Coming This Weekend

I know that, as seems always to be the case, I’ve been dreadfully remiss in the upkeep of this humble online bastion of Nathanism, and for this I apologize. I’m sure I’ve been busy or something. Anyhow, I just relieved myself of a serious academic burden, and intend to write a few things this weekend. [...]

“Reviving Our Sense of Place, Our Priorities of Localism, Agrarianism, and Self-government”, Part II

Why, then, a “Jeffersonian” New Urbanism? (Part One.)
A few years have passed since I last read any of the Anti-Federalist Papers; lately, slowly, I’ve been getting back to that, starting with introductory material from editor Ralph Ketcham and some of the important Constitutional debates. To me, one of the greatest failings of the Anti-Federalists [...]

“Reviving Our Sense of Place, Our Priorities of Localism, Agrarianism, and Self-government”, Part I

As I noted in my post-script to the introduction to my senior essay, E.D. Kain presents a superb, indeed “Front Porch Republic-worthy” piece, “Redefining Prosperity,” an essay so ambitious, loaded, and impressive that I’ll refrain from even attempting to reply as deeply as I had hoped, leaving part of the task to the able Mr. [...]

Place, Faith, and Political Philosophy, or How I Became a Distributist

My undergraduate program, the Program of Liberal Studies, requires a capstone senior essay for graduation. Long, long ago, in the 2005-2006 academic year, I composed mine on Distributism. I believe — hope, certainly — that I could write it better today than I did then; nonetheless, I’ve posted the introduction, which tells the story of [...]

The Catholic Capitulation: Blame the Leadership, Part II

At the heart of Catholic culture must be the parish. Here, members of the faithful, ideally, undergo instruction (The family, of course, ought to supplement this!), either, when possible, through the Catholic schools or, otherwise, through CCD programs. The should share in worship, in celebration, and in community. They should also be inspired — in [...]

Turning Up Earth, Urban — and Federal — Style

I have a rambling late-night post at Upturned Earth on New Urbanism, wherein I introduce it as something conservatives should embrace and immediately express my serious concern with the post-modern lack of (primarily architectural) context all too common in applied New Urbanist design. I’ve also offered my first post on federalism, here. Be on [...]

Edward L. Glaeser on Houston-versus-New York City

Incredibly interesting food for thought. I’m not always comfortable with some of the fare that Glaeser offers (Neither is Ryan Avent.), but this is worth the read.
But what if, like most Americans, you are neither a partner at Goldman nor a penniless immigrant? Consider an average American family with skills that put them in [...]

Excuses; forthcoming

I realize that I’ve been particularly remiss in my web-logging duties of late. For this, I apologize. The school year has started off far more busily than I could have prognosticated: Already, I’ve a project due, tomorrow, in my studio; I serve as a teaching assistant; I have two other courses, both of which require [...]

Post number one on Weyrich and Lind’s Next Conservatism

The American Conservative, in its 12 February 2007 issue, ran an article, titled, simply, “The Next Conservatism”, co-authored by Messrs. Weyrich and Lind, which argued that “By rejecting ideology and embracing “retroculture,” the Right can recover itself and perhaps reverse America’s decline.” I’ve mentioned before that I intend to comment on, at least, a couple [...]

Weyrich’s Next Conservatism

This is the first of a series of columns I intend to write on “the next conservatism.” In them, I will lay out where I think conservatism needs to go after the end of President George W. Bush’s second term.
Some people may wonder about the theme, “the next conservatism.” Isn’t conservatism always the same? Don’t [...]