As the sun went down Friday, we passed our goal of $50,000 for this webathon.

Thank you, readers, subscribers, and friends. Thank you. $50K is a lot of money, and we’re honored that you find National Review worthy of your support.

You know, Rich was joshing me just yesterday — when the webathon total stood at just $33K — about how my beloved Oklahoma Sooners have been having trouble crossing the 33-point mark over their last seven games.

Okay, okay — that’s fair. But on this Bedlam Series Eve, I’m going to focus on a better number: yes, 50.

You see, 50 is the number of conference championships that Oklahoma has won in the Sooners’ legendary history.

You might not have realized this, Rich, but Texas, for all its bragging and bluster, has won only a shockingly low 32 conference championships — and only two (!) this millennium. Sad!

Indeed, there’s a long and distinguished history associated with the number 50.

There are 50 states in our beloved Union. The 50th Northumbrian Infantry Division was one of two British divisions to land at Normandy on June 6, 1944. The arcade version of Pong was released 50 years ago. And of course, NR readers just put our webathon above $50K.

But conservatives have never been satisfied with merely the minimum. There are bigger and better numbers than 50. For example:

  • The net gain of 54 House seats won in ’94
  • Ronald Reagan’s 58.8 percent of the vote in 1984.
  • National Review’s founding 67 years ago.

All kidding aside, would you help us get to $60,000 before the end of the weekend?

Your support allows us to continue working for the mission we started nearly seven decades ago: to push, pull, and tug America toward a more conservative future, one that respects the citizen, the family, and the local community — not the government in Washington — as the foundation of this country. There’s much work to do, and time is short. Your financial support allows NR to pursue the journalism we’ve been doing day in and day out for years, covering the stories you won’t find on the major networks or in the big newspapers, and developing the young writers and editors who will carry this mission forward for years to come.

If you’ve found NR to be a valuable part of your life, we would really appreciate your having our backs — with $5, $10, $50, $1,000, or any amount you might choose.

We stand in awe of our readers for their support over so many years. Thank you.