michael Barone, Human Events
Could the Sleeping Giant Be Awakening? - David Limbaugh, Human Events
Owen Chadwick - David Warren, The Catholic Thing
What is the Role of Leo Strauss in Conservative Thought? - Peter Lawler, Imaginative Conservative
Planned Parenthood Pulls Names of Corporate Donors - Chelsea Scism, Daily Signal
NYT Moves Cruz Behind Jimmy Carter - Daniel Halper, Weekly Standard
We Asked Companies About Their Donations to Planned Parenthood - Kate Scanlon, Daily Signal
Gap Between Worker Pay and Productivity a Myth? - James Pethokoukis, AEI
The Unconstitutionality of Social Security and Medicare - Mike Rappaport, Liberty Law Blog
Ditching Drug Prohibition: A Dissent - Theodore Dalrymple, Liberty Law Blog
The Empty Bromide of Religious Neutrality - Marc DeGirolami, Liberty Law Blog
How Drones Encourage Dumb Wars - Benjamin Friedman, Cato
Tesla Gets $295M in Green Subsidy Credits - Tori Richards, Human Events
Preventing Another Chattanooga - Greg Archetto, Human Events
Hackers Remotely Kill a Jeep - Jim Harper, Cato
The Dominican Option and the Common Good - C.C. Pecknold, Ethika Politica
July 23, 2015
CathCon Daily - 7/23/2015
Christ Came Into Our Common Home - Chad Pecknold, Pope In DC
Even Mother Nature Has an Agent - Philip Bess, First Things
Antitrust versus Market Dynamism - John McGinnis, Liberty Law Blog
Planned Parenthood and Redefining Marriage - Ryan T. Anderson, Daily Signal
NYT Officially Running Interference For Planned Parenthood - Sean Davis, The Federalist
Are Pro-Lifers Gloating About The Planned Parenthood Sting? - Rachel Lu, The Federalist
The Future of Marriage and Religious Freedom - Jonathan Last, Weekly Standard
‘Trainwreck’ Makes the Case for Monogamy - Katrina Trinko, Daily Signal
Taking Away Guns from Social Security Recipients - Joe Carter, Acton
Rick Perry Just Went Nuclear Against Donald Trump - Sean Davis, The Federalist
An Unnecessary Indictment of Dylann Roof - Jonathan Blanks, Cato
The New Normal Gets Down and Dirty . . . - George Weigel, NRO
How Can Conservatives Be Happy? - Dwight Longenecker, Imaginative Conservative
Disability...Trust Fund Set to Run Dry Next Year - Romina Boccia, Daily Signal
The Left Versus The Internet - Mytheos Holt, The Federalist
The End of Single-Sex Higher Ed - Kelsey Paff, The Federalist
The Different Social Visions of Liberals and Conservatives - Yuval Levin, Daily Signal
The Fact-Free Left: Part II - Thomas Sowell, Human Events
2015 Index of Culture and Opportunity - Editors, Heritage
The Coming of the Age of Gibberish - Carl Trueman, First Things
Even Mother Nature Has an Agent - Philip Bess, First Things
Antitrust versus Market Dynamism - John McGinnis, Liberty Law Blog
Planned Parenthood and Redefining Marriage - Ryan T. Anderson, Daily Signal
NYT Officially Running Interference For Planned Parenthood - Sean Davis, The Federalist
Are Pro-Lifers Gloating About The Planned Parenthood Sting? - Rachel Lu, The Federalist
The Future of Marriage and Religious Freedom - Jonathan Last, Weekly Standard
‘Trainwreck’ Makes the Case for Monogamy - Katrina Trinko, Daily Signal
Taking Away Guns from Social Security Recipients - Joe Carter, Acton
Rick Perry Just Went Nuclear Against Donald Trump - Sean Davis, The Federalist
An Unnecessary Indictment of Dylann Roof - Jonathan Blanks, Cato
The New Normal Gets Down and Dirty . . . - George Weigel, NRO
How Can Conservatives Be Happy? - Dwight Longenecker, Imaginative Conservative
Disability...Trust Fund Set to Run Dry Next Year - Romina Boccia, Daily Signal
The Left Versus The Internet - Mytheos Holt, The Federalist
The End of Single-Sex Higher Ed - Kelsey Paff, The Federalist
The Different Social Visions of Liberals and Conservatives - Yuval Levin, Daily Signal
The Fact-Free Left: Part II - Thomas Sowell, Human Events
2015 Index of Culture and Opportunity - Editors, Heritage
The Coming of the Age of Gibberish - Carl Trueman, First Things
July 22, 2015
CathCon Daily - 7/22/2015
J.R.R. Tolkien & The Fall of Arthur - Bradley Birzer, Imaginative Conservative
13 Things...about Planned Parenthood Founder Margaret Sanger - Kate Scanlon, Daily Signal
Nagel’s Cosmos: Teleology Without Intention? - James Bruce, Nomocracy in Politics
Webb An Old-Time Democrat - Joel Kotkin, OC Register
Faith in Diplomacy - Gracy Olmstead, American Conservative
Disciplinary Bulverism - Alan Jacobs, American Conservative
New Defenses of Religious Liberty - Gerald Russello, The Catholic Thing
Flannery O'Connor and Catholic Realism - George Weigel, First Things
Thanking God for a Daughter's "Premoition" - Greg Sisk, Mirror of Justice
Amazon Pulls Negative Reviews of New Marriage Book - Marguerite Bowling, Daily Signal
Some Correspondence with an Atheist - Albert Alschuler, First Things
Surrogacy and Same-Sex Marriage: A Tale of Two Countries - Christopher White, Public Discourse
Was Father Really a Bad Catholic? - Rod Dreher, American Conservative
Keeping Their Promises - Nicole Kaeding, Cato
41 Companies That Donate Directly to Planned Parenthood - Melissa Quinn, Daily Signal
Liberals Discover that Bernie Sanders Isn't Awesome - Damien Thompson, Spectator
Don’t Let Planned Parenthood Use ‘Medical Research’ - Amy Otto, The Federalist
Sodomy and the Bible - Peter J. Leithart, First Things
Time to Defund Planned Parenthood - Carter Snead, Fox
13 Things...about Planned Parenthood Founder Margaret Sanger - Kate Scanlon, Daily Signal
