Was it the beautiful works of political philosophy written by Jefferson, Adams, and Hamilton that I read throughout my time majoring in political science? Could it be listening to Lin Manuel-Miranda’s Hamilton soundtrack on repeat for four days in a row leaving me with a perfect knowledge of every word to every song in the show? Both are excellent possibilities. Continue reading What Makes an American?: A 4th of July Retrospective
Washington published his Farewell Address on September 19th, not as a review and celebration of his achievements as president, but rather as “the disinterested warnings of a parting friend, who can possibly have no personal motive to bias his counsel.” When George Washington bid farewell to his public life, he left with a speech that still applies to the United States today. At the heart of his parting words is a goal: that in order to remain free and independent citizens of our own nation we must be politically united, a problem: a warning against too closely binding ourselves together politically with other nations, and a solution: we may only preserve our nation through religion and morality. Continue reading MORE THAN DISINTERESTED WORDS FROM A PARTING FRIEND: HOW THE ADVICE FROM WASHINGTON’S FAREWELL ADDRESS APPLIES TO THE U.S. TODAY
In the year 1786, many of the leading men of the country recognized that the Articles of Confederation were not working. A Constitutional Convention was organized in Annapolis, Maryland with John Dickinson serving as chairman.2 Dickinson’s time at the head of national politics was cut short because only five states sent representatives. The Annapolis Convention did, however, foster support for a later convention to amend the Articles of Confederation that would be held in Philadelphia. John Dickinson arrived at the Philadelphia convention on May 29, 1787 as a delegate from Delaware. At fifty-five years old, Dickinson was still a young man, though a lifetime of stress, debate, and illness added years to his appearance. (Flower, 240) Above all else, it was Dickinson’s wisdom that stood out most. In the waning days of the Constitutional Convention, Dickinson advised his fellow delegates that Continue reading John Dickinson: Forgotten Founder (Part 2)
Although he was a moderate conservative at the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, Dickinson played a vital role in the pre-revolution activities of the seventeen sixties and early seventeen seventies. His pamphlet, Letters of a Pennsylvania Farmer denounced the heavily reviled Stamp Act and called for the colonists to demand their rights as British citizens. These early conflicts with Britain would demand much of Dickinson during his time in the Pennsylvania and Delaware Assemblies. Continue reading John Dickinson: Forgotten Founder
Merry Christmas Charlie Brown! The beloved holiday special turns fifty today, so it’s a pretty special day in my house due to my love of all things Peanuts. I also love philosophy and tend to notice little lessons in films and television. (See the film section of my site’s homepage if you don’t believe me.) I do this with just about any high minded piece of media that I watch so it’s only natural that I would try to find messages in my favorite Peanuts holiday specials. Thus, I have ranked the top five Charlie Brown holiday specials by philosophic content…because why not? Continue reading The Top Five Most Philosophic Charlie Brown Holiday Specials
The Importance of Parenthood in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Continue reading The Importance of Parenthood in Avengers: Age of Ultron
Originally posted on Otaku in My Veins:
After seeing Avengers Age of Ultron for the second time, I started thinking about the correlation between Dr. Frankenstein and Tony Stark. Yes, the Dr. Frankenstein from Mary Shelly’s 1818 novel. I find there’s a lot of value for views to compare stories with similar themes, a classic… Continue reading Tony Stark and the Modern Prometheus.
There are some faults within every human being that are necessary to be overcome in order to attain one’s full potential. Over the course of writing this paper, I had to look at myself in a new light so that I could discern those faults which would I would need to overcome in order to … Continue reading Exploring My Areas of Improvement
The Elephant's Conscience: Thoughts From a Young Conservative 