The Fleming Foundation Cultural Commentary

1

A Botched Civilization, Part 1 of 2

The First World War was a defining moment for the civilization of Europe.  The first war and its inevitable successor have been called Europe’s civil war, and there is truth in this characterization.  Divided by language, religion, and culture, the nations of Europe were united in a common civilization.  But if the two conflicts were part of a European civil war, they were also the beginning of the end of Europe and Christendom, whose memory is now preserved only in libraries, museums, and some churches.

15

Puttin’ On the Ritz Crackers

I used to take some care in cutting and lighting my cigars, but the sight of the aficionados at work, many of whom have less taste in cigars than the affected young man, has driven me to biting the end off and snatching a light from a pack of cheap matches or from the kitchen stove.

3

Wooden Heads and Stony Hearts

The abortion question is being raised by both sides in the shadow boxing performance we call presidential elections. No other question so exemplifies Sam Francis’ characterization (borrowed from the father of Neoconservatism, Benjamin Disraeli) of our two national factions as the Evil Party and the Stupid Party.