Nagel’s Cosmos: Teleology Without Intention? - James Bruce, Nomocracy in Politics
Webb An Old-Time Democrat - Joel Kotkin, OC Register
Faith in Diplomacy - Gracy Olmstead, American Conservative
Disciplinary Bulverism - Alan Jacobs, American Conservative
New Defenses of Religious Liberty - Gerald Russello, The Catholic Thing
Flannery O'Connor and Catholic Realism - George Weigel, First Things
Thanking God for a Daughter's "Premoition" - Greg Sisk, Mirror of Justice
Amazon Pulls Negative Reviews of New Marriage Book - Marguerite Bowling, Daily Signal
Some Correspondence with an Atheist - Albert Alschuler, First Things
Surrogacy and Same-Sex Marriage: A Tale of Two Countries - Christopher White, Public Discourse
Was Father Really a Bad Catholic? - Rod Dreher, American Conservative
Keeping Their Promises - Nicole Kaeding, Cato
41 Companies That Donate Directly to Planned Parenthood - Melissa Quinn, Daily Signal
Liberals Discover that Bernie Sanders Isn't Awesome - Damien Thompson, Spectator
Don’t Let Planned Parenthood Use ‘Medical Research’ - Amy Otto, The Federalist
Sodomy and the Bible - Peter J. Leithart, First Things
Time to Defund Planned Parenthood - Carter Snead, Fox
July 21, 2015
CathCon Daily - 7/21/2015 (Extra)
Atticus Finch’s American Stoicism - Peter Augustine Lawler, Liberty Law Blog
Civil Commitment Under Attack - David Post, Volokh
Second Planned Parenthood Video - John McCormack, Weekly Standard
Revolutionary Guard Signals Rejection - Michael Rubin, AEI
Is System Tilted In Favor of Prosecutors? - Steven Greenhut, Human Events
Kasich’s Fiscal Record - Nicole Kaeding, Cato
Tax Reform Can Reward Those Who Save - Diana Stancy, Daily Signal
Baker to His ‘Fellow’ Gays and Lesbians - Kate Scanlon, Daily Signal
Civil Commitment Under Attack - David Post, Volokh
Second Planned Parenthood Video - John McCormack, Weekly Standard
Revolutionary Guard Signals Rejection - Michael Rubin, AEI
Is System Tilted In Favor of Prosecutors? - Steven Greenhut, Human Events
Kasich’s Fiscal Record - Nicole Kaeding, Cato
Tax Reform Can Reward Those Who Save - Diana Stancy, Daily Signal
Baker to His ‘Fellow’ Gays and Lesbians - Kate Scanlon, Daily Signal
CathCon Daily - 7/21/2015
Bain of the Union - Larry Sand, City Journal
After Obergefell - Peter Leithard, First Things
Is It Racism To Say ‘All Lives Matter’? - Peter Johnson, The Federalist
Wielding the Sword of the Spirit - Bradley Birzer, Imaginative Conservative
On the Boys in the Boat - James V. Schall, The Catholic Thing
Pray for Those Who Persecute You - James D. Conley, First Things
T.S. Eliot, American - Randy Boyogada, American Conservative
Homosexual Marriage & the Modern Corporation - John Willson, Imaginative Conservative
Popular Culture and the Male Body: A New Challenge - Joseph Prud'homme, Public Discourse
The Media Used To Do Abortion Stings - D.C. McAllister, The Federalist
After Obergefell - Peter Leithard, First Things
Is It Racism To Say ‘All Lives Matter’? - Peter Johnson, The Federalist
Wielding the Sword of the Spirit - Bradley Birzer, Imaginative Conservative
On the Boys in the Boat - James V. Schall, The Catholic Thing
Pray for Those Who Persecute You - James D. Conley, First Things
T.S. Eliot, American - Randy Boyogada, American Conservative
Homosexual Marriage & the Modern Corporation - John Willson, Imaginative Conservative
Popular Culture and the Male Body: A New Challenge - Joseph Prud'homme, Public Discourse
The Media Used To Do Abortion Stings - D.C. McAllister, The Federalist
July 20, 2015
CathCon Daily - 7/20/2015 (Extra)
The Amazon Smear - Mark Bauerlein, First Things
Did America Invent Religious Tolerance? - Joe Carter, Acton
Feminism for Fools - Rod Dreher, American Conservative
Purity and Danger - Joel Robbins, Books and Culture
No, Ellen Pao, The Trolls Are Not Winning - Bre Payton, The Federalist
Hayek and Free Banking - George Selgin, Cato
Christianity=History=Transhumanism? - Peter Lawler, NRO
The Simple Truth about J.S. Mill’s Simple Truth - Theodore Dalrymple, Liberty Law Blog
Thank you, Mark Oppenheimer - Andrew Walker, First Things
Did America Invent Religious Tolerance? - Joe Carter, Acton
Feminism for Fools - Rod Dreher, American Conservative
Purity and Danger - Joel Robbins, Books and Culture
No, Ellen Pao, The Trolls Are Not Winning - Bre Payton, The Federalist
Hayek and Free Banking - George Selgin, Cato
Christianity=History=Transhumanism? - Peter Lawler, NRO
The Simple Truth about J.S. Mill’s Simple Truth - Theodore Dalrymple, Liberty Law Blog
Thank you, Mark Oppenheimer - Andrew Walker, First Things
CathCon Daily - 7/20/2015
Purchase of the Western Everyman - Eamon Moynihan, University Bookman
Same-Sex and Interracial Marriage: Not the Same Thing - Carson Holloway, Public Discourse
The Science of Stress - Maria Popova, Brain Pickings
Utilitarian Arguments for the Family - Bruce Frohnen, Imaginative Conservative
Trump, Illegal Immigrants, John McCain - Paul Dykewicz, Human Events
Cardinal Pell and Laudato Si' - Damien Thompson, Spectator
"An Obvious Moral Horror" - Greg Sisk, Mirror of Justice
A Radically Toxic Combination - Christopher Jackson, First Things
Justice and the Whacky World of Legal Sex - Tony M., What's Wrong With the World
The Bob Jones Battle - Dwight Longenecker, Imaginative Conservative
Manhattan Project Failure - Donald McClarey, American Catholic
Washington Post Misleads On Arizona Teacher Exodus - Patrick Hedger, The Federalist
Fear And Loathing At Netroots Nation - David Marcus, The Federalist
