Edwin Benson 
According to the Wall Street Journal, government inefficiency makes so–called green energy needlessly expensive. On the other hand, the New York Times examined solar power only five days later and inquired optimistically, “What Will We Do With Our Free Power?” So, will the “Green New Deal” bring us limitless, almost free energy, … Read more
The postmodern university is fascinated with magic, and this is a most curious coupling—one with ominous social overtones. Until the mid-twentieth century, serious academics regarded any mention of magic as the ravings of the stupid or insane. They followed the scientific method of empiricism, emphasizing verifiable evidence in acquiring knowledge and forming … Read more
Perhaps the best symbol of the war in Ukraine is a photograph that the Catholic News Agency ran early in the conflict. It shows the ruins of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin in Ukraine’s Zhytomyr region. According to the caption, it was built in 1862. A Russian bomb … Read more
Any teacher knows that cellphones interfere with education. The first rule of learning is to watch and listen to someone who knows more about the subject. The child who isn’t paying attention learns nothing. Of course, there are many ways to ignore teachers besides using cellphones. Pondering the upcoming lunch break, daydreaming, … Read more
“The written word takes on its highest form when it bears truth laced with beauty.” The composer of this magnificent sentence is Master Penman Jake Weidman. Integrating the Transcendentals This is only one reason that eliminating handwriting from the general school curriculum is unfortunate—even tragic. Part of being human is the quest … Read more
What are carbon credits? This simple question does not appear to have a simple answer. For anyone who believes that reality and objective truth exist, this fact alone should be a perilous sign. Think about a typical transaction—perhaps the purchase of a tank full of gasoline. I go to the gas station. … Read more
Question—What does the United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have in common with the Australia-Cuba Friendship Society, Venezuela’s Resistance and Rebellion Collective, the Communist Party of Chile and the Zimbabwe Movement of Pan-African Socialists? Answer—All of them have taken public positions advocating that President Biden remove Cuba from the State Department’s … Read more
For many years, I believed that the Advanced Placement United States History (APUSH) exam was a truly noble endeavor with which I have been connected for decades. Every human society has had its “storytellers” who inform the young about their tribe’s past. Here, we call them history teachers. I have delighted in … Read more
If you ask a cross-section of Americans to list their favorite retail chain, Tractor Supply Company (TSC) would be on few lips. Its stores possess nothing of glamor or marketing flair. A store’s atmosphere is deliberate, reflecting a no-nonsense, get-the-job-done-and-get-out crowd. Despite its “under the radar” image, the company has come under … Read more
“Transition affirmation is not proven to be safe or effective long term. It does not reduce suicides. It does not repair mental health issues or trauma. Minors cannot give truly informed consent. Children have developing and immature brains. Their minds change often. They are prone to risk taking, they are vulnerable to … Read more