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How Travel Teaches Humility
- Culture, Featured, History, International, Western Civilization
- July 31, 2026

Staying upbeat these days sometimes requires the strength of a Samson, the mind-set of a Millennialist, the heart of a Pollyanna, and a bottle of New Amsterdam Vodka. I lacked all of these weapons one recent evening. I’ve taken a leave of absence from alcohol, and the other attributes were as remote from me as
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While having dinner with a Chinese couple several years ago, I listened as they described their visiting parents’ response to the American landscape. Having recently arrived from China, the parents’ amazement about the Dakotas was particularly amusing. “So much space!” was the loose translation. “They could build so many apartments!” I laughed heartily at the
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Since 9/11, which now seems light years away, the American body politic has taken hooks to the ribs and uppercuts to the chin that would have knocked any champion pugilist down for the count. The last three years in particular have delivered these blows at warp speed. The strange election of 2020, the precipitous decline
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With the lazy, hazy days of you-know-what upon us, should you worry about your kids goofing off? Being idle? Spending tons of time making sculptures out of wet, squished Kleenex (toilet paper works, too!) or any other odd hobbies they may develop? Sure! Worry all you want—if you think that who you are in life
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These days, abortion is perhaps the most sharply polarized issue in America. Pro-lifers almost always identify as politically conservative, while those who are pro-choice, especially those most vehemently in favor of abortion “rights,” almost always identify as politically progressive. But there’s nothing inherent in this political ideology that requires progressives to support abortion. Indeed, given
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During the first half of June, I spent a good bit of time hip-deep in grandchildren. Two 14-year-olds who attended this gathering are now nearly as tall as Grandpa, but I’m reflecting here on the age 10 and under gang. Watching them flitting around the yard in the evenings, even after a day of soccer
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