Changing the World Through Guilt - Sean Fitzpatrick, Imaginative Conservative
Microaggression, Macro-Crazy - Heather Mac Donald, City Journal
Why Christopher Dawson Loved the Church - Bradley Birzer, Imaginative Conservative
The Kitchen of Second Chances - Madaline Donnelly, Daily Signal
Same-Sex and Interracial Marriage: Not the Same Thing - Carson Holloway, Public Discourse
The Science of Stress - Maria Popova, Brain Pickings
Utilitarian Arguments for the Family - Bruce Frohnen, Imaginative Conservative
Trump, Illegal Immigrants, John McCain - Paul Dykewicz, Human Events
Cardinal Pell and Laudato Si' - Damien Thompson, Spectator
"An Obvious Moral Horror" - Greg Sisk, Mirror of Justice
A Radically Toxic Combination - Christopher Jackson, First Things
Justice and the Whacky World of Legal Sex - Tony M., What's Wrong With the World
The Bob Jones Battle - Dwight Longenecker, Imaginative Conservative
Manhattan Project Failure - Donald McClarey, American Catholic
Washington Post Misleads On Arizona Teacher Exodus - Patrick Hedger, The Federalist
Fear And Loathing At Netroots Nation - David Marcus, The Federalist
Changing the World Through Guilt - Sean Fitzpatrick, Imaginative Conservative
Microaggression, Macro-Crazy - Heather Mac Donald, City Journal
Why Christopher Dawson Loved the Church - Bradley Birzer, Imaginative Conservative
The Kitchen of Second Chances - Madaline Donnelly, Daily Signal
July 18, 2015
CathCon Daily - 7/18/2015
How to Parent: A Department of Education Guide - Lindsey Burke, Daily Signal
Why School Choice Matters - Justin Haskins, Human Events
Let Us Imagineer ENDA For You - Walter Olson, Cato
Looking at Porn’s Effects - Diana Stancy, Daily Signal
The Metaphysics of Caitlyn & Planned Parenthood - Rod Dreher, American Conservative
Intellectual Intolerance Behind “Check Your Privilege" - Gary Galles, Mises
Reese on Laycock on Religious Liberty - Rick Garnett, Mirror of Justice
Get[ting] Around the Earmark Ban - Jim DeMint, Daily Signal
Obamacare’s Not-So-Hidden Tax - Aaron Yelowitz, Cato
The Minimum Wage Won’t Miraculously Cure Poverty - Diana Furtchgott-Roth, The Federalist
Sex and Religion - Howard Kainz, The Catholic Thing
Dancing With Words - Gracy Olmstead, American Conservative
Heinlein’s Lessons for Boys - Adam Fuller, Imaginative Conservative
Will Gay Marriage Dissidents Be Treated Like Racists? - Ryan Anderson, Daily Signal
Oregon’s War on the Christian Bakers’ Free Speech - Hans von Spakovsky, Daily Signal
Why School Choice Matters - Justin Haskins, Human Events
Let Us Imagineer ENDA For You - Walter Olson, Cato
Looking at Porn’s Effects - Diana Stancy, Daily Signal
The Metaphysics of Caitlyn & Planned Parenthood - Rod Dreher, American Conservative
Intellectual Intolerance Behind “Check Your Privilege" - Gary Galles, Mises
Reese on Laycock on Religious Liberty - Rick Garnett, Mirror of Justice
Get[ting] Around the Earmark Ban - Jim DeMint, Daily Signal
Obamacare’s Not-So-Hidden Tax - Aaron Yelowitz, Cato
The Minimum Wage Won’t Miraculously Cure Poverty - Diana Furtchgott-Roth, The Federalist
Sex and Religion - Howard Kainz, The Catholic Thing
Dancing With Words - Gracy Olmstead, American Conservative
Heinlein’s Lessons for Boys - Adam Fuller, Imaginative Conservative
Will Gay Marriage Dissidents Be Treated Like Racists? - Ryan Anderson, Daily Signal
Oregon’s War on the Christian Bakers’ Free Speech - Hans von Spakovsky, Daily Signal
July 17, 2015
CathCon Daily - 7/17/2015
Building the Left’s Judicial Farm Team - Mark Pulliam, Liberty Law Blog
Let’s Pass the First Amendment Defense Act - Ryan T. Anderson, Daily Signal
"John Doe" Justice at Last - Roger Pilon, Cato
Obama Scolds Major Garrett On Iran - Ben Domenech, The Federalist
Jesuits Continue to Disappoint - Lydia McGrew, What's Wrong with the World
The Salient Characteristics of Obergefell v. Hodges - John Breen, Mirror of Justice
TN Courts Force Legalized Physician-Assisted Suicide? - Susan Allen, Daily Signal
The Effort to Bring TSA Under Law - Jim Harper, Cato
Conservatives Plot to Get Religious Liberty Bill to Obama’s Desk - Kelsey Harkness, Daily Signal
Oedipus Wrecked - Daniel McInerny, The Catholic Thing
Rejecting the Iran Deal Would Be GOP Suicide - Patrick Buchanan, American Conservative
Climate Change Alarmists Appear Immunized Against Reality - William Briggs, The Federalist
Cruz Book Lands on NYT Best Seller List - Jesse Byrnes, The Hill
Let’s Pass the First Amendment Defense Act - Ryan T. Anderson, Daily Signal
"John Doe" Justice at Last - Roger Pilon, Cato
Obama Scolds Major Garrett On Iran - Ben Domenech, The Federalist
Jesuits Continue to Disappoint - Lydia McGrew, What's Wrong with the World
The Salient Characteristics of Obergefell v. Hodges - John Breen, Mirror of Justice
TN Courts Force Legalized Physician-Assisted Suicide? - Susan Allen, Daily Signal
The Effort to Bring TSA Under Law - Jim Harper, Cato
Conservatives Plot to Get Religious Liberty Bill to Obama’s Desk - Kelsey Harkness, Daily Signal
Oedipus Wrecked - Daniel McInerny, The Catholic Thing
Rejecting the Iran Deal Would Be GOP Suicide - Patrick Buchanan, American Conservative
Climate Change Alarmists Appear Immunized Against Reality - William Briggs, The Federalist
Cruz Book Lands on NYT Best Seller List - Jesse Byrnes, The Hill
July 16, 2015
CathCon Daily - 7/16/2015
What to Expect When You are Expecting Pope Francis - Chad Pecknold, Pope in D.C.
