Uncategorized 1147
Who Owns America?
In The American Conservative, Ralph Nader, paladin of the American anti-monopolist tradition, revives the great distributist-agrarian project of the 1930s.
When Your Way of Life is Out of Date
“…your whole way of life is out of date when compared with theirs. And it is just as true in politics as it is in any art or craft: new…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
FPR Conference: Save the Date!
The 2014 FPR conference will on September 27 in Louisville, KY. Wendell Berry will deliver the keynote address. More details to come, but this is shaping up to be a…
Localist Roundup: Atlantic-Heavy Roundup
According to this piece, the White House has received a petition to "abolish the capitalist mode of production." Meanwhile, Los Angles experiments with preset park kits. In this article, an…
In the Heart of the Empire, a Tiny Garden Grew
This wonderful essay--a sad, reflective, but also hopeful one--tells the story of Michelle Obama's long forgotten (by most people, anyway) backyard garden initiative, and the local farmer (the father of…
Localist Roundup: Community Garden
This article bemoans the modern teenager's inability to engage in conversation. Meanwhile, this piece describes a community garden effort in Wisconsin. This article tries to explain why large corporations fail…
Daddy, Why are There Flowers?
I pride myself on answering questions. As a teacher I have the opportunity to answer many, and I try to do so with precision and completeness. But some questions are…
On the Nightstand this Week: Lear
A good recent Louisville production of King Lear sent me back to my handily small Yale edition to reread this most poignant of Shakespeare's tragedies. Its title character is the…
Localist Roundup: Alienation of Labor
This piece talks about the trend towards urban beekeeping, specifically in London. Meanwhile, this article worries about the shortage of farmers in America. At the same time, food prices are…
Lecture at Hope
West Michiganders: Michael Federici of Mercyhurst University will be lecturing on Hope's campus in the auditorium of the Martha Miller Center (10th and Columbia) this Thursday, April 17, on the…
