The Divine Economy of the Pardon Power
A 25-year-old Japanese American girl from Los Angeles, with a talented voice for broadcasting on the radio.
The Impeachment Power
As we head deeper into this troublesome election season, we can’t help but notice the paradox that voters are discontented with the two candidates for president that they themselves have chosen.
The Otis Family and the Revolution: On Just Missing Out
Most Americans know the mythology of the American Founding—its key events, characters, and narrative arc.
The Pursuit of Happiness
“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The substitution of “the pursuit of happiness” for “property” in this famous triumvirate may be simultaneously the most inspiring and most troubling rhetorical move in American history.
What to the Slave Is the 4th of July?
This week’s Heritage Essay is a little longer than usual, mostly because of the length of the speech excerpted, but also because of the importance of the topic and the interesting way in which it is handled.
Remarks of Gerald R. Ford in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Bicentennial Celebration)
On Washington's birthday in 1861, a fortnight after six States had formed a confederacy of their own, Abraham Lincoln came here to Independence Hall knowing that in 10 days he would face the cruelest national crisis of our 85-year history.
Virtue and the Legacy of Muhammad Ali
Ours was a boxing household. As a boy growing up in the 1990’s, I may have read the majority of boxing magazines published in America between the years 1970 and 1995.
The Flags of the Tribe
We’ve been writing a series of essays on the importance of symbols in political life, with a special focus on the flag as an avatar of the nation.
The State of the University
One of the more interesting developments of the last five years (or so) has been the creation of independent content delivery systems that allow authors to bypass corporate control of news and information.
Forty-Nine Ways To Fix the World (Hint: Start Locally)
Crisis at the border. You fear the other guy will win the November election.
More Thoughts on the Flag
Last week I discussed the importance of symbols in political life, and of the flag in particular.
On the 150th Anniversary of His Birth: A Celebration of G. K. Chesterton
At the end of last month, on May 29, lovers of literature celebrated the 150th anniversary of the birth of G. K. Chesterton, one of the greatest and most influential writers of the twentieth century.
Remembering Dwight David Eisenhower, Part 2: The Presidential Years
Dwight David Eisenhower was known as a man of dispassionate and independent judgment.
The Strange Place of the Pledge of Allegiance
In 1988, Michael Dukakis, the Democrat’s nominee for president, faced a crisis.
Symbols and American Politics
Tomorrow, June 14th, is Flag Day. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States by the Second Continental Congress in 1777.
Eisenhower's Farewell Address
We’ve argued repeatedly in this space that part of Washington’s greatness as president was his willingness to walk away from power, even in circumstances where the opportunity to expand power was handed to him.
On Courage
In my essay last week I talked about my ambivalent reaction to the movie Saving Private Ryan. Although visually powerful, I found the story full of holes and the overall moral framework poorly constructed.
Remembering Dwight David Eisenhower on D-Day*
June 6, 2024 marks the eightieth anniversary of the most important military operation in American history.
Lincoln and the Commemoration of War
Presidents are largely defined by how they deal with crises, and no president had to deal with a greater crisis than did Abraham Lincoln.
Public Service Requires Sacrifice
My family has a long history of public service. Several family members, including my dad, served in the U.S Army during World War II and the Korean War.