January 1, 1959, was a big day in Havana. President Fulgencio Batista had been overthrown the night before. The victorious rebels under Fidel Castro marched through the streets. Joyful crowds surrounded the marchers. Unfortunately, they could not foresee the misery that would visit them in the future. Communism Comes to Cuba However, … Read more
Looking back over 2018, three recent events in three different countries illustrate just how far the fortunes of climate change politics have fallen. The first event was the death of George H. W. Bush, forty-first president of the United States. His passing on November 30 at the age of 94 occasioned an … Read more
We live in what might be called a prodigal son delusion. People suffer from the temptation to live prodigal lifestyles in which they engage in the frenetic intemperance of demanding everything instantly and effortlessly. Such a state promises happiness to those who follow the program to the end. However, it does not … Read more
Identity politics requires each constituent group to be politically unified. In this way, activists can claim to speak in the name of a given oppressed identity group. Feminism has always had a problem with this unity. The woman’s movement claims to represent all oppressed women everywhere. However, Christians, pro-life women, homeschooling mothers … Read more
Imagine a faraway country which, due to various circumstances, had remained entirely Catholic: The Church is united to the State, and the law protects religious dogmas from blasphemy. Imagine further that in that country, ten years ago, a peasant woman who professed a different religion, was working in the field along with … Read more
As three human caravans snake their way through Mexico, two different visions of America emerge. The first vision can be represented by several metaphors that reflect a materialistic, mechanical mindset. Thus, some see America as a giant shareholding company in which immigrants, legal or otherwise, are seen from a purely economic perspective of … Read more
A Mere Incident in a Rural Village in Pakistan… Almost ten years ago, in June 2009, in a rural village in Pakistan, a fervent Catholic peasant and mother of five worked in the countryside along with Muslim women. Feeling thirsty because of the extreme heat, she went to a well to draw … Read more
The Kansas City Star recently reported on a minor incident at the Country Club Plaza, a popular upscale shopping area. Someone fired a shot in a public square full of citizens. Police immediately responded and tweeted a warning to people in the area. Based on witness reports, they described the suspect with … Read more
With the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, the sexual assault debate ignited once again, as it will with each new accusation—whether true or false—of high profile celebrities or public figures. Every time, we hear the same message: There is an abuse of power that allows people to force themselves upon others. We are urged … Read more
Misery has a lot of company these days. Perhaps too much. The number of those unhappy, stressed, or lonely has reached its highest point on record. America is not alone in its misery. However, it is hardly consoling that the whole world keeps it company. This climate of discontent is the consistent … Read more