Howard Fineman has declared the “bailout” to be the end of Reagan-era conservative economic politics, and I believe he may be right. While we have been running around in circles over the upcoming election, the music stopped, and Conservatives are the ones without a chair. (more…)

This is beyond awesome.

I can’t think of a better choice.

(LvMilbarge)

Thomas Jefferson at his finest:

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. (more…)

A classic scene from “The Patriot” (which every SA reader should watch over the Fourth of July weekend):

I am sure everyone is familiar with the old bromide, “A Conservative is a Liberal who has been mugged.” The obvious thought behind the platitude is that Conservatives are more concerned with “law and order” issues than our Liberal kith, at least when it comes to stopping crime. The assumption is that a Liberal’s concern for the individual rights of accused citizens goes out the window when weighed against the very real experience of a terrifying crime. (more…)

Arthur C. Brooks’s latest book gets a thumbs-up from the NRO reviewer.  If the review piques your interest, you can watch or listen to a 2 1/2 hour AEI program on the book by clicking here.

Do read George Will’s Memorial Day column.

An excellent editorial by Fr. Roger J. Landry.

Uh oh, some Catholics are going to be awfully upset with the Holy Father for saying that.

Update: Policraticus demurs.

You can watch live coverage via CNN.

I’m having a Gollum-like internal struggle over the polygamy raid in Texas.  On the one hand, I’m a firm believer in the rule of law and protecting the innocent, so I can get behind the idea of saving all the children from general religious craziness.  I’m also not overly religious, so I have no sympathy in their “moral” defense.  And yet . . . isn’t there something inherently disturbing about law enforcement and child protective services storming the bigamist beaches, as it were, ripping dozens of children from the breasts of their mothers and fathers on nothing more that the fact that they all live in a town where a couple of people have been accused of rape?

I believe in statutory laws, to some extent (I have problems with the application more than anything else).  I understand that polygamy is, at least, a statutory no-no.  But this one is not passing the smell test for me.  I don’t want 13-year olds forced into marriage with 50-year olds.  I don’t want children brainwashed into some sort of mindless, communal servitude.  But I also think that parents should, within bounds, be able to raise their children as they wish.  And I certainly don’t think that the police should be able to take my kids away solely based on the fact that one of my neighbors raped a girl and we just happen to go to the same church. 

If the authorities had arrested just the specific alleged offenders and taken them to jail, I’d be all for it.  But to sweep through an entire town on the accusations of a few people is a bit much for my conservative anti-authoritarian streak. 

So, what say you, dear reader?  Is this just a visceral response to polygamy?  Do you think the State acted appropriately here, and, if so, do you really think the children, as a group, are better off now?

Welcome Holy Father! It’s good to have you in these United States.

(Picture via The American Papist, who is providing extensive coverage of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to America)

“What gross deception and fatal delusion! Although very considerable benefit might be derived from strengthening the hands of Congress, so as to enable them to regulate commerce, and counteract the adverse restrictions of other nations, which would meet with the concurrence of all persons; yet this benefit, is accompanied in the new constitution with the scourge of despotic power, that will render the citizens of America tenants at will of every species of property, of every enjoyment, and make them the mere drudges of government. The gilded bait conceals corrosives that will eat up their whole substance.”

 I’m sure we’re going to be the best of friends.

Three of my co-bloggers at Vox Nova–Nate, Policraticus, and Morning’s Minion–have prepared posts in response to my “God Bless America” post, which I commend to y’all for different perspectives on this issue.