Back in late August, Pope Francis declared that he would "not say a word" about a letter from a former Vatican envoy to Washington who claimed, among other things, that the pope had ignored sexual abuse charges made against Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, formerly archbishop of Washington. Published October 16, 2018
I was wandering through the newspapers this weekend trying to find a cheerful story or at least an optimistic story. It was pretty grim business. My guess is that it would have been even grimmer business if I had been wandering through the cable news networks. Oh, of course, Fox News would have been optimistic, but that is about it. Published October 9, 2018
If you have read enough pro-Kavanaugh articles, give this one a pass. You are not going to like it. Yet if you have not heard enough, you will probably like this one. I have nothing but congratulatory things to say about Brett Kavanaugh. As with Clarence Thomas, he is a fighter. He is a gifted defender of the truth. And he is worthy of serving on the highest court in the land. I would trust my case with him and I would trust yours too whether you are with him now or against him. He believes in the rule of law. Published October 2, 2018
My crack team of investigative journalists is sitting on an explosive revelation about a senior Democrat in the U.S. Senate. When we will publish this story I have not yet decided, but it could come as early as Thursday when supposedly Judge Brett Kavanaugh and professor Christine Blasey Ford will tell their stories in open-door hearings. Published September 25, 2018
Have you noticed the sudden popularity of books about fascism? It is amazing. I would say such books are even more popular than books about rock 'n' roll, though they are not as well written. I have in mind: "How Fascism Works," "Fascism: A Warning," "The Road to Unfreedom" and "Can It Happen Here?" Doubtless many more are coming. All are inspired by our president, Donald J. Trump, and they probably scare the hell out of his wife, Melania. She actually grew up on the continent where fascism was a dominant force for years and communism for many more. Published September 18, 2018
One explanation for the ferocity of modern politics is that The Political Party That Is Never Wrong is getting a frightful drubbing today. Moreover, it is coming from a man who has only sought political office once in his life, our president, Donald J. Trump. Congratulations, Donald! Published September 11, 2018
I was watching Fox's coverage of the Aretha Franklin funeral last week and enjoying the celebration. I thought Stevie Wonder was particularly good and very moving. He is a marvelous singer, but for my money he is an even greater pianist. He really trips his fingers across the keys and to gorgeous effect. At any rate, the ceremony was a fitting tribute to a woman who for decades has entertained us all. Published September 4, 2018
If he speaks the truth the pope should be treated like any other prelate who has aided in the cover-up of sexual predators and of the practitioners of sacrilege, he should resign his papacy. Published August 28, 2018
On August 8 one of the great historians of his generation, and — for a certitude — one of the great teachers of any generation, passed away, Robert H. Ferrell. He was 97. Some thought he was too old to die, but nonetheless he worked to the end. When he retired from Indiana University we thought he would quietly subside. He did not. He continued to write. Even after pulling up stakes and heading off to Michigan to live with his daughter he continued to write. The result was that he wrote or edited more than 60 books, but books were not his only area of fecundity. As I said, he was a great teacher. Published August 21, 2018
A fellow Spectatorian is under enemy fire, and we all must rally around him, particularly because he has done nothing wrong and because if those attacking him triumph we shall all suffer. The cause is free speech. The free speech that is endangered is in Great Britain, but if the forces of censorship win in London it is only a matter of time before the forces of censorship will be bringing their muzzles to our shores. Published August 14, 2018
Did you see this Wall Street Journal front-page headline on Monday? It read, "Profits Soar as Economy Advances." That headline will probably be the most important headline of the week. It certainly is of colossal importance. Published August 7, 2018
It has been a pretty good week for Donald Trump. The economy is growing faster than anyone on the left or in the middle or among the Never Trumpers believed possible. Published July 31, 2018
Here is my World Exclusive for the week. The Secret Service adores its boss, President Donald Trump. Some government employees may be a bit wobbly in their loyalty to the president but not the Secret Service. Never Trumpers, remember the Secret Service's steadfast loyalty, when next you contemplate a coup. For that matter, George Will, remember the Secret Service's ardor for the president, when next you compose an indignant column. Published July 24, 2018
Mr. Strzok looked like a cocky crook testifying to Congress about a failed con job. His appearance was utterly astounding. He actually smirked at the assembled elected officials of government. He smirked from morning until late in the afternoon when Congress finally adjourned, though admittedly by late in the afternoon the wind was pretty much out of his sails, and his smiling face most assuredly ached. He looked deflated, and if he was eager for anything it was for the exit and the arms of his FBI paramour Lisa Page. Published July 17, 2018
Have you been keeping up with the charges against Congressman Jim Jordan? They first wafted from the swamp around July 3, when NBC News quoted three former wrestlers as saying the congressman had to know about "inappropriate" behavior by an Ohio State University team physician toward some Ohio State wrestlers. Published July 10, 2018
Happy Birthday America! Sing "Yankee Doodle!" Light firecrackers! March in a parade! We have something to celebrate this year. What a difference a week makes. Published July 3, 2018
I have in my office a framed note from Donald Trump. It says, "Bob, Now We Really Did It. Thanks For All Of Your Help!" The note is dated Jan. 13, 2017. He was responding to my congratulatory email to him earlier acknowledging that indeed he "did it." Published June 26, 2018
Do you remember when we called those utterly frivolous though dreadfully ominous news stories of yesteryear Black Cat news stories? They filled the media in the 1980s during the presidency of Ronald Reagan. Not a week passed when a Reaganite was not being hounded by reporters for committing some minor misdeed or often no misdeed at all, for instance, forgetting to wash one's hands after lunch or neglecting to hold the door for a lady. That was back in the days when it was permissible to call a lady a lady, and her gender was a matter of fact not of litigation. Published June 19, 2018
On Friday, Charles Krauthammer, the Pulitzer Prize-winning conservative journalist and writer, released a noble statement to the public. Its final words were: Published June 12, 2018
During the current hysteria about sexual harassment within elite circles, one of the most revered of our elites, Bill Clinton, has been hiding under his bed. He has not been seen in public for eight months. Published June 5, 2018
