Uncategorized 1404
Shop Class as Radio Show
Matthew Crawford - political philosopher and motorcycle repairman - has published an important new book entitled Shop Class as Soul Craft. The book has already been exerpted in the New…
The Emperor’s Old Clothes
I wonder whether anyone else finds it, if not quite ominous, at least suggestive, that the National Constitution Center is now hosting a traveling show on the Emperor Napoleon. The…
Sing that Dead Man’s Songs: The Music of Chris Gaffney
Thanks to Brian Frizzell, Brooklyn patriot and Americana music maven, this link http://www.reverbnation.com/manofsomebodysdreamsatributetochrisgaffney to a new album paying tribute to the late Chris Gaffney, a dolefully beautiful voice of the American…
Scruton’s Challenge
Authors and readers of FPR should spend some time reading this extraordinary essay by Roger Scruton, from the most recent issue of Intercollegiate Review. Scruton is that rarest of academic…
Whaddya Know, the Hicks Can Spell
Allow me a moment to bask in some regional pride. Kavya is from just down the road, and I love her Kansan's dialect, flat midwestern accent, and plain manner of…
Hope we can Believe in?
If you aren't already a fan of Rémi Brague, the most learned man alive, you will be after you read this interview with him about his new book of essays…
James Kalb for Mayor
Devon, PA. When given the opportunity, I have made no secret of my great admiration for James Kalb's The Tyranny of Liberalism. Readers of FPR may, from time to time,…
Go Home, Young Person
Jeremy Beer has masterfully articulated the ideology of meritocracy and the destruction it wreaks upon the small towns and non-major cities of the nation. Still, a number of sympathetic readers…
The Sacrament of Death
James has penned an eloquent essay on his son this morning. I am moved again to remind us all of a central truth. And that truth is that abortion remains…
An Unholy Alliance
At "Minding the Campus," there's an essay by ME that touches on the implicit similarities between our technocratic administrative class and our post-modern radical professoriate. For all their differences they…
Practicing the Discipline of Place
My "Place" (Photo by AMS) JEFFERSON COUNTY, KANSAS. If you think I'm reprinting yet another old essay because I'm too lazy or beset to keep up with my bettors on…
Pope John Paul II Defines Capitalism
This is from Centesimus Annus. Here John Paul II reflects on two meanings of the word "capitalism." "Returning now to the initial question: can it perhaps be said that, after…
Larison on Decentralism
A thoughtful examination of the future of conservative decentralism from Dan Larison (and his commentors) which relates pretty closely to several of the discussion threads from today and deserves some response from…
Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste
I've been reviewing a number of the online offerings of Chris Martenson, whose "crash course" on contemporary economics was made known to me on a recent "Kunstlercast." I was particularly…
Souter and His Front Porch
I'm willing to bet that in all likelihood, a large majority of those reading this site do not have kind feelings for retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter, assuming they…
On Passing Water and other Spiritual Considerations
The Bar Jester is nearly as funny as Jeremy's limp cigar and Carrie Nation look of shocked indignation at the beverage he has just been served. And this bit By my…
Why Conservatives Should Care About Transit
Via a friendly reader, comes a link to this fine and wise comment about the important role which public transportation ought to play in the minds of anyone who is…
The Crappiest Generation
I've been recommending this clip from the Conan O'Brien show to anyone willing to listen (many simply back away, slowly...). It's side-splittingly funny, and about as true as anything I've…
Peggy Noonan on the End of Affluence
Peggy Noonan has a piece in the WSJ titled "Goodby Bland Affluence." Seems even NYC is slowing down and, for the first time in its long history, being forced to…
Homesteading with Mother Earth
USAToday has a piece on folks who are simplifying their lives as a response to the economic troubles here. For those interested in some concrete advice, see this piece on…
The Real History of Carter’s “Malaise” Speech
A couple of young, progressive liberals (Kevin Mattson and Ezra Klein) note what too many mainstream American politicians and pundits have conveniently forgotten: that President Jimmy Carter's "malaise" speech--his thoughtful,…
Local Currencies Strengthen Local Communities
USA Today has a piece on local currencies here. Excerpt: "A small but growing number of cash-strapped communities are printing their own money. "Borrowing from a Depression-era idea, they are…
Entropy Made Visible
Since Stewart posted a terrific video about the death of bee colonies from "TED," I thought I'd post my own favorite from that site - a devastating and hilarious jeremiad…