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CATEGORY: INFRASTRUCTURE (9 MIN)
In major American cities, many tourists will choose to avoid the public transportation system. New York’s subway, in particular, has faced widespread criticism for the violence, homelessness, and general griminess which drives visitors to ride-sharing options. But even though most of our readers—and most Americans—are fully aware of our nation’s public transportation issues, nothing changes. Why?
For UnHerd, Chris Arnade, a photographer and writer who walks around the world, discusses his experience with U.S. public transportation and the incompetence that cripples the system. Arnade flew back to New York from Sofia, Bulgaria, recently, and he immediately faced a train filled with the stench of vomit (and worse) and a complete lack of cleanliness. He contrasts that situation to the “cleaner, safer, and smoother” trains and buses in Bulgaria.
Arnade also notes the class distinction inherent in the N.Y. subway. The wealthy members of the city drive in or are driven, while the poorer individuals take the unkempt, disgusting trains. Arnade argues this system is unfair to both riders and the homeless who live onboard, since it creates dangerous situations for them all.
Arnade also uses the example of a Los Angeles bus stop “innovation” which drew rounds of mockery online. Read about “La Sombrita” in Arnade’s full piece here.
(Note: this article contains some profanity.)
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Weekly Poll
RESULTS: 1/18/24
Last week, we asked: Who is your favorite Republican presidential contender still in the race? Here are the results:
[A] Donald Trump - 27.2%
[B] Ron DeSantis - 39.8%
[C] Nikki Haley - 32%
[D] Unsure - 1%
Do you think American cities should increase police presence?
[A] Yes
[B] No
[C] Unsure
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CATEGORY: CULTURE (13 MIN)
Mainstream media outlets and pundits often act irrationally when faced with the boogeyman of the “alt-right.” They consider this movement to be an extreme group of people determined to live a life which has no place in modern society, all while trying to oppress both women and ethnic minorities. And although a few Americans surely are bad actors with this intention, the “alt-right” or “far right” characterization has overtaken reasoned discourse.
Mary Harrington, writing in First Things, reviews a 2023 book by Eviane Leidig called The Women of the Far Right: Social Media Influencers and Online Radicalization. The work, according to Harrington, comes from an extremely progressive author with no real understanding of conservative women. It simply looks at caricatures rather than the whole.
But Harrington uses the book to make points about the battle over male and female roles in modern American society. She points out that both revolutionary feminists and reactionary conservative influencers often over-simplify the debate. Instead, Harrington says, “the reality of sexed life tends to be messier.”
Harrington goes on to explain how motherhood, the realities of working life, and love itself all contribute to this “messiness.” Read her entire article right here.
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CATEGORY: PODCAST EPISODE (ARCHIVE)
In this episode, Curt Mills joins the podcast to discuss:
- the political dynamics surrounding the midterm elections in 2022
- how the establishment GOP is navigating the challenges and opportunities of the growing nationalist-populist movement within the party
- why traditionally Blue states like Oregon, Rhode Island, and Maine could become Red states in the coming years
Texts Mentioned:
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Daring Greatly: Forming America's Next Great Statesman
February 2nd, 2024
The Heritage Foundation is proud to host the launch of the insightful new book, Gateway to Statesmanship: Selections from Xenophon to Churchill by Johnny Burtka, on February 2, 2024, at 11:00 AM. This event features a dynamic panel discussion with distinguished speakers Larry Arnn and Elbridge Colby, delving into the rich tapestry of statesmanship across history and its relevance today.
In this panel discussion, Johnny Burtka, Larry Arnn, and Elbridge Colby will explore how the study of statesmanship extends beyond the realms of politics into the broader scope of human thought and action. They will discuss how the classics teach us about the difficult choices that shape lives and character, providing insight into how these teachings are vital today.
Join us in Washington, DC >>>
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41st Annual Viennese Waltz Ball
February 17th, 2024
Join ISI on Saturday, February 17th, at The Organization of American States for the 41st Annual Evening of Viennese Waltzing.
It will be a night of silk top hats, furs, dance cards, champagne, and flaming crepes as more than 200 couples recreate the sumptuous balls of turn-of-the-century Vienna.
Join us in Washington, DC >>>
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Gateway to Statesmanship Book Launch with Johnny Burtka
February 22nd, 2024
Join us for an enlightening evening at the Linda L. Bean Center as we celebrate the launch of the much-anticipated book, Gateway to Statesmanship: Selections from Xenophon to Churchill. This event starts at 6:00 PM with a welcoming reception, offering a chance to mingle, enjoy refreshments, and prepare for an evening of intellectual discussion.
As the reception winds down, we transition into a compelling panel discussion featuring Enrique Pallares and Joseph Prud’homme, renowned for their deep insights into political and philosophical thought. This discussion will delve into the book’s exploration of statesmanship, not just as a political art but as a comprehensive study of human thought and action.
Join us in Wilmington, DE >>>
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Because our student editors and writers are bravely bringing conservative ideas to their campuses, we’re highlighting their efforts here.
UChicago Performs Illegal Late-Term Abortions—and Advertises Them Online via The Chicago Thinker
“UChicago Medicine’s in-house abortion clinic, the Ryan Center, performs illegal, post-viability abortions and advertises them online. Specifically, the Ryan Center performs abortions up to a threshold of 23 weeks 6 days per its website, even though most babies are viable as of 22 weeks under the Illinois Reproductive Health Act.”
Butler College Republicans vindicated after Title IX investigation via The Collegiate Commons
“The College Republicans at Butler University (CR) has been cleared of wrongdoing in a controversial Title IX investigation that began over two months ago after CR was accused of ‘hate speech’ by members of Students for Justice in Palestine at Butler University (SJP).”
Stanford GSB Rejects Defense Tech Club: Yes to Improv Theater, No to National Security via The Stanford Review
“A proposal by several Stanford GSB students to form a Defense Technology Club on campus was recently denied by a committee of their peers. According to a LinkedIn post by one such student, the club was rejected for not ‘addressing an underserved need,’ and for not having enough ‘potential contribution to GSB culture.’ Yet the GSB already boasts an Epicurean club, an Improvisational Theater Troupe, and a Wine Circle, so the bar for an “underserved need” appears to be quite low.”
Harvard Shouldn't Just Blame Students for Free Speech Woes via The Harvard Salient
“About a week ago, Harvard announced its ‘Intellectual Vitality and Free Expression Student Summit,’ which was co-hosted by PEN America, a non-profit dedicated to free expression. ‘Our hope is that through participating in this event,’ the announcement stated, ‘you will feel more well versed in literacy on free expression issues… advocating for your rights… [and] civil discourse and respectful engagement.’ My hope is that Harvard can cut the posturing and actually start fixing these issues. That starts with administrators and faculty holding themselves accountable.”
An Interview With Senator Rob Portman ’78 (R-OH) via The Dartmouth Review
“Digital Editor of The Dartmouth Review Lintaro Donovan interviewed former Senator Rob Portman ’78 (R-Ohio) on January 12, 2024. The interview was conducted following the Senator’s visit to campus two days earlier on behalf of the presidential campaign of former U.N. Ambassador and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.” |
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CATEGORY: CULTURE (8 MIN)
One of the most common phenomena for Americans of all backgrounds today is disconnection. Families, religious institutions, and even office communities have lost their pull—many people would rather just be alone. This problem has had real and destructive effects on American culture. Is there a way out?
For this week’s Intercollegiate Review archive, Paul H. Lewis reviews Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960–2010, a 2012 work by Charles Murray. Murray, a controversial figure to some, structured his book around two fictional neighborhoods. The first, Belmont, contains wealthier individuals united around many productive virtues but oblivious to many of the problems around them. The second, Fishtown, contains a lower class who has lost religiousness, the desire to form families, and its work ethic.
Lewis says Murray uses these neighborhoods to show the virtues which Murray claims underlie American culture: “stable marriages and families, religiosity, honesty, and industriousness.” Lewis notes that Murray’s upper class has these characteristics, but that they are slipping away, and the Belmont “elites” are failing to encourage their growth.
Murray, in 2012, hoped that Americans would see European decline as a reason to focus on traditional institutions more. Lewis, writing in 2015, asked, “But will this really happen?”
In 2024, what is your answer? Read Lewis’s full review to learn more.
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Thought of the Day:
“Public order is a fragile thing, and if you don't fix the first broken window, soon all the windows will be broken.”
- James Q. Wilson
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Join ISI’s new Alumni Giving Club
It’s never been easier for you to support our mission—and stay part of our community—with ISI’s new Alumni Giving Club!
For just $19.53 a month, you can join the fight and “pay it forward” by educating the next generation for ordered liberty.
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