Taki's Daily Blog
Today in Rome I approached the throne of St. Peter and for the first time entered the Basilica built on his bones. I was blessed to make this visit not as a tourist or art student but as a penitent; I’d been procrastinating about going to see St. Peter’s baroque enormity, wanting to visit the smaller churches first on the advice … [Read More]
Race, Nationalism, and Patriotism, Part III: Patriotism
At long last, we arrive at the end of the line, having examined first race and then nationalism. I’d like to thank once again all those who have taken part in these discussions, which have, for the most part, been quite civil, even in the midst of strong disagreements (with a few notable exceptions). In this final part of my series, … [Read More]
Race, Nationalism, and Patriotism, Part II: Nationalism
As we continue this series on race, nationalism, and patriotism, I’d like to note that the discussion on Part I: Race has been more subdued and thoughtful than similar discussions, and I’d like to thank those who have taken part in it. In this second part, I rely quite heavily on the writings of the Hungarian-American (and Catholic) historian John Lukacs, … [Read More]
From the moment that The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs first appeared, I’ve been a fan. With his skewering of Silicon Valley culture and his incisive, yet still humorous critiques of tech journalism, “Fake Steve” quickly developed an audience that went far beyond Mac users. Speculation about the identity of “Fake Steve” made the pages of the Wall Street Journal, the … [Read More]
Oh, Justin, Justin, Justin. My friend, I know that you’re too intelligent to be taken in by the likes of Bill Donohue. The same Bill Donohue who said “Yeah, I believe in freedom of speech and freedom of religion, but don’t become a salesman. Don’t hawk it like that on the street” has made his living at the Catholic League for … [Read More]
Considering certain recent discussions on this website, readers might find the release today of Pope Benedict XVI’s second encyclical, Spe salvi, of some interest. In particular, the Holy Father stresses that Christianity is not a religion of political revolution: “Christianity did not bring a message of social revolution like that of the ill-fated Spartacus, whose struggle led to so much bloodshed. … [Read More]
This Web site is non-sectarian, and I’m glad. However, as some of the discussion threads have exploded into a veritable 30 Years War, I have asked the editors for this opportunity to pose a few questions from my own point of view, as a faithful if thoroughly imperfect Roman Catholic who welcomes the development of doctrine which occurred at Vatican II … [Read More]
While I cannot (by which I do not mean “will not,” but truly cannot) endorse the opening paragraph of Kevin Michael Derby’s ”The Silence of Father Neuhaus,” the rest of the piece is excellent, and even the fulsome praise in Mr. Derby’s first paragraph serves a rhetorical purpose, heightening the effect of the criticism throughout the rest of the piece. Mr. … [Read More]
Sam Brownback is out, but he’s not down. In a move clearly calculated to maintain his viability as a vice-presidential candidate, he met with Rudy Giuliani on Thursday in Brownback’s Senate office. As Daniel Larison points out, Brownback stopped short of endorsing Giuliani, but declared that he is now “much more comfortable” with Giuliani’s position on abortion. Daniel seems to think … [Read More]
Robert Novak might not be able to distinguish Thomas Fleming from Thomas Fleming (as the howler in his latest book shows), and he might benefit from a remedial course in journalistic ethics (as the Valerie Plame outing, among other incidents, indicates), but he’s generally pretty savvy when it comes to electoral politics. So I’m discussing his latest column today not simply … [Read More]