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R.R. Reno is editor of First Things.

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The Failed 9/11 Memorial

From the December 2011 Print Edition

Rush-hour traffic emerged from the Battery Tunnel and roared up West Street on that gray, overcast afternoon as I made my way through the narrow, temporary passageways that snake around partially constructed buildings and deep foundation pits. My ticket for the National September 11 Memorial at the . . . . Continue Reading »

The End of Social Democracy

From Web Exclusives

The current Eurozone crisis may end up as a defining moment in post-War European, and indeed American, history. Most of my leftist friends regarded the financial crisis of 2008 as a “market failure” that vindicated their views about the evils of capitalism. The debt crisis in Europe offers no such consolations to modern liberals, who may now be facing their Waterloo. That’s because it is very hard to ignore that the Eurozone crisis concerns sovereign debt. Greek bonds have become toxic because of decades of political decisions. Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian bonds may go the same way, and for the same reasons… . Continue Reading »

Does the EU Have a Future?

From Web Exclusives

Referendum? No referendum? A special parliamentary vote? A unity government? Greek prime minister George Papandreou doesn’t know what to do. Which is not surprising. The Greek debt crisis now exposes the fundamental weakness of the European Union”its democratic deficit. From its beginnings in the early 1950s as a common market of coal and steel, post-war efforts to unify Europe have been based on the presumption that interlocking economic interests would lead to a new and harmonious international system… . Continue Reading »

After Establishment

From the November 2011 Print Edition

For a long time Irish politics and culture have been married to Catholicism. Now we seem to be witnessing the beginnings of a very public divorce. The Diocese of Cloyne has been the center of attention. Roiled by revelations of decades of clerical sexual abuse, in 1996 the Irish bishops put . . . . Continue Reading »

Tenure is Broken, Which May Be A Good Thing

From Web Exclusives

It’s not money that’s the root of all evil; it’s tenure. A bit of an exaggeration, perhaps, but in her latest book, The Faculty Lounges (Ivan R. Dee), Naomi Schaefer Riley argues that eliminating tenure presents the most promising first step for the reform of our colleges and universities. It’s the “game changer for American higher education.” What is the real significance of tenure? … Continue Reading »

RJN in the Pulpit

From First Thoughts

I was visiting Columbia recently, and Fr. Dan O’Reilly, the chaplain there told me that Fr. Richard John Neuhaus often preached there—and that his homilies were recorded and are available on the Columbia Catholic Ministry website. “No way,” I said. “Yes, way,” he . . . . Continue Reading »

Support the First Things Website

From First Thoughts

We’re in the middle of our Fall fundraising campaign, a new effort to raise funds for the mission and work of the First Things website. I hope you will step forward to be counted among those who give. The First Things website does many things. We provide one and often two (and sometimes even . . . . Continue Reading »

James B. Jordan and the Glory of Kings

From First Thoughts

[Note: The following is R.R. Reno’s foreword to The Glory of Kings: A Festschrift in Honor of James B. Jordan , edited by Peter J. Leithart and John Barach.] James B. Jordan is remarkable. There are plenty of Bible preachers in America who know the Scriptures well. Lots of professors read . . . . Continue Reading »

Support the First Things Website

From First Thoughts

We’re in the middle of our Fall fundraising campaign, a new effort to raise funds for the mission and work of the First Things website. I hope you will step forward to be counted among those who give. The First Things website does many things. We provide one and often two (and sometimes even . . . . Continue Reading »

Support the First Things Website

From First Thoughts

Today we’re launching a new effort to raise funds for the mission and work of the First Things website, our Fall fundraising campaign. I hope you will step forward to be counted among those who give. The First Things website does many things. We provide one and often two (and sometimes even . . . . Continue Reading »