Canon

Fidelity to the Permanent Things

The Imperative of Pruning: Lessons from Conservatism's Past for Its Present Reckoning In the shadow of a resurgent conservative movement post-2024, where victories at the ballot box mask deeper fissures, a quiet but fierce battle rages-not against external foes like progressive overreach or cultural Marxism, but within the ranks themselves. This internal reckoning, akin to the purges that forged modern conservatism from the chaotic mid-20th century, demands a return to first principles and the permanent things. As voices like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens amplify rhetoric that veers perilously close to historical toxins, the imperative to prune-methodically, courageously-has never been more…

Continue ReadingFidelity to the Permanent Things

Quid Est Veritas?

Truth as a First Principle Foreword In the annals of human inquiry, truth stands as the unyielding foundation upon which reason, morality, and existence itself are built. As a first principle, truth is not merely a concept to be regarded or debated; it is the bedrock of rational thought, the self-evident axiom from which all coherent discourse emerges. Without truth, arguments dissolve into absurdity, knowledge becomes illusory, and the moral fabric of society frays. This synthesizes a profound discussion on this theme, drawing upon three enduring pillars: Merlin's solemn warning from the film Excalibur, J.R.R. Tolkien's mythic narrative in The Lord…

Continue ReadingQuid Est Veritas?

Democrats Delenda Est

The Tactical Imperative for America's Triune Revival Introduction America stands at a crossroads following Charlie Kirk's assassination on September 10, 2025-a stark revelation of political division. As outlined in "Revival in the Land," a triune revival-political, cultural, and spiritual-offers healing: John F. Kennedy's call to civic service, Abraham Lincoln's mercy, and the Gospel's divine order and unalienable rights. Yet, radical leftism within the Democrat Party obstructs this vision, necessitating a tactic: "Democrats delenda est." This adapts Cato the Elder's "Carthago delenda est," a 2nd-century BC Roman demand to destroy Carthage after Hannibal's threat, culminating in its 146 BC razing. Here, it…

Continue ReadingDemocrats Delenda Est

Revival in the Land

America's Path to Revival in the Wake of Evil On September 10, 2025, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during a midday speaking event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The event, part of his "American Comeback" tour organized by Turning Point USA, drew about 3,000 attendees to an outdoor courtyard when a sniper’s bullet struck Kirk in the neck from approximately 150 yards away. Vigils now light up across the country, with leaders like Utah Gov. Spencer Cox properly calling it a "political assassination" demanding a national turning point, while Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) condemned it as a…

Continue ReadingRevival in the Land

Legal Analysis of the Declaration of Independence

Legal Analysis of the Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, is a foundational document that transcends its historical moment to embody universal principles of governance and individual rights. While not a legally binding statute, it serves as a profound legal and philosophical manifesto justifying the American colonies’ separation from British rule. Its eloquence and accessibility, as highlighted by lawyer Aaron Walker, make it a "Cliff’s Notes version of John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government," distilling complex Enlightenment ideas into a compelling case for revolution. This analysis examines the Declaration’s…

Continue ReadingLegal Analysis of the Declaration of Independence

The Spectrum of Power

The Spectrum of Power: A Progression of Philosophies Introduction The pursuit of power and order has profoundly influenced the course of human societies throughout history, giving rise to a rich and varied array of philosophical perspectives that stretch across a broad spectrum, ranging from the realms of manipulation and authoritarian control to the more enlightened domains of rights-based governance, collective will, and meticulously balanced authority. This essay undertakes an in-depth exploration of this expansive continuum, employing the structured framework provided by the "Nine Principles of Propaganda" as delineated in the accompanying poster. These foundational principles are meticulously outlined as follows: Lie…

Continue ReadingThe Spectrum of Power

The Conservative Canon

The Conservative Canon With Summaries and Influence on Civics and Policy The conservative canon presented here is a carefully curated collection of 32 seminal works that have profoundly shaped the intellectual and civic landscape of American conservatism. Spanning from the Enlightenment to the late 20th century, these texts-ranging from Edmund Burke’s Reflections on the Revolution in France to Irving Kristol’s Neoconservatism: The Autobiography of an Idea-offer a rich tapestry of philosophical, political, and cultural insights that articulate the principles of limited government, individual liberty, tradition, moral order, and free markets. Including foundational works like John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government The…

Continue ReadingThe Conservative Canon