How Student Loans Create Demand for Degree Programs - Josh Grossman, Mises
Dignity Has Never Been Photographed - Francis J. Beckwith, The Catholic Thing
Creating a More Decentralized and Market Driven Democracy - John McGinnis, Liberty Law Blog
Jewish Learning, Human Liberty - David Conway, Nomocracy in Politics
Pope Francis and the Surrender of the Church - Robert Tracinski, The Federalist
Is American Government in Decay? - Adam White, City Journal
A Foreigner’s Perspective on the Confederate Flag - Nikita Chirkov, Intercollegiate Review
Why Aren’t Democratic Candidates Proud Of Planned Parenthood? - Bre Payton, The Federalist
Every Pro-Immigration Claim is a Lie - Ann Coulter, Human Events
What Was Irving Babbitt’s Philosophy of Man? - Claes Ryn, Imaginative Conservative
Same-Sex Marriage and Heresy - Ryan T. Anderson, First Things
Catholicism Unriddled - Russell Saltzman, First Things
Sherlock Holmes’s Politics - Christopher Sandford, American Conservative
Top Ten Conspiracy Theories We Can Believe - Stephen Masty, Imaginative Conservative
Why Can Ta-Nehisi Coates Get Away With Racial Slurs? - Daniel Payne, The Federalist
Defining Marriage - Christopher Wolfe, Public Discourse
How Student Loans Create Demand for Degree Programs - Josh Grossman, Mises
Dignity Has Never Been Photographed - Francis J. Beckwith, The Catholic Thing
Creating a More Decentralized and Market Driven Democracy - John McGinnis, Liberty Law Blog
Jewish Learning, Human Liberty - David Conway, Nomocracy in Politics
Pope Francis and the Surrender of the Church - Robert Tracinski, The Federalist
Is American Government in Decay? - Adam White, City Journal
A Foreigner’s Perspective on the Confederate Flag - Nikita Chirkov, Intercollegiate Review
Why Aren’t Democratic Candidates Proud Of Planned Parenthood? - Bre Payton, The Federalist
Every Pro-Immigration Claim is a Lie - Ann Coulter, Human Events
What Was Irving Babbitt’s Philosophy of Man? - Claes Ryn, Imaginative Conservative
Same-Sex Marriage and Heresy - Ryan T. Anderson, First Things
Catholicism Unriddled - Russell Saltzman, First Things
Sherlock Holmes’s Politics - Christopher Sandford, American Conservative
Top Ten Conspiracy Theories We Can Believe - Stephen Masty, Imaginative Conservative
Why Can Ta-Nehisi Coates Get Away With Racial Slurs? - Daniel Payne, The Federalist
Defining Marriage - Christopher Wolfe, Public Discourse
July 15, 2015
CathCon Daily - 7/15/2015
Still Legally Free To Traffic Baby Body Parts - D.C. McAllister, The Federalist
Schools to Become Bastions of Anti-Intellectualism - William Jeynes, Public Discourse
Caitlyn Jenner Needs Therapy, Not Awards - Walt Heyer, The Federalist
The Donald´s Popularity in Perspective - Bruce Frohnen, Nomocracy in Politics
Love Is a Losing Game - Eve Tushnet, American Conservative
Historical Ignorance - Walter Williams, Human Events
The Little Stories We Tell Ourselves - Randall Smith, The Catholic Thing
Capitalism and Reduction of Poverty - Mark J. Perry, AEI
The Broken Window Fallacy - Matt Palumbo, Mises
Agents of Modern American Tyranny - Mark Meckler, Daily Signal
No Victims of 'Mass Incarceration' in Federal Prisons - John Walters, Weekly Standard
How We Can Protect Freedom for Everyone - Ryan T. Anderson, Daily Signal
Cleansing History By Applying Today’s Standards - Allen Brownfeld, Human Events
The French Revolution and Modern Liberty - David Boaz, Cato
Schools to Become Bastions of Anti-Intellectualism - William Jeynes, Public Discourse
Caitlyn Jenner Needs Therapy, Not Awards - Walt Heyer, The Federalist
The Donald´s Popularity in Perspective - Bruce Frohnen, Nomocracy in Politics
Love Is a Losing Game - Eve Tushnet, American Conservative
Historical Ignorance - Walter Williams, Human Events
The Little Stories We Tell Ourselves - Randall Smith, The Catholic Thing
Capitalism and Reduction of Poverty - Mark J. Perry, AEI
The Broken Window Fallacy - Matt Palumbo, Mises
Agents of Modern American Tyranny - Mark Meckler, Daily Signal
No Victims of 'Mass Incarceration' in Federal Prisons - John Walters, Weekly Standard
How We Can Protect Freedom for Everyone - Ryan T. Anderson, Daily Signal
Cleansing History By Applying Today’s Standards - Allen Brownfeld, Human Events
The French Revolution and Modern Liberty - David Boaz, Cato
July 14, 2015
Desecration of the Dead
While we wait for more evidence (other than the rather damning video) that Planned Parenthood has engaged in trafficking of human organs harvested from aborted babies, we should pause for a moment and say a prayer for the souls of these babies, and we should pray for the souls of anyone who could countenance such an action.
