On the Square Today

Joe Carter’s column today explores an example of modern culture’s fascination with conspiracy theories. A more easygoing form of logic, the thrill and intrigue of drawing connections, and the ability to elevate proponents of such theories to the status of expert among other conspiracy theorists—-all these make conspiracy theories irresistable for some. Or perhaps that’s just what they want us to think, such as in the case of the ” Guantanamo Murders “:

. . . When you’re building a conspiracy theory you don’t want to obtain information that might discredit or undermine your belief. But while it is necessary not to ask too many questions when you are developing propaganda, it is no way to conduct award-winning investigative reporting.

George Weigel’s weekly column details a trip—-or perhaps more of an outing—-he made to Wyoming Catholic College, where scholarship and the great outdoors are both taught as much as they are lived :

. . . Wyoming Catholic College, where students read Thomas Aquinas in the original Latin, take a mandatory freshman course in horsemanship, and go on a three-week, survival-skills trek through the Rockies before they crack a book. Oh yes: At Wyoming Catholic, students are not allowed to have cell phones, but the college provides a gun room for their rifles. A visitor from the Ivy League found this combination disconcerting. I found it charming.