Old-fashioned entertainment once again emerged as the strong preference of American moviegoers as National Treasure: Book of Secrets and Alvin and the Chipmunks again dominated the U.S. box office this past weekend. The two fluffy and cheerfully entertaining movies again finished 1-2 in weekend movie ticket sales for the second weekend in a row.
Lee Harris, a very intelligent man who writes thoughtful books and contributes insightful articles regularly to TCS Daily, recently wrote a very interesting and well-informed article about Christmas for that online publication. Harris is clearly sympathetic to the celebration of Christmas while being fully cognizant of the pagan foundations of both the date chosen and the various traditions associated with the day. In contrast to many complainers on both sides of the arguments over whether public celebrations of this great holy day should be encouraged or even allowed, Harris points out that these varied foundations are not faults but strengths. He correctly characterizes Christmas as "a great multicultural festival" good not only for Christians but indeed for everyone. His conclusion is particularly interesting and sensible: not only should Christians embrace the celebration of Christmas wholeheartedly, so should non-Christians as well.
William F. Buckley’s latest column (published in National Review Online here) is devoted mainly to pointing out that the United States is not responsible for current conditions in Pakistan. This should be obvious to anyone with a brain, but alas it is not at all so to the mainstream media types who delight in blaming the United States for all the ills of the world. Buckley is right. Although Buckley does not make an argument based on any principles laid out overtly in the piece, he does close with a strong statement that applies not only to Pakistan but in fact to all of international affairs. To wit: The Bush administration should announce to the waiting world that the United States cannot be charged with responsibility for maintaining order in Pakistan, and does not accept responsibility for the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Yes, and not only that, we should adopt and articulate a classical liberal approach to international affairs that places the protection of U.S. citizens within U.S. borders as its paramount concern. It’s never too late to take the wise course.
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