Not content with trampling one ancient prohibition as a means of earning a livelihood - the murder of innocents - Planned Parenthood now takes it upon itself to cavalierly dispose of these bodies not in any way which seems to indicate some respect for the dead (burial, cremation) but as yet another commodity.
This should not be surprising, I suppose. After all, if the rationale for abortion is some hideous combination of reasoning giving a "right to kill" the unborn, how could the dead body be anything other than disposable in any way seen fit? What line could be drawn between the ancient taboos of murder of the innocent and respect for the dead? Upon what reasoning would some advocate for freely available abortion now claim an infusion of moral meaning in the corpse?
The answer is, such an advocate could not, unless upon purely utilitarian terms ("don't use the lungs from this one - it's mother was an alcoholic").
And so we should not be surprised that this sort of thing, that Gosnells, that other gruesome and horrifying practices come to light. If the child has no moral meaning at the beginning, if it has no inherent dignity, then the only dignity which can be given is that given by others; if the mother gives the baby no dignity, then it is beyond the pale for Planned Parenthood doctors to do so.
Not content with trampling one ancient prohibition as a means of earning a livelihood - the murder of innocents - Planned Parenthood now takes it upon itself to cavalierly dispose of these bodies not in any way which seems to indicate some respect for the dead (burial, cremation) but as yet another commodity.
This should not be surprising, I suppose. After all, if the rationale for abortion is some hideous combination of reasoning giving a "right to kill" the unborn, how could the dead body be anything other than disposable in any way seen fit? What line could be drawn between the ancient taboos of murder of the innocent and respect for the dead? Upon what reasoning would some advocate for freely available abortion now claim an infusion of moral meaning in the corpse?
The answer is, such an advocate could not, unless upon purely utilitarian terms ("don't use the lungs from this one - it's mother was an alcoholic").
And so we should not be surprised that this sort of thing, that Gosnells, that other gruesome and horrifying practices come to light. If the child has no moral meaning at the beginning, if it has no inherent dignity, then the only dignity which can be given is that given by others; if the mother gives the baby no dignity, then it is beyond the pale for Planned Parenthood doctors to do so.
CathCon Daily - 7/14/2015
Of Course Atticus Finch Was a Racist - David Marcus, The Federalist
Institution of Family Being Eroded - Joel Kotkin, New Geography
The Paths of Resistance - Hadley Arkes, The Catholic Thing
Which Mass Murderers Came From A Fatherless Home - Peter Hasson, The Federalist
Is Capitalism Diabolic? - Patrick Buchanan, Human Events
Courage: The Mother of the Virtues - Robert Tracinski, The Federalist
Is the Civil War Over? - Thomas Sowell, Human Events
How Gay Marriage Came to Ireland - Catherine Kavanaugh, First Things
How the Steamroller Will Hit the Church - Darwin Catholic, American Catholic
Documents Implicate...in IRS Conservative-Targeting Scandal - Hans von Spakovsky, Daily Signal
Gender Identity - Christopher Tollefsen, Public Discourse
Institution of Family Being Eroded - Joel Kotkin, New Geography
The Paths of Resistance - Hadley Arkes, The Catholic Thing
Which Mass Murderers Came From A Fatherless Home - Peter Hasson, The Federalist
Is Capitalism Diabolic? - Patrick Buchanan, Human Events
Courage: The Mother of the Virtues - Robert Tracinski, The Federalist
Is the Civil War Over? - Thomas Sowell, Human Events
How Gay Marriage Came to Ireland - Catherine Kavanaugh, First Things
How the Steamroller Will Hit the Church - Darwin Catholic, American Catholic
Documents Implicate...in IRS Conservative-Targeting Scandal - Hans von Spakovsky, Daily Signal
Gender Identity - Christopher Tollefsen, Public Discourse
July 13, 2015
CathCon Daily - 7/13/2015 (Extra)
Scott Walker’s Fiscal Record - Nicole Kaeding, Cato
Muslims Betray Non-Muslim Friends and Neighbors - Raymond Ibrahim, Human Events
Hate Crimes and Free Speech - John Bowman, Nomocracy in Politics
Dangerous Dignity - Ben Peterson, Intercollegiate Review
Positive Studies of the EITC - Mark Perry, AEI
Slate Discovers Rising ObamaCare Premiums - Michael Cannon, Cato
New book on “The State of the American Mind” - Ilya Somin, Volokh
The Fight Against Ebola Isn’t Over - Joshua Meservey, Daily Signal
NYT Leaves Ted Cruz’s Book Off Bestseller List - Kate Scanlon, Daily Signal
Muslims Betray Non-Muslim Friends and Neighbors - Raymond Ibrahim, Human Events
Hate Crimes and Free Speech - John Bowman, Nomocracy in Politics
Dangerous Dignity - Ben Peterson, Intercollegiate Review
Positive Studies of the EITC - Mark Perry, AEI
Slate Discovers Rising ObamaCare Premiums - Michael Cannon, Cato
New book on “The State of the American Mind” - Ilya Somin, Volokh
The Fight Against Ebola Isn’t Over - Joshua Meservey, Daily Signal
NYT Leaves Ted Cruz’s Book Off Bestseller List - Kate Scanlon, Daily Signal
CathCon Daily - 7/13/2015
Mandating Egalitarian Education Funding (III) - Mark Pulliam, Liberty Law Blog
More Parents Finally Get That College Is A Scam - Joy Pullmann, The Federalist
5 Ways To Ensure Safe Sex - Rachel Lu, The Federalist
The Contexts of Individual Liberty - James Bruce, Liberty Law Blog
How Christian Colleges Will Be Dhimmified - Rod Dreher, American Conservative
Sex Identity - Christopher Tollefsen, Public Discourse
What is an Opportunity Society? - Bruce Frohnen, Imaginative Conservative
A World of Cities - Alan Pell Crawford, American Conservative
David McCullough, The Art of Biography No. 2 - Gaffney & Howe, The Paris Review
Debt Collector is Now Following You - Whitney Mallet, Fast Company
'Left-Wing Privilege' on College Campuses - Mark Perry, AEI
Screwtape on "Discrimination" - Rick Garnett, Mirror of Justice
Chicago’s Financial Fire - Aaron Renn, City Journal
More Parents Finally Get That College Is A Scam - Joy Pullmann, The Federalist
5 Ways To Ensure Safe Sex - Rachel Lu, The Federalist
The Contexts of Individual Liberty - James Bruce, Liberty Law Blog
How Christian Colleges Will Be Dhimmified - Rod Dreher, American Conservative
Sex Identity - Christopher Tollefsen, Public Discourse
What is an Opportunity Society? - Bruce Frohnen, Imaginative Conservative
