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Frank Wolf, American Hero

From First Thoughts

I don’t often find myself shouting “amen” to the opinions of the editorial board of the  Washington Post . And my list of heroes is scarcely crammed with politicians. But today a hero of mine who happens to be a politician was praised in a  Washington Post  editorial. . . . . Continue Reading »

A Medal of Freedom for Bill Clinton?

From First Thoughts

Presidents have it in their gift to honor civilians who have served the nation with distinction with prestigious medals that are conferred at White House ceremonies. Of course, there is bound to be controversy about whom presidents choose to honor. In particular, one can hardly expect universal . . . . Continue Reading »

Pope Francis on the Joy of the Gospel

From First Thoughts

Pope Francis has issued an Apostolic Exhortation titled Evangelii Gaudium . The Pope presents the “Joy of the Gospel” in its wholeness, which has been the theme of his pontificate from the very beginning.  Among many other things, including our obligations to the poor and the duty . . . . Continue Reading »

Our Big Brothers in the Faith

From First Thoughts

Evidently, members of the Society of St. Pius X really do think they are more Catholic than the Pope—-more Catholic than Pope Francis, more Catholic than Pope Benedict XVI, more Catholic than Pope John Paul the Great. Although I understand the efforts of the Vatican to reason with these . . . . Continue Reading »

More on Multiple Partner Unions

From First Thoughts

I’m grateful to Rob Vischer for his post, following up on mine, about polyamory. Its premise is one that is strongly, and often angrily, rejected by poly activists and by my own polyamorist friends, namely, that polyamory involves or reflects a lack of self-discipline or the rejection of . . . . Continue Reading »

Some Sad News

From First Thoughts

Edward Lev, beloved husband of MoJ friend Mary Ann Glendon of Harvard Law School, died unexpectedly this weekend after being hospitalized for what was thought to be a non-life threatening infection. He was 86 years old. Deepest condolences to Mary Ann and their daughters and grandchildren. . . . . Continue Reading »

Virtue and (or?) Happiness

From First Thoughts

My old friend Charles Krauthammer, with whom I served on the President’s Council on Bioethics in the Bush years, is someone with whom I more often agree than disagree. But here is a recent exchange on which we part ways on some pretty basic ideas about political theory. I should note that both of . . . . Continue Reading »