The Bitchstate and the Transcendental No

Long ago Aristotle taught us that there is a sharp difference between the kind of behavior that democracies tend to like and the kind of behavior that will keep democracies from turning into smoking craters. He didn’t put it exactly like that, but you get the gist. In The Suicide of the West, James Burnham …

Abortion in the First Degree

So the following was occasioned by Donald Trump beclowning himself on the abortion issue, but it is not about that particularly. He said, remember, that women who get abortions should, were the practice to become illegal, receive some sort of punishment. He held to that position for about ten minutes, but it was long enough …

Trump as Corduroy Pillow

Trump is a regular corduroy pillow — always making headlines. Yesterday he did it by manufacturing part of his pro-life position on the spot under questioning from Chris Matthews. Under pressure, he said that there would have to be “some form” of punishment for a woman who procured an abortion. Confident of his ability to …

Snakes in the Arms

If you are among those who follow my son Nate’s writing, or if you are among those who ought to be following it, I have some news to roll out. Our presidential campaigns have lost their old allure, and so it is time for some diversion. Nate’s newest book, Outlaws of Time (HarperCollins), is set …