I. Ugly American I went to the World Cup with the intent to follow the Spanish team.  I’ve been a supporter for a couple years now.  They’re a perennial powerhouse, fun to watch, and have the potential to underachieve and break your heart.  All the best ingredients for a team to watch...

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of articles about impressions of South Africa and the World Cup from contributor and first time visitor to the country, Mark Petterson. South Africa, Week One. I came here for the soccer, but by the end of the week, I find I’ve been more distracted...

A couple of things have happened in the last few months that’ve made me rethink the ideal of an effective leader, specifically when it comes to a powerful and respected political office like, say, the President of the United States. In October, President Obama was awarded an honor usually reserved...

As my late Christmas gift to you, I present some things to consider this New Year, convenient and hackneyed, numbered 1 – 4. I hope it will – if nothing else – serve as a distraction if you, along with the rest of the West, wonder what will happen to jobs and bank accounts and car companies,...

Gilbert Keith Chesterton’s The Everlasting Man is a dangerous book. It is not for the weak-minded, nor for those who are prone to exaggeration or to extremes of temperament and emotion. That said, you should probably read it, if you haven’t already. (If for no other reason than to impress...