Is the World Economy Trapped in a “Death Spiral”?

Is the World Economy Trapped in a “Death Spiral”?

Everybody is looking for ways to describe the dire state of the world economy. Some have used Crisis with a capital C, a sinking Titanic or a perfect storm. These are all dramatic expressions to describe a very serious situation. However, the latest metaphor being used is even more dramatic. Leading economists … Read more

Reflections on Women in Combat

Reflections on Women in Combat 2

One of the most earthshaking decisions of our country in 2015 occurred on December 3, when Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter declared that all combat jobs would become open to women with “no exceptions.” While it is horrible enough that women will be exposed to the horrors of war, the shock waves … Read more

A Weak King Weakens the Strongest People

A Weak King Weakens the Strongest People 2

“A weak king weakens the strongest people.” This famous phrase by Portuguese epic poet Camões comes to mind when reading the statement issued by the Permanent Council of the French Bishops Conference, three days after one of the largest demonstrations that France has ever known. Dissenting from the million marchers who clamored … Read more

Was Youth Made for Pleasure or Heroism?

Was Youth Made for Pleasure or Heroism?

With the guitar hanging around his neck and the microphone in his hand, Elvis Presley is shown in the photo singing and dancing before a frenzied public. In man, the intelligence ought to direct the will, and both of them should in turn enlighten the sensibility, guiding it and supporting it to … Read more

The Ten Commandments of Chivalry

The Ten Commandments of Chivalry 4

The golden age of Chivalry began with the Crusades to rescue the holy places of Palestine from Moslem domination and to defend the pilgrims enroute to the Holy Land. Léon Gautier in his book Chivalry (La Chevalerie, first published in 1883) summarized the “ancient code of chivalry” of the Middle Ages into … Read more