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Men were born free

“MAN IS BORN FREE; AND EVERYWHERE HE IS IN CHAINS.”

These are the famous words of the great Genevan philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) writing in his best known book The Social Contract. And today, more than ever, these words are true. Rousseau, like other humanists of the eighteenth century envisioned the concept of a “noble savage,” though I’m not sure Rousseau ever used that particular term. But he pictured early man as wandering the earth free from all constraints (borders and fences, indentures and allegiances, taxes and so on) taking...

Mythology of War

THE MYTHOLOGY OF WAR

In a widely read interview with Politico Magazine, Dr. Fiona Hill, former Senior Director at the National Security Council and a Russian policy expert said of Vladimir Putin on the eve of his invasion of Ukraine: “I’ve kind of quipped about this but I also worry about it in all seriousness — that Putin’s been down in the archives of the Kremlin during Covid looking through old maps and treaties and all the different borders that Russia has had over...

The Church and the Charioteer

THE CHURCH AND THE CHARIOTEER

Once again, I’d like to borrow, perhaps misappropriate an allegory from Plato (this time from Phaedrus, sections 246a–254e). My readings many years ago of the early church fathers such as Justin Martyr, Eusebius, Augustine and others convinced me that there was a certain admiration for Plato back then and a usefulness in his writings when contrasted–or even compared–with the Gospel. In this post, I’d like to borrow Plato’s charioteer illustration. In so many words, Plato speaks of a charioteer driving...

Do not fall victim to false gods again

“DO NOT FALL VICTIM TO FALSE GODS AGAIN”

Yesterday, Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan sentenced a January 6th rioter from Utah who stole a decorative flag while unlawfully within the Capitol building during the infamous insurrection. The rioter also recorded himself on that occasion saying that he was willing to “die for Trump.” Except for the theft of the flag which has since been retrieved from the defendant’s home, the only charges presented were “Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds”; “Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in...

The weapons of our warfare

THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE

Today, there was a story out of New York City involving the Greater New York chapter of Black Lives Matter. Hawk Newsome, the leader of the chapter, threatened violence if the newly elected mayor of Gotham restablished the city’s anti-crime unit. According to Newsweek, Newsome said to reporters outside of Brooklyn Borough Hall after the meeting: “If they think they are going back to the old ways of policing then we’re going to take to the streets again, There will...

Let Children Vote at Climate Change Conferences

LET CHILDREN VOTE AT CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCES

Glasgow, which is hosting COP26, has a familalr motiff. It’s predominantly male, made up of middle-aged politicians who have parochial national agendas, who enjoy being wined and dined at hospitality suites, skillfully adept at putting off any meaningful progress (before the next global summit, anyway.) We’ve known the planet is in danger for several generations now, and the environment keeps getting worse. We’re destroying our children’s future, and they have no formal say in the process. Why not let children...

The truth is out there. UFO crash

THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE

Those who have watched–and enjoyed–the X Files will especially appreciate this post. You may remember Episode 17 of Season 1, titled E.B.E. when Fox Mulder is having his conversation with Dana Scully. Mulder says to Scully: “The truth is out there.” The redacted response reads something like this: Scully: “Mulder, the truth is out there, but so are lies.” Today, there are a lot of Mulders running around, posting to social media, sending unsolicited e-mail to family and friends, warning...

The dogs of war: Robotic dog

THE DOGS OF WAR (AND MORE)

EDITORIAL: 10/3/2021. Taiwan says “a total of 39 Chinese military jets flew into its air defence zone on Saturday – the largest incursion by Beijing to date” according to the BBC. The country says the fighters came in two waves, only a day after more than three dozen other planes (including nuclear-capable bombers) also committed the same provocation. However, as the BCC points out, Taiwan’s Air Defence Zone is outside of its territorial and national airspace, so technically there was...

“CHILDREN OF THE SAME FOUL SPIRIT”

You see them on television. They scream at the police, often provoking confrontations with the authorities or contentious onlookers. They spout revolutionary slogans, claim to represent the people, and promise to seize control of the government by any means necessary. They have grievances and want resolution (or revolution) now! These are children of the same foul spirit as other terrorist are. I’m talking about the radical left. They are sometimes dressed in military garb, with bullet-proof vests, and make-shift helmets,...

Near term fetus

IF WE’RE GOING TO CALL OURSELVES PRO-LIFE, SHOULDN’T . . .

First of all, I’m as pro-life as anyone who claims that label (and I hope that any ladies who read this will not be dissuaded from continuing with my essay.) After all, there was a time when I was a fetus, myself, as was Tim Tebow and as was Andrea Bocelli. I could cite certain passages from Scripture which we all know, plus Barnabas, Cyprian, Tertullian, Augustine, Martin Luther, et. al, but fundamentally, and regardless of that cloud of witnesses,...

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