Why Do So Many Smart People Use Dumb Phones?

Why Do So Many Smart People Use Dumb Phones? 1

Wherever you go, people are on their “smartphones.” In airports, restaurants or on the street, people are almost permanently glued to their devices, obsessed with the idea that they cannot exist without being connected to the cyber world. Thus, they text and tweet, email and Google, follow and like in an effort … Read more

Who Is Framing the Narrative in the Political Debate?

Who Is Framing the Narrative in the Political Debate? 1

Everyone acknowledges that this is not an ordinary election cycle. Almost as confusing as the campaign events are the explanations of those trying to explain why so many bizarre things are happening. Everyone has a take on the political carnival. Everything seems to be a confused mess. However, if one observes closely, … Read more

Why Conservatives Should Not Attack the “Establishment”

Why Conservatives Should Not Attack the “Establishment” 1

In the 2016 presidential election cycle, no single group, not even President Obama, has been the object of more contempt than “the establishment.” Nearly every candidate of both parties has attacked his or her rivals for supposedly belonging to the “establishment” while vehemently denying ever having belonged to it themselves. Large numbers … Read more

The Ideal Presidential Candidate Who Is Not Running

The Ideal Presidential Candidate Who Is Not Running

Perhaps it is best to start by saying there is no ideal presidential candidate now running in the race in either party. None of them has all the qualities that are presently needed, although some candidates may have a few of them. No candidate is proportional to the crisis that is coming. … Read more

When Government Does Good Things Poorly

When Government Does Good Things Poorly

It is no secret that middle-class Americans are angry at the government and the general state of things. The so-called anti-establishment candidates appear to be channeling that rage to their camps. It is a raw undefined rage that is based more on frustrations and emotions than on concrete facts or convictions. People … Read more

Is This Election a Last Hurrah?

Is This Election a Last Hurrah? 3

Many are attempting to make sense out of the present election cycle and especially the appearance of unconventional political outsiders that are dominating the headlines and in some cases the polls. Everyone seems to agree that the system doesn’t work anymore. It’s broken and no one knows how to fix it. However, … Read more

The “Strong Money” of Good King Saint Louis

The “Strong Money” of Good King Saint Louis 1

Speaking with a friend recently, we chanced to talk about money and coins. He is a coin collector and had just visited a coin shop nearby. I mentioned my own studies of medieval economy and its coinage. Much to my surprise and delight, he reached into his inner coat pocket and pulled … 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

Saint Louis IX in the Exercise of Justice

Saint Louis IX in the Exercise of Justice 2

The following stories are taken from the memoirs of the Lord of Joinville, a noble from Champagne, who became a counsellor and confidant of King Saint Louis IX. He tells how Saint Louis would exercise justice in the suits brought before him, at times even defending his people to the very court officer … Read more