Blog 3 Columns

In Defense Of Virtue Signaling 0
- Culture
- September 26, 2017
Accusations of “virtue signaling” have become ubiquitous in online debate. It’s practically a Law of the Internet that, as soon as a controversial opinion is expressed, a commenter will appear to magnanimously and courageously set the record straight by explaining that, actually, it should be ignored because the author is just trying to look good
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How to Select the Best Books for Your Kids 0
- Culture
- September 26, 2017
The other day I received a brief survey from Renaissance Learning. Designed for parents, teachers, and administrators, it asked participants to list three must-read books for students in the following age categories: At first blush, the survey may seem simple and almost frivolous in nature. But in actuality, the books we select for our children
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Where Did the Poets Go?0
- History
- September 25, 2017
The recent death of American poet John Ashbery sadly removed the last of his generation’s major poets. The current population of U.S. poets is now bereft of any truly significant figures — although there are many skillful writers of this hermetic yet important language art. How long Ashbery’s work will last is not clear. Mostly
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The Simple Reason for the Decline of Rational Argument 0
- Culture
- September 25, 2017
Once upon a time, I adamantly agreed with Mark Twain’s assessment of Jane Austen’s books. He noted, “Everytime I read Pride and Prejudice I want to dig her [Jane Austen] up and beat her over the skull with her own shin-bone.” Then I finally forced myself to sit down and make my way through Austen’s
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Poll: 61% Oppose Firing NFL Players Who Refuse to Stand for National Anthem, but 65% of Republicans Say Players Should be Fired 0
- Culture
- September 25, 2017
Today we’re releasing one question from the forthcoming national Cato 2017 Free Speech and Tolerance Survey of 2,300 Americans conducted by the Cato Institute in collaboration with YouGov. The national survey finds that a solid majority, 61%, of Americans oppose firing NFL (National Football League) players who refuse to stand for the national anthem before
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Alejandro Villanueva is the New Face of Civil Disobedience 0
- Culture
- September 25, 2017
As of Monday morning, Alejandro Villanueva’s NFL Jersey was the hottest thing in pro football sportswear. The former U.S. Army Ranger broke with the rest of his team Sunday, came out of the tunnel, and participated in the National Anthem ceremony. But while his owner, coach and team were apparently none too happy, Americans themselves
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6 Secrets to a Healthy Marriage (From Old Couples)1
- Literature
- September 25, 2017
It’s generally accepted that roughly half of marriages in America end in divorce. Even if that figure is closer to 45 percent, which is likely the case, that’s still a lot failed marriages. This is a problem for many reasons. For one, divorce is expensive and sharply reduces a family’s earning power (women see a
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Why are Americans Obsessed with Buying Organic?0
- Culture
- September 22, 2017
Most of us probably know someone who, when it comes to organic food, is ALL IN. Perhaps that individual is yourself. (And while we’re on the subject, let me insert here that a majority of the produce which has come from MY garden over the years has almost all been organic. Just sayin’.) But while
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What NFL Players Get Wrong about America 0
- Culture
- September 22, 2017
It started with Colin Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback who, before he was let go, made headlines for taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem to protest perceived wrongs against racial minorities. Then other NFL players followed suit. Now even eight year-old football players in Cahokia, IL, are getting into the
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In Defense Of Virtue Signaling 0