Free Republic

In what has since become known as his first “major” speech, Abraham Lincoln famously warned the Young Men’s Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois in 1838 about the dangers of “mob rule.” As reprehensible as are the immediate consequences of mob rule, however, Lincoln’s larger strategy in the speech is to use our revulsion at the actions of the mob to draw our attention to the long-term dangers of what he calls “the mobocratic spirit.” These dangers move in two directions. In the first place, “the lawless in spirit, are encouraged to become lawless in practice; and having been used to no...

The corruption of our great institutions has often been brought about by their location and nearness to the worst influences in our society. Georgetown University’s location in Washington DC, the heart of America’s political cesspool, raises an interesting question about which institution corrupted which. Did Washington corrupt the Jesuit school or was it the school and its disgusting history that helped corrupt the workings of our government? Recently uncovered historical records have revealed that during a financial crisis in its earliest days, Georgetown was forced to sell off one of the Jesuit Order’s most valuable assets to stay afloat. In...

As Biden speaks at event named for Old Hickory tonight, more appalling stories show party should dump him as icon Spring means that appeals for money are bursting forth from both major political parties. It also means Democratic officials in states and counties around the country are busy getting people out to their major fundraiser, the Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner. And theyÂ’re bringing in the big guns: Vice President Joe Biden will keynote the South Carolina DemocratsÂ’ dinner tonight.But after an election in which Democrats rode a wave of minority support to keep the White House and Senate, party activists should...

Israel not at fault in Mideast conflict If there`s hope for peace, it involves speaking truthfully and facing historical facts. http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=141496&ac=PHedi&com_sent=1 Susan Whitehouse October 19, 2007 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Susan Whitehouse is a resident of North Waterboro. — The Oct. 9 Maine Voices column by Susan Pastore, ``Quest for peace fuels criticism of Israel,`` can only be described as anti-Israel propaganda. In spite of the name of the group Pastore represents, Maine Peace and Justice in Israel/Palestine, neither justice nor peace will be found in opinions with such obvious bias, misstatements, half-truths, inaccuracies and facts taken out of their historical...