Clip of the Week: November 1, 2023

It never hurts to ask: William Walsh, a pensioner, and the oldest living veteran of the [American] Civil War, wrote to Congress saying that his consumption of tobacco was increasing with his years. He said that he was utterly unable to gratify his desire for smoking unless he received an additional twelve dollars monthly. The Read More

“What Was Your Most Memorable Halloween?”

More than a century ago, an unnamed journalist was tasked with running around Washington, D.C. and asking notable politicians the burning questions of the day. No, not those about national politics, the burgeoning movement for women’s suffrage or even the war on the tango: Instead, this no-doubt future Pulitzer Prize winner asked U.S. cabinet secretaries Read More

A Sampler of Courage, Part 3

Before reading, fortify yourself with Part 1 and Part 2. Already read them? En garde! After three free samples, if you don’t buy something, I’m going to have to ask you to leave. . . . Just kidding. According to my website stats, you’re the only ones here. Don’t move a muscle unless you’re scrolling Read More

The Pleasantest Prattler

Politics, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage. – Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary, 1911 Ambrose Bierce—author, Civil War veteran and pre-muckraker—was one of the most influential journalists of his day, no doubt thanks in part to wit “so keen that it pierces Read More