Monthly Archives: July 2020

Battleground

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Joe Benning

The phrase battleground state has taken on a whole new meaning.  As reports from various urban battlefields come in, the picture of what is happening is becoming clear. Let’s summarize. (1) In a number of American cities protests turn into … Continue reading →

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Natural Rights, Positivism & Austrian Economics

Posted on July 28, 2020 by Joe Benning

Judge Andrew Napolitano presents the case for natural rights (as opposed to positivism) as the foundation of the United States Declaration of Independence and Constitution. He makes his case at the Mises Institute, named after Ludwig Von Mises a past … Continue reading →

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A Failure of Governance

Posted on July 26, 2020 by Joe Benning

“The guerrilla must move amongst the people as a fish swims in the sea.” Mao Zedong “It is a general popular error to suppose the loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for its welfare.” Edmund Burke … Continue reading →

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The Moderate Mr. Biden

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Joe Benning

Former Vice-President Joe Biden accused federal law enforcement officials of “brutally attacking peaceful protesters” in Portland Oregon. The officers, he said, were operating “without a clearly defined mandate or authority”. He went on to say, without a hint of irony, … Continue reading →

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The Ongoing Cultural Disaster

Posted on July 21, 2020 by Joe Benning

Q: What accounts for the grotesque state of American politics?   A: The grotesque state of American culture.  Politics is, and always has been, downstream from culture. Sure, politics and policy can influence culture, but that influence is largely ephemeral. … Continue reading →

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Minneapolis–Progressive Paradise

Posted on July 21, 2020 by Joe Benning

Minneapolis has long been one of, if not the, most progressive city in America. It also is the city where George Floyd was killed in police custody. And it is home to one of the widest income gaps between white … Continue reading →

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Jonathan Haidt: Viewpoint Diversity on Campus

Posted on July 11, 2020 by Joe Benning

Jonathan Haidt is a psychologist and professor at New York University. His research includes a great deal of cutting edge work applying moral psychology to the study of politics and business ethics. Currently he is the Thomas Cooley Professor of … Continue reading →

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The Other Hitchens–Peter, not Christopher

Posted on July 11, 2020 by Joe Benning

Before his untimely passing Christopher Hitchens developed quite a following. Hitchens, a one-time Trotskyite who remained a man of the left until his passing, was a brilliant writer and polemicist who pulled no punches.  He was a student and admirer … Continue reading →

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Cancel Culture is Out of Control

Posted on July 8, 2020 by Joe Benning

There was a time not so long ago when leftists routinely charged that the radical right, roughly defined as anybody who didn’t agree with leftist orthodoxy, consisted largely of a bunch of Neanderthal book burners. Well, look who the book … Continue reading →

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The Great Awokening

Posted on July 5, 2020 by Joe Benning

America has had several waves of Awakening in its history, characterized by intense religious enthusiasm and social activism. These waves stemmed from American Protestantism, often accompanied by a profound sense of conviction and redemption. They tended to be evangelistic, with … Continue reading →

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