Some weeks there’s just too much going on to pick one topic. With North Korea returning Americans’ remains, the federal government launching a “religious liberty” task force and the Pope denouncing the death penalty, it has been such a week. A return long overdue Last Friday, North Korea returned 55 sets of human remains believed to … Continue reading Honored dead, religious liberty and the death penalty: The week in review
President Trump
Trump and Hobbes visit NATO
Seventeenth century philosopher Thomas Hobbes warned of a state of nature when the ordering powers of mutual contracts are removed — a state of “continual fear, and danger of violent death: and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.” For as long as humans have been human, we’ve been organizing into … Continue reading Trump and Hobbes visit NATO
Principled Republicans needed to take back the republic
There's no arena in which we dichotomize and vilify our neighbors more than in our politics. You adore Trump, or you're a socialist. You support all Democrats, or you're a red hat fascist. Some of you surmise from my opposition to President Trump that I must be a Democrat. A leftist. Commie. 'Murica hater. Pick … Continue reading Principled Republicans needed to take back the republic
Celebrate, and defend, Independence
Today we celebrate our 242nd Independence Day — originally a celebration of no longer having a king, of gaining liberty from tyranny. This Fourth of July, I urge us all to pause and ponder where our nation stands today with respect to that liberty, and what course we are charting for our children. Our unlikely … Continue reading Celebrate, and defend, Independence
Our resolute response to threats and violence: we publish
Five journalists in Annapolis, Md. lost their lives Thursday, victims of another angry man who felt entitled to settle his grievances with a gun. The events preceding and following their tragic deaths are concerning and inspiring — underscoring the toxicity of discourse and disagreement in America today; but also the resolve of journalists to uphold … Continue reading Our resolute response to threats and violence: we publish
A gravely wrong decision
Thoughts on the travel ban and Trump v. Hawaii The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld in Trump v. Hawaii President Trump’s travel ban – many, drawing on the president’s own words, contend it is a Muslim ban. To the president’s supporters, this is an affirmation of sound national security and immigration policy. To his detractors, … Continue reading A gravely wrong decision
Peace should not be a partisan preference
I don’t much like our president. That’s no secret. But, I do favor peace. I support ending old animosities and preventing unnecessary conflict, and any initiatives to bring prosperity and freedom to the oppressed. For that reason, I applaud our president for his efforts to open dialogue with Kim Jong-un. I pray our nations achieve … Continue reading Peace should not be a partisan preference
Diplomacy in Korea: Trump’s greatest burden, and opportunity
I return to the issue of Korea for two reasons. First, in my column last week I erred by pandering to passion at the expense of substance. Second, several readers raised a fair point: If I’m going to criticize, I should offer alternatives. I strive to do that (within my editor’s stingy budget for column … Continue reading Diplomacy in Korea: Trump’s greatest burden, and opportunity
Our greatest threat: The president’s nuclear ego
Donald Trump’s mental instability, pugnacity and insatiable ego assumed new heights of treachery this week, with the president taking to Twitter to once again threaten nuclear war. The fragility and cupidity of the president’s ego should be no surprise. And, his preoccupation with, let’s just say the size of things, also is nothing new. These … Continue reading Our greatest threat: The president’s nuclear ego
The spirit of Thomas Becket
Today, Dec. 29th, marks the 847th anniversary of the death of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, protector of the Church, martyr for the faith and saint. The feast day of St. Thomas Becket is worthy of remembrance in its own right, but in today's atmosphere of American politics and the mix of Church and political … Continue reading The spirit of Thomas Becket
James R. Neal 