The good news is that we still have the antidote to all the nonsense out there.
As a general matter, I have long agreed with T. S. Eliot that “there is no such thing as a Lost Cause, because there is no such thing as a Gained Cause.” Because human nature does not fundamentally change over time, it is incumbent upon every generation to learn anew the eternal lessons. We forget — as all people do. We are tempted — as all people are. We make mistakes — as is ineluctable for any free citizenry. Insisting upon the well-trodden over the seductive is what National Review is for. If you wish to help us continue doing it, please donate to our fall webathon here.
Still, I must confess to having been a little shocked of late by how many topics remain open for debate. I had not, for example, expected to see the flourishing of antisemitism that has stained the United States, Britain, and beyond since the attack of October 7. I did not consider it likely that New York City would consider electing a communist as its mayor. And I had not anticipated that the sensible and effective reforms that were ushered in by President Reagan and Prime Minister Thatcher would be at risk of being replaced quite this soon. I had not, in other words, expected these battles to return, to test us once more, on so compressed a timetable.
But return they have. Thomas Paine once said that “we have it in our power to begin the world over again.” And, goodness me, are a lot of people trying to bring that to fruition! Which means, alas, that these battles need fighting right now. At National Review, we are uniquely placed to do that, but, unfortunately, fighting requires resources. We have hosting costs and office costs and travel costs, and, of course, we have to pay all of our wonderful staff, whose analysis and arguments and reporting help to change the country for the better. There is a lot of nonsense out there right now — from grotesque conspiracy theories to economic illiteracy to an alarming lack of gratitude for this unparalleled country — and the best antidote to all of it is National Review. If you agree, please help us keep the ship afloat. We appreciate any amount you can give. Onward!
