Jerry Falwell Jr.: Failed Institutionalist was first published at National Review. In December 2015, I sat with about 10,000 other students in Liberty University’s Vines Center for one of the thrice weekly Convocations, this one featuring remarks by Jerry Falwell Jr., the school’s president, chancellor, and son of its famous founder. It was already well-known…
Appearance: Matt Lewis and the News
I had the privilege of joining Daily Beast Senior Columnist, Matt Lewis on his eponymous (and excellent) podcast, Matt Lewis and the News. We discussed Jerry Falwell Jr. in light of his recently announced leave of absence from Liberty University. We also talked about the culture of Liberty and what Jerry’s fall says about the…
Review: Ford v Ferrari, 2019 – ★★★★½
So I don’t dislike cars. But they don’t excite me the vaguely erotic way that they seem to excite other men. But I have found that I tend to like car movies (or racing movies at least). So I went into Ford v Ferrari with high hopes. But here’s the thing, you don’t need to…
Re: Doubling Down on Double Standards
Responding to “Doubling Down on Double Standards” by Jonah Goldberg at The Dispatch. It’s rare that I disagree with Jonah; happens about once every 12-18 months. This, I guess, is one of those instances. Although, oddly, I think I agree with nearly every point made in the piece; the way the Biden allegations have been…
🔗 On Americans
The American spirit is a hell of a thing. For better or worse. The same disobedient spirit that helped us to establish liberty here also makes us uncooperative, obstreperous, and, sometimes, dangerous. It’s a package deal. […] Americans are bananas, and American public policy has to take the whole banana bunch into account. Every time…
Review: Joker, 2019 – ★★★★½
I didn’t see a lot of new movies in 2019. But I am catching up now that most of the best movies from last year are out. Joker was number 2 on my list and it did not disappoint. My Letterboxd review: Wow. I didn’t think it was possible for this movie to live up…
The Best Car Commercial Ever?
“Here’s a couple of things America got right: cars and freedom.” Just shy of a decade later, I still think about this commercial from time to time. 🇺🇸
Sports Illustrated Praise for Gandy-Golden
I’ve been enjoying the coverage of Antonio Gandy-Golden this off season. Naturally, I hope the Cowboys draft him, but that seems doubtful. Either way, it’ll be fun watching him play on Sunday. Antonio Gandy-Golden, Liberty (6-4, 220): Gandy-Golden finished his senior year ranked No. 4 in the country in receiving yards (1,396) and No. 5…
Review: 1917 – ★★★★
I think 1917 will most likely be remembered as one of the best films of 2019. Here’s my Letterboxd review: Mendes’ World War 1 epic is striking. The cinematography is breathtaking. The “one shot” style is a gimmick, but a well executed gimmick that does add something to the atmosphere. That said, I don’t think…
Talent on Loan from God
Seeing Rush get the Medal of Freedom brought tears to my eyes. I grew up listening to Rush on long car rides with my grandpa to Little Rock or Gonzales or God knows where. His bumper music is seared into my brain and brings a smile to my face even today. Love him or hate…