R.R. Reno is editor of First Things.

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An August Aphorism

I’ve been trying my hand at aphorisms.  It seems like a pencil twirling, stare out the window, August thing to do.  Here’s one. A rich irony: diversity is the slogan used by progressives to avoid talking to people they disagree with. . . . . Continue Reading »

12 Aug 2009

The Deification of Youth and Imbecility

A friend directed my attention to this short bit of sociological reflection on our present infatuation with puerility. Very funny, and not too far wrong. . . . . Continue Reading »

27 Jul 2009

Beers at the White House

Good for President Obama. In the aftermath of his foolish, off the cuff remarks about the arrest of Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the President took some advice from police sergeant James Crowley and invited the duo to the White House for beers and a chat. Gates is still clinging to a false reading of . . . . Continue Reading »

26 Jul 2009

Henry Louis Gates Owes an Apology

Well, it seems that the tender sensibilities of a famous Harvard professor were offended. He and his driver put their shoulders to his front door. A neighbor called the police. The officer responded and adopted the usual officious and superior manner of policemen. As a man who knows only deference . . . . Continue Reading »

24 Jul 2009

Gays, Non-Discrimination, and the USCCB

You gotta love the political lobbying arm of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Their 2009 legislative round-up provides an insight into the priorities of Catholic officialdom. One item is particularly interesting. The report sums up Barney Frank’s bill, H.R. 3685, The . . . . Continue Reading »

7 Jul 2009

Further Thoughts on Localism

I’m glad Jody drew attention to Caleb Stegall’s intervention. Stegall is surely right that love is the “existential engine” of localism . Indeed, by my reckoning, love is the existential engine of any thick and substantial cultural identity. Yes, of course love is jealous. The . . . . Continue Reading »

1 Jul 2009

Localism and Anti-Semitism

Yes, Jody rightly draws attention to the role of anti-Semitism in the sort of modern conservatism that sees history, tradition, and place as anchors of sanity. By my reading, however, that role is complicated and full of ironies. One irony comes from the Stalinist era. “Rootless . . . . Continue Reading »

30 Jun 2009

Localism

Patriotism is the political form of love. It comes from the Latin (and Greek) for father, signaling the deep bond of loyalty to clan, the primitive sense that we owe our existence to a place, a people. As Jody points out when recalling an old post of mine that drew appreciative attention to some . . . . Continue Reading »

29 Jun 2009

The Stalinist Moment In Iran

Events in Iran have been riveting. The presidential vote on June 12 was rigged to ensure the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, or so most suspect. Supporters of Ahmadinejad’s main opponent, former Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi, have rejected the outcome, and for a few heady days they . . . . Continue Reading »

25 Jun 2009

The Spiritual Citizenship of Richard John Neuhaus

The Canadian novelist Randy Boyagoda recently published a fine and substantive discussion of the thought of Richard John Neuhaus in the July/August issue of THE WALRUS: ” Spiritual Citizenship: The life and times of Richard John Neuhaus .” It’s available online and well worth . . . . Continue Reading »

18 Jun 2009