Teddy Roosevelt, The Odyssey, and the reality that Western civilization is stronger and more inclusive than defenders seem to believe

Soldier in early 20th century military uniform holding a rifle, standing on a rocky outcrop overlooking Athens with the Acropolis and Parthenon at sunset.

To some of the film’s detractors, casting a black woman as Helen of Troy, a transgender man as Sinon, and updating the story to reflect some aspects of modern values is an assault on the foundations of all they hold dear, but Teddy Roosevelt might disagree. Teddy Roosevelt spent much of his life advancing the… Continue reading Teddy Roosevelt, The Odyssey, and the reality that Western civilization is stronger and more inclusive than defenders seem to believe

Shakespeare, January 6th, and the continued madness of the academic world

“It kind of has this origin in anti-immigrant sentiments, right, all the way to January 6th, when we think about that white exceptionalism, and this notion of a kind of white ownership of Shakespeare,” claimed a supposed professor of English at Arizona State University, in a truly bizarre syllogism.   The average person doesn’t equate… Continue reading Shakespeare, January 6th, and the continued madness of the academic world

Queen Elizabeth II was irreplaceable and the monarchy might not make it long without her

Elizabeth II was a bridge between the past and the future.  She wasn’t Churchill’s Queen, or Margaret Thatcher’s Queen, or Tony Blair’s Queen, though she presided over them all.  She was a Queen for all her people and all Great Britain, working hand in hand with political legends without being a political activist.  Her heir,… Continue reading Queen Elizabeth II was irreplaceable and the monarchy might not make it long without her

Harry and Meghan: Tears of a Prince and Princess

It was inevitable that the cult of victimhood would go royal, but, wow, what a way to make it so in a single interview with Oprah.  Trapped in the palace?  Unprotected?  Alone?  Suicidal?  Charges of racism?  Powers aligned against them?  No royal title for their kids?  If only we could all be so lucky with… Continue reading Harry and Meghan: Tears of a Prince and Princess