A World of Cities - Alan Pell Crawford, American Conservative
David McCullough, The Art of Biography No. 2 - Gaffney & Howe, The Paris Review
Debt Collector is Now Following You - Whitney Mallet, Fast Company
'Left-Wing Privilege' on College Campuses - Mark Perry, AEI
Screwtape on "Discrimination" - Rick Garnett, Mirror of Justice
Chicago’s Financial Fire - Aaron Renn, City Journal
July 12, 2015
CathCon Daily - 7/12/2015 (Sunday Reads)
Before Obergefell: Some Thoughts on How We Got Here - Alastair Roberts, Theopolis Institute
A Heart Devoted to the Welfare of Our Country - John Quincy Adams, Imaginative Conservative
Roof Had Not Been Arrested for a Felony - Eugene Volokh, Volokh
Dawson and the Failures of the Catholic Church - Bradley Birzer, Imaginative Conservative
An Interview with Piers Paul Reid - Karl Schmude, University Bookman
A Heart Devoted to the Welfare of Our Country - John Quincy Adams, Imaginative Conservative
Roof Had Not Been Arrested for a Felony - Eugene Volokh, Volokh
Dawson and the Failures of the Catholic Church - Bradley Birzer, Imaginative Conservative
An Interview with Piers Paul Reid - Karl Schmude, University Bookman
July 11, 2015
Flags and Fences
Both the Left and the Right have had their opportunities to jump on their favorite emotional hobby horses these past weeks. With the Charleston massacre by Dylann Roof, himself a racist and a bearer of the Confederate flag (among others), progressives were quick to leap to cries to remove the Confederate flag flying on public ground in South Carolina, for more gun control (and lately, for digging up bodies of Confederate soldiers), etc.
Similarly, conservatives have had the opportunity to re-open debates about illegal immigrants and the de facto open border with Mexico after a Mexican national, who had apparently been deported five times, shot and killed Kathryn Steinle. He had been released in accordance with "sanctuary city" policies, whereby certain cities choose to release illegal immigrants rather than transfer them to federal control when arrested. Conservatives were quick to leap to cries regarding open borders, the tepid White House response to this killing compared with Freddie Gray and Trayvon Martin, and so forth.
What seems to be true in both cases is that the evil choices of a given individual are being used to focus attention on things only loosely related, if at all, to those choices. In the first instance, it may well have been time to move the Confederate flag to a museum (though I have serious doubts about how far that particular idea has now transferred into a hysteria to wipe out all symbolic memory of the Confederacy). However, what seems to be in front of the minds of many is that, somehow, Roof was inspired or motivated by the Confederate flag, rather than the other way around - that is, adoption of a symbol by Roof. There seems to be a certain materialism at work here, a certain claim that, but for the existence of the flag in South Carolina, Roof would not have committed a massacre. Aside from the problem that, even had the flag been removed a generation ago, Roof would still be able to possess one now, it is not what goes into a man which defiles him, but what comes out. That single-minded ideology is at work can hardly be debated - progressive opponents of the flag have been quick to argue that anyone displaying the flag, honoring the memory of a Confederate soldier, etc., must ipso facto support the slavery and racism characteristic of the South for many years, whatever claims or evidence to the contrary.
Despite more complexity in response, many of the conservative's reaction to the Steinle murder has been to paint illegal immigrants as a whole as more crime-ridden due to the fact of their lawlessness in illegally entering the country. Other conservatives have decried the White House for its tepid response to the crime as compared to slayings of minorities by whites. As to the first, while in that crime, this is true, illegal immigrants are no more likely to commit crimes than other groups, and may, in fact, be less likely to do so. Crimes, such as murder, committed by illegal immigrants, are crimes committed in greater percentages by citizens; they are not made more or less heinous by the immigration status of the perpetrator. While those who are victims or know victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants have a strong emotional case that "this should not have happened," I am not sure that counterfactual argument is a good way to proceed. While it may be high time to secure our border for any number of reasons, as well as be concerned about assimilation of immigrants and respect for the law, any evil act committed by an illegal immigrant should be treated in and of itself, rather than as a symbol of some greater problem. As for the tepid White House response, I think that should, unfortunately, be expected from a President who makes race relations his hallmark, and seems only truly concerned with using tragedy for his own political ends. I am sympathetic with those who call the White House out for its lack of response.
In either case, an evil occurrence has been overlain and stamped with layers of emotional concern that have been fomenting for years, and the subject of constant debate, and the pro / con sides of each debate are eager to impress any occurrence that bears relation, however tenuous, with great meaning to their side of the debate. However, we would do better, in either case, not to use tenuous connection with occurrence as ammunition for causes, especially for removal of the flag and for painting illegal immigrants as crime-ridden beyond the bare fact of illegal status itself. We should have debates about symbols and their use in society, and debates about the flow of immigrants into our country, but we should not be opportunistic and flatten evil occurrences into tools to forward the debates. We risk over-broad strokes and alienation of potential allies. We would find more allies in debates about the meaning of the Confederate flag if we didn't choose to invest a symbol with unified meaning, and paint all those bearing the symbol, whatever they may say, as invested with the same racism as motivated Dylann Roof. We would do better, in debating about immigration, if we did not argue that immigrants are more likely to commit evil than other members of society. Both are demonstrably not true, and both fail to engage the range of arguments and meanings fairly.
Similarly, conservatives have had the opportunity to re-open debates about illegal immigrants and the de facto open border with Mexico after a Mexican national, who had apparently been deported five times, shot and killed Kathryn Steinle. He had been released in accordance with "sanctuary city" policies, whereby certain cities choose to release illegal immigrants rather than transfer them to federal control when arrested. Conservatives were quick to leap to cries regarding open borders, the tepid White House response to this killing compared with Freddie Gray and Trayvon Martin, and so forth.
What seems to be true in both cases is that the evil choices of a given individual are being used to focus attention on things only loosely related, if at all, to those choices. In the first instance, it may well have been time to move the Confederate flag to a museum (though I have serious doubts about how far that particular idea has now transferred into a hysteria to wipe out all symbolic memory of the Confederacy). However, what seems to be in front of the minds of many is that, somehow, Roof was inspired or motivated by the Confederate flag, rather than the other way around - that is, adoption of a symbol by Roof. There seems to be a certain materialism at work here, a certain claim that, but for the existence of the flag in South Carolina, Roof would not have committed a massacre. Aside from the problem that, even had the flag been removed a generation ago, Roof would still be able to possess one now, it is not what goes into a man which defiles him, but what comes out. That single-minded ideology is at work can hardly be debated - progressive opponents of the flag have been quick to argue that anyone displaying the flag, honoring the memory of a Confederate soldier, etc., must ipso facto support the slavery and racism characteristic of the South for many years, whatever claims or evidence to the contrary.
Despite more complexity in response, many of the conservative's reaction to the Steinle murder has been to paint illegal immigrants as a whole as more crime-ridden due to the fact of their lawlessness in illegally entering the country. Other conservatives have decried the White House for its tepid response to the crime as compared to slayings of minorities by whites. As to the first, while in that crime, this is true, illegal immigrants are no more likely to commit crimes than other groups, and may, in fact, be less likely to do so. Crimes, such as murder, committed by illegal immigrants, are crimes committed in greater percentages by citizens; they are not made more or less heinous by the immigration status of the perpetrator. While those who are victims or know victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants have a strong emotional case that "this should not have happened," I am not sure that counterfactual argument is a good way to proceed. While it may be high time to secure our border for any number of reasons, as well as be concerned about assimilation of immigrants and respect for the law, any evil act committed by an illegal immigrant should be treated in and of itself, rather than as a symbol of some greater problem. As for the tepid White House response, I think that should, unfortunately, be expected from a President who makes race relations his hallmark, and seems only truly concerned with using tragedy for his own political ends. I am sympathetic with those who call the White House out for its lack of response.
In either case, an evil occurrence has been overlain and stamped with layers of emotional concern that have been fomenting for years, and the subject of constant debate, and the pro / con sides of each debate are eager to impress any occurrence that bears relation, however tenuous, with great meaning to their side of the debate. However, we would do better, in either case, not to use tenuous connection with occurrence as ammunition for causes, especially for removal of the flag and for painting illegal immigrants as crime-ridden beyond the bare fact of illegal status itself. We should have debates about symbols and their use in society, and debates about the flow of immigrants into our country, but we should not be opportunistic and flatten evil occurrences into tools to forward the debates. We risk over-broad strokes and alienation of potential allies. We would find more allies in debates about the meaning of the Confederate flag if we didn't choose to invest a symbol with unified meaning, and paint all those bearing the symbol, whatever they may say, as invested with the same racism as motivated Dylann Roof. We would do better, in debating about immigration, if we did not argue that immigrants are more likely to commit evil than other members of society. Both are demonstrably not true, and both fail to engage the range of arguments and meanings fairly.
CathCon Daily - 7/11/2015 (Weekend Edition)
Idleness is the enemy of the soul; and therefore the brethren ought to be employed in manual labor at certain times, at others, in devout reading. - St. Benedict of Nursia
Undercover Jew - Siegel & Stern, City Journal
A Coming Era of Civil Disobedience? - Patrick Buchanan, Human Events
“A Republic, If You Can Keep It.” - David Limbaugh, Human Events
Wedding Bells at Fordham - Rod Dreher, American Conservative
"Equal Treatment for All" - Rick Garnett, Mirror of Justice
Complicity, Dignity, and Demeaning - Rick Garnett, Mirror of Justice
Scott Walker's Fiscal Record - Nicole Kaeding, Cato
White People Will Always Be Racists - D.C. McAllister, The Federalist
Countering Progressives' Assault on Suburbia - Joel Kotkin, New Geography
D.C. Council Debates Legalizing Assisted Suicide - Diana Stancy, Daily Signal
Dawson On Our Cultural Mess - George Martin, The Catholic Thing
When Will They Believe in Hell? - Dwight Longenecker, The Imaginative Conservative
July 10, 2015
CathCon Daily - 7/10/2015
But what is liberty without wisdom, and without virtue? It is the greatest of all possible evils; for it is folly, vice, and madness, without tuition or restraint. - Edmund Burke
Fighting Federalism: Damon Root’s Overruled (Part One) - Kurt Lash, Liberty Law Blog
A Tale of Two Clauses: Damon Root’s Overruled (Part Two) - Kurt Lash, Liberty Law Blog
Obergefell and "Religious Reasons for Lawmaking" - Rick Garnett, Mirror of Justice
Stop Treating Kids Like Sex Objects - Bethany Mandel, The Federalist
School Finance Farce: Part I - Mark Pulliam, Liberty Law Blog
Impeachment of the IRS Commissioner - Mike Rappaport, Liberty Law Blog
Catholics and the Administered Society - James Kalb, Catholic World Report
“No Evidence for School Choice” Canard - Jason Bedrick, Cato
Conservatives, White House Upset With Education Law - Natalie Johnson, Daily Signal
The Value of Disagreement - Alan Jacobs, American Conservative
Science Revives “The Hiatus” - Michaels & Knappenberger, Cato
Congresswomen Seek to Allow Taxpayer-Funded Abortions - Kate Scanlon, Daily Signal
Democrats Move to Fund Universal Pre-Kindergarten - Kate Scanlon, Daily Signal
Remove Lew, Not Hamilton - Steve Hanke, Cato
What Clarence Thomas Meant - Wesley Hill, First Things
Civil Disobedience in the Disunited States of America - Patrick Buchanan, American Conservative
Literature, Empathy and American Prosperity - Ann Marie Jakubowski, Acton
Seinfeld Won’t Come To The Campus...Will Come To Him - Robert Tracinski, The Federalist
How to Justify Spending $8M on Something Nobody Wants - Nathaniel Hood, New Geography
Sanctuary Cities and Liberal Lawlessness - David Harsanyi, The Federalist
Thirsty Californians Tithe To High-Speed Rail - Georgi Boorman, The Federalist
Boyhood: A Profoundly Human Story - Daniel Ross Goodman, Public Discourse
July 9, 2015
CathCon Daily - 7/10/2015
In the matter of fact, for the greater part, these authors appear to be in the right; perhaps not always; but if the lawyers mistake in some particulars, it proves my position still the more strongly; because it demonstrates the powerful prepossession towards antiquity, with which the minds of all our lawyers and legislators, and of all the people whom they wish to influence, have been always filled; and the stationary policy of this kingdom in considering their most sacred rights and franchises as an inheritance. - Edmund Burke
Reclaiming the Rule of Law after Obergefell - Bradley C.S. Watson, NRO
Faith and Feeling - Robert Royal, The Catholic Thing
Save the Print Library - Gracy Olmstead, American Conservative
The Revenge Of The Lost Boys - Tom Nichols, The Federalist
A Campaign Lost Every Day - Pete Spiliakos, First Things
Re-Styling Tradition - Greg Bucher, First Things
Getting It Write - John R. Coyne, Jr., American Conservative
Rand Paul, Don’t Swallow The Bait - Stella Morabito, The Federalist
A Tale of Two Entrepreneurs - David Williams, Human Events
O’Connor on Art, Integrity, and the Writer’s Responsibility - Maria Popova, Brain Pickings
Andy Biggs’s ‘Con of the Con Con’ - Kevin Gutzman, Nomocracy in Politics
Kennedy and the Lonely Promethean Man - David Azerrad, Public Discourse
Russell Wilson’s Decision to Delay Sex Until After Marriage - Samantha Reinis, Daily Signal
The Hidden Risks of Government Loan Programs - Amber Athey, Daily Signal
Another One Bites the Dust - Lydia McGrew, What's Wrong with the World
Thought Control’s Lingua Franca - Flagg Taylor, Liberty Law Blog
On Demography and Marriage - Michael J. New, Public Discourse
Fanaticism, Pragmatism And Organic Agriculture - Miller & Kershen, Forbes
Lenin and Marx: Sound Money Advocates? - Louis Rouanet, Mises
Which Same-Sex Marriage Supporter Is Correct? - Jennifer Johnson, The Federalist
July 8, 2015
CathCon Daily - 7/8/2015
Applied to the family, the argument suggests that affection and personality cultivation can somehow exist in a social vacuum, unsupported by the determining goals and ideals of economic and political society. - Robert Nisbet
Why We Need Criminal-Justice Reform - Jon Basil Utley, American Conservative
If Not Retreat, Then What? - Bruce Frohnen, Nomocracy in Politics
The Tragedy of Blaise Pascal - Mark Malvasi, Imaginative Conservative
Wealth Gap - John Stossel, Human Events
The Diversity Canard - Wolfgang Grassl, The Catholic Thing
Minority View III - Walter Williams, Human Events
A “Royal” Rip-off? - Eric Peters, Human Events
Case for Not ‘Expressing’ Support of Same-Sex Marriage - Ken McIntyre, Daily Signal
The Left Wants To End the Separation of Church and State - Ben Domenech, The Federalist
Heat Turned Up Against Sex Offender Statutes - David Post, Volokh
South Carolina Should Move the Confederate Flag - David Boaz, Cato
America Isn’t That Racist - Greg Jones, The Federalist
How Choice And Emotion Can Influence Sexual Orientation - Ronald Pisaturo, The Federalist
A Modest Proposal For Handling Offensive Place Names - Joseph Knippenberg, The Federalist
July 7, 2015
A Co-Dependent Gay Culture?
If homosexual couples who bring civil rights suits against those who refuse to serve in gay weddings or related ceremonies are not simply vengeful, then their expressions of feeling seem to me to indicate the existence of codependent enablers - that is:
Codependent enablers often lack in self-worth and define their worth through another's eyes, thoughts, or views of them. They need other people to validate them to feel okay about themselves and without this, they are unable to find their own worth or identity.Gay couples who have been refused service by individuals such as florists, cake bakers, photographers, etc., say things like:
- We were hurt and saddened when we were denied service by Arlene’s Flowers after doing business with them for so many years...[link]
- Phillips...informed them that he wouldn't take their business because it violated his religious beliefs. "We were all very upset, but I was angry and I felt dehumanized and mortified," Mullins told the Associated Press. [link]
- "Something not easily described. It’s like a nagging shadow, a feeling that I am still different; less somehow. A Yes vote will help gay people let go of this shame. It will mean we can go about daily life knowing that the de facto position of those around us is not one of disapproval but one of support, kindness and respect...." [link]
- Rachel and Laurel submitted a long list of alleged physical, emotional and mental damages they claim to have experienced as a result of the Kleins’ unlawful conduct...Examples of symptoms included “acute loss of confidence,” “doubt,” “excessive sleep,” “felt mentally raped, dirty and shameful,” “high blood pressure,” “impaired digestion,” “loss of appetite,” “migraine headaches,” “pale and sick at home after work,” “resumption of smoking habit,” “shock,” “stunned,” “surprise,” “uncertainty,” “weight gain” and “worry.” [link]
It is yet early in the post-Obergefell world, and there will be more opportunity to study reactions of homosexuals to being denied services based on the religious beliefs of the offeror. With that said...
Perhaps it's the entire cult of the victim in our society that requires people who dislike what another says or does to act like a victim in some way. But I must ask - why does finding out some person does not like who you are or what actions you take cause one to feel less about oneself, absent some form of codependency or dependent personality disorder?
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