Articles Archive
Localist Roundup: Thomas Piketty
In recent news, an E. coil scare has caused a massive beef recall in New England. Also, this story reports on Wal-Mart's recent successes in online retail. This piece offers…
Thoughts on a Graduation Weekend
“We have a world bursting with new ideas, new plans, and new hopes. The world was never so young as it is today, so impatient of old and crusty things.” …
Mapping A Melancholy Soul: A Review of Leil Leibovitz’s A Broken Hallelujah: Rock ‘n’ Roll, Redemption, and the Life of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen occupies an unusual position in popular music history. He is routinely neglected by those “Best of the 60's” nostalgia-fests you see on VH1, CNN, or PBS, yet when…
Localist Roundup: Pubs and Honeybees
This article reports on the efforts of one English group to prevent a local pub from becoming a supermarket. Meanwhile, The Atlantic offers a lengthy perspective on the GMO labeling…
Happy St. Isidore’s Day
In “The Gift of Good Land,” Wendell Berry notes, with a tinge of regret, the largely heroic nature of the stories recorded in the Bible. “It may, in some ways,…
Good-byes are Just That
They’re good. At least when we make an effort to do them right. I’m convinced after years of saying goodbye to my students—and others—that proper goodbyes are not only good,…
Localist Roundup: Trust in State Government
A change in livestock rules in the State of Michigan could cause trouble for some small farmers. At the same time, this piece reports on how small farmers have capitalized…
Natural Law and Love
The following is an excerpt from R.J. Snell's new book The Perspective of Love: Natural Law in a New Mode. Preface: According to the rightly celebrated theorist J. Budziszewski, natural…
Localist Roundup: Heat-Resistant Chickens?
In political news, the House Judiciary Committee has approved a bill to restrain NSA surveillance. Meanwhile, according to this piece, scientists are attempting to create heat-proof farm animals. And in…
Piketty’s Challenge: A Past That Consumes the Future
But the rate of profit does not, like rent and wages, rise with the prosperity, and fall with the declension of the society. On the contrary, it is naturally low…
Half Edward Abbey, Half George Grant, All Natural
[Cross-posted to In Medias Res] Farley Mowat has died. Long before I knew anything about alternatives to the late-20th-century American way of life, long before I considered myself an environmentalist…
The Enemy of My Lawn?
I was shopping at Lowes last weekend, and something caught my eye. From the contents of the seasonal aisle it seems that Lowes is expecting a large number of people…
First Dandelions of the Year Today!
Dear common flower, that grow'st beside the way, Fringing the dusty road with harmless gold, First pledge of blithesome May, Which children pluck, and, full of pride uphold, High-hearted buccaneers,…
A Tale of Two Bodies
With pollen blanketing my car, I stopped by a “local” pharmacy on the way to work this morning. It’s an impressive new building, with a substantial parking lot, gleaming façade,…
Ron Paul on The Future of Freedom
Here is a video of a talk Ron Paul recently delivered at a program sponsored by The Independent Institute. Paul sees signs of a shift away from concentrated power, and…
(Civic) Myths over (Religious) Markets: Defending the National Day of Prayer
[Cross-posted to In Medias Res] I don't often disagree with my old friend Michael Austin, partly because he's much smarter and much better read than I, and partly because he's…
Death and Life in the Country
Hidden Springs Lane. There is something especially sad about opening up a hive full of dead bees. Several weeks ago I wrote about my hives and my hope that they…
You Know You’re Middle Aged When…
“Every age of life has its own characteristics: boys are feeble, youths in their prime are aggressive, middle-aged men are dignified, old people are mature. Each one of these qualities…
Localist Roundup: Robot Handshake
In political news, President Obama is facing low approval rating. Meanwhile, this piece describes the growing popularity of urban rooftop farming. In other news, Pope Francis has captured further attention…
Derby Time
Louisville, Kentucky. It's Derby time here. If you have business to do with someone in Louisville this week, don't expect a quick reply. I have always run hot and cold…
Something Better than a Giant
This Christmas my daughter bought for me a CD of Welsh hymns, folk songs, and patriotic anthems, sung by the burly baritone Bryn Terfel. He's a tremendous performer, apparently renowned…
The Meritocracy Reaches Kindergarten
My title isn't saying anything new, unfortunately; highly competitive private kindergartens and pre-k programs have long since dotted the wealthier (and more paranoid) corners of the United States, as well…
“Standard Oil” Catholicism
Berwyn, PA. The American Conservative has just published the online version of my review of Suitable Accommodations, a selected letters of the Catholic fiction writer, J.F. Powers. Powers' stories still…