As readers of WWTFT know, Jon Bruning is the Attorney General for the state of Nebraska and recently announced his candidacy for the US Senate. He has also become a regular contributor at WWTFT. Given the recent ruling by Judge Vinson, we thought our readers might like to hear from Jon on the subject. With that in mind Jim and I asked him a few questions in a brief (but exclusive!) interview.   Read the rest of this entry »

This week's puzzle continues our Thom Paine theme, this time with the opening paragraphs from his pamphlet Common Sense. We have also continued our foray into developing cryptic clue and thrown in a few corny puns too. All that aside, it's Paine's writing that is what's notable here. We've included the portion from which the words were taken for the puzzle. It's worth reading even if you don't do the puzzle!   Read the rest of this entry »

With everyone in the blogosphere talking about Judge Vinson's ruling on the constitutionality of the health care bill, we were initially going to opt out from chiming in. But, upon reading the ruling, we were amazed to see how much philosophical analysis (not just case law) went into the decision ... the majority of which asks a question which is near and dear to our hearts.   Read the rest of this entry »

In this article we attempt to pull out some things to think about from Federalist No. 15. We ponder whether Hamilton may have gone overboard in correcting some of the defects he identified in the Articles of Confederation. There are also some timeless observations on foreign policy.   Read the rest of this entry »

In Federalist No. 15 Hamilton makes further arguments about the utility of retaining the Union. What is more interesting, however, is his commentary on foreign policy.   Read the rest of this entry »

While, at first blush, The Screwtape Letters might not seem the kind of thing that fits our WWTFT theme, it turns out that there are a few things which are relevant.   Read the rest of this entry »

In this week's crossword, there are a few cryptic clues. It should be solvable regardless of how tough they may be, since the source of all the words used, the first few paragraphs of Thomas Paine's, The Crisis, is included for your reading pleasure.   Read the rest of this entry »

James Monroe is not a subject easily captured within the confines of a book. Harlow Giles Unger, nevertheless, does a masterful job in this biography of hero, diplomat, statesman, president and man for all seasons, James Monroe.   Read the rest of this entry »

This week's crossword puzzle is based on another one of Franklin's writings. His observations on taxation and charity are just as applicable today as when he wrote them in 1766. Even if you don't do the puzzle, it's worth reading.   Read the rest of this entry »

In this essay Madison argues for American exceptionalism. He dismisses the argument that says "the form of government recommended for your adoption is a novelty in the political world." Rather he sees the republic as "the glory of the people of America" for "they accomplished a revolution which has no parallel in the annals of human society."   Read the rest